Note: A v X is one of the roots of this chapter (the main one anyway). Not the What If? Or the tie-ins. Though will focus on other moments as well. Rachel has come to have a new understanding; and connects with one of her least favorite people (a heart to heart).
She lands pretty hard as the babe in her arms starts screaming due to the action. She tightens her arms bringing him closer. "Shh! It's okay. Mommy would never let anything happen to you." The hospital gown starts falling a little revealing some skin. Looking around she sees that she is once again back at the Xmen's mansion. She starts standing, ignoring the wince for the most part.
'What was it, Johnny told me once, that "it looks like we aren't in Kansas anymore?" Though I refuse to watch such a childish movie after Ben explained it to me. This is definitely not the time I left from, that hadn't been there before.' Her son has calmed down as she has continued rocking him. "Well, it looks like we are going to have to find some clothes.
I left this place; so, you, your sister and I can have as regular life as possible. Yet, we keep getting pulled back here. But more importantly, I have to give you a name…" She turns at the noise just in time to miss The Wolverine from slashing her with his claws. She starts powering up yet once again nothing happens. "Phoenix where are you? I need you." There is nothing but silence.
"Okay. Different game plan." She transmutes her hospital gown for one of her uniforms. Encasing her son in psychic energy she sends him in the air until it is safe. She leads Howlett away from him, knowing she is the target anyway. 'Not even he would attack an innocent child.' She lands on a section of the mansion's lawn; to be met with the sight that has everything make sense.
'Well, I was correct when I told them it wasn't over yet. But this isn't what I had imagined.' A part of The Phoenix comes toward her, perching on her arm; wherein it had abandoned her before. It enters her. "I am sorry about earlier. I am here now. They are going to kill everything we love. And I only left you because while you are able to contain me, you must know I have always preferred Jean."
"Yes. It's okay. I could never fault you with this. If I were you, I would favor Jean as well. Now let's put an end to this." Illyana, Piotr, Emma and Scott are continuing on their rampage as being the current hosts of the Phoenix. She sends the wave of energy knocking Emma, Illyana and Piotr out, taking back the entity's power.
She approaches Scott who is confronting Xavier. "Scott, stop." "Rachel?" "It will be alright, professor." He is thrown to the ground as Scott makes his wheelchair disappear. Rachel materializes in front of him. "We were just getting back to where our relationship had been, Scott, don't ruin it." "Get out of the way, Rachel. He has to pay after what he did…"
She turns to look at Charles "So what if he did? I have met Gabriel. He is dangerous, Scott. Plus, Charles saved you from the orphanage. He gave you a life. If it hadn't been for him, you wouldn't have met Jean, Emma or the rest of our family, our friends. He gave me a home. He has never judge me; do you really think I would let anyone hurt him?
Not even you. I blamed you for what happened between you and Jean; and held that over you. Despite my powers, I ignored how you have come to care for Frost. It may never be the same between us again, but I am trying. I miss you, my brother." He lashes out. She lands next to Charles.
"If what you are saying is true, then stand down. It doesn't matter what Gabriel has done, who he is. He is our brother and that will never change. I failed him, but I won't this time." He pulls The Phoenix out of her, his anger driving him to be able to do so. She falls face down just as Scott starts lifting Charles and his wheelchair in the air.
"NO! DON'T! CHARLES!" Xavier is nothing but ash the next moment. Scott snaps out of it, realizing what he has done. "Rachel, I…" He reaches out to grab her arm. Recoiling, "NO, DON'T TOUCH ME! Phoenix, I need you to bring him to me, we are leaving. You have always been cold, Scott. And I always overlooked everything you have done because you are my brother and I love you.
But the man standing before me now, I don't recognize. This is why the distance between us after Jean's death and you picking Frost grew. For no matter, how hard and cold you have been, you would always do the right thing. That hasn't changed, you are the same in both realities I have known you in. But I can't really blame you, you haven't been the same after Apocalypse infected you.
And yet, you still made these choices, knowing how those who you care about would react. You already know in my reality I had more of this problem with Alex. And gave yours a hard time, but now I have more in common with him, which I hadn't thought possible at first. I have seen the future, but our choices could still change it. I see now why I was brought here, to try to stop this madness. For the time being, I have to say you are no brother to me, Scott Summers."
The Phoenix appears mirroring Rachel's appearance, holding the infant boy in her arms. Her arms are outstretched as she brings the mental sphere, he is in to her arms the next moment. "Thank you, Phoenix. If you want to leave for a while you can. You have been abused enough." The entity is gone as she turns and takes to the sky. "Good-bye, Scott.""Rachel? RACHEL!"
The child is asleep in her arms. "I am not staying long. I only returned to see you. I will never tell you how grateful and appreciative I am that you let me in. You didn't care where I came from or what horrors you had managed to see; the atrocities I committed. The things I will always regret doing. Until I met Erik and the Xmen, there was nothing I wouldn't have done to protect Scott.
So, maybe the burden of blame on me is just as heavy. For once, meeting them I felt, knew I could be better. I didn't have to compromise the things that had been eating at me at bay any longer. You simply reinforced this ideal. Sure, you were far from perfect, just like the rest of us. But you had a purpose for keeping Gabriel a secret. You had seen how much a danger he was, a loose cannon. This is the only thing that has ever truly separate Scott and I.
Our loyalty may not know bounds or have any faults. But I have learned that there are some lines that should never be crossed. I left this world behind for this reason, Yet I got pulled back into this world, I want him and Katherine to have a life where they don't have to make such choices. I was brought here to save you. But all I am is a big failure."
"You know that isn't true, right?" "Howlett." "Chuck knows you tried given the circumstances. He would never blame you. He would proud of you. And while you may be right about a lot of things, in the end, Scott made the decision, not you, He has to face the fall out his decisions result in. Definitely yours and Pietro's kid, but last I remember you had a girl."
"We did. I know that I am still in the same reality. And based on the things I saw; I was brought back to the past to prevent this. That is why I am a big failure." He steps a little closer. "What I said still stands, we have all feared The Phoenix for a reason. Yet we know with you we don't have to worry as much. We have never seen another exhibit such control with the entity; not even Jeanie had been able to manage the way you have."
A slight smile appears on her face. "Thanks, Howlett. You and I may never see eye to eye or even like each other much, but I really appreciate the sentiment." She turns to the headstones once more. "I wonder now what it would have been like if she had picked you; before she had made the decision to propose to and marry Scott." "Nah, we probably wouldn't have worked out either. it wouldn't have gone over as well with you, your niece and nephews. As much as it has for Scott and Frost being together. Besides not only did she pick another man; no matter how much I love her; I have always been a lone wolf."
"That is one thing you and Scott happen to share; you two are the same when it comes to harboring your emotions close to you. Refusing to let people see your feelings as much as possible." He pulls a cigar out at this, striking a match before lighting it. "Next time, please don't' do that around children, especially mine."
"So, I take it you are going to go back now then" "Yes." "Well, okay then. What are you going to name him? Or have you yet to think of a name yet?" "No. I have had it for a while. Charles has come to mean a lot to mean and my Pietro only had one best friend." After Howlett's unexpected arrival, she hasn't moved from looking at the two headstones in front of her.
"Sean Xavier Maximoff. And even if he winds up to be like his sisters and doesn't have any abilities, I will raise him right. To the best of my ability; he will be a part of your legacy, Charles, Jean. He will know that you two so loved this world and your family and friends that you were always willing to sacrifice yourselves, while making hard choices."
She is left alone, Howlett knowing if he stays any longer, he would be imposing on what was supposed to have been a private moment of thought and grief. The only sign he had been there is his lingering mental signature with the still burning cigar. "The least you could have done was put it out."
