Note: There is so much I still want to cover. However, since I have been jumping back and forth, changing things in the comic verse; I think I am going to end this story than I had anticipated. Maybe around 10 more chapters, I still haven't made an absolute on this yet. Since some of this is a flashback, I put the mental conversation in italics and bold to signify the difference. Which I didn't do with the other chapters; though I probably should have done.

The Secret Invasion is over in this story. And the beginning jumps forward quite a bit; hence some of this chapter being a flashback. And will get back to Rachel training the new generation and interacting with them more in further chapters/flashbacks. Rachel decides to drop Maximoff after her niece takes up Grey. And property of Disney/Marvel. And again sorry, for this being so long. On to the story now.


The light barely reaches her; casting a pallor on her features. The chains rattle as she is forced forward. "You know why you are here, Phoenix, Rachel Summers. What do you have to say?" A screen appears in front of her; revealing the aircraft as it touches down. "The bet is off. They came for you just like we knew they would. You promised they wouldn't. But you knew deep down just like we had that they would never willingly give you up." Moving as fast as she can; she is standing in front of him before the convulsion rocks her body.

"Please, Gladiator. You are the Emperor now. I gave myself what you wanted; I surrendered." He kneels to be at her eye level as she looks up at him from her prone position on the floor. "It is true that we have you. But the guarantee, you gave us is no longer valid. You gave yourself up for everyone's sake. It is too bad that Earth's Mightiest and its other heroes couldn't do the same for you. Keep an eye on her. We will eliminate them first before we deal with her. Let her watch as all she holds dear succumbs due to her foolishness."

(scene change/flashback, leading to the beginning of this chapter. And covered in the next few chapters. So not to get confused; since it is going to see like a jumble with the jumps.)

Are you sure about this? I caught your conversation with Illyana, Katya." "I am sure. I mean I have loved Piotr for so long. It makes perfect sense for us to take this step." "Yes. But is this what you really want? Not what makes sense; if Illyana is right and you aren't ready for this; maybe you should tell him. It is better to get cold feet now than during the actual ceremony." Rachel is greeted by silence. 'I just want to make sure as one of my best friends you aren't making a mistake, Kitty.'


"Why are they doing this to each other?" The redheads are all in a group. The only ones keep quiet are her and Hope. This allows her an opportunity to catch Ororo and Remy's conversation. "Excuse me" she tells her family before intercepting him. "Belle?!" "I know things are barely going back to the way they had been between us. I have to make sure that you aren't making a rash decision. I have seen what her rejection has done to you. Not just here but in my reality as well. I don't want you to keep suffering because of it." "I appreciate it, my belle. But you know that I have never regretted always choosing her." "Maybe. But marriage is another field all together. Do you really think a lady's man such as yourself is ready for such a commitment? We already know that you and Belladonna was another case entirely."

"Only one way to find out, belle. When it comes to her, I am always willing to take that chance. If things had been different, it would have been you. At least, I would have been at less of a risk of my heart being broken; knowing that you don't judge too harshly. You had been the only one during the Antarctica trial not to hold my one mistake and regret over me. And if you hadn't joined and helped me after being abandoned; I don't think I would ever have completely recovered. So, while she has had my heart for so long; without you, I wouldn't be the me that I am now. You will always be my belle. You have seen the darkness within me and never once having shied away from it. Not even Ro stood by me; if she says yes; you must stand by my side, Rachel. There is no one better that I could ask for."

The smirk appears on her face. "I do realize that things aren't as confined as they had once been in this reality. But I don't think nor am I sure that asking to be the maid of honor is your responsibility. Because surely you can't be asking me to fill in for the best man." "You said it yourself. Things and labels aren't as constricted as they used to be. Plus, you and Ro are the only ones I have ever truly been close to. And since my relationship with her has never been the same; you are the only other one that I would ever feel comfortable giving the honor to." "If it makes you this happy, then yes. I just wanted to make sure Rogue doesn't wind up hurting you again. We may be bridging the gap that grew between us. But I never stopped caring about you or your happiness, Remy."

She takes the arm he is offering her, the smile still on her face "Well then, Mr. LeBeau, carry on." He releases her arm, making his way to the love of his life. Before getting down on one knee, popping the question. Taking the appropriate spot, Rachel watches as two people have long since denied their happiness a chance for once. Turning her head, she peers into the direction another has made such a decision.


Sitting down next to her; both continue staring at the sunsetting. "Are you okay, Kitty?" The dark-haired woman turning to her; tears sheening in her eyes. "Red, what did I do? How could I have this; not just to him but myself? Our relationship was finally on the same page." "Kat, I don't blame you. Nor will I rub it into your face that I asked if you had been sure; you thought you had been. Nor do I blame Illyana. Piotr is the only one who has instilled this doubt in you. He hasn't always treated you right; nor the way you deserve. You are more forgiving. And you know that I have been in a similar scenario."

"But you are forgiving. You never left Pietro and always forgave him." "Until I couldn't anymore, Kat. You know after what he did to Luna; he crossed the line. And while she may never be one of my best friends, Crystalia had enough sense to get out and cut ties with him. I always knew he wasn't the same as my Pietro; in some ways better. But how far he is willing to go to get what he wants; well there are lines not even my Pietro ever would have crossed. And I had just been hanging onto the illusion of him that I still had." "Our lives suck. We have to give up trying to be happy, to protect some people who don't even appreciate us." Putting her arm around her friend, "oh, Kat. It is what makes us heroes. And who says we can't have both. I mean sure we tend to screw up. But we are only human after all."

Kitty turns to her. "Yeah. What about you and Castle?" "Pietro has never been a secret. And while I have kept mum on the other love of my life ever since finding out who he is. Like Remy, Frank is just another fling for the most part. A stepping stone. Sure, I wished he had given me a chance. But I had to face it; Maria is always going to hold his heart. And we are too alike; he would never let me in. Not completely anyway; it doesn't matter how we both feel. How about we get you out of that dress now, Kat?! We are missing the party down there."


She sputters after the water drenches her. "Good. It is about time that you woke up. You have been in a daze long enough. Our Emperor is waiting to address your comrades. Let them know that you and they came like sacrificial lambs. They think that they came to save you; knowing that in doing so they will suffer the same fate. And you giving yourself up didn't deter them in any way from saving and protecting their own. Now get up." The guard grabs her arm in a vicelike grip before dragging her down the corridor.

The shackles on her wrists and ankles make it hard to move; leading to her practically being dragged. Suppressing her abilities enough, have left her pretty much useless. She sees Gladiator with his royal guard on the plank that overlooks the area beneath them. He barely acknowledges her through his peripheral vision; before turning to Oracle.

She trips at the command she feels; a scream erupting at the pressure she feels on the edge of her mental capabilities. Yanked forward, hovering in mid air before being placed on the edge of the balcony; to see those she cares about staring up at her as her knees are the only thing from keeping her from falling to the ground below.

Gladiator now standing behind her as Oracle is not far off; making sure Rachel continues to stay kneeling. "I am far from thrilled that all of you here; for I have come to consider all of you friends. Even this one" he places his hand on Rachel's head."However, as a leader and ruler of a nation, I must never let my feelings blind me. The Phoenix has long posed a threat. And has only escalated upon finding Jean Grey and some of the Summers are excellent hosts; along with Earth as its favorite planet to reside. We have tried to keep the entity at bay as best we can. And so too, will we know as well; Rachel Summers-Maximoff has finally felt her control slipping. And came to us; knowing we would handle the situation appropriately.

The only condition that all of you were left out of it; and she wouldn't resist. But we all knew you wouldn't take this lying down. All of you are too loyal. So, I propose a reenactment of the battle on Earth's moon that occurred so long ago; here and now though. All of you; The Fantastic Four, The Xmen and the Avengers against my royal court. All for the sake of Rachel's Summers-Maximoff's fate. Her head is snapped up; her hands coming up to her throat, to only ease the pain the action caused.

"When all is said and done, tell me Rachel; will it be worth it?" Gladiator turns to his second in command, nodding his head. As it begins; Oracle staying behind to monitor Rachel. "Not letting feelings get in the way; is this really wise? You know they may never forgive us for this?" "They are all leaders in their own ways; they will come to understand in time. Though if any blood shed is to be prevented; it is all on you Rachel Summers. We all know even with all of Oracle's proficiency; she can never be a match for a host of the Phoenix, especially one who has cognitive abilities of your caliber. How long are you really going to let them suffer for your choices?!"