Note: appropriate that Wasted Days and Wasted Nights started playing as I was nearing writing/typing the end of his chapter.
He is walking when he happens upon the unclothed woman. And upon further inspection, he simply stares. 'Should I really leave her, she is the antithesis of all the principles I hold dear. And yet, this could be an opportunity. For whatever reason, she has been left in this state could only mean that she has been cast aside. Yet still how far can I exploit this and try to use it to my advantage to somehow get back into the Friends of Humanity's good graces?! And if nothing else, it will cause a blow to my dear brother.'
The shapeshifter is barely able to move out of the way, just as the magic is about to hit him. But unable to defend against the blow that comes from behind. Before it becomes to be more brutal, the two are thrown to the side. Everybody fighting stops to see Charles Lensherr standing there as Scarlett and Miller approach him. "Clearly, whatever my sister Rachel taught you has caused all of you to become stale. I meant to come sooner but with everything that has been happening; I have been unable to.
All of you aren't just the Young Avengers. You are the children of some of the best among us. And you, Torus, surely your mother taught you better, if your father hadn't. You should have had a better handle of things then the others. Katherine looks to mage cousin to see his boyfriend putting his hand on William's shoulder; looking away to face Mariah, who reaches out clutching her hand in hers. Katherine accepts the gesture for the support it is.
Rachel is pacing back and forth in front of the group. "I know that it may seem like I am heartless. But like I told all of you, if you don't take what is given, channel and deflect it well; it will and can mean the difference between life and death. So why my questions are harsh and may not always sit well with all of you; it is only because I and your parents would never want anything to happen to you, which could have been prevented."
Rachel barely looks at Mariah and Barbara before turning to the rest of them. Barnes starts walking toward them. "That is enough for today. At least for Roger and James, it is. The rest of you take a break. I need to speak with Rachel. Roger, go find your mother. And James, Nat will take you to your parents." The two boys are gone the moment the command is given. Barnes takes ahold of Rachel's forearm leading her to a corner of the training room.
Turning her to face him. "Rachel, we may have been hesitant with our decision. But we made it nonetheless. And while it will be beneficial to them down the line; to be able to defend themselves. They are still children. Our children, you need to keep that in mind. Trying to train them until they are run into the ground, won't help anyone. Least of all them. We all told you we agreed due to the logic behind the decision. And some of us know just how bad things can get; but our reason for hesitating seems to be occurring.
Despite this, we love our children and want to protect them from all harm. We know you feel the same for all of them, even your own children. So please, you are going to need loosen your hold a little. Steve and Sharon have told me they want to train James themselves if things continue this way. And while Natalia and I agree, we get it. And why I have come with this warning, your methods we feel are becoming just short of abuse. And coming from Nat and I, you know that would have to be a lot to be considered as such. And the others don't know, simply because we managed to get Steve and Sharon to control themselves out of respect for you.
So please, you are going to have to reign it in. Like I said, I get it. Your world was a nightmare. But you seem to be forgetting this world, isn't like that. Are you okay? Because normally, you wouldn't have been called out like this?!" "I'm fine. And I don't blame Steve and Sharon or any of the others. But what happens if they get captured; and aren't ready to handle things." "As if we as their parents would let that occur." A smirk graces his face. "And even if we failed, as if you would let that happen. You care too much about each and everyone of them for any of our enemies to get ahold of them; much less try to torture them."
She turns to see them still going through scenarios. "Alright, the session is over." Each of the adolescents turn to look at her. "I mean it. In fact, take the next few days. I am going to go contact your parents. I want them in on the sessions from now on. To give their input." Each of them letting gravity take hold as they lay down; "really, Aunt Rachel?" "Yes, Dane. My reasoning for pushing all of you may be sound. But Barnes has brought up a point, that it is best all of you learn. And what I am trying to teach all of you is simply one thing when it boils down to it. My expertise alone won't be enough. The Young Avengers, along with Torus, Sean and Katherine know a little more since they have been in the game longer. However, they too can learn even better control. Speaking of such, William come here. I want to try something new with you." Ted and Thomas move as one as she says this. "Don't worry, it is more of a meditation aspect. James, thank you. Why don't you take the others; and let them join Roger and your son for the time being, they could use it?!"
"Mariah…Mariah?!" "I'm sorry, what?" "Are you okay?" "I'm fine." "You were thinking of Sean again." "Yes. He is missing out on Barbara growing up. I now get why Rachel had been so hard on us. And our cousin Charles is starting to do so now as well, Dane." "Maybe if she had continued, he wouldn't have been taken?!" "Maybe but we can't all put it all on her. Whoever took him was hell bent of doing so. So, it might have happened even with all the training bordering on abuse that she expected us to handle." "Dane is right, our cousin, not even my mother could have known or prevented what happened. Even if she knew, she did her best to keep the balance of things" Katherine adds.
The stab of pain that comes with the mental link springs forward. After each regains their bearings; they turn to each other. Charles Lensherr digs deeper. "It's true. If we gather the rest that have been affected; we can go and find her. And none of us should be surprised that she has returned to us already; she has been the best vessel that has harbored the Phoenix, not even Jean has one on her in this regard."
The light blinds them momentarily and reveals a young man with light hair and foreign garb. Looking at Charles, "I don't not recognize you. But the others, I do know. Where and when am I exactly?" "I have been around Thor enough to know that you are an Asgardian!" Mariah says. "I am. You know Thor?!" "We all do" Charles says. "Forgive me, of course you do, I expect nothing less of heroes. But I meant on a more personal level." The brown- and blonde-haired males answer him. "We do as well. Our parents are his friends and teammates, why should we. We don't even know exactly who you are?"
"I don't blame you, James Rogers and Roger Barnes." "If Sean were here or even Rachel Grey, we would know more. But since they aren't, I am unable to read his mind." Charles says.
"I apologize again. I don't blame any of you being on guard. I am a traveler from millennia's from now. Asgard was falling before I left" he looks down "and my mother had me sent back to protect me. Though, she never told me the exact moment I would be coming to. Nor when I could return if at all." He looks up at them. "And who are your parents?" Scarlett asks. "If I say too much, it could change things." Torus starts laughing. "Surely, giving us that can't do much damage?!" Charles interrupts them. "We don't have time for that. We have to get the others and go to where she could be. You can come with us.
Though at least knowing your name would be nice and helpful." "It is Norwegian. But I tend to go by Norway. And who is this she we are looking for?" "Rachel Summers" Hope answers. "Rachel Summers! Which one?" "My aunt." They see Rachel Grey approach. "I felt it; as I am sure all of you did. Who is this?" "He appears to be a future Asgardian who goes by Norwegian." "I have come to retrieve all of you. The others are gathering." "I can take us to wherever she is. Wiccan can help me. Our powers will amplify each other's." "Okay. Just wait a moment longer. Kurt is about to teleport here with everyone. Don't worry, he has help."
As the smoke clears, Norway becomes dumbfounded. The two other redheads' approach. "Hello, Norwegian Thorson." "You know me?!" "Oh yes, there isn't a mind that can escape Jean or I or even Rachel Grey if she tries." "Why do you look like my mother?" "We will explain later. But please continue to be amazed and dumbfounded." Norway slowly looks around to the rest gathered.
The blue and purple furred ones standing next to each other. A woman with a blue tattoo covering one of her eyes. A woman that is materializing through the floor. A man with a visor covering his eyes. A woman wearing a yellow jacket. A man with a trench coat, holding a staff. Two blondes standing next to each other. "Are we ready?" The incorporeal woman asks.
"Phoenix told me that you can take us to her?!" "Yes. Wiccan can help me. And if there are any other magic based beings it would help a lot more." Tuc moves forward. "I can help as well. What about Magik and Pixie?" "They have other things they are dealing with" Alison answers. Tuc and William stand next to Norway; as a circle of light appears beneath them. They are all gone the next moment.
She is standing by the edge looking at everything around her. "I am glad that you are finally wandering further than your bedroom." She turns to the man. "Yes. My curiosity to see more of the sky got to me. It is definitely more colorful than what I can remember seeing. Though I still don't recall anything else. Yet somehow, I feel as if seeing this isn't as foreign as it seems…" The sound distracts them before she can continue.
"Is she okay?" Paige asks "Yes, but you aren't going to like where she is, guys" the Phoenix answers. Rematerializing, "hello, my wretch of a brother." She grips the man's sleeve tightly upon seeing those who have come out of nowhere in front of her. "Graydon, what are you doing? And what have you told her?" "Nothing much, Kurt. Just the truth that you and all your kind are a menace." Norway stares at the woman cowering before them. 'This can't be right. She would never show her fear.' "I assure you, Norway. It is her. Though there is much that will need to be explained to you later." The Phoenix replies. "Cut the crap, Creed" Kitty tells him. "Oh, but Ms. Pryde, I don't need to. Rachel, tell them." Rachel looks around as she relinquishes her hold on his sleeve.
"Graydon, what manner of world is this? They seem familiar. And it called you brother. You told me that you weren't one of them?!" "I'M NOT!" Rachel moves even further backwards, tripping over the only thing that kept her grounded. But before she can hit the ground, what appear to be arms grab her as well as a man on fire appearing next to her. Landing back on the roof, she sees a thing made of rock; along with a woman reveal herself.
Rachel slumps to the corner; caving in on herself. "Sorry, we are late. We felt the disturbance. But since we don't have a teleporter or psychic, it took us longer to get here. Finding her and apparently all of you wasn't exactly easy" Susan tells them. "If you are here, then some of the Avengers may be on their way as well." They all turn to see Rachel having not moved much; though now she has her hands to her face, slowly rocking back and forth.
Johnny approaches remaining in his state of flames. "Rachel?!" Kurt moves forward, leaving blue smoke in his wake, upon seeing how Rachel might react. "NO! STAY AWAY! MONSTERS!" Kurt's tail moves in a circular motion as he is kneeling not far from her. His face falling at this. Scott and Alex move forward with Kitty right behind them. "Rachel, we love you and you love us" Scott says. "He's right, sis. Come home." "I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU!" She falls forward.
Norway turns to the culprit. "What did you do to her?!" "Nothing, except calm her" the Phoenix tells them. Walking toward Kurt; "you okay, my love?!" Rachel moves so she is able to see them once more. The edge still evident. "I would never associate with such creatures; it's how I know all of you are lying. Plus, I don't have brothers or any other family. I don't need anyone." The young man in weird attire moves forward; shoving Graydon as he passes him. "I don't know who you are. Nor do I care. But I will not tolerate the poison you tried to fill her with.
Rachel Summers, I have come a long way to find you." She pushes on her hands before kneeling. Shrinking backward, "I meant it! Stay away from me!" The fiery man extinguishes his flames approaching the newcomer; as the rock man places his hand on him. "Come on, kid. Clearly, we aren't wanted." "Rachel, you can't mean it. Scott and Alex are right. We love you and you love us. You are in there somewhere." He tells her managing to keep the tears at bay. She looks at sees that the others are doing the same as well.
Rachel turns her head, unable to handle what she sees. "Graydon, please. If we could just leave." "Johnathon Storm, it may be her. But the she we know is gone. She can barely remember who she is. And we can't force her. If she really wishes to stay with Graydon Creed; then there isn't much we can do. Besides, we have to explain things to Wanda, Pietro, Simon and the others" Rachel Grey says.
The blonde woman in blue nears the one called Johnny; pulling him to her. As their foreheads touch, their arms come around the other. The pain at the sight pierces her heart for the slightest of moments. The woman with brown hair in a ponytail speaks, "Clarice!" "Right." She pulls a purple blade of energy from behind her; as she touches it against the roof beneath them. A black hole appearing. She sees the man nearing the blondes still embracing; as the hole starts shallowing them. But not before turning to face her, "Belle?!" She looks down; not being able to stand this man's scrutiny. 'Am I wrong? Do I know them? I must, if this pain is any indication. But I can't even move still. You mustn't forget, they are monsters; no matter how much you want to get near them. If only to stop their pain. I…'
He touches the rooftop to see the mother of his child approach; as his team disperses. "Johnny, Torus told me that she has returned. Where is she?" "She didn't know us, Lyja. She didn't know me. And she chose to remain with Graydon Creed." "Graydon Creed, but?!" "I know, right." "Mon ami, will you be alright?!" Before he answers, he sees the kid hunched over away from the others. "What's his story?" "Don't know. But he reminds me of her, wouldn't you say, no?!" Johnny makes his way to him, leaving Lyja, Remy and the others still there to their own devices.
She remains in the seat she has taken, waiting for him to arrive. The other attendees slowly trickling in. She leans back as he enters the foyer. "You're late, Graydon. It is nice to grace us with your presence." "Rachel, what do you think you are doing? That is my seat. You know as the founder; I take the lead." "Yes, of course, and while I really do appreciate you inducting me; especially with what my history apparently was and how it goes against all this organization stands for. All of you became warm and welcome upon realizing that was behind me.
I simply wish to return the favor now. So, come Graydon, grab a seat and put it next to me." Graydon stalks forward. "I will not stand any interlopers." The smile that appears on her face is the first indication that lets him know something is off. As he gets closer, her motives come to light. "The Friends of Humanity has a mockery and insult to its name. The members start to get up at hearing this; starting to start an uproar. "SIT DOWN!" She pushes. "I wasn't done."
"Graydon Creed founded this organization to combat and protect the human population that doesn't have any mutation affiliation. But what if I told you Graydon has been doing exactly that throughout the years." "And why should we believe you?!" "Don't, but there is proof out there; at least one on thing I am about to say. And since I am not lying about that; then the rest must be true. He has aligned himself with the Hellfire Club more than once.
And to any that don't know what that is; it is an elite club comprised of mutants." "Graydon?" Creed gets up as Rachel does as well; the energy around her manifesting. "I meant it. I really appreciated you and yours helping me when I couldn't do so, myself. However, there is only such much you deserve. Graydon Creed is just as a monster all of you claim to hate. Sure, just like I, he was fortunate to look like all of you. His parents however, not so much. My, my, tell me, Graydon, how did you manage to keep such a thing hidden for so long?!" "WHY YOU! After all I have done for you!"
"His parents are Victor Creed also known as Sabretooth. And Raven Darkholme also known as Mystique. And for being a villain, she had enough sense to abandon him when he exhibited, he wasn't going to have any powers. Your mistake was bringing all those mutants and torturing them and worse. Sure, some of them may have never been physically appealing. But what you did to all of them when they begged for all of you to stop showed me, who the real monsters are.
And now that I have recovered my former self; I will do all I can to realign this organization to more positively to represent its name." Graydon moves even closer to her. "And so now, to demonstrate how serious I am" she pulls Graydon to stand in front of her, as she rises from the seat. "Graydon Creed, you have always craved power and control since mommy dearest left you high and dry. And there is no reason to be afraid of what you are about to see; I mean none of you any harm despite all you have done. Well, let me give you all that you desire, Graydon."
Flames appear around them as she brings her hand out toward his face. "The mistake I made all those years ago with Wyndgarde was not giving him enough; as he came back to haunt those, I hold dear. But give him credit, that he had enough grace to see the error of his ways and made peace with the Xmen. You, however, there is no such possibility. I have seen into your heart and soul. And for that, I won't hold back. But make sure that you aren't incinerated in the process."
Flames come out of her eyes as well; as her hand touches his face, as he slumps to the ground. His breathing become shallow; as a blank look enters his eyes. "Is he dead?!" "Of course not, though it is advised that someone call for an ambulance nonetheless." She turns and sits back in the chair. "Now, where was I? Oh yes, if there aren't any more objections." She starts having the flames recede and extinguish. "Good, now if we can continue…"
