Note: this will focus more on Rachel training the younger generation she had been entrusted from a chapter of Kaleidoscope that going more into detail hadn't fit the that story. And definitely going to be longer than Kaleidoscope. This story really took a life of its own, particularly one arc. Which will focus on about to be introduced characters into the MCU. And yes, know that wasn't supposed to be the point of this story. But some moments really wound up connecting more than others.
Hope doesn't get too confusing since again mixing the comicverse with the MCU. And since this is more about (quiet) moments that occur in Kaleidoscope; it may be boring because there will be a lot of dialogue. A lot tends to be connected so no time will have passed between it. And if do, hopefully, it will be clear enough as well. And as usual trying to fit as many Marvel characters if the story (one shots) allow/fit. And apologize again about the note length, somehow they become wordy. Enjoy!
Closing her eyes before crossing her legs, letting herself become weightless. Her hands resting on her knees. "Um, what is she doing?" "I am concentrating. It is the degree that all of you need to learn; that can manage doing more than one thing if possible. Especially you William, I want to get you to conjure your ability without having to chant your desires.' "Is that possible?" "It is. It's how I gained control of my powers." The teenagers turn to see Charles Lensherr walk in with Scarlett and Miles behind him.
"Charles is right. It was difficult for him at first, but we managed. So, you will definitely be easier William. I have had you all do nothing but exercise and run laps until now. We are going to try something different today, the conditioning up to this point should have done its job. Charles and Scarlett will keep watch, the first to land a hit on me will be excused from my lessons for a week. This will be to see how far you have come as a team and individually; and to see how creative you can be. You know that I won't make it easy on any of you." She tells them never opening her eyes and her pose, continuing to sit cross legged in the air; her hands still on her knees.
"Oh, and to give you an advantage, I prevent myself from reading any of you, even if making your thoughts transparent. Charles if you are ready, we can begin." "Whenever you are, Rachel." She nods her affirmation. Scarlett keeps Miles by her side as the two, look to see members of the Xmen watching from the control room.
Ted grabs onto Thomas's hands lifting him in the air, before hovering above the sphere Rachel has barricaded herself with. William right behind them as his hands become engulfed in blue energy. Ted releases Thomas who starts running as William keeps his brother in midair, the wind slightly moving Rachel's bubble. As Thomas also tries to get the circle to disperse with the explosions, he is able to cause.
America starts running forward, "Cassie, Kate whenever you are ready?!" Cassie grows picks up Chavez in the process before throwing her as Bishop nocks her bow, letting the arrow fly. Just as Thomas stops running leaving an opening just as Bishop's arrow manages to do its job. A part of the sphere disintegrating momentarily as the team takes the opportunity presents. America, William and Ted manage to get inside before it closes. Just as America is able to touch her with an attack, Rachel stands, opening her eyes.
"That is definitely an improvement from last time, but clearly not good enough." Dodging Chavez's kick, as well as the couple's attacks. Before sending the three backwards, right out the force field. Touching the mat as the groans are heard as the rest of their team checks on them. "And since I left Charles to make the final decision, what do you think I should do?"
"While the objective may have been landing a hit, they pulled off what they hadn't been able to before. That should be rewarded, don't you think?!" Taking a moment, Rachel continues, "very well. You have a really good point. While all of you functioned well as a team, I will go easy on you. You only get to run ten laps today. And as usual, you are not permitted to use your speed, Thomas. Chavez, since you were the closest, you are off the hook for the next week."
"Ten laps?! Aunt Red, come on?!" "Thomas, I could always go back to all of you running until I tell you to stop. Would that be better?!" Shepard looks down. "No ma'am." "Good, go on now." The doors open as one of the other red heads enter, Thomas making a beeline to them. Taking the hand offered her, "Hope!" "After you're done, I could make your defeat worth it. Besides there is something I need to discuss with you." Kissing her cheek, Thomas falls in line behind his brother and best friend.
Hope walks up to her aunt. "I brought Alleyne like you wanted. And the others are disappointed they had to sit this out, especially Torus and Katherine. I could have given all of them pointers." "Its fine. Thank you, Hope. Besides, while I have taken them on as a responsibility, Johnny wouldn't be happy if I did something that could hurt Torus permanently. Katherine needs to work on herself before I take the kid gloves off. I don't know what has been with her lately." Rachel turns to observe her nephew and his boyfriend. "There is something there, something I know I am missing?!" "But that is weird, Aunt Red. I thought your telepathy made it impossible to forget things." "True. And yet it isn't the first time, someone has suppressed one of my memories." "But what makes you think it really is Katherine?!" "I don't really know, just a feeling that I can't escape."
Having had picked up on the thoughts lately, 'I have put this conversation off long enough.' Raising her hand, Rachel knocks on the door before waiting for a response. Upon being met with silence for minutes, she opens the door and entering the room. Only to be met with a scenario she had never hoped would happen, Katherine is hovering in the air, her eyes encased with white energy as she is chanting a spell. As the piece of a picture gravitates to the palm of her hand.
Barely concentrating on her daughter, she pins Katherine to the wall. Bringing the piece of the picture, she turns the piece of the picture to see who is in it. 'I didn't think I was wrong. But was really hoping for it, Katherine has made her intentions more than known. It never mattered that he would never return her feelings, nor that Ted would be there as well.' "LET ME GO! YOU'RE RUINING EVERYTHING! JUST LIKE YOU ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL!"
Moving forward, "Katherine, please. You mustn't do this. And I am partly to blame. I let you get away with too much this time." 'Kobik, Charles, Alex, Magik, I need someone, anyone.' "Don't even bother calling for help, mother." "Katie?!" "That won't work. That nickname ceased to mean anything when you abandon me to The Pits." Shock and remorse grace Rachel's face. "Oh, you think I didn't remember, dear mother.
Tell me, how do you think your friends and family will think of you once they find out?!" Her head hung in shame, "there are things you don't understand…And for whatever reason when you were born to me again here; I knew we had another chance." "So, you thought that keeping the truth was the only option." "No, of course not! Any indication you remembered had never been demonstrated, and I didn't want to burden you with something that couldn't be changed."
Katherine begins laughing just as William, Alex, Charles, Kobik, Ted, Magik and others appear. "Rachel?!" "There is no time for that my would-be sister. Kobik, you know once you haven't a use for her anymore, my mother will spit you out as if you were nothing." Wiccan's hands and eyes start glowing blue as he rises from the ground. "That isn't true…" "Spare me." Katherine replies before turning to face the wall to her right. "Enough of this." Moving her right hand in a circular motion, she is released, touching the ground. Freezing everyone in the process.
'Forget.' Charles, Alex, Magik, Ted, Kobik and the others fall to the ground as if they were marionettes whose strings have been cut. Rachel and William remain motionless, powerless to do anything. Katherine stands by Rachel bringing her hand to the crown of Rachel's head, stroking her hair. Two lone tears escape her mother's eyes as this confrontation is pushed from her mind. Before Katherine stands in front of William "know this my cousin, when the time comes, I will take what I want. And it shouldn't be too much longer."
The birds fly in the room before perching on her shoulders. Barely glancing at them, "well it is about time you showed up. I was beginning to get tired of waiting." Looking at Ted, "if this is going to work, then now is the time for the switch. And no one will be the wiser, especially with your background, K'lrt. As for you, the time isn't quite right, Lazerfist; we still need to practice and make sure the masquerade won't be detected immediately. This would be extremely counterproductive to our goals."
Landing on the ground, K'lrt morphs into his usual state. "What about him? And wouldn't your team question them being passed out in your room like this?!" Kneeling, "don't worry. I have this covered. As her eyes glow white once more, Katherine keeps her hand above Ted before he morphs into something more easily transportable. "And since my powers are mystic based, no one would question my suddenly having acquired a familiar. This will give you a chance to observe more for when the transfer is to take place, you will be more than ready, Lyja Lazerfist."
"So, then we should stage an intervention?!" "No, not at all, Hope. Whatever problem Katherine is having I will deal with it." "But you shouldn't have to?! Besides, you aren't the only one that sees her design for William." Moving to the center of the mat, let's Hope know that the conversation is over. Crossing her arms, Rachel sends just enough energy out to have them halt in their laps. "David, come here."
The team gathers, "I will excuse any of you not finishing your laps. I want to introduce you to David Alleyne; he will be a part of this team when he isn't with the Xmen. And to get to know him and make up for not finishing your running regime, once the others arrive, you all will pair off. And the sparring drills will begin; so, in the meantime take the time to rest." "But Aunt Red?!" "I could have you continue until I tell you to stop. And no, I am not trying to kill any of you, Thomas. And I would introduce you, but you more than likely know who they are already, David. And if any of you are still concerned about practice not being over, take the time to stretch before continuing again. Torus, Katherine, Mariah, Roger and James should be here soon."
"What a slave driver!" "I heard that, Thomas." Turning to Alleyne, "I hope you are ready for this, David. Like my nephew just put it, I am not one to pull my punches. And for Thomas's cheek, all of you except for Chavez will run another five laps after today's lesson is done. America shows Alleyne here what some of the self-defense drills I have you go through consist of. I don't just focus on the offensive, David. If things ever go wrong, I would like to know that any of you can defend yourselves without your abilities." Rachel tells him as Chavez begins to demonstrate the steps that are necessary.
