Note: broken into two parts since turned out to be long for this part of this particular story arc. And the next chapter will wrap this mystery up.


Holding her close, the images of a life once thought over flashes through his mind. "Remy?!" The confusion gives her, her answer. "You saw them too, didn't you?!" Before she can get a confirmation, the door reverberating has both turn to look at the interruption before the wooden barrier collapses forward, landing not far from their feet.

Just as a man holding an odd-looking gun with one of his eyes glowing yellow; as a man made of fire soars through the air before landing right in front of her. Others that give her déjà vu follow in her wake. The horror enters her upon seeing the pink hued woman nearing her, calling her name. "Stay away, demon!" The woman halts in her gait, the hurt and disappointment not being masked.

The young man with streaks of white in his hair takes the woman in his arms, laying his lips against her head. "You know she didn't mean it." The woman nods her head. "What do you mean I didn't mean it; I am a God-fearing woman." The young man turns to look at the older man, before meeting the faces of the red heads. As the two blonde and brown haired men begin to walk toward her.

Feeling her husband tightening his hold on her slightly tell her all she needs to know. "Get out of my house!" He tells them with a bite. They all stop moving. Before the blonde dressed in blue continues forward. "Rachel, whatever Mojo has done, snap out of it. It's us. You know we love you. Would do anything for you, its why we're here. Just like you would if any of us had been held prisoner."

Grabbing a piece of her husband's shirt, squeezing it as an anchor in this uncanny scenario. The hysteria surfaces as she begins to laugh. "Right?! As if I would really go that far for strangers. True, I would want any of you to suffer especially that one. But I have never met any of you before today, why would I really come to the aid of people I wouldn't know who would be suffering?!"

The black-haired man walks by them getting within her proximity. "Because it is who you are, Rachel. We all know you are a hard ass, but when it comes to those you care about, you are the kindest, most caring person we have ever met. You forgave me. And Alex, with your history of his clone." Rachel takes a step back at this, as the images swirl in her mind, doing their best to take further root into her consciousness.

Sensing her distress, Remy is upon Gabriel with no warning. The attack instantaneous. Gabriel barely able to deflect the dance LeBeau utilizes at his disposal. "Uncle Gabriel, don't hurt him too much." "Given the way things are going, as if I could." "You know, we mean no siphoning his power." "Given what he can do, that would be a good thing in this case." "What are they talking about? Remy doesn't have any powers. The only thing special about him is his heart."

"You're remembering, aren't you?!" Hope states. "Remembering what?!...Please, you need to leave. We don't know you." Walking forward the other dark-haired man with red eyes speaks, "Rachel Summers, that is enough you who we are on some level." "You are mistaken…My name is Rachel LeBeau." "This is true. But what is your maiden name and what was your life before you two met each other?!" Nate asks. Rachel and Remy at hearing this question, halt. Gabriel is able to stop the punch from making contact with Gambit's face.

"Now that we have their attention. Jean if you can come out now." Major Summers requests. Two men that are identical down to their metal arms appear. One holding a teenager's hand, as the girl never breaks contact with her. Releasing his hand, the adolescent walks forward. "Enough of this! Tell them who you really are Rachel Summers?!" Stepping back, the despair filling her upon seeing this "Jean".

Closing within on herself, "no, no, no, NO, NO, NO!" Starting to glow white, "GO AWAY! LEAVE US ALONE! WE ARE HAPPY! WE DON'T NEED ANY OF YOU!" Shocked at her reaction, "Rachel?!" He asks before subconsciously taking a step toward these saviors. "Remy?! We are happy, aren't we?! Don't let these strangers ruin this for us." Taking her in his arms at her question. "Of course, we are. But you aren't acting like the woman I love, married at the moment."

"It is because she isn't. And neither are you." Wanda tells them. "Excuse Moi?!" The light-haired adolescent speaks again. "We had been taken prisoner by those we hadn't been aware were enemies. You did the best you could to protect me. However, I had succumbed to the torture. Though, before I had passed out, I was able to use my ability and reach out to the one who I know would help me. No matter what reality he is in. And you know both as well." The man with the dark hair and rifle in his hands remains motionless. Anna appears from nowhere, "ignore them. Rachel, you can continue to keep this illusion of a happy marriage as Remy and I continue our flirtations to crossing that line. It is what you wanted after all. What it would be like to be married to your best friend?!"

Ignoring her, stepping forward, Kobik continues, "some of us here, literately have the power and capabilities of being a god. And you are one of them, Rachel Summers. Now you just need to recall everything. We know your sporadic reactions show that your memories are trying to surface. Jean, Hope, Rachel." Summers crumbles at this, her knees cushioning her fall. The distress reflected in her eyes. "Jean?! I…I…"

Remy puts his hand over her shoulder. "Cherie?! Belle, my belle?!" Kobik is now standing in front of the kneeling couple. Storm by her side. "Johnny?!" Rachel speaks, looking up at him. Upon seeing the recognition, not wasting another moment. "It is time this illusion is broken. America if you would be so kind." Kobik says.

Chavez brings her leg out, kicking the air before it shatters, the barrier that had been created to hold Rachel collapses; leaving nothing but darkness. Before the perimeter is illuminated revealing the arena, they are in. The hideous creature begins screaming at this upset. "What is that?!" The woman with multiple arms is having no problem holding off the three she is fighting. As a group of individuals are standing there giving the air of indifference and boredom.

Doubling at the pain as the mental suggestion begins, Hope and Rachel by her side. "We are in Mojoworld. Aunt Red, you are capable of more than you think. Whoever is behind this went to extreme lengths to cover their intentions. And we are sorry, we hadn't been able to pick up on the ruse until now." "What are you talking about?!" "You have been on the cusp already since we have appeared. It is time to break from of this embellishment. Come home, back to us." The flood washes over her as the Kobik that had been with them vanishes.

The two step back as Rachel raises her head, before turning to them. The semblance of The Phoenix appears as she glows yellow and red, her eyes flashing. The tears evident in her eyes. "Hope Shepard, Rachel Grey, thank you. I know what needs to be done now." Raising her arm, reaching out, she touches the air in front of them. As the atmosphere disintegrates, the arena with it; a void greets them save for a cylinder of light illuminating the otherwise cold room. Kobik on her knees with Rachel's head in her lap. Holding Rachel's hand, the tears flowing freely. "Please, please?! I'm sorry. This is my fault." Shaking her head, "this isn't on you, Kobik. Don't blame yourself. You did all you could. I, thank you." As she turns to face the group, they move forward.

"Rachel?!" Keeping his composure, looking to the side, Castle realizes before the others let it sink in. Alex, Scott and Gabriel kneel before her as Jean, Wanda, Hope, Rachel Grey and the others stand behind them. Silently offering their support. Her skin ashen and pieces of her actually broken and cracked. A slight mist leaving her with every exhale. "Now before what I have left is gone, I have been able to hang on, waiting for all of you. I knew it would only be a matter of time until you came for me." Taking a hold of her hand, Alex lays his head on her stomach as the sobs spring forth. "Why does it always have to be you?!" Looking to their brothers, Rachel begins stroking Alex's hair. "I'm sorry. I have never been a good enough sister to you. To any of you.

Lorna, Jean, I know you will be there for them as you always have, like they deserve. And thank you for being there for Gabriel after all he has done. And know this won't stop. I would like to show you the change. I have always kept this memory private." Stepping forward, she is more than ready to continue as she ever has, "wait?! Please?!" Something in his voice, reminds her of a time gone by. A time when he actually needed and loved her. And this is what causes her hesitation. Turning, the two remain motionless at the bottom of the staircase.

"Alexander, well?!" "I don't need to tell you. You know your constant rejection hurts. I have read your file. I know the dynamics of our relationship in your reality. But I am not him. How long are you going to punish me for the things he did?! All I have ever wanted since we met, since you came to this reality is to know you."

Closing her eyes briefly, before stepping forward. Enveloping him in a bear hug, as he wraps his arms around her, laying his head on her shoulder. Cupping the back of his head, holding him close, she looks to their brother standing on the staircase's landing, a smile on his face. "You're right. It is on me. I have been too harsh on you. You are nothing like him. That was never the problem. My stubbornness to move past his transgressions was the issue.

Why don't we go out, do something together?! Katya has been telling me about something called an escape room." The siblings move toward the door as Scott walks away reassured the would-be war between the two is over. "As for Lorna Dane, despite that Annie detour, when are you going to put a ring on that or some kind of commitment. How long have you loved her after all?! I swear, it's like you and Scott don't know how to stick to the love of your lives. First, Annie, then Scott, with Emma."

The smirk appears on Alex's face as he looks at her from his peripheral vision. "As if you are really one to talk, my dear sister. You fell in love with and married the man with the biggest stick up his ass!" Lightly shoving him forward as he laughs, "Pietro isn't as bad as he seems. Besides, we are similar. I get some why he makes the majority of his choices. We both know what it is like to have to keep things guarded. Yet we haven't completely let bitterness take a hold of us. This is why no matter what reality I continue to fall in love with him. At his center, he remains the same."

"Lorna, I am finally glad he married you. And you had Dane. Jean?!" "Don't, Rachel. The dissolution of my marriage was something that was unavoidable. Being a vessel of The Phoenix and what all you have suffered doesn't actually mean that you have to shoulder every shortcoming." The need to breathe becomes a struggle as her chest rapidly moves up and down, as Kobik continues to hold her. Bringing Rachel, a little closer as her embrace becomes firmer, causing Alex to shift his position as Rachel lays her other hand on Kobik's arm, looking at her. "It will be okay," before bringing her hand back to her side. Turning back to her friends and family with regret. "Be happy. I'm sorry. All I keep doing is dying on you." The life leaves her as her hand goes limp against Alex's head. Her body slumping backward, her eyes gazing into nothingness.

Alex tightening his hold on her as the sobs increase. "You were wrong you know. You were the best sister." Scott placing his hand on his shoulder as Gabriel looks to him. The rest that have been close to her let their grief be displayed. "Remy?!" "I'll be alright, Anna." Seeing Kitty covering her eyes with her hand, he embraces her as Anna remains by his side. Jean and Lorna put hug their partners from behind. Cable, Nate, Hope, Rachel Grey, Christopher and Dane surround Gabriel.

Simon, William, Ted, Thomas and the other Young Avengers stay by Wanda's side. Kobik takes both of the James's hands. Torus puts his arms around his parents, both standing on either of his sides. Keeping an eye on his aunt, uncle, Ben and cousins. Anabel and Castle by themselves, having no family with them.

"Uncle Ben?!" He speaks, looking toward the two. "Of course, kid." Moving Grimm, stands in front of them. "Castle." "Grimm." Turning as the shine in his eyes becomes too evident. "Hey, kid." "Mr. Grimm, I…?!" "It's okay. We may have not been as close to Rachel like some of the others. But that doesn't mean she didn't mean anything to us." Opening his arms, "it's okay to let the pain and sadness show." Nodding her head, Anabel Worthington moves forward.

The first to realize among all the chaos, "guys, where is Katherine?!" The clapping is accompanied by the footsteps. "Bravo. I must commend you, took you long enough. Though, given my namesake, I am not really surprised that you it came to you first, Grandpa." Hezipbah takes his hand. As the rest of the Starjammers remain behind him and their would-be family.