Note: this wound up being longer than I expected, so apologize about that.


The first to realize among all the chaos, "guys, where is Katherine?!" The clapping is accompanied by the footsteps. "Bravo. I must commend you, though oddly disappointed that all of you took long enough. Though, given my namesake, I am not really surprised that you it came to you first, Grandpa. But hey, it also shows how well I have managed to fool you. Though, honestly, I, unfortunately can't take all the credit." Hezipbah takes his hand. As the rest of the Starjammers remain behind him and their would-be family. Raza and Korvus have their swords by their sides, ever the knight, anticipating any outcome.

The horror at this betrayal spreads. "You did this?!" YOU DID THIS?!" The blue energy engulfs him as his eyes turn a dark hue. The magic coursing through him. "Billy?!" Lost to his twin and love of his life, he defies gravity. The nonchalance remains in her demeanor. "Why?!" Johnny asks. Sighing, "really?! All of you ask why?! For the deep, dark secrets, she kept hidden. Or maybe it was simply because she kept me from what I want most."

Before Wiccan can lay a hand on her, she blows her magicks in his face. Attempting to fight it off, shaking his head before his chin moves down greeting his chest. "BILLY?!" Thomas, Ted and Wanda cry out. Seeing that Pietro, Johnny and Thomas are beginning to move, "I wouldn't do that." Putting her arms around Billy's neck, kissing his cheek. "That is highly disturbing for more than one reason. Not to mention disgusting for other reasons." Facing her, "why do you think we kept you imprisoned along with my dear mother, Kobik?!

Despite the mental link, she shares with almost every single one of you here. Your capability being one of the ones that could have actually pierced this show without any real effort. And still somehow, you managed to foil us. But oh well, at least, our main goal was accomplished." A twisted smile on her face gazing at the shell of what Rachel stood for.

"And now, you can come out. The ruse is over and no longer necessary." Madelyne Pryor, Rachel and Julia Williams materialize out from the cover of the shadows. "Rachel?!" The façade ends as Rachel begins laughing. "My, you humans are the dumbest we have ever encountered. To think it took this long for the masquerade to be discovered and only due to this child." "Rachel, what?!" Facing her "husband", "oh come now, really, Remy LeBeau, you didn't honestly think Rachel Summers would pick you. Not when she could have had any of these other men, letting her gaze gloss over Frank Castle, Johnny Storm, Thor and Pietro.

Seeing who is standing by Storm, "well, if these isn't a complication. Clearly, she was able to withhold more than we had expected." "Rachel, but?!" Seeing that the body hasn't vanished, "oh that, I assure you that Rachel Summers is very much dead." "Then, you are another version of The Phoenix masquerading as her?!" "No. Though, I can see how all would think that. This isn't the first time she and the creature have used this ploy, no?!

It is actually more like this, which is where the complication comes in. Though there is a silver lining. "Madelyne, maybe we can use this to our advantage still?" The tremors immerse her as her skin adjusts to reveal her true self. "LYJA?!" Johnny recoils. "Then who?!" Seeing that his ex-wife still is by his side, …?!" "Oh, Lyja Lazerfist, here was taken from another time and place. One from before she could ever cross your path, Johnathon Storm."

"Simon?!" The last woman makes her way to him, throwing her arms around him, having lost her composure at seeing him. "You're alive. If I had known, I would have come to you sooner. Clearly, she was stronger than we thought, being able to withhold certain things from us despite all the torture." Putting his hands on her arms before pulling her away, "Even if I did remember you, I couldn't in good conscience, encourage someone who has it out for those I care about. And just murdered one of my friends, someone who has become like a sister to me. It matters not if you appear to share her face just like this Lyja?!"

"Katherine?!" Cupping William's face, she leans in, ignoring Julia's question. "Whatever do you think now, my love?!" Closing the gap, to which he immediately deepens the kiss. "Billy?!" Turning with his arms now around her, the glossy expression still in his eyes. "We have explained more than enough. And about Julia, here, she is merely our aunt. A clone that Mr. Sinister managed to keep hidden in their reality. Julia Summers met and married Simon in Avalon's haven."

"And now we want what is ours. Things at one point or another, Rachel deprived us of. Me, a life. Katherine, her love and Madelyne, here, well, a choice. And if you won't side with me, Simon. Well then, you will unfortunately share the fate as the rest of them. William Kaplan, if you would as to be so kind." Wanda steps forward, "I don't know who you think you are, but if you don't let my son go, niece, sister or not, you will see how unforgiving I can be."

"Wait! What about Mojo and Spiral?!" "Oh, them. Disappear." No sooner does Julia say this, then Shatterstar, Dazzler and Longshot, the three are attacking the air. Stumbling forward before catching themselves. "Star?!" "I'm fine, Rictor." Assessing those in front of her, Julia acknowledges the heavy hitters. "Faerie." Releasing her ability on a grander scale, her telepathic dust reaches out to their victims.

"Benjamin Grimm, Simon Williams, Thor Odinson, Wanda Maximoff, Theodore Altman, Kobik, James Barnes, Susan and Franklin Richards, Johnathon Storm. come forth." Sprite runs forward in an attempt to stop what is happening. "Child, that was a very valiant attempt. However, see what Rachel wound up stealing from me." Julia reveals all her struggles that came at Rachel's fortune. "And now your lives are at their end, Earth's heroes. Thinking you would really be rewarding for protecting someone so weak."

The Phoenix reaches her hands out as the glamour blinds them. "That is where you are wrong." "Tuc?!" "Hello, Father." The rest of his allies appear. "To think, I found out I had a brother and another sister was definitely something, at least to an extent. "Tuc turns to his brothers and sisters, a glowing tarot card in his hand. "Phoenix, we very much appreciate the assist." Now standing by The Eternals, its only acknowledgement is a nod of its head. "Katherine Magda Maximoff, you have abused the magicks that had been given to you. Let us see how you fare against real magic." Norway tells her. Picking up on the notion, "I think not, Julia Williams, is it?!" Reaching out, Sean causes her to jerk forward, breaking her legs, giving the impression of a rubber band being snapped. The scream falling on deaf ears.

"Valhalla." "Right." Holding her sword with one hand she reaches out with the other casting her magic the best and only way she can. "Madelyne Pryor, Lyja Lazerfist, let us deal with this like adults." Sensing the attempt of the mental hijacking, "or not." Quickly incapacitating Madelyne, Lazerfist manages to outmaneuver her. Running forward, "I will deal with her, child. She can be considered my responsibility after all." Lyja Storm tells her.

The two Skrulls quickly engage in an all-out brawl. Torus tries to move when it becomes serious, Reed halts him. "But Mom?!" "Your mother can handle herself. Besides, her doppelganger could easily trick us if the tables wind up being turned. And she has already fooled us; and Rachel is now dead because of it. We have to focus on recovering what is now being stolen from us, Ben, your father, aunt and cousin."

Seeing that she is on the verge of losing, she turns to him. "William, my love, get us out of here. Ben, Susan, Johnny, Franklin, Simon, Thor, Ted, Wanda, both James' and Kobik remain motionless. Stepping forward, The Phoenix BAMF appears out of nowhere, quickly shifting into a semblance of her mother. "Sorry, we are late to the party." Illyana says. The Phoenix BAMF, Kurt Wagner, Strange, Piotr, Crystalia, Luna and the other Wanda appearing.

The hell sword in her hands, "Faerie, enough of your abusing the magicks you had been bestowed. Mystical energy is a privilege not a right. Marc Spector and The Phoenix appear by Magik's sides. "Humans, I apologize about taking so long. I had to find another vessel and it turned out being harder than I had anticipated. This is all my fault. I was gone too long. And failed to see that Rachel needed me. But I am going to remedy that."

The Phoenix begins glowing with yellow and red energy. Speaking, though the voice is off and immediately recognizable. "Katherine Magda Maximoff, I'm sorry." "Mother?!" "Rachel?!" "Yes. Though, this is only a message. I should have fought harder for you when you had been in The Pits. I should have realized the darkness that was growing inside of you. But I was just happy that you had found your way back to me, I failed to be a good mom to you. And a friend to all of you. But I am here now to fix it.

It is time to end this untoward obsession, Katherine. I didn't put a stop to it, enough when I realized who your heart's desire was focused on. "That is the end of this session." William and Ted kneeling next to each other, their hands on their knees, breathing heavily as the others have collapsed. Each breathing struggling to regain their breath as well." Seeing that Katherine's gaze has shifted to William, the emotion in her eyes unmistakable. "Careful there, Katherine, those are some dangerous thoughts. It won't end well. There is a reason it is wrong on so many levels." In defiance, Katherine huffs turning her head to the side as Rachel sighs.

The memory shifts as Katherine is seen stalking forward. "Don't walk away from me!" At which the pace picks up at this. "Katherine Magda Maximoff!" Stopping abruptly, whirling on her. "WHAT, MOTHER?!" "Katherine, please?! I love you. I only want to help. Whatever is bothering you, you can tell me. And I know it isn't William alone?!"

Crossing her arms, "and what if that is it?!" Rachel smirks. "You are my daughter. I know you better than that. And I don't need to be a telepath. As for this thing concerning William, you need to stop, I have told you before. It is wrong because he is your cousin. And that he also isn't interested in any female, what do you really hope to gain?! Plus, he is very much in a relationship and happy as well. You should be as well, if you really love him.

Unless…No, you can't mean to honestly?! Such a thing…" The deep frown appears on Katherine's face, the hate not being masqueraded. "So, that is it, then?! You once more wish to take everything from me?!" Rachel recoils, the shock evident. "Oh, you really thought I hadn't remembered?! You don't care about me, Sean or the rest of us. It is only really meant to assuage your guilt." Firmly, shaking her head. "That is not true! I love you. I kept it from you to spare you. And if I had known, I would have come back for you. I will never be able to apologize enough for what you endured then." "ENOUGH OF YOUR LIES!"

Stepping back, Rachel looks around. "Katherine?! What are we doing here?!" "You came to get me, remember?! You sprung a training lesson on us. We are on our way to get the others." "Of course, let us go." The two begin to walk down the remainder of the hall.


Standing in the center of the garden, "there is something there, something I know I am missing?!" Turning at the presence, "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, I think Katherine has suppressed a few of my memories." "But what makes you think it really is Katherine?! And how would she really be able to do that?! Her ability allows her to control people to an extent. Not able to erase things?!" "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 enters 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 to her, she turns it 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 in the way 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. To spare you all that pain."

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 into 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."


Placing the cage on the table, she is greeted by the other women she has come across. "Is it done?" "No, not yet. But soon enough, the exchange has happened. At least, for Ted. My mother however, we have to find another opportunity. The glamour of The Phoenix is going to take a lot of energy to maintain the illusion. And Lazerfist isn't quite ready for that, this is where I am going to need your help, Julia Williams, Madelyne Pryor. Then they will all know how deadly The Frightful Four can be."


Rachel appears as her teammates scramble to work on the problem, as she hovers in the air. A lone piece of the ship going through her. Just as another aftershock reverberates, "we can't hold them off much longer! And if something isn't done soon, they can create a fabric of space and time, we might not be able to escape!" Kitty phases through the system, relinquishing the gears to Christopher. "MOM!" "RACHEL!" The two stop, speaking at the same time. "Faerie, Wiccan, hold the ship together. Your mom and I will see what we can do." Hephzibah continues.


Her head peeks out, "anything yet?" Hephzibah asks. "No, not yet, "Mom" (air quotes). This blasted body, while it is the only way I can survive at the moment. In situations like this it is actually detrimental, boyo." Her mind wanders. The bird appears in her mind's eye, cutting through the barriers her current body prohibits. "What is it?" The entity cries out again. "I see. Well, go, if they need help." It leaves their link making its journey to its destination. "Rachel?" Summers turns to her, "I'm sorry what?! My mind drifted for a moment." Keeping that she didn't sound like herself for a moment to herself, Hephzibah suggests something else to their problem.

"Hold that thought." Rachel interrupts her. "Let me try something." She adds, disappearing into the system in front of them. Before quickly reappearing, holding a piece of the machinery in her hands. "That should be it." The ship jerks violently as the Katherine's voice comes over the intercom, "MOM! RACHEL! NO PRESSURE, BUT I CAN'T HOLD THE SHIP TOGETHER MUCH LONGER. AND IT YOUR CHOICE AND YOUR CHOICE ALONE OF WHAT HAPPENS NOW."

"Well that definitely isn't any pressure." Hephzibah says. "Give me a moment. This shell of a body doesn't allow for much." Before she can continue, the shock travels throughout the vessel. Serving its purpose, the other ship's inhabitants begin to board. Glitching out, Rachel hovers in the air, motionless. As the others are slumped against the ground, except for Faerie, who barely managed to shield herself.

"Devos, Lyja, what is the outcome?!" Seeing the humans strung along the floor, "appears our objective was served. Now we just need to find the inhabitant of it." The hand grabbing his ankle, leads to recoiling, before kicking the person in the face. The cough is accompanied by blood being spit out, "there really was no need for that. Because if by it, you mean The Phoenix?! Well, I can more than help you with that."

Bending down, Talos crouches, "is that so, pitiful human?!" "Yes, please. I hate her, them as much you apparently do." Standing back up, he nods to Devos, who grabs her by the arm. "Very well, child. Tell us your name and where she can be found?!" "Katherine Maximoff and …" None aware of their audience before he steals away, focusing as best he can to a destination without giving himself away.

The crowd is aghast at these revelations, as the guttural scream is released. Angry tears slide down her face. Hate in her eyes, "YOU! YOU HAD TO RUIN EVERYTHING FOR ME, AGAIN!" Katherine turns to her mini yet extremely deadly army. Continuing to speak through her vessel, "Katherine Magda Maximoff, I was right when I said I wasn't a good enough mother to you.

A good mother would have seen all the pain you were in; and found a way to help you. Yet, I chose to blind myself again. And indulged all your fantasies. I am going to correct that now. Release them!" "I will not, my love, Thor, everyone show her what you can really do." Unleashing all of her prowess, The Phoenix entity resembles a behemoth, as Rachel glitches out.

"I know what they are capable of. Wanda, Thor and Vision combined may have beat me last time. But I wasn't truly myself then, and still needed Rachel Summers." "But now, my dear daughter, this is no longer the case. I am sorry it had to come to this. If it meant preventing all this, your pain and twisted view, I would have erased you before it ever came to this. But don't ever mistake that I didn't love you, Katherine."

Faerie's only response is her team moving forward. Along with Julia, Lazerfist and Madelyne. Faerie blows her dust in The Phoenix's face. Laughter is the only response. "Really?! Oh, Katherine, you are really going to have to do much, much better if you truly wished to stop me." The fear enters Katherine's eyes for once. Shoving her forward, The Phoenix morphs into a flaming humanoid form,

"Now isn't the time to give up. We have come to far for that. Besides, no one here knows The Phoenix better than I." Madelyne says. Ignoring her, The Phoenix turns to their puppets, they slump forward as she releases them. Just as The Frightful Four appears within reach. Maneuvering out of their grasp, The Phoenix strikes back, bringing them to their knees, before holding them there. "This isn't over!" Julia bites out. "Oh, but I assure you it is."

The hand grabs her hair pulling it back as the other grabs her chin. "You really thought we would lose?!" "We all know this would be the only outcome, you belong over there, Devos of the Skrulls." "Teddy?!" "He is fine. I will return him to you, William Kaplan, once this is over." Doubling over, "you mean I…I?!" "It is alright, Wiccan. You hadn't been the only one fooled. Don't take it to heart too much."

"And now, let me continue…" Kurt appears by her side. "Nein, Rachel. I can't accept this." Leaning her forehead against his, "this is my choice, Kurt Wagner. Besides, the other me, has done justice to my memory. Falling in love and marrying you then having your child. It is time I repair the damage I did not just as myself but as The Phoenix the best that I can." Lowering him, she takes in those most dear to her before touching ground in front of Faerie and her colleagues.

"Katherine, Faerie, I am sorry. I love you. You are my daughter." Making a last-ditch effort, she and the other three break free. Before being able to touch the ethereal being though, it halts their motions. Tears flow down its face. As the energy begins becoming too bright, "good bye my friends. Thor, Pietro, Johnny, Frank, Remy. Please don't carry the grief for too long. Continue to be happy." Her essence vanishing.

"Katherine Magda Maximoff, Faerie, Julia Williams, Lyja Lazerfist, and Madelyne Pryor, The Goblin Queen as the guardian of life; I am weighing your sins and find you guilty. Never again will your wickedness touch and blacken anyone." The Phoenix enters the guilty as they begin to heat up internally, their screams deafening as they are incinerated.

Shrinking, she morphs into Rachel's semblance once more. "Kobik of the Cosmic Cube, Norwegian Thorson, Valhalla Thorsdottir, Sean Xavier and Tuc Maximoff, thank you for reaching out to me. I would have failed to handle this responsibility if that hadn't been the case. And for you assisting them, Illyana Rasputin, Wanda Maximoff, both of you, Stephen Strange, William Kaplan. Here is your reward by the way"

As she moves toward the rest of The Summers clan, a cage materializes with a creature that cries out. Holding it in her hands, she begins to unleash the lock. "Yes, I know you hated it. And have been there long enough." It takes the opportunity presented it, scrambling out, climbing up her arm before perching on it, looking at her. "You're welcome. Now go on, you…we have made them wait long enough. He has been missing you. He knew somewhere deep within something was off concerning you." Smiling as the creature morphs before flying straight into William's arms.

Stopping by Rachel's resting place, she sets her hand on the blonde's shoulder, "Alexander Summers, it is time to give her up." "No. You won't return her if I do." Raising her voice enough to be heard by all, "You're right. I won't. She doesn't wish for it not, this time. Knowing where it will lead eventually and she refuses to put all of you through that once more. Being among you has taught me, that everything deserves the right to make their own choices. Like the other part of me has done, but this is the choice she made. I am now going to live life my own way. Rachel being the best vessel for teaching me what it is like to be human and manage my emotions. Not even Jean Grey accomplished this." Picking Rachel up, she holds her in her fiery arms. "Good bye, my sister. You would up being my favorite."

Before things can continue further, a light from above shines down on them. Shielding their eyes, "This is the Mobius of the TVA. And we are here to for The Phoenix and Kobik of the Cosmic Cube." We won't let them take you." Norway tells her. "If you are guilty, then so too are we." Sean adds. Val, Tuc, Strange and Luna by their sides.

Shaking her head, "it is alright. Surprised that they waited this long. As a nexus being, Rachel and I did more than enough damage, moving between realities and changing things drastically. So, while I appreciate it, no, while you may have come looking for me for assistance, I am the one that has breached these violations. Accepting the burden falls on I and I alone."

"But?!" "William Kaplan, you have people that need you. None of you can keep rescuing me, especially when I willingly make the sacrifice. Though, after all I have done as Rachel Grey, Hope Shepard, Jean Grey, Rachel Summers-Maximoff and even Madelyne Pryor and myself; I am so happy and grateful, you all have come to not only love but accept me as well, separate from my vessels."

Turning to the additions, I have no reservations about going with you, provided you let Kobik go. She was only helping me. Plus, you would have a fight on your hand if not." Seeing both James' adjust their guns. "And what about them?!" Seeing the rest standing still, waiting for the signal to move. "It may have failed them in the past, but they need to respect the choice I make when it comes to seeing that they are spared."

William and some of the others visibly deflate at this. Wanda and Thomas attempt to lift William's spirit. Ted morphs before moving to take Rachel from her hands. "Thank you, Dorrek." As she lets the manacles be placed on her wrists before following Mobius. The platform begins to rise, rising to the ship. "If everything goes accordingly to how I plan, I will be back in no time." The last image she sees are The Eternals, Alison, Shatterstar and Longshot on the edge of the group. "Marc Spector, make sure that they get home safely. Show me that I didn't mistake picking you as my new avatar. And thank you for your assist, Eternals of Olympia, brief though it may have been." Ikaris merely nods in return as the others get closer to him.