Note: Know that it will say a memory when two are actually mentioned. But keeping the singular since the two are really connected.


The solitary light is the only illumination in the room. Taking the seat facing her, "before we begin, tell me once more." "This is definitely different from how I know you operate, where is the rest of the variants?!" "That's how you want to play it. Since you gave yourself up and took all the blame, we had thought this would have been the better approach, but very well."

Sitting back the shackles clink as the room opens up revealing the other adjudicators. "Phoenix, you have been brought forth and are charged with not only crossing more than one reality. But changing things in those worlds as well, what do you have to say?!" "I don't deny anything. But as the guardian of life, something couldn't be ignored." "That may be true, but you didn't do this for everyone, only for those that mean something to you.

Your selfishness is why we refused to stand back any longer. What say you now?!" Standing, the shackles clink once more. "I say that I have a funeral to attend. And while I accept all the responsibility, this trial was pointless. And not worth my time." "Why, you?!" "If you would excuse me now, and next time know that there is really nothing that can hold me unless I acquiesced it. Good day." Summoning her power, she vanishes into flames and smoke, before her true entity is seen flying away.


The crowd is spread out as more than one team has gathered. Marc is standing at the opening watching and greeting those who are still making their way to their seats. Seeing all those in attendance brings tears to her eyes again, "maybe it will be like last time. And it will only be temporary." "Hello, Caitlin Avery." "Hello?!" "I am Marc Spector, Moon Knight. The Phoenix has told me about you. Rachel would have appreciated you being here." "Thank you." She manages before slowly walking past him.

Seeing all those congregating and grieving leave her with déjà vu. "So then, she will definitely come back this time. I only regret not being there for her at the end." "She wouldn't have wanted you to, Caitlin." Turning she sees David Haller approaching, "hello, David." "Avery." "To get this out of the way, she is never coming back, so that hope you are holding onto is futile." "Oh, come now, Haller, there is no need for that. Besides, vessels of The Phoenix always return." Allenye says.

Seeing the Richards/Storm, Maximoff, and Summers clans, the hard truth seeks in more. "Enough doom and gloom. Rachel made her choice but who knows, she has returned to us before. Maybe she will again?!" Betsy Braddock appears, Brian, Meggan and Maggie by her side. Erik appears, "there is no sense giving false hope. Knowing Rachel enough I am not surprised about her choice. But you are right enough of this negativity at least for now. Caitlin Avery, if you would join us. I can direct you to your seat."

Jericho Drumm by Wanda's side, while Pietro is on her other side. Crystalia, Luna and Tuc behind him with Simon, Vision, and The Young Avengers in the center. The Richards/Storm brood on their left. Sky by his side as Lyja is speaking quietly to him. Torus on her other side. Sue, Reed, Ben, Franklin and Valeria taking up the rest of the row by him. Sky takes Johnny's hand as Lyja hugs him before patting his cheek, then facing forward, sitting down.

The Summers unit surrounded by their teammates and the rest of Earth's heroes. Jean's head is laying against Scott's shoulder, his arm wrapping around her. Lorna intertwines her fingers with Alex's. Dane is hugging Gabriel. Hope and Cable have an arm around each other, he kisses her head. Christopher is surrounded by the other Starjammers. Nate holding Rachel Grey close to him, as one of her more vulnerable moments are displayed. Charles Lensherr, Scarlett and Miles on their other side.

Thor and Frank Castle flanked by both James Barnes, Kobik, Clint, Bobbie, Kitty, Remy, Anna and Clarice with two seats remaining unoccupied. The Warriors Three, Baldar, and the Ladies Sif and Amora behind them. "NO! NO! NOT AGAIN!" The tears once more are what have the finality sink into Caitlin's consciousness. Getting up she starts moving through the aisle. "My lady, you are going to miss it." "Excuse me."

Catching the movement, "go. It is alright. Besides, we are still waiting for them." Crystalia says. Getting up, Tuc begins to move. "Thank you, Mom." Making it to the archway of flowers where Marc Spector is still standing, "ma'am?!" He manages to halt her, softly grabbing her arm. "There is no need to rush, we are still waiting to begin." Turning she sees the elvish male, "for what, it looks like everyone is here."

"Not everyone." Freezing at the voice, before shock can take root, Caitlin turns around. Dismay quickly morphs into happiness, as tears surface. Ignoring the two by her side,hugging her. "I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! They were acting like you would never come back, Rachel." Looking to her partner, the woman places her hands on Caitlin's forearms, pushing back.

"Um, I am not Rachel. She is just the form that I have come to favor." Recoiling at this, "oh but?!" The tears begin to fall as Caitlin covers her eyes. At a loss, Rachel's twin looks to those standing by her. "Marc Spector, if you could?!" "Of course, Phoenix." Bowing before taking Caitlin's elbow, gently leading her back inside.

"We have been waiting for you." "Right, we are so sorry." Taking the munchkin that is reaching for her from her partner's arms, "but this one was being resistant on getting ready." Tuc looks down, "and who do we have here?" "Would you like to hold him?" Placed in his arms before he can give an adequate response. "This is Raymond Kurt Wagner. Ray, say hello to Tuc Maximoff." The boy looks up at Tuc. "Took, Took!" Before laughing, trying to reach for his pointed ears.

"Well since he seems to like you, it makes my job easier. Kurt and I have no problem relinquishing our duty, momentarily. Besides, the laughter will be a nice balm. We all could use it." Hugging Kurt briefly before kissing his cheek. "Go, sit down. Anna and Clarice said that they would save seats for us." Tuc, holding Raymond is followed by Kurt as Phoenix moves the opposite, making her way to the podium.

Adjusting the mic, Phoenix R.S. Wagner is about to speak when the firebird appears barreling toward her. Picking up on her gaze, the others turn to look just as the deity lands right in front of her before morphing into a duplicate of Rachel. Stepping up to indicate she has something to say, acquiescing Mrs. Wagner stands by her other version. "Thank you. For letting me speak, and I won't take long. And no, I am not Rachel. This face is just meant to honor her and her life. And I am sorry, if it causes any of you pain. But I am here to stay, it is never easy when someone we love passes. But she wouldn't want any of us to be sad and we must respect that."

Phoenix Wagner returns to the mic, "The Phoenix is right. And as such, I will begin that Rachel Summers was the best that I had ever come across. She showed me it was okay to feel yet remain in control. There are so many moments I could share but the first is when through me she was able to show compassion to one considered her enemy. And while I know her history is in her file, there are many things that she kept hidden. Things that a simple file can't do justice.

She hears someone softly begging for help. The next thing she knows is that she is standing on a cliff. Part of a building is burning in the horizon. She is soaring through the air. Knowing that there is no time to waste. The one who called for her is in need. She touches the ground. Focusing on the mental signature. Takes some concentration, since it comes and goes. She takes to the air once more. The entity taking over. As she comes across two women, she will later come to call friend. And play an important part in her life.

"You have summoned me. This one is slowly dying. There is still time to save her." She says as she touches the ground near them. "Don't be afraid. You wish her to live, do you not? The one called Rogue?" She questions "Yes, but..." She (Rogue) says barely managing to control the fear like the being has suggested. She kneels taking the other's hand who jerks.

"It is alright, Wanda Maximoff. You will be fine." She tells her as it takes her no time at all to heal the nearly dead Lensherr. "Who are you?" Wanda's companion inquires. "I am known as the Guardian of Life, The Phoenix. Yet I had to bond with one of your kind once I entered this planet's atmosphere. She is actually the reason I am here.

Her brethren are the type that can house me properly. And she will be the greatest of her kind. She has been able to do things the others haven't never been able to. Do not be afraid. I will reveal her now. And she will be become an ally for your cause in the near future." The Phoenix tells them. Rogue recoils when she sees who is revealed. She is about to strike, when Wanda diverts her attention. She realizes helping her is more important than dealing with an enemy. "I will leave you now, Rogue, Wanda Maximoff. Until we meet again. And not of a word of this will pass any of our lips." She tells them.

"And thanks to Jean and Rachel Grey, when Rachel Summers came along, I had more control than I could ever anticipate, so I have been able to experience emotions without losing it." Turning to Kurt, the two smile at each other. "I would like to share one more memory that had Rachel's influence before I finish."

Entering the dark room, she searches for its occupant. "I know that you are here. I felt your misery. If you don't want to talk about it, I have no problem sitting here. In fact." The Phoenix BAMF takes her place as she uses her tail for balance, sitting in midair. It is sometime later when she hears the bamf. Remaining in the comfortable silence, he sits next to her. Wrapping his arm around her before pulling her closer. "Thank you." Getting in his lap, she hugs him which he returns; her head laying against his shoulder as the tears begin.

"If being around me is painful, I can stay like this is you want. Or at least until, you have recovered for the most part." After some more time, "what did I do wrong?! Things went downhill when I wanted to take the next step." "I know it isn't easy. But everyone and both Rachel's wouldn't want you to be sad. And you know she isn't doing it to hurt you. Knowing and seeing in both their minds, I can relate with having to witness things of that magnitude, a self-reliance is formed. And romantic love isn't something that we strive for. Sure, having emotions doesn't exclude this. But this feeling isn't the entirety that our lives revolved around. If she could give you that to only spare you, you know she would. But all know that would be wrong for it wouldn't be real."

Her tail wraps around his back and chest, as her head hasn't moved from his shoulder. Bringing her arms up to also hug him there, her fingers running through his hair. "Thank you. You have definitely grown from the time you have been here as Jean and your niece. If we didn't know better and that you can be a force of destruction, would think that you are almost human in moments like this."

Pulling back a little to face him, she smiles, her teeth showing. The fangs evident, "I know that losing her hasn't been easy for any of us, especially you." Turning her head, "it felt like part of myself had been cut from me. Keeping that grief in check hasn't been easy, but from learning Rachel's techniques, I have found methods that work. The last thing I would ever want is prove the fear about what I can cause to come true. Not to anyone, not to those Rachel loved. Those I have come to care about as well."

"But in the end, it is your nature. It is what you are meant to do, you can't escape that. And while Rachel wouldn't want you to lose control, she also wouldn't want you to be shackled. You aren't obligated to remain here. If you wish to roam free, you have every right to do so." Moving, her back to him. Her tail swishing.

"I don't understand. You want me gone?!" Reaching out, his hand lays on her shoulder. "Of course not. Only that if it has become too painful to remain among us, there is nothing keeping you here. Not really, we wouldn't want to guilt you into it. Not if you don't feel comfortable without her." Turning to face him, "I see. I never thought you to be so insensitive, at least not in this reality. I came to comfort you, help you. But in sharing how I feel, it as if it is nothing to you. If this is what you think, feel." "Nein," But it is too late. The Phoenix BAMF has already teleported.

It isn't until days later and despite all of Cerebero and the telepaths' best efforts, he finds her in the vents. Her back pressed to the wall. Her tail and arms wrapped around her tiny frame, staring forward. "I'm sorry." "I know. I am sorry too. I just can pick up that without Rachel, the uneasiness being here and around is easier to pick up. She made this feel like a home. Something I have never had before, yet without her I don't feel completely welcome. Especially with Howlett, or the Summers."

"You know Wolverine and she never got along." "I know. But at least, there had been some respect. It appears I don't even have that." "You know that you can't really blame him, knowing that what his history has cost him." Sighing, "I suppose." She continues after a few minutes. "You know you really should have been a priest; you are definitely insightful enough."

Holding his hand out, "come on. I know it won't be easy. However, nothing worthwhile ever is. But Kitty, Alex, Scott and the others are beginning to worry." Taking his hand, he leads her out. "It may not be easy for some time still, but they on some level have always been able to separate you from her. Just give them to time to see some more."

Touching the ground, they are greeted by these said people. Kitty picks her up holding at arm's length. The two just staring at each other. "What you do now to honor her memory is up to you?!" Before bringing to the Phoenix BAMF to her chest, whom lays her head on her shoulder, grabbing her hair. Relishing in the comfort the Shadowcat offers. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry any of you. But I have decided, I technically have no name but The Phoenix. Which I will keep but I am hoping that Phoenix R. Summers would be allowed. The Summers indicate their acceptance. Which in time and more interactions, she and Kurt become closer until her adopted moniker is adjusted to Phoenix R.S. Wagner.