Note: Thank you to Malicia88 for liking this story enough to follow. And hope that don't disappoint you. Don't know how long this is going to be yet (still). Changed the rating since there are chapters that have more adult themes (violence, etc.) And the pictures found that connect to certain chapters if they even bother to show. And if not exactly familiar with the version of Rachel Summers here, might (want/need) to read Kaleidoscope. Since this one (from my pov) comes from The Age of Apocalypse storyline from the 90's. The memory recalled basically centers on the Secret Empire chapter that was in Kaleidoscope; but what went on the other side. And not from James and Sean's pov's.


Standing uncertain, Crystalia reassures him. "It is fine. You can do this." Tuc shallows, nodding his head before making his way through the crowd. Replacing The Great Lake Avengers, "Mr. Davis is right. I am one of those who would be considered unredeemable and yet Rachel Summers saw none of that. And if it hadn't been for her, I never would have recovered. It didn't matter and clearly wasn't enough that my parents and sister tried to."

The team is standing waiting for instruction. As the doors open revealing the Inhuman princesses and Pietro. Tuc trailing behind them. "It's okay, Tuc. This will help you. You and Luna being part of a team will be good. She has taken the other heroes' children in, taking the role of guardian. While her methods are unorthodox, she will accomplish what she has set out for. And as much as we still have reservations, it is for the best.

Given all our enemies, teaching all of you to be able to defend yourselves and master your abilities is a good thing. And since she has managed to do this, along with being able to control a foreign entity, is the only reason we all agreed, despite our reservations of relinquishing all of you." Hugging her legs, Tuc buries his head into them.

"It will be okay." Bending down, "I know that she and I may not have always gotten along. However, your and Luna's well-being and our love for you, have allowed us to bridge the gap enough. Especially after…So can I expect you to trust me and her?!" "Okay, mommy!" "That's my good boy." Picking him up, Luna is already by Rachel's side.

"He still having nightmares?!" "Yes. And Pietro and I are worried that him remembering could cause irrevocable damage. You are our and his last hope, Rachel. I know that I have never been one of your favorite people and more than likely ever will be. However, I know that you love my children as if they were your own. And that is more than enough for me.

Thank you for coming over that night, despite Dane appearing. And being able to find Tuc for us after he took off, he still won't tell us where he had gone. Recovering that he is a space phantom was destroying him. He was questioning that he wasn't worth his or anyone's love or time. Not after what he was led to believe."

"Crystal, Luna?!" "Right!" His parents begin to leave, "NO! MOMMY?! DADDY?! LUNA?!" "You told me you would be a good boy, Tuc." "Tuc Maximoff, your parents aren't abandoning you. The problems that you have been having aren't things they have the capabilities to deal with. I know this isn't easy. But you want to get better, don't you?!" The child nods despite the tears and closing in on himself, helpless watching his family walking away.

Sitting next to him, "I know it you feel betrayed. But your parents didn't make this decision likely. And want the best for you, they love you that much. And I know for a child, it is almost impossible to understand what has happened. But know, that I love and care about you, otherwise I wouldn't be offering to help you. We all want what is best for you. Are you willing to give me a chance?"

Tuc climbs onto her lap, before slumping forward. His arms having wrapped around her as the ordeal has led to exhaustion. Cradling him in her arms before tightening her embrace, kissing his head. His head against her chest, she gets up, walking out of the room. "It will be okay. I would never let anyone or anything hurt you. You will come to see this in time. But for now, I will introduce you to the team you will be a part of. Entering another room, he turns to see a group that appear to be around his age, more or less.

"James Carter Rogers, Mariah Natalia Barton, Roger Francis Barnes, William Kaplan, Thomas Shepard, Ted Altman, Kate Bishop, Cassie Lang, the Vision. And brother, sister, children and nephew, Charles Lensherr, Scarlett, Miles, Sean Xavier and Katherine Magda Maximoff. "Sean, Katherine, this is Tuc, your brother. And William and Thomas are your cousins, I know your parents have mentioned them. But none of you have yet to meet, and when I am unavailable, Charles and Scarlett will be handling your training.

You need not worry about that now, though you will quickly learn that you will have to be more than dedicated if you want to learn. They think I am a slave driver. But I would rather you be safe and able to protect yourselves, rather than the alternative. And you may think Charles or Scarlett will be more lenient…And don't let Scarlett not having powers fool you. In fact, I will let you too handle today's training, I am going to put this one to bed." The rumble from the explosion as the skirmish begins to the only indication of what is happening as Tuc is now oblivious to the action.


Both are sitting on the mat, cross legged. Her arms laying against her legs, as he spreads the cards in front of him. "We don't have much time. I have managed to hide Sean and James, so the former Captain will have to search for them. The others are underground with everyone else. And Steven has managed to gain control of your aunt, so there isn't much we can do there. My concern and priority are keeping all of you safe.

Now remember what I have taught you, you are almost there with mastering your ability." But what about Sean and James?!" "Never you mind, it is being handled. Just focus on what is here now, in front of you." The cards beginning glowing with energy, "good. Now start turning them over." The first represents a bird of fire, followed by a man with a shield laying against his legs, a girl riding a Pegasus, a sword in her hand. Another showing nothing but destruction as a building appears to be collapsing.


"But what do they mean?!" "Who knows, though, you know better than I?! Besides, you haven't finished. Whatever is there, we will worry about everything later. For now, we are to wait. They are coming for you. And I want you to go with them and not fight me on this. Your parents wouldn't want it." "But you don't even like my mom." "That may be true. But you are still Pietro's family and I would never hold that against you."

Feeling the presence, she scrambles up. "Quick, stay behind me. There is no time to hide. I hadn't expected this." "Expected, what?!" The door falls forward as if it collapsed in on itself. The man in black steps forward, "Rachel Summers-Maximoff, give up. You know I wish not to fight you if I don't have to." "I wish I could say the same, Castle. But you know me well enough, that when those I care about are threatened, I make no exceptions. Not even for you.

And I never thought you would stoop so low, letting HYDRA take control of everything. The Frank Castle I know would never allow such a thing. You may be a lot of things but letting Nazi's seize power is something entirely different. What have they done to you?!" "Maybe, you don't know me as well as you thought. Now again, for I will not repeat myself again, hand yourselves over." "I know you better than that, you know I have the same darkness within me. And have seen how the power hungry can corrupt things, I would never allow such a thing in this reality.

Losing your family may have cost you, your humanity. But they are nothing compared to the horrors I have witnessed; they are what made me realize that hope can and still exist. I will make this a fair fight, for you are still very much simply a human being." "That is why I am doing this, despite some of us have more of an advantage over others, we are merely human beings, Rachel Maximoff. So don't we deserve the right to live in peace like everyone else?!"

Steven Rogers walks their way in his uniform. "I don't know what you did?! But you have kept my son from me long enough, NOW WHERE IS HE?!" "You being here means you know more than we realized but clearly not enough if you can't find James still. So, then you know that they are coming for you. You may have the witch, god and machine at your disposal. But don't think for a moment, I would let you have the seer as well."

"Alright, enough of this." Steven nods to Frank. "Tuc, close your eyes." The adolescent obeys as Rachel begins to turn white hot, illuminating the room, blinding the other occupants. The room shaking from the thunder outside just as Tuc vanishes, but not before. "RACHEL?!" As the lighting strikes her, rendering her unconscious. His teammates appearing instantaneously. "Wanda, my love, find the boy." Just as the shots ring out and he sees Natasha and The Punisher entangled in a fight, as Steven and the others leave them.

The Phoenix sets him on the ground. Before taking the semblance of Rachel once more, "WHAT WAS THAT?! I THOUGHT WE WERE A TEAM!" "Calm yourself, Hawkeye." The scowl and fury deepen on his face at this comment. "YOU JUST LEFT HER! AND NOW SHE'S…" Tuc stands in front of her, "I am sorry for The Widow, Mr. Barton. But you aren't the only one that has lost someone in this. Rachel or The Phoenix aren't to blame. My brother, James, Sharon, Rick Jones, Thor, my aunt and Vision have been stolen from us as well. Worry about them, you still have Bobbie and Mariah. Be thankful for that."

"He is right, Hawkeye." Turning they see Kobik standing there with Bucky and Namor behind her, Rachel in his arms. "But how?!" "Did you really think I would allow her to be taken prisoner?!" "You know she won't forgive you for letting the others being taken, nor what you have done for us to be in this situation." "She will understand when we explain everything." Bucky tells them. "He's right." The whisper is barely heard.

"Rachel?!" Aiming at her as she attempts to stand, leaning on Barnes as a precaution. "Put your weapon down, Clint." "YOU LEFT HER. SHE RISKED EVERYTHING FOR YOU AND THIS IS HOW YOU…" Moving before laying her hand on his shoulder, "Clinton Barton, I know that you are upset with me. And have every right to be, but you know she would have still made the same decision, whether we had been there or not."

Bowing his head in defeat, she turns to the Barnes as the rest of the resistance come forth. Mariah takes Clint's hand while Bobbie puts her hand behind his head, pulling him to her. "If anyone is to blame for this, it is I." Kobik says. "But I wish to undone what has occurred, I see now it was wrong, the real Steven Grant Rogers has shown this to me. I am only here in spirit thanks to Tuc Maximoff's magic. You are appropriately named, seer suits you. Your magicks have not only reached me, there are others that have been pulled to it and you. You have changed the course of things to come."

A portal appears as a young man and woman come through it. The male is holding a shield that appears almost as tall as him on his back. As the female appears on the cusp of being an adolescent, a sword in her hand. Bowing before the red head, "Lady Phoenix, we are here to do your bidding." "Very well, introductions will have to wait. We have wasted more than enough time. Rise, Norwegian Thorson and Valhalla Thorsdottir."

"Rachel?!" Moving forward, her steps still wobbly as she barely continues to anchor herself, letting her hand run down Bucky's arm for support. "Yes. I will be okay." Turning to the Barton's', staring at Clint. "What do you say about a jail break?!"


Kneeling, "no, no, NO, NO!" "It's over. HYDRA Rogers, did you really think you would get away from taking people's free will and imprisoning those who opposed you." Staring at her with hate as the heroes remain behind her. "If you hadn't meddled, Rachel Summers-Maximoff." "Don't blame her for your shortcomings and skewed views, doppelganger. The real Steven Grant Rogers would never have fallen prey to such lies." Fury addresses. Kaplan and Ted behind him with Tuc by their side.

Looking down, the fake Rogers begins to laugh. Before looking back to each of the heroes, setting his gaze on Rachel once more. "You may have recovered what you wished. But know that finding him will be almost impossible. I had him hidden where maybe not even you can find him." Mariah's cry is heard.

Bending down, "I will never stop looking. And clearly you have forgotten I have The Phoenix at my disposal, I will search everywhere if I have to. He is my son. I would never abandon him. But you, look what your actions have caused." Turning at her indication, he sees his mirror standing hesitant in front of his wife and son, "Steve?!" "Daddy?!" "Sharon, James, I'm sorry…"

"Keep that in mind, that somewhere deep within. Your wife, child and teammates knew that this visage wasn't really you. You tried to rip family and friends from each other. But I will fight with everything I am to find Sean. My grandchild deserves to know its father despite your best effort." Dismay written on his face, "there is always hope, even in the most unexpected of places, HYDRA Rogers. Tuc Maximoff, William Kaplan."


Everyone is pacing outside the room. Bobbi watches Clint's movement. "I should be in there." "And what good would that do; Rachel will handle it. We may be her parents, but there isn't much we can offer at this moment…Not even love, comfort and support." She adds at seeing her ex's gesture. "Clint, we would just make the situation worse. And Mariah doesn't need that now."

Another scream pierces the air, as Bobbi steps toward him seeing the tension in him increase. "I may not have been the best when it comes to her. And Rachel may have taken over that role better. But Mariah knows I love her, all of you do and I would never sacrifice any of that. But she would see our concern and worry and Mariah will focus on that, and not enough of what needs to be done. And as her parents that is what we need to concentrate on."

The door opens as another scream is heard. And The Phoenix is seen clutching Mariah's hand, while other is wiping her forehead as the medical staff continues to work around the bed. "William, Tuc, Norway, Val, we could use your help. It is becoming more difficult and your abilities combined would be quite a benefit." A barrier appears around the bed just as the door closes once more, and in the Barton's faces this time.


The bundle is placed in her arms. "Doctor, thank you. You can get them now." Bobbie and Clint follow the next moment. Each standing by a side of the bed, as Rachel, The Phoenix, Norway, Val, Tuc and William stand by the wall. Rachel taking The Phoenix's hand. The entity smiles at her companion. "I will never be able to tell you how grateful I am to have found you, Rachel Summers-Maximoff. You have shown me that life is always worth something, even in the smallest moments."

"I'm okay, dad." "What will you name her?" Bobbie asks. "Sean may not know about her. And when he comes back, I want him to know that she can be proud of not only him but this family as well. Along with being worth it and her to represent it." Looking to Rachel and her family before turning to her mom, "Barbara Jean Maximoff."

Rachel nods her head as the tears fall, recalling her sister's memory. And the homage that is being paid to her. As Bobbie and Clint take their daughter's hands as the babe moves against her chest, mewling quietly. "Thank you, Mariah. I know I haven't always been worthy of this. But I shall try harder." "You don't need to, mom. I never doubted or questioned that you loved me. I always got that there were things you needed to work on first."

Rachel signals their departure, as they follow in her stead. "We would just be intruding now. You all did well and I greatly appreciate your help. We could have lost both of them if not for the assist. It definitely had been touch and go there for a while." William and Tuc are surrounded by their peers as Norway and Val are left on the fringe. "Go. It is only a matter of time before they learn the truth. They shouldn't be left as strangers." Rachel tells The Phoenix, who moves toward them. Just as Tuc turns to Rachel whom chooses to ignore his meaning.