Note: This briefly goes back to The Age of Apocalypse storyline (reality).
Charles passes Miles and Scarlet but not without her passing her hand against his. "We are only human, so the loss and pain from losing Rachel is expected or anyone else we have come to care about. But to reiterate things after knowing her for so long, she wouldn't want us to dwell on these emotions; mourn her too long or too hard." He moves his gaze from not only their family but those whom have become the dearest of friends to his sister.
The air swishes by the open door, as he moves his head toward it. "Piet?!" Sitting back further in the chair, the embrace is tightened a little more before the humming and rocking continues. "Yes, that was Pietro." Turning to face her better, "I don't understand, Rachel. Mommy and Daddy left, but why?!" "Because, little brother, there are things you won't completely understand until you are older."
"PIETRO!" Ruffling his hair, he gazes down at his family. "Hello, my love." "My dear husband, come tell him, where is your lover, usually you two are joined at the hip?!" The hurt not masked fast enough on Pietro Maximoff's face. "You may know the word war, Charles. It's implications however are something entirely different. Those are too complex for you yet. Your parents, brother and I, along with the rest of the Xmen wish for you to remain ignorant of this, at least for the time being.
Being a child is the most important thing we want for you. Your well-being and happiness are the most important thing where you are concerned." Standing up as Pietro backs up, "and it is now high time you went to bed. It is past time for you to have gone to sleep." "Ah, but Rachel?!" "No. Sorry, Charles. Besides, your brother apparently has something he needs to discuss with me."
Put him on the bed before pulling the blanket up, sitting by his side. "Will my mom and dad be back soon?" Pushing the hair off his forehead, "they should. They know what is at stake. And they wouldn't give that up without a fight or let things prolong." Bopping his nose, "but if you are still scared, I will be here. Just call me like I have taught you and I will be here in no time." Closing his eyes reassured by her the comfort she is offering; Rachel gets up following Pietro.
"So, what did you need to tell me?!" Sneaking a peek, Charles sees Pietro step closer to Rachel, only to see Rachel move her hand away as Pietro reaches for it. "But I thought Rachel loves my brother?!" Turning at this, "you imp, you are supposed to be asleep. Now go on with you. And I do care about Pietro. But there are things you will understand when you are older." Sighing, "you mean, more implications?!" "I do." Pietro is waiting patiently in the doorway, his back still to them. Before continuing as, she is by his side again.
He reaches for his parents futilely. The tears disrupted by his cries and hiccups. "I know you will be a good boy. Rachel will take care of you. Don't forget your dad and I love you." "But, Mommy, Daddy?!" "You deserve to live a full life and not have to suffer for choices that have been beyond your control." Erik embraces Rogue as the light begins to reach them, "…" "I will. Whatever that takes, and you know such a thing never had to be voiced. He is a part of my family."
"Thank you, Rachel. And I am sorry about…" "Don't worry about that, Erik. I care about him just as I care about you. He was going to have to get over the rejection eventually. He may be a lot of things, but chasing someone who picked another isn't one of them. And don't even worry about what happened between Pietro and I."
"PIETRO, CLARICE?!" Seeing the two as Rachel touches down. "I see. Well, Charles, once we go through there, things are going to be different." The hand shoots out. "Rachel?!" "What, Pietro?!" "I..." Recoiling as she turns to Blink. Scarlet and Nate remaining silent by her side. "Thank you for being my best friend, Clarice. Nate, Scarlet, go first, Charles and I will be right behind you."
Kneeling in front of him, as he clings to her. "Please! Why are you doing this?! You promised!" "Charles, I will always be here. But this the best thing." Nate waiting patiently behind her, giving them the best amount of privacy possible. "You and Scarlet barely managed to escape what Madelyne Pryor threw at us…I know you are a big boy. But your powers aren't there yet. And you still have a lot to learn before you can protect yourself, much less others."
Laying her hand against his cheek, she turns his head. "Hey, that isn't true. No one is abandoning you. Your parents didn't, nor did Pietro. And I most certainly would never. "Laying his head down, "I know it seems like that now. But your happiness and safety are paramount. You wouldn't want us to be sad if something happened to you, when we could have prevented it, would you?!"
"No." Charles whispers, shaking his head. Embracing him, "good. Scarlet will take good care of you. I trust her. And it isn't like I am not going to visit. But for now, this is really for the best. Joining Xmen here in this world wouldn't give you the stability you need. But I will make another promise, when you become old enough, I will come for you. But only if you want too by then. It is important your identities remain hidden until then, in case someone tries to strike at me through you."
He turns his head seeing the man bending the knee. "Don't judge him too harshly. He has loved her almost from the moment he met her. I know you still remember them. And how much they loved each other in our reality. And it has never been easy here, knowing that it never worked out." Stopping by his side now, "yes, I know he is those things. Definitely, a rogue and scoundrel. But he has never cheated the times they have been together.
And I too, had my reservations and voiced them. I never let your mom choosing your dad in our reality and Remy being my best friend prevent me from caring about all of them. So, of course, naturally, I wouldn't want him to be hurt here again. Give him a chance, despite his flirtatious nature, he is a good man. And he cares about you, they both do." Seeing the forementioned couple approaching, "excuse me." Rachel says before, retreating.
"Sugah." "Mon Ami." "Ah, I know this may not be easy for you." Shaking his head, "its fine. If he makes you happy. Besides, Rachel has reassured me, he is worthy. Just please, I hope you don't expect me to call you dad. I don't know you well enough for that." "Remy, is fine, mon ami." "Though, Rachel has told me that you can have a wandering eye. Which is fine as long as that all it is, but if you ever cross that line. Well, while I know she can handle herself, Anna won't be first in line to break you. I will."
Anna hugs him which he returns, "I know you may have wished otherwise. And I am not the mom you remember, but I." Shaking his head, "no. It's alright, Anna. I appreciate it. You have been close enough. Besides, I had Rachel and Scarlet as well." Cupping his cheek, "you know she would be proud of you." "I know. They both would. But enough of this, this is a happy moment. And not about me." Remy takes Anna's hand, nodding to his stepson, who smiles in return.
Kobik Barnes takes his place as her adopted father, his doppelganger and girlfriend (Darcy Lewis) remain sitting. "Rachel Summers had what it took to be a hero. If another was ever in jeopardy, her well-being was of no consequence to her. As long as that person came out unscathed (physically). This may have mean she more than likely had to harden herself. Yet, all of those here show that her compassion and love were also more than abundant.
Starting as one of your enemies, she was only the second person to show me mercy. And never blamed me for what my actions caused. And I only hope I can ever be half the person she was and live up to her legacy and what it stands for. And I will always be sorry if my actions lead to her demise, I..." Johnny and Simon reach her before Bucky is able to, as Wanda makes her way to them, before embracing the girl.
The silence begins to be uncomfortable as Hope makes her way to the podium. "I may have not been born as a Summers. But I am grateful, all of you accepted me nonetheless. Especially Rachel, I may have not known her as long as some of you; but she never treated me as a stranger nor left me out. And that was what was so great about her. Kobik, she never held anything against us for long. Not if we mattered and even then, she would still be willing."
She has her in a headlock before flipping her. The grunt is heard upon impact. "You did better. You almost had me. My nephew taught you well. But if you really think that was enough to take me, well, the last ten times have suggested otherwise." Sitting by her niece, her eyebrow arching. "Really, did Cable explain none of this to you?!" "It wasn't of relevance when you are fighting to stay alive." "True." "And my mom died when I was still really young. Besides, it isn't a conversation a daughter and father would normally have, yes?!
And I do know the physical dynamics, but I still don't get everything else. Why do they keep looking at me?!" "Thomas finds you attractive. And William despite his preference, can't help but pick up on his twin's thoughts and desires; so, he is just curious. You could do a lot worse than my nephew, Hope." "Relationships at least romantically weren't the most important, but even I knew that I am glad there is no blood between us; because then it would be really weird. This family's tree is really complicated."
The hug comes out of nowhere, pushing her back somewhat. Seeing her nephew in her arms, she sees Hope walking to them. "I asked her to marry me. And she said yes." "Well, I am happy for you. Good for you. You do know that you are going to have to quit some of your shenanigans now, Thomas. And to tell the rest of our family now, I hope you are ready to run. Cable isn't going to be completely happy about this."
Remy takes Hope's place. "Some of the others are r'igh't'. No one could ask for a truer person or friend, then Rachel Summers. My belle accepted me completely. And never held my worst mistake against me. I only wish I could have been worthy more to you at times, my belle. But we must never lose heart and keep her love and strength in our hearts. As we move forward, like she would want and expect us to." His greatest transgression and what it cost him springs forward.
Seeing Ororo, Jean, Scott and some of the other Xmen appear in front of him. "Did you really think we wouldn't find out, Remy?!" Bowing his head in shame, he lets them take him. "Jean, where is Rachel?!" "Do not concern yourself with her, Remy." Each taking a seat, "you have summoned us here. Now if you can continue this, since deemed it so important for us to know this information."
Nodding, their summoner begins. Each sitting in silence as Remy's choice begins to come to light. "And what do have to say for yourself, Remy LeBeau?" The master thief remains silent. "Very well, then. Let us continue and take a vote." Moving to the certain of the room, just as the doors reverberate with the force being put on them.
Pitching forward the next moment, just as she begins to walk through. Looking around, "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!" Having read their minds, "I haven't been on this team long. But I had been under the impression, forgiveness was abundant." Standing up, "that is enough, sister. Rachel, come and sit down. We have yet to hear everything, Remy hasn't defended himself yet."
Standing in front of her him, "why, Scott. Clearly, all of you have made up your minds. I never thought that the Xmen were such gutless individuals." "So, you would defend a murderer, Rachel?!" "I would. And the Scott I knew would never condemn someone like this." Turning she faces each and every one of them.
"Before it came to light, that The Phoenix had switched places with Jean. As that entity, it was initially thought, Jean had lost control and killed people." "Rachel, my belle, stop, please?!" Facing him, "you can't mean that, Remy?!" "I do, my belle. I messed up. It is time I paid for what I did." "You can't mean that, you would really let them condemn you?!"
Remaining silent, Rachel's turmoil over this is evident. "This isn't you. You are a fighter. You really wouldn't just accept this accusation." "It's true. Rachel, there is no point fighting it." Turning her face back to their teammates, "well then, I would fight for you. The Shadow King took over Ororo and hurt people…" "Rachel Summers-Maximoff, these transgressions you are listing when these people had no control over themselves. So can we really hold these things against them?!"
"Very well. So based on that, there is no reason Remy LeBeau should be on trial or held accountable for what happened. As soon as he realized he had been played and used, he did what he could to correct his error, shouldn't that count for something?! And there is one amongst us that has never been controlled and made their decisions every time with complete clarity; and yet they were forgiven and given a chance.
If this is what being an Xman represents now, then I don't want any part of this." "Rachel?!" "No, Scott, Jean. Sit down. I will not change my mind. Nor can I or will accept this." "My belle?!" "Don't talk, Remy." "You heard her. It is time we continued and cast our vote." Her eyes widen as she steps back, her mouth opening before she composes herself.
Scott stands, picking up on her demeanor. "Wait, you knew?!" The others turn to her. "Rachel is this true?" "It is." "Why would you betray us, me, like this?!" "First, it wasn't my secret to share. Besides, he has been carrying the guilt. And like I have stated, none of us have been perfect. We have all made mistakes with disastrous results. Why should his be considered irredeemable? And while it may hurt that you and Jean are disappointed, I will not back down from this." Picking up the stray thought, she turns on their moderator.
"TRAITOR! I TRUSTED YOU!" "Rachel?!" "Tell them, who you really are?! This man isn't Erik the Red, at least not the one you have come to know. Such audacity, Erik Lensherr." Taking the helmet off, his identity is revealed. "My reason for this trial will never excuse Gambit's choice. Let us carry on, what say you, Scott?!" "Aye." "Ororo?" "Aye." "Jean?" "Aye." "Warren?" "Aye." Rachel walks closer to him, seeing that the votes aren't in his favor.
"Sister, step away from him." "I will not. In fact, I downright refuse. And if you want to get to him, I will have to be rendered useless first." "Wait!" Halting at Erik's command. "Rachel and I have yet to cast our votes. You may have been uninvited but you are here now, it is only right you are now included. I vote, aye. And you, Rachel?" "Nay." The BAMF sound is heard, before "nay. I agree with Rachel. And a pity knowing what has occurred as horrid as it had been, voting otherwise doesn't show a good and fair judgment or conscience."
"Thank you, Kurt." "Now that the verdict has been decided, it is time you depart." "And what of Remy?" Scott looks to Rogue who nods. Landing in front of them as Warren and the others begin to leave, "sister, please?!" "Kurt, you are asking too much." "Forgiving the man, you love isn't too much to ask. He has never held any of your actions against you. We all forgave you. Returning it, can never be as such."
"Kurt Wagner, Rachel Summers-Maximoff, the trial is over. And the decision is final. They are leaving. And if you wish to join them, make it now before the Blackbird takes off." Kurt looks backward to see Rogue still by Rachel and Remy's side. "Rachel, we are leaving. It is time for you to board." "I can't not after this disgrace, Scott. As for you, Rogue, you only get one chance to get past me." "My belle, please?! There is no point. I may have messed up and tried to fix it. But it is something that I can't undo and I have to face the fallout."
Rogue grabs him, and the two are in the blistering environment as Rachel follows. "I LOVED YOU!" "I'm' sorry, my chere." Remy tells Rogue as he looks down. Rachel shoves her. "Beat it!" Rogue is gone the next moment. "Rachel, please let me carry my shame." "No, I won't leave you. They tried to make you out to be a monster. And all I see is someone who made a poor choice, and that is all I will ever see. Even gods make mistakes, my thief."
