The room is dark as she enters it, quietly approaching the figures. He is looking at his companion. "You know how good it was between us. Surely, you must know that I still love you very much." Not giving him an opportunity to respond, the kiss is once again unexpected. The throat being cleared interrupts them. He gets up, breaking the contact between him and his ex. "My love."
"Oh, do sit down, Ikaris. You know Rachel that she may have been labeled a slut at times. But she never crossed certain lines, not that people stopped to think or see this. She was never that desperate. You, however are appearing to be quite frantic for attention, a veritable tart." Sersi moves forward at these words being thrown down. Laying her hand on her husband's head as he takes her hand, kissing it before leaning his head against her stomach. "And you think with all the hearts you have strung along and broken with your various avatars, you are any better, especially with Dane?!"
"You may not be wrong about that. But once a part of me has committed to that person, I remain loyal. Even if it didn't work out, I never would have just tossed them to the side as if they were garbage. You only see my husband now, because you are still an Eternal. But since that day, you haven't given him much consideration. You never pestered Margo this much. Apparently, she wasn't a threat to you. And you consider me to be, well be careful, child. You could never wipe the floor with me even in your wildest dreams."
"You are going to let her talk to me like that, Ikaris?!" His response is standing, looking down at Kathleen with love and relief, stroking her cheek. "My love, Aikaterine. Am I forgiven…again?! I am so glad you are alright." Ignoring Sersi, he brings his head down, kissing her forehead. "Let us retire. You clearly need the rest." Intertwining their fingers, he follows her lead. "If you insist on pushing the matter, girl; then by all means tell me when and where, however for now know that I have more important matters to focus on." Ikaris never once acknowledging his former lover and fellow Eternal.
His hand searches out for his companion. Reality embracing him further at being greeted with nothing. "Hmm!" The sheet pillowing in his lap, "Aikaterine?!" The moon streaming in, illuminating the room as he pulls his pants on. Making his way around the palace, to the only logical place she could be. Crossing Hades, Apollo and Persephone on the way. "If you are looking for Lady Kid Phoenix, then she is indeed in the nursery." "Thank you, Apollo!"
Seeing her back to him, he silently makes his way into the room. "I know right. I can't wait to see you, either." Her hand on the psychic barrier as he wraps his arms around her, kissing the side of her head. "He's strong like his mother." "His father as well!" "My internal strength is nothing compared to yours, Aikaterine."
Turning back at the image, "yes. This is your daddy. Would you like to meet him?" Taking Ikaris's hand, she lays it against the barrier. "You should be able to pick up his thoughts. He has been waiting to meet you." Happiness overfloods him as the tears escape. "Jaycen Icarus Pryce, say hello to your dad." Tightening his hold on her, "thank you, Aikaterine. I will never be able to express how much I love you or how much this moment means to me."
Putting Jaycen down in the crib, she covers him as he remains asleep despite the movement. Ikaris stroking his head, "good night, my son." Putting her hand over his, Kathleen interlocks their fingers. "We don't have to worry anymore. The nightmare is over. He has developed enough now; the incubator isn't necessary anymore."
"And it is only because you thought quickly and took matters into your hands. We might have lost him otherwise, even with Apollo's help. I want another with you as soon as possible. Now even, you can make it happen being The Phoenix." Attempting to move out of his embrace, "easy there, Ikaris. Jaycen and I have barely recovered. We should enjoy him first before adding another.
Ah, no! Ikaris, wait please?!" Pinning her against the wall, his arms encasing her as his chest is to her back. Letting one of his hands, reach for her before cupping her, causing friction. She gives in knowing she would never truly fight him, not when it come to this. "Not here. While we don't mind that they know we have an active sex life, being exhibitionists and letting other people see us is another matter entirely."
Jaycen is leaning against her chest as she adjusts his position. As she feels another kick before the change happens. "Well, okay!" Putting him down despite his protests, she takes his hand. "Jay, I really need you to be a big boy now. Can you do that for me? We have to go find your dad and uncle Apollo." The pain is unexpected as it rips through her. "Makkari, I need you!" "MOMMY?!" "It's okay, Jaycen."
Picking her up, they are gone as if they were never there. "Ikaris and Apollo are waiting. Sprite will take care of Jaycen." "No, wait. I would rather Gilgamesh or any of the others. But not Puck, not without supervision. Please?!" "Alright." Makkari tells her, laying her on the bed. "How are you feeling, Lady Pryce?" "I am good. All things considering, it is nothing like last time. And that is to be expected, I wasn't caught in battle this time. It has been an uneventful pregnancy this time."
The bundle is laid in his arms, as Kathleen reclines against the pillows. Recovering from the ordeal, seeing a hand reaching out gripping Ikaris's finger. "She's beautiful. She looks like you, Aikaterine." Sprite bursts through the doors, Jaycen doing his best to catch up. Remaining by the bed, he looks at his parents, "you want to know what all fuss is about don't you?!"
Picking the child up, she places him next to her as he looks at the thing in his dad's arms. Touching its leg, the thing kicks as a reflex. "Oh no, you have to be careful, Jaycen." "Since you named him, does that mean Ikaris is going to name her?" "Her name is Margo Rachel Pryce. And I know the rest of you are waiting to be allowed in, come on." The rest of the Eternals don't have to be told twice as they swarm the room. Some barely able to contain their excitement more than others.
The ground shakes underneath their feet as the deities around them begin to react. As the titanic android appears. Jaycen and Margo clutching to her in fear. "Shh! It's okay." Sending out a message to Earth's Mightiest. "I won't let anything happen to you. We are going to find your dad and the others. Holding the two in her arms, "that is a Celestial…Well their purposes vary depending on which appears. But they are here for what we call hosts."
"You know that she is going to hate this and would disagree, so are you sure about this, Ikaris?!" "I am." "What are you sure about, my love?" The two turn at her voice. "Where are the others?" "They are dealing with the issue. I had to speak to Sprite." "What are you up, Ikaris?" Ignoring her, "Sprite, now." Just as she realizes what he is planning, "NO! WAIT! When I get out of this, we are going to have a serious talk."
The two disappear in front of her eyes, seeing that she is in the White Hot Room. All her avatars before appear in front of her. "What am I doing here?! This isn't real." "And how do you know that?" "Well, for one thing I would be alone…And Sprite has this all wrong, though Puck did try the best able to given the information about this construct." "You are not allowed to leave." They grab for and restrain her. Her struggling becoming futile as she screams in frustration.
"Clearly, you are in need of assistance." Seeing him walk her way before she is enveloped in a human pyramid; "ENOUGH!" Becoming white hot making her oppressors recoil. "And why are you here, Beyonder?" "Lady Phoenix is that a way to talk to someone who only wishes to help you?!" "Come now, you don't do anything without wanting something in return, so what is it?!" "You have me there, though maybe I just want the natural progression of things. I even have someone who can be of some help." Turning, "you!"
The world melts away for her to see is still in the Eternals throne room on Olympia. Only it is now empty, and her children no longer in her arms. Making her way to one of the two that would know where they are and what is going on; it's not like Ikaris would leave them where I could find them easily." Taking to the air, she quickly makes her way to the Greek herald.
Pulling on his collar, bringing him closer, "whoa! Easy there." "Just tell me where they are, Mercury?!" "He trusted me. And I don't know who to fear more, you or your husband?" "Do you really wish to find out, which you will if you don't tell me what I need to know?!...And you know not even your father's wrath will save you from me."
"Point taken. They are fine. They are simply asleep. Hades and Persephone are watching them. Not even the Celestials would bother with the Underworld. But if you wish to save your husband and the other Eternals you can't waste any more time." "What do you mean?" Listening as she has part of her reaches out, acquiring her children.
"Lady Phoenix…" "You know why I am here. Hand them over. I don't wish to fight." Turning to his wife, he nods his head. Samuel Guthrie appears, holding Jaycen and Margo who remain asleep to his chest." "Go on and say it, I know like the rest of your comrades, you want to." Shaking his head, "while you may look like her. I can see the differences. You look different enough. Plus, you don't sound or even act like her." At her expression, "I have been watching. The Beyonder brought me back here. And I am only tied to this place because of them." He tells her, looking down at the Pryce children. "Thank you, Samuel Guthrie!"
Happening upon Tony and Stephen approaching her husband and the others lifeless bodies. The cry of pain makes it past her lips, alerting them. "Aikaterine?!...Don't let them see!" Jaycen and Margo who awakened due to no longer being under Hades's domain try to reach for him. At which, she creates a barrier that turns black before hardening, preventing their comprehension from being exercised.
"Ikaris…?" "It was all a lie!" Kneeling before taking his hand, stroking his hair and putting his head in her lap. "While I am not mad anymore, I am still not quite happy that you didn't tell me. We are supposed to be partners and equal in life." "I'm sorry. You know I couldn't leave them alone. They are going to need one of us. And you have always been stronger than me."
"You know that isn't true!" "But it is. You managed for eons before we even ever met. I just wish we had more time. I love you, Aikaterine! Tell them I am sorry." "And I love you! I'll tell them what you did." The thread that he had been hanging on finally snaps, as Kathleen continues stroking his hair. "Ikaris!"
"Kathleen…Kathleen?!" Turning she sees, Steven Rogers approaching. Putting his hand on her shoulder, offering the other for her to take. "Mrs. Pryce, it is time we leave. Tony and Strange will take care of them. You and your children shouldn't have to see this anymore. They are going to need you; you can't break down now. It may hurt but you aren't alone!" Nodding, she takes his hand, wiping the tears away with the other, the shine is in her reflection.
"Before I leave there is someone who helped me and wishes to say something. You can come out now." Samuel Guthrie appears, holding the Pryce children once more. Paige tightens her hold on Warren's arm. "But that is?!" Anabel says. "Sam!" "Hello, Melody, Paige, Warren, Anabel!" "SAM?!" "ISABEL!" Putting the boy down, "say hello to your dad, Josiah." Releasing the Pryce children, Sam makes his way to his family.
"Ah am only here for a short while. As reward for helping The Phoenix out. Ah have been keeping an eye on Jaycen Icarus and Margo Rachel Pryce. Ah have missed all of you. Ah wish ah could return permanently but ah have made peace with what happened though. Ah know you are doing a good job raising our son, Izzy. And while ah miss you, I don't regret having to make the decision I had, not if it means he and the rest of our family remains free. Ah must go now; I feel them calling me back." "No, Sam, wait!" "Daddy?!"
Jaycen and Margo look up at her. Bending down, "I'm sorry. Mommy has to go. But you will be in good hands, he will take of you. Being with me or the rest of Earth's heroes isn't the safest place right now." Jaycen's lips begin quivering as Margo becomes unsettled. "That isn't true. I love you just like your dad did…He left to save us and everybody else on Earth. And I know it sounds selfish, but mommy needs to fix herself, to be better for you two."
"Kathleen, you know that you don't need to go?!" "But I do, Wanda Maximoff, I still feel it all in the back of your minds and hearts." "And what about the other baby, won't they be in danger wherever you are going?!" Putting a hand over her stomach, a light, glows before revealing a sleeping infant. "Thank you, Thor. I know that I am not wrong with trusting my most prized possessions with you. Continue to show that you are worth it." She is gone before they can do anything else to prevent this.
They ignore her as she walks down the hallway. 'It is just as well. Having any form of company isn't something I need. I know that leaving Jaycen, Margo and our baby wasn't the best decision. But after everything with Phoenix R.S. Wagner, Rachel Summers and the rest of her family and friends. Losing Ikaris hurts too much, oh, Jay, Margo, I know that I am being selfish. I just hope I can return to you better than I was and you can forgive me. Ikaris, it feels hollow without you here by my side.' The man stops in front of her, halting her movements. "Welcome to the TVA again, Phoenix. You will be a great asset."
"It's Lady Ikaris!" "Don't even pretend Lady Phoenix, we know all about your husband's suicide pact." "Well then, Mobius, if you really wish for me to be a part of this workforce, then wouldn't Agent Kathleen Pryce be better?!" "You're right. It is definitely better than Agent Lady Ikaris, which isn't exactly relevant right now. Nor Agent Lady Phoenix, which isn't applicable entirely either. Not with two versions of you running around, leaving different lives. Come on, we shouldn't dawdle anymore!"
