"Kathleen Pryce, I forgive you!" The scream of pain and torment accompany this. Rendering the heroes speechless at this outburst; as she becomes engulfed in flame, before speeding through the atmosphere. "Aikaterine?!" "We should go after her." "No, James Howlett. I can assure you the threat you perceive concerning her is very much over." Thena says. Seeing that Ikaris is still facing the direction, she left. "Ikaris, it is time we go home. Our purpose for being here is over."
"That's it. You are just leaving?!" "Johnny!" "No, Susan. It's their fault, Rachel is dead again." "Johnny, I don't like it any more than you do. None of us do. But Kobik Barnes is right. We only were able to pull this time off since we all know they didn't try as hard as they are capable. And even if we had time to come up with a foolproof, it would still have the same outcome. We will always be out of our depth, when it comes to them." Simon replies.
"So, that's it. We just give up?! And let my sister die again?!" He places his hand on Alex's shoulder as Scott, does the other. Gabriel begins surging with energy, quickly moving forward. "YOU! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" Making a beeline for them, "THE ETERNALS ARE GONE! NO ONE CAN STOP ME NOW!" Before he can touch his target, the shield buffers the blow as the FF flank each other, Alicia and Lyja. Not that it matters, the next instant, Gabriel shatters it as if it had merely been a paper bag blowing in the wind.
"Jean, Hope, Scott, Alex, Lorna, Cable, Nate, Rachel, Adam, my love, keep them at bay." Seeing that the others are going to protect their allies. "I will make this quick!" Ben takes a swing at him, which he deflects; grabbing the man's fists in his own, immediately sucking his energy, bringing the other man to his knees. "BEN!" Reed yells. Seeing that the others are about to continue their defense, he powers up, before moving forward. Picking up Susan in his arms before knocking her out fast, siphoning and suppressing her ability to the point; that she can no longer stay conscious. The flames hit his back, "GET AWAY FROM MY SISTER!"
Putting her down, the Grimm children rush to her. Looking down at them, "stay out of this, children. I can guarantee you; you won't win. And hurting children is even beneath me." Continuing to ignore the attack behind him, he walks slowly to Reed. As the arms stretch out to reach him, he grabs them; letting energy course through them, giving the semblance of electricity. Reed screams before finally recoiling, falling backward as he passes out. "Stretch?!" "Stay down, Benjamin Grimm."
"Sorry, kid. You hurt my family." "Very well, and yours hurt, mine. But know, I would have desired the alternative. I'll get right back to you." Levitating, he moves forward, grabbing Johnny lightly by the neck, punching him in the solar plexus with his other hand. Keeping hold onto his collar, he slams the other man into the floor. By Ben's face, the next moment, hitting him in the face; watching as he goes down hard. Alicia, Jo-Venn and N'Kalla cling to each other. Lyja stepping in front of them, her fists glowing. Gabriel stops moving.
"Grimm's family has nothing to fear from me." Looking taken back by this, the children raise their gaze to their would-be protector. Lyja never wavering at this revelation. Johnny begins crawling. Gabriel appears behind her, grabbing her hair, pulling her close; preventing leverage being found against him. Grabbing her throat with his other hand, beginning to squeeze. "NO, LYJA!"
"It's beautiful, isn't it?!" "Yes, knowing that it appears to be infinite, leads to it being awestruck." "I am glad they have you. Please tell Kathleen the same; that I meant it about forgiving her. And even though, we didn't agree, I understand her actions. I know you will continue to watch over them. You, Kurt, Ray, Norway and Val and the child you are going to have deserve it."
Sensing her weakening, "don't speak if you can't anymore." The two remain hovering in space. Taking in the beauty it gives off. As Rachel's struggles begin to worsen. Phoenix R.S. Wagner holds her closer. "You know I never told you, I appreciated your feelings; even though, I could never return them." "I knew. But you did me a favor, you know I am happy with him; more than I have been with anyone else." Rachel places her hand over the deity's; "do you feel that?" Phoenix merely nods as she turns in the direction, it is coming from; as Rachel does her best to raise her head.
"Gabriel, stop!" Seeing Rachel hover above them, all the heroes watch. "This is all her fault." "Gabriel, this isn't Lyja Storm's fault. She didn't do this." The Skrull crumbles forward, instantaneously gasping for air. "Lyja?!" Turning, she sees Johnny moving forward again. At recovering, she moves toward him; helping him up. "Rachel?!" "I don't have much time. Please, you all need to move past your grief this time. You know I only want all of you to be happy."
"You really can't expect that, Aunt Red?!" "But I do, William. You have your parents, Thomas, The Summers, Ted, your cousins. The same for you, Alex. Lorna, Dane and our family still need you. Gabriel, you have your own family now as well." Moving closer, Alex reaches out, his hand going through her. "I feel my projection beginning to fail. Please, do this for me; not like last time."
The slight breeze moves his hair as he closes his eyes at it. "Rachel, please?!" "I will erase your memories of me if I have to, so none of you will remember me. Please, I don't wish to. But will if it will spare you pain." Lowering his head in defeat, she reaches out, her hand barely laying against his face, cupping it. "Why do you continue to take this so hard, we wound up reconciling?!
I see. They are going to need you. Especially Gabriel, he is beginning to struggle again. And both of them don't know the first thing about having a child. They are going to need you. Adam is still a loner; he needs help adjusting more. And Scott, well, you know, Scott, little brother. He will need all of your support more than the others. Before I leave, I can teleport all of you back to Earth.
Seeing the moon above them, she begins to fade. "MOM, WAIT?!" Sean runs to her. Opening her arms, he falls into them. "I'm sorry, so sorry!" Hugging him, "I never blamed you." Moving him back enough, so she can look at him. "I am glad you forgave me. But this regret you are holding onto, Sean, it is over. I really should have told you, Norwegian, Valhalla."The two watching from behind Sean.
"You and Mariah are doing a wonderful job raising Barbara, my son." Delivering a feather light kiss to his forehead, she is gone the next moment; as Sean clutches his fists. The tears begin to fall as Mariah, grabs the back of his head, bringing it to hers. Their foreheads laying against each other's; as Barbara Jean clutches his pant leg, placing his hand on her head.
The rest of their friends and family begin lowering their heads. Remaining motionless and silent for a berth of silence. Before looking up again, still being supported by his former wife, he approaches the family. "She is really gone this time?!" "Yeah, Johnny, she is." Storm puts his hand on Alex's shoulder before squeezing it. "What now?!" Looking at his brothers, "now we really honor her memory. We failed her last time. It wouldn't be easy, but if we really loved her, we can do no less."
Still hovering, "did you, do it?!" "I did. Thank you for helping me once more, Phoenix R.S. Wagner. "And like I told Alex, I want you to please don't hold on as well. I know my past decisions have hurt you just as much. But no being can stop time, not even you. And I have never told you, meeting you actually made me happy, Phoenix. I am glad I knew you."
"Me too. I will miss you!" "You will be okay. You have them now." Rachel begins caving on herself. As she slips through Phoenix Wagner's grip, "I guess this is really goodbye this time, my friend." Phoenix says asthe ash and dust continue to float in space before there is nothing left. Rachel's smile burned into her brain. "Help those two find each other. She will have a hard time getting over him. But if any beings deserve love at this point, it is definitely them. They have been rejected enough." Her last request resounds through the vastness.
"I see it hasn't changed. She's still the same." The two men look at her. "I am beginning to worry, cousin. I have fought because losing her has never been an option. Though, if things continue, it really will be so. This is worse than the separation my demons caused. I have tried all I can and I am blessed if she even bothers to return my gaze and attempts. She never wanted Rachel to die at her hands, but their choice seems to have shattered her. I"
"This is my fault, Ikaris. I should have kept my mouth shut." "Don't say that. If you hadn't, she would have really come to believe everyone, even I, betrayed her." "I am leaving. And I don't know if when or if I will return, I have definitely overstayed my welcome." "You know that isn't true." "Just continue to be there for her, she is more aware than she would have us believe."
Holding the bag over his shoulder, he begins to walk the corridor. The ruckus greets him. "COUSIN STARFOX, you are leaving?!" Placing the bag by his side, he bends down. "I am." "BUT?!" "Don't cry. Your mom would be sad to see this. And your dad needs you." "Are you ever coming back?!" "Perhaps?!" Standing up, he looks at the children, staring up at him, clutching his pant legs.
"Aikaterine?! It has been days. But if what Eros Starfox said is true, then?!" Stopping in front of her, he kneels to her level. She continues clutching her legs to her chest, staring straight at the wall. Cupping her face, "Aikaterine?!" Seeing the first flicker after a humorous berth, "Aikaterine?!" Her eyes blink again, taking more of her surroundings in. Her mouth moves; "Iā¦Ikaris?!" Pulling her to him, "my love!"
Returning his embrace, her hands clutching the back of his shirt as her face lays on his shoulder. "How long was I out?!" "It has definitely been a while. We found you here like this since we returned from your fight with Rachel." Lowering her head, placing his hand underneath her chin, raising it. "Hey, she wanted you to know she knew that she was sincere in her forgiveness. And not to doubt it."
"I know. Rachel had never been anything if not sincere. I." "If you really wish not to return, then we won't as well." "But what about being Earth's protectors?!" "We will still watch. But interfering and helping are over. And if it makes us selfish, so be it. We have paid enough, Besides, The Deviants cause more than enough problems here, with us."
Her lips are on him the next moment. Once more quickly getting lost in her, he reciprocates the passion she is displaying. Reality fading pretty quickly. Catching himself, he pulls back slightly. "What. What's wrong?!" "Nothing. But are you sure?! We are where anyone can happen upon us." "I don't care. Not now, not anymore. All I know is that I need you." She attacks him once more as their passions blaze like they always have, insatiable.
"Johnny, please?!" Brushing past them, "NO! Sue!" He stops and stands in front of his friends. Torus and Lyja stand by the rest of the team. Ben halts him. "Don't, kid!" "Ben, don't touch me! She lied to us. We lost Rachel because of her; I lost my best friend because of her selfishness." "Johnny, that isn't why I did it." "I don't care, Alicia. You lied. You made me say something I never meant. I don't care if you think you were trying to help. I can't do this right now!" He is gone the next moment, a trail of fire left in his wake.
"Lyja, I made an offer to you a long time ago. And I am making it again. Besides, you have Torus to think about now. You will always have a home here; and a place on this team." "Thank you, Susan." She turns to her son, "I will take it. Unlike the last two times, I have a reason to." Stepping forward, she stops in front of the family. "It is okay, Ben. I promise."
Silent for a moment, standing in front of her former pawn. "I have never apologized, Alicia Masters. And I don't blame you for what you think, felt you had to do. And if you never forgive me, I would understand. But I hope that you will see in time, that living amongst all of you changed me." As the four Grimms and the rest of the FF remain quiet. "Excuse me." Walking away, "Lyja, wait!" Turning, she stares at Ben. "Thank you." She nods in return before continuing on her path.
"Well, that was definitely awkward." "I wouldn't disagree there, Simon." "Phoenix." "Simon, why don't you take Torus to her?!" He raises an eyebrow. "If anyone gets being constantly rejected by the one, they love, it would be you. She is really going to need a friend who can understand her right now." The Avenger and Torus are gone the next moment.
Ray and Kurt stand next to her, "where is Johnny?! I see." "Rachel?!" "Alexander Summers, she died happy. She meant it; she doesn't want it to consume you this time. Any of you. We have too much to live for, be happy about now." Looking to her own family, "we should have peace knowing that she died expressing joy, rather than sadness at leaving us again. She trusted we would be fine. And we can't betray that, not this time." The heroes let her words sink in (for once).
The bundle is placed in her arms. Their family gathered around them. Phoenix, Kurt and Ray Wagner in one corner. Phoenix holding their daughter in her arms who happens to be asleep. Rachel Grey surrounded by the rest of their family. Kitty by her side as well. "What are you going to name her, Jean, Scott?!" Scarlet asks. Charles and Miles by her side.
Jean looks at all of them. "Thought it was more than obvious by now. And I know you have waited a long time for this." She stares at her daughter. "Rachel Anne Summers." Her and Scott watch as their daughter breaks down, Kitty hugging her. "Rae, it will be okay!" Rachel nods as the happy tears continue.
"Though, you know now to avoid confusion we are going to need to change the sign." "We'll worry about that later, Gabriel. Rachel, do you wish to hold her?!" Keeping the bundle close to her chest, she stares down at the babe, who happens to be looking up at her. "What do I call her, me or sister?!" "Sister, should fit well enough." Alex says, laying his hand on her shoulder, looking down at his other niece.
The sign is adjusted. "Is that it?!" Stepping back, "that should be it." Gabriel, Adam, Cable, Nate, Alex and Scott step back. Vision, Jericho, Wanda, Pietro, William, Thomas, Ted and the rest of The Young Avengers watch. Hope and their daughter by Thomas's side. Charles, Miles and Scarlet on their other side. Rachel Grey holding her sister, Jean next to her. Lorna and Dane on their other side. Crystalia, Luna, Tuc and the rest of the Inhuman Royal Family behind the other Maximoffs.
Sean, Mariah, Norwegian, Valhalla, Phoenix, Kurt and Ray Wagner by their sides. Their daughter asleep once more but in Kurt's arms this time. Kitty next to them. Johnny and the rest of the FF behind them. Johnny has his arms wrapped around Lyja and Torus. Simon standing close to them. The rest of Earth's heroes watching on. Each taking the new sign in, The Rachel Maximoff Academy.
"Pietro, Wanda, Billy, Thomas, thank you for allowing this." "You're welcome. We could do no less even though she had dropped my name at a point, after our marriage ended. We still considered her part of our family. We did have children after all." Jericho tightens his embrace, seeing Wanda tremble. "Come my love, we promised." Wanda weakly nods her head; as Simon looks on sadly. Thomas and William stand by her sides.
"Yes. Rachel would be proud and happy at the progress we finally seem to be making." Vision adds. "We should really get this other sign out of here." Looking at the signage, laying on its side at their feet. The Rachel Summers (Maximoff) Institute stares up at them. The Summers men again pick it up. "No, let us this time." Johnny, Remy, Simon, Bucky, Thor say joined by Lyja, Ben, Reed, Castle, The Great Lake Avengers and Steve. Turning away, she smiles. "Thank you." She whispers, though her presence remains undetected.
