Note(s): pieces of the speech will, be broken, though with the hyphenations, when sound it out, the words aren't hard to decipher. So, really shouldn't be confusing in anyway. And the chapter fills one of those gaps in Kaleidoscope, basically covering before The Secret Empire story arc and my interpretation. And Rachel gives another version of a certain event from The Age of Apocalypse storyline. And put two words of Russian in here, hopefully the internet gave me a right translation. And again, none of the properties mentioned in this chapter belong to me.


The blast comes out of nowhere. And before she can reach them, the younger generation is engulfed by the blinding light; shielding her eyes, she turns away. As the illuminance finally dissipates, only to be left perplexed and flabbergasted. Foreign concepts to her until her now. 'Oh, I am in so much trouble.' The clothes lay strung around them, as multiple pairs of eyes look up at her. Each smile at seeing her, throwing their arms up. "R'chl!"

She picks up Kate since she is the closest to deadly weapons. While also picking up, the youngest who is just sitting, his fist in his mouth. He takes it out as she picks him up in her other arm, staring at her. "Ra'h." "Yes, that's me." The children at this point, circle her, vying for her attention. "James?!" His best friend says. "Yes, Roger. It's James." "R'chl, how m'ch tr'bl are we in?" "Oh, I am in so much trouble, Kate. Their parents are going to flip. And they won't be happy about you, David, and America, either."


"So apparently we made a mistake leaving them in your care. How did this even happen, Rachel?" Barbara says. "I honestly don't know. And while I really don't blame any of you. This could be a good thing. When The Phoenix gave them to you, they were already past this age. Except for Wanda, now you can enjoy the moments you hadn't been able to before." The parents look to each other, sighing.

"There is truth there, guess you are right. But we are going to have to fix it. In the meantime, there isn't really much we can do. And just have to let the natural progression run its course." Vision says. "Unless, they are X-children; then that is more of a problem." Bucky adds. Natasha lays her hand on his arm. "It's X-babies, not children, любовь моя (my love)."

Keeping his eyes on the toddlers, displaying their exuberance. "It's the same thing. Wanda, you and Strange may have to work on this. And if necessary, we will get Illyana to help as well. And why is James, younger than the rest of them?" "Your guess is as good as mine, Buck." Looking to his best friend, he can see the concern beneath the exterior Steve tends to show. Sharon by his side. "But until then, this happened under your watch, Rachel. And until now, you haven't disappointed us. They have been relatively safe given what they and we do. They will remain under your custody." Scott says. Rachel Grey, Scarlet and Miles, Nate Grey, Cable, Alex and Lorna standing behind him. None of the other couples bothering to object.


Putting the dresser down, "thank you, Simon." "It's no problem, Rachel. Not after how you have started to help me lately." "Just helping a kindred spirit out, there is really nothing to it. Being rejected is never easy. Plus, after the fallout, Pietro and I seem to have had. This fresh start has been helping. And true, it may not be the first time. I can't very well keep my previous responsibilities with a brood of children."

"And how is that going?" "As good as expected. I thought having Charles and two of my own was a handful. If I didn't love and care for them so much, I really would think, the children were nothing but demon spawn. And I know that is no doubt, a poor choice of words given what William and Thomas were initially. Just how does anyone get any sleep, it's like they are each a version of The Energizer Bunny. That is correct, right?!"

"Yes. That is what it is called. It really can't be that bad?!" "What time is it?" "…" "Come with me." Silently following her, she finally stops in front of a door. Opening it, only to be greeted with. "I don't understand, at this time, it definitely hasn't been like this before." The children are huddled around Ted, Thomas and William. Thomas staring at his twin, with Ted on William's other side; as the boy is crying his eyes out. Evident also that Thomas wants to cry and did (even if it is a little).

Moving forward before kneeling in front of William. "What's wrong? What happened?" "Ra…Ra'chl, are we r'ly d'ms?" "No. Did you hear me?" The boy manages to nod. The tears continuing to spill. Wiping the tears from both boys, "no, sweeties. You're not. And you could never be. It's complicated. And even if you were, you know I love you, right?!" A smile begins to form on their faces; instantaneously changing the atmosphere.

"Y'h, you l'v's us l'ts!" William adds. Taking the twins and Ted in her arms. "Yes. And just like I love all of the rest of you just as much." Hope, Tuc, America, David, Kate, James, Roger, Mariah, Sean, Katherine and Torus gather around her. Simon remains standing behind her. "If you don't want to play, we could go make something for you to eat. Or it could be nap time?!" "C'n we h's b'th, R'chl?!" America asks.

"Okay, but just this once." They quickly stampede out of the room; as she and Simon trail behind them. Each of the boys now laying their heads against her chest. "You're projecting very loudly. They may not have exactly come from you. But that part I mentioned, if that were the case; then neither had they from Wanda. And that doesn't make her any less their mom. Besides given your history with him, you are as much their dad as Vision is. And don't worry, I am making sure they can't pick us up this time."


Keeping the door open, "I really appreciate you coming and helping me, Simon. You were a great help. Plus, they love having you over." "Like I said, it was no problem. And if you ever need any kind of help, you don't have to hesitate to ask me." "I'll keep that in mind. And the same for you. Now it really is time, I should get out of these wet clothes. Besides, Nate and Rachel Grey will be here soon. And can't leave them alone much longer, they are definitely pacified for the moment. Now just have to see how long that will last. And don't want to push my luck any further." She closes the door as he is walking away from the house, quickly making her way to the shower calling her name.


The shirt misses. "Come on. Its bed time." Seeing that the others are running around, causing mayhem. Her clothes continuing to drench the floor; after having to wrestle each of them out of the bathtub. "OKAY! THAT'S IT. THERE WILL BE NO STORY TONIGHT!" She says loud and firmly enough. All movement halts. Each quickly dropping whatever they had been holding, if they had. "NOO! R'CHL, P'LS?!" All looking to her hopeful. "Alright, then. I am going to go change myself. Nate and his sister will be here. And if you act up again, they will tell me. And all of you will go straight to bed." She leaves the room before they can respond.


Standing in the doorway, the children waiting as patiently as they possibly can with her ultimatum. "You really know you can't hold out much longer. While they are still in your care, for a child what you are doing is torture. Besides, they have been on their best behavior since you issued it earlier." "Yes. And as such, it looks like I have to reaffirm boundaries with them. And as being their guardian, their parents placed this as one of my responsibilities concerning them. But thank you for helping me out tonight, Nate, Rachel."

Placing James in his crib, she grabs a book as he stares up at her. Running a hand over his forehead before his hair, a smile appears on his face. "N'te, R'h." "Good night, James." Placing a fist in his mouth as she puts a light blanket over him, laying his favorite animal next to him. Turning to see, the others huddled on the bed.

Making room, they quickly sit around her; as she lays the book in her lap. Tuc tries to lift the cover. "Nah uh, there is no peeking. You know what, I won't read this after all." "So, w's dn't g't a st'ry, R'chl?" No, you are going to get one still. Just can't have any of you trying to cheat with this one. Let's see."

Foraging for something she can use to protect her from the elements. She happens upon a castle. Halting her movement, she daydreams what it must like to live in such a place. For you see, she and her brothers had struggled for years, isolated and living off the land the best they could. Ever since, their parents saved them from the burning structure that claimed their parent's lives. Their faces the last thing, she and her brothers saw before being pushed out of a window.

Staring at her attire, she knows this sophisticated building is no life for her or her brothers. 'Anne, you have to face it, you, Lex and Slim are paupers. And you will die as such. I better hurry. I have been here too long. Slim is going to start looking for me, if I linger any longer.' Beginning to get more resources as she shoves more items into her arms, when she hears the branch snap.

Halting, "America, David, why are you crying?!" Seeing that the others are beginning to as well, "I's s'd, l'k th' l'te m'th g'rl." "Maybe, but it does have a happy ending (of sorts). And sometimes, that is how it is, the bad has to come before the good. But I promise you; Slim, Anne and Lex survive and grow up to be adults. Now I left off."

Freezing, she minutely moves, searching the best escape route out as the man in a white and black suit, tinged with red, steps out from the tree's shield. "Well, hello, child." Remaining quiet, "let me guess, you aren't supposed to talk to strangers?!" Nodding her head, "that's smart. But I know who you are, Anne Somerset." Tightening her hold on her bundle, she turns and begins running.

Not able to stop in time, she slams into him as she goes down. Bending down to be eye level with her; "Anne Somerset, I assure you, Lex and Slim have nothing to fear from me." 'How did he get there?! He was just.' She quickly risks a glance behind her to see no one standing there. Becoming even more alarmed, "please, don't hurt me!"

"But child, I meant what I said, I am not here to hurt you or your brothers." Seeing her tense up further at this, "I saw you staring at that cathedral. Would you and your brothers like to live there?!" Taking a step forward, "ANNIE!," whipping around she sees Slim holding Lex as he is running toward her. Getting faster, she meets him halfway, still holding the resources they have been managing on.

"You know you aren't supposed to talk to strangers!" He whispers harshly. "I know but we can't go on this way. And he said we could live in the castle. We have been like this for months. But we are still kids. And what about Lex, he won't be able to carry on this way much longer." She looks to their blonde-haired brother who is clinging to Slim.

"But he could be lying?!" Slim bites back. "And if he is either way, we are going to die. But we have a chance to finally have a roof over our head. And food to sustain us, even if for a moment. It is something that we have survived months like this. If Mom and Dad were still here?!" "Well, they're not!" Lex begins crying at this. "Slim, I am hungry and cold. I miss Mommy and Daddy!" He whispers.

Staring at the man for a moment, before looking to his sister. He slowly releases Lex. Holding his arms out, taking the hint; she places the bundle in his arms. Lex runs the distance, taking her hand. Looking up at her, "Annie, we have a place to stay now?!" "It looks like it." He smiles up at her, at this. Returning, it 'I'm glad. He hasn't been happy and alive since.' Taking his hand in hers, they see the man hasn't moved, waiting patiently. "Okay then, what is your name, then?" Slim asks. "Nathaniel East." Keeping the comment about it to themselves, the trio begin following him.

Standing in front of the doors, "before we go in, there is one condition." Slim recoils at this. "Lex, Annie, I knew this was a trick!" "It is not a trick, Slim Somerset. Things that have been deprived for you three for months. Things you had been accustomed to; you can have them all again. You just need to do this one thing." "Okay." "Annie!"

"No, Slim. Now that we have a chance, we aren't going back out there. What is this condition?!" Lex looks back at Slim, stilling holding Anne's hand. "This isn't my property. I have a master who I serve. And any that are brought to live here as well, the same is requested of them. No questions his decisions though, if all of you are willing to live with that; then follow me through these doors. And if not, well then, you are more than welcome to go back to continue, faring against the wilderness."


"If you go through there, everything will change. You have sensed me seeking shelter within you almost from the moment I found you, Anne Somerset. And have been aware of it for almost half the time, you could stay here; like the option you had been given years ago. Or you can take the last steps, and find a better world. One where…"

Looking to her nephew before down at the brother she is holding in her arms. 'They entrusted me to watch over him and make sure he has a chance. Besides, we have come this far. I can't let them or Nate down.' Her other sister and nephew standing by her side, becoming uneasy at the inaction. 'I also have these two to watch over as well.'

"Then step through, Anne. I will make sure you and yours will survive." "Go first, I will be right behind you." Her nephews and sister follow her request. "And how do you know for sure?" "My capabilities make me a nexus being, Anne Somerset; which means that I can see what other versions of myself do across different worlds (realities)." "Okay then, I am trusting you like I always have, Phal'kon."

Looking down, she sees the children are all out at this point. Carefully, reaching over she places the book on the nightstand; turning the light off. Gently, moving them, she makes sure they are all covered. Each unconsciously continuing to cling to her, "good night!" Each shifting at this, before once more growing still. Each lost in their own worlds for the moment, safe and secure, knowing that they have nothing to fear from the real world. Not with her there and around anyway.

'You were definitely right, Phoenix. This world even with all its hate still, far surpasses my own.' Once more pushing the image that changed everything for her and her siblings. The flames continuing to haunt her. 'You're welcome, Rachel Summers-Maximoff. They would have been proud of all of you. Yes, even him, at least, this version's. Besides, you have honored them with by giving her that name in both worlds (times). And how much love and loyalty you show each connected to the name, even if it isn't by blood.'