"Listen up. You aren't here to take the easy road. I have no plans at any point to go easy on you." "One prison for another." "What was that, child?!" "I hadn't realized this was a dictatorship. I didn't leave one to join another." "I have no intention of doing such a thing. You are more than welcome to leave. I would never hold you, any of you captive. That is the difference. However, Rachel Summers, you are being given an opportunity. A chance to stand up to the establishment. And help those who are unable to defend themselves. Surely, that is some kind of penance for your prior service."

Looking it into his eyes, she can see his sincerity and genuineness. Nodding her head, "good. Let us get started. And just because I won't lord over any of you. Don't think for one moment, I will make any session easy on any of you. We all have come too far, lost too much to stop now. They would never be soft on us. Not in the heat of battle, thus I have to bring the most of your potential any way necessary. I will decide the leaders on the merits I see today. The captains for this training will be Pietro, Wanda and Anya. Pick your teams."

Watching the replay, the last two that had been left standing were her and Jean. The two locked in a stalemate. Before the entity makes itself known, the flames forcing Grey to her knees. "Yield, child. I have no intention of hurting you. There is much potential for you. However, I will if you force my hand. I would never allow Rachel Summers to lose. I value her too much. Even more than I have ever done with you." "What are you?! Rachel, wake up!" "Even if she can hear you, she wouldn't be able to respond. Her mind isn't ready to comprehend and accept me."

"This is an issue. If you wish to harness this, I am going to need to have sessions with you. Separate from the teams. You are too much of a loose cannon. It is enough I am trusting you with my family and our secrets. Who is to say you won't run back to them, betray us?!" The voice surfaces. "Erik Lensherr. The man they call Magneto. I assure you I nor Rachel have any nefarious intent. Normally, I can only take possession is given permission. However, given the gravity of the circumstance when I first appeared, Rachel wasn't really given the luxury of such. Not if you wanted your precious child to survive Nemesis's attack."

"So, then what exactly are you?" "I am the child of light and destruction. The beginning and end of everything. The Alpha and The Omega." "All of that being said, again how can I really trust you then?!" "I didn't lie when I told you there is no ulterior motive. And if there was one, it would be simply to do what is right. And protect all of you. Keep those important to Rachel safe. I have seen so much, done so much. And while I have godlike powers and abilities, doesn't mean I ever intend to lord over any of you. Granted, there have been instances I have lost my way due to you humans and your emotions.

This is what makes Rachel the perfect vessel. Her incarnations have experienced the worst realities. And yet they are able to remain their composure. And detach their feelings when needed to be most of the time. Even if they do have slips from time to time, they pull back at the last moment. Before any repercussions are irreversible." "And do you have an actual name? And what have you seen exactly then?"

"I have been given the moniker The Phoenix by Rachel and her peers. And there isn't much I haven't seen." "You mean?!" "Yes, Magnus. I have seen this world's past, its present and future. As well as all those I have happened to travel. Worlds that never became bleak as this one. Much like how you recall before he dominated everything, everyone. But for now, it is time I recede control. She knows I am here. Despite all her abilities however she yet can't understand why. And it isn't time for her to. I have forced myself enough upon her. She will when she is ready and not a moment before. Show her, her progress against Jean. But it may simply be detrimental. While her mind and fortitude are stronger than most, she is still just as human and fragile as any of you. You humans are definitely a most interesting and fascinating species."

Looking around, "it happened again. Didn't it?!" His gaze gives her all the answer she needs. "I hate these. They feel like blackouts. Though somehow, I can barely see what is occurring. And that is only if I put effort into focusing. Why are we even having this conversation?! You shouldn't trust me. And yet for some reason, you do, are." Holding his helmet to his side, leaving himself vulnerable. "Apocalypse and any that serve him may be playing the long game at times. But hiding their intentions is another thing entirely. They take what they want, there is no hesitation.

So, despite this thing inside you. When you had awakened, if you really served him. Not a single one of us would have stood a chance. Not with that foreign entity, that rears itself. We would have been brought to our knees without a chance if you, it had truly had allegiance to him and his cause. The fact that this has yet to occur on top of my Wanda still being alive because of you and it; shows your heart is true and pure. Something we are in desperate need of."

Letting his words sink in, replaying the skirmish. She speaks the next moment. "So based on this footage, what have you determined?" "Granted, despite my trust, you do seem to still be a loose cannon. Which is why I wish to have extra and private lessons with you. Until you can have enough control over The Phoenix which is what it says it is called. We have come too far, sacrificed too much for let it to be lost on a single decision I make as a misstep.

Her cognition springs forth, the voice blending with hers. "Make no mistake, it will come to pass nonetheless, Magus. Your trust in certain people is misplaced. All I can say is none of them is Rachel. We are true like your judgment has told you. And to interfere anymore would be preventing things that need to come to pass. Rachel will do this more than enough when the time comes." Vanishing as quickly as it appeared.

"What is your next decision then, Erik? Where do I stand?" Putting his helmet on but not once losing sight of her. "Giving the benefit of the doubt and your display of prowess, you are definitely worthy of having a team and being a captain. You will be my eyes and ears. But first, let us begin our first session apart from the team."

Standing next to him as the rest of the Xmen are before them, "I have decided and learned much from Rachel. Things I will tell all of you when the time comes. For now, and even if any of you think I am playing favorites, this was indeed done with careful consideration. Some of you have much to learn still and until then you will remain under those designated in charge. Removing his helmet, he clutches it in his hand.

"Anya, Pietro, Rogue, Piotr, Rachel, Katya you will be in charge. Anya and Rogue will comprise the Astonishing unit for the time being along with Sunfire and Morph. The Amazing which will be led by Pietro. Banshee, Storm and Iceman. Rachel, you will be his second in command when need be. I have other missions for you in the meantime. Otherwise, it will be Storm."

"What about me, father?!" "You will help Piotr, Katya and Rachel train and recruit the younger generation." "But?!" The memory resurfacing from the last occurrence of this. The attack, the pain, the screams. Lowering her head, Magneto moves her head up. Keeping his hand underneath her chin, "take heart, my daughter. My trust is unwavering. Thus, your position hasn't changed. Plus, your power is one of the strongest contenders to ensure their safety. While there is always room for improvement, if any of us fall, knowing that you are here to continue the fight in our absence gives me peace."

She nods at this. Placing the hand on her shoulder, "your father is right. I will teach you to better yourself. As I do the same in the process, at least until I gain control over whatever has decided to inhabit me." Rachel tells her. "Very well. But once you are done, I have your first side assignment. Search me out when you are done, Rachel. The rest of you remain. There are things still to be discussed. But before that, Cerebro will wipe you being here. Though there will be a certain group of us that will remember for various reasons. Everyone else will be a stranger. The less The Shadow knows, the better."