"You want me to do what?!" "We are going to storm the capital. Now that we have the advantage with all the knowledge you have at our disposal." "Erik, while I may be here of my accord. This is lunacy. With the Shadow King, Apocalypse and his army will know we are coming miles before we actually arrive." "That is where you are wrong. Even without The Phoenix, Flamerider, your cognitive abilities even surpass Jean's. You would be able to shut it down if you tried."

Shaking her head, "I may have come to swear allegiance to you and yours. But I would never put Scott's well being in jeopardy. Not for anyone." "And I am not asking that. I am still playing this smart. You have been gone more than long enough. To remain here any longer would begin to arouse his suspicion, this will still allow us to get the drop on Apocalypse and his. We must use every advantage we have at our disposal."

Nearing her, "Rachel, please?! He has dominated and controlled this world for far too long. Turning the tide means we will be, Scott will be free. Don't you want that?!" Laying his hand on her shoulder, as she moves away. The sigh and two lone tears accompany this. The turmoil and pain remain as she faces him. As the images flash before her, "what you are saying definitely have merit. But you don't know the costs that will come with it." The voice surfaces once more, "you really need to be sure you are willing to pay the price, Magnus Lensherr. It will be the heaviest toll." She leaves before he can have any objections, leaving the only choice available to him.

Kneeling, she listens to his instruction. "if that is what you wish." "I am not your lord. The choice is yours, Rachel." Raising her head, "if that is what you wish, Erik. I will not fight you. You are my master and father. These are the choices I made. Yes, The Phoenix may have initially brought me to you. But I chose to stay here. I could have gone anywhere. Even tried to return to them, but I did more than enough damage under their rule. While I still may fear for Scott, I could never in good conscience return to that life." "Very well, there is a mutant that has caught Cerebro's attention. He is a wanderer, so recruiting most likely will not be easy."

"My Belle?!" Turning to face him, "I am fine. I am just thinking of how we came to meet. The smirk appears. "Y're offer was v'ry temt'ing." "Good to know that some things haven't your changed. Your accent is just as heavy and as think as ever." "What can I say, my charm speaks for it'lf." Raising her eyebrow, "come now. Don't pretend your charm is wasted on me. Not just because of him but her as well." "G't me t'ere, belle."

"Are you sure he will be found here?! This place is a dump." Each looking at the dilapidated building before them. "These are the coordinates, father sent us." "Surely, he was mistaken." "He wasn't, Anya. He is in there. If you don't trust that, use your ability to feel him out, Witch. I am not wasting time out here." She moves forward. Pietro right behind her.

The door opens revealing the chair's occupant. Leaning back, his feet laying on the desk. "To w't do I owe the pl'sr. I am not an easy man to f'd. So t'is m'st be wr't my t'm. "Come now, Remy LeBeau. You are a master of information. You already know who we are and why we are here." Winking, as the light ignites the cigarette. "C'rs, mon cherie. I just wanted to hear you say it." The movement causes a whirlwind.

Holding him against the wall, "enough games!" Never losing his demeanor, "my, my, I d'ftly str'k a n'rv, mon ami." "We aren't friends. And we know you can speak English without your accent." "Oh, but it is more fun that way, Speedy." "What did you call me?!" "Pietro, stand down. We aren't here for a confrontation." "A wise woman you have there, Petey."

Taking her hand in his, bringing it to his lips. "My belle, if all the women are as beautiful as you. Can't say I would regret joining. Alas, t'is t'if has his own agenda. I answer to no one. But until next time." She nods. "We will definitely meet again, Gambit." "Looking forward to it, my belle." He is out the window before they can react.

Stepping closer, "she is unlike anyone I have ever known. And her ability only adds to the mystique that is her. Though, if she never came into my life. It would be you. No other woman matters more to me than you." "There will be. You will sacrifice a great deal for her." Cupping her chin, bringing her gaze to his. The gap slowly closing between, "now you have me intrigued, my belle. Do tell?!"

I'm sorry. Am I interrupting something?!" Releasing her, he steps back. Facing the arrival, "come now. We know you aren't in the least b't sorry. Though, you should be." "Guys, that's enough! What do you need, Pietro?" His gaze never leaves the fair-haired man's. "Much better than Stormy. You don't deserver her. Never have, never will."

"And you think you do?! You would cheat on her just as well." "That's where you are wrong." "Her, happens to still be standing here. Thank you very much." The chuckle appears out of nowhere. "Well, as much as I would love to see the pup have his ass handed to him. Erik is waiting for you, Rachel. And I do hate to say it as well but the scoundrel does have a point. You deserve more than what your marriage constitutes of. You definitely have more class than that." "Thank you, Victor." The two walk down the hallway leaving the men behind.

"What are you doing here?!" "I wanted to know if you are, okay? You always find a reason to distance yourself." "Maybe it is because I will never truly be one of you." "The only one preventing that is you. We all value you. I value you." "That is just gratitude for saving your sister." "Maybe, at first. But not any longer. Sure, it will always be there. And while you share a lot of attributes with her. You are unlike any woman I have met, Rachel."

He closes the gap between them. Holding her in his arms before connecting his lips with hers. "And what about her?! I refuse to be second to any woman. You can't have me and your lover." The protest dies on his lips. "You forget I have seen what will happen. There will come I time I won't tolerate it any longer. I am giving you the opportunity to fix that before it can't be undone."

Stopping, she turns to face him. As he gets down on his knee, "I will never love her more than I love you." "I believe you. For the fact with your gesture, but I still stand by what I said. What will come to pass won't be taken back. This is your one and only chance, Pietro Maximoff."

Feeling the pressure on her hand, she looks down to see he has taken a hold of it. "Pietro, this changes nothing between us. I gave you the chance. And you blew it like I knew you would." "And what about you, you didn't waste any time sleeping with someone else?!" "I won't excuse my fault in that. As distraught and upset I was after finding out what you had done. I let Kurt know it should never happened. It had been wrong to use him like that. But you, you can't seem to kick her. So why did you marry me?! She leaves before he can respond. "Because I can't imagine live without you." "Well, then you should have thought of that before." "Wanda. You're right. I am an idiot." "Yes. I dare say you are my dear brother. The question now is are you going to continue to let her slip through your fingers?"

"I apologize for how I had left. But thank you for letting me have time to decide. I'll do it. I'll be your spy. Though, know if it weren't for this Phoenix within me, I would have definitely declined. The risk would be too great. If it is discovered, I not only risk myself, the rest of you. But Scott and the others. Warren is one of the innocents in this. He must not be involved." "You are sure concerned for him. Should I be worried for Pietro's place in your life over this?!" "You know where I stand by now. I would never sacrifice any of my friends nor my family over the other. Warren is my oldest friend. I will not treat that like it's nothing just to pacify you, Erik."

The wings spread out after Alex's exclamation. "Warren holds a great deal of promise. And hopefully in good time, he will be a good husband to you, Rachel." Scott's head whips around at this. While she remains quiet, knowing by this point contradicting Sinister and Apocalypse are moot. "Scott, it is fine." Before her brother can get a word in edgewise, "Warren, follow me. I will show you to your room." The thirteen-year-old takes the lead with twelve-year-old closely behind her.

As she becomes in range, she masks herself from the incorporeal entity of discovering her. Touching the ground, she looks up at Heaven. The flapping the only indication of her approaching companion. "Rachel, where have you been? Returning wasn't the best decision. He is on the verge of going on a rampage, declaring you a traitor." "It is why I came here first. I need you to summon my brother for me."

The outstretched hand remains motionless in the air. "I see." "I am sorry. Too many things have happened. Things I am unable to divulge in case you are questioned. My link to Scott will protect him. You are my friend. And I wish no harm to come to you. I know my rejection is more than enough. But you love her more than you do me, you just have yet to realize. It is unfortunate it will occur too late." "Raye, what are you?!" "Angel." Both turn to see the newcomer. "Karma." Recoiling, "very well. Follow me. I will bring him. Karma, escort Rachel to my private suite. I will return shortly."

She refuses to return the cool expression directed at her. "You have been nothing but a problem for him. And yet, he never fails to want to be your knight in shining armor. How long do you intend to lead him on?!" "My, the bitterness and jealousy are very unflattering. Don't blame me for him never noticing you, Xi'an. I would never abandon him just because of his feelings. Nor because you think I should, Warren is my friend. And I don't easily discard those I value."

She begins to walk to the other side of the room. Pouring herself a drink. "So, explain Alex then?!" "That stands too. My little brother is losing himself. I see him turning against Scott, us. Well, it is no secret where my loyalty is above any other's. If Alex is to be collateral damage so, be it." "That, that's treason." "Only if you remember." Rachel's right eye reflects flames. Looking around, "what were we talking about?" "Your jealousy and eternal pining of our fellow winged resident." "Yes, well." The red appearing on the Asian's face. "You and your pettiness can leave now. Though, a word of advice. You may think you know him well enough. But if you misstep and force his hand, you will not be the choice he makes. If you really wish to keep him, think about this long and hard before making a choice. Despite his wealth, Warren is a simple man with simple desires. Grand gestures will fall short."

The knock the only indication of his arrival. The two men stand in the doorway. "Thank you, Warren. For now, I need to be alone with Scott." "Rachel, Raye, I…" "I know. Thank you. We will talk later." The door is quietly shut behind them as the eldest Summers moves forward. "Where have you been?! You should have never returned. Apocalypse is out for your blood." "Well, good. It is why I sent for you. Because of our "father" he has no reason to question your loyalty. So, vouching for my absence will placate him enough. Get a meeting with him. I will handle the rest."

"His court will be a different story." "True. But none of them will go against his ruling." "If you weren't my little sister and I didn't love and care for you so damn much, I would refuse." Bridging the gap, laying her hand over his. "Scott, there are things I must tell, show you. It is unwise here." "But what about The Shadow?" "You know I make sure our link is hidden from him." "Then show me."

Standing in the throne room, Rachel within his range, he kneels as she remains standing. "My lord. I can assure you. My sister had a valid reason for her absence." "And pray tell, which is, Prelate Summers?! And you risk much not bending the knee to me, child." "I have no reason to fear you, Master Apocalypse." The behemoth rises. "A missight on your part. And not helping your case nor your brother's objection in any way.

"Prelate Summers, remove your visor. There is only way to discern the truth at this point." Feeling the fear at what is to come grip her brother. "It will be alright." Taking it off at her words, the red energy begins slowly leaking out once more. Journeying up his face before hovering in the air, as his gaze finds their leader's who takes the throne again. "Why should I believe you?" Turning to look at the entity that has been placed by him. "I feel no deceit." Nodding his head, "And yet, bring her forth."

"I know you can read minds, belle. I may not be joining your cause. However, a word of caution; and while it may not be concrete, there have been more than enough whispers. Beware the Witch. Anya Lensherr runs in circles you have yet to realize. This valuable information is considered a freebie. When we meet again, it will cost something."

The blonde approaches. Walking up the steps before standing in front of the world's dictator. Bowing, "My lord Apocalypse." "Child, tell me." The woman turns to stare down at Rachel. Her expression neutral. "Keep in mind this doesn't make us friends, much less sisters. I have my own agenda, ambitions." "My father took her prisoner." "That is interesting. I thought your father above us actions." "My father is no fool. He knows not to pass an opportunity up when he sees one. Rachel Summers has such potential. Using her as a tool against you would be wasted and foolish. One he would never pass up. This is how he uses people. Keep that in mind." Correlating her anger and rage, "then you never bothered to pay attention. Erik Lensherr is above such things." "Is he, is he really?! Don't forget how long I have known him." "I haven't. I know if it hadn't been for him, you would have been dead. What love and gratitude."

Rising, "then if you really feel responsible for her. You will keep a short leash on your sister, Prelate Summers. And if she steps anywhere out of line, well you know. There isn't another chance. Consider this your only reward for your loyalty." The last, linger on the air as he walks out of the room. The rest unspoken. His horsemen following behind him without a second glance.