Days of Evolution's Past

The blue aura of Rachel's Phoenix Force was so many things. It was like a blanket—keeping you warm and cosy; it was a warm bath—relaxing and soothing; it was like a fire—providing heat from the cold, harsh world.

Right now, it was their transporter. Shogo always kept his eyes shut until they reach their destination. He kept a tight hold on Rachel, hoping that she could hold up long enough to take them back in time, and not just by a couple of days.

But that was hoping too much of Rachel, especially considering her weakened state before carrying them away from the Sentinels.

Abruptly, Shogo felt the warmth disappear, and his feet hitting the ground. Travelling with the Phoenix Force would drain the passengers, too, for some reason, but not too much like Rachel. Shogo dropped to his knees, breathed deeply, and opened his eyes.

Rachel was still in his arms, her eyes closed like she was in some peaceful slumber. He looked around, doing a quick headcount—TJ was looking around frantically, fearfully expecting Sentinels to pop up somewhere; Luna was on her knees, bent over and panting tiredly, also exhausted by the trip; and Carmen was curled in a ball with Lockheed wrapped around his shoulders comforting him over the loss of his parents.

Then, Shogo looked up to analyse his surroundings. Everywhere was paned and plated with metal (The Danger Room? he wondered) but in the centre of the room was a bed with a couple of monitors and scanners around it. Gathered nearby were a group of people who Shogo recognised so well.

On the bed was a young, teenaged Jean Grey and beside her younger going-to-be husband, Scott Summers. Near the monitors and scanners was a large, ape-like creature covered head to toe in greyish-blue fur that Shogo knew was Hank McCoy, the Beast, and of course, there was Professor Xavier, in the flesh, sitting on his wheelchair.

Both parties stared at each other, wide-eyed and silent, not sure what to do or say. Shogo, as embarrassing it is to admit, usually left all these introductions to Rachel, mainly because she was such a confrontational person. But right now, Rachel was unconscious and Shogo was worried about the mental strain she endured to take them here.

Where is here, anyway? Shogo wondered. To what timeline had Rachel taken them to?

He didn't have a chance to ask because, suddenly, one of the walls of the Danger Room split open, sliding apart, (Automatic doors! Shogo realised, surprised because he hadn't seen one since being on the run) and two more people entered: Storm and Wolverine.

"What happened here?" Storm asked worriedly. Then, she saw the 'new arrivals' and her brows furrowed. "Who are these people?"

"We don't know," Scott said. Behind his shades, Scott eyes were flitting back and forth between the professor and the runaways.

This is my chance! Shogo thought, and, giving Rachel to TJ to hold, slowly stood up. All eyes—his team and the first generation of X-Men—were on him now.

"It might sound hard to believe," he began, "but the five of us—my friends and I—are from the future. We are from the year, twenty-twenty-five."

There was a moment of silence, and Shogo could tell that they were contemplating his truthfulness, not that he could blame them—what he said was pretty unbelievable.

"I see," Xavier said. He wheeled himself in front of Shogo, looking up at him from his wheelchair. "What is the purpose of your time-travel?"

Shogo took a deep breath and explained.

When Shogo was finished, Xavier's was listening with such intensity that his expression was frightening.

"Oh, my…" he muttered. "That sounds… horrifying."

"Excuse me," said TJ quietly.

Shogo turned around. TJ was still on the ground with Rachel's head lying on her lap. Shogo see that Rachel was breathing, but she laid there like a dead person.

"Ve need to have her checked," TJ said. "Ve don't know if Rachel's mind is still okay."

Shogo punched himself inwardly. How could he have forgotten about Rachel?

Jean got off the bed. "Let her lie down here," she offered.

Shogo nodded. TJ passed Rachel to him, and he carried the redhead to the bed. Rachel looked like she was a having a peaceful dream, or had died peacefully. The other runaways had gathered around the bed, watching Rachel nervously.

"What do we do now?" Hank asked.

Luna answered, "Mrs. Grey must awaken her."

"What?" Jean said, surprised. "But I have no idea how to. And why did you just call me 'Mrs'?"

Luna didn't answer that last question. "You are a telepath, aren't you? Place your hand upon Rachel's forehead, and call her. She will awake for sure."

Jean looked uncertain, but she did as Luna told her to. She placed her hand on Rachel's forehead and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and entered Rachel's mind.

Everywhere was blue. There was no floor or ceiling and the walls were like blue fire but as cool as water. Jean put her feet down and a floor materializes there, as smooth as glass. In front of her was Rachel, lying on her back mid-air. Her hands were on her chest like a corpse in a funeral ready to be buried with her coffin. Jean placed her hand upon Rachel's cheek, patting it gently.

'Rachel,' Jean said. 'Please wake up.'

Rachel's eyes opened slowly, and her head turned to face Jean. Her hand reached for Jean's.

'Mom...' she said, smiling serenely.

Rachel awoke with a gasp, and sat up on the bed. She looked around, seeing the first generation X-men on her right and her runaway friends on her left. But she turned back to the right and gave Jean and Scott and hug.

"Mom... Dad..." she said softly. "I've really missed you."

The two said young adults simply watched Rachel, not knowing how to reply.

"You should hug back," said the professor. "She is your daughter."

Warily, Jean and Scott wrapped their arms around Rachel. Xavier then told Carmen and TJ, "Shall I take you to your parents now?"

Chapter Three *END*