Angel In The Attic

Angel in the Attic

Chapter 22

Fusedtwilight: Thanks to my beta Lisa and everyone who has reviewed.

This chapter Michael takes an unexpected trip and Adonai learns who is responsible for his peoples downfall.

 

The sky was dim as if something was keeping the sunlight from entering.

Smoke drifted from the mansion, or what was left of it. Bodies littered the lawn, Sentinel and mutant alike.

Michael knelt before Bastion who looked as if he had seen some serious battle. He stood in front of Michael with his hand in the shape of a long sharp blade.

"Now it ends!" Bastion yelled.

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Michael woke with a start.

He got out of bed and walked out to his terrace.

The night was cool but pleasant, but did little to calm him down.

He unfolded his wings from his back but did not take flight. It was just nice to feel the breeze against his them.

The dream unsettled him. It had been a whole month since his family was murdered. There had been no new news about Bastion or the Purifiers.

It irritated Michael because he was tired of waiting for the robotic bastard to make his move. He wanted to take the fight to him!

Soon the sun began to rise in the distance and Michael knew it was time to train. He went back inside to prepare. He would ask Adonai about his dream, maybe he could help.

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Adonai stood in the Artifact Room, gazing down at the remains of Thetatron.

He had been putting off this moment since he recovered his remains.

One touch and he would come closer to knowing the identity of the traitor who destroyed his people. But the truth was, he dreaded doing this.

The idea one of the Cheyarafim would have turned on their own people shook him to his core.

But he had to know. After all these weeks of steeling himself he was ready.

He placed his hand on Thetatron's remains and was taken back many thousands of years ago.

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Thetatron ran into the room, shutting the door and locking it. The distant sounds of battle could be heard and the walls shook from the vibrations of far-away explosions.

It was a futile gesture, a locked door would not keep him out. But he had to do something. He was no warrior, but he could still leave a message for Yahweh when he awoke.

He walked to the nearest stone slab and extended his hands and began to write on it. Words began to form on it, words he was able to form with his mind, he had to hurry; he had to leave a warning to someone, to anyone!

He was so focused on his task he did not notice the black mist seeping from under the door. It moved slowly, but silently, like a serpent that is slithering towards an ignorant bird.

The mist rose up from the ground and several tendrils extended from it. They touched the back of his neck, softly, gently. But the second they did Thetatron let out a sharp gasp. After a few seconds he fell on top of the tablet, dead.

The mist began to retract back under the door, never leaving any trace that it was ever there.

Soon the shouts began to end. But then a mighty quake began to happen and the ceiling started to collapse as the once-great city began to sink into the earth.

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Adonai let go of the bones, looking shocked.

"So...it was him."

He put his hand to his face.

"Of all of my little angels why did it have to be Abrael?"

Adonai left the room. The last time he saw Abrael was before he had been sealed away.

It shocked him that his youngest was the culprit but yet there was another part that thought it proper in a way.

After all, who else but the Cheyarafim of death could wipe out a whole civilization?

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Michael held his spear in his hands and blocked Adonai's attacks.

Adoani would throw balls of angel fire at Michael and he would use his spear like a bat to knock them away.

Something seemed off about him today. Normally he enjoyed training Michael until he reached his breaking point. But he didn't seem to be taking as much pleasure in it today.

"Alright that is enough for today," Adonai said.

"But we have only been training for four hours," Michael complained.

"You can have the rest of the day to yourself. You've earned it."

"Adonai, are you okay?" Michael asked.

Adonai was silent for a moment. "No, I am not. I have recently learned some things that I wish I did not know. Come, let's go to the pools."

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The pools were on the third floor.

There were several large pools around rock formations.

Everyone used them; the guards, the help, and especially Michael.

The pools were like a hot spring but they were magic. Adonai said the pools were made hundreds of years ago by a Cheyarafim who was one of the greatest healers to ever exist.

The springs had the ability to heal wounds and help a person regain their vitality. Normally, Michael would just use his power to heal himself, but the warm water with its floral scent was much more enjoyable.

Michael wore a pair of swimming trunks as he sat on a small boulder. Adonai was nude, unlike Michael, he had no problem with nudity whatsoever.

The first time they had come here for a dip Michael had worn a pair of swimming trunks and jumped into the deep end. He looked over to Adonai to tell him to come in only to see his ancestor had completely stripped, and after laughing at Michael for turning ten shades of red, he jumped in the pool.

"I don't know why you modern age people are so uptight about being nude. You try living in a dessert and you'll learn to appreciate having no clothes," Adonai had said.

Michael picked up a lotus flower that floated in the pool. Lotus flowers were one of the ingredients for the pools. He placed it back on the surface of the water and watched it float away.

"Michael, how did it feel to watch your family die?" Adonai asked.

Michael stared at Adonai with a look of indignation.

"I felt like my whole world had been taken from me. I felt pathetic and helpless, I hated them for killing my family and I hated myself for not stopping them."

Adonai nodded.

"When I first awoke I expected my people to be waiting for me. I expected our people to have grown and flourished. Instead, I awoke alone, in one of our outposts in the Himalayas. I knew something was wrong and I began to explore the world. I found that humanity had grown and developed, but there was no sign of my people. All our territories were now inhabited by mortals. The Neyaphem were gone as well, so I knew they did not win the war or else the humans would be their slaves."

Adoani took a handful of water and washed his face with it.

"My people gone, my city in ruin. I thought the pain of losing my wife was terrible. But the pain of losing my people, my children, and my empire was horrible. I knew such despair. Had I not had that vision of you I would have let myself die."

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

"For years I have been searching for the truth of what happened. When I read Thetatron's tablet I discovered one of us did it, I dreaded learning the truth, to think one of us could do such a thing. Today, I finally found out who it was. It was my youngest son, the last child my wife and I had. Abrael, the Cheyarafim of death."

"But why would he want to kill his own people?" Michael asked.

"Abrael was always different. Even his birth was not like the others. Normally my wife would birth multiple children and it was a pleasurable experience, but with him...it was different."

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"Oh God!" Asherah yelled.

Yahweh stood next to her, holding her hand. Sweat beaded down her face and she was gritting her teeth. The midwives and healers were busy.

Never before had they had to work this hard for their Queen Mother. Before, having a baby was easy and delightful. But now, for the first time it was painful and frightening.

"Oh it hurts! Why does it hurt?!"

"It's alright my love, you are almost done," Yahweh said soothingly to her.

"Please tell me the baby is okay?" she asked.

"The baby appears fine, your highness," the midwife said. "Just give me another push!"

"I can't, it hurts!"

"You can do it my love, you are strong," Yahweh said.

Asherah took a deep breath and pushed as hard as she could.

"It's a boy!" the midwife exclaimed.

She took the baby to a bowl of water and began to clean him. The servants began to wash the sweat from Asherah's face. Yahweh kissed her head and whispered words of love and encouragement.

But she knew something was terribly wrong. The baby was silent. She had lost track of how many times she went through this and how many children she had. She knew when something was the matter. The baby was much too quiet; she couldn't hear him at all.

"Is he okay? Why isn't he crying?" she asked.

The midwife returned with the baby. He was wrapped in the finest silk from Egypt. She handed him to his mother and she held him gently.

"Just one this time," Yahweh said, feeling thankful that it was only a single child. He feared to think what would have happened had she had more.

"For once that is a blessing," Asherah said.

"Why is he so small? And pale?" he asked looking at his newborn son. He grabbed the nearest healer. "Is he sick?"

The healer shook her head. "Not that we detect, lord. Some are just born smaller than others."

"Small? I can fit him in my hand."

"Of course, you're a giant, dear," Asherah said. She leaned down and kissed the baby on his face. He let out a little whimper but otherwise remained silent. "My sweet little boy. Mother loves you so much."

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"I didn't have much time for him. We were in the middle of a war with the Neyaphem, so I was rarely at home. What I recall of him was that he was isolated from his peers due to his small body and what they called scary appearance. While I was away at war the Neyaphem, some of their membersattacked our city. My wife died defending our son and our people. Seeing his beloved mother die caused his power to manifest and he killed all the attackers."

"How old was he?" Michael asked.

"He was eight when she died."

"That must have been hard for him to have watched her die," Michael said, his voice thick with sympathy.

"It was, but I was too blinded by my own rage to see clearly. Instead, I used him as a weapon. The training I put you through is cakewalk compared to what I did to him. By the time I was done with him he was the most deadly of them all, save for me. The others feared him for his power."

He rubbed his face and for the first time the mask of certainty and charisma broke. Adonai suddenly looked so old and tired.

"I should have been his father, instead I was his master. I did not nourish his humanity and teach him how to be a man as a father should. Instead, I taught him to be a killer and a monster."

They were quiet for a few moments.

"So...why did he do it?" Michael asked.

"I don't know. I was asleep when it all happened. I had been having concerns as to his mental well-being before I went away. My advisers told me he was becoming too dangerous to control and I feared they might take matters into their own hands. Maybe they tried to kill him or maybe he just got tired of being used. In any case the result is the same."

"But what happened to him? I mean, could he still be alive? You mentioned some of the Cheyarafim had extended life spans," Michael said.

"If he was still alive I would know. He had a habit of leaving a large number of bodies in his wake."

Adonai stood up and walked out of the pool. Michael was quick to avert his eyes. Once he was sure Adonai was clothed he turned to see him putting his robe on.

"Adonai...do you have visions a lot?" Michael asked.

"Only about important things. Or something that has a major impact on me," he answered.

"Last night I had a...nightmare. I dreamed the mansion was destroyed and Bastion was about to kill me. It was...very vivid."

Adonai was quiet for a moment. "Did he actually strike you down?"

"No."

"Then don't worry too much. The future is never set in stone. Now enjoy the rest of your day. I will be back later."

Adonai left the room leaving Michael alone so Michael stayed there for a while.

Despite this Abrael turning into a genocidal maniac, he felt some sympathy for the guy. His mom was killed in front of him and his dad raised him to kill.

Adonai was a hard-ass by his nature, but when driven by grief he could not imagine what he could be like.

He wondered if Abrael ever felt regret for his actions, if he died alone and miserable.

He banished those thoughts from his mind and got out of the pool and dried off.

He was about to walk out when suddenly from behind him a bright blue light appeared. He turned around to face that light, his fists raised and glowing with angel fire when the light enveloped him and he vanished.

Leaving no trace he was ever there.

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When the light dimmed Michael was no longer in the pool room.

He was back in the training room. But he was surrounded by three other people.

They were older than him and all of them had blonde hair and blue eyes. Two of them were men while the third was a woman.

Michael stood in the center of a circle surrounded by Cheyarafim writing. The girl'shands were raised and glowing with a blue light. She wore a red shirt and a leather jacket with matching black leather pants.

The boyswere tall and broad-shouldered with a sturdy build. They were not wearing shirts and Michael could see they had wings.

They all stared at Michael with looks of shock.

"Uh...what just happened?" one of the men asked.

"Who are you?" Michael asked.

"I thought you said it would work!" the other man exclaimed.

"Are you with Adonai?" Michael asked.

"Mya, fix this!"

"Mya?" Michael thought to himself.

"The spell worked...just not how I wanted," the girl said.

"There is a shock."

"Shut up Paxton!" she yelled.

"You all better start talking or else I will start blasting!" Michael warned.

The unnamed man began to walk forward. "Look da...I mean Michael, let us-"

"Too late!"

Michael raised his hand and shot a blast of angel fire at the winged man. Before the blast could connect, pale blue light surrounded the man and the blast was deflected.

The pale blue light had formed armor around him. Michael was reminded of Hisako, who had the ability to form neon red armor that she said was formed from her ancestor's memories...however that worked.

The armor was in the form of a humanoid shape. It had a pair of wings just like the man.

"Jay, stop!" Mya said.

"What is going on here?! Why are you all calling one another those names?!" Michael yelled.

Paxton stepped forward. "Because...we're your kids...you are in the future."

"Bull!"

"When you were sixteen you watched your family be killed by Bastion and the Purifiers," Mya said.

"Everyone knows that!"

"Your parents kept you locked up in an attic when you turned into a mutant," Jay said.

"Everyone knows that too!"

Paxton stepped forward. "The first time you met mom was when you saved her when she was at that cafe. The first time she kissed you was at the mall when she saved you from getting your ass kicked by a bunch of idiots, and she saved you when she used the feather she got from you to keep you alive long enough for the X-Men to get your wings back. The first time she took you to meet her family her dad tried to shoot you with a shotgun when he found out you were a mutant."

"...Wait...did you say mom?" Michael asked.

"Way to spoil things Paxton," Jay said.

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"Okay, here is the deal. In our time you have been captured by an evil organization and no one has been able to find you. Mya thought she could cast a spell that would bring you to us but we had to do it in secret because the X-Men don't want us to get involved, and if they find out what we did we are so screwed!" Jay said.

A few minutes later Paxton had gotten some of his clothes from his room for Michael to wear.

"You mean in the future I am still being kidnapped?" Michael asked with a whine.

"Hey, everyone was surprised. In our time you are a badass," Mya said.

"Okay...so...give me a minute. So you three are my children with Anna, who is my wife."

"Yep," Mya said.

"And you guys accidentally summoned me from the past when you cast a spell to try and summon future me from the people who are holding me captive?"

"Yep," Jay said.

"So...now what?"

"Good question," Paxton said.

"Look, we need to send dad back," Mya said.

"With your lame-ass skills? Please," Jay said.

"Alright, listen. What can you all tell me about yourselves? What are your abilities?" Michael asked keeping them from getting into a fight.

"Well, as you have guessed I can use magic. When my power manifested I just knew how to speak and understand ancient Enochian to do stuff. I have been studying the old books we have," Mya explained.

"I can create a psionic armor that protects me from harm," Jay said.

"And I am a healer," Paxton piped in.

Michael looked at each and every one of them. These were his kids. His kids with Anna. He could see himself and her in all three of them...this was...wow...he had kids...is going to have kids...will have...whatever.

"Okay. So, who was it that kidnapped me?"

"Hydra," Jay said.

"Okay, so what can you tell-"

"We can't tell you anything," Paxton said apologetically.

"Why not?" Michael asked.

"As you know, the X-Men have a long history with time and cross-dimensional travel so they came up with a set of codes and laws to handle such situations. One of them is if someone from the past shows up we can't tell them anything or else we risk changing the past or creating an alternate timeline," Mya stated.

"Which we may have already done," Jay said rubbing his face.

"Well, why don't we just call the X-Men?" Michael asked.

"We're...kind of in hot water with them right now," Paxton said.

"Why?" Michael asked.

"Well, let's just say this isn't the first time Mya has caused us problems," Jay said glaring at his sister.

"Fuck off Jay!"

"Language young lady!" Michael said sternly. Wow did he just have a dad moment?

"Sorry dad," she said quickly.

"Look, we need to call someone to help us. Just let me-"

Just then the doors opened and a group of people walked in. People Michael knew all too well.

It was the Champions.

"Hey kids, we-"

Rickard stopped and stared. They all did. Michael stared right back at them in shock.

"Mi-Michael?" Angie asked.

"We thought...wait, why do you look younger?" Devin asked.

All the Champions were older, taller and more athletic looking. Devin's hair was cut short now and he was taller than Michael. Rickard had cut his hair so now it was shoulder-length and he had crinkles around his eyes. Jacob grew a few inches as well and had longer hair. Angie was slimmer and had a curvier figure. Franziska still had her markings and her face was more pointed and smooth. And Wayne...wow.

Wayne had a lighter skin tone, bat-like ears, long black nails, and milky white eyes. His nose was flatter and he had shorter dreds now.

"Guys?" Michael asked, just as shocked as they.

Angie looked sharply at Mya, Paxton and Jay. "Alright you three, you have some serious explaining to do!"

"We can explain," Paxton said.

"It was Mya," Jay said.

"They told me to!" Mya quickly said.

Suddenly Devin was right in front of Michael. "Dudes, you made your dad look like he did when he was a teen. Man, I don't know if your mom is going to like that or not," Devin said with a grin.

"Devin, I-"

Before Michael could speak Wayne spoke.

"It's Michael from the past; the kids accidentally brought him to the present."

Everyone looked sharply at the trio who suddenly found the floor to be much more interesting than their stern gaze.

"How do you know that?" Michael asked.

Wayne gave a hauntingly familiar smirk. Haunting because it was the Wayne he knew but at the same time so much different.

"I heard while we were on our way down," he said pointing at his ear.

"I can't believe you tried this after what happened last time," Franziska said to the kids.

"We had too, dad has been missing for days and mom is sick with worry!" Jay argued.

"What are you all doing here anyway?" Paxton asked.

Jacob held up a letter. "We all received a letter that we had to be here. It even said we had to be here at this exact time."

"Who sent it?" Mya asked.

"We were hoping you could tell us, there was no return address," Rickard said.

"What about Adonai? He found me before, maybe he can do it again?"

No one said anything, they were all sharing that look people get when they know something they don't want to tell you. Then Michael realized if this was the future and Michael was fully grown and had a family of his own, then that could only mean one thing.

"He's dead isn't he?"

"You told him?" Rickard asked the kids.

"No, it's obvious. He always told me he was grooming me to be his heir. That when my training was finished he was going to commit suicide and leave me his company and everything. I guess he actually did it."

Everyone shared a look but Michael missed it.

"You mentioned a letter?" Michael asked.

"Yeah, today we all received these letters telling us we had to be here at this time and place," Rickard said.

"Can I see one?"

Devin handed him a letter. It was typed, not written, so obviously Michael wouldn't be able to see if he recognized the handwriting.

"Why would someone have you all be here at the exact same time?" Michael asked.

"Maybe someone knew this was going to happen?" Franziska offered.

"But who could know that?" Michael asked.

"Maybe Nathan does?" Devin offered.

"Who?" Michael asked.

"Your son."

"Devin!" Angie hissed.

"Wait...I have four kids?" Michael asked.

"Don't nobody tell him anything! He knows too much already!" Rickard reprimanded.

"What do we do with him then?" Jacob asked.

"Well I am not staying in here," Michael said.

"Wait I have an idea!" Mya said.

"Oh lord," Jay muttered.

Mya gave him a glare.

"What if we let dad...Michael...young dad...whatever, what if we let him help us?"

"Uh, because there are rules," Paxton said.

"I know, but what if we wiped his memory? What if we can somehow use him to find his present self? Then after all that, we can wipe his memory so he doesn't remember."

"I could do it," Franziska said.

"But we can't put Michael at risk," Angie argued.

"Look, let's just talk to Nathan, he has to know what is going on," Wayne said.

"How would he know what is going on?" Michael asked.

"Because he is a seer," Rickard said.

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They all took the elevator back up.

"Nathan is in the garden," Wayne said.

"Probably drawing," Mya said.

They walked to the greenhouse where all the plants were kept. It hadn't changed much in the last twenty some years besides the addition of some new flora.

A young man was sitting on a bench with his back turned to them. Michael could see he was shirtless and a pair purple wings were on his back. Michael could hear the sounds of scribbling.

"Hello everyone," he said without looking at them.

"I take it you know why we are here?" Rickard asked him.

Nathan stood up and turned to face them. He had a round face and straight black hair that was cut short. He was between twelve and thirteen years old, but when Michael looked at his eyes he gasped. They were milky white, just like Wayne's were.

"You're blind," Michael said.

Nathan just smiled. "Yes and no. I don't see like normal people do, but I am not normal."

"Nathan can see the past, present and future. Yet he can't seem to tell us where you are," Jay said giving his brother an annoyed look.

"But I am right here," Michael said.

"No, I mean other you," Jay said.

"What other me?"

"The future you."

"You mean the future him?" Mya corrected.

"God I hate time travel," Angie said.

"Nathan did you send us these letters?" Rickard asked Nathan.

"No, that was not me. But I know who did," Nathan said.

"Who?" Angie asked.

"I can't tell you."

"Seriously?" Mya asked.

"Now isn't the time to be mysterious, Nate," Paxton said.

"I am sorry but I can't tell you because I am not the one who is supposed to tell you."

"Then who is?" Devin asked.

"You'll find out soon," Nathan said.

Everyone rolled their eyes.

Nathan looked at Michael and smiled. "Hello father. It is nice to see you again. Even if it is a different you."

"Just how many kids do I have?" Michael asked.

"No one answer!" Jay said.

"Twelve," Nathan said.

"Nathan!" Mya scolded.

"Twelve!" Michael exclaimed, his mouth falling open.

"Mya, Paxton and Jay are triplets, then there is Aiden and Ethan, then me, Victoria, Richard, Vergil and Helena, Warren and Mary."

"Would you shut the hell up already!" Mya exclaimed, waving her arms at Nathan.

"Do you know what the X-Men will do when they find out you are telling him all this?" Jay said.

Nathan grinned. "What? Kick me off the X-Men? Oh wait, I am not in the X-Men."

"You still shouldn't be telling him this Nate," Rickard chastised.

"Why not? Don't you plan on erasing his memories later?" Nathan asked.

"So where is Anna and the rest of the family?" Michael asked.

"Mother is with Vergil, Warren, and Helena over in Florida. I told her not to worry and that you would be fine so she continued with her vacation. The rest of the family is helping the X-Men try and find you."

"And where am I?" Michael asked.

"Don't bother, he won't tell you," Jay said.

"You will be arriving in container number forty in Seattle, Washington in six hours. Hydra is keeping you in a device that prevents the X-Men from tracking you. They plan on using you to power a doomsday weapon."

"You little shit, why didn't you tell us that before?" Jay asked glaring at his brother.

"Because it was not yet time to tell you," Nathan stated.

"What is going on Nathan, who sent the messages? Why did the Champions have to be here for this?" Michael asked.

"I am sorry, I can't tell you. But you will soon find out. All this has happened before, and it is happening again and again and again. Best hurry now. I will see you later, father," Nathan said.

He sat back down on the bench and continued to draw.

"Come on, let's go," Rickard said.

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"Damn Nathan and his stupid obscure meanings!" Jay muttered as they flew through the air.

The plane looked like the Blackbird the X-Men flew in Michael's time, only this one was redesigned and much more advanced.

Everyone was strapped in and they were flying to Seattle.

"Has he always been like that?" Michael asked.

"Aren't all precogs like that?" Mya asked.

"I meant blind."

"Yeah, he was born like that. We took him to the best healers in the world but no one was able to fix him. But then Josh took a look at him and said his power would activate and enable him to see."

"Elixir? How is he? Is he married?"

"Dad, you know we can't tell you that stuff," Jay said.

"Oh come on, you're going to wipe my memories anyway. I want to know lots of things. Like why Rickard, Devin, Angie, Franziska, and Wayne have wedding rings!"

They flinched when Michael said that.

"Well, we might as well tell him," Angie said with a sigh.

"Angie and me are married and have two kids," Devin said with a grin.

"You and Angie?" Michael asked with a shocked tone.

"I tried forever to get her to notice me, but then I played it smart and stopped paying attention to her and she came running to me."

Angie lightly smacked him on the head. "Actually, after Devin finally matured a bit I gave him the time of day. We had an on-again off-again relationship and got married fifteen years ago."

"And you have two kids?"

"Yep, twins, and I got her on the first try too," Devin said looking extremely pleased.

Once again Angie smacked him on the head.

"What about you Rickard?" Michael asked.

"Victor is my significant other," Rickard said with a smile.

"Wow, how is he?"

"He's good. We adopted a few kids and he stays at home with them and takes care of the house."

"Rickard is the daddy and Victor is the mommy," Wayne said with a smile.

"Wayne!" Franziska chastised.

"Sorry, babe."

"Babe? Don't tell me you guys are married too," Michael said.

"We will be celebrating our twentieth anniversary this year," Franziska said happily.

"Annnnd." Wayne reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He opened it and a whole roll of pictures came out. "These are our kids. Yvette is fourteen and Henry is almost twelve. Aren't they just to die for!"

Yvette and Henry had dark colored skin but lighter than their dad's. Yvette had a pair of bat wings with a mark on her face similar to her mom's and Henry had his mom's angel wings but had pointy ears like his dad.

Each picture showed the kids at various points in their life. One showed Henry when he was riding his tricycle and another showing Yvette blowing out the candles of her birthday cake. The last pic showed the whole family together at what appeared to be the Grand Canyon.

"Wow, I can't believe we all grew up to have families of our own. What about you, Jacob?" Michael asked.

"Married three times, divorced three times and I got seven kids," he said with a grin.

"Oh...sorry," Michael said.

"Eh, it's fine. I got a girlfriend I am hoping to make wife number four," he said with a smile.

"Jesus Jake, when are you just going to settle down?" Angie asked.

"Hey, I tried the marriage thing and it just doesn't work for me," he said shrugging his shoulders.

"Maybe you should try not cheating on your wives," Franziska said coolly.

Angie and Franziska were sending him major death glares.

"Cheating?" Michael asked. Jacob was always a bit of a playboy. Last Michael saw him (in the past), he had a little black book of names and numbers.

Jacob looked away. "I can't help it, I have animal instincts."

Someone coughed out the word bullshit.

"So what about the other X-Men? What is Warren doing? Who else had kids? Did Julian and Sofia ever get together? Wait, what about Bastion? Is there peace between humans and mutants?"

"Dad please, we can't tell you," Jay said.

"Why not? You're going to wipe my memories," Michael repeated.

"Michael...we do live in a time of peace. But a lot of lives were lost getting there," Rickard said quietly.

Everyone got a somber look on their face.

"How many were lost?" Michael asked dreading the answer.

"A lot. More than we care to admit," Devin said.

"I...I don't want to know who. I don't think I could return to my time and not try and save them," Michael said.

"That's one of the reasons why the X-Men made the rules when dealing with situations like these. Imagine if you could go back in time and warn your family about what was going to happen to them. Would you not do it?" Angie asked.

Michael answered without missing a beat. "No...I would try and save them."

"Exactly. Time travel isn't as easy as they make it look like on TV. You might change the future, you might create an alternate reality, or you might destroy your universe. It's too unpredictable," Angie explained.

"Let's focus more on the mission. We need a plan of action," Rickard said.

"Michael, Mya, Paxton, and Jay need to stay behind," Franziska said.

"What!"

"No way!"

"Come on!"

"You all are in enough trouble and we can't risk anything happening to Michael. You all need to stay here and try and contact the X-Men," Rickard said.

Michael's kids were about to protest but Michael stopped them.

"Rickard is right, let the Champions do their thing guys; I am sure they know what they are doing," Michael said.

"Thanks Michael, alright people, we will be arriving there in ten minutes. Angie, any luck calling the X-Men?"

"No, coms are down," she said.

"But we just had the equipment upgraded," Wayne said.

"I don't get it either," Angie said.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They landed the plane outside of the city.

The Champions left, telling them to stay put. They would contact them when they rescued Michael...well...future Michael that is.

"Man, this blows," Jay complained.

"Come on guys, look on the bright side, now we can talk some more as a family," Michael said.

"Dad, you're just as boring now as you were in the past," Mya said.

"Mya, I have to ask...is it necessary to wear those clothes?" Michael asked.

"What's wrong with my clothes?" she asked.

She was still wearing her skin-tight black jeans and more-then-tight black leather jacket that she kept buttoned at the bottom but left unbuttoned at the top which drew attention to her well-endowed chest.

"Well it is rather...grown up for you, isn't it?" Michael asked.

She rolled her eyes. "I am twenty years old now dad. I am grown up."

"I didn't mean it like that I just meant...do you have to draw attention to your bosom?"

Mya sighed. "You will never change."

Michael was about to say something when all of a sudden Franziska's panicked voice sounded in their heads.

-Michael! We are under heavy attack! We need help, call in help!-

"Franziska!" Michael yelled standing up.

There was no response.

"Alright guys let's go!" Jay said.

Michael stood up to follow them to the ramp of the plane.

"Dad, you can't go!" Jay said.

"Son, if you think I am going to stay here while my friends and family fight some terrorist organization then think again," Michael said.

"But if anything happens to you then the future will be altered! You save the world dad a lot!" Mya exclaimed.

Michael just smiled at them. "Mya, maybe there is a reason this all happened. Have some faith."

They all shared a look like they were not going to let him leave.

"Guys, I am your father so I do get some authority here," Michael said.

"Might as well, we can't leave him here all alone," Paxton said.

"Man, we are going to be in so much trouble," Mya said.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The four of them flew through the air.

The men had taken off their shirts and Mya's was designed to leave her back bare,save for a few strings that kept it from falling off, thus allowing her to release her wings without fully removing her shirt.

They flew over the city heading for the docks.

Smoke was rising from a ship. There was a large crate with the number forty on the side. Men wearing green suits with guns swarmed around it. They were firing at the Champions who were hidden behind another crate.

"Alright guys, let's distract Hydra while the Champions get their bearings, we need to open that crate up," Michael said. "We're on a mission, what are your code names?"

"Mine is Goliath," Jay said.

"Mine is Asclepius," Paxton said.

"Lilith," Mya said.

Michael looked at her, a deep frown on his face. "Lilith? Why, in the name of God, would you name yourself after the bride of Satan?!"

"It's a cool name," she said.

"But what will people think? With clothes like that and a code name like Lilith, they will think you are up to no good," Michael said.

Jay and Paxton rolled their eyes. They had heard this talk between their father (future version that is), and their sister so many times they had lost count. Mya was a rebellious girl who always found a way to get under their father's skin. Ironically, what past Michael was saying was the exact same thing that future Michael said when Mya told everyone what her code name was going to be.

-A little help would be nice!- Franziska's voice sounded in their heads.

"Franziska?" Michael asked.

-Oh so nice of you to remember us, you know, you friends and family who are being shot at by a bunch of super insane terrorists with big guns!-

"Are you alright?"

-Wayne's left wing got torn up bad, Devin got shot in the leg but the rest of us are fine-

"Have Rickard mute all the noise in the area, we will surprise attack them from above," Michael said.

-You do realize you don't have to speak right? I can hear your mind.-

"Just tell him my plan," Michael muttered.

Michael looked to his kids. "Alright, once Rickard takes away the sound I will hit them with an angel blast. Goliath, how much damage can you take with your power?"

"I can take a blast in the face from a tank like a ball of paper," Jay said proudly.

"Alright, after I blast them you go down and raise hell. Mya and I-"

"Lilith," Mya corrected.

"Mya," Michael said stressing her name, "and I will take them from above. Asclepius, you go heal the Champions, okay?"

"Will do," Paxton said.

"Alright Franziska, now!"

A few seconds later there was no noise. You could not hear the sounds of gunfire, not even the sounds of your heartbeat. It was a bit disturbing to suddenly not be able to hear the world around you.

Michael could see the Hydra soldiers looking around in confusion. Michael extended his hand and summoned his spear. It manifested as a shaft of angel fire and materialized in his hand.

He spun it around and pointed one of the blades down at the soldiers. He began to gather angel fire into the tip of the blade while he moved the spear in a circular motion forming a sphere. Once he had formed a large ball he let out an unheard roar, and struck the ball with the tip of his spear and sent it hurtling to the ground.

Had there been any sound, the explosion would have been heard from far away. Paxton flew to the Champions to help heal them.

Jay summoned his armor and dropped to the ground, creating a small impact crater.

He began to attack the soldiers who fired at him with their rifles but it didn't do any damage to his armor whatsoever.

Michael and Mya (he would not call his daughter Lilith!), provided air support. Michael would use his spear to launch volleys of angel fire while Mya would cast spells to confuse the soldiers.

Michael couldn't help but feel an immense sense of pride as he watched his kids in action. Paxton was quickly healing the Champions of their injuries and Jay was effortlessly taking down the soldiers one by one.

The noise returned full force and Michael was almost deafened by the sudden blast of sound.

It took him a moment to adjust but it did not take him long to hear the sounds of helicopters.

"Dad, look!" Mya yelled. Michael turned and saw several heavily armed helicopters flying their way. They fired a dozen missiles at the pair, but Mya raised her hands and a blue barrier in the shape of a cross appeared and kept them safe from the attack.

She waved her hands and said some words and the helicopters lost their power and the pilots bailed out as the machines fell to the ground.

"Good job, Mya!" Michael said.

"It's Lilith," she said with a grin.

"Not saying it, let's go help the others now."

"Hail, Hydra!" one of the soldiers yelled.

Angie brought her fist back and punched him in the face.

"Oh shut up! You'd think they would find a new motto after all these years," she said.

The Champions and the Bronsons had circled around the crate that held Michael. Devin and Jacob were trying to open it up. Jacob was in his wendigo form beating his fists against it but it wasn't opening.

"The hell is this shit made from?" he asked.

-I barely sense Michael inside, I think he is okay,- Franziska said.

"There is a keypad here, if we can hack it we can open it up," Devin said.

"Let me try," Rickard said.

"I didn't know you could hack things," Jake said.

Rickard placed his hand on the keypad and sparks flew out of it as he overloaded it with a high-pitched noise. The doors to the crate opened up.

"It's all about communication," Rickard said with a smile.

Paxton had a rifle he got from a fallen soldier in his hand and had set it to stun. Michael was with him and they were fighting together.

"Stick with me, I will keep you safe!" Michael yelled.

"But I am supposed to be protecting you," Paxton said.

"Well, I have the offensive powers!"

"Well, I am the one with the gun!"

"I thought healers were only supposed to heal people?" Michael asked, enjoying the banter with his future son.

"You say that to Elixer?"

"Josh? Why? It's not like his power can hurt anyone?"

"You haven't seen him when he turns dark yet then," Paxton muttered.

Michael was about to ask him what he meant when he noticed one of the soldiers aiming his gun at Paxton.

"Look out!" he yelled.

He shot a blast of angel fire at the soldier, but not before he shot his gun. The image of his family being killed flashed in his mind. A terrible feeling rose in his gut and he feared the worst.

The bullet hit Paxton's shoulder. Michael rushed over to him to see if he was okay.

"I am fine dad," he said.

"No you're not, there is blood!"

"No really, look."

Paxton's shoulder began to heal, as the blood absorbed into his skin.

"There see, all better."

Michael's whole body shook. He glared harshly at the Hydra agents.

"How dare you bastards hurt my family!"

He spread his wings and took off letting out a war cry as he began to fight more soldiers.

Rickard, Jake, and Devin were pulling out a large glass-like sphere attached to a machine. They could see a shape inside but it did not appear to be moving.

"Hey look, Michael is raging," Devin said, noticing Michael as he whacked his spear upside one of the Hydra soldie'rs heads.

"Haven't seen him do that in a long time. Brings back memories," Jake said with a grin.

"Michael, can you hear me?" Rickard yelled at the sphere.

There was no response.

-Everyone, Hydra has called in Dreadnaughts!- Franziska warned.

"What are Dreadnaughts?" Michael asked.

"Hydra's killer robots," Wayne replied.

There was a sound like a jet engine flying. Everyone looked up and saw countless blue and silver robots flying at them.

"Hail, Hydra!" one of them said in a robotic voice.

The two opposing forces fought. Angie spun in a tornado but it was much larger then Michael thought her capable of. It sucked in dozens of Dreadnaughts and threw them around. Wayne fought one on his own; his claws easily tore through its steel armor.

Rickard and Jacob protected the sphere. Devin was examining the control trying to figure out how to open the sphere.

Franziska was using her telekinesis to slam Dreadnaughts into one another and using the remains to throw at the rest. Every time they fired a laser or a missile at her she would form a shield.

Michael could not belieeve how much stronger his team had gotten. They were now fully mature and disciplined heroes. It made him feel both proud and hopeful.

More and more Dreadnaughts appeared though; even fully-grown the Champions had limits. Unlike the robots, they had limits. But they also had an advantage.

Paxton stood inside a protective circle with Mya who protected him. Every time he saw that one of the Champions or Bronsons were injured or faltering, a green orb would appear in his hands and he would toss it at them. The ball would melt into them, healing them and revitalizing them.

Jay, whose armor was starting to flicker and weaken, got hit with one and he regained his strength and his armor glowed brightly again. Franziska's left wing had been hit with a laser but a green orb and her wing was healed.

But even with Paxton helping them there were too many Dreadnaughts that kept on appearing. Some flew out from the ship, others burst from the other containers, and some even flew out from the water.

Dozens of the Dreadnaughts were attacking Mya and Paxton. She tried to keep them out but so many of them were firing at the barrier. It kept all her focus to keep it up, and even with her brother energizing her it was still difficult to maintain her fight.

Michael saw they were in trouble and was trying to make his way to them. Jay was providing some cover for Wayne and Angie. The Dreadnaughts had blocked Paxton from sending out any more healing orbs so he wasn't able to revitalize anyone.

A weak point appeared in the barrier and one of the robots took the chance and shot a blast through it, it hit Mya in the thigh and she yelled in pain but managed to keep up to barrier.

Michael roared in anger and flew into the Dreadnaughts.

"Michael, no!" Rickard yelled.

"Dad!" Jay yelled.

"Stay the fuck away from my kids!" Michael screamed.

He summoned every bit of power he had. Had he not been wearing the vambrace then the fight would have been easier. But he did manage to encase himself in angel fire and began to fight all the Dreadnaughts singlehandedly.

"We have to help him!" Angie yelled.

"Dad leave, we'll be fine!" Paxton shouted, having already healed his sister.

"No! I won't let this happen again! I will not be weak! I will not lose any more loved ones!" Michael screamed.

"Uh guys, this thing is giving off some crazy readings," Devin said examining the console.

Just then the sphere lit up. It broke apart and a beam of light shot out, everyone including the Dreadnaughts stopped what they were doing to look.

A figure rose up from the pillar.

It was Michael...well, future Michael. He was in his archistrategestate, his eyes were glowing with a yellow light a thorny halo appeared above his head. Eye-like images were glowing with blue light shined from his wings and several holy images glowed with the same light on his body.

Michael was reminded of the image Bastion showed him of his future self. There was a very uncanny resemblance to Adonai. Future Michael was seven-feet tall and although he was more lean then Adonai, he was still ripped like a heavy body builder. His curly black hair was now grown past his chin and he wore nothing save for a pair of gray sweatpants.

"Time to end this," he said in a deep booming voice.

He raised his hands and hundreds of javelins made from angel fire appeared, and with lightning speed struck all the Dreadnaughts, turning them to rubble. Within seconds the Dreadnaughts were all destroyed. Future Michael clapped his hands and rings of angel fire captured the Hydra soldiers.

Future Michael floated to the ground and returned to his normal state.

Everyone quickly made their way to Future Michael, his kids quickly wrapped their arms around him and he hugged them back with a smile on his face. The Champions clapped him on the back, happy he was safe.

Only Past Michael lingered, not knowing what to say or do.

"Dad, we are so glad you are safe," Mya said.

"Good thing Devin managed to free you, you saved us," Wayne said.

"Actually, I didn't do anything," Devin said.

"But then how did Michael escape?" Franziska asked.

"I could have escaped at anytime; that prison of theirs was poorly constructed," Future Michael said.

"Then why didn't you escape sooner?" Jacob asked.

"Because I had to wait for all of you to be here before I could. I am glad you got my letters; I was afraid that I sent those letters out too late."

"Wait, you're the one who sent the letters?" Rickard asked.

"I did, to make sure you were here in time for the fight. Just as I remember it happening all those years ago when Mya brought me to the future."

"Guys, I hear a jet coming this way," Wayne said.

A few moments later a black jet descended from the sky. It looked similar to the one the Champions flew in. It landed and a hatch opened on the side.

Several winged mutants with different shades of blonde hair came running down the ramp and into Future Michael's arms.

"Dad!" they all screamed.

Michael felt all the breath escape his chest. He knew he had more kids but seeing them was...surreal.

More people walked down from the ramp. Michael recognized Warren and Betsy. Warren's hair was a bit whiter from age and Betsy had wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. But otherwise they both looked good. There was a young blonde woman who looked like Emma and girl who looked like a female version of Nightcrawler. He saw Hisako, Megan, Logan, and finally Nathan walking down the stairs.

"Looks like we missed one hell of a party," Logan said.

"What the hell happened here? And why the hell is there a younger version of Michael?" the young blonde woman asked.

"I can explain Ruby," Jay said.

"Oh?" she asked giving him a scathing look that made Jay flinch.

"Well, we wanted to find dad, so Mya tried a spell and-"

"A spell? After what happened last time when you summoned all that tribe of N'Garai?" Ruby asked angrily.

"Well, we were desperate," Mya said. "It worked after a fashion. We got dad back...just not...you know...the one from our time zone."

Nathan walked up to Future Michael with a smile on his face. "Hello father. I trust all went according to plan?"

Future Michael smiled and patted his son on the head. "Indeed it did. You did well, Nathan."

"Care to explain, Michael?" Warren asked.

"Many years ago when Adonai, rest his soul, was training me I was summoned to the future. I never told anyone about it," Future Michael said.

"But why?" Warren asked.

"I could not risk altering the timeline. I had to make sure that all this happened. A responsibility I now pass to my younger self."

While Future Michael was talking his kids were inspecting their father's younger self. Poking and prodding him.

"Wow, it's so freaky!"

"He's just like in the photos, only real!"

"I can't believe he was this small!"

"So...you are my kids, huh?" Michael asked.

"Some of them," one of them said.

Future Michael continued to speak. "When Nathan warned me Hydra was planning on kidnapping me I knew the time had come. So I told him of what was about to happen and with his help, I was able to make sure everything went as it was supposed to."

"I knew how important this was so I made sure to follow father's instructions. Once he was captured I sent the invitations he gave me to mail to the Champions so they could meet his younger self. While they were preoccupied I went into their jet and disabled their communications so they couldn't call for the X-Men," Nathan explained.

"So that's why they wouldn't work," Angie commented.

"But you called us and said they were in danger," Betsy said.

"Yes. I was using my power to watch them and once they began to get close to Seattle I called you all," Nathan said.

"We picked him up on the way over, kid was hauling ass to Seattle," Logan said.

"Nathan, you should not have done all that. Lying to us and tampering with our equipment, those are some serious breaches in protocol," Ruby said giving Nathan a stern look.

"I was doing as my father instructed," Nate said with a shrug.

"You should have told us. Do you know how much manpower and time we spent trying to find him?"

Nathan gave her a dry look. "You of all people should know the importance of obedience to your parents. Isn't that why you try and act all big and tough like your father?"

Ruby suddenly turned into a living ruby. It reminded Michael of how Emma was able to turn into living diamond. She raised her hand and it glowed with a red energy.

"Mind saying that again? You think just because Michael spoils you, you can't be punished?"

Nathan didn't seem to be concerned at all. "I am not an X-Man nor am I trying to be one, so your rules don't apply to me. So power down already. Women with short tempers and big egos are so not attractive. I don't know what my brother sees in a prissy little thing like you."

"Shut the hell up you little shit! And don't speak to her like that!" Jay yelled, his face turning as red as Ruby's diamond skin.

"Don't speak to your brother like that!" both Michael and his future self said at the same time.

"Everyone, I am sorry for the worry I put you all through. But I had to in order to make sure the timeline wasn't changed," Future Michael said.

"Michael, you know the rules; we have to wipe your past self's memories. It's protocol."

Future Michael just smiled. "But in altering my younger self's memories you risk altering the timeline. Isn't that against the rules?"

Ruby got a flustered look on her face.

"I will accept full responsibility for this. Now if you'll excuse me, I must have words with younger me before we send him back."

Future Michael put his hand on Past Michael's shoulder and led him away from everyone else.

"Well, my mission is now over. But I am afraid yours is just beginning. Now I pass this task onto you," Future Michael said.

"Wait...this is all confusing," Michael said.

"It's time travel, what do you expect?" Future Michael stated.

"Why is this happening? What was the point of all of this?" Michael asked.

"Who's to say. But I believe this was meant to be. Right now you are in a dark chapter of your life. The pain of loss fills you up and eats at you. I know you fear the future. But do not be afraid. The future as you can see, is good. But I must warn you, getting here won't be easy. You still have dark days ahead of you and there will be times when giving up will be very tempting. But remember, if you falter, if you give up, all of this, our kids? None of it will come to pass. Soon you are going to be tested Michael, you must learn to forgive yourself if you are to pass. And remember, never trust a snake."

"What is that supposed to mean? What will I have to face? What test? If I know that and more maybe I can make this all better."

Future Michael did not answer. He got this look on his face like he was remembering something that happened a long time ago.

"I remember asking my future self that same thing. I remember the others telling me how a lot of people died over the years. I remembered thinking I could have saved them this future is to happen then you must stay on course. We can't risk altering time. What happens must happen. Do not fear though, you will not be alone; you will have your friends and family to help guide you. Now let's go back to the others."

They walked back over to the X-Men. Jay was now talking to Ruby who was scowling at him.

"Does he have a thing for her?" Past Michael asked.

Future Michael smiled. "Oh, he is head over heels for her. They both like one another but haven't made it official yet. Ruby is always trying to act older and more professional then she is, trying to live up to her father's expectations so Jay has to try and act more mature to impress her."

"Nathan doesn't seem to like her."

"Nathan loves his big brother and doesn't like to see him work so hard to impress her only to have her talk down to him. He gets his attitude from his mother."

They finally arrived back to the others. Several of them had begun to pick up the Hydra agents and group them together.

"Alright, let's send me back," Future Michael said.

"How?" Paxton asked.

"Mya, of course."

"I don't think that is a good idea, dad," Mya said.

"Sweetie, you can do it, I know you can. You brought me here and it is you who sends me back," Future Michael said.

"He's right, Mya. You can do this," Nathan said.

"Maybe we should get someone more experienced to do this. Someone with more skill," Ruby said, her tone slightly condescending.

Mya's face fell a little and she rubbed her arm looking a little hurt.

Nathan glared harshly at Ruby. "Maybe you should mind your own business."

"Nathan, manners," Future Michael chastised gently.

Nathan sighed. "At least I won't have to call her my sister for another seven years."

"What!?" Ruby and Jay exclaimed at the same time.

"Nothing, I sneezed," Nathan said.

"Dad, maybe Ruby is right. I don't want to screw up again," Mya said.

"You won't. You are the one who sends me back," Future Michael said.

"I do?"

"Yes. Just believe in yourself, okay?"

Michael took the time to say his goodbyes. He hugged all his kids and shook hands with the X-Men.

"You two really aged well," he said to Warren and Betsy.

"Thanks, darling. Unlike some of the other telepaths in the X-Men, I don't need to use my telepathy to hide my true age," Betsy said.

"But you have no problem using your telekinesis to smooth away those wrinkles," Warren joked.

Betsy gave him a withering glare.

"Take care, Michael. I can't tell you what you have in store. But I can say you make me proud," Warren said.

"Thanks, Warren. So...do you and Betsy have any kids?"

They both smiled. Betsy raised her hand and held up two fingers.

"Nice," Michael said.

"It's time," Future Michael said.

Michael stepped away from the others. Mya walked up to him. She raised her hands and began to chant. A glowing white symbol in the shape of a sephirot appeared on the ground with Michael in the future.

When Mya finished the chant, a glowing symbol appeared above her hands and there was a flash of light and Michael was gone.

"Well, that was fun," Future Michael said.

"Michael...maybe we should have told him...about Bastion, about Abreal and the spirits," Rickard said.

Future Michael put a comforting hand on Rickard's shoulder. "No, what must happen will happen. Before, the only thing that drove me was vengeance. Now I have a new reason to fight. Hope. And a bright future."

"All of this has happened before and now it will happen again," Nathan said.

Future Michael smiled at his son. "You did well, Nathan. Maybe you should rethink a career as an X-Man."

"I think I will just stick to being a freelancer. Much more enjoyable," Nathan said.

"Like we would have you," Jay said.

"Like I would want to be a part of a team that would let a complete tool like you join it," Nathan shot back.

Future Michael sighed. "One good thing about being kidnapped was it was a lot quieter."

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Michael found himself back in the healing pools.

He took a deep breath and sat down.

So in the future he had twelve kids with Anna and helped make the world a better place.

But he had been warned there were still many tests to come and a lot of people would die.

The door opened and Adonai came in. "What happened? I sensed something."

Michael stood back up.

"Let's get back to training."

"I told you-"

"No! I need to train, I need to become stronger!" Michael exclaimed.

Adonai knew something was different about Michael. The vengeance in his eyes was now tempered by something else.

"What happened?"

Michael just smiled. "I got a glimpse of the future, is all. And it is good."

 

Fusedtwilight: Michael has a bright future yes, but as the Doctor likes to say time can be re-written (bonus points to anyone who knows what I mean) can Michael makes sure this good future comes to pass? Please review.