Rachel X

Two thousand years in the future, Rachel Summers surfaces from the timestream into the Dark Age of mutants. She finds a world dominated by Apocalypse and his sects of cruel mutants who engender the survival of the fittest. Seeking to restore harmony to humanity, Rachel forms a family of dissidents named the Clan Askani and she becomes their leader, the Mother Askani. The philosophy of the Askani sisterhood governs their way of life; their way of thinking becomes a neo-religion of hope. After a failed direct assault on Apocalypse, Rachel is enlightened by a series of visions which delineate a higher purpose. While adrift in the timestream, Rachel sees a multitude of timelines. She remembers Apocalypse's plan to possess her brother Nathan, the Chosen One, and her part in instigating Apocalypse's downfall.

For almost a century, Rachel's sisterhood of powerful psis wars against Apocalypse's empire, as they await the Chosen One's arrival. Then, Rachel discovers that Apocalypse has infected Nathan with a techno-organic virus. Fearing for her young brother's survival, Rachel sends a member of the sisterhood back in time to get him. Although they slow Nathan's techno-organic infection, Rachel has a clone created as a fail-safe.

When Apocalypse sends his deadliest cadre to retrieve the Chosen One, the Askani are crushed and the clone is taken. Barely surviving the attacks, Rachel arranges for Nathan's parents to raise him. Rachel psionically pulls Scott and Jean Summers' psyches through the centuries into prepared bodies. Sapping the last of her energies, Rachel grants her parents the abilities to save their son and fulfill the prophecy of Apocalypse's destruction. Rachel's ancient body collapses into an irreversible coma. Nevertheless, Rachel's powerful mind guides Nathan for the next ten years. As Apocalypse prepares to possess Nathan's clone, the Summers family strikes, ultimately defeating Apocalypse. Rachel passes on, as her family has realized their destiny. From the astral plane, Rachel sends Scott and Jean back to the past. Rachel continues to confer with her brother Cable, guiding and supporting him throughout his journeys. To prevent the rise of Apocalypse from ever happening, the Askani had selectively altered and influenced timeline events. Rachel eventually grants Nathan knowledge about the Twelve and their role in Apocalypse's quest for power.

To ensure that the Dark Age of Apocalypse never comes to be, the Summers family defeat Apocalypse in the twentieth century. Without Apocalypse, the Askani timeline is nullified, (Rachel does not emerge in the fortieth century). Consequently, Rachel remains drifting in the timestream, pulled by the flow of time. Rachel passes through a million years of darkness. Unexpectedly, the energy of the Phoenix Force dissipates and Rachel is pulled two billion years into the future, towards the end of all realities on Earth. This penultimate Earth is ruled by Gaunt, the greatest mass murderer in human history. Within Gaunt's prison, her powers muted, Rachel becomes a slave and a lure for her brother Cable. From the end of time, Rachel calls for Nathan's help. Nathan arrives and accepts Gaunt's challenge for Rachel's freedom. Nathan wins the battle and returns to the present with Rachel.

Overwhelmed by recent events Rachel decides to live in seclusion and attempt to lead a normal life. After a few weeks of attending college, Rachel encounters a radical anti-mutant student group. At a campus rally, Rachel stops the anti-mutant group's terrorist attempt and learns of their connection to the Dark Sisterhood. Rachel discovers the sisterhood is also responsible for incriminating her brother Nathan. Rachel leaves college to help her brother bring down the Dark Sisterhood and their leader the Dark Mother.

"But time was running out. As a fail-safe, we created a healthy clone."

The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix Vol. 1, No. 1

"You see, together, a cured Nathan and I -- would have ultimately had the power to overthrow Apocalypse."

The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix Vol. 1, No. 1

"When I realized I was too weak to help you, I sent for our parents from the past."

The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix Vol. 1, No. 4

"...This information is vital to the success of your mission here. Call it... Your destiny."

Cable Vol. 2, No. 65

"Whatever this madman says, don't believe him. You heard him yourself -- He's killed Trillions."

Cable Vol. 2, No. 85

"Once my mission is over, I'm gone. Besides, I'm too wired to just relax and let the world go to hell."

Cable Vol. 2, No. 94