Chapter 49

  Arc 5 - Ch 2: Not My Girlfriend

  Date: Sunday, May 29, 2011.

  Location: 177A Bleecker St., Greenwich Vilge, Manhattan, NY

  The sun had barely begun to light up the New York skyline when Tyson started his day. His first stop was Multy's Tea & Coffee pany on Christopher Street, a cozy shop with a warm, inviting aroma. Here, he picked up a special blend of tea, ohe A One had taken a liking to. It seemed odd to him that she would ask him t it sidering its proximity to the Sanctum. Along with the tea, Tyson also picked up a rge, beautifully potted bouquet of roses on the way, w about the significe of the A One's peculiar request.

  As he approached the New York Sanctum, Tyson couldn't help but remember his first visit. The memory of Master Drumm denying him entry brought a slight smile to his face. Entering the Sanctum, Tyson was greeted by an ued sight. The sitting room was arranged with a vish spread of food; a breakfast buffet with dishes from all ers of the globe. Despite the array of choices, only two chairs were set up, one of which was occupied by the A One.

  The A Oood up as Tysoered. She extended her hand iing. Normally, Tyson avoided handshakes due to his life-draining ability, but he khe Sorcerer Supreme had the means to circumvent his deadly touch. As he accepted her hand, there was no flinch from her, nor did he receive the usual rush of memories and power from the tact.

  "Thank you for ing, Tyson," she said, her voice holding a tone of both warmth and wisdom. "I see yht the tea... and the flowers. How thoughtful."

  As Tysohe potted roses oable, he reached behind his bad produced a single yelle rose, handing it to the A One. "For you," he said. "It matches your robes."

  The A One accepted the rose, "As I wrote, the simplest gestures hold more meaning than we realize," she said, her eyes refleg a hint of something hiddeh the surface.

  They sat down to eat, and as they began their meal, the A One eyson in casual versation. "How is your schooling going, Tyson?" she asked.

  Tyson replied, "I'm keeping up with my grades. All A's so far."

  "And your hobbies?" she tinued, sippiea gracefully.

  "I've been taking Martial Arts lessons at Chikara Dojo in atown. My instructor, Colleen, has bee," Tyson expined, "She's taught me a lot."

  The A One nodded, "You know the secret of their schorships?" she inquired with a hint of curiosity.

  Tyson answered fidently, "Yes. I rejected their schorship but had an altercation with them st month. They tested me. Now they're keeping an eye on me, and I'm keeping an eye on them. Nothing to worry about."

  Their versation shifted to Tyson's show. The A Oiohat she had read great reviews about it. Tyson's expression lit up, "Yeah, it's been an experieting it together, and it helps my friend, Spiderman."

  "Ah yes, a Spiderman," the A One remarked, her voice taking on a peculiar tone.

  Tyson was intrigued by her phrasing. He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes slightly, w if there was more to her words than a grammatical error. The A One’s knowledge was vast, and her use of "a Spiderman" rather than "Spiderman" hi a deeper knowledge of the world than Tyson had expected.

  Tysoured, "You know about dy Moon?"

  The A One answered cryptically, "I know a great many things."

  As they tiheir meal, the atmosphere was casual with an ever-present uone of unspoken knowledge. "Now that our breakfast has cluded, our uest should be arriving."

  Tyson heard the sound of the heavy doors that sealed the portals between the sanctums opening with his heightened senses. Footsteps echoed dowairs until anure appeared at the room's threshold.

  Illyana Rasputin.

  Tyson's ex-girlfriend.

  Illyana wore form-fitting robes that atuated her lithe, yet undeniably strong figure. Her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, and around her neck hung a simple pendant.

  "Tyson," Illyana greeted, Russian at lent aic edge to her words.

  Tyson experienced a plex cocktail of emotions. His eyes briefly traced the familiar tours of her face, memories surfag unbidden, both sweet and painful. The A One observed their exge silently. She seemed to uand the history aion at py, yet remained detached.

  Illyana's voice pierced the heavy emotions painting the room. “So, I hear from Jubilee about your escapades,” Illyana began, a teasing glint in her eyes. She leaned against the doorframe, “She says you have a new girlfriend.”

  Illyana's ent drew a surprised look from Tyson. He mumbled, "Not my girlfriend…"

  “Jubilee says she's a ptinum blonde,” Illyana tinued, “It’s almost like you’re trying hard to keep some memory of me alive.” She raised an eyebrow, her pyful smirk softening slightly.

  Tyson opened his mouth to respond but then closed it, opting io smile sheepishly. He reized Illyana’s teasing for what it was.

  Illya out a soft chuckle. “You should have just dated Jubilee. She’s cute, siotally infatuated with you, and she’s Asian. If I remember correctly that’s your type, yes?” Her words were ced with humor and affe.

  At this, Tyson couldn't help but ugh. Standing up, he crossed the room and pulled Illyana into a hug. It was a warm, genuine embrace. Illyaurhe hug, her body rexing into him. For a moment, they stood there, finding pea each other's arms.

  The A Oched them, her expression softening ever so slightly.

  As they stepped back from the embrace, the atmosphere in the room felt lighter. Illyana's siy shone as she said, “It’s good to see you, Tyson.”

  “Good to see you too, Illyana,” Tyson replied genuinely.

  Tyson grabbed the flowers from the table aehe potted bouquet to Illyana, gd for the A One’s suggestion t them. Illyana accepted the bouquet. “They're beautiful, Thank you." Turning to the A One, who was still seated and sippiea, Illyana expined, “Initiates like myself aren't normally allowed to use the portals. I’ve been progressing with my training, so she’s given me a free day.”

  “So, what do you want to do on your day off?” Tyson asked.

  Illyana pced the flower pot oable before answering, “I’d like to see Jubilee, a your new girlfriend.”

  “She’s not my girlfriend. Felicia is just a friend, and we’re business partners,” Tyson crified, but Illyana just tinued, uerred.

  “And after that, let’s go to the beach,” Illyana suggested.

  “That’ll be a tight schedule, even with your telep,” Tyson noted, sidering the logistics. “Felicia isn’t far, but Jubilee is in Scarsdale and the beach… Maybe Rockarobably Rye, it's closer but small.”

  “Won’t be a problem,” Illyana said fidently. Illyaured dismissively, opening a portal to Limbo with her mutant powers. The lights in the sanctum dimmed and took on a red hue, remi of a warning bea or siren.

  "How many times must I ask you not to open portals to other dimensions within the wards?" the A One sighed in exasperation.

  "My mistake, Sorcerer Supreme," Illyana apologized insincerely.

  Tyson turo the A One and said, "Thank you for your hospitality." He shared an anticipatory look with Illyana before stepping through the portal, leaving the sanctum behind. In the span of a few portals and jumps, they emerged into the vish suite at the Four Seasons Hotel.

  Illyana gnced around, enting, "The pce hasn't ged much. Could use a woman's touch."

  Tyson replied without thinking, "You are the only woman who has lived here."

  Her pyful skepticism was evident as she responded with a simple "Uh huh." Illyana's gaze softened. "I just wanted a moment to look around," she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "Good memories, you know." She stepped closer to him, entering his personal space. Her voice lowered, intimate and probing. "How much did you miss me?"

  He didn’t back away, meeting her advance. "A lot," Tyson admitted. "The first month was rough, but I got through."

  Her voice was a whisper now, close enough that he felt her breath. "Have you made any progress at trolling your power?"

  He sighed, frustration was mixed with regret in his eyes. "I’ve gotteer with illusions. But my touch... I haven't improved since we st saw each other."

  "That’s too bad," she said pyfully. Illyana gave him a quick kiss, then stepped back, a hint of disappoi in her expression. "I was hoping for more fun, but I 't reward you for not making progress."

  Tyson, who had been leaning into their closeness, felt a sudden sense of deftion as she pulled away. "Fair enough," he ceded, trying to mask his disappoi. "So, do we go see Jubilee first, or Felicia?"

  Illyana reached into her pocket. She pulled out a small, intricately designed object. Tyson’s eyes narrowed as he observed the item. It was a ring, but not just any ring. The metal was a dull gold, aged yet well-crafted. Intricate patterns and symbols were etched into its surface.

  “It’s called a sling ring. It allows me to open portals nearly anywhere.” Illyana twirled the sling ring on her finger, “Ready for a magical day out?” she asked as her eyes sparkled with excitement.

  Illyana tossed the ring to him. "You choose who we visit first," she said casually. Holding the sling ring, Tyso uain. "If you 't learn to trol your power, you might as well get a head start on learning magic," she suggested.

  "Are you sure this is okay?" Tyson asked, his brow furrowed in . In his mind, he recalled the A One's words about not starting his magical training until after the Battle of New York. He tried to remember the exact details. Was it that he couldn’t learn at all, or just that he couldn’t go to Kamar Taj? The specifics of the A One's mandate eluded him. Illyana was unaware of this restri and believed he would start learning magi less than a month, at the end of the school year.

  "It's not like they keep trackers ohings." Illyana shrugged, "Well, it's either you figure it out, or we're staying in this hotel room all day."

  Tyson appeared behind Illyana. He ed an arm around her and whispered pyfully in her ear, "I wouldn’t mind staying in the room with you all day."

  But Illyana was quick to react. In a blink, she teleported to the other side of the room, breaking free from the illusion's embrace. "No toug," she said firmly. "Not even with illusions."

  Tyson's illusion faded away. Illyana simply gestured towards the sling ring in his hand, prompting him to focus on his assigask.

  "Fine, I'll give it a shot," Tyson said grudgingly.

  "Focus," she instructed in a tone remi of a teacher guiding a student. "The sling ring els your will. Visualize your destination clearly in your mind."

  Tyson briefly recalled how Dr. Strange had struggled to learn this skill. If he recalled correctly, the doctor had failed to utilize magiitially because he failed to accept that magic could be real, and had difficulty in dismissing his years of education for the esoterilike Dr. Strayson already knew without a doubt that magic was real. He slipped the ring onto his finger, feeling a straingle of energy. Closing his eyes, Tyson focused on visualizing the arena at House of M. The detailed memory of the pce filled his mind, every er and shadow clear in his mental image.

  "Now, wave your hand," Illyana instructed, "Make a circle in the air." Illyana's presence was both reassuring and anding as she tinued her guidance. "Your movement must be smooth," she added, demonstrating with her own hand. "Imagine drawing a door in the air. The ring responds to iion, so your desire to reach the destination must be strong and clear."

  Tyson watched her movement, trying to mirror it in his own attempt. He extended his hand, and as he moved, he tried to keep his thoughts focused, remembering the texture of the walls and the feel of the air in the arena.

  "tration is key," Illyana emphasized, "You 't be distracted. Imagine every detail of the pce. Feel as if you're already there." Tyson sharpehe image of the arena in his mind. "Good, keep going," Illyana urged him. "Feel the energy of the sling ring. It's a bridge between your will and the fabric of reality. You're bending that fabric, eg where you are and where you're visualizing."

  The notion of bendiy seemed overwhelming, yet the tingliion from the sling ring made it feel possible, even natural. He tio move his hand, more fidently now, his mind ed around the idea of pulling the distant location closer with each circur motion. As he focused, Illyana's presence seemed to fade into the background, his entire being trated oask at hand. His hand moved with more purpose, his mind locked onto the vision of the arena.

  As Tyson tinued, something remarkable happeiny sparks began to appear in the air where his hand moved. They grew brighter, coalesg into a shimmering circle. The sparks danced and twirled, creating a swirling vortex that grew in size.

  Illyana watched as Tyson's will brought the magic to life. Through the portal, Tyson could see the armory's arena, just as he had visualized it.

  "Well done," Illyana said, her tone carrying a hint of pride. "I didn’t expect you to pick it up so fast." Though she didn't voice it, she felt a twinge of jealousy. She had struggled with the sling ring initially. Seeing Tyson master it so quickly sparked both envy and hope for his magical talents.

  "Using illusions is all about visualization. Picturing where I want to go is child's py at this point," he expined.

  As they stepped through the portal, Tysoement was evident. "Wele to the House of M," he decred, his eyes sparkling with a sense of achievement.

  Illyana sed the empty arena, her expression shifting from anticipation to mild disappoi. "I was expeg more," she admitted.

  In that moment, the arena transformed.

  The emptiness gave way to a bustling cityscape. They stood on a rooftop in midtown, the skyliretg around them. The wind tugged pyfully at Illyana's hair, bringing with it the distinct smells of the city below; a mixture of food, asphalt, and the faint, underlying st of the river. The sounds of traffic, distant versations, and the rhythmic beat of the city filled her ears.

  Beside them, Spider-Man swung onto the roof.

  Illyana's eyes widened in amazement, her senses overwhelmed by the authenticity of the illusion. "You have gotteer," she aowledged, her voice ced with genuine surprise.

  "Yeah, he gets a lot of practice," Spider-Man chimed in.

  "It's like sed nature now," Tyson said. The ease with which he had created this vivid, immersive world was a testament to his growing trol and mastery over his powers.

  Illyana looked around, taking in every detail.

  The feel of the rooftop beh her feet, the chill of the wind against her skin, the intricate web patterns on Spider-Man's suit.

  This wasn't just an illusion; it iece of Tyson's world, brought to life with remarkable crity.

  Tyson suggested, "e o's go meet Felicia."

  He fidently walked towards a door on the roof and passed through it. Illyana followed, stepping into a long hallway that seamlessly transitioned into a staircase.

  The illusion maintais grip oy, altering only slightly as they moved.

  Curiosity colored Illyana's voice. "How are you doing this?" she inquired, her eyes sing the surroundings, intrigued.

  Tyson expined, "Part of it is a trick of the mind," he began. "The rest is about shaping the illusion to fit the real building’s structure." As he rexed his focus, the illusion partially faded, revealing it as an overy upoual hallway. The spectral images of Tyson's illusion covered over the walls. Letting Illyana see both the illusion ay at the same time, giving her insight into how he was trig her senses.

  Tyson then shared a key detail. "This level of immersion," he said, "it's much easier because we made eye tad you’re not resisting. It's more taxing with someone who is fighting." He mentioned, "Jean wasn't fooled by my illusions until we made eye tad she allowed me in. So, powerful psychics might be ued or easily see through the deception. And you remember how they ft out didn't work on some of the demons in Limbo." he added.

  Illyana's voice held a note of fusion as she questioned, "I don't uand how you've grown so adept with illusions, yet seem uo restrain your life drain even for a moment."

  Frustration seeped into Tyson's reply. "It's not as if I haven't tried. I've been visiting a pet store and purchasing boxes of live crickets. While some are intended as food for my pet spider, I use most of the is to practice reining in my power. Despite the hundreds of dead crickets, I haven't made any progress in holding back."

  Illyana's tone softened slightly as she responded, "Don't give up. When I first started learning to use the sling ring I struggled too. Remember how upset I was when I returned from Kamar Taj st summer? Each time I tried to use the sling ring, I would teleport instead. It took practice before I was able to separate my power from magic." She paused. When she tinued, a hint of admiration tinged her tone, "I suspected you might have a simir problem. I expected you would jure an illusion, not open a portal with the ring. Yet you surprised me."

  Tyson's eyes fshed with accusation, "Wait… So you assumed I wouldn't be able to use the ring?"

  Illyana brushed off his ent dismissively. "Don't take it personally."

  Tyson knocked on a door at the end of the hall. From the other side, a beautiful voice beed them, "e on in."

  The door swung open, revealing a hidden room untouched by Tyson's illusions. Illyana found herself stepping into a stylish lous ambiance chid intimate. The space catered to private versations and discreet meetings with its arra of plush chairs and secluded booths.

  Felicia Hardy lounged against the bar, exuding rexed fidend charm. Her elegant attire atuated her casual magism. Felicia assessed Illyana with pyful curiosity. Illya Felicia's look with a cool, guarded expression. She aowledged the other woman's prese revealed nothing. While Felicia appeared pletely at ease, Illyana remained alert, taking iails of the room and its sole oct.

  Tyson stood betweewo women. He cleared his throat, breaking the tension that crackled in the air. "Felicia, I'd like you to meet my friend, Illyana," he began cautiously, thinking through each word before speaking. "Illyana, this is Felicia Hardy, a friend, cssmate, and business partner. She mahe House of M, while I run the performances."

  He emphasized the word 'friend' equally for both women, hoping to maintain calm and gee goodwill betweehough he called them both friends, Tyson and they both khere was far more plexity below the surface.

  "Tyson always mao find iing pany," Felicia remarked casually, her gaze moviween Tyson and Illyana. It was a subtle test, inteo get a rea from the other woman.

  Illyana's expression remained cool, "I see that," she replied, her voice taking on a sarcastic edge. "He does seem to have a type. Blondes, yes?" She flicked her eyes pointedly at Felicia's ptinum hair, then briefly at Tyson.

  Unfazed, Felicia leaned back against the bar, the picture of rexed fidence. She ran a hand zily through her abaster locks, arrogand challenge evident in her posture. "So it seems," she purred, her tone unmistakably defiant.

  Though the versation appeared polite on the surface, the two women's body nguage revealed the growing tension. Felicia stood rexed and flirtatious, while Illyana was rigid with her shoulders squared. Their tones exposed their iions. Felicia's was smooth and melodic, every word selected to tease a her rival. Illyana's responses were more direct, and blu yered with subtle meaning. Tyson watched the exge with fasation. He knew both women well enough to detect the undercurrents of rivalry flowiween them.

  The tension in the room thied subtly as Felicia Hardy shifted the dire of the versation, "You know, Tyson. I've been managing your business affairs tely. Keeping the books bahe money flowing..." She let her words trail off leadingly as her emerald eyes flicked toward Illyana, standing firm across the room. "Funny thing is, I haven't seen you around before. And I've been... close with Tyson for months now."

  Illyana held her ground, expression unged. "Mirage isn't the only one here with powers," she stated bluntly. As a demonstration, she disappeared from where she stood, only to reappear an instant ter several feet away. It was a subtle dispy, but effective; a clear showcase of her capabilities.

  "I've been away," Illyana tinued, "But Tyson wouldn't be standing here now if it weren't for me." Her ice-blue eyes remained locked on Felicia's as she spoke, "I saved him from a vilin once. Who knows where he'd be without me."

  Felicia reassessed the woman. "Teleportation? Quite the trick," she remarked finally, "Handy for making dramatitrances...or hasty exits."

  Illyana's response was blunt. "It's more than a trick," she said steadily. "It's about being there when it matters. Like I was for Tyson."

  Tyson had ehe cattiness betweewo women to a point, but they were quickly reag the line. He stepped between them, and when he reached the midoint, his image split. Using his illusions, one of him approached eaan. He said through both bodies, to both women simultaneously, "You both mean a great deal to me."

  Felicia arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at the Tyson illusion standing before her. "Is that so?" She reached out, trailing a finger along the illusion's jawline. "And just how muean to you, hmm?"

  The Tyson addressing Illyana spoke with siy, "You're right. I wouldn't be here without you." His eyes shoh genuine affe and gratitude. "You might be the only person who could've rescued me from Mago. Not only that, but you helped me through being trolled, and supported me when I proposed that crazy idea about Cerebro."

  Illyana regarded the illusion warily. After a moment, she replied coolly, "I'm gd yhat." The edge to her voice softened, shifting to a fond challenge. "Just be sure you don't fet it."

  Across the room, Felicia ughed lightly at the Tyson before her. "You always did have a way with words," she murmured, trailing her fingers along his chest now. Her touch was light, teasing. "And I know that's not all you do with that pretty mouth."

  The Tyson with Illyana tinued, "You know how I feel about you," he said, reag out to take her hand. His touch was warm and reassuring. "I hope you trust that."

  Illyana's expression flickered, a brief glimpse of vulnerability crossing her beautiful features before she schooled them bato an impassive mask. Across the room, the illusion of Tyson faded away as Felicia stepped around where it had been. The other illusion, of Tyson speaking with Illyana, dissolved as well, leaving the real Tyson aloweewo women.

  Tyson's hands flexed at his sides, "I have to keep the world at arm's length, literally," he said, his voice low and rough, "because my power is so dangerous. But I've let both of you in. I care about you both and you have pyed important roles in my life."

  Illyana and Felicia stood nearly within arm's reach of Tyson now. Felicia spoke first, addressing Illyana, her usual sultry nature taking a backseat to ear hoy. "Before we hooked up, he told me his whole story. He didn't leave anything out, including about you and how you saved him." Her voice took on a note of wonder. "The way he talked about you, you seemed rger than life. Like this superhero ex-girlfriend that I would never be able to measure up to. I was..." She hesitated, then pushed on. "I am jealous because, on top of that, yeous too. It's not even fair, how's a girl supposed to pete? But I'm also thankful. Because if you hadn't saved him, he never would have found me. He saved me from a bad situation. So thank you, Illyana."

  Illyana stood for a moment in stunned silence. When she spoke, her tone shifted to ohat bordered on camaraderie. "Tyson be a handful," she said, "Seems like he needs people like us around." Her gaze held a glint of uanding as she regarded the other woman. "People who hahemselves, and him."

  Felicia smiled at Illyana's cession. "Well, looks like we both have our ways of... managing Tyson."

  Illyana's lips quirked upwards slightly. "Tell me about it," she murmured. She gave Felicia another sidering look, reassessing the woman. There was more steel ihan Illyana had first realized. Perhaps she was worthy of him after all. She gave a small nod, a flicker of respect fshing in her eyes. "Takes a certain type to keep up with him."

  Felicia replied, "Keep up? I almost beat him in a ra gym css once. I didn't know the cheater had superpowers at the time."

  Felicia's remark drew a ugh from Illyana, though there was an edge to it that spoke of old memories. "I almost killed him during gym css once," she said.

  Felicia's eyes lit up, intrigued. "Ooh, tell me more about that one," she insisted, leaning forward. She had to hear whatever story y behind Illyana's words.

  Illyana recalled the memory, "It was during a basketball game," she began. "I touched him a his life drain. At that moment, I was vinced he had used his painst me iionally."

  Her words dripped with remembered anger. "So I retaliated. I opened a portal and banished him straight to Limbo. Dropped him from a good height too."

  Tyso out a low chuckle. "And then I spent the month with you hunting demons, which you paid me for by modeling lingerie." His nonly seemed to amuse Illyana.

  Illyana's words held a teasing lilt as she regarded Tyson, "I don't know which is yreatest weakness. That metal skeleton of yainst someone like Mago, or a pretty girl needing your help?" She clicked her tongue and shook her head in mock disapproval. "Lord have mercy if you ever e across a vilin that just so happens to be a pretty woman."

  Tyson's eyes narrowed slightly, "I'm not that bad," he protested after a moment, a hint of ughter in his voice.

  Both Illyana and Felicia responded in unison, their words overpping. "Yes, you are." Tyso out a hearty ugh at their gentle ribbing and agreement.

  "Alright, I'll be sure to watch out for any sexy vilins that y path," he ceded easily, holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender.

  Felicia shook her head, her white hair swaying with the motion. "Please don't," she implored, "Just close your eyes. Don't look."

  "Make the illusion of yourself being blind if you must," Illyana added. Though her words were lighthearted, there was an uone of genuine in her voice. She knew all too well how soft-hearted Tyson was wheed with a pretty face.

  In the silehat followed, Tyson turned his attention to Felicia. His amusement vanished, repced by i. "Before I fet, I need you to tact our financial manager. I want to short Oscorp stock, to put all of our avaible capital into puts against them."

  Felicia stared back at him, fusion evident. "Puts?" she asked uainly. Her ck of familiarity with the financial term was clear ione.

  "Puts are essentially a bet that a stock price will fall. I have reason to believe Oscorp is in for a steep dee very soon." Tyson expined, "I publicly undermined Oscorp's reputation during that Senate hearing. And I saw in the schedule for the Stark Expo that one of Oscorp's stists, Dr. Octavius will be making a energy presentation. My instincts are telli will be a disaster for them."

  prehension dawned in Felicia's eyes. Though unfamiliar with puts, she trusted Tyson's judgment implicitly. She kyson would not make a rge gamble with their money without good cause. "Alright then, sider it done," Felicia decred, resolve steeling her voice. "I'll call the finance manager as soon as we finish here."

  The subtle uone of rivalry between Illyana and Felicia had softened as their versatiressed. As they prepared to part ways, Felicia extended a hand toward Illyana, "Until we meet again, Illyana. It seems we have more in on than we initially thought."

  Illyana csped the offered hand. Her pale fingers encircled Felicia's, "Until ime, Felicia," she replied, her ated voice low. "And yes, maybe we do."

  Turning away from Felicia, Illyana strode fidently towards Tyson. Her eyes, refleg a plex mix of boldness, desire, and unspokeions, locked onto his. With an almost theatrical motion, she ed one arm around his waist and the ently around the back of his neck. Tyson allowed himself to be pulled down to her level, their lips meeting in a deep kiss that was as much Illyana g her territory as it was a moment of intimate e. The kiss lingered, intense and hungry. Tyso caught up in the moment, a surge of flig emotions washing over him as thoughts of his past mingled with the passion of their embrace, and Illyana's feelings and memories rushed into his own.

  Wanting to get the st word in, Felicia called out, "So much passioween you two, it's kinda hot. Mind if I join in?"

  Illyana broke the kiss, though kept her body pressed close to Tyson's. Casting a final, sm gre back at Felicia, she breathed, "Not this time."

  Illyana's mutant power came to life, enveloping her and Tyson. With a fsh, the pair vaelep away. Their abrupt departure left a tangible void in the room. Across the lounge, Felicia watched them go, her expression a carefully crafted mask of indifference, yet her eyes betrayed a flicker ing respect, rivalry, and perhaps a hint of kinship. As a oisseur of dramatic exits herself, she could appreciate Illyana's fir.

  "Maybe ime then," Felicia murmured to herself with a chuckle. Alone now, Felicia shook her head, smiling. "So dramatic," she said under her breath as she turo call their financial manager.

  Tyson found himself ba the familiar arena of House of M, still reeling from the sudden portal jump and the heated kiss with Illyana that preceded it. He processed the rush of her power and her memories that flowed into him. He tried to use those insights to decipher the meaning behind her words and as.

  "What was that about?" he asked, thinking he uood, but wao hear her expnation.

  Illyana staggered, the lingering kiss having drained her more than she cared to admit. Though Tyson's power didn't cause her the agonizing, soul-sug pain that others felt, it still took its toll. Her already fair skin looked paler now, and she leaned heavily against Tyson for support as she gathered herself to answer.

  "It was a reminder," Illyana decred. "A reminder of our past, what I'm capable of, and what she's up against." She met Tyson's gaze unwaveringly despite her weakness. "Don't fet, we're not ordinary people. And if Felicia intends to remain close to you, she ot remain ordinary either."

  Illyana drew a shaky breath, summonirength. "She must uand what she will tend with if she wants to stand at your side." Her eyes fshed with vi. "I will not see you hurt again as you were before. If Felicia ot hahe truth of us, brace the fullness of who we are, then she is not worthy of you."

  She stood up straighter aended her slender hand towards him, palm upturned in expectation. "Now, give me the ring."

  Still perplexed, Tysorieved the ring from his pocket and pced it in her waiting hand. He mumbled, "I don't know if I'd call Felicia ordinary." But he couldn't help asking, "Are you mad at me?"

  Illyana rolled her eyes, a hint of exasperation creeping into her voice. "You're such a boy. No, of course not. I like your new girlfriend. I just know yoing to be difficult about this, so I'm taking matters into my own hands."

  "She's not my girlfriend", Tysoerated, reflexively. prehension slowly dawned across his features. "Wait...you like her?" he asked incredulously. He shook his head in disbelief. "That was you liking her?"

  Illyana gave a small shrug, amusement glinting in her eyes. "I do."

  "But you're always so..." Tyson trailed off, gesturing vaguely with one hand as he searched for the right word.

  "So…" Illyana tinued, "I was so… What?" she asked threateningly.

  Tyson winced. "I was going to say intense."

  With every woman Tyson touched, he gained fshes of insight into their lives. He gaiheir memories, thoughts, feelings, and experiences, albeit temporarily. Despite all the things that he'd felt and lived through their memories, things no normal man could uand… Women tio elude him. He shook his head ruefully. "I'm never going to fully uand women, am I?"

  Illyana shrugged, "Probably not. But I suppose that's part of what makes us iing."

  "Hold on..." he trailed off as he processed the rest of what Illyana had said earlier. "Why would I be difficult? What are you going to do that I'm not going to like?"

  Without answering, Illyana spun a circle with her hand wearing the sling ring and jured a swirling portal. She grabbed Tyson and pulled him through the gateway. The portal snapped shut behind them, leaving no time for Tyson to gain his bearings heir new surroundings.

  Tyson found himself in a small dormitory room divided ly in two by the trasting personalities of its inhabitants. One half was tidy and orderly. Fairy lights cast a warm glow over stacked textbooks and notebooks, while highlighters, and pens were arranged in a rainbow of colors along the desk's edge. The other half was its opposite. Posters haphazardly adorhe walls, dispying anime characters and fantastical ses. A well-waming chair faced a monitor fshing with colors, trollers strewn across the floor amidst discarded clothes and snack ers.

  As Tyson took in the diy, realization struck. He khis room, he'd spent days hanging out here, rexing, pying videogames.

  This was Jubilee and Jean's room.

  He was back at Xavier's Institute.

  Panic fred within him and he hissed in a low, urgent tone, as if trying to avoid drawing attention to himself. "Illyana, what the hell? I thought we were going to meet Jubes at the train station or something. You know I 't be here after what I did!"

  Before Illyana could respond, a surprised "Eeep!" drew Tyson's attentiourned ically slowly to see Jubilee in the doorway. She stood frozen, clutg the towel tightly around her petite frame. She'd just stepped out of the shower, her short bck hair was damp and tousled, tendrils curling against her slender neck. The st thing she expected was to find Tyson and Illyana in her room, uninvited and unannounced.

  "Jubes!" Illyana excimed, seemingly unfazed by Jubilee's state of undress, as if their sudden appearance erfectly normal.

  "Illyana, what the—?" she started, but her protest was cut short as Illyana embraced her in a tight hug. Jubilee's arms hung limply at her sides for a moment, her mind struggling to process the situation. Slowly, she returhe hug, her fusion and annoyance melting into a relut amusement.

  As Jubilee stepped back from Illyana's embrace, her eyes flicked to Tyson's imposing form. The realization that she stood before him in nothing but a towel hit her. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, the heat spreading across her fad down her neck.

  "Uh, Tyson?" Jubilee stammered, her voice faltering as she struggled to find the right words. She'd always harbored a crush on him. But now, caught off guard and vulnerable, she found herself torween the desire to shy away and the yearning for his attention.

  Tyson shifted unfortably, his eyes darting around the room. But before he could even jure the thought of esg, Illyana's authoritative voice halted him in his tracks. "I know you're thinking about telep away. Don't you dare," she anded, her tone brooking nument.

  Illyana turo Jubilee, "You know if he leaves, he isn't ing back," she expined. Jubilee's gaze flicked between Illyana and Tyson, curiosity and apprehension warring within her. She knew Illyana was right. Tyson had expined why he left the institute to her and Jean. If Tyso now, he might never return.

  "Uhh... fine, but what are you doing here?" Jubilee asked, her bewilderment clear. She couldn't fathom why they'd decided to drop in unannounced, especially when she was in such a promising position.

  Illyana, rummaging heedlessly through Jean's drawers, answered, "We're going to the beach. Get a bathing suit," she stated matter-of-factly, as if pnning an impromptu beach trip was the most ordinary thing in the world.

  Jubilee blinked, her mind struggling to keep up with Illyana's procmation. A beach trip? Now? The thought sent a thrill c through her body, though it was quickly chased by a swell of nervous energy. She couldn't detra to him, nor the allure of spending time together at the beach, and maybe catg his eye. Yet the history between them gave her pause. She and Illyana had not always been friends. Their bond had formed only after Jubilee offered the use of her painst the demon, Azazel. Sihen, even with Illyana halfway across the world, the two spurly and had quickly bee close. From the beginning, Illyana had known of Jubilee's feelings for Tyson. And after their touch, when her memories flooded into him, there was no doubt Tyson knew as well.

  As Jubilee's thoughts tio race, she took a deep, steadying breath. This impromptu trip had clearly been Illyana's idea. If she was initiating it, despite their plicated history, she must be fortable with the situation. Jubilee felt herself begin to rex. Illyana would not have suggested this if she had any s. And while the circumstances were far from ideal, the opportunity to spend time with Tyson was too tempting to pass up. Jubilee made up her mind; she would go to the beach.

  As Illyana tio rifle through her roommate's belongings, Jubilee's initial trepidation began to fade, repced by a growing sense of excitement. This portunity, she realized. A ce to be yson, to show him a different side of herself. She gnced down at the towel ed around her body, a sudden burst of fidence surging through her. She had nothing to be ashamed or shy about.

  Tyson stood awkwardly, his back partially turned as Illyana rummaged unabashedly through Jean's drawers.

  "Why are you going through Jean's things?" Tyson asked, a note of reproatering his voice.

  Illyana didn't even gnce up, her focus i on the tents of the drawer. "I'm getting a bathing suit," she replied, her tone brooking nument.

  Uainty flickered in Jubilee's eyes as she gnced between Tyson and Illyana. The situatio surreal. Sensing, yet misinterpreting Jubilee's hesitation, Illyana added lightly, "Don't worry, he's ho. If he peeks, I'll drop him in Limbo again." Her words sounded pyful but there was an undercurrent of serioushat made it unclear if she was joking or not.

  Hearing the thinly veiled threat, Tyson obediently turned his back fully. With a wave of his hand, an illusionary brick wall materialized, separating him from the girls.

  "I know you see through that wall," Illyana called out, her voice a mix of teasing and warning. "No peeking!"

  Tyson was abashed at being called out. He hadn't intended on peeking at the girls, but couldn't fault Illyana for threatening him for Jubilee's sake. He made no move to dispel the illusion and would respect their privacy despite his ability to circumvent it.

  The room filled with the sounds of rustling clothes and muffled versation as Jubilee hurried to grab her own swimsuit. She still cast occasional g the illusory barrier, torween amusement and exasperation at the bizarre situation unfolding in her bedroom.

  Tyson turned around to face the two young women ohey were dressed. His eyes were immediately drawn to their striking figures. Jubilee stood in a sunny yellow one-piece swimsuit that hugged her athletic build, showg her toned physique. Illyana presented a stark yet alluring trast in her bold, bck two-piece. The simple yet elegant swimsuit perfectly suited her fair, por-like skin.

  Tyson's gaze lingered on Jubilee, taking in the new, shorter hairstyle that framed her face. "I see you've cut your hair. It looks nice," he said.

  A faint blush rose on Jubilee's cheeks at the ued pliment. Though they had not seen each other for some weeks, he had recalled such a minor detail about her appearance. She ran a hand self-sciously through her dark locks, pleased that he had noticed the ge. "Thanks," she said, him a shy smile.

  Illyana watched the exge with muted amusement, her pale blue eyes moviweewo of them. She wondered if Tyson realized the effect his praise had on her friend.

  Jubilee tried to shake off the effects of his plement. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked between Tyson and Illyana. "So, what's ?" she asked, her voice bubbly with anticipation.

  Illyana nontly removed the sling ring from her finger and casually tossed it to Tyson. "Pick a beach. I haven't been to any good ones," she stated ftly with a shrug of her shoulders.

  Tysoly caught the ring, rolling the metal baween his fihoughtfully as a realization dawned on him. He recalled a special event happening this very day, that was vely close to the beach. Grabbing the remote from Jubilee, he turned oelevision and flipped through the els until he found the broadcast he sought.

  An aerial view of the picturesque Mediterranean coastline and a winding race course.

  "Have either of you been to Europe before?" Tyson asked. Keeping his focus on the image on the s, he filled in the gaps in the destination with memories from the Marvel movie of his past life. He swirled his arm, juring a shimmering, oval portal. The rift revealed a sunny beach with sparkling azure waters.

  Stepping through the portal, the three were greeted by warm, salty sea air. The beach was a breathtaking panorama of golden sands and sapphire waters, bustling with the lively energy of a sun-kissed paradise. The soothing sounds of waves gently pping at the shore mingled with the distant chatter of beachgoers. The revving of powerful engines could be heard emanating from the distayson spread his arms wide, turning to the two young women with a grin. "Wele to Monaco!" he announced.

  AN: If you haven't voted in Tyson’s power poll oreon, you should do that. Fair ce I’ll finish Arc 6 before week’s chapter update, at which point the poll will close. Doesn’t cost anything to vote. The top two choices are tied as of this posting!

  With this chapter update, WebNovel and Scribble Hub have caught up to the currently posted story. The update will be on Wednesday, and from then forward updates will be weekly.

  Behind the ses

  - In my outlihis was the shortest chapter, and I thought I'd have to bihis day with one of the others. But just kept going, and going… and ended up being the lo chapter I wrote for this story. Ultimately I had to split it into three chapters, and each still ended up being a det length.