Date: Monday, June 7, 2010.

  Location: Xavier Institute, Scarsdale, NY.

  Tyson stared bnkly at the tray before him. The cafeteria of the Xavier Institute was calm, most students had yet to stir from their sleep.

  "What are you thinking about?" Jean asked softly, breaking the silence.

  Tyson looked up. "Just the week I've had.” He smirked. "You could say that. It's been... eventful."

  Jean’s red hair cascaded down her back as she leaned in, her fiery green eyes narrowing with geerest and curiosity. "Tyson, you're a bit of an enigma here. I 't peer into your thoughts as easily as everyone else in this pce. While I enjoy the quiet y, I’m curious about what’s going on in your head."

  Tysoated for a moment, rubbing the back of his neck as he recalled. "On Wednesday, I woke up in the back of a truck, somewhere up in ada." He paused, drawing a deep breath. "Didn’t even know I had powers till I touched someone. I absorbed their life force. Ended up in a cage fight with Logan and realized I could absorb his ability."

  Jealy said, "You're not the only one here who's felt lost or out of pot having plete memories or trol over our powers... it's something many of us have struggled with."

  Tyson's eyes, usually bright and curious, were shadowed as he shared his tale. His voice was barely above a whisper, but every word echoed with gravity. "The day after the cage fight... Sabertooth came for me." His eyes momentarily darkened. "I ended up... taking his life. Now, every memory, every dark impulse of his, it's all lodged in my mind. Sometimes, it feels like I'm losing myself in his past."

  Jean's green eyes focused on him ily, her brow furrowed with . In a f, measured tone she said, "You did what you had to for survival. Sabertooth was dangerous."

  Tyson shook his head, "No, Jean. He didn’t want to kill me. They wao capture me, for some reason. But when I touched him, I couldn't separate myself from his instincts. I went too far."

  Jeaated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "We all have moments where our powers take trol a out of fear or instinct. It doesn't define who we are. It's what we learn from it and how we move forward that matters."

  Tyson looked at her, his gaze searg for reassurance. "But I still 't trol it. And Professor X doesn’t think I’ll ever be able to. What if he’s right?"

  With a gentle firmness, Jean replied, "You're here at the Institute for a reason. We'll help you. We learn and grow together."

  Tyson's expression remained weary, "On Friday, just as I thought the week couldn't get any crazier, I got bao Limb a basketball game." He paused, letting out a breath, shaking his head as if trying to make sense of the events. "Illyana found me as I was battling a demon. The whole realm was invaded. We found the source, the devil, Azazel. Together, we mao force him to retreat."

  Jean's face darkened momentarily, memories of that day ing back to her. When she realized Illyana had taken Tyson to Limbo, her emotions spiraled, fearing for the safety of her friend. She'd momentarily lost trol of her power. But, she pushed those memories aside and focused on Tysoing his eyes with her intense, yet passionate gaze, Jean said, "You and Illyana drove Azazel off. That sounds like a victory to me."

  Tyson grinned back, "True." he tinued, "That was just the beginning. Saturday should have been simple. You were there. We were supposed to go see the NBA finals, get some signatures, and enjoy the game. But instead..." He swallowed hard, the weight of the memory evident in his eyes. "It was a setup. Mago was waiting. Fag him... it felt like trying to withstand a force of nature. I genuinely believed it was the end for me."

  Jean's gaze was steady, her eyes filled with uanding ahy. She wao ask Tyson about the level of power he demonstrated while using her ability, but she didn’t need empathy to see Tyson’s iurmoil. Instead, she paused before she responded calmly, "Tyson, every battle we face, every challehrown our way, it's an opportunity to grow. Remember, Mago might be formidable, but the fact that you held yround against him speaks volumes. It wasn't the end. You're still here, with me… With us."

  Tyso Jean's eyes, finding so their depths. "It's hard to see past what happened."

  With a soft, reassuring smile, Jean replied, "That's why we're here for each other. To remind one another of the hope and strength we possess, even when we 't see it ourselves."

  Xavier Institute slowly came to life around them. After his time of introspe passed, Tyson smiled and said, "All in all, I'd say my record for the week is 2-1-1. Not a bad start, eh?" He smiled weakly, "2 wins, Sabertooth and Azazel. 1 loss to Wolverine. And a draw against Mago. Quite the week, huh?"

  Jean smiled back, "3 wins if you t the blue woman… Just another week at the Xavier Institute."

  Tyson looked around the cafeteria. More students were arriving, and the ambiance was filled with versations, ughing, or studying. Jubilee joihem, taking a seat with her breakfast tray.

  Tyson muttered to himself but loud enough for Jubilee, who sat across from him, to hear, "This week's gotta be better, right?"

  Jubilee, with her signature yellow jacket, looked up from her food and raised an eyebrow. "That’s the kiss of death," she remarked, half-jokingly. "You know you ’t say stuff like that! The karma gods are watg."

  Tyson chuckled, despite himself. "e on, Jubes. After everything that's happehings have to start looking up."

  Jubilee smirked, twirling a spark of fireworks around her fingers, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Every time I've said something like that, something bizarre happens."

  Jean spoke up, "Do you remember today's schedule?" She brushed a strand of her red hair behind her ear. "We're starting with Physics, so make sure you've got your notes. P.E. is right after. And, Tyson?" She looked at him pointedly, a hint of a smile pying on her lips. "Try to keep both feet in our dimension this time."

  Jubilee snorted, "Yeah, avoid any portals on the court, okay?"

  Jean, holding back a ugh, tinued, "And don’t fet, sychic css today. I expect you to be there this time. Last time css was celed because of the Limbo i."

  Tyson cleared his throat, "Uood, Mom, I mean, ma’am."

  For Tyson, Physics was a lost cause. The board was filled with Professor X's handwritiailing formus and principles. He tried to trate, but the words seemed like an indecipherable puzzle. Seeing his struggle, Jeaed o him, whispered, "Don't worry. We all have off days."

  "Days…” He snorted humorlessly.

  When the bell sighe end of Physics, Tyson was the first out the door, ready for P.E. Professor Summers, with his signature red gsses, was already setting up for basketball.

  "All right, split up into teams! Illyana, and Tyson, same team today. Let’s keep it civil please." Scott anded his voice firm but fair.

  Illyana caught Tyson's eye and motioned for him to join her side. The game pyed out without i, and the students dispersed, ready for their css. Tyson's anticipation grew as he approached the room for Psychic css.

  At the front sat Professor X, a gentle smile on his face. "Wele, students. Hello, Tyson, this is where we learn to explore and master our innermost abilities."

  As the students settled down, Tysohe weight of the challenge ahead. He anticipated Psychic css would be difficult because he didn’t have any psychic abilities.

  As the students settled down on their mats, Professor X wheeled himself to the ter of the room. "Today," he began, "we will journey into the depths of our subscious through meditation."

  Jean, whispered to Tyson, "Are you ready for this?"

  Tyson shrugged, "Not expeg much."

  With a nod, Professor X began. "Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. In... and out..." As they all plied, the atmosphere ged. It felt like a warm, protective co enveloped them. That rofessor X's doing, of course, using his powers to heighten their meditative experience. "Imagine a door," Professor X tinued, "It’s the door to your innermost mind. Walk towards it and open it."

  One by ohe students found themselves stepping into personalized rooms within their minds. For Tyson, it was a vast, white room, a bnk vas of sorts. He looked down at himself. He was back to his average build, the way he remembered himself before all the transformations and battles. It was how he looked when he woke up in the back of that truck. But minus the painful signs of malnourishment. But the room wasy. Two figures stood in front of him. One of which held a menag presenbsp;

  Sabertooth. His feral eyes were locked onto Tyson.

  The other was ued. A figure with haunted, hazel eyes. She wore long gloves that exteo her elbows as a guard against the dangerous gift she bore. She exuded an aura of vulnerability; surrounded by a tangible air edy abreak. If not for his meta-knowledge, Tyson wouldn’t have known who she was.

  Ann Marie... Rogue.

  Sabertooth growled, "You thought you could defeat me?"

  Rogue wore her mencholy, her voice was heavy as she made a simple decration, “We killed him.”

  Tyson asked skeptically, "What do you both want?"

  Sabertooth smirked, his fangs crept over his lips, "To remind you of your weakness. All your strength es from me. Without me, you’re nothing."

  Rogue stepped back, pg more physical distaween herself and the others in the room. She began speaking but suddenly the room echoed, almost like a kno his subscious. The stark whiteness of the room morphed into a swirling vortex of memories, fears, hopes, and dreams.

  — Rogue Rept —

  Ba the , it was the end of the period. At Xavier’s annou, students began to stir from their meditations. Yet, Tyson remained unmoving. As the professor sehe whirlwind of emotions within Tyson's psyche, he paused, diving into the young man’s mind. Charles Xavier approached the metaphorical door that stood as a barrier to Tyson's deepest subscious.

  Professently whispered, "It's time to return, Tyson. Remember, your mind is a realm where you have the power." He gave the psychic equivalent of a knock at the door.

  Charles waited. Moments turned into a minute, and finally, he seyson's sciousness reg. Suddenly, Tysohrough the door like he was being sucked through a drain; pulling away from this inner sanctum and not even notig Xavier as he was drawn toward the waking world.

  Professor X looked in and saw the others inside his subscious. Sabertooth looking menag, and a girl looking meek. Their visages were as solid as Tyson’s himself. But in Xavier’s experiehat should be impossible. Phantom recreations of objects and memories were only present in the subscious.

  Not pletely realized personalities.

  Aainly not ones just as vivid as the inal. Even in the cases of schizophrenia or ‘multiple personality disorder’, Xavier hadn’t seen anything like this before.

  So he did the only thing he could think of. He reached out aly closed the door. Then, from his pocket, he produced ahereal key. Iing it into the door's handle, he tur with a soft, almost inaudible clibsp;

  He locked the door.

  At least for now, Tyson’s subscious would be beyond his reach. He did this not to imprison Tyson's psyche, but to give the young man time. To offer a respite. Charles hoped that, in due course, Tyson would find the strength to fad tame his inner voices. But until that time, this door would remain a bulwark against those… things inside.

  In the real world, Tyson's eyes snapped open, frustration clouded his features as he found himself ba the . He abruptly stood, drawing the attention of his cssmates.

  Blue eyes looked at him with . Jean reached out gently. "Tyson?"

  "I need more time," he burst out with desperation. "I barely got to find anything out. Just when things were being clearer, I was forced to e back."

  Professor X's calm voice broke through, "Tyson, please sit."

  With a heavy sigh, Tyson plied.

  "Uanding oneself is not a race," the Professor said gently. "It's a tinuous journey, ohat ofte have a clear destination."

  Tyson's gaze was downcast. "I felt so close to answers, to some uanding."

  Jean, her voice soft, added, "We all feel that way sometimes, Tyson. It's part of this journey we're on."

  Professor X wheeled himself closer, meeting Tyson's gaze directly. "Your mind is vast and multi-faceted. The path of trol, of self-discovery, is not one you plete in a single css or session. It's about patience, persistence, and embrag every step, no matter how small."

  — Rogue Rept —

  On Wednesday, amidst the usual midday chatter of the cafeteria, there was a distinct shift imosphere at Tyson’s table. This had happened only once before, and Tyson suspected a simir cause. He looked up and as expected, Illyana approached. Her ptinum blonde hair cascaded down in loose waves, shimmering with every fident step she took. A silver choker neckce rested on her colrbone, and her bck leather jacket draped effortlessly over her shoulders.

  Jean and Jubilee stopped mid-versation. Both their eyes wideheir words tapering off.

  "Hey," Illyana greeted her focus locked onto Tyson.

  "Hello, Illyana," Tyson replied, slightly curious.

  Jean and Jubilee exged gnces, uain of what to expeext.

  "Are you free this evening?" Illyana inquired, her tone casual but with an underlying hint of anticipation.

  Jubilee’s eyes widened with surprise. "Wait, are you asking him on a date?" she asked incredulously.

  A fsh of annoyance crossed Illyana’s face, but it was quickly repced as a pyful smirk tugged at her lips. "Maybe I am," she replied coyly, her gaze never leaving Tyson's.

  Tysoated for a moment, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on him. "Yeah, I'm free," he finally resporying to sound nont.

  Illyana's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Great. I'll e by your room at 8 then," she stated. With a final, lingering look at Tyson, she turned and sauntered away, leaving the trio in a state of stunned silence.

  Jubilee blurted out, "I 't believe that just happened!" Her eyes darted from Jean to Tyson, her disbelief evident. "And you're just going along with it?"

  Tyson nodded, a little defensive, "Yeah, I am."

  "But why?" Jubilee pressed, her hands animatedly emphasizing her words. She kyson was different after what he'd shared about his fight with Mago, but this was ued.

  Tyson turo his friend. "Weren't you the one who said it wasn't about the physical? I 't touch Illyana, just like I 't touyone else. What's the harm iing to know her? Maybe there's more to her thahink."

  Jubilee bit her lip aed, "Don't use my own words against me," She blurted out, "I didn't mean with her…" Her eyes widened in realization at what she'd just said. She swiftly covered her mouth with her hand, mortified. "Uh, I mean, that's not what I meant!"

  Tyson struggled to suppress a grin. "Are you jealous, Jubie?" he teased, emphasizing the pet name.

  Jubilee's face turned an even deeper shade of red. The pyful niame from him threw her off bance. "I—What? No! I'm not... I just—" she stammered, flustered.

  Seeing her genuine embarrassment, Tyson softened his teasing tone. "Hey," he begaly, "Would it make you feel better if I came by to py games with you?"

  She looked up, meeting his eyes, and without much thought, blurted out, "Yes!"

  Tyson chuckled, shaking his head in amusement, and Jubilee buried her fa her hands, trying to hide her blush.

  Tyson followed Jean and Jubilee through the winding hallways of the Xavier Institute. They finally arrived at a door that swung open to reveal a spacious room that seemed to embody both girls' personalities. Jean's side was immacutely anized, with ly stacked books, a minimalist desk, and delicate touches of decor like small potted pnts and softly glowing fairy lights. In stark trast, Jubilee's side was a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors; posters of pop bands, anime, and aovies pstered the wall, a small explosion of clothes and accessories strewn about, and a fy-looking beanbag chair positioned perfectly in front of a rge TV s.

  Shelves holding an array of video game soles and stacks of games indicated that this was Jubilee's gaming area.

  "So," Tyson started, trying to sound casual as he examihe surroundings, "what do you want to py?"

  Jubilee, with a twinkle in her eye, handed him a game case. "Red Dead Redemption," she said with a grin. "It's brand new, just came out st month. You up fiving it a try?"

  Tyson g the game cover, nodding appreciatively. "Sounds like a pn," he replied, tilting his head, smirking slightly as he held up the game troller, "So, how do you want to do this? Do you want to go first, or should I take the lead? It's my first time, after all." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively, having fun with the innuendo.

  Jubilee rolled her eyes, her lips curving into a half-smile, half-grimace. "You're impossible," she muttered, trying to stifle her ughter. "And you’re such a dork. It's single-pyer.”

  He winked, handihe troller. "Kidding. Go ahead, Jubie. I'll just sit bad enjoy the show. I like to watch." He lounged ba the beanbag, a mischievous grin on his face, ready for their gaming session to begin.

  Jubilee shot a sly look at Jean, her eyes dang with mischief. "Jean likes to watch too, you know," she teased, her grin widening.

  Jean's face flushed a shade of pink, and she pyfully threw a cushion at Jubilee. "Jubie! Don't drag me into your nonsense," she excimed, feigning exasperation but failing to hide the smile tugging at the er of her lips.

  Tyson chuckled, raising an eyebrow at Jean. "A voyeur?" he jokingly asked.

  Jean shook her head, ughing. "You two are impossible."

  — Rogue Rept —

  As the evening wore on, Tyson found himself pletely engrossed in the world of Red Dead Redemption, not just in the game, but in Jubilee's animated narration and hirious entary as she maneuvered her character through the wild ndscapes of the Old West. She had an uny knack fing the game to life as her hands deftly moved over the troller. Jean occasionally chimed in, and the room was filled with their shared ughter, groans of frustration, and shouts of triumph. For Tyson, it was an oasis of fun in a world that had shown him its darker sides all too often.

  However, as the clock's hands inched past seven, Tyson became acutely aware of the time. "I should probably head out," he said, rising from the beanbag. "o get ed up before Illyana arrives."

  Jubilee paused the game and looked up at him, a hint of disappoi in her eyes. But she quickly masked it with a pyful pout. "Ditg me for the witch, huh?" she teased, but her tone was light.

  Tyson gave her a soft smile, "Thanks for letting me hang, Jubie."

  She grinned, nudging him pyfully. "Anytime. Just remember who you hung out with first.”

  Tyson stood in front of the mirror, squeezing a towel around his damp hair as it dried. He gnced down at his refle; he was wearing the identical sants and shirt he'd been given when he arrived at the institute. A soft sigh escaped his lips, realizing he o do some shopping soon, or at the very least, ask someone where he could get more suitable clothes.

  He g the digital clo his desk. 7:59. Just a mio go.

  At 8:03, there was a gentle kno his door. Tyso a brief jolt of anticipation, mixed with a tinge of nervousness. He idly wondered if she was a few mie on purpose, making him wait as a power move or to make him feel more desperate. He robably reading into it too much, but It was hard to tell with Illyana.

  Opening the door, he was met with the striking figure of Illyana Rasputin. Her long, straight blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders; her bangs hid her forehead creating her signature look. She wore a bck leather jacket, zipped halfway to reveal a white top underh. Dark jeans g to her lean frame, and a pair of bat boots pleted her outfit. Her pierg blue eyes assessed him. Resting on her back within a scabbard was her Soulsword. The on's eldritch glow was subdued but it was unmistakable even in its sheath. Despite her 'normal' attire, that sword was a reminder of her otherworldly abilities.

  She raised an eyebrow as her gaze briefly swept over his sweats. "Ready to go?" she asked with a hint of amusement in her voibsp;

  "Seeing as yht a sword," he started cautiously, "I'm assuming this isn't an actual date? And a scabbard? I thought that thing just magically appeared."

  Illyana, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, stepped closer. Her fingers settled on his shoulder, gently pushing him a step backward into his room. The door closed with a soft click behind her. "I assumed you khat based on how you're dressed. But, it's a date," she said, her Russian at adding a yer of mystery to her tone. "It's a date like none you've ever been on before."

  Before Tyson could fully process her words, the atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically. With a flourish of her hand, Illyana jured a swirling portal in the very ter of the room. Its edges were framed with shimmering blue and gold, like fmes frozen in time. From the depths of the portal came the distant sound of growls. Shadows writhed, hinting at the nightmarish realm that y beyond.

  "A date where we sy demons," Illyana procimed. The excitement in her eyes alpable.

  He straightened his posture and looked Illyana in the eyes. His voice yful yet carried a teasing uone, "Don't fet your promise."

  Illyana's blue eyes sparkled with mischief and something more alluring. She glided toward him, her boots clicked softly against the floor. As she reached him, she ed her arms around his neck, her fingers dang lightly over the fabric of his shirt, careful not to touch his skin. Leaning in, Illyana's face drew dangerously close to Tyson. Her eyes held his, intense and pierg. Her lips parted slightly, and he could feel the warm breath she exhaled, teasingly tig his mouth.

  With her voice barely above a whisper, sultry and dripping with sedu, Illyana murmured, "I didn’t fet… I have my sword. Just like you asked." She let the words linger for a moment, allowing Tyson's mind to rabsp;

  The promise ione was evident, and the seductive game she pyed was clear. Tyson was ready to embark on his quest. “Fuck it. Let’s kill some demons.”

  Behind the ses

  - The recap early in the chapter was a holdover from wheory was inally written. There was a small gap in my posting schedule between Arc 1 and 2.

  - I'm not sure what inspired the white room iyson’s head. I visualized it as a cross between the room irix where Morpheus offers he red and blue pills, and the inside of the hyperbolic time chamber fron Ball Z. If you pinpoint the visual, let me know.

  - In Arc 1, Tyson is always apologetid remorseful when he uses his absorption power. The reasoning is, that he’s being affected by Rogue’s psyche in his head. Just as at times, Sabertooth makes Tyson aggressive, Rogue make him withdrawn, sullen, and distrusting of his power. Over time, Tyson will adjust to having these additional psyches and he will overe these personality drawbacks.