Chapter 72

  Arc 6 - Ch 5: Graduation

  Date: Friday, June 24, 2011.

  Location: Forest Hills, Queens, New York

  Peter packed his backpack, including a of clothes and his graduation gown. Hoisting it onto his back, he went down to the kit where the mouth-watering aroma of sizzling eggs greeted him. His aunt May stood at the stove, watg as her nephew entered.

  "Good m, honey," she said, her voice yered with years of affe. "I see you're up early. Happy graduation day."

  Peter crossed the kit and kissed his Aunt May on the cheek befrabbing a pte from the et. He scooped a generous portion of eggs onto two slices of crisp toast, assembling a breakfast sandwich. As he sat across from his aunt, May couldn't resist a g the overstuffed backpack leaning against his chair. It bulged at the seams, barely tained. She observed, "My, that seems quite a load for y day, Peter."

  A flicker of guilt passed through Peter's eyes, but he covered it with a casual shrug as he bit into the sandwich. "Oh, you know, Aunt May, just a few extra things I might need fraduation."

  Peter's aunt studied him with a skeptical raise of her eyebrow as he sat across from her at the table. "Oh? I find that hard to believe, Peter. You've been going out a lot tely, and I 't help but worry. Are you sure everything is okay?"

  Though her tone was gentle, Peter could detect the in his aunt's voice. He knew she only asked because she cared so deeply for him, aed to cause her any distress. With siy, he met her gaze. "Everything is fine, Aunt May. I promise."

  May searched Peter's face, looking for any hint of deception. With a soft sigh, she nodded. Pushing for more information would be fruitless if he wasn't ready to fide in her. "Alright, Peter. I'll take your word for it. But please, don't be te for yraduation. It's an important day, and I wouldn't miss it for the world."

  "I won't, Aunt May," Peter vowed, "I'll be there."

  He stood, quickly finishing the st bites of his breakfast sandwich. Slinging the overstuffed backpack over his shoulder, he started for the door. But he paused and turned back to face his aunt, who watched him leave with a plex blend of love and uainty in her eyes.

  "I love you, Aunt May," Peter said. At those words, he saw the doubts in May's expressio into a warm glow of pride.

  "I know, Peter," she replied thickly. "And I love you too."

  With a gentle nod and a st lingering gnce, Peter left. He strode down the alley a few blocks from his home. Shug his street clothes revealed the red and blue of his Spider-Man e underh. The fabric g to him like a sed skin as he secured his bulging backpack to his back. With a flick of his wrist, webbing shot out and adhered to a nearby building. Peter unched himself upwards, webslinging across the city toward Manhattan. His destination was a small park on the isnd's southern end where his high school graduation would be ter that m. He pnned on fining his patrol to the lower half of Manhattan so he could stay close.

  As he swuween buildings, his mind drifted back to that night. He could still see Gwen's anguished face as she k over her father's lifeless body, and could still feel the bruising impacts of the imposter's blows. The memories ignited a simmering anger within him. Making matters worse, reports tio stream in of a more violent Spider-Man matg the imposter's descriptioer had to be ready to front him again, though proteg the city seemed more daunting than ever with a ruthless doppelganger on the loose. And there was Gwen to sider, still vulnerable should the fake decide tet her. The memory of Captain Stacy's funeral stuer. He could still see the faces of Gwen's family so clearly, and Gwen's most of all. For a moment, her eyes had held accusation, bming him for her loss. Later she had denied feeling that way, but the guilt still ceter's heart. He had failed to stop the imposter and her family had paid the price.

  Perched high on a rooftop, Peter was lost in a tangled knot of guilt and fusion. Could he still call himself a hero when those he cared for still got hurt? And if this false Spider-Man was set on harming others while disguised as himself, how could Peter be the hero he wao be?

  With a flick of his wrist, Peter secured his overstuffed bag to the side of a skyscraper. Then he leapt from his perch, web lines catg and ung him forward into the city. However heavy his thoughts, Spider-Man had to be there when he people of this city ted on him.

  The wind shed Peter Parker fiercely as he crouched atop the pinnacle of the Empire State Building. Restless thoughts swirled within his mind as turbulent as the gusts buffeting his body. His gaze fixed northward upon the sharp angles of Oscorp Tower, its jagged peaks knifing the skyline like an angur . To his right loomed the softer lines of the MetLife Building, its upper floors shrouded under stru tarps as the edifice transitioned into the newly christeark Tower. Though the sounds of the city rose from below, Peter's spider-sense remained silent. The city, it seemed, was more occupied with its daily ute than itting crimes.

  Peter sidered starting the swing south toward his graduation ceremony. His phone was vibrating in his pocket. Probably Gwen or Aunt May calling. But then a fsh of crimson at the edge of his vision seized his attention. Something moved between the buildings on the west side with eerie familiarity.

  "It 't be," Peter mumbled to himself. But as he focused ily in the dire of the Hudson River, he glimpsed the figure arg gracefully between structures. Peter's pulse quied. It was the imposter.

  His grip on the skyscraper's ledge tightened fiercely. He could not allow the impersonator to terrorize the city any longer. Laung himself off the Empire State Building into the open air, the cityscape blurred into streaks of color as he rocketed westward, propelling himself toward the fake web-slinger.

  Peter's gaze followed the figure as it swung and leaped over the rooftops. It was heading in his general dire, not having noticed him yet. But then he realized the doppelganger was following a bck figure. A motorcycle sped eastward below, the rider leaning low against the wind. Though the distance made identification difficult, Peter knew in his gut who it was.

  Mirage.

  His earlier resolve wavered at the thought that the imposter could be following Tyson. Was Tyson their arget? Would they ambush his friend as they had his girlfriend?

  Peter closed in on the imposter, and he saw the e was different from the red and blue of his own. The imposter finally noticed Peter's approad ged dires, breaking off from following Mirage to swing northward.

  Peter cursed under his breath but did not hesitate to pursue.

  The imposter took long, sweeping arcs between the buildings. Peter had to push himself to keep up. He tried to anticipate the imposter's movements, but they were too erratic, too uable.

  Peter swung even faster, narrowing the gap between them. He finally caught up to them i Harlem, far north of where the chase began. The imposter flipped and spun midswing to fire another weblihis one aimed directly at Peter. Peter dodged it but had to his webline around a nearby mppost. It yanked him off course making him fall behind. Peter cursed as the imposter took advantage of his distra to swing even further ahead.

  Peter couldn't let the imposter escape. He had to stop them, no matter what.

  He swung faster and faster until he was almost level with the imposter. Reag out, he fired a webline, hoping to catch the figure off guard.

  But the imposter was ready. They twisted in midair, avoidier's web and firing one of their own.

  He couldn't dodge in time. The webline ed arouer's chest, pulling him back, and knog him off course. He tumbled through the air, barely able to trol his dest. He hit the ground hard, the impact jarring his bones. He y there for a moment, stunned and disoriented.

  The imposter nded o him. Peter quickly rose to his feet, remembering how the imposter had beaten him while he was down in their st frontation. But this time the imposter didn't attack him with urained aggression.

  Peter blinked in shock as he took in the figure before him. This imposter was not the same one he had grappled with previously. The e was all crimson, save for a small golden triangle on the chest. That chest left him stunned.

  This Spider-Man was no man at all, but a woman.

  Her ample bosom and shapely hips made that pin enough, though the narrow waist ched between them left no doubt. She had cropped brown hair and didn't wear a full mask. Only a delicate domino mask barely cealed her identity.

  She tilted her head, studying him as he stood wary and defensive. "Why are you ing after me?" she asked.

  Peter did not lower his guard. "I thought you were the one who attacked me. But you're a woman… It wasn't you, was it?"

  "No," she replied.

  Peter pressed on, uing. "Why were you tailing Mirage?"

  The Spider-Woman grew defensive, her full lips pressing into a line. "I was going to introduce myself. Mind your own business, Spider-Man."

  Peter fired back acg, "My business is Spider-Man, and you're the sed faker I've run across. Who are you and why are you copying me?"

  She drew herself up, her eyes fshed with anger. "I'm not a copy of you. I'm me."

  Peter had an unfortuendency to let his mouth run away with him, and his test quip seemed to have struck a sensitive h the female imposter before him. Sensing an advantage, he pressed further, taunting her.

  "What's wrong, girl?" he jeered. "You're sending me some mixed messages here. I 't quite figure you out. You've got a e just like mine. You were following my friend back there. So what's your deal?"

  The imposter shifted, her posture radiated danger, hands g into fists at her sides as she gred venomously at Peter. When she spoke, her voice was a low growl promising violence.

  "Call me 'girl' One. More. Time. And so help me..."

  Despite the threat, Peter interrupted the imposter's tirade. "You aren't a girl?" he asked, uo keep the skepticism from his tone. He held his hands mogly up against his chest as if he were holding up a pair of ent breasts.

  Wheer curled his fingers in a squeeziure, the imposter unched herself at him with sudden, startling speed, one fist already cocked bad aimed squarely at his face. Only Peter's enhanced reflexes saved him, allowing him to dodge the blow at the very st sed. The imposter nded gracefully, poised on the balls of her feet, eyes bzing with urained fury as she gred at the ed hero. With another burst of speed, she hurled herself at Peter again. He called upon every ounce of his agility to stay a half-step ahead of her relentless assault, dodging and weaving desperately to avoid her strikes.

  In a brief opening, Peter shed out with a punch, only to have the imposter dodge it, showg reflexes that matched his own. With each passing moment, Peter realized this fight was unlike any he had faced before, except when fighting the other imposter. She was his equal in speed, agility, and fighting skills. Still, Peter knew he could not keep dodging forever without the assistance of his spider-sense which had again failed him.

  Peter let loose a powerful kick, aiming for the Spider-Woman's midse. But to his astonishment, she effortlessly caught his leg in midair, spinning, she swept his leg. Peter nded hard on his back, the impact jarring his senses. He rolled to his feet, his body humming with adrenaline as he prepared for the assault. But it never came.

  Peter sed his surroundings as he tried to locate his elusive oppo. Cheg every shadow, every rooftop, every window, he failed to spot her. He strained his ears, listening for the slightest sound that would give away her position. But he was interrupted by the buzzing of his phohe Spider-Woman had fled.

  Peter tried to make sense of what had just happened. Who was this Spider-Woman, and why was she so ied in Tyson?

  With Spider-Woman having vanished, Peter fired a webline and began swinging south. As he flew between the buildings, the vibrations of his phone against the skintight fabric of his suit alerted him to another ining call. Swinging to a brief halt on a secluded rooftop, he answered the phone, immediately reizing the urgent tone in his friend Tyson's voice.

  — Rogue Rept —

  After ing up the interview with J. Jonah Jameson, Mirage exited the Daily Bugle building. He mounted his motorcycle, revved the engine, a off toward the southern tip of Manhattan.

  As Mirage maneuvered his motorcycle through the streets, the vibranidtown gave way as he reached the East Side. He pulled into an alley and threw his clothes over his e. Remounting his bike, he got on the FDR Drive South. His destination was the East River Park Amphitheater, a siue on the lower eastern edge of Manhattan. Its open-air setting, with the East River flowing quietly by and the Brooklyn skyline across the waters, offered a picturesque backdrop for the day's festivities.

  He found a pce to park his motorcycle and approached the amphitheater on foot. The distant sound of a crowd of soon-to-be graduated seniathering began to mih the river's gentle pping.

  Tyson weaved through the crowd of graduates toward a familiar ptinum-blonde head. Felicia Hardy stood he edge of the makeshift stage, looking radiant in a form-fitting bck dress. She held her graduation gown draped over her arm. Tyson could not prevent the smile that tugged at his lips. Reag her, he circled his arms around her waist, carefully avoiding skin-to-skin tact. Felicia pced her hands over his arms, mimig his embrace. Tyson ughed softly and leaned in, his lips h above her ear.

  "You look beautiful," he murmured.

  Felicia chuckled, shaking her head slightly. "You're just buttering me up because of all the work you've got me doing."

  Tyson mock pouted and released her. "It's not all work, you know." His voice dropped even lower. "What about the special project we've been pnning?"

  Felicia's emerald eyes glimmered mischievously as she leaned in, her voice dropping to a spiratorial whisper. "You're right, just enough fun and games to keep me eained." She narrowed her gaze though her full lips curved upward. "Tonight, while you're out dang the night away on your date, I'll be slipping through the shadows, retrieving what you want."

  She sighed exaggeratedly, leaning forward ever so slightly and arg her back to atuate her cleavage. "It didn't use to be like this between us, you know," she added, a hint of wistfulness ione as she peered up at him through long shes.

  Tyson couldn't help but roll his eyes, though his gaze lingered for a moment on her cleavage. "Oh please, don't act like you don't enjoy a good heist."

  "It's true," she admitted with a ugh, "I love the thrill of it all. The dahe pnning, exeg everything fwlessly..." Her voice trailed off, nostalgia washing over her strikiures. She lived for the intoxig adrenaline rush that came with every successful score.

  Tyson studied her thoughtfully for a moment, taking iicipation evident in her body nguage. As much as she preteherwise, he khis was more than just a job for her. It was a ce to challenge herself, to revel in putting her skills to the test. Ae her flirtatious act, he khat when it came to heists, Bck Cat was all ing, every bit as professional as she was daring.

  "Just try not to have too much fun without me," he said.

  Then a sudden, familiar st caught his attention. The mix of sparklers and bubblegum that he'd e to associate with only one person.

  He said to Felicia, "I'll be back."

  He walked away from the crowd of graduates to where the families were entering the park. He reached the edge of the seating area just in time to catch a vibrant yellow blur that unched into his arms. Laughter escaped him as he spun the smaller figure before setting her dowly.

  "Hey Jubes. Thanks for ing," he said, his voice tinged with genuine warmth.

  Before him stood Jubition Lee, better known as Jubilee. Her presence was as dynamic as her personality. She was a stark trast to the more muted tones of the graduation crowd, her bright yellow coat, undoubtedly her trademark, hung loosely over a simple, yet chisemble. Her hair was cut in a stylish, choppy bob that framed her youthful face. Her eyes, alight with joy, sed Tyson with an amused glint. Jubilee's energy alpable, a vibrant force that seemed to dance around her, mirr her ability to jure dazzling psmoids.

  Jubilee was not the only oo arrive for his graduation. Trailing behind her was an assembly of some of the most formidable mutants from Xavier's Institute.

  Jean Grey approached with Logan and Ororo Munroe behihe skies seemed to calm deferentially at her entrance being a picturesque blue with scattered fluffy clouds.

  "Well, don't you look all grown up," Logan rumbled, g a heavy hand on Tyson's shoulder. His grin was fierce yet proud under his stubble and wild hair.

  Jean's smile lit up her face. "We're so happy for you, Tyson." Her voice was warm and rich with siy.

  Yet it was the arrival of Professor Charles Xavier himself that underscored the day's true significe. The professor sat in his distinctive yellow motorized wheelchair as he joihe assembly. Tyson had avoided speaking to Xavier sihe fateful events at Alkali Lake nearly a year prior. He harbored s for his as that day, having killed Jason and gaihe unstable mutant's powers of illusion for himself. But he remairoubled that he had to manipute the professor to aplish his ends. Believing it necessary at the time, however, the shame of using Xavier still lingered.

  The greeting Tyson offered Ororo was marked by deep respect. With Logan, his manner was more rexed.

  But when Jeayson's gaze, she felt his power attempting to take hold.

  She rexed her mind, trusting him enough to let him in.

  And suddenly there was silence.

  Jean Grey often struggled beh the ceaseless cacophony of thoughts and feelings b her mind through her telepathy. Regardless of how hard she trated, the sounds of others' thoughts remained whispers in her head. But in Tyson's presence, she found peace. His illusions allowed him to mute the tumult of nearby minds that was her stant panion. The relief was signifit. This gift elevated Jean's opinion of him, making him one of her favorite friends.

  Tyson approached Xavier, "Professor," he said, "thank you for ing."

  Xavier's eyes kled with warmth as he looked up at the young man. "gratutions, Tyson," he said, "Many young mutants have difficulty pleting sedary song non-mutant peers. By all ats, you've done very well."

  Xavier studied Tyson, his wise blue eyes missing nothing. Though left unspoken, the decision Tyson had made at Alkali Lake still huweehe Professor's presenow subtly veyed his acceptance of Tyson's chosen path. He had always championed peaceful coexisteween mutants and humans. Perhaps he saw in Tyson's as a refle of his ideals, though realized through unventional means.

  Tyson appreciated the ued turnout of his friends. "I didn't expect all of you to e, but I'm happy to see you all," he admitted. "It's not that big of a deal though. It's just high school. Pretty much everyone graduates high school."

  Logan snorted but spoke with a hint of amusement in his gruff voice. "It's not just that, bud. We've seen what you've done here. Stopping the Green Goblin, helping out with the Stark Expo, and whatever that thing was in Harlem."

  Ororo chimed in, "And you're representing mutants well. We listeo your interview this m on our way over. You've bee the fautant representation."

  Tyson looked betweeaking in their ear expressions. He had not sidered himself to be a symbol. Nearly all of his decisions beyond the o Alkali Lake had been made with the sideration of his own drives, or perhaps the overall picture, not necessarily sidering what was best for mutants.

  Professor X's knowing eyes met Tyson's. "Iion or not, that's the way things have worked out," he stated.

  Tyson mulled over the professor's words. He hadn't iionally sought the spotlight, but he reized the weight of responsibility that came with being a visible representative of mutant-kind.

  "With all the deeds you've done here, none of us pin about you being the first hat people think of when it es to mutants," Storm added.

  Her words struck a chord within him, reminding him of the broader implications of his as and the far-reag sequences of his choices.

  Logan's voice was ced with pride as he said, "We're proud of you, kid."

  "Thank you," he replied.

  Jubilee added, "And after this ceremony, we'll party!"

  Tyson asked, "Everyone?"

  Jubilee's iious ugh cut through the emotions stirred by their discussion. "No. Maybe a te lunch with everyone. But the old folks probably wouldn't enjoy the rave."

  Tyson looked at Jean, but she shook her head causing her red hair to swily, "Jubilee has been pining over this date with you for months. I couldn't e along as third wheel."

  Jubilee yelled, "Jean" in mock e. She blushed but straightened up meeting Tyson's gaze unabashedly.

  Tyson said, "I have promised this for months. It'll be just us. We'll have a great time."

  The authoritative voice of a teacher called out for the graduates to gather.

  Tyson g the assembled mutants and said, "That's my cue. I'll see you all afterward."

  The ceremony was nothing more than a formality to him, but what came after was more exg. Tonight, he and Jubilee would head out to that underground club, and Felicia was set to embark on a heist.

  Tyson reached his assigned spot in line amongst his fellow graduates, absently smoothing the front of his robe. As he settled into pce, the blonde behind him tapped his shoulder. It was his b partner, and friend, Gwen Stacy, her face was drawn with worry. Physically, she'd healed quickly after her ordeal with the imposter Spider-Man. Though she bore no visible scars, shadows lingered in her eyes. The death of her father had struck their family a grievous blow, not to mention, that their home was left in ruins. However, it appeared her current distress wasn't reted to that.

  "Have you seeer?" she asked without preamble.

  Tyson gnced around the sea of mortarboard caps surrounding them, taking advantage of his height. He inhaled deeply, cheg for Peter's st, but it wasn't present. Shaking his head, he answered, "He's not here."

  Gwen mirrored the motion. "No. Aunt May hasn't seen him, and he won't answer my calls."

  rising, Tyson pulled out his cell phone. He dialed Peter's number, listening to it ring owice, three times before a distracted voiswered on the fourth. "Pete? It's Tyson. Where are you, man? Graduation is starting any minute now." Tyson said anxiously. He could hear the wind rushing past through their e. He assumed Peter was on a rooftop or swinging through the city somewhere as Spider-Man.

  "Tyson, I found the imposter!" Peter excimed.

  "You found him? Where are yht now?" Tyson asked sharply. His voice became focused and his body readied for a. He'd fraduation to get his hands on the imposter.

  Peter hesitated, the shog revetion still fresh and perplexing in his mind. "Not him, her. There's another one. A girl," he crified.

  The li silent as the weight of this ued informatioled over the versation.

  Jameson had been right.

  A female Spider-Man was swinging around the city. Tyson quickly asked, "Was she Asian?"

  Peter said, "What? No? What does that have to do with anything?"

  After a moment, Tyson's response came as a muted, incredulous mutter, "What the fuck is going on?" Regaining his posure, his tone shifted to . "Look, Pete, we'll figure this out, but you o get here, like ten minutes ago. Aunt May is worried, and Gwen is starting to freak out too. Just get here, double time, alright?"

  "Alright. On my way," Peter quickly assured before ending the call and ung himself from the rooftop, propelled by a renewed sense ency.

  Tyson tucked away his phone, his expression smoothing into a mask of reassurance as he turo Gwen. "Pete's fine," he told her, infusing fideo the words. "Ran into some trouble, but he's on his way."

  The familiar melody of "Pomp and Circumstance" began pying throughout the amphitheater. The teachers gathered everyone's attention and graduation procession began to move, gowns swishing as the students stepped fwen's disappoi was evident in the slump of her shoulders and the downturned ers of her mouth.

  "He's going to miss my speech," she said softly, sadingeing her voice. The importance of this moment shone clearly in her downcast eyes.

  Tyson ed her in a hug, giving a f squeeze. "It'll be okay," he assured her. "Yoing to do great. I for one 't wait to hear it." He gave her a pyful nudge. "Bonus points if you shout out your b partner ssh local superhero."

  Gwe out a choked ugh, eyes glimmering with uears. Tyson gave her shoulders another encing squeeze. "Things are going to get better, Gwen," he said firmly. "You'll see."

  As the procession began its march, Gwen took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. With her lifted, she joined her cssmates.

  Tyson took his seat as some administrator or anan to speak, but his thoughts were far away. He felt a twinge of frustration, not at Peter, but at the situation itself. It was as if the very forces of the universe were spiring to lead them all to this moment.

  The death of Gwen's father had set into motion a cascade of events that seemed to ripple outward through Tyson's meta-knowledge of how things should unfold.

  This m's ter with Max Dillon.

  Gwen delivering her valedictorian speech.

  Aer missing it.

  Tysoally ected the dots, f a picture that only he could see. This was more than ce, the dominoes were beginning to fall into their predestined pattern.

  The events of The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

  As he looked at the girl sittio him, he khat Gwen herself was the final piece. The st domino to topple. And when she fell… it would mean her death.

  At that moment, Tyson made a silent vow to himself. He would not let Gwen die.

  Tyson's thoughts lingered on the unfolding pattern, on how the imposter Spider-Man had already thrown off the course of events how the movie unfolded, and how the presence of Spider-Woman might affect things. Above all, his fwen's safety was at the forefront of his mind. But as she stood to give her valedictorian speech, he forced himself back to the present moment.

  Gwen took a deep, steadying breath before beginning, her gaze sweeping across the sea of gathered faces. Her eyes held a solemn pride as she spoke. "Ladies alemeeemed faculty, proud parents, and most of all, my fellow graduates. Today marks not just the culmination of h school journey, but the dawn of a neter in our lives." She paused, letting her words resohrough the auditorium.

  "As we stand on the precipice of the future, we ot help but look back upoh that has led us here. It ath paved with challenges overe, achievements earned, ughter shared, and tears shed." Gwen's voice swelled with emotion. "We have been a part of something special here at Midtown High. Why, just this year we had a dinosaur attack the school, for heaven's sake!"

  A wave of chuckles rippled through the crowd at the memwen smiled but quickly gathered herself to tinue, her tone growing more serious. "But we also saeople rise to fight the threats in this strange new world we're stepping into. First responders, soldiers, police officers..." Her voice caught for a moment before she pressed on. "All willing to sacrifice everything for our future."

  Gratitude colored her words as she went on. "There's even a rumor that Spider-Man and Mirage go to Midtown. If you guys are here, thank you for saving our school from that dinosaur." At this, Gwen's gaze met Tyson's knowingly. The crowd erupted into loud cheers and appuse.

  Her voice carried across the auditorium with renewed vigor. "But heroism isn't limited to those with extraordinary abilities or those who look good in skintight es," she joked, her gaze sweeping across the sea of ughing faces before her. "Every one of us has the potential to be a hero in our ht. We all have strength hidden within us," Gwen tinued, her voice growing stronger with each word. "It's a strength that may lie dormant, waiting for the right moment to emerge. And when that moment es, it transform us in ways we never imagined possible." She paused, letting her words sink in. "As we leave Midtown High and step into the world beyond, we'll face challenges we 't imagine right now. There will be moments that test us, that push us to our limits. And in those moments, we'll have a choice."

  Gwen's voice softened, but her words carried no less impact. "We choose to stand by ahings happen, or we choose to act. To be the hero in our own story and the stories of those around us. So I challenge you, my fellow graduates," Gwen said, her voice rising with passion. "Don't wait for someone else to save the day. Don't assume that heroism is beyond your reach. Remember that you have that strength, waiting for its moment to shine."

  Tyso a lump form in his throat as he listeo Gwen's words. He gnced around, seeing the impact her speech had on everyone present. Parents wiped away tears, students sat up straighter in their seats, and even the most jaded teachers looked moved.

  Gwen's voice grew more introspective as she he clusion of her speech, "I know that we all think we're immortal. We're supposed to feel that way, we're graduating. The future is and should be bright, but, like our brief four years in high school, what makes life valuable is that it doesn't st forever, what makes it precious is that it ends. I know that now more than ever. And I say it today, of all days, to remind us that time is luck." Her words resonated deeply with her current situation. "So don't waste it living someone else's life, make yours t for something. Fight for what matters to you, no matter what. Because even if you fall short, what better way is there to live?"

  Gwen's gaze softened, "It's easy to feel hopeful on a beautiful day like today, but there will be dark days ahead of us too. There will be days when you feel all alone, and that's when hope is needed most. Keep it alive. No matter how buried it gets or lost you feel, you must promise me that you will hold on to hope and keep it alive." Her wrew more fervent, "We have to be greater than what we suffer. My wish for you is to bee hope. People hat."

  Gwen's clusion oignant aowledgment of both an ending and a beginning. "I know it feels like we're saying goodbye, but we will carry a piece of each other into everything that we do , to remind us of who we are, and of who we're meant to be." She paused, before finishing, "I've had a great four years with you, and I'll miss you all very much."

  The appuse was deafening as Gwen stepped away from the podium. Tysohose words resohin him even more deeply. Gwen's aowledgment of the dark days ahead echoed in his mind, but he g to her wish for them to bee hope. He thought of her assertion that they must be greater than what they suffer, and he felt a quiet resolve growing.

  As the appuse finally died, Tyson reflected on Gwen's words. He didn't memorize the movie, but he was sure this speech differed from the one he recalled. Picturing Gwen's poignant words, the part about carrying a piece of each other forward resonated with him deeply.

  Tyson carried the lives and memories of everyoouched within him.

  She was right that this was just the step. Tyson would do his best to honor her wish…

  To bee hope and share it with others.

  And he would do his best to ehat her goodbye speech wasn't prophetic... That it wasn't her st goodbye.

  — Rogue Rept —

  Tyson and a few of the X-Men had just finished lunch at the restaurant ihe Four Seasons. Laughter and lively versation flowed around the table as the group lingered over the exquisite dishes. As the meal eyson expressed his heartfelt gratitude to each member, ensuring they knew he had reserved VIP seating for them at his first showing of Logan's story, House of M: Wolverine.

  "It's the least I do," he said sincerely, "for all the support and guidance you gave me."

  After more warm farewells and promises to reu the show, the X-Men took their leave. Tyson and Jubilee shared a knowing look betweehis night out was ohey had been pnning together for some time.

  They made their way to the elevator and up to the Empire Suite. His room had beeroyed weeks earlier by the Spider-Man imposter, but now it was fully restored. The only missing fixture was the terrarium that had once taihe spider that had granted Spider-Man his powers. Tysohat spider was now forever lost to him.

  It portunity the doppelganger had stolen and oyson vowed he would pay for.

  Tyson strode into the bedroom. Though the suite had beeiculously restored, traces of destru remained in his memory. He dressed quickly in a simple long-sleeved designer shirt and jeans. Fortunately, the imposter had not bothered with his wardrobe, and for that small mercy Tyson was grateful. He finished getting ready in just a few minutes.

  While Tyson waited, Jubilee took over the vacated bedroom to ge. She emerged a short time ter, her outfit a stylish blend of casual and vibrant, utterly Jubilee. The high-cut jean shorts showcased her long, athletic legs while the pink crop top drew the eye to her slim waist and bust. Over this, she wore her signature yellow jacket, but this one was different, cropped short. She styled her short dark hair making it look spontaneous yet put together. The outfit was undeniably fashionable, but more than that, it was a statement. Jubilee kly who she was and expressed it unapologetically, from the cut of the shorts to the bold spshes of color she rocked.

  "You look great, Jubes. Ready for this night you've pnned?"

  Jubilee hesitated, some of her usual vibrant energy dimming. "Not yet," she replied, her tone uedly serious pared to her typically upbeat demeanor.

  Tyson looked puzzled, eyebrows drawing together in . "Oh?"

  "Girl code first," Jubilee stated firmly.

  "Uh, okay?" Tyson said uainly, not following her meaning.

  Jubilee took a moment to gather her thoughts before expining the situation. "Illyana and I were never really friends back at the institute," she began. "But everything that happened with Azazel brought us clether." Real threaded through Jubilee's voice as she tinued, "Illyana's been holding something back tely. On the day we all went to the beach, something upsetting happened after you guys left the institute. She's putting on a brave fad won't tell me about it, but I tell she's hurting inside."

  Jubilee crified further, "Everything seemed fihat day, right? But Illyana fessed that you two haven't talked sihen." Uanding dawned on Tyson's face as he grasped Jubilee's for her friend. "I don't want to e between you two," she fessed, "I don't want our date tonight to ruin any of our friendships."

  Tysoured for Jubilee to sit o him on the couch. As she settled beside him, Tyson said solemnly, "This isn't your fault, Jubes. It's mine. Illyana and I..." Tysoated, w how to phrase what he wao say. "Remember when the institute was attacked? I said I khe attack was ing because I saw the future when I had Jean's power..."

  He paused, a silent struggle pying across his face as he wrestled with how much to reveal. But Jubilee was one of his best friends and had supported him sihe start. "I left out a lot about what I saw. There was more that I didn't tell anyone. So much more." Jubilee's attention was fixed unwaveringly on Tyson, her expression a mix of and intrigue as she waited for him to tihe room seemed to shrink around them, the enormity of Tyson's admission drawing them clether in shared secrecy. "I saw events, some years into the future," Tyson admitted. "Illyana told me she went on a date, and I got so angry," he said, a note of shame entering his voice.

  "Umm, that expins some things… But you've gone on dates too, with Felicia and Natasha. Illyana even enced you to go out with me tonight. I thought you guys had an uanding about that?" Jubilee said, pointing out the apparent tradi, though her tone held no accusation, only fusion.

  With a small shake of his head, Tyson crified, "It wasn't that she was seeing someone. Sure I was a bit jealous, I mean who isn't jealous a little when they hear their ex is with someone new? But more than that, it was about who she was seeing."

  He revealed, "That man was in my vision of the future. He's dangerous, Jubes. Like Mago level dangerous."

  Probing deeper, Jubilee asked gently, "You didn't try to talk to her about any of this, did you?"

  Tyson's frustration a were palpable as he insisted, "I didn't get a ce to. She was so upset when she realized I wouldn't join her for another year that she just stepped through the portal a me there." He tinued, "I was so angry about it, I even threatehe Sorcerer Supreme, the head sorcerer." With a tone nation, Tyson finished, "But like you said, I've been dating around too. I don't have any right to say something about who she sees. And so much has been going on this past month, I've just been upset and avoiding talking to her about it."

  He sat silently with a faraway look after finishing his admission.

  Suddenly the silence was broken by a bubbling ughter.

  It was ingruous with the somber mood permeating the room. So much so that Tyson had a stupidly fused look on his face.

  As she calmed, her eyes sparkled with amusement as she regarded him. "You know, sometimes I fet just how oblivious you be," she teased, though her tone held no malice. "I py you up in my head to be this big superhero celebrity now, but you be so de hasn't ged sihe institute. These clues are in front of your fad yet you miss them."

  Tyson just stared at her, bewildered by the sudden shift in her demeanor. He searched her face, trying to uand what he had missed. Sensing his fusion, Jubilee threw her hands up in mock exasperation, as if the answer should be obvious.

  "Tyson, Illyana isn't dating that guy anymore," she expined gently. "They went on a few dates, but it didn't work out. She told me he seemed more ied in her power than her. Had you just talked to her more, you would have realized that."

  Tyson stared at Jubilee, stunned into silence as her words sank in.

  Jubilee could tell he remained unvinced. So she broke Tyson from his thoughts by saying, "Illyana isn't straight, you know."

  "What?" Tyson whispered.

  He searched Jubilee's face, trying to uand what she was saying. "Jubes, I promise you, she's not gay. We..."

  Jubilee held up her hands to interrupt him, blushing slightly. "Yeah, I know, she told me all about it. No need for you to go into details too."

  She spoke slowly and clearly, spelling it out for him. "Trust me. Romantically she's just not ied in most men. Probably from what she went through when she was youhink about how she acted toward you when you first arrived at the institute."

  Silence desded once again as Tyson absorbed this. He didn't have access to Illyana's memories, but there were fshes that he remembered from wheouched. He'd spent more time with her imprint than anyone else. He thought about Illyana's abdu as a child, and her cold disi b on disdain when he arrived at the institute. The pieces clicked into pce.

  "Goddammit, missed that oyson admitted with a hint of chagrin.

  "So oblivious." Jubilee's ughter rang out again, her amusement evident in the pyful way she teased him. "If Illy was here, she'd probably try to kiss me before she tried to kiss you." She tilted her head. "How is it that you get all of someone's memories but don't realize they're pan?"

  "Pan?" Tysoed in fusion.

  Jubilee patiently expined, "Illyana isn't against mely, but because of what happeo her, she doesn't usually pursue them. Something about you is different for her, something she loves. But she doesn't sider gender when she looks at attractiveness."

  Tyson blinked looking side to side as he processed Jubilee's words and uanding dawned. He tried to justify his ht. "When I toueone, I get the broad strokes of their life, but I o focus on specifics to absorb things. In this case... Holy, I'm not sure how I missed that. Maybe it's because I didn't actively recall any memories where she showed i in any women. Or anyone besides me. Or maybe because I'm only ied in women I didn't pick up on it?" He shrugged helplessly.

  Tyso out a slow breath as the realizatioled over him. He had misuood Illyana's iions and feelings. Now that he khe truth, Tyson would o call her to talk through this misuanding.

  "There's no way around it. I owe her an apology fn her. Thied quickly, I let my anger get the best of me." He grimaced as he recalled, "I threatehe Sorcerer Supreme too. That's another versation I'll o have."

  Jubilee's response was simple. "Probably," she agreed, still smiling.

  Seeking to steer the versation back to the present, Tyson asked Jubilee for reassurance. "But tonight was supposed to be for you." His brow furrowed with for her feelings, despite his earlier obliviousness. "So are we good now?"

  "I know it seems like we cleared the air, but I gotta ask. Where do things stand with Felicia and your hot teacher, Natalie?" Jubilee asked directly, searg his eyes with an ear desire for hoy.

  Tyson nodded, wanting to be fully transparent with her. "Felicia is a great friend and business partner, but we don't have a itted retionship. We hook up when we're both avaible, but it's casual, ns attached. Mostly we colborate on projects and House of M business, but it's often over dinner," he expined, defining the loose boundaries of their association.

  His tone softened as he tinued, "As for Nat... I care about her a lot, but we have an uanding too. We're not officially dating or anything like that. She's out of the try on assig right now, and like Illyana, she'll be gone for months."

  He paused, rubbing the back of his houghtfully, before adding, "I even talked with Nat about you retly. She was supportive, and said I should be more open and ho moving forward." Tyson's words veyed the depth of fondness he held for Natalie, alongside an acceptance of their current long-distance circumstances. He was being as did as he could, hoping to shed light orue nature of these retionships.

  Jubilee took in his words with a thoughtful nod, her expression morphing into a pyful smirk. "So... friends-with-bes a another ex-girlfriend. Your little bck book is kinda full." She gave him a geeasing nudge. "But I think we're good here. Girl code has been satisfied."

  Jubilee's eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in closer to Tyson. "If the hot teacher told you to be ho with me… Then tell me something ho," she challenged, her tone pyful yet expet.

  "I've been looking forward to spending time with you," he admitted, his voice softening. "You're pretty much my best friend. I love being around you, you're fun and supportive, and I should have found more ways to hang out this year."

  "Not bad," she ceded, but she wasn't quite finished. "Are you sure you want to go out with me when you have someone like Felicia as friends-with-bes? Have you seen her? She's hot enough that when she looks at me, even I'm questioning."

  Tyso out a rich genuine ugh. "If I k was like that, I might have invited her," he joked, then quickly added, "Just kidding. Tonight is me and you… And stop ag like you're not geous. Have you seen yourself? You easily give Felicia a run for her money."

  "Back when I came to the institute. Do you remember the Professor had you e in and give me the tour?" His expressiohoughtful as he tinued, "I was thinking about it… And I don't bme him. You never realized it. Look at my arrival from this way. Xavier retrieves a powerful mutant who his friend, ssh, nemesis is hunting. He 't make me stay at the institute, so he o give me a good reason to hang around. So what did he do? He brought you in and had me spend time with you. He must have thought that spending time with a girl like you might make a good enough impression to vince me to stay."

  Jubilee gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. "The professor used me as a horap?" she asked incredulously. Her eyes narrowed, and she poi Tyson acgly. "Are you messing with me?"

  "Didn't I invite you into my room that day?" he asked.

  Jubilee shrugged, amusement and realization dawning on her face. "And now here we are. You've got me in your apartment. We've e full circle, like this art of your master pn."

  Tyson found himself drawn to the pyful glint in Jubilee's eyes, the way her smile lit up her entire face. She had always been attractive, but sitting here now, he was struck by her beauty. Jubilee, for her part, felt a flutter iomach as she looked at Tyson. She'd harbored a crush on him for so long but had alushed it aside, vinced he saw her as just a friend. Now, with his ho words and eyes on her, she wondered if there could be more.

  Relieved and buoyed by Jubilee's easy acceptayson seized the moment of uandiween them and revisited his earlier question, now with a hopeful uone. "Ready for that date now?"

  "Oh, so a date it is then?" Her words echoed Tyson's own in a pyful challenge. She reached for his arm, enthusiastically saying, "Let's go."

  They exited the Four Seasons lobby arm-in-arm. Stepping out into the evening, the city's vibrant lights greeted them, matg the excited energy thrummiween the pair. They approached one of the bck taxis idling along the curb, and Jubilee eagerly gave the driver the address for the underground rave.

  The taxi stopped in front of a dingy warehouse on the west side. Its peeling paint and grime-streaked windows didn't hint at the supposed party within. But they could pick up the muffled sounds of music. Tyson paid the driver aed, stepping onto the curb and sing the dark street. Jubilee emerged from the taxi with a boun her step, clearly eager to tiheir adveo the night.

  "This way," she said, grabbing Tyson's hand and pulling him down the narrow alley alongside the warehouse.

  Author's Note

  Bonus points if you know what's going to happen in the chapter.

  Behind the Ses

  - The events of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 seem to take pce over several months. We see Peter and Gwen's high school graduation, whi New York takes p Juhen we knoorks at Oscorp. Looking ahead to the se where Gwen tells Peter that she's trying for the Oxford Schorship; everyone is dressed in typical clothes for a New York winter. Mid-November to March maybe. I had to fihis timeline a little to n the events forever. But the TAS2 story will carry over into Arc 7.

  - The idea that Illyana is pansexual stems from New Mutants #5 where Illyana propositions various characters. Though this example could be taken with a grain of salt given the circumstances around the proposition. It seemed more tongue-ihan actual i. Illyana usually es off as asexual, though has occasions of i which makes her fall somewhere on a spectrum between that and pan. We do know that on Battleworld she had a retionship with Leah from Hel, but I think that was Illyana from Earth-10192. Jubilee questioning around Felicia isn't a stretch, Jubilee from Earth-91240 was gay. Holy, most of the X-Men are kinda gay. I don't mean that in an insulting way, but seriously as far as LGBTQ+ Marvel characters go, sider how many of them are X-Men or X-Men adjat.

  Support Plug

  For those of you ied in supp my writing.

  patreon./Steatoda

  For Arc 5, every chapter had its own cover image.

  One buck membership gets you access to the galleries (Chapters 15, 28, 42, 44, 47, 50, and 53)

  Five bucks membership gets one chapter ahead and access to NSFW galleries (Ily, Felicia, Nat)

  Ten bucks membership gets the same as above, but two chapters ahead, an exclusive what if, and a preview of the Arc 7 cover ( love i)