Chapter 4

  Arc 1 - Ch 4: Xavier Institute

  Date: Friday, June 4, 2010.

  Location: Xavier Institute, Scarsdale, New York

  With a cheeky grin, Jubilee fshed Professor Xavier a jaunty salute.

  "Hey there, Tyson. Wele to the madhouse," she said, her voice bubbly ahusiastic.

  Her grin was iious, and Tysohe ers of his mouth twitch upwards ever so slightly. "Thanks," he replied.

  Xavier turned back to Jubilee, his wise blue eyes kling at the ers. "I was hoping that you could show Tyson around the school. Help him get acclimated."

  "Absolutely, Professor! sider it done."

  Jubilee pivoted to face Tyson, "Ready for the grand tour?" she asked. Without waiting for an answer, she linked her arm with his and practically dragged the t young man through the doorway. Tyson allowed himself to be led, as she excimed, "Well, e o's go!"

  Jubilee led Tyson through the sprawling grounds of Xavier's Institute, her enthusiasm iious as she gave him the grand tour. She gestured animatedly as she spoke, the hoop earrings she wore bounced with eaent. Her cheerful presence was unlike anything he had experienced.

  Jubilee asked, "So where are you from?"

  Tyson tensed imperceptibly. He couldn't reveal his true ins from beyond this universe. "The Professor said my past was unclear. I have some memories, but the details of my home and upbringing are hazy," he replied, hoping the amnesia story would suffice. If eveelepathic Professor Xavier could not see past when Tyson awoke iruck, there was little risk of being caught in the lie.

  Jubilee nodded sympathetically, her voice softening. "That must be hard. What's the first thing you do remember then?"

  "Waking up in the back of a truewhere in ada," he began slowly. "I wandered into a seedy bar where I got pulled into a cage fight. It was after that when things got... messy."

  Jubilee's brown eyes were wide, fixed on him ily as she hung on his every word. She was enthralled as Tyson unched into his story. There was clearly much more to this man than she had expected.

  Her curiosity burned like the fireworks she jured, and it wasn't long before the versation drifted toward Tyson's abilities.

  "So, this power of yours," she begaively, "what exactly does it do?"

  Tyson's gaze lingered on her a moment, pting how much truth to unveil. But Jubilee's wide-eyed wonder radiated genuineness, refleg her eagero prehend the uny. His guardedness receded.

  "When I make tact with someoheir life essence flows into me," he expined. "I absorb their memories, their experiences. Gain an imprint of their personality, and their abilities if they possess any. Sometimes their physical appearaoo."

  "Whoa!" Jubilee excimed, practically boung with exhiration. "So you have, like, all that mutant's powers now? And it's perma?"

  "As far as I tell. His name was Victor Creed, though he preferred Sabertooth." His voice dropped an octave. "It's not perma... unless I kill the person I'm toug with my absorption. Since he died from my touch, I took on his strength, his extraordinary healing, and even traces of his feral instincts and skills. Oh and his physique. I guess that's a plus. They're a part of me now."

  "So you 't touyone?" Jubilee finally murmured.

  Tyson shook his head. He pushed down his problems and attempted to lighten the mood with humor. "Let's just say my love life's on an indefinite hiatus."

  "Well," Jubilee said, breaking their eye tact to gnce down the hallway. "You're not bad looking, you know. Maybe you'll figure out how to trol it, or find a workaround."

  "Yeah, maybe," he replied to the ued pliment.

  Jubilee tinued, "Otherwise, there's a guy here who turn his skin into metal and another who transform into ice. Maybe they'd be ied."

  Tyson shot her a deadpan look, unamused by the joke. "Very funny. But no, I don't swing that way," he replied ftly.

  Jubilee just winked pyfully in response. "Good to know," she said with a flirtatious lilt.

  Tyson rolled his eyes. "So what about you? Tell me your story."

  "My story isn't as...exg as yours. I was born in Beverly Hills, California. Both my parents were these high-powered business executives. They had money, but they were always too busy for me."

  She led him down a hallway adorned with old oil portraits of distinguished-looking people. "My mutant powers first maed when I was around thirteen. My parents didn't know how to deal with me, so they shipped me off to some b school. After a few years there, I got fed up and ran away. Lived oreets for a while, getting by with my light show." Pausing by a rge window, Jubilee turo look at Tyson solemnly. "But then one day, Professor Xavier found me. He brought me here, to the Institute. This pce, these people... they became my family."

  Jubilee matched his long strides as they tinued down the corridor, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "This main hall ects the s and the dormitories."

  Tyson nodded, abs the yout. "Well, I told you about my powers. What about you? That dazzling light show you put on retty ."

  She held out her palm. Vivid sparks in shimmering pinks aric blues danced from her fiips, illuminating the hallway with their radiance.

  "They're like fireworks," she expined, her eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. "I gee these pyroteiergy psmoids from my hands. Fancy, right?" She waved her hand, sending a spray of sparks casg through the air. "I shoot these bursts out, making a real light show. But when I focus, I also use them to pack a mean punch."

  The st of ozone lingered as the sparks slowly faded. "It must have been quite the Fourth of July when you first discovered that power."

  "Oh yeah, it was a heck of a show! But like all mutants, I had to learn trol." Her expressiohoughtful. "That's what this pce is all about. Uanding ifts and using them responsibly. Being a mutant isn't the end. It's just the start of a different world. And trust me, it's one wild ride."

  Tyson found himself admiring the girl. Behind Jubilee's bubbly exterior was a story of grit and resilience.

  Their tour e a modern building. Jubilee swept her arm towards it with a flourish. "Wele to your new home away from home, the dormitory." She led him to a duys on the first flals on the sed."

  As Tyson turhe handle, he paused, gng back. "I'd invite you in, but..." He trailed off, holding up his gloved hands indig his dangerous touch.

  Jubilee leaned into the doorframe. "Oh, so just 'cause you don't swing towards Colossus or I means you're swinging my way?" She arched a teasing brow. She crossed her arms in monity. "You know, it's not all about the physical stuff." Her voice took on a lighter note. "For the record, there are ways we get closer without toug."

  She waggled her eyebrows suggestively, then burst into giggles. "Like, you know, talking, sharis, pying video games?"

  "We've been talking. And I already spilled all my secrets to you... amnesia and all that… But video games? Really?"

  Jubilee shrugged, bracelets chiming. "Nothing brings people together like saving a digital world side-by-side. Plus, you learn a lot about someone by how they py." She winked spiratorially. Tyson nodded slowly, letting Jubilee's words sink in. Jubilee regarded him with a soft, uanding look. "We all have our struggles here, Tyson. But it's how we face them that defines us," she replied mock-sagely. She fshed him a bright, iious smile. "Now, about those video games..." she trailed off leadingly, a hint of excitement creeping into her voice.

  "Alright, you have my attention. What game has caught your eye tely?" he asked.

  Jubilee's eyes lit up, shining with a passionate fervor familiar to any gamer. "Have you heard of Assassin's Creed II? It dropped st year. The graphics, the storyline, and the gamepy are all top-notch. And the parkour!" She threw her hands up excitedly. "It makes me want to run across rooftops!"

  Tyson's eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise. "No way, I pyed that on my PC!" he excimed, leaving out the fact that it had been years since he st pyed.

  Jubilee's grin widened. "Get out! I've been pying it non-stop on my Xbox. Nothis having the trht in your hands," she asserted fidently.

  Tyso out an exaggerated scoff. "Oh e on, PC all the way! You just 't match the izability, mods, and precision of a mouse and keyboard," he volleyed back pyfully.

  Jubilee nudged him gently with her elbow, eyes alight with amusement. "Yeah, yeah, except for all those times yame randomly minimizes because you clicked outside the window. Or when some update or antivirus pops up right as you're about to make an epic kill!" she retorted. "With a sole, just pop in the disd yood to go. Plus, nothis split-s multipyer."

  "Okay, you got me there with the antivirus alerts," Tyson chuckled. "But there's nothing quite like disc game-ging PC mods, hunting for the best gear, joining guilds... Don't eve me started on MMs!"

  Jubilee reveled in their friendly debate. "Mmhmm, sure. But have you ever tried pying Halo on PC? Everyone knows sole is the only real way to experie!" she volleyed back triumphantly.

  Tyson leaned in spiratorially, voice lowered to a dramatic whisper. "Between you and me, I may have bought an Xbox specifically for Halo sessions. There's just something about it on sole... it hits different."

  Jubilee's bright ughter echoed down the empty corridor. She pointed an acg fi Tyson, eyes dang pyfully. "Aha! I k!"

  Then she paused, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Wait. Isn't it weird you remember Halo but not other stuff?" She regarded him curiously. "What kind of amnesia is that?"

  "Hey, maybe video games hold a special p my Swiss-cheesed memory. Like they're too important to be fotten."Tyson just shrugged, her a lopsided grin. "Or maybe it's a sign."

  "A sign of what?" Jubilee asked.

  "That you and I are meant to be together. I was fated to remember the ohing that would bring us closer."

  Jubilee tried and failed to suppress a ugh. "Ooo, that was almost smooth, I'll give you that. A solid 7 out of 10 on the flirt scale," she teased.

  "C's get degrees?" Tyson replied hopefully.

  "Uh uh, this is private school, buster. You gotta aim higher than that." But the sparkle in her eyes told Tyson he was far from striking out. She turned and began walking down the hall, tossing a pyful gnce over her shoulder as she went.

  Tyson watched her disappear down the long hallway. With a sigh, he turhe handle and stepped inside, eager to settle into his new home.

  The cozy dorm room struck a baween fun and fort. Twin beds sat oher side. Nightstands fnked each, bare save for reading mps. Against the far wall stood a simple desk and chair, surfaces clear and awaiting use. Across from it sat a sizable wardrobe, though he had yet to acquire additional clothes. The walls were painted blue, bare save for a corkboard and a rge window.

  Tyson's gaze settled on the desk. He slid into the chair, opehe top drawer, and withdreen and a single sheet. Staring at the bnk page, his mind turo his powers. Then, he began to write.

  The words flowed swiftly from his pen, cataloging his new abilities.

  Absorption - Draining the life force, memories, skills, and powers of others through skin tact. Perma if they die from the touch.

  Healing Factor - Rapid regeion, regrow limbs.

  Increased Loy - Extended lifespan, agelessness?

  Superhuman Strength - esting.

  Superhuman Speed - esting.

  Superhuman Agility - esting.

  Heightened Senses - seeing, hearing, smelling with animal-like acuity,

  Cws and Fangs - Razor-sharp talons

  As dusk's light faded outside his window, he set down his pen, eyes settling o item.

  Cws and fangs.

  Unlike most of his other abilities, this one required no special circumstao test. He pushed back his chair and crossed the sparse room to open the door of the wardrobe, finding a full-length mirror inside. His refle stared back; a tall, muscur young man with light brown skin. Though he guessed his age around sixteen, his imposi, muscur build, wild hair, and facial hair lent him a dangerous air and made him look older than his actual age.

  Leaning closer, Tyson bared his teeth. Ordinary human incisors and es greeted his iion. Furrowing his brow in tration, he focused. Pressure built along his gums causing a straingliion.

  He watched his teeth extend and taper into wicked points.

  After a few tense moments, the tingling subsided as he willed the fangs to retreat. Tyso out a slow breath, meeting his refle's ordinary teeth once more.

  Unfurled his fingers before the mirror, he recalled Sabertooth's cws. Taloed from each fiip; curved three inches long and razor-sharp. He flexed them experimentally.

  With a thought, Tysoracted the cws, leaving unbroken skin behind.

  One power firmed and within his trol.

  A brisk knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. He strode over and cracked it open to see Jubilee peering back at him.

  "Stop pying with yourself, it's time for dinner," she teased, mirth dang in her eyes.

  Tyson quirked an eyebrow at her. "How'd you—"

  Before he could finish the question, Jubilee swung the door wide open, revealing anirl standing just behiyson's eyes widened slightly as he took in the newer. Fiery red hair cascaded over her shoulders and down her back. Her deep green eyes were rimmed with long shes. She wore a fitted greehat stopped just above her ko reveal long, lean legs.

  "Hi," she greeted softly.

  Tyson blinked, momentarily taken aback. She was not who he expected. "Sansa Stark?" he mumbled absently.

  Jubilee's brow furrowed in fusion. "No," she corrected, "this is Jean, Jean Grey." After a pause, she added, "Who's Sansa Stark?"

  Tyson chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sansa is a character from 'Game of Thrones'..." He trailed off, realizing his mistake. The show wouldn't be released for several years. He quickly tried to move the versation along. "It's the first book in a series, and you look like one of the characters… Anyway, sorry about that. I'm Tyson," he added, extending his gloved hand. "o meet you, Jean."

  Jubilee gave Tyson a knowing look. "Watch out for this one, Jean. He has amnesia, but now he remembers books and stuff. That must mean you two are destio be star-crossed lovers."

  Jean's eyes widened, and a pretty blush bloomed on her cheeks. "W-what are you talking about?" she stammered.

  "Don't mind her," Tyson said, waving it off. "She's just trying to goad me into a Halo match so she try to assert her dominance over the newbie." He turned back to Jean. "Since Jubilee seemed to kly what I was doing, I'm guessing you told her. So your power is... Stop me when I get it. X-ray visioe viewing, preitioy manipution, astral projeind reading..."

  "Telepathy," she firmed with an amused nod.

  Jubilee gave Tyson a stern look, though her eyes still danced pyfully. "Jean knows everything that goes on around here, so you better behave yourself, mister."

  Tyson nodded, but inwardly he mulled over the implications. If he had been doing what Jubilee had implied, Jean would have known. The thought made him shift awkwardly. Then airely different, somewhat amusing notioered his mind. Given his increased muscuture a, he wondered if other aspects of his anatomy had ged proportionally as well... Before he could stop himself, his gaze flicked down. When he gnced back up, Jean's fair skin had transformed from a peachy hue to a brilliant crimson that spread all the way to the tips of her ears.

  Jubilee noticed the telepath's fming cheeks. "Hey, what's he thinking about that's got you so flustered?" Jubilee asked.

  "N-nothing!" Jean stammered hastily, face still afme. She quickly seized Jubilee's arm and began steering her friend down the hall. "e o's go get dinner."

  Tyson stepped out, shut the door behind him, and followed with a barely suppressed grin.

  — Rogue Rept —

  The cafeteria of Xavier's Institute was filled with the enthusiastic chatter of young mutants. Tyson followed Jean Grey and Jubilee, pausing to take in the se around him. Unique appearances and abilities were prevalent among the students; some had different-hued skin, while others demonstrated minor uses of their powers as they versed. It was araordinary sight, but to them, it was just dinner. What caught Tyson's attention most was the aroma ing through his superhuman sense of smell. As they ehe cafeteria, the sts washed over him invitingly. The st of roasted chi ay notes from freshly baked garlic bread made his mouth water. This was nothing like the bnd, overcooked meals he remembered from school cafeterias from his past.

  He eagerly filled his pte, piling it high.

  Jubilee remarked, "Not bad, right? Trust me, the food's as good as it smells here."

  "I'm just surprised," Tyson replied with a grin. "Most cafeterias I've been to served stuff I wouldn’t feed to my worst enemy."

  A name surfaced, unbidden within his mind.

  Logan.

  But no, that wasn't right. Logan wasn't his enemy...

  He realized that thought came from Sabertooth. Creed's influence was creeping in. He shook his head slightly, dispelling the stray notion.

  Jean added, "The chefs try to cater to the unique needs of our mutant students, preparing special dishes if required."

  Jubilee chimed ihusiastically, spearing a forkful of sad. She regarded Tyson's piled-high tray. "That's way more food than I could eat in a whole day."

  He bahe hefty tray in one hand, while flexing the sculpted muscles of his arm. "Well, I'm about three times your size. Gotta fuel these muscles somehow." He raised a questioning eyebrow at Jean. "So where are we sitting? Do you guys have a regur spot? Give me the social yout around here."

  Jean poioward a table occupied by some familiar faces. Cyclops, Storm, plus a few others. "That the professors' table."

  Jubilee gave Tyson a pyful wink. "Word's gonna spread fast about the huge new guy who took down a vilin solo. Everyone's gonna wanna know how you mao win. You've got some serious street cred already."

  As they walked to ay table, Tyso like he was among peers. He was about to dig into his meal when Jubilee's hushed voiterrupted his thoughts.

  "Uh oh, here es Magik."

  Following Jubilee's eyes, Tyson spotted a young proag with an air of aloof fidence. Blue eyes plemented her pale skin. Ptinum blonde hair hung in bangs with a long strand framing her fa each side. Her bck boots clicked against the floor with each step. Her outfit blended edgy puhetics with high fashion in a way that made a statement. More than ouro follow her progress through the cafeteria.

  The young woman reached their table and paused, her gaze moving dismissively over Tyson before settling on Jubilee and Jean. When she spoke, her words carried the trace of aic Russian at. "So, this is the new guy I've heard so much whispering about?"

  Tyson bristled slightly at her casual dismissal of him. Clearing his throat, he said, "I'm Tyson."

  She looked him up and down nguidly before replying, "Illyana Rasputin. But around here, they call me Magik."

  Tyson gnced around in puzzlement. "I'm not seeing a wand, robe, or crystal ball. What exactly makes you magical, unless yoing to pull a rabbit out of those giant boots you're rog?"

  Beside him, Jubilee snorted, barely avoiding spitting out her soda.

  Jean's voice was warm and diplomatic. "We were just finishing up an overview of the Institute for Tyson. He's had quite aful first day."

  Illyana stared down Tyson. "I thought I'd e to see what all the fuss was about with the new kid. But holy?" She scoffed, tossing her long blonde hair over one shoulder. "e unimpressed."

  Jean's patience seemed to wear thin, her brows drawing together. "Illyana, if you don't mind—"

  But Illyana silenced her with a dismissive wave of one manicured hand. "I was just leaving. Enjoy your meal, newer."

  With a final mog flourish, she extended her hand palm down toward Tyson in a clear challenge, as if expeg him to kiss it like some medieval knight. Tysoated, his expression unreadable, muscles taut beh his shirt.

  As he gazed at her outstretched fingers a darker urge seeped into his thoughts. Slowly, Tyson csped Illyana's hand in his gloved one. But before his lips could meet her skin, an invisible force halted his movement.

  Jean's voice rang out in his mind.

  This isn't you.

  Her words pierced the intrusive thoughts clouding Tyson's judgment. He felt shame, realizing his as had been maniputed by the fragment of Sabertooth's psyche. Using his abilities to harm others out of anger wasn't who he was.

  With a deep breath, Tysoly lowered Illyana's hand, giving it a light, ciliatory shake before releasing it.

  She turned and sauntered away, hips swaying, dismissing Tyson as a worthy threat.

  Jubilee tried to lighten the mood with a nervous chuckle. "Well, that was... intense," she said, shifting her weight betwee. "Tyson, remember, we're all trying to get along here."

  "Thanks, Jean," he finally managed, "I almost lost myself there."

  Tyson realized now that Sabretooth's insidious influence ran far deeper within him than he had believed. He would o be on guard against the pull of his baser instincts.

  Behind the Ses

  - This se is inspired in part by New Mutants (2020) and the X-Men and X-Men Evolution cartoons.

  - When Tyson guesses Jean’s powers, the ones he mentions are other powers possessed by Jean Grey in the ibsp;

  - Jean Grey yed by Famke Janssen in X-Men (2000) but I decided to go with a younger, student Jean in the image of Sophie Turner as seen in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016).

  - Assassin’s Creed II was released in 2009, but not on Ptil March 2010. Tyson slipped up saying that he’d pyed it and Halo, after saying he didn’t remember anything before waking up iruck. He tried to cover it up with flirting.

  - Magik’s name appears on Stryker’s puter in X-2 so she exists in the X-Men (2000) tinuity. Her backstory is a twist on her movie and ic backgrounds and will be expined gradually, so please try to keep an open mind there.

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