Chapter 30: Residee: Thursday, July 22, 2010.

  Location: Chikara Dojo, 47 Mo., atown, Manhattan, New York

  Colleen's keen eyes evaluated the two young fighters before her. Every punch, every kick, told her a story. It was clear these weren't ordinary students.

  Illyana is fierce. She’s the type who's been through something to develop that kind of edge. And Tyson... he's iing, she mused inwardly.

  The lohe sessio on, the more apparent it became.

  Tyson isn’t tiring out. Each of his strikes has held the same iy from the start, and the speed? It was more than just good teique. There is raw power there. Even for his build, the strength he dispys is remarkable. Is it adrenaline? Or is there something more to him? Colleen wondered. His potential is undeniable. We've always been on the lookout for talents like these. Raw gems waiting to be shaped and polished. If guided right, they'd fit in seamlessly.

  And then there was Illyana. She had an iy that couldn't be taught. She'd be a valuable asset to us. With a little guidand a bit of molding... she could be exceptional. Yet, she had to tread carefully. First impressions matter. It was too soon to make any overt moves or reveal any iions. They had to be introduced to our world, in their own time, when they were ready.

  For now, it was about nurturing that spark she saw in them and drawing them closer.

  "You both have potential," Colleen remarked, her face betraying a hint of a smile. "But remember, the potential is just that. Potential. It's up to you to realize it."

  The sweat on Illyana's brow was beginning to dry, her breaths starting to return to a normal rhythm when Colleen stepped towards them, her expression serious. "You both have an undeniable talent," Colleen decred, "Have you ever sidered formal training, on a more...advanced level?"

  Illyana arched an eyebrow, "You mean, more than just afternoon lessons in a dojo?"

  Colleen smiled slightly at the response, "Exactly. I'm you both a schorship. It's a ce to truly hone your skills and reach your full potential."

  Tyson looked between Illyana and Colleen, he had a feeling he khis pitch. "What's the catch?"

  Colleen chose her words carefully. "The training wouldn't be here. You'd have to leave the city. Think of it like... a training camp or a b school. You'd be educated, housed, and trai a special facility. With the best trainers and everything you'd need."

  Illyana's eyes narrowed, "And the price tag on this 'golden opportunity'?"

  Colleeated for a split sed, "It's expensive. But seeing the potential in both of you, I'm willing to vouch for you. This schorship would cover everything."

  Tyson rubbed his thoughtfully, "Why us?"

  Colleen’s voice was sincere, "Because I believe you both be extraordinary. And sometimes, to achieve greatness, you he right enviro and guidance."

  The silence following Colleen's offer alpable. Illyana and Tyson exged a look. Tyson cleared his throat, "Thank you, Colleen, truly. The offer is... generous. But we've just left a b school not too long ago." He g Illyana, who nodded in agreement.

  Illyana's voice held a hint of sarcasm, yet genuine appreciation. "Yeah, and I've already finished high school, thank you very much."

  Tyson tinued, "Our roots in this city are... strong. And our current journey is tied here. We 't leave."

  Colleen's face reflected a mixture of uanding and a touch of disappoi. "I respect your decision," she said, a small, genuine smile. "If you still wish to train here, I provide you with the costs fur lessons."

  Illyana gnced sideways at Tyson. "See, that sounds more our speed."

  Tyson looked around, "Is the dojo always this... empty?" he asked.

  Colleen exhaled, letting out a small sigh. "Enrollment's been low," she fessed. "Especially with summer on the horizon. Kids prefer the outdoors, sports, family vacations... you know how it is."

  Tyson looked thoughtful. "About that training camp you mentioned, would it be possible for us to pay for it? I have a feeling that we'd be from trated sessions like that. And holy," he paused, "I think you're the right person to teach us."

  Illyana's eyebrows furrowed, a hint of suspi in her narrowed eyes. "Tyson?" she started.

  But his illusion silenced her with a subtle haure. She heard a whisper in her ear, “Trust me.”

  Colleen seemed taken aback, clearly not expeg the proposal. She pondered for a moment, her financial woes fshing briefly in her mind. The ck of students weighed heavily on the dojo's funds. "It's not a normal request," she began slowly. "But sidering the current enrollment, I think it's possible." She then he price, ohousand dolrs a month, each. Tyson sidered it a fair rate, reflective of the quality of the training.

  Tyson nodded. "We manage. I'll find a night job if I have to."

  Colleen looked them over, "And do you have a pce to stay?" she asked, the genuine evident ione.

  Tyson had a fident gleam in his eyes as he replied, "We have that covered."

  She remained skeptical, doubting if these two could truly handle everything they were getting into. But she chose to keep her s to herself. Instead, she simply nodded. "Alright then. I hope to see you soon."

  Tyson gave a deep bow to Colleen. "Thank you for the lesson. It was truly an enlightening experience."

  Illyana opted out of the ary bow. But she did dip her head in aowledgment, "Yeah, thanks," she added in a surprisingly geone.

  Colleen smiled iurn. "It leasure teag both of you. Remember what you've learoday."

  The door chime sounded as Tyson and Illyana stepped out into the streets of atown. The sun paihe skyline in hues of amber and pink, a gentle remihat evening roag. Tyson’s stomach rumbled audibly, and he chuckled. “Hungry?”

  Illyana rolled her eyes, but answered, “Always.”

  He led the way to a cozy-lookiaurant, the aroma of sizzling dishes inviting them in. As they settled at a table, Tyson made eye tact with their server and summoned his illusion powers. He was subtly maniputing the man to ehat when the bill came, the costs would be covered in a way that didn’t cause him trouble. He ordered a generous spread of dishes for them, eaore delicious-sounding tha.

  Illyana leaned in, whispering, "You sure we afford all of this?"

  Tyson just ughed. He winked and replied, "Don't worry about it."

  As the sounds of the bustliaurant surrouhem, Tyson leaned in, capturing Illyana’s attention with a serious expression.

  "Alright, here's the pn," he began.

  She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Since when did we start pnning things?"

  Tyson sighed, "Since we've been on our own, we've pretty much been winging it. Just hoping things will work out. If we keep taking shortcuts, using my powers like this," he gestured vaguely around the restaurant, "we’re bound to slip up. It’s only a matter of time before we draw unwatention."

  Illyana smirked, pig up an appetizer and taking a bite. "So, what's the master pn?"

  "We ability,” he pressed on. “A pce to call home, a regur ine." As Tyson id out his thoughts on a more perma living situation, a sudden realizatio across Illyana's face. Her usually sharp and witty demeanor softened, a faint blush c her cheeks. She hesitated for a split sed, her blue eyes searg Tyson’s for some hidden meaning.

  "You want to make a home... with me?" Illyana's voice was almost a whisper, a mixture of surprise and vulnerability, her Russian at more pronounced.

  Tyson was momentarily caught off guard. Illyana's words hi something deeper. He hadn't inteo imply anything about the nature of their retionship, but as he looked into her eyes, he realized he wasirely opposed to the idea.

  "That wasly what I meant," Tyson started, choosing his words carefully. He took a deep breath, and with a sione added, "But, I enjoy being with you. And if you feel the same way..." His voice trailed off, leaving the se unspoke palpable between them.

  Illyana's eyes held a mixture of surprise and sideration. The usually fident and often sarcastic mutant found herself in unfamiliar emotional territory. The implication of Tyson's words was something she hadn't anticipated, yet it stirred something withihe king of dishes and the soft murmur of versations surrouhem. As the server set down their ptes, Illyana leaned back, taking a sip of her drink. "So," twirling a strand of her blonde hair she asked, "what did you have in mind?"

  Tyson took a moment, colleg his thoughts. "First things first, we o find a pce to live. Hotel hopping has been... adventurous," he chuckled, thinking of the various hotels they'd been ihe past days, "but we should pie a up a more long-term residence."

  Illyana raised an eyebrow, her i piqued. "And how do we do that?"

  Tyson smirked, "Some hotels h-level employee perks; reserved rooms, access to special lounges, and such? We make ourselves appear as such employees. That way, we get food, shelter, undry, and everything. It's a bit of a cheat, but it'll provide us with the stability we need."

  He paused, his eyes searg Illyana's for a sign of approval. "Plus, if something ever happens and I'm not around temporarily, you'd still be taken care of."

  Illyana mulled over the idea, taking a bite of her food. "It's sneaky," she said after a moment, a sly grin f on her lips, "I like it. We'd have a… home. And it beats running around the city with no fixed address."

  Tyson chuckled, relieved. "I had a feeling you'd be on board."

  Illyana, pig up a fork, looked at Tyson, "Why the dojo?" she probed. "Out of all pces... why there?"

  Tyson thought ba ret events, "Since I woke up in that truck, I've felt like a pung bag. I've been in fights almost non-stop," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "And I'm not winning as many as I'd like."

  Illyana tilted her head, "You're ly a pushover."

  He chuckled weakly. "I have memories, teiques, entire lifetimes of fighting stored in my head thanks to Sabertooth. But when it es down to it, I'm stantly scrambling, reag more than ag." Illyana was about to retort, but Tyson tinued, "And you," he said, his gaze intense, "you have that magic sword of yours. It's powerful, sure. But without proper training, it's just a sharp object. You o wield it, not just swing it."

  Illyana's pride was evident in the slight stiffening of her posture. "I've managed so far."

  Tyson leaned forward, the urgency clear in his voice. "We 't rely on 'so far', Illyana. Mago's probably plotting as we speak. Stryker might be off our backs for now, and then there's..."

  "Azazel," Illyana hissed, her distaste for the name palpable.

  Tyson nodded grimly. "He's a master with that rapier of his. You o be more skilled to stand a ce against him."

  Silenveloped the table for a moment. Illyana's fiightened around her fork, her eyes clouded with thoughts of battles past and those yet to e. Finally, she nodded. "Fine," she ceded. "We train." A teasing lilt was added to her voice, “Are you sure it isn’t because you think Colleen's cute?"

  Tyson nearly choked on his drink, eyes wide as he sputtered, "What? No!"

  Illyana tilted her head, "Hmm, I wonder if you have a type."

  Tyson looked at her with a mix of fusion and wariness. "A type? What are you talking about?"

  She waved her fork around casually, "Well, you do seem rather... fond of Jubilee."

  Tyson's eyebrows shot up, his voice dripping with disbelief, "You think I have a thing for Asian girls?"

  Illyana cpped her hands in mock delight, "Yes, that's it!"

  Tyson's face turned a shade redder. "But... I'm with you, aren't I? What's your point?"

  Illyana leaned in, her smirk growing wider. "Isn't a part of Russia in Asia?"

  Tysht a hand to his forehead, groaning. "I 't believe we're having this versation."

  A pressing question weighed on Illyana's mind. Taking a sip of her drink, she looked over at Tyson, her blue eyes searg his. "How are we going to afford the lessons? We've been scraping by as is."

  Tyson, leaning ba his chair and asked, "Remember that massive bull statue we passed?"

  Illyana's brow furrowed, recalling the huge broatue in the Financial District. "Yeah, the Wall Street bull thing? What about it?"

  "That area is overflowing with money, Illy. I was thinking I might try my hand there."

  She raised a skeptical eyebrow, the er of her lips twitg. "You? In a suit?"

  Tyson waved a dismissive hand, ughing lightly, "ly. But, there are tless jobs and ces to make money. I'll find a way."

  Illyana sidered his determination, and her worries momentarily quelled. With a sigh, she said, "Alright, if you say so." Illyana's eyes so his, feigning annoyance. "And don't call me Illy. I hate that niame."

  Tyson leaned forward, pretending to ponder deeply. "How about... Yana?"

  She snorted, "Sounds like a pop star or like I should be dang in a ballet or something."

  He smirked, "I wouldn't mind seeing that. How about... Ana?"

  She squi him, "That's just zy. , yoing to be calling me 'I'."

  Tyson chuckled, holding up his hands i, "Alright, alright. I'll stick to Illyana then.”

  The atmosphere in the restaurant grew softer as the evening progressed. As the st remnants of their dessert sat oable, the flickering dles paiheir faces with a gentle glow. Tyson's demeanor shifted to something more vulnerable. He pced his hand atop Illyana's. To anyone else, it would've looked like a simple, intimate gesture. But she felt no apanying pull on her life force, letting her know it was an illusion crafted by his powers. His eyes searched for something within her own. "Illyana... Are you truly okay with everything? With all of this? I feel like... like I've been dragging you into my chaos. I want to make sure this is what you want."

  She studied him for a moment, letting the weight of his words settle. "Tyson, after Xavier's Institute, I didn't have a clear path in mind. You know that. Staying there to help teach? to navigate college applications? That's not me. At least nht now." He nodded, swallowing hard as he tio hold her gaze. Illyana squeezed the illusionary hand, wishing she could feel the warmth a of his actual hand. "This adve's been wild, uable, and holy? More fun than I expected. I'm happy, with you."

  He exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, relief flooding his features. "Thank you, Illyana. I just... I want to make sure you're never feeling trapped or obligated."

  She smirked, her trademark mischievous gliurning to her eyes. "Trust me, if I wanted out, you'd know."

  With a chuckle, Tyson replied, "I believe that. Well, now that we’re full. Want to find a nice pd move in together?"

  Illyana raised an eyebroyful smirk on her lips. "Well, that escated quickly. Moving in together? Are you sure you're ready for that level of itment?"

  Tyson chuckled, leaning ba his chair. "We've been through a lot together. We've fought side by side, and we've had each other's backs ioughest of situations. In a way, we've already been living together, just... without a fixed address."

  She tilted her head, p. "You make it sound so romantic – 'living without a fixed address'. Most people call that being homeless."

  He ughed, "Well, we've had quite the untraditional journey so far. I just thought... maybe it's time for us to have a little normalcy. A pce we call home. A safe haven."

  Illyana sighed, looking out of the window for a moment before turning ba. "A home does sound nice. Somewhere to return to after a long day. Somewhere to hang my... sword?"

  He nodded, "Exactly. And besides, I think we’re due for a bit of stability."

  She narrowed her eyes pyfully. "Alright, but only if you promise not to leave your dirty socks everywhere."

  Tyson grinned, "Deal. But you have to promise not t any demons home."

  "Deal!" she said with a ugh.

  And with that, the two set out to find a pce to call home. Tyson and Illyana walked side by side, their footsteps in sync as they strolled back toward City Hall Park. Gng over, they spotted a luxurious Four Seasons hotel. With its graryway and a revolving door, it beed them over, suggesting an elegahat was inviting. As they walked in, the high, vaulted ceiling, gilded with hints of gold, captured the essence of luxury. Large crystal deliers hung majestically, each crystal meticulously polished, scattering prisms of light that danced across the marble floor, refleg intricate patterns. To one side, a grand, sweeping staircase adorned with plush, deep red carpet led to the sed floor. Seating areas, scattered around the lobby, featured plush velvet sofas and armchairs which sat atop hand-woven rugs. Every er whispered sophistication; from the curated pieces of art that graced the walls to the discreet, uniformed staff that moved silently, ensuring the perfe of every detail. Towards the back, a rge, polished mahogany desk acted as the reception, where staff, looking impeccable iailored suits, atteo guests with a level of care and discretion only seen iablishments of this caliber. The ambient music which was a soft blend of cssical and porary filled the air.

  Without missing a beat, Tyson fidently strode toward the reception desk. Behind it stood a young woman with ly pinned-up hair, her smile a practiced blend of cordiality and professionalism.

  Before she could greet them, Tyson locked eyes with her, subtly activating his illusion powers. "I'd like to speak with the manager," he stated calmly.

  She blinked, seemingly finding something reassuring in his gaze. "Of course, sir. One moment, please."

  A few moments ter, a sharply dressed man approached them. His suit was crisply tailored, his shoes polished to a shine. "Good evening. I'm Mr. Lawrehe floor manager. How may I assist you?"

  Again, Tyson employed his gift, log eyes with the manager. "Is there a higher-level manager avaible?"

  Mr. Lawrence appeared momentarily caught off guard but sained his posure. "Well, I'm in charge of the daily operations here. However, our hotel administrator, Ms. Carter, oversees the rger scope of ma. Would you like to meet her?"

  Past the grand lobby and the serene indoor fountain, the duo found themselves standing outside an ornate wooden door, the e reading "Ms. Carter - Hotel Director." The door opened, revealing a rge, elegant office that had the same air of uated luxury as the rest of the hotel. Sitting behind a sleek mahogany desk, Ms. Carter looked up, her sharp eyes assessing the two young people before her. She was a tall, poised woman with a stern tenance, her bck hair pulled into a tight bun, and a sirand of pearls around her neck. "How I assist you today?" she asked, her tone professional.

  Tyson didn't waste a moment. As soon as their eyes met, he activated his illusion power.

  A ehe door aered the room.

  The hotel dires. Carter, straightened up, stern expression shifted to one of sudden realization and respect. She addressed the newer, "Ms. Taylor! I didn't expect the Four Seasoo be paying a visit. What I do for you?”

  "Ah, Ms. Carter," Kathleen Taylan, “I apologize for arriving unannounced.” Ms. Carter assured her it was no problem. The CEO tinued, “This is my yson Smith, and his fiance, Illyana.”

  Tyson, pying along with the illusion he had cast, said, "We'd like to spend some time in New York and were hoping to reserve your fi suite for the foreseeable future. And I want the utmost discretion." Illyana tried to hide a smirk, impressed by Tyson's audacity.

  Ms. Carter, now saw him as a distinguished corporate VIP of the Four Seasons , "I apologize for nnizing you immediately, Mr. Smith. It's an honor to have you here.” she said, her fingers deftly moving across her puter keyboard. "We have our Empire penthouse suite avaible for just such situations, it takes up half our top floor and offers panoramic views of the city and every amenity you might require. I'll ensure your stay is as fortable and private as you wish."

  Ms. Taylor chimed in, "And ensuring any room charges are written off as corporate expenses would be appreciated."

  Ms. Carter's fingers paused on the keyboard, her eyes widening slightly at the request but quickly regained her professional posure. "Of course, Mr. Smith," she respourning her gaze back to the puter s. "I'll arrange for all charges to be billed directly to the corporate at."

  Illyana, still maintaining a facade of nonce, leaned in slightly. "reciate your discretion, Ms. Carter," she said, her voice carrying a hint of a Russian at. Her eyes darted between Tyson and Ms. Carter, a mixture of amusement and intrigue dang in them.

  Ms. Carter nodded her attention still partially on the puter. "Is there anything specific you require during your stay? Any particur preferences or needs?"

  Tyson g Illyana, then back at Ms. Carter. "Privacy is our primary ," he said, his tone firm yet polite. "Beyond that, we trust your judgment to provide the best Four Seasons has to offer."

  Ms. Carter, now fully in the role of an aodating host, looked up from her puter with a smile. "I'll have someone show you to the suite right away. A assured, your stay here will be nothing short of exempry."

  As they were escorted towards the elevator, Illyana whispered to Tyson, "I 't believe that worked."

  ~~ Rogue Rept ~~

  The Empire Suite at the Four Seasons Downtown in Manhattan was nothing short of a masterpiece. It had a magnifit panorama of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the entire suite in a goldehe open-cept living area was expansive, with plush beige sofas adorned with rich, patterhrow pilloristine gss coffee table, and modern art grag the walls. The space was rge enough to host a small party, with a long walnut dining table that could easily aodate tes. Crystal deliers hovered above, casting their radiant glow. To the left was a kit with stainless steel appliances and glossy bck tertops. Nearby, a media room boasted the test audio-visual equipment, waiting to deliver eai. Perhaps the most impressive feature was the master bathroom, which felt more like a mini spa. It was adorned with white marble, a deep soaking tub with views of the city, and a rai shower. The office held a sturdy mahogany desk, with a high-back leather chair. Shelves lined with books and curios gave it a personal toud a moderop puter gleamed uhe ambient lighting.

  It was at this desk that Tyson sat, studying the map of Manhattan with the city's skyliretg behind him. Illyana, having just awoken, walked in with her characteristic swagger, her blonde hair tousled from sleep.

  "M," she yawned, leaning against the doorframe, taking in the sight of Tyson and the room around her.

  Tyson looked up, a warm smile. "M, sleepyhead. How did you find your first weekend in our home in the sky?"

  Illyana stretched and smiled as her eyes sed the suite. "Feels a bit too posh for a couple of misfits like us, doesn't it?" she teased. "It's weird that the club's just o us, but I didn't hear any of the usual club noises all weekend. Nice soundproofing."

  Tyson gnced up from his notes, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, they've desighis pce well."

  Illyana turned ba, her blue eyes curious. "So, about your job search... What’s the pn.”

  Tysoated for a moment, his gaze drawn to a particurly imposing tower further uptown. "You know," he began, his voice thoughtful, "I've been thinking about it some more. Instead of Wall Street, maybe I'd visit one of the major corporations headquartered here in Manhattan."

  Illyana, with her ptinum blonde hair and pierg blue eyes, looked at him quizzically. "Why the sudden ge in pns?"

  He pointed in the dire of the t structure that caught his eye. "See that? That's Oscorp's tower. It's further uptown and has way more visibility than any other building. I'm sidering heading up there, maybe do a little scouting."

  "Oscorp? Of all pces?" Illyana raised an eyebrow, "What's pulling you there? Looking for some high-tech toys?"

  Tyson shook his head, "No, it's not that. It's just... I have this feeling. Call it a gut instinct or whatever." He met her gaze steadily. "I 't expin it, Illyana. But something tells me that there's more to Oscorp than what meets the eye."

  The early m sunlight washed over Oscorp's massive structure, giving the gss exterilistening hue. Tyson positioned himself at a nearby coffee stand, a block from the entra was the perfect vantage point, allowing him to observe without drawing too much attention.

  He watched as employees hurriedly made their way into the building, ID badges swinging from their necks. They were a mix of young and old, all dressed in professional attire. The tech giant had a reputation for attrag the best talent, and by the looks of it, that reputation held.

  Every so often, someone would step out for a quick coffee break or to catch a breath of fresh air. Tyson seized these moments as opportunities. Striking up casual versations, he'd subtly probe for information.

  "M! Seems like a busy day at Oscorp," he remarked to a young woman waiting for her cappuo.

  She smiled politely, her eyes darting to his attire. Tyson was dressed in casual clothes, giving off the vibe of a tourist. "Always is. New projects, deadlines... the usual corporate stuff."

  Tyson tinued his approach, blending in seamlessly as he engaged with several more employees. In each versation, Tyson used his illusion power to gather insights. The employees, uhe influence of his power, shared details about their work with a sense of pride. However, Tyson couldn’t help but notice a cautious tone in their voices, hinting at deeper, more plex dynamics at py within the pany.

  His iions had piqued his curiosity about the inner ws of the tech giant, but he wasn't keen on f his way into a position. The risk seemed too high, especially sidering the other opportuhat New York presented.

  The city was a hotbed for various underground activities. Gangs, crime, and other less-than-legal means of making money were rampant, avehat could be exploited without causing harm. Moreover, he hadn't pletely given up on the idea of using his illusions to secure a high-paying job in the finance sector. The prospect of effortlessly waltzing into a lucrative position using his powers was still appealing. It was a safer, potentially more profitable route.

  With these thoughts in mind, Tyson decided to step back from Oscorp for now. He would bide his time, expl the various facets of the city and perhaps its darker ers, all while keeping the option of a cushy finance job as a viable backup pn.

  Siimes Square was nearby, Tyson walked over for a look before heading back to the hotel. Neon signs fshed, and enormous eleic billboards streamed advertisements for everything from the test blockbuster movies to brand-name clothing. The stant thrum of activity unctuated by the sounds of traffic, pedestrians chatting, and street performers trying to earn a few dolrs.

  Tyson stepped into the sea of people, allowing himself to be carried along by the crowd. He gnced up at the buildings, looking for any signs of differeween this Marvel universe and his memory. However, aside from a few ads for Stark Industries and Oscorp, it felt disappointingly familiar. With a resigned sigh, he headed south, enjoying the familiar feel of the city. The sights, sounds, and even smells of NYC were a f backdrop to his thoughts.

  Several miles into his walk, a er pizzeria with a sign reading ‘Bleecker Street Pizza’ stopped him in his tracks.

  The name rang a bell, but he couldn't pce where he'd heard it before. Its rustic red-bricked exterior and the aroma of freshly baked dough beed him inside. Ihe warmth of the oven and the sound of soft versations surrounded him. The walls were adorned with photos of celebrities who had visited, along with tless awards the pizzeria had earned over the years. He approached the ter and ordered a slice of their signature margarita pizza. As he bit into the cheesy goodness, Tyson sed the room, searg for any clues as to why the name was so familiar. The slice was det, but it was the name of the pce that kept nagging at his mind.

  He pulled out his trusty map of Manhattan, trag a route with his finger. Spotting Bleecker Street's e to Broadway, he realized he could follow it back to the hotel. Setting the map down, Tyson took o look around the pizzeria, hoping something would click. Unfortunately, it remained a mystery.

  With his pizza done and the map folded away, Tysoed the pizzeria, letting the city's ambianvelop him once more as he made his way back to the hotel. The bustling streets of Manhattan were a byrinth of turns and crossings, but none as peculiar as the six-way jun where Bleecker Street met 6th Avenue. He hesitated for a moment, watg as the locals navigated the interse with ease. Shrugging off the mild embarrassment, Tyson tinued his walk. The savory smells of restaurants wafted through the air, and the magnifit facades of high-rise dos towered overhead. But none seemed to pull at Tyson's memories like Bleecker Street Pizza did.

  Just as he was getting lost in thought, he froze as he nearly walked past a particur building. His eyes widened, and his heart raced as he looked up at the facade. The shock was evident on his face, and for a moment, the bustling city around him faded into a mere whisper. The building stood out to Tyson like a bea.

  The New York Sanctum.

  It was an old, stately structure that looked slightly out of pce amongst the modern architecture of the city. Built from worn white stohe Sanctum had tall, narrow windows with intricately desigices. Above it, close to the roof, was an are symbol etched into the window, a circur design with iwining lines shimmered faintly, as if there was some tent energy pulsing from within.

  A shit-eating grin stered to Tyson's face. Every instinct told him to go kno that door. But he couldn't, not without Illyana. This was their shared adventure, he wouldn’t move forward without her at his side. He gnced up, notig the e hues of the sun in the sky. The clock was tig, and it was already 7 p.m. He couldn't waste any more time; Illyana had to see this! With that thought, Tyson pivoted on his heel and unched himself into a swift run, zooming through the streets, weaving past pedestrians and dodging the occasional taxi, heading straight for the hotel.

  Bursting through the doors of the hotel, he made his way to the phone. He picked it up, dialing the cierge. As the ph, he tried to catch his breath and calm his rag heart.

  "Good evening, Hotel cierge. How may I assist you?" came a crisp voice from the other end.

  "Hey, I need a reendation," Tyson began, trying to sound casual despite his evideement. "What's the best tea p lower Manhattan? Something special, something... unique."

  There was a brief pause oher end as if the cierge was pting the perfect suggestion. "Ah! I would reend 'Multy's Tea & Coffee Co.' on Christopher Street. It's not your everyday tea pce. It has an old-world charm, and they offer a variety of unique blends."

  Tyson's grin widened. "Perfect! Thank you!" With the information in hand, he went back out into the streets. Their visit would have to wait until tomorrow. He couldn’t arrive empty-handed.

  ~~ Rogue Rept ~~

  The m sun streamed through the curtains of their hotel room, casting a golden glow ohing. Tyson y there, ting the seds, as he listeo the subtle shifts and movements of Illyana stirring from her slumber. He repyed yesterday's discoveries in his mind, the anticipation bubbling within him, almost too great to tain.

  Illyana stretched and gave a slight yawn, her blue eyes blinking open. "M," she murmured, her voice raspy from sleep.

  "M," Tyson replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "How was yht?"

  Illyana pushed her wild blonde hair out of her face, recalling the quiet evening she'd had. "Good enough. Drank some wine, and watched some crap TV. You?"

  Tyson propped himself up on one elbow, trying to keep his face casual, which was harder thahought. "Oh, you know. Searched for a job. Found the wizards," he said nontly, trying to hide his grin.

  Illyana, still waking up, nodded slowly, processing his words. "Mm, that's nice," she replied distractedly, then froze. Illyana's initial look of bemusement turned into wide-eyed astonishment. "You're joking, right?" She sat up quickly, the bs falling around her. "You found them?"

  Grinning triumphantly, Tyson replied, "Thought that might wake you up.” He chuckled, uo hide his glee any longer. "Yep! I found them."

  Illyana sat up, her excitement mirr Tyson's. "Let’s go!"