Marvelous Meditations

Mystique shook her head, her gaze unwavering. "I don't know anything about it."

Nathan studied her, his expression thoughtful. After a moment, he nodded. "I believe you."

An eyebrow arched in response, Mystique didn't comment on his trust. Instead, she narrowed her eyes. "Why approach the X-Men? Who are you hunting?"

Nathan gave a dismissive wave, his tone edged with nonchalance. "I don't see how that's any of your business."

Mystique's frown deepened as she pressed the pistol forward slightly, her tone steely. "You do realize I have a gun pointed at you."

Nathan chuckled softly, the sound devoid of fear. "I've had worse things pointed at me before, by far worse people. Yet, here I am." His voice carried a calm confidence that seemed to unnerve even Mystique.

She sighed, shaking her head in resignation. "You are a strange man." She holstered her pistol, turning away. "I won't waste any more of your time." Her steps were deliberate as she began to leave, clearly aware that pressing further would yield no answers.

Nathan watched her retreating form, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Why did you make this memorial?" he called after her. "And why does it say Lilian Cross?"

Mystique halted mid-step, her posture tense at his words. Slowly, she turned, her gaze meeting his over her shoulder. "I made it because a friend of mine asked me to." There was a pause, the weight of her words settling between them. "As for your last name... it's because my friend knew the girl by that name."

Nathan's brow furrowed in confusion. "Her last name is Cross?"

Mystique shook her head, a hint of something almost wistful in her eyes. "No. But it could have been in the future. That's where my friend met Lilian."

Nathan's frown deepened as Mystique resumed her measured steps, her figure gradually fading into the shadows of the cemetery. He didn't bother calling after her; it was evident she had no intention of giving a clear answer. As the silence enveloped him once more, he mulled over her cryptic words, the puzzle pieces slowly aligning in his mind.

A friend from the future, or perhaps someone with the ability to peer into it, Nathan thought, his gaze lingering on the memorial. They must have encountered Lily in an alternate timeline—whether directly or through some vision of what could be.

But why did she bear his last name? The notion gnawed at him, each possibility more perplexing than the last. Did he adopt her in that future? The idea felt strange, foreign, and yet it lingered.

A gust of wind stirred the flowers he'd laid at the base of the memorial, their petals trembling in the cool breeze. Nathan exhaled slowly, shaking his head as if to dispel the lingering questions. There were too many unknowns, too many variables he couldn't control or understand right now. One thing was clear: this mystery was far from solved.

Casting one final glance at the gravestone—Lilian Cross, Lily's Resting Place—Nathan let a bittersweet smile ghost his lips. Whatever the truth was, it didn't change the fact that he had lost her. And no future, alternate or otherwise, could change that pain.

With a resigned sigh, he turned away, his footsteps echoing softly as he made his way out of the cemetery. The answers could wait. For now, the weight of the past was enough to carry.

...

Nathan approached the hotdog stand, the familiar scent of grilled meat wafting through the air. Luis, the older Mexican man running the stand, greeted him with a warm smile as he wiped his hands on a grease-stained apron.

"¿El de siempre, Nathan?" Luis asked, already reaching for a bun.

("The usual, Nathan?")

Nathan nodded, leaning casually against the stand. "Sí, como siempre, Luis. ¿Cómo está la familia?"

("Yeah, as always, Luis. How's the family?")

Luis grinned as he started assembling the hotdog. "Todos bien, gracias a Dios. Pero mi hijo sigue con esas ideas locas de ser músico. ¿Qué se le va a hacer?"

("All good, thank God. But my son still has those crazy ideas about being a musician. What can you do?")

Nathan chuckled. "Déjalo soñar, Luis. El mundo necesita más música."

("Let him dream, Luis. The world needs more music.")

Just as Luis was about to hand Nathan his hotdog, a car came careening down the street, smashing into a traffic light with a loud crash. Both men turned toward the commotion, watching as the vehicle crumpled against the metal pole.

Luis grumbled, visibly annoyed. "¡Maldición! Esto es la tercera vez este mes. Siempre alguien tirando coches y arruinando mi negocio."

("Damn it! This is the third time this month. Always some freak flipping cars and disrupting my business.")

Nathan smirked, turning back to Luis. "Parece que hoy tienes suerte. Me encargaré de esto."

("Looks like you're in luck today. I'll take care of it.")

Luis shook his head in concern. "Nathan, es peligroso. Ese tipo es un monstruo."

("Nathan, it's dangerous. That guy's a monster.")

Nathan placed some money on the stand and gave Luis a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "No te preocupes, Luis."

("Don't worry, Luis.")

He activated the thrusters on his boots, propelling himself toward the hulking man wreaking havoc at the end of the street. Luis blinked, staring at the now-finished hotdog in his hand.

"Tu hotdog..." he muttered, staring blankly at the spot where Nathan was a moment ago.

("Your hotdog...")

Nathan soared through the air, propelled by the thrusters in his boots, eyes locked on the towering figure. He was Mr Hyde, the alter ego of Calvin Zabo, born out of a super soldier serum.

Nathan didn't know or recognize, but he could tell with a glance that the man before him was dangerously powerful and more than willing to put his considerable strength to use.

The street was littered with debris, and Hyde, with his hulking frame and feral grin, was the eye of the chaos. Cars lay overturned, windows shattered, and the few bystanders left were scrambling for cover.

Nathan landed smoothly a few feet from Hyde, his calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the bedlam around them. His voice was steady as he spoke, almost conversational.

"You're making a big mess, and disrupting people's businesses," Nathan said, dusting off his jacket as though they were discussing the weather. "Don't suppose you'd consider stopping?"

Hyde's laugh was a guttural roar, his muscles bulging as he cracked his knuckles. "Stop? And miss out on the fun? I don't think so." He lunged forward, a massive fist aimed at Nathan's head.

Nathan sidestepped, his magnetic boots allowing for a quick burst of speed that left Hyde punching air. Hyde's sheer strength was undeniable, but Nathan knew brute force wasn't the answer here. He needed precision.

With a flick of his wrist, the floater materialized from his sleeve, hovering in the air before shifting into a sleek, bladed form. It sliced through the air invisibly, a blur of motion that Hyde barely registered before it nicked his arm.

Hyde snarled, spinning to face Nathan. "I don't know what you just did, but tricks won't save you, little man."

Nathan shrugged, the twin energy pistols in his hands now, their barrels humming with latent energy. "Maybe not, but they'll keep you busy."

He unleashed a rapid volley of low-powered shots, enough to sting but not seriously injure. Hyde roared, charging through the barrage with reckless abandon, swiping at Nathan with fists like sledgehammers.

Nathan leaped backward, twisting mid-air as he switched to a high-powered single shot, aiming for Hyde's leg. The blast caught Hyde off guard, sending him stumbling, but not down.

"You've got more fight in you than I thought," Hyde growled, shaking off the impact like it was a mere annoyance. He grabbed a nearby car, lifting it over his head with ease. "But let's see how you handle this."

Nathan's eyes narrowed as the car sailed toward him. Time seemed to slow as he reached for the hilt of the Muramasa blade strapped to his back. In one fluid motion, he undid the string keeping the cloth tied around the sword, and drew the blade, its dark edge gleaming.

He swung the Muramasa down as the car's shadow covered him entirely and the vehicle split cleanly in half, the two pieces crashing harmlessly to the ground on either side of him.

Before Nathan could move in for another clash, a red and blue blur shot down from the rooftops, swinging with a thwip and a flourish beside Mr. Hyde. Spider-Man's wrist flicked effortlessly, shooting a web line that stuck to Hyde's face.

Clinging to the end of the line, Spider-Man swung gracefully beside the towering brute, landing deftly next to Nathan.

"That was so cool, man!" Spider-Man exclaimed, eyes wide behind his mask as he gestured toward the Muramasa blade still glinting in Nathan's hand. "What you did with the sword! Totally samurai vibes!"

Nathan barely had time to offer a confused nod before Spider-Man was back in action. With another flick of his wrist, he launched a web line at Hyde's leg, yanking himself forward with a burst of acrobatic energy.

Spider-Man planted both feet squarely into Hyde's abdomen, the impact eliciting a guttural grunt from the brute as spittle flew from his mouth.

Hyde staggered, but Spider-Man wasn't finished. In one fluid motion, he vaulted over Hyde's head, his body twisting mid-air.

With both fists clenched together, Spider-Man brought them crashing down onto Hyde's face. The impact was enough to make Hyde sway, his footing faltering as Spider-Man landed on his shoulders, straddling him.

"Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep!" Spider-Man chanted, punctuating each word with a rapid punch to Hyde's face. His fists moved in a blur, a comical yet relentless barrage that left Hyde dazed.

Hyde swung wildly, trying to dislodge the relentless hero, but Spider-Man was too quick, ducking and weaving, delivering blows with practiced ease. Each punch seemed to sap more of Hyde's strength until the behemoth's struggles slowed to a stop, his body finally slumping under the weight of exhaustion and defeat.

Nathan stood by, arms crossed with a blank face as he watched Spider-Man's energetic assault. The contrast between the web-slinger's exuberance and Nathan's deadpan stare as he sheathed the Muramasa was almost humorous.

Spider-Man, noticing Nathan's expression, paused his flurry of punches just long enough to glance back. "Hey, you want a turn? I don't mind sharing."

Nathan shook his head, offering a faint smirk. "You seem to have it covered."

With a playful shrug, Spider-Man delivered one final, exaggerated punch before hopping off Hyde's now-unconscious form. He dusted off his hands dramatically and turned to Nathan. "Well, that was fun. Guessing you're not much of a team-up guy, huh?"

Nathan picked up the discarded cloth from the ground and began wrapping it again, his eyes scanning the street for any lingering threats. "Not usually. But this wasn't half bad..."

Spider-Man gave a mock salute. "Nice. If you ever need a web, you know where to find me. Err, well, I hope not, you know with the secret identity thing... oh, you know what I mean..." He paused, looking around at the destruction.

Nathan's gaze shifted to the wreckage, before reverting back to Spider-Man. "I'll see you around, kid..."

With a final thwip, Spider-Man shot a web line to the nearest building, giving Nathan a two-fingered wave as he swung off into the distance. Nathan watched him go, the street falling silent once more, save for the distant wail of sirens approaching.

Nathan checked the time on his watch, then adjusted the collar of his coat before walking away. It was time to meet up with Rick Mason and head to the X-Mansion.

...

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