Marvel: Sin Lord

The tension in the academy air was palpable. A week had passed since Doug Ramsey and Kitty Pryde were imprisoned, and the Hellions were on edge, knowing something was coming. Their unease was justified when the New Mutants arrived, demanding the release of their friends.

Emma Frost, cool and composed as always, stepped between the two groups. Her eyes narrowed as she regarded the young mutants. "You've come for Kitty and Doug," she said, her voice sharp as glass. "I propose a compromise—if you can defeat my Hellions in battle, you can take them."

The New Mutants exchanged glances, then nodded.

"Let's settle this," said Dani Moonstar, stepping forward.

The Hellions, including Inarius, formed up, their faces set in grim determination. Inarius' grip tightened on his glowing purple blade as he eyed Illyana Rasputina, who stood across from him, radiating fury.

The battle erupted in chaos. Empath sowed confusion among the New Mutants, turning their emotions against them. Warlock shifted and morphed, weaving through the Hellions' attacks. Cannonball launched himself into Jetstream, their clash lighting up the battlefield like fireworks.

Inarius found himself facing Illyana once again. Her platinum hair shimmered in the light of her summoned Soulsword, and her blue eyes burned with anger.

"Last time, you got lucky," she snarled, charging at him.

"I guess we'll see if I need luck this time," Inarius shot back, meeting her attack with his own sword.

Their blades clashed, sending purple and silver energy sparking through the air. Illyana's strikes were precise, her combat experience and magical prowess evident in every move. But Inarius had an edge she didn't know about—her memories.

As they fought, Inarius exploited subtle weaknesses in her form, shifting his stance to force her into positions she wasn't comfortable with. Her frustration grew with every clash, her swings becoming wilder and more forceful.

"You're holding back!" she yelled, her voice cutting through the cacophony of the battlefield.

"Maybe I am," he replied, dodging her next swing with ease.

Illyana's magic surged, surrounding her in a glowing aura. She teleported behind him, slashing downward with deadly intent. Inarius barely managed to block, their blades locking as they glared at each other.

"You can't win," she hissed.

"We'll see," he said, smirking.

He feinted left and caught her off guard, but as he lunged forward, his hand brushed against her chest. Time seemed to freeze.

Illyana's face turned a deep shade of red as her eyes widened. "Y-you pervert!" she stammered, pushing him away with a burst of magic.

Inarius stumbled back, his own cheeks flushing. "It—it was an accident!"

"Yeah, right!" she snapped, clearly flustered.

The moment of awkwardness passed as the fight raged on around them. Illyana refocused, pouring more power into her attacks. Despite her anger, Inarius' knowledge of her fighting style proved too much for her to overcome. He managed to disarm her briefly, sending her Soulsword clattering to the ground.

Meanwhile, the Hellions gained the upper hand against the New Mutants. Empath and Roulette used their powers to tilt the odds in their favor, while Tarot and Jetstream coordinated to overwhelm their opponents.

Despite their best efforts, the New Mutants were on the brink of losing when Illyana teleported into the center of the fray. Her magic surged as she grabbed Kitty and Doug, her eyes blazing with defiance.

"This isn't over!" she shouted, slashing through the air with her Soulsword to open a stepping disk.

Inarius lunged forward, but he was too late. The New Mutants vanished into the portal, taking Kitty and Doug with them.

After the fight, the Hellions regrouped, bruised and battered. Emma arrived, her face a mask of calm fury.

"You let them escape," she said coldly, her eyes scanning the team.

Inarius stepped forward, guilt written all over his face. "We tried—"

"Not hard enough," Emma interrupted. "Go to your rooms. Now."

The Hellions retreated in silence, their victory overshadowed by their failure to keep the captives.

As Inarius sat on his bed that night, his mind replayed the battle—and the awkward moment with Illyana. He shook his head, pushing the thought away. He had bigger things to worry about, like Emma's anger and the growing tension between the Hellions and the New Mutants.