Marvel: Rebirth Roulette

"What plan?" I coughed out, still trying to catch my breath.

"The one where we see how much you're worth," Lyra said, her voice a mix of amusement and annoyance. "Now, shapeshift back to your charming self before you scare the locals."

With a groan, I shifted back to human form, the fur retreating and the snout shrinking until it was just my own face, sweaty and out of breath. The bounty hunters had given up their pursuit, probably more confused than anything else.

Lyra stood above me, the cold metal of her handcuffs pressing into my wrists. "Let's go," she said, pulling me to my feet. "We've got some talking to do."

Her grip was firm as she led me through the streets, the weight of the situation settling on my shoulders like a lead blanket. We arrived at an abandoned building, the door hanging off its hinges like a broken jaw. The inside was as welcoming as the outside, with shadows playing on the corroded walls and a floor sticky with who-knows-what.

Once we were inside, she turned to face me, the hunger in her eyes not entirely from the chase. "Now, Cody," she purred, licking her lips. "Tell me everything."

My heart raced as she leaned in closer, her breath hot on my face. "Everything?" I managed to croak out.

"Everything," she confirmed, her voice low and dangerous. "How you got these powers, why you're here, and why you think you can charm your way out of this."

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my cool. "It's a long story," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"We've got all night," she said, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a lightsaber, and suddenly, I wasn't sure if she was going to kiss me or interrogate me. Maybe both.

"Look," I began, trying to keep my voice steady, "I'm not who you think I am."

"Oh, really?" she said, her eyes flashing with amusement. "Then who are you?"

"I'm... I'm just a guy trying to figure things out," I said, the truth coming out in a rush. "I don't know how I got these powers, or why I keep coming back."

Lyra studied me for a long moment, her grip on my wrists loosening slightly. "And what makes you think you can charm your way through the galaxy?"

I shrugged. "I've had some luck before."

Her smile grew. "I'll say you have."

The moment stretched out, and for a second, I thought she was going to lean in for a kiss. But instead, she stepped back, releasing me from the handcuffs with a flick of her wrist.

"Prove it," she said. "Convince me that you're worth keeping around."

I rubbed my wrists, trying to ignore the heat in my cheeks. "How do you want me to prove it?"

Her eyes glinted. "Use those shapeshifting skills of yours. Show me something... impressive."

"Alright," I said, trying to hide my nerves. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

I closed my eyes and focused, picturing the most impressive form I could manage. When I opened them again, I had morphed into a taller, more muscular version of myself—complete with piercing blue eyes and a chiseled jaw that could cut through a spaceship. The room was silent except for the faint hum of the broken neon lights flickering above us.

Lyra's gaze raked over me, and I could see the hunger in her eyes grow. "Well," she said, her voice husky, "you've definitely got my attention."

Her hand reached up, her fingers brushing against my new jawline. "Nice touch," she murmured. "But can you do more?"

I grinned, feeling a thrill of excitement. "Oh, I've got plenty more where that came from."

With a flicker of my mind, I shifted again, my skin darkening to a rich, sun-kissed tone. My hair grew longer, falling into perfect waves, and my outfit transformed into something that looked like it was pulled straight from the pages of a space opera—tight leather pants and a billowy shirt that left little to the imagination.

Lyra's pupils dilated, and she stepped closer, her hand tracing the outline of my new physique. "You're like a... a... a... "

"A Greek god?" I suggested, playing it cool.

"A... yes, a Greek god," she said, her voice strained.

I leaned in, my newfound confidence making me bold. "Would a Greek god lie to you?"

Her hand snaked around the back of my neck, and she pulled me closer. "No," she breathed. "But he might be tempted to bend the truth."

Our lips met in a fiery kiss, the electricity between us crackling in the air. It was like nothing I'd ever felt before, a mix of passion and power that made my knees wobble. Her hands roamed over my new body, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. Maybe shapeshifting wasn't just for evading bounty hunters after all.

But as the kiss deepened, I heard VIX's voice in the back of my mind, reminding me of the danger we were still in. "Remember, Cody," she murmured. "The mission."

With a sigh, I pulled away. "Lyra, as much as I'd love to continue this, we've got to focus."

Her eyes were half-lidded with desire. "Fine," she said, reluctantly letting me go. "But I'm keeping my eye on you."

With a wink, I shifted back into my normal, average self. The scruffy brown hair and blue eyes returned, and the leather pants and billowy shirt turned into my usual ragged spacer's attire. It was like coming back to reality after a particularly vivid daydream. But the smirk on Lyra's face told me she was enjoying the show, and the heat in her gaze didn't waver.

"Alright," she said, her voice a low purr. "You're a fast talker, Cody. But can you back it up?"

I nodded, eager to impress her. "Watch this," I said, focusing my powers again. In a flash, my outfit changed. A sleek black jacket with silver accents slid over my shoulders, hugging my torso like a second skin. The boots that materialized around my legs were sturdy, the kind that could handle a sprint across the jagged surface of a moon or a brawl in a zero-gravity nightclub. Beneath the jacket, an armor vest emerged, studded with unobtrusive tech that whispered of protection and capability. The pants were functional, with pockets and pouches that could hold everything from a blaster to a bag of stolen space coins. The shin guards that grew over my legs were sleek and light, perfect for a quick dodge or a swift kick to the face of an oncoming enemy. And around my waist, a utility belt appeared, brimming with gadgets and gear that only someone as lucky as me could pull off.