"Enough! You two are relentless! Can you just… stop for one second?!"
Before Ultron and Lauf could escalate further, Mystique slammed her hand on the table, exasperated.
"Rather than tearing each other apart, maybe sit quietly and figure out how to explain this mess to Magneto!"
"Humph!"
Ultron and Lauf snorted coldly but begrudgingly sat down, their glares still locked on each other. The tension in the room was so thick it could be cut with a knife—every failed plan and looming danger pressed heavily on them.
Buzz!
Suddenly, the high-tech summoner on the table shivered, vibrating violently. Mystique stiffened, fists clenched as all three watched the device intently.
The summoner rotated like a delicate clockwork, then bloomed open, shooting out a dazzling, dreamlike beam of electrons.
Mystique dropped to a formal crouch, voice loud and trembling:
"Subordinates, behold… Magneto!"
Even Ultron and Lauf straightened, bowing slightly to the holographic projection. Though it wasn't him in person, Magneto's aura alone made all three feel like they were standing on the edge of a cliff.
"Hmm… Mystique, how are things going?" Magneto's phantom asked calmly, his piercing gaze sweeping over them.
Mystique bowed lower, eyes lowered in submission.
"Something seems… off about your expressions. Did you really mess up?"
"Sorry, Magneto… we… we failed to subdue Ryuuto. He's still free."
"What?!"
Magneto's tone turned icy, and sweat ran cold down Mystique's spine. Ultron and Lauf's confidence faltered instantly.
"But… but that kid is unbelievably cunning! His strength… it's ridiculous. He's hard to deal with!" Mystique admitted, gritting her teeth.
"Yes… but we've already seen all his tricks. Next, we need a final blow—wipe him out and end this threat."
Magneto clicked his fingers sharply. "I don't want excuses. I want results."
The words were like a hammer smashing their resolve. Ultron and Lauf stiffened, realizing the phantom's authority was absolute.
"Mystique, any news on Quicksilver?"
"Yes. We got a response from Ryuuto himself. Quicksilver is in Deadpool's hands."
"Do we know where Deadpool is?"
"Not yet," Mystique replied evenly.
Magneto's smirk returned, sharp and dangerous. "Don't worry about that. I'll handle the investigation personally. But you three—stay in New York. Use whatever methods necessary, and I want confirmation that Ryuuto has completely disappeared from this world. Understood?"
"Yes!" Mystique nodded, and Ultron and Lauf remained silent, faces grim as their minds churned over what schemes might unfold next.
Meanwhile, with full use of his High-speed movement, Ryuuto had already crossed countless streets and returned to a home near Oxford University.
"Brother! You're finally back! Sister Susan and I thought you weren't coming home!"
Before he could even respond, a tiny whirlwind of energy—Katie Dee—dove into his arms, clinging like an octopus.
"Hehe, Katie Dee! I'm here to protect you!"
Ryuuto ruffled Katie Dee's hair fondly, then noticed Susan approaching, eyes wide with anticipation.
"Susan! Did you miss me today?"
"Of course! If you hadn't made me stay home to watch Katie Dee, I would've gone on the mission with you!"
Without hesitation, Susan leaned on his shoulder. The three of them walked slowly inside, all smiles and warmth.
"By the way… is Natasha Romanoff at X-Men headquarters?"
"Yeah! She said she won't be back today; she's doing research with Charles and the others."
"Got it!" Ryuuto nodded, rubbing his stomach. "Susan, is dinner ready? I'm starving—let's have a proper celebration tonight!"
"Absolutely! We even bought a few bottles of red wine for the occasion."
Ryuuto's nose twitched at the tempting aromas, and his eyes lit up.
Susan and Katie Dee unveiled the table, revealing an impressive spread—chicken, duck, abalone, shark fin, bird's nest, beef, seafood—enough to make any gourmand drool.
"Haha! You guys spoil me! Come on—one kiss for each of you!" Ryuuto laughed, practically drooling, pressing quick kisses to both Susan and Katie Dee's cheeks before digging in. The three shared the meal, laughter and cheers filling the room.
"Brother, tell Susan and me about fighting those big bad guys outside today!" Katie Dee asked eagerly between bites, her bright eyes sparkling.
"Absolutely!" Ryuuto raised his glass of wine, pounding it back in one gulp, then patted them both with a wide, confident grin.
...
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