The Mutant Brotherhood's underground base was usually loud, chaotic, and full of bad decisions. But tonight, Mystique froze mid-conversation the moment she saw Quicksilver striding in — and the blue-skinned woman trailing awkwardly behind him.
"Quicksilver, what are you doing dragging someone back? And a woman, no less?"
She rose from the crate she had been sitting on, voice slicing through the air. A beat later she touched the dust on her nose and scowled, annoyed at herself for looking undignified.
"My business. Not yours," Quicksilver snapped without slowing.
He marched right past her with that infuriating, chin-tilted arrogance only he could pull off.
"You—!" Mystique's temper ignited instantly. Her fists clenched, knuckles cracking like gunshots.
But she held herself back. Barely. Her gaze flickered, thoughts spinning behind narrowed eyes.
Behind him, Nebula's expression shifted through suspicion, annoyance, calculation. After a long, cold stare at Mystique, she followed Quicksilver in silence.
After all… anyone bold enough to antagonize Ryuuto — that brat she absolutely needed dead — was worth at least investigating. If Quicksilver really had a way to take him down, then everything might finally fall into place.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
But she needed to know.
THE SEALED ROOM
"Master Quicksilver!"
A group of Brotherhood grunts at the corridor entrance straightened instantly when he approached, smiles plastered on like bad stickers.
Their smiles died a second later.
"Listen carefully," Quicksilver said coldly. "From this moment on, no one — and I mean no one — steps into this area without my permission. Not even my father. If Magneto shows up, you inform me first. Got it?"
"Y-Yes! Absolutely!"
"Understood, Master Quicksilver!"
He gave them one last look of contempt before waving Nebula forward.
"Move. Inside."
The metal door slammed shut. Quicksilver locked it. Then locked it again. Then installed a third lock for good measure. He even glanced around as if expecting Ryuuto to materialize from thin air.
Nebula's frown deepened.
"Quicksilver," she said slowly, muscles coiled beneath her skin, "what are you playing at?"
He chuckled. "Relax. We're tied to the same rope now. I'm not dumb enough to make an enemy out of you too. I only want Ryuuto dead. The others? I don't care."
"Then why bring me here? And why act like a cornered animal?"
"You really don't get it," he snapped. "Ryuuto is everywhere. The guy is like smoke — slips through cracks you didn't even know you had. If we slip up even once, we're done."
He jabbed a finger toward the floor.
"He stormed our Brotherhood base before — alone — and left a pile of bodies. You think he won't do it again?"
Nebula looked unimpressed.
He sighed dramatically. "Fine. Don't believe me. But I'm the only one willing to help you. Say the word, and I'll boost your power to its limit. I'll assign you as many elites as you want. Together, we can crush that arrogant brat."
Silence stretched, heavy and suffocating. The two watched each other like predators pretending to be allies.
Finally, Nebula exhaled. "…What do you need from me?"
Quicksilver's eyes gleamed.
"It's simple. We just need to—"
He leaned in, whispering excitedly. Their whispers twisted into low, vicious laughter. Two snakes forming a temporary knot.
Their goal: erase Ryuuto, once and for all.
X-MEN BASE — RYUUTO RETURNS
Meanwhile, Ryuuto returned from a cozy dinner with Susan, Katie Dee, and the rest of the gang. The warmth still clung to him as he walked back into the X-Men headquarters.
"Jean, holding down the fort alone?" he asked casually as he stepped into the war room.
Jean Grey turned from the central console with a smile. "Captain, welcome back. And no — Charles is buried in research again."
"Typical. Don't mind me, keep doing your thing."
"Ryuuto-nii! I'm here too!"
Wanda bounded up beside him, grabbing his arm with bright eyes. "My Origin Magic is getting stronger — I can feel it!"
"That's good news. Come on, Wanda, walk with me a bit."
Jean and Wanda flanked him as they strolled through the base, talking and teasing each other in the soft glow of corridor lights.
Then — a flicker.
A blur.
A shadow slicing through the hallway at a speed no ordinary intruder could manage.
Ryuuto's instincts sharpened instantly.
Really? Someone dumb enough to infiltrate the X-Men base at night?
He tensed — then stopped when he recognized the figure.
Of course. Of course.
"Hah! Found you!" Deadpool skidded to a stop, waving. "Ryuuto! You can't ditch me forever!"
Jean's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Who are you? And do you have any idea where you are? Trespassing here is a good way to die."
"Whoa whoa, easy, Red-san," Deadpool said, phasing behind her before she could blink. "I'm not here to fight. I'm here for Ryuuto."
His gaze drifted — and locked onto Wanda.
"Huh? Who's the cute one? I swear I've seen her somewhere. Ryuuto, did you kidnap her? Blink twice if that's the case."
Ryuuto rubbed his temples. "Deadpool, not today. I don't have the energy for your brain-damage routine. Behave."
Wanda edged closer to Ryuuto, whispering, "Ryuuto-nii… he's weird."
"Yeah, don't bother with him," Ryuuto muttered. "If he goes crazy again, just use your Origin Magic. Quick zap. He'll be fine."
"Right. Got it."
Wanda nodded with all the seriousness of someone preparing for battle. Her sympathy toward Deadpool instantly turned into pity for his mental condition.
Deadpool, meanwhile, perked up.
"Origin Magic, huh? Sounds powerful."
He leaned forward, eyes shining with manic excitement.
"Hey Ryuuto — have her blast me! Come on! Maybe it'll finally kill me for real!"
Ryuuto stared at him.
Wanda stared at him.
Jean stared at him.
Deadpool grinned wider.
Chaos, as always, followed him like perfume.