Hidden somewhere between reality and whatever corner Loki crawls into when he's sulking, two figures met again. Loki's face was twisted with irritation. Quicksilver didn't look much better.
"So… you got the report too?" Loki asked, voice low and sour.
Quicksilver clicked his tongue. "Yeah. And congratulations, Loki. Thor got humiliated again. And the leader of the Dark Elves? Beheaded. By Ryuuto."
He gave Loki a pointed stare, lowering his voice. "The whole world is shaking right now. Mutant Brotherhood is barely holding together. My dad's growing white hair by the hour."
Loki folded his arms, expression sharpening. "Then we're in agreement. We continue our alliance and crush the Avengers… and those infuriating X-Men?"
Quicksilver's fists tightened. "Absolutely. Ryuuto must die."
His tone carried a tremor of fury, but underneath it… fear.
"But you owe me an explanation, Loki. What's your plan?"
Loki's smirk returned, thin and venomous.
"Relax. Our alliance stands. And if we want that brat erased, we strike fast… and brutally."
Cold light flickered in his eyes.
"Summon the strongest mutant we can. I don't care if it costs lives. He has to be brought out."
Quicksilver inhaled sharply, then nodded.
"Understood."
The pair vanished into the shadows again, their conspiracy tightening around a single target.
Ryuuto.
The next morning, after a night of chaotic celebration with Tony, Charles, Wolverine, and the others, Ryuuto stepped out for a jog with Susan and Gwen. Katie Dee was still snoring into her pillow like a dragon guarding treasure.
Ryuuto expected peace.
He got Deadpool.
"RYUUTO! My sweet little flameball, I finally found you!"
Deadpool dropped from the sky like someone had thrown him off a balcony, arms wide for a full-force hug.
Ryuuto didn't even blink.
Leaf Great Whirlwind.
His foot whipped upward in a perfect arc, catching Deadpool mid-flight and booting him straight into the pool. Water erupted like a tsunami.
"Wow… brutal." Susan winced. Gwen winced harder.
Both were smiling.
Deadpool popped up from the water, mask soaked and pitiful. "Why do you hurt me emotionally and physically?"
Ryuuto sighed. "Didn't I tell you to stay in the Brotherhood and keep an eye on Magneto?"
Deadpool trudged out of the pool, arms spread again.
"Ryuuto… I missed you."
"Stay back." Ryuuto lifted a hand. "Three meters minimum. Violators get punted."
Deadpool paused, then whispered, "Is it because Magneto's boring? Because he's boring. I said it."
"Kami…" Ryuuto pinched his nose. "I'm already in a bad mood. Don't test me."
Too late.
Deadpool's eyes sparkled like a child who just found fireworks. "Then fight me! Beat me! Pulverize me! If I die enough times, maybe the Goddess of Death will notice how hot I look suffering!"
Ryuuto rubbed his temple.
"…Fine. If you want pain, I'll grant your wish."
He inhaled deeply.
Fire Style: Phoenix Fire.
Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique.
Flames erupted from his mouth in roaring waves, slamming into Deadpool and sending him tumbling across the lawn like a burning ragdoll. Susan and Gwen backed up with soft applause.
Deadpool popped back up, charred black. "Ow. But also yes. More."
"You're insane," Ryuuto muttered. Then his smirk sharpened. "Perfect test dummy though."
Deadpool spread his arms like he was waiting for a lover's embrace. "Strip my atoms! Do it!"
Ryuuto raised a finger, chakra flaring around him as his hair lifted in the heat.
Mangekyō Sharingan: Amaterasu.
Black fire bloomed across Deadpool's body.
He screamed. Not in agony.
In ecstasy.
"This feels AMAZING! Don't stop!"
Susan and Gwen exchanged horrified looks.
Ryuuto sighed. "I regret everything."
Deadpool writhed in the flames, happily melting.
Then something snapped.
A violent killing intent cut through the air like a blade.
Another figure burst from behind the trees, sprinting straight for Ryuuto.
Susan reacted instantly, forming an invisible force field. Gwen fired a web-line at the intruder.
He didn't even slow down.
"My target isn't you two! Move!"
With a roar, the attacker tore through the force field, ripped Gwen's web apart, and charged harder.
Deadpool, still half-burning, leapt up and pointed a flaming finger. "HEY! Back off! He's supposed to kill me right now! Wait your turn, buddy!"
The newcomer didn't answer. Didn't hesitate.
He came for Ryuuto.
Straight on.
Unstoppable.