Las Vegas
Caesars Palace Hotel
While Professor X and Magneto seethed over the Department of Mutant Affairs' cloning program, Richard was engaged in a more intimate debate with Emma Frost regarding the origin of life—within the confines of his bedroom.
In less euphemistic terms, he was enjoying Emma's meticulous and passionate attention.
Though Wanda and Pietro now occupied the suite's other bedrooms, neither Richard nor Emma Frost showed particular concern about their presence.
Emma, especially, seemed unbothered.
Their "philosophical discussion" grew so intense that even the master bedroom's excellent sound insulation couldn't completely contain it.
"Shameless!" Wanda muttered in the second bedroom after hearing Emma's enthusiastic exclamations.
Meanwhile, Pietro in the third bedroom turned the television volume as high as possible. Though envious of Richard, he also felt a pang of disappointment as he lay on his bed, sighing.
When will I have a beautiful girlfriend? he wondered silently.
The following morning, they gathered in the hotel restaurant.
Over breakfast, Richard formally introduced Emma Frost Emma to Wanda and Pietro.
The twins were dressed in casual clothes purchased through the hotel's concierge service. Though ordinary attire, the clothing looked striking on them both—a testament to the adage that attractive people elevate whatever they wear.
Wanda and Pietro exemplified this principle. In truth, all four at the table did.
Upon learning that Emma was Emma Frost of the Hellfire Club and Sebastian Shaw's right hand, Pietro and Wanda immediately tensed, wariness evident in their expressions.
"Emma has severed all ties with the Hellfire Club," Richard explained calmly. "There's no need to regard her as an enemy. As for your capture and use as experimental subjects—that was Sebastian Shaw's personal decision. Emma wasn't aware of it."
Though neither twin spoke, their skepticism remained plainly visible.
"How do you know she's not lying to you?" Pietro finally asked.
"Because I'm telepathic and have read her memories," Richard replied simply.
Pietro studied Emma Frost with a complicated expression before pressing further.
"As far as I know, besides the Black King and White Queen, the Hellfire Club also has a Black Bishop and Black Rook. Are they next on your hit list?"
"Not at present," Richard answered promptly. "As long as they don't cause trouble for me, I won't hunt them across the globe. I'm not some deranged killer."
Although both the Black Bishop and Black Rook possessed formidable powers, that alone wasn't sufficient motivation for Richard to target them specifically.
There were thousands of mutants with impressive abilities across the world. If he went out of his way to hunt down every mutant with noteworthy powers, he'd have time for nothing else.
"So what happens next?" Pietro asked, his voice measured. "Will you take Wanda and me with you to avoid recapture by the Department of Mutant Affairs?"
Richard smiled and shook his head.
"I've been reflecting on my situation. For three months now, I've been an S-rank wanted criminal."
"It's time to shed that classification."
What?
Emma Frost, Pietro, and Wanda all stared at Richard in astonishment.
Was he suggesting...?
Before they could voice their thoughts, Richard continued.
"I plan to demand that the Department of Mutant Affairs publicly apologize to me, rescind the S-level warrant for my arrest, and compensate me for the Wesley family properties they seized."
His expression hardened. "If they refuse, I'll ensure the Department of Mutant Affairs becomes a relic of the past."
Richard had hoped that completing the "One-Winged Angel (II)" mission would improve Sephiroth's template fusion level. That had proven to be wishful thinking.
Merely completing the mission wasn't enough to push Sephiroth's template fusion past the critical 50% threshold.
Though uncertain what would propel the fusion degree beyond 50%, he was certain of one thing—he'd grown weary of being a fugitive.
Since he was tired of being hunted, the solution seemed straightforward: demand the Department cancel the warrant and compensate him for his losses.
Additionally, it was time to address the matter of his original body's father.
"You're declaring all-out war against the Department of Mutant Affairs?" Pietro asked, frowning.
Unlike Richard, he and Wanda were legally registered mutants. While they had experienced discrimination, it hadn't been particularly severe—partly because they lacked obvious mutant characteristics, and partly because their attractive appearances garnered preferential treatment.
People who looked good typically received better treatment.
"My war with the Department began three months ago," Richard replied evenly. "Strictly speaking, we're merely entering the next phase of conflict."
As Pietro opened his mouth to respond, an urgent news bulletin flashed across the restaurant's television screen:
"Ten minutes ago, the Department of Mutant Affairs held an impromptu press conference, officially announcing a top-priority operation to apprehend S-level fugitives Eric Lehnsherr and Richard Wesley by any means necessary. The Department calls upon citizens with relevant information to report the whereabouts of these individuals immediately.
"According to our sources, Richard Wesley engaged in violent conflict with several unidentified mutants at Miami's Bayfront Park Marina last night, killing them before fleeing the scene.
"During this incident, a SHIELD agent arrived via Quinjet but failed to apprehend Wesley.
"Intelligence reports indicate that since early this morning, Department of Mutant Affairs facilities in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston have come under attack by the Brotherhood of Mutants.
"At present, the Department has not released casualty figures from these attacks.
"This station will provide updates as developments unfold."
The breaking news captured not only the attention of Richard's group but also that of other diners throughout the restaurant.
As the broadcast displayed the Department's latest wanted poster featuring Richard, numerous guests' gazes drifted toward him.
Though he wore sunglasses, he hadn't covered his distinctive flowing silver hair.
"They seem to recognize you," Pietro remarked.
"No, they don't—and they won't remember anything," Richard replied calmly as he activated his telepathy.
With minimal effort, he established telepathic connections with the guests, erased their recollections, and mentally instructed them to exit the restaurant.
Under Pietro and Wanda's watchful eyes, the patrons who had been staring at Richard moments before stood up and departed, chatting casually as if nothing unusual had occurred.
"Now, let's finish our breakfast," Richard said, returning to his meal.
Washington D.C.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion Headquarters
Director's Office
Director Nick Fury regarded Natasha Romanoff, Steve Rogers, and Clint Barton gravely.
"I assume you've all seen the Department of Mutant Affairs' press conference," he began.
"Before the broadcast, their minister contacted me personally, followed by a formal request for assistance."
"Intelligence has also informed me that Professor Charles Xavier is en route to the Department's headquarters with Cyclops Scott Summers."
"Barring traffic delays, they'll arrive within thirty minutes."
"Each of you has encountered Richard Wesley previously. I want your assessments."
Though Bruce Banner had returned to Washington and was residing in SHIELD-arranged accommodations, Fury hadn't summoned him to this meeting.
In terms of raw combat potential, Banner's Hulk form surpassed Natasha, Steve, and Clint combined.
But regarding reliability and willingness to follow orders, Banner fell significantly short of the others.
Natasha and Steve were official SHIELD agents with formal positions and salaries.
Banner, by contrast, was more accurately described as assisting Natasha rather than serving SHIELD.
As for Tony Stark and Thor—Stark could hardly be expected to follow SHIELD's directives obediently, let alone those from the White House.
Thor, while more reasonable, wasn't even on Earth currently.
Locating him to assist in apprehending Richard would be impossible; merely establishing contact posed a challenge.
After Fury's briefing, the three agents exchanged glances.
Natasha spoke first.
"The Department of Mutant Affairs has clearly overstepped," she said deliberately. "However, if they were bold enough to clone Magneto, they must have anticipated full-scale conflict with the Brotherhood."
"They should have factored in Professor Xavier's inevitable reaction."
"Though both are government entities, SHIELD and the Department operate independently with distinct jurisdictions."
"In my assessment, we should decline their request for assistance."
"They created this situation—they should resolve it themselves."
Though she'd only encountered Richard once, Natasha's impression had been favorable.
She felt a measure of gratitude toward him. During yesterday's San Francisco incident, Richard had deliberately spared both her and the Hulk.
That alone earned him some goodwill in her estimation.
As Natasha concluded, Rogers immediately countered.
"I disagree with Agent Romanoff," he stated firmly.
"While I bear no prejudice against mutants, Richard Wesley represents an extreme danger."
"He's effectively a nuclear weapon in terrorist hands, capable of catastrophic destruction at any moment."
"Though he's refrained from targeting civilians thus far, more than fifty mutant agents have died by his hand."
"That's excluding special forces personnel—the total death toll over just three months exceeds three hundred!"
"In my assessment, his threat level matches or exceeds Thor and Hulk combined in terms of potential devastation."
"We cannot stand idle while such an individual operates freely."
"I recommend accepting the Department's request and cooperating to apprehend Richard Wesley, bringing him to justice at all costs."
Captain America's voice rang with conviction as he delivered his judgment.
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