After hearing Richard's words, Tony fell silent.
A moment later, he gestured to a nearby waiter to bring him a chair. Settling in beside Richard and Emma Frost, he stated flatly, "Rogers was my friend."
"Barnes, who killed your parents, was also his friend," Richard replied coolly. "And in Rogers' eyes, you weren't nearly as important as Barnes."
As Tony prepared to respond, Emma Frost interjected.
"Several people are texting right now, attempting to leak the news that you killed Rogers," she informed Richard. "Would you like me to intervene?"
"No, let them share it," Richard replied with a slight smile. "I don't mind this becoming public knowledge. I won't be the one with the headache."
Throughout America, Captain America commanded substantial public admiration. Countless people had grown up hearing tales of his heroism—Phil Coulson, a Level 8 S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, being a notable example of his devoted following.
Yet Richard remained unconcerned about being identified as Captain America's killer. From his first day in this world, he had never aspired to become a beloved superhero. Nor did he intend to become a world-conquering supervillain. If forced to categorize himself, "anti-hero" seemed most fitting.
Satisfied with Richard's response, Emma Frost ceased her telepathic monitoring and turned her attention away from the restaurant's patrons.
Tony, momentarily interrupted, cast an irritated glance at Emma Frost before addressing Richard again. "We'll discuss Rogers' death later. Right now, I want to know how you learned that Bucky Barnes killed my parents."
He leaned forward slightly. "Before coming here, I contacted Nick Fury. He confirmed it was Barnes and provided surveillance footage from that night." Tony unconsciously clenched his fists, raw anger and murderous intent flashing across his features.
Struggling to maintain his composure, he continued, "Fury also mentioned that only a select few within S.H.I.E.L.D. knew about this. Apart from them, only HYDRA operatives would have this information."
His eyes narrowed. "How did you know? I understand you possess telepathic abilities that allow you to access memories and thoughts at will, but you couldn't have extracted this from someone at S.H.I.E.L.D. This suggests either you're affiliated with HYDRA, or you know how to locate someone who is."
Though disturbed by Richard's execution of Rogers, Tony had relegated that concern to the background. Currently, only one objective consumed him: finding Barnes and personally avenging his parents. Nothing else mattered until that was accomplished.
"I do know how to find HYDRA personnel," Richard began, "but you should understand that information is never freely given in this world—"
"Just name your price," Tony interrupted. "Whatever you want, I'll provide it."
"Interrupting others is poor etiquette," Richard chided. "However, considering your current state, I'll overlook it. Besides, I'm not particularly difficult to accommodate. For those I admire, I'm happy to offer assistance." A small smile played at his lips. "You're fortunate—you happen to be someone I respect."
He continued more seriously, "Finding HYDRA operatives is straightforward. They've infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. extensively. You're familiar with Alexander Pierce, former S.H.I.E.L.D. Director and current Head of the World Security Council? His office occupies the top floor of the Triskelion."
Richard's voice remained steady as he delivered the bombshell: "He's not merely a HYDRA leader—he's the handler for 'The Winter Soldier,' Bucky Barnes. If you want Barnes, apprehend Pierce. Once you have him, Barnes will come to you."
He added a warning: "Be thoroughly prepared. Barnes isn't easily subdued."
Alexander Pierce is HYDRA's leader?
Tony stared at Richard in astonishment. Had anyone else made such an allegation, he would have dismissed it outright. But coming from Richard, the claim carried weight—not because Tony trusted him, but because he couldn't fathom why Richard would fabricate such information. Moreover, verifying Pierce's loyalties would be straightforward: capture him and confirmation would follow.
"I dislike owing favors," Tony stated firmly. "Whatever you desire, if it's within my capability, consider it done."
"That's unnecessary," Richard replied with an easy smile. "Consider it my contribution to the entertainment."
"No," Tony insisted, his expression serious. "I won't be comfortable remaining in your debt."
Noting Tony's determination, Richard considered briefly before responding: "If you're genuinely set on repayment, then utilize your considerable talents to create an 'Anti-Richard Armor' for me."
Anti-Richard Armor?
The request surprised not only Tony but Emma Frost as well. What purpose could such a creation possibly serve?
Tony's brow furrowed in confusion. After several moments of silence, he nodded. "If this is your desired compensation, I'll honor it. However, work on your Anti-Richard Armor won't commence until my vengeance is complete."
"That's acceptable," Richard agreed. "I'm not in any rush. Deliver it when you're finished."
Satisfied that Richard wasn't joking, Tony rose without further comment and exited the restaurant. Donning the armor stationed at the entrance, he rapidly vanished from sight.
Following Tony's departure, Richard calmly employed his telepathy to selectively erase portions of the other diners' memories. While he had no objection to public knowledge of Captain America's death, he preferred that Alexander Pierce remain unaware of Tony's impending revenge.
Forewarned, Pierce might not only complicate Tony's mission but could potentially alert HYDRA's S.H.I.E.L.D. moles to go into hiding. HYDRA wasn't prepared for open conflict with S.H.I.E.L.D.—if exposed prematurely, they would likely retreat deeper into the shadows rather than engage in direct confrontation.
Though Richard harbored no fondness for S.H.I.E.L.D., he detested HYDRA more profoundly. At the very least, S.H.I.E.L.D. occasionally contributed positively to the world.
8:00 PM Evening News
Every major New York television network led with identical headlines:
"Richard Wesley publicly acknowledges killing Captain America, igniting widespread controversy. S.H.I.E.L.D. denies the claim, stating that Captain Rogers is currently engaged in classified operations."
"Iron Man Tony Stark infiltrates S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, abducting World Security Council Minister Alexander Pierce. Intense firefight with S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel reported. S.H.I.E.L.D. issues statement claiming Minister Pierce is participating in joint Avengers-S.H.I.E.L.D. training exercise."
As Richard had anticipated, both he and Tony featured prominently in the evening broadcasts, their already considerable notoriety further amplified.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s responses aligned perfectly with his expectations. Their denials—both regarding Captain America's death and Tony's abduction of Pierce—reflected the organization's standard operating procedure. Although American media constantly championed the public's "right to know," what citizens actually learned was invariably what authorities deemed appropriate for consumption.
Time advanced swiftly.
A week passed in the blink of an eye. For most people, these seven days held no particular significance, but for Tony Stark, they represented an indelible chapter in his life—the week he finally achieved his vengeance by personally eliminating Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier.
Manhattan Emma Frost's Apartment
Despite the White House's compensation including two estates—one situated near New York—Richard had yet to relocate. It wasn't that the New York manor lacked appeal; he simply felt no immediate desire to move.
To him, the physical environment—whether manor, luxury apartment, or forest cabin—mattered less than his personal preference. And compared to the White House's compensatory estate, he currently favored Emma Frost's luxurious apartment.
Tony, wearing designer sunglasses and an exquisitely tailored suit, lounged on the living room sofa as though he owned the place. He casually picked up the $50,000 bottle of whiskey from the coffee table and poured two glasses, offering one to Richard.
Richard accepted the drink and observed, "From your demeanor, I gather you not only completed your revenge, but Nick Fury also agreed to help manage the fallout. How did you convince him?"
Tony took a measured sip of whiskey before responding nonchalantly. "Convincing wasn't necessary. I simply informed him that if he declined to address the aftermath, I would publicize everything."
He swirled the amber liquid in his glass. "The World Security Council Minister being HYDRA's leader, countless HYDRA operatives embedded within S.H.I.E.L.D.—if these details reached the public, S.H.I.E.L.D. would be stripped of all authority, assuming it survived at all."
Tony's expression hardened. "If he wants to preserve S.H.I.E.L.D., he needs to handle this mess."
Richard smiled appreciatively. "I wouldn't have expected such tactics from you. I thought political maneuvering wasn't your style." He gestured toward the whiskey. "Let's be direct—you didn't bring a fifty-thousand-dollar bottle just for casual conversation. What do you want from me?"
He sipped the whiskey, reluctantly acknowledging its exceptional quality despite his limited expertise in fine spirits.
"Nothing specific," Tony replied quickly. "Just came by to talk."
"Let's dispense with the pretense," Richard countered. "Even if you merely wanted conversation, you wouldn't seek out someone you've barely met. Your social circle may be limited, but not nonexistent. If companionship were your goal, Pepper, Happy, or Colonel Rhodes would gladly oblige."
He fixed Tony with a knowing look. "Besides, there's a twenty-five-year age gap between us. Using the 'three years equals one generation' theory, that's over eight generations of difference."
Richard didn't need telepathy to discern Tony's true purpose; the dark circles beneath his eyes, visible even behind designer sunglasses, contradicted his casual façade.
"You're only eighteen," Tony retorted. "You didn't exactly behave like a typical teenager when you were killing people."
Richard ignored Tony's complaint, continuing to savor the exceptional whiskey. Seeing his comments had no effect, Tony finally relented. "I need a favor."
"What kind of favor?" Richard inquired, setting down his glass.
"I can't sleep," Tony admitted. "JARVIS says I'm experiencing severe anxiety attacks. Sleeping pills are ineffective. Every time I close my eyes, I see Barnes murdering my parents." He removed his sunglasses, revealing pronounced dark circles. "I thought killing Barnes would restore normalcy, but it's only worsened. In the past three days, I've slept less than two hours total."
"I'm not your therapist," Richard replied seriously. "And our relationship hardly warrants mutual assistance of this magnitude."
"I recognize our relationship isn't that developed," Tony conceded. "So I won't request help without compensation. I know you possess telepathic abilities—if you could help me forget my parents' murder, or provide false memories to replace it, I'd offer whatever reward is within my power."
He sighed. "I could eventually create a device to forcibly clear traumatic memories from the hippocampus, but development would require substantial time."
Hearing this, Richard considered briefly before responding, "Since you're being straightforward, I'll reciprocate. I can resolve your insomnia, provided you give me another suit of Iron Man armor. No need for a new design—your current model will suffice."
"Agreed," Tony replied immediately. Having already committed to the Anti-Richard Armor, one additional suit represented minimal additional commitment.
"I'll implant a psychological suggestion that will allow you to sleep peacefully whenever you desire," Richard explained.
Psychological suggestion?
Tony frowned. This clearly differed from his request.
"Can you guarantee its effectiveness?" he asked skeptically.
"Don't underestimate me," Richard replied with a confident smile. "Haven't you seen recent news coverage? The public now considers me an all-around Omega-level mutant. A simple sleep suggestion is trivial—I could alter your entire personality if I wished, with absolute certainty."
"You? An Omega-level mutant?" Tony scoffed. "If any mutant merits that classification, it's Dr. Jean Grey from Xavier's school. That's JARVIS's conclusion after extensive analysis."
As Richard prepared to counter this assertion, a mission panel suddenly materialized in his field of vision:
[Mission: Son of the Devil (IV)]
[Mission content: Defeat "Dark Phoenix" Jean Grey]
[Mission Reward: True Demon Form]
[Task time limit: None]
Defeat Dark Phoenix?
Richard's brow furrowed at the system's unexpected new mission. No time limit specified, with Vergil's true demon form as the reward?
Though he hadn't yet acquired Vergil's complete character template, he already possessed the Yamato, Summoned Swords, and Judgement Cut End. Adding Vergil's true demon form would dramatically elevate his template fusion percentage—potentially reaching 100% integration in a single step, once he obtained the full Vergil template.
Despite completing numerous system tasks, Richard only now realized the system could issue missions without specific deadlines or complete template rewards.
More concerning was the mission's phrasing: "defeat" rather than "kill." The system had never shown reluctance about eliminating important Marvel Universe figures—Captain America being a prime example. Using "defeat" instead of "kill" suggested that, by the system's assessment, Richard lacked the capability to permanently eliminate Dark Phoenix Jean Grey.
Was Phoenix truly that formidable in this universe? Perhaps this wasn't merely a comic book reality after all.
These thoughts flashed through Richard's mind in an instant. Tony, unable to see the mission panel, observed only Richard's sudden frown.
"Is your psychological resilience really that fragile?" Tony asked, bewildered. "Can't handle a bit of criticism?"
"As I said, don't underestimate me," Richard replied, refocusing. "My mental fortitude far exceeds your expectations. I'll implant a suggestion that will last approximately one month. If your condition hasn't improved by then, I'll help erase those painful memories entirely."
Without awaiting Tony's response, Richard employed his telepathy, seamlessly implanting the psychological suggestion into Tony's subconscious—as effortless for him as breathing.
Seeing Richard resume sipping whiskey mere seconds later, Tony asked in confusion, "Has it started? Or is it already finished?"
Umm...
For reasons he couldn't quite articulate, Richard felt Tony's phrasing could easily lead to inappropriate associations.
...
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Marvel : The God Of Punishment System
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