Reborn as Richard Castle in Criminal Minds

The FBI agents felt uncomfortable as the media praised the NYPD for their swift handling of the Chester A. Arthur International School bomb situation. The children of many high-ranking officials and wealthy individuals attended that school, which added to the NYPD's moment of glory. However, the FBI and Homeland Security were left as the scapegoats, criticized for their lackluster performance.

The FBI and Homeland Security were now aware that the NYPD had received intelligence about a potential attack on New York a week prior. Despite the Twelfth Precinct's commendable performance in evacuating the Wall Street subway station and locating the fake bomb at the school, the overall response from the NYPD had been lackluster. If not for their public success in finding and defusing the school bomb, the NYPD wouldn't have received such high praise.

As it stood, the NYPD's Twelfth Precinct had overshadowed the FBI's efforts, frustrating the federal agencies. The FBI and Homeland Security bore the brunt of public and media criticism for their perceived failures.

Therefore, upon hearing that the NYPD had located Simon, the mastermind behind the day's events, the FBI quickly dispatched a task force to intercept him before the NYPD could. Their goal was simple: capture Simon to shift the blame and criticism away from themselves.

Meanwhile, a CIA helicopter carrying the head of their New York office had a different mission. His task was to claim Simon and Faris Tago from the NYPD or FBI under the guise of national security and transport them to Langley. There, they would likely be recruited into the CIA's black ops team instead of facing charges.

However, the CIA knew of the personal vendetta between John McClane and Simon. Years ago, John had thrown Simon's brother off a skyscraper during a heist in Los Angeles. Today, Simon had humiliated John by forcing him to walk through a black neighborhood in his underwear with a racist sign. Only the intervention of a local shop owner had saved John from a violent end.

Now, with John relentlessly pursuing Simon, the CIA worried. John's history of being ruthless in his duties suggested he might kill Simon before the agency could intervene. Fortunately, Simon's thirty well-trained and well-armed men seemed like sufficient protection.

The four helicopters, two from the NYPD's ESU and two from federal agencies, raced towards the scene. As they approached, the agents could see the aftermath of a fierce battle. One man held a gun to another, who was half-lying on the ground.

This unexpected sight alarmed both the FBI and CIA agents. If the prone figure was John McClane, the NYPD's ESU team might react strongly, complicating any attempt to take Simon. If it was Simon, it indicated John's formidable combat skills had overcome Simon's defenses, making the situation even more precarious.

Unaware that only two people were still breathing at the scene—John and the barely alive Simon—the agents prepared for the worst. John, largely unharmed thanks to Castle's cover, stood over the critically wounded Simon.

John McClane faced a moral dilemma as he looked at Simon, who was on the brink of death. Despite his hatred for Simon, John hesitated to shoot an incapacitated man. He holstered his gun and stood by, waiting for Simon to die naturally.

Castle's earlier shot had shattered any chance of Simon's survival. Without immediate medical intervention, the blood loss alone would be fatal. Simon's right arm had been severed, leaving him in a pool of blood, unable to speak. His skin, once fair and healthy, was now ghostly pale.

Lying on the ground, Simon glared at John with intense hatred. This man had killed his brother and now, with the help of a mysterious sniper, had destroyed his plans. Simon regretted provoking John McClane, realizing too late that his actions had led to his downfall at the construction site.

As the helicopters closed in, the agents saw the grim scene unfold. John McClane stood over Simon, who could only stare back with dying hatred, his life slipping away with every passing second.

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