Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works; all other characters and worlds belong to their respective owners. I'm just playing with them.
Betad by Priapus, Marethyu, Malcolm Tent, Mike God of Lore
The Guild of Gamers: The Supervillain
Chapter 27: Setting The Board
– Pamela Isley (Poison Ivy) –
Jason had once been everything to her, the smooth-talking older man who'd convinced her to take part in his research and promised her it would be safe. The same man who spent months torturing her with his sick experiments, forcing her to trigger and then leaving her to her fate against the PRT after he'd gotten caught.
Looking down at the pathetic man's broken body, she smiled as she saw the pleading in his single remaining eye, barely visible through the blood. With a single gesture, dozens of large, thorny vines burst through the ground and pierced his flesh, skewering him a dozen times over as the bastard finally died at the hands of her enhanced power.
"I'll have the body disposed of. Nobody knew I had him, and they never will," Midas explained, indifferent to the brutal showing as she turned back to the King of Brockton Bay. "And I've arranged for Petey to be transported back to your lair."
Hookwolf stood by Midas, like the well-trained dog he was, and she'd miss having the brutal bastard at her beck and call, but she'd have slit Hookwolf's throat for Woodroe alone; Midas was being very generous to her.
"It's been a true pleasure doing business with you, Midas," Ivy drawled, her tone sultry as she walked up to Midas with a sway to her hips, running her hand down his chest. "But now that the business is complete, why don't we celebrate? With the Empire no longer out for my blood, I can finally afford to let my hair down a little, and who better to celebrate with than the man who has done so much for me?"
Midas smiled, his hand coming to her waist. Midas was the person to know; she knew he found her attractive. As someone living in his backyard, she was very interested in staying on the powerful villain's best side, and she genuinely wanted to celebrate avenging the great wrong that Jason had done to her.
"I'll get the champagne," Midas offered with a smile, his hand moving to her light-green backside as she smirked up at him.
– Jin Yukimura (King Midas) –
This was long overdue, in truth.
Leaning back, my hand gently grips Ivy's long red locks, several small flowers having grown in the hair I'm holding as I groan, Ivy skilfully going down on me. Ivy's body no longer requires oxygen after the newest upgrade I made to her, making her more plantlike than ever, now able to get energy from photosynthesis.
She's putting that new benefit to use as she inhales my cock, leaving a trail of red lipstick along my shaft as she smiles up at me. Her leafy dress is scattered around my bedroom, leaving her in just her heels as she pleasures me.
Ivy's soft moans fill the room as she continues to service me, her lips moving up and down my shaft with ease. Each moan sends a wave of vibration through my manhood, making me groan lightly as I thrust into her mouth, feeling her tongue work.
Her lips glide up and down along my shaft with ease, taking every inch of me in as she swirls her tongue around me. I know she can feel me growing harder and bigger in her mouth, but it only seems to fuel her desire to please me even more. It's good to be the king.
Gripping her hair tighter, my hips buck forward as I grunt and start to release my seed into her waiting mouth, which is eagerly milking me dry. Ivy doesn't hesitate to swallow every last drop, seemingly savouring the taste before she pulls back with a satisfied smile and licks her lips.
"Delicious," Ivy purs, rising to her feet as I spot the arousal glistening around her thighs as she turns and struts away, her hips swaying as she moves towards my bed. Climbing onto it, she looks over her shoulder as her green backside wiggles at me.
Her lower lips are a slightly darker shade of green, glistening with her arousal as she crooks a finger back at me.
"Well, your Majesty, aren't you going to come and claim your prize?" Ivy purrs, watching me rise to my feet. "I bet you've wanted this from the first time you sent me that letter."
"I can't deny that I've thought about it," I agree, gently squeezing her ass before I run a long finger along her dripping cunt and raise it to my face, licking the nectar with a smile. "I'm only a man, after all."
"We both know you aren't only anything," Ivy praises, eager to stay on my good side and reap the rewards that come with my favour as I move onto the bed, slapping my cock against her backside before I grind it into her ass-cheeks briefly, gripping it and lining myself up with the dripping quim. "You're the kind of person who always gets what you want, aren't you? I never had a chance."
I just smile, gripping her hips as she pushes her curvy backside towards me, my cock slipping into her incredibly tight pussy as she lets out a moan of pleasure. Giving her ass a light spank, I watch the firm cheeks jiggle enticingly as I start to move, enjoying the feeling of finally getting Ivy.
As I start to move, Ivy's moans fill the room, encouraging me to go faster and harder. Her inner walls grip me tightly as I thrust into her, my hands roaming over her body, tracing her curves.
I pick up the pace, my hips slamming into hers with each thrust. Ivy's fingers dig into the sheets below her as she grips them tightly, arching her back in pleasure as her face presses into the sheets, biting down on them.
Her breathing becomes more ragged, and I know she's close. With one hand gripping her hip, I use the other to reach around and cup one of her large breasts, pinching her nipple lightly as I squeeze the soft flesh that is almost overflowing from my hand. Ivy cries out in ecstasy as she climaxes, her walls clenching around me.
She's almost painfully tight as I continue to hammer into her, watching her collapse into a boneless heap, my own release not far behind as her lower lips milk me, desperate for my seed.
With a few final thrusts, my movement becoming more erratic, I let go and let out a satisfied groan as I fully sheathe myself inside her soaked cunt. I feel my cock twitch as it spurts my seed deep into Ivy's unresisting body, which shudders again at the feeling of my cum flooding her womb.
Again, it is damn good to be the King.
– Lisa Wilbourne (The Shadow Broker) – Elsewhere –
Looking up into Midas' approving eyes, she continued to slowly bob her head in the back of the limousine. This was long overdue, in truth, because with Midas' habits, she was always going to end up his.
After his display with the PRT, she'd come to realise that she found the kind of power Midas had incredibly sexy. He danced around the PRT, wedged a shard between Dragon and Armsmaster, spat in their faces and practically made them thank him for it.
"That's it, show him your appreciation," Jaina whispered, kneeling behind her as Jaina's hand guided her head further along Midas' long shaft, the other woman just as turned on as her. Maybe it was the wine they'd had in celebration on the way back to the base, but the air felt heavy with arousal as Jaina pulled her head back, only to take Midas into her own mouth, caramel lips taking his full length with more expertise than Lisa had, Lisa moving down to take one of Midas' hefty balls into her mouth.
Jaina has been forced to feel countless sessions that the White Rabbit had with Midas. Jaina has feelings for Midas, grateful for everything he's done for her. Jaina is inexperienced, but she can call on White Rabbit's far greater skill in bed.
Midas- Jin- had the entire world dancing in the palm of his hands. Right now, Glory Girl was probably deepthroating Prophet's cock with no idea that she was pleasuring a villain. Brandish was utterly tamed, and Lady Photon was falling in love with the man who had done so much for her family.
She truly believed there was nothing that Midas couldn't get, nobody he couldn't have if he wanted them. By joining him, she'd gained just a sliver of that power and influence, and she was starting to realise that there was nothing she wouldn't do for him to keep the power and trust he had in her.
Midas had one real flaw, and that was his love for women. It slowed down his plans, making him adapt plans so he could get the attractive women on his side, whether they knew it or not. It was logical to make sure she kept her place as his Shadow Broker like this as she unzipped her skirt, Jaina getting the message as she pulled back.
Lisa moved forward, climbing onto Midas's lap as Jaina grasped his cock and lined it up with her virgin pussy; helping Lisa sink onto the well-lubricated cock, taking her boss's cock to the base. Jaina moved up and held her hips as she guided Lisa's movements.
"Sherrel, take a detour. It'll do some good for the people to see my presence," Jin ordered, giving the pair a smile as Jaina helped remove her shirt and bra. Sherrel responded, but Lisa's mind was elsewhere as she felt the fullness, something she'd never experienced before, as it made her mind bluescreen.
Jaina leaned over, kissing Midas as Lisa started to bounce on his cock. Midas was going to own everything, and she was going to be right there alongside him. The world was their oyster, and Brockton was only the beginning.
– Kayden Anders (Purity) –
"Mrs Anders? I have to say, I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon," Midas said, looking over at her with a raised eyebrow. Kayden didn't quite believe that; something about how she'd gotten a meeting instantly told her that Midas had read her like a book. "What can the League do for you?"
"I've looked at the services you offer, and there's one I want to take advantage of once you have rescued Aster," Kayden admitted, taking the seat Midas gestured to right across from him.
"You want me to make you and your daughter disappear, away from Coil, from the PRT… and from Kaiser," Midas continued, making her freeze before she snorted. Yeah, he knew exactly what she wanted.
She wanted out. She'd been through too much; Kaiser had failed to protect his own daughter. She just wanted to get away from this shithole.
"You said the League's services were open to the Empire, didn't you?" Kayden asked.
"I did, and I meant it. But you see, there are several minor issues with that. Firstly, you are not part of the Empire, not anymore. Secondly, you are not a villain, given that you decided to turn hero. Finally, even if you claim you are an independent villain now, you committed crimes against the League and broke several rules, disqualifying yourself from membership," Midas said, giving her a dark look. "You destroyed one of my bases, killed dozens of my people and cost me millions. It takes a special kind of bravery to then walk into my business and ask me to help you disappear, at the cost of crossing Kaiser and endangering my peace treaty with him."
Kayden went silent, her defence dying on her lips. He knew Coil had blackmailed her into it; it didn't bring back the men she'd killed or replace his lost base and resources.
"I know, but I can't do this anymore. Coil has my baby; he used me like a sex slave for weeks, and Kaiser just sat around twiddling his thumbs. I want out, away from him once and for all," Kayden admitted, the bitterness that had been growing in her chest, turning her anger at Kaiser into hatred. Max was good with words, but that was all he was good for. Talking and trying to make himself look good, even as every one of his 'rivals' danced around him. "I won't say I'm sorry. For Aster, I'd have killed you and Kaiser with a smile, but I know that I owe you a debt even without your help."
It was a dangerous thing, putting herself into the debt of someone like Midas, but it was the only choice she had left. No matter what, she needed to get Aster away from this chaos.
Midas paused, taking a sip of his drink as he waited far too long, leaving her stewing in her dark thoughts. It was deliberate; he was enjoying watching her tremble, knowing he had complete power over her.
"You're right, Mrs Anders. You do have a debt to pay," Midas agreed, smirking at her. "Had you remained by Kaiser's side, I'd have let your little mistake pass, but if you're trying to get away from him, then the debt falls on your shoulders to pay."
"Name your price," Kayden replied simply. She already knew this would happen; she knew before she walked into the Oriental that she was putting herself at his mercy.
"Officially, you are not a part of the Empire Eighty-Eight at the moment; as such, you are not included in any deals I made with Kaiser," Midas pointed out, rubbing his chin. "When I rescue Aster, I will return her to you personally. You and Aster will move into one of the apartments I use to home my valued employees. Your house is clearly unsafe, and Coil's operations are vast; we can't discount the idea that the man has plans that will outlast him."
"I thought you would handle those," Kayden pointed out, making Midas frown.
"I am a very good Thinker, and I have a good crew under me working on preparing to dismantle Coil's operations, but make no mistake, he has been planning this for years; I've had just over a week to disarm this ticking time bomb," Midas pointed out, scowling briefly. "Even I need information to work on; I didn't know Coil was planning anything until you destroyed my base."
Kayden nodded, seeing his point. She didn't know what kind of Thinker Midas was, but clearly he needed something to start with. Even the best Thinkers weren't foolproof.
"If Kaiser accepts my offer for a year of peace, you belong to me for that same time. Once your debt is paid, I will relocate you either to another state or out of the country to a location of your choosing. Aster will be protected during that year, as my apartments are far better protected than your quaint little house," Midas decided, making her hesitate. "Alternatively, you refuse, and I will hand Aster directly to Max, informing him of your attempted flight to further our alliance."
Kayden didn't reply for a moment, watching Midas calmly sip his drink as he waited for her to come to a decision.
"What would I be doing?" Kayden asked, and Midas simply smiled, as she suspected she already knew the answer to that one.
"Whatever I want," Midas confirmed. "You cost me a lot, including my favourite body double. I should wash my hands of you, Purity, but I am a forgiving man. One year, during which your daughter has my assurance that she will be safe, and you'll find my word is worth more than Kaiser's."
"Coil promised to let me go when I killed you or Kaiser; look how that ended up," Kayden pointed out, making Midas scowl.
"I am a man of my word, Kayden. Your power is not worth the damage breaking my word would do to my reputation and the reputation of the League. The League works because villains and rogues trust that we keep our promises. Do not compare me to that snake in the grass, Purity; you do not want me any more displeased at you than I already am," Midas pointed out, making her sigh.
"What if Kaiser doesn't accept your offer?" Purity asked, making Midas lean back.
"Then it will be war between us, and you will serve me until the Empire has been neutralised," Midas said simply. "Admittedly, this will be a far shorter period of time, but we'll call the better payment a bonus to help you deal with the fact that you'll be facilitating the utter destruction of the very organisation that you once fought for."
Midas was so confident that he could beat the Empire, but then why wouldn't he be? She'd already established how weak Kaiser really was behind his facade.
"One year, and then I'm free to go?" Kayden confirmed.
"Correct. You'll be set up with a new identity and home, far from Brockton Bay. As long as you do not take up your Purity persona again, I will see our business as concluded," Midas agreed. How long had she been trying to get away from her past? Was a year really that long?
Midas was better looking than Coil, at least, if things went that way. She was half expecting him to tell her to get on her knees the moment she agreed, and while he was still a chink, it was better than Coil.
"I- fine, I accept," Kayden said, signing her deal with the Devil, her soul in his hands for a full year. She felt her traitorous body start to react, the familiar powerlessness making her panties grow damp as she waited for the order to strip.
"Good girl. Now, I want you to go back to the Empire and claim that Coil's abuse of you has reignited your belief in the Empire's 'code'," Midas ordered, making her blink. "Come now, did you really think I did this to get a mousey middle-aged woman in my bed?"
Kayden blushed, shame flooding her at his blank tone.
"I can't deny that the desire to cuckold Kaiser is tempting, even if he has since replaced you with the twins, but it isn't your body I want," Midas explained, watching her hesitate. "I find that I prefer my girls willing, and I have no lack of choices in that department. As I said, don't compare me to Coil."
"You want me to spy on the Empire?" Kayden asked, making him nod.
"For now. I will give you new orders as the need arises, but the less you know about my plans, the less chance you have of getting caught," Midas explained, making her hesitate before she nodded. She was no great actress, but she knew Kaiser well enough to fool him. "Having Purity back will make Kaiser feel more confident, especially when your power is upgraded. It will make him less likely to call in reinforcements and end up owing the clans and Gesellschaft favours."
"What if he finds out I came to you today?" Kayden asked.
"Tell him you approached me to ask to take part in the attack on Coil's base, wanting to kill your rapist personally. I, of course, told you that you could not take part because Aster is still a powerful leverage over you and turned down your request," Midas replied instantly, and she could definitely pull that off because she did want to kill Coil herself.
She'd really considered it when he was on top of her; a single blast, and he'd be dead, but she knew she'd never find Aster in time and had to endure his assault on her instead. When Coil had first decided to introduce her to rough anal, she'd even started to glow subconsciously, but Coil had put a stop to that with his slimy threats of having her entertain all his men instead if she disliked being in his bed so much. Faced with either letting Coil take her anal virginity or being passed around several dozen men, she'd depowered and just let him have what he'd wanted.
"Fine, I'll do it," Kayden agreed; she was so far past the point of betraying the Empire that this felt irrelevant to her. Midas smiled, but there was something odd in his expression which made her hesitate. "What?"
"Oh, my apologies. I was just finding it amusing that you are disappointed that I did not take advantage of my power over you to demand sexual gratification," Midas pointed out. Immediately, she went to deny his claim. "Oh, I am not judging, Kayden. You have been separated from Max for months, and I doubt he is particularly impressive in bed. Everyone has their needs; there's no shame in it."
"I did not enjoy being raped by Coil," Kayden said, her tone fierce as he raised an eyebrow.
"Of course not, but you do find the concept of being powerless attractive. It's why you're currently wet, why your legs subconsciously spread. It's even why you wore a shorter skirt," Midas explained. "Well, that and you hoped to use your body to barter for your new identity."
Kayden went to defend herself, her legs snapping closed as she realised he was right. She had come here as Kayden, not Purity, and her outfit was a little more revealing than she might usually wear. Yes, she'd been preparing to sleep with Midas to get what she needed, but-
She'd been flashing him, her spread legs giving him a view of her damp underwear, and shame filled her.
"As I said, there's nothing to be ashamed of. You're simply attracted to powerful men, dominant men. If anything, it says more about Kaiser than you that you did not discover this particular fetish during your marriage with him," Midas reassured her.
"Kaiser married me because I was powerful, but he still loved Heith, his previous wife. I won't say it was loveless, but it wasn't a passionate marriage," Kayden admitted, not sure why she was trying to explain herself to Midas.
Midas simply nodded, and there was something about how non-judgemental he was about her body betraying her that helped stifle the shame. Somehow, she felt better blaming Max for her body being so willing to react to Coil's abuse. She'd cum more times during her imprisonment than she ever had during her marriage with Max, and she had hated herself for it, but Midas was right. It did say more about Max than it did about her.
"If you ever want to find out what being submissive is like when you don't have a metaphorical gun to your head, I'm sure we can arrange something," Midas teased, and she felt herself blush slightly. "As I said, I can't deny that I'm tempted to cuckold Kaiser and prove that I'm more of a man than both him and Coil, but we don't have time for playing around. Not while Coil is out there, still holding Aster and your identities hostage."
Kayden nodded seriously, telling herself to get a grip as they finalised her part in Midas' plans. Still, the idea stuck in deep, not because she found Midas that attractive, but as a way to get back at Max and wipe away the taint that Coil had left on her.
But Midas was right; Aster had to come first.
– Jin Yukimura (King Midas) –
[Planting Seeds] let me plant a seed of hatred in Kayden while she was with 'Coil', making her grow bitter and hateful at the way Kaiser had failed to protect her or Aster. That seed is ready to bloom, along with the [Would you kindly?] training I gave Kayden as Coil, which made her more submissive in general. A seed of respect planted during my meeting with Kaiser has slowly made her see me as a figure to be admired despite my ethnicity. Once I save Aster, that will only grow.
As she leaves, I smile to myself. Kaiser will accept my peace offer because he's not going to have a choice. He's going to be in a far weaker position than he thinks, even with Purity back on his side, and if it becomes a fight, the Empire would be wiped out entirely.
Purity will be a useful tool in Kaiser's downfall; just another piece manoeuvred into the proper place on the board.
– Francis Krouse (Trickster) –
Arriving at Coil's office, the villain gestured for him to take a seat.
This wasn't the base they'd originally been told to go to, but he hadn't missed that this base on the edge of Brockton Bay had a special cell pre-made for Noelle.
"Trickster, I take it your travels here weren't too difficult?" Coil asked, making Trickster shake his head. Thanks to Noelle's deformity, they were used to moving around; it was kinda in the name, and necessary.
"It was fine; thanks for arranging the van to collect Noelle, but you promised a way to fix her. Is it Midas? I know he can modify powers," Krouse started immediately, making Coil chuckle.
"Which would require Midas being willing to get within arms reach of Miss Meinhardt, something I can assure you he is not willing to do. He's already dealing with one twin; I don't think he wants to add any deformed clones into the mix," Coil replied easily. "No, I have alternative plans for Miss Meinhardt, but-"
"Midas wouldn't get a choice if I just switched him with someone already near Noelle," Krouse pointed out. "He's your enemy anyway, isn't he?"
"Yes, but- ah, fuck it," Coil said, making Trickster blink before something heavy smashed against the back of his head. "Such a whiny man, Noelle this, Noelle that."
– Jin Yukimura (Coil) –
I'd like it to be on record that I tried. I really did.
I've been in constant contact with Trickster as he brought his ticking time bomb into my city, whining and demanding instant solutions the entire time. Every plan he has come up with has been nonsensical and downright terrible, and I can already tell he's exactly the kind of impulsive fool I hate.
Agent Bob stands behind him with a metal baseball bat in hand. Coil's men are not trustworthy, so I had Bob get a new body to act as a new hire for Coil, who is 'preparing' for the upcoming war with the Syndicate.
I had plans, you know, a dozen of them, on how to deal with the Travellers, but Trickster is just so damn annoying. Amy comes out of the side room, looking at the unconscious man with a raised eyebrow.
"You're normally more professional than that," Amy points out, making Bob snort. "What did this guy do- what the fuck is that?!" Amy asks in a shrill tone as I turn on the screen to show Noelle's cell.
"That is the fun little gift Coil has left me and that Trickster has happily brought into my city despite her being a timebomb. The same S-Class threat that Trickster was planning to kidnap 'me' for and throw me into it in the hopes that Midas would fix the problem because he has the planning skills of a brain-damaged mole-rat," I say, rubbing my forehead.
"Well, if he wasn't brain-damaged before, he is now," Amy points out, touching him and the fake body that I'll soon be inhabiting. "Was the bat necessary?"
"Sometimes, things just need an old-fashioned touch," Bob agrees with a shrug, patting his bat. "Can't go wrong with a baseball bat to the head. Pretty sure we're killing this guy soon anyway."
Amy hesitates, but then she looks back at the screen, which shows Noelle and her monstrous form.
"You have this and that thing under control, right?" Amy asks, making me nod.
"It was an unpleasant surprise, but yes, I do," I agree, making her let out a sigh of relief as she finishes making the new Trickster. "The Travellers are killers; Trickster might have convinced himself that he's doing what he needs to do to protect his girlfriend, but make no mistake, his actions could have led to an event worse than an Endbringer attack."
It's a sign of how corrupted Amy has become that she only briefly hesitates at the mention of Trickster's upcoming death as she finishes the touches. Bob lifts the unconscious body and carries it into the side room.
Placing Trickster into the special chair, Bob lowers the headpiece over Trickster's head (after stripping him).
"It's ready, boss," Bob confirms as I smile. Cyberpunk had some truly fascinating technology, ranging from the mind-altering devices that were used on Jefferson Peralez to AI that put Dragon to shame.
But the part I found intriguing? Soul-Killer.
Activating the machine, I watch as Trickster awakens with a scream, the chair lighting up as it clones everything that made him, him, onto an Engram. I can't quite play the part of Trickster without the right knowledge, after all, but now I have everything that made Trickster himself. With the help of some VIs to search his memories, I'll be able to 'prove' I'm Trickster if I face any suspicion.
Gone are the days of needing to interrogate people; now, all I need is an engram, and their entire being is laid bare, ready to be put into a cloned body under the control of one of my Netrunners should the need arise.
Amy watches as Coil sits down, and Trickster sits up, a proud smile on his lips as I reach into the Engram and examine Francis' own recent memories. I still can't control that many bodies at once without having a downturn in efficiency, but Coil is usually inactive anyway.
"Did it work, Boss?" Bob asks, making me smirk as I focus on him. After all, Trickster wasn't the only thing in this body, was he? Amy gasps as she watches Bob and me swap places, eyes wide in realisation. Mad Scientist is a good name for this class because it takes a special kind of madness to try and make an Engram of a Shard, after all.
And it takes a special kind of madness to succeed; Trickster's very power digitalised and turned into an engram, and do you know the best part about data?
It can be so easily copied.
— Bonus Scene — Veronica Sinclair (Roulette)
She'd suspected that joining the League would make her rich. Her power may not be able to read Midas as well as others, but she knew money when she saw it.
Today, the Oriental opened another branch in the Big Apple itself. The Elite originally put up some minor fights, but in exchange for one of Midas' healing pods on permanent loan to Uppercrust, the League had been welcomed into New York with open arms by their new Elite allies.
Opening an Oriental right under Legend's nose was a statement that couldn't be ignored: the League had power and influence on a scale that no other villains could hope to match.
Already, the Adepts had approached the League, interested in their services, and Lost Garden had sent one of their members to look into the League. The Teeth made their usual showing of violence and threats, but the Elite helped drive them off, and word had it that Butcher was terrified that Midas might be able to kill her for good, so she never showed up in person.
As for the independent villains and rogues? That was where their latest service came in. They had negotiated jobs for villains before, but this was on a new scale entirely.
Fixers.
The concept was extremely simple: a middle-man who dealt with the clients, vetted jobs to make sure they were legitimate, negotiated a suitable price for the job and then found a Cape suited to take care of the job. It meant the clients remained utterly anonymous except to the Fixer, never meeting the capes they were hiring; it made sure the capes didn't get cheated on price or lured into a trap, and ensured that the cape had all the information they needed for the job to go smoothly, as well as any tech or minions they needed to loan, and all for the Fixer taking a small cut.
The League gained a reputation for reliability because every job it took was completed quickly and to the client's specifications. They didn't fail, and they took their client's confidentiality extremely seriously.
Midas was changing the game for independent capes because now all they had to do was walk into any of the Orientals and ask for a job, and the Fixer would find something that suited their talents and morality. These jobs weren't even always illegal; some of them were simply PR stunts or advertising jobs.
They even had fight clubs, where capes could battle for the thrill of the masses, who would pay good money for seats and place bets on the outcome, with the healing pods making sure that nobody got permanently injured. Several capes had basically become modern-day gladiators, realising that it was safer and paid better than actual villainy. The best ones even had started to get their own merchandising like their heroic counterparts.
The money was flying in from all over the world as their reach grew with every passing day. Their Las Vegas branch was the biggest for the fight clubs, with several heroes having appeared in the fights in exchange for Midas enhancing their powers. The Cape Town branch was the biggest for merc work, given the warlike state of Africa thanks to the various warlords, with League villains providing protection to companies and governments alike. The London Branch was becoming a major auction site for some very famous pieces of artwork and other masterpieces stolen from across the world and fenced through the League.
And then there was her, handling all that money in her position as the League's head of finances. She'd considered skimming some of the top, but for once, she didn't need to. Besides her fear of Midas, she was making so much money that she had no reason to steal.
Sitting in her penthouse, she smiled to herself as she looked over the reports of the various branches. The Shadow Broker had identified another branch employee who was spying for the local heroes, but that just meant it was time to squeeze them for all they were worth and wring them dry.
The world was changing, and she was in the perfect position to get filthy rich from it.