After sending off Tony, Alexander quickly moved on to the next state of business. Today, he would finally meet up with Fisk and find out if he was working with the black cat and if he was aware of his survival.
Wilson Fisk was someone Alexander had once been worried about, and it was almost funny to think about it now. However, back then, he didn't have the SCP Foundation to lean against. And his identity was far different.
From a potential threat to a nonfactor that was hardly worth his time and attention. What a fall the man had suffered. Even then, he was only interesting enough for Alexander to consider because of someone else.
Yes, Alexander had come far since the first time he awoke inside his secret bunker and panicked over nothing. Now, he had become one of the most powerful people in the world and held the fate of many in his hands.
Even now, it wasn't something that Alexander would even see in person, though he would at least give Fisk the honour of being visited by his thought projection.
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[With Wilson Fisk]
Wilson Fisk couldn't help but look down at his watch. For a man of his status, it was rare that he felt nervous. It wasn't something he felt often, much less when it was about meeting someone.
Yet it was also not every day he would be called out and asked to meet someone from the Ricci family. Someone who he had always admired and looked up to.
They were the truth keepers of peace, those not afraid to maintain it with an iron fist, those fearless to meet out justice. Fisk knew that crime was eternal, and that there would always be evil as long as there was man.
Law and order couldn't touch this, couldn't tame this darkness. Only someone strong enough could do that. Once, he thought that man was Alexander Ricci, but after his death, he believed that he, Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin, would be the one to do it.
But now, he wasn't so sure anymore.
Not after she came to him for help, for a favor, and spoke the forbidden words in return.
Fisk wasn't a fool. He knew that as soon as he heard what she had to say, he had little option but to play along with her.
To know a secret was more than enough to make one guilty of a crime; this was no secret within the underworld, where people died every day merely because they learned something they weren't meant to know.
And the secret she came with was definitely not something he was meant to know about, and now he could only hope it wouldn't cost him his life.
He really did regret meeting with the black cat. But he hadn't thought much about it at first. He had dealt with cat before. He used his services to acquire things that weren't his.
He naturally heard about him getting himself a wife, another master thief said to be even greater in ability than the cat himself. So when she had asked for a meeting about something truly valuable, he had agreed to meet with her.
But never in his life had he expected that so-called valuable thing would be far more valuable than he could handle. Alexander Ricci, the vampire, the Overkill, alive and well.
That knowledge indeed changed everything. If it was indeed true, then it was no wonder that the Ricci family remained as strong as it was and hadn't yet fallen into chaos yet. The small amounts of chaos showing up was likely just them weeding out the disloyal or for show.
It would change all his plans. His own little empire in Hell's Kitchen was threatened before it even got off the ground, though he would know for sure after this meeting.
He looked at his watch again; it was time for the meeting, but he hadn't been informed that someone was approaching. Were they late? He couldn't help but wonder.
But he would not receive a call about someone arriving, for his guest was already there, standing silently behind him, watching the massive man that was Wilson Fisk stand watching out the window.
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Fisk's instincts tingled, a sense of being watched creeping over him. Then, out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed a reflection in the window. Someone was standing there, a woman? Slowly, he turned around, his eyes widening slightly at the sight before him. Alexander Ricci, in all his glory, stood within his very office.
It was a rare chance for Alexander to meet with others like this. Normally, he would always be wearing his O5 Suit, but today, he could come as himself. To celebrate this rare occasion, he went all out and used plenty of the abilities he had so far gotten from the System.
Most were things he had always been able to do, and others were new, minor things. The only big new power was Midas's touch; others, like the Hitler shapeshifting ability or the childlike ability, were just worse versions of the shapeshifting that had been able to do in the past.
Still, he wasn't too surprised that it would do these things; after all, Solomon's wisdom clearly worked much like a system from a novel would do, and with that came rewards.
And given that currently, Solomon's wisdom possessed pretty much every SCP from the SCP universe, well, the number of things it could currently do with that was staggering. Even just a few SCPs could indeed be used to grant many powers.
So, to really wow Fisk, Alexander finally used many of the more useless things he had, things such as.
[Riddle of Reflection: The power to make your reflection in reflective surfaces appear slightly different from your actual appearance.]
A totally useless power, but it could add a bit of mystery to him. He only added to this by using another ability as soon as Fisk turned around.
[Momentary Mute: the power to mute all sounds in your immediate vicinity for a few seconds.]
Just enough to cancel out the sound of Fisk moving around, to cut off the sounds of New York, Fisk's own breathing. For a few moments the world held its breath, allowing Alexander to be the one to break the silence.
"Hello Fisk." He finally said, just as the ability came to an end, making his voice all the more notable after such an unnatural silence. But he wasn't done yet, far from it, he wanted Fisk to really be off his game for this, so he added in more abilities.
[Ephemeral Echo: The ability to leave behind a soft, barely audible echo of your voice in a room after you speak.] Creating a haunting, lingering presence.
[Borrowed Glimmer: The power to cause your jewelry or accessories to subtly catch the light in an unusually captivating way.] Drawing attention and lending an air of mystique.
[Eyes of the Moon: Your eyes subtly reflect the current phase of the moon, giving others the impression of a deep connection with the celestial, especially noticeable in the evening or during significant lunar events.]
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Alexander's eyes shimmered with an ethereal glow, reflecting the waning crescent moon outside. The subtle play of light on his jewelry caught Fisk's attention, adding an almost hypnotic quality to his presence. The air seemed to vibrate with a barely audible echo of Alexander's greeting, making the moment feel otherworldly and surreal.
Fisk swallowed hard, his usual calm and calculated demeanor momentarily shaken. He had heard of Alexander's reputation, but witnessing these strange abilities firsthand was something entirely different. The realization that he was dealing with someone who possessed such powers—powers beyond mere human comprehension—hit him like a freight train.
"Alexander Ricci," Fisk finally managed to say, his voice steady but with an undertone of awe. "I must admit, I didn't expect to see you in person. It an honour."
Alexander allowed a small, enigmatic smile to play on his lips. "Consider it a courtesy, Fisk. I prefer to handle important matters directly, even if I don't always do so in person."
Fisk nodded, trying to regain his composure. "And what brings you to my humble domain, Alexander? Surely, you have more pressing matters to attend to."
Fisk didn't even know what to think in this strange situation. Before him in his office stood the clearly unnatural Alexander Ricci, who was alone, alive and had somehow gotten in here all on his own.
A part of him wanted to take the chance to take him out, to get rid of Ricci and take his empire for himself, but that was just a tiny part of him. After all what hope could he have of winning when Ricci had survived taking a bullet to the head?
Not to mention what other strange powers Ricci might have? Yeah, no, Fisk wasn't about to challenge him, not even if he had the home advantage. Still, he hadn't expected him to show up himself, at most he would have expected one of his closer aids, never the man himself.
Alexander's smile widened slightly as he sensed the turmoil within Fisk. "I appreciate your concern for my schedule, but this matter is of the utmost importance. I have reason to believe that you've recently been in contact with a certain individual known as the Black Cat. I'm here to discuss the nature of that interaction."
Fisk steeled himself, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Yes, the Black Cat approached me recently. She needed my assistance we a few things, small, minor favors. Nothing I thought much about."
"And what did she offer in return for your assistance?" Alexander inquired, his voice calm but commanding.
"Information," Fisk replied. "She claimed to have knowledge that could significantly impact the balance of power in the city. At first, I thought she was bluffing, but her demeanor and the details she provided suggested otherwise."
Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly, the moonlit reflection intensifying. "And this information she offered—did it pertain to me or my operations?"
Fisk hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, she spoke about how you were still alive, how you were still in charge of the Ricci family. Such information is indeed invaluable in the underworld, or the entire world for that matter."
Alexander took a step closer, the subtle glimmer of his accessories catching Fisk's eye once more. "The Black Cat is playing a dangerous game. That information isn't something I want others to know about… Tell me Fisk, do you play the same game as her?"
Fisk met Alexander's gaze, feeling the weight of his question. He knew that his answer could determine his fate. "No, Sir." He said slowly, carefully choosing his words. "I haven't spoken to anyone about what she told me, I know better then to mess with someone like yourself."
Alexander's eyes scrutinized Fisk's expression, searching for any signs of deceit. Finally, he nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with the response. "Good, Fisk. It's wise to understand the boundaries in our line of work."
Fisk swallowed hard, the tension in the room palpable. "I understand, Sir. My desire as always been to create order in the chaos that is Hell's Kitchen, and I don't want to see that broken due to Black Cat."
Alexander's smile returned, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Indeed. I want her, I want her found, don't attempt to capture her yourself, you will fail, instead, give this number a call." He said before waving his hand over the table, and a business card appeared.
Fisk looked at the card that appeared before him. The sleek, black card had only a single number engraved in silver. He picked it up carefully, understanding the significance of what Alexander had just given him.
"I'll make sure she's tracked," Fisk assured him. "And I'll contact you immediately if we find anything."
"Excellent," Alexander replied, his tone measured. "Remember, Fisk, your cooperation is crucial. We cannot afford any missteps. The Black Cat has become a dangerous variable, and her actions could jeopardize everything we've built."
"I understand," Fisk said, the weight of the card heavy in his hand. "I'll do whatever it takes to ensure our operations remain undisturbed."
Alexander nodded, satisfied with Fisk's response. "Good. Keep me informed, and remember to tread carefully. The Black Cat is clever, but we are smarter."
With that, Alexander's form began to shimmer and fade, the eerie silence of the room lifting as he disappeared. Fisk stood alone, the echo of their conversation lingering like a shadow. He knew that his path had become even more precarious, but he was determined to navigate it with the same ruthlessness that had brought him to power.
As the reality of the encounter settled in, Fisk sat down at his desk, the business card still in his hand. He knew that the days ahead would be filled with uncertainty and danger. The Black Cat's knowledge was a ticking time bomb, and he had to ensure it didn't explode in his face. He would need to leverage all his resources and cunning to navigate this treacherous landscape, all while staying one step ahead of both the Black Cat and Alexander Ricci. The game was on, and failure was not an option.
Fisk picked up his phone and dialed a secure number. "It's Fisk," he said when the line connected. "I need all available resources on tracking the Black Cat. She's become a high-priority target. And make sure to report any findings directly to me."
As he hung up, he leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. The stakes were higher than ever, and every move he made would be scrutinized. He had to play his cards right, ensuring his survival while maintaining the delicate balance of power. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: Wilson Fisk was not a man to be underestimated.
A/N
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