Michael stood at the entrance of Fisk Tower, taking in the imposing height and sleek design of the building. He whistled softly, impressed. "Well, let's see if Kingpin can really help me out," he muttered to himself.
He walked through the large glass doors and into the fancy lobby. The marble floors gleamed under the chandeliers, and the reception area was filled with well-dressed individuals. Michael, in his worn-out clothes, stood out like a sore thumb. Not that he wanted to. Everything had happened a bit quickly so he lacked money to get better clothes and he wasn't going to steal from a store like a common thief.
Though now that he thinks about it maybe he should have robbed those Italians of their things… especially the bosses, those dudes had some really nice clothes, something to remember for the next time he goes on a killing spree.
Shaking his head at his small mistake he continued on his way but was quickly stopped by two security guards dressed in all black. "Sir, may we help you?" one of them asked, his eyes scanning Michael's attire with a hint of suspicion.
Michael felt the stares and sighed inwardly 'Definitely should have robbed those guys but it's never too late. I'll head over once this meeting is over'
"I'm here for Mr. Fisk. We have a meeting at 10 AM," Michael said calmly.
"Sure, we'll see about that… Simmons, check with Clare and see if Mr. Fisk is expecting any guests for 10," the guard instructed his colleague.
Simmons nodded and walked over to the reception desk, making a quick call. After a few moments, he returned with a surprised look on his face. "He's expected. Mr. Fisk's office is on the top floor. Take the elevator over there," he said, pointing to a set of elevators guarded by more security personnel.
The first guard turned back to Michael with a more respectful tone. "Our apologies, sir. You can go right up. Mr. Fisk is expecting you."
Michael nodded, accepting their apology without a fuss. He knew his appearance was far from the standard expected in such a place. He stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor, feeling the slight hum as the elevator began its swift ascent. He couldn't help but wonder what awaited him at the top.
While he did know a decent amount about Kingpin it obviously wouldn't be exactly the same. In a comic or story, the characters are stuck doing what the writer wants but in reality, people can be pretty unpredictable.
Eventually, the elevator slowed as ding sounded letting him know he had arrived. 'Well let's just hope he's willing to strike a deal if not, well it's not that bad. Now that I know that this world has more than just the MCU I have some other options and even if I don't use those options I could always stick with the mercenary gig'
Taking a step forward Michael entered a lightly lit office with unique paintings and statues lined against the walls. Showing off the sophistication and class of the individual who works here. Said individual sat straight and carried a calm demeanor but it wasn't his manners or posture that Michael noticed first but rather his size…
'Damn, he's way bigger than his show counterpart! What's he like, 9 feet? And what's with that width? He could fit two football players in his body and still have some room.' Kingpin's appearance really was astonishing.
Michael knew the guy would be big but this was just something else. He couldn't help but stare especially when he compares the man before him to those from his old world. Something like this would have never been possible but here? This wasn't even strange and could be explained with some weird comic science.
'Can't keep staring it's rude' Michael scolded himself as he walked into the room under the man's gaze but also some others apparently. Using his enhanced hearing Michael was able to notice the presence of some other individuals hidden throughout the room ready to act if need be.
"Welcome I am glad you were able to arrive safely Ah but where are my manners here take a seat" Kingpin said while gesturing toward the leather chair across from him.
"Thank you for having me"
"No, I should be the one thanking you here. You did handle those Italians quite well after all. Which really drew my curiosity. How exactly did you accomplish such a thing?" He asked with a bit of a heavier tone while tapping his desk. To most people, it would have been intimidating but Michael didn't see it as such.
'He's assessing me… we'll allow me to amaze you'
"Would you like a demonstration?"
This one question added another layer of tension to the room that felt dangerous but both men knew that there was no real danger. In a way, all this was an act to feel the other out and see how far they were willing to go while getting accustomed to one another's characters.
"A demonstration? We'll consider myself intrigued. Go ahead" Kingpin lightly tensed prepared to see what Michael would do but never did expect to see the bum in front of him disappear. In response, he jumped up in surprise but quickly looked to the left when he heard a crushing noise.
"How?" Kingpin asked as he watched Michael with his arm piercing through a wall but what caught his attention was when he yanked one of his men out from it with glowing red eyes.
"Sort of like this. People are pretty fragile after all I'm sure you have some experience with that"
Kingpin's face remained unreadable as his men prepared to attack at a moment's notice. However, this readiness ended when they saw their boss release a short laugh.
"Haha I couldn't agree more but come, come it seems we have much to discuss."
Giving a nod Michael released the guard and sat back in his chair with a smile as well. 'Seems like that worked. I had a feeling that following Kingpin's flow might have gone well but it could have also gone bad had he taken offense to that last move.'
"Now I am quite interested… by chance are you a mutant? And don't worry if you are, I have no problem with that kind. If anything I somewhat admire them for their potential." How could he hate them? Some even work for him and those mutants proved to be some of his most capable forces. However he doesn't use them often since he rarely faces anything that can truly threaten him.
"A mutant? No, but I am similar in a way"
Kingpin appeared puzzled by this but it wasn't beyond his comprehension. While mutants do have powers they aren't the only ones and such individuals do appear from time to time. He himself can also be considered one such individual as his bodies size isn't one that should be possible.
"Similar… well I think we may have strayed off a bit I doubt you wanted to meet me for a simple greeting. Right, Mr Homelander?" Kingpin asked sort of questioningly at the end unsure if using his Mercenary name was proper for the setting.
"Michael, Michael Becket." He replied preferring to use his actual name "As for my reason for meeting you well I've heard that you are a resourceful man more so than anyone in this city and so I came seeing if we could make a deal"
"Oh, a deal? Well let's hear it"
"I am not from around here and as such I'm in need of an ID. Money is also sort of an issue but after the last job I doubt it will be a problem but that doesn't mean I'm uninterested in more work"
"Hmm you did good work with those Italians and saved me some men so consider the ID taken care of. As for work, cooperation between us sounds like it would be fruitful. I could always use a man like you after all"
Michael nodded, happy with the first part but a bit hesitant on the second. Kingpin's wording made it sound like he'd be an employee of sorts but that's not how things would work. If there was a job he liked he'd take it if there wasn't then he'd reject it. What he wanted was a partnership.
"To be clear I'll only accept jobs that interest me and when I have time"
Kingpin let out a low and almost silent grunt that Michael was only able to catch thanks to his hearing. He wanted a bit more but he accepted the way things were for now.
"Very well to a long-lasting partnership," Kingpin said as he offered a powerful handshake.
"To a long lasting partnership" Reaching out he took the large and met it with equal strength.
'I don't know how long this will last exactly but so far I think I'm off to a good start. Let's hope that this upward trend continues'
With their agreement settled the two sat back down as they ended the meeting sharing some more details. Which were mostly related to the ID Michael requested. For one the name was obviously going to be the same as his and as for his new age he chose 19. Other details like his place of birth were left empty to make it easier on Kingpin's men.
The ID he was receiving wasn't fake and was 100% real from people that Kingpin had buried in the past. As such leaving it empty left more options to find the perfect one for what he needed. While Kingpin had some of his government friends clean up the ID's backgrounds. The ID images would also be switched with pictures of Michael.
The only problem was that it would take a day or two to finish but in the end, that was fine. It's not like he was homeless and without money. Not when he has Italian safe houses to check out.
.
.
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In a dimly lit office, deep within a nondescript government building, a Hydra agent sat behind a cluttered desk, reviewing stacks of reports and dossiers. Suddenly, a notification flashed on his screen, demanding immediate attention. The agent, named Franklin, leaned forward and opened the message.
Priority Report: Subject Located
Franklin's eyes widened as he read the details. Subject 101, the escaped experiment, had been spotted. More importantly, he was currently inside Fisk Tower.
"This was faster than expected," he muttered to himself. Usually, locating a subject takes more time. But then again, practically every Hydra agent in the States had been given explicit orders to find Subject 101. With their resources, it was only a matter of time. Coleman took another sip of his coffee, ready to follow the next move.
Franklin picked up his secure line and dialed a number, waiting for the connection. A voice answered on the other end.
"Agent Franklin, report."
"We've located the subject. He's at Fisk Tower," Franklin said, keeping his voice steady.
"Fisk Tower? Do you know why he is there?" the voice questioned.
"Not yet. But given Fisk's connections, this could be significant. Should I engage?" Hydra was well aware of Kingpin's activities but had little care for it as it didn't interfere with their goals but that didn't mean they underestimated him.
There was a pause before the response came. "Negative. Remain passive for now. We need time to prepare for his capture. Continue surveillance and report any significant movements or interactions."
"Understood. Maintaining surveillance," Franklin confirmed before ending the call.
He immediately typed up a detailed report and sent it to Alexander Pierce. The moment he hit send, Franklin turned back to another set of files on his desk. Hydra's operations never stopped, and there was another high-priority target currently demanding their attention.
He opened a separate report marked with the codename "Hulk." Some of their men working under Ross had reported that Bruce Banner had started moving again. This was significant as the power Banner displayed was far beyond what Captain America was capable of and as such Hydra had given it their full attention.
Well, that was the case until subject 101 appeared. He too showed abilities beyond the Captain but there was one thing about this subject that they valued more than the Hulk. He was capable of retaining his mind and didn't lose control. If that could be harnessed and reproduced then controlling an army of such individuals wouldn't be impossible.
Nodding slightly Franklin diverted some of their resources that were meant to capture the Hulk to their new goal. 'Subject 101'.