The sun had barely risen when Ben and Johnny met in Johnny's apartment the following day. Ben sat on the edge of the couch, rubbing his temples, still processing everything that had happened the night before. Morbius, the Punisher, and the strange meeting with Matt Murdock had left him reeling.
"So, Matt knew this dude?" Johnny asked, still trying to wrap his head around the revelation that Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer, had some connection to a vigilante like the Punisher.
Ben nodded, leaning back and crossing his arms. "Yeah, he said 'Ask Matt about him,' so that's what we need to do. We have to get some answers."
Johnny grinned. "A little mystery, huh? Sounds like fun. Let's go."
The two of them left Johnny's apartment and made their way to Matt's office, the weight of the unknown hanging heavy between them.
The low hum of the city's hustle and bustle filtered in through the office windows, but the room itself was quiet, save for the occasional shuffle of papers. Ben and Johnny sat on opposite sides of Matt's desk, looking at the man who had just dropped a bombshell on their world.
"So… Matt," Ben began, taking a deep breath, "you're telling me that you weren't the only vigilante in New York?"
Matt's expression grew somber. He nodded, standing up and turning toward the window, his voice carrying a weight of both sadness and nostalgia.
"You know how I told you I was a vigilante?" Matt asked, his back still facing them. "I wasn't the only one. There were four others. Five, including me. We were a team—The Defenders."
Ben and Johnny exchanged wide-eyed glances, shocked by the revelation.
Matt continued, his voice distant as if he were reliving those days. "I became Daredevil in 1984. But a few months later, the others showed up. First was Luke Cage, also known as Power Man. He was part of a failed government experiment—at least, they thought it failed. He got sent home, but instead, he came back bulletproof and with super strength."
Johnny leaned forward. "Wait, bulletproof skin? That's insane!"
Matt nodded. "Yeah, it's crazy. But that's not all. Next came Danny Rand—Iron Fist. Rich guy, trapped on an island, learned martial arts, killed a dragon, became Iron Fist."
Ben and Johnny jumped out of their seats in disbelief.
"A DRAGON?!" they both yelled at the same time.
Matt chuckled, his lips curling into a small smile. "That was my same reaction when he told me. But, yeah, he killed a dragon. And then there was Clint Barton—Hawkeye. Best damn archer I've ever seen. Better than Green Arrow, even."
Johnny's eyes lit up. "Better than Green Arrow? Damn, that's saying something."
Matt smirked, but his smile faded as he continued. "But then, there was Frank Castle—The Punisher. He lost his family in a mob hit and decided to take his anger out on crime. We tried to bring him in, to keep him in check, but after a lot of arguments and disagreements, we managed to make it work. For twenty-five years, we fought together—like a family."
Ben and Johnny were speechless. Matt's words were heavy, laden with grief.
"But it all came to an end fifteen years ago," Matt continued, his voice growing colder. "A new crime lord came to town. His name was Kingpin."
The mere mention of the name seemed to darken the room. Matt's grip tightened around his cane as he spoke, his expression hardening with anger.
"We tried to stop him, but he was too smart. He played us, outwitted us at every turn. We almost had him, but in the end, Frank's anger got the better of him. He rushed out to stop Kingpin, and Danny saw a sniper targeting him. Danny pushed Frank out of the way, but he took the bullet for him."
Matt's voice faltered as he paused, the memory clearly painful. "We tried to save him, but Danny died that day. He was our heart, the one who kept us together. After that, Clint lost it. He attacked Frank at Danny's funeral. Words were said, and we all split. Clint kept fighting Kingpin, but I don't know what happened to him after that. We were never the same."
Ben and Johnny were silent, absorbing the weight of Matt's story. The bond between the Defenders was something Matt had clearly cherished, and the loss of it all had left a deep scar.
"I'm sorry," Ben said quietly. "But we'll take Kingpin down."
Johnny nodded, adding, "Ben's stronger than any of your friends—and more durable, too. He can handle Kingpin."
Matt's lips curled into a sad smile, but there was something else in his eyes—hope. "I know you can, Ben. I have no doubt about that."
Just as Matt was about to speak again, a shadow passed by the window. Ben turned to look, his breath catching as he saw a fleeting figure. For a split second, he could have sworn it was someone he recognized.
Matt wiped a tear from his eye, a bittersweet smile on his face. His voice was barely above a whisper. "His spirit lives on through the both of you."
Matt turned back to his desk, wiping his face as he opened a hidden compartment in one of his drawers. "Here," he said, pulling out a bundle of files and handing them to Ben. "Everything I have on Kingpin from the last fifteen years."
Ben nodded solemnly, taking the files in his hands. "Thanks, Matt. We won't let you down."
Matt stood from his desk and gave him a nod, his hand on the files. "I know you won't. Be careful, Ben. Kingpin's no joke."
Ben and Johnny stood, preparing to leave, but just before they could exit, Ben turned around.
"I won't let you down, Matt," he said again, more firmly this time.
Matt's smile was small but genuine. "I know."
As Ben and Johnny exited the office, Matt stood at the window, watching them disappear down the street. He felt a presence behind him—a presence he hadn't felt in a long time.
"Hey, Frank," Matt said softly, his voice rough with emotion.
"It's been a long time, Red," Frank Castle, the Punisher, replied, stepping out of the shadows. He was wearing his iconic skull vest, his face worn but determined.
Matt turned around, his smile fading into something more familiar. "You're back."
Frank nodded grimly. "I heard the kid has been keeping the city safe… but Kingpin's still out there. And so am I."
Matt felt a familiar fire ignite inside him. The old team—the Defenders—was long gone, but their legacy still burned brightly in the hearts of those who remained.
The fight wasn't over.
Chapter End.