War Council ( Open to all)

[Kingpin]

The large meeting room usually set aside for such trivial things as division meetings and profit projection talks was tonight used for a far more sinister purpose. The large,dark wood table took up most of the room. It's top was taken up completely by a huge model of New York City. It wasn ot however just an accurate image of the Big Apple, On the tiny streets were also markings, jagged lines in four colours, Yellow, Red, Purple and Green. Not a single square of the city was left without these strange little markings. Also several buildings had small flags ontop of them, as if the model was going to be used for a sort of War game. In the middle of Green Territory the large, imposing looking Fisk Building had a green flag ontop of it with the words 'HQ' painted on it. Some way across town in the heart of Yellow Territory a similer tower save with a triangular roof indicated another HQ. The Red and purple sections had no HQ flag but a slew of other smaller flags with letters on them.

Wilson crossed his thick, dark skinned hands on the table, drawing in smoke from the thick cigar placed between his lips and blowing it into the air above his head. His massive frame sat back in a huge leather chair similer to those placed around the table, save with a higher back and his initals emboriled on the head rest. His silver cane rested beside the table. The piece was ugly as a decorative item but it weighed thirty kilo's and made for a wonderful crudel. Fisk's fine white suit was immaculate, the Mother of Pearl buttons and the silver cuff links were a subtle psychological attack, for they implied wealth and wealth was somthing everyone could appreciate. It would also imply that loyalty in his service would bring the same wealth to those who served him well.

Guards were placed around the room. Wearing what looked almost like full riot gear and carrying the latest in quality assualt rifles, the well equipped men stood stock still, eyes watching the elevator door. Through his newly aquired list of contacts Wilson had sent out invitations to several individules who had shown both skills beyond those of most men and a genuine dislike for law enforcement. Killers, pscyho's and crooks. They had all been invited by Wilson to attend this meeting with the promise of an offer they simply couldn't refuse. Tapping Ash into a crystal Ash tray Wilson glanced to the small panel of buttons on the table as his intercom buzzed. " Mister Fisk? The first of your guests have arrived." Thumbing the button Wilson replied casually, his deep voice booming. " Very good Jennifer. Send them up." The men around him shifted, cocking weapons and taking up positions in case things turned sour.

[Kenji Kato]

"Mr. Fisk can see you now," The woman smiled.
Kenji nodded nervously and entered the lift. How the Hell did he know who he was? A letter had appeared in his door asking for him to meet at Fisk Tower, at first Kenji thought it was some sort of school trip or something to do with Work Experience but then he saw the words "Special Talents".

He knew about Venom. Kenji's heart was beating like a jackhammer and Venom was giggling, he'd been getting more and more unstable recently, as if Kenji's attempts to reign him in had done the opposite. After what seemed like an age there was a pleasant "Ding!" and the lift doors opened, there were lots of heavily armed men standing around and in the centre was a huge table.

Kenji gazed at the diorama on it for a minute before Venom reminded him why he was here. He looked nervously at the imposing figure of Wilson Fisk. Should he shake his hand? Ask why he was here? Sit down? Kenji eventually decided on waving timidly and (with a very dry throat) murmuring a quiet "Hello sir," before sitting down at the table, carefully choosing to not sit on the same half of the table as the powerful business man but not directly facing him either, sitting on a seat that (if Mr. Fisk was at 12:00) was at about 4:00.

He looked up nervously and raised a hand.

[MacDonald "Mac" Gargan]

His eyes went from the card (on which an address had been scrawled upon) and the bold letters denoting the number of the building known as Fisk Tower; towers, such a powerful icon and this man, Fisk, had it named after him. Gargan liked that idea, he'd have to get a Gargan Tower erected at some point...maybe.

Sliding into the building, walked past the front desk, ignoring the woman there and proceeded to the elevator, punching a meaty finger into the up arrow. If it didn't work, he'd simply rip the doors off and climb up the shaft; Scorpion was feeling a tad bit peeved tonight and, in all honesty, he didn't even have a good reason.

Fortunately, the doors opened within seconds and he entered the elevator, which swiftly brought him to his desired destination. The doors opened and he instantly noted the heavily armed guards with their guns; cute. The thought that he could probably digest bullets in his super-human stomach put Gargan's mind at ease as he entered, a smirk rather clear and open on his face as he stepped up to the table, boldly meeting the eyes of the imposing figure at its head; Wilson Fisk, big and strong like the tower named after him.

Dragging out the chair directly opposite of the table's head (aka the six) he took a seat, his eyes casually falling upon the small asian boy... wait, small asian boy? Anger flared up inside him for a brief moment and his eyes narrowed into a furious glare as he stared daggers at the boy; what was he doing here? What did a reedy, little punk like him have going on with a crime powerhouse like Fisk?

Forcing himself into a calmer state, he managed to control the desire to tear the boy's head from his shoulders...for now. Tonight was a night for diplomacy, he'd rid Fisk's life of this nuisance of a human using words, then he'd rid him from his own life later using a few things a bit more violent than words.

::OOC::

Comments: EDITED AGAIN...

[Felicia Abigail Hardy]

"I want you to meet some of my associates." That was what Mr. Fisk had said to her. She had thought he simply meant other crooked rich people, and that was fine with her. She sauntered into the elevator and pressed the correct floor. She had gotten increasingly familiar with Fisk's building setup, but she still had only traveled to a handful of floors.

When she stepped out of the elevator, though, she was shocked by the squad of armed private security men that Fisk had in the room with them. She looked at Fisk questioningly, imploring him to comfort her. She wanted to ask, "are they really necessary?" but she recognized the Scorpion from the news, so yes, they probably were. That freakish tail was unmistakable.

Yet, the other one, the Asian boy...was that Kenji from school? The kid she had never given the time of day to? What was he doing here? She wondered what he had gotten caught up in. She wanted to say something, but didn't want to give away her identity. Her mask and wig hid who she was well enough, right? And no one would ever think good girl Felicia Hardy was a costumed thief, right?

Well, she certainly wasn't scared of Kenji, but the same couldn't be said of the Scorpion. She became uncomfortably aware of how much of how much cleavage showed in her Black Cat outfit, and how snugly it fit her body. Usually the costume made her feel sexy, but now she just felt naked.

Felicia Hardy began to do something Black Cat would never do- she tried to pull up her costume to hide her cleavage while willing herself to turn invisible.

[Butterfly Kai]

A powerhouse like Fisk wants me...? Kai thought as the elevator took her up. At first, she wasn't going to come, just, blow it off. She thought it was a mistake. After all, she doesn't have a home, so someone had just come up to her and handed the invation to her. If not for the great quality of paper and shimmering embroidery, and the fact that it was from Fisk, Kai would have disposed of it. She could make some money off something of such great quality and rarity.
As time went on, Kai examined the invitation, realizing that it must have been sent to her by one of Fisk's underlings.
So now here she was, in a new outfit that she had....come across....and a new bag, actually more like a nice backpack, in the elevator, on her way to meet what she was sure would be her doom.
Aki poked his head out of the bag. Kai petted him for comfort, and he snuggled against her, then hide, frightened, when the elevator door opened.
Kai gulped, realizing why Aki had hid. Gargan. And then her eyes floated to Kenji. Oh no.... Maybe Gargan works for Fisk and he's mad about that incident....
But then Kai noticed the other woman. Black Cat. She'd heard of her. And honestly, Kai admired her. Maybe this wasn't about the incident with Gargan and Kenji.... Kai glanced around at the armed gaurds and took a seat next to Kenji. He looked scared and nervous, just how Kai felt. But years and years of being alone had taught Kai to maintain an apathetic expression when faced with such a situation as this.

[Kenji Kato]

[OOC: Sinister Five anyone? XD]

Kenji's hand immediately lowered. Not because he realised he didn't want a drink of water but because his hand suddenly jerked violently and he had to hold it down. Kenji looked down in confusion.
"What?" He hissed to Venom "What is i-"
He looked up.

Gargan.

Mac Gargan had just stepped out of the lift and taken a seat across from Mr.Fisk, Kenji tried not to make eye contact but he could just feel the hate burning into him, he nudged his chair a little to the right and started playing with a flag on a small building as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

Another person came into the room, a girl this time. She was wearing a black catsuit that looked like it was painted on and trying to pull up part of her suit and cover herself. Kenji kept looking at her, there was something familiar about her but what was it?
"I thought you weren't into girls," Venom snickered, taking time out of hating Gargan to make Kenji squirm.
"I don't I j-" Kenji stopped, he'd said that out loud. He looked around the room and swallowed.

He was saved from having to explain why he said something by the arrival of Kai. She was wearing different clothes and carrying a rucksack that seemed to be moving a little, Kenji kept looking at the bag as she sat down next to him.
"... Hi," He said nervously, he turned away from Kai and then looked at Mr. Fisk and the other two in the costumes "I'm Kenji ... pleased to meet you ... sorry if I don't I'll just ... I'll shut up now,"

[Vermin]

This...invitation. Vermin clutched it between his index finger and thumb as he sat in a nook between two buildings opposite Fisk Tower. This was certainly the location it alluded to, but if he wasn't mistaken, this was the headquarters for Wilson Fisk, an up-and-coming business mogul. Surely he would have no need to send out an invitation like this. But he had. And Vermin had answered. This might be his chance to actually live again. Things were looking up, provided everything went well. Hopefully, his appearance would not do much to offset the potential opportunity.

He had acquired more dignified garb for the occasion, a white, button-down shirt and black slacks. He had been looking for a tie as well, but didn't have the time. This would have to do. Shoes didn't really fit him anymore, so that had been out of the question. He had taken the time to clean himself and had abstained from eating recently. Although his stomach was begging for something to eat, the smell of carcass was not something he didn't want to take with him into a potential employment opportunity.

Vermin made his move, darting across the street, between cars and people. He had the collar of his shirt turned up and shielded his face with his hands....which might not be helping the situation, but it is the best he could offer. He was truly ashamed of his appearance and did not wish to inspire fear in anyone. Slipping into the building, he followed the directions that had been on the invitation, approaching the desk in the front. He set the invitation on the counter and slid it to the receptionist. She glanced at the invitation before turning her face up to look at him. She jumped a little, as expected, but otherwise didn't seem to notice the rat-like features.

She told him which way to go, and so Vermin made his way to the lift, upon entering which he finally tucked down the collar of his shirt and stood up as straight as possible. Was this it? Was he finally going to reenter society and live in a building? Eat human food and not what he could find in the sewers? Wear clothes that didn't once belong to someone else?

As the lift opened into the conference room, Vermin's eyes took in the most mis-matched group of people he had ever seen. He stepped into the room and glanced at the seats, finally deciding to sit at about 10 o' clock. He made sure to avoid eye contact with anybody except the man at the head of the table. He recognized Fisk from an appearance the powerhouse once made in People magazine. He was breathless, but he kept what composure he had as he took his seat.

[Kingpin]

( Hmm, Lot of bad guys. Excellent...)

Fisk blow smoke into the air as he waited for the elevator doors to open and disgourge their occupant. He could feel the anxiety of his security team as the little lights above the door counted down the floors to his meeting hall. The elevator doors slid open as Kingpin leaned forward on the table, anxious to see the first person to arrive and awnser his call to arms. His first instinct was to be dissapointed, however... he knew well the way first appearances could mask the truth and often to the advantage of the one being misjudged. Fisk watched as the timid chap took a seat that was far away enough to be safe but not far away enough to appear rude. The stick thin, feminine man standing alongside Fisk shuffled through a selection of files in neat brown envelops and placed one before Wilson. The Kingpin opened the file with one large hand, never once taking his studying gaze off Kenji untill he began to read the file. It contained photographs obviously taken by someone who had been following Kenji for a while. Their were pictures of him at school and also of a black, shadowy mass darting across rooftops. His underling had scribbled nots in a red pen and their were coffee stains on the edge of the file. Fisk placed his cigar between his lips and flicked thep age over, scanning over the various observations scribbled down.

The intercom buzzed as the female voice rang through. Distracting Fisk from Kenji's raised hand. 'Mister Fisk, Another guest has arrived' she said, her voice a little shakey. Thumbing the button Fisk took the cigar from his mouth. " Ask him to wait a few minutes." The reply came through with apparent fear in his receptionists voice. " Eh..Mister Fisk I'm not sure I'm accurately conveying the gentlemans size." Just then the elevator doors opened and in stalked Mac. The muscular predator stalked to a seat and somehow managed to fit himself into it, tail and all. Fisk's file-keeping assisstant was frozen to the spot, eyes wide. The file on Mac gripped in one hand, the knuckles white. After a few moments of this foolishness Wilson simply snatched the file from his assistants hand and pulled it open, spilling over the scarce details. A half-hearted apology was scrawled on the inside cover. Apparently the details were so scant because every time the crew got close enough to follow Mac he either avoided them completely or spotted them. Evidently he was not only powerful but observant as well. A deadly combination.Neatly placing the files to one side Fisk studied the man, noting the strange kevlar weave. Or at least he assumed it was Kevlar but could be somthing more advanced. He made a mental note to have the purchasing department pick up those armour piercing rounds after all.

The look Mac gave Kenji was not lost upon Fisk but before he could make even a guess as to the reason behnd it the elevator doors opened once more. This was not a new contracter nor a wild card but rather a reliable employee. Felicia Abigail Hardy or...Black Cat as she liked to be called while wearing the eyecatching outfit was somthing of a legend. Vault security, Legions of night watchmen and the latest in high tec wealth protection devices were next to useless when compared to her skill. As far as the theiving world was concerned she was a ghost, and a valued employee as far as he was concerned. She seemed uncomfortbly however and did somthing he had never seen of her in all her years as an employee. She showed modesty and tried to cover up. Evidently somthing had her a little unnerved. Fisk felt no need to comfort her. Words did little to comfort someone compared to a squad of heavily armed men in body armour. Instead Fisk's tomb deep, commanding voice cut the air like a knife. " Sit down, Black Cat." He rumbled, his cigar holding had waving to the chair one to the right of him. She was of known quality and could be trusted, therefore would be a wise choice to sit near the head of the table. She was less likely to try and rip his head off than the rest of those gathered.

Not many were left to arrive and Fisk was growing eager to get things rolling. He had purposely avoided addressing his guests for now. Instead letting them stew in their own juices and give away unconsious little signs. Kenji was extremely nervous, Mac overpoweringly arrogant and Felcia was uncomfortble. Such small hints were weapons in the right hands and they empowered him. For he was confidence, he was self assured and he was utterly calm. Mentally he went over the notes he had memorised while waiting for the next guest to arrive.

The elvator slid open to let another guest in, A small girl with her pet, a rather meek looking pair. Still... Kingpin was not a man to be swayed by such small things as pity. Kai was here because like everyone else in the room she had an outstanding talent and better still.. was highly impressionable. She could be influenced, swayed with the right motivation. Everyone has a price, Everyone. Kenji lowered the hand that had been held aloof the whole time. Instead he seemed to talk to someone but when no-one replied to him the Kingpin assumed he was speaking to himself. As if to try and recover from this embaressing moment he akwardly greeted the girl besidehim in that... clumsy and yet charming way only a young boy with no experince in Romance could. Fisk mused if he had ever been that young and for a moment the ghost of a smile was on the mans lips before his cigar went between them and any form of expression died and curled up into that poker face he wore.

The last person to arrive was also the one Fisk found most interesting. He hadn't heard of him untill thirty two hours ago but the case of the genius turned rabid animal had greatly appealed to him. This... Doctor Jekel turned Mister Hyde was perhaps the most brillant scientific mind of his generation. However an unfortunate incidient had devolved him into a sewer dwelling abomination. Somthing appealed to Fisk in the man, for he was a survivor of the purest nature and Fisk valued survivors above all other types of men.

Upon an unseen signal two fairly young women rose from seats set behind Fisk towards the window and the large projector screen that had been lowered over the view of New York. Carrying silver trays and exquisitely crafted glasses the pair set about providing a glass of fine scotch for each person in the room, tumbling ice into each container and then pouring the no doubt ridiculously expensive drink in and moving on without a word. Fisk was the last to be provided with a drink. When this silent couple had done their duty Fisk took his cigar from his mouth.

" Before I begin tonight." He rumbled. " Introductions are in order." He gestured directly across the table to Mac, who had glared balefully at Kenji for quite some time. " The gentleman in the kevlar is Scorpion, Who has made quite a splash on the front page of the Bugle in recent days." His hand drifted towards Kenji. " The young man sitting nervously is Kenji Kato. Despite his youth, he has many hidden talents." His hand drifted a fraction to indicated Kai.

" The young woman, Who prefers Kai dosen't have a reputation yet as many of you do. She is however skilled at aquiring items that don't belong to her. And before she leaves she can replace the silver fountian pen she took from my receptionist." This might have been a joke but if it was Fisk gave no indication. He neither smiled nor did he pause for any laughter that might interupt him. His hand drifted again to gesture towards Felicia. " The woman sitting to my right you may know by reputation. Black Cat, a theif without equal." At last his hand gestured towards Vermin. His hand falling after a few seconds. "Last, but by no means least. Vermin, or as I prefer to call him Doctor Edward Mobius. Our dear doctor is perhaps the greatest mind in this room." He waited a few seconds, before taking his cigar and resting it in the ash tray. " As for me, I am Wilson Fisk and you will come to know me well."

Taking a sip from his scotch Fisk enjoyed the taste and the warm sensation it created in the throat. This was another little mind game, somthing with an attachment to wealth and class that he knew would appeal to Kai, the Doctor and perhaps Felicia as well. Replacing the glass Fisk leaned forward on the table, his hands stopping just short of the New York City model. " I've gathered you here today because... I admire you. Each and every one of you." Fisk rose from his seat, allowing his full height to coo and impress those whom are cooed and impressed by such displays. " Each of you is unique, never before in the history of the planet has their been men and women quite like you. Each of you are gifted far beyond that of mere men. Regardless of where your skills lay once you are gone...the world will never see your like again." Fisk let the air settle for a few moments. " I intend to help you be...all that you can be."

With that he stood and slowly walked around the table, each footstep measured carefully. " Each of us is guilty of a great wrong...For we have... squandered or talents on lesser goals. After all New York, the shining jewel of the western world is ours for the taking. To have it...all we have to do is reach out. " Fisk stretched his hand out, and then suddenly clapsed it shut. "And take it." The screen behind Fisk's seat flashed into life and an image of Spiderman taken from the front page of a Bugle paper was shown. " Of course...We have experinced difficulties. Men and women like you who are...misguided. We have suffered at the hands of..." The image changed again to show Daredevil. " Viglante's who through some freak quirk of nature have developed powers that are nothing more than a bad joke to you, but who constantly impede us at every turn because of our inability to stride towards the same goals. We have been attacked by psychopaths." An image of Frank Castle flashed up on screen. " and things worse still." An image of Carnage flashed up on the screen, or as good a shot as one could get of Carnage without being horribly mutilated. This was a purposeful act to get those who had experinced conflict with the creature in the past riled.

" Ladies and Gentlemen... I propose we stockpile our resources and present a united front to our enemies. I propose that we first turn our combined attention towards the eradication of the squawbling fuedal warlords who control gangs of low-rent thugs and fight us every step of the way, and when their resource's become our's we shall turn our attention towards the destruction of those misguided men and women who dare to oppose us. Together, we can remake New York in our own image. Everything under the stars will be yours. Wealth, Power, Respect, and immunity from the law. You will be as Kings amoung men and all I ask in return is your obeidance." With his speech delivered Fisk picked up his glass of Scotch. " If we are in agreement then I invite you now to lift your glass and join me in a toast. If however you feel my proposal is not wise, or in your best interests then you are free to leave the building. However...It is wise to remember that my enemies do not outlast me." It was only then that Fisk smiled and raised the glass up.


" To a better future. Salud"

[Kenji Kato]

Kenji watched as one of Mr. Fisk's associates handed him a file, he could just about make out photographs and random scribbles. He was tempted to ask what was in the folder but the large amount of guards were putting him off and making him feel sick.

"Mister Fisk, Another guest has arrived" It sounded like the secretary from downstairs, but more terrified.
"Ask him to wait a few minutes." Fisk responded looking through Kenji's folder
"Eh..Mister Fisk I'm not sure I'm accurately conveying the gentlemans size." The secretary told him.
"Well that doesn't sound good ..." Venom thought mere seconds before Gargan entered the room and the symbiotic organism went crazy screaming about tearing him to shreds and using lot of colourful language that Kenji's mother didn't approve of.

The assistant with the file looked on in terror and Fisk had to pull the folder out of his pale hands, Kenji raised his head and peeked at it. Looked like Gargan had been pretty good at keeping hidden, compared to the amount of photos in Kenji's own folder.
"Told you you're too gung-ho," Kenji said quietly, covering his mouth with a hand.
"Shut up ..." Venom muttered

More and more people walked in but the last one was the weirdest (and everyone in the room was pretty weird) The man looked like a giant rat, he had brown fur all over his body, and no feet just a white shirt and some black trousers, no tie. It was depressing when the rat man was dressed more formerly than you (in a dark grey hoodie and some bright red jeans). It was even worse when you were coming third place to a woman in a ridiculous black and white outfit.

Kenji was about to ask what was going on, raising his hand slightly when a pair of women came out and started putting a glass of scotch in front of everyone. Kenji murmured a very quiet "Thankyou," but they breezed past him without a word.

"Before I begin tonight." Fisk boomed, getting Kenji's attention "Introductions are in order. The gentleman in the kevlar is Scorpion, Who has made quite a splash on the front page of the Bugle in recent days."
Kenji followed Fisks hand, and didn't he know it, both he and Venom had gone up against him on two separate occasions the man was a total nutjob obsessed with Spiderman and Peter Parker Then his hand pointed to Kenji who jumped a little "The young man sitting nervously is Kenji Kato. Despite his youth, he has many hidden talents." Kenji swallowed and bowed his head a little.
"Hajimemashite, watashi wa Kenji, dozo yorishiku," Kenji said, Fisk was right he was nervous. Very nervous.
"The young woman, Who prefers Kai dosen't have a reputation yet as many of you do. She is however skilled at aquiring items that don't belong to her. And before she leaves she can replace the silver fountian pen she took from my receptionist."
Kenji couldn't help but smile a little
"The woman sitting to my right you may know by reputation. Black Cat, a theif without equal." He said pointing at the familiar woman.
Kenji frowned and tilted his head he knew her from somewhere! but where?
Fisks hand finally landed before the (literally) ratty looking individual "Last, but by no means least. Vermin, or as I prefer to call him Doctor Edward Mobius. Our dear doctor is perhaps the greatest mind in this room. As for me, I am Wilson Fisk and you will come to know me well."

Fisk took a sip from his glass, Kenji looked at his own glass and decided to do the same. It tasted horrible, he sort of shivered a bit and put the glass down.
"That was probably really expensive ..." Venom informed him "I mean just look at him!"
Kenji paused, Venom was probably right. His best bet was to pretend like nothing had happened. Fisk continued talking. Something about how they were all unique individuals.

The imposing figure started to walk around the table, Kenji breathed in sharply as he passed behind him, afraid of getting hit, he was clearly the weakest one here (or at least acting like it) and probably the most likely one to get turned into an example. "Each of us is guilty of a great wrong...For we have... squandered or talents on lesser goals. After all New York, the shining jewel of the western world is ours for the taking. To have it...all we have to do is reach out. And take it."

While Fisk was talking a picture flashed on a screen Kenji hadn't noticed, one of Spiderman, it had been on the Bugles front page a few weeks ago "Of course...We have experinced difficulties. Men and women like you who are...misguided. We have suffered at the hands of..." The image flashed to show a red clad man with horns and two interlinked "D"'s on his chest. Fisk continued talking two other pictures showed up after it. One was a man Kenji recognised, the one who'd been there when they took out the shipment of X-juice, the Punisher. The image of Carnage that presented itself after him made Venom explode with fury. Under his "guest"'s control Kenji jumped to his feet and slammed a hand on the table. He immediately sat down again and hissed trying to reign Venom in before he went beserk.
"... Sorry ... sorry ... that won't happen again ... sir," Kenji insisted, looking rather sheepish.

After Fisk had finished his spiel about how they could rule New York if they worked together he raised his glass "If we are in agreement then I invite you now to lift your glass and join me in a toast. If however you feel my proposal is not wise, or in your best interests then you are free to leave the building. However...It is wise to remember that my enemies do not outlast me."

"To a better future. Salud"

Kenji raised his hand again, this time there was a glass in it but he still looked nervous.
"... We're in ..." He said quietly "... Cheers?"

[Felicia Abigail Hardy]

"Sit down, Black Cat." Fisk's deep, commanding tone didn't leave room for argument, and she meekly sat down, feeling chastised but a good deal safer.

To help her be all that she could be. Felicia was nervous and uncertain about what Fisk might mean by that. She was already stealing valuable items and disabling high-tech security thanks to the Kingpin's training. What more did he expect of her? Was this really about what she wanted, or what Fisk wanted? She really hoped Fisk didn't call on her to do anything more than steal for him.

Because she knew well that he might, and there would be nothing she could do about it. Fisk knew her identity and would expose it in a second if she proved not to be worth what he had invested in her.

She shuddered slightly as she saw pictures of Carnage and the Punisher appear on the screen. The first, like the Scorpion, terrified her. All the news reports said he just killed without reason, and police had never been able to apprehend him. It was like he was some real-life boogeyman, invincible and unable to be caught. She tried to comfort herself by reminding herself that police couldn't catch her either, but it didn't make her feel any safer.

As for the other guy, the guy with the skull...well, she didn't care if someone put a bullet in a murderer's brain, but would that man do the same to her? Was that his idea of justice? All criminals, regardless of the severity of their crime, just "bam" like that.

She wondered what she could do against such fearsome adversaries. She wasn't a fighter, just a pretty high school girl with a problem with cleptomania.

She didn't dare mention that to Fisk, though.

She glanced at the drink put before her. She was way too young to be drinking. She was only seventeen. Then she almost laughed aloud- drinking underage was the least thing she needed to be worried about getting arrested for.

[Butterfly Kai]

Kai wasn't paying attention as Fisk started introducing people. But when he mentioned her, and taking a silver pen, she tensed inside. I wasn't a pen. It was his receptionist's watch....and her fancy, expensive ring....and her crystal paper weight.... Therefore, Kai didn't feel the obligation to return those unmentioned items.
As Fisk was rambling on about stuff, Kai was watching Kenji. She couldn't deny that she found him attractive. He was cute, and she felt a strange likeness for him that she didn't feel for any other human.
She was unphased by his little outburst. She actually thought it made the whole event more interesting. After all, Kai wasn't really concerned with any of this. She was only pretending. Kai doesn't trust people. Especially those who make promises.
Kai thought that what happened to the rat-man whose name she hadn't heard must have been similar to what happened to her, outcast all his life. Oh well, this could be his way in. This was just an opportunity Kai took to get some highly valuable goods. After all, that guard closest to the elevator didn't realize that his wallet was missing from his back pocket yet.
Kenji muttered something, and Kai realized that everyone was toasting. Kai glanced around, then turned to look at Fisk.
"I don't drink. I like to keep my mind clear. After all, the clearer my mind is, the better job I do."

[MacDonald "Mac" Gargan]

More figures filtered into the room and Gargan's gaze was probing, searching, evaluating.

A rogueishly clothed high schooler seemed to shy away from her gaze and Scorpion noted with ease how she tried to cover herself up; hmph. He cared naught for her body, no, no...he just wanted to hear her scream as he tossed her off the roof of Fisk Tower. He had a happy little moment imagining how long it would take for her screams to finally disappate.

A couple more people entered; the butterfly girl he was familiar with and an odd, shaggy looking man, the infamous Edward Morbius. He'd spotted the forlon figure skulking around the sewers and, somewhere in the deep black pit of his heart, he had felt a twinge of...what was it? Sympathy? No, not that, it was fear. Fear that he, Scorpion, could have ended up as pathetic as he, Edward Morbius. The irony made him smirk as he watched the rat-like man take a seat; here in this room was one man cursed by a genetic experiment and another blessed by it.

His attention was then drawn in by the ever-imposing Wilson Fisk and he went into a long oration, but an interesting one, oh so interesting. The pictures flashing on the screen served their purpose well and he could almost hear the collective grinding of teeth from those in the room, a picture of Carnage even sending the weakling, Kenji, into a sort of fit.

Raising one brow he, again, glared harshly at the asian boy, his eyes not releasing their hold of hatred as he spoke, "So... to make this crystal clear, Mr. Fisk. Are you suggesting that we...that I work together with these..." One powerful hand waved at those around the table, "people in order to get rid of those people?" He finished his sentence with his hand jabbing at the screen that had previously shown a slough of self-dubbed "heroes."

Maybe, just MAYBE, he could put aside his own selfish needs aside and work with these fools if their goal was to rid the city of these "do-gooders," these... psychopaths. A grin cropped up on Scorpion's face as he imagined the Spider-Man, his body broken and lying at his feet. Yes, yes, yes! YES! This would work, this could most definitely work.

Not giving the time for Wisk to answer, he interjected quickly, "If so, then my answer is yes, a resounding, booming yes." Having said this, he grabbed a glass in front of him and raised it, quickly downing whatever its contents were and roughly jamming the glass back down onto the table. This group would serve its purpose...then Kenji and butterfly girl were as good as dead.

[Vermin]

" Before I begin tonight. Introductions are in order. The gentleman in the kevlar is Scorpion, Who has made quite a splash on the front page of the Bugle in recent days."

Vermin looked toward the indicated man. Truly a sight to behold, he was enormous, built unlike anything Vermin had ever seen. And, was that a tail of some kind? Truly, this was a man to be reckoned with. Vermin only hoped that he would be able to stay on his good side. One of the many challenges of working with others is unpredictability.

" The young man sitting nervously is Kenji Kato. Despite his youth, he has many hidden talents. The young woman, Who prefers Kai dosen't have a reputation yet as many of you do. She is however skilled at aquiring items that don't belong to her. And before she leaves she can replace the silver fountian pen she took from my receptionist."

The two he spoke of definitely seemed a bit young to be here, but there is nothing to be had in the way of logic these days. Both truly seemed incapable of anything villainous, although Fisk had taken the time to point out that the girl was a thief, and a skilled one at that. Compared to the crude way Vermin usually took things, learning a thing or two from the girl may actually do to help him in the future.

"The woman sitting to my right you may know by reputation. Black Cat, a theif without equal."

The woman was rather attractive, but her clothing rather unbefitting of her. It showed off her features well enough, but subtely counted for so much in today's world. Again, she did seem too young to have the reputation afforded her, and in the pointing out of her apparent fame, Vermin's disconnection with the world of today truly fell into perspective. Perhaps he would need to read up on current events sometime soon.

"Last, but by no means least. Vermin, or as I prefer to call him Doctor Edward Mobius. Our dear doctor is perhaps the greatest mind in this room."

Hearing the name Vermin actually caused him to flinch slightly, and the name Morbius even more. It was true, he had once been Edward Morbius and, upon losing part of himself, dubbed himself with a more fitting name. However, it had been a time since someone had actually addressed him by any name. As for the offhand compliment, Vermin was worried he wouldn't be able to live up to the standard Fisk held him to. He had lost a great bit of Morbius when he became Vermin.

"As for me, I am Wilson Fisk and you will come to know me well. I've gathered you here today because... I admire you. Each and every one of you. Each of you is unique, never before in the history of the planet has their been men and women quite like you. Each of you are gifted far beyond that of mere men. Regardless of where your skills lay once you are gone...the world will never see your like again. I intend to help you be...all that you can be. Each of us is guilty of a great wrong...For we have... squandered or talents on lesser goals. After all New York, the shining jewel of the western world is ours for the taking. To have it...all we have to do is reach out. And take it."

A screen lit up and images began to flash across it, of various super-powered beings that had come into the limelight recently. Vermin recognized only one of them, the man called Spiderman.

"Of course...We have experinced difficulties. Men and women like you who are...misguided. We have suffered at the hands of...Viglante's who through some freak quirk of nature have developed powers that are nothing more than a bad joke to you, but who constantly impede us at every turn because of our inability to stride towards the same goals. We have been attacked by psychopaths and things worse still."

The young boy seemed to have some adverse reaction to the final image, a fuzzy one of some red creature. It was obvious that they had encountered each other before, perhaps they had some personal connection.

"Ladies and Gentlemen... I propose we stockpile our resources and present a united front to our enemies. I propose that we first turn our combined attention towards the eradication of the squawbling fuedal warlords who control gangs of low-rent thugs and fight us every step of the way, and when their resource's become our's we shall turn our attention towards the destruction of those misguided men and women who dare to oppose us. Together, we can remake New York in our own image. Everything under the stars will be yours. Wealth, Power, Respect, and immunity from the law. You will be as Kings amoung men and all I ask in return is your obeidance. If we are in agreement then I invite you now to lift your glass and join me in a toast. If however you feel my proposal is not wise, or in your best interests then you are free to leave the building. However...It is wise to remember that my enemies do not outlast me. To a better future. Salud"

There was not much of a desicion to be made. From where Vermin currently stood, the only way to go was up. Maybe there were other, better ways he could do it. A better man, like Edward Morbius, was on one of those roads. Vermin, however, is not as gifted as Morbius. Anything he has ever gotten came from the gutters, or the trash, or off somebody else's back, due to pity or some misplaced sense of philanthropy. Vermin wanted to make his own way in this world, and this was the best opportunity he had. Raising his glass with the others, his eyes glued to Fisk, he quickly downed his entire drink, suppressing the grimace that tried to rise to his face.

[Kingpin]

In life a man may find satisfaction in a myrid of ways. Some men enjoyed putting together great works of art, others created art through the scope of a rifle but for Fisk th e joy of life was the moment when you knew you had your auidence right where you wanted them. Kenji's sudden fit and then meek apology were met with nothing but a glare from Fisk before he nodded, excusing the outburst and doing his best to hide a smile that threatened his lips. His gaze flicked to Kai as she refused the drink. Wise perhaps, for strong whiskey was an excellent catalyst for poison. The sharp taste hid an astounding number of naturally occuring venoms at least from the human taste buds.

Shortly afterwards Mac spoke up, Fisk drew breath to awnser but before he could the giant killer took a swig of his glass in agreement, slamming it down on the table. Fisk was fairly sure he heard the glass gave in under the P.I's hand but ignored that small act of destruction as slowly, one by one those present submitted themselves to the ideal of a better, more profitable future. " Excellent." Fisk concluded, Tapping the button for the screen behind him as it flicked off Fisk waited for a few moments to ensure he had the attention of everyone in the room.

"Our first set of goals is the disabling of the Yakuza, Vory Vi Zakone and Forgotten gangs. Therefore, as of tonight... Total War has been declared. I have three objectives in mind to allow us to further increase our strength." Fisk clicked his thick fingers and a guard stepped forward with a metal breifcase. He opened it up and in layers of protective padding was a small vial containing a green liquid. Fisk plucked it from it's nest and lifted itu p for all to see. " The Yakuza's main source of profit is in this... The product of a brilliant man who for all intents and purposes has vanished into the darkest cell our goverment can provide. One shot of this makes a man into a God for a few hours. I have seen a ninety pound woman punch through a concrete wall ingesting a few drops. Unfortunatly, when taken by normal humans it tends to burn out the body. I have a theroy however that those who already have such power will be given a much more stable, perhaps even permanent boost by regular shots. Imagine what you have now doubled, perhaps tripled." Without warning Kingpin tossed the vial with a flick of the wrist towards Mac. Feeding the mans obsession's would make him a useful if dangerous tool.

" The Yakuza and Russian factions have an agreement over the distrubutation of this substanace. I intend to shatter that alliance which is where Kai and Black Cat come in." The screen flicked to life again, this time showing a small Jade statue of a dragon with a blood red jewel between it's jaws. " The chairman of the Yakuza makes his pledge over this small statue. No chairman in the history of the organisation has ever lost the dragon, so to do so now would be a great humilation and not only weaken the charimans position, but if evidence of Russian involvement were to appear then every Yakuza in the city will cry for war. Therefore, Black Cat, Kai and Vermin... I am tasking you with it's theft and the implication of the Vory Vi Zakone. I reccomend you aquire a pair of dog tags from someone in the Vory. Your mission has three main threats." The scree nflicked to show the dragons resting place in a heavily protected, sealed vault. " Firstly the security systems are top of the line, however tools will be provided to breach them. Secondly."

The screen flicked to show a collection of men standing beside the Chairman, each wearing a suit of some kind. " The dojima of each family is honour bound to protect the dragon, each man is deadly in his own right. Avoid them at all costs, and at last." The screen flicked to show a man in his late thirties in the middle of a brawl, two bodies already lay at his feet and a third man was fleeing in terror. " Kazayo, The chairmans liuetent has an office near where the dragon is stored. He is somthing of a prodigy, A ninth dan in karate, a world class judo and kendo champion and a graduate from Harvard. He is a ruthless, intelligent and deadly adversery. Normally I would reccomend his murder. But I know at least two of you have qualms about killing." Fisk glanced at Felicia before back to his auidence. " So once again, avoid at all costs."

Fisk switched his gze to Scorpion, then shifted them to Kenji. " Scorpion, Kenji. I want you two on aggressive patrol. Kenji, You will attack only Russian mobsters, Scorpion, your target is Yakuza gang members. These attacks will esculate the war between both groups and force them to expend more funds than they make. However...Don't be afraid to use inititive and if you see an oppertunity to aquire more X-juice or simply to damage one side, take it."

Wit hthat the elevator doors slid open. " I will be in contact with each of you reguarly. The sooner we deal ith these unfortunate breakaway's the sooner we can move onto the real problems."

[Felicia Abigail Hardy]

Great. Going after organized crime. Felicia swallowed nervously. She knew that she should be glad that her talents were being put to use against people who deserved it and were likely thieves themselves, but police officers and security guards didn't start spraying you with bullets when you stole something.

Still, what choice did she have? And besides, the Black Cat was a master of stealth, so what did she have to be worried about.

She glanced at the other thief, Kai. She was going to be working with a partner, huh? They should probably pull off a few small-time thefts to get accustomed to how the other operated. She didn't want to get in a fight with her partner in the middle of a major assignment like stealing something from the Yakuza. Maybe she would mention the idea to Kai and Fisk after the meeting was over, but she was too intimidated by the larger-than-life man (both literally and personality-wise) to mention that right now, when the Kingpin of Crime was speaking.

At least she didn't have to work with Scorpion. The hideous scientist's role was kinda a bummer, though. How good a thief was he, she wondered?

Well, she didn't have to try and kill this crazy martial arts prodigy, who she probably wouldn't even be able to fight if she wanted to.

But why was Kenji being sent to confront mobsters? Did he have a secret identity like she did? Was this a suicide mission for him, and if so, why? Or what was she missing?