Chapter 36: Kingpin vs. Captain America & Iron Man - Round Three
The Mark III's repulsors delivered devastating kinetic force, launching Wilson Fisk over thirty feet through the air. His massive frame shattered a reinforced steel support beam on impact.
"That was incredibly rude! You shouldn't have trapped me in that metal coffin!"
Tony immediately followed up with a concentrated repulsor blast, sending Wilson—who was struggling to his feet—sprawling across the factory floor. The intense plasma energy seared his forearm bright red.
After all, Wilson was still fundamentally human. Withstanding small arms fire was already his upper limit; anything exceeding standard ballistic energy would still cause significant damage.
But Wilson refused to yield. He scrambled upright and charged at Iron Man like a runaway freight train.
CLANG!
Captain America stepped directly into Wilson's path, his vibranium shield absorbing the full-force impact while Tony repositioned for aerial support.
This was Steve and Tony's first collaborative mission, and their teamwork was nonexistent. Their constant interference with each other's tactics only allowed Wilson to prolong the fight by several additional minutes.
But that was all.
Eventually, the combined assault from both heroes overwhelmed Wilson Fisk, and he was taken into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody.
Director Carter, Captain America, Tony Stark, and the recently arrived Hawkeye Barton gathered outside Wilson Fisk's maximum-security holding cell.
Behind reinforced bulletproof glass, Wilson sat restrained with military-grade titanium shackles on both wrists and ankles.
BEEP!
The electronic security door disengaged, allowing the team to enter.
Captain America stepped forward immediately. "Where is Ryan hiding?"
Wilson raised an eyebrow mockingly. "If I tell you, will you release me?"
"Absolutely not! You trapped me in that chamber, so now you get to enjoy your own cage." The vindictive Tony clearly held grudges.
Wilson sneered dismissively. "I've already betrayed Ryan by getting captured, and I've gained nothing from it. Why should I give you anything else?"
His logic was sound. Having already compromised Ryan without receiving any benefits, Wilson couldn't identify a single reason to cooperate further.
Director Carter leaned forward. "What do you want?"
"I want a full presidential pardon, and I want S.H.I.E.L.D.'s support in my campaign for Mayor of New York City. Guarantee those two conditions, and I'll reveal Ryan's exact location."
Wilson Fisk maintained loyalty to no one. Although Ryan had provided him with enhanced capabilities, he felt zero gratitude. In fact, he'd been planning to capture Ryan after his final enhancement, then imprison him to mass-produce super soldiers for his criminal empire.
Tony muttered sarcastically, "Criminals get this kind of deal? I'm seriously considering switching sides."
Steve glanced at Tony with obvious disapproval. He had no respect for this playboy billionaire. If not for Director Carter's direct orders, he wouldn't consider working alongside him.
Hawkeye interjected, "Director Carter, my investigation confirms this man funded both of Ryan's laboratory operations. He also supplied those Russian military weapons, and his organization is responsible for countless violent crimes throughout the city."
"Haha, you actually believe arresting me will improve New York's security? How incredibly naive."
Neither Steve nor Tony understood Wilson's implications, as neither had experience with street-level criminal operations.
Currently, virtually every gang in New York operated under Wilson Fisk's direct control, effectively creating a shadow government with its own rules and enforcement. This was the survival structure of Kingpin's underworld empire.
Once Wilson disappeared, these controlled organizations would break free like wild animals, becoming far more dangerous and unpredictable than before.
There was an old saying that rang true: the best method for controlling demons was letting a stronger demon lead them. Order required structure, even within chaos itself.
After considerable deliberation, Director Carter responded: "I can arrange a federal pardon, but I won't actively support your mayoral campaign. If you genuinely possess the qualifications, you can run independently. The only guarantee I'll provide is that S.H.I.E.L.D. won't interfere with your political ambitions."
"Deal!"
Wilson agreed immediately, suspecting Ryan had already sold him out anyway.
After obtaining Ryan's approximate coordinates, Director Carter immediately assembled her strike team for deployment.
"Tony, stay with the main group. Don't attempt any solo operations."
The moment Wilson left his cell, Maria Hill approached urgently.
"Director Carter, we have a critical situation!"
"What's the problem?"
Maria Hill reported tersely, "Approximately ten minutes ago, Manhattan experienced a near-total power grid failure. Our monitoring systems indicate all available electricity is being redirected toward the docks in Hell's Kitchen."
Director Carter realized the implications immediately: "Damn it! We've been completely played!"
S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't the only organization with surveillance equipment in that suburban factory; Ryan had been watching too. He'd witnessed the entire battle between Wilson Fisk and the assembled heroes.
"Move out, now!"
Director Carter felt a growing sense of dread. The massive power drain meant Ryan required enormous energy for something significant. He'd also deliberately used Wilson as bait to divide S.H.I.E.L.D.'s attention, suggesting Ryan was prepared for a final confrontation. This battle was going to be extremely dangerous.
Director Carter's instincts were correct—this would mark the completion of Ryan's genetic enhancement protocol.
Wilson Fisk had been deliberately positioned as a distraction to disrupt S.H.I.E.L.D. operations and prevent interference.
Ten minutes earlier...
This energy conversion chamber differed dramatically from previous versions. It resembled a cryogenic hibernation pod, with eight power cables—each as thick as a man's torso—connecting to a central control matrix. The opposite ends interfaced directly with multiple transformers, drawing power straight from the city's electrical grid.
As the machine activated, Ryan felt himself enveloped in an ocean of crackling blue plasma. Soul-crushing agony! Hellish torment! A constant dance between life and death!
BZZZZT!
CRACK!
Sparks erupted from the massive power cables as the blue plasma within the chamber transformed into expanding energy rings that pulsed outward before dissipating completely.
HISS...
Ryan pushed open the chamber door and emerged, carefully analyzing the cellular changes throughout his enhanced physiology.
This marked Ryan's first direct experience with true power. Although he'd undergone two previous enhancements, those had merely made him feel incrementally stronger.
But this transformation was fundamentally different. After completing the third-stage genetic enhancement, he possessed complete awareness and control over his capabilities.
Clenching his fists experimentally, Ryan estimated his current strength approached that of Thanos himself—at least theoretically.
Of course, Thanos's power extended far beyond raw physical strength. The Mad Titan possessed virtually indestructible skin, resistance to multiple energy types, immunity to disease and aging, and incredible regenerative capabilities.
Additionally, Thanos commanded unmatched tactical intelligence and cosmic-level knowledge accumulated over millennia.
Ryan exited the enhancement chamber and dressed quickly. Feeling the tremendous power surging through his body with nowhere to vent, he smiled coldly. "Well then, S.H.I.E.L.D.? Star-Spangled Fossil? Come on—it's time to settle some old scores!"
Ryan waited at the docks for S.H.I.E.L.D. and Steve Rogers to arrive.
But in the end, it wasn't S.H.I.E.L.D. that came first.
It was someone he never expected to see.
End of Chapter 36
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