Chapter 6: Villains Villains Villains
The events of the previous chapters have left the city fractured, but the calm is fleeting. Even as Captain America (Sam Wilson/MCU) and Moon Knight (MCU) struggle to maintain order, a new wave of chaos begins to break through the cracks. Hammerhead (Comic) has resurfaced, and in his power is now Venom (Topher Grace) along with Venom (Tom Hardy), who has been controlled by him after a chance encounter. These symbiotes amplify Hammerhead’s greed, making him an even more dangerous player in the city’s criminal underworld. His plan is simple: take control of the remnants of Kingpin's(MCU) empire, using his new symbiotes to crush anyone who stands in his way.
If that wasn’t enough Jack O'Lantern (Comic) has come to the city as well, his motivations unclear but certainly dangerous. He’s been hired by one of the new criminal syndicates to sow fear and chaos, his pumpkin bombs and explosive devices leaving the streets in flames. His unpredictable nature and love for terror make him a wild card in the growing storm, and Deadpool (MCU), who’s been loosely tracking his activities for fun.
“Ahh, smell that? That’s the sweet, sweet scent of mayhem,” Jack O’ Lantern mused, tossing a pumpkin bomb up and down like a baseball. A gunshot pinged off the concrete by his foot. “Rude,” Jack muttered .Deadpool stood a few yards away, twirling a pistol. “Hey, pumpkin spice psycho! Trick or treat came early this year.” Jack O’Lantern turned his glowing gaze toward him. “Wade fucking’ Wilson. Are you tracking me, or just stalking out of admiration?” Deadpool holstered his gun and stretched preparing for a fight. “Bit of Column A, bit of Column B. Also, someone’s gotta make sure you don’t blow up my favorite chimichanga stand. Priorities, man.”
Jack chuckled, standing up. “Gotta say, Wade… I respect the chaos. But I do it for the art.” He flipped the pumpkin bomb in his hand, catching it. “You? You just do it ‘cause you can.”Deadpool shrugged. Jack O’Lantern cocked his head and suddenly hurled a pumpkin bomb straight at Deadpool. Deadpool caught it. Looked at it. Looked at Jack and said “Aw, you shouldn’t have.” BOOM! That lit up the street in flames as the explosion swallowed Deadpool whole. Jack O’Lantern laughed, stepping back toward his circular glider.Then, from the smoke Deapool laying on the ground said “Ack okay, that one hurt a little.” Deadpool stumbled onto his feet, suit charred, mask slightly torn. He coughed and said “Joke’s on you. I’m already crispy.”
The fight continued between the two but meanwhile Frank Castle was trying to lay low because of Zemo. In a dimly lit safe house in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, Frank Castle reloads his weapons in the dim glow of a single flickering light. His ribs ache from the last encounter with Tombstone and other thugs, but pain is nothing new. He had bigger problems now like the fact that Baron Zemo wasn’t done with him. A shadow moves in the doorway. Frank doesn’t hesitate his two pistols are up in a second, safety off, finger on the trigger.
Zemo smirking, hands raised slightly, says “Is this how you greet all your guests, Mr. Castle?”
Frank with a low growling tone says “You ain’t a guest. You’re a problem.” Zemo stepped inside, calm as ever, saying “And yet, here you are. Still in the city. Still fighting your unwinnable war.” Frank doesn’t lower the gun. If anything, his grip tightens. Frank then said “Told you before I ain’t interested in whatever the hell you’re selling.” Zemo chuckles, stepping closer then says “And yet you keep listening.” Frank finally lowers the gun, just an inch. He knows Zemo well enough by now smooth, manipulative, always looking for an angle. Frank annoyed with Zemo said “You’re startin’ to piss me off, suit.” Zemo tilts his head, now more intrigued said “Good. You fight better when you're angry.” Frank shaking his head said “I fight the same way, angry or not.”
Frank then reached to a table, grabbed a grenade, pulled the pin, and tossed it casually at Zemo’s feet. Zemo’s eyes widened for just a fraction of a second. Then he dove behind a rusted metal crate just as the grenade exploded, sending shrapnel and smoke ripping through the warehouse. Frank then picked up his rifle and racked it. “Guess you’ll need a Plan B,” Frank muttered.Through the smoke, a low chuckle. Zemo emerged from behind the crate, dusting off his coat, his smirk unfazed. “Hah… Always the direct approach.” said Zemo. Frank raised his rifle and said “You’re still breathin’. That’s a mistake I can fix.”
Zemo lifted a gloved hand and said “Before you fire, consider this . . .You eliminate those who corrupt the system, who prey on the weak. I simply propose refining that aim. Precision, Mr. Castle.” Frank’s finger twitched on the trigger. Frank stared him down and then, slowly, lowered the barrel of his rifle just slightly. Zemo exhaled, dusting off his sleeve again and said “ That’s progress.” Frank’s glare hardened and yelled “Get the hell out.” Zemo nodded, turned toward the exit, but paused at the door. Without looking back, he said “I’ll be in touch.”