Chapter 2: An Alley and an Unlikely Ally?
In a dusty alleyway, The Punisher (MCU) is leaving a trail of bodies as per usual. His brand of justice is brutal and cold. He’s been hunting down Tombstone (Comic), who has been growing in influence within the criminal underworld as everyone was,as it seemed. The Punisher has little interest in the power struggle; his goal is simple: remove the trash. Tombstone struggled to get away from The Punisher. Cornered by Frank's tactical genius, and at the mercy or lack thereof The Punisher.
(low, growling) “Long night, Lonnie. Ends here.” muttered by frank (grinning, unfazed) Tombstone yelled across the alley “You got guts, Castle. But you should know I don’t break so easily.” Frank scanning him said “Good. Means I get to take my time.” Punisher racks his shotgun. Tombstone tenses, ready to charge, but before either can move, a smooth sokovian voice cuts through the tension. ”Such aggression. Is it truly necessary?” Both men turn. Stepping into the alley is Baron Zemo, hands tucked neatly behind his back, expression unreadable. Zemo smirkingly said “Mr. Castle, I presume? A man of conviction. I admire that.” (eyes narrowing) “That so?” Frank muttered.”Indeed. I have an offer for you. A chance to channel your… talents toward something greater.” Zemo said with authority.
“Not interested.” Frank said without hesitation.
Zemo Stuttered “You haven’t even heard the details.”
Punisher barely flinches, but that half-second of distraction is all Tombstone needed. With a sudden, brutal charge, he knocks Punisher back, sending the shotgun skidding across the wet dirty pavement. ( laughing) Tombstone cockily said “Saved by the suit! Gotta say, Castle, I almost feel bad leavin’ ya like this. Almost.”
Before Punisher can recover, Tombstone vanishes down the alley, leaving only Zemo standing there, watching.
(clenching his jaw) “You just cost me a bullet.” yelled The Punisher. (smirking)
“And perhaps saved you from wasting one. Think about my offer, Mr. Castle. We will speak again, perhaps with more detail next time.” jokingly said Zemo. Punisher watches as Zemo turns and walks away, his instincts screaming that this man is bad news. He retrieves his shotgun, gaze lingering where Zemo disappeared. Punisher: (under his breath)”The fuck is up with this city.”
Zemo’s interest in Frank Castle is both personal and tactical. Zemo had seen Frank’s relentless pursuit of vengeance (the same he once had that tore the Avengers apart) as a tool to further his own plans. But Frank wasn't manipulated so easily as Zemo had hoped he would be.
Meanwhile across the city at 177A Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village Doctor Strange (MCU) is meditating in his Sanctum Sanctorum. As Strange meditates, the candles flicker unnaturally. The air grows cold. He doesn’t often get involved with street-level problems especially if The Punisher was involved, but the convergence of energy in the city is unlike anything he’s felt before. A subtle force is rising from an unknown power that seems to be manipulating the weaker minds in the city. Strange doesn’t know it yet, but the many Venom Variants, the alien symbiotes that've been wreaking havoc, are part of that dark force.