Rogue

As the elevator ascended, the tension in the air seemed to thicken, anticipation hanging heavily.

When the doors slid open again, Kai was greeted by an imposing hallway lined with luxurious decor, the path leading to the grand double doors of Wilson Fisk's office. He walked forward with a steady stride, the aftermath of his violent passage below echoing in the silent corridors.

Without hesitation, he pushed the doors open. Inside, Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin, stood behind his massive desk, his expression unreadable but eyes sharp and calculating. The room was adorned with opulent furnishings, a stark contrast to the carnage outside.

"Welcome," Fisk said, his voice a deep, resonant rumble that seemed to fill the room. "You've certainly made an impression."

"That's new... I figured you'd be hiding behind that desk of yours by now or be surrounded by guards but it seems to me you're confident enough to welcome me all by yourself," Kai said sitting across from Fisk.

Kai's second set of eyes blinked in unison again, their eerie glow adding to the intensity of his presence. He leaned back, casually lifting his leg and placing his bloodied shoe on top of Fisk's pristine desk, leaving a crimson stain on the polished wood. The act was both a provocation and a demonstration of his disregard for Fisk's authority.

"If you wanted to just kill me, you'd have done it by now, isn't that right, Mr. Kai?" Fisk said unfazed as he leaned his heavy body back enough to make the chair squeal for its life, "Your brother worked with me for a month, loyal, strong he was a good soldier and I would have loved to have him by my side for much longer."

"My condolences," Fisk added, his voice carrying a calculated mixture of sincerity and manipulation.

"I believe Dominic went searching for trouble and by your demeanor, I can tell that he no longer lives," Fisk continued, his voice unwavering, "But let bygones be bygones."

"You won't mourn your people? You're more cruel than I thought." Kai chuckled, "As for the part about not killing you... since you decided to welcome me with such guts, I'll hear you out before I decide what to do with you."

"Death is always unexpected, and you should know that better than anyone. If I was to mourn for the death of every single man who worked for me, I would never get out of mourning." Fisk crossed his fingers, ignoring the threat at his life, "So what can I do for you? I am always willing to invest in talents like yourself so if there's anything you require, I think we can set up a good partnership between us."

"That is true... even your death is a swipe away from my fingers as well..." Kai stretched his head back, a smirk playing on his lips "But for you to come up with this 'partnership' as a way to beg for mercy is quite interesting."

"How about this... you do what I ask and maybe I won't end your life."

Fisk stared at the nonchalant man in front of him, who looked as if he had no care in the world what happened next. He leaned back slightly, his massive frame almost too large for the chair he occupied.

"You have an interesting way of negotiating, Mr. Kai," Fisk said, his tone even, though there was a dangerous glint in his eyes. "But I'm a businessman first before anything else, so doing business in bad faith will leave a sour taste in my mouth."

"Oh! I didn't take you to be the stubborn type... are you not afraid of death?" Kai's smirk widened, but his eyes narrowed slightly, the glow from his second set of eyes intensifying. "But I suppose that's why you're the Kingpin, without some guts, you wouldn't have it in you to betray Don Rigoletto by choking him to death and take over his business."

Besides his powers, Kai's biggest weapon today and going forward was information. He pretty much knew almost all the major players and their history, including heroes and villains alike.

Fisk's eyes narrowed as he stayed still for a while before finally continuing, "How about we both come to a simple term, instead of making it more complicated than it needs to be? Let's consider this the beginning of a new friendship, I'll do everything in my power to fulfill your requests and when the time comes, I hope that you'll help me as well."

"Can you afford my friendship?" Kai's voice dripped with a mixture of mockery and genuine curiosity.

Fisk leaned forward, his massive frame casting an imposing shadow across the desk. "I believe I can," he said, his tone unwavering. "After all, I've built an empire on the foundation of strategic alliances and powerful friendships."

"Since you seem to have some intelligence on me, I am sure you're certain of my expertise and my reach. Over time, I believe I'll be more powerful than I am today, and I can bet my life on that."

Kai studied Fisk for a moment, weighing the sincerity in his eyes against the cunning he knew lay beneath the surface. The room was silent, the tension palpable, each man sizing up the other.

"Alright," Kai finally said, breaking the silence. "Let's see if this friendship of ours holds any water." He leaned back, removing his shoe from the desk, but the bloodstain remained—a lingering reminder of their tense exchange.

"I need information on a certain girl who goes by the name Anna Marrie... just in case, she might go by the name of Rogue. The location should be somewhere around Meridian, Mississippi" Kai relayed the information he could recall, "Find her and contact me."

Fisk thought for a moment as he nodded, "Can you provide me with any further details?"

"C'mon now, if I tell you everything, how would that be any fun?" Kai leaned back further, his smirk growing. "Find her, I'll give you three days which should be plenty... and if you can't then... I'll always know where to find you."

Fisk nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Kai's. "Very well. Consider it done. I'll have my best people on it immediately. And when we find her, you'll be the first to know."

"Good," Kai said, standing up. "I look forward to seeing how efficient your operation really is and how useful can you be to me..." He turned to leave but paused at the door. "Shit, I nearly forgot, you owe me a place to stay but since we're now 'friends' I am guessing you'll arrange something better."

Fisk's eyes narrowed slightly, calculating, but he kept his composure. "Of course. I'll have Steve who you came with drive you to a place befitting our new... arrangement."

Kai nodded, satisfied. "Great!"

With that, Kai turned and left the office, the tension lingering in the air like a storm about to break. Fisk watched him go, as he narrowed his eyes, smashing the desk in front of him with pure strength only.

A meek-looking man shakingly came in through the other door, as Fisk snorted, "Where is he getting his intel from? Not even his brother should be aware of the specifics of what I did with the Don."

"I-I don't know sir!" The man hurriedly shook his head, "After the accident that happened 4 months ago, he has been awol until Dominic found him."

"Four months ago, you say?" Fisk's voice was a low growl, his mind racing to piece together the puzzle. "Find out everything you can about his movements since then. I want to know who he's been talking to, where he's been, and how he's getting his information. No stone unturned."

The man nodded frantically. "Yes, Mr. Fisk. I'll get right on it."

"Good," Fisk said, his tone brooking no argument. "And keep this between us. I don't want anyone else knowing about our... new friend until we have more information."

"And arrange everything he has asked of us for now, especially the girl and the accommodations. Make sure he's comfortable, but keep an eye on him. We need to know his next move before he makes it."

The man nodded again, visibly relieved to be given a clear directive. "Yes, sir. I'll handle it personally."

As the assistant scurried out of the room, Fisk leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the bloodstain on his desk. Kai's audacity both infuriated and intrigued him. This man was not like the usual criminals or mercenaries he dealt with; he was something far more dangerous.

Fisk picked up the phone and dialed another number, one reserved for his most trusted operatives.

"James," Fisk said, his voice steely. "I need you to go to Meridian, Mississippi. We're looking for a girl named Anna Marie, possibly going by the name Rogue. She should be around there. Find her discreetly."

"Understood, Mr. Fisk," came the reply. "I'll keep it under the radar."

"Good. And James, if you find anything that connects Kai to that girl or if there's anything remotely suspicious, I want to know immediately."

"Consider it done."

Fisk hung up the phone and stared out the window, his mind working furiously. Kai had presented him with a challenge, one that threatened the balance of power he had so carefully built. But Fisk was a master of the long game, and he knew that even the most unpredictable opponent could be controlled—if you had the right leverage.

As he sat in his office, the city sprawling out before him, Fisk began to formulate a plan. He would use Kai's own bravado and overconfidence against him, turning the tables when the moment was right. And when that moment came, Fisk would ensure that Kai understood the full weight of crossing the Kingpin.

"I wonder if he's just another hurdle I have to cross or if he could be a true ally..."

Meanwhile, Kai was driven to an upscale apartment building on the Upper East Side. Steve handed him a keycard and a phone.

"Mr. Fisk said you'll be comfortable here," Steve said, his tone shaky. "The phone is secure. He'll contact you with any updates."