𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐎 || 𝘚𝘮𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳𝘴

"I SUSPECT THE NIGHT WAS SUCCESSFUL?" Carlton approached the young man who sat at a desk. Dripping of water was heard from a leaking pipe above. Whirling of computer fighting to stay on. Masked by dress shoes scuffing across the concrete ground.

The sound of his feet hitting the small puddles shook Jason from his gaze. Blinking tiredly, he looked over his shoulder to see his Uncle walking over. Two cups of coffee in each hand, steam rising over the brim. Floating into the cold abandoned Subway Station air.

He rubbed the exhaustion from his eyes. "A step closer, actually," he yawned. "Just been researching for..."

"8 hours," Carlton finished. "Heard that damn motorcycle miles away before you even arrived. Talk about subtly."

"Subtly isn't what I'm worried about," Jason replied. "If they know I'm coming, then they know they should run."

Jason stepped away from the desk as Carlton took a sip of his drink. Seeing the live news feed of a reporter out front of the docks. Police vehicles are scattered in the background with yellow caution tape boarding off the public from entering.

"Last night, at Smithson docks, a fight had broken out," she said. "From what we've been told is that these docks had been shipping weapons and drugs in and out of New York City."

A view of men being hauled into police cruisers could also be seen. One on a stretcher was being wheeled out of the warehouse and into an ambulance. Compression mask over his nose and mouth, keeping him breathing.

"No one knows exactly who did this, but men were beaten and one is in critical condition," the reporter announced. "Perhaps we should be thanking the person or people who did this."

His gaze floated to his nephew, finding the man stood over a table. "Was it you?" Carlton mused. "Did you put that man in that state?"

"It's a part of the job, Uncle Carl," Jason said. "The guy deserved it. He's been helping get weapons into my city and I wasn't going to stand for it."

"Oh," Carlton let out a humourless laugh, "your city? The last time I checked, the city belonged to the Mayor. Not some hardened vigilante like Spider-Man. You don't claim this city as yours."

"Last time I check, the Mayor wasn't doing anything to make a change," Jason spat. "It's me and a few others going out trying to make a change."

He turned to his uncle, a scowl pressed deeply upon his features. "And you're right," Jason nodded, "this isn't my city, but it will be."

"And by the time you get it, there will be nothing left!" Carlton argued. "If you continue like this, you will be an outcast. Enemy number one for anyone who wants to test you."

Jason knew of this and had accepted that fact the moment he dawned the suit. People would see him just as another vigilante, while others wouldn't. They would either support him or hate him for what he was doing. But Jason didn't care what others thought because, in his mind, he knew he was right in this situation. Sometimes, worthless scum needed to be killed to make the world a better place.

His Uncle would never understand that. What mattered was if the man still supported Jason as he was all the family he had left. That had to mean something for the older man. It's what Jason's father would've wanted either way.

Carlton sighed. "Get dressed," he ordered with a wave. "If you've forgotten, there's a whole Gala tonight that you need to attend. Since, you know, you're the CEO of Samson Enterprise."

A sigh passed the man's lips as he watched his Uncle walk up the steps to the elevator. "Good talking to you too, Unc."

The slamming of the grate door had Jason grumbling in annoyance. Taking another sip of his coffee, hoping it to do the trick. After watching the news, he began to clean up his den. Placing his gear in the small display that connected from the ceiling to the ground. Tunnels all over New York City so this tube of his armour could pop up anywhere.

After that, Jason made his way up to the mansion and exited the small elevator. Greeting Felix, his driver and butler as he went to his quarters. Passing the multiple doors that lined either side of the upper level of the mansion. All for specific purposes with four being bedrooms.

Jason took his time getting ready. It'd been around 8 AM, so he had enough time to lounge and relax for the time being. Which he hadn't given himself in quite a while. All of his attention was focused on finding Hammerhead and killing him.

No one knew that part of what he was doing. Better that way than having his colleges coming after him. Even then, Jason wasn't letting anyone stop him from doing this. Not when he's gotten so far and made progress with cleaning New York. Sometimes you have to kill a few people to make a change.

His reflection in the mirror showed enough of that. No remorse was evident in his deep blue eyes or regret. It scared him, how unaffected he was from what he'd done. But, then again, this is what he signed up for when he became Precursor. Willing to do the things that others were incapable of doing. Taking the steps towards a better future. That's what he stood for and that wouldn't ever change.

All that people saw on the surface level was a rich kid. A kid who went through one tragedy and disappeared, falling off the face of the earth. In some way, Jason liked it that way. There were fewer pestering eyes focused on him, allowing him to become the Precursor. Do what needed to be done so people of New York could sleep a bit easier at night. Work behind the curtain at Samson Enterprise and help the city in small proportions.

It was only recently he had been making appearances in the public. Making it known that he wasn't dead. Like many news outlets suspected. Tonight was the same as any other. The likelihood of his enjoyment being met? Unlikely. But he would endure it the best he could for the night and then go back out a few hours later.

"The car is ready for you, sir," Felix announced. "Would you like for me to grab anything else for the evening?"

Jason shook his head, making his way down the flight of stairs. "I'm fine, Felix."

They made their way out the front door and towards the gloss black BMW. Getting inside and taking off to New York. The Samson mansion was just a bit outside of New York City, residing in the hills. A perfect place to get away from the dirty and loud streets. Able to properly think without dogs or cars breaking one's concentration.

"Anything I should suspect tonight, Felix?" Jason mused.

"Nothing of my knowledge, sir," Felix replied curtly. "Although, I do believe Miss Bishop has returned home. Something about destroying a clock tower."

A wicked grin pressed upon Jason's lips, letting out a soft chuckle of amusement. "Sounds like Kate."

"You both seem to destroy everything," Felix stated. "Perhaps I should go over old phone numbers and plan a dinner between you two."

"Felix." Jason pursed his lips, glancing at his friend with a sigh. "There's nothing there for me or her. Not after her."

"That's the problem," Felix stated. "You never stopped to process it. You placed it on your back along with what happened to your parents. You use it to fuel the hatred when you could've tried to look for someone new."

"I did find someone."

"I know but that's all part of living, Jason," Felix said. "If you consider fighting and killing to be living, then you're far gone. Way beyond the point of return to have something special in your life."

Kate and Jason had met many years ago. Way before the invasion of New York that killed Kate's father. They had been joined to the hip for some time. Even the Samson boy had grown some form of a crush on the girl. But those days had passed, growing distant from one another. Pursuing their career paths and making something of themselves. But, occasionally, Jason checked in. Wanting to see what his old friend had done with the time of their separation.

But there were the clear uncovered feelings that Jason always had for Kate, even after they grew apart. He never liked acknowledging them as it often reminded him of how many people were gone from his life. Leaving him a cold void of his thoughts and emotions that always devolved down to rage. Where he placed it on his enemies and the people around him.

"I suspect you are happy to see her again, sir?" Felix mused. "It has been a great deal of time since either of you had exchanged words."

"I suppose so, huh?" Jason smiled. "But, I don't know. Maybe, if I see her, I will talk to her. We'll see."

The night sky was pitch black, snowflakes falling gently with the wind brushing through the air. It all was so calming to see and feel the moment Jason had stepped out of the vehicle once they arrived. Bidding Felix a goodbye, telling him to go have some fun for the time being. Cold whisp's nipping at his cheeks and nose as he walked towards the large building that was holding the auction.

Entering the grand building, chattering people could be heard down the hall. Server's and waitresses could be seen walking in and out of the main hall with trays. Walking further, Jason was greeted by the ocean of bodies of people in dresses and suits with champagne in hand. It reeked of selfish rich individuals that Jason cared less about than himself.

The detachment he had to his atmosphere isn't something he missed. If anything, it was the company that he had when he attended these parties. Usually, his parents or Kate would be by his side, guiding him through it.

Speaking of Kate, he spotted the girl across the room. Stood at a small table, deadpan expression pressed upon her face. She was just as uninterested as Jason was about being at this party. A nice all-black suit hugging her figure beautifully, still attractive as the last time he'd seen her years ago.

Swiping a champagne glass from a server, he made his way towards her. Ignoring the whisper's from others, surprised to witness Samson's attendance.

"From my observation," he began, "I would guess that you aren't excited to be here."

His presence now being known drew Kate's attention with her eyes slightly widening. "Jason?" She smiled. "Holy shit."

"Heya, Katy." He grunted when the girl wrapped her arms around him. The warmth she brought was completely foreign, yet, it wasn't unwelcomed. It brought comfort to the man who had forgotten what a warm embrace once felt.

"What are you doing here?" Kate asked, pulling away. "My mom didn't tell me you were coming to this."

"Well, it wasn't what I was planning on doing," he chuckled. "But I need to show my face to the world once and a while. Unlike you, who had destroyed a clock tower?"

A huff came from the girl. "It was a bell tower."

"Does that make it better?" Jason inquired teasingly. "I think destroying a tower is the same thing."

Things just came together for the pair with such ease. Their joking nature, their teasing, their attentiveness whenever the other spoke. It felt exactly how it did when they were just teenagers talking about life and what they wanted to do in the future. Jason had dearly missed this much interaction that wasn't laced with anger or frustration often received by Carlton

"So, are you continuing the business?" Kate inquired as Jason took a sip from his drink. "I've seen that you have been funding research in that thing in California. Anything come up about it?"

Jason shook his head with a sigh. "Business is the same as it has always been," he shrugged, "boring, tiresome, fulfilling. For that being, there has been nothing as of yet."

Hearing that caused Kate to turn to him with a frown. Leaning against the table she stared at him closely as he took another sip from his champagne. Not sparing a glance in her direction as he looked amongst the party-goers.

"I have been trying to contact you lately," she confessed. "Each time I've called, Felix has told me you were unavailable."

"Is that so?" He muttered. "Truthfully, I've been dealing with stuff with the business."

Kate hummed. "Like those fundraisers for Harlem?" She asked. "Or the construction for those homeless shelters that you pulled out on?"

Her scrutinizing words and tone left a stab at Jason's heart as he glanced at the girl. Coming from anyone else would mean nothing to him. But Kate wasn't just anyone else. She was the girl he never stopped liking, the girl he had watched from afar. Proud of who she was slowly becoming and couldn't wait for the day she had succeeded in everything she aspired to do. It may have been those simple facts that made it harder for him to handle her words.

"You could be doing so much for this city, Jace," she said. "I've seen you do great things. I just can't wrap my head around why you stopped."

Jason wanted to tell her the truth. Tell her that every single night, he stalked through those streets and stopped crime. Striking fear in the underworld, that was the cesspool of New York. Doing that is enough and no amount of fundraisers or construction of shelters could make a change. It lessened the chance of people being caught in the crossfire, but it didn't stop the criminals from going about their business.

"How is your mother?" Jason deflected. "She's looking fantastic tonight."

"She's with Jack, my worse nightmare and-" she paused. "Wait, you're avoiding the conversation. Stop that."

A sigh slipped past the man's lips as he swirled the bittersweet liquid in the glass. As he went to speak, a man in a black suit came over. Leaning into Jason's side he whispered, "There is a special auction in the wine cellar. If you'd like to attend."

Jason nodded, taking one last sip from his glass before sighing. "It was fun talking to you, Kate." He smiled. "Call me soon. I'll be waiting."

For anyone else, that final statement was just him saying goodbye. But for Kate, she felt her eyes slightly widen as she watched Jason follow the man out of the hall. It'd been the same line she used on him when they departed during the Blip. She promised she would be waiting for him and would answer his calls. Turns out, Kate had done very little to follow through on that simple promise. But that was the past and Jason's attention was drawn to the future.

Following the man through the many corridors, Jason soon found himself in the wine cellar. People were talking amongst one another, having drinks as they waited for the auction to begin.

The overall aura of it all didn't intrigue Jason by any means. What did interest him was the possible items from the auction he may be able to acquire.

"Mister Samson," a voice greeted. "It is a pleasure to see your face once again."

"Jack Duquesne," Jason greeted with a curt nod. "I could say the same for you."

"Not to beat around the bush," Jack began, "but I'm surprised you showed up. I never thought I would see you after what happened two years ago."

"Sometimes you have to move on," The boy replied. "You have to carry on with life, right?"

Jack nodded with a soft hum as he stood beside the billionaire. The pair hadn't been well acquainted the last time they saw one another. Short and brief greetings to one another, fewer words before they carried on with their lives. It had been during the Blip. Jason had met up with Eleanor and asked for her help with his parent's business. That's when the two men had seen each other as he had been seeing Kate's mother for some brief time.

"Did Eleanor tell you that we're getting married?" Jack asked.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Jason's lips as he finally realized why Kate had a personal hatred towards the man. "No," he replied. "I guess you must've picked up on Kate's resistance to it?"

"Very much so," Jack chuckled. "I can tell by how she looks at me that she hates me already. But what can you do, right?"

"Trust me, Jack," Jason said. "It's just her lack of acceptance that her father is gone. She doesn't see anyone being able to fill those shoes."

"And how did you?"

The question took Jason off guard and hadn't been one he'd asked himself. For good reason as it often brought a night of restlessness and anger. A horrible mixture for someone like him who wasn't able to control his emotions as much as he'd liked to believe he could.

It took a moment to gather up the right words for the older man. "When my parents disappeared, I was forced to step up for the company. It'd been something that I couldn't step away from."

"But, turns out, I was able to handle it and keep it under control," he shrugged. "I got used to that lifestyle, to that power. I suppose that it became a normal routine for me after a year or 2."

"And when they died that's what you used to cope with their loss?" Jack inquired, earning a nod from Jason.

"When I had nothing, I still had my parent's work and what they wanted from me," Jason said. "So, I pushed myself back into it and didn't let anything stop me. Now, I'm just concerned about that."

There had been some underlying truth in his words that he'd given Jack. None of it was just smoke and mirrors, as Carlton always claimed it to be. In actuality, things at the company had kept moving forward with Jason at the helm of it all. Giving the green light on projects that other executives had thrown in his direction and stopping anything that didn't match the message the company perceived.

But the lies told were needed in a world like the one they lived in. A world where criminals were allowed to walk the streets causing harm to others and where aliens could travel from portals. He needed to keep up this smoke and mirrors of what went on behind the scenes, where he had countless private tests with Felix and Carlton on new tech.

Before either of them could exchange any more words, the announcer made his way up to the stand, putting on a curious smile. "Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated, and we will begin."

Both men gave each other soft smiles, silently bidding one another goodbye before they made their way to a seat, sitting across from one another. Jason grabbed one of the paddles and rested it on his lap with his other hand finding its way in his suit pocket. Twisting and turning the small black box, was a cold bite to the skin of his fingers and palm.

Once people were seated, the announcer smiled. "For our first item of the evening, we will be travelling back in time." He motioned to a large Triceratops skull.

"We'll start the bidding for this magnificent skull at $2 million," he announced. "Do I hear $2 million?"

A man at the front raised his paddle. "Bidder bidder, two-point-one," the announcer said. "I got $2 million, do I hear two-point-one?"

"$3 million." Jason raised his paddle.

"$3 million!" The announcer exclaimed. "Do I hear three-point-one?"

Many people in the chairs shook their heads as Jason crossed his leg over the other. If he wanted, buying this entire building would be possible and everything in it. 3 million was practically pocket change to him. But the skull would be cool to have on display back at the mansion, possibly in his room or maybe the dining area where it could sit in the centre of the table.

"Thank you," the announcer said. "And I will remind you that this is for home display only. And you have no idea where you got it."

A collective of laughs filled the air as Jason sighed deeply. "You see that's the problem, Gary, you don't even know my name." The voice had Jason subtly looking over his shoulder to see none other than Kate Bishop.

She had a serving tray in one hand, talking to someone by the name of Gary. "You know, uh, this is, this is not going to work out," Kate said. "I quit."

"You can't quit," Gary said, taking the tray handed to him. "Hold on."

Before he could turn back to stop the girl, she quickly took off in the maze of the wine cellar. Leaving Jason's sight and instinctively, causing him to rise from his chair, place his paddle down to go looking for her.

Walking around and past displays of wine, Jason dipped in a dark corner. Rapid steps grab his attention with a blur of Kate's raven-black hair flowing behind her. Before she could get too far, she grabbed her by the forearm, pulling her flush against him. Spinning them around so she was against the wall, Jason's large blocking unwarranted eyes.

"You keep poking around places you shouldn't, don't you?" He mused with his eyes flashing slight amusement.

"Why the hell are you even down here, Jason?" Kate spat.

Jason shrugged, a smirk pressed onto his lips. "You could say I needed some new display," he said. "The house can get very dull at times."

Their attention was diverted to a door that they stood beside. The sound of men speaking in Russian raised their suspicion to peek inside. Spotting 2 men with assault rifles and submachine guns.

"What the hell?" Kate muttered, brows furrowed in confusion. "Who're these guys?"

"As I said," Jason whispered, looking down at the girl, "you are poking around places you shouldn't."

When the Russian's began making their way to the door, Jason moved to a blind spot behind a corner with Kate hiding with him. Still flush against her childhood friend's chest as they watched the duo men exit and move down the aisle of wine.

With the pair being gone, Kate looked up to find Jason. Standing right against her. Eyes focused on the direction that the two Russian's had walked in. The proximity caused her cheeks to heat up as she slipped out from under him hastily.

"You shouldn't be down here, Kate," he told her. "You already nearly got thrown out. Don't give Eleanor another reason to be angry."

"Stop worrying about me," Kate whined. "I'll be fine. I'm not some little girl that you always protected."

They ducked beside a display with Jason standing behind her, leaning down to her ear. "I'll always worry about you," he admitted. "You'll have to kill me to stop that."

Despite the warmth of his breath on the side of her neck, she turned and glared. "Is that a free offer?" She asked. "If so, I might take it if it makes you stop."

"$440,000, do I hear $450,000?" The auctioneer inquired. "$450,000 up front. Looking for $475,000. Come on, ladies and gentlemen. This sword belonged to the infamous Ronin."

"$475,000," Armand the Third, Jack's uncle, replied.

"$475,000, bidder bidder, do I hear $500,000?" Auctioneer asked. "I got $475,000 here, it's going once. $475,000 is going twice."

When no one stepped up to counter the bid, the auctioneer slammed his gavel on the stand. "Sold for $475,000," he announced. "Up next, we have lot number 3-0-9. The companion piece, the Ronin suit."

Just as Kate stepped out, there was an explosion behind the auctioneer. Jason was sent flying to the ground, ears ringing from the sudden spike in volume. Inhaling deeply, immediately coughing from the dust that he inhaled.

Struggling to get up, Jason groaned from the skull-splitting headache pounding at his head. "Kate," he coughed. "Kate, are you okay?"

"Yeah," she groaned from a few feet away. "Yeah, I'm good."

Jason carefully grabbed her by the arm and pulled her behind a display. Resting her against it as the sound of cries of people could be heard.

"Help!" A man yelled. "Please help!

"Security!" Another voice cried. "We're stuck in here!"

Flashlights shone through the shadows of the wine cellar. Upon inspection, Jason made out the red and white tracksuits these men wore, along with the ski masks. Tracksuit Mafia.

"Okay," he breathed. "Okay, Kate. You need to get out of here, all right? I'm going to grab some others and help get them out."

She nodded quickly as Jason cupped her cheek. Brushing a thumb across the smooth skin, clearing it from the dust. "Be safe."

Making his way to the centre of the room, Jason helped a woman to her feet. Slinging her arm around his shoulder as he slowly followed a small group to the exit. They were stopped by one of the mafia members, blocking their path. Weapon in hand and directed towards the innocent, injured people.

"Do you know who I am?" Armand spat at the man.

A yell filled the air along with the mafia member being tossed down to the ground and knocked out. Jason's brows furrowed in confusion at the sight of the person wearing the Ronin suit.

"Hello," the person greeted.

Gunshots flew past the small crowd, all of them ducking down to avoid getting hurt. "Quick, hurry!" Ronin yelled. "Everyone, get out of here!"

As everyone began to filter out, Jason watched the Ronin run off in a random direction. Flinching when a few bullets hit the wall nearest to him. He quickly took cover and grabbed that small box from his pocket. Pressing it against his chest, the box disintegrated. Small nanobots that had been once the box, now swarmed his body and quickly made his suit.

The details of the suit were different from his traditional suit as now the eyes glowed a crimson red that shone brightly in the shadows of the cellar. The rest of the suit was matte black with the symbol on his chest a pristine white paint.

Coming out of cover, he grabbed a nearby mafia member by the throat and tossed him to the side. Disposing of another that shot him in the shoulder, the pain non-existent.

The next man to attack him swung and Jason ducked under it with a punch to the stomach. Slamming the man's head against the brick wall before continuing to move forward. Kicking another in the stomach, sending him flying into one of the shelves, toppling it over.

"Kate Bishop!" Jason yelled, voice modification creating a robotic and low tone.

Walking to the centre of the room, he scanned the surrounding bodies that lay unconscious or withering in pain. Hearing the grunts of fighting caused him to look in one of the corners to find Ronin with two mafia members on either side of them.

Without so much as a thought, Jason sprinted at one, tackling them into one of the walls. Kneeing them in the face just as Ronin skillfully kicked up a bottle that sent it flying towards the other man, hitting him right in the head.

Making eye contact with Ronin, Jason stared deep into those dimmed eyes. He couldn't make out who it was, but they were surprised to see him there.

Before he could get a word out, he was punched in the face and pushed into the wall. Perfect timing for Ronin to make their daring escape out the hole in the wall.

Jason grunted, shoving the man back with his wire retracting from his gauntlet. Wiping it around the man's throat. Tugging forcefully and headbutting the man.

Sprinting out of the building, Jason entered an alley that had an unconscious man laying on the ground outside of a large van. No sign of Ronin or where they could've possibly gone. The nanobots formed a grappling hook in his head before he shot up to the roof of a nearby building. Propelled into the air and landed with a roll as he quickly scrambled to the edge to see the street below blocked up. A few vehicles at a sudden halt in the middle of the street.

Tapping on his wrist pad, a small hologram of his uncle appeared. "I heard there was an explosion," Carlton breathed. "Are you okay?"

"I'm good," he assured. "I can't say the same for the men who invaded the party. But I need you to go onto my data centre and gather everything you can on Ronin and the Tracksuit Mafia."

"Did you say Ronin?" Carlton questioned. "What would they have to do with this? They disappeared after the Blip."

"Well, not anymore," Jason sighed. "Ran into them when I was dealing with the Tracksuit Mafia. I need you to breach the surveillance within a twenty-block radius of my location and get me sights on where Ronin went and where they're going."

Jason tapped another few icons on his wrist pad, sending his coordinates. "What do you plan on doing, Jason?"

The man pursed his lips under his mask. "I fully intend on having a little chat with Ronin."