Marvel: Death Knight

No matter where they hid, Kingpin (Wilson Fisk) used Death Grip to drag them out one by one. The terror of losing control over their bodies made them scream and struggle desperately, hoping to escape his grasp.

Some were killed mid-air by friendly fire, and those who weren't met their end soon enough. Kingpin twisted their necks with his powerful arms, snapping them with ease. Then, using Raise Dead, he resurrected them as ghouls to act as his shield against the hail of bullets.

In no time, dozens of men lay dead, leaving only Kingpin and the ghouls he had raised standing on the battlefield.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

The sound of applause echoed as a figure descended, floating gracefully from above.

"As expected from the man who once dominated most of America's criminal underworld, Kingpin. Your ability to make the dead rise is quite remarkable."

Kingpin's deep voice rumbled as he eyed the grotesque figure before him. "I don't know you. Who are you, and why are you attacking me?"

"You sure ask a lot of questions," the figure replied with a smirk. "Allow me to answer them one at a time. Not long ago, I was just a humble researcher. Let me introduce myself—MODOK, president of Advanced Idea Mechanics. Of course, I used to go by another name—George Tarleton."

Kingpin, uninterested in the man's ramblings, raised a hand and unleashed Death Coil, a greenish bolt of necrotic energy. But before it could hit, it was blocked by an invisible barrier.

MODOK's massive head granted him formidable psychic powers, enabling him to generate telekinetic shields for protection.

"Hey now, that's not very polite of you. If that's how you want to play…" MODOK's chair extended weaponry, and a storm of bullets rained down like a metallic tempest. The barrage tore through the resurrected ghouls, turning them into scattered chunks. Even Kingpin's injured subordinates were caught in the chaos, leaving the area strewn with limbs and gore.

Enraged, Kingpin retreated behind a car for cover. The power of death had enhanced his physical strength beyond what he had in life. With a roar, he hoisted the car above his head and hurled it toward MODOK.

BOOM!

MODOK, unfazed by the flying car, pressed a button on his floating chair. Small missiles emerged, intercepting the vehicle and reducing it to a fiery explosion mid-air.

Despite his transformation into a Death Knight, Kingpin's strength had limits, and his lack of practice left him unable to deal with a flying opponent like MODOK.

"Well, Mr. Wilson," MODOK said, a smug grin spreading across his grotesque features. "I'm a genius scientist, you see. This chair beneath me is the pinnacle of my brilliance. But I'm not here to fight you today. I want the research data from your company."

"Never," Kingpin growled, cutting him off. "Was Wim your spy?"

MODOK laughed and gestured to his side. "Koren, show him your true form."

The man called Wim shuddered, his body writhing as his muscles shifted. Moments later, he transformed into his original form—a Skrull.

Watching through Kingpin's vision, Garus frowned as he realized the truth. A Skrull infiltrator. If such an enemy had managed to infiltrate the company, the consequences would be catastrophic. He couldn't trust anyone.

The dark barrels of MODOK's weapons aimed directly at Kingpin. "Now tell me everything. I want all the research data on your energy crystals, especially their production methods."

"That's classified company information. I won't tell you anything."

Kingpin found himself powerless against MODOK. His attacks were ineffective, while the enemy's weapons could shred him to pieces.

Seeing Kingpin's refusal, the gem embedded in MODOK's headband emitted a beam of light, striking Kingpin. Even in his undead state, the paralyzing energy left him immobile.

MODOK pressed a button on his communicator. "Take him away. I have ways to make him talk."

Moments later, a helicopter approached, and Kingpin, still paralyzed, was bound tightly by a group of agents.

"Move out," MODOK commanded with a wave, disappearing into the distance.

Watching from afar, Garus felt a surge of anger. These people dared to target him. Trouble always seemed to find him.

"Logan, I've got something to handle," Garus said.

Before Logan could respond, Garus activated his mech, Reaver Riftus, initiating its flight module. With a roar of thrusters, he took off into the sky, heading for an AIM facility on the outskirts.

At a New York Air Force Base.

Radar operators noticed an unidentified flying object.

"Colonel Rhodes, we've detected an unidentified aircraft over New York. It's small and fast—doesn't match any civilian craft."

"Patch me into a satellite feed. I want eyes on that thing," Rhodes ordered.

The screen displayed the flying Reaver Riftus. Though its design didn't match Tony Stark's style, Rhodes instinctively assumed it was him.

"Stand down. It's Stark," Rhodes said before grabbing his phone. "Hey, Tony, are you in New York? There's a no-fly zone today. Stop causing trouble."

"Rhodey, what are you talking about? I'm not in New York," Stark replied, distracted by green lines on his monitor.

"You're not?" Rhodes hung up abruptly, his expression turning serious. If it wasn't Stark, then who was in that suit?

In captivity, Wim greeted Kingpin with surprise. "Boss, you got caught too?"

"Wim? When did they capture you?"

"Last night," Wim replied, his voice tinged with bitterness. "I discovered MODOK's connection with aliens."

"Understood." Kingpin sat on a wooden cot, the creaking sound echoing in the room.

"What now, Boss? Do you think Garus will come for us?"

"He will," Kingpin said, his calm tone reassuring Wim.

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