Chapter 2- Fall of the Roman Empire

Pazucci's Restaurant: July 18th Undercover SHIELD agent Sharon Carter took an instant dislike to Rodrigo Pazucci, the owner of the restaurants brother. He had greasy skin with equally greasy hair which was flicked back in a comb over. The only reason why she was here was tonight the infamous Falcone and Maroni crime families would be dining here tonight. They would know information about 'The Scar' who was ordering the Hood to resurrect an infinite number of villains for an army. Also the Punisher would undoubtedly be drawn here, rumour has it that he was in Gotham. She could bring down the mad man once and for all.

Later that day. The greasy moron had called over half a dozen staff, (including Sharon carter), to give details about tonight. All the time trying to give Sharon flirty looks. Please don't let me hit him, I can't afford to mess this up. "OK. Tonight I have chosen you to serve the Falcones and Maronis. You will not enter the kitchen at any accounts. You are perfect eye candy for them. Mess this up and I'll make sure you will never work in Gotham again! You are dismissed!" he said clapping his hands. From what Sharon could here all the staff shared the same contempt for Pazucci as she did. She could hear a mixture of insults ranging from 'chauvinistic pig' to 'the runt of the two brothers'.

That night. At ten that night the two families arrived. Carmine Falcone himself shook Rodrigo's hand, a blessing that Antonio would die to have. "Mister Falcone, I'm sure you will enjoy tonight. Just for you I have hired a Michelin star chef to cook your meals," he said beaming. "It better be Rodrigo. This is the first time that I've dined out since the Hood brought me back and if it isn't to my standard...Well I think you already know what will happen." Rodrigo gulped and nodded his head. If anyone messes this up for him...

Sharon worked diligently. When showing the two families to their table she secretly slipped a recording device under the table. By the morning she would have the information she needs. Rodrigo ordered her to give them complementary wine every time they finished drinking one bottle. Everything was running smoothly, until the desert. Throughout the meal the chef had been making one large platter for all the family members to eat in case of any foul play. Then a large bowl of tiramisu was presented to the crime lords. Sharon thought it had a vague smell of almonds about it. The two families obviously didn't notice this and immediately started tucking into the desert. Five minutes had passed before something curious happened. Carmine started making a choking sound. "I've been smoking too many Cubans again," he laughed. But then other people started choking, some started to clutch their stomach in pain. Almonds, almonds. Damn it, cyanide! She ran to the kitchen but was stopped by Pazucci. "What the hell are you doing? You're supp..." "Damn it, I'm with SHIELD!" she yelled pulling out her badge and barging past him. She barged into the kitchen to see a note on the unit. It said 'Have a nice meal' and a skull underneath it.

Jim Gordon hurried to Pazucci's Restaurant as soon as homicide came from the operators' mouth. He had just settled down to have a nice cup of coffee when this came up. The Joker's most likely put a box of exploding puppies by the entrance. When he arrived there he saw what could only be described as a large bat standing outside the restaurant.

"Batman!" he yelled getting out of the car "Where's Robin?"

"With the Titans. You have to see this urgently. The Falcones and the Maronis all dead."

They went inside to see the coroner taking photos of the crime lords dead on the table. Rodrigo Pazucci was drinking wine straight out of the bottle while a tall, blonde haired woman was talking to some police. When she noticed the two men walk in she dropped the interview and walked towards them with her arm outstretched.

"Commissioner Gordon, Batman I'm special agent Carter from SHIELD," she said shaking their hands. "I was working undercover here when the families were poisoned by cyanide hidden in the desert."

"Do you know who by?" Batman asked.

"Yes, the Punisher."

Batman looked angry. "He said he would never return to Gotham."

"I've heard what happened last time but he's here for revenge. We know the Joker killed his allies codenamed Microchip and Payback when in New York meeting the person I was getting information on."

"Who?" Gordon asked.

"Calls himself 'The Scar'. He killed the Spectre last month. He's been getting an army of villains for an unknown reason."

"You continue with 'The Scar'. Jim and I will take down the Punisher. If I find anything on 'The Scar' I'll alert you."

"Thanks."

Punisher War Journal

Tonight I killed Gothams two biggest non-masked crime lords. The scum will now know that I am here for them. They will fear. Using cyanide gave me a quick kill but my next hit will be harder. It's in a place called The Sionis Mill. Home to a criminal called Black Mask.