Washington Heights, New York City
The apartment was not an apartment, but an over-sized condo for the five men living inside. It was very spacious and held the necessities plus more. They had rented out the two town houses on either side and the one directly across the street, to ensure their privacy. And, with a little more work, the five men may not actually kill each other.
On the couch was the mastermind behind this entire plan, Doctor Otto Octavius. He sat on the couch, watched some stupid reality show, mentally told himself to kill the show's host, and drank a bottle of purified water with a hint of lemon. His four indestructible metal arms moved about as if they had minds of their own, which the Doctor ensured that they did.
Sitting beside him on the couch was an elderly man way past retirement, Adrian Toomes. He did not wear his green armored flight suit, but a pair of sweatpants and a NYU hooded sweatshirt. The bald man, who was very uncomfortable with the metal arms slithering in the air above him, merely grunted as he changed the channel on the television yet again.
Electro, wearing his infamous costume, was keeping himself busy by bouncing sparks from his fingertips, trying to keep it in the air. He was the youngest in the group of criminal masterminds, he was probably the most dimwitted and simple-minded. He often took a lot of crap from a lot of people about his IQ, especially from the Wallcrawler. He growled and clenched his fist, stopping the electricity from flowing. The thought of finally killing that costumed creep brought a crooked smile to his face.
Then from the stairs descended the President of the United States, cupping his hand in a small wave as he joined the others downstairs. Toomes grunted. "It wasn't funny the first time, Smerdyakov."
The Chameleon, alias Anatoly Smerdyakov, hustled to the kitchen, returning as Tom Hanks drinking a Coke three minutes later. Electro stood, stretched, and said: "Where the hell is Beck? He's taking is sweet time!"
"Beck should be arriving shortly." Octavius said, without taking his eyes off the television. He, too, was growing impatient. Quentin Beck had simple instructions to follow, and they should not have taken him this long. His mission was to find the desired supervillian and offer him membership into the newly formed Sinister Six. Well, they had no news from Beck, and they did not like to be kept waiting.
That's when Mysterio arrived. His special effects created a dramatic entrance as he seemingly walked on the pillar of smoke. He looked formidable as his purple cape blew in the artificial breeze, and his fishbowl helmet hid any expression on the man's face. Mysterio had entered the apartment through the secret passageway that connected the basement to the subway. The construction workers who had not been trusted with this information had all been killed, and they now lay in unmarked graves.
Mysterio's voice mumbled: "It stinks down there in that subway! The workers couldn't add air fresheners?"
"Enough, Beck. We have been waiting. What is the news?" A pale-looking Tom Cruise said, sipping his Coke.
Mysterio cackled. "Our new partner has agreed to our terms, and is willing to accept membership into the Sinster Six. Yes, Octavius, I already told him that you are the brains of the operation." he added, seeing the Doctor's face.
Octavius nodded. "Good. Where is he now?"
"He is getting a few things. I showed him the entrance to the basement, he says he will come when ready."
"You did not tell him everything, did you?" Toomes asked.
"Of course not. I am no fool! You are not the only one who sees this guy as a rouge. I still don't understand why you wanted him, Octavius, out of any possible choice of supervillains."
"Because, as you said. He is a rouge. Unpredictable." the Doctor answered. "Which is exactly what will give us an advantage over Spider-Man this time. He must be willing to cooperate, take orders. He understands that much, I assume?"
Beck nodded. "He told me to tell you that he'll work with us. But he also wanted you to know that he doesn't trust us all that much either. He said he could take off any second. And, as you instructed me, Octavius, I told him that was all very fine. Though I think not!"
Octavius merely chuckled. "Don't you see, Beck? If he does decide to go on his own, it will throw the Webslinger and any other authorities completely off balance. They'll think any sighting of him is another possible attack by the Six! And, while they're busy with him, we will take our own course of action."
Electro raised an eyebrow. "From the sounds of things, Doc, you want this guy to betray us."
Octavius granted himself to an evil smile. The kind only an evil genius wore. "I am not counting on it, Max. I am only...considering our options if he does decided to leave the team, which, if I know him well, is likely. But I am also hoping that he decides the Sinister Six is where he belongs. If he leaves while we are in the middle of our plan, then it can not be helped."
"What about his relationship with Spider-Man. We know about the alien suit, we know they've teamed up on occasion." Toomes barked.
Octavius failed to respond to this. He knew that none of his partners agreed with his choice as the sixth member, and he also knew that they were doubting him. But the Doctor had his ways of knowing things others didn't, and from his point of view, everything would work out one way or another. "Do not trouble yourselves over this, my partners. Beck, did he say he'd be in by tonight? Tomorrow? We run on a very tight schedule."
Mysterio took off his helmet, sucking in the fresh air and sat next to a spitting image of himself, who had just finished the Coke bottle he had been holding. The Chameleon's idea of a slight joke. The real Beck nodded. "He actually should be here in ten minutes."
Octavius nodded, then was distracted as someone came up the basement stairs. A heavy voice said: "Sorry, Beck. We decided to come a few minutes early. Hope you don't mind." The person speaking as if he was two men living in the same body could not have been mistaken for anyone else.
And Venom appeared, holding two duffle bags under his arms. His long tongue slobbered to the left side of his mouth. He gave a white, pointy grin. "So," he said, "which one is our room?"