Just a warm-up to what happens next. Not a long chapter but the next one is going to be longer.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in Arrowverse or Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC Comics, Marvel Comics or any characters or elements pertaining to the mentioned franchises or anything else you may recognize.
"Greeting, Miss Adams." Moira said, her and Oliver trying to keep a poker face as they shook their hands with Ruvé.
"Just curious, is 'Adams' your maiden name?" Oliver inquired.
"I'm not married, actually." Ruvé denied.
"Is that so?" Moira asked.
"I guess you haven't met the right person yet." Oliver said as Ruvé narrowed her eyes.
"I'm just wondering, the replacement came out of the sudden. May I ask why now?" Moira asked.
"Well, considering that you're recovering, the council believes it might be best for someone to replace you as the mayor. Acting, of course and Miss Adams has shown some compelling capability to fit the office for the time being." Kullens said.
"Generally, I prefer to keep my philanthropical activities quiet but this city is in so much trouble, so it is preferable for me not to stay in the shadows." Ruvé said.
"I think there is no need for a replacement, since I'm ready to return to the office very soon." Moira said politely.
"We're of course still discussing whether the replacement is truly necessary but we thought it might be best for a meeting of the council to be in action." Kullens said. "That is, if you can attend."
"I can." Moira said.
"I heard there is a meeting going on." Matt said upon entering.
"Ah, Matthew Murdock. I've heard a lot about you."
Later, the Lair
"Nothing about Ruvé Adams until recently. I mean, it's like she appeared out of thin air and suddenly everyone talks about how much she has helped the city in the past." Klein said as they met in the lair.
"Is it just me or—"
"It's Darhk." Matt interrupted Oliver. "It has to be. Colleen told me."
Suddenly, Matt tensed upon hearing 'clang', or at least that's what he thought he heard as he listened.
"Is something wrong, Matt?" Diggle asked.
"No, it's… I must have been imagining it." Matt said.
"I'll see what I can find on her." Klein offered.
As Oliver, Diggle and Sara went out to follow Ruvé, Matt was alone in the lair, while Klein went home to research her.
Matt suddenly heard clanging again as he picked one of his billy clubs as the elevator opened and then he paled upon hearing the voice.
"Hello, Matthew." Fisk said.
"No." Matt said in denial. "You… you're dead."
"What did Nobu once tell you? There is no such thing as dead." Fisk said before pulling out a revolver and shooting Matt in the shoulder as he stumbled back. "Come on, Murdock, you've seen people come back from the dead before! I once told you, no prison can keep me!"
Matt picked up a metal tray and used it as a shield before rushing at Fisk. Both men traded blows but Fisk slammed Matt to the ground and then threw him over the table as the equipment fell down. Matt got up before Fisk slammed him to the pillar. Matt dodged as Fisk threw a punch and broke his fist upon hitting the metal pillar.
Matt dodged Fisk's punch and hit him in the face twice. Fisk hit Matt in the face too but Matt made Fisk stagger with a left hook as Fisk leaned towards a chair. Matt got up on his feet and hit Fisk again, repeatedly pummeling him as Matt roared. As Fisk recovered, he headbutted Matt, dazing him as Matt fell down. Matt dodged as Fisk attempted to finish him off and hit him in the face as Fisk fell down on his knees and Matt pummeled him repeatedly as Fisk spat out blood with each punch he received.
Matt grabbed Fisk by his head, about to snap his neck.
"Do it. I'll never stop hunting Oliver Queen or Foggy Nelson or Natasha Romanoff or anyone else you care about. No prison can keep me. You know that. Come on! Kill me!" Fisk urged.
Matt snapped Fisk's neck and dropped his lifeless body on the floor as he breathed out, reliving their last encounter, wondering now if he had fallen low. But back then, he had lost Karen, his mother and Fisk attempted to make his life a living hell and make sure to destroy his soul. Now, Matt was more certain of himself and while he hated himself for killing Fisk, he did it only because it had to be done but he had to wonder how he was going to explain it to Oliver and Natasha until…
"Well, didn't that make you feel better?"
Matt's blood ran cold as he sensed Fisk right behind him, while the corpse at his feet disappeared and then Matt noticed that none of the damage that had been in the lair during the fight, was there now and that his shoulder was not wounded.
"You'll just have to accept that you'll never escape me." Fisk gloated.
"No. You're dead. You're not real, Fisk." Matt breathed out as the realization hit him and he had to suppress the urge to laugh. "I'm hallucinating."
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