Hello everyone. This is a little idea I've been playing around with for a while. I've taken some liberties with the MK universe, mixing elements from both timelines to create a new one. Every question that might surface will be explained, don't worry.
Now, let's go on with the show.
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
10:50 at night.
At that time a van was driving through downtown Vale with the only objective to reach a construction site. Inside the van were 4 people. 3 bodyguards and a 'VIP' of sorts. This VIP was none other than notorious crime lord, Roman Torchwick.
Although normally interested on new job opportunities, he did not like what this new "employer" used to communicate his intentions.
It was just a normal day in Roman's hideout. He was counting his money while his hired muscles moved crates and ran patrols. Neo was just on her scroll; whatever she was doing in it was none of his concern. Everything was just normal when he noticed that two of his men were asking questions to other henchmen until finally, they went to talk to Roman directly with a worried look on their face.
"Boss, we have a problem, Vin has gone missing!" One of the grunts told him as soon as he got next to the table.
Roman took in a long huff out of his cigar. When he breathed out, he then asked them "And who is he again?".
"He was on patrol with us, everything was fine when our shift started in the morning, but we lost contact with him 20 minutes ago. We thought he just got distracted at first, but when he didn't pick up after 5 minutes, we got worried and looked for him everywhere. He just… disappeared!".
Roman was not worried. If someone wanted to attack him, they would have taken out all the perimeter guards. "Relax, numb-skull. I'm sure he is fine. Lost track of time or something, though I'm sure to punish him for being-".
He was interrupted when a rocket came into the warehouse through one of the windows with a giant oval shaped object tied to end of it. All hell broke lose as the rocket's dangling additament crashed with crates, machines and furniture. The ordeal lasted for a whole minute until the rocket finally stopped and crashed on the ground.
All weapons were pointing at the package with a considerable distance being kept from the projectile. When they saw that the rocket remained still and did not explode, they saw that the object that hanged from it seemed to be a package with the message "answer it" written on it.
Before Roman could even start to wonder what that meant, a strange ringing sound was heard. Everyone checked their scrolls, but none was playing that sound. He then had a theory of what could be ringing, he looked at Neo and she understood.
She took out the blade out of her parasol and they both walked slowly towards the package. The ringing had stopped, but they were still standing next to it. Before Roman did anything, he checked with the grunts who went to look for the source of the rocket. Once he was sure that nothing and no one was found, he ordered Neo to cut it open.
She did so, and the content of the package left him with chills. It was one of his men. Tied up to an oxygen tank, unconscious but with a mask over his mouth. He was stripped of his coat and shoes, but retained the rest of his clothes.
"It's Vin!"
"Goodness, gracious; what happened to him!?" Screamed the two guys from before.
Gasps and murmurs could then be heard before everyone went silent when they heard the ringing from before. Roman Noticed then the glow coming from Vin's shirt-pocket. He gave Neo a look and then went to reach for whatever was ringing. Everyone calmed down when they saw a Scroll. Roman, however, did not.
The contact ID read "Please answer, Mr. Torchwick". He hated that he could not, for all that is valuable in the world, figure out who did that. None in Vale's underworld had the guts to pull that scheme, he was sure of it. He was ready to throw the letter away and begin a ruthless purge; but he did what every illogical man would do in a fit of rage: He answered the phone.
"Ah, good! You finally decided to answer". A deep, serious but charismatic voice talked from the other side "Mr. Torchwick, before you do something idiotic as to start a gang war; I suggest you go to the new hotel construction site in downtown, two days from now at 12:00 a.m. My employer really wants to meet you".
"Oh yeah! Sure, I don't see why not…" Roman answered sarcastically "I'd love to meet the man who is basically telling me to MOVE OUT OF MY TERRITORY! WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE PULLING THAT CRAP ON ROMAN TORCHWICK!?"
The man on the other side of the line, though, was not altered in the least by Roman's outburst "He was alive, was he not? My employer wants nothing but secrecy. We will reveal ourselves to you in two days and you'll learn everything: Who we are, what we want, what we will require of you and all other questions you may have".
To say Roman was not interested even a little bit would be a lie. But what they did was inexcusable. "Really? And what if I refuse?" he asked with a cocky tone.
"Then perhaps the VPD would be interested to know about, I don't know, your more than one hundred warehouses all throughout the kingdom, money laundering businesses, all the aliases you use to move around… and those of the ice-cream girl?".
That scared him. All his empire crumbling was bad, but making Neo feel betrayed and not knowing who to direct her rage towards to? That was a risk to big.
"This is not a bluff, just in case you are wondering. I can assure you I've made my research on you and your associate. I'll say it again: Two days from now, construction site in downtown, 12:00 a.m.; bring her if it makes you feel safer, but I'll guaranty you that no violence will be needed. It's just business".
"Oh, and could I pretty-please know who is it that I am speaking to?".
"For now, Firefly will do". With those final words, the man hanged the phone. The scroll then shocked itself to never be used again, making the mysterious 'Firefly' impossible to locate.
"So… who was that boss?" Asked one of his henchmen.
Roman just took his cane by the base, hooked the leg of the grunt and threw him to the ground.
"Damn it! Get me a van and the least incompetent of you morons for Friday night. I have a meeting to attend to".
"We have arrived boss" said the driver "And you should be careful, it looks like it's gonna rain". No sooner he spoke those words and a downpour began to fall.
"You idiots get down and be ready. I have some things to arrange first". As soon as the men left the van with their umbrellas, Roman began to make a mental checklist: his trusted Melodic Cudgel? Check. Guns strapped to his back and covered by his trench coat? Check. Two knives attached to each of his calfs? Check. Finally, he gave three knocks with his cane to the roof; and three seconds later, he heard two knocks separated by a second each.
"Good, Neo is ready too" Roman thought. He then opened the door and loudly proclaimed to his men: "OK, boys! Let's see what these imbecile wants". With that said, they all approached the sites' office, but as soon as Roman knocked once, the door just swung open.
Surprised to say the least, Roman was then boiling with anger as Hei 'Junior' Xiong laid on a dark-red leathered armed office chair looking his way.
"Well, well, well. Would you look at that? Looks like someone left the gossip business and now wants to join the big boys!" Roman yelled as he raised his cane ready to fire.
He would have also done it if it weren't for a set of claws and knife-heels resting next to his neck. Of course, If he came with Neo, why wouldn't he come with his twins?
"Easy there, firecracker" said the white one, Miltia.
"This little gag was not his idea" complemented her sister in red, Melanie.
"And neither was hers" Junior snapped in an annoyed tone while pointing further down the room.
Roman turned his head and felt confusion. "Lil' Miss Malachite?".
So it was. The chubby blond woman wearing a white shoulder-less dress shirt with a purple long skirt and a spider tattoo on her right shoulder sat across the table with her minions pointing their guns at Roman. "Well, well, well. Roman. So good to see ya' hun'…".
"Ok… this is good" Roman thought "She seems to have forgoten".
"I mean… what? Is stealing three tons of fire dust and leaving me at the mercy of the Atlas military really worth holding a grudge over!?" She punched the table at that last sentence. "But I guess it ain't as bad as you taking the illegal gun market at the border while I was rotting in jail!".
At this point Roman's men were already pointing guns. All hell would have broken loose if it weren't for Junior stepping between both sides. "Our host said no violence is needed, and I intend to keep it that way!".
"Out of mah way, big boy. Else you wanna roll out'a here a collinder. Boys, open-" she stopped mid-sentence when the twins, her own daughters pushed her by the shoulders to remain seated.
"No-".
"Fighting". The twins told her.
"Ok, what are opportunities for if not to be taken. Men!" Roman snapped his fingers; but nothing happened. "Uuuuh, hello. Can't you morons take a hint?".
"You should remember who the real boss of your people is, Roman" Junior interjected. Not in a mocking way, but a rather annoyed and serious way. "Whoever this 'Firefly' is, he means business. And I intend to see what he wants. Now let's just calm! The Hell! DOWN!".
An awkward silence was made, and a silent agreement reached. Roman and Junior took a seat and Roman said in a loud voice "Fiiiiine, we will not! Attack each other here now. But when this is over, it's game on".
"Fair enough…" responded Miss Malachite.
Time went on, and as soon as midnight was reached, at least another five bosses from crime syndicates from all over Remnant sat on the table. From Atlas smugglers, to mercenaries from Vacuo, a representative of the Mystral-Vale border cartel and Faunus gun smugglers. Everyone kept quiet, they were among allies and deadly foes; none daring to start a blood bath. Finally, Roman broke the silence.
"Now… I am sure in this little room we can find some of the most degenerate ruffians on the face of our big, big world, myself included" he said, "but Wouldn't this be the perfect holyday bonus for any cop out there?".
"I assure, no police officers are here" Everyone knew that voice. Firefly.
The door behind Miss Malachite opened slowly and from it emerged two figures: One was a young man in his early twenties; he had straight black hair with a small ponytail, wore a black chauffeur uniform with golden buttons and white gloves and on his hat was a blue square symbol. The second man was much taller and clearly the one in charge. He wore a dark turquoise suit with a deep black shirt and a yellow tie, his face was tanned and although he looked like he was 40, his shoulder-length hair was completely white; some of it held by a ponytail while the rest fell freely behind his ears and some over his shoulder.
"Never seen you around, so let me guess: The mysterious 'Firefly' right?" asked Roman.
The man looked at all of the people at the table and spoke in a deep and commanding voice "Indeed. But enough about secrets. You can call me Hotaru Taakoizu".
Some snickering could be heard from the guests with a little "isn't that a girl's name?" comment before the laughs died.
Clearly not amused, Hotaru continued "Let's get to the point. Shall we?" he began to walk, his chauffer behind him. "You are some of Remnant's most powerful members of the underworld. Gun smugglers, thieves, drug dealers and even more. However, you all have one common flaw: Your idiotic criminal egos".
This touched many nerves. Who did this little stick in the mud think he was? "Before you all start screaming at me because of how I dared insult you, I want you to consider the following: How many resources are you wasting just keeping the police, armies, even huntsmen off your tails? You could help each other out, but you all insist in sticking to number one. Stealing routes? Ruining merchandise? Blackmailing? And when you finally get to enjoy your profits, you just do it in the most insane and obvious ways possible. You call yourselves 'Organized Crime' when all of you are willing to throw all away for a miserable lien more than your adversaries".
"Raaaah! Enough!" yelled one of the Faunus smugglers slamming his fists on the table "If you made us come all the way just to insult us-" he stopped when Hotaru raised his hand asking him to stop.
"My apologies colleague. I got carried away". He adjusted his suit and continued "What I'm saying is that we can make business like the civilized men and women that we are. That! Is what our employer wants." While not in a friendly way, this at least turned all eyes towards him "my associate, Ryu Jin and I, work for a very powerful man. He wants to create the largest criminal empire, but we know this can only be achieved with all of your help".
"If this person is soooooo interested, then, where is he? And why should I take orders from him? How bad can this rookie be?" Asked Roman.
Ryu and Hotaru looked at each other, then back at Roman. "He… protects his identity a lot; but don't worry, you'll meet him in a moment. As for how bad he can be; let me assure you Mr. Torchwick…" Hotaru snapped his fingers and at that moment Ryu made as if he grabbed something or someone from behind him and threw it on the table. Shattering glass was heard, and Neo was now visible to all. She was not hurt, but she was just shocked at the fact that They both knew she was there "Not even Ryu could go a round against him." Everyone was silent, Neo stood up and looked at Roman who just motioned his head telling her to stand next to him. "Good, now let me introduce: My lord, Onaga".
The TV in the room turned on but only a white table could be seen. Suddenly the faunus present began to hear steps. It took a while before all could hear the booming steps and a silhouette could be seen. That of an enormous man sitting with only his yellow lizard like eyes glowing. Onaga spoke with a deep booming voice. "As my associates told you, if you all join me, I'll make all your profits triple by the end of the year. I'll be judge in case of foul play and even deals that go bad won't mean loses to you. I intend to launder all your money and shield you of authorities. The best in every field work for me, but I intend for you to work with me".
"What if we refuse?" A mercenary asked.
"Those who refuse already know too much, and death is to be expected. And those who refuse to join in the future…" He paused to make a small but terrifying laugh "will join. One way or another".
Silence was made once again. "How big are we talking about here?" asked Mrs. Malachite.
"The SDC? Will be a small ice shop in a year".
"The White Fang? Where do they fall in all of this?" asked another faunus smuggler.
"We are businessmen, not terrorists. I will not allow power hungry warmongers in my organization". Answered Onaga. "No further questions?" Everyone looked at each other, but no one said anything. "Good. Then who's in?"