Bar With No Name. Upper Penthouse

Within New York City, there were several places where members of criminal elements could feel safe, fewer where they could allow themselves to relax, and only one that was specially designed to offer relaxation, drinks and security. The Bar, or No Name Bar, as it was also known, had been a feature of New York since the days of Defenders founding and even before, catering primarily to the supervillains and criminals. It's location was at least nominally secret, though if one were careful enough, they would be able to find it without problems, but if you weren't a villain, you wouldn't be allowed.

The one taboo that always existed here was that no superhero could come in without a special permission, and those were very hard to come by. Police and government gave The Bar a wide berth, helped in no small part by the cut that The Bar pays to them on the regular. And whenever some overzealous hero decides to come in, they are usually met with at least several dozens of villains, and more henchmen, and that's not including Bar's owner and their security.

Safe to say, The Bar has done well to remain a safe haven for the criminals, with Peter, still operating as Batman, entering the cleared Bar, seeing it for the first time in almost ten years. Place had definitely been renovated, and it also had a new owner, someone whom Helena apparently knew very well, seeing as he was not only allowed access into The Bar, but also top floor penthouse, reserved for the owner. Getting in to via elevator, Peter stepped out into the adobe, where he soon discovered Helena, with her mask off, yet still in her Huntress attire, working on the drive.

"How's the decryption coming along?" Peter asked, still keeping his mask on, with Helena looking up and answering.

"Slow, but steady. Owls' encryption here is better than on anything we had, but I've got a special program decrypting the codes." Huntress said, before asking. "How did it go with Felicia?"

"She agreed to work with us." Peter simply stated, as he looked around. "How well do you know the owner of The Bar?"

"She trusted me with my life, and I with mine. So far, it's worked out alright with us." Peter immediately turned to the new voice, to see a familiar blonde fit beauty in all black leather jacket, vest opened to show ample cleavage, fishnets and high boots, giving him a smile. "Sorry if I've startled you, Batman. I was making some coffee. How do you take yours?"

"With cream and sugar, more the better." Peter responded, before adding. "Dinah Drake Laurel, also known as The Black Canary. You are the owner of The Bar With No Name?"

"I am, and been one for about three years now. You sound almost like you didn't expect to find me running it." Dinah commented. "Were you expecting someone else?"

"I'm simply surprised, to see a former Defender operating The Bar and serving drinks and information to the villains of New York." Peter stated, before he realized something else. "You are Huntress' contact as well. You used The Bar to run supplies to Gotham, after Penguin double crossed you."

"Good job, detective. Originally, I went up here to simply set up a line of supplies, but then I ended up as the new owner of The Bar. That's about the gist of it. Most on the street know me nowadays as a Black Siren, Penguin's top enemy." Canary said, before adding. "You can take off the cowl, Peter. I know it is you under it." To that Peter could only turn his head to Helena, who shook her head.

"I didn't tell her." Helena said.

"She didn't have to. You've made quite an entrance, first by robbing Rand, and then taking out the Punisher for good. Didn't think at first that it could be you, seeing as you… Well, you died." Canary said, before adding. "Then I decided to do a bit of a digging, after you've taken out the Court of Owls. Learned about that small shell company Fisk set up for you in Gotham, and then I saw the footage of your fighting in Gotham. You have really changed, moved like a completely different person and not your past self. Almost made me think it was someone else… Until I heard your voice just now." Canary smirked, pointing to her ear, with Peter letting out a sigh and removing his helmet.

"You always did have a good ear for details." Peter commented, seeing Canary's shocked expression. "Guess you weren't fully convinced it was me until now."

"Yeah, I mean… Shit, I saw you die, and you were dead, and now…" Canary said, coming to terms with the fact that her former teammate and friend was back from the dead. "I've seen a lot of weird things while running with you, and more so after. Still, how is that even possible? Fury's goons… They beat you to a bloody pulp, and then he himself put a bullet in your head. Most don't survive such things, and yet… you are back from the dead."

"Yeah, and I didn't survive that…" Peter sighed, recalling and retelling the story.

Eight Years Ago.

Spider-Man lay broken upon the ground, struggling to even keep his eyes open, as pain coursed through his body, blood leaked from cuts and wounds, with several bones sticking out like spikes. With his barely functioning hand, Peter dragged himself forward towards the still for of his sister, pushing himself past his limits, without any care for himself. All that mattered now was his sister, laying still on the ground, blood pouring out of her wound, inflicted in an accident during Peter's battle with Fury's hit squad. Mere centimeters away from her, Peter's hand was just about to touch Teresa, when a heavy boot stomped on it, making him cry out of pain, looking up with his sole good eye, and stare straight at the barrel of the gun, and its wielder.

"Out of everyone, I never thought you would be the one to break… But I probably should've seen it coming." Fury said, kneeling before Peter. "Always the idealist, the one with biggest moral code, but push you just hard enough, and you all break bad. You and your dad had that in common, always thinking having morals made you right."

"Y-you… S-sold… Out…." Peter groaned out in agony, coughing out blood. "Made… Us… Puppets." Peter's anger was palpable, even in his broke and miserable form.

"All these years, and you still haven't learned a thing about how this world works. You think just being a good guy is enough to save lives?" Fury asked in vain, knowing full well this is it, as he cocked his gun. "You've crossed the line, kid, broke the rules, and now you must pain. Don't worry, I'll get Teresa to hospital, and she'll be safe. Goodbye, Spider-Man." The click of the trigger, and a flash of light comes next, with Peter's head the target, soon falling onto the pavement.

Web of Life.

"Peter Parker, what a catastrophe you have led yourself in to. Of all your foolish, irritating and selfish acts, this one trumps all." The moment Peter found himself in the mystical realm of Web of Life, he was face to face with an old acquaintance, one which he never wished to see again.

"Madame Web." Peter practically spat that out. "Have you come to gloat? Tell me how I should've listened to you, and all would've been well?" Spider-Man asked with venom of Madame Web, the self-styled Keeper of the Web of Life.

"Whatever would be the point now, when you lay dead, defeated and dethroned." Madame Web stated to Peter, as she raised her finger and pointed it at him. "You have committed the cardinal sin – you have taken a life of another, done so out of free will and with ill intent. You have abandoned all you have stood for, and now you will pay the price for your arrogance and foolishness."

"Arrogance and foolishness, you say?" Peter was about to explode from anger at her declaration, before composing himself. "All I did was put an end to those bastards, something I should've done ages ago. But I refused to take responsibility, and look where it had gotten everyone – Queens is in ruins, two hundred forty-seven dead, Harry died for nothing, and Maggia got to walk away free. Where is justice in all this?! All that death and suffering, where and when does it stop?"

"Justice is served blind, and not heartlessly." Web chided him. "You held no right to become the judge, the jury and executioner. You were Spider-Man, and Spider-Man is never above the laws."

"What laws, Web? What do laws even mean, when the system itself is rigged from the start? What does law mean, when villains kill, steal, inflict pain and worse, and when we defeat them, they just come back to do it again?" Peter asked of Madame Web. "What kind of a law dictates, that where villains thrive, heroes must suffer? What kind of a universal law dictates, that I have to lose everything and everyone important to me, fighting against monsters, defended by this very law you preach!"

"Self-centered boy, to be Spider-Man is to suffer. Loss is the anvil upon which you are laid, and pain is the hammer that shapes you into what you must be, but now it has broken you." Madame Web commented. "Because you were weak of mind and spirit."

"No, Web, I simply realized the truth, and made the only sane choice there was to put an end to Maggia." Peter stated to her. "No more compromises, no more games, no more being a puppet, not to you, or to anyone else. If you are expecting an apology, you will be here for an eternity."

"No, but to remind you, that had you've listened and not ignored me, like a petulant little boy you are, then all this would never have…" Madame Web didn't get to finish, as Peter cut her off angrily.

"Save your fucking preaching, old crone. We both know the only reason you are even here, is because you think I'll play your games." Peter interrupted her, catching her enraged look for a moment. "I've been a pawn for too long, and no longer, so go and find some other fool who will do your bidding."

"Insolent, pig-headed child! Have it your way, and may you spend eternity in oblivion." Web stated in a near roar. "You are thereby casted out from the Web, untethered to the cycle of rebirth and denied a second chance. May you wallow in your misery for all eternity." And with this, Peter's spirit was sent hurtling into the void for what felt like eternity, until he suddenly felt himself stop and stabilize.

"What is going on now?" Peter asked, as he looked around himself, before he heard a new voice call out to him.

"Peter Parker." Spoke an otherworldly voice, and with it appeared the bearer of it, in form of a unearthly pale beauty, with a mane of white hair, in black dress and cloak, someone whom Peter never met before, and yet in the back of his mind knew.

"Death." Peter whispered the name of the very personification of end of all things, who stood before him. "I heard of you from Strange, but… I guess you are here for my soul now."

"You have indeed shed your mortal coil, but have been denied the eternal rest and peace by the Keeper of the Web. Such pettiness, from one who professes servitude to the Greater Good." Death remarked with irony. "You have been cast into the realm of my brother, Oblivion, away from any plane of the dead."

"Yeah, a punishment for going against whatever Spider-Man is supposed to be." Peter scoffed at the words of Madame Web. "To be Spider-Man is to suffer… Is it really so?"

"Madame Web spins her threads and words, to craft a net with which to ensnare her prey. Her authority and power are not as solid as she wants you to think, and her station is of lesser import than her ego wishes to be. But I have come not to speak of her." Death stated to Peter. "The Web of Life has cast you out, taking away your gift and powers, and now a new Totem shall be chosen, gifted what was yours. But this is not where your story ends, Peter Parker. It is only the end of the prologue."

"What are you talking about?" Peter asked of Death.

"There is a new Age coming, one to which you were the harbinger of, an Age of Heroes." Death spoke up. "Yet with new heroes, will come new and far deadlier foes, and many so-called "heroes" will become like villains of today. The world needs someone more than a mere villain or hero – it needs Spider-Man, the one whom he can truly be, unbound and unchained by lies and corrupt men."

"Well, I suppose the new guy will have to be enough." Peter commented.

"I do not speak of Web's puppet, but of you, the one Spider who decided to craft his own threads, instead of becoming entangled in existing ones. You were cast out of Life, with suffering and pain as your companions in first life." Death stated to Peter, before he sensed how life had seemingly returned to him, and with some added bonuses too. "I grant you powers and might taken unjustly from you, and grant you further boons. Use them well when you return to the life, and remember – from now on, only create your own Web." And with those words said, Death sent Peter's spirit away, knowing that in the coming times, he will be needed.

Present time.

"…Right after that, I found myself inside of my coffin, and I made my way out of it." Peter said with a heavy sigh. "From then, I knew that coming back and announcing it would've put Teresa in danger. After confirming she was safe and sound with Norman, I made the decision to travel, to train and learn to be the best version of myself. And now… Now I am back, ready and eager to make my own place in this world." Peter stated.

"Wait, so this whole thing about the Web of Life you told us way back then, is actually real?" Dinah asked, with Peter nodding. "Last I recall you weren't all too trusting of that cryptic blind Madame Web, when she was trying to make you do things her own way. And also Death incarnate… Crazy."

"I now stand corrected in those regards, and several others." Peter said with a sigh. "Nowadays, Madame Web keeps her distance away from me, though now I understand and can sense that Web, but not as a part of it. More like an independent being from it, able to draw power from it if need be, which as far as I know, is almost anathema to Spider-Totems, leaching off and not serving the Web."

"Well, I never really dig this whole mystical thing. I'm just glad to see you." Dinah said to him.

"Same as well, although I am surprised to find you in this position. You are a solid heroine, one of the best martial artists in the world, and with your Canary Cry, you can destroy entire mountains. How did you find yourself in this position?" Peter asked of Dinah.

"After your death, I knew I had no place in that team, and it was basically over. I quit the Defenders and decided to go solo for a bit, like I used to, but then the government decided to clamp down on the mutants with the MRD. And seeing as I am a mutant and just quit being a SHIELD flunky, I was immediately made into a criminal by the government." Dinah explained. "Fortunately, I ran into Helena during a stake out. We've managed to hit it off, and she offered me a place in Gotham, which I accepted. Nowadays, I'm New York's top information broker, as well as smuggler and a de-facto crime boss. Even have my own personal crew of villains keeping peace in The Bar. Quite the departure from our glory days, right?"

"Yeah, though I'd not call it my "glory days." Peter said with a sigh, "Enough about that. Penguin is dead, meaning that you now control the smuggling market."

"Already made arrangements with both the suppliers and Kingpin. If before he wasn't willing to take me seriously, now he wants to make business." Dinah commented. "We've agreed to split Penguin's empire. I got the smuggling and docks, while Fisk will take over the outfit and interior of Penguin."

"Right, and while on paper, it all seems fine, with the added manpower, Fisk will attempt to take you out and basically take control over every aspect of crime in the city." Helena said, before adding. "Guess keeping Black Cat alive was a good idea, but are you sure she'll be up to the task?"

"She will manage. If there is one thing Felicia always wanted and was good at, it's recognition and adapting. Becoming a new crime boss of New York will give her the recognition, and she's always been good in learning new things." Peter commented. "It will keep Fisk away from starting a gang war, as well as distracted."

"Giving you the breathing room for maneuver inside and out." Dinah added. "Guess you are serious about what Helena told me. Can't say I blame you… Alright, so what is your next move now."

"For the moment, Spider-Man will do some routine tasks for Kingpin, get his footing in his organization, and establish himself in New York." Peter said, before turning to the decrypting drive. "Right now, however, I'm more interesting in what is on that drive. Fury must've wanted it badly, if he sent both Black Widow and Barton after it, meaning it holds more than just account numbers and list of assets. Did you know Penguin was snitching to the SHIELD?"

"No, but it doesn't surprise me, seeing as he didn't have any problem with the law, even when he had several close calls." Dinah commented. "Cobblepot was selling weapons to and from Hydra, AIM and others, and that's an immediate red flag for SHIELD. Being a snitch saved him the trouble of dealing with them, and allowed him to pay the Owls."

"And yet Fury was willing to throw him under the bus, if only to get this drive." Helena said, just as it finally finished decrypting. "We are in. Okay, I've got the accounts, assets, all as expected… But there is more. There is a list of transfers, with massive sums of money, liquid and hard assets, spanning years, ever since… before I was even born. It's split over multiple accounts, but basically all belong to a single entity."

"SHIELD." Peter said for Helena, who nodded. "This explains why Fury wanted this drive – it is the evidence of SHIELD taking bribes from the Court. That's why SHIELD and other agencies have abandoned Gotham."

"Yeah, but where did Fury put all that money? SHIELD runs on a budget from US and UN, and is watched over by half a dozen other agencies. I doubt IRS would've missed so much unregistered cash just appearing out of nowhere." Dinah said. "Where did all those transfers were made to?"

"To a single bank – 1st Manhattan Gold Bank." Helena responded. "Sounds familiar, but not like one of the big ones."

"I know that one, it was one of the most sought after banks to rob, but it was never robbed. In large part because Manhattan Gold is a Stark Industries subsidiary, meaning that it now has Iron Man, and SHIELD protecting it directly." Peter stated, as he considered and analyzed the information. "Stark Industries has been involved with SHIELD since its inception, and it has been SHIELD's primary supplier and contractor, almost exclusively. Where else would SHIELD store such money, without arousing the attention of the IRS or government, as well as from where would they be able to fund their unauthorized ops?"

"Meaning that this bank is not only Fury's personal money pig, but also SHIELD's ledger." Helena stated, as she took a look at Peter's contemplative face. "You are thinking about infiltrating that bank and finding out what's really going on in there?"

"It would require a lot of preparation, and it would be too hard to pull off alone and not get noticed, even for me." Peter stated, before making a decision. "For now, we've gotten what we needed, and should use the assets for Gotham. Meanwhile, I've got a criminal empire to integrate myself into." Peter said, as the new phase of his plan began.

Three weeks later

Leaping across the rooftops, Daredevil contemplated the events of the last month and how the situation within New York had changed. Less than month ago, Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, was killed and his criminal empire of arms dealing, drug trade and more collapsed, with the pieces of it being gobbled up his rivals, and also newcomers. Most of the inland and manpower went to the Kingpin, with the smuggling and black market coming under the control of Black Siren, also known to him as Dinah Laurel Lance, formerly Black Canary.

The knowledge that once a hero and even a Defender had become a crime lord was a disturbing one to Matt, as Canary was a hero of the people, small folk that couldn't defend themselves. But after SHIELD and MRD put the clamps down on the mutants, things became rough for the Black Canary, who was well known as a mutant. And although she was no founder of the Defenders, she did join the team for over a year and a half, until leaving it right after Spider-Man's demise. Few people knew where she went, until she returned years later, and now was one of the most powerful people in criminal underworld, with a personal force of villains that answered to her directly. Matt had a few encounters with those members, and safe to say, they did not end well for him, as the Man Without Fear had learned to be cautious when dealing with them and their boss.

But Siren and Kingpin weren't the only ones on the move, as a new player was also making their appearance, in form of Felicia Hard, aka Black Cat, taking over scattered remnants of Penguin's force and making it her own. This was an extremely unexpected move by her, a world renowned thief and burglar, but it would appear that she did have a knack for running a criminal enterprise. She was nowhere near the level of Penguin, but she was a rising star in the criminal underworld, one that was already on the radar of not just Daredevil.

Tonight, however, it wasn't her that Daredevil was stalking, as he had heard through his informants that Kingpin's goons were planning a big deal with Siren's. And according to his sources, Kingpin's "new guy," will also make an appearance there, and that was one of the reasons for Daredevil to be in the docks tonight. He and other street level heroes have heard rumors about Kingpin hiring someone new into his organization, someone who had managed to take out Punisher himself. Matt never liked the guy, but if there was one thing that Matt respected about Castle, it was his resilience and ability to stay ahead of his enemies. And now someone new had killed The Punisher like it was nothing, and this warranted caution and investigation, but until three weeks ago, nothing was known about him. Only that he worked under Kingpin directly, and since three weeks ago, when his presence became more than a mere speculation.

"New guy" was doing tasks for Kingpin, varying in what they were about, ranging from covering Kingpin's men to taking out people that crossed Kingpin. It was all fairly mundane, relatively speaking, but what was clear was the effectiveness with which those were completed, with police not able to trace anything. Whoever it was, he was good, very good, and Daredevil knew, that so long as this newcomer remained an unknown, he would hold the advantage.

Matt was prepared to end this, as he finally reached the warehouse he was targeting, landing on the roof and beginning to look for entrances with his sensory ability to find a suitable entry. Criminals were inside, but have covered their entries really well this time, with men on the upper levels covering each other, sealed off roof entries and so forth. They were ready for any unwanted guests, but this wasn't going to deter Matt, as he started to plan his entry… until his proximity sense detected someone coming at him at an extreme speed from an elevation. Daredevil was only able to turn his body, before two powerful feet slammed into his head, sending him flying into the brick wall. Slamming hard against it, Daredevil took a moment to focus, as he raised his head and his sensory abilities told him, that whoever this was, they were strong, big, and wore a suit with a distinctive spider motive on it.

"Daredevil, The Man Without Fear." He spoke up, with Matt not recognizing his voice, but deduced it was definitely the New Guy. "I've heard about you, the Devil that guards the Hell's Kitchen, and one of New York's top street heroes. I was wondering if we would cross paths." Matt stood up, dusting himself off.

"Well, you've got me at a disadvantage." Matt commented, taking out his Billy Club.

"In more than one." The New Guy said, hearing some sort of rope flying towards Matt, with him evading it, with the smell of it being very familiar to him.

"Web?" Matt said, before he sensed a brick from the wall behind him fly and hit him in the back of the head, as the web retracted. "Ugh… Are you Venom?" Daredevil asked, recalling the name of one of the deadliest enemies of the original Spider-Man.

"No, though we've been close in the past. You can call me Spider-Man." Daredevil literally started at him with confusion, before beginning to dodge strikes from him.

"Are you some sort of bigger, evil brother to the kid from Harlem?" Matt asked, making a few backflips to get some distance, before launching one of his clubs at this Spider-Man.

"He's just stealing my act." Spider-Man said, effortlessly dodging the club, which then bounced off several times… before Spider-Man caught just before it the back of his head. "Not bad. You've got heightened senses, possibly some form of a radar vision." Daredevil was surprised that he was able to deduce that so quickly, before the two began to fight for real.

Matt had always believed he had some of the best training in martial arts and that he could hold his own even against someone like Iron Fist, who too had mentored him for a bit. However, this Spider-Man was quite literally in a whole separate league of his own, as he moved speed, precision, power, and flexibility one could hardly expect from a man of his bulk. The Spider-Man from Harlem that Daredevil had encountered several times in the past was a novice, all over the place in a fight, relying on his abilities and unpredictability to win. This one was different, he knew where, when and how to strike, having skills that may well have surprised Matt's in martial arts, and that's not to mention his powers, which if he had to guess, he was barely even using. So far, he has been employing more Karate and Aikido, fairly standard, but in good combination, keeping up with Daredevil in fist to fist fight.

Then, without any prior sign, Spider-Man shot his web at Daredevil, pulling him closer to him to deliver a powerful rising kick, sending Daredevil flying up. Without even losing momentum, Spider-Man again pulls Daredevil down to the ground level, making him slam down on the floor of the roof. Managing to cut the web, Daredevil needed a chance to regain his full bearings, sensing clearly that he had several broke ribs, jaw and possible internal bleeding, but Spider-Man wasn't done, as he shot his webs again, encasing him in the cocoon of web, fully restricting his movement. He was utterly and completely, at the mercy of this deadly Spider-Man, who walked up to him, kneeling before his webbed up form.

"You've been messing with my boss for about five years now, and been a real problem for him." Spider-Man said, with Daredevil bracing himself for what was to come. "You are fortunate, that I'm only paid to keep watch on this meeting, and you've been fairly neutralized. Word of advice- take a few weeks off, get those ribs and jaw back in order, and don't strain yourself too much. People of Hell's Kitchen need you alive more than dead." Webbing up his mouth, but not his nose and then attaching him to the dark corner of the building, Spider-Man then took both of the Billy Clubs as trophies, and leapt off the building, where he came face to face with one of Kingpin's lieutenants, Montana, and his two partners, Fancy Dan and Ox.

"So where have you been? Having lunch?" Montana asked with clear disdain for Spider-Man. "Boss pays you for keeping us protected, not having a piss and coffee in the middle of a deal. The deal's done, by the way, no thanks to you."

"Yes, they were obviously quite taken with your negotiating skills." Spider-Man stated with a sarcastic tone, before producing the infamous Clubs. "You can thank me later, for letting you seal the deal." The Enforcers stared with shock at the two sticks.

"That's Daredevil's sticks! Where did ya get 'em?" Fancy Dan asked of Spider-Man.

"Bought them at a pawn shop around the corner." Spider-Man responded sarcastically, before turning serious. "You had a deal just a block away from Hell's Kitchen, with half of West Side hearing all about it. Obviously, Daredevil would decide to show up, which he did and learned the hard way, not to pry into others business."

"So, you killed him?" Ox asked of Spider-Man.

"If ya did, where's the body?" Montana added.

"Did I say I killed him? I was ordered to keep this place safe, which I did. He turned tail and ran, after I broke his jaw and several ribs." Spider-Man stated. "Should take him a while to heal up."

"Okay, I believe you, but why didn't you whack him?" Montana asked of Spider-Man, who then responded.

"If you can do something, don't do it for free, and I wasn't paid to kill Daredevil specifically." Spider-Man stated. "Besides, killing him of would've brought the heat down on the boss and Siren, and that's not what is good for the business." Spider-Man simply stated, and seeing as his work was done here, left without another word.

Thirty minutes later. Greenwich Village

"Is it done?" Wilson Fisk asked on his phone, stepping out of the plaza, thrown in honor of city's biggest philanthropists.

"Yeah, boss, it's a done deal. Siren's boys will bring in the product tomorrow, no worries." Montana stated to Kingpin.

"Were there any complications?" Kingpin asked of him, knowing full well that such a deal wouldn't have gone unnoticed.

"No problem whatsoever, boss. Why'd you think there would be something like that?" Montana clearly played the fool, something that Fisk wasn't very fond of.

"Because half of the city knew about this deal, and you were having in just around the corner of the Devil's playground." Kingpin stated. "Now, Montana, perhaps you remember something I should know?"

"W-well, I wasn't really wrong or lying per say… Daredevil did show up, but Spider-Man took care of the problem, didn't even disturb the deal or anything." Montana said, with Kingpin knowing he wasn't lying now.

"Did he kill him?" Kingpin asked.

"No, slippery bastard tuck tail and ran, left his clubs with him as well. I told that Spider that he should've whacked the Devil when he had the chance, but he said that he wasn't paid to do it." Montana complained, while Kingpin considered these words, and found that this was a preferred outcome. "He said he'd not come after us for a while, but c'mon boss, what kind of a profession leaves a job half done?"

"The kind that can see the bigger picture, and knows when and where to pull the trigger." Fisk stated to Montana. "Expect your payment for the job, and Montana: never lie to me again." Fisk warned the man and hung up in a satisfied mood.

"Good news spread fast, I see." Fisk turned around to see Dinah Laurel Lance, dressed in an evening black dress, with long black hair, and holding her drink. "You'll have your order delivered on time, and do tell your cowpoke to mind his manners around my girls. Next time they will be far less patient with his antics." Black Siren, currently posing as a socialite, stated to Kingpin.

"I will, and I assume you've heard about the Devil?" Fisk asked, as he and Dinah moved back towards the rest of the guests.

"It was obvious he'd show up, with your men making it all but a certainty." Dinah commented. "You are fortunate to have such a capable employee to deal with that problem. I hope he knows how valuable he is."

"He does, I assure you, with his checks being worth his while." Kingpin made it clear, that he wasn't willing to part ways with Spider-Man. "But if you are interested, I may lend you his services, for the right fee."

"I will keep that in mind." Dinah said, as they entered the main area, and switched to their more public and official personas. "The award ceremony is going to start soon. Any ideas on who will take the prize this year?"

"I believe that is obvious already." Fisk stated with supreme confidence in his victory. "Most here have done only token donations, maintain appearances and nothing else. To them, this city means less than what they shall have on their next meal, but to me… This city means everything. I will always make sure to give it all I can."

"Then congratulations on the victory, Mister Fisk." Dinah said to him, before noticing someone she knew mingling with the people, and failing at that. "If you would excuse me, I have spotted a friend in need of a bit of assistance." Dinah said, and moved to her friend.

"Thank you for keeping my dear friend company, gentlemen. Now, please give ladies some privacy." Dinah said, as she pulled her friend away from them. "You should really watch yourself with these sharks, Rio, or Jefferson may get some bad ideas." Dinah chuckled to her friend, Rio Morales, one of New York City's council members.

"Thanks, Dinah. I don't know what mayor was thinking, asking me to act as host of this event." Rio said in a tired tone. "Couldn't they have hired some Hollywood star across the street to do it?"

"Those are too expensive, and they've already paid quite a lot to this city. Consider it a small sacrifice for the future donations, and who knows, maybe next year, it will be you sending someone else to these events, from the Mayor's office." Dinah responded. "Are you here alone?"

"Jefferson is on a patrol, and as for Miles…" Rio let out a tired sigh. "He's got his own things going on. You know how teenagers are."

"That I do, although what is that odd rumor I hear, about him and Tony Stark of all people being all friends and such?" Dinah asked of Rio.

"Tony is just a donor for several of my programs, and he and Miles just struck an accord, that is all." Rio responded, before asking. "How bad are these rumors?"

"For now, nothing too serious, but you know how people are. It won't be long before someone decides there is more than simple friendship going on, and some not so savory people may interpret it in very nasty ways." Dinah warned her friend. "And with Tony Stark, are you really certain you want your son around someone who flies around in a billion-dollar armor, fighting monsters, international criminals and such?"

"You've got a point there. Thanks, Dinah, I'll talk to Miles." Rio said, before looking at the time. "It's almost time. Talk to you later." Rio said, before rushing towards the stage and beginning her speech.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming here tonight." Rio began her speech. "On behalf of New York City, it's people and the administration, I wish to thank all of you here for your contributions and donations to our beloved city. Thanks to your generosity and kindness, we have managed to raise over 95 million dollars in donations to various programs and funds across this city. And now, the moment you all have been waiting for, this year's Winner of New York's City's Most Generous Philanthropist is …" And before she could finish, out of the loudspeakers blasted out AC/DC, and then out of nowhere, from the skies landed a suit of high tech armor, from which immediately stepped out none other than Tony Stark in his immaculate suit.

"Good evening everyone. Sorry I'm late, was busy saving St. Louis from a monstrous alligator attack, plus getting me some new shoes. What did I miss?" Tony said in his usual tone, before noticing Rio. "Rio, goodness, how good to see you. I gotta say, this dress is just a crime, with how good you look in it. I swear if I was lesser man, I'd offer to show you my penthouse. Oh, and tell Miles I said hi, and that the Friday is still in power." It took all of Rio's will power to not groan and slap Stark across the face for this performance.

"Mister Stark, could you explain yourself?" Rio demanded. "This is an award ceremony, private one at that, reserved for New York's philanthropists, among which I do not see your name in the list."

"Your list is just outdated. Check your app again, honey." Tony suggested, with Rio doing that, and was surprised what she saw. "Guess who's just made the biggest donation in this city's history? Care to announce it, honey?" Seeing the amount, and the message attached to it, Rio had no other choice, but comply.

"Ladies and gentlemen, by an overwhelming margin, this year's winner is Mister Anthony Stark." Rio then gifted him the award, while the guests clapped to him. "Congratulations, Mister Stark, on such a sudden and unexpected victory." Rio said with an edge to her words.

"Thank you. I know it was all very sudden, but hey, this isn't about just me. This about all those who decided to spend money doing something good this year, so let's also give a little credit to the second place." Tony said, as he suddenly grabbed Rio's folder and read it. "And the Award for the second biggest spender on this city's needs goes to Wilson Fisk with his humble 35 million dollars. Not bad, Willie, really good, actually, but against my 100 mils… Don't worry, I'm sure the city will be more than happy to send you a consolation price. I hear fruit baskets with wine are nice." Tony and many others laughed at his joke, while Fisk kept his mouth shot, while shattering his phone inside of his pocket.

Two hours later. Fisk Tower.

Fisk stormed inside of his office with a look on his face that told everyone, that their boss was most definitely not in the mood, and if they valued their lives, they should leave. Waiting in the office were the Enforcers, and Spider-Man, who was casually reading a book from a shelf nearby, seemingly not noticing the enraged look of his employer, as he moved past Montana.

"Is something the matter, boss?" Montana asked of Fisk. "Look, if it's about the Daredevil, then I told Spider-Man that…"

"You think I care about that two-bit costumed freak right now?!" Fisk bellowed out, as he turned to face New York. "I was just moments away from taking my rightfully due prize, one that I deserved. And yet, the moment that pompous, arrogant rich boy decided he wanted to make a spectacle, the Mayor bends over backwards for him, all because his name is Stark!"

"Um, boss, what are you talking about?" Montana dared to ask, but then Spider-Man answered for him.

"Tony Stark just won this year's award for city's biggest philanthropist, after donating a hundred million dollars to the city, just two hours ago." Spider-Man said, putting down the book.

"Okay, and that's bad for the boss how?" Fancy Dan asked of Spider-Man. "I mean, a hundred mils for the city is such a waste. Shame we can't take it for ourselves and…"

"Three of you, out of here, now!" Fisk roared out, and the Enforcers cleared out the office, before he turned to Spider-Man, and noticing the Billy Clubs on his desk. "I heard you've taken care of the Daredevil, but did not kill him. Good, as much of a nuisance he is, at least he keeps the low-lives in his sinkhole in place. You can expect a bonus coming your way for this."

"Always a pleasure doing business with you, sir." Spider-Man said. "If that is all, I'll be on my way."

"Wait." Fisk stopped Spider-Man, before telling him to move closer. "You've heard about what happened at the ceremony already?"

"News spreads fast this day." Spider-Man simply stated to Fisk.

"Then you know that Stark has made a fool out of me today." Fisk stated with clear anger. "What right does he have, to take away what is rightfully mine? He didn't donate a dime in five years to the city, and now he thinks he can just do it, all for good PR?"

"More than likely, he just wanted to upstage you." Spider-Man offered his version. "Everyone knows Wilson Fisk is New York's greatest contributors, and if there is one thing that Stark can't stand, is being upstaged by anyone in anything."

"You are right… Perhaps it is time to teach man a lesson in humility, and what happens when they think themselves untouchable." Fisk stated, as he began to consider his options. "He guards his Armor's secrets too well, and it would bring too much heat…"

"If I may offer?" Peter spoke up, with Fisk nodding. "Stark's power and status comes from his money, something that his family has spent centuries collecting, and he thinks is beyond anyone's reach. You want to humiliate and humble him – hit him where it really hurts, his purse."

"You are proposing robbing him?" Fisk asked. "Do you think his Tower is protected any less than his armor?"

"I am not talking about his wall safe. I am talking about Stark's personal bank, 1st Manhattan Gold Bank." Spider-Man stated, with Fisk intrigued by it. "Stark keeps most of his liquid and hard reserves in that very bank, famous for never been robbed and regarded as local Fort Knox. Deprive him of that money, and see how his vanity and vapid personal evaporate."

"And do you think you can pull this off alone?" Fisk asked of Spider-Man.

"Not alone. I will require certain freedom of action for this one, and a starting capital, to recruit necessary specialists for this." Spider-Man said. "But it is very possible, if you are willing to consent to it." Fisk took a few moments to consider it, before making his decision.

"Do it." Fisk stated, with Peter smiling behind his mask, knowing his plan was progressing apace.

Welp, poor Daredevil has found himself at a wrong place and time, though he did get way this time with his life, and we also have Helena's contact. And Spider-Man is about to make his grand debut to the public in the dastardliest and spectacular fashion as all classic villains do – robbing the Bank! I do know this basically a filler chapter, but I hope you'll forgive me for it.

Also, I have read you comments, and have decided to change the name and adjust description, since Peter is now more than just Spider-Man, to better reflect it.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter and will share your opinion in the reviews, as well as make suggestions on various topics. Who do you think Peter should include in his heist crew? Which hero will try to stop him? Offer up your suggestions, and reasons for it.

See ya next time!