Chapter 25: New Safe House with The Punisher
"So everyone inside was a criminal, and you're hunting down your family's killers?"
Ryan released Frank's ankle, but the Punisher turned and began walking away without response.
Classic Frank Castle behavior.
Ryan called after the retreating figure. "If you want real revenge—if you want to find the puppet masters behind your family's murder—I can help you."
Frank stopped mid-stride, then turned back to face Ryan.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he growled.
Ryan shrugged casually. "Exactly what I said. I can help you."
"How?"
Frank's tone suggested he thought Ryan was the one seeking assistance rather than offering it.
Capable people often suffered from overconfidence—like Steve Rogers dismissing Ryan as a threat, only to get thoroughly beaten down.
Rather than answer directly, Ryan walked over to a steel support pipe mounted against the alley wall.
With minimal effort, he wrenched it free from its brackets, then began kneading the metal like clay until it formed a compressed ball in his palm.
No normal human could accomplish such a feat. Frank stared in amazement.
Ryan smiled slightly. "Convinced?"
Frank considered for a moment. "How do I contact you?"
"You don't—unless you follow me right now."
Without another word, Frank fell into step behind Ryan as they disappeared deeper into Hell's Kitchen's maze of alleys.
Wilson Fisk had just concluded his meeting with Madame Gao of the Hand.
The negotiations had proceeded smoothly—the Hand would cease their investigation into Ryan's activities in exchange for a portion of the enhancement serum once completed.
Fisk's strategy was straightforward: use Ryan to enhance his own capabilities first, then leverage that advantage to control the scientist and create an army of super soldiers under his command.
By the time Fisk finished dealing with Madame Gao, Ryan's situation had drastically changed.
The penthouse laboratory had been sealed by federal agents, and Ryan had vanished without a trace.
A frustrated Wilson Fisk returned to his residence, switched on the lights, and moved to his liquor cabinet to pour a generous whiskey.
When he turned around, he found two figures sitting on his living room sofa—one of them Ryan.
"Thank God you're alive. And this is...?" Fisk's gaze shifted to the blood-covered man beside him.
Ryan continued typing on a laptop without looking up. "Don't worry about him. Let's discuss your situation."
Wilson Fisk knew Ryan was referring to the Hand negotiations.
"I spoke with the Hand leadership. They've agreed to cease their interference with your work."
"That's it?" Ryan finally looked up from his screen.
Fisk shifted uncomfortably. "Ryan, the Hand represents one of my most valuable partnerships, as do you. This puts me in a difficult position. They lost two operatives, while you suffered no real losses. Perhaps we should consider the matter settled?"
Ryan frowned, contemplating the response. After a moment, his expression relaxed.
"I understand."
He neither agreed nor refused, but the Hand had just earned a permanent spot on Ryan's elimination list.
Frank observed the exchange silently, finding the dynamic strange but choosing not to interfere.
Ryan closed his laptop and continued. "The laboratory is compromised. I need you to locate a more secure facility, preferably in a different borough. Also, I'll need equipment procurement handled through out-of-state vendors to avoid detection."
Now that S.H.I.E.L.D. had discovered his operation, they'd likely monitor all related supply chains and equipment purchases.
What Ryan needed most was uninterrupted time to complete his genetic enhancement project.
"Absolutely. Leave it to me," Wilson Fisk replied, immediately calling Wesley.
His right-hand man was remarkably efficient, locating a suitable hideout within hours.
After receiving the address, Ryan departed Fisk's residence with Frank and his precious serum samples.
As they walked through Hell's Kitchen's streets, Frank suddenly spoke. "That guy back there—he's planning to betray you."
Ryan smiled knowingly. "Of course he is. But I need his resources for now, so I'm playing along."
He turned to face Frank directly. "Frank, when you possess absolute power, all schemes and conspiracies become as fragile as wet paper."
"Maybe you're right, but I prefer handling things my own way."
They navigated Hell's Kitchen's labyrinthine streets until reaching a concealed semi-underground entrance.
Opening the reinforced door revealed a staircase descending into darkness.
Frank explored the lower levels and returned with his assessment. "Two-story basement, completely isolated. First priority should be getting beds and basic living supplies."
Ryan was pleased with the location's security. "Mind handling the shopping? I'll focus on the research."
"What about you?" Frank asked.
"Obviously, I'll be working on making you stronger as quickly as possible."
The Avengers hadn't even assembled yet—this was Ryan's optimal development window. He planned to create enough problems elsewhere to keep S.H.I.E.L.D. occupied and off his trail.
Starting the next day, Frank made regular supply runs, always purchasing for two people, clearly committed to their partnership.
The laboratory equipment arrived three days later via Fisk's out-of-state contacts.
Ryan planned to analyze Frank's blood composition before administering a preliminary enhancement.
Having used Captain America's serum formula on Wilson Fisk, he intended to test Jessica Jones's enhancement compound on Frank to compare the results.
Frank watched Ryan insert the blood draw needle and asked, flexing his fist, "Did you enhance yourself the same way?"
"Similar process, different source material."
Both Wilson Fisk and Frank would receive gene-modifying compounds derived from enhanced human serums, but Ryan's situation was fundamentally different.
Ryan had used the Eternal genetic code from Thanos's blood to rewrite his own DNA structure.
Simply put, Steve Rogers, Jessica Jones, Wilson Fisk, and Frank would remain enhanced humans, while Ryan was potentially becoming a true Eternal.
Transforming humans into Eternals was supposedly only possible for the Celestials themselves.
Thinking of the Celestials reminded Ryan of the sleeping Celestial Tiamut and the ten Eternals the Celestials had sent to Earth.
Lost in thought for several seconds, Frank's irritated voice snapped him back to reality.
"Hey! Are you trying to drain me completely dry?"
Ryan offered an apologetic look. "Extra blood samples ensure better experimental preparation. The enhancement will be more effective."
"Really? Because I'm starting to feel dizzy," Frank said, his voice slightly unsteady.
End of Chapter 25
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