Chapter six (PA)

**Authors Note: I'd like to thank Marvel, Marvel Cinematic Universe wiki and Springfieldspringfield, a transcript website.**

## **November, 3rd, 2015.**

Percy's new relationship with Natasha was going well and they had been on a lot of dates. They were really getting to know each other, which included the biblical definition of the word. Percy could really see himself eventually being her husband though, and was looking forward to that. They had a lot in common, Natasha and Percy. He didn't judge her and she didn't judge him, though Percy had only described his victims as 'the kind of people HYDRA would hire,' which was true and they did hire many of them.

Natasha had chosen to accompany him to visit his cousin Frank, who was recently outed as the Punisher. Percy wasted no time in healing him and waking him up.

"How's life, cuz?" Percy asked in amusement.

"Painful," Frank replied. "You healed me?"

"Yeah. Couldn't stand looking at your uglied up mug any longer." Percy replied, to Frank and Natasha's amusement. "This is my girlfriend, Natasha. Natasha, this is my cousin Frank... a brother of my ex."

"Nice to meet you," Frank replied, a greeting which Natasha returned.

"I looked into your families murder recently and you'll likely be pleased to know they're in Elysium now... it's not ideal, but they can be kinda happy there. I've dug into the DA's past while you were healing and she put a DNR on you and the shooting was a sting operation to catch a drug lord who calls himself the Blacksmith. I've gathered evidence and a few testimonies, but we need to stall and form back-up plans... I'm assuming that you still want blood."

"I want to get out of here and kill that bitch," Frank replied.

"I didn't hear that, but since you don't have a plan; ruining her reputation, life, and name would help. Foreplay makes everything better and it would hurt her much worse than simply killing her. To truly ruin her, we need to stall until more evidence can be gathered and you'll need legal council... she intends to extradite you and have you executed in Delaware. She just needs to tie you to those killings that occurred around the same time."

"I'd still go to prison," Frank pointed out.

"Prisons can be escaped from. Unfortunately the governor won't be issuing pardons..."

"No shit," was Frank's reply.

"Yeah, he's not corrupt. I was surprised." Percy replied.

"So stall, but I'm going to prison anyway?"

"Yes, but an enemy will be ruined in the process and shift public opinion to view you as sympathetic figure who was getting justice the only way available. If we can time it right then the jury could sympathize with you. The room isn't being properly watched by the way and I can give you another option... I can bless you with the physical abilities of the average Olympian male. It would aid in your escape and future war."

"Maybe another time. I like a good fight."

Percy nodded, but was visibly displeased. "You've got the lawyers of Nelson and Murdock coming in soon. They're willing to be your lawyers and I suggest you accept. I'll foot the bill, they're easy to afford lawyers."

"Yeah. That inspires confidence." Frank replied.

"Try recognizing Murdock's voice if you can." Percy replied.

Sure enough, they were led into the room.

"Frank Castle," Murdock greeted. "My name is Matthew Murdock. These are my associates, Franklin Nelson and Karen Page."

"Yeah. I know who you are. You protect shitbags."

"We came here today to make you an offer. We don't want money for our services, we're not interested in fame or free advertising. Weren't even assigned to your case. We don't have to be here. But you take a quick look around, you'll notice we're the only lawyers who are. As you may well know, your list of enemies extends well beyond the gangs you've killed. You're very good at making powerful enemies. And the day you were admitted to Metro-General for the round you took to the head, a do-not-resuscitate order was placed on you. And a shoot-to-kill order, just a few days ago. We know, because we heard it given. These orders were issued by the District Attorney. And the fact that she's had it in for us ever since we started asking questions tells us we're on the right track. Someone in the DA's office wants you dead, Mr. Castle and we'd like to know why. Maybe even find out who's responsible for what happened to you. We're talking about your life, Mr. Castle. We can help you keep what's left of it."

Frank looked at Percy and sighed. "Alright, you two can represent me, but stall for as long as possible. My cousin is gathering evidence against Reyes to ruin her. I'm going to prison or dying, but I want that bitch's life ruined too."

"Do you know why she wants you dead?" Murdock asked.

"The massacre in the park was a failed sting targeting the drug lord who calls himself the Blacksmith... when that went south there was a shoot-out. An undercover cop was written off as John Doe and Gregory Tapper was ordered to cover it up." Percy replied.

And then Samantha Reyes entered the room and tried ordering Murdock, Nelson, and Page out, and then tried ordering Percy and Natasha out.

"Uh, we have a little bit of business here left."

"Frank Castle already has counsel. So, unless you've asked the public defender for permission to speak to his client, you are in violation of New York legal ethics."

"We spoke to the PD this morning. To be honest, he doesn't seem all that prepared to tackle this case. Although, he did mention the conversation that you had with him yesterday."

"Furthermore, I'm Frank's cousin and I won't have him under defended by an amateur lawyer who only wants to lick his mistresses boots."

"Matt Murdock, is it?" Reyes asked.

"Yeah, pleasure to meet you." Murdock replied.

"Mmm-hmm. You have a reputation of being a smart man, Mr. Murdock. And since your colleagues seem unable to grasp the hornets' nest they keep kicking, let me direct this at you. Leave this ward, leave this man, leave this entire case behind before you wake up six feet under the ash that was your reputation and promising legal career."

"We have a right to a private conversation with a prospective client."

"Not if there's a conflict of interest."

"And what conflict is that?"

"Elliot Grote. You can't represent Castle when one of his victims was your former client."

"Alleged victims."

"All the same."

"Representing Grotto might have complicated matters, but then again, all evidence of our work with him and our deal with you seems to have disappeared from public record. It's almost as if someone didn't want it known that you violated a witpro contract, jeopardized the safety of said witness, and then ordered a shoot-to-kill on Castle. But I guess Ms. Reyes could just confess to that when she files this conflict of interest complaint. We have our case files to back up our story. How's your side looking? The fact of the matter is, Ms. Reyes, the only person who shouldn't be here right now is you. Seeing as it's a breach of ethics for the prosecuting attorney to communicate with the defendant without his assigned legal counsel present. So, if you'll excuse us, we'd like to resume convincing Mr. Castle that, unlike his current legal counsel, we can actually help him."

"You already have," Frank said.

"And how are you related to Mr. Castle? All of his family is dead." Reyes said, trying to attack on that front.

"His mortal family is, but his divine family isn't. They seemed quite angry when they learned about the fates of Frank's family. All of those involved are being tortured in the Underworld right now... for eternity. A truly horrible fate... my uncle Hades has several millennia of experience at devising new tortures, but it was those that hurt children that suffer the worst." Reyes began to look nervous and fearful, but was still hiding it well. "Sucks for them, huh?"

"I-i have to go."

She and her people left the room.

Percy snorted in amusement. "Anyway, I'll transfer the money into your account. Don't worry about the amount, you'll end up earning it." Percy said, transferring 200,000 USD into their account.

"It's worse than I thought. Thirty-seven separate murder charges. What about you? Uh, 98 lesser I mean, felony assault, burglary, criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment. Any number of criminal mischief charges."

"Damn, Frank. I thought you were killing people seriously, not doing it as a hobby." Percy replied, amusing Frank and Natasha.

"Not all of us can lift millions of tons and move at inhuman speeds, kid."

"It can be arranged..." Percy said suggestively.

"Maybe later."

"You could take down entire teams of Special Forces..." Frank looked interested by the idea.

"I need to go meet with Reyes," Foggy said.

"Remember to stall," Percy said. "Rehash, clarify, waste every second that you can without exposing your intentions. If you lose the case then you can take credit for taking down Reyes as compensation. That should get you a great deal many more clients."

"The 200,000 should cover it," Foggy said in humor.

"You're taking a risk here; a small one given what we already have on Reyes, but I will still insure that your firms efforts are properly rewarded." Percy replied.

Foggy left the room, leaving behind Percy, Natasha, Karen, and Frank.

"Percy, go ahead and give me those abilities," Frank said, to Karen's concern.

"About time. I've got a couple other little surprises too." Percy, said before warding the door and crossing the tape. Percy blessed Frank with the basic abilities of the Olympian gods and then much greater strength and durability, greater reflexes, and added the ability to innately master weapons by merely using them once. "Made you stronger and more durable than most male Olympians and I improved your innate ability to master weapons with something that I learned from my enemies."

Frank looked impressed and accidentally freed himself, causing Percy to sigh before repairing the restraints. "You'll learn to control it better with time. Just try not to have sex or fight anyone that you're trying to keep alive. I can also add a spell for intent-based control until you adjust."

Frank wanted that added before they increased his restraints.

**One hour later...**

"It's your lucky day, Mr. Castle."

"The six Dogs of Hell gang members you wiped out in Delaware? Won't be an issue anymore. Delaware doesn't have the evidence to charge and extradite, so the death penalty is officially off the table. But Reyes also wanted three life sentences without the possibility of parole. But as the Nelson in Nelson and Murdock, I got her down to one, with the possibility of parole in 25 years. That's the good news."

"And the bad?" Karen Page asked.

"She wouldn't budge on protective custody. He's gonna have to be in general pop." Foggy said.

"Uh, no, that's bullshit. All right? He'll be... He'll be surrounded by criminals, people out for his blood."

"Sounds like a party," Frank said and Percy agreed.

"You could reduce their costs a lot by killing all the scumbags too. I know that all that killing would just break your heart..." Percy said.

"No doubt you can handle yourself, but I think Reyes is betting on the gangs here. Legally, though? I think this is the best possible deal we're gonna make right now. So I recommend you take it, but I'm sure that you intend to keep stalling Reyes."

"Damn right," Frank agreed.

"Okay," Foggy said with a sigh. "So, when the judge and Reyes come in all you have to do is say four simple words. 'Not guilty, Your Honor.' And we'll go to trial and ruin Reyes."

"Can do."

**Later...**

"Case number 4854, The People v. Frank Castle. Do you waive the reading of the charges?"

"No, Your Honor."

"All right, then." They began listing every crime Castle had committed that they knew about.

"How does the defendant plead?"

"I plead not guilty. You hear that, witch? I'm gonna watch you burn right along with me. You hear me?" Frank said.

"Counselor, please control your client."

"Do you hear me?"

"I'm sorry, Your Honor."

"The defendant has entered a plea of not guilty."

"Due to the nature and severity of the crimes he is accused of, bail is denied. A court date will be set upon consultation with the DA's office. We are adjourned."

"I don't like this stall strategy, but the evidence and money is worth it," Foggy said in irritation. "Trial of the century. We need to find Matt before this goes wide. Tell him everything's about to begin."

"Counselors, over 400 potential jurors have come through this courtroom. So I should tell you, if you can't agree to move forward with the 12 men and women selected, I will make this trial a living hell for all of you."

"Your Honor, New York hasn't seen a trial this divisive and this public in years. Finding an impartial jury is not easy. Everybody has an opinion about Frank Castle." Foggy said.

"It's New York, Mr. Nelson. Everybody has an opinion about everything." Judge Batzer said. "Ms. Reyes, is the prosecution satisfied with its jury panel?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"And the defense, Mr. Nelson?"

"Uh, yes, Your Honor, we are." Foggy replied.

"Thank Christ," Judge Batzer said. "The trial of The People of New York v. Frank Castle is now in session."

"Today, of all days I mean, he said he'd be late, but this is ridiculous. Foggy, what is going on with him?" Karen asked.

"All rise. Court is now in session, the Honorable Judge Cynthia Batzer presiding. Indictment number 1986-4447, The People v. Frank Castle. Be seated."

"Looks like you're a man down."

"Ms. Reyes, are the People ready to begin opening statements?"

"More than ready, Your Honor."

"Should we be worried? I mean, there's no way Matt misses this, right?"

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury Frank Castle brutally tortured and murdered 30 people. Thirty that we know of. He took the law into his own hands. Acted as judge, jury, and most violent executioner. And you will hear that the defendant's victims were criminals but the victims are not on trial here today, and justice does not belong in the hands of a man like Frank Castle. This isn't the Wild West. Justice is served here in a court of law. And it is up to each of you to take back the city from lawless vigilantes like Frank Castle. This man is no hero. He's a serial killer. And he is guilty. Thank you."

"Uh, ladies and gentlemen of the jury the defendant, Frank Castle, is not sorry. Um Mr. Castle is as much a victim." Nelson began, trying to get his bearings.

"Okay, so you're 19 standing in hot sand sun burning down noise yelling, gunfire the only thing that you know for sure is that you're surrounded by an enemy that wants you dead. But you do it. You endure it. Why? Because you have orders. And you have a duty. And also because your life doesn't end here. You have people you love waiting at home. Because aside from being a decorated marine the man before you is a good husband and an excellent father. Frank Castle returned from the hell of war wanting nothing more than to pick up his life. But his wife, young son and daughter were brutally murdered by criminals, and no one, not the police and certainly not the District Attorney stepped up to make it right. See, Frank Castle never came home. He just traded in one war zone for another. This trial isn't about vigilantes. It's about the failure of the justice system. And how one man, Frank Castle, is being used as a pawn to cover up that system's mistakes. The prosecution wants blood. But as the judge just said to get it, they have to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. So all I'm asking of you today keep an open mind. That's all, Your Honor."

"Prosecution, call your first witness."

"Yes, Your Honor."

And then Matt Murdock finally showed up.

With both lawyers on point they easily ripped Samantha Reyes and her reputation apart. Gregory Tepper confessed to forging a death certificate to list a dead cop as a John Doe and exposed Reyes as the one who coerced him to do that and falsify the reports on the Castle family. Tepper was discarded and both he and Reyes were taken into custody.

Everything was going well and Wilson Fisk had revealed though a pawn that he had some information about who killed Frank's family, and Frank was going to confess anyway, so he agreed to go to Ryker's. Thankfully the pre-planned confession wouldn't change.

Reyes would soon be destroyed and Frank had what he wanted on that front so he would get himself sent to Ryker's earlier than planned.

"Your, uh Your Honor? Can I say something?"

"You may."

"You know those, uh those people? The ones I put down, the people I killed? I want you to know that I'd do it all again. This is a circus, all right? It's a charade, it's an act. It's bullshit about how crazy I am."

"Language."

"I ain't crazy! I'm not crazy. Okay? I know what I did. I know who I am. I'm smack-dab in the middle of my right damn mind, and any scumbag, any any lowlife, any maggot piece of shit that I put down, I did it because I liked it!

"Order!"

"Hell, I loved it! I killed all those murderers, rapists, pedophiles, drug dealers, and thugs because no one would! Your cops, detectives, lawyers and judges can be bought off. Your departments and agencies get infiltrated by traitors and spied on because you're all weak! Your civilians playing at being soldiers in a war where innocent people are the collateral damage! I made more progress with my methods than any of you little pricks did!"

"Remove the witness!"

"Those fuckers terrorize the streets and I killed them just like I did the other shitbags! That's how you beat crime!" Frank said as he was drug from the court room.

Frank got what he wanted though and Samantha Reyes would later be disbarred and go to trial with her soon being sentenced to years in prison. Frank would later escape Ryker's Island and kill the worst of the inmates... thousands of corrupt and evil bastards; guards, staff, and inmates. He single handedly purged the prison of corruption.

Percy was *very* impressed by Frank's improved fighting ability.

## **December 15th, 2015.**

Percy was currently tracking Peter Parker, also known as 'Spider-Man' to the public. That kid was going to get himself killed and possibly his entire family, so Percy decided to intervene and hopefully give him other options or better equipment so that he didn't end up dead in a gutter somewhere after watching everyone he loved get slaughtered.

Percy found Peter minutes later and remotely teleported Parker to himself, causing Peter to appear from where he was in an alley.

"Hello, Peter Parker, or do you prefer Spider-Man?" Percy said, as Parker looked around in shock and confusion. Peter noticed Percy, and quickly recognized him as Perseus of the Avengers.

"Why did you bring me here?" Peter asked, removing his mask.

"To either convince you to quit super-heroics or accept some help, so that you don't die a broken person in a gutter somewhere when you eventually fight someone that you can't beat." Percy said, to Parker's annoyance.

"Your pep talks suck, a lot."

"I'm being realistic, Parker. The battle that I lost was a city falling on top of me, not all losses are that epic and awesome." Percy replied, causing Peter to smile. "I could just as easily be a super-villain who brought you here to kill you, or kill your aunt: May Parker, or your best friend: Ned Leeds. You need to realize that your actions can cause the deaths of those you care about. The question you need to ask yourself is this: are you willing to take that risk and can you protect all the people that you care about? Bear in mind that it took me ten minutes to discover your identity and five more to profile your life and know about your family and friends."

Percy just noticed that Parker looked horrified.

"I just wanted to make a difference! I was given these powers for a reason and I have to use them to help others, because I have the power to, and if I don't, then what happens is partly my fault for not not doing what I can to help." Peter replied heatedly.

"Do you force criminals to commit their crimes, Parker?" Percy asked in annoyance.

"No!"

"Then how is it your fault? No one has the right to ask you to sacrifice everything for others. It's a personal choice and generally ends in misery, loneliness, and regret."

"I'm not gonna stop! You can't make me!" Parker replied, causing Percy to laugh somewhat evilly and scare the kid.

"I could easily make you!" Percy replied in amusement. "I could expose you to your aunt, the police, your enemies, I could even kill you, and I could even lock you in a prison! I could strip you of your powers! You didn't think your heroics through at all. Your lovely aunt could be extorted too!" Peter looked concerned.

"But it's your choice and the consequences are on you too. That said, I won't have you running around in a onesie where you can get shot, stabbed, or blown to pieces. So... let's design you a suit that won't get you mocked." Percy stood from where he was sitting.

"You're gonna make me a suit?!" Parker asked excitedly, ignoring the onesie comment, as Percy lead him to his lab.

"Yes. I'll keep the tech minimal to help you grow but still stay protected. You're still young and might want to design your own in the future. Plus tech can be a crutch and prevent you from honing your innate skills to do the same thing.

Percy unlocked his lab; all four security measures, and then both Percy and Peter entered.

"Awesome!" Parker said, looking at all of Percy's inventions.

"Yes, I am, but let's just focus on creating you a suit." Percy said, with an amused smile. Parker nodded in reply, so Percy continued. "I was thinking a synthetic Vibranium mesh in your suit to make it damn near-indestructible and even augment your physical abilities further. A scanner and sensor set up to help you be aware of all threats. From what I've observed, the tensile strength of your webbing is incredible, but I will provide you with a blend for Hulk-like threats and falling sky-scrapers and a more compact version of web-shooters. I'll also include tech-based psychic shielding, of course, and some Stealth/Camouflage, temperature control with a built in heater, anti-theft stuff, and communications."

"That sounds cool. Can you really put all of that in a suit?" Peter asked, and Percy snorted in amusement.

"Very easily. Do you want to control the suit with your mind?" Percy asked in reply. "You'll also get some technopathic abilities and an enhanced intellect in the process."

"What does the process involve?" Parker asked, nervously. He obviously didn't like that it was a mystery process, and Percy approved of his suspicion.

"A small injection of nano-tech serum to the cervical nerves, slightly painful, but it's well worth it and there is little risk involved. The worst that could happen is that someone eventually finds a way to deactivate it and then it would need to be re-activated or re-installed." Percy noticed Peter was still indecisive. "Given that the injection is focused into two things, the gains on the intellect enhancement would be immense, and help you balance your public and private life more easily."

"Okay," Peter finally replied, after thinking it over for an entire minute.

"I'll retrieve the serum from one of my vaults, after setting up the suit fabrication, and some low-tech back up suits and back ups of your other equipment for you." Percy said, while typing at superhuman speeds.

"So will I get to be an Avenger?" Peter finally asked. Percy was waiting for him to ask that.

"Maybe when you turn eighteen and you can legally become such. There are laws against recruiting those under the age of eighteen and I despise those who use child soldiers. The UN and several other politicians are also working on something called the Sokovia Accords and intend to register all heroes and enhanced on a list for control, tracking, and possibly even elimination. I advise you to guard your identity well... the Avengers are likely gonna split. Rhodes is a government lapdog, Tony has PTSD and survivors guilt, and Vision is a robotic minion."

"Can they do that?" Parker asked naively.

"Not legally, but that's never stopped governments before. Now, I need to go retrieve a dose of the serum. I'll be back in minute or two, but don't touch my stuff while I'm gone." Percy said, before teleporting into his vault.

Percy walked through it, ignoring all of his other toys; battle-suits, weapons, potions, serums, magical objects, books, and walked directly to the Extremis section. Percy grabbed a small dose and teleported back out.

Percy arrived and saw Parker patiently waiting.

"Ready to become a technopath?" Percy asked, while preparing the injection.

"Yeah. Will this also make me smarter than Tony Stark?" Parker asked, to Percy's amusement.

"It might make you even smarter than Hank Pym or Reed Richards, and they are both immensely more intelligent, and far more mature and wise than Tony Stark. Granted, you would have to invest the time to learn and master the desired fields." Percy replied. "Now, have a seat and I'll give you the injection."

Parker obeyed and he was fully injected a minute later.

"When your main suit is done, you'll need to experiment with it to learn control. My computer systems are impregnable to technopathic attacks, so you can't practice here." Percy said, and Parker seemed to accept that without complaint. "Your high-tech suit should be ready in an hour, but your low-tech suits should be ready in twenty minutes."

**One hour later...**

Peter's suits were all finally finished and Percy teleported him to near his home with all of his new gear.

Percy teleported back to the Avengers facility.

Percy arrived outside and entered the building, already noticing the Avengers hanging out.

"Hey, Percy," Natasha said, as Percy entered.

"Hey," Percy returned, before discreetly adding. "Sorry about my absence, I had to stage an intervention that failed."

"Oh?" Natasha asked with an amused smile.

"That Spider-Man is actually more of a Spider-Boy. He's actually a super-powered teenage boy, who was until recently fighting crime in what is basically a onesie." Percy replied, causing her to laugh. "He wouldn't back down, not even if I told his aunt, so I ended up giving him a suit with trackers on it. It'll keep him alive and will help him grow, at least until he's eighteen and can be seriously considered for recruitment to the Avengers. I figured that I would keep his identity secret until he's eighteen... with what's going on in the shadows that might just save his life."

Natasha agreed with that logic. Already the Avengers were beginning to divide to the pro-Accords factions disadvantage. Tony had been keeping everyone quiet on it, claiming that it would die down and that it would fail. Percy was waiting until 2016 to start his fight against it. He would be coming in late, but he should have enough time. If not... then Percy would destroy all those who would illegally deprive people of their rights and freedom.

**So, I changed Frank's speech a little to better paint the "I had no other option narrative" ... Opinions?**