Someone's going to get hurt...

This...This is a stick up!

There’s not many valid arguments for this type of procedure. Most of the time it was destined to failure. A lot of the time it ended with one or more wounds in places that generally should not be wounded. The only thing pushing our relentless villain to follow such a path was pride. Pride that had quite clearly been shattered and stepped upon. As much as he needed his teammates, he craved their support and reliability, he needed to be able to do it himself...on his own. That’s what this was. This was a stick up. But it didn’t just happen like this...



The alarm clock buzzed. It did it every morning. And despite hoping otherwise, it didn’t ever not buzz. It buzzed at 6:45 every morning. Every morning it buzzed and two men awoke. Two very different men. Two men worlds apart, yet with more similarities than either cared to imagine.

“Figures. Just one day, just one day where I don’t have to get up and do the same shit. You couldn’t just give me one different day could yah?”

David Dixon tossed the blankets off of himself, baring his skin to the cold morning air. For a second he contemplated pulling the sheets back over himself and going to sleep and hoping to not wake up. But he had responsibilities. He had a job which demanded his presence. Unfortunately for David Dixon, that job was acting as a security guard at the National Trust bank in the City. After his retirement from the force Dixon realized he had no method to care for himself. Being shot in the line of duty only paid so much and Dixon needed more to live, more to cover his habits. So he took a degrading job and walked in with a smile on his face every day. Much like another man.



Leon rose from his bed, 6:45. He looked around for a second, a smile immediately creeping across his lips. Today was a day he was glad the alarm went off. It meant everything that happened the night before was real. It meant he had escaped by the skin of his teeth, and it meant that there was a problem that needed an immediate solution.

Shit, Shit, Shit! Too close, too close, too close! That guy came way to close last night. Way to close for that to happen again. I had him and I almost let him slip away. I did let him slip away until fate intervened. But this only means one thing. I have to be better. I have to do it on my own. I’ve let my time with my partners weakened me. I rely on them. I trust them. And for that I almost got myself killed. I almost lost my self and my life. I almost lost it all.

The cylinder of the prized magnum spun in Leon’s hand, loaded as always. With a scream Leon fired two shots into the mirror at the end of his bed, the glass reflection of himself shattering to pieces and crashing to the floor.

It’s time I start again. Time to get back to basics. Time to do this on my own, to prove that I am still at the top. The small guy at the top of the food chain. It’s time to prove the lengths I will go to and the madness I will cause...it’s time.



“It’s time Mr. Dixon. Let’s open up this Bank.”

“Yes sir Mr. Carlisle.”

The steel grating placed in front of the door slid back, clicking as each bar folded upon itself. The first rays of the morning sun shone directly through the now open door, illuminating the artwork and architecture of the near century old bank. Blinded temporarily Security Officer Dixon raised his eyes to cover the light.

“Gah, that gets me every time.”

“Someday you’ll bring sunglasses and avoid this problem.”

“Someday Mr. Carlisle, someday.”



The numerous narrow halls and back doors within the dwelling of HavOc housed many things. Things that would make the insides of a normal man turn. Things that were not normally the sound of tears from a small child. However on this particular morning that sound was heard. By everyone. It’s a distinct noise, not quite a man, but not quite a child either. It was this noise that initially stirred Leon from his abnormally morose state. Not one to knock wait for approval to enter Leon merely kicked in the door to the room and began staring towards the crying boy.

Ahh young Joseph, I was hoping it was you. I hadn’t thought I had kidnapped a child and I wasn’t really looking forward to that surprise. Well I’m glad it’s just you.

“Unka Leon?”

Um, yes Jo-Jo?

Normally the voice of a child was nails on the chalk board to Leon, but Joseph, the hell-spawn of his friend Colby, had grown on him.

“When is Daddy coming home? You all came home last night and he didn’t.”

Joseph I-

“He’s not coming home is he?”

No that’s not it. Your Dad just got a little hurt and he is going to be sleeping for awhile. We have to make sure that he is okay, so he has to rest.

“When can I see him?”

I’m not sure if that’s a good idea right now Jo-Jo.

It was those eyes. The same gray eyes as his father. They looked back at Leon, staring through to his soul. He couldn’t say no to those eyes, he couldn’t hurt this child.

Here’s the deal big guy. You come with Uncle Leon and Uncle Massimo and we will go and visit your Dad okay?

It was all he needed to hear, instantly Joseph’s hand slid into Leon and gripped it tight. The smile of malice normally found on Leon’s face was replaced by one of joy, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

I seem to be here way too often lately.

“You say something smiley?”

No, no it’s nothing. Seems weird, seeing Colby at peace.

Leon simply stared at his friend who lay crippled in the hospital bed. He knew it wasn’t good, he knew there wasn’t much to be done and he knew he would have his vengeance some day. There was no point in rushing it, good things come to those who wait after all.

C’mon let’s go, I have things I need to go. Let Joseph stay with our fine feathered friend here, I’ll have Chuckles pick him up later.