I Am Kingpin

I Am Kingpin

Mr. Stark was a proud man. When he heard that there was a problem with the Vampire Countermeasure System he'd designed, he immediately drove over. A fine example of a modern entrepreneur.

Director Fury and Agent Coulson sat in the Restaurant, feeling rather uneasy. They never expected Alvin to take down one of the Vampire Clan's bigwigs over a disagreement. Now he and JJ were stabbing Count Dracula in the stomach with a little silver table knife.

Judging by Count Dracula's ugly, moon-surface face, now that he'd recovered a bit, he probably wouldn't show his face again until he'd gotten major plastic surgery.

The restless young Nick hopped around on one leg, peering at Count Dracula. Every so often, he tried to borrow Remington from his old man so he could shoot the count, too. A vampire! If he could shoot one, he'd be able to brag about it for the rest of the semester.

Frank watched his son with a troubled look. It was like looking at a future Tony Stark. I don't have billions for you to inherit. When you grow up, plenty of people are going to want to beat you up. What are you going to do then?

Jessica and Ginny were both doing fine. After Count Dracula was disfigured, Jessica never looked at him again. She was busy sorting out the things they'd smashed so she could throw them away tomorrow. Little Ginny had no other thoughts on her mind. Sitting on a Bar Stool behind the Bar Counter, she rested her chin in her hands and watched Alvin with admiration, cheering him on with little fists every so often.

Alvin tossed the little table knife in his hand to JJ. Looking at Count Dracula, he smiled and said, "Pardon me for asking, but what was it you wanted to do again?"

With his face battered and smoking, Count Dracula stared at Alvin defiantly. He bared his fangs and said, "You'll pay for what you did today. The price will haunt you for the rest of your life!"

Alvin's pupils contracted slightly. He smiled and said, "You have to be alive for me to regret anything, don't you? Do you think you'll survive the night?"

Count Dracula grinned viciously. "You wouldn't dare kill me. Killing me means humanity would be declaring war on the Vampire Clan. There'd be bloodshed—lots of it. You bastard, tell me your name. Before I tear you to pieces, I'll make you a gravestone and carve your dying confession into it!"

It seemed the proud Count Dracula hadn't remembered Alvin's introduction earlier.

Alvin smiled brightly and looked Count Dracula in the eye. "I'm the master of Hell's Kitchen. My name is Kingpin. I hope you'll remember it."

Director Fury and Agent Coulson felt a chill run through them. They'd better keep their distance from Alvin from now on. Getting too close to that guy really could get you killed.

Count Dracula grinned viciously. "I'll remember you, Kingpin." Then he fell silent. Even the Sun Lamp's effects could no longer draw a sound from him. The blow to his pride had been a hundred times worse than the damage to his body.

Once the room had quieted down, Director Fury slowly walked over, his expression grave. "I'm afraid you really can't kill him. He's an important figure in the Vampire Clan. We can't risk starting a war just to get rid of this guy."

Alvin glanced sideways at Director Fury. "He's coming after me, and you won't let me kill him. You want me to wait until he's healed so he can come after me again?" He poked Director Fury in the chest. "Director Fury, you're making me question where your loyalties lie."

Director Fury looked at Alvin and said solemnly, "The Vampire Clan has existed for nearly a thousand years. What do you think has kept them from being wiped out?"

Alvin tilted his head and thought for a moment. "Maybe it's the stupidity of people like you that's let this race of bloodsuckers survive to this day. Or are you just afraid of them?"

Director Fury took a deep breath, holding back his anger. He'd received more insults today than he had in the past ten years.

"I can't explain it to you, Alvin. S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't afraid of anyone or anything. We're worried about the consequences! He can't die while I'm here today. Maybe I can guarantee he won't bother you again."

Alvin looked at Director Fury, who was starting to grow anxious, and sneered. "Your guarantee? It isn't worth a penny to me. Maybe you should get the hell out of my Restaurant. For Frank's sake, I can wait until you're out the door before I chop him up."

"Chop up who?" an anxious voice called from the doorway. Stark, looking disheveled, barged in.

The first thing he saw was Count Dracula's disfigured face. Stark was so startled by the man's distinctive looks that he jumped back a little.

Stark looked at Alvin and quipped, "Wow, buddy. Could you be any more brutal? Why is it that every time I come over, I see something this horrifying?"

Director Fury glanced at Stark, then turned to Alvin. "I know you, Alvin. You're not an irresponsible man. Think about it: if war breaks out, how many innocent civilians will die because of your impulse? You've used your strength to protect three neighborhoods and let the people here live with dignity. But if war breaks out, they'll be the first to face the fighting. This is a race war, Alvin. Have you really thought this through?"

Alvin was tired of Director Fury's speech and said impatiently, "Then what do you want me to do? Let him go and wait for him to come after me? If I'm going to face retaliation anyway, how is that any different from war? This had nothing to do with me from the start. Your so-called vampire-management department screwed up and let those bastards run amok in New York."

Fury was getting so worked up that he started to sweat. He raised his voice. "I told you, I guarantee he won't come after you again. I can convince the Elder Council to put Count Dracula into a century-long sleep. I have that kind of authority."

Alvin gave him an amused smile. "I don't trust you, Nick Fury. I think you're treating me like a fool. I don't believe humanity can't deal with creatures that have such obvious weaknesses. Stop trying to persuade me with talk of war. It's pointless! And I'm out of patience."

Director Fury wiped every expression from his face and looked coldly around at everyone. In a low voice, he said, "Then I'll tell you the truth. But only you can know. We can talk outside."

The two men went out of the Restaurant and talked by the entrance for about twenty minutes before returning.

Alvin's face was dark as he sent the two children and Jessica upstairs.

He gave JJ a stern order. "Cut off his hands and feet, drain his blood, and pack him into a suitcase. Let our Director Fury take him back."

Then he turned to Nick Fury and stared at him, his voice ice-cold. "Warn them not to come into Hell's Kitchen or hang around me. And don't try to deceive me again, Director Nick Fury!"