- Advanced Stark Medical Facility -
A man remained strapped to his life support machine, scrolling through various documents on his laptop, all of which repeated to advanced fields of medicine, science, and technology.
Various cords and cables were attached to different parts of his body, keeping him alive. For as long as he could remember, this was his life: white walls, the smell of disinfectants, sterile equipment, filtered air, doctor's appointments, and nurses. That was all about to change today.
No more looking out the window and this white cage, today, if things went well he could finally begin living.
His train of thought was interrupted by a knock on the door of his room. "Hey, Arno, your uhm, the visitor is here." She said.
"I know, let him in." He replied without looking at her.
"Already here." Another voice answered him.
Arno looked up to see a young teen watching him with a lazy gaze.
"You're younger than I thought you 'd be," Arno smirked slightly. He had been communicating with this kid for the last few days, but the topics and depth of their discussions were too advanced, so he figured he was he had been speaking to someone much older. Turns out he was wrong.
"Says the dying corps." The teen rebuffed.
"Cheeky aren't you." he chuckled. He nodded at the nurse. " Thank you Maria, you can go now."
The nurse seemed reluctant. " You sure?"
Arno nodded.
The nurse's gaze shifted between the teen and the man before sighing softly. " If you need anything, I'll be right outside."
"Will do." Arno smiled as Maria left, closing the door behind her. " I read the files you sent, and I gotta say, I'm impressed. Blue Cypher is amazing. I'm assuming you accept my terms of the deal."
" It wasn't much. I figured you'd want something more than just a healthy body and a fuck tone of resources. I accept." The teen smiled. He moved close and held out a hand. "Peter Parker. Welcome to Babylon."
Arno reached out his right hand and held the teen's hand in a firm grip. " Arno Collins Carbonell, soon to be Greed of Babylon, A pleasure to meet you, boss. You and I are gonna change the world."
Arno would be discharged a few days later from his medical facility to be moved to a new one. The hospital would throw him a party for his discharge as he had spent thirty-seven of his forty-eight years of life living there.
…
- Japan -
(November 4 pm)
Three weeks after the Battle of New York.
A frail old man sat in his squeaking wheelchair on the balcony of his reclusive home, looking out onto the horizon, accompanied by the soft patting sounds of rainwater. Today, he was to meet the one who would be his salvation.
The world was as he knew it was changing, so many strange things were happening. There were alien enemies from beyond the stars, mortals who wielded the power of gods, and ancient shadows creeping into the light.
Ichiro Yashida was a practical and ambitious old man. In his one hundred and nine years of life, he had accomplished much, perhaps too much, but it wasn't enough. He needed more time, more than what his mortal body was willing and able to provide.
He wanted so much more, to do so much more. He wanted it all; if he could have it, he wanted the horizon and everything that was beyond it. Nothing was beyond his reach if only he had time.
If he had the strength for it, Japan would have been he's to take.
He was the CEO of a technology Zaibatsu, the largest one in the empire of Japan and one of the top ten tech companies in the world, yet it wasn't enough for him.
Science couldn't save him, his wealth and achievements meant nothing when faced with his human limitations, his mortality.
He once met a demon who was to be his salvation, but that demon stole the heart of her beloved granddaughter, Mariko, and they fled far from his reach. He sought to chase them out of desperation, such an action would have turned his son against him.
That, however, was a sacrifice he was willing to make out of necessity, for he found them, his family and heir, born from his flesh and blood, lacking. His children and his grandchildren were incapable of conceiving the future he envisioned for his family, the future of his legacy, the future of his people, and for his nation. Perhaps that was why the heavens deemed it not to be and gifted him with another path. A path that did not require a sacrifice in blood.
A month ago, his people came in contact with a being of artificial origins. A sentient mind, unlike anything his technological empire could achieve, something that should not exist in this era. Current projections for a functioning, fully realized Artificial Intelligence were decades away. Transference of human consciousness into an artificial container was a field of science he invested greatly in as one of the means to prolong his mortal life after all, so he, more than anyone, knew the implications of such a creature existing in the present era of science and technology.
Yet he conversed with such a being and what a conversation it was. It called itself Blue Cypher of Babylon and promised him eternity and so much more. It provided him with blueprints and plans of technology he thought improbable in the present era.
The additional designs it provided for his Silver Samurai armor made it a work of perfection and art. It took his breath away and stimulated his aging mind with new dreams.
He was no fool, he knew the implications of such an act by an unknown party. His investigations into the entity known as Babylon bore no fruit. It was almost as if they did not exist or if they were, they'd hidden themselves from the world thoroughly, a testament to their power if nothing else.
They wanted something in return; his support and servitude were the price. They promised him that his empire was his to do with as he pleased; they only sought his partnership in their endeavor, whatever it may be.
He sought proof of their claim of immortality and for his doubts, they sent an emissary. It was then that he saw he truth of their claim, it was then that he believed that they were indeed as powerful as they made themselves out to be, it was then that he witnessed eternity.
In a wonderful display of power, the emissary came to them as an enemy before making it known that he was only a messenger from Babylon.
The emissary named himself was Black Noir, a human that had no right to be called human, a man clad in white bandages and dressed in black reflecting his name.
The emissary fought his way through the Black Clan to reach him, but both his ninja and private militia did little to stop him. Even his Silver Samurai, a prototype without the adamantium frame and reinforced titanium hide, could not stop the emissary. When cut, he would bleed but heal, when riddled with bullet holes, his flesh knitted itself back together, when poisoned by Viper's most toxic venom, he recovered in seconds, when decapitated by his Silver Samurai, he merely regrew his head and tore the prototype Silver Samurai armor apart.
It was however Black Noir's presence that struck him, he could not forget it no matter how hard he tried. The emissary laid waste to his forces and walked right into his home, he saw it then, that putrid black miasma that irradiated from his being. His presence exuded death, his aura, his stench, it was death itself given form and flesh and those haunting yellow eyes.
That envoy was death incarnate.
As he sat there lamenting his life that was and what was to come, he saw a shadow flying closer over the horizon.
In the blink of an eye, a figure appeared in front of him, hovering in the air for a moment before lowering itself to the floor of his balcony.
Yashida was surprised, the leader of Babylon was a boy. His face had average American features and his complexion was soft. His eyes however betrayed his youthful appearance.
They were empty and stoic and told of someone who walked with death, yet they held a strange amused glint that also reflected his age. It was oddly fitting.
"It is you then, the one who leads Babylon," Yoshida said in a firm tone, his eyes scanning the boy, no young man's form in silent contemplation.
The young man didn't reply, he paused for a moment to observe him, his eyes stitching between an electric blue and dark brown then the world froze.
The color left the world bleaching the surroundings in grey, the birds over the horizon stopped flying and the rain stopped falling, each droplet freezing in space.
Black miasma bled into reality, and behind the boy came a different form- beautiful and pale, dark and cold with eyes of yellow that burned brighter than the stars. Its face was that of his wife. He could feel it like his soul was laid bare before this being.
Words could be used to describe what he felt at that moment; in fact, he doubted that human language was even capable of describing this, it was something one had to experience to know.
It left him bewildered.
Death watched with him mirth, and the old man found himself unable to move, unable to speak or do much of anything; if he was capable of it he might have wet himself. Tears streamed from him as he came face to face with the inevitable end he fought so hard against. Its spider-like limbs pulled it closer to the boy as it nuzzled against his cheek, hugging him from behind.
Death smiled dauntingly at him as if to remind him that in this very moment, his life was ticking away, that she could take it from him. Ichiro Yashida blinked and the world was returned. The boy, no, the leader of Babylon, merely smiled at him as if to ask him, What will you do now?
At that moment,t he found the answer, that if he was to serve a master for the price of eternity on this earth, then let it be those who conquered death, the one who held her affection.
Let it be Babylon.
With much effort, he forced his old brittle bones to move. Shakily he pushed himself off his wheelchair, it was a struggle so much so that he tumbled onto the floor below. He dismissed everyone from the estate so none could witness him in this feeble state. Such a sight was a privilege only granted to the strong and the worthy.
With a wheezing grunt, the old man forced himself to his knees and bowed so hard his forehead bled as it met the floor.
He kept his head low with tears in his eyes as he spoke. "Forgive me, for I am a blind old fool. I greet the honorable one who shall be my eternal master. I ask of you, grant this foolish old man his only wish, please allow me to walk the path you've chosen with you. Rid me of my mortal coil, this aging flesh, this retched curse, this weakness that is my humanity. Grant me eternity on this earth, and all that I have shall be yours. You who walk hand in hand with death, can you grant me this gift? Although I have little to offer you, everything I have is yours."
A few seconds of silence passed. Then the young man spoke, his voice soft and monotonous. "Eternity is an awfully long time. But if its eternity you want then eternity I will give you or at least close enough to eternity as one can get. You can get up now. "
The Yashida looked up and saw a glowing purple crystalline shard hovering above the young man's palm." My name is Peter Parker. Welcome to Babylon, Ichiro Yashida."
My sin of Pride.
…
-Taxes Utah, Shield Containment Facility-
While Peter was meeting with Arno a certain cat had his objectives.
A mysterious blob of flesh shaped to resemble a cat breaks into a secure shield black site containment facility, wreaks havoc, and leaves several prisoners imprisoned for their intellect and knowledge in specific fields of science and information.
Most notably specialists in the field of the x-gene, mutations, Pymp particle, Gama-radiation, Hydra, and so much more. This would be the first of many attacks on SHIELD by Babylon.
At the same time, another classified government containment facility designated Echo One is attacked by another individual dressed in black. Noir of Babylon completes his mission without a hitch.
…
(Early- December: six weeks after the Battle of New York)
Somewhere in New York
In an opulent, high-end Japanese-inspired sweets shop, Mizuumi no Kaze (Wind of the Lake), is nestled in a serene corner of the city. The exterior is minimalist, with large floor-to-ceiling glass windows revealing glimpses of sleek wooden interiors, traditional sliding doors, and a koi pond visible through the entrance. Inside, the atmosphere is a delicate blend of modern luxury and traditional Japanese aesthetics.
The walls are paneled in dark, polished wood with soft lighting illuminating hand-painted silk screens depicting tranquil landscapes of cherry blossoms, mountains, and flowing rivers. Tatami-style private seating areas are enclosed with elegant rice paper dividers, offering seclusion for intimate conversations. The air carries a subtle scent of sandalwood incense and freshly brewed matcha, creating a calm and peaceful environment.
At the center of the room is a glass display showcasing the shop's extravagant sweets. Each confection is an art form, meticulously crafted with seasonal ingredients. Delicate wagashi shaped like blooming sakura, vibrant yuzu, or autumn maple leaves sit on ceramic plates hand-glazed with traditional patterns. Gold leaf accents, rare fruits, and exotic flavors elevate the desserts to a level of culinary indulgence.
A low hum of soft koto music fills the air as waitstaff in refined kimonos serve tea and sweets on lacquered trays. The signature sweet, Hōseki Mochi, or "Jewel Mochi," is an exquisite treat encased in a thin crystal-clear jelly, with layers of gold leaf, edible flowers, and a rich filling of sweet azuki bean paste and matcha cream. Only the most refined clientele visit this exclusive spot, making it a prime location for secretive meetings or meaningful exchanges.
Inside this luxurious room was the recently promoted Captain. Yuriko Watanabe of the NYPD. The reclusive millionaire and Kingpin Wilson Fisk. Madam Gau of the Triad. Shingen Yashida, son of Ichiro Yashida of the Yashida Tech Corp. Aaron Davis and Miles Morales of the Prowlers and their new Partner from the new up-and-comer gang, The Underground, Tinker Phin Mason. Walter and Felicia Hardy, affiliate representatives of the Thieves. Wanda Maximoff of the Brotherhood of Mutants. Selene Gallio, Black Queen of the Hellfire Club. And finally, Arno Collins Carbonell, the co-founder and CEO of Parker Corp.
This was their official first meeting, at least for some of them; they were all familiarizing themselves with each other as they waited for the final member to arrive.
There was a sudden pause as the doors to the room finally opened.
Peter Parker stepped through the door under the silent scrutiny of the occupants of the room. Peter came in dressed in a simple long-sleeved white t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, he had on a Ray-Ban Cock-pit sunglass that hid his eyes. His dressing was a stark contrast to the sharply dressed individuals in the room with their tailor-made clothing that certainly cost more than most people would see in a lifetime.
To Peter's left was Black Noir, wrapped in his bandages and black urban ninja-like clothing as he followed after Peter silently. To his right, in a pulsating crimson oni mask and a red three-piece suit, was Bloodborne.
The Members and allies of Babylon waited patiently for Peter. After today, one thing was clear.
New York City was about to fall under new management.
-Chapter End-
New Members of Babylon.
Ichiro Yashida
Sin of Pride
Branch: Hubris (I Alone am worthy)
Code Name: Oni
Branch Power: Crimson Samurai (Armament type)
Possesses a unique Samurai armor and two Katanas made from his blood.
The durability of the armor and the destructive capability of the blade fluctuate with the user's ego. Simply put if he believes he can cut something his blade will eventually cut it. If he believes his armor can deflect something he will eventually deflect it.
Trait added by Original Sin
Until Death - His life force is tied to Peter Parker. As long as Peter Parker is alive so will he.
Arno Collins Carbonell
Sin of Gluttony
Branch: Overindulgence (I can't get enough)
Code Name: Blight
Branch Power: Liquid Abyss (Control Type)
His blood has corrosive properties that melt most matter and convert said matter into his own blood. He can alter the properties and corrosive properties of his blood as he sees fit. There is no limit to the mass of materials converted to blood and vice versa but the more mass he has the less control he has over it. Similar to other branches of sin he has enhanced physiology and a healing factor and he can freely manipulate his blood like an extension of himself
Special ability granted by his sin:
Liquid Abyss
- Aside from his blood's corrosive properties he releases a limited amount of specialized black blood that can be stored within it. The blood is linked to a separate personal pocket dimension that Arno can enter and exit at will and pull others in and out of it if he wants.
He can pull the stored objects with it out too. Objects stored inside are in temporal stasis so the objects will remain in the same state he stores them in when he removes them no matter how much time has passed.