stark_international | [Snart & Murdock] If you ask me to change

Entry tags:

universe: cold justice

[Snart & Murdock] If you ask me to change

"I'm a wanted man,
I got blood on my hands,
Do you understand?
I'm a wanted man"

Characters: Leonard Snart & Matt Murdock

Murdock would've heard that the criminal escaped the hospital before he could be relocated to his prison cell. No one was harmed in his escape. He'd also hear that the evidence, his Cold Gun, also went missing that same night. Again, no one was hurt. After that, Murdock wouldn't hear a peep about Cold or his weapon in his streets for months.

Until a gathering of criminals--low-life murderers and thugs--working for the Kingpin were spotted causing a raucous in an unusually bad part of town. Telltale signs of Snart's Cold Gun were reported. Several criminals were found and apprehended after being locked in an iced-over dumpster with a note attached: Cold, hard killers inside. You're welcome. No fatalities were reported.

Unfortunately for Leonard, his next scuffle didn't go so well. Kingpin was expecting his attack this time, and it ended with Snart pinned down in a warehouse that was up in flames. He hated the heat. He was on a mission. Kingpin was working with Vandal Savage, and Savage was intent on causing an uprising in this city to get the Legends killed. They had that idiot Palmer and as much as he hated to admit it, he needed to rescue the shrinking nerd. But when these guys started using Palmer's tech against him, he lost his advantage.

A gash along his cheekbone wept blood down his cheek and a cut on his temple added to the display. These guys had already killed two cops that came to investigate the scene. Snart defended a third and got him out of the building, but in doing so, lost his only chance to escape and gave away his position.

What he wouldn't give for Flash to show up right about now.

"Oh, come on!" Snart yelled in exasperation at the thugs firing relentlessly at him as he hunkered down for cover.

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Matt wasn't one to go all weepy anyway. He was more of the getting justice instead type. "It's the way of Hell's Kitchen. You either roll over and give up...or you try harder to survive."

He nods, knowing people couldn't pick their own fathers. His wasn't much after he rolled over and gave up for organized crime. But he'd gotten a second chance. And organized crime paid him back by killing him.

"Some bumps and bruises but nothing I'm aware of." If there's something glaringly obvious, Snart would be a pal and tell him, right? Like missing an arm or something?

"There was a time when I might've enjoyed this town for that very reason. Except, I was never one for competition." In other words, yeah, he wouldn't have liked the Kingpin in any point of time in his life.

"I've spent my life learning the ins and outs of Central City's police force. To the second, I can tell you when the cops will show once the alarm is tripped. I can tell you the quickest way to get in and out of any bank, museum--I can tell you that I'm so good that I don't have to kill to complete a heist and not get caught. All of that is because of my father. He was a terrible thief. He was an excellent murderer, though." No, he was not proud of his father for that. It was why he preferred to do the job without killing. He didn't need to.

He gave the lawyer a once-over. The outfit was too dark to see blood easily, but he was fairly certain Matt would have noticed if he'd been bleeding badly. While Snart may not be forthcoming with admitting he wasn't a terrible person, he wouldn't let the man bleed out.

"There's a new guy in town you should know about. His name's Vandal Savage. He's in real tight with the Kingpin right now. Heard anything about him?"

Matt listens, understanding where Snart comes from. Not all criminals were bad guys. Some were just born into it. However, things did seem to be turning around for the former Captain of Cold.

"There were rumors on the street that someone new had shown up but nobody would say who." None of the usual rats he shook down would tell. They were too scared to.

"And he has one of your friends?"

Just so long as Matt didn't try telling Snart he wasn't just some tawdry crook, he might continue to show the lawyer this better side of his.

Snart nodded and it only occurred to him after he did, that Matt couldn't see it. The man had obvious tells that he was blind, but he was also far too preceptive for a blind man, making it easy for the crook to forget. "Right. He's not from around here--" And if that wasn't the understatement of the last four thousand years, he didn't know what was. "but he's got beef with us. He ended up here to use the Kingpin's connections. I'm sure Savage brought something really nice to the table for him to get an in. Problem is, the guy can't be killed. Also a problem: we've put him in a position to strike back. He knows we're here. He stirred up the--" Timeline? Yeah, best keep that one to himself lest he hear another of Rip's lectures. "--network to lure us here. Caught my friend in a trap."

"Along with saving Ray, we're gonna get this guy out of your city. I don't like asking for help, but I could use the backup."

His mouth set in a line, Matt pulled his hooded mask back over his face and eyes.

"You say that's true, but that's a hard fact to swallow. A man that can't be killed?" How were they supposed to fight him? Not that Matt wasn't in, oh no he wasn't letting anyone take over this city just like that.

"Sounds like you're going to need it." He checked the batons in his boot holders. They would need to strike tonight and not let this go any farther than it already had. "The Kingpin's building isn't easy to get into." Unless his friend was being held elsewhere that Snart knew about.

Cold sighed. "We're used to it." That in and of itself was actually as much of a surprise as the fact that Matt didn't call him crazy. Then again, the man did say he knew when Snart was telling the truth. "Let's just say, if he looks like he's down for the count, don't wait around to make sure. I promise you, he'll get back up, and he usually makes you regret it." There was a bitter edge to his voice. Carter hadn't been his friend, not by a long shot, but he was one of them.

"With any luck, you and I won't actually have to face Savage. Our fearless leader and the rest of the Scooby gang are looking for him too." But, that didn't mean the team with the advantage of numbers and a demigoddess would find him first. "Breaking into buildings is my thing." He grinned at that, taking it more as a challenge than a warning. Unfortunately, Snart didn't have the advantage of casing it weeks in advanced like he usually would. But he did get the team into the Pentagon with little notice.

Edited 2017-01-17 04:36 (UTC)

But he did have the advantage of a super human radar coming with him.

"Must be some team," he says, knowing how Snart was when they first encountered each other. Matt was up for a rescue type mission, just point him in the right direction.

"We're the best at what we do." Or, y'know, not integral to the timeline, apparently. It didn't change the fact that they were uniquely skilled all the same.

He checked to make sure he was ready to go, the charge of his gun was still decent, and his ninja friend seemed to just be waiting for him. "Lead the way." Yes, it did occur to him that he just told the blind man to lead. "They'll probably keep him somewhere they can't hear him. It's what I'd do if I was dumb enough to keep Raymond hostage."

He'll have to ask what they usually do at some other time. For now, it was more important to find Snart's friend and rescue him.

"I can get to Fisk tower in about 15 minutes over the city," he says, climbing out the window back onto the fire escape. But would Captain Cold be able to keep up?

"Why do they want him as a hostage if he's that troublesome to keep?"

"So, we're playing Aladdin, jumping rooftop to rooftop? Sounds fun." He'll... certainly do his best to keep up, that's for sure. Even if he isn't a ninja like some people.

"It's not that he's troublesome to keep, he's just annoying to be around." Hey, you asked. "They're keeping him as leverage, I'm sure." He spoke as he followed Matt out the window and up the fire escape. "He might also want Raymond to help them replicate his armour."

He must have missed that movie. But no matter, one way or another, they'll get there.

"What kind of armor is it?" he asks, hopping up to the edge of the roof.

Snart looked over the edge of the building, ignoring the flutter he felt. He wasn't really afraid of heights, but falling was a real concern in this case.

"Future tech. Enhances his strength, lets him fly... and shrink. He's like you; a crime fighter type. He uses it to give him an edge because unlike you, he can't hold his own in a real fight." He takes a breath, as if it'll help make the impending jump any easier.

Shrinking armor. Huh.

"Sounds like he's made do with what he's got," Matt says. Handstand on the edge before backflipping across to the next roof. This was his playground, he was the most at home up here.

He'll understand if Cold wants to take a cab. "Need a hand?" he asks with a smirk.

"I think that's what we've all done, isn't it? Either you're successful or you're dead." It's a rather easy assessment for him to make, given that he's one of the non-powered members of their team.

"No." He shot back dryly. Looking down at that drop, yes, yes he does want to take a cab. But he doesn't want to be shown up by the blind guy, so he steps back for a running start and jumps. Adrenaline spikes and he only breathes again when his feet hit the solid surface. Can you hear his heartbeat, Matt? It should be just about racing now. The adrenaline left him with a light-headed sort of euphoric feeling with the triumph of not falling to his death.

"You do this often?"

Not bad for a beginner. Not to worry, he would have caught him if he did fall.

"As often as I can." Every night that he can. He's determined to break up organized crime in this city.

He takes off again, jumping and flipping his way across the rooftops. It's not apparent to anyone watching, but he is taking the easier route for the man following him. No huge jumps and plenty of things to grab onto or climb on the way.

They should be at Fisk tower pretty soon...here's hoping nobody is waiting for them.

Leonard is not fond of this method of travel, despite the adrenaline. There was a vast difference between the rush of adrenaline when he successfully completed a heist with no casualties, and the adrenaline from not dying.

When Murdock replied, Cold snorted and shook his head. He wondered if that was a normal super-hero thing, not that it mattered. Snart followed after Daredevil, lagging behind at times, but they still made pretty decent time. Even he could spot the building they were headed for.

One last jump was left between them. Daredevil was already over, and Snart was on his way when the staticy whine of an energy weapon being discharged filled the night air. The bright blue beam caught Snart in the side, knocking him off his path. Instead, he was thrown into a fire escape ladder that, with the new weight, began sliding down its track to the ground. He latched on and held tight enough that he didn't fall off when it caught at the end of its track. That was more of Palmer's suit.

"Goons have Raymond's suit." He muttered, hoping Matt could hear him. If they hadn't seen Daredevil, then maybe they still had the element of surprise while said goon was preparing for a second shot at Snart.

He heard the beam well enough but couldn't stop them from hitting Cold in time. Leaping headfirst off the roof, he dropped down on a line as the goon was lining up for another shot. One that went wild when Daredevil's boot hit his face.

The goon went down and Snart climbed down to the ground, making his way over to the felled man and Murdock. He removed the gutted weapon from Palmer's suit from the goon's possession and stuffed it into his jacket.

"Thank you again." He lifted the Cold Gun from its holster and froze over the security camera before he picked the keycard off the unconscious guy. "We could always try the front door approach." He suggested, holding up the card to look it over. He doubted it had enough clearance to get them to Palmer, but it'd get them in the door. "Unless you think he'd fall for the fake double-cross and capture routine." Yeah, he knew pretending to keep Daredevil prisoner as they just walked right into the hornet's nest was a pretty risky ploy.

Hm, not a bad idea. If they could pull it off.

"True, there is a price on my head in the underground," Matt said thoughtfully. "But if they already know you're with the one they captured, that wouldn't work."

"Wrong." Snart drew out the word with a bit of arrogance to his tone. "That's exactly why it would work. If this Kingpin is any kind of clever, he'd do his homework on the people he's hunting down for Savage. Do your homework on me and I'm the least likely to play hero of my team. --next to Mick. Point being, it wouldn't be too surprising for me to pawn off some poor guy I didn't even know to save one I did. Most people would even tell you I wouldn't lose a minute of sleep over it, either." But that was because most people didn't know Snart as well as they thought they did. Half his team might even believe the rouse, where someone like Sara would spot it for what it was. He'd let them all believe he'd killed someone very important to him, once upon a time, and none of them doubted it.

"But, this is your city and you seem to have a score to settle with this guy, so I'll leave the method up to you."

One could almost hear the eyebrow being raised. He would have hoped at least some of that spiel was a lie. Nope. Not a bit.

"Anyone ever tell you you're entirely too confident in your abilities?" he asks. Pot meet kettle.

He's already running a line out of his baton. "So long as you leave me a way to escape at the right moment."

Snart watched as he sectioned the baton and chuckled bitterly. "Confidence is only an issue when it's misplaced. You don't have to trust me. Just trust that I'm pretty damn good at what I do." He wasn't an excellent bank robber just because he was quiet. He was an excellent bank robber because he was a damn good tactician.

"Actually, I have a better idea. It would give us an edge, actually. If I brought you in, they'd be expecting you to escape. They'd keep careful watch on you, which means leaving you an opening to escape could easily be noticed. But, if you weren't actually you under that mask, they'd be focusing on the wrong guy. Don't worry, I'm not asking you to go in entirely unmasked." Cold shrugged out of his big, blue parka and pulled the goggles from around his neck. They were darkly tinted to protect his eyes from the glare of his gun's beam.

"Hood up, goggles on, you're nearly as hidden as you are with that cowl." He held the gun out by the barrel and pressed the handle towards Matt's hand. "I will be wanting that back after all this." It also meant, should things go south and they decided to take no chances with a bound Daredevil, it wouldn't be Matt that took a bullet. Not that Snart would admit to thinking that far ahead or for the other's safety. It was his idea, he deserved to take the risks.

Even Matt had to admit, that was a really good plan. One with a better chance of succeeding. He took the gun, doing a quick runover with his other hand to see what it was exactly before pulling off his hood and cowl to hand over. They were about the same size fortunately. And both dressed in black.

"And what will they be expecting me to do...as you?" Better that he knew the part he had to play.

Cold held the cowl, feeling the material between his fingers. The idea of going in blind was not his favourite part of this whole mission, but it was something he had to do. He pulled the cowl on, tucking the neck into the collar of his black shirt. He squinted through the material, fidgeting minutely now that his field of vision was drastically reduced. Can you hear his heart quickening, Murdock? He doesn't like not being in control. He let his hand rest against the gun while it sat in Murdock's, showing him the trigger. "Aim, depress this button and it charges, pull the trigger and it fires. Give it three seconds of charge before firing your first shot. After that, you're good. That's if worst comes to worst."

He then turned and gathered his wrists behind his back for Matt to ensnare his wrists. "You go in confidently, you tell them you're here to make a trade. Play it up a bit. I'm told I'm dramatic. Raymond Palmer for Daredevil and assurance of your safe departure. As soon as we've got eyes--or sonar, whatever you use to see--on Raymond, we move with the best escape route. I'll warn you if Savage is there. That... may require some extra caution. And Matt," He began sharply, using his first name for emphasis. "if I go down, leave me and get the kid out."

Hey, this was his brilliant plan after all.

Matt paid close attention to the instructions, trying to fill the parka the same way that Captain Cold did. This was going to take everything they had...and a bit of luck. "Aim, button, charge. Got it." Guns were his least favorite weapon. He'd had plenty fired at him but never fired back. Even holding it, he could sense the cold coming from it. His shoulder aching in remembrance of his first encounter with it's destructive capability.

He set the baton in Snart's crossed hands, "Hold to this," and wrapped the line around his wrists and around his shoulders. Moving his thumb to a secret switch. "Depress that and the line retracts quickly." Getting out of it was quicker than getting into it. A little safety feature Matt had built in to his nightsticks in case any criminal type decided to tie him up with his own weapons.

"The Kingpin's office is on the roof in the penthouse suite." He slipped on the goggles, adjusting them as best as he could and hoping they looked right. "...why the goggles?" For effect? For the outfit? He had to ask.

Edited 2017-01-23 02:05 (UTC)

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