Purple Man and the Fantastic Four

Zebediah Killgrave frowned as he exited the taxi. It was not a pleasant part of New York City he found himself in. He didn't have to worry about anyone assaulting him, but he still would have preferred a classier neighbourhood for this meeting.

Ah, well, Killgrave thought, I'm sure his headquarters will at least be clean.

He casually strolled down the block towards his destination. A trio of thugs tried to mug him, but he simply used his pheromones to set them to fighting each other. It would wear off once he was out of range, leaving them wondering why they started fighting. He reached the boarded-up store he was told to come to, and knocked on the door five times as instructed. He waited to the count of three, then opened the door.

The inside was as uninviting as the outside. A thick layer of dust covered everything. Killgrave ignored the dirt and walked over to the old cash register sitting on the counter. He typed in the code he was given – 8446591 – and a set of shelves moved aside, revealing an elevator.

Killgrave exited the elevator into a small, empty room. A door across from the elevator slid open, revealing a short, husky, rather ugly little man.

“Welcome, Purple Man,” the genius greeted him, “to the lair of the Thinker.”

“The Mad Thinker,” Purple Man corrected.

“I prefer just 'the Thinker' now, if you please,” the Thinker said irritably. “Now come inside. We have much to discuss.”

“Of course,” Killgrave agreed as he entered the large lab, full of computers, weapons and other devices Killgrave could only guess at. “Obviously you want to use my powers as a part of one of your schemes. So is this for world domination or revenge? Because I should warn you now, I'm not terribly interested in world domination schemes these days.”

“Don't worry, Killgrave, I have no intention of duplicating that old plot of Doom's to use you to control everyone else,” the Thinker assured him. “No, this isn't something as grandiose as that. I'm simply going to use you to get into the Baxter Building and get access to Richards's computers and inventions.”

“And how am I supposed to get you in there?” Killgrave asked, seeming disinterested.

“I have a plan. It's foolproof. But first, I need to enhance your powers, to ensure nothing can go wrong.”

“Well, I can't say I object to my powers being enhanced,” Killgrave said with a small smile. “But I want to know more details before I agree to anything. First, what's your plan?”

“You're going to use your powers on one of the Fantastic Four while they're outside of the Baxter Building,” the Thinker explained. “I've determined the Invisible Woman is the ideal choice.”

“Ideal?” Killgrave scoffed. “She's the most powerful member of the team.”

“Yes. But your powers, when enhanced, will easily overpower her will. Once you've done that, you'll order her to bring you into the Baxter Building. If any other members of the team are there, your pheromones will control them, as well.”

“I don't imagine it will be as easy as just walking in,” Killgrave pointed out. “Considering how often they've been attacked in their home, they can't have been stupid enough not to have some advanced security systems.”

“Correct,” the Thinker agreed, “but I have prepared for them. I have a small device that will give a false reading on you, marking you as no threat, and thus allowing you entrance with Susan Richards. As I said, it's foolproof.”

Killgrave considered. “You do seem to have planned it out well,” he conceded. “But I want to know more about the other side of this. How will you enhance my powers?”

“It's a simple procedure,” the Thinker replied. “A combination of injecting a special serum and bombarding you with a carefully calculated dose of radiation.”

“What are the risks?”

“None. You'll be completely safe. I have checked my calculations quite thoroughly.”

“What will the exact effects be?”

“Your pheromones will be far more potent. Most who previously showed a resistance will be easily overwhelmed. Further, the effects won't fade when you leave the area. Anyone caught by your pheromones will be permanently under your domination, unless exposed to the counter-pheromones I have developed. An insurance in the event you consider betraying me. I should also note that I have rendered myself totally immune to your pheromones. My androids, of course, are likewise quite immune.”

Killgrave carefully considered the plan. He'd already worked out a way to betray the Thinker, so he wasn't worried about him. The question was whether the Thinker was being honest about the safety of the procedure. Of course, he was going to be taking control of the Fantastic Four, so if the Thinker was trying to deceive him, Reed Richards should be able to undo any potential harm.

“Thinker,” the Purple Man finally said, “you have a deal.”