[b]October 27th, 11:30 AM Local Time
Skull Island, In the North Pacific[/b]

Skull Island was a cliche within a cliche. An uncharted tropical island thickly covered in jungle. Strange animal cries unknown to the civilized world echoed out from the thick blanket of plant life. And, true to its name, there was a volcanic mountain in the shape of a skull after centuries of volcanic activity. On a beach on the north side of the island, however, Lord Death Man sat on a stony jetty long ago frequented by Spanish trade ships and pirates. Sitting on a deck chair next to a table with an umbrella with an ice-cold pitcher of lemonade, Lord Death Man reclined and listening to the cry of a large, noisy flock of colorful birds. Telescope in hand, he watched the horizon for signs of his guests. While he had the Deathsub, the others would likely need their own means of transport.

At least [i]part[/i] of the reason for these particular cries from the colorful birds came as a result of Bane, who of course came to Skull Island aboard the Deathsub. Standing tall, well both out of confidence in a metaphorical sense he was physically taller than he was during his shenanigans in Mexico. Now the masked man they called Bane stood at a height of six feet and four inches. Sure it might've only been ten inches and a bit more muscle mass as a result of the mix of horrific surgery to lengthen bones that'd spook even hardened back-alley doctors and more exposure to his delightful blend of drugs the FDA would never approve, but it was surely going to be helpful to his "brand". And more importantly Bane remembered those words Joe told him when he introduced him to Hell; [b][i]more mass[/i][/b]. 

And at this moment, while he would've preferred to be dressed in his more appropriate work-out attire, perhaps some swim trunks for some tropical cardio, there was "office business" to be done. So apart from his usual attire of drug insertion, Bane was dressed in a white floral shirt, black suit pants and some combat boots.

Now the reason for the shrieking of these colorful birds was due to Bane shouting at the ones flying a bit overhead. [color=purple]"DO YOU THINK YOU ARE WORTHY OF SERVITUDE TO LORD DEATH MAN!?"[/color]

To emphasize his point, and possibly to let out a bit of steam, Bane lunged upwards with a flying knee, which managed to catch part of the lower-flying flock and put them out of comission. He took one of the birds which began helplessly chirping, and flapping its wings in an attempt to fly. But it was of no use as the creature was brought up towards Bane's face. 

[color=purple]"Do. You. [b]UNDERSTAND[/b]?"[/color] after this interrogation he threw the bird against one of the many particularly hard looking flora. [color=purple]"Are you certain they will come of their own will? Do you need me to drag them here?"[/color]

[color=black]"Woah woah woah! Bane, lad, don't go throwing the Carolina Parakeet. They're supposed to be extinct. Skull Island is an effort to reintroduce them into the wild. And... well, especially don't go kicking the Thylacines. It took me months in Tasmania to find enough for a breeding population."[/color]

[color=purple]"Hrm."[/color] Bane grumbled out as he glanced down at the downed bird. [color=purple]"I was [i]unaware.[/i] ...I will try to take better care in which animals I assault here. I cannot promise anything however. But still I offer my apologies Lord Death Man."[/color]

[color=black]"It's alright Bane, you're new on this, and it's okay to make mistakes. I suppose our first guest will be Manta- we've had dealings in the past."[/color]

Bane rolled his neck from side to side before placing both of his hands behind his head. Moving his legs a bit apart he glanced towards Lord Death Man, [color=purple]"Good dealings I hope or well I assume considering he is going to be one of the guests."[/color] he stated before performing some squats. 

[color=black]"Yes, he actually sold me the Deathsub. Refurbished it too after I promised I'd take potshots at any Atlanteans I saw. By the way, Atlantis is real, we're going to rob it some day."[/color]

[color=purple]"I-it [i]is...?[/i]"[/color] Behind the mask Bane's eyes twinkled with a childish sense of wonder. He rose up and stopped doing his squats, [color=purple]"Is it true Plato lives there? I always wanted to make him tap out..."[/color] As he allowed his mind to wander on all the variety of holds he could place Plato in to force him to tap out, Bane went down and stretched out with a forward lunge.

[hr]

Off the coast of Skull Island, if one were to closely monitor the horizon, they might just make out the unassuming silhouette of the GNS Achimota. Once the pride and joy and the Ghanaian Navy, the former 'flagship' now served a different, darker purpose: ferrying Black Manta, pirate lord of Somalia, to a volcanic island forgotten by man. The accomodations were decidedly spartan, especially when compared to his newly acquired yacht, but Black Manta wasn't the sort to sacrifice utility for convenience. The Achimota had a low profile, a respectable armament, and it was fast. As for the "Tiger's Den", it was slow, garish, and carried an inescapable scent that one could never quite place.

[color=0072bc][i]Were it not for the vessel's questionable legality, I'd have fenced the abomination already.[/i][/color]

["Boss Manta, sir, we're nearing the island. Landfall in twenty."]

Having been embroiled in his thoughts, Black Manta hadn't even noticed the island prior to his crewman's remark. It was about what he'd expected, going off of previous dealings with the Death Syndicate, both as 'Professor Carver' and Black Manta proper. 'Lord Death Man' had a penchant for theatrics, and while it was leagues away from Black Manta's modus operandi, he could still respect it. The yakuza's creative spark could be of great benefit to his interests; Black Manta's interests, unsurprisingly, chiefly consisted of violently ending the life of King Orin. But who says you can't be creative, even in acts of merciless brutality?

Be that as it may, before Black Manta could indulge in his second-favourite pastime, he would have to prepare his men for their impending arrival at Skull Island. His aptitude as a leader of men remained somewhat unpolished, and while his penchant for silence served well enough when he needed to intimidate them, it was decidedly less suitable for commanding them.

[color=0072bc]["Good, call the others above-deck. You and Bashiir will go with me; the others will watch the Achimota. If there's any trouble, they will give the usual signal."][/color]

["Anything else, Boss Manta?"]

[color=0072bc]["Our patron is not one of the milqetoast arms-dealers your late captain was so fond of, and is to be treated with repect. Step out of line, you lose a hand."][/color]

["Of course."]

With that, the crewman descended below deck, once again leaving Black Manta to stew in his thoughts. Barring the occasional fleeting scheme against Aquaman, however, there wasn't overly much to think about. All that was really left to do was to simply wait for the boat to reach its destination.

[hr]

[color=purple]"So"[/color] Bane started on switched position as he laid down on the sands and began to do some crunches. [color=purple]"Black Manta wouldn't have any trouble working with any, well I'll just call it, exercise equipment yes?"[/color]

[color=black]"...Well, I suppose not, but remember, he's supposed to be here on business. And his scientific knowledge tends to be focused towards murdering fishmen."[/color]

A smaller boat pulled up to the dock, a grey wolf hopping out, along with a man in a pinstripe suit holding a suitcase. Death man held out his arms in welcome.

[color=black]"Wolf Carson! It's been a dog's age! Oh, Bane, this is Wolfgang Carson, the Mad Dog of Minnesota. He escaped the electric chair by having his brain transplanted into an endangered Gray Wolf, meaning it was illegal to kill him."[/color]

The wolf snarled and growled a little as it headed up a path, lead along by one of Lord Death Man's henchmen, the man in the pinstripe suit following.

Bane eagerly arose from his routine of crunches, when Lord Death Man spoke of new guests. Bane was especially moved into reaction hearing about a man who was a wolf as such he waved many times towards the wolf, [color=purple]"Hola Senor Carson, how is it being a wolf?"[/color]

The wolf sat down on the path for a moment, looking pensive as he scratched behind and ear before barking and whining a couple of times at Death Man.

[color=black]"He has this awful habit of humping furniture and howling, but he's still one of the most experienced crimelords in the Midwest."[/color]

[color=purple]"Then he must have much to teach."[/color] Bane nodded as he began stretching his right wrist. He turned to face Wolf Carson as if to study the crimelord for any subtle lessons. All he would find, however, was the canine crimelord dragging his butt through the dirt on the way up the path to an old plantation mansion.

[color=black]"Indeed. I'm trying to bring as many old hands as newcomers to the crime scene as I can. With a particular bent for... unusual individuals. Pity Mr. Nobody was busy with that art exhibit..."[/color]

[color=purple]"I see, so [i]that[/i] is what you are saying Carson...It is like streaks in the sands of time. Is that it?"[/color] Bane sagely spoke to himself trying to decipher some meaning in the actions of the canine crimelord. He shook his head before glancing towards Lord Death Man, [color=purple]"Is that his name or is he unimportant?"[/color]

[color=black]"To hear Mr. Nobody tell it, it's his name because he's unimportant. He's... [i]artsy.[/i]"[/color]

[color=purple]"Artsy huh? [b]IF I SEE HIM, HE WILL DISCUSS THE FINER POINTS OF CERAMIC SCULPTING OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE WITH ME OR ELSE I WILL INTRODUCE HIM TO MY INTERPRETATION OF A POLLACK![/b]"[/color] Bane began squeezing his right palm in and out quickly before bringing his left hand to join as he wrung his hands for a few moments before suddenly stopping, [color=purple]"Well, assuming he makes a good conversation partner, I'll discuss that alongside other pieces. I will accept discussions of the other Nahaus as a starting point."[/color]

[color=black]"Yes, I suppose... ah, there's Zigomar's helicopter, he'll be heading for the helipad."[/color] Death Man once again took up the telescope, looking out to the sea. [color=black]"...Ah. Yes, that ship will be Manta. Seems the reports from my contacts in Africa were true."[/color]

[color=purple]"How many more guests do you think will show if I may inquire Lord Death Man?"[/color]

[color=black]"Well, accounting for those who can't make it, those that have expressed interest total up to one hundred and eight members. Now, they're not all old hands like Wolf, Snake, and I, but they're at least established as criminals- bizarre or otherwise."[/color]

[color=purple]"Snake? Snake? Snaaake?! Is he also like Wolf!?! A man made into a snake or many snakes since many snakes are small!? And it is good to know these other members have established themselves as bizarre. Truly again I must say there will be much to learn."[/color]

[color=black]"No, no, King Snake is an old acquaintance. He's quite human. We fought over Beijing and Shanghai for a while, but came to an understanding eventually. I'm unkillable, and his kung-fu is better than that of my hitmen."[/color]

[color=purple]"I see. I will enjoy seeing The King Snake."[/color] Bane stated with a nod as Lord Death Man stood up, a goofy-looking bird squawking as it ran by.

[color=black]"We'll head back up to the fort in a bit. I'm not sure if Luthor will be stopping in, but it should be enough even without him."[/color]

[color=purple]"I'm sure we will do business with him later. He seemed like a perfectly reasonable fellow. You still have his card?"[/color]

[color=black]"Yes, and he has one of mine. I always keep a few on hand."[/color]

[hr]

Trailing only slightly behind the other invitees, the [i]Achimota[/i] finally docked at Skull Island, just as the predicted twenty minutes elapsed. Not one to waste time, Black Manta moved to disembark post-haste, motioning for his selected crewmembers to fall into step.

["Boss Manta, the animals on this island, aren't they supposed to be extinct?"]

[color=0072bc]["Yes,"][/color] Black Manta responded, [color=0072bc]["they are also under the protection of our patron."][/color]

["But just imagine how mu-"]

[color=0072bc]["We don't steal from our clients, Bashiir. When we begin our war against Atlantis in earnest, there will be an abundance of beasts for us to poach."][/color]

With that, Bashiir raised no further complaint, content to imagine the possibility of hunting something no man had ever encountered, let alone caught. As for Black Manta, he moved to approach the man in the skeleton-themed outfit, figuring him to be Lord Death Man. Despite never having met the man in person, Black Manta recognized the outfit from the oft-televised escapades of the famed 'phantom thief'.

[color=black]"Manta! Good to see you in person. I heard about you offing Tiger Shark, figured I'd let you in on something I'm planning as thanks."[/color]

[color=0072bc]"Likewise, Lord Death Man. Though, and I feel obliged to ask, how might this plan of yours pertain to my interests? I desire the head of King Orin on a spike, gilded trinkets and fame are of secondary importance."[/color]

Death Man sighed. He'd expected this from the single-minded pirate king. He'd have to walk Manta through this if he wanted his scientific expertise.

[color=black]"Well, Manta, I am inviting you to join in a criminal enterprise. This will allow you to harass King Orin in numerous ways."[/color]

[color=0072bc]"Elaborate."[/color]

[color=black]"Crime is used to acquire money, which can be exchanged for goods and services. Goods and services can be used to inconvenience Atlantis."[/color]

[color=0072bc]"Splendid. I'm in."[/color]

[color=black]"Excellent! Ah, this is Bane, Senketsu Joe's new tag partner, and one of my enforcers. I trust we'll be working together in the future."[/color]

Bane did not utter a word, no he would simply allow his body language to speak for himself here. He kept a professional stance, his arms extended slightly out ready for action and his legs shoulderwidth apart. And with that he gave a simple nod towards Black Manta, then  quickly turning his gaze towards Black Manta's pirates, observing them for any "interesting responses". 

However the silent response would be shortlived, after all, Bane had things to discuss with this Manta. Before that though he turned his head towards Lord Death Man, [color=purple]"When that day comes I will not disappoint you."[/color] With that said his attention turned towards Black Manta, [color=purple]"I will to speak to you at a later time about a subject most important. But before then, answer me this..."[/color]

[color=purple]"...Plato lives in Atlantis right?! [b]DO NOT TELL ME PLATO MOVED AWAY BEFORE I COULD EVEN PAY HIM A VISIT AND MAKE HIM TAP OUT!"[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc]"Certainly. As for Plato, I can't say for certain. Atlantis holds many things forgotten by man, however, and he could be one of them."[/color]

[color=purple]"Hhrm. A definitive answer would have been nice, but, HE IS SURELY THERE! And when I get my hands on Plato, I will throw him off the Dolphin he is using to race against Socrates and, what was his name, Tupac..."[/color]

[color=0072bc]"I'll see to it that my crew leave them to you, should we encounter them. It is good to see someone willing to hunt a foe with such zeal. I look forward to working with you, Bane."[/color]

[color=purple]"As do I."[/color] Behind the mask there was a huge grin as Bane began rubbing his hands together, [color=purple]"...Sooner or later Plato, you too Socrates and I definitely have not forgotten you Tupac. Each and everyone one of you will tap..."[/color]

Lord Death Man nodded and motioned to a stately mansion farther inland with his cane. [color=black]"Well then, there's refreshments and accomodations for all up at the old manor. I'll be making the announcement in the banquet hall once all our guests arrive around lunch time."[/color]

With that, he started up the path to the manor, a trail beaten down by regular passage over the decades. From within the jungle, strange calls and vocalizations could be heard... none of which bothered Lord Death Man.

[color=black]"If you want a translation, those cries come in two flavors- 'Do Me' or 'Stay off My Land.'"[/color]