Brand Expansion (Hobgoblin vs Ricochet)

[Rift]

[Continued from Bouncing Back]

A black limousine pulled into the parking lot of an old, dilapidated movie theater. A passenger, a man in his early forties and sporting a bandaged nose exited the rear and stopped only long enough to hold up his middle finger as the driver sped away kicking up mud from a nearby puddle. The man had, had a rough couple of weeks. Not long ago he and his gang had attempted what should have been an easy burglary. An explosion would happen a few blocks over drawing the attention of law enforcement and other first responders while they would break into a jewelry store and be gone with the loot before anyone knew what happened. Or at least, that was the plan.

Instead, what happened was they'd run afoul of one of the many costumed vigilantes that seemed to flock to the Big Apple. He mocked them, tossed some weird little golden disc things, and before he knew it they were all in the slammer. Strangely though they'd made bail in record time thanks to a mysterious benefactor that had set the whole job up to begin with. Unfortunately, their new boss had not sprang them from the pen out of the goodness of his heart. No he did so to make an example out of them and after meeting him face-to-face for the first time, he was the only one who left the meeting with his head attached. The memory sent a chill through him.

"Never should have worked for one of them costumed loons! Too late though. Gotta see this through. I just wish the freak wouldn't yammer on and one like he was at some sort of business seminary, talkin' about junk like public relations and brand recognition," he mumbled. "Get it together Carl! You go in, you hear what he has to say, and you leave. No big deal."

With that he walked up the stairs to the front entrance and knocked. A few moments later a man wearing what looked like a Halloween mask opened the door and ushered him inside...

Inside the darkened theater Carl followed a path of luminescent arrows on the floor and soon found himself standing in line with many other rough looking men and women, each looking about with a mixture of fear and confusion. As they stood there, waiting to enter an area where the marquee read "Brand Synergy" a skinny guy in a costume like something out of Lord of the Rings approached and handed out bags containing masks similar to his own.

"The hell is this for?" Carl asked.

"Your ugly mug. Boss' orders. Something about everyone having to dress for the job they want," the man said.

"But these look a lot like him. Who wants his job?"

"Oh I am so glad you asked! You see, if you are joining this little outfit I expect you to be ambitious! Dress for the job you want. I am the boss, so why not dress like me? I mean don't you dream of one day being your own boss Carl? You should. See this town is about to get reacquainted with yours truly and they need to know that I am not like others in my line of work. I'm not Fisk who will off you for getting too bug for your britches. I encourage you to have dreams and aspirations. And so what if you want to be like me? Who wouldn't? I'm charming, dapper, rich, and soon to be oh so successful! You too should want that Carl. Because I need guys and gals with gumption! And besides, if the city is going to welcome me back with open arms then they need to know that no matter who else has worn the mask and rocked the orange cloak, there is only one, true HOBGOBLIN!"

Carl nearly doubled over, unsure of when or how Hobgoblin had shown up beside him.

"Now, do your old uncle Hobbie a tinsy, winsy little favor and PUT ON THE DAMN MASK!"

Carl rushed to open the package and do as he was told.

"Good boy. See? This is why we are going to have to go over brand synergy before we really get started. Be proud kiddoes. You won. All the other idiots that were taken down by Daredevil and his merry band of JV Avengers? They didn't make the cut! Oh, and there's popcorn to accompany the flick. Do enjoy. My treat."

[Rift]

Following the limousine had been easy enough. Sure, Johnny had to hop atop a moving train all while fighting to not fall off and yes he'd really ticked off the delivery truck driver when he hitched a ride for a few blocks, but all in all it wasn't as bad as it could have been. The trip was actually easy compared to what came next.

The dude he'd first tangled with on the robbery he'd interrupted and who later showed up with his kid at the superhero themed restaurant Gallow had started working at, had exited the vehicle and headed for the entrance. When it cracked open and he saw the masked man who let him in, Johnny felt his heart drop into his stomach.

Please tell me that was not what I think it was, he thought. Because that looked like a mask. A goblin mask.

He'd seen masks similar to it in the news fairly recently. Before the whole Skrull thing popped off they'd apparently started some kind of riot in Hell's Kitchen only to be repelled by Daredevil, Iron Fist, and some other street level heroes that were not completely down with the while registration thing. Other than that he hadn't heard anything about them and like most of the city, he'd been busy dealing with the fact that freaking shapeshifting aliens had attempted to take over the planet.

Goblins are usually Spidey's domain. This is probably way over my head if some big bad in there regularly tangles with the Webhead. Still, maybe it isn't that big of a deal. who knows, maybe I got lucky and these are just some leftovers while Power Man and the others handled their boss?

Shaking his head because he knew his luck never leaned towards the good, he hopped a barricade and began looking around for another way into the old theater. Careful to avoid what he could have sworn was a hidden security camera, he found an area that had been boarded over and carefully peeled back the cheap board until there was a space large enough for him to crawl into.

Moving about carefully, one of his discs in hand, he watched as droves of people in cheap costumes with fairly expensive looking masks moved into a theater. The missing doors allowed him to see in and to his shock there was an actual movie playing on the screen. It looked largely animated with little cartoon pumpkins dancing in the corners of the screen and it was narrated.

"Why is synergy important in our line of work? I'm sure you ask yourself what this could possibly mean and why should you care? Well it is simple really. There is power in brand recognition and crime, like politics, benefits from mimicking the practices of successful businesses. Look at the most feared villains. When Doctor Doom does something there is no doubt that it was Doctor Freaking DOOM! Green cape, metal mask, an air of aristocracy and class. When this town's former Kingpin did something you knew it was him. The cops knew it was him. The Devil of Hell's Kitchen knew it was him, but he was nigh untouchable. Why? Because he had his trademarks, he had a reputation, and he made sure to put his stamp on his work," the voice over said.

The screen flickered and slides that were clearly scans of old Daily Bugle articles popped up showing the arrests, trials, and unmasking of various different goblin themed villains.

"But what about a brand that has been tarnished? Played out? Disrespected? Well that makes things harder. First impressions mean a great deal and if we are going to relaunch this brand there can be no mistakes. We are reintroducing the city, no the world to the Goblin Brand. And that is why the masks. Not only do they mark you are being part of what will soon be the most feared and respected organization within this Big Rotten Apple, but they also allow you a degree of anonymity in the outside world. Goblins are terrifying, fearsome beasts of lore and so you must become a goblin. Every time you don the mask, you become something more! You are an ambassador for the goblin brand! And you represent me...."

A small impish figure filled the screen, yellowed face and blood red eyes peering out from beneath an orange hood.

"The HOBGOBLIN! And not just any Hobgoblin, no, no, no. I am the progenitor of the name, of the style, of the brand. I ran an entire empire right under the noses of the Kingpin and the costumed freaks! And I will again, but the strength of a company is only as strong as it's weakest members. So I need all of you to do your very best! Share in the wealth, prove yourselves loyal employees, and aside from just getting snappy new duds to fit the ranks you'll rise through, you'll also be in a position to receive a special benefit package that will leave you as spry, handsome, and strong as the Goblin you see before you!" the animated Hobgoblin announced before striking a body building pose.

Suddenly the lights came up, the film ended, and the real Hobgoblin took the stage.

"Beneath your seats you will find a copy of one of my books, free of charge to you, filled with tips, tricks, and life hacks to get into the goblin mindset. You can use it at home, at your day jobs, at the supermarket, and everywhere you go to be the best you, you can possibly be! Don't leave home without it! Make it a Hobbie!"

An awkward applause began and the Hobgoblin bowed deeply.

"Thank you, thank you all. You are too kind. Now, I know we are just getting started and the best is yet to come, but I am offering you all a chance for early advancement up the ladder! We have an unwanted guest hanging around back there in the hall near the janitor's closet. Do be so kind as to make him a reddish stain on the floor! First to bring me his head will get an early promo code for my next book!"

"Crap," Ricochet muttered only then noticing the blinking light of a camera in the corner.

"Oh ho ho ho, you were not invited to this meeting boy!"

"Ah, and here I was really hoping you'd reveal whatever ponzi scheme you cooked up that is so good these fine miscreants can sit here looking at that face and not barf! I mean seriously, at least the green guy looks like he puts some effort into his look. You look like a Spirit Halloween store threw up on you," Ricochet said, readying a disc.

"You remind me of someone else who needs to be stamped out in order for business to flourish," Hobgoblin said, ordering the goblin gang about.

"Handsome, witty, and willing to tell you that even if Pumpkin Spice and handbags are in this time of year they don't go with your particular shade of jaundice?"

With that Ricochet readied himself for the fight of his life.