Steve Rogers was on guard, as he didn't trust the man in front of him. He gripped his shield, sensing an attack could come at any moment.
— Red Hood — he repeated. — I've never seen you around here — he pointed — Your methods... — he looked at the bodies — are wrong — he declared.
The masked man scoffed and crossed his arms.
— These guys were stealing and distributing drugs — he informed — Their bosses need to see what I'm capable of.
— Murder... that's not heroic — he growled.
— You're no one to tell me that, Captain — he replied — You have your methods, and I have mine.
— You don't know me — he said coldly.
— You're wrong, Captain. I know you very well — he said — Well enough to know that now you use fear. Try to control them through it. But what about those who don't fear?
The Captain frowned and threw his shield, clenching his teeth as he saw it stopped.
— You haven't lost your touch — he whispered.
Surprised by the words, he quickly deduced that this stranger knew him.
— Here's your shield back — he said, throwing it back.
He was surprised by the speed of the throw and, with some difficulty, managed to dodge it. He watched the other closely, as if trying to guess his next move. With few options, he rushed at him — only to see him leap and land on the roof.
— W-what?! — he exclaimed in surprise, looking up.
— Impressive, right? — he said while jumping down — But it's time to end this.
He charged at the Captain and began to land quick strikes, barely dodged — sometimes, the Captain still took a hit or two.
He distanced himself from Red Hood. He had let his guard down, and that was his mistake. He assumed a combat stance and advanced again, now attacking faster, as he realized the other had experience. However, his blows didn't seem to land.
His spider-sense kicked in, so he pulled back — just in time to see the shield being thrown again. He dashed toward it and deflected it with his forearm.
He launched at the Captain and struck him twice, sending him crashing through the wall.
He fell to the ground, trying to process everything that had just happened. He saw Red Hood approaching, so he got up.
— I can do this all day — he said, taking a combat stance.
— I know — he growled as he approached.
— He's incredibly fast. You can tell he's experienced — he thought — This guy's not normal.
An alarm sounded in the building, but even then he didn't take his eyes off Red Hood, who now kept his hand on his belt.
— I'd love to stick around and play, Cap — he said — But duty calls.
The alarm stopped and, as he moved forward, he threw a smoke bomb.
— Damn it! — he exclaimed in frustration, trying to leave the room.
.........
The man stood before his boss. His body trembled under her gaze.
— You're telling me that, out of 50 men, only you survived? — he nodded — What happened?
— V-vigilante... his name is Red Hood — he nervously said — He's the one... who killed them all — he confessed.
She frowned and rose from her chair. She walked around the table and approached the man, kicking his knees to make him fall.
— He sent you as a messenger, didn't he? — she grabbed his hair.
— I think... y-yes... he wants you to stop the robberies, to dismantle the organization — he informed.
Black Cat gave a cynical smile, then kicked the man in the abdomen, knocking the air out of him.
— Get out — she ordered.
He nodded, holding his abdomen. With some difficulty, he managed to stand up and left the room. Black Cat approached the window and looked out over the city. She had problems with vigilantes, but until now had kept them at bay. One more wouldn't make a difference.
— Damn my luck — she growled.
She opened the window and jumped, swinging away with her grappling hook. She needed to investigate more about that guy.
.............
The Captain took off his helmet and threw it to the ground. He sat in the chair and let out a sigh.
— Karen, are you there?
— Always, sir — the AI replied.
— I need help. There's a new vigilante in town. He's aggressive, and I don't like his methods. His name is Red Hood — he said.
Holograms began to appear with various news and useful information.
— There are several reports of his appearances in Asia. From the police. Should I hack them, sir? — she asked.
— No other option — he whispered — Do it. Hack them — he ordered.
— As you wish, sir — she replied — According to Japanese police reports, he dismantled several mafias operating in China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Syria — she showed the reports — There are also videos. Would you like to see them?
— Play them all.
...................
The helmet dropped to the floor, and she let out a sigh of relief. She hugged him by the neck and gave him a light kiss on the lips.
— Took you long enough — Emma whispered.
— I ran into the Captain — he confessed.
— How do you feel? — she asked.
— Angry — he answered honestly — Now he thinks he's a vigilante, when he's just a celebrity — he growled.
— Logan told me he left the Avengers after your "death" — she informed.
— How sweet — he said sarcastically — He feels guilty. I hate that hypocrisy. He never stopped the insults and mockery against me.
Emma looked at him with compassion and touched his cheek, which calmed him a little.
— You're getting worked up — she noted — I know coming back here is hard, especially seeing them again.
He moved her hand from his face and stared at her.
— But don't lose control. I noticed sometimes you let anger take over.
— That's not true — he crossed his arms.
— Madam Web — she reminded him.
— That was two years ago. Let it go, okay?
— And Hong Kong? — she smirked.
— That guy tried to touch you — he growled.
— Peter, you broke his spine even though I had the situation under control!
— I won't let anything happen to you — he kissed her cheek.
— That's sweet — she hugged him — But don't let anger control you. That could drive you mad.
— Alright, I promise I'll keep control.
— That's what I like — she kissed his lips.
................
It had been a week since the mission where her men died at Red Hood's hands. She was frustrated because she couldn't find anything about him. Just like he appeared out of nowhere, he vanished the same way.
— Looking for me, kitty?
She turned quickly, looked him up and down, and frowned when she saw the symbol on his chest.
— I thought spider-themed heroes didn't kill — she pointed out.
— Clearly, you've never met Kaine.
She was surprised by what he said, and quickly assumed a combat stance.
— You know Peter's brother — she whispered — Who are you?
But he just let out a laugh.
— A ghost from the past — he replied — I'm Red Hood.
— Tsk...
— A warning, kitty — he said coldly — Take down your criminal organization. Because if you don't, I will. And I'll do it the hard way.
— And if I don't? — she asked — You gonna kill me?
— I've got enough reasons for that — he answered.
— I didn't do anything to you.
— I told you, kitty. I'm a ghost from the past. Think of all the people you've hurt... see if you can guess who I am.
She activated her claws, but Red Hood quickly threw an EMP, making them retract.
— We'll meet again — she growled.
— I know — he replied.
Without another word, he walked to the edge of the building and jumped, leaving the cat alone.