Chapter 17 — English Translation
Red Hood's arrival had turned everything upside down. The name of the new vigilante spread throughout New York and, as expected, reached the ears of the Avengers.
— This Red Hood guy — said Stark — What exactly does he do?
— He's a vigilante — replied Natasha — Uses methods similar to the Punisher and Moon Knight.
— So, a killer — Clint cut in.
— More than a killer, he's an anti-hero — said Black Panther — Doing the right thing with the wrong methods.
— What do you want to do, Stark? — Carol asked.
Stark didn't answer right away. He turned his back, approached the table, and began pouring himself some whiskey.
— The smartest move is to keep him under surveillance — he said, turning to the others — We need to recruit him — he added, taking a sip.
— He's a murderer — Clint growled — We need to bring him in.
— Then we should do the same with Castle — Jennifer countered.
— Enough fighting — Stark interrupted — Natasha, I want you to find him. I'll send my suits to patrol and try to locate him — he explained.
............
All his men had been taken down. That frustrated him, reminding him of a certain annoying "bug." He frowned at the sound of footsteps, but when he turned around, there was nothing.
— You're scared, aren't you?
He jumped and fell back onto the floor. Looking up, he saw him standing on the ceiling.
— Nice to see you again, Herman — he said in a rough voice.
— Y-you know me?
— I know all the scum in New York — he said, descending from the ceiling.
Shocker quickly got up and readied himself.
— I don't know who the hell you are — he growled — But you're not getting out of here alive — he charged his gauntlets.
— What's wrong? Got nothing to say now? — Red Hood mocked — Just another kid playing hero.
He didn't respond. Instead, he pulled out a small boomerang and tossed it at Herman's feet. Upon hitting, it expanded into a cord that wrapped around his legs, dropping him again.
— Tsk — Herman grunted.
He fired a shockwave from his gauntlets. Red Hood jumped back up to the ceiling, watching Herman struggle to break free.
— Pathetic... just like the other five — he commented, landing again.
He approached and began punching him in the face, leaving the villain nearly unconscious.
— Of all the lunatics, you were the easiest to beat — he said, pausing for a moment — But I need you alive — he pulled him up — I want you to work for me.
Herman could barely stay conscious.
— W-what?
— You're going to work for me — he repeated.
— N-no...
— Dude, I don't think you get it — he gripped his neck — Either you work for me or you die like your men — he threatened.
Shocker nodded in fear.
— Good — he let go — You're going to dig up everything you can about the Crime Queen: bases, contacts... I want it all — he said, releasing him.
— A-and what do I get out of this?
— Not going to prison — he replied — Isn't that enough?
— We're going to clean this city — he declared — But I'm warning you: I know when someone's lying. If you feed me crap... consider yourself dead, got it?
— Got it? — he repeated.
— Y-yeah.
...............
From the Quinjet, they watched the city's new vigilante. The rear of the aircraft opened, and one by one, they jumped out, landing on the rooftop where Red Hood stood.
The masked man turned at the sound and adjusted his jacket.
Iron Man removed his helmet, revealing his usual arrogant smile. He approached Red Hood and extended a hand.
— I'm Iron Man, leader of the Avengers — he introduced himself — We've seen your work, and we'd like to recruit you.
— Yeah, I know all of you. And I don't like any of you — he crossed his arms — I'm not joining you.
Iron Man chuckled cynically.
— Think about it. There are perks to being an Avenger — he said.
— And what would I gain from being a celebrity? — Red Hood asked.
Tony Stark's expression shifted, becoming more serious. He turned to his teammates, who decided to step in.
— We're not celebrities. We're heroes — Clint stated.
— Think carefully, kid — Natasha said — We're recruiting you because we see potential in you.
— I don't need a team to know I've got potential — he replied.
— I was wrong about you. Thought you were smarter — Stark said again.
— You're always wrong about everything — Red Hood growled — Let's not forget Civil War.
The Avengers were taken aback.
— How do you know about that? — Captain Marvel asked.
— Hero secrets, Miss Danvers — he replied coldly.
Natasha frowned. This was bothering her.
— He knows too much, and I don't like it — she thought.
— I can feel your gaze, Nancy Rushman — Red Hood said.
Natasha's eyes widened. She stormed over and grabbed him by the jacket.
— H-how do you know that? — she growled.
Red Hood gripped her hand and, with force, made her release him. Natasha stepped back, rubbing her sore hand.
— I'll ask again: how do you know that? — she said coldly.
— Heh... I know everything — he declared — The cursed demons each of you carry — he taunted — Your past — he looked at Natasha — Your problems — at Stark — Your alcoholism — he stared at Captain Marvel — Your divorce — to Hawkeye — Your insecurities — to She-Hulk — I know it all.
Silence fell. The Avengers' faces were tense.
— And above all... I know the real reason Spider-Man died — he finished.
Captain Marvel clenched her teeth, visibly upset.
— You... don't say that name — she growled.
— Oh... did I hit a nerve? — he mocked — Maybe your relationship with him... or the fact that you couldn't save him. Or rather, both of them.
Carol's energy began to radiate. She-Hulk stepped closer to try to calm her.
— I've had enough — Carol whispered — Who are you? Knowing all this bothers me.
— A ghost from the past. A reminder of someone you couldn't save — he said — But among all the people you let die... who am I? I'm Red Hood.
Without another word, he released an EMP blast at Tony Stark. Then, he threw a smoke bomb at the rest and jumped off the building, leaving the Avengers behind.
...................
Captain America turned and saw Black Cat, keeping her distance.
— Cat.
— Old — she said seriously — We need to talk. I come in peace.
— I don't trust you — he said.
— Neither do I trust you. But we have one thing in common: Red Hood — she crossed her arms.
— What do you want?
— To stop him. To find out who he is.
— I know your story. You're nothing but a traitor — he pointed — Why would I work with you?
— Because he knows things. And you want to find out who he is, just like I do — she sighed — So... do you accept? — she held out her hand.
He shook her hand and looked into her eyes.
— I accept. But no stealing while you're with me — he warned.
— Fine. It's not the first time someone's set those rules on me — she said nostalgically.
— And once this is over, you're going to jail.
— Yeah, sure — she replied sarcastically.