She rarely saw her mother. It was expected—her mom spent most of her time being the Black Cat. Her call had surprised her—her mother hardly ever called.
"Your call surprised me, Mom," she said as she entered the office. "I assume you need something." She sat down.
Lydia smiled. She hadn't always been a good mother, and she knew it.
"An invitation arrived," she said, showing it. "Elizabeth Braddock invited us to her party. She's going to make an important announcement."
"And...?"
"I want you to come with me," she smiled. "Consider it mother-daughter bonding time."
"A party full of the richest and most important people... I think I could enjoy that," she thought aloud. "And I'd certainly love to spend more time with you," she smiled. "What time's the party?"
"Eight o'clock. We can arrive together."
"Yeah, that sounds great." She stood up. "I'm heading out, Mom. Got some things to do."
.............
Japan
He was furious, and his mask mirrored the scowl on his face. He approached Hirochi quickly.
"What the hell are you doing?!" he snapped.
Hirochi raised an eyebrow and simply turned his back on him.
"Stay out of things that don't concern you," he replied coldly.
He stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to turn and face him.
"You're kidnapping kids," he growled.
Hirochi arched a brow and brushed the hero's hand away.
"It's none of your business. You'd better focus on your training. You'll have your first mission soon," he informed.
"No."
"What?"
"I already got what I needed from this group," he said. "I don't need you anymore. I'm leaving."
"You're leaving our organization?" Hirochi asked angrily.
"I was never part of it."
Hirochi scoffed and lunged at Red Hood, intending to take him down, but missed as Red Hood dodged.
"Don't start a fight you can't win," Red Hood declared.
"I taught you everything. I know your moves and your tactics," he said arrogantly. "That 'student surpasses the master' stuff is total nonsense."
"You're too full of yourself. You know my new moves, not the old ones." He got into position.
New York
Betsy watched as guests slowly arrived at her extravagant penthouse. She looked around for Steve and sighed in relief when she saw him, then approached.
"I don't see your friend," she said.
"He'll be here... or at least I hope so," he replied. "Either way, we've got Plan B." He smiled.
A waiter approached with a tray of champagne glasses. Betsy took one and sipped it, then looked at Steve.
"You're lucky I agreed," she said. "I can't imagine what you'd do if I'd said no."
"Stark was the other option," he admitted.
"Seriously? Stark? That guy's a drunk," she replied in distaste.
"He told me he had a thing with you..."
Betsy rolled her eyes and scoffed.
"It was just one night... and I had to fake the moans."
Steve cleared his throat, trying to hide the light blush on his face, which made Elizabeth laugh.
"Mature, huh? You're like 90 years old and still get embarrassed by this stuff," she teased.
"I'm calling Matt," he dodged. "Go greet the other guests."
"Running away, Steve?" she turned her back. "Fine, I'll take your word for it."
Steve stepped out onto the large terrace, leaned on the railing, and took out his old phone, hoping Matt would pick up.
"Damn," he whispered.
"A handsome man saying that must've had a rough night," said a seductive voice.
He frowned and turned, finding a platinum-blonde woman.
"What's your name?" the woman asked with a teasing smile.
"Steve. You?"
"Sara."
"Pretty name," he said with a slight smile.
"I know. What's got you so upset?" she asked.
"Don't want to be rude, but it's not your business," he replied seriously.
"For someone to say that to a pretty girl, something really bad must've happened," she teased. "Did your girlfriend dump you?"
Steve was about to reply, but the phone ringing saved him. He sighed in relief when he saw it was Matt.
"That's an old phone," she commented.
"I like old things," he said. "Excuse me, I need to take this."
He answered and stepped aside.
"Matt, why aren't you here yet? The party's started, you should've been here an hour ago," he said.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, but things got complicated."
"What do you mean by that?" he asked seriously.
"There have been multiple thefts," Matt admitted. "At Stark Industries, Oscorp, and I think even Avengers Tower."
"Are you handling this alone?"
"No, the Defenders are working too."
"Got it. Stop all of them. I'll talk to Betsy, tell her to start Plan B, and call Stark," he said.
"Understood... wait, there was a Plan B?"
"Yes, and pray it works. Call me when you're done." He hung up.
.............
Japan
Hirochi threw him against a sword rack. The sound of swords clattering echoed through the place. With a different look in his eyes, Hirochi grabbed one nearby.
"You're pathetic," he said coldly.
Red Hood growled, picked up a sword, and stood up to face him.
"Not the first time I've been told that," he replied.
Without another word, he lunged at Hirochi, and the sound of metal clashing echoed. He pulled back, frowning, giving Red Hood the chance to taunt:
"Don't tell me you're tired already," he mocked. "You've disappointed me, Master," he said sarcastically.
"Tsk."
Hirochi started moving fast, forcing Red Hood to spin in place to keep up with his eyes.
"His speed still amazes me, but I know I can beat him," he thought.
He breathed in and out to calm himself. His spider-sense flared, and when he turned, Hirochi was already coming at him. He jumped and, upon landing, landed a kick that created a crater and stirred up a cloud of dust. He used his grapple to get away and avoid the cloud. His sense flared again—but too late. He was grabbed by the neck and thrown through the wall.
"Ugh... maybe I should've gone for the ceiling," he muttered as he got up.
He was hit again, letting out another grunt of pain. Hirochi grabbed his head and slammed it against the wall multiple times. He gripped his opponent's wrist, squeezing hard, making him scream. He took the chance to get away.
"Bastard! You broke my wrist!" he screamed, furious.
"Never hold back strength," Red Hood replied. "Oh, and I forgot to mention—I have powers."
"You son of a b*tch!" Hirochi growled.
He dropped the sword and faced Red Hood.
"No weapons," said Red Hood. "Fine by me, especially with the advantage on my side."
Hirochi threw punches and kicks, all dodged. Furious, he tried another punch, but Red Hood ducked, causing him to hit the wall. Debris fell, and Red Hood grabbed a piece, hitting Hirochi and knocking him down.
He grabbed his legs and tripped him, then took him by the neck and dragged him to the window. They both crashed through the glass and landed in the street.
He stepped back and saw Hirochi getting up as well.
"I could kill you if I wanted to," Red Hood said.
Hirochi wiped the blood from his nose.
"WE TAUGHT YOU EVERYTHING, AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY US?!" he shouted.
"That's the world—full of betrayal and enmity. I don't know why you're surprised," said Red Hood. "Leave me alone. If you don't, I'll destroy your criminal group."
"You don't scare me," Hirochi said proudly.
"You should be scared," he growled. "I'm not even fighting seriously. If I were, you'd be dead." He sighed. "But for the times we had during training, I won't do that."
Red Hood turned his back, pulled out his grapple, and aimed at a building. As he ascended, his spider-sense flared. Turning around, he saw Hirochi leaping after him.
"You're such an idi—ugh..."
He couldn't finish. Hirochi grabbed him by the neck and hurled him into a building.
He got up and realized they were in a hotel room.
Hirochi stared at him with hatred and threw him into the window again.
"If you hadn't done something so stupid, you wouldn't be in this mess," he said with a mad grin. "You're dead!" he roared.
Red Hood grabbed Hirochi's broken wrist, distracting him. He used the chance to grab him by the neck and throw him out the window. He heard his scream and then the sound of car alarms.
"What a damn idiot," he muttered, looking down at the body. "I guess I avoided a future problem." He sighed. "I'd better get out of here."
.........
New York
The richest and most influential people were gathered before her, waiting for the announcement. Emma looked at Steve, who just nodded.
"I'm the host, Elizabeth Braddock... though you already know that," she smiled arrogantly. "I know you're eager for the announcement, but unfortunately, it's something sad." She bowed her head. "My partner, my fiancé... died almost a year ago." She looked up. "And this party is to remember him. I've moved on from the loss—it still hurts, but life goes on."
Murmurs filled the room, and Felicia looked at her mother.
"That's new," her mother whispered. "Never thought someone like Elizabeth Braddock had a fiancé."
"Why do you say that?" Felicia whispered.
"She's a mutant. Don't you read the paper?" her daughter shook her head. "She's shown up with the X-Men, even with Spider-Man."
Felicia was surprised and started staring at the host.
"My fiancé's last wish was that if he didn't make it, I'd tell the world about us," she said with nostalgia. "That's why I brought you here... to confess that my fiancé was—or used to be—Spider-Man."
The room fell silent, followed by gasps of surprise.
Felicia Hardy was shocked by the revelation. She laughed awkwardly.
"Sweetie, are you okay?" her mother asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Mom," she smiled. "But I need to talk to Miss Braddock," she turned.
To Felicia Hardy, that revelation was a lie. Peter had never mentioned her—not once. It was a lie, and she needed answers.
She pushed through the crowd and, upon finding her, placed a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to turn around.
"Miss Braddock, thanks for the invite," she smiled. "But if I may, can we talk privately?"
Betsy looked at Steve, who simply stepped away.
"I'm all ears, Miss Hardy," she said, taking a sip of her champagne.