Madame Masque

[Author's note; this storyline refers to the Fraction's Hawkeye arc, 'The Tape', and will have concepts from Kate's solo series. It's technically set after the West Coast Avengers series, but other than a few name-drops that's all. If you care about spoilers, here's your warning.]

Kate saw a flicker of gold. The shine grew bigger, until it formed the familiar shape of a golden drama mask.

Madame Masque. Whitney Frost, originally Something-or-other Nefaria, the daughter of Count Nefaria. Kate was shocked to see her, but not too surprised that it was Masque who kidnapped her.

"Surprised to see me?" She scowled out, her voice barely muffled by the mask.

"Wow, I was just thinking about my shock, are you telepathic or something n--"

Kate's quip was abruptly cut by a sharp backhand from Masque.

"I will do the talking, insolent girl."

"Well, you did ask me a question, you can't really blame me for ans--" Kate cut herself off after she saw Masque's hand raised for another strike.

"Good. Some time ago, you humiliated me. In Madripoor. You impersonated me and stole my clothing."

Kate remembered. It was quite a while back, she was cleaning up another one of Clint's messes (although, technically it was a sting operation that she interfered in), where a tape of him assassinating some old, important dude was being put up for auction. Lots of big crime gangs and villains were up for it, Kingpin, the Hand, A.I.M., the Maggia, Hydra and... Madame Masque. But she was able to intercept Masque before she got her hands on it. Of course, like Masque is now saying, Kate had to impersonate her, and she had to get a cash-card which was lodged up Clint's-- she briefly shuddered.

"So, what, this is your ****? You're going to kill me now?"

Kate heard a sinister chuckle from Masque. It was especially terrifying, since she never even thought Masque was capable of a chuckle.