AN: so these are going to be short increments but there'll be A LOT of them. I really hope you like them! I'm really enjoying writing them!

Prologue-

"Tony Stark... let's see, what was the term you used? 'Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist'? Yes, well now what are you? A puny, sad, weak human being who can do nothing but make a fool of himself!" The Mandarin hissed. Tony narrowed his eyes and tried to choke out a response, but the Mandarin's hold around his neck cut off his vocals. He tried to activate his thrusters, but the suit was shot and the Mandarin's magic would keep him from retaliating. "Where are your friends now? They don't need you, they don't want you!"

"Hey!" A voice cried. "Look up motherfucker!" Tony glanced to the side to find Clint. He had never been so glad to see Birdbrain in his entire life.

"Happy Independence Day," Steve shouted, leaping off an overhead balcony and swinging at the villain. The Cap's fist connected firmly with the Mandarin's jaw and made a loud cracking noise. "Get him Clint," Steve finished.

"With pleasure Cap." Clint grabbed their foe and clapped the specially designed handcuffs on him, then stripped the rings off his fingers.

Unfortunately, now that the Mandarin was in custody, Steve's attention would turn to Tony and seeing as the Ironman had disobeyed a direct order, the attention would be unwanted. Sure enough, Steve turned around and his eyes looked like daggers, ready to impale Tony happily.

"I did what I thought was right!" Tony snapped, picking himself up and brushing off.

"You did what would get you revenge!" Steve retorted. Tony sneered at America's golden boy.

"Guys!" Clint interrupted. Both turned and looked at him. "Did we even bother with a body scan? What is this?" He growled, holding up a clear cube.

"Tony?" Steve muttered.

"I don't know. JARVIS, scan," Tony answered, crouching. A moment passed and then a distinctly British voiced replied.

"The origins are unknown sir, but it appears to be in relation to that of the Tesseract. I'm afraid we may be dealing with an Infinity Stone sir." All three groaned.

"Well then, put it down Clint," Tony said. Clint gently placed the cube on the sidewalk. Then Natasha was there, her curly red hair was matted and grimy looking and she had a few cuts here and there but overall she seemed fairly unharmed. Tony resisted sneering at her innate ability to escape physical injuries.

"Clint? Steve? What's going on?" She asked.

"Oh sure, ignore the guy that just got strangled and thrown around by a madman!" Tony cried. She glanced at him.

"Obviously you're fine."

"The Mandarin had that on him," Steve answered, motioning to the cube on the ground. Suddenly the Mandarin cackled, it sounded sleazy and repulsed Tony.

"You have no idea how many enemies you have," the Mandarin cackled. "He gave it to me. And he gave this to me." And with that the robe-clad freak disappeared. Tony took a moment to process and then threw his faceplate.

"FUCK!" He screamed. Then the cube pulsed blue. Everyone stopped as Thor and Banner approached. Thor gave the cube a look.

"Friend Stark, the Lady Potts is across the street insisting upon seeing you. May I ask what the cube that is glowing is, friend Rogers?" Thor huffed. Tony looked up to see Pepper pushing past a police officer, with Jane in tow.

"It appears Jane has joined 'the Lady Potts'," Tony grumbled. Thor looked up to see the two women walking over. Pepper's scowl frightened Tony even more than the potential Infinity Stone before them. She stormed over to Tony and pulled him up off the ground.

"I cannot believe you! The news channels were broadcasting the fight everywhere! Did you think I wouldn't find out that you ignored Steve for some idiotic revenge?!" She shouted. Off to the side, Steve smirked.

"I had a shot!" Tony cried back.

"So did Steve! Nevermind, I'll deal with you later. Steve- Hill, Fury and Sam are on their way." Steve nodded and glared down at the cube. The pulsing was growing more noticeable with the development of a blue light in the center. Just as Pepper turned to glare at Tony, a Quinjet zipped in and lowered to landing. Tony grumbled something and sighed at the three figures exiting the jet; Fury in his long, black leather trench coat and Hill in her weird S.H.I.E.L.D. jumpsuit.

Sam was the first to speak upon grouping up with the Avengers. He stared at the glowing cube with the others and then pursed his lips.

"So do we know what it is?" He asked. Steve shook his head.

"I'll get Banner on a containment unit, but for now this area is officially quarantined. Barton, go set up a perimeter." Clint nodded and stood. Fury set his fists against his hips and stared at the cube venomously. He crouched down and examined the cube.

"What should we do?" Steve asked. Tony kneeled down by Fury and fumbled behind himself to grab a stick. Before Fury could stop him he poked the cube and the whole reality around them flickered.

When Tony opened his eyes they were definitely not at the streets outside the Avengers Tower.