Welcome to my newest plot-bunny. It's just a little taste to test the waters while I write enough to keep posting. I'm still working on my other stories, though so it might be a while before I continue this little gem. In the mean time, enjoy.

Chapter 1

The Avengers were enjoying a quiet morning at home in Avenger's Tower. Steve Rogers was at the stove trying to make omelets, but for some reason none of them would flip right. Despite being Captain America with enhanced strength and reflexes, the stupid eggs wouldn't cooperate. Beside the super-soldier, Sam Wilson, was trying not to laugh while he buttered a huge stack of toast. He was the youngest, newest Avenger but he was fitting in well as the Falcon. Tony Stark, aka Ironman, genius, billionaire, and philanthropist, was working on the waffle maker, trying to make it better while Clint Barton was distracting him by pelting him with cheerios. Clint kept track of how many he could stick in the inventor's gelled hair before Tony got annoyed and shrugged them off. Then Clint would begin again. As Hawkeye, he had a reputation to up hold. The record was 16, so far.

Across the room, the Hulk and Thor were making their way through their own boxes of Poptarts and arguing about which flavor was better. Natasha Romanov was reading a book by the window and trying not to lose her patience with her teammates. Over all it was a normal morning for the rag-tag team of heroes, peaceful and chaotic all at once.

"Sir, there is a disturbance in front of the tower," JARVIS announced over the intercom. As Tony's AI butler, JARVIS was linked throughout the tower and was connected to most systems nearby.

"Bring it up," Tony ordered, abandoning the waffle maker. A view of the street appeared on the window, allowing all the Avengers to see what caused the alarm.

"What is he wearing?" Clint asked as he grabbed his bow from behind the couch. The video showed a man in a black costume stumbling up to the tower. He appeared disoriented, not really seeing anything in front of him. As they watched, a policeman tried to stop him but the masked man reacted to the gentle hand with a punch to the solar plexus that had the cop on his knees.

"Doesn't matter," Captain America said. He had already turned off the stove and grabbed his shield; he rarely let it out of his sight. "He is a danger to himself and others. We will stop him now. Avengers Assemble."

"It's just one guy," Hulk complained. "You take care of it. Goldilocks and I will stay here in case you need help."

"Yes, if you require assistance, until then we will leave the battle to you," Thor agreed dramatically.

"Fine," Cap agreed and turned to the rest of his team to find that Hawkeye and Black Widow had already left for the lobby. "Okay then." He raced after them while Tony and Sam shared a look before hurrying to suit up, just in case.

On the street, Black Widow tried to talk to the man but he took a swing at her when she got too close. She swore in Russian as she dodged and shot several Widow-bites from her wrist gauntlets. They just stuck to his Kevlar suit, sparking.

"He's got body armor on," she said into the coms. "My Widow-bites have no effect and he's not listening." She had backed up to report but the man seemed to follow her movements without looking and threw an oddly shaped shuriken at her. She barely dodged it. "He is armed," she shouted, alerting her team to the dangers.

"My turn," Hawkeye said. "Let's see him stop this." He shot a bolo-arrow that should have taken the man's feet out but the man rolled and used his long cape to deflect the arrow. A heavy blunt arrow, aimed at the man's head was deflected with an armed gauntlet and a net arrow was cut in mid-air by one of the man's weird shuriken. "He's good, guys. We don't know who he is so I don't want to use the higher ordinance I have on him. Someone else want to tag in?"

"I've got him," Captain America said, joining the melee. He closed with the man, trying to get a hold on him. Maybe then they could talk some sense into him. The stranger was slippery though and he hit hard. A solid right to the ribs followed by a jab to the chin had Cap seeing stars. A kick had him laid out and the stranger flipped him on his stomach and pinned his arm behind his back. Cap noticed the man was gasping like he was having trouble breathing and from what Cap could see of his eyes, they were unfocused and wild.

A blast from Ironman knocked the man off the captain and Natasha moved back in to grapple with the man. She stopped holding back and was able to pin the man but with his free hand he pulled a canister from his belt and sprayed her in the face. She saw it coming and only inhaled a miniscule amount but it was enough to make her woozy and let go. The caped man backed away from her, crouching defensively while he shook his head, trying to clear if of whatever had him so disoriented. Ironman hovered above him and blasted him again. Another shuriken from the man's belt was thrown and Ironman dodged nonchalantly but this one exploded and temporary knocked out the suit's sensors. He had to land and a tazer hit him out of nowhere and shorted out the suit, allowing the stranger to try and run.

An arrow from Hawkeye kept the man in black from running into the street and a thrown shield from Captain America sent him stumbling back in the Avenger's direction. Falcon landed beside Ironman and helped Tony get the suit working again while Cap stepped up to try and talk again.

"Wait, who are you?" Cap demanded. "Why are you doing this?"

The man gasped but couldn't seem to form any words. He waved a hand at them, trying to keep them away.

"Sir, I detected more weapons and explosives in his belt," JARVIS interjected helpfully as he came back online.

"You don't say," Tony griped. "Anything else?"

"Yes, his vitals are dangerously high. If this continues, he could go into cardiac arrest," the computer added helpfully.

"Cap, J says if we keep fighting this guy, he could die," Ironman informed the team leader.

"How do we get him to stop fighting?" Falcon asked incredulously. "We didn't start this fight."

Before anyone could answer, the man, apparently done waiting, threw a smoke bomb that had everyone without a mask choking and rubbing their eyes. The man had disappeared. Suddenly, there was a crash from above them as Hulk leaped out the window and landed just out of sight of the rest of the team.

"Hulk!" Tony yelled. "Stop breaking things. I put doors in this place for a reason."

"Do not be angry, friend," Thor said as he landed beside the irate billionaire. "Time was of the essence or we would lose our quarry. See there." He pointed at Hulk who walked up, carrying the limp stranger by his cape.

"He fell and I think he hit his head," Hulk said as he set down his burden. "He was getting away."

"Fine, bring him inside and we'll see if he needs help," Captain America said with dignity.

"Shouldn't we take him to the hospital?" Sam asked, taking off his helmet.

"No," Natasha said. She was still leaning heavily on Hawkeye. "He stood his own against all of us. Until we know what we are dealing with, he should stay here."

"I say he's an escapee from a mental hospital," Clint said as Hulk picked the man up again and threw him over one green shoulder. "Why else would he be dressed up as a bat?"