Episode 4: Why I hate the Circus

Synopsis: Hawkeye's past comes back to haunt him when the Swordsman appears at his doorstep. Unfortunately, he's not the last of Clint's old 'friends' to reappear, and everyone's favorite archer must confront his past in the form of Trickshot and the Circus of Crime.

Nerdlogic: thank you for suggesting a Swordsman story. I was actually running out of ideas.

"Mr. Barton," said JARVIS, "are you awake?"

"I am now. What is it?"

"A man is here to talk to you. A Mr. Jacques Duquesne."

Clint was immediately alert. "Tell him I'll meet him."

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Bobbi walked into Avengers Mansion for her daily training, and was surprised to see a man in a strange purple suit…and not the one she was used to.

"Oh…hi," she said awkwardly.

"Hello," he greeted back, "Jacques Duquesne. They call me the Swordsman."

"Barbara Morse, AKA Mockingbird. You can call me Bobbi."

"NO, NO YOU MAY NOT!" Hawkeye shouted, walking into the room.

"Clint," Swordsman said cheerily. "Nice costume."

"What do you want, Duquesne?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" cut in Mockingbird, "Who is this guy?"

"You don't need to know," growled Clint.

"We're old friends," said Duquesne. "Clint, there's something you should know."

"I don't care about anything you-"

"The Circus is back."

"Wait, what?"

"Meet me at the Tiboldt Circus at 7:00 tonight."

With that, Swordsman ran out the door. Hawkeye attempted to pursue him, but he had already disappeared.

"Who the heck was that guy?" asked Mockingbird.

"Bobbi, I have to go. Don't follow me."

"Why can't you just tell me what's goin' on, Sport?"

"I'm sorry, Bobbi, just…stay away from me. Nobody can be near me until the Circus is gone."

"WHAT CIRCUS?!"

Hawkeye stayed silent. He left the building and walked to his Skycycle. He mounted his vehicle.

"Come on, Sport," Mockingbird pleaded, walking over to him.

The archer flew away.

Bobbi sighed. She was about to go back inside when she saw something out of the corner of her eye. Her eyes widened, and she froze in place.

"Hey, Bobbi!" called Gambit, walking over. "When did you get 'ere?"

"I was just leaving," replied Mockingbird, and left.

Remy scratched his head, confused. Then he noticed something in the quarter of his eye.

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Clint was in an old S.H.I.E.L.D. hideout. He checked the clock on the wall. 6:57.

Time to go, he thought.

He met Swordsman outside the Tiboldt Circus tent.

"Good to see you, Clint."

"Shut up, Duquesne."

The two stepped inside of the apparently empty tent.

"Show yourself, Ringmaster!" shouted Swordsman.

A man in a top hat and star-covered jacket appeared before the pair.

"Ah, Jacques, Clint," he laughed mockingly, "It's been a while since I saw my two favorite traitors."

The rest of the Circus of Crime emerged from the shadows.

Cannonball-a powerful man in silver armor,

The Gambonno twins-two Italian acrobats,

Bruto the Strongman-a strength-enhanced thug,

Princess Python –a woman with a giant trained snake,

And Clint's least favorite,

Trickshot-a master archer with skill to rival Hawkeye.

"You guys haven't gotten any better looking," said Swordsman, grinning.

"Guess I have to take you guys down again," smirked Hawkeye.

"I don't think so. But before we begin our battle again, I think you should meet our newest members."

Hawkeye sensed someone behind him. He turned to see… Gambit and Mockingbird.

"Oh, no," muttered Hawkeye, "no, no, no, no, NO!"

"Hey, isn't that Barbara Morse?" asked Duquesne.

"I hate you so much."

To be continued…