Happy New Year guys! I'm so excited for Winter Soldier! I hope Steve and Natasha don't get together…

"His name is Doctor Doom."

Once again, the Avengers had been training when Fury sounded the mini-alarm. The spy glared forebodingly into the screen until the image changed to a picture of a man. He was wearing a black mask set into a frown and a dark green cloak.

"Five minutes ago, SHEILD detected a breach in the computer firewalls. Someone had gotten through the first major one and left a message before destroying itself. The message is for the Avengers, who don't officially exist outside of SHIELD."

The image of Doctor Doom shifted. The video started to play.

"Avengers," the masked man announced, "My name is Victor von Doom. I demand your immediate and unconditional surrender. Meet me at 8306 125th street at 13:00 tomorrow." Bruce scowled, but flinched when the Doctor continued, "Bring the beast in his human form. I have plans for him. If you do not comply," here the screen changed, "I will bomb this building. You are all familiar with New York High School, are you not? It would be a shame to kill all of these students…"

The screen went dark, and Fury's face quickly replaced the black. "We have already fully evacuated the school and sent a bomb squad. Even if this is an empty threat, I want you guys to capture him and bring him in, alive. The tech guys aren't the only ones curious on how that guy got into our system. Be careful."

This time, no face replaced the blank screen.

…

Without discussing it, the team made their way to their meeting room on the fiftieth floor, where Steve took one head of the table, and Tony took the other. Already, JARVIS had provided maps of the location, pictures of Doctor Doom, and even a picture of the school. As usual, Steve stood up to begin the meeting, but this time Tony spoke first.

"Alright guys, I think we need to suit up."

Clint raised his hand, but began without anybody calling on him. "Why? We arrive any time before one tomorrow, and we risk the school being blown up."

"I would not mind that too much," Thor muttered.

"Exactly, Clint." Steve looked Tony in the eyes. "You're being too impulsive. We can't risk anything happening to the school."

"Actually," Bruce began, "I agree with Tony."

Clint gasped dramatically, but Natasha elbowed him.

Bruce continued, "Harlem is a dark, confusing place. You can know it like the back of your hand and still get lost. Even if we don't attack the warehouse, checking it out first is a really good idea."

Steve pursed his lips, but sighed. "Alright, all in favor of scouting ahead?"

All hands except Clint's and Steve's raised. Steve sighed.

"Alright guys. Suit up."

…

The building, according to the city, actually never existed. Luckily, Tony had JARVIS, so he was able to find it. 8306 125th street was a warehouse with one main entrance at the end of an alleyway. There were no windows except for four small panes of glass for each wall the size of a piece of paper. JARVIS and Tony also found a tiny roof hatch and a one-way back door that was impossible to get open soundlessly.

The team was about to head out when they heard a roar a couple of alleys away, where Bruce was looking for other entrances or cameras. Immediately, there was a crash at the warehouse and Steve was heard over the comm. unit.

"Okay guys, we have the Hulk on the loose. Hawkeye, do you copy?"

"Yeah Cap, he crashed into the warehouse wall. I can see his silhouette through the dust, but not for long. Want me to follow?"

"Yeah. Widow, go with him. Iron Man, you and Thor try to cut him off. Smash through the wall if you have to, but do not try the windows. They may be trapped. Loki, go through the back. Open that door. I'm going in through the Hulk hole. Remember, Doctor Doom and his trap are in there, so be extra cautious. Don't take any unnecessary risks."

"Rodger."

Loki raced around the building, looking for a way to get to the back door. The New York streets were busy and confusing, causing him to have to backtrack a couple of times. When he finally got to it, a cry in his comm. unit made his blood run cold.

"Loki! Do not enter the building!" It was Steve. "I repeat, do not enter the building!" His voice was muffled. "We're being gassed in here! Iron Man, help me take everybody out. Hulk is small now, so he shouldn't be a problem. I have Hawkeye, Widow, and Br-small Hulk. You get Thor!"

"Should I open the door?" Loki shouted into the comm. unit.

"No! Just stay there!"

After ten minutes, Loki spoke into the comm. again.

"What happened?"

Tony spoke up. "According to JARVIS, they're all infected with Valley Fever, and a really deadly strain. They all also got knocked out by something else in the gas."

"What is Valley Fever? Why are you and Captain immune?"

"Mr. Rodgers is immune because of the serum, I conjecture. Mr. Stark, on the other hand, is just lucky that he had a mask on." The voice that appeared on the system was deep and clear, putting a snarl on Loki's face.

"Doom."

"Greetings. You are correct, Mr. Stark. Your team is infected with my personal strain of coccidioidomycosis, or Valley Fever. There is no known cure, but I'll leave your organization time to hopelessly scramble for one before blowing up the school. Same time, same offer, only at a place I'll specify an hour before-hand. I'll bring the antidote. Don't break the deal again. Ta!"

His voice was gone. Steve spoke up.

"Tony, call SHIELD. We have a problem."