New York City

December 4, 20:04 EST

A reporter was making his way back home when a gang of thugs suddenly stopped you, and leading them was a pale-skinned muscular man who went by the name of Tombstone.

"You were warned, Mr Jones," said Tombstone. "No one likes a crusading reporter."

"Please, no," he begged.

"Sorry pal, but I'm not one for mercy," said Tombstone and not his men.

They smiled gleefully as they pulled out baseball bats and crowbars, but then, appearing out of nowhere, two arrows which then fired off bolas which wrapped around the thugs. Tombstone looked up at the rooftops and saw the two Hawkeyes looking down.

The Vault

December 4, 21:06 CST

The Vault was one of many supervillain prisons around the country. It housed villains who often used technology for their crimes. It was built into the side of a mountain and had one of the most heavy security systems in the world.

Taskmaster was climbing the mountain until he reached the vent, which had security lasers. A few seconds later, the security lasers were shut down.

"Well done, warden," he said. He then entered the ventilation shaft.

Meanwhile, the two Hawkeyes were battling against Tombstone; they had already taken down his good, for it took work to take down the big man himself.

"Why don't you archers mind your own business?" he growled as he swung his fists. "I don't interfere with yours."

"When you're about to murder someone, then it's our business," said Clint.

Tombstone then dealt him a powerful blow, sending him flying across the street. He then looked directly at Kate.

"Your next girl," he said.

"Webs was right; you need a breath mint," she said. She then fired an explosive arrow.

Tombstone merely shrugged off the explosion and kept on advancing towards her, but she quickly somersaulted over him and fired another explosive arrow at his back.

Clint picked himself up and just stared. "Good girl, take the lead on this one."

Taskmaster had managed to sneak into the Vault and used a security card to open the cell door.

"Your need," he said to the person inside.

Kate dodged another one of Tombstone's blows and then fired an arrow. He expected to be another explosion arrow; however, the moment it made contact, it released some sort of form which covered his entire body, preventing him from moving.

"Bonus points for surprising the enemy," Clint smiled.

Kate smiled back.

Taskmaster was now leaving the Vault with his liberated prisoner in a trap that was supposed to carry medical waste.

"Have to check your cargo," said the guard.

They checked the back of the truck and found only boxes of medical waste. They gave the driver the green light, and he drove off, but of course, that was all a ruse. Taskmaster had paid off the driver, and the back of the truck was fake.

He opened the fake door. "All clear."

Then, Alistair Smythe wheeled out of the cell in his wheelchair. "Why thank you, Taskmaster."

Back in Smythe's cell was a robot duplicate of himself, and only the warden knew the truth.

New York City

December 4, 23:48 EST

Kate was now back home talking about her recent adventures with her mother.

"I actually took down Tombstone by myself," said Kate as he drank the tea. "This is the same guy that Spider-Man had troubles with in his early hero career."

"This life suits you, Kate," her mother smiled. "Most mothers would be horrified, but for me, it's a relief. You don't know how nervous I was when Hawkeye and Black Widow first confronted me about your activities."

"Confronted us," Kate corrected. "They figured out that I saved Spider-Man and confronted us."

"Not initially," said her mother. "I'm your mother; they talked to me first."

"W-what did they say? What did you say?" Kate panicked.

"I was afraid you were in trouble," she said. "While I was in jail for my crimes as Huntress, I lost one daughter; I couldn't bear to lose another, so I begged them to help you keep on the straight and narrow."

"You begged?!" Kate yelled. "So I was some sort of pity case?"

"No, you're taking all the wrong," she said, and then Kate stormed off. "Kate! Kate, wait!"

Kate then slammed the door behind her.

New Orleans

December 5, 06:41 CST

Taskmaster led Alistair to a warehouse where they met MODOCK and Enchantress.

"When you said you were bringing a skilled roboticist, I was picturing something rather different," said Enchantress, folding her arms.

Alistair narrowed her eyes. "Well, I'm sorry that I did not meet your expectations. I can assure you that while my legs are inoperable, my brain more than makes up for it."

"Temper temper," Enchantress smirked.

"Where is my equipment?" Alistair asked.

"Delivery is in the works," said Taskmaster.

New York City

December 5, 17:02 EST

Kate was still furious over her mother's little secret and begged the Avengers to take her in. She was sitting on the fire escape, directly over the zeta tube disguised as a disused phone booth.

"Okay, so maybe I wasn't brought in because I impressed them," she said. She then jumped into the alley. "I just spent the last four months doing nothing but have nothing to prove. I'm one-of-a-kind."

She then made her way to the zeta tube.

Avengers Compound

December 5, 17:04 ST

"Recognised: Hawkeye B06," said the computer.

Kate exited the zeta tube and found herself at the Compound, where everyone gathered in the briefing room with Clint and Vision.

"Ah, Hawkeye, just in time," said Clint. "Now that we're all here, everyone listen up. Widow on a secret mission, but she was given a heads-up."

He then brought up a holographic image of Taskmaster, which shocked Kate.

"Taskmaster was spotted coming out of Louis Armstrong New Orleans National Airport," Clint informed them.

"In full costume?" said Wanda. "Nervy."

"In street clothes," Clint continued as he showed a holographic image of Taskmaster walking out of the airport. Finally, he revealed his face, which resembled a gym teacher's heart expression with black hair. Facial recognition software picked up the ID."

"So that's what it looks like under the mask," said Peter. "He reminds me of my old gym coach, not a pleasant memory."

"The mission is for you guys to figure out what he's up to," said Clint.

"All of us?" said Rick, folding his arms. "Seems overkill for a shadow job."

"Perhaps a small squad," Vision suggested.

"But who will be going?" Eli asked.

"Thought those of you with the most experience should suit up on this," said Clint. "Spider-Man, Human Torch and Patriot."

"Good stakeout make me crazy," said Rick.

"We could use the night off," said Crystal.

"I want in," said Kate, surprising everyone. "Close-range combat is dangerous with Taskmaster; you'll need a long-distance fighter."

"Kate, you sure?" Clint asked, concerning.

"Absolutely."

Moments later, they were on the Quinjet, making their way to New Orleans.

Torch was piloting the ship and looked at Hawkeye, silently sitting there.

"You're right?" he asked.

Hawkeye looked back at him. "I'm good."

"You seem to be a little on edge."

"I'm good. I just had some family drama yesterday."

Torch nodded. "That's the worst kind, believe me."

"Tell me about it. My mother just told me the real reason why I joined this team wasn't because I impressed the Avengers."

Torch frowned. "I find that hard to believe; I mean, you've proven yourself. Okay, sure, you couldn't capture Domino, but that was your first mission. I'm sure the Avengers wouldn't have approached you if they didn't think you were good enough."

Hawkeye gave him a small smile. "Thanks."

At the back, both Spider-Man and Patriot were going over the mission briefing.

"I'm surprised that Taskmaster would walk out in the open," said Patriot.

"A little more shocked that Kate volunteered for a mission," said Spider-Man.

"What are you suggesting?" Patriot asked.

"I don't know, but she seemed keen on going on this mission. I think she has some history with Taskmaster."

"I think we should focus more on the mission than our teammate."

Back at the Compound, the others started to regret not going on the mission.

"No offence, guys, but even my boredom is bored," said Wanda as they walked up to Vision.

"Maybe a night off wasn't the best idea," said Crystal.

"Vision got any good stakeouts for us?" Rick asked.

"I do not," he said. "You must amuse yourselves."

They then watched as Vision threw up towards the ceiling and entered through a hatch that opened up him.

"That's Vision's apartment, right?" Wanda asked.

"It is," Crystal nodded.

"But Vis doesn't eat or sleep or change clothes or… well, anything."

"So?" Rick frowned.

"So… what does he up there?"

Orleans Parish

December 5, 21:27 CST

They had tracked Taskmaster to a roadside diner near the river. Spider-Man was on the lookout and watched as he got into a boat.

"Target is heading north," he said over the comm. He then quickly mounted the speed, but they had hidden near the river and began to pursue him. "I'm pursuing him now but maintaining a discreet distance. Hawkeye, I know you've been training with flying the Quinjet, but keep a safe distance Taskmaster has become inept in spotting cloaks when in motion."

Taskmaster was still riding down the river, and Torch was following him and flying high enough not to be spotted by him. Patriot was doing his best to follow him on the road on his bike.

Taskmaster soon reached the bank of the river, jumped off, and began to make the rest of his way on foot.

"He's stopped, hold your positions," Spider-Man ordered. "I'm moving in for a closer look."

Hawkeye just sat in the Quinjet anxiously. She was deeply concerned about what the others would find me questioned Taskmaster, and she was already feeling rather insecure given her mother's revelation.

Spider-Man followed Taskmaster, but Hawkeye couldn't wait any longer and jumped out of the Quinjet. She then quietly began to shadow both Spider-Man and Taskmaster.

"Hey, sis," said a voice.

Hawkeye looked up, surprised to see Domino looking down from a nearby tree.

"Long time no reveal who you really are to all your friends," she smiled.

She fired several shots at her, but Hawkeye rolled out of the way and fired an arrow. However, Domino dodged it, jumped right in front, and began biting at her close range. Hawkeye managed to get the upper hand, which forced her to move back.

"Nice, Captain America, teach you that?" said Domino.

Hawkeye aimed an arrow at her, but Domino didn't look too concerned.

"I can easily shoot those arrows of yours down before they make contact," she said. "Though I am surprised that you, of all people, would attack your own sister."

"Why shouldn't I? You are working with Taskmaster," Hawkeye glared.

"Not my choice! Not my call!" she spat.

"Then whose call it?"

"Sorry, just because I know your secrets doesn't mean I'll tell you my."

Then suddenly, she was struck by some webbing and found herself stuck to a tree.

"Spider-Man, here to play with me again?" Domino smirked. "You seem to have a lot of women in your life. I'm actually starting to think that you're beginning to like me."

"Sorry, lady, but I'm already spoken for," said Spider-Man.

"Why deny the attraction?" Domino smirked as she secretly contacted Taskmaster. "After all, Spider, you're here."

"I read you," said Taskmaster as he approached some train tracks. "Keep them busy."

A train then arrived, and one of the caboose doors opened. Seconds after he was open, a case was flung out, and Taskmaster caught it.

At exactly the same time, Domino pulled out a knife and cut through the webbing.

"Really, I'm so fond of you both, I couldn't bear to hurt you," she said, pulling out her pistols, "much."

She quickly dashed forward, knocked Hawkeye off her feet, and tossed some explosives at Spider-Man's feet. Spider-Man quickly somersaulted out of the way, but the explosion created a smokescreen, hiding her from view. Then he saw Taskmaster shot right past them on the boat.

"Taskmaster," he said.

He felt his spider-sense tingling and ducked just in time to avoid Domino. However, she quickly fired a few shots, hitting his leg and then performed a leg sweep, knocking him to the ground.

"Too bad, handsome, how I wish you could all be mine," she said.

Torch then flew in and tackled her, knocking her off Spider-Man.

"Really again," said Torch, looking at Spider-Man. "What is it with you and women?"

"I've been asking myself the same question," he said, quickly turning to Hawkeye. "Hawkeye, tracer arrow on Taskmaster now!"

Hawkeye drew her bow and aimed an arrow at Taskmaster, but even though she could make the shot, she chose not to fire.

"He's out of range," she lied.

"Since when?" said Spider-Man as he quickly tossed one of his spider tracers attached to the boat.

He then quickly made his way over towards his boat.

"You're abandoning?" Hawkeye questioned.

"I'm prioritising!" he said as he jumped on the speedboat.

He then took off after Taskmaster.

"Now that must have stung," Domino smiled. "He was able to make the shot you were too afraid to make, and he's not even an archer."

Hawkeye then aimed her bow at her and began firing arrows.

Spider-Man was now chasing after Taskmaster, who tossed an explosive at him, knocking him into the water. Taskmaster went to the back of the boat, removed the tracer Spider-Man had placed on him, and drove off just as Patriot arrived.

Spider-Man quickly swam to the surface and gasped for air. "That could have gone better."

Patriot then reached for his comm. "Hawkeye… Torch, listen carefully."

Torch was flying around dodging Domino's shots, tossing fireballs at her. Domino skilfully dodged each one of the fireballs and continued firing shots without missing a beat. She stopped when Hawkeye came charging in, swinging a branch at her.

"Leave him alone!" she yelled.

Domino easily dodged the attack and kicked to one side next to Torch.

"Hawkeye," he said, helping her.

"Forget me!" she yelled. "What about…" They looked up and saw that Domino had disappeared. "… Domino."

"Please tell me you placed a trace on her?" Torch asked.

"On her gun when she wasn't looking," she said.

"Nice," he said as he noticed Spider-Man and Patriot had arrived. "And here's the guys."

Torch immediately rushed over to them just as a train arrived, and Hawkeye fired an arrow at one of the cabooses, placing a tracker on it.

"We managed to throw the fight just as ordered," said Torch proudly, "after Hawkeye placed a tracer."

Hawkeye then approached them with her tracker. "Domino is heading north."

"That's the opposite direction as Taskmaster," Spider-Man frowned.

"Maybe he'll double back maybe she will," said Hawkeye.

"Either way, they're rendezvous, and we'll find," said Torch.

"I noticed Taskmaster obtained an attaché case. We need to learn what it contained," said Patriot and looked at Hawkeye questionably. "If you had stayed aboard the Quinjet…"

"I see Domino sneaking up on him," said Hawkeye, pointing at Spider-Man.

"Why didn't you warn me with the radio?" Spider-Man asked.

"There wasn't time, and I was hoping to take her down quietly."

"Maybe we should stop casting blame and start chasing the bad guy?" Torch suggested.

"I agree; every second we waste brings us one step closer to failing," said Patriot.

Hawkeye tossed Spider-Man the tracker. "Here, you track her."

"Okay, we stick to the original plan," said Spider-Man. He then turned to Hawkeye. "And this time, if you spot anything, use the radio; I don't want any lone wolfing."

Torch then took to the sky, Patriot hopped on his motorbike, and Spider-Man got onto his speedboat. When the three of them were gone, Hawkeye pulled out a second tracker, which showed the tracers she had placed on the caboose and Domino.

Meanwhile, the Avengers Compound, Vision had just left, and Rick and the others were poised to enter his apartment.

Wanda used her magic to open the loft, then launched into the air, followed closely by Crystal, who used the wind to lift herself up. Rick then transformed and looked at Zabu.

"Give us a growl if Vision returns," he said before jumping into the air.

Once in the palm, they thought that the place was completely bare, apart from the Christmas tree, which had a number of ornaments at its base. There were also some computers and maintenance equipment, no doubt to repair himself.

Then, a light shone over a red blanket, and underneath it, something was definitely shaped like a human.

"Is that what I think it is?" Wanda asked.

They made their way over to the table, and Rick removed the blanket.

New Orleans

December 5, 22:18 CST

Taskmaster returned to the warehouse with the attache case containing Alistair's requested equipment.

"Thank you, Taskmaster," he said and reached out a container within the case. "We'll take it from here."

An AIM agent opened a case containing the cosmic lady's stolen items a month ago. The Asian then placed the case on the table, and MODOK, Enchantress, and Alistair surrounded it.

MODOK fired a beam from his forehead, striking the cosmic claim, and Alistair inserted the nanobot container. He then released him, and they began to swarm all over the cosmic claim, absorbing into its material, producing a green glowing pattern around its substance.

Enchantress smiled and then raised her hands, unleashing a surge of blue magical energy into the clay. She then continued the process as MODOK and Alistair observed while Taskmaster left them to it.

Hawkeye had ditched the rest of her team and followed the tracer she had placed on Domino. She opened the skylight window and jumped into the warehouse filled with parade floats. She then heard something hitting her foot. She looked down and saw her tracer, which she had placed on her sister.

"Pulled it off my gun about a minute after you put it there," said Domino as she appeared out of the shadows. "Thought you might want it back since it goes so nicely with the one Spider-Man gave you."

Hawkeye's eyes turned to her quiver, and she saw one of Spider-Man's tracers stuck to it.

"It would seem as if the Spider no longer trusts you," she said, holding a tablet.

There, she could see surveillance footage of Spider-Man approaching the warehouse. He was now outside the door, fiddling with the controls to open the main door, but Domino then zoomed in on Taskmaster, who was poised to attack from above.

She instantly aimed an explosive arrow at Domino, but it shot past her head and struck the door. The explosion was powerful enough to knock Spider-Man back, and he could see Taskmaster looking down at him with his sword drawn.

Domino then immediately attacked Hawkeye, and she somersaulted backwards to avoid her. However, Domino proved too fast and was able to leg-sweep her, but before she could do anything else, Spider-Man fired some webbing at her.

"Spider-Man to Patriot," said Spider-Man, speaking through the radio. "Located Taskmaster and Domino. Rendezvous at my coordinates!"

"Acknowledged, sending Torch on ahead," Patriot reported.

Taskmaster swung his sword at him, but he quickly dodged the attack and backed up towards Hawkeye.

"What is it with you tonight?" he asked. "This is a team mission, not a solo mission."

Hawkeye narrowed her eyes. "You're the one who placed a tracer on me without telling the others."

"Because I was hoping you weren't going lone wolf on us."

Meanwhile, the Compound, reckon the others just stared at, was currently on the table. It was a humanoid body, but it was clearly an android.

"So, is Vis building a friend or what?" Wanda asked.

They then heard the loft door open as Vision entered the room.

"Perhaps you should ask Vis?" he suggested.

"Zabu," Rick groaned.

Zabu was currently fast asleep, curled up in a corner.

Rick looked at Vision. "All right, what's with the new bot."

"Android," Vision corrected. "He will serve as my alter ego, Victor Shade and allow me to download my consciousness so that I can walk among humans, interact and learn."

"I think it's a wonderful idea," said Crystal.

"Your approval is appreciated," said Vision. He then looked at the three of them sternly. "But your presence is uninvited. Is this a sign of disrespect?"

"Curiosity," said Crystal.

"Boredom," said Rick.

"You know, he's cute," said Wanda. "But if the goal is human interaction…" She then waved her hands around, and the red blanket began to move on its own. It covered the android's legs and became a pair of pants. "He really needed pants."

Meanwhile, Spider-Man was fighting Taskmaster, which was not easy considering that she could memorise all his moves. Hawkeye was having her own difficulties with Domino as the two of them fought in close quarters, but she was soon overpowered and knocked to the floor.

Domino approached her and drowned her pistol, but Torch came flying in, tackling her.

"Patriot and I found the tracer on a caboose, and I don't mean Domino's," said Torch as he helped Hawkeye up.

"She must have ditched it," she said.

"We figured, but how did you and Webs end up here?"

Fortunately, Hawkeye was saved from answering when they saw a strange green light coming from a nearby office. Domino jumped in and tackled Torch, and Hawkeye quickly drew her bow.

"I've got this, go!" Torch yelled, punching Domino in the face.

Hawkeye did what she was told and rushed towards the office.

In the office, Alistair and his group had finally finished what they were working on.

"All finished," said Enchantress.

Hawkeye then burst into the room, aiming an arrow at them. "Freeze!"

Alistair smirked. "Don't be absurd. With what we've created tonight, I could—"

"why waste such power on her," said Enchantress, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We should do what she says and freeze."

She snapped her fingers, and suddenly, they all turned ice and shattered.

Back in the warehouse, Spider-Man finally managed to grab a hold of Taskmaster and pinned him to the ground. However, he suddenly turned to ice and shattered, as did Domino.

Avengers Compound

December 6, 03:21 EST

The Secret Warriors had returned to the cave to report to the others and Vision, and none of them were particularly happy.

"There's no other way to say it, we fail," said Spider-Man.

"We never even discovered what was in that attaché case," said Patriot.

"The only thing we learned was that despite being in prison, the Masters of Evil allies are still scheming," said Spider-Man.

"It's not all bad; I was able to discover that Taskmaster was working with Alistair, MODOK and Enchantress," Hawkeye pointed out.

"Good Intel, but we have no way to verify, especially considering that Alistair is still in the Vault," said Spider-Man. "The guards just checked, and he's not a robot."

Alistair had returned to the Vault without anyone noticing apart from the warden. He was currently in his cell working on his robotic double.

"Well, I enjoy my sabbatical," he said to the robot head. "Thanks for filling in for me."

"It's my pleasure," said the robot.

Torch looked at Hawkeye. "You never did explain how you and Spider-Man found Domino and Taskmaster."

"She led us on a wild goose chase," Spider-Man sighed as he held out Hawkeye's tracker. "This is the tracer she put on Domino," Patriot then pulled out a second tracer, "that one she put on the caboose to mislead us. She acted very suspiciously during the mission, so I placed a trace on her."

Torch looked at Hawkeye, shocked. "Don't tell me you did this just to take them down by yourself because you were insecure about your position here?"

Hawkeye wanted to defend herself, but to do so, she had to reveal the truth about her family heritage.

"Seriously?" said Torch. "You've been with us for months; you've already proven yourself to us."

"Okay, that's enough," said Patriot. "We all make mistakes."

"Easy for you to say, one with supposed to report to Black Widow," said Spider-Man and then looked at the others. "I suggest the rest of you get some sleep."

Everyone then started to leave, except for Hawkeye, who stood there in silence.

New York City

December 6, 03:44 EST

Kate had just returned home and was now making her way to her bedroom.

"Kate," said her mother, noticing something was off about, "is everything all right?"

"I'm fine, Mom," said Kate as she entered her bedroom. "I just want to go to… bed."

Kate closed the door behind her and stared because Taskmaster was sitting on her bed.

"Shh," he whispered. "We wouldn't want to upset your mother."

Kate quickly raised her bow, aiming an arrow at him. "What are you doing here?"

"Just curious to hear how little team took their defeat," he said, removing his mask. "Blamed you, didn't they?"

Hawkeye lowered her bow.

"You will be able to hide your secret from them forever, and what will they do if they discover the truth?" Taskmaster smiled. "Were they ever trust you again? They may trust the Scarlet Witch, but she didn't keep her family ties hidden."

"Thanks for the pep talk, Dad; we should have these family reunions more often," she said.

"You tried, baby girl," said her father, approaching and placing his hand beneath the chin. "You can fight Neena, you can fight me, but you can't fight who you are. Time to switch sides, Kate; you'll never be one of them. You belong with us."

Kate just stood there in silence.

Anthony Masters, now known as Taskmaster, was born in 1974. He started out as a combat instructor but then turned mercenary and soon gave his services to the highest bidder.

He has a perfect photographic memory and uses it to mimic the fighting techniques of anyone he faces, incorporating their techniques into his own.