AN: Story's Shadow and I are back with an early Christmas present for everyone. Everyone please give Story's Shadow a round of applause for his hard work. Unto the show everyone, hope ya'll enjoy.

-Streets Of Manhattan, A Minute Or So Later-

The assassin moved around stone gargoyles as he watched the Secret Warriors leave S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ. While his targets were the first ones to leave the building, he kept an eye on the others as they all made their ways down the steps that led up to the building. Both of his hands gripped the gargoyle he hid behind as he peered just out of the side of the statue. Even though he suspected they couldn't see him from where he stayed, he knew it was important to remain hidden from anyone's sight.

Riri, Doreen, and Rayshaun waved to the others as they split up and went on their ways. His eyes narrowed as he slowly moved across the building to position himself across from a building that was closer to where the trio was as they made their way down onto the street. He launched over to the other building. As soon as he landed there he quickly moved to hide in the upper layers of the building as he slowly trailed in the direction the trio were headed in.

His gaze went back to S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ, where he confirmed that the other Secret Warriors were a considerable distance from the others. The assassin continued to move across the building, every movement slow as the trio moved at a common pace. His gaze was fixated on them nearly completely, but he looked at the area around them. There was an alley a yard ahead of them and a taxi that let out a civilian a few feet closer to them.

The assassin watched as Doreen almost trip. One of her shoes' laces had somehow come undone. Rayshaun pointed to the alleyway. The three hurried to the alley. The assassin grinned as he moved to the edge of the building and slid down the building. He moved into the crowd, a full coat and hat seemed to just appear on him.

He walked through the crowd, his presence gaining any stray or curious looks from anyone who walked through the streets. A small smirk appeared on his face, pulling the hat down which covered more of his face. His gaze was fixed on the alleyway that the trio had entered. His heart beat a little faster as he took each step closer to the alleyway. As he neared it, he turned to check if anyone had been following him. The only thing he saw were people walking on the sidewalks of the city.

He chuckled as he turned the corner, finding the trio. Doreen was on one knee as she tied her shoes while Riri and Rayshaun stood with their backs against one of the walls. Rayshaun was the first to turn his head.

"Um, hi?"

Riri and Doreen turned to see the person at the end of the alley. Doreen turned to Riri before looking back to them.

"Um, can we help you?"

Riri's eyes narrowed at the stranger. Rayshaun frowned as he saw the man smile as he pulled down his hat farther.

"Move!"

The strange lunged forward, clearing a leapt onto one wall a few feet above the group then lunged towards them. Rayshaun rolled under the assailant's attack, the punch narrowly missing his head. But the strike didn't go any farther after it missed, instead the attacker jumped to either wall repeatedly, striking out with punches and kicks. The trio moved farther back into the alley. Rayshaun turned to Riri, who shook her head. She moved her hand forward, nanotech quickly covered it to form a gauntlet. She fired repulsor blasts at their attacker, who dodged around the attacks.

He somersaulted and flipped over the blasts as another gauntlet morphed from the nanotech. Riri grumbled as she moved to fire where he would be in his leaps. But each shot was either just short or the assailant moved in another direction. She flew up as the gauntlets lifted her off the ground and nanotech covered her feet to form her repulsor boots. Iron Heart flew forward, throwing a punch at him. But the assailant flipped above and over her attack, landing on the opposite wall. Her gauntlet smashed into the brick walls, cracking it. She pulled it out then turned, sneering.

"He's a fast little jackass!"

The assassin chuckled.

"Little? Interesting insult."

"Oh so he talks?"

Their attacker laughed as he leapt forward, landing a foot away from Iron Heart on the wall beside she had her back to.

"If I'm in the mood."

Iron Heart scoffed as she threw another punch at him. The assailant laughed as he ducked back and under the attack. Then he twisted to the side and threw out a kick, sending her flying into the other wall as brought up both arms to block his attack. She winced as she glared at the man..

"Stronger than he looks."

Doreen moved to her friend's side, kneeling down and wincing slightly as she moved one of her arms around her should and started to help her up. Rayshaun frowned as he picked up one of the bricks that had fallen to the ground and threw it at the stranger. The assailant caught the brick and crushed it without blinking once.

"Seriously? You would've had better luck trying to hit me with a tomato."

"Your comedy doesn't measure up with your little assault very well either."

The attacker scoffed.

"I haven't hit you yet, have I? It seems like your funny bone is already broken!"

Rayshaun slid to the side as the assailant lunged forward. He then brushed aside a jab then swung a haymaker. The blow landed, striking the man's face.

He then quickly kicked out at one of his legs. The assailant jumped to the side then throw a jab at his face. Rayshaun slid under the strike then landed a jab under the man's armpit. He then threw a swift uppercut, knocking their attacker back. The assassin grunted as he picked himself up. He raised an eyebrow at seeing Rayshaun pull out his shield from within his clothes. The man chuckled.

"Happy to have a little action? Or is that just your shield?"

The young man scoffed as he jumped forward, trying to slam the shield into his foe's face. But the attacker slipped around the attack, throwing a jab into his side. Rayshaun winced once the hit landed while he was sent skidding across the ground.

"Damn it."

Iron Heart fired repulsor blasts as the assailant tried to approach him. The assassin ducked under the attack.

"Jealous? Don't worry, I can have fun with you too."

"Creep."

The heroine flew forward, firing repulsor blasts one after another. The attacker grunted as the blasts hit and sent him flying back into the alley. Iron Heart flew towards him as Doreen helped up her Rayshaun. Iron Heart landed before the man, picking him up with one hand and slammed several punches into his torso. She then slammed him into the wall behind him, her hold on the scruff of his shirt.

"Talk! Who are you?!"

The assassin's gaze moved from her to Doreen and Rayshaun then back to Iron Heart. He slammed both of his fists down on her arm then throw her up into the wall before rushing at Doreen and Patriot. Patriot grunted as he tried to slam his shield into the man's face, but only to hit air as he watched their attacker leap over them and flip in the air and landed a few feet behind them. Then he jump forward onto one wall then pushed him off a moment later, lunging at Patriot. His punch hit the young man across the face, knocking Patriot onto the ground and knocking him out.

Doreen's eyes widened then she turned the attacker, nostrils flared and her teeth gritted.

"You bastard!"

She started swinging punches at the man. The blows hit each time, sending the attacker's head flying to either side.

"You're gonna pay for what you did to him!"

Doreen continued to wince as she kept throwing punches.

"Gonna...knock you out! Jerk!"

The attacker grunted and winced as her hits kept striking his face. He grunted as he slipped under another attack then turned to face her.

"...Here I thought you couldn't get any worse with you."

Doreen raised an eyebrow, perplexed despite her rage.

"What?!"

The assailant jumped to the side, striking out with a kick. His foot struck her hip which received a near yelp from Doreen. One hand went to her hip, wincing in pain.

"Y-You jackass!"

The attacker landed on the ground, his fixation on her leg. An eyebrow raised at the sight of Doreen stumbling on the leg he'd hit. She winced as she struggled to move on it, seeing her whimper as her ankle twist a little.

"Ah, so that's why you're not jumping around like usual."

Doreen's eyes widened at this, seeing the attacker chuckle as he stood to his full height and slowly approached her.

"A little injury I see? Preventing you from jumping and leaping around? You do have a healing factor...but nowhere near the best there is."

Doreen grunted as she tried to straighten her leg and move to face him.

"Get away from her!"

The attacker turned to see Iron Heart flying at him with fists first. She roared as she blazed at him, slamming him into the wall behind him. Iron Heart punched him repeatedly, blows striking his face and chest again and again. Doreen's eyes widened as Iron Heart literally knocked him down onto the ground.

Riri grunted and huffed, standing over their attacker.

"Now tell us who you are!"

The man grunted and coughed as he sat where he was. Then the coughing started to turn into chuckling. Riri's sneer slowly faded as his laughter green in volume. He looked up at her.

"That tickled."

He then stood up.

"Let's go again."

Iron Heart grunted as she threw another punch, but the man ducked under the attack and kicked her with the side of his foot which booted her across the alley. She grunted as she slammed into the wall.

"That's it."

She fired repulsor blasts as she stood up. The assailant jumped over and around the blasts as he made his way to her. His laughter making her eyes and frown widen as he got closer. Then he slipped under her next blast, sweep kicking her then slamming another kick into her torso. Iron Heart grunted as she slammed into the wall again. She dropped to the ground and lost consciousness. Her face plate opened showing her eyes was closed.

Doreen's eyes widened as she rushed over her to her friend as fast as she could, wincing as the ache of her ankle and leg still stinging. She leaned over her, trying to shake her awake.

"Iron Heart! Iron Heart!"

Their attacker rubbed his chin.

"Unexpected, didn't think that'd knock her out."

Doreen turned back to him, eyes wide and bloodshot and she gritted her teeth.

"Bastard!"

She rushed forward, swinging her balled fists. The attacker's scoffed just before the blows began to land. Her haymakers flew forward as she roared, her attacks flying with speed that made her surprised only for her focus to return to her fists slamming into her foe's face. The attacker grunted as his head flew to either side while she continued to advance and push him back.

"Ok, rat girl, that's enough-"

"RAT GIRL?!"

Doreen shouted as she tackled him outside of the alley then threw another jab, knocking him through the front of a closed store. The man grumbled as he picked himself off the floor and pushed aside the glass shards around him.

"Iron Heart can wait. She'll do."

Doreen grunted as she jumped into the store, nostrils flared.

"We're not done, jackass!"

The attacker chuckled.

"Agreed."

Doreen grunted as she moved around the clothing racks and displays, eyes locked on her enemy. The attacker raised an eyebrow at this.

"Odd you're not jumping around like a ball."

His gaze fixed on the leg he'd attacked. Doreen dragged it as she pushed and ran with her other leg. Her ankle also hardly moved, she was keeping that whole leg and foot as still as possible. The attacker chuckled.

"Ah, I see."

He blocked her punch then sweep kicked her other foot, knocking her on the floor. One hand clutched the injured ankle, resulting in a yell from Doreen. She winced as she gritted her teeth before she looked at her foe, who leaned over her.

"You've got a little sprained ankle. No wonder you're not bouncing around."

Doreen exhaled as she groaned and growled, eyes narrowed on her enemy. He just chuckled.

"This'll be easier than I thought."

"T-That's what you think!"

She kicked out with her other leg, which struck his face and sent him flying back. Doreen grunted as she pushed herself off the floor with both hands, propelling herself at her foe and tackling him. She shouted, eyes wide as she started throwing more punches. Each blow struck his face, sending his head flying to either side. He grunted and winced slightly as her punches kept landing.

"Get off me!"

The man threw a hand forward, pushing her off him and flying through displays and racks of clothing that flew everywhere. He grumbled as he picked himself off the floor and rushed in her direction.

Patriot groaned, wincing, as he finally regained consciousness. He picked himself off the ground as he shook off the gravel that laid on and around him. He gasped as he saw Iron Heart laying on the ground not to far from him. Despite his unsteady footsteps, he hurried over to her side.

"Iron Heart! Iron Heart! Wake up!"

The young woman groaned, her eyes barely opening. Her eyes shook a little and she winced, unable to speak.

"He did a number on all of us. Doreen? Doreen?"

He gasped as he looked around the alley only to hear the sounds of fighting in the building next to them.

"Hold on, help's on the way."

Doreen grunted as she swung at the man, but he moved his head back out of the way before striking her injured leg again. She cried out as she nearly dropped onto the floor. He chuckled as he watched her pick herself up.

"So much anger and pride, it's always defining trait about you. About your friends too."

Doreen grunted as she tried to leap off her other leg and throw a jab at his face. But he simply stepped to the side and pushed her down onto the floor. She whimpered as she tried to get up, grimacing and wincing all the while the pain in her leg and ankle ached.

"You...don't...know a thing...about me!"

She grunted as he pushed her to the floor though with less force than she would've expected. He kept his hand against the back of her head as she tried to push herself up.

"A-Are you...an Inhuman? Is that why you're this strong?"

"No spoilers."

Doreen grunted as she bashed one hand against the hand that held her down then turned her body toward him and threw another punch at him. Another rack of clothing fell and she saw a large black robe or dress draped over both of her arms. She saw he had moved back from her and that the dark clothing had covered his arms.

"Blunt as a hammer."

The sound of glass breaking was heard.

"Maybe you'll like my shield instead."

The assassin looked up to see Patriot standing behind him before a projectile flew from the shield and hit him in the chest, sending through the store front and out into the streets again. Doreen looked from the man back to Patriot, briefly noticing that the black robe had flown off to a part she didn't care about. She smiled as Patriot hurried over to her, smiling back. They hugged for a moment before Patriot looked back behind him with Doreen following his gaze. Iron Heart moving into the building, smiling. She moved unsteadily as she approached them. The two young women hugged.

"I'm so glad you're both alright."

Patriot and Iron Heart laughed a little.

"None of you will be for long."

The three turned to see the man walking back into the store, cracking his knuckles.

"Now you've pissed me off."

Patriot scoffed as he smirked.

"Well all you're gonna feel now is pain and humiliation."

"How's that?"

Patriot nodded in the direction the man had come in. The attacker turned to see a trio of sneering, glowering partial animalistic faces fixed on him. The Cat hissed while the Wolf growled before he spoke.

"Sorry we're late, we were training."

A colorful hole in the shape of a star was literally punched into existence before them. America Chavez with Vixen and Vulpine jumped out. The assailant turned to Patriot.

"Distress signal?"

"It's good to have backup."

"It seems so...so nice meeting all of you. I can't wait to catch up later."

Patriot grunted as he stood up as he spoke.

"You're not going-"

The man jumped up and punched a hole through the roof before leaping out and off the building. He jumped into the crowd that had moved to witness the commotion of the fight. Cassandra turned, hissing, ready to chase the man. Jacob held her arm.

"We have to help them, we can track him after we're sure they're safe. There's to many people around, we have to be discreet."

Cassie cursed under her breath before nodding as they hurried into the store.

-S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ, Medical Bay, Several Minutes Later-

Doreen, Riri, and Rayshaun laid in bed next to one another with doctors checking their vitals and administering medicine. Director Fury stood before his injured agents.

"You three will be resting in the med bay for a little while. Doctors will fix you up and get you back into action as soon as possible."

Rayshaun nodded.

"Sir, this guy...he was-"

"-an agent of Imperious."

They turned to Vixen. The young Fox frowned.

"Attacking the three of you specifically with you having no prior knowledge of him or any present understanding of the reason why he attacked or his abilities. My father has informed me as we also all know now that Imperious employs many agents from different backgrounds with various skillsets and abilities to do his bidding. His attack was targeted on his enemies, those that are close to this conflict."

Vulpine slowly nodded.

"He could be testing them for weaknesses...or trying to create one."

Director Fury turned to one of the doctors present.

"Any anomalies you've found?"

They shook their head.

"No signs of an infection or unusual trauma other than expected wounds."

Jacob turned to Metatron.

"What about you, sensei?"

The Wolf sighed.

"I cannot feel or sense anything ill with any of them. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be careful, this could merely be the false dragon testing your students or this might be a strategy we've never seen before."

Vixen nodded.

"Imperious is very cunning, he managed to surprise my father and his people more than they ever thought possible."

Director Fury nodded before he turned to the doctor.

"Keep them under 24 hour surveillance, run every test you can think of on them before they're ready to get back into the field."

Doreen grumbled at this.

Director Fury turned.

"Complaints, Ms. Green?

She sneered a little, making the man raise an eyebrow at this. Doreen sighed.

"No, sir...I just want back at that asshole, settle the score."

"That'll be time for that later."

Doreen frowned.

"Is that clear?"

She sighed after a few moments.

"...Yes, sir..."

"Good. Now dismissed. We've got a war to win."

AN: Thoughts... anyone notice anything interesting going on... let us know ;)