Kazar waited outside the debriefing room where all the heroes were headed. He stood with Agent Venom, Iron Fist, and Power-Man near the door, casually leaning against the wall. Kazar saw Kraven and Taskmaster heading up to the room, Hulk and Captain America were trailing skeptically behind them.

Kazar glared at Kraven and Taskmaster (two of the villains he hated the most) as they passed him into the room. The wild teen didn't meet the eyes of Hulk and Cap though, he wouldn't be able to without glaring at them too.

It hadn't been too long ago when Kazar was pulled from the task of watching Electro begrudgingly help Tony in the lab by fueling some of Tony's tests. The two had gotten along fairly well – though it was no doubt that those few extra electric shocks that Tony received weren't on accident. And when Tony 'unintentional' dumped his water bottle over Electro, Kazar wasn't the one to call him out on it.

It was a little nice to know that the Avengers still didn't completely trust the villains.

Amadeus has yet to get back from cleaning the mess of his chemicals and papers, but he should be there at any moment. Kazar perked up, along with Agent Venom, Power-Man, and Iron Fist, as Black Widow came into view. She and Clint walked side-by-side toward the debriefing room.

Clint was saying something about Scorpion's acid/poison while angrily holding a smoking and half dissolved bow in his hand. "Why is it always me?" Clint was whining, lips pursed into a childish pout. "I mean, why do people ALWAYS go for the bow? Why not the – well, I suppose I'd prefer them not hitting the quiver. But why can't they just, oh I don't know – MISS! Is that too much to ask? Leave the innocent bows out of it people!"

Natasha rolled her eyes at Hawkeyes ranting, "Get over it, you have 6 more bows stored here, 15 back at Avengers Tower, not to mention the emergency supply in the air vents." She said. "I think you're fine." Hawkeye looked at her with wide eyes, "How did you know about the ones in the air vents?" he demanded accusingly.

The female assassin gave him a wicked smile in return, but otherwise gave the archer no answer. As the two agents passed, Power-Man reached out, lightly touching Natasha's shoulder to grab her attention, while saying, "Black Widow, can we speak with you?" Clint stopped with Natasha, both turned to look at the teens.

Clint wore a confused, and slightly suspicious, look on his face; whereas Natasha's betrayed no emotion. "Alone." Iron Fist added when Clint remained rooted to the spot. Clint's lips twitched downward, obviously unhappy with the request. Before he could deny it, Natasha nodded at Power-Man. "I'll be there in a minute." Natasha said, addressing Clint.

The archer scowled; it's not that he didn't trust these kids; Clint could relate to most of them actually. It just seemed like they were always hiding something – and that made him suspicious. But Natasha was a highly trained, extremely skilled assassin; she could handle herself.

Shrugging, Clint turned and walked in the briefing room. "Fine, but if Fury gives you detention for being late, I'm not getting you out of it." He called over his shoulder.

Once Hawkeye was gone, the teens brought Natasha farther out into the hall, away from any prying ears. "Look, we have a hunch about our bad guy." Power-Man said right off the bat. "The one that attacked the Academy and started this whole mess,"

Natasha's sharp eyes narrowed dangerously, she crossed her arms over her chest into a comfortable, but alert, stance. "Go on." She said. Power-Man recounted the events involving Amadeus's research being stolen and destroyed, as well as their hunch about Taskmaster. Natasha listened without saying a word, and once they were finished she remained quiet for a few more second. "And you haven't told anyone else about this?" she asked.

The teens shifted uncomfortable, "We were worried that we wouldn't be taken seriously." Kazar replied. Natasha regarded them with a raised eyebrow.

"Well you can't blame us," Agent Venom defended. "You guys haven't been taking us seriously at all, ever since Spidey went feral. So, excuse our hesitance!" he crossed his arms sourly.

"We came to you about this because you're the only adult that was ever straight with us." Iron Fist added. "We trust your judgment."

Natasha nodded in understanding. "I see," she looked back to the briefing room. "I'll talk to Amadeus about his research getting stolen once the meeting is over, for now just do as your told and keep an eye on Taskmaster." The teen nodded in confirmation. Natasha moved so they could walk past her to the briefing room, before following behind.

Once inside, they all found a seat and waited patiently for the meeting to start. A few minutes later Amadeus came running in, his suit was finished covering over his body. "Sorry I'm late," he apologized curtly as he found a seat. "I was dealing with something." He met Natasha's eyes from across the table; the assassin gave him a small nod – as a sign that she was aware of his predicament.

Amadeus relaxed a little as he leaned back casually in his chair. Once everyone, villains (regrettable) included, were present, Nick Fury began the meeting. "I'm sure you're all aware of the situation we had with Vulture," he started, which earned him a round of nods. "Well, after close analysis of our scientists, we were able to come to a conclusion that Vulture is in the early stages of the gas; he's just beginning to turn feral. As for why he attacked the tricarrier, we aren't sure. But we have a hunch that, somewhere within his unstable mind, he remembered someone he interacted with a lot in the past.

"There are two people that we can think of who fit into that. One being Spider-Man; the other being Doctor Otto Octavius," Nick paused to give the crazy scientist a pointed look. Octavius shrugged carelessly. "Anyway, now that we have Vulture within our custody, its all a matter of what we're going to do with him."

Hawkeye spoke up, "Yeah, I was wondering about that. You're not thinking of keeping him in the tricarrier are you?"

Nick rolled his eyes, "No; the thought that Vulture could prove to be a dangerous adversary to my agents certainly crossed my mind."

"Good," Hawkeye snorted. "Cause I was going to tell you, that would be a VERY bad idea." Sighing in exasperation, Nick disregarded him. "Anyway, I've decided that, instead of keeping Vulture contained separate, we're going to put him in the Academy with the rest of the Infected."

Right as the words left his mouth, questions rose to greet it. "How do you plan on getting him in there?" Nova asks.

"Would if Vulture disrupts the peaceful interactions between the rest of the Infected?" Amadeus asks, earning a look from Tony hinting that the billionaire was about to say the same thing.

"But would if Spider doesn't take a liking to Vulture and attacks him?" Iron Fist asks.

"Would if Vulture attacks the Infected?" Falcon wonders. At hearing this, Kraven too perked up, an interested smile crossed his face as he toyed with a knife in his hands – Captain America was watching him distrustfully, eyeing the sharp weapon skeptically.

Nick Fury quickly quieted all the rising questions by holding up his hand and glaring at those who kept talking, "I understand the risks." He tells them. "But I'm afraid this is our best option. So far Spider-Man has been open to the Infected; he's even taken a liking to any regular spider that he finds within the Academy. We're just going to have to hope that he'll welcome Vulture as well." Nick, surprisingly, turned to Kraven. "What do you recon are the chances of Spider accepting Vulture?"

Kraven smirked; he swiftly and smoothly put the knife back in its respected holder before leaning forward in his chair. "After observing the Spider, I've noticed that the way they function is that of a pack."

"Like a wolf pack or something?" Scorpion questioned.

Kraven shook his head. "Definitely not." He replied, looking almost insulted with Scorpion even suggesting such a thing. "While I have no doubt that the Spider had made himself Alpha over the other, the 'Infected' relationship is nowhere near that of a wolf pack. For starters, Alpha wolfs are determined by a male and female who control the breeding of the wolves. The Spider has not mated with anyone, yes?"

"That's correct." Nick Fury answered.

"Also, a wolf pack is divided into different ranks. You have the Alpha wolfs," Kraven made a gesture with his hands, laying on hand flat in the air by his head, "the beta wolfs," his second had was placed several inches below the first, "and the omega wolfs." His first hand was removed from the top and placed at the very body of the figurative stack. "As far as I can tell, the Infected aren't divided into such groups. All of other pack members are aware that Spider is the Alpha and don't challenge his position, but they show no behavior signs of being Beta or Omega."

Everyone in the room was listening with interest, "How so?" Falcon asks. Kraven brought out his knife again and started playing with it as he continued to explain with a smug look. "Beta's are in the middle rank. They have neither the power of the Alpha, or the submission of Omega. Betas are considered the 'second in command', if the Alpha's, or Alpha, dies then a Beta will take its place. Omega's aren't as fierce, if challenged they will usually bow down as low as possible; make themselves look small and weak in submission. Though Omegas are usually the ones who entice other pack members to play and keep loose; but if there is any frustration within the pack, the Omega's are usually the ones that other pack members 'beat up' to relieve such frustration."

Most of the people within the room scowled at that. "Well that's not fair." Nova proclaimed. Kraven shrugged carelessly, "Mother Nature do not play favorites. Animals must fight, and evolve to win; only the strongest survive."

Kraven leaned back in his chair, knife still twirling between his fingers as he continued. "After close observation, I do not believe that the Spider's pack is divided like that. None are submissive like the Omega, nor aggressive like Beta's. Besides, when feeding, the Alpha gets first bite of food, then the Beta's and Omega's get what's left. This is not the same for Spider, he allows his pack to feed first, then eats himself once he's sure they're fed." Kraven trailed off in thought. He rubbed his mustache subconsciously, "Very odd indeed."

"So, will Spider welcome Vulture or not?" Nick asked again.

Kraven shrugged, "Hard to tell. Spider could either get protective over his Pack and see Vulture as an outside intruder and kill him." Kraven smiled wickedly at the horrified expressions on some people's faces. "Or he could merely display an act of superiority over Vulture, and if it works, Vulture will submit and probable be welcome into pack. Spider is an intriguing creature, so we can't be sure."

"He's not a creature." Agent Venom snapped hotly. "He's still a person down there."

"Hardly." Kraven replied with a casual shrug. Agent Venom glared at him, tightening his fists under the table. "Moving on," Nick continued, "I want to move Vulture in the Academy as soon as possible, the longer he's on my tricarrier the more my agents are put in danger. I plan on moving him in through the main entrance," at saying this Nick Fury reached inside his trench coat to produce a remote there; pushing a button, a holographic screen came up, projecting the layout of Academy building, including a glowing dot signifying the location of each of the Infected, based on their heat signature.

Immedianly everyone sat forward, "What?" Hawkeye demanded. "You want to go in through the MAIN entrance? Won't that just attract them to our position?"

"No," Black Widow piped up, Hawkeye turned to stare at her, "How so?" he demanded. "The Infected are near the shipment pads; probable watching that area in case we make another entrance there." Natasha explained. "You can see by all of their locations," she pointed to the glowing dots on the hologram, "that they're all staying on the lower levels in case they have a chance to catch us delivering the food. By going through the main entrance, we can catch them off guard AND have more time with dropping Vulture off."

Nick tapped the hologram, enlarging it so that the main entrance was clearer in view. "Precisely." he said in agreement with Natasha. "But," Tony interrupted, pointing a knowledgeable finger in the air. "There are still major flaws. Do you plan on transferring Vulture using machines?" before Nick can answer, Tony continues. "The sedatives Vulture is under; they didn't keep Spider-Man, or any of the Infected for that matter, unconscious for long. Would if Vulture wakes up in the middle of the transfer and escapes? Or worse, he escapes and breaks the Academy and allows the other Infected to get out?"

"That's why I'm sending in a team to see that the transfer goes smoothly." Nick answered. Captain America scoffed quietly, "No offense Director Fury, but the last time you sent in a team, it didn't go well and one of your agents is stuck down in the Academy now." he noted.

Nick scowled, "Which is why it's not going to be a team of my agents, but a team of the people sitting right here." He gestured to everyone within the briefing room. At this knowledge, all of the teams perked up with excitement. They've been cooped up and doing nothing for so long, a thought that they could get in on the action AND help out the situation seemed too good to be true.

Which is why Amadeus asked, "I don't suppose we," we: as in the teens heroes, "could help out this time?" the moment of silence was all he needed to know.

"Oh come on! You can't be serious!" Power-Man shouted, throwing his hands up in angry exasperation.

"You're leaving us out again?!" Nova demanded, his blue aura intensified drastically. "Are you kidding me?"

Nick Fury regarded their outburst with a partially raised eyebrow, "You are all too emotionally involved in the situation-"

"Emotionally involved! Emotionally involved?" Agent Venom demanded. "We are not too emotionally involved! Does it look like we're too emotionally involved? I DON'T THINK SO! ALL WE WANT TO DO IS HELP SPIDEY AND OUR TEAM! WHY WON'T YOU JUST LET US DO SOMETHING, INSTEAD OF KEEPING US COOPED UP AND DOING NOTHING ALL DAY!!" by the end Agent Venom had rose up out of his seat, and slammed his fist against the table, denting it. The symbiote thrummed actively, enough that the ripple was visible to everyone looking.

Doctor Octopus watched the symbiote with quiet fascination.

Agent Venom took a few deep breathes to calm himself, before he slowly realized he was making a scene and felt a blush rush to his cheeks. Not to mention the fact that his outburst kind of supported what Nick Fury was stating. He awkwardly cleared his throat, "We just want to help," he added, quieter, before slowly sinking back into his chair.

It was quiet for a few minutes. Iron Fist managed to look away from the shy symbiote hero, and said to Nick, "Despite the fact that we may be 'emotionally involved' in the problem, we all still have skills that can help the situation," he said calmly. But then his tone rose a little, and held a dangerously sharp edge to it as he continued. "But can you blame us for wanting to get involved? It's OUR team who's out there Director Fury, our team, our LEADER who is in pain and needing our help. And you denying us the ability to be there for them is causing an obvious rift between us."

From across the table Scorpion scoffed, "Just admit it Iron Fist, you're help is not needed. If it was, than Fury wouldn't have asked for our help."

Iron Fist regarded Scorpion with sharp eyes, but said in a calm and soft tone, "If I recall Scorpion, you are doing little to help with our predicament. In fact, the only ones we need for this is Doctor Octopus, Kraven, and perhaps Electro. You serve no purpose to us." Scorpion scowled.

Power-Man smirked at Iron Fist, and gave the monk a fist bump under the table. They all turned their attention back to the Director, "I understand your desire to help," Nick addressed the teens. "But you are all getting too attached. I suggest you all take some time off to get a hold over your feelings, and then come back and I'll see what I can do."

A murmur of disbelief rose among the teens. "I can't believe they're doing this to us again." Dagger muttered sourly, her arms crossed angrily over her. "No kidding, you'd think they'd trust us by now." Cloak agreed.

"If we can't help, then why are we even here?" Nova demanded, falling back in his chair in agitated exhaustion. "I promised I'd keep you all updated; that is what you wanted, correct?" Nick asked.

Nova grumbled sourly, "Yes, but that's only because we thought we'd be helping." He mumbled, just loud enough for Fury to catch. The Director sighed, "But," he added. "I WAS going to allow you all to help watch over the controls, and if we need back-up, you all can go in."

The teens felt a small flair of excitement flicker through them – they ALMOST wished something would go wrong. Of course those thoughts were quickly stomped on and put to rest, because the less problems the better. But still, so far they kept running into problems here and there. And there was a big chance SOMETHING catastrophic was going to happen, and they'd get to do something – finally!

"Now," Nick turned back to the rest of the heroes...and villains. "As for the team seeing over the transfer, I've already decided to send in Captain America, Black Widow, Taskmaster, and Electro. Hulk, you're back up in case things go south; Ultimates, New Warriors, you're in case things get TOO rough." Taskmaster and Electro perked up from their seats.

Captain America gave a fleeting glance toward the assassin and buzzing human-light bulb, before looking back at Nick. The Director gave him a calm look, one that said to just trust him. So Cap let out a breath and nodded, "Okay, what's the plan?" Electro had a surprised look that the American soldier agreed so smoothly, whereas Taskmaster regarded him with a slightly surprised posture – which the assassin was quick to hide.

Black Widow sat dark and silent in her seat, she looked calm and relaxed; but alert and scary – how did she do that!! She gave Nick a curt nod, one that let him know she wasn't entirely on board with it, but she'd listen to what the Director had to say. Nick tapped on the holographic screen and zoomed up on the entrance.

"You will be transporting Vulture in a transfer pod; he will be heavily sedated so he won't cause any trouble. I want Black Widow and Taskmaster to oversee Vultures relocation, while Captain America and Electro remain on defense and watch out for the Infected, if ever you are discovered. The Infected have been pretty stationary near Sectors M to Z," Nick zoomed out and the sectors the Infected inhabited were highlighted with a neon blue color. "The entrance doors are pretty smooth and quiet as it is, but for precautionary reasons they will open slowly, as to not alert the Infected. Once inside, Black Widow and Taskmaster, you will leave Vulture down in Sector K; not too close to the entrance, but close enough for them to find him easily."

The assassin (and former-assassin) were quiet, but nodded in understanding.

Nick continued, "The entrance doors will close automatically within 30 minutes, which should be more than enough time to get Vulture down there; but you must still move fast and effectively. Once Vulture is successfully moved to Sector K, simply unhook him and leave. Vulture should be sedated throughout the whole procedure, but the effects will where off eventually, be sure not to be there when they do. Make your way back to the entrance and regroup with Cap and Elector, then together leave the Academy. A jet will be there waiting for you to take you back. Any questions?"

It was silent for a moment, before Electro raised his hand. "Would if something does go bad, then what do we do?" Nick folded his hands in front of him and replied, "If the Infected know of your whereabouts, I want you to leave Vulture to their care, unhooked or not, and get your ass out of there before you die. Or don't, it's your choice."

"Why would they leave Vulture unhooked though?" Agent Venom asked. "He'd just be stuck in there, and I don't think that'd be good, right?"

"Correct." Nick Fury nodded. "But Spider has shown a significant amount of intelligence, I believe he'd be able to figure it out."

Tony piped up next, he was leaning casually back in his seat, but his eyes held dark bags where the lack of sleep left their mark. "Well, what about the scenario where they don't make it out of the Academy in time. Are we just gonna leave them there to fend for themselves. I don't give crap about Taskmaster or light-bulb over there," Electro glared at Tony, "but I'm quite fond of Cap and Widow, and I'd hate for my team to be down two players."

"Oh, he does have a heart." Black Widow teased lightly.

"Only when I decide to." Tony playfully shrugged with a smirk.

"There are several guns loaded with trang gas throughout the Academy, but it is a limited supply, and I'd prefer to conserve it as much as possible. If there comes a time, for instance if they don't make it safely out of the Academy, then I will use the trang gas to incapacitate them."

Nick waited to see if there were any more questions, when no one asked, or simply didn't voice their thoughts, he decided it was time to wrap up the meeting. "Cap, Widow, Taskmaster, and Electro; you're scheduled to start within 30 minutes, I suggest going to get ready. This meeting is over." The hologram snapped off and everyone got up from their seats.

Kazar headed out of the debriefing room; he accidentally knocked shoulders with Taskmaster on his way out. "Watch where you're going kid," Taskmaster snapped.

"I could say the same for you." Kazar shot back. Taskmaster eyed Kazar through his mask, and Kazar feared for a moment that he gave away that he knew of Taskmaster's exploits. But then the assassin merely scoffed and pushed past the teen, Kazar glared at his retreating back with malice, but also relief.

Spotting Cloak and Dagger walking up ahead, Kazar ran up to walk with them. The two were talking over the Director's plan, and welcomed Kazar with a smile before they continued conversing. Kazar listened with half an ear as he scoured over his surroundings.

It was something he was used to doing, especially when living in the Savage Lands. Senses were sharp, and he needed to be out on the look-out for predators. As he observed the space around him, Kazar noticed as Black Widow pulled Amadeus to the side and talked quietly with him.

Amadeus talked hushed as well, and because the rest of the noise within the halls Kazar couldn't make out what was being said. But he figured Widow was just talking to Amadeus about the theft of his work, as well as the hunch the teens came up with. Kazar wasn't sure where he was to be, so he decided to just follow Cloak and Dagger to where ever they were going.

Soon enough Iron Spider and Black Widow disappeared from sight as Kazar made his way through the Tricarrier halls.

15 minutes later...

Captain America was finishing up strapping his suit on. Next to him Black Widow was tightening the gauntlets on her wrists, she didn't talk to Cap, but even with her back turned Steve knew she knew he was looking at her. "Something's bothering you?" Cap noted. "You want to talk about it?"

There were many things about Black Widow, one being her incredible poker face. You didn't get to know how she felt or thought unless she WANTED you to. But there were something's that were just obvious, besides Cap has known Widow for a while. Not nearly as long as Hawkeye or anything, but he was picking up on things about the dangerously skilled women.

Widow merely hummed boredly back at him, "There's a lot of things bothering me Cap." She replied. "You're going to have to be a bit more specific."

"You don't approve of the villains." Cap guessed as he grabbed his shield.

"Do you?" came her snarky reply.

Cap shook his head with a small smile, "No, I don't approve all that much. But..." he rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortable. Natasha finished with her gauntlets and went to strap a gun holster to her thigh. "But at this point you're desperate enough to trust them." She finished.

"Sort of," Cap agreed. "I don't trust them, but if they can help with the Infected, then I can tolerate them." Widow grunted in agreement, reaching for a gun on the wall and putting it in the gun holster. It was quiet for a few more minutes as Cap watched Widow sneak a few small knifes in her boots.

"Steve you can either stare at me all day or you can just speak what you want to say." Widow dully commented with her back turned. Cap blushed slightly, not meaning to stare, just really caught up in thought. "It's just, I saw you talking with Iron Spider earlier, and it looked like a serious discussion..."

He trailed off, hoping that Widow would take it as an invitation to tell what it was about. But the invitation was declined and Widow finished prepping up for her mission and turned to leave the room, "He's a good kid," she muttered, enough for Cap to hear. "They all are. And they're just trying to help, remember that Steve, and don't underestimate them." With that confusing reply, Widow left.

Cap stood there for a moment, mulling over her words. It's true that Steve didn't exactly fancy the idea that kids, TEENAGERS, were dressing up in costumes and fighting crime. They were JUST kids after all, and kids weren't supposed to deal with bad guys, and evil organizations, or their friends turning feral and crazy. They were supposed to obsess over bands, and celebrities, and dates and other stuff kids in the 21st century did.

And while Cap didn't like that they were pulled into this, he couldn't help but try to protect them from it. Steve didn't mean to underestimate them, he just knew that he and his team could for a more efficient job; the Avengers have been around longer. Besides, the Ultimate New Warriors leader was unable to call the shots anymore, and no one knew the best dynamics of a team, then the team leader. Not that they couldn't fight or think on their own, it's just....

It's a complicated concept for Cap, so instead of mulling over it, he simply attached his shield to its holder on his back, and left the room as well.

Later, Captain America stood next to Electro as he followed Black Widow and Taskmaster toward the big Academy doors. The sedated form of Vulture lay on a mobile pod, resembling that of a floating metal table, with his legs and arms strapped down. Vulture's breathing was erratic and he twitched in his sleep, but never woke up.

Cap took a moment to study the mutated teen. His arms/wings looked molted and dirty, like someone tried to pull them out. His beak was long and pointed, and looked to be growing a sharp hook at the end, a strap was secure around that as well. His bird feet jerked occasionally in his sleep, and would constrict around air before loosening up again. His talons looked really sharp, like daggers; and the area around his legs were cleaned and bandaged from where Vulture had cut himself with said talons.

But despite all the animalistic features, Cap could look past the mutation and see the boy underneath. He could tell he was young. But how young? Cap thought grimly to himself. Who would do this to a kid?

Oh yeah, a certain octopus themed mad scientist who had it out for another certain arachnid themed hero. It made Captain America question, for the hundredth time, why they trusted the villains. But then he was reminded that they actually proved useful, and bit down the need to attack them all.

They walked deliberately, but quietly, as up ahead the entrance doors automatically began to open. They kind of reminded Cap of that dinosaur movie Hawkeye made him watch, about a park?. Turassic? Jur-tastic? Uh...Jurassic Park, yeah that was it. As the big doors opened that what it reminded Cap of.

The comm in his ear buzzed lightly, a reassuring sign that they weren't going in blind. Soon enough the doors were open, so quiet that Steve could barely hear them, and they made their way in.

Cap, Electro, fall back and stay on defense. Nick ordered in their ear.

Steve slowed his steps and allowed Taskmaster and Black Widow to pull ahead with Vulture, Electro mimicking his actions.

Black Widow and Taskmaster, continue on toward Sector K. Cap; Electro, you stay and guard those doors. If the Infected make an appearance, we can't let them out.

Electro sparked and he flew up in the air, looking over everything from above. Steve remained stationary on the ground, his shield on his arm as he looked for signs of trouble. Widow and Taskmaster kept up their pace, "Black Widow and Taskmaster heading to Sector K, over." Widow said into her comm, and soon enough pulled from sight as they disappeared down the hall.

Roger that.

It was quiet in the entrance room, neither Electro or Cap offered any words to each other. There was nothing to be said after all. The only noise that could be heard was the buzzing and sparking emanating off Electro. Cap was about to snap and tell him to be quiet, but then figured that there was little Electro could do about it.

Black Widow and Taskmaster walked silently through the halls of the Academy, keeping their eyes and ears out for any threats. They knew that the Infected were most likely still on the lower levels, but it never hurt to be safe. The transfer pod hummed softly next to Widow as they passed Sector C.

They didn't even get to Sector D before things started going wrong.

On the transfer pod, Vulture started writhing and jerking where he was strapped down. His breathing suddenly got heavier and faster, as if he was hyperventilating. She and Taskmaster shared a quizzical look; Vulture was supposed to be heavily sedated.

They continued on, keeping a careful watch on Vulture as they went. But the teen wasn't calming down, he pulled against his restraints, the talon on the back of his feet scraped harshly against the metal. Widow brought her hand up to her comm and said, "Fury, something's wrong."

What's going on? Captain America responded through the shared link.

We see you Widow, Nick Fury assured through the comm. Try and get Vulture as far into the Academy as you can, then get ouf of there. We'll start the automatic doors as soon as you're clear.

Someone want to tell us what's happening? Electro demanded.

Taskmaster and Widow increased their speed, moving as quickly as possible. They had to push the transfer pod to enable to move faster, which restricted them from being able to grab their trang gun they were both supplied with. They passed Sector D.

Widow is back-up required? Cap asked.

Before Widow you reply, Taskmaster said, "No, stay where you are. The less people Vulture may see, the less we look like threats." Widow grudgingly agreed with him.

"He's right Cap," she said. "Stay where you are." There was a small huff of irritation, before Cap replied with, "Okay." Taskmaster and Widow were almost to Sector E when things went from bad, to worse.

Suddenly, Vultures eyes flew open and he let out an indignant squawk. Though the strap surrounding the beak muffled the sound, and caused Vulture to start to flail in panic. "Vultures awake." Taskmaster shouted in his comm, hand trailing to the trang gun he was supplied with.

Widow reached for her own, but then the straps around Vulture broke and his feathery arms came up and wacked both Taskmaster and Widow. The gun flew from Taskmasters hand, and Widow was too busy getting blinded by Vultures wings, and spitting feathers out of her mouth to find hers.

Vultures hands flew up he tore at the strap on his beak, squawking crazily. He managed to get it free, and turned to the two assassins. "Shit." Taskmaster was able to curse, before Vulture let out a sonic scream, and the two assassins went flying backward and into the wall.

Widows comm flew out of her ear right as she heard Nick yelling at them to get clear of the area. Vulture pried the straps around his legs off, and turned to Widow and Taskmaster with a ferocious gleam in his eyes. He mostly targeted his glare at Taskmaster, and judging by the disdainful look, Widow guessed that Vulture somehow recognized Taskmaster.

Taskmaster knew it too.

He reached inside his boot where a knife was concealed, but right as he moved, Vulture shrieked again and they were slammed harder in the wall. Widow grunted slightly, feeling her back begin to bruise. But by the next shriek, she knew what was coming and rolled aside before the sonic blast could get her.

Taskmaster rolled opposite of her, so they were each on either side of Vulture. Black Widow's back faced the way back to the entrance where Cap and Electro were waiting. Vulture wasn't focusing on her, and instead at a killers eye for Taskmaster. The mutated teen was slowly backing Taskmaster farther into the Academy.

Widow had a 15 second debate on whether she should help him, but then Taskmaster dove forward with another sonic blast, ducking under it and delivering a solid punch to Vultures middle. Vulture was hit a little ways back, enough for Taskmaster to run past and down the hall.

Together he and Widow ran back through the halls and toward the entrance. Vulture was flying after them, shrieking blasts at them. Throughout the Academy, Widow could hear the echoing cries of the rest of the Infected as Vultures loud attacks broke them from their tranquil state.

"We've got to hurry." Widow muttered. "Faster!" they bolted down the halls, Vulture never losing them as he followed after with the intent to kill. Suddenly, there was a loud, hair-raising shriek, and it took the two assassins a moment to realize that it didn't come from Vulture.

That was the sound of an angry Alpha. Spider was on his way.

Taskmaster and Widow cursed colorfully as they finally burst into the entrance room. Vulture burst in after them, shrieking and flying up above them. Captain America and Electro went into a defensive stance, standing protectively in front of the open doors.

"What happened?" Cap yelled, throwing his shield at Vulture as he nose-dived the American soldier. It bounced off Vulture's face, reverberating off the wall and coming back into Cap's hands. Vulture turned away, flying toward Electro instead, where he was nearly zapped.

"The sedatives weren't enough," Natasha explained, rolling out of the way of a sonic blast, landing back on her feet and hitting Vulture with one of her venom blasts. It wasn't enough to stun him, but they hurt. But that also just seemed to make Vulture angry. "He woke up."

Cap watched Vulture, but also titled his heads as he listened to his comm, which Black Widow lost. "Fury says they're having troubles at the base, someone over-rode the controls and all of the monitors have shut off, and the entrance doors aren't online. He says to keep Vulture here as much as we can as he gets them back under control."

"That's going to be a lot harder than he thinks." Taskmaster commented.

"And why's that?" Cap demanded.

"We've got company."

Suddenly, something else burst in the room. It was tall, and dark; giving off a hiss that sent shivers down the spine. Spider growled at all of the people in front of him, his eyes glancing up to see Vulture, where they softened just a tad, before hardening quickly once glancing back at the people within the room.

Then Spider roared loudly, crawling up the wall as he did so. Cap was shouting into his comm with Taskmaster, Electro was cursing saying "he looks so much creepier in person", while Widow raised her wrist defensively in front of her. Then the room burst.

Rhino came charging in through the wall, pieces of shrapnel and debris raining down on those closest, whereas Tiger, Zabu, Triton, and Squirrel Girl came pouring in from the hallway. Squirrel Girl chittered frantically, scurrying up the wall next to Spider. The Infected regarded them with cold, killer eyes.

These were people in THEIR home. Invading THEIR territory; and the Infected did not like that.

Up ahead Vulture was starting to fly crazier, looking conflicted between the regular people and the Infected. Widow and her group were horrible out-numbered, the entrance doors were still not working, and now they had to keep not only Vulture from leaving the Academy, but six other mutated, feral creatures as well.

With one last blood-pulsing roar, Spider jumped from his perch on the wall, down toward the group. The Infected followed after him with an excited cry.

And all hell broke loose.

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