The villains were all herded into the debriefing room by guns and agents, each hand-cuffed (a special set just for Electro and Sandman) stripped of weapons and any means of defense (or offense), and chained to the table they were being sat by. "What is the meaning of this?!" Octavius demanded, each of his tentacles were air-locked together, which left him immobile.

Nick Fury stood in the head of the room, his hands clasped crisply behind him as he regarded the villains with one cold, angry eye. While the whole time this Infected problem has been going, there have been many sides to the Director that they have all seen. Sadness (slightly), concern (slightly), agitation (oh yeah), frustration (very much), and violent anger (something no one wishes to see).

But right now, with a complete neutral, calm face, the only emotion detected coming from his one good eye, which was alight with such rage, that it shut the villains, the agents, and even the heroes present right up. Suddenly, they all understood why the Director was so feared.

"Go." Fury ordered the agents who brought the villains in. "Wait outside till I give the order."

"Yes Sir." They all chorused, before abruptly leaving the room. Fury turned to the heroes who were summoned into the room too, and said one word, "Sit."

They all sat.

Now, with everyone watching and attention fixated on the fuming Director, they all waited – no one dared say anything. Nick Fury paced the room slowly, as if gathering up his thoughts and neatly organizing them, before he stood at the head of the table and finally addressed everyone. "What happened out there was no coincident." He stated.

And by 'there' everyone knew he meant the mission regarding Vultures transfer – at the mention, the people with wounds grimaced silently and resisted the urge to rub at their bruises. There really was no explanation for what happened, with the doors suddenly not working on more, and all video footage of the Academy being shut off.

"S.H.I.E.L.D is an organization that prides itself in its security and defense. We do not believe in coincidences. The virus that cut off all our monitors was planted by someone on the inside. The Avengers, New Warriors, Web Warriors, and Ultimates," Nick Fury seemed to sigh when saying all the title, "are all too emotionally in-depth to the situation to sabotage, not that they'd sabotage anyway. Which leaves you eight." His eye narrowed at the villains.

The cons all rolled their eyes at the accusations, "Please," Taskmaster scoffed. "Electro and I weren't even in the tricarrier; we were down in the Academy, getting attacked by your heroes Fury."

"Yeah, besides. I don't even know anything about viruses or whatever." Electro sniffed.

"I was down in your labs looking toward a cure, even ask that Connors of yours! He, along with 8 other doctors were working in there with me." Octavius declared. "In fact, I wasn't even working near any computers."

Nick Fury narrowed his eyes, "The virus could've been planted to go off within a time-limit." He said, addressing Taskmaster, before turning to Octavius and Electro. "You could've planted it Ock when Connor's back was turned. I didn't really think Electro could do it either, but hey, today was just full of surprise." Electro looked like he didn't know if he should be offended or not.

Beetle, was silent as always, but shook his head in exasperation – looking like he almost just might speak up to defend himself. "Well, I don't know a thing about planting viruses and anything technology related." Sandman spoke up. "I mean, you did have me imprisoned on an desolate island for years." He gave Nick Fury a dirty look.

"You all have it out for Spider-Man!" Nova pointed out, interrupting Scorpion who looked like he was going to defend himself as well. "And SH.E.I.L.D, and pretty much anyone in here. It was only a matter of time before one of you did something." He seemed to look pointedly at Taskmaster.

"I wouldn't plant a virus that could end in my demise." Taskmaster refuted. "I too was almost killed down there you litte-."

Hawkeye, who was tipping back in his chair, leaned forward and interrupted with, "So then maybe it was one of the villains up here, who didn't give a crap about your life, Tasky." Taskmaster glowered at him.

"Yeah," Falcon agreed. "It's not like any of you are known for letting people live."

Doc Ock scoffed where he sat, "You say that as if you heroes have never taken a life before." He sneered; a majority of the people tensed. Falcon's eye narrowed dangerously at the scientist, but Ock continued. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you are working with a former-assassin." He gave a pointed look at Black Widow, who clenched her fist beneath the table. "A monster who's favorite line is 'smash'." He glanced at Hulk, the green goliath growled threateningly. "A S.H.I.E.L.D agent who no doubt had more than one causality during his 'missions.'" Hawkeye tensed, his hands inching toward his bow. "A soldier who fought in a war." Captain America, who (despite orders to recover in the Med Bay from Nick and attended the meeting anyway) was still pale, looked down as haunting old memories passed through his head. "And a billionaire who used to sell weapons to whoever would pay the highest." Iron Man glared spitefully at Ock, a vein bulging in his neck.

Smirking at their reactions, Ock turned back to Falcon, "I'd say the only one on your team of heroes who hasn't killed, would be you, Falcon; which begs the question." Ock leaned forward a little bit. "Have you ever killed anyone?" Falcon was gritting his teeth.

"That's not the same!" he declared hotly.

"Isn't it?" Taskmaster stipulated. "I suppose you, all of the Avengers, are just innocent, little boy scouts," a glare from Black Widow. "who haven't shed blood before. And its only a matter of time before these younger heroes," Taskmaster looked straight at the teens. "Start doing it too."

The teens all looked affronted at the thought of killing; when working with Spider-Man, you realize that he has a strong affliction with killing someone, and if ever the thought was even mentioned it was quickly shut down. So killing was not something the teens were EVER allowed to even really consider as an option.

The Avengers didn't seem to like it either, "Leave them out of this." Iron Man growled, as if the very thought of the teens even hearing the k-word would somehow make them actually consider it. Taskmaster simply shook his head and leaned back in his seat.

"We're getting off track." Nick Fury notified.

"Are we?" Scorpion demanded. "You think that just because we've done a few bad things, that were filthy and rotten. You all," he pointed to the Avengers, Nick, and the teens. "think you're all innocent, do-gooders, when really you're all just as bad as us."

Hawkeye stood up quickly, his chair falling on the ground behind him as he did, as he regarded Scorpion with fire in his eyes., "But the difference between us and you guys, is that we made a change for the better! F.Y and freaking I, we're saving the world from people like you!"

"I don't even care about this outside world!" Scorpion snarled. "All I want is to be the rightful ruler of Kun'Lun, I deserve it more than Iron Fist!" he spat the name like it was poison. Iron Fist, from where he sat, tensed and glared icily at Scorpion. "Being a ruler is about trusting in those who are loyal to you and caring for all who stand with you. Your mind is filled with the thoughts of glory and greed, with them you will never qualify to be a leader." Iron Fist retorted with a sharp, but calm, tone.

Scorpion growled angrily, "What do you know of leadership?" he demanded. "All you've been doing is prancing around in this outside world, doing meaningless things, instead of performing you're rightful duties to Kun'Lun! You think that idiotic, blundering fool you call a leader is teaching you anything? Spider-Man is a nuisance and is poisoning your mind!"

Iron Fist stood up fast, his fists was aglow with intense power that seemed to crackle and twist around his hand. "Spider-Man is everything a leader is and should be; he is loyal to his team, he cares for everyone, and he helps anyone who needs it. He's taught me more about leadership than anything within the scrolls or our history back in Kun'Lun. He's not poisoning my mind Scorpion, he's enlightening it. In fact, the only poisoning I can think of is YOU, a brother from Kun'Lun, attacking and poisoning me back on the bridge, because you were blinded with jealousy." The monks voice was filled with raw anger and aggression, something that is rare with Iron Fist's usual calm and collected demeanor.

Scorpion was struck mute for a second, he (along with everyone else) surprised with Iron Fist's spiteful yelling. But before Scorpion could recover and come up with a retort, Nick Fury's communicator beeped and the face of Dr. Connors appeared on his wrist device.

Thank goodness... Nick Fury thought wearily to himself. "Yes, what is it Connors?"

"Something is happening in the Academy." Connors replied, eyes wide. The doctor look sleep-deprived, his eyes were red and droopy, his hair was a mop of tangles, and his clothes were wrinkly as worn. "I think you're going to want to see it."

Nick Fury decided to bring up Connors lack of caring for himself later, "Link us in." the Director approved. His wrist communicator turned black again, and a moment later a holographic screen popped up and flickered to life within the Academy:

The Infected were all in the training room, the one holding the (still-hostage) S.H.I.E.L.D agent; who at seeing the Infected arriving, scooted fearfully further to the wall clutching his still-healing arm. But the Infected didn't even blink an eye at him.

Nick Fury rubbed his temples at the reminder that they had also failed in retrieving the agent.

Triton and Squirrel dragged a kicking and shrieking Vulture, though because of a band of webs wrapped around his beak, the shrieks were muffled and harmless. The two threw him in the center of the training room; Spider walked in a moment later. He hissed at his Pack, and they all immedianly went and sat patiently by the wall.

Vulture was still squirming on the ground, kicking and writhing like a deranged worm. Spider approached him, which made the bird-mutate shriek and struggle harder. But that was quickly put to an end as Spider pounced, and held Vulture down fast, so he was pinned on the ground.

Vulture squawked indignantly, eyes narrowed with anger as he thrashed crazily. Spider grabbed Vulture's head and held it down on the floor, aggressively leaning in Spider hissed harshly at Vulture, opening his maw widely to show-off his poisonous fangs.

At seeing the fangs, fear leaked into Vultures eyes and he shrieked fearfully; and struggled harder. Growling this time, Spider squeezed Vulture a little harder and positioned his fangs over his throat. One simple snap, and Vulture would be done for.

Fury pressed a button on his wrist device, signaling Connors to get ready to gas if needed.

But Vulture seemed to pick up the message too, and he stopped moving. He made a small noise, and lowered his eyes so he wasn't looking into Spider's six anymore.

Vulture obediently submitted to Spider.

The arachnid, in turn, crooned encouragingly and got off Vulture. The bird still didn't move. Spider bent down and, with one sharp barb, smoothly cut the webs from Vultures body, without hurting the body beneath. But it seemed Vulture wasn't done fighting just yet.

Once free, Vulture thrashed and caught onto Spider's chest with his talons, making several cuts. With a few floppy flaps of his wings, Vulture rose in the air, a few straggling webs hanging off his wings like lace. Vulture scratched off the webs holding his beak shut with a talon as well.

Now completely free, Vulture gave a victorious shriek, an energy blast go up and exploding against the ceiling.

At seeing their Alpha hurt, the rest of the Infected immedianly got to their feet to help. But Spider grunted at them to stay put, which they regarded with annoyance, but grudgingly sat back all the same. Spider touched his wound disdainfully; almost seemingly rolling his eyes (as if he was only annoyed that Vulture had fought back and hurt him).

Vulture must've been feeling pretty cocky from out-smarting Spider into trusting him, because the bird turned back to the Spider and took a bold dive at the arachnid. Spider simply side-stepped and Vulture swooped past and almost hit into a wall. But the bird was able to gain his bearings, and soared back up by the ceiling.

Spider hissed at Vulture, a simply warning. Vulture responded by sonically attacking Spider this time. The arachnid dodged, and landed on the wall. Vulture squawked, before attacking again. Each time though, Spider dodged, scaling smoothly higher and higher up on the wall.

But with Vultures contained fury, the bird was relentless. He alternated between swooping down with his claws and shrieking a sonic blast. But each one was avoided.

Getting more and more frustrated, Vulture started getting reckless. He made sloppy arcs, and starting misaiming with his blasts. After several minutes, Vulture started to slow down as weariness bore down on him. His flapping started getting sluggish, and his squawks were getting weaker.

At finally seeing an opening, Spider moved with fascinating speed up the wall and onto the ceiling. Before Vulture even realized, Spider jumped from the ceiling and right on the bird. Both tumbled to the ground, Spider landing on top of Vulture roughly. Though right as the landed, Spider flipped off, shooting two webs that connected to Vultures wings and threw the bird into the wall.

With a pained cry, Vulture fell back down, his wings twitching harshly. Not even breathing heavily, Spider walked over to Vulture and slammed a few fists into the ground, near the birds head, while a few others grabbed his wings (barbs slightly digging into the soft flesh) and then roared with such ferocity, it echoed within the halls of the Academy. Vulture shrunk away, making himself look as small as possible, this time really unable to look at Spider straight.

It was silent for a moment, Spider hissed and Vulture flinched away. Crooning softly this time, Spider slowly let go of Vultures wings and backed a few inches away. Vulture remained where he was for a moment, before looking up in confusion and slowly getting to his feet as well.

Spider grunted at him, Vulture back up a little, still making himself look small. This time, Spider purred soothingly, deep in his chest, and moved closer to the bird. With steady fingers, Spider wrapped up the small cuts he made on Vultures wings with a web-bandage.

Vulture seemed surprised with the care Spider had, and looked up at him with slightly crazy, yet wondrous eyes. Spider purred a little louder, and stroked Vultures wings softly. The bird cocked his head to the side, lookin confused with the intimacy. Spider stopped his humming to make a small chuckling sound, as if amused by Vultures confusion.

Spider walked a few feet away, before stopping and motioning for Vulture to come along. Hesitantly, Vulture took a few steps toward the Spider, a small look of unease blooming in his features. Spider crooned gently, and coaxed Vulture a little further. The bird, feeling a little better, drew closer till he was at the arachnid's side.

Spider hummed appraisingly, before addressing his Pack with a happy croon. Immedianly the Pack was up and surrounding Vulture. The bird squawked in surprised at first, startled at the sudden rush of creatures. But with a gentle hand on his back from Spider, relaxed a tad.

Squirrel Girl was the first to greet Vulture; she chittered happily, before producing a shiny bolt (seemingly out of nowhere) and gave it to Vulture. Vulture took the bolt in astonishment, holding it in his talons like it was something incredibly special. Squirrel Girl chirped approvingly.

Next was Tiger, her greeting wasn't as warm. She eyed Vulture like she was sizing up a toy, she gave a small hiss at him her tail flicking to side curtly, before giving him a tiny purr.

After Tiger was Zabu, who immedianly ignored personal pace and rubbed his head against Vultures wings, enjoying the feel of the soft feathers on his fur. He purred and gave Vulture a comforting lick.

Triton sniffed at Vulture curiously, as if trying to smell something familiar on him. At smelling nothing, Triton shrugged with disinterest, but gave Vulture a small nudge of greeting.

Finally, Rhino, who gently rubbed his horn against Vulture, grunting in welcome. Vulture squawked again, this time sounding happier as he examined all of the Pack members. The bird still had a lot of random anger and aggression in his system, but Zabu and Tiger would be more than happy to play it out of him.

But the welcoming was interrupted as the attention was drawn back to Spider, who had scurried away from the group. The arachnid climbed up the wall, and halting in the corner of the room, right in front of the camera that was videoing the exchange. Spider looked into the device, eyes cold and hostile, as if he KNEW that he was being watched this very second.

The arachnid remained in front of the camera for a moment, muscle tensing as anger flooded his features – for a moment he looked ready to jump and sink his fangs right into the device. But he didn't.

Spider took a few deep breathes, as if calming himself. His jaw twitched and opened a little – for a moment, Spider looked ready to say something, talk like a regular person like he had before. But then he must've changed his mind, because instead his eyes furrowed into a vindictive glare and he hissed enraged, his fangs glinting in the light, shadows crossing his face slightly, making him look ghastly and inhuman.

Then, with one clenched fist, Spider shot forward and grabbed the camera, and crushed it in one mighty hand.

The screen went black.

The heroes and villains all watched in amazement. "You've got to be kidding me." Captain America muttered, running a tired hand through his messy hair.

Connors voice came back in through Fury's communicator, "Sir, the rest of the Infected are running through the Academy; they're smashing ALL of the cameras. We're blind from the outside."

Nick Fury grit his teeth together, "Damn it!" he cursed seethingly.

Farther down the table, Kraven addressed them all, "After seeing that, I'd say you need our help more than ever." His face was neutral, but his eyes held an excited glint to them.

The scary thing was, Kraven might just be right.