Hawkeye: Agony

The Circus of Crime

Data Profile

Name: The Circus of Crime
Information: A Circus made up of muderous people. Every time they perform, they slaughter all who are in their unsuspecting audience - singling out women and children throughout the show, and enhancing people's fear. Though they are seen as weak and pathetic by many agents - all who have tried to aprhend them, have died in cold blood.
Members: The Ringmaster- A magician and the leader. He owns the Circus and is the primary target.
Trickshot- An bowman with exceptional skills. His only matches are his two students, who he took from an orphanage.
Princess Python- A muderous woman who is fairly ordinary as a person, though she specialises in her animalistic abilities with her fellow. A python. Of which she rides, and strikes with.
Bruto- One of the strongest men in the world, and is even a match to the Hulk.
The Gambonno twins- Two twins who work better together. They have astounding acrobatic abilities and can join together to create an astounding blow. Though small, they are both strong and easily doubted.
The human cannonball- An overly sized man who can turn in to a ball. In this form, he is strong enough to break through walls and to murder anyone with the force of his mass.

**

The Avengers were staring up at the screen: Some in confusion; others with confidence, and I was glaring at the floor. I couldn't read it... Was there any more information? ... Was I on there?

"So what's the plan, Clint?" Steve was now looking at me, and all the other Avengers followed.
Fury hadn't told me, but he had made me the leader for this mission and I was having a hidden panic attack. My hands were gripping the desk, my arms outstretched and my head looking between them.

"Clint?"
I looked up.
Tony and Bruce were still examining the holographic file, both looking at it in disbelief. I knew that they thought that this was going to be easy.

Wanda was looking between Steve and me, clearly not fond of my lacking confidence, as leader - and wishing for him to take over.

Steve looked as though he had every ounce of confidence in me. But I could tell that he was only faking the short smile on his lips.

Thor was not hiding his thoughts, smirking at the hologram and giving a broad laugh at every profile he read.

And Natasha was pulling her usual serious expression; trying not to meet my gaze.

**

"I... I think that we shouldn't have too much confidence in ourselves, at this point. The file does say that agents have tried before... and it is clear where they have ended up."
I mustn't have sounded too sure, and I ended up looking at Steve for some sign of a thumbs up.
"You're right," Steve said in confirmation, "So don't get too cocky." He looked towards the opposite side of the table where Tony; Bruce and Thor were sat.
"Me?!" Tony laughed, "Never!"

I cracked a small laugh at this. Which stopped when Wanda spoke up.
"But... You didn't even look at the file."
I didn't know what to say... I didn't need to look at the file. I knew it. First hand.
My mouth was open.

"Director. Fury went over it in his office."
I gave Natasha a grateful smile for this, and she returned it.

**

"I think that it would be best that we find out where the next city will be. So... Tony?"
"Oh," He replied with a smirk, "I did that twenty minutes ago." He tapped his watch, which brought up another hologram - that showed the tour poster. The next date was on the following day... in Manhattan.
Steve looked quickly concerned, "Well. We best be preparing... Do we know anything more about the _ ?"

"...And I got some more footage of the Circus, too." Tony flicked the screen of his watch again and a video came up.

"A woman had been filming her showing of the Circus act..." Tony was saying.

**

"HELP! HELP ME!" A woman was fighting through the grip of Bruto, as a man in a purple suit approached her - his bow was poised. The mask that he wore covered his face to show no identity to the crowd - he wouldn't want to be caught for his crimes. The 'H' on his forehead was shining against the spotlights.

"Please! I have children!" The woman was crying, as she began to fall weak from the consecutive struggle.
The man was merciless and shot her through the heart, only before the restrains fell upon the crowd.

"You did good," The Ringmaster was saying to the man.
"It's my job."

Then a green gas enveloped the camera, before it was dropped to the floor and the screen crackled.

**

My face looked blank in shock. I didn't know what to do; what to say. I watched, like everyone else did - but I payed no attention to the commentary that Tony was giving throughout.

"Wow..." Wanda said finally.
"What scoundrel would think to perform such a task in public?!" Thor exclaimed.
"Was he in the data, Tony?" Steve said curiously, though looking at the screen with deep concern.

"No," Tony said, almost instantly, "Though he was mentioned... He is one of the pupils. He's only a background member."
"Background?!" Bruce said with desperation, "What on earth are the others like then?!"

Steve interupted the answer, "Do we know who he is?"
"We can find out." Tony flicked the screen of his phone one final time - bringing up a fourth hologram, with a sound diagram on it. "I can run a diagnostic on the man's voice."

I looked at Natasha, who hadn't spoken yet. She knew fully well what was to come, and was looking down at her phone - typing.
My phone began to ring, and Natasha's phone number came up.
"I think you should take that."
I looked at her for a moment before walking out of the room, quickly.

**

"It's my job."

**

The results came through quite slowly, but in the end - Friday sent through the result.
"Sir. The result of the voice matches Mr. Clint Barton."

I ran down the corridor, pushing past the guards and the other agents, wanting nothing but fresh air - as my lungs got tighter, and my breath, scarce.

"Clint?!" They all said in unison, all looking to where I was stood moments ago.
"Where's Barton?!" Tony shouted to anyone who would listen, rising from his place around the table, and striding towards the door.
"No!" Natasha had moved to block him - but was thrown back by a blast with a repulsor, from Tony's newly formed glove.
"Tony, don't!"
The others followed Tony out of the door and began to follow the directions of the agents.

I had now made it outside, and was breathing heavily.
My hands were gripping my knees to stop me from shaking - and I looked like I was about to be sick.

"CLINT!"
I turned around sharply as a repulsor fired at my chest, and I was sent to the floor.
Tony stood on my chest, and I winced at the weight on my - already weak - body.
"Tony... please..." I was weasing, and could hardly breathe beneath him. Then his charged hand was placed to the side of my face, as he bent down. All of his weight, now on top of me.
I looked to the side of my face, where the glowing beam was in contact.
"Please, Tony."

"Tony! Stand down!" Steve was holding his shield now, and he had it pointed at me.
Then he mumbled, "Take him in to holding."
"Steve?" I looked at him desperately.
"You shouldn't have ran away..."

Tony helped me up off the ground, only to lock my hands behind my back, and to drag me back inside.
My legs were fumbling and my lungs were trying desperately to catch the fresh air, whilst I had it.

"I'm sorry, Clint."