Hawkeye: Agony

The Three Days Passing

I woke up face first on the table, so I figured I hadn't been out for as long as I had thought. Though that was clearly wrong when I asked Jarvis for the time and date.

I looked around the silent and empty room, hoping beyond anything that they all didn't leave for the Circus without me.
The accepted file on the table answered my questions instantly - with a date that suggested they left quite a while ago.
Frantically I looked around, hoping that I was wrong.
Jumping up from the chair I called out, "Nat?! Steve?! Tony?! Bruce?!!"
But I was given no reply.

I was still yelling in my totally frantic state, "Jarvis, where are they?!!"
As ever, Jarvis did not flinch, "They left for Waverly in Iowa for a Circus performance two days ago, sir. I am sorry that you are missing the fun."
I laughed slightly but with guilt and disbelief.
'Fun?!'

Waverly, Iowa... My home town.
This is where me and Barney both found the Circus in the first place. They knew I would come for them.
They knew I would be weaker; even scared if I was forced to come home to find them. They knew I'd possibly stand down and give myself in.

I ran up to my room, grabbing my bow and a purple suit from deep under the shadows of my bed. Stuffing the mask, branded with a 'H' in to my deep archer's pockets.

I arrived quickly at my bike and drove off down the road - speeding. Every single security camera flashed me as I passed but I didn't care.
Despite everything, all I wanted to do was check if they were all okay. To know that they were alive. I couldn't let them die. I just...couldn't. Not again.

**

"We should wake him up," Steve said looking down at me, lying flat out on the table.
"Well I don't want to. That clown show is going to start in a day's time. And I can't. Can't stand here and wait for people to die," Tony said defiantly.
"He isn't going to kill anyone, Tony. He's our friend. He's not like them."
"I'm not arguing, Steve. It won't hurt to leave him here.
...They could force him back in to murder and you know it," He was stern despite his armour flying around him and attaching itself to form the Iron Man suit.
Steve simply nodded silently as he grabbed his shield - giving a small glance of worry towards myself and then to Natasha, who looked like she had no plans to leave me there.
"You all don't know what you're walking in to..." She said quietly.
Through his armour, Tony spoke robotically, "Well you seem to. You best inform us on the way."
"No. I can't. Because I know as little as you do. I promised Clint I wouldn't go near them."
"Well... Looks like you're going Sweetheart," Tony said as he flew off out of the door.

Natasha paused, and then took the dart out of my neck and placed it on the table. She then walked out silently to her own bike and drove off after Tony. Soon followed by both Steve, Bruce and Wanda in a car - Thor flying.

They all arrived. Regrouping right in front of the tent flap entrance. None being as cautious as they should, even Nat. All walking in with their weapons down at their sides.

The tent was pitch black as ever. Only when they walked in to the centre did the usual spot light fall on them.
"Welcome one and all to the Circus of Iowa! I suggest you don't take a seat. The show is about to begin!" The Ringmaster's voice was loud and echoed across the room.
All of the Avengers raised their weapons - unable to point them at the Ringmaster himself.
Tony's Ironman suit was glowing brightly, providing a bit of extra light.
"Jarvis, where is that voice coming from?"
"No where in the tent itself, sir. But I cannot pin point where."
With a slight tone of annoyance, Tony spoke, "Well neither can we."

"We need to get out of here..." Natasha said as she grabbed Steve's arm and pulled him towards the tent flap, which had now disappeared and sealed them in.
"...We're stuck," She turned around to face the light again but not stepping back in to it.
"I told you we needed Clint, Tony..."
"This isn't the time for the naming g_."
The Ringmaster interrupted Tony quickly, "You know Clinton?" He sounded almost gleeful in his stern tone. Moving the spotlight so it fell over Steve and Natasha instead.
"No. We don't know who you're talking about," Natasha said sternly.
"I wasn't asking, Miss. Now you're going to pay for what he did to us."

Steve and Natasha slowly moved back towards the others, with the spotlight still looming over them.
"And what did he do?"
"He got us all arrested."
"...How did you escape S.H.I.E.L.D?"

There was a long pause...
"Magic."

And then the whole tent was blinded by the light of lime green glow.