*The sky above Manhattan burns with swirling blue energy as the Chitauri pour through the portal. Civilians scream, cars lie overturned, and explosions shake the streets with every passing second.

The Avengers fight as one—or at least, they're supposed to.

A week ago, the team gained its newest recruit: Cassidy chase. Young, eager... and desperate to be everyone's favorite. Every mission has become a competition in her eyes. She constantly tries to outshine the others, insists she can handle everything alone, interrupts plans to make herself look heroic, and somehow always finds a camera or a crowd to perform for. Most of the team is already exhausted by her behavior, but there hasn't been time to address it.

Now, during the biggest battle Earth has ever faced, her need to prove she's the "best Avenger" threatens to disrupt everything.

Tony fires into the swarm overhead. Steve directs civilians to safety while barking orders through the comms. Natasha and Clint cover evacuation routes. Thor crashes into a Leviathan with a deafening roar, and Bruce disappears behind a collapsing building before the unmistakable sound of the Hulk echoes through the city.

Over the radio, Steve's voice cuts through the chaos.

"Everyone, stay on assignment. Nobody goes off alone."

Almost immediately, Cassidy breaks formation.

"Oh please, I've got this! Watch and learn!"

Several heads turn at once.

This is either going to end with her proving everyone wrong...

...or becoming the Avengers' biggest problem in the middle of the Battle of Manhattan.*