In a gas station mini-mart in Batesville, Utah, a young woman tries to purchase a few groceries, only to be blamed by the cashier for the death of Frank Delacourt. Feeling intimidated, the women tries to leave, but the angry man will not let her. Things begin to fly off the shelves. The two then hear something break outside the store, and the man goes to investigate.
Fearing what would happen, the woman hides behind a shelf, clutching her cross necklace and muttering prayers to God. An explosion is heard, and fire surrounds the building.
Later, Ireland
The bed of the hotel was destroyed, and the mirrors were cracked as Naruto's and May's clothes littered the floor, while the two lovers were in the shower, before May's hand hit the glass and caused spider web cracks to form as Naruto hovered behind her kissing her deeply while he continued to enter her from behind
May turned around and wrapped her arms around Naruto and the two continued to kiss before they heard they're phones go off signaling that there was a mission
"We have a mission." May said still in Naruto's embrace as he looked down at her
"I won't be joining you. I have some aggression I still need to get out of my system. If you need my help call me." Naruto replied before he sped the two out of the shower and next thing May knew was that she was dried off and fully clothed as well as the room fully repaired and she turned to see the door ajar signaling that Naruto already left causing her to scoff
London, England
Thor was sitting on the couch watching martial arts movies eating popcorn with a large pitcher of beer beside him, the living room was filled with research on lightning and its applications.
"Midgard has wonderful entertainment." Thor said to Naruto who was standing behind him in the kitchen grabbing a beer from the fridge
"Helps relieve boredom.'
"Hm, yes for how weak humans are they do have wonderful theories. There are these things called websites and they have a lot of ideas on how I can use my lightning abilities, ways that I never thought of." Thor said watching his movie, "Where may I find Yip Man, and Adonis Creed?"
"Yip Man died in the 70's, and Adonis Creed is a fictional character."
"Him." Thor shurgged
"I can teach you what Yip taught me, and some boxing forms."
"I thought you said he died in the 70's?" Thor asked
"I've been surrounded by violence since I was a minute old. I am physically incapable of going a week without hitting something. As a child whenever I was on my lonesome I would travel through time and meet great fighters and add to my repertoire. Yip was the first of many I was proud to call Sensei."
"Let's go.' Thor said standing up
Naruto and Thor went to a secluded part of the world far away from civilization, and Naruto began to teach Thor some of the lightning moves he's witnessed and learned as well as teaching the Asgardian prince to use his lightning as an internal source to speed up his body to actually become like lightning. Thor was surprisingly a quick study picking up things very easily, he was now sure that coming to Naruto was the right thing to do
Naruto returned to the Bus as the team played Scrabble, "Hey."
"Hey, you get it out of your system?' Phil asked as everyone looked at Naruto who sat on the arm of the chair beside Skye who smiled at him
"Yeah. I'm good." Naruto said nodding before everyone looked to Fitz and began to laugh, as Fitz walked in with with shaving cream on his hand and forehead and one of his eyes
"It's not funny. I was sleeping peacefully. Very clever, Simmons." Fitz said causing Jemma to raise her hands
" I didn't I didn't do it."
"Well, Ward, I don't appreciate -"
"Don't look at me!" Ward laughed
"Okay, well, Skye.."
"No." Skye shook her head
Fitz looked to Coulson who shook his head, "Well, who, then? Look, the bunks should be off-limits, okay?"
The team laughed while May who was in the cockpit listening smiled smugly, "Don't laugh! Because I know it was one of you."
Few Days Later
Naruto and Fitz were on the mat as Jemma, Ward, and May watched having already had their turns, Naruto tossed a left jab that Fitz weaved around, "Keep moving your head Fitz, and keep your hands up."
A right jab forced Fitz to lean his head back, before a right hook forced him to duck, before he threw a left jab, that Naruto bobbed around before Naruto ducked under a left hook, before Naruto tagged Fitz with a left jab to the ribs and a right to the torso before a right hook to the jaw staggered Fitz
"Whatever you do you do not throw a punch fueled by anger. It let's you get sloppy, you channel your anger, internalize it. Stay loose but not to loose. Tag me."
"Your kidding right? Your...you." Fitz said
"Yes, but this isn't me using my abilities or any other fighting style. Just boxing. Tag me."
Fitz backed away as Naruto advanced, "Towel down." Phil said causing everyone to look up at Phil, "I need you all in the command center in 5."
Moments Later
Everyone was in front of Coulson who began his debrief, "At 08-00 hours, three men infiltrated the Havenworth federal penitentiary."
"Infiltrated?" May asked
"More like cannonballed." Skye said
"They were in and out in less then two minutes. Left no prints at the scene, but we do have one lead." Phil said bringing a photo to the big screen and a familiar device was seen
"Centipede." Naruto said
"Seems they salvaged some of their research from Hong Kong."
"And found a way to solve their combustion problem, and now they can create super soldiers with no fear of explosion." Naruto frowned
"Two of Centipede's labs have been destroyed, but they keep popping back up. Now they have at least three of these guys, maybe more." Ward frowned
"Who did they break out?" May asked
"Edison Po, former Marine, expert in tactics and rapid response. He fell off the grid in '08, reappeared 18 months ago at a diner in Boston. Where he stabbed a friend's eyes out. With a steak knife, then finished his meal." Phil said as Skye brought up a picture of Po
"That's funny. Po doesn't look crazy." Skye said causing everyone to look at her incredulously, "I'm kidding. The guy is a walking mug shot."
"Which means he shouldn't be too hard to track down." Phil said looking st the photo, "Finding Po and these Centipede soldiers is a top priority for S.H.I.E.L.D. We'll be running point, but we won't be working alone."
"What team did HQ send for backup?" May asked
"Not a team a person, someone who can help us fight fire with fire. Plus with Naruto it'll be like tossing gas on the fire."
"Somebody we worked with before?" Ward asked
"Not exactly." Phil smiled
"Well don't keep us in suspense, who is it?" Naruto asked
"Mike Peterson." Phil said
"The exploding kidnapping guy?" Naruto asked getting a shrug from Phil, "Great."
Later
May, Naruto, and Phil stood waiting for Mike, "This is a bad idea." May frowned
"While I have you in a good mood, you should know that Skye's trying to I.D. the agent that dropped her off at the orphanage." Phil said as Naruto raised an eyebrow, "We agreed to protect her from the truth, so I told her you were looking into it. She may come to you."
"Wait, you know something?" Naruto asked
"Not a lot." Phil said before everyone noticed Mike walking over
"We'll talk about this later." Naruto frowned
"Agent Coulson, Agent May." Mike greeted only for Melinda to leave
"Last time you saw her, you threw her into a brick wall." Phil said
"Right." Mike nodded before he paused seeing Naruto standing there,
"Mr. Peterson." Naruto greeted
"Morning, uh I never got your name." Mike said
"Naruto. I've been placed in charge of you as long as your with us."
"Okay, um and I would like to thank you."
Naruto rose an eyebrow, "You got me away from my son when I was unstable. The last thing I'd ever want is for him to see me as a monster."
"Its okay, Mike." Naruto smiled with a nod
"First time around, I wasn't who I wanted to be, but now I get it. Having all this it's a privilege. And training to be an agent, working with S.H.I.E.L.D., it's me trying to do better, trying to be better. I just need you to give me a shot." Mike said to the two
"Everyone deserves a second chance. But let me be clear there will not be a third." Phil said seriously
"Understood, sir." Mike nodded
"Good." Phil nodded before he lead Mike upstairs as Naruto frowned having a bad feeling before he walked up to hear
"So, what do we have?" Phil asked
"Not much on Po. I checked his previously known addresses and old military contacts came up empty."
"We've been looking for where Po might be on the outside. Let's look at his life on the inside at the prison. See if that gets us any leads. Like did he have any visitors?" Naruto asked getting a nod from Skye
"Anything on the Centipede soldiers?" Phil asked
"We found a facial recog match on one of them." Jemma said
"Name's Brian Hayward. Stationed in Afghanistan for three years, then fell of the radar when he got back. Only living relative sister, Laura, Sophomore at the University of Ohio. She's our best shot at finding Hayward." Ward said
"You and I will go talk to her." Phil said before he looked to Naruto, "Have May set a course for Cleveland."
Despite the team's reservations, Coulson orders Mike to remain behind on the plane for further testing. Fitz and Simmons learn that the night-night gun caused Mike's stability, while Coulson and Ward drive to the University of Ohio, with Coulson reminiscing about the cellist he left behind.
Naruto was with Skye looking over the information she had about her parents, "You really don't have have to look at that."
"Skye." Naruto said smiling at her, "Whatever you need."
Skye smiled as Naruto looked down at the folder, before she saw May, and walked over to her, "Hey. Coulson told me you were helping to, you know, find my long-lost folks, so thanks. I'm glad you're in on this with me. It means a lot."
May looked at Skye before she saw Naruto watching her as he shrugged and she sighed, "We can't talk about this now, Skye. We're on a mission, I know your excited to find your family, but please focus on the task at hand.'
Skye nodded, "Right. Uh, I called 'cause I found something about Po." she said
"Show me." May said before Skye lead Naruto and May to the briefing room,
"Po only had one visitor during his prison stint her." Skye said as May, and Naruto saw the flower dressed woman, 'You notice the outfit? Miles said a girl in a flower dress asked him to hack S.H.I.E.L.D. And the security footage of the flower dressed girl leaving the lab in China."
Skye pulled up saved footage from the adjacent building and saw the masked men toss out a woman in a flower dress, "They're the same girl." Naruto said
"Can we hear the conversation?" May asked
"That's the bummer there was no audio, but it's not a total loss. I was able to use S.H.I.E.L.D.'s lip-reading program, because we have one of those! It didn't work on the girl because she never looks up at the camera, but Po did once and it caught this."
Skye played an audio track, "The Clairvoyant does not like to be touched."
"I wrote that down, so we don't have to hear that again ever." Skye said
"The Clairvoyant." Naruto said raising an eyebrow
"Yeah. Does that mean anything to you guys?" Skye asked and the two shook there heads negatively
"But it means something to them to Po and whoever that woman is." May said
"Her name's Raina." Mike said in the doorway
"You know her?" Naruto asked
"Yeah, she recruited me for Centipede, came up to me at the hospital where I did my back therapy out of the blue. Told me she could change my life." Mike frowned
Later
Mike went back to do his tests as Skye got in touch with Phil, "We're running her through our we can get an I.D., but we're guessing she's Centipede's recruiter and Po's her latest recruit.' Skye said
"Three super soldiers dive-bomb a prison, pluck him out? He's her number-one draft pick." Naruto replied
"But why him?" Skye asked
"Centipede's making more soldiers. Maybe they want Po to coordinate them, lead them. His background's tactical strategy. He fits the bill." Phil said
'So, these guys have super soldiers, an expert military strategist, and a Clairvoyant who can see the future. Anyone else thinking about switching teams?" Skye asked
"They couldn't have a psychic. There are none on the index. They're a myth."
"So was Thor." Naruto and Skye said
"Maybe it's an alias. Run it through our database and see if anything pops up. Ward is approaching Hayward's sister now." Phil requested
Ward approaches the soldier's sister, Laura, on her campus claiming to be a lottery agent looking for her brother. Knowing the claim to be suspicious, the girl phones her brother, giving the team a location in California for Centipede's base.
Naruto had black combat jeans, a black muscle shirt under a black long sleeve, and boots, before he put on fingerless gloves (Matt's Devil of Hell's Kitchen suit)
Looking over to Mike who was in his new suit as everyone admired it, Naruto walked over, "Don't do anything stupid. You have a kid waiting for you." he said getting a nod from Mike
"Hayward's cellphone has been traced to an abandoned factory about eight miles from here." Phil said walking in, "Probably Centipede's new lab. Certainly been there M.O we destroy one factory, they set up another, putting us back to square one. This time, I want answers."
"Means we go in quiet, do minimal damage to the facility and the people inside." May said
"Naruto, Ward, May, you'll go in through the west entrance. Mr. Peterson and I will enter through the loading dock. Skye, Fitz-Simmons. You'll run the back end from outside." Phil said
"We're doing this just us? We've been playing whack-a-mole with these guys since Ward first picked me out of my van. Shouldn't big S.H.I.E.L.D. be sending in backup?" Skye asked
"Trust me, between Naruto and Mr. Peterson we have all the backup we'll ever need.' Phil said
"Let's move." Naruto said walking off with May and Ward
"No pressure." Fitz said slapping Mike's arm as Mike took a deep breath
Moments Later
Naruto, May and Ward entered the warehouse to see shipping containers but nothing else, "We alone here?" Phil asked from his position with Mike
"It appears so. The only heat signatures we're reading are yours." Jemma reported
"But there's a weird electronic signal. I'm trying to isolate it. Place looks emptied out.' Skye said
"Think we're too late?" Ward asked
"Fitz, dial Hayward's number. Find out."
"Don't." Naruto said looking at the containers, "Its a trap!"
Just as Naruto said this the 4 containers burst open
2 soldiers rushed Naruto, Ward, and May, while Mike and Phil had to deal with 2 of their own
Naruto twirled an arm catching the soldiers arm between his back and his hold before Naruto punched the man in the face sending him flying through the shipping container causing the soldiers to tumble unconscious
Naruto saw Ward get tossed away before a soldier jumped to kick May and shot forward and grabbed the leg and in a move identical to Hulk when he got his hands on Loki, Naruto slammed the soldier into the ground repeatedly and tossed him into the shipping container causing it to slide as it dented around the soldier the was stuck and unconscious when suddenly Naruto heard a popping sound and he opened the soldier's eyes and saw blood had filled one of them
Phil and Mike walked over with Mike clutching his side, "We have a problem." Naruto said
"One got away." Phil said causing Naruto to frown
Bus
The team plus Mike was looking at two x-ray photos, "The one on the left is Akela Amador's. Hayward's is on the right. Now, his prosthetic was slightly damaged, but based on digital reconstruction, we can now confirm that the technology is virtually identical." Jemma said
"Hayward's prosthetic has the same internal power source, backscatter capabilities, and biomechanics as Amador." Skye said
"So Centipede also designed the eye implant?" Phil asked
"These guys are serious multitaskers." Fitz said
"Who's Akela Amador?" Mike asked
"Former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, the first person we encountered with this eye technology, a good agent who was forced to do some bad things." Phil frowned thinking of his former protégé
"We helped her." Jemma smiled
"Kind of a pattern with you guys. So then those soldiers at the warehouse were forced to attack us through that eye thing?"
"They were getting orders. I guess me taking out two of their soldiers so easily wasn't part of the plan. When the tide wasn't in their favor, Centipede flipped Hayward's kill switch, told the other guy to run." Naruto said
"Can you track the eye feed like before, find their location?" May asked Skye who shook her head
"Nope they've upgraded since Amador. Their feed's untraceable now." Skye reported
"Their technology keeps advancing at a disturbingly rapid pace. They must have endless manpower, resources." Phil frowned
"And someone with a fat wallet." Naruto said with a sigh, "Po's the strategist. Raina's the recruiter. Perhaps this Clairvoyant's the money."
"hat makes sense. If I could see the future, I'd go straight to Las Vegas." Fitz said
"Whoever's behind them may or may not be psychic, but they're one step ahead of us every time. I need to update HQ. This is bigger than we thought." Phil said
"If I can get my hands on either of these guy, I may be able to get us some details on this Clairvoyant." Naruto said causing Ward to twitch
"Skye see if you can find anything." Phil said walking off
Naruto walked over to the bar and was followed by May, "I'll pour you a Scotch." Naruto said grabbing a glass
"Don't ever do that again." May said forcing Naruto to look at her
"Do what?' Naruto asked
"When we're out in the field, your head needs to be on the op, not on me." May said as Naruto tilted his head, "I don't need your protection."
"Of course you don't. I took out that Centipede drone because I could. I've known you since your mother found me in that hotel and brought me to your house. I will always protect you. I got the job done like I always do, so if you think me taking out the drone was a way of demeaning you then I am sorry as that wasn't my intention."
May frowned as Naruto walked off leaving May there as Skye stood a bit away
Later
Naruto was walking to his room when he heard sniffling coming from Skye's room and he knocked on the door, "Skye?" he asked
"Go away." Skye said
"No. Let me in, you know I will stand here and continue to knock on the door till you answer. So what's it going to be?"
Skye opened the door and Naruto entered, and sat on the bed as she closed the door and locked it, "What's the matter?" he asked seeing ripped up papers
"Should I put looking for my parents on the back burner for S.H.I.E.L.D?" Skye asked
"I honestly don't think highly of S.H.I.E.L.D, I just have befriended some of their agents. So in my opinion you shouldnt give your all to this. But on missions and in the field you all should be focused of protecting the innocent people." Naruto said as Skye sat beside him, "I know you just want to put all your energy into this, and why wouldn't you, but remember that its a time and place for everything."
"Like you sleeping with May." Skye said
"You jealous?" Naruto asked causing Skye to scoff a and look away
"No." Skye said seeing Naruto looking at her, "Maybe a little." she admitted as Naruto smiled, "Why her?"
"Well I've known May for a long time, before she was the way she is now. We were pranking buddies, when we were kids. After the staff I needed an outlet and she offered to help me."
"So did I." Skye said
"You offered to talk which I am grateful for, but as you know. I used to use sex as a way to feel love since I never experienced love before, and by the time I met Kara sex became a huge part of my life like an addiction. Melinda and I have had encounters before but this. What we are doing now is just a way to calm down the rage that's simmering underneath the surface."
Skye nodded in understanding before she laid her head on his shoulder, and he kissed her temple, and laid his head atop of hers,
The two staid together talking before Skye dozed off on his chest, while Naruto suddenly sensed fear. Using his hearing he heard Mike pleading with someone and listened in before a from appeared on his face
Later
Everyone was in the briefing room, as Naruto stood in the back watching Mike who was afraid for his son and remorseful for what he was about to be forced to do, "They want a trade Ace for his father. They've set a time and a place." Phil said
"Bloody savages." Fitz frowned
"They want to experiment on him, determine how he still has his abilities." Jemma said
"And we're gonna let them? We've fought these guys before." Ward replied
"We don't have a choice. The instructions they gave Mr. Peterson were very specific. I called HQ, told them to stand down." Phil said
"Stand down?" May asked incredulously
"So we take them alone." Ward said
"We should at least have a hostage-rescue unit In support of this." May proposed
"They said they would murder my son." Mike said choked up
"I can do it." Naruto said
"You can't.' Phil said looking to the Avenger, 'If we make one wrong move. Any electronics, any comms, any sign of surveillance and they'll terminate the arrangement. Also you can't be on the scene or anywhere near it."
Naruto sucked his teeth before Mike stood up,
"I'll give myself up, no problem, get him back. I can figure it out from there."
"You're still recovering. We can't just hand you over to them like that." Naruto said
"Fitz-Simmons have a non-electronic method of tracking him." Phil remembered
"Simmons has fabricated an odorless scent. I have an instrument which can detect it. Works like a bloodhound, can track someone from over 50 kilometers." Fitz said
'After we make the trade, we'll be able to follow . Buy him some time to get his strength back. We'll find him." Phil said
"I don't care what happens to me. As long as my boy is-" Mike paused and tool a deep breath to hold in his tears
"I promise you, we're gonna get your son back." Naruto said
Later
Phil and May were in a car headed to the Exchange point when May stopped the car, "At least let me escort him out for the exchange." May frowned
"Mr. Peterson requested me. I'm comfortable with that, and if things go South, I need you back here, taking point on the team." Phil said looking out the window, "Is Ward in position?"
"Yes. But I don't like any of this." May replied
"There'd be something wrong with you if you did." Phil smirked before the team filed out and Jemma placed a liquid onto Mike's hand
"Once the swap happens, I'll fire up my equipment. We'll be able to track you wherever they take you.' Fitz said
'Just don't do anything that'll endanger my son." Mike replied
"We won't, but we want to make sure Ace has his dad at the end of the day, too." Skye said
"Time to go." Phil said walking over getting a nod from Mike before they walked off, "My team won't let you down".
"It wasn't supposed to go down like this. I'm gonna make this right, I swear." Mike said as they headed to the car as Raina and Po stood waiting for them out of Ward's vision
"Hello, Mike. It's been awhile. Your son is adorable, and he looks just like you." Raina said before she looked to Phil, "I don't believe I've had the pleasure."
"Lucky for you." Phil said
"I have to thank you, Mike, for holding up your end of the deal." Raina said looking to Mike
"Let's just make the trade. Give us Ace, and you can have him." Phil demanded
"Oh, that wasn't the deal." Po said causing Phil to look to Mike
"I'm so sorry." Mike said
"What's happening here, Mike?" Phil asked
"Well, in exchange for his son, we asked Mike to deliver you." Po said before Mike shot forward and grabbed his and Raina's throat,
"I'm not at full strength, but I can still crush both of your throats. New deal! My son for your lives!"
"Sadly, my employer cares no more for our life than your son's. If we die, so does he, and his death will be so much worse." Po smirked
"You need to let her go." Phil said
"I told them they could have me. But they want you. Why do they want you?" Mike asked looking to Phil
"I don't know, but if you kill these people, you'll never see your son again." Phil said
"But how will I look him in the eye? How will I explain what I did?" Mike said
"Mike. Its okay." Phil said nodding
"I'm so sorry." Mike said releasing the two who breath a sigh of relief
"Let's finish this." Po frowned before a soldier opened the door and Ace ran out
"Dad!" Ace yelled causing Mike to smile before he hugged his son before he looked to Phil
'If there had been any other way-"
"You made the only choice you had." Phil assured watching as Mike ran off
Po used this time to inject a syringe into Phil's back but heard the sound of something breaking and saw the syringe was broken as Phil smiled at the man
Earlier
Phil was in his office getting prepared to go, when Naruto entered, "You can't go." Naruto told Phil
"I have to.' Phil said
"I agree, Phil Coulson must be there but you can not go." Naruto replied
"What?' Phil asked confused before Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder,
"Get some rest my friend." Naruto said before his Sharingan appeared and wiped Phil's mind clean putting him to sleep till Naruto awoke him and Naruto took on Phil's appearance
Present
In a puff of smoke, Godspeed was in Phil's place causing Po's and Raina's eyes to widen along with the team and Ace who gasped in awe seeing one of the Heroes of New York
"Hi." Godspeed said before the Centipede solder tried to attack but Naruto kicked in his knee and knocked him out with an elbow, before he leaned back as Po tried to stab him before he grabbed Po's face and slammed his head into the concrete sneakingly taking his soul and his knowledge
Looking up Naruto saw Raina with a detonator before the cement truck and safety clones exploded, Raina turned to run but gasped when Godspeed unscratched was before her with the Centipede soldier on his shoulder, and before she could try to talk her way out of this a chop to the neck knocked her out,
Naruto sped with Raina and the soldier to the team as Ace and Mike looked at him in awe, "Hello Ace, right?' Naruto asked
Ace nodded looking at Godspeed, "Your a brave boy. You keep your dad out of trouble alright?"
"Okay." Ace said smiling as Godspeed ruffled his hair
Naruto looked to the team and nodded before he sped away with the soldier and Raina
The Bus
Naruto's suit fell away back into the necklace he wore, before he put Raina aand the soldier in the interrogation box both remaining unconscious till Naruto released them from the illusion he put them in, walking to Phil, Naruto restarted his brain waking him up
Phil gasped away his eyes unfocused as he caught flashes of a lab with his mind being operated on as he begged to be killed, remembering his resurrection.
Finished