Author's Note: Hello everyone, here we are with the next chapter. Please read and review generously. I thank all who have favourited the story, who are following the story, and who have taken time out of their busy lives to review; it all helps. I thank The Helghast Marine for helping me with these upcoming chapters. He came up with great ideas. Without further ado, let us begin.
Chapter Twenty-One: Interlude-Memories 2
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Jemma clutching Fitz in her arms as they sat together in the dark cell. Fitz was badly beaten and his face bloodied. Jemma was sobbing as she held Fitz tight. "I am still here Fitz no matter," Jemma whispered.
"I know Jemma. I love you I want you to know." Fitz said through the pain and agony.
"Oh God, you are cold." as she wrapped her hands and her own body around Fitz.
"We are going to die are we?" said Fitz closing his eyes. "We are in this together Jemma."
"Together, I love you until the end." said Jemma to Fitz before kissing him.
They squeezed hands for a moment until screams and gunfire erupted outside. Sounds of carnage were heard that terrified both Jemma and Fitz as it came closer to their cell.
The pair huddled in a corner in terror as they closed their eyes await their demise but it never came. The cell door burst open with Fitz and Jemma let out terrified screams but death never came.
"You are safe." said a voice. "I am taking you somewhere safe now." Jemma slowly look up as she held Fitz tighter at a young blonde man in an orange tracksuit coming at the door before taking a knee down to show he was friendly.
The man offers his hand and a bittersweet simile. "Everything is going to be okay."
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Three days later
Coulson and the rest of his friends currently in the living room turned into a makeshift hospital but it was still a miracle that they all escape from that hellhole because of the "ghost". As for them...none of them escaped without scars. Almost the team looks like they just came off the meat grinder.
The agents of SHIELD were resting in beds or couches. Thanks to that Ghost who mysteriously treated their injuries and fed them.
The Injured Coulson had bruises over his face, plus a black eye, five ribs were broken and bandage wrappings around his head and chest resting in a bed. When he along with his team were thrown into the black-site prison; they all endured brutal beatings, starvation, torture by electrocutions and night less taunts. To add insult; everyone was forced into another room and forced seated into chairs only to watch a video of screaming and crying Daisy being whipped in front of them.
Fitz and Simmons were resting together in another bed as they held on to each other.
Leo Fitz had a broken nose, split lip, broken ribs, swollen cheeks and black eye from the previous beatings trying to defend Simmons from being taken to the torture chambers and he had a sling containing his broken right arm after his jailers broke it as he spat on a guard in defiance. He shielded Jemma and took most of the beatings that were meant for Jemma. He went this far when he offerd himself to the jailers in exchange for not having Jemma being beaten.
Jemma Simmons had a massive bruise on her cheeks, cuts on her arms, a swollen black eye, and her fingers nails pulled off during interrogation. Her forehead had a gash with stitches and her fingers coated with bandages around her hands. Jemma shed tears and screamed as she was forced to watch Fitz being reduced to a bloody pulp.
Bobbi Morse was lucky to survive the hellish punishment routine but was left with scratches. She was almost sexually assaulted by a guard if it wasn't for Hunter who rescued her. She had a cast on her forearm, and a bandage wrapping around her head from another beating from the guards while handcuffed.
Antonie Triplett (Trip) was found to be alive and held captive in the black site. During the occupation of America, he joined up with Coulson's resistance group when he became disgusted by the horror of the Regime and what SHIELD was doing to the country. He was helping with Coulson's team ever since the chaos as they fought back against the regime. During one critical mission, Trip sacrificed his own life to ensure Daisy and Coulson escape to freedom with critical information that can be used against SHIELD. But he was mortally wounded but the Avengers stopped him first and kept him alive so he could be tortured for information. He was thrown into the same black-site prison to be brutally tortured daily. Now heavily bruised Trip had a broken arm and broken leg and a cast around his neck when his collar bone was damaged.
May, Grant, Mack and Hunter endured the worst at the prison; they were given repeating beatings, whippings, electrocutions and waterboarding; even forced to be lab rats for new torture experimentation.
Melinda May had an icepack on her head to keep the swelling of her forehead at bay, her face bruises and cuts mixed on her face. She survived with a dislocated shoulder, three cracked ribs, lashes on her chest and back and other wounds from the previous torture.
Grant Ward endured a worse punishment in the torture rooms for hours and the beatings by steel bats, he was reminded of the abuse his former family inflicted on him. He had four of his ribs cracked and his chest wrapped in bandages. Two black eyes and large cuts on his forearms and chest, from the lashings and a shattered collarbone. He has cast around his neck and his other arms. Additionally, there were numerous bruises on his face and bandages wrapped around his right leg.
Alphonso Mackenzie had scars of his own; spending hours been waterboarded, thrown into solitary confinement and enduring routine beatings in his cell in front of the prisoners. He was even forced into being a "lab rat" for a newer torturing machine design by the Avengers themselves. Bandage wrappings covered the electrical burns on his back and the lashes as extra punishment for trying to break the others out. He even had a cast on his broken leg.
Lance Hunter still had his limbs intact but he suffered gouging wounds in his legs and chest along with gashes on his back after he escaped from his cell from solitary confinement and he ends up beating a guard to death after one of the jailers dares to rape Bobbi. As punishment, he was subjected to electrocution shocks, cuts to the skin and whippings.
For Daisy, it was so much worse. During her captivity with the Avengers, she suffered intensive abuse as they tried to break her; they left her in a chamber with her chain to the ceiling and left to starve. Daisy had a black eye, bruises on her face and a bloody lash on her forehead. Her back was covered with many lashes, severe bruising in her abdomen and wrist and she was pale from dehydration plus the side effects of multiple drugs injected into her.
Naruto glanced over at the people who had already suffered, it kills him not knowing how much they suffered in that place and why they did to be there and he made sure the prison was burned down to the ground. Some of them had to be on crutches.
After returning to his safehouse with Skye as her nickname for Daisy, the entire team watched in shock as Naruto arrived with an abused Daisy barely alive in his arms. As she was placed on the table so Naruto could treat her wounds. It shook Coulson to the core as he and the rest of the team saw pale-looking Daisy wrapped with a blanket as she breathing in agony and her face bloodied. He settles her on the table. Skye curled herself into a ball with tears pouring down on her face.
"Skye!? Oh my god Skye? Skye?!" cried Jemma at the sight of her friend moaning in agony covering herself. "Oh great god what did they done to you?" choked Jemma with tears throwing her arms around her friend. Skye was happy to see Coulson and all of her friends alive.
"Oh god, what the hell just happen to Skye?" demanded Bobbi.
"The Avengers hurt her, I was there when she was like this" answered Naruto as he places his hand over her forehead. "They hurt her badly in both body and mind. They were about to blend her into their will."
"Is she this like this when they took Daisy away." asked a horrified Fitz "I can't believe they have gone this far and what they did to Skye." Everyone flinched at what the Avengers did and they are outraged by what the Avengers had done to their friend Daisy.
"Jemma." sobbed Daisy with joy in her tone hugging Jemma tight. Daisy cried as she let out tears of relief as both girls wept with rejoicing relief.
"Oh god, Skye?" gasped Ward as he sees her like this been beaten by the Avengers.
"Daisy, Oh my god... What did they... do to you" choked Coulson pushing through Hunter and Bobbi as he throwing his arms around Daisy? "I am here Daisy. I am here Skye."Daisy wept with tears on Coulson's shoulders. Naruto only gave a bittersweet smile at Coulson and the rest of the team reuniting for their lost friend. As her friends comfort her with hugs and telling her everything is going to be alright.
"You came for me. Coulson it hurts." she moaned holding the uniform tightly. "It hurts. Oh god, my insides are on fire."
"Where does it hurt Skye?" asked a concerned May as she checks Daisy's face for any more injuries.
As Jemma, May and Bobbi were about to treat Skye's back, once Jemma pulled the blanket around Skye still covering her chest. Jemma let out an appalled gasp with her hands on her mouth at the sight of Skye's back. Numerous lashes coated with blood, bruises and cuts on her back. Coulson's heart sinks from the sight of Daisy's abuse during her captivity as others cringed with horror. The team was sick to their stomachs to see their friend like this. Naruto brought a bowl of water and cloth to the table.
Coulson's eyes watered up "I am so sorry Skye." as he hugged her "I am sorry I couldn't save you from this. I fail you."
"You didn't." protest Daisy. "You came back."
"Oh god, I am so sorry Skye" murmured Ward with his hands on his head. "It should have been me."
"Multiple lacerations from whipping, severe swelling in the lower abdomen and hip and pale skin result of dehydration." choked out Jemma through tears.
"Christ." cursed both Bobbi and Fitz , as they covered their mouths.
"We have to clean your wounds," May told Daisy."We have to."
Both Bobbi and May began proceeding to clean Skye's wounds.
"Don't look at me." Skye whimpered with her eyes closed as Coulson gripped both her hands tight. "I am still here." consoled Coulson with tears watering in his eyes "I am so sorry about everything."
"I can help her, as I did with all of you, I can make her pain go away," said Naruto as he rolled up his shelves. May looked at him with unnerving ease.
"Uh mate, Little Skye here is in better hands with Bobbi and May and let the ladies handle this." protest Hunter.
Then Coulson looks up to see Naruto's hands glowing with aura-like energy that he had never seen before. The whole team was speechless at what Naruto was doing: Mack, Hunter, Bobbi, Jemma, Fitz, Ward and May watch in awe or disarray at such a sight. Naruto channeled his chakra into healing Daisy's body. The blood on her wounds sucks back into her blood and wounds close slowly.
"Oh my god." gasped Trip and Mack.
"What the hell?" murmured Ward with disarray on his face.
"What is he doing?" asked Fitz
Daisy moaned softly as she felt her wounds across her back slowly faded away in minutes, and her pain was gone. Skye let out a sigh of pleasure before fainting into a slumber with her hands still gripping Coulson's hands.
"It is a miracle, I have never seen anyone like you before. Healing abilities I never thought that you can do this with kind of power," said Jemma with astonishment in her tone looking up. "I cannot describe what you just did to her. "
"Oh wait a minute you are some kind of inhuman with whiskers." Bobbi looked at Naruto with interest.
"I saved her," said Naruto to everyone. "She needs to rest first and the rest of you. I think I owe you all my honesty. If you are all willing to listen"
Naruto took Daisy to another bedroom where a bed made of wood was grown in there. A Stoic May glaze at Naruto with suspicion and disgust.
With the rest of the Agents in the living room surrounded by Naruto taking a sit on the couch.
"Now we talk."
Coulson broke the silence "Who are you ?"
"Who am I? My name is Naruto Uzumaki."
"Naruto? I am Phil Coulson. A former agent of SHIELD. Not this mad version of SHIELD at the current moment."
"I could've taken your team and you anywhere but I brought you here. You thought I was going to handle you over to the Avengers but I know what I have seen and what you and your team have endured. I am truly sorry for what all of you endured in the hands of the Avengers." responded Naruto.
"I want to say I am grateful for saving us and Skye but I don't get how you have powers that heal Skye. Then again, I came back to life through very impossible means." addressed Coulson.
"All true Coulson, you may think I can heal others but I am no ordinary person."
"Isnt it obvious that you are inhuman?" asked Simmons. "You have unique abilities that blend supernatural skills to your will. You are unlike the other Inhumans we have never encountered before"
"Not all is true. Do not compare me to these 'people', this is the first time I have been called that and I am not them. Allow me to correct all of you." scoffed Naruto as his face shifted firmly at Simmons. " If I am not 'inhuman' which you describe me. I am a Shinobi."
"You are Shinobi? A Shinobi ?" responded Simmons. " Shinobi is defined as Ninja. I never believed that would be seeing a folktale from Japanese Culture."
"That is right, it is defined as Ninja. I came from another dimension and I was brought thereafter I ended a war greater than you imagined. I made the ultimate sacrifice to save my dimension from destruction. I thought it would be the afterlife but fate gave me a second chance. It is fair."
"So you are a superpowered ninja that happens to appear in midair, come from space and you have magical powers to make bloody miracles too." added a curious Hunter. "You must be bloody mad."
"Mad I am I? How about a magic trick which you British people call it?!" mocked Naruto. "Who wants to see a magic trick?"
"What?" echoed the team. Catch off guard, everyone included Hunter gave Naruto a strange look.
"Is he really serious? A magic trick? Did he say a magic trick?" asked Mack.
"Oh if you are this mad. Show me the magic trick mate." sneered Hunter
"He going to show the actual Japanese magic," said Jemma
"He is bluffing." countered Fitz. "He is not going to."
"I would if you each of all share your names properly, I already being introduce to Mr. Coulson here" responded Naruto,
"Really?" sneered May. "Melinda May."
"Jemma Simmons. Thank you for saving me and Fitz."
"Lance Hunter. Blondie here likes to call me Hunter."
"Antonie Triplett. But you can call me Trip. Never thought I owe you my life."
"Grant Ward. I appreciate what you did for Skye like I couldn't do for her."
"Bobbi Morse. We owe you one and saving Daisy."
"Leo Fitz. It is a real honour to meet the ghost after you save me and Jemma from that horrible place."
"Alphonso Mackenzie. Everyone calls me Mack."
Naruto smiled softly. "That exactly what I want to hear. It is been fun knowing all of you and yes there is more in this story." From a flicker on his palm as a ball of water and another ball of fire was floating around his hand leaving the entire team stunned at the sight of it.
"Then what are you Naruto?" asked Coulson "It is more than just magic tricks than I thought."
"Your abilities are using the elements of mother nature and you have some kind of natural enhanced powers beyond our understanding. It is impossible to channel this much power than any inhuman we encounter before." analyzed Jemma with disbelief.
"That is impossible to bend mother nature under your will," said Ward.
Naruto shrugged it off if he was to be compared to these Inhumans. "I am still a Shinobi and a ninja you call it. But I am more than that. Also, I do not know what Inhumans mean. Then what I said was true".
"More what?" asked Ward looking suspicious.
"You are a ninja with superpowers," exclaimed Trip. " Are you the ghost, the whole world is talking about and the same ghost who stood up to SHIELD and the Avengers even the dammed hellfire club? It is all true."
" Yes". What I have demonstrated is the power of Chakra. My home dimension has it and I have that power too," said Naruto as the ball of water shifted to his left hand and the ball of water shifted steam and combust into another trio of balls of fire glowing in his hand. " I can see all of you had no idea of it. This is a taste of my power, and what is Chakra? It is the combination of spiritual energy and physical energy that you all never heard of. Chakra in my world reacts to people naturally and it takes years of practice to master Chakra. Chakra grants us abilities like mastering the elements of lighting, water, fire, Earth and Wind. My home and people embedded us with such power to do wonders beyond your imagination."
With another flicker of his wrist, as the three fireballs dissolved into puffs of smoke, the mist revealed a pair of black and white orbs floating above his hand. The team was amazed by what they had seen. They all underestimate him.
"Chakra is like spiritual energy combined with physical energy. This is the first we ever saw something like this," commented Fitz.
"Looks like we underestimated you again," said Ward. "How the heck can someone like you so invisible be under our noses the whole time."
"Anyone else what to see more 'magic tricks'?" asked Naruto to the group. Leo responded. "Uh one will be good." and Hunter blinked "I am going need a beer with a bigger bottle."
"The reason why I tell you this because I want to show you who I am and the last thing I want is to be feared but I should. I came to this world to end the Avenger's madness and see what their madness had done to this world. I will put an end to it. Coulson, you may know SHIELD better because you and everyone else in this room have a much bigger part to play for the future."
"To do what?" asked May narrowed her focus at Naruto.
As Naruto placed his hand on Coulson's shoulders. "There is much to talk about and I would encourage all of you to rest as you all can. You endured enough: Heal and rest. There is more we will discuss tomorrow."
As he left the team to rest, he went to his own private office alone looking at the board of pictures of the Avengers and the map of the globe and he stared outside of his safehouse window. His safe house was an island guard by scrolls he put up to be hidden.
The next day had come immensely quick as the Agents of SHIELD had sat down in Naruto's home as Naruto was scarfing down a few bowls of ramen for breakfast. He made ramen for the rest of the agents resting in their beds. The Agents were gracious as they too ate breakfast, but more quietly and less vigor than Naruto. They savored the food for the first time as they enjoyed their first tasteful meal even they never tried Ramen. Hunter was skeptical of the Ramen but Bobbi encourages Lance to try. Jemma was feeding Fitz with her Ramen despite Fitz's broken right arm. May glazed at Naruto as she silently ate as she looks like she wants to beat him to death.
Once everyone had polished off their breakfast, Naruto decided to speak with everyone gathered around the living room with some of the crew with crutches or not.
"Well, go ahead to discuss more since last night. Ask me what you wish to ask. If I can, I will answer you." asked Naurto cheerfully as he sat on a couch.
"Give me a reason not to put a bullet between your thick skull after what you did to Skye. You think you can play nice and friendly then walk away before you will do it to the next women like me or Jemma or Bobbi next on your list?!" Melinda was the first person to speak, as she pulled out a gun and pointed it at him. She looked at him with righteous fury, as the rest of the agents were in shock at what Melinda was doing. Jemma and Bobbi flinched in disgust at what May had said about Naruto.
"What in God's name are you doing May?" plead Jemma "He saved us."
"The hell May? Put it down!" protest Bobbi. "He saves us and we owe him more than just his honesty."
"May! He saved us and Daisy, put the gun down." protest Coulson " You have seen first hand what he did for Daisy. If Naruto wanted us dead, he would do it by now."
"No Coulson. He is hiding something that we don't know. Who he is or where he came from, we have no idea what we walk into. Like what he already to Daisy and help her is one of his tricks" retorted a hate-fueled May as she removed the safety off. "After you put your hands on her, yes you took your time while you raped her. I know he did it. "
Naruto only frowned upon May. "I save her and now you accused me of doing such a vile action? Rape is a powerful word, very upsetting to me. I said before, I didn't do anything to that woman, the Avengers had done the deed and I am not the person who will force myself into women like you in this room. I am not that person. Watch what you say."
"He saved Skye and I wasn't there to save her. May, Naruto saved her that I couldn't." plead Ward.
"May put it down." barked Coulson as he was about to snatch May's handgun.
The hammer was echoed click and the gun was loaded to fire "One last time? Did you put yourself on top of Skye?"
Naruto simply had a bored expression on his face as he stands in front of the gun. He simply brought out his hand, as the gun found its way into his palm and crushed it with his bare hands.
"Holy Shit," murmured Mack.
They simply looked at him with shock. At the same time, Naruto had a Kunai blade this close at the edge of May's throat as He stared deep into May's eyes daring her to make her next move. Fitz, Jemma, Mack and Hunter back off. Naruto had May at his mercy.
"I am not your enemy and I never will be. I never dishonor women like this." Lowering the blade away from her neck leaving May to let out a short gasp.
"You know something; I can tell how much you care for that woman. She is very dear to you, perhaps, as dear as a daughter. However, you have nothing to fear concerning me. I did nothing to her. I simply helped to free her from her current predicament. Of course, her path to recovery will not be easy, but we will deal with it soon enough."
"You touch her. I will -"
"And, there is no need for you to intimidate me. No offence, but a man fears and only loves two things: the woman who gave birth to him and the woman who gives birth to his children. It's honestly laughable at this point."
There was a deep silence until Fitz comically raised his hand.
"It is you, isn't it? The guy who pissed the Avengers off, untouchable, untraceable."
"That is him alright, Fitz," said Trip. "He is here to help us."
"Well, I wouldn't say I am untouchable. Rather, I am powerful and unpredictable," said Naruto with a smile on his face.
"Like what? Ninja classes in broad daylight" commented Ward.
Coulson decided to speak next. "How is it that no one has ever heard of you? Not SHIELD or any law enforcement agency?"
"I am a ghost when I want to be. And I appear when it useful. The Avengers do not know about me, but I know everything about them. I have studied them for the past decade, understanding their abilities, their strengths and weaknesses." said Naruto "They can be defeated, and believe me, I plan on beating them. However, I have no intentions of ever killing them, no."
"Killing them? What about the shit they did to Skye? I say we will make them pay for what they did." objected Bobbi."What Skye went through because of them."
"What happened to Skye and I wouldn't forget what they did to us. Skye and all of us want to make them bleed and watch them die for all dammed agony they put on us. They abused Skye and I am going to be the one to put a bullet in Captain America." Grant voiced his anger.
"I say we kill those bitches and be done with them, look what they did to Skye, they the ones who strung her up like a pinata." added Hunter."Put them six feet lower."
"I am afraid you are mistaken." countered Naruto
Coulson and his team were surprised at this. "You don't want to kill them? Even after everything that has happened to the world because of them?"
Naruto shook his head. "Mr. Coulson, you are thinking so simply here. It's true but all of you are not seeing the big picture here. What the Avengers did was wrong, and cruel. However, I pity Stephanie Rogers and I saw what she lost. She is now consumed with her own hatred of the entire world and lost her mind. The Super Soldier Serum was a failure after all. And the love of her life was killed in front of her. Any sane person would do some foolish things after that. However, the Avengers went too far in their quest for justice. It is unavoidable."
"Have you forgot what they did to Skye and threw the rest of us in that Hellhole. You must be out of your dammed mind." yelled Ward point a finger at Naruto "Then you are siding with them over us."
"There is more at stake than the Avengers. We need heroes, the world depends on them. And the fact of the matter is, we need the Avengers. I am not sure if you realize this, but there is real evil lurking in the universe. And I am only one guy. As strong as I am, one day, I will die. And then, what do you think will happen to Earth? The Avengers are insurance, insurance that future generations will have a chance to prosper. Think of the Avengers as a group of individuals who protect the Earth against things that we cannot normally deal with, insurance to deal with things that cannot normally be dealt with."
"Oh hell no. They threw us in a hellhole and left us all here to die." protested Mack. "Look what they did to Tremors and made her suffers worse like us. I was hoping for real payback for what they did to us and Daisy." The group echoed and voiced their opinions on killing the Avengers.
"I know how much suffering you all endure and you still survived. However, it does not mean that the Avengers are getting off scot-free in all of this. They committed atrocities, so they will pay early. And understand this, there is always something worse than death."
Coulson was wondering what Naruto meant. "How do you plan on dealing with them?"
"Ah, now that is my problem and not yours. I am the only one who can currently deal with them, and I will. Understand, that their fate is sealed, and after they are redeemed, the Earth can count on them once more."
"Redeeming the Avengers!? They disgust me. These bloody bitches like Captain Americana hurt Daisy with gods know what kind of agony".
Jemma spat out in disgust.
Naruto continued speaking as if he never heard Simmons talk. "Now, after their defeat, I plan on reforming and bringing SHIELD and STRIKE back. I have a feeling that all of you even Daisy in charge of all; that will be very interesting, don't you think?"
Coulson and his team were floored with confusion. "Why us?"
"Hmm, why not? The people who do not seek power, are the ones worthy of wielding it. With that kind of power, I know each of you would use it to protect America and the world itself, that is for sure. I am aware that such power would corrupt people like that. However, there is still sometime before that to for all of you become part of the greater good of the future for generations to come."
Naruto looked at Ward Grant with an unnerving smile. "Before evil become the very thing to destroy and corrupt, people will use it for their means no matter how ruthless they are."
"There is also the matter of your friend Daisy. I want you to entrust her recovery to me. It will take time, but I assure you, things will be okay, and she will return to her normal self. The tough times do not last, but tough individuals always do."
Originally, Melinda would scoff at Naruto's proposal. However, when Naruto carried Daisy in the prison, it was for the first time she saw something of a relaxed expression on her tired face. Perhaps, putting her faith in this man would be the right thing to do. After all, they had no other options, and though they did not know much about Naruto, they needed to trust someone.
"Naurto, you can help Daisy? We can't imagine what was happen to her," said Coulson as he remembers what is it like for his own heroes he admired only to betray him in person. "What they did to Dasiy and you the only person that can help. Are you able to help Daisy?
"Yes, Coulson and what she endured, I will not let her drown in her own despair. It will be a long road ahead for you and all of you in this room."
"Coulson, letting Naurto help Daisy isn't the right idea," said Melinda to Coulson.
"We have to try, give Naurto a chance to see Daisy's recovery. He saved our lives May and yes we already heard enough honesty from him. Daisy needs more than our help."
" Fine, We will trust you, and put our faith in you for now. I hope you can work a miracle here," stated Melinda coldly "Or I put you six feet under."
"Fair enough. You and me both, sister."
XXXXXX
Daisy Johnson or Skye was many things as a SHIELD agent was one of them, she was a Cybernet hacker, and a full field agent under Coulson's team. Until her world turned to shit when Captain America snapped and lead the Avengers on a Warpath, butchered the President and countless people across America as they took over the United States of America with SHIELD under her command. The Avengers swore to protect the world now became the most brutal regime of America and hell-bent on World Domination. She watches helplessly and in disgust at footage of people executed, arrested and thrown into the most horrible prisons build across America. What SHIELD and the Avengers were doing had disgusted Daisy deeply and Coulson too who was too devastated at the betrayal of the Avengers who swore to defend humanity now became the very thing to destroy.
Coulson, the team and she immediately deserted SHIELD and formed their own resistance group. On the run from SHIELD, they tried to fight against the Regime with Coulson leading the charge, gathering resources, forming resistance cells with agents sicken of the regime and saving as many people as they could. Her hacking skills had played a massive role in keeping the resistance underground and under the radar for so long. Their massive challenge was to take a stand against the Avenger's Regime. During field missions, she saw the cruelty of SHIELD treating prisoners, too many horror stories and families torn apart. Never like this, she felt helpless, not able to do anything to stop the madness in front of her. Coulson sadly reminds her that they must continue to fight no matter what.
It all changed when SHIELD investigated some kind of alien-like underground city and there were rumours of Kree-like weapons there. Coulson and his team went to San Juan to investigate and they discovered that SHIELD was drilling into the underground city. The team decided to sink the city and denied SHIELD from accessing the city. The team was met with heavy resistance especially Stark's robots and Daisy was separated by the others as a cave-in sending her down underground and she stumbled across a mysterious temple with a mysterious object. After she mysteriously touches the artifact. It did something that she cannot explain. The divider revealed to be terrigen crystals and it generates a mist around Skye and it cocooned her. It transformed into something powerful. Coulson and the team were heavily outnumbered and outgunned as they were trapped in a corner until Shockwave sending Regime soldiers flying and Stark's bots into bits. Out of the shadows reveal to be Daisy now an inhuman with vibration like Earthquake abilities, she managed to get the team an opening to freedom before passing out from exhaustion after collapsing the tunnels
As she woke up at their hidden lair, the team was appalled by her newfound inhuman abilities and Coulson realized that Daisy is the weapon against the Regime. After a heavy debate over what comes for Skye, the team admitted that Daisy saved them or else they are finished, they decided to help Skye with her newfound abilities in hopes of standing a chance against the Avengers and do what they can to train to control their powers. Timepass by, the entire team warming up to Skye's newfound powers. Coulson now sees that Daisy's newfound powers will give them a fighting chance against the Regime. No matter what the team especially Ward thinks of Daisy they always have made sure she was part of their family.
Coulson's resistance group managed to succeed in missions securing intel and raiding facilities for resources thanks to Daisy's new abilities until the Avengers came and trapped them. Coulson and Daisy did fight the avengers but they were overpowered by the Avengers.
Daisy fought every tooth and nail against Captain Stephanie and her death squad until she had her limbs broken by the hands of Stephanie. She was dragged away by Captain America as Coulson and the rest of the team screamed for her. The last time she saw Coulson and the others were thrown into a Quinjet.
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Daisy had awoken slowly from her well-deserved slumber to see that she was somewhere else entirely. She found herself in a bed and a blanket over her body in a room with a table and a chair. She rosed up and scanned her surroundings
"Coulson ?" Daisy whispered with her eyes blinking.
She was no longer sore and tired, in fact, all of her wounds had healed. Her door had gently opened, and she was ready for a fight. However, she relaxed slightly, as she saw her rescuer pop through the door. A blonde man with whiskers on his cheek.
Naruto saw her, and spoke gently. "I am glad to see that you are doing okay for now. I am sure you have not had anything good to eat in some time. Come on, how about we get you some nice breakfast?"
"Where is Coulson? Where the others ?"
Daisy refused to move, as she stared at him with a questioning glare. Naruto instead sat down beside her, and gently brought out his hand to her. "You are safe. My name is Naruto what is yours.?" She flinched for a moment, and Naruto simply smiled once more.
"Skye...everyone calls me Skye but I am Daisy." Daisy hesitated to move from the bed. "Where is Coulson? Coulson! May?! "
"You do not need to feel afraid. You are safe and among friends. They are resting in the living room and they are safe. You will see them, as they too have been through an ordeal. You need to eat for good reason. Do not take your anger out on your hunger. Come on, let me help you. Please"
Daisy had nodded as Naruto gently carried her in his arms and sat her gently on a chair. Naruto had produced a bowl of ramen and placed it on the table with chopsticks. The smell was intoxicating, and Daisy's mouth watered. She was still too injured to eat, however. Her arms trembling and shaken as she about to reach for the bowl on the table. So, Naruto gently fed her the soup and helped her to eat the noodles.
Daisy felt awkward and enraged as felt being so weak and unable to even eat by herself on her own strength. However, when she ate the ramen that Naruto made, it brought a tear to her eye. It reminded her of home, of a simpler time, of friends and family. After finishing her meal. Naurto warmly places his hand over her shoulder as she looks down at her trembling hands.
Naruto smiled at her, as he gently wiped her tears and gently held her hand. Unbeknownst to Daisy, this was being watched by the rest of Coulson's team, as they finally saw Daisy feel something other than the pain in such a long time. Melinda had a tear in her eye, as the woman she looked at as her daughter, finally started to heal.
"I can't...live with this..." choked Daisy with her limbs tumbling as she remembers what she endured in her captivity. "After what...they did to me...Oh god."
"Listen to me Daisy, you are strong, stronger than you think. You have a lot of courage. You tried to hardest to protect your friends and loved ones and kept a strong heart as you were being tortured. You never gave in, and you did your best to endure." said Naruto softly "I am truly sorry for what happened to you. I am truly am. My heart goes out to your friends."
"I can't..."
"Let go of the pain, let it all go. I know how you feel, truly, I do. I know what it feels like to suffer and feel great pain. However, you have survived, and you are safe. The Avengers will pay for what they did to you, they will. And you will have a front-row seat, that I guarantee."
"So, please. Cry your heart out. There is no shame and weakness in doing so. The strong cry, they do. It does not mean you are weak. You still have something to live for. Do not give them any more power. Let it go, let it all go."
Daisy sobbed, as she held Naruto and sobbed in his arms. She cried for an hour, releasing the pain she felt in her life. After an hour, she looked at him with a teary expression.
"You promise…, you won't hurt me? You will help me?"
"Always, No one will hurt you again. I don't want you to worry about the Avengers or anyone else who tried to hurt you and your people," said Naruto kindly. "They hurt you enough, I still will help you and your friends."
Meanwhile, Bobbi, Jemma and May were watching over Daisy as she rests. The group has spoken about Naruto.
"I admit that Naruto or the ghost was something else," said Coulson. "But he still saved us and I never forget what he did for Daisy and us. He is the reason why we are still fighting for all the good for this world. All those sneak attacks, word of this guy with cat whiskers and people said about him were true."
"Hold a bloody second, have you forget that whisker boy has magic tricks or this chakra thingy or what he calls it. " mention Hunter patting his casted leg."He has more magic tricks worse than we knew. We only know a quarter about him. Naruto guy likes to take ninja class in daylight.
"Talk about ninja classes, it is not possible that magic exists and now he is taking magic trick classes." commented Grant. "How did he do it? That is something we are up against every day. Ramen or it is obvious he inhuman? That his specialty."
"I got to say, he did what none of us could. With superpowers and super stealth. Now that is dope." said Mack. "We need good people like Naruto here. Enough to kick Captain America's ass."
"We all seen what he did for Daisy and what he did warms my heart to see that," said Coulson. "A powerful reason to see we can trust him. We need him to free the rest of the country."
"All the hell we went through, I vow for him," said Fitz. "He saved Jemma and me from that place."
"I got to admit things are going to get interesting from now on." said Coulson as he felt a sense of renewing hope in his heart." But you all know what is not cool, coming out of the meat grinder with our heads still hanging. No brainer at all. We need all the help we can get"
"You all need time to heal and regain strength and Daisy too," advised Naruto holding bowls of food in his hands.
Settling the food on the table. "Coulson, tell your team to keep their word that each of you will be there for Daisy no matter her time of need. She watches your back and she is willing to give her life for all of you." his face hardened as he made sure everyone digests his words "Promise me that all of you will be there no matter what happens. Don't ever betray her."
"We will." echoed the team to Naruto.
"There is more to be done."
Skye wiped tears with May and Bobbi on her side comforting her with Jemma holding her hands. "I am so happy to see you again. Oh god, I can't believe you are all still alive." Daisy told her friends. "I thought they killed you."
They would have if it was not for that man who broke us out of that horrible place to help find you. We wouldn't be here," said Jemma with a tearful smile on her face. "I am so happy to be there to see your pretty face again"
"He took care of us like with you," said May patting her hand around Daisy's shoulders. "What he did for you. I couldn't describe it. He saved you." May's eyes watered as she formed a bittersweet simile for Daisy. All the three women held Daisy's hands as the agents clung to each other after all they went through.
The Agents were all freed but carried the scars of their trauma but the battle hasn't been won yet.
XXXXXXX
10 months later
Resistance Coalition Mobile HQ
Aircraft Carrier Iliad
Atlantic Ocean
The fight against the Regime was not an easy task, since the resistance was formed; the war continued across America. Resistance groups slowly linking up with each other through secret networks and hidden bases. As the Avengers fought with the Hellclub mutants, the body count of lives increased and the resistance was had to change their tactics by seeking help at Mutants and Inhumans. The movement against the Regime of the Avengers made up of Agents and personnel stood by the principles of SHIELD, Rebelling Civilians, Inhuman volunteers and military personal or officers along with mutants who joined for kicks.
Now the heads of resistance groups and their reluctant allies gathered on board the Iliad to discuss strategies for liberating the country. The hanger bay was converted into a makeshift conference centre.
At the meeting were Robert Gonzalez, Anna Weaver, Jeffery Mace, defected SHIELD agent Maria Hills, Rosalind Price, Brigadier General Glenn Talbot, Victoria Hand, General Joe Greller, Mystique AKA Raven, Jiaying and Phil Coulson himself.
Other resistance fighters present like Gordon, Lincolin Campbell, Ellana "Yo Yo" Rodriguez, Joey Gutierrez, Daisy, Kora , Agent Tomas Calderon, Agent Oliver, Kara Palamas, Luther Banks, Grant Ward, Storm, Psylocke, Hank aka Beast etc at the meeting with their respectful groups listening. The Resistance has stated in the meeting that NATO and EU allies were gathering a task force to launch an invasion into America and there are new technologies capable of taking on the Avengers. However, there was a mysterious benefactor that will solve all their problems at the same time.
"All of our cards are laid on the table but the window is limited." addressed Jeffery Mace. "Given the circumstances that our odds in freeing the country are uncertain because of SHIELD's strongholds and the Avengers themselves."
"The problem is that we are at a disadvantage since we don't have the necessary power to contain the Avengers if we have to eliminate them from the picture," said Maria Hills.
"What is stopping us from taking on the Miss Captain Fascist and her merry band ?" asked Talbot with his eye darted at Coulson. "You have forgotten what they did to you and your team."
"I want to hold that plan back but there is another fact of fighting fire with fire," said Coulson.
"What do you propose?" asked Jiaying of the Inhumans pointing a finger at Coulson " You promise me blood for what they did to my daughter", before looking at Daisy at the table.
Jiaying of Afterlife joined the Resistance Coalition since the reunion of her long-lost daughter Daisy and she learned of what happened and what the Avengers did to Daisy. Jiaying ultimately vowed revenge on Stephanie Rogers for torturing Daisy.
"I know everyone shares the common goal on this floor. It comes to our attention, we need a game-changer and if any idea to continue the fight against the Avengers, then our chances will end up in garbage." said Coulson. "We can get what we want in the first place. I found our game-changer, The Ghost."
"That name is just a rumor Coulson, you are seeking ghosts in the shadows," said Gonzales flinging with his crane. "Coulson that is far as you go, I have news from my contracts in Europe that the NATO and EU are assembling a task force to take on the Avengers. If no other solution is found, MWDs have been recommended."
"Thanks to Gonzales' ties to NATO, and our allies, they are overseas and preparing a liberation force. It will be a chance to divide their forces and separate the Avengers from their army." spoke Agent Weaver.
"Oh please, we are listening to this so called Ghost. The same guy who is terrorizing the Avengers after they killed the President. This guy is a nobody." suggests Talbot.
"Is it obvious that he was the only person making a stand?" Daisy speaking out.
"In that case, you never meet him in person," said Coulson. "So I invited him here.
"What did you do Coulson?" demanded Gonzalez as all eyes were on Coulson who responded. "He is something else."
"Speak of the Devil ; he shall appear." responded a voice. "Does that sound right Mr. Coulson? That what Americans say?"
All eyes turned as a blonde-haired man in an orange tracksuit who came out of the shadows. Naruto just strolled into the hanger like he owned the place. Gonzalez raised his eyebrow, Jiaying glared with suspicion, Talbot frowned upon him as he slowly reached for his hidden gun in his uniform and Mystique gave a disgusted stare.
"I thought this where you keep your secret meetings in daylight. Defined as Group Therapy?" Naruto gave a welcoming simile.
"Give us one reason why we should throw you off-board if you're some Avenger wannabe ." snapped Talbot.
"How about a magic trick?" mocked Naurto.
The resistance coalition was caught off guard at the word magic trick. Talbot looked confused, Mace frowned and Anna Weaver narrowed her eyes and Coulson just smirked "He is really good with magic tricks."
"Magic? What the? What Magic trick and who the hell is this guy anyway." demanded Talbot.
Naruto chants a language as roots materialized from the floor and the mist from the roots revealed a stone bowl of Ramen at the stunted audience. Talbot felt his mouth dropped and Maria Hill look stunted and Gonzalez looked at Coulson. "What did you bring?"
"Your magic trick is making noodles?" said Mystique with a scowl. "That is your Ghost? Doesn't seem tough to me."
"You know your powers and you make it work." Naruto sits down in his makeshift wooden next to Coulson "Have a bite, people." The resistance leaders and fighters finished their unexpected meal and polished off everything that happens. They look at Naruto for an explanation and hoping to hear what the man wants.
"I would like to hear this Naruto's Proposition." addressed Jiaying to Naruto.
They began with everyone listening to Naruto's proposition. Talbot glazed hard, Gonzalez crossed both of his hands, Jiaying patiently listened without a doubt and Mack looked cautiously at Naruto.
"Let's wind the clocks back a year, these Avengers and SHIELD think they can do whatever they want. I mean what happen did you lose your balls and your minds?" An echo of yes from the audience was heard. "What happened? Did Stephanie Rogers lose her mind after losing the love of her life? A guy like me is a man of action and planning."
"Yeah," answered Raven. "You are a freak and a nobody with whiskers."
Naruto looked annoyed as Daisy had her eyes on him.
"I know why you have this so called group therapy section in secret because you are all afraid to go out in the middle of the night and day. The Avengers and their so called SHIELD. The Avengers have shown the world your true colors, even mutants ran rampant around the country trying to picking battles with the Avengers. I know this is a tight ship you all run. Captain America is only the beginning. But as for this so call NATO plan."Naruto pointed a finger to Gonzalez who leaned forward in his seat. Talbot stared at Naruto dead to rights.
"The Avengers will find out soon and you will be grinded into dust. I know the plan would be horrible and the fault will be the person behind it all." continued Naruto with a fist squeezed then pointed direct at Gonzalez
"What do you propose if I may ask?" asked Victoria.
"Oh, it is straightforward. We-"
The Voice of Daisy cut in. "We kill the Avengers and burn SHIELD to the ground," suggested Daisy as the others chucked and approval of it. Naruto looked annoyed and shook his head.
"Kill the Avengers perhaps and prepare ourselves for the coming oblivion, yes a brilliant plan. The universe is bigger than your little war on this world and the Avengers may be close to burning the world, but the people in this room are capable to put the country back together."
"If it is easy, why haven't you done it already. " asked Agent Hill as her tone changed to disapproval.
"Is it not obvious? It is impossible to face them head-on. You wouldn't last a minute."
"You are delusional," added Victoria.
" I can take them on." said Naruto "I have been studying them; weakness and strengths. They can be beaten. We can beat them."
"What would you have us do then?" asked Ann Weaver looking suspicious. "What do you want in return?"
"Nothing, I want nothing. I want humanity and the mutants regardless of who they are or their gifts, should deserve to live in peace. One day the world will unite against a common enemy, the mutants or anyone in this world will answer the call to defend the world. Now I must save the world from itself."
"Why would you think yourself so selfless ?" asked Jiaying. "Taking a stand against the Avengers t is a naive thing that no human will ever have done."
"The Avengers may take the world hostage and think they brought the world to their knees. Life is freedom.. I am preparing to die fighting for humanity's future. I will die to make it happen if I must. I rather give my own life to save billions. No lies but the truth itself."
Anna Weaver raises her eyebrow, Jiaying looks impressed and Raven looks confused. Daisy's lips flashed a hopeful simile. Lincoln stared with awe on his face.
"It is true that you the ghost that pissed the Avengers off?" said Lincoln.
Naruto smiled as he nodded at Lincoln. "I will not rest until I make a better world for generations to come. I will stand and give my life for everyone."
The leaders and the fighters look surprised at such an answer. "Look me in the eye if you believe that," demanded Jeffery Mace. As Naruto's eyes glowing orange leaving the audience stunned at the new development as others like Price, Jiyaying, Weaver, Gonzalez, Oliver, Hills and Raven etc rose from their chairs.
"Coulson? What is this?" demanded Agent Hill as she looked nervous at such a sight.
" What the hell are you?" asked Talbot drawing his pistol.
"I forgot to mention that he has life insurance. Very good life insurance." address Coulson with a grin. "He is going to help us."
"I am a powerful being that you have never seen. I come to this world to find purpose and my purpose is putting an end to this madness and restore balance on this Earth for good. I will not rest until peace is restored and humanity and mutants will be united as one. I will be the Avenger's downfall, I will tear apart the Avengers and SHIELD and they will become the artifacts of their own destruction"
Mace's stare hardened as he asked "What is your name son?"
"My name is Naruto and you call me Maelstorm. I am your answer to The Avengers. I am justice, I will deliver. All will be revealed in the endgame. It will be loud."
"But we cannot no achieve victory if everyone in this room stands together. It is your crusade to take a stand. This is our crusade to free the world. We stand and move forward or let the world suffer in damnation. Now who is with me ?"
The resistance Coalition did nothing but comply.
Chapter End
Well, everyone, this is the chapter. Please read and review generously. I hope you all enjoy it. Once again, much credit to Helghast Marine for all his help. The third chapter will be the last Interlude chapter.
Stay tuned as the story is to end soon. Stay safe and enjoy 2021.