15: THE MARTYR

"Your reaction times are ten times better than what they were two weeks ago. You've made an astonishing amount of progress, Joey." Jemma smiled as she examined Joey in the medical bay. It had been a fortnight since the confrontation with Rage and Grant Ward, and after a short period of paralysis, Joey seemed to be very much on the mend. He sat up and laughed.

"Crazy that I couldn't move a thing a few weeks ago. I thought I was a dead man."

"If Rage got their way, you probably would be. Luckily, a certain Mr Campbell is pretty skilful in how to treat electrical-based injuries. Plus, I've recorded your recovery and the drugs and tools we used to heal you in case Rage ever injures someone else." Jemma reported.

"That's good to hear. I don't think I'd be able to cope without my legs." Joey chuckled. Jemma's face dropped at the sight of Fitz entering the room just as he'd said it.

"Oh, Fitz, I -"

"-Don't. It's okay. What's funnier than a disability, right? That's how some people see Inhumans." Fitz said solemnly as he rolled over to Jemma.

"I'm sorry." Joey sighed.

"Of course you are. Jemma, do you know where the data report with Rage's DNA is stored?" Fitz asked.

"Sorry, I was studying it in here. Here you are." Jemma smiled, handing a file to Fitz.

"I should, uh…get back to it. Sorry again." Joey said meaningfully. Fitz said nothing more and Joey hurried out.

"He didn't mean anything by it. It was just a passing statement." Jemma said softly.

"Yeah, I know. Doesn't mean it doesn't hurt." Fitz sighed.

"You could've just used the intercoms to ask me for the data report, you know." Jemma smirked.

"But this way I get to see you." Fitz said shyly. The two exchanged a sweet smile.

"I'm gonna go over this again. I'll see ya later." Fitz said, heading out.

"Leo, wait." Jemma said as Fitz turned back to face her.

"Yeah?"

"Can you meet me later? Whenever you're free?" Jemma asked.

"…M-Meet you?" Fitz wondered.

"…Yeah. There's something I want to show you." Jemma clarified.

"Uh…yeah. Okay. Where?"

"My room. Just let me know when you're free and I can meet you there."

"Oh, okay." Fitz smiled as he headed out. Jemma watched him go and an excited grin filled her face.

…

Coulson sat at his desk frustratingly staring at the holographic screen in front of him, on it displaying an image of Rage and some of Joey's injuries from the weeks previously. May and Daisy next to him, examining the images just as intently.

"How is Joey doing now?" May asked.

"A lot better. Lincoln's expertise came in handy in terms of injuries sustained from an electrical attack. Rage's power worked in exactly the same way his do." Daisy explained.

"More than just a pretty face." May commented.

"And he has a VERY pretty face." Daisy blushed.

"With Ward on the run and no agents tracking him, we don't have any further leads on Maya or Rage. I honestly don't know where to go from here; we're running out of options much quicker than I'd like." Coulson said.

"We can't keep sitting around waiting for something to show itself." May said.

"Sir, I'd take a look at the news if I were you." Hunter's voice crackled over the intercom. Coulson switched on a nearby television and the three observed.

"…which brings us back to our top story today, as we were sent in this anonymous video…"

The screen showed a hooded figure in a dark room; no features were distinguishable.

"This world is full of monsters, but what it takes to make something a monster is subjective. There is only one exception to this. The creature that attacked a school, a theatre, a funfair…everyone knows that monster has killed and injured too many. And I will stop it. I challenge this monster to a battle to the death, and I will reign victorious as I trample over its corpse. I will avenge the dead this monster slaughtered, even if it kills me. And it just might."

"Someone new has it out for Rage. Wonderful." May sighed.

"Who is this guy?" Coulson asked.

"I got it up on here. According to reports, this guy sent the same video message to every major news outlet this morning, calling himself The Martyr. Good old Robin Hood here claims to have put a price on Rage's head and will pay anyone who helps him successfully kill 'the monster', even has the weaponry to do so. No other clues to their identity." Daisy explained, reading an article from the tablet in her hand.

"We can't keep sitting around waiting for something to show itself, you say?" Coulson smirked, turning to May, who rolled her eyes and shook her head.

…

"I have a plan." Lance stated as he walked into Coulson's office, with Bobbi not too far behind.

"Enlighten me." Coulson prompted.

"Me and Bob go undercover; contact this freak, say we wanna help him out, give him a good old sob story to get him on side, make a scene for Rage to find us then end it's reign of terror." Lance explained.

"That's not a plan, that's a suicide mission." May said.

"Got any better ideas?" Lance questioned.

"Literally anything else." Daisy remarked.

"Look, our old HQ is only our old HQ because of me; I let Rage get inside my head and compromised everything. This all escalated because of me." Lance said.

"It wasn't your fault." Daisy said.

"Maybe so, but there's still that level of responsibility. I need another shot at this, sir. I need to make peace with this." Lance pleaded. Coulson stayed silent for a moment before turning to Bobbi.

"And you?"

"I'll make sure he doesn't kill himself." Bobbi said.

"…Okay. Get your stuff ready then contact him." Coulson nodded. Lance and Bobbi nodded and rushed out of the room.

"What the hell are you thinking?" May asked.

"I'm giving him the shot he needs. We've all had our fair chance to stop Rage." Coulson said.

"Have we?" May questioned.

"I trust Hunter and Bobbi. Everyone should. Let them have their shot." Coulson ordered.

"Let's hope it's not their parting shot." Daisy sighed as she walked out.

…

Fitz rolled up to Jemma's room and gently knocked against the door.

"Jemma?" He asked. Soon enough, the door slid open and Jemma greeted him with a smile.

"Hi. Come in." Jemma said and Fitz obeyed. As he got further into the room, he was shocked to see Mack sat at Jemma's desk.

"What's up, Turbo?"

"…Okay, what's going on?" Fitz asked as Jemma walked over to Mack.

"Right, you noticed that Mack and I have been meeting a lot lately." Jemma began.

"And getting the wrong idea about it, so I've heard." Mack teased.

"Shut up." Fitz sighed.

"We've been working on a project together over the past few months. Since it was a surprise for you, I went to the next best engineer for help." Jemma explained.

"And I tried not to be insulted by that comment." Mack chirped in.

"…What surprise?" Fitz asked.

"This is based on plenty of speculation, Fitz, remember that. But we think we've created something…well, something incredible." Mack said.

"Mack's been working on some blueprints and actually putting the thing together while I researched and tested the science behind it. We'd created a good structure to the device a long time ago but didn't have a lot of faith that it would actually serve its purpose." Jemma explained.

"But now you do?" Fitz asked.

"Basically, yeah." Mack nodded.

"Since when?" Fitz wondered.

"Since Joey was injured and paralysed for a few days before Lincoln helped us restore his wounds. Rage had stopped the electrical pulses near Joey's spinal cord from flowing; Lincoln and his powers helped reactivate them, then the physiotherapy and drug treatment meant he fully recovered. Well, once his scarring and bruises heal." Jemma explained.

"And what does this have to do with your little project? You were working on it long before Joey was hurt." Fitz commented.

"Yes, but the data I recorded from his recovery helped us to realise what we needed to do to make our device work." Jemma said.

"Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology hybridised with electrical stimulants. Electrical nanites enclosed in a tiny space on a constant loop, directly attached to the spinal cord. Therefore, the loop continually fires electrical impulses across the spinal cord while the nanotechnology repairs the damage it inflicted in the first place." Mack added, picking up a tiny box and handing it to Fitz. He opened it and inside saw a miniscule metal square.

"How did you fit the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo on something so small?" Fitz asked.

"Really? That's your first question?" Mack chuckled.

"…So what you're saying is…?" Fitz began, his eyes lighting up.

"…in theory, we should attach this to your spinal cord; while the nanotech works on repairing the damage to it, the nanotech hybridised with electrical stimulants fire impulses across it and enable -"

"- It could make me walk again." Fitz said, welling up as he looked towards a smiling Jemma and Mack.

"We bloody hope so." Mack said.

"But, but I researched this kind of thing; the technology doesn't exist." Fitz said.

"Now it does. We developed it. Obviously it wasn't just us two; we had help from experts all over the world and some agents here on The Bus. We also had to get Coulson's permission to use our time and resources on it, but…we have high hopes it will work. We can't guarantee it, but it just might do it. It's very complex technology but I can fill you in with much greater detail another time." Jemma smiled as Fitz continued observing the tiny device.

"…This is incredible. This must've taken so much time and patience; you did all this for me?" Fitz asked.

"Of course we did." Jemma and Mack said together.

"…I don't know what to say." Fitz whispered, a tear of joy rolling down his cheek.

"You don't have to say anything." Jemma smiled, taking Fitz's hand.

"We need a few weeks to prepare your body, of course; firing electrical impulses through you, even though they won't have any affect without the device implanted, but it'll make the actual procedure less painful in the long run. Lincoln's agreed to help us out. That is, if you want to give this a go. It could be dangerous." Mack explained.

"Dangerous is my middle name. Actually, it's not, it's -"

"-Is that a yes?" Jemma asked excitedly.

"…Let's give it a go." Fitz grinned. Jemma hugged him tight.

"Thank you." Fitz smiled.

"Don't thank us yet. This might still turn you into a Cyberman." Mack smiled. Fitz and Jemma looked at him in amazement.

"Did…did you just make a Doctor Who reference?"

"Yep."

"On purpose?"

"I watch things!"

…

The team were gathered in the briefing room.

"Bobbi and Hunter are in position?" Lincoln asked.

"Yep. They contacted The Martyr an hour ago and he replied almost instantly with a location. He's hiding out locally; makes sense. If he's after Rage's head he's probably linked directly to it somehow." Coulson explained.

"Should I be feeling as nervous as I am?" Joey wondered.

"Probably." Fitz sighed.

"This was a risky call, Coulson. We don't even know that The Martyr actually has the means to stop Rage for good." Mack commented.

"I'm done playing games. The sooner we end this the better." Coulson stated.

…

Bobbi and Hunter were pressed against the wall as The Martyr felt their bodies for wires, phones and weapons. Luckily, the two had gone in dark; it was arranged that they would call Coulson's personal number when they needed extracting.

"Give me your phones. Just in case." The Martyr said. His voice wasn't as deep as it sounded in the video. Bobbi and Lance obeyed and The Martyr put their phones in his back pockets.

They had met under a dirty bridge with a brown river running alongside where they stood. The Martyr had a cheap looking van with crate after crate of gun, grenade and blade stored in the back.

"What were your names again?" The Martyr asked as he inspected his weapons.

"Marcy." Bobbi said.

"Jason." Hunter said.

"Yes they were. Good." The Martyr chuckled. Under his hood he was wearing a black balaclava so his face couldn't be seen and his voice was slightly muffled. The rest of him was dressed in padded black armour.

"Where did you get all of this?" Bobbi asked, looking at the weapons.

"Funny how much you can accomplish when you hack into the FBI and threaten the families of operatives until they arrange a delivery for you." The Martyr explained.

"You hacked the FBI?" Lance asked.

"Easy when you know how." The Martyr replied.

"I figured you must have some computer skill, what with sending out your video and all." Bobbi commented.

"I was gonna sit back and enjoy life until the monster came." The Martyr hissed.

"Why are you after it?" Lance asked.

"Why are you?" The Martyr returned.

"…Our daughter was at the school it attacked. Broke her leg." Bobbi lied.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"We're done with freaks controlling our planet." Lance said and The Martyr nodded approvingly, looking at his watch.

"And…any time…now." He whispered.

Suddenly, there was the loud bang of an explosion.

"What the hell?" Lance asked.

"That's the signal for the monster. Don't worry; it was an abandoned building I placed the bomb in. I'm not evil, I'm determined." The Martyr explained.

"The monster could be anywhere; what if it didn't hear it?" Bobbi asked.

"The explosion wasn't the signal." The Martyr said, satisfied.

Even through his balaclava, Bobbi could tell he was grinning widely.

…

"Look." Lincoln said, pointing at the TV screen showing the news a few minutes later. Helicopter footage showed images of a small explosion locally, but the explosion had lit a trial of fuel that was now burning brightly on the side of the partially destroyed building.

Written in flames was the word 'MONSTER'.

"What have we thrown them into?" Jemma worried.

"Let's hope that Maya's watching the news right now. And that Rage answers the call." Coulson said.

…

Local people were running and screaming as The Martyr's van pulled up beside the burning building. The Martyr jumped out along with Bobbi and Lance, who now had balaclava's on themselves. Opening the back of the van, The Martyr handed Bobbi and Lance several guns and grenades each. They were an impressive standard of quality that could easily rival S.H.I.E.L.D. gunfire.

"Good old FBI." Lance commented as he shared a concerned glance with Bobbi.

"Why aren't any authorities here yet?" Bobbi asked.

"They ain't coming until they're sure the monster ain't." The Martyr said, clocking his large rifle and keeping an eye in the sky.

Everything fell silent after a loud roar echoed through every building nearby. Bobbi could hardly breath as she looked up and saw the silhouette of Rage on the roof of the building opposite, screaming as Rage leaped across the street and stood in front of them all, screaming again.

"Even uglier in person." The Martyr said, taking a step towards Rage.

As Bobbi and Lance looked at the monstrous being, they noticed small changes. It's eyes were no longer jet black but more of a light grey, and there was some slight cracking in its navy blue skin.

"You're dead, you son of a bitch!" The Martyr exclaimed, throwing a grenade at Rage, who batted it away into a nearby building. It exploded, sending rubble flying everywhere and more people running into the distance, screaming in terror.

"This is where your story ends." The Martyr seethed, getting ready to throw a handful of grenades. Rage roared and jumped towards The Martyr, the shockwave of it landing sending them all crashing to the floor.

Then, Rage opened its mouth and revealed its yellowed, razor sharp teeth, and with another roar flames came flying out of its mouth towards Bobbi and Lance, who rushed behind the van to cover.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Lance exclaimed.

"Another new ability?" Bobbi wondered.

The Martyr stood back up and shot his rifle at Rage. To Bobbi and Lance's surprise, the bullet pierced its skin and Rage wailed in pain before swatting The Martyr with its claw and tearing the ground to pieces, throwing it in Bobbi and Lance's direction as it screamed.

Lance rolled out from the van and took a few shots at Rage; Rage screamed in pain again, stumbling back as it fired a bolt of electricity at him. Bobbi pushed him out of the way as The Martyr readied himself and fired once more as Rage charged towards him. Before he could take another shot, Rage grabbed him and left him dangling upside down in its hand.

"You know nothing of any human. That will be your downfall." The Martyr hissed, spitting at Rage. Rage roared again and threw The Martyr at the wall; he crashed against it with a crack and fell motionless to the ground.

"NO!" Lance shouted, firing at Rage again. Rage roared, kicking the van towards Bobbi and Lance at such a pace that they couldn't escape it; it knocked them back to the floor and everything went black.

…

When they woke up, Rage was gone.

Lance helped Bobbi to her feet, having fractured her arm, before the two rushed over to The Martyr, still in the same spot where Rage threw him against the wall.

Lance leaned down next to him; The Martyr placed his weakening hand on Lance's shoulder.

"Don't…stop…fighting."

The Martyr's arm fell to the floor and he would never move again. Lance sighed as he delicately pulled The Martyr's balaclava off of his head. The sight he saw filled his eyes with tears; beneath the blood and sweat was the face of a young boy, no older than eighteen.

"He's just a kid." Lance choked. Bobbi closed her eyes and shed a tear.

"The authorities will be here soon. We need to disappear." Bobbi said, keeping her head clear. Lance slowly nodded and took their phones out of The Martyr's back pocket – one was shattered into pieces but the other still worked. In silence, Lance dialled the number and held the phone to his ear.

"…Coulson, I think you know where to pick us up."

Lance looked upwards; the flaming writing had long since gone out.

…

Lance sat next to Bobbi, holding her hand as she lay on a bed in the medical bay.

"You need rest, but you'll be fine. That goes for both of you." Jemma smiled sadly.

"Thanks, Jemma." Lance said as Jemma walked off. Coulson approached them both.

"I'm sorry for letting you go through that."

"It's the job, sir." Bobbi said.

"Daisy hacked into the police reports. The Martyr's real name was Andy Bell. Seventeen. In juvenile detention for a few years for hacking bank accounts. We did some digging; his younger sister, Zara, was killed when Rage attacked the theatre." Coulson explained.

"Something was off with Rage." Bobbi explained.

"What do you mean?" Coulson asked.

"It had another new ability, but it wasn't bulletproof this time. Almost like it was compensating; it gains new abilities but older ones get weaker." Bobbi clarified.

"…I'll get Fitzsimmons to look into it."

Lance sighed and put his head in his hands. Bobbi looked at Coulson in a way that told him to leave them both alone. Coulson nodded and walked off.

"Don't do it." Bobbi said.

"Do what?" Lance asked.

"Blame yourself. Again. I know you are."

"It's the only thing I'm really good at." Lance said.

"His mission is what killed him."

"He lost someone he loved. If I lost you I'd act as irrationally as he did." Lance sighed.

"So would I. Still doesn't mean it's our fault. We just need to complete the mission he set, but go about things in a better way than he did." Bobbi said.

"He was just a kid, he didn't know any better."

"Hunter, we have to lose some fights otherwise winning wouldn't mean anything." Bobbi said.

"Doesn't mean it should suck this bad to lose." Hunter grumbled.

"We WILL beat it. You know that."

"I don't, actually. Not anymore."

Bobbi took Lance's hand and kissed it gently.

"Thanks, by the way. For saving me from the worst electric shock of all time." Lance smiled.

"You're very welcome." Bobbi smirked.

"What would I do without you, eh?"

"You'd be long dead, that's for sure. You're lucky I'm always gonna be around to protect you." Bobbi smiled.

"One day I'll be the one protecting you, I promise." Lance said.

"I love you."

"I love you too. Now get some rest." Lance ordered, softly kissing Bobbi and leaving her to sleep. Even when his head was all over the place, she could bring him back down to Earth.

As Lance walked out of the medical bay, Coulson was waiting for him.

"I'm ready to kill this bastard now." Lance stated, walking on. Coulson watched him go and nodded.

"Me too."