AN: Many thanks to my Beta MegaDiary123. Also to all you who keep on reading this story, thank you so much.

All rights go to Marvel


Skye's POV

My first official day of training began a couple of days after my arrival at the facility. To say that I was excited about it didn't come close to the way that I actually felt in the slightest.

I had already gotten a glimpse of the way that people from my classes acted on my first day in the Academy. A smirk settled on to my face, but I quickly made it disappear before anyone saw it. I was sitting alone in the large gym that had mats spread out everywhere. The top part of the wall across from the door was covered in one-way glass. I was sure that while training other teachers would observe. I didn't really like the idea of having other people watching me without my knowledge but it didn't really matter what I thought.

Of course no-one was there yet, since it was around 5 in the morning and training didn't start until 7. But that gave me some time to myself that was just what I needed to calm my nerves.

I threw my bag on a bench and went to the centre of the room. I made some breathing exercises to begin with, and then my normal morning routine began as if I was in a trance. From the very first time that I started it, I had found out that Tai Chi, this early, was the best way to start my day.

My thoughts were flowing as I moved around the space. I lost track of time as the frustrations from the first days in this new environment were slowly melting away.

I slowed down to a finish once I was satisfied with myself and closed my eyes, taking for the last time a few deeps breaths. The emptiness in my mind shattered the moment I heard the gyms door close. I turned around to find it shut. Maybe it was just my imagination…

I walked to my bag and checked my phone. It was 06:30, so I still had enough time for a quick shower and get back here before the training began. I wrapped everything up and headed out.


When I got in the gym the second time, there was a total of about thirty other people already waiting. Just like in the canteen, all eyes turned on me and once they figured I wasn't a familiar face all conversations subsided.

For about five second, which seemed to me like five hours, nothing was heard. However, once the silence broke, I found myself wishing for it to come back.

"You got lost kid?", a voice full of superiority was heard.

I watched with a blank face as the guy, who had decided to torment me on my first day, walked towards me and stood proud and tall a few feet away. Out of all the possible groups that I would be assigned to, why did I have to be in the one in which he was part of? My luck seemed to run really low lately.

"Nope, I'm exactly where I have to be" I replied trying very hard not to put much emotion in my voice. I was better trained than this, but this guy seemed to get under my skin all too easy and it annoyed me to no end.

"This isn't the Communication's building" he raised an eyebrow at this.

Stating the obvious yet again, I thought but decided against letting it out of my head. Instead I kindly smiled at him, a fake and well-practised smile. "I know. I'm not in Communications". He laughed hard at that and the other six of his pack followed suit, while the rest of the room remained quiet. "Oh, I'm a hacker all right. I was just too good that they decided to put me in Operations" I finished and made a move to leave but he grabbed my arm.

I took in a deep breath and turned to look at him. "You're not for Ops kid. I know your kind. You hackers always cower behind your computers" he finally, finally, let go of my arm. "You ain't gonna last a week here".

Thankfully the door opened and agent Maria Hill, our instructor, came in.

"What's going on here?", she asked once she took in the sight of the way that guy was looking at me, "Nothing, ma'am". His answer was too quick, combined with a step away from me and that was all I needed to know.

"Good, now get ready for warm-up" she continued without even glancing at me.


After the warm-up, we did some strength training and then there was the time for sparring. Hill paired everyone in the group, but I was left last because we were a single number in total. I watched carefully each sparring, taking in as many information I could.

"Grant, Davis, you're up next".

So, Grant it is, I though as I saw the same guy that I was sure wanted to make my life a living hell while I was in the Academy. My attention was now fully at that match and, not to my surprise, it didn't last long. Not even a minute and a half later Davis was tapping out and it was over. When Ward got up he looked at my way and grinned.

When all the matches were finished, I was the only one who was left completely unharmed.

"By now you all know that I don't play favourites" Hill's voice echoed through the gym. "No matter the gender, or the age" she said the last part and looked in my eyes. "So, I find it appropriate to have our newest member here spar, but I'll leave the choice to you. Whoever would be willing to show her what we do here at S.H.I.E.L.D. please raise your hands".

"I'll do it" Grant's voice was heard loud and clear. "I just don't wanna break anything" he continued as he approached me on the mats. His usual smile was on his face, as always.

My eyes quickly locked at Hill's blue ones. "Don't worry, that's what the Med Bay is for" and she slightly nodded. "You're sure, ma'am?", it was my turn to ask. Grant laughed at that and threw me a pair of MMA gloves. "Yes" Hill replied and moved between us.

Once we both had the equipment on, Ward came closer and asked me to touch gloves. "No hard feelings" he said as my glove made contact with his.

As soon as the whistle was heard the smile disappeared from my face. My concentration at its fullest and my mind raced back at everything I managed to get from my opponent's last match. I patiently waited for him to make the first move, but didn't have to wait long.

He made a quick left jab, followed by a right hook. The same starting move from before and I had a hard time not rolling my eyes. He continued throwing punches and kicks, but I swiftly dodged or blocked every single one of them. I could see him growing frustrated that he couldn't land a hit.

Waiting patiently I watched as his tolerance grew smaller and smaller by the minute and knew that it was only a matter of seconds before he made a mistake.

And then he did. The more-than-normal sloppy right jab was all I wanted.

I grabbed his hand with my left. I earned a small cry, both of surprise and of pain, as I twisted his wrist. Before he could even register what happened, my legs were locked around his neck we were both on the floor.

He tried his best to get out of the hold, but I kept my grip both on his hand and neck firm. Without any escape, he tapped at my leg and I released my legs and gracefully got back on my feet. Grant was still on the floor. He was carefully cradling his right wrist close to his chest with his uninjured hand. His eyes were full of surprise, but the feeling quickly changed to hatred.

"No hard feelings" I said as I offered my hand to help him up.

Of course, he didn't take it and it took him a while to actually get up because of his wrist. The room was once again dead silent and he stood tall in front of me. All the other cadets were looking at us, or to be more precise at me. Grant took a step back and joined the rest of the students as I felt a hand on my shoulder and tried hard not to flinch from the touch. I titled my head to see Hill next to me.

"I suppose now it is the right time for a proper introduction" her eyes never leaving those of the others from the group. "Everyone, this is cadet Skye. From here on out she will be a part of your group and you'll treat her as you have every new member before her". Then she turned her head to look at me.

"Welcome to the family".