This is one of the portals from Celestial Legacy that opens up in the Agent of SHIELD universe.
Not all the portals open at the same time. Each fic opens in a different 'Time'
11/30/2024: Undergone a complete rewrite
Disclaimer: I do not own Aito, Aito Shippuden, The Flash, or The DC Universe; they belong to their respective owners.
"Biju/A.I./Talking through megaphone"
'Normal thinking'
"Normal Talking"
(Scene Break/Time Skip)
(Extremis Explosion Site)
Melinda May, Leo Fitz, and Jemma Simmons were investigating when a seven-foot-tall portal suddenly opened in the middle of the room, getting May, Fitz, and Simmons's attention. Shortly after it opened, Aito stepped out before the portal closed behind them.
May, Fitz, and Simmons's attention was immediately drawn to Aito's horns, his Shinryokugan, his black hair with crimson tips/ends, and how freakishly tall he was. May instantly went on guard, getting his attention.
"Who and what are you?" May asked in a demanding tone
"There is no record of me on Earth. My name is Aito Uchiha. I am a multiversal traveler looking for a new life." Aito answered
"What do you mean multiversal traveler?" May asked
"As I said, I am a multiversal traveler from another universe." Aito answered before noticing their surroundings, "The hell happened here?"
"Lab explosion." May answered, "You will have to come with us."
Then, before their very eyes, Aito's figure began to morph. He used a more advanced version of the Transformation Technique, which he liked to call the Metamorphic Technique—his horns slowly disappeared.
(Hours later – The Bus)
"You're telling me that a portal just opened in the room, and he stepped out before it closed? And that he claims there is no record of him on Earth?" Coulson asked, slightly skeptical, looking at Aito
Like May had said, they brought Aito back to the 'Bus' as they called it. Ward had yet to wake up from the stunt that Coulson had pulled. Considering Aito's appearance, Coulson found it highly believable. But he would still have to verify that there was no record of them on Earth.
"They claim to be multiversal travelers looking for a new life." May answered
"I'll have to verify their claim about no record of him on Earth. For now, we'll keep an eye on him, keep him close." Coulson stated
(An hour later – The Bus – Command Center)
It turned out that Aito was telling them the truth. There was no record of him on Earth, which was incredibly rare, meaning he wasn't from their 'Earth.'. It also meant they couldn't just let him go, like Skye. Aito, Coulson, May, Fitz, Simmons, and Skye are gathered around a table as Coulson places a driver's license on it, allowing it to be scanned before several pieces of information are brought up on the table.
"Michael Peterson. Factory worker, separated, with one kid." Coulson listed off as he walked around the table, "Gets injured, gets laid off, wife jumps ship. Good guy got some bad breaks. The best guess is somebody told him they could make him strong again. Make him super."
"Who has the tech to do that? And why would they want to?" May asked
"Fitz, what do we have from the security footage?" Coulson asked, "Before the blast."
Fitz tapped a few things on the table, and a fuzzy picture of two men, presumably a patient and his doctor, appeared on the big screen.
"What are we seeing?" May asked
"Two men, an angry patient, and presumably a doctor of some sort." Aito answered, stating what was obvious before Coulson gave Fitz and Simmons a look
"The data is corrupt." Simmons stated
"Yeah, like Cold War Russia corrupt." Fitz added, "I can't sync the time code with the video."
"I can help with that." Aito said, "If you want, that is."
"Go ahead." Coulson said before Aito put his hand on the table, shocking everyone
'ASTRA, see if you can sync the time code with the video and sharpen the image.' Aito ordered
"Of course, Aito." ASTRA said before he went to work.
They all watched in real-time as the image sharpened and became clearer. After about a minute, Aito removed his hand from the table.
"Go ahead and try it now." Aito ordered
"I'll be. Whatever you did, it's usable now." Fitz said, "What did you do?"
"Had my AI do what she could to clean it up and make it useable." Aito answered
"All you did was place your hand on the table." Fitz said
"I can interface with technology through skin-to-surface contact." Aito explained
"That kind of tech has to be several millennia ahead of anything we have on Earth." Simmons said
"And you're AI is where?" Fitz asked, incredibly interested
"She lives within a special housing I made that allows for seamless integration with my body and central nervous system, allowing me to communicate with it using my thoughts." Aito answered before he turned around and showed them the KNI he made integrated within the base of his neck, "Hooks directly into my central nervous system."
"Your species must be far more advanced than Earth." Simmons stated, causing Aito to adopt a sheepish look
"Maybe a few millennia's more advanced than this Earth's." Aito commented
"Why don't we play the video now." Coulson said
"Did this lab have multiple camera angles?" Aito asked
"Yes. Why?" Fitz asked
"If you give me the data from all the cameras, I might be able to generate a 3D holographic projection of the recording." Aito answered
"I have audio data from my shotgun mic I had pointed at the lab while I was running surveillance on the lab before the explosion went off." Skye added, "The digital files are in my van. It has too much background noise for me, but you could probably do something with it."
"Your van's here. But you were right. We couldn't decrypt the files." Coulson said
"The encryption's coupled to the GPS. Get my van back to that alley, and then I'm in business." Skye explained
"Agent May will escort you." Coulson said as May made her way out of the command center, "And on your way out, wake up Ward."
(An hour later – Lab of The Bus)
Aito and Fitz were waiting for Skye to send them the audio file while Simmons was going full scientist mode on something Simmons had found at the explosion site, with Coulson watching her after they failed to get Aito to tell them more about the alien part of his lineage and tech.
"Audio file should be coming through. It's not compressed, so it might take a minute." Skye said over the phone
"Yeah, yeah, I'm getting it." Fitz said, "So, when you get back, I'll show you my thing."
This immediately got Aito's attention. Simmons seemed unfazed.
"A thing. It's not…It's my hardware. My equipment! Let's hang up." Fitz said in a panic before he quickly ended the call and took out his earpiece before he noticed the look Aito was giving him
"I assure you I was not insinuating anything sexual." Fitz said, "And how can you seamlessly change your appearance?"
"It's an advanced form of a transformation technique from where I am from." Aito explained
"What's a transformation technique?" Fitz and Simmons asked
"It's a technique that uses a special energy to change my appearance into what I want people to see. It's not limited to just hiding stuff. I can entirely turn myself into someone else looks wise if I want to." Aito answered, "I put it up because we had to go into public to get back here. I kept it up because I don't want to freak people out and cause a panic."
"What kind of energy?" Simmons asked
"Think of it like a bio-electric energy." Aito answered, "Now, get back to what you guys were doing. Don't let me distract you."
Simmons reluctantly returned to what she was doing, drilling into what she had brought back from the explosion site.
"So the alien metal wasn't the explosive?" Coulson asked
"I assumed from the break pattern and dispersion that it was. But it's just dripping with gamma radiation and…" Simmons answered before the drill finally broke through and started dripping onto the petri dish she had set up underneath it. "And now it really is dripping. Fun."
Just then, Ward walked in, "So what did that get us?"
"Skye's sending us the rest of her decrypted files on Centipede, but we have her audio now. So all that's left to do is give it all to Aito and have him create a 3D holographic projection of the video." Fitz answered before he handed Aito a USB drive with all the necessary data.
Aito took the USB drive and 'plugged' it into his hand, shocking everyone. 'ASTRA, create a 3D hologram of the explosion site from this data.'
"Of course, Aito." ASTRA said
After a few minutes, a lump formed on Aito's palm before a beam of light shot out into the cargo bay, turning into a hologram of the time before the explosion.
"Magnificent." Fitz commented
Ward immediately took note of the case between the two men before it started playing, "Explosive in the case?"
"Please, calm down. Just let me check your vitals." The 'doctor' pleaded
"I feel fine. I want to feel more. Where's the doctor? Where is she!?" The 'patient' demanded
"If you don't settle down, I'll have you sedated." The 'doctor' threatened
"Where is she?!" The 'patient' demanded before picking up a chair and slamming it on a table, breaking it
"Wait, did you see that on his arm?" Fitz asked, "Rewind it a few seconds."
The video began rewinding until the 'patient's' forearm was exposed, "Stop." Fitz said before Ward got closer to the hologram of the 'patient's' forearm
"What does it look like to you?" Coulson asked as Ward finally got a good look at it
"A centipede." Ward answered.
"It's an intravenous filter for his blood. This goo, sir. Very similar to the serum Dr. Erskine developed in the 40's for the…" Simmons explained before Coulson turned back to the hologram
"Super-soldiers." Coulson finished getting Aito's attention
"I'm reading alien metal, gamma radiation, the serum. Every known source of superpower, thrown into a blender." Simmons explained
"You mean you guys have already encountered aliens on this planet?" Aito asked.
"Yeah. Several, in fact, including an army of them." Coulson answered
Aito just looked at them, silently deciding on something. "So then SHIELD has already seen and encountered aliens with different anatomy and appearance than humans?"
"Yes, why?" Coulson answered
"Then that means that I only need to maintain my transformation in public since you have experience with other aliens." Aito said as his form began to shift; his horns seemed to grow from his forehead.
"We should report this to Director Fury." Ward commented
"I will after we deal with this whole Centipede ordeal." Coulson said, "Anyways. We need to see the origin of the blast. Run it back from the last point recorded."
Aito quickly skipped to the end of the recording before slowly rewinding it. They watched the explosion rewound until it reformed into the 'patient' the 'doctor' was speaking to with some kind of energy flowing through his veins before Coulson got closer.
"Extremis. It's new. Completely unstable." Coulson explained before turning back to Simmons
"Poor man didn't bring an explosive. And Mike has the same stuff in his system." Simmons commented
"Well, judging by his strength level, a lot more." Ward commented
"So then, any minute now, Mike is gonna explode?" Fitz asked
"He'll take out anyone within a two-block radius." Simmons answered before Coulson turned around to look at Ward
"Well, you wanted a bomb." Coulson said before walking away as the hologram disappeared and the lump absorbed back into Aito's body
(An hour later – The Lab)
After further research on the Centipede serum, Fitz and Simmons discovered that the explosion was caused by a chemical reaction within the host's body. After bringing this to Coulson's attention, he ordered them to find a nonlethal way to deal with Mike Peterson. Fitz and Simmons ran tests and simulations to devise a non-lethal solution to stop Mike from exploding.
"The problem with Extremis is its volatility. It's supposed to regenerate tissue, but it often leads to thermal runaway and then... boom." Fitz said, looking at the big screen of the lab
"Yes, and our current stabilizing agents aren't selective enough. They either inhibit Extremis completely or not at all. We need something more... adaptive." Simmons said
"Have you considered using a biochemical regulator that mimics adaptive biochemical properties to effectively regulate and balance energy?" Aito suggested
"So, rather than trying to suppress the Extremis reaction outright, we'd be helping the body to manage it on its own?" Fitz asked
"Exactly. We'd be enhancing the body's natural resilience to the changes Extremis causes. It would be like adding a new regulatory system at the cellular level." Aito answered
"This could minimize the risk of combustion without compromising the regenerative benefits. It's brilliant!" Simmons said
"I'll help you compile the necessary data and simulate the biochemical interactions. We need to see how it behaves in a controlled environment." Aito said
"And if our simulations are successful, we could have a way to make Extremis viable for medical use, without the... explosive side effects." Fitz said
"Let's get started. This could be a major breakthrough. Thank you, Aito." Simmons said
A 'Security Breach' alert appeared on the screen, getting their attention.
"Oh, no! Fitz, what is this nonsense?" Simmons asked
"This isn't me!" Fitz answered, "It's noise. Someone's hacking our secure channel."
"It's longitude and latitude." Coulson said as he walked through the Lab, "Mike took Skye. She's telling us where."
"I'll leave you with the information you need to come up with the solution." Aito said as a USB drive started coming out of Aito's hand. Once it was fully formed, Aito pulled it out and handed it to Fitz and Simmons, "I'm going with Coulson and Ward for backup, considering that this Centipede stuff makes humans superhumans. This USB drive has a time limit before it becomes useless. The information there is also read-only, meaning you can't copy it to another system."
(About an hour later – Outside of the train station at the coordinates given by Skye)
Aito, Coulson, and Ward stepped out of the SUV they had pulled up in. Aito had reapplied the Metamorphic Technique back at the Bus to make himself look human before they made their way toward Skye's van.
"Look at this place. You're gonna risk thousands of lives over some nobody?" Ward asked
"Everyone's a nobody until they are noticed and given a chance to prove themselves." Aito countered
"I agree with Aito. Everyone's a nobody until they are noticed and given a chance." Coulson agreed, "Fitz-Simmons will come through."
"Mr. Peterson, good morning. We're not a threat; we're here to help. But you're in danger, and we need to take you in." Coulson announced through a megaphone
Several seconds later, Aito felt a tingling sensation before he sprinted forward as the side door to Skye's van flew off. Thankfully, Aito got there in time before it hit the police officers and caught it, shocking the officers, Coulson, Ward, Skye, and Mike. Shortly after, Mike grabbed Skye and his son and made a break for the door to the train station. He didn't get very far before the officers, Ward and Coulson, drew their pistols.
Aito quickly placed the door on the ground before he put himself between the pistols and Mike, Skye, and his son. "Mike, don't make this more difficult than this has to be."
Aito could sense Mike's fear and desperation. He understood that he didn't mean or want to harm anyone and was just looking out for himself and his son.
"Mike, I know you are scared. Let SHIELD help you before it's too late. I will make sure that nothing bad happens to you." Aito pleaded before motioning for the officers, Ward and Coulson, to put their pistols away.
Suddenly, Aito felt another tingling sensation before he heard a gunshot. Instantly, Aito was on Mike, Skye, and his son, putting himself between them and the bullet that had been fired at them. The shotgun bullets bounced right off him and into the ground before the officers, Ward and Coulson, were on high alert, bringing their pistols up, looking for the source of the gunshot.
Using this moment as an opportunity to escape, Mike grabbed his son and Skye before booking it toward the entrance once again, causing Skye to yell. Aito turned his attention back to Skye, Mike, and his son, only to see Mike holding his son and Skye making a break for the entrance.
Skye was just within grabbing distance of him, Mike and his son being the farthest, and he wasn't about to let Mike take Skye and use her as a hostage. He quickly grabbed her and pulled her out of Mike's grasp and into his chest, protecting her from any more potential gunshots.
"Not that I don't appreciate the rescue, but a little warning would've been nice." Skye joked, a full-blown blush on her face, 'Not everyone gets their own bulletproof hero.'
Mike saw this and made an attempt to grab Skye again, but he was sucked up by a swirling vortex.
"Ace, get over here!" Skye ordered, quickly extending her hand toward the little boy to grab him
Once Ace and Skye were back within Aito's protection, they heard another gunshot. Aito felt more shotgun pellets bounce off his body. Aito then began moving back toward Ward and Coulson.
"Where's my daddy?" Ace asked worriedly
"He's somewhere safe." Aito answered before they heard tires screeching as a car sped off down the road. Seeing they were no longer in danger, Aito turned his attention back to Skye and Ace, "Are either of you hurt?"
"No, we're fine." Skye answered, her heart pounding and blushing a little at how close to Aito she was before she started looking around for Mike, "Where did Mike go?"
"Somewhere safe. Don't worry." Aito answered
"You're bulletproof?" Ward asked
"Yep." Aito answered
"Guess that's one way to stop a bullet." Coulson joked, "Where's Peterson?"
"Stored away in stasis." Aito answered, "He's safe."
"Stasis?" Coulson asked with curiosity dripping from his voice
"Really? After what I have pulled so far, that's what you question?" Aito asked rhetorically
"Then let's get back to the Bus and see what they came up with." Coulson said
(About an hour later – The Bus)
"So how exactly is this supposed to keep Mike Peterson from going boom?" Coulson asked, eyeing the green vial that was supposed to be the solution to saving Mike
"Agent Coulson, as you're aware, the primary issue with Extremis has been its instability, which can lead to catastrophic thermal reactions in subjects. Our traditional methods of addressing this have been largely suppressive, which, while effective in preventing combustion, also negate the regenerative properties that make Extremis potentially valuable for medical use." Simmons explained
"Right, the cure often kills the patient before the disease can. So, what's different now?" Coulson asked
"Aito suggested we try biochemical regulators to effectively regulate and balance energy on a cellular level." Simmons explained, "We've devised a way to make a synthetic pathway that regulates and balances energy within the cells. It's a biochemical regulator that integrates with human cells, enhancing their ability to manage the thermal energy produced by Extremis. Instead of suppressing the Extremis reaction, this regulator helps the body adapt to it." Simmons continued
"So, it's like adding a safety valve?" Coulson asked
"Precisely. This regulator acts as a safety mechanism, preventing the energy from reaching a critical point where it would cause combustion. This should retain the healing capabilities of Extremis while mitigating its most dangerous side effect." Simmons answered
"Sounds promising. Let's see if it keeps Mike from going boom." Coulson said before he turned to Aito
"Let's go outside on the off chance this doesn't work." Aito suggested
Once Fitz-Simmons, Aito, Coulson, and Skye were outside, Aito 'unsealed' Mike, who was slightly disorientated. Seeing they were away from civilization, he had opted to release the Metamorphic technique, allowing his Shinryokugan and horns to be seen.
"Where am I, and where is my son!?" Mike demanded. Everyone could see the Extremis in his veins start to become unstable. Aito quickly injected the green solution into Mike, and they watched as the Extremis stabilized.
"It worked." Simmons said with a sigh of relief
"What did you just inject me with!?" Mike asked with hostility
"Your son is being escorted to your sister's residence with a team of SHIELD agents. As for what we injected you with, it's something that should prevent the Extremis inside you from making you blow up." Coulson answered, "Given your enhanced strength and resilience because of the Centipede serum, SHIELD has taken an interest in you. That interest has increased since the extremis part of your centipede serum has stabilized. On behalf of SHIELD, I would like to extend an offer to join SHIELD."
As Aito started walking back to the Bus, Skye decided to get his attention.
"Aito, I… Thank you. Back there, I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there." Skye thanked, breathing deeply, a slight tremor in her voice
Aito stopped and turned to face her, a gentle smile softening his otherwise stoic expression, "You don't need to thank me, Skye. I was happy to protect you, and I'd do it again if need be."
Skye smiles, a flush of warmth spreading across her cheeks, "I've never really had someone say they would protect me again if need be."
Aito's simply gave her a smile, "Don't mention it."
(Four Days later – The Bus – Command Center)
Skye is currently getting the belongings she would need since Coulson offered her a position as a consultant, as he also did with Aito. Aito had sealed her van in his storage dimension after Skye had gotten all she needed from her van.
"Skye? The girl is not qualified to be a SHIELD agent. And don't even get me started on Aito. That guy is dangerous and a wildcard." Ward said
"Agreed, on Skye's part at least. That's why I've invited her to be a consultant. And given that there is no documentation of Aito on Earth and Aito's access to extremely advanced technology and physical capabilities, we can't afford to just let him go." Coulson explained, "If that level of technology were to end up in the wrong hands, it could be extremely detrimental to SHIELD and, more importantly, the world."
"SHIELD does it all the time in Skye's case. Technically, Stark's a consultant." Coulson added
"And technically, Skye's a member of the Rising Tide. She hacked our RSA implementation." Ward countered
"Twice. From a laptop. Imagine what she'll be able to do with our resources. And Aito's AI restored Cold War-level corrupted data to usable within less than a minute." Coulson said
"You're playing with fire, Coulson." May commented, walking by them
"I am. That's exactly what I'm imagining during this frown. You brought me on for risk assessment? She's a risk, and so is Aito, even more so." Ward said before leaning over the holo table, "Neither of them thinks like us."
"Exactly." Coulson said
(Cargo Hold)
Aito is holding a box of Skye's belongings and her duffle bag as she walks beside him with her backpack slung over her shoulder. As they reach the top of the ramp, Fitz-Simmons walks out of their Lab to greet them.
"Agent Coulson told us the news. What a wonderful surprise." Simmons greeted
"You guys must be very excited." Fitz added
"Yep. First day of school." Skye confirmed before Simmons excused herself and headed for the stairs with Skye, Aito with a little bit of difficulty, and Fitz following
Once they were on the second floor of the Bus, Fitz began giving Skye and Aito an impromptu 'tour.'
"Officially, it's an Airborne Mobile Command Station, but we call it 'the Bus.'." Fitz explained as they continued farther into 'the Bus.', "We find it best to use shorthand when in the field. But everything has to be just so, you know? Because of the danger."
"Yeah, I've been up here before, but I didn't see much because of the bag that Agent Ward put over my head." Skye commented
"Yeah, so sorry about that." Simmons said
"Wheels up in two. Lock it or lose it." May's voice said over the intercom
"What does that mean?" Skye asked
"No backing out now. Let's find a bunk for you two." Simmons answered as she continued toward the bunks
"Yeah, and there's only one left, right next to mine." Fitz added as he hurried toward the bunk next to his
"You can take the bunk, Skye." Aito said, "I need next to no sleep at all."
Aito quickly put the box of Skye's belongings down and her duffle bag on the bed of her new bunk as Ward walked up and knocked on the bunk wall, getting Skye's attention. Skye started saying something before Ward cut her off, handing her and Aito pamphlets.
"Might want to read that. This isn't like other planes." Ward commented before walking away as Coulson walked up
"You can say that again." Skye commented
"Say what again?" Coulson asked
"Sweet ride." Skye answered
"I earned a little goodwill from Director Fury when I got hit right before the Battle of New York." Coulson said
"You took a bullet?" Skye asked concerned
"Kinda. An Asgardian stabbed me through the heart with a Chitauri scepter." Coulson answered, "Got a few weeks of R and this plane. Had it completely refurbished, studs up. Spared no expense."
"Yeah, Agent Ward told me they sent you to Tahiti." Skye commented
"It's a magical place." Coulson said as he sat down and buckled in, "Buckle up."
"I don't even know where we're going." Skye commented before sitting down and buckling in with Aito quickly followed suit
"Peru. That's where the 084 was reported." Coulson explained
"And an 084 is?" Skye asked
"An object of unknown origin. Like you and Aito." Coulson answered, "Team goes in and determines if it's useful or poses a threat."
"The last one turned out to be pretty interesting." Coulson added
"And what was the last one?" Skye asked
"A hammer." Coulson answered
(16 hours later – Incan archaeological site – Llactapata, Peru)
Coulson, his team, Aito, and Skye pull up in a SHIELD SUV. Fitz, Simmons, and Ward got out of one, while Coulson, Aito, and Skye got out of a white one.
"Tire tracks 40 meters back. I'll check them against the site's trucks. Make sure we're alone." Ward said as May opened her door and surveyed the surrounding
"Too much exposure here. I'm gonna find a place to park." May said before closing the door as everyone but Ward and May made their way toward the 084's location
"I would love to see a capuchin in the wild. Maybe even a yellow-tailed woolly monkey." Fitz commented, "Peru has 32 different species of monkey."
"Yeah, and close to 200 species of snakes. The Shushupe has a fascinating venom. It's neurotoxic, proteolytic, and hemolytic." Simmons said, "No, I'd be much more concerned with earthquakes."
After some walking, they arrived at a ziggurat, followed closely by Aito, Skye, and Coulson.
"We should warn the people around here if the 084 is dangerous. They're already dealing with anti-mining rebels and the Shining Path guerillas." Skye said, causing Aito to chuckle
"I could post something." Skye suggested
"Remember when that anti-matter meteor splashed down just off the coast of Miami, nearly devoured the city?" Coulson asked
"No." Skye answered
"Precisely. Because we kept it quiet and contained." Coulson said
"So what am I doing here?" Skye asked
"Well, if it gets out, I might need you to create some kind of diversion to throw the public off." Coulson answered
"So, everything that I'm against." Skye commented
"Skye, sometimes the best thing for people is not knowing the truth. Less panic and mess that way." Aito countered, "There's no harm in keeping people in the dark about certain things."
Coulson quickly made his way up the ziggurat to one of its many entrances, where Fitz and Simmons took a selfie as a man walked out. "Good morning, Professor. I'm Agent Coulson with SHIELD. I understand you made an interesting discovery."
The man sighed, "I'm not sure how to explain it. This temple dates back at least 500 years. It's filled with pre-Incan artifacts. One of them is impossible. And it looks like it might be dangerous."
"Well, that's why we're here." Coulson said before the man turned around and headed back in with Coulson, Fitz, Simmons, Aito, and Skye following behind him
(Sometime later – Inside the ziggurat)
Once inside, the team took in their surroundings, noting the dark stone walls and ancient carvings. At the far end of the room, a metallic object embedded in the wall emitted a faint blue glow, drawing everyone's attention.
"Exactly as we found it." the Peruvian officer said, gesturing toward the object.
"Who else knows about this?" Coulson asked, his eyes never leaving the object.
"Just the Ministry." the officer replied as Fitz and Simmons set up their equipment to examine the object. "I believe they're the ones who contacted you."
"Good. Now, I need you and your team to clear out until we determine the risk level here." Coulson ordered, ushering the man toward the exit. "It's for your safety—and trust me, it's not as boring as it sounds."
The officer reluctantly nodded and made his way out, leaving the SHIELD agents to their work.
As Fitz and Simmons deployed small drones no larger than a hand to scan the metallic object, Skye stepped up, her eyes wide with amazement. "There's nothing about this anywhere—not even a whisper. I mean, I've scoured every data stream. Guess this is a new kind of weird."
"What do we have here, guys?" Coulson asked, his curiosity piqued.
Simmons squinted at her readings. "The object's placement in fossiliferous rock formations suggests it's been here for at least 1500 years. That predates this temple by a millennium. Maybe it's alien." she said, glancing over at Aito.
Fitz looked over at the glowing surface, his eyes narrowing. "Yeah, but look at the shape and craftsmanship—it's almost German, don't you think? Like... really advanced, maybe post-war tech?"
Before anyone could respond, Coulson's radio crackled. "Sir?" Ward's voice came through."We've got a problem. Movement at the perimeter."
Coulson frowned, looking around. "Lots of rebels in this area." Skye added, her tone uneasy.
"Not enough gunfire." Coulson said after a beat, giving FitzSimmons a nod to continue. "Keep working." he said before he spoke into the radio, "I'm on my way."
He glanced back at Aito. "Aito, watch over them." Coulson ordered.
Aito nodded acknowledgment, positioning himself near Fitz, Simmons, and Skye.
"Aito, it's giving off radiation unlike anything we've ever encountered." ASTRA announced
"It's giving off radiation." Aito noted calmly, his eyes fixed on the glowing object. "I can see it, and my AI can sense it. It's nothing we've encountered before."
"You would be correct." Fitz responded, carefully observing the readings. "We should probably get this thing out of here before someone else tries to get their hands on it." He turned to Aito, gesturing toward the glowing artifact. "Think you could store it in that, uh, place where you put Mike?"
"Yeah, I can store nearly anything there." Aito answered without hesitation. The metallic object was then sucked into a swirling vortex, disappearing from sight. "Alright, let's move."
Fitz and Simmons quickly packed up their drones, and the group exited the ziggurat with Aito leading them.
Outside, Ward, May, Coulson, Camilla, and several Peruvian soldiers were waiting for them—along with some men holding assault rifles.
Camilla's eyes widened as Aito approached, his tall, imposing figure immediately catching her attention. Aito could sense fear emanating from some of the soldiers, their eyes darting nervously at him.
"Sir, it's got a Tesseract-like power source." Fitz called out, giving Coulson a worried look.
"And you just left it in there?" Coulson asked, his brow furrowed.
"No, it's safely stored away." Aito replied, his tone even. "We need to get back to the Bus before this attracts more attention."
"I'll get the SUV." May said, running off.
Suddenly, Aito felt a tingling sensation in the back of his mind, and multiple explosions went off in the distance.
"Rebels!" Camilla shouted, fear clear in her voice.
"Fitz, Simmons, Skye—stay with me." Aito ordered, his voice calm amidst the chaos. A radiant gold ribcage with white accents appeared around them, the chakra structure wrapping them protectively. Fitz, Simmons, and Skye looked up, shocked by the energy emanating from the shield.
"What is this? Some kind of energy shield?" Fitz asked, wide-eyed.
"Let's go with that." Aito said with a small, knowing smile, even as bullets ricocheted harmlessly off the glowing structure.
Moments later, May pulled up in a black SHIELD SUV, her expression as stoic as ever.
"Get in!" Ward shouted, opening the back door for Fitz, Simmons, and Skye.
"Move! Now!" May ordered urgency in her voice.
"Yeah, good idea!" Fitz exclaimed, diving into the backseat, followed by Simmons and Skye.
"You guys take the SUV. I'll go with Coulson." Aito said, nodding toward the nearby truck. Coulson and Camilla climbed inside, and Aito vaulted into the back of it effortlessly.
"He's going to get shot!" Camilla exclaimed, her face contorting in concern as she saw Aito standing in the open back.
"He'll be fine, just go!" Coulson replied confidently as the truck sped away, racing down the dirt path toward the Bus.
(Several minutes later – The Bus)
When they arrived at the Bus, May pulled the SUV onto the loading ramp before she and Ward jumped out.
"Ramp!" May ordered before she headed for the cockpit
"On it!" Ward said, making a break for the ramp controls.
The truck Coulson, the Peruvian woman, and Aito arrived in pulled up. Aito quickly jumped out, followed by Coulson, the woman, and several of her men.
"I'll cover you guys just get into the Bus!" Aito shouted as the same radiant gold with white accents ribcage only a bit bigger formed around Aito, blocking all bullets from passing him and ricocheting off of it, shocking everyone, "Get inside, now!"
Soon, everyone was in the Bus, and Aito quickly backed into it, gradually reducing the size of the ribcage before the loading ramp pulled up, sealing them in and protecting them from further gunfire. He used the Metamorphic Technique to return to his natural state, shocking the men and Camilla.
"Nice trick. What was that?" Coulson asked
""It's just an energy shield of sorts I can generate. Covers me and whoever's nearby, depending on how big I want to make it." Aito answered
"Next time, warn me before you pull out a magic trick like that." Coulson suggested
"I gotta say, I miss my van—less gunfire, more legroom." Skye commented
"What the hell was that? How did you—?" Camilla asked in shock, confusion, and fear
"One of my many 'skills.', you could say." Aito answered nonchalantly
"Camilla, this is Aito. He's...well, he's something we're still trying to understand—an 0-8-4, like the object we recovered." Coulson explained
"Why don't you let Fitz-Simmons further examine the 084?" Coulson suggested, only getting a nod from Aito before he walked toward the Lab
"Alright, Fitz-Simmons, Coulson wants you to further examine the 084." Aito said before getting a nod as they all moved into the Lab
"Honestly, sometimes I wonder why I ever left the lab." Simmons commented
"All you guys need is some hands-on field training, and you should be fine." Aito said as a vortex appeared, spitting out the metallic 084 onto the table below in the middle of the Lab before, "Have at it."
"Did that vortex just... I mean, where did that come from? Was it some kind of quantum tunneling?" Fitz asked in disbelief.
"Or some kind of wormhole? It's fascinating, really! I have so many questions about that. Is it some kind of dimensional storage?" Simmons asked
"Maybe later, once I trust you guys a bit more. It's only been a few days, after all." Aito answered
(An hour later – Lab)
"Not to worry. The device is stable." Simmons stated in a joking manner, "Not that it couldn't explode at any minute from external stimuli."
"Things like this happen from time to time when in the field. At first, it's very unpleasant, and you regret your decision to leave the Lab." Simmons added, having a mini mental breakdown of sorts as Coulson came walking down the spiraling staircase
"So, Aito, I know you said that questions could be answered later down the line. But I just have to know. Where did you deploy that energy shield from?" Fitz asked, "I don't see anything bulky on you that could be the power source or emitter."
Aito glanced up from where he was standing, seemingly observing the alien artifact but paying close attention to everything in the room. His sharp gaze met Fitz's, and he could sense the genuine curiosity layered with a touch of disbelief.
"That?" Aito replied with a shrug, "It's… let's say it's a result of my training and some unique technology I carry. Something similar to a personal shield generator but a bit more integrated. It's something I picked up from my family, kind of like… specialized self-defense."
Fitz's eyes widened with interest. "Integrated? Like, into your suit?" He immediately leaned forward, eyes inspecting Aito, trying to make out anything unusual in his attire.
"More like… me." Aito said, his lips curving slightly. He didn't elaborate, hoping that vague phrasing might satisfy Fitz. After all, he didn't want to lie outright, but telling them he could manipulate energy directly through his chakra or that his invulnerability was part of his alien heritage would push things too far.
Fitz's brows furrowed, and he looked over at Simmons, who now had her head cocked in curiosity. "Integrated into your body?" Fitz repeated, now sounding a bit cautious. "How did you manage that? Is it like a nanotech thing? Because I've read about a few theoretical—"
Simmons interjected, cutting off Fitz's impending monologue. "Fitz, maybe we should just respect Aito's boundaries for now." she said, offering Aito an apologetic smile. "I mean, he saved our lives out there. Whatever methods he used, I'm thankful."
Aito nodded gratefully at Simmons, and his expression softened. "Thanks, Simmons. Let's just say it's… complicated." he said, his voice lowering slightly. "I'm sure there will be a time when you guys know more, but let's focus on the artifact now."
Before Fitz could push the subject further, Coulson cleared his throat as he walked over. His demeanor was casual, but how he eyed Aito made it clear he had overheard part of the conversation. "You know, sometimes, we all have our secrets, Fitz." Coulson said, glancing at Aito. "And it's those secrets that keep us alive."
Coulson turned his attention to the artifact that Simmons was still examining. "Speaking of staying alive, what have we got on the 0-8-4?"
Simmons straightened and gestured to the artifact, the tension in the room easing as she switched to full-on science mode. "It's definitely of alien origin, likely powered by a form of gamma radiation. The energy readings are off the charts, sir."
Aito took a subtle step back, grateful for the diversion. He caught Skye's gaze from across the room; she had been watching the exchange silently, leaning against a counter. She gave him a curious smirk, a look that said she was picking up on the fact that there was more to him than he let on. Aito just gave her a faint shrug, trying to seem nonchalant.
Skye's smirk grew wider, and she mouthed a silent "We need to talk later." Then, as if to make sure her intentions were crystal clear, she added, "And trust me, I'm very good at making people talk." As Ward walked into the Lab
Aito sighed internally. He knew that, sooner or later, he'd need to let someone in on the truth, and something told him that Skye wouldn't let it go easily. But for now, it was enough to keep the team focused on the mission, not the predominantly Kryptonian, part-Otsutsuki, part-Cyborg anomaly in their midst.
"Can we talk about the elephant in the room?" Ward asked, "And the fact that we had non-combat trained personnel out in the field today around gunfire? Someone could have been shot and killed. Had it just been me, I could have handled the situation."
Coulson turned to face Ward, his expression growing more serious. "You're right, Ward. Today wasn't ideal in terms of field safety." Coulson acknowledged. He cast a glance at Fitz-Simmons, who both shifted a little uncomfortably under his gaze. "And that's something we need to work on, but we also need everyone's expertise when we're dealing with the unknown."
Ward sighed, his shoulders tensing as he crossed his arms. "Coulson, expertise is great. But all the expertise in the world doesn't matter if someone gets killed before they can use it. We need to be better prepared if situations like this happen again."
Coulson gave a slight nod before shifting his attention to Aito, his gaze contemplative. "I think we also need to acknowledge that Aito here is a bit of an unknown. And unknowns tend to make our job difficult or interesting."
Ward's eyes narrowed slightly, his skepticism apparent. "Unknowns can also get us killed, Coulson. We don't know what he's capable of or even where he comes from. If something goes sideways, we need to be sure we can count on him—and right now, we just don't know enough."
Aito met Ward's gaze steadily, staying calm even as he could feel the weight of the accusation. "If you're asking if I'm ready to be in the field again, I can assure you I know how to handle myself." Aito said evenly.
Ward crossed his arms tighter, giving a short, skeptical nod. "Yeah, I got that impression. I'm just saying that if you're in, then we should know what we can rely on you for. Are you some kind of super-soldier, like Captain America? Or is this tech-based?"
Coulson stepped in, sensing the tension growing. "Ward, I think Aito's proven that he's on our side, and that's enough for now. We'll figure the rest out as we go." Coulson said, his voice gentle but firm, subtly indicating the conversation was over.
Aito offered a nod, grateful for the save. He turned his attention back to Simmons. "How about we focus on this artifact? Anything else I can help with?"
Fitz-Simmons exchanged a look before Simmons responded. "Actually, yes. I could use another set of hands over here to stabilize the energy readings while I make a few adjustments."
Aito stepped closer, nodding as he shifted his attention to the instruments Simmons indicated. The momentary reprieve allowed the tension to ebb as the room's focus returned to the alien artifact.
(Sometime later)
After a while, the mission discussion wrapped up, and Fitz-Simmons remained busy cataloging the 0-8-4. Coulson moved to speak privately with Ward, and Aito took the opportunity to step away, intending to grab a moment to think. He slipped out of the Lab and walked towards the lounge area when he heard a voice behind him.
"Aito, wait up!" Skye called, hurrying over. She gave him a searching look as they moved into a quieter part of the Bus, away from prying eyes.
"I told you we needed to talk." Skye said, her voice hushed, but her eyes glinting with determination. "That thing you did back there with the energy shield—it wasn't just training or fancy tech, was it?"
Aito paused, his gaze meeting hers. He could see the earnestness in her eyes. "You're persistent, you know that?" he said, offering her a small smile.
Skye crossed her arms and shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a hacker. It's literally my job to find answers. And right now, you're a puzzle I need to solve right now."
Aito sighed and leaned against the wall, his eyes softening slightly. "It's… complicated, Skye. It's not something I can easily explain."
Skye stepped closer, her expression softening as well. "Hey, I get it. We all have secrets, and I'm not trying to push you into something you're not ready for. But I also know what it's like to be on the outside, to feel like you have to hide who you really are."
She paused, her eyes searching his. "Maybe we can start with a little trust. You saved us out there, and that means something. I just want you to know that… you can trust me."
Aito regarded her for a moment, the earnestness in her voice resonating with him. "Maybe… maybe one day I'll be able to tell you more." he said softly, his gaze holding hers. "But for now, let's just say that I've got a few gifts that aren't easy to explain."
Skye smiled, the corners of her mouth lifting just a bit. "That's good enough for now." she said, giving him a nod. "Just… don't shut me out, okay? We're a team, and I've got your back."
Aito nodded, a genuine warmth crossing his expression. "Thanks, Skye. That means more than you know."
(Meanwhile, back in the Lab)
Coulson leaned in towards Ward. "I know you're concerned about safety, Ward, and you have every right to be. But there's something about Aito that we need to understand before we jump to conclusions."
Ward frowned. "He's powerful, Coulson. And power without understanding is dangerous. If we don't know what he's capable of—"
Coulson held up a hand to stop him. "I agree, but I also know that pushing too hard too fast can backfire. We'll learn more in time. For now, let's see what he's willing to show us."
Ward shook his head slightly, the tension in his jaw clear. "I just hope that when the time comes, we're ready for whatever secrets he's hiding."
Coulson nodded, his expression serious. "Me too, Ward. Me too."
(Hour's later – Nighttime – Lounge of the Bus)
More time had passed, and the sun had gone down. Ward was sitting on a couch reading The Hunger Games while Aito sat in a typical meditation pose on another couch. Skye walked in and sat next to him, drawing his attention.
"Is there something I can help you with, Skye?" Aito asked eyes closed
"So is this what you do instead of sleeping? Never really took you for the meditating type." Skye answered
Aito smiled slightly at her comment, keeping his eyes closed but tilting his head a little towards her.
"It helps clear my mind. Besides, it's more productive than lying awake." Aito responded, his voice calm, almost serene.
Skye raised an eyebrow, a playful grin forming on her face as she leaned back on the couch, crossing her arms. "What, a big, strong guy like you has trouble sleeping? I guess even super…whatever you are, you need to find inner peace. No offense."
Aito opened one eye to glance at her, an amused glimmer in the swirling ombre of electric blue and purple that made up his Shinryokugan. He chuckled softly.
"You'd be surprised what kinds of things keep me awake." he replied cryptically, his gaze turning more thoughtful. "Meditation helps me sort through... a lot."
"Like what?" Skye asked, her curiosity piqued. She could tell there was more to Aito than just the mysterious powers and quiet demeanor. She sensed a depth that fascinated her. "You seem like the guy who's got it all figured out. Seriously, if I could meditate instead of sleep, I'd never feel tired again."
Aito sighed, and there was a pause before he answered. "There are things—memories, thoughts—that are difficult to forget. I carry a lot of... responsibilities. Sometimes, those things don't leave much room for sleep."
Skye's playful smile softened. She sensed a vulnerability in his voice, something raw and unspoken. "Well, you seem to be handling it pretty well for what it's worth. You've got that whole zen master thing down." she said gently.
Aito opened both eyes now, meeting her gaze. He could see the sincerity in her eyes, a kindness that wasn't driven by pity but by understanding. He gave her a slight nod. "Thank you, Skye. That means more than you know."
She held his gaze a moment longer, then glanced over at Ward, still absorbed in his book. A mischievous glint crossed her face. "You know, I actually came over here to mess with Ward a little... but I guess I got distracted." She turned back to Aito, her smile broadening. "But hey, if you ever feel like talking—or teaching someone how to meditate—I'm all ears."
Aito gave a small smile in return. "I might take you up on that someday."
"Aito, I'm sensing lots of negative emotions around us." Kurama announced
Suddenly, Aito's eyes flickered, his expression changing in an instant, his eyes narrowing.
Skye noticed the change, her smile fading as she looked at him, her brow furrowing. "What's wrong?" she whispered.
"Something's about to happen." Aito said quietly, his eyes locked onto the hallway leading out of the lounge. "Get ready, Skye."
Skye's eyes widened in surprise, but she could see the seriousness in Aito's expression. The calmness was gone, replaced by a focused intensity. She swallowed hard, her heart beginning to race. This was real.
Aito remained perfectly still, his eyes scanning the lobby while subtly tapping into his enhanced senses—listening for the slightest variation in heartbeats, footsteps, and movement. The game of cards between Camilla's men was growing more animated. Still, Aito could detect the subtle signs of tension in their body language—the occasional glances toward Ward, the deliberate pacing of their breath, and the clench of muscles that betrayed their calm façade.
Skye shifted nervously beside him, her eyes darting between Aito and the others in the room. She opened her mouth to say something, but Aito held up a hand, a silent gesture to stay quiet.
Suddenly, one of Camilla's men stood up, stretching as if to play off his real intentions. Aito could see his movements were too deliberate. Then, in a quick, almost imperceptible motion, the man moved his hand towards his waistband, where Aito could see the metal of a concealed weapon.
Aito reacted instantly.
He was on his feet with a burst of speed, closing the distance between himself and the soldier. His hand grabbed the man's wrist just as he began to draw his weapon. There was a flicker of shock in the soldier's eyes, but before he could respond, Aito twisted the man's arm behind his back, forcing him to drop the gun.
The sudden movement caught Ward's attention. He looked up from his book, his expression changing immediately as he understood what was happening. He jumped up, moving toward the commotion.
"Skye, get behind me." Aito ordered, his voice calm but firm.
Skye, eyes wide, scrambled to her feet and moved behind the couch, her heart pounding as she watched the scene unfold. Ward was now fully alert, rushing towards the soldier Aito had restrained.
Realizing the jig was up, Camilla's other men leaped into action. Two drew their weapons, one aiming towards Ward and the other towards Aito. Before either could fire, Aito moved again, this time faster than any of them could track. He disarmed the man closest to him with a swift, almost inhuman strike, his body moving with fluid precision.
Ward engaged the other soldier, knocking the gun aside and grappling with the man as the two struggled.
In the midst of the chaos, Aito turned his head slightly towards Skye, his voice cutting through the noise. "Find Coulson. Warn him—now!"
Skye nodded, her face a mix of fear and determination, before she sprinted off, her footsteps echoing throughout the lounge as she ran to find Coulson and alert him to the attack.
Aito's eyes flicked back to the remaining soldiers. His gaze hardened, and he allowed a glimmer of his power to shine through—his strength and speed, amplified by his Kryptonian genetics. He struck with precise, controlled force, incapacitating one man after another, making sure not to reveal more than he needed to.
Seeing Aito's efficiency, Ward glanced at him with a look of disbelief and respect. "Remind me never to play cards against you." he muttered, throwing a final punch that sent his opponent sprawling to the floor, unconscious.
Aito gave a slight nod, his expression serious. "We need to secure the plane. There's more of them."
Ward nodded in agreement, grabbing one of the discarded guns and motioning for Aito to follow. The two men moved with practiced coordination, with Aito heading towards the cargo bay, where they knew more of Camilla's men could be preparing to make their move for the 084, and Ward towards the Cockpit, where May was knowing that she was a key factor in their plan.
Skye ran as fast as she could, her heart racing from exertion and the adrenaline pumping through her veins. She knew Coulson and Camilla were in his office. She needed to reach him before things escalated further.
She quickly made her way up the spiraling staircase to the next level, where Coulson's office was. The door to Coulson's office was slightly ajar. Skye could hear muffled voices from inside—Coulson and Camilla in conversation.
Skye didn't waste time knocking. She burst into the office, her breath coming in quick gasps. "Coulson!" she shouted, drawing Coulson's and Camilla's attention.
Coulson looked up, startled. "Skye? What's going on?" he asked, his tone shifting immediately from curiosity to concern.
Skye's eyes darted towards Camilla, who looked confused but tried to keep her composure. "Camilla's men—they're making a move, trying to take over the Bus." Skye said, her gaze hardening as she looked at Camilla. "Ward and Aito are trying to hold them off, but we need help."
Camilla's eyes narrowed, and her demeanor shifted almost imperceptibly. She gave Coulson a tight smile, her voice smooth but lacking sincerity. "Agent Coulson, I think there's a misunderstanding here—"
But Coulson was already standing, his eyes locked on Camilla, his expression betraying nothing. "I trusted you, Camilla." he said, calm but edged with disappointment. He stepped back, putting some distance between himself and Camilla, his hand hovering near the concealed weapon in his jacket.
Camilla's demeanor changed in an instant. Her smile dropped, and she nodded towards the door, her tone growing cold. "Looks like we're past pleasantries, then."
Before Skye could react, Camilla reached towards her own waistband. Coulson moved with a speed that belied his usual calm exterior, drawing his weapon and aiming it directly at Camilla. "Don't." he said, his voice hard.
Skye's heart pounded, her eyes darting between them. She couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and admiration—she had never seen Coulson this serious before.
Camilla hesitated, her eyes meeting Coulson's. Then, as if conceding, she slowly raised her hands, her expression unreadable. "You're making a mistake, Phil." she said quietly.
"Maybe." Coulson replied. "But I'm not taking any chances. Skye, secure her hands."
Skye nodded, quickly grabbing a pair of restraints from Coulson's desk drawer. Her hands were trembling slightly, but she forced herself to focus. She moved towards Camilla, her gaze wary. "Please don't try anything." she muttered, securing Camilla's hands behind her back.
Camilla didn't resist, but the look she gave Skye sent a chill down her spine—an unspoken promise that this wasn't over.
Once Camilla was restrained, Coulson nodded towards the door. "We need to get to the others. Ward and Aito will need backup."
Skye glanced at Coulson, then at Camilla, who stood silently, her expression still one of calm defiance. "What about her?" Skye asked.
Coulson gave a small nod towards a nearby chair. "She stays here until we have this under control. We'll come back for her." He turned to Skye, his expression softening just slightly. "You did good, Skye. Now let's go."
Skye felt a surge of determination at his words. She nodded, following Coulson as he led the way out of the office. They moved quickly down the staircase to the second level of the Bus, the tension palpable. Coulson's expression was focused, his mind already running through the possibilities of what they were about to face.
When they reached the second floor, they saw on the command center screen Aito bust through the sliding glass doors as if a large vehicle had burst through the doors, sending them off their hinges with glass flying all over the floor, shocking Camille's soldier that had a scalpel against Fitz's throat. With dexterity, grace, and speed that spoke of his centuries of experience, he moved faster than Camille's soldier could react. He got Fitz out of harm's way.
"Go to the main lobby. Skye and Coulson should be there. Ward went to secure the cockpit. I'll be right behind you." Aito ordered before he knocked out the man that had been holding the scalpel to Fitz's throat and tossed him into the Cargo bay before a vortex sucked up the 084 as Aito followed right behind Fitz and Simmons.
When Aito, Fitz, and Simmons made it to the lobby on the second floor, they saw Coulson and Ward securing Camille and her unconscious men in restraints, ensuring that they wouldn't be able to do anything until they landed and SHIELD took care of them.
(Hour's later – The Slingshot – Location: Classified)
The team stood on the ramp of the Bus, watching as the final touches were made to secure the 084 for launch and technicians installed new sliding glass doors where the old ones had been. The massive rocket loomed above, primed to take the mysterious artifact far away from Earth, out into the void of space. Coulson, Ward, May, Fitz, Simmons, Skye, and Aito observed silently as SHIELD workers moved with mechanical precision, ensuring everything was properly locked down.
The evening air was crisp, and a silence fell over the team, broken only by the distant clank of metal on metal as the workers finalized the rocket's preparations. Aito stood slightly apart, his hands tucked in his jacket pockets. He watched with a composed expression, but there was an intensity in his gaze—a quiet vigilance that hadn't faded since the altercation on the Bus.
Feeling the tension ease just a bit after everything they'd gone through, Skye glanced over at Aito, then at Coulson. She had questions—more questions than answers, really—but one had been sitting on her mind ever since she was invited to join them. She took a breath, steeling herself, then stepped closer to Coulson, who stood with his eyes fixed on the workers.
"So, what exactly am I signing up for?" Skye asked, her voice cutting through the ambient noise. Her tone was casual, but there was a seriousness underneath it, a genuine need to understand what she was getting herself into.
Coulson turned his head to look at her, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Protection." he started, nodding towards the workers, the rocket, and the night sky beyond. "A chance to be part of something bigger. To protect people from the things they can't even imagine."
Skye raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Yeah, but it's more than that, right? I mean, you're not just asking me to tag along. You're asking me to be a part of... all of this." She gestured broadly, encompassing the rocket, the Bus, and even Aito, who was standing nearby, listening quietly. "I need to know what that really means."
Coulson studied her for a moment, his expression softening. He glanced briefly at Aito, who met his gaze and gave the smallest of nods as if encouraging Coulson to be honest. Coulson turned back to Skye.
"It means you're signing up for the tough calls." he said, his voice quiet but steady. "The choices that keep you up at night. The kind of decisions that might make you question everything you thought you knew about yourself. It's dangerous, and it's hard. But it's also rewarding because, at the end of the day, you're helping people. You're making a difference."
Skye looked at him, her expression pensive. "That's a lot to sign up for." she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It is." Coulson agreed. "But I think you can handle it." He smiled again, a bit more fully this time. "You've already proven that."
Skye glanced at Aito, who was watching her with an unreadable expression. There was something about him—something that made her feel like maybe, just maybe, she could handle this. He gave her a slight nod as if to say he believed in her too, even if he hadn't said the words aloud.
"Besides." Coulson added, his tone lighter, "you're not alone. We're a team. We look out for each other. And that includes you."
Skye smiled with a genuine warmth in her eyes. She nodded, the weight of the moment settling in her chest, not as a burden but as a challenge she was ready to accept. "Okay." she said softly. "I'm in."
Coulson patted her on the shoulder, then turned his attention back to the workers. Skye lingered a moment, then moved towards Aito, who gave her a small smile.
"So, all that meditating." Skye said, her tone teasing, "is that how you handle the tough calls?"
Aito chuckled, his gaze shifting from her to the rocket in the distance. "Something like that." he replied, his voice calm. "It's about finding balance. Clarity." He looked back at her, his expression sincere. "You'll find your own way to handle it, Skye. Just... don't lose sight of who you are. That's the most important part."
Skye nodded, her smile softening. "Thanks, Aito. I'll try to keep that in mind."
They stood there momentarily, watching as the workers finished their preparations. The rocket roared to life, flames igniting as it rose slowly at first, then faster, climbing higher into the evening sky until it was just a bright speck of light against the sky. The 084 was gone—out of reach, out of danger.
Coulson turned to the team, a sense of closure in his voice. "Alright, everyone. Let's head back. We've got a lot of work ahead of us."
The team nodded, and one by one, they began making their way back into the guts of the Bus. Aito lingered momentarily, looking up at the sky where the rocket had disappeared. He took a deep breath, then turned, following Skye and the others back into the guts of the Bus, ready for whatever came next.
Author's note:
Feel free to reach out to me on FFN or on Discord, digitaltechphoenix