For those of you who might be wondering, "Who is Aito", Aito is an OC that is kinda an SI but with elements of Naruto's personality thrown in, so not a complete SI but an SI nonetheless, from my story Celestial Legacy. I have also altered things. Aito is no longer the 10-tails jinchuriki, so there is no Shin Seiryugan, TSB, or white hair. He still does have Kurama, though. And Aito is now an Aeth'Rak-Class(something I came up with) Kryptonian-Otsutsuki-Cyborg Tribrid now. If you want to know what an Aeth'Rak-Class Kryptonian is, you can read Chapter 1(I think) of Celestial Legacy.

I have also changed the Sacred Dragon to purely positive(restorative, among other things) rather than positive and 'negative' (restorative and interrogative).

'Normal thinking'

"Normal Talking"

(Scene Break/Time Skip)

"Radio/Comms"

Power/Ability/Technique

(A couple days later – Bus – Lounge)

Aito is meditating on one of the couches when Coulson and Fury enter. As they get closer to Aito Fury silently observes him.

"So this is the one responsible for this plane needing repairs?" Fury asks, "Doesn't look very harmful to me."

Aito remained seated, eyes still closed, his meditative posture unbroken as Fury's words hung in the air.

"I don't suppose meditation will fix sliding doors." Fury quipped, crossing his arms.

Coulson stepped in, his tone carefully neutral. "Director, Aito acted to protect Fitz from Camilla's men. A little collateral damage seemed preferable to losing one of my team."

"Did it now?" Fury's one visible eye narrowed, his gaze sharp as it shifted between Aito and Coulson. "And you? You don't have anything to say for yourself, Mr. Multiversal Traveler?"

Aito's eyes opened slowly, their unnatural, swirling blue-purple hues faintly glowing in the dim lounge light. "Actions speak louder than words. I did what was necessary."

"Necessary?" Fury echoed, his voice a mixture of skepticism and challenge. "You busted through reinforced doors like they were paper. Care to explain how you managed that?"

Coulson interjected, his tone laced with subtle warning. "Director, we've been evaluating Aito's...unique skillset. So far, he's been cooperative and—"

"I asked him, not you." Fury interrupted, holding up a hand to silence Coulson. "I like my answers straight from the source."

Aito regarded Fury for a long moment, then leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. "It's not technology, if that's what you're thinking." he said evenly. "And it's not a weapon I carry. It's something...intrinsic. Part of who I am."

Fury's brow furrowed. "That's a fancy way of saying you've got powers you don't want to explain. Tell me why I shouldn't see that as a problem."

Aito met Fury's glare without flinching, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Because I don't use them recklessly. I acted to save a life. If you see that as a problem, perhaps the problem isn't me."

Coulson cut in before Fury could respond, his voice firm but diplomatic. "Director, we've seen firsthand that Aito's actions are aligned with SHIELD's mission—protecting people. Fitz is alive because of him."

Fury tilted his head slightly, considering Coulson's words before shifting his attention back to Aito. "You've got a lot of people vouching for you. But vouching doesn't mean trusting. So here's how this is going to work: you stay on Coulson's leash, and if you so much as sneeze the wrong way, I'll be there to clean up the mess. Are we clear?"

"I am no one's dog, and I never did like having a 'leash' on me. I'll play ball for now, but I will not compromise my moral values under any circumstances. If I see something or someone doing something that doesn't sit right with me, I will act to make things right." Aito answered, "And that's the best you are getting out of me right now."

Fury gave a slow nod, his expression unyielding but contemplative. "I don't trust wildcards, Aito, but I'll admit you're… intriguing. People with power like yours tend to fall into one of two categories: assets or threats. Which one you'll end up being depends on you."

Coulson, sensing the tension, tried to steer the conversation. "Director, Aito's proven himself willing to protect lives—"

Fury cut him off with a dismissive wave. "Willing ain't the same as disciplined, Coulson. And discipline is what keeps the collateral from piling up."

Aito stood, his movements deliberate and controlled, his glowing eyes now level with Fury's unflinching gaze. "Discipline comes from purpose, Director. I have mine, and I'll stand by it. If that's not enough for you, then perhaps it's your definition of trust that needs reevaluation."

Fury's lips quirked into a wry smile. "Careful, kid. I've seen the 'greater purpose' talk go south more times than I care to count. But hey, if Coulson's willing to vouch for you, I'll give you a leash—short as it might be."

"Short leashes only lead to tension." Aito said calmly, "but I'll stay within the lines... until they cross mine."

Coulson, now fully invested in de-escalating, stepped between the two. "Director, we're still evaluating Aito's potential, but he's already proven he's not reckless. The damage to the plane wasn't ideal, but it was necessary."

Fury gave Coulson a long look, then back at Aito. "You've got an interesting recruit here, Coulson. Let's hope he stays on your side of the line."

Turning to leave, Fury paused at the doorway, his voice carrying an undertone of warning. "And Aito? You might want to meditate on this—every action, no matter how justified, leaves a mark. Don't let yours become a stain."

Once Fury was gone, Coulson let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "You handled that better than I expected." he admitted to Aito.

"I've had my share of bureaucrats questioning my motives." Aito said with a faint smirk. "He's not the first, and I doubt he'll be the last."

Coulson's expression softened. "He's tough, but he's right about one thing—SHIELD's about accountability as much as action. If you're going to stick with us, we'll need to trust each other."

Aito inclined his head. "I understand, Coulson. Trust is built, not given."

Skye peeked into the lounge, having overheard parts of the exchange. "So, does this mean Aito's officially a SHIELD... consultant? Or are we calling it something cooler, like a 'multiversal emissary?'" She grinned, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

Aito gave her a small smile. "Call it what you like. I'm here to help—for now."

"Good." Coulson said with a faint smile. "Because something tells me you're going to keep us very busy."

(A few days later – Noon – Bus – Cargo Hold)

Some time had passed since their last mission, the 0-8-4 that got sent up to space in the rocket. Skye is now an official SHIELD trainee, with Ward as her supervising officer. Ward has been 'putting her through the wringer' so to speak, with Aito watching from a distance to ensure that Ward didn't push Skye too far. Aito had also been slowly progressing in his relationship with Skye, seeing as they were both in the same boat, being 'fishes out of water' so to speak.

Aito is 'chilling' in the Lab, watching Fitz-Simmons as Skye walks down the stairs from the second floor to the Cargo Hold, where Ward is hitting a punching bag before he stops and looks up at her.

"You're late." Ward said, clearly annoyed

"I'm still tired from this morning's workout. I thought I was joining SHIELD, not 24-Hour Fitness." Skye responded sarcastically as she walked up to the punching bag

"It's called relative strength training. Starting with the basics. And next time, you get to do 15 pushups for every minute you're late." Ward responded

"Fine, Mister Fun-Machine. Better than pull-ups." Skye reluctantly accepted, "I never want to do another pull-up again."

"She isn't a man like you, Ward. The female body has different limits than yours." Aito commented

"Tell that to all the other female agents that SHIELD has. They did the same thing as this." Ward responded with a bit of twang and a hint of challenge

Skye glanced over at Aito, a small smile playing at her lips. "See, at least someone gets it." She said, her tone light but appreciative

Aito gave her a reassuring nod before turning his attention back to Ward. "Maybe, but everyone has their own limits, Ward. She doesn't need to be broken to become strong. Not everyone has the same path, and pushing her too hard might just turn her away from SHIELD altogether." Aito countered, "Look at Fitz-Simmons; they never had to go through the same training that you are putting Skye through, and they are perfectly fine where they are. Granted, it's a different field, but the same logic still applies. You couldn't successfully go through the same training as Fitz-Simmons and vice versa."

Ward looked at Aito, slightly annoyed with a little bit of begrudging acknowledgment, and shrugged, "Maybe. But she still needs to be ready for whatever comes her way."

"Have you stopped to think about a more slow and progressive type of strength training?" Aito asked, "One that doesn't completely drain someone like Skye, who hasn't done a lick of this kind of stuff all her life. This kind of training probably worked better for you because of how the male body is built. I suggest consulting a female SHIELD agent on how to proceed more effectively."

"Anyways." Ward said, refocusing Skye's attention on training, "Stand here. Jab, cross. Like this."

Skye reluctantly followed, although not with the same force or enthusiasm Ward had put in. "You know the hardest part about boxing?"

"Getting punched in the face?" Skye asked sarcastically as she threw another Jab

"Keeping your hands up." Ward answered

"Why do I even have to do this?" Skye asked, "I'm sure Fitz-Simmons' supervising officer didn't make them do this muscle stuff."

"I'm going to refer back to what Aito said. They are in different fields of SHIELD, so they undergo different types of training. One that fits their field." Ward responded, "You said you wanted to be a field agent like Coulson. You could also switch disciplines if you'd like to." He added before turning his attention to Fitz-Simmons, "Hey, Fitz-Simmons, what did your S.O. give you guys for morning drills?"

"Oh, atomistic attribute drills. Yeah, we'd name the mechanical, chemical, thermal…" Simmons began

"Electrical properties of materials…" Fitz continued

"OK, OK, they made your point." Skye reluctantly said

Aito just smiled, "If you want to switch Ward out for me to do your strength training, I'm right here. Pretty sure I'd yield better results by far."

"Yeah, you would probably baby her as well." Ward shot back with a hint of hostility

"I'd never baby Skye. I just think it's important she knows there are different ways to get stronger, ones that don't always mean getting knocked down." Aito shot back with a little bit more hostility

"Honestly, I think I'd take atomistic attribute drills over strength training any day—no offense, Ward." Simmons cut in, trying to diffuse the situation

"Changing course. Briefing in three." May said over the PA

"Ah. Looks like we're on the move again." Fitz commented before he took off his lab coat and headed for the stairs, followed shortly after by Simmons

Aito also approached the stairs before turning to Skye, "I'm always here if you need me. I'm not afraid to break protocols or rules to yield better results."

"Protocols exist for a reason, Aito. We all need to be prepared for whatever we face, including getting knocked down sometimes." Ward countered

"Protocols and rules don't mean shit to me if it means going against my morals." Aito responded, "I've seen what happens when following protocols and rules to a T goes to shit, and it wasn't a happy ending." He added before he continued up the stairs, letting his words sink into Ward

(Minutes later – 'Lobby' before the command center)

"A few minutes ago, a SHIELD transport was attacked while carrying a priority red-protected asset off Route 76 near Sterling." Coulson explained

"Priority red?" Simmons asked before Coulson turned a tablet in his hand towards them

"The asset was Canadian physicist Dr. Franklin Hall, known for his work…" Coulson began

"Oh, no, not Frank." Simmons said

"Doctor Hall?" Fitz asked, "He was our chemical kinetics advisor in our second year."

"Yeah, he's so enthusiastic about science; we just adored him." Simmons added, "We can rescue him, can't we?"

"He's one of ours. We're gonna try." Coulson answered

"Attackers?" Ward asked

"Invisible." Coulson answered

"Wait, invisible?" Skye asked with a laugh, "Cool." She said before Ward gave her a look, "But terrible."

(Hour's later – Night Time – Sterling, Colorado – Route 76)

"Doctor Hall was an asset?" Skye asked

"One of a few select scientists SHIELD has been protecting. People our enemies would love to get their hands on. We keep them hidden, keep them on the move." Coulson explained as they walked to the site that Hall had been kidnapped

"Which is why Fitz and I were so lucky to have him." Simmons added

"It means security should've been…" Coulson began before their attention was drawn to the metal creaking of a SHIELD SUV stuck in a tree, "Pretty damn heavy."

(A few minutes later – Kidnapping Site)

"Fitz, what am I seeing here?" Simmons asked

"Well, I'm not wearing the full-spectrum goggles I designed, so I have no clue." Fitz answered as he, Aito, and Skye approached Simmons, with Ward following slightly behind, "Let me have a look. Come on." He said

"No, whoa, whoah, whoah, wait!" Simmons warned, stopping Fitz, Aito, and Skye, "Don't move. Wait a second." She said before she picked up some gravel and tossed it in front of them

To everyone but Aito's shock, the gravel started to 'Orbit' something in the air.

"What the hell?" Skye said in a confused tone

"I think the electro-static field scanner activated some…thing." Simmons guessed

Aito stepped forward, stuck his hand in, silently deactivating whatever Simmons activated, and pulled his hand back, causing all the gravel to fall. Everyone's attention is drawn to Aito's hand, which he quickly opens to reveal a metal apparatus with something that looks like mercury in the center.

"That did all this." Simmons stated

"What is that?" Skye asked

"Something big." Coulson answered

(Hours later – Bus – Lab)

Simmons, Skye, and Aito were gathered around Fitz as he examined the apparatus they found at the kidnapping sight, with Coulson and May behind them and Ward nowhere to be found.

"Either someone cracked our comm system, or Doctor Hall's movements leaked from inside SHIELD." Coulson commented

"You really think we have a mole?" May asked

"I think you should go through the communication logs. Rule it out." Coulson answered, "We'll work the tractor tread that we found on the scene."

"I can do that instead of pull-ups. I can uplaod the image of the tread pattern and check to see if there's any…" Skye said before Ward entered and cut her off

"Already done." Ward said, placing a tablet down on the holo table, "I matched it to a 2010 model. Found a list of purchasers within a 500-mile radius, narrowed down to those with priors, financial troubles, or a propensity for risk-taking. Three suspects." He added as three mugshots came up on the screen

"Who may have sold their construction equipment to the kidnappers. We'll ask." Coulson said as Ward walked away as May walked up with a large binder

"Here's something for you to do." May said, handing the large binder to Skye.

"And you want me to benchpress this?" Skye asked confused

"Read it. Every communication out of HQ since they decided to transfer Doctor Hall." May answered before walking away

"I'll help you." Aito said with a smile, "Got nothing better to do anyways."

(Many hours later)

"So what is it?" Skye asked

"Gravitonium. It's an extremely rare, high-atomic numbered element..." Fitz began

"...That powers the device. So extremely rare that most people didn't even believe it existed, much less the theory that an isolated positive charge…" Simmon continued

"Would turn the flow from isotropic…" Fitz continued

"Guys? High school dropout here. How does the device work again? Skye asked

Aito smiles as he notices Skye's confused expression. "Alright, let's take it down a notch, guys. Imagine it this way, Skye. You know how magnets can push or pull each other because of their magnetic field?"

Skye nods, still looking a bit skeptical.

"Okay, well, Gravitonium works a bit like that, but it can affect gravity itself instead of just affecting magnets. It can bend, twist, or pull anything around it, changing the direction that gravity is pulling." Aito explained

Fitz jumps in, excited by Aito's analogy. "Exactly! Hall was working on a device that uses gravitationium to create a gravitational field that isn't bound by natural laws. It makes gravity... flexible."

Simmons adds, gesturing towards the monitor. "Which is why it could be used to make heavy objects weightless or even twist them in unnatural ways, depending on how it's configured."

Skye's eyes widen as it begins to click. "Whoa, so it's like... a supercharged gravity machine? Like making stuff float or get squashed, depending on how you use it?"

Aito nods with a smile. "Exactly. It's really powerful and really dangerous if used wrong. Think of it as having the power to control where 'down' is for anything around it. Imagine being able to decide that 'down' is actually sideways or even up."

Skye lets out a low whistle."That's pretty intense. So, basically, Hall was trying to play god with gravity?"

"Essentially, yes. And that's why SHIELD was so cautious about it—it has the potential to do a lot of damage if it falls into the wrong hands." Simmons answered

Skye glances at Aito, who's watching her with a reassuring look. "Well, thanks, Aito. I think I'd be lost without your 'gravity for dummies' translation."

Aito chuckles, shrugging. "Hey, we're all in this together. Besides, I figure it's easier to wrap your head around it when you don't need a science degree."

Fitz looks a bit sheepish. "I suppose we can get a bit carried away with the details sometimes."

Simmons smiles, nodding in agreement. "Right. Sorry, Skye. We'll try to keep it a bit less... isotropic for you."

Skye grins. "Appreciate it. Though, I still don't know if I'll ever get used to this crazy science stuff."

"No worries. You'll get there. Plus, you've got me, Fitz, and Simmons, to help make sense of the craziness." Aito said

(Sometime later – Command Center – Bus)

"The man's a prisoner, and it's up to us to get him out." Coulson said as Skye walked in to see Fitz, Simmons, Coulson, Ward, Aito, and May going over details related to Quinn's compound

"We've checked the specs. There's no way into Quinn's compound without a large SHIELD strike force. Or a man inside. He's got neodymium laser fencing surrounding the property." Ward responded

"They'll never allow a strike force into Malta. Plus, this weekend, Quinn Worldwide has its annual shareholders' gathering. We'd risk global outrage. But…" Coulson said

"If we go in alone…" May continued

"SHIELD can disavow us, claim ignorance." Coulson finished

"Without a man inside, it's impossible. Unless you're immune to pulse laser emissions." May stated

"If we had a monkey, we could get in." Fitz suggested, causing Simmons to sigh

"Oh, Fitz!" Simmons said in a 'for crying out loug' tone

"If we had a small monkey, he could slip through the sensors and disable the fence's power source with his adorable little hands." Fitz explained

"I could go in." Skye stated, but clearly, no one was listening

"Drop me in the hills outside of Valletta. I'll spend a few weeks establishing a cover, gathering intel…" Ward offered

"Hall doesn't have a few weeks." Coulson said, cutting him off

"And to restate, any agent of SHIELD caught on Maltese soil can be shot to death with bullets." Simmons protested, "Legally, if I might add."

"Not me. I could go in." Skye said, hoping this time they would actually listen to her

"Skye, this is serious." Ward countered

"Wait." Coulson said, drawing everyone's attention to Skye, "What are you saying?"

"Well, I'm not an agent of SHIELD, so I can go in without breaking all these stupid rules." Skye explained

"International laws." Simmons corrected

"This isn't something the Rising Tide can hack, Skye." Ward countered

"Did you hear the part about the deadly laser? Without a brave monkey…" Fitz protested

"You said you could go in with a man inside." Skye said

"And you wanna be that man?" May asked skeptically

"Fitz-Simmons love the guy, and he needs help. They could be torturing him. Or worse, making him do strength training." Skye answered

"But you don't have the background, or clearance, or experience with any of this." Ward countered

"I know." Skye said, revealing her phone, "But I've got an invitation." She said, "Well, technically it's an e-vite." She added

"Alright, you've got an invitation, and this might be our best shot. But this is dangerous, Skye. You need to understand what you're stepping into." Coulson said

"She won't be alone. I can follow from the shadows, so to speak." Aito interjected

"What do you mean 'follow from the shadows'?" Ward asked, "Are you saying you can get in there undetected despite the security and laser fence?"

"Yes." Aito simply said

"Then why don't we just send you in to disable the fence or get Doctor Hall?" Ward asked

"Because I don't want to undermine Skye. I want to give her a chance to prove herself. I would just be there to ensure her safety." Aito answered before turning to Skye, "No offense."

Skye gave Aito a surprised but grateful look, "None taken. Honestly, it's kind of nice knowing someone's got my back if things go south."

"This isn't a game. Why are we taking unnecessary risks if you can get in without being seen?" Ward asked

"Because this isn't just about getting the job done for me. It's about building trust and giving Skye her time to shine. If we don't give Skye a chance to show what she's capable of, we'll never know what she can bring to the table." Aito answered

"Ward, Aito's right. If Skye wants a chance to prove herself let her. But we'll do it smart. Skye, you're going in first. Aito, you'll follow from the shadows but only intervene if absolutely necessary." Coulson interjected, with Aito nodding in response, "You've got this. And you've got Aito as a safety net. Let's see what you can do." He reassured

"So how exactly are you going to 'follow' from the shadows and remain undetected to everything?" Fitz asked curiously.

"Let's just say it's a skill of mine, one of many, and leave it at that. Maybe I'll explain it more in the future, but not right now." Aito answered

(About an hour later)

"Alright then, here's the plan." Coulson said, motioning to the big screen, "Skye will walk in the front door with Aito following her. I don't know how he will manage that, but if he says he can, I'll believe him." He said, "The only external access point to Quinn's underground facility is from a beach cove. A two-man extraction team could slip in there, but it's not easy. Fitz-Simmons."

"The perimeter is surrounded by a 20-foot-high neodymium laser grid. Touch it, and you are toast." Fitz explained

"Dead toast." Coulson reinforced, "The only way to disable the grid is to crack the system and trigger a reboot. This would give the team three seconds to cross. Of course, Quinn's too smart to allow any wireless access on his property."

"That's where I come in." Skye said

"Yes. Working compact. Holds up under X-ray." Simmons said showing a pocket mirror

"Desert Rose, to match your complexion. But, oh, what's this?" Fitz continued before a red-dotted bar rose from the left side of the mirror, "A readout, Ok? It turns green if you're in close enough proximity to a computer to gain wireless access."

"And when it does, you just drop this nearby and walk out. We'll do the rest. Easy as pie." Simmons continued

"Or it will be if you stick to the plan." Ward commented

"Got it. Plan. Green. Drop. Walk. Pie." Skye reiterated before Fitz handed the pocket mirror to Skye, "Thanks."

(Hours later – Quinn's Office)

As promised, Aito followed Skye from the shadows while using the Camouflage Technique to watch over Skye. Skye seemed to be natural in what she was doing. Things got complicated when Quinn cornered her while she was away from everyone, but she rolled with it silently, revealing to Quinn that SHIELD was listening. After that, Quinn brought Skye to his office, where she ditched the earpiece. Currently, Aito is hovering nearby, observing Quinn and Skye from a distance.

"Aito, what happened? Is Skye in danger?" Simmons asked over the radio

"Don't know why, but Skye ditched the earpiece in a glass of what looks like Sake. She's talking to Quinn right now, but it doesn't seem like she has revealed much about what is going on." Aito answered

"I haven't felt that someone's-watching-my-every-move feeling since I failed my driver's test." Skye commented

"Do you wanna tell me what the hell's going on?" Quinn asked, "SHIELD got to you?"

"They picked me up in L.A., I helped them in a crisis, and now they wanna recruit me." Skye answered

"Of course they did." Quinn commented placing down his glass of champagne

"So I played along. Talk about inside info. I have a bunk on their plane. I've been gathering intel, biding my time until I could become useful." Skye explained, "Thought this qualified." She added

"Why would they trust you with a covert operation like this?" Quinn asked

"Something about SHIELD not breaking international laws. They had no other options. Well, I wouldn't say no other option; they had one other option, but he wanted to give me a chance to shine and show them that I can handle myself. Whereas I like to keep mine open." Skye explained

"Skye's offline. Repeat, we've lost audio and vitals, but we still have visual." May announced over comms, "Aito, what is she doing?"

"Just talking with him." Aito answered

"You're saying they wanted to rope me in because I pose a genuine threat?" Skye asked

"Yes. And fit their profile." Quinn answered

"Profile?" Skye asked in surprise and confusion

"Sure." Quinn answered, "You're a criminal; you have a warrant somewhere."

"Probably." Skye responded

"Specialized skill set." Quinn continued

"I try to stay humble but fail." Skye responded

"No family." Quinn said, causing Skye's expression to drop a little

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit a nerve." Quinn apologized, "But that is what these people do. SHIELD. They prey on fear, loneliness, and desperation, and offer a home to those with no one else to turn to." He explained, "But I can offer you something better." He said

"Guys, the clock's ticking. Where's Skye?" Coulson asked

"You stay with us; there's no secrets, no lies, and no agenda. You're free to do what you do without Big Brother watching over you." Quinn said before taking a seat next to Skye, "But first, you have to tell me exactly what agenda SHIELD sent you in here with." He said

"Well, they wanted me to do whatever it takes to get in here." Skye said as she pulled out the pocket mirror that Fitz-Simmons gave her and opened it

"Get in here and…" Quinn said

"Bat my eyes." Skye answered as she placed the mirror on the table, "Get you talking."

"She just dropped the mirror. You guys should have access now." Aito said

"We need a reset here, Fitz." Coulson said, "Fitz!"

"Saying his name multiple times does not increase productivity!" Simmons said

"Okay, go." Fitz said

"Or maybe it does." Simmons commented

"System rebooting in two, one…now!" Fitz said

"Alright, Aito, we are in." Coulson said

"No, you can't be the only angle. SHIELD's thorough enough to know about me and my exploits. It takes more than a pretty face to disarm me." Quinn said before the door to his office opened, and a man followed by several other men entered

"Sir, we have a security breach." One of the men announced

"Oh, the timing on that was perfect." Skye said, glancing at the pocket mirror she placed down

Quinn quickly picked it up and inspected it before snapping it in half and, grabbed the man's pistol and aimed it at Skye; Ian quickly grabbed Skye by the throat and slammed her against a pillar.

"Don't you get it. SHIELD is against everything you stand for." Quinn said, "They're Big Brother."

Seeing Skye is in trouble, Aito decides that now is the time to extract her. 'ASTRA kill all feed from my earpiece, sound, and location.' He said while still under the Camouflage Technique.

He swiftly and silently flies in and grabs Skye around the waist, causing her to yelp. "What the…?!" takes off into the Sky, causing the room to rattle, send papers flying, and send Quinn and his men stumbling back in shock and confusion. As Aito accelerates to get them back to the Bus, a faint sonic boom signals their official exit.

"What the hell was that? How the hell is she flying?" Ian asked, "Seems like there's another force at play here. More advanced than SHIELD."

"Aito?! Is that you?! What's going on?! How are you doing this?!" Skye asked in rapid succession as the distance between them and Quinn's compound increased rapidly

"Hold on tight, Skye. I'll explain everything… but it's difficult for me to discuss. Just know I couldn't let you get hurt. Not you." Aito answered as he dropped the Camouflage Technique, allowing Skye to see him. He glances at her briefly with a soft, reassuring tone. "You were in danger, and I wasn't going to let anything happen to you. That's all that matters right now."

'Guess this means I will have to come somewhat clean to her now. Hopefully, she doesn't tell the rest of them.' Aito thought

Skye was wide-eyed, struggling to process what was happening, but she listened to his words nonetheless and clung to him tightly, "Flying?! You can fly?! Since when?! Who even are you?!"

"I'm still me, Skye. The same guy who's been watching your back. I just…have a few advantages." Aito answered as they quickly approached the Bus. He lands near the Bus, but in a place that would prevent the rest of the team from immediately spotting him as he sets her down gently, "Are you okay? When I saw him grab you… I thought I might be too late. I don't know what I would've done if…"

"What the hell just happened back there? You flew in, grabbed me, and broke the sound barrier! Aito, that's not normal!" Skye said

"You're right. I'm not normal; I'm far from normal. I never have been. But right now isn't the time for all the details. You were in danger, and I did what I could to get you out. That's all that matters to me." Aito said, "Skye, when I say you're not alone in this, I mean it. You've got something inside you—something bigger than you know. I don't think Quinn or SHIELD even realize it yet. But I see it."

"What do you mean you aren't normal? Are you some government experiment that got loose?" Skye asked over the shock but was genuinely curious now, "What do you mean? Like what Quinn said about being a threat?"

"Let's just say I'm not… from around here. I've spent my whole life hiding what I am, Skye. But I couldn't hide it from you—not after today. And no, I'm not with SHIELD or a government experiment that got loose. I don't exist in their system—or anywhere else in this universe, for that matter." Aito answered, "You can trust me, Skye. I'll tell you everything when the time is right. But for now, trust that I am on your side." He added, "And you are not a threat—a force. Whatever's ahead for you, you're meant for more than this. You just don't see it yet."

"You say that you not, 'from around here.' What does that even mean? Are you some kind of alien-like Thor or…superhero like Captain America?" Skye asked, trying to piece together what she knew with what just happened; her eyes widened in realization, "Oh my god. You're an alien. The flying. Being bulletproof. That whole storage thing you have. Your AI. Your horns and eyes. The energy shield back in Peru. It all makes sense now." She said, "You're like Thor, aren't you?"

"I have no idea who Thor is, so I wouldn't know." Aito answered

"If SHIELD finds out you're a flying, invisible alien, I'm not sure if they'll recruit you or lock you up in some sci-fi vault." Skye joked

"That's why I have stayed relatively lowkey. I'm not part of their world or even this world, Skye. I've spent so long hiding from everyone in the shadows, Skye. But you—you made me want to step into the light. I couldn't just stand by and watch you get hurt. That's why I have stayed with the team for this long." Aito explained, "You were in danger, and I wouldn't let anything happen to you. I couldn't live with myself if I did. That's all that matters right now." He said as his expression softened, "I'm not just here to keep the team safe. I'm here to keep you safe. That's why I stayed. That's why I couldn't just sit back and watch." He added

"Oh my god, you are an alien. This is insane. And awesome. But mostly insane." Skye joked, "Don't worry. I won't say anything. I know what it's like to feel like an outsider. You've got my word, Aito. I know what it's like to not belong, to have people treat you like you're different. I won't let that happen to you. You're not the only one who's felt like an outsider, Aito. I know what it's like to feel like you don't belong like no one will ever really get you. You're not alone in this."

"You're quick. I guess there's no point in denying it now. And thank you, Skye. Trusting someone with this… it's not something I've ever done before. But with you, it feels… right." Aito said

"So…can you do laser vision, too? Because if you're hiding that, I will need to see a demonstration." Skye asked in a joking manner,

Aito smirked, "Let's just say you don't want to find out the hard way. But honestly, Skye, these abilities aren't always a gift. Sometimes, they feel like a burden I can't put down."

"Wait a second…bulletproof, can fly, laser vision. Does that mean you have enhanced senses and other abilities like that?" Skye asked curiously.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves now." Aito answered, causing Skye's expression to soften and become slightly more serious

"You know, you don't have to do this alone. Keeping secrets, carrying all this on your own—it's got to be exhausting." Skye said

"It's not as heavy with you around. You remind me why I stayed." Aito said with a smile, "Let's wait a little while before going back in; otherwise, they might get suspicious."

(Meanwhile with May, Fitz, and Simmons – Briefing Room)

"Aito's feed just cut off. Fitz, what happened?" Simmons asked

""Wasn't me! His end, not ours." Fitz said

"Are you sure?" Simmons asked, "Everything else is working fine."

"Yes, I'm sure! It's his tech—must've been deliberate." Fitz answered

"Coulson, Ward, do you have a visual on Aito? His audio and location are offline." May asked over comms

"No, I'm with Coulson going to get Doctor Hall." Ward answered

"Something isn't adding up. First, Skye's audio and vitals go offline, and shortly after, Aito's audio and vitals go offline." May said, "It doesn't add up. Did they leave? Or is something else going on?" she asked

A faint crackle came through Aito's earpiece as the pair stood outside the Bus. May's voice was sharp, cutting through the static. "Aito, your feed went dark. Care to explain what just happened out there?"

(15 minutes later)

Suddenly, Aito's location feed and audio came back online. "Sorry guys, I had to cut the comms feed to avoid detection from Quinn and his men while I extracted Skye. Quinn had a gun to her head. We are back at the Bus now. See you guys inside and when you get back in Ward and Coulson's case."

(Shortly after – Briefing Room)

Aito and Skye took about a minute to get back to the Briefing room.

"How did you get back here so fast? Did you steal a vehicle?" May asked, giving Aito a calculated look

"Nope. Carried her by foot." Aito answered

"By foot? We're miles away from Quinn's compound. Getting back here this quickly shouldn't have been possible, even at top speed." May said

"My top speed is not normal by human standards." Aito countered

"Your comms tech isn't standard SHIELD issue, is it? The way it cut off and came back online—it's advanced. Beyond anything I've seen before." Simmons said

"Okay, can we stop interrogating the guy who saved my life? He acted fast, and it worked. I'm here, I'm fine, and we got out without Quinn or his men catching us. That's what matters, right?" Skye interjected

(Sometime later – Coulson's Office)

After Ward and Coulson had gotten back May informed Coulson of what happened, to which Coulson called Aito and Skye into his office.

Coulson folded his arms as Aito and Skye stood in front of his desk, the atmosphere thick with unspoken questions. His expression was calm, but the edge in his voice said he wasn't playing around.

"So." Coulson began, looking between the two of them. "You want to explain what the hell happened back there? Because from where I'm sitting, you went dark, ignored protocol, and now you're telling me you carried her back here... on foot?"

Aito didn't flinch. "Quinn had a gun to her head. There was no time to ask for permission. I did what I had to."

Coulson's jaw tightened slightly, but he didn't interrupt.

"I couldn't risk him recognizing a signal spike or intercepting the feed. Cutting the line gave me cover, got her out alive. And I made sure we weren't tracked." Aito added.

"You do realize how that looks from our end, right?" Coulson said, voice firm. "Skye's vitals go dark. You vanish. We don't know if she's dead or if you've turned."

"I get that. But you know me better than that by now." Aito said, gaze steady. "I wouldn't do that to her. Or to this team."

Skye stepped forward. "Coulson, he saved my life. Whatever questions you've got, can we not ignore the fact that if Aito hadn't done what he did, I wouldn't be standing here right now?"

Coulson shifted his attention to her. "I'm not ignoring it, Skye. I'm grateful you're safe. But gratitude doesn't replace accountability. Especially not in SHIELD."

"I get it." Aito said. "But if you think for a second I'm going to regret getting her out of there, then we've got a bigger problem."

Coulson stared at him for a long moment, then exhaled slowly and looked away.

"I don't want a damn regret. I want transparency. You've proven you can handle yourself, but I need to know you're not just playing your own game while you're under my roof."

"I'm not. But I'm not going to play by every rule if it gets someone killed. Especially not someone I care about." Aito said evenly.

Coulson's gaze sharpened slightly at that. "So there it is."

Skye's brows furrowed. "What?"

"The reason you're both standing here defending this together." Coulson said. "Fine. I'm not going to pretend I don't see what's going on. But that just means I expect you both to be smarter about how you handle it. We're not just some hacktivist group or alien freelancing—this is SHIELD. You want trust? You earn it. You want leeway? You prove you can take the heat."

"I understand." Aito replied.

Coulson paused for a beat, then nodded slowly. "Good. Then let's get one thing clear—you go dark again like that, you better make damn sure you leave a trail I can follow. You've got talents no one else on this planet has, Aito. But I won't hesitate to pull you out if I think you're endangering this team, no matter how noble your intent."

Aito gave a curt nod. "Understood."

Coulson looked at Skye. "That goes for you, too. You're not invisible anymore. Every move you make reflects on this team now."

Skye swallowed, then nodded. "Got it."

"Alright." Coulson said, voice softer now. "Go get some rest. I'll debrief Ward and May. We've got a lot of moving parts right now."

As the two turned to leave, Coulson added, "Aito. You did good. Just don't make me have to choose between trusting you and protecting this team."

Aito hesitated for a second before replying. "I'd never make you choose."

Once they were out of earshot, Skye exhaled. "That could've gone worse."

"He's not wrong." Aito said quietly. "I just… I'm not used to being questioned after saving someone."

She rubbed the back of her neck. "So... we're not getting fired. That's nice."

Author's note:

There will also be a buffer of at least 1 chapter before I post the next one in line.

Also, I thought I could keep up with the schedule I set. The only problem is that that's not how my creativity works. Suppose I try to adhere to that schedule. In that case, I will burn myself out, resulting in even bigger gaps between chapters, guaranteed. So, to avoid that, I'm getting rid of it.

At some point in the very distant future, when I finish this fic, I might do a remastered version of this fic after maybe doing a remastered version of Celestial Legacy.

Feel free to contact me on FFN if you have any questions, or in the case of AO3, leave a comment, and I will reply. Commission requests will be ignored and blocked.