{Chapter: 150 - SHIELD Academy}
Above the Clouds — Bus Entry
Amidst the vast ocean of silver-gray clouds, the SHIELD aircraft affectionately dubbed The Bus cruised quietly at cruising altitude. Aiden emerged from the air like a ghost, his figure barely disturbing the wind. Undetected by any radar in the world. He didn't bother announcing himself. He knew the plane's sensors would've picked up on his light signature the moment he entered their airspace.
As expected, the cargo bay hatch hissed open on its own, granting him access like a trusted ally—or perhaps a dangerous wildcard the people had learned not to resist.
Aiden stepped inside, boots touching metal with the familiar weight of someone who had walked these halls more than once.
Within moments, he found himself at the mobile bar tucked behind the communal lounge area.
It was Quake—Daisy Johnson—who spotted him first.
Her breath caught slightly, and then she moved.
Not quite a run, but faster than a walk. Her steps confident, driven. After all, the last time they were alone together, something had shifted. The bond between them was no longer just girlfriend boyfriend. He'd taken her past a threshold she didn't know she wanted to cross—body and soul. Now, when she looked at him, it wasn't just admiration in her eyes. It was ownership. And desire.
"You don't knock?" Daisy teased, though her voice was softer than her words suggested.
Aiden smirked. "You'd lock the door?"
"Depends on how bad I want you to come in," she replied, tilting her head.
Fitz coughed awkwardly nearby. "Wow. Timing, as always."
Aiden glanced around. "What's the situation? Looks like everyone's a little tense. Are we mid-mission?"
"Yeah," Fitz said, pulling up a holographic projection from his tablet. "There was… an incident at SHIELD Academy. The swimming pool—completely flash-frozen. Multiple injuries. But the weird part is, a tech device was found embedded in the ice. One I thought we'd only ever seen in early prototype stages."
Aiden raised a brow. "Someone recreated your design?"
Fitz nodded grimly. "Or stole it."
Aiden crossed his arms. "This might be the opportunity I've been waiting for."
Daisy narrowed her eyes, curiosity piqued. "Opportunity?"
"Let's just say it's something I can use to… upgrade." He didn't elaborate, and no one pushed.
Fitz perked up slightly. "Speaking of upgrades, about the suits you requested… I, uh, finished them. Same specs as yours—minus the cloak, obviously—but I didn't know your size, so I made a full set in every possible variation. Should cover everything from tactical to stealth."
"Efficient as always." Aiden followed him into the lab.
Fitz practically lit up showing off the new gear. Each suit was sleek, form-fitted with reactive fiber mesh, adaptable armor plating, and discreet tech interfaces embedded in the wrists and collar.
Aiden examined the display, then gave Fitz a firm pat on the shoulder. "You're brilliant."
Fitz flushed slightly. "Oh, it was nothing—just a little effort."
With a single mental command, Aiden stored all the suits into his system inventory—vanishing from the racks as if swallowed by thin air.
Fitz blinked, then stared. "Wait… what just happened?"
Aiden smiled enigmatically. "Spatial thing. Hard to explain."
---
SHIELD Academy – On Site
The facility resembled an elite Ivy League campus from the outside—stone buildings, manicured lawns, and students lounging casually between classes. But behind the friendly exterior was the pulse of something far more advanced. These weren't just students. They were future agents. Scientists. Weapons.
And every single one of them had a story.
Daisy walked beside Aiden, eyes scanning the students. "This place always surprises me. One minute you're sipping coffee with a classmate, next minute they're hacking a satellite or dismantling a bomb in simulation."
"SHIELD likes its talent hidden behind charming smiles," Aiden said dryly.
"That's true," Jemma Simmons chimed in from behind them, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "But I always liked that about us. Brains and danger. A very lethal combination."
Aiden turned slightly, catching her gaze. "You saying you're dangerous, Simmons?"
Jemma's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Wouldn't you like to find out?"
Quake rolled her eyes, though her smirk betrayed her amusement. "Easy, Jem. I called dibs."
Aiden laughed, deep and amused. "I don't mind being the prize if the competition's this flattering."
Fitz sighed. "Please stop flirting with the man who just vacuumed ten full suits into pocket space."
As the team approached the main administrative building, a tall, dark-skinned woman in a sharp business suit stepped out to greet them. Her poise was immaculate, her presence commanding.
"Welcome to SHIELD Academy," she said warmly. "I'm Dean Anderson. It's a pleasure to finally meet you all in person."
Jemma rushed forward and gave her a quick hug. "You look amazing as ever."
Dean Anderson gave a small chuckle. "Still playing with molecules, Simmons?"
"Always," Jemma beamed.
The Dean turned to Aiden. "And you must be our… wildcard."
"That's one way to put it," he replied smoothly. "But I prefer 'secret weapon.'"
"Very well," she nodded. "Let's hope you're as helpful today as your reputation suggests."
Daisy leaned in close, her voice just above a whisper as she smirked. "She likes you."
Aiden raised an eyebrow, tilting his head in mock surprise. "Does that even need to be said? I mean, c'mon, your boyfriend here just happens to be that rare blend of brilliant, devastatingly handsome, and emotionally available. Every woman likes me. I'm practically every woman type."
Jemma, standing beside Daisy, arched a brow with perfect British skepticism. "You're about as humble as a peacock on caffeine, Aiden."
Daisy burst out laughing at that, her hand flying to her mouth. "Peacock on caffeine—oh my God, that's exactly him."
Aiden placed a hand over his heart with mock offense. "I'm wounded. Mortally, even. I might need mouth-to-mouth."
"Dream on," Jemma muttered, although her smirk betrayed her affection. Despite herself, she did enjoy Aiden's company. He brought a chaotic charm to their otherwise painfully methodical workdays. Still, she didn't like how Daisy leaned a little too close when she laughed at his jokes. Or how Aiden's eyes lingered just a bit longer than necessary on Daisy's lips.
Before either of them could comment further, Jemma composed herself and gestured to the elegant woman approaching. "This is Director Anne Weaver," she announced professionally.
Of course, both Daisy and Aiden already knew her. Weaver had a reputation for being as sharp as her pressed suits and even less forgiving.
"Are there any suspects yet?" Daisy asked, shifting smoothly into business mode.
Weaver nodded, her expression firm. "Based on the complexity of the device and the academic specialization required, we've narrowed the potential creators to roughly ten percent of the Academy's students."
Daisy nodded slowly. "Smart kids. Dangerous combo."
"We'll want to talk to one of the injured," Aiden added. "Preferably the one with the least frostbite."
"You'll be able to speak with Seth after his class wraps," Director Weaver said. "In the meantime, Fitz and Simmons need to get to the lecture hall for their speech."
As Jemma and Fitz headed off, the crowd of students started to part and wave, many eagerly greeting the two scientists like celebrities. Some even asked for photos. Daisy and Aiden hung back, watching the scene unfold.
"They were kind of a big deal here," Daisy said. "Top of their class, broke records, built tech faster than the Academy could name it."
Aiden smiled. "Smart, charming, and ridiculously British. What's not to love?"
Daisy playfully elbowed him. "You flirting with Jemma now?"
"Who says I wasn't before?" Aiden grinned. "I flirt with everyone. Equality in action."
Jemma, overhearing as she walked ahead, rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the faint blush rising to her cheeks. Fitz didn't notice—he was too busy rehearsing his notes under his breath.
"You wanna look around while we wait?" Aiden asked, turning to Daisy. "It's not every day you get access to the Academy's inner sanctum."
They strolled through the hallway until they reached a long marble wall engraved with dozens of names: the Wall of Valor. Aiden stopped, his gaze locking on one particular engraving.
Daisy glanced over. "You know him?"
"Bucky Barnes," Aiden said quietly. "Captain America's best friend.." 'Before he was the Winter Soldier. Before Hydra broke him.'
"When Captain America was still Steve Rogers, he was the first to join the army then later joined the Howling Commando and when he went on a mission with Captain America, he fell down the snowy mountains." Aiden gave a brief introduction but couldn't help but think of what would be like when Steve knew Bucky was alive and appeared in front of him as the Winter Soldier.
His body was modified by Hydra and the effects are similar to Steve. He also has a robotic arm that can be said to be stronger in strength then Steve. Of course, he is now controlled by Hydra and is now their killing machine.
Daisy folded her arms. "That story's tragic."
"It's also unfinished," Aiden murmured. "He's still out there. Still fighting." 'Somewhere inside that weapon Hydra made… there's still a man who once jumped on grenades to protect his brothers.'
Daisy studied Aiden's expression. "He means something to you?"
Aiden glanced sideways at her, a half-smile on his lips. "Not yet."
"'Not yet'?" Daisy echoed, confused.
He didn't explain. Instead, he gave her a wink and pulled her toward the lecture hall. "C'mon, we're about to miss the academic fireworks."
Inside, the hall was packed. Director Weaver stood on stage, introducing the two prodigies. The students applauded as Fitz and Simmons stepped up to the podium. Daisy and Aiden found seats near the front. Aiden clapped, though his eyes were scanning the crowd—until they landed on a boy seated near the side, his posture stiff, his expression blank.
Short-cut hair. Pale skin. Eyes that flickered with tension.
Donald Gill.
Aiden's eyes narrowed. "That's him," he muttered.
The applause crescendoed, drowning out his thoughts for a moment.
On stage, Fitz and Simmons began their speech—something about innovation, responsibility, the promise of technology. It was well-prepared, passionate even. Aiden didn't hear a word of it.
He was too focused on Donnie Gill.
Then—
"Oh my god! What happened?! Someone help!!"
A student near the back stood up in a panic. The floor beneath his feet was slick with ice—fast spreading—up his calves and growing higher. Crystalline veins of frost raced across the tiles like grasping fingers.
Chaos erupted.
Students screamed and scrambled for the exits. Some slipped. Others pulled out their phones. Security agents rushed in. The temperature dropped fast enough to fog breath.
Aiden was already moving. "Stay with Fitz and Simmons!" he shouted to Daisy.
Daisy ignored him and chased after him instead. "Like hell I'm letting you have all the fun!"
Behind them, Jemma, watching the cold spidering across the floor. "That's not supposed to happen at a lecture!"
"No," Fitz said, looking grim. "That's not frostbite. That's an event."
Daisy and Aiden sprinted through the chaos, dodging students and leaping over frozen puddles.
*****
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