Chapter 123: Skye (Part 3)

In such a short time, and without high-tech equipment, they managed to break the Chitauri weapon lock. This was a rare talent for S.H.I.E.L.D.

S.H.I.E.L.D.'s policy of using talent regardless of character led to its current situation. By focusing solely on ability and not character, HYDRA easily infiltrated. If the Strategic Scientific Reserve hadn't taken in most of Red Skull's scientists, HYDRA wouldn't have embedded itself within S.H.I.E.L.D., leading to its current resurgence.

Many people in New York made a fortune from the Chitauri corpses and equipment, but many also paid a heavy price due to the alien virus carried by the Chitauri. Many died from the virus.

Coulson's team was recovering these items when Simmons and Fitz were infected. According to the original story, Coulson would take them to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secret base, The Sandbox, which specialized in researching alien viruses.

However, Coulson decided to seek out Daniel Davis instead of going to The Sandbox. The Sandbox's research was not advanced enough to guarantee a cure, and it was also too far away.

"I'm right in front of you. Just land the plane," Daniel said, looking at Coulson on his phone screen.

"Thank you." As Coulson spoke, their plane stopped. This special plane designed for Coulson by Fury used the latest arc reactor and anti-gravity systems, allowing it to hover in mid-air.

"Shouldn't we open the plane to let him in?" Skye asked curiously, hearing the conversation.

"That's not necessary." As Coulson spoke, Daniel appeared inside the plane using his teleportation spell. He entered through the rear, immediately noticing a beautiful red car, Lola, Coulson's beloved vehicle.

Though this car was made by Howard Stark during WWII, it was still an advanced flying car even in modern times, a technology even Stark himself hadn't utilized. Stark preferred his Iron Man suit over a flying car, and his private jet's usage had significantly decreased, mostly maintained by Pepper Potts.

Daniel had his own flying car, powered by magic rather than anti-gravity technology, but he seldom used it, preferring magical means of transportation.

"This is troublesome." Coulson greeted Daniel and quickly explained the alien virus situation.

"You said it was just one person." Daniel, seeing Simmons and Fitz sealed in the lab, handed his broomstick to Coulson and teleported into the lab.

"What?" Skye, busy tapping on her tablet, was almost shocked enough to drop it. She had just found Daniel's public information online, easily accessible for a hacker of her caliber.

"Ah!" Simmons and Fitz, who were inside the lab, were also stunned, having never seen such magic before.

"You can't come in here; it's dangerous," Simmons and Fitz said in unison, worried about the contagious virus.

"Don't worry. If I'm here, it's safe. Where's your virus analysis report?" Daniel reassured them with a smile, found their analysis report, and began reading it.

"A bio-energy virus, this is easy to handle." While Simmons and Fitz hadn't found a cure, their analysis was thorough enough for Daniel to find a solution quickly.

If it were a virus that fused with cells, it would be more troublesome, but this bio-energy virus was easily handled with his surgical fruit powers.

In fact, if not for their fear, Simmons herself could have found a vaccine. Simmons and Fitz were the smartest students in the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, graduating in just one year. Simmons even held two PhDs and was a biochemistry expert, arguably more intelligent than Rebecca.

To get into S.H.I.E.L.D., one had to be a top-tier genius. Simmons and Fitz were among the elite, making them exceptionally capable.

"I've found a cure. Come here." Daniel held a scalpel from the lab and gestured for Simmons to come forward.

"So quickly? That's impossible." Simmons, driven by curiosity over her fear of the virus, walked to Daniel. She didn't believe he could solve it so easily after she'd struggled for so long.

"Nothing is impossible. Please relax, ma'am. Room." Daniel's right hand, holding the scalpel, moved towards Simmons' head.

This stunned Fitz, Skye, Ward, and even Coulson, who never expected Daniel to attack Simmons suddenly.

Ward, despite being a HYDRA mole, cared about his team members when not on HYDRA missions.

"You!" Fitz grabbed a tool, ready to avenge Simmons, who he thought had been attacked.

"Calm down, Fitz. Simmons is fine." Coulson's shout from outside the lab stopped Fitz.

"It's done. The virus is removed. Now it's your turn." Daniel moved to Fitz and similarly slashed his head.

"All done." Daniel placed the scalpel on the table. The bio-energy virus was easily removed by his surgical fruit ability, which redirected the bio-energy out of their bodies.

Using a conventional method, a vaccine would be needed to guide the energy out. For Daniel, it was a simple cut.

"It's really gone. This is unscientific." Simmons and Fitz, using instruments, quickly confirmed their normal status. Seeing the scalpel pass through their heads without harm shook their scientific beliefs.

"Unscientific, but very magical," Daniel said, teleporting out of the lab without waiting for the reinforced glass door to open.

"After all the trouble of coming here and saving two of your people, I don't even get a drink?" Daniel sat on the sofa, looking around the luxurious plane, a testament to Fury's care for Coulson.

The plane's comfort and stability rivaled Stark's private jet.

"You must be the Magician." Skye handed Daniel a drink, her curiosity piqued. Daniel's earlier comment, combined with information from the superhero battle against the aliens, had clued her in.

The alien invasion of New York was too big to cover up, exposing the superheroes, including the previously unknown Magician, Hulk, and Thor, despite earlier attempts to hide Thor's existence.

This revelation earned Daniel the nickname "Magician" and a fanbase, complete with merchandise.

Thor, with his handsome face and powerful lightning, almost dethroned Stark as the most popular superhero, despite Stark's enduring fame. The Magician ranked third, admired for his mysterious and powerful magic, while Hulk placed fourth, attracting fans despite his fearsome appearance.

On the list of superheroes most popular with women, Thor, as the Asgardian prince, overtook Stark. Many women expressed a willingness for a one-night stand with him. Even Hulk had his admirers.

"Who are you?" Daniel feigned ignorance about his "Magician" nickname, looking at Skye.

"This is Skye. That's Ward, Simmons, and Fitz. They're all members of my team. Thank you for your help," Coulson introduced everyone, pleased with Simmons and Fitz's recovery.

"By the way, Fury said you were dead. Stark, Cap, and Peggy were all very sad. What's going on?" Daniel asked, turning his attention to Coulson.

"Sorry about that. I was only clinically dead for eight seconds," Coulson explained, recounting his experience.

"I see. Stark and Cap will be thrilled to hear you're alive."

"This information is classified for now. I have a secret mission, and I wouldn't have contacted you if it weren't urgent," Coulson replied, his current status unknown to most but not to HYDRA.

"I understand. Explain it to them later."

"Thanks for understanding."

"Magic really exists? This defies science. How does magic work?" Simmons and Fitz's scientific curiosity drove them to ask.

"It's unscientific because you don't understand it. There are many sorcerers in the universe. Loki is one of them." Daniel started to explain but was interrupted by a cough from behind. Turning, he saw Melinda May standing sternly.

"These are classified secrets. Don't reveal them and cause panic. You shouldn't ask questions either," May's cold stare silenced Simmons, Fitz, and Skye, who moved aside.

Ward remained silent, observing.

"S.H.I.E.L.D.'s confidentiality doesn't apply to me," Daniel replied calmly to May.

"If you insist, but they will be quarantined if they learn too much," May's tone was equally calm.

"You win."

With May's silent presence, no one else dared speak. Despite her reputation as the "Queen of Silence," May's demeanor ensured compliance.

Daniel pondered how to discreetly obtain Skye's blood sample while waiting for Coulson to prepare food. Coulson's culinary skills were impressive, enough to sustain him outside of S.H.I.E.L.D.

"I need to find a way to discreetly obtain Skye's blood," Daniel thought.

As Daniel contemplated, Coulson finished preparing the meal. Despite his dark future with the same serum as Garret, Coulson's cooking was a small comfort in uncertain times.

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