In the lab-
Coulson called out to Hall, "It's not too late to do the right thing. Help me find the catalyst."
Hall refused, saying, "I am doing the right thing. A selfless act."
"I know history doesn't praise things that never happened. They'll call this a tragedy."
"They won't understand my noble sacrifice."
Coulson asked, "By killing innocent people?"
"No, it's saving millions."
"We have to live with our choices, and sometimes, we die with them."
Hearing Hall's response, Coulson realized what needed to be done and lowered his gun.
At this moment, Killer Bee and Skye arrived outside the lab. Looking through the glass door, they observed the situation inside.
Killer Bee curiously asked, "Did Hall betray us?"
"Why was Coulson aiming a gun at him earlier?"
Skye shook her head. "I think Coulson convinced him. He's already put the gun down."
Coulson looked at Hall and said, "I understand. You've made a hard choice."
"Yes," Hall replied.
Coulson nodded. "Now, I have to make mine."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Coulson fired several shots into the glass floor, which shattered immediately.
He and Ward jumped up, grabbing onto the overhead cables to suspend themselves, while Dr. Hall fell through the broken glass, plummeting into the gravitonium below.
Hall was consumed by the gravitonium in the generator, becoming the catalyst that finally shut it down.
The surrounding magnetic field returned to normal, and Coulson and Ward successfully landed back on solid ground.
At that moment, Killer Bee and Skye entered the lab. The four of them looked at the gravitonium inside the chamber, noticing that Dr. Hall was no longer there, leaving only the swirling, chaotic motion of the substance behind.
Killer Bee, intrigued, asked, "Is this the thing that can control gravity?"
Coulson nodded. "Yes, and it's incredibly dangerous."
Killer Bee blinked and asked, "So, is it our prize now?"
Coulson shook his head. "We need to lock this thing away completely. It's too dangerous for anyone to have."
"Killer Bee, I'll make sure you're rewarded with a blade made from secondary adamantium for your efforts."
Realizing the item wouldn't become a trophy, Killer Bee shrugged and said, "I remember hearing that the Stone Ninja have a similar jutsu for controlling gravity."
"Maybe this thing isn't as powerful as you think."
Coulson and Ward exchanged serious glances. Coulson replied, "I can't judge the strength of Stone Ninja techniques, but I know how dangerous this is."
Killer Bee grinned and said, "I respect your decision."
…
Aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft-
Coulson stood in front of a monitor, giving instructions to the agents on the other end.
"Report the status," Coulson said.
The agent glanced at the forklift behind them, which was transporting the gravitonium, and replied, "It's in the deepest cold storage, an unmarked basement, with no entry permissions."
Coulson added, "No records, no logs."
"Don't mark it for transport to the Slingshot."
"If anyone finds out, I will personally see to it that you regret it."
"Understood?"
"Understood, sir."
Coulson gave the agent a final glance before turning away from the screen. "This is what Hall would've wanted too."
He picked up his gun from the table, ejecting the magazine and clearing the chamber.
"I used to be pretty good at this. Must be muscle memory."
At that moment, May walked in, leaning against the doorframe. "It's became a habit of yours."
Coulson, still handling the gun, replied, "I'm trying. I guess I'm a bit rusty."
May said, "Handling situations like this, I don't like staying on the sidelines."
Coulson put the gun down, turning to face her with a serious expression.
"Do you want to leave?"
May walked up to Coulson, her expression serious, and said, "I want to be in."
"Next time, I want to join the fight."
Coulson smiled slightly. "Are you fighting for all of humanity, or just to take care of me?"
May glanced at Coulson and replied softly, "It's the same. Besides, you are a bit rusty."
With that, May turned and left.
Watching her go, Coulson's smile widened. This was exactly what he had hoped for—May was ready for battle, mentally prepared to fight.
His team would only grow stronger, and if they could all be enhanced with the serum, they'd have a formidable squad.
Just then, Ward entered, closing the office door behind him.
"What's got you in such a good mood, Coulson?"
Coulson smiled and said, "May's ready to join field missions again."
Ward nodded, "That's definitely something to be happy about."
"But Coulson, what do you think about what Killer Bee said regarding the Iwagakure's gravity-controlling jutsu?"
Coulson pondered for a few seconds, then shook his head. "I'm not sure."
"Iwagakure is even more mysterious than Kumogakure. Not a single ninja from their village has appeared yet."
"We know almost nothing about them. As for the power of their gravity manipulation, it depends on how much control they have and the range of the technique."
"Killer Bee doesn't seem to know much either, just that it's a closely guarded secret of the Iwa ninja and very powerful."
"But a jutsu that strong is likely difficult to master, and there must be very few who can use it."
"Still, Iwagakure is just one of the Five Great Nations. The other villages must have techniques to counter it."
Ward shook his head. "I'm not too worried about their situation. The issue is, we don't have a counterbalance."
"The strength they're showing is getting scarier."
Coulson nodded. Gravitonium was clearly an opportunity to enhance their strength, but without knowing how to safely harness its power, he had decided to lock it away for now.
"We don't yet have a way to properly utilize this power. We need to make more preparations."
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere-
Skye sat next to Killer Bee and pulled out a huge, round lollipop.
"This is a gift for you."
Killer Bee took it, smiling as he looked at the lollipop, which was as big as an adult's hand. "Thank you for the present."
Skye looked at Killer Bee and asked, "Does your family miss you?"
Killer Bee shook his head. "They're gone now. I only have one brother left. We're the A-B Combo."
As he spoke, Killer Bee pounded his right fist against his chest.
"Your blood brother?"
"No, an adopted big brother."
Skye's face showed an expression of regret. "I'm sorry. I didn't know your situation."
She sighed. "I don't have a family either. I don't even know who they are."
At that moment, Skye's face was full of loneliness. Killer Bee pulled another lollipop from his pocket and handed it to her.
"It's sweet. It might help lift your mood and ease your worries."
"Thank you."
…
Elsewhere-
The gravitonium was locked inside a transparent, sealed container, transported to the underground cold storage, and placed in a secure vault.
As the 50-centimeter-thick alloy door closed, it was completely sealed away.
The agents responsible for guarding the area stepped forward, locking the final safety latch on the door and removing the identification plaque. They then turned and left.
What no one knew was that, inside the gravitonium, a hand suddenly reached out, as if asking for help, before being pulled back in again. But no one was there to notice such a scene.