Standing on the steps outside the pyramid, Su Zhan took out his lighter and flicked it, letting flames dance between his fingers. Suddenly, with a sharp snap of his fingers, the flames split into two streams, shooting out with fierce intensity.
Agonized screams echoed through the jungle as two rebel soldiers were struck down, writhing in pain. Almost immediately, more soldiers emerged from the shadows, rifles raised and aimed directly at Su Zhan.
At that moment, May returned, moving with the practiced efficiency of a seasoned agent. She took down one of the attackers with ease, grabbed his weapon, and turned it back on the others to cover Su Zhan.
"You really didn't have to do that," Su Zhan said to May with a calm, almost teasing smile. Under her puzzled gaze, he strolled forward, completely unhurried by the threat.
"Don't move, or we'll shoot!" one of the rebels shouted, his voice trembling with fear and adrenaline.
Su Zhan didn't even seem to hear them. Flames suddenly surged around his body, and as he walked, he sent jets of fire streaking out with pinpoint accuracy, striking down the soldiers one after another. Not only that, but he also set their vehicles ablaze, causing a series of thunderous explosions that echoed through the jungle. By the time Su Zhan finally stopped, the area was silent except for the crackling of flames and the groans of the defeated.
He turned and smiled at May, who could only shake her head in reluctant admiration. Now she understood why Coulson had insisted on bringing Su Zhan onto the team. No matter how dangerous the situation is, Su Zhan seemed to resolve it with effortless ease.
Coulson came rushing out from inside the pyramid, alarmed by the chaos. He spotted a woman lying nearby and recognized her instantly.
"Camilla?" he exclaimed, hurrying over. "This is the Peruvian commander-a friend of mine!"
Su Zhan grinned. "I'm guessing she's more than just a friend. But your friends don't seem very friendly."
Coulson shrugged, but before he could say more, Camilla regained consciousness. She looked up at Coulson in surprise, and the two were just about to reminisce when Su Zhan interrupted, "Now's not the time to catch up. Coulson, you'd better have your friend leave with her people."
"Why?" Coulson asked, confused.
"Just think of it as her not being happy with me," Su Zhan replied with a shrug.
Coulson rolled his eyes but let it go. "Fine, but don't blame me if something goes wrong," Su Zhan added, turning to the others. "Let's hurry up. I have a feeling trouble is coming."
With that, Su Zhan retrieved the object, packed it into a box, slung it over his shoulder, and urged everyone to leave.
"May, get ready to drive. We're leaving," Su Zhan called.
May hesitated, waiting for Coulson's order, but Su Zhan's tone was firm and serious. After a moment, she decided to follow his lead and started the car.
With the object secured, it was time to go.
As May pulled up, Skye, Jemma, and the others climbed in. Su Zhan glanced at Coulson, who was still chatting, and shook his head. "Hey, we should go."
Just as Coulson was about to respond, gunfire erupted rebels appeared from the jungle.
"I knew this would happen," Su Zhan muttered, rushing to grab Coulson and drag him to the car. But there were no seats left.
"You go first-head to the plane. I'll catch up!" Su Zhan said.
"Su Zhan!"
"Don't worry, honey, I'll be fine," Su Zhan reassured Skye.
"Take her with you, she's in danger!" Coulson shouted, referring to Camilla.
Su Zhan shook his head. "Alright, but don't regret it later!" After closing the car door, May sped off.
Su Zhan turned toward Camilla, who was taking cover and firing back at the rebels.
"Hey, I know what you're thinking, but I advise you to give up," Su Zhan warned, summoning a massive fire dragon with his flames. The fiery beast roared through the enemy ranks, explosions following in its wake as the rebels were quickly wiped out.
"This ability is really something," Su Zhan said to himself, satisfied.
Camilla stared at Su Zhan in shock. "How did you do that? Are you a mutant?"
"Not all superpowers come from mutants," Su Zhan replied, uninterested, and then grabbed Camilla to bring her to safety.
"What do you want to do?" Camilla asked in panic.
"I'm getting you out of here-the plane is quite far away!" Su Zhan replied.
As soon as he finished speaking, flames surged around him and gathered beneath his feet. With a thought, the flames roared forward, carrying both him and Camilla. Camilla screamed in fright, the heat wave making her feel as if she was about to be roasted alive. The sensation was like surfing on fire; the hot flames swept past, burning leaves and anything nearby. In no time, Su Zhan spotted the plane and the astonished faces of Skye and the others.
Judging by their stunned expressions, Su Zhan was very pleased with his idea. It was convenient, stylish, and extremely cool! The only drawback was that he couldn't generate fire on his own, so he couldn't fly too far or too high, nor could he do as he pleased.
"Alright, we're here!" After landing, the flames vanished, and Su Zhan walked in casually.
"Are you okay?" Coulson asked, looking at the shaken Camilla.
Camilla still hadn't recovered and just shook her head blankly.
The plane took off slowly. Su Zhan changed clothes and came out, only to find Coulson waiting for him at the door.
"Is something wrong?" Su Zhan asked.
"You kept warning me not to regret it, and your attitude toward Camilla... Why?" Coulson pressed.
Su Zhan shook his head. "It's not important anymore."
"No, it is important to me!" Coulson insisted.
"Fine, I'll tell you. I can predict the future, though it isn't always accurate. I knew she would show up, I knew the rebels would attack, and I knew you would bring her onto the plane. She would then set her sights on the 0-8-4. Although things were resolved safely, a huge hole would have been blown on the plane, and you'd be scolded by Nick Fury! But it doesn't matter now-she's alone, and after seeing my power, if she still dares to make a move, she's asking for death!"
Su Zhan paused, then added, "Honestly, doing good deeds without anyone knowing isn't a great feeling. If I weren't worried about scaring Skye, I'd almost want things to play out just so it would make sense for me to save you! Doing good deeds anonymously really isn't my style!" Su Zhan said with a smirk, then turned and left.
Coulson hadn't expected this answer, but he believed Su Zhan. After all, there was no reason for Su Zhan to target Camilla for no reason, especially since they hadn't seen each other in years. People change.