The plane touched down on the sun-drenched tarmac of Malta, not far from the luxurious villa of Ian Quinn. The Mediterranean air was thick with the distant sounds of laughter and music drifting from the estate's grand party. Su Zhan stood at the hatch, ready to step into the fray. Coulson met his gaze, concern etched on his face.
"Su Zhan, you… be careful out there," Coulson urged quietly.
Su Zhan offered a confident smile. "Don't worry about me. There's nothing here that feels like a real threat."
"Just… be careful," Coulson repeated, his tone sincere.
Skye managed a small, encouraging smile as Su Zhan patted Coulson on the shoulder. "Alright, everyone, let the show begin," Su Zhan declared, his voice light but his eyes sharp with anticipation.
The entrance to Ian Quinn's villa was a swirl of luxury and power: business elites and celebrities, all impeccably dressed, flashed invitations at the stern-faced bodyguards. The guards checked credentials with practiced efficiency, while inside, the clink of glasses and lively conversation spilled out into the night air.
As Su Zhan approached, two bodyguards stepped forward, blocking his path. "Sir, your invitation, please."
Su Zhan's smile was almost teasing. "Invitation? I don't think I need one."
The bodyguards' expressions hardened. "Sir, if you don't have an invitation, I'm afraid you'll have to leave. Don't make us use force."
Su Zhan's eyes glinted with amusement. "Oh? I'd like to see what kind of force you can muster."
One guard reached for Su Zhan's shoulder, intent on dragging him away, but found he couldn't budge him an inch. Su Zhan stood as solid as a mountain, unmoved by their efforts. The second guard joined in, both straining with all their might, but Su Zhan didn't even flinch.
"What's wrong? Is that all you've got?" Su Zhan asked, grinning.
Frustrated and red-faced, the guards tried harder, but Su Zhan simply placed a hand on each of their shoulders. With effortless strength, he lifted both men off the ground. Their feet kicked helplessly in the air as Su Zhan strode confidently into the villa, carrying them like unruly children.
With a casual flick, he tossed one bodyguard onto a wine table, sending bottles and glasses crashing to the floor, while the other landed with a splash in the swimming pool. The sudden commotion brought the party to a stunned halt. Guests stared in shock as Su Zhan walked in, unruffled, his presence commanding the room.
Ian Quinn, dressed immaculately and holding a wine glass, was momentarily startled but quickly regained his composure. He narrowed his eyes at the newcomer. "Stop him!" he barked at his security detail, curiosity and annoyance mingling in his voice.
A wave of bodyguards rushed at Su Zhan, but he barely glanced at them. With a flick of his hand, he unleashed his psionic power. Instantly, the guards were lifted off their feet, suspended in the air as if invisible hands gripped their throats. They struggled, only to find themselves hurled into each other, collapsing in a heap on the marble floor.
"Not…" one of the guards managed to shout, but it was too late. Their bodies crashed together, and they fell unconscious, scattered across the room.
Ian Quinn watched in fascination and growing fear. He hadn't expected this strange, yellow-skinned man to possess such overwhelming power.
"No matter the cost, stop him!" Quinn barked, already edging toward the back of the villa. He knew he couldn't risk his own safety and quickly slipped away, leaving his men to face Su Zhan.
Suddenly, gunfire erupted from the balcony. Su Zhan's reflexes were lightning-fast; he dodged the bullets with ease, feeling them graze his skin. Then, with a thought, he reversed the trajectory of the bullets using his psionic control, sending them hurtling back toward the shooters. The guards barely had time to register what was happening before they were struck by their own bullets and fell to the ground.
"Not quite as flashy as Magneto, but this psionic control is impressive," Su Zhan mused, feeling a surge of satisfaction at how effortlessly he handled the threats.
The party guests, now in a panic, scattered in all directions. Su Zhan strode deeper into the villa, noting that the watch Simmons had given him was now glowing green. He pressed the button, signaling Coulson and the others that the electrical grid was down and it was time to move.
Outside, Coulson was waiting near the perimeter, tense and alert. The moment he received Su Zhan's signal, he moved in, slipping past the now-disabled security systems. Fitz, Simmons, and Skye remained behind, not being combatants, while May stayed with the plane, ready for a quick extraction if needed. Coulson entered the villa alone, trusting Su Zhan to handle the chaos inside.
With the path cleared, Su Zhan began his true mission: destruction. He unleashed his psionic power, sending furniture, artwork, and priceless decorations flying through the air. The villa shook with the force of his assault, and the ground trembled beneath his feet. In the midst of the chaos, Su Zhan sensed that Coulson had likely found Dr. Hall in the basement, just as he'd foreseen.
He paused, considering his next move. Ian Quinn would inevitably reappear but capturing him now might disrupt the natural flow of events. Sometimes, it was better to let certain players run free-for now. After all, Su Zhan could catch him anytime he wished.
As the dust settled and the last echoes of gunfire faded, Su Zhan stood amid the wreckage, calm and unscathed. The true game was only just beginning, and he was ready for whatever came next.