Roy Saves Coulson — The Chains Revealed
Phil Coulson gasped on the floor of the ruined corridor, blood soaking through his jacket. Roy knelt beside him, pressing a glowing hand over the wound. Space bent, his power folding into Coulson's chest.
Coulson suddenly inhaled sharply as life surged back into him.
But as Roy pulled away—
Phil's half-lidded eyes widened.
Behind Roy, faintly shimmering through his shirt, were chains—glowing, spectral, dozens of them, all wrapped around his shoulders and spine. Each link thrummed like a heartbeat. They looked impossibly heavy… impossibly painful.
"R-Roy…" Phil whispered. "Your back… those chains—how are you even standing?"
Roy's expression softened. He placed a steady hand on Coulson's arm.
"You're safe now. That's what matters."
Fury's Arrival
Nick Fury rushed in, pistol raised, only to freeze when he saw Coulson sitting up—and breathing.
"…Roy," Fury said slowly, "I owe you one."
Roy shook his head. "Don't thank me yet. You need to tell the Avengers Coulson died."
Phil coughed, sitting straighter. "He's right. They're not working as a team yet. They need… a push."
Fury nodded grimly.
And so, over the Helicarrier intercom, his voice echoed:
"Agent Coulson… is down."
Natasha's breath hitched.
Steve closed his eyes.
Tony clenched his fists.
The silence that followed was heavy enough to crush steel.
The Meeting — Fury's "Cards"
In the conference room, Fury tossed a stack of blood-stained vintage Captain America cards onto the table.
"He died believing in you," Fury said quietly.
Tony stared at the cards until his jaw trembled.
He stood violently, armor snapping into place, and stormed out toward his tower.
Steve said nothing, simply turning to join Natasha and Barton as they boarded a Quinjet.
They left one by one.
The Avengers were finally… aligned.
Control Room — The Truth Comes Out
Back in the control room, Maria Hill glanced at Fury.
"Sir… those cards were in Coulson's locker. Not on him."
Fury didn't deny it.
Before he could answer—
Phil Coulson himself walked into the room.
Maria's eyes nearly popped out. "PHIL?!"
Phil shrugged awkwardly. "Uh… has anyone seen my cards? They were in my locker."
Maria turned slowly toward Fury, betrayal all over her face.
Fury raised both hands. "Hill, listen—Roy saved him. And we needed the team unified. We used his idea."
Phil lifted a hand. "I told him to do it. Blame me."
Maria exhaled sharply, then turned to Roy with genuine relief.
"…Thank you. For saving him."
Roy smiled gently.
Maria Notices the Chains
Phil couldn't hold the question anymore.
"Roy. Those chains on your back. What are they?"
Maria and Fury both looked at him. "Chains? What chains?"
Phil insisted, "When he healed me… I saw them. Dozens. Like they were tearing into him."
Roy sighed quietly, then turned around.
The moment he loosened his control, the chains became partially visible—glowing spectral restraints wrapped around his torso, shoulders, and spine. Some were cracked, some burned, some frozen—each one representing something… someone.
Maria Hill covered her mouth. Fury stepped back. Coulson stared.
"Roy…" Fury breathed. "These… are from all the people you saved?"
Roy nodded.
"There are laws. When your power reaches a level capable of destroying worlds… the universe binds you. You're forbidden from changing the flow of life and death. If you do, the chains form. Each one is the price for bending fate."
Maria whispered, horrified, "But this… this looks painful."
"It is," Roy admitted softly. "But I won't stop saving people."
Maria's Reaction
Without thinking, Maria stepped forward—and hugged him hard.
Her voice trembled as she buried her face against him.
"You idiot… how can you just carry this alone?"
Roy froze for a moment, then slowly wrapped an arm around her. For the first time in a long time… he felt warmth instead of pain.
After a few long seconds, Maria pulled away, cheeks flushed.
Phil smiled knowingly. "Must hurt like hell, huh?"
Roy chuckled. "Sometimes. But moments like this make it easier."
He handed Maria a small, folded paper.
"For when you need to contact me."
Roy walked out, cloak fluttering behind him.
Maria Hill opened the paper—and her heart skipped.
It was Roy's private phone number.
She held it carefully… like a treasure.