CHAPTER ONE

*Please Note that Elliot Dawes is an OC Characters, other characters are copyright to Marvel. This takes place between Avengers Assemble and Captain America 2*

For years I have been fascinated with the Super Solider serum. It is a thing of wonder, something amazing and evolutionary. It is the step forward to creating something beyond what we are as human beings. Since I hacked into the S.H.I.E.L.D database and discovered this, I have been searching for the answers ever since. It has become my obsession. Every other science project I have been working on has been put on hold. During this time, New York was almost destroyed and the Gods are real yet that did not distract me. I knew I would turn my attention to the Gods once I had completed my work on the super solider serum. After a few years I noticed I was being closely watched, my internet and apartment. I looked into, expecting it to be S.H.I.E.L.D but I was shocked to find it wasn't. I discovered it was a team called HYDRA. After digging deep into the forgotten parts of the internet and even in the library I discovered what HYDRA really was. My life took a sudden turn for the worse. I began getting lessons in combat, practicing as firing ranges and as well as fencing to protect myself. Thankfully HYDRA never discovered that. The only bright thing about this was the neighbour who moved in next door to me. He was tall, muscled and blonde with the kindest of faces and brilliant blue eyes. I was a little worried he would complain, like the McKenzie's do, when I'm up at 3 in the morning. However I discovered he didn't seem to sleep, like me. It made me happy to see him every day however he appeared to be struggling. I assumed he was a farmer's boy, trying to make his way in the big city.

It was late one night that I made the discovery of a lifetime. I had finally discovered the secret formula of Doctor Abraham Erskine. I let out a cry of joy and started dancing round my apartment. I suddenly halted in horror. I had caught a couple of men dressed in black and what looked like biker helmets slip into my apartment. I swore loudly.They were coming for me.I grabbed my satchel and shoved every important piece of sheet I had. I didn't have time to pack anything else. Panic gripped my heart but I couldn't allow it to happen. This is what I had been waiting for years, and now it had arrived. I could not screw this up. I knew exactly where I was going and what I was to do. I grabbed the small box with pandas painted on it and crammed that into my bag. I fastened it and rushed to the window. I pushed it open and glanced out. Nobody was looking up at me, nobody was scaling the walls. I clambered out, balancing on the thin window ledge. I knew one wrong move and I could fall to my potential death. I slid the window shut behind me carefully with my foot. I began to edge towards my bedroom window. I stretched across, just reaching. I pushed off and landed on the window sill. I wobbled and about lost my footing. I desperately and quietly scrambled for my footing. My heart was pounding in my chest, my breath coming out in short, sharp bursts. I caught my balance in time. I clung to the top of the window, shaking. A sob escape my lips. I bit down to stop myself making any noise. I forced myself to go on. It was either that or climb back in and wait for them. The front door wasn't an option. I knew the next door neighbour had access to the fire escape. I made my way slowly and cautiously towards his living window. I was gutted to find his apartment in darkness. Tonight had to be the night he was out. Just. My. Luck. I sighed, knowing I'd have to break into his apartment. I hated the thought of doing: he was always so nice and respectful and that was something you rarely came across these days. He reminded me of someone from a War Film: all ma'am and manners. Although he lacked in the ability to talk to woman. However he did lend me milk and tea whenever I ran out and couldn't be bothered going to the shop. I reached the jump from my apartment to his. I was a lot more nervous after my last leap. I took a deep breath and took the plunge. I landed neatly on the ledge, clinging onto the ledge. I let out a laugh which was a mixture of relief, victory and nerves. I discovered he had left his window open a jar. Maybe luck is on my side after all. I pushed the window open with my foot. I pushed it up wide enough for me to slip through. Just as I landed on the soft carpet I heard my own door get kicked in. Loud shouts and gun fire rang through the night. I froze, realising I had just escaped my death. They didn't need me, just my research. I choked on the thought that those bullets could have ripped me apart. I silently shut the window and looked around desperately. I needed to disappear. The tones of the voices changed next door. I guessed I only had the amount of time it took them to tear my apartment apart before they came looking for me elsewhere. I rushed towards his bedroom door. I burst through. I half expected him to be asleep. Alas, the bed was empty. The room was plain, only a framed copy of the first ever Captain America comic hung on his wall. The bed was military neat and looked like it hadn't been slept in for a few days. Perhaps he was on a business trip. My eyes slid to the large wardrobe against the wall. I was pretty sure every apartment had a built in wardrobe but maybe he or the previous tenant took it out. I wrenched open the door and silent shut it. There was a bang and the sound of metal exploding. The men in the biker helmets had entered the apartment. I could hear them creeping around. I forced my way to the back of the wardrobe. I pressed against the back of the wardrobe. It slid away and I stumbled backwards. I let out an unintentional cry of surprise. I hit a glass panel. I froze, and slowly turned round. My jaw hit the ground. The full Captain America's gear was in this room. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The full suite, including the shield. The shield wasn't behind glass. I stroked the surface. I felt unworthy to be in the presence of such a symbol. It was a symbol of hope and a greater good and it had been right next door all along.It suddenly struck me that I had been beside the Captain America all along. I remembered the picture Peggy Carter showed me off Steve Rogers. He looked a lot smaller, and weaker than he does now. Then again, that's what the super solider serum was supposed to do: make you better. The answer had been offering me tea and milk all this time, I thought to myself. Still, I felt proud that I had discovered without the help of Mr Rogers. The bedroom door suddenly slammed against the wall. Without thinking, I grabbed the shield off the wall and turned to face my foes.