Chapter 2: Call to Action

Washington, District of Colombia

May 2, 2012

11:15 P.M.

Walking was an activity Zuchino had begun to grow fond of, even in though it was very obvious it was going to rain very soon, judging by the lightning and various spots of where water sprinkled down. Being stuck on this backwater planet didn't afford him too much other to do, but he began to find it calming. Maybe it was that he was very used to flying everywhere or it was that this planet's atmosphere was actually very easy to breathe in compared to the countless other planets that he has been too, something about the activity set his mind at ease.

Most likely was the fact he could finally go at his own pace. The few sprinkles of rain that the lightning show in the sky teased the Earth with finally began coming down with more intensity. Despite the massive crowd of humans rushing to find shelter in the storm, the Saiyan was making it through the mob with relative ease.

He turned to his right and glanced at the tall structure…what was it called…oh yes, the Washington Monument. He found it interesting that these humans idolized their dead with such things, Saiyans simply threw them into space and kept moving. The closest they ever came to memorialize their dead was keeping the armor of the dearly departed if they were among the upper-class (Elites, Royal Guard, and Royal Blood only), but that was only because their armor was a commodity. He cast another small glance over to it before he continued down the busy sidewalk back to his apartment.

Two Earth years passed since his pod marooned on this planet (It hasn't even been 1/4 a cycle on Planet Vegeta; he'd also calculated that he was 24 years old by this planet's standards, which by this planet's standards made him an adult). With no destination in mind and knowing that any attempt to return to the PTO would more than likely result in a lot of needless fighting, he was better suited remaining off the radar and presumed dead to the rest of the galaxy for as long as he could manage.

Still though, he'd picked up on a lot during his time here at least. The technology here was not much different from the technology the PTO possessed and what they called the "internet" really helped him learn about some of the planet's people and their culture. It also helped him form a new identity since he was looked like the humans of Japan. Sadly, though they resembled the Saiyans in appearance, their culture was far from familiar. But despite the strangeness of this planet's culture, he was slowly becoming adjusted to it…well, in terms of tolerating it compared to living under Freeza's thumb at least.

After getting away from the tourist destinations of the city, Zuchino finally reached the apartment building that he was residing in. S.H.I.E.L.D. had placed him in a residential area close to their headquarters, the Triskelion. They said it was for his own safety, but he knew it was because they never fully trusted him. It definitely wouldn't hurt his feelings if they admitted to it, but he also understood the deception they were pulling. Zuchino entered the building and gave a small nod and smirk to the building manager, Jett.

"Hey, Mike; it's pouring down out there, isn't it?" He asked sarcastically at seeing the drenched Saiyan.

"Ha-ha, very funny." Zuchino quipped back at the human, giving him a small smirk as he leaned against the door. "How's your day been?"

"Eh, so-so." He said as Zuchino nodded in understanding. "It would've been nice if our contractor had decided come on time today, not two hours late." Jett added with a sarcastic tone. "How about you?"

"Meh, you know. Work." Zuchino shrugged. "It could've been worse."

"Well, before you go, your boss arrived. Says he has a job for you." He said as he looked at his watch. "Now, if you'll excuse me, some little bastard decided to take a piss in the pool."

"Gotcha, have fun." Zuchino said before he began walking up the stairs.

"Have fun." Jett mocked once he was out of earshot.

Reaching the shared apartment, he unlocked the door with the keycard and stepped in. His senses picked up on the ki signature before he even entered the apartment. Hanging his coat on the hook, he entered the apartment. The lights were already on and in the middle of the living room sat Fury. Zuchino gave him a small nod of acknowledgment, which Fury returned.

"I normally would ask what you're doing here, but you are paying for the place, so I'll let that go." Zuchino said as he casually walked over to his liquor cabinet and grabbed a jar of whiskey. He raised it to the human, but he shook his head. "So, finally come to call in the favor?" Zuchino inquired as he poured the liquor into a glass.

"I have." Fury said as Zuchino looked over to him with a small glance before he took a swig. He was going to make a joke, but he noticed the absolutely serious look in his eyes.

"What is it?"

"It's not the Freeza Force." Fury stated, noticing the tense look on the Saiyan's face.

"Oh, okay." Zuchino shrugged as he took another swig of his whiskey. "What is it, gods?" Zuchino asked with a chuckle.

"Yep." There was a slight pause before Zuchino's smirk dropped.

"Wait, gods?" Zuchino inquired before being handed a manila folder, filled with classified information for certain individuals only. "What is this?"

"It's called the Tesseract, something the government has experimented with in the hopes we could develop eternal energy from. It was taken by the Norse God, Loki."

"Loki?" Zuchino said before he sighed. "Figures, if Thor is real, would make sense his brother is too. So, what, you need me to help you get it back?"

"Not just you, but others with extraordinary abilities. We call it the Avengers Initiative." Fury explained; Zuchino continued reading through the files.

"Well, there's gonna be a problem with that: I work alone." Zuchino said as he slid the file back to the spy. "We Saiyans tend not to be team players with other races. I'll do this, but I'll do it alone."

"Good thing you owe us, so you'll join the team." Fury explained as he slid the file back to the glowering Saiyan. "This world needs you and them. Trust me, it won't be too hard to fight with them; they aren't ordinary humans." Zuchino sighed at the proposition before looking at the director and nodding.

"Okay, I'll look into it; how much time do I have before you'll need me?"

"We need you on a plane to New York City tonight."

"Why would you?"

"I have a certain someone I feel like you could help convince to join this mission of ours." Fury said, sliding another folder towards the Saiyan, as Zuchino gave him a questioning look before downing the rest of his whiskey. "Someone who you might be able to do relate to." Zuchino skimmed through the file before nodding. "I would suggest reading those documents beforehand though, he might be a hard one to convince."

"Okay, I'll do it." Zuchino said before he walked to his balcony. "Be sure to turn the lights out before you decide to leave." Zuchino commanded before opening the door. He produced a blue aura around him and blasted off towards New York.

Zuchino sat on the edge an apartment building's roof; the potential candidate Fury instructed him to meet with lived there. It was late, almost 1:30 A.M. at the moment. He'd arrived in the city within five minutes, but he spent the rest of the time reading the files Fury supplied him with on who he would be working with.

Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America, the super-soldier who turned the tide of World War II for the allies. He presumed dead for decades after crashing a plane into the Arctic to save the United States. Sounded disgustingly noble, but who was he to judge?

Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, the billionaire weapons designer-turned-superhero. After constructing his suit of armor that gave him superhuman strength, energy attacks, and flight, he sought to help end the world's conflicts. But, according to Fury, he was also aggravating to work with and full of himself…well, let's just hope Zuchino doesn't destroy him before their mission is over.

Bruce Banner, a.k.a. the Hulk, the scientist infected by gamma radiation and turns into a raging green monster when he angered sufficiently enough. When he is a normal human, his file described him as one of the greatest scientific minds in the world. He will be an interesting fellow to meet, the Saiyan thought to himself.

He also looked into the Tesseract, which he realized why he had an extreme case of déjà vu when Fury first mentioned the divine energy source. He'd heard of it from his father before his death; apparently, Freeza sought it in hopes of strengthening his army and possibly gain immortality but gave up after all the searches yielded zero results. Probably was for the best it emerged after he was dead.

Once he finished reviewing the files, he began his nightly meditating, sitting on the edge of the roof. He'd discovered the technique from the Namekians ages ago; it actually useful for clearing his mind, keeping the insatiable bloodlust of his Saiyan DNA in check, and perfecting ki control (which allowed him to sense other's ki signatures and mask his own down to almost nothing). He was also trying to detect the power level of Loki all night, to see if he could go ahead and end the battle already. But there was nothing. No abnormal power level on the entirety of the planet.

It was very strange; he could even feel out Thor's massive power level when he came to the planet. It was strange, but he gave up and assumed that Loki had some way of masking it. While unusual and a bit disconcerting, it actually excited Zuchino more. His Saiyan blood, after not fighting any opponents in over two years, craved the challenge of the unknown god.

The stairway door opened, knocking the Saiyan from his thoughts. Out walked Steve Rogers, his head down and hands in his pocket as he walked towards the ledge. He was far bigger in person than Zuchino would've believed, even bigger than the Saiyan in terms of musculature. Steve continued walking towards the ledge before he looked up to see Zuchino looking back at him.

"Oh, hi." He uttered, surprised that anyone knew how to reach the roof. He rubbed the back of his head in a shy manner before mentioning, "Didn't realize someone else came up here beside me."

"Eh, my first time up here." Zuchino shrugged, giving a small, but friendly smirk. "I've found it's easier to meditate when I'm outside and it's night."

"Well, forgive me for intruding, sir; I'll leave you to it." Rogers gave a small nod and wave as he turned to leave.

"Oh no, Captain America, you didn't intrude." He said with a small smirk as Steve closed the door and looked back at the Saiyan.

"How did you find me?"

"Oh, just through a mutual friend of ours, Nick Fury." Zuchino answered as he looked back over the horizon and close his eyes again. "I take it he came to visit you at the gym already?"

"He did, so what are you? His ace in the hole, just if I do not take the mission?" He inquired as Zuchino let out a small chuckle before turning to face the super soldier.

"No, the decision you make should be yours and yours alone, no one should coerce you into taking such a dangerous mission like this one." Zuchino explained. "But, in case you do decide to join, you're looking at your fellow 'Avenger.'"

"You're on the team as well?" Steve queried, more shock coming out than he would've preferred.

"You sound surprised."

"It's just, and I don't mean to offend you sir, but aren't you a little too young to be taking part in such a dangerous mission?" That made Zuchino laugh. Not chuckle, but actually let out a hearty laugh.

"Let me just assure you, Captain," Zuchino began before he appeared in front of Steve in an instant, easily shocking the super soldier, "looks can be deceiving these days." Zuchino chuckled as he crossed his arms and walked back to the ledge. "So, Captain, what do you think? Are you gonna help us or not?"

"I will help get the Tesseract back; it's far too powerful when left in the wrong hands." He answered specifically, thoughtfully avoiding the direct question.

"Good enough for me, you're free to do whatever you want. But if you wanna join me on the ledge, you can." Zuchino offered just as he sat back on the ledge full lotus-style. Steve thought for a second, wondering about the strange teenager. Curiosity beat it all, so he walked over and rested on the ledge beside the Saiyan, gazing into the night sky along with him. "Here's to hoping we can clean up this mess."

"Same here…I didn't catch your name."

"Zuchino." He said, noticing the glance Steve threw his way. "It's a long story."

"I've got time." Steve replied, making Zuchino chuckle before he looked down at him with an aside glance.

"Okay, where you do want to start?"

AN: Alright, yes. I did borrow the rooftop idea from BuffyL's Avenger story. It just felt natural that after Steve received the news from Fury, he would go somewhere he could be alone. But I have to give them credit for inspiring me to do this story. I also wanted to take this time to thank you guys for the support. Over 100 views in two days, this is easily one of my most successful stories already and I'm absolutely happy. So, sincerely, thank you.