Washington, District of Colombia

May 2, 2012

11:15 P.M.

Walking was an activity Zuchino had grown fond of doing since being stranded on this backwater planet. It was strangely calming for him. Whether he was very used to flying everywhere or this planet's atmosphere was easier to breathe in than the countless other planets that he has been to (including his own), something about the activity would begin to give his mind some ease. He was, after all, now not needed in multiple places at once. So he could finally move around at his own pace for once.

The few sprinkles of rain from the lightning show in the sky finally stopped its teasing of the Earth and began coming down with more intensity. While the massive crowd of humans rushed to find shelter in the storm, the Saiyan flipped up the hood on his jacket and continued down the busy sidewalk back to his residence at his own pace.

Two Earth years had passed since his pod was marooned on this planet (It took a while to work the calculations, but it was about half of a galactic cycle). He had no destination in mind and knew that any attempt to return to the PTO would more than likely result in more bloodshed (given that word has definitely reached Cold and Cooler about Freeza's death). So, given the circumstances, he was better suited remaining off the radar and presumed dead along with the rest of his people for, hopefully, the rest of his life.

Still, though, he'd picked up on Earth's culture during his time here at least. Given that all he had was time and Fury wanted him to not draw too much-unwanted attention to himself, he had partially delved into the history of this planet's civilization, at least the past two centuries. The rest was done through the "internet." It helped him learn about the culture and was passed as entertainment on this planet.

It also helped him form his new identity as "Michael Parks." It partially worked since he looked remarkably similar to the humans of Japan. The more he learned about this planet's culture, the more he learned to actually become adjusted to it…well, in terms of tolerating it compared to living under Freeza's thumb. Having a few people treat him like a moron for not understanding every little popular culture reference they make

Finally, he reached the Union Row Apartments, an upscale apartment complex just 10 minutes away from their headquarters, the Triskelion. He originally lived a ways further away, but after he disappeared to train for a few hours on the Moon, Fury ordered him to be moved closer. Supposedly, it was because of an unknown security risk. However, Zuchino knew it was because Fury still didn't fully trust him (Granted, the Saiyan could understand why he wouldn't want a former space pirate with the power to destroy planets out of his sight for any length of time).

Walking inside the front office, he removed his hood and unzipped his jacket. There were a number of his neighbors in the lobby, looking outside and examining the storm. He recognized a few, but he didn't speak as he made his way to the elevator and rode up to his floor.

He unlocked the door with the keycard and stepped into the hallway, reaching the apartment. His senses picked up on the ki signature before entering the apartment. Hanging his coat on the hook, he joined the living room. The lights were already on and in the middle of the living room sat Fury. Zuchino gave him a slight nod of acknowledgment, which Fury returned.

"I normally would ask what you're doing here, but given our agreement, I assume you've come to call in that favor?" Zuchino said as he grabbed a bottle of water. He offered one to Fury, who shook his head.

"I have."

"So, what is it?"

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

"Oh, okay." Zuchino sighed as he took a drink of his water. "What is it, gods?" Zuchino asked with a chuckle.

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

"Wait, really?" Zuchino inquired before being handed a manilla folder filled with classified information for specific individuals only. "What is this?"

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

"Loki?" Zuchino said before he realized. "That's right, the Asgardian prince, brother of that hotheaded asshole Thor."

"You know him?"

"Eh, more knowledge of him. So what? Need me to go fight him and get back your cube?"

"Not just you, but others with extraordinary abilities. We call it the Avengers Initiative." Fury explained while 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. "Saiyans tend not to be team players. We barely do well with our own warriors. 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. It won't be too hard to work with them; they aren't ordinary humans." Zuchino sighed. After a few moments, he took another sip of water and rose to grab his coat.

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

"We need you in New York City tonight."

"Why?"

"I have a certain someone I feel like you could help convince to join our mission." Fury said, sliding another folder towards the Saiyan. The Saiyan opened up the file and glanced at Fury, who continued staring forward. "Someone I thought you might be able to do relate with. But I would still suggest reading all of those files beforehand though, he may be a hard one to convince."

"Can do," Zuchino stated before he walked to his balcony. After giving a small grunt, a blue aura flared around him, and he dashed off into the air towards New York City.

It was late, almost 1:30 A.M. at the moment. He'd arrived in the city within thirty minutes (mainly because there was no general rush) and got into the apartment of the candidate Fury needed him to "convince." While his apartment had a far more "modern" aesthetic to it, he recognized many wallpaper patterns and general furniture with things he saw in photos of housing during the 1930s and 40s.

Though given this candidate, he wasn't surprised: Captain America probably kept everything looking the same. Since there wasn't even a television, he suited himself with reading the files Fury supplied him with.

Speaking of Captain America, the first file he read was of Steve Rogers. The historic and super-soldier from New York. Originally supposed to be a line of multiple super-soldiers with enhanced abilities, the scientist who created the formula was killed, and he was the only successful subject. Almost singlehandedly, he turned the tide of World War II for the Allies. He was presumed dead for decades after crashing a plane into the Arctic to save the United States from the other attempted super-soldier: Johann Schmidt, the Red Skull. Kinda sounded disgustingly noble, but who was he to judge?

Next, Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, the billionaire weapons designer-turned-superhero. Originally a borderline sociopathic weapons manufacturer, he changed his ways after being kidnapped by a terrorist group and almost killed, most notably by constructing a suit of armor that gave him superhuman strength, the ability to fire energy attacks, and flight. With that, he made it his mission to end the world's conflicts. However, according to the files, he was still a self-destructive narcissist with little ability to not say the first thing that pops into his brain…well, let's just hope he doesn't annoy Zuchino too much.

The final "Avenger" was 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. Fury thinks he may be just as powerful, if not more powerful, than Zuchino himself (in raw strength alone, of course). When he's an average human, his file described him as one of the greatest scientific minds this world has ever seen. 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 gaining immortality but gave up after all the searches yielded zero results. It probably was for the best it finally emerged after he was dead.

Once he finished reviewing the files and boredom being to creep in, he began trying to detect the energy signal of Loki on the planet, both with his scouter and through sensing for his ki. Indeed, an Asgardian's energy level would rise above the mortals on this planet. But there was nothing. No abnormal power level on the entirety of the Earth.

It was bizarre; he could even feel Thor's massive power level during his stint on Earth. But Loki's was completely absent. The more he thought about it, the more it began to make sense. He remembered the brother's nicknames across the cosmos: Thor, the God of Thunder; Loki, the God of Mischief. Likely he knew a spell that just completely hid his ki from being detected.

It was a clever trick but raised a single and crucial question: how did Loki know someone who could do so was the planet? Did that mean he wasn't as well-hidden as he hoped, and people across the universe knew he was here?

The apartment door opened. Well, just gonna have to ask Loki himself before he wipes him from existence.

In walked Steve Rogers, his head down and hands in his pocket as he unknowingly walked towards the Saiyan. A bag was likely the intel Fury provided him in his arm. He was far bigger in person than Zuchino believed, even bigger than the Saiyan in terms of musculature. Hell, he rivaled even one of the biggest Saiyans Zuchino knew. But his ki signature betrayed any idea of Captain Rogers being anything more than an extra-strong human.

In a moment, Rogers looked up and finally saw the Saiyan watching him. Though, considering the way he immediately dropped his stuff and leaped towards the Saiyan, it likely meant that his mind immediately said, an intruder. Zuchino simply zipped out of the way behind him. Rogers, likely in shock at seeing the man disappear in front of him, slid across the table and fell to the floor rather unceremoniously.

"Hold your horses, big guy. We're working for the same team." Zuchino stated, folding his arms in annoyance. In an instant, Rogers was back on his feet, eying him suspiciously.

"How did you get into my apartment?"

"You shouldn't leave your windows unlocked if you're concerned about thieves, Mr. America, sir." Zuchino stated sarcastically, nodding his head lazily to the open window next to him. Rogers glanced briefly at it before turning his attention back to the Saiyan.

"Fury sent you?"

"He did."

"For what? His ace in the hole to get me into the mission?" Rogers interrogated, still glaring at the Saiyan. As if to purposely break the tension, Zuchino chuckled as he began leaning against the door frame.

"He wishes. I'm here to do no such thing; this mission was far too dangerous for me or anyone else to coerce. If you don't want to do it, you don't have to do it. My job is just to get your answer so they know how many people he should be expecting tomorrow."

Zuchino explained, shrugging apathetically. "But, in case you decide to join, you're looking at your fellow 'Avenger.' Speaking of which, can I just say how much I fucking hate that name?"

"You're on the team as well?" Zuchino suppressed the sigh that came with the question. The sad part about the blessing that is Saiyan aging: to humans, he appeared (at best) a young man in his early twenties despite likely being decades older than the longest-living human on this planet.

"You sound surprised."

"It's just, and I don't mean to offend you, sir, but aren't you a little too young to participate in such a dangerous mission?" Beside himself, a laugh bubbled out of the Saiyan before becoming a full hearty laugh. Zuchino laughed as Steve stared at the young man with a confused gaze.

Before he could question him, the man was immediately in front of him. He never even saw him move. It was like he glitched in reality. Then, a large boom sounded in his ears while a strong gust of wind whooshed past them, shaking the entire apartment. It took Rogers a few seconds to realize that it was a sonic boom. The man hadn't teleported. He moved so fast he broke the sound barrier.

"Let me just assure you, Captain," Zuchino began, "looks can be deceiving these days." His point proven Zuchino started walking back with his arms crossed." 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.

"Well, considering your history, I would say you have the most experience with that blue cube," Zuchino stated. "But that's good enough of an answer for me. I'm going to the roof to meditate for the night. See you in the morning." Zuchino turned on his heel and put his hands behind his head.

Steve thought for a second, wondering about the strange young man. Curiosity beat it all, he spoke up. "I didn't catch your name."

Zuchino looked back with a glance of curiosity before giving him a soft smile. "Zuchino. Don't ask, long story."

"Well, I don't think I'll be getting much sleep tonight anyway. Perhaps I can join you on the roof?" Steve asked though Zuchino knew he wasn't asking.

"I won't stop you." With that, they left the apartment together to go on the roof.

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.