S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Rhapsodos: Taking the Backseat
Disclaimer: Refer to the Prologue Chapter. And I don't own any movie dialogue.
Beta-ed by: CommentatorInThePeanutGallery (October 10th, 2012) [Last Edit January 1st, 2016]
AU Notes: Thanks to those who have Favorited and alerted this fic: kuroyukihime2, PyroKitsune, robyalix, drake202, Narmara, SilverRaven07, Matron, spiralgal , Silver Shadowbreeze , 3hourmonologue, Random Bluenette, nekuromansa000, NivMizzet6977 (also for inserting this fic in their C2), Silver Fox 22000, andDayaLuna.
Always an Awesome thanks to our Reviewers: yorushihe, YunaBlaze, HatchetChu, Basia Orci, Guest, and Twilight Cardmistress. Thanks to everyone who spotted out typos. Okay, this chapter did take sometime to take my notes on (I basically re-watched Cap's movie and the Avengers) to get a feel of Steve's character which is more movie based than the comics (I'm cutting down on the patriotism). So don't mind the extra length. I believe a reviewer asked for more Zack. Some mystery eggs are dropped in. See if you can decipher them. ;)
Longer chapter this time~
Enjoy!
~ Chapter 3: Of Super Soldiers and Homo sapien Superiors ~
"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one." ~ C.S. Lewis
Steve Rogers woke up that morning as his vision presented him with the different ceiling he didn't like with a large sigh.
He always dreaded waking up on the bed these days to stare at the window.
The window was a slap in his face he wasn't in 1940's America... but 2012.
Nearly 70 years stuck and asleep in the ice and it was clear he was a man out of his time. Out of his era. Out of... well... everything. The blond shook his head in anguish that he didn't really felt like he had anything left to fight for. The war was gone, peace was there, his friends or any of his comrades was most likely old or dead... He was starting question what was he living for. Or did he just needed to exist?
He shoved himself up, made sure he avoided looking out the window, opting to not see it, and get ready to do what he had been doing the last week which was training. Steve was making sure he'd train hard enough so he could get stronger. Being in the ice for so long made his muscles stiff, but it was getting better. He was resolute to get ready for this new world. If he can get stronger, he could get through all this mess reality hit him with. Swiftly, he took a shower and ate his breakfast so he could start the day. At the breakfast table, though, he spotted a message from Director Fury.
~Message S.H.I.E.L.D. NOTICE~
Rogers,
I'm currently occupied for the moment, so I will not have time to brief you on a couple of things I've been meaning to tell you myself. However, in my place, I have sent an Agent to you. He's one of our youngest and best S.H.I.E.L.D. has to offer and is a consultant on our side for the Avengers Initiative. If you need anything, you may ask him and he'll try to help you. Take note, he will review your condition as long as he's assigned to you the moment you meet him today.
- Director Fury
~Message S.H.I.E.L.D. NOTICE [end]~
Steve didn't know how to honestly react to the message. On one hand, he felt like he just wanted to laugh at the joke someone was sent in to babysit him. On the other, he was angry that Fury didn't trust him he was alright. Okay, he was a bit moody these days – but the way the Director elaborated how this consultant was going to review his condition made it seem to Steve as if he wasn't stable. A stupid and old question jumped into this mind that moment.
Is this supposed to be a test? (1)
The last thing he wanted to think was that people were underestimating him again.
Steve with a speed of his Super Soldier serum could give him got his things and left his apartment.
Whoever this 'Consultant' was, he better not be a bully; he didn't like bullies.
.
.
At Xavier's Institute for Higher Learning...
"Zack are you, okay? You've been twitching so often in class it's as if you're like bursting with energy or something."
The raven head teen scratched his head furiously. "I don't know! It's just– really weird."
Kitty raised a brow. "How weird?"
"Ever since we got to this school. You know, the classes and all... I think I've gone through his before. I don't understand it either... but I feel like doing squats when I'm restless." Zack admitted. (2)
"Squats?" the girl blinked. Was that a guy thing?
She knew Zack didn't have the X-gene, but the way his eyes glowed brighter when they got to the school sort of made her question whether what he said was true or not. Maybe he was just having jitters because he was the only one who wasn't a mutant. The other students suspected he was one because his eyes glowed. The group only came to the school at night to receive their rooms and have classes the next day before meeting up with the Professor. They didn't have the same classes with Peter because he was older. However, with the confused kicked like puppy look Zack had on his face, Kitty was feeling rather guilty if she left the boy on his own.
"Zack?"
"Yeah?"
The girl sighed. "Don't worry about it. We're still seeing the Professor at the end of the day, right? Peter's going to join us too."
In a black t-shirt with blue jeans, the boy shuffled uncomfortably as they stood in the corridor. "Sorry about the outburst," Zack said as his scratched behind his neck. "I mean– even when I first started high school I had the same nervous feeling– like I've done all of this before, you know? Being here with all these kids and people doing amazing things... I just feel like I've done this before and it's not all alien."
"Maybe all these things have to do with your dreams, right? At least, that's what Peter's told me." Kitty paused for a moment before she continued, "You think you're like a reincarnation of someone?"
Zack blinked. "I don't really believe in reincarnation."
"Well, you never know if it's true or not." Kitty crossed her arms. "Or... Maybe you really are a mutant. You have precognition abilities."
"What?! Like I know what's coming in the future?" was the raven head's shocked reply. Zack found that totally awkward.
The girl shrugged. "Your reflexes are growing and you're getting faster at moving than Peter and me."
"But I'm not a mutant."
"Explain." Kitty deadpanned as she never heard his story before.
Zack sighed. "The reason Peter got found out of our neighborhood was because there was a blood test going around our home community." He had a forlorn expression on his face. "I was tested negative. But when they found out about Peter... well... the anti-mutant groups didn't like it. Even though my parents didn't care about Peter's changes... his parents were afraid of him."
"So you and Peter were childhood friends?" She asked curiously.
"Yup!" Zack said brightly. "Actually, I've known Peter had his powers when I was 10. Peter wasn't happy I was sticking with him, but I'm sort of glad I kept annoying him until he gave up. He needs someone to watch his back, and I think coming here has given me a chance to find out what those dreams are about."
At the note on dreams, Kitty questioned, "What are your dreams about anyway?"
Zack's eyes drifted. "I was getting combat training, I had a mentor or something like it... he was a really nice guy I admired, I guess. And... I think I had a girlfriend who liked giving me flowers."
Kitty had to stop herself from frowning. 'Wasn't it supposed to be the other way around?' she thought awkwardly.
"I know, it's really weird."
"Maybe not." Kitty shook her head. "Who knows that she owned a flower shop or something if we go with the incarnation theory." When Zack gave her disbelieving visage, she shrugged again. "If you have precognition abilities you might get a flower girl."
A wide grin was on the teen's face. "Actually, I wouldn't mind that. She was really cute."
Kitty rolled her eyes, "Of course you wouldn't. Boys..."
The two teens jumped when the bell for lunch rang.
"Damn, we spent too long here." the mutant girl sighed. "Looks like we're missing the better sandwiches."
"Not if we work together we won't." Zack quickly figured out a plan.
"How?"
"I'm getting faster in my reflexes and speed right?" Zack asked and his friend nodded. "You use your phasing powers. Leave the running to me."
"Are you sure about that?" Kitty asked skeptically.
"Positive!" Zack smiled. "I know the school after I took a walk around the place this morning. I know where everything is." He didn't give the girl to answer when he scooped the girl to a piggyback position on his shoulders. Kitty shrieked before she whacked the larger teen on the back of his head.
"You could have warned me!"
"Come on, I wanna buy one for Peter too!" Zack protested ignoring the slap as he looked up to the other teen. "Please?"
Despite the larger figure Zack had than her, for some reason, it was just damn hard to say no to those puppy eyes that Zack's so good at doing.
Kitty relented. "...Okay. But you're paying for me today."
"Yeah! You're the best, Kitty!"
Kitty had to auto-pilot her powers on when Zack ran like a freight train into the wall.
Thankfully they didn't get into too much trouble save for crashing into the gardener. That was because Kitty lost her focus, but they were lucky the guy had rubber band powers so they only bounced back a bit. After, they ran towards a better direction to the cafeteria.
.
.
SHIELD Branch Training area...
'SMACK!'
A punching bag dropped to the floor as Steve gave it a powerful blow, leaving the ropes that supported the bag ripped from the bag itself and a hole in the bag spreading out sand on the floor. Steve breathed out in gasps as he overworked himself, losing his focus to memories that resurfaced many times during his training. As he tried to get his breath back, he was startled when he heard clapping.
"And that's your third sandbag for today," a smooth melodious voice said.
Steve whipped his head around to find there was a SHIELD agent sitting on a stool in the back of the room in the usual formal uniform consisting of the black and tie. The agent's striking features were that he looked young, had auburn medium length hair, and he wore a studded earring on his right ear. Also, on his lap, he had a book that was opened. That book got Steve thinking the young agent had been here a lot longer than he thought.
"How long have you been there?" Steve asked on reflex.
"Since you've arrived," the agent said airily. "Better three hours too soon than a minute too late." (3)
"I didn't see you or hear you."
A smile. "You won't if I don't let you. Or else I'd fail my current job. 'When the war of the beasts brings the world's end. The goddess descends from the sky. Wings of light and dark spread afar. She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting.'"
Rogers only blinked.
He knew that the first quote he had said was from Shakespeare, but his mind blanked when the agent quoted the rest.
"LOVELESS, Prologue," the auburn head finished as he read out a passage from the book before he closed it. He then stood and held his hand out, "Don't mind me, I'm known to be a little eccentric among the agents. I'm Agent Rhapsodos. Although, if you find my last name a bit difficult, you can call me by my first name Genesis."
Steve gave a rather hesitant stance before he took the agent's hand. "Steve Rogers. You can call me Steve if you're alright I call you by Genesis. Your name's rare."
"Indeed." Genesis nodded approvingly. "Makes it easy to find. Not as often as Steve or Rogers for that matter."
"So you're SHIELD's consultant for the Avengers members' initiative?"
"Yes."
"You're rather young. How old are you?"
Genesis chuckled. "I'm already 23. It's a position I was intending to take. They originally were going to put me part of the Avengers Initiative roster. Director Fury was insistent on that, but the higher-ups persuaded him I'd take a much simpler job before I'm counted into the Initiative."
Steve was rolling his eyes. "I'm not sure what's Fury thinking these days. Unless you're a lot more promising to SHIELD than you look." That part was enough to make the old-time soldier wary. How the kid managed to sneak in without alerting him with his enhanced senses was impressive. Not even spies back in the war escaped his hearing. Perhaps these days the spies were improving.
"I practice often," Genesis bluffed smoothly with a grin. "The only agent usually who catches me is Agent Romanoff." He just didn't add the facts that sneaking on Steve was the same as sneaking up on a fellow SOLDIER, which he had done to Angeal on a few occasions. Sephiroth was just plain impossible unless he was distracted. Sneaking up on Natasha was basically sneaking up on a Turk like Tseng.
"She was the first agent I met when I woke up," Steve said. "You're acquainted with her?"
"Yes. She's a co-worker," was a brief reply.
Steve took note of that. 'Great, another spy.' he thought rather bitterly. And a literature eccentric on top of that one. He held himself from doing anything to the younger agent. Genesis didn't need to get any of his anger when it was Fury the one Steve wanted to ask. The young agent probably was only sent here on orders. He had to admit the agent was calm and didn't have any awe look in some agents when they looked at him. It made Steve rather nervous at times when people looked at him with a hero-worship look. Weighing the odds about the agent, he decided he'd take the chance.
"Since you're here, is there anything from Director Fury that he would like to tell me?" Steve asked.
Genesis nodded. "A couple of things, besides that, I'm here to observe and evaluate your condition." From behind him, he took a couple of folders. "Shall we take this to the table or the mini bar?"
"Mini bar," Steve suggested thinking that he had enough training for today. "I could use a couple of cold drinks."
The mini bar was just a few rooms away from his training area. It wasn't modern looking either, but it served as a private area for some agents to drink in the main building. When to the two got there, however, it was empty save the bartender. Genesis had taken some orders from the waitress before they both took a seat at a remote table that was mostly privately out of the way from people walking around the room. Steve had adjusted himself into the seat he was in as the agent shuffled through some folders.
"So," Steve started. "What did the Director want me to know?"
Genesis paused slightly maintaining a calm expression. This was going to be a tough one, so he had gone through the files that morning before breaking the news. "Mostly everything," the auburn haired agent responded. "You can ask of me in your own pace or if you wish... we can have the cat out of the bag here and right now."
"Is this about me?"
"You, what happened to the men and women who worked with you, and we'll save some of the results of the evaluation for later," Genesis said seriously. The ex-Commander eyed Steve carefully as the Super Soldier's eyes narrowed. 'He's suspicious. That's not a good sign,' he thought. From what the auburn haired agent took from the message was that Rogers didn't like bullshit. "I'll be frank to you, Steve. I don't like other information being held from me either, so, the reason I'm here is to evaluate your reactions concerning of... dealing with the past."
"And then what?" Steve asked. He was somewhat guilty when his voice came out rather venomous to the man in front of him than he'd liked.
Genesis' eyes softened. He knew this wasn't going to be easy. "As a consultant, I'm here to advise you on possible solutions."
"So they sent you to be my psychiatrist?" was a half-laughing and appalled reply.
"No. They sent me in because I'm merely reporting to Fury," Genesis countered and snorted. "It's not like I like his methods either."
Steve had to inwardly give a thumbs up to the kid that he was truthful on saying what he didn't like and how they were going to proceed this touchy subject. In fact, he was surprised that even though Genesis was blunt, he was offering the old-timer how fast or slowly he wanted to digest the information. Something Fury wasn't good at these days.
"Okay, where do we start?"
"How fast do you wish to proceed for today?"
Steve bit his lip. "Just... focus on the past first." He wanted to get to the future a little later when the past wasn't so overwhelming.
Genesis nodded as he put the files he knew off by heart in a specific order. First by ordering the soldiers in his team, he wasn't close with, to the last that was his love interest, Peggy Carter. He didn't tell Steve he had other plans for today, perhaps that will also depend on the Super Soldier's reaction.
The first few folders weren't all that taxing at first. Many of them were the expected deceased ranging from Dr. Abraham Erskine, Bucky Barnes (it was odd enough his status was M.I.A.), Howard Stark, and even his old trainer Col. Chester Phillips. Others were lesser soldiers in his unit he knew about. Genesis then started to find that Steve was beginning to feel disturbed when it got to his closer teammates. First the deceased... then the living... then the last folder.
Genesis was wondering when Rogers was going to reach for the last folder that was on the desk. The fact that the auburn haired agent had read the whole five Acts of LOVELESS while he was waiting, and their drinking glasses were now empty, was a clear signal that single folder was the hardest hurdle yet. He knew the expression that Steve wore on his face. It was a face when a soldier was waiting for news on what had happened to their loved ones while they were absent from home and on the war field. Being 70 years too late was probably upping up the ante and Steve's hesitance, a choice whether he'd wanted to read the folder or not.
The clock ticked by and it was noon.
Steve Rodgers just stared at the folder right there on the table as it silently mocked him. The Captain America was afraid of a single manila folder on a desk. He was starting to wonder why Genesis hadn't said anything. Even if the young agent was still observing, why didn't he say anything until now?
"Genesis?"
"Yes?"
"Why haven't you asked why I'm not taking the folder?"
Genesis seemed to avoid his eyes at the moment. Steve only managed to catch a brief pain through those eyes before the they looked the other way. "The contents of that file is personal for you. I don't have any right to stop you from knowing about it. If I took the file away without your permission, then I'm just as guilty as taking a part of life that you've been waiting to know about."
"And what if I don't?" Steve asked back.
Genesis gave the Super Soldier a tired look. "You're a very bad liar Steve Rogers." There was a silence before the auburn haired spy continued, "Catching up to old news is always the worst. Especially when you're the last to know about it."
The elder soldier spotted out there was a hidden bitter tone underneath the statement Genesis had said. "So you've gone through it before?"
"Yes," Genesis replied, his fingers flickered through the pages of the book LOVELESS. "A couple of years too late... and that was a death of a fellow SOLDIER."
Of course, Steve didn't know that SOLDIER was an abbreviation. He kept that information vague, but he wasn't lying that it had been a shock to him to find about Zack's death from Cloud after he awoken from long a deep sleep. That day was enough to make him regret leaving the Puppy on his own after what happened in Banora. It was partially his fault that Zack ended up dead, as there had to be an after effect of that battle before he died in front of Midgar. If Genesis was there with him, perhaps then Angeal's protégé would have survived and lived as a hero, than dying as a hero's sacrifice.
"You were in the army?"
"No. I never was. We ended up in the same training program," Genesis informed, mixing in the facts about his history he had on Earth and Gaia as a whole. "He was in the special forces, but I never knew his death until a few years later."
"I'm sorry," Steve said now feeling terribly guilty. "This... was supposed to be about me."
"No need to apologize," Genesis dismissed it off, as he had dealt with the past some time ago. "Yes it was... but since things have already gone the way they're going, well, I'd think we can be blunt now. Would you like to read the folder, Captain?"
At his hero title, Steve cringed. "They're just papers. Reports from what SHIELD knows... right?"
The Super Soldier always heard and seen on how his former superior Col. Chester Phillips would be the one to read out the K.I.A. statements that were to be written, then sent to the administrative affairs. All there was were the usual condolences and the fact they were dead or not. There was never a statement of how they really died or any last words. It was certainly harsh, but in times of war, it was important in just letting the families know who were dead. The fact that this was Peggy in that particular situation made the circumstances worse.
Genesis was silently waiting patiently for an answer, but when Steve didn't make a decision, he took the simple route.
"She's alive, Steve. She's well– as well as her old age is getting to her."
Steve breathed out a relief at those words, but he was still nervous to think of even touching the folder. There were now so many questions that ruptured his mind. Like did she marry anyone after he was gone, did she have any children, did she even lived her life? He thought knowing that she was alive was enough. But now not knowing whether reading the folder was going to satisfy him or make him go crazy was worse.
Genesis put the folder to the side, but not out of the Super Soldier's reach. "Peggy Carter is in England right now, if you wish to know."
"You're not letting me read the file?" Steve questioned. "Why are you telling me information in the file when I could just read it?"
A sigh. "'We seek it thus, and take to the sky...' I think you know as I do what's written in those types of reports." Genesis then gently said, "They're just statements. You won't find the 'hows' and the 'whys'. Since she's alive, don't you think you'll do more justice for her if you asked her yourself?"
Steve never thought on that idea. The moment he heard Peggy was alive sent his mind reeling. He couldn't even think straight. "When can I meet her?" he asked briskly.
"When Fury clears you fit for work and as long as work doesn't come up," Genesis said dryly. At Steve's disappointed face he said, "Take it easy, I'm not saying you're not fit for work. I'm here to see if your mind is the one up to the task."
With Steve's heavy silence, Genesis was starting to wonder if taking the consultant job was a good idea. He was too truthful and blunt at the current moment. Phil would have done a better job at this, while he was never the one to play babysitter. For some odd and frightening reason, it made him regret on not watching the Super Nanny episodes along with the elder agent when it was movie night at Phil's apartment. While in this life he made an effort to get along with people to survive, he just wasn't the type to go babysitting anyone without no reason. The agent took a deep calming breath and decided it was time for a break.
"It's noon, we're taking a time-out," Genesis announced. He made up his mind it was time for phase two. "Change and get into some civilian clothes, we're eating out."
That shocked Steve out of his thoughts. "Where are we going?"
"Out."
"I know that, but where?" The old-timer still had his eyes on the manila folder about Peggy, but from the way it was being held by the agent and not on the stack told him that the folder wasn't going to be neglected. It was a sign Genesis planned to carry it with him.
Genesis only smirked back, "That's for me to know and for you to find out. Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess."
Steve's eyes twitched at the quote. At Genesis' impression that Steve received, the Super Soldier had a feeling this wasn't going to be just a usual eat out. Captain America was very sure when the agent quoted from a play he didn't know about, it seemed Genesis was giving clues to his unknown motives. Then again, Genesis wasn't ever clear on what he was trying to say through those quotes and prose.
What the hell do they mean?
He shook his head as Genesis seemed to take literature weirdness to another level.
'Well, one way to find out.' thought Steve as he made his decision.
He might as well try to get to know the agent that was trying to help him.
.
.
The underground lab didn't seem as spooky as one would have thought. The shiny metal was the only thing that made the place comfortable... but the idea how it was hidden under the school made Zack have goosebumps on his skin. Consciously he was very aware he knew he had no history of having an aversion to labs or doctors. After when his eyes started to glow and that his dreams started to appear, he subconsciously would try to avoid doctors, needles, and everything that screamed labs in particular.
The black haired teen had tried to distract himself while they took samples of his blood by looking around the interior of the labs. For one, there seemed to be an 'X' theme going on. From the automatic opening metal doors and even to the floor. Xavier, X-gene, and basically X-men (as the more experienced students and the Professor's team they called themselves) was probably the cause for this. It was then he had a flash in his mind that there was a familiar square red logo that was rotated to a diamond angle, but he couldn't register what it read being too fast for his mind to catch up.
Zack felt a wave of nausea afterward as he sat in the room alone waiting for the results.
Being a normal teenager, the he was happier to get rid of those visions. In the back of his mind, though, he felt that they were trying to tell him something important. Zack Fair never considered himself a coward, but he was seriously afraid of what he would find out. All thoughts ceased as the metal doors opened up, as three figures came inside.
In the wheelchair was Professor Xavier, on his right was one of his students Jean Gray and his left also another mutant who was their personal medical doctor, Dr. Hank McCoy. Jean was a psychic like the professor, only she seemed to have a higher potential than Xavier did. And Hank, Zack was a little freaked out at first about his blueish beast-like appearance. Nonetheless, after he found out that the guy was a big teddy bear and a softie, the teen had an immediate liking to him. His mannerisms were familiar to Zack, like his 'mentor' he had in his dreams.
"Is there a reason why Kitty and Peter aren't here?" Zack asked, feeling a bit left out that his friends were dismissed earlier.
The Professor looked at him briefly before he sighed. He then had taken a chance to glance at his student to find that Jean was giving him a look of disapproval and frustration. Hank after, had raised a large blue bushy eyebrow before agreeing the two they needed to tell the boy immediately.
"We wanted to know more about your blood test results and take it to you first before we break the news to your friends," Xavier said calmly.
Beast nodded as with a remote control a large screen showing three different images. "As you can see, the most left is what you would expect of that a normal human, Homo sapien. The middle, Homo sapien Superior or mutants. Yours is on the very right." (4)
Zack looked at it confusedly. "It doesn't seem to be any different from a human's."
The Professor agreed, "That was what we had agreed initially. Until we found out a slight problem."
"Which is?" the teen asked.
"Well, as you know... the Professor and I are psychics. We usually don't have problems in reading other people's minds. With or without permission," Jean said. "But with you, we can't for some reason."
"Huh?!" Zack gasped. "But– but– how?!"
Xavier held up a hand as to calm the boy down. "It's not entirely blank, Zack. When we do look into your mind, however, what we both see are... green energy tendrils of the sort." He turned to Beast. "Hank please show him."
Pressing a few buttons with his remote in hand, Beast showed a zoomed version of his blood sample. "What the Professor means is that it also has come out in your blood samples. It was by accident when we found it. As you can see now, there are no differences when it's under normal visual light... add in a prism that refracts light and we found this."
The teen's eyes widened when he saw it. It was just like what the Professor said. "What is it?"
"Unfortunately, we're not sure ourselves. We think it's the source of why your mind cannot be read by psychics, which blocks us from reading your mind," Professor Xavier stated. "We've never encountered anything like it. But is it correct you started to have visions when you were 16?"
"Yeah," Zack gulped as those energy tendrils were now very familiar to him. He was starting to freak out a bit he was starting to hear things. Whispers.
"Perhaps it's a different mutation?" Jean suggested.
Hank shook his head. "If it was, then the X-gene should still be present."
"Zack?" the Professor asked as the boy's eyes were blank.
"Lifestream," Zack said vaguely. "It's the Lifestream." He suddenly winced and held his head tightly. (5)
"Zack?! Zack! Are you alright?" Jean asked worriedly.
"Hurts..."
"Professor!"
"I can't shut his mind down," was a regretful reply. "Hank, try holding him down!"
Zack didn't remember how he had gotten on the floor, and was holding his head in agonizing pain. There were just too many images for him to get any clear information.
"My son wrote to me once about you, zero attention span, restless as a little puppy." An old aging woman chuckling at him.
A blond spiky haired teen. "Good night, Zack."
"We are... Monsters... We have neither dreams nor honor." A red-clad figure with a black wing.
A silver-haired man. "To be showing your back to the enemy, you're either very confident or very foolish."
"Wings symbolize freedom for those who have none, they don't symbolize monsters." A brunette girl in a formal suit.
A girl tending to her flowers. "I have twenty-three tiny wishes, but you probably won't remember them all, so I put them all together into one... I'd like to spend more time with you."
"Don't worry, we're paid much better than you are." Another man in black agent suit.
The last flash he had been always the familiar warmth he had got to know since he first had his visions before he blacked out.
"Zack, embrace your dreams... If you want to be a Hero, you need to have dreams... and honor."
.
.
At a New York Community center event...
"He looks like he wants to kill you," the lady volunteer said.
Genesis sipped his tea innocently, sitting in front of his friend. "I am aware of that." A pause. "I'm very sure he can hear us as well, Lily."
"From that far away?" Lily asked not believing him in the slightest. But she smiled, "The kids like him, though."
The auburn haired agent was enjoying this too much for wanting to look behind him, knowing he'd only get a glare sent his way. Besides, this method had worked for him in the past. The former SOLDIER was certain that Phil had known that kids had that effect on soldiers in particular. So, he simply let Steve settle in before he himself would join in.
So what if he worked as an agent, Genesis wanted to take up his social life for a bit. Lily, the volunteer of the community center was in charge of the community. She was a small but very tough and hard-working brunette girl. A feisty one that had willing to take him on the challenge when it came to Shakespeare debates. Although all in all, to him she was like an annoying little sister he never had.
For this outing Genesis had taken on civilian clothes, wearing black jeans, black shoes, white t-shirt and a red leather jacket. The jacket was nowhere near like his leather duster, but it was simpler to blend in a bit even though his favorite color was bright. As for the Super Soldier, he had taken on some clothes that were closer to his era but not enough to strike him he was from the 1940's of cream-colored pants and red white blue plaid shirt.
Steve on the other side of the area, had to break his glare quickly as his attention was on the kids again. He was invited to be a part of some activities that had families coming together. At that moment, he was paired up with Steve; ironic as they both had the same name. His father couldn't come that day, and the person who filled in his father couldn't come either (Genesis saying it was supposed to be his superior/mentor). To avoid getting confused, the Super Soldier had used his family name 'Rogers' instead. Today's event was that many pairs/groups of fathers and sons were helping out building a new playground in the local area with the mothers and daughters were in charge of decorating.
Of course, since Steve was physically stronger, many of the boys and girls crowded around him as he helped the other men lay the foundations. They asked him a couple of questions how he got big and strong. Even one of the smaller toddlers wanted him to pick them up and demanded to be put on his shoulders... until her mother apologized to the Super Soldier. Steve only mentioned that he was from the military, which had sparked a twinkle of admiration in 'mini' Steve's eyes. The kid bounced around happily that when he grew up, he wanted to be strong like Steve and his dad was, and that he was good in sports even though he was smaller than the kids his age at 8 years old.
"You think you can do it?" the Super Soldier asked.
Little Steve smiled widely. "Yup! There're a lot of short NBA players that can kick butt!" He then looked to where Genesis was sitting. "Genesis isn't that big either, but Uncle Phil says he's really good and can take some big guys down as big as you if he has to."
"Phil?"
"Dad's friend. I call him uncle. They say they're brothers because he's been a friend of dad's for a long time," the kid answered.
Steve was now curious, maybe he could get to know Genesis a little bit more since the younger agent was so secretive. "When did you meet up with Genesis?"
"When I was in kindergarten I think," Little Steve answered. "He was kinda sad back then. Dad said someone died, and about Uncle Phil taking him in. He doesn't have any parents."
Irony really hit the sore spot there. Steve Rogers had to shake his head in amusement how they both had something in common. They had lost parents, been the small guys that had to prove themselves.
When the elder Steve didn't talk, the kid then said, "But he's happier now. He laughs more often and he likes coming here." The boy seemed to look at him for a moment before asking, "Are you sad too? You had the same look that he did."
Rogers was surprised to find that a kid of all things would expect that from him. "I am. I lost a lot of things. Important people and there's not much left to pick up the pieces."
Then the boy made an odd request. He pointed to the soldier and waved him down to kneel down to his level. Rogers complied, wondering what the kid wanted to say. Boy was he surprised when the small boy tackled him and gave him something he wasn't expecting.
A hug.
"Dad says that hugs are the best cure; to say to somebody it's going to be alright," Mini Steve said in his ear. "Because even the worst things have to pass."
It was a simple gesture that blew the Super Soldier out of his mind. His heart melted a little, and it felt warm. Maybe this was what he needed after being frozen in the ice for so long. Steve hugged the kid back. "Thanks, Steve."
Just a few seconds later another hug was making it heavier on the two.
"Genesis! Get off! You're squishing us!" the smaller of the three complained.
Genesis simply let go but smiled all the same. "I thought I could join in the hug."
The small boy pouted and pointed at his other caretaker telling him off, "Squishing doesn't count!"
"You're finally joining us?" Rogers asked the agent as if challenging him.
Genesis smirked without a doubt. "I just wanted to let you settle in." He then turned to the smaller Steve. "So, what haven't we done today?"
"Well, we can get a tool box and help those guys over there to put together the monkey bars!" the boy pointed. "Come on!" He then dragged the two men with him.
While he was being pulled, Steve Rogers asked Genesis, "Was this part of your plan?"
"Oh, don't take it so serious, Captain," Genesis said quietly but enough for him to hear. "Even soldiers need to lighten up sometimes."
"So do agents?" the Super Soldier asked back.
Genesis shrugged. "Even agents have hearts. The best way to heal sometimes is to mingle with people. You'll be surprised what you'll find." A dramatic pause. "Also, it's my way of getting extra Intel. Gossips are just one of the few ways in getting them," the auburn haired agent added with a wink.
Steve rolled his eyes. "Spies."
The inner Genesis was very giddy he had just won the bet thanks to his acting skills. He had even made sure that he recorded the conversation to show Phil later. Life was good.
The whole afternoon was spent on having a late lunch together, helping out more on the playground, until they were finished. Naturally it would have taken another day to complete it, however with Steve's help (and secretly Genesis') it was finished within one day. Cheers, happy faces, and satisfaction in doing something for others was what the whole group felt. To finish off the day after hard work, everyone all got together in circles, having discussions on what they felt that day which was their way of 'sharing is caring'.
In the midst of the conversations, there were plenty of jokes too.
Lily was the leader for their group. "Alright, a question for the kids!" With eagerness, all the children who took to the game had their attention on her. "It's a voting game! The theme is..." She took out a paper from another top hat, "The Circus!"
The kids cheered.
Some adults laughed while others groaned.
"Now, you children are allowed to point which do you think out of you parents or guardians suit the best role. In return, to any of all adults–if you're pointed at–must act their role~!" Some of the parents started to step a bit back. "Hey! No cheating! No running!" Others just laughed. "Okay, I'll take out a paper from this hat and you have to vote~!"
The first one was the Lion. A large bearded guy had immediately caught the attention of the kids so they pointed to him. The guy had to make sure his roar was loud enough to satisfy the smaller kids which earned him a lot of laughs but loud cheers from the smaller toddlers. However, when they clapped and laughed the bearded man seemed very happy that his daughter of 5 years old was proud of him. The second one was a trapeze artist, and they all pointed to an athletic mom. She happily did a cart-wheel, which the kids were awed at, ending with loud claps.
"Alright, next up... The Ringmaster!"
All the kids pointed to Genesis.
Lily laughed but then asked the kids, "Why him?"
"He's red! Like what ringmasters wear!" a small kid said.
"He looks like a ringmaster!" another kid said.
Steve ushered the auburn haired spy to play his role, which Genesis was more than happy to fulfill. With a spare top hat, he had reintroduced the parents how had been picked before with a flair and eccentrics that would have easily gathered a crowd, earning him whoops and cheers from the large group.
"Who shall we introduce next, dear Lily?" Genesis asked, still the midst of his role.
Lily rolled her eyes again but took another paper in the top hat he had. "The Muscle Man!"
Oh no.
Steve had turned a deep shade of red when all the kids turned to him expectantly. Steve wasn't sure what to do until the mini Steve whispered to him to lift him up off the ground to his shoulders.
"Well, he's missing the jungle rags," there were plenty of chuckles in the group as Genesis said that. "But let's give it for Mr. Rogers the Muscle Man~!"
When the Super Soldier easily balanced the kid standing on his shoulders, earning him the largest claps and cheers. Steve was rather bashful at first but he ended up smiling, in the end, to let the other children know he was enjoying the game. The game ended with everyone getting a role which Genesis had kept on taking his role as the ringmaster to keep doing introductions until the end.
Their next activity was their last game. It was the kids' turn. It was sharing on what they want to be when they grew up and why.
"A boxer! Because they look tough and strong!"
"I want to help people. A doctor!"
"Basketball player! I want to join the NBA one day!"
"I like cooking with mommy, a chef!"
When it was mini Steve's turn, he yelled out, "A hero!"
"Why a hero and what hero do you want to be?" Lily asked as many of the other kids had stopped to listen.
"I want to help save people– like– like Captain America!" Steve smiled brightly. "But I'm not that strong so I want to be a hero like my dad. He's a Firefighter. He said that even Captain America started off like a normal person, but with hard work and that he never gave up he saved a lot of people. It's why Dad couldn't come today, he said he's helping someone." He then saluted to the nearest American Flag which was behind them that was fluttering on a flagpole, which earned him claps from the group.
That stopped Steve's heart for a moment, but he couldn't help but feel touched. In days he spent in this new reality, he had smiled genuinely for the first time. He just can't help feel appreciated and that his life still felt like it was worth living for.
Genesis clapped loudly, he inwardly had to thank the kid for saying that. The kid didn't know the said man was the very person behind him who shared his name. He ticked in his head that Phase two had worked out better than he thought. Oh, yes. He had to thank Phil he was notified of this outing.
At the conclusion of the outing, small Steve was picked up by his dad who had thanked Genesis for standing in while he was busy. The kid gave a large hug Steve thanking him it was one of the best days of his life and the two left, with mini Steve excitedly telling his father what they did that day.
"Enjoyed yourself?" Genesis asked seeing the two leave.
Steve shrugged. "I guess so."
"I have another place I want to visit before sundown. You game?"
"Where to?"
There was a wistful look in the agent's eyes. "Visiting an old friend."
The drive was a quiet one. After they visited a flower shop, they drove into a cemetery, only nearly all the stones were identical, indication one thing. A cemetery for those who died in the military. Genesis was silent all the way in, from walking through the many rows of tombstones. Steve's eyes wondered at the dates there, some ranging as far from World War I to the very most recent conflicts or people who served many wars but have only died recently. The area that they stopped at was simpler than the soldier tombstones, in which Genesis knelt down and laid the flowers.
"Who was he?" Steve asked curiously, although he didn't mention the name on the stone.
Genesis huffed. "He worked as a spy for the government during World War II before later turned to a CIA agent. He was actually my first friend when I was running around in Chicago. Thanks to the things I learned from him, well, I'm doing what I'm doing now."
There was silence before Steve admitted, "It's scary to see all these tombstones. For some reason, I feel like I'm supposed to be in one."
"Because you were from those times?" Genesis asked curiously, as he shoved his hands inside his jacket pockets.
"Yeah." Steve frowned, but then he shook himself out of it. "Um– I suppose I should thank you."
"Hmm?"
"For today. I didn't realize how much I missed out on. Especially after hearing those kids about saying what their dreams were."
The auburn haired spy dismissed and waved him off. "Even heroes are human at heart."
"So are agents who are secretive spies," Steve said back. "I heard from Lil' Steve a bit about your past."
Genesis shrugged. "It's the past, it can stay there. We all have our obstacles, I chose to move on." A pause. "Mind if I ask something?" Steve shook his head and gestured the agent to ask away. "I've learned about how you volunteered for Dr. Erskine to take the Super Soldier Serum. What I have read are reports, but I bet there was a story behind it even after the doctor died, and you still went through in being a soldier. Any reasons why?"
"If I had to sum it up, I suppose it would be in two words. Dreams and honor."
Genesis felt a pang in his heart. 'Angeal.'
"But– there was always the question where I asked, why I was chosen," Steve said he told his story of that one night before he had the Serum in his veins.
.
Decades ago...
"...I suppose that is the only question that matters," the doctor said.
He then showed Steve a wine bottle. "This is from Augsburg, my city. So many people forget that the first country the Nazis invaded was their own. You know, after the last war, my people struggled. They felt weak... they felt small. And then Hitler comes along with the marching, and the big show, and the flags, and the, and the..."
He shook his head and continued, "and he hears of me, and my work and he finds me, and he says 'You. You will make us strong.' Well, I am not interested. So he sends the head of Hydra, his research division, a brilliant scientist by the name of Johann Schmidt.
Now Schmidt is a member of the inner circle and he is ambitious. He and Hitler share a passion for occult power and Teutonic myth. Hitler uses his fantasies to inspire his followers. But for Schmidt, it is not fantasy. For him, it is real. He has become convinced there is a great power hidden in the earth, left here by the gods, waiting to be seized by a superior man. So when he hears about my formula and what it can do, he cannot resist. Schmidt must become that superior man."
The young scrawny man who was Steve asked with a frown, "Did it make him stronger?"
"Yes, but... there were other effects." There was a tired and distraught gaze int the Doctor's eyes. "The serum was not ready. But more important, the man. The serum amplifies everything inside, so good becomes great; bad becomes worse. This is why you were chosen. Because the strong man who has known power all his life, may lose respect for that power, but a weak man knows the value of strength and knows... compassion."
"Thanks. I think," was the unsure reply, but he was glad the doctor believed in him.
"Whatever happens tomorrow, you must promise me one thing. You will stay who you are, not a perfect soldier, but a good man."
.
At the present...
"Is there a reason why you're telling me this?" Genesis questioned.
Steve chuckled. "Well, once upon a time, I was a little guy too."
Genesis blinked in realization before he laughed. He didn't even recognized the connection until Steve made him aware of it. In the back of his mind, it made him happier how it was Steve's saying how there was 'no story, not worth hearing' much like Angeal.
"So Super Soldier, feeling sorry for the 'small' agent, eh?"
At the smugness the younger agent was rubbing him in a way, Steve sighed. "Why don't I feel sorry for you now?" was a sarcastic remark.
"Perhaps the weird don't need pity, just more appreciation," Genesis said cryptically. "There is no hate, only joy. For you are beloved by the goddess. Hero of the dawn, Healer of worlds."
"What poem or play is that?" the Super Soldier asked. Was Genesis referring to him?
Sadly the other man didn't give any clues. "None that you have heard of," The playful tone was an indication that it was going to be the spy's secret alone.
"Fine, I'll ignore that," he huffed at the auburn haired agent. Looking at the tombstones, he then said, "Freedom is sure a high price."
Genesis silently observed Steve as his eyes drifted from stone to stone, as if he was respecting and saying to the dead that he was there to take on their hopes and dreams as he was alive. Captain America compared to Angeal was a much simpler man. He had traits where he defended others much like his best friend but it was not the same. He had far maturity and calmness than Zack Fair would achieve in his lifetime. What strikes Genesis about Steve was his focus, his silent understanding, his will, and right now the sadness he was carrying with him.
Wait a sec.
The words 'Little guy', clicked.
Genesis eyes widened like a train rammed into him. He saw a figure that greatly resembled Steve Rogers.
Cloud Strife.
'Oh, Goddess what have you got me into now?' Genesis inwardly couldn't believe it. Damn the resemblance. Even if the hero of Gaia was worlds/universes apart, there just had to be a counterpart of him somewhere. Well, Phil asked him a favor to watch over the said hero and he promised he'd try. Perhaps knowing how similar they were, could help him in knowing how to handle the Super Soldier. The better part of the deal was that at least the soldier was a lot more open than the spiky blond former infantrymen turned to rogue experimented SOLDIER.
Hesitantly, Genesis took out the manila folder and held it out to Steve. "Do you wish to read it?"
"Is it going to make any difference if I do read it?" was a bitter response.
A shrug. "That's for you to decide, Steve."
"Hey, Genesis. When you read and knew about the death of your friend, what did you do?" Steve wanted to, at least, have something to get by with.
"I searched the first person that was there at the moment of his death," Genesis said. "Just to know what had happened to him. K.I.A. notes are always vague. They don't always tell you the truth. There's a saying that 'the truth will not make you rich, but will set us free'; I'll have to say that was what I felt later when I found out what had happened."
Steve held his hand out but shoved the folder back to Genesis.
"Is that a no?"
"You hold on to it."
Genesis gave the Super Soldier an incredulous look.
"A favor then," Steve said as he pointed out the manila folder. "You hold on to the folder until I meet up with Peggy. When I meet her, I want you to come with me, with the folder. I think I'll be freer if I ask her myself."
"Agreed."
A smile. "You're not a bad person, after all, Genesis. Thanks for today, but I suppose it'll be useless to end the night drinking when I can't get drunk."
That alerted Genesis that it was a challenge before him. "You can't?"
"My metabolism works faster than the average human."
"I may not look like it, but I know how to hold my alcohol," Genesis admitted. Of course, he didn't mention he still had Mako in him with a metabolism that was probably higher than Steve's. "All you need is just the right amount of poison so your metabolism is working on it at a normal pace specifically for you."
Steve raised an eyebrow at that. "You're going to poison me?"
"Alcohol is poison," Genesis said with a grin. "But a good one to have some time to forget about regrets."
"True," Steve agreed but still remembered the time he tried to drink to Bucky's death ended up in failure.
"I know a small bar that has the right contents." Steve was now looking at Genesis in disbelief. "It's a private bar, and don't look at me like that, Rogers. I'm aware on how to mix alcohol. And I certainly would get into trouble in killing you by mistake." Damn sure he was, especially his SOLDIER enhancements that still made him hard to get drunk. All he needed to do was to tweak it a bit to what Captain America could consume. "How fast does your metabolism work at?"
"Four times more than the average human," Steve responded.
Nowhere near as Seph. Then again, he was the perfect SOLDIER.
"Good, get to the car," Genesis ushered the surprised old-timer.
True to Genesis' words the bar was a private one, it was somewhat a mixture of a karaoke room with a small mini bar. Steve was hesitant on how much did he have to pay for this, but the auburn agent dismissed him saying the bar owner was a friend after there was a SHIELD related incident and he had saved the owner's life.
"Have a try on this one," Genesis said after he mixed the contents. He had to tone it down because his own metabolism was higher than Steve's.
Steve just couldn't believe it as he took a sip. "Wow. Is that what it feels like?"
Genesis took out his own mix with a nod. "Aftereffects of alcohol. This bottle should be enough for you. I'll have my own. Your mix will kill the average man."
"Thanks," Steve said with a surprised look upon his face. "I didn't think a spy would watch out for me."
"You're welcome," Genesis said with a smile. "I'm doing someone a favor with my honor on it. I wouldn't dare to break that promise. You're not bad company yourself."
The Super Soldier smiled back. "How about a toast to the little guys? It was something Dr. Erskine did before I was a Super Soldier. We started small but we managed to at least make a difference."
"That I certainly would have to agree with," Genesis held out his glass. Damn hell it was. He was a catalyst back at home. But to celebrate such a thing with a soldier who had so many experiences like his own was comforting. Silently he gave a toast to Cloud Strife who was back in Gaia too.
"To the little guys."
"To the little guys."
Their glasses clinked.
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss
TBC...
Notes/Trivia:
(1) A running gag quote in the Captain America: The First Avenger. During the time Steve is a Super Soldier candidate he asks this question very so often.
(2) Zack has been through SOLDIER Cadet training. He also has a habit of doing squats when he's restless, but he's also the SOLDIER champion for squats back in his time at ShinRa Company.
(3) Earth has given Genesis new literature for him to quote from either than LOVELESS, namely Shakespeare's works.
(4) Homo sapien Superior is the genus classification name for mutants, an evolutionary progeny of Homo sapiens, and are considered the next stage in human evolution, though whether this is true or not is a subject of much debate. - Marvel Database Wiki
(5) Lifestream also known as Spirit Energy, is an ethereal substance called Mako that flows in streams just beneath the surface of the planet of Gaia. It is believed that it contains the memories, emotions, and knowledge of all who have lived on the Planet. - FF wikia
Comments, opinions, your thoughts, very much welcomed.