Tales Of The Symbiote Saiyan: Captain America And Master Roshi

Royal Serenity Zemo Part 1

Captain America and Master Roshi ran down the hallway. According to the map on the wall they had just passed, they were heading towards the intersection where the path to the Red Skull and the Winter Soldier would fork off. Many of the soldiers had tried to halt their progress, but due to their lack of martial arts and power levels, they were unable to stop the pair of Z Fighters. Finally, with little resistance left, the students of Master Mutaito stood at the intersection. It was just an emotional crossroads as it was a physical one.

"There is no reason to be scared Steve." Roshi said, understanding the turmoil his friend was going through.

"You and I know it's a difficult decision to make. Last time I made this choice, I lost my best friend." Steve responded with pain in his voice.

"Yet you know you will always make the choice for the greater good." Roshi said with serenity with his fellow veteran responding with a nod.

"Just like last time at this very place three hundred years ago....with only one difference." Roshi continued.

"And what's that?" Steve asked, his emotional state not allowing him to fully warp around what the Turtle Hermit was saying.

"If there is one hard lesson we had to learn, we have the help of others to carry our burdens. I should have accepted Tien's help to defeat Piccolo. When Bucky first attacked us, it was Wong, Oolong, Puar, Bandages, Turtle, and Baba who came to our defense. When we needed help defending King Osborn, it was Bulma, Phin, and the Rhino who came to our aid. Finally, just now Zemo of all people helped keep Crossbones and Sin busy. Just as I should have been at your side then instead of on my own fighting Hydra, I can carry the load for you now. I know saving Bucky means a great deal to you, so please....let me be the one to confront the Red Skull. You don't have to do this alone." Roshi requested as he held out his hand.

It took a few minutes for Steve to register what Roshi was saying before it all clicked. When he had met Darkness in an effort to obtain the Ultra Divine Water, she had to teach him the value of accepting loss. Now he realized that she was also teaching him the value of relying on others. Master Muten Roshi had taken many of the same steps he had done, training under Master Mutaito and Korin, battling the likes of the Red Skull, Green Goblin, and Demon King Piccolo. On top of that, while Cap was stuck in the rice cooker, Roshi had gained far more experience as a teacher. Roshi was more than up to the task of taking Schmitt by himself and this was his choice to make. There was no shame in accepting help.

"We will make it out of this. Together." Captain America said as he accepted Roshi's hand.

"Don't worry, I don't plan on taking another visit to King Yemma just yet." Roshi said with a smirk.

"Who's King Yemma?" Captain America asked, confused who Roshi was referring to since he hadn't had the pleasure of dying yet.

"No one you need to worry about right now." Roshi answered with a humorous laugh. "Now, let's go save the world."

Meanwhile, back outside in Hydra's courtyard....

Much how their fight went with Rescue, Zemo's Thunderbolts were doing quite well fighting off Crossbones and Sin. With Taskmaster being far stronger and teamwork on their side, it was likely that the Thunderbolts would prevail. However, with Hasky not present, their opponents more aware of their moves, and Sin being more powerful than anticipated, victory would take a lot more time than anticipated if achieved.

"Face it Zemo. You were just a tool for your father and the Red Skull! A figurehead placed in the event Demon King Piccolo would fall. All those delusions of wanting Hydra to be a force for peace and good. Such dreams were meant to be crushed under my Fuhrer's boot!" Crossbones said as he threw an energy blast at Zemo, to which the purple hooded fighter ducked and rolled out of the way to avoid, letting the blast explode behind him.