chapter 2

The crowd parted as Rick approached the downed robot. He swatted away a gawking teenager who tried to take a selfie with him. "Move it, kid," he grumbled, pulling out a multi-purpose tool from his lab coat pocket.

He knelt beside the massive machine, examining its intricate circuitry and advanced weaponry with a mix of awe and disdain. "Impressive," he muttered, "but clearly built by someone who doesn't understand the true potential of interdimensional technology."

A figure clad in red, white, and blue swooped down from the sky, landing gracefully beside Rick. "Hey there, stranger," Captain America said, his voice surprisingly deep and reassuring. "Mind if I ask what you're doing?"

Rick glanced up, taking in the superhero's chiseled features and star-spangled shield. "Just making some improvements," he replied, gesturing towards the robot. "This thing's got potential, but it needs a little Rick Sanchez touch."

Captain America raised an eyebrow. "Rick Sanchez? The name sounds familiar..."

Rick smirked. "I'm a legend in my own dimension, Cap. But I'm sure you wouldn't understand."

He continued to tinker with the robot, muttering to himself about quantum mechanics and multiversal energy fields. Captain America watched with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Look, Mr. Sanchez," he said, "I appreciate your help, but I'm not sure tampering with dangerous technology is the best idea."

Rick scoffed. "Dangerous? This is just a toy compared to the stuff I've built. You wouldn't believe the things I've seen, the places I've been..."

He trailed off, a wistful look in his eye. He missed Morty, his clumsy but loyal sidekick. He missed the familiar chaos of Dimension C-137. But this universe, with its endless possibilities, held a certain allure.

"What do you say, Cap?" Rick asked, turning back to the superhero. "You wanna see what this baby can really do?"

Captain America hesitated. "I don't know, Mr. Sanchez. It seems risky."

Rick grinned. "Risk is my middle name, Cap. And besides, isn't that what being a superhero is all about?"