chapter 3

Captain America's hesitation was understandable, but Rick wouldn't be deterred. He slapped the robot's chassis with a resounding clang. "Don't worry, Cap," he slurred, burping slightly, "I know what I'm doing. This thing's about to get a serious upgrade."

Before Captain America could protest further, Rick whipped out a vial of glowing green liquid. "This little beauty," he announced, holding it up to the light, "is a concentrated dose of multiversal energy. It'll supercharge this hunk of junk and give it capabilities you've never dreamed of."

He popped the cork and poured the liquid into a panel on the robot's back. The machine shuddered and sparked, its eyes glowing with an eerie intensity. Captain America instinctively raised his shield, but Rick waved him off.

"Relax, Cap," he said. "This is just the beginning."

With a flourish, Rick pulled out a remote control and pressed a button. The robot's limbs whirred and clicked, transforming into a sleeker, more aerodynamic form. Its chest plate opened, revealing a glowing energy cannon.

"Behold!" Rick exclaimed, arms outstretched. "The Rick-inator 5000! It can fly, shoot lasers, and even make a decent cup of coffee."

Captain America stared at the transformed robot, a mixture of awe and unease on his face. "You did all this in a matter of minutes?"

Rick shrugged. "Time is a relative concept, my friend. And besides, I'm a genius."

He gestured towards the robot's control panel. "Hop in, Cap. Let's take this baby for a spin."

Hesitantly, Captain America climbed into the cockpit. Rick took a seat beside him, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Hold on tight, Cap," he said, revving the engine. "This is gonna be a wild ride."

The Rick-inator 5000 soared into the sky, leaving a trail of smoke and sparks in its wake. Captain America gripped the controls, amazed by the robot's speed and agility. They swooped and dived through the city, dodging skyscrapers and startled pigeons.

Rick laughed maniacally, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "See, Cap? This is what I'm talking about! Adventure! Excitement! The thrill of the unknown!"

He reached for a lever, activating the energy cannon. "And now for the grand finale!"

A beam of green energy shot out from the robot's chest, striking a nearby building. The structure crumbled, but miraculously, no one was hurt.

Captain America recoiled in horror. "Mr. Sanchez, you could have killed someone!"

Rick shrugged. "Eh, collateral damage. Happens to the best of us."

Captain America's jaw tightened. "This isn't a game, Sanchez! You're reckless and irresponsible. People could have been hurt!"

Rick waved him off. "Relax, Cap. It's just a building. No one important was in there."

The dismissive tone was the final straw. Captain America's eyes narrowed with disgust. "You're a menace, Sanchez. You don't care about anyone but yourself."

He reached for the controls, wrestling them from Rick's grasp. "This joyride is over."