Having called an Avengers meeting, Captain America literally runs into Rick Jones atop Avengers Mansion; Cap reveals to a tetchy Rick that it was a disguised Red Skull, not him, who recently ended their partnership. Once the meeting convenes, SHIELD agent Dum Dum Dugan informs the team over a video link that Scorpio has kidnapped three missing city officials, and that Nick Fury has been killed by Hydra assassin Bulls-Eye. Rick informs the group of his recent encounter with Scorpio, but as the group discusses the list Scorpio dropped, a gloating Scorpio overrides the transmission to appear on the video screen, reveals the abductions were a ruse to gather them together, and subdues the heroes with the Zodiac Key. Awakening as captives, the Avengers are handed over to the Zodiac, a prize to buy Scorpio re-admission into the Zodiac’s ranks. However Yellowjacket and Wasp call ants to sabotage the stasis beam holding them. As the Avengers battle the Zodiac, Scorpio assists them, revealing he is actually a disguised Nick Fury. Captain Marvel asks Rick to let him fight, but Rick refuses, feeling he has something to prove, and when the Avengers and Fury are stunned by Aries using the Zodiac Key, an overlooked Rick grabs the villain’s arm, diverting his killing blast. The Zodiac flee and Fury explains how he survived Hydra’s attack, and that he had impersonated Scorpio to draw out the Zodiac. Cap congratulates Rick and asks to renew their partnership, but Rick refuses, deciding to continue helping Marvel.