Hey, guys. I'm back.
Sorry for that brief break. I was getting another story started. It's called Harry Potter and the Third World War. Go check it out.
But, now, I'm back to this one. I'll continue with Harry Potter and the Third World War, but I will keep working on this.
This chapter skips ahead to the start of Captain America: Civil War. By the way, for timeline reference, the last chapter, the one set on Earth-1, took place 4 days after Barry and Oliver's disappearance, while the battle with Savitar took place 4 months after Barry's arrival on Earth-99. So, in this, due to the time difference caused by the breach, one month on Earth-99 is equivalent to one day on Earth-1. And for those of you who are confused, think back to when Barry went to Kara's earth, he was there for a day, but came back to Earth-1 just seconds after he left. Plus, Age of Ultron, when Barry first got to Earth-99, took place in 2015, while Season 3 of Flash took place in 2017, so there'll be a time gap. But, don't try to follow the time stuff too much. It's not super crucial to the story to understand it, and even I don't fully understand it.
Also, I'm not gonna do the fight in Lagos, because Barry won't be there for it. If he did, especially now with the Iron Flash suit, I realistically don't think the tragedy would've happened at all. So, we'll just be cutting to after it.
RhettTheWarrior: I have not started the story with Oliver on Sakaar. I will begin that story after the end of this one. The sequel covering Infinity War will take place after the Oliver on Sakaar story.
Let's just get to the chapter. (AN: This is actually my longest chapter so far)
Chapter 19- A Team Split
Barry walks up to the door of Wanda's bedroom with Steve. He leans in, and sees Wanda in a short black dress, looking right at the TV. Barry looks at the TV, and sees it's a news report on the attack in Lagos last month. The announcer is currently saying "What legal authority does an enhanced individual like Wanda Maximoff have to operate in Nigeria?"
Having had enough already, Barry reaches in, grabs the remote, and turns off the TV. He then walks over and sits down next to his girlfriend.
"It's my fault," she says softly.
"No, it's not," Barry says firmly.
"Turn the TV back on. They're being very specific," she responds.
"No, Wanda," Barry says as he puts an arm around his girlfriend, "You did your best. You saved so many people that day,"
"Yeah, but a lot of people died too, and it's because of me," Wanda says in a tone of self-hate.
"No," Steve says as he follows Barry into the room, stopping beside Wanda's bed, "It's on me, too. I should've clocked that bomb vest before you ever had to deal with it. Rumlow said 'Bucky', and all of a sudden I was a sixteen year old kid in Brooklyn again. And people died. That's on me."
"It's on both of us," Wanda says.
"Oh my gosh, you two. I've had to give this lecture to Oliver. I can't believe I have to give it to you. You blame yourself for stuff you shouldn't. Sometimes, things can't be prevented. Assigning yourself blame doesn't do you any favors. The only thing we can do is press forward and try to force the guilt behind us. Because we will never be able to be the heroes we need to be if we wallow in guilt over our past mistakes," Barry says.
Steve slowly nods. "You are right. This job...we try and save everyone we can. Sometimes that doesn't mean everyone. But, if we can't find a way to deal with that, then next time we may not save anyone."
Wanda looks at the two of them, considering their words. Then, there's a sound from the wall, and the three of them look to see Vision phasing through the wall.
"You know, there's this thing called privacy," Barry says irritatedly. Vision just phasing into her room irked him the wrong way, and he had a feeling that Vision had started to develop a bit of a crush of sorts on Wanda. And that was something he was definitely not okay with.
"Yes, but the door was open, so I assumed that..." Vision says, but stutters to a stop when he sees how everyone is looking at him. He waits for a moment before saying, "Captain Rogers wished to know when Mr. Stark was arriving."
Steve nods and says, "Thank you, Vision. We'll be down soon."
"I'll...use the door," Vision says awkwardly before walking towards the door. He's about to walk out, then turns back and says, "Oh, and apparently he's brought a guest."
"Do we know who it is?" Steve asks.
Vision looks at Barry, a slight uncomfortable look on his face, before he says, "The Secretary of State." He then turns back and leaves.
Barry turns to Steve and Wanda, who are both looking at him. "Ross is here?" Barry asks.
"I guess so. Don't worry, though. We'll keep him off your back as much as possible," Steve says as they walk out of the room.
(Conference room, 15 minutes later)
Barry looks at Ross as he begins to talk.
"Well, five years ago, I had a heart attack, and dropped, right in the middle of my backswing. Turns out, it was the best round of my life, 'cause after 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass, I found something that 40 years in the Army had never taught me. Perspective," he says.
Ross pauses for a moment before continuing, "The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt. You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives. But, while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some who would prefer the word vigilantes."
Natasha looks right at Ross, a slight smile on her face as if amused by him, and asks, "What word would you use, Mr. Secretary?"
"How about dangerous?" Ross reorts. Natasha doesn't respond, so he continues, "What would you call a group of U.S. based, enhanced individuals, one of whom doesn't even come from this world, who routinely ignore sovereign borders, inflicting their will wherever they choose, and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind, or what enemies they bring forward?"
Ross looks pointedly at Barry twice during that whole thing, when he references him. Barry narrows his eyes a bit, and Sam rests a hand on his arm to remind him to stay calm.
Ross moves to the side, and the monitor comes to life with video footage of the invasion of New York. "New York," Ross says simply, as the team watches Hulk smash through a building, sending rubble down on the camera.
The footage switches to three Helicarriers firing on each other and plummeting into the Potomac, sending massive waves surging onto the sidewalks as Ross says, "Washington D.C."
The images change to a city rising into the air. "Sokovia," Ross says. They watch as a high rise falls off the rising city and impacts the ground. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Tony look down, almost out of guilt.
Then, it cuts to the surveillance video of Savitar kidnapping Pepper, and killing the guards. "Savitar," Ross says. Barry stares at the screen, guilt coming over him for being the reason Savitar was unleashed on this world, and anger at Ross for bringing this up.
Then, in changes to the burning building in Lagos. "Lagos," Ross says. It shows one of the victims, lying dead on the group, and Wanda turns away. Barry looks at her comfortingly, his dislike for Ross intensifying greatly.
Also having had enough of Ross reopening old wounds, Steve says, "All right. That's enough." Ross concedes and has his assistant turn off the footage.
"For the last four years, you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate," Ross says. He then turns to his assistant, grabbing a book from him, and says, "But, I think we have a solution."
He sets the book down in front of Wanda, who picks it up and examines the front cover.
"The Sokovia Accords," Ross says, "Approved by 117 countries, it states that the Avengers will no longer be a private organization. Instead, you will operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel deems it necessary."
Steve sits thinking for a moment, then says, "The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place. I feel we've done that."
"Tell me, Captain. Do you kno where Thor and Banner are right now? If I misplaced a couple of 30 megaton nukes, you can bet there'd be hell to pay. Add to that, the government is aware of Mr. Allen's true home, and some do not feel he should be allowed to stay here. Among those that do, many feel if he does not agree to these Accords, he should be locked up for the safety of the world," Ross says.
Everyone on the team looks at Barry, some in concern, some in alarm. Rhodey is the first to recover, and asks Ross, "So, there are contingencies?"
Ross doesn't answer, instead saying, "Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the Accords. Talk it over."
Barry narrows his eyes at Ross. Not only has Ross directly threatened him, but he's made Barry very suspicious with the lack of time given to them.
Ross starts to walk out, and Natasha asks, "And if we come to a decision you don't like?"
Ross turns back to Natasha. He seems to grin slightly as he says, "Then you retire." Barry glares at Ross as he looks at Natasha. Ross stands there for just a moment longer before turning and walking out, leaving the Avengers sitting there, concerned about this new development.
(Over 30 minutes later)
Barry sits back against the couch. He spent 30 minutes speed reading the Accords before handing the book to Steve just a minute ago.
Behind Steve, Sam and Rhodey are arguing over the Accords, with Rhodey being completely supportive of them and Sam being dead set against them.
Barry rolls his eyes as he hears Rhodey making a comment about Ross having a Medal of Honor. As if that makes any difference, Barry thinks.
Rhodey tries to point out how many countries support the Accords, but that doesn't sway Sam at all.
Then, Vision speaks up and says, "I have an equation."
"Oh. Oh this'll clear it up," Sam says sarcastically.
"In the eight years since Mister Stark announced himself as Iron Man, the number of known enhanced persons has grown exponentially. In the same period, the number of potentially world-ending events has risen at a commensurate rate," Vision says.
"Are you saying it's our fault?" Steve asks as he looks up from the Accords.
"I'm saying there may be a causality. Our very strength invites challenge. Challenge breeds conflict. And conflict, breeds catastrophe. Oversight...oversight is not an idea that can be dismissed out of hand," Vision says.
"Except these Accords aren't just about oversight. They're about controlling us," Barry says. While he may agree with what Vision says about the strength of the Avengers inviting challenge, it doesn't make the Accords better.
"Barry, come on. That's not what they're about," Rhodey says.
"Oh yeah, Rhodey? Well what about what Ross said? 'Operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel deems it necessary'. That doesn't sound like control to you?" Barry asks.
Sam pipes up. "And have you also forgotten that Ross basically said no matter what, Barry is gonna get thrown in prison if he doesn't sign? That's not too forceful for you?" he adds. Barry looks at Sam appreciatively, even though Sam is more focused on Rhodey.
Natasha looks over at Tony, and says, "Tony, you're being non-characteristically non-hyberverbal."
"It's because he's already made up his mind," Steve says.
"Boy, you know me so well," Tony mumbles as he stands up. He walks into the kitchen, talking about a headache and complaining about coffee beans in the disposal and the state of the kitchen. He then sets something down, which projects up an image of a young black man.
"Oh, that's Charles Spencer, by the way," Tony says, "He's a great kid, 3.6 GPA, computer engineering degree, had a floor level gig at Intel planned for the fall. But first, he wanted to put some miles on his soul before he parked it behind a desk. See the world. Maybe be of service. Charlie didn't want to go to Vegas or Ft. Lauderdale, which is what I would do. He didn't go to Paris or Amsterdam, which sounds fun. He decided to spend his summer, building sustainable housing for the poor. Guess where? Sokovia."
Barry looks down, as does most of the team.
"He wanted to make a difference, I suppose. I mean, I guess we wouldn't know, cause we dropped a building on him while we were kicking a**," Tony says.
He comes out from behind the breakfast bar and folds his arms. "There's no decision making process here. We need to be put in check. And whatever form that takes, I'm game. If we don't accept limitations, we're no better than the bad guys," Tony says.
"If somebody dies on your watch, you don't give up," Steve says.
"Who says we're giving up?" Tony demands.
"We are if we're not taking responsibility for our actions. This document just shifts the blame," Steve says.
"Sorry, Cap, that is dangerously arrogant. This isn't the World Security Council, it's not SHIELD, it's not HYDRA, this is the a United Nations we're talking about," Rhodey says.
"How do you know that some countries aren't supporting this because it gives them control over us? How do we know this isn't the UN trying to turn us into their own private army? Make us the proverbial gun to the head to make the world fall in line? How do we know the panel won't be corrupt? Or, how do we know that HYDRA couldn't have infiltrated the UN? They infiltrated Congress. Why not the UN?" Barry demands.
"HYDRA, even if they had infiltrated the UN, couldn't have orchestrated this whole thing. This is over half the world combining against us. If we don't do this now, it will done to us later," Tony says.
"Really? Well, what about me? Ross already said the moment I don't follow this, I'm going to prison. How is that okay?" Barry demands.
"Maybe Tony's right," Natasha says, drawing all eyes to her.
"If we have one hand on the wheel, we can still steer. If we take it off..." Natasha says.
Sam interrupts and incredulously asks, "Aren't you the woman who told the government to kiss her a** a few years ago?"
"I'm just reading the terrain. We've made some very public mistakes. We need to win their trust back," Natasha says.
"I'm...I'm sorry. Did you just agree with me or..." Tony says.
Natasha looks up at Tony and says, "Oh, I want to take it back."
"No, no, no. You can't retract it," Tony says.
"Come on, guys! Grow up!" Barry bursts out, and everyone looks at him in surprise, some in shock at that outburst.
"You guys are treating this like it's something worth joking about. This is serious. It's gonna change our lives forever," Barry says angrily. He pauses and looks around at the team before continuing, "Does seriously none of this seem shady to you guys? We've been given three days to decide on this. This has to have been in the works for a while. Why are we just getting this now? Legally, we should've been given more time to read it and consider it. And you guys get the luxury of retiring if you choose not to sign. If I don't sign, I get thrown right in prison. And I know it's because Ross doesn't trust me after Savitar. Making an exception like that based on a grudge, and not giving us enough time to read it and think on it. There's no way that's legal. And that doesn't faze you guys?"
Natasha now looks a lot more uncertain, and to a lesser degree Vision. Sam and Steve look like they definitely agree, while Tony and Rhodey are unfazed. Wanda just looks at Barry, as if not sure.
"Barry, you have to admit Ross has reason for distrusting you after getting used by Savitar. I admit, he's being a little extreme, and I'll see if I can talk him down to at least letting you retire if you don't sign. But with Ross, you never know. Plus, you have to realize what a threat you could be," Tony says to try and make Barry see reason.
"I'm also probably one of the strongest people on this team! And your only hope if another speedster comes to this Earth. I did nothing wrong. Nothing any of you haven't done. Yet I'm being punished for it. How is that fair?" Barry says angrily, his voice rising.
He stares at the team, waiting for someone to say something. When nobody says anything, Barry huffs and says, "Fine. I've had enough of this. I spent 15 years with my life being controlled by the speedster who murdered my mother, and another 6 months being manipulated by Zoom. I swore I would never kill anyone, and I know if I sign and don't kill someone the UN wants me to, I'm done for. I'm not gonna let anyone control my life anymore."
Barry reaches down and pulls off the wristband that can summon the Iron Flash suit to him and throws it onto the couch. "I'm done," he says.
Everyone looks at Barry in shock. Wanda jumps up and says, "Barry, don't. You know I would protect you."
Barry looks at Wanda. "I know Wanda. But I can't sign, and I won't let you be endangered by it," he says.
He looks around at everyone, and announces, "I quit." And with that, he runs out of the Facility
Everyone just stands there in shock. Most of the team can't believe Barry would just leave. But Steve is worried about something else. He has a distinct feeling that the departure of the Flash has started the disintegration of the Avengers.
And, I'll end there.
I hope this chapter was good. I'm not gonna come up with an excuse for why Barry didn't go. I don't consider it important.
For those of you wondering, yes, this is where Ross being Alchemy starts to affect the story. Knowing Ross, I don't think this mistrust of Barry is too far-fetched. I also chose to have Barry leave as it works better with what I have in mind. I also think Barry's departure is just as much to protect the team, especially Wanda, from a vengeful and determined Ross than just him not wanting to sign the Accords.
I tried to include in here some of the problems I find with the Accords. The main one being the Avengers not only not being able to act without the permission of the UN panel, but having to follow the panels orders. That could easily turn into the problem Cap found with Project Insight: the government having a virtually unbeatable gun to hold to the worlds' head.
Now, I decided to put in Barry agreeing with Visions assessment because I think he's the kind of person who would think that. Now, I don't think Barry would necessarily oppose less restrictive oversight. But the Accords don't fit that. The more I think, and the more I read what others have wrote, the more I think that the Accords really are what you'd expect out of North Korea, not countries like the U.S.
Now, I have a quick poll I would like to start. I'm currently trying to think of updates for the Iron Flash suit. I'd like you all to leave ideas for updates in reviews. Barry won't use the Iron Flash suit until the airport battle, so you've got time.
Next chapter should be up within the next day or two. Until then, read and review, and stay tuned.