The Avengers are gathered around a table, Secretary Ross is there.
"He's secretary of state now?" Bruce asked.
Ross says he had a heart attack 5 years ago and he dropped in the middle of his back swing but it was the best round of his life, then says he has 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass.
"Is there a point to this story?" Natasha asked.
Ross says that after that he found something that 40 years in the army never thought him and it was perspective. He says that the world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt.
"It's true." Fury said.
He says that they've fought for them and protected them and risked their lives. He says that many people view them as heroes but others prefer the term vigilantes.
"Reminds me of triple J." Peter said.
Natasha asks Ross what word he would use.
Ross says he would use 'dangerous'.
The avengers cringed at the adjective used to describe them.
He asks them what they would call a group of US based enhanced individuals who ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they chose and seem unconcerned about that they leave behind.
"Remind me again what exactly you and Blonsky were doing to me four years ago." Brue said.
He shows them footage of the battle of New York. Hulk jumps into a building.
Bruce glanced away, awkwardly.
He shows footage of DC. The Heli-carriers crash into the Potomac.
Sam, Steve and Natasha all closed their eyes and looked down.
He shows footage of Sokovia. The city is floating.
The avengers all subtly glanced at each other.
He shows footage of Lagos, the building is burning, paramedics arrive.
Wanda looked extremely guilty.
Steve says that's enough.
A few thankful sighs were heard.
He says that the Avengers have acted without supervision and unlimited power for the past 4 years and says it's an arrangement that the world governments can't tolerate anymore. He says he thinks he has a solution.
The avengers now looked worried. What would this 'solution' entail?
He sets a document down in front of Wanda, she slides it to Rhodey. Ross introduces the Sokovia Accords.
Everyone's eyes widened already relatively familiar with the name, having heard it in the last film.
He says that they're approves by 117 countries and they state that the Avengers will no longer be a private organization but they will operate under the united nations only when they deem it necessary.
"I'm sorry, what?" Steve asked, already disapproving of these accords.
Steve says that the Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place and he says that he feels that they've done that.
Ross asks him if he knows where Thor and Bruce are. He says that there would be consequences if he misplaced 30 nukes.
"Did he just call us nuclear weapons? How is that a fair comparison?" Bruce asked.
He says the the world works through compromise and reassurance and this is the middle ground.
Rhodey says there are contingencies.
Ross says the UN will meet in Vienna to ratify the accords and tells them to talk it over.
"Something tells me there wont be much 'talking'." Clint said.
Natasha asks what happens if they come to a decision he doesn't like.
Ross says they'll retire.
"I don't like this." Steve said.
'Cleveland' appears on the screen. Karpov is eating.
"Oh, this asshole." Scott said.
A car crashes outside, he looks outside. Zemo asks if this is his car and says that they could take care of it themselves but it's okay if he wants to call the cops.
"That one's the real asshole." Bucky said, referring to Zemo.
Karpov says no cops. Zemo thanks him. Karpov unlocks the door and opens it, Zemo punches him in the face.
"Whoa!" Everyone exclaimed, not expecting that.
"Why did he do that?" Quill asked.
Zemo breaks a hole in a wall, he takes out a box. Karpov is tied upside down over the sink, the water is running. Zemo dumps out the contents of the box, revealing the red book.
Everyone tensed.
"This isn't good." Sam said.
He looks through some files. Zemo tells Karpov that he's kept his looks and asks for the mission report from December 16th, 1991.
Bucky hissed in a breath.
Karpov asks him who he is.
Zemo introduces himself and repeats his previous question and asks for the mission report from December 16th, 1991.
Karpov asks Zemo how he found him.
Zemo says Natasha released Hydra files to the public when SHIELD fell.
Natasha blinked.
"Oh no."
He says that there were millions of pages and most of it was encrypted and difficult to decipher. He says he has expierence and patience and if a man has those he can do anything.
"Well, on that point, he's not wrong." Tony said.
Karpov asks Zemo what he wants.
Zemo asks for the mission report from December 16th, 1991.
Karpov tells him to go to hell.
That action took everybody by surprise, seeing as someone in his position would typically do the exact opposite.
Zemo says Hydra deserves its place on the ash heap.
"That's true."
Zemo tells him that his death wouldn't bother him but he'd have to use the book and blodier methods to get what he needs and he doesn't look forward to that.
"So, if Karpov doesn't... cooperate, Zemo will go to you next?" Steve asked Bucky.
Zemo tells Karpov that he'd only be dying for his pride.
"Oftentimes, that is the downfall of every man." Fury said.
Zemo turns the water back on. Karpov says 'hail Hydra' and struggles for a few seconds before he dies.
"My god." Hope said softly.
Tony staring blankly at the screen, the scene having reminded of his brief time in Afghanistan.
Back at the compound, Sam and Rhodey are arguing. Rhodey tells Sam that Ross has a congressional medal of honor which is one more than he has.
"Is that how you want to do this?" Sam asked Rhodey.
Sam says to suppose they agree to it then asks how long it would be before the UN LoJack's them like a group of common criminals.
Rhodey tells him that 117 countries want to sign it and Sam's saying 'No, that's cool. We got it.'
Sam asks Rhodey how long he's going to play both sides.
"Why can't someone both agree and disagree with something?" Thor asked.
"Seems a little contradictory, don't you think?" Sam asked.
"Not at all, there can be aspects of something that someone likes and aspects of the same things that they don't like." Thor said.
Vision says he has an equation.
Sam sarcastically says that that will clear it up.
A few people rolled their eyes at the childishness.
Vision says that in the 8 years since Tony announced he was Iron man, the number of known enhanced people has grown exponentially. He says that during the same time, the number of world ending events has risen at a commensurate rate.
"So... you're saying it's our fault." Steve said.
"No, he's saying that there's a correlation." Tony said.
Steve asks Vision if he's saying that it's their fault.
Vision says he's saying that there may be a casualty. He says that their strength invites challenge and challenge incites conflict and conflict breeds catastrophe.
"You're saying... that because we exist and have made ourselves known, that people naturally want to challenge us." Natasha said.
Vision says oversight is not an idea that can be dismissed out of hand.
Rhodey says 'boom.'
A few people stifled their giggles.
Natasha tells Tony that he's being uncharacteristically non-hyperverbal.
"Yeah... I don't like it." Clint said. "It worries me."
Steve says that it's because Tony's already made up his mind.
Tony says Steve knows him so well then says that he's actually nursing an electromagnetic headache.
"You have made up your mind though, haven't you?" Bruce asked.
Tony walks into the kitchen and says that what's going on is just pain and discomfort. He asks who's been putting coffee grounds in the disposal and asks if he's running a bed and breakfast for a biker gang.
A few people started giggling.
"Yes, that is exactly what you're doing." Shuri said through her laughs.
He shows them a picture and says that it's Charles Spencer and says that he's a great kid who has a computer engineering degree and a 3.6 gpa.
"Tony..." Rhodey said.
Tony says Charles had a floor level gig at Intel planned out for the ball but before that he wanted to out some miles on his soul before he worked behind a desk. He says Charles wanted to see the world and be of service.
Everyone stared at the screen, sadly.
He says Charles didn't want to go to Vegas or Fort Lauderdale or Paris or Amsterdam. He says Charles wanted to spend his summer building sustainable housing for the poor in Sokovia.
The avengers, now had guilty looks on their faces. A of that destruction, all fo the devastation was caused, in part, by them.
Tony says he supposes Charles wanted to make a difference but they wouldn't know because they dropped a building on him when they were kicking ass.
Everyone cringed at the wording.
Tony says that there isn't a decision making process there and says that they need to put in check and he's game for whatever form that takes. He says that they aren't any better than the bad guys of they can't accept limitations or boundaries.
"He has a point." Loki said.
Steve tells Tony that he shouldn't give up if someone dies on his watch.
Tony asks who said that they're giving up.
Steve says that they are if they aren't taking responsibility for their actions and says that the accords just shift the blame.
"No it doesn't. It's making us take responsibility for the destruction that we helped cause." Tony said.
Rhodey tells Steve that what he said is dangerously arrogant. He says that they're talking about the United Nations, not the World Security Council, SHIELD or Hydra.
Steve says that it's run by people with agendas and says that agendas change.
"Everyone has an agenda, Steve." Rhodey said. "Not just people in positions of power."
"Maybe so, but they're typically worse with people in power." Steve said.
Tony says that that is good and that's why he's there. He says that he shut down his weapons manufacturing when he realized that they were in the wrong hands.
"But that was your choice, this isn't a choice." Steve said.
Steve tells him that he chose to do that and says that they surrender their right to choose if they sign. He asks what happens if the UN sends them somewhere they don't think they should be and asks what if there is somewhere they should go and the UN doesn't let them. Steve says that they aren't perfect but the safest hands are still their own.
"He also has a point." Loki said.
"Who's side are you on?" Sam asked.
"Both." Loki said simply. "Both of them have valid arguments."
Tony says that this will be done to them later of they don't do it now. He says it won't be pretty.
Wanda says that Tony's saying that they'll come for her.
Vision says they'll protect her.
"We would protect you."
"We would."
Natasha says Tony might be right.
Tony choked. "Did-did you just agree with me?" He asked.
"You're as surprised as we are." Clint said.
Natasha says they can still steer if they have one hand on the wheel.
Sam asks her if she's the same woman who told the government to kiss her ass 2 years ago.
"And come to think of it, didn't you do something similar to the senate about the government taking the suit?" Sam asked Tony. "Why are the two of you siding with the government now?"
Natasha says that she's reading the terrain and says that they've made some very public mistakes and they need to win the people's trust back.
"And how are they supposed to trust us if we continue like we have been?" Natasha asked.
Tony asks if he misheard her or if she agreed with him.
Natasha says she wants to take it back.
Tony says she can't retract it then thanks her and says that the case is closed and he wins.
"That's not-" Steve cut himself off with a sigh.
Steve gets a text, it reads: 'She's gone. In her sleep.' Steve says he needs to go then he leaves.
A lot of people looked confused. Who was gone. Everyone else, however, could decipher just who the text was referring too.
'London' appears on the screen. A children's choir is singing. Steve and other pallbearers are carrying a casket.
Steve's eyes started watering.
A picture of Peggy is shown.
Everyone gasped softly.
Peggy looked down. She couldn't say that she was shocked, she also couldn't say that she wasn't shocked. Her 2016 self was in her 90s and ill. But it is surprising, finding out that you're dead.
Steve didn't know what to feel, Peggy was the love of his life. Finding out she is dying- he just feels empty now.
The minister invites Sharon up to say a few words. Sharon walks up to the podium. Steve looks shocked to see her. She says Peggy was known to most as a founder of SHIELD but she only knew her as Aunt Peggy.
Peggy smiled upon seeing her niece.
Sharon says that Peggy had a picture of herself next to JFK in her office and says that she thought that was pretty cool when she was a kid.
"That's actually awesome." Scott said.
She says it was a lot to live up to so she never told anyone that they were related.
Peggy frowned a little hearing that.
Sharon says she once asked Peggy how she mastered diplomacy and espionage at a time when nobody wanted to see a woman succeed at either. She says that Peggy said compromise where you can and when you can't don't.
"That's good advice." Carol said.
SHe says that Peggy said even of everyone is telling you that something wrong is right and the whole world is telling you to move is is your duty to plant yourself like a tree and say 'no, you move.'
'That's exactly what I'm gonna do.' Steve thought.
Steve is alone in the church, Natasha walks up to him. Steve says when he came out of the ice he thought that everyone he'd known was dead. He says he found out Peggy was alive and says he was lucky to have her.
Natasha says that she had him too.
"We had each other." Peggy said.
Steve asks who signed.
Natasha says that Tony, Rhodey and Vision did.
Steve asks about Clint.
"Aw, don't drag me into this please." Clint said.
Natasha says that Clint said he's retired.
Steve asks about Wanda.
Natasha says that it's to be determined and says that she is going to Vienna for the signing and tells Steve that there is plenty of room on the jet.
"You know I can't sign them." Steve said.
Natasha says that just because it's the path of the least resistance doesn't make it the wrong path. She tells him that staying together is more important than how they stay together.
"She's right."
Steve asks her what they're giving up do do it then tells her that he can't sign it.
Natasha says she knows.
Steve asks her why she's there.
Natasha tells him that she didn't want him to be alone. They hug.
Everyone smiled at the sweet moment between friends.
'Vienna.' appears on the screen. A reporter says that 117 countries have come together to sign the Sokovia accords.
"Here we go..."
T'Challa is looking out a window.
Offscreen, T'Challa was tense. He was too busy focusing on what was about to happen.
A staff member tells Natasha that they need her signature. Natasha signs it.
T'Challa walks up to her and says he supposes that neither of them are used to the spotlight.
Natasha says that it isn't always flattering.
"Oh, well, it's not always so flattering."
Everyone made hums of agreement.
T'Challa says that she seems do be doing well so fat then says that he wouldn't think she'd be comfortable in this company considering her last trip to capitol hill.
"Yeah, well..." Natasha trailed off her unfinished thought.
Natasha says she isn't.
T'Challa says that that makes him glad she's there.
Natasha asks of he doesn't approve of all this.
T'Challa says he approves of the accords but not the politics.
"I agree with that sentiment." Rhodey said.
T'Challa says that 2 people in a room can get more done than 100.
T'Chaka says that's thats unless they need to move a piano.
"He's right about that." Tony said.
T'Chaka and T'Challa greet each other. T'Chaka greets Natasha.
Natasha apologizes for what happened in Nigeria.
T'Chaka thanks her for agreeing to all of this and says that he's sorry that Steve won't be joining them.
Natasha says she is too.
Steve cringed.
A man, over the PA, tells everyone to be seated because the assembly is in session.
"This is it."
T'Challa says that that is the future calling and says it's a pleasure. Natasha leaves.
T'Chaka, in Xhosa, tells T'Challa that he's getting good at diplomacy for someone who disapproves of it.
T'Challa, in Xhosa, says he's happy.
They thank each other.
Everyone smiled at that.
T'Chaka says that the Wakandans were forced to question their legacy when stolen vibranium was used t make a terrible weapon.
The Wakandans glanced at each other.
T'Chaka says that the people killed in Nigeria were a pert of a goodwill mission from a country that has spent too long in the shadows. He says that the won't let misfortune drive them back and says that they'll continue to fight and improve the world that they wish to join. He says he's grateful that the Avengers support the initiative.
"Well, half of us support it." Tony said quietly.
T'Challa sees something suspicious outside. T'Chaka says Wakanda is proud to extend its hand in peace.
T'Challa tells everyone to get down. A bomb hits the buidling.
"Holy shit!" Everyone exclaimed.
T'Challa crawls over to his father and checks for a pulse. He looks distressed and cradles T'Chaka's body in his arms.
T'Challa and Shuri were both crying, and hugging one another for comfort.
Steve is talking with Sharon. She says that her mom tried to talk her out of enlisting but Peggy didn't and says that Peggy bought her her fist thigh holster.
"So... you were the cool aunt." Hope said.
Steve says it's practical.
Sharon says it's stylish too.
"You got that right." Natasha said.
They walk up to the elevator. Steve asks if the CIA has her stationed there.
Sharon says she's in Berlin on a Joint Terrorism tasl force.
Steve says that sounds fun.
Shaor agrees.
The spies in the room laughed.
Steve says that he's ben meaning to ask something. He says that when she was spying on him from across the hall-
"Doing her job." Maria corrects.
Sharon asks if she means when she was doing her job.
Steve asks of Peggy knew.
Sharon says Peggy has so many secrets and she didn't want her to have one from Steve.
Steve smiled a little at that.
Sam arrives and tells Steve that there's something he needs to see.
"Yeah."
They are in a room, watching the news, Sharon is on the phone. The reporter says that a bomb hidden in a news van ripped thorough the UN building in Vienna and more than 70 people were injured and at least 12 were dead, including King T'Chaka.
"My god."
The reporter says that officials have released a video of a suspect who's been identified as the Winter Soldier.
Steve glanced at Bucky, who looked angry and... resigned.
"It wasn't- I didn't-" Bucky said.
"I believe you." Steve said.
The reporter says that the Winter Soldier is an infamous Hydra agent who has been linked to numerous acts of terrorism and political assassinations.
Sharon says she needs to go to work.