I apologize it's taken me so long to update. I recently moved and even once that was done, it felt like something would happen every time I tried to sit down to write this chapter so I wouldn't have the time anymore. But I'm going to try and do better in updating this more frequently; I still have every intention of completing this.
TW: We'll see it at some point, but there are a lot of things going on. It's only been a few days since they returned to the present, there's still a few weeks until Lagos.
Ellie Bishop: Thanks. Indeed T'Challa is. Yep.
Guest: Yep. Honestly, I always assumed it was a combination of the second and third option. He was angry about Klaue but it was his broken promise that convinced W'Kabi that T'Challa was unworthy. And if he'd turn on T'Challa because of a broken promise, like you said, it implies that he was always going to turn on him once he was unhappy with T'Challa's rule. Tell me about it on Steve/Nat. Well, Joss Whedon is a dick. That is really all that needs be said on the matter. Its fine.
Asgard
Morning
In the palace, Thor looked out over Asgard, over what would soon be his kingdom.
"Are you alright Thor?" Heimdall asked as he walked up behind him. "You seem…reflective."
"I am about to become king. It is a time to reflect," Thor said absently as he looked out over Asgard once more. "I spent my entire childhood wishing for this day. It doesn't feel as exciting as expected."
"The burden of leadership never does," Heimdall noted and Thor nodded.
"How is my brother?" Thor inquired.
"Loki has remained in his room, under guard as per your orders. He eats his meals but is oddly quiet," Heimdall explained.
Thor nodded a frown on his face. So his brother's condition had not changed since they returned home. It would appear he would need to talk to his brother sooner rather than later.
Avengers Compound
Same time
"So you and Nat are going on a date?" Sam asked as he and Steve walked back into the Compound, having gone for a run around the premises.
"Right now, it's just two friends having lunch together. We'll see where it goes after that," Steve shrugged.
"Proud of you Steve. First part of really moving on is being willing to see what's out there," Sam said as he clapped Steve on the shoulder. "So, where you gonna take her?"
"No. No. God No," Natasha said, going through her closet and dismissing various outfits, her cellphone propped up against her ear. "None of these really scream 'date'."
"Don't you have all those outfits you used for seduction missions?" Clint asked on the other end of the call.
"Not trying to seduce Steve here Hawkeye," Natasha grumbled.
"Okay, fair," Clint admitted. "Never heard you sound nervous before, even with Banner."
"Because I never actually had feelings for Bruce, there was never a chance of getting hurt with him," Natasha said softly and there was silence on the other line. "I called you for help, not so you could be quiet while I panic here."
"Just trying to think of what to say. But here's me putting on my 'gal pal' hat," Clint said and Natasha snickered at the image. "Nat, you deserve to be happy. Maybe that's with Steve, maybe it's not. But regardless, Cap isn't gonna care what you're wearing, he's gonna care about you. Just…relax. Be yourself."
"You're surprisingly good at this," Natasha said, feeling a lot of the tension draining from her shoulders as she listened to Clint's words.
"Had a lot of practice with Laura. Never thought I'd be on this side of it though," Clint mused and Natasha laughed. "Speaking of girls, how's Wanda doing?"
"Still kind of withdrawn. She seems to disappear between breakfast and training. At night, we don't see her after dinner but she always somehow ends up in her bed by morning," Natasha admitted, as bewildered by Wanda's behavior as the others.
In the Med-Bay, Wanda was sitting down next to Bucky's cryo-chamber, her eyes closed as she had a hand on it.
Wanda and Bucky sat in a replica of Central Park. Wanda smiled slightly as Bucky looked around at the familiar sites. This seemed to be one of the few places he recognized in the present.
"You've really never been here?" Bucky asked in surprise.
"No, I mostly built this out of your description," Wanda admitted.
"Nice," Bucky whistled impressed. "You are good."
"Thanks," Wanda said blushing slightly.
It had been a long time since a handsome man had paid her a compliment. Wanda couldn't say the feeling was unwelcome.
"You're pretty powerful," Bucky noted and a sad smile flashed across Wanda's face.
"I guess. I still can't completely control it. It scares me sometimes," Wanda admitted as she looked down at her hands.
"I'm scared of myself to. I know what I'm capable of when I'm out of control," Bucky said softly, his eyes haunted by his many dark deeds as the Winter Soldier.
"Not exactly the same though, is it?" Wanda asked softly.
"No," Bucky acknowledged. "I'm just saying I know what it's like to know the destruction you can create and be afraid of it."
Bucky glanced down at his robotic arm, likely remembering the many sins the Winter Soldier had carried out with it as Wanda mused on his words. While their stories were different in many ways, they had both been used by Hydra, made into their weapons without a full understanding of what was happening.
"What a pair we are," Wanda said dryly and Bucky smiled tightly.
"You're telling me."
Avengers Tower
Same time
"Mr. Stark, why exactly did you wish for my assistance?" Vision inquired as Tony led him into the work shop.
"Well actually, I need both your help," Tony said.
It was at that moment that Vision saw Scott waiting for them in the workshop. Judging by the empty cup of coffee by a nearby table, Scott had been here a while.
"Hey," Scott said in greeting, awkwardly waving at Vision.
"Mr. Lang," Vision greeted politely.
"Okay, so now that we're all here, let's get down to business. Friday, bring up Toomes," Tony ordered.
Wordlessly, Friday brought up a holographic screen that had a picture of Toomes.
"That's him then?" Scott asked and Tony nodded.
"Adrian Toomes, head of one of the construction crews that was put out of work after the Chitauri invasion. He got his hands on some Chitauri tech and turned it into weapons for him and his screw. He fancies himself the next Kingpin, except he likes to keep out of any serious criminal involvement," Tony explained as he glanced over at Toomes.
"You want our assistance in stopping him," Vision realized.
"If it comes to that. But first, I'd like to try and talk him down. I'm kind of responsible for Toomes turning to crime. I'd like to try and make up for it," Tony said as he looked back at the screen with a guilty look on his face.
"I get that Tony, but if Toomes is anything like Darien Cross, he might not want to back down," Scott cautioned him.
"And if that's the case, we'll take him down. But first, I have to try," Tony said still looking at Toomes picture.
Wakanda
Same time
In the Throne Room, T'Challa sat as a council was held. In addition to the representatives of each tribe, there was also his family and Okoye who stood in the room. But he knew they all questioned the empty seat in the room.
"My king, may I question the point of the extra chair?" the Merchant Tribe Elder asked.
"I have summoned one more for this council, should he choose to accept my offer. I've instructed the guards to let him in," T'Challa said as he checked the time, wondering if M'Baku was going to refuse.
No sooner had he considered this train of thought than the doors opened. T'Challa smiled as the others rose, staring in shock as M'Baku was led in by the Dora Milaje.
"You are late," T'Challa informed him.
"Apologies. It is a long way from the mountain," M'Baku said and T'Challa heard the slightly mocking tone in M'Baku's voice but chose to ignore it.
It would take time to ease M'Baku's doubts, he knew. But he had seen in the recordings that M'Baku had become a stanch ally. T'Challa hoped that would remain true here.
"My king, what is the meaning of this?" W'Kabi asked trying to carefully control his voice.
"I have offered M'Baku a seat on the council," T'Challa announced, to the shock of all.
"Brother, you cannot be serious!" Shuri exclaimed.
"I am serious as I have ever been Shuri," T'Challa said, glancing over at her with steely eyes before turning back to his shocked parents and the other members of the council. "The Jabari have remained separate from Wakanda long enough. Only together will we be able to defend our home from those who wish to do us harm."
"My son, what have you done?" T'Chaka whispered softly, glancing between M'Baku and T'Challa horrified.
"What was necessary for Wakanda's future, as well as the worlds," T'Challa said simply, staring at his father defiantly.
He knew the council would not like this decision. But T'Challa would not go back on it. The time for division in Wakanda was long past. T'Challa meant what he said, only together could they defend Wakanda and the world.
M'Baku took the seat left for him, which just so happened to be by T'Challa's right. On T'Challa's other side, W'Kabi eyed him in distrust. He couldn't imagine what T'Challa was thinking, bringing the Jabari into the council. But W'Kabi would bring it up later, when they weren't in session.
T'Challa paused, seeing silence had descended on the room. He knew his decision was unpopular, undoubtedly the council already thought he was an unfit king. But progress always shook up the establishment. This would be no different.
"M'Baku joining the council is not the reason I called this meeting," T'Challa revealed and all but M'Baku looked at him startled.
"There's more?" Shuri asked dryly before her mother elbowed her subtly.
"In one week's time, I will address the United Nations. I plan to reveal the truth about Wakanda," T'Challa said and waited for the explosion.
He did not have to wait long.
"This is madness!" The Merchant Tribe Elder declared.
"My king, you must reconsider!" The River Tribe Elder pleaded.
"You shall doom all of Wakanda with your foolishness!" The Ming Tribe Elder shouted.
"Enough!" T'Challa roared and all of them quieted down. "I am your king! You shall not address me in such a way!"
The Representatives retook their seats, calming themselves. T'Challa took a moment to make sure they were all calm enough to listen before speaking.
"Past kings kept us hidden, cut Wakanda off from the world for too long," T'Challa said, glancing at his father, who adverted his gaze in shame. "We were told it was for our protection, but it was fear. Fear of our discovery. For too long, we have allowed our fear to rule us. Remaining hidden from the world is not strength, it is weakness. If we are to remain as strong as we think we are, we must join the rest of the world."
"My king, there is great risk in such a move," Okoye cautioned him gently.
"I am aware. But my decision remains final. It is time for us to step out of the shadows and join the rest of the world in the light of day. Wakanda will be in isolation no more," T'Challa declared.
"You will bring ruin to Wakanda," the Merchant Tribe Elder sneered.
"Maybe so, but the world is changing. We must change with it or we will be destroyed. Those who do not accept change will be left behind and crumble to dust," T'Challa said logically and no one could really fault this logic. "Meeting adjourned."
He could tell that none, save perhaps M'Baku and his father, who looked torn between pride and worry, supported his decision. But he had expected that. He couldn't hope that one conversation would undo centuries of tradition. Change in Wakanda would take time. But he had more than enough of that. And he wouldn't waste it.
Asgard
Same time
Thor made his way over to his brother's room, nodding to the guards on the way. Entering the room, he stopped, pausing as he saw his brother lying on his bed, absently tossing a ball up in the air and catching it as it fell back down before repeating the process.
"Come to lecture me again?" Loki asked lowly as he tossed the ball into the air once more.
"No. I come to talk brother," Thor said simply and Loki raised an eyebrow as he caught the ball once more. "And listen, if you're willing to talk."
"What is there to talk about? I cursed our father to die. Even if he lives right now, he has, at best, a few years left," Loki said, tossing the ball again. "Even you cannot absolve me of that."
"I cannot," Thor acknowledged. "You have caused much damage Loki. But it's not too late to make amends, to start over."
Loki paused in his next throw, looking up at Thor in utter disbelief.
"After all I've done, you still think there's good in me?" Loki said, not sure whether to be touched or think his brother an idiot.
"Just because someone loses their way doesn't mean they're lost forever. Sometimes we all need a little help," Thor said, thinking of how he had lost his own way in the recordings. "You've done some terrible things brother, I won't deny that. But there's still time to change. I did. You remember the arrogant bully I once was. It is a new day, and I think it is time to let the past remain in the past Loki. There are many challenges ahead for me, both as king and an Avenger. I need you by my side as I face them. Should you wish to do so, you may come to the coronation. The guards with escort you there should you wish to come. But it is your choice brother."
Thor then turned and walked out, leaving Loki alone with his thoughts as Thor closed the door behind him.
New York
Afternoon
Tony stepped into the rather seedy bar, looking around. It wasn't a place he would have ever come into. But Toomes came here every other day around noon, to blow off steam Tony assumed.
Some of the people there stopped to stare at him, wondering what Tony Stark was doing in a bar like this. But Tony paid them no mind as he spotted Toomes in the back, nursing a drink. Tony made his way over, sitting down across from Toomes, who looked up, shock on his face as he saw Tony.
"Well, Tony Stark. What the Hell are you doing here?" Toomes demanded, hostility rolling off him in waves.
"Looking for you Adrian," Tony said and Toomes was visibly shocked.
"And how does the great Tony Stark know who I am?" Toomes sneered.
"I've been going over some old files. I never realized how many people I put out of work with Damage Control. I'm sorry," Tony apologized and Toomes was surprised at Tony's obvious remorse before scowling.
"Well, that doesn't give me my job back, does it?" Toomes sneered.
"No, it doesn't. But I can do the next best thing. Pepper Potts has been looking for people to fill certain positions at Stark Industries. We have subsidy businesses all over the country. She's done all the work, all you gotta do is say yes," Tony said and Toomes laughed humorlessly.
"What, come work for you?" Toomes sneered.
"My involvement at Stark Industries is limited to big tech projects. You'd be working for Pepper Potts, not me. So what do you say?" Tony asked and waited for Toomes response.
"How about I tell you where to shove your offer?" Toomes sneered and Tony nodded.
"Well, if you change your mind," Tony said as he placed a card with Pepper's number on the table. "Adrian…what happened four years ago is on me. What happens now is on you."
Tony then got up, walking away from the table. As he passed Adrian, he subtly dropped something into his jacket pocket. Hanging on, Scott, in his suit and in miniature form, climbed into the jacket and waited.
Tony had made the offer. But if Toomes didn't take it, they'd have to stop him and his crew. Tony just hoped it didn't come to that.
So here we go, setting up both the Asgard and Wakanda plotlines as well as finally getting to Toomes.
You'll see how it all turns out next chapter.
