"Wait—hold on. Did I hear that wrong? Are you actually agreeing with me?"
Tony blinked in disbelief, staring at Natasha as if she'd just been possessed.
"Well, that's a first…"
As everyone continued arguing, Steve suddenly received a message.
Peggy had passed away.
"I have to go."
He stood up immediately, his mind in turmoil—not just because of Peggy, but also the Sokovia Accords weighing on him.
---
At the church, nearly all the Avengers were present for Peggy Carter's funeral.
As one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D., she had laid the foundation for everything the Avengers stood on.
Steve carried her coffin, his eyes red as memories of the past flooded back—every moment he'd shared with her.
Afterward, Sharon Carter stepped forward to give a eulogy. She repeated something Peggy had once said—a line Steve had heard before, but now it struck him with renewed clarity.
"When the world tells you to move, you plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and say—'No. You move.'"
Whether it was Sharon speaking or Peggy's will echoing through her, Steve understood.
His decision was made.
---
After the funeral, everyone gradually left, leaving only Natasha behind.
"Who's agreed to sign?" Steve asked.
He'd been occupied with Peggy's funeral and hadn't kept up.
"Tony and Rhodey. They're firmly on board."
"Clint?"
"Undecided."
"I'm heading to Vienna to sign. There are still a few seats left on the plane."
The invitation was obvious.
Steve shook his head.
"Sorry, Natasha. I won't sign it."
"I figured."
She smiled lightly. She knew him too well to expect otherwise.
---
A few days later, Vienna.
Outside the United Nations conference building, reporters crowded the streets, broadcasting live.
Today, 117 countries would officially vote on and sign the Sokovia Accords.
Inside the chamber, King T'Chaka stood by the window with T'Challa and Erik.
Natasha entered and signed her name in the guest registry.
"Agent Natasha, it's good to see you again," T'Challa greeted her.
Erik stood behind him, as arrogant as ever.
"You here on behalf of the Avengers?" he asked.
"You don't support the Accords?" Natasha countered, sensing T'Challa's hesitation.
"I support the agreement," T'Challa said calmly. "But when it comes to politics, I have my reservations. Two people can accomplish something efficiently. A crowd—especially a political one—rarely can."
The session began, and everyone took their seats.
Several chairs beside Natasha remained empty—reserved for the Avengers who never showed.
"Looks like diplomacy really falls to you," T'Challa muttered, feeling the weight of it all.
"Simple solution," Erik shrugged. "Make me king."
T'Challa snorted. "Perfect. You've seen how exhausted I am. I'd gladly trade."
They took their seats as King T'Chaka stepped up to speak.
After all, the Accords were born from the deaths of Wakandan citizens.
Meanwhile, T'Challa and Erik hadn't forgotten Karl's warning.
Invisible drones hovered around the building, feeding live surveillance back to Shuri in Wakanda.
"Brother, there's a suspicious news van directly beneath you," Shuri's voice came through. "The police dogs won't stop barking at it. Be careful."
The two exchanged a glance.
Erik quietly moved to the window.
One look—and he knew.
A car bomb.
He turned back and nodded.
"Everyone, get down!!" T'Challa shouted.
Natasha reacted instantly, dragging those nearby under the table.
At the same moment, Erik flicked a coin-sized device toward T'Chaka.
It expanded into a golden energy barrier just as—
BOOM!!!
The van exploded.
The entire conference chamber was torn apart. Smoke billowed upward as debris flew everywhere.
Thanks to the barrier, King T'Chaka remained unharmed—not even knocked unconscious.
Others weren't so lucky.
Some were caught in the blast. Others were severely injured.
Natasha and those near her escaped with only minor scrapes, their quick reactions saving them.
---
"According to reports, the explosion was caused by a news van carrying high-yield plastic explosives…"
Back in New York, Karl and the others watched the breaking news.
"…over seventy injured, at least twelve confirmed dead, including several high-ranking officials. Authorities have released an image of the suspected perpetrator—"
Karl frowned.
The face on the screen—
Looked exactly like Bucky Barnes.
A perfect match.
But Karl knew better.
He had personally turned Bucky into ashes.
That couldn't be him.
Unless…
"A clone? No… HYDRA didn't have that tech."
That left only one possibility.
"A disguise."
Holographic masks weren't uncommon—Natasha had used them before.
Someone was impersonating Bucky.
---
At a temporary shelter in Vienna, Natasha sat beside T'Challa and Erik, watching medics rush back and forth.
"If Karl hadn't warned us," T'Challa said quietly, glancing at his father being examined nearby, "my father would be among them."
Relief lingered in his voice—
Along with gratitude.
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