Wakanda
On the plane to Wakanda.
Steve sat on his chair, watching the news.
“The world is terrified as becomes the 17th city is hit by this mega tsunamis.”
“The wave was HUGE, and it swept everyone on the canal, I was lucky to be in a big building that was more in land, other wise I wouldn’t be here.”
“Scientist around the world are still trying to understand how this waves are happening.”
“There are no earthquakes in the area, so it’s confusing to us, why this waves are happening, and why are they happening so close to each other.”
“Global panic is making world leader evacuate cities along the coastline, President Elis, Just ordered the evacuation of the entire state of Hawai.”
"IT IS ATLANTIS, I AM TELLING YOU !" Dr. Shin yelled.
"NOT AGAIN DR.SHIN !"
Steve felt petty for the poor doctor, as he was right, yet no one believed him.
Steve sighted, he didn’t understand why they didn’t just tell people of Atlantis.
“They won’t belive us, the world is in panic right now, and telling them that a mystical city is real, they won’t react as well.”
“But...”
“If your worried that the world won’t see you “be a hero” don’t worry. We will tell the world what is happening, hopefully after we either talk down o or defeat the Atlanteans.
Steve wanted to argue more, but he knew it was pointless. He doesn't know where Rhodes got the idea that he should be the leader of the Avengers, but he hopes he let's go of it soon. Steve is the one and true leader of the team, no one else.
One would think the world already knew that, but it seems they needed to be remained of that.
“The world once again, turns against the Avengers, more specifically Steve Rogers, as the world knows that Tony Stark would be able to find the cause of this waves, but all efforts to locate him have being frutaile.”
One would think that on the face of such a threat, Tony would come back to the team. But he is still licking his wounds instead of admitting defeat.
Steve does wonder what would Tony think of Atlantis.
He really needs to find him, this public hate was getting out of hand, fast.
Despite all the wrongs Tony had done, Steve still cared for him. He's part of the Avengers, of the family.
Tony needs to come up with him, once Steve is given the leader tittle back,off course. And show the world that he is sorry, and that they are a team once more.
There would have to be some restrictions of course. Maybe he should make Tony become just the tech and financial supporter of the team, and find someone else for the suit, someone that would follow Steve's lead without question.
Speaking of team, he looked at the team he was fighting with.
He was disappointed that Thor and Bruce didn’t join them, how selfish of them. He didn't understand why Thor could not just leave someone else to take care of rebuilding Asgard.
Wanda and Natasha were the only ones talking to him, that still believed in Steve.
Clint was with Danvers on the pilot seat.
Scott sat at one side speaking with Van Dyne. That woman called him an idiot, he demanded an apology but Scott told him to back off. Knowing if he created a scene Rhodes would use it against him, he did back off. For now.
Speaking of the Colonel, he was talking to Spider-Man and Vision in private. The young hero was so rude to Steve, and he never took of the mask off. Steve needs to know who he is when he takes command. He needs to take Tony's infuence over him, and model him into a true hero, just like Captain America.
Bucky was far in a corner, sleeping. His best friend rarely slept, and most of the time he woke up with terrible nightmares. His heart went out for poor Bucky. Another reason why he really needs to talk to Tony.
Sam was the one that hurt the most. Instead of sitting at Steve’s side, supporting him, he was with Strange. The Doctors was talking to him about some medical things that Steve couldn't hope to understand. Steve remembered the days that his friend followed his command without question, when he truly believed on Captain America. But Sam now questioned everything about him. He followed others and not Steve, and even started blaming Steve for the Civil War. Steve was lost on why this was happening.
“We're here.” Danvers called.
“Familiar scenario, right Rogers.” Rhodes said.
He knew where Steve was ? How was that possible.
“How did you....”
“T’Challa himself told the UN, in order to avoid worst consequences, like people finding his vibarmium.”
Steve felt a bit shaken. T'Challa had sold them out ?
"Besides you are all wearing Stark Tech, sans Lang, and if you know anything about Tony. Is that after Stane he made sure he could always track down his tech." Rhodes said smugly.
"My King, the Avengers Jet is landing at landing pad at the moment."
"Thank you, I'll meet them right now."
The guard nodded and left, T'Challa started walking, Okoye at his side.
"It's been a long time since we have heard anything of Atlantis."
"They got more reason to be hidden than we do. Remember that just like us they have some precious technology, but also they have the perk of not being entirely human. We have seen how some people treat the enhanced."
"Atlantis is not to be underestimated with."
"Baba told me stories about the war, how much both nations lost. Still I do think there is more going on here."
"Agreed. From what we know, those waves aren't attacks, just warnings."
"Just like I need the approval of all tribes to take a big magnitude decision, so does the King of Atlantis with it's people. This probably means the King hasn't been able to get that."
"You know some of them will want more than what we will give,"
"I know that. But I will not risk the safety of Wakanda for Steve Rogers, I risked to much by giving them sanctuary, not again."
Not only that, Rogers had lied to him. He had said that Dr. Stark had been safe and just cooling off, when the man was anything but that. Now he is missing and T'Challa is full of guilt for that. The man is a liar who only cares that he gets what he wants. Not the hero he thinks he is.
So if he thinks he will take his side ever again, he is sorely mistaken.
As Steve went out the ramp, he went to greet the king first, he had the most experience with him after all.
It would also be good for the others to see someone, a King, that knew Steve is the true leader of the Avengers.
And showing him as an ally, might help the others realize that he should be on command.
“T’Challa, it’s good to see...”
The Dora Milaje pointed their spears at Steve.
“You won’t aproch the king after your betrayal.”
Betrayal ?
He looked at T’Challa, demanding an explanation.
“You told me Mr. Stark was alright Mr. Rogers, then how come is he still missing. I will admit it was also my fault for not checking, but you lied to me, I trusted you and now an inocent man is missing.”
Steve groaned, why was everyone blaming him for that? Tony was fine, he didn’t hurt him, it wasn’t Steve’s fault that he went missing.
Before he could speak Rhodes came to greet the king.
Nat and Wanda came close.
“Don’t worry Cap, once we defeat this guys, we will find Stark and make him clear your name.” Nat said.
“Things will return to normal Steve, you will see.” Wanda smiled at him.
“Thanks guys.” It was good to have their support.
"Yeah like that ever is gonna happen." Clint mumbled.
"People that lie aren't welcomed back like heroes Steve." Sam said. "You must not have any idea the guilt King T'Challa must be feeling, he could have helped Stark. Hell I feel a lot of guilt, I told him to go as a friend, but never expected he would encounter the opposite. Just let it go man, you screwed up, accept it."
"Sam..."
But Sam just shook his head and left with Clint.
Steve growled, why was everyone leaving him.
“Avengers, come in, I have many things to show you.” Shuri said.
“With my sister’s tech, you will be able to locate the Atlanteans with no problem." T'Challa said
“Atlanteans, why do you say that name son ?”
It was Queen Ramonda.
“Avengers, this is my mother.”
“T’Challa, Shuri, Don’t tell me we are fighting the Atlanteans again.”
“Again ?”
“Our nations where at war a long time ago, a war that we lost.”
Everyone couldn’t believe it, Wakanda lost ?
T'Challa and Shuri however didn't seem that concerned. As they already knew that.
“How did you loose ?, our nation is the most advance...” Scott asked.
“We are at the same level Mr. Lang. Who knows how advance they are now, but it was their soldiers, and specially their nobles, that made us fall. They are not like a natural enhanced, or like the streinght of the heart shaped herb. That would describe the soldiers, the nobles are somehow above that, not to mention that some have powers. It was the power of King Atlan, that sealed our fate, he could control every sea creature, from fishes, to sharks, to whales. And his control included a sea monster that could decimate Wakanda, if we didn’t surrender.”
"Then there was another war." T'Challa spoke. "A more recent one. It was of less scale, but still deadly. Wakanda was also loosing it, even thought they didn't have the monsters with them. However it was ended abruptly when the King of Atlantis lost the support of all the other Atlantean royals, and just like in Wakanda with the tribes, he was unable to continue on. A peace treaty was reached between our nations. Which is why this is all I can give you."
Steve stepped forward.
"Wait, are you seriously saying you will not fight alongside us !"
"I will not. Unless they attack Wakanda, the Black Panther will stay out of the fight. My nation comes first. I talked it with my council and they agreed."
"You can't be serious. This is much more important !"
"I am deadly serious Mr. Rogers. As King, my duty is to the people of Wakanda first. I will not risk their lives for a war that has jet to happen, just so you can prove yourself to the people that you betrayed."
Steve turned red. He walked forward, only to have a spear pointed to his neck.
"You will not approach the King unless he approaches you." Okoye warned.
"What do you mean a war that hasn't happened. They are already attacking." Natasha said. "The war already began."
"Wrong Ms. Romanoff." Queen Ramonda said. "Those waves are just warnings that they are giving you."
"Just like Thor said." Sam whispered. Thor's warnings were proving true every time.
"If a true attack took place...the consequences would be much bigger than they are now."
"And why are they just sending warnings ?" Carol asked. They seem to know a lot.
"Simple Captain Danvers. Like us in Wakanda, the King need the approval of the four underwater kingdoms to launch an attack. This mean that he hasn't gotten them all. Which means your best chance to strike, is now."
Rhodes nodded, and took over before Steve could screw up more.
"Thank you for your help King T'Challa, we appreciate it."
The King nodded.
"Shuri, show them their ship, and teach them how it works. We will take you to the coast, but you are on your own after that.
Sharon was getting ready to go take down the Red Room, when the door to he quarters opened.
"Who is it ?"
"An old man who is trying to figure what the hell is going out."
It was Nick Fury.
"Hey Uncle."
"I see you have met most of Coulson's team. There's two of them that had to leave for an issue, but we are sorting that out."
"He got the best agents. Have you seen Daisy's powers yet ?"
"Agent Johnson is indeed a very welcomed asset. Not only for her power, but for the positive influence she brought to SHIELD, and specially Coulson."
"She's practically his daughter."
"True." He sat down besides her. "Any word on that cousin of yours."
"Not yet."
"He is out there on the sea right, trying to solve this shit show."
"An atlantean came to get to him. She warned him of all of this, and he went with her."
"Did she happen to be a Princess with bright red hair ?"
"Yes..how did you know ?"
"Because Tony's old mentor told me that would happen. Vulko I think was his name. Maria had trusted her with that, before her death."
"Oh..."
"We can do the best we can Sharon, but the boy is the only one that can end it. I can imagine a full war with Atlantis will be disastrous to all of us."
"I just hope he can manage it. He never wanted to be King, but...it looks like he has no choice."
"I know...but I think he'll do the best. Both for this world and for him. If the surface has never been able to appreciate Tony Stark, maybe the sea will."
Fury patted her on the back.
"Well, you go and take down the Red Room. I swear I am gonna slap Romanoff and Barton hard for not even checking for a body."
He stood up.
"Wait, what are you gonna do ?"
"Me ? Oh something dramatic I hope. I've been talking a lot recently with Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. But that is all I am gonna say about it."