Another World /2/ Marvel FF

1.2

Everybody was processing what had happened in Lagos differently. The media certainly wasn't helping. Everyone was doing there own thing. Asta was sat in her room, a bit disappointed she wasn't able to help cheer up Wanda.

A knock on her door gained her attention. Standing in her doorway was Vision. "Don't mean to bother you Asta but Mr. Stark has arrived with a guest and require all of us downstairs." he informs the blonde.

"It's alright. Who's his guest?" she questions as she stands walking over to him.

"The Secretary of State." Vision informs her as they exit her room.

______________

"Five years ago, I had a heart attack. I dropped right in the middle of my back-swing. Turned out it was the best round of my life, because after 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass . . . I found something 40 years in the Army had never taught me: Perspective. The world owes the Avengers an un-payable 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'." Secretary Ross spoke to everyone in a meeting room.

At a table sat Wanda, Asta, Vision, and Sam on one side. And Rhodes, Natasha, and Steve on the other side with Tony sat in the back of the room as Ross stood before everyone. "And what word would you use, Mr. Secretary?" Natasha questions.

"How about "dangerous"? What would you call a group of US-based, and other worldly based, enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?" he points out as he glances around the table. 

He looks back towards the screen behind him, "New York." he starts, showing the group a video taken by a civilian of the Chitauri and Hulk. "Washington D.C." he says as he changes the video to show the shield building falling and Helicarriers crashing down. "Sokovia." he continues, showing a distant video of when it went up into the sky, causing Wanda to frown. "Lagos." he says changing the video to the recent media coverage of the event that had just occurred, causing Wanda to shift in her seat and look away from the video, obviously uncomfortable.

"Okay. That's enough." Steve says, having noticed her discomfort. Ross nods, and has the images taken off the screen.

"For the past four years, you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution." Ross says to everyone, grabbing a thick document from his aide and places it down on the table in front of Wanda. "The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries . . . it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization. Instead, they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel deems it necessary." he explains as Wanda looks it over before sliding it across to Rhodes.

"The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place. I feel we've done that." Steve tells the Secretary.

"Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?" Ross questions.

"Thor's off world. Fighting, and helping others. Is that a good enough answer, Mr. Secretary?" Asta replies for her friend, not seeing how her brother was important at the moment.

Ross looks over the the princess, "And Banner?" he asks her with a sigh. She doesn't reply, not having an answer to that. " If I misplaced a couple of 30 megaton nukes . . . you can bet there'd be consequences. Compromise. Reassurance. That's how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground." he explains to everyone.

"So, there are contingencies." Rhodes says leaning back in his seat.

"Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the Accords. Talk it over" Ross tells them all as him and his aide take their leave.