HISD Chapter 116 Leaving the Avengers
Yi Meng tossed the Sokovia Accords straight into the trash.
Without hesitation, Wanda followed suit, dropping her unsigned copy into the bin as well.
Two contracts, lying side by side in rejection.
"Wanda, aren't you going to ask why I did that?"
Yi Meng, in the silver-haired form of his manifested self, pressed his palm more firmly, fingertips vibrating gently as he slid down her smooth ivory legs, loosening her stockings just a little.
Her breath hitched. The tension in her body melted away, muscles surrendering to the steady rhythm.
A flush rose to her cheeks. Wanda's lips parted as she whispered between shaky breaths, "Didn't I already say it? Whatever you decide, I'll follow. I'll always believe in you."
But concern flickered in her eyes. "It's just…"
"That refusing to sign means we'll be rejected by nations, even hunted, and forbidden from setting foot on their soil, right?" Yi Meng finished for her, never pausing his careful massage. "What about the others in the Avengers? Where do they stand?"
"Right now, the team is splitting into two sides." Wanda sank deeper into the sofa cushions, her head tilting back, baring the slender white curve of her neck. Her golden-brown hair spilled over her shoulders like a waterfall as she exhaled in mingled relief and worry.
"One side follows Tony. War Machine, Rhodey, and Black Widow are with him. They want the Accords signed, to put the Avengers under the joint control of hundreds of nations.
"The other side follows Steve. Falcon and Hawkeye stand with him. They refuse to sign, believing the Avengers should remain free, fighting for truth and justice on their own terms."
"So if we don't sign, that means we side with Cap?"
Wanda's voice trembled as her eyes searched Yi Meng's face.
He blinked once, then shook his head with a small smile. "Not necessarily. There's more than two options."
"More?" Wanda's eyes widened in realization. "Yi Meng… you mean…"
"Yes. This place isn't for us. It's time we used this chance to leave." He smiled. "What's wrong? Don't want to come with me?"
"That's not it. Of course I want to. It's just… sudden." Her face flushed deeper, a hint of shyness softening her features. It felt almost like eloping. She murmured, "But even if Stark agrees, Wakanda won't let us just walk away. The Accords are designed to bind each member individually, not just the team."
"Don't worry. Wakanda and the rest will soon have bigger problems. And even if we're wanted, it won't matter to us."
Yi Meng spoke with quiet confidence. If he wished, he could have used the Mind Stone to dominate the leaders of every nation and erase the Accords entirely. But there was no need.
First, he wanted to keep building his strength, at least until his three-year promise with the Ancient One was fulfilled.
Second, erasing the Accords might trigger the Time Variance Authority.
Third, the Avengers' internal chaos was the perfect excuse to walk away.
Intervening was unnecessary. He would neither fight the Accords nor submit to them. Not when the Marvel dreamscape itself could no longer truly bind him.
…
New York City.
At the diplomatic hall, dozens of flags flapped outside in the wind. Inside, the building bustled with reporters filling all three floors, waiting for Wakanda's public address on the Sokovia Accords.
Everyone knew Wakanda's aging king was one of the fiercest critics of the Avengers' unchecked actions, and one of the strongest voices behind the Accords.
The stage was set. He would deliver the final blow to lock the Avengers in chains.
The old king emerged, white hair marking his age, his bearing severe as he stepped onto the podium to speak as the leader of a "poor" African nation.
But before he could begin, murmurs rippled through the audience. Reporters glanced at their phones, frowning, exchanging startled looks.
Confused, the king froze mid-step as his son, Prince T'Challa, rushed onto the stage, necklace of panther fangs glinting against his dark skin.
"Father, look at this!" he whispered urgently, handing over his phone.
The king's stern expression faltered as his eyes scanned the headlines.
[The Truth About Wakanda's Hidden Wealth Exposed!]
[From the Poorest Nation to the Vibranium Empire!]
[Technology a Century Ahead of the World—Why Keep It Secret?]
[If the Avengers Must Be Controlled, Shouldn't Wakanda Too?]
The king's heart sank. Photos, videos, undeniable evidence of Wakanda's hidden prosperity were spreading everywhere.
Gasps rippled through the hall. Cameras swiveled toward him.
"King of Wakanda, will you admit to this concealment?"
"Will you release vibranium for the good of the world?"
"You've demanded the Avengers be restrained. Shouldn't Wakanda be bound as well?"
Questions hammered down like thunder. For the first time, the old king was struck speechless, his thoughts scattering in panic.
…
"Yi Meng… this was you, wasn't it?"
Wanda sat on the sofa, stunned as the television broadcast spilled Wakanda's secrets across every channel.
Now she understood why Yi Meng had said Wakanda would soon be too busy to care about them.
"Just returning the favor," Yi Meng said casually, spreading his hands. He hadn't sabotaged the Accords, but he wasn't about to let Wakanda play moral arbiter while hiding its own sins.
If they wanted to drown the Avengers in politics, then he would drag everyone else into the same storm. The TVA wouldn't interfere for something like this, a selfish payback. It would end all the same anyway.
His voice was calm, almost serene. "If chaos is what they want, then let's stir the whole world. No one gets to stand above it all and play guardian."
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