Happy Hogan, Head of Security for Avengers Tower looked up at the big, black, bald man standing in front of him. The guy's muscles were bulging under his shirt and the expression on his face was more than a little intimidating. Nevertheless, Happy knew his job and, even if his boxing skills would probably come off second best if they were needed, he was determined to stand his ground.

"I'm sorry, Sir, I cannot let you up," he stated firmly, having dismissed Diane to deal with this problem himself.

"And I'm telling you that you're going to. Those guys up there know me, I've 'worked' with them before," the man retorted.

"Regardless of your claims, absolutely no one without proper security clearance is allowed to enter the private section of Avengers Tower," Happy replied, determinedly sticking to his guns.

"Do you have any idea who I am? I'm Luke Cage. They call me the Hero of Harlem. I'm bulletproof, for crying out loud," Luke stated.

Happy's eyes widened as a hand appeared on Luke's shoulder and the big man spun around, faster than he would have expected, his fist cocked and flying. Fortunately, the shorter, white, scruffy-looking guy had the better reactions and simply swayed out of the way.

"Hey, calm down, I don't mean any harm," the new guy said.

"Then you shouldn't go sneaking up on me when I'm in a bad mood," Luke snapped.

"Fair enough," the blonde stated, his hands raised, obviously showing that he meant no harm. "I just thought that I could help, is all."

"Help? How?" Luke asked suspiciously.

"Hi, my name's Danny Rand. I'd like to visit the Avengers, please, um, Daredevil, Spider-Man, Mage, Squirrel Girl, we've all met, if that helps," Danny said.

Happy's eyes widened. Rand. He knew the name. One of the wealthiest companies in the world, although obviously not as rich as Stark.

"A lot of people have met the Avengers," Happy replied, holding his ground.

"Perhaps this will help?" Danny suggested.

Happy watched as the man extended his fist over the desk before it unexpectedly began glowing a brilliant yellow.

"Sweet Christmas!" Luke breathed.

"And ... and you said that you're bulletproof?" Happy asked Luke, his eyes still glued to the glowing fist. "And you've both met the Avengers? I'll ... I'll call up and see if they're willing to see you."

"Thank you," Danny replied, pulling his fist back as it stopped glowing.

His hand fumbled for the phone and Happy was forced to look down to find it and then to press in the right code.

Could this day get any weirder? he wondered.

ooo00ooo

Maria waited by the elevator for the two unknowns that Happy was sending up. Only the fact that they, according to Happy at least, had abilities and had met some of the others, had convinced Maria to allow them access to the Tower at all. Judging by exactly which members of the Avengers had been mentioned, she suspected that these two had been met during one of the New York patrols that Peter and Matt liked to do.

Unfortunately, none of them had been in the Tower when the call came through, leaving Maria to let them in until some of the others could arrive.

The doors sliding open revealed the two that the security monitor had showed – a tall, dark-skinned man and a shorter Caucasian with curly, dirty-blonde hair that was almost more unruly than Harry's.

"Hi, I'm Maria Hill, welcome to Avengers Tower," she said as they stepped off of the elevator.

"Luke Cage. Thanks for seeing us," the taller of the two said, shaking Maria's hand.

"Danny Rand," the other said. "I thought that the others would be here?"

"They'll be along soon," Maria replied. "What is it that we can do for you both?"

"Well, I don't know about Mister Rand, here ..."

"Danny, I'm just Danny."

Luke nodded before continuing. "But I wanna know what you lot have done to make it so that people and cops that I trust are telling me to stop doing my thing, to stop trying to make Harlem better, safer."

"I expect that it's because of the Sokovia Accords; I'm being told the same thing," Danny added. "It's making life ... difficult."

Maria sighed. For some reason, she simply hadn't thought about others like them that could be affected by the Accords, others who were doing their bit, just like the Avengers but on a smaller scale. The bad guys, sure, them she'd thought about, hadn't actually stopped since the signing, to be honest. But others, unfortunately not.

Thankfully, she was saved from answering straight away by the flash of a multicoloured light off to one side.

"Matthew Murdock? My lawyer?" Danny asked, his head cocked to one side. "Where'd you come from?"

"Maria?" Matt asked.

"Sorry, Matt, I thought that you'd get here before these two arrived," she replied. "Before we begin, how about you confirm what I've heard about your abilities?"

In response, Danny simply held out his hand, clenched his fist and made it glow a bright yellow.

"I'm the Immortal Iron Fist, defender of K'un-Lun. This fist of mine can break anything when I focus my chi."

"And he has some impressive fighting skills. Martial arts of a kind that I've never encountered before," Matt stated.

"I'm bulletproof," Luke stated simply. "And strong."

"Were you both born this way?" Maria asked.

"Hell no," Luke replied. "I had this done to me in Seagate."

"I had to prove myself worthy of ascending to the title of Defender of K'un-Lun before I was allowed to face Shou-Lao to become the Iron Fist," Danny replied.

That tallied with the report that Maria had heard from both Matt and Harry.

"Mutates, then, if we're being technical," she nodded. "Now, to get back to your original question, you're right, the Sokovia Accords, when they were signed by the United Nations, they affected you, even though you were not a part of the discussions or the Round Table."

"What's it mean for us?" Luke asked.

"The same that it means for the rest of us," Matt replied before he was cut off by Danny.

"Wait, wait, wait! Your voice. I think I've placed it. You're Daredevil? But you're ..." he finished, gesturing towards Matt's glasses.

"Blind, yes," Matt replied. "But all my other senses are off the chart."

"You're telling me that one of the most feared Avengers on the streets on New York is a blind lawyer?" Luke laughed. "Oh, there's some homies who'd die from embarrassment if they knew."

"Not that they will," Maria stated and there was steel in her voice.

"Hey, your secret's safe with me," Luke replied. "I respect what you do, probably even more now that I know just how skilled you must really be."

"I won't go telling anyone, either," Danny promised.

"Thank you," Matt replied. "Now, as your lawyer, what I can tell you is that, for now, it'd be in your best interest to respect the laws laid down in the Accords. That means no going out and doing something that could get you accused of being a vigilante."

"But it is my sworn duty to oppose the Hand," Danny protested.

"Criminal organisation," Matt explained and Maria nodded. "We get that, really we do. And we also know exactly how hard it's going to be. Most of us are already chafing at the bit to get out there and do what we do. But for now, we've got to follow the law."

"Why? It's stupid, a bunch of suits dictating their laws when they have no idea what life is like down on the streets," Luke half-growled.

"The simple reason is that we know something's coming. Something big. Big enough that it's going to need all the heroes of the world to combat it if we're right," Maria replied. "And being locked up in prison or in the RAFT isn't going to help anyone in the long run."

"Maria's right," Matt said. "We have to play the long game. We know that the Accords are stupid and ultimately won't work. There are powered people out there who won't follow the rules and the regular police won't be able to stand against them. But the regular people are scared and until they realise that the only way to put their fear aside, to feel safe again is with us doing what we do best, then we have to allow them to learn from their mistakes."

"What you're saying, I can get it. Up here," Luke said, tapping his head. "But down here," and this time he tapped his heart, "it just doesn't fly."

"We know, believe me, we know," Maria said sympathetically. "What I can promise you, though, is that, as soon as things turn around, we'll do everything in our power to stand by your side and help you clean up any mess that's been made."

"I'll hold you to that," Luke stated.

"I appreciate it, thank you," Danny replied.

"Now, that's not going to stop you from gathering as much intel as you can," Matt smiled. "Believe me, we'll be doing the same. Just keep your fists down and your noses clean until then."

ooo00ooo

"You are about to see something that very few outsiders have ever seen before," T'Challa stated from where he was standing just behind the cockpit of the quinjet.

"You're certain about this?" Tony asked from the pilot's seat. "Just there's an entire forest down there and your pals seem to be headed right for it."

And they were. The quinjet was following an extremely sleek, modern-looking jet that was unlike anything that they'd ever seen before. Tony had even whistled appreciatively the first time that they'd seen it back in Vienna. Even without going inside it, it was obvious that it was kitted out with all kinds of tech and engines that would have anyone – and especially someone like Tony – salivating.

"We already know that Wakandans aren't quite like what the rest of the world believes," Steve stated, referring to the jet that they were following. "Perhaps there's even more to it than we know."

"Yeah, like how a bunch of backward, Third-world sheep herders have the tech to build something like that," Tony replied.

"Woah, that's something you don't see every day," Nat stated, sitting up sharply as the jet in front of them suddenly dove, straight down and into the forest below before the image of them promptly wavered and vanished from sight.

"But not something that we haven't seen before," Steve commented.

"Say, you don't have dragons here, do you?" Daisy asked.

"Dragons?" a clearly confused T'Challa repeated.

"Tony?" Pepper asked, clearly worried as he angled the quinjet's nose down to follow the jet's flightpath.

"Don't worry, dear, I think I know what's coming," Tony replied.

And then they entered the field that hid what was below and Harry shot to his feet, spinning about in a circle before leaning forward to stare through the front window.

"It is rather impressive, isn't it?" T'Challa grinned. "I never get tired of this sight."

Not that anyone in the quinjet could blame him.

What had only moments before been a vast forest filling the horizon as far as their eyes could see was now an advanced country. There was a city below them with buildings, markets, colourful flags and people galore. Monuments, most of them depicting a great black panther, could be seen everywhere, including one carved into the very mountain off to their right. Ahead of them, though, was what could only be described as a palace. It was intricately carved and designed to reflect the origins of the people, just as the rest of the buildings in the city were – there was a very strong feeling of trees and nature in everything that they were seeing, be it man-made or natural, a perfect blend of the two.

"That's not what caught my attention," Harry stated. "That force field, the illusion thing that we passed through. There was magic in it!"

T'Challa grinned at him, showing perfectly white teeth.

"Our technology uses quite a number of different elements, including magic," he said. "Here in Africa, your people aren't quite as hidden as they are in other places. We live and work together, in peace and harmony."

"No," Harry replied, with a shake of his head. "There may be a high concentration of magicals in Africa and even the largest school for witches and wizards in the world on the continent. But that doesn't mean that we aren't still hidden."

"Ah, but not from the world leaders, and I am soon to be King of Wakanda," T'Challa replied. "As to the other, well, let us just say that Wakanda's reclusive nature has seen the magicals here learn to live a much more open lifestyle than in other places."

"I'd like to learn more about that," Harry replied after a few second's thought.

"It would be my pleasure to take you and the rest of the Avengers on a walk through Wakanda and to show you how the 'un-enlightened' live," T'Challa smiled.

"If this is what you call 'un-enlightened', then I think we need to give you an English lesson," Nat stated.

"It is not we Wakanadans that deem us so but the rest of the world," T'Challa replied.

"I hate to cut off that thrilling discussion, but we're about to land," Tony called.

ooo00ooo

The quinjet set down just to the side of the Wakandan jet and, even though they were the last to touch down, they were the first to exit out into the bright sunlight.

"Mother," T'Challa said, greeting an older woman, a touch of grey threading her hair, with a kiss on her cheek.

"My son, welcome home," she replied.

"Brother," a younger girl, obviously in her late teens said and Harry could see that there was a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

"Shuri," T'Challa nodded to her. "And before you ask, no, you may not play with the craft of our visitors."

"She's an engineer? Like Tony?" Harry asked, noting her pout.

"An engineer, yes," T'Challa replied. "Shuri is most gifted in all forms of science and engineering; Wakanda would not be the same without her."

"Really?" Tony asked and Harry wasn't sure if it was scepticism or interest in his voice.

"I bet I could improve that quinjet for you," Shuri told him. "Make it go faster, higher, even make it fly underwater."

"It can already operate underwater," Tony retorted. "Not that I've really tested that feature yet, but it is capable of it."

Their conversation was interrupted then as the Wakandan jet's ramp lowered and a team of nine warrior women jogged up and inside it. Barely half a minute later, they returned, this time with a pair of men, both heavily chained in their midst, the points of the warrior's spears directed towards them.

"These are the men?" T'Challa's mother asked in disgust.

"Yes, Mother. They will face Wakandan justice in two days' time," he replied.

"Good," she stated simply.

Once the two had been escorted away, a second set of warrior women entered the craft to return with the coffin of the King. Heads all over the tarmac were bowed and arms were crossed across breasts by all of the Wakandans as the coffin was taken inside.

"Come," T'Challa said to the Avengers, "I will show you to your rooms and then, if you wish you may explore a little for the rest of the afternoon."

ooo00ooo

Jane half-ran into the lounge area of the Compound, her eyes darting from side to side as she searched for the one that she'd been missing for far too long now. Whether it was his intuition or some sound that she'd made, he turned at her entrance and his smile grew wide and his arms opened.

Instantly, Jane's half-run became a full-blown sprint, her hair streaming behind her as she raced across the room and into his arms. Reaching up on tip-toes, her arms snaking around his neck, she kissed him for all that she was worth, pouring in all the love that she could.

"Well, it's about time you came back," Darcy stated from behind her some seconds or years later. "Do you know how hard it is to keep Jane distracted and not to let her go all mopey?"

Even though his eyes remained fixed on hers, Thor replied to the question.

"My apologies, Lady Darcy, I will endeavour to keep my absences brief in the future."

"You do that, Mister," Darcy replied. "And while you're at it, keep up with that Lady stuff, I don't mind that at all."

"You're back for good now?" Jane asked, seeking the truth not only from his answer but also from his eyes.

"That is my hope, although I cannot promise," Thor answered.

Jane allowed him to turn her around but even then, he kept one arm around her waist, just as she kept hers around his.

"Jane, Darcy, Eric, may I present Captain Carol Danvers of Midgard and of the Kree Empire," Thor said. "Carol, this is Jane Foster, Eric Selvig and Darcy Lewis."

Only then did Jane realise that there was a stranger in their midst.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you," Jane said, reaching out a hand to the blonde woman in the distinctly militarily-bent black and green uniform.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Carol replied, shaking her hand. "Thor has spoken of you often."

"Kree?" Eric asked.

"That's those big, blue dudes, right?" Darcy asked. "They're the ones who experimented on Daisy's ancestors."

Jane could see the confusion in the other woman's eyes.

"I'm part-Kree, I guess you could say, and yes, they are blue-skinned," Carol stated. "I saved one of their lives, nearly at the cost of my own. In payment, they fixed me back up by altering my genetics a bit. I've been living and working with them ever since."

"Yep, I was right," Darcy beamed. "Same dudes. So, you've got powers, like Daisy?"

"I don't know who Daisy is," Carol frowned. "But I do have 'powers'. I can fly and shoot energy bolts from my hands. I'm also more durable and my lifespan is a lot longer than a regular person's."

"That all sounds cool," Darcy replied looking impressed. "'Cause I'm gonna want a demo later."

"I'm guessing you two met while Thor was out amongst the stars?" Jane asked as Carol smiled at Darcy's request.

"Indeed," Thor replied. "My quest for answers took me to Hala, the Kree home world. Captain Danvers has since accompanied me as we searched for those answers."

"You find what you were looking for?" Eric asked, as the group joined Bruce, Rhodey and the Vision on the couches.

"No, I did not," Thor replied. "At least, not all of the answers that I was searching for."

"I'm guessing that that is one of the Stones?" Carol asked, nodding to the golden gem embedded in Vision's head.

"The Mind Stone, yes," Vision replied. "The intelligence inside it is a part of what was used to create me and to give me life."

"So, you've got no idea what's coming? Assuming that something is on its way?" Rhodey asked.

"I have no doubt that there is a threat to the universe," Thor replied. "All that I have learnt has pointed to that one conclusion. A Titan by the name of Thanos is searching for the Stones and means to unite them to remake the universe how he sees fit."

"Like the Dark Elves?" Jane asked, shuddering at the memory of having the Aether inside her.

"In some ways, yes," Thor replied. "Thanos is different in that our sources tell us that he intends to wipe out half of the people within the universe so that there are more resources for those that remain."

"Well, that's some sick, twisted logic," Darcy replied with a wrinkled nose.

"Despite the barbaric nature of the logic, it is a logical solution to the problems not only on this planet but one could assume on countless others," Vision stated.

"Still, killing, what, trillions or people ...?" Bruce said