Chapter 142: The Assault

"In your world, this gem is in Arthur's possession, isn't it?" Vision asked Wanda.

"How did you know?" Wanda looked at Vision, puzzled. She didn't think Arthur would share such a secret with anyone.

"When I shook his hand, I sensed the same energy within him as the one within me," Vision replied, gesturing to the gem on his forehead.

"You... you and Arthur are really together?" Wanda, who had been silent on the sidelines, finally couldn't help but ask. Previously, when Arthur mentioned he had a special relationship with Wanda, the Wanda of this world had been somewhat skeptical, but now the evidence was right in front of them.

"Yes, Arthur is my boyfriend. What about you? How did you end up with him?" Wanda admitted it openly, then turned the question back to the other Wanda.

Hearing the conversation take such a juicy turn, everyone perked up, listening intently to the gossip.

"Vision and I have been through so much. He cares for me and watches over me, and I grew to love him, so we ended up together. What about you? Why are you with Arthur?" the Wanda of this world asked, looking into Vision's eyes before countering.

"Arthur saved Pietro and me from Sokovia and gave us a warm home. He is the kindest person in the world to me, so I fell in love with him. I was the one who confessed to him," Wanda replied, blushing.

"Oh!!!" everyone let out a strange cry. They hadn't expected the Wanda from another world to be so straightforward about her feelings, though, upon reflection, it made sense—both Wandas were the type to love and hate with equal intensity.

"Alright, I must go search for Arthur's whereabouts. I'm sorry to have disturbed you all, but I must be going. I hope you can keep my secret!" Wanda said to the group.

"Don't worry, we'll keep it for you. After you find Arthur, don't be in such a rush to leave; I'll treat you both to a meal then," Tony Stark said to her, having already formed a favorable impression of Arthur.

"Thank you, I appreciate it. Goodbye." Wanda summoned a portal, stepped inside, and vanished.

"The world is full of wonders, but this Wanda has so many abilities—it seems Arthur taught her. But why is there no one named Arthur in our world?" Sam mused.

"Who knows? Besides, we have Vision, and he's no less capable than Arthur!" Rhodey replied.

Of course, Rhodey hadn't seen Arthur in action, or he wouldn't have said that. The Avengers returned to rest, the day's events etched into their minds.

Wanda flew toward the Bermuda Triangle. She knew that Arthur would surely go to the seabed to restore his energy, and the most likely place was the underwater kingdom of Atlantis.

Although Wanda didn't know the exact location of Atlantis, she had heard Arthur mention that it existed in the deep sea of the Bermuda Triangle.

Wanda dove into the deep ocean. Her body was enveloped by a magical bubble that kept the seawater at bay, allowing her to move freely underwater. These were practical little spells recorded in the Codex of Chaos.

Wanda swam toward the depths, searching for Arthur's trail...

...

Vienna, United Nations Building.

Natasha was representing the Avengers at the hearing, which was being presided over by King T'Chaka of Wakanda.

Before the meeting began, Natasha encountered T'Challa, the son of the King, who had accompanied his father to the conference.

"We both don't seem to be used to being the center of attention," T'Challa said to Natasha.

"It's not exactly a good thing, after all," Natasha replied.

"You've handled yourself well so far. Given your last experience at the Congressional hearing, I thought you would be very uncomfortable in this environment," T'Challa remarked.

"I am a bit uncomfortable, actually," Natasha admitted with a nod.

"For that reason alone, I'm glad you came, Ms. Romanoff," T'Challa said.

"Why? Do you not support the Accords?" Natasha asked.

"I support the Accords, but I disagree with the politics of it. Two people can be more efficient than a hundred people in this room," T'Challa replied.

"If you need to move a piano, two people aren't enough," the old King, T'Chaka, said as he joined them.

"King T'Chaka, please allow me to apologize for the incident in Nigeria," Natasha said sincerely.

"Thank you! Thank you for your support. I am sorry that Captain Steve Rogers will be absent from the signing today," King T'Chaka said.

"Yes, I am sorry as well," Natasha said.

"Please take your seats, the meeting is officially beginning..." Just then, the broadcast sounded, and the proceedings were underway.

Everyone returned to their seats. King T'Chaka walked to the podium to begin his speech.

As soon as he started, T'Challa, standing to the side, noticed something happening below the building. People were fleeing; there was definitely a time bomb in that car.

"Everyone, get down!" T'Challa shouted as he ran toward his father.

BOOM!!!!

At that moment, the car below exploded with massive force, shattering all the windows in the building. The explosion instantly engulfed King T'Chaka, who was standing at the podium.

T'Challa was thrown back by the blast, and the entire hall fell into chaos.

T'Challa crawled to his father's side, only to discover he was no longer breathing. He held the old King's body and wept.

Everyone in the meeting room evacuated toward the emergency exits, except for Natasha, who stood frozen, staring at T'Challa and the fallen King. She had never expected such a thing to happen...

An ambulance arrived at the scene quickly. The toll was estimated at over 70 injured and 12 dead. Local police immediately launched an investigation and identified the suspect as the Winter Soldier, James Buchanan Barnes!

Fire trucks extinguished the blaze as police searched for the suspect. T'Challa and Natasha stood at the temporary command center set up outside.

"I'm so sorry..." Natasha said, looking at T'Challa, who was sitting in a chair, staring blankly into space.

"In our culture, death is not the end... It is more like a starting point toward a new realm. You reach out your hands, and Bast and Sekhmet lead you to the eternal plains, where you can run forever," T'Challa said calmly.

"That sounds very peaceful," Natasha replied.

"My father believed so, but I do not!" T'Challa suddenly declared.

"T'Challa, the task force is being sent to arrest Bucky!" Natasha said.

"Do not trouble them, Ms. Romanoff. I will kill him myself!" T'Challa stood up with resolve and walked away.

Natasha sighed as she sat in the chair. Suddenly, she received a call from Steve Rogers.

Natasha urged Steve not to act rashly. She knew how much Steve cared for Bucky, and she didn't want him to get dragged into this mess.

But Steve insisted on capturing Bucky himself, claiming only he knew where Bucky was. He hung up the phone, leaving Natasha with a throbbing headache.