Only Maria retained a connection to the outside world. Her habit of staying informed about Earth's events through Upgrade TV. She now sat with Ben and Ethan, recounting the events that unfolded during their two-year absence in the vastness of the multiverse.
Maria began explaining to them, "While you were on your multiverse journey, Dad, and Ethan, well, you were off exploring Universe 121," she began, her voice steady. "Dad, you did well by taking Ethan away from here."
"Why?" Ethan questioned, his curiosity piqued.
"It's because the Avengers split just after both of you left for different universes," Maria clarified.
Ethan's confusion deepened, "How did that happen?"
"Dad, you ordered Ethan not to disturb me in the middle of the talk. He was becoming a pain in the ass," Maria vented her frustration.
In response, Ben delivered a light smack to Ethan's head. "Keep quiet and listen to your sister," he instructed sternly, turning back to Maria. "Now, okay, my princess."
Maria nodded, continuing her narrative, "So, the destruction caused by Hulk and Ultron led the government to play a game. They pinned all the destruction on the Avengers. Public opinion shifted, and the government compelled them to sign a document called the Sokovia Accord. Due to this, some agreed, and others didn't."
"Who agreed and disagreed, and what is this Sokovia Accord?" Ben inquired, his curiosity driving him to understand the fate of the Avengers in his absence.
"Sokovia Accord is a document stating that all Avengers will only work when the government needs them. Without government orders, they won't act. Iron Man agreed to it, and Black Widow and Vision followed suit. However, the rest of them didn't agree with these terms," Maria explained, providing clarity on the contentious agreement.
"So, after the split, did things settle down?" Ben asked, seeking to grasp the aftermath of the division. "No, Dad, they still aren't okay," Maria replied.
"Why?" Ben and Ethan in unison questioned Maria.
"A guy named Winter Soldier killed the king of Wakanda, T'Chaka, during a meeting. T'Chaka was also Black Panther. Afterward, Winter Soldier managed to escape," Maria began.
She continued, "In the aftermath, T'Challa, the prince of Wakanda, assumed the throne and the mantle of Black Panther. Winter Soldier, once a friend of Captain America dating back to the 1970s, had been under HYDRA control. Captain America, driven by loyalty, tried to save his friend."
"Despite Winter Soldier being a manipulated murderer, the government issued a wanted order for him. Captain America assembled a team, including Quicksilver, Wanda, Falcon, Ant-Man, and even the retired Hawkeye, to both save his friends and apprehend the true culprit – the Sokovia survivor, Helmut Zemo," Maria continued.
"Who was Ant-Man? I didn't know someone was there before we went for the Multiverse Journey," Ethan's curiosity couldn't be contained.
"Ant-Man was Scott Lang, with a bit of a criminal record in his past. Hank Pym, the creator of Pym Particles, designed a suit that could shrink or enlarge its wearer. Hank Pym, along with his wife, was the original Ant-Man and Wasp. However, after Wasp was lost in the Quantum Realm, Hank retired. Scott Lang took up the mantle of Ant-Man afterward, but, honestly, they were no match for me," Maria explained, her tone carrying a hint of pride as she subtly compared her strength to that of the former Ant-Man and Wasp.
"Yes, my princess is indeed stronger than them. So, what happened next?" Ben praised Maria before prompting her to continue with the unfolding narrative.
"Then Iron Man, along with his allies Iron Patriot, Vision, Natasha, and the newly crowned Black Panther, joined forces with a newcomer named Spider-Man to apprehend them," Maria narrated, continuing the intricate tale.
"Is this Spider-Man the one and only Peter Parker?" Ben sought clarification before delving into the fate of Captain America's team.
"Yes, Dad, Spider-Man is indeed Peter Parker," Maria confirmed, her amazement evident as her father was already acquainted with the web-slinger.
"Then what happened to the Captain America team? Did they get captured?" Ben inquired, his concern etched across his face.
Maria nodded solemnly, "Yes, Dad. Ant-Man, Wanda, Pietro, Hawkeye, and Falcon were caught. They were sent to a high-security prison, locked away from the world." Her recounting held a tinge of sadness for the fate that befell Captain America's allies.
"However," Maria continued with a glimmer of hope, "Captain America and Winter Soldier managed to elude capture, all thanks to Natasha. She intervened at the last moment, ensuring their escape from the government's grasp."
"After that, a fierce confrontation erupted between Captain America and Iron Man, resulting in their split. Meanwhile, Black Panther, in his pursuit of justice, unearthed the true culprit. He not only revealed the mastermind behind the chaos but also extended refuge to both Captain America and Winter Soldier in Wakanda," Maria detailed, delving into the aftermath of the intense conflict.
"While Natasha's double-crossing left her on the government's wanted list, she took a daring stand. Natasha orchestrated the liberation of Quicksilver, Wanda, Hawkeye, Ant-Man, and Falcon from the high-security prison. Since then, they've been maintaining a low profile, eluding the government's watchful eyes," Maria explained.
"And, Dad. When you were away, a new sorcerer emerged. It unfolded at 177A Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. A newcomer named Stephen Strange surfaced, engaging in a battle against malevolent sorcerers," Maria shared, adding another layer to the evolving narrative.
"Good, good. I'm aware of Doctor Strange," Ben commended Maria, appreciating her comprehensive knowledge of the unfolding events.
"Yes, there's an update about Sif, Mom. I found that Sif, along with our brother Sigurd, is currently traveling in Norway with Grandpa Odin and Grandma Frigga. Thor and Loki visited them not too long ago, but Grandpa Odin sent them back, and they are currently enjoying their time on Earth," Maria shared, bringing news of their Asgardian family.
Hearing this, Ben's face lit up with joy. "So, they're in Norway. It looks like I need to visit them," he murmured. Then, turning to Maria and Ethan, he asked, "Anyone wants to visit them with me?" The prospect of reuniting with their Asgardian relatives sparked a sense of excitement in the air.
"Yes, me, me," Maria eagerly volunteered, her enthusiasm for traveling with her dad shining through.
"I'm not coming, Dad. I need to spend some time with Mom," Ethan declined, expressing a desire to stay back.
"Alright, then. Let's go," Ben agreed, acknowledging Ethan's choice. Turning to his wives, he reassured them, "I'll just go and come back." With Maria by his side, Ben took to the skies, heading towards Sif's location in Norway.