ArtemisBAMF1218: Sometimes people do always do the smart thing.

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Chapter 10: The Royal Carpet

(Over the Congo, yesterday early)

Black Panther is flying the Silent Sky himself. White Tiger is sitting beside him. She had been thinking about what the arrival would be like. She heard stories of the rich culture of Wakanda. Her father had found it to be the most amazing place he'd ever seen. Of course, he'd always said it wasn't his home. But she chuckled in her mind when he told her it wasn't a bad place to be. However, her mind fell open those she'd left behind.

'Don't worry guys; you'll see me before you know it.' She sighed in her mind. "Are you ok?" T'Challa asked, turning to look at her with his own eyes.

His skin is the same tone as Luke's, but the man's eyes are a piercing chocolate brown. His hair is coal black and is clean-shaven. He is a handsome man in his mid to late 20's. Ava could tell be his demeanor he symbolizes the animal itself: sophisticated, strong, and mysterious.

"Yes, just thinking…" She sighed. "About Spider-Man?" T'Challa replied, this time not looking at her.

Tiger gasped, he said that just as her mind fell upon Peter. She took off her mask and looked the man in the eyes.

"H-How…" She started to say, when he answered, "How did I know? Call it intuition. Ava, you have the same demeanor about you as your father. His fiery personality has been passed down to you, except you seem to be even more intense than him. My father did have difficulty keeping Hector calm. But you are strong, just like him. My father saw much potential in Hector, as I see in you. The tiger spirit roars fiercely in you." "Well, I have to keep it in check." She grunted. "Really? Perhaps you shouldn't." T'Challa said. "What?" Tiger gasped. "You will learn what I mean when your training begins tomorrow." The king explained. "Tomorrow?" She grunted. "Indeed, the training my father put your father and me through was rather…difficult…but it was worth it." He said.

She nodded and turned to look at the wilds of Africa. She hadn't seen such a place before. The concrete jungles of New York City were one thing, but the African wilderness was something entirely different. But then her mind trailed back to her closest friend, the one who had given her a special gift before she left. She could feel tears begin slowly slithering down her burning cheeks. T'Challa saw this.

"You miss him?" He said. "Yes, he's my best friend. Where was he when Kraven attacked you?" The king asked. "Beside me, taking him in. He was the one who convinced me to let him live." She answered.

There was a low growl that escaped the king's throat. Ava's eyes widened in shock. T'Challa composed himself.

"Forgive me…I'm not fond of that man. He's committed atrocities in my home. I wouldn't have let him live. Though he would've been by Wakandan law." He replied. "That wouldn't take back any of the crimes he carried out." White Tiger said. "It would've given me peace of mind though. I paid him a visit. He's alive, but broken." T'Challa replied. "Good, he deserves as much." Tiger growled.

T'Challa smiled. Not long after, there came a voice from one of the communicators on the jet's communication system.

"My king, are you there?" A male voice asked, heavily accented in the unique Wakandan tongue like T'Challa. "Yes W'Kabi, has everything been prepared?" T'Challa asked. "Yes, my king. How are you two doing?" The man asked. "Good, we are almost there." The king replied. "We earnestly await your arrival." W'Kabi continued. "Thank you, my friend." The king said.

Ava rose in eyebrow in both confusion and curiosity. Prepared what?

"Are you ready Ms. Ayala?" The king asked. "For what?" She asked. "You've heard of the red carpet before I trust…well, you are about to have the royal carpet rolled out for you." T'Challa chuckled. "Me?" She gasped. "Your father was well liked among my people. They couldn't wait for the tiger's return. Head into the back, get your stuff and prepare for our landing. You won't be able to see the city from in the back…so when we exit have your mask on and stay calm. My father said the same to your father when he arrived his first time." T'Challa chuckled. "Ok…" She grunted, confused.

Tiger went into the back and prepared her things. Not long after, they landed. T'Challa put on his mask and 'turned off' the jet. He walked to the door. The king turned to see the daughter of his deceased friend with her things in hand and suit & mask on.

"Wait here, Ms. Ayala. Introductions to your arrival and the tiger's return must be made." He said. "Of course, your majesty." She said, then bowed.

T'Challa opened the door and the steps reached the ground. The Black Panther walked out, and received a roar of cheers. Tiger could hear the king call out to his people.

"People of Wakanda! It has been many years since the stay of an ally of the Panther! Our dear friend, Hector Ayala, has been gone for some time! When his death was told before you, we all mourned for his lost! But his legacy lives on! For today, the White Tiger has returned! Ava Ayala, the daughter of Hector, has come to the land her father trained in by my father, King T'Chaka! She will stay with us and train under my guidance as Hector and I were by my father! Her father had told her wondrous stories of our home, and longed to see it for herself! Her wait has ended, and our wait for the White Tiger's return has ended! Now make her feel welcome! Ava Ayala! The White Tiger has come!" The Black Panther proclaimed.

White Tiger took a deep breath and composed herself as well as she could. She didn't want to embarrass herself in front of an entire country. She strode out of the jet and walked down the steps. Her eyes fell on an incredible sight. The city where the King of Wakanda sits on his throne and rules over the country and protects its people is far greater in appearance than the Big Apple. Skyscrapers stand tall throughout the city. The streets are filled with lush and rich culture. Its people, like their city, where modern style clothing yet still clearly African in origin. So many excited faces filled the cheering crowds, whom grew more excited at the sight of the White Tiger, one of the closest allies of the Black Panther. Men, clearly guards, stood in an erect position. Their uniforms have the head of the panther on their shoulders; the gleaming vibranium armor glistened on their limbs and torsos. Each held a unique looking firearm in their hands, weapons of which Ava hadn't ever seen before. Their helmets are 'normally' shaped, but have the symbol of the panther on the front of them above the eyes' line of vision. Beside some of them, sat mechanical panthers. Each are the same size of the actual animal, but made completely of vibranium. The robotic beasts' eyes glow a bright orange color.

"I told you the royal carpet would be rolled out for you." T'Challa chuckled from her side.

Ava turned to see the king's outfit had slightly changed. He now wore a long flowing dark purple cape. A necklace adorned with unique jewels and a panther's head made of vibranium at the 'center' lay around the king's neck and on his chest.

"Come, we don't want to miss the feast." T'Challa said.

Tiger remained calm, but she was screaming with excitement in her mind.

(Inspiration for the mechanical panthers goes to the artist, Robert Chew. Check out some of his work!)

To be continued...