INeedAUsername8: Ms., please calm down. You have to keep reading to learn what happens.
Chapter 24: Double The Trouble
(Wakandan Jungle, The Torment Forest, the next day, noon)
One of the patrols of the Wakandan forces is moving through one of the most treacherous parts of the jungle. The three men and three mech-panthers are moving cautiously through the lands of the Mad Gorillas. Each of the men had faced and killed one of the fierce apes, one of them nearly losing an arm as well as his life. The challenge wasn't ever easy for the primates they hunted were of a different breed. The mech-panthers are scanning the area with their scope lensed eyes and miniature radio dish ears. The mech-panthers are specially designed drones that serve multiple purposes. The drones are used to patrol the country's territories for intruders and to stop poachers from killing wildlife. They also serve as excellent weapons in combat and are well served as guards also. They have chips specially created to give them animal emotions…sort of. They act in a way similar to dogs used in combat. They are 'controlled' by a soldier individually, but have quick reaction timing. The king and his top scientists tested its ability to adapt to various situations without having direct commands.
"Man I hate being here, brings back bad memories." One of the men grunted. "You said it; I almost got jumped by two of those apes." Another said. "Just stay vigilant." The third added. "Right." The other two said in unison.
The radio sensors picked up on almost inaudible movement in the brush. They let out growls that sounded very similar to an actual panther, but with that hint of mechanical 'detail'. The men readied their guns.
"Switch to panther vision." One of the men said, pressing a flat button on his helmet.
The part of the helmet where the men could see through turned to an orange color. They looked through the thicker part of the jungle. They expected to see one of the mad gorillas. If it was one, they'd have the drones mock charge to scare them off. While the Wakandans have killed many of the fierce apes, they don't needlessly slaughter them.
'Where are you?' One of the thought to himself.
From the trees leapt a figure. Before they could see what it was, it tackled them. One of the men was thrown back into a drone. Growls and grunts were heard as both rolled onto the ground. The other two drones leapt at the figure. But a sonic blast sent them flying through the trees. One of the two men wrestling with their assailant finally realized the identity of their attacker.
"Sergei Kravinoff! Quick, alert the king!" One of them shouted as he tried to grab the madman's arms.
(Just outside the Domain of the White Gorillas, 10 minutes earlier)
A patrol of the same number as the one in the Torment Forest is on edge. They had found some odd markings close to the area of the jungle forbidden to all Wakandans.
"That is where the traitor is! We have to go in!" One of the men said. "No! It is forbidden to enter that part of the country. We must not!" Another retorted. "Exactly! It's forbidden to enter! Where else would the Man-Ape himself go?" The first argued. "He has a point." The third added.
Both the men and the mech-panthers heard the sound the jungle unleashed. What sounded like a great rhino charging towards them got louder as the cause of the sound approached.
"It's him!" The second shouted. "Fire!" The third added.
The three men shot in the direction of the sound. They were armed with sedation rounds, so if it wasn't M'Baku, the misidentified cause of the sound wouldn't be killed. Quickly the noise stopped. The men sighed in relief as they lowered their weapons. Suddenly, a huge shape leapt out from the brush. The drones snarled as they leapt to confront the attacker. But they were knocked away by a powerful swipe from a huge arm. The men were knocked back as Man-Ape slammed into them.
"Alert the king!" One of the men shouted.
(The Wakandan Royal Palace, 20 minutes earlier)
Peter had left for the Wakandan border earlier in the morning. He was in his suit and disappeared before anyone could say goodbye. T'Challa had a bad feeling about why Peter had left. He had called Ava to his throne room. She walked in to find the king, his family, and Tony talking about their mutual friend's exit. The girl hadn't really spoken much since her argument with Peter yesterday. His words left her with questions and concerns.
"Ms. Ayala, do you know Peter has left?" The king asked. "I'm not surprised." She answered. "His behavior pointed to him having a recent scarring event. I' m curious to know if you are knowledgeable of the situation." T'Challa continued.
Ava held back the tears trying to break loose and did her best to keep her voice from sounding too emotional.
"We got into an argument…he said I'd never seen him again…" She answered. "Pete…" Tony sighed. "It seems our friend is quite heart-broken. I'm afraid there isn't anything we can do…" The king said, his voice full of disappointment. "Dear, what did you tell him?" Ramonda said, walking down to stand in front of Ava.
Ava was silent, but then told them of how the argument had gone.
"Dear…do you know why he said those things to you at the end?" The Queen Mother asked.
Before Ava could reply, alarms went off. T'Challa quickly pushed a flat button on the right arm of his throne. Two holographic screens appear of the two patrols.
"What is wrong?!" The king asked. "We found him, my king! Sergei Kravinoff is in the Torment Forest! The coordinates are being sent now sir! Hurry, I don't AH!" The man screamed as felt Kraven's energized spear impale him. "Sir, M'Baku is just outside the Domain of the White Gorillas! I just sent you the coordinates! Sir, I believe he is hiding in AH!" The other man cried as he felt Man-Ape's hand break his rib cage.
Both screens went into a static stage.
"Iron Man, I will hunt Man-Ape! You go after Kraven! I will have some men meet us at the entrance of the palace. We will organize our teams quickly before setting off!" T'Challa shouted as he leapt from his throne. "Right!" Tony said, running back to his room. "I'm coming too!" Ava said. "Fine, but you stay by side at all times!" The king shouted back as he kept running.
Ava hurried to her room. Ramonda stared after the girl.
'Why do things always have to be so complicated?...I just hope when this mess is done, those to young ones can finally understand the reality of their situation...I just hope what the boy said wasn't true…Because I know it would kill his soul to do that…And I know she would feel the same…I could tell every time they were around each other…I just hope it's not to late…' Ramonda sighed in her mind.
To be continued…