"We have now confirmed that Barnes is within Wakanda's borders," said Priest Halar upon our return to the capital. "There was a known Sobek cell located nearby to the border point he entered through." Peter said, "Shouldn't he have been captured?" "Sobek or Mandarin might have used magic if he had," I said. Despite being a god now that eluded my husband; he was still learning the ways of the mystical. Halar nodded. "Your wife is right Mister Parker. This is what most of the world doesn't get with this type of conflict - the supernatural is at work too. This is a struggle where earthly and spiritual forces will strike together as needed to achieve their goals." Peter just gave a simple nod. It was a complex matter indeed; he couldn't be faulted for that at all.
Halar looked to me. "Diana-" I'd pushed to all concerned to dispense with formalities from our end "-Captain Rogers wishes to speak with you." I sighed; I sensed this coming. "You want me with you on this?" said Peter. "No; I've got this." I gave him a warm/grateful smile all the same. "But thanks." He returned it. "Sure."
They talked further while I went over to a nearby monitor; he was at Avengers HQ in NYC. "Steve." "Diana. I heard that Bucky is there." "Yeah. I wish you were here." "So do I. I spoke with Nat at length about it...but we were told to stay out of it. ...We're obviously not objective." I could see that different ways. "I'm sorry this happened to you all." "So am I. I'm sorry that it's pushed him into this situation. I'm not making excuses for him..." "No Cap, I understand. We're all human. Barnes has been through a lot - Hydra and everything else." He nodded. "What I'm also trying to say Diana...is that I trust you to do what's right regarding him. Please save him if you can..." "I won't give up on him Steve; I give you my word." He nodded. "I know you'll do your best; that's all we can ask. Good luck." I nodded.
Peter ended his conversation with Halar and joined me at seeing the call was over. He took my hand. "How'd it go?" "He gave us his blessing to do what we need to in order to stop Barnes." "I hope we don't have to do the unthinkable." I nodded slowly. "What is it?" "Magic could easily enter into this Peter. Obviously our armored roles won't be enough to deal with that." "Sure." "Barnes doesn't have magical ties normally, but that could easily change." "We'll change with it then." I nodded.
Halar joined us. "The king has requested our help; we are preparing strikes on the Sobek followers throughout the kingdom." "We'll be there priest," I said. "But this will have consequences; violent ones." Halar nodded slowly; the worry on his face was clear. "Yes. And this might very well be what our enemies desire, but we cannot let these monsters continue what they are doing unchallenged. We must show them there will be law and order within Wakanda. And now with our allies keeping China at bay this will be our best time to do just that."
Mandarin/allies no doubt accounted for all of this; we could be led into yet another trap. But if there was a fight that needed fighting we couldn't turn from that either. We joined up with the king to do our next job - keep the peace in Wakanda or risk losing it and its vibranium supply to the enemy.
