We hung around for hours; still, Mandarin didn't show up. "Jesus...now what?" said Peter. "Di, I'm going to die of real boredom here..." "You can't die remember?" "Oh god that's right..." Bucky had the watch; even though it wasn't needed. "What do you think?" Pete and I were seated on the dusty ground with legs folded; Peter was playing with his mask. "He could just be waiting us out," said Pete. That was always true. I had the wonder plane scan the area again; its conclusions remained what they'd been all along - strong demon energy but no Mandarin.
I sighed/stood. Peter did a fancy spider move to stand as well. "We packing it in hon?" I gave a slow nod. "Yeah..."
XXX
We returned to the Wakandan capital; there we learned that the Atlanteans were now positioned around the Chinese naval force for added security. This puzzled our allies; for why would the Atlanteans embrace communism...? Atlantis was similar to Themyscira/Wakanda; advanced enlightened isolationist and typically unconcerned with the world beyond their borders. It could be a vibranium motive; Marvel's Atlantis wasn't magical as it was in DC; they'd need vibranium more here. Namor was actually a mutant; Aquaman was magical in my reality. It was hard to say for now what was motivating Atlantis and its submerged prince minus better intel.
There were new arrivals too - Nat and Cap from Avenger town...and Storm from the X men. Nat/Cap made up with Bucky while Pete/I joined the king/Bast Priest Halar as they spoke with Storm. "Storm is a mutant, and there is a mutant angle now with the Atlanteans being involved," said T'challa. Storm said, "Professor Xavier sent me in a more...diplomatic capacity for this operation. The X men wish to resolve this peacefully where possible." "Understood; glad to have you here," I said. "What is motivating the Atlanteans in this regard?" "The professor has telepathically determined that vibranium is indeed the motive behind the prince's alliance with China and the Mandarin. They don't want to be communist. He further believes Namor will use vibranium to help mutant kind as well in our ongoing struggle for equality."
That made more sense, but it posed new dangers of its own. "What about Magneto and the brotherhood?" "They've been quiet of late...but that doesn't mean Atlantis couldn't form a new alliance with them as well; especially if vibranium gave them a major tactical advantage for mutant matters." "Are there are any more X men here?" "Just me. But we're definitely on standby if needed." I nodded.
Cap and the others came over to join us. The three of them appeared to have moved on now that Bucky had found himself again. "King T'challa - the Avengers remain ready to assist however needed." "Thank you Captain Rogers. I still hope for some kind of peaceful solution. Wonder woman and spider man engaged Mandarin directly in China but he vanished." "We're aware," said cap. "It was a good try."
"Mandarin's not done yet," I said. "And he may have more allies we're not yet aware of." This included the mutant brotherhood and others yet. This crisis was far from over. Patience would be our best friend for now.
