"...I am sorry Parker. This is not what I wanted." "I understand Thor." "Be safe there in Wakanda and if anything else changes I'll let you know." Peter nodded. The magical call via Mjolnir ended.
Tasha was just as disappointed as Peter was.
Odin had apparently overruled Thor's request to have a hammer made for Peter to save Teresa. Why? Apparently Odin was concerned it would affect Midgard affairs too much. What?! Peter couldn't believe it.
Teresa would be Mephisto's slave forever now without a better solution...
Peter sat on the edge of their bed and placed his head into his hands. Tasha sat beside him and comforted him.
"Peter... I... don't wanna be cruel..." Peter sighed and looked up at her. "What is it?" "The Teresa thing is eating you up. I see it." He nodded. "You're right. It is." He cried a little. "She's all I have left; besides you anyway."
She took his hand. "What I'm trying to say... is maybe you need to let her go..." that shocked Peter at first but his logic kicked in. She was right. There was nothing he could do to save Teresa until further notice. Maybe never. He had to live right? If something came along he'd adapt to it then. But until then what was the point? Self hatred only helped Mephisto too.
No. I won't let that bastard win. If I can save her someday I will. I swear to God I will. But until then... Tasha's right. I gotta live.
He hugged her. "Thanks Tasha." She returned it. She'd been reluctant for fear that she'd overstepped her bounds. But she knew Peter well enough to know that he was truly grateful for her advice. "Thank you." She then hugged him tighter back. "Sure thing Pete."
There was a knock. An aide entered. "The king will see you now."
Xxx
The ex spies entered the Wakandan throne room. There king T'Challa and his royal council were seated and expecting them. They stopped before the monarch and superhero black Panther and bowed together.
Peter "thank you for having us your majesty." T'Challa "it is no problem. We are sorry that your own nation has turned against you; and only for doing what was right. We of Wakanda are appalled by this. But it is hardly the first time that we have seen America treat its heroes with such great disrespect and contempt. It is a strange thing that we do not encounter here."
The king stood and approached them. "You shall be my honored guests for as long as your need requires." Tasha "we are most grateful your highness. We do not wish to endanger Wakanda or its people in any way." T'Challa smiled a little at that. "You aren't. The mighty Bast watches over us to make certain that is not the case."
"And we are fully aware of the circumstances that brought you here. We are indeed." That was true as Peter's shield journey had brought him to this point.
T'Challa set his hands behind his back. "My council and I have been discussing this Mephisto threat at great length. We are convinced that his evil has come here to Wakanda in yet new ways."
Peter and Tasha shared puzzled looks. Tasha "we don't follow highness." T'Challa exhaled. "Islam is a great threat to every civilized nation. They plague this continent as they have for many years. They hate Wakanda for its wealth and our polytheistic infidel ways. They would love to see Wakanda fall. Moreover; our seers have been blessed by the Panther goddess to have visions of the future. Where Mephisto leads their armies of jihad to conquer us and the world; with coveted vibranium weapons no less."
Tasha "we weren't aware of this." "No. It is a closely guarded secret that our priests told us not to share until proven different. We'd ask that you keep it so as well." "Of course."
Nakia entered. T'Challa motioned at her. "Nakia has infiltrated jihadi cells in the past to liberate African women and girls from Islamic enslavement genital mutilation and forced marriages."
Peter "what're your views of Christianity sire; if I may ask?" "Christianity has its flaws but we do not consider it a threat like Islam. So long as no religion forces its ways upon us we have no problem with that."
Tasha "and of Israel sire?" "We agree with Israel. If we had lost Wakanda we too would fight to take it back as well. This is our home. As is Israel for the Jewish people as well. The Palestinians can settle anywhere in the Arab world."
That was controversial Peter thought to put it mildly. But that was that.
Peter "if there is a way we can help please let us know majesty." T'Challa nodded. "You may work with Nakia if you so wish. You may find that combating evils here may help in your greater fight against Mephisto."
Peter couldn't argue against that. They were dismissed. Nakia escorted them back to quarters. "If you would like to be acting war dogs I'd be glad to make it happen." Tasha nodded at Peter. Peter "sure thing. Wherever we can do to stop Mephisto."
And maybe save Teresa in the process. By it's like Tasha said Pete: you gotta let it go until proven different. You have to. If you're gonna keep helping people that's the way it has to be.
They got ready for bed. Tasha was fast asleep in his arms. He on the other hand couldn't sleep. He just stared up at the ceiling. He hoped he could sleep again.
Xxx
When they arose the next morning the aides had brought in fully made and very accurate Spidey and black widow suits. The detail was incredibly accurate. They dressed and prepared to serve; strangely enough their war remained the same.