The Nigerian authority continued to give a wide berth to the Wakandan led force. They were still refusing to admit they were part of the kill monger led conspiracy but it didn't matter. Mephisto fueled them and nothing else mattered. The bombs were still out there and live. It was still anyone's fight. The fate of Nigeria, by way of Abuja, remained up in the air.

But the heroes had boldly counter drawn a line of their own. Bast backed the panthers; of that Peter didn't doubt. And maybe T'Challa knew things they didn't and just simply hadn't said them. That was always possible. There were likely many things things the Wakandans knew that many others didn't. Including the other heroes present.

They were out in the Abuja streets now. T'Challa had wanted to make a bold display and had. Abuja residents were out in the street too. Shuri was right beside him, the royal guard as well. Peter had only his mask on; but his shield was on his arm and ready to go. He didn't care how dorky it looked. He was always the dork of York and forever proud of that. The dork was usually underestimated; and that made him the most dangerous person of all.

Mephisto or not... I will not be underestimated. And as for getting the Phoenix force into Teresa... whatever it takes to stop this son of a bitch. His grip on his shield tightened with a newfound tireless resolve as this occurred.

Tasha was beside him; guns ready. The others were there too now; including Sabra Bucky and Nakia. A true superhero force had emerged. And panther wasn't screwing around.

Panther stood out among the others. He looked at the growing number of Nigerians that gathered to hear Africa's greatest hero speak.

"My fellow Africans... you know who I am. I am here to give you all hope. In an age where hope seems gone. It is there. My dead cousin n'jadaka would seek to tell you that his way is better. His way of hatred division and slavery. He serves none but an evil hell lord called Mephisto; as you likely heard him say."

"He told me at his death that he'd rather be buried in the ocean; for it mirrored those of his ancestors that jumped from the slavers to their deaths rather than ever live in bondage."

"He was right to wanna die a free man. And for this I grew to admire him. The man that he was at the end. None can deny the social evils that created the conditions that led to what he became. But he always had a choice. No matter how hard that seemed to be to the contrary. And even in the end he chose the man he wanted to be. That's all anyone can do."

"Everyone here has their own beliefs. My particular tribe follows the panther goddess Bast. She blesses Wakanda everyday. She now asks the panther tribe to make its wisdom known to the world. To Africa."

"Let none of the anti African forces that came from the outside dictate future African affairs ever again. Islam Christianity Judaism and all the others. Let only our ancient and timeless ways guide us in everything. Let Africa save itself. Let Africa guide itself. Let our diaspora brethren return here as well without delay."

"I, the black panther, will guide you to that truth if you so wish."

The crowd had thickened considerably. Peter didn't want to see Africa cut off from the world. But T'Challa's approach was much better than N'Jadaka's to be sure. Of that much he could be certain. And his duty as Spider-Man was to oppose that in any way needed. And he would. And he didn't give a shit what anyone thought.

Tasha placed a hand on his shoulder. He turned his masked head in her direction. Her look was one of resolve. From behind his mask his was too. She knew that. He didn't doubt it.

Panther wasn't just saying these things for those within earshot of it. Peter didn't doubt they had Wakandan tech sending it everywhere. That was good. The world needed to change. Again; Peter was never against change. But he would never support communism fascism or totalitarianism of any kind. Or any other methodology or ideology that was a proven failure. Never gonna happen.

And as Spider-Man that was a belief he would fight to the death for. Even over his growing love of Natalia Alianovna romanova. Guaranteed.

Agent Spider-Man had to be a philosophical spiritual warrior as well now. The way of the spider. That was his way. Samurai legend Musashi had been those things and more. Logan had spoken on him at length to Peter. Logan totally admired him. Peter considered Logan the modern version of that ronin.

And now with the new shield on his arm bearing his iconic symbol Peter had to be something more to everyone else. And he would.

"Nice words cousin" said kill monger from down the street. A growing combined baddie force was with him. The heroes tensed. "But you just say what the colonizers and other racists want you to say. You wanna keep Wakanda the same; as our ancestors did. But you won't. It will never happen."

"You are not the king of Wakanda. Now or ever. And Bast still condemns you. We all know who your true master is. Slave."

Bold Peter thought. And there must be other forces at work. Maybe Bast herself is blocking the bombs or something. Not the first time the gods out there have played cavalry.

Peter also remembered something musashi had said: trust the gods but never depend on them. If they come through fine but be ready for anything; and to do it on your own. That would be the case for him now.

His shield remained ready before him in case the stuff hit the fan.

"You had a choice even in the afterlife" T'Challa said. "You chose power over Bast and communion with your ancestors. You claim you wanted freedom; but your actions now betray your last words."

"The truth is you freely consented to your enslavement..."

Kill monger motioned forward. His forces charged the heroes. The epic fight was on.