Chapter 8

Luna's former foster father was desperate. "I've got to get her back," he said. "Only she can make my computer viruses stronger and her cat DNA will bring me big bucks."

He was furious with himself that his plan to kidnap Luna had failed at the black-tie event. He hadn't even considered that she might have had some help and the owner of the animal show was furious that he had been sold a stolen animal and though he had been reimbursed by Tony Stark, Mr. Goodling was threatening to bring a lawsuit against David.

His wife came in. "David, you said we'd soon have Luna again," she said.

"I know, I know," he said, pacing. "Because she knows how to either destroy or make viruses better! I've seen her do it! And when she destroyed the microchip on her, I got a signal that it had been uploading the virus, but she caught it and destoryed it! And the only way she could have found that lion is because of her cat DNA."

She sighed. "Well, I'm heading out," she said. "Good luck."

David watched his wife head out and he went back to planning another attempt to get Luna when the lights went out and he looked around before hearing a growl. "David," he heard and turned just as the lights came back on to reveal Black Panther in the room and he looked furious. "You have threatened one of my own."

The man began looking afraid now. "What are you talking about?" He asked, getting ready to run.

Black Panther snarled and his claws came out. "Don't play dumb with me!" He snarled as he began smashing the computers in the room.

David started to really get freaked out now as the angry hero smashed every computer in the room to pieces and slashed at any computer equipment in the room, rendering it useless. The man went to run, but a hand gripped his shoulder and pulled him back. "I know you've been hunting for Luna and looking to hurt her again," the black-suited hero snarled. "You will never get ahold of her again. She is my daughter."

A scream suddenly was heard. "I've done nothing wrong!" David heard his wife call out as pounding feet hit the stairs. Black Panther let the man go just before the police entered and their weapons were aimed at David.

"Here's the one we want," said one policeman.

Another approached him. "You and your wife are under arrest on domestic terrorism charges, child abuse, forgery, and identity theft," he said, placing handcuffs on David.

"But how?" He asked, bewildered.

The lady cop among them smiled. "We got a tip about your dealings," she said. "Take him away, boys."

As they dragged David outside, Black Panther followed and saw Luna get out of another squad car with Tony beside her, as the businessman had worked with the girl to take the girl's former foster parents down once and for all. David saw her and he looked angry, but his look of anger faded when Luna walked right up to him, her face deadly calm, but her eyes were smoldering with anger. She looked him dead in the eye.

"I'm not afraid of you anymore," she said, her voice sure. "And all those people you were trying to impress now know who you really are."

His face crumpled and his wife screamed. "You ungrateful girl!" She snarled. "After we took you in! First you steal from us and then this?!"

"It's funny you should mention theft, because that's another charge you both are facing," said the police chief as he came up to them. "That jewelry you claim she stole were pieces you had stolen yourself. The true owners have filed reports."

The lady's face crumpled too and Black Panther stood next to Luna, glaring at the couple. "Hear my words well," he said. "Leave Luna alone, or you will not only face the Avengers, but myself as well."

The couple looked afraid at the threat and were soon taken away. The police chief went up to Luna, smiling at her. "Luna, we're sorry we were chasing you before," he said.

She smiled. "You were doing your job, sir," she said understandingly. "And it was a blessing in disguise, because Black Panther found me that night."

"And I'm glad," he said. "The judge who handles adoptions is a good friend of mine and I hear you have someone looking to adopt you."

Black Panther nodded. "The paperwork just went through today," he said. "Luna is officially my daughter."

The police chief smiled and nodded. "And she'll never have to worry about these two crooks again. They're going away for a long time," he said. "Have a good night."

After he left and the other police left, Luna looked up at Tony, who smiled and nodded. "We were going to tell you tomorrow, but I think now's a good time," he said. "The adoption process is complete and you now have a forever home at the Mansion."

Luna looked up at him gratefully. "Wasp did say you were serious about me not having to worry about moving again," she said. "She said you don't do anything in halves."

The businessman laughed warmly. "That's the truth," he said before nodding to Black Panther and starting to walk away. "Right now, I think I'll leave you and Panther to talk."

She nodded and turned to the hero who not only saved her, but called her his daughter. "Black Panther, do you really want me as a daughter?" She asked him.

He nodded. "Yes, I do, but I wanted you to decide for yourself if you wanted to be my daughter," he said. "It's the very reason I was observing your interactions with the team and I was pleased to see that not only did the others help you fit in, but you seemed to take to them too."

She looked at him. "Did you set any of them up to spend time with me?" She asked.

"No," he said gently. "That was up to them, though I did know that Wasp wanted to take you shopping and Hulk was interested in seeing how you fought. I did ask him to take it easy on you as you're young, but it seems you impressed him."

Luna giggled. "He might be big, but he's quick," she said. "I had to really think on my feet."

Black Panther chuckled. "And then when you got Cleo and Venus back, you seemed to come out of your shell," he said. "Those two have even been moving around the house and apparently have deemed everyone to be part of their pack."

The twelve-year-old nodded. "They do that to see if anyone might be a threat or not," she said. "If there's someone they don't like, they'll chase them off, but you have to be careful, because they also love to play and if you catch them in a playful mood, you're the one that going to get chased when they went to chase something."

The black-suited hero laughed heartily. "That would explain why they were running after Spiderman the other day and the poor boy was so afraid that when they pounced on him, he thought they would eat him."

The girl giggled again. "Nah, they wouldn't," she said. "But they do love a good game of chase."

Black Panther nodded and noticed the time. "We best get back to the Mansion," he said before crouching down. "Climb aboard."

Luna was surprised, but did as she was told, remembering that her father used to give her piggy-back rides when she was little. She held on as the black-suited hero leapt in long, graceful leaps before they arrived at the huge home and Luna slid down off the hero's back and turned to him. "You know, ever since I learned about you, I wanted to be your daughter," she admitted. "But I didn't know how you'd feel about it, which is why I wasn't so willing to listen to you when you first found me."

He smiled. "And the reason you were adamant on not staying when you woke up in the morning?" He asked gently.

"Yeah," she admitted softly.

The black-suited hero placed a hand on her shoulder. "Luna, I would be very proud to have you as my daughter," he said. "And with the adoption papers officially passed, I think it's time I took you under my wing."

She looked at him curiously and he smiled. "If you want to join the Avengers," he said.

Luna was shocked. "You mean...I would join the Avengers?" She asked.

"If you want to," he told her.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed, she hugged him and he returned the hug before she looked up at him and nodded. "I'd like that...Dad," she said, saying the last word shyly.

He nodded. "Then let's go, my daughter," he said, taking her inside the mansion. Luna was eager to get started as not only the newest Avenger, but as Black Panther's new daughter.

Well, Luna has officially been adopted and her former foster parents are arrested. Finale is coming up next! :)

Please leave a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418