Chapter 10: C

So… No one kill me. All right? Just be happy I decided that FanFiction was a little more important than my college stuff. Anyhoozies, I'm kidding, I finished all my work (including college stuff) so I've been free for quite a while. The reason I've been gone? Let's go with the simple answer of: writer's block. That and I needed a break. So—after about a month, I'm back and I am hoping to continue on with writing once more!

I didn't get to say a happy new year to all of y'all so—HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Oh and from the previous chapter (re-read the author's note at the bottom for a refresher), I said that the winner of the best review would help me write my next chapter or get a one-shot dedicated to them, and that reviewer is: Someone! Congrats!

I appreciate all the reviews I do, but this guest has been anonymous for too long. I know many of the other FanFic members, so don't be hurt that I didn't choose you (it's cuz I already know y'all. You guys are like my BFFs). So congrats Someone, just leave a review of your option, if you want to help write a chapter or a one-shot (if it is a one shot make sure you tell me in the reviews what it should be about).

FYI: I will be making a reference to African Americans, but do NOT take it as a racist comment. I'm thinking the way they would if they saw something different of their own people (cuz trust me being an Indian gives you many second glances).

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my story.

Tony pushed harder against her hands so that she wouldn't squirm her out of his grasp. And instead of kissing her, which was what Pepper initially thought, he went on to kiss and nibble on her neck.

See, when Tony did this, it actually felt really pleasant. She would clung onto him and want more to come. But this was like being in lava with fangs tearing your skin about.

"I forgot how soft your skin used to be." Tony murmured into her neck. His hot breath sent an unpleasant shiver down her spine. She closed her eyes and bit the inside of her cheek, trying to keep herself from shouting out in fury.

She, instead, stretched out her fingers and dug them straight into the back of Tony's hands. He grunted, and shifted his hands down her arm. Then he moved up until his face was level with hers.

Pepper turned her head to the side, closing her eyes to hopefully make him disappear into her mind. She wanted to fight, but what was the point? The more she resisted, the more he forced himself onto her. He wasn't exactly the most negotiable person that existed, but maybe, just maybe, if she played along, he would let her go for a while.

But that's not what her Tony would approve of. He wouldn't ever want to see her do anything she didn't want to do.

So that meant not having to deal with this.

Pepper shouted just as Tony's lips brushed her own. The other Tony leapt back, and lost his grip on Pepper's wrists. She then brought her knees up to her chest and thrust outward, catching Tony in the stomach.

As she had major déjà vu (from the first time she encountered the other Tony), Pepper rolled on the bed and landed on the floor with a huge thud.

Tony was groaning on the bed, and he had better be because Pepper's knees were hurting from hitting him (which tells you how hard she truly gutted him).

She sprang to her feet and rushed to the door, shocked that Tony wasn't following her. When she glanced back, she noticed that he was still on the bed clutching his stomach, but smirking.

"Go out if you dare." He said before squeezing his eyes again.

And Pepper dared.

"You sure about this?" Rhodey asked walking into his own suit. Tony was already suited up in his own armor, and was running data from his computer into his armor.

As the loading bar neared a hundred, Tony turned to look at his friend. "I can't be sure of anything, to be honest. I mean, T'Challa did tell me that I was welcome at any time. But I guess I won't be sure until I actually met him again."

"Did you tell him you're coming?" Rhodey pulled away from the docking station for his armor, and came towards Tony. The exit was right above their heads, so it would be a quick flight out.

Tony looked at him sheepishly. "Uh, sure."

"So that's a no."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't say 'yes' either."

"Well, I said I would come if I had something important to talk to him about!" Tony retorted. He shoved his small, remote sized, space-time machine into a small bag and attached it to a hook on the waist of his armor.

Rhodey rolled his eyes. "I'm guessing that was about a couple of months ago."

"A year to be exact."

Tony looked around his workbench quickly, scanning for anything that might be needed for his quick (yet long) journey to Wakanda. This might as well be his last chance to get his device working. If it didn't work, it will basically be a huge waste of time just leaving the armory. "I just hope it won't be too late." He whispered as his faceplate slide into place.

Tony looked up and shot out of the armory, and through the small exit hole at the top. He heard War Machine's massive jet boots start up and didn't have to look back to confirm that his friend was following.

The sky was a bright blue, and too beautiful for the mood that Tony was in. It has only been a day since Pepper disappeared, and that was tearing a huge hole in his heart.

When Tony was sure Rhodey was behind him, he powered up the sonic speed and shot out towards the direction of Wakanda (which he downloaded from the computer not too long ago).

"How long will it take us?" Rhodey asked through the com-system. Tony looked at his holographic data and looked at the time remaining.

"It's only about an hour. We should be there in no time." Tony spoke back. And that would also be enough time for him to quell the dangerous thought that floated through his mind. He might be wrong about his invention.

Sure enough the journey was quick. It took no more than thirty minutes, but that was only because Tony used his sonic blast the entire time. His suit warned him many times that it was probably not a good idea since his suit was running off of his heart monitor, but he hushed it multiple times.

Rhodey had fallen back a couple of times, because unlike Tony, his suit was running off of arc reactor energy that didn't come from a living source. The arc reactor would power up and then be exhausted, then powered up, and on and on. Tony on the other hand was alive, so if he used too much of his arc reactor, it would power down, but Tony's heart beat kept it running. It was a great new invention unlike the old heart monitor that required to be charged.

Wakanda spread out below them, and Tony saw nothing but red dirt and few barren trees. It was depressing to look at, yet there was so much beauty to it: the way the animals came together, and how the sun hit the ground just right, making the red dirt actually look like gold.

"So where exactly is the great Wakanda chief?" Rhodey asked sarcastically. Tony wished he could've shot him a very dagger-throwing glare, but instead he had to sigh.

"Rhodey, show some respect. This man is the leader of his people, and the last time I checked, you weren't the leader of anyone, let alone anything." Tony smirked when he was greeted with stunned silence.

The dirt continued to spread below them, but it wasn't long before the dirt turned into crudely made roads, and eventually a small (yet civilized) town came into view.

"It's—it's so tiny." Tony heard Rhodey whisper, almost inaudibly. Further down the town were mountains as tall as skyscrapers, and Tony knew better. In those mountains were the precious metal alloys: vibranium. And this town may look small, but it was in fact, the biggest town in terms of technology.

From below, Tony saw a man running towards the largest structure in the town, most likely a guard trying to alert his king: T'Challa.

"We land here. And make sure you put your suit away. You don't want to alert these people." Tony warned. They landed a couple yards away and packed their suits up into their backpacks (yes, Rhodey ended up getting a backpack, because Tony was just that smart).

Tony walked in, and smiled at every person who gazed at him in curiosity. It wasn't everyday that they saw someone who was as lightly colored as the clouds. They even gave quick glances at Rhodey, because his clothing didn't match to what they had in mind. Tony grinned at that. Rhodey had, in fact, descendents of the African American heritage, so to see someone who looked so closely related to the Wakanda tribe must've been some sight.

"Ah, Anthony Stark. What a—remarkable surprise." A voice said in front of them. Tony turned his head and almost gasped.

He had seen T'Challa many times as a child, and even a year ago, but it only seemed like this man continued to grow more muscles than ever. T'Challa was wearing nothing but a tribal drape on his upper half and a tribal skirt (technically it was wrapped to be like shorts, but the way that it hung around him made it look like a skirt). There was a huge necklace full of his spoils, from hunting, decorating his neck, and huge thick golden bands encircling his wrists, ankles, and biceps.

But that was nothing compared to T'Challa's muscles. They were everywhere. His chest, abdomen (Tony stopped counting after six), legs and arms, and Tony knew for a fact that T'Challa could easily take down anything, at any time.

"I'm sorry for popping in like this." Tony said after respectfully bowing his head. He knew better than to look at him straight in the eyes.

T'Challa let out a heartfelt laugh and placed an arm around Tony's shoulders. He handed off the staff that was in his other hand to a servant that wandered closely. "A son of Howard is always welcome in my town." T'Challa looked at Tony. "Besides, you did save my life."

Tony bowed his head, again, in thanks. "Well, I knew I recognized you from somewhere when you came to New York."

"Indeed. You had your mother's eyes, and that kept me from slicing you apart." T'Challa responded with a smile. Tony knew to take that lightly, but it still made him grimace.

Tony looked back at Rhodey, who wandered (much like the servant) closely behind him. "That's Rhodey by the way. A friend."

"Ah, yes, the War Machine. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine." T'Challa said giving Rhodey a welcoming look. He then frowned and gave a quick sweep around him. He let Tony go and said, "Where is the red-headed girl? Your other friend, surely you are still with her."

Tony gulped, hoping to swallow the lump that sprung into his throat. "That's what I am here about, T'Challa, sir. I need to make something, and I was hoping you had some idea how to help me."

T'Challa instantly understood the expression on Tony's face. He grabbed his wrist and dragged him towards his tent. "Come, let's discuss this inside."

Be happy here! There is no cliffhanger! OKAY? NO CLIFFHANGER! Be happy… because there is gonna be a lot more in the future, with other stories. And also, be glad I updated and decided not to hold this off any longer. I need to get back to writing, so here I am. Don't kill me still—there are more chapters (and stories: hint hint) to come!

So I want to hear today: what was the best gift you got for Christmas? REVIEW!