A/N: So sorry this took so long! I've been apartment hunting and it's been very stressful/time consuming. Hope you enjoy this chapter! We're approaching the end! But don't worry, I have another Shuri/Peter fic I'll be writing. So stay tuned for it! Take care!


Darkness, silence, and nothingness.

Those were the only things Peter could register as his eyes slowly opened. He gazed into pitch black. His body numb. If he didn't know any better, he'd have thought himself dead. Deciding to test whether or not he truly was, Peter took in a wheezy breath. Holding it for a few seconds before releasing. He repeated this cycle several times, until he found his senses slowly returning to him.

His vision started to clear, but he still had no idea where he was. Now that he had a slightly better grasp of his surroundings though, he did note how cold it was.

Peter struggled to pull himself onto his knees. Once the numbness had subsided, pain took it's place. His body ached like no other! His back, however, hurt the worst. He absentmindedly reached an arm around to touch an open wound. Upon doing so, everything suddenly clicked.

He'd jumped into the volcano.

Elio.

He'd thrown in...

Peter immediately whipped his head around.

"S-Shuri?" He stammered out into the darkness.

The lenses on his suit were damaged, rendering them useless. Thankfully, his spider senses were active enough to aid him. Peter slowly and carefully pulled himself into a standing position. All that mattered now, was finding Shuri.

After a few minutes of walking forward, he caught sight of a figure several feet ahead. The outline of it was enough to tell him who it was.

"Shuri!" Peter exclaimed, quickening his pace.

Once he was close enough Peter dropped to his knees alongside her. He rolled her onto her back, immediately putting his ear up to her chest.

Silence.

Peter paled at this revelation. He listened for a few more seconds, just to confirm he wasn't being irrational.

Nothing.

"No. No,No, No, don't do this to me" Peter murmured.

He started performing CPR. Despite his best efforts, though, there was still no sign of life from Shuri.

"Come on! You c-can't do this to me!" Peter exclaimed.

His vision began to blur with tears. He stopped the chest compressions, resting his forehead against Shuri's.

"I-I can't lose you too."

Peter inhaled shakily.

"I love you."

Just then, his senses picked up on a noise. This wasn't the sound of his cries. It sounded like...walking. From hundreds of little legs.

Peter felt an itch on the back of his neck. He reached behind him, pulling his hand back to the front of his face. A large spider rested in his palm.

Upon looking down, Peter discovered hundreds of spiders crawling across the floor. The one in his palm soon joined them. They all began to conjoin, a silhouette appearing in the midst of them. A man emerged from within the mound of arachnids.

It was the same mystery man Peter had met back in Wakanda.

"Good to see you again, Peter Parker" He greeted.

"W-Who are you?" Peter stuttered in response.

"You haven't figured it out, yet? You're a bit slower than I thought."

If the situation wasn't so dire, Peter would've been offended. The man crouched down to his level, placing a hand on Shuri's forehead.

"Have no fear, she's not dead."

Peter squinted in confusion at his words. "S-She doesn't have a pulse though."

"Neither do you."

Peter's eyes widened. "Am I dead!?"

"Not quite. You're not in your typical realm right now though."

"What do you mean?"

The man extended his hand to Peter. "I'll show you."

"Not till you answer my question. Who are you?" Peter hesitated.

The man sighed. Holding up his hand, he snapped his fingers. The area that had once been drowned in darkness was filled with bright light. Peter winced at the sudden change. Now that he could see, he found them to be in a large throne room.

He'd jumped into the volcano. How on earth did he get here?

"W-Where are we?" Peter asked, looking around in confusion.

"My throne room. Pardon me, I would've made you something to drink had I known I'd be receiving you so soon" The man said.

"Why do you keep talking like we know each other!?" Peter exclaimed.

The man rounded on Peter, his eyes glowing white. Peter jumped back in shock. He stumbled away from the man only for a sharp pain to radiate through his neck. Peter yelped, snatching something off him. A large spider fell to the floor at his feet, quickly crawling away.

Peter's veins turned blue around the bite mark, spreading up to his face. His eyes turned stark white, as his brain suddenly flashed with images.

A panther...

A spider...

The man stood watching, clasping his hands behind his back.

"It will all stop. All you have to do, is say my name" He explained.

Peter fell to the floor, gasping for air. Countless images of his time as Spider-Man flashed before him.

Fighting Green Goblin.

Fighting Mysterio.

Fighting Vulture.

Swinging around with MJ.

When Tony Stark discovered his identity.

When Ned discovered his identity.

When Aunt May discovered his identity.

Then...

The first time he got bit.

Peter gasped again, his eyes returning to normal. He sat back on hands, gazing up at the man in shock.

"Y-Your face...I saw it. W-When I got bit. I saw you" Peter strangled.

"So, you asked a question you really already knew the answer to: Who am I?" The man replied.

Peter swallowed, slowly rising to his feet. He briefly hesitated, despite the man's words being true.

He knew his name all along.

"Anansi" Peter spoke.

He smiled.

"That's my boy."


Shuri was bathed in complete darkness. Her senses were completely out of whack. She could scarcely even feel her own body.

Shuri had never been dead, but this felt very much like death.

Suddenly, in a flash, her senses returned. Well, one of them at least. Her ears picked up on the sound of running water. Despite having no feelings in her legs, she moved towards the sound. As she did, it grew louder.

Shuri came to a large door. Resting her ear against it, she could hear water flowing on the opposite side. She slowly and carefully pushed it open. Immediately, she was blinded by an intense light.

Once her vision adjusted, she could scarcely believe what she saw. The door had opened up into a large throne room. The walls glowed bright blue with what could only be Vibranium. Shuri's eyes moved up to the ceiling. On it, were images of the different Black Panthers throughout the ages. Her eyes followed the images all the way to the last one. She gasped.

"T'Challa" She whispered.

Her eyes watered. The moment was short lived, though, as she was interrupted by a sound other than running water.

Humming.

Shuri looked past the throne, spotting tall grass. Of which the water was flowing down into. There was a figure kneeling in it.

Shuri cautiously approached. As she drew closer, she noticed that grass wasn't the only thing growing in the water. The figure before her was cloaked, humming what sounding eerily like an old Wakandan hymn. They were cutting leaves off a plant. Shuri's eyes widened in shock when she realized what it was.

Heart shaped herbs.

Shuri tore her eyes away, focusing on the figure again. Something moving beneath the cloak caught her attention. Upon closer inspection, she was astounded to discovered it was a tail.

Shuri nervously reached out a hand, preparing to touch the creature's shoulder.

"It's rude to approach someone without permission" A woman's voice spoke.

Shuri jumped in surprise, yanking her hand back.

"I-I'm sorry."

"It's quite alright, child. I expected you."

Shuri squinted. "Do I know you?"

The woman's head turned slightly. Her tail freezing in place as well. A pair of suspiciously cat like ears swiveled under her hood. The woman stood up and removed her cloak. She turned to face Shuri, whom froze in shock.

"While we haven't met before, I most certainly know you."

Shuri dropped to her knees, bowing her head.

"Q-Queen Bast."

Bast moved in front of Shuri, offering her a hand.

"Rise, my child. You have no need for formalities."

Shuri nervously accepted her offer. Bast moved past her towards the throne, with Shuri trialing behind.

"I-I but...how? How am I here? Why am I here? Where even is here?" Shuri exclaimed.

"Would you like me to answer that all at once, or individually?" Bast asked.

"Um...individually?"

"1. I brought you here. 2. Because you almost joined your ancestors. 3. You're in my realm. Anymore questions?"

Shuri fidgeted in place. "Am I dead?"

Bast laughed. The sound genuinely startling Shuri.

"I said you "almost" joined your ancestors. Don't worry, you haven't yet."

Shuri wasn't sure if she should feel relieved or not. That is, until she remembered something.

Or more specifically, someone.

"Peter...he jumped in the volcano after me" Shuri looked up in horror.

"No, no, no, no! Please tell me...I didn't kill him did I!?"

Shuri once again fell at Bast's feet. Only this time she was crying.

"Please, please tell me he's not dead! I couldn't live with myself if he was!"

Bast shushed her. "Dry your tears, child. Your lover is alive and well. As well as someone who almost died saving you could be, at least."

Shuri exhaled loudly, wiping her face. Now she could feel relieved. Life would genuinely have no meaning if she lost Peter too.

"He waits for you in the realm of his own lord. It is unfortunate we couldn't meet under better circumstances" Bast said.

"His own lord? What do you mean?" Shuri asked, frowning in confusion.

"I will take you to them shortly" Bast replied.

Everything Bast said felt so foreign, despite being the one Wakanda looked up to from the very beginning. Shuri attributed this to her own lack of faith in her, especially after her brother had died. A sense of guilt filled Shuri's gut.

"I-I'm sorry for doubting your existence" She stammered. Shuri gazed at the ground in shame.

Bast merely shrugged. "Doubt is simply a part of human nature. I took no offense."

"I'm still not sure why I'm here, my pantheress" Shuri replied. "I'm not worthy."

"I determined you worthy to be Black Panther. It stands to reason you are worthy of approaching my throne."

"Why did you bring me here, though?" Shuri asked.

"It was either I summon you, or you die. Which would you have preferred?" Bast said.

"Definitely being alive but...what about my people? What happens to them now that Elio has won?" Shuri asked.

Bast turned to glance at her, eyebrow raised. She smirked softly.

"Who said the battle was over?"


Peter paced back and forth anxiously. Anansi had laid Shuri's body on a granite slab. He'd assured Peter she'd wake soon, despite Peter's insistence she was dead.

"You're understanding of life and death are very limited, son."

What he'd meant by that, Peter couldn't begin to comprehend. Not that it really mattered though. He was so frightened that he'd truly lost Shuri, nothing could console him.

Peter held her hand in his own, his eyes watering.

"Come on, Shuri. You can't leave me like this. I-I can't save Wakanda without you. P-Please. I'm begging you. If you're really still with me, let me know."

He broke down sobbing. He kissed the back of Shuri's hand before putting his head down.

Suddenly, Shuri's hand was pulled out of his. Peter snapped his head up, shocked to find her awake.

"Ew, Parker! You got tears and snot on my hand!" She exclaimed.

Peter let out a laugh of sheer disbelief and relief. He practically tackled Shuri, kissing her fervently. Shuri's remark was only made in jest. She kissed him back with an equal amount of passion.

At least until she heard a cough from the other side of the room. Shuri had to pry Peter's lips off her own, gently stopping him with her hand.

A man leaned against a pillar, his eyebrow raised and smirk on his face.

"Shall I give you two a few more minutes? Maybe an hour?" He asked.

"They can do that all they want when they've finished saving the planet" Bast spoke, appearing out from behind another pillar.

"B-Bast!?" Peter exclaimed.

"You mean to tell me you recognize her but not me!?" Anansi exclaimed, clearly offended.

Bast on the other hand, smirked with pride. "That's what you get for being considered "underground" in the popularity contest."

Anansi folded his arms and huffed. "At least I'm not overrated..."

Bast snapped her head towards him, hissing. Revealing a very sharp looking pair of canines. Anansi put his hands up in surrender, laughing.

"I'm only teasing! Put your fangs, and claws, away my queen."

Bast rolled her eyes, motioning for Peter and Shuri to stand up. Pete helped Shuri off the granite slab before turning to face their two respective leaders.

"I can't believe we actually got to meet you guys" Peter said.

"And while we are eternally grateful for the opportunity, we must be returning to our realm. We have to find some way to destroy Elio" Shuri added.

Peter's eyes widened at the thought. Elio had damn near killed both of them. Even with upgraded suits. If they went back, there was no guarantee he wouldn't finish the job.

"How are we going to save the people? Elio has sacrificed people to the volcano. He's taken its power as his own. There's no telling what kind of destruction will result now!" He exclaimed.

"Easy, boy. You seem to forget who and what we are" Anansi replied, motioning between himself and Bast.

"You didn't think we summoned you here without a plan, did you?" Bast asked.

Before Shuri or Peter could ask for clarification, Bast's and Anansi's eyes turned a glowing blue. They both offered their hands to Shuri and Peter. The duo cautiously accepted. Much to their surprise, their suits began rebuilding themselves. The shredded material wove itself back together. Peter's lenses were restored to perfect condition. Shuri's suit, which had been tainted by Elio's doing, was returned to it's original black and gold appearance.

Bast and Anansi released their grip, eyes dimming back to normal.

"You will be returned to your realm. With a new chance to fight Elio, and win" Anansi said. "Who knows? You might even find you have some...new abilities."

He winked at Peter when he said that. With the boy smiling back in response.

"Shuri, the essence of flame Elio possessed you with will leave you when you return to your realm. It won't be pleasant, but it must be done" Bast explained.

Shuri nodded. "I-I understand."

"You hesitate. Why is that?"

Shuri looked up at Peter, then back at Bast. Her mask fazed off her face, revealing her eyes to be watery.

"I-I gave in when Elio tortured me. I was supposed to be stronger than that. W-What if...what if I fail again?" Shuri choked.

Peter wanted to console her, but Bast beat him to it. She put a hand on Shuri's chin and looked her in the eyes. She smiled proudly.

"I did not choose a failure to rule Wakanda. I chose a mighty princess, and an equally mighty warrior."

"But I'm...I'm not T'Challa."

"You don't have to be. You never had to be. You'll never have to be. You are good enough on your own" Bast assured.

Shuri smiled through her tears. Bast nodded in Peter's direction.

"You're even better with him by your side" She remarked.

Peter flushed, making eye contact with Anansi. He knew how Shuri felt. He'd always felt unworthy of his place in the world.

"What do you want to ask, son?" Anansi inquired, obviously sensing Peter's hesitation.

"Why did you choose me to be Spider-Man?" He asked.

Anansi smiled. He rested a hand on Peter's shoulder.

"Simple: There is no Spider-Man without Peter Parker."

Peter smiled back, a sense of closure filling him.

"Well...at least that I've met personally."

"Wait, what?"

"Don't you both have a war to end?" Bast interrupted.

"Oh! Yeah! We'd better get to it" Peter replied.

"How do we get ba-"

Shuri's was interrupted as she suddenly shot awake. She gasped for air, looking around. Peter popped up next to her in a similar state.

"I-I guess that answered that question" He said.

Shuri chuckled. She then wrenched forward in pain. She vomited out a glowing red substance. It sunk into the soil beneath her, fading out. Peter rushed to her side.

"You alright!?" He exclaimed.

Shuri nodded, gasping for air. "I-I guess that's what Bast meant when she said the e-essence of flame would leave me."

"Man, talk about a bad case of indigestion" Peter joked.

A loud noise from above made Shuri pause. She rested her hand on Peter's shoulder, making him go quiet as well. After a few seconds, they both realized what it was.

Running lava.

They were in a cave system somewhere inside the volcano. Peter offered Shuri a hand, helping her to her feet.

"Where do we go from here?" He wondered.

"I can help with that, Peter."

"Friday! Man I've never been so happy to hear your voice! Then again, I've never exactly been unhappy to hear it."

"I'm happy to see you and Princess Shuri safe. You were both unconscious for some time" Friday said.

"I'm also glad to see you well, Princess."

Shuri smiled. "Hello again, Griot."

"Sorry to scare you guys. We were visiting a couple old friends" Peter replied.

"Oh? Who?" Friday asked.

"We'll talk about it later. Right now, we need to find a way out of here so we can deal with Elio."

"No problem. I'll pull up a map of the volcano's cave system" Friday explained.

An image of a map appeared in Peter's lenses. He studied it for a few seconds, confused by the direction it was taking them.

"Can you also track Elio's movements, Griot?" Shuri asked.

"I can. He's located 500 feet away."

Peter and Shuri froze.

"That explains why the map leads us straight ahead into this wall" Peter whispered.

Shuri and Peter backed up a few feet. They dug their heels into the ground, taking a defensive stance.

"You ready?" Peter asked.

"You know I am" Shuri replied.

The eyes of their suits lit up. Little did they know, behind them stood two other figures. Their eyes also aglow.

Ready to lead their warriors to victory.


Riri watched in horror as Elio stalked out of the volcano, headed in their direction.

Countless skeleton dinosaurs were attacking the Wakandan crafts, with the remaining people fighting them off desperately.

They were failing. Badly.

Elio laughed, raising his hands up towards the sky. Pterodactyls smashed into the airship. Everyone on board got thrown backwards.

Okoye stuck her spear through the roof, impaling one of the skeleton birds. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to kill it. The creature grabbed the tip of it heating it up instantly. Okoye yelled in agony, her fingerprints burnt onto the spear's handle. Nakia rushed to her side. She began hurriedly wrapping them.

"What do we do!?" Happy yelled back at them. He was trying to keep the aircraft under control, but the birds were making it nearly impossible.

"I-I I'm not sure" T'Challa answered.

Happy was reminded of a brutal reality: T'Challa was still just a child. An innocent child caught up in the middle of a war.

He pulled the boy closer, forgetting about the ship. It didn't matter anyway. The pterodactyls had badly damaged the aircraft.

M'Baku saw part of the roof was being ripped off. He rushed over and grabbed it. He fought with the animal, yelling in retaliation.

Riri's felt fear shoot down her spine when she heard Elio's voice being projected through every single creature.

"You might as well give up. Your Black Panther is dead. So is the Spider. The only way this will stop, is if you give us the boy."

Nakia shot her head over to her son.

"No!" She exclaimed, rushing to T'Challa's side.

"The boy must be sacrificed. Otherwise, you will all be sacrificed!"

"We will die before we give you the boy!" M'Baku shouted back.

As he was speaking, Everett happened to glance at the screen he'd been monitoring earlier. While several more Wakandan's signals had gone dark, it was something else that caught his attention.

Two signals had come back online.

"Wakanda will not back down!" M'Baku shouted, using the roof section to whack the pterodactyl in the face.

It shook itself off. The flames in it's hollow eyes turned blue.

"So be it."

Just as Elio was about to set the ship ablaze, he was greeted with a sharp pain on the back of his head.

He yelled in agony. Reaching back to touch the wound, he found it to be in a very peculiar shape.

The shape of claws.

Elio turned to face Shuri and Peter.

Claws reattached from Shuri's hands and spider legs retracted from Peter's back.

Shuri outright hissed at the man.

"You're fight is with us, and it will be your last."