Morgn: I use the different styles so people can tell which is used for a specific part of the text. It draws their attention to what is happening in that form.
Guest: Thanks! I'll try my best.
Guest: Thanks! It's ok, English can be hard to 'utilize' for those who aren't brought up to use it from day 1. Wait…keren, luarbiasa?
Chapter 4: I'll Miss You
Tiger had been gathering her things all day. She had been surprised at the arrival of the King of Wakanda. But she didn't expect for him the chance to train her. She'd always known she'd been a great warrior, her training by her father and SHIELD had seen to that. Few could match her abilities in combat. Her ferocity and courage had always served her well. But this would be on another level of skill. Her father had told her that the Wakandans were the greatest warriors he'd ever seen. Their former king, T'Chaka, was a master of battle. His exploits in combat had ranked among the greatest of the country's line of kings. His son, T'Challa, inherited his father's skill. Though Hector was a great fighter, he'd admitted to losing in many sparring matches with his friend. But they respected each other, and that was worth it.
'I can't believe I'm going to Wakanda! It's a dream come true! To be trained by the Black Panther himself!' She giggled in her mind.
A huge grin was spread across her face under the mask. T'Challa had told her after she'd…punished Spidey…that it would be a grand welcoming by the people. The Wakandans had treated Hector as one of their own, and would welcome his daughter with open arms. They had hoped to see the White Tiger again, or one of the line again. Their king would wear his suit in times of great importance like that.
'I just hope he's right. They would be happy to see my father…but what about me?' She thought to herself.
She quickly cast those thoughts out of her mind. Then her mind switched to those she'd grown close to here. This started when she pulled out a photo of her with Luke, Danny, and Sam when they started to really work together as a team. Then she'd pulled gifts from the others. One of which was a stone carving of her and Zabu by Kazar. She chuckled at the gift. Both were felines in their own right, so they'd gotten along really well. There was one last thing that made her freeze. It was a picture of when she beat Peter at video games. It was a silly photo taken by Pete's Aunt May when she stayed with him. Ava chuckled, but she could fell a tear running down her face.
"Ms. Ayala, time to go." T'Challa said, suddenly appearing in the room.
She spun around and hissed, but relaxed when she realized it was T'Challa. She rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment.
"It's ok." The king chuckled. "I didn't even hear you." She replied. "One of the things you'll learn once in Wakanda." He replied. "Can every Wakandan warrior do that, or just the kings?" She asked, her voice full of curiosity. "Only the kings can achieve complete silence, but the warriors of the Wakandan army are well trained and are well versed in stealth." He explained.
White Tiger had always been swift, but her capability in stealth wasn't as developed. She hoped to change that.
"Have you prepared everything for travel?" T'Challa asked. "Y-Yes." She quickly replied, putting the picture of her and Peter in her travel bag.
T'Challa could tell something was up, but he knew what it was.
"Going to miss him aren't you?" He said. "W-What? Yeah, I'll miss my friends. It would be bad I wouldn't." She quickly stammered in reply. "I already knew that would the case for anyone…but that's not what I asked. You're going to miss him…I repeat: him." The king replied. "Who?" She gasped. "Peter." T'Challa explained. "How did you…" She gasped. "Fury needs to advance his security systems." The king chuckled. "Oh." She replied.
T'Challa sighed, but didn't press the matter. Ava followed the king outside. She lost her breath. She thought he and Iron Man arrived in the Avengers' Quinjet…but that wasn't the case. They had come in T'Challa's own jet. It is shaped in the form of a lean panther. It wasn't as large as the Quinjet, but it looked more battle ready.
"Amazing." She gasped. "Thank you, it took some time to build…but it was worth the effort. I call it the Silent Sky." T'Challa replied.
The side door opened, and a set of step reached out from the jet and onto the ground. Footfalls could be heard behind them. They both turned to see Fury and the others coming out to say their farewells. Ava smiled under her mask. But one person was missing: Spider-Man. Maybe he was still in the medical center of the Academy?
"Hey everyone. Where's Web Head?" She asked. "Don't know, he left after he healed up when you went to start packing." Iron Spider replied. "Oh…" She sighed.
Maybe attacking him was what caused him not to show up. Or maybe he'd left to go on his vacation.
"Don't be a stranger, girl. You be careful and come back." Luke chuckled. "Bye Ava." Dagger said. "Call us." Sam laughed.
The others went on to continue to say their farewells, one being a furious licking from Zabu which even Fury laughed to in response. Fury was last.
"It's going to be tough relying on someone to keep the others in check while you're gone. When you come back later, hopefully you'll be able to make up for lost time." Nick said. "Yes, sir." She replied. "Make us proud." Fury said with a smile on his face. "Yes, sir." Ava repeated. "Time to go." The king said.
Ava turned to get on the plane.
"Ava wait!" A familiar voice called out.
Everyone present turned to see the web-slinger swing through the air towards them. There was something in his free hand. He dropped to the ground then stood up. He walked over to White Tiger.
"Sor…" She started to say. "Don't worry, I deserved it. But since I, I mean we won't see you in a while…I thought I should get this…I-It's from all of us." Peter replied, handing her the wrapped up box.
She put down her traveling bag and took the box. Ava took off the wrapping and opened the box. It was a key chain. But it was a split one. She didn't know what to make of it.
"Oh! I have the other piece." Spidey said as he pulled out his half.
They 'connected' them. It was a gold heart, with black writing. It said: Always in Our Hearts. She could feel herself blushing and tears running down her cheeks. The others peeked at the keychain. Before they could say anything, Tiger gave Spidey a hug. It was like the one she gave him after defeating Kraven, but she held him tighter and purred louder. Spidey could feel himself blushing furiously too as he hugged back.
"I'll miss you." He stammered. "I'll miss you too…thank you." She purred in reply.
She let go of him, but held onto her part of the keychain. Both she and the king boarded the jet. Those gathered backed up as the jet started to rise. Ava looked out one of the windows and waved. Everyone waved back, Spidey waved more slowly than the others. Soon enough, the jet was out of sight. Spidey turned to see everyone staring at him.
"From all of us?" Sam chuckled. "Shut up Bucket Head." Spidey growled.
To be continued…
