Chapter 16: Solutions and Problems
(Wakanda, present, several minutes later)
The group is walking back to the capital city as Spider-Man and Iron Man explain the situation to T'Challa.
"So Director Fury couldn't contain that madman? This is not good." The king grunted. "What is this Wild Totem?" Tony grunted. "We can discuss that later; we needed to warn Tiger and you about his escape. We're sure he'll want to kill you two before or after he achieves his goal." Peter interrupted. "You are right on both accounts. Tomorrow I will have to parties sent out, one for M'Baku and the other for Kraven." Black Panther lowly growled. "Uh…can I get some more info on M'Baku? Banana Boy and I didn't exactly get to have tea time to know one another." Spidey grunted.
T'Challa chuckled at the nickname the young hero gave Man-Ape. But he went onto explain the past and present of M'Baku. He revealed the way M'Baku was part of a group who worshipped the forbidden Gorilla god and how he became Man-Ape. The king also told how M'Baku killed his father and planned to take over Wakanda and change it back into a hunter-gatherer society. M'Baku despised how the vibranium had changed the people of Wakanda and wished to transform the land back to its original state, the way it was 10,000 years ago before the vibranium appeared in the country. T'Challa informed Spider-Man of the way they were going to punish M'Baku.
"Why would you kill him? That makes you no better than him." Spider-Man grunted.
A strong hand wrapped around the arachnid themed hero's throat. T'Challa narrowed his eyes in annoyance and anger.
(*Gulps*)
"I sense you lost someone too…at the hands of another…yet you didn't kill them…That was your choice, but we do things a different way. M'Baku and Kraven will die. Both of them will be executed the day after being captured…that's if I'm not forced to kill them once we come across them." Black Panther snarled.
(I should've kept my big mouth shut.)
T'Challa let go of Spider-Man's throat.
"Ms. Ayala is right…you do talk too much." The king grumbled.
(Tiger talked about me?)
"She said what?" Spidey gasped. "You talk too much." T'Challa replied. "Yeah, that sounds like her alright…" The teen grumbled. "Hehe, but she said more than that about you." The king chuckled.
The shrieking monkey sound went off in Peter's mind.
"What now?" He asked. "She's quite fond of you." The king chuckled, his anger now passed. "Really?...I can't usually tell…She usual expresses how she feels about me through her multiple beatings on my body." Peter replied.
The king chuckled again, but continued walking. Then T'Challa's attention turned to Iron Man.
"Mr. Stark, I'm rather surprised to see you here. It seems you got reacquainted with M'Baku." The king said. "Yeah…What fun it was…" Tony grumbled. "I hope you are also here to fix the mess you made." The king grunted. "Y-Yeah…hehehe…" The Iron Knight chuckled nervously. "I'm also here to help him with that. Fury wanted me to help him connect with your people." Peter added. "I hope so…or they'll have Mr. Stark's head on a spear." The king said.
(That wouldn't be pretty.)
Tony gulped. The guards grinned.
"He told me what happened…so…how long should it take to prepare?" Spider-Man asked. "To fix the Hall of Noble Panthers? Hours." The king replied, not even turning to look at the teen. "Then we can start that once we get there." Tony said. "W-What? But Tiger…she…" Spidey started to say, but the king interrupted him, "Don't worry Spider-Man, she is quite safe. My personal guards are with her, and many more palace guards are making sure she is ok. Besides, even M'Baku wasn't able to hurt her. You'll see her later…" "I-I…" He murmured.
Before he could continue, they'd arrived at the city. The people had mixed reactions to the group walking through the streets. They called out to their king and brave men, at Spider-Man they whispered over the new visitor, and for Iron Man…they just threw fruit at. It took some time, but they entered the Royal Palace, and into the area which T'Challa called: Hall of Noble Panthers. In here, exhibits of great individuals of Wakanda, mostly the kings and significant warriors, are displayed in honor of their past deeds. When the Avengers arrived, Iron Man was Iron Man and bragged about how he should have the biggest room for his 'favor' to the people. While he was bragging, he pushed against a statue. A domino effect took place, and the statue fell over which caused more statues to fall over…destroying half of the hall. Spider-Man glared at Iron Man who shrugged apologetically.
"Huh…let's get to work..." Spider-Man grunted. "Ok, now listen guys…" Iron Man started to say, but Spidey interrupted him, "Uh…Tony…we're the only ones doing it…Remember: good relations. Your…majesty…is that alright?" "I think that will work just fine. But I shall stay here and explain the way they need to be fixed. Thank you for your cooperation."
Tony's face plate opened up so he could glare at Spider-Man with his own eyes. The masked teen shook his head.
(Several hours later)
Spider-Man and Iron Man...well…really mainly Spidey, carefully repaired the damage to the hall. They rebuilt the half destroyed by using sophisticated machines Wakandan scientists had developed, and the king had to explain how to use them. They also had to carve stones into the forms of those the exhibits were dedicated to. Tony mostly did the planning, but Spider-Man was the one who got his hands dirty by doing the physical labor. T'Challa wasn't pleased with Tony's actions, but highly appreciated Peter's work. After everything had been finished, Spider-Man's body was drenched in sweat. Thanks to his enhanced stamina he didn't have to take a break. But after the labor he completed, his energy had been drained. T'Challa inspected the part that had been repaired, his sharp eyes studying everything. He then walked over to the 'two' who'd fixed the mess. His blank expression turned into a smile, and both Peter and Tony were glad to see it (T'Challa is in his 'civilian/royal garb').
"I want to thank…" T'Challa started to say, but Tony interrupted, "It was no sweat."
(Yeah…for you…)
T'Challa narrowed his eyes in annoyance at Tony, who wasn't even looking. His eyes are closed, but with a huge grin on his face. He turned to Spider-Man, who was trying his best to stand.
"I want to thank you Spider-Man, the damage has been repaired." T'Challa said, a smile on his face as he shook the teen's hand.
Tony's eyes widened in surprise.
"W'Kabi, take my guest to the feasting hall. I'm sure he's famished…but first get him something to change into." T'Challa said. "Of course, as you command my king." W'Kabi replied, a smile on his face. "Actually I still need to warn Tiger." Spidey said.
The king chuckled, but nodded. After a few minutes, they arrived outside the room where Ava is training.
"Go ahead, again…thank you for rebuilding the hall. I'm not truly fond of outsiders, but you are one of the exceptions." W'Kabi said. "Thank you." Spidey said, then walked in.
He walked into the room. Ava is blindfolded and in a fighting posture.
(She's ok.)
Spider-Man walks over to her and is a little shorter than an arm's reach away. He took a moment to glance over her tired, sweating, and toned body.
'Damn…' He mused in his mind.
He took a few moments to think over what he would tell her about the situation. But he decided just to start with catching up...even if it had only been a few days.
"Hey Ti…" Spider-Man didn't get to finish his sentence.
What Spidey didn't know was Ava was trying to store up as much energy as she could into one hit through concentrating her mind into her physical prowess. She'd done it before with her father, but T'Challa had shown her how to do it on an entire new level. She was to block out all outside distractions to do this…so she didn't know Peter was there. When she felt she had stored enough energy, she tossed an uppercut, which headed directly for Peter.
(Ah nuts this is going to hurt…)
The blow landed and it sent Peter crashing onto his back. It hit him directly in the jaw, and a resounding crack was heard when Ava's fist hit his jaw. When he landed on the ground, Peter was out cold. Ava became aware of her surroundings after the blow hit and saw what happened. She rushed over to Spidey.
"WHAT THE HELL WEB-HEAD?! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!...Spidey?...Spidey?...Oh you've got to be kidding…" Ava growled in annoyance as she slapped his face, but stopped when she realized he was knocked out. 'Oops…' She grunted in her mind.
To be continued…