(For some reason, people's reviews haven't appeared on the review page even for those who have accounts, so I'm just going to reply to reviews by reading them off my email.)

INeedAUsernam8: It wasn't the way he thought it would turn out.

Guest: Yeah, he got KO'd.

Chapter 17: A Secret Legend

(Wakandan Royal Palace, the next day)

Peter's eyes slowly opened as he finally regained consciousness. He felt this horrible, aching pain on his jaw. When he rubbed it, the pain washed over him again with eve more significance. He felt the bandage and strange substance on his jawline. The teen grunted in pain. Then he finally looked at his surroundings. He's lying in a bed with red silk sheets. Peter's costume had been taken off and replaced a white sash keeping a red silk robe that extended to his knees and wrapped around his torso by 'sitting' on his right shoulder. His lean built physique is partially exposed and of course he didn't have his mask on.

"Uuugh…Anybody get the number of that truck that hit me?...Ugh…Medic?" Peter groaned in agony. "About time you woke up Web-Head." A familiar voice grunted from the far part of the room.

He turned to look in the direction of the voice. Ava walked out from the shadows in a dark green silk dress.

(Wow…)

"H-Hey Tiger…How have you been?" He grunted, his voice still leaking with the current pain. "Good, my trainings been rather difficult, but I'm working through it. How are things back in New York?" Tiger replied, something hiding in her voice. "Ok, Triton's still visiting the Inhumans. Not much has changed." Peter answered. "Really? That's not what I heard from his majesty. Apparently a certain someone has escaped solitary confinement and is looking for something." Ava growled. "Uh…hehe…The thing about that is…" Peter couldn't finish his sentence.

She grabbed his robe by the part lying on his shoulder and pulled him up to her. The look on her face made Pete wish he was fighting Man-Ape rather than get…uh…lectured by her.

(*Gulps* I am so screwed guys…)

"KRAVEN ESCAPED! HOW COULD YOU LET THAT HAPPEN! I CAN'T LEAVE FOR ONE SECOND WITHOUT SOMETHING MESSING UP!" She roared, her screams possibly loud enough to reach Asgard itself. "I-I…I-I...U-Uh…U-Uh….Uh….I missed you….Hehe…"Peter whimpered, a nervous pained smile on his face.

Her glare made Peter's blood run cold.

(OK! I ADMIT IT! I'M SCARED OF AVA! YOU WOULD BE TO! EVEN WHEN THE HULK IS AT HIS MADDEST HE'S NOWHERE THIS INTIMIDATING!)

Peter closed his eyes for another KO hit. But it didn't happen. Instead he felt a warm sensation. He slowly opened his eyes to find her hugging him. Peter blushed heavily.

"I missed you too….thanks for coming…" She whispered, her head on his right shoulder. "Uh…no problem…" He gulped. "The doctor gave you an herb to accelerate the healing of your jaw. You'll feel better soon. The guards will take you to see us when you've gotten something to eat." She said as she walked out of the door.

(W-Well…t-that…u-uh…)

After a little while, Peter's jaws had completely healed. While he felt silly in the Wakandan clothing, his stomach took his mind off it. After a delicious meal, the guards escorted him to the royal family's library. Ava, T'Challa, Ramonda, Shuri, and Tony are there; they'd been waiting for the teen's arrival. Tony looked…bad…While he received an orange and silver version of Peter's clothing, his night hadn't been so great. He had a run in with Vyeo before being taken to a spare bedroom. Mr. Stark was the outsider that the panther despised. The reason being is that during Tony' first time in Wakanda, he stepped on the cat's tail while in his armor and didn't apologize. Vyeo had proceeded to pee on the Iron Knight's armor. During his run in with the cat last night, apparently the panther had used the man's hair for a scratching post. The details of what the man's hair looks like don't need to be explained.

"Oh, my second guest of honor has arrived." T'Challa said. "About time Web-Head." Ava chuckled. "Web-Head? Haha, is that your pet name for him?" Shuri chuckled. "What?" Ava gasped. "Dear, is he…" Ramonda quite her question mid-sentence, seeing the look of embarrassment on the girl's face.

T'Challa nodded to the guards, who bowed in response then walked away.

"Follow me." The king said as he walked towards a panther-sized panther statue.

They were right behind him. Ava, Peter, and Tony had confused looks on their faces. T'Challa moved his right eye in front of the statue's right eye. A scanner analyzed the man's eyes.

"Confirmed: T'Challa, the Black Panther." A computerized voice stated.

The panther statue moved backwards revealing a downward staircase. Along either side of the steps are torches placed in holders attached the stone walls.

"It is time you learned more." The king simply stated, before walking down the steps.

The three guests followed him. Shuri tried to follow, but Ramonda grabbed her shoulder while shaking her head. The princess growled in frustration, then walked away.

(In the secret path)

The four continued down the steps till they entered a secret room. It wasn't too large, about 25 feet long by 25 feet wide. On the far wall is a statue of a former Black Panther. The man in question has a headdress shaped like the head of panther and is wearing a flowing jagged cape. On his hands are shift claws held onto the man's hands with some kind of wrapped fabric. He also wears a familiar band on his waist holding up a kilt-like…'skirt'.

"Who is that?" Tony asked. "Bashenga, the first Black Panther." T'Challa answered. "Wow." Peter simply stated. "Really?" Ava grunted, an unimpressed look on her face.

He smiled nervously.

"Since our enemy is seeking the Wild Totem…I need to tell you the story behind it." The king said. "Some kind of magic nonsense." Tony chuckled.

T'Challa glared at the man.

"I don't care if you believe it or not. But the story is true. Each of you knows that the heart-shaped herb gives the kings of Wakanda our abilities…but what you don't know is that isn't the only thing that has great mystical powers. 10,000 years ago after the Black Panther's rule had already been in place in Wakanada, Bashenga came across sorcerers of incredible power. There was still great evil in Wakanda. Men hearing tales of my home's newfound riches enticed their greed. However, they also knew of the king's might and power. They concocted with demons to increase their own strength. The sorcerers had created this magical item in Wakanda's heart. Its magic centered on the strength of people's inner beings…they're animal spirits. The sorcerers gifted the Wild Totem, as it is called, to Bashenga to defend his home. He defeated the invaders, but he also didn't write of what the totem did. After the battle, he hid the totem in a secret place…but he didn't say exactly where. However, he mentioned the power had to be shared by him and his closest allies to fully utilize the mystical power." The king explained.

(….Hm…Interesting…)

"Animal spirits?! Please, there's no such thing. Perhaps it was some kind of advanced technological weapon?" Tony grunted, a smug look spread across his face. "None the less, he kept it hidden even from his own son and all those of his line. However, he told his son and had this message passed down: It lies in the Heart of the Beast. Only those of the royal line destined to become the Black Panther know this secret. It is too dangerous for all of Wakanda to know. I tell you three for we have two enemies out there to deal with, one knowing of its existence." T'Challa continued. "And M'Baku?" Peter grunted. "I'm not exactly sure…but I have a bad feeling about the situation." The king grunted.

To be continued…