the strongest avenger

seventy

"This is absolutely crazy." Tal says as she looks out the wall of windows into the cavern below, radiating with vibranium.

"Where even are we? There were so many turns..." Peter says while looking around at the expansive technology.

After a luxurious dinner the previous night, Tal and Peter had slept, and were woken up by the sunrise across the green of Wakanda.

"We are underneath Mount Bashenga. The other members of the Wakandan Design Group occasionally come here."

"Are those trains?"

"Yes, maglev trains. It's a magnetic levitated train basically."

"Holy shit. I wanna live here one day." Tal mutters.

"Feel free to." Shuri says with a laugh.

"Are those sonic stabilizers?" The boy presses close to the windows.

"Yes."

"What are—"

"They help to ensure that the vibranium being transported stays stable."

"That's the most efficient maglev I've ever seen." Peter grins

Talia walks around the lab, not understanding what Shuri and Peter are talking about. Their minds move too fast for the girl and so she finds herself climbing the spiral staircase in the middle of the lab, to the level above. She looks out more windows, the blue hue of vibranium in the mountain giving off a cerulean glow.

"Shuri said Id find you here." Talia jumps, startled, unsure of how long she was observing the cavern.

The girl turns to find T'Challa standing there.

"I'm not one to understand the language of science." A smile grows on her face.

"Ah, I never understood what my sister was talking about. I focused on physical skill, less mental like them."

"The Dora Milaje...are they all women?"

"Yes, they are the most elite of our fighters. Would you like to see them in action?"

She beams up at him. "Yes!"

"Follow me." T'Challa leads the girl back down the staircase, Peter and Shuri not noticing them leave as they examine a hologram.

He leads her through the tunnels underneath the mountain and into what looks to be a training area. The area opens up to a side of the mountain, the sun flowing through the space.

In the distance she sees the women sparring, the sunlight glinting over the silver of their uniforms. She watches as their spears clash against each other's and the way they move, so fluid, like water.

"Hello my king. Enjoying the show?" Tal turns to find Okoye on the other side of T'Challa.

The woman assesses the girl with a scrutinizing gaze, one that Tal doesn't back down from.

"Talia wanted to see the Dora Milaje train."

Talia smiles at the woman and is delighted as her lips turn up the smallest bit.

"When do you leave?"

"Five days."

"Meet me here tomorrow morning at eight, I can show you some tricks." Okoye turns to the king. "If it is alright with you, my king."

"Of course. Have Ayo transferred to my guard tomorrow."

Talia grins wide. "Thank you. I can't wait." The girl glances back at the women training, fighting faster and better than anyone's she's ever seen.

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"I'm gonna get to train with them Pete!" Talia flops down onto the bed, a slight grin on her face.

Peter flops down next to her. "The technology here is amazing, Tallie. I don't ever wanna leave."

"One day we'll come back." Tal says as she turns to face Peter on her side.

"Definitely." Peter turns and faces her. "You're so pretty..." he mumbles as he looks at her.

Talia chuckles. "You're so cheesy." She scoots closer and sighs as Peter pulls her close to him.

The girl shrieks as Peter starts to tickle her, flailing around on the bed as the boy captures her in his claws. She thrashes around, Peter laughing and smiling.

Tal yelps as she falls over the side of the bed, Peter red from laughing. His head sticks over the edge, sheepishly glancing at the girl who glares at him, cheeks red and chest heaving.

"You suck." She says while sitting up.

"Well..." Her glare intensifies as he smirks down at her. "Technically you're the one sucking."

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️

Talia's phone dings repeatedly, interrupting her dreams of grassy hills and flower fields. She groans and snuggles in closer to Peter's side, smiling as his arms tighten around her body.

"Mmmm, you have to get up sweets." Peter's surprisingly deep morning voice sends a tingle down Tal's spine.

"Mmm, but you're comfier."

"You get ready, I'll get us breakfast." Talia sighs as Peter starts to sit up.

She rolls over and gets up, heading to the bathroom, but grabbing some clothes on the way. Tal brushes her teeth and changes clothes, quickly braiding her hair while looking in the mirror.

She exits the room and checks her phone for any messages.

Iron Dad: How's Wakanda?

Talia: I love it here. We have to come back.

Iron Dad: Glad you're having fun...do I need to worry about you and Parker?

Talia: Nope.

Iron Dad: You two haven't...?

Talia: No dad. Let me go, I'm training with Okoye soon.

Iron Dad: Talk to you later, have fun.

Talia throws her phone on the bed and turns to the door as it opens, Peter carrying two trays of food. She rushes over and takes one.

"Thanks."

They sit on the edge of the bed and eat. Wakandan style food was definitely one of her favorites.

"You gonna go to Shuri's?" She asks in between bites.

"Yes. She's gonna show me these gauntlet things that she's been working on."

"Sounds good. I think she's gonna take us around later."

The two finish their breakfast, Peter placing a kiss on Tal's forehead before she leaves to go meet Okoye. The girl's able to restrain herself from skipping down the hallway, her body buzzing with excitement.

She grins as she finds the woman waiting just outside the training area.

"Ready to begin, Eden?"

"Always."