Rising From the Ashes • COMPLETED ✓

16.) An Idea: Peter Parker

PETER PARKER - SPIDER-MAN

July 12th, 2017, Wakanda

Shuri seems to be impressed with my answers. I told her that I once made a computer out of a bunch of dumpster junk, making her smile big-time. 'Geniuses stick with geniuses', she said. 

The princess is also extremely interested in what I can do, and she's already come up with more than a few sketches and ideas for new devices she can make. I'm happy to talk with her—and even though she's definitely smarter than me, I can still keep up.

However; even with her bright and witty attitude, I can tell that she's lonely, and I'm glad to keep her company. Whenever she talks about her brother, Shuri gets a look on her face. A wistful look. It's the same one I get when I think about fighting for the Avengers—and for the world.

The Wakandan bathroom is just as huge and impressive as the rest of the palace. You'd think that the restrooms wouldn't be as aesthetically pleasing; but you'd be wrong. Once I finish changing into the Spider-Man suit, Her Highness greets me with a whole other truckload of questions.

"So you can climb on walls? And ceilings?" Shuri taps her clipboard with a pencil, which is a bit odd considering she could be typing away at some advanced holographic screen.

"Yep." I wiggle my fingers and toes in response, still getting used to the feel of the new suit. I brought it just in case, and I'm glad I did. Shuri only seems to be mildly excited by it, though. She stated that she could 'make me one a hundred times better', which is true; but still I love it. No AI could replace Karen either, who is a pretty awesome person. Is person the right word?

"That's delightful." The princess chuckles, clearing my cluttered thoughts. I really need to stop thinking so much. "Why don't you show me, Spider-Boy?"

"Spider-Man," I correct for about the thousandth time. I'm not that young. I'm also taller than Her Highness, so I don't know who she's calling 'Spider-Boy'. Cracking my knuckles, I give her an arrogant eyebrow raise. "Fine. I'll show you what's what, princess."

Strolling over to the nearest wall, I place my hands and feet, feeling my skin make contact with the surface. I crawl up until I reach the ceiling and look over my shoulder.

"How's this for Spider-Man?" I ask, my voice echoing its way to Shuri.

"Spectacular!" The princess shouts back.

I keep going with a smile, and soon, I'm upside down. Everything looks different from this angle. Blood starts rushing to my head, and from this perspective, the workshop turns into something else. It almost looks like a tunnel, with all of the miscellaneous inventions and machines decorating the walls. Shuri's looking up at me with delightfully surprised eyes.

"How do you even do that, Peter?"

I think about it for a moment. "I have tons of microscopic hairs on my hands and feet that let me latch onto things. It sounds weird, but..."

She enthusiastically writes something down, "So it's just like a spider!" Shuri grins. "Interesting."

"You think everything is interesting."

"That's because it is," Her Highness replies with a shrug. Now that's the truth.

~

We spend the rest of the day experimenting with Shuri observing what I can do. She bombards me with questions, and I tell her about my web fluid and 'spider-sense'.

"I think I have an idea for some sort of gun," Shuri begins. "It can distribute web fluid, similar to your web-shooters." In her lap is a large sketchbook, and in her hand is a pen.

"That sounds awesome. Can I ask why you're using a pen to draw? Can't you design something on one of your screens?"

Shuri makes a few strokes, then focuses her attention on me. "I prefer to hand-draw it first, then integrate the sketch into my computer program and do the final product there." I nod, this makes sense. "This might take awhile Pete, so why don't you treat yourself to a tour of my workshop?"

"Pete?" I raise an eyebrow.

"It's a new nickname."

We both laugh at this and I realize that my time here has been super fun and enjoyable. I haven't thought of Aunt May in hours. This realization comes with a slight pang of guilt, so I pull my phone out and open up my messages. I'm having so much fun! Larb you, May. After sending her a selfie of me in the Spider suit, I start strolling around, relieved that she won't have to be worried. "Do you mind if I take pictures?"

"Go ahead," The princess says, waving the hand that's pen-less while her eyes stay glued on the paper. There are so many machines and tech that's sprinkled and displayed on shelves, tables, stands, and cases, I have no doubt I'm going to have to clear some of my phone's storage. I'm snapping away when I come across something odd. It appears that there's a blanket over some sort of large case. What's in there?

I can't help but dawdle over. Gently, I lift up the cloth by one of the corners and fling the entire blanket off. What I see is almost enough to give me a heart attack.

I yell, turning towards the sketching princess. "Shuri, isn't this the ex-Winter Soldier?" Her pencil immediately stops as she glances up at me. Standing up and placing her sketchbook on the table, she slowly walks over to where I'm at.

"I can explain," She states, patting my shoulder. "I guess you need to be caught up to date, Spider-Boy." Shuri takes a deep breath. What have I gotten myself into?  

Hope you all enjoyed! Dedicated to @bmdancer :) 

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