Rising From the Ashes • COMPLETED ✓

22.) Down, down, down: Peter Parker

PETER PARKER - SPIDER-MAN

July 12th, 2017, Wakanda

I can only watch in horror as the strings from the Webanator break. We were about seven stories high, and that's a height that you do not want to fall from.

I used all of the suit's webbing to wrap our hands together, so I can't do anything. I'm furious at myself for not realizing this would have happened earlier. I've just had my powers for about six months; but you'd think my spidey-sense would be more adept. 

As an 'enhanced individual', like Mr. Stark put it, my endurance and strength is a lot more than anybody else's—such as Shuri's. That's when my instincts kick in and an idea forms in my head.

"Trust me, princess!" I scream, my voice barely getting cut off by the howling wind in our ears. The crisp fear in Shuri's face slowly morphs into one of slight reassurance as she slightly nods. I wrap my arms around her waist and make sure my own body is protecting her back. 

Pulling my Spider-Man mask from my pocket, I hand it to Shuri. She needs it more than I do, after all, I need to act like a human meat shield. She puts the mask on and I feel a lot better about the situation. I just need to think of something. Something more.

As we plummet to the ground, the feeling becomes awfully familiar. I'm reminded of when I fell into a lake back when I fought Liz's dad, and soon, one memory leads to another. I have a parachute. The beautiful thought scorches into my mind, and immediately, I click a button on my wrist. I almost cry in relief as the fabric balloons and catches the Wakandan air.

"Why didn't you use that sooner?" Shuri yells, giving my arm a good smack. Even though she can't see me, I shrug and smirk.

"Even spidey-sense has its limits," I answer. We gently glide back down to the courtyard. "We're about one story high now!" She nods, and I'm just about to crack a joke when a slight breeze pushes us off course. I feel the hairs on my arm and neck raise and notice that the parachute is about to get stuck in a tree branch. "Move to the left, Shuri!" But my advice falls on deaf ears. The cloth gets caught and starts to tear.

The princess glances up. "Parker, why'd we stop—" An ugly ripping sound interrupts her. Promptly, I bring the Shuri's body close to mine once again and hope to God she doesn't get hurt.

"Don't let go!" I hold onto her tighter and curl into a ball as we tumble through dense walls of branches and leaves. Mr. Stark's suit is holding up extremely well; but I can feel scratches, bruises, and scrapes forming in various places. Since I'm not wearing the mask, my face takes a beating too. 

After what seems like an eternity, we burst through the thick tree. Right when we land on the lush grass, my head knocks against something hard. A warm liquid spreads on my forehead. Blood? My brain feels murky. Shuri and I keep on rolling on the ground, until we finally reach the main courtyard. We're still stuck together by the last of my suit's webbing.

She turns to me, dark brown eyes scanning my face. "Peter Parker. You brave, dumb, idiot."

For some reason, I feel sleepy. I manage to present the princess with a droopy grin. "Are okay, Shuri?" Her arms have scratches on them, but her face is undamaged. My Spider-Man mask is in her hands. Her trembling hands. "Why you shaking?" My words come out slurred and broken, like I'm drunk.

"Peter, you have a concussion. Peter—!" There's a ringing in my ears. Everything seems too bright. Noises are too loud. I'm sleepy. So... Sleepy. I don't hear what Shuri says. Her Highness is shaking my shoulders. Water is on her face. Are those tears?

"Don't cry, princess," I whisper. With a yawn, I try to meet Shuri's gaze. I attempt to brush her face with my hand, but my fingers end up going through air. Am I disoriented? Maybe I really am drunk. "Night night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite." My head feels like it's being bashed in with rocks. A small giggle manages to escape my lips before my eyelids go down, down, down. Like me and Shuri did. Haha.

"Peter! Wake up!"

No, princess. Sleep.

"Peter Benjamin Parker!"

Darkness.

.....

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New chapter coming in 4-5 days. Or earlier, if I feel like it, hehe.

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Dedicated to @Kappayokai for always reading, voting, and enjoying this story. Thanks!