Black Panther: Rise of the Princess (COMPLETE)

Chapter 5: Peter

May and I chose to get a booth instead of grabbing takeout. We talked for a minute about the trip over, since May still gets a little protective when I go out like this. I think she likes acting like I need protecting, maybe since I protect her a little more often. I let her, just to make her happy.

May knew that I had gone to Germany, then Kentucky, but she didn't know most of the details. She had been working pretty hard over the past few days, and we hadn't had many chances to talk. I was glad that she had gotten a chance to stay with her friend for a few days, but I also took the chance to explain part of what had happened.

The first thing she asked was who went on the trip. She wasn't surprised about Tony going, not at all, actually. I think she knows that he looks out for me a lot, so she was glad he went. I told her about Ms. Romanoff and Mr. Barnes, too, and she seemed surprised that Mr. Barnes was going, but I guess it makes sense, after what had happened in Germany. Yeah, I eventually told her about that, after the whole Homecoming episode. I had to explain where I had gotten the suit from, so she found out from that.

"Did anyone else go, or what it just you four?" She asked, taking another bite from her meal.

"Just one other, it was an agent Ms. Romanoff was training," I said after I swallowed. "Her name was Raven, I don't think you've ever heard of her."

May nodded. "Is she nice?"

"Yeah," I replied, although I saw where this was going. "She's younger, though, she's only a teenager."

She choked on her food. "They took a teenager with the Avengers?"

"Shh," I hushed her. "Remember, we're in a restaurant?"

She scowled at me, and stuck her tongue out. "Still, though."

"I mean, they took me, way back when."

"Yeah, and I didn't know about it."

"Well, Natasha's training her, and she's really good, so it was fine," I assured her. I leaned in closer and talked lowly. "I think she's been recruited for the Avengers."

May raised her eyebrows. "That good, huh? Why do they even need more Avengers?"

I waved my fork around. "Well, the original Avengers are starting to retire, or just don't want to fight anymore. Fury called it 'Generation 2'. And yes, she is that good, I saw her fight up close, in Kentucky. We worked together out on the roof for a few minutes."

"How old is she?"

"I didn't ask. I was a little more worried about staying alive, most of the time."

May groaned and rubbed her forehead. "At least you brought the bulletproof suit. But seriously, you didn't talk to her afterwards or anything? Get her number, maybe?"

I kicked her under the table. "I told you, she's a SHIELD agent. She had to work afterwards, so it was clear for me to come back home. I didn't even see her after the mission was over. I still haven't." I paused, debating whether I should say the next thought that ran through my head, then decided against it.

"I'm just saying, you could have gotten to know her."

"She probably wouldn't have told me. Remember, she's training to be a spy?"

"That's my point, you would have had a spy-in-training to call if you needed something. It's a very smart move."

"It's not that simple, May," I told her. She laughed and went back to eating.

"Whatever you say." We each took a bite, then she pointed her fork at me. "Dif Nic Furry talk fo oo why yu wer fver?"

"What?"

She swallowed before trying again. "Did Nick Fury talk to you while you were there?"

"Oh, you mean about that? No, he was busy."

She nodded. "Just wondering if it was official yet."

"Not yet. I promise, if it does happen, you will know. If the news doesn't beat me to it, I'll tell you myself."

"You'd better," she warned me. "I like to know about these things."

"I know, that's why I said I'll tell you." She laughed, and I joined in until I felt my phone buzz in my pocket.

I pulled it out, even though I knew it wasn't a client. I didn't accept phone calls from them after six.

It was Director Fury. I showed May the screen briefly before stepping outside to take the call.

"Hey," I started. "Is something wrong? Did we miss something?"

"Almost, Parker," he told me. I don't know why he calls me that. "Luckily, we didn't, but we still need to take care of it."

"What?" I said. "And does it require another plane trip?"

"It does, but I think you'll like it. You are going to get a call tomorrow, from Wakanda. You have a secret mission, while you're there, and I'm not supposed to know about it, which is why I'm telling you now, and never again, so pay attention."

At that, I pressed a few buttons on the screen and started recording the conversation. It was a nice little gift from Tony a while ago.

"HYDRA stole vibranium from Wakanda somehow. While you're there, you need to try to find out who's been supplying them from the inside. the royal family will tell you more when you get there."

"The royal family, like King T'Challa, from Germany, a few years ago? The Black Panther guy?"

"And his family, those that he trusts. That's all I can say."

"Okay, but when am I leaving?"

"Whenever they say they are going to pick you up. Good luck, Parker."

He hung up the phone before I could protest.

I slid the phone back in my pocket, a little stunned. I wandered back into the restaurant and hoped I didn't look as astonished as I felt.

"What was that about?" May asked as I sat back down. "Is it official?"

"No," I replied, filtering my words. "I think I'm going to Wakanda."

"For what?"

"...I'm meeting the royal family." I looked up at her. "Want me to grab you something while I'm there?"

"Wait, you're serious?"

I shrugged. "Apparently."

"Is this a mission?"

"Nope, just a little meet and greet vacation."

May's jaw hung open as she stared at me. I would have too, if I wasn't the one who was going.