Black Panther: Rise of the Princess (COMPLETE)

Chapter 6: Peter

May was still talking about my no-longer-a-secret mission when we were walking out of the Thai restaurant. If anyone was watching me in there, they would have known all about the phone call, thanks to May. I tried to shush her, but to no avail.

"You just got back from a life-threatening mission, why are you running off to another foreign country?"

"Relax, it's just so I can meet them, I told you," I lied, trying to convince her that I was going to be fine. "Look, if it makes you feel any better, I'll bring the nano-suit. That way, no one can shoot me, alright?"

"But don't they have, like, I don't know, special weapons? I don't want you getting hurt, you just got back."

"I'll be fine, really," I convinced her. "Look, enjoy the rest of your time off, I'll be back in a week, tops. I just gotta go home and make sure that my clients will be okay. Don't worry about me."

"It's my job to worry." She pulled me in for a hug as we walked up to her car. "Just be safe, okay? Promise me you'll be safe."

"I promise," I told her, and hugged her back. She was kind of suffocating me, but I wasn't about to tell her to let go, so I just rested for a moment, remembering how it felt...just in case.

"Stay safe," she whispered as she pulled away. I just nodded and helped her into the car. She closed the door and I watched her drive away, and I gave her a wave and a smile as she pulled out of the parking lot.

"Your mom?" Someone behind me asked. I turned, and it was some dude who worked here.

"Well, she's my aunt, but.." I looked back at the street. "You know..."

"Yeah, tough stuff happens," he commented. "Wherever you're going, I hope you make it back in one piece, just for her."

"Thanks," I told him, and I started walking down the street. I couldn't walk around the back like earlier, so I put my hood up and wandered down the streets for a few blocks. Just to be safe.

As much as I knew that my life was the one about to be risked and not hers, I didn't like that May was going back to New Orleans, and I would be an ocean away. I wish there was some way I could protect her, especially after Germany. The cyborgs could have attacked New Orleans, and who knows what could have happened to her.

I wasn't going to be able to keep an eye out for her while I was in Wakanda, but maybe someone else could. I pulled out my phone as I turned down an alley and pulled out my suit. Once I was above the street level, I opened up my contacts and went to the R's. Actually, May, I did get Agent Raven's number, but it was because of Gen 2, not because I wanted a date.

Pretty sure it's illegal for me to date a minor anyways.

The line connected. "Peter?"

"Hey, Raven, are you busy right now?"

"Nope. I've already knocked off for the night. What do you need?"

"I'm going out of town, and I need to make sure my aunt is going to be okay. Is there something that you can do?"

"Hang on, one second." I heard a bit of scuffling on the other end. "Name, and where she is going to be?"

"May Parker, and she's staying with a friend in Brooklyn, but she's going back to New Orleans soon."

"May Parker..." Raven must have been typing on a keyboard. "Did she just drive away from a Thai restaurant a few minutes ago, on 35th street?"

"Yeah-wait, how did you do that?"

"She's already on our watch list. She's got a P.E.B."

I didn't speak for a second. A what now? "What's a P.E.B.?"

"It's a label SHIELD uses, stands for 'Possibly Endangered-Bait'. Basically, someone thought that she could be used for bait, probably for you, and they tagged her in our system. If any of our eyes pick up that she's in danger, we react immediately. Also, if any suspicious activity occurs within a mile of her location, or five miles from her house, she get a notification to let her know."

"That's a thing?"

"Yep. I bet you can't guess who wrote the program for it."

"Tony."

"About five years ago."

I thought for a moment. "You said somebody tagged her in your system. Does it say who?"

A moment of silence, then "Same person."

Tony. I made a mental note to thank him later.

"If her P.E.B. gets triggered, I'll shoot you a warning."

"Thanks, Raven."

"No problem. Good luck."

My eyes widened under my mask. "Fury told you?"

"Nope."

I smiled. May was right, it does help to have a SHIELD agent for help.

I ended the call and started back towards my place. It might be time to start packing.

~

I didn't think I would need too much, since I was going to Wakanda, but I was definitely going to need my suit, and a few changes of cloths. I decided it was best to use a backpack. That way, if something went down, all my stuff could be carried with me. I packed light, only taking what I would need for a few days.

I was about to call it a night and go to bed, when I got a phone call from a blocked number. Normally, I don't answer blocked numbers, but I answered this one. Good thing I did, too.

"Peter Parker."

"Hello, Spider-Man," a female voice I didn't recognize spoke. She had a thick African accent. Must be from Wakanda.

"We would like to invite you to come visit our country. We ask that you meet us at 9:00 AM, tomorrow, above your apartment. A ship will pick you up for your journey."

"Is there anything special I need? I asked.

"Whatever you need for your job as a web designer," the female said. "We hear you are excited for an opportunity we are offering."

"Very," I replied. "9 AM, here, or in Wakandan time?"

"In your time zone," she clarified.

"And who are you?" I asked. I was just curious, but I didn't think I would get an answer.

"I will be waiting for you once you arrive. Have a good evening, Spider-Man."