C467 Spider-Man (Patreon)
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A week had passed since Peter left Wanda in the capable hands of the Ancient One and Kamar-Taj. He had watched as she embarked on her journey to harness her chaotic magic, a journey that could potentially prevent her from becoming the dangerous Scarlet Witch he knew she had the potential to be. Thankfully, the responsibility of shaping her into a good witch was now firmly on the Ancient One’s shoulders.
Peter was sprawled on his couch, engrossed in an oddly captivating reality TV show about sisters who each weighed 800 pounds. It was a strange form of entertainment, but it managed to was a great way to pass the time while he lazed around the house.
Beside him, his daughter Lily giggled at the absurdity on the screen. Her innocent laughter brought a smile to Peter's face, reminding him of the simple joys in life. Lily is one of the main reasons why he’s decided to offload as much work onto others as humanly possible. He just wants to spend more time with her and the rest of his family.
And live as a lazy bum…
As they watched TV, Peter couldn't help but multitask. He picked up his phone, scrolling through information about his parents. Their tragic deaths in a plane crash had piqued his interest, and he had begun to wonder if there was more to the story. Ned and MJ’s curiosity had ignited his own, leading him to ask Jarvis to dig up information on the crash and his parents' background.
A week of investigation had yielded little more than the official crash report, which indicated that it had indeed been a tragic accident. At least, as far as the investigators could tell. There were no signs of foul play or conspiracy. Peter sighed, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment. Perhaps some mysteries were better left unsolved.
As he flipped through his phone, Lily, not one to stay idle for long, picked up the remote and began flipping through the TV channels. It was a typical evening in their household until, suddenly, Peter heard something that instantly piqued his interest.
As she flipped through the channels, Peter heard a man ranting. “… I told you it’s real! This isn’t some Atlantis or Eldorado conspiracy theory! I have proof that there’s an advanced city hidden in Africa! My satellite-”
As Peter looked up to watch, Lily continued flipping through the channels absentmindedly. She didn’t care for the news so she didn’t even bother listening.
“Wait, give me that.” Peter snatches the remote from her.
“Hey!” Lily exclaimed in annoyance. “You said I get to pick what we watch!”
Ignoring his daughter for a moment, Peter switched back to the news, instantly confirming his suspicion. ‘I told them this would happen…’
On the news, a passionate man was fervently discussing a hidden nation in Africa. His satellite images, which were displayed for all to see, showed a city of unparalleled technological advancement. It was the true Wakanda, a stark contrast to the facade the world had been shown. It was only a matter of time before they find out that this is Wakanda.
Peter let out a sigh as everything was revealed before the general public. He had warned both T'Chaka and T'Challa that this day might come, that someone would discover the real Wakanda hidden beneath the illusion. Now, that day had arrived.
Seconds later, Peter's phone rang with an incoming call, and T'Chaka's name flashed on the screen. Peter answered the call, his tone a mix of concern and smugness. "I told you so," he declared before T'Chaka could even speak.
There was a heavy sigh on the other end of the line, followed by T'Chaka's deep, measured voice. "Yes, you were right. The time has come, and Wakanda's secrecy is no more. We need to act quickly before things get out of hand."
Peter nodded, though T'Chaka couldn't see him. "I know. Does T’Challa know?"
T'Chaka's tone grew more solemn. "Not yet, but he’ll know soon enough."
Peter leaned back on the couch, his thoughts racing. The responsibilities he had tried to shed were returning, but this time, it was a duty he couldn't ignore. He painstakingly fostered a connection to Wakanda, a nation that didn’t do connections. And he knew he had to stand by them now more than ever, as it would cement their friendship even further.
“Alright…” Peter spoke after a moment of thought. “Meet me at the tower. I’ll call a press conference. We better get on top of this before anyone can muddy the waters.”
“I’m already on my way…”
As he ended the call, Peter turned to Lily, who was giving him an expectant look. “Can I come?” Lily asks as she gave him her best puppy-dog eyes.
Smiling at his daughters manipulative ways, Peter nods his head. “Sure, but we’re going as Spider-Man and Spider-Girl, so remember not to reveal our identities.”
Lily jumped out of her seat in excitement as her spider suit appeared, instantly switching out with her old clothes. “Yes! Let’s go!”
————
The Avengers Tower buzzed with activity as Peter and Lily, both clad in their spider suits to conceal their identities, arrived for the press conference. The weight of the impending revelation about Wakanda hung heavy in the air. Peter had made arrangements to meet with T'Chaka before facing the media onslaught, and Lily followed closely behind her father.
As they approached T'Chaka, Peter could see the worry etched on the former king's face, his features marred by the stress of the situation. Peter knew that T'Chaka was well aware of the consequences of revealing Wakanda's true nature to the world.
"Yo," Peter greeted with his usual wave.
T'Chaka nodded in response, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the moment. "This is a precarious situation. I fear the repercussions of our revelation."
Peter's concern mirrored T'Chaka's, though he wasn’t nearly as stressed about it. "Have you been able to contact T'Challa?" Peter inquired, knowing that they would need his help.
T'Chaka nodded once more, his expression filled with resolve. "Yes, T'Challa is aware, and he stands ready to help. He hopes that the Avengers and I can lay the groundwork for him."
Peter agreed with a nod. "Good. We'll do our best to handle this situation delicately. But before we go out, contact T'Challa again. I have a plan that might help set the right tone."
T'Chaka gave a brief but appreciative smile before reaching for his phone to make the call. Peter knew that the involvement of the Black Panther and the nation of Wakanda was crucial in navigating the aftermath.
Once the call was made and T'Challa was informed of the plan, Peter, Lily, and T'Chaka stepped out onto the stage of the packed conference room. Cameras flashed, and reporters eagerly awaited their announcement. Anytime the Avengers called a press conference, the world paid attention.
Peter took the podium, his voice projecting with authority as he addressed the assembled press. "Hello again, thank you for gathering here today. We have some news, news that the Avengers have been aware of for a while but is now reaching the rest of the world."
A murmur rippled through the crowd as reporters exchanged curious glances. Speculation ran wild, but the hidden civilization in Africa wasn’t on anyones mind. It was still considered by many to be nothing more than a conspiracy theory.
Peter continued, his tone measured and deliberate. "To provide you with more details, I'd like to introduce a special guest. Please welcome the former king of Wakanda and newest member of the Avengers Council, T'Chaka."
T'Chaka stepped forward and took Peter’s place at the podium, his presence commanding attention. He looked out at the crowd, his gaze unwavering as he began to speak. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great solemnity that I confirm the truth. The news of a hidden city in Africa is not a fabrication. It is real, and that city is the nation of Wakanda. The true Wakanda."
A hushed silence fell over the room as T'Chaka's words sank in. Reporters and cameramen alike were stunned by the revelation. The world had been introduced to the idea of Wakanda, but it was always portrayed as a poor and tiny country. Now, the truth had been unveiled.
Peter knew that the visual impact would be just as crucial as T'Chaka's words. With a wave of his hand, he conjured a large, shimmering portal behind T'Chaka. Through it, everyone in the conference room, as well as those watching remotely, could see the grandeur of the Wakandan palace and the city sprawled out around it.
On the palace balcony stood T'Chaka, regal and composed, flanked by his mother and sister. Behind them, the Dora Milaje guards stood in stoic formation. The Wakandan architecture, a breathtaking fusion of tradition and advanced technology, left the audience in awe.
As the crowd and the world at large witnessed this astonishing sight, the impact of the revelation hit home. Wakanda was real, and it was unlike anything they had ever imagined. The world watched in astonishment, and questions swirled in their minds about the hidden wonders of this enigmatic nation.
And only seconds after the portal appeared, the reporters in the crowed went into a frenzy. “…T’Chaka, how long has Wakanda been in hiding!? …How man people really live in Wakanda!? …How rich is Wakanda!? …Has Wakanda ever taken funds under the guise of being a poor nation!? …How long have you been lying to the world?” There didn’t seem to be any end to the reporters questions.
A/N: 1607 words :)