Shuri clung tightly to her mother as they trekked up the mountainside. Who would have thought I would willingly walk into this Kingdom less than a month later...the irony of the situation was not lost on her. She stumbled slightly from exhaustion, but the last thing she wanted was to sleep. The horrifying image of T'Challa falling over the waterfall played behind her eyelids every time she blinked. Sleep would not be a solace; the angry, vile, newly discovered cousin of hers had ruined everything.

Erik's victory proved exactly why he did notdeserve to be king. T'Challa had shown mercy to M'Baku and maintained his composure in the heat of battle. Erik was driven purely by rage and vengeance; mercy was not something he comprehended. He seemed like the type of person who was always close to flying off the handle and would become agitated or unbalanced if he went too long without a fight. All of these things did not make a good leader.

She glanced at Nakia and was glad she was with them. The people who loved T'Challa the most were together and doing everything in their power to save Wakanda. It was a miracle Nakia had been able to steal the last heart shaped herb; who knew how long it would be until they would be able to locate another...decades perhaps. So here they were, halfway frozen, and headed to give the most bull-headed man on earth a most sacred power.

The Gorilla Lord would not have access to the same technology T'Challa had before his fall. She could not be his extended eyes and ears since she did not have full access to her lab. Without a suit, how would M'Baku stand a chance at defeating Killmongerer? Surely he had discovered all of her prototypes and variations of the Black Panther suit by now. Anger welled up inside her at the thought of Erik using her technology to cause harm and evil.

She looked to her other side at the white man that had somehow become part of their group. Erik had nearly killed Agent Ross, but thanks to her technology and intellect she had been able to save him. Now Shuri did not have the resources to rewrite his fate. They would all be dead, or worse, if Erik caught them. Thus, they could not grieve, and made their way with heavy hearts to the Jabari lands.

As Nakia and Agent Ross conversed she could feel her mother growing tense beside her. Ramona abruptly stopped and expressed her doubts about their current plan. Shuri agreed with her mother. Had she been less traumatized, and more adept at hand-to-hand combat, even she would have considered taking the heart shaped herb herself. They all looked warily at the menacing gorilla face glaring at them from the side of the mountain. How could they trust the Gorilla Lord would be loyal to them? He could take the power of the heart shaped herb then cast them down to their deaths into some frozen ravine.

Desperate times call for desperate measures but this is pure madness! Such thoughts stemmed from her amygdala, but her rational side fought to push reason through the fear. She did not speak in support of her mother because deep down she knew Nakia was right. Now that the Dora Milaje and Border Tribe stood behind her cousin, plus her lab was off limits, they needed an army. Sending a single warrior, heart shaped herb or not, would be futile. Thankfully Nakia calmed the exiled Queen down. She returned to her mother's side as they continued forward; there was no turning back now.

Nakia threw her hand out and as the first haunting gorilla calls reached their ears they were completely surrounded. Fancy they can be silent enough to sneak up on us. Maybe there is hope after all. The Jabari did not ask them their business like normal people would. Instead the men continued their guttural chant and formed a tight circle around them. Bast help us! Why are they always so hostile? She seethed in agitation and her mother once again threw a protective arm over her. Shuri was tired of ending up in this position when facing the Jabari. Since they were no longer in an advantageous position, unlike at the first ritual combat ceremony, they were quick offer submissive gazes.

"Come," one of the warriors barked. The Jabari escorted, or more like herded, them up the treacherous mountain pass. Thick furs covered most of the Jabaris' bodies, but incredibly they had some bare skin showing! Shuri fought to keep her teeth from chattering as the sun disappeared behind the mountain tops and an even crisper chill settled over them. Equally annoying and amazing, the Jabari seemed immune to the harsh conditions.

Finally, many yellow lights flickered into view as they came around a bend in the path. If she had not been completely worn out she would have appreciated the beauty of the snow-covered mountains and quiet village nestled among the rugged peaks. She saw what must be the hall of the Gorilla Lord. In the moonlight she could make out the outline of a massive gorilla holding up the structure. Curiously she wondered exactly how the Jabari had carved such an impressive form into the mountainside with primitive tools.

For the first time she saw Jabari women and children. Unsurprisingly, the women were broad shouldered, tall, and nearly as intimidating as the men. It appeared the children were also not affected by the cold temperatures. Only babes were wrapped in large hides; Shuri was envious of them. People eyed them suspiciously as they proceeded towards the great hall. They ascended stone steps, and when the large wooden doors opened Shuri almost shrieked with glee.

What a delight it is to breath and not see one's breath! The warmth was a welcome relief, and she wished they could have lingered by one of the numerous fire places in the hall. There was no time to warm their aching bodies, just as there was no time to grieve. A crowd gathered behind them as they continued through the room. Two guards opened even grander doors that sported intricately carved designs.

Shuri heard a sentry shout an official announcement but she was not really listening to him. As soon as M'Baku had come into view she could not tear her eyes away. Memories of their last encounter flashed through her mind. He made an impressive picture sitting there on his throne with the majestic mountains as a backdrop. Of course, he sits in a chilly half enclosed room instead of one warmed by a fire. We are uncomfortable, and he has all the advantages here! Shuri wondered how often M'Baku entered a room and was not the most dominating presence...rarely she concluded. Despite being seated and looking rather relaxed he exuded a more threatening force than the two guards flanking him.

Their escorts fell back to the perimeter of the room and left them alone to be the sole target of the Gorilla Lord's focus. Her mother began explaining their situation. It pained Shuri to hear Ramona's broken voice; the Queen had always the epitome of composure. "Were the odds fair?" M'Baku questioned. It did not sound like he possessed a single drop of sympathy. His voice resonated deep and strong, the exact opposite of her mother's. "So it was less a murder than a defeat…" he rudely interrupted Nakia.

Shuri's blood boiled. He was not listening! They had come all this way to be ridiculed. They should have known this brute would not take pity on them; he was only adding insult to injury. He is more likely to toss us off this stupid platform than he is to help us. Her anger made her reckless, "do not rub our noses in it!" she demanded and raised a finger at him. "Silence!" he commanded like she was a petulant child. Oh, how could I forget? To him I am a child. The worst sort as well.

She lowered her finger as he continued. "I make the pronouncements here, girl," he said with his voice dropping to almost a purr. A shiver ran up her spine that was unrelated to the icy winds nipping at them. It took no more volume than a whisper for him to get his meaning across loud and clear. He would have continued staring her down if not for Agent Ross' intervention.

The white man had barely gotten five words out before the, unfortunately familiar, loud throaty calls filled the hall. Every time he spoke the awful noise increased in volume and frequency. Bast he is really crazy! M'Baku's eyes had ceased to be calculating and instead were wide with wildness. The unreadable depth was gone; an even more unpredictable characteristic replaced it. Her own eyes reflected her confusion and nervousness at the outrageous display. "YOU CANNOT TALK! One more word and I will feed you to my children," M'Baku threatened.

Children? Wait, why was that my first thought. They are savages...savage cannibals! She frowned and wondered if throwing herself off the deck willingly was a coward's way out when the alternative was to be eaten by mountain people. Her mother was visibly unsettled, and Agent Ross gulped in fear.

"I am just kidding, we are vegetarians," the Gorilla Lord said with the smallest trace of a smile on his lips. Shuri wanted to cry or punch the annoying Lord in the face. If she was not so tired and terrified his humor would have been a relief to her. Now it only served to make her dislike him more for his antics. Then he began to giggle, which turned into braying like a wild hyena. We put our faith into this man...if you could even call him that. And her dares scoff at me for being a child!?

Nakia took the moment to present the Gorilla Lord with the heart shaped herb. Instantly the joker fell away and M'Baku came to full, serious attention. Sitting straight and tall in his throne for the first time since they had entered. Now he is intrigued. "...only you can help us stop him," Nakia pleaded. A look of confusion fell over his face as he processed this information. Shuri much preferred that look to the heated stare that seemed to be the norm during their interactions. He looked around and rose to his full height.

Her mother joined Nakia on the floor and Shuri followed suit. What a picture this must make. Us all kneeling before the Gorilla Lord as we offer him power unlike any he has ever known. He looked at all of them then said, "Come with me". Agent Ross was the first to rise, but Shuri hesitated in uncertainty. It was either follow or get left behind, so she fell into pace beside her mother. She felt slight disappointment when they did not head into the direction of the warm hall. M'Baku led them out a side exit and up toward what appeared to be a temple.

All those in front of her obstructed her view, and she was wildly curious when she heard the cries of Nakia and her mother. Moving forward she saw a sight that made her heart skip a beat. Brother, it cannot be! She rushed to his side. Her surprise caused her to forget about the cold and she did not adjust her wrap when it fell. Oh no, you look so terrible...but you are alive!

"He is in a coma, barely clinging to life. One of our fishermen found him at the edge of the river border. He brought him to me," M'Baku explained while leaning on his club. A thousand questions and thoughts ran through Shuri's mind. "Why do you have him in the snow?" she asked.

"It is the only thing keeping him from joining the ancestors".

"We need to get him to my lab. I can heal him there". She did not yet know exactly how they would gain access, but she was desperate to save her brother.

"Take him, he will be dead in seconds".

Her mother came to the rescue. Of course...the heart shaped herb. They prepared to perform the ceremony to save T'Challa's life. Worry plagued her consciousness. What if he is not strong enough to survive the transformation? Silently, but fervently, she prayed to Bast along with her mother and Nakia. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed M'Baku and Agent Ross had turned to give them some privacy. The pair made a comical sight, except she did not have it in her to feel mirth at the moment.

The liquid disappeared down her brother's throat. "We must bury him." the Queen ordered. Shuri did not even feel the chill of the snow on her bare hands as they worked to quickly cover her brother.

Now they could do nothing but wait.