'Xhosa' after a wee bit of research is the language T'Challa and his father speak. Things you learn on the web eh? Also if you've seen the movie (I pray you have if you're reading this) you know what's going to happen next chapter eh? Also I LOVE the idea of Hannah knowing the language T'Challa speaks, much more fun to write banter between them that way. Enjoy!
Chapter Thirty-Six~ Berlin, Germany
After being torn from Bucky's side, watching him be hauled off without so much as a twitch of his body I feel myself internally shut down. I don't feel anything as my arm is bandaged or when Steve, Sam, myself and the Wakanda King are shoved into an armed vehicle. The van speeds through the streets with sirens blaring and weaving uncaringly through the streets. I sit next to Steve who demanded as such—a last stich effort to protect me—as I stare with emotionless eyes out the window.
"So you like cats?" I hear Sam ask before he continues even though Steve tries to stop him,
"What? Dude shows up dressed in a cat suit and you don't want to know more?"
"There is nothing more to know," I say suddenly, the first words I've said since our journey as I glare holes into the back of the man's head. I hardly notice Steve turn to look at me as I keep going,
"King T'Challa wants vengeance for his father's death. Blame one man for crimes and watch him be locked away forever. Do you really think that will end your blame? Do you think that vengeance is what your father would have wanted? Do you think more innocent blood is the answer?" the man in front of me shifts to see my face and after a moment says,
"You know Xhosa—how?"
"You answer my questions I'll answer yours." I hiss biting out each word as if I have venom in my mouth. When I return my gaze to the window Steve asks about the suit, made of Vibranium. T'Challa explains about the Black Panther, the protector of Wakanda for generations.
"Now that your friend has murdered my father I now wear the mantel of King." I hear him say so that switching to Xhosa I say,
"A king has more power when he is using words and not weapons." making him turn to see me—considering his father had said those exact same words.
"I ask you then, as warrior and King—how long do you think you can keep your friend safe from me?" his attention is directly on me as I lean forward a bit telling him,
"A King who murders is no better than any other man."
"Stop using my father's words against me!" he suddenly roars so that leaning back I tell him simply,
"Then start using them." after a few more seemingly endless miles we finally drive into an underground compound where we're allowed to get out. Turning my head I spy Bucky trapped in a metal and glass cage who once he notices me Bucky gives me a tiny nod. Turning I see what Steve's focused on—Sharon standing next to some guy in a gray suit.
"What's going to happen?" Steve demands so that the guy says,
"Same thing that ought to happen to you, physiological evaluation and expedition." then turning to see me the man adds,
"And don't think you're not about to get the same treatment."
"This is Everett Ross, Deputy Chief and Task Force commander." Sharon says clearly not about to step out of line as Steve says,
"What about a lawyer?" so that Ross just smiles telling us,
"Lawyer? That's funny, see that their weapons are put in lock-up. We'll send you a receipt." and just like that the Captain American shield and Falcons gear are taken away. Such a simple thing to do—with huge meaning behind it. As we follow those in front of us, I keep my distance from them all as best as I can noticing the Wakanda King glancing at me more than once. While walking Ross says that the man will have an office not a cell which gets me to roll his eyes and say,
"If he was any other man he'd be put in a cell, royal treatment much?" I spit the word 'royal' at his feet as I spy Natasha on her way over towards us.
"For the record this is what 'making things worse' looks like." she says far too calmly so that I glance at her saying in Russian,
"This is no worse than anything we haven't seen." so that I watch her eyes widen slightly before we enter a room to see Tony on the phone. The last man I want to see right now damn it.
"Secretary Ross wants you three prosecuted."
"He's not getting the shield back is he?" I ask so that a still shaken Natasha says,
"Technically it's the governments shield, so are the wings."
"Technically the government, no matter which country, can't own a person. That's still illegal isn't it—Tony?" I ask causing the man to turn and see me while telling me,
"You're lucky to be next to Steve and not next to Barnes."
"Then I'm in the wrong spot." I snarl as he casually walks away making me glare at his back. I know he can feel my gaze because I see the muscles of his back twitching. When I feel a hand picking up some of my hair I turn to see Steve who's frowning.
"It's better than cutting it off. It also washes out." I tell him so that I follow him into the glass meeting room in the center of the control center. The two of us watch Bucky in his personal cage seemingly very relaxed as Tony walks in causing me to literally growl.
"Wanna see something cool? I pulled it in Dad's archives, old timely. FDR signed the Lend-Lease bill with these in 1941. Provided help to the Allies when they needed it most," Tony talks calmly and with that never ending cocky smirk as I stand near Steve who sitting at the table shakes his head. Pens—Tony is showing Steve pens which if isn't a message I don't know what is.
"Some would say those pens brought us closer to war. Did your dad tell you that?" I ask as Tony glares up over at me before he rambles on. He's trying to make this seem so simple, just sign the Accords and be free of everything that had just happened. We'd be fine and safe and dandy—but Bucky would still be a prisoner—again. I hardly listen as the two go back and forth, more fixated on those around us. Anyone holding or carrying a weapon, at the computers and monitors, anyone who enters the room or leaves, anyone with paperwork or telling people what to do. As of this moment I'm not Hannah 'Ace' Cohen—I'm Pale Shadow—only I don't work for HYDRA. When Steve mentions Howard Stark I turn and glare at his son who mocks Steve considering he's said over and over how his own father cared more about Steve than his own child.
"If I see a situation pointed South, I can't ignore it." Steve's words cut through my thoughts as I turn to see the two men so at odds with one another. One is doing right by the governments of the world, the other is doing right by what happens because of everything else wrong with the world.
"I don't want to see you gone, we need you Cap and so far nothing has happened that can't be undone if you just sign. We can make the last twenty-four hours legit, Barnes gets transferred to an American physic center instead of a Wakandian prison." Tony actually sounds a tad bit hurt as I keep my eyes sharp and open noticing as Steve picks up a pen and stands.
"I'm not saying it's impossible, but there would have to be safe guards," he begins so that Tony of course jumps on the band wagon telling him as if it was the easiest thing in the world,
"Oh of course! Once we put out the PR files the documents can be amended. I file a motion you and Wanda get reinstated."
"Wanda? What about Wanda?" I ask stepping over from my place aside so that Tony shrugs explain how she's stuck in the compound with Vision as her babysitter.
"There are worst ways to protect people!" Tony tells me only I just roll my eyes and scoff as Steve replies,
"Protection? Is that how you see this, this is protection? It's internment!"
"She's not a US citizen and they don't grant Visas to weapons of mass destruction!" Tony snaps only that causes the two of them to bicker as they normally would—but this is hardly 'normal' in any means.
"I'm doing what has to be done, to save us from the worst." Tony finally says exhausted only I shake my head saying to him,
"As long as that gets you to sleep through the night you keep telling yourself that."
"Hey! Ross wanted you in a cage lock-up just like Barnes! He wanted you to face the same punishment as him only you're not." Tony says making me laugh asking him,
"And I should be grateful? To the Mighty and Merciful Tony Stark? No—no Tony that's not how I see it. I see it as you pushing around your new founded glorious power. Have fun while it lasts."