Chapter Twenty-eight

Revivals

The people who had transported from Wakanda to Auradon remembered the first time they had used the stone. It would have made a person feel nausea, depending on how many times it was used and how far they were traveling.

The group made their way through the paths in the mountainside, leading them farther from the cities inland. Despite the chilling air, they predicted they would make it to the rendezvous point before nightfall. Due to the extension of the exodus, it was proven difficult for a reason. That was when Shuri ended up getting a piggy-back ride from one of her companions because she got sick of walking.

"I'll be glad when this is all over," Clint grumbled. "So that I can get this wide load off of me."

"Ugh! I liked it better in the mountains back in Auradon," Shuri groaned, swatting at the flies that surrounded them.

"If you think that's bad, you should see the mosquitoes we get during the wetter seasons," Sam said.

"We've already seen your survival kit. There's no need to brag about it," Natasha smirked.

"Hey! I may not have impenetrable skin, but with a Swiss army knife, a flare, a compass, first aide kit, and some survival skills, I can make it out of these jungles alive if y'all so much as abandon me here," Sam commented.

"You have your tools," Nakia said, twirling her chakram. "We have ours."

"Eh, of course," Clint teased. "But, it feels great to kick off the shiny shoe and go out."

"You've been anxious to get out," Bruce pointed out.

"Which of us hasn't been?" Clint said.

"Oh, wait. Stop! Stop! Stop!" Shuri said suddenly.

Clint came to a grinding halt. "What, what, what?"

Shuri pointed out to their right. "That, over there. Can you get a little closer so I can see what it is?"

"I can see it from right here. It'll cost you one Avenger."

Shuri rolled her eyes. "Okay, I'm sorry. I think I can walk the rest of the way now. Just hand me my stuff."

At that point, she expected Clint to spit out a sarcastic comment. After all, caustic remarks were very common to practice over the group. So it came up a surprise when the archer didn't respond straightaway.

"I don't have your stuff," he finally said.

"Neither do I. Where are they?"

"Well, why don't you check in one of my saddlebags while I chew on a bale of hay?!"

"We're coming to the rendezvous point anyways," Nakia recognized their surroundings suddenly.

"Which would mean the others would be there as well," T'Challa said.

Bucky stopped and held up his hand. Everyone suddenly stopped. The lone wolf stepped through the foliage and out into the open. The clearing was void of all life. One by one, everyone emerged out into the clearing as well.

"This is spooky," Thor uttered.

"I agree," Natasha said. "We should have run into trouble by now."

"What do you mean?" Shuri frowned at her.

"Something like a guard, or a booby trap," Natasha referred to past experience.

"Or whoever you guys were talking about," Clint added.

"They have to be here. I don't see anywhere else they could have gone to," T'Challa said. "I don't understand; where are they?"

Quiet sobs suddenly filled the void. T'Challa looked over his shoulder. Nova had stopped in the middle of the path, her head bowed down. He could see a slight tremble in her form.

"Nova?" He walked up to her to see if she was okay. She was breathing in short breaths, tears running down her face. Everything had suddenly hit her, and she was overwhelmed by everything that had been triggered to this moment. "Nova, what's wrong?"

"This is all my fault," Nova confessed, her voice choked with emotion.

"No," T'Challa said. "No, no. None of this is your fault. You're not responsible for everything that has happened."

"If I hadn't told Ultron about my reoccurring dreams, about that stupid legend, we wouldn't be in this mess," Nova contradicted. "Your friend would have still been alive, and so would have Vision."

"What happened to them wasn't your doing," T'Challa stated otherwise. "You are not held accountable for their choices."

"No. Just their deaths," Nova lamented.

"Hey. Look at me."

Nova looked to the speaker.

"You may have told Ultron about this, but that does not mean you are responsible for his own actions," Nakia put to her kindly. "Between you and your father, there is something that makes you different from him."

Nova sniffed. "What's that?"

"You're looking for a second chance. And you would do anything to turn over a new leaf and do the next right thing," Nakia said. "Everyone may not give you a second chance, but there will be others that won't hesitate to offer it to you, no matter what you did or where you came from."

Nova sniffed again and tried vainly to wipe her tears away. She hated it whenever she cried. Showing such emotions was a sign of weakness, and she hated feeling weak. Sensing this, Thor wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"There is no shame in feeling a little bit under the weather," he told her. "You're not always going to feel like you're strong. Sometimes, we need a little bit of guidance to show us right from wrong."

"I know, and I had been shown how wrong this all was," Nova said. She looked up at them all with guilt in her eyes. "But all I could think about at the time was myself. I just wanted what the others had and now…I'm not sure what I want anymore."

"You know, that's usually my line," Tony quipped, earning good-nature eye rolls from his teammates.

"And I thought Shuri was full of it," T'Challa uttered.

"That's because you never challenged me to who had the bigger ego," Shuri responded dryly.

"That aside," Bucky prevented the banter from continuing, "everyone else was also afraid of that creep. But being brave doesn't mean being reckless. It just means you keep going forward, even when you are afraid. No matter how many times a single person tries to scare you," he added with a grumble.

"Maybe you did make mistakes, but it's never too late to make up for them," Steve said.

"You're here, aren't you? It's good for even the Other Guy to prove that you deserve a second chance," Bruce said.

"Don't go hurting yourself for this," Clint said as well. "We're going to win this war. We need to start cooperating, join forces, and rally others. There's no shame in turning back. If you want to hide with the others, no one will judge you. But once you step onto that battlefield with us, you're one of us."

Nova looked at them all. They were being sincere and dedicated, even when they barely knew each other. Or they barely knew her. Even when they were stubborn and unwilling to cooperate, they were able to put aside past quarrels to reach a common goal. If they could do it, why not she?

Nova nodded, "You're right. Let's just find out what happened before we―"

A twig snapped and they jumped.

"What was that?" Tony hissed.

"Shall I take it down?" Thor asked.

"No, don't! Let's find out what it is first," T'Challa said.

The branches shifted and shook again. Another shake and something charged out from the brush, leaping at them. Steve let out a shout as he hit the ground with his shield.

Their enemy was a tiny hedgehog.

Everyone blinked at it as it stared back before it darted back into the trees with a squeak. Bucky was laughing.

"Here lies Steven Grant Rogers, also known as Captain New World, son of Sarah and Joseph Rogers. He was devoured by a tiny little hedgehog…" He was laughing too hard to acknowledge the murderous glare Steve gave him.

"Quiet."

Natasha looked at T'Challa suddenly. "What?"

T'Challa hushed her.

"Don't you shush me," she started, but T'Challa cut her off.

"Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Clint wondered.

Bucky stopped laughing so they could try to hear what T'Challa had heard. It was mostly the rustling of the winds in the trees he heard. However, as the seconds ticked past, even Steve could feel shivers run down his spine.

"I don't hear anything," Natasha said.

"Wait. I hear it too," Nakia spoke.

"I can feel it. I don't think we're alone," Tony said.

Trepidation pricked at them. They had to get out of there before they got caught and turned over to Ultron. Before they could move, they heard noises echo through the air. A group of Jabari warriors emerged from their hiding spots from the trees.

"What are they doing here?" Nakia hissed.

"Hands up and weapons down. Show them you mean no harm," T'Challa instructed.

Everyone did as she said, and they raised their hands as they were surrounded by Jabari warriors. By the looks on their faces, these warriors were on guard and ready to take out anyone who dared to enter their territory. Even Tony could sense something had happened here, and they were about to find out what it was.

Nightfall arrived once they reached the valleys that bordered Jabari territory. After several minutes of being escorted through the jungles of the mountain range, they came across a tunnel tall enough for them to walk through. They were forced to walk through them, down to where they knew a sacred valley laid ahead. However, the warriors did not follow them. The group had no choice but to continue forward.

As they came to the tunnel's end, they realized they had reached a small, secluded valley teeming with vegetation. Even T'Challa could not help but gape in wonder. How had anyone not have noticed this before? What surprised them the most were the people occupying it.

T'Challa stood at the entryway, overlooking the encampment. Small canvas tents were set up. Families huddled around fires; others mulled around to look for conversation. T'Challa stepped forward to allow the others to file out into the opening, but that was as far as they could get.

"It's T'Challa!" a shriek echoed suddenly. "It's T'Challa!"

The group was alarmed at the sudden cry, but soon died down when the mass of people was swarming around them, laying a hand on them and hugging them. They had never felt so relieved before in their lives to see T'Chaka's children return to them.

"Praise you, T'Challa, for returning to us," an older man rejoiced.

"S'Yan!" T'Challa laughed. "It's so good to see you again. But, I don't understand why you are here."

S'Yan looked troubled. "We had to shut down the labs. They are getting ready to raid the New World even as we speak."

T'Challa looked around. That explained why some of the most well-known members of the Great Mound were here. He could see few of the people from Step Town were there as well. However, he was surprised the most when he saw M'Kathu and the rest of the Tribal Elders come forward.

"M'Kathu, what are you all doing here?" T'Challa inquired.

"Okoye," M'Kathu answered. "She brought us up here."

"I should have thought so," T'Challa sighed. Bless that woman, ever loyal to her country and people. He didn't know what he would do if she weren't around. By the time he relaxed, C'China was at their side now with D'Kar. The healer and former War Dog happily embraced T'Challa. Despite what she claimed earlier, she had been relieved to see the young man alive and well.

"Where is Ultron?" T'Challa asked as she drew away.

"Gone, praise be," C'China said. "We don't even know where he currently is."

Whispers dispersed among them. From behind C'China, people were parting to make way for another member to come forward. Okoye emerged from the crowd, staring at T'Challa in awe.

"T'Challa…" She reached forward and the two embraced each other. After being apart for so long, it was good to see the other one. It was the first time her discipline cracked in her lifetime. During all of those weeks of loneliness and worry she had feared for T'Challa's safety. Here he stood now, alive and healthy and strong. She was surprised by the addition to his group, but she would ask about that later. "I had thought that you…"

T'Challa shook his head. "No," he said. "I am here where I belong."

D'Kar took his hand. "You must rest now―"

"I have been doing that for twenty years," T'Challa firmly said. "No more."

Everyone looked at him with such veneration now. A mother was softly telling her children that their king was still alive. Many might as well believed that his presence was a miracle.

"I have returned to do the next right thing," T'Challa openly declared, "and challenge Ultron for the throne."

He looked past those that surrounded him now. He saw the children with the same, sad expression he had seen too many times before in those twenty years. This was the time to refill them with happiness, peace, and security. He could see now what his declaration had caused, watching the people stare at him.

"You cannot go to war with Ultron," Anpu stated loudly. "He is immune to any weapon at our disposal."

"I have thought that once myself," T'Challa remarked. "But I can defeat him. I am the only one ― Ultron had said so himself."

He pulled away and slowly made his way through the crowd. The people before him parted to make room for him to move freely. He came before a large rock sticking out of the ground.. He stepped onto it and turned to the multitude below him. His sister, his friends, everyone gazed up at him to see how much he had changed during his exile from Wakanda.

"For the last five thousand years we have been hiding in the shadows," he began. "And here we still hide within them when we know we can do so much better. We have done so by letting our fears of being discovered rule our lives and ourselves. That is what prevents us from doing what is right. Not the tyrants or the great kings of the past that sit on our throne, but our greatest nightmares that helped create those monsters."

Below, Nakia stared up at him with wonder. All her life she never heard T'Challa speak with such confidence and integrity. The accident with Ultron in Auradon must have been the push he needed. While it felt wrong and disgusting to admit it, perhaps, she realized, this was what they had needed.

"I was asked to represent you," T'Challa called out, voice growing bolder with each word. He felt he was at peace. Never before had he felt certain for anything. "I have been told that the best I can do is stay away from prying eyes. This time, I will not." He stole a glance at Steve, whose gaze had a soft glitter in his blue eyes.

"Death favors no man," T'Challa continued. "I once thought so myself. All of these years, and I only know darkness, sorrow, and hate. But now I will not let death conquer me yet. I still hold life sacred to me, even for those many of you find unworthy. I have seen a brighter light than when my eyes were open. Within a man is a spark of a flame that is waiting to ignite a fire of a revolution. And I know that fire burns in all of you!"

His heart was beating strongly in his chest. But there was still so much to say.

"I have seen what he fears. I can stop him from this. If he comes for me, I will ride out to meet him. But if he does not to come for me, I will ride out to meet him. Alone if I have to."

His gaze fell upon all who looked at him. "I will gladly give my life for you, because this land and everyone else lost too much. Who will be there with me? Who will be my companion out in the battlefield? Who will be there by my side when death arrives at our doorstep? Who will be there to avenge the fallen?"

He stood there, looking over his subjects and people, waiting for an answer. He waited, listening to the birds whistling in the trees around them. He wondered if he would stand to face Ultron, alone with his sister, his friends, and the Avengers. Then, slowly, D'Kar struck a hand over his breast and knelt down.

"Forgive me, my king," he apologized. Then he looked to Shuri. "Crown Princess."

Shuri inclined her head. Okoye got down on one knee to follow the Pasha commander's lead. The guard and elders followed suit. Soon, everyone was kneeling, showing their respect and support. He was their leader, just as his father and ancestors had been. He swore to end Ultron's reign, or he would die trying.

T'Challa stepped down from the rocky mound, his eyes glistening like starlight. He could almost feel the victory ― it seemed so close. He imagined Wakanda as it had been before. The people would roam freely, the forest once abundant with life. No one would go hungry, no lives would be lost. And children will be safe once more.

There was one more thing on his mind. It was something that had been repeatedly overlooked in the five millennia that passed. Now would be a good time to solve it.

"I know that I have just returned," he rallied the people ― his people ― for a statement. "But tonight I make my way into Jabari territory for one more thing to resolute. I will be back tomorrow morning."

Voices rose up as he started to make his way back to the group. C'China saw what he meant. She took his arm and said, "T'Challa. I am not sure that is a good idea. Especially with what happened the last time we were visited by them."

"I know. But right now, we need their support if we are to survive."

C'China looked at him seriously. Then, she slowly nodded. "Be careful."

T'Challa returned the nod. Then he said to the Pasha commander "D'Kar, I will be needing you and some of your men when I return."

"So long as you be careful with M'Baku, if you do go to him," D'Kar replied.

T'Challa only smiled. He motioned for Okoye to follow with. He turned to S'Yan. "The Ark is fully recovered. Can you contact Baru to let him know?" T'Challa passed the wrapped parcel to the older man.

"I will make sure word is sent there before sundown tomorrow," S'Yan confirmed.

While this was happening, the Avengers were conversing among themselves.

"No one's going to make you stay," Steve said to Bruce.

"I know. But they may need help if they have to. Plus, if this goes bad…"

"Yeah. I think I'll stay behind as well," Thor said. "There was a mention of mountain people here, and we've all had our experiences with them."

"Not everyone who lives in the mountains are the same," Natasha said to him.

"Yes, but it is better safe than sorry."

Nova shuffled uncomfortably in her spot. "I don't want to stay here, but I feel more obligated to these people than I would with them." She glanced up at the mountain range before them.

"You know, there's no shame in staying here," Bucky said to her.

"Will you be coming with us as well?" Steve asked Bucky, trying to disguise that hint of hope. "You've been here longer than we have."

Bucky looked to where they were about to head out for. All those years was the same ― too tired to fight, too old to remember any of the good times. Faces he could call to mind, but many past events from his early years was just a simple blur.

He hadn't been in the mountains, but stories revolving around him made him nervous. One particularly that involved him in the later years of the Great War. The memory of him falling from the steep cliffs still made him quake, the past still feeling fresh in his mind. He would like to go, but he wasn't ready to confront his fears around it just yet.

"I'm going to stay here," Bucky answered finally. "I know these people; they're good and they aren't worthy of being put to the sword."

Steve bowed his head. He tried to make himself look like he understood, but being separated from his childhood friend felt like a stake was driven through his heart. All those years reminded Steve of how much he had been robbed. Seeing this, Bucky patted him on the shoulder.

"You're going to come back, right? I'm not going anywhere myself."

Steve smiled. "Just as long as you don't do anything stupid."

"How am I supposed to when you'll take all the stupid with you?"

The others gave a good-nature snicker.

"We make our way now," T'Challa said, approaching the group with Okoye behind him.

"Good. I have something to do anyways."

Bucky turned to the mass of people behind them. He surged forward and they found him replaced by the wolf. When the children from the village saw him, they squealed in delight to see their friendly neighborhood canine return to them. They rushed forward to meet Bucky and started to cuddle with him, all the while introducing them to the other children that were unfamiliar with him.

While the others found it adorable, Okoye's discipline cracked once more. Her jaw dropped at the sight before she looked to T'Challa for an answer.

"I'll explain later," he told her.

Together, they headed out of the valley and straight for the Jabari village.

Snow started to fall from the sky once they reached the village of the Jabari Tribe. T'Challa looked around at some of the people. Some arguments had been made regarding to their fate in Wakanda when their society evolved over the course of time. However, no one could agree on the terms to earn their friendship if war did break out in their own lands.

After several minutes of being guided through the huts, they arrived into what appeared to be the chief's palace that overlooked the mountain's side. There, seated on the throne with two guards flanking each side, was M'Baku. It was strange that the first and last time they saw him was when he came down from the mountains to challenge for the throne. Now here, T'Challa stood at his mercy.

The Black Panther stared at M'Baku. He believed the Jabari leader would not have let go of the event or any grudge he had against him. While it was considered humiliation, it was also seen as admirable for him to challenge for the throne. T'Challa came forward and knelt before M'Baku. He was, after all, in his territory.

"Lord M'Baku. I come here to seek your aid," T'Challa began.

M'Baku glared at him. T'Challa paused to gather his breath. And suddenly, an unexpected taste entered his mouth.

The taste of the truth behind that day.

"Ultron murdered my father in ritual combat," he found himself saying.

"Were the odds fair?" M'Baku sounded interested in it.

"If you call the use of dark magic without knowledge fair, no," T'Challa answered.

"Then I see he was not wise after all," M'Baku remarked.

"Do not insult his memory," Shuri countered.

"Silence! I make the pronouncements here," M'Baku told her.

Tony came forward. "Now hold on a damn second. Just because you're the chief here doesn't mean…"

M'Baku had glared at him and gave out a hoot. Tony stopped but, like the man he was, he continued to try reason with the person on the throne.

"Doesn't mean you should…"

M'Baku hooted again, and the guards around them joined in. Tony and his companions flinched, but T'Challa, Nakia, and Shuri were barely fazed by the display. It was moments before there was silence again.

"So, is this a gorilla cult?" Sam suddenly inquired about the village they were in.

"Sam," Steve chided softly. Not because of what he asked, but he didn't want to further provoke the tribesmen.

"What? There's a huge gorilla statue right underneath us. You're not the slightest bit curious about it?" Sam asked.

"You cannot talk!" M'Baku bellowed.

"But what if I⸺"

"If you say one more word, I will feed the bowman to my children," M'Baku cut the man off with a promise.

"Dammit, Sam, shut up!" No way was Clint going to let some nut like M'Baku eat him. No, he did not come all the way up there only to be a snack. Not in a million years.

"I'm kidding. We are vegetarians."

Clint had a look of anger and relief as M'Baku giggled.

"M'Baku! Listen to me!" Nakia reached into the folds of her skirts and presented him one of the remaining pulps of the heart-shaped herb. "This is also why we are here. Ultron recently murdered his most favorite son because he was out of his control. We are now ready to remove him from the throne. Only you can help us defeat him. Please, I beg of you. Help us."

She dropped down to one knee to demonstrate their desperation. T'Challa was the first to follow her lead. Then, one by one, the rest of the group bowed down before the Jabari leader.

M'Baku slowly stood up, taking in the scene before him. He was shocked more so than anything. Never before had he ever seen anyone from the other tribes come here to ask for help, let alone show respect to him. And T'Challa? He had given him a chance to yield in combat rather than be straight and kill him. The younger man did more things for him than he knew. Perhaps this was a good time to repay him.

"Come with me."

The group followed M'Baku down a path though the village. Snow continued to fall lazily downward from the dark sky. Up along the path, the mountains could be seen as breathtaking. But this was no time to enjoy the scenery.

They entered a hut where two women were attending to a patient. They quickly left when they saw them approach. Confused, T'Challa tried to steal a glance at the form lying down. When he was able to see the injured one, his heart quickened at the sight of who it was.

"Scott!" he heaved in a breath.

"Impossible," Nakia whispered.

They rushed forward to his side. Scott was lying down the ground, buried from the waist-down in snow with no shirt on. He looked peaceful where he laid. Natasha knelt down and held a knife's blade to the nose, watching its surface fog up.

"He's still breathing," the warrior confirmed.

"He is in a coma," M'Baku explained. "One of our fishermen found him by the riverbanks. We had them brought here to be healed."

"How the hell is he still alive?" Clint couldn't believe it. "In fact, how did he get all the way from home to here?"

"I thought you said he fell from a cliff," Okoye mentioned the incident that she learned of.

"He did! I watched as that root we were hanging on to ripped itself out, causing him to let go," Shuri said.

"He must have come here the same way we have," Nakia deduced. "Which would explain how Nova and M'Wabu got to us before the dragon had."

"Why is he covered in snow?" Steve asked.

"It is the only thing keeping him from joining his ancestors," M'Baku answered.

"We have to get him to my lab," Shuri said. "I can heal him there."

"Do it! He'll be dead in seconds," M'Baku warned.

"He's right," Sam agreed. "By the nature of these wounds, he wouldn't stand a chance."

"There's no way to save him then," Okoye sighed.

"Yes, there is."

Tony had spoken those words. Upon seeing Scott's motionless form, he head turned away. Rather, he listened to what word was being spoken to this point. He searched in one of his pouches on his belt for an item. He managed to fish out a vial of a pale gold liquid. Seeing it caused his teammates to jump to their feet.

"Tony, where did you get that?" Natasha asked quietly.

"I've been saving it."

"For what?" Sam questioned.

"A time like this."

Steve shook his head. "Stark, I really don't think that's a good idea."

"That man is lying there, balancing between life and death, and you're telling him this isn't a good idea?" Clint argued with him. "What if that's our only chance of saving him?"

"Clint, he has a kid and―"

"Exactly!" Tony shouted. He drew his head back and took in a breath. "You said that no child should have to grow up without a decent father or mother. Well, guess what, Rogers? Hardly anyone in this room succeeded in that. So, for the love of God, at least let Cassandra have her dad. Now, will someone please hand me a bowl and something to help him take this? Because it's not the most delicate thing to swallow"

Nakia presented the herb. "Will this do?"

Tony took in a breath. He had heard snippets of the plant during their trek to Davenport. While it would prove to have a benefit for Scott's health, he was still hesitant to use it. Yet, they were running out of time.

"Sure." He took the herb as he was handed a wooden mortar and pestle. He immediately set to work to pound the herb before pouring in the liquid and mixing it up. He held it up, as if it were an offering.

"Please, lord," Tony prayed to himself. "Let this work."

He readjusted Scott's head enough for him to place the bowl at his lips. He fed the fluids to him, making sure that not a drop was left in the dish. Once it all went down his throat, Tony set it to the side.

"We have to cover him," T'Challa advised. "The herb's effects may not work well in the open air."

The group worked to conceal Scott with the snow. Once he was buried beneath it, all they could do was wait. And pray to their own deity that he would pull through.

Seconds turned to minutes. Nothing had happened. They still waited for him to move, but he remained still. Shuri rested her head on her brother's shoulder, still pleading to every deity she knew for a miracle. Nakia bowed her head down, praing and wishing for their friend to wake up. Losing Vision was already a heavy toll on their part. For Scott to come back would hopefully restore some of that faith.

As the minutes were about to be an hour, a soft groan came from the mound.

Everyone backed away, giving Scott room as he sat up. Snow fell from him in clumps, while the unfortunate flakes still clung to him. He pulled in one leg to help support himself as he stood up on shaky legs. Droplets of the melted snow ran down his torso and found themselves absorbed in his shorts.

"What happened?" Scott groaned. He stumbled, but was caught before he fell over.

"You're okay, man," Clint said as he helped balance him. "You're still with us."

T'Challa stood before Scott. "How do you feel?"

Scott wiped the remaining snow from himself. "I'm wet, cold, sore, and feel like someone is playing my head as if it were a drum. Why is it even so…?"

He looked down to find himself drenched and shirtless. However, he caught a glimpse of his chest. He raised a hand up towards what caught his eye. His friends finally took note on what marked as proof of the elixir's affect. On his right pectoral muscle, there was a large crisscross of three red arcs etched into his skin. Each arc had tiny lines stitched through them. "What the…?"

"What does that mean?" Okoye gestured to the marking.

"Nothing," Sam replied. "It's just proof that he's like us."

Scott barely acknowledged that statement. Hearing Okoye's voice was what took him by surprise. It was then he noticed M'Baku's presence as well. It looked as if it didn't compute yet before he frowned.

"You know, I'm trying to remember the last time I got knocked out back home and didn't wake up in Wakanda," he said.

T'Challa laughed. Scott may have been injured, but his dry sense of wordplay hadn't been wounded.

"Let's get you in something warm."

The mountains was blessed with a glorious and beautiful morning. Many of the children, they learned, were happy and barely unaware of the dangers outside of their homelands. They were barely aware of the outsiders who had come to make an audience with M'Baku. Now, those very people were gathered in the main room of the chief's house.

Scott was sitting in his seat, motionless, still trying to process the information he received in little time. Teetering between life and death didn't compute to his mind. Was he really closer to death than before? The reason why now, he found himself losing the privilege of aging and conceiving?

Okay, the last one was the last thing he worried for. He had one child, and he was content with that. But the rest of his altered nature just didn't make any sense. All of this information didn't quite make a lick of sense.

"So, what does this mean?" he asked away. "Am I immortal now or something?"

"We don't age. But we can still get hurt and die," Sam answered.

"But, you would think that one of you would have died after everything you did all those years," Scott reflected the past.

"Let us consider what really matters now," Okoye spoke before the topic got out of hand. "You are all here, and we are on the brink of a war. How do you expect we win this one?"

"Our main focus right now is on Mount Bashenga," T'Challa relayed the plan the Dora Milaje leader. "We must seize it and put it in lockdown. Ultron would be planning to use all of the vibranium down there to launch a full-scale attack on the world. Once we claim the mountain, we will have to assemble in the fields set between the capital and the barriers. There, we will make our last stand against him."

"So, what's stopping us from executing it?" Natasha asked.

Okoye glanced to the side.

"Okoye?"

"Ultron may be gone, but all of his children are not. While we have his youngest daughter on our side now, one of his sons was left to supervise the operation," Okoye revealed.

T'Challa narrowed his eyes. He recalled the information Nova and M'Wabu shared with him, but he wanted to check for confirmation first in case anything had changed between their appearance and now.

"Which one?"

"The one with the namesake of his signature weapon."

"We're going to die," Shuri mumbled.

"Better him than Maw," Nakia replied.

"There's also the Border Tribe you have to consider," Clint reminded. "Even if they surrender, they may not see T'Challa as worthy of the title as Wakanda's king."

"Not unless we remind them why."

Scott used that moment to speak. All eyes were on him now. Scott rose to his feet, knowing what to say in his defense.

"T'Challa helped his own people through those tough times, even when nobody knew of his fate. He saved the lives of not only myself, but of Everett's and the three children in Amarna. He had volunteered to bring Klaue to justice. He offered Vision a second chance in life when he lost so much. During those two months that I lived here, I could see he would be willing to risk his life to help others without asking for anything in return." He finished with a heartfelt reminder, "I promised him in those ruins that I would do whatever I could to help him during his exile. And I am willing to keep my promise, no matter what."

T'Challa was left speechless. He wasn't the only one moved by Scott's words. No argument came from the others. Scott had seen the potential T'Challa possessed. However, the mood was cut short when M'Baku yawned in boredom.

"Are you done?" he asked. "Are you ― are you done?"

"Could you give Lord M'Baku and I a moment alone?" T'Challa requested.

Okoye even blinked in surprise at this. They were escorted away by the guard down the hall. Shuri looked over her shoulder, pleading for her brother to be careful before she disappeared with the others.

Alone with M'Baku, T'Challa remained silent. This would be the first conversation they would have that didn't hold so much resentment for the other. Four five thousand years, neither side had come to terms for a peaceful moment. Maybe, just maybe, this would help them make peace.

"Thank you for saving my friend," T'Challa started.

The hardness in M'Baku's eyes softened. "I owe you a great debt," he said. "You saved three of my kin. Consider the debt paid."

T'Challa nodded. At least now he knew where the children had come from.

"Please allow the refugees to hide in the valleys."

"No harm will come to them. I give you my word."

"You know, we all could use the help we need."

"I bet you could, but no."

Well, at least it was worth a try.

"I will not give Jabari lives towards your cause."

"This is beyond my cause. The moment is at hand, and if it were up to all of us―"

"Oh, so it's us now?" M'Baku stood up from his seat. "You know, you are the first king to come here in thousands of years, and now you speak of us?"

"I cannot speak for past kings. But now we have a means to dethrone Ultron. We both know what he is capable of if he was to become unhinged. Have you not stayed up at nights wondering what could have been if we have intervened? What do you think he is going to have happen to you once the world is under his thumb?"

M'Baku scowled down at him. For a moment, T'Challa thought for sure he would strike him. Instead, the bigger man resumed his seat on his throne.

"We will not help you," he finalized.

T'Challa gave him only a curt nod. He wouldn't continue this argument any further. He already had D'Kar and his men at his hand, along with the Avengers, his closest friends, and another one of Ultron's children. No doubt the Dora Milaje would still be loyal to Okoye as well. He would have to make use with what he had.

As he turned out of the room to rejoin the others, he wondered what he would have done himself if he had intervened. Ultron would have killed him either way, no matter how young he was. But it did not matter anymore. There was a war between them brewing, and T'Challa was determined to have that ax grounded once and for all.