Before we get into the chapter, I'm going to make an announcement. I wasn't going to make this announcement until the end of Black Panther but, since I got a few questions about it, I'm instead making it now.
I have decided against doing Homecoming for this story. The reason for this is in the AN at the end of the first chapter, so you can go back and look at it there. I'm just letting you guys know in advance.
Green Hal37: Why thank you. Yes, it can but the movies are not the comics. I didn't feel one way or the other about it but I do feel, like most MCU romances, it was severely mishandled. We're told repeatedly how in love they are, but they tell us more than show us. T'Challa and Nakia spend more time apart than they do together and even then, half of the time they're together they're arguing. And then there's the fact that T'Challa had to change his entire viewpoint for them to be able to be together. In the words of John Diggle, love isn't about changing someone; it's about finding the person who is already perfect for you.
Jason Hunter: Yeah, that's right.
Panther-10: You have no idea.
Guest 1: Sorry, not a fan of either of those ships.
Guest 2: I never thought of that before but yeah, he does. Thanks for that.
Guest 3: Yeah, that was pretty funny.
The scene changes to Wakanda. By a waterfall, Ramonda and Shuri, in her ceremonial dress, are dancing with the tribe, along with Nakia before Okoye and the Dora Milaje tap their weapons on the boat they were on. This sent a shock wave down the river, where a drain is activated.
"Even your mountains are high tech," Clint whistled, impressed as T'Challa chuckled.
The Royal Talon Fighter flies over to the waterfall, hovering over the ground as the ramp lowers. T'Challa exits, wielding a spear and shield and wearing only a pair of shorts, his chest and face coated in paint as his people sing.
"Nice paint job," Tony said and T'Challa smiled.
"It is formal wear a prince wears to his coronation, similar to your business suits," T'Challa explained.
Zuri formally introduces T'Challa, who kneels in the traditional Wakandian warrior pose while the crowd also takes a pose.
"What, did you guys rehears that?" Scott joked and T'Challa rolled his eyes good naturedly.
Zuri then explains that T'Challa will have the power of the Black Panther stripped away from him before giving T'Challa a liquid, which he drinks.
"Can that drink really take away your powers?" Rhodey inquired and T'Challa nodded.
"It is derived from an herb that counters the effect of the Heart Shaped Herb, leaving me the same as an ordinary man," T'Challa explained.
"But why?" Peter asked confused.
"It's challenge day," T'Challa said simply.
T'Challa seems to gag as his veins turn black while drums are beat and his people dance. T'Challa is weakened before getting to his feet, his strength returning to him.
"That looks painful," Wanda noted and T'Challa winced.
"It is," T'Challa admitted and Steve winced, remembering getting the Super Soldier Serum.
"I can relate," Steve said dryly.
Zuri yells to 'praise the ancestors', which the rest of the attendees repeat. Zuri explains the rules of ritual combat before asking if anyone wants to challenge T'Challa for the throne.
"Anyone can challenge you for the throne?" Natasha asked and T'Challa nodded.
"Anyone, but they must defeat me in ritual combat. I must prove my worth, that I can protect my people. If I cannot, I am unworthy of being king," T'Challa said firmly.
One by one, the Merchant, Border, River, and Mining Tribes all decline to challenge T'Challa. Zuri then asks if anyone of royal blood wishes to challenge T'Challa and Shuri raises her hand.
"She wants to fight you?" Peter asked surprised and T'Challa chuckled.
"Unlikely. Shuri has said more than once she has no desire to rule, preferring her place in the lab. More likely she just wants to get back at me for earlier," T'Challa said with an amused smile on his face.
But Shuri only wished to complain about her ceremonial outfit, to T'Challa's amusement and everyone else's exasperation.
"Looks like you were right Your Highness," Sam said amused as they all laughed at Shuri's antics.
"I like her," Rhodey said between laughs.
Suddenly, there is chanting as everyone turns to see the source of it. Men wearing war paint exit the caverns, followed by a man wearing a monkey mask.
"M'Baku," T'Challa said, his smile disappearing to be replaced by a scowl.
"Who's this guy?" Rhodey inquired.
"Leader of the Jabari Tribe," T'Challa said simply.
"The Tribe that isolated themselves in the mountains," Vision noted and T'Challa nodded.
"If they isolated themselves, why are they at your coronation?" Natasha inquired and T'Challa shrugged.
"I doubt it is to wish you good luck," Thor noted.
Everyone is shocked to see the Jabari Tribe as M'Baku exits. M'Baku removes his mask once he reaches Zuri, who asks him why he is there. Its challenge day, M'Baku says simply before he turns to address the crowd. He then proceeds to express his disgust that their technological advancements are overseen by Shuri, a child who scoffs at their traditions. And now, they are handing over the throne to T'Challa, a 'boy who could not keep his own father safe'.
T'Challa glared at the screen, as did most of the viewers.
"I already don't like monkey boy," Tony said and none of them disagreed.1
M'Baku declares that the Jabari Tribe will not stand for this and T'Challa accepts his challenge before he can even formally give it. M'Baku mocks him before they each dawn their masks. The Jabari go to guard M'Baku while the Dora Milaje move to guard T'Challa at T'Challa and M'Baku's orders.
"What are the guards for?" Wanda asked curiously.
"To make sure neither side breaks the rules of combat or runs away until the challenge is finished," T'Challa explained.
Zuri starts the challenge and the two rush each other. M'Baku parries with his spear but T'Challa blocked with his shield. However, with a powerful swing of his spear, the blow sent T'Challa falling onto his back, to the concern of Nakia and Shuri.
"Shit, he's strong," Clint noted as T'Challa frowned.
"Strength is not everything my friend," Thor pointed out as he looked at T'Challa. "This challenge has just begun."
T'Challa then stood back up and tried to strike M'Baku, who dodged. T'Challa then sent a kick to his chest, sending M'Baku falling on his back, to Zuri and W'Kabi's satisfaction.
"Strength is not everything," T'Challa echoed with a smirk.
M'Baku stood back up and T'Challa rushes him. However, M'Baku dodges and sent a powerful blow to T'Challa's shield. This knocks T'Challa off his feet and causes him to lose his weapons. His mask flew from his face as he landed on his back in the water.
The smirk was wiped from T'Challa's face, replaced with a frown. Now that he had lost his weapons, the challenge would be that much harder.
"Damn, this guy's not playing around," Rhodey noted.
"M'Baku is not someone you would wish to fight," T'Challa agreed.
M'Baku laughed as T'Challa pulls himself to his feet, finding the Jabari pointing their weapons at him. Returning to the fight, T'Challa grabs onto M'Baku's spear and delivers a spinning kick to his face, causing the crowd to cheer. T'Challa punches M'Baku three times and M'Baku fell to his knees.
"Nice moves," Clint complimented.
"Thank you Mr. Barton. I would be happy to show you some," T'Challa offered.
"You already owe me a bow. Let's not fill up your tab," Clint joked and T'Challa chuckled.
"Very well," T'Challa agreed.
Angrily, M'Baku got back to his feet and manages to restrain T'Challa in a bear hug. Trying to crush T'Challa with his strength, M'Baku head-butts T'Challa, taunting him that he is 'a boy not fit to lead'.
T'Challa winced, his mind plagued with doubts. It had been something he had doubted his entire life, whether he would ever be able to live up to his father as king. He just hoped he could make his father proud and be a good king to his people.
Dazed, T'Challa hears his mother tell him to 'show him who you are'. Determination filling him, T'Challa head-butts M'Baku in return before punching him, breaking his mask. Angrily, M'Baku tries to stab T'Challa but T'Challa grabs the spear, the tip of the head getting him below his shoulder.
"Damn, this fight keep going back and forth," Sam muttered as they all watched, hoping T'Challa wouldn't meet a tragic end.
With determination, T'Challa declares he is Prince T'Challa, son of King T'Chaka. T'Challa pushes back, getting the spear away from him. T'Challa then grabs the spear when M'Baku tries again and kicks him in the chest, disarming him.
"Now who's unfit to lead, huh?" Tony said cheekily as they all cheered.
T'Challa then tackles M'Baku, the pair landing at the edge of the waterfall. T'Challa pins him while using his legs to put M'Baku in a choke hold, pleading with M'Baku to yield. M'Baku declares he would rather die.
"Stubborn fool," T'Challa growled, hoping he would not be forced to kill M'Baku.
As the crowd chants T'Challa's name, T'Challa pleads with M'Baku, reasoning that his people need him. It is this that reaches M'Baku, as he taps T'Challa's knee in a sign of surrender.
T'Challa releases the breath he hadn't known he was holding; glad he would not have to kill M'Baku.
"You did not kill him when you had multiple chances. You are an honorable man Your Highness," Thor said and T'Challa smiled.
"Thank you," T'Challa said gratefully.
T'Challa released M'Baku as he let out a breath. The crowd cheered as T'Challa got to his feet, raising his arm in victory. Zuri crowns him King T'Challa as he places Bashenga's necklace around his neck. T'Challa and Zuri hug before T'Challa greets his people. Holding his arms in a Wakandian pose, T'Challa cries 'Wakanda Forever', a cry that is echoed by his people.
"The crowd sure loves you Your Highness," Steve noted and T'Challa simply smiled.
The scene then changes to a cave. T'Challa was lying on a circle of red sand as, around him; the Heart Shaped Herb is prepared, turned into a liquid by some healers.
"So that's the special herb," Clint said as they all saw it. "It's smaller than I thought it would be."
"I thought so as well the first time I saw it," T'Challa said with a smile.
Once it is ready, Zuri gives it to him, telling him to let it return his powers and take him to the Ancestral Plane. Once he consumed the liquid, T'Challa groans as his veins begin to glow purple. As Zuri calls upon the spirit of T'Chaka, T'Challa remembers memories of his father.
T'Challa stared at the screen sadly, thinking of his father. It was still a hard pill for him to swallow that his father was dead. But he could change this, he reminded himself.
As T'Challa loses consciousness, Zuri says to 'praise the ancestors'. This seems to be a signal, as the healers each pick up a shovel and begin to bury T'Challa in the red sand.
"So this is their excuse to bury you in the sand?" Tony joked.
If T'Challa heard him, he did not react. He simply stared at the screen silently.
As he is buried, T'Challa remembers the events of Zemo's attack on the UN, failing to save his father and putting on his father's ring. T'Challa then awakens in the ancestral plane.
Everyone, even Thor, was in awe as they took it all in. The ancestral plane looked beautiful; there was no other word for it.
"Baba was right," T'Challa said softly.
"What are those panthers in the trees?" Peter asked curiously as they saw some panthers watching T'Challa from the trees.
"Past kings, past Black Panthers," T'Challa explained. "When we die, we leave our human bodies behind, take on the form of Bast, the panther goddess."
"Cool," Peter said in awe.
Standing to his feet in a white suit, T'Challa watched as one of the panthers in the trees jumped down. It landed in front of him before the panther turned into T'Chaka.
T'Challa's throat tightened as he saw his father. At the same time, a weight lifted from his shoulders that his father, should he fail, would at least be at peace. Thor placed a hand on the shoulder of his fellow royal; knowing how T'Challa must be feeling as he remembered his mother's funeral.
T'Challa and T'Chaka share an emotional hug before T'Challa grabs his father's hand and gets down on his knees, apologizing.
"Why are you apologizing?" Peter asked confused and T'Challa didn't answer.
"He feels guilty for not saving his father," Sam noted and T'Challa did not deny it. "What you're feeling, it's normal. It's called Survivor's Guilt. I saw it in a lot of the guys I served with; I dealt with it myself after I got back. It's wasn't your fault Your Highness. It was Zemo's."
T'Challa did not respond. While logically he knew Sam was right, in his heart, he had not yet accepted that.
T'Chaka commands T'Challa to get up, reminding him that he is now king. T'Challa gets to his feet and T'Chaka asks what is wrong. T'Challa says that he is not ready and T'Chaka points out that T'Challa has been prepared to be king his entire life. T'Challa clarifies that he meant he was not ready to be without T'Chaka.
"No one ever is," Steve said, remembering his mother's death.
"I am over 1,500 years old and yet I still was not ready for my mother's death a few years ago," Thor told T'Challa thickly. "You are never ready to lose a parent. Never."
"A man who had not prepared his children for his own death has failed as a father," T'Chaka tells T'Challa. "Have I ever failed you?"
"Never Baba," T'Challa said thickly, trying not to break down.
Never, T'Challa says immediately. T'Challa then asks his father how to best protect Wakanda. He wants to be a great king, just like T'Chaka, T'Challa says.
In the lab, Barton and Fitz exchange a glance, wondering if T'Challa will still feel that way once the truth about T'Chaka comes out.
"You're going to struggle. So you'll need to surround yourself with people you trust. You're a good man with a good heart. And it's hard for a good man to be king," T'Chaka tells him.
"Wise words," Thor noted.
"Is anyone else getting a 'Lion King' vibe from this?" Scott asked and Steve, Tony, Clint, Natasha, Sam, Rhodey, Vision, Peter, and Wanda all raised their hands. "Good, I thought it was just me."
"There is a Lion King?" Thor asked confused and his friends covered their mouths, attempting to stifle their snickers.
"We gotta show you more Earth culture Point Break," Tony laughed.
T'Challa awakens back in the real world. His head bursts from the red sand, where he is greeted by Zuri. Out of breath, T'Challa tells Zuri his father was there.
Later, after the healers have left, T'Challa sits and talks with Zuri. T'Challa reminisces about seeing T'Chaka in the Black Panther suit and how his father had passed the mantle onto him to simply be king. Zuri says T'Chaka had told him in confidence he was too fat to fit the suit anymore, causing them both to laugh.
T'Challa managed a weak smile as Tony, Rhodey, Sam and Peter laughed. That sounded like his father.
"Your father sounds like a good man," Steve told T'Challa, who smiled.
"He is," T'Challa said simply.
T'Challa remembers telling his father not to speak at the UN, as well as T'Chaka's teachings that the outside world could not be trusted.
"He's not exactly wrong," Natasha noted with several of her teammates nodding in agreement.
"For everyone who has power, there will only be those who covet that power for themselves," Thor noted.
T'Challa asks why his father changed his views, and Zuri says simply time has a way of making you look back at what you have done.
Clint frowned, a suspicion forming in his mind. He remembered the scene at the beginning, wondering if whatever had happened with N'Jobu had played a role in T'Chaka changing his views. Seeing the look in Natasha's eyes, he knew she shared his suspicions.
T'Challa asks if Zuri looks back at his time as a War Dog, which Zuri denies. The outside world is too unpredictable for an old man, Zuri says.
"Guy's got a point," Tony noted thoughtfully.
The scene then changes to T'Challa and Nakia walking the streets of Wakanda.
As they saw the streets of Wakanda, the viewers were once again impressed by the nation. It could almost be anywhere else. Almost. It was jarring for them to see how different Wakanda was than what they had thought it was.
T'Challa asks her to come home and she regretfully says she can't. While she had come home to support him, she had found her calling out in the outside world, unable to turn a blind eye to suffering.
As T'Challa sighed, Steve felt a kinship with Nakia. Being unable to stand by while others suffered was something he could relate to.
T'Challa asks what she would ask him to do about it. She says Wakanda could offer aid, technological advancement and offer refuge like other countries. T'Challa regretfully points out they are not like other counties. If the world found out the truth about them, they could lose their way of life.
"Not an easy decision, is it?" Natasha noted and T'Challa smiled weakly.
"My father feared that if the outside found out what we really are, our people would never be safe because those who covet our Vibranium would constantly attack Wakanda," T'Challa said wearily.
"He is not entirely wrong," Thor noted.
"What do you believe Your Highness?" Steve inquired and T'Challa did not answer for a few moments.
"I do not know," T'Challa said after a moment. "I wish I could help the outside world, but I will not do so at the expense of my people's safety."
"Perhaps these recordings will help you find a solution," Vision offered and T'Challa smiled weakly.
"Perhaps," T'Challa agreed.
Nakia argues that they could protect their way of life and help the outside world. T'Challa jokingly says she would make a great queen if she wasn't so stubborn. Nakia counters that she would make a great queen because she is stubborn. If that was what she wanted, she quickly added.
T'Challa let out a sound that was a mix of a laugh and a sigh. Two steps forward, three steps back, like always, T'Challa mused sadly. The other viewers had the tact not to say anything, feeling uncomfortable that they were viewing this private moment between T'Challa and Nakia.
The scene then changes to the area of the Border Tribe. T'Challa is talking to W'Kabi as his friend feeds the White Rhinoceros on the land. W'Kabi asks about Nakia, which T'Challa doesn't answer. W'Kabi, picking up that something is off, asks what is wrong. T'Challa tells him what Nakia suggested and W'Kabi points out that if they brought refugees to Wakanda, they would bring their problems there.
Another good point, T'Challa silently noted. But there had to be a middle ground. Some way he could help the outside world without endangering Wakanda.
W'Kabi does add if T'Challa ordered the Border Tribe to clean up the world, they would do it. T'Challa then points out wagging war has never been Wakanda's way.
"Careful Your Highness. I thought I was protecting the world when I created Ultron. Look how that turned out," Tony sighed. "Playing god, with technology or soldiers, doesn't go the way you think."
T'Challa and W'Kabi's Kimoyo Beads go off, signaling they both have a message. W'Kabi jokes they're in trouble as they put the beads together and a hologram of Okoye appears.
"So Star Wars," Tony said in reference to his earlier question about Wakanda's technology.
"I suppose so," T'Challa said with a slight smile.
She greets them, calling W'Kabi 'my love' before telling them someone has appeared on their radar.
"Wait, those two are…" Rhodey trailed off as T'Challa nodded.
"Married. For a few years now," T'Challa said.2
The scene changes to the palace. A meeting is held of Wakanda's council. Okoye informs the council that Klaue intends to sell the Vibranium artifact he stole form the Museum to an American in South Korea the following night.
"An American buyer?" Wanda said surprised.
"Must be someone who's pretty connected to the black market if they knew about the Vibranium," Tony noted.
"Or a spy," Natasha argued and Tony shrugged, conceding to her point.
T'Challa notes his father's greatest regret was that he was unable to capture Klaue before T'Challa expresses his desire to bring Klaue to Wakanda to stand trial for his crimes. The Merchant Tribe representative argues that Wakanda needs a king, not a warrior. W'Kabi points out his parents were killed when Klaue attacked them, something which haunts him even now.
"Klaue hurt many people that day," T'Challa said grimly as The Avengers began to understand his desire to bring Klaue in.
Okoye adds that it is too great an opportunity to waste. W'Kabi pleads with T'Challa to take him along so they can kill Klaue together. T'Challa denies this, saying he needs W'Kabi in Wakanda. W'Kabi relents, but asks that T'Challa either kill Klaue or bring him back to Wakanda. T'Challa promises to do so.
"You should not have done that," Thor noted and T'Challa looked at him confused.
"Why?" T'Challa asked confused.
"What you may see as a promise to your friend, he will likely see as a vow of the king. Your word as king is binding; a king is only as good as his word. If you are unable to keep that promise, for any reason, he will likely see it as his king failing to uphold his duty. And that may cause him to doubt your ability to lead," Thor explained and T'Challa frowned, seeing how W'Kabi could take that badly.
1: Just a reference to M'Baku's alter ego in the comics.
2: I wouldn't be surprised if some of you didn't know this given that it's never explicitly stated, but Okoye and W'Kabi are married.