Before we get started, I would like to thank Aragorn II Elessar for the use of the movie text for this chapter. It is from his watch it fic, A beautiful journey. If you have not checked it out, I would recommend you do so.
Jason Hunter: I write for this story when I feel like it. If I give myself a deadline, as I have in past watch it fics, I'll burn myself out. There will be a confrontation between T'Challa and his father, yes. I cannot answer the resto f your review at this time, sorry.
Green Hal37: Um, no, that's not true. T'Challa was already Black Panther by Civil War, confirmed by the deleted scene with T'Challa and Shuri in BP. Yes, to both Shuri and Wakandian technology.
Pepper Fan: That doesn't mean she's never going to reach her limit with Tony. The original question that I responded to was about if Pepper had ever found out about Tony blabbing about Clint's family. I cannot see Pepper ever wanting anything to do with Tony once she found out about, or if she did, it would take her a long time to get passed the fact that Tony, intentionally or otherwise, put an innocent woman and three children in danger. And she has reached her limit with Tony several times, one of which you've even brought up. A little advice, maybe do your research before you start making claims without knowing the situation.
Guest 1: Okay.
Guest 2: Despite appearances in CW, Tony did not know about Howard working for SHIELD. So there would have bene no reason for him to jump from that scene to 'Hydra was responsible'. Plus, Tony was in denial.
Guest 3: I doubt it. Fury would not want someone like Killmonger working for him once he saw the kind of person he was. As you said, it's much more likely for Killmonger to have been recruited by Hydra.
At the CIA South Korean Black Site, a restrained Klaue laughed and muttered how he could see his own reflection and made kissing noises.
The viewers were all unnerved by Klaue's insanity.
"Ultron really did a number on him," Clint muttered.
"That's an understatement if there ever was one," Tony said.
Everett suggested to play 'good cop, bad cop' but Okoye said in Xhosa they couldn't let him speak to Klaue alone while T'Challa responded in Xhosa that they should instead of making a scene. He told Everett they would take him back to Wakanda after questioning but he refused, playfully tapping T'Challa's shoulder as Okoye glared and said in Xhosa she'd impale him to the desk if he touched T'Challa again. Everett asked if she spoke English and she said only when she wanted to.
"She does not like him," Clint noticed.
"She does not trust him. Since Klaue, most Wakandians are distrustful of outsiders," T'Challa explained and they nodded in understanding.
T'Challa said he appreciated Everett's help in Busan and he told Okoye that was diplomacy as he walked inside while T'Challa told her to play nice and she muttered 'Americans.'
All the Americans in the room raised an eyebrow but, remembering T'Challa's words, they chose to it slide. For now.
Everett sat in front of Klaue who was singing 'What is Love.'
"Yeah, I think we can hurt you if we want," Clint said grimly.
Klaue told him not to trust Wakandians as Everett said he didn't trust anyone and inquired about the arm cannon. Klaue explained and said he could get him one and Everett asked the supplier's name, with Klaue stating he was right outside, with a shocked Everett realizing the weapon was from Wakanda.
"Uh oh," Rhodey said as T'Challa tensed.
"Looks like your secret isn't going to remain secret for much longer Your Highness," Natasha noted.
"So it would appear," T'Challa muttered.
Klaue said what Everett knew about Wakanda was just a front and it was El Dorado, the Golden City, which existed in Africa the entire time. T'Challa and Okoye listen in displeasure from the bug T'Challa had placed on Everett.
"So you tagged him, nice," Clint said impressed.
"You would've made a good spy Your Highness," Natasha said and T'Challa smiled weakly.
"Thank you Ms. Romanoff," T'Challa said graciously.
Klaue said it was all built on a mound of Vibranium and they made his sonic cannon look like a leaf blower. Everett scoffed, asserting Wakanda was a third world country and he had stolen all their Vibranium and Klaue laughed hysterically before acting like he would break his restraints, saying he had taken a tiny piece while they had a mountain due to mining it for thousands of years. He was the only outsider who had seen it and gotten out alive, telling him to ask T'Challa what his suit was made off.
"Uh oh," Scott said as T'Challa tensed further.
"At this rate, Wakanda will go down in history as the world's worst kept secret," Tony said.
Everett picked up a latte and walked out as the scene shifts to a van, where Kllmonger's crew is tracking the sonic canon.
"Shit," Tony said as they all tensed.
"Looks like things aren't going to go that easy," Steve noted.
Nakia noticed the van Killmonger's crew were using as Everett told T'Challa that according to T'Chaka, Klaue had stolen their Vibranium while T'Challa said he was believing an arms dealer strapped to a chair. Nakia walked over to the security footage, seeing an alley. She asked where that was and a man revealed it was the back alley behind the base. Outside, Killmonger walked out of the van and put a device on the wall before wearing an African mask.
"Shit," Tony repeated.
"This guy, he's something else," Sam noted and Rhodey and Steve nodded in agreement.
"First at the museum and now to be able to find Klaue and know exactly where inside the building they were holding him…he's good," Steve agreed.
"Shame he decided to use those talents for dishonorable pursuits," Thor noted and there were several nods of agreement.
Everett asked what more was T'Challa hiding when Nakia burst in to warn them but the wall exploded. Killmonger and the others started firing, the bullets breaking the glass wall and making everyone take cover as Klaue laughed. Everett pushed Nakia out of the way as some of the men took a laughing Klaue away. T'Challa summoned his suit as Killmonger threw a grenade and T'Challa leapt on it, absorbing the kinetic energy.
"Nice save," Clint told T'Challa but, if T'Challa heard him, he did not respond, too absorbed in the recording.
He looked up to see Klaue was gone and rushed out as the truck sped away. He leapt up only for Killmonger to fire a grenade launcher, making him fall down. He looked up to see a Wakandian Royal Ring around Killmonger's neck and hesitated, allowing them to get away.
T'Challa straightened, shock crossing his face as everyone looked over at him.
"What is it that caused you to hesitate Your Highness?" Vision inquired.
"That ring around his neck…it is the same as my father's," T'Challa said to their shock.
"I take it it's not something everyone in Wakanda wears?" Steve asked and T'Challa nodded.
"There are only two. One belongs to my father, which I wear in this recording. The other…belonged to my uncle," T'Challa said and it was silent in the room.
"I guess the question is how did this guy get it?" Clint noted and no one had an answer.
Okoye ran up next to him and they ran back inside to check on Nakia. They found Everett on the ground as Nakia said he had jumped in front of her.
"I guess he's not so bad," Wanda mused as they felt their respect for Everett grow a little.
The bullet had hit his spine and Nakia said he wouldn't make it there. T'Challa took a Kimoyo Bead from her and used it to stabilize Everett for the moment.
"Wow, they can do that?" Peter asked in awe as they all stared, impressed.
"Wakandian technology can do a great man things," T'Challa said distractedly, still wondering how Killmonger had his grandfather's ring.
T'Challa asked the agents to give Everett to them as they could save him as they all considered.
"You are doing the right thing," Thor said as he saw the look of uncertainty cross T'Challa's face.
"Perhaps for the moment. But for the future? That is uncertain," T'Challa said doubtfully.
The scene changed to T'Challa's Royal Talon Fighter. As Everett lay unmoving on a stretcher, Okoye said they had failed in their mission and were now bringing a foreign intelligence operative into their borders. Nakia said he had taken a bullet for her but Okoye said that was his choice. Okoye said it was his duty to report back to his country and T'Challa's to protect theirs. T'Challa said he was aware of his duties but couldn't let him die.
"After what he did for Nakia, no, I cannot," T'Challa agreed with his on screen self with a sigh.
"The hardest choices are usually the right ones," Steve told him.
"They also usually come with consequences," Clint said with a grimace and Steve didn't disagree.
Okoye demands to know where they were taking Everett.
Later, Everett was wheeled into Shuri's lab who excitedly said they had another white boy to fix.
Steve straightened instinctively at this news of Bucky. As, he noticed out of the corner of his eye, did Natasha. He would have to ask her about that later.
Later, Everett was on the bed as Shuri said he'd live. The Beads trilled and she said W'Kabi was here. T'Challa walked up to stop W'Kabi from coming in and he asked about Klaue. T'Challa regretfully said he had slipped past their hands, angering W'Kabi who said T'Chaka had done nothing when he was in power and he had though it would be different with T'Challa, but it was the same. He walked off, leaving T'Challa behind.
T'Challa sighed sadly as everyone looked at him sympathetically.
"It appears you were correct," T'Challa said as he glanced over at Thor.
"As king, you must be careful of the promises you make," Thor advised him and T'Challa nodded.
"Thank you for the lesson," T'Challa said humbly.
At an airfield, Killmonger, Klaue and the others got out of their van, parked near a plane as Klaue assured them he'd lay low and they would be paid in time. Killmonger asked him to drop him in Wakanda, shocking Klaue. He then suddenly brandished his gun and shot down one man.
"What the hell?!" Sam exclaimed as they all stared at the screen, shocked at Killmonger's brutality.
Klaue put Erik's lover in the way as she apologized and he shot her as well while Klaue ran off.
"But why?" Peter asked confused and horrified.
"I guess he has another plan," Natasha muttered. "One that doesn't involve her."
Klaue took cover behind wreckage as he and Erik exchanged fire but he was hit on the shoulder and fell down. As Killmonger approached, Klaue said Wakandians were savages and showing his brand, said this was what they did to people like them.
"We did that to you because you stole from us and killed our people," T'Challa said angrily.
Erik said he wasn't worried as he showed his own scars, saying each was for a kill. Klaue said he was still an outsider when Erik revealed his glowing gums, shocking him.
"I was not expecting that," Rhodey said after a moment as they stared.
"What…how…" T'Challa was in complete shock.
"Perhaps we will learn more if we continue to watch," Vision suggested.
Klaue laughed and said he had just thought of him as a crazy American but was shot dead.
Peter flinched as everyone else was uncomfortable watching the scene. Klaue was a monster who deserved that, no doubt. But still, Killmonger's brutality unnerved them.
T'Challa walked to Zuri in the gardens and ordered the others to leave them. Once they were alone, Zuri asked about T'Challa's mission but T'Challa asked about N'Jobu, saying his father had told him he disappeared. He then said he had seen a man wearing a ring identical to his own. Zuri said it wasn't possible as T'Challa said the man had helped Klaue escape and was wearing his grandfather's ring, demanding the truth. Zuri said some truths were too much to bear as he picked up a bowl and started walking out but T'Challa was undeterred. He said he had promised the king to keep it a secret.
"He knows what happened," Tony said and was met with several nods.
"Considering he was there during that scene in the beginning, I'd say so," Natasha agreed.
"I am your king now!" T'Challa roared.
"That's some fire you got in you," Tony noted but T'Challa simply shrugged absently, his attention on the recording.
Reluctantly, Zuri put the bowl down and said N'Jobu had taken a War Dog assignment in America and he had been assigned to watch, unbeknownst to N'Jobu. N'Jobu had fallen in love with an American woman and had a child with her but the hardships he had seen had radicalized him.
T'Challa listened with shock as The Avengers listened with interest, all of them sensing that things were about to take a turn.
The scene from the beginning was shown again as N'Jobu justified his actions to T'Chaka, saying the people could overthrow governments with Vibranium weapons and Wakanda could rule the right way.
"And who decides what the right way is?" Sam asked wearily. "You?"
"He may have good intentions, but the road to hell is often paved with it," Rhodey said grimly. "The answer to oppression is never more oppression."
Thor was silently observing the scene. N'Jobu reminded him much of Loki, seeking what he felt was rightfully his and willing to step on all those he saw as his enemies. And he had a feeling that, like Loki, N'Jobu had paid a high price for it.
Zuri said in the present T'Chaka wouldn't support him which is why N'Jobu had betrayed them. The flashback showed T'Chaka telling N'Jobu he'd pay for his crimes when he drew a gun to fire at Zuri but T'Chaka blocked and killed N'Jobu with his claws.
"Son of a bitch," Tony whispered as they all stared at the screen in shock and horror.
"He killed his own brother," Thor said horrified, thinking of Loki again.
"It doesn't look like he had much choice," Rhodey noted.
"There is always a choice!" Thor thundered in a voice that left no room for argument.
"Okay Thor, calm down," Steve said, trying to calm his friend.
T'Challa was oblivious to this as he stared at the screen, his mind whirling. All these years, his father had lied to him. Had lied to all of Wakanda. T'Challa felt a mix of anger and betrayal rise up in him.
Zuri said T'Chaka had killed his own brother to save him as T'Chaka told Zuri in the flashback to keep this a secret. T'Challa asked about the child and Zuri said they had left him to maintain the lie as the flashback showed one of the children, who was none other than Erik, looking up in shock.
"He just…left him there?" T'Challa said in complete disbelief as they all stared at the screen, stunned.
"Hasn't he ever opened a history book? History is full of things like that backfiring!" Scott exclaimed.
"Not to mention that it would be smarter to take the kid back to Wakanda," Natasha noted.1
Thor, once more, thought of Loki and how his father had taken Loki from Jotunheim. He remembered how angry Loki had been when he found out the truth. Things could have been worse, Thor mused.
Clint clenched his pants legs into fists as he fought the rage that swelled up within him. He remembered how T'Chaka had called The Avengers indifferent, how it had made Wanda feel. And yet, here was the proof that T'Chaka was the indifferent one. If he had his arrow right now, it would be very difficult to resist the temptation to put one in T'Chaka's chest in that moment. 2
T'Challa put his head in his hands, causing all them to turn to him. Their hearts went out to him in that moment, knowing how difficult this must be for him.
"Are you okay?" Steve asked gently and T'Challa laughed humorlessly.
"No Captain, I am not," T'Challa said as he lifted his head. "My father…he killed his brother and left the boy. What kind of man…what kind of man does that?"
"People are complicated, including your father," Natasha said with surprising gentleness.
"We have all done things that there should be no forgiveness for," Thor said as he remembered restarting the war with Jotunheim. "You are not defined by your father my friend. Only you can decide the man you want to be."
T'Challa frowned, considering Thor's words as the recording continued.
At Wakanda's borders, Erik dragged Klaue's corpse in a body bag as W'Kabi and some others arrived. He said this was just a little gift as he opened the bag to show Klaue's corpse while W'Kabi asked in Xhosa who he was.
"Well, this can't be good," Scott said as they all wondered what Killmonger wanted.
Everett woke up in the lab and realized his back was fine now.
"Wow, you guys are good. Remind me to never get on your bad side," Tony joked but it few over everyone's heads, as the room was still filled with tension.
He asked where he was and a startled Shuri told him not to scare her like that, calling him 'colonizer.'
"Okay, that's racist as hell," Clint said as most of the room, with the exception of Thor, who did not understand, and T'Challa gave the screen unimpressed looks.3
"I apologize on behalf of my sister. I will have a talk with her when we return," T'Challa promised, disappointed in his sister.
"See that you do," Steve said in a short voice.
Everett introduced himself and she said she knew, surprising him when she mentioned his work with the Air Force and CIA. He asked if this was Wakanda. She joked it was Kansas as he asked how long ago was Korea. She said it was yesterday to Everett's disbelief as bullet wounds didn't heal overnight. Shuri said they did here by technology. Everett looked around, awed by the technology, realizing the trains moved by magnetic levitation and was told the light panels were sonic stabilizers as Vibranium was too dangerous to be transported at that speed and that was her way to deactivate it. Vibranium was all around him, Shuri told the stunned Everett.
"She really is good," Tony said continuously impressed by Shuri.
"If she'd been born in America, Fury probably would have made her a SHIELD agent," Natasha noted.
Okoye then contacted Shuri through Kimoyo Beads, saying T'Challa's were deactivated and a man was at the border, claiming to have killed Klaue. W'Kabi was transporting him to the palace so they needed to find T'Challa. A hologram of the man appeared and Okoye said he was a Wakandian but Everett said he was one of theirs.
"No, he's both," Wanda noted quietly as they all felt the tension rising.
T'Challa sat with Nakia overlooking a valley, telling her his father had killed his brother and left a child behind.
"What kind of king…what kind of man does that?" T'Challa asked tormented.
T'Challa flinched and Tony felt the quip die on his lips. Now was not the time, Tony mused.
Nakia said no man was perfect as T'Challa said he hadn't even given him a proper burial and created something worse than N'Jobu.
"He's your Zemo," Rhodey mused and T'Challa nodded grimly.
"So it would appear," T'Challa said gravely.
Nakia told T'Challa to look at her and when he did, she said, "You can't let your father's mistakes define who you are. You get to decide what kind of king you are going to be."
"Your friend speaks wise words," Thor said and T'Challa nodded.
"You said almost the exact same thing just now," Rhodey pointed out but Thor only shrugged.
As T'Challa considered, his Beads suddenly activated and Shuri told him to get there.
T'Challa, Shuri and Nakia stood together In Shuri's lab as Everett told them the man was Erik Stevens who had graduated Annapolis at 19. It was MIT for grad school. He had gone to Afghanistan, wrapped up confirmed kills like video games. He was called Killmonger and after joining JSOC, he could drop off the grid to commit assassinations and take down governments.
"Son of a bitch," Tony said as they all paled.
"That skill set with a hatred for you Your Highness…he'll prove to be quite the enemy," Steve said and T'Challa nodded mutely.
T'Challa asked if Killmonger had revealed anything about his identity and Shuri said he had a War Dog tattoo but they had no record of him.
"His way of revealing his heritage probably," Rhodey noted.
Later, all of them were at court as W'Kabi led Erik in. T'Challa ordered him to speak and he said he had served justice to the man who had killed their people and stolen their Vibranium when their king hadn't.
"Only because you broke him out," Vision noted.
"It will not matter. I made a promise as king I could not fulfil. The council witnessed it and will now doubt my ability to lead," T'Challa sighed.
T'Challa got up and walked over to Killmonger, saying the only reason he wasn't dead was because he knew who he was and asked what he wanted. Killmonger said he wanted the throne.
"Of course he does," Clint said, unsurprised as they tensed.
"A killer who already killed his own crew. I don't think he's who you want on the throne," Tony noted.
"Indeed Mr. Stark," T'Challa muttered, shuttering at the thought of a man like Killmonger in possession of the Wakandian armory and military.
"Man, the Lion King vibes just keep getting stronger," Scott muttered.
The Elders laughed as he said they were comfortable while 2 billion people in the world had harder lives and Wakanda's weapons could liberate them all. T'Challa said their weapons won't be used for war. Erik said life started on this continent so all people were his people. He said he was King of Wakanda, not all people and he wouldn't let its weapons fall into his hands.
A collective shutter went through the room as they all imagined Killmonger in possession of all of Wakanda's weapons.
"We need to stop him when we get back," Steve said and there were nods of agreement.
"Killmonger is a monster of Wakanda's making. I wish to help stop him," T'Challa said and Steve nodded in agreement.
Ramonda asked T'Challa to reject Erik's request as Killmonger said he wasn't requesting anything, daring them to ask who he was. Shuri said he was Erik Stevens, an American black operative and a mercenary. Erik asked them to ask again as T'Challa asked the guards to take him away but a member of the council asked who he was. He announced in Xhosa he was N'Jadaka, son of Prince N'Jobu, shocking everyone as he said T'Challa was the son of a murderer, finding Panther claws in his father's corpse. Ramonda said he was a liar when W'Kabi revealed the necklace, shocking them all to silence. Erik said he was exercising his blood right to challenge for the mantle of king and Black Panther. An Elder said it was within his rights as Ramonda protested. T'Challa sat back down, staring at Killmonger's necklace before accepting the challenge.
"I don't think you should have done that," Thor said and T'Challa sighed.
"I had little choice. Being unable to apprehend Klaue has already lost me favor with the council, but by refusing the challenge, they would doubt my ability to lead them," T'Challa said and, after a moment, Thor nodded.
"Perhaps," Thor acknowledged.
Later, T'Challa was prepared for the challenge again as the tribal dance was done. Shuri was confident T'Challa would win. T'Challa's power was stripped away as Nakia arrived and told Okoye she had locked Everett in the office. T'Challa offered Erik one last chance and he threw down his weapons, only to take off his vest and shirt, revealing his scars, "I lived my entire life waitin' for this moment. I trained, I lied, I killed...just to get here. I killed in America, Afghanistan...Iraq. I took life from my own brothers and sisters right here on this continent. And all this death...just so I could kill you."
"So full of hatred," T'Challa said sadly.
"It's as you said Your Highness, he's been consumed by vengeance, just like Zemo was," Steve noted.
They fought as T'Challa wielded spear and shield and Erik wielded sword and spear. They were evenly matched, though T'Challa was taken aback by his skill and speed. They were in a deadlock before they continued fighting, T'Challa blocking Erik's blows before tripping him. T'Challa asked Erik to yield but he got up and they continued as T'Challa grazed his cheek a bit. As the fight continued, T'Challa was kicked down. He got back up but was grazed on the thigh and then on the wrist, disarming him to everyone's shock. He tried to attack but was stabbed on the side of the abdomen while everyone gasped.
"Shit," Tony swore as they all felt the tension rise.
Erik ripped the sword out and punched T'Challa down, about to kill him for his father when Zuri stopped him, saying he was the reason for N'Jobu's death and to kill him instead.
"Zuri no," T'Challa said in horror as he paled and everyone realized what was about to happen.
Erik said he'd kill them both and stabbed Zuri, to everyone's horror. He died as T'Challa screamed in agony.
"No!" T'Challa roared in agony as Thor placed a hand on his shoulder, having to restrain himself as he remembered witnesses Phil Coulson's death at his brother's hands.
"Calm yourself my friend. This has not happened, we can change it," Thor reasoned as T'Challa tried to calm himself.
"Yes, you are right. We can change this," T'Challa said as his eyes gave way to steely determination. "I will not allow Zuri to die for my father's sins."
T'Challa attacked in a rage but was beaten down again as Erik said their king and Black Panther was nothing. He attacked again but Erik lifted him up before carrying him to the waterfall and throwing him down as Ramonda, Shuri, Nakia and Okoye all watched in horror and the former screamed.
There was complete silence in the room as they stared, shocked and horrified at T'Challa's apparent death. They glanced over at the man in question only to see steely determination in his eyes.
"I am fine," T'Challa said, already seeing thee question in their eyes. "But as Thor said, this has not happened yet. So let us continue to watch so we may change this."
After eying him for a moment, the Avengers decided to honor his request and turned back to the recording.
Nakia led Ramonda and Shuri away as a conflicted Okoye watched. Erik said he was king now as one Elder put a necklace around him. Everyone then saluted to him.
Another shutter ran through The Avengers. A man like Killmonger, filled with hate, was now king of the most technologically advanced nation on earth. This could not end well. Not well at all.
1: T'Chaka not taking Killmonger back to Wakanda was, to be blunt, stupid. Not only did it risk Wakanda's secret being exposed, but leaving Killmonger to grow up, knowing his father was murdered by T'Chaka all but ensured Killmonger would be the enemy. And seriously, has he never opened a history book? War of the Roses, Spanish Succession, and so on pretty much started just like that. Frankly, I can't see T'Chaka's decision as more anything than him trying to pretend he hadn't killed his brother.
2: And on top of all of that, this action also shows what a hypocrite T'Chaka was in Civil War. He accused The Avengers of bring indifferent to suffering (still BS) but his actions in Black Panther show it is actually T'Chaka who is indifferent to the suffering of the world.
3: Shuri calling Everett 'colonizer' is extremely racist. If the shoe were on the other foot and Everett had called Shuri something like savage or the N-word, people would be up in arms about it. But I guess racism is okay so long as it's against white people.