So, we've reached the end of Black Panther. Thank you to everyone for your support through this and who has stuck with me up to now. I would also once more like to thank Aragorn II Elessar for the use of the movie text for this chapter.
Nora-11: You'll have to read the sequel to find out.
Jason Hunter: It's been a while since I've watched the first Thor, but I'm pretty sure he didn't think Loki was dead. But yeah, until Ragnarok, they made Thor pretty stupid. I might.
Guest 1: I'm not. I dislike the portrayal of Tony in CW and Homecoming because it is, IMO, a complete misrepresentation of his character and I dislike how the writers go out of their way to protect Tony from the consequences of his actions in those movies, but I don't dislike him. Those two films aside, Tony is one of my favorite Avengers.
Guest 2: *Chuckles* Thank you for that. And I can absolutely see Tony saying something like that.
Guest 3: Yes, Rhodey is a Skrull in this universe from CW on.
Guest 4: Sorry, in the context of the first chapter, it just wouldn't make sense for me to show the credits. Sorry.
Guest 5: Yep. In times of war, we have to go to extreme measures at times.
In M'Baku's palace, Ramonda, Shuri, Nakia and Everett explained the situation with Killmonger to T'Challa as he sat, wrapped in a blanket. Everett explained how Killmonger's unit had worked with the CIA in the past to do exactly what he was doing now, to get control of government, military, and resources. Shuri points out he has all of her designs and T'Challa realizes he will send their weapons all over the world.
A shutter ran through everyone as they imagined the horror Erik was planning to wreak. It was not a nice thought.
T'Challa told Everett and Nakia to get Ramonda and Shuri out of Wakanda while he will continue the challenge. Ramonda said they wouldn't leave Wakanda. T'Challa said it was his duty to see that they were safe but Shuri said no one will be safe if Killmonger gets his hands on their technology.
"She's got a point," Scott said and T'Challa sighed.
"Indeed she does," T'Challa said reluctantly.
"She is your sibling and you wish to protect her," Thor said lowly, remembering how he had often felt that way about Loki. "But you cannot protect her from this my friend."
After a moment, T'Challa nodded, conceding to his point.
She then took out the silver necklace and put it around his neck.
"The Black Panther lives. And when he fights for the fate of Wakanda...I will be right there beside him." Shuri said. "As will I." Nakia said. "I'm in, too." Everett said as they turned to him, "What? You're gonna need all the help you can get." M'Baku yawned loudly and asked if they were done.
Tony, Natasha, Clint, Scott, Peter and Sam all laughed at this and even T'Challa couldn't help the smile of amusement that crossed his face at M'Baku's antics.
T'Challa asked for a moment with M'Baku. The others walked out as T'Challa thanked M'Baku who said he owed T'Challa a debt for sparing him, which was now paid. T'Challa requested him to let Ramonda stay and he agreed but refused to give his army when T'Challa asked.
"What?" Rhodey asked in disbelief as T'Challa sighed.
"There has been bad blood between Jabari and my family for centuries. You cannot expect it to go away so soon. And I imagine that M'Baku's pride is wounded from his defeat," T'Challa noted.
"Still, there's a time and place for petty grudges," Steve said.
"I do not disagree Captain, but…in his position, I am not certain I would help me either," T'Challa acknowledged.
T'Challa said it was for all of them but M'Baku pointed out he was the first king to come there in centuries. T'Challa said he wouldn't speak for past kings but an enemy was on the throne and if Killmonger got the Vibranium, he'd come for Jabariland next. M'Baku still refused and T'Challa, disappointed, walked away.
T'Challa sighed. It appeared that it would take more than a common enemy for M'Baku to put aside the past.
In Wakanda, the weapons were put into jets as W'Kabi told Erik the War Dogs in Hong Kong, London and New York were ready, although resistant to their orders. Erik said they'll strike there first, believing they would come around before he commented on the handheld sonic cannon that could stop a tank and was untraceable by metal detectors. They had many of those and the world would find out who they were soon. W'Kabi nodded as a jet flew off but soon, exploded and fell on the ground in pieces as they all looked on in shock.
"Yeah, that's not gonna happen, you psychopath," Rhodey said smugly as T'Challa narrowed his eyes, knowing the battle was about to begin.
Everyone raced to the edge of the palace as, from the wreckage; T'Challa climbed out in his Panther Habit and retracted the mask, overjoying Okoye. He called out to Erik, calling him N'Jadaka. Erik greeted him calmly and T'Challa declared, "I never yielded! And as you can see, I am not dead!"
"We can see that, you're sitting right here," Tony joked and everyone chuckled at Tony's antics.
Erik said the challenge was over and he was king now, ordering the others to get the jets in the air. They did as commanded as T'Challa gave Shuri the signal. She, Nakia and Everett snuck into the lab, passing Wakandian soldiers in disguise. Erik ordered W'Kabi to kill T'Challa. Okoye pointed out the challenge wasn't complete but W'Kabi ordered the Border Tribe to charge at T'Challa and they did.
"W'Kabi," T'Challa said, shocked by his friend's actions.
"Just like Zemo and Killmonger, vengeance has consumed him," Thor noted. "He could not get vengeance on Klaue, so now he will take vengeance on you and the world."
"By teaming up with the son of a traitor who helped Klaue escape," Steve noted.
"What a hypocrite," Scott declared disgusted.1
Okoye told Erik his heart was full of hatred and he was unworthy to be king.
"Looks like you were right about her," Natasha noted and T'Challa nodded.
"We have known each other a long time, fought side by side for almost as long. I have come to know her very well," T'Challa explained.
Erik pulled out two Vibranium swords as his own Black Panther suit with the golden necklace appeared around him.
"Okay, the suit is awesome," Tony said as they all saw it. "Killmonger is a genocidal maniac, but the suit is awesome."
Okoye told Ayo to help T'Challa and she and some other Dora Milaje charged as the rest engaged Erik who managed to hold his own with his Panther Habit and Vibranium swords. The jet fired at T'Challa, hitting him but only charging up the kinetic energy. The Border Tribe activated their shields in an attempt to trap him but T'Challa leapt into the air. He landed on the ground behind them, punching hard, with the kinetic energy taking everyone down. T'Challa then grabbed a spear and threw it at the jet, taking it down too.
"Holy crap!" Peter exclaimed in awe. "You just took out that plane with a spear!"
"Yeah, that was badass," Scott said as they all stared, impressed.
"I can allow those weapons to make it out of Wakanda," T'Challa's answer was simple but firm.
Steve glanced over at Natasha to see she was looking at him with the same look on her face he was sure was on his own. He didn't need to be a mind reader to know she was thinking the same thing as him: if T'Challa wasn't so bound by his duties to Wakanda, he would make a good Avenger.
As W'Kabi and the Border Tribe rushed T'Challa, The Dora Milaje arrived, assisting their king against the Border Tribe. T'Challa disarmed W'Kabi and kicked him away, begging him to stop. But he climbed a rock and blew a horn, despite T'Challa's pleas. And then White Rhinoceros arrived and charged them.
"Shit, here come the big guns," Tony said grimly.
"W'Kabi," T'Challa said pained as everyone looked at him sympathetically.
"This hasn't happened yet Your Highness," Steve reminded him.
"But you might want to keep an eye on him when you go back," Natasha said and he glanced over at her. "W'Kabi wasn't brainwashed, he's actively choosing to help Killmonger. And part of it is anger at you for letting him down, but most of it seems to be his own personality. You can't change who someone is."
After a moment, T'Challa nodded. It was a difficult pill to swallow, but he knew that Natasha was right.
T'Challa avoided a charging Rhino as W'Kabi jumped on it while the others threw Dora Milaje around. Nakia, Shuri and Everett reached the lab, gathering Shuri and Nakia's gear before Shuri handed Everett the Kimoyo Beads to control the Royal Talon, telling him to fly it, to his shock. She gave him comms, telling him she'd guide him and said it was like riding a hoverbike.
"You have hoverbikes?" Peter asked in awe and T'Challa managed a smile.
"Indeed we do Mr. Parker. Perhaps when we return, I will show you," T'Challa said and Peter had stars in his eyes.
"That would be so awesome," Peter said dreamily.
As Everett marveled that they had hoverbikes, Shuri made Nakia wear Dora Milaje armor, in spite of her protests. They then ran out, wishing Everett luck.
"Him against a few planes from the most technologically advanced nation on the planet in a fighter he's never used? I think he'll need it," Clint noted.
"Indeed," Thor nodded in agreement.
"Agent Ross will need all the help he can get," Vision agreed.
"That's an understatement," Sam muttered.
The Dora Milaje continued fighting Erik until he grabbed one and held his sword to her throat, causing Okoye and the others to pause. She said 'Wakanda Forever' and he sliced her throat, killing her.
T'Challa growled in grief and rage over the senseless death of a member of his guards as Peter winced and the others simply stared sadly.
"He will pay for that," T'Challa growled.
Okoye roared in grief and rage as Erik summoned his helmet. They continued fighting Erik as Shuri and Nakia, now dressed in Dora Milaje armor, ran out and Shuri used her Vibranium gauntlets to send two men flying. She then threw a Remote Access Kimoyo Bead at the Royal Talon and it activated, creating a holographic simulation in the lab. Everett took his auto-pilot seat, being told it was made American style for him. He started the Royal Talon and it took off, knocking two men off as Nakia and Shuri cheered.
"Yes!" Peter cheered.
"It's up to him no,w" Steve said grimly.
"Let us hope your trust in him was not misplaced," Thor told T'Challa, who merely nodded absently.
Shuri told him not to let those weapons get beyond Wakanda and Everett said he was on it as he flew after the jets.
On the ground, T'Challa grabbed a Rhino's horn and managed to flip it down. It slid into some debris and T'Challa let go, reentering the fight as the Dora Milaje trapped Erik between their spears and electrocuted him, sending him to his knees. They tried to get the necklace off, but he used his kinetic energy output to send them all flying and they fell into the battlefield.
"Damn it," Clint said as T'Challa swore in Wakandian, all of them dismayed by this development.
"A battle is not over until it is over Barton," Thor told him.
Nakia then declared 'Wakanda Forever' and charged Erik, who smirked before summoning his helmet. She tried to strike him with her chakrams though he avoided and then Shuri fired her gauntlets, sending him back. Everett told Shuri over the comms he had the jets and asked for instructions. She snapped at him to shoot them down and he fired.
"How else would he do it, politely ask them to turn back?" Tony asked, almost laughing.
"And this guy was in the Air Force?" Rhodey deadpanned.
"It's obviously been a while since he was in a fight," Natasha noted.
Everett took one jet down but the others turned towards him and started firing at him. On the ground, T'Challa took more men down but a charging Rhino sent him flying off. He landed on his back, hard, and rolled into a large rock.
"Well that had to hurt," Sam said with a glance towards T'Challa.
"I imagine it did," T'Challa said distractedly, his attention on the fight.
Nakia hit Erik with her chakams and disarmed him of one sword but he hit her thigh with his claws.
T'Challa tensed, fear for Nakia coursing through his veins.
Erik tossed her into the battlefield as Shuri fired a powerful blast at him, sending him to his knees but he picked up a broken spear and hit her gauntlets, damaging them and threw her down.
"Shuri!" T'Challa exclaimed in worry as Thor put a hand on his shoulder, hoping to offer him comfort.
T'Challa sat up, taking a moment to breathe before W'Kabi and some of his men rushed him. They began hitting his suit, charging it up as T'Challa spotted Shuri down with Erik standing over her. T'Challa then used his kinetic energy to send them all down before rushing to save his sister. As Erik stood over her, Shuri told him he would never be a true king. Erik prepared to kill her but, before he could, T'Challa leapt at him, sending them both into the mines as they landed down while exchanging blows.
T'Challa sighed in relief, happy that his sister was away from that madman. But still, now the real fight would now begin, he knew.
They fought as Erik threw T'Challa away but he clung on with his claws on the sonic stabilizer to save himself, slowing his descent and managed to leap back down slightly. Erik was hit by a stabilizer and T'Challa fell onto the tracks. T'Challa stood back up as Erik landed on the tracks as well. The two punched each other, Erik throwing T'Challa but he grabbed onto a sonic stabilizer. Swinging around, T'Challa leapt at Erik and they each threw a punch, their firsts meeting. They each unleashed their kinetic energy and both were sent flying back, landing on opposite sides of the tracks. Seeing the stabilizers, T'Challa got an idea and told Shuri to call the train. Shuri said the stabilizer would deactivate his suit but T'Challa said it would deactivate Erik's too.
"Smart, even up the playing field," Steve noted and T'Challa nodded.
"At this point, our suits will only prolog the fight. You saw what happened, the kinetic energy collided. The only way to end this is without the suit," T'Challa noted grimly.
Shuri called the train as T'Challa kicked Erik to the other side. The train passed between them and Erik looked down at his hands as the suits deactivated. Erik said he didn't need a suit to kill T'Challa and his reign was over, as T'Challa had sat in Wakanda, safe and protected unlike Erik. T'Challa said he wanted them to become like the people he hated so much and divide and conquer. Erik said he learnt from his enemies as T'Challa said he had become them and was going to destroy the world, Wakanda included. Erik ranted about how the world had taken everything from him, so he was going to get even, he would track down anyone loyal to T'Challa and put them in the dirt next to Zuri.
"He really is a monster," Wanda noted as they all stared, disturbed by Killmonger's hatred.
"Seriously, the guy needs to stop playing the victim," Rhodey said and they looked at him. "What happened to him was horrible, but it doesn't justify this."
"I faced racism all my life," Sam spoke up and they turned to him. "In school, on the streets, even in the army. Didn't turn me into a monster."
"Or me," Rhodey said with a nod as everyone looked at them with a mix of sadness, sympathy, and respect.
"I'm sorry you two have had to go through that," Steve said but Sam waved him off.
"Not your fault Steve. Just the way things are unfortunately," Sam said with a sigh.
T'Challa and Erik roared as the train passed and rushed each other.
Up above, Shuri ran to Nakia. Both were still able to fight, so they rejoined the battle. Meanwhile, Everett was fleeing from two jets when the simulation rocked, to his confusion.
"Uh oh," Scott said as they all tensed. "That can't be good."
Everett was told the lab was under attack and the hologram faded to reveal a jet firing at the glass. Shuri told him to get out of there and Everett asked how long he had. He was told glass integrity was just 50%. Everett asked to be put back in in spite of Shuri's protests and continued fighting the jets.
"Whoa," Peter said impressed as all of them felt their respect for Everett grow. "He's brave."
"He's a soldier. Risking his life to save others isn't anything new to him," Rhode said, able to understand Everett, as were Steve and Sam.
Nakia and Shuri joined the fight, taking down some of the Border Tribe but then they were all surrounded along with Okoye and the Dora Milaje between the Border Tribe's energy shields. W'Kabi gave them three seconds to stand down but was cut off by howling in the distance.
"Is that…" Natasha trailed off as everyone, especially T'Challa, was surprised by this development.
Suddenly, M'Baku was there, lifting W'Kabi off his Rhino.
"He came," T'Challa said stunned.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend I guess," Clint noted.
T'Challa frowned as he considered this development. Perhaps it was time to make peace with the Jabari, he mused.
"Witness the might of the Jabari, first hand!" M'Baku announced before he threw W'Kabi away as the Jabbari Tribe attacked, fighting alongside Shuri, Nakia, and the Dora Milaje.
"I never thought I would live to see the day the Jabari fought alongside the Dora Milaje," T'Challa said, in a state of disbelief.
"Last six years have brought a lot of things we never thought were possible," Tony pointed out and T'Challa nodded after a moment.
"Indeed Mr. Stark," T'Challa agreed.
T'Challa and Erik fought, Erik kicked T'Challa ad sending him flying back. T'Challa used his claws to stop his fall and they rushed each other. As another train arrived, T'Challa was kicked to the other side as their suits deactivated again momentarily. As the train passed, Erik picked the broken spear and the two charged again.
In the lab, Everett was still fighting the jets. Glass integrity was at just 15% now. Two jets attached grapple hooks to the Royal Talon to stop Everett. He alerted Shuri that the last cargo ship was almost at the border and, on her instructions; he made an 'X' with his arms and broke it, causing an explosion that destroyed the two jets.
"That was awesome!" Peter cheered as everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yeah, but it's not over yet kid," Clint said grimly.
The system managed to reboot just before the Royal Talon fell and Everett rammed it into the last jet, destroying both the aircrafts. The hologram faded and he fell to the floor, taking a moment to celebrate before he ran off, moments before the glass was destroyed.
"Now it appears to be over," Vision noted as T'Challa could finally breathe easily.
"Not yet," Thor said with a glance over at T'Challa.
M'Baku was beating down his foes as W'Kabi charged him on a Rhino but Okoye stepped in the way and recognizing her, it stopped and licked her face.
Everyone chuckled at that.
"Pets are very loyal. My daughter has a pet ant," Scott said and was shot several weird looks. "You need to see it to understand."
M'Baku ran off to continue the fight before W'Kabi got down and Okoye asked him to drop his weapon. He asked if she'd kill him.
"For Wakanda?" She asked and then pointed her spear at him. "Without question."
"She is not only a great warrior for her skill, but for her ability to put aside her own feelings to do what she thinks is right," Thor said as all of them were impressed with Okoye. "If fate had chosen differently, she would have been a great ruler."
"Indeed she would have been," T'Challa agreed.
W'Kabi looked around at all the fighting and, realizing how far he had fallen, dropped his weapon and got on his knees. Seeing that, his army surrendered.
"Now that just leaves Killmonger," Steve noted as T'Challa sighed in relief.
T'Challa and Erik continued to exchange blows as another train arrived. T'Challa grabbed Erik's hand and they struggled for the spear. T'Challa was almost pushed to the edge but just as the train passed, he pushed Erik back and, as they flipped, the spear flew into the air. As it came down, T'Challa managed to catch it and just before Erik's suit could reactivate, he stabbed him near the heart and he gasped.
"Nice move Your Highness," Natasha said, impressed.
T'Challa nodded absently, his attention completely on the fight.
They retracted their masks as Erik said it was one hell of a move. Erik remembers how his father had told him Wakanda was the most beautiful things he had ever seen and had promised to show him one day, which Erik calls 'a kid from Oakland believing fairytales'. T'Challa helped him up and took him out of the cave. T'Challa helped him outside on a hill overlooking Wakanda. He set Erik down as they saw a sunset. "It's beautiful." Erik said.
"It really is," Wanda said softly as they stared at the screen.
"I have seen many things on Earth, but this is perhaps the most beautiful," Thor said in awe.
T'Challa said they could heal him but Erik didn't want to live only to spend the rest of his life as a prisoner. He wanted to be buried in the ocean like his ancestors who had jumped from ships, because they knew death was better than bondage. With that, Erik removed the spear from his chest, breathed his last breath and died. T'Challa kneeled close to him and put his body in the position of a dead warrior.
"You are a man of honor. To honor the wish of your dying enemy, after all he has done, not many would have," Thor said as they all looked to T'Challa, impressed.
"Thank you," T'Challa said humbly.
Soon, everything was back to normal. Farmers worked in their farms. Villagers worked near their homes. T'Challa walked into his court and everyone stood up on seeing him, including M'Baku, while the Dora Milaje did their salute, which T'Challa mimicked.
T'Challa was surprised at seeing M'Baku on the council. Maybe things could change between them after all, he mused.
Later, T'Challa and Nakia were in a village later as he thanked her for saving everyone but she said it was her duty to fight for what she loved. T'Challa then kissed her, surprising her as he pulled back. T'Challa joked that she couldn't blame him, as he had almost died before she kissed him back. He asked her to stay, that he knew a way she could still fulfil her calling and they kissed again passionately.
"You dog," Tony said teasingly and T'Challa flushed as they all smirked at him but he couldn't help the smile that crossed his face.
Later, near the same apartment where N'Jobu and Erik used to live, some others kids played basketball as T'Challa and Shuri looked at the apartment. Shuri said she'd thought T'Challa would take her to Coachella or Disneyland. Shuri asked why he had brought her here and T'Challa said this was where T'Chaka had killed N'Jobu. Shuri noticed a sign on the building that said they were tearing it down but T'Challa said he had bought it and other buildings in the vicinity, to her confusion.
"What are you up to?" Natasha asked curiously and T'Challa shrugged, although he did have an idea.
T'Challa said this was to be the first Wakandian International Outreach Center. Nakia would oversee the social outreach and Shuri would spearhead the science and information exchange, overjoying her as she thought he was joking but he wasn't. T'Challa pressed the Kimoyo Beads and the Wakandian jet appeared, awing the kids who wondered what to do with it.
"Well, looks like the cat is out of the bag now," Tony mused as T'Challa narrowed his eyes.
"Not yet," T'Challa said vaguely.
T'Challa and Shuri did the salute as the latter walked towards the jet, telling the kids about it as one kid who resembled a young Erik asked T'Challa if it was his. He nodded and the kid was awed before asking who he was. T'Challa simply smirked.
In the United Nations, Vienna, Austria, T'Challa, Okoye, Nakia and Ayo walked together to give a speech. Later, T'Challa stood at the podium, addressing the United Nations as Everett watched from behind as T'Challa started his speech.
"My name is King T'Challa, son of King T'Chaka. I am the sovereign ruler of the nation of Wakanda. And for the first time in our history, we will be sharing our knowledge and resources with the outside world. Wakanda will no longer watch from the shadows. We cannot. We must not. We will work to be an example of how we, as brothers and sisters on this earth should treat each other. Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth. More connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis, the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another...as if we were one, single tribe."
"Nice speech. He could give you a run for your money in the speech department Cap," Clint said as he glanced over at Steve.
Steve and T'Challa glanced over at each other before shrugging and turning back to the screen.
One world leader asked what a nation of farmers could offer the rest of the world. The others all discussed in murmurs as the four Wakandians and Everett smirked while pictures were clicked. The screen went black.
"Now you're out in the open," Steve said and T'Challa nodded, not surprised.
"You know, once the world finds out the truth about Wakanda, people like Klaue will come for your weapons," Tony pointed out.
"Let them. They will have to answer to all of Wakanda," T'Challa said confidently.
Three children with painted faces looked down on someone as he slept. As he stirred, they ran out of the hut and into Shuri who asked if they were playing with that man again. They denied it and she told them not to tease him as he must rest and sent them somewhere else as the man, who was none other than the one-armed Bucky Barnes, walked out.
Steve's heart leapt into his throat as he saw Bucky, alive and well and seemingly no longer tormented by Hydra. Natasha, although she hid it better, was similarly affected to see the man she had once cared very deeply for so free of pain.
"It appears we were able to help him after all," T'Challa mused.
"Thank you," Steve said thickly and T'Challa nodded.
The kids ran off, calling Bucky 'white Wolf' as he walked up to Shuri. "Good morning, Sergeant Barnes." She said as they looked at the water. "Bucky." He said politely. "How are you feeling?" She asked. "Good." He said, "Thank you." She chuckled softly and said, "Come. Much more for you to learn." She walked past him as he continued looking at the water before following after her. The screen went black.
"Looks like that's the end of that one," Tony said.
The doors suddenly opened and they all looked over to see Strange enter the room.
"Would you like to take a break or would you like to continue?" Strange asked bluntly.
The Avengers, T'Challa, and Peter exchanged glances. After a moment, seeing no one had a desire to take a break just yet, Steve glanced over at strange.
"We would like to continue," Steve said politely and Strange nodded.
"Very well. In that case, we'll watch one more today and then we'll have dinner. After that, we'll show you to your rooms and pick up tomorrow," Strange said before he glanced over at Thor. "Thor, this next one, it's about you. And it won't be easy for you at times. Brace yourself."
Thor blinked as Strange exited the room.
"You okay Point Break?" Tony asked and Thor nodded.
"I am. Let us continue," Thor said eager to find out what was going on.
Tony nodded and pressed play, beginning the next recording.
1: Honestly, W'Kabi's reasons for doing what he did were, at best, contradictory. He gets mad at T'Challa for failing to bring in Klaue, then he signs on with the person who is not only the reason T'Challa was unable to fulfil his promise, but is the son of the man who is ultimately responsible for his parents' deaths. It just made W'Kabi look like a complete hypocrite and traitor.
So, now we're done with Black Panther and now we're onto Thor Ragnarok, one of my favorite movies in the MCU.