Hello everyone, we are finally back with chapter 3. Apologies it took so long but life is always frantic. Most of the chapter I actually wrote in class. Also, I'd like to thank lollapalozzafanatic83 for beta-ing this chapter. I hope you all enjoy!
Black Panther is property of Marvel Studios
X
T'Challa whirled to the left as the spear cut viciously through the air, metal vibrating and whistling as it slashed through with wicked speed and gouged a score into the soft matt below them. The oldest prince swung around and retaliated in the next second, spear sure in his hands as he lunged forward, the long metal-tipped staff reached for N'Jadaka with a powerful thrust; T'Challa was unafraid of seriously injuring N'Jadaka as the familiar dance flowed between the two. The younger brother grinned at the older prince from across the courtyard, eyes flashing with challenge as he ducked underneath the pointed tip and slipped into a roll popping up in T'Challa's personal space, his shield held close to his chest.
N'Jadaka's spear arched overhead in a punishing blow in one quick movement, sunlight glinting behind the vibranium and imbuing it with power as it surged with the force of gravity towards the heir to the throne. T'Challa reacted instantly, instincts screaming like a cacophony of eagles perching upon the outskirts of the fields, he slammed his shield up to catch the spear as it skidded against the wood with a screech and a flurry of sparks, the two princes straining against one another, strength against strength.
In the next moment, T'Challa was forced to drop and roll to the ground as N'Jadaka stepped back and thrust his spear towards T'Challa's head and followed with a swipe of his spear. T'Challa slipped back over the mats dodging the twin attacks and flipped to his feet, spear whirling in his hand and catching the air in powerful whiplash. N'Jadaka opposite the older prince sunk into a low stance spear held in front of him as the shield was tugged closer to his chest to protect his vital organs. T'Challa clenched the shield close to his chest mirroring his younger brother's actions as they began to circle each other slowly, like prowling predators fighting for dominance.
"You're going down T'Challa."
N'Jadaka commented with a bloodthirsty grin, eyes bright like a living phoenix, as his old American accent slipped in a bit with the cocky tone. T'Challa levelled his brother with a disparaging stare, wondering if the younger would ever drop the cocky persona, and overconfidence, before a challenging grin decorated the older prince's features.
"You sure about that brother? I've defeated you how many times now?"
T'Challa responded eyes alight with the challenge his younger brother had so carelessly thrown out. N'Jadaka grinned in response, eyes flickering lightly with something suspicious or angry and levered his spear, the point catching the sunlight like a supernova he jeered back, "Half of those don't count considering you cheated."
"I never cheat, that dear brother would be dishonourable."
T'Challa responded in fake affront hand splayed across his chest in a dramatic manner for a moment before with a wink and a grin the prince sunk once into a half ready state, cautiously watching his younger brother. N'Jadaka rolled his eyes and levelled the older brother with a disbelieving stare even though he was guilty of the same thing, as he casually twirled the spear in his hands through the air.
"Maybe we should have Shuri judge our spars then?"
The younger brother suggested with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders and a grin that was all teeth and bright eyes, mischief playing games in the sunlight. It was T'Challa's turn to level his brother with a disbelieving stare at the suggestion as he asked, "Do you remember what happened the last time we did that."
"She kicked our asses, declared herself queen, and we got yelled at."
N'Jadaka responded with a sombre tone, one full of long-suffering even as it lingered with amusement and fond recollection. Shuri, well younger than both of them, could easily defeat them for all of her small stature, speed, and genius. Not that the two older brothers both didn't delight in locking their younger sister in a teasing headlock.
"Exactly."
T'Challa intoned with a huff of laughter as he twisted to face the younger prince. The air around the two tensed as if a wire stretched thin, the good humour fading slightly to be filled with the heat of battle as N'Jadaka turned intense battle-ready eyes the older prince's way and the two sunk into low stances, spears at the ready.
A single tense moment lingered among the small training sale, filling the air like thick amber, preserving the anticipatory nature of the battle before it cracked with a burst of energy. With a crash of spear against spear, the tension was diverted as N'Jadaka lunged across the training sale, always one to make the first move, he had patience in droves, though it was often hard to identify such. T'Challa had always been encouraged from a young age to wait, cautioned in peace and tactics. T'Challa knew there was a balance between the two as he caught the brunt of the spear against his own and felt N'Jadaka's weight behind the blow.
Settling into a deeper stance, the two exchanged a flurry of attacks, N'Jadaka swinging out and to the side aiming for the elder's neck before sweeping down towards T'Challa's feet, as if to pull them out from underneath him. The heir to the throne caught each attack responding in kind as they swept across the small courtyard, a small cut appearing on T'Challa's bicep even as he scored a light gash across N'Jadaka's abdomen.
T'Challa pushed into the offensive, backing N'Jadaka across the courtyard as they continued to clash in increasing frenzy. Spears whipping out and overhead, clashing with bright sparks before disengaging as they sprung away before driving forward once more.
Sweat beaded T'Challa's brow and his breath left his lungs in heavy gasps as he ducked under an overhead swing and kicked out his feet landing a kick firmly against N'Jadaka's shield. The prince took advantage of the moment and winked at N'Jadaka as he kicked off the shield and landed in a crouch spear pointing in front of him at the ready.
N'Jadaka across from T'Challa was panting as well, sweat dripping from the mop of hair he insisted on wearing in that style, but his eyes were still buzzing with energy like two suns were their intensity as the younger teased, "Ready to submit old man?"
T'Challa straightened at the challenge and responded with equal challenge, "Never, but be prepared to yield N'Jadaka."
The younger scoffed and in the next moment, they were fighting once more, spears clashing against each other with a flurry of sparks and the strain of muscles. Overhead, underneath, to the side, duck out of the way, roll across the mats. It filled into an endless mantra as they continued to pace across the training sale.
Feeling the sun begin to reach its place in the sky, his breath of exertion, and the burn of his muscles T'Challa decided to end the spar. Their attacks increased in intensity as N'Jadaka sensed the same and responded with equal ferocity. With a combination of attacks that flew like liquid silver through the air, T'Challa swept the feet out from beneath his younger brother and let the point of his spear rest in the hollow of N'Jadaka's throat.
"Submit brother."
T'Challa commanded with a tired grin, voice rough and breathy with the fight. N'Jadaka shook his head a rebellious look in his eyes and in a quick movement wrapped his legs around his older brother's hips and dragged T'Challa on top of him, spears and shield were forgotten as the older landed with a huff.
The two brothers wrestled one and other, rolling over as N'Jadaka, still, younger struggled against T'Challa's greater strength. Laughter filled the air between them as they toppled each over and over again. After another minute of tussling T'Challa stared somewhat triumphantly down at N'Jadaka, arms pinned above his head as the older brother rested his weight against the younger.
"I swear that stubbornness of yours is going to be the death of you one day N'Jadaka. Yield already."
T'Challa commented with fondness and a particular expectant stare, N'Jadaka grinned and shrugged, at the comment even knowing the Queen had said the same a thousand times over when they returned from some escapade covered head to toe in dust. With a slight frown belayed only by the younger prince's happiness at the spar, N'Jadaka replied, "Fine I yield, but I'll defeat you next time for sure T'Challa."
"You wish."
T'Challa shot back the epitome of maturity as he rolled off of his brother and landed on the soft mats beside him with a huff of air. The skies above were an endless blue, as fluffy clouds drifted aimlessly in gentle eddying motions, like the waves of the far-off seas N'Jadaka liked to visit when they had the chance.
"Just wait, soon I'll be taller than you."
N'Jadaka replied with easy confidence as the younger boy rolled onto his sides to flash T'Challa a promising grin before he flopped onto his back once more. The older prince made a vague sound of agreement at the statement, silently he also hoped that one day they would be able to fight as equals, losing and winning in turn. T'Challa wanted to have his brother by his side when he ascended the throne, there was no one alive, other than his family, that he trusted more than N'Jadaka.
A peaceful silence descended on the two princes, disturbed only by the slow deep breaths that filled the air rhythmically as idle thoughts followed the trail of the clouds. T'Challa was eighteen and had begun to take more of the duties a crown prince was expected to uphold, the pressure and responsibility weighed on his shoulders as much as his father's disapproving gaze or proud eyes when T'Challa accomplished a set task.
It all left thoughts of his own ruling simmering in the back of his mind like a distant dream one wanted to avoid to better enjoy the present. It was inevitable that one day the king, T'Challa's father, would die and join their ancestors upon the plains of the afterlife, inevitable that one day the young prince would sit upon the throne and guide the country of Wakanda.
"T'Challa when you become king, will you begin to aid our brethren spread throughout the rest of the world? They're suffering every day, all of them in one way or another: discrimination, racism, the media, it's endless even with the change from blatant slavery."
N'Jadaka asked as if on the same wavelength as T'Challa, voice serious and quiet with thoughtfulness, yet still inflamed with passion. The youngest prince had never taken to many of the subjects required of their education, but when it came to that of the outside world, of America and their Warbirds spread throughout the globe, N'Jadaka seemed to come alive, eyes alight with something T'Challa was unsure of, though knowing it swelled with intensity.
Taking a deep breath, T'Challa dragged his attention to the question that still lingered in the air between the two brothers, a swaying rope bridge over an endless chasm beneath their feet. In his heart T'Challa had always harboured the want to help those of their race, in whatever way possible, never completely content with total isolationism of Wakanda. Another part of T'Challa, the one forged of life and experience, knew that to reveal their country was to endanger it, endanger their people, to risk that chance of first world countries the world over seeking to take advantage of Wakanda's vast resources, least of all vibranium. To follow tradition and to respect the past just as much as the future seemed his father's deepest wish for the future of Wakanda.
"I want to N'Jadaka, but I don't know how the people of Wakanda, least of all the elders would react. I want to protect our brethren the world over, but there are also the people of Wakanda. First world countries are greedy and would seek to take advantage of our resources. I would like to perhaps try when I have ruled for more than a year, and the people are accustomed. But wishing and experiencing the future are two different things."
T'Challa responded solemnly, both attempting to comfort his brother and providing a response filled with logic. N'Jadaka nodded beside T'Challa presence warm where his shoulder pressed against T'Challa's own the younger prince replied with a tired acceptance, "I thought you would say that T'Challa, responsibility to Wakanda, to your people has always been at the forefront of your ideology."
"N'Jadaka…"
T'Challa responded unsure trailing off at the words spoken without accusation, just with simple acknowledgement as if a stranger stating facts. T'Challa's younger brother rolled over to look the heir to the throne in the eyes, far older and mature than his physical age, and continued, "I want to be free, free our peoples in whatever way necessary. I want to see America, my mom, the streets of Oakland…"
N'Jadaka trailed off voice melancholic and longing in the way T'Challa only heard in the early hours of the morning when they sat side by side watching the sunrises. Concerned, T'Challa rolled over and found N'Jadaka studying the sky with an absent expression, gaze distant, so very distant a whole continent away.
"I've forgotten a lot… the taste of mom's cooking, the feel of America… what the sunsets there were like… the shade of my dad's eyes. The kids on the street…"
N'Jadaka continued aimlessly eyes glassy with unshed tears, silently T'Challa squished closer to his younger brother, entangling his hand with N'Jadaka's as he supported the youngest the best he was able to. Sometimes T'Challa would sit and stare, get lost in thoughts of the future, of the worries of an heir to the throne, and his younger brother would get lost in thoughts of home, dreams and aspirations. On either occasion, they dragged each other back to the present; they had supported one and other through everything and T'Challa wished he could do more even as he listened to N'Jadaka's whispered, upset breathing.
After a minute, the younger prince rubbed at his eyes and with a rough huff of laughter commented, "Listen to me getting all nostalgic about America… You know I love you right T'Challa?" the prince in question nodded and mouthed the words back at his brother, even as N'Jadaka's lips curled into a lopsided smile and he continued, "It's just I want to go home. Wakanda is my home, but so is America. It's in my blood as much as Wakanda.
N'Jadaka finished quietly, hand tangling with T'Challa's own as the words the younger prince had spoken drifted through the air like a spectre through a battlefield. T'Challa absorbed the words with a soft furrow of his brows and a frown, understanding in part the desire to be home, having journeyed with T'Chaka for various diplomatic meetings, but for N'Jadaka it was much deeper. Finding one's lost roots and planting them in the soil once more to reach for the sun.
"You could ask T'Chaka for permission to visit America," T'Challa suggested lightly, knowing that the chances of his father giving permission were slim, but not impossible, especially if T'Challa aided in petitioning the King. N'Jadaka squeezed the older brother's hand and flashed a worn brittle smile, one T'Challa wished his brother had never possessed and nodded murmuring, "it's worth a try."
"If he says no, I'll make sure it happens N'Jadaka. I promise."
T'Challa assured conviction, strengthening his voice to pure vibranium as he stared into the endless depths of N'Jadaka's eyes in promise. A smile slipped across N'Jadaka's features like the first breath of spring as his cousin nodded once in acceptance and the air, swelling unfelt and immovably with the moment dispersed leaving the peaceful morning sun.
With a shake of his head, T'Challa picked his way to his feet and extended a hand to N'Jadaka hauling the younger to his feet he commented, "Come on, we don't want to be late for the tutors, and Shuri has a new invention she's excited to show us."
"Well, we don't want to disappoint Shuri, onwards brother."
N'Jadaka responded gaily, usual bright persona slotted firmly into place as he grinned at T'Challa. The heir to the throne grinned in response and the two left the training sale and the early morning words behind them.
X
T'Chaka was seated on the throne in front of T'Challa, expression stern and closed off, all the image of the King overseeing the country, and none of the warmth and kindness that normally saturated his father's eyes like a great ocean. It was unsettling, but T'Challa held onto his calm with a stubbornness N'Jadaka would be proud of as he studied his father in kind, noting the white beginning to filter into his hair, and the drawn lines around his eyes.
Thinking of N'Jadaka brought T'Challa's attention to the reason he had asked his father for a private meeting, in all the formal context of a prince convening with the King. Something his father had detected with a raised brow, and lingering curiosity.
"My son, why have you sought this meeting?" T'Chaka asked conceding the silence to T'Challa with a nod and a note of concern beneath the impartialness of a King. The simple question seemed to swallow each measure of the young prince's courage as he stared into his father's wise eyes, thoughts of his younger brother grinning and laughing, followed by the sombre look in his eyes as he spoke of his roots.
"I come on behalf of N'Jadaka."
T'Challa stated simply letting the words unspoken between the two pillars of Wakanda hang on the air. The matter that the heir to the throne had come himself rather than the younger was obviously of a measure of concern to the King as T'Chaka raised a brow at T'Challa, but nodded allowing the youth to continue.
"He desires to return to the country of America, his birthplace, to see his mother and experience the other half of his heritage."
The statement washed a frown over the King's features; a sign T'Challa had not been hoping for, weary acceptance maybe, but not the obvious denial to the unsaid request. T'Chaka rested a weary hand over his brow as if preparing himself for the battle to come and with a sigh responded, "That is not possible."
"Why?" T'Challa responded immediately with a calm incline of his head prompting further explanation, reining the temper that wanted to demand an straightforward answer immediately. The prince wouldn't accept an answer consisting of nothing more than platitudes or ceaseless procrastinations; he needed a clear reason. He believed in the need for N'Jadaka to see the other half of his birthright, even if it would change him in innumerable ways, rip apart the very core of who the youngest prince was. It was the pilgrimage he would take on the path to finding his place in the world.
Some part of T'Challa wanted to hold his younger brother close, never let the bright-eyed boy he had helped raise truly experience the fractals of what he knew of the world. T'Challa was still young, but he had accompanied his father into the far lands surrounding Wakanda, had been to other countries, and glimpsed the outset of humanities' error that spread like a plague. He was wary and cautious, less so than his father, but still far too aware of what the voyage would expose his brother too.
"You know what happened the night I brought N'Jadaka here T'Challa. I told you plainly upon your twelfth birthday. To allow N'Jadaka to return to that country is to expose him to the racism that runs like a backbone to the earth, and to potentially lend his life to harm's way."
T'Chaka spoke stoically, some part of his words pleading with T'Challa to understand the reasoning behind such a decision, even as a general passion filled them. And T'Challa did understand. But to keep N'Jadaka in Wakanda would only promote a bitterness, like a heady drug surging through the younger prince at the preconceived idea of capture and loss of freedom.
"N'Jadaka will return there eventually. Better with the aid and support of Wakanda than without." T'Challa argued standing straight, drawing on all the lessons of posture, eyes contact, and conviction of voice that had been drilled into his skull at a young age. T'Chaka bowed his head at the words as if conceding some great defeat as his hand idly circled the ring on his hand, a twin to the one his brother had worn that N'Jadaka now wore.
"He is not ready now. He is still young and impressionable. I have taken responsibility for my actions those many years ago in bringing your cousin here and will continue to protect N'Jadaka"
The King responded words sounding like the final judgement of an executioner, judge, and jury as they echoed through the near-empty throne room. T'Challa took in the words with careful calm, focusing on his breath and a proper response as his fingers carved crescents into his hands.
"And to protect him is to keep him caged, stagnating any further growth of character. N'Jadaka has the blood of America running through his veins just as much as our ancestors. It is blood right that he sees that country once more and experience the world further. It will help him grow in character and provide him with methods of preparing for the future."
T'Challa responded passion seeping into his voice as he desperately fought for his brother and the right for him to live freely. T'Chaka shook his head at the words, as if shaking away unwanted thoughts and responded heavily as if the words both pained him and yet were glad to be ridden of, "The decision is final. N'Jadaka will remain in Wakanda, as his father would have wanted."
The young prince's shoulders slumped in defeat as the final tide of war swept over the two pillars of Wakanda, one the past ancient and wise, and the other the future youthful and full of hope. Conceding with a nod T'Challa moved to turn away from the King, unable to lay eyes on his father at the moment as a dejected feeling sunk through his chest like the plunge of icy waters before the cliff face. However, before the heir to the throne could take another step towards the great doors of the throne room they heaved open with a slow groaning heave, holding tension in its claws as light streamed from the hallway.
N'Jadaka stood ensconced in the light, every part of him radiant with a flurry of emotions as the young prince stepped into the room, the sound like the fall of thunder. N'Jadaka paused once by T'Challa's side to rest a hand on the older brother's shoulder in reassurance and thanks eyes full of promise and gratitude before the youngest prince was standing before the King.
"N'Jadaka what is it you seek?"
T'Chaka questioned a furrow lining his brow as T'Challa stopped and turned to face the two, gathered across from one another like two opponents on the battlefield, both proud and confident in their views. Some part of the heir to the throne was afraid of what the outcome would be of this confrontation, the other part of T'Challa silently supported his brother with all the passion he had imbued in his arguments.
"While I think T'Challa did a great job arguing my rights to go to America, I think it's best if I speak to you myself, your Highness."
N'Jadaka replied voice like a whip even as it contained the proper moue of respect expected for a prince speaking to the King. T'Chaka raised a brow, something like anger flashing there briefly at the perceived rebellious disrespect before it was gone once more, and the King stated, "I have denied your request to go to America, as your guardian I do not believe it is an acceptable path for your future and will lead to complicated circumstances."
"My future is for me to decide, I am sixteen considered of adulthood by the laws and rules governing Wakanda. You are just afraid I will turn out like my father, that I will see the injustices forced upon our people and will wish to rise up and aid them. That's why you killed him, isn't it? Why you look at me sometimes with those eyes as if you already know my future. I want to be free, want to experience both halves of my heritage, I may have grown in Wakanda but just the same I belong to the people of America."
N'Jadaka finished with his hands clenched into fists at his side, eyes glowing with the power of his emotions as across from the young prince, the King was frozen features a mask of cold stone. The King responded shortly unheeding of N'Jadaka's words and the calm but passionate manner in which he had delivered his argument backed by a steel of passion, "Your father died because he pulled a weapon on a comrade. Your future is in Wakanda and you shall remain here."
"You killed him, your own brother. Did you even feel anything? I talked to Zuri and I understand; he was going to kill him. But you've never once visited his grave, nor spent the time speaking to me of him, what his favourite colour was, his dreams and aspirations, what he really wanted for me. You placed him in that country then left him alone, without support he turned to my mother, and then I appeared because he loved her. He didn't want to betray Wakanda, but for my future, for the future of our brothers scattered throughout the world, he believed in the need to take power. You killed him and arrived just in time for his final words. Then you brought me here as if a bargaining chip, you could have left me, but your heart decided that would be too cruel, and for what? Ever since I've arrived I've been a spectator in the palace, always receiving less attention for the same accomplishments as T'Challa or even Shuri. Some days you can't even look at me! Ramonda welcomed me into her home with no hesitation, same as Shuri and T'Challa, but you never overcame the death of my father. You became my guardian but not my father."
Tears were silently streaming down N'Jadaka's cheeks as he finished, hands shaking and white-knuckled at his side even as he continued to control his breathing staring up at T'Chaka with eyes pleading for understanding, for acceptance, apology and a thousand other things. Pride surged in T'Challa's chest at the man his younger brother was becoming, at the bravery N'Jadaka had shown in facing their father, who had been always been an imposing figure, and striving for his own desires.
T'Chaka stared at N'Jadaka with lost eyes, looking almost close to tears as much as he looked close to an apathetic, seeping anger at the impudent accusations. Some words T'Challa knew held no truth and were born out of a desire for T'Chaka to listen to N'Jadaka. The King had visited the grave of his brother many times; T'Challa had seen it in the early hours of the morning before the sun had bathed Wakanda in the light. But N'Jadaka also brought truth to the argument, T'Chaka had struggled with N'Jadaka, with showing emotion and care since the first day the youngest prince had appeared, looking unbelievably lost.
"Wakanda needs to be protected, our future is not with the outside world but here. N'Jadaka you are a Prince of Wakanda I have loved you, perhaps not as my own but I have tried, and I care for you. Your father was a good man, but in America, things changed."
T'Chaka spoke slowly, every word falling with an immense weight as if dragging heavy stones over a mountain. Exhaustion was drawn over the King's features like a mourning veil, and N'Jadaka across from the King stopped eyes wide, emotions clashing like two opposite elements meeting, like an avalanche of ice and a cascade of fire.
With a weary sigh of defeat, like an ancient god surveying his creation after the final days the King commanded, "You will not go to America N'Jadaka. This decision is final."
N'Jadaka's shoulders slumped in defeat the emotion echoing throughout every inch of T'Challa's younger brother, he bowed, something strict cold and holding a faint imitation of respect he turned and walked away. The young prince's footsteps were like that of falling stars colliding with the earth with great force and warning as he walked past T'Challa, features shuttered in defeat, and finally out of the ornate throne room.
T'Challa glanced once to his father and bowed, noting the bowed head like a broken man and weary eyes as his father nodded in response. Turning T'Challa resolved to help his brother, even while attempting to support his father, as the lights of the hallways surrounded T'Challa like the sun's rays.
X
Thank you all for reading I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was really interesting to try and attempt the characterization of N'Jadaka and T'Chaka based on the Alternate Universe. I hope everything came across clearly in any case. I don't know when I will be able to update again, but this fic is far from dead and I will give it my best efforts. Thank you all for reading, reviews/comments are always appreciated!