Welcome back readers! I hope you enjoy! :)

Three - Coronation

"Don't freeze"

The next day was when the ceremony would take place, making T'Challa King of Wakanda. Kalyna awoke early and headed to the high-tech training gym. It was empty except for her and one other person.

"Good morning," said T'Challa. "Looks like we both had the same idea."

"Looks like it." She picked up a fighting staff from the stand and began swinging it. "Shouldn't you be saving your energy?"

"What, in case I have to fight someone in a challenge?"

"Do you think anyone will challenge you?"

"To my knowledge, all the Tribes are content." He too, picked up a staff.

"Well then, in that case-" She pointed her own staff at him. "I challenge you, right here, right now. Consider it your warm up, in the event of an actual fight today."

He grinned. "Challenged accepted."

"So, if I win, then I get to rule Wakanda?"

He chuckled. "Yes, I suppose so."

Both stood facing each other, taking a fighting stance position. "Let the challenge begin," he said.

There was a moment before both lunged forward at the same time, the staffs making contact, the sound ringing throughout the gym. They continued sparring, faster and faster, until it was all just a blur-

When he saw his chance, T'Challa swung his staff behind her against her back, grabbing it with both hands and using it to pull her towards him.

Now they stood close, both out of breath and panting hard, their faces and necks glistening with sweat.

He smiled down at her. "I win."

She grinned back. "Don't freeze."

"I never freeze." With that he released her. Eyes still lingering on each other, they parted and left to ready themselves for the ceremony.

Celebrations started even before they reached the falls, where the ceremony would take place. Rafts glided across the water, filled with music and dancing and singing all across the Tribes.

Shuri, of course, helped her pick out what to wear. She also braided Kalyna's hair and twisted it up like her own.

"How am I doing?" she called over the music and chanting as she and Shuri danced together.

"Great! You're doing great!" The friends laughed and continued their dance.

When they reached the falls, everyone stood along the edge and on the cliff-side, surrounding the water.

"Oh Nakia, you remember Kalyna right?" Shuri said, addressing a young woman in a green outfit.

Nakia smiled and bowed her head. "Princess Kalyna, of course." She was a Wakandan spy Kalyna knew, and she and T'Challa had dated for a while before, but it hadn't worked out. They had still remained close friends though. "Here to support T'Challa too?"

"Yes." Kalyna nodded. "I've never been to a ceremony like this before. I'm excited."

As they waited for their soon-to-be-king to arrive, everyone sang.

"What do you think?" Shuri leaned in and whispered.

"I love it." All the colours and music, the sense of community and unity... It was breathtaking. Not to mention the view was stunning.

A jet flew in and hovered above them, the water rippling beneath it.

"Here he comes," whispered Shuri.

Kalyna was still admiring the view when T'Challa emerged from the jet. "Wow," she breathed.

Shuri snickered. "Do you mean the actual view, or just my brother?" She'd seen her friend eyeing T'Challa, shirtless and with the painted designs across his face, chest, and back.
Kalyna responded by smacking her arm, only making Shuri laugh even more.

A shaman in long purple robes stepped forward and addressed the gathered crowd. "I, Zuri, give you Prince T'Challa, son of King T'Chaka, the Black Panther." T'Challa bowed to the Tribes.

Zuri then addressed all of the Tribes and their leaders, all of who said they would not challenge T'Challa's right to rule. Zuri then addressed the whole crowd again. "Is there anyone of royal blood who wishes to challenge for the right to the throne?"

There was silence until Shuri raised her hand. This raised some gasps. "Could we wrap this up please. This corset is very uncomfortable. So can we all just wrap it up and go home-" Her mother nudged her while Kalyna stifled a laugh. She could see even T'Challa was amused by this. Oh Shuri.

Suddenly, chanting echoed across the falls, interrupting the ceremony. Everyone looked equally confused.

"Is that supposed to happen?" Kalyna leaned in and whispered to Shuri, who shook her head.

"No."

As the chanting grew louder, everyone turned to see a group of men emerge from a cave at the edge of the falls. One wore a mask that was the face of an ape.

"Are they the Jabari?" Shuri gasped.

"Yes," said Ramonda, sounding worried.

"M'Baku, what are you doing here?" Zuri demanded of the leader.

The man removed his ape mask. "Well it's challenge day. We, the Jabari, have been watching from the mountains. We would rather not see that the throne fall into the hands of a boy - a boy, who could not even keep his own father safe. We will not have it. We will not-"

"I accept your challenge." T'Challa cut him off.

With that the Jabari guards and the Dora Milaje came and surrounded the two challengers.

"The prince will now have the power of the Black Panther stripped away." Zuri poured a deep purple liquid down T'Challa's throat. He winced and groaned - it looked painful, but then again, he was having his powers 'stripped away'. It would be like her having her fire abilities ripped from her.

M'Baku put on his mask again, and T'Challa donned a panther mask.

"Let the challenge begin." Zuri beat the ground with his spear.

The fight began. It was not off to a good start for T'Challa, who was knocked off balance almost immediately, his mask falling off and he going down with a splash! He stumbled back to his feet, only to be hit again by the taller man, this making her cringe. Tension was suddenly heavy amongst the celebratory folk.

"Show him who you are!" yelled Ramonda when T'Challa was hit again.

This seemed to do the trick. When he successfully managed to strike back, everyone cheered.

As they fought, the guards stepped closer and closer, narrowing their fight space. Soon T'Challa had tackled M'Baku to the ground, holding him at the edge of the cliff.

"Will he kill him?" Kalyna gasped.

"Only if he doesn't yield," explained Shuri.

"Yield! Don't make me kill you!" T'Challa yelled over the roaring of the waterfall. "Your people need you!" One of the many reasons why she admired him so.

Finally, M'Baku yielded and cheers erupted from the crowd as T'Challa emerged as victor, bloody and beaten, but victorious. While she cheered along with the others she had to admit that she felt a little bad for the Jabari leader, defeated in front of everyone and his pride obviously wounded. But he was alive, thanks to T'Challa's generosity. She knew not everyone was as caring and generous as him.

Zuri took a beaded necklace and placed it around T'Challa's neck. "I give you, King T'Challa - the Black Panther."

T'Challa faced the joyous crowd with a bloody-lipped smile. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Wakanda forever!"

Everyone copied the gesture. "Wakanda forever!"

Wakanda forever! Oh my gosh guys I keep getting so many notifications about everyone who's followed/favourited this story - that is so amazing thank you so much! And oh my goodness I saw the movie again and my love/appreciation/admiration for that movie just keeps growing! :) Hope you enjoyed this chapter (and the T'Challa and Kalyna flirting ;)) and thanks so much for reading!