They made sure to stick together as they trudged through the thick foliage, the jungle providing plenty of avenues for anyone to sneak up on them. Regardless of the inherent danger that surrounded them, America couldn't help but be a little enthralled with the location. Despite travelling across the multiverse, when she was presented with such beauty, she was powerless not to be blown away. The trees stood impossibly tall, thick sentinels looming over them. She'd already been caught a few times by the vines that littered the floor, though she'd laughed each time it happened, somehow finding humour in her embarrassment.
That was probably more to do with her company than anything else. She hadn't spent a lot of time with Carol, who was taking things incredibly seriously, not speaking frequently. On the other hand, she'd had plenty of interactions with Wanda, the third member of their little group. Most of them weren't at all positive, so it was likely that she was just laughing whenever the opportunity arose to ease some of the tension she was feeling. Of all the things America had expected when she'd been rudely stopped from her shopping trip in what felt like a long time ago, they hadn't included working so closely with a woman who had tried to kill her repeatedly.
She was surprised that the Captain was choosing to walk with them, with her ability to fly surely making it easier to navigate the difficult landscape. Unless she really enjoyed jungles, although that didn't appear to be the case judging from her uneasy expression. America glanced at Wanda, realising that she could have also taken an aerial approach if she'd so wished, forcing her to wonder what was holding the two women back. Was it possible that they were frightened of what they might find when they reached their destination? Anyone could be forgiven for being a little bit afraid this deep into such an imposing environment. But then an alternative reason popped into America's head, one she couldn't quite shake.
"Am I holding you back?" she asked, breaking the silence the other two had been revelling in.
Carol turned her neck to look at her. "What are you talking about?"
"Are you having to walk just because I can't fly? I'm not opposed to being picked up, if you ask politely. This journey seems to be taking forever."
"It's probably the best idea to approach with caution. The Wakandans are extremely territorial at the best of times, for good reason. But, if they've strengthened the barriers that separate them from the outside world, that means they're going to be on stronger guard than ever. The last thing we want is to provoke some of that anger."
"You could fly…slowly," America suggested, wondering whether that was actually physically possible. "You'd probably have to if you were carrying me as well, with my extra weight."
Carol arched an eyebrow. "You're either overestimating how much you weigh, or underestimating just how strong I am. I'd be careful with which one you settle on."
"The…first one?"
"Good choice."
"Going on foot gives us a better chance of gaining access," Wanda commented. "If you tried approaching from above, it's likely that you'd miss Wakanda entirely with its advanced camouflage. Even if I were to use my powers, it could still slip my detection."
"Well, I'm not the biggest fan of your powers, so I'll be glad if you don't have to bring them into the equation," America grumbled, eyeing the orange-haired woman warily.
"I'm surprised that you agreed to come with us, given our recent shared history."
"Wong asked me to and, as much as I don't want to tell him this to his face, I've learnt to listen to his instructions. Sure, I have my reservations about you and they're not going to disappear anytime soon…but I've got to put those differences aside if the planet is at stake. Or the universe. Or the entire multiverse."
"Spoken like a true hero."
"I'm still to learn the entire story about what happened with you two," Carol remarked. She quickly picked up on the joint glares she received in response to the query. "What? You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. But I don't know how long this walk is going to go on for, so we might have some time to fill…"
"I made mistakes," Wanda answered cautiously, keeping her voice neutral and guarded. "I could use the excuse of being corrupted by dark magic, but I was also hell bent on seeing my children again. I was willing to do anything to see them…I was willing to kill anyone who stood in my way."
America did a little wave accompanied by a grimace. "I was said person. My ability to cross the multiverse painted a giant target on my back, which was irresistible to her. Thankfully, she just about saw sense before she went through with finishing me off."
"I didn't want to go on after that, seeing how much of a monster I'd become. But, just like America said a moment ago, I had to put our reality first. I wasn't helping anyone by secluding myself away from society, and that was almost as bad as destroying it."
"And…if I'm being honest…if things go wrong here, which they'll invariably do judging from our track record…then I'm glad I've got her defending my back. There aren't many people brave or stupid enough to stand up to the Scarlet Witch."
"Which were you then when you chose to do exactly that? Brave or stupid?"
"Probably the latter, because I'm still basically just a kid, so I was naive enough to believe I could take you on."
"You landed a few good punches."
"Which you barely reacted to."
"The effort has to be applauded, at least."
America found herself chuckling at Wanda's words, the easy back and forth they were sharing coming as a strange development. She spotted the older woman seemingly wanting to return the smile, as if she didn't know whether she was allowed to do so in the presence of someone she'd hurt. America hoped that her small grin was enough to encourage Wanda to feel more at ease, although that would likely come after they'd dealt with whatever the problem was ahead of them.
"Saying all that…" she began carefully, "I do wish there were a few more people with us. Don't you think we're a bit light in numbers? From what you've told me about this place, the locals aren't to be messed with. Not to mention the possible multiversal threat we could stumble across."
"We've detected no signs that anything from a different universe has appeared," Carol reminded her. "Let's not work in hypotheticals when the reality is already tricky enough."
America folded her arms, pouting. "I said it was possible . It's not as if the others have come with any warnings. No fluctuations in local energy signatures, no glowing orbs signalling their arrival. They just pop up wherever they want to. Why else would they put their defences on high alert?"
"Perhaps they've been watching the news like everyone else," Wanda suggested. "It'd be enough to make anyone cautious, especially if you were living within such a tempting target. If you have the defences, why not use them?"
"And hide away when they could be helping the rest of us? It doesn't sit well with me. If they do know that the planet is under attack, which they must do, is it right that they can just cower like this?"
Carol liked the young woman travelling with them, reminding her a lot of the person she'd once been, before the accident and before her transformation. America was filled with righteous indignation at every potential wrong she faced, wanting to do something to stop every unjust event that happened across the globe. With her powers, she had the ability to try, which only strengthened her resolve. Perhaps Carol had grown colder due to her time on Earth, or maybe that was just a part of growing up. She was starting to see why Wong had put them together, combining that childish enthusiasm with their more seasoned perspectives.
"If I was you, I wouldn't say that to their faces when we meet them," she warned her latest partner. "Let's not judge them until we know the full details. For the time being, we can't blame a new multiversal threat. The others have purposefully been manufactured to stick out like a sore thumb, rampaging across cities, making themselves breaking global news. At the moment, it seems a bit quiet around here for something similar to be taking place."
"Almost too quiet, if you catch my drift."
"I think you've been watching too many movies and tv shows."
"I can't help it. Wong loves a box set, and watching them with him gives me an excuse not to take part in late night training."
"We could do with some of that training kicking in if we face any trouble."
"I'm not here to lend a magical hand. We've already got someone who can do the heavy lifting in that department."
Wanda bowed her head. "She's right though. If the country is on high alert, don't you think they would have picked up on our presence by now? It's unnaturally quiet for a jungle."
"Don't let her get inside your head," Carol said.
"I thought that's what she does to other people," America argued, earning herself a glare from the witch, some of their recent harmony dissipating. "At least she agrees with me. If we had more people, we'd be able to cover a larger area. Don't you feel…isolated right now? Is it too late to call for some back-up?"
"Are we not good enough for you?" Wanda asked lightly.
"Hey, I'm just starting to think that Wong put me with you two because you need me , not the other way around."
The Captain rolled her eyes. "We don't exactly have a lot of people to bring in at the moment, do we? We've got one team dealing with the Hulk in London, Scott and Shang are still receiving heavy treatment after what happened in San Francisco, the sorcerers are massing in Kamar Taj in case Kang chooses to show his face, and the Doctor's obviously unaccounted for. Though she probably wouldn't be very helpful in a straight fight."
"I reckon that she's got a hidden strength that no one expects her to have."
"She might have been more useful for what this mission might end up being - an act of diplomacy. That's why we don't need loads of people. If we arrived on the doorstep to Wakanda with an army, we'd be met with of their own. This way, we might have a better chance of speaking to the people in charge."
"What if they just decide to bring an army anyway? They'll know about you two, right? Is it bad that I'm looking forward to saying I told you so?"
"It's not the most helpful mindset, so yes."
"If they give us the time to explain ourselves, they should recognise who we are," Wanda accepted.
"Unless they're in a 'shoot first, ask questions' sort of mood."
"Aren't you basically invincible?" America asked.
"I still don't want to be shot. Or have a spear thrown at me."
"And didn't you survive an entire mountain falling on you, Wanda?"
"Without a scratch, I might add," the witch agreed.
"See, you guys have nothing to worry about. That's why I'm being forced to be pragmatic. I'm more fragile!"
"Trust me…I'm also growing wary the closer we get to our destination." Wanda was looking at the knotted ground, past memories eating away at her, becoming more vivid with every step. "It's been a long time since I stepped foot on Wakandan soil. It isn't a happy place for me."
"Thanos," Carol said quietly. "It's amazing just to see how quickly the land has grown back after his attack. The sort of resilience that this place has. The sort of resilience that you're showing."
Wanda was surprised when the Captain placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. In truth, Carol was just as shocked by the instinct, wondering whether she was slowly re-learning how to be a proper team member again, something she'd been forced to face ever since appearing in Kamala's window. It wasn't just about having someone's back on the battlefield. It was about being there for them in the quiet moments, an obligation that Carol hadn't needed to think about for years. The longer she left her arm there, the more awkward she felt, and yet she stubbornly refused to back down.
America easily picked up on the downcast expression of the witch. "What happened?"
"I lost my love," came the soft but honest reply. "I killed my love. Then had to watch that fate get reversed, only for Thanos to murder him again." Her accent became more pronounced as she spoke, her emotions getting the better of her, her words slipping through gritted teeth.
America puffed out some air, her eyes wide. "I'm starting to realise why you were in such a dark place when I met you."
"Not that it excuses what I tried to do to you."
"I know…but it's easier for me to accept when I get to see the wider picture."
"You don't have to continue," Carol suggested to Wanda. "If it's too much, if it's bringing back too many painful memories…I'm sure you could get an express ticket to London if you want more of a fight."
"And leave this down to just the two of you?" Wanda raised her eyebrows. "I'm not taking that chance."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," America grumbled.
"Anyway…this is something that I have to do. This may be good for me. I refuse to be defined by what happened that day."
They pressed on, deeper into the jungle, swatting away the thickening foliage until the scene ahead of them finally changed. The three of them came to a juddering stop, nervous glances shared between them. The barrier was visible, a shimmering dome of energy that reached high into the sky. What alarmed them was that one section seemed to be open, revealing the true image of Wakanda. The sliver was a remarkable difference to the rest of the facade, which continued to show the jungle reaching further, trees that didn't exist.
"I thought you said that the defences had been strengthened," Wanda pointedly said.
America was sure that she heard rustling coming from somewhere deep in the surrounding bushes. "Guys…"
"I did," Carol answered, ignoring the cautious exclamation from the youngest of the group.
"Then why have they lowered one part of it?" the witch pressed.
More movement, America was adamant now. "Guys."
"Maybe they did it by mistake," the Captain suggested.
Wanda was fairly doubtful of that. "Do the Wakandans do anything by mistake?"
"Then…maybe someone's tampered with them."
The gleaming end of a spear glinted against the sunlight that poked through the canopy. America's eyes went wide, immediately holding her hands up. "GUYS!"
Carol and Wanda froze at her shout, finally recognising the danger. People began to emerge from the shadows, dressed in similar fashion. Red uniforms made them stand out against the green backdrop. The two of them had enough experience of the soldiers to know who they were instantly. The Dora Milaje, experts with pretty much any weapon they could get their hands on. They were surrounding them in a tight circle, Carol wondering how she could have allowed something like this to happen. Was she losing her cutting edge, not sensing the trap being laid.
And then, through the trees, jumping from trunk to trunk, a black shadow appeared. America jumped back in fright as the figure eventually landed right in front of them, metal claws extended, ready to attack if necessary. The young woman wanted to know why her teammates weren't as worried as she was. This was exactly what she'd been fearing. She wished she could be smug, but her heart was racing too much to claim the small moral victory.
"Trespassers," the Panther hissed.
Carol held up her hands. "Friends."
Okoye broke from the pack, stepping forward and glaring at them suspiciously. "What are you doing here?"
"I saw you strengthening your shield. We thought you might be in trouble."
"And you thought you would sneak up on us to help?"
"Is there any other way of getting in?"
"Asking politely, instead of manipulating those barriers to gain entry without permission."
The Captain frowned. "We…haven't done anything to the shield."
The panther removed its helmet, revealing the face of a young woman. "Of course you did. We picked it up on our sensors. It came from this exact region, and we found you here."
Wanda cocked her head to the side. "Shuri? You're…the Black Panther now?"
"Don't distract us from the main topic at hand. You tried to break into our country and I'd like to know why."
America was brave enough to step forward. "I can assure you that we didn't do anything like that. It was open by the time we got here."
"Who is this child?" Okoye asked impatiently.
"A colleague," Carol responded. "And she's telling the truth. We were just as concerned when we discovered the opening."
Shuri seemed to show some uncertainty. "Answer this then…if it wasn't you, who did it? You'd need the specific Wakandan access code to even have a chance of doing this."
"It's funny, actually," a male voice said as a new figure came into view. The Dora Milaje focused their efforts on the latest target. "Different universe but you still use the same codes. I'd call it lazy…not that I'm complaining."
The Panther's face fell. "...Killmonger?"