Revamped!

[This chapter will consist of Princess Iqadi explaining the love story of her parents just so you are caught up. Also, it's important for her story so here you all go. But you will only get T'Challa's perspective of how they met and Ororo's will come later in the story].

[Note - I've been writing Princess Iqadi since I was 12 and some information I used back then was completely wrong to the Marvel universe but I have to keep it for my little universe to be cohesive to itself].

Chapter Two: The Arrival

As far back as Wakanda's history goes, my mother is the only queen who wasn't a member of the Dora Milaje before marriage. But that didn't affect my mother's performance as a leader. In fact (and I'm trying my best not to be biased), she is one of the best queens to rule the nation.

The story of how my parents met still amazes me to this day.

After the murder of King T'Chaka, my paternal grandfather, my father was kidnapped and taken to the border of Kenya. Father tried his best to fight his captors but was profoundly outnumbered (which is why he forces me to train often; he was around my age when it all happened). Grief and anger towards his murdered father was such a strong motivator.

It wasn't until a young woman rose from the bushes into the air above them all. Her dark skin contrasted against her long, white hair and bright blue eyes. She was wingless but flew above them all. When she opened her arms, her eyes turned as white as her hair and the wind currents picked up. It knocked my father's captors off their feet and my father tried his best to stay standing, despite the strength of the wind. When a gun was pointed at the woman, she fired back with a single but powerful bolt of lightning. While in the air, she flew and grabbed the hands of my father to fly him to safety.

At that moment, Father learned a lot: the woman was a mutant with the ability to control the weather (which I was incredibly lucky to inherit), her name was Ororo Munroe although he called her his Wind-Rider, and he knew that no suitor could ever live up to the woman set before him.

Before she became his wife and my mother, they were just two young adolescents in the middle of Africa. Mother offered to fly him back to Wakanda since it would be faster, but he insisted on walking to prevent being shot down mid-air. In other words, Father wanted to spend as much time as he could with her because even though his country was in danger, he had to plan his strategy and wanted to get to know and understand the woman who would later be his comrade, wife, and queen.

They knew each other for a short amount of time but in the thrill of it all, Father still managed to fall in love with Mother and the same happened to her in return. She saved him in many ways at that moment and in return, he saved her as well. He gave her a home.

Together, they not only rescued Wakanda from an unfortunate assassination but raised it back up to the powerful nation it is.

After all these years of growing up as their daughter and knowing what to expect, it's intimidating to watch my parents and be required to find a romantic bond that is even close to what they have. Father is a strict and sharpened weapon under the pressure of being the Black Panther, running a country, and making sure his successor to the throne is well prepared. Mother is a calm and collected cloud, making sure her family and kingdom remain under control yet still capable of attacking when and if necessary.

Both of them so different yet ultimately made for protection.

-o-

Today, my suitors arrive at the palace but there are still so many arrangements to be made. Our staff is being reallocated, wardrobe preparations are being made with new clothing for myself and the suitors, and the guest rooms in their wing are being readied for them.

Mother ordered me to stay in my bedroom as she and Father greet them, but I couldn't sit or stand still in my room. I'm deeply claustrophobic and the thought of being confined in one room makes me incredibly anxious although my bedroom is quite spacious and has windows. I take a peek outside my window, through the curtain and smile at the sight of fifteen men who are here just for me. My girlfriends in America would've loved this.

I disobey Mother and leave my bedroom. She's far too distracted to see and reprimand me so I will be fine. I walk along the hallway and stop when I hear the small chatter of many unfamiliar male voices.

My suitors.

It has been stressed repeatedly by my parents that I would meet my suitors when fifteen have become ten. No one told me why, but I believe it's so my parents can do another verification and make the choosing process easier for me.

I sit down against the wall and put my head between my knees. Can I really do this? Is it really possible for me to find a man whom I love, who loves me, whom my kingdom loves, and my parents approve of? Not to mention someone intellectual, handsome, confident, and easily presentable.

Pull it together, Iqadi!

I stand up, feeling powerful again, and walk back to my bedroom. I need to keep this emotion of strength and vigour which is how they already know me. I will have a memorable time getting to know these suitors and make sure they all appease me parents beyond all expectations. I will pick someone who will be mine and I for him in return.

I admire the thought of a common boy feeling brave enough to face the challenge of becoming a prince. The momentum is escalating, inspiring, and terrifying all at once.

[I honestly love writing the story of T'Challa and Ororo even though I made some if not most of it up. God, I'm basically the only person who ships them].