They walked for about half a mile on a hidden path through tall grasses and occasional trees. The Wakandans surrounding them maintained a stony silence, except for T'Challa and the small warrior who walked together at the front, having a heated discussion in a hushed whisper.
The group stopped walking when they entered a clearing, the sight of a fifty foot wall overtaking their vision. T'Challa walked ahead to the gate, shouting something in the Wakandans' language. The gate swung slowly open, the two giant doors silently turning in, operated by some sort of mechanical device and guarded by two Wakandans. The group was ushered into the city and began walking up a main boulevard, the gate shutting noiselessly behind them.
Upon entering the city, Tony knew that it was supposed to be teeming with people. There were small houses up and down the streets covering the front of the city. There were carts set out, meant to be full of goods for sale and manned by merchants ready to sell them. However, there were no merchants; and the carts stood empty. The streets were silent, though there was movement inside the houses. He didn't think that the people were hiding from them; all the Wakandans he had met so far were pretty offensive rather than timid, so he could only suppose that they were hidden from whatever it was the Avengers were supposed to help them with.
Within the city to the east were fields and pastures, and to the west was a small mountain, a side road leading off to it. The group continued down the main road, leading up to what looked like the center of the city; a building the size of a castle, though unlike any sort of castle that Tony had ever seen. Rather than stones, it was made of a shining metal ore that looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place. He wished that he still had his Iron Man suit so he could ask JARVIS about it, but had to make do with just wondering to himself.
Bruce had become more relaxed as their journey went on, though he was still leaning heavily on Steve and Tony. Tony wondered what had brought him so close to losing control; Bruce had really improved over the last couple of months - he could practically Hulk-in and Hulk-out at will. The blow had probably just been too much of a surprise and so Bruce hadn't been able to brace himself. That's probably what happened.
The group approached the central castle building and the whispers of T'Challa and the warrior grew more intense. T'Challa stopped outside and sighed. He turned to face them.
"The doctor will be taken to a reinforced cell until he has completely recovered from his...episode."
The Avengers looked up in shock and confusion, surprised at the announcement. Tony took a breath, getting ready to protest their decision.
"But-"
T'Challa raised his hand, silencing Tony's protest.
"We will not take any risks concerning the safety of our city. The doctor will temporarily be put in an isolated room until we are sure of his control and recovery. You have my word that no harm shall come to him."
Tony still wasn't happy with the arrangement. Bruce would be fine! They were here to help, not destroy the city. He was about to say so out loud when the Captain gave him a pointed look. Tony shut his mouth and returned the stare.
The Captain looked back at T'Challa.
"Alright."
He shifted Bruce's weight over to a waiting guard who, accompanied by another, began to walk away from the group in a different direction. Tony moved closer to the Captain as the group walked up the stairs to enter the building.
"What do you think you're doing? You can't just let them throw Bruce in a dungeon!" he whispered in a harsh tone.
The Captain replied calmly, also whispering.
"If we want these people to trust us, we're going to have to trust them too. I don't think that they mean us any harm."
Tony scoffed at this.
"Yeah, no worries. We're just outnumbered and unarmed in a foreign city that is notoriously hostile to outsiders."
The Captain looked at him, still calm despite their potentially dangerous situation.
"You're just upset because they took your suit."
Tony sputtered, "Well, yeah, it's my suit. But also the fact that they took off with Bruce to who knows where, to do who knows what all the while they're doing the same to us."
"Tony, we're here to help these people and that means that they will have control of the situation, not us. Besides, they have a legitimate concern, and even if they tried to mess with Bruce, they wouldn't be able to get very far with it, now would they?"
Tony was silent, accepting the Captain's point, and at that point, after having walked through multiple wide hallways, they entered a tall ceilinged room that stretched far ahead, a throne at the end of the room. Seated on the throne was a man clad in a black suit, a black cape around his shoulders, and a black mask of a panther. Obviously a leader, and based on the castle and throne, Tony was leaning towards the title 'king'.
They followed T'Challa forward into the room, the others guards standing back at the door. He came to a halt halfway across the room, the Avengers stopping a few feet behind him. He knelt down on one knee, bowing his head to the man on the throne.
"Mfalme wangu, nimemleta watu ambao wanaweza kuwa na uwezo wa kusaidia katika mji wetu hatma yake."
The king didn't answer, and continued to stare forward at T'Challa. T'Challa raised his head.
"Mfalme wangu?"
The king then stood up, revealing now, that he was old, as his legs slightly shook and he held the arm of his throne for support. What appeared to be a physician rushed from a side door and to the man's side. She held his arm as he stood tall, using her for stability.
Though he appeared weak, his gravelly voice came out strong and angry.
"Kuthubutu kuleta wageni katika nchi yetu? Wakati watu wetu wagonjwa wetu? Wakati ulinzi wetu ni dhaifu? Wakati mimi ni kufa?"
T'Challa stood, looking slightly hurt by the man's words.
"Baba, sisi kufanya hakuna maendeleo ya tiba wakati wote zaidi na zaidi ya watu wetu wanakufa. Watu hawa watakuwa na uwezo wa-"
The king held up his hand and T'Challa was immediately quiet.
"T'Challa, mimi kukua kuwa kwa saa. Hivi karibuni, wewe utakuwa mfalme. Lakini naogopa kwamba ni mapema mno, kwa huna hekima ya mtawala."
The king stood there shaking, slowly losing the strength to stand.
T'Challa stood tall, his face devoid of any emotions.
Tony cleared his throat. "Um, excuse me."
Everyone in the room turned to look at him, his voice breaking the cold silence.
"I don't know what's going on here," he gestured towards the king and T'Challa, "But I just want to say: Your city is looking pretty barren. Now, people only do that when they're afraid; and I can tell you that they're not afraid of us. There is something threatening your city, and from the looks of it, I'd have to say it's a pretty big threat. Not to brag or anything, but The Avengers have a pretty good track record when it comes to handling threats, and we're here to help; you just have to let us."
The king had stared silently at Tony as he spoke and for a few moments after he had finished. Then without saying anything to Tony, he looked back at T'Challa.
"Kufanya nini lazima. Siwezi kukuzuia kutupa mbali nchi yetu na njia zenu wajinga."
The king turned to the physician, who had kept a blank face for the duration of the conversation, and they slowly walked out of the room.
T'Challa didn't move until the king was gone from the room. He then turned toward their group, sadness in his eyes. He cleared his throat.
"I will have you shown to the rooms where you can sleep during your stay, and then fully disclose to you the problem plaguing our city."
The Captain inclined his head. "Thank you, T'Challa. We hope to be able to help you in any way we can."
T'Challa nodded. "As do I, Captain."
The team turned and began to leave the room, following a Wakandan out a side door.
"Mr. Spider-Man, if you would follow me, I will lead you to the medics wing."
Captain America looked in surprise at Peter, his gaze zeroing in on the hand that was pressed firmly to his side.
"You injured, Peter?"
Peter brushed off the group's concern, shaking his head.
"It's fine, guys! Just need a Band-Aid, is all."
Captain America looked at him scrutinizingly before nodding his head.
Tony shook his head as they left the room, Peter walking the opposite way, following T'Challa. The kid had quite the knack for getting hit in the side.
Peter walked after T'Challa, still holding his side. It wasn't bleeding nearly as bad as when he had first gotten the wound, but it was starting to hurt a lot, and it was probably good that he was getting medical attention.
He thought about the scene they had just witnessed, and wondered what exactly had gone down between T'Challa and the king. The king definitely hadn't sounded happy to see them there, but they hadn't been kicked out either, so T'Challa must have reasoned with him. He wondered if all commanders of the guard spoke to their kings like that, or if maybe T'Challa was more than just a soldier.
He cleared his throat.
"Um, excuse me, T'Challa?"
T'Challa looked back at him.
"Yes?"
"Are you related to the king?"
Again, the slight sadness that had been in his eyes when he had spoken with the king flashed in T'Challa's eyes. He looked forward.
"Yes. He is my father."
Peter nodded, taking this in. Prince of Wakanda. Impressive.
"He didn't sound very happy about us helping you guys."
T'Challa sighed.
"My father and I have had...differing opinions, on our policy of interactions with outsiders for years now. It is a sore point between us."
Peter was more than slightly impressed that T'Challa had defied his father, the king, to bring the Avengers here.
T'Challa's mood seemed to have darkened and Peter decided that this, perhaps, wasn't the best topic for discussion.
"So the king wears a mask. Is his identity a secret?"
T'Challa chuckled at this.
"No. Unlike you, Spider-Man, my father's identity is not secret. The mask is his symbol of power and authority. In Wakanda, the panther is highly revered; almost sacred to our people. It is considered the leader of the animal kingdom, whose authority is checked by no one. So, too, is our king, and the mask symbolizes this. However, it is also our belief that the man who wears the mask of the Black Panther not only has the authority, but the powers of the panther as well."
Peter was duly impressed, the panther mask seeming way cooler now than when he had seen it before.
T'Challa turned and they entered at small room with a hospital bed in it, a doctor waiting nearby.
Peter sat on the bed and the doctor motioned for him to remove his shirt, apparently not speaking English like T'Challa.
T'Challa stood off to the side.
"And why do you wear a mask, Spider-Man? The rest of your team is quite open with the world, and surely a man of your powers would not be afraid to face his enemies. What is your need for secrecy?"
Peter sighed, having taken off his shirt and gloves and left his mask in place while the doctor cut off the remaining bandages to examine his wound.
"I don't do it to protect myself, it's to protect my friends and family. The rest of the team doesn't have to worry about that. Thor's world is in another galaxy entirely, Clint and Natasha's whole lives are SHIELD work, the only friends that Bruce has are the Avengers, and Tony has more security than the White House. Behind this mask, I'm an ordinary guy. I've got an aunt that's in a regular nursing home, and friends from school that I sometimes go get pizza with. Any one of them could be killed or taken hostage if any of my enemies knew who I was. I couldn't possibly risk their safety just to take off my mask."
T'Challa looked at him with empathy as he listened.
"I think that the media has misjudged you greatly, Spider-Man. Your mask is not a symbol of you cowardice, but of your courage."
Peter shrugged at this.
"That's what I keep trying to tell them. But news people can be a thick-headed bunch."
The doctor, who had been gently examining Peter's side, looked up at him and began speaking in Wakandan.
Peter looked up in confusion at T'Challa.
"What did he say?"
"He says that you've torn some of your stitches and are going to need a few more."
Peter groaned. "Bruce is not going to be happy about this."
T'Challa laughed.
"Then you have your work cut out for you. Dr. Banner does not seem like one to be made angry."
Peter laughed too.
"I don't know about angry. But I'm definitely in for a big 'I told you so'. Which might be just as bad."
The doctor began applying a numbing agent to Peter's side, a nurse rolling a cart with tools on it over.
"Well, Spider-Man, I must leave you to your stitches. I will have someone escort you to your room once the surgery is over."
"Thanks. And thank you, T'Challa, for letting us try to help."
T'Challa inclined his head and left the room as Peter laid down on the bed and the doctor got to work, sewing Peter's side together once more.
Bruce paced in the cell, worried. Everything was a blur after he had been punched; he'd been so focused on the battle he had going on in his head that he hadn't noticed what had happened in the battle outside his head. Was Peter alright? Where was the rest of the team? Were they being held captive too?
He sat down on the metal bench on the metal wall, the only furniture in the room. A room obviously chosen to keep him contained if he hulked out; but he knew that it wouldn't have. Sighing, he ran his hands through his hair. It shouldn't have been that hard to recover from a blow to the head. But after months of improvement, it seemed like the Hulk was right on the edge of his consciousness all the time, and stronger too. He closed his eyes, leaning against the wall. It was just the stress of flying and doing a SHIELD mission.
He would be fine.
He hoped.
The door of the room opened and his eyes flew open. He looked over, surprised to see the very warrior who had punched him in the face. Except, contrary to his first impression, the warrior was not a young boy; but a woman.
She no longer had on the fighting garb that the group of Wakandans was wearing earlier, but a woven skirt and beaded top. She now had on large earrings that jingled slightly as she moved, their length a contrast to her shaved head.
She looked at him curiously, as if surprised to see him sitting there.
"You have not turned into a green rage monster." She observed. He wondered if he should be surprised that she spoke English. He smiled wanly.
"Yeah. I try to avoid doing that on a regular basis. Though, getting punched in the face doesn't usually help."
She crossed her arms defensively.
"I only attack those you threaten our city. But,"
She uncrossed her arms, a slight apologetic tone in her voice.
"I will try to remember to avoid punching you."
Bruce nodded his acceptance of this proposal, though he was slightly skeptical of the agreeableness of the conversation. Wasn't he being held prisoner?
"You are much...smaller, than I thought you to be."
Bruce looked up at her skeptically.
"I get that a lot, actually... Have you seen me before?"
She nodded, not explaining further.
"Where?"
She shrugged, "The usual places, TV. Internet. There are some very enlightening YouTube videos featuring you."
"Oh." So they had Internet access and television? That hadn't been in the SHIELD report. He began to wonder how much of this mission was uncharted territory for SHIELD.
She began walking out the door.
"Come with me. I will show you to your proper room."
He stood up, wondering at the almost friendliness of the Wakandans now.
"And here I had just warmed up to the place."
She smiled, walking slightly ahead of him.
"I think you will find your new room to be slightly more...comfortable."
They walked a short ways down the hall, passing only a couple of people that gave him looks of curiosity. They made a turn into a different hallway, where there were no other people. She stopped at the first doorway and opened the door, standing by to let Bruce walk through.
"This is where you'll be staying. It has it's own full bathroom, as well as a small kitchen, though you are invited to join us for meals in the banquet hall."
Bruce walked through the room, the bed suddenly reminding him how tired he was. But even more pressing than his need for sleep was his need to find out where the rest of the Avengers were.
He turned around to ask, but she starting speaking before he could.
"The rest of your team's rooms are located down this hallway. However, at the moment, they are in a conference room, where T'Challa is going to explain what we are dealing with right now."
Bruce nodded and gestured out.
"Lead the way."
She began walking away, maneuvering the maze of hallways with obvious familiarity.
They walked past an open door where a familiar form wearing a familiar mask reclining on a hospital bed caught his eye.
Peter waved at him from the bed.
"Hey, Bruce! You're looking a lot better."
Bruce stood in the doorway, his guide off to the side.
"I'm feeling better. How about you? You weren't looking all that good the last time I saw you." He raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, that? Please, no problem at all. Doctor checked it out, gave me a few stitches, and put on some fresh bandages. Everything is a-okay." Peter had mumbled the middle part of the sentence, obviously trying to get it past Bruce's attention.
"More stitches?"
"Yeah, well..." Peter hopped off the bed, albeit slowly. "It's all cool now, and I'll be better before you know it." He walked out of the room, past Bruce.
"I seem to recall you saying that before, and yet here we are."
The woman started walking again, and Peter walked with Bruce. He wore clothes that looked like they had come from the Wakandans, replacing his costume except for his mask, which he still had on.
"So, where are we going?"
"We're are going to meet with my brother, who is hopefully going to find out if you Avengers will be able to help us."
Peter looked up with interest.
"T'Challa is your brother?"
"Indeed." She answered without looking back.
"Older or younger?"
She stopped in front of a door where, upon looking in, they saw T'Challa standing in front of the rest of their team, talking.
"Older." She cleared her throat, turning to Peter. "I apologize for wounding you in the way I did. I did not realize you were not seeking to attack Wakanda."
"Please, no apology necessary. That's most people's first impulse when they meeting me, anyway. No hard feelings."
She gave a slight laugh at this, before Peter walked into the room and joined the rest of the team. Bruce was about to follow him when she stuck out her hand.
"My name is Shuri, by the way."
Bruce, slightly surprised, took her hand and shook it.
"Bruce Banner. But I guess you would have already known that."
She smiled.
"Yes. But it is a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Banner."
He smiled back.
"Likewise."
Translations: Translated by lines in the order they appear:
T'Challa: My king, I have brought people who may be able to help us in our plight.
T'Challa: My king?
King: You dare bring strangers to our land? When our people are sick? When our defenses are weak? When I am dying?
T'Challa: Father, we make no progress on a cure, all the while more and more of our people are dying. These people will be able to-
King: T'Challa, I grow weaker by the hour. Soon, you shall be king. But I fear that it is too soon, for you do not have the wisdom it takes to rule Wakanda.
King: Do what you must. I can no longer stop you from throwing away our country with your foolish ways.
Author's Note: Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing! I love to hear what you think!
Some of you are wondering whether Thor will be making an appearance...
Let's just say that weather reports are saying to expect some thunder in later chapters.