Chapter 2
The king fondled with the silver ring on his finger, almost as though it would drop anytime soon. It looked as though T'Challa's entire focus was solely on the trinket on his hand.
"Are you going to keep on fondling that ring all day," his sister, Princess Shuri, joked. She walked towards him, a hologram of what looked like a finished building in her hand.
The two were standing before a construction site in Oakland where a few buildings were being built. The sound of drills and jackhammers filled the air, as well as what sounded almost like lasers. Construction workers, both American and Wakandan, ran back and forth, discussing plans and designs.
T'Challa rolled his eyes, "Oh, hush now. How goes construction?"
"Everything is going according to plan," the teenager nodded, "The Outreach Centre should be finished by next month."
"That is good," the king nodded, "So many in this nation need our help as soon as possible."
This area was once a symbol of Wakanda's failures and mistakes. Where T'Challa's father not only killed his own brother, but abandoned his own nephew. A nephew who almost caused the downfall of Wakanda itself.
Now, this place was going to be a symbol of Wakanda's generosity and successes. A bridge between Wakanda and the rest of the world, where the technology and practices of T'Challa's people could save lives.
However, to some people, it wasn't enough.
Shuri's smile slowly dropped as she looked around, "T'Challa, I know we are doing good work here, but do you not feel like we could do more?"
T'Challa sighed, having grown tired of this conversation, "Shuri, we have discussed this. We have been gone for five years. We need to concentrate on rebuilding our own nation and our ties to the rest of the world."
While the Snap affected the lives of many, it hit T'Challa hard. The entire royal family was turned to dust, leaving the nation without a Black Panther to protect them or rule. The heart-shaped herbs were only to be consumed by those of royal blood, so no one could take the title. The Council and the Dora Milaje were the only ones keeping order.
Unfortunately, once the royal family returned, it's been a difficult process returning to the original status quo. Even worse as outside of Okoye's work with the Avengers, the nation has been keeping out of the issues the rest of the world was dealing with. It was as if they were backtracking to before Killmonger's rule.
Shuri groaned, "I know the Council has been keeping you busy, but is there not a more proactive role we could take? Maybe while wearing a certain Panther uniform?"
"The role of the Black Panther is not only to fight off evil, but to bring hope and aid to those in need," T'Challa shook his head, "I must not only-."
" 'Break bones, but also build bridges'," Shuri finished his sentence, a small smile crossing her face, "That was the only way Baba could get you to memorize your duties."
T'Challa grinned, remembering his father's words. He already had a lot of responsibilities to handle before Thanos's attack. Now, that amount has doubled.
"I still feel like there is more we could be doing," Shuri argued, "Like in New York. Fighting for a righteous cause, to protect people like we promised."
"I understand," T'Challa nodded, "But this is where our focus should be."
The two stood in silence, their gaze on the construction, until an odd sound rippled through the air. Something that sounded like fires sparking.
"Wait, do you hear something," the teenager asked.
They turned to see an amber-colored ring start to form behind them. Sparks flew from it as it looked like a figure was coming through.
T'Challa tilted his head, "Is that-?"
From the portal came a man wearing a long red cloak and a blue uniform, a golden necklace around his throat. It was the Master of the Mystic Arts himself, Doctor Stephen Strange.
"King T'Challa," the sorcerer spoke in a deep voice, "I believe we have business to discuss."
Shuri chuckled, "Well, if it isn't the doctor with the cheekbones!"
"For Bast's sake…," T'Challa cursed, "What brings you to Oakland, Doctor Strange?"
"I need you to come with me," Strange asked, "I have a proposal for you."
The king turned to his sister, who laughed, "Like that movie Baba hated. Just when you thought you were out, they pull you back in, eh?"
T'Challa looked to the sky, asking for death, before walking towards the portal, "Just stay here."
The king walked through the portal and found himself inside what looked like a large mansion. Like the ones his parents took him to when they made diplomatic trips to Europe.
"Where are we?," T'Challa asked.
"Bleecker Street. New York," answered Strange, "Can I get you anything? Coffee? Tea?"
"Tea would be nice," the king nodded.
"Alright," Strange turned to look at the collar of his cloak, "Cloak?"
Suddenly, the cloak fell off of the doctor's shoulders and flew off to another room, bringing back a teacup with a spoon in it.
T'Challa warily took the cup into his hands, his eyes focused on the floating piece of clothing, "By the goddess…"
He only looked down when he felt the cup heat up. He looked down to see it slowly fill with hot tea, "Incredible...How are you doing this?"
"I'm not creating the tea out of thin air," Strange explained, "Right now, that's coming from the kettle of some college kid from London. Sugar?"
"Yes please," the king nodded. Two cubes of sugar surfaced out of the cup, dissolving in the drink, "Impressive. Now, what is it that you wished to discuss?"
"It's a simple invitation really," Doctor Strange cleared his throat, "I have been sent to offer you a position amongst Earth's Mightiest Heroes."
T'Challa almost spat out his tea before gulping. He slowly began to realize what this was about, "You want me as an Avenger?"
Strange chuckled a little, "As odd as it is to say, yes, I'm here to bring you into the Avengers Initiative."
The king began to eye the wizard carefully to make sure he wasn't joking. He always respected the Avengers even before he actually met them, but he would've never thought in a million years that they would wish to have him as a member.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that the team has returned," T'Challa said.
"Not all of the original members have, but a few have come to me for help in choosing members," Stephen explained.
"I assumed a man such as yourself would prefer to stick to your own corner of the universe," T'Challa said, "Focusing only on the more...paranormal."
"The people of Kamar-Taj have been protecting the Earth for centuries," Strange described, "However, we always needed aid from more...earthly heroes."
"Such as the Avengers."
"Yes," Stephen nodded, "That's why I and a few others have joined to bring back the team. I believe a man of your prestige, power, and heroism would be a great addition."
T'Challa was genuinely amazed to receive this offer and maybe in a different time, he would have immediately accepted the position. However, this was definitely the wrong time.
"I understand your concerns. If Thanos has taught us anything, it's that the world needs protectors," the ruler agreed, "However, I have my own dilemmas at the moment. I have my nation, my people,..."
"Your recent engagement?," the sorcerer finished the statement, before quickly adding, "Congratulations, by the way."
T'Challa nodded in thanks. A year after he returned to the world of the living, T'Challa decided to propose to his beloved Nakia. The woman inspired him to go out into the world in the first place and there was no one that he would've rather dedicated his life to.
"I don't know if I have the time to act as a crime-fighter," T'Challa frowned, looking away.
Stephen sighed and nodded, understanding the man's concerns. As Sorcerer Supreme, he already had a large array of responsibilities. However, he knew that he needed to join this team if we wanted to make sure this reality was 100% safe.
"Sir, I know this is a lot to deal with and I'm sorry," Strange apologized, "But the world...It needs heroes. Especially now that we've lost…"
"Now that we have lost Stark," T'Challa ended the sentence, nodding somberly.
He learned of how Strange told Stark about the one of fourteen-million outcomes where they would be successful and how in the end, Tony had to die to accomplish it.
Strange looked down at the floor, his face covered with guilt, "I may not have killed him myself, but I set the dominos up...I took an oath as a doctor not to do harm to others and I failed."
T'Challa shook his head, "Stark made the choice of his own free will. Blaming yourself will get you nowhere. Believe me. I know."
The king couldn't help but think back to his crusade against the Winter Soldier, where his guilt for letting his father die overtook his senses. He knew the power of regret and grief and he knew that that wasn't something he should face alone.
"I shall consider your invitation," T'Challa sighed, "However, I cannot promise that I will accept it, Doctor."
A smile finally came onto Doctor Strange's face, "Thank you, T'Challa. Just contact me when you've made a decision."
The doctor began to spin his arm in a circle, which opened up another amber portal behind T'Challa. Through it, he could see the construction in Oakland right there.
"I shall be in touch," T'Challa nodded before walking through it.
Once the portal closed, Strange began to straighten his back and levitate, "Now, off to San Francisco."
After a few seconds, his astral form surfaced from his body and vanished from the mansion, reappearing in a lab to greet two figures.
The doctor's spirit looked down at the two, "Mr. Lang, Ms. Van Dyne, we need to talk."
Scott's eyes widened as his jaw almost dropped to the floor, "Oookay. Yeah, this is happening."
Hope threw her arms up in frustration, "Oh, what the hell now?"