Remnant's Mightiest Heroes!
Interlude: Black Panther
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In the dead of night, Teams RWBY and JNPR stood back to back in a jungle. Each of them had weapons drawn.
"Anything?" Jaune whispered to Ren. The leader of JNPR held an earth sword and shield.
"Nothing," Ren said, keeping two pistols with bayonet attachments pointed at the foliage. "I'm not sensing him."
"He's bound to strike anytime now," Blake said, her amber eyes checking the foliage as well. She and Ren are using their sense to see if they can spot their opponent before he struck. "We have to be ready."
"Anyone else nervous?" Ruby asked as she held her scythe. "I mean this is one of the Avengers after all. Plus, Cap said that he's able to gain the upper hand on him and he only beat him once when he wasn't his usual self …"
"We all have to face strong opponents at one point, Ruby," Weiss lectured as she held her rapier. But everyone could see her hand trembling all the same. "If we don't face them, we'll never do."
"I agree," Yang nodded. "Plus, I need to make those surprise attacks on me worth it. I'm still pissed about the shower attack!"
Everyone winced at that memory. Director Fury made it clear to expect surprise attacks on them. One time, he had Agent Romanov attack them in her seat. Another time, Clint fired a net arrow at them during their morning laps. Then, just last night, Vision showed up and scared everyone to their embarrassment.
"If you ask me, Fury is taking the whole surprise attack way too seriously," Weiss nearly shrieked, a blush on her cheeks.
"In his defense, we have to expect an attack at any time," Pyrrha said as she kept her spear and shield ready. "The real world is unfair that way. We need to know what to do whenever an unexpected situation pops up. Director Fury is just simulating that event."
"Well can he do it outside of shower time?" Weiss asked heatedly. "We only get fifteen minutes and I want to spend it accordingly."
"Yeah," Nora piped up and grips her hammer tighter. "I missed several pancakes at breakfast time because of Wasp stinging my butt!"
Any more words are cut off when they heard a tree snap. The huntsmen-and-huntresses-in-training tensed up and became more alert. They looked around warily to where the sound came from. Nothing happened for a few minutes, except for the rustling of foliage from the wind. Then, they heard it again.
"There!" Ren pointed to the direction where the sound came from. The Remnantians turned to where the sound came from. But nothing happened.
"He's not there," Jaune said as he turned around. "Ren, maybe we should go and scout ahead for—"
Jaune stopped talking when he saw that Ren is no longer with them. The only thing that can be seen are the two pistols that fell to the ground. Their friend is nowhere to be seen.
"Ren!" Nora cried out. She scanned the trees with furious eyes. "I'm coming for you Ren!"
"Nora, wait!" Jaune called out, but there was no stopping her. Nora ran into the foliage in search of her childhood friend. "Nora!"
"Don't Jaune!" Pyrrha said as she grasped his hand before he could run after her. "That's what he wants! He wants us to follow so he could pick us off one by one!"
"She's right," Weiss said. "We need to stick together-"
The moment she said those words, she was suddenly pulled into the foliage. They could hear her cry out as she was taken down.
"Weiss!" Ruby cried out with faux tears. She reached out towards where she was taken. "Don't leave me! Not like this!"
"Come on!" Yang roared as her eyes turned red. "Where are you?!"
The remaining huntsman and huntresses became alert. Blake's ears twitched as she tried to pick out anything to find their opponent. Her amber eyes scanned the foliage and dropped to the ground. It was there she noticed the footprints.
Eyes wide, she followed the trail of them until she can see the end right behind her. On instinct, her semblance took an unseen blow and she reappeared at a distance. Quickly, she scooped up some dirt and tossed it at where she thought she was attacked. The dirt flew and hit something standing there.
"He's right there!" Blake called out. Her friends turned to where she was looking and saw the floating dirt.
"We got you now!" Yang cried as she reared her fist back. Seeing that the invisibility is useless, their opponent dropped the invisibility. Their opponent expertly parried Yang's blows with his forearms, the impact of her blows rippling his black suit with purple energy. Their opponent then swept Yang off her feet and punched her in the head. Not stopping to look, he focused his attention on the rest of her friends.
In a burst of rose petals, Ruby charged at their opponent and swung her scythe. Their opponent merely stood there and let the scythe slash across his suit, with no damage whatsoever other than ripples of purple. Ruby is surprised that her attack did nothing and shrank when the opponent looked at her.
"Eep!" The opponent then threw a fist at her and she dispersed into rose petals just in time to let Jaune run-in with his shield raised. The opponent held out his arms to grapple with the shield head-on as Jaune pushed him by an inch before stopping. Then, the opponent's fingers grew claws and he lifts them to slash down on the shield leaving claw marks on it. Jaune's eyes are wide at the damage the opponent did to his shield. The opponent, on the other hand, didn't allow him to focus as he jumped up and kicks off his shield in time to avoid a spear strike from Pyrrha. Grabbing her by the shoulders in midair, he pushed her into Jaune, the impact shattering his shield.
As he landed on his feet, he felt something wrap around his arm. A glance revealed Blake has restrained him with her kurasagima with all her strength. A cry drew his attention to Jaune, Pyrrha, and Ruby charging at him with their weapons raised. The opponent deftly dodges Ruby's strike again and slashed his free claw down upon the weapon, cutting it clean in half. Ruby didn't have time to turn into petals as her opponent kicked her away. Jaune attempted to strike him with his sword, only for the opponent to block with the chain, wrap it around the blade, and yank it out of his hand. Backhanding him with his fist, he focused his attention on Blake who still restrained him.
Grasping the chain, the opponent pulled Blake off her feet and flying towards him. He swiped at her only to hit a shadow, but he was counting on that. Using his acute instincts, he swung the kurasagima at where her real body would reappear. The chain wrapped around her, pinning her arms to the sides and restraining her legs. Once again, the opponent yanked her towards him and he punched her in the head, shattering her aura. Just as he did with the others.
"Blake!" Yang cried out. Snarling, she charged at the opponent with a haymaker he easily dodged. He struck her in the head with two swift strikes before roundhouse kicking her to the edge of the battlefield. Not stopping to look, he glanced at Pyrrha and Jaune who had recovered his sword.
Deciding to take the initiative, the opponent charged at Jaune. Before he could react, the opponent stuck at the solar plexus, the knees, and the elbows. With an uppercut, Jaune briefly flew in the air and fell to the ground unmoving.
The opponent faced the invincible girl, who looked more than hungry for a challenge from him. Together, they charged at each other. The opponent slashed at her with his claws and Pyrrha deflected them with her shield and semblance, not wanting the claws to shatter it like Jaunes. Pretty soon, they are dancing around each other, trying to gain the upper hand. She knew that her spear is nearly useless with the attacks being null. So, she tried a different approach.
Drawing the opponent in, she turned and positioned the shaft of her spear behind his head. She then threw him over her using her weight. For a moment, she thought she had him. But as he fell, the opponent grabbed her spear. Planting his feet onto the ground, he used the same maneuver against her. Pyrrha found herself flying through the air and her weapon ripped out of her hands. She landed on her back with a grunt. Looking up, she saw her opponent snap her spear in half and approach her at a speed she knew she couldn't match. Right before he could shatter her aura, a wave of heat washed over them.
The opponent turned to face Yang who had activated her semblance. Yang crouched down and pushed her legs off the ground towards him. The opponent prepared to strike only to feel his body unable to move. His suit is glowing black which led him to turn his head to Pyrrha, who held a hand to restrain him with her semblance. She was able to restrain him long enough for Yang's fist to make contact with his face, making a massive shift in the air that made the dirt fly. The victory was in the bag.
To their shock, however, he didn't move an inch. Yang's semblance boosted punch only made his suit glow even more purple. This was all that their opponent needed as from him a burst of purple energy emitted. The force is enough to push Yang and Pyrrha off their feet, the latter losing control of her semblance. Freed, the opponent shattered Pyrrha's aura with a kick before Yang's with another punch to the head.
That left only Ruby. The opponent turned to face the silver-eyed girl, who shrank when he approached her. As he stood over her, Ruby said two words.
"I yield."
Their opponent stopped and folds his hands behind his back. The panther mask seemed to shimmer as it revealed the face of T'Challa, the king of Wakanda. As he looked around, the jungle faded and is replaced by the training room of the Helicarrier. The rest of Ruby's friends are revealed to be lying down on the ground groaning.
"So how did we do, your Majesty?" Weiss asked as she lined up with the others. T'Challa appraised them individually.
"You have done well in this exercise," T'Challa said. "But you still have room for improvement."
He turned to Ruby. "Ruby, you need to improve your hand-to-hand combat skills. You froze the moment you realized that you have no weapon."
"I'm still working on that," Ruby chuckled, but it's without self-esteem. "But it isn't exactly my forte."
"You may find fighting isn't always about hitting your opponent. Sometimes you can use your opponent's strength against them. Just like I demonstrated."
He focused on Weiss. "You have a great mind Weiss, but you must be aware of the moment at all times. That is an important aspect of combat. One that is easily lost when you focus on petty matters such as being attacked while showering. Otherwise, you might have spotted the footprints like Blake."
"I understand, your majesty," Weiss nodded as if being scolded by her older sister. She was sure that she would murder her if she found out about this…improper conduct.
"Blake, well done in spotting me among you and taking the initiative in restraining me. But like Ruby, you need to hone your combat skills. You cannot always run from your problems."
Blake nodded at the truth of his words.
"Yang, I see Banners lessons have helped you control your anger. But you cannot always rely on your semblance as it can be used against you. Just like I demonstrated."
"Okay…" Yang mumbled but agreed.
"Jaune, you are becoming more of a warrior by the days you are here. But there are some things that your aura can't protect you from. Bear that in mind."
"Of course, your majesty," Jaune said. The blonde boy decided to start a list about that from now on. Just to keep track of for later.
"Pyrrha, you are a worthy opponent. I do not doubt that the warriors of Wakanda would want to have a spar with you. But if you keep relying on the same tricks, you may find yourself growing sloppy. That is how you stop growing."
"I will take this to heart, your majesty," Pyrrha said with a smile. She meant it. Her bout with the king of Wakanda made her feel less of the invincible girl back on Remnant. She felt more like Pyrrha Nikos again.
"Nora, love is an important emotion, you must be in control of it."
"Love?" Nora blushed at that. "No no no! Ren is my childhood friend! We're not together! I mean, we grew up together, but we're not THAT together!"
T'Challa smirked as Nora kept muttering on. He was half tempted to tell her that he can smell it between her and Ren but decided that it would be inappropriate. Plus, she and Ren need time to get their feelings straight. Speaking of the man…
"Ren, you cannot always trust your senses. Your enemy may use methods unknown to you to fool you. Keep that in mind."
"Of course, your majesty," Ren said stoically.
"Now that that is settled…" T'Challa's smile became a frown. "You all chatter like a pack of monkeys! I don't need to enter the arena to hear your chatter. ANYONE could have heard you. If this were a real mission, you would've been dead or worse captured."
The remnantian teens flinched at this rebuke. Despite the harshness, the king of Wakanda had a point. It was also one of the reasons that they lost this training session. T'Challa then softened his tone.
"If you don't know where the enemy is, they shouldn't get to know where you are. Bear that in mind the next time we do this."
"Of course, your majesty," Ruby nodded. "So…is it breaks time?"
"Yes," T'Challa nodded. "You all earned a respite."
"In that case…" Ruby zoomed up to the king of Wakanda with stars in her eyes. "So, what're the specks of your suit? I saw the claws, but I want to know more! How did you do that energy thing? It's like an upgraded version of Yang's semblance! How did you get past us? Does your suit have some kind of sound-dampening boots with the invisibility thing?"
"Ruby, show some respect! You are addressing a King!" Weiss scolded and pulled her away. Ruby pouted at her partner's expense.
"It's alright Weiss," T'Challa said with a smile. "It's fine to be curious about the Panther Habit. I think you and my sister Shuri would get along just fine. She shares your interest in weapons and technology. She the head of the Wakandan Design Group, our research and development branch."
"Really?" Ruby asked.
"Definitely," T'Challa nodded. "As for the Panther Habit, it is a Vibranium-weave suit used by the kings of Wakanda and by extension the Black Panther. Upgraded every generation."
"Wait…Vibranium?" Yang asked slowly. "As in the same Vibranium that Caps shield is made out of?"
"Precisely," T'Challa answered.
"So that's why our attacks weren't doing anything," Weiss surmised. She had read about Vibranium and its properties. It's noted for its extraordinary abilities to absorb, store, and release large amounts of kinetic energy. That must explain the purple glow that the suit emits when they strike him. "You are wearing an indestructible suit."
"I can assure you that Vibranium is far from indestructible. I recently created a new scientific field called Shadow Physics. It's a dangerous discipline that combines alchemy with science. One of the perks of this field is being able to create weapons that can be effective against Vibranium."
"You created a new science AND can make anti-Vibranium weapons?" Ruby asked excitedly like she is hearing music for the first time. "Wakanda technology is amazing!"
"Indeed, you just might give Atlas a run for its money," Weiss said. "Just how did Wakanda become so ahead of humanity?"
T'Challa thought for a moment. "Would you like to hear the tale about my home?"
The Remnantians nodded, eager to hear the tale. T'Challa took a deep breath and remembered his father's words.
"My father told me this tale when I was young," T'Challa spoke. "Millions of years ago, a meteorite made of Vibranium, one of the strongest substances in the universe, struck the continent of Africa, affecting the plant life around it. And when the time of men came, five tribes settled on it and called it Wakanda. However, these tribes wanted the metal for themselves and went to war."
The huntsmen-and-huntresses-in-training remembered how their planets great war started. Atlas and Mistral wanted to suppress free will to avoid Grimm while Vale and Vacuo didn't agree with them. They imagined what would've happened if they fought over dust. A certain heiress knew a certain man who would do anything to obtain what he wants.
"One day, a warrior shaman received a vision from the panther goddess Bast, who led him to the Heart-Shaped Herb, a plant that granted him superhuman strength, speed, and instincts. That warrior became king and the first Black Panther, the protector of Wakanda."
"So, the king is also a superhero?" Jaune asked. "That's amazing!"
"Before me, the king is the protector of Wakanda and not a superhero," T'Challa said. "His duty is to Wakanda above all else. With the tribes swearing allegiance to him, Wakanda became advance in technology than the rest of the world at that time. But that time was filled with chaos. To protect itself, Wakanda built a cloaking field and isolated itself from the rest of the world. Until the modern era."
"What changed?"
"It all began when a man by the name of Ulysses Klaw, also known as Doctor Klaw, stole Vibranium from us," T'Challa's eyes darkened. "He was helped by my uncle, Prince N'Jobu, who felt that Wakanda's isolationist policies weren't helping Wakanda. Stealing the lives of several innocent Wakandans."
The teens were horrified that T'Challa's uncle had betrayed his country. More so that he got several of his countrymen killed.
"Why would he do that?"
"N'Jobu had fallen in love with a woman at America and had seen African Americans being oppressed and beaten down," T'Challa explained. "He stole Vibranium weapons to help them rise, but it would end with a bloodbath. Right before he was to be brought to the council to stand trial for his crimes, my father killed his brother."
"He…what?" Weiss asked with horror matching the others.
"Why would he kill his brother?" Yang asked incensed. She couldn't imagine killing your own sibling.
"One of his men, Zuri, was sent to spy on him," T'Challa answered. "When his betrayal was exposed, he tried to lash out at him, but my father killed him to save his life. He was then ordered to never speak of it to anyone back in Wakanda."
T'Challa stopped for a moment to catch his breath.
"What he didn't know was that he had orphaned his son. Erik Stevens, otherwise known as Erik Killmonger. He teamed up with Klaw to take get revenge on Wakanda and take the throne in exchange for Vibranium for his sound weaponry. I succeeded my father by the time he arrived at Wakanda. I lost to him in a fight for the throne."
"Wait, you can challenge someone for the throne?" Yang asked.
"If anyone disagrees with the candidate for king, they can challenge him," T'Challa explained. "As I said, I have lost, and the throne went to him. When I was dying, he began his plan to give weapons to who he feels are the oppressed. This action would've made the world burn in his so-called revolution."
Everyone digested this in silence.
"Your majesty… forgive me for saying this," Yang said, angry but nervous. "But it feels like it's your fathers' fault."
"It's alright Yang. He and my ancestors were wrong. They are all wrong to turn their backs on the rest of the world. We let the fear of discovery stop us from doing what is right. That is why I cannot rest while a monster we made sits on the throne. I told them this myself when I saw them in my death bed."
That last part confused them. "How did you see them when you were dead?" Weiss asked in disbelief.
"Another power of the heart shaped-herb allows us to temporarily enter the Ancestral Plane," T'Challa answered. "This allows us to see our ancestors whenever a new Black Panther has taken on the mantle."
"Wait," Jaune said slowly. "So, you can communicate with the dead?"
"Yes," T'Challa nodded. "But the herb is a national treasure of Wakanda. When Erik assumed the throne, he burnt down the herbs so that no one may use its powers against him. Shuri was able to get one to heal me from my injuries. We barely managed to save what little herbs were left. Therefore, the herbs are under constant security and restricted to the passing of the mantle. Please don't expect us to just hand it to you because you ask for it."
"We weren't going to," Ruby lied. "But we understand that it's a national treasure."
The Black Panther's nostrils briefly flared but nodded his head and continued his story.
"Erik was filled with nothing but hate, and therefore unfit to be king. So, when I recovered, I went back and challenged him for the throne. I was joined by the Jabari, a tribe that didn't swear allegiance to the king until that day. We fought to protect our country from itself. I battled and defeated Killmonger. I offered to heal him, but he would rather die. So, he pulled the spear out and let himself bleed to death."
"Why did he let himself die?" Blake asked. When the more she learns about Killmonger, the more she sees Adam Taurus standing in his place. Someone willing to let the world burn for their people, continuing the cycle of hatred.
"Because he'd rather die than go to prison," T'Challa answered. "Despite his circumstances, he still must answer for his crimes. Knowing that, he took his life."
Everyone became silent, out of respect for the King of Wakanda. It was Blake who broke the silence.
"What did you do next?" Blake asked.
"I revealed Wakanda to the world," T'Challa answered to their surprise. "As I said, we were wrong to turn our backs on the world when we can help it. I decided that Wakanda will share its resources to work with the world as one tribe. That includes my position among the Avengers."
The teens stood in awe of this tale. The king of the most advanced nation in the world willing to trade their precious resources throughout the world. Weiss spoke up next.
"Your Majesty…" Weiss spoke. "I'm glad that your planet and your country has a king like you."
Weiss meant it. Back on Remnant, there has always been a divide between Mantle and Atlas. The rich and powerful lording their wealth over the economically disadvantaged citizens. They could have chosen to help the city, yet they don't. After hearing T'Challa's tale, she hoped that one day that will change.
T'Challa seemed to have to guess what she meant, having read her file. "You can help as well, Weiss. Having a Dust company isn't the only way for you to make a difference."
Just then, the Klaxon sounded. T'Challa looked up. "We've been here long enough. It's time for you to go to your next class."
Everyone nodded and began to walk out the steel doors. Ruby was behind the group when T'Challa called out.
"Ruby Rose, may I have a word in private?"
Ruby looked over to where the King of Wakanda is standing and back at her friends. They were wondering what he wanted to talk to him about. Ruby waved to them, signaling she'll catch up with them, and they left. She walked back to T'Challa.
"Your Majesty?" Ruby asked warily.
"You weren't honest about wanting the herb," T'Challa simply said. Ruby became surprised at what he said.
"What do you mean," Ruby asked. "I told you that I didn't want the herb. None of us do…"
"I can smell dishonesty," T'Challa revealed to her surprise. "It's a skill that has served me well during my years as king. I can also smell emotions, which is how I can tell Ren and Nora more than close."
"You can smell all of that?" Ruby asked in amazement.
"Yes," T'Challa nodded. "Now, I can tell that you didn't want the herb for its powers. I assume that it has something to do with the ancestral plane?"
T'Challa didn't need to smell the air to tell that he is right on the mark. Ruby looked down and fidgeted. After a moment, she spoke.
"I don't want the power that it gives. I just…I figured that if I can use the herb…I can see my mom."
"Summer Rose?" T'Challa asked to which Ruby nods. T'Challa placed a hand on her shoulder for comfort. "I'm sorry that you lost your mother at a young age. It must have been devastating."
"It is," Ruby said sadly. "My mom is one of the best huntresses in the world. In the coolest team that my uncle told me. Team STRQ."
"Stark will want to sponsor them," T'Challa chuckled. Ruby shared his amusement.
"Yeah, he would," Ruby said before becoming downcast. "Then, one day, she left on a mission and never came back. Everybody assumed that she is dead. For ten years we still think she's dead. When you told me…us, about the ancestral plane and how you accessed it, I thought that I might be able to go and see my mom. Ask her why she never came back and what happened to her."
Ruby stopped talking. T'Challa understood the pain and anguish her family must have been through.
"Death comes to all of us eventually," T'Challa said. "I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but it's true. When there's life, there is always death. One day, you will find out what happened to your mother. You don't need to visit the Astral Plane to find out. There may be answers waiting back on your planet."
Ruby seemed to perk up at that and thought of something. "What if Kang knows what happened to my mom? He's a time traveler, so he might know something!"
"You believe that you can just go up and ask him?" T'Challa asked with slight amusement.
"Oh no," Ruby said with a shake of her head. "We're going back to Remnant, kick his butt, and THEN ask him. It's much more fun that way and he deserves it after all he's done."
"That is a fine goal," T'Challa said. "That will help you fuel your desire to grow stronger than before. Speaking of which…"
"Oh crud, I'm almost late!" Ruby cried when she looked at her watch. She burst into rose petals and appeared at the door. Just before she exited, she turned back to the Black Panther and bowed. "It's nice talking to your majesty! I love the story of your home!"
As she exits, she saw T'Challa give her a warm smile. He knew just as his nation will live on, so will the young warrior's planet.
"Remnant Forever," He called after her out of respect.
[~][~]
In memory of Chadwick Boseman. The Black Panther and the greatest hero out of all the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Out of respect, I will not be answering questions.
Thank you for reading and please remember. Wakanda Forever.