Gilded Prison

YEAR: 1997

Garrison looked down at his wife, smiling as she held their daughter, grateful that she wasn't crying because of the cabin pressure. Taking his seat next to her, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, "I'm glad you decided to join me."

Looking up at her husband, Paige couldn't help but laugh at his obvious discomfort of flying. "Gar, would you relax, we are fine." Bouncing Avery on her knee, "And of course I'd join you, this is the first time your company has sent you somewhere remotely amazing."

Leaning over to kiss her cheek, "Well, I do remember back in college you said you wanted to come to Africa, I'm just sorry that it couldn't be more of a vacation than work."

Snorting, "I didn't care how I got there, I'm glad to be going." Glancing down at her baby, seeing that she was starting to fall asleep, slowly standing, she walked down towards where she had her car seat, when she was safely buckled in, Paige made her way back to her husband.

Pulling her into his lap, Garrison couldn't help but kiss her, he was a very lucky man to have someone so easy going with the things that happened in their lives. From the moment they met freshman year at Princeton, they were inseparable, he majored agricultural engineering, and she was a communications major.

Like now, his job was asking him to relocate to Ethiopia, while it was a 2-year assignment, he knew that his wife would explore all east Africa as time permitted. She was most excited about seeing the small village of Wakanda, tales of their simple farming, histories, and ruling family intrigued her the most. He'd be lying if he wasn't a little curious about it himself, perhaps on one of his long weekends, they would make the trip together.

"You know, this isn't the worst way to travel the world, they fly us, put us up in a nice little home until the next assignment comes along." he said. And for now, it was OK, their daughter was barely one, and living in different countries surrounded by so many different cultures would broaden her mind.

Chuckling a little bit, "You just got lucky, now you don't have to buy me that waspy house that I've dreamed up." Kissing his forehead, "However, you better know this, I will expect a cute little cabin in the mountains somewhere to retire. You got it?"

Garrison couldn't help but laugh, "Paige, I promise, you will have your little cabin in the hills, overlooking a small creek." Leaning back, he could see that Avery was dead asleep, turning his head the other way, smiling, seeing that the cabin to the cockpit was shut. Looking back at his wife, "You know, I've always wanted to join the mile high club."

Biting her lip, Paige reached down to the hem of her shirt, ready to rip it off and toss it in the chair, but as soon as her fingers touched the fabric, a loud bang shook the plane. Gripping Garrison's shoulders, her heart started to race, and the sound of Avery crying prompted her to move.

Attempting to get to her daughter, she could see smoke billowing in the cabin, taking a tentative step, she could feel Garrison trying to pull her back down into the seats. "I HAVE TO GET THE BABY!" she cried, tears streaming down her face. Yanking her wrist out of his hand, Paige gripped the seats as tightly as she could, but the plane was descending too rapidly.

Garrison watched as his wife held onto the chairs, she was so desperate to get to their daughter, but he was frozen in his spot. It was the sound of metal ripping that caused him to piss himself, turning his head, he could see the side of their jet was completely ripped off, but the last thing he saw was his wife being sucked out, her screams silenced by the roar of the engines.

Wakanda Palace

Entering the war room, King T'Chaka watched as the plane started to deviate off course and into Wakandan airspace. The sensors that usually trigger planes to move around the mountain seemed to be malfunctioning. "Bring it down."

Hearing his wife gasp, the man looked over his shoulder, he could see her distress at such a thing. "What would you have me do? They are about to fly into a mountain that doesn't exist, it needs to look like an engine failure." Turning his attention to the screen, "Ready the EMP."

Ramonda shook her head, she knew that her husband wasn't wrong, but it was unsettling to harm innocent people. Rubbing her belly, feeling her daughter kick, almost as though she too was upset that this needed to happen. "Husband, it would be wise to hack the signal of the black box and make it look like it crashed in the ocean, so no search parties head this way."

Giving her a small nod, his eyes never leaving the monitor, "Do that."

Eni did as her King ordered, once it was completed, she looked over to M'Holle, "It is done. Fire."

T'Chaka watched as the plane was brought down, it was a heavy thing, taking a life, but it was paramount that the true power of Wakanda remained a secret. Turning on his heels, he would join with Dora Milaje in securing the wreckage, and as the King, it was his job to make sure that there were no survivors.

"My King, we are approaching the plane."

Leaning back in his chair, T'Chaka nodded to his entourage, "Bring us down." Frowning at the sight before him, the weight of taking lives pull at his heart, but it was his job as King to do what is necessary to protect his people and family.

Walking up to the crash site, he could see through the window that the plane that the pilots were dead, looking over at his escort, "Make sure that they are cremated and treated with care." While they weren't from Wakanda, he would give them a proper burial of the people, it was the least he could do for taking their lives.

But when he watched them make their way inside, it was the sound of a child crying that froze his blood. Scanning the area, "FIND THE CHILD!" Fear coursing through his veins, using the agility that came with being the Black Panther, praying that Bast was on his side and the child was unharmed.

Following the sounds of the crying, T'Chaka moved the seats and debris that was in his way, cringing as the sounds got louder the more things he moved. Tossing one of the chairs off to the side, he could see pink socks wiggling, carefully lifting the wires off, his eyes took in a beautiful baby girl.

Cutting her free, he brought her to his chest, gently rubbing her back doing what he could to soothe her, "Little one, I am so sorry." Glancing down, he could see a man's body mangled, turning his body so that the baby didn't see, T'Chaka bent down grabbing her blanket and made his way out towards his ship.

Zola looked up to see her king walking out of the plane, in his arms a child. Inhaling deeply, "Is she hurt?" she asked.

Shaking his head, "No, not that I can see." Cradling her tightly in his arms, lifting his hand to his communicator, "Send another ship to clean this mess." Turning to the woman around him, "Back to the palace, now." Turning on his heels, he made his way into the ship, his arms never leaving the child.

"My King, she is about 9 months old, but other than a few bruises, she is unharmed. Perhaps her car seat saved her." Kwame said. Lifting her up, she handed her back to the King who seemed entranced with the little girl, "She is safe to travel, so one of your agents could get her across the boarders to one of the orphanages."

Hissing at the thought, "No. She is to stay here," looking over at his wife, who was somewhere between disgusted with him and angry, "I almost took her life, and I did take her parents, I can not send her away."

Ramonda couldn't keep the frown off her face if she tried, she knew that this was residual guilt over what happened with his brother and the boy. "If that is your wish, we can convene with the Tribe leaders, and pick her family."

T'Chaka couldn't take his eyes off the baby now sleeping in his arms. "No, she is ours." Without even looking up at his wife, a huge smile on his face, he had his son, who was now 7, and now he was to be a proud father of a daughter. But the longer he looked at her, the more in love he became, "Her name shall be Aiyana."

Clenching her fists, there was nothing that she could do to sway her husband, guilt is what was driving this, and until he got over this, that child would be in her home. Placing her hand her stomach, Ramonda made her way over to the pair, placing her hand on his shoulder, "If this is what you want, I will raise her with our children."

Looking up at his wife, "She is our child now too." It was important for her to understand this, and make sure that Aiyana never felt out of place in her home.

Tilting her head, Romanda would do what he asked of her, but she would not pretend that the child was hers. "I love you, but I can not love a child that is not mine." Glancing down at the baby, "I will raise her right, I will never mistreat her, but she is not my daughter," placing her hand on her stomach as the baby kicked, "Shuri is mine, T'Challa is mine."

Kissing his cheek, "I know that this may upset you, but I will not pretend my King." Turning around, she was tired and soon her son would be up, and she needed as much rest as she could get before that.

T'Chaka watched as his wife walked out of the room, a little disappointed in her words, but he could not blame her it was a lot to ask. Holding her tightly to his chest, "Do not worry my Aiyana, in time, her heart will swell, and she will love you like no other." Making his way to her new room, T'Chaka gently placed her into her crib, smiling as she snuggled deeper into it.

With a last look, he couldn't help but wipe the tear from his face, "I promise you Aiyana, I will do right by you." Looking over at the nanny, "Keep her warm, safe, and fed." With that, T'Chaka made his way to his chambers, he was in desperate need of rest, and he knew that his son would be up as soon as the sun rose over the mountains.

TIME JUMP 23 YEARS – (1 Month Prior to Civil War/Black Panther)

Ramonda paced back and forth unable to truly process what Aiyana requested, it wasn't something so out of the ordinary, but fear still filled her.

T'Chaka walked into the throne room, he watched as his wife muttered to herself, "My love, what has you so uneasy?" he asked her.

Her eyes snapping up at the sound of his voice, in the past the sight of him would have brought her peace, but the man always had a blind spot for that girl. Even she, over time grew to care for her, but she never loved her as her own child, but she never mistreated her, made sure to give her affections so that she didn't feel like she was a burden.

"She wants to go to undergraduate school." She said in a rush. Clasping her hands together, feeling the tension in her body.

Making his way over to his wife, his thumb lightly touching her cheek, "And what is so wrong with that, our son went to Oxford." Not understanding his wife's dilemma.

Rolling her eyes, "If she wants to go to college, she can go to Wakanda University, but she wants to go to Oxford. You know that it cannot happen."

Sighing, "You say this, but you haven't given me a reason why?" T'Chaka wouldn't just say yes or no, he needed the facts before he decided. Taking a seat, his eyes following her as she paced back and forth. "Ramonda what is it?"

Looking at her husband, "As much as you love her, she is not of Wakanda, she is an outsider." Sighing, "I've grown to have love for her, she is kind, smart, and she has a good heart, but if she leaves this place, what is she to say about her family?" Walking over to him, she knelt, "You've never publicly claimed her to the world, because in your heart you knew it would raise too many questions."

T'Chaka looked down at his wife and he could see the fear swimming there. He knew that she was right, with their son, they made a point to visit him, as most families would do, she would have to pretend that she had no one. More so, they would have to create documents and a false life for her, and while it was doable, if for one moment she slipped, the threat of exposure would be too great.

Sighing, T'Chaka took ahold of her face, placing a small kiss on her lips, "As much as it pains me to tell her no, you are right my love." As the words left his mouth, he could see the instant relief on her face, "I will go talk to her."

Ramonda stood, grateful that he listened to her about this matter, "It is not like she will not be educated, Shuri chose to go to University here."

Taking a hold of her arms, "I know, I hate to deny any of my children, but I see that in this case, it is best." Looking at his watch, he knew that this time of the day, Aiyana would be in the library, "I must finish up some things with General Okoye, then I will talk to her."

Watching her husband leave the throne room, Ramonda knew that this was hard on him, he loved her dearly, she was his reminder that even as a King he could make the wrong choices. Turning towards the window, smiling at the city below her, they had everything that they could ever need here, the outside world not ever truly touch this place.

Aiyana found herself leaning against the pillar, hot tears streaming down her face, she didn't mean to listen to their conversation, but when she heard what they were discussing it was too tempting to turn away. Wiping her face, a part of her knew that her mother was always a little different with her, but until this moment she never felt that she was not part of the family.

Hanging her head, she didn't want to leave Wakanda because she was completely unhappy here, but she wanted to see the world outside of beautiful place. If she was being honest, she wanted to see others like her, being the only person with pale white skin, had its own challenges. No one was ever outwardly rude to her, most accepted her as the adoptive daughter of the King, but no one really took the time to get to know her the way they have T'Challa or Shuri.

It didn't take her long to realize that she was just on the outskirts of everything, at first, she used to think it was because she was considered a princess, but as she got older, it was clear that it wasn't because of who her adoptive parents were.

Even her siblings, Shuri was always so busy with school, but being a certified genius, it was to be expected. T'Challa, while he was 8 years older than she, he played with her as much as he could, but from an early age he was in training to be the next King.

Shaking her head, Aiyana pushed herself off the pillar and darted towards the one place that always gave her peace. Moving quickly through the palace, the moment she felt the sun on her face, she ran as fast and as hard as she could. If anything, trying to dull the pain that was breaking her heart, it wasn't the first time she'd overheard something that tore another little piece of her soul away, and it probably wasn't going to be the last.

By the time she reached the edge of the river, her lungs, legs, and heart were all burning from being pushed to the limit. Hunching over, she attempted to bring as much air into her lungs as she could, it took a few minutes but soon her heart started to slow, and she was able to get a good lung full of air.

Plopping down on the rocks, her eyes turned towards the base of the mountains, Rwenzori, somewhere up there the Jabari Tribe have made their home. As a child, she loved hearing the stories of the tribes, but it was always the Jabari that held her interest. Choosing to isolate themselves from the rest of Wakanda always made her wonder, what became of them, how did they survive in such an unforgiving place?

Lifting her knees to her chin, Aiyana continued to stare up at the mountain, she could just barely make out the top, it was so high that the clouds covered it as though it was another layer of protection from prying eyes.

Feeling a tear slide down her face, Aiyana did her best to shake it off, but knowing that neither one of her parents thought that she could be trusted to leave this place, just fucking hurt. Letting herself mourn, if only for a bit, there was nothing that could be done, nor would she argue with them, it was their right as King & Queen to allow anyone to leave or not.

Picking up a pebble, she chucked it into the river, smiling as she was able to make it skip a few times. Perhaps they were right, what the hell would she do in the world without her family, she knew of what happened to her birth parents, they told her when she was about 13 when she started asking questions. Never once did she blame her father, in his mind he was doing what he needed to do to protect his country.

But perhaps that was when she started to understand things a little more, he loved her, he said it to her every time he saw her. However, it was clear, guilt drove him to bring her to Wakanda, it was guilt that had him raise her as his own and learning that at such a young age hurt.

Chewing on her lip, Aiyana couldn't help but wonder, what would her life had been if he did bring her to an orphanage somewhere in Europe or the U.S, would she have been happier? Would she have had the same educational opportunities that she received here? Probably not, Wakanda was far more advanced than the rest of the world, and if she was raised elsewhere, who knows what would have become of her.

Glancing down at her dress, it was a deep purple with gold trimming on it, the colors of the royal family. While her heart was still breaking to knowing that she would never see the outside world, she had been accepted into the family, some more than others, and for that she was grateful.

Seeing the sun was starting to set over the valley, Aiyana knew that she needed to be getting back, while she would not be going to Oxford, she would continue to study in the libraires, for she memorized the Wakandan histories, perhaps when T'Challa and Shuri married, they would allow her to teach their children.

Jumping down from the rock that she found herself on, Aiyana gave one last glance up to the mountain, "Perhaps one day, I will see it." She muttered to herself. Turning towards the city, she made the long trek back home, hopeful that her parents weren't going to be to upset that she was not in the palace.

Sitting on her bed, Aiyana carefully brushed her hair, frowning at its color. Everyone around her had dark brown hair, unless they were older, but her hair, was almost the color of ice and it just made her stand out even more than she already did. She wanted to dye it brown when she was younger, but her father told her that she needed to accept who she was.

Sighing, it was always easy for everyone around her to say that they belonged here, she did not. Shaking her head, doing what she could to stop her train of thought, while she wasn't happy, there was no way that she was going to feel sorry for herself, it would do no good but only serve to make her more upset.
Hearing a knock on her door, Aiyana stood slowly and made her way over, and as she opened it, she found her father on the other side. "Baba."

Smiling down at her, T'Chaka could see that she was getting ready for bed, "I'm sorry for disturbing you, do you have a moment to speak to your old man?"

Opening the door wider, Aiyana stepped aside allowing him to pass by her, "Of course." Taking a seat by the fireplace, she watched as he looked around her room. After about a minute, Aiyana watched as he finally took the seat across from her, "Is everything OK?" worried that something else was happening.

T'Chaka looked at his eldest daughter, she had grown into a beautiful woman, from the color of her hair to the light blue of her eyes, she was stunning. Any member of one of the tribes would be lucky for her hand, but stupid prejudices kept suitors from approaching the subject with him.

"Yes, my daughter, everything is fine." Giving her a small smile, he could feel his heart breaking, instead of coming here with news that she would want to hear, he was about to break her heart. Sighing, "Your mother told me that you asked to go to college in Oxford," pausing to formulate his words, "after careful consideration, I cannot allow this." He said to her. Mentally preparing for her to look at him as though he struck her.

Aiyana inhaled deeply, grateful that she already knew this, for if not, she would end up crying like a baby in front of him. Tilting her head, she could see that it hurt him to tell her no like this, but his job was to Wakanda first. Reaching over, she lightly touched his hands, "It's alright, I'm a little upset, but I know you didn't make this decision lightly."

Taking ahold of her hand, holding it tightly, relief filled him, if she was to start crying, he wasn't sure if he'd be able to take that. Bringing her hand to his lips, placing a kiss on her knuckles, "Thank you for being so understanding my child."

"Of course, Baba." Tucking some hair behind her ear with her other hand, "I will speak with the professors at Wakanda University, I'm sure I will find a doctorate program that I wouldn't mind exploring there."

Waving his hand, "Perhaps, sweet girl, but perhaps something else would be up your alley." If anyone could start opening the lines of communication with the Jabari, it could be Aiyana.

Looking at him, Aiyana could see the wheels turning in his head, "Baba, what do you have in mind?" Curious to see what he was thinking. Even after all this time, she knew that he loved to find things for her, to make her feel more included in their world.

T'Chaka gripped her hands a little tighter, "Tomorrow, I am going to attempt to see the Jabari, it is time to at least have an open dialogue with the people, and I would like you to go with me." His eyes watching her process his words.

Aiyana found herself leaning back in her chair, "Baba, there are more appropriate emissaries that could broker communication, why would you think that I could be able to do that?" As much as she would have loved to go, she was sure that the more traditional values of the Jabari would have issues with her skin tone.

"My beautiful girl, do you not see, you are more versed in the histories of Wakanda than anyone else. Your whole life has been spent in the libraries, reading, studying them. You are the only one that I trust that would not only be able to communicate our histories, but you would be able to translate theirs to us." Tilting his head, he could see the apprehension in her eyes. "Do you trust me?"

Blinking rapidly, "Of course, Baba. You know I trust you." Chewing the inside of her cheek, "What does mama say about this?"

Sighing, "She doesn't want you to go, not because she doesn't think you could handle it, but she's afraid of the Jabari. For nearly a thousand years we have been told stories of their savagery, but I do not believe such things."

Aiyana stared at him for a moment, "Baba, this isn't about bringing them into the tribes, is it?" She asked, a little worried that this was a way for him to bring all 5 tribes under one ruler.

Ever so smart and brave. For she was the only ever willing to truly ask him what his motivations were when he made his decisions. Smiling at her, while she may not have been born of Wakandan blood, but some ways, she was connected in ways that the other people weren't. "No, I am not interested in uniting the Tribes in such a way. If they are happy up on that mountain, let them be, but what kind of a King does not have communication with another neighboring community?"

"Sorry, Baba." Feeling a little embarrassed that she questioned him so.

Chuckling a bit, "Never be sorry, daughter, I always appreciated it when you question me." Leaning forward, his elbows on his knees, "So, will you join me?"

Exhaling, while it wasn't leaving Wakanda, she would be going somewhere that no one has gone before. "Of course." Turning her eyes, she could just see the outline of the mountains from her window, "Baba, I would suggest that you send a drone or something to their chief, if anything to let them know that you are coming, so they don't assume the worst."

Moving to stand, T'Chaka extended his hand to hers, pulling her up. Placing a small kiss on her cheek, "That my daughter is such a great idea, I will do that before I head off to bed." Opening her door, "Please, dress appropriately, for it will not be warm on the mountain. I will see you at breakfast. Goodnight daughter."

Nodding, "Goodnight Baba, I will make sure I wear warmer clothes." Sighing in relief as he shut the door. Her head leaning against the door, her mind doing what it could to process all the information that he dropped in her lap. Exhaling slowly, Aiyana made her way over to the window, her eyes staring into the night, it was only the full moon that made the mountains slightly visible.

While she wasn't sure if she was the best choice to do this, it was the first time in her almost 24 years that he asked her to do something this important. And she was going to make sure that she made him proud, perhaps if she proved herself, he would finally allow her to see the world outside of Wakanda.

M'Baku looked down at the machine that was sent to Gorilla City, hating the thing just on principle. "What is this?" he asked his council.

Bowing his head, Ekon looked up at his chief, "It is a drone, it has a message from King T'Chaka." This was the first time in close to 500 years, that a King of Wakanda even attempted to make contact.

Rolling his eyes, "Too afraid to deliver it himself?" he said, his voice holding some humor. Huffing, "Play it, let us see what the King wants."

Nodding, Ekon hit play, stepping back when the image of the King illuminated the council room.

"M'Baku, White Gorilla, Lord of the Jabari Tribe, I have sent this message ahead of my arrival. It is time for communications to be opened from Wakanda to the Jabari. As the King, it is my duty to ensure that we continue to live in peace. My eldest daughter will be making the trip with me, for she has the greatest knowledge of our histories, and I hope, that we can learn from each other. If our arrival is not what you or your people want, we will leave, we do not wish to instigate war between our beautiful country."

Leaning back against his throne, he watched as the image of the King disappeared. For a few moments he stared at the space the image was just occupying, his mind at war with what he wanted verses what should be done. Everything in his body told him that they did not need to speak with the valley dwellers, but perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing.

Glancing around the council, he could see that they too were on the fence about this revelation. Locking eyes with advisor, "And what do you think?"

Sighing, Ibo knew that it wasn't going to be a popular opinion, but he wasn't an advisor so that he could tell the Lord what he wanted to hear, it was his job to tell him what he needed to hear. "My Lord, our ancestors chose to leave the city behind, for they wanted to live in the ancient ways, and we have for close to a thousand years. Would it be so bad for us to learn from them?"

Shaking his head, Ibo wasn't wrong, only a fool would close themselves off completely. Looking over at Ekon, "Do you feel the same?" he asked.

"I do," frowning at his own words, "However, I think it must be clear as soon as he enters the city, that no matter what we learn, or what they learn, that we have no interest in kneeling before him as King." That was all that really mattered to him, that the King did not come with expectations of them bowing before him.

M'Baku couldn't help but agree, "I shall let it be known." Standing his eyes looking at the people, "We are Jabari, we are free from the rule of the King of Wakanda, and until my last breath, I will ensure that it remains so." His fist beating his chest, the sounds of his people calling out his name, it is what drove him, it was his job to protect them, to watch over them and he would until Hanuman took him from this world.

Taking a seat, he leaned into his chair, his mind playing out every scenario that he could think of. While he couldn't plan out every little detail, he knew this, if the King came to his home under a false flag, he would cave his fucking head in, and send it back to his son.

*Italic is the language of Wakanda*
-Baba- Father-Swahili