Sorry it's taken me so long to get this up, I have not had much time to write this week at all but that's enough excuses. Hope you guys enjoy this.
Ellie Bishop: Good old Sam indeed. Yeah, Thor has every right to be angry at Sif; she's got her work cut out for her. Oh agreed, Bucky/Nat is as much a missed opportunity in the MCU as Steve/Nat. Eh, Oliver/Laurel was problematic (and I hate using that word, so me saying it says a lot) from the start and was never that great to begin with. And the harassment of Laurel fanatics has made me lose all sympathy for them. Yep LOL! Glad to hear it.
Jinero: Well that's surprising.
Guest 1: Eh. While Tony clearly loved Morgan, he made some pretty big mistakes regarding her safety: he left her unsupervised by a lake, where she could have drowned, and apparently leaves his workshop full of weapons unlocked to the point she's able to go in and take something. Both can end in disaster with a four year old. And can I just say how weird it is you felt the need to inject Tony into a conversation that has nothing to do with him?
Guest 2: Glad it was great. Glad to hear it.
Guest 3: 1, seems more like nostalgia bait to me. 2, Agree to disagree, because nothing I saw about Killmonger seemed redeemable.
Guest 4: No, this is Patrick.
Wakanda
Morning
On the balcony of the throne room, T'Challa was looking out over Wakanda as the sun rose over his country. T'Challa stared out the city, a reflective look on his face as someone walked up beside him.
"It seems bigger than the night before," T'Challa noted.
"Probably because it will be yours after today," Okoye noted as she looked at her friend with concern. "Are you alright my Prince? You seem…different somehow."
"I have…been exposed to many truths, some of which were difficult to accept," T'Challa said after a moment. "Things are not as simple as I once believed. I see things differently now."
Okoye was silent as she eyed T'Challa. He had different the last few days. More withdrawn, staring into space at times, deep in thought. Less willing to rely on W'Kabi's council than he been before, to the confusion of her husband and herself. It was like her friend suddenly had the weight of the world on his shoulders, even before T'Chaka had made the decision to step down and hand him the throne.
T'Challa was definitely different. Okoye would simply have to wait and see if that was just a bad thing.
Avengers Compound
Same time
"So what do you say kid?"
Wanda paused, looking away from the laptop screen which showed Clint's face. Steve had told her before he left that Clint was going to call her via video chat in a few days. Half an hour ago, Clint had finally made contact shortly after she got dressed. And he'd explained to her the plan to bring her down to the Barton farm before The Accords could become an issue.
It was a smart plan, Wanda knew. If half the things Clint and Natasha had told her about Ross were true, she would never be safe as long as he was in a position of power, especially with the Accords coming into effect. Still-
"Won't your wife have a problem with that?" Wanda asked, not wanting to cause any problems for Clint.
"She's already agreed to it," Clint said, smiling at the surprised look on Wanda's face. "My wife is insanely understanding."
"When would I be coming down?" Wanda asked wearily.
She loved Clint, she did, but the idea of spending time as a guest in his house, with his wife and children…it was uncomfortable to her.
"We're still working out the details but probably a week after Lagos. You don't have to say yes, just…say you'll think about it," Clint almost pleaded and, after a few moments, Wanda nodded.
"Okay, I'll think about it," Wanda agreed uneasily.
No sooner had the words left her mouth than she heard the roar of a Quinjet engine and the sound of the hanger doors opening. Steve and Natasha were back, Wanda realized.
A few minutes later, Steve and Natasha were leading Bucky down the ramp of the Quinjet. Bucky's eyes darted around the room uneasily, like he was looking for the best escape route.
"It's okay Buck, you're safe here," Steve told him gently, realizing it would take time for Bucky to stop feeling like a target.
After everything he'd been through with Hydra, plus two years on the run, it would be hard for Bucky to let his guard down. But hopefully, Steve could help him with that. He just wasn't sure how yet.
It was silent between the trio as Steve and Natasha led Bucky into the Compound. Bucky's eyes looked at everything carefully, taking in every detail. It was something that had been drilled into him by Hydra, a habit he couldn't seem to break even two years after breaking free of them.
As the trio reached the living area, Bucky saw the other Avengers were all there, as though they were waiting for them. Which they probably were, Bucky mused. A black man that looked vaguely familiar to Bucky got to his feet and walked over, holding a hand out to Bucky.
"Hey. I'm Sam," Sam introduced himself and, after a moment of staring at the offered hand, Bucky reached out and took it with his flesh arm.
"Bucky," Bucky introduced himself.
"I know. We've met," Sam said as they dropped hands. "Sort of."
And now Bucky remembered where he had seen Sam before. Sam had been the man in the wing-suit who had been helping Steve during the uprising. If Bucky recalled correctly, he had shot at Sam.
"Sorry. About DC," Bucky said awkwardly and Sam shrugged.
"Not the first time someone shot at me. But, if you wanna make up for it, I'm sure you have some stories about Steve that we'd all love to hear," Sam said, flashing a smirk at Steve.
As Steve rolled his eyes good naturedly, Bucky cracked a smile. He liked Sam, Bucky decided.
"You have no idea," Bucky said as Steve was starting to regret bringing them together.
"Hey," Rhodey got to his feet, walking over and holding a hand out to Bucky. "Colonel James Rhodes. But everyone calls me Rhodey."
Bucky nodded, shaking Rhodey's hand as he eyed Rhodey. A first impression was always deceptive, Bucky had learned. Rhodey seemed alright though. But it's not like Bucky was in any position to judge Steve's teammates.
"And this is Vision," Rhodey said as they dropped hands, gesturing to the red humanoid standing behind them dressed in casual clothes.
"Hello Sergeant Barnes," Vision said politely.
"It's just Bucky," Bucky said, eying Vision thoughtfully.
He obviously wasn't human, judging by the awkward social skills Vision seemed to possess. Bucky honestly wasn't sure what to think of Vision just yet. But, at the very least, Vision seemed like he didn't have any malicious intent towards Bucky, which was hard to come by these days.
Hearing movement, Bucky turned his head slightly, seeing someone else enter the room. It was a girl in her early twenties, Bucky noted. She had pale skin with dark hair and green eyes. She was pretty, Bucky noted. The old him would have gone after her in a second. Now he just noticed how sad she seemed.
"Wanda," Steve called out and she looked over at her leader.
"Steve," Wanda said with a nod before looking over at Bucky. "You must be Bucky."
"Yeah. And you must be Wanda," Bucky noted and she managed a slight smile.
"Yeah. It's nice to meet you," she said politely.
"You two," Bucky said lowly, cocking his head to the side slightly.
Before another word could be spoken, there was a beep. Steve walked over to a desk and pressed a holographic button. A holographic screen appeared in front of the desk, showing outside the front gate.
"Hello my friends. May we come in?" Thor asked as, on the screen, they saw him and Loki standing outside a car, Loki in handcuffs.
San Francisco
Same time
In the park, Scott sat on a bench, watching as Cassie played with some other children. Completely engrossed in his daughter, Scott didn't notice as someone sat down next to him.
"She's a cute kid," Scott almost jumped, turning his head and seeing Tony Stark sitting next to him, wearing sunglasses.
"What are you doing here?" Scott asked, looking around but, surprisingly, no one seemed to notice Tony was there.
"No one's heard from you since we got back," Tony noted.
"I've just been…taking a few personal days," Scott said as he turned back to watch Cassie.
"I might need your help with something," Tony said after a few moments.
"With what?" Scott sighed, having suspected as much.
"Adrian Toomes. He was a construction worker who was put out of work following the Chitauri invasion. He got his hands on some Chitauri weapons and he and his crew have become their own version of the Royal Flush Gang," Tony explained as Scott looked back over at him. "In the future, they were…a problem for Peter."
"You want my help stopping them so he doesn't have to," Scott realized.
"If it comes to that. I was partially to blame for Toomes losing his job. The kid shouldn't have to suffer for my mistakes," Tony said with a heavy sigh. "Just…I might call you in a few days. Be ready for that."
"Okay," Scott agreed after a moment, beginning to realize what he had signed up for.
"Have you told Pym and Van Dyne yet?" Tony asked and the look on Scott's face was all he needed. "…Really?"
"I just…I haven't figured out how yet," Scott said lamely.
"And will you still be looking when two years go by and they need to rescue Janet?" Tony asked pointedly. "As the world's leading expert in keeping secrets from his friends, let me tell you that it only bites you in the ass."
"You're right," Scott said with a sigh. "I'll tell them, soon."
Avengers Compound
Not long after
"You're sure he can be trusted?" Sam asked as Thor led Loki inside.
"The cuffs around his hands will nullify his magic, they are of the same kind we used on him after New York," Thor assured the human.
Which was only partially the truth. Since their visit to their father, Loki had been different. Withdrawn, deep in thought. Thor knew his brother well enough to know he was thinking about Odin, about how his powers had been drained. An Asgardian's power is what allowed them to live such long lives. Without it, their father would die, soon. While two years seemed like forever to a human, it was the blink of an eye to an Asgardian. Loki was reflecting on his own actions and what they had caused. Thor would need to have a talk with his brother, but for now, there were more important matters at hand.
"You must be James," Thor said as he turned is gaze to Bucky, who eyed him wearily.
"My name is Bucky," Bucky told him and Thor nodded.
"It's nice to meet you Bucky," Thor told him kindly.
"You're Thor. Not the God I ever expected to meet," Bucky noted and Thor chuckled.
"I may appear as a god to you, but I am simply a man, trying to help," Thor said before turning to Steve. "Speaking of which, Cap, may I speak with you and the little witch in private?"
Not long after, Steve, Thor and Wanda, who was wondering what she was doing there, stood in the conference room.
"Tomorrow, I plan to head to Sakaar to retrieve Banner and Valkyrie," Thor said before looking over at the curious Wanda. "I would like to bring Wanda along."
"Why me?" Wanda asked in surprise.
"Because even I cannot enter the Grandmaster's palace alone, and I doubt the Valkyrie will be willing to listen," Thor said with a grimace. "Also, I believe you may be able to help reach Banner inside Hulk, the way you reached Hulk inside Banner a year ago."
Wanda grimaced at the memory. That was not a period of her life she liked to think about a whole lot. But, it made sense, she admitted. If could enrage Bruce enough to turn him into the Hulk, she could probably calm Hulk down enough to turn him back into Bruce.
"Wanda? What are you thinking?" Steve asked as he saw a look that he'd realized a few months after meeting Wanda meant she was deep in thought.
"If it's okay, I'd like to go," Wanda said as she looked over at Steve.
"You're a grown woman Wanda, you don't need my permission. But be careful out there," Steve said before turning to Thor. "Watch out for her."
"I will," Thor promised.
Wakanda
Later in the afternoon
T'Challa felt a sense of déjà vu washed over him as he stood in the Royal Talon Fighter, clutching the spear in his hand and a shield in the other. The ramp lowered and T'Challa emerged, taking a moment to look at all the tribes of Wakanda, assembled for the ceremony. All but one. But he knew they would be here.
T'Challa allowed the feeling of the air and water to hit him, seeing his father standing with his mother and sister. Father and son exchanged a meaningful glance, T'Chaka nodding with a proud smile as Zuri began the proceedings.
"I, Zuri, son of Badu, give to you Prince T'Challa, the Black Panther!" Zuri announced.
T'Challa assumed the traditional pose as the crowd cheered before mimicking the pose. A priestess that was nearby handed Zuri a bowl full of liquid. T'Challa fought the grimace that threated to cross his face. This part he was not look forward to.
"The Prince will now have the strength of the Black Panther stripped away," Zuri announced as he walked over to T'Challa.
T'Challa drank the liquid from the ball when Zuri offered it to him. Almost before he could finish, indescribable agony wracked through his body. He managed not to scream as the bowl was then taken from him, vaguely aware of drums beating. T'Challa looked, breathing heavily as the pain faded. T'Challa managed to pull himself to his feet as Zuri continued the ceremony.
"Praise the Ancestors!" Zuri cried in Xhosa, a cry that was echoed by the crowd before he returned to English. "Victory in ritual combat comes by yield or death. If any tribe wishes to put forth a warrior, I now offer a path to the throne."
T'Challa was only half paying attention at this point as one by one, the tribes declined to put forth a warrior. He was simply waiting now, although he did crack a smile when Shuri jokingly suggested they get on with it. Then, he heard it.
T'Challa steeled himself as the telltale sounds of the Jibari Tribe's chanting filled the air. Everyone turned as M'Baku led his people down the water fall.
"M'Baku, what is the meaning of this?" T'Chaka thundered as M'Baku removed his mask.
"It's challenge day," M'Baku said simply before turning to address the crowd. "We have watched and listened from the mountains! We have watched as your technological advancements are overseen by a child!"
T'Challa gripped his sword tightly as M'Baku aimed his weapon at Shuri only for several spears to be aimed at his chest. T'Challa knew M'Baku did not wish Shuri harm, but that didn't mean he liked how M'Baku was semi threatening her.
"Who scoffs at tradition," M'Baku finished before turning back to T'Challa. "And now you want to hand the throne over to this prince who is no more than a boy. No, we will not have it. I said, we will not have it!"
"I accept your challenge M'Baku," T'Challa said calmly before M'Baku could even give the challenge.
"Glory to Hanuman," M'Baku said as he stepped back.
The drums began to beat as T'Challa was fitted with a Panther mask and the Jibari fitted M'Baku with his own gorilla mask. It was already his first test as king. T'Challa knew he had to play this carefully if his plan was to succeed. T'Challa called the Dora Milaje forward as M'Baku called his own guards. T'Challa and M'Baku stood in the circle and waited.
"Let the challenge begin!" Zuri declared.
Remembering the recordings, T'Challa managed to dodge M'Baku's first few strikes before delivering a powerful kick to M'Baku's chest that sent the larger man stumbling back. However, M'Baku then moved with surprising speed, attempting to strike him with his Knobkerrie. T'Challa used his shield to block the blow before grabbing onto the weapon. Using his agility, T'Challa swung up and kicked the surprised M'Baku in the head.
M'Baku was thrown back, losing his grip on his weapon. T'Challa tossed it on the ground before him, inches from M'Baku. Overcoming his surprise at such a move, M'Baku grabbed it before rushing T'Challa once more. They swung their weapons at each other in a dance before M'Baku, to T'Challa's surprise, managed to grab him in a bear hug, nearly crushing him.
"No powers," M'Baku said, head-butting the surprised T'Challa before following up with another. "No claws. No special suit. Just a boy, not fit to lead!"
Engaged, T'Challa brought up his sword, cutting along M'Baku's side. M'Baku let him go as T'Challa kicked him in the chest, sending the larger man on his back. Before M'Baku could move, T'Challa had the sword at his neck and M'Baku froze. In a battle, they both knew, T'Challa would have won at this move.
"Yield," T'Challa commanded.
"I would rather die," M'Baku sneered.
"Your people need you M'Baku. You have fought with honor. Now yield," T'Challa commanded.
For a moment, the entire waterfall was silent; the only sound that of rushing water. Then, after a moment, M'Baku spoke.
"I yield," he gave in, the crowd cheering.
T'Challa lowered his sword and then, to M'Baku's surprise, offered him a hand up. After a moment, M'Baku accepted it and T'Challa helped him stand.
"You now owe me a debt," T'Challa pointed out as they dropped hands. "Meet me at the Golden City in three days' time."
"For what?" M'Baku asked with a sneer.
"For a meeting. Regardless of the outcome, you may consider your debt paid," T'Challa told him.
For a moment, M'Baku stared at him before nodding. T'Challa returned the nod before turning back, walking forward as Zuri spoke.
"I now present to you, King T'Challa, the Black Panther!"
T'Challa has now become king and his meeting with M'Baku is going to be the first real ripple effect.
A preview for next chapter: Thor and Wanda go to Sakaar, T'Challa has an unnerving encounter and a reunion a long time coming finally happens.
