Mary stood on the Royal boat that was traveling to the cliffs where T'Challa's Challenge Day would be held. She had gotten the odd looks as she stepped onto the boat beside Shuri and Ramonda. Most of the people attending the ceremony hadn't met Mary yet, they had only heard through the grape vine that she was going to be apart of the Royal Staff. Becoming T'Challa's Advisor was no easy task to undertake and Mary knew that. She knew people would disapprove of her status and ethnicity. She was the outsider. The one that her ancestors had been known to take the people of Africa from their homeland. She was ashamed of them, but she wouldn't let that define how she was going to help the nation achieve what T'Chaka wanted for his people. What T'Challa wants for his people.

But she wasn't alone in this anymore, her brother had surprised Mary by bringing her apprentice to her. The three spent all night talking and discussing what had happened after Evelyn had left them in the under ground parking lot in Germany. Throughout them talking, Steve never once let Evelyn out of his grasp. Whether that was holding her hand or going as far as Evelyn sitting on his knee. They two had officially became a couple when he found her in New York. Her own story to tell as well. She had been staying with Stephen, the two considering themselves as siblings. The neurosurgeon had welcomed her with open arms until Steve appeared in her bedroom one night, asking her to come with him. She never even hesitated to join her beloved Captain.

Evelyn had been brought to Wakanda to aide Mary and Shuri in healing Bucky's mind, but also to ease Mary's nerves of being in a foreign country for the foreseeable future. Steve had told his girlfriend about Mary being pregnant and that only solidified Evelyn's intent on coming, wanting to help her mentor with the pregnancy as much as she could.

"Ngcuka yempunga!" Gray Wolf Shuri shouted as she danced with her mother on the large boat, gaining the advisor's attention though she had never been called that name before. Mary had become nearly fluent in Xhosa when she and T'Chaka started talking before his passing, wanting to know his and his people's language to better communicate with them.

Mary smiles softly as she watches Shuri and her mother, "Ewe?" Yes? The expecting mother called back over the beating of the drums behind her. She would have to ask Shuri about the name after the ceremony. It peaked her interest as to why Shuri called her that and not by her name.

"Come watch this!" Shuri states, her mother and her finishing the dance as they stand at the edge of the boat. The princess motioning for Mary to stand with them. The hazel eyes woman was nervous, but nodded as she stepped towards them, walking over to Shuri and Ramonda. The two wearing their ceremonial outfits, Shuri had pointed out the changes to made to it as the two women got dressed earlier that day. The mother and daughter had made Mary a special outfit for the ceremony and it nearly brought the advisor to tears. She was unsure until that moment that she would be attending the ceremony. Shuri was confused as to why Mary was crying but Ramonda assured her daughter that it was the hormones of her pregnancy and the fact that she was being welcomed into this honored tradition of the nation rich with beautiful culture.

Mary smiled at Shuri as she watched Okoye and the Dora raise their spears into the air shouting, "Phambili!" Onward When they slammed the bottoms of their spears down onto their boat, Mary felt the water shift. She watched in amazement as whirlpools began to appear in the river, retracting the waterfall to reveal cliffs.

"Is this where it takes place?" Mary asks Shuri.

The princess nods, "The tribes stand on the cliffs, the elders stand in front towards the bottom. You will be beside Okoye adjacent from Mother and I to keep the Elders appeased." Mary nods, understanding why she wont be standing beside them like they often have her do. But she's happy to be with Okoye. It doesn't take long for everyone attending to stand on the cliff rocks. Mary stands beside Okoye and the general smiles at the advisor. She looks over, seeing who Shuri told her was Zuri. Mary and Zuri were both advisors to T'Challa, the shaman being T'Challa's advisor for Wakanda and Mary being his advisor for the outside world. The two had briefly been introduced and Mary hoped to get to know the shaman better since the two of them would be working along side each other more than most.

Soon Mary hears the drums get louder, the tribes dance on the cliffs as the Talon Fighter hovers over the water at the bottom of the cliffs, when the door of the aircraft is open, the people begin to sing in Xhosa as T'Challa steps out. Mary watches the soon to be king look around at all the people on the cliffs, hundreds upon hundreds of people from the tribes. Mary only wished her family were here to witness this along side with her. But she knew Becca was home where she belonged with Peter in Queens and Steve was out doing what he does best, helping people in need. Mary looked over at Shuri and Ramonda, seeing them sing as well. Mary smiled, but didn't join in. T'Challa's brown eyes met her hazel ones and she gave him a small thumbs up in encouragement. Her friend chuckled briefly as he made his way to where Zuri was standing.

The Shaman then looked to the crowd, gaining their attention after the aircraft leaves, "I, Zuri, son of Badu give to you, Prince T'Challa." He announces, "The Black Panther!" He shouts, T'Challa moves, crossing his shield and short spear across each other and kneeling in front of his people to show humbleness and submission to them. The tribespeople all saluted back, crossing their arms over their chests briefly, Mary following suit gave her a sense of pride in the nation she was still learning about. Zuri then takes a bowl from the Shawoman beside him, lifting it in the air for the people to see, "The prince will now have the strength of the Black Panther stripped away." He announces and Mary's eyes widen.

"What?" She asks Okoye nervously.

Okoye rests her hand on Mary's shoulder, "It's how ritual combat is fought. It would be unfair to the opponent if T'Challa had the strength of the Black Panther while fighting." The general explains quietly. "Just follow us."

Mary nods slowly, taking in the explanation from Okoye as Zuri gives T'Challa the liquid in the bowl, stripping away the powers of the Black Panther. The doctor watches her friend convulse, she wants to step forward and help him, but she knows that's not what needs to be done. It's apart of the ceremony. Mary watches Shuri and the others cross their arms over their chests in waiting as T'Challa adjusts to the powers he no longer has. She follows them like Okoye told her to do. She watches slowly as T'Challa breathes heavily but slowly stands onto his own two feet.

"Dumisani izinyanya." Praise the ancestors Zuri states and the tribespeople repeat him. "Victory in ritual combat comes by yield or death." He states how it will go and it only makes Mary nervous for her friend. But Okoye senses her new friend's nerves, placing her hand on the pale woman's arm in comfort. "If any tribe wishes to put forth a warrior I now offer a path to the throne." He states, looking at the tribal elders.

Mary looks over at the Merchant Tribe as their warrior shouts and steps forward, the tribal elder looks at Zuri, "The Merchant Tribe will not challenge today." She announces.

The Border Tribe's warrior shouts next, Mary looks over to see W'Kabi standing next to the tribal elder. She had only briefly been introduced to him as well. Beside Mary, Okoye smiled softly for a moment. The woman then knew that the general and W'Kabi were together. "The Border Tribe will not challenge today." The tribal elder announces.

Nakia shouts next for the River Tribe. Mary turns her head to see her standing slightly in front of her tribal elder, the advisor smirks slightly when she sees T'Challa and Nakia exchange small smiles at each other as the tribal elder speaks, "The River Tribe will not challenge today."

Mary looks over at the Mining Tribe as they shout for their tribe, "The Mining tribe will not challenge today." The tribal elder speaks.

Zuri looks over at the center of the cliffs where the royal family and the some of the Dora stand, "Is there any member with royal blood who wishes to challenge for the throne?" Zuri asks, opening up the chance for Shuri to possibly challenge her brother.

Mary's eyes widen along with Ramonda's as Shuri raises her hand. The crowds of people being to whisper in shock until Shuri begins to speak, "This corset is really uncomfortable-" She turns to look at the people behind her on the cliffs, "so could we all just wrap it up and go home?" She asks, clapping her hands on the last syllables, causing Mary to laugh quietly. Romanda pinches Shuri's side in reprimand and T'Challa shakes his head in amusement. Shouting echos from the tunnels cause everyone to turn and look where the sounds are coming from, Okoye steps Mary slightly behind her as she goes on the defense. Shuri looks over at her mother in shock. Men covered in white paint on their chests like snow walk out of the tunnel in a line, the last of them wearing a gorilla mask over his face. "Are they Jabari?" Shuri asks her mother, haven't seeing them in person before.

"Yes." Ramonda whispers in response.

"Who are they?" Mary asks Okoye quietly.

"M'Baku and the Jabari Tribe." Okoye whispers, "Stay behind me." She says protectively.

"The Mountain Tribe that turned away from the other tribes?" Mary asks.

"Yes." Okoye mutters as the men from the Jabari tribe end their shouting as M'Baku takes off his mask, staring down Zuri.

"M'Baku, what are you doing here?" Zuri asks with distain.

"It's challenge day." M'Baku says nonchalantly, then walks away from Zuri, making his way to the center of the cliffs to address the other tribes. "We have watched and listened from the mountains! We have watched with disgust as your technological advancements have been overseen by a child!" He shouts, aiming his staff at Shuri, Ramonda steps in front of Shuri and the Dora surrounding the mother and daughter aim their spears at M'Baku. "Who scoffs at tradition!" He shouts, then walks dangerously close to where Okoye and Mary stand, "And you let this outsider into our country! Giving her a status that belongs to the Wakandan people! Treating her as if she was one of us! She is not." He shouts, aiming his staff now at Mary. Fear surrounds the expectant mother, her heart racing million miles a second as Okoye angles her spear at M'Baku. He turns around, away from the multiple spears aimed at him, and continues his speech, "And now you want to hand the nation over to this prince-" He states, marching up to where T'Challa stands, "-who could not keep his own father safe." He snaps, "Mmm? We will not have it." He states, then turns back to the people, "I said, we will not have it!" He shouts, "I, M'Baku, leader of the Jabari-"

"I accept your challenge, M'Baku." T'Challa states, cutting the gorilla of a man off.

M'Baku smirks, "Glory to Hanuman." He states in reply as the drums begin to beat once more. The two opponents then place their masks on their faces, T'Challa donning a Black Panther mask while M'Baku has his gorilla mask. "Jabari!" M'Baku shouts and his people surround one half of the pool.

"Dora Milaje! Phambili!" Onward T'Challa shouts. Okoye slams her spear down twice and the Dora surrounding Shuri and Ramonda soon surround the other half of the pool. Mary looks over at her friend as he stands at the opposite end of the pool, M'Baku readying himself for the oncoming fight.

"Let the challenge begin!" Zuri shouts and M'Baku is the first to swing her staff at T'Challa. The prince blocks it with his shield but M'Baku doesn't stop. T'Challa dodges another swing, rolling on the ground out of the way of another one, he swipes his short spear close to M'Baku's calf and Mary cringes. Being a doctor, she knows what each hit will do to your body, each cut. Mary gasps as M'Baku hits T'Challa's shield with great force, sending the prince backwards into the pool.

The Jabari and Dora inch the half circle closer and M'Baku walks over to T'Challa, "Stand up!" He shouts to the prince who is still laying in the pool until he stands up and swings his spear at M'Baku's direction, making the man step backwards. T'Challa launches his foot into M'Baku's chest, sending the man into the water. The crowd cheers briefly as the Dora and Jabari inch closer. "Come!" M'Baku taunts. T'Challa races forward but M'Baku swings his staff heavily at the prince. T'Challa loses his shield as M'Baku sweeps T'Challa's legs with his staff. Mary can hear Shuri calling for her brother to get up. T'Challa stands, his face in front of the Jabari men holds their spears at him. The prince turns around as M'Baku taunts him again, "Where is your god now!" He snaps, T'Challa breathes heavily as he kicks M'Baku's face briefly. Without the weapons T'Challa had before, he resorts to his fists. M'Baku swings his staff once more but T'Challa dodges and punches M'Baku in his side then once more in the face. The gorilla man lands in the pool on his back and the crowd cheers again.

"You got this, T'Challa!" Mary shouts to her friend. But M'Baku doesn't yield, he stands up and tries to sweep T'Challa's legs again with his staff. The Prince steps backwards and M'Baku takes the opening to wrap his staff around the prince, lifting him off the ground. He jerks T'Challa against his staff, Mary can hear the painful cracking of T'Challa's back.

M'Baku headbuts T'Challa in the nose violently, "No powers!" He shouts, headbutting the prince again, "No claws!" He shouts again, headbutting the prince more, and T'Challa leans back over the staff, his eyes trying to focus on his mother and sister. Mary can see the damage M'Baku has done to T'Challa and it pains her to not be able to help. "No special suit! Just a boy not fit to lead!" He snaps.

"Show him who you are!" Ramonda shouts to her son and that gives him the burst of motivation he needs. His elbow colliding harshly onto M'Baku's mask twice before he sends his knee to break off the mask entirely. The gorilla man stumbles away briefly before yelling out and piercing T'Challa's chest with the end of his spear. Mary gasps as T'Challa cries out in pain and she can't help.

T'Challa yells more, finding the strength within him to withstand the pain, "I am Prince T'Challa, son of King T'Chaka!" He screams.

"You can do this, T'Challa!" Shuri shouts to encourage her brother. M'Baku releases his hold slightly on his staff to shift his movement but it gives T'Challa enough time to step away, grabbing the staff and sending it down on his knee, breaking it in two and forces M'Baku into the water.

T'Challa wraps his legs around M'Baku's neck, the two tussle in the water as the Dora and Jabari step closer to the edge of the cliff. Soon, the prince manages to hold his position against M'Baku, the two inches from falling into the ravine. Mary hears Nakia cheer on T'Challa as the prince begins to speak, "Yield! Don't make me kill you." He shouts to M'Baku.

"I would rather die!" The gorilla man shouts back.

The crowd begins to cheer T'Challa's name, Mary eagerly joining in as she watches the two men inch even closer to the cliff's edge, "You have fought with honor! Now yield! Your people need you!" T'Challa shouts at M'Baku again, trying to get him to yield because he doesn't want to kill him. M'Baku still doesn't yield until T'Challa shouts once more, "Yield, man!" He screams.

M'Baku lightly hits T'Challa's leg three times, signaling that he yields the fight and both men release their holds on each other. They sigh in exhaustion as the crowd chant T'Challa's name. Shuri screams in excitement as she looks at Mary who is doing the same thing, the two women break out in laughter, their hands joining together momentarily as T'Challa stands up in victory. He breathes heavily but Mary can see the pride swelling within him as Zuri speaks.

"I now pronounce to you!" The Shaman shouts to the people as he lifts the ceremonial necklace. The tribespeople continue to cheer, dance and sing in victory. "King T'Challa! The Black Panther!" He shouts as he adorns T'Challa's neck with the necklace. The two men embrace in happiness. Mary can see them exchange words before T'Challa steps into the center of the pool.

The Dora behind T'Challa shout in victory as they begin to dance, lifting their spears in the air. T'Challa turns to look at his people as their new king and Mary beams with happiness for her friend as he crosses his arms over his chest in an X formation and shouts, "Wakanda forever!"

His people and Mary copying his motions shouting in unison, "Wakanda forever!"