T'Challa

I brought Ayesha to the cliffs this was one of my favorite places to sit and think. I haven't been able to come out here since being crowned, it felt good to sit here feeling the sun on my face. as I thought about what Zuri told me about my father. Ayesha rubbed my back

"Whatever it is you can tell me." She said softly I looked at her beautiful face I missed her so much in the month we spent apart, I took her hand and kissed it

"The man who helped Klaue escape today, is the son of my uncle N'Jobu, my cousin." I said

"What? Who told you this?"

"Zuri, when I went after him, he was wearing my grandfathers ring on a necklace."

"So, what happened? Why have you never met him?" She asked I shook my head then told her the same story Zuri told me it made my chest hurt retelling this story

"T'Challa." She said softly then I felt her wipe away a tear I didn't know was falling

"I feel like my whole life I have been lied to. I vowed to protect my country and my people but why should that help stop to keep a secret like this. He turned his back on his only nephew."

"He was doing what he thought was right,"

"You're defending him?" I said pulling away from her

"No, what he did was wrong, but he was only human, and we make mistakes."

"I just don't know what to think, or what to do everything I know about ruling I learned from him."

"You can't build your own legacy based on his. You've already made big move in bringing Ross here to save his life."

"I can't help but wonder if leaving him behind turned him into what he is."

"You don't know that, maybe Klaue has something on him and that's why he's don't this."

"And if he's not? Maybe we have been looking at this all wrong. Maybe he is the one giving orders, maybe he wants revenge."

"Maybe but there's still a chance you can talk thing out, you didn't know about this. This is the time to make your own changes, you get to decide what kind of king you want to be."

"The traditions the elders would never allow it."

"I'm not saying change everything, but you could change some child's life who needs a home or a place to belong." She said and I looked at her then I leaned over and kissed her I loved the feel of her lips on mine she placed her hand on the back of my neck I moved my hand to her waist she slowly pulled away

"I love you." I said softly and she opened her eyes and bit her lip before she could respond Shuri's face appeared out of her kimoyo beads

"Where are you two?" She asked

"What is it Shuri?" I asked

"There is man at border claiming to have killed Klaue. Get back here now!" She said then hung up and we looked at each other then we got up to get back to the lab.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Ayesha

We were back in the lab Shuri pulled up the picture of the man who brought Klaue. I've seen him somewhere, but I couldn't put my finger on it

"This is Erik Stevens, an American black operative."

"I've seen him before." I said

"Where?" T'Challa asked

"He's one of ours."

We turned to see Ross walking over

"You look good." I said and he nodded

"I feel good, I guess I should say thank you."

"Tell him." I said nodding at T'Challa

"It's fine told us about him, what do you know?" T'Challa asked

"He was in Sokovia, as a backup."

"And his squadron went down." I added and he nodded

"Yeah and after Sokovia he went ghost this is the first time seeing him since. He graduated from M.I.T at 19 then joined the seals and was sent overseas where he began racking up confirmed kills like it was a videogame. They began calling him Killmonger."

"What does he want from us?" Shuri said and I looked at T'Challa

"Let's find out have W'Kabi bring him to the throne room." He said to the Dora and nodded then walked out the lab

"Nakia I want you to keep an eye on Ross." He told her and she nodded then he looked at me

"Okoye Ayesha will be in the meeting." He said and she gave him a look

"Keep her with the Dora's I don't want the elders to know she's there." He said and she nodded then looked at me

"Let's go." She said and I followed her

"Just stay towards the back and keep quiet,' She told me, and I nodded

I stood against the wall as the boarder tribe led Erik into the room

"Speak." W'Kabi told him

"I'm standing in your house, bringing justice to man who killed your people and stole your vibranium," He said and I frowned at the tone of his voice it was cocky, arrogant, and I could tell he was not here to make peace

"Justice your king couldn't deliver." He said

T'Challa stood up and walked over to him, the Dora stayed on their guard and moved in closer.

"What do you want?" T'Challa asked

"I want the throne." He said and I sighed as the elders laughed

"You? an outsider?"

"Y'all sitting up here comfortable but there are two million people out there who look like us and their lives are a lot harder. Wakanda has the tools to liberate them."

"What do you think you know about us?" T'Challa said

"I know everything about your vibranium, your weapons." He said staring T'Challa down

"Our weapons will not be used to rage war against the world it is not our way. Not for people who are not our own."

"Life started here on this continent, so all people are your people."

"I am the king of Wakanda not all people."

"Son we have entertained this for too long, reject his request." Ramonda said

"I'm not requesting nothing, ask me who I am."

"You are an American black operative that goes by the name Killmonger that's who you are." Shuri said

"That's not my name princess. Ask me king." He said again

"Take him away." T'Challa said and W'Kabi began pulling him from the room when the River tribe elder shouted out in Xhosa. Erik shouted back in Xhosa causing everyone to stand up in shock

"Son of N'Jobu?"

"No." I said softly

"I found my daddy with panther claws in his chest! You aint the son of a king you the sone of a murderer!"

"Lies!" Ramonda shouted

"I'm afraid not queen mother." W'Kabi said holding up the necklace with the ring that matched T'Challa Erik smirked and looked at Ramonda

"Hey auntie."

"I'm here to use my blood right to challenge for the crown."

"A challenge would take weeks to prepare.'

"I don't need weeks I just need him." He said and I looked at T'Challa and we locked eyes I shook my head

"No." I mouthed he looked away then looked back at Erik

"I accept your challenge." 

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