The Outsider: Shuri x OC

2016: King T'Challa

Akoni stood next to Shuri and Queen Ramonda as they waited for the Royal Talon fighter to land on the Vibranium platform.  Out walked T'Challa and his ex, Nakia.  "This is going to be awkward," you whispered to Shuri, who nodded.

"Did he freeze?" Shuri asked Okoye.  "Like an antelope in headlights."  Shuri giggled at her brother and Akoni stifled a laugh.  "Are you finished?" T'Challa asked, slightly annoyed.  Okoye winked at Shuri before walking off.  "So surprised my little sister came to see me off before our big day."  T'Challa joked.  "You wish!  I'm here for the beads.  I've developed  an update," Shuri explained.

"Update?  No.  It worked perfectly."

"How many times do I have to tell you? Just because something works doesn't mean that it cannot  be improved."

"You are teaching me, what do you know?

"More than you."

"C'mon guys," Akoni said.  "I can't wait to see what kind of you make to your ceremonial outfit," T'Challa teased.  Shuri then gave him the finger as she walked away.  Akoni rolled her eyes at her antics and followed her.

"Shuri!"

"Sorry, Mother!"

~~~

There were hundreds of people at T'Challa's ceremony.  Entertainers singing in Xhosa, people in the front row cheering wildly, even Nakia was dancing.  Shaman Zuri then walked out.  "I, Zuri...  son of Badu, give to you... Prince T'Challa!  The Black Panther!  The cheering intensified.  "The prince... will now have the strength of the Panther... stripped away.

There was upbeat drumming as T'Challa drank a ground up herb.  The herb took away the power of the heart-shaped-herb which gave the Black Panther his powers in the first place.  "Victory through ritual combat... comes by yield or death.  If any wish  to put up a warrior, I now offer... a path to the throne.

"The Merchant Tribe will not challenge today."

"The Border Tribe will not challenge  today."

"The River Tribe will not challenge today."

"The Mining Tribe will not today."

"Is any member of a royal blood... who would wish to challenge for the throne?" Zuri asked.  Shuri slowly raised her hand, causing a series of murmurs.  "This corset is really uncomfortable, so could we all just wrap it up and go home?"  Queen Ramonda gave her daughter a wicked pinch at this comment.  "Mother!" Shuri shouted.  Akoni simply put is hands over his face waiting for the moment to be over.  "Eyona nto ilungileyo Shuri," he whispered

The sounds of chanting filled the tunnels  "Are they Jabari?" Shuri asked worriedly.  "Yes," Akoni responded.  "Don't worry, I'll protect you," he said half joking and half serious.  "Winston Duke, what are you doing here?" Zuri asked.

"It's challenge day," he replied bluntly

"We have watched... and listened from the mountains!  We have watched with disgust, as your technological advancements, have been overseen by children!"  He pointed at Akoni and Shuri.  Shuri's mood had completely changed from earlier.

"Who scoff at tradition!  And now you want to hand the nation over to this prince... who not keep his own father safe."  Akoni glared at M'Baku.  He wanted to tear him to pieces for insulting T'Challa like that.

"Mmm?  We will not have it.  I said, we will not have it, oh!  I, M'Baku... leader of the Jabari-"

"I accept your challenge, M'Baku."  T'Challa cut him off.  "Glory to Hanuman."  Jabari and Dora Milaje warriors surrounded the two fighters.  "Let the challenge begin!"  T'Challa attacked first, getting a few good hits in.  M'Baku, however, was naturally much stronger and knocked him to the ground.  "Up!" he taunted, laughing.

"Where is your god now?"  Members of the Jabari cheered as M'Baku grabbed T'Challa.

"No powers.  No claws.  No suit, oh!  Just a boy not fit to lead!" he taunted, headbutting T'Challa multiple times.  "Show him who you are!" Queen Ramonda exclaimed.  T'Challa then headbutted M'Baku, breaking his mask in half.  Once M'Baku felt the blood on his face, he stabbed T'Challa in the chest with his weapon.  "Aaaaahhhhh!!!  I am T'Challa... son of King T'Chaka!"

"You can do this, T'Challa!" Shuri yelled.  He then gained the upper hand, forcing M'Baku towards the waterfall, he the wrapped his legs around his neck, choking him.

"Yield!  Don't make me kill you."

"I'd rather die!"

The crowd went wild, shouting T'Challa's name.

"T'Challa!"

"T'Challa!"

"T'Challa!"

"You have fought with honor!  Now yield!  Your people need you."

Nothing.

"Yield, man!"

Finally, M'Baku let go of his pride and tapped his leg.  The battle was over, an T'Challa had won.  "I now give to you... King T'Challa.  The Black Panther!" Zuri announced proudly.

"Wakanda forever!"