Broken Wings

Chapter 8 Counterattack

Present

Wakanda

Despite their joy at T'Challa's recovery, the weight of their situation couldn't be held at bay for long. It was therefore a much grimmer group who gathered in the centre of M'Baku's throne room as Nakia reported to a warmly wrapped up T'Challa.

"Killmonger has the full support of our military. And..." her voice wavered for only a second, "he burned the garden of the Heart-Shaped Herb."

T'Challa's brows furrowed before he glanced to the side as Everett piped up, "Of course he did. That's what he was trained to do."

At T'Challa's questioning look, Everett stepped forward and he elaborated, "His unit used to work with the CIA to destabilize foreign countries. They would always strike at transitions of power, like an election year or the death of a monarch. You get control of the government, the military..."

"Our resources." T'Challa breathed.

Everett nodded. "Right."

"The Great Mound." T'Challa murmured, looking to Shuri next. His sister nodded.

"Our vibranium, all of my designs."

T'Challa's mind was clearly already moving quickly as he worked out Killmonger's plans. "He will send our weapons all over the world."

Rising to his feet, T'Challa looked at Nakia again.

"You must get them out of Wakanda safely."

"What?!" Ramonda cut in sharply while Shuri's jaw dropped.

"What about you?" She demanded of her brother incredulously. T'Challa shook his head.

"The challenge will have to continue."

Ramonda strode forward then. "T'Challa, we will not leave Wakanda."

"It is my duty to keep you safe." T'Challa reminded his mother, only for Shuri to cut in.

"If he gets control of our technology, nowhere will be safe." Shuri pointed out.

She then reached into her pocket and from beneath the blanket she still had wrapped around her shoulders, she drew out a thin black necklace with silver claws dangling all around the edges. Talia recognized it from the neck outline on T'Challa's Black Panther suit and somehow she knew it was his suit. As soon as T'Challa saw what his sister had managed to smuggle out from her lab, he smiled triumphantly. There was also a level of fondness in his expression as he accepted the necklace his sister placed over his head.

Shuri stepped back with a satisfied smile as she looked from the necklace armour to her brother with determination shining in her eyes.

"The Black Panther lives. And when he fights for the fate of Wakanda, I will be right there beside him." She said firmly.

T'Challa smiled at his sister's bravery before his eye was drawn to his lover as Nakia stepped up next.

"As will I." Nakia swore.

"We're in, too."

The Wakandans looked over at Talia in surprise. The woman herself remained rather expressionless but Everett looked almost amused as he gave them a wry grin from beside his daughter.

"What? You're gonna need all the help you can get." Everett pointed out.

T'Challa slowly smiled back, but the moment was ruined by a loud yawn from behind them.

"Are you done?" M'Baku demanded, staring at the group with a rather unimpressed expression.

"Are-are you done?"