Lilliana: The Oldest Maximoff [Discontinued]

A New Leader

We've been sitting in the main hall for what feels like hours, Bucky holding me close as my whole body shakes in fear. I left T'Challa to die. I did...

Shuri and Queen Mother are rushed in by Nakia. All three of them have raw cheeks and red eyes from their tears.

"He's gone, isn't he?" I question, already sure of the answer.

Nakia nods as Shuri continues to sob into Queen Mother's chest.

I stand from Bucky's grasp and pull Shuri into my arms instead. Those two are like my brother and sister. I've already lost one, and I won't lose her too.

"I'm so so sorry, Shuri." I stress with a sob, "I've failed you both."

"Come on, we need to get all of you to safety." Nakia interrupts, stifling her sadness.

Bucky rises quickly grabbing my hand and pulling me to his hut. His things need to be gathered first, they're the furthest away.

Once inside, we start packing a bag. Bucky grabs clothes, I grab other essentials: food, water... toothbrush? All of it gets thrown into a large black backpack. Since Bucky is insistent on me not carrying it, and only has one arm, I clip the bag around his body.

As we approach the front door, synchronized footsteps can be heard and blue light shines through the windows.

'run through the back door'

"Bucky, this way!" I yell in a hushed tone as I pull his tricep, "to the back door!"

We shuffle through the grass by the lake until crouching to get a good view.

Killmonger has the Dora Milaje ripping his hut apart looking for us. Probably so he could have us killed.

"Come on," Buck pulls me out of my trance, intertwining our fingers again and guides me to our hiding place.

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"First Baba, and now my brother." Shuri cries, "Mama, we didn't even get to bury him."

"Shh,"

The leaves rustle in the distance.

'Nakia and Ross'

Queen Mother raises her knife.

"No-"

"Its me-"

"Nakia, who is this man?" she questions afraid.

"He's a friend of T'Challa's. He saved my life." Nakia explains.

"Where's Okoye?"

"She's not coming," I sense, "she and the Dora Milaje will serve the new king... even if they don't want to."

"Wait here," she shuffles off into the brush of the forest.

"What has happened to our Wakanda?" Queen Mother asks as her voice breaks.

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We are making our way up the freezing mountain hand-in-hand.

"So where are we going again?" Ross questions curiously.

"We're taking the Heart-Shaped Herb to Jabariland." Nakia states simply.

"Heart-Shaped Herb? What is that?" he asks.

"It gives whoever takes it heightened abilities. Haven't you been paying attention?" Bucky remarks humorously dry.

"Its what made T'Challa so strong." I add nudging Bucky's shoulder.