The King and The Phoenix (IronPanther)

Chapter 9 Poisoned

T'Challa's Pov:

"That thud...what was that?" Mother asked and I blinked.

"I don't know...maybe someone knocked something over." I said...It had been pretty loud.

"Brother...I think Tony left." Shuri said and I frowned. "I don't blame him...they are being rude." She said and I was about to say something when we suddenly heard a lot of loud noise...Everyone going silent as we heard thuds then what sounded like glass breaking. "That sounds like..." She trailed off.

"A struggle." I said and we looked at each other...Tony. My sister followed after me as we rushed out of the room...Then I froze...my heart stopping as I heard the scream of pain...TONY!? I took off running and saw the door busted open then one of the Dora looked at me sadly...No! I ran in to the room and saw the mess.

"My king..." I saw Okoye and Nakia...Okoye looked at me and Nakia...was looking at blood...I sniffed the air...Killmonger...Killmonger had Tony.

"Brother!? Oh...oh no." Shuri said looking worried.

"My King...we have a problem." I looked over at Anna who held up a small needle.

"What's that?" Shuri asked and Nakia took it sniffing...Why are you?

"T'Challa...it's...we need to find him." She said.

"I know." I said.

"In 20 minutes or he's dead." She said and I froze...

"No...Is that?" I asked.

"The venom yes..." She said.

"As in the venom of the black mamba!?" Shuri asked horrified. "Oh god...He's going to die." She said.

"Shuri...get an anti venom ready." I said and Nakia put a hand on my shoulder.

"T'Challa...There is no way..." I gave her a look making her stop...I knew...I knew...there was no way we'd find him in time.

Tony's Pov:

Pain...Searing pain...every heart beat it got worse...I heard talking maybe but I was so...out of it...It hurts...it fucking hurts...I felt a cool hand on my cheek.

"Just rest little one...I will not let you die." I heard...A woman? I forced my eyes open a blurry blob of black...My mind must be fucked cause the shape kept wavering from what looked like a woman to a panther. I don't know how long I laid there...I just know I felt like shit.

"Don't know how the hell your still alive...But you do have 5 minutes left." The voice echoed in my head and I closed my eyes hearing a humming.

"Let me help little one." That comforting voice was back...the warm one that reminded me of a mother talking to a child. "Please..." She said softly...what did I have to do? "Nothing but...if I do...it might change you." Was said softly...Change me? I tried to think through the pain but it was suddenly pushed away...I felt a sudden calm come over me.

"You are dying." That's ok...I've been ok with dying for a while. "What about staying with him?" Challa...right...I had said I would as long as he wanted me. "I can help you with those stubborn old fools as well." I opened my eyes and saw a panther looking down at me. It was blurry but I saw it's glowing purple eyes. 

"Do you wish me to save you? I will give you my power which will change you...I won't do it if you do not wish it." She said...I didn't realize the world dimming around me...the sounds fading to nothing...I was dying. "You must answer." She said...He deserves better...He'll find better. "You think so little of yourself...but you wish him happy...but you make him happy." She said and I looked at her...the woman now standing in front of me...The room was suddenly clearer...Am I? "Right now...yes..." She said.

"But you can still?" I asked.

"Yes." She said and I heard a loud noise.

"Tony!?" I heard shouted...shit.

"He's too late." She said softly and I looked at her. "Unless you want me to save you." She said and I looked at her.

"What do you get out of this?" I asked.

"Someone I may finally speak through." She said softly...me?

"Why me?" I asked.

"You are very strong." She said looking at me...I felt an odd well of emotion as those eyes looked at me.

"Shit...no...No!" Nakia ran past me to...Oh...I looked at my body. "NO! Tony...Tony come on." She hissed and moved my body. "If he...Come on..." She said and felt for a pulse.

"Speak through me..." I said.

"Yes...those old fools say they do but they don't...If I give you my power...I'll be able to speak to you." She said.

"But you gave T'Challa his power...right? Your Bast." I said and she smiled eyes showing how proud she was...of what?

"You...I'm proud of you." She said and I blinked. "I won't force you...I simply wish to be able to have some say in things." She said.

"Nakia, did..." Okoye froze at the door.

"He's...He's gone." Nakia choked...She was...she was crying.

"Shit." Okoye said and tensed as I saw T'Challa walk up next to her...his suit on...but I saw how he froze. "My King." She said.

"Tony?" I heard the whisper and it made everything in me twist.

"So...is it a deal, Anthony?" I startled and looked at her.

"I...You won't take control of my body and won't be like watching me 24/7 right?" I asked.

"No child...I will only get involved if you call for me or if they need me." She said...I heard a choked noise...I froze as T'Challa dropped next to me.

"T'Challa..." Nakia said softly...I watched as he lifted me...my body limp in his arms...Fuck it.

"It's a deal." I said and she smiled warmly.

"I promise...I will forever protect you and your young." She said softly...I smiled a little as she touched my cheek. "Wakanda Forever." She said and then pushed me making me stumble backwards.