Talokan Forever! - Black Pather: Wakanda Forever

-Leaders of Two Worlds-

I have seen the film now - so beautiful! It is not only a great installment in the MCU but a wonderful tribute to our King, Chadwick.

That being said, there are now spoilers ahead! You have been warned!

Thanks and enjoy! Here we go!

Wakanda

"I couldn't save him."

Shuri was wracked with guilt, falling to it, consumed by it. Guilt and grief are never a good mix.   "I tried but I couldn't save him. I couldn't save him, and now he's gone."

"Yes Shuri, you tried, and that's all we can ask," Kalyna assured her.  "We must remember that he is no longer in pain, he is at peace now."

Shuri did not speak the words flowing through her.  Bast did not answer my prayers. 

Wakanda itself was now under a wave of grief, shaken and plunged into mourning over the sudden death of King T'Challa, the Black Panther, their leader and protector. 

The procession led by the casket, carried by the King's own guard, the Dora Milaje, led by General Okoye, wove through the city and to the royal burial ground. Shuri stood directly behind the casket, holding T'Challa's panther helmet, her mother on one side, and Kalyna on the other. 

When they reached the final resting place, each stepped forward to bid their own personal goodbyes.

"Farewell my love," Kalyna whispered when it was her turn. "Rest in peace and power, T'Challa, Our King." She gripped T'Challa's ring, which had formerly belong to his father, and his father before him, tightly in her hand. So tightly, it pressed a mark into her palm that would take several minutes to fade. She would take the ring back to Haiti with her, where she would return to right after the funeral. 

With their final farewells, from mother, sister and wife, T'Challa was laid to rest with the ancestors.

Everyone present crossed both arms over their chests in the traditional gesture as they said their last goodbye to their king.

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One Year Later

"Shuri?" Kalyna called, entering the lab. 

"Kalyna, you're here! I'm sorry, I was going to meet you when you arrived."

"It's fine, I can come to you." The friends and still-sisters hugged. "Your mother said I'd find you here, she says you're always working hard."

"Always. Come, I have something to show you-" Shuri took her hand and led her to a far corner of the lab. 

"What is this, another surprise for me?"

"Of  course, you know I love my surprises. I've upgraded your suit."

"Upgraded, again?"

"We're always needing upgrades. What am I always saying?"

"'Just because something works doesn't mean it can't be improved.' Okay, what's it all about then?"

"Well, it's made from vibranium, of course-"

"Of course."

"- It's bulletproof, fireproof, invulnerable to the core, with wings, talons, and a full helmet, all within the feathers of the necklace, like your suit now." Shuri pressed her Kimoyo bead bracelet and the suit appeared on the mannequin before them.

"And it's purple-" Just like T'Challa's suit had been.  "-Oh Shuri." Kalyna smiled through oncoming tears and gripped the princess's hand.  "Thank you. So much."

"Of course. Come, you must try it on-"

"Shuri?"

"Over here, Mother!"

Ramonda approached, smiling at them.  "We must go."

"Go where? Now?"

"There is somewhere I want to show you."

"Now?" Shuri repeated.

"Yes, now."

"Are you coming?" Shuri asked Kalyna. 

"No, this is a mother and daughter moment."

"But I have work to do-" Shuri protested.  

"And it will all be right here waiting for you when we return," he mother assured her.  "Do you remember what day it is today?"

Shuri looked away. "It's Tuesday."

"Shuri," her mother urged. 

Shuri didn't look at her when she spoke next. "Of course I remember: one year since Brother's passing."

"Yes.  Come Daughter, let us honour your brother together."

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Talokan

"K'uk'ulkan." Namora approached where Namor was painting the walls of his cave.

"Yes, Namora?"

"Ofelia has returned from her mission."

There was no stopping the smile that spread across Namor's lips at these words.  "Take me to her."

When they found her, she was already reuniting with Attuma. Their embrace was warm, loving. Not the embrace of just two friends. 

Namor cut in. "Ofelia, welcome home."

"Thank you, Namor." She opened her hands and bowed her head, holding her wrists close together in their traditional Talokan gesture of respect. 

He responded by pulling her into a warm embrace of his own. "It is good to have you home.   Then he remembered business. "What news has your mission brought back to Talokan?"

"I have located the vibranium-detecting device the humans are using to steal our resources."

"Good. Namora?"

"Yes, K'uk'ulkan?"

"Prepare the attack - now is our time to strike."

(Such a wonderful film! I can't wait to watch it again!

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! :))