𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐑 // 𝐒𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐈 𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐊𝐔

ＴＷＥＮＴＹ ＯＮＥ

awake

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃ ᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃

When Ada awoke, she felt a strange sense of relief. 3 years had passed since she entered the cryogenic chamber and she had survived. She opened her eyes and looked around, expecting to see her family, but instead, she saw the same great, icy platform that she had stepped onto three years ago.

Suddenly, Ada heard a familiar voice in the distance. She turned and saw Queen Ramonda standing at the edge of the platform, that same sad smile on her face. "Welcome back, Ada," she said. "You're probably confused as to why you're up if your family isn't here. But it was time."

With Ramonda's help, Ada stood up, feeling a little unsteady on her feet. She looked around, searching for some sign of her family and friends, thinking that she had to have been lying, but there was nothing. She had done what she had to do and she was awake, but where were they?

She sat down on a chair as doctors started tending to her and to see how she was doing. She felt tears spring to her eyes as she was set back into reality.

They were still gone.

As doctors tended to her, she let the tears fall. She didn't want to be out of the chamber unless her family was back.
Her heart was heavy with grief, knowing she would never get to see her family or her girlfriend, Shuri, again.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned her head to see Ramonda taking a seat next to her. Ramonda had been the one to take Ada out of the chamber, and Ada couldn't help but feel a growing anger toward her. She wanted to go back into the chamber and stay there until things changed.

"Ada, you can't stay in the chamber forever," Ramonda said, her voice gentle and comforting.

"Why not?" Ada said, her voice tinged with rage. "I have nothing left out here. I want to go back in the chamber and stay there until my family and Shuri are back."

"Ada, I understand all too well your pain and your desire to reunite with those you lost," Ramonda said. "But you can't stay in the chamber forever. There is a world out here that needs your help. You are strong and capable. You can make a difference."

Ada shook her head in disbelief. "How can I make a difference if my family and Shuri aren't here? How can I make a difference if I don't have them to fight for?"

"Ada," Ramonda said, her voice soft and firm. "You have the power to help others who are in pain, who have also lost someone dear to them. You can be a symbol of hope and strength to so many people. It's not the same as having your family, T'Challa, and Shuri, but it's something."

Ada sighed in defeat. She knew the queen was right, but it was hard for her to accept defeat. She wanted to go back into the chamber and stay until her family and Shuri were back.

"Please Ada," Ramonda said. "You have to come out of this chamber and face the world. We can't stay here forever."

Ada looked around her at the big cryogenic chamber. She knew the queen was right. She couldn't stay in the chamber forever. She had to find a way to make a difference in the world, even if her family, T'Challa, and Shuri weren't here. She slowly nodded and took a deep breath.

"Okay," she said softly.

"Okay," Ramonda smiled.

Okoye came into the room, expecting to see Ada still in the chamber, but was met with Wakandan doctors tending to Ada who wasn't in the chamber.

"Welcome back, Ada," Okoye smiled at her.

"Hi," she smiled a tired smile back. "I don't know what I'm gonna do."

"You'll figure something out. I know you will. It'll be okay."

TWO YEARS LATER