The White Phoenix 13: A Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Fanfiction

Chapter 7: The Princess Is Returned

Langley. Virginia. 

'Queen Ramonda won't sell us any vibranium,' the Secretary of State said as he sat across the table with a few representatives of the United Nations and the director of the CIA, Valentina de Fontaine, as well as Everett Ross. 'And now they abducted a young woman who built the machine.'

'Yeah, with all due respect, Riri Williams is a child prodigy who was running circles around all of her professors. The Wakandans were recruiting her as part of their outreach program. Nothing more. And then, you guys send in a SWAT team under cover of night to arrest the crown princess of an international superpower.' 

'That doesn't explain Adelaide Lehnsherr's role in all this.' 

'She was aiding Wakanda with recruiting Riri Williams and coming to their defence against the attacks on their outreach centres,' Ross replied. 'She's breaking the law, yes, but she only did what was asked of her.' 

'Where is the Lehnsherr girl now?' the Secretary asked. 

'Currently detained in a secure facility not too far from here,' Valentina replied. 'At least until her husband comes to bail her out. She's only being held temporarily, just so she doesn't break the law again.' 

'The President wants to take offensive action against Wakanda,' the Secretary said. 

'What type of offensive action?' Valentina asked. 

'Destabilisation.' 

'Well - Special Officer Ross is our expert. So, Ross -' she said, looking at Everett, 'what do you think?'

'My sources are telling me that there's someone else out there.' 

'Another nation?' 

'Could be. I don't know. You've got to give me enough time to investigate this properly, otherwise we're going to find ourselves at war with a country whose military capacity we can't even comprehend.' The Secretary looked over at Valentina. 

'Director?' 

'I think he's the expert,' she simply replied. 

'I think it would be a mistake to attack Wakanda.' 

Outside of the building, Everett pressed on the Kimoyo Beads and put them behind the phone, disguising it as if he was on a phone call. 

'Yes?' Queen Ramonda's voice came over the line. 

'We have a problem.' 

Curral Velho. Cape Verde.

The queen waited on the shores as the waves crashed, seeing the form of Namor rise out of the water. He strode towards her. 

'Is my daughter alive?' she asked. 

'The princess is alive and well. She requested to be taken to Talokan. She will remain there for the time being.' 

'What can I offer you in exchange?' 

'Nothing,' Namor replied with a smile. 

'I beg to differ. The Americans are preparing to blame Wakanda for your attack on their mining ship. Return my daughter and the scientist or I will inform them of your existence.' Namor stepped closer to her. 

'If you tell the Americans about us, if you try to find us, or if I discover a single Wakandan ship in the ocean, I will kill the princess. I will come to Wakanda, and I will kill you.' She glared at him in return as he drew away from her. 

Later... 

The ship hovered above the water, and a blue beam of light came down, taking the small watercraft with Riri, Shuri, and former War Dog Nakia with it. Once inside, Shuri hugged her mother tightly, then the two pulled away, Ramonda grasping her daughter. 

'Did they hurt you?' she asked tearfully. 

'No. No.' 

'Thank you,' Ramonda said, looking over at Nakia, who was steadying Riri. 

'You're welcome,' Nakia replied in Xhosa. 

'GRIOT,' Ramonda called out, 'return us to Wakanda at once.' 

'Yes, my Queen.' 

Wakanda. 

Okoye and Nakia were sat together in one of the city's quieter places when suddenly there was noise. The two stepped out into an area where the water that was adjacent to a marketplace was already rising rapidly. Okoye turned to Nakia. 

'We are under attack.' As she spoke, one of the walls burst, water flowing through and tripping up several people. Yet another two water bombs exploded around the city, throwing several people into the water. 

In the lab... 

'GRIOT, activate the Sunbird,' Shuri called out, slipping a bracelet of Kimoyo Beads on and working on her tablet. 

'Shuri, where are you?' Ramonda called over the Kimoyo Beads. 

'Making my way to the city right now.' 

'Stand down! That is an order.' 

'Mother, I'm with Aneka. We can provide air support.' 

'Aneka, do not let her leave the lab!' Ramonda cried out. 

'Mother, you're... you're breaking up. We can't hear you.' 

'Shuri!' 

'Love you. Bye!' Shuri called, switching off the call abruptly. 

'You just hung up on the queen,' Aneka chided. 

'I just hung up on my mom,' Shuri replied cheekily. 'There's a difference.' Just then, there was a clatter of boots from upstairs and I ran down, my wings closing into my back. I ran for Shuri and grabbed her in a tight embrace. She gasped sharply. 

'Oh, thank God,' I said softly. 'You're safe.' I pulled back. 'Sorry, princess,' I said with a quick bow. 'What can I do to help?' 

'Come,' Shuri said. 'Let's go!'