Ascendancy

Chapter III

Chapter 3

T'Kia
2041

"This way, T'Kia." Okoye and Ayo led Baba, Umama, Khethiwe, and me toward a room in the New York United Nations. Baba is wearing his black royal suit with a silk cloth wrapped around his left shoulder while Umama has on a beautiful green dress that is reminiscent of the River Tribe. Khethiwe wears a simple black dress as I wear a black dress laced with gold.

"Fa, how will people react?" I ask softly.

"It is not about them, T'Kia. It is about our people. They will learn to adjust. Your people will not take just anyone on the throne," Baba answers. He kisses my forehead and kisses Khethiwe's hand. It's the most nervously I have ever seen her. "They will want to ask you questions. It is up to you to answer."

"We must enter, kumkani wam." Okoye says to Baba. (My king)

We all follow Okoye in as Ayo brings up the rear behind me. The entire room bursts into applause before giving the standard Wakandan greeting. Khethiwe and I stand on either side of Baba while Umama stands a little to the right side of me.

"Hello. And thank you all for coming. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with all of you to bring our world into a new age. For the last twenty-three years, I have been king of the Kingdom of Wakanda and in doing so I have also taken the role of the Black Panther— vowing to protect my people from all harm. That protection has also rolled over onto the world stage." Baba says. He (along with the other superheroes of the world) shared their identities with the world as a way to make cooperation between superheroes, mutants, and humans better.

"Today, it comes with great sadness and excitement that I announce that I shall be resigning as King and Black Panther of Wakanda," when Baba says this the room sounds with bursts of outrage. "I appreciate your overwhelming support, but the decision has been made," Baba looks at Khethiwe then me. "My cousin Khethiwe and daughter T'Kia have been groomed to take my place at a moment's notice. It is with great pride and honor that I announce that in our country we shall have what we called the Trials to decide the next ruler and Black Panther of Wakanda."

The room is hushed. "Our usual tradition states that the eldest of the next generation of royals is to inherit it all, but I and my council thought it would not be fair to these young ladies because they were both groomed and trained for this title and mantle. This is the only fair way we know how to give them a chance." Baba says. Khethiwe throws me a dirty look. I refrain from doing the same.

"At this time, we will open for questions. They can be directed toward me, Khethiwe, or T'Kia." Baba says and hands shoot up.

Umama is put in charge of picking who speaks. A Chinese man stands and speaks in English. "King T'Challa, you never talked about the death of your son, T'Chilla. Can you speak on it now?"

Baba looks at Umama and me with sad eyes. He cannot talk about it freely.

I hear my brother in my heart. This is your time, T'Kia. Speak.

I step forward. "Hello. My name is T'Kia and I will speak on my father's behalf," I clear my throat. "My brother T'Chilla was out surveying the border of our country when some large animals stampeded. T'Chilla could not escape and our medicine could not save him. Because of this, my father had my cousins and I trained in all aspects of being a ruler."

A French lady stands and speaks French. "T'Kia, why is your cousin, Princess Shuri's daughter Ramonda, not here? Has she turned her back to the throne?"

"No, ma'am," I answer in French. "Ramonda has decided to not partake in the Trials. She has deemed that her place is with her mother helping to develop new technology for us and the world."