"This alliance just keeps getting more and more complicated..."
Set briefly during 'Civil War' but mostly during 'Black Panther'. The nations of Sokovia and Wakanda have been allies for decades. Following the Sokovia Accords, Princess Kalyna of Sok...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The next day was when the ceremony would take place, making T'Challa King of Wakanda. Kalyna awoke early and headed to the high-tech training gym. It was empty except for her and one other person.
"Good morning," said T'Challa. "Looks like we both had the same idea."
"Looks like it." She picked up a fighting staff from the stand and began swinging it. "Shouldn't you be saving your energy?"
"What, in case I have to fight someone in a challenge?"
"Do you think anyone will challenge you?"
"To my knowledge, all the Tribes are content." He too, picked up a staff.
"Well then, in that case-" She pointed her own staff at him. "I challenge you, right here, right now. Consider it your warm up, in the event of an actual fight today."
He grinned. "Challenged accepted."
"So, if I win, then I get to rule Wakanda?"
He chuckled. "Yes, I suppose so."
Both stood facing each other, taking a fighting stance position. "Let the challenge begin," he said.
There was a moment before both lunged forward at the same time, the staffs making contact, the sound ringing throughout the gym. They continued sparring, faster and faster, until it was all just a blur-
When he saw his chance, T'Challa swung his staff behind her against her back, grabbing it with both hands and using it to pull her towards him.
Now they stood close, both out of breath and panting hard, their faces and necks glistening with sweat.
He smiled down at her. "I win."
She grinned back. "Don't freeze."
"I never freeze." With that he released her. Eyes still lingering on each other, they parted and left to ready themselves for the ceremony.
--------------------------------
Celebrations started even before they reached the falls, where the ceremony would take place. Rafts glided across the water, filled with music and dancing and singing all across the Tribes.
Shuri, of course, helped her pick out what to wear. She also braided Kalyna's hair and twisted it up like her own.
"How am I doing?" she called over the music and chanting as she and Shuri danced together.
"Great! You're doing great!" The friends laughed and continued their dance.
When they reached the falls, everyone stood along the edge and on the cliff-side, surrounding the water.
