A Panther's Purpose

You Saved Who?

"N'Jadaka, cousin. You do not have to do this. Must you be so willing to kill, and to kill your own kind just to be exactly like who you are against? Are you not doing more harm than good?" Asked the determined panther, standing at the vibranium train as it whooshed by. Their suits dissipated consistantly as the sonic stabilizers activated.

A bold grin only appeared on Erik's face. "You don't get it do you? I ain't do all this trainin for nothin. And I certainly ain't gonna give in for you or this damn country. Y'all are tryna keep all this shit-All this strong weaponry that can get the rest of our kind out of misery. I am king. And if you wasn't dead then, I'll make sure you will be this time."

As soon as their exchange ended, the vibranium had passed by. The train was deactivated, their suits reactivated.

He'd done it. T'Challa had given him his last chance to give up. To end on a truce, an opportunity to change things.

But Erik was not one to give up. Not one to stop without getting his way. And for that reason, the rival panthers fought once again.

Strike after strike, the two battled along the train.

T'Challa deeply did not want this. He didn't want to fight his cousin to the point that the literal only way to defeat him was by taking his life. The thought was brutal.

He'd even thought to himself. Nakia shares the same desires as this man, Erik. N'Jadaka. They want to share the vibranium with the rest of the world. Give what they have and let them know of Wakanda.

The only difference, Erik has a grudge. He's angry at the world and he wants to settle things the violent way. Not the reasonable or peaceful way as Nakia would see it to be.

T'Challa knew Erik meant no harm. He just needed to be guided onto the right path. He needs to be shown good traits.

But as fate would have it, Erik will not stop-Not even think to stop if it meant he wouldn't fulfill his desire.

And so their fight extended. Neither of the two willing to give up until something was settled.

Fed up with the lack of progress, Erik drew a knife. He charged it towards his cousin with no hesitation. T'Challa's hand raised and firmly gripped onto Erik's wrist.

He struggled, the knife shakily and slowly moving towards T'Challa's neck as the sonic stabilizers were once again activated. He could see the smirk spread on Erik's face.

"Y'know, cousin. That little tango was a hell of a workout, but it looks like this is it for you."

He was bold, certain, in fact, that this was the end of their match. But T'Challa thought other wise. As they inched towards the edge of the surface, he threw his legs up one after the other, kicking the knife out of his hands.

He flipped Erik around by the wrist he held, looking upward as he reached his other hand up high. And with this, he grabbed the knife, a swift move of his arm and it was brought down. Seconds later impaling Erik in the chest.

He grunted, his mind going blank and shock filling his eyes after what used to be boldness.

The head of their suits retracted.

T'Challa hated what he'd done but knew well he wasn't given a choice. He only stared at his injured cousin, watching as the pain overwhelmed him.

He was almost regretful, watching him hold back tears.

"Damn, " Erik breathed out, along with a shallow chuckle, "You got me beat." He said, a hint of surprise in his voice as he looked down at the knife in his chest.

He shook his head in disappointment. "Who would've thought that..After all these years of trainin I still couldn't beat the one fucker I trained for." He turned his head to face him.

T'Challa only looked back at him with a blank, emotionless expression.

Erik shook his head. "Ain't it a damn shame.." He said quietly, his head slowly turning back to the front as he looked down.

T'Challa thought to himself. A thought that most certainly wouldn't be appreciated by his fellow Wakandans. But one that would relieve him from the thought of this tragedy.

"Hold still." He told Erik, his hand placed on his left shoulder. Before he could question it, T'Challa quickly pulled the knife out and place one of Shira's stabilizers into the wound.

Erik let out a silent gasp, unable to speak. Within seconds, unable to hold himself up steady. His eyes fluttered closed and he fell into T'Challas arms.

To make sure, he checked his pulse.

He's still alive..good.

The head of his suit formed back into place. T'Challa picked Erik up over his shoulder. Before the sonics stabilizers could reactivate, he quickly headed back up to Shuri's lab.

He grunted as he gripped onto the edge, pulling himself up.

Shuri heard his brother's grunt and looked in his direction, her eyes wide. "Brother you've done it! You've killed him!" She exclaimed, a smile across her face.

"He is not dead." He told his sister, walking over to her table and carefully lying him down.

Shuri's expression quickly changed. "What!? What are you putting him there for? You don't expect me to-"

T'Challa looked back at her with an unreadable expression. Shuri's head cocked back. "No. No way, I am not healing him. He is a traitor!"

"He is troubled. But he is family. He is our cousin who is convinced with the wrong mindset, and I refuse to let him die. Not like this."

There was seriousness in his voice. A command in that he was not just feeling bad.

Shuri let out an annoyed sigh. "Brother, you must let some things go. Yes, Everette, an American was healed, but that is because he was innocent. He took a bullet for Nakia."

"I am not letting this go. Yes, it is not a good thought, but as long as he is here, and stable, he will cause no harm."

"You don't know that." Shuri's fists clenched. "He is dangerous!"

"He is important." T'Challa's voice went stern, making his sister flinch. "As I have said, I will not let him die. I want him healed. I'll figure out what to do with him."

Knowing now that there was no way T'Challa would change his mind, she stayed silent. Though she said nothing, her expression and her silence cursed at him.

"Fine." She finally said. "I will heal him. But only because I am trusting you know what you are dealing with." She pointed her finger at him. He didn't respond. He only looked down at his unconscious cousin and shook his head.

"Bast.." He murmured. "Someone has got to put some sense into him. One way or another."