Wakanda's Marionette (Erik Killmonger Fanfiction)

Chapter 1: Sunset

Solana POV

I've been here for almost 3 weeks and I swear Wakandans are some of the nicest people. Everyone I met was incredibly warm and caring. They were very intrigued by my decision to do my thesis on Wakanda. I've done so many interviews which makes me feel like I have sufficient info to start working right away.

One common theme that I got was how happy the villagers were despite saying that they were poor. They are just so full of life.

"Lulama I have a question for you." I asked her while writing in my notepad.

"Yes Solana."

"This is a monarchy, right." I looked up at her.

"Yes it is." She nodded.

"Where do the royals live? I would like to talk about the life of the royals especially how it differs from the common folk. Unfortunately in some countries, the royals live exponentially more lavishly compared to the citizens despite being poor in resources. I was thinking perhaps I could go to that area to see if that is the case."

"They live past the mountains."

"So is there no way that a person doing research could go to that area?" I asked.

"Honestly, I don't think so. I think you need to get special access. I wouldn't know though." She shrugged.

"That's a bummer because it's not like I'm asking to go to their palace. But I get it." I sighed while writing some more. "How do you feel about King T'Challa?"

"He's such a gracious king. I've heard he has visited some of the villages nearby while he was still prince." She grinned.

"Wow! Really." I added that to my notes. "How lucky would I be if the King traveled here on my visit? That would put my thesis over the top." I checked my watch. "Oh the sun should be setting around this area soon. Do you mind if I...?"

"Go ahead." Lulama grinnned at me. She knew the drill. I've been watching the sunset every chance that I could get. I walked quickly outside and just watched in awe. I could never tire of this. It's almost as if the sunset puts you in a trance. There's just something about it that is breathtaking. I can't describe it enough.

Once the sun finished setting, I saw something in my peripheral. I looked over to the mountains and started to see what looked to be a glitch in the sky. "What the hell?" I stared up at that spot again. I ran back to Lulama. "Lulama I've got to show you this." I grabbed her hand and brought her outside.

"Look at that." I pointed up in the direction to see the glitch.

"I don't see anything." She squinted her eyes looking in the direction I pointed to.

"Look closely it'll happen again." Like clockwork, the glitch intensified. "Did you see it?" I looked at Lulama and she shrugged. I took out my camera and before I could snap a photo of it happening, Lulama spoke to me.

"Oh my dear you've been staring at the sunset too long. I don't see anything." She patted my shoulder.

"Are you serious?" I sighed and she nodded at me. I put my camera down after taking a photo that turned out blurry.

"I honestly think you need to rest your eyes. You might have gotten sun damage."

"I wasn't staring at the sun though." I raised my brows. "I'm staring at the whole picture you know."

"Yeah but since we're a little above the equator, the sun is a bit more harsh here so I think that might be why." She patted my shoulder again. "Use your sunglasses next time okay."

"Okay I will. You're right let me go sit down and rest my eyes a little." I looked back to try to see the glitch and I'm still seeing it but Lulama is the expert I'll take her word for it.

Omniscient POV

Lulama watched as Solana went inside to rest her eyes. Once Solana went inside, Lulama looked right at that spot that Solana was pointing at. She tried her best to react as calmly as possible. She thought quickly and came up with an excuse to justify Solana seeing the glitch.

When the coast was clear, Lulama switched on her Kimoyo beads right away to contact Shuri.

"Hey girl hey." Shuri exclaimed. "What's going on?"

"U-Shuri ujonge oku. (Shuri look at this)" Lulama angled herself so Shuri could see the glitch in the sky.

She gasped. "Andizange ndiyazi ukuba oko kwenzeka. Ukubamba okuhle! (I didn't know that was happening. Good catch!)

"Andizange ndiyiqaphele. Sinomfundi okwenza u-reseaech apha kwaye uyaphawula. (I didn't notice it. We have a student doing research here and she noticed it.) Lulama sighed.

"Wasabela njani? (How did she react)" Shuri made a worried face. "Ngendlela, ndiyilungisa ngoku njengoko sithethayo.(By the way, I'm fixing it now as we speak)"

"Wandibiza ngokukhawuleza xa wayibona. Ngenhlanhla, ndacinga ngokukhawuleza ndaza ndamxelela isizathu esihle. (She called me right away when she saw it. Luckily, I thought fast and told her a good excuse)" Lulama exclaimed.

"Kufuneka zilungiswe ngoku. (It should be fixed now)" Shuri told Lulama.

"Ewe, uphelele. Enkosi kakhulu. (Yes, it's perfect. Thank you so much!)" Lulama looked up several times to double check.

"Ndixelele ukuba ufuna enye into. (Let me know if you need anything else)" Shuri looked at Lulama.

"Ndicinga ukuba sihle. Ndimele ndikwazi ngakumbi kwaye ndibaleke ngeempendulo zam ngenxa yokuba unomdla kakhulu. Uyi-sweet though. (I think we're fine. I just have to be more aware and more calculated with my answers because she's very inquisitive. She's an absolute sweetheart though.)"

"Ndiyonwabile ukuba uyayilungisa.
Ndiza kuphinda ndiqiniseke ukuba ndikhuthele ngakumbi. (I'm glad she's great to deal with.
I'll also make sure to be extra diligent as well) Shuri stated.

"Alright thanks again. I'll talk to you later." Lulama looked back up at the sky and checked on where Solana is staying.

"You're welcome again and I'll talk to you later." Shuri mentioned and turned off the call.

Lulama walked back to where she is staying. She really thought about how she dodged a bullet. As the Tourism Director of Wakanda, this whole experience is showing her exactly what needs to be improved to ensure the real Wakanda isn't accidentally shown to outsiders.

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Hope you liked that chapter. If you have any thoughts, questions and/or want me to continue writing this story, please feel free to comment.

There might be some incorrect translations so please be mindful of that.

Thanks for reading!