Black Panther: Rise of the Princess (COMPLETE)

Chapter 45: T'Challa

When the dust had settled, none of our soldiers had been lost. Several had been injured, and a few were critically injured, but we had a medical response team on standby, and they were treated immediately. SHIELD was similar: a few injuries, but no fatalities, although their aircraft had been more damaged.

Somehow, D'Arku managed to make it through the battle alive as well. Once our men were heading back, and SHIELD was heading the opposite direction, I went with him and Okoye back to Wakanda. Within the hour, he was under guard in one of the cells underneath the castle.

When I returned home, Nakia was much better than I had last seen her. She was still to remain in the medical wing, by doctor's orders, but she was now sitting up of her own accord, and with a little help, she was able to stand.

Her humor, of course, had remained as well. "You were very worried for a few days, weren't you?" she teased.

"I had every reason to be worried," I defended myself. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because you had more important things to worry about," she argued, ever the rationalist.

"More important than the woman I love?" I asked, kissing her forehead. "I think not."

She smiled, resting against my chest before sitting back down again. "I am only glad that this is over. I hated knowing you were fighting something like HYDRA while I am forced to stay here."

I sat next to her, covering her hand with mine. "As am I, but it is not over. D'Arku's trial is tonight, and the damage he has done to our outreach centers must be repaired."

"Which can be done," Nakia reassured me, "but we have lost enough lives because of his actions."

It was true. Tomorrow, the entire country was gathering for a ceremony to mourn the dead. Those killed in the explosion at the parade would be honored, although nothing could bring them back.

The trial came first, though. The leaders of the four tribes would be present, as would Okoye and W'Kabi, both of whom had been present at the battle against HYDRA. Nakia was unable to join, due to her injuries, as would Mother, who had still not risen from her coma, but I had asked Shuri to attend, as well as Peter.

"Are you sure?" he objected when I asked him. "I mean, I'm honored, but I'm not Wakandan. Shuri makes sense, she's the Princess, but I'm an American, this isn't even my country."

I raised a hand to quiet him. "This was not your fight, and yet, you still risked your life to save thousands of ours. The least we can do to thank you is to allow you this privilege. Besides, we may need to you to clarify some details. This trial is about revealing the truth, and your experience in Germany may be useful."

"Just relax, Peter," Shuri told him. "You will do fine, I'm sure."

He was not entirely convinced, but he accepted, and when it was time to bring D'Arku up from his chambers, he and Shuri were the ones to bring him to the throne room, cuffed and accompanied by the Dora Milaje.

D'Arku did not try to fight the escort, and kept his head bowed in shame. He did not try to make eye contact with anyone until he was before me, and even that was only a brief glance upwards. He avoided eye contact with Shuri, although she barely spared enough time to regard him. I knew how closely they had worked together before, and I could not imagine how difficult it was for her to know that he had betrayed Wakanda.

"D'Arku," I began, when the room was silent. "Evidence that you have betrayed our country to HYDRA has been presented before the council. You stole the brain of Steve Rogers and gave it to HYDRA after the Infinity War, gave them access to vibranium without the consent of the palace, and organized a terrorist attack during a national holiday. This trial is meant to reveal the truth about these events. What truth do you have to share?"