C448 Spider-Man (Patreon)
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The air hung heavy over Wakanda as the somber aftermath of Killmonger's challenge and subsequent death settled in. The tension and unease couldn't be shaken off easily, casting a shadow over the upcoming coronation of T’Challa. Although he had bested the challenger, the price of that victory weighed heavily on the hearts of the people.
The city was draped in muted colors, a reflection of the collective mourning that gripped the nation. The vibrant celebrations that usually accompanied such events were replaced by a subdued atmosphere, where even the wind seemed to whisper condolences.
The people of Wakanda may not have known Killmonger, but T’Challa knew that the death of a prince was a pretty big deal for his people. Even he was a bit saddened by his cousins death, even if he was a manipulative, disgusting piece of sh*t…
As for his family, Ramonda and Shuri seemed a bit somber, but they’d be alright. T’Chaka wore a conflicted look on his face. On one hand he was happy that everything went smoothly, but on the other hand, his brothers child was dead and he had to take a measure of responsibility for that.
As T’Challa stood before the council and the assembled tribes, his gaze sweeping over the faces of his people, he couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. His parents flanked him, their expressions a mixture of pride and sadness. They had abdicated the throne, placing their trust in him.
The ceremony began, but the joy that usually infused such occasions was less than T’Challa imagined. To him, the chanting of the tribes sounded more like a solemn dirge than a celebratory chorus. Even the ceremonial music carried a mournful tune, a stark departure from the vibrant melodies that typically filled the air.
T’Challa was adorned in the regal attire of the Black Panther, the vibranium threads shimmering in the muted sunlight. As the coronation rituals proceeded, he felt the weight of tradition and the legacy of his ancestors upon his shoulders. He wondered if N’Jadaka's actions were a manifestation of the pain that came from feeling disconnected from their heritage.
Soon enough, the moment finally came when T’Challa was officially crowned King of Wakanda. The crown rested upon his head, a symbol of his authority and duty. The moment should have been triumphant, a culmination of his journey to become a true leader. But the absence of N’Jadaka cast a shadow over the proceedings. He couldn’t help but wonder if things would have been different if they had grown up together.
As the coronation ended and the council members took their leave, a palpable tension remained in the air. Some left with a sense of unease, unable to shake off the implications of recent events.
Fury, for instance, had hoped to secure a foothold for Shield in Wakanda, but T’Challa's refusal reminded him that not all doors were open to him, no matter his influence. Ussually, he would simply create a secret base and be done with it, but sadly that couldn’t be done in Wakanda. They’re far too technologically advanced for him to skull around.
Magneto, however, seemed satisfied, a rare smile gracing his lips. His plans, driven by his insatiable lust for power, had borne fruit. He had unearthed an untapped vein of Vibranium under the mountain, and with his mastery over metal, he intended to take it for himself. While the ceremony was taking place, he was constantly dragging the vibranium ore through the earth until it was outside of Wakanda’s border shield.
‘It’s time to pick up the fruits of my labor…’ Magneto thought as he strolled out of Wakanda alongside his fellow councilmen and woman now that the Ancient One joined.
T’Chaka watched them go alongside Peter and his family, who would be staying a bit longer to enjoy the city, the threads of fate weaving together in ways that were beyond his control. He was no longer a king but a member of the Avengers council and Wakanda’s only link to the outside world, a balancing act that would demand his attention.
As MJ and Lily walked off to get ready for their Wakandan vacation, T’Chaka found a moment to approach Peter privately. In a quiet corner of the palace, away from prying eyes, the former king turned to Peter, a mixture of gratitude and unease in his expression. "You did us a great service," he began, his voice carrying the weight of the unspoken favor. "Without your assistance during that battle, the outcome could have been far more dire. My nephew… he might have been crowned King, and who knows what kind of rule that would have brought."
Peter shrugged casually, a nonchalant smile playing on his lips. "No big deal. I'm just glad I could help out."
T’Chaka's gaze grew solemn. He had been prepared to pay his debt immediately, to offer something of value in return for Peter's intervention. But Peter's nonchalant attitude threw him off balance. "Is there nothing you desire, Peter? No request you have in mind?"
Peter chuckled lightly. "I appreciate the offer, but I don't exactly need anything right now. I'll just keep the favor in my back pocket until I do."
T’Chaka nodded, though his expression was far from content. He hated owing anyone, especially when it came to matters entrenched in the blood of his family. But he understood that he couldn't force the issue. "Very well then. Enjoy your time here in Wakanda."
With a nod, Peter turned to leave, his footsteps echoing through the corridor. He was heading back to MJ and Lily, who were eager to explore the wonders of the advanced vibranium city. Before he left, though, he turned to T’Chaka. "By the way, I'll be stopping by the palace in the next few days to have a chat with the new King."
T’Chaka's gaze lingered on Peter for a moment before he nodded in acknowledgment. "Very well. We'll be awaiting your visit."
As the door closed behind Peter, T’Chaka's thoughts shifted to the upcoming funeral of his nephew. It was a duty he couldn't avoid, even if their relationship had been strained. With a heavy heart, he turned away and began to prepare for the somber occasion.
—————
Meanwhile, Peter and his family enjoyed the wonders of Wakanda. From the advanced technology to the natural beauty, they immersed themselves in this new world. MJ marveled at the possibilities, and Lily's wide-eyed wonder was infectious, spreading to everyone around her.
But all good things had to come to an end. MJ and Lily returned home through a portal of their own making, leaving Peter behind in Wakanda. As the portal closed, Peter took a deep breath, knowing that he had something important to do before he left.
He made his way to the palace, finding T’Challa in the midst of a meeting with the tribal council. Seeing Peter's arrival, some of the leaders voiced their complaints, but T’Challa called for a recess and invited Peter to join him, expecting his visit.
With a nod of thanks, Peter sat beside T’Challa, their voices low in the echoing chamber. "I was wondering," Peter began, his tone serious, "has your father talked to you about the lifespan of Wakanda's anonymity from the outside world?"
T’Challa frowned, shaking his head. "No, he hasn't."
Peter leaned in slightly. "Well, it's something you should consider. With the constant advancement of technology beyond your borders, it's only a matter of time before someone else discovers the true Wakanda. We’ve narrowed it down to a few years at best."
T’Challa's eyes widened, and the Dora Milaje standing guard exchanged glances, clearly taken aback by this revelation.
Peter's voice grew more urgent. "Perhaps it's time for you to get ahead of the problem. You could announce Wakanda's existence before outsiders twist narratives about you. It's a risky move, but it might be the best way to control the situation."
T’Challa opened his mouth to speak, but Peter held up a hand to stop him. "I know what you're going to say. The tribal leaders won't like it. Your father said the same thing, but there's always a solution even when it seems impossible. You just have to be willing to act."
Standing up, Peter summoned a portal that opened into his house in New York. He turned back to T’Challa. "Before I go, I wanted to offer you something. A place in the Avengers. If you join, you'll have access to our resources if you ever need them. And I don’t mean money and technology, we all know you have enough of that. I’m talking about information. You’ll see when you join."
The Avengers may not have much to offer someone as rich and powerful as the King of Wakanda, but they do have information on the outside world and the universe at large. Thanks to their connection to the Nova Corps and friendship with the Nova Prime, they receive tons of information on a monthly basis. Of course, nothing too high level was shared since the Earth isn’t a member of the Nova Empire, but it was still a lot.
T’Challa nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I'll discuss it with my father. Thank you for the offer."
With a final nod, Peter stepped through the portal, which snapped shut behind him. T’Challa was left standing in the throne room, his thoughts swirling with the possibilities that Peter's words had brought to light. The future of Wakanda was uncertain, but he was determined to face it head-on, just as he had done with the challenges that had come before.
A/N: 1609 words :)