DoorMan (MCU SI)

Disclaimer - I don't, and have never claimed to, own Marvel or its Intellectual Property. This is all just so that I can take my maladaptive daydreaming and turn it into something so that it does not ruin the rest of my day.

DoorMan #94

Xandar [February 2008]

–Colin Baxter–

"So, no interconnected network in any galaxy? None? The Kree have a TV program of sorts that continuously blasts propaganda at their faces but aside from having to see that ugly mug's face, nothing else?" He muttered to himself, parsing through record after record on the digital screen, feeling utterly confused and fascinated with the progression of media in various alien civilisations.

Xandar, for one, was the highest on the list to have properly developed arts, including movies, plays, music, and more. Probably a direct consequence of having pro immigration policies and becoming a hotspot of cultural diversity. 

As much as that would have been a positive measure, he could see that it would not have had as much success as it did if not for the overwhelmingly powerful but gentle hand of the Nova Force pressing down on them, reminding them that the safety they enjoyed came at a cost.

There was nothing on the air traffic control system that he wanted, or more accurately, it was not available in his Level 1 access that JIn'Ya so generously granted him.

Nothing about the Infinity Stones.

Nothing about the Supreme Intelligence, Thanos or even Odin. Some brief surface level information about Ronan, the Black Order, and the Asgardian siblings was present, and even in that case, there was no mention of Hela or the Goddess of Death.

He really did get shafted with the reduced access levels.

____xx____

Warrior Falls, Wakanda

–T'Challa–

He stood in the stands, witnessing people quietly shuffling in under the close guard of the Dora Milaje. He was not supposed to be here this early and it showed. Everyone from the priests to everyday citizens were whispering about his presence.

According to traditions, it was the security that showed up first, then the civilians, the witnesses, then the King and his Royal Family, and in the end, the contenders for the battle to become King of Wakanda.

In his opinion, this practice, while functional until now, would not hold weight in the future, when physical prowess would not equate with a good king. He might just have to abolish this tradition or more accurately, have his sister do it because it is not appropriate for the greatest nation on the planet to choose their ruler based solely on their physical and combat ability.

The J'Bari would make excellent Kings and Queens if that logic was applied universally.

Him being here this early, earlier than even Okoya was a signal, a sign that he was not going to be a part of the competition to become King. He was not going to be the one who was going to fight his sister for a chance to become King.

He still did not know exactly what it was that set off the loving relationship that Baba and Shuri had into fire, that forced Shuri into becoming the strongest Black Panther ever, but he was not about to challenge Shuri to a fight he knew he would not be able to win.

He glanced at the sun and knew that any minute now, the King and the Royal Entourage, consisting of the Elder Council as well as the Royal Family would arrive. Shuri was nowhere to be seen but with what little he knew about her and the tech she kept secret from everyone else, she could be in her lab one minute, and the next, she would drop down from the sky, ready to fight anyone who dared.

"Prince T'Challa, does your presence here indicate what I think it does?" Okoye asked him as she continued to monitor the peaceful procession of witnesses on the stands built around here.

"Yes." Was the only reply he could give, and she did not ask for an explanation either.

"All Rise! For King T'Chaka!" The High Priests announced as Baba arrived with the Royal Entourage. He nodded slightly at Mother who nodded back as they passed before him and sat in the Royal Seats. 

He had already informed Baba and Mother about his choice beforehand, along with informing them about Shuri's odd resistance to the portion that strips Bast's blessings from the Black Panther. That information did not seem like news to Baba so the High Priests must have already informed him about that but he considered that information to be the most he could do, in this apparent match between his family.

Soon, everyone was seated and the High Priest began their lecture, about Wakanda, its founding and the principles it was built on. How Bast protected everyone, blessed the Black Panthers to become the protectors of the country, to save Wakanda from outsiders and threats beyond the capability of normal people.

On and on, they went, taking turns to narrate different parts of traditions, until finally, it was all done. And the High Priests declared the challenger section to now begin. As usual, the J'Bari were absent but he expected at least a single candidate from any of the Five Tribes but no, no challenger from the Tribes.

A minute after the High Priest finished her declaration, his neck snapped up, so did Baba's as they both heard something that only the ones blessed by Bast could hear, as a very tiny whine or pressurised air could be heard before Shuri, clad in her armour, dropped down from the sky, landing on the ground without a sound, and only a little disturbance in the water.

There was a surprised gasp from the witnesses but everyone that was important here knew that the Princess was going to make a play for the throne so they were relaxed.

"I, Shuri Udaku, challenge T'Chaka Udaku, for the throne of Wakanda!"

Wow, that was surprisingly passionate for Shuri, who usually took this whole thing with an air of nonchalance, as if she had already won and only the formality of the official declaration was left, which, in a way, was true.

If the potion could not strip Shuri's blessings away, then even if he and Baba combined fought her, they were destined to lose. Sometimes, he had nightmares, thinking of the reasons why Bast thought it prudent enough to bless someone with so much strength to become the Black Panther, on top of the already existing ones.

Was Wakanda headed into such a grave disaster that this level of strength and intelligence was necessary?

There was little surprise among the populace because it was public news by now that the Princess wished to become Queen. The only surprise would be him taking back his candidacy for King and when Baba made eye contact with him, he slightly shook his head to indicate as such.

As much as it made him sad that his Baba was going to lose, in some way, he could not realistically interfere without knowing the full story and no one was willing to tell him anything as Baba had expressly forbidden everyone from ever speaking out about that specifically and the one person who ignored Baba's orders did not wish to speak about it as well.

So, there he was, in the dark, about to witness a one sided fight between his sister and his father, when out of nowhere, a clear voice rang out across the clearing.

"I wish to challenge the Princess for the right to become a Challenger."

He caught the slight smile on his father's face as he looked up to see someone completely unknown drop down, right in front of Shuri.

His eyes narrowed as he sensed danger from the man in front of them whose body was riddled with marks.

"The long lost son of Prince N'Jobu, N'Jadaka will be fighting in my stead, for the throne of Wakanda."

His gaze snapped to Baba, who looked pleased and calm about the whole ordeal as Shuri looked confused about the whole thing. 

The people in the stands, they were different. They were cheering and shouting, celebrating the discovery of Wakanda's long lost son.

Then why? Why did it feel like he was just watching someone who could end up being a danger to Wakanda, instead of a blessing?

This….This did not feel right to him. And he was sure that Shuri must be feeling the same.

Alas, it was a ritual that Shuri asked for so no one save for Bast herself could interrupt it.

All he could do was trust his overpowered little sister.

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