ERIK STEVENS, AKA KILLMONGER, had been working for Klaue and was the one who broke him out earlier that day. But he was just a pawn in his plan, as Erik murdered Klaue and brought his body to the Wakandans.

Now he demanded the throne of Wakanda and was willing to challenge his cousin for it. And he wasn't going to let him yield. Erik, born N'Jadaka and son of the late Prince N'Jobu, wanted to kill T'Challa as revenge for T'Chaka killing his father years ago.

Everybody gathered at Warrior Falls, which was a smaller crowd compared to T'Challa's coronation. Zuri finished painting the king's face as Killmonger picked up a spear and walked onto the water. He snapped it in half and held the broken weapon.

"He'll never beat T'Challa." Shuri told Y/N and her mother as they stood beside her. "He should've just come to the first challenge and gotten it over with."

Zuri fed T'Challa the liquid to remove his powers as the crowd did their traditional dance. Nakia arrived and walked up to Okoye.

"Where is Agent Ross?" The general asked about the recently recovered American.

"I locked him in the office. He's not going anywhere." She replied.

T'Challa looked at Erik. "This is your last chance. Throw down your weapons, and we can handle this another way."

Erik stuck his weapons to the floor and started to strip off his vest. "I lived my entire life waitin' for this moment. I trained, I lied, I killed...just to get here." He began to take off his shirt.

"I killed in America, Afghanistan, Iraq. I took life from my own brothers and sisters right here on this continent. And all this death..." He bent down and picked his weapon back up. "...just so I could kill you."

T'Challa didn't respond and looked at Zuri, giving a nod as a signal to begin.

Zuri slammed his staff against the floor. "Let the challenge begin."

Fast-tempo drumming commenced as Erik swung his blades at T'Challa. The king blocked the hits with his shield and tried to attack with his spear, but Killmonger deflected his swings as well.

The clash continued as both combatants were evenly matched. Erik kept hitting his shield until T'Challa ultimately tripped him with the bottom of his spear. His cousin fell on his back.

"Yield!" T'Challa shouted.

Killmonger rolled back to his feet and immediately engaged him again. T'Challa slashed him across the cheek but it didn't deter Erik as he swung a couple more times and kicked T'Challa down.

The king got back up and tried to attack, but Killmonger swiped his blade down and cut his thigh.

On a knee, T'Challa raised his shield and blocked the continuous hits coming from Erik.

"Snap out of it, T'Challa!" Shuri cried out.

T'Challa got free and swiped at Killmonger but missed and was slashed across the stomach. He thrust his spear forward but was grabbed again and cut on the arm. T'Challa yelled out in pain.

He tried to land a right hook, but Erik dodged and stabbed T'Challa in the side with his spear. The crowd gasped at the sight as their king fell to his knees.

Killmonger brought his blade down and T'Challa grabbed it, but Erik punched him twice in the face. The king was in a daze as he slowly tried to get up.

"Come here." Erik taunted before punching him again. This time T'Challa fell to the floor.

"This is for my father." His cousin said as he raised his blade to finish off T'Challa, but Zuri quickly blocked the hit as it came down.

"Erik!" Zuri shouted.

"Zuri...no." T'Challa groaned while on the floor.

"Zuri, no!" Ramonda exclaimed from the platform.

"I am the cause of your father's death." Zuri admitted. "Not him. Take me."

Erik glared at the elder. "I'll take you both, Uncle James!" He stabbed him in the heart with his spear.

"No!" T'Challa yelled.

The elder fell to the floor and the young Wakandan crawled over to his lifeless body.

"Zuri, no! No! No! Zuri! Zuri!"

The crowd looked on in shock and horror at the doings of Killmonger. Y/N didn't know what to do.

T'Challa bellowed as he picked up his spear and swung at Erik. He missed, and in his weakened state fell back on his stomach.

"Is this your king? Huh?" Erik shouted to the crowd.

T'Challa got up and swiped at him again, but the special ops soldier deftly ducked and watched the exhausted king fall to his knees again.

"Is this your king?" Erik shouted again.

His cousin brought his spear down once more but Killmonger blocked his hit and punched him hard in the stomach. He then grabbed T'Challa's head and hit him with his knee.

Erik looked at the crowd. "The Black Panther, who's supposed to lead you in the future?"

"Come on, brother!" Shuri cried out.

A Dora Milaje warrior looked at Okoye. "Is there nothing that can be done?"

Okoye didn't respond and only looked forward.

"Him?" Erik pointed at T'Challa who was on his knees. "He's supposed to protect you?"

The weakened king got up and tried to attack again, but Killmonger lifted him by his legs and started walking toward the edge of the waterfall.

"No..." Ramonda muttered along with Shuri and Nakia. Y/N was left speechless.

Erik ultimately threw T'Challa over the cliffside, seemingly killing him.

"No!" The queen cried out.

Erik looked back at the crowd. "Nah. I'm your king." He said before a woman went up and started to put the necklace of panther claws on him.

Y/N glanced at the crying Shuri and Ramonda as Nakia ran over to comfort them. He looked back at Erik at the cliff-side.

"You are not!" The soldier shouted and dropped down from the platform. Erik was bewildered at first from the sudden exclamation but readied himself after Y/N picked up a spear.

"You're making a mistake." Erik said with a glare.

"I don't care."

Y/N engaged Killmonger. Using moves he's surveyed from both Warrior Falls battles he's witnessed, he tried his best to take down the king's killer. Unfortunately, they were moves Killmonger was used to.

Their spears clashed and Erik tried to stab Y/N, but he weaved away from the thrust and cut Killmonger across the abdomen. He grunted in pain and swung his spear, which Y/N backed away and evaded.

The soldier ducked under one of Erik's swings and landed a blow to his stomach. As he doubled over, he hit up in the face with his knee and Killmonger fell to the watery floor. Y/N was ready to strike down, but was hit with a club from behind.

Two Border Tribesmen stood over the soldier as he went on a knee and held his head. W'Kabi shouted from the platform.

"You do not harm the king!"

He looked at the Tribesmen, who held their weapons at Y/N. The soldier dropped them and raised his hands. Erik got up and laughed. "As I said, I'm the king now."

Killmonger punched Y/N in the face and then headbutted him twice before throwing him on the floor.

Out of anger, the soldier tried to grab the spear on the ground, but Killmonger kicked him in the face before he could. He still tried to reach for it, but Erik stabbed into his thigh and Y/N let out a yell. Erik got a good look at his face and chuckled.

"You've got to be kidding me. The Freedom Fighter?" He looked over at the crowd. "Your king brought an outsider into Wakanda?"

Y/N groaned as he rolled over onto his back and looked at Erik. The man continued.

"Your former king needed help from an Avenger to take down Klaue, while I brought him to you with my own hands!" He looked back at Y/N. "Even with you, he failed. And you failed in killing me, just like he did."

He brought up the blade and was prepared to stab the soldier. "And now you'll be dead like him."

"Stop!" A voice shouted from the platform.

They looked up and realized it was Okoye. She stepped down from the platform and stood by the rest of her warriors.

"You're telling me to stop?" Erik asked.

"My...king." Okoye struggled to say those words. "Killing the Lieutenant wouldn't be beneficial to your immediate cause."

"And why is that?"

She looked down at the defeated Y/N, who held his bleeding leg and lied on the watery ground.

"He is still susceptible to his programming. You activate him...he will do your bidding without question."

Y/N looked at Okoye, who glanced at him but shot her eyes back toward Killmonger. The soldier figured she was lying to save his life...or at least give him some extra time.

Erik looked at Y/N on the ground. He did read about his Taskmaster programming from the HYDRA/S.H.I.E.L.D files that were leaked online by Black Widow years ago. The general had a point.

"Maybe cuz' taking you in wasn't a bad idea after all." He said. "You wanted to help Wakanda? Well now you will...under my control."

Y/N stayed silent as Erik chuckled. The newly crowned king looked at the Dora Milaje warriors.

"Lock him up for now."

• • •

WAKANDA WAS NOW under Erik's control. Shuri, Ramonda, Nakia, and Ross escaped before they could be arrested under Killmonger's order. Okoye, still loyal to the throne of Wakanda, stayed to serve the king alongside the Dora Milaje.

Killmonger's plan was to take over other nations across the world. He wanted Wakanda to be at the top of the food chain while others looked up to them. He wanted his people to finally step out of the shadows and be respected, whether that meant by fear or not.

W'Kabi and the Border Tribe supported him, and the elders were convinced that it was the best plan. It was time to get to work, and Killmonger decided it was also time to activate his new weapon.

Y/N.

He entered a room with Okoye and a few other warriors. The super-soldier sat in the middle of the room, the same place when he was officially freed from the programming days ago.

"So, how does this work?" Erik asked.

"We play a song and say the trigger words." Ayo explained.

The king arched a brow. "A song? You're messing with me."

"No. That is how it was integrated."

He crossed his arms. "Fine. Let's see it."

Ayo looked at Okoye, who gave a nod. She looked at Y/N, who glanced back before dropping his head. The warrior went over to the stereo and started to play Fortunate Son.

"This is the song?" Erik chuckled. "It fits him."

He watched Y/N as he squinted his eyes and started to groan. He fell from his chair and writhed in pain on the floor as everybody looked on. His squirming started to subside and Ayo eased closer and spoke.

"It's time to rise, mimic."

Y/N lied on the floor for a moment before getting back up. He panted and looked toward Erik, who nodded in intrigue.

"So he's compliant now?" He asked Okoye.

"Yes, my king."

He walked up to Y/N, who simply stared at him. "How would I know?"

Nobody answered, and Erik had an idea. He got closer to Y/N and whispered.

"Take down the general."

The soldier immediately shot his eyes at Okoye and charged. The warrior lifted her spear but Y/N grabbed it and shoved it aside before wrapping his hand around her neck. Okoye kneed him in the stomach and he let go, but Y/N dodged her next attack.

The general swiped her spear at Y/N but he weaved away from her hits and ultimately grabbed the tip of her weapon again. He pulled it out of her grasp and hit Okoye in the stomach with it before sweeping her feet. On the floor, she looked up at Y/N as he stabbed down at her, but stopped before making contact. Erik looked on and was impressed.

"Amazing." He said as he walked up to Y/N and pat him in the shoulder. He looked at the rest of the Dora Milaje in the room. "Let's move out. We're leaving soon."

Erik walked away. Y/N looked at Okoye on the floor and gave a wink before following the king. Okoye exhaled and got back up, looking at Ayo.

Their plan had worked.

• • •

CRATES OF WAKANDAN WEAPONRY ascended from the cave and Border Tribe members carried them into the jets. W'Kabi was overseeing the operation and walked over to Killmonger upon seeing him. The king was joined by Dora Milaje warriors and the seemingly activated Y/N.

"Have the spies been alerted?" Erik asked W'Kabi.

"Yes. Some resistance to our new mission. But the War Dogs in London, New York, and Hong Kong are standing by."

"We'll strike there first. The others'll come around." He picked up a spear. "Look at this. A handheld sonic cannon, powerful enough to stop a tank, untraceable by metal detectors. And we got thousands of them." He looked on at one of the aircrafts carrying the weapons and continued. "The world's gonna find out exactly who we are." 

Before the jet could fully leave, it was suddenly shot down. Killmonger, Okoye, Y/N, W'Kabi, and the rest of the warriors ran downstairs and looked ahead at the wreckage. From within the smoke and flames, a black-suited figure came out of it. His mask retracted, revealing himself to be T'Challa.

The Black Panther. 

They looked on in awe. Okoye smiled at the sight of her friend being alive. Y/N muttered to himself. "The king lives..."

"N'Jadaka!" T'Challa shouted from the mound.

"Wassup?" Erik called out.

"I never yielded! And as you can see..." He stretched out his arms and walked forward. "I am not dead!"

"All that challenge shit is over with! I'm the king now!" He turned back to the rest. "Get those planes in the air! Carry out the mission!"

Aircrafts started to depart and fly into the sky. Erik looked a W'Kabi.

"W'Kabi, man, kill this clown."

Okoye turned to her lover. "W'Kabi, the challenge is not complete."

He looked on at the incoming T'Challa, conflicted on what he should do and who his loyalties were to.

"What should we do?" One of the tribespeople asked him.

W'Kabi began to shout. "Border Tribe!"

They shouted back and lifted their weapons. W'Kabi took out his own blade and shouted again before running toward Black Panther. His tribe yelled and followed their leader.

"You!" Okoye glared at Erik. "Your heart is so full of hatred, you are not fit to be a king."

She slammed her spear twice on the ground before pointing it at Killmonger, which the Dora Milaje reciprocated.

"Lieutenant, deal with them!" Erik commanded Y/N, but he didn't comply.

"Jokes on you, asshole. I'm going to let them kick your ass." Y/N said before running off.

Killmonger grunted as he pulled out his blades and suited up in his own panther suit.

He was ready to chase Y/N out of anger, but Okoye and the warriors got in his way. The general shouted and they engaged Killmonger.

Y/N ran through the door leading to the lab. He went down the empty corridor and made a right, suddenly running into three people with blankets over their heads.

"Y/N!" One of them exclaimed. She removed her disguise and the soldier realized it was Shuri. The other two were Nakia and Agent Ross.

"Shuri! Are you guys okay?" He asked.

"Yes, yes. We're fine." He started pulling him into her lab. "Come on."

They went over to a sand table that had gear and weapons. She picked up a device and showed it to Ross.

"Nakia and I will get control of the Royal Talon with this."

"So what do I do?" Ross asked.

"You'll have to fly it." She replied and put a kimoyo bead bracelet on him.

"What?"

"You were a great pilot. Don't worry, I'll guide you through it. It's just like riding a hoverbike."

Ross furrowed a brow. "What? You guys have hoverbikes?"

Shuri started to pick up gear as Nakia prepped herself as well. Y/N stood around and watched before finally speaking. "What can I do?"

Before Shuri can go upstairs and change into her battle attire, she put her things down and went over to a cubby on the wall. She unlocked it and pulled out the case within.

"Remember when I said I was making something else for you?" She placed it on the table in front of him. "Happy birthday."

Y/N arched a brow and opened the case. He looked at the contents inside, his eyes widening before letting out an exhale. He never thought he'd see it again.

He looked at Shuri, who gave a smile back and nodded.

"It's time for you to make your own destiny."

The battle continued with Dora Milaje warriors and Black Panther fighting off W'Kabi's Border Tribe. Their armored rhinoceroses arrived and changed the tide of the fight, with Okoye, Ayo, and some warriors being cornered. Fortunately, M'Baku and the Jabari tribe joined in to help.

Ayo was fighting off two Border Tribesmen. She took the first one down but was hit in the back by the second one with his club. He towered over her and was about to strike again, but an arrow stuck to his neck and electrocuted him. The man fell to the floor.

Border Tribesmen nearby witnessed it happen but didn't get time to react as an explosive arrow hit near their feet and sent them flying backward. Ayo looked ahead and saw the person who saved her.

A/N: Behold! A redesigned Taskmaster suit! I basically changed the orange and blue colors to red, black, and silver.

Y/N placed his collapsible bow back into his pack and took out his sword. He leaped off the platform and joined the fight.

A Border Tribesman engaged Taskmaster, but the soldier dodged his attack and slashed him across the thigh before hitting him in the face with the cross-guard of his sword. Another tribesman ran up behind him but Y/N spun around and swept his legs before stabbing him in the shoulder.

Some Jabari warriors looked at Y/N, confused and fearful at the skull-masked man. M'Baku had been watching him fight and knew he was friendly.

"Jabari! The man in the armor is our ally." He called out, which his men accepted and fought alongside the soldier.

Taskmaster put away his sword and took out his baton, forming it into a staff. He blocked incoming attacks from Border Tribesmen and even took some down with the weapon. He continued fighting one of them, but after seeing an incoming rhinoceros, he backflipped away and let the animal run over the tribesman.

"Rhinos with armor? Who would've thought." Y/N remarked.

The soldier went on to fight more enemies on the mound, still evading rhinos and tribesmen's attacks. One animal was lucky enough to knock Taskmaster off his feet, and he laid on the floor as two tribesmen charged at the downed soldier.

Black Panther ran in and kicked one down before clawing the other and throwing him away. T'Challa then helped Y/N to his feet.

"Is that you, Lieutenant?" He asked as his panther mask disappeared.

Y/N's helmet retracted into his collar and he looked at his friend with his own eyes. He was still in awe at his survival. "You're alive."

"Nothing can keep me from fighting for my kingdom."

"And nothing will keep me from fighting alongside you."

T'Challa smiled before activating his mask again. The soldier did so as well, and they went their separate ways to continue the fight.

Back on the platform, Shuri was fighting Killmonger after the unfit king had thrown Nakia aside. The princess used her sonic gauntlets to try and take him down. He ended up kicking her to the floor, but before Erik can attack again, a wire wrapped around his neck and pulled him back.

Y/N leaped onto the platform and faced Killmonger. He got back up and faced the soldier as he retracted his mask.

"Cute armor." Killmonger jested as he brandished his blades. "It's not going to save you though, homie."

Y/N put away his billy club and crossed his arms, activating his claws. "How about a round two?"

Erik chuckled at the sight of the claws. "You really do be copying other people's shit."

Killmonger engaged Taskmaster but the soldier evaded his attacks. Y/N swiped at Erik to scratch him with his claws and ended up getting him a couple of times.

Erik eventually stabbed Y/N, but the blade didn't penetrate his armor. Taskmaster punched him in the face and kicked him away to gain separation.

"Vibranium, huh?" He remarked about Y/N's armor. "It makes me sick that they give it to you and not to my people on the other side of these walls."

"You want to use it to take over nations and hurt others. I'm using it to stop you from doing so."

The two combatants fought again with Y/N taking out his sword this time. Their blades clashed before ultimately locking together.

"I'm Navy SEALs, grandpa. What you got on me?" Killmonger remarked.

Y/N clenched his teeth as they continued locking blades. "...I'm dating the Black Widow."

He quickly pulled away before leaping up to wrap Erik's neck with his legs and initiated a scissor leg takedown. Y/N threw him to the floor and got back to his feet.

Taskmaster charged at Killmonger and brought his sword down, but Erik blocked it with his blade and sprung back up. They clashed blades again until Erik ultimately pushed-kicked him away.

Y/N fell back and rolled off the side of the platform, but caught himself before he could plunge into the depths of the cave.

"Then I'll make sure your girl joins you in the dirt." Erik taunted as he walked up to him. But before he can act, Shuri got up and blasted Erik with her gauntlets.

The princess kept shooting as Killmonger marched toward her. She shot out a continuous stream of energy that made Erik fall to his knees and groan in discomfort. But before the energy could disable his suit, Killmonger picked up his blade and slashed at her right gauntlet.

He grabbed her left gauntlet and crushed it. Shuri tried to shoot from her right one, but the blade had disabled it. Erik threw her to the floor and towered over her.

Meanwhile, Y/N was still dangling from the edge. He tried to climb up so he can help Shuri.

"What's up, Princess?" Erik taunted as he deactivated his mask.

"You'll never be a true king." She shot back.

Erik clenched his teeth as he was about to bring the blade down at her, but T'Challa stormed in and tackled him. The two fell into the cave just as Y/N climbed back up onto the platform.

"Brother!" Shuri cried out. Y/N ran over to her and saw the two cousins fighting while in a freefall into the depths of the cave.

T'Challa landed on the train tracks within the mountain. Erik dropped down and tried to hit him, but he rolled away and got to his feet. They engaged one another again, trading claw-swipes and punches.

Killmonger grabbed Black Panther and tried to throw him off the track, but T'Challa grabbed onto a stabilizer and spun back around to hit him. They punched each other at the same time which emitted a shockwave that heaved them both back.

T'Challa groaned on the floor. He looked at the stabilizers of the track and realized something.

"Shuri." He spoke into his radio.

"Brother!"

He kipped back up. "Turn on the train on the bottom track."

"The stabilizers will deactivate your suit! You won't have protection!"

"Neither will he."

"It's too risky! Y/N can come down there and assist!"

"No! Just trust me, sister."

After a pause, Shuri agreed. "Okay!"

Killmonger ran to Black Panther and attacked, but the tracks were activated and they leaped out of the way of the incoming rain. They stood across from each other, the stabilizers of the track weakening the integrity of their suits.

Erik had figured out his plan but didn't care.

"I don't need a suit to kill you. Your reign is over! You sat up here, safe and protected." He shouted.

T'Challa spoke to him through the gaps of the passing train. "You want to see us become just like the people you hate so much. Divide and conquer the land as they did!"

"Nah, I learn from my enemies. Beat them at they own game."

"You have become them! You will destroy the world, Wakanda included!"

"The world took everything away from me! Everything I ever loved!" Erik shouted back, remembering how his father was killed by his own uncle, and how his mother died in prison after being wrongfully incarcerated. "But I'mma make sure we're even. I'mma track down anyone who would even think about being loyal to you! And I'mma put they ass in the dirt right next to Zuri!"

T'Challa yelled as the train finally passed by and ran toward Erik. They continued fighting until the next train came by, and once it passed, Killmonger took out his blade and attacked Black Panther.

He evaded his cousin's thrusts and swings and ultimately grabbed the hand holding the blade. As they struggled, another train passed by and the stabilizers affected their suits again. Erik started pushing T'Challa toward the side of the track, wanting to drop him into the cave.

"This is it for you, cousin." He taunted.

T'Challa got out of Erik's hold and disarmed him. The knife flew in the air and the two rolled over to try and catch it. T'Challa was able to get to it first, and before the stabilizers could deactivate, he stabbed Killmonger in the chest.

He fell to his knees as the blade stuck out of him. "Hell of a move." Erik groaned.

T'Challa didn't reply and simply gave a somber look to his cousin. Erik took a few breaths in before speaking again.

"My pop said Wakanda was the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. He promised me he was gonna show it to me one day." He started to tear up. "You believe that? Kid from Oakland, running around believing in fairy tales."

T'Challa stayed quiet and nodded, taking in his words. He helped Erik up and walked down the track with the injured man. They took an elevator up the cave to where the panther statue was on the side of Mount Bashenga.

The cousins stood by the cliff-side overlooking the sunset. Erik dropped to his knees and took in the view.

"It's beautiful."

T'Challa looked down at his critically injured cousin. He knelt beside him.

"Maybe we can still heal you."

Erik turned to him. "Why? So you could just lock me up? Nah. Just bury me in the ocean...with my ancestors that jumped from the ships. 'Cause they knew death was better the bondage."

He grunted in pain as he pulled the blade out of his chest. After letting out one final breath, his body fell to the floor. T'Challa sighed and stood up, looking at his bleeding cousin.

T'Challa knelt over his body and closed Erik's eyes. The king let out another exhale and looked on at the sunset, the view being the last thing his cousin saw before dying.

But T'Challa wasn't going to let that be his last. He was still family and wanted to atone for the mistake his father made back in 1992.

He took out a Kimoyo Bead and inserted it into N'Jadaka's wound. T'Challa lifted his cousin's body and walked away from the cliff-side.