DORA MILAJE WARRIORS surrounded the super-soldier as he sat in the middle of the room. They held their spears, prepared if anything were to go wrong.

Ayo paced in front of Y/N who had his head down and eyes closed. He was ready for what was coming next. He hoped that the two weeks in cryogenic stasis weren't for nothing.

"Are you ready?" She asked the man.

With eyes still shut, he gave a nod. Ayo looked over at one of the warriors and gestured at her to commence the process. The woman pressed a button on the stereo and started playing Fortunate Son.

Y/N sat there, listening to the music that would seemingly turn him into what he hated. He expected the thumping feeling in his head and blurred vision to go along with it as the song played...but it didn't come. It wasn't affecting him.

It ain't me,

it ain't me

I ain't no senator's son, son

It ain't me,

it ain't me

I ain't no fortunate one

Y/N opened his eyes and looked up, an expression of awe plastered on his face. He chuckled, which soon turned into a tearful laugh as the music continued to play.

He was free of the programming. Nobody will be able to exploit him again.

Ayo looked at the elated soldier and gave a light smile.

"You can rise now, Lieutenant." Ayo said.

The man got up and smiled at the Dora Milaje warriors in the room. He felt like dancing to the song that he once was never able to listen to.

"Thank you...thank you." Y/N breathed out.  He was going to lunge at the first warrior he saw to hug them, but unfortunately that warrior was Ayo. Before he can act, she pointed the spear at him.

"I don't do that, ijoni (soldier)." She said in a stern tone. Y/N backed away and simply gave her a thumbs up.

• • •

THE SUPER SOLDIER stood outside the palace by a railing overlooking the trees and plains ahead. The sunset gave the a sky a warm orange-yellow color that paired nicely with the fresh breeze that hit his face. It gave a welcoming feeling, which delighted the now free man even more.

Shuri walked up to Y/N and stood beside him, the two overlooking the same view.

"How are you feeling?" The princess asked.

"Amazing." He answered then turned to her. "Thank you so much."

She nodded. "Breaking your programming also gives me hope that it will work on Barnes. So...thank you for being our lab rat."

Y/N laughed and leaned against the railing. Shuri rested an arm on it and faced the Lieutenant. "I also have some great news..."

"And what's that?"

"Your photographic reflexes are still intact."

"Really?"

"Yes. That ability was always part of you in fact, ever since you were born. Your serum-infused blood just heightened them as you got older."

Y/N nodded. "Wow." 

"Now with the programming gone...you won't have to worry about your gift being exploited. You are your own man now." Shuri added.

"Again...thank you." He replied.

She smiled before shrugging and speaking again. "But here's the bad news..."

The super soldier sighed. "I figured."

"Removing the programming pretty much reset your memory bank for the moves you've memorized. So..."

"I pretty much have to relearn them." Y/N interjected.

"Yes." She replied.

"That sounds fun." He said with a chuckle. "Do you guys have video archives of all the Avengers by any chance?"

Shuri shared a laugh with Y/N, then suddenly heard a whirring sound in the sky.

They looked up and saw an aircraft flying over the palace and Shuri knew who was arriving. Her communicator chimed and a hologram Okoye appreared above her wrist.

"Princess." The Dora Milaje general greeted.

"General. You're back already?" She replied.

"Yes. Our mission is complete. We're landing right now."

"Good. I'll see you there." She shut off the communicator and looked at Y/N.

"Let's go welcome the prince."

The airstair of the jet opened. Dora Milaje warriors formed a line on each side as they awaited their soon-to-be king. Queen Romanda stood with Ayo and Shuri while Y/N stood several feet behind them. He wasn't sure where to stand in fact.

The warriors tapped their spears on the floor and crossed their arms as T'Challa, Okoye, and Nakia walked up to the queen.

"Queen Mother. Princess." Nakia greeted with a slight bow. "My comfort for your loss."

Ramonda appreciated the condolences for the late T'Chaka. "Thank you, Nakia. It is so good to have you back with us."

"Take her to the River Province to prepare her for the ceremony." Okoye told Ayo.

"Yes, General." She obliged and walked away with Nakia.

T'Challa looked at her as she left. Shuri noticed this and grinned.

"Did he freeze?" She asked Okoye.

"Like an antelope in headlights."

Shuri and Okoye laughed which annoyed T'Challa.

"Are you finished?" He asked.

Okoye continued chuckling as she tapped her spear twice on the floor and signaled to the rest of the warriors. They reciprocated the act and began following their general out of the area.

T'Challa looked at Shuri. "So surprised my little sister came to see me off before our big day."

"You wish! I'm here for the EMP beads. I've developed an update."

"Update? No. It worked perfectly."

"How many times do I have to teach you? Just because something works doesn't mean that it cannot be improved."

"You are teaching me? What do you know?" He gave the beads to Shuri.

"More than you." She quipped back and walked away.

T'Challa called out. "I can't wait to see what kind of update you make to your ceremonial outfit."

Shuri walked passed Y/N while also flipping off her brother as she continued walking. T'Challa's mouth gaped open, and their mother sensed her foul act.

"Shuri!" She scolded.

"Sorry, Mother!"

Y/N stood idly by for a moment while T'Challa continued talking with his mother. Afterward, they walked up to the waiting super-soldier.

"Lieutenant." T'Challa greeted. "I see you are an ice cube no longer."

Y/N chuckled. "Still pretty chilly. I now know how Rogers felt coming out of the ice."

The Wakandan laughed before placing a hand on his shoulder. "I assume the removal was successful."

"Yes, your highness." He replied with a nod. "I can't thank you all enough."

T'Challa gave a nod back. "I'd say we should celebrate, but we have some business to attend to."

The three started walking away together. Y/N wondered what this whole event he was hearing about was.

"And what's that? If you don't mind me asking."

"The coronation at Warrior Falls." Queen Ramonda answered. "Where my son will be officially crowned king."

"We don't know if it'll be the easy." T'Challa replied, remembering other traditions and rules that could keep him from doing so.

"You won't have to worry." She said.

"That sounds quite fun." Y/N chimed in, but was unsure if he was even allowed to attend.

"I reckon it will be." T'Challa responded. "Maybe you can bring the fun, since you're invited."

The soldier chuckled. "Well, I'm honored." He looked at the causal clothes he currently had on. "Is this good enough?"

"Talk with my sister. I'm sure she will have something for you."

• • •

THE WAKANDAN TRIBES sang in Xhosa as T'Challa walked out of the jet and onto the watery cliff side. He was shirtless with gray paint on his pecs and shoulders as he held a spear and shield.

He looked ahead, seeing his mother singing with the rest of the tribes as Shuri and Y/N stood beside her. In the beginning, Y/N didn't know what they were singing or how to. But thanks to his mimicry ability, he was able to do so after a bit of practice. It was nice being able to integrate himself in the festivities, and thanks to the outfit Shuri gave him, he fit in just fine.

A/N: Damn, son! Looking sharp once again.

The singing stopped as Zuri started calling out to the attendees.

"I, Zuri, son of Badu, give to you Prince T'Challa...the Black Panther!"

The crowed cheered as T'Challa brandished his weapons and knelt down.

Zuri continued as he held a bowl of liquid. "The prince will now have the strength of the Black Panther stripped away."

T'Challa drank the liquid, which caused his body to convulse a bit but he was able to compose himself. The crowd made an "X" with their arms and danced with the beat of the drums.

The prince let out an exhale as his body fully recovered from the temporary removal of his powers. He stood back up and gave a nod.

"Dumisani izinyanya (Praise the ancestors)." Zuri shouted.

"Dumisani izinyanya!" The crowd chanted back.

"Victory in ritual combat comes by yield or death." Zuri started to explain. "If any tribe wishes to put forth a warrior, I now offer a path to the throne."

A man shouted which his tribespeople replicated. He stepped forward.

"The Merchant Tribe will not challenge today."

W'Kabi shouted from his platform which the others reciprocated. The man beside him spoke.

"The Border Tribe will not challenge today."

Y/N leaned over and whispered toward Shuri. "Can I challenge him?"

"If you have a tribe to represent." She replied, knowing that he was pretty much joking.

"How about America?"

"You're hilarious."

Another tribe shouted and the man beside Nakia stepped forward.

"The River Tribe will not challenge today."

A group of tribespeople shouted next and the woman beside her warrior spoke.

"The Mining Tribe will not challenge today."

Zuri stepped forward. "Is there any member of royal blood who wishes to challenge for the throne?"

Shuri surprisingly raised her hand, and the crowd murmured at the sight.

"This corset is really uncomfortable." She said and turned to the rest of the tribespeople. "So could we all just wrap it up and go home?"

Ramonda pinched the side of her arm and she whined. "Mother!"

T'Challa chuckled from below and smiled.

Suddenly, chanting was heard in the distance and they turned to see a group of men walking out of a cave. One man had white paint on his chest with an ape mask.

"Are they Jabari?" Shuri asked her mother.

"Yes."

Y/N raised a brow. "Ja-what?"

The man walked up to T'Challa holding a club and took off his mask.

"M'Baku, what are you doing here?" Zuri asked.

"It's challenge day." He replied with a sly smile, before turning back around to face the crowd.

"We have watched and listened from the mountains! We have watched with disgust as your technological advancements have been overseen by a child!"

M'Baku brandished his club toward Shuri, but the Dora Milaje raised their spears and threatened to take action. Y/N stepped forward and put an arm in front of her, as nothing was stopping him from also protecting the princess.

M'Baku continued. "Who scoffs at tradition! And now you want to hand the nation over to this prince..." He got in T'Challa's face. "...who could not keep his own father safe."

The prince didn't say a word and simply glared at the Jabari warrior.

"We will not have it." M'Baku added before raising his voice. "I said, we will not have it, oh!" He looked at T'Challa again. "I, M'Baku, leader of the Jabari—"

"I accept your challenge, M'Baku." T'Challa interrupted.

He smiled, "Glory to Hanuman."

They were prepped to fight. T'Challa was given a panther mask while M'Baku kept his ape one. He commanded his warriors to step down while T'Challa called out to his.

"Dora Milaje! Phambili! (Onward!)"

Okoye signaled the women to come down from their platform and join the Jabari warriors. The two tribes raised their spears and formed a barrier so neither of the combatants could escape.

"Let the challenge begin!" Zuri shouted.

M'Baku yelled as he charged at T'Challa and swung his staff at him. The prince blocked the attack with his shield and evaded another swing. He weaved away from the Jabari's attacks but was ultimately hit and brought to the floor. The crowd exclaimed as they watched.

"Stand up!" M'Baku shouted.

T'Challa got up and swung his spear at M'Baku, who dodged the attack but was quickly kicked by him. He was on the floor this time.

M'Baku got up and yelled. "Come!"

The prince continued evading the manic attacks from the Jabari leader until he was hit again by his club. T'Challa flipped over and landed on the watery ground, his mask also flying off. M'Baku laughed as the crowd reacted.

T'Challa got back up only to see the rest of the warriors inching closer with their spears in hand, making the circle they were fighting in smaller. He spun back around and faced M'Baku.

"Where is your god now?" He taunted.

With the prince unarmed, the Jabari warrior figured he'd now be easy to defeat. He jabbed his staff forward, but T'Challa dodged the attack and grabbed the stick. He flipped over and kicked him in the face.

"Whoa. That was good." Y/N remarked as he stood beside the queen and princess, in awe at the combat unfolding ahead. Luckily for him, seeing the fight was also giving him moves to memorize.

M'Baku swung his club again but T'Challa ducked. He quickly punched him in the torso and then twice across the face. The crowd cheered at the sight of their prince gaining the upper hand.

T'Challa dodged another one of M'Baku's attacks but unfortunately was picked up and grabbed by the large warrior. M'Baku held him up and started to head butt the prince with his mask still on.

"No powers."

He hit him.

"No claws."

He hit him again.

"No special suit, oh! Just a boy not fit to lead!"

In a dazed state, T'Challa looked back at his mother and sister. He was still able to hear them cry out.

"Show him who you are!"

T'Challa yelled and immediately brought an elbow to M'Baku's face. He hit him again and cracked the ape mask that he wore. He brought his face down to his knee and finally broke the mask in half.

M'Baku stumbled back and wiped the blood from his face, but bellowed and charged at T'Challa again. He stabbed the spear into his shoulder and the prince groaned in pain. But he wasn't going to give up.

"I am Prince T'Challa, son of King T'Chaka!"

Y/N shouted from the platform. "You got this, T'Challa!"

He pulled out the spear and M'Baku tried to stab him again but T'Challa dropped down and kicked him in the stomach. M'Baku fell to the floor and the prince quickly wrapped his legs around his neck and put him in a hold. The warriors made the circle smaller as the two combatants lay near the edge of the waterfall.

"Yield!" T'Challa shouted as he had M'Baku in his hold. "Don't make me kill you."

"I would rather die!" M'Baku shouted back between grunts.

The crowd started to chant T'Challa's name amidst the beat of the drums.

"You have fought with honor. Now yield! Your people need you." T'Challa pleaded.

The Jabari leader looked at his fellow warriors as he was being choked.

"Yield, man!" T'Challa yelled once more.

M'Baku finally gave in and tapped on the prince's leg, officially yielding. T'Challa let him go and the crowd cheered at the man's victory.

The Jabari tribesmen helped their leader up as T'Challa stepped forward with a raised fist. He panted as he looked on at the many tribespeoples, including Y/N, applauding at his win.

"I now present to you..." Zuri called out while holding a necklace of panther claws. "King T'Challa...the Black Panther.

He put it on T'Challa and the prince hugged him.

"Zuri." He said.

The older man smiled. "My king."

Shuri and Y/N whooped in excitement while Nakia simply smiled at the newly crowned king. The tribespeople continued to chant and sing.

"Wakanda forever!" T'Challa exclaimed and made an "X" with his arms, in which the crowd reciprocated.

"Wakanda forever!"

• • •

WITH T'CHALLA NOW officially king, the citizens of Wakanda were joyous and celebrated. The festivities spread across the whole country, and there was also one within the palace for T'Challa's family and inner circle. To Y/N's surprise, the king included him.

The soldier walked down the corridor and into the large dining room where the party was being held. Once inside he noticed people sitting at the table and also standing around by the large window that overlooked the outside.  He exhaled and fixed a button on his suit.

A/N: Damn! Looking good again!

"Lieutenant!" Shuri called out upon seeing him enter. "I'm glad you didn't get cold feet."

"I gotta say, I was quite nervous." He admitted. "Thanks for the suit by the way. You sure have style."

"I gotta have other hobbies that don't deal with fiddling with technology all day." She chuckled. "This time you are my mannequin as I see how my designs look."

They shared a laugh before he followed her into the room. W'Kabi stood on the other side of the room and noticed the super-soldier. He raised a brow.

"Who is that?" He whispered to his lover, Okoye.

"Lieutenant Y/N L/N." She replied, which was met by a confused look. "The Avenger. Freedom Fighter."

"What?" W'Kabi asked again, genuinely bewildered as he's never heard of him.

"An acquaintance of the king. He came for help two weeks ago."

The man nodded. "An acquaintance he invited? What does the king see in this man?"

Shuri and Y/N walked toward the table where T'Challa immediately noticed the soldier. He got up from his seat and went up to them.

"Lieutenant." He greeted.

"Your Highness."

"I'm happy that you're here."

"Why is he here?" One of the Wakandan council-people asked from the table.

"Y/N here is a good man. During the signing of the Accords, he stood by my father...and Baba trusted him." He explained and turned to the rest. "And he is a friend."

The soldier appreciated his words. Queen Ramonda also gave a light smile toward the man who once supported her husband's cause.

"Now, let's continue the festivities." T'Challa turned to Y/N. "Come, let's get you a drink."

He started walking with the king toward the bar for refreshments.

"I appreciate the courtesy, Your Highness." Y/N thanked. "You're all so nice."

"It's my pleasure. Consider this a celebration of my coronation and your freedom." He replied. "Question, are you still able to replicate?"

"Fortunately, yes. I think I saw enough from the fight earlier to challenge you one day." The soldier said with a smirk.

T'Challa chuckled and pat his back. "Trust me, Lieutenant, you don't want to do that. And I especially don't want to anger Miss Romanoff."

Y/N laughed and continued walking toward the bar with the Wakandan king.