The Challenge

"What is the meaning of this, Brother!? If you do not give me a decent explanation, you will have to answer to me!"

J'Zaki knew that he had to explain everything but was also pretty sure that none of the others would believe him. But he still went ahead and did so.

"So it all started when I was thrown off the Jabari Fort walls and had to fight off wolves with only a small knife..."

J'Zaki then went on to tell them all about how he had met the 4 other gods of Wakanda, the true origins of their nation, how he had become their champion, the various divine tasks he had carried out for them, and the fact that they had to battle the champions of the Greek pantheon in 2 years time in order to secure the vibranium of their nation.

When he had finished his story, almost everyone in the room looked at J'Zaki as if he had lost his mind. What he said was heresy to them and also sounded like the ramblings of a madman. Even if part of what he said was true, that would mean that everything they believed to be true was false.

"Enough of your games, J'Zaki!" T'Chaka had heard enough. "Okoye. Bring the prince and his fiancee back to their manor. They are clearly tired from all of the missions that they have gone on."

"Yes, your Majesty!" Okoye extended her spear and slammed it on the ground several times. From behind the pillars, a dozen Dora Milaje appeared. "Your highnesses If you would please come with us. We do not wish to harm you."

Ororo rolled her eyes before electricity began surrounding her body. Each of the Dora MIlaje that began approaching them backed away.

"N'Dare! Will you control your daughter?" Ramonda asked her old friend

"Do not ask me to do the impossible, my dear friend. Trying to control her is like trying to control a tornado and earthquake at the same time." N'Dare knew that once her daughter had decided on something, she would see it through. Even if it meant opposing the gods or her own parents.

J'Zaki took a step forward and looked his father in the eyes.

"Whether you believe what I am saying or not, makes no difference to me. My right to challenge you still stands."

T'Chaka looked at his son and felt confused. He couldn't understand when the two of them started walking on such different paths.

"Do you truly wish to bully an old man?" T'Chaka knew he was no match for J'Zaki in a fight. Of all his children, J'Zaki had always been the fiercest fighter. Now that he was older and out of shape, he had even less of a chance against the boy that was coming into his prime.

"No. That is why I shall allow Brother to act as your champion and allow him to keep the abilities of the heart-shaped herb while we battle. I also won't use any of my blessings, my magic, or my mutation. A straight-up fight between two brothers."

T'Chaka wanted to think of a reason why this fight shouldn't happen but he knew that if he allowed it, it would solve so many of the political issues between the two brothers.

This fight was very one-sided in favor of T'Challa. As long as J'Zaki lost, the two factions supporting him would quiet down since J'Zaki would lose all rights of challenge afterward.

"Fine. But this shall be a small challenge. Only those in this room and the elders of each tribe shall bear witness to it. And you must know that your position shall officially become the crown prince until you turn 18 in two years."

"That's fine with me, Father."

"Good. Then the challenge shall be held tomorrow. Until then, you may leave to rest up."

J'Zaki nodded before turning around and walking out of the room with Ororo in tow. The others watched how the pair how not even been in the room for 5 minutes but had already caused so much chaos.

While walking back to Shuri's lab, Ororo pulled J'Zaki's arm and dragged him into a corner before kabedoning him.

"So that was the major thing you had to do?"

J'Zaki chuckled nervously. "Yep. Sorry about putting you on the spot like that."

"Hmm. Try to make sure stuff like that doesn't happen often. I don't like being put on the spot like that."

"Got it, pretty lady." Ororo was caught off guard by J'Zaki reversing the kabedon and planting a kiss on her lips.

"Pretty fun. My turn." And the situation was reversed once again. The pair kept playing their game until Ororo's lips were swollen and sore. When they finally got done, they went down to Shuri's lab where J'Zaki was greeted by a few tools being thrown at his face.

"You couldn't have thought of a better way to fix everything?!?!" Shuri threw whatever she could get her hands on that wasn't too expensive.

"I'm sure I could have eventually but I felt like I needed to make a decision today. Might have been a mistake on my part."

"Whatever," Shuri ran out of things to throw so her temper also calmed down. "Just make sure you're careful tomorrow. Big brother is not one to give up easily."

"It'll be fine, little sister. I will make him bend the knee." These fights were either until death or when one side yielded. J'Zaki already knew that the biggest struggle wouldn't be winning but making his brother surrender.

For Wakanda, the rest of the day was peaceful. But for those that stood at the top, they knew that this was the calm before the major storm that would rock their nation occurred.