Bad Batch and the Black Panther (Prequel): The Wakandan Droid

I'll take you both

Crosshair stood perched above a hill nearby the cliff where the Ceremonial Battle between T'Challa and Killmonger was taking place. Tech and Wrecker decided to go back to Shuri's lab to be there for Hunter when he woke up from his surgery fully recovered. Crosshair glared at the scene below his finger near the trigger of his blaster rifle staring at Killmonger's head.

"This is your last chance. Throw down your weapons and we can resolve our differences in a peaceful manner." T'Challa said

"I lived my entire life waiting for this moment. I trained. I lied. I killed...just to get here. I've killed in Massachusetts/Corellia, Hong Kong/Onderon, Iceland/Pantora, South Africa/Eriadu and I even took blood from my black brothers and sisters on this continent by killing them as well. All this death I caused just so I could kill you." Killmonger said pointing his ceremonial blades at T'Challa

Crosshair groaned. He hated when the bad guys monologue. It reminded him of Count Dooku's televised speeches to his followers in the beginning of the Clone Wars. Crosshair trusted his assumption that Killmonger was definitely motivated by serving Dooku and the Separatists as ruler of Wakanda. If T'Challa failed to stop Killmonger Dooku would have access to all of Wakanda's tech and weaponry. He could build hundreds of Battalions of Wakandan Battle Droids to devastate the reg Clones and the Jedi in every battle effectively ending the Clone Wars. There was too much at stake in Crosshair's mind for his brothers to worry about respecting the culture and traditions of the Wakandans. He moved his finger to touch the trigger of his blaster rifle continuing to aim the scope directly at Killmonger's heart.

T'Challa stood without emotion. He was focused and intent on killing Killmonger where he stood after Killmonger refused his mercy. T'Challa knew his father was wrong for leaving Killmonger or his birth name N'd'jaka behind. Killmonger was family. He was T'Challa's cousin yet T'Chaka left him behind to struggle in a poor neighborhood without his parents. Until he found money and a purpose as a soldier for the London/Coruscant United Republic security forces.

By that point T'Challa could tell Killmonger was filled with anger and hatred motivated solely by revenge. This is why Killmonger killed T'Chaka. Yet T'Challa wondered if Killmonger had a point about doing more to help black people in other nations not just Wakanda. That Killmonger in his own mind was punishing T'Chaka as much making him pay for his father N'Jobu's death.

T'Challa stared at his mother and sister who stood with the leading members of the Panther tribe and they were scared but on the surface projected a sense of confidence. Whereas Nakia the woman he loved stood with the Dora Milaje terrified. T'Challa turned to face Killmonger focused on defending his father's legacy and his nation.

"Let the challenge begin." Priest Zuri overseer of the Ceremonial Battle said

Killmonger and T'Challa swung their ceremonial swords at each other blocking each attack with wooden shields. Killmonger was aggressive in his attacks and underestimated T'Challa's agility. Killmonger swung and missed T'Challa's head and was tripped by him and he fell on the ground. Killmonger got up and instead of swinging his sword he started thrusting his sword at T'Challa's neck. T'Challa caught Killmonger overextending with an aggressive lunge and slashed Killmonger in the face with his sword.

Crosshair realized that T'Challa was going to lose and waited for the perfect opportunity to shoot Killmonger. Killmonger took advantage of T'Challa's weak ability to attack offensively by countering his thrusts with power moves. T'Challa overwhelmed stumbled to the ground. This change in the fight started to contribute to T'Challa growing fatigued. Killmonger slashed both of T'Challa's thighs as he struggled to remain on his feet.

"I know you can win this fight brother!" Shuri called out

T'Challa desperately tried to maintain his grip on his sword and shield and land an effective attack. He continued to struggle to do this and soon was left swordless and Killmonger stabbed T'Challa.

"No! T'Challa!" T'Challa's mother Ramunda cried out in fear

Nakia started to cry while Okoye's mouth was wide open in shock. T'Challa's breathing became shallow and he stared in shock at the blade lodged in his abdomen. T'Challa tried in vain to disarm Killmonger but he failed to do so. This lead to Killmonger punching T'Challa in the head. T'Challa laid sprawled in the water helpless.

"This is for my father's death." Killmonger said

Crosshair aimed his blaster at Killmonger's head ready to fire before Killmonger could kill T'Challa. Priest Zuri entered Crosshair's field of vision stopping Killmonger from killing T'Challa. Crosshair growled in frustration as now he didn't have a clear shot. He usually could ricochet a blaster bolt from another point on the cliff at an angle and hit his target. However the small crowd of people watching the fight would also be struck by the blaster bolt. Crosshair saw his best shot would result in Nakia being killed, the woman he learned was T'Challa's one true love. Crosshair considered killing Nakia for the greater good, to prevent Killmonger from taking over Wakanda and using his newfound power to help the Separatists win the Clone Wars. He sighed when he realized Hunter risked his life saving Nakia and so Crosshair lowered his weapon.

"I am the cause of your father's death Erik. Please...kill me and spare T'Challa. If I wasn't spying on your father when you were a child then T'Chaka wouldn't have killed your father to save me Erik. I'm the one you should kill not T'Challa." Zuri begged

Killmonger glared at Zuri and then said, "I'll take you both Uncle James."

He stabbed and killed Priest Zuri while T'Challa cried out no for his friend and mentor. Zuri bleeding with blood pouring out of his stomach lay dead while T'Challa was crying at Zuri's feet. In anger he rose to his feet and attempted to attack again. Crosshair was about to fire his weapon but then a Wakandan Droid found his position and exploded sending him over the cliff. The Vibranium inside the explosion dulled the noise of the explosion prevented anyone from noticing Crosshair's fall. W'Kabi the border patrol guard grinned as he noticed the last of Killmonger's Wakandan Droids out of the corner of his eye.