Fauna and T'Challa have moved into the palace after their love fest and was laying in the bed enjoying the sunrise that was coming in. T'Challa was rubbing Fauna arm as it lay across his chest, he kissed her head causing her to smile holding him closer, "The sun rise is beautiful, it's still my favorite part of the day." Fauna said with a smile as she looked out the windows, T'Challa shook his head in disagreement, "No love, the sunset is truly magical." T'Challa said moving out the way as Fauna pinched his ribs, "Are you disagreeing with me my love?" Fauna asked with sass, T'Challa laugh gently rolling on top of her, "No, of course not." T'Challa said smiling while moving her hair from her face, Fauna kissed him gently when they heard her Kimoyo Beads going off. Fauna went to reach for them causing T'Challa to whine pulling her back to him, kissing her on her neck while tickling her sides, Fauna laugh hitting him gently, "Fauna! is T'Challa with you?" They heard Shuri voice that sounded frantic, T'Challa rolled off of her grabbing the Bead, "What is it Shuri?" T'Challa asked, Fauna leaning over his shoulder looking at the confuse young girl, "Brotha we need you here in my lab now!" Shuri said turning off the call, the couple looked at each other with confusion getting out of bed to see what was going on.
T'Challa and Fauna spotted Shuri, and Ross standing around a picture of a man that had on a familiar outfit, T'Challa let go of Fauna hand as he spoke to the group. "What's the matter, who is this?" T'Challa asked staring at the man, Shuri broke down what Okoye just said a few minutes ago. Ross went on explaining who this Erik Stevens was,"Erik Stevens. Graduated Annapolis age 19, MIT for grad school. He joined the SEALs and went straight to Afghanistan,where he wrapped up confirmed kills like he was playing a video game. Started calling him Killmonger." Ross explained to the group, Fauna looked at the picture studying the man as was T'Challa, 'So, this is the cousin.' Fauna thought as she stared at the picture, T'Challa and Fauna shared a look both thinking the same thought. "Did he reveal anything about his identity?" T'Challa asked stepping closer to the hologram pic, "He has a war dog tattoo, but we have no records of him" Shuri said in confusion then cut her eyes at Fauna who shook her head at her. "The Elders want a meeting asap." Shuri finished, T'Challa nod his head turning to meet with the Elders. He stop in front of Fauna kissing her, "I'll be back, stay here with Agent Ross." T'Challa said as he smiled at her walking to go to the throne room, Shuri walked towards her hugging her then leaving. Fauna sigh rubbing her arm in worry, "So, Wakanda huh?" Ross said awkwardly to the young girl, Fauna smiled at him nodding her head as she sat down to await news.
"I'm happy to know your doing ok, how are you taking all of this?" Fauna asked with a small smile, Agent Ross sat down sighing heavily, "This is all to much to comprehend, I don't know why I do work for the CIA." Ross said causing Fauna to laugh, Ross smiled at her then asked her, "How long have you and the King." Ross asked waving his hand, Fauna shook her head at the awkward man," For a while now Agent Ross." Fauna sassed. Ross raised his hand surrendering on the questions, Fauna laugh when she heard Shuri entering the lab with worry, "Erik is my uncle N'Jobu son, and he challenged T'Challa for the throne." Shuri cried as she ran to Fauna for comfort. Fauna hugged her tightly as the young girl begin to ramble about what happened in the throne room, "Hey, hey calm down. It's ok, T'Challa will win. Everything will be fine." Fauna said wiping the tears away from Shuri face, "Fauna, you should hear him, he's so confident and arrogant. W'Kabi fully supports him, and oh this is so confusing." Shuri said, Fauna brought the younger girl into her embrace as she thought about what was about to happen, Agent Ross step back letting them have room. Fauna pulled back wiping Shuri tears away, "Go with you mother, i'll be there as soon as I can ok. Everything will be fine Shuri we have to believe in our King." Fauna said kissing the girl on the forehead pushing her out the lab, she then turned to Ross, "Come with me, i'll put you in a room where you will be safe in case things don't go as planned." Fauna said grabbing the man arm leading him into a room, "I'll be back, stay here and don't open the door for anyone who is me." Fauna said as she closed him in locking the door behind her. She leaned against the door taking deep breaths, she clenched her heart as it was beating to fast for her liking. Fauna closed her eyes as she cleared her mind to calm down, she hasn't done this since her arrival to Wakanda, she then opened her eyes saying a silent prayer to Bast for T'Challa safety.
Fauna meet up with everyone, her sea sickness not getting any better, she spotted T'Challa going through pain as the Black Panther powers was being stripped away. Fauna stood next to Okoye, "Where's Agent Ross?" Okoye asked quietly, "I locked him in a room. Don't worry he's safe." Fauna whispered back as she looked to T'Challa and Erik or Killmonger 'whatever' Fauna thought. "This is your last chance, throw down your weapons. We can handle this another way." T'Challa suggested. Fauna smiled at him, even after this man disrespected him, her King was still a sweet man, Erik stab his weapons in the ground as he took off his armor and shirt. Fauna gasp seeing his scared body from all his kill count, "I've lived my entire life waiting for this moment. I trained, I lied, I killed just to get here." Erik explained while smirking at T'Challa, Fauna was being to see the arrogance that Shuri was talking about. "I did all that, just so I can kill you." Erik said pointing his spear at T'Challa, Fauna frowned as he did the action. T'Challa cut his eyes to see Fauna staring at him with worry but strength in her eyes, he patted his hand over his heart to her as he gave Zuri the ok to start the challenge. "Let the challenge begin!" Zuri announce stomping his spear on the ground moving to give the men room.
Erik made the first move, coming in strong, T'Challa was doing a good job blocking his attacks. Erik was a wild card, his fighting style was quick and strong but also unpredictable, T'Challa got the upper hand on him causing the man to fall in the water, "Yeild!" T'Challa said. Fauna looked on with a smile, Erik got back up going on the offense, T'Challa once again got the upper hand on him cutting his cheek badly. Erik wipe his face with shock and anger, Fauna looked up seeing W'Kabi frowning as Erik got hurt. She looked at him in confusion as to why he wanted his best friend to lose this fight, W'Kabi stared down at her and frowned while narrowing his eyes to her. Fauna glared back at him not backing down, she slowly turned her head back at the fight, cutting her eyes at W'Kabi who still stared down at her before bring his attention back to the fight. Fauna held in a scream as Erik cut T'Challa thigh, she swallowed her scream clenching her wrist at seeing him hurt, "Snap out of it T'Challa!" Shuri yelled to her brother clenching her mother arm, Fauna nod her head, 'Come on T'Challa' Fauna thought as Erik cut him across his chest and then his bicep. Fauna closed her eyes hearing him yell in pain, she heard Ramonda let out a whimper, she opened her eyes seeing Erik stab T'Challa near his heart. Fauna was beginning to get really worried as she saw Erik gaining the upper hand, he knocked T'Challa down in the water who she can tell was in a great deal of pain. "Come on get up." Fauna whispered to herself. Erik was about to finished T'Challa, "This is for my father." Erik said, Zuri came out of nowhere stopping the attack, "Zuri!" Everyone yelled.
Erik looked at Zuri in confusion, Zuri slapped the spear out of Erik hand. Erik didn't bother to stop him still looking at the man, "I am the reason for your father death. Not him. Take me." Zuri pleaded. Erik had recognition on his face, "I'll take you both uncle James." Erik said. Before anyone can blink, Erik stab Zuri killing him instantly. Cries was heard all around Fauna as she saw Zuri fall, T'Challa yelled in agony seeing his other father figure fall to his death by sacrificing himself to save him. Fauna cried for T'Challa as she heard his pain and agony, Erik didn't seem to care just another person down that caused his father death. T'Challa tried to fight Erik but he was to hurt and distraught to fight any longer, "Is this your King!" Erik asked as he once again being to fight T'Challa hitting him over and over. Fauna could see how everyone was beginning to lose faith in their King winning, "The Black Panther that's suppose to lead you to the future!" Erik asked again as he hit T'Challa once more. "Is there anything we can do?" Fauna heard Ayo asked Okoye who didn't answer knowing there was nothing anyone can do at this point, "Come on Brother!" Shuri yelled while crying, "Him! he's suppose to protect you!" Erik yelled again. Fauna looked around hoping something can be done, judging by everyone face around her, everyone came to accept the fact T'Challa wasn't going to be their King. W'Kabi looked to her with a slight smile, Fauna ignored him as she watched T'Challa tried once more to fight the man, her heart rose to her throat seeing Erik put T'Challa on his shoulder walking over to the waterfall. "No!" Fauna yelled in desperation as Erik threw T'Challa over. Ramonda cried out along with Shuri as T'Challa body disappeared over the falls, Erik turned around smirking at everyone, "Now i'm your King." Erik said in victory.
Fauna swallowed her tears and anger, knowing she had to get Shuri and Ramonda out of danger, "Come on we have to go." Fauna said to them grabbing their arms pulling them along, Ramonda didn't want to leave as she cried over the lost of her son, "Queen Mother! Let's go." Fauna said rushing them out of the falls, Okoye stood there stoping herself from crying. Erik spotted them leaving then turned his attention to his new Kingdom who saluted their new King.
Fauna told Shuri and Ramonda to stay hidden in the forest as she go to grab Ross, "No Fauna don't leave." Ramonda said in fright grabbing the young girl arm, "I'll be back Queen Ramonda. I need to get someone else out of danger first." Fauna said quickly giving the grieving family a hug before leaving them. Fauna ran back into the Palace making sure to use all her training that Nakia and the Dora Milaje taught her to dodge anyone that came her way. Fauna spotted Okoye standing by windows, she rushed over to her, Okoye spotted her meeting her in the middle both ladies giving each other hugs. Okoye pulled away grabbing Fauna hands with tears running down her face, "The Queen Mother and Shuri, they are safe?" Okoye asked, "Yes Okoye, they're fine." Fauna said with a small smile of reassurance. Okoye let out a breath, "Thank you." Okoye said giving Fauna another hug. Fauna swallowed feeling her tears about to come again, but holding them in as she has to be strong, "Come, we can get out." Fauna said as she tried to pull Okoye with her. "I can't." Okoye said holding onto Fauna hand, the girl looked to the warrior in confusion, "What? Why not? We need you." Fauna asked pulling Okoye hand to her chest looking at the warrior in fear, "My heart is with you, but I can't my loyalty is to that throne. I can't just up and leave when I want to." Okoye explained to the young woman. Fauna looked at her with hurt and confusion, she opened and closed her mouth as she uttered the words that made everythign a reality for her, "He killed T'Challa." Fauna softly said looking at the warrior as she tried to keep the tears away.
Okoye can see how the woman in front of her tried to be strong and smiled, "It was ritual combat." Okoye said firmly, "Does it really matter!" Fauna shouted in hurt then quieted herself down making sure no one heard her shout. She took a deep breath pulling Okoye closer to her keeping the woman hand near her chest as she closed her eyes stopping the tears from falling, "You are the greatest warrior Wakanda has. I need your help Okoye." Fauna said softly putting her forehead on Okoye hands as hope was slipping through her fingers, Okoye pulled Fauna into her. "You are strong Fauna, believe me when I say, you don't need me. The King believed in you whole heartedly, now it is your time. I wish I can help but I can't. My duty is to the throne, no matter who sits on it." Okoye said pulling away placing her hands on Fauna face, "Save this country." Okoye said softly with a small smile. Fauna looked to Okoye with lost eyes she then looked down as she process everything that was happening. Okoye was right, T'Challa had so much faith and belief in her, he told her she was strong and that she can do anything, she is a survivor who made it out of the trauma that her father put her through as a child, she also survived while being a stripper and sleeping with other men just to make a living. T'Challa has showed her what life is really like and what love is, he made sure she was happy here in Wakanda. He gave his life to Wakanda, and she would be damned to allow Erik to sit on that throne. Fauna took a deep breath, looking at Okoye with determination, "I will come back, when I do. I will make sure that Erik is overthrown." Fauna said strongly.
