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M’Baku sat on his chair overlooking the farm lands of his people. Flashes of the battle of the alien world came back to him. That ugly purple giant they called Thanos. Such a bizarre thing - half the people of the world were gone and now they are back. But nothing was the same. He remembered what the King T’Challa had said before they went through the portal to the alien world where the fate of the world would be decided.

“Not giving you this would be sending you to your death and that is something I will not do, not when I can help it.” T’Challa looked in the distance.

“Remember what I said to you on the cliffs where we faced each other in ritual combat?" M’Baku smiled and looked up at the King. “Oh, I remember. The day I almost became king!”

T'Challa echoed his playful laughter, then grew solemn. “We need you,” he said more softly, with the utmost sincerity. “I need you.” T’Challa handed M’Baku the heart-shaped herb. M'Baku was hesitant to receive the herb. "Are you sure you want to give this to me?” T’Challa smiled, “Let's see what you can do.”

Remembering all that happened gave him strength and gratitude -  his children are safe, his people are safe. It is all he could ask for. M’Baku came back from his thoughts - he was going to be late for the first council since the War. He readied himself and started down the hall. 

A gust of wind came through the cavern halls with the sudden power of a hurricane. Dust, dirt and foliage swept through. Nearly gagging on the rubbish, he hollered to the guards to see what made such a disturbance. Not long after the request, a loud roar unlike anything he'd ever heard followed, and then a crash that rumbled, shaking what felt like the mountain and everything in the Jabari Kingdom.  

M’Baku rushed back to the balcony. Shock and disbelief filled his eyes and left him speechless. Guards surrounded a winged beast, black as night and larger than any he'd ever seen. It twisted its long neck, growling and snapping at any who dared approach. In their native tongue M’Baku ordered them to not pursue - with surety that they had no chance of survival. 

“Leave it be!” M’Baku ordered. Something caught his eye. A form lay at the beast's feet. A person? “I will go down alone.”  They all looked at him with simultaneous terror and pride. “Do not follow, but keep close watch," he instructed. 

 He alone started to approach, with a deep breath and slow steps. Surveying the area and seeing the beast’s trajectory, hoping to know how it got here, through the perimeter shields. 

 Debris tumbled down from the top tower, most likely where the beast collided with it. The beast growled and surrounded the form with its colossal body, swooping its tail in a crescent moon shape. From where he now stood, he could confirm at its feet was a person...a woman. 

He is protecting her , M’Baku thought. The beast’s wings were injured - he had no chance of getting out of here. M’Baku removed his weapon and armor, placing them on the ground and making sure the creature saw him do this- leaving just his formal attire. He raised his open palms and lowered himself to appear submissive to the creature. Then M’Baku spoke to him.

“I won't harm you….” M’Baku assessed the beast and proceeded with caution, making sure his movements didn't seem threatening. 

“I am not even sure you can understand me.” At this moment the beast looked directly at M’Baku. M’Baku got his answer and began to speak to him with reverence.  “In my home, beasts such as yourself are respected and honored. I can assure you that you will not be harmed here as long as I am the Chief of the Jabari Tribe and of the mountains.” 

After a short bow, M'Baku continued, “You seem to need help and the one you are with - is she hurt?” 

A growl came from the beast's throat but didn’t appear angry. M’Baku pressed forward. A low grumble went through the beast’s throat that sounded more like a lion’s but ended in a hum of sadness. 

M’Baku wasn’t far from them now- he could make out the woman’s features. Silver-white hair, fair snowy skin and strangely layered clothing. M’Baku came even closer around the creature's tail-the hilt of a dagger protruded from her chest.

He moved with more haste, brushing past the tip of the beast's spiked tail, looking for any sign of life in the woman. He cautiously knelt at her side, placing his ear above her mouth, doing his best to ignore the intimidating creature observing him very closely and curiously. Moving to her chest, he heard it - a faint heartbeat - thanks to his senses which were now heightened since T'Challa offered him the heart-shaped herb before the War. 

M’Baku looked at the beast silently begging it to stand down as he slowly picked up the woman and carefully cradled her in his arms. “I know someone who can help her…will you let me help her?” The beast dropped his head and leaned in towards them, so close he could feel the heat radiating from its scales. He held still and tried not to tremble as it nudged the lifeless woman, as if saying yes. 

M’Baku hurried up the hill into the halls and made his way to the passage that led to the Golden City where Shuri could be found -the young princess was almost always  in her science labs doing who knows what. M’Baku wasn't fond of the new age of Wakandans and its technologies but he couldn't deny that their healing technology is necessary to Wakanda’s future.