"This is the source of the Black Panther's power." Sean stood in the heart-shaped herb garden, a place only the Wakandan royal family had the right to enter.
Surrounding him were large plants emitting a blue-purple glow, their bell-shaped blossoms cradling delicate, heart-shaped buds that were strikingly vibrant.
Plucking one, grinding it into a liquid, and drinking it would grant an ordinary person the blessing of the panther goddess Bast, endowing them with immense strength, agility, and the title of Wakanda's protector... the Black Panther.
This garden, which is hidden in an underground cavern, was the Panther Tribe's most closely guarded secret. It had been cultivated and protected by their people for generations. It was through the power derived from these herbs that the royal family had established their authority, securing the loyalty of the other tribes.
But with the ascension of a new king, all of this would cease to exist.
"How does it feel?" Sean asked, watching as Killmonger emerged from the red soil, having consumed the heart-shaped herb.
After a brief spiritual slumber, he had awakened with strength far surpassing that of an ordinary human. His muscular but lean body now radiated explosive power, comparable to the super-soldiers created by Umbrella.
Unfortunately, these herbs, which bestowed such power upon mortals, could not be transplanted, cultivated, or produced in greater quantities. They seemed to rely on the vibranium veins buried deep underground, making widespread cultivation impossible...
"I've never felt anything this incredible! This is better than any drug!" Killmonger shouted excitedly as his consciousness fully returned.
A week earlier, he had defeated T'Challa in the trial by combat.
Just as in the original timeline, the young Black Panther, skilled in combat and renowned for his bravery, was no match for Killmonger, who had been tempered in the fires of war and life-or-death battles.
This was no friendly sparring match... it was a fight to the death. While their strength and skill were evenly matched, Killmonger, as a former CIA operative and later a member of the covert Ghost Unit, fought with ruthless aggression, easily seizing control of the battle.
Defeated, T'Challa lost his throne. Though Killmonger had initially intended to kill him in the fight, Sean intervened.
It wasn't out of mercy or sudden compassion for the young Black Panther, but simply to preserve a rival for this ambitious new king.
It was like taming a hawk... you couldn't let it grow too full, or it would fly away, nor could you let it starve, lest it turn on its master.
With the duel concluded, the upheaval in Wakanda had largely settled. The royal family had lost all authority, and control over the vibranium mines and advanced technology now rested in Killmonger's hands.
Even if Princess Shuri, who oversaw these resources, had tried to scheme... under the watchful eye of Skynet, she had no choice but to concede defeat in frustration.
However, Sean generously offered her a position at Umbrella or S.H.I.E.L.D., expressing his perpetual welcome for scientific talent like hers.
With the transfer of power complete, General Ross withdrew NATO forces from Wakanda, and S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel, including Magneto's Brotherhood and the Mutant Corps, began their deployment.
Unsurprisingly, after war came celebration.
Sean jokingly called it the 'Feast of the Crows', referring to the capitalists, corporate interests, and national representatives who descended like scavengers, eager for their share.
And he was the one who would divide the spoils. The capitalists, the conglomerates, even the five permanent members of the World Security Council... all of them would have to play by his rules.
As for Wakanda, it became the world's largest exporter of vibranium, selling the precious resource at preferential prices to the five great powers.
In the foreseeable future, vibranium mined from Wakanda's depths would flow continuously to the rest of the world.
Umbrella handed this immensely profitable venture to Ulysses Klaue, a promise Sean had made. For the most part, he was a man of his word.
Under the terms of the surrender treaty, the royal family would be exiled, permitted to take only their personal wealth with them. Without explicit permission from S.H.I.E.L.D. or the World Security Council, they were barred from setting foot in Wakanda again, or they would face arrest for illegal entry.
No one cared about any other conditions.
With the royal family's wings clipped, Killmonger could solidify his position as king. All that remained was to establish his military and secure control of the armed forces.
"I feel powerful... It's like I have limitless strength. This is the Black Panther!" Killmonger, now king of Wakanda, was overjoyed.
After more than twenty years of hardship, he had finally reclaimed what was rightfully his.
"It seems Bast's blessing has brought you great joy." Sean lowered his eyelids, his tone casual as he asked, "I heard you killed Zuri?"
Killmonger stiffened, reining in his elation as he replied solemnly, "Mr. Cyphers... That old man, like T'Chaka, was one of my father's murderers!"
"Avenging your father... that's understandable." Sean nodded, as if agreeing with the justification, "But did you ask for my permission?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Killmonger felt a chill run down his spine. The next instant, a gale-force wind slammed into him.
The new king of Wakanda was sent flying as if struck by a hammer, his body embedding itself into the cavern's hard wall with a deafening crash.
Had he not consumed the heart-shaped herb, enhancing his physique several times over, he would have been reduced to a bloody pulp on the spot.
"Cough... Mr. Cyphers...!" Killmonger coughed, spitting out blood.
His entire body felt as though his bones had shattered, the excruciating pain shooting straight to his brain.
"Listen, I don't care about the high priest's life. But you need to know your place." Sean approached with measured steps as Killmonger struggled free from the wall, collapsing into the blue-purple garden.
The once-triumphant victor of the duel now lay in the dirt, humbled and pitiful.
"To be frank, you're just a puppet I'm using to control this country. You can enjoy endless wealth and a noble title, but that's all. Don't get any ideas like your father did."
Sean looked down at Killmonger sprawled in the dirt, then continued with an almost gentle tone, "You're ambitious and driven, which are qualities I usually admire. People like you are natural winners, capable of doing whatever it takes to get what they want."
"...But you'd do well to learn restraint. I gave the heart-shaped herb to M'Baku of the Jabari Tribe. I let T'Challa, the resentful Black Panther, and the rest of the royal family go free. In short, I'm making sure you understand your position. No one is irreplaceable. If you are removed, then someone else will take your place."
Killmonger broke out in a cold sweat. He had indeed envisioned using Wakanda's formidable strength to liberate his fellow Black people, leading the African continent to a glorious resurgence.
But after ascending the throne, he quickly realized it wouldn't be so simple...
Wakanda's border forces were under strict control, with Magneto and the Brotherhood overseeing the defensive lines. Meanwhile, S.H.I.E.L.D., led by the Mutant Corps, had already begun taking charge of vibranium mining operations and maintaining the nation's technological systems.
All Killmonger had done was deliver an impassioned speech at his coronation, calling for Wakanda to emerge from isolation and establish friendly diplomatic relations with the outside world.
After that, he became little more than a figurehead, a puppet with no real power. The tribal elders, having divided the wealth and authority left behind by the royal family, wisely chose to remain silent.
Compared to outright invasion and occupation, this silent erosion of sovereignty was at least more dignified.
"I understand... Lord Regent." Killmonger staggered to his feet, adopting a more reverent title.