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Star-Lord (What If...?)
54

Star-Lord (What If...?)

T'Challa

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Star-Lord's History

The rough-and-tumble space pirates known as the Ravagers abduct T'Challa instead of Peter Quill.

On Morag in 2008, T'Challa successfully collects the Orb from its chamber before being confronted by Korath the Pursuer and two Sakaarans, having been assigned to obtain the object for Ronan the Accuser. But when T'Challa reveals himself, Korath recognizes him as the legendary outlaw Star-Lord, famed for stealing from the powerful and giving to the powerless. An enthusiastic fan of his many adventures, Korath expresses interest in joining the Ravagers, but T'Challa turns him down. While reluctant to harm his idol, Korath spars with him, only to be electrocuted by the energy field that was protecting the Orb. Before leaving the chamber, T'Challa reconsiders Korath and hauls him off for induction to the Ravagers.

T'Challa encounters a Sakaaran unit outside, but Yondu Udonta arrives and eliminates them all using his Yaka Arrow. While Udonta considers selling the Orb to the highest bidder, T'Challa insists on keeping it to help dying systems facing extinction. The two then proceed to leave Morag with the Orb and Korath in tow.

In a flashback scene to 1988 Wakanda, T'Chaka discourages his young son on exploring the world, citing "destruction and pain" occurring outside. But one night, T'Challa runs out and to the outskirts of Wakanda, eventually passing through the forcefield that cloaks the nation from the outside world. Immediately thereafter, he is abducted by Udonta's subordinates, who were attracted to the strong cosmic readings of Wakanda's vibranium meteorite. In space, Udonta scolds his men for abducting the wrong kid, but welcomes the boy to the Ravagers nonetheless. Learning of T'Challa's explorative nature, Udonta invites him to come along and explore the galaxy.

Back in the present day, the Ravagers land in Contraxia. Korath continues to fawn over T'Challa's adventures, which includes convincing Thanos to abandon his quest to decimate half the universe. As the redeemed Titan joins the group as they enjoy drinks, T'Challa's heroism continues to attract admirers like Drax, who now works as a bartender after his homeworld and family were saved from a Kree invasion. Talking to Nebula afterwards, T'Challa reveals that Udonta attempted to return him to Wakanda, but it had been destroyed in a war.

Nebula gathers the Ravagers for a briefing on the Embers of Genesis: ancient cosmic dust able to cultivate and transform entire ecosystems, with the power to heal dying planets in ounces. However, a known batch of the material is located on Knowhere, where Taneleer Tivan had taken Thanos' place as the most ruthless warlord in the galaxy. Knowing Tivan is involved, Udonta backs out, but relents when T'Challa argues on behalf of the Embers' charitable potential. With the Black Order acting as Knowhere's security, Nebula and T'Challa formulate a plan to reach Tivan: she and Udonta will smuggle him inside while the Ravagers create a distraction to lure the Black Order outside. With Nebula and Udonta keeping Tivan occupied, T'Challa scours the exhibits for the Embers.

Asking Howard the Duck for directions to the Embers proves to quickly exhaust T'Challa, so he frees him instead to act as a tour guide. Outside, Proxima Midnight jumps to knock out the Ravager group, but signals a lockdown after realizing she fell for a diversion. T'Challa manages to move past the closing gates, leaving Howard behind at a bar as he fetches a drink. He comes across a hangar and finds his necklace reacting to the presence of a nearby Royal Talon Fighter. Venturing inside, he finds mannequins of Dora Milaje and a message from his father. Immediately afterwards, Nebula turns Udonta and T'Challa in to the Black Order, sending them to a cell with the other Ravagers. T'Challa confronts Udonta, enraged at his lie about the fate of his homeland. Udonta insists that Earth has no place for a galactic explorer like his adoptive son, but T'Challa dismisses him, dec