"TRIAL OF THE VISION"
Issue #71 by Steve Crosby
March 2018
March 2018
“Wanda, I wasn’t sure you would make it.”
Warbird and Scarlet Witch met outside the courthouse, two former teammates who were somewhat friends. For the most part, their relationship was of guilt and regret. This encounter would do little to change that.
“Of course I would,” the former Avenger said to their chairperson. “My…the Vision’s fate is about to be decided. And anyway I was a witness to his crimes.”
Tentatively, Warbird reached out a comforting hand toward Scarlet Witch, but didn’t touch her. “You know we’re going to do everything we can to prevent this. Black Panther…we won’t just let him kill Vision.”
Scarlet Witch sighed, and didn’t meet Warbird’s gesture. “Carol, as far as I’m concerned my husband died years ago. T’Challa is doing his duty. Whatever happens, I won’t lose sleep over some code.”
She walked around Warbird and into the courthouse. Standing in the foyer was Wonder Man, and his arm of support was accepted. Warbird sighed, and followed them.
Two more Avengers, current and former, were standing outside the room where the hearing was to be held. Of the current team, only Photon had been present when the Avengers fought Vision. She was talking with Captain America, leader at the time, who had agreed to come for the hearing. The reason for the hearing, King T’Challa, the Black Panther, was holding private court with several Wakandan officials.
Warbird approached Photon and Captain America. “It was good of you to come, Cap.”
“I happened to be across the river, in Jersey City,” Captain America said. “There was a thing with HYDRA, I’ll explain later. Photon was just telling me about why we’re here.”
“It’ll be hard to argue that we can keep Vision’s…keep him secure when a Wakandan operative was able to break in and take him,” Photon said.
“That may be the least of it,” Warbird said. “Our only real defense is ‘Captain America trusts us.’ But that was when you happened to be leader at the time. A lot has changed since then.”
“The safest place for Vision’s A.I. is Avengers custody,” Captain America said. “That hasn’t changed, and I’ll do everything I can to make the judge see it.”
Photon glanced over at Scarlet Witch, who was silently waiting with Wonder Man. “Do we know what she’s going to say?”
“I honestly don’t think she cares either way,” Warbird said. It was a sentiment that Warbird was beginning to share. With everything that the Avengers were facing, she just wanted this matter to end, whatever the outcome. “But if I was Wonder Man, I would be careful. Black Panther may decide to remove any possibility of Vision by going after the source.”
“Black Panther has always made it clear that he puts Wakanda first,” Captain America said. “And you weren’t there to see what Vision did. While I can’t agree that this is the best course of action, I understand where Black Panther is coming from.”
The door to the courtroom had opened. The hearing was about to start.
“Let’s hope everything goes well,” Photon said.
# # # # #
The training room in Avengers Mansion was a shambles. Machinery and robotic parts were scattered everywhere, and burn marks from explosions outnumbered clean spots on the walls and ceilings. Standing in the center of the carnage was Binary, arguably the most powerful of the Avengers at the moment.
“Again,” she commanded. Nothing happened. “Again!”
“You’ve destroyed all the training robots,” Espirita said from behind Binary.
Startled, Binary whipped around and fired a plasma burst. Not surprised, Espirita flew over the attack and unleashed a stream of fire at her teammate. Though Binary could be comfortable within the heart of a star, the flames hurt her. She collapsed to her knees, and Espirita approached her.
“Even the Avengers have finite resources, and you’ve exhausted most of them.” Espirita put a hand on Binary’s shoulders, and the flames subsided. “Besides, you would be of no use against Hulk if you’ve exhausted yourself.”
“Every time we fought, he’s kicked my ass,” Binary said. “Now that he’s escaped from our custody, I need to ready.”
“Dr. Banner left a message in the LMD that was left behind,” Espirita reminded her. “There’s something he felt he had to deal with alone. We’re working to find him but, considering what else we have to deal with, it may be best to trust Dr. Banner for now.”
“Thanos.” The name was a curse on Binary’s lips. “You would think the Shi’ar could keep their prisoners locked up. Now that psycho might be coming back to Earth.”
“I can’t pretend not to be scared of this man,” Espirita said. “Fortunately, with Mantis warning us, we can prepare. And a former Avenger is arriving who happens to be the top authority on Thanos.”
# # # # #
Hovering over Avengers Mansion was a small spacecraft of alien design. The visitor was expected, and Stingray was on the roof to meet him, as were Edwin Jarvis and Mantis. A portal in the bottom of the spacecraft opened and, under his own power, Eros of Titan flew down onto the roof.
“Starfox, it’s good to see you,” said Stingray. He used the codename Wasp had given Eros, because he was a foxy man from the stars.
“Stingray, long time no see. Jarvis, it is always a pleasure. And Mantis…” Starfox embraced his friend. “I wish this was under better circumstances. How’s Quoia?”
“Shaken, but in better shape than Drax,” Mantis said.
“He’s downstairs, sedated,” Stingray said. “Mantis thinks the conditioning Thanos did is gone, but we thought it best to keep Drax out of it until…”
“Until I could manipulate any emotions to undo my brother’s manipulating,” Starfox said.
“It is not needed,” Mantis said. “This one knows Drax is returned his old self.”
“Well, always better to safe than sorry.” Starfox clapped his hands. “Let’s go downstairs and have a look.”
A few minutes later, Starfox and Mantis were in the med-lab examining Drax. Stingray was standing just outside, observing them with his wife Diane.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here when this happened,” Stingray said.
“Hey, it was my fault,” Diane said. “I’m the one who told you to track down Todd.”
Todd Arliss was Diane’s brother. He was also the super-villain known as Tiger Shark, a man mutated with shark features. But he was still Diane’s brother, and she wanted him to know that she was going to have another child.
“Diablo didn’t give us much to go on. He could have let Todd loose anywhere, and we have no idea what other modifications he did.” Stingray saw that Draw was sitting up, and slapping hands with Starfox. “It looks like some things are finally going right. Here, at least.”
Diane sighed. “If it didn’t happen all the time, I’d think it was too much of a coincidence, them arriving while the team was away.”
“Unfortunately we’re always away, on one mission or another,” Stingray said. “Although it was a heck of a thing, Photon getting tied with an attack at the same time.”
“What?” Diane looked at her husband. “When she didn’t respond to the alert, we figured she just couldn’t get away from your mission.”
Stingray shook his head. “No, she was delayed in helping us too. The At’Lan’Tique had hijacked a boat off New Orleans as we were…”
“Attacking the man who had just released my brother to parts unknown,” finished Diane. “That does sound like too much of a coincidence.”
“It’s certainly a place to start. We can question the At’Lan’Tique members in custody, search the area for leads.” Stingray checked the time. “The hearing will have started by now. I’ll need to go there and speak with Warbird myself.”
Starfox had walked out of the med-lab. “Drax seems to be his old, rather simplistic self. Do you guys have any of those lolly-pops that you wear on your finger? Drax loves those.”
Diane thought for a moment. “I…don’t think so. But I can ask Jarvis.”
“And if we don’t, send me a call,” Stingray said. “I can pick some up on my way back.”
“Back from where?” Starfox asked. “I’m sorry, I happened to hear you mention a hearing. What’s going on?”
“It has to do with Vision.” Stingray quickly explained the situation.
Starfox considered it a moment, then gave a smile. “Oh, if all they want to do is wipe his programming, I think I can help with that.”
# # # # #
Unlike many people, Captain America was not impatient about the long preliminary functions of the legal system. They were a necessary part of due process, and ultimately could save time by avoiding by creating a structure for the actual arguments, or lead to avoiding them altogether. He also appreciated the opportunity to watch Bernadette Rosenthal in action.
Eventually, the preliminary stage of the hearing was over, and the judge called for a recess. Bernadette represented the interests of the Avengers as counsel for the U.S. government, and approached Warbird to discuss the next steps. She avoided Captain America, and he made no move to approach her. Leading up the hearing, he’d spoken with her assistant. What happened between Captain America and Bernadette Rosenthal….had happened.
But Captain America saw an opening, and moved towards and individual with whom relations were slight less frosty. “Your Majesty, may I have a moment?”
King T’Challa of Wakanda, also known as the Black Panther, made a gesture. His people allowed Captain America to pass. “This will have to be brief, Captain. And unrelated to our purpose here today.”
Captain America ignored the warning. “I just want to understand why. When I informed you that Vision had returned, you didn’t give any response. If you had simply made the request, without breaking into Avengers Mansion-”
“You would have simply ignored me,” Black Panther finished.
“You know that’s not true. There would have been a dialogue about our options. A decision would have been made together, amongst the Avengers.”
“Even had my requests been agreed to, that is not the process,” Black Panther said. “The Vision’s crimes are not a matter for the Avengers to hold a court-martial. It is not for you to decide what is to be done when one of your members murder thousands of people. Due process had to be sought, and I knew that my actions where the only way your government would agree to go forward.”
Before Captain America could respond, the judge banged his gavel. The recess had ended, and Photon was called to give testimony.
“I did not initially go to Wakanda,” Photon began. “Part of the team was held back in reserve. That turned out to be a good idea. Almost the entire advance team except, except for Henry Pym, were immediately taken captive.”
“And it was Dr. Pym who brought the rest of you in?” asked Ms. Rosenthal.
Photon nodded. “When we arrived in Wakanda, it was awful. Vision had created robots that resembled some of the Avengers, but he also used cybernetic implants to take control of people. They, the Wakandans, were being worked as slaves. We fought to help them, but Hank needed me to go with him after Vision. And when we found him, Vision was about to kill the Avengers he held captive.”
“And what did you do?”
Photon stared straight ahead as she spoke, remembering it as though it were yesterday. “Together, Henry Pym and I entered Vision’s body and destroyed it from the inside. The only thing left was Vision’s brain.”
“But that isn’t what we’re here to discuss.” Ms. Rosenthal gestured to the hard drive that contained Vision’s programming. “What happened to Vision’s brain?”
“It was left in Wakanda, with Black Panther,” Photon said.
Following Photon’s testimony, Captain America was called to give his account.
“It wasn’t the brain,” he said. “While he was in Wakanda, Vision had taken control of all the Vibranium. After he was destroyed, we hadn’t realized that a piece of him was still there, his information absorbed into the metal.”
“But Ultron did?” Ms. Rosenthal asked, not looking directly at Captain America. “That was why Ultron stole Vibranium.”
“Yes, and why Ultron tried to abduct Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch,” Captain America said. “We hadn’t connected the two at the time but, after Ultron was destroyed, the robotic villain Alkhema succeeded in uploading Vision’s information into Hammond. Fortunately, Namor the Sub-Mariner and I managed to reverse the process. Alkhema was destroyed, and Hammond expunged Vision from his body.”
“What about Vibranium? How do we know there isn’t some small piece out there with Vision’s information?”
“After I informed Black Panther of what occurred, he accounted for every scrap. Including this.” Captain America indicated his shield. “Which was smart, as Vision’s information was found here as well. And erased, as I’ve been assured was done worldwide. There’s no reason to doubt that that is the sole…that Vision is only in there,” Captain America said, referring to the hard drive.
Following Captain America’s testimony, another brief recess was called. He walked over to Warbird and Photon. “Saying it out loud like that, we live very strange lives.”
“Especially considering what we left out,” Photon agreed. “My light form serving as armor for Hank’s tiny body, and Jim Hammond getting unstuck in time.”
“This may rank among the most normal days we’ve had,” Warbird said. She saw Starfox walk through the door. “What is he doing here?”
“Starfox, it’s good to see you.” Captain America shook the former Avenger’s hand. “Are you here for the trouble with Thanos?”
“On Earth, yes,” Starfox said. “But here, specifically, I’m here about Vision.”
Starfox shifted his eyes between Captain America and Photon. “You both remember when I helped him out of that coma.”
“Yes, Vision sent me out past Pluto while he tried to conquer the world,” Photon said drily. “We probably shouldn’t bring that up here.”
“I mean before that,” Starfox said. “When I used Titan’s computer, ISAAC, to give Vision that upgrade, his programming was backed up. Everything that he was, before that incident, is sitting in some dusty old server at Titan.”
Captain America frowned. “Why are we just learning about this? The government dismantled Vision, wiped his mind.”
“The unfortunate truth is, it slipped my mind,” Starfox said. “You’ll recall I went through some things around that time. And I’m, well, me. But a recent incident with ISAAC required a complete diagnostic, and I came across it.”
“And it’s still on Titan,” Warbird said.
“Well yes, but I can make a call. A copy can be transmitted here by sub-space frequency within the hour.”
“No.” Captain America was adamant. “No more copies. If we treat Vision as some file that can be cut and pasted around, what the hell is the point of this hearing?”
Photon nodded. “I can go to Titan and absorb the information into my light form.”
“You can do that?” Warbird asked.
“This will be bigger than the transmissions I pick up all the time. But I’ve…been in Vision’s body a couple of times.”
“Yes, you just mentioned one,” Warbird said. “Starfox, can this sub-light frequency be used on Photon?”
When Starfox said it could, Warbird nodded. “Good, otherwise this would take most of the day. Photon, go with Starfox and do what you can.”
“We should inform the court of the possibility,” Captain America said as Photon and Starfox left.
“I’ll handle that,” Warbird said. Bernadette Rosenthal would have to give the formal notification. “You should give Wanda and Simon the heads up.”
# # # # #
“Many thought him to be inhumanly cold,” mumbled the Scarlet Witch. “But I grew to love the warm, feeling inner man.”
Captain America had approached Scarlet Witch, but Wonder Man stepped in front of him. “Sorry Cap, but Wanda asked not to be disturbed. She’s running through her lines.”
“I understand why you’d put it that way, Simon,” Captain America told the super-hero/actor. “But that isn’t exactly appropriate for sworn testimony. And besides, I have news she’ll want to here.”
Wonder Man crossed his large arms. “Maybe you should run it by me first.”
As Captain America was talking to Wonder Man, Scarlet Witch was deep in her memories. “We tried to find out if society would accept us on our own, away from Avengers Mansion. It was a modest, little home we bought in Leonia, New Jersey. When arsonists burned it down, our neighbors were glad to be rid of us.”
That had been a painful moment for the Scarlet Witch. She still had the charred remains of a book that Vision had given for their anniversary. But worse than the destruction, Wanda knew it had been that catalyst for her husband’s attempt to take over the world. Not as some mad act of vengeance, but out of a sense of duty.
“The American Dream had to work for everyone, or it can never truly work for anyone,” Captain America had lectured to Scarlet Witches neighbors. “It’s our duty to do everything we can to make sure it works.”
By that time, Vision had already created the mean to take over all computer systems on Earth. An upgrade to his systems courtesy of ISAAC, the computer that ran Titan, had boosted Vision’s ego to enormous proportions. Captain America’s words had given him the excuse to use his newfound power to take over the world “for it’s own good.”
“But that was a reaction,” Scarlet Witch was saying to herself. “For so much of his life Vision had been a puppet, controlled by the likes of Ultron and others. He simply wanted control over himself, and he thought the best way to do that was to control everything. We convinced him otherwise. My husband relinquished power, and was willing to face the consequences for his actions.”
As she reminisced, Scarlet Witch barely heard what Captain America was saying to Wonder Man. The occasional phrase did go through, however, and her head perked up.
“What did you say?”
# # # # #
Photon appeared in burst of light beneath the surface of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. Facing her was the ruler of Titan, the Eternal known as Mentor. Behind him was a bank of computer servers with blinking lights that formed into a face that Photon had seen before.
“Ah, it is good to see you again Captain…” Mentor paused. “I’m sorry, you don’t still go by Captain Marvel, do you?”
“I’m called Photon now. Wait, were you expecting me?”
“Starfox transmitted a brief message the instant before your arrival,” explained ISAAC, the computer that controlled all of Titan’s functions. “It was necessary, so that I would not mistake you for a threat.”
“And the moment ISAAC informed me I teleported here,” said Mentor. “Would I be wrong to assume this involves my other son?”
Photon shook her head. “We’re keeping an eye out for Thanos, but I’m here on another manner. Starfox told us that you have a back-up of the Vision’s…er, mind?”
“Yes, from when Starfox had me perform a diagnostic on your synthezoid friend,” ISAAC confirmed. “The code is deep within on of my subroutines, inactive. If I had noticed it earlier I would have deleted it, but Starfox seemed thrilled to come across it.”
“It’s a good thing, because we need it.” Photon briefly explained Vision’s situation.
Several minutes later, Mentor sighed. “This is why we regularly back up ISAAC. Every time he’s gone bad, we simply revert to an earlier model. We can replicate the file and beam it to Earth as soon as-”
“Actually, I’m here to take possession of the original.” Photon raised a hand toward ISAAC, and transformed into radio waves. “May I?”
“I shall need to inform you of the exact wavelength for optimum capability, but yes.”
ISAAC did so, and Photon entered the mainframe. In an instant, the Avenger had traveled through every system of Titan. When she encountered the enclosed code of Vision, she stopped just short of touching it, hesitant.
“Is something the matter?” Mentor spoke into Photon’s mind.
“This could be the last trace of a man I once called friend,” Photon said. “One mistake, and he could be gone forever.”
“I see that you possess a masterful control of your abilities,” Mentor said. “This task is well within your capabilities. Help your friend home.”
With confidence, Photon reached out. She felt terabytes of data flood into her, and concentrated to keep the information from her own thought processes. Soon it was done and, with a version of Vision secure, Photon flew out of Titan and toward home.
# # # # #
“When first we encountered him, Vision tried to kill the Avengers.” Black Panther had taken the stand. “When he appeared to rebel against his programming, it was to lead us into a trap by his creator, Ultron. It was soon after we destroyed Ultron that Vision stole admantium to rebuild him, more dangerous than ever before. For the entirety of his existence, Vision has cycled between periods of gaining our trust and devastating betrayal.”
The king of Wakanda went on, summarizing the lives that Vision had destroyed. “Ultron had initially hypnotized Dr. Pym, making that brave man forget his role in that robot’s creation. One of the first things he did, Vision made Dr. Pym remember. It was soon after that he suffered a nervous breakdown.”
Scarlet Witch had to sit and listen as Black Panther gave his thoughts about her relationship with Vision. As he implied that Vision didn’t act out of love or bravery, but to make her suffer through an intentionally difficult marriage. The estrangement with her brother Quicksilver, the struggle to have children, even Vision’s “death” at the hands of the government.
Every kind word that Scarlet Witch had said about the man she’d loved, Black Panther managed to twist into the ravings of a woman deluded by a machine.
“It doesn’t matter how far back you go,” said Black Panther. “From the very beginning, Vision was meant to be a traitor. The brain engrams, on which his programming is based, were taken from a man who had just betrayed the Avengers. And while Wonder Man has grown beyond that unfortunate error in judgement, a machine cannot do the same.”
Scarlet Witch felt the man next to her bristle. She placed a calming hand over Wonder Man’s clenched fist. Seated on the other side, Captain America was more confused that angry.
“I still can’t believe he rejected the office,” Captain America said to Warbird. Now that the court was aware of an earlier backup for Vision, it would determine custody for that as well. And Wakanda wanted it all.
“This is more than the…actually pretty good points he made,” Warbird said. “T’Challa seems to have a real mad-on to kill Vision.”
When the Black Panther finished his statement, the judge banged his gavel. “I’m prepared to make my ruling.”
As Bernie Rosenthal attempted to object, but the attorney for Wakanda remained silent, Warbird frowned. It didn’t make any sense to her. Then she noticed the man in the dark suit seated near the entrance.
“Cap, we’re getting screwed over.” She directed his attention to the man. “I recognize him from the State Department. Pressure’s being applied.”
Visibly upset, Captain America rose to his feet. As he passed Scarlet Witch, he failed to notice her fingers tapping on Wonder Man’s fist. “T’Challa, what the hell are you doing?”
“Serving my country, Captain,” said Black Panther. “Fortunately, in this respect your President’s interests align with me. This refuse will be shipped to Africa.”
Before Captain America could respond, the judged banged his gavel for silence in the courtroom. He then gave his decision, ordering that any trace of Vision be turned over to Wakanda. A bailiff then entered the courtroom, carrying the secure drive that, until recently, been stored in Avengers Mansion.
Everything seemed to happen at once. Scarlet Witch and Wonder Man rose to their feet. Black Panther reached out to take possession of the drive containing Vision. Photon reappeared in a burst of light.
“I’m back. What’d I-aaahhhhhh!”
The long, soul-wrenching scream from Photon began the moment Wonder Man touched her. His body had changed from flesh and blood to the crackling dots of ionic energy. Energy that Photon was mixing with, being absorbed into. After a second that seemed to stretch for eternity, Photon had vanished.
At the same time, Scarlet Witch had strode past Captain America and toward Black Panther. Her hands were in a constant state of motion. Captain America reached for her, but at the same time turned his head to look at Photon. In that moment, inexplicably, the legend of World War II tripped over his own feet.
Again, the judged had banged his gavel. The head broke from the handle and went flying. The bailiff was struck in the temple and fell over, the drive flying out of his hands. Black Panther reached for it with two hands, and Scarlet Witch reached for it with one with the other was gesturing. The gavel head knocked against Black Panther’s elbow, while the drive casually entered Scarlet Witch’s grasp.
“I’ve had about enough of you,” Scarlet Witch said. A true hex bolt flew from her fingers, and the Black Panther was hurled across the room.
“Wanda, no!” Warbird flew out of her seat, but her foot caught against something. This shifted her direction into Wonder Man’s swinging fist. Warbird crashed against the wall, dazed but still conscious.
“Let’s go,” Scarlet Witch said to Wonder Man. He silently picked her up, and something in his face suggested to Warbird that he wasn’t entirely in control.
“Please Wanda, don’t do this,” Warbird said. “They…we, will never stop hunting you. This isn’t, you know he wouldn’t want this.”
Scarlet Witch looked directly at Warbird. Her face was filled with anguish as she said five words.
“I want my husband back.”
With that, Wonder Man flew with Scarlet Witch out of the room. They also had Photon, and every known trace of Vision.
# # # # #
Binary walked into the room. “Warbird just called. Scarlet Witch has lost her mind and disappeared with Vision. And apparently Photon…she didn’t make a lot of sense.”
“I’m sure she’ll explain things when she gets here,” Stingray said. “But for now we’ll need to start the search for Scarlet Witch.”
Espirita sat at the computer and pulled up Scarlet Witch’s file. “Wundagore Mountain would be the obvious choice, if this was only Wanda. But if she is acting for her husband…I don’t know her well enough. We should contact Pietro.”
“From what I’ve seen, he may not be the expert on his sister,” Binary said.
Stingray snapped his fingers. “But their father is an expert on robotics. If Scarlet Witch is acting to help Vision, she may contact Magneto.”
“Anything is possible. I’ll try and make contact with Genosha.” Espirita’s hands entered commands on the console. A minute later, what she saw on the screen made Espirita’s eyes widen. Those hands went to her mouth, to stifle a scream of horror. “Oh no!”
“What is it?” Binary moved next to Espirita. On the main screen was static, as there was apparently nobody on the other side with whom to communicated. Other screens showed satellite images, but warped for some reason. Binary was able to make out enough. The fires raging off the coast of Hammer Bay. The mass of black smoke that covered most of the island.
“That’s from an electro-magnetic pulse,” said Stingray about the warped images. “My god, I hope Scarlet Witch isn’t walking into that.”
Next Issue: Drama with Vision and Scarlet Witch, but first a detour is made into the Avengers vs. X-Men event!
Wow, that was heavy and rather sudden. Some quick context for what went down…
But wait, that’s not all! For any of you wondering if Black Panther is acting a bit odd, stick around for the…Epilogue! That’s also a….
C.O.D.E Confidential Tie-In!
# # # # #
Upon landing, Black Panther rose uncomfortably from his seat in the specialized jet. He still ached from the Scarlet Witch’s attack, in more ways than one. That woman had best pray that the Avengers find her first. Assuming that things had not all been going according to his plan, that is.
Overall, Black Panther was not too disappointed by how the day had gone. Justice for Wakanda may have been denied, but the Avengers had still taken a tremendous blow to their morale. And from the looks of things, they would be further tested in Genosha.
“That was a curveball, however,” Black Panther said to himself. Alone, he journeyed deep into the heart of Wakanda, where only kings were permitted to walk. “Had the Avengers managed to bring back Vision as an ally, that could have threatened matters.”
Through the Wall of Knowledge did Black Panther stride. He was now in the Necropolis, where Black Panthers go to die.
“Fortunately, you’ve amassed almost as many resources as I have.”
Black Panther gazed down into the newest crypt. Laying bound at the bottom was the still form of T’Challa. At least, the one of this universe.
The dark mirror of Black Panther smiled. “It is such a shame that Wakanda has failed to assert itself on this world. Once I’ve helped the Great American remove those troublesome superheroes, I shall remedy that. Wakanda forever.”
Warbird and Scarlet Witch met outside the courthouse, two former teammates who were somewhat friends. For the most part, their relationship was of guilt and regret. This encounter would do little to change that.
“Of course I would,” the former Avenger said to their chairperson. “My…the Vision’s fate is about to be decided. And anyway I was a witness to his crimes.”
Tentatively, Warbird reached out a comforting hand toward Scarlet Witch, but didn’t touch her. “You know we’re going to do everything we can to prevent this. Black Panther…we won’t just let him kill Vision.”
Scarlet Witch sighed, and didn’t meet Warbird’s gesture. “Carol, as far as I’m concerned my husband died years ago. T’Challa is doing his duty. Whatever happens, I won’t lose sleep over some code.”
She walked around Warbird and into the courthouse. Standing in the foyer was Wonder Man, and his arm of support was accepted. Warbird sighed, and followed them.
Two more Avengers, current and former, were standing outside the room where the hearing was to be held. Of the current team, only Photon had been present when the Avengers fought Vision. She was talking with Captain America, leader at the time, who had agreed to come for the hearing. The reason for the hearing, King T’Challa, the Black Panther, was holding private court with several Wakandan officials.
Warbird approached Photon and Captain America. “It was good of you to come, Cap.”
“I happened to be across the river, in Jersey City,” Captain America said. “There was a thing with HYDRA, I’ll explain later. Photon was just telling me about why we’re here.”
“It’ll be hard to argue that we can keep Vision’s…keep him secure when a Wakandan operative was able to break in and take him,” Photon said.
“That may be the least of it,” Warbird said. “Our only real defense is ‘Captain America trusts us.’ But that was when you happened to be leader at the time. A lot has changed since then.”
“The safest place for Vision’s A.I. is Avengers custody,” Captain America said. “That hasn’t changed, and I’ll do everything I can to make the judge see it.”
Photon glanced over at Scarlet Witch, who was silently waiting with Wonder Man. “Do we know what she’s going to say?”
“I honestly don’t think she cares either way,” Warbird said. It was a sentiment that Warbird was beginning to share. With everything that the Avengers were facing, she just wanted this matter to end, whatever the outcome. “But if I was Wonder Man, I would be careful. Black Panther may decide to remove any possibility of Vision by going after the source.”
“Black Panther has always made it clear that he puts Wakanda first,” Captain America said. “And you weren’t there to see what Vision did. While I can’t agree that this is the best course of action, I understand where Black Panther is coming from.”
The door to the courtroom had opened. The hearing was about to start.
“Let’s hope everything goes well,” Photon said.
# # # # #
The training room in Avengers Mansion was a shambles. Machinery and robotic parts were scattered everywhere, and burn marks from explosions outnumbered clean spots on the walls and ceilings. Standing in the center of the carnage was Binary, arguably the most powerful of the Avengers at the moment.
“Again,” she commanded. Nothing happened. “Again!”
“You’ve destroyed all the training robots,” Espirita said from behind Binary.
Startled, Binary whipped around and fired a plasma burst. Not surprised, Espirita flew over the attack and unleashed a stream of fire at her teammate. Though Binary could be comfortable within the heart of a star, the flames hurt her. She collapsed to her knees, and Espirita approached her.
“Even the Avengers have finite resources, and you’ve exhausted most of them.” Espirita put a hand on Binary’s shoulders, and the flames subsided. “Besides, you would be of no use against Hulk if you’ve exhausted yourself.”
“Every time we fought, he’s kicked my ass,” Binary said. “Now that he’s escaped from our custody, I need to ready.”
“Dr. Banner left a message in the LMD that was left behind,” Espirita reminded her. “There’s something he felt he had to deal with alone. We’re working to find him but, considering what else we have to deal with, it may be best to trust Dr. Banner for now.”
“Thanos.” The name was a curse on Binary’s lips. “You would think the Shi’ar could keep their prisoners locked up. Now that psycho might be coming back to Earth.”
“I can’t pretend not to be scared of this man,” Espirita said. “Fortunately, with Mantis warning us, we can prepare. And a former Avenger is arriving who happens to be the top authority on Thanos.”
# # # # #
Hovering over Avengers Mansion was a small spacecraft of alien design. The visitor was expected, and Stingray was on the roof to meet him, as were Edwin Jarvis and Mantis. A portal in the bottom of the spacecraft opened and, under his own power, Eros of Titan flew down onto the roof.
“Starfox, it’s good to see you,” said Stingray. He used the codename Wasp had given Eros, because he was a foxy man from the stars.
“Stingray, long time no see. Jarvis, it is always a pleasure. And Mantis…” Starfox embraced his friend. “I wish this was under better circumstances. How’s Quoia?”
“Shaken, but in better shape than Drax,” Mantis said.
“He’s downstairs, sedated,” Stingray said. “Mantis thinks the conditioning Thanos did is gone, but we thought it best to keep Drax out of it until…”
“Until I could manipulate any emotions to undo my brother’s manipulating,” Starfox said.
“It is not needed,” Mantis said. “This one knows Drax is returned his old self.”
“Well, always better to safe than sorry.” Starfox clapped his hands. “Let’s go downstairs and have a look.”
A few minutes later, Starfox and Mantis were in the med-lab examining Drax. Stingray was standing just outside, observing them with his wife Diane.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here when this happened,” Stingray said.
“Hey, it was my fault,” Diane said. “I’m the one who told you to track down Todd.”
Todd Arliss was Diane’s brother. He was also the super-villain known as Tiger Shark, a man mutated with shark features. But he was still Diane’s brother, and she wanted him to know that she was going to have another child.
“Diablo didn’t give us much to go on. He could have let Todd loose anywhere, and we have no idea what other modifications he did.” Stingray saw that Draw was sitting up, and slapping hands with Starfox. “It looks like some things are finally going right. Here, at least.”
Diane sighed. “If it didn’t happen all the time, I’d think it was too much of a coincidence, them arriving while the team was away.”
“Unfortunately we’re always away, on one mission or another,” Stingray said. “Although it was a heck of a thing, Photon getting tied with an attack at the same time.”
“What?” Diane looked at her husband. “When she didn’t respond to the alert, we figured she just couldn’t get away from your mission.”
Stingray shook his head. “No, she was delayed in helping us too. The At’Lan’Tique had hijacked a boat off New Orleans as we were…”
“Attacking the man who had just released my brother to parts unknown,” finished Diane. “That does sound like too much of a coincidence.”
“It’s certainly a place to start. We can question the At’Lan’Tique members in custody, search the area for leads.” Stingray checked the time. “The hearing will have started by now. I’ll need to go there and speak with Warbird myself.”
Starfox had walked out of the med-lab. “Drax seems to be his old, rather simplistic self. Do you guys have any of those lolly-pops that you wear on your finger? Drax loves those.”
Diane thought for a moment. “I…don’t think so. But I can ask Jarvis.”
“And if we don’t, send me a call,” Stingray said. “I can pick some up on my way back.”
“Back from where?” Starfox asked. “I’m sorry, I happened to hear you mention a hearing. What’s going on?”
“It has to do with Vision.” Stingray quickly explained the situation.
Starfox considered it a moment, then gave a smile. “Oh, if all they want to do is wipe his programming, I think I can help with that.”
# # # # #
Unlike many people, Captain America was not impatient about the long preliminary functions of the legal system. They were a necessary part of due process, and ultimately could save time by avoiding by creating a structure for the actual arguments, or lead to avoiding them altogether. He also appreciated the opportunity to watch Bernadette Rosenthal in action.
Eventually, the preliminary stage of the hearing was over, and the judge called for a recess. Bernadette represented the interests of the Avengers as counsel for the U.S. government, and approached Warbird to discuss the next steps. She avoided Captain America, and he made no move to approach her. Leading up the hearing, he’d spoken with her assistant. What happened between Captain America and Bernadette Rosenthal….had happened.
But Captain America saw an opening, and moved towards and individual with whom relations were slight less frosty. “Your Majesty, may I have a moment?”
King T’Challa of Wakanda, also known as the Black Panther, made a gesture. His people allowed Captain America to pass. “This will have to be brief, Captain. And unrelated to our purpose here today.”
Captain America ignored the warning. “I just want to understand why. When I informed you that Vision had returned, you didn’t give any response. If you had simply made the request, without breaking into Avengers Mansion-”
“You would have simply ignored me,” Black Panther finished.
“You know that’s not true. There would have been a dialogue about our options. A decision would have been made together, amongst the Avengers.”
“Even had my requests been agreed to, that is not the process,” Black Panther said. “The Vision’s crimes are not a matter for the Avengers to hold a court-martial. It is not for you to decide what is to be done when one of your members murder thousands of people. Due process had to be sought, and I knew that my actions where the only way your government would agree to go forward.”
Before Captain America could respond, the judge banged his gavel. The recess had ended, and Photon was called to give testimony.
“I did not initially go to Wakanda,” Photon began. “Part of the team was held back in reserve. That turned out to be a good idea. Almost the entire advance team except, except for Henry Pym, were immediately taken captive.”
“And it was Dr. Pym who brought the rest of you in?” asked Ms. Rosenthal.
Photon nodded. “When we arrived in Wakanda, it was awful. Vision had created robots that resembled some of the Avengers, but he also used cybernetic implants to take control of people. They, the Wakandans, were being worked as slaves. We fought to help them, but Hank needed me to go with him after Vision. And when we found him, Vision was about to kill the Avengers he held captive.”
“And what did you do?”
Photon stared straight ahead as she spoke, remembering it as though it were yesterday. “Together, Henry Pym and I entered Vision’s body and destroyed it from the inside. The only thing left was Vision’s brain.”
“But that isn’t what we’re here to discuss.” Ms. Rosenthal gestured to the hard drive that contained Vision’s programming. “What happened to Vision’s brain?”
“It was left in Wakanda, with Black Panther,” Photon said.
Following Photon’s testimony, Captain America was called to give his account.
“It wasn’t the brain,” he said. “While he was in Wakanda, Vision had taken control of all the Vibranium. After he was destroyed, we hadn’t realized that a piece of him was still there, his information absorbed into the metal.”
“But Ultron did?” Ms. Rosenthal asked, not looking directly at Captain America. “That was why Ultron stole Vibranium.”
“Yes, and why Ultron tried to abduct Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch,” Captain America said. “We hadn’t connected the two at the time but, after Ultron was destroyed, the robotic villain Alkhema succeeded in uploading Vision’s information into Hammond. Fortunately, Namor the Sub-Mariner and I managed to reverse the process. Alkhema was destroyed, and Hammond expunged Vision from his body.”
“What about Vibranium? How do we know there isn’t some small piece out there with Vision’s information?”
“After I informed Black Panther of what occurred, he accounted for every scrap. Including this.” Captain America indicated his shield. “Which was smart, as Vision’s information was found here as well. And erased, as I’ve been assured was done worldwide. There’s no reason to doubt that that is the sole…that Vision is only in there,” Captain America said, referring to the hard drive.
Following Captain America’s testimony, another brief recess was called. He walked over to Warbird and Photon. “Saying it out loud like that, we live very strange lives.”
“Especially considering what we left out,” Photon agreed. “My light form serving as armor for Hank’s tiny body, and Jim Hammond getting unstuck in time.”
“This may rank among the most normal days we’ve had,” Warbird said. She saw Starfox walk through the door. “What is he doing here?”
“Starfox, it’s good to see you.” Captain America shook the former Avenger’s hand. “Are you here for the trouble with Thanos?”
“On Earth, yes,” Starfox said. “But here, specifically, I’m here about Vision.”
Starfox shifted his eyes between Captain America and Photon. “You both remember when I helped him out of that coma.”
“Yes, Vision sent me out past Pluto while he tried to conquer the world,” Photon said drily. “We probably shouldn’t bring that up here.”
“I mean before that,” Starfox said. “When I used Titan’s computer, ISAAC, to give Vision that upgrade, his programming was backed up. Everything that he was, before that incident, is sitting in some dusty old server at Titan.”
Captain America frowned. “Why are we just learning about this? The government dismantled Vision, wiped his mind.”
“The unfortunate truth is, it slipped my mind,” Starfox said. “You’ll recall I went through some things around that time. And I’m, well, me. But a recent incident with ISAAC required a complete diagnostic, and I came across it.”
“And it’s still on Titan,” Warbird said.
“Well yes, but I can make a call. A copy can be transmitted here by sub-space frequency within the hour.”
“No.” Captain America was adamant. “No more copies. If we treat Vision as some file that can be cut and pasted around, what the hell is the point of this hearing?”
Photon nodded. “I can go to Titan and absorb the information into my light form.”
“You can do that?” Warbird asked.
“This will be bigger than the transmissions I pick up all the time. But I’ve…been in Vision’s body a couple of times.”
“Yes, you just mentioned one,” Warbird said. “Starfox, can this sub-light frequency be used on Photon?”
When Starfox said it could, Warbird nodded. “Good, otherwise this would take most of the day. Photon, go with Starfox and do what you can.”
“We should inform the court of the possibility,” Captain America said as Photon and Starfox left.
“I’ll handle that,” Warbird said. Bernadette Rosenthal would have to give the formal notification. “You should give Wanda and Simon the heads up.”
# # # # #
“Many thought him to be inhumanly cold,” mumbled the Scarlet Witch. “But I grew to love the warm, feeling inner man.”
Captain America had approached Scarlet Witch, but Wonder Man stepped in front of him. “Sorry Cap, but Wanda asked not to be disturbed. She’s running through her lines.”
“I understand why you’d put it that way, Simon,” Captain America told the super-hero/actor. “But that isn’t exactly appropriate for sworn testimony. And besides, I have news she’ll want to here.”
Wonder Man crossed his large arms. “Maybe you should run it by me first.”
As Captain America was talking to Wonder Man, Scarlet Witch was deep in her memories. “We tried to find out if society would accept us on our own, away from Avengers Mansion. It was a modest, little home we bought in Leonia, New Jersey. When arsonists burned it down, our neighbors were glad to be rid of us.”
That had been a painful moment for the Scarlet Witch. She still had the charred remains of a book that Vision had given for their anniversary. But worse than the destruction, Wanda knew it had been that catalyst for her husband’s attempt to take over the world. Not as some mad act of vengeance, but out of a sense of duty.
“The American Dream had to work for everyone, or it can never truly work for anyone,” Captain America had lectured to Scarlet Witches neighbors. “It’s our duty to do everything we can to make sure it works.”
By that time, Vision had already created the mean to take over all computer systems on Earth. An upgrade to his systems courtesy of ISAAC, the computer that ran Titan, had boosted Vision’s ego to enormous proportions. Captain America’s words had given him the excuse to use his newfound power to take over the world “for it’s own good.”
“But that was a reaction,” Scarlet Witch was saying to herself. “For so much of his life Vision had been a puppet, controlled by the likes of Ultron and others. He simply wanted control over himself, and he thought the best way to do that was to control everything. We convinced him otherwise. My husband relinquished power, and was willing to face the consequences for his actions.”
As she reminisced, Scarlet Witch barely heard what Captain America was saying to Wonder Man. The occasional phrase did go through, however, and her head perked up.
“What did you say?”
# # # # #
Photon appeared in burst of light beneath the surface of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. Facing her was the ruler of Titan, the Eternal known as Mentor. Behind him was a bank of computer servers with blinking lights that formed into a face that Photon had seen before.
“Ah, it is good to see you again Captain…” Mentor paused. “I’m sorry, you don’t still go by Captain Marvel, do you?”
“I’m called Photon now. Wait, were you expecting me?”
“Starfox transmitted a brief message the instant before your arrival,” explained ISAAC, the computer that controlled all of Titan’s functions. “It was necessary, so that I would not mistake you for a threat.”
“And the moment ISAAC informed me I teleported here,” said Mentor. “Would I be wrong to assume this involves my other son?”
Photon shook her head. “We’re keeping an eye out for Thanos, but I’m here on another manner. Starfox told us that you have a back-up of the Vision’s…er, mind?”
“Yes, from when Starfox had me perform a diagnostic on your synthezoid friend,” ISAAC confirmed. “The code is deep within on of my subroutines, inactive. If I had noticed it earlier I would have deleted it, but Starfox seemed thrilled to come across it.”
“It’s a good thing, because we need it.” Photon briefly explained Vision’s situation.
Several minutes later, Mentor sighed. “This is why we regularly back up ISAAC. Every time he’s gone bad, we simply revert to an earlier model. We can replicate the file and beam it to Earth as soon as-”
“Actually, I’m here to take possession of the original.” Photon raised a hand toward ISAAC, and transformed into radio waves. “May I?”
“I shall need to inform you of the exact wavelength for optimum capability, but yes.”
ISAAC did so, and Photon entered the mainframe. In an instant, the Avenger had traveled through every system of Titan. When she encountered the enclosed code of Vision, she stopped just short of touching it, hesitant.
“Is something the matter?” Mentor spoke into Photon’s mind.
“This could be the last trace of a man I once called friend,” Photon said. “One mistake, and he could be gone forever.”
“I see that you possess a masterful control of your abilities,” Mentor said. “This task is well within your capabilities. Help your friend home.”
With confidence, Photon reached out. She felt terabytes of data flood into her, and concentrated to keep the information from her own thought processes. Soon it was done and, with a version of Vision secure, Photon flew out of Titan and toward home.
# # # # #
“When first we encountered him, Vision tried to kill the Avengers.” Black Panther had taken the stand. “When he appeared to rebel against his programming, it was to lead us into a trap by his creator, Ultron. It was soon after we destroyed Ultron that Vision stole admantium to rebuild him, more dangerous than ever before. For the entirety of his existence, Vision has cycled between periods of gaining our trust and devastating betrayal.”
The king of Wakanda went on, summarizing the lives that Vision had destroyed. “Ultron had initially hypnotized Dr. Pym, making that brave man forget his role in that robot’s creation. One of the first things he did, Vision made Dr. Pym remember. It was soon after that he suffered a nervous breakdown.”
Scarlet Witch had to sit and listen as Black Panther gave his thoughts about her relationship with Vision. As he implied that Vision didn’t act out of love or bravery, but to make her suffer through an intentionally difficult marriage. The estrangement with her brother Quicksilver, the struggle to have children, even Vision’s “death” at the hands of the government.
Every kind word that Scarlet Witch had said about the man she’d loved, Black Panther managed to twist into the ravings of a woman deluded by a machine.
“It doesn’t matter how far back you go,” said Black Panther. “From the very beginning, Vision was meant to be a traitor. The brain engrams, on which his programming is based, were taken from a man who had just betrayed the Avengers. And while Wonder Man has grown beyond that unfortunate error in judgement, a machine cannot do the same.”
Scarlet Witch felt the man next to her bristle. She placed a calming hand over Wonder Man’s clenched fist. Seated on the other side, Captain America was more confused that angry.
“I still can’t believe he rejected the office,” Captain America said to Warbird. Now that the court was aware of an earlier backup for Vision, it would determine custody for that as well. And Wakanda wanted it all.
“This is more than the…actually pretty good points he made,” Warbird said. “T’Challa seems to have a real mad-on to kill Vision.”
When the Black Panther finished his statement, the judge banged his gavel. “I’m prepared to make my ruling.”
As Bernie Rosenthal attempted to object, but the attorney for Wakanda remained silent, Warbird frowned. It didn’t make any sense to her. Then she noticed the man in the dark suit seated near the entrance.
“Cap, we’re getting screwed over.” She directed his attention to the man. “I recognize him from the State Department. Pressure’s being applied.”
Visibly upset, Captain America rose to his feet. As he passed Scarlet Witch, he failed to notice her fingers tapping on Wonder Man’s fist. “T’Challa, what the hell are you doing?”
“Serving my country, Captain,” said Black Panther. “Fortunately, in this respect your President’s interests align with me. This refuse will be shipped to Africa.”
Before Captain America could respond, the judged banged his gavel for silence in the courtroom. He then gave his decision, ordering that any trace of Vision be turned over to Wakanda. A bailiff then entered the courtroom, carrying the secure drive that, until recently, been stored in Avengers Mansion.
Everything seemed to happen at once. Scarlet Witch and Wonder Man rose to their feet. Black Panther reached out to take possession of the drive containing Vision. Photon reappeared in a burst of light.
“I’m back. What’d I-aaahhhhhh!”
The long, soul-wrenching scream from Photon began the moment Wonder Man touched her. His body had changed from flesh and blood to the crackling dots of ionic energy. Energy that Photon was mixing with, being absorbed into. After a second that seemed to stretch for eternity, Photon had vanished.
At the same time, Scarlet Witch had strode past Captain America and toward Black Panther. Her hands were in a constant state of motion. Captain America reached for her, but at the same time turned his head to look at Photon. In that moment, inexplicably, the legend of World War II tripped over his own feet.
Again, the judged had banged his gavel. The head broke from the handle and went flying. The bailiff was struck in the temple and fell over, the drive flying out of his hands. Black Panther reached for it with two hands, and Scarlet Witch reached for it with one with the other was gesturing. The gavel head knocked against Black Panther’s elbow, while the drive casually entered Scarlet Witch’s grasp.
“I’ve had about enough of you,” Scarlet Witch said. A true hex bolt flew from her fingers, and the Black Panther was hurled across the room.
“Wanda, no!” Warbird flew out of her seat, but her foot caught against something. This shifted her direction into Wonder Man’s swinging fist. Warbird crashed against the wall, dazed but still conscious.
“Let’s go,” Scarlet Witch said to Wonder Man. He silently picked her up, and something in his face suggested to Warbird that he wasn’t entirely in control.
“Please Wanda, don’t do this,” Warbird said. “They…we, will never stop hunting you. This isn’t, you know he wouldn’t want this.”
Scarlet Witch looked directly at Warbird. Her face was filled with anguish as she said five words.
“I want my husband back.”
With that, Wonder Man flew with Scarlet Witch out of the room. They also had Photon, and every known trace of Vision.
# # # # #
Binary walked into the room. “Warbird just called. Scarlet Witch has lost her mind and disappeared with Vision. And apparently Photon…she didn’t make a lot of sense.”
“I’m sure she’ll explain things when she gets here,” Stingray said. “But for now we’ll need to start the search for Scarlet Witch.”
Espirita sat at the computer and pulled up Scarlet Witch’s file. “Wundagore Mountain would be the obvious choice, if this was only Wanda. But if she is acting for her husband…I don’t know her well enough. We should contact Pietro.”
“From what I’ve seen, he may not be the expert on his sister,” Binary said.
Stingray snapped his fingers. “But their father is an expert on robotics. If Scarlet Witch is acting to help Vision, she may contact Magneto.”
“Anything is possible. I’ll try and make contact with Genosha.” Espirita’s hands entered commands on the console. A minute later, what she saw on the screen made Espirita’s eyes widen. Those hands went to her mouth, to stifle a scream of horror. “Oh no!”
“What is it?” Binary moved next to Espirita. On the main screen was static, as there was apparently nobody on the other side with whom to communicated. Other screens showed satellite images, but warped for some reason. Binary was able to make out enough. The fires raging off the coast of Hammer Bay. The mass of black smoke that covered most of the island.
“That’s from an electro-magnetic pulse,” said Stingray about the warped images. “My god, I hope Scarlet Witch isn’t walking into that.”
Next Issue: Drama with Vision and Scarlet Witch, but first a detour is made into the Avengers vs. X-Men event!
Wow, that was heavy and rather sudden. Some quick context for what went down…
- Vision first appeared in Avengers Vol. 1 #57, joined the team and revealed Ultron’s origin in #58, and Hank Pym reacted by becoming Yellowjacket in #59. Vision next betrayed the team in Avengers Vol. 1 #67. And again in #252.
- The government dismantled Vision in West Coast Avengers Vol. 2 #43. Fortunately, a copy of his Artificial Intelligence had been made by ISAAC, probably when he helped repair Vision in Avengers Vol. 1 #238.
- Finally, the Vision went bad and was destroyed way back in M2K’s Avengers #11-13 by Will Short and Mike Exner. He managed to return, and was defeated by a reunion of the Invaders, in M2K’s Captain America Vol. 2 #15.
But wait, that’s not all! For any of you wondering if Black Panther is acting a bit odd, stick around for the…Epilogue! That’s also a….
C.O.D.E Confidential Tie-In!
# # # # #
Upon landing, Black Panther rose uncomfortably from his seat in the specialized jet. He still ached from the Scarlet Witch’s attack, in more ways than one. That woman had best pray that the Avengers find her first. Assuming that things had not all been going according to his plan, that is.
Overall, Black Panther was not too disappointed by how the day had gone. Justice for Wakanda may have been denied, but the Avengers had still taken a tremendous blow to their morale. And from the looks of things, they would be further tested in Genosha.
“That was a curveball, however,” Black Panther said to himself. Alone, he journeyed deep into the heart of Wakanda, where only kings were permitted to walk. “Had the Avengers managed to bring back Vision as an ally, that could have threatened matters.”
Through the Wall of Knowledge did Black Panther stride. He was now in the Necropolis, where Black Panthers go to die.
“Fortunately, you’ve amassed almost as many resources as I have.”
Black Panther gazed down into the newest crypt. Laying bound at the bottom was the still form of T’Challa. At least, the one of this universe.
The dark mirror of Black Panther smiled. “It is such a shame that Wakanda has failed to assert itself on this world. Once I’ve helped the Great American remove those troublesome superheroes, I shall remedy that. Wakanda forever.”