Issue #4 (June 2018) Written by Jake Hawkins Featuring:
Black Panther
Namor
Shuri
Nuke
NECROPOLIS A.K.A. BIRNIN MUTATA
Ayo led a group of adored one's through the caverns of the city of the dead as they carried the remains of the Queen mother. Ayo's Kimoyo band began to blink red much to her surprise. The threat had been neutralized, what could possibly be raising the sensor alarms near Necropolis, she mused.
In the waters outside the city a figure shot towards land with unmatched speed. A pair of Dora's patrolling the shoreline turned just as Namor emerged. They both readied their vibranium spears as the King of Atlantis walked towards them.
"This is sacred land. You have no business here."
"Turn back now, we will not tell you twice."
Namor ignored their warnings. He sidestepped a jab from a spear before backhanding the Dora across the face, sending her careening through a statue of King Bashenga, demolishing it. Namor then palmed the face of the remaining guard and slammed her head first into the ground, fracturing her skull with ease.
Inside the tombs, shouting can be heard echoing throughout as Ayo held up a fist to halt her troop in place.
"Defense pattern seven. Scatter." Ayo directed as the Dora's set down the casket and extended their spears.
Ayo took the point as the troop gets set behind her while the oncoming threat drew near. Namor stalked into the corridor where Ayo's group stood vigilant, dragging one of the Dora's along with him by the back of her neck. He wiped a droplet of blood from the cut on his cheek before tossing her on the ground in front of him and placing his foot on her head.
"Where is T'challa?" Namor bellowed, his voice carrying through the caverns.
"The king has business elsewhere. Do not make another move Atlantean." Ayo demanded, taking a step forward while keeping her eyes on her sister, whose fear was etched on her face.
"You're under the impression that you are in control here." He put his weight down on the Dora's head, and she bit her tongue to prevent herself from screaming in agony.
"WHERE. IS. T'CHALLA!" Namor clenched his fist, his anger reaching a dangerous boiling point.
"The King is not here! What is it you want?" Ayo pressed, her troop ready to die to save their sister.
"Then who is in charge here surface dweller?" Namor questioned?
ROYAL PALACE BIRNIN ZANA
Okoye stormed through the halls of the palace as Akili tried to keep pace with her.
"How did the Atlantean get past our defense systems?" Okoye seethed as they rounded a corner.
"They were never designed to stop someone like him." Akili answered as they reached Shuri's room and her door slid open.
Shuri was welding together an engine as the pair entered. She set her tools down as the conversation continued.
"You have no excuse for not informing me of my husband's foolish decision Akili. There will be disciplinary action when there is time to spare." Okoye scolded the war dog commander before turning to the Princess.
"What is the problem?" Shuri asked as she left her workbench.
"Princess. You need to come with me." Okoye stated flatly. Shuri saw the look in her cousin's eyes and immediately recognized the gravity of the situation. She followed her and Akili out at once without another word spoken between them.
THE (FORMER) LANDS OF THE JABARI
T’Challa is grabbed around the throat by Frank Simpson, who slammed him back first onto a nearby boulder before pummeling him with an onslaught of punches. T’Challa managed to deflect one of the blows before slashing Simpson across the face. Simpson took a step back, giving T’Challa the opening he needed. T’Challa generated an energy sword and plunged it into Nuke’s sternum. Simpson looked T’Challa directly in his eyes as the blade met his flesh before popping another of his red pills and allowing the intense adrenal rush to wash over him. He quickly nailed T’Challa with a series of devastating head butts before sending the King into a nearby tree with a spin kick.
T’Challa got to one knee and looked up to see Nuke picking up Betsy before firing his sub-machine gun at the King. T’Challa once again initiated his cloaking field and faded into the forest as the bullets ripped through the trees.
Simpson stalked forward, loading an artillery round into Betsy as he searched for his target.
T'challa watched Nuke from the tree line he prep a black cylinder-shaped device that had a purple substance glowing inside of it. The wind striking the leaves near T'challa's location gave Simpson just enough of an reason to turn and fire, setting the forest ablaze. T'challa leaped away just in time, tossing the device at Nuke's feet where it exploded. A dark purple gas began to spread as rapidly as the fire, reaching deep into the super soldier's lungs.
The gas is meant to break him down from the inside, attacking the heart and central nervous system. He'll go into cardiac arrest in a matter of seconds, as soon as the toxin hits his blood stream. I developed it for dire situations, although if I'm being forthcoming I honestly never imagined I'd need to resort to such methods. The fact that the U.S. had the unmitigated gull to release this monster in my country steadies my resolve.
Simpson dropped to both knees, coughing up blood as his body began to shut down. He desperately reached into the pouch on his vest for another red pill before hastily tossing it into his mouth just as the King landed soundlessly behind him. T'challa generated an energy sword in each hand as he approached Nuke, who stumbled to his feet as his adrenaline began to spike once again.
"You should have stayed down. It will not please me to cut your head off." T'challa admitted as Nuke let out a crazed chuckle.
Simpson tore across the forest towards T'challa, scooping up Betsy as he came forward and firing his sub-machine gun. T'challa deflected every bullet that came his way with the pair of swords before tossing one at Betsy and destroying Simpson's weapon. Simpson ducked a swing from T'challa's remaining blade before punishing him with a pair of right hands to the ribs and sternum. He aimed a left hook for T'challa's face that the King barely avoided before placing the palm of his right hand against Simpson's skull and releasing the stored kinetic energy from his suit.
The blast rocked Nuke, who stumbled back a few steps but still somehow managed to stay on his feet! T'challa gave him no time to recover, this time generating an energy spear as he pounced towards Simpson. T'challa dropped him with a leaping kick to the jaw before landing with a knee on his face and plunging the spear through Simpson's chest.
"Why did you murder those hostages?" T'challa demanded. Nuke remained silent despite the wound that had just been inflicted, his hands trying to reach a cyanide capsule he kept on his hip. T'challa's anger got the best of him and he smashed Simpson across the jaw with an elbow strike.
"I am more than prepared to take your head as evidence of your atrocities in my country, but I would prefer to abstain from less civilized tactics. Tell me who ordered you to kill those people.”
Simpson spat a wad of blood at the panther King's face, a staunch sign of disrespect for his opponent.
"Very well then." T'challa stood up and morphed the spear into a sword before placing the heel of his boot on Simpson's chest.
I was too busy with Simpson that my senses weren't focusing on what's around me. I finally feel them coming in fast as the air shifts around me, blowing away the last remnants of my poison. I can hear the soldiers on board loading a pair of Hellfire missiles as the Apache Longbow comes into view over the mountain ridge.
Nuke uses the distraction to his advantage, kicking T'challa in the gut and sending him sprawling across the ground. He quickly kipped to his feet and took off in the direction of the helicopter. A cargo hook dropped from the helicopter as Simpson leaped off the side of the mountain. He grabbed the hook and began to pull himself up, just as the helicopter turned and fired one of its missiles.
"My King, get down." As he rushed forward through the blazing forest. He quickly aimed his rifle at the oncoming missile and fired, detonating it in mid-air. The force from the explosion sent the King and W'kabi flying back and forced the Apache helicopter to engage in evasive maneuvers.
"Was that one of the Storm shell's?" T'challas asked as he got to his feet and watched as the helicopter Nuke was hanging from began to retreat. W'kabi nodded as he loaded another into the rifle. He handed the rifle to the King, who looked through the scope for but a moment before firing. The blue and white shell nailed the Apache helicopter directly on its fuel line, causing it along with the remaining missiles onboard to explode. Nuke dropped from the cargo line as the aircraft went up in flames.
"We need to search for any sign of him." The King stated as he began to move in the direction he saw Nuke and the remains of the Apache fall.
"My King you are hurt, and there's no way any man could survive a drop from that height." W'kabi implored.
"He could. We search." The King repeated without another glance back. W'kabi rushed forward, grabbing T'challa by the shoulder and turning him around.
"My King with all due respect we need to get back to Birnin Zana. We can piece together our next steps from there. Besides, the sooner we return before Okoye realizes I came out here after you the better."
T'challa's cowl dissipates as he finally turns back to W'kabi with a deep sigh. "You didn't tell her? She's going to kill you!" T'challa smiles weakly as W'kabi leads him back towards his Quinjet and through the burning forest.
"Look at what I have let our home become W'kabi. So much chaos in such a short span of time." T'challa mused quietly as they boarded the jet and he took a seat in the co-pilot's chair.
"Patience great King. Do not let the blame fall on your shoulder's as well as the burden. You cannot control the minds of would-be tyrants beyond our borders. And we both know that no matter the cost, you did the right thing when it came to the Jabari. M'baku wanted nothing more than to return Wakanda to the days of warring tribes and families at each other's throats. There will always be madmen seeking to sow chaos where it has no place.
Back in the city of the dead, Shuri and Okoye entered the Hall of King's, the room within the caverns where the kings of Wakanda's past were buried. As they stepped over and around the bodies of the defeated Dora Milajae, Shuri's eyes met the statue of her father. Okoye placed her hand in front of the Princess as they stopped just a few feet away from where Namor stood holding Ayo's spear to her throat.
"I present to you Princess Shuri, acting ruler of Wakanda." Okoye stated loudly before kneeling next to Shuri, who took a step forward before speaking.
"I do not know the nature of your business here, but should you not drop that weapon and release my sister at once, I will have no choice but to unleash the full force of the nation upon you where you stand." She threatened, her tone shifting to carry the confidence with which she spoke.
"A former member of your secret police presented substantial evidence to me no less than twenty-four hours ago of Wakanda's attempts at infiltrating Atlantis. And I demand someone give me a reason not to wage war against your people." Namor said as he pushed Ayo away and tossed the spear aside. He began to approach the Princess, which caused Okoye to step in front of her.
"We have never authorized any spies nor surveillance on your people or your kingdom Namor. Whoever you spoke with, regardless of what you may have seen, has fed you nothing but empty accusations." Shuri informed the King of Atlantis.
"Are you telling me that I am a fool? Why should I believe the words of a child instead of my own eyes?" Namor bellowed as he continued forward.
"I woud not dare to tell you what you are nor what you should choose to believe King Namor. I can only inform you of what I know to be true. And that truth, should you choose to accept it or not, is that my brother has never ordered such measures to be taken against you or your people. Now I ask that you leave this land and this sacred ground by the same means of which you came." Shuri stepped around Okoye and locked eyes fearlessly with Namor, who smirked as he admired her courage.
Namor stepped past her, heading towards the cavern's tunnels without another look at the Wakandans. He stopped just as he was about to exit the room, turning his head back slightly.
"You Wakandan's like to stay a step ahead of every threat to your proud nation. Allow me to emphasize why you have found one in Atlantis." Namor clenched his fists tight as the sounds of rushing water could be heard filling the caverns. Shuri, Ayo, and Okoye looked on in completely confusion as the sound grew louder and louder, water dripping onto them from the ceiling overhead.
Okoye caught a droplet on her finger, her eyes scanning the roofs of the hall before turning her attention back to Namor.
"Princess we must go. Now!" Okoye implored, grabbing Shuri by the wrist before rushing over to where the injured Ayo laid. As they rushed across the hall, Shuri turned to see a tsunami of water coming into the room. Before they could reach Ayo, the powerful waves washed her away as the caverns were flooded almost instantly.
Okoye swam quickly towards the unconscious Princess, unable to find a single sign of Ayo's whereabouts. She pulled the Princess up to the surface before making her way over to a ledge that helped them escape the water. Okoye watched in horror as the hall was destroyed while she and the Princess were stranded as the water continued to rush in. Okoye pulled out her Kimoyo card and pressed a series of keys. She then tossed Shuri's body over her shoulder and dove into the water once more. As she swam deeper into the caverns a Wakandan ship met them and Okoye hastily boarded the craft. She placed Shuri on a nearby medical table, where the ship immediately began to administer aid to the Princess as Okoye sat at the controls.
KYOTO, JAPAN
Hunter entered the temple dressed in the all-white uniform of the Hatut Zeraze, his cloak fading into his suit as he greeted Viper. He nodded in Harada's direction and completely ignored the smirking Bullseye as he watched a group of servants lowered the body of a man into a massive round stone coffin. The coffin began to be filled with a black liquid before it was closed shut.
"Your brother...what did he do to him?" Viper asked curiously as Baron Mordo stood in front of the casket and a black book of spells appeared in front of him and turned itself to the page he required.
"They had him in an induced vegetative state. I'm shocked T'challa would go to such lengths to keep N'Jadaka from troubling him. This type of cruelty is not in his nature. " Hunter whispered as Mordo began to recite incantations under his breath.
“Then surely he must be every bit the man you have led us to believe.” Viper replied as the ritual continued. Mordo began to recite the spell work faster, backing a safe distance away as he continued. Green smoke began to emit from the coffin as the black liquid oozed out of it’s cracks.
“How did you manage to rope someone like Mordo into this?” Hunter asked, cautiously curious about the fact that Viper’s ranks seemed to not only be swelling, but adding more powerful members every time they crossed paths.
“It is in Mordo’s best interests that the Hand succeed in bring the beast to this dimension. Once this world falls there will be no end to the powers he could amass.” Viper turned and noticed the expression on Hunter’s face and a smile curled on her lips. “Do we make the great White Wolf nervous in our quests?”
“Why would I have any reason to be nervous? Don’t let the fact that you are on the verge of success cloud your judgement.” Hunter advised briskly.
“You speak as if you have some sort of disdain for us. Surely you aren’t still sore about the loss of the Queen are you?” Viper teased coyly as she watched Hunter’s face twitch ever so slightly in an attempt to hide his anger.
“I wouldn’t call it disdain. I simply have no respect for what you stand for. You wish sow this world and it’s inhabitants with death and destruction. You see these traits as the most basic forms of human nature, and you are wrong. If you do not learn to realize exactly why you are wrong and soon, then make no mistake my brother will destroy everything you have built here. If only for the simple fact that you’ve made the inevitable confrontation extremely personal on two fronts.” Hunter explained, shooting a side glance in Bullseye’s direction before turning back to the ritual as it was completed.
Mordo waved his hand’s and the casket opened up, the green smoke now filling the room. Erik Kilmonger sat up, his eyes wide with shock as his motor functions returned to him. He stood up, leaping from the casket as a pair of servants tossed a robe around him. He scanned the room before his eyes fell upon Viper, then Hunter.
“Wolf, is it you I have to thank for my freedom in more ways than one?” Kilmonger croaked as he stepped towards the pair.
“I merely pointed her in the right direction, N’Jadaka. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have other affairs that require my attention.” Hunter turned and stormed out of the temple as Viper approached Kilmonger.
“How do you feel?” She asked as she paced around him.
“I-I’m not sure. There is something I can feel, coursing through me. A strength I cannot recall. What is it you have done to me?” Kilmonger demanded as Viper stopped in front of him.
“You have been re-born, N’Jadaka. Over a year ago I sought to finally rid this world of it’s problems and rebuild the Hand stronger than it has been in thousands of years. But to conquer this world we would need a vessel strong enough for the beast to channel his energy, and the White Wolf was kind enough to suggest you would be the perfect specimen.” Viper explained as she ran a finger across his chest.
Kilmonger grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off her feet. Harada made a move towards them but Viper held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks.
“I am a servant to no one and nothing.” Kilmonger whispered through clenched teeth as he pulled her closer.
“You misunderstand our intentions.” Viper managed to gasp out. Kilmonger looked around the room to see an army of ninjas bowing before him. Harada and Bullseye followed suit as well. Kilmonger dropped Viper, who kneeled in front of him before continuing. “You have been chosen to lead us and all of humanity in war against God’s creations. You now have the unparalleled powers of a demon running through you. The will of the Hand is yours, N’Jadaka.”
BIRNIN ZANA
W’Kabi flew towards the golden city when he noticed chunks of debris in the waters below. Curious, he took the ship lower and began to scan the waters below. It was then he happened to catch sight of Ayo, desperately clinging to a piece of an archway from the tombs of Necropolis. W’Kabi sped towards the adrift Wakandan, praying to Bast she was still alive.
“My King! Come quickly!” T’Challa joined W’Kabi in the cockpit once again as they sped towards Ayo. T’Challa said nothing, his panther cowl forming around his head as the ramp of the ship opened up.
Moments later T’Challa laid Ayo on the med table as the Kimoyo network displayed her vital signs in front of him.
“T’Challa..” Ayo sputtered, pulling the oxygen mask from her face.
“Rest, beloved. We are almost to the palace.”
“Necropolis…it has fallen. I have failed you my king.” She rasped, tears beginning to well in her eyes. T’Challa placed his hand on her head and laid her gently back on the table. He placed the mask back over her before leaning next to her ear.
“You have never failed at anything a day in your life Ayo. Rest now beloved.” T’Challa told her before kissing her on the forehead and returning to the cockpit as W’Kabi landed in the palace hanger.
Akili rushed to meet the King and W’Kabi as they stepped off the Quinjet, the stretcher carrying Ayo floating right behind them.
“Akili, what has happened here? Did Hydra return with reinforcements?” W’Kabi demanded as they walked through the palace and towards one main medical lab.
“About two hours ago we received a distress signal from Ayo as they were transporting Queen Mother Ramonda to her burial site.” Akili explained as they entered the lab. T’Challas eyes widened with fear and shock as he saw Okoye and a still recovering Shuri side by side, being tended to by the best doctor’s in Wakanda, on call to the palace should an emergency transpire.
Okoye brushed one off as she hopped off her gurney and approached her cousin. “T’Challa you know that I love you, yes?” Okoye asked him, much to his surprise.
“Okoye what is the meaning of this? What happened to Shuri?” He tried to step around her, but she stepped in his path.
“My love, what are you doing?” W’Kabi asked as a pair of doctor’s rushed over to and began to examine Ayo.
“T’Challa, have you placed any spies in Atlantis?” Okoye pressed him, her eyes boring into his.
“No. What is the meaning of your behavior Okoye?” T’Challa answered, his temper flaring as emotions in the room were clearly running high.
Okoye held up her arm as her Kimoyo band began to transmit a video in front of the three of them. Footage of Namor attacking the Dora’s in vicious fashion forced W’Kabi to even turn his head at a certain point. T’Challas eyes never wavered, his fist shaking as he watched. After viewing the exchange between Shuri and Namor, Okoye ceased the video and turned back to the Princess as she sat up on her gurney.
“Akili, are there any members of the war dogs that haven’t checked in within the last forty-eight to seventy-two hours?” T’Challa asked as he joined his sister.
“No my King.” Akili assured him.
“I’m sure whoever has fed Namor this pot of lies is the same person we have to blame for the Jabari having weapons from one of Our safe houses.” W’Kabi surmised, giving T’Challa a thread of thought to pull on.
“Akili, where are the last known whereabouts of my brother?” T’Challa asked as he stepped towards the war dog commander.
“Our spies had last tracked him to a Russian prison, where he was serving a life sentence for attempting to kill a government official.” Akili answered as he pulled a picture of Hunter’s mugshot up along with his booking and sentencing information with his Kimoyo band.
“Surely you don’t think big brother could be orchestrating these events, T’Challa?” Shuri asked she hopped off the gurney.
“Though Hunter left here bitter there are too many angles at the moment for me to put a finger on any particular entity.” T’Challa admitted, easing his sister’s worries for the moment.
“Hunter loved Ramonda, I could t see him having a hand in anything that would end inner death.” Okoye chimed in.
“W’Kabi ready the jet for New York. Send word to our people there to ready my suite in Washington as well.” T’Challa ordered, and after a quick bow W’Kabi left in a hurry. “Okoye you and the Adored ones will attempt to make contact with your father. Once I am finished in DC I will join you and check out our safe house in Hell’s Kitchen for myself.”
“Brother, I would like to join Okoye, if that is alright with you.” Shuri piped up from behind, an eager look of determination on her face. T’Challa took a deep breath before turning back to Okoye and nodding in approval.
BIRNIN AZZARIA UNIVERSITY OF WAKANDA
Changemire sat at his desk in the large classroom, one he hadn’t changed since he was first cast out of the palace and found employment here. He refused any of the updates the other professors had grown accustomed to. There was a simple and gratifying peace he found in writing on the blackboard, or of having to raise his voice to make sure each and every one of his students could hear him. He loved spending hours after classes had ended, reading physical copies of his students takings on his lectures. It made him feel a part of a Wakanda he felt his people forgot existed.
“Titshala, such madness in the capital and yet still you toil away.” Tetu entered the classroom, walking down the steps towards his old professor.
“We all have to find our way to shape the world we are a part of Tetu. What troubles bring you before me my child.” Changemire asked the young man, who had changed drastically in the years since he’d left the school. He looked a bit ragged, the nights where sleep eluded him had begun to catch up to Tetu. Still he took a seat at one of the chairs near the front of the room as he watched Changemire continue to toil away.
"I've had an awakening. An epiphany long buried but resurrected through me." Tetu explained as he held out the palm of his hand and a small tree began to grow right there, much to Chagemire's astonishment. "I've come to ask you to be a part of the very movement you planted within me all those years ago."
Changemire wiped his brow as he examined his former student. Long gone was the inquisitive and hardworking child who valued knowledge and family overall. Standing in his place, in the same skin was someone or something else altogether, but what or who, Changemire did not know.
“I’ve heard whispers of you’re actions Tetu. Forgive me, but there is nothing you have done that I would like any sort of credit for.” Changemire admitted, much to Tetu’s displeasure.
“All the crown has taken from you and this is how you speak to me? You’ve allowed the fact that you are stuck in a state of perpetual redundancy to cloud your decisions. What of the Wakanda free of chains and royalty? What of the Wakanda the people have need of?” Tetu exclaimed, leaping from his seat.
“There will be a time the people see the need for a hand in their country, but it is not mine nor your responsibility to push our ideals onto others. This is the way of tyrants and mad men. This is the way of King’s or crumbled empires. Though I may disagree with what the damisa-sarki stands for he has never been an oppressor. We must let Wakanda grow if it is to prosper as it should.” Changemire explained as he stood up as well, placing the stack of graded papers in his briefcase .
“You must not have heard the news from Birnin Zana.” Tetu taunted as Changemire headed for the door. “The Queen Mother is dead. Killed in the midst of the invasion attempt.”
Changemire froze, his hand that gripped the door handle began to shake as grief washed over him.
“You see no oppression. I see people growing with a mindset of shackles. Bowing to a man who puts his people and our way of life at risk just so he can be known as a hero.” Tetu walked over to Changemire, placing a hand on his shoulder as he released the door handle. “A new horizon is about to dawn upon us Titshala. Do not be left in the dust.” Tetu pushed past the professor and exited the classroom, leaving Changemire alone with his despair as he began to breakdown at the thought of Ramonda.