Black Panther: World War Wakanda!

[FLEX HECTIC]

Stan Lee: "The hero himself the Black Panther has all the abilities of a giant jungle cat he moves with the same stealth and power and can climb trees and so forth and he wears a black outfit that conceals his identity and every panel that Jack drew of the Black Panther where he's crouched a little bit you get the feeling of a human who's imbued with the senses of a jungle beast… Anyway I was crazy about that character and he was very popular and he's one of the characters I'm most proud of because he was the first important black super hero."


For Stan "The Man" Lee and Jack "King" Kirby!




Prologue: My Soul To Keep!



Hell's Kitchen.

No not New York but more like a place where souls are cooked and served by a master chef who's own recipe for disaster is a menu of despair. Some might call this Hell but that would be insulting to the devil himself.

Mephisto sits upon a throne amidst the smell of repugnant sulphur mixed with brimstone. The ashy skulls of warriors past decorate the Arena of Tainted Souls. Gladiators doomed to fight the good fight of utter futility compete on in hopes of gaining something lost from their fleshly past.

Except one lone warrior.

Undefeated since being condemned to this realm this mad vengeance filled combatant takes these games to an extreme not seen before in these murky halls. His latest foe is given a treatment that would make a medieval torture specialist blush. Twin machetes split wind and victims with equal ease.

Eric Killmonger stands triumphantly over a dismembered foe… Or at least the parts still close to his rugged boots.

Mephisto: "Bravo Mister Killmonger your acts of mercy lack something to be desired… Very good."

Eric Killmonger: "I am here but to kill, steal and destroy my lord."

Mephisto: "I see your sense of humor remains as condescending as usual."

Eric Killmonger: "If it pleases you send more victims for me to dispatch before I get bored of your presence and challenge you myself."

Mephisto 'devilishly grinning' reclines himself in his throne placing his hands behind his head as if relaxed and yet this foolish mortal somehow frightens him. There is something different about this individual that separates him from the usual condemned souls that grovel at Mephisto's feet for but a mere cup of ice water. This crazy man actually relishes his imprisonment as some deserved masochistic destiny.

Still, Mephisto was not one to let an open opportunity slip away without stoking the fires of discontent just a wee bit.

Mephisto: "How do you believe T'challa would fare in this arena?"

Mephisto: "FRAK HIM! Frak Wakanda and every thing associated with him!"

Mephisto lets off a chilly cackle that echoes throughout the arena awakening even the dead in attendance from the nosebleed seating section. Yes, that name was one that stirred Killmonger's soul as it did his own.

Hate was a powerful motivator indeed.

Mephisto: "He defeated you did he not?"

Eric Killmonger: "Never!"

Mephisto: "You are here and he is elsewhere… Probably enjoying his beautiful wife as we speak."

Taunting. Mephisto was an expert at this lost art and used it to the fullest. Eric was fuming inside of what was once the shell of a proud man. The thought of him being dead and gone and T'challa still enjoying the carnal knowledges of the living caused him agony.

Eric Killmonger: "I swear if I ever face him again…"

Mephisto: "You would do what… Lose again?"

Eric Killmonger: "I beat him every time!"

Mephisto: "When was this? I know of no record of you tainting him with defeat. Some say he is perfect and unbeatable."

Lying. Mephisto had that art covered too.

Mephisto: "The internet perhaps… W-W-W dot ibeattheblackpanther dot com?"

Eric Killmonger: "FRAK you demon spawn. You bring him here and I'll show you!"

Mephisto: "Bring him here? Interesting. Perhaps an arrangement could be made between you and I to make that reality a possibility."

Eric Killmonger: "How?"

Now the plot was going to thicken tremendously. Wheels were being set in motion for a revenge move that would trump any Mephisto had ever ordained before.

Mephisto: "As ruler of this realm it is I who has the authority to return a soul if I see fit to do so."

Eric Killmonger: "Go on."

Mephisto: "I would return yours to you for but a small price."

Eric Killmonger: "I'm dead anyway so I have nothing to barter with."

Mephisto: "This is not about money or material things this is about so much more."

Eric Killmonger: "What is T'challa to you that you seek his downfall?"

Mephisto: "Let us just say that a long time ago… He broke my heart!"

Well actually his heart was ripped from his upper torso and later partially consumed but that is nothing but details.

Mephisto: "In exchange for your impending task I would grant you additional powers and abilities."

Eric Killmonger: "Such as…"

Mephisto: "You will also be given an army of the undead to wage war on Wakanda like no eyes have ever seen."

Eric Killmonger: "Wakanda has never lost a war."

Mephisto: "That is because every army that attacks Wakanda has lives to lose. Your army will not."

Eric laughs with a chuckling bellow.

Eric Killmonger: "I have heard this talk before. It always ends with armies burying their dead shortly after arriving in Wakanda. An already dead army would only hasten the inevitable. What else you got demon?"

Mephisto: "You miss my point Eric Killmonger. The war is not about a body count it is about the very soul of Wakanda itself."

Eric Killmonger: "This is creepy even for you."

Mephisto: "How long have you been here Eric? Do you know what has become of your friend T'challa? He is no longer king and is scurrying about New York fighting street crime."

Eric Kilmonger: "Liar!"

Mephisto: "Oh no Mister Killmonger you will see for yourself. In fact it is his sister that wears the Black Panther title right now."

Eric Killmonger: "His sister? I need to go back now what is the plan?"

Mephisto: "I have a man strategically placed inside the walls of Wakanda who will assist you. I had him erased from history and memory. Totally forgotten but he is due to resurface any moment now. His name is Reverend Achebe and he has silently made a name for himself amongst the elders of the panther cult."

Eric Killmonger: "Hmm… Now about my powers.."

Mephisto: "Ah yes you will not quite be a man nor a zombie but somewhere in between. Your strength level will be greatly increased from what you were as a mortal."

Eric Killmonger: "And my soul?"

Mephisto: " It stays here with me. This will make it impossible to kill you. But your body will need to feed… On living souls of course. But with a name like Killmonger it will suit you just fine"

Eric Killmonger: "I am ready… My lord!"

Mephisto waves his hand flippantly as Eric Killmonger's body begins to transform, reshape and develop into a titan abomination. A handsome monster would be the description when eyes were gazed upon this dreadlocked fiend. Demons of varied grotesque shapes materialize gathered in mass around their new fierce leader. Dozens turn into hundreds and then thousands filing the arena with howls, squeals and frightening shrills of nightmare inducing proportions.

Mephisto: "I will arrange a meeting between you and Reverend Achebe. Heed his wise counsel and be ever patient in your attacks. Although T'challa is not the acting Black Panther he is still not one to be underestimated."

Eric Killmonger: "I will kill the Black Panther!"

Mephisto: "Yes… Focus on his sister first. She will be the weakness that exposes his soul. Then move against the Adored Ones. Leave their ranks in shambles. T'challa has been acting as The Man Without Fear but the key to Wakanda's downfall will be the icy grip of fear that embraces it's citizens once they lose confidence in him as a leader."

Eric Killmonger: "And Storm?"

Suddenly a hush falls over the demonic horde as respect for the mutant queen travels far and wide. In fact some of the demons had bad encounters with that particular X man and did not seek to revisit further thrashings from Storm Goddess.

Mephisto: "Queen Ororo? I have special plans for the the royal marriage that do not concern you at this time."

A wine glass materializes in Mephisto's right hand filled with blood.

Mephisto: "A toast to the death of T'challa. May the armies of the undead bathe in Wakandan blood."



End of prologue.



Next Issue #1: Return of The King!

[moneyspider]

This is great! Keep those stories rolling off the presses!

[FLEX HECTIC]

Issue #! - Return of The King!



The sub level chamber of the Panther Clan.

A meeting takes place that would alter the course of Wakandan history. Two men with an agenda that would leave even Shakespeare himself in awe.

Reverend Achebe: "The king is returning."

Eric Killmonger: "From Hell's Kitchen? Good I will crush his…"

Reverend Achebe: "You will not touch him, at least not at first. Subtly Eric Killmonger is a virtue. I am certain that Mephisto informed you that I was to oversee this project."

Eric Killmonger: "What is the plan… Reverend?"

Reverend Achebe: "The council will soon appoint me as the sole representative of the panther god. Recent events have caused a mistrust in the royal family."

Eric Killmonger: "This place is a mess what happened?"

Reverend Achebe: "Doom!"

Eric calculates quickly and draws an immediate conclusion.

Eric Killmonger: "Are you telling me that T'challa got chumped out by the Latverian monarch?"

Reverend Achebe: "One of the worst periods in Wakandan history. He destroyed all of the vibranium for some pyrrhic victory."

Reverend Achebe circles Eric Killmonger admiring his new enhancements but despising his overall undead look.

Reverend Achebe: "You my friend will have to live on the outskirts amidst the wild beasts considering your current state. I will arrange for feedings each night so do not be late. And do not be kind. I will summon you."

Erik Killmonger departs through an underground sewage line disappearing into the muck without a care for his own uncleanliness. This was a real low for such a one time brilliant mind.

Reverend Achebe sits silently in a meditative state while listening in on all the commotion many floors above his head. How long he had waited for this moment too happen.


The quinjet engines purred and hummed as they begin a descent into the heart of the great continent of Africa. The lone passenger seated in back was both excited and apprehensive about his return home. After all that had happened he wondered to himself how exactly would he be received. When last he had left he destroyed the most precious resource that had been with them since his country was founded. Would he be forgiven and welcomed? Would he be shunned and despised? Well he was soon to find out as they entered Wakandan airspace and prepared for a landing.

Why he kept souvenirs from Hell's Kitchen was beyond him as he grabbed his luggage only to be rebuked by the pilot who quickly took them from him. Oh yeah… despite his self imposed exile he was still royalty.

He took in a deep breathe as he prepared to depart the aircraft and face whatever onslaught would be thrown his way.

Wakandan citizens had lined up in mass all over the Wakandan airport. Welcome home banners in his native language had been raised and a parade was under way. Aw shucks!

T'challa walked the red carpet toward the exit as a battalion of Midnight Angels stood in formation on each side. At least they had not forgotten the work he had put in on behalf of Wakanda. At the end of the walkway stood his mother and his queen. T'challa embraced his mother who was doing quite well after the incident with Doom. She had a similar experience with Anton Pretorius but more graphic and over a longer period of time.

Ororo: "Welcome home my lord!"

T'challa: "Welcome indeed my lady!"

The two grip each other tightly.

Mother Ramonda: "Oh get a room you two the whole nation is watching via satellite."

Shuri was unusually absent from the welcoming committee.

Later that evening after multiple interviews from Wakandan press and luncheons with old friends T'challa took to the podium and addressed the nation.

T'challa: "My fellow Wakandan citizens it humbles me to be here before you. As your brother, your friend and former king I…"

Random Wakandan Citizen: "We love you son of T'chaka!"

As the crowd erupts in praise T'challa wells up holding back tears. For a man known for his straight poker faces this was slightly embarrassing. Ororo who had been by his side from his arrival put her hand on his back.

Reverend Achebe sat in the back row. This almost breakdown by the former king was just the opening he needed in his plans.

T'challa finished his speech which got boring to most when he rambled on about Wakandan politics, Wakanda Design Group, the economic state of Wakanda and children obeying their parents yada yada yada.

Shuri was still an absentee sister at the speech.

Later that evening at dinner in one of Wakanda's finest restaurants T'challa and Ororo are given VIP treatment. T'challa's favorite honey baked salmon and Ororo's very vegetarian salad special. Dinner was lovely until…

Random Customer: "What a waste of Wakandan resources. This idiot comes home and more money is wasted on a stupid celebration for someone who practically bankrupted the country."

Another Random Customer: "Who does he think he is his father? Now that was a true Wakandan soldier."

Insults begin to fly just above whisper level making the royal couple uncomfortable. The good Reverend Achebe sits corner table behind a large menu hiding his smiling face. His brainwashed subjects were earning their keep.

Ororo: "AHEM… Do you people mind?"

T'challa: "Ororo, let them vent."

Random Customer: "What do you mean 'You People?' You technically are not even human mutant."

T'challa: "Now wait a minute…"

Random Customer: "What are you going to do? Give me a speech like you did Doom. I saw that on the internet."

Reverend Achebe almost drops his menu giggling to himself. He knew from past experience that T'challa had a thing against being mocked. He would press the issue further himself later on.

Random Customer: "Yeah I see ya T'challa… We shall overcome… Take that back to America with the rest of your primary colored spandex friends. This is Wakanda we are warriors over here. What would your daddy think? What about your uncle?"

It took darn near hurricane type winds to pull T'challa off that random customer but eventually Ororo was able to whisk them both away up into the clouds. Wakandan hospitals are among the worlds best so that jaw would be easily reset.

Ororo: "What was that all about? You really lost it back there. This is so unlike you."

Ororo holds him as they slowly rotate around clouds.

Ororo: "I realize this must be an awkward situation for you but remember that there are those here who love you."

T'challa: "Doom!"

Ororo: "Oh T'challa let that go. We all taste defeat from time to time. It's all apart of that super hero/super villain circle."

T'challa: "You don't understand."

Ororo: "Actually I do. Wakanda is a warrior nation and you were it's chieftain. You second guess yourself too much. Even you can't have the answers all the times. A long time ago I warned you about becoming more like Magneto."

T'challa: "Why are you still with me Ororo?"

Ororo: "I have a thing for spandex and the men who wear them."

T'challa: "Your sense of humor has improved."

Ororo: "When I'm with you I finally feel like I can let go of my goddess status and just be me. I can let down my guard knowing that you always have yours up. Despite your tendency towards violence I find a state of peace when I'm with you. It's hard to explain but it is like the calm in the middle of a Storm. As an X men I almost never see a peaceful day. Last time I had peace was when my father…."

T'challa: "I understand."

Ororo: "Look over there it's our secret place."

T'challa: "People might see."

Ororo: "That's the thrill of it. You need a good cheering up catsuit man."

The forecast over Wakanda was clear skies but the flash flood was expected by most of Wakandan citizens as pro marriage supporters thinking three steps ahead donned reinforced raincoats. Something about the nights that T'challa and Ororo shared together left a rainbow and a sweet smell of ozone in the atmosphere over Wakanda. They had a lovemaking cult following among the citizens that they never knew of. Some of the women even wore white hair for their husbands out of respect for the queen. Wakanda still had it's secrets and long white wigs behind closed doors was one of them.

Ororo: "T'challa, are you awake?"

Ororo rolled over in the bed that they eventually made it back to and leaned across her husbands chest.

T'challa: "Ororo I'm peak human but without the heart shaped herb there is only so much I can do."

Ororo: "Not that I want to talk."

T'challa: "Go ahead I'm up."

Ororo: "While you were away I met a man."

T'challa: "WHAT!!!"

Ororo: "NO silly not another man. I mean someone here who I could talk to about anything. You know most people I meet either worship me as some goddess or want to kill me as an abomination. But this man is different… On a spiritual level."

T'challa: "Really."

Ororo: "Yes, we talk all the time about you, my parents, mutants…"

T'challa: "What about me?"

Ororo: "Nothing too personal just the way you are sometimes… because of your father."

T'challa: "My father?"

Ororo: "Healsodoesmarriagecounseling!"

T'challa pauses for a moment absorbing all the things that his wife just said to him including the last statement she blurted out ever so quickly. Marriage counseling?

T'challa: "What is this man's name?"

Ororo: Reverend Achebe!"



End of Return of The King!

[FLEX HECTIC]

Issue #2 - Nightmare on Panther Street!




T'chaka: "I wish my other son had lived instead of you!"

T'challa: "Father no!"

T'chaka: "You are incompetent and unworthy of the throne T'challa!"

The words stung T'challa like boiling hot water to his face.

T'chaka: "How could you allow this to happen to my kingdom? I taught you to be two steps ahead of your enemies and you let DOOM walk all over you and your family. You are a disgrace to every Panther before you!"

T'challa: "Father please… I… I… "

T'challa falls to his knees in a plea for mercy from a father that he had lived in the shadow of all his lifetime. T'chaka kicks his son in the gut.

T'chaka: "Prove yourself now! Rise and fight me my son!"

T'challa: "NO!"

T'chaka: "No wonder your little sister wears the pants in the kingdom! You should be willing to fight even your own family for the rights to the throne!"

T'challa leaps at his father swinging and missing badly. His father grabs him by the neck hoisting him in exactly the same manner Doom did in their head to head battle.

T'chaka: "BAH! Peak human my…"

Ororo: "Beloved! Wake up!"

A mini lightning bolt momentarily stuns T'challa awakening him from his nightmare.

Ororo: "Sweet Goddess T'challa that was a serious nightmare you were having."

Ororo draws an icy moisture out of thin air and begins wiping his forehead to cool and soothe him.

Ororo: "You want to talk about it?"

T'challa: "No."

Ororo: "You said your father's name."

T'challa: "I'm fine!"

Ororo: "You should talk to Reverend Achebe he can help you."

T'challa: "I am not talking to some quack about my dreams!"

Ororo: "Will you do it for me?"

Ororo begin rubbing his chest in that you can't really refuse me because I am Storm Goddess vibe that usually worked eventually.

T'challa: "I'll think about it."

Ororo: "That means yes… Now go open the window it is getting stuffy in here. We need a bigger room."

T'challa: "Your claustrophobia acting up again?"

Ororo: "Sometimes, but Reverend Achebe has me doing techniques to overcome my fears."

T'challa: "You are really taken with this guy."

Ororo: "Frankly speaking when you are away he is the only one that really speaks to me on an equal level. Your xenophobic citizens still keep me at arms length."

T'challa: "I should have stayed home instead of Hell's Kitchen."

Ororo: "You think."

T'challa tosses a pillow in Ororo's face as he goes over to open the window. She in turn forms a rain cloud over his head sprinkling his brow.

T'challa: "You are getting better at focusing your energy. Later we'll work on forming tornadoes inside a super villains lungs."

Ororo: "Anything you say mister genius intellect."

As T'challa moves closer to the large paneled window that overlooked the balcony his senses picked up immediate danger. A large massive winged demonic figure crashes through the glass which in past times would have been seal coated in vibranium to block assassination attempts.

As T'challa struggles with the monster Ororo leaps to her feet in classic X men fashion forgetting that she was not fully clothed. This buck naked display distracts the dumbfounded creature who while getting clocked by T'challa will have his own dreams of whether the carpet matched the drapes. Ororo seductively wind winds the bed sheet strategically about her torso. The half dazed brute now recovering from a peak human blow to the head staggeringly rises to his feet only to be blasted with heat, cold and then a spasm inducing lightning strike. As T'challa moves in for the finishing pounce…

Ororo: "Wait beloved! Don't kill him he is harmless."

T'challa: "Are you serious?"

Ororo moves in closer to inspect the twitching body who begins to purr like a cat. Upon closer look the creature was what appeared to be a deformed and mutated black panther with wings.

T'challa: "What in the name of the panther god is this?"

Later on that morning after the Wakandan police force has wrapped up their investigation on the would be assassination the couple find themselves inside the laboratory of one Dr. Solomon Prey.

Solomon Prey: "The specimen has been secured. My apologies my lord and lady."

T'challa: "What was that and what exactly are you working on in here doctor?"

Solomon Prey: "I am conducting experiments on genetic mutations."

T'challa: "Was that a black panther? Do you not know that they are sacred to our people?"

Solomon Prey: "As a scientist I don't subscribe to any forms of religion."

Ororo: "But surely you must be aware that your actions constitute animal cruelty!"

Solomon Prey: "Animals are merely subjects that further my research."

T'challa: "Effective immediately I am hereby shutting you down!"

Solomon Prey: "I am so sorry T'challa but you are not my king anymore. I have the full confidence of your sister Shuri and will continue my studies with or without your blessings."

T'challa: "Where is Shuri?"

Solomon Prey: "The dissension within the royal family is of no concern to me… Good day my lord and lady."

T'challa and Storm both Storm out of the laboratory in silent disgust.

Reverend Achebe: "Your pet was quite the performer Dr. Prey does he fetch slippers too?"

Solomon Prey: "I did as you instructed. He picked up their scent and instantly sought them out. He alone was no match for them as expected but when the rest of the batch are completed they will be overwhelmed."

Reverend Achebe: "Splendid! Once they discover Eric Killmonger's treachery things are soon to become very nightmarish inside the walls of Wakanda."

The Dora Milage. An elite unit of females warriors that served as both a secret police force as well as a special forces unit once a member graduated to Midnight Angel status. One could say that if there was a heart and soul of Wakanda these fine ladies constituted that. It had been a while since T'challa had spent time with them so he and Ororo to cool off from their meeting with Dr. Prey decided to meet with them for an early workout. But this day was to mark a day in their history unlike any other.

The barracks were enveloped in chaos as women warriors were running about shouting and screaming in a fear that had never been heard of inside a place where no man except for the king had been permitted. There was weeping and gnashing of teeth. The lamentations could be heard from miles away. What the frak?

T'challa: "My sisters what has happened?"

Ororo: "Beloved!"

Ororo makes haste taking flight followed by T'challa on foot. They arrive at the free weight room gym and enter to find several of the high ranking Midnight Angels standing over a lifeless corpse of a fallen comrade. No words could describe the mutilation nor the desecration of her body.

Ororo: "Goddess no!"

T'challa: "Who could have done such a thing?"

T'challa singles out the highest ranking member.

T'challa: "Okoye! Tell me what happened my sister!"

Okoye: "A monster invaded our private sanctuaries and wreaked havoc! We fought him off valiantly but we were no match for his power! He grabbed our sister and before our very eyes he… We heard her screams but could do nothing."

The Adored Ones were known to be the most fearless of women warriors ever but today they were rattled. Wakanda had never been successfully invaded by an outside army so the women were always in a state of comfort even when the most vile of super villains threatened Wakanda. But this was different. This was up close and personal. This was home.

No Wakandan man under penalty of death would take it this far. T'challa needed answers.

As Ororo covered the body with her own cape and said a prayer with some of the other warriors T'challa pulled Okoye to the side and questioned her privately.

T'challa: "Tell me who did this!"

Okoye: "He spoke blasphemies… He cursed the very ground you walked upon… He taunted us all for our allegiance to you my lord! He said that you would not be able to protect us from him! That he would come back for more of us anytime he wanted to!"

T'challa: "WHO!"

Okoye lowered her voice to a scratchy whisper when she spoke the name that now haunted the ranks of The Dora Milage.

Okoye: "Eric Killmonger!"



End of Nightmare on Panther Street!

['Flo]

LOL... Flex, this is awesome. I love the little touch of humor you add. Keep it up.

[FLEX HECTIC]

Issue #3 - For Queen and Country!



The investigation of the death of a Dora was handled by T'challa and Storm personally accompanied by two elite Doras. Evidence indicated that Eric Killmonger had been stalking the barracks for quite some time. He was using the sewer lines as T'challa found several peep holes in the shower area. That means that he could be anywhere so tracking him was going to be difficult without his heart shaped herb enhancements.

The sewer lines were heavily sealed and could only be moved by powerful machinery which prevented invading armies from using them. Somehow Eric Killmonger had assistance or much worse… He was much stronger than usual.

T'challa: "Ororo. Speak to the winds. What do they tell you?"

Ororo: "Weird. It is as if the atmosphere itself was cloaking him."

T'challa: "What do you mean?"

Ororo: "It is as if he is everywhere and yet no where! I cannot trace him!"

T'challa: "Perhaps he is dead but alive."

Ororo: "I don't follow you."

T'challa: "Eric Killmonger died. But if he still walks his unliving patterns create an…

Okoye: "My lord, my lady. The burial will begin shortly."

T'challa: "Thank you my sister. Ororo hold that thought. When the funeral is over try and filter out all living heat signatures and focus on inanimate animate objects. Anything dead that still inhales and exhales should be the target."

Ororo: "Oh I see… And this will flush him out?"

T'challa: "I have detailed files on vampires and zombies but this is different. Okoye secure the barracks and have all Dora personnel return to their homes. Ororo and I will spend the night here and greet Eric Killmonger properly."

Nakia: "If it pleases you my lord I would stay here with you."

T'challa: "Are you certain."

Nakia: "I am Wakandan."

Okoye: "As am I."

Ororo: "Me too."

Nakia only slightly glances at Ororo. Her jealousy and resentment for the white haired blue eyed mutant was known only by Okoye. Nakia never liked to be upstaged by Storm Goddess so she put her fears of Eric Killmonger aside and agreed to what may be a suicide mission.

The traditional Wakandan burial rites went off smoothly even though Shuri was still absent. T'challa gave a eulogy and a speech about the history of The Dora Milage and how they came into existence. Despite his reassurances the fear was still there. Nothing short of Eric Killmonger's head upon a spear was going to quell this growing tension. Some of the women in attendance wore white wigs but T'challa decided to keep that for a later discussion when something came of it.

That night.

T'challa: "We want to capture him alive if possible. If not…"

Ororo: "If not what?"

T'challa: "Don't start that Logan stuff with me. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do."

Ororo: "You and Logan think it is alright to take a life when necessary."

T'challa: "Hey I have worked with Logan and we handled our business how it needed to be handled."

Ororo: "And that makes it right?"

T'challa: "You seem to forget the Skrull invasion where you went ballistic with a sword Miss Peacetime."

Ororo: "One of my regrets of following your lead Mr. Violent."

T'challa: "You looked cute with your sword though."

Ororo: "Frak you T'challa!"

Ororo kisses him on his cheek. T'challa had his ways of getting a good girl to do some not so good things from time to time and she wasn't sure if she liked it or loved it.

Ororo: "Promise me if we can somehow capture him alive…"

T'challa: "All things will be taken under consideration, ma'am. Now recirculate the weather patterns and put us downwind."

Now the waiting would begin.

Wakandan history indicated that of all the foes T'challa had faced only one had the distinction of ever having not been defeated by him. Eric Killmonger was that foe.

T'challa recalled coming close to victory but somehow Eric always had the final word on that matter. There was that brutal battle over a waterfall that could have went better but Eric owned him and he knew it. Even Eric's own death was by someone else so T'challa relished the chance at redemption. Hopefully Storm would forgive him as she always did but he had all intent of killing Killmonger tonight.

Nakia and Okoye took defensive positions above the sewer opening. Armed to the teeth with advanced spears, knives and projectile artillery these ladies were set for retaliation. But fear still had them shaky.

T'challa: "Be brave my sisters. It won't be long now."

It was feeding time and Eric Killmonger's hunger was matched only by the world eater known as Galactus. This new body fashioned by Mephisto needed a fuel of souls that could never be quenched. The Reverend Achebe had mapped out a buffet for him through the unmonitored sewer system. He had picked out one of the Doras for his own enjoyment, targeted her and did his repulsive deed right there in front of them despite their futile attempts to fight him. He was certain that his lifetime nemesis T'challa had gotten the message so this time he would up the ante by taking two this time.

Treading through the sludge of refuse he came to the entrance. His tremendous strength made it easy for him to crack an opening large enough to fit his undead dreadlocked muscular frame through. The trap was sprung.

T'challa: "Welcome home my friend!"

Eric Killmonger: "Son of T'chaka!"

The two Doras silently moved east and west flanking him. Storm maintained a bird's eye view from above awaiting for her beloved's attack signal. It would come after T'challa got him talking first.

T'challa: "So tell me my friend, how did you come to be like this?"

Eric Killmonger: "My little secret. Let us just say that you have enemies in high and in low places."

Good. That narrowed it down to a few enemies that fit that description.

T'challa: "It took a lot of strength to lift that sealed sewer cover."

Eric Killmonger: " It was easy I barely broke a sweat."

T'challa: "Do zombies sweat?"

Eric Killmonger: I am not a zombie!"

So far by the information gathered T'challa had calculated his class strength and his current undead condition.

T'challa: "Eric I would like to test something if you don't mind. Storm!"

On cue Storm struck him with a bolt of lightning igniting him up so that his skeleton was x-rayed. T'challa counted every bone including dental records… Yes it was Eric Killmonger.

T'challa: "Doras!"

The two special forces experts unleashed a fury of high calibre projectile weaponry on Eric tearing up his outer flesh causing him to bleed a gooey substance. After running out of ammo Eric's wounds begin to heal rapidly.

T'challa; "Interesting. It appears that whomever endowed you with your new powers left a few kinks in the armor."

Eric Killmonger: "FRAK YOU T'challa!"

Eric charges T'challa in a rage filled manner. Just as he appeared to have him in a tackling grasp they both disappear.

Okoye: "Beloved?"

Nakia: "What just happened?"

Ororo: "The No Where Room!"

The No Where Room.

A place that is not a place at all. Eric Killmonger stands opposite of T'challa separated by a deep bottomless pit.

Eric Killmonger: "What form of trickery is this?"

T'challa: "Before we resume our usual battles allow me the honor of knowing who or what is behind all this?"

Eric Killmonger: "I am no snitch!"

T'challa: "Fine. I will leave you here until you agree to talk. And this my friend does count as a victory over you."

T'challa steps out of nothingness just quick enough to hear the echoing bellow of another FRAK YOU, T'challa.

Ororo: "You and I need to work on our communication."

T'challa: "Forgive me ladies but I detected from my scientific observation that Eric Killmonger needed to feed on women alone. I was protecting you."

Okoye: "You gathered all that from our attacks alone… Cool."

Ororo: "Oh don't encourage him he will get progressively worse if you do."

T'challa: "I was also protecting myself. Even at peak human I was no match for him yet so I stranded him in the No Where Room until we get on an equal footing. Besides Ororo, you did not want me to kill him."

Nakia: "You are truly the real Black Panther!"

Ororo: "Oh goddess not you too!"

T'challa: "Great point… Where has Shuri been all this time?"

Ororo: "I think it is time you spoke to Reverend Achebe."

T'challa: "Him again!"

Reverend Achebe was having a secret dinner alone when he popped open a bottle of Wakanda's finest wines and poured not one but two glasses. A sexy seductive woman in a really really really revealing night gown appears and sits beside him tasting from the freshly poured blood red wine.

Reverend Achebe: "Welcome, Doctor Nightshade!"



End of For Queen and Country!

[FLEX HECTIC]

Issue #4 - American Werewolf in Wakanda!




Racing to another scene of the crime Ororo holds T'challa by his arms as she flies them across downtown Wakanda.

T'challa: "I really hope none of the old school warriors see me!"

Ororo: "Why? Are you ashamed of the frequent flyer mileage you get out of your weather controlling mutant wife?"

T'challa: "Frak you Ororo."

Ororo raises him up and kisses his forehead ever so gently. T'challa wipes it off in mock disgust.

T'challa: "We are almost there. Land us just outside of the school yard so nobody sees us…"

Ororo lands them right smack in the middle of the school playground where the children can see them fly in together.

Classes were dismissed as the children were assembled out in the playground due to an unexpected visitor. As the power couple arrives on the scene they are mobbed by the children. Ororo is given more preferential treatment than T'challa.

T'challa: "Hey, remember when I used to be HOT?"

Ororo: "Oh while you were contemplating your navel in Hell's Kitchen I was conducting classes on human/mutant relations and therefore these are more my students than they are yours catsuit man."

T'challa: "Whatever…."

Ororo: 'Yes I know… Frak you Ororo!"

T'challa: "Indeed! So what happened here?"

Ororo: "The children claim that they were attacked by a… Werewolf!"

T'challa: "A werewolf? In Wakanda? Note to self… Critically injure Doctor Solomon Prey ASAP!"

Ororo: "Put your thinking cap on detective and let's investigate this."

T'challa: "Teachers please send the students home thank you."

None of the teachers move a muscle.

Ororo: "Do as he says, please."

The teachers quickly assign quinjet school buses and set each child on a course for home.

Ororo: "Hey, I'm also the honorary principle too so frak you very much!"

Inside the cafeteria.

T'challa: "They were watching a movie in the dark. There was a struggle. Some of the children fought back. Brave little Wakandan warriors. Uh oh… This is interesting."

Ororo: "What is that?"

Holding up a torn piece of lace.

T'challa: "Looks like lingerie."

Ororo: "We have strict dress codes here at…"

T'challa: "This is not from a child. It seems our werewolf has a unique taste in fashion."

Ororo: "I don't get it. Why dress so inappropriately in front of children only to transform into a werewolf? What kind of pervert would..."

T'challa: "Voyeur!"

Ororo: "That is sick on so many levels I don't even want to think about it!"

T'challa: "We live in a world full of sick vile super powered villains. What else is new?"

Ororo: "But children?"

T'challa: "I know but don't you see a pattern here?"

Ororo: "If there was one time that I would permit you to take a life this would be it!"

T'challa: "Permit?"

Ororo gives him that icy blue eyed stare with grim pouted lips.

T'challa: "Ok back to the pattern. So far we have a mutated winged panther ghoul. A hulked out zombie. And now a voyeur werewolf on the loose."

Ororo: "A tacky werewolf at that."

T'challa: "The only thing missing is a vampire, a devil and a witch."

Ororo: "How did you ever do the math on that one?"

T'challa: "Let's track this werewolf and then we'll find some answers. First we go shopping."

After a quick shopping spree in the Wakandan mall with a smiling female sales clerk in a shiny white wig…

Ororo: "I don't see why you needed to buy that."

T'challa: "Trust me."

Ororo: "You know how they say frak you in the Marvel Universe… Trust Me!"

T'challa: "Your humor has gotten better but do keep your day job."

T'challa looks up in the sky.

T'challa: "I need you to block out the sun over Wakanda with as much clouds as you can spare."

Darkness looms over Wakanda as Storm does that thing that she does. almost as if on cue a wolf's howl echoes throughout Wakanda.

T'challa: "This way quickly!"

T'challa takes off on a mad dash in the pinpointed direction of his target. Ororo follows half running half flying to keep pace as he winds corners with peak human quickness.

Nightshade dressed down in satin lingerie starts to strip seductively while transforming into her lycan state on an open street corner. Onlooking Wakandan citizens summon the Wakandan police.

T'challa: "Don't touch her! Storm and I will handle this just secure the area."

Nightshade begins to dance erotically as if in a trance as her transformation nears full completion.

Ororo: "Would you like me to go get you some single dollar bills my lord?"

T'challa: "Oh I'm sorry I got caught up there for a moment."

Ororo: "Well get your frakking head in the game soldier!"

T'challa: "Nightshade!"

Ororo: "Nightshade? Didn't I knock this chick out one time?"

T'challa approaches nightshade cautiously. He opens up the box with the item that he had purchased earlier. It is one the finest articles of lingerie in the Wakandan Secrets catalogue.

T'challa: "Look what I bought you."

Nightshade sniffs at the clothing apparel as if mesmerized by the rare fabric.

T'challa: "You remember me don't you?"

Ororo: "Now you have some explaining to do!"

Interrupted out of her trance by Ororo's indignation Nightshade claws at T'challa knocking him off balance and then charges at Ororo as if in a jealous fit.

Ororo: "Woman to woman I recognize the attitude. Keep coming at your own risk."

Ororo takes flight as Nightshade grabs hold of her cape dragging her down to the ground. This results in lightning in a place that the sun is not supposed to shine causing Nightshade to reel back and clutch her backside in agony.

Ororo: "My bad… Did I hurt your moneymaker tramp?"

T'challa; "Ororo quickly release the clouds exposing the sun."

As the clouds recede to their original positions Nightshade slowly transforms back to her human state making her easy to subdue.

Later at the Wakandan police station.

T'challa; "Dr. Nightshade are you okay?"

Ororo: "After all that now she is a doctor? Did she strip to put her self through school?"

Nightshade: "T'challa beloved."

Ororo: "Pardon your french!"

T'challa: "What are you doing in Wakanda? What were you doing at the school?"

Nightshade: "I can't remember a thing."

Ororo: "Do you remember why you called MY husband beloved?"

Nightshade: "That I do remember. Especially the time we spent together."

T'challa: "Who sent you here and why?"

Nightshade: "I don't know."

T'challa: "Are you working with Dr. Solomon Prey?"

Nightshade: "Never heard of him."

Ororo: "What is up with your fetish for lingerie?"

T'challa: "Ororo please. What is the last thing that you remember Dr. Nightshade?"

Nightshade: "I was in New York… Hell's Kitchen to be exact. I was in that lingerie store you took me too then I blanked out and found myself here."

T'challa; "That will be all thank you Doctor."

Ororo: "That is not all… I have a few questions to ask her myself. Hell's Kitchen? I thought you needed space but not that kind of space."

Nightshade: "T'challa, could you please massage my back like you used to I so miss that."

Ororo: "Maybe he could rub your lycan feet too!"

Nightshade: "Ororo did you know that T'challa has a birthmark on his…"

Nightshade was taken to the hospital after her interrogation. Storm was just a tad bit put out over the question and answer session.

Later on top of what used to be the vibranium mound a heated discussion takes place.

Ororo: " You tell me right now how she knew such an intimate detail about you!"

T'challa: "She's a super villain can't you see what she is doing?"

Ororo: "Can't you see what you are doing? I love you T'challa but you have way too many secrets for any normal man. No Where Room… Shadow Physics… Contingency Plan for Galactus…"

T'challa: "Have you been going through my things?"

Ororo: "How else can I find out what is on your mind? Now this werewolf broad who can't remember stripping in front of and then attacking children but knows intimate secrets about you!"

T'challa: "There is a reasonable explanation for all of this I'm sure."

Ororo: "Reasonable! I am your wife and you have been keeping secrets from me the whole time. What about all these women wearing white wigs all over Wakanda? Is that one of your contingency plans to replace me?"

T'challa: "I assure you that was not my idea I thought it was your fan club or something."

Ororo: "It's time to put or shut up MY LORD! Either you meet with Reverend Achebe or this marriage is over!"

As the fury that is Hurricane O erupts random lightning strikes all over Wakanda making the entire landscape appear as if the special effects department of a low budget movie was filming a horror flick. T'challa takes note of it all and calculates. Storm had been acting not quite her self whenever this man's name was mentioned.

T'challa: "Yes I will meet with this Reverend Achebe!"




End of American Werewolf in Wakanda!

[FLEX HECTIC]

Issue #5 - Mommas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Super Heroes!




The lobby of Reverend Achebe's office in the sub level area of downtown Wakanda. Two impatient patients wait impatiently on the sofa.

Ororo: "You know you can tell me anything right. I mean we can trust each other with anything."

T'challa: "For the last time Ororo I did not have relations with Nightshade!"

Ororo: "How many women have you been with?"

T'challa: "Are you serious?"

Ororo: "I mean you worked with a lot of sexy female super heroes over the years."

T'challa: "I am a professional super hero. I take my job serious. I do not compromise the mission with transient love affairs."

Ororo: "And yet you took a voyeur werewolf to a lingerie store. Was that part of the mission?"

T'challa: "YES! We were investigating a fashion thief who also stole some designs from Wakanda Design Group."

Ororo: "So now Wakanda Design Group sells lingerie?"

T'challa: "It's complicated but the fashion part was a front for a low grade tech company. I used Nightshade to track down specific fabric patterns."

Ororo: "And that lead to her tracking down your birthmark?"

T'challa: "In the course of our findings I was knocked unconscious by a bottle to the head and I also suffered several lacerated wounds in a warehouse knife fight with a gang of goons. She bandaged me up which required her to disrobe me."

Ororo: "And you allowed her to do this?"

T'challa: "For goddess sake she is a doctor!"

Ororo: "A doctor of what… Lingerie?"

T'challa: "She is an expert on physics, genetics and cybernetics."

Ororo: "Oh so now she is smarter than me? You want another 'Genius' to match your own?"

T'challa: "You are reaching there."

Ororo: "You think she's cute?"

T'challa: "Look, Nightshade is a very beautiful women but she has fetish voyeuristic issues with certain fashion material. She is quite ill and needs professional help."

Ororo: "Okay, fair enough. I have been honest with you. Including you there was also Forge which you know about and some flirtations with Yukio but that is it."

T'challa: "Do I really want to hear this?"

Ororo: "Tigra?"

T'challa: "Not my type."

Ororo: "Sue Storm?"

T'challa: "Friend."

Ororo: "She Hulk?"

T'challa: "Please."

Ororo: "Misty?"

T'challa: "Hell to the NO!"

Ororo: "The Wasp?"

T'challa: "Buzz off."

Ororo: "Tony Stark?"

T'challa pauses and looks icy cold at his inquisitive wife.

Ororo: "Just checking. Sometimes you boys take that primary colored spandex thing a bit too far."

T'challa; "Frak you Ororo!"

Ororo: "I love you T'challa."

T'challa: "I love me too"

Ororo: "Jerk!"

The white wig wearing secretary sends them in to finally meet as a couple with Reverend Achebe.

Reverend Achebe: "My lord and my lady!"

Ororo rushes over to hug Achebe warmly. T'challa shakes his hand suspiciously.

T'challa: "Pleasure to meet you Reverend Achebe. My wife speaks very highly of you."

Reverend Achebe: "I'm just here to do the panther god's work on earth. Please sit down we have much to talk about."

Ororo: "I brought my tithes and offerings."

Ororo pulls out a stack of cash from beneath her cape and puts it on Reverend Achebe's desk. T'challa makes note of it but says nothing.

Reverend Achebe: "Ororo you are truly blessed by the panther god!"

Ororo: "Just showing my appreciation for all that you have done for me and mutant kind."

T'challa: "What have you done for mutants Reverend?"

Reverend Achebe: "Oh just some minor things in various countries like mutant voting rights and certain civil liberties."

T'challa regretted not having done these things himself since he did marry a mutant. Oversight soon to rectified.

T'challa: "So you operate outside of Wakanda?"

Reverend Achebe: "As do you but I only answer to the panther god. If the panther god has approved of a mutant being our queen then it only makes sense to treat mutant kind as family. Praise be to the panther god!"

Ororo: "Praise him Mightly!"

T'challa: "Do you speak directly to the panther god, reverend?"

Reverend Achebe: "Of course. As you once did."

T'challa; "Did you ask the panther god about Doom?"

Ororo: "T'challa. Don't do this."

Reverend Achebe: "Ororo allow your husband to speak his mind. And yes I did inquire about Doom but we are here about you. Tell me about your nightmares, T'challa. Was your father an abusive man?"

T'challa: "What the FRAK?"

Ororo: "Don't blasphemy in here."

T'challa: "That was not a blasphemy. Why have you been discussing our personal business with this man?"

Ororo: "As if you are here to talk Mister Hell's Kitchen!"

T'challa: "I explained that to you already."

Ororo: "You know T'challa if I were someone reading your life as true story I would swear that that whole thing was a stupid premise from top to bottom. When you do your memoirs please leave Hell's kitchen out of it!"

Reverend Achebe: "Let's get back to your father. Do you feel that he pushed you too hard?"

T'challa: "My father was the greatest king that ever ruled Wakanda!"

Reverend Achebe: "You are avoiding the question. The pressure to follow in such great footsteps must be most stressing to you. Always being two steps ahead of your enemies is a bit much in todays high powered super hero era."

T'challa: "I do whatever it takes to win at all costs!"

Reverend Achebe: "Does winning include sacrificing your wife over vibranium you eventually destroyed just to gain a pyrrhic victory?"

T'challa; "What the…"

Ororo: "Answer that question!"

T'challa: "If Doom had gotten all the vibranium the whole world would have been in danger!"

Reverend Achebe: "Danger is such a relative word. So by destroying the vibranium you saved the whole world but not your uncle? Your own mother and wife were at the mercy of this Doom and yet you did nothing but gave a speech!"

T'challa leaps out of his chair grabbing Reverend Achebe by the throat raising him off the ground.

T'challa: "You son of a…"

Ororo: "Beloved! Stop this instant!"

Reverend Achebe: "It is fine Ororo. Let him vent."

T'challa drops the Reverend back in his seat and sits down himself in shame.

Reverend Achebe: "The problem you have my lord is no one speaks to you as I do. Over the ears you have had too many YES men around you blindly supporting your own agenda. It is time you came out of that comfort zone bubble you have created and see the world for what it truly is."

T'challa; "What would you have me do?"

Reverend Achebe: "I need your support and backing to reestablish the panther religion again. You see with all the nightmare things happening in Wakanda a lack of faith has infiltrated the citizenry. Fear is the motivating ideology after the tragedy that was Doomwar. Wakanda has lost confidence in the Black Panther's ability to protect them."

T'challa; "Where is Shuri by the way?"

Reverend Achebe: "The Solomon Prey creature… The attack on the Doras… The hideous abomination at the school… Wakanda's economy is in Hell's Kitchen itself being overcooked."

Ororo: "Oh goddess the children… Praise the panther god!"

Reverend Achebe: "Your separation from your wife after her trauma at the hands of Doom was most unusual. What were you seeking far away from your homeland?"

T'challa; "I was helping a friend."

Reverend Achebe: "But shouldn't your wife be your best friend?"

T'challa: "I admit that it was stupid for me to leave."

Ororo: "Finally… DUH!"

Reverend Achebe: "A king that fights crime as a costumed super hero? T'challa I believe that you are running from something."

T'challa: "I am no longer king… And I fear no man!"

Reverend Achebe: "The man you are running from is… YOU!"






End of Mommas Don't Let Your babies Grow Up To Be Super Heroes!

[FLEX HECTIC]

Issue #6 - We Shall Overcome!



The marriage counseling that Reverend Achebe was initiating was going smoothly. He really got T'challa to open up and be more vulnerable which pleased Ororo. Secrets were shared that had been buried for decades. T'challa even held private counsel with him often which made him more and more a father figure.

When the time came it was T'challa who gave final approval for the Reverends ascension into ultimate priesthood as the representative of the panther god here on planet earth. Masses of Wakandan citizens who like T'challa were experiencing nightmares too gathered at the newly dedicated panther temple. The Reverend moved out of his basement dwellings and up into the big leagues.

Storm Goddess managed to even put together a choir with herself as the lead singer. As faithful followers held babies for the Reverend to kiss Storm used her wind powers to reach notes that would be the envy of any opera singer. Throngs begin chanting the praises of Achebe that echoed over into neighboring countries.

As the festival spilled over into the night T'challa took a moment to slip away and visit an old friend.

Inside the No Where Room Eric Killmonger for a lack of souls to feast upon was shriveling up and ghoulishly dehydrated.

Eric Killmonger: "You are not the Black Panther. Why are you dressed as that?"

T'challa was fully robed in the classic Black Panther habit.

T'challa: "I never lost my title and rank in combat."

Eric Killmonger: "Whatever… Can a brotha get a meal T'challa."

T'challa: "Sure thing brotha."

T'challa was holding a glowing bag with an IV catheter attached to it.

T'challa: "This is an artificial soul I made up as a substitute for your killing a living person."

Eric Killmonger: "You always were a scientist geek."

T'challa: "As were you once before other motivations took you along a different path."

Eric Killmonger: "Frak you nerd give me the bag I'm starving over here."

T'challa: "First… You will tell me what I need to know or I will let you starve."

Eric Killmonger: "Anything for you your highness."

T'challa: "Who gave you your new powers my friend? And why do I feel as though I met Reverend Achebe sometime before this?"

Eric Killmonger: "I am not snitching."

Bingo! That was an answer inside of an answer. Eric may have hid the truth but he was no liar.

T'challa tosses him the bag.

T'challa: Feed my friend."

Eric Kilmonger: "What's your angle here?"

T'challa: "Look closely at where I am standing."

Eric peered across the bottomless pit closely at the small mound that T'challa was standing on.

Could it be? The shimmering static glow beneath the soil gave it away. It was a small vibranium mound similar to the one that contained the meteor that fell on Wakanda soil many centuries before either of them were born. Heart shaped herbs were sprouted all over the mound.

Eric killmonger: "SO… I had heard that you destroyed all the vibranium. But leave it to the son of T'chaka to have a contingency plan. You are definitely a bad @$$."

T'challa: "When Doom made his attack on Wakanda I suspected that he was backed by someone else. Possibly the same one who backed you. So by moving a small supply of vibranium to the No Where Room…"

Eric Killmonger: HAHAHAHAAHAAHHAHHH! You really take this two steps ahead of your enemies things way too seriously… But I like it!"

T'challa: "You are going to love this next part. While you feed on that bag of artificial souls I will ingest these heart shaped herbs uncooked and raw. When both us are at full strength we will settle something that should have been settled when we first fought as children."

Eric Killmonger: "Souls?"

T'challa: "I upped the dose so that neither of us would have any excuses."

Eric Killmonger: "Drama Queen!"

Eric tosses the catheter away, rips open the bag and drinks deeply. T'challa plucks a handful of heart shaped herbs and munches.

Both men convulse in nauseas agony as their bloodstreams react to the nutrients absorbing inside of them. Senses become heightened, strengths increase and a fight worthy of pay per view was underway with no audience to witness but the No Where Room itself.

It is T'challa who leaps across the bottomless pit first to meet his best friend and best foe.

Thor versus Loki… Captain America versus The Red Skull… No this was more like Wolverine versus Hulk!

Speed versus size… Skill versus strength!

T'challa manages to rip undead flesh with unsheathed claws. One punch from Erik Killmonger was enough to put T'challa airborne a mile across the No Where Room which was expanding to adapt to the fight.

Killmonger charged T'challa building up steam as he ran. Just as he reached his destination T'challa front flips over him into a rear naked choke. Killmonger staggers and rolls over slamming T'challa against the hard dirt. T'challa loosens his grip freeing a hand to slash at Killmonger's throat.

A reversal lands T'challa on top where he proceeds to ground and pound Erik mixing it up with strikes to key nerve points.

Killmonger grabs T'challa's head and slams his knee into it momentarily stunning him. He grabs T'challa into a front guillotine choke as T'challa counters by turning his head inside and raises an arm to give him breathing space. T'challa slashes at his groin area causing pain released in a scream only heard inside the No Where Room.

T'challa grabs Eric's waste and shoots a knee right at the IT band on Eric's leg stunning him. He then flips over upside down gripping the injured leg into a leg bar snapping it backwards.

Eric drives an inverted elbow into T'challa's ribs cracking the floating ones. And then pile drives T'challa head first into the ground.

T'challa grabs Eric's free arm into a hammer lock breaking the wrist and dislocating the shoulder joint. T'challa surgically swipes one eye out of the socket temporarily blinding Eric. An uppercut elbow to the throat stifles Eric feeling him backwards.

T'challa pounces feet first into the gut of Eric releasing the wind causing him to gasp and dry heave.

T'challa full mounts him with clawed fists ready to finish off his former friend and foe.

T'challa: "Erik! A long time ago we were best friends. We broke bread together. Zuri trained us to be allies and you disgrace his name by bringing an abomination into OUR land brotha!"

Eric Killmonger: "Man FRAK you spoiled brat! You had everything… My family was outcasts!

T'challa; "Your family broke Wakandan law! You broke Wakandan law when you killed that Dora… Our sister!"

Eric Killmonger: "She's just another casualty of our personal war!"

T'challa: "It doesn't have to be like this… If you help me… Help Wakanda… I can cure you… Restore your soul as it was before."

Eric Killmonger: "Kill me now T'challa or I swear I will kill you! Maybe I'll make that weather witch my little queen! Tell me T'challa… Does the carpet match the drapes? Nevermind… I'll find out myself!"

T'challa: "Goodbye my brotha!:

With one cleave T'challa rips out the heart of Killmonger.

T'challa pauses and stares at the heart. This scene had some familiarity to it. Had he ever ripped a man's heart out before? Curious!

Killmonger's body continued to twitch… Frakking undead!

T'challa dragged his body near the bottomless pit and dropped the body and the heart to a continuous fall.

Eric Killmonger fell to a thud into the Arena of Tainted Souls.

Mephisto: "Welcome back Eric Killmonger."

Mephisto stuffs his heart back into the twitching body.

Eric Killmonger: "FRAK you T'challa… OH!"

Mephisto: "Thank you for allowing us a passage way into the No Where Room! Things are progressing ahead of schedule. Now prepare your army for an invasion of Wakanda!"

From a com link on his gauntlet T'challa listened in on the conversation via tracer bug. Assuming that whomever remade Killmonger would also reclaim his body was a heads up play on his part. Adjusting for other dimensional tracing was genius he thought to himself.

Mephisto!

T'challa recalled that it was he alone who discovered that it was Mephisto that altered the time continuum erasing the marriage of his good friend Peter Parker and Mary Jane. With that retcon also went the worldwide knowledge that Peter Parker was also your friendly neighborhood Spiderman. He often thought of telling Peter this but it was his decision to deal with the devil in the first place.

T'challa would have to get up to speed on what his relationship was to Mephisto and why the fake devil felt the need to erase his memory and seek vengeance. Probably had something to do with ripping out his heart.

T'challa's ribs smarted something ugly… Better get to the Wakandan hospital fast!



End of We Shall Overcome!

[FLEX HECTIC]

Issue #7 - Am I My Sister's Keeper?



Shuri: "Sooo… What'd I miss?"

Shuri had just flown in from outer space having just returned from a intergalactic trip to trace the origins of the vibranium meteor that landed in Wakanda many many centuries ago.

T'challa: "You actually took my suggestion seriously for a change."

Shuri: "I had a few leads and ran with them. Apparently there are still a few vibranium asteroids available for us to mine if we wish to."

T'challa: "That will be put on hold for now."

Shuri: "Ok, get me up to speed."

T'challa; "Well half our country is under the spell of a holy man who is really serving the devil and your sister in-law is currently brainwashed in a cult. Eric Killmonger came back as a zombie. A werewolf attacked the school. Doctor Solomon Prey is making an army of mutated winged panthers. Mephisto is behind most of it and he is preparing a war against Wakanda on all fronts. Any questions?"

Shuri: "Yeah, how have you been big brother?"

Shuri hugs T'challa.

T'challa: "Good to see you baby girl."

Shuri: "You are right… Space travel is a bore. Overrated!"

T'challa: "I know."

Shuri: "I'm assuming by your dress code that you somehow stashed vibranium in the No Where Room and had a heart shaped herb salad recently."

T'challa: "This may seem awkward having two Black Panthers but we will need all hands on deck for this upcoming war. I want you to go into the No Where Room and eat of the herb. It is a special nutrient dense bioavailable plant that will give you enhancements that the former herb did not."

Shuri: "When this war is over we will settle…"

T'challa: "I have no good feelings about fighting my own sister for the title so when it is time we will do this in private and the loser will stand down in public before the winner."

Shuri: "Fair enough. Do you think father would approve?"

T'challa; "Yes, he would."

Shuri: "It's good to have you back home… And thank you for leaving to Hell's Kitchen and allowing me to wear the mantle if only for a brief time."

T'challa: "Scram you little brat you're making me all teary eyed here."

As Shuri leaves to go to the No Where Room T'challa has a strange feeling as if something was wrong. Something he either forgot during the drama unfolding in Wakanda or something that he overlooked.

Ororo Monroe was on a random street corner preaching to the unconverted about Reverend Achebe. Most of her time was spent going door to door witnessing on behalf of the panther cult. Reverend Achebe had several of the best scribes commission a panther bible from his own words. She preached fire and brimstone from the book to all who would listen. Even some of her mutant friends were beginning to be lured in by the mighty wordings of Reverend Achebe. Gentle became one of her best disciples.

T'challa: "Beloved! How long are you going to be out here?"

Ororo: "Judgement day is upon us. Repent! Less the panther god spite thee!"

T'challa: "Ok, if you need me I'll be committing various infidelities with Dr. Nightshade and maybe I'll have Mistique transform into you and do all kinds…"

Ororo: "I better come home with you to save you from such immoral behavior."

T'challa: "Shuri is back."

Ororo: "Praise the panther god!"

T'challa: "What's with the toga?"

Ororo: "It is part of my purification process."

T'challa: "Cute! We need to talk let's go to the Silver Lining!"

Code talk. Storm grabbed his arms and flew them high up into the atmosphere just above the Wakandan satellite. She then constructed a breathable bubble of air for them.

Ororo: "This charade is getting tired real fast."

T'challa: "You are quite an actor."

Ororo: "Actress!"

T'challa: "I stand corrected."

Ororo: "Does Shuri know?"

T'challa: "I told her you were brainwashed but she knew that your EMP like inbred self defense mechanism did not allow for that. And she also knows that Wakanda is being hacked… Again!"

Ororo: "Have you pinpointed the signal yet?"

T'challa: "At first it was triangulated through Latveria but that was too obvious. The signal has traces of living elements to it."

Ororo: "KLAW!"

T'challa: "Very perceptive. I am not sure if he is working with Mephisto on this but until we know for certain we will keep this misdirection ongoing."

Ororo: "T'challa, why do your plans always have sophisticated elaborate schemes? What happened to good old fashioned hulk out and smash a bad guy to smithereens point blank?"

T'challa: "Where is the fun in that?"

Ororo: "Frak you T'challa!"

T'challa: "No FRAK Achebe, Klaw, Killmonger and every fool trying to invade Wakanda."

Ororo: "How much time do we have?"

T'challa: "Ororo, we are almost at the brink of war!"

Ororo: "I wanna feel good!"

T'challa: "Just because we were attacked by monsters does not mean we have time for a Monster's Ball!"

Ororo: "Come on she's my favorite actress. I would love her to play me in a movie."

T'challa: "What about Angela Bassett, Zoe Saldana or Tyra Banks?"

Ororo: "PLEASE… That sounds like ish they say on the internet. Halle Berry is Storm Goddess period!"

T'challa: "You know she's much shorter than you in person."

Ororo: "You met her?"

T'challa: "Saved her from a stalker once."

Ororo: "How did she repay you? You didn't…"

T'challa: "I got you an autograph so don't even go there!"

Ororo: "You should have gone there. I would have given you a pass on that one!"

T'challa: "Serious?"

Ororo: "You'll never know."

T'challa: "Frak you Ororo… Let's go meet Shuri in The No Where Room."

The No Where Room. T'challa and Storm attempt to enter but are blunted back by a mysterious seal.

T'challa: "Somethings wrong. The No Where Room is blocking us from entering."

Ororo: "Did you alter the time space continuum?"

T'challa: "NO… Shuri, can you hear me?"

Inside Shuri is in a daze of nausea as the heart shaped herbs she has eaten takes affect. What a rush!

Eric Killmonger: "Hey cutie!"

Shuri: "So you are back from the dead! You got worms in your hair better get that fixed."

Eric Killmonger: "I require a soul… Yours will do nicely!"

Shuri: "Now I know what was missing from that Twilight movie… Zombies. I'll call youTeam Eric!"

Eric Killmonger: "FRAK you Shuri and your whole family you fake Black Panther!"

T'challa senses that his sister is in danger.

T'challa; "KILLMONGER!"

Ororo: "T'challa calm yourself. Think straight. There has to be another entrance."

Shuri flips out a small handle bar that extends into a long spear.

Eric Killmonger: "The Spear of Bashenga!"

Shuri: "We will see how fake I am monster!"

Shuri plunges the spear impaling the undead heart of Eric Killmonger.

T'challa: "Shuri! Don't fight him alone! Lure him out here!"

Eric Killmonger: "I think I hear your big brother calling you."

Shuri: "I can take you alone."

Eric Killmonger: "Is it true that you earned the Black Panther mantle without a fight?"

Killmonger pushes the spear out of his heart grabs Shuri who struggles to break free.

Eric Killmonger: "I heard you gave a speech to Doom after he trashed Wakanda. What say you to me?"

Shuri: "Unhand me you abominable bastard!"

T'challa; "Shuri please break free and get out here now!"

Eric Killmonger: "Many of us always knew all along that the bloodline of T'chaka was weak! He was weak… Your uncle was weak… And your brother is weak!"

Ororo: "Goddess T'challa there has to be a way inside!"

Storm hurls lightning, wind and rain at the No Where Room but it's unusual properties prevented penetration. Sometimes T'challa's defense mechanism were his worst enemy.

Shuri: "We are not weak. It was YOU who sold your soul to the devil and brought this unholy abomination to Wakanda! I am not afraid to die Eric Killmonger!"

Eric Killmonger: "You don't have to be afraid…''

Eric plunges the spear into Shuri all the way to the hilt.

Eric Killmonger: "To die!"

T'challa slumped to his knees. Any contingency plan that he had was all but useless at this point. Ororo covered her mouth holding back tears.

As if on cue the seal that locked The No Where Room was lifted as T'challa rose and swiftly dashed into The No Where Room.

Eric Killmonger seeing an enraged brother charging at him stepped to the edge of the bottomless pit, placed his hands behind his head and leaned back smiling up to T'challa as he fell off into darkness.

Ororo was clutching Shuri gently as she was stood up by the spear that impaled her while stuck in the ground.

Shuri: "Thank you Ororo, for believing in me as Black Panther. I'm sorry for how I treated you earlier. I was jealous… And immature."

Ororo: "Hush now… T'challa we need a doctor fast!"

Shuri: "Brother… I would have given you the fight of your life."

T'challa: "I know you would have."

Shuri: "Take this spear from me… I don't want mother to see me like this."

T'challa: "Shuri I…"

Shuri: "Tell me the story of how father fought M'baku like you did when I was a child…"

T'challa holds Shuri's hand.

T'challa; "M'Baku stood before the elders to challenge father dressed as a silverback gorilla."

Shuri giggled. Her last living thought would be of a black man dressed as gorilla challenging a father she never met in fight.

T'challa; "Father knew that M'baku would be at a disadvantage in such awkward attire so he pretended to be frightened and allowed the Man Ape the dignity of seeming like he had a chance. Oh father was a good sport… Shuri."

Shuri slumped over.




End of Am I My Sister's Keeper?

[FLEX HECTIC]

Issue #8 - Axis of Evil!



Ramondo: "Did my daughter die a glorious death?"

T'challai: "You would have been proud."

Ramonda: "I am always proud of my children."

T'challa: "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Ramonda: "Consider it therapy for me, for you… for all of us."

Ororo: "Be strong Ramonda. We are there for you."

T'challa takes the hand of each of the most important women in his life and leads them into the interrogation room. Seated in the center of the darkened room is a cloaked figure with a raggedy potato bag over his head. T'challa yanks the bag off of his head.

T'challa: "Victor! Can you hear me?"

Doom: "What! Where am I? Release me you insolent fool!"

T'challa; "My family and I would have words with you Doom."

Doom: "BAH… Doom is no microbe on a slab for you to examine!"

Ororo moves behind him placing her hand two inches from his head.

Ororo: "Shoes on the other foot perhaps a lightning bolt through your skull would…"

Doom: "HA you super heroes are all the same. You won't kill me."

Ramonda: "Remember me?"

Doom looks up at the weathered aged woman. Ramonda had seen her share of wars. Buried many friends and family over years of bloodshed and she had seen enough.

Ramonda: "Mister Doom, do you have a mother?"

Doom: "I did… Once."

Ramonda: "Unlike my son and daughter in-law I am not a super hero nor have I ever aspired to be one. What I am is a mother who only wants what is best for my family."

Doom looks into her eyes.

Ramonda: "Would you like some coffee, tea or perhaps a shot of brandy?"

Doom: "No ma'am."

Ramonda: "It was a pleasure to finally meet you properly Mister Doom. Enjoy your stay in Wakanda and… Have a nice day!"

Ramonda turns and walks out the room. She was a powerful women of few words and her point was more than made.

Doom: "You have a wonderful mother T'challa… And I apologize for my disrespect earlier."

T'challa: "You are missing the point here Doom. You went way out of your way to chump me before the world."

T'challa walks over to Doom and leans over to him face to face.

T'challa: "Do you remember all the times I vouched for you in front of the Avengers? Despite your wicked ways I gave you more respect as a genius than you really deserved. Monarch to monarch I let you keep your dignity despite many reasons not to do so. And then you play me like a world class @$$!"

Doom: "I didn't mean to…"

T'challa: "What Victor? What!"

T'challa kicks Doom out of the chair.

T'challa; "What if I took this whole scenario here right now and showed the world you in this position via satellite."

Doom: "You wouldn't"

T'challa; "Why wouldn't I? Because I'm a super hero? Because I'm righteous?"

Doom: "Yes!"

T'challa; "If I lost to you fair and square fine… I'm at peace with that. But what you did was beyond victory. I lost everything because of you. My title, my self respect… My dignity!"

T'challa grabs him up by his collar as he did him not so long ago.

T'challa: "You held a gun to my mother… My wife! And for what? A piece of space rock? Psychotic egomaniac that you are that was a low I never thought that a man of your stature would ever sink to!"

Doom: "I am truly sorry T'challa. If you brought your sister in here I would make things right."

Ororo: "Shuri is dead!"

As T'challa lowers Doom slowly back to his seat the Latverian monarch slumps his shoulder. He recalled the hollow words of threat aimed at him from Shuri and had actually looked forward to her making due on those words if only for amusements sake.

T'challa; "Mephisto! Tell me what I need to know."

Doom: "Mephisto altered the time space continuum erasing the memory of you ripping his heart out. With that your history with Reverend Achebe was lost. Mephisto approached me about seizing the vibranium and all the mystical powers hidden within them. The catch was I had to not only defeat you but to humiliate you as well. In the course of action I became drunk and mad with power and took things too far."

Ororo: "You know Victor from time to time I make peace with Magneto when that door opens. I try to adhere to the values Charles Xavier instilled in me in life, in marriage and in humanity. I try to see the good in man even when the circumstances make it foolish to do so."

Ororo turns away looking at the wall.

Ororo: "I won't speak for my husband… But I do forgive you Victor."

Ororo turns to face T'challa. Meeting his eyes she then lowers her gaze and departs the room after slightly touching his shoulder.

Doom: "She is a classic woman your bride. Are you now going to kill me?"

T'challa: "The thought had crossed my mind."

Doom: "Whether you will or won't it is hard to tell where your head is right now. You and I are alike T'challa in so many ways. If you were evil you would probably be ruling the world right now. People like Richards, Rogers or Stark could never understand the burden of ruling a nation. You and I often have to cross the line to do what we must. I caught you slipping T'challa something I thought would never happen. Marriage has softened you."

T'challa: "You had nanites in my marriage bed Victor!"

Doom: "I assure you I never looked on at things that did not concern my true intentions. I am not a degenerate."

T'challa: "I believe you Victor."

Doom: "And contrary to popular belief… I am not a racist and this was not personal."

T'challa releases him from his bonds.

Doom: "What now then?"

T'challa: "Wakanda is about to go to war and if you are sincere I have need of your help."

Doom: "You will have it but under one condition. After I assist you we will return to the way things were before our last war. If I catch you slipping again…"

T'challa; "You won't!"

At the armory Reverend Achebe holds a meeting with Dr. Solomon Prey. Thousands of winged mutated panthers stand in formation ready for war.

Reverend Achebe: "The panther festival will go on as planned. When I have half the population distracted in prayer to the panther god Eric Killmonger will lead his army of demons in a ground assault. Your winged creations will start an aerial attack from above."

Solomon Prey: "What about the power couple?"

Reverend Achebe: "T'challa is still having the nightmares from that hypnotic suggestion that Mephisto planted in his subconscious. Ororo is so totally at my mercy that I think it is high time that I Iayed hands on her… Literally!"

Solomon Prey: "You are a sick individual Reverend… But to each his own."

Reverend Achebe: "Soon after the fall of T'challa I alone will wear the Black Panther mantle!"



End of Axis of evil!

[RolandJP]

I am enjoying this too. Would love to see how panels would be arranged along with sound FX

[FLEX HECTIC]

If I had the time I would illustrate it but there is this other project I'm working on that hopefully will be out real soon!


Gotta run before Marvel editorial tracks me down with all that Black Panther and Storm love up in here.


Be back with issue #9 soon!

[FLEX HECTIC]

Issue #9 - Race… Religion… Rhetoric!



Ororo entered the private chambers of Reverend Achebe. He had summoned her for private council at an odd hour of the evening.

Reverend Achebe: "My child! Come in. Take a seat."

Ororo: "There is only a bed!"

Ororo points to the lone piece of furniture that conveniently had a large mirror on the ceiling above it.

Reverend Achebe: "My apologies. I just moved in and we are remodeling."

The Reverend pops opens a bottle of Wakanda's finest wine.

Reverend Achebe: "We should take communion."

Ororo: "For the panther god? Isn't that a Catholic thing?"

Reverend Achebe: "I also have some buttermilk biscuits."

The Reverend pours two glasses and breaks up the buttermilk biscuits into smaller pieces. He places them on a tray and brings them over to Ororo who has now seated herself on the corner of his bed admiring the fabric of the bedspread.

Ororo: "Is this velvet?"

Reverend Achebe: "Imported from Harlem. Only the best."

The Reverend sits as close to Ororo as humanly possible without actually sitting on her lap. Ororo immediately stands to her feet.

Ororo: "I need to powder my nose!"

Reverend Achebe: "First door on the left."

Ororo dashes to the bathroom. Opening the medicine cabinet she finds Robitussin, Hairclub For Men, recycled condoms and a set of golden dentures with sharp teeth soaking in water. There was also a white wig that some previous female visitor had left in the hamper.

Ororo: "Ok I'm in!"

T'challa: "Velvet!"

T'challa was listening in via a tracer bug.

Ororo: "Ill Gross! He has some strange habits judging by his medicinal items."

T'challa; "Be cool. Just entice him to talk and tell you everything he can."

Ororo: "You know I am not at all against you coming in here right now and going Frank Castle on him. If that man so much as touches me…"

T'challa: "I'll make you a deal, you give me a pass for Halle and I'll give you a pass for Reverend Achebe."

Ororo: "T'challa!"

T'challa: "Yeah I know… FRAK T'challa!"

Ororo: "Ok I gotta go back. Where are you now?"

T'challa: "Closer than you think. Remember, this man has half our population under his spell. And don't drink or eat anything that he gives you."

Ororo: "Radio silence… I'm going back in!"

Ororo returns to find that the Reverend has slipped into something more comfortable. Black Panther feet pajamas with a matching kinte cloth cape.

Ororo: "A onesie… With a zipper in the front. How convenient."

Reverend Achebe: "Would you hit the lights my dear."

Ororo: "I thought we were going to take communion."

Reverend Achebe: "Oh yes of course."

Ororo: "You know I really just want to talk."

Reverend Achebe: "Talk?"

Ororo: "Yes, about my marriage. I am really not happy with T'challa right now."

T'challa: "FRAK you Ororo!"

Ororo: "Shhhh!"

Reverend Achebe: "Hunh!"

Ororo: I was just shooing away a pesky annoying fly. Anyway… I felt like he abandoned me when he went to Hell's Kitchen. And that whole thing with Doom where he sold me out for the vibranium. He has a special chamber for detaining depowered mutants can you believe that. And I really don't think he likes mutants because he doesn't help my people out at all. He is such a snob too at Xavier mansion. Looking down on all my friends. Would the panther god forgive me if I divorced my husband?"

Reverend Achebe: "Ororo Munroe you have been my most blessedth disciple. You cannot be unequally yoked."

Ororo: "Isn't that the bible?"

Reverend Achebe: "Well most religions share identical ideologies. But the most important thing is that you are happy."

Ororo: "Could the panther god retcon my marriage so that I forgot it ever happened."

Reverend Achebe: "I know of someone who could do that if you are interested. He did it once before for a super hero couple."

Ororo: "Really who?"

Reverend Achebe: "I'll tell you in the morning."

Ororo: "If you tell me now you might be too tired and sleep in tomorrow morning."

The Reverend takes a few seconds to calculate what it would be like to finally get inside the cape of the most beautiful mutant ever. T'challa would want him dead but if his memory were erased too it would not matter.

Reverend Achebe: "I work for someone called Mephisto."

Ororo: "What about the panther god."

Reverend Achebe: "The panther god has been in limbo for quite some time. In fact during your husbands war with Doom it was not even the panther god that he was talking to."

Ororo: "So when Doom was given the pass code to take the vibranium it was Mephisto that allowed him access."

T'challa: "FRAKKING… BLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!"

Ororo: "Quiet… I mean… Cough… Cough! I got something in my throat!"

Reverend Achebe: "Mephisto is really the one who has been playing your husband for a fool all along. Mephisto can take many shapes and forms. You wouldn't know if you were talking to him if he didn't want you to."

Ororo: "So it was Mephisto that planted the nightmares in my husbands head."

Reverend Achebe: "Yes. When the Shadow King had control of your beloved a gateway was opened into the subconscious recess of his mind. Mephisto took advantage and begin to insert hypnotic suggestions. Your husband is very strong willed so it took more time than anticipated."

Ororo: "The Shadow King?"

T'challa: "Ororo, please don't lose it now. Stick to the mission."

Ororo: "FRAK that!"

Reverend Achebe: "Are you ok?"

Ororo: "Just my claustrophobia acting up again. I'll be fine!"

Reverend Achebe: "T'challa does not love mutants."

Ororo: "Ok Kanye West… What do you have planned?"

Reverend Achebe: "First we have communion."

Having grown impatient Achebe grabs Ororo with surprisingly quick reflexes and strength shoving a biscuit in her mouth and washing it down with wine.

Ororo nearly chokes on the items that seem to have been tainted with a hallucinogenic drug. She staggers as if the room were closing in on her.

Ororo: "Beloved! I need you now the walls…"

Reverend Achebe: "I am your beloved now!"

Ororo attempts to use her weather powers but they turn against her wind sweeping her to the floor. Reverend Achebe begins to unzip his onesie when his zipper becomes snagged.

T'challa. Black Panther. Master of stealth slips from under the bed to rescue his damsel in distress.

Reverend Achebe: "YOU!"

T'challa: "Been here all along. I even set a snag mechanism on your onesie!"

T'challa grabs Achebe hoisting him up disenfranchised black man style.

T'challa: "Ororo… Hear my voice… I got this… Relax and count backwards slowly."

Ororo: "Five… Four… Three…"

T'challa: "Now Reverend let's talk Mephisto!"

T'challa takes Achebe out the window and up to the rooftop like a sleek leopard carrying its' prey up a tall tree. He holds Achebe by his ankle upside down over the ground many stories below.

Reverend Achebe: "You heathen! I am a man of the cloth! Let me down!"

T'challa: "You are a charlatan sorcerer!"

Reverend Achebe: "I AM THE BLACK PANTHER!"

T'challa: "Would you like a shot at the title?"

Reverend Achebe: "Of course!"

Reverend Achebe twists his body upwards and out of the grip of T'challa landing upon the cornered edge of the building.

Reverend Achebe: "I have tasted of the heart shaped herb. I am your equal."

The Reverend leaps at T'challa clawing at his face, slapping, kicking and biting like…Like... Like a little girl!

T'challa backhands him Tuesday night pimp style flooring him with one blow.

T'challa: "Reverend, might I suggest that in addition to gaining the Black Panther powers you may want to invest in at least some martial arts training. You got totally jobbed out there."

Reverend Achebe: "Well you know religious duties take up most of my time. Turn the right cheek and whatnot."

T'challa: "Another round. I give you one more shot. You can have the first 50 punches while I tie one hand behind my back and stand on one leg."

Reverend Achebe: "AARRRGGGGHHHHH!"

From out of the darkness of night a lightning bolt had struck the Reverend in a place that would have been revealed if his onesie zipper had not been strategically snagged. Storm goddess was semi recovered landing from flight on the rooftop with a slight stumble.

Ororo: "What would you have done to me if my beloved had not been there you PRE-vert!"

T'challa: "AH Reverend… You may want to talk now."

Reverend Achebe: "FRAK the both of you!"

T'challa: "A reverend that cusses…. Ororo gather the winds in a tiny ball near his rectum and give him a vacuum enema!"

Reverend Achebe: "OKAY I'll tell you everything I know!"

T'challa: "Religion requires that every man be cleansed at some point… Right Reverend!"

Ororo: "No seriously… Velvet?"

T'challa: "Ororo count backwards slowly."

Ororo: "Five… Four… FRAK you T'challa… Two…"



End of Race… Religion… Rhetoric!

[FLEX HECTIC]

Issue #10 - That Thing That You Do!



The Panther Festival.

Wakandan citizens from all classes and ranks gathered on this day to celebrate the landing of the vibranium meteorite so long ago. Black Panther costumes, makeshift Kimoyo Cards and white wigs were in full display.

The keynote speaker was originally to be the prominent Reverend Achebe but he was currently embroiled in a scandal involving several women and misappropriation of temple funds. His assets were seized by Wakandan authorities and he was placed on house arrest back in his sub level basement dwellings. Many former members of his cult were burning his image in effigy.

The royal couple.

T'challa: "Seriously Ororo!"

Ororo: "What, you don't like it?"

Ororo for the festival had altered her appearance for one of Wakanda's tribes that wore mohawks and black leather.

T'challa: "You are not even from that tribe it's disrespectful."

Ororo: "The chief gave his okay."

T'challa: "If this starts internal strife that's on you."

Ororo: "Any word from Mephisto?"

T'challa: "We will be vigil. I expect an attack real soon."

Ororo: "I feel bad for all the followers of Achebe."

T'challa: "I pity the fool that mistakes you for Mr. T"

Meanwhile down below.

Mephisto: "You have failed me!"

Reverend Achebe: "Master I only desire to serve you."

Mephisto: "Eric Killmonger. Prepare your demon army for battle."

Eric Killmonger: "As you wish my lord."

Mephisto: "Doctor Solomon Prey send your ghouls to the air and let Wakanda burn."

Solomon Prey: "It will be done master."

Mephisto: "Achebe, you will create a diversion."

Reverend Achebe: "How?"

The screams, gawks and guffaws could be heard over the singing and dancing as crowds parted ways for the buck naked streaker running flat out with nothing but a cape on flapping in the wind. Reverend Achebe was not quite what you called "Peak Human" if you looked below the waist.

Rocks and fruit were thrown at him further adding to his humiliation. Wakandan authorities ran him down with special stun guns and a net to capture him.

Reverend Achebe: "Get your hands off of me you dayum dirty apes!"

The Reverend was flogged and cattle prodded roughly. When the spectacle had gotten to the point of lynch mob capacity T'challa and Ororo stepped in.

T'challa: "That will be enough officers."

Ororo: "Please stand down we got this."

The authorities stand back.

Reverend Achebe: "I am ruined thanks to you two!"

T'challa: "You are fortunate that you were not executed for your crimes. One of which is treason!"

The Reverend curled up in a ball weeping and laughing to himself almost hysterical.

Ororo: "Achebe you are sinking into a state of madness."

Reverend Achebe: "From the pits of hell itself I shall watch Wakanda burn. I will see its' men slaughtered and its' women and children as slaves. Hear me Black Panther and Storm… There will be blood between me and your children's children!"

The earth beneath him opened up engulfed him in flames and swallowed him up leaving a scent of sulphur and brimstone.

T'challa: "To your battle stations Wakanda is under attack!"

From beneath the ground demons of all forms of evil began to pop up out of the earth. The skies were filled with winged ghouls blocking out the sun.

Ororo: "I will lead the Wakanda Air Force from the sky!"

T'challa: "Great I'm glad I thought of that."

Ororo: "As if… Beloved, I love you!"

T'challa: "I love me too!"

A passionate kiss before parting ways. T'challa on foot Ororo to the air.

The demons tore through crowds of Wakandan citizens causing panic and bloodshed. The winged ghouls snatched random fleeing festival patrons taking them up in the air to drop them and sometimes just to feed.

The Wakandan air force scrambled small fighter craft and rallied around Ororo as she hovered in midair.

Ororo: "Attention passengers this is your captain speaking…"

Ororo was actually more like a full bird colonel in the Wakandan Air Force.

Ororo: "We will be experiencing some slight turbulence."

Many ghouls fell in mid flight at the rain of terror that struck them from above. Wings were shredded sending fleshly bits spraying onto anything below.

Solomon Prey: "Weather Witch! My genetic experiments worked so well that I applied them to myself."

Solomon Prey was airborne flapping giant wings just above Ororo. Air force missiles struck him but did little damage. He was also immune to Ororo's heat and cold attacks.

Solomon Prey: "We will see who rules the sky!"

Ororo adjusted the winds sending her fleeing from the doctor/monster who gave hot pursuit.

T'challa was running toward a location that would place him in the No Where Room. Eric Killmonger popped out the ground blocking the entrance way.

Eric Killmonger: "Hello there big brotha!"

T'challa: "You mock my sister fiend!"

Eric Killmonger: "The panther god didn't want her so she is in hell as my Bi…"

T'challa punched Killmonger dislocating his jaw. Killmonger countered with a bear hug squeezing the life out of T'challa. T'challa snaked his hands into an under hook slipping beneath and escaping.

T'challa: "Eric. You have offended my family and you have offended the panther temple."

Eric Killmonger: "Ha you watch too many martial arts movies."

T'challa: "I knew that you couldn't resist following me so I planned ahead."

From out of the shadows appeared dozens, hundreds and then thousands of Dora Milage and Midnight Angels.

T'challa; "Shadow Physics! A science that I personally developed. These are my sisters Eric. They are family and I share this with them freely. You killed one of them and then you killed my sister. Now I could stay here and fight you for the millionth time but I have a country to save. I leave you in their capable hands. Ladies show Eric a good time at the Panther Festival."

The Adored Ones shoot metal hooks that pierce Killmongers extremities. Wrists and ankles are impaled as they drag him to the ground. His strength is zapped as more hooks plunge into his chest cavity disemboling him. He manages to swing one chain free until more Adored Ones grab hold restraining him. He is stabbed repeatedly, hacked, kicked and dragged through the streets. His body is dismembered and divided making it impossible to regenerate. When his demon army sees the ruthlessness of these women warriors upon their leader their soulless hearts sink. This is what happens when you invade Wakanda!

Eric Killmonger's Head On A Spear: "FRAK YOU T'CHALLA!"

Inside the No Where Room T'challa finds the the bottomless pit.

T'challa: "Doctor Doom. Are you ready?"

Dr. Doom: "The No Where Room has been altered to your specs T'challa. I put in some modifications of my own so fare thee well Black Panther!"

Modifications of my own was short for "Backdoor for Doom to plot and backstab again" so later T'challa would retrace the steps and counter Doom when the time was right.

T'challa leaps deep within the bottomless pit. He is transfigured to Mephisto's realm. He then goes to work.

Ororo: "Let's see how far you can go monster!"

Ororo soars up into the outer atmosphere pursued by a hungry Solomon Prey who ignores the rapid change of temperature.

Solomon Prey: "I can survive extreme weather conditions witch!"

Ororo: "You don't know the half!"

Ororo forms a seal of protection around herself from the cold that starts to freeze icicles on Solomon's wings.

Solomon Prey: "You are a mere mortal foolish woman while I am a god!"

Ororo: "I am an omega level mutant and a goddess. So if you are in fact a god then maybe you should have a glimpse of heaven!"

The earths wind rolls in synchronized harmony with the solar winds forming a vacuum vortex leading into outer space. Solomon is caught up in the undertow like pull of the wind and tossed into the deep dark blackness of space. He lets out one last scream… But in space no one can hear you scream.

Solomon froze over and floated away in a hibernated preserved state.

Since the army of the undead could not be killed the Wakandan forces were doing a slash and hack mission that involved dismemberments and separation of body parts to keep them from resurrecting as whole again. There were pits made for arms, pits made for legs, pits made for torsos, pits made for… You get the point!

Mephisto seeing defeat again decided to retreat back home below. That is when all hell broke loose.

T'challa had set up special freeze bombs that literally froze hell over releasing all the souls that Mephisto had collected.

Mephisto: "FRAK you T'challa!"

T'challa: "I get that a lot."

Mephisto: "It will take eons to unfreeze what you have done."

T'challa: "A gift from Doctor Doom. He often specializes in magic as I do too."

Mephisto: "Does this mean that the old you is back?"

T'challa: "No, but this does!"

T'challa pounces on Mephisto and rips his heart out… Again!

Mephisto: "Typical!"

Mephisto stands up, dusts himself off.

Mephisto: "Do you mind?"

T'challa hands him his heart back. Mephisto promptly places it back in his open chest.

T'challa: "The pleasure was all yours demon!"

T'challa Shadow Physically fades into darkness and vanishes.

Wakanda is cleaned up from festival confetti as well as twitching body parts. The nightmare in Wakanda was officially over.

That night T'challa slept like a baby. No new nightmares just visions of the past and a father that loved him unconditionally.

Ororo: "T'challa, are you awake?"

T'challa: "Peak human enhanced and at your service my lady!"

Ororo: "No not that… I just had a taste for pickles and ice cream!"

They warmly embrace as outside Wakandan warriors and their white wig wearing women pulled out their reinforced raincoats and did that thing that they do!




End of That Thing That You Do!



Flex!