BLACK PANTHER CHAMPION OF WAKANDA #4

The Lion Tribes elite warriors entered the throne room through the destroyed castle wall. Clad in golden armor this all female warrior group stood posed for assault. It was then that the lead Golden Lioness aimed her crossbow at Shuri and T'Challa before firing.

Shuri: LOOK OUT!

Shuri and T'Challa rolled out of the way as the arrow came into range and detonated. The explosion was small but powerful; sending pieces of stone into the air.

Shuri: I will take care of this. T'Challa, take the men and stop A'Chima.

T'Challa: It is as you command.

T'Challa gestures for the Loyalist forces to advance from the hallway and through the now created opening. As T'Challa passed the Golden Lioness's they made no effort to stop him or even recognize his presence, they all remained fixated solely on Shuri who stood erect before them.

Lead Lioness: Queen Shuri it is a pleasure to face you in combat. My women and I have dedicated our lives to becoming the strongest warriors of the Lion Tribe.

Shuri: Then we shall see how strong you truly are.

Shuri begins to charge towards the Lioness's who raises their crossbows and release a volley of explosive arrows. Shuri undeterred pushes forward while dodging the explosions. She quickly serpentines through the chaos of the arrow volley until she closes the distance between the Lead Lioness and herself. She then jumps into the air, front flips, and brings her leg down on the Lioness's head. The Lead Lioness blocks Shuri's kick with minimal effort and grabs her leg before throwing her backwards. Shuri recovers with a slide and remains in a pouncing position.

Lead Lioness: I like your tenacity, you remind me of one of us. Do not interfere with this fight. I will defeat her myself.

The remaining Lioness's lower their crossbows and stood quietly as the Lead Lioness stepped forward and assumed a combat stance.

Shuri: You will regret not fighting me all at once.

Shuri then charges the Lead Lioness with a wide right slash but is blocked by the Lead Lioness's right forearm. The Lead Lioness then follows up with a strong left jab. Shuri counters by rolling around the Lioness and sweep kicking her. The Lioness recovers almost instantly and sweeps Shuri who jumps over the Lioness's leg. Then in an almost immediate response the Lioness comes up and lands a powerful uppercut to Shuri's jaw. Shuri flips backwards in the air and slides across the ground. She is stunned for a short time but recovers. Shuri then rushes the Lioness, who has returned to her original combat stance,

and exchanges a rapid flurry of slashes, kicks, and acrobatic attacks that begin to slowly overwhelm the Lead Lioness. Once her guard was broken Shuri lets up on her assault allowing the Lioness to strike out with a right jab. Shuri formed a fist with both her hands and knocked the Lioness arm up before closing the distance between them and using her claws to rip the armor off from its joints. Once the armor was sufficiently disabled Shuri went behind the Lioness and whispered.

Shuri: It seems I am the strongest warrior.

Shuri then grabbed the Lioness's crossbow and shot the roof down above the remaining Lioness's. They reacted but not in enough time to dodge the falling debris which crushed them to the ground. Shuri then walked out of the throne room through the hole the Gorilla Mecha had made.

Shuri: Hail to the Queen

ELSEWHERE

T'Challa and the remaining Loyalist forces arrived outside of the castle were they were confronted by a group of Gorilla Mechas. They stood nearly eight feet tall with large pneumatic arms and mechanical legs. The entire mecha was covered in armor plating and the head of the mechas released powerful sonic roars which easily deafened the Loyalist.

T'Challa: Is M'Baku among you

The Gorilla Mechas roared but did not move.

T'Challa: I'll take that as him not being home.

The Gorilla Mechas rear up on their legs and pound their chest before charging at T'Challa and the Loyalist forces. They all separate and dodge the incoming Gorillas. The Loyalist open fire on the mechas but have almost no affect on the armored shell of the mechas. The Gorillas continued their attacks throwing the Loyalist into chaos, wounding several of them. During this time T'Challa stood calmly and analyzed the situation. The Gorillas Mecha then stopped and took notice of T'Challa.

T'Challa: Do you really believe a simple machine can defeat me?!

The Gorilla Mechas charged towards T'Challa who in a display of acrobatic grace rolled out of the way. When the Gorilla Mechas stopped their assault and turned T'Challa had disappeared. Within moments however T'Challa dropped down on the back of one of the Mechas and with a powerful slash to the neck ripped out several electrical wires. The Gorilla Mecha fell as they swarmed to attack him. T'Challa utilized his superior speed and agility to dodge the less than agile mechas while slowly wearing their numbers down. In the end only two mechas remained and they were counter imposed on either side of T'Challa. T'Challa then stood calmly and gestured for them to attack him. Taking the bait the mechas charge at T'Challa simultaneously and when they were within range T'Challa jumped into the air prompting the Gorilla Mechas to smash into each other. T'Challa then landed on the backs of the collided mechas and with two shift strikes disabled the mechas.

T'Challa: Scour the city! Do not let A'Chima escape!

The Loyalist forces went into the city and begin looking for A'Chima. They searched for nearly two days but they eventually found him hiding in a newly constructed hidden bunker in the southern portion of the city. The Loyalist killed A'Chima's guards and dragged him to the Palace. Outside stood T'Challa and Shuri along with N'Gassi and Ramanda The Loyalist placed A'Chima on his knees before them.

Shuri: You have created rebellion and chaos within your own country. You are unworthy of being called Wakandian.

A'Chima: Please Queen Shuri! Have mercy on me!

T'Challa: Mercy? There will be no mercy. You will answer to your crimes and face punishment for your crimes against the nation and it's Queen.

A'Chima begins to become desperate and panicked.

A'Chima: It wasn't my fault! They made me do it!

Shuri: Who made you do it?

A'Chima: IT WAS….

As A'Chima opened his mouth his head was separated from his shoulders. It seems there was a small explosive device attached to the jewelry that A'Chima once wore as a sign of his regality. It was then that the Gorilla Mechas and the Lioness Armor begin to emit a high pitched sound followed by the partial electrocution of its operators and ultimately ending with their complete collapse.

T'Challa: What in the name of...

Mr. Lycaon: Hello Black Panther, Queen Shuri. My name is Mr. Lycaon, an associate of the now departed A'Chima.

Shuri: So it was you who brought my country into chaos.

Mr. Lycaon: Oh hardly Madame. Your country was so easy to manipulate with its internal strife and neighboring enemies. All it needed was a little push.

Shuri: YOU BASTARD!

Mr. Lycaon: Ah,Ah,Ah. Is that really something you should say before I give you my parting gift?

What is this mysterious parting gift? Who is Mr. Lycaon? What is in store for Wakanda? Find out in Black Panther Champion of Wakanda Issue 5: House Divided Part 5