BLACK PANTHER CHAMPION OF

WAKANDA #2

A HOUSE DIVIDED PART 2

By: Jeremy Las Dulce & Jordan Bluford

Wakanda was in engulfed in the chaos of rebellion. Buildings collapsed in flames and explosions could be heard rippling through the streets. Military forces fired at citizens and each other as the lines between the Rebels and the Loyalist were drawn. The once peaceful Wakanda became a war zone before the eyes of Shuri and T'Challa.

Shuri: This has gone too far! I will stop A'Chima and he will pay for what he has done!

Shuri readies herself and attempts to charge into the city. She is stopped by T'Challa grabbing her arm and pulling her to him.

T'Challa: No! This is exactly what he wants you to do. We must regroup and prepare to counter.

Shuri's face is twisted with anger and sadness. She shakes her head in agreement and T'Challa releases her. They both pull their mask overtop there face and disappear into the back allies. After evading rebels in the streets they eventually make their way to the Necropolis below the city.

As they entered the Necropolis they could hear footsteps deeper into the complex.

Mysterious Voice: Stop!

T'Challa: Who are you?

Mysterious Voice: I'm the one asking the questions here. Who are you?

T'Challa: I am T'Challa, King of the Necropolis

Shuri: and I am Shuri, the Queen of Wakanda

Mysterious Voice: My apologies your highnesses. I am Abimelech. My platoon was captured during the rebellion while defending the palace…I was the only one to escape.

T'Challa: Do you know where they are being held?

Abimelech: Yes. They are being held in a prison compound erects on towards the southern portion of the city. It's heavily guarded, I couldn't get in alone.

T'Challa: What are your orders, Queen Shuri?

T'Challa looks back at Shuri and Abimelech walks toward them and kneels.

Shuri: Freeing our people is our main priority but we must not sacrifice ourselves to achieve it. We will infiltrate the compound and then claim it as our new stronghold.

T'Challa: Excellent. We can use the Necropolis's tunnels to reach the compound. We should hurry.

They rush through the tunnels moving quickly towards the southern portion of the compound. They exit the tunnels just outside the gate and sneak past the guards entering the compound through an air vent. In the compound there are fifteen soldiers locked into makeshift cells

Solider #1: Queen Shuri. Lord T'Challa. You have come to rescue us.

T'Challa: Your comrade Abimelech led us to you.

Solider #1: Abimelech? You're still alive?

Abimelech: Yes sir. I was able to evade the enemy and escape.

Shuri, T'Challa, and Abimelech freed the soldiers and they gathered around in the center of room.

Shuri: Where are the other soldiers?

Soldier #1: These are the surviving members of the platoon my queen. Between the defectors and the dead I have no idea how many of us there are left.

Shuri: Then we will have to reclaim control ourselves. First we must establish a stronghold within

Wakanda. We will take this base.

Soldier #2: Yes my queen.

T'Challa: We currently have the element of surprise. We will ambush the guards and take control in one attack. Are you ready?

The soldiers lined up next to the front door of the room, armed with pipes and other blunt objects, while Shuri and T'Challa stood posed for action directly in front.

Shuri: Charge!

They burst through the doors catching the guards in the front off guard. Using their superior speed and strength T'Challa and Shuri quickly dispatched them with a series of well-placed punches. The soldiers flooded the room and where able to knock the remaining guards unconscious.

T'Challa: Have half the men secure the guards in the holding cells. The rest of you grab their weapons and follow me.

Now armed with the incapacitated guards guns the remaining soldiers follow the lead of Shuri and

T'Challa as they enter the front portion of the compound. Shuri and T'Challa rush the guards posted at the door while simultaneously drawing the fire of the other four guards in the room. They are able to dodge the fire and knock out the guards. In the confusion the remaining soldiers enter the room and brandish their weapons. The guards realize they are outmatched and drop their weapons. The soldiers escort the guards to the back of the compound where they are also placed in cells.

Shuri: The interior of the compound belongs to us. T'Challa and I will take out the remaining perimeter guard. I need a supply count and all soldiers ready to move upon our return.

Soldiers (unison): Yes my queen.

Shuri and T'Challa stealth fully exit the compound and using the cover of night knock out the perimeter guards and secure them in the holding cells themselves. When Shuri and T'Challa re-enter the room the soldiers are armed and at attention.

Shuri: Now that the compound is ours…..

Shuri's orders are interrupted as her Kimoyo card begins to vibrate. She reaches into the pocket that contains the card and answers as the voice of N'Gassi fills the room.

N'Gassi: Queen Shuri!

Shuri: N'Gassi! I'm glad to hear from you. Where are you?

N'Gassi: I am currently hidden in a bunker outside of the city limits. I was able to escape the palace during its capture.

Shuri: And my mother?

N'Gassi: She is safe but captive.

Shuri: Good. I need you to locate and contact the remaining forces still loyal to the crown. Tell to rally at the palace. We will reclaim Wakanda

N'Gassi: It is as you command my Queen.

N'Gassi's voice disappears and the kimoyo card deactivates as Shuri returns it to its proper location. She looks forward at the faces of the soldiers as they await their next commands. It is then that T'Challa steps forward.

T'Challa: My fellow soldiers although I may no longer be your king, but I am still the Black Panther and the Champion of Wakanda and like the rest of you I shall support Shuri. Not only because she is my sister but because she is my queen. We have a sworn duty to protect our motherland. We must band together not only a soldiers but as brothers, as Wakandians, and as brothers in arms. We must band together to defeat this rebellion and ensure the future of our country.

Soldiers (unison): For the Panther Tribe! For Wakanda! For Queen Shuri!

Shuri: We march on the palace at dawn!

The soldiers stomp their feet and brandish their guns across their chest. The forces of Wakanda are ready to strike.

With the loyalist forces armed and ready they prepare to seize the palace. What will await them at the palace gates? Will Shuri be able to reclaim her throne? Find out in Black Panther Champion of Wakanda Issue #3: A House Divided