BLACK PANTHER

CHAMPION OF WAKANDA #5

HOUSE DIVIDED PART 5

By:Jeremy Las Dulce/Jordan Bluford

In a covertly constructed laboratory deep within the palace, a mysterious entity awakens from its deep slumber. Moments later a loud crashing sound is heard from within. Shuri and T'Challa turn from Mr. Lycaon just in time to witness an anthropomorphic metal jaguar bursting through the front gate and sliding past them before erecting itself next to Mr. Lycaon.

Mr. Lycaon: Well that was a little more dramatic than anticipated but allow me to introduce you to my "parting gift", Jaguar 2.0.

T'Challa: That's impossible! You were buried beneath the debris. You should be dead right now.

Jaguar: Its take more than a little debris to kill me, your majesty. A true warrior never dies although I must admit you were more of a challenge then I had expected.

T'Challa: Same goes for you.

Jaguar: I aim to please.

Shuri: Alright, enough with the compliments. What is going on? Who is this?

Jaguar: Well Queen Shuri I didn't get to go up against you but your brother put up one hell of a fight, then again I would expect no less from your family.

Shuri: What history do you have with my family?

Jaguar: Have you ever heard of the Legend of the Jaguar and the Panther?

Shuri: No, what is that?

Jaguar: The legend speaks of two brothers, each desiring power and each believing in separate deities. When the time came to decide who would rule over the budding kingdom of Wakanda the Jaguar lost and his brother, the Panther banished him. I am the direct descendant of the Jaguar and have come to claim the throne just as my forefather once tried.

Shuri: Very well. So you're going to try and kill us now?

Jaguar: No, Queen Shuri I am not savage. looks at T'Challa Are you willing to have a rematch?

T'Challa: Very well. If you are defeated you will be trialed and judged no resistance or escape.

Jaguar: Gladly.

Shuri: What of Lycaon?

It was in that moment that Shuri and T'Challa realized Mr. Lycaon had long since disappeared.

T'Challa: Where did he…

T'Challa was interrupted by a blindly fast punch to the throat by Jaguar. T'Challa was sent flying back before smacking into the ground and rolling. He attempted to recover as he coughed heavily but was interrupted by a swift kick to the chest sending him upward into the air where he was promptly punched back into the ground. Jaguar then followed up with a series of powerful punches to the body before finally picking him up and tossing him several feet into a wall.

Jaguar: Is that all that you are worth?! FIGHT ME!

Jaguar then held out his hands and vibranium claws extended from his fingertips. He then rushed T'Challa and began to slash rapidly at his chest and arms. The claws ripped through his clothes and sliced his flesh with ease. Jaguar then grabbed T'Challa by his head and smacked him into the ground several times before letting him go and walking away. T'Challa slipped into unconsciousness as Jaguar approached Shuri.

DEEP WITHIN T'CHALLA'S UNCONSCIOUS MIND

Panther God: Do not give up T'Challa. Your forefathers have fought the Jaguars over the centuries. Call to them. Beseech them for their power and you shall receive it. You are the King of the Dead, long live the King.

Disembodied Spirits: LONG LIVE THE KING!

T'Challa began to rise from the ground as grey tinted black energy flew into his body through his freshly made wounds. His body became visibly stronger and his wounds healed. Jaguar turned back in shock as T'Challa slowly walked towards him. T'Challa's voice was soft and yet simultaneously loud as the undertone voice of the Panther God emulated from every word.

T'Challa: Jaguar! You rise to oppose the Panther Clan once again and just as before you shall be defeated, not only by me but every Black Panther before me. We are the one, We are the Panther, We are the King.

Jaguar: We shall see about that.

Jaguar then rushed T'Challa and began to rapidly slash at him. T'Challa effortlessly dodged each of his slashes which began to anger Jaguar. Jaguar then began to use a combination of kicks and punches that moved with enough speed to seem blurred. Even still T'Challa was unfazed. T'Challa than became tired of Jaguars futile attempts and grabbed his leg in mid strike. He tossed Jaguar up into the air and then jumped up to meet him in midflight. T'Challa then unleashed a blindly flurry of punches and kicks that warped and dented Jaguars metal body. Finally, before reaching the ground T'Challa kicked Jaguar downward with tremendous force causing him to impact into the ground. T'Challa then landed on top of him and with a single powerful punch crushed Jaguar into the ground forming a wide and deep crater. Jaguar's mechanical body was mangled and sparking but he was still "alive". T'Challa lifted him from the crafter and threw him before Shuri's feet. It was then that the energy left T'Challa's body and he collapsed from exhaustion.

Shuri pulls out her Kimoyo card and contact N'Gassi.

Shuri: A'Chima is dead. We have re-established control of Wakanda. I need a medical team to examine T'Challa immediately and a team of guards to begin capturing war criminals. I have one in custody now.

N'Gassi: It is as you command Queen Shuri

Shuri: The war is over, N'Gassi. Wakanda is ours once again.