Revamped!


Chapter 21: African Storms Part Five

Wakanda's Palace - 7:45 AM

Imanu kneels beside T'Challa's pit and starts digging through the earth as fast as he can. He's studied the astral plane as well and isn't sure if this would work or kill him. What if he's dead in there? For Black Panthers, those who consumed the Heart-Shaped Herb are put into a slumber and buried. Their soul would spend some time in the Astral Plane and they would leave by digging themselves out.

If King T'Challa is trapped in the astral plane and didn't get himself out, would this kill him? Imanu doesn't remember reading that in the textbook and given that Iqadi is attempting to stop a potent storm caused by her potentially brainwashed mother, T'Challa would want him taking that risk. If not, then his father-in-law would haunt all of his nightmares from now on.

He's thought about Iqadi being in here one day and he would dig her out if she was stuck in there. Not even a second thought.

Imanu stops digging when he feels something cold. Skin. Imanu pushes all the dirt around it and can make out King T'Challa's body. His hands are on his chest and Imanu digs upwards to find his neck. Imanu rests two fingers on the side, leaning in closer to hear even the slightest pulse.

He can't find one.

"Please, oh please…" Imanu mutters, praying to his king and the almighty Panther god.

Imanu lingers there for a moment longer before falling back. Tears spring to his eyes as he sits in the mess of dirt he made. He thought he had a solid plan: that King T'Challa would emerge and solve all the problems. But no. Now Wakanda's being torn to pieces and Imanu doesn't know how Iqadi's doing. It can't be well if the storm's still happened and she isn't here to tell him she did it.

Then something bursts out of the pit. Imanu screams, scooting back until he crashes into a fence for the heart-shaped herb garden. He looks at the pit and sees that it's an arm.

Imanu runs back and grabs King T'Challa's hand, pulling him out until he sits up. He's shaken, disoriented, and confused when he sees Imanu with tears and relief on his face.

"There's a lot to explain," Imanu tells him. "My King, Queen Ororo said you were dead and is now destroying Wakanda with an intense storm because something's corrupted her mind to believe the country's burning! She has all these false thoughts filling her mind and Iqadi's out there, trying to stop her and she believed her mother when she said you were dead."

That's when Imanu realizes what's happening. The King is dead and the country is on fire.

"Whatever is in her mind is bringing down the country by destroying the monarchy and its land," Imanu says.

T'Challa stares at him for a moment. "...then why are you still standing there, boy, we have to stop this!"

The moment King T'Challa stands up, windows shatter, letting in the winds and rain. They knew this was bad because this was one of the most heavily secured rooms in the palace.

"Stay here," T'Challa commands him.

"No," Imanu says. He can't believe he just denied his father-in-law and the King. "I can't do that and I won't. The Queen is in trouble and my wife is trying to solve it all on her own. I'm the Prince Consort and I will try my best to help. You need me."

"And we'll need that."

Imanu follows T'Challa's arm and it's pointing right at the heart-shaped herb.

-o-

Iqadi stands up, ripping off her mask. The rain stabs her face and she can't tell if the drops on her face are tears or rain. Her hair sticks directly on her face and her spirits drop as she looks at the destroyed town around her. She can't even recognize where she is in Wakanda. Iqadi is about to raise her arms and try again but she stops when she sees Imanu running up to her.

"Iqadi!" He yells. "You have to listen to me!"

"Imanu, I have never done this before!" Iqadi screams, about to collapse into tears. "I don't know if I can hold a storm big enough to do this!"

"I know … if you must stop then do so. There are other ways we can handle this."

Iqadi lowers her arms and lets the rain and winds hit her. She and Imanu hide behind a torn building where Ororo can't see them.

"She doesn't see you as yourself," Imanu says. Iqadi tilts her head, needing more information. "Iqadi, someone or something has invaded her mind. Everything she has told you is a lie."

Iqadi lights up a little. "She told me my father was dead."

"He's very well alive."

Iqadi perks up, feeling her needed energy come back to her. Her father is alive. She isn't The Black Panther. The mantle isn't hers. They can win this. Before she could go out there, she sees some military heads running up to her fully armed. For now, they need a leader, someone who can give them orders so they can help protect Wakanda.

"Princess, what do we do?" One guard asks. "The Queen's powers are banging against the barrier, almost breaking them from both sides. Elements are trying to break out and in. Outside lands are being affected. All of Africa could be in danger."

"We need to get her out of the sky," a second says. "The Queen's out of her mind."

"There is a contingency plan for this," a third adds.

Iqadi zones out, that statement echoing in her head louder than her mother's thunder. The moment she heard those two cursed words, contingency plan, she was immediately reminded of the number one reason as to why her life has been a personal hell for herself for the past seven years. The version of the plan that she made for some of the most important people in her life, despite being hidden away, still managed to haunt her occassionally by reminding her about the cruel tactics she has written down.

"Princess?" A guard questions, regaining her attention. Iqadi clears her throat.

"It's either her or Wakanda, maybe even all of Africa!" The second guard yells. "We don't know the perimeter of this storm!"

Iqadi remembers what her father said to get her to do the plan. That was what convinced her all those years ago. It would be for Wakanda's benefit. Her father probably would've gotten the plans but found a way around that would get to the same result. Her mother would have probably ordered her to do the same thing. On a normal day, Iqadi obeys their orders.

Not today, though.

This day was far from normal and it isn't even close to being noon yet.

She remembers the way her mother was when her father was in danger. Not only today but in the stories. They first met because she saved him. Their relationship is based on their power to protect each other and they pour that love out to Wakanda and herself.

Iqadi takes a breath, finding one of her hands hovering over her abdomen. A plague of memories she never wanted to see again seemed to flash back into her mind at every flash of lightning. She instantly shakes her head and regains focus. Iqadi clenches her fist.

"My father made that plan but he isn't here now, is he?!" Iqadi screams at them. "If any of you go near that contingency plan, I will kill you myself!"

The guards say nothing but obey her. Imanu remains silent by Iqadi's side.

Iqadi takes a breath. "I will handle my mother. Round up civilians and get them as far from the centre of the storm. Tell them to remain calm and be sure to tend to any injuries."

"It would be safer and quicker for them to go underground," Imanu says.

Iqadi nods, motioning an arm to say to follow those orders. The guards all disperse in separate, listening to Imanu.

When they're alone, Iqadi and Imanu look up at Ororo.

"We need to get her out of the sky," Iqadi says. "Once she's on the ground, we'll figure out what to do."

"You can't take her down with a simple gust of wind," Imanu tells her. "It won't even faze her."

Iqadi sighs. She has no idea. She looks at Imanu, hoping that he would have an answer. He's silent. They're hopeless.

"Take this."

Iqadi turns around and sees her father suited up. Her father is alive. She isn't The Black Panther. The mantle isn't hers. There isn't time for a tearful rejoice for his awakening but she smiles brightly at him.

Iqadi looks and sees him holding the heart-shaped herb. Iqadi looks up at her father and sees the certitude in his eyes. She glances at Imanu and he's biting down on his lips, nodding.

"I can't…" Iqadi mutters. "We don't know what it'll do to me."

"Darling, you're a Black Panther," T'Challa tells her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "But more importantly, you're my daughter. Whatever happens, you will make it work."

"What if this doesn't work?"

"I don't believe that."

Iqadi stares at her father. Never in her whole life did she see her father have this much faith in her until now. With a shaky hand, she takes the fruit. Iqadi runs back into the storm, standing right below her mother who looks down at her with an evil smirk.

"You have no idea what you're up against!" Ororo yells at her.

"That makes two of us…" Iqadi responds as she takes a bite out of the heart-shaped herb.

Iqadi drops the fruit as its bitter taste enters her mouth. Once she swallows, she falls onto the mud. Her whole body starts cramping up and her arms, legs, and back are limp. Slowly, lying on the ground in puddles of dirt and debris are pain and agony. Her father and Imanu aren't that far, staring at her. Their last hope is a failure. She can't be the Black Panther. She watches as Imanu tries to run to her but T'Challa stops him. Iqadi attempts to stretch an arm to reach him and that's when something snaps inside of her.

Spurts of spasms release in all her joints, causing her to stand up again. Tears form in her eyes as lightning fills her sights and the skies above. Her whole country right before her eyes rocks with calls of thunder. Her brain boils in the juices of the heart-shaped herb. Adrenaline pours into her bloodstream, but it has nowhere to go so it bursts outwards in roars of thunders, winds, rains, and lightning.

She is bionic.