G.I. Joe - Cobra Strikes Back

Prologue

Note: Takes place after G.I. Joe Issue #301...

Cobra Commander sits on a log staring at a reflection of his face from his helmet. With a defeated and frustrated sigh, he throws it into the darkness of the woods before grabbing the pistol he used to shoot Wade Collins and pointing it to the side of his head. He closes his eyes and prepares to pull the trigger when...

"You've done well, even in your human state.", a female voice calls out stopping him. "To think a used car salesman would create a very powerful organization that would force the government to send their best to take you."

"Here on behalf of something I've done.", Cobra Commander said putting his gun down. "If it's revenge you want, have at it. If it's restitution there's nothing left."

"What I want, Cobra Commander, is to elevate you. To make you the leader that now you can only pretend to be.", the woman said emerging from the darkness holding the discarded helmet. Though she is completely cloaked, Cobra Commander can easily tell she isn't human.

"A generous offer, but why me?", Cobra Commander asks suspiciously. "This isn't the first time, I've gone through this."

"You are uniquely resilient.", the woman answers. "You've gone through many events that would've made any normal person mad or forfeit, yet you continue with your conquest."

"Continue?", Cobra Commander scoffs. "After what happened in Springfield and Cobra Island, I'm done with all this."

"And that is why I'm here. To help you rise among kings.", the woman said removing her hood. "But since before you were born, you have been conspired against. By those who fear how formidable you could become."

"This is the first time we've met, yet I feel like I've known you.",

"How do you know this? Who are you?", Cobra Commander asks. "This is the first time we've met, yet I feel like I've known you for a long time."

"I am Pythona.", Pythona answers before opening up a clam revealing an image. "And it is time for you to fulfill your destiny. Behold you're family history and heritage."

As Cobra Commander watches what was shown to him, his depression slowly becomes a mesmerized look as a thunderstorm shrouds over them. As the thunderclaps, Cobra Commander gives off an evil smile.

Unknown to either of them a mysterious figure watches the whole thing unfold, sadly shaking his head before disappearing.

Few months later in an Unknown location...

From a distance, an elderly man watches a woman playing with her son. He feels a strong wind breeze and smiles.

"Captain Eagle, Geras, my old friend. It's been years. It is good to see you.", the man said.

"Likewise, Russel Abernathy. I see you are still well despite your current age. You are relishing your role as a grandfather.", Eagle said.

"I regret leaving my family after the 2nd World War due to my trauma, which is why is must make it up by being there for my grandson. Which is why I am forever grateful for saving Carolee from her attempted murder. Though it pains me to keep this from my son all these years.", Russel said as Eagle pet a robotic dog.

"Your family took me in when others shunned me away.", Eagle explains. "I am forever in their depth."

"While I am happy to see you, you don't usually come unless there's trouble.", Russel said. "What worries you?"

"I have bore witness to a great danger.", Eagle said. "Your ancestors have altered the destinies of certain malefactors to neutralize them, but already one of them is defying that destiny: Cobra Commander."

"Go on.", Russel said as his face hardened.

"He has escaped his meaningless life and is on his way to becoming a powerful leader. He has already unlocked several lost Cobra secrets.". Eagle said revealing a holo image of Cobra Commander entering a temple bearing the Cobra insignia.

"This should not be possible.", Russel said. "My ancestors have destroyed all evidence of the Cobra Clan and ensure their descendants do not know their history."

"And their work was flawless. For it would've been Cobra Commander's fate to fail with his conquest had someone not interfered.", Eagle explains.

"Interfered? By who?", Russel said. Eagle reveals a holo vid of Cobra Commander and Pythona's first meeting.

"Cobra Commander was visited by this person. It is she who made this all possible.", Eagle explains.

"Who is she?", Russel asks.

"I don't know, but judging from her knowledge it is safe to say that she is responsible for sending Cobra all those years ago.", Eagle said. "Why now, is uncertain, but know that this planet's peace may already be compromised."

"I appreciate this warning, Eagle. It seems I may have to use those favors and connections after all.", Russel said. "A while I don't doubt my son's G.I. Joe team they are not trained for this sort of thing. Ready your team for battle."

Eagle nods before vanishing again.

Cobra Commander enters what appears to be a shrine within a temple and finds a suit of armor with various types of weapons next to it. Then the room lights up revealing spoils of treasure around him.

"Does this lift any doubt left in you?", Pythona asks appearing out of nowhere.

"The money only solves half my problem. My beating from Serpentor Khan shows that I must have the strength to control my army.", I am nothing without my power suit and this armor is too heavy for me to use."

"Then it is fortunate that your predecessor came prepared.", Pythona said revealing two vials in front of the armor. "These vials contain Venom made from mutagenic spores researched by your predecessor. It alone can make an ordinary ten times stronger, but combined with animal DNA..."

Pythona picks up a vial and adds some blood drops into it.

"This vial contains the gene of the King Cobra on this planet. Drink this and you'll become beyond a man.", Pythona said handing the Commander the vial. "With knowledge of the modern world and the legacy of your ancestor, you'll become once more the Warrior King."

With a deep breath, Cobra Commander drinks the vial and his body enters excruciating pain as it transforms. As this happens Pythona disappears into the shadows. After some time, Cobra Commander grabs the helmet from the display stand and places it on his head, before opening his eyes revealing them to be snake-like.

"I'm back in business.",