In the heart of Wakanda sat a large mountain known as the Great Mound. The area held the nation’s greatest resource: Vibranium. This incredible, sound-absorbing metal had been the source of Wakanda’s advanced technology for centuries. Wakandans working in the mines considered it an honor to be chosen for such a role. Today, however, many of them did not feel very honored.

“Look out!” a miner shouted.

TICK, TICK, TICK BOOM!

An explosion rocked the Great Mound as the White Gorilla Cultists stormed the area. They were led by a fearsome warlord known as M’Baku, who directed his mercenaries to destroy everything. Their savagery was known throughout Wakanda. However, their exact motives remained unclear. They hadn’t stolen anything, nor had they before. Their only mission, it seemed, was to terrify.

“Run for your lives!” another miner yelled.

Terrified workers scattered in all directions as cultists ravaged the area. Pandemonium overtook the Mound as miners desperately defended themselves against the brutal attack.

A cultist raised his spear high into the air above an innocent miner, but before he could land a blow, a silent black streak darted across the Great Mound at lightning speed.

It was the Black Panther, and he was angry. He pounced on the cultist, ripping the spear from his hand and tossing him through the air!

The fallen cultist scoffed. “You have no idea what’s coming.”

The ominous warning struck fear in Black Panther’s heart. Avengers business had kept him busy. He’d been spending more time outside of Wakanda than he was used to, and it left him feeling as if he didn’t know what was going on inside his own country.

“What do you want?” Black Panther growled.

“You’ll see,” the cultist sneered.

“Where is M’Baku?” Black Panther asked. Before he could answer, a new commotion swept through the Mound.

“Clear out!” a cultist roared. The cultists were retreating. They’d released a smoke bomb that coated the area in a thick cloud of fog to mask their exit.

As the smoke cleared, Black Panther was left with even more questions.

“Is everyone all right?” Black Panther asked the miners.

“No!” a voice shouted. “We are not all right!” An angry miner named Ato barreled to the front of the throng.

“Speak freely, Ato, so that you may be heard,” Black Panther said.

Ato’s body tensed as he described the situation.

“These White Gorilla Cultists have attacked the Great Mound three times in the past month. And for what?!” Ato shouted.

He paced back and forth with a nervous energy. “They do not steal our Vibranium. Why then do they attack? When will this violence stop?!” Ato looked at his fellow miners for approval. He hoped they, too, would speak up, but the crowd hung their heads low and remained silent.

Ato turned his attention back to Black Panther. “Where have you been, dear king? Do you not know what is happening in your own kingdom?”

Black Panther prided himself on being a kind and approachable leader. He wasn’t used to being confronted with such anger from one of his own people. Ato’s frustration was unmistakable. Black Panther wondered if his response would be enough. He considered his words carefully before speaking. “I’m aware of these previous assaults. I understand the terrible toll they’ve taken. I’m currently investigating the situation,” he explained.

“Ha!” Ato cackled. He turned, pointing to the other frustrated miners. “And you think this brings us comfort? We need a leader. Meanwhile, our king is too busy being a Super Hero.”

Ato’s words stung. Black Panther cared deeply for the Wakandan people and had always done what he felt was in their best interest. Being an Avenger and defending the Earth was part of that mission. Now he wasn’t so sure it was the best course of action.

“Your father was devoted to his country. He died protecting it,” Ato said.

Black Panther’s anger began to rise. “I love this country and will do anything to protect its people.”

“Prove it,” Ato said.

“Enough!” Black Panther turned and addressed the crowd with authority. “It’s true that I have a life outside our nation.

I’m proud to walk among Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, but hear me when I say they do not own me. I am not at their beck and call.”

FWOOOOM!!! A mechanical roar sounded in the distant sky, moving closer by the second. It was the Quinjet, chosen mode of transportation for the Avengers. The craft landed on the edge of the Great Mound as the assembled miners stared with curiosity.

“Do you see? Do you see? Our king’s masters are here to collect him,” Ato said, turning to the other miners. “These people and their ugly spacecrafts. A Wakandan could create something ten times better.”

The ship’s door opened as Captain Marvel, Captain America, and War Machine stepped out.

“Looks like you’ve got a real party going on here,” War Machine joked. Black Panther's eyes narrowed.

“I’m dealing with a situation that requires my full attention. What brings you to Wakanda?” he asked.

“We need to speak with you,” Captain America said. “We wouldn’t have come all this way if it wasn’t important.”

Ato released a hearty chuckle. “Then it is confirmed!” he said, turning to the crowd once again. “Do you not see? He is owned by these Avengers. Our king serves another master.”

Captain America turned to Black Panther and gently grabbed his arm.“Is there a place we can speak privately?” he asked.

“We’ll go to the capital,” Black Panther said, pulling away from his grip. “To the royal palace.”

“Yes, go to your shimmering palace, away from the people,” Ato said.

Ato’s rudeness agitated Captain Marvel.

“Watch it, buddy!” she shouted. “Black Panther is still your king!”

Ato sneered and picked up his broken tools as the crowd dispersed. Black Panther was impressed with his people’s continued resilience in the face of danger. I will get to the bottom of this, he thought. The Avengers headed toward the Quinjet for the short journey to the capital of Wakanda.

War Machine noticed Black Panther’s frustration and tried to lighten the mood. “Tough crowd, man,” he said with a smile.

“I can’t believe you let that guy talk to you like that,” Captain Marvel said.

“I didn’t let him do anything. I merely listened,” Black Panther said. “Respect isn’t demanded, Captain. It’s earned.”

“You got that right!” Captain Marvel replied.

Black Panther pulled Captain America aside to speak privately as the others boarded the ship. “The people are tense. My duties as an Avenger have kept me away from my duties as the King of Wakanda. A mysterious enemy has chosen to take advantage of this. It’s a matter I look forward to handling on my own.”

Captain America nodded. CAGQhDiMCOnAZSLC3nyGfRUdPUGuJLfB5/oe+LFFSHSkHxLvlsMU1ZO15IgTsXh2