The Game Cafe in Marvel and DC

95 – The Black Panther

Looking at the icon of Wakanda before me, I couldn't help but smile. The action drew the attention of Batman and Black Panther, and a dozen of my customers were watching the scene, some even recording it. The black hole within my chest pulsed with my excitement as if it was a heartbeat with how it thrummed with power. My glowing form became more vibrant with my excitement at having the two figures before me.

I knew who was under the costume. I could feel them. It was strange, knowing that the more time passed, the more I felt. Did you know what it was like to feel the heart of someone standing ten feet away from you beating? The sound of the blood pumping through their veins and organs, and I even felt the blood pumping into their brains. 

What excited me most was what I could feel and hear from the Panther before me, an old man with the body of someone who could only be described as superhuman.

"Greetings, Black Panther," I greeted the King before me with a bow, "My apologies, I was not expecting you so...soon."

The Costumed King looked around the store, eyeing the few who were recording before finally focusing on me. His words were measured: "Why?"

I deadpanned at the old man before me, "What's with all of you and your cryptic questions? Why what?" I emphasized. 

I could feel the King under the Vibranium suit frown as he looked around at all the people.

"Why have you intruded upon our Sanctuary?" He spoke.

"Because you people need to get off your asses and actually help," I spoke at first before realizing...I don't care and continued, "You are the most technologically advanced on all of the Earth, yet you do nothing to help. Sure, many would want your vibranium, but let me ask you this: what the hell are they going to do against your superior technology and abundant resources? You won't be able to sit back and watch for much longer as the world tears itself apart and threats arise to threaten the world and humanity as a whole. Whether you like it or not, you and your people will need to get involved, if not now, eventually."

I felt his heart speed up the more I talked; he was growing agitated or angry."You might think that you are yours are unique, but your...Sanctuary exists on many other Earths; nearly all of them were forced to reveal themselves, and there will be no difference on this Earth," I continued, my 'heart' pulsing with my words as I stepped closer and closer.

It was almost like I could feel Batman's confusion and agitation as I heard his muscles tense under the suit and his heart begin beating harder. He clearly had no idea who the Black Panther was; they must have stayed quiet, very rarely getting involved with anything outside of Wakanda if Batman didn't have any hint as to who stood before me.

It was clear that I angered the man before him, even though he showed no outward reaction to my statements, "The world is not ready. These petty, corrupt governments would vie and scheme for what we have. They would not accept help, and their arrogance and pride would stop them from accepting such a thing and seeing the bigger picture," the King argued.

"Such is human nature," I argued in return, shaking my head. You'd think that, given how long they had been watching, they'd be able to see that. 

Before I could continue my argument, I froze, hearing the sound of footsteps coming from the simulator.

Turning around, I was met with the visage of Joshua, who had just finished his daily routine of running the simulator till he was defeated.

If his glare and posture were anything to go by, Joshua was tense and tired. He must have been at it for hours, fighting in the Simulation. 

He looked between the three of us before simply stepping by and behind the counter before returning to his room. 

Seeing their gaze follow Joshua, I said, “If you both wish to learn, he does have a training program, something both of you could use. Joshua is probably one of the most experienced fighters on this planet due to his life in the Wasteland," I attempted to persuade the two, wanting them to get some more experience for what came ahead, as well as convince the two extremely wealthy and important before me to make countermeasures.

The Black Panther noticed my change in topic, and despite wearing a mask, I could feel his frown. 

"No. We...request that you close your store in our Sanctuary. Already, we have had to turn back a few dozen trying to enter our home," he explained before pointing at me with the clawed finger of his suit. You must

"No can do, I am afraid. Once a new entrance is opened, it will not close," I informed the King with a smile, making the King tense even further, as if preparing for a fight.

"However, I will not stop you from protecting yourselves; if anything, I encourage it if it gets you all up and active. You have spent far too long in peace that you have forgotten the true horrors of war, wars that will threaten to tear this world apart," I mused, delighting in the cues I got from their bodies regarding their agitation—or lack thereof, in Batman's case.

"What wars?" Batman asked.

"Wars that will threaten the survival of the human race. You do not think we are the only other ones in this galaxy, do you? Especially with the Kryptonian calling himself Superman flying around saving those in need," I nonchalantly explained again that Superman was indeed an alien, despite his human appearance.

"So others will come?" Batman questioned.

"Of course, such is the way of life, survival of the fittest," I quoted before looking at the queen, "And even they will be able to stomp on you. Your...advances may make you unbeatable against the rest of humanity, but it is just that, humanity. Those who rule over a thousand worlds and their fleets can change the planet into a desolate wasteland despite your technology and resources," I whispered straight into the ears of the King without moving.

I could see Batman's questioning glance, knowing full well that he'd be able to figure it all out with enough research, especially since the King decided to come into my store with the Icon of his people and his noticeable accent. It was simply a matter of time before Batman discovered the true secrets of Wakanda and its status as the strongest nation in the world due to its advanced technologies and plentiful Vibranium.

"Tell me, Black Panther, do you really believe that you can stay isolated from the larger world as the world advances? If not now, they will find out eventually," I stated, getting closer and closer to the King of Wakanda until I was towering over him.

"I...highly advise that you think over what I've said, and also, I suggest that you research what my store offers and return tomorrow morning and night," With a wave of my hand, the void gripped a hold of the old man, and dragged him into its depths, before depositing him back to his palace in Wakanda.

I heard movement behind me and found Batman on guard with a few batarangs in hand.

"What did you do?!" Batman demanded.

"I returned him home, the same as you," I said, transporting him through the void as well.

Ah. What a wonderful day that I've had so far.