Wakanda

It had been long since the man known by his people as T’Challa had set foot, or even laid his eyes, upon his native soil. For weeks now the Black Panther had been caught up in affairs with the beautiful mutant known as Storm and the most recent bearer of the War Machine armor*. The Black Panther was still licking his wounds after the encounter. The new War Machine was barely more than a maniac in a tin suit. His ignorance and anger had nearly gotten both Storm and the Panther killed on more than one occasion during their fight with Aziz.

[* See the M2K mini-series Marvel Knights Adnan Khan - David]

Aziz was dead now though, dead at the hands of War Machine. But Aziz wasn’t the only one to have lost his life. The man who had brought the black plague to Egypt was dead too. The Black Panther had been the one to kill him. He could still see the pain and confusion in the eyes of the man as the Black Panther had pierced his chest*. Killing was not something the Panther did willingly or easily. But he had done it all the same. It was something he would have to think of, to remember. Taking another man’s life was not something you could easily forget.

[* In Marvel Knights #6 - David]

But now the Black Panther was home. His senses were gradually becoming rejuvenated as he stalked through the familiar confines of his jungle. His aches and pains faded away, both in his body and in his mind. His heart beat with a pounding rhythm, the thudding of blood in his ears and in his spirit. He was headed to a spot he had frequented many times in his life as King of Wakanda. Warrior Falls. From that high threshold nearly all of the hidden land could be surveyed. It had been quite some time since he had been there. It was time he visited again.

The Black Panther crept through the jungle and slipped silently onto the face of the ridge. The falls crashed down to the mighty river below with a thunderous cacophony of sound. The Black Panther closed his eyes, allowing the sounds and scents to overwhelm him completely. In years past, warriors had come to these falls as one of the tests to prove their bravery and skill. The falls were very high. If a warrior were to dive from this high point and make but one mistake, it would mean his death.

T’Challa had jumped from these cliffs many times before. The first time had been frightening. But as the water had rushed up to greet his youthful face, the Panther had awoken within him. He had split the water with his body perfectly and when he had arisen, he had cried like a warrior long into the night. The jungle had heard his cries on that day. On that day T’Challa had been made King.

A snap.

It was a sound T’Challa knew well. Someone was approaching through the jungle. The Panther had been so caught up in his thoughts and memories that he had been ignoring his senses. The sound from the jungle had been close, much too close for comfort. The Black Panther focused his senses in the direction the sound had originated from and immediately tensed. There was more than just a single presence within the lush green blanket of trees. Many more.

They were too close for T’Challa to make any type of move away from the cliffs. If they were enemies he would have to stand his ground and fight here. The wind was at T’Challa’s back. It was making it difficult for him to catch the scent of whoever was approaching. He was both blind and unable to place a particular smell to his mysterious guests. All the Black Panther had to use were his ears.

They were enough.

“There are seven of you. Tell me what business you have approaching the King of this country on his ancestral homeland?” stated the Panther clearly and firmly. It was the voice of a King. The movement grew quicker, more decisive. The jungle split and the Black Panther finally had a vision to place next to the sounds his guests had made.

“What manner of creatures?” muttered the Black Panther to himself as he took stock of what stood before him. Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Giant Man, the Wasp, Hawkeye and Quicksilver. They all stood before the Black Panther with rage and animosity etched on their features and in the line of their bodies. They stood ready for battle. They stood ready to attack.

“You are not the Avengers,” said the Black Panther as his senses finally caught up to his brain and forced him to calm. The scent of the men and the woman blocking his way back to the jungle came to him. These were people he knew well, members of his own tribal nation.

But the scents had been altered slightly. Changed by the cybernetic implants that were strewn throughout the bodies of each of them. The Black Panther could see the modifications and for a moment he thought he could also see the pain in his people’s eyes.

“Who did this to you? M’Bala, Lu’Kana, tell me,” said the Black Panther, but it was not his voice. It was not the voice of a warrior, but the voice of a whimpering child, the voice of a sobbing woman that cracked and was carried away by the wind.

“I’m not sure who you are, imposter, but my name is Captain America. I’m looking for the real Black Panther. You would seem to be our best bet towards finding him. Take us to him, or suffer the consequences,” stated M’Bala in a voice that sounded so unlike his native tongue that the Black Panther could hardly believe it was his friend that was speaking. All traces of his accent were gone. The voice was crisp, clean.

“Like Captain America’s voice,” said the Black Panther silently and then all the air rushed out of his body as the member of his tribe dressed like Quicksilver raced over to him and slammed a fist into his stomach.

“Who else would he sound like, imposter?” growled the tribesman Quicksilver as he battered on the Black Panther with increasingly fast and furious blows. The Black Panther gritted his teeth against the pain and shot out a hand, swiping the Quicksilver imposter across the chest. The fabric of the tribesman’s costume tore away and blood leapt from the wound. The imposter Quicksilver raced backwards and the Black Panther eyed all of the pseudo-Avengers warily.

Though the fresh smell of blood had mixed in with the other scents assaulting the Panther, he suddenly recognized another. His eyes widened and he scanned the trees for the bearer of the familiar scent. A flash of crimson energy suddenly erupted from the deep darkness of the jungle and cut through the rock at T’Challa’s feet. The jungle burned from the passing of the twin energy beams.

As the Black Panther fell down, plummeting towards the treacherous waters below, he gazed up at the ersatz-Avengers glaring down at him. They were all dressed as they had been long ago. Quicksilver wore a costume of green and white, Iron Man’s armor was a model that hadn’t been in use for many years, Giant Man and the Wasp had on styles that had long been abandoned through the passage of time, and Captain America had a V on the cowl that covered his face instead of an A.

“They are all changed. Even Captain America. But I know why, I know by whom,” said the Black Panther, but his further thoughts went unspoken as his strong frame hit the unrelenting water. An eternity passed. It never rose to the surface.

“He is dead,” said the tribesman in the guise of Iron Man. The other pseudo-Avengers gathered around him and peered off the side of what was left of the cliff of Warrior Falls.

“The master has killed him,” said the Wasp imposter.

“No. He is still alive,” said a voice from behind them all. The tribal Avengers stiffened at the sound of the voice and turned towards the jungle. The thick, lush foliage parted and two figures emerged from the depths. One was robotic in nature, similar in design to the Ultron models. The body of the robot curved more in keeping with a woman’s figure. The armor was colored scarlet red and fashioned to look like a tight-fitting one-piece outfit. The outfit of the Scarlet Witch.

The other figure was more humanoid in appearance, but not human. His skin was crimson and his eyes blazed the same. Those eyes regarded the ersatz-Avengers coldly. He was cloaked in yellow and green. A yellow cloak billowed behind him and he seemed to pass through the brush of the jungle like a ghost.

“Vision, our master,” said the tribesmen who now considered themselves Avengers, in unison. The Vision approached them with the Scarlet Witch robot at his side. She clung to his cloak and his body like a child. The Vision paid her no notice. Ever since the Vision had betrayed the Avengers and fled with her, she had been utterly devoted to him*.

[* See Avengers #7 - David]

“Should we pursue the imposter?” asked the faux-Captain America and the Vision shook his head slightly.

“No, the Black Panther is doing exactly as I wish. Soon he and all the others will be within my grasp,” said the Vision and then turned on his heels and moved away from the cliff. Soon the other faux-Avengers followed, and the jungle was silent again.

“Think you’re pretty slick, don’tcha?” yelled Hawkeye as he fired a few more arrows in the direction of the young telekinetic known as Justice. Justice took hold of the arrows and gave them a slight push with his mind. They reversed and flew directly for the purple-clad archer, slamming into the wall he had been standing in front of moments before.

“Not slick - Just confident that you’re not going to hit me with any of those arrows,” said Justice as he wheeled around through the air, pivoting his body and making any shot Hawkeye attempted that much more difficult.

Hawkeye grinned and nocked another arrow.

“Try this on for size, sonny boy,”

The arrow sprang free of Hawkeye’s bow and rocketed at Vance Astro with tremendous speed. Justice grinned himself. If Hawkeye couldn’t nail him with three arrows, how would he get him with one? He took a telekinetic hold on the arrow and then blinked as the arrow kept coming. It hit Vance square in his chest and rocked him back. A net sprung around him and he fell to the ground in a heap.

“Exercise over,” commanded Captain America from the observation room above their heads. Vance cursed under his breath and glared at Hawkeye who was approaching with a big smile on his face.

“How did you do that?” he asked and Hawkeye’s smile broadened.

“Don’t get all worked up, Vancey. Old Hawkeye just tricked ya, that’s all,” Hawkeye said and picked up the arrow that had hit Vance. He put it together with another arrow he had been holding in his hand and they clicked into place.

“The arrow I shot at you was a little something I like to call a double-whammy. You stop the first piece with your telekinesis and the second piece breaks free and keeps on comin’,” Hawkeye said and chuckled.

“I knew you were getting confident so I figured you’d give the first arrow time to get close enough for the second arrow to whack ya.”

Vance groaned and Hawkeye kneeled down and started cutting the net that was wrapped around him.

“No need,” said Vance and focused his mind. The net stretched away from his body and then burst into pieces around him. “I can’t believe I fell for that,”

“Relax kid, happens to the best of us. Matter of fact, did I ever tell you about the time…”

“Time for stories later, Hawkeye. I just got a priority beacon. Avengers Assemble!” yelled Captain America through the speakers lining the Play Room. Hawkeye shrugged his shoulders and tapped Justice on the back. They both headed for the conference room.

“So obviously I can’t be held within the confines of such a simple facility and relegate my powers to such a trivial task as a super-team,” stated Moondragon matter-of-factly as she stood in front of both Hank Pym and Iron Man in Pym’s research lab.

“Obviously,” said Hank and rolled his eyes.

“Simple facility?” replied Iron Man in a low, tight-lipped voice. Moondragon acted as if she didn’t hear him. Pym grinned.

“Look Moondragon, the Avengers appreciate what you did for us during the recent crisis*,” stated Iron Man flatly and Moondragon regarded him with a disinterested stare. “If you choose to stay on with the Avengers, that’s fine. Your powers and intelligence would be greatly valued. But nobody’s begging you to stay. Trust me.”

[* See last issue for all the specific details of said crisis - David]

“Here we go,” said Hank and turned slightly in the other direction to fiddle with a project.

“How dare you,” huffed Moondragon and moved to within an inch of Iron Man’s faceplate. “I’m the best asset you’ve had on this team for months and you have the audacity to pretend that you’re not desperate for my services.”

“Like I said,” Iron Man growled. “Nobody is begging you to stay.”

“More like, to leave,” said Hank under his breath, but Moondragon’s head shot over to glare at him. Hank Pym didn’t return her stare and kept working on his project.

“All Avengers report to the conference room, priority one. We have something of an emergency. Avengers Assemble,” shouted Captain America over the loudspeakers and both Iron Man and Hank Pym began walking in the direction of the conference room.

“Coming?” asked Iron Man when Moondragon made no move to follow.

“You can all go to Hell,” stated Moondragon firmly. “When you get back, I’ll still be gone.”

Tony Stark and Hank Pym left the lab with Moondragon drilling holes in their backs with her stare.

“A pill that might activate the enzyme that controls telepathy?” Iron Man stated as he and Hank entered the conference room and approached the others already gathered there.

“Yes, I’ve been experimenting with telepathy for quite some time now and I believe I’ve made a breakthrough*. If I’m right, and I think with my information from multiple tests run on Moondragon that I am. We’ll be able to grant each member of the Avengers with the powers of Moondragon, without the fuss,”

[* As seen in Avengers #8 - David]

“Most pompous woman I’ve ever met in my life,” said Tony as he moved to take his seat.

“Iron Man, High Pockets, glad you could make it,” said Captain America with a frown on his face.

“Sorry, Cap. Had a little trouble in the lab,” replied Hank.

“Where’s Moondragon?” Cap said as he scanned the room.

“She decided her presence wasn’t required in the Avengers any longer,” said Iron Man and Captain America’s frown deepened.

“That’s a shame, because I think we’re going to need all the help we can get,” Captain America said and then leaned forward and pressed a single button on his command console.

The individual screens in front of the gathered Avengers sprung to life and the communication feed was opened. Static spouted from the speakers and made most of the Avengers wince. Then, with a flash of light, the Black Panther slipped through the snowy static and began to speak.

“Avengers, I beg of you. I am communicating to you from my home of Wakanda. My country is under attack. Thousands lie dead and more are being wiped out every instant that I speak to you. I know not who my enemy is, only that he is ruthless and unrelenting. Please Avengers, come to my aid if you can,” and then the communication feed broke completely and the screens were left blank.

“Not like T’Challa to beg,” said Hawkeye and Captain America nodded.

“My thoughts exactly, Clint. Whatever is threatening our friend and his nation, the Avengers must take action against it now,”

“So what are we waiting for?” Clint shouted and got up from his seat. Captain America stopped him with a look.

“I have to ask that Justice, Firestar, Photon and Captain Marvel leave,” said Captain America and Hawkeye blinked.

“What? Are you out of your mind, Cap? We can’t waste any time here!”

“You’re right, Hawkeye. We don’t have any time to waste at all. So please allow me to lead this team without any second-guessing from you. Photon, Genis, Angelica, Vance… if you would please step outside,” said Captain America and Hawkeye caught his breath and watched the others leave. Only Captain America, Hank, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye, Wonder Man and the Wasp were left in the room.

“Cap, what’s going on?” asked the Wasp and Captain America silenced her by pressing the button again. The static flashed on the screen again and then cleared. Cleared to show the face of the Vision.

“Oh my God,” said Iron Man and then the Vision spoke.

“Avengers…Wanda. As I am one of you, I am sure that you are coming to save T’Challa. Know that I am the one who has attacked the Panther’s native homeland. As Avengers, I am sure that you know I have set a trap for you. You are correct. But you will come nevertheless. I look forward to seeing you all again.”

The screen went blank and Captain America looked hard at the members assembled before him.

“We’re going. But I don’t want to take all the Avengers on this mission. Only the members that are here in this room are going. This is a personal matter. A matter of family. I think you all understand what I’m saying,”

“You said it, Cap,” Hawkeye replied and clenched his fists tightly.

“Jan, I’m leaving you here, and I’m suggesting that the founders elect Captain Marvel officially into our ranks. We’ll need a strong base of Avengers here at the mansion in case anything else happens. I really wish Moondragon had stuck around. At any rate, Hawkeye, you take the vote in absence of Thor. What do you say, Avengers?”

“I vote yes,” Hawkeye.

“Yes,” Jan.

“As do I,” Iron Man.

“Of course,” Hank Pym.

“Then it’s settled,” said Captain America. “Avengers meet in the hangar and prepare for immediate lift-off. I’ll brief Jan and the others and meet you there. We’re going to Wakanda.”

“I can’t believe this. I’m made an Avenger, a real Avenger, and I just get left behind,” said Captain Marvel and kicked at the couch Photon, Justice and Firestar were sitting on in the parlor.

“I know what you mean. If it hadn’t been for us, that last mission would have been flushed down the tubes, along with the entire solar system*,” said Justice. Firestar grabbed his hand tightly in hers and pressed a finger to his lips.

[* See last issue again - David]

“There’s no use talking about it now, guys. We’re stuck here as the back-up squad. I was stuck here as back-up on the last mission when you guys got to save the day, remember? Give it a rest,”

“Sorry, Angel. I didn’t mean it like that. It just seems unfair,” replied Vance.

“Really unfair,” agreed Captain Marvel. Listen to the lady and just give it a rest, blue boy. Cap has left me behind plenty of times, Said Rick Jones in Genis’ head. Genis groaned and flopped down in an armchair.

“Really, really, really unfair,”

The Wasp sat alone with her thoughts. She had watched the Quinjet lift-off from one of the many monitors in the communications room. She wished she was going with the Avengers on this mission, but she understood why she had been left behind. She wasn’t exactly the most powerful Avenger on the roster. She had experience leading the team. She could easily guide the remaining Avengers against a threat if it arose.

“Wasp?” said a voice from behind her and Jan jumped. She wheeled around in the chair she was sitting in and watched as Photon entered the room.

“I slipped away from the others. They’re all a little frustrated and I can’t say I blame them. I can kind of understand why Captain America would want to leave some of us behind, but you have to admit that he left some pretty powerful Avengers out of action. Not exactly the sort of thing you do when fighting a war.”

“I know you have questions, Photon. All I can tell you is that Captain America knows what he’s doing. He has battle-tested Avengers with him and he feels that the team he put together gives him the best chance for victory,” Wasp replied and smiled weakly.

“Jan, I never left the room,” said Photon and the Wasp blinked. “I became invisible and sent a hologram of myself outside with the others. I know the Vision is behind the attack on Wakanda. I don’t think it’s right that Captain America is keeping the others out of action for personal reasons.”

“I don’t think it was right that you eavesdropped on a conversation that you were specifically asked to remove yourself from, Photon,” said the Wasp and even though Photon met her steely gaze, she continued.

“Captain America knows what he’s doing. I trust him completely and if you want to stay on the Avengers I suggest you do the same. This conversation is over.”

“Yes sir,” said Photon and walked out. Wasp looked after her for a long time.

The Quinjet arced out over the ocean on a direct course for the island nation of Wakanda. The Avengers within sat silently and made no attempt to start any conversations. Each was caught up with their own thoughts and feelings.

She had been with Simon when the call had come in for the Avengers to assemble at the mansion. Simon had been badgering her for a while to see the gypsy exhibit at the Natural History Museum in New York*. Wanda had been avoiding the idea for quite some time, but Simon had been so persistent that eventually she had relented.

[* See Avengers #8 - David]

The Natural History Museum had gone through quite a bit as of late. The renovations after the quakes that had occurred on Earth* and the battle between Spider-Man, Doctor Octopus and the Collector** had taken its toll.

[* See Avengers #8-10 - David]
[** See Amazing Spider-Man #14-16]

Still, the museum had struggled mightily to stay open throughout the adversity and the exhibit was beautiful. Wanda had passed from display to display like a small child. Simon seemed pleased that she was happy, but she could tell that something was bothering him. Every time she looked at him his eyes would become troubled, no matter how hard he tried to hide it with his smile.

His smile was beautiful though. His body, the way he moved, made love to her. It was while she was looking at him and pasting a matching smile on her own face that she realized that all they really had was a physical attraction. Their friendship was strong, to be sure, but was there love? She really didn’t think so.

They had been distant the entire day at the museum and then when the beacon had sounded Wanda had grabbed for her communi-card immediately, hoping for any respite from having to actually talk to Simon about how she felt. She didn’t want to hurt him. The distress was a relief.

But now she thought that she would have bore any discomfort she might have felt at the museum if only it wasn’t the Vision they were flying into battle against. He had spoken directly to her in the communication. He had called her by name. She still loved him. She always had. Why did things have to be so hard?

This was so stupid. Hawkeye could see Wanda and Simon and Cap and Hank fretting like little kids from his seat. Iron Man was the only other one besides himself that seemed to be cool with going to Wakanda and doing whatever it took to assure the people would be safe from anything there.

Even the Vision.

Cap sat in the right side passenger seat next to Iron Man who was piloting the Quinjet and Hawkeye watched him carefully. It wouldn’t be long until they would arrive at their destination. If there was any hesitation on their part, the entire team could be wiped out. These baby emotions were a detriment to the mission.

Vision had been an enemy of the Avengers on more than one occasion. Even though Hawkeye had grown to trust the android, was even able to call him his friend, if Vizh - (don’t call him that, he’s the Vision now, nothing more) - tried to hurt Wanda or any of the other Avengers, he’d find himself on the receiving end of an arrow custom-made to turn android entrails into Christmas lights.

Wanda hadn’t even glanced over at him during the past hour they had been sitting on the Quinjet. Once he had reached a hand out and put it on her shoulder. She’d accepted it readily enough, but made no other move. No comforting hand on top of his. Not even a head nod of appreciation that he was thinking about her. He supposed he was being selfish, but how was he supposed to react?

The Vision was his brother. He was sleeping with his brother’s ex-wife. Now his brother had turned on the only family he had ever truly known. Was it his fault? Did he drive Vision to this? If that was so, how could he stay with Wanda? Wonder Man had no answers, so he stared at the beautiful woman sitting one seat in front of him and tried to push the questions from his mind.

Hank Pym looked out the window of the Quinjet at the waters below and thought of all the conversations and training exercises with the Vision. He thought of all the times he’d been doing research with the Vision in the Avengers lab.

The Vision was his grandson, in a way. He had never had children with Jan (something he often regretted). He had created Ultron and Ultron thought that Hank was his father. Ultron had created the Vision, and even though Hank tried not to think of Ultron as his son, he had never had a problem with thinking of Vision as his grandson.

Now the Vision seemed to be turning the same way that Ultron had always gone. It was frustrating because Ultron had always seemed like a failure in Hank’s eyes. Ultron had seemed so much like a failure that when Vision had been brought into the circle of Avengers, Hank had tried with all of his might to make him feel welcome. The Vision was his second chance. If the Vision had turned on the Avengers, if the Avengers had failed the Vision, then hadn’t Hank failed him too?

“Brace yourselves,” said Iron Man suddenly and Hank was ripped from his thoughts as the Quinjet rocked upwards with tremendous force. Iron Man fought the controls and Captain America’s hands danced lightly across the keys at his own station, trying to give support.

“Well, seems like we’ve arrived in Wakandan airspace,” Hawkeye muttered and clenched his teeth.

“I’ve triangulated the spot where the blast was fired. The sensors are picking up a dual solar energy signature,” Iron Man said and all of the Avengers paused momentarily.

“The Vision,” said Captain America. “Take us down, Tony. Center us on the spot where the blast originated. Avengers, get ready.”

The Quinjet slipped down through the atmosphere. Iron Man rushed the decent to throw off any additional fire, but it never came. The Avengers’ hearts rushed to their throats at the speedy downfall and the landing was rough. With a quick press of a button, the Quinjet doors opened and the Avengers piled out.

Then there was the fire.

For a single instant the Wakandan jungle was quiet all around them, and then the dense brush all around them erupted into flame. The Avengers were standing in a small clearing, but the fire had them trapped within it.

“Back to the Quinjet,” commanded Captain America.

“Cap--” said Hawkeye.

“Not now, Hawkeye. We’ve got to get out of here and regroup. We’re sitting ducks in this inferno.”

“You don’t know the half of it, imposter,” said a voice and for a moment the others looked at Captain America in wonder. It was his voice that had spoken. The Avengers turned towards the sound of it and stood silent and shocked at what they saw.

The Avengers slipped through the blaze of fire all around them. Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Giant Man, Wasp, Hawkeye and Quicksilver. The Avengers looked into mirror images of past incarnations of themselves and faltered, if but for a moment.

It was enough.

The Quicksilver imposter raced forward and drove his fists hard into Captain America’s face. Iron Man fired at him but his shot was slow and missed completely. A hammer struck him in the chest and sent Iron Man flying back into the Quinjet.

“Hold, foul villains! Thou hast annoyed the mighty God of Thunder but he shall smite thee as easily as gnats before the storm!” said the Thor imposter as he retrieved his hammer.

The Scarlet Witch put her hands to the ground and focused her mind. The earth beneath the faux-Avengers erupted upwards and sent them all flying.

“Good work, Witchie,” said Hawkeye and fired an arrow at the largest target, the ersatz-Giant Man. His arrow raced for Giant Man’s head, but was deflected by another arrow before it connected.

“You got some skills, imposter. But you ain’t the real deal Holyfield,” said the faux-Hawkeye as he fired a blast arrow that hit at the feet of Hank Pym and sent him flying.

“Ugh, don’t tell me I actually talk like that,” said Hawkeye as he nocked another arrow.

“No, the real Hawkeye does,” said the Wasp imposter as she blasted at Hawkeye with her wasp-sting blast. Suddenly a flash of dark black crossed in front of Hawkeye’s eyes and he was sent flying.

“Are you all right, archer?” asked a familiar voice and Hawkeye peered up into the eyes of the Black Panther.

“I am now, kitty-cat. Let’s show these guys what happens when you mess with the Avengers!”

“No,” yelled a voice from behind and Iron Man came rocketing past all the Avengers. He focused his repulsors at the ground where the faux-Avengers were and sent most of them flying.

“We came here for the Vision, not his toys,” said Iron Man in a voice dripping with anger.

“You have come in vain then, golden one,” said the Thor imposter as he slammed his hammer on the ground. The shockwave scattered the Avengers and Iron Man fired at him.

A shield came flying through the air and blocked Iron Man’s repulsor blast. Iron Man cursed under his breath as Wonder Man rose up to fly next to him.

“Let’s finish this Iron Man. These guys are really starting to tick me off,” Wonder Man said and Iron Man nodded. He could see the other Avengers picking themselves up. If he could push into the fake Avengers the others would follow his lead and they could win.

“Wait, what are they doing?” said Simon and Iron Man looked back to the psuedo-Avengers. They were leaving back through the burning jungle. Iron Man could see that some of them were still partly flesh and knew they had to be getting burned. What had the Vision done to them?

“Iron Man, Wonder Man, get down here now!” shouted the commanding tone of Captain America and Iron Man followed Simon to the ground. The Avengers had gathered themselves and Captain America was visibly upset.

“Iron Man, cut a path through the fire in the direction those imposters went. We’ll follow them, defeat them and then we’ll find out where the Vision is,” Captain America commanded and Iron Man slipped the irises open on his palms to do exactly that.

“No, we must flee,” said the Black Panther suddenly and all the Avengers turned to look at him.

“T’challa…what?” Hank Pym asked but the Black Panther ignored him and continued to speak.

“There is a bomb. I can barely sense it above the scent of the flames. We must get out of here quickly before…”

But then there was no more, as the jungle erupted into a pillar of fire.

The Vision watched as his Avengers battled the true Avengers. He watched as the battle turned towards one side and then the other. He was in constant communication with his men. Even though the battle was going well, he knew that the Avengers were resourceful and that eventually they would find a way to win. They always had.

So he commanded his men to retreat and then armed the bomb lying beneath the battleground. He had thought it hidden from even the Black Panther’s superior senses, but the Black Panther was a clever adversary and a very skillful man.

“But just a man,” said the Vision silently to himself.

There was a rustling at his back and the robotic Scarlet Witch stepped into view. They were together in one of the strongholds of the Black Panther. Together they had watched as the battle progressed. Together they had watched as the Vision had pressed the button that had erupted beneath the feet of the mighty Avengers. Together they had watched the end of Earth’s mightiest super-heroes.

“Congratulations, my dearest. You have finally had your revenge,” said the Scarlet Witch robot. She stroked the neck of the Vision but he paid her no heed and she soon stopped and stepped away.

“And finally that damn flesh-witch is gone forever,” she said under her breath and the Vision stiffened. He turned towards her and leapt from the chair he was sitting in. His face tore into a mask of rage as he struck at the Scarlet Witch with all his might. She flew into the wall and lay unmoving at his feet. He was upon her in an instant. But his face had changed once more. The rage was gone.

“I am sorry. I...do not know what overcame me. I apologize,” said the Vision and the Scarlet Witch robot took his hand with her own and brought it to her face.

“It is my fault, beloved. I should never have spoken out of turn. Please forgive me. I thank you for not doing more. It is what I deserved,”

The Vision looked down at the Scarlet Witch robot as she stroked his hand and pleaded to him, as images of fire and death blazed at his back.