Team White Pigeon[]
| “ | They do call spies ‘pigeons,’ after all
— Ange le Carre
|
” |
Team White Pigeon, also known as Principal Team, is a team of spies for the Commonwealth of Albion. The Kingdom of Albion, a major colonial superpower thanks to their mastery of Cavorite, was divided into the Kingdom of Albion and the Commonwealth of Albion after a civil war. Spies from the Commonwealth are tasked with killing Princess Charlotte and replacing her with a body double.
Instead, Charlotte convinces her prospective replacement, Ange le Carre, to assist her, convincing their handlers – the Commonwealth’s greatest spymasters – to aid her as well, supporting her plot to place herself first in line for the throne. The pair are assigned Dorothy as a handler, and recruit both the Japanese exchange ninja Chise and Charlotte’s maid, Beatrice, into their schemes, weakening the Kingdom covertly as they maneuver Charlotte into place.
Hidden from everyone else, however, is that “Princess Charlotte” is a body double, a pickpocket originally named Ange who was friends with Charlotte. The real Princess Charlotte is Ange le Carre herself, seeking to reunite with her lost “best friend” and whisk her off to a house in Casablanca, built just for the two of them.
The team has a shared set of equipment. The entire team has access to the following unless otherwise noted:
- Flash Grenades
- A small ball with a wind up key protruding from one end and small glass windows. Does not explode, but creates a bright, blinding light.
- Smoke Grenades
- A small ball with a wind up key protruding from one end and small glass windows, or a small brass tube. Does not explode, but creates a large amount of smoke.
- Guns
- The entire team uses small, concealable weapons. They have high-caliber revolvers, favored by Ange, revolver shotguns, favored by Dorothy, low-caliber revolvers, favored by Charlotte and Beatrice, and pistols concealed in pens and other objects. Chise does not utilize these, instead relying on her physical abilities and katana.
- Spyglass
- A portable telescope with multiple magnifying lenses. They can be freely switched in and out without needing to lower the spyglass.
- Wire Gun
- A gun that fires a wire, which attaches itself to a surface. Not a grappling hook, but can be used as an anchor for rappelling.
And a few clips of the girls in action:
| “ | I’m not joking. I’m just lying.
— Ange le Carre
|
” |
Born Charlotte, Princess of the Kingdom of Albion, the girl who would later be known as Ange le Carre spent her early years learning under her tutors. Having been worn down by their strictness, she fled to an abandoned part of the castle to fling herself down a dry well. There, Charlotte would meet a pickpocket, Ange, who looked identical to her.
Ange and Charlotte were fast friends, the two using their identical looks to play pranks on the unaware palace staff. One day, Charlotte requested to fully switch places with Ange, so that she can see how the people outside the castle walls lived. After a couple hours experiencing the life of a dirt-poor commoner with no food, she returns to the castle and vows she will become queen so that no one would have to live in squalor.
At that moment, the forces of civil war breach the castle, separating them. Charlotte, now taking the name Ange, lived in poverty for a time, before emigrating to the newly-formed Commonwealth of Albion. There, she underwent training as a spy alongside Dorothy, quickly becoming one of the country’s most skilled agents. She then manipulates the spymasters to send her to kill and replace the current Princess Charlotte. Once reunited with Ange, now fully in the role of Princess Charlotte, she tries to get her old friend to run away with her to Casablanca.
Charlotte instead proposes to fulfil the promise they had made ten years prior: that Princess Charlotte would become Queen, and tear down the walls that keep people divided. Ange reluctantly agrees, and from then on acts as Charlotte’s staunchest ally within Team White Pigeon.
A palm-sized metal sphere containing Cavorite. Upon activation, it gives off a green glow, which will surround Ange. She can extend this glow to people or things she is touching, and while in contact can control how gravity acts upon those affected. She can make herself float or allow herself to walk on walls. She is also implied to be able to use this to redirect gunfire or create a repelling “bubble” around her, but exactly how is not explained.
The ball is bulletproof, and if shot can detect and manipulate residual Cavorite in the room to display its former state. Exactly how it does this is unknown. The activation light can also be used for morse code or as a flashlight. It will overheat if used too long, and needs to be cooled. If it does not, the Cavorite capsule will break, preventing it from working.
It can also be turned into a suitcase nuke if the Cavorite within is subjected to a lot of high-pressure steam. Exactly how much is unknown, but what appears to be a 10-ft diameter Cavorite Ball needed to be hooked up to a cruise ship boiler. As this is the team from after Crown Handler 1, Ange is unaware of this.
- Master Actor
- Ange can take on a variety of roles and personalities at the drop of a hat
- Expert Combatant
- She is also highly skilled using her equipment in a combat scenario, and is Chise’s equal
- Spycraft Mastery
- Infiltration, information gathering, lockpicking, acrobatics, creating and utilizing distractions, etc. If it’s related to espionage at all, Ange is capable of it. Excepting seduction.
- Eidetic Memory
- Can memorize and reproduce documents with perfect accuracy after seeing them for only a short time. Can additionally listen to multiple conversations at once and remember the contents of all of them, including what voices sound like.
- Driving
- Though not as proficient as Dorothy, she is a skilled driver.
| “ | Sometimes, lies can become truths in the telling.
— Charlotte
|
” |
Born Ange, a commoner in the slums of London, the girl who would later be known as Princess Charlotte spent her early years learning how to pickpocket and survive on the streets. One day, she ventures near an abandoned part of London Castle and meets Charlotte, a young princess who looks identical to her.
Ange and Charlotte were fast friends, the two using their identical looks to play pranks on the unaware palace staff. One day, Charlotte requested to fully switch places with Ange, so that she can see how the people outside the castle walls lived. After a couple hours experiencing the life of a dirt-poor commoner with no food, she returns to the castle and vows she will become queen so that no one would have to live in squalor.
At that moment, the forces of civil war breach the castle, separating them. Ange, now forced into the role of Princess Charlotte, underwent the education and training her friend was formerly subjected to. Despite her early life as a common pickpocket, her efforts and talents allowed her to act perfectly as the princess, fooling even her friend’s longtime caretakers and far outstripping the original Charlotte’s abilities. She grew into an incredibly talented young woman, lauded for her achievements and favored by the Queen, despite only being fourth in line for the throne.
She and Ange reunite as a result of a Commonwealth plot to kill her and replace her with Ange. Charlotte instead convinces them to ally with her, and turns down Ange’s offer to flee with her to Casablanca in favor of taking the throne as they had promised. To this end, she utilizes the team of spies the Commonwealth attached to her to stabilize her position while weakening that of the other royalty.
- Master Manipulator
- Charlotte is extremely persuasive, able to convince a colonel to call off an attempted attack on the Queen while she is tied up and bleeding from a gunshot wound. She is highly skilled at grasping a person’s motivations and weaknesses in a short amount of time and can quickly craft her words to win them over.
- Pickpocket
- Charlotte retains her skill as a pickpocket, able to steal a key from an on-guard soldier while under surveillance without being noticed.
- Lockpicking
- Can pick locks with a high degree of skill.
- Polyglot
- Able to speak nine languages
- Musical Virtuoso
- Is considered one of the foremost piano players in the entire Kingdom of Albion
- Fast Learner
- Learned nine languages, dance, royal etiquette, piano, horseback riding, and every other bit of information needed to be royalty in a few years to near-genius levels. This despite being an illiterate pickpocket who would be executed if she made even the slightest mistake.
| “ | We are spies. I can’t assist with anything outside of my mission. But if you ask me for a favor, as a friend, I’ll do everything in my power to help you
— Dorothy MacBean
|
” |
Born Daisy MacBean, the child of a rising engineer in London, Dorothy’s early childhood was nothing special. Her life took a turn for the worse, however, when her father lost an arm in an accident. The man turned to drink, abusing both Daisy and her mother, Dorothy. Her mother ran out on them, leaving Daisy to live with the man’s rages until the civil war impacted London. She ran away from home, eventually taking on her mother’s name and wound up in the newly-formed Commonwealth of Albion.
There, she trained alongside Ange le Carre, becoming one of the country’s best agents. While she was nowhere near Ange’s level of skill, she nevertheless has the dubious honor of being the only other member of their graduating cohort still alive. Frequently partnered with Ange, Dorothy was sent undercover in the Queen’s Mayfair Academy to assist with the plot to kill and replace Princess Charlotte.
After Charlotte gets the better of the Commonwealth’s spy network, Dorothy is attached to her alongside Ange as part of what would later become Team White Pigeon. Dorothy, despite her love of drink, proves to be one of the greatest assets the team has, using her abilities as a driver and seductress to gain access to and run away from their missions.
While less overtly than Ange, she comes to consider Charlotte a close friend. When her loyalties are tested, she ultimately ends up siding with Team White Pigeon over the Commonwealth, though leadership amongst the spies shifts before consequences can come for this.
- Seduction
- Dorothy knows how to make full use of her assets, frequently using her charms to gain access to places she shouldn’t or take an opponent unawares.
- CQC
- Dorothy is exceptionally capable in a hand-to-hand fight, able to take down a group of gangsters on her own, as well as briefly hold off Chise when fighting in self-defense.
- Actor
- Dorothy is also capable of taking on multiple roles, from posing as a 17-year-old student at age 20 to a simple blue-collar worker to posing as a teacher.
- Markswoman
- Can hit a sprinting suspect in the leg from several yards away with her revolver shotgun. She’s no sniper, but she’s highly accurate.
- Skilled Spy
- Be it lockpicking, infiltration, agility, combat or disguise, Dorothy is highly skilled in all manner of spycraft. She’s not quite as good as Ange, but she’s still one of the only two surviving members of their spy class.
- Skilled Mechanic
- The workings of the team’s (very) nice car, as well as keeping their arsenal maintained, seems to be Dorothy’s responsibility.
| “ | I am the only one who can protect the Princess.
— Beatrice
|
” |
Beatrice was born the child of a minor noble, and should by all rights have lived an unremarkable life. Instead, her father grew fanatically devoted to mechanical modifications, and experimented on her as a child. Faced with her father’s abuse and the relentless bullying of her peers, she eventually found salvation in the form of Princess Charlotte.
The princess protected Beatrice with her status, and took the young woman in as a personal maid. Beatrice thinks the world of Charlotte, and has an unshakable loyalty to her. Even when Charlotte joined up with a Commonwealth spy ring, Beatrice remained by her side, not reporting anything to Kingdom authorities while assisting Charlotte in her ambitions.
Though clumsy and unskilled at most spycraft, Beatrice quickly became a valuable asset to the team thanks to her artificial voicebox. Initially a source of shame, she utilized its functions and her natural observational skills to mimic a wide variety of voices, proving essential to several infiltration efforts.
Beatrice’s voicebox is mechanical. She can manipulate it to mimic any voice she wishes, and is remarkably skilled at doing so. The area around her neck is solid steel, and is able to hold up to a strike from a master swordsman with an anime katana.
She can create sounds outside human hearing range, including ultrasonic tones that can put dogs to sleep.
- Observant
- Beatrice is constantly observing the people and environment around her, taking everything into account before acting.
- Acting Ability
- Thanks to her observational skills, Beatrice can mimic not just the voice but the style and manner of speech of anyone she has heard talking.
- Lip Reading
- Exactly what it sounds like. She can read lips.
- Skilled Engineer
- She’s capable of diagnosing and repairing complex machinery, figuring out issues at a glance.
- Lockpick
- Is capable of picking locks, but not to the level of the other members
| “ | I don’t know if they will succeed, but I want them to win.
— Chise Todo
|
” |
A ninja accompanying the Japanese delegation to Albion, Chise initially makes contact with Charlotte while escorting the Japanese ambassador by train. When their train comes under attack by a Japanese rebel, Chise defends Charlotte and the ambassador from attack. She kills the insurgent, later revealed to be her father, and the Japanese delegation makes arrangements with the Commonwealth to place her with Charlotte’s spy cell.
Initially insecure and wishing to prove herself, Chise occasionally clashed with Ange and Dorothy, who tended to have her stay with Charlotte during infiltrations. She becomes more accepting of this once it’s revealed they do so because they trust her to guard the princess, and she grows closer to the team while learning about English culture.
Despite being less than subtle in her civilian life, she becomes one of the team’s greatest assets in infiltration and combat missions thanks to her agility and combat prowess. Much like Dorothy, she displays more loyalty to Team White Pigeon than to the Japanese delegation, leaving the Japanese ambassador’s side during an attack to assist White Pigeon with rescuing Charlotte. She even joins the rest of the crew on their vacation in Casablanca, having fully integrated into the team.
Your classic anime blade that can slice through wheels and other metals like butter. This is, unusually, shown to be more of a product of Chise’s incredible skill rather than a property of the weapon itself, as it gets chipped and cracked when fighting a foe of similar skill and does not slice through an axe of a foe of equal skill.
As an anime ninja, she can also deflect bullets with her sword. Or a laundry iron, should her sword not be available.
- Superhuman Physical Ability
- Chise has superhuman agility, able to keep pace with Ange while the latter is using a cavorite ball. She can also use a ribbon as a makeshift sling to throw a bullet with enough force to mimic a gunshot wound.
- Skilled Lock Breaker
- “Break” is literal
Wakanda[]
| “ | And when the time of men came, five tribes settled on it and called it Wakanda.
— N’Jobu
|
” |
During ancient prehistory, a large meteorite made of Vibranium crashed into central Africa, near the borders of modern-day Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When humans migrated to the area, five tribes ended up settling the meteorite and its environs, warring over the Vibranium and the twisted plants its influence birthed. Three were conquered by the Golden Tribe, led by the first Black Panther, Bashenga. The fifth rejected his rule, instead living in the mountains.
They used the Vibranium to carve out a territory for themselves, advancing their technology eons beyond the rest of the world. They then isolated themselves, preferring to keep separate from the world and its problems. They nevertheless sent out groups of spies, known as War Dogs, to infiltrate every nation in the world and report back. These eventually included N’Jobu, brother to king T’Chaka.
In 1992, Ulysses Klaue infiltrated the country and stole a quarter ton of Vibranium, killing numerous civilians to cover his escape. This prompted T’Chaka to take a break from ignoring the HIV/AIDS epidemic on his borders to travel to Oakland, where he confronted N’Jobu on his betrayal. He then killed his brother, leaving his nephew with a dead father and jailed mother in the aftermath of the Rodney King riots.
T’Chaka proved too busy ignoring the Rwandan genocide literally on Wakandan borders to hunt for Klaue, allowing Wakanda’s greatest enemy to escape alive. Klaue would repay this kindness by assisting Ultron, which then leaves an opening for Baron Zemo to assassinate him, leaving T’Challa to take the throne. T’Challa’s reign lasted a scant few days, however, as N’Jobu’s son arrived to challenge T’Challa to the throne. N’Jadaka, otherwise known as Erik “Killmonger” Stevens, overthrows his cousin and declares a new course for Wakanda.
He prepares to send shipments of Vibranium weaponry to the War Dogs, intending to force the world and Wakanda into open confrontation for his revenge. T’Challa returns, alive, and prevents his plans from coming to fruition, killing him. T’Challa would then go on to lead Wakanda in opening its borders, lifting the veil of secrecy, and interacting with the world just in time for him and half the country to get snapped by Thanos.
A set of beads worn on the wrist. Unless otherwise noted, every Wakandan has access to these. The beads have a variety of functions. Known ones are:
- Medical Knowledge
- Contains a store of the medical knowledge of Wakanda
- Communication
- Allows long-range, pseudoholographic communication
- Scanning
- Can scan and determine information about a subject
- Medical Stabilization
- The Vibranium they are made of can help stabilize a shot to the spine
- Wakandan Technological Manipulation
- Can control or otherwise interact with Wakandan technology
Wakandan technology is based on Vibranium, an alien metal carried to Earth via meteorite millions of years ago. In its purest form, it is a metal stronger than steel but with a third of the weight, as well as being vibration absorbent. These properties allow it to absorb impacts from multiple sources, from high caliber bullets, to Iron Man’s repulsors, to the full might of Thor trying to kill Captain America on sight for no discernable reason.
Wakandans have found ways to manipulate the metal into various forms, including threading to weave Vibranium into their clothes. Vibranium is sonoluminescent, turning the energy it absorbs into sound and blue to ultraviolet light. The metal also appears to be ferromagnetic.
Vibranium, however, has been shown to be vulnerable to sonic attacks. Further, beings with immense strength – such as Thanos and his lieutenants – have been shown to be able to shatter Vibranium through brute force alone. The metal can also be overloaded with massive amounts of energy, such as Scarlet Witch’s full power.
It also appears to have mutagenic properties.
And some clips for Wakanda:
| “ | I lived my entire life waiting for this moment. I trained, I lied, I killed just to get here.
— N’Jadaka
|
” |
N’Jadaka, son of N’Jobu, was born in Oakland. A descendant of Wakandan royalty, he grew ujp hearing his father speak of the nation’s beauty and technology. He dreamed of going there one day, until he returned home one night on 1992 to find his father murdered, claw marks in his chest. Left with a dead father and a mother in jail, N’Jadaka made his way through life as best he could.
Under his legal name of Erik Stevens, he joined up with the military and rose rapidly. He joined spec-ops units lead by the CIA, specializing in destabilizing countries. During his time there, he focused heavily on violence and killed notably large numbers of enemies, earning the nickname “Killmonger.”
Erik would later coordinate with Ulysses Klaue, his father’s accomplice, to steal vibranium. After Klaue was brought to Wakanda’s attention and captured by T’Challa, the current king and Erik’s cousin, he breaks Klaue out of custody. He then kills Klaue, using his corpse to get into Wakanda. There, he uses his CIA training to launch a coup and destabilize the country, intending to utilize the military might of its Vibranium weapons to conquer the world.
He would end up unsuccessful, as the king he deposed raised an army to take back the throne. T’Challa fought and killed him, and he dies watching a Wakandan sunset. His disruption of tradition and ideals managed to have a profound impact on Wakanda, directly inspiring T’Challa to open the country’s borders and share its technology with the world.
After reclaiming the throne, N’Jadaka claimed the remaining, gold-colored Panther Habit. A necklace built from advanced Wakandan nanotechnology, it allows him to materialize the Vibranium armor of the Black Panther at will, though with leopard-like spots rather than the simple black of T’Challa’s suit. As it is made from Vibranium, it can absorb the kinetic energy of physical impacts.
It can release this energy in a gold-colored burst at N’Jadaka’s will, though if hit enough will discharge on its own. Intense sound disrupts the stability of both the Vibranium and the nanomachines, potentially leaving the wearer vulnerable. It also comes with a pair of retractable Vibranium claws.
Killmonger has consumed the Heart-Shaped Herb, a plant affected by Vibranium. This has given him the following:
- Superhuman Physicality
- N’Jadaka has demonstrated superhuman strength, speed, agility, and durability. As shown by T’Challa, these traits are likely on par with or superior to those of Captain America. He has additionally been granted enhanced stamina, and is thus able to utilize his abilities over an extended period of time. While his enhanced durability has allowed him to shrug off train impacts, Vibranium can still pierce his skin.
- Regeneration
- Killmonger has also displayed a healing factor, enough to easily revert shallow wounds. It has not been shown to heal mortal wounds, like a blade to the heart.
In addition to his Panther Habit and the enhancements from the Heart-Shaped Herb, Killmonger used the following during his time as the King of Wakanda:
- Vibranium Sword
- A sword made of Vibranium, seemingly based on a Teke Ikakalaka. He wields both this and the spear mentioned below.
- Vibranium Spear
- A spear with the haft broken, creating a one-handed weapon similar to the Iklwa. The blade is Vibranium, the haft wood. Killmonger wields this in his left hand, his right occupied by the sword mentioned above.
- Expert Melee Combatant
- Killmonger is T’Challa’s equal in melee combat, able to fight and win against multiple opponents. He utilizes his SEAL training in several martial arts to compete, and has shown the ability to wield multiple weapons with skill.
- Skilled Marksman
- Has enough shooting skill to hit Ulysses Klaue through a window in a junkyard.
- Strategist
- Killmonger puts his CIA training to efficient use, formulating plans for everything from a simple smash-and-grab to a rescue mission to a coup with brutal efficiency.
- Bilingual
- Speaks both English and Xhosa fluently
- Master Spy
- Thanks to his experience in the SEALS and in the JSOC ghost units he was part of, Killmonger has a mastery of espionage and infiltration tactics. He is especially gifted in assassinations and regime change.
- Selfish
- KIllmonger looks out for himself and his plans first and foremost. This also applies to his combat style, where he generally treats the environment and others around him as an obstacle to overcome rather than a tool to be used. He always tries to kill using his abilities and those alone.
- Vengeful
- N’Jadaka is primarily driven by anger and vengeance, and tends to go overboard with it.
The Dora Milaje is one of two parts to the Wakandan Royal Guard. They are an all-female fighting force, trained in melee combat. A group is able to fight Killmonger to a near draw while he was the Black Panther. They act as the personal bodyguards of the Wakandan king and as a special forces group.
They are led by Okoye, who retains her position despite doubting N’Jadaka’s rule.
- Vibranium Spear
- A spear made of Vibranium, generally as tall as the woman wielding it. These spears are collapsible, and can emit electric shocks from the butt. Several of these can form a barrier strong enough to restrain Killmonger while under the effects of the Heart-Shaped Herb.
- Armor
- The Dora Milaje wear red -colored armor, which covers their entire body, save the head. This armor, like most Wakandan armors, is made utilizing Vibranium, giving it high durability
| “ | The outside world is catching up and soon it will be the conquerors or the conquered. I'd rather be the former.
— W’Kabi
|
” |
The Border Tribe is one of the few tribes to live outside the Golden City, maintaining the appearance of a nation of impoverished farmers. They also act as Wakanda’s cavalry, having trained and domesticated rhinoceroses for combat. They make up a large part of Wakandan military forces, and have a great deal of political influence. They are the first tribe to join Killmonger’s coup, and do so wholeheartedly.
The tribe is led by M’Kathu, and their military is led by W’Kabi.
- Rhinoceroses
- Domesticated White Rhinoceroses that can be called with a war horn. These are ridden, like a horse.
- Vibranium Cloaks
- Their cloaks appear to be woven with Vibranium fibers, allowing them to project energy shields
- Vibranium Mambele
- Curved knives with varying forms, from a simple blade to a Kpinga-like set of protrusions
| “ | Wakanda does not need a warrior right now. We need a King.
— Merchant Tribe Elder
|
” |
Scenario[]
Team White Pigeon is sent to Wakanda as part of a delegation from Albion to meet newly-crowned Chairman King N'Jadaka in a royal function in the Great Mound. While Charlotte fulfills her official duties, the rest of Team White Pigeon must infiltrate the rest of the Great Mound and steal some Vibranium.
White Pigeon
- Both of the following:
- Successfully gain control of a Vibranium sample
- Remove Killmonger as a near-term potential threat to Charlotte (and Charlotte specifically), either by diplomacy or by force
Wakanda:
- Prevent both of White Pigeon’s victory conditions
Tie:
- Only one of White Pigeon’s conditions is met
The warriors will be taken from the following cannons at the specified times:
- Team White Pigeon: Anime-only, just after the events of Crown Handler 1
- Wakanda: MCU, during Killmonger’s reign in Black Panther. Only using information known from the Black Panther movie.
Voting[]
- Please have at least couple paragraphs as to who you think will win and why
- Edges will naturally make it this long and are easier to read
- Rebuttals can reduce a vote by half.
- Counter-arguments can restore the half point
- Evaluating the warriors used based on a different canon or different point in their timeline as given will invalidate a vote
- I have the final say on whether or not a vote counts
- Contact me via Discord if you think I made a mistake with vote counts
- Only votes on this blog will count.
- Ties are a separate category; the winner will be calculated at the majority vote for all three categories. As an example, if there are six votes, distributed as Pigeon:Tie:Wakanda
- 3:2:1 is a win for White Pigeon
- 1:3:2 is a tie
- 1:2:3 is a win for Wakanda
- 3:3:0 is a win for White Pigeon
- 0:3:3 is a win for Wakanda
- 2:2:2 is a tie
Battle[]
Ch. 1: Prep[]
“Hello, Uncle Normandy,” Charlotte says, giving a curtsy to the elderly man in an impeccable black suit.
“Good day, Charlotte,” the Duke of Normandy says, his piercing blue eyes staring through his glasses, “This is about your scheduled visit to Wakanda.”
“Is it being cancelled?” the girl asks, “The king we were to congratulate was deposed, correct?”
“No, Wakanda and its Vibranium is far too useful. I have made personnel changes, however,” the duke says, gesturing to the aide behind him, who steps forward and gives a stiff bow.
“I am Giselle,” she says, “I came to the Kingdom from a colony close to Wakanda, so I know a bit about its history and can speak Xhosa.”
“Hello, Giselle,” Charlotte says, curtsying, “I have seen you with Uncle before, but it’s nice to meet you properly.” The princess’ smile holds no trace of her unease, for she has also seen the woman on a foggy night trying to kill her friends. “I take it you are also to act as a bodyguard?”
“Yes, she is,” the duke says, “Though if you know that much I may need to hunt for a leak.”
“No need for that,” Charlotte says with a giggle, “Chise, my friend in the Japanese delegation, has told me that she’d like to spar with the Duke of Normandy’s aide. If that is all, Uncle…”
“Almost. Do you still wish to take those friends of yours? Wakanda is volatile right now, and I cannot guarantee their safety.”
“I’ve told them, but they still want to come. They wish to learn of the nations outside the Kingdom.”
“Very well. You are dismissed, Charlotte.”
The princess says her goodbyes and walks out, closing the door softly. Giselle relaxes slightly, turning around.
“You have a question?” the Duke of Normandy asks.
“Are you certain about sending her?”
“Yes,” the Kingdom’s spymaster replies, “William has his own duties here, Mary is not suited for these kinds of stressful functions, and Richard is making a name for himself in the New World. We have little choice. That is why I’m sending you.”
“Sir?” his top agent asks.
“I do not believe Charlotte to be as guileless as she acts, nor do I think her friends are as simple as they appear. Watch them carefully, and report all of their actions to me,” the Duke of Normandy says, peering out the window as Charlotte gets into her car, surrounded by the friends in question.
Beatrice holds the door open as Charlotte climbs into the tricked-out convertible while Dorothy hops in front, starting the ignition. The older girl fives a flirtatious wave to the young, blushing lad manning the palace gates as she drives them through and onto the streets moving into London proper.
“So?” Ange asks, sitting beside Dorothy in the front, “What did he say?”
“Giselle is coming with us.”
“Wait, isn’t that really bad?” Beatrice asks, panicking, “She’s like the Kingdom’s Ange, right?”
“Indeed, she is strong,” Chise says, sitting on the other side of Charlotte, “I would like to spar with her at least once.”
“Well, I told her as much,” Charlotte says, laughing.
“Oi, oi, don’t do that,” Dorothy says, “She saw you fight during the whole terrorist thing. She’ll get suspicious of you. Anyway, this complicates things. I’ll need to report this to Control.”
“Yes. We’ll need an alternate extraction route for the Vibranium.”
The girls continue to chat animatedly, turning from their mission to more mundane topics as the road grows more crowded.
Meanwhile, a long way away from London, Erik “Killmonger” Stevens looks out from his throne room over a sprawling city of shining metal, polished rock, and a patchwork of thatch here and there. He hears footsteps behind him, and he turns to see Okoye and W’Kabi walking towards him.
“King N’Jadaka,” W’Kabi says in Xhosa, “The Kingdom of Albion has said they will still send their delegation, though to greet you instead of T’Challa. The Commonwealth of Albion has said their diplomats are currently needed elsewhere.”
“Can’t we just blow these royal assholes off? They’ve put their little ‘colonies’ through most of Africa already.”
“That would not be wise,” Okoye says, “Not only have we had a long, if tense, alliance, but if any nation can match Wakanda, it is Albion. Were their country not split and weakened by civil war, your plan would be impossible.”
“I agree. Both the Kingdom and the Commonwealth have also proven difficult for our War Dogs to infiltrate. This could be a good chance to learn a little about them.”
“And you two never agree about politics. Fine, we’ll throw their fancy bender. But make sure no one finds out about our plans,” Killmonger says, walking to his throne, “And beef up the guard in the Great Mound.”
“You really think some silly Europeans can get through our guards?” Okoye scoffs as she follows and sits at her own seat, while W’Kabi does the same.
“If we can’t get our War Dogs into either country, they have a formidable spy network,” Killmonger explains, “Besides, what we know of their Cavorite – that it can manipulate gravity – means they can probably use it to transport Vibranium with ease. They could have spies in with the guests. I want this place rat trapped.”
“In that case, maybe we should bait them,” W’Kabi muses, “If they get caught trying to steal the Vibranium, we can kick them out.”
“And make the party end faster. Good, I like that. Do it.”
The three continue to strategize as the rest of the council starts to file in, all the tribes needing to organize themselves for the gala.
Back in London, Charlotte and Ange relax in the former’s dorm room, sipping tea in their nightwear. Between them were sheafs of paper, scribbled with notes and some with images attached, giving information about the new Wakandan ruler and the other leaders of the country.
“Got everything, Princess?” Ange asks.
“I do, Charlotte. Your notes are easy to understand,” the Princess says.
“You’re the only one who says that.”
“Maybe because I understand you?”
“Oh stop that,” Ange says, blushing and looking far less displeased than her words would imply.
“I will need to be careful with this ‘Killmonger’ gentleman. I doubt his plans are entirely peaceful.”
“Really?” Ange asks, “It seems like he got what he wanted to me.”
“He reminds me a bit of little Ange the pickpocket,” the Princess says with a sad smile, “Had she not met Charlotte, she might have grown up wanting to lash out at the world. I think his ascendance in Wakanda is only the star—”
She cuts of as Ange rounds the table and gives her a hug, a rare display of affection.
“In that case, Princess, I’ll talk to Dorothy. One of us can guard you, and…”
“No, Charlotte. The theft is your mission. The gala and politics is my battleground. Leave it to me.”
“You really do love to watch me squirm, don’t you?” Ange grumbles, sitting back down as Charlotte giggles. The two girls continue to talk over their tea, reminiscing about old times.
Ch. 2: Party[]
The doors to the ballroom open, and a stream of Albion dignitaries make their way in, Princess Charlotte at their head. They spread out around the room, looking with curiosity at the food, as Charlotte and her entourage make their way to the back, where Killmonger stands, flanked by W’Kabi and Okoye. Charlotte gives a prim curtsy as she arrives in front of him.
“I am Charlotte, fourth in line to the throne of Albion. I am here to give his majesty N’Jadaka greetings from my grandmother.”
“I am King N’Jadaka, son of N’Jobu,” Killmonger says in Xhosa, “I accept and return the greetings of the colonizer queen.”
“King N’Jadaka says he accepts and returns the greeting,” Giselle says.
“I will convey that to Grandmother,” Charlotte says, “I’ve also brought along some schoolmates who wish to learn about Wakanda. I hope you can overlook their ignorance in cultural matters.”
“Sure, we can overlook a faux pas or two,” Killmonger says, waiting for Giselle to finish translating before continuing in English, “Now let’s get this party started.”
Musicians blast out traditional Wakandan music, leaving most of the Albion dignitaries nonplussed. Killmonger laughs heartily, noting the amusement creeping into Charlotte’s practiced smile. He watches the procession head down to the main floor, and sits back on his throne.
“The Princess is more than she seems,” he mutters in Xhosa.
“You want us to keep an eye on her?” W’kabi whispers in the same language.
“Yes, though I’ll want to talk to her later.”
“Why?”
“You see how she slipped that device into the black woman’s coat? She could pick pockets in Eastmont. Might be the in for our War Dogs.”
“You think a White princess will help you?”
“It’s worth a shot. I’ll use my enemies, if I need to.”
While they had their whispered conversation, the delegation from Albion spreads out around the floor. Some dance uncomfortably, while others look suspiciously at the food. Giselle tries to keep her eyes on everyone, but is ultimately pulled thin by the attentions of a couple Wakandan would-be suitors.
Ange exchanges glances with Charlotte, and the infiltration team makes their way out of the hall unnoticed. Charlotte, meanwhile, makes her way to the band, and requests a song. As the current one winds down, she weaves along the outside of the floor, slowly but surely closing in on the raised dais where Killmonger sits. She reaches him as the song, a traditional Albion waltz, starts.
“May I ask his majesty for a dance?”
“I’m pretty bad at the ballroom stuff.”
“I can lead.”
N’Jadaka and W’Kabi exchange wary glances, before the king rises, taking Charlotte’s hand.
“If you insist,” he says, and she leads him out on the floor. The two dance, surrounded by other members of the Albion delegation and no small number of Wakandans humoring their guests. Charlotte, true to her word, leads Killmonger through the steps masterfully.
“Just so you know,” he says, “I generally prefer my women more adult. And darker.”
“Not to worry, Mr. Stevens,” Charlotte says, smiling, “I don’t swing your way, anyway.”
“A lesbian princess? That’s hot,” he mutters, just loud enough for Charlotte to hear, “Think you can hook me up with that Giselle chick?”
“You have a taste for danger. She’s the personal aide of the Duke of Normandy.”
“Shame.”
“And that’s why she’s still single.”
“So if you’re not interested in me, why ask for a dance?”
“It’s the easiest way to talk in private. I want you to bet on me.”
“I’m not into gambling. Besides, you’re fourth in line to the throne.”
“I will become Queen,” Charlotte says, eyes hardening with determination, “And I will break down the walls separating people. A truly equal society, for everyone. Class and race alike.”
“Equals ruled by a queen?”
“I will step down, of course. Assuming I don’t get the guillotine.”
The song ends, and they separate as the music shifts back to the more energetic Wakandan fare.
“Well, Princess. Excuse me and allow me to think on this.”
“Of course, King N’Jadaka.”
As Charlotte makes her way back to Giselle, Killmonger heads to his throne, swiping a glass of liquor on the way. He sits sipping it, as W’Kabi returns to his side, separating himself from the dance he shared with Okoye.
“So?” W’Kabi asks.
“She’s clever,” Killmonger says, sipping his drink, “I can tell exactly what strings she was tugging to try and get me to do what she wanted, and I’m still considering doing it.”
“She’s dangerous.”
“And committed to her ideals. Let’s see how the rest of the night goes,” Killmonger says, leaning forward and observing the crowd.
Ch. 3: Infiltration[]
Four girls slip through the hallways, moving from shadow to shadow in the nearly empty compound. Their party dresses lie abandoned in an empty room, the group now more sensibly dressed for spy activities. They stop as Ange holds a mirror around the corner, spotting a Wakandan in a lab coat – a curiously European affectation for an isolationist African nation – approaching a door with a security camera above it.
He says his name, and the door beeps and opens. Beatrice fiddles with her voicebox, while Dorothy hands a small black ball to Chise. The ninja leans out and flicks it at the camera, breaking the lens and coating the inside in the ink that was supposed to cover the glass. Chise withers under Dorothy’s glare as Beatrice pops out and repeats the man’s name. The girls run through the opening door, and halt as they see a phalanx of Dora Milaje pointing Vibranium spears on the other end of the walkway. Ange looks to the side, noticing a network of walkways through the same chasm, and tugs on Dorothy’s sleeve.
Ange grabs Chise’s hand and sprints to the edge as Dorothy picks Beatrice up and does the same. They leap off as Ange activates her C-Ball, Dorothy grabbing her leg, to haul themselves across the chasm and up to another walkway, this one abandoned. They look across to see a barrage of sonic blasts shatter the doorway they had come through, and Dorothy sighs while Beatrice gapes.
“I told L this was a bad idea.”
“Both 7 and Colonel said this came from too high up to refuse, though,” Ange replies.
“And they were expecting us, too,” Beatrice says, “Why else would that guy be wearing a lab coat?”
“Oh, I thought that was just a scientist thing,” Chise says, “In Japan they have long coats, too.”
“And there’s no way we can win against that! Did you see how they destroyed the door? Nothing like that was in what Control gave us!” Beatrice continues.
“Hmm… yeah,” Chise says, “Being realistic, I’m not sure we can fight a prepared enemy with that kind of firepower.
“Well, we tried,” Dorothy says, looking at Ange, “Should get back to the party.”
“Right. If they welcomed us with this much force, Princess might be in danger, too.”
Ange frowns, trying to place where they are in the schematics she had memorized as Dorothy takes a drink from a flask she pulls out of her bosom. She points at a door, and the girls run through it into an enclosed hallway, lined with Vibranium pillars. They once again stop short as a squad of four Dora Milaje round the other end, and dive behind the pillars as a barrage of sonic blasts slam into the ground.
Ange fires a couple shots, which plink harmlessly off of the Vibranium weave armor worn by their opponents. She ducks back behind the pillar, which is slowly being worn away by the sonic blasts. Beatrice takes note of this, and pulls down her scarf.
“I’m going to try something. If I’m right, it should weaken their armor,” she says, and starts fiddling with her voicebox.
“Will you need to peek out?” Dorothy asks, and Beatrice nods.
“Okay. Dorothy, cover her. Chise and I will take care of the combat,” Ange says.
Beatrice finishes and leans out, protected by a couple shots from Dorothy. She opens her mouth, and the Dora Milaje stop for a second as their armor and spears start to vibrate slightly, and one grimaces as a stray shot from Dorothy hits her in the stomach, drawing blood. Chise and Ange take advantage of the moment, sprinting out of cover.
A pair of Dora fall, spears cut and throats sliced, while two more collapse, shot from the ceiling. Ange lands behind the remaining fighter, the green glow fading as she deactivates the Cavorite, and shoots her in the back of the head. Beatrice coughs as Dorothy places a hand in front of the shorter girl’s eyes, shielding her from the carnage. She fiddles with her voicebox again as Chise and Ange catch their breath.
“It looked like sonic stuff weakened Vibranium, so…” she starts, and squeals as Dorothy lifts her up, still covering her eyes.
“Good, but we need to run.”
“Not much. There’s a ventilation shaft around that corner that should take us right outside the room we stored our dresses in,” Ange says, “But it’s probably best if you keep hold of her.”
The girls run off, hastening to return to the party before they are missed.
Ch. 4: Confrontation[]
Charlotte looks to the side as the other members of Team White Pigeon slip into the venue, shaking their heads. She slides over to Giselle’s side, looking at the agitated state of the blue-clad Wakandans.
“I think they might try something,” she whispers, “They look on edge.”
Giselle nods, shooting a piercing glare at the Border Tribe members as she heads around to the disguised soldiers they had brough from Albion. This didn’t escape the notice of the Wakandans, who tensed further as Charlotte stood next to her friends.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Dorothy whispers.
“Forcing a confrontation.”
“What? But we…” Beatrice starts.
“Are about to be encircled,” Ange murmurs, “If she can force something to happen before that…”
As she speaks, a group of Dora Milaje and Border Tribe guards streams out from behind the throne, weapons drawn. The girls shrink back as the Kingdom’s soldiers draw their concealed weaponry, causing a standoff. Killmonger strides through the soldiers into a suddenly-clear path in the ballroom.
“Thieves!” he yells, pointing dramatically at the Kingdom’s delegation. Charlotte and Ange sigh, and the Princess steps forth, waving Giselle back as she walks towards him.
“And what do you contend we’ve stolen?”
“Our alarms in the Great Mound were set off. Some of you attempted to steal Vibranium,” Killmonger says, drawing a stately laugh from Charlotte.
“My, how brazen. To steal when they would be the only possible suspects, you truly think low of us.”
“Of course the colonizer whore denies it,” W’Kabi shouts in Xhosa, “We should kill them all here for their transgressions.”
“That would be a bad idea,” Charlotte says in slightly stilted Xhosa, “Giving Albion reason to invade would be suicide.”
“Would it?” Killmonger asks in Xhosa, stepping forward and lowering his voice. Charlotte steps forward as well, and the conversation continues between the two of them, “We know the Kingdom is falling behind the Commonwealth rather rapidly in technology.”
“I told you my ambitions, Killmonger. Do you really think I only have backers on one side of the wall? The Kingdom’s manpower united with the Commonwealth’s technology doesn’t seem like something you can face."
“As always, your people only know how to threaten.”
“Was it not one of yours that suggesting killing us?”
“Well, if you weren’t strong enough to call off the theft – and I know someone did it – you’re not enough to bet on.”
“That is a shame. I take it you’ll let us leave without a fight?”
Killmonger nods, and the two step back, returning to the head of their respective hosts. The tension in the air increases as Killmonger throws his shoulders back and opens his mouth to speak.
“Y’all gonna leave,” he says in English, pointing at the opposing delegation, “And no one from Albion will be welcome in Wakanda so long as I am its king.”
“Very well, King N’Jobu,” Charlotte replies in English, “It’s regrettable that you would break our long history, but your intentions were clear from the start tonight. The Kingdom of Albion wishes you the best of luck maintaining your usurpation.”
She gives a stiff, mocking curtsy before turning on her heel, striding through her guards. The Wakandans lower their weapons, and the gala ends with the Albion delegation heading to their airship in a phalanx, not trusting the Wakandan soldiers to not try and spring a surprise attack.
Skippable DFederal Epilogue[]
“Thank you, Lurker,” Leo says, looking at the small, multifaceted crystal the bundle of tentacles and chitin had given him.
IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM. SNEAKING ABOUT IS… NOVEL. ENJOYABLE.
“Well, I’d imagine an Entity with your abilities wouldn’t need to be stealthy very often.”
INDEED I DO NOT. BUT THAT IS BESIDE THE POINT. WITH THIS YOU NEED BUT ONE MORE THING.
“Yes… I need to call the DFSB into a meeting.”
THEN I WILL SEE YOU LATER. CALAMITY WILL TRY TO STOP YOU. I CAN HELP, IF ASKED.
“For what price?”
NONE. I AM CURIOUS TO SEE WHERE THIS LEADS.
Lurker vanishes, and a split-second later Leo, too, leaves the room. He had plans to lay out, and preparations to make.
“That should be it, then?” Cfp says, wary of celebration despite Artorius and other members of the Order of the Burning Eye grinning in triumph. With Team White Pigeon’s loss, whatever they had been tasked to retrieve – disguised as Vibranium, no doubt – had been successfully kept out of Leo’s hands.
n o T q u i t E. i T w a S m I s d i r e c t i o N. l u r k e R g a v E h i M s o m e t h i n G.
Cfp’s grimaces as the room’s mood deflates, victory turning to unease.
“Do we know what it was?” he asks.
y e S. A c r y s t a L o F s o m E s o r T. a l l o w S l i n k i n G c o n s c i o u s n e... o H. t h i S i S b a D.
“Calamity?”
t h E o r d e R w i l L b E a t t a c k e D s o o N. c f P, y o U m u s T d e s t r o Y l e O t h e N.
“Very well,” Cfp says, summoning Arondight to his hand, “With what I’ve discovered with this… I should be able to do it. If he doesn’t have any tricks I don’t know.”
y o U w i l L b E g i v e N g i f t S. t O e v e N t h i n g S o u T.
A tendril extends from the pitch-black cloud, catching alight with a fire as intense as the single eye that stared at the User. It passes through him. Setting him alight as well. He gasps as the flames wrack his body, and those around him sigh in adulation and envy as he receives the favor of their patron. The flame recedes, leaving him holding a banner and unchanged, save for his eyes. They, appearing much the same as Calamity’s, look upon the cloth, emblazoned with a shield and two crossed swords.
“A sliver of your power, and… yes, this will help greatly. I can definitely win with these.”
Goro Akechi stretches and rolls his shoulders after another hard day’s work at the police department. He feels a tap on the right, and turns around to see who it is.
“Yo, Akechi,” Joker says, waving at his best frenemy.
“Ren. Funny how we never run into each other despite your… workplace.”
“Stay with the Thieves for a bit. Please.”
“I told you, I don’t want your pity. I’m quite capable of…”
“It’s not pity, Crow. Something bad might happen in the sewers. It would be best if it didn’t, but…”
Akechi snarls, and just before launching into a tirade he hears an older, calmer voice calling to him.
“Akechi! You should… oh,” Elijah Snow says, walking out of the police station, “Looks like you’ve already found a place.”
“A place for what?”
“Leo just fucking teleported me to talk about the job he… outsourced to us. He told me to get any members of Planetary currently in the sewers aboveground for a bit. Zuko relayed the same message from that friend of his, and it looks like Joker’s telling you the same. So it’s probably serious. You can stay with me if you’d rather–”
“No, thank you,” Akechi says, “I’ll do my best to get along with them. You did tell me to try that, right?”
“Good,” Elijah says, and walks off after giving the teen a paternal pat on the shoulder.