To the Gorillas

“I am M’Baku!” said the enormous African man who was clad from head to toe in the hide of a white gorilla. “They call me Man-Ape!”

Sergei grimaced and glanced around uncomfortably to make sure that he was indeed far away from the realm of western political correctness. “I’m-” he started to say.

“I know who you are!” M’Baku said as he stood up from his throne of animal hides and bones. “Tell me why I shouldn’t snap you in two where you stand, Kraven the Hunter?!”

Sergei raised his hands placatingly. “I come in peace, great M’Baku. I have heard much of your great feats of strength and huntsmanship. They say you hunted the rare and elusive white gorilla, ate its flesh, and claimed its power. As one hunter to another, I offer my deep respects.”

A slight smile lifted the corners of M’Baku’s lips. He sat back down on his throne. “I do not believe for one second that you came crawling all the way here merely to spit honey in my face. What do you want?”

“The same thing you do,” Sergei said with a smile, “To hunt the Black Panther.”

“Why would I need your help to do that, little man?” M’Baku growled.

“I think our goals aligns perfectly,” Sergei replied. “You want the throne of Wakanda. The Black Panther is merely an obstacle to that goal. As for me, I want the Black Panther. I want to skin him and wear his hide as a trophy, the same way you do with the white-gorilla. However for me, Wakanda is my obstacle. They will be a thorn in my side for the rest of my life for being a kingslayer.”

M’Baku snorted. “You did not answer my question.”

“You’ve faced the Black Panther several times before and come off worse. I can take him. In return, you get to claim the throne of Wakanda. I wouldn’t be a kingslayer then. I would be a kingmaker!”

“That is assuming you can indeed defeat the Black Panther. You faced him before as well and was soundly defeated.”

“That was then,” Sergei said, “I’m better now.”

M’Baku rolled his eyes. “This was a waste of time. Leave.”

With his super speed, Sergei closed the distance between him and M’Baku in a fraction of a second and placed his hand on the M’Baku’s forehead. M’Baku’s face grew slack and his eyes became vacant.

“You’re so untrusting,” Sergei said into M’Baku’s ear. “You should be more amicable to your friends, don’t you think? Especially me.”

Sergei dropped his hand and M’Baku blinked several times, looking disoriented. Then he looked at Sergei who was by his side and smiled. “Let the hunt begin, my friend,” the Man-Ape said.