Chapter 21: The Ultimate Serum part 1/2.
More advance chapters on P@treon.com/Saintbarbido.
Check out a Doom in DC Universe fanfic titled "DC Under Doom" by Rentakun on Webnovel. It's 10 chapters and complete.
:-:
(General P.O.V)
-Next day-
The doors to Wakanda's Research and Development wing hissed open, revealing a sprawling laboratory that looked like it had been plucked from the future.
Vibranium-infused machinery hummed with energy, and scientists in sleek, white coats moved about with purpose.
Bond stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room with a mix of awe and nostalgia.
He patted the journal in his coat pocket. It was like he was Erskine's assistant all over again. Though the Wakandan Lab was league's ahead of anything the SSR had.
Sw'Thandi walked beside him, his demeanor calm but with a hint of pride.
"Welcome to the heart of Wakanda's innovation," he said, gesturing to the bustling lab. "This is where we push the boundaries of science, technology and Vibranium."
Bond raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. I didn't take you for a scientist, Panther."
Sw'Thandi smirked. "There's much you don't know about me, Sergeant. I hold a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Harvard. My father insisted I understand the world beyond Wakanda's borders before taking on the mantle of the Black Panther."
Bond chuckled. "A prince, a warrior, and a scientist. You're full of surprises."
"Come, no dilly dallying." Sw'Thandi led him to a secluded section of the lab, where a large, cylindrical pod stood in the center of the room.
Inside the pod was a glowing, purple plant with heart-shaped leaves. The air around it seemed to shimmer with energy.
'Reminds me of Bast.' thought Bond.
"This," Sw'Thandi said in a referent tone, "is the Heart-Shaped Herb. It is the source of the Black Panther's strength and the foundation of Wakanda's advancements in human enhancement. It grants heightened senses, strength, speed, and agility- far beyond what your Super Soldier Serum can achieve."
Bond made no effort to correct the prince and instead studied the herb intrigued. "And you're willing to share this with me?"
Sw'Thandi's expression turned serious. "Not without conditions. The Senate has agreed to allow you access to the herb on one condition: you must share Erskine's Super Soldier Serum with us. We will not create super soldiers—my father has sworn to that—but we wish to study the serum to better understand its effects and potential."
"And also how to counter it." Bond finished.
"If need be. Yes." Said the Prince.
Bond crossed his arms, considering the offer. "And if I refuse?"
"Then you leave Wakanda with nothing," Sw'Thandi replied bluntly. "This is not a negotiation, Bond. It is a trade. Trust for trust."
Bond nodded slowly. "Fair enough. I'll share the serum. But know this—if I find out you've broken your word and created super soldiers, there will be consequences."
Sw'Thandi met his gaze without flinching. "And if you betray Wakanda, there will be no place on Earth where you can hide."
The two men stared at each other for a moment, the tension palpable. Then Bond extended his hand. "Deal."
Sw'Thandi shook it firmly. "Deal."
Over the next six months, Bond immersed himself in the lab, working alongside Sw'Thandi and Wakanda's top scientists.
The process was fascinating and gruelingly challenging, requiring countless hours of research, experimentation, and testing.
Reverse engineering the serum alone was a testament to how far ahead of his time Erskine had been.
Sw'thandi and Wakandan top minds called the late scientist, 'a once in a millennium pioneer.'
Bond's knowledge of the Super Soldier Serum from the journal, the vial he carried with him combined with Wakanda's advanced technology and the Heart-Shaped Herb, created a synergy that pushed the boundaries of human enhancement to unchanged territory.
The outside world continued to burn as World War II raged on, but within Wakanda, time seemed to stand still.
Bond kept in periodic contact with Peggy through encrypted messages, updating her on his progress and receiving news from the frontlines.
The SSR's campaign against Hydra was gaining momentum, but the cost was still high.
Bucky Barnes had taken on a more prominent role in Steve's absence, leading the Howling Commandos with a ferocity that bordered on recklessness.
Peggy's messages were always brief but filled with an undercurrent of worry.
("Bucky's not the same without Steve. He's pushing himself too hard. We need you back out here, Bond. The war isn't over yet.")
Bond read the message late one night, his fingers tightening around the communicator. He wanted to be out there, fighting alongside his comrades, but he knew his work in Wakanda was just as important.
If he could perfect the serum, he could tip the scales in the Allies' favor.
-Six Months Later-
The lab was quiet, the hum of machinery the only sound as Bond and Sw'Thandi worked late into the night.
A vial with a golden liquid sat in a cooler on the table before them. This was the result of their half year work.
The enhanced serum was nearly complete, its formula a perfect blend of Erskine's original design and the Heart-Shaped Herb's properties.
All in all, the enhancement value was estimated to go from having the combined strength of 10 men, a running speed of 35 miles an hour to 10 times that.
Bond felt a sense of excitement as he reviewed the final calculations on the holofeed in the air.
"This will change everything," Bond said, his voice low. "If this sample is successful, we could end the war in a month."
Sw'Thandi nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Perhaps. But we must proceed with caution. The serum is still too powerful for a normal person, even a freak of nature like you. We will need to lower its potency to stabilize the effects. We cannot afford you blowing up from the inside or worse, turning into another Red Skull."
Before Bond could respond, the lab's alarms blared, shattering the silence. Red lights flashed, and the sound of distant explosions echoed through the walls.
"What the hell is going on?" Bond demanded, his instincts kicking in.
Sw'Thandi's eyes widened as he accessed a holographic display. "We're under attack. An army of intelligent gorillas is storming the Palace."
"They're targeting our vibranium storerooms." A furious expression tookover his face before the Panther mask covered it.
Bond grabbed the coat Sw'thandi discarded as he changed into the Panther costume. "Gorillas? Intelligent gorillas?"
"Yes," Black Panther answered in a grim voice. "They're led by a rogue faction from the neighboring jungles. They've been a thorn in our side for years, but they've never been this organized—or this bold. I should have known that bastard Son of the Jabari would do this."
Bond smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Well, it's been a while since I've had a good fight. Let's see what these apes are made of."
Sw'Thandi hesitated before turning around to face Bond. "No, James. You should stay here. Someone needs to guard the serum and I can't trust anyone else."
"Are you sure you don't need my assistance?" A frowning Bond asked.
"Thank you, my friend." Sw'thandi stated, his claws popping out. "But no average Gorilla can stand a chance against THE Panther."