In the heart of Zion sat a large mountain known as the Great Mound. The are held the nation's greatest resource: PLUTONIUM. This incredible, light-absorbing metal had been the source of Zionion's advanced technology for centuries. Zionions working in the mines considered it an honor to be chosen for such a role. Today, however, many of them did not feel very honored.
"LOOK OUT!" a miner shouted.
TICK, TICK, TICK.
BOOM!
An explosion rocked the Great Mound as the White Gorilla Cultists stormed the area. They were led by a fearsome warlord known as KAI, who directed his mercenaries to destroy everything. Their savagery was known through-out Zion. However, their exact motives remained unclear. They hadn't stolen anything, nor had they before. Their only mission, it seemed, was to terrify.
"Run for your LIVES!" another miner yelled.
Terrified workers scattered in all directions as cultists ravaged the area. Pandemonium over-took the Mound as miners desperately defended themselves against the brutal attack.
A cultist raised his spear high into the air above an innocent miner, but before he could land a blow, a silent black streak darted across the Great Mound at lightning speed.
!!!
It was the BLACK BACK, and he was very angry. He pounced on the cultist, ripping the spear from his hand and tossing him through the air!
The fallen cultist scoffed. "You have no idea what's coming."
The ominous warning struck fear in Black Back's heart. Crusaders business had kept him busy. He'd been spending more time outside of Zion than he was used to, and it left him feeling as if he didn't knew what was going on inside his own country.
"What do you want?" Black Back growled.
"You'll see," the cultist sneered.
"Where is KAI?" Black Back asked.
Before he could answer, a new commotion swept through the mound.
"Clear out!" a cultist roared. The cultists were retreating. They'd released a smoke bomb that coated the area in a thick cloud fog to mask their exit.
As the smoke cleared, Black Back was left with even more questions.
"Is everyone alright?" Black Back asked the miners.
"No!" a voice shouted. "We are not all right!" An angry miner named Kane barreled to the front of the throng.
"Speak freely. Kane, so that you may be heard." Black Back said.
Kane's body tensed as he described the situation.
"These White Gorillas Cultists have attacked the Great Mound three times in the past month. And for what?!" Kane shouted.
He paced back and forth with a nervous energy. "They do not steal our Plutonium. Why then do they attack? When will this violence stop?!" Kane looked at his fellow miners for approval. He hoped they, too, would speak up, but the crowd hung their heads low and remained silent.
Kane turned his attention back to Black Back. "Where have you been, dear king? Do you not know what is happening in your own kingdom?"
Black Back prided himself on being a kind and approachable leader. He wasn't used to being confronted with such anger from one of his own people. Kane's frustration was unmistakable. Black Back wondered if his response would be enough. He considered his words carefully before speaking.
"I'm aware of these previous assaults. I understand the terrible toll they've taken. I'm currently investigating the situation," he explained.
"Ha!" Kane cackled. He turned, pointing to the other frustrated miners. "And you think this brings us comfort? We need a leader. Meanwhile, our king is too busy being a Super Hero."
Kane's words stung. Black Back cared deeply for the Zionion people and had always done what he felt was in their best interest. Being an Crusader and defending the Earth was part of that mission. Now he wasn't so sure it was the best course of action.
"Your father was devoted to his country. He died protecting it," Kane said.
Black Back's anger began to rise. "I love this country and will do anything to protect its people."
"Prove it," Kane said.
"Enough!" Black Back turned and addressed the crowd with authority. "It's true that I have a life outside our nation. I'm proud to walk among Earth's Mightiest Heroes, but hear me when I say they do not own me. I am not at their beck and call."
AFWOOOOM!!! A mechanical roar sounded in the distant sky, moving closer by the second.
It was the Quin-jet, chosen mode of transportation for the Crusaders. The craft landed on the edge of the Great Mound as the assembled miners stared with curiosity.
"Do you see? Do you see? Our king's masters are here to collect him," Kane said, turning to the other miners. "these people and their ugly spacecrafts. A Zionion could create something ten times better."