Chapter 2: Meeting Shuri

The gleaming towers of Wakanda stretched up toward the sky, their futuristic designs blending seamlessly with the natural landscape. It was a place that felt both ancient and impossibly advanced, a reflection of its people. As Tony Stark stepped off the sleek vibranium-clad Wakandan aircraft, he couldn't help but admire the seamless integration of technology and tradition. He was here for a purpose—a new start, a new vision. And he was excited.

"Welcome to Wakanda, Mr. Stark." Okoye's voice was sharp but respectful. She stood tall in her uniform as the General of the Dora Milaje, and her presence alone commanded attention.

"Please, call me Tony," he replied, offering his trademark smirk. "I've heard so much about this place, but seeing it… Wow. You've outdone yourselves."

Okoye raised a brow, clearly unimpressed by the charm. "This way," she said, motioning him to follow. He chuckled inwardly—he liked her already.

They walked through the city, where Tony's eyes darted from one technological marvel to the next. Vibranium-powered transportation, advanced architecture, even the holographic street signs—all of it spoke to a level of technology that exceeded anything he'd seen before.

But he wasn't here just for the sights. He was here for answers. His research had led him to Wakanda, and more specifically, to one person: Shuri. From what he'd read, she was the genius behind much of Wakanda's technological advancements, particularly their vibranium-based tech. If there was anyone who could help him take his designs to the next level, it was her.

Okoye led him through the royal palace and into a sleek, minimalist lab that immediately made Tony's inner engineer buzz with excitement. The walls were lined with holographic displays, and several prototypes of tech Tony could barely recognize floated in the air. This was a place where ideas became reality.

"Mr. Stark, meet Princess Shuri," Okoye said, stepping aside.

At first glance, Tony wasn't sure what to expect, but the young woman standing at the center of the lab, her arms crossed and a playful smirk on her face, immediately defied any preconceived notions he had. Shuri, no more than 23, radiated confidence. Her eyes gleamed with intelligence, and there was an ease to her stance, as if the entire world could be her playground.

"Well, well," Tony said, grinning as he approached. "Princess Shuri. I've read about you. Turns out, you're even more brilliant than the rumors suggest."

Shuri raised an eyebrow, stepping forward to meet him halfway. "And you must be Tony Stark. I've read about you too. Something about a billionaire playboy who turned hero? Let's see if the rumors about you hold up."

Tony blinked, caught off guard for just a second. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. This was going to be fun.

"Touché," he said with a wink. "I'm here because I've hit a bit of a wall. I'm working on some pretty advanced stuff, but I think you've got something I don't. Vibranium, energy sources, healing tech—your fingerprints are all over it. I want to collaborate. See what we can come up with together."

Shuri studied him for a moment, her arms still crossed. There was a sharpness to her gaze, but also curiosity. "So, you want to pick my brain about vibranium? What's in it for me?"

Tony chuckled. "Besides the chance to work with me? How about this: you help me, and we create something that changes the world. Not just for Wakanda. Not just for me. For everyone."

Shuri tilted her head, considering him. Then, with a confident smile, she turned to the holographic display and pulled up a blueprint of one of Wakanda's energy sources. "You think you can handle this?"

Tony's eyes lit up as he studied the design. His fingers itched to start tinkering with it, to understand how it worked. He glanced at Shuri, and for the first time in months, he felt that familiar spark—the excitement of innovation, the thrill of discovery.

"Oh, I think we're going to get along just fine," Tony said.

They spent the next few hours deep in conversation, the lab filled with their voices as they discussed ideas, debated theories, and challenged each other's thinking. Shuri didn't hold back, and Tony found himself enjoying every second of it. She wasn't just smart—she was a genius, and her ability to think outside the box pushed Tony to consider possibilities he hadn't even dreamed of.

"This vibranium tech," Tony said, pointing to a projection of the Mark 51 suit. "I want to integrate it into my suit, but I need it to be adaptive, responsive. Like, real-time adjustments to damage or energy input. You've done something like this before, right?"

Shuri nodded, swiping through the holographic display until a new design appeared—a vibranium-enhanced armor prototype. "We've been working on something similar for our defenses. I can help you tweak it, but you'll need to let go of some of the rigidity in your original design. Your current suit is impressive, but it's too… rigid. Vibranium can make it flexible, adaptive. It could even regenerate small amounts of energy on its own."

Tony stared at the display, his mind racing with the possibilities. "You're telling me we could make this thing self-sustaining? No need for a power source?"

Shuri smirked. "With the right modifications, yes. But don't get too excited yet. We've still got work to do."

He turned to her, a grin spreading across his face. "Princess, I'm always excited. Especially when it comes to work."

Shuri rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips. "You're insufferable, you know that?"

"Yeah, but I'm also a genius."

"Debatable."

Their banter was light, easy, but underneath it was a mutual respect that was quickly forming. They were kindred spirits—both obsessed with pushing the boundaries of what was possible, both driven by the need to create.

As the sun began to set, and the lab's soft lights flickered on, Tony realized something. For the first time since the Avengers had fractured, he felt alive. Truly alive. Shuri's presence, her intellect, her wit—it had reignited something in him. The future didn't feel so bleak anymore. It felt like a challenge. One he was ready to take on with her by his side.

"So," Tony said, as they wrapped up their work for the day. "What do you say we make history together?"

Shuri glanced at him, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Oh, we will, Tony. We definitely will."