Chapter 14: Preparing for War

The sense of urgency in the air was palpable. After hearing the news of Thanos' impending arrival, the entire palace and lab in Wakanda were bustling with activity. Tony Stark had barely slept since the call from Doctor Strange and Thor. Every moment counted. Thanos wasn't just a threat to Earth; he was a threat to everything. And Tony was determined not to let that happen.

Shuri was by his side, as always, tirelessly working on the upgrades to the suits. The Mark 85 was already coming together, and Tony had a clear vision for it: stronger, more resilient, and built for one purpose—to face down the Mad Titan. But they weren't just stopping there. Every Avenger would have a suit, each one tailored to their strengths, optimized to give them a fighting chance against the cosmic force that was about to descend upon them.

The blueprint for the Mark 85 flickered in front of Tony, the holographic projection highlighting the suit's most vital new feature: its energy-absorbing ability. Shuri had been instrumental in integrating Wakandan vibranium tech into the suit, making it capable of absorbing and redirecting the immense power of the Infinity Stones.

"You're sure this will hold up against the Stones?" Tony asked, glancing over at Shuri, who was meticulously adjusting the suit's power conduits.

Shuri didn't look up, her focus sharp as she worked. "It's the best defense we've got. Vibranium has the unique ability to absorb energy from almost any source, and with the modifications we've made, it should be able to handle the Stones' power."

Tony frowned, thinking about the sheer scale of power Thanos wielded. "Should be able to?"

Shuri glanced at him, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "You want guarantees when we're up against a madman with god-like power? You know better than that."

Tony chuckled, though the weight of the situation still pressed heavily on his chest. "Fair point. I just don't like the idea of walking into this half-prepared."

"We won't be half-prepared," Shuri said, her tone firm. "This suit is more than just an upgrade, Tony. It's designed to take on Thanos. Every piece of tech we've developed, every lesson we've learned—it all comes down to this."

Tony nodded, his mind still racing. "And the others?"

Shuri tapped on her interface, pulling up the designs for the suits she had been working on for the Avengers. Each one was custom-built, designed to enhance the unique abilities of its wearer. Captain America's suit was reinforced with vibranium plating, his shield integrated into the suit's energy systems for maximum defense. Natasha's suit was sleek and stealthy, incorporating advanced cloaking tech and agility enhancements. Clint's suit featured upgraded targeting systems and enhanced mobility, perfect for the battlefield.

"We're giving them the best chance we can," Shuri said, her voice steady. "But they'll still need to fight smart."

Tony nodded, scanning through the designs. "They're ready for this. They've faced impossible odds before."

"But not like this," Shuri added quietly.

Tony paused, her words sinking in. She was right. Thanos wasn't just another villain. He was an unstoppable force, with the power to reshape the universe. And while the Avengers had always been able to overcome the odds, this was different. This wasn't just about winning a fight. It was about survival.

"We've got to give them every advantage we can," Tony said, his mind whirling with ideas. "Maybe we should equip some of the suits with additional weapons. We need to hit him with everything."

Shuri nodded, already making adjustments to the designs. "We'll integrate energy weapons into their suits, just like we did with yours. They'll be able to channel vibranium energy into their attacks, giving them more firepower."

Tony felt a surge of determination as the plan came together. They didn't have much time, but they were making the most of it. Every second counted, and they were using it to prepare for the fight of their lives.

As the days went on, the lab became a hive of activity. Tony and Shuri worked tirelessly, barely stopping to eat or sleep. The suits were coming together, each one more advanced than the last, and Tony could feel the weight of the upcoming battle pressing down on him. But he wasn't alone in this. Every time he felt the pressure start to build, Shuri was there, steady and focused, reminding him that they were in this together.

One night, as they worked late into the evening, Tony paused, glancing at Shuri as she adjusted the energy core for the Mark 85. He watched her for a moment, appreciating her unwavering determination. She had become more than just a partner in this fight—she had become his anchor.

"You know," Tony said, breaking the silence, "I'm not sure I could've done this without you."

Shuri looked up, surprised by the sudden seriousness in his tone. "What are you talking about? You've been doing this kind of thing for years."

"Yeah, but not like this," Tony admitted, his voice softer now. "This is different. The stakes are higher, and... I don't know. I've never faced anything like this before."

Shuri set down her tools, turning to face him fully. "You're not facing this alone, Tony. We're all in this together."

Tony smiled, but there was a heaviness in his expression. "I know. It's just... I'm not used to letting people in, I guess."

Shuri's gaze softened, and she stepped closer to him. "You don't have to carry this on your own. You've got me, the Avengers, Wakanda. We're going to face Thanos together."

Tony met her gaze, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over him. She was right. For so long, he had carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, but now, he had a team. He had people he could trust, people who were just as committed to saving the world as he was.

"Thanks, Shuri," Tony said quietly. "For everything."

Shuri smiled, the tension between them easing slightly. "Don't thank me yet. We've still got a lot of work to do."

Tony chuckled, the weight on his chest lifting just a bit. "Yeah, you're right. Let's get back to it."

As the deadline for Thanos' arrival loomed closer, the team worked harder than ever. The lab was filled with the hum of machines, the clatter of tools, and the sound of rapid-fire discussions as Tony and Shuri made last-minute adjustments to the suits.

The Mark 85 was finally complete—a masterpiece of technology, combining Tony's genius with Wakanda's vibranium advancements. It was stronger, faster, and more adaptive than any suit Tony had ever built. It was designed for one purpose: to fight Thanos and survive.

The other suits were also ready, each one perfectly tailored to its wearer. The Avengers would be equipped with the most advanced tech on the planet, giving them a fighting chance against the Mad Titan.

But even with all the preparation, the tension in the air was thick. Everyone knew what was coming, and the weight of the battle ahead pressed down on them like a storm.

The night before Thanos' expected arrival, Tony found himself standing on the balcony of the palace once again, staring out at the stars. The quiet before the storm.

Shuri joined him after a few moments, her presence grounding him in a way that no one else could.

"Tomorrow," Tony said quietly, his voice filled with the gravity of the situation. "It all goes down tomorrow."

Shuri nodded, her expression serious but calm. "We'll be ready."

Tony turned to her, his eyes filled with determination. "We've done everything we can. Now it's up to us to make sure it's enough."

Shuri met his gaze, her confidence unwavering. "It will be."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the coming battle hanging between them. But even in the face of overwhelming odds, Tony felt a sense of calm. He wasn't alone in this. He had Shuri, the Avengers, Wakanda—all of them fighting for the same goal.

"We'll win," Tony said, his voice filled with quiet resolve. "We have to."

Shuri nodded, her eyes filled with the same determination. "We will."

And as they stood there, side by side, staring out at the stars, Tony knew that no matter what happened, they would face it together.