Chapter Text
Shuri was lost, well not really. She knew exactly where she was, but mentally she had no idea which direction to go. She felt numb and so incredibly cold. If only the avengers were stronger, if only she was faster, if only…
Shuri was sitting alone in the throne room, half of the council was turned to dust with her brother and mother. She had dismissed the council until further notice to allow them to grieve. How could they grieve at a time like this, no bodies to bury when half of the population turned to dust. They were able to grieve those that fell in the attack properly, but what of the missing, what of her family?
Shuri had allowed the avengers to spend time here in Wakanda, but she knew they were ashamed. Ashamed, of course they should feel ashamed, they are, or at least were, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, but Shuri knew better. They were a weak group that hated each other from the Battle of New York to the Battle of Wakanda. They were no longer the avengers, just a group of people processing their trauma by fighting between themselves.
Okoye walked through the doors, startling Shuri out of her stupor. “Princess, you must stop your pity party, Wakanda needs a leader.”
Shuri stood, “What am I supposed to do? My brother was taught how to lead, how to protect. All I am is a scientist, a child who scoffs at tradition, I cannot lead Wakanda.”
“That is where you are wrong,” Okoye counters. “You have led Wakanda to greatness, keeping our people safe with your technology. Do not listen to the ugly overgrown gorilla, you have grown into a bright woman. Your people need you now more than ever. The UN is approaching Wakanda about sharing resources. I am worried that if we do not show a strong front we will lose our way of life.”
Shuri took a deep breath, sitting back down on the throne, “Tell the UN we are in a state of mourning as we have lost our King. This should buy me some time to gather my thoughts. I will address Wakanda tomorrow.” Okoye nodded her head, walking back out of the room.
“Bast, please provide guidance, what can I do? Wakanda has no allies to lean on,” Shuri buried her face in her hands. She was found later that night asleep on the throne, dried tears on her cheeks. She was then carried to her rooms and laid in her bed.
When Shuri awoke she was met with one of the palace servants laying an outfit out for her. “Thank you, but I can prepare myself today.” The servant nodded their head and left the room. Shuri had no idea what to say to her people, this was the first time she would be saying anything to all of Wakanda.
Once Shuri was finished with her hair she decided to put on her war paint, showing that she was going to fight for Wakanda in any conflict she faces. She returns the outfit the servant chose, trading the outfit for battle armor, she exuded the power she held. She would never be caught off guard again.
Shuri follows the dora onto a balcony, people crowding the streets. “My people,” Shuri raises her arms, gesturing for them to calm, “I know this has been a trying time for us all, we are in a mourning period for the loss of the victims of Thano’s atack. I give you my word, as princess, that I will protect Wakanda from any threat. Unlike my brother I will not allow outsiders into our home. However, unlike my father, I cannot allow Wakanda to be weakened with no allies on the global scene. I will strengthen this great nation no matter the cost. We will not be weak in the eyes of the world, we will be strong!” The crowd began to cheer, applause echoing through the city. Shuri knew what she had to do now.
Shuri called for her staff to gather the head scientists and military leaders. No matter what Okoye said, they had to break tradition for the betterment of Wakanda. She entered the throne room to see Okoye and M’Baku waiting for her.
“That was a wonderful speech princess,” M’Baku chuckled, pointing a carrot at her. “I cannot wait to see the changes you bring when you become queen.”
Okoye rolled her eyes at the man, turning her attention to Shuri. “Are you sure you know what you are doing princess? You are not a warrior, nor have you been trained in the ways of politics like T’Challa.”
Shuri huffed, “I am no longer a child. I can figure this out, humans are predictable, especially greedy colonizers.” Shuri flopped down on the throne, very unqueenly as M’Baku would later comment. Just a few moments later the dora guards announced the arrival of the scientists and generals.
Shuri sat up in the throne, trying her best to appear as confident as her brother and father had before her. “I have summoned you all here to strengthen the borders and provide upgrades to our military armor. I want the military to be able to go toe to toe with enhanced beings such as Captain America and the Hulk.”
Okoye objected, “You cannot change centuries of tradition.”
Shuri glanced at her, “I will not let Wakanda fall due to our traditions. We will not lose them, but they must be upgraded. Your spears must become more lethal and accessible. I will not have my people die in another pointless war due to being overpowered physically. You may keep whatever traditions you would like, but there must be changes.”
“Yes princess,” Okoye agreed reluctantly.
Shuri faced the scientists, “The borders must also be calibrated to withstand an attack from the atmosphere as well as beneath the ground. Set up sensors and satellites to warn us of any approaching attacks. Whatever you can think of to strengthen the border, I approve of it.”
The scientist nodded their heads in affirmation. “You are all dismissed.” Shuri waved her hand, the group shuffling out of the throne room leaving Shuri with Okoye and M’Baku.
Okoye stood and turned towards Shuri. “What is the meaning of this, we cannot break tradition. I cannot replace a spear with any of your technology.”
Shuri stood, placing her hands on Okoye’s shoulders. “I am not asking you to do that. The dora will remain with their spears, spears that will be modified so that no one but the Dora may use them. I also ask that the dora have a secondary weapon with them just in case.”
Okoye contemplated Shuri’s ideas. “What of our armor?”
“The armor will appear to remain the same, however, the armor will provide more strength and agility to the users. There will also be a small amount of the dora that will have nanotechnology suits that allow them to fly like Iron Man or Vision.” Okoye seemed to brighten up at the idea. Shuri gestured for her to leave, “I must speak with M’Baku alone.”
Once they were alone M’baku spoke, “I now see that I was wrong, you are not a child who scoffs at tradition. You are a leader that brings the ideals of your people to a new level.”
Shuri was about to speak when he interrupted her. “The Jabari may never agree to unite with the rest of Wakanda, but we would be happy to become allies, friends. If you would allow us.”
Shuri smiled warmly, “Of course, but I must ask that you train me to become a warrior. I have training with the Dora Milaje now as well, but if I am to become queen I must be able to fight at warrior falls in a year's time.”
M’Baku nodded his head, “If I cannot train you personally I will have my best warrior train you.” With that M’Baku left the palace.
Shuri wandered the halls of the palace, suddenly she heard a faint hissing noise. She kept walking, the hissing became louder. Shuri was able to hear a small voice, “Come find me, I can help you.” Shuri stood frozen, the voice grew louder and louder, drowning out all the sounds of the busy palace.
Suddenly the entire palace, including the hissing, came to an abrupt stop. There was no noise, just emptiness. Shuri tried to call out to her guards, but no noise came from her. A shiver grew up Shuri’s spine, raising the hair on her neck. She turned to see two glowing purple eyes.
“WAKE UP,” a looming, dark voice shouted from the void.
Shuri gasped, sitting up straight. She frantically looked around, trying to grasp where she was. There was a large window, the moon’s glow reaching into the room. Red dirt under her feet. Shuri came to realize she fell asleep after M’Baku left. It seemed to have been late at night, possibly early morning.
Shuri shook her head, trying to get rid of the weird dream she had occurred. Quickly leaving the throne room in favor of her lab, knowing she wasn’t going to be getting any sleep for the rest of the night.