Rising From the Ashes • COMPLETED ✓

15.) Fire Away: Shuri Udaku

SHURI UDAKU - PRINCESS OF WAKANDA

July 11th, 2017, Wakanda

    The algorithm that I made to flush out HYDRA's programming is going splendidly well. So far, the hologram of Bucky's brain hasn't rejected the process, and I'm elated at my success. Spinning in my chair and looking at all of my inventions, I can't help but beam at my progresses.

I believe that at this rate, James Buchanan Barnes should be ready to completely recover from his brainwashing in a week. Steve will be so happy, I think, and my smile grows when I imagine the captain's face light up completely. It's been a long time since the world has seen Steve Rogers' genuine smile.

    A couple of knocks interrupt my joyful thoughts. "Who is it?"

    "It's Steve,"

    "And Nat,"

    "And me!"

    What? Who was that last voice? It sounded like... Someone a lot younger then anyone I know. Since the stranger is with Natasha and Steve, I shrug it off. "Come in, all of you. I have good news."

    "We have even better news!" Steve chirps, and I can tell just how cheery he is. I cock my head at the door. What's behind there that's so great? Is it new tech? The customized pizza delivery I made?

    Mr. Rogers, Mrs. Romanoff, and a guy file into my workshop. He looks to be about my age—but he's definitely not Wakandan. Around his fingers is a phone, and by its model I can tell that it's an iPhone 8 plus. To my knowledge, it's one of America's best phones currently; to me, however, it's a piece of garbage. No offense, America. I stand up from my chair and walk towards the three of them.

"Steve, who is this?" I gesture at the guy. He's taller than me by about three inches, but the warm grin on his face doesn't make him intimidating at all. "And why does he have such a devastating phone?"

"Shuri, meet Peter Parker."

He stretches out a hand, and I take it. "Nice to meet you, Princess Shuri. I've heard some things about you, but not much. Actually, I didn't even know you existed. I didn't know Wakanda was this big, actually, or that it was a place either. N-No offense, though. It's super great. I said 'actually' too many times, sorry for that. Also, what's wrong with my pho—?"

Letting go of his hand, I cut off his rambling with laughter. "I like you, Peter." At least he knows how to do a proper handshake—could work on the conversation starters, though.

"Uh, thanks. Sorry for the chatter, I'm a bit on edge. I mean, I'm pretty far from home right now and Wakanda is so big and it's super breathtaking. A nice change from skyscrapers and the occasional tree." From this short babble, I can tell that his mind works faster than his mouth. Sort of... Like me.

"That's fine. Anyway, you must be special for Steve and Natasha to dig you out. Who are you?"

"Well, I guess I'm special?" He raises an eyebrow at this, pondering the question. "I'm Spider-Man. You might not have heard of me b—"

Now Peter's got my full, full attention. "—Are you kidding? You're all over YouTube! I've watched so many videos of you."

He looks shocked, "Oh. Thanks?"

"Do a flip." I order, half-jokingly.

"Sure," Peter answers, totally serious. He hands Natasha his outlandish cellphone and the rest of the clutter in his arms. I can see a hoodie, earphones, snacks, and other knick-knacks being dumped into Romanoff's own arms. It's pretty hilarious to watch. After receiving a look from Natasha, right there and right then, he does a front flip.

I take my phone out and press record. "Can you do another one?" He nods and pulls off a back flip this time. "Awesome." The video is saved.

"Thanks!" He cocks an eyebrow at me, "But I can do a lot more." Ideas start popping into my head and now I'm really excited. What else can Spider-Man do? Does Peter have specialized powers? This brings up a whole lot more opportunities for even more tech.

"Natasha, how long is he staying for?" I need to know how many tests I can do on him. How many gadgets he can help me design.

"About two weeks, maybe three," The red-haired woman is smiling almost as much as me. That's a generous amount. Thank you, T'Challa. I think of my stubborn brother, imagining him reluctantly letting Peter Parker stay in our hidden country. I would laugh if it didn't make me seem crazy at the moment.

Steve speaks up, "So, princess, what do you think of Parker?"

"I'm still here, guys." Peter says, giving all of us an exasperated look.

I shrug nonchalantly. "He's just wonderful. I need to study him and his powers, though. Who knows what kind of stuff I could invent with your help?" Peter shrugs back.

Natasha elbows Mr. Rogers, turning to Peter and I. "Me and Steve will leave you two to it. Let's tell Sam about Spider-Boy," At this, Steve chuckles and gives me a wink. Natasha empties her hands onto the desk, leaving a pile of Peter's junk. How much stuff does a teenage guy need? "Here are your things, Peter. And your crappy phone."

"My phone isn't crappy! Mr. Stark said it was one of the best Apple has right now."

"Sure, kid," She scoffs. "Listen to Mr. Stark."

"Point taken. Thanks, Ms. Black Widow. See you guys later!"

Natasha and Steve give us a short wave before turning away, engulfed in their own conversation. The doors close as Peter and I turn to each other. There's practically an entire list of questions I crave the answers to. Cracking my knuckles, I sit back down and point to the other chair beside me. I finally have someone to talk to. And that chair's not going to have to collect dust.

Leaning back, I give Peter an evil smirk and clasp my hands together like a mad scientist. Which I am. "Let's get started, Parker. I have a lot of inquiries,"

He mirrors my evil grin. "Fire away."

SHURI AND PETER FINALLY MET! Whoo!

What will form in this friendship? What kind of stuff does Shuri have planned for her workshop's tech?

***DON'T FORGET TO VOTE, COMMENT, and SHARE! (maybe follow if you want. hehe.)

Hope you liked this chapter! Enjoy this early update.

~ Thanks!