Project Next-Gen

The aftermath: Part 1

Shuri's Pov
Today I woke up a lot earlier than I usually do with a feeling. It wasn't just any feeling, I had a feeling that something interesting was going to happen, which would be a relief honestly. Ever since I helped the Avengers takedown Thanos' forces after being brought back to life nothing much has happened. It's been kinda boring actually. Most of my friends and co-workers were 5 years older now, and I felt out of place. Things have gone back to normal and become abnormal at the same time. I miss the excitement and the action. I miss being a superhero.

"Well I should probably do something productive," I say to myself as I  get out of bed, shower and brush my teeth, put on some clothes and make my way to my lab.

"Huh superhero," I thought, recalling my past thoughts.

"There's no point being a hero if there's nothing to save people from, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared," I thought as I started scanning the room for a prototype I was working on. I found it on my desk, picked it up and slid my arms into two sleek and light forearm bracers. They felt nice and comfortable but still perfectly concealed their true purpose.

I mentally asked them to turn on, and they did with strips of black metal shooting out to surround my body, but before they could, a knock was heard on my door. I quickly took the bracers off and hid them under one of my tables.

"Come in!" I yelled. I already knew it was T'challa, as he is the only person capable of waking up this early. Although I was quite frustrated that he had interrupted me, I was happy that the prototype worked and I was ready to move on to my real design.
I heard his footsteps getting closer and closer. I turned around in my rolling chair just before he got to my desk, stood up and greeted him.

"What are you doing up so early? He asked me

"Can't sleep," I answered, bringing him a chair and sitting back down on my own.

"What are you doing up so early?"  I asked him.

"Can't sleep either," He said sitting down.

"I never thought I could feel so unsafe in my own house," He added.

"I know what you mean," I answered under my breath.  He definitely heard me but he didn't say anything after that.

"So what are you actually doing here, I know you didn't come here just to tell me how you slept," I asked, turning around to face him

"What, am I not allowed to spend time with my sister?" He replied sarcastically

"Come on, make it quick, I was working," I said, turning back to my desk.

"Ok, ok. I came here to tell you that I'm going to be in New York for the next few months for an Avengers meeting." He said.

This didn't shock me. I was used to T'challa flying to a different country every once in a while. Being King and Black Panther comes with a lot of responsibilities.

"Can you bring me a souvenir from New York?" I asked without turning around. "You still owe me one from India."
"I won't need to bring you a souvenir, you can buy all the souvenirs you want by yourself., '' he said calmly.

At first, I thought he was kidding, but by the fact that he wasn't the type to prank, I realised he was serious. Then it hit me.
"Wait you don't mean you're-" I said, swivelling my chair around at lightning speed.

"Yep," He cut me off before I could finish my sentence.

"I'm bringing you with me."

My shock instantly turned into excitement, and a huge smile grew on my face
"Yesssssss," I whisper yelled as I jumped up from my chair. I did a quick spin and ran a victory lap around the room. For a split second, I saw T'challa chuckle in my peripheral vision.

"Wait," I said as I stopped and looked at him.

"Why do you want to bring me with you? I asked

"I'll be gone for a while, and I didn't want you to get bored. And I've heard there is someone eager to meet you."

I was confused but I didn't have time to think correctly before he got up and started to leave.

"Get packing, we leave tomorrow morning," he said before leaving the room.

.....................................................................

????Pov
I sat in my chair with my hands together, and my eyes closed just thinking. 6 years ago I lost them, and for 5 years I was completely powerless. It's a bit ironic that I have the Avengers to thank for bringing them back.
My thought process was interrupted by footsteps entering my office and then a voice.
"Uhhh, Madam," I heard them say. Their voice was croaky and full of fear.
I turned around in my chair to see who was disturbing me.
"Yes, what's wrong," I asked
"The Subjects are ready to be transferred, as you asked," He said a little more confident this time
"Good, our covers have already been blown so get them to safety quickly," I responded
He turned around and started to exit the room. He stopped a few steps before the door and turned around in my direction.
"Hail Hydra," He said, before turning back around, and leaving my office.