Designing Stage

Just like Shuri, the rest of the crowd went wild. Tony Stark being Iron Man as the first super... hero, soldier, being since Captain America was a major announcement.

Many of the reporters rushed forward to ask questions or find out more information from Mr. Stark but they were all blocked by security. As they were crowding around the front row, both of the Dora Milaje had to step forward to ensure the protection of the Royal Family.

Two sharp spears later, the space around the Wakandans was cleared up.

Several reporters turned their attention to the group now. At first, they thought that they were just a rich family that happened to force their way into interview. But after hearing whispers from them, they finally figured out that they were from the small and mysterious nation of Wakanda. Few people would give up a chance to interview them, especially when they knew that Tony Stark was unlikely to answer any questions about him being Iron Man.

With the crowd surging around them, Rhodes saw that he needed to step in. He had the security move forward and block off the reporters so that the Wakandans could be brought back stage.

When they were in the private room, it was only the three siblings and Mr. Stark. Ms. Potts was dealing with the aftermath of Tony's announcement while Rhodes and the Dora Milaje were acting as security.

"Crown Prince T'Challa. The crowd outside is getting even larger. It seems that we will not be able to leave until further police presence is here," Oleju said through the cellphone

"I understand. We will find a way to keep ourselves entertained," T'Challa responded while looking at his sister having a deep conversation with Tony Stark.

The little girl was sitting on the couch next to J'Zaki while Tony was on a chair across from them. If not for the table between them, T'Challa was sure that Shuri would be right in Mr. Stark's face as they had their discussion.

"But why use the arms as stabilizers? Doesn't that make it difficult to fly and be in combat at the same time?"

"Their original purpose was to just fly. Also, with a suit so small, it is hard to fit everything into it."

"But why not make mini-projectors all around the suit? It would make three-dimensional movement much easier."

Tony rebuked, "But they would not have as much power as using my arms."

"That's why you have many. If you base them on the pressure points of the human body, they would be perfectly balanced. You could even change the amount of power in each projector to make sudden movements like backflips or barrel rolls without much effort."

"Yes, but..." Tony wanted to try and think of a counter but he couldn't. Instead, he pulled out a small notepad he carried with him and began sketching out the design. Shuri didn't dare to interrupt him while he was working. She was eager to see what his final product would be.

Tony kept talking to himself while fiddling with the design.

"If I rewire it and make the flow go from here to here, I can increase the total output by about 7%."

"This means I have to take out the miniature missiles in the shoulders."

"I feel like this will take away far too much from this."

Shuri craned her neck to get a glimpse of the design. What she saw was something far bulkier than his current design and one that seemed very impractical.

"Why is it so bulky?"

Tony looked up at the girl and felt that she was hinting at something but could not tell what.

"In order to fit all the upgrades I want into it. Even if I have to make it larger, it makes up for it in terms of its capabilities."

Shuri rolled her eyes and said arrogantly, "You, Americans. Always want everything at once. Why not just make several armors that you can switch between? Just seems smarter to me."

Tony wanted to rebuke her but once again, he knew that what she said made sense. He could more easily make a dozen suits that he could switch between at the same speed it would take him to fully flesh out the monstrosity that he had just sketched out.

Tony continued to ask Shuri for her thoughts on how he could improve the design of his armors. Even if she couldn't help him with specifics on how to put in certain upgrades or types of materials he could use, she had fresh eyes and a young mind. Both things were important for upgrading designs.

During the entire period of isolation, while Tony and Shuri were going over the designs, J'Zaki and T'Challa were simply playing cards with one another. Neither were as interested in helping Tony design his armor as Shuri was.

By the time they were finally able to leave, the pair of brothers felt as if their ears were about to bleed.

On their way to the car, Tony walked up to their group and nearly grabbed Shuri. But two spears pointed at his face stopped him from getting any closer.

Tony put his hands up in surrender to not get stabbed by the sexy, bald women.

"My bad, my bad. I'm just here to offer the princess a scholarship to MIT. Someone of her caliber would do excellent there and it would be a waste for her to go anywhere else."

T'Challa and the two women chuckled when they heard this. Tony Stark thought that there was somewhere on the planet that was better suited for Shuri to learn than in Wakanda.

"We thank you for your generosity, Mr. Stark, but we Wakandans do not receive handouts from others. If she wishes to attend in the future, we shall provide the resources for her to attend."

Unknown to them, Shuri was already thinking about how she could go to the school. J'Zaki looked at his sister and knew what she was planning. He also knew that he would end up getting involved in her little plan somehow.