Zemo arranged safe escorts for all delegates. Bodyguards whisked them back to their embassies. Only Wakanda's king and prince remained, surrounded by female guards, requesting to speak with security.
Tony rushed over when Zemo messaged him. Gemini's warning echoed—these two had energy signatures. Hidden ability users, maybe.
"Your Majesty, I'm Tony Stark, head of security. Pleasure to meet you." Tony arrived in his suit, armor removed. "First—apologies. Our oversight nearly got you hurt."
T'Chaka smiled warmly. "No apology needed, Mr. Stark. We should thank you. You saved my life. Without your defenses, I'd be meeting the Panther God right now."
"We shouldn't stay here. Just had an attack. Let's talk somewhere else." Tony scanned the area.
"Of course. Suggestions?" T'Chaka patted his son's hand, meeting Tony's eyes. "Wakanda came in good faith. Since this meeting's dead, we don't want to leave empty-handed. Can't trust anyone else. But you saved my life. I'll work with you."
Tony nodded halfheartedly. What could Wakanda offer? A poor agricultural nation? Sure, rumors said they produced vibranium, but barely enough for anything—Steve's shield only had traces mixed in.
"Store manager, come down! Time to go!" Tony called to the roof.
Gemini brushed cookie crumbs off her hands. Removed her invisibility cloak.
The Wakandans stared. No one had spotted her above them—not even their tech scans.
Under their gaze, Gemini folded the water-like cloak into her bag. Tipped backward.
Gasps below—but she vanished mid-air. Reappeared beside Tony. "Let's go."
That entrance stunned every Wakandan. "Is that real magic? Thought it was fake!" Young Prince T'Challa gaped at Gemini.
Tony smiled. "Magic indeed. We've delayed enough. Plane's outside. Let's talk at my tower—absolutely secure there."
T'Chaka agreed. Brought his guards and son, following Tony out.
On the plane, T'Challa kept pestering Gemini, wanting to see more magic. Finally she shot Tony a vicious glare. Tony rubbed his nose and pulled T'Challa aside, demonstrating magic himself.
Tony's heart ached. Why did he have to do this?
Only after T'Chaka scolded him did T'Challa sit quietly, giving Tony an apologetic smile.
The plane landed on Stark Tower's roof. Tony led them to the conference room. Bogg brought refreshments. Formal negotiations began.
"You said what?!" Tony stared at T'Chaka. "Are you sure? Impossible! You're a poor agricultural nation!"
T'Chaka looked apologetic. "That's our disguise. To avoid war. Having something unique causes problems. To survive, we had to hide."
Tony's jaw dropped. He felt shaken. He'd always thought Earth's highest tech was his. Now a "poor agricultural nation" claimed tech a century ahead? How could he believe that?
T'Challa pulled out a chip. "Can you analyze this? Contains what we planned to present at the UN. Got interrupted. Playback device's still at the venue."
Tony looked at the chip—design matched nothing on the market. Already half-convinced. "I can try. JARVIS, analyze."
"Yes, sir." Virtual screens rose from the table. Data streams flashed.
JARVIS finished quickly. The screen played the chip's contents.
Everyone's fantasy future city—towering buildings, floating vehicles, virtual phones everywhere.
Tony watched and sipped tea to calm down. "Satellites never detected this future city on Earth?!"
"We have a barrier. Uses mimicry to hide our entire nation." T'Chaka tapped the screen. The image changed to satellite view of Wakanda—green grass, forests.
"Mr. Stark, you truly deserve being called the world's smartest man. That was your AI butler? Remarkable!" T'Chaka looked at Tony admiringly. They knew the truth—Wakanda only had today because of vibranium. Tony, alone, had nearly matched their tech.
Tony set down his cup. "Don't say that. I know my limits. Some areas I can't match you. Course, given time, I'd surpass you. That said—what do you want to trade?"
T'Chaka looked at Tony. "Don't sell yourself short. We want certain potions—hair growth, Veritaserum, Felix Felicis?"
Tony narrowed his eyes. "Trading those for your tech doesn't seem proportional. What's your real goal? Can't explain clearly, I'll decline."
T'Chaka smiled. "Don't be nervous. We came to reveal Wakanda. Been isolated long enough—time to emerge. Recent years, constant incidents worldwide. Even isolated Wakanda knows. The Panther God guides me—can't stay closed. A war's coming that'll affect all humanity. We can't stay uninvolved. The more strength each nation has, the better our chances. That's our purpose."
Tony fell silent. Long moment. Nodded. "All right. What specifically? Oh—heard you produce vibranium? Output really just what's reported? After seeing your city, I'm skeptical."
T'Chaka glanced at his son. T'Challa nodded. Stood. Walked to Tony. Removed jacket and shirt, revealing his undershirt. Grabbed the hem. "Feel this material."
Tony's mouth twitched. Couldn't bring an extra sample?
Reluctantly touched a man's undershirt. Goosebumps rising.
"Hm?" Two touches. Tony noticed something wrong. This texture wasn't any known material. Connected to the earlier question. Tony's eyes widened. Grabbed T'Challa's shirt. "This is vibranium?!"
T'Chaka laughed. "Worthy of Tony Stark—quick reactions. This is vibranium. Our tech relies almost entirely on it. I'll tell you something—not included in deals with other nations. Our vibranium reserves are larger than you can imagine. Been using it for thousands of years. Even now, used less than one-thousandth."
Tony's mouth opened. Hand gripped T'Challa's clothes. For an instant, wanted to rush to Wakanda right now. See what these people had done.
Making clothes from vibranium worth $100,000 per gram? Such waste! He—New York's richest—didn't dare be this extravagant!
T'Challa struggled to pull his shirt from Tony's grip. Put his clothes back on. Tony's gaze looked like it wanted to strip him.
"Well? We can provide the Guardians sufficient vibranium. Need you to help us deal with other nations. Mutually acceptable trades. We want to strengthen Earth, not start a war. Also, my son T'Challa, as the new Black Panther, will join the Guardians." T'Chaka stated his purpose.
Tony thought. "How much vibranium?"
T'Chaka smiled. "Each year, 4 custom vibranium suits per Guardian. Including weapons. Additional 10 kilograms for research. Plus we'll exclusively share our Black Panther suit design with you."
Tony slapped the table. "20 kilograms! 8 suits per person! Need washing, right?"
T'Chaka extended his hand. "Deal!"
Tony was shocked. "Too hasty! Lowballed the price!"
---
Tony and T'Chaka emerged smiling. From now on, Wakanda was friendly to the Guardians. Tony called Zemo—this was his specialty. Plus he'd just hosted national leaders. No one more suitable.
T'Chaka understood Tony's eagerness to research vibranium. His family had a genius girl whose IQ rivaled Tony's. Gave Tony Shuri's contact. Two geniuses met. Tony's inspiration exploded. Had JARVIS show the king and prince around. Headed straight to his lab.
Bodyless JARVIS couldn't do this job. Found Gemini. Used Tony's money to place an order at the All-Purpose Shop—tour of the magical town and Stark Tower for Wakandan delegates. Gemini said the price was irresistible.
JARVIS lurked contentedly after spending big. No wonder women loved shopping. Spending money felt nice—especially when it wasn't yours.
Tony, unaware his stash had shrunk, immersed himself in armor design. Shuri's necklace-style Black Panther suit matched ideas he'd had seeing Gemini transform clothes. The two kept proposing ideas over the network. At this rate, Tony's armor and Black Panther's suit would debut together soon.
After hosting the Wakandans, Gemini received a gift from the king—a vibranium pendant. After they left, Gemini studied the metal Tony praised. Discovered with surprise—this metal's magical conductivity matched mithril, durability rivaled adamantine. This made Gemini anticipate Tony's promised 8 suits per year. Suits plus magic runes—full alchemical equipment? Just thinking about it felt blissful!
While Zemo helped Wakanda negotiate with nations, military reps came to Stark Tower.
"Impossible!" Tony looked at the photo, brow furrowing.
Steve had been called over. Saw the photo. "Bucky would never do this. When the venue was attacked, Bucky was in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s prison. Hundreds can testify."
The military rep looked at Tony arrogantly. "What you say isn't evidence. Be sensible. Hand him over. Don't make this ugly."
Tony laughed in anger. Called Rhodes. "What's going on? Who is this? Such a big mouth—next Secretary of Defense?"
Rhodes was confused. Had Tony send a photo. Looked at the person with chin in the sky. Made a confused expression. "Uh... didn't call me. Don't know this person. Probably fake. Buddy, he's yours!"
Tony hung up. Smiled at the rep. Waved. Hand armor equipped. Palm aimed and glowing. "Walking out? Or should I escort you? Your boss has to be polite to me. What are you? Push me and I'll emigrate with everyone. Say you forced me. Guess what happens to you?"
The rep fled Stark Tower. Glared at security. Tony stood in the doorway, waving his armored hand. "Goodbye. Never again, idiot!"
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