You can support me by joining my pat-reon membership at only 1$ and you can read upto 8 chapters ahead from here of this fanfic.
[pat-reon link 🔗: http://pat-reon.com/Fanfic_reader] (remove "-" this mark from the link so that it can work)
________
"Would you say, now that you have been freed from Hydra's control for two years, that you still feel that way?" Charlotte pressed carefully.
Bucky took a while to answer. "No…" he finally said.
"Ever since I started to remember, I've wanted to try to reclaim who I was. Try to live my life quietly and not be dragged away again. In Romania, I was doing just that… blending in when I could and living day by day… Then Ross came…" He shuddered. "I could have been responsible for all the Stark's deaths…"
Natasha winced at the revelation. It had nearly been a possibility.
"I remember… Quite a few years ago, back before Stark became a hero… Hydra wanted him. To use him. If he'd been there when I was sent to kill his parents… I wouldn't have hesitated to bring him in. They never took many actions against Stark… Choosing to wait to see how much of a threat he could become or a potential ally." Bucky swallowed, his fists clenching. "It wasn't just Stark, there were others too."
"How many people were you ordered to kill over the years?" Charlotte bowed her head forward, her eyes focussed upon Bucky.
"Hundreds. Sometimes I was sent out on a monthly basis… others weekly… The number of times I was woken over the years lessened…" admitted Bucky quietly.
"Why was that?" Simon enquired.
Bucky raised his gaze and focused on the two people in front of him. "I'm not the only Winter Soldier."
--------
Wakanda
Shuri was simply amazing. Tony had to admit she was every bit as intelligent as T'Challa had said.
Pepper was staying within the Citadel with Queen Ramonda and King T'Chaka where they would discuss the further advantages to beginning a partnership with Stark Industries.
But Shuri? She put the entire Research and Development department at S.I to shame.
Princess Shuri was the leader of the Wakandan Design Group. The main laboratory was set up within Mount Bashenga and directly above the Great Mound.
Within the mound was the world's only source of Vibranium: the material which helped Wakanda advance beyond its years.
She showed him many different designs she had going, advanced communication devices, sound-absorbent boots, gauntlets, and spears.
She was very energetic and quite pleased to be showing someone around with intellect which equalled hers.
"So… how long have you been part of the Design Group, Shuri?" Tony asked as he examined one of the Vibranium gauntlets.
"Quite a few years. Father used to bring me down here when I was little. It became known quite well the interest I had in engineering and the designs I created. I was given time here after educational days to study and learn my craft." She moved to take the Gauntlet from Tony's hands.
"On and off, I'd say I've been here since I was quite young but officially as part of the Design Group? Since I was sixteen. Two years nearly."
Tony whistled. "Wow. Impressive."
"But you started young too." She was quite astute but everyone knew who Tony Stark was.
"At least your father appreciates what you do," replied Tony. Though he'd come to some sort of understanding about his father after his trip to the past, the wounds were still there. "Mine wasn't that supportive…"
"All families are different. Some try to help you teach your potential, others stymie you, and some try to take what is yours for their own." Shuri placed the gauntlets back in their respective places.
Over dinner the previous night, King T'Chaka had revealed they'd had some trouble from an outsider a few weeks ago: a man who went by the name of Erik Killmonger.
He had challenged T'Chaka for the throne as he had a legitimate claim to it through his father. T'Challa had fought in his father's place and had narrowly won.
Killmonger, despite conceding defeat, had tried to kill T'Challa forcing the Prince to kill him. Shuri's comments were in relation to recent events.
"They are…" murmured Tony.
"Shuri, I have a prospective project I'd like your assistance on if you'd be willing to work collaboratively with me?" He was impressed with what he had seen so far and he remembered Rhodey telling him that Shuri had been trying to remove the Mind Stone from Vision before Thanos had arrived.
She had nearly succeeded. All she'd need was more time, which Tony could give her.
"It depends on what it is, Mr. Stark if it is worth my time and effort…" she slyly said.
Oh, Tony liked her. She was witty. And she liked challenges.
Tony grinned. "Have you ever heard of the Vision?"
--------
State of New York
The meeting with the agents was soon over. Bucky had agreed to provide more information on the other Winter Soldiers providing it would be the end of the session afterward, which the two agents agreed with.
Steve was now with Bucky in his room whilst Natasha spoke to Charlotte and Simon.
"I think we have more than enough information to getting on with for now," said Charlotte. "The existence of other Winter Soldiers is terrifying. If anyone knows where they are they could be unleashed upon the world."
Natasha pursed her lips. "They won't be. We'll retrieve them before anyone else can use them. He gave us the location. We could have a team assembled in a few hours and bring them all in, help them as you are with Bucky."
Simon shook his head. "It's not that simple. We have to report to our superiors first. Then we'll make a recommendation to bring the Avengers in."
She didn't mind the delay. Zemo had already been caught. There wasn't any danger in the Winter Soldiers being released and Tony had prepared for everything. He'd already set a watch upon the Siberia base.
They'd know if someone was heading in that direction and they'd be able to intercept them before the Soldiers could be released.
Plus they had to check with Siberia if they were happy for the Avengers to work on their soil to retrieve potentially dangerous Super Soldiers.
"Fair point," she admitted. "Let me know what the decision is. I can call Tony back from Wakanda if need be."
"I think any action will not be taken for a few days," explained Charlotte. "But we will be in touch." She held out her hand for Natasha to shake. "Thank you for sitting in today. We look forward to seeing you next time."
"My pleasure."
--------
Wakanda
"I have heard of the Vision. An android of sorts?" Shuri enquired.
"He's an android," clarified Tony, "who has a synthetic body made of Vibranium. He has an object in his forehead which is an off-world artefact. It is a potentially dangerous artefact which could have terrible repercussions if used by the wrong person. Thor deemed it safe with Vision but I'd rather not take the risk."
"And you'd like me to try to extract it without harming Vision?" Shuri guessed.
Tony nodded. "It could be tricky, a challenge even. Will you help?" He needed her on his side. She was the only one capable of extracting the stone safely and keeping Vision as he essentially was.
A bright smile crossed the young Princess's face. "Of course. It would be a pleasure to work with you on this, Mr. Stark."
****
Power stones boiiii🍻🍻