Banner sat in the chair next to Tony, his glasses crooked on the bridge of his nose, holding a data pad with an analysis report of the Wakandan energy network.
He had been so engrossed in his conversation with Shuri last night that he was too lazy to go to the guest room and just crashed here for the night.
Ms. Mavuika stood on the terrace, looking at Wakanda in the dawn.
The fireworks from last night had long since gone out, and the city lights were gradually fading, replaced by the golden glow of the morning sun.
The mist from the waterfall refracted rainbows in the sunlight, arching over the city like a bridge of seven colors.
Footsteps came from behind her.
T'Chaka walked to her side, having changed into a simple, elegant robe. He held a cup of coffee, which he handed to Ms. Mavuika, while holding another cup for himself as he stood beside her.
"Ms. Mavuika, are you leaving?"
Ms. Mavuika took the coffee and took a sip. "Mm. It's time to head back."
T'Chaka nodded. "Wakanda will always welcome you."
Ms. Mavuika looked at him, the corners of her mouth curling slightly. "Thank you, King T'Chaka. Not just for the hospitality last night, but for—your trust."
T'Chaka smiled softly. "Trust is mutual. You helped Wakanda through a difficult time; naturally, I consider you friends."
He paused.
"In the future, if there is anything Wakanda can help with, feel free to find me. Shuri will give Mr. Stark a dedicated communication channel."
Ms. Mavuika nodded. "Good."
She stood on the terrace for a while longer, drinking coffee and watching the city shimmering in the morning light. Then she turned and walked into the banquet hall.
"Time to wake up." Her voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard it.
Thor's eyes snapped open. "Breakfast?"
Loki jumped down from the windowsill and sighed softly. "All you think about is eating."
Thor sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Let's eat breakfast before we go, Big Sis. Wakanda's breakfast is bound to be delicious too."
Ms. Mavuika glanced at him. "They hosted us all night, and you still want to sponge a breakfast off them?"
Thor scratched his head. "Then... then we eat when we get back?"
Ms. Mavuika nodded.
The group began to pack up. Tony sat up from the sofa, folded the blanket and set it aside, then rubbed his aching neck.
Banner handed the data pad back to Shuri. She had gotten up at some point and was standing at the door, dressed in a silver-gray jumpsuit, looking full of energy.
"Mr. Stark," Shuri said, "the communication channel is set up. You can contact me anytime."
Tony nodded. "Thanks, Shuri. I'll be sure to study Wakanda's technology thoroughly."
Shuri smiled. "Don't forget what you said—Stark Industries will provide full support for our reconstruction."
Tony gave a wry smile. "Don't worry, I won't forget."
T'Chaka walked over and shook hands with Tony. "Mr. Stark, Wakanda does not need charity, but it does need cooperation. I hope our relationship isn't just'supporter' and'supported,' but—true partners."
Tony looked at him, silent for a second, then nodded solemnly. "I understand. King T'Chaka, I, Tony Stark, am a man of my word."
T'Chaka patted his shoulder and then turned to the others.
"Mr. Thor, Mr. Loki, Ms. Mavuika," he crossed his arms over his chest in a traditional Wakandan salute.
"And Ms. Wanda and Mr. Pietro, Wakanda thanks you."
Thor mimicked the salute. "King T'Chaka, next time I come, we shall drink again!"
T'Chaka laughed. "Very well."
Loki bowed slightly without speaking, but a faint smile played on his lips.
Wanda and Pietro also bowed slightly. Wanda's expression was still somewhat cold, but the initial wariness in her eyes had lessened, replaced by something soft and indefinable.
Pietro looked at T'Chaka and said earnestly, "Thank you for your hospitality. Wakanda is beautiful."
T'Chaka looked at him with a gentle gaze. "Young man, if you ever wish to stay in Wakanda for a while, you are always welcome."
Pietro was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "Thank you."
Everyone walked out of the palace onto the outer platform. The morning breeze blew by, carrying the mist of the waterfall and the fragrance of the forest. The distant city shimmered in the sunlight, the Vibranium decorations on the spires refracting blue light.
Tony pressed the communicator on his wrist. "Jarvis, bring my plane around."
Jarvis's voice sounded much steadier than before; seventy percent of his core data had been restored. "Sir, the jet has landed on the top level of the palace."
Tony was taken aback. "The top level of the palace? When did you park it there?"
"Twenty-three minutes before you woke up. Miss Shuri authorized me to use Wakanda's aerial navigation system."
Tony glanced at Shuri. Shuri shrugged. "Jarvis is very smart, I like him. So I gave him a little access."
Tony's mouth twitched. "You certainly are generous."
The group boarded the jet.
Thor sat by the window, watching Wakanda recede into the distance. "Big Sis, will we come back?"
Ms. Mavuika looked out the window. "Perhaps."
The jet took off, passing through Wakanda's energy shield and into the vast African jungle. Below, the kingdom hidden in the clouds gradually blurred and finally vanished from sight.
Banner sat at the console, looking at the navigation data. "Back to New York first? Or straight to Stark Tower?"
Tony thought for a moment. "Stark Tower first. I need to see what's left of my lab."
When he said this, there was a hint of heartache in his tone. Dozens of suits, every single one was his life's blood.
They weren't just cold machines; they were witnesses to every sleepless night Tony Stark had spent over the years.
Now, they had all turned into a pile of scrap metal.
Thor patted his shoulder. "Don't be so upset. If things are gone, you can just build them again."
Tony gave a bitter laugh. "Do you have any idea how much a single suit costs?"
Thor thought about it. "A lot?"
Tony took a deep breath. "A whole lot. Enough to buy a small country."
Thor was stunned. "Then aren't you poor now?"
Tony looked at him. "No, I just went from'super rich' to 'very rich,' but that feeling of being hollowed out—do you understand?"
Thor shook his head. "I don't understand money. In Asgard, we have no use for it."
Tony's mouth twitched. "What do you use then?"
Thor thought for a moment. "Honor."
Loki, sitting nearby, chuckled softly. "Your conversation is becoming increasingly devoid of substance."
The jet crossed oceans and mountains, entering U.S. airspace.
The New York skyline appeared in view—forests of skyscrapers, streams of traffic, and people coming and going, everything calm and normal as ever.