Wakanda

The kingdom of Wakanda was usually a bustling place. Liveliness was abundant in the streets as their kingdom prospered under its technological advancements and prominent culture. The wonder and pride that usually flowed throughout the land was gone; confusion, pain, and fear was their replacement. The field where battle was taking place only hours ago was now barren, stripped of life and victory.

The abandoned battlefield was now a distant view out of the throne room's grand windows. Steve stared out to the land, the memory of his fading friends replaying in his mind. To his left stood Natasha, who had been studying his behavior since they had been ushered into the room by Wakanda's General, Okoye. Hovering behind her was Bruce, whose awkwardness was a physical presence in its own.

Not much had been said since the snap happened. Many silent minutes had been spent frozen in disbelief after watching the ashy remains settle in the vegetation. It was only when Okoye stated that she had to go see who was left of the ruling family that life seemed to start to exist again, at least to the best of their abilities. The remaining team had carried Vision's stiff shell to Shuri's lab before receiving a change of clothes and being escorted to the room they were in now.

"We were at the disadvantage. We did all that we could." Natasha's voice was soft, gently pulling Steve out of his thoughts. "You saw how he used the stones. There wasn't anything more we could have done."

"I don't believe that. There has to be something more we could do," he replied.

A soft, but irritated sigh came from Natasha as a response. She still maintained her gaze, but her face now flooded with a tenseness that wasn't as sympathetic as she was originally trying to be. The change in her demeanor did not go unnoticed to Steve.

"Look, we lost this one. I get that. But I don't understand how you're just accepting everything that has just happened." Anger and determination began to take over Steve's senses. "Don't you hear the crying out there? We have to do something. The war isn't over yet. Our family, our friends, our loved ones need our help, whether they are here or not. Babies have disappeared from their mother's arms, doctors have disappered mid surgery, leaders disappeared leaving chaos behind. The world needs us. All the worlds need us."

Bruce hugged his arms closer to his chest, looking at the floor. "Steve, there is no way we can win."

From across the room Thor stirred, broken from the guilt-ridden trance he was in as he held Stormbreaker, his axe, in his hands. "We still have a chance. Fate has us here. We aren't defeated until death is upon us."

"Sure, let's go fight Thanos again. Nothing left for us to lose." The grainy voice of Rocket interjected. He lay defeated on Thor's foot. The raccoon had gravitated towards the lonely Asgardian since he watched Groot turn into dust. Without knowing if the other guardians survived, there was a growing unease in Rocket that could only be distracted by the aches that grief brought.

"That's not true, there is still so much left that can be lost. We could lose each other." Steve said. The words struck a cord with the rest of the room. The tense expression fell from Natasha's face. She glanced to Bruce, then to Steve, discomfort flashing briefly on her face. Unfinished business for another day.

"We weren't ready for Thanos. We weren't ready for the stones and we sure as hell weren't ready for the aftermath. But we need to recuperate and figure out what we're going to do. It's not over y-"

A whoosh and a heavy thud against the walls interrupt Steve. The doors that the team had been led through now welcomed Shuri through the threshold, who was being pursued by Okoye and M'Baku.

"I am not a fit leader. I cannot take the throne." Shuri cried out, either unaware or uncaring that there was an audience.

"You need to stop acting like a child. What about Wakanda? Your people need you," Okoye scolds her in response. "You have been preparing all your life for this."

"T'challa prepared all his life for this, I was never prepared for the throne. Wakanda has no use for me." Tears gloss over her eyes, but the princess stands firm as she faces the room. "My brother and mother are gone. Half of our council is gone. Wakanda deserves better than this."

Her eyes search the room, suddenly aware of all the bodies that were present. Her gaze stops on M'Baku, and she flees toward him, grasping at his arm. "M'Baku, please. You are a warrior and a leader. Wakanda needs you in my brother's place. I serve more purpose in my lab than I do on the throne."

Okoye could not repress her confusion. "Princess, what would you do that could be more well placed than taking the throne during Wakanda's hour of need?"

Shuri now turned to Bruce. "You!" Bruce startles, mouthing "me?" as he gestures towards himself.

"Yes you, stop being timid. You worked on Vision, yes? I think we can bring a version of him back."

A stillness falls over the room. Shuri's confidence in this statement falters slightly as she takes a step back from the group. "I saved enough data to make a new version of him. I can recreate him. He won't be completely the same without the mind stone, but there is enough left to bring him back. What's left would be no different that what we were trying to accomplish before."

M'baku stepped toward Shuri, "I believe you are able to do this, but I think you are able to lead as well. Don't make a decision you will regret, Princess. Tonight we rest, tomorrow we rebuild."