"Seeing off" the military reps, Tony stroked his chin and looked at Steve. "You sure your buddy's actually in prison?"
Steve's expression was serious. "Of course. When he's not on missions with me, Fury keeps him locked in SHIELD's basement. Hundreds of agents rotate surveillance. If he escaped, Fury would tell me immediately."
"Then it's probably Hydra remnants." Tony said. "Your buddy, your problem. Jarvis will help."
Steve nodded and left the tower, heading for SHIELD.
Meanwhile, Gemini got an unexpected visitor.
Elder Sun sat silently on the sofa. After a long pause, he explained—he was here to place an order.
Gemini looked at him curiously. What could someone as powerful as Elder Sun need help with?
"You've heard of the legendary Heavenly Court, right?" Elder Sun asked.
Gemini nodded. "I heard it's not on Earth—exists in a subspace?"
Elder Sun nodded. "Correct. In Chinese cultivation, reaching a certain level triggers the Heavenly Tribulation. Pass it, ascend to the Heavenly Court. Without special circumstances, you can't return. Those who fail can't enter either."
"Plenty of cultivators must've ascended over the centuries. Isn't it full yet?" Gemini asked, shocked.
Elder Sun glanced at the sky. "What if those people are constantly being consumed?"
Gemini frowned. "Consumed? War?"
Elder Sun nodded. "The Heavenly Court fights in the outer realm against what we call Outer Heaven Demons. Your term would be dimensional enemies. Since ancient times, China's been a gateway. Demons constantly invade. Our ancestors fought massive wars, drove them back repeatedly. Eventually realized these enemies never decreased—new ones kept appearing. So our ancestors formed the Heavenly Court, sealed the breach with torn space. All members fight on the frontlines without end."
Gemini didn't dare speak. Secret among secrets! She grabbed pen and paper, recording frantically. This explained everything about Chinese history!
"Even immortals die. They're human, just higher cultivation. Soon the Heavenly Court's numbers dwindled. They passed teachings to the mortal world. Mortals cultivated, passed tests, entered the Heavenly Court, joined the battle. That battlefield's buried countless ancestors." Elder Sun's eyes dimmed.
"Doesn't anyone want to quit?" Gemini asked.
"Quit? We Chinese value gratitude. You inherit immortal teachings, live like a king for years—how can you back down when needed? That'd shame your descendants." Elder Sun looked at the sky and smiled.
Gemini gazed respectfully at the sky.
After silence, Elder Sun patted his forehead. "Where were we? Right, the battlefield."
"The Heavenly Court's never been full, never lacking. Earth isn't just us. Over in the Himalayas, mystics also battle dimensions. They chose defense—shield protecting Earth, leader stationed here, repelling invaders. We cooperated well—one forward, one protecting rear. But recently their leader visited. She's retiring. Things'll get chaotic. She told us to prepare. And now we can't contact the Heavenly Court." Elder Sun frowned.
Gemini froze. "Can't contact them? Last time was World War II? When China was invaded?"
Elder Sun nodded silently. "Yes. The Heavenly Court doesn't interfere unless necessary, but how could they ignore national survival? Back then, two major dimensions attacked simultaneously. They couldn't spare attention for mortal wars. Created China's dark period."
Gemini fell silent. Her homeland had participated. Thinking about it made her guilty—they were defending the globe while these bastards robbed their home.
"Fortunately China survived. Contact restored." Seeing Gemini's guilt, Elder Sun smiled and changed topics.
"So why are you here?" Gemini asked tentatively.
Elder Sun laughed awkwardly. "The Heavenly Court lost contact again. We can only wait. Our cultivation doesn't meet requirements. Can't force through."
Gemini had a bad feeling. "You mean... me?"
Elder Sun blinked and laughed. "Ha! So smart! Worthy of my approval!"
Gemini laughed along. "Too kind! Hilarious!"
They laughed awkwardly. Gemini's face fell. "You're serious? Has to be me?"
Elder Sun rubbed his hands. "No choice. Our cultivation doesn't qualify. Need outside help. Your system can bypass the Court's rules completely. Look, rare opportunity! Others could never see it!"
Gemini's mouth twitched. "But I only graduated a few years ago! Is it really okay asking me?! How about I introduce some reliable wizards?!"
Elder Sun chuckled. "We also practice divination. You're the best outcome."
Gemini's head exploded. Divination again?! "You saw it? Sure it's me?"
Elder Sun pulled out his phone. "Originally wasn't you. Until we saw this."
The phone showed Gemini in her Guardian suit, codename "Shopkeeper." Screenshot from the Guardian website. Strangers wouldn't recognize her, but anyone familiar could connect the dots.
"Originally we saw this person. Difference from your usual look was too great. We searched magical communities worldwide. Then my granddaughter saw the Guardian website, showed me. That's when we realized—you." Elder Sun said quietly.
Gemini stared at the photo and sighed. No way around it. Divination—what's coming will come. Resist harder, consequences get worse.
"So what should I do?" Gemini returned the phone, accepting fate.
Elder Sun looked delighted. "You agreed? Thank you! Don't worry, we'll ensure your safety. You're just running an errand. Even if we all die, you won't get scratched!"
"For payment, pick whatever you want from China's cultivation world!" Elder Sun guaranteed.
"I want a flying sword!" Gemini's eyes lit up. Must get it!
"No problem! Though swords require cultivation to control." Elder Sun reminded. "You'll cultivate after return. Otherwise can't enter the Court."
Gemini nodded. Flying sword! Halfway there!
Elder Sun rubbed his hands. "So when do we leave?"
Gemini looked at him helplessly. "Don't rush! Wait a few days. Going to another dimension. Need to make arrangements and pack!"
After seeing off the grateful Elder Sun, Gemini sighed and wrote letters. Shop closing again. The Parkers were so idle they'd opened their own Chinese snack place.
Gemini packed quickly, arranged for Coby to stay with Tony—this wasn't fun. Those rules sounded troublesome. If Coby couldn't return, where'd she find another house-elf?
Hearing she was leaving, Tony delivered the Wakandan clothes. Designed based on her battle suit, perfect aesthetic. Lightweight, breathable, protective. She spent a day adding magical patterns. Left her nodding with satisfaction.
She contacted Elder Sun, confirmed departure. Looking at the empty shop, Gemini smiled. Who knew when Banner would return? When she'd be back? Hopefully not long.
Before leaving, Gemini sent all letters. Better than Harry appearing to stop her. She wasn't good at sticky goodbyes.
Walking out, Gemini tapped her wand on the shutter. Iron door clattered shut. Text appeared: Shopkeeper away. Return uncertain.
Putting on a hat, about to leave, she saw Tony leaning across the street.
"Well, won't say much. Remember to come back. This is a cheeseburger—my favorite. Used a spell to preserve it. Should last a month!" Tony pushed up his glasses, handed her a picnic basket. She saw it and laughed. The same one from the cave! He kept it!
"How'd you know?" Gemini asked, taking it.
Tony patted his chest. "Hate to sell you out, Old J, but hate lying to Gemini more. Jarvis told me!"
"Sir, thank you for your honesty. I'll remember." Jarvis's voice came from Tony's chest.
Gemini smiled at Tony bickering with his AI. "Then won't say goodbye. Hope when I return, you've put a ring on Pepper's finger. Save the wedding—haven't been to a Muggle one!"
Tony's face darkened. "I'm not a Muggle anymore!"
Gemini laughed and turned, raising her hand casually. "See you, Mr. Billionaire!"
Tony watched her go and shrugged. "See you, Miss Wizard."
"Jarvis, let's go. Lots to handle. Hopefully when Gemini returns, she'll see a better world. You contact China? They're sure no danger?" Tony asked walking.
"Yes, sir. Only time turbulence from crossing space. Time's the only issue. Safety guaranteed—China's assurance." Jarvis said. "Basket has vibranium locator. Should reach the Court safely."
"Well done, Old J. We won't search for the Court, but if Gemini has problems, we'll bring her home." Tony said firmly. He removed his glasses, tapped his pendant. Liquid armor covered him instantly. Iron Man shot skyward.
Around the corner, Sun Xiaoxiao picked up Gemini in a special flying vessel—the most luxurious, fastest one the Dao sect had. So fast Gemini boarded, hadn't finished tea and snacks, already arrived.
Stepping off, Gemini stared stunned at a crowd of white-haired elders. All immortal-looking, standing in the plaza. They bowed to Gemini in unison. Nearly made her stumble off the vessel.
"What's this?!" Gemini rushed down, grabbed Elder Sun at the front, heart pounding as she looked at the elders.
Elder Sun smiled. "This is us asking for your help. Though we promised your safety, you agreeing is a favor. We had to show respect."
"But we agreed on payment!" Gemini protested.
"That's different!" Elder Sun cut her off. "Come on. Everything's ready."
Gemini could only nod awkwardly at the elders lining the path.
"Here. This is it." Elder Sun stopped. "Originally we wanted a ceremony, but Xiaoxiao stopped us. Ah, we've been rude!"
Gemini looked back at Sun Xiaoxiao rubbing her nose awkwardly. Gave her a subtle thumbs-up. "Nice work! Good friend!"
Elder Sun pulled out a palm-sized jade token. "This is the message you need to deliver. Anyone can read it."
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