"I can. Grandmaster's rule-oriented. Meet requirements, move freely." Banner smiled. "Just too weak. Usually only Hulk comes out. When arrived, caused chaos. Grandmaster took us in. Win championship, get freedom. To save for ship, volunteered for arena. So can leave anytime."
Gemini and Guardians sighed relief. "Thank god. Thought we'd have another enemy."
After understanding situation, followed Banner to Grandmaster. Though looked unhappy, agreed to departure. Settled wages, warmly invited return visits. Directed them through largest wormhole to jump point nearest Earth.
Before leaving, Banner looked at money, bought massive civilian tech on black market. Universal credits useless back home. Might as well trade.
Back on journey home, excellent spirits. Found long-lost employee. Pleasant surprise.
Everyone held breath crossing wormhole. Familiar star field appeared. Stood excitedly at window, watching tiny blue dot. Home!
Before entering atmosphere, strange satellite stopped ship. Seeing familiar transforming colors, blinked.
Connected satellite signal through phone. Tony's lazy voice echoed. "Stop. State purpose. Tourists—follow guidance, register at designated location. Learn Earth's laws. Breaking laws means Guardian sanctions. No arguments. Hostile intent? Don't enter Earth."
Laughed. "Tony, reach extends to space now?"
Other end fell silent. "What planet? Can mimic people?! Up to no good!"
Cannons extended from satellite, aimed at ship.
Star-Lord jumped in excitedly. "Hey! Stay calm! Have ID! Not bad guys! Ask around galaxy! Hired to bring Gemini Black home! Calm down!"
"Gemini? Really? But aren't you—?!" Crashing sounds. Definitely knocked things off workbench.
"Didn't expect it. Left Heavenly Court, thrown into space. Lucky met Star-Lord, half-Earthling. Otherwise still wandering!" Said irritably. "Can enter now?"
Satellite retracted cannons. "Course! Follow guidance, land. I'll notify countries first—don't shoot you down!" Sent coordinates, ended call.
Following map, landed outside base northern New York State. Seeing large "Guardian" letters, raised eyebrow. Everyone did well while gone.
Tony stood on lawn in armor with T'Challa. Seeing Banner, absolutely thrilled.
"Where find him?!" Asked excitedly, hugging Banner.
"Long story. Send friends food first? Let us rest? Been flying space for ages." Said. "Shop still there? Want check."
Tony smiled mysteriously. "Go inside base first. Surprise!"
Seeing furious Harry and Draco, wanted kill Tony. What surprise?!
After countless promises, finally calmed. What else? Adult now. Couldn't drag back, beat up.
After stepped back, white-haired Daoists sheepishly gathered. Leader—Elder Sun.
Said nothing, handed compass. As for bracelet, contents—sorry, used for travel expenses. Not their share!
Under Tony's arrangements, Guardians toured Earth. Apparently stuck snack street China, couldn't leave. Vowed eat through China before returning space. Shrugged. Probably settle Earth. Last person said that still in Tianfu.
Daoist sect received compass, contacted Heavenly Court. Finally relaxed. Knowing been improper, prepared new gift list, promising could settle China anytime. Cheerfully accepted. If America unbearable, pack up, run.
Picked evening tell story—entering Heavenly Court to returning Earth. Tony listened fascinated.
"So much beyond Earth?! Didn't think bring anything? What if paid Star-Lord study ship?" Couldn't help asking.
Banner cleared throat, drawing attention. "About that, brought gift."
After told story, pulled chip, worn machine.
"Don't look like that, Tony. Most intact thing suitable for Earth I found. In space, ancient equipment's antiques. Too expensive!" Said, inserting chip.
Holographic screen displayed gift—civilian tech data 50 years ahead. Tony grinned wickedly. "JARVIS! Quick! Save it! Start analyzing! Don't miss anything!"
Banner smiled good-naturedly. "Hope used for ordinary people. Profits go post-war recovery fund. Good reputation matters, right?"
Everyone booed. "Oh god, Banner, never thought saint!" Tony joked.
Everyone laughed. Banner scratched head sheepishly. "Well, some interests me. Don't have capital research. Good lean on big tree!"
After brief discussion, completed agreement. JARVIS tactfully drafted, printed contract.
"Oh right, need tell you something." Tony looked. "That kid in shop."
"Peter? What about him?"
"Uh, graduated Hogwarts." Spread hands.
"What?!" Jumped up. "What hell?! Remember should only be fifth year!"
Tony silently backed two steps. "Right, fifth year. So, passed O.W.L.s, then small problem. Wanted return high school. Plans MIT eventually. So came back!"
Stormed toward door angrily. "Couldn't wait graduation?! How old? Small problem?! What problem more important than education!"
"He mutated." Said, immediately retreating window, ready flee.
"Didn't hear clearly. What say?" Turned back surprised. "Say again?"
"Mutated! Has spider abilities! Except web-shooting!" Said rapidly, leg already over windowsill.
"Tony Stark! What happened?! Promised watch employees before left! Why tell me shop kid mutated after barely been gone?!" Shocked. "Spider?! Acromantula?!"
Tony waved frantically. "No no, not exaggerated! Acromantula would be fatal!"
"Explain clearly!" Dark face.
Tony stayed perched windowsill, began explaining. "So, know Ned, right? Chinese boy. Planned tech exhibition summer. You know, Peter got bitten spider there. Only one bred. Bit Peter once, died. Got home, realized wrong. Called me. Went check, found genes mutated!"
"And then?" Bad feeling.
"Uh, can't use magic anymore. Researched—wizards' magic stored bloodline. After genes mutated, bloodline changed. So became, uh, Squib." Finished nervously. Gemini at door seemed smoking.
"No way fix?!" After long silence, asked.
Tony scratched head. "Don't know much genetics, but for now, no solution. Just completed normal wizard education, so chose temporarily leave Hogwarts, return America. Arranged middle school. Goes school with Ned every day. Oh, don't worry self-defense. Lost magic, gained spider."
Rubbed temples. "At school now?"
Tony pursed lips. "Course. What else students do this hour?"
"Sir, must remind—found this network." JARVIS's voice sounded.
Holographic screen appeared meeting room. Figure in red-blue spandex with spider emblems swung between buildings on silk threads, rushing toward burning building. Not far—chubby kid in half-mask held yellow talisman, looking seriously at fire.
"TF?!" Tony didn't expect slapped face so quickly. Just said in class. JARVIS immediately sent video.
"Their curriculum firefighting?" Asked expressionlessly.
Cold sweat broke Tony's back. "Wait! Let explain!"
Downtown New York. Cries filled burning building. Peter swung over webbing, quickly found trapped people, sent to ground, climbed back wall.
"Ned! How many more?" Asked.
Ned's steady voice through earpiece. "Two signals 24th floor, one 22nd—very weak. Wait, ask nearby good brother!"
"22nd floor's cat. Save people first!" Ned quickly answered. "Not strong enough. Take cat. You take two people!"
"No problem!" Quickly entered window, following guidance find trapped.
Ned pulled white paper from pocket, tore into human shape, muttered incantation, threw across. "Good brother! Help out!"
Paper figure drifted straight 22nd floor, strangely passing flames. Found meowing kitten, grabbed scruff, drifted back fire-free area, placed in Ned's hands.
"Thanks! Good brother! Treat feast later! Chinese feast!" Gave thumbs-up air, big smile.
Peter placed people ground, climbed wall to Ned's building. "Confirmed no one left?"
"Naturally. All confirmed. Probably just cockroaches, rats inside." Ned petted kitten confidently.
"Phew, finally done. What time? Should get back school?" Walked roof edge, watching fire. Firefighters organizing ladder trucks.
"Think school's probably out by now." Flat voice behind.
Nodded instinctively. "Right. Should go base? Have good brother give ride. Need more training before joining Guardians."
"Good brother?" Female voice.
Immediately sensed wrong. Turned. Ned stood obediently, holding kitten, looking innocently. Beside—Iron Man floating, standing on sword—Gemini.
"Gemini! You're back!" Excitedly started rush over.
Held up palm. "Stop! First explain what wearing?! Don't remember teaching that aesthetic!"
Looked awkwardly at spandex. "Think pretty good. Had Transcendent customize. Should be passable?"
Snorted. "Transcendent makes anything if pay. Even dishrag, they'd make. Now explain why here instead class. Peter, won't blame spider bite mutation. Accident. But being here—no accident, right?"
Laughed dryly. "Pretty close school. Saw news. Felt could do something. So came."
Glanced at him. "Outfit made on spot too?"
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