Chapter 18: Aftermath and a Mighty Storm Brewing
The Stark Expo was a smoking, confetti-strewn ruin. Cleanup crews were already moving in, and the news was buzzing with reports of the "Iron Man's latest triumph" and the "mysterious drone malfunction." Adam, having finally extricated himself from the stuffed animal pile, was back in Queens, enjoying a quiet evening with Aunt May.
"Honestly, dear," May said, stirring her tea, "that Mr. Stark certainly knows how to throw a party. Though I do think the giant robot fight was a bit much for a public demonstration."
Adam chuckled. "Oh, that was just Tony's way of saying 'Happy Tuesday,' May. He's a showman."
[DAILY WISH DAYS ACCUMULATION: +1]
The news then shifted to a report about Tony Stark officially becoming a consultant for S.H.I.E.L.D. Adam nodded. "Good. Get him integrated. He'll be annoyed, but it's for the best. And maybe I can make his meetings a little more… interesting."
[WISH GRANTED: NICK FURY AGREES TO TONY STARK'S "MANDATORY CUPCAKE FRIDAY" CLAUSE. COST: 10 WISH DAYS.]
He imagined Nick Fury, stoic and unyielding, suddenly agreeing to a "Mandatory Cupcake Friday" clause in Tony's contract, just to get him to sign. Fury would probably attribute it to a momentary lapse in judgment. Tony would probably insist on artisanal cupcakes.
As the news continued, a small, almost imperceptible blip on the screen caught Adam's eye. A grainy image of a crater in New Mexico. A faint, almost subliminal System alert flickered. Mjolnir. Thor.
"Oh, boy. Here we go again. From billionaires to gods. This universe really knows how to escalate."
He turned to May. "You know, I was thinking. We haven't had a good road trip in a while. How about New Mexico? I hear they have… very interesting rock formations."
May's eyes lit up. "New Mexico? Oh, that sounds lovely! I've always wanted to see the desert blooms."
Adam smiled. "Desert blooms. And a very large, very confused alien hammer. Sounds like a perfect vacation."
Later, as they watched a local news report about the "unexplained celestial phenomenon" in New Mexico, Adam subtly influenced the broadcast.
[WISH GRANTED: NEWS REPORT HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL REPORTER'S ATTEMPT TO LICK MYSTERIOUS HAMMER. COST: 15 WISH DAYS.]
The reporter, a rather earnest young man, was standing by the crater, describing the "unusual magnetic properties" of the object. Then, inexplicably, he leaned down and gave the side of Mjolnir a tentative lick. He recoiled, making a disgusted face. "It tastes… like old pennies and disappointment!"
May burst out laughing. "Oh, dear! What a silly man!"
Adam just shook his head, a private grin on his face. "Yeah, May. Silly. Just wait until he meets the guy who owns it."
He checked his wish bank. Healthy. He had a good feeling about this trip. New gods, new pranks, and plenty of opportunities for chaos. And, of course, quality time with Aunt May. What more could a guy ask for?