"How'd you get up here?" Tony scowled. "I didn't give you clearance."
"I let Phil up. He said it's important—needs you to look at something." Pepper took the tablet from Coulson and handed it to Tony.
"Since when do you call him Phil?!" Tony looked incredulous. "When did you two get so chummy?"
"It's business. Just look!" Pepper kissed him and shoved the tablet into his hands.
Tony opened it carelessly. "JARVIS, display."
Holographic screens filled the living room, showing the tablet's contents. "Alright, what's this about?"
Coulson explained Loki's identity—the attack on the military base, the kidnapped agents and researchers. "They're a threat to Earth. My superior sent me for help. We've also contacted the All-Purpose Shop."
"Are you insane? You don't go to the military—you go to a minor?!" Tony scoffed.
Coulson's expression stiffened. "We're not looking for the shop owner. It's her security guard and pharmacist."
"The big guy and the green one?" Tony frowned. "I can guess about green, but the big guy? Wait..." His eyes widened.
"Um, probably what you're thinking." Coulson smiled. Mentioning Captain America always made him happy.
"God, Merlin, how did I miss it?!" Tony collapsed on the sofa. The holographic screen showed Steve's file—photo of Gemini's security guard. Steve Rogers.
"Fine. I get it. Leave. I'll talk to Gemini." Tony waved dismissively. After greeting Pepper, he headed for the fireplace.
The All-Purpose Shop was peaceful. Group dinner night—Gemini's rule to keep Banner from living in the basement. Every week, everyone gathered in the second-floor dining room. No absences.
As everyone discussed their week, someone knocked downstairs. Ben stood. "I'll check. Midnight visitors are never good news."
Gemini glanced at Steve and Banner. They'd both arrived at midnight.
"I'll go. If there's trouble, I can handle it." Steve stopped Ben, made him sit beside May, and headed downstairs.
Before Steve returned, the fireplace blazed green. Tony emerged, brushing soot off. "Ugh, passed through someone's filthy fireplace. Got covered in ash!"
"What are you doing here?" Gemini asked, surprised. They'd asked Tony about dinner earlier—he'd said he was busy tonight.
"Where's Steve?" Tony looked around.
"Someone knocked. He went to check." Gemini pointed at the table. "Want some?"
Tony glanced distractedly. "No thanks. Already ate. I know who's downstairs, but you shouldn't get involved."
Gemini's curiosity spiked. "What is it? The bald guy?"
Tony nodded. "Some alien—or alien god—blew up their base. Stole people and stuff."
Gemini blinked. "Thor? The Thunder God?"
Tony turned. "No. His brother. Loki, God of Mischief."
Gemini's eyes widened. "So gods are aliens?"
Tony was speechless. "Wrong time for that discussion."
"Gemini! Banner and I need leave!" Steve burst through the door. "Tony? What are you doing here?"
Seeing Steve, Tony's expression changed. "Steve! You're Captain America! You hid that well!"
The Parker family laughed. "His name's Steve. Of course he's Captain America!"
Seeing everyone else's faces, Ben's smile froze. "Really?"
Steve nodded helplessly. "Yes. But that's the past."
The Parkers looked at their elderly members, excused themselves, and took Peter to their room.
Seeing Tony and Steve's expressions suggesting she leave, Gemini got annoyed. She crossed her arms and leaned back arrogantly. "What needs hiding from me? This is my territory."
"You're a minor!" Tony said bluntly. "Kids stay home. Don't meddle in adult business."
Gemini drew her wand to hex Tony. Banner stopped her. "Don't! He doesn't know how to talk!"
Steve pulled Tony aside. "Don't provoke her. She's been studying too hard—about to snap. She'll send you to the hospital with a dozen curses."
"I'm an adult! Just a few months!" Gemini shouted.
"You're sixteen! Not seventeen! How are you an adult?!" Tony fought back.
"Wizards come of age at seventeen! I'm only months away! I am an adult!"
Banner and Steve exchanged looks. Same mental age. They sighed and calmed their respective "child."
After the commotion, everyone sat in the sitting room. Tony said seriously, "This isn't simple. Military bases, military personnel. If you get involved, endless trouble."
Gemini frowned. "I think it's an opportunity. If the danger's big enough, wizards might help, right? If aliens threaten Earth, wizards suffer too."
"You're right. It is an opportunity." Tony stroked his chin. "Seraphina said Congress wizards have entered regular government. They're trying to get wasteland designated as wizard territory—establish a magical state. If we appear as saviors, the statehood issue gets votes easily. Then if the bald guy pushes harder, we might pull it off!"
Tony's eyes lit up. "I'll explain to Seraphina right away. Have Congress prepare Aurors and capable wizards. If we need large-scale deployment, we won't be caught empty-handed."
"Later. Why's the bald guy looking for you?" Gemini asked.
"I'm Captain America. He pulled me from the ocean. This is big. I need to help." Steve said honestly.
"He has a plan—the Avengers Initiative. Gathering people with special abilities to handle things regular people can't." Tony said. "I saw files on the green guy and big guy. You're both on it."
"I'm fine either way. I feel good now—interesting research, a place to belong, Hulk gets regular exercise. I'm flexible." Banner said calmly.
"Why aren't I on it?" Gemini's eyes widened. "Am I not impressive enough?!"
The three looked at her. "Adults aren't all dead yet. Get in line!"
"Let's discuss whether to join the bald guy's plan. This doesn't seem easy to resolve." Tony clapped.
"Why join his plan instead of forming our own team?" Gemini asked. "Personnel are ours. Why listen to his orders? Are you sure his orders won't favor the government?"
Steve and Tony realized. "Right! Why join him? We can form our own team and cooperate!"
"Now the question—team name and captain!" Gemini said confidently. "I'm joining as Chief Dueling Witch. I nominate myself as captain!"
"Ahem, shouldn't we discuss the incident?" Banner tried pulling the conversation back.
"I should be captain! As Iron Man! CEO of Stark Industries! Richest man in New York! I have more O.W.L.S. than you!" Tony competed. He'd taken exams at Ilvermorny—had one more O than Gemini, in History of Magic and Care of Magical Creatures. Tony never studied Potions—zero practical skills, only an A on the written exam.
Steve sighed. Put these two together and nothing got resolved.
After their argument, Steve spoke. "Captain means dealing with the bald guy and government officials, haggling over interests, considering public opinion and casualties. Which of you can handle that?"
Gemini and Tony shut up. Steve suppressed his urge to comment on their ages. "We need a captain familiar with both worlds, with experience, who won't be led around by Fury. This position's important. We can't hand it out casually. Let's solve this situation first."
Gemini and Tony stayed quiet, silently agreeing. "I still want to participate!" Gemini said weakly.
"Gemini, how's your N.E.W.T. prep? Can you guarantee all O's? Didn't you say you wanted to make history?" Steve's question shut Gemini down. "Don't worry. If the situation requires you, we won't hide it." Steve gave her metaphorical candy.
Steve turned to Tony, who hunched his shoulders. Why did Steve seem so scary? Like facing an old father?
"Does Fury have leads? Should we go to him? Better not expose the shop to big shots. Fury's already cut off information to regular people. We shouldn't attract attention." Steve said.
Tony nodded. "No problem. Let's go. Want me to take you? I got my Apparition license."
"Do you know where?" Steve asked.
Tony was stumped. "Right, I don't..."
Steve sighed, exhausted. In this short time, he felt years older. "Let's go. Their people should be outside. We'll go directly. Save your Apparition as a trump card. Don't expose it."
Tony smiled sheepishly and followed Steve with Banner downstairs.
"Wait!" Gemini looked at their backs. "You're going like that?!"
"What else?" Banner looked confused.
"If you fight, don't you need preparation?!" Gemini asked incredulously.
"What do I need? I have my suits! Magic Mark V and Mark VI!" Tony was proud. He'd squeezed time from studies to make these.
Gemini covered her forehead. "Wait here."
She rushed to her room, dragged out a large trunk, and levitated it onto the sitting room table. The table groaned.
Gemini opened the trunk and rummaged. "This is for you—potion belt. Various potions: healing, blood-replenishing, curing, antidotes. Each has raised markings you can feel. Your body isn't as tough as theirs. This helps. The belt connects to my potion cabinet. I'll stock it with plenty these next few days. Use whatever you need!" She handed Tony a leather belt. Tony felt it, confirmed the markings, and pressed one. A test tube appeared. Satisfied, Tony strapped it on.
Gemini kept searching. "Steve, what weapons are you good with?"
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