Tony laughed awkwardly. Alright then. He'd overthought it. This kind of thing was clearly pure coincidence.
Bogg took advantage of the quiet to quickly serve hot tea. Elder Sun picked up his cup, took a sip, smacked his lips. "Foreign tea never tastes right. I'll make do."
He put down the cup and continued: "His situation—coincidence among coincidences. Remember the memorial tablet you set up at Mount Laojun years ago?" Elder Sun looked at Gemini.
After Gemini nodded, he continued, "That offering included this young man. I've been to Britain, seen your cemeteries. By your rules, his soul should move on or stay behind. But he stayed in the gap—only possible because of twin connection. Normally couldn't move around at all. After years of offerings, he received incense from our side, gained strength. That's how he followed his bones across the ocean. And that strange stone—contains powerful mental force, gained sentience. Knew the body you made was good for it, rushed in eagerly. But the flesh inside contained too much of this young man's essence. His soul happened to be right there, so they entered the new body together. That's how this resurrection happened."
Elder Sun explained at length. Some terms probably even JARVIS couldn't translate, only managing English approximations on the floating virtual screen.
"So he's absolutely fine now? Counts as normal?" George asked hopefully.
Elder Sun looked at him. "How can you not understand? In this state, he's much more impressive than a person. Simply put—simplified god. Get it?"
Tony wrinkled his face. "A god like Loki?"
Elder Sun laughed. "No, this is hard to explain. You just need to know—he's very powerful now."
George nodded half-understanding, happily patting Fred's shoulder. "Buddy, you're a god now? Can you boost your brother?"
Fred grinned wickedly. "Of course, brother. How could I leave you out? Come, first step to godhood—die for ten-plus years first. I'll help!"
Fred lunged at George. The two wrestled on the sofa.
Elder Sun drained his cup. "Alright, I've looked, drunk tea, eaten. Still need to visit my granddaughter. I'll take my leave!"
Tony was shocked. "Leaving already? You've only been here ten-plus minutes?"
"Ten minutes twenty-five seconds, precisely," JARVIS quietly reported.
Elder Sun paused. "Huh?" He looked around puzzled. "Who just spoke?"
Tony smiled. "That's my AI butler. His main body's about warehouse-sized, stored securely. He can reach anywhere through network."
Elder Sun glanced at Tony. "Treat your butler well, young man. Truly the smartest person." Without explaining, Elder Sun summoned his flying sword, became a light streak, disappeared.
Left Tony confused. "What did he mean?"
"Perhaps complimenting me, sir," JARVIS said.
Tony showed disgust. "You're too narcissistic, JARVIS! Don't learn that—delete it!"
"Yes, sir," JARVIS said good-naturedly. Whether he'd actually delete it—Tony wouldn't check anyway.
George and Fred finished wrestling. After discussing, they felt they couldn't return to Britain in this state. Fred was quite famous there. A resurrected person—anyone could imagine the commotion. America was better—not many knew Fred. They decided to write Molly and Arthur, invite them to vacation in America this Christmas. The magical town would be completed soon, perfect excuse to invite the whole family. They could reveal Fred then without problems.
Gemini silently distanced herself. In her view, they hadn't been beaten enough. Such major matter, waiting nearly a year to tell family—she could imagine Molly's reaction. Better stay far away to avoid blood splatter.
Not bothering to watch Tony battle wits with his AI, Gemini decisively left. Watching this group act silly was less interesting than returning to see ordinary people's troubles.
Several peaceful days passed. Gemini almost thought nothing else would happen when Sun Xiaoxiao called.
"Found their base! In New York!" Sun Xiaoxiao said seriously. "165 Brick Street, Manhattan. We have agreements about that place—can't go there. You'll handle it yourselves."
Gemini calmly put down her book, stroking the wand. "Don't worry, I'll handle the rest. Thank you."
"It's nothing. Their hiding spot's too coincidental. We're investigating internal situations too. Looks like not just your side has problems." Sun Xiaoxiao said. "It's a 6-story building. About a dozen wizards inside, twenty-plus ordinary people, all fully armed. Underground hollow filled with ammunition. You must bring backup—going alone's too unreliable."
Gemini smiled. "Of course. Charging in isn't my specialty. I have plenty of backup—definitely enough trouble for them."
After hanging up, Gemini thought, then picked up the two-way mirror to contact Draco. She explained her situation. Draco told her to wait before acting—they'd send help. Though Gemini had many friends in America, most weren't connected to wizards. If something happened, problems could arise.
Gemini had no objections. After agreeing on timing, she put down the mirror and took out parchment, writing letters to Steve (out accompanying his best friend on redemption missions), Fred and George (testing abilities in deep mountains), and Ethan (out gathering inspiration). She marked the time—everything ready except gathering everyone.
In distant Siberia, Steve and Bucky pried open an abandoned military base, looking at cultivation pods inside. The machines were still running. The people in pods were still alive.
"Take them back. They're also brainwashed Winter Soldiers. Take them back to sort memories and face trial." Steve sighed, contacting SHIELD agents to collect them.
Loud eagle cry from sky. Steve looked up sharply, seeing golden eagle circling. He extended his arm. The eagle swooped down, extended one foot to hand Steve a letter, then flew away.
"Letter from shop owner?" Bucky walked over curiously. "Wizards have unique mail delivery. Bit slow, but finding people anywhere is nice."
Steve nodded, feeling uneasy. Gemini had never contacted him this way before.
After reading a few lines, Steve folded the letter into his pocket. "Let's go. Should head back. Shop has matters needing me. Tell Fury—you're coming too."
Bucky nodded, forcefully tapping his left arm. SHIELD's workmanship couldn't compare to Hydra's—this new arm wasn't very useful.
In South American jungle, George and Fred crouched under a tree, carefully digging herb. The moment herb left soil, George produced crystal box while Fred quickly placed herb inside. George closed lid. Both sighed in relief.
Fred suddenly paused, reached up and caught something—letter appeared in his hand. After reading, he smiled at George. "Brother, let's go. We have work. Our vacation's over."
George carefully put crystal box in backpack. "Alright, achieved our purpose anyway. Good harvest."
Three days after Gemini sent all letters, the All-Purpose Shop closed early. The Parkers were arranged to go to Stark Tower to organize the shop allocated to her. Gemini sat quietly in second-floor reception room, waiting for backup.
Everyone seemed coordinated—arrived almost simultaneously through various means. Motorcycle sounds outside, fireplace flames inside—quiet shop suddenly noisy as everyone greeted each other.
Everyone found seats while Coby busily served tea or coffee.
"What happened, Gemini?" Steve asked.
Gemini looked at wall clock. "Wait a bit. Someone hasn't arrived."
Just then, fireplace hissed. Flames turned green. Everyone focused on fireplace.
Soon, wizard with messy black hair and round glasses emerged. "Long time no see, Gemini!"
Gemini smiled. "Harry! How come it's you?"
Harry came over for a hug. "Why shouldn't it be me? Draco said I'd go stir-crazy staying home in Britain. Since you found leads here, he sent me to lead the team."
After Harry arrived, people kept emerging—Ron, Neville, Colin, and Charlie too.
When Weasley family appeared, Fred quietly hid behind George, who nonchalantly blocked his twin. The surprise wasn't ready yet—what to do?
"Now everyone's here." Gemini greeted everyone and began explaining tonight's operation.
"SHIELD cleared the surrounding area. American Auror Department locked down surrounding space. I'll just say one thing—please return safely." Gemini distributed potions she'd prepared. Everyone received potions. Ron found it strange George had two portions—was George injury-prone?
"Then let's go." Gemini said seriously. Just as everyone was leaving, intense rock music suddenly blared from sky.
Bright gold-red armor whooshed down in front of shop, hovering as it called to Gemini: "Hey! Not cool! Why didn't you invite me?! I'm supposed to be captain!"
Gemini sighed helplessly. "Stop pretending. You think I don't know JARVIS installed a backdoor here?"
Tony landed and opened faceplate, pouting. "Why did they all get your rally letters?! But not me?!"
Gemini suppressed her urge to punch someone. This guy completely destroyed the tense pre-battle atmosphere!
Tony saw Gemini's expression and wisely stopped. He closed faceplate. "I know the address. I'll go first! See you there!"
Light streak—Tony disappeared into sky.
Ron watched admiringly. "Cool! Think I could get one?"
George glanced at his brother. "Little Ronnie, stupid people should read more. You could be sold hundreds of times and still not afford one arm."
Just as everyone prepared to leave again, urgent footsteps came from inside. "Wait for me! Don't forget me! Why did you all forget me?!" Banner hurriedly put on coat while running outside. "My potion just needed ten more minutes. Who knew when I came out you'd all be gone! Good thing I made it."
Gemini felt even more helpless. Was this group reliable? Would they get wiped out?
"Stop making noise! Want the whole world to know? Let's go!" Gemini said, turned, and Disapparated.
Harry shrugged. "Let's go!" He lifted his leg slightly. His whole body became white smoke flying rapidly toward the address.
Ron and the British group laughed, following Harry. String of white smoke chased each other and disappeared.
The rest used their own methods. Only Ethan and Banner looked at each other—fellow sufferers who got on Ethan's small motorcycle and puttered safely toward Brick Street.
Gemini's Apparition only reached adjacent street—this area's space was sealed. She walked leisurely toward 165, then silently stood across the street, quietly watching that building.
Soon everyone arrived. Some stood on rooftops, others appeared at street corners. Steve parked by roadside, got out carrying shield, stood in front of Gemini. "Ready to move?"
"Everyone's here. Let's begin." Gemini's voice wasn't loud but reached everyone's ears precisely.
Next moment, dim night sky was suddenly illuminated by various colored spells. Chaotic sounds immediately came from the quiet building at 165.
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