Soon enough, received boastful call from Tony. Those two kids caught gang stealing Chitauri tech make weapons. When gang tried hijack Guardian plane, stopped them. Though one plane crashed, supplies inside miraculously intact. Tony thrilled, recruited both into Guardian reserves.
But also got call from Peter. Criminal caught was classmate's father. Made things difficult.
According Ned's revelation, Peter had more-than-friendly feelings for that classmate. Then Peter chased him around embarrassed.
Seeing Peter like that, pursed lips. Looked like hadn't affected much.
"Based on experiment results, can conclude Acromantula silk contains special substance. That substance can harmonize spider genes in Peter's body with magic. Now beginning 47th extraction. Banner! Ready?" Wore dragonhide gloves, delicately picking up nearly transparent strand silk.
Banner wore identical gloves, fiddling with bottles, jars. Made OK gesture.
Carefully placed silk into solution-filled test tube, began magically decomposing, extracting.
Doorbell suddenly rang. Hand shook. Furious, smashed test tube. "Coby! Said not disturb during experiments!"
Banner carefully gathered materials avoid collateral damage. Experiments been going six months. Finally found lead. Current challenge—extracting what needed from silk. Dozens consecutive failures made increasingly volatile.
"Sorry! Miss! All Coby's fault! But Coby already turned off doorbell! Coby doesn't know how turned-off doorbell rang!" Coby appeared tearfully, started banging head against wall.
Grabbed Coby's collar, stopping from knocking self out. "Go see who! If not important, they're in for it!"
Coby vanished in panic. Soon reappeared. "Miss! Weirdo in blue clothes with red cloak!"
Immediately knew who. Furious, yanked off gloves, grabbed wand, stormed upstairs.
Banner hurried after. Don't let kill him!
In parlor, before Stephen could greet, spell hit face.
Stephen struggled defend. After vented anger, Stephen sat on sofa holding bucket. Every few words, vomited slug.
Banner watched disgust, silently sitting far away as possible.
"Seriously, can cancel spell? Ugh!" Stephen said lifelessly.
Laughed gleefully. "Not really. Forgot which spell used get this effect. Could be multiple mixed!"
"Ugh! Are all wizard attacks this disgusting?! Ugh!" Stephen grateful hadn't eaten. Otherwise vomiting more than slugs.
Glanced at him. "Should be grateful didn't use dark magic."
Stephen rolled eyes, vomited another. "This time serious business!"
Spread hands. "So talk. Listening!"
Between explanations, vomiting, Stephen finally made point clear.
Mystic arts masters' three Sanctums formed protective array blocking enemies from countless dimensions—Hong Kong, London, New York. When Ancient One retired, Hong Kong, London Sanctums destroyed. Though restored using Eye of Agamotto, some stragglers broken through from other dimensions. If stayed quiet, Stephen wouldn't found out so quickly. Unfortunately, weren't quiet.
In Japan, not far from China, dimensional portal recently appeared. Area too close China. Mystic arts masters had agreement with Chinese sects—couldn't easily interfere there.
"Wait, Japan? How involve sects?" Impatiently removed Stephen's curse so stop vomiting before asking.
Stephen looked at bucket disbelief. "Said couldn't remove?!"
Smirked wickedly. "Couldn't earlier. Can now. Haven't explained yet. How connected?"
Stephen resisted urge throw bucket in face. "As everyone knows, that land belonged China since ancient times. When Heavenly Court drew boundaries, set barrier included area. Who knew would become another country? Heavenly Court never adjusted barrier position."
"So? What want do? Contact sects about this. Why find me?" Asked.
Stephen's mouth twitched. "Ancient One left such hurry, didn't leave contact information for sects."
Snorted, barely suppressing laughter. How rushed retirement? Didn't even finish handover!
"Fine. Help contact sects. Negotiate yourself. If need help, have pay!" Said, immediately picking up phone, calling Elder Sun.
Stephen thanked, took phone balcony. After negotiating, Stephen returned phone, looking troubled.
Had bad feeling. "What looking at like that?!"
Stephen smiled awkwardly, turning pants pockets inside out show. "Agreed help, but have convince come along. Afraid will destroy barrier. If willing accompany as monitor, grant access through barrier!"
Laughed coldly. "Don't expect work for free!"
"This concerns world!" Stephen said anxiously.
"What world have do with me! That island nation never left good impression. Besides, barrier blocking. Can't escape. Sects have plenty methods. Won't be harmed. So what have do with me!" Said righteously.
Banner coughed lightly, tapping watch. Indicator light been on whole time.
Stephen stuck. Had read all Kamar-Taj books. Couldn't find suitable compensation short notice. As for money—last $5 saved for Wang buy sandwiches.
"Can pay enough move Gemini, but have agree send some mages join Guardian Alliance!" Tony's voice suddenly came from outside window.
Immediately looked at Banner. Banner smiled awkwardly, raising hand indicate watch.
Rolled eyes but said nothing. Wait until finished negotiating. Technically Guardian member anyway. Mystic arts masters seemed decent, that portal spell made envious.
Eventually, after Tony's various persuasions, Stephen agreed. Times tough—Kamar-Taj could barely afford food. Might as well turn three Sanctums into four! Sending some mages Guardians wasn't wrong! Could rotate!
Tony showed triumphant smile, exchanging knowing look with Banner. Knew it—definitely something around. Having inside man felt great! Ever since JARVIS started dating, changed. No longer helped report news from side. New AI assistant Friday wasn't good as JARVIS, didn't dare approach side.
After much persuasion, pretended extort sum dollars. But both knew for, Tony, dollars useless. But Stephen didn't know. Envious tears flowed from mouth. That much money could pay Kamar-Taj internet hundreds years, keep all mages fed!
Tony looked mercilessly at Stephen's still-turned-out pocket. "Ahem, since partners now, send itemized account later. Expenses go on Guardian account. After all, all protecting Earth!"
Stephen naturally agreed, saying do immediately upon return. After arranging departure time, Stephen left excitedly.
Tony looked triumphantly. "Accepting investment first step! Those mystic arts masters join Guardians sooner or later!"
Couldn't help complaining. Evil capitalists!
After communicating Elder Sun by phone, began dragging reluctant Banner prepare supplies. Who knew what cursed country had? Better fully prepared.
Soon appointed time arrived. After getting bracelet, going out became more convenient. Only carried palm-sized bag, looking less like long trip, more like shopping trip.
Golden sparks flickered. Stephen walked out, cloak carrying backpack. "Ready?"
Handed jade token. "Just wear. Jade token recognized by Chinese sects. Wearing proves identity, bound by rules. If lose, even if only fragments remain, must find."
Stephen's mouth twitched. Took jade token, wore around neck, tucked inside clothes. Swatted away cloak trying touch collar. "What now?"
Walked straight out. "Portal, right? Just teleport directly."
Stephen touched jade token at chest, shrugged, followed downstairs.
Opened fist-sized portal, carefully observing scene other side. After confirming safe, expanded portal. Walked through first. Stephen hurried after.
In instant, went from sunny New York star-filled Japan.
"What now?" Turned ask.
"First, need find place stay. Then need sense around." Stephen looked around warily.
Pursed lips. "Coby, set up tent!"
"Yes! Miss Gemini!" Coby cheerfully agreed, appearing with backpack.
Stephen's jaw dropped as Coby quickly found suitable spot, set up tent, placed protective charms around.
"That convenient?!" Stephen gaped.
Looked disdainfully. "Don't look so provincial. Didn't Ancient One tell about magic system?"
Stephen shook head silently. "Only left pile books. But these things weren't in them!"
Suppressed urge laugh, hurried into tent. Tent newly custom-made—old one given Guardians Galaxy.
After passing night, dawn came quickly. Stood by window, finally seeing location.
Outside looked like village. Mountains distance. Fields at mountain foot. Sea visible farther away.
"Sense anything?" Asked Stephen emerging from room.
Nodded. "Sensed. Based calculations, location should be Tokyo. Just need sneak nearby, close dimensional rift."
Looked surprised. "That simple?! Then why find me?"
Stephen looked innocent. "Sects wanted monitor!"
Speechless long moment. So just here decoration for sightseeing?
Just then, someone knocked door.
Immediately stopped Stephen, drawing wand. Logically, Coby used charms. Place hidden. Ordinary people couldn't see. So knocker could only be from Japan's magical community.
Carefully opened door. Outside hovered palanquin covered white gauze all sides, carried by paper figures floating meter off ground. Wind-blown gauze vaguely revealed woman in twelve-layered robes.
"May ask which honored guest arrived? Please come official department for registration. After all, entered illegally." Woman spoke fluent English, making narrow eyes.
Reaction fast. Arrived last night. By morning confirmed location. Using English—probably already confirmed identities.
Had Stephen hide. Mystic arts masters good at that.
"Coby, open door. Invite guest in." Lifted chin, ordering haughtily. Turned, sat sofa by fireplace. Stephen covered head-to-toe invisibility cloak, standing by wall pretending be pillar.
"Since honored guest invites, would be remiss refuse." Palanquin slowly descended. Paper figures shrank, flew back inside. Heavily robed woman carefully stood, taking small steps toward. Outer robe trailing behind floated lightly without touching dirt.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📚 BOOK COMPLETED ON PATREON!📚
This story has reached its conclusion on my Patreon!
🔥 Full story available now
💎 Exclusive bonus content & early access to new books
👉 Join my Patreon community today!
[✨patreon.com/DarkGolds]
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━