"Don't you think it's strange?! Where's the Fiendfyre I set? Where are the Aurors who surrounded the area?! And Sun Xiaoxiao's lightning?!" Gemini looked around frantically at the aliens flying through the sky. What they'd seen before—completely different!
Tony and Steve's expressions changed instantly. Only Scott hadn't participated in this war. Didn't know clearly.
Gemini said nothing, directly summoning clouds beneath her feet, rapidly ascending. Looked left and right.
She remembered that battle clearly. She couldn't control Fiendfyre—Harry helped eliminate it. They should have been there. Gemini looked over. The building where they'd stood was damaged now. No one there.
"Gemini! How is it?" Tony's voice sounded in her ear.
Gemini landed without speaking, pressing her lips together. "Coby!"
Only wind blew past. The house-elf made no sound.
Tony and Steve also felt lost. This seemed like entering a parallel space? No wizards here?! What was going on in this world?!
Steve was trying hard to figure things out, kept feeling someone patting his arm. Steve impatiently waved it away. "Scott, stop patting. We're thinking of countermeasures!"
Scott patted Steve's arm again, even yanking his clothes hard.
Steve suddenly looked over. "You're patting..."
He froze. Could hardly believe what he was seeing!
Steve also started patting the person beside him. Tony turned his head, almost jumping in surprise! "Merlin!"
"Merlin?! Don't remember having faith!" The Iron Man across from him frowned at Tony.
Gemini looked in shock at the four figures appearing behind them. Wearing the same clothes. Same faces. The only difference—there was only one of her!
"We should still have some time. Self-introductions?" Tony immediately reacted, looking at the Iron Man across from him.
Iron Man nodded. "We're from 2023. Looks like you have the same purpose as us. So-called parallel worlds, right?"
Tony nodded. "I'm a half-blood wizard and an inventor. Have a daughter, Morgan Stark. Also established the Guardian Alliance. Many members. You should know them all, right? Like Steve, Hulk and Banner, the Maximoff twins, etc."
Iron Man looked confused. "Wizard? You're saying... WTF!!!"
Tony directly pulled out his wand, transforming roadside rubble into a barking puppy. Startled the four across from him!
"What's the principle? Magic? Thought only Stephen Strange and those mages knew magic!" Iron Man asked in shock.
Tony shrugged. "This is magic. Stephen's is a different system from ours. That's the difference in parallel worlds. Our mystical side has a lot. Almost every ancient civilization has its own different things."
"Really want to chat with you about parallel world differences, but let's discuss what to do now." Iron Man spread his hands.
"The only option now—we agree on an order. Who goes first. We'll definitely need to return to this time point. Theoretically, your departure shouldn't exceed 10 seconds." Tony said calmly.
He understood himself. In serious matters, he'd choose what was good for everyone.
"Then I think we should go first. After all, look—this should be our world's timeline, not yours." Iron Man made the decision almost immediately.
"What method did you use for the Soul Stone?" Gemini couldn't help asking. The four across from them froze.
"What method?" Captain America asked.
Tony also sensed something wrong, quickly explaining their theory.
The big guy Banner directly punched through the wall beside him. "What do we do?! We're completely unprepared!"
Captain America also gripped his shield tightly. No idea what to do.
Iron Man began pacing anxiously. "This won't work. We don't have enough time. Can't notify Natasha and them! Do we have to give up a stone? Pym Particles aren't enough for us to go to Natasha's time to notify her!"
"Hey! Calm down! Buddy! Think carefully. Any other options?" Tony pulled out a potion, tossing it to Iron Man. "Drink something. This is a calming draught. Can cool your overheated brain."
Iron Man didn't doubt it, directly opening the stopper and downing it. "Ugh! Can't you make it taste better?"
Tony shrugged. "If I could, it wouldn't taste like this. Not good at potions."
"We give up the Space Stone!" Iron Man immediately decided.
"What?! This!" Ant-Man was shocked. "How can we?! We can't give up everyone for one person!"
Though Captain America and big guy Banner didn't want to admit it, they had to feel—Ant-Man was right.
"There's another place with the Space Stone and Pym Particles. We can go there first to get extra Pym Particles and the Space Stone, then go to 2014 to notify Natasha and them. Even grab an alien creature. Can't just watch them sacrifice themselves!" Iron Man looked steadily at Captain America. He understood immediately.
"You mean that place?" Captain America asked. Iron Man nodded—he was thinking right.
Captain America immediately said: "Okay, let's do it! We can't give up anyone! That's still our teammate!"
"Hulk!" With a roar from midair, Hulk crashed down, raising dust.
Big guy Banner panicked. "God! Does your world's Hulk still lack reason?!"
Gemini looked at him with a complex expression. "No, he has reason. Think he's better in any form than you are now!"
"Hulk got it!" Hulk grinned, showing everyone that green glow.
Tony stepped forward. Under the four's horrified gazes, he patted Hulk's arm. "Well done! Good boy. Let Banner out. We need to discuss things!"
"Hulk wants money! Buy things for Hagrid!" Hulk cunningly made demands.
Tony smiled helplessly. "No problem. I'll give you money when we get back. Good boy, let Banner out quick!"
Hulk happily stuffed the stone to Tony, closed his eyes. His form changed. Banner appeared before everyone.
"What's going on?" Banner gaped at the people across from him. "Good thing I didn't choose complete separation back then!"
Big guy Banner also watched this scene in shock. "God, how is this done?"
"Magic!" Tony said proudly.
"Alright, time's running out. We'll help you get the Mind Stone first. You and your teammate go to that place you mentioned to get Space and Pym Particles." Tony handed the stone to big guy Banner across from him. "Of course, if you don't deliver the stone as agreed, your returning people will receive our revenge. Think you definitely don't want to know what magic can do."
Iron Man and Captain America looked at each other. "Don't worry. We know what matters. This concerns an entire world. We won't do anything stupid."
After discussion, Iron Man used JARVIS permissions in the tower to learn the situation inside. Those HYDRA agents already got the scepter. Going down in the elevator.
"Gemini, take Captain America over. Let him see what magic is. This world has no wizards. All Muggles. Should be easy for you." Tony said dismissively.
Gemini smiled. "No problem. Let's go, Captain."
Steve patted Gemini's shoulder. "I'll go with Iron Man to help get Pym Particles."
Tony turned sharply. "You still want to go to their world?!"
Steve looked at Tony with amusement. "How could I? I'll come back here. After all, our Pym Particles are just enough. Need backup, right?"
Big guy Banner and Ant-Man left first with Time. Gemini pulled out the Invisibility Cloak, draping it over Captain America. As Iron Man exclaimed, she pulled out her long-stored flying carpet, taking Captain America invisible, flying rapidly toward Stark Tower. Couldn't let them take Mind away.
Steve adjusted his bracelet to match Iron Man's. Under Scott and Tony's gaze, he vanished.
The two looked at each other, deciding to try for this timeline's Space Stone. In case of accidents, they'd be prepared.
Captain America sat cross-legged on the flying carpet with a complex expression, watching that girl tap her wand lightly, mutter something. Those well-trained agents smiled, handing over the scepter, sitting relaxed in the car waiting.
"Are wizards all so..." Captain America couldn't find the right word.
Gemini rolled her eyes. "Know you want to say evil. But power never has just one side. Don't like you at all, even if you share the same name and experiences as my knight."
"Wait, your knight?" Captain America looked at her blankly.
Gemini looked at Captain America critically. "Of course. In our world, I woke him and healed him. Let him have a chance to make up for regrets. He signed a contract, became my knight. Fury couldn't take him away either."
Captain America's expression was complex. Finally he sighed. "Then he's truly happier than me. By the way, how's Bucky in your world? He and Tony..."
Gemini frowned. "What else? Bucky was unlucky—chosen by Maria. Killed them both. No matter how angry Tony was, nothing he could do. Could only send them far away. Out of sight, out of mind."
Captain America looked shocked. "They didn't fight? What do you mean chosen by Maria?"
Gemini looked impatient. "That involves a long story. Where do you think Tony's half-blood wizard bloodline came from?"
Captain America nodded in understanding. "Okay, I get it. That's good—they didn't fight."
Gemini stared at him a while without saying anything. Seemed parallel world Tony wasn't doing well. From Captain America's tone, they definitely had a battle. Two against one. Bah! Shameless!
The two returned to the agreed location. Saw disheveled Tony and Scott sighing.
"How'd you end up like this?" Gemini asked curiously.
Tony looked at her listlessly. "Did you succeed?"
"Of course." Gemini held up the scepter.
Scott said awkwardly: "We originally wanted to go after Space. But there was a hitch. Didn't get it."
Gemini rolled her eyes. "What now?"
Before Tony could answer, Steve appeared looking dazed.
"Oh! You're back! Why that expression? Didn't succeed?" Tony quickly changed the subject.
Steve shook his head. "No, succeeded. Iron Man already rushed to 2014."
Captain America took the scepter from Gemini. "Then I should go too. Can say—see you soon."
"Right, to ensure success, you can't tell us your results!" Gemini said seriously.
Except for Tony, everyone looked at Gemini in surprise. "Why?"
Captain America frowned. "I can tell you our experience. Won't that work?"
Gemini shook her head seriously. "That won't work. Any foreknowledge causes deviation. Besides, we're parallel worlds. The more we know, the greater the interference with consequences."
Captain America nodded in seeming understanding. "Then—see you soon."
After Captain America vanished, Tony's trio had nothing to do again. Didn't know when they'd return. Though similar, standing here waiting was too stupid. Gemini stuck a portrait on an undamaged wall, calling the two to enter. Keeping the door open. Ready to react to any situation.
On the other side, Iron Man appeared anxiously in 2014. Just met Rhodes who'd knocked out Star-Lord. No time to say much. Iron Man directly boarded Star-Lord's ship, skillfully piloting toward Vormir. Rhodes helplessly watched the ship leave. Had to give Star-Lord another sedative. Prevent him waking to find his ship gone.
Just as Natasha and Barton hung on the cliff edge, Barton shook his head tearfully, gripping Natasha's hand tightly.
"It'll be okay." Natasha smiled, about to break free of Barton's hand.
Tony's voice suddenly rang from overhead. "Here goes!"
A huge shadow swept past them. Mooing, it fell down. Went silent.
The two stared blankly at the cow corpse below the cliff. The sky began changing color. Orange light made them squint.
When they regained consciousness, Tony coughed, climbing from the water with the orange stone. "Whew! How are you two? Good thing I came in time!"
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