Unfortunately, before Gemini could inquire at MACUSA, she received an invitation—from Tony. Inviting them to Stark Tower's topping-out ceremony on July 12th, 2011.
Day after tomorrow. Gemini could only apologize to Peter. Said they'd travel after Tony's event. Peter really wanted to visit China. But it involved his idol Iron Man. What was there to say? Iron Man came first.
When the time came, Steve drove the group to Tony's address.
Gemini, the Parkers, and Steve stood bewildered beside a construction site in Manhattan. Gemini pulled out the invitation. Checked carefully. Definitely 2011—they hadn't gotten it wrong. So what was this hollow shell of a building?!
"Hey! Right on time!" Energetic rock music. Tony descended in his suit. Beaming smile. Greeted everyone.
"Hey nothing! Didn't you say topping-out ceremony?! What's with this building?!" Gemini looked dissatisfied.
"I was thinking—have wizards do decoration. Stark Tower should be the most special!" Tony puffed out his chest. "Besides, wizard decoration is fast, right? Perfect!"
Gemini covered her head. "Where did you learn your common sense?!"
"What's wrong?" Tony stood awkwardly. What had he done wrong now?!
"You think Pearson's one team can decorate an entire building fast?! Trying to work them to death?!" Gemini looked speechless. "My building and your house took them over a day. Calculate this building's square footage yourself!"
Tony followed Peter's example. Stood at construction site edge. Looked up. The towering skyscraper made him dizzy.
"You know Woolworth Building, right? Construction to operational use—several years. That building's much shorter than yours." Gemini almost rolled her eyes.
Tony's face fell. "Then what? I can't wait years."
Gemini sighed. She was supposed to be the child here!
"Is this building for ordinary people or what?" Gemini asked.
"I want something special. Named after me. Different." Tony said honestly. "Lower floors for ordinary people. Top floors for myself. Course, I reserved an entire floor for you guys too."
Gemini thought. Rummaged through her bag. After a while, pulled out a crumpled flyer. "If nothing else works, contact them. China's infrastructure speed and quality—world-famous. If you're in a hurry, even working Pearson's team to death takes two to three years. With their help, should be about a year."
Tony pitifully took the flyer. Moving pictures demonstrated house construction and decoration. Contact info below: "Dragon Rise Construction looks forward to your visit." Ordinary phone contacts. Magical world exclusive messenger addresses.
For convenience, flyer included a passphrase—say it during phone contact, transfers to magical side.
Tony spoke immediately: "JARVIS, dial this number."
"Yes, sir, dialing international long distance."
"Hello, Dragon Rise Construction customer service. I'm agent 1002. How can I help?" Phone rang seconds. Sweet female voice.
Tony held the flyer. Frowned. Stumbled through passphrase: "Dragon soars in heaven, swift enjoyment."
"Understood, please wait!" Agent 1002's voice stayed sweet. Transfer music played. Two seconds later, voice returned: "Hello, Dragon Rise Ministry of Works customer service. I'm agent 1002. What do you need?" Same voice. Completely unchanged.
Tony stared at phone. Almost wanted to glare a hole through it. "It's the same! Why the passphrase?!"
Agent 1002's voice stayed sweet. "Sir, that's our regulation. What do you need? Provide your address—we'll send specialists for surveying and design. Course, surveying and design is complimentary! If you're satisfied, pay then!"
Tony felt something was off. Didn't think much. "Take overseas jobs? Have a building needing decoration. New York, USA. Won't say much—just fast and good."
Tony thought he heard a small gasp. "Yes, sir. Our designer arrives at your location within 10 minutes. Are you nearby?"
"I'm here. Very conspicuous—you'll see me. I'll wait!" Tony said confidently. Hung up first. Turned to Gemini and others: "Next she'd start sales pitches or reviews. Hung up early—saves trouble."
Ding—
Tony's phone chimed. Looked—text in Chinese.
"Please rate agent 1002's service. Satisfied, reply 1. Unsatisfied, reply 5. Thank you!"
Tony looked like he'd seen a ghost. "JARVIS! Are you broken?! Why am I getting this?!"
"..." JARVIS stayed silent. Don't ask—he didn't know either!
Before he could say more, sharp sound cut the air. Everyone looked up. Streak of light circled the half-finished building twice. Spotted conspicuous Tony and others. Descended toward them.
"Sun Xiaoxiao?!" Gemini stared in shock.
"Miss Black!" Sun Xiaoxiao stepped off her sword. Called out in delight.
"So you're acquaintances! Whose building? Really wealthy!" Sun Xiaoxiao put away her flying sword. Walked over smiling.
"There—guy in iron shell. He's rich. Money's no object. Feel free to fleece him!" Gemini smiled. Went to meet her.
Only Tony protested loudly: "Hey! I'm still here! Talking about fleecing me to my face—sure about this?!"
Everyone laughed. After chatting briefly, Sun Xiaoxiao pulled out a wooden square plate. About A4 paper size. Nearly 5-centimeter borders. Then grabbed handfuls of unused sand from construction site. Put it in plate. Everyone stared wide-eyed.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
🔥 Want to read the next 90+ chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on Patreon - patreon.com/DarkGolds]