The next morning, in a luxurious cliffside mansion on Long Island, New York...
Pepper, dressed in a formal secretary's outfit and heels, clicked her way to the underground workshop. When she opened the door, she saw Tony, dressed in casual clothes, busy at the workbench, modifying parts of his armor.
"Tony. I knew you'd be here with the suits whenever you were in a bad mood," Pepper said, leaning against the door with a smile.
"Sorry, but I'm also here when I'm in a good mood," Tony replied casually. He glanced at the stack of docunts in her hand and asked, "What is this? Are you trying to get to work first thing in the morning? I've already decided to take half a week off; I'm not seeing anybody - not even the President."
Pepper rolled her eyes and said quietly, "Just now, the new King of Wakanda, T'Challa, publicly announced that he had caught the real culprit behind his father's assassination and had withdrawn the arrest warrant for the Winter Soldier, Bucky."
Tony's expression did not change, but his hand shook slightly as he picked up a piece of armor, revealing that he was not indifferent to the news.
Pepper continued, "This ans that Steve isn't technically aiding a fugitive, so his reputation remains intact..."
"He acted recklessly," Tony comnted, putting down the armor. "Had Godfather not intervened, he might have ended up in the dark cell sowhere."
Pepper shook her head and said quietly, "But now it looks like he might have been right."
Tony didn't dwell on the subject and asked, "Is that what you ca here to tell ?"
"Of course. I happen to know that soone was lying awake last night, worrying about the outco of yesterday's events," Pepper teased, then pulled an invitation from her pocket and added, "Anyway, an invitation arrived this morning from Godfather. It's for you."
"An invitation from Godfather? Let see."
Tony, intrigued, stepped forward, took the invitation and opened it. His expression changed from surprise to confusion and finally to serious contemplation.
"What is it? What does it say?" Pepper asked curiously; she hadn't opened it since it was from Godfather.
"Sothing big is about to happen," Tony replied as he folded the invitation and looked at his armor.
It was an invitation from Godfather and, more importantly, from Carl Nation, an empire his father had helped to create. Of course, he had no reason to refuse, but he had just signed the Sokovia Accords last night.
"What's got you so torn?" Pepper asked, growing increasingly curious.
"Get ready," Tony sighed and handed her the invitation. "We're leaving for Carl Nation the morning after tomorrow."
---
At Midtown High School in New York...
In his freshman classroom, Peter sat at his desk, resting his chin on his hand and staring blankly ahead.
"Roar!" Ned, carrying his backpack, suddenly jumped in front of the desk, trying to startle Peter, but Peter just looked at him and went back to staring at the blackboard.
Ned, with both hands on the desk, looked at him in confusion. "What's the matter with you? You've been so out of it lately."
"None of your business," Peter replied, his tone flat. He had gotten used to high school, but he hadn't managed to talk to his crush, Liz Allen, and Tony Stark hadn't contacted him about anything exciting.
With both his love life and his dream career in a slump, Peter was feeling down.
Ned patted him on the shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Cheer up. Here's so great news: In two days, SkyNet is hosting a world-class event, and it's on a Sunday! I'll co to you and we'll use VR to log into SkyNet together."
"Okay," Peter agreed, still unenthusiastic.
After Ned returned to his seat, Peter reached into his desk to grab his textbook, only to pull out a strange envelope adorned with a demonic seal.
The front of the envelope read, "To Spider-Man, Peter Parker. The sender: "Kyle Carl (Rep.)."
"Mr. Kyle?!"
Holding the invitation, Peter jumped to his feet, drawing strange looks from his classmates.
"La," MJ muttered, giving him a disdainful look.
...
Pym Technologies Industrial Lab
In the lab where enlarged worker ants serve as helpers, Hank Pym and his daughter Hope are imrsed in Pym Particle research.
"Hey, look at this!"
Just then, Scott Lang bursts into the lab, waving an invitation in his hand. "It's an invitation from the Symbol of Peace - Mr. Kyle! It's inviting to Carl Nation to participate in a superpower tournant! That must an he recognizes my talent, right? Ant-Man, let's go!"
Hank and Hope looked at Scott with what could only be described as bemused skepticism. They exchanged a look, said nothing, and went back to their research.
"Co on!" Scott protested, feeling deflated. "The prizes for the top three are totally aweso! And the contestants get to bring family mbers to watch the event live in Carl Nation."
Hope cut him down rcilessly. "With your skills, you're probably just going for the experience."
"Don't underestimate ! I've been working on a secret technique," Scott retorted, clenching his fists.
"I'm not interested in the tournant itself, but I am curious about Carl Nation," Hank said after a mont of thought. "Howard contacted recently and suggested that I visit. Let's go then - consider it a break, a vacation."
Hope rolled her eyes. "Fine, but let's just make sure that Scott doesn't embarrass the Ant-Man na."
---
''Kamar-Taj, Sorcerer Sanctum''
In the main hall, the Ancient One sat cross-legged in her signature yellow robes, an open invitation on the table before her. Mordo stood nearby, his face etched with confusion and skepticism.
"Sorcerer Supre," Mordo said, questioning, "For hundreds of years, we sorcerers have kept to the shadows, protecting Earth discreetly. This superpower tournant sounds like chaos - a public showcase for the whole world. Are we really going to wade into it?"
The Ancient One was silent for a long ti, then said quietly, "Tis have changed.
It was a simple statent, but one that Mordo found hard to accept. Still, he knew that once the Ancient One had made a decision, there was no point in arguing. All he could do was hope that her choice was the right one.
"How is Stephen?" The Ancient One asked.
"He's officially a beginner now," Mordo replied. "He can handle a few basic spells."
"That's enough. Bring him along this ti. You, and Stephen will travel to Carl Nation the day after tomorrow."
"Yes, as you wish," Mordo agreed, albeit reluctantly.
'(End of Chapter)'
I have finished translating this fanfic, IMUC (I Am In Marvel With Unlimited Cards) and have posted all the advanced chapters on Patreon (90 Chapters). (/c/marvel6395). You can read all the advanced chapters there.
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