Trick 57: Finally Winning!

Ace saw a space dragon smash through a building and flew over, spreading his hands out. The collapsing building turned into countless plays cards. Ace threw his hand out and caught the people with a shield, lowering them all to the ground.

He then flew up and pulled a huge ball of playing cards before abruptly spreading his arms out a groaning in exhaustion. Countless cards flew everywhere in the city, piercing countless aliens and even then the number didn't decrease at all!

Tony spoke "Hey, Gandalf, if you can do that a few more times, I might just kiss you." Captain America spoke, "Cloak, can you do it?" Ace replied with exhaustion in his voice "I have little to no mana left… How many are left…"

The group was silent, hearing the exhaustion in Ace's voice that was only a little distorted at this moment, just barely.

Tony joked, "You can't take a mana potion or something?" Ace flew off and cleared his throat replying "Left em on middle earth." Tony snorted and Captain America said "We need to close that portal…"

Ace put up a shield but he was hit from behind and flew into a building. He put up a barrier around himself and smashed through the bricks, landing on a desk, groaning in pain.

More aliens showed up around him as Barton came up, slashing the aliens with his bow before reaching his hand out to Ace.

Ace grabbed his arm and Barton said "You can die after this, alright?" Ace replied slowly, "I'd rather not die at all…" Barton chuckled and punched an alien, replying "You and me both."

Ace held his side as his 'cloak' was tattered beyond belief, basically a little hood with a tiny cape on the end, barely passing his shoulders. He held one hand out and said "Duck." as a stream of flames came out of his mandala, incinerating the aliens.

Ace dropped his hand and breathed heavily as Barton got up, saying "What are these things anyway?" Ace rolled his eyes and said "Dude, I can barely see anymore." Barton nodded and replied "Good point."

Ace flicked his wand, saying "Acio Broom." as his broom flew in through the window, he jumped on it and said "Need a ride, Robin Hood?" Barton looked over and jumped on the broom as Ace flew out of the building.

He dropped Barton off on the ground before flying away as Romanoff spoke in the communications radio "I can shut the portal down! Does anybody copy?"

Captain America said immediately "Do it!" but Tony said "No! Wait!" Captain America retorted "Stark, these things are still coming!" Tony replied "I got a Nuke coming in. It's gonna blow in less than a minute."

Ace was stunned and shouted "What?! Just what I fucking need…" Captain America and the rest were silent as Tony muttered "I know where to put it."

Captain America suddenly said grimly "Stark, you know that's a one way trip." however Tony didn't answer.

Ace was startled and said "Hey, Tony. How about I do it instead. I can get rid of it!" Captain America capitalized, asking quickly "Can you?! How confident?!" Ace hesitated before replying "Maybe! I don't know, I've never tried to turn a Nuke to confetti. Maybe like 20%?"

Captain America was thinking about it, when Tony said "Don't worry. I got it, wait for me to come back. No problem, I'm Iron Man, remember?" Ace shouted "I meant 100%! Tony, give it to me! Where are you coming in from!?" as he flew off to Stark tower.

Tony didn't reply and shot towards the Tower, flying up the side of the building.

Ace flew forward but an alien shot at him. He threw up a shield as a group flew by, bombarding him with energy beams. In the crossfire, his new broom was shot to pieces and Ace started falling from the sky.

He flipped over and pulled out another broom, flying up to the tower as he shouted "Damn it, Tony! Stop!" as he was attacked by more aliens and a space dragon. He grinded his teeth and slammed the air with his fists, causing a purple shockwave, turning everything to dust, bubbles, ice, water, confetti, etc.

Everything around Ace vanished, including his broom as he fell from the sky again, looking up at the portal only to see Tony fly in.

Thor jumped up and caught Ace, landing back on the ground and letting go as he looked up at the portal as well.

Ace stood on the ground and held his side, sucking in a cold breath from the pain, as he looked up, muttering "Come on…" there was a bright light and all the aliens collapsed at the same time. Even the space dragons fell from the sky.

Ace looked around before turning back up, he tapped on the air with his wand, creating the telescope spell.

Thor and Captain America looked at it and saw Tony just on the cusp. Captain America said "Close it now!" Romanoff closed the portal and the beam disappeared.

The opening in the sky slowly disappeared as Tony passed through it, back to Earth!

Ace smiled and let out a breath, Thor smiled then frowned, saying "He's not slowing down!" as he swung his hammer in a circle, getting ready to jump.

However! The Hulk swooped in and caught Tony before falling to the ground on his back.

He tossed Tony to the side and the three ran over. Thor ripped Tony's face mask off and Ace tapped Tony's face, putting his ear close.

Captain America asked "Is he dead?" Ace muttered "He's breathing? It's really shallow…" before sitting on the ground, looking at Tony.

Hulk looked down and roared at Tony, who sprung back to life, shouting "AHH! Oh god. What just happened? Please tell me nobody kissed me."

Ace wiped his face, sighing "You're alright." as he held his side again, groaning. Captain America looked up and breathed out, saying "We won."

Tony laid his head back and said "Alright, yay! Woohoo, we won, yippee! Can we not come in tomorrow? Just take a day. Have you ever had Shawarma?"

Ace smiled under his hood as Tony continued "There's a Shawarma joint, around 2 blocks from here… Wizards eat Shawarma, right?" Ace nodded and leaned on the Hulk's leg, breathing out heavily.

Thor looked around and broke the news, "We're not finished yet." everyone looked at him and Tony asked "And then Shawarma after?"

Thor picked up Ace and the group left, coming to Loki and capturing him.

A little bit later, the entire group was in the Shawarma place, eating Shawarma.

However, only Tony and Ace seemed to like it…

The next day

The group gathered in a plaza as Thor held a device, saying "My friends, we shall meet again." before turning to Ace, adding "When I return, I will invite you to Asgard for a feast."

Ace was standing next to Tony with his arms crossed, wearing a black hoodie, jeans, sneakers, and a plastic Iron Man mask. He waved and said "Not necessary." Thor chuckled and replied "Nonsense." before turning to Loki and twisting a handle on the device.

The duo disappeared, amidst blue energy, shooting into the air.

Ace looked up and Tony asked "Need a lift, wizard?" Ace shook his head and paused, frowning. Tony walked away but Ace stopped him, asking "I need a lift to London." Tony looked at Bruce before scratching his chin, replying "It's a far drive, how about a plane?"

Ace cleared his throat and said "Sure. Thanks man." Captain America sat on a motorcycle, asking "I thought you used a portal last time?" Ace's face fell and he replied "Well, I can't do that anymore…" before changing the subject as he walked to Captain America.

He coughed and took out some Captain America trading cards, asking "Can you, uhm…" Captain America was stunned and the rest of the group laughed before sighing, looking sad.

Tony looked around and smiled "Just sign 'em, Steve. I bet you can tell your kids you had a wizard fan." Steve scratched his cheek and signed the cards, joking "A fan wearing a Stark mask, that's a first."

Tony chuckled and Ace was returned the signed trading cards, holding them tightly as he said "Thanks, Cap!" Steve smiled and said "Really? Just call me, Steve." Ace nodded and ran to Tony's car, jumping into it, turning into a cat midair, landing on Bruce's lap.

Steve sighed and muttered "Really never get used to it…" before driving off.

Romanoff held the car door as she looked at Ace, saying "We need some information from you." Ace ignored her and rolled on his back, looking at the trading cards, making Romanoff's eyes twitch.

Tony looked at her and smiled "How about, and hear me out. How about I deal with the Wizard? He was my house cat for a bit." Bruce looked at Ace, who hissed, Tony chuckled and Romanoff frowned, "Director Fury wants to see h-"

Tony snapped his fingers, asking "With which eye? Oh would you look at the time, I'll send you a letter, snookums! Don't miss me, 'kay?" before driving off, leaving Romanoff in the dust.

Romanoff clenched her fists and sighed as Barton chuckled, leaning on a car as he said "Rough day?" she walked over and replied "Just a bit." Barton bit on a slim jim as he remarked, "You know just yesterday, I was having a rough day, Natasha."

Natasha looked at him and chuckled, "Just get in the car, Clint." Clint chuckled and sat inside as they drove off.

A few days passed