Trick 3: Magical Escapism!

Ace frowned and walked to a wall, pulling out a circular thermostat, revealing an old fashioned rotary phone.

He called a number and stayed silent as a voice said "4 Horsemen will come into being. The King of Swords will play the Fool as the Hierophant watches." Ace asked excitedly "Something for me??"

The voice was silent for a few moments before saying "Just informing." Ace cursed, "I'm gonna fucking lose it! I've been doing random shows here and there, taking out loan sharks, mafias, gangsters, whatever, left, right, and center! I want a big job! Fuck!"

The voice said flatly, "The Eye has a plan for you." Ace rolled his eyes and said "The Eye always has a plan, what IS the plan. You know, I don't want to be 'that guy' or anything, but I'm sitting here doing nothing. Is there ANYTHING for me to do? Even if I have to work with those guys from the High Table-"

The voice said "Absolutely not. The Eye and High Table may be in a subordinate relationship, but we are not associated." Ace sighed, "Alright, jeez! Just give me something to do! If I have to pull a hat out of a dove out of a hat out of a rabbit out of a hat one more time, I'm gonna explode! You know what I'm talking about?"

The voice seemed to be speechless for a few moments before saying "Stark Industries is selling weapons to Middle Eastern Warlords under the table, namely the so-called 'Ten Rings', can you handle it?" Ace blinked and said in excitement "Alone?! Yes, ma'am! Hahahaha!"

The voice said "Do you need a team, Fool?" Ace shook his head and said "Not at all, what's my time frame?" the voice replied slowly "2-3 years." Ace scratched his neck and said "Too long, I'll do it in 1 and a half."

The voice said "Careful." before hanging up.

Ace put the rotary phone back and laughed by himself! Bruce grunted and rolled over as Ace shouted "I'm not crazy! Damn you, Bruce!"

The next day

Ace was working out on the pull up bar when there was a knock on the door. He stepped on the ground and got off the pipe, wiping his face with a rag as he walked to the door, opening it.

Kate was there with her hand up and looked at him in surprise, saying "You're fast." Ace wiped his face and leaned his elbow on the doorframe, smirking "Only to open doors, I'm extremely slow at everything else." as he winked.

Kate rolled her eyes and chuckled "You're such a loser, do other girls fall for that?" Ace rubbed his nose and smiled wryly, "Usually?" she laughed and said, "Anyway, I have to go to London."

Ace was stunned and asked quickly "What? Why?" Kate blinked and smiled slightly, "I have to go see my aunt. She's in the hospital." He pouted and said "You're just gonna kiss and say goodbye?"

Kate's lips twitched and she replied "You're quoting a song? Right now?" Ace pouted and complained "Does it matter? You're still doing it!" Kate rolled her eyes and said "I'll be back in a week. It's not that serious."

Ace rolled his eyes and said "Well… maybe I can come with you?" Kate was startled and looked at him strangely "Are you for real?" Ace coughed and looked away, saying "Well, there have been more loan sharks drifting around here recently…"

Kate pushed his bare chest into his apartment, chuckling "Alright, loverboy. I'll be back in a week." Ace pouted "But-" she pecked his lips and smiled "Better?" He curled his lips and said "I didn't feel it~"

Kate giggled and said "The next one is a fist. You sure you want it?" Ace rolled his eyes and complained "Way to ruin the mood! I didn't know you were so Emotionally Bankrupt!" Kate retorted him angrily "I'm not emotionally bankrupt! You're like a needy child!"

Ace scoffed, "I didn't get enough hugs as a kid, what are you gonna do about it?" Kate burst out laughing and squished his cheeks, saying "I'm going! For real!" Ace rolled his eyes again, saying "Yeah, I'm sure! For real this time!"

Kate glared at him as she walked out the door, he suddenly grabbed her arm and said "Kate, wait." she turned her head and he spun her into his arms, hugging her tight as he kissed her deeply.

She was dazzled for a few moments before pushing him away and wiping her lips. He touched his own, licking them as he chuckled "Now you can leave." Kate snorted softly and blushed, "What a jerk…" before running out of the room.

Ace walked over and leaned on the railing above the staircase, "Bring me back one of those double decker bus souvenirs!" Kate gave him the finger, shouting "Go away, bad guy!" Ace shouted back while laughing, "You're cuter when you're shy!"

She blushed deeper and ran out the door in a flustered hurry.

Ace chuckled and held the 4 pointed golden star pendant on his necklace, rubbing it with his fingers before returning to his apartment.

A while later

Ace was walking on the street wearing a hoodie, looking around at various Stark related industries. As he was walking, someone grabbed his shoulder, saying "Bastard. Found you!" Ace turned his head and saw a Loan Shark that was usually chasing after him.

He shook him off and turned to run as the man chased after him, "Found him! On me!"

Ace climbed up a fence and jumped onto a fire escape ladder, climbing up into a building before sneaking in through the window and disappearing.

The man cursed "Little rat!"

Ace let out a breath of relief and walked through a dining room as a family was eating.

They froze and looked at Ace, who coughed and said seriously "Have you heard about our lord and savior, Jesus Christ?" The woman said quickly, "Jimmy, call the Police!" Ace quickly left through the front door and left the building, running away from the building.

A goon pointed at him, shouting "Boss! I found 'im!" Ace cursed, "Fuck!" as he looked around to see a bunch of goons running over with guns.

He frowned and pulled out a deck of cards, saying "I guess you guys don't want to see a trick…" they raised their guns and pointed at him, Ace felt his scalp go numb and he threw out a few cards while running.

The cards sliced across their faces, drawing blood before falling to the ground as Ace lunged behind a Garbage can when the Goons fired their pistols. Ace shouted "Don't you know shooting in broad daylight is illegal?!"

They didn't say a word and Ace put a mirror out to the side, looking at the goons before the mirror exploded. He swallowed and tossed out a few papers that exploded into flames.

The goons covered their eyes and ran to the Garbage can, pointing behind it, but Ace was gone!

They all heard their boss over their radios, "I found him on 35th Street!" they didn't even hesitate and started running away as police sirens started blaring down the road.

Ace popped his head out from an alley not too far from the Garbage can, holding a radio and saying in relief "Almost turned into Swiss cheese there!"

Suddenly, he was cuffed from behind and stunned as he heard a sweet voice "You're under arrest. Give it up, punk."

Ace was dumbfounded and said "Hey! You can clearly see I was the one getting shot at, right?!" as he turned around to see a cute policewoman. She frowned and said "You must be involved for them to shoot at you. You can tell your story at the station."

Ace sighed and said "Unfortunately, I can't go to the Police station, little cutie." The woman frowned at him and he flicked his wrists quickly, smiling "I'm sure your police friends will be here soon."

The girl looked down at her handcuffed wrists in shock as Ace shouted "AHH! POLICE HARASSMENT! MY PURITY!" before running off and disappearing into a crowd as the woman shouted "Stop! Damnit!" as she tried to uncuff herself, running after him into the crowd, adding "Police! Move!"

Ace looked behind him at the Policewoman and curled his lips, slapping a man's shoulder and whispering into his ear before snapping his fingers.

He did the same to 5 more people and started running as the Policewoman shouted "Stop!" the people Ace tapped turned to her and shouted "Quarterback!" before rushing towards her and tackling her to the ground.

Ace escaped safely and walked backwards, laughing before bumping into someone.

He looked up and saw a huge disgusting looking fish-man creature thing. Ace cleared his throat and asked seriously "You wouldn't happen to know where the nearest Subway station is, right?"

The Creature roared in his face and swiped his hand as Ace rolled to the side, cursing "Fuck! One after the other today! I should've listened to Bruce's tarot reading…" the creature smashed the ground with both fists and the concrete threw Ace into the air!

He flipped in the air and took out a bubble bottle, blowing a huge bubble around himself and floating away in the air.

The creature stared at him, seemingly stunned that he was flying at the moment.

The people around looked up and were stunned, thinking it was a show, they clapped happily.

The creature roared at them and Ace cursed. He popped the bubble and flipped to the ground in front of the crowd, throwing up a cloth as the creature charged at the group.

He pulled the cloth to reveal a huge box as the creature rushed inside. Ace slapped the box and opened the door, revealing nothing.

The people were amazed and cheered "Wow! Amazing!"

Ace's lips twitched into a smile and he bowed briefly before, spinning the cloth around his body and disappearing as the cloth hit the ground, leaving behind a crazed audience full of cheers and awe.