Chapter 58: Unforeseen Encounters

When they met, Harry was visibly shaken, but he was surprised to see Peter there.

"Thanks for coming, Peter," Harry said, patting Peter's arm with genuine gratitude. "It means a lot."

Peter returned the gesture with a brief hug, unsure of what else to say.

James, not as familiar with Harry, stood quietly by the window, observing the bustling city below.

Outside in the hallway, a man rushed past, a sense of urgency in his stride. James recognized him immediately as someone involved in the controversial lizard serum project. The man was carrying documents that looked suspiciously like Dr. Connors' previous research.

James squinted at the label on the file: "Project φφ."

He wondered, even with Norman Osborn's passing and Dr. Connors' departure from the Osborn Group, if research was still ongoing. Was it a precaution for Harry, who had yet to show symptoms of his father's illness, or was there another motive at play?

---

After a brief visit, James boarded his flight to Los Angeles, eager for new opportunities. With Tony Stark back in the limelight, Pepper had more work on her plate. She called Clarice, suggesting they meet up in the city. Coincidentally, James learned that Uncle Will was also headed to Los Angeles for a dinner event, so he offered to accompany him.

However, once on the plane, Uncle Will swapped seats to chat with a charming woman, leaving James next to Clarice by the window. To his surprise, the person who took Uncle Will's former seat was none other than Shang-Chi.

"Hey, what are the odds? You're headed to Los Angeles too?" Shang-Chi remarked with a grin.

"I guess fate's on our side," James replied, chuckling.

"Look, James!" Clarice exclaimed, pressing her face against the window. "The clouds look like cotton candy!"

James smiled, "They are all white, but some are thicker. That's why they look darker."

"No way! There have to be black clouds somewhere!" Clarice insisted, determined to prove her point.

James shook his head, amused, and turned back to Shang-Chi. "So, what brings you to LA?"

"Just tagging along for a party my uncle was invited to. Honestly, I didn't want to go," he replied, shrugging.

"Wait, is it the Stark Industries dinner for firefighters' families?" James joked, recalling Uncle Will's invitation.

Shang-Chi pulled out an invitation from his jacket pocket, looking serious. "Actually, it is."

James couldn't believe the coincidence. They were both headed to the same event. Clarice and Shang-Chi chatted excitedly, while James couldn't shake off the feeling of uncanny serendipity.

Once they landed, James and Shang-Chi made plans to meet up again before going their separate ways. James would be staying with Clarice, who was under Mrs. Potts' care.

Later that evening, the duo explored Santa Monica Pier, enjoying the amusement park rides and ice cream. As they sat on the Ferris wheel, Clarice gazed at the lights twinkling against the dark sky.

"It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, pressing her face against the glass.

James nodded, looking thoughtful. "If you want to see something even better, I can show you."

Clarice's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? What is it?"

James hesitated. He had shown her his armor once before, but the idea of doing so in public made him uneasy. New York had its heroes; LA was different. Still, he thought it might be safe here, where no one knew him as the Sentinel.

Just then, a streak of light shot across the sky, bright and fast, like a meteor.

James raised an eyebrow. "What are the chances…"

He recognized it immediately; it was Tony Stark's first test flight. The excitement in the air was palpable as Stark soared above them, his suit gleaming in the night.

"Whoa!" Clarice gasped, pointing. " what's that?"

Stark, in the midst of his flight, accessed his AI assistant, Jarvis. As he flew past the Ferris wheel, he spotted James and Clarice.

"Wait a minute, Jarvis, that kid looks familiar. Pull up his info," Stark commanded.

"James, a graduate of Midtown High School in Queens, New York. Current address: Stars' Children Orphanage," Jarvis replied.

Tony's eyebrows shot up. "Well, well. Looks like I have a guest to entertain," he thought, a mischievous grin forming.

Suddenly, he veered toward the Ferris wheel, his descent rapid and reckless.

"Uh-oh!" James exclaimed as the metallic figure hurtled toward them.

The tourists in other cars screamed, frantically looking for safety, but James and Clarice could only stare in disbelief as the figure descended, the night air crackling with energy.

"Brother, is that a star?" Clarice squeaked, her eyes wide with both fear and excitement.

"No, " James muttered, bracing for what came next.

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