00133. Dropping more hints for Tony.

00133. Dropping more hints for Tony. Announcement

Hey everyone, here is the new chapter for the week. Hope you like it.

Also go check out my one Piece story if your haven't yet. It's close to 50k words written atm.

After riding the rollercoaster three times, Ezekiel and his group slowly made their way to the laser tag area. They stopped a few times to play carnival games along the way and to win Liz a giant stuffed bunny. Adrian tried to win it at first, but he wasn’t having much luck at the game. Leech was the one who ended up winning the bunny though, since it turned out he’s really good at ring toss.

When they finally reached the laser tag area, they found Tony, Rhodey and Happy collapsed on a bench breathing hard and covered in sweat. Ezekiel smiled as he walked up and asked, “So how did it go?”

Tony glanced up before he asked, “How is this laser tag?”

Rhodey nodded in agreement before he said, “This place is more like an urban training course for a delta force team.”

“Ya, and what’s up with the laser packs? How come you get shocked whenever you get hit?” Happy said as he rubbed his chest.

Natasha who stood by the entrance with a smile on her face said, “It’s because we played the advanced version. If we played on the pro level, you would get disabled and won’t be able to move till after one team wins. You also wear a full body suit and wherever you get hit it feels like you’ve been shot.”

Tony looked up in shock at Ezekiel as he asked, “How is any of that meant to be in an amusement park? And why would someone want to feel what it’s like to be shot? Actually how would that even work?”

Ezekiel shrugged as he said, “The general public gets to use the normal laser tag course. But if people want, they can challenge themselves to the advanced and pro course after signing a liability waiver. As for how it works, it’s a mix of technology and magic.”

“You didn’t answer why, though.” Tony said.

“You would have to ask the people who designed the place. They were the ones who insisted on making it. I just paid for everything... Well I did make the capture the flag and bomb planting game modes.” Ezekiel said.

Tony shook his head as he said, “Who was crazy enough to want to make something like that?”

Natasha smirked as she said, “My parents.”

Tony glanced at Natasha before he said, “That might explain a few things.”

Natasha planted her hands on her hips as she asked, “And what exactly is that supposed to mean old man?”

“It explains why you’re so good, you're as crazy as your parents.” Tony said.

Natasha smiled as she said, “Thank you.”

Tony mumbled to himself as he said, “That wasn’t really a compliment.”

Gabby, who was still holding Ezekiel’s hand asked, “Can we play laser tag? I wanna be on your team.”

“I don’t mind, but I can only play normal laser tag though.”

Tony chuckled as he asked, “What, afraid of the advanced and pro version of the game?”

Ezekiel shook his head as he said, “Both of them work with magic and I’m currently channeling a magic spell. There’s a small chance the magic from the game could affect my spell, so I’m just being cautious.”

Ezekiel glanced down at Gabby as he asked, “Is normal laser tag fine with you?”

Gabby nodded and tugged on Ezekiel’s arm as she said, “Sure, let's go!”

Pretty much everyone joined for the normal laser tag game, including another group of kids to make two teams of thirty. Tony, Rhodey and Happy ended up doing better in normal laser tag. But Natasha, Yelena, Ezekiel, Gabby and Laura ended up taking the top spots on the team. Tony was close to the top five, but the kids had the advantage of knowing the course. Ava would have had first place, but she ran around the crouse as she used her powers so Ezekiel had her point score disqualified from the rankings for cheating. It’s one of the perks of writing the software that runs the whole place.

After they finished and were walking out of the area Ezekiel asked, “Alright, since Gabby picked the last two, How about we go race go-karts now?”

“What, we started at the back together.”

As they stripped out of their jumpsuits Ezekiel said, “Let's just go out and check the results.”

A minute later they were outside by the seating area where the race results were posted. Gabby, Pepper and Leech were also there and Tony could see that Ezekiel finished first in the race. He double checked the results before he said, “But I clearly passed the finish line first.”

Ezekiel smirked as he said, “But I started in last place. Which means to beat me you had to be a full kart length ahead of me just like our starting positions.”

Gabby nodded along as she said, “Ya, Ezekiel won, don't be a sore loser.”

“How am I a sore loser? I clearly won. Plus why is that even a rule?! This isn't a professional race where something like that should matter!” Tony said with a huff.

Ezekiel smirked as he said, “I designed the place and programmed the software that tracks the race.”

Tony shook his head as he said, “You went a little overboard with the design. This is a go-kart track.”

“Says the guy who is trying to add a hologram projector to their phone.” Ezekiel said with a flat look.

Tony glanced away as he said, “Fine, you win this time.” Before he looked at Natasha and said, “At least I beat you, brat.”

Natasha smiled as she said, “I didn't want you to cry if you lost again, grandpa. But it looks like you’re crying anyways.”

Tony was about to reply as Ezekiel glanced down at Gabby and Leech and asked, “Wanna head over to the mid range karts so you can race?”

“Ya! Let’s go!” Gabby said as she took Ezekiel’s hand and started to pull him to the other kart area.

Tony looked at Natasha and was about to say something when Pepper pushed his shoulder and said, “Just leave it alone Tony.”

Rhodey nodded as he said, “Stop being goaded by a teenager.”

“Fine.” Tony said as he started to follow after Ezekiel.

When they made it to the other track they found most of the group along with the Toomes who just showed up. Liz raced by herself on the kid karts and wanted to try the faster karts, so she convinced her dad to take her on one. Instead of joining the race, Ezekiel and most of the adults decided not to join this time. Only Adrian joined since he was driving the kart for Liz.

As everyone was getting set up in their karts, Ezekiel moved off to one side to observe the race and was shortly joined by Tony. They sat in silence for a minute before Tony said, “I’m surprised you like go-karts so much.”

As the race started Ezekiel said, “Picked it up from my dad. He’s a gearhead and loves to race go-karts.”

“Really? You should bring him by the house some time. I’ll let him drive any of the cars I have. Then we can come back here and race some go-karts and see who’s better.” Tony said with a smile.

Ezekiel smiled a little before he said, “I’ll think about it.”

As Adrian and Liz were coming down the track towards the area where Ezekiel and Tony stood, Ezekiel pointed towards them and asked, “So you put any thought into what I suggested about a while ago?”

Tony glanced at Adrian and his daughter before he shook his head and said, “I’m not gonna settle down. Being single is too much fun.”

“You sure? Look at them, a father spending quality time with his daughter. That looks a lot more fun than any vapid fling you’ve had recently.” Ezekiel said as he shook his head.

Tony just watched Adrian race his daughter around the track for a while, before Ezekiel finally said, “Whatever, you don’t have to take my advice. But if you ever change your mind, I can introduce you to someone who could help you out.”

“Uh? I don’t need help finding a woman.”

Ezekiel reached over and patted Tony on the back as he said, “I know that, you idiot. I was talking about a therapist.”