Gemini directed the membrane to gently envelop him. The instant it contacted the man's physique, it was immediately absorbed.

  Subsequently, Gemini exchanged for a bottle of orange potion, applying it via identical methodology, then transitioned to blue potion. She employed over a dozen various colored potions before finally ceasing.

  "That should suffice. What's his name? His genuine name—don't attempt to deceive me with fabrications." Gemini observed her handiwork with satisfaction and inquired.

  "Steve Rogers." Coulson hesitated before responding.

  "Steve, return to consciousness." Gemini directed her wand toward her throat, muttered an incantation, then leaned down and whispered softly near Steve's ear.

  A resounding intake of breath erupted. Steve within the container suddenly opened his eyes, sat upright abruptly, breathing rapidly. After several seconds, he collapsed heavily back into the container and closed his eyes.

  "What occurred? What's wrong with him?" Coulson rushed to the container's edge, asking urgently.

  "Nothing's amiss—he's awakened. It's simply that he's been frozen for considerable time. His body is recovering, so don't disturb him presently. Allow him extended sleep." Gemini explained, extracting a bottle of colorless, transparent liquid and prying open Steve's mouth to pour it down. "This is Dreamless Sleep Potion—it'll induce deep slumber so his body can recover properly."

  Coulson carefully observed Steve, who now possessed healthy complexion and steady breathing. Feeling with his hand, Steve's skin had warmed and his heartbeat had returned to normal rhythm.

  Coulson finally exhaled with relief. "When will he awaken?"

  Gemini cleaned the potion bottles and the ceiling mist, answering casually, "That depends on when his body fully recovers. The potions I employed are finest quality. He was frozen excessively long—his soul and body became uncoordinated, so I assisted with adjustment as well. Additionally—you needn't feed him anything special. I administered nutritional supplements."

  Coulson continued inquiring, "So do we await here for his awakening, or transport him back?"

  Gemini regarded Coulson strangely. "Obviously you transport him back. What purpose would leaving him here serve?"

  Coulson silenced himself and smiled awkwardly. "Could you assist me carrying him out? I cannot manage alone."

  Gemini rolled her eyes. "Coby, escort the guests out."

  Coby didn't materialize, but Coulson felt an invisible hand grasp his arm. The next instant, he and the container housing Captain America appeared outside the shop entrance.

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  The All-Purpose Shop had already extinguished its illumination. The darkened establishment appeared exactly as it had before his entry. Were it not for witnessing Steve sleeping peacefully in the container, he would have considered everything just experienced a dream.

  "Agent Coulson, how did it proceed?" Nick Fury's inquiry transmitted through Coulson's earpiece.

  "I'm excellent, sir. The Captain is excellent too—successfully thawed. Apparently he requires bodily recovery during sleep and will awaken when fully restored." Coulson pressed his earpiece to report. "Retrieve us. I've been exposed."

  Promptly, a black business vehicle halted before Coulson. Several men in black suits emerged, lifted the container into the vehicle. Coulson also entered, and the automobile departed, stopping at a building proximate to the All-Purpose Shop.

  Personnel quickly emerged to assist. Coulson nervously followed the container into a nostalgic chamber decorated like a 1940s hospital. He observed as they lifted Steve from the container and gently positioned him on the hospital bed, then filed out of this specialized ward in orderly fashion.

  "Coulson, report your observations." Nick Fury's voice emanated from behind Coulson.

  Coulson turned around. "Here, sir?"

  "Follow me." Fury concluded speaking, turned and departed the ward, proceeding to a room at the corridor's opposite end and opening the portal, gesturing for Coulson to enter.

  The chamber was vacant except for two items: a potion bottle with only the bottom remaining, and the container that had housed Steve.

  "What did the shop personnel do to this container? The testing personnel report it continuously radiates heat and automatically adjusts based on the temperature of whatever's placed inside." Nick inquired.

  Coulson remained silent momentarily, then began recounting everything from his door knocking, omitting no detail. Then he removed what appeared to be a button from his collar—actually a camera disguised as a button.

  Knowing that electronic signals would be interrupted within the shop, Coulson hadn't connected this to the external world. The video was recorded and stored on his phone.

  Notably—ever since Tony provided Gemini a phone, she had specifically adjusted her shop's magnetic field to ensure phone signal reception. Otherwise, Coulson's recording would probably remain nothing but static.

  "So this is the shop proprietor? A young girl? Is she even of age?" Fury frowned while watching the video footage.

  "I don't believe so, sir." Coulson answered seriously.

  "This shop assistant appears very familiar. Isn't he the doctor who returned with Tony Stark?" Fury stroked his chin, had someone deliver Ethan's files, compared them, and confirmed this was indeed Ethan himself.

  "I have a question, sir." Coulson hesitated extensively before finally speaking.

  Fury continued his actions, examining Ethan's various files without looking up. "I know what you wish to ask, Agent Coulson. You want to inquire—why send Captain America to the All-Purpose Shop, correct?"

  Coulson remained silent, indicating agreement.

  "We expended tremendous effort testing the All-Purpose Shop and proved it truly exists—what it accomplishes can be explained as magic. But does magic genuinely exist in this world? I couldn't be certain. When agents made subtle wishes and obtained items that could locate lost objects, we finally confirmed Captain America's correct location. But with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s current technology, we couldn't guarantee safely thawing the Captain without harming him. But if we simply left him frozen indefinitely, I feared that by the time we could thaw him, the Captain would already be nothing but bones." Fury supported his arms on the table, hands crossed beneath his chin, carefully explaining to Coulson.

  "Furthermore—from our understanding of this All-Purpose Shop, if they accept a commission, they can definitely complete it. If they hadn't accepted the assignment, we would have simply retrieved the Captain." Fury shrugged and continued examining files. "Agent Coulson, I'm certain our billionaire friend knows something. You've had previous contact—this task is yours. You must discover what he knows."

  "Yes, sir." Coulson nodded, glanced reluctantly at Captain America's chamber door, then turned and departed the building.

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