In the sprawling suburbs of New York, under a sky streaked with the hues of dusk, Sebastian and Tony leaned against a sleek blue sports car, their postures relaxed yet attentive as they observed the construction crews moving into the open expanse before them.
Tony's face bore a peculiar expression, a mix of bemusement and exasperation, his eyes tracking the bustling activity with a critical glint.
"Sebastian, you realize how much heat you've put on me with this decision, don't you?" Tony said, his tone half-joking, half-serious.
"The mayor of New York has called me up ranting more times than I can count."
"Do you think they could meet my standards?" Sebastian countered, his voice calm but edged with impatience. "I don't mind spending more money after all my earnings have nowhere else to go also I can't stand delays.
I told them to finish as quickly as possible, and they had the nerve to say it'd take at least five years. Five years! I could build the place with magic in half that time. Why bother with them?"
Tony raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching. "Still, did you have to hire a construction firm from halfway across the globe? Isn't that a bit overkill?"
Sebastian turned to Tony, a wry smile playing on his lips. "If we exclude your robotic construction crews, the expertise of these builders is arguably the world's finest. You could combine the best firms from Europe and America, and they'd still fall short.
Their track record speaks for itself—no one else comes close to their efficiency on projects like this."
Tony let the topic drop, his gaze shifting to the construction site nestled among forested hills. "Sebastian, are you sure about building your magic school here?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"It's a preliminary choice," Sebastian replied, his eyes scanning the landscape with a calculating intensity. "If the opportunity arises, I'll relocate it to a place where only those I permit can enter—a sanctuary beyond reach."
"I don't know much about magic," Tony admitted, scratching his jaw, "but even with my limited understanding, I can tell what you're planning isn't exactly a walk in the park."
"You're not wrong," Sebastian said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It's a long-term goal, one I can't achieve yet. For now, I'll fortify this place into a stronghold no one can breach easily.
Why else would I pour a fortune into buying this land, turning it into my private domain?"
Sebastian's words rang true. Since Stark Industries began selling precision-crafted magical potions in injectable form, his wealth had skyrocketed to staggering heights.
Borrowing additional funds from Tony, he'd strong-armed the New York mayor into signing a land sale contract, securing this wooded, mountainous terrain. The process, fraught with political pushback, had been expertly handled by Tony, despite his vocal complaints, resulting in a flawless acquisition.
"By the way, Tony," Sebastian said, shifting gears, "how's the Dark Elf ship I gave you coming along?"
"Initial modifications are done," Tony replied, his tone brightening with enthusiasm. "We've mapped out its systems thoroughly. Now it's about upgrading it further, tailoring it to our needs."
"And when it's complete?" Sebastian pressed, his eyes locking onto Tony's.
Tony met his gaze, a knowing look passing between them. Their friendship was built on mutual understanding—each could read the other's intentions without needing everything spelled out.
"What do you plan to do with that ship, Sebastian?" Tony asked, his voice low but probing.
"It's just an idea for now," Sebastian said, his expression enigmatic. "The conditions aren't right yet. Keep working on it as you see fit. If it becomes useful for my plans, I'll let you know. If not, it could serve as a stellar base for the Avengers. A cosmic outpost would go a long way toward protecting Earth, don't you think?"
Tony nodded, accepting the vagueness without pressing further. True friendship relied on trust, and he knew Sebastian's intentions wouldn't cross any unforgivable lines.
With a final glance at the nascent magic school site, its groundwork alive with activity, Sebastian and Tony climbed into the sports car and drove off.
Though Sebastian could open a portal for instant travel, the thrill of speeding down open roads in a roaring car was a pleasure no magic could replicate.
As they left the suburbs, traffic thickened, the car slowing to a crawl in the urban sprawl.
Sebastian glanced at the sluggish pace and grinned at Tony. "Want me to open a portal to get us back faster?"
Tony hesitated, feigning nonchalance. "Nah, this is… fine. Traffic's a real… character-building experience. Okay, fine, I'm over it. Open the damn portal."
Sebastian burst into laughter at Tony's reluctant surrender, his wand materializing in his right hand.
With a flourish, he cast Portus, summoning a shimmering portal ahead of the car.
The vehicle surged through, vanishing in a blink, leaving behind startled gasps from nearby drivers and passengers.
Back in the Avengers Tower garage, Tony and Sebastian stepped out, heading toward the elevator.
But as they approached, Sebastian's eyes narrowed, his senses prickling with unease. He quickened his pace, closing the distance to Tony just as a black-clad figure dropped from an overhead ventilation duct, lunging straight for Tony.
Wingardium Leviosa!
Sebastian's wand flicked with practiced ease, the spell cast with a mere thought.
The assailant froze midair, suspended by invisible forces. With a sharp wave, Sebastian sent the figure hurtling backward, crashing into a concrete pillar with a resounding thud.
As the attacker staggered to their feet, Sebastian studied him—the sleek black suit, the panther-like helmet. Recognition dawned, though the motive remained unclear. Why would this figure target Tony?
"King of Wakanda, favored by the Panther Goddess Bast," Sebastian said, his voice cold and commanding. "Why have you come here to attack my friend?"
The Black Panther regarded Sebastian, his stance wary but composed. "Human mage, you know of us?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.
"Wakanda may be shrouded in secrecy, but some in this world know its true nature," Sebastian replied, his gaze unwavering.
"Enough talk. Tell me why you attacked my friend. If your reason isn't justified, don't expect mercy. Even a king who invades another nation to assault its citizens faces consequences, no matter the excuse."
As he spoke, Sebastian's aura surged, raw magical energy radiating from him, a tangible pressure filling the air. His eyes locked onto the faint, ethereal panther shadow behind his opponent, visible only to him—a manifestation of Bast's blessing.
With a focused burst of magic, Sebastian severed the connection, dimming the Black Panther's fearless resolve.
The king's posture faltered, his momentum visibly weakened under the weight of Sebastian's power.