[Avengers Compound. Upstate New York.]
The compound was quiet. Too quiet. It felt empty without the loud arguments of the team. Just the hum of Vision phasing through walls and the distant sound of Rhodey doing physical therapy in his exo-legs.
Tony Stark paced his office, rubbing his temples. A holographic projection of Peter Parker hovered over his desk. The kid was rambling at 100 words per minute.
"—and then the Vulture guy, he had these wings, Mr. Stark! Like, seriously big wings! And he dropped me in the lake, and the parachute almost drowned me, but then I saved the day! Well, mostly."
"Peter. Breathe," Tony snapped. "You hacked the suit. We talked about this. The training wheels protocol was there for a reason."
"But I can handle it!"
"You almost died," Tony said, his voice dropping to that cold, tired tone he'd adopted since Siberia. "And if you die, I feel like that's on me. I don't need that on my conscience, kid. I have enough ghosts."
Sebastian Michaelis drifted into the room, placing a cup of coffee on the desk.
"The spider-child is exceptionally verbose today," Sebastian noted quietly.
"He's a good kid," Tony muted the projection for a second. "But he's reckless. He reminds me of... well, me. Before the cave."
"A terrifying thought," Sebastian murmured.
Tony unmuted. "Look, Pete. Keep your head down. Stay close to the ground. Don't do anything I would do, and definitely don't do anything I wouldn't do. There's a little gray area in there, that's where you operate."
Tony hung up. He collapsed into his chair.
"I'm terrible at this mentor thing, Seb. I sound like my dad."
"Nonsense, Sir," Sebastian handed him the coffee. "Howard Stark would never have given the boy a multi-million dollar suit. He would have simply handed him a slide rule and told him to build character."
Tony managed a weak chuckle. "Thanks. I think."
[Later that Evening. The Living Room.]
Tony was reading a tablet, ignoring the massive, empty space of the compound's common area. Sebastian was dusting a bookshelf that didn't need dusting.
The air suddenly smelled of ozone and... incense?
SPARK. HISS.
In the center of the room, sparks of orange energy began to swirl. They opened into a fiery, rotating gateway.
Tony dropped his tablet, his wrist-mounted repulsor powering up instantly. "F.R.I.D.A.Y., threat assessment!"
"Unknown energy signature, Boss. It appears to be... a hole in space."
A man stepped through the portal. He wore blue robes, a heavy red cloak with a high collar, and an amulet hanging around his neck that pulsed with green light. His goatee was perfectly groomed, and his expression was one of supreme arrogance.
Doctor Stephen Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme.
Strange didn't look at Iron Man. He looked directly past him, at the butler standing by the bookshelf.
Strange's hands lit up with complex, glowing orange mandalas of Eldritch magic.
"By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth," Strange's voice boomed. "What is a Class Five abyssal entity doing in upstate New York?"
Sebastian stopped dusting. He slowly turned around, his expression one of mild irritation at being interrupted.
"Good evening," Sebastian said smoothly. "And you must be the new Sorcerer Supreme. The Ancient One had better manners. She usually knocked."
Tony stepped between them, repaimed at Strange. "Hey, Gandalf. You want to explain why you're breaking into my house and threatening my staff?"
Strange finally looked at Tony, as if noticing an annoying insect. "Stark. You're playing with forces you don't understand. That is not 'staff.' That is a soul-eater."
"He's a butler," Tony corrected defensively. "And he makes excellent risotto."
"He is a demon bonded to this plane by a Faustian contract," Strange clarified, not lowering his magical shields. "And if he is here, it means someone has been very, very foolish."
Sebastian sighed. He unbuttoned his left glove and pulled it down just an inch, revealing the glowing purple pentagram seal on his hand.
"As you can see, Doctor," Sebastian showed the mark. "I am currently... leashed. My Master holds the contract. I am behaving."
Strange squinted at the mark. He recognized the binding runes. It was tight.
He lowered his hands, the magic fading.
"Very well," Strange said, adjusting his Cloak of Levitation. "But know this, demon. The Sanctum Sanctorum is watching. If you slip that leash—if you harm one innocent soul in this dimension—I will banish you to the Crimson Cosmos so fast your head will spin."
Sebastian smiled, his eyes flashing fuchsia for just a fraction of a second.
"I quiver with terror, Doctor," Sebastian bowed mockingly. "Now, if you will excuse me, I believe the Young Master requires a refill on his beverage. The excitement has made him parched."
Strange turned to Tony.
"Keep your pet on a short chain, Stark. The universe is getting crowded. We don't need hellspawns complicating things."
With a swirl of his cape, Strange opened another portal and vanished, leaving the scent of sandalwood behind.
Tony stared at the empty space. He looked at Sebastian, who was calmly putting his glove back on.
"Okay," Tony said. "We need to talk about the wizard."
[End of Chapter 38]
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️