Sorcerer in the Marvel Universe

The two men waiting inside Tony Stark’s mansion were Evenson Richter and Nick Fury.

Neither of them was the sort of person who should be walking through a front door in broad daylight.

So Fury had simply broken in.

Tony’s home boasted one of the most advanced security systems money could buy. Unfortunately, it had been designed to keep out ordinary thieves, not the world’s greatest spy.

The result was obvious.

By the time Tony returned home, the two of them were already helping themselves to his living room.

The unexpected visitors had certainly startled him, but neither appeared openly hostile. Fury’s presence was strange enough, but it was Evenson’s greeting that left Tony genuinely confused.

You owe me. Twice.

Saving him from Obadiah Stane accounted for one debt.

But the second?

Tony frowned for a moment before the answer clicked.

"The husky..." he said. "That was your dog?"

Evenson nodded.

"That’s right."

A faint grin tugged at his lips.

"Looks like Habs made quite an impression."

"Want a drink?"

Tony switched on the lights and walked behind the bar, retrieving an expensive bottle of whiskey before pouring three glasses.

"Oh, he definitely made an impression."

Tony unconsciously rubbed his cheek.

"He saved my life."

"Smart dog, too."

He paused.

"...But those paws hit surprisingly hard."

"I always thought rescue dogs licked unconscious people awake."

He sighed dramatically.

"Instead I got slapped across the face about thirty times."

"So much for everything Hollywood taught me."

Fury’s mouth twitched.

Apparently he wasn’t the only victim of Habs’ unique rescue methods.

For reasons he preferred not to discuss, that thought was oddly comforting.

Evenson accepted his glass and took a sip.

Then he suddenly burst out laughing.

"’One-Eye?’"

He nearly spilled the whiskey.

"Seriously? That’s the nickname you came up with?"

He had just remembered Fury introducing himself as "the One-Eyed Man," and the delayed realization was simply too much.

Fury shot him an irritated look.

"What’s wrong with it?"

"I actually used to be called that."

"No, nothing."

Evenson wiped the whiskey from the corner of his mouth, still struggling to suppress another laugh.

"It’s just..."

Tony finished the sentence for him.

"It’s unbelievably lame."

Evenson immediately raised his glass.

"Evenson Richter."

Tony clinked his own glass against it.

"Tony Stark."

"To good taste."

"To good taste."

They emptied their drinks in one swallow.

Ignoring the increasingly sour expression on Fury’s face, the two of them continued chatting as though they’d known each other for years.

"So," Tony asked, "what’s your nickname?"

"Haven’t picked one yet."

"When I do, you’ll be the first to know."

Tony looked him over.

"You always dress like that?"

Evenson glanced down at his robes.

"Of course not."

"I changed after I got here."

Tony blinked.

"...Why?"

Evenson answered without the slightest embarrassment.

"It looks cooler."

Watching them casually trade jokes, Fury suddenly had the distinct feeling he’d become completely unnecessary.

At this rate, they could probably talk until sunrise.

He finally cut in.

"Tony."

"I’m Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Tony set down his glass.

"So you’re Agent Coulson’s boss."

Fury nodded.

"Then let’s get one thing straight."

"If you’re here to ask for the Iron Man armor, the answer’s no."

"I’m not interested in taking your armor."

Fury’s answer came without hesitation.

"I’m more interested in why you revealed your identity."

Tony leaned comfortably against the bar.

"Why shouldn’t I?"

"You wanted me hiding in the shadows?"

"A faceless hero who swoops in whenever the world needs saving?"

He shook his head.

"No."

"I want everyone to know."

"I am Iron Man."

"I want every coward hiding in the dark to think twice before causing trouble."

"If the whole world knows one man can stop them..."

"...that’s a pretty good deterrent."

Slow, deliberate applause echoed through the room.

Evenson.

"Ambitious."

He smiled faintly.

"Maybe a little too ambitious."

"There are far more extraordinary people in this world than you realize."

Tony pointed directly at him.

"You’re one of them."

"I still don’t have an answer to whatever invisible attack you used on me."

His confidence never wavered.

"But give me enough time..."

"I’ll figure it out."

Evenson raised an eyebrow.

"You intend to explain magic with science?"

"Magic?"

Tony folded his arms.

"Maybe."

"Maybe not."

"I don’t really care what you call it."

"If it can affect the physical world, it uses energy."

"The energy source may be unfamiliar."

"The mechanism may be different."

"But if it exists..."

"It can be understood."

"And if it can be understood..."

"It can be replicated."

Evenson glanced toward Fury.

"See?"

"This is why Tony Stark is Tony Stark."

"He accepted magic in about five minutes."

"Coulson needed an entire lecture before he was willing to believe it."

Fury rolled his eye.

Tony Stark is a once-in-a-generation genius.

Phil Coulson isn’t.

Comparing the two was ridiculous.

Still, he steered the conversation back on track.

"It’s admirable that you want to operate openly."

"But have you considered the consequences?"

Tony shrugged.

"What consequences?"

"S.H.I.E.L.D. has no intention of taking your technology."

"Whether because it’s the right thing to do..."

"...or because of what Howard Stark contributed to this country."

Fury’s expression hardened.

"The government may not feel the same."

"Neither will the military."

"Or every defense contractor that suddenly realized you’ve invented something capable of changing modern warfare."

"They’ll pressure you."

"They’ll demand access."

"They may even try to force your hand."

Tony didn’t look remotely concerned.

"My father spent his entire life creating technology that benefited this country."

"Not once was Stark Industries bullied into handing over its work."

He smiled with absolute confidence.

"I don’t intend to be the first Stark who caves."

Fury studied him for a long moment.

"I hope you’re still that confident when the pressure starts."

There was no point arguing further.

Tony had already revealed his identity.

That decision couldn’t be undone.

Fury decided to move on.

"Mr. Stark."

The formal address immediately caught Tony’s attention.

His playful demeanor disappeared.

"What is it?"

Fury met his eyes.

"I want your opinion..."

"...on something called the Avengers Initiative."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!