After securing the Reality Stone in a hidden compartment, Sebastian set out to craft a ring to harness its power, much like the one he'd made for the Space Stone.

Yet, the stones' distinct natures meant the process couldn't be replicated precisely.

It wasn't merely a question of the design itself, such as the intricate magic circuits; even the materials required a fresh selection, tailored to the Reality Stone's unique essence.

This endeavor demanded immense patience and time. Crafting the Space Authority ring had taken a year, building on his prior research. Now, forging a magical instrument for the Reality Stone would likely require one or two years, if not more, given its complexity.

Patience was essential for such a complex task.

Summoning his home's artificial intelligence, Lucky Day, Sebastian began reconstructing the formula for the Reality Stone's magical medium and designing a new potion, with Lucky Day's assistance streamlining his calculations.

It had been ages since he'd immersed himself in such tranquil magical study.

What others might find tedious, Sebastian relished, savoring the quiet rhythm of discovery.

Yet trouble finds him despite his desire for peace.

Ding!

A message alert broke the silence. "Lucky Day, respond to the call," Sebastian said, his voice calm.

"Yes, sir," the AI replied.

A projection screen flickered to life before him. Sebastian tapped the message absently, but his expression shifted to shock as he read its contents.

It was from Sharon, and the words were dire:

[Sebastian, I'm under surveillance and can't call. I've risked sending this message. The director was attacked and killed. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top level claim Captain America, Black Widow, and Hawkeye are the culprits. Steve's on the run, Natasha and Clint are in custody, and the news is suppressed. The other Avengers are unaware. Something's wrong here. Please alert the Avengers to uncover the truth!]

Nick Fury dead Truly gone??, or.... a deception?

Sebastian's mind raced, suspecting Hydra's handiwork. Sharon, as Peggy Carter's niece, was likely safe from their reach. Should he intervene directly?

No, better to inform Tony and let the Avengers handle it. With Tony's ability, they'd manage without major mishap. The others weren't likely to perish… or so he hoped.

Sebastian edited Sharon's message on the projection screen, softening its urgency, and forwarded it to Tony. He then lowered his head, resuming his study of the magic circuit.

But his hand froze mid-sketch, his face hardening with cold fury.

He hadn't planned to get involved, but Hydra had crossed a line, hadn't they?

Monitoring Sharon was one thing, but targeting Alisha in his absence? If someone courted death, they couldn't be stopped.

Did they think holding Alisha would make him hesitate? A foolish notion.

Setting down his pen, Sebastian rose, his resolve unyielding. With a wave, his repaired battle suit materialized, its black hooded windbreaker draping over him.

No need to conceal his identity this time—Hydra knew who he was. The inner suit, not yet fully charged, could wait unless absolutely necessary.

Gripping his wand, Sebastian transformed into a swirl of black smoke, vanishing from the underground laboratory, ready to confront the shadows threatening his world.

At that moment, Alisha sat in a black car, her face betraying a flicker of panic, though she clung to her composure. She glanced at the S.H.I.E.L.D.—or rather, Hydra—agents surrounding her, their black suits and sunglasses exuding menace. Pressing her lips together tightly, she instinctively reached for the pendant concealed beneath her clothing.

This pendant, enhanced by Sebastian after his return from the X-Men's world, served as her safeguard. Upgraded with potent magic, its primary function was to deploy a high-intensity shield when Alisha faced mortal danger, capable of withstanding heavy gunfire or moderate explosions.

Sebastian had only told her it would protect her, sparing the details. Unaware of its full power, Alisha dared not test its ability to deflect bullets, choosing instead to comply with her captors.

The car sped swiftly along the road, but as it turned onto another street, its pace slowed. A collision between two vehicles ahead blocked the way, forcing their car to a crawl.

A Hydra agent to Alisha's right frowned, his voice sharp. "Switch routes now. We need to reach headquarters quickly, or we'll face serious trouble."

He didn't elaborate, but the implication was clear to all in the car.

They knew Alisha was the mother of Sebastian, the dangerous Dark Wizard among the Avengers.

Once thought dead in the Battle of New York, he'd resurfaced a year later, his power undeniable. To thwart his interference in Hydra's schemes, high-ranking Hydra officials embedded in S.H.I.E.L.D. had resolved to seize Alisha, hoping to curb Sebastian's actions. If successful, they could leverage her to bend him to their will.

Such a coup, the Hydra leaders believed, would rival Project Insight's impact, elevating their faction above all others within Hydra in a single decisive move. It could even unify Hydra's fractured branches, restoring its former glory. Despite the risks, Alexander Pierce and his allies had greenlit Alisha's capture.

The car veered into a narrow alley.

But the alley, once wide, began to constrict inexplicably, its walls closing in until they pinned the car, halting it entirely.

Bang! Crunch…

A figure descended, and the car's roof was ripped away entirely, as if torn by an invisible force, exposing those inside.

Sebastian stood at the car's rear, his wand raised with cold determination. With a subtle flick, he froze the Hydra agents in place, their bodies rigid. Reaching out, he grasped Alisha's shoulders, and they vanished in a swirling vortex of black smoke. Moments later, the car erupted in flames, the inferno consuming the vehicle and its immobilized occupants.

As Sebastian and Alisha departed, the alley's walls and road snapped back to normal. To onlookers rushing to the scene, drawn by the explosion, it appeared as a tragic mishap—a car had caught fire in the alley, its passengers perishing in the blaze.

A sorrowful accident, nothing more.

Sebastian ushered Alisha into the safety of the Avengers Tower, its sleek interior a stark contrast to the danger she'd just escaped. Noticing her lingering fear, he spoke gently. "Mom, remain here for now until it's safe. I'll come back for you, but please stay cautious."

Alisha nodded, her voice tinged with worry. "I understand, Sebastian. Please be careful yourself—those men had guns."

He offered a reassuring smile. "Mom, guns can't harm me. Don't worry."

As he turned to leave, a projection screen materialized before him, displaying Tony's familiar bearded face.

"Sebastian, you're at the Tower?" Tony asked, his tone curious.

"Hydra took Alisha," Sebastian explained. "I rescued her and brought her here for safety. Could Pepper come keep her company?"

"Absolutely, no issue," Tony replied. "I'm messaging her now. Jarvis… Sebastian, what's your next move?"

"I hadn't planned to get involved," Sebastian admitted. "S.H.I.E.L.D.'s not my favorite, and I figured Steve, Natasha, and Clint could handle things. But Hydra's provoked me now, and they can't fault me for striking back."

Tony grinned. "That's the spirit! Avengers versus S.H.I.E.L.D.—I'm in for this kind of action. I'm heading to Steve's location now. Shame Thor's off-world, or he'd love this. Would've been epic with him."

"What about Banner?" Sebastian asked.

"Gave him a break," Tony said. "Research hit a wall, and he was frustrated. Didn't want the big guy popping out unexpectedly, you know? So, vacation time."

"Fair enough," Sebastian said. "See you in Washington, then."

"Triskelion? You got it—Washington it is!" Tony confirmed.

The call ended, and the elevator to the top floor opened, revealing Pepper Potts striding in. She greeted Sebastian warmly before sitting beside Alisha, offering a comforting presence.

Sebastian nodded in gratitude. "Mom, this is Pepper. You two can chat for now. Tony and I are heading to Washington to take on Hydra. We'll be back soon."

"Sebastian, stay safe," Alisha urged, her eyes filled with concern.

"Always," he assured her with a confident nod.

With that, Sebastian dissolved into a swirl of black smoke, surging out of the Tower and speeding toward Washington, ready to face Hydra's schemes head-on.