"He really enjoys himself, doesn't he? Aren't you going to do something about it?" Daniel asked Pepper as they watched Stark mingle with different women at his villa in New York.
"That's just how he is," Pepper replied with a smile.
Stark's villa had a spacious hall that could be used as a ballroom. Every so often, Stark would invite numerous women over for a party.
"What brings you here today? Something up?" Pepper asked.
"I want to buy a villa by the sea on Staten Island, similar in size to this one," Daniel said. After acquiring the Red Queen, his previous small villa was no longer sufficient.
"You're finally willing to move out. But why not buy one here?" Pepper smiled at Daniel. According to American standards, Daniel should have long bought a luxury villa, a fancy car, and a private jet.
These are the basic amenities for a super-rich individual. Stark, for example, had multiple luxurious villas, a collection of luxury cars, at least one of each available on the market, six private jets, several private yachts, and two private islands.
Some of his cars, Stark had never even driven.
"You know my personality. I prefer the quiet over there," Daniel said with a smile.
New York's five boroughs include Manhattan, the most populated and wealthiest, housing many Fortune 500 companies, including Stark Industries' headquarters.
Owning a villa in Manhattan is also a status symbol. Stark had several villas, with the New York villa being second in prominence only to his main residence in California, which was Stark's true home. Only a few could access that place, where Pepper had nearly as much authority as Stark.
Unlike Tony, who had become Iron Man, most of his time was spent in New York, given Manhattan's vibrancy compared to California. At least in New York, beautiful women were everywhere.
Tony only went to his California villa when he needed quiet time. For him, there was no difference between there and New York; both places had JARVIS.
"I'll keep an eye out," Pepper nodded.
"Thank you."
Buying a villa in Manhattan might be feasible after the New York battle, but for now, it would be a waste if it got destroyed during the battle.
Daniel had initially been unsure where the New York battle would take place, but it became clear as Stark Tower was too conspicuous. Only someone as flamboyant as Tony would engrave his name on a tower.
Of course, he wouldn't say this to Pepper.
One can't help but marvel at the leisurely life of a super-rich person. As CEO of FeiFei Group and Stark's assistant, Pepper's busy time was limited. Most of her job was steering the company's direction, leaving numerous capable managers to handle the tasks she delegated.
"Hello, long time no see."
"Yes, please come in."
As soon as Daniel saw Coulson and Melinda May, he knew Rebecca must have reported to them.
Daniel had been considering how to deal with HYDRA agents if they showed up. Now that it was Coulson and Melinda, it saved him a lot of trouble.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"No, thank you. I believe you know why we're here. Don't blame Rebecca; it's S.H.I.E.L.D. protocol," Coulson said, excusing Rebecca.
Although Daniel claimed he didn't mind, it would be a lie to say he wasn't bothered at all.
"Don't worry, I understand. You're here to register," Daniel said as he poured them both a cup of coffee.
"Yes, but we also have a few questions," Coulson said with a smile.
"Go ahead."
"According to Rebecca's report, she said you're a magician. We need to confirm that," Coulson said. It's not the first time he encountered someone claiming to be a magician; he even met those who called themselves the son of God or a deity.
People who gain powers often think of themselves as unique, which is common among those with superpowers.
Haven't some thugs proclaimed themselves as gods after getting the Berserker Staff?
So, even after confirming with Rebecca multiple times, they needed to confirm again.
"I should clarify that I'm not a magician; I'm a sorcerer," Daniel said, raising his index finger and gesturing to Coulson and Melinda.
When Rebecca mentioned reporting to S.H.I.E.L.D., Daniel had prepared a story to deal with them.
"Is there a difference? Aren't they the same?" Coulson and Melinda exchanged puzzled looks before Coulson asked.
"There's a significant difference. First, let me clear up a misconception: real sorcerers are entirely different from what you see in movies."
"Wait, how do you know your powers aren't superpowers but magic?" Melinda suddenly asked.
"It's simple: my powers were acquired through study," Daniel said, smiling and ignoring Melinda's interruption.
"Study, like in the movies," Coulson nodded.
"Can you demonstrate your power, like casting a fireball?" Melinda asked, looking expectantly at Daniel.
Daniel smiled and shook his head helplessly. The magic from Kamar-Taj was powerful but primarily for close combat, not conjuring fireballs.
"I've already said, don't measure real sorcerers by movie standards," Daniel said, sitting up straight. "First, you need to understand what a sorcerer is. A sorcerer seeks the profound truths of the universe, the principles of cosmic operation, unlike magicians who only know how to fight."
"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Coulson interrupted, looking confused. He then glanced at Melinda, hoping she could explain. He originally thought Melinda didn't need to go into the field, but since Daniel was Chinese, she came along.
"Don't look at me; I have no idea," Melinda said angrily.
"Can you simplify it?" Coulson asked politely, though the underlying meaning was clear: explain in layman's terms.
"Simply put, sorcerers are modern scientists," Daniel said bluntly.
"You're joking," Coulson said with a look of disbelief.
"Magic is just science that hasn't been proven yet," Daniel said, before Coulson could retort. He then took out a lighter, ignited it, and continued, "If someone saw this in the Middle Ages, would they think it's science or magic? And modern medicine? Don't let your preconceived notions affect your judgment."
Coulson and Melinda were left speechless.
"But unlike modern scientists who use instruments to observe the world, we use our own methods," Daniel said, bringing his hands together and then apart, creating a golden beam of light that transformed into a golden disc with magical runes, eventually dissipating into fireworks.
"Sorcerers have various specializations. For example, I excel in biochemistry and medicine."
"That's how you created the virus vaccine so quickly," Melinda mused.
"Exactly," Daniel nodded with a smile.
"So, your company's products are essentially magical items," Melinda continued.
"You could say that."
"You mentioned other sorcerers. Are there more?" Coulson finally caught on.
"Of course, I have a teacher."
"Can we meet them?" Coulson and Melinda exchanged a glance before asking.
"Sorry, but no," Daniel shook his head with a smile.
"You may not know S.H.I.E.L.D.'s duties, but we—"
"I'm well aware of S.H.I.E.L.D. and your duties. The ones truly clueless are you," Daniel interrupted. The most annoying thing about S.H.I.E.L.D. was their assumption of knowing everything for world peace, not realizing HYDRA had infiltrated them.
"Do you think Dr. Abraham Erskine developed the super soldier serum out of nowhere? Or that Newton discovered gravity by accident?" Daniel continued as Coulson and Melinda were about to respond.
"You mean they were sorcerers?" Coulson exclaimed.
Daniel only smiled, "That's your conclusion, not mine."
"It's not that I don't want you to meet the Sorcerer Supreme, but even if I told you their location, you wouldn't find it."
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has no place it can't find," Coulson said confidently.
"Really?" Daniel said, forming a golden magic circle with his hands. A map of space appeared between them.
"Do you know what this is?" Daniel pointed to a blue planet.
"Earth," Coulson nodded.
"Its official name is Planet C-53. Do you know what that means?"
Coulson and Melinda's expressions changed immediately. They were intelligent and quickly linked the number to many implications.
Don't forget, American streets are often named with numbers aside from the main ones with specific names.
"How can you prove what you're saying is true?" Melinda questioned.
"Sorry, we'll take our leave," Coulson stood abruptly, pulling a stunned Melinda along.
"Take care," Daniel said, seeing them out with a smile.
"Now Nick Fury will be on edge," Daniel thought. Involving S.H.I.E.L.D. was inevitable, so he decided to leak some information to get Fury's attention.
While it seemed like he revealed important details, Fury would already know much of this, given his connection with Captain Marvel.
By getting Fury's attention, Daniel could take the initiative in upcoming events.
___________________
Read Ahead
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"What's going on here? We haven't figured this out yet, and we're already leaving? You're just sending me into the field like this?" Melinda May questioned Coulson as they sat in the car. Previously, in front of Daniel, she held back for Coulson's sake, but now there were no outsiders around.
"Is what he said true?" Melinda quickly caught on.
"There are things you don't know. Don't ask. Wait until we see the Director," Coulson replied, stopping Melinda from pressing further. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s protocols dictated that certain information was only accessible at higher levels, even though Coulson and Melinda were currently of the same rank.
Coulson drove to a private airstrip in New York, where they boarded a Quinjet bound for Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion Headquarters.
Upon landing, Coulson and Melinda went straight to the Director's office.
"Come in," they heard Fury's voice and entered. Inside, Fury was listening to a report from the beautiful Agent Maria Hill, one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s elite and Fury's confidant.
"Mission accomplished. What's the situation?" Fury asked, knowing exactly what Coulson and Melinda's mission entailed. He had anticipated no difficulty, considering it involved superpowers and connections to Stark Industries and Shuri.
As for superpowers, they were nothing new to Fury, who knew Captain Marvel, a being capable of traversing the universe with her physical body, and he even had a terrifying Flerken cat.
Like Coulson, Fury was skeptical about magic, despite Rebecca's report.
"Well," Coulson hesitated, glancing at Hill. Despite Hill being a level nine agent, Coulson was unsure if she should be privy to this information, as he had only learned it because he was directly involved in the events.
"I'll leave," Hill said, nodding to the three of them and exiting with her files.
"What's the problem? Did Stark interfere?" Fury asked with a smile after Hill left. To him, the only potential complication in this mission could be Stark's involvement.
Daniel had been thoroughly vetted before Coulson's visit. He was deemed temporarily harmless, especially since he was a billionaire and unlike those with powers but no wealth, he had no need to resort to robbery.
Coulson, after exchanging a look with Melinda, said, "Sir, he knows about Planet C-53." Coulson then recounted Daniel's exact words.
The room fell silent. Fury's expression remained unchanged, an advantage of his stoic demeanor and the difficulty of reading a black man's facial expressions in such situations.
Melinda, standing with her hands behind her back, sensed the gravity of the situation from the room's atmosphere.
"I need to step out. Hill," Fury said, contacting Hill before pressing a few buttons on his desk. A hidden door opened to reveal an elevator.
"Let's go see him," Fury said, stepping into the elevator and signaling Coulson and Melinda to follow.
Given their ranks, Coulson and Melinda typically wouldn't be involved in this matter, but Fury trusted them both and decided to include them.
"Back so soon?" Daniel greeted them with surprise. He had expected them to return but not so quickly, and certainly not with another person in tow.
"This is our Director," Coulson introduced Fury to Daniel with respect.
Coulson's respect for Fury stemmed from a misunderstanding. He believed Fury had been captured and tortured by aliens, losing an eye but revealing nothing. In reality, Fury's left eye had been scratched by a cat, albeit an alien one.
"Coulson has briefed me on everything. About Planet C-53, what else do you know?" Fury asked, staring at Daniel intently.
Had the C-53 designation not been so obscure, Fury wouldn't have come personally. Despite being S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Director, he saw the necessity given the circumstances.
"What do you know about it?" Daniel countered.
Fury's eyes widened involuntarily.
"Humanity hasn't yet achieved interstellar travel. Knowing too much can be dangerous," Daniel continued before Fury could respond.
In the Marvel universe, despite frequent technological advancements, progress in space travel had been minimal, confined to the solar system. Lunar exploration frequently encountered mishaps, though this wasn't Earth's inhabitants' fault. They couldn't have known the Moon was occupied, causing their probes to fail and astronauts to find nothing.
"You mentioned to Coulson that sorcerers are scientists, and that Newton and others were sorcerers. Yet, I know Newton changed his beliefs in later years," Fury shifted the topic.
"That's our fundamental difference. You impose your views on others. Our understanding of the world is fundamentally different. Who told you faith and science conflict?" Daniel's words made Fury's face darken, though it was hard to tell given his complexion.
"Let me give you an example," Daniel said, conjuring a golden light. "Our understanding of the universe is like the difference between ancient people and modern people's understanding of lightning."
This comparison made Coulson and Melinda's faces darken, implying they were primitive.
"If you're so advanced, why haven't we heard of you?" Fury asked, keeping his tone calm.
"Because humanity was ignorant," Daniel corrected himself seeing their expressions, "I mean before the modern era. During the Middle Ages, our predecessors mostly left this planet. But they occasionally return to find successors."
"You had interstellar travel capabilities then?" Fury asked in shock.
"I've said it before," Daniel said, projecting a solar system map that exploded into countless lights.
"Our understanding of the universe differs."
"Can you leave this planet?" Fury asked curiously.
"My current abilities aren't sufficient."
Not yet, implying he might in the future. Fury and his team understood the hidden meaning.
Daniel's claims were fabricated, but he didn't mind potential future exposure. By then, S.H.I.E.L.D. might not even exist, and discrepancies could be explained by different magical factions.
"Can ordinary people become sorcerers?"
"Of course not. Becoming a sorcerer requires talent. Otherwise, our predecessors would have just opened a sorcerer school," Daniel replied, shaking his head.
This was no lie. Kamar-Taj's magic mostly offered health benefits to ordinary people.
"What about Planet C-53? Anything else?"
"One thing," Daniel raised his index finger, "This isn't my opinion but a message from our predecessors: those idiots broadcasting signals into space should stop. Do they know how stupid it is to expose our coordinates? Are they inviting marauders?"
"What are marauders?"
"Interstellar pirates, ruthless criminals," Daniel said solemnly. "By the way, slavery is rampant in the universe."
If not for Asgard's protection, marauders would have likely come already.
Star-Lord might be an exception, but even Yondu, his guardian, was responsible for countless deaths.
"I see, thank you," Fury said, his resolve strengthened.
Daniel had long misunderstood Fury's depth of knowledge about the universe. Though friends with Captain Marvel, Fury didn't have extensive interstellar insights.
Their friendship was real, but Captain Marvel was often too busy with Kree Empire matters to stay in regular contact, hence the emergency pager.
This lack of contact was evident in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s technology level. Frequent interaction would have led to more advanced tech from her.
There were no universal laws protecting low-level civilizations; without strength, extinction was common.
Some planets with lower civilizations faced extinction just from marauders alone.
___________________
Read Ahead
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