Reborn as the God-Emperor in Marvel

"So, what you're saying is, you want to regulate me?" Nick Fury pushed the contract back toward Solomon. "But who regulates you? Even SHIELD is overseen by the World Security Council. What about Kamar-Taj? What about the Supreme Sorcerer? And why exactly would I end up in hell?"

"This contract isn't about regulation; it's about limitations—on both of us. And this is no demonic pact; it's a Vishanti contract." Solomon paused, studying Fury. "It seems you still don't understand your position, Nick Fury. You're trying to compare yourself to the Supreme Sorcerer, but you're worlds apart. I've already told you: the Supreme Sorcerer sits on the throne. There's no one on Earth above him. As for those beings who are even higher—I am not at liberty to speak their names. Only a select few know them. If you persist in trying to bring Kamar-Taj under SHIELD's supervision, I'll have to consider it a rebellion. And then, I'll deal with you accordingly. As for why you'll end up in hell… look at which of the Ten Commandments your profession hasn't broken."

Fury's words were meant to test Solomon, a trap laid by the master spy. But Solomon not only sidestepped the trap, he issued a warning. "You haven't given me a good reason to sign this contract. And the terms are far from acceptable," Fury said, leaning back in his chair, relaxed, as if the earlier confrontation hadn't happened at all. "I don't intend to bring Kamar-Taj under regulation. Some things are best left to the professionals."

"I'm glad you see it that way," Solomon replied, moving his fingers as he murmured an unclear incantation. The rapier at his feet jumped into his hand, and he cast another spell, transforming it into a silver cane. Fury narrowed his eyes—was it an illusion? Or transfiguration? Either way, these forms of magic could certainly help sorcerers evade cameras.

"This is just a temporary illusion. I can't go around carrying a rapier everywhere," Solomon said as Phoenix let out a melodic chirp. Fury's movements slowed to a crawl as he watched Solomon approach him, rapier-turned-cane in hand. "I've realized that words alone won't convince you, so I've decided to show you firsthand the madness of the magical world."

The unspoken threat was clear: "If you don't agree, I'll wipe your mind clean." After all, SHIELD wasn't irreplaceable, and Maria Hill could easily handle the job—probably. Who cared?

Fury felt Solomon press a hand against his forehead, and before he knew it, he was being pulled through a portal that crackled with sparks of fire. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the golden-red Phoenix take flight, soaring toward the sky. Solomon pushed Fury onto a narrow street paved with black cobblestones. It had just rained, and the stones were slick, but the air was fresh. The cool air cleared Fury's muddled mind slightly.

Then he looked up and immediately regretted it.

"This is an illusion!" Fury thought, trying to convince himself. It has to be! I'm just dizzy—that's all. It's a wizard's trick. These disgusting creatures crawling all over the street are just part of his act! These slimy, twisted things can't be real! I'm still in the real world, the cold, rational world of three dimensions, where everything is made up of precisely defined particles. This madness doesn't exist!

He opened his bloodshot eyes wide, forcing himself to take in everything on the street. No! I'm a spy! I've seen aliens, I've seen fleets from space! You won't drive me crazy with this! I know this world is full of surprises, but not these! Come on, show me your next trick! Enough with the illusions!

Suddenly, someone gave him a push from behind, and Fury stumbled forward, falling into the arms of an old man. Or rather, he collided with the enormous, slimy, black creature the man was dragging behind him. The creature had no limbs, only a few weak, flailing tendrils and a mouth full of sharp spikes, like some sort of grotesque mollusk. Fury could feel its cold, slimy body as he held onto it. Before he could deny the thing's existence, the creature opened its maw and swallowed him whole.

"So, what do you think of this world?" Solomon asked, walking alongside the old man. "Would you say a little change is a good thing?"

"Who cares," the man replied, adjusting his glasses and looking at Solomon. "Change is always good. It's time for a new story."

"So, you don't mind the changes I'm bringing?" Solomon inquired.

"As long as you don't get rid of Brisson's beer, or the fried meatballs. It'd be a shame if those disappeared," the old man muttered.

"I'll do my best, sir." The young sorcerer tipped his rapier (in cane form) as if making a bow, watching as the old man rode his bicycle around the corner and disappeared. Solomon hadn't expected to encounter such a powerful figure, but luckily, the man didn't seem to mind his presence. That was a good sign.

Solomon glanced back at the enormous black worm squatting in the middle of the street. Its swollen belly writhed, indicating something was still moving inside. Solomon walked over, stabbed the creature with his rapier, and sliced it open. A thoroughly drenched Fury tumbled out, covered in digestive fluids.

As Fury emerged, he collapsed onto the ground, vomiting uncontrollably, drawing confused stares from passersby. In truth, none of the passersby had been able to see the black worm. To them, it appeared as though a man in a black leather jacket was awkwardly crawling on the ground, which they assumed was some kind of street performance. Meanwhile, Solomon, dressed in his proper gentlemanly attire and holding his cane, was met with smiles from those passing by. Before leaving Fury's office, Solomon had remembered to take his little cape.

Wiping away the vomit, Fury clambered to his feet. "Where are we?" he asked, still a bit dazed. "Was that thing one of your tricks?"

Fury accepted the situation quickly—after all, being swallowed whole by a massive black worm tends to speed up one's ability to process the existence of such creatures.

"We're in Amsterdam," Solomon replied, pinching his nose against the foul stench. "That thing that ate you was a spectral leech. Don't worry, it's mostly harmless. It just sucks a bit of joy out of people. Most folks kill it as soon as they see it. It's one of the weakest enemies in the magical world. Do you still think regular weapons would be effective against it?"

Fury glanced at his phone. In the mirror dimension, he could still keep track of time. He had counted his heartbeats too, though not perfectly accurately. From New York to Amsterdam, Solomon hadn't even taken a few seconds. "Your portals can reach this far?" Fury gave up the idea of calling for backup and instead asked Solomon, "Was it the same when you traveled from London to New York?"

"Yes, though that time I opened the portal in another layer of the dimension, which is why no one noticed me. And since I wasn't familiar with the Triskelion, I wandered around SHIELD's headquarters for a while before I found your office." Solomon snapped his fingers and began walking away. The digestive fluid covering Fury evaporated, leaving his leather jacket fresh and clean. The spell that allowed Fury to see the strange creatures was canceled too. After all, those things were quite disgusting.

"Not a bad trick," Fury muttered, raising an eyebrow as he quickened his pace to catch up. "Which floors did you visit?"

"I don't remember," Solomon replied nonchalantly, seemingly unbothered by the idea of Fury pulling any tricks. Fury, for his part, was no longer concerned about what Solomon had seen inside SHIELD headquarters. The real secrets were known only to him, and Captain Marvel was just one of his many trump cards.

"Aren't you afraid SHIELD might go to war with Kamar-Taj?" Fury asked.

"You wouldn't be able to find us, unless you did what you did today and intercepted me on my way to school. Even with nukes, you wouldn't be able to deal with sorcerers—that's just the reality of it," Solomon said, matter-of-factly. "Other sorcerers are much busier than I am. I'm the only one who has to attend school. But I have no choice—after all, the Supreme Sorcerer is not only my teacher but the most powerful sorcerer in the universe. His orders must be obeyed."

"So, you're the Supreme Sorcerer's favored disciple, able to negotiate on behalf of Kamar-Taj? From what you've said, it seems other planets also have sorcerers."

"No, I don't have that authority. Kamar-Taj will never cooperate with SHIELD. That's impossible unless you have information on black magic creatures. Kamar-Taj's sources in the mundane world are thin. We can't always catch the appearance of werewolves or vampires right away. The planetary defense system doesn't cover that." Solomon shrugged. "And yes, there are sorcerers across the universe, even among the Skrulls. If you're interested, I can show you around. Here's a little secret: Skrulls originated on Earth."

"Let's not get into that

 now. I have another question," Fury said. "Why Amsterdam? Are you here to introduce me to someone?"

"Why would you think that?" Solomon stopped and looked up, his face full of confusion. "This is Amsterdam. That's all."

"Then why bring me here?" Fury asked, equally puzzled.

"To get some food, obviously. I suddenly wanted fries, and when you want fries, you come to Amsterdam. They have the best fries in the world," Solomon replied, striding toward a nearby shop. After placing his order, he gestured for Fury to pay. "One for you, one for me, and one without sauce."

"Who's the last one for?" Fury asked as he took his share of the fries. "Are we meeting someone?"

"No." Solomon casually tossed a fry to a few pigeons and held up the sauce-free fries. Flames appeared out of nowhere, then disappeared just as quickly, taking the fries with them. "They were for Phoenix. I'm worried the salt might make its feathers fall out."

"A phoenix? Is that your pet?" Fury asked, intrigued.

"No. It's my subject," Solomon replied.

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