The unpredictable nature of newly acquired superpowers was on full display—only someone like Ben could crush a fire extinguisher while attempting to douse a blaze, turning a simple task into a spectacle of absurdity
Sebastian, his patience wearing thin amidst the chaos, summoned his wand with a subtle gesture, its polished wood gleaming under the factory's harsh lights.
With a deft wave, he conjured a swirling gust that swept away the clouds of dry powder spewing from the shattered extinguisher, clearing the air with a faint hum of magic.
Johnny's flames, wild and untamed, flickered as if drawn by an invisible tether, spiraling toward the wand's tip and vanishing into its core, extinguished with eerie precision.
As the bearer of Hellfire's authority, Sebastian wielded dominion over certain flames, though not all.
Johnny's fire, however intense, was mere mortal flame, no match for the arcane power Sebastian could summon.
Given Johnny's novice control, the flames were feeble, their heat barely registering against Sebastian's spellwork.
Suppressing them required minimal effort, a testament to his mastery over such elemental forces.
"Johnny, focus," Sebastian commanded, his voice steady but firm, cutting through the lingering panic. "Imagine inhaling deeply, drawing the flames back into yourself, like air into your lungs."
Johnny, his chest heaving from exertion, nodded shakily, forcing his mind to still.
He visualized the flames retreating, their fiery tendrils receding as he concentrated.
Gradually, the blaze subsided, shrinking into his body until only faint embers lingered on his skin, then faded entirely. He stood, restored to his human form, his breathing ragged but relieved.
Gasping for air, Johnny staggered to his feet, intent on thanking Sebastian, but before he could speak, Sebastian flicked his wand sharply.
A heavy curtain tore itself from a nearby window, soaring across the room to wrap around Johnny's scorched frame. With a shimmer of magic, it transformed into a long, flowing robe, its fabric plain but functional, draping over his muscular build to cover his modesty.
Johnny glanced at the robe, his nose wrinkling in distaste. "Sebastian, seriously? Your fashion sense is tragic. This thing's hideous—can't you whip up something with a bit more style?"
Sebastian's lips twitched, but he offered no reply. Instead, he waved his wand again, and the robe shifted grotesquely. The fabric morphed into a frilly, lace-trimmed princess skirt, its pastel hues clashing absurdly with Johnny's rugged physique. The tight fit accentuated his muscled, hairy frame, creating a surreal image akin to a bodybuilder stuffed into a ballerina's costume, radiating an almost comical menace.
Johnny looked down, his face contorting in horror. A dry heave escaped him, the sight too much even for his own tolerance. The others fared no better—Susan, his sister, clenched her fists, visibly wrestling with the urge to erase him from existence to spare them all the visual torment.
"Sebastian, please," Reed interjected, his voice strained with a mix of amusement and desperation. "Change it back. This isn't just punishing Johnny—it's an assault on our sanity."
Sebastian relented with a final wand flick. The skirt dissolved, replaced by a simple tracksuit, its gray fabric unremarkable but mercifully normal. Johnny, though still unimpressed, bit his tongue, the memory of the frilly skirt a stark warning against further complaints.
With the chaos subdued, Reed approached Sebastian, his expression earnest, tinged with gratitude. "Sebastian, this is exactly why I reached out. We desperately need your guidance."
"Guidance? Be specific," Sebastian prompted, his tone direct but open.
"You're the only superhuman we trust," Reed explained, his voice steady but underscored by urgency. "We need your expertise to help us control our abilities. As you've seen, a single misstep can spiral into disaster. I can design equipment to assist, but machines are limited, and my understanding of superpowers is rudimentary at best. Can you train us?"
Sebastian knew Reed's team was destined for greatness as the Fantastic Four, their potential rivaled only by Reed's intellect, which might eclipse even Tony's.
While he'd chosen magic, Sebastian valued science's role in his broader plans.
Allies like Tony and Reed were invaluable, their genius a counterbalance to his own limitations. This request wasn't just a favor—it was a strategic investment, one he couldn't ignore.
"Consider it done," Sebastian agreed, his mind already calculating training regimens. "I'll help you master your powers to the best of my ability."
Reed's face broke into a relieved smile, his gratitude palpable. "I knew we could rely on you. Let's take a break. We have guest rooms—why not stay here while we work?"
"I'll take you up on that," Sebastian replied nodding.
——
A week passed in a blur of rigorous training.
Sebastian watched Johnny glide through the air above the factory, flames encircling him in a controlled blaze, no longer scorching the surroundings.
He turned to Susan, her form flickering between invisibility and a shimmering force field that enveloped the facility, protecting it with precision. He nodded in approval. The Fantastic Four's reputation for intellect wasn't exaggerated—their rapid progress was astounding.
In just seven days, guided by Sebastian's magic and Reed's scientific insights, the Storm siblings had achieved remarkable mastery.
As Sebastian assessed their progress, a thunderous crash erupted nearby.
Pivoting, he saw Reed sprawled amid a pile of wrecked instruments, rubbing his temples. His elastic body absorbed the impact, leaving him dazed but unharmed, a testament to his newfound resilience.
Ben, panic-stricken, lumbered to Reed's side, his rocky hands hovering uncertainly, afraid to touch him. "Reed, you okay? I didn't mean to—"
Reed cut him off with a reassuring shake of his head, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, Ben. My abilities cushioned me—no harm done. Your strength's getting unreal, though. Sebastian's training is paying off."
"Really, you're sure?" Ben pressed, his gravelly voice thick with worry.
Rising, Reed patted Ben's rocky shoulder. "Absolutely, don't stress."
Sebastian approached, his gaze shifting between them. "Alright, everyone, let's pause. You've pushed yourselves hard enough for now."
Reed opened his mouth to reply but caught Sebastian's subtle glance, nodding instead and heading toward Susan and Johnny.
Turning to Ben, Sebastian said, "Ben, let's talk."
Ben's massive form stiffened, an inexplicable fear flickering in his eyes. Something about Sebastian stirred a primal unease he couldn't name.
Nodding mutely, Ben remained, bracing for whatever came next.