This continuation or "sequel" takes place a year and six months after the last chapter.
No-One But You (The Vishanti Venture)
Chapter 38: I'll Be Around
Steve Rogers had to sit in a very small uncomfortable chair. He was in the middle of a tiny auditorium that was packed to the brim. Beside him sat his wife, Whitney Nefaria, and on the opposite side sat his daughter. Sarah Rogers was technically on vacation. Sam Wilson joined her and they all waited together for something to begin.
Byron was six years old, and he was about to appear in his first play at school. Steve was extremely excited. He couldn't wait for the adorable little performance to begin. The play was written by an upper-grader and it was about a magical forest.
Byron had exactly one line and Steve almost frothed at the mouth because he wanted to see it acted out.
Steve was also very nervous. His energy and his nerves were a bit bonkers for some reason. Steve had thought about it that entire morning. He didn't think it had anything to do with Byron's performance.
The lighting in the small auditorium dimmed and all the parents quieted down. At that exact moment, Steve Rogers heard the sound of his very old cellphone. It rang loudly and it felt like planet earth cracked in two.
Every single pair of eyes within that auditorium turned and looked in Steve's direction. He was absolutely horrified. He forgot all about his phone, had no idea where it was, and immediately looked for it.
"Where is it?" Whitney whispered as the two frantically searched everything that they had on their bodies. Steve felt himself sweat and he felt around every pocket and surface.
"I might have left it in your purse?" HE DIDN'T KNOW. The blonde thought that he was going to have a heart attack. Parents were recording the event on their very hi-tech cellphones. He knew that he was being recorded by some of the other parents.
Steve located his phone in one of the many pockets of his leather jacket. He wasn't very good with technology, but he did his best to turn the thing OFFFfffffffff. The soldier flipped it open.
He glanced at the screen and for a quick moment he hoped to see the name TONY on the small screen. He didn't see the name and his heart frowned. Instead he saw a phone number that had a New York area code.
The phone was flipped open. Steve realized that he actually answered the phone call when he heard a familiar voice.
"Steve? It's Strange. Are you there?" He heard Dr. Strange's voice very clearly. He technically exchanged phone numbers a long time ago. Indirectly, he got his phone number and he never actually saved him as a contact.
They were.. friends. Steve thought that they were friends but it felt more like, work associates? They really only interacted because of the Vishanti and because of the Tony..thing.
Any other connection between the two of them came in short waves. They got along very well when it was just the two of them. But, when Tony was in the mix?
Steve closed the lid on the cellphone in a complete panic. He hung up. The soldier loudly cursed in his mind and he looked at the phone.
"Who was it?"
Steve held the phone in both of his hands. He stared blankly and the sound of Sarah's voice filled his ears. Steve continued to stare at the phone as his heart pumped at an excessive rate. Dr. Strange didn't just call people on a whim.
That meant Steve was needed. He was needed or, basically Oshtur was needed. Steve glanced at Sarah and then flipped the phone back open. He tried to type up a text message as fast as possible. Steve became frustrated immediately and he handed the phone to his daughter.
"Can you text Dr. Strange and tell him I will call him back after Byron's performance?" Pleaseeee. Steve looked distraught. Sarah took the phone and she skimmed through it.
"Why the hell is he calling?" Sarah asked the question quietly as she composed the message. She handed Steve the phone back and she scoffed a little. Apparently, Sarah still thought that Strange was a liar.
Steve ignored her question and he tried to forget the whole thing. He looked at the small stage and his big heart just melted. The light focused on a podium and Steve stared directly at it. The school principal walked up to the microphone and she began to speak.
"Good evening family and friends. We have a small issue with some stage fright. We will be delaying the children's performance for twenty more minutes."
Sweet. Steve breathed in a sigh of relief and he stood up. The principal asked for two specific parents to meet with her backstage as the lights turned back on. Steve recognized the names of the parents. He knew exactly which child had the stage fright. The soldier looked down at Whitney and he gave her a smile.
"I'll be right back." He left his seat. The soldier left his family and headed into the hallway of the small school. He immediately used the skills he learned through his training with the mystic arts. He opened a portal from his location all the way to Kathmandu.
He arrived at the Kamar-taj. The scent of the place overwhelmed him immediately. Steve didn't really have that moment to reflect. He began his search for Stephen Strange. A pull to his chest made him turn to his right.
Oshtur, Hoggoth, and Agamotto were the names of the three entities that created the Vishanti trio. Chosen humans were able to align with them and take on their strengths and powers. Steve Rogers was aligned with Oshtur, and he could feel if the other two were near.
That is why he turned to his right. Steve quickly took a path that led him straight to Agamotto, the leader of the Vishanti.
His eyes locked onto Stephen Strange. The two of them had not seen one another since they parted ways. Strange left Tony's garage and he was able to handle anything that threatened the mystic arts on his own.
He told them that he'd be in contact with them whenever he needed the Vishanti together. Steve was sure that that statement was a bit different for Tony. The two of them were... what exactly? Steve shook the thought out of his mind as the two men acknowledged one another.
"Sorry Strange. I only have a few minutes. My son is in a play."
"It's fine. I didn't think you actually hung up on me." Strange's smile had a pinch of sarcasm behind it. The truth was, they both had similar feelings for one particular individual. Because of his connection to Tony, Strange often considered himself to be on thin ice with Steve Rogers.
He might have hung up on purpose, the sorcerer kept his guard up and assumed that it was possible.
"Tony should be here or on his way. I had to go through Pepper Potts just to contact him." Strange felt the need to point that out. Tony became a ghost after their lovely visit with his parents. Dr. Strange assumed that Tony would be back in a few days, like he said.
It was odd, but the sorcerer carried on. He was at a total loss when it came to Tony Stark.
"You haven't seen him?" Steve had to ask. He checked the time on his phone and estimated how much time he had left. The soldier decided he could stay for only ten more minutes.
"Wong told me that he came here only one time. He asked to take some weapons to work on and that was it. He took the whole damn inventory.. Tony transported it somewhere."
Ah. Steve closed his eyes and he began to nod his head. For some reason, he thought that Tony wanted to spend some time with Strange during his "walk". It surprised Steve to hear that the sorcerer hadn't seen him at all.
It actually made him feel more than a few things. Conflicted was the strongest feeling.
"He told Wong that he was on a walk."
YEAH. Steve knew that and he assumed the walk had to do with their encounter in Santa Monica. Steve swallowed and inhaled a slow breath. His arms were now crossed and he looked down at the ground. He was going to say something else but his heart felt a tug in one direction.
Steve broke his daze and both men looked west. They felt the presence of Hoggoth and it felt like the entire world became silent.
Tony was chosen to alter and forge new weapons for the mystic arts. Before the Ancient One sacrificed herself to align the three of them with the Vishanti, she asked him if he would join the fold. Tony decided that the mystic arts could afford his services and he began that journey.
That's why he was on his way up from the inventory room. It was deep within the Kamar-taj. He had to check on some things before he spoke to the apple twins.
Tony climbed up the stairs and he headed East. His body pulled him in that direction and he approached Steve and Stephen. They both stared at him. He stared back.
They were like day and night. The bright sunshine colors of Steve Rogers flipped over to the dark nighttime colors of Stephen Strange as his eyes moved between them. Tony took notice of that and he put his hands in the pockets of his black pants.
Tony did not want to see them. The brunette calmly assumed that he was summoned for Vishanti reasons.. so.. he made an appearance.
"What's up?" Tony asked as the apple twins looked about. Steve checked the time on his phone. He did his best and hid the looks of confusion that were on his face. Strange just held a blank stare and he answered the question.
"Thor needs us. Our services are being requested specifically by him. Wrap up what you've got going on and I'll explain the rest.." Strange looked at Steve.
He knew that Steve's priorities were on his family. That level of responsibility needed more attention and time to cut ties with. The sorcerer also knew that all Tony had going on was busy work..or whatever.
His shoulders raised up in a shrug as he thought about it. Steve checked his phone again and he decided to speak.
"Byron is in a play. I have to get back and then we can continue this discussion. He's a tree stump and he only has one line. I can't miss it." Steve's face lit up. He looked so adorable. Tony felt his busted up heart just melt to down his shoes.
Steve was so friggen hot when he was in his little daddy mode. Tony's eyebrow raised and he vocalized his response.
"I want to see that. Let's all go. Thor can wait " Tony stepped closer to the two men. His grin looked somewhat mischievous. He couldn't wait to see the little chunk monster. Tony looked at Strange and then he looked at the soldier.
His mind drifted to an experience that he shared with the two of them and then he cleared his throat. Nope.
"Come on WIZ. You're going too. Lead the way CAP .. you're boy is waiting." Tony mushed them onward. Go Go GO. He didn't want anymore feels and he didn't want anymore staring.
Dr. Strange gave a short sound of protest and Steve quickly conjured up a portal that took them back to the hallway of the school.
"I'm not sure if there are extra seats. It's very small Tony." Steve looked through the door that led into the small auditorium. It was definitely time to get back to his seat.
Tony stepped up beside him and he looked in. Strange sent his cloak back through the portal. The sorcerer sighed and just crossed his arms. He waited for the happy couple to lead the way.
"It's fine Steve. We'll stand. It's all groovy.. relax." Tony spoke quietly as they went in. Steve walked around several parents and he sat down directly between Sarah and Whitney. Both of the women looked at him and then their eyes LOCKED ON TONY.
Wha?! They didn't have a seat for him. Sarah really wanted Tony to sit beside her. She frowned and waved at him. Tony waved back and he moved to his left. Tony found a nice spot by the wall and Stephen Strange stood beside him.
Sarah saw that LIAR and she held a look of contempt. She wondered why he was there. Sarah looked over at Steve. What the eff? Steve was very focused on the tiny stage. His heart pumped really quickly. Steve used every ounce of willpower within him to not look in Tony's direction.
It was very hard for him, but the soldier managed and the show finally began.
Chapter End:
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