Author's Note: Okay, future Marvel stories. So I've been hinting at two new stories that I want to write. A new Steve/OC story and a Loki/OC story. I have started both, but so far only one is actually working out. My Loki one kind of crashed and burned. But I do have ideas. I took some time to plot out what I want, cross-examined my characters, did some thinking. I think I just need to delete everything and start over. I am most excited for the banter because Loki is so fun to write. I think it will come together, but I just need to get my footing first. So there's that one. The Steve/OC one is separate from any story I've written and is doing much better. I have a plot and a lot of ideas. It goes a little deeper into the sleeper assassin concept and there are flashbacks between the past and modern times. The OC was born in Stalingrad and was there when the Germans invaded. She ends up being trained to defend herself and eventually turned into an assassin. Her story has got a lot of backstory to it. The flashbacks will gradually tell her story and how she got to where she is now. She gets captured by Steve and Natasha and interrogated, and Steve slowly starts to draw her out of her brainwashing. It's going to be dark and gritty and have a very different feel to it. I'm pretty excited to challenge myself as a writer with it.
I'm not going to set dates. I mentioned a hiatus in my last author's note. Just know that these stories WILL happen. Beyond them, I'm kind of waiting for Avengers 3 to happen so I can write my last Aspen and Steve story. I think I'll make it five. That covers the cinematic universe and allows for little snippets of my own story line. We'll see after that. So expect at least three more Marvel related stories from me until I think of my next story. These will keep me going for a year at least though. I need to sit down and write in Agent Tolvar. I want to make it an actual interesting story and not just that awkward story between A Game of Enemies and A Game of Winter. That will be done within a month if I'm good about writing.
Thank you again! I'll see you in A Game of Heroes!
Epilogue – April 16th
Madripoor, Palace
"You failed me, Zi." The girl looked up at the Prince Baran in fear. He took pleasure in that. For once he had the power over her.
"No, your excellency! I tried. The girl was more powerful than I expected. She has no formal training. She has only had these gifts for a year!" Zi tried to defend herself.
"But yet she tossed you aside like a ragdoll. I sent you to collect her because I myself cannot," the prince said bitterly. He wanted powers of his own. He'd even tried to buy the formula for the Superhero Serum from Hydra, but it had never been delivered. Later he learned the girl had gotten in the way and all the research had been destroyed.
"Our paths will cross again!" Zi told him, trying to placate him. "I saw it."
"And did you see your victory this time? Did you see her in my keep?" His eyes were greedy as he gazed down at her.
"It's unclear," Zi admitted. "I don't think she's alone though."
"You mean there are more like her?" the prince leaned forward eagerly.
"Yes. There are two more like her. They have powers."
"Bring them to me. Take the others to help you."
"They haven't met yet," she told the prince. "It hasn't happened yet."
"Then when it does, you will be ready." He sat back on his throne, eyes hard and imperious.
"Yes, your excellency. I will be ready."
"Then in the mean time you can reflect upon your failures." He nodded and two guards came forward to drag Zi away. She tried to fight, but a guard clamped a device over her head. She weakened instantly, her powers cut off. Prince Baron was always prepared for this. He might not have powers of his own, but he would never allow his Specials to get the better of him.
"Do not think you can use your powers against me," he told her. "I brought you in from the streets, saved you from ridicule and death. You still owe me a debt."
Zi glared at him as she was dragged from the room. There was a chuckle from the side of the room and a woman stepped in. "Was that show really necessary?" she asked.
"She needs to learn her place. Her powers do not make her more important than me. Tell me, what was she like this girl who stole your face?"
Madame Masque frowned, though the gold mask hid her mouth. "She took me by surprise. You didn't warn me that she had powers."
"I wasn't positive it was her until she used them. Zi's visions can be somewhat vague. Did you get what I asked for?" he asked eagerly.
Madame Masque brought a sheet of paper forward and handed it to him. "The Zephyr Codes," she said. "They weren't easy to obtain."
"You will be rewarded greatly, don't worry about that." He took the codes eagerly, his eyes roving over the page. "Now why was Captain America searching for this?"
"According to my contacts, the one called the Winter Soldier was once his friend back in the 40s. He's trying to destroy the codes so that his friend is free."
"Now we can't have that – these codes are still useful." He tucked them away in the inside pocket of his vest. "You've done well, Madame Masque. Next time that girl crosses paths with me, I'll be ready."