Chapter 22: Diminuendo Chapters: All We Have Is Now (Part One)
Steve was seated on the floor. He ate some rice, some stew like stuff, and some vegetables. He really enjoyed the flavors. He glanced around the room that he was in. It belonged to the Ancient One and Steve really wanted to draw it.
He thought, here I am... in some strange place. Steve looked over at Tony as he brought the wooden utensil to his mouth. Steve ate the food and he thought about all the locations his relationship with Tony had taken him.
He thought about the trip to space. He didn't necessarily like being in space. Steve did however enjoy certain things that he did... in space. All of it was insane for the soldier to reflect on.
He turned his focus back to the floor and his mind began to flood onto his son. He missed Byron and he wanted to hold him. Steve started to feel a little down and Stephen Strange could feel it.
The demoted sorcerer placed his spoon in the bowl and he looked at the soldier. He didn't like to feel anyone's emotions. Strange was good with not feeling anything whatsoever. In fact, he wanted to return to that bliss as soon as possible.
Tony scarfed down the food. He was so friggen hungry. He had rice and that weird porridge stuff all over his face. He made a mess and he didn't think twice about it. They all got to shower and they all changed into those comfortable training clothes.
The clothing really began to grow on Tony. He drank down the tea he was given and his eyes hunted around for some more food. Tony loved food. He sniffed around for more and once again he was being watched.
Steven R. and Stephen S. had their eyes set on Tony. They watched him as they both ate politely. The two of them didn't have a drop of food that was out of place. Whatever. Tony smirked at them both and looked over at their amazing host. His, new boss?
Was that how it worked? Tony wondered and he tapped his wooden spoon on the bowl. A second or third helping was, where? He needed more grub. The Ancient One could see that Tony wanted more food.
"This isn't a buffet." She had to make that crystal clear and Tony set the bowl on the floor. He huffed and took a gander at Steve's bowl. He was a very slow eater and Tony knew that he still had some.
Steve moved his bowl out of Tony's view and he gave him a look. His look clearly meant, BACK OFF. Steve could eat all of them and the rug.
The Ancient One had her fill of their meal. They all were very amusing but, she was not in the mood.
"Anthony, when you are finished, I'd like to show you where the weapons are forged." Everyone in the room was filled in on Tony's decision. Strange acted indifferent about it and Steve?
Steve's response was, "I need to think." Tony kinda expected that and he also expected a sexy lecture in his future. Tony enjoyed those and he never took them too seriously. He made his decision and that was that.
He also decided to let Yoda's really tall sister tell Steve the whole story. She wasn't taller than any of them, she was just really tall if you compared her to YODA.
Anywho, Tony just smiled and he stood up. He was ready. The S-Squad could stay behind and eat their food all slowly and gently. Tony didn't have time to waste chewing and swallowing food. He just inhaled it and moved on.
"I'm ready." He saw Steve and Strange set their food aside. They both stood up at different times. Steve looked a little bothered. Tony could tell immediately because those eyes started to dodge.
They all followed the Ancient One. Strange wasn't aware that the artifacts and weapons were actually forged at the Kamar-taj. That wasn't exactly his area of expertise. His favorite place was the library or his bedroom.
Steve really loved the trees. They ventured after their leader and Tony playfully tried to grab on Steve's hand. NOPE. That shit was quickly denied. Steve whipped his hand away and Tony's nose crinkled up.
Strange ignored everyone. He could feel all of their bullshit and he just marched onward. They started to head downward. The place had lower levels? Strange had NO IDEA.
They reached the forge and Tony jumped ahead. He started to inspect everything.
"As you can see it's a bit backlogged. We have quite a few weapons and items that need to be worked on. No one has successfully made it through the training." The Ancient One explained the amount of artifacts and items that were set on various tables.
Tony couldn't say anything. He just walked up to one of the tables and he began to pick several things up. He was going to learn to alter weapons and tech with something that he had yet truly understand.
It really made his body sizzle when he thought about it. That blood started pumping. The ability to take his tech and his skills to such an extraordinary level was something that he truly wanted to do.
He felt that way after he reunited with that wizard prick. Tony looked over at Stephen Strange. Strange always shut down his tech and used his wizard skills to put him in his place.
Tony was fed up with it. He thought that whole Mandarin mumbo jumbo ruined his chance to learn something about the mystic arts. But, that whole threat thing was over and done with, right? That part of the story wasn't clear to Tony.
He needed to ask the Ancient One for some clarification. He was too distracted at the moment to give it any further thought.
He glanced at Steve. His friggen BOO was lost in thought. Steve looked around the large room. He tried to focus but he really needed all the facts on the matter. He noticed that Tony was looking at him. Steve was in a mood and he didn't even want to look at him.
He just went and made some crazy ass decision and he didn't even have all the information. They didn't even have a discussion about it. It was just typical of Tony to do that. He was going to become "aligned" with some entity? WHAT THE HELL DID THAT EVEN MEAN? Steve just shook his head and he turned away.
He was irritated. Steve needed to go back outside. He ditched everyone and left. Tony's jaw dropped as he watched Steve take off. Tony went to chase him down but the Ancient One raised up her hand.
"I will talk to him." She needed a moment alone with the soldier. She left Strange and Tony all alone with all the inventory. Tony kept his focus on Steve's exit and he sulked. Yeah heeeee was in trouble. Tony tossed down the item in his hand and he looked at Strange.
"He's pretty pissed off at you. Good job." Strange spoke sarcastically and he held a small smile.
"Gee thanks. He'll get over it." Steve had to get over it. Because, Tony's mind was made up and he refused to look back. He skimmed over a few more items and weapons. Strange looked at a few things and then his eyes lifted back up to Tony.
They both just stared for a moment.
"Have you told Steve about what you do to me when I'm innocently sleeping?" Tony's eyebrows lifted and his grin was wide. Tony already told Steve what happened in his dreams, but Strange didn't know that.
Tony liked it that way. Because, the wizard prick could tell Steve HIMSELF. Strange just rolled his eyes and he debated his response.
"Oh, what ever am I doing?" Strange spoke to Tony like his behavior was a riddle. Now, Strange was the one with the grin. He didn't want to think about that kissing nonsense. It was a reaction from all the bullshit he was forced to feel.
"I think, you've lost your mind. Next, you'll lose your girl. She'll get sick of the boring emails and she'll hook up with your cape.. You just lost that as well, didn't you?" Tony had to taunt him some more. He enjoyed it on so many levels.
"Right."
Strange countered the remark simply and he picked up an artifact. It looked very old and he wondered what it was supposed to do. Tony snatched it from his hand and he tossed it down. Strange looked at his own hand. The item he held was gone and he stared at the place in his hand where it was supposed to be.
He held a glare and he looked at Tony.
"Wake up, wizard. I was just offered a job here and I've decided to take it. That means you're going to be seeing my adorable face more often. So, get your shit in check. Do you want me?" Tony got very close to Stephen Strange.
He didn't hesitate because he needed things to be very clear.
"I'm very physical, Merlin. I express myself with touch. I also understand exactly the way I feel. I kissed you in my dreams because you've been a challenge for me. That was my way of getting under your skin. I wanted to make you struggle and it's obviously working."
Tony chose to be as sexual as possible because he knew it affected Strange. He wanted it to affect him. That gave Tony power over him. He couldn't do it with his tech, he didn't know any magic tricks. He used his emotions and his body to put the game in his favor.
The sun was shining on his plan. The mystic arts was back in his path, and the douche bag wizard was a mess.
"So, do you want me? If you do then you need to talk to Steve. He is my main man. Till death do us part." Tony edged a little closer to him. He almost gave him an actual kiss. Tony watched those eyes open wide. They were in the real world now so Tony resisted. He stepped back and he just left the room.
He knew he had an argument with Steve ahead of him. Not about the dream kissing, nah. His argument was about his decision to join the mystic arts. Tony was ready for it.
They hadn't argued in quite a while, Tony was actually looking forward to it. Steve was so ridiculously sexy when he was angry.
Strange remained in the room. He sucked in a large amount of air and he held it in his chest. Stark had a unique power beneath his small frame. His energy and his ability to get under the sorcerer's skin couldn't be ignored.
If he was actually able to align with Hoggoth? Good god... Strange couldn't imagine how powerful he would be.
Strange had to ask himself if he wanted him or not. He knew that he wanted to bottle up what the brunette made him feel. He wanted to bottle it and sell it on Amazon for ten grand a bottle.
He wondered what he would call the product. Strange thought of that and he rubbed the skin on his face. The demoted sorcerer remained in the room and he thought about, stuff.
Steve Rogers took off toward the tree he liked to look at the most. He leaned up against it and the soldier looked around him.
As far as he could tell, no one was there. That made Steve feel like he could do something he had been wanting to do for hours. He was about to reveal a very well kept secret.
When Tony and Steve fought Dr. Strange on Asgard, Tony's technology travelled to him. His nano-tech provided Steve his own suit. They weren't sure what Strange's magic could do to him and it was just a precaution.
After they made it home, a decision was made.
Steve Rogers tapped his chest. He activated his own tech and he thought about making a phone call. A small blue screen popped up and a video call was placed.
Whitney answered and Steve smiled. She looked so beautiful. She had a bit of shock in her expression. That softened and she smiled.
"Are my drama boys still alive?" She headed to the bright blonde baby boy that was playing on the floor and she picked him up. She brought Byron over to the screen. Steve covered his face when he saw him. He felt so happy and he couldn't speak.
He just nodded his head and then he looked at his son.
"Yes. We're alive, for now. I can't talk long Whit." He stared at Byron and he had the biggest smile. Byron saw his father and he tried to touch the screen. He began to say all of his gobbily goo. It was so cute Steve almost melted from all the joy.
"Hug everyone for me Whit. I love you all."
"Just get back here and hug them yourself. We love you too." Whitney smiled at Steve and then she cut off the line. The soldier stared at the blank screen and then he tapped on his chest. That cancelled out the energy to the technology and he looked to his left.
The Ancient One watched the entire video call. She was so moved by his love that was centered toward others. Steve Rogers was a giver. He gave everyone his heart and his soul.
She needed him. The Ancient One wanted to bring him into the fold.
"Are you still out there recruiting Avengers? Or, S.H.I.E.L.D. agents?" She ignored the contact that he made with his beautiful family. Steve took a step away from the tree. He began to notice something form around them.
He had seen it before. The mirror dimension slipped into place and they disappeared from the rest of the world. Steve studied the change and then he looked at the Ancient One.
Steve was always recruiting. He was always looking for others to join the fold. He chose not to answer the question. Not answering would lead to more questions. Then, the point of the questions would emerge and they could discuss what she really wanted.
"I have been recruiting as well, for a very long time." The stars had finally arrived in a dimension where the great conflict did not exist. Thanos was dead. That meant two puzzle pieces could finally play out another journey.
Agamotto, Oshtur, and Hoggoth could truly join forces. The Ancient One smiled. Steve remained silent. He wanted to know all the facts but he also wanted to talk to Tony.
"Steve Rogers you have countless reasons to doubt Tony's decision. I know that it has upset you. I've made things a bit confusing so I understand."
"I thought that the Mandarin was going to take over his body. I thought we were some sort of threat." Steve didn't forget all the things that were said. His life was threatened because of it.
Steve took it very seriously and the Ancient One smiled.
"That, was called a wild goose chase. I orchestrated the unsolvable problem and put Dr. Strange to task. His spells didn't work on Tony because the problem didn't exist. Stephen's fear of failure has always been his undoing." She confessed her horrible sin with the same smile on her face.
"Anthony did destroy the Mandarin. He is the new owner of the ten rings. The devoted followers could declare him as their new leader if they want. So, I didn't lie to any of you. He is the new Mandarin and he has an affect on the two of you. You can't exactly cast a spell and stop all that now, can you?"
Tony Stark could be a threat, if he was an evil person. The Ancient One knew that he was a good person. She enjoyed him and he warmed her heart. She studied the soldier as his stance eased up.
He understood her logic and he began to think about Dr. Strange.
"You are putting Strange through some tough trials. And you're dragging us through it. Why?" Steve didn't feel like he and Tony needed to be involved. He didn't WANT them to be involved.
Now, Tony went and involved himself. It felt like he sold his soul. Steve had a small glare. He looked at the yellow garments that the Ancient One wore.
"Everything about this dimension is different. Thanks to the Thanos Killer, we've all been altered. My path ends with a different view and things are very unclear for the future. Stephen Strange needs your help. I'm putting him through many trials so he can come to understand that."
She stepped closer to Steve. She knew that he was the one with the most sentimental attachment to the time he was in right at that moment. He was the one that was present the most. The other two were galaxies away solving puzzles and riddles.
Steve Rogers was right there in the present, guarding it with everything he had.
"You've wanted to work with Stephen Strange. I've heard your thoughts. You've been wanting to bring him into the fold. Well, I need you to join my fold. Everything in this dimension has aligned perfectly. So, I need you Steven."
She stood there and spelled it out. It all boiled down to her needing them. Steve didn't know what her "fold" meant. He didn't know what any of it meant. Steve took a moment to think and then he looked up at her.
"You need me for what exactly?"
"I need you to align with an entity by the name of Oshtur. You're all strong enough to handle the alignment. Anthony will align with Hoggoth, and Stephen is already partially aligned with Agamotto. Together, the three of you will form something called the Vishanti."
It sounded like a weird cult. Steve was very hesitant. He watched her hands as they moved around. The Ancient One conjured up three images. Steve stepped closer and he looked down at them.
"You will be the Vishanti symbol, Anthony will be the hand, and Stephen always carries the book. He is the eye of Vishanti, the knowledge. The two of you are crucial in order to keep him in check."
He stared at the symbol, the hand, and the book. The images went away and the Ancient One touched Steve's arm gently.
"In other dimensions, all of this power is given to Stephen when I no longer exist. He becomes the true Sorcerer Supreme. But, he has no one out there to balance him out. He remains a lone wolf and struggles deeply with the burden. He needs you both."
Steve took in a deep breath and he thought about several things. First thing, what he heard was insane. Second thing...
"But, what does it all mean? What are we signing up for? Does it mean we will become, space people? Or God-like people?" Steve imagined himself turning into some strange beast.
Some sort of "Ani-morph" thing? It really freaked him out. The Ancient One gave a gentle laugh and she released his arm.
"You will remain exactly as you are. But, you will channel the energy of the Vishanti entity that you have aligned with. And, if the time ever comes and when that power is needed, the three of you will have the ability to protect yourself and your planet on a truly cosmic level. You three could wreck an entire dimension if need be."
Steve's eyes were very wide. He'd never do anything like that ever. That all sounded mystical and beyond fantastic. Steve liked to have the upper hand when death came knocking. But, something within him felt like there was a catch.
"But, what's the catch?" That was all that he really wanted to know. Tony signed up for it, obviously. Steve wanted to know if he was pitched the catch of the deal. Steve waited for it and he crossed his arms.
"The only catch is that you will remain as you are. Right here, in this state. You will no longer age, Steven, and you will outlive that chunky baby boy. He will grow up, he will live, and he will die." She told him the catch to the deal and Steve's heart began to pool in a deep sadness.
Several tears began to slip down his face. He heard the pitch and his heart just dropped to his feet.
"You will not be immortal, you will just no longer age. That is the only catch there is. I deeply respect you so I can promise you that I have no more tricks up my sleeve. I just need to talk to Stephen and we can all go from there."
Steve's heart truly ached. He thought about his son and he turned slightly to his right.
"I need to sleep on it." That was his response. He wiped away the final tear on the issue and he mentally checked out of the conversation. The mirror dimension slipped away and the tree returned to his focus. Steve walked away and he began to hunt for Tony.
It was friggen GO TIME for Steve. The soldier was ready to fight and he scanned the halls for that damn little red corvette.
The boxing gloves WERE OFFICIALLY ON. Steve was pissed and he began his hunt.
Chapter End.
Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for more if you'd like. Feedback is love!