Chapter 30: Riposa Ora (Rest Now) Chapters: Run Run Blood
Tony slipped his favorite 'Black Sabbath' concert rag over his head. He wore the training pants but he decided to skip the tunic. It was bulky and he never tied it correctly.
He left his room and he headed to the normal place where he met Wong in the morning. His instructor always waited for him in the exact same place. He turned the corner and Tony had a huge smile ready for him.
That smile disappeared. His jaw fell open instead. Wong wasn't standing in his typical spot. The sun was almost in view and he saw the silhouette of someone very.. NOT WONG.
Dr. Strange stood in his place. He had his arms crossed. He looked like he was deep in thought. Tony figured that he was going to train with the Wizard Supreme? Strange didn't look like he was dressed for training. He was wearing his cloak and his heavier clothing.
Their training gear had less bulk. It weighed next to nothing and it allowed very fluid movement.
Tony stepped onto the training floor. He saw Wong and Steve off to the side, then he looked at the rest of the recruits. Tony thought about smiling at them but he just stared at Strange instead.
"Am I training with you today?" He asked Strange and he noticed the sorcerer hold an almost pained expression. Tony interrupted his train of thought. Strange pulled his eyebrows closer together and he sighed.
Tony swallowed and he continued to look around. What the eff? Tony finally noticed what everyone was focused on. He looked at the wall way off to his left. Tony took one look and he gasped. He inhaled a giant gulp of air and he walked closer to Strange.
Karl Mordo was physically chained to the wall. His feet didn't even touch the ground. Strange had his body and all of his magical ability bound to the wall.
Karl Mordo helped train him. They both held a similar strength. That meant that only the one with the most strength between them was able to hold onto their astral form or magic.
Strange had officially surpassed Karl Mordo. It was unexpected for someone that was once superior, but Strange was in a position to bind Mordo entirely.
He had to concentrate to keep his grip. Mordo was very powerful, so if Strange lost his focus then the tables would have turned. The sorcerer concentrated for a moment longer and he used more of his energy to restrain him.
He already questioned him about infiltrating Tony's dream. Mordo responded to the accusation by saying that there was a mistake. That pissed Strange off.
He told Mordo that he saw him in the dream. He saw what he did to Tony. Mordo then accused Strange of being inexperienced. The word he used was, "naive" and that word took Strange's anger to a level he didn't expect. Mordo didn't stop there. He attempted to educate Strange. Yes, he condescendingly stated that just because he saw something, that didn't make it the actual reality.
That's when the gloves came off and the man ended up chained to the wall. Strange was very insulted and everyone that was present at the Kamar-taj got to witness it.
Except for Tony, he missed all of that. No one disturbed him because they all wanted him to get as much rest as he needed. They were worried about him and they each expressed it in their own way.
"Strange you need to THINK. If I infiltrated his dreams, why would I show up here? Why would I put myself in harms way?" That didn't make sense to Mordo. He looked over at Tony.
Strange kept his focus on Mordo and he heard his words. In a way, Strange felt very betrayed. He respected Mordo. He trusted him and there wasn't too many people in his life that he actually trusted.
He felt like Mordo helped pull him out of a very low point in his life. He stared at him and he began to twist those chains that held him tight. His anger was evident.
Strange twisted on the thoughts in his mind and it caused the chains to twist. Mordo exhaled out the pain that he felt. He was unable to break out of the spell and he looked over at Wong.
He thought that the librarian would lend him some assistance, or help Strange establish some form of reason. Wong stood strong and he backed Stephen Strange's decision to confront him.
His devotion to the Sorcerer Supreme had actually just begun. Wong was very determined to make sure that the successor to the Ancient One remained on the path that protected humanity. Someone like Mordo just muddied the waters.
"I had nothing to do with what is happening in his dreams. I have been harboring resentment toward you. That is true. But, I am not trying to undermine you as the new Sorcerer Supreme." Mordo was almost pleading with Strange.
Tony watched him squirm beneath those chains. He had an opinion on what was said and he slowly turned his head in Strange's direction.
Tony looked at his face. He looked like he was hurt. Torn. Conflicted. For Tony, it was very simple.
"You know, you can look someone straight in the face, but you'll never really know their true intentions toward you. Talk is cheap and he can't be trusted, Stephen."
The brunette kept looking at him. Tony actually called him by his name. The sorcerer brought his eyes in Tony's direction.
That was a lesson that Tony had to learn the hard way. Baron Mordo could say whatever he wanted, it didn't change the guard that needed to be put up.
Strange continued to stare at Tony. His words cemented the plan that he had in his mind. Strange closed his eyes and he turned his focus back to Mordo. With a very heavy heart, Stephen Strange began to glow. He inhaled a slow breath and opened his eyes.
With his soft voice, he spoke an incantation and he cast a spell on someone that he thought he could trust.
"By the power of the Vishanti, I banish you Karl Mordo. You are banished from this realm and from your ability to use magic."
His cloak began to flip wildly and an intense force started to emit from him. The sorcerer summoned energy from each member of the Vishanti. Steve felt something swirl within his body. He looked down at his chest and he was forced to take a small step forward.
It felt like his soul or something was pulled from him, it was sent toward Strange. Tony felt the energy float through his body and it flew out through his hands. His hands were brought upward and he took a step in Strange's direction as well.
Baron Mordo yelled out to the heavens. He yelled words of damnation for Strange. He showed his true face. He called him an arrogant monster and Baron Mordo declared that he wanted Strange's power to destroy him. He shouted those words out to anyone that would listen. He was very shocked and he did not take banishment very well.
Strange tried to ignore the words. He didn't know that Mordo felt that way about him. His body began to glow brighter and he manipulated the power that he received. He cast a spell that caused Mordo to disappear from their realm. The outcast landed inside a container that held all of his magical abilities in place.
The container was housed in a location that operated like a prison. He was down in the deep depths of Asgard. That area was monitored by someone that was trusted by Thor.
Dr. Strange knew that he would never be able to escape from there. He needed to banish him so he could focus and truly solve the puzzle. Mordo felt evil.
Strange was slowly understanding that world. Wickedness, evilness, and darkness were things that still felt like they belonged in fairytales for him. He was an apprentice up until the point where the Ancient One took her own life.
That thought still hurt his chest. He glanced back at Tony for a moment.
That Black Sabbath T-shirt he wore made the sorcerer smile a little. Strange tried not to think about anything any longer so he looked down at his hands. He decided to answer the question that Tony asked.
"You're still training with Wong. Steve and Wong can both train you now, so you will be able to catch up. I'm not really present, right now." Strange left it at that. He walked away from the entire group.
He actually walked away from the entire world. He left the temple and went to a place where he could truly be alone.
Steve walked up to Tony. They both stared down the path where Dr. Strange headed. Their Agamotto was still in tough spot. They both felt like it was their duty to bring him out of it. Not because they were all bound together in the Vishanti trio, but as his friend.
"I want him to know that we'd never pull some bullshit on him like that. You reading me Steve?" Tony spoke to his hubby quietly. Steve nodded. Strange did have people that he could trust. They both were just beginning to understand his insane amount of strength.
The power that Dr. Strange was given was an enormous responsibility. He needed to know that they honestly had his back.
"He'll come around. We're coming from an honest place so.. he'll see it, someday." Steve turned his focus to his little red corvette. He smiled and Wong approached the two of them.
"Are you both ready? Let's begin." Wong was very proud of the Sorcerer Supreme. He knew that it was a hard decision, but the fact that he made it was a good step. He was eager to help the other two increase their skills.
They both agreed and their training for the day began. The recruits got to take the
day off and they had a front row seat.
Tony was told to attack Steve with only magic. He looked at his main man and held a playful grin. The two of them hadn't interacted in that way for quite some time.
"I'll go easy on you Steve."
Tony quipped his thought on the matter and Steve readied his body for some sort of an attack. They both heard Wong laugh at Tony's remark. He didn't laugh because of what he said, it was the tone of voice that was used that made him laugh.
Wong had already witnessed Tony's fighting skills. He wasn't aware that the soldier that prepared himself trained Tony to fight. OH OH OH... he taught him everything that he knew. So, mixed martial arts, boxing, and evasion techniques became his specialty.
Tony was very quick on his feet, and he triumphed when he actually focused. This Tony earned the luxury to only focus when he wanted to. The threats they lived under were nothing compared to their older selves. Let's not forget that.
Steve said nothing. He just smiled at Tony and he watched his body movement. His little red corvette was concentrating. He was beginning to reel the energy from his bones. It felt like the bolts of magic he learned to harness were pulled from his soul.
He stretched out the orange light and he charged at Steve.
Wong stepped back. He glanced at the recruits and they all watched Steve dodge his attack. Steve's shield was up instantly. It was held at the collision point. Tony's attack and Steve's defense sizzled against each other and the sounds of it was heard by the group.
It sounded like an egg being fried on a hot pan. Tony pulled his attack back in and he changed his focus to Steve's feet. That caused the soldier to glance down and Tony attempted to strike that bolt of magic against his face.
Steve thought that was cute. He caught Tony's wrist and he twisted him closer toward him. He grabbed that body and Tony had to gasp. Steve held him tight. He looked at Tony and his smile remained.
They really couldn't attack one another. They both stood there and they thought the whole thing was silly. They couldn't fight. Steve held that wrist and he thought about Tony's next possible move. He was technically pinned against Steve's body.
His strong hands held a grip on Tony's side, and a gentle one on his wrist. Tony inhaled and he closed his eyes. For some reason, Tony was compelled to ask Hoggoth to help him out of that hold.
Tony's hand was pointed right at Steve's chest. It was held in place and Steve felt an intense warmth travel to that hand. Tony sent an energy toward that body. It was just like one of the repulsor beams that came from his armor. An orange beam burst through his hand and it found a home in Steve's chest.
The soldier was shot back. He slid backward and screeched to a stop. He was forced to release Tony and the brunette almost screamed. He didn't expect it and he thought that he actually hurt Steve. That was energy sent from Hoggoth straight to Oshtur. The energy did not hurt Steve, it only startled him and almost knocked him to the ground.
If it was another person, that individual would have had a gaping hole through their chest. Steve inspected his body and he looked up at Tony.
"Now, we're talking. Fire five more of those and try to hit him." Wong smiled at what he saw and Tony stood a bit more taller than before. It was time to play a fun game called whack-a-mole.
Tony discovered a unique attack that was just between him and Hoggoth. Wong and Steve helped him control it. They spent the entire day training that new skill.
That evening, Steve asked if he could pick up Mordo's slack. He had advanced to a level where he felt like he could actually train the other recruits. Wong was grateful to hear that.
So for five full days, Tony trained with Wong and Steve trained the recruits. Dr. Strange did not return. He was long gone and they all wondered when he would return.
On the fifth night, Steve said that he wanted to go home. He missed his son and he knew that the sun was shining for Byron. He walked Tony to his bedroom door and he looked him over.
Tony looked pretty exhausted. He trained hard and his focus was higher than it had ever been.
Steve was proud of him. He kissed his forehead and he gently gripped Tony's shoulders.
"I'll be back soon. Get some sleep, ok?" He knew that Tony's restless mind needed more sleep. It had been a while since that episode with him not waking up. But, they still monitored his sleep regardless.
Tony nodded his head and he gave his main man a kiss. Steve opened his bedroom door for him and Tony stepped in the room. He received one more kiss for the road and then Steve activated his sling ring.
The soldier disappeared and Tony closed his bedroom door. He stared at his bed. It had one thin blanket and one very thin pillow. He thought about going home instead.
That thought subsided when he felt something in his chest. He felt an energy that just... arrived deep beneath his ribs. That energy was felt when Steve was near him. It disappeared after he crossed over with the sling ring.
Now, that same energy was back and it caused Tony to look up. He looked at the ceiling and then he glanced over at his bedroom window. In the dark room, Tony headed over toward the window and he slowly climbed out.
He had a strong feeling that the energy he felt belonged to Agamotto. The energy of Oshtur just left his location. It was making sense. Tony climbed upward and he popped his head over the ledge.
He saw the wizard prick. Dr. Strange was sitting on the roof and he stared at the view. Tony pulled himself up and he successfully rolled his way onto the roof. He could have activated his suit and flew, but he didn't think of it at the time.
He blamed the fatigue and he rose to his feet. Strange continued to stare. He heard all the noise that Tony made as he crawled his way onto the roof. All the loud sounds caused the sorcerer to smile a little. He ignored him and enjoyed the fact that he struggled.
Tony checked out his own skin for a moment. He thought that he scraped up his stomach. Meh. He shoved his concert rag down over his stomach and he took his seat beside Stephen Strange.
"Steve took over your damn job. He's training your fan club while you stare off at the stars, Wizard." Tony grinned. Haaaaa his grin was wide. Strange just smiled and he shrugged his shoulders.
"My plan worked perfectly then. I was hoping to exploit the happy little helper." Strange told a lie and he looked at Tony. He truly liked Steve Rogers.
He wasn't a NOISE BOX. Like someone that sat beside him. Strange almost laughed at the thought and Tony exhaled his thought on the comment.
"So,are you present now? Did you enjoy your vacation? Where did you go?" Tony wanted to know things. He smiled at that cloak and waved at it. He understood that there was a soul in there.
A powerful soul that was bound to an item with magic. Tony couldn't wait to learn how to do that. The baby steps that he had to take were torturing him.
"Seriously, how many questions can you ask at once? I'm not answering any of them." Strange was still in a mood. He went where he went and it was none of Tony's business. That thought made his grin extend.
Tony scowled and he adjusted his legs. He wanted to be comfy but that was NOT AN OPTION. UGH. Tony sighed and he scratched the side of his face.
"This, is for you." Strange moved a part of his cloak that covered his left leg. He brought something out of hiding and he held it out for Tony to take.
Uhh. Tony stared at what was in his hand. It looked like another garment. The one that Strange held was from the modern world. It wasn't ancient and the color was black.
"I saw Pink Floyd in 1994. Their final live. This is from the show." He continued to hold out his hand and Tony was locked in a stare.
"Is that an actual gift?"
Tony had to blink. He stared for so long he forgot that he had to do those sort of things. He forced his eyes to blink several times. Tony swallowed when he saw that douchebag wizard nod his head yes.
He wanted Tony to have his shirt. That was.. the brunette wasn't sure if he could accept it. Tony thought about it. He wondered what Steve would think about him wearing another guy's shirt.
Steve already knew what happened between them, but Tony felt like the gift represented something different. He tried not to put too much thought behind it. He gently brought his hand up from the fancy roof decor and he accepted the gift.
He took the shirt from that hand and Tony brought it over to his lap.
Strange became silent. He really wanted to talk to Tony but he wasn't sure if it was the right time. His mood was still very off.
Tony looked down at the shirt as he unfolded it. He stared at the front of the shirt. The Division Bell Tour, 1994. His eyes remained on the image that covered the front. The split grey mask stared right back at him. Tony started to chew on his lip and he looked back over at that gift giver.
"Thank you."
Chapter End:
Thanks so much for reading.