No-One But You (The Zephyr Endeavor) - Part 2
Chapter 39: The Power of Love (Part 9)
Doctor Stephen Strange read through a lengthy text message as he made his way through Stark Industries.
It was from Steve Rogers, and the two of them were establishing a bit of ground rules for their upcoming conversation about Tony Stark, with Tony conveniently being present.
Ground rules between them were a necessity, because the sorcerer had a history of taking things too far. There always had been this interesting back and forth between Steven R and Stephen S…
Tony was always caught in the middle of it too, so the former Sorcerer Supreme made sure to read over the rules. Some of them amused the sorcerer to no end, like the rule Steve Rogers dropped about no poetry, and absolutely no kissing.
Oh come on now, he wouldn't be dusting off the poetry and kissing Tony. How funny.
Stephen specifically pondered that rule for a bit, because actually you never know, and some rules might have to be broken… The sorcerer pondered away, then he watched the fancy elevator doors open. Stephen held as small smile as he walked into Tony Stark's Manhattan workspace for the very first time...
He saw Steve Rogers and Tony speaking to one another when he walked in, then his eyes ventured down to what the feisty inventor was working on.
The color of the metal seemed darker than normal. Tony normally kept his suits looking bright.
That wasn't the alarming part tho. Stephen remained silent as he entered Stark's expansive domain. His thinking space was very organized, neat, and tidy. That was typical for a Stark, so Stephen started looking at all the gizmos and gadgets around them that kept his tools in check.
…
"I'm glad you got back to me, Steve. Something's come up, so do you wanna fess up now Tony? Or do we have to pry the truth out of you…"
…
There was no hiding that negative weight. Stephen took Sofia's insight into the Infinity Stones very seriously, so he decided to keep their chat professional. It was strictly business for Doctor Strange, and he watched Tony Stark roll his eyes straight away…
For Tony, it felt like a psychological dance between the three of them had begun. Steve Rogers had his way of getting information and everything that he wanted… while Stephen Strange had other methods.
The two of them combined had always been a hard pill for Tony to swallow, so he kept his back turned on the subject.
…
"Sofia tells me that the Soul Stone and the Mind Stone are tipping in a negative direction. SO, how's it been for you… intermingling and co-existing with Ezekiel Stane?"
…
TCH. The big Wiz unfortunately kicked the point in the teeth, straight out the gate, and Tony failed to wipe the bitter scowl off his face. How's it been? Gee Golly, thought you'd never ask…
Steve's shattered look of confusion only strengthened after Stephen spoke, but what he said gave the blonde part of the answer he was looking for.
So… Ezekiel was the person who upset Tony? Steve wasn't sure what he missed. They barely interacted outside the meetings, and he couldn't recall anything in the Surveillant Council reports that connected those dots.
Ezekiel was currently in Japan, right? With Wade Wilson… so Steve was at a complete loss. AND, because Steve felt like he lacked facts, the blonde could only listen for the moment.
The soldier responded to Stephen's message immediately and he rallied the sorcerer to his side for a reason.
He needed Stephen to do what he did best. Outwit, investigate, and draw out vital information, and the man's presence was already working like a charm…
…
"The Soul and Mind are at odds, and I can't let that carry on. Sofia believes there's a rift between their hosts. What do you think of that, Tony?"
…
Stephen glanced at Steve Rogers for just a moment. That wonderful ray of sunshine looked worried, so the former Sorcerer Supreme gave him a small smile.
That smile was reassuring, but Tony didn't see it. He did see Stephen place his left hand on the suit that he was constructing. Clearly, the great Doctor-Wizard-Pizza-Supreme was trying to bait him with all his yummy talk.
On some level, Tony still missed the sound of his voice. A tinge of nostalgia for the good ol' days crossed his mind, body, and soul as he finally looked in Steve and Stephen's direction. They were practically standing side by side, ganging up on him, so…
Spicy thoughts about the two of them resurrected too, but Tony closed his eyes and let them pass.
What did he think about the Mind Stone and Soul Stone being at odds? Was there a "rift" between him and the spawn of Satan?
…
"Oh, hello Stephen. Thanks for joining our private conversation. I'd say intermingling and co-existing with Ezekiel Stane has been a fucking peach. He's a real peach of a guy…"
…
Yeah fucking right. That basket case son of the devil had been a nightmare since day one, and now he…
Tony's mind started going haywire, up until he realized that he immediately took the bait. He stopped his thoughts dead in the water, then his eyes closed up tight once again.
He didn't want STEVE knowing the information that the Mind Stone gave him earlier, got it? Actually, Tony didn't want anyone knowing who Ezekiel indirectly wanted. The mere thought fucking burned fire, rage, and brimstone throughout Tony's entire soul.
Stephen Strange picked up on all that, and then some, so he decided to hit Tony with some facts.
…
"Sorry to burst your little bubble, but I can't allow you to harbor that resentment. If you can't control your soul, then I will be removing the Soul Stone from your body."
…
Make a choice, Tony, because Stephen was seconds away from telling Steve everything as well. He did some digging while Tony was busy mentally spazzing out. So, Ezekiel opened up to Wade Wilson and shared a very intimate detail about himself. He desired Steve Rogers… well, don't we all?
The sorcerer had to LOL at the situation once again, then he playfully looked in Steve's direction for fun. Oh, if the blonde only knew the root of all the torment. How amusing.
…
"You don't have anything to worry about anyway. Right Steve?"
…
Stephen kept his arms crossed just above his waist, and the blonde continued looking very confused. Wait, what the hell was going on? It seemed like the sorcerer had all the answers, yet Steve still felt like the information was vague and incomplete.
He had to scowl at what he heard as well, then he focused only on Tony after all that. Steve was inwardly pleading for some answers. He wanted Tony to simply tell him the truth.
…
"Oh, there's plenty reason to worry. What happened with Ezekiel, Tony?"
…
Just FUCKINGGHHH say it. Steve was so done, and super annoyed. He crossed his arms up in a huff, and all Tony did was stare at his new suit with a blank expression on his face.
…
"I plan to challenge the prince of darkness while we're all in Battleworld. That's all. And Stephen's here because I plan to use this suit and crush his twisted little soul…"
…
Can't a guy have a little fun? Oh, and the meaning behind it didn't have to be that deep. Stephen Strange was too friggen dramatic. Tony gave him an annoyed look too, but the sorcerer didn't budge.
Well, he did step a little more in Tony's direction tho, because his plan to "crush" Ezekiel's twisted little soul wasn't the only reason why he was there…
…
"That's cute, but I'm also here to put you to work. I need you to make every single Infinity Stone removable and mobile. Every single one of them needs to be put inside something like the Eye of Agamotto. Got it?"
…
Stephen decided to take the stern approach, and he planned to follow up in a nicer tone IF Tony complied, did what he was told, and behaved himself.
The sorcerer saw that scowl, and Tony wouldn't even look in Steve's direction. So, the Vishanti Trio was reunited with that sort of vibe? AND Tony was simply put to task? TCHHHhhhh to the max. The brunette didn't even care to respond… he just stared dead ahead.
…
"The Infinity Stones can't be in the same location with Victor Von Doom lurking about. SO, they need to be mobile, movable, and inaccessible as of yesterday. Am I making sense? Or am I talking to my shoe?"
…
Get the fuck over it, Tony. There was no time for pointless drama. Oh, and as for making weapons for the Mystic Arts? The stubborn brunette was put to task with that years ago. Did he forget? Cuz Stephen surely didn't…
…
"We're happy to help you as well. Both of us…"
…
Stephen Strange looked directly at Steve Rogers, while Steve Rogers looked directly at Stephen Strange. Distracting him from completing that soul sucking suit was a must. They planned to have a long chat about it as well, so the two of them almost gave each other a high five.
Of course, they also wanted to help Tony, support him, and ultimately make sure his soul would be ok…
The brunette was definitely hearing what the prick face wizard was suddenly barking in his direction. His point about Doctor Doom made perfect sense too, so it wasn't like the man wasn't talking to his friggen shoe…
…
"Most of the stones are technically moveable, but constructing containment devices to house them all individually is a good plan…"
…
Tony's mind immediately started pre-planning, then he started thinking about how much material he needed and what he had on hand. Most of the materials needed to replicate something like the Eye of Agamotto was either at the Kamar taj, or in the Realm of Light.
Tony silently glanced up at Steve and Stephen, but he said nothing further to the two of them. It was just like old times… minus the good shit.
Oh, and their clever little plan to distract him was more than obvious too, by the way…
Chapter: END
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