No-One But You (The Zephyr Endeavor)
Chapter 97: End Game (Part 7)
Steve Rogers was officially declared to be the man of the hour. The rest of the Surveillant Council designated him to be the only one to speak at the meeting, specifically because of Doctor Doom's unwanted presence.
Those two were currently engaged in a battle of wits, and Steve openly stated to the Council that he wanted to be the one to shut him down…
It started with his plea for "advocacy," and then the rift between their ideals only strengthened from there. In "Captain America's" opinion, there was no need for any advocacy, because they weren't violating Ezekiel Stane in any possible way.
The mere mention of the Council being an "unnecessarybreach of Ezekiel Stane's free will" was an insult to Steve Rogers, and everyone else who served on the Surveillant Council.
A legit war was brewing beneath the surface of that meeting, and the last thing they wanted was to have Ezekiel Stane become affected.
That's why Steve Rogers had both Victor and Donna Strange poke around and snoop in on Doom's energy. He needed to see what "chess pieces" would work against Doctor Doom, if shit should ever hit the fan between them…
They'll cross that bridge if need be, until then, the "Captain" simply focused on the young man that sat a few feet away from their table.
…
He was clearly sitting amongst them as Ezekiel Stane. He was not "Rae-Ann", Zephyr, or any of his other personas. That alone was reason enough to hold a conversation, but,as mentioned, the meeting was going to run in a completely different way.
…
"This meeting will conclude today after I ask you four questions, ok? You can answer those questions here before everyone, or you can answer them with Charles another time…."
…
Steve always had a gentle voice, even when he was angry or disappointed. Ezekiel heard what he said, and he looked up from the table in front of him and he gave the man a small nod.
…
"Ok, now, before that… the X-Men would like me to thank you on their behalf, and tell you that they are eternally grateful for the information you provided about the Church of Human Potential…"
…
Oh, that… Ezekiel didn't expect to hear that at all, so he drew in a slow breath and his eyes migrated back down toward the table. What he heard made him feel a number of things, but … perhaps the word encouraged held the most weight in his mind.
Steve's delivery on that information was also very heartwarming. He told everyone that the information Ezekiel released saved countless mutants, so… the Jackal gave him another small nod.
Some "cat" definitely had his tongue that morning, and it all had to do with his behavior with Wade…
…
"With that said, here are our only four questions that we have for you. The first one has to do with the image of Rae-Ann. Why aren't you appearing as her now?"
…
Ohhhhh boy. Ezekiel slowly swallowed when the first question quickly registered in his mind. Not using Rae-Ann's image happened for a few reasons, and the bulk of those reasons had to do with his team, Victor Von Doom, and Wade…
Ezekiel gave a gentle glance toward his right, then he almost looked toward his left. Wade was there beside him, but Victor Strange was sitting at ease in between them.
Doom was toward Ezekiel's left, so… it's best to avoid question number one at all costs.
…
"I'd like to explain most of my answer to Charles, later, but… I will say that I intend to sever Rae-Ann's image from mine, for my team's sake. She will remove my likeness from S.H.A.D.O.W. entirely, and that will make things more efficient in the long run…"
…
The conversation he tried to have with Clint Barton was the reason he made that decision, but that was also something he only wanted to discuss with Charles Xavier.
…
"Understood. The second question has to do with your father. We want to know what happened between the two of you, and why he hired Deadpool to kill you…"
…
Oh. Right. That… Ezekiel took a moment to think on that question, but his eyes took a quick glimpse in Xavier's direction. The mutant was abnormally quiet in that moment, and Ezekiel began to think he was concentrating on what wasn't being said.
Of course he was, and that was… fine. Ezekiel wasn't trying to hide anything, but he understood that his memories were being withheld and sometimes subdued.
Perhaps Xavier was finally easing things back in? It sure seemed that way, because Ezekiel recalled a devastating detail about his father.
He didn't forget about what happened, the thought just disappeared from his mind, until he was asked…
…
"My father was upset with me because I was hiding the location of Tony Stark. I found him in Brooklyn, remember? But… I withheld that information, and I never said anything to anyone…"
…
Ezekiel began feeling differently about what he was seeing, and if his recollection was up to speed, then that's when he began having a change of heart.
…
"My father hired Wade Wilson to kill me after he explained that I was up for auction. I was supposed to be sold to the highest bidder, and… I was supposed to die if his perfect plan didn't stick."
…
Ezekiel glanced over at Tony Stark, then he slowly swallowed down how it felt to look at him. He was supposed to be auctioned off for slaughter, just like him. Something else happened tho, and Ezekiel rejoiced when his father was finally killed…
…
"Another version of Tony Stark killed my father, as you all know, then you can say that I was technically free. I knew someone was going to eventually find me, and kill me, so.. I started gathering allies as fast as I could."
…
That was his answer to question number two, and saying all of that out loud started bringing out some inner anxiety. The Surveillant Council was all over the emotions that were brewing about, so Steve just gave him a soft smile.
He thanked Ezekiel for his response, then he took a second to look over at Wade Wilson. The infamous Deadpool wasn't proud of what went down after he was hired to kill Ezekiel Stane, but Steve Rogers was looking at him for another reason.
He planned to ask the "Jackal" something about "Doctor" Victor Von Doom, and he wanted to make sure Deadpool was going to behave himself…
…
"The third question has to do with Doctor Doom. He seems to think that he can suddenly have a role in your Surveillant Council. Before we discuss that any further, can you describe your connection to him?"
…
Oh. That…. fuck. Ezekiel drew in a giant breath of air after the third question struck straight through to his soul. Describe his, connection? Ok…
For some strange reason, Wade Wilson seemed to pluck some popcorn out of thin air. Now THAT was the best question yet. Wade was all ears, cuz he definitely wanted to hear all about how much time Ezekiel's spent at Doomstein's Island, AKA Neverland Ranch 2.0.
Ezekiel gave Wade a sharp glance as well, because he didn't want him freaking out, but he also wasn't sure how to answer that question.
He could have taken that answer up with Charles Xavier exclusively, but the Jackal had a feeling the infamous mercenary would flip his shit if he did that, so…
Chapter: END
Thanks for reading.