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When Emma came to Doom with an invitation in hand, his immediate reaction was to think it was a trick. Surely not after the damage his younger counterpart (and himself included) had caused to the Timestream. The reason these heroes ended up here.
Doom wasn’t the type to turn down such an invitation, however. Large parties were what he specialized in, and who was he to squander the chance to set foot on Krakoa? Since it never existed in his timeline originally.
This would be a brand new experience.
So that is how he ends up swirling a glass in his hand as he stalks through the crowd of the Hellfire Gala. The ends of his blue cape bellowing out with each step like a warning.
Doom isn’t deaf to the hushed murmurs between the attendees. He pays no mind to the empty threats thrown his way. The time he has here doesn’t allow it.
He is waiting for the perfect opening. Where he can slip away from the crowd unnoticed and begin his search for the stash of Chronovium located somewhere on Krakoa. Finding a place to stand on the edge of the crowd, not too far away to be suspicious, not too close that others might notice his absence.
Doom looks up at the wrong time. Because right across from where he stood was Reed Richards. Their eyes met for a moment, and it was enough eye contact to seal the fate of what happened next.
Reed turns back to Susan, having a whispered conversation between them before Reed makes his way through the crowd and across the room over to Victor.
“Richards.” Doom greets flatly, taking a sip from his glass.
“Tell me, Victor,” Reed begins, mimicking the gesture by taking a sip from his own glass. “Why are you here?” There is an edge in Reed’s tone as he gets straight to the point.
“I’m here just like everyone else,” Doom 2099 states. “Our gracious host was kind enough to invite me as well,” and he left it at that. Reed of all people doesn’t need to know the extent of his visit to the living island.
It concerns Ultron’s impending reign and his fight to stop it from occurring.
“If you are anything like the Victor I know, forgive me if I don’t believe you,” Reed replies, and Doom lets out a huff.
“I’m not asking you to.” He scoffs. “At least in all these timelines, you aren’t so foolish.”
It wasn’t an imitation like Punisher or Spider-Man from his time were trying to be. What stood in front of him was the authentic Reed Richards, whatever that’s supposed to mean.
It still makes buried emotions twist in his chest all the same. A word he doesn’t dare give a name to.
Doom shakes his head slightly to rid the thought. He wasn’t going to let this form of distraction get to him.
“I’m sure this wasn’t the only thing you wanted to enquire about?”
“Maybe not,” Reed states, “but I can’t help but be curious. What do you have to gain over the destruction of the timelines?”
“There would be no destruction if my idiotic younger self didn’t get in the way.” Doom grits out.
“But I’m sure you already know my plan, Richards.” He takes another sip of his wine. “I want to control time, to reshape it in my own image.” He says it like the most obvious thing in the world. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
It’s Reed’s turn to let out a huff. “No matter what changes, some things are constant, aren’t they, Victor?” There is heat in his words, the kind that makes Doom 2099 interested.
Doom makes a quick jut of his head toward the other heroes around them. “Wouldn’t want to make a scene now, do we?” And there is almost a smile in his tone.
A shadow dances on the edge of Doom’s vision, fingers brushing against his arm, and glowing red optics snap to the side, and Loki is standing next to him, amusement twinkling in his eyes.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” Loki interjects into the conversation. “But if I may, I would like to steal this guest for a moment.”
Reed’s attention flicks between Doom and Loki before settling on Doom once more and watching him with skepticism and a frown hidden in his beard.
“It was good seeing you, Victor.” Reed bids his farewells, turning to return to his spot next to Sue.
So it left only Doom and Loki, and the growing frustration welling up within him rose to the surface.
It’s then that Emma makes her way onto the stage to begin the opening ceremony for the Hellfire Gala.
And Doom is out of time.