Chapter 9: Birth of The Fantastic Four II

(Victor: POV)

Jumping back I dodged a right kick aimed at my right side.

Courtesy of Lucia.

Standing on a martial arts map on the ground floor of the factory I am using to create my army of Doombots, dressed in white martial arts Gi's, the two of us are having a sparring match to keep our hand-to-hand combat skills in shape. As well as to get in a good workout.

Seeing an opening I rushed in and threw several jabs in Lucia's direction.

But using her palms she expertly deflected each and every one of my attacks.

Though given she is proficient, and holds several black belts, in various forms of martial arts her actions don't surprise me.

Especially since sparring like this has become a regular thing for the two of us.

We do it at least once a week now.

Which I very much enjoy.

Understanding my attacks were having no effect I backed off.

But immediately after I did so Lucia rushed in and came at me with a high left kick, aimed at my head.

Bringing my left arm up I blocked it.

I then quickly wrapped my left arm around Lucia's leg and pulled her forward. Taking the two of us down to the ground. I then moved to put her leg in a lock.

Only for her to slip free at the last second and then come at me with a right leg axe kick.

Rolling out of the way of her attack I too jumped back up to my feet.

Just in time to take a right punch to the gut. Then a left knee to the chin. Which put me on my ass and then back again all too quickly.

"It's your win." I spoke.

Lucia having won our sparring match today. Since per the rules we set in place if you get your opponent fully on their back five times then you claim victory.

"And you've been practicing haven't you?" I asked. Standing to my feet.

"Well how else will I break and then overtake your winning streak in our sparring sessions?" Lucia replied.

"Find ways to distract me." I retorted.

"A tall order. Since I don't think much would distract a man of your caliber Victor."

"Well as you just pointed out I am a man. And like most other men there is one thing even I would be distracted by." I said. My gaze traveling from Lucia's sweat covered neck to her rising and falling chest.

Her martial arts Gi leaving hardly anything to my imagination.

"Though that type of distraction will only work on me when certain women apply it."

"I see." Lucia replied. She then stepped closer to me and gave me a better few of her goodies. A smile on her face. "So, do I fall into that category?" She asked.

"What do you think?" I asked. Turning to fully face her, and push our chests slightly together.

The two of us ending up feeling each other's breathe on our faces.

We stayed like that for several seconds before I decided to step back and break contact. "Well as usual, thanks for a great workout." I said. A smile on my face.

"Sure." Lucia replied. "The same to you. And just to you know I'm up for it anytime, and in any fashion or form you choose." She spoke. Licking her lips after she did.

"I'll remember that." I replied. "So, what's on the agenda for today?"

"Nothing of true importance except for one matter."

"Which would be?"

"The one known as Klaue has finally responded to your request for meeting." Lucia spoke.

Bringing a smile to my face.

Since right after I got my hands on the Kingpin's vast fortune I began putting out feelers to set up a meeting with Klaue. Though the bastard never responded at all last year. But now that he has I can finally get my hands on Vibranium.

The key component I have been trying to get my hands on to begin building my battle armor.

Though doing so with my current capabilities is not an easy task.

Especially since I don't know the exact location of Wakanda. But even if I did as I am currently going there would be too much of a risk.

However shortly that risk will disappear entirely, and when it does I shall deal with Wakanda and its people.

For none shall be allowed to so blatantly defy the will of Doom.

No one.

On another note I'm also trying to get my hands on Adamantium, but that stuff is even more scarce than Vibranium. Plus I currently don't have time to deal with the people who I know have access to it. Meaning that metal will have to wait.

Just like with Uru.

Which won't be available until the Prince of Thunder arrives here on Earth in another few years.

"Excellent. Set it up. And make it for as soon as possible." I instructed.

"Of course Victor." Lucia replied.

Once she did we cleaned up from our sparring session.

I then created a portal and took her back home to her apartment, before creating another one and heading home myself.

Upon arrival I showered and then had a meal.

Then immediately after I did so I received a call from an official at NASA.

Who explained to me the station Susan and the others were one had been hit by the cosmic energy cloud several hours ago. Not only that, but she and the others on board were directly hit and irradiated.

The four of them having only just re-established contact and called for assistance.

As the explanation went on I simply listened, showing my "concern" for their situation.

Then once the official finished feeling me in on the details we ended our call.

A devilish grin forming on my face afterwards.

For now the Fantastic Four are in play, and I will not let such an opportunity slip through my fingers.

Because Doom is just that good.

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[July 15th, 2005]

Standing outside the Baxter Building I saw two cabs pull up and Susan and the others get out of them.

All four of them sporting haggard expression on their faces.

Not that I can blame them.

Since for the past week, after their failed mission in and rescue from space, they've been detained at a NASA Kennedy Space Center facility down in Florida, where the launched the mission from. Being questioned by government officials, and going through a battery of tests to determine how the cosmic radiation affected them.

How do I know this you ask?

Why, I simply hacked into NASA and used my magical abilities to place several bugs and listening devices all throughout the facility down there.

You know, nothing much.

Now as for why the four of them are back in New York, and not still detained at the government facility down in Florida due to their powers, it's because the tests the government ran all came back negative.

Simply put they couldn't detect the fours powers.

But given the level of government equipment I'm not surprised.

Especially the equipment of a civilian agency, and not one like SHIELD.

Which happens to be a public organization in this Marvel reality, just like it was in the mainstream comics.

Though from what I've been able to find out it was founded the exact same way it was in the MCU.

Moving on.

As the four of them reached me I spoke. "Well, you all look like shit."

"Thank you Victor. But we know." Susan replied.

"Of course you do." I said. "But on a serious note, how are you all doing after everything that's happened?"

"How do you think we're doing man?" Johnny sarcastically asked me.

"Johnny, not now." Susan told her brother. "And don't take your anger out on Victor."

"No, no Susan. It's fine. Given what's happened I completely understand why Jonathan is angry. If I were in his position I would feel the same." I spoke.

"Thanks man." Johnny said to me.

"Think nothing of it." I said. "So, now that you all are back what are going to do now?"

"We're all going to stay here at Reed's place for a while. Since he wants to run some tests of his own on us." Ben explained "As if NASA already didn't do enough of those this past week." He grumbled.

"Ben, my tests will be completely different, and look for things NASA likely missed or simply dismissed." Reed told his best friend.

"I know Reed, I do. It's just..."

"Yeah. I understand Ben. Truly, I do." Reed replied. He then looked in my direction. "Victor. Listen. About the mission-"

"-Reed, you needn't say anything more." I spoke. Cutting him off. "What happened was a freak accident, and nothing you could've done could've prevented it. Sometimes bad shit just happens. But dwelling on it won't change what's already occurred. The best thing to do after an event like this, in my opinion, is learn to accept it and move forward."

"Right." Reed replied. "Thank you Victor."

"Sure." I replied. "Well then, if you'll excuse me I'll take my leave." I said.

I then left the four as they entered the Baxter Building.

Returning home I did some work, and then settled down for the night.

That is until I received a frantic phone call from Susan at 1:AM in the morning

"Victor, I need you come to the Baxter Building immediately. Please, it's an emergency!" She rapidly spoke.

"Susan slow down. What's happening?" I asked. Despite the fact I already likely knew.

"It's...Thing's are weird. Johnny can become on fire, Reed can stretch, Ben is...Victor, just please come." Sue begged.

"It'll be alright Susan. There's no need to cry. I'm on my way." I said.

"Thank you Victor, thank you." Susan said.

"Anytime my dear." I replied.

We then ended our phone call.

Once we did I quickly got ready and started making my way towards the Baxter Building.

Already crafting plans to help the four.

Just not in the way they think.

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