"Just ahead is Doom's study. We can talk there."
Following Doom down the corridor, Noah observed his surroundings. The hallway bore some resemblance to the one they had traversed when entering Doom's castle, but there were subtle differences that made it hard to pinpoint exactly what felt off.
After a few more glances, he noticed something peculiar: a section of the walls and floor behind them, about several dozen meters away, appeared to be subtly writhing. A corner they had just passed moments ago seemed to vanish entirely. It became evident that Doctor Doom had enchanted the space into a kind of shifting labyrinth.
Doom pushed open a wooden door with a creak and stepped into his study. Noah followed closely behind. A massive oak desk dominated the center of the room, adorned with luxurious stationery and an ancient grimoire.
The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with heavy tomes and scrolls—likely records of Doom's research, spanning both magic and technology.
In one corner stood an ornate tea table laden with exquisite tea sets and rare teas. Comfortable leather sofas and opulent chairs were scattered throughout, offering any visitors a welcoming place to rest.
Doom was infamous as a world-renowned supervillain, but he was also the ruler of Latveria. Naturally, he needed a space befitting a leader to receive important guests, and his study served this purpose well.
Doom walked slowly to his desk, seated himself, and looked at Noah, who was still surveying the room. Beneath the metal mask, a faint smile of satisfaction and pride flickered across his face.
Though he never spoke of it, Doom relished the moment others marveled at his wealth and power.
After allowing Noah a moment to take it all in, Doom finally broke the silence: "Speak."
"Let's cut to the chase," Noah said, flopping into one of the guest chairs and cracking his neck. "Your firepower isn't enough to fend off the swarm of superpowered zombies heading your way. You need our help."
"What?! How dare you insult Doom!" Doom's voice boomed with fury as he slammed his metal hand onto the desk, sending vibrations rippling through the room. For a moment, even the sunlight streaming through the windows seemed to dim.
Unfazed, Noah watched as the darkness receded from the chandelier above them. Before Doom could explode in anger again, Noah continued:
"You can drop the pretense anytime, Doctor Doom. We both know Latveria falling to those monsters is only a matter of time."
"If that's not the case, then what about your citizens? Aside from a few servants, we haven't seen anyone—no men, no women, no children. Where are they?"
Doom didn't answer. He merely fixed his cold, unblinking gaze on Noah, as though waiting to decide whether to hear him out or tear him apart.
"I know you're building a teleportation device, but you still need time to complete it," Noah pressed.
The moment he said this, an immense pressure descended upon him, as though the entire world tilted against him, a razor-sharp blade pressed against his back. Noah's heart raced, but he forced himself to remain calm.
Doom sat behind his desk, his gaze icy and unyielding. Though his iron mask revealed no emotion, it was clear he had murderous intent.
"You know Doom's secret. Give Doom a reason not to end you."
"Because unlike Reed Richards, you're not an idiot. That's why I've come to work with you."
The overwhelming pressure dissipated as suddenly as it had appeared. Noah's words had piqued Doom's interest, at least enough to make him reconsider.
Doom studied Noah in silence, his deep, penetrating gaze unflinching. After a long pause, he spoke without expression: "Continue."
"Your teleportation device isn't ready yet, or you would've already evacuated Latveria's civilians to another universe. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s heroes can help you complete it, and they can also help defend Castle Doom."
"But in return, you need to give us a few tickets on your 'Ark.'"
Doom stood, waving his hand. A green hologram flickered to life above the desk. Noah squinted, studying the projection.
It depicted Captain Britain in a quintessentially British office, angrily smashing objects while shouting, "Once the Corps mobilizes, everything will be fine!"
Noah scratched his chin thoughtfully. The "Corps" likely referred to the Captain Britain Corps—a multiversal force notorious for being slow and bureaucratic. By the time they arrived, the 2149 Universe might already be reduced to ashes.
Doom sneered at the image of Captain Britain, his disdain evident. "This is your so-called hero? Pinning your hopes on aid that will never come? Why should Doom trust you?"
"Johnny Storm is still at S.H.I.E.L.D.," Noah countered.
"And?"
"Susan Storm is here with you," Noah replied, shrugging. "If you didn't care about her, you could've just fed her to the zombies. Why let her wither away in despair after losing her children and brother?"
Doom hesitated for a moment, clearly unsettled. Noah pressed on, his tone heavy with sorrow:
"Poor Susan. Overnight, she became a widow, her children gone. Her entire world shattered. Doom, have you ever considered how cruel it is to leave her as a living ghost?"
"And if she finds out you let Johnny be devoured by zombies, how will you face her?"
Doom's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. He replied coldly, "She's nothing more than a mere mortal. She is of no importance to Doom."
"Lie to me if you want, but don't lie to yourself, Doctor Doom," Noah retorted, shaking his head.
Victor Von Doom, indifferent to Susan?
That was laughable. One of Doom's primary motivations for targeting the Fantastic Four was to separate Susan from Reed Richards. The only exception was Ben Grimm—no one liked him.
What could bring more satisfaction than finally obtaining the unattainable first love?
In Universe 616, Doom had even treated Valeria and Franklin—children with Susan's blood—as his own, fiercely protective of them. While the 2149 Universe was more remote, Doom's feelings likely weren't too different.
If anything, this Doom's situation was even more favorable. With Reed gone, the biggest obstacle had been removed. Saving Johnny would only solidify his standing with Susan.
Noah sighed deeply, his expression a mix of frustration and resignation.
"A perfectly good widowed beauty delivered to your doorstep, and you're playing hard to get? Come on, Doom. Being aloof is out of style; bold moves are what win hearts now."