"It seems he wasn't lying after all."
Malrick froze for a moment, realization dawning. He had misjudged someone—someone who, against all expectations, was truly fighting on the side of justice.
Dr. Doom's reputation was complicated, a mixture of heroism and villainy, and Malrick had assumed the worst. The attack, the unyielding attitude, it all had seemed so familiar. Yet here stood a man willing to risk everything to protect the Multiverse.
Malrick considered his options. Perhaps taking him to the TVA and introducing him to B15 is the best course. They could both gain something from this.
Casually, he removed the six Infinity Stones from Doom's hand, along with all his time-travel devices. Then, he lifted the illusions and spatial confinement that had bound him.
Doom's consciousness cleared immediately. He blinked, confused, and then his eyes narrowed as he focused on Malrick.
"What did you do to me?"
From Doom's perspective, it was as though Galactus had descended upon Earth once more.
Malrick gave a light cough. "Nothing. Just a check of your condition." He gestured to Doom's burned arm. "You just snapped your fingers to break my universal blockade. And you recklessly used the Power Stone. Even someone like you can't endure that easily."
Doom's purplish-black burn marks spread across his body, evidence of the cost of wielding such power. Malrick understood immediately: this version of Doom was truly sacrificing himself to protect the Multiverse.
Reaching into his bag, Malrick produced a bottle of zeus spring water, uncorked it, and handed it to Doom.
"What is this?" Doom asked, his deep voice carrying curiosity beneath the mask. He had already noticed his Stones and devices were gone. His magic armor remained, but against Malrick, it offered little protection.
"A recovery potion," Malrick explained.
Doom studied him for a moment, weighing his options. There were none. Slowly, he removed the cold, imposing mask and drank the water in a single gulp.
Warmth surged through his body, spreading like immersion in a hot spring. "This life force… it heals the damage from the Infinity Stones and my magic, and it enhances my physical attributes?" His eyes widened as he realized the water's subtle, yet profound effects.
Zeus spring water increased lifespan, physical abilities, and innate talent—but gradually, over months or years. Few noticed immediate changes. Until now, only Aunt Carter had perceived its effects so quickly.
Doom's hostility softened, replaced by a quiet respect. "This… is generous."
Malrick observed him with curiosity. "What's wrong?"
"You… are you called Tony Stark?" Doom asked, baffled.
Malrick blinked. He had never expected this. The man beneath the mask bore an uncanny resemblance to Tony Stark, from the eyes to the arrogance in his expression.
Parallel Universe versions of Tony could indeed exist, given their shared genius in science and magic. It was plausible, but strange nonetheless.
Doom's gaze darkened. "I am not that person. My name is Doom."
Malrick paused, noting the resemblance yet accepting the clarification. Captain America and the Human Torch had similar counterparts across worlds. He let it go.
"Doom, Dr. Doom, then. Come with me—I'll take you to the TVA."
Doom's eyes sharpened again, but Malrick continued, "This is not an arrest. It's an introduction. You seek to save the Multiverse, correct? Interacting with the TVA could give you more information."
Doom hesitated but said nothing.
"Let's go," Malrick said, opening a TVA time-space portal. Together, they stepped through.
---
TVA Command Center
Thanos's body and the scattered Infinity Gauntlets had already been cleaned up. B15 waited near a monitor and immediately approached Malrick.
"Thank you for your efforts! You've helped us solve one of the biggest problems in a long time!"
The TVA's monitors revealed events across worlds and time points. Malrick had not concealed his pursuit of Pharaoh Kang, but B15 only saw him and Doom break through dimensions into the void beyond the Universe.
"So, this… Tony Stark? No—Doom from the Universe that was destroyed!" B15 exclaimed, recognizing Doom instantly.
"You were the one preventing us from capturing Kang?"
"Not preventing. Hunting," Doom corrected, his frown sharp but respectful. "Every Kang variant is a cancer on the Multiverse. I hunt them to prevent disasters like the one in my Universe."
B15's eyes widened. "Hunting? All the Kangs who escaped TVA… you killed them?"
"Every single one," Doom confirmed.
"Incredible. Even teaming up, Deadpool and Spider-Man couldn't catch them," B15 said, impressed.
"With my power… and will," Doom replied simply. His tone profound, but concise.
B15 considered this. If someone like Doom joined the TVA, the Kang Council might be rendered irrelevant.
"You've been apprehended by Malrick, so now you…"
"I was not apprehended, but invited," Doom corrected.
"Invited," B15 echoed, nodding. "Since your goals align with ours, we are now partners. Protecting the Multiverse together."
Doom considered, then nodded. "I will join temporarily. If our goals diverge, I will leave."
B15 extended her hand, confident. "As long as your intentions remain true, we can work together indefinitely."
---
Malrick handed Doom back his equipment: Infinity Stones, time devices, and Pharaoh Kang's spacecraft. A pile of metallic war spoils gleamed on the floor.
B15 gasped. "All these belong to Dr. Doom?"
Doom remained silent, restoring his gear with methodical precision.
Malrick shrugged. "He dealt with dozens of Kangs. These are the spoils of war."
B15's admiration grew. The TVA truly needed someone like Doom.
"I'll head back," Doom said, collecting his equipment and dragging the spacecraft hull. His suit combined magic and technological exoskeleton, giving him immense strength even in anti-magic TVA zones.
"Wait—you just settled in randomly. Why not stay at the TVA? Rooms and employee equipment are ready," B15 suggested.
Doom paused, then nodded. "Then I will stay temporarily."
He looked at Malrick. "Thank you for the potion. I haven't asked your name?"
"Call me Malrick," he replied, stepping back. "I'm not a TVA employee, but I wish you a happy onboarding, TVA employee Doom."
Malrick opened a portal, bidding farewell.
"Next time there's a big crisis, find me. By the way, are you attending Tony's wedding?"
"No, Iron Man's wedding isn't relevant. But Malrick, when it's your wedding, all TVA employees will attend," B15 said.
Doom refused outright. "I don't know him, so no."
Malrick smiled. "A shame. See you later." He stepped through the portal, leaving a Multiverse at peace for a fleeting moment.
In that calm, warm day, even with Thanos and Kang looming, a sense of unity prevailed. Tony's wedding brought bliss, and Doom—unscarred, uncorrupted, and temporarily allied—stood on the same side as everyone else.
_____
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