A Deal With Doom

"Next!"

Walt lifted his hat from his face to peak. His turn was shortly. He debated continuing his nap but decided against it and put his hat back on his head properly and sat up.

A manservant of some kind frowned disapproval but approached him all the same. "Apologies for the long wait. Your audience will be next."

Walt shook his head. "Nonsense it was only proper that I be seen last. Even bearing an invitation I'm neither a Latverian citizen nor a subject. The king's duties must come first in all things, as it should be. I hope yall didn't mind me napping on the bench. I got a long day ahead of me and didn't mean to give any disrespect or offense."

The man almost smiled. "None was taken I assure you. If you'll permit me to say so you're oddly more... 'reasonable' than most of our foreign visitors. It's refreshing."

Walt did smile. "It's as important for a guest to be respectful and courteous to their hosts as it is for a host to be so of their guests. That's the key to being 'accommodating'." He stood and tried to make himself presentable. "May I ask do I look presentable enough to see his, majesty?"

The man nodded. "You're attire is certainly strange but that's not unusual. We do things differently here in Latveria. You look presentable enough."

Walt nodded. "Thank you, friend."

"Next!"

Walt shrugged and sighed. "I suppose that's me. I actually dislike this sort of pomp but I mustn't keep his majesty waiting. A pleasure meeting you."

"Likewise sir. I hope you have a good audience with His Majesty."

Walt nodded heading towards the door. "Me too... me too..."

A herald annouced him simply for the very small court as, "Walter Stark." He calmly approached the enthroned armored figure and his his handful of advisors and bowed low. "Greetings to you your Majesty and thank you for the kind invitation to lovely Latveria after exchanging correspondence with me. It's an honor to be here today."

Doctor Victor Von Doom raised his hand. "Arise," then he waved his hand. "Leave us."

His councilors hesitated only briefly in surprise but bowed immediately after and left quickly. Doom pressed a button, "Go ahead and speak your mind, Walter. None can hear us."

Walt smiled. "It's good to see you and Latveria doing well, Victor. Congratulations on your success."

Doom stood from his throne. "And which success might that be?"

Walt smiled. "One of the only ones that matters... I'm glad you managed to free your mother, Victor."

Doom looked down at him from atop the dias. "And now you come seeking repayment for the help you gave me so long ago?"

Walt shook his head. "No. I came to try to make a deal with you. I'd be a poor friend if I tried to take advantage of that friendship."

Doom stepped down. "As usual you presume much claiming friendship." His tone was imperious as usual but Walt watched him walk over to the side of the room. There was a small door that lead to a balcony and outside was a table with two chairs and a coffee service for two. "Tell me have I ever once acknowledged this "friendship", Walter?" He gestured with his hand towards the table.

Walt nodded and motioned for him to lead the way. "Never verbally, no... but, for example, if a man decided he wouldn't acknowledge the existance of say the Sun or the fact the world is round or the very dirt beneath his feet... do these things then cease to be, Victor?" They sat.

Doom sighed as Walt began pouring the coffee for the both of them. "You know the answer... and you're as tiresome as ever I see. But I acknowledge that I do owe you a debt personally and-"

"I'm going to stop you right there," Walt said passing him his cup. "You don't owe me anything. I meant what I said. I'm glad things finally worked out for you in that instance."

Doom nodded. "And I'm sorry yours did not," he said simply.

Walt nodded. "Thank you... it's been... it was difficult to accept. "Doomed" from the start, I suppose you could say. Part of the reason I haven't been around for so long..."

Doom looked at him. "You've... changed."

Walt nodded. "I have some... but I'm still me."

Doom nodded. "So you came for my assistance and not Richards?"

Walt shook his head. "I came to talk business and you know Richard's is MIA again as well as I do. Besides like yourself, Reed and I don't always get along. He's too... well... Reed is Reed."

Doom almost laughed. "Impractical."

Walt smirked. "Unrealistic."

Doom nodded. "And deep down that's two qualities that we share."

Walt sipped his coffee and nodded. "We do. We both struggle to make practical and realistic decisions and solutions in a very unreasonable world... which is what brings me here today. Good coffee by the way."

"I'm glad you like it," Doom said. "I was intrigued enough to not poison it as usual. One day perhaps... what's this business?"

Walt smiled. "This world's well-being."

Doom snorted. "And here I thought we were going to be practical and reasonable and you bring up nonsense."

Walt nodded sipping his coffee and looking out at Latveria. "The world is a nonsensical place. Like you or not, smart people recognize how hard you work for Latveria's best interests. It may not be 'perfect'," he smirked as Doom's hand twiched slightly but Walt nodded. "But you've done extremely well. Far better than others. The results speak for themselves. Unemployment under half of a percentile. Universal healthcare. Despite it's size yall are powerful enough to defy the USA and Wakanda and allother major powers... it's a beautiful little garden you've tended here... but it's still a part of the world."

Walt pulled out a cigar and lit it up. "What's good for the world is good for Latveria. This crazy mixed up world needs the Avengers and the Fantasic Four and the other people and groups who are missing. Nature abhors a vacuum. The chaos that's ensuing is only going to continue with out a stabilizing force to replace it. I've already enlisted the mutants help. Krakoa is using this as their chance to not only gain more worldwide recognition but also approval and good will by being seen actively being a part of the solution."

Doom actually did laugh now. "And you think Latveria can benefit or contribute to this? Like we'd even want to? For approval and good will?"

Walt nodded. "Victor... everything you've done... the reasons you've done the things you have? I won't say 'the ends justify the means' but a different time, a different path taken you could have been one of the greatest heroes this world would have ever known... and I'm not saying you choose "poorly". I won't disrespect you like that. You made the right choices for you... but you have another choice now. For Latveria."

Doom snorted. "Latveria is strong and will weather the chaos just fine."

Walt nodded. "It will." He sees Doctor Doom blink. "But the worse things get 'out there' it will negatively impact your country. Period. You're good at seeing the future. You tell me what you think. As the global economy falls, prices rise, economic strain gives rise to escalated tensions, "super" problems running amok and not being handled 'properly' or even 'well' escalates that further, conflicts get out of hand, fighting, then battles and finally wars start. I also believe Latveria can weather these storms... but not without strain upon her and her people. Not without loss... and stepping in there is so much to gain instead. The choice is yours... to be passive or active. You don't have to think of it as "benevolence". Think of it as protecting Latveria's outside interests hoping for even better returns."

Doom looked out at the scenery with him for a longtime. "Are you Nick Fury now? Arrogantly trying to recruit me as an "Avenger" or some similar nonsense?"

Walt shook his head. "Nope. I'm just a friend trying to help another friend decide what's best for his garden. That's why I went to you and Krakoa first. I think your country's and people have a lot to gain from this by becoming more 'involved' in things. I know you. You've likely already formulated dozens of ideas as we sit here."

Doom chuckled. "You're not wrong... and you might not like some of them."

Walt nodded. "I might not. That's a decision that is up to you. But I've been made a proctector of this world of sorts. I'll be keeping shenanigans like what happened before from happening again in that particular threat... and I want to help get this world back on it's feet and protect things from getting any worse. That includes Latveria. I want the best for it too. I'm going to do things my best too and some may not like the way I do things, infact I'm sure some won't... but it's better than doing nothing and I'm going to try to use the lightest touch only. It's up to you to decide what and how involved you and Latveria want to be in the things that are to come. Right now even a minor investment could yeild large returns."

Doom shook his head. "You're quite the politician for a businessman."

Walt chuckled. "The two are largely the same sometimes. Honestly? Laying my cards on the table. I can be heavy handed if I want in fixing this world right now... but I don't want to do it that way. It's more important that everyone gets involved and has an equal stake... especially the little guys. At the end of the day Latveria is a tiny country with extraordinary power. The same for the Mutant Nation of Krakoa. I'd rather see your influences and fortunes grow, gain in popularity and good will for a change then say somewhere that already has too much."

Doom laughed again. "And that helps keep the balance of powers from tipping too far one way or another? Yes, I see your thinking, Walter."

Walt smiled and sipped his coffee. "I figured you would."

"We should talk more about this," Doom stared at him. "Still I'm surprised."

Walt raised his eyebrow. "About?"

"You skipped right past "kingmaker" and dive right into "worldbuilder"," Doctor Doom said. "An unusual and unlikely decision."

Walt shrugged and took in the view again. Latveria really was a beautiful country. "Not really. I'm just a man who bought a somewhat used and beat up house. Bit of a "fixer upper" we'd call it. It needs some work. Pretty much bought the whole neighborhood. I'm going from neighbor to neighbor looking for hands to help fix up the place we all live rather then do it all myself and only make me and mine happy."

Doom shook his head. "You're a strange "neighbor"."

Walt shrugged. "I can live with that. Maybe I can be a "friend" someday?"

Doctor Doom shook his head some more. "Unlikely."

Walt smiled. "Stranger things have happened."

Doom crossed his arms. "So what is it you really want then? Out with it."

Walt winked. "Valeria."

Doom raised his hand. "Pity. Seems I'll have to destroy you after all-"

"It's fine, Uncle Doom," said a small voice. A young blond haired girl stepped out from behind him deactivating a cloaking device or illusion of somekind she'd been hiding under. "If he wanted trouble he would have started it. He's not behind my family's disappearance. I'm Valeria Richards. I can guess what you want with me, Mr Stark."

Walt smiled. "Indeed. I have taken steps to prevent the people who made things this way from doing more. They're effectively cut off from accessing this reality. I'm also trying to find, locate and return those missing as well as minimize and heal the damage done. I'd like the help of the smartest people in this reality to do so."

She smiled. "So you came to find the smartest one? Commendable."

Walt shook his head. "Tied for first place maybe." Valeria frowned just a little bit making him laugh. "Oh don't pout young lady. That's really saying something. What do you say? If I convince others will you join in as a favor while I find your family?"

Valeria nodded then looked at her "uncle". "I wish to stay under my Uncle Doom's protection however. If he joins, then I will."

Walt turned to look at Doctor Doom. "Well? What do you say?"

Doctor Doom still hadn't lowered his gauntlet nor taken his finger off the firing mechanism. He stared at Walt calmly finishing his coffee as Walt and his "niece" looked at him. He sighed and removed his finger and turned his hand outstretched for a handshake. "As long as I can choose the extent of mine and Latveria's involvement in matters as well as Valeria's safety then I agree to 'participate'."

Walt grasped his gauntleted hand and shook it firmly. "Agreed." He smiled and offered his hand to Valeria. "Agreed?"

Valeria took his hand as well. "Agreed. You're much less obnoxious with your arrogance then I was lead to believe Mr Stark- what?" She stared as both men who were genuinely laughed with humor including her usually dour "Uncle".

"Wrong Stark!" They both laughed amused. Walt chuckled and bowed over her small hand. "My apologies, but you're quite correct. Arrogant individuals abound in this world," he even dared jerk his head in Doom's durection. "I find it's important to at least pretend to rise to their levels sometimes but never forget I'm not." He winked at her and she giggled smiling.

"You dare speak to me so infront of my face?" Doom asked.

Walt nodded. "I do and only to your face with the utmost respect. Besides you laughed too which means you were laughing at me just a bit as well as Tony."

Doom crossed his arms in a huff but Valeria laughed now. "I think it's going to be very interesting wirking with you Mister Stark."

Walt smiled. "Like wise and please call me Walter or Walt. Alright, Valeria?"

Valeria nodded smiling. "Alright, Walt. Play your cards right and I might just let you call me, Val someday."

Walt laughed. "Young lady you are formidable and will only grow more so in time."

Valeria tilted her head. "I am curious as to how you knew that I was here."

Walt smiled. "The answers simple." He thought about Howard. "A little bird told me."

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee and Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters

Will Return In

Under the Sea

Coming Soon]