Moonstone Is Happy About Her Progress, Doctor Doom Isn't

Karla poured herself two fingers of Johnny Walker Black Label. Things were, in her estimation, going well. Doctor Doom's implants had unlocked new powers, and she had proven they worked against Sue Storm. Slowly but surely, she was drawing the Invisible Woman out of her shell, opening her up to new sexual experiences. Nothing that had affected Sue consciously as of yet, but that would come in time. Meanwhile, Doom was paying the bills and...

The door to Moonstone's apartment opened. A green hooded figure stepped inside, eerily silent, despite the heavy armor on the tall form. Karla, dressed in only a sheer nightgown, nearly choked on her whiskey. Instinctively, she clutched her robe tighter around her, then forced herself to relax, to project confidence.

"Victor," she said. "I thought we agreed that direct contact was too risky?"

"Doom goes where he pleases," he said, stepping forward. He didn't look at the apartment, his gaze was fixed on her. "Your work with Susan Storm-Richards..."

"Progresses," Moonstone said.

"I disagree," Doctor Doom said. "So far, you have achieved nothing except exposing yourself like a streetwalking whore."

"Hey!" Karla set her drink down and marched up to him. "You can't come into my place and—"

A sudden headache made Karla stumble. Like her skull trying to shake itself apart. Her implants had activated on their own. A metal gauntlet caught her by the throat and lifted the helpless villain into the air. Karla struggled in Doom's grasp.

"An apartment I provide and pay for. As I pay for your office. As I paid for your implants that augment your powers. You are an investment, Karla Sofen. We have an agreement, and what I require from you is the corruption of Susan Storm-Richards. What was your plan? To convince her to get nipple rings? How will that serve our purpose?"

Karla ceased squirming and began to shake. The sides of her head visible vibrated, her eyes burned, blood oozing from ears and nostrils. Her robe fell open, revealing the naked body that would have shamed most Olympic athletes. Doom didn't even glance at her bare breasts or uncovered crotch.

"I have given you this power to manipulate Sue Storm. Use it. Crack her marriage. Taint her soul with Sapphic lusts if it suits you, but you must break them apart," Doom growled.

He opened his gauntlet and Karla fell to the ground, panting and sputtering.

"Never forget. All that has been given to you may be taken away in an instant," he said.

He turned and left.

The moment the door closed, the implants ceased their infernal buzzing. The glow faded from Moonstone's eyes. She tasted the blood that ran from her nose and growled in frustration. She had thought she knew what it meant to partner with Doctor Doom, and tasted now the bitter results of that colossal arrogance.

One thing was certain. She needed to do something drastic with Sue Storm.