Doomed

Chapter Five

Peter's mind started shuffling through all the possible scenarios: Doom had discovered his identity and had Aunt May hostage, Doom was there looking for Spider-Man from the person who always took his photos, Doom wanted Spider-Man and was going to start murdering his way up the line of associates.

"Mr. Parker," Doom said, walking around the rubble of Peter's door and stooping to pick up a sheet of paper. "Doom has need of your scientific acumen."

Not a single one of Peter's options had been that one.

He had to remember to be afraid, which wasn't hard. Doom had tech that could rival Tony's, and his skill with magic put him second or third in line to be Sorcerer Supreme. Not to mention that he was nearly as smart as Reed. And his Spider-Sense was warning him of six Doombots standing guard in the hallway. But still, he had to remember that Peter Parker had never met Dr. Doom before, and Peter Parker needed to be appropriately terrified. "Dr. von Doom," Peter said, forcing a tremble into his voice, "I… I can't imagine what help I could be to you, sir."

Doom laughed, and Peter was surprised to find it sounded human. The dictator was still walking around the lab, picking up pieces of paper. "Doom does not wish to be misunderstood, Mr. Parker," he said, stopping only inches from Peter. "I do not require you, yourself. Only whatever notes you have taken on your latest research."

Peter should've known. The whole world would be at each other's throats to get the information he had now. He was only fortunate that, in his haste to find a cure for Carol, he hadn't written anything down regarding the Vita Rays' effect on cellular and DNA structure. But he knew that Doom would figure it out much faster than he had, if he was allowed to leave with that file. As Peter Parker, however, there wasn't much he could do to stop Doom. He could fight, of course, but that would just show Doom who he was, and then Aunt May would be on a one-way trip through time. "Doctor," Peter said, "The only research I've been doing has been in marketable electronics and tech. Nothing that a scientist of your caliber would be interested in."

A metal hand fell on Peter's shoulder, and Peter saw Doom's eyes widen in surprise when the weight didn't cause him to dip his knees. "Mr. Parker," Doom said, his voice somehow becoming more devoid of humanity, "I wish you to understand that Doom is currently engaging diplomacy." The gauntlet began to close, and Peter was aware that he should be experiencing great pain, so he knelt and tightened his features. "You would not like to be on the receiving end of my more aggressive negotiations."

Spider-Man had seen several of Dr. Doom's "aggressive negotiations." People usually died. "Please, Doctor, I don't have anything of value," Peter said through gritted teeth. Attempting to dissuade Doom was about the only option he had left, but he knew that wouldn't work. Doom obviously knew that the Super-Soldier file was here. The best Peter could hope for was to keep Doom talking, maybe get some useful information out of him.

The metal hand released Peter's shoulder, and he fell to his hands and knees. Doom walked around him and started picking up more pieces of paper. "Indeed? What, then, are these pages? Notes on Captain America. A S.H.I.E.L.D. file on the new Captain Marvel? Medical test results… interesting." Doom shuffled through the pages, flipping through them as a child might flip through a picture book. "It appears Captain Marvel is dying, hmm? Being torn apart by her own genes." He stepped over a piece of rubble, and his cape kicked up concrete dust. Doom grabbed one of the folders and stuffed all the papers inside. "I would love to examine her body," he said, snapping the folder closed.

Fire boiled into Peter's eyes and fingertips, and he rose from the floor, staring at Doom's silhouette in the lab's decimated doorway. "Doctor," he said, his voice shaking.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Parker," Doom said, turning around and walking out of the lab. His cape billowed behind him, and dust created a cloud that obscured him from Peter's vision.