American Comics: Multiverse of Madness

341. I Am Doom!!

As Doctor Doom ignited the magical spark outside Earth's orbit, an emergency alarm sounded across Latveria. Abandoned factories roared back to life, and deeply buried magical circuits began to glow once again.

In that instant, the long-dormant city-state awoke, roaring in response to its master's call.

Across nearly the entire planet, a sweeping wave of magical energy, augmented by technological circuits, spread globally. In a flash, countless streetlights and electrical devices went dark; entire cities were plunged into darkness, and ominous shadows flickered across screens before they too faded.

As the world ground to a halt, even battles across various warfronts paused. Confused, combatants lowered their weapons and looked up, wondering what was happening.

No one knew the truth: that beyond Earth's atmosphere, a catastrophe threatening all human civilization was quietly approaching.

In the Blood Hive conference room, virtual screens blinked out, casting the entire hall into darkness.

"What's going on?!" The Punisher was the first to stand, his years of battlefield experience giving him an unmatched sense of crisis. Even in his older age, his instincts remained razor-sharp.

"I can feel a tremendous magical force…" Baron Blood, John, spoke up. Although the room was shrouded in darkness, his vampire blood granted him night vision. "It seems our power grid has been affected."

"What about the generator? We should have emergency backup power here," Kate Bishop said, pulling out a communicator. But as she did, it sparked and emitted a burnt smell.

"Someone's sabotaged our communications. Chances are, our backup power won't be coming online either. Damn it—who would target us right now?"

"I doubt we're the target," John replied, shaking his head. "I think I know who it is. Follow me." He stood and quickly led the others out of the conference room.

Upon exiting, they found the Blood Hive in utter chaos. The sudden loss of communications and power had thrown everyone into confusion, leaving most in a state of helpless panic.

"Dammit!" John bared his fangs, letting out a sharp whistle. "All vampires, spread out! Have everyone return to their posts and await orders. Civilians, stay indoors and don't leave home!"

His voice echoed through the chaos, and soon the sound of bat wings fluttering filled the air. Hearing John's command, the crowd gradually calmed.

"That helped a lot. You've really got a knack for this," Hawkeye muttered in admiration.

But John had no time for compliments. He led the group quickly out of the building and to the central plaza outside the Blood Hive's command center.

Once outdoors, everyone stopped in awe, their jaws dropping as they looked at the sky.

Under a blanket of darkness, the golden currents in the sky stood out brilliantly. It was a grand sight, almost like the aurora borealis, with countless unfamiliar magical runes etched among the stars, casting the clouds in a pale golden glow.

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"What…is that?"

Everyone stared upward in shock, unable to believe what they were seeing.

In the distance, rumbling sounds rose from the ground, and they saw waves of golden light emerging, threading upward like strands, connecting to the celestial aurora, feeding energy into the radiant display above.

"It can't be… this is the power of the Sorcerer Supreme," Baron Blood gasped. He'd clashed with Doctor Strange often enough to recognize the source of this energy.

"That's impossible! Stephen Strange is—"

Kate Bishop started to protest, but Clint Barton interrupted her.

"John's right. Kate, look at those symbols up there! My god, it's been half a lifetime since I last saw that. That's the mark of the Sanctum Sanctorum!"

Indeed, following Barton's gaze, they saw a massive tilted cross—a symbol that shifted and glowed in the sky.

"I've seen this magic before. When Dormammu tried to invade Earth, Doctor Strange once used the power of the Sanctum to keep him at bay," Baron Blood explained.

"It's definitely the Sanctum's power…but how? We all know the Sanctum has fallen. The ruins are right there in the wasteland. Who else would have the authority to command this magic?" The Punisher asked, puzzled.

"It's not just magic," John replied, pointing toward the rumbling sounds. "That's the Blood Hive's armory. Someone's hacked Hydra's network, seized our machinery, and is using our power grid to fuel that magical display."

At his words, the others finally understood: the electromagnetic disturbances had been due to someone using technology to hijack the global network and drain the world's energy to construct the Sanctum Sanctorum's magical array.

"Technology and magic?" The two Hawkeyes exchanged a glance, silently reaching the same conclusion.

In the modern world, only a select few possess top-tier expertise in both science and magic, with enough resources to pull off something of this magnitude.

There could only be one person capable of this—

"Doom!" Kate Bishop identified the mastermind. "He was allied with Red Skull before. With his expertise, hacking Hydra's network after Red Skull's fall wouldn't be difficult. As the most powerful force on this wasteland, he definitely has the means."

"Yes, and as I recall, he and Strange were connected through magic," the Punisher added. "Before the Old War, they'd often meet at the Sorcerer's Tavern for drinks."

"Wait."

Songbird, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

"So if he's using magic of this scale, who is he fighting against?!"

Her question was a wake-up call, and everyone instinctively turned their gaze to the outer space.

Hawkeye vividly remembered his last conversation with Alex. Alex had specifically told him to notify Doctor Doom about the arrival of Galactus and left him with one last message:

Doom is clever; he knows what he has to do.

Beyond Earth.

A dazzling golden light engulfed the surface of the blue planet, wrapping it in a protective barrier.

Doctor Doom was pouring his full strength into his magic, drawing on Earth's energy to construct a shield array. Despite the relentless strain, he felt a deep exhaustion taking hold.

Blood trickled from his mask, but he didn't waver, his gaze fixed solely on the cosmic army of the Universal Church of Truth before him.

"This is impossible…" Matriarch's eyes flashed with disbelief. She had never anticipated this "insignificant creature" would manage such an astounding defense.

Her gaze fixed on Doom; then, angrily, she slammed her throne's armrest and ordered, "What are you waiting for? Attack! Kill him!!"

The interstellar fleet quickly obeyed, with the vanguard forming a formation centered on the flagship. Cannons emerged from each ship's external hull, all aiming squarely at the planet below.

"Fire!"

At the commander's command, the entire fleet unleashed a simultaneous barrage.

In a heartbeat, laser blasts streaked toward Earth like a meteor shower, the fleet's firepower illuminating the vast darkness of space in a breathtaking display.

Facing the relentless laser storm, Doctor Doom remained fearless, the blinding light reflected in his eyes as he awaited his moment of reckoning. Finally, as the torrent of attacks approached, the golden shield sprang open before Doom.

The laser blasts struck the shield like raindrops, leaving ripples of gold upon impact. Each impact released bursts of energy, painting a vibrant, almost mythic scene before Doom.

Doom stood alone, holding his ground for Earth, like a sapling braving a thunderstorm. Yet, he didn't move a muscle, resolutely guarding the last line of defense. Then, suddenly, an inexplicable dread surged within him.

He felt a shiver of realization, and his body involuntarily trembled.

In the midst of the Universal Church's fleet, an enormous shadow was moving forward. Its massive figure dwarfed even the fleet's flagship, hidden until now within the fleet's formation, evading Doom's notice.

As the colossal entity advanced, the spaceships around it shifted aside, clearing a path.

Doom felt his blood run cold at the sight.

This was a being akin to a supreme god, a force so imposing no one dared meet its gaze. Under this overwhelming pressure, Doom couldn't imagine the slightest hope of resistance.

Despite the distance, Doom knew it was watching him. That piercing gaze was fixed on him!

A terrible sense of despair welled up within him. His mind went blank, unsure of what he should do or how to respond, but he knew that surrender was not an option.

"…Activate Protocol 3. No one except Doom shall judge Doom's domain."

(Command received. Protocol 3 activated!)

Instantly, the eyes of the Doombot army all turned an aggressive crimson.

"I am the Devourer of Worlds, the Destroyer of Civilizations, the Beginning and the End of all things. And you, a mere sorcerer from Earth, what do you think you are?"

Galactus didn't speak aloud, but his voice resonated through the cosmos like an ancient echo.

Doctor Doom's entire form glowed with dark green magical energy as he locked eyes with Galactus, shouting defiantly.

"I am the lord of Latveria!

I am the ruler of Earth!

I am—Doom!"

.....

30 advanced chapters on p@treaon
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342. Doctor Doom's Final Act!
343. Infiltrating Apokolips.
344. Cyber-Metal Justice League.
345. Hamster Flash.
346. Ruthless Actions.