Chapter 26: CH-22 ILLUSION FOR BOTH
DOOM INDUSTRIES
MAY 6,1998
THIRD PERSON POV
After meeting with the board and the Fantastic Four—who had agreed to control and use their powers under supervision—Alex and Cara returned from the Doom Industries warehouse, where the group was being kept for safety.
Even though Alex had taken the initiative to meet them, Reed would have likely done the same thing on his own. Still, the conversation had helped establish trust.
Before this, Alex had already instructed Mr. Anish to build a warehouse far from populated areas.
Though it was called a "warehouse" in name, it was more like a secret facility—one where Alex could train or conduct experiments without revealing the truth about System Space, as there may come a time when I need to invite Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, and Reed Richards to visit for research purposes.
Unlike the Demon Slayer world, where people were from a simpler era and knew nothing of such concepts, Earth in this world was full of crazy, intelligent minds.
Even though there was literally no chance of anyone accessing the system space without his permission, Alex wasn't about to take any risks. Better safe than sorry. That's why he'd had multiple such "warehouses" constructed—to act as testing grounds, training arenas, and even facilities for future team operations, away from the prying eyes of any secret organizations.
As Alex stepped into the elevator and the doors closed behind him, his mind kept turning back to the Fantastic Four… and the recent news he had just received. Cara, who needed to be with Shinobu, who was bored at home, went home already.
Victor Doom had booked a flight to Latveria.
"Hmm… it means the one thing I didn't want to happen has already happened," he whispered, alone in the elevator.
He leaned back against the wall of the lift, lost in thought.
If I really wanted to stop Doom, I could do it easily… but Marvel logic is way too chaotic. The more I try to interfere, the worse it could get. If Doom ends up holding a grudge against me—and the usual Marvel logic applies—then I'd just become another one of his lifelong targets.
There was no guarantee he wouldn't come after me in the future anyway. But still… I don't want him to hold any personal hatred toward me. Because if something happened to the people I care about because of me… even with all these powers… I don't think I'd ever forgive myself for not being able to save them.
His eyes darkened for a moment, the elevator humming softly around him.
As these thoughts weighed on him, the elevator finally stopped at the 30th floor. Just as the doors slid open, a hand extended into his path.
"Hello, Mr. Alex. Nice to meet you. I am Agent Phil Coulson—from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division."
Standing there was a man in his late twenties, dressed in a sharp black suit and tie. His expression was calm, polite, carrying that government-agent air of someone who had seen a lot but smiled anyway.
Alex blinked, instantly recognizing him.
Phil Coulson.
A person who had acted as the catalyst that brought the Avengers together to fight the alien invasion. And with his so-called "death," an entire legendary arc had begun in the MCU.
Alex smiled and shook his hand firmly. "Hello, Mr. Coulson. Nice to meet you, too."
"Yes, Mr. Anish already informed me about your agency's interest in the case files involving the four individuals," Alex said with a grin. "But that name of your organization is… way too long, so I'll just call it 'whatever' from now on. Hope that's okay."
He said it with a casual shrug and a playful look in his eyes.
Coulson's mouth twitched. The corner of his lips tugged upward, resisting the urge to laugh.
Even he, who had joined S.H.I.E.L.D. eight years ago, had only one problem with the job: the damn name.
Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.
Half the people stared at him like he was spouting some classified alien language. The other half just introduced themselves in return using gibberish, hoping to sound equally official.
"Well, let's talk in my office, shall we?" I said, gesturing to Coulson to follow me.
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ALEX OFFICE
ALEX POV
My office was massive—more like a multi-purpose suite than a workspace. There was a long table for group discussions, a personal desk for study, and seven single couches surrounding a low, circular table in the center.
I sat down on one of the single couches in front of my low circular table, while Coulson took the seat to my right.
"Well, Mr. Coulson, the file you requested has already been arranged," I said, placing the telephone back on its base after making a quick internal call.
"Thank you, Mr. Alex. Well… there's another thing I wanted to know."
Coulson leaned forward slightly, his tone casual but clearly fishing. "Is there any indication of how their mutation has affected them emotionally? Any changes in personality or how they see the world after their transformation?"
I eyed him carefully, my smile subtle.
So SHIELD is already thinking about recruiting them.
If the timeline is right, Fury might have already become director, and the first thing on his agenda would be the Avengers Initiative.
"Director Fury said there's something peculiar about this Alex individual. After waking up from that accident, he's done things no normal human could—building a billion-dollar company in just four months. And his empire is still growing… Not to mention that contact between his steward and the mutants from the school."
Coulson thought to himself, all while smiling politely at me.
Yes, SHIELD already knew about the meeting between Anish and the mutants. They'd been monitoring the three major mutant bases—
Hellfire Club, High humans (This group is originally created by me{AUTHOR} in future it will be led by Magneto and be changed to brotherhood of mutants, as Magneto is not an extremist. Right now, he is living his life with his new wife and daughter before the apocalypse plot), and Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
So when they saw a car from Xavier's school show up to meet Mr. Anish, they didn't hesitate to track it. They weren't exactly surveilling me—just tailing. Subtle… but not subtle enough.
"Well, they're good people," I said, placing my hands together. "Especially Susan Storm—she's someone you can talk to easily. The others are good too, though not as united. Emotionally speaking, no, I don't think their powers directly altered their personalities. But they've definitely been influenced on a personal level."
I paused briefly, watching Coulson listen intently.
"Take Johnny Storm, for example—he can turn himself into a fireball, and that definitely feeds into his ego. Ben, who transformed into a rock… well, he's dealing with a lot of self-loathing. He sees himself as a monster."
"Hmm… so they're personally being affected by their powers," Coulson nodded. "But if they control them, nothing major will happen?"
"You can say that, yes. But it depends on how they're guided. They need a push to find purpose in their powers before those same powers consume them."
Coulson gave a final nod, standing from his seat.
"Hmm… this meeting was good. I appreciate your time, Mr. Alex. Take care."
"Thank you, Mr. Coulson," I said, standing up to walk him out. "At first glance, I thought some Men in Black agent had walked into my office." I chuckled.
Coulson chuckled awkwardly, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. "Hahaha… your jokes are really something, Mr. Alex." With a polite smile, he walked through the door, waving goodbye.
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OUTSIDE DOOM INDUSTRIES
THIRD PERSON POV
As Agent Coulson sat inside his car, he pulled out his phone and made a call. The dial tone buzzed once… twice… until finally, the line picked up.
"Agent Coulson, did you find any leads? And did you place the tracking and recording devices inside his office?" a deep voice asked on the other end—firm, composed, authoritative.
It was none other than Nick Fury.
"Yes, sir. I had everything in place, but…" Coulson sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Before I even sat in the car, every single device inside Alex's office was dismantled. As if he already knew what I was doing. Honestly, sir, I'm kind of embarrassed to face him again."
"Motherfu—… Okay," Fury cut himself off mid-swear. "No need to be disheartened. Just keep tailing him. I need to know everything about him. There's something about that kid—something special."
Fury's voice took on a darker edge, his mind racing as he sat back in his office chair.
"I've already checked his track record. His business ventures… the two accidents involving him and his family… and the year he was born? That's the only year his parents left the U.S.—ever. Everything else? Totally domestic. But that one year? Something doesn't add up."
"I want you to investigate where did they go that year and where they have spend their time not coming to USA even the alex's mother being pregnant"
"I understand, sir. And the file—should I return to base with it?" Coulson asked.
"No need. We already have all the data on those four. What we really want is to understand Alex—his personality, his decisions. Bring your body cam footage. I want to analyze him personally. Unless there's anything else, goodbye."
"Yes, sir. I'll report in soon," Coulson replied, and the call ended.
With that, Coulson's car pulled away from Doom Industries headquarters.
From the 30th floor, Alex stood at his window, arms crossed, watching the departing vehicle below. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
He tapped the small device between his fingers. From which he was listening to the Coulson and Nick Fury conversation.
When I shook Coulson's hand… I planted a nano-bot on him.
His eyes glinted with amusement.
"Never underestimate the f*cking Batman… in stalkin—well, spying," he corrected himself mid-sentence, chuckling to himself.
As he listened to the furious words being said, he felt himself get on edge as his eyes darkened.
"I delayed the visit because of work at Doom Industries and my meetings with the Fantastic Four. I need to visit mom and dad as soon as possible."
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**EXTRA – VICTOR VON DOOM STORY**
MAY 1, 1998 (5 DAYS BEFORE ALEX MEETS THE FANTASTIC FOUR)
THIRD PERSON POV
"Susan, you don't get it! Those FUCKING HYPOCRITES are ousting me from the company I founded!" Victor roared, voice thick with rage as he paced across his penthouse office.
The phone trembled in his gloved hand, his anger sharp and venomous.
On the other end, Susan Storm winced but kept her voice calm and steady. "Victor… even if they strip you of management rights, you're still the largest shareholder. That gives you a major say in the company. Tomorrow, the board will review the new company's projects—Elita Investments, right? If they fail to impress, you'll have your chance to retain the management rights. Don't spiral over this, honey."
Her words were soft, laced with concern and tired affection. But behind her calm tone, Susan herself was anxious. The man she once fell for—the charismatic, slightly arrogant Victor Von Doom—was now increasingly irritable, consumed by control and power.
After the space incident, he rarely showed up in person since the last week… and even then, he never took off his mask. It had been so long since she'd truly seen him.
She glanced sideways at Reed Richards, who sat nearby reviewing mutation reports provided by Doom Industries.
On the phone, Victor sighed deeply. "I'm sorry, Susan. I didn't mean to snap at you. I just… I need to get my head together. I'll try consolidating other shareholders against Elira's pitch. If their proposals fail, I might still have a shot. Love you. Goodnight."
"Love you too. Take care…" she replied, but the words felt hollow. The meaning had long begun to fade. The Victor she once admired now seemed obsessed with dominance over everything and everyone around him.
MAY 2, 1998 – BOARD MEETING
THIRD PERSON POV
'Is this even fucking possible? Who the hell came up with these ideas…? Victor's eyes narrowed as he sat in the boardroom, arms folded and lips pressed into a thin line.
Before him, Mr. Anish confidently presented a revolutionary pitch on behalf of Elira Investments, accompanied by two leading experts in their respective fields. Three proposals—two regarding space innovation and one a technological leap in communication—were projected across the screen. Each one is groundbreaking.
Project One: Multiple Satellite Launch Platform
The concept: launching multiple Earth observation and communication satellites into Polar and Geostationary Orbit—all in one go. Using a Multiple Satellite Adapter and precise mechanisms like springs or pyrotechnic bolts, satellites would deploy sequentially, minimizing collision risk.
It was efficient, cost-effective, and gave Doom Industries potential dominance in the space research sector.
Project Two: Slingshot Moon Launch
This one was even more radical: using Earth's gravity and orbital momentum as a slingshot to propel spacecraft to the Moon's southern pole. It reduced fuel needs, slashed costs, and opened exploration to untouched lunar territory.
"The entire mission would cost half the budget of the Titanic movie," one of the experts joked lightly.
Victor didn't laugh.
Unknown to them, the real mind behind these projects was Alex—using knowledge from ISRO's PSLV system and concepts from SpaceX's reusable rockets.
Though SpaceX still lacked the full tech to execute this in 1998, Alex planned to quietly support it through inventions created with Cara's help. But he was wary—too many revolutionary ideas in too short a time would draw unwanted attention from rivals, governments, and perhaps even worse forces.
Project Three: The Smartphone
A single, compact device that functioned as a camera, music player, phone, internet terminal, and more. A miniature computer in every hand.
It wasn't just a phone—it was the future.
Victor's expression twitched. Even with all his pride, he couldn't deny it—the mind behind these projects.
"Whoever this little genius is… they're not far behind. Reed vision"
The meeting concluded. And with that, the sliver of hope Victor clung to—that Elita's projects would crash and burn—was gone.
He stared down at his cellphone, thumb hovering over Susan's number.
What would I even say? To complain? To scream? To ask for comfort…?
He sighed heavily. Let's just go home.
LATER THAT NIGHT – VICTOR'S RESIDENCE
Victor dropped onto his bed without removing his shoes, face buried in his hands. A long groan escaped him.
He turned his head, and his tired gaze fell upon a worn photograph framed on the nearby shelf—his only family photo.
His mother… taken by a tragic accident.
His father...froze to death after saving him from the bitter cold.
All of it… meaningless unless I rise to the top. Unless I make them proud.
Victor sat up and scoffed, bitterness twisting in his throat.
That bastard Reed. If he hadn't sugarcoated that last project that lost us millions…
His eyes locked on the photo frame. Something shimmered faintly behind the glass.
As he reached out to lift it, the frame slipped from his hands and shattered on the floor.
"Fucking great," he muttered, crouching to pick it up.
But then… he noticed something strange.
Behind the broken frame, etched into the backing of the photo, were ancient symbols—glowing faintly with a golden aura. Doom's eyes widened.
"What the hell…?"
Curious, he tried removing more of the shattered frame. As he did, a shard of glass cut his thumb. He hissed, instinctively sucking the blood.
But it was too late.
A drop of his blood dripped onto the ancient text.
The symbols pulsed, shifting from gold to a blood-red hue. Then, like a spell unraveling, the writing rose into the air, swirling in crimson light before shooting into Victor's skull.
"WHAT THE FU—!"
He clutched his head, groaning as images and memories flooded his mind. Fragmented visions of his mother. Whispers of forgotten knowledge. Arcane truths he'd never known.
And a presence… a pull toward something old and buried.
Toward a place he hadn't thought of in years.
Latveria.
That's where the answers lay.
That's where his truth began.
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AUTHOR NOTE- I DIDN'T READ THE COMIC SO I CAME UP WITH THIS. I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND AND GIVE ME DEATH THREATS