Chapter 73: Friendly Advice

After I gave my final instructions to Thragg he and Betsy headed off.

Thragg going to take her back to the embassy.

Where he would use a magical teleportation gate I had installed there to take Psylocke back to Latveria.

Where she would then be fully de-briefed about anything she knew.

Before being out to work.

Most likely under Natasha.

Then again she could end up working under Zemo or one of the Primarchs.

I'm not sure.

Since I really don't like to mirco-manage my people unless absolutely necessary.

Eh, I'll check in on her case when I return to Latveria.

Since I'm sure no matter where Betsy ends up she'll end up doing good work and furthering my causes.

Then again she could fick up and get herself killed.

Either way I don't lose.

Anyway.

Once those were gone I waited a few moments before exiting the office myself.

I then started making my way back towards the party.

Only to encounter Tony in the lobby, drinking straight from a bottle of champagne as he sat at the front desk. A haggard expression on his face.

Seeing them like this I decided to see what was up.

For seeing a depressed looking Tony Stark is just so strange and uncomfortable I can't leave it alone.

Arriving at his side I sat in the open chair next to me.

Which made Tony look at me. "Doom."

"Stark." I replied. "So, mind telling me the reason you're getting shit-faced in the lobby alone?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe it has something to do with Pepper treating me like I'm worse than a cockroach ever since you introduced me to my daughter the other day!" He exclaimed.

"Right. That's right buddy." I replied.

"So, what do you think of Riri?" I asked him.

"Honestly, she's like a young female version of me." Tony admitted. "She's a great kid. Maya did a good job raising her. Much better than I would've done if I had met her before this." He spoke. Tapping the arc reactor in his chest.

"I mean I don't think you were that bad a person before you became Iron Man. Sure you were a man-whore, a showboater, a flake-"

"-Gee. Thanks for trying to cheer me up." Tony interrupted, and sarcastically remarked.

"You didn't let me finish." I replied. "Sure you weren't the best but you weren't the worst either. And who knows. If you had known about Riri in the beginning then maybe the Tony right now would've shown up years ago." I explained.

"Maybe." He admitted. "Still, I mean all of a sudden I'm a dad. A father."

"Yeah, and let me tell you it's not easy." I told him. "But I'm sure you'll do alright. Actually I'm surprised there aren't more little Stark's out there given your former behavior."

"Well protection in the bedroom was one of the only things my old man drilled into my head." Tony admitted. "So I guess that's something I got from him. Even though the bastard never even told me he loved me."

"I'm sure he did." I replied.

No, I know he did.

"Yeah well, who knows." He muttered.

"Right. So anyway Stark get over yourself." I spoke.

"What?" Tony asked me.

"You heard me." I replied. "Get over yourself. You've got a daughter who needs you now. Plus Pepper. Listen my friend it's obvious you two would be great together. So as a wise man once said either but up or shut up. I mean your Tony Stark, but more than that you're Iron Man." I spoke.

I then patted Tony gently on his shoulder. "Good talk."

Then before he could retort I got up and returned to the party venue.

Where I enjoyed myself the rest of the night.

Mingling, eating, drinking, and even dancing with both Susan and Jessica.

Thus I ended the night on a good note.

But then the next day I was all business again.

Sitting within my personal office within the embassy I was having a conference call with Zora, Lucia, Zemo, Natasha, and all of my Primarchs.

Explaining to them all the events that transpired the previous night at the Future Foundations grand opening party.

"A bounty, who cares commit such an act against our king?" Katma asked.

"I don't know but I am going to find out." Natasha spoke.

"Thank you Natasha." I said to her.

"But we must remember the bounty on my head is not out only immediately concern." I said. "Wakanda. After last night's incident I have no doubt they will ramp up their efforts on regards to us."

"I'll make sure the borders are entirely locked down." Zora spoke.

"Excellent Zora." I told her. I then turned my attention to Zemo. "Zemo, its time for us to move in on both Klaue and Erik Stevens." I told him.

"Yes, my emperor." The man replied.

"Alright then. Anything else of importance we need to discuss before this meeting ends?" I spoke.

"Emperor. Thanks to Attuma information we now have the exact location of Atlantis and have already entered preliminary steps in regards to the underwear nation." Katma informed us.

"Good." I replied. "Anything else?" I asked.

When I did no one spoke up.

"So with that I adjourn this meeting." I spoke.

I then ended the conference call.

After I did I immediately mentally prepared myself for my next meeting.

Because there can be no room for error once it begins.

One mistake could cost me dearly.

I kid you not.

As I finished my mental preparations I heard a knock on my office door.

"Come in." I said

When I did Jessica opened the door and admitted the individual I was about to have my next meeting with.

Reed Richards.

For the time has finally come for me to enact my plan and save the world from this man.

A task Doom will most certainly not fail at.

"Victor." Reed said to me.

"Reed." I replied.

The man stepping into the room as I did.

Once he did Jessica closed the door behind him, leaving us truly alone.

Meaning everything starts now.