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Instead of attacking or talking trash, you surprised everyone in the room by giving Doctor Doom a small, but respectful bow.
<span class="mu-r">“Your majesty.”</span>
Abe and Arcade blinked in surprise. For a while, they were speechless. Doom didn’t say anything either, but he let out a huff that told you he was no longer considering tearing you limb from limb. Well…not immediately, anyway.
You returned to your relaxed posture from before, now focusing your attention on the ginger game developer.
<span class="mu-r">“We may be out of our depth here, but Arcade, you’re almost out of quarters. The Avengers and the X-Men are here.”</span>
Arcade let out a nervous laugh, before catching himself, clearing his throat and straightening his tie.
<span class="mu-r">“You think I’m worried about those chumps? Doom and his personal army are here to protect me.”</span>
Doom turned to give him a look. Arcade gulped loudly and made a strangled sound. After that, he clamped his mouth shut and faded into the background as Doom turned around completely so that he could size you up. He didn’t look terribly impressed.
<span class="mu-g">“Hmm. Curious how the Avengers have taken this long to show themselves. And so far, none of their core founding members have been spotted by my scouts. And as for the X-Men, I suspect that they will be far too occupied with my Doombots and this one’s hard-light projections to arrive in a timely manner.”</span>
His voice was deep and domineering, but as soon as those words left his mouth, he narrowed his eyes and turned to stare at something far off in the distance. He rumbled in his throat. You didn’t have to be an empath to figure out that he was agitated.
<span class="mu-g">“But it would appear that my forces are the more reliable out of the two. Not that I expected anything less.”</span>
He turned to glare at Arcade, and the man took another few steps back.
<span class="mu-g">“Nevertheless, I do not expect to be interrupted by either party anytime soon. You alone do not qualify as a threat to me or my plans, so I would advise you to either make yourself scarce or beg for mercy. Seeing as how you have manners that exceed someone of your station, I will at least extend you that courtesy.”</span>
You narrowed your eyes at him.
<span class="mu-r">“Last chance to surrender. I’ve got an army of squirrels, and I’m not afraid to use them!”</span>
Abe leaned over to whisper in your ear.
<span class="mu-b">“We do?”</span>
You nodded and gave him a thumbs up.
Doom didn’t look at all phased by your declaration.
<span class="mu-g">“You think any amount of rodents could prove to be Doom’s equal? It would appear that I severely overestimated your survival instincts. If you insist on pestering me, then I will not hesitate to crush you beneath my heel.”</span>
He clenched a metal fist, and small sparks of crackling green energy shot out from it.
This was bad. Doom was getting impatient, and the Punishers might be here any second.
(Cont.)
