Steve's been to Europe. He saw Germany under the Nazis, and Russia under Stalin. Dr. Doom doesn't operate like any fascist dictator he's seen before. They were trying to take over the world every chance they got too, but they were out-and-out enemies. There was a war, a hot one with Hitler, and a cold one, that the US won, with Russia. Doom keeps an Embassy in downtown New York. Everyone pretends they're friends and everything's all hunky-dory between the US and Latveria. But then it gets even more complicated. Latveria doesn't allow tourists. They have a full-on terminal at La Guardia, but no planes run their except for Doom's private one.

And that's what he and the others are going to be taking on this trip. He asked Tony if he didn't want to take the Iron Man suit, but all he got was more grumbles about "that tech-thief Doom". Tony had to be persuaded just to take an old suit. He said with Hulk going, they weren't going to need any other protection. It took Fury yelling at him before he admitted that it wasn't going to work for him just to stand next to Bruce all the time in case of attack.

Actually, it's not just him, Bruce and Steve that are going to Latveria with Thor. Half the super-heroes in New York are going to be there, apparently. "The Fantastic Four?" Steve can't help snickering a little. "And Marvel Girl?"

She's the one that was really invited, apparently. "My daughter Valeria," Reed Richards tells Steve at the terminal while they're waiting for Doom's plane to arrive. "Victor helped Susan when she was born. – He's quite skilled, actually. – After that, there was a bond." He shrugs flexibly. "I honestly thought it was the only bond I'd ever see Victor form with anyone."

"This wedding really took us by surprise." Susan Richards comes up, munching trail mix out of a Ziploc bag. "Loki: He's the one with the alien army, right? Reed and I were out of the country at the time."

"The same..." Steve stops, as he sees Ben Grimm nearing, and waits for him to enter the terminal.

"Goddamn airport store prices." Grimm's got the Richards' two children in tow. "No magazines for you," he hears him telling fourteen-year old Franklin. "Not at twice the frikken cover price. You can have some of your sister's candy, though."

"Not me," Steve hears the boy say. "You know they're going to feed us on the plane."

Steve looks at his mother. "You're not worried the food will be poisoned? Doom's your arch-enemy, right?"

Susan smiles. "It won't be. We're guests, remember?"

"Victor's a man of honor," Reed says, "in his own way." He points at the window. "Isn't that the plane?"

Air Latveria is one big gold plane with a "D" on the side. Inside, it looks like some kind of weird combination of a business office and a throne room. There's a big gold chair, which has got to be where Doom usually sits, and a bunch of folding chairs set up for everyone else.

"Lord Doom sends his apologies for the lack of proper seating," says the pretty stewardess in the peasant costume. "This is his private plane. Latveria's treaty with your country does not allow for tourism."

The chairs have been bolted to the ground in case of turbulence. There are also TV trays that have also been bolted. The staff covers these with linen tablecloths with monogrammed "D"s on them, and serves them food on heavy golden plates: Roast meat, and fresh bread, and goblets of sticky, sweetish wine.

"Mead?"

Thor nods, and drinks appreciatively. "Very good mead."

"And the meat's probably boar." Tony tastes it. "You know I don't really like boar."

Steve doesn't either, but there are plenty of other things to choose from, albeit all of them seem to have come out of a medieval banquet.

"And the music..." Bruce listens. "Isn't that Wagner?"

"Wotan's Monologue," Reed says. "From the second act of 'Die Walkure'."

"Asgardian food, Asgardian music." Johnny Storm laughs. "Sounds like someone's trying to impress his new brother-in-law."

Better that than trying to kill him, Steve thinks. ...Although of course, the one might lead to the other. He takes some fish, which doesn't taste too weirdly medieval, and skips the mead for ale, which is also being offered. "Why do you think he's doing this?"

"Who, Victor?" "Who, Loki?" Reed and Tony answer at the same time.

Steve shrugs. Both of them, he means. There's a plan here, because there's got to be, but why go to such lengths on the background details?

"Somehow, it's going to be revenge on Thor." Tony says. "Loki hates him. Remember how he tried to kill him that first time?"

"Or Doom wants revenge on you?" Steve looks at Reed and Susan.

"Doom always wants revenge on Reed and Susie," Grimm says. "Or he wants them to get him stuff. He doesn't usually use a whole big elaborate deal like this to get what he wants."

"It could be love," Reed says, which earns a snort from Johnny. "No, seriously. Victor is human, you know."

Susan shakes her head. "Victor's only human because he hasn't figured out a way not to be yet. He and Loki are plotting something, but I don't think it includes any of us. I don't think he's figured out a way of destroying this many super-heroes all at one time yet."

"And meanwhile we're going to go, and we're going to be nice..." Johnny snorts again, and Reed glares. "We're going to be nice, I said, and we'll find out all we can while we're there. Whatever Victor and Loki have in mind, we'll want to be ready to stop it."

Outside the window, Steve sees land rushing up through the clouds. "I think we're there."

They left from La Guardia. They arrive at a tiny, old-school airport, a mile or two from Doom's castle. Standard Eastern European scenery is all around, maybe a little greener than what he saw during the War. Doom's sent an open black touring car for them, the kind of thing Hitler would have liked, only even he would probably have drawn the line at the big gold monogram on the side.

"Lord Doom has reserved a wing at Schloss Doomsberg for the use of his guests," Schloss Doomsberg proves to be a castle right out of Dracula. Peasant-costumed retainers unfurl a red carpet and then stand out of the way to let them pass. At the top of the steps, Steve sees a green-cloaked figure, sunlight glinting off the armor covering his body.

"You should be honored that Lord Doom greets you in person," their driver says.

Steve's not exactly sure who else would do it. One of the peasants maybe? He gets out of the car and stretches. – Super soldier serum doesn't keep a guy's muscles from stiffening up. – Before he he can start toward the stairs, little Valeria runs past him.

"Uncle Doom!" She sounds excited. "Mama says you're getting married?"

It looks weird for Doom to kneel and meet her eyes. "I look forward to introducing you to your Uncle Loki." He stands, then looks past her to the rest of them. Then he comes down the stairs and greets them at the bottom.

"Susan." Doom's arms are folded, but he looks reasonably pleasant. "You did well to bring the girl. – And Grimm," – He turns. – "You're still alive are you?"

"No thanks to you," Steve hears Grimm mutter.

"Oh, and Richards." Whatever pleasantness there was in Doom's voice goes away. "You are not planning to stand in my way this time?"

Reed puts out his hand. When Doom doesn't move to take it, he pulls it back with a cough. "Everyone should have a chance at happiness, Victor."

This time it's Doom that Steve hears mutter: "That's never stopped you before." Doom turns toward The Avengers. "Mr. Rogers? I've been looking forward to meeting you. And Stark. Prepared to dazzle the world at the next Expo?"

"Only the invited guests." Stark puts out a hand too, only to have Doom hold back. There's a pattern here, Steve thinks. "That doesn't usually include super-villains."

"You flatter me," Doom murmurs. He points up the stairs. "Well, my guests, why don't you go inside? I am sure Loki would like to see you. As for me, I will follow after I have spoken with my brother-in-law."