A/N: This is pretty surreal.

27: Rope


Doctor Doom continued deeper into the cave safe in the knowledge that when that Zubat awoke it would go back to its kind, and then the Zubat populations would eventually intermingle with one another and infect them all.

Wednesday was a good day for Doom. Then again, everyday was a good day for Doom. Because he was Doom, and Doom is good.

Doctor Doom stared at an item on the ground. It was a piece of rope in a thin plastic wrapping that had the word "escape" printed on it just sitting there for the taking. On the one hand, Doom was in need of some rope. Rope was very useful in all manner of ventures. Escaping a cave, climbing back into a cave, fulfilling Richards' wife's erotic fantasies...

On the other hand, Doom had been taught early in life not to trust random objects lying about.

A much younger Doom looked at a cookie on the ground. Young Doom loved cookies. Doom reached for the cookie and was promptly hit with a hot iron to his arm. Doom did not cry out, merely choosing to scowl.

"Now Victor, you know better than to trust objects lying on the ground," a voice admonished from his right.

Doom huffed. "I do as I choose...and I answer to no one!" Doom shouted defiantly.

"Just be in for dinner in five minutes."

"Yes mother."

The present day Doctor Doom rubbed his arm where a scar could be seen whenever he uncovered it. That was then, this was now. Doom wanted the rope, and Doom gets what he wants.

Doom reached out and picked up the rope. After a moment Doom realized nothing bad was going to happen and continued on even deeper into the cave.