A/N: Marvel content is in the continuity of the Marvel: Ultimate Alliance videogame, though that's really just to have a convenient place to pick up Doom and Loki's story. If you know the characters in general, you'll be more than fine for this fic. True Blood stuff is set pretty soon after season five.
Also, a general content warning for torture in this chapter. Nothing too graphic, but it's there.
Odin, the All-Father of the Norse gods and the King of Asgard, was widely considered to be fair and benevolent by his loyal subjects. Yet, despite this, few things in Asgard were as feared as Odin's wrath. Doctor Doom and Loki could personally attest to that fear being well founded. The two villains colluded to steal Odin's power and conquer both Asgard and Midgard for themselves. After they were foiled by the efforts of the heroes of Midgard, Odin saw to personally ensuring that Doom and Loki both suffered for all eternity.
For Loki, a deadly viper dripped burning venom onto his face every day, and with no Sigyn this time to collect the venom, the trickster god felt the full burn of his punishment. Doom, having been the one who personally stole Odin's powers, earned an even more painful fate. Years prior, Doom murdered his lover Valeria and used her skin to craft a mystical leather armor. Odin felt it fitting that Doom's punishment reflect such brutality, and so every day Doom's skin was peeled from his flesh to be turned into leather.
And so they remained for years facing these daily torments within the Hall of Nastrond, a prison of the damned in the icy realm of Niffleheim. This was the state they were in when Hades and Maleficent arrived at Loki's altar of punishment.
"Sheesh, did Odin, like, not pay the heating bill?" Hades asked, rubbing his arms to stay warm. "I mean, hey, say what you will about Tartarus, at least we offer a tropical climate."
"Are you certain the Valkyrie will remain ignorant to our presence?" Maleficent asked, not paying much mind to Hades's complaints.
"Hey, I told ya, that fairy blood cocktail I whipped up keeps us on the down-low," Hades answered. "It's the giant spiders we have to worry about. That perimeter of fire will only do the trick so long."
Satisfied by that answer, Maleficent raised her staff above her head. From above, a bolt of lightning struck the venomous serpent. The snake wriggled and writhed in pain before falling limp and dead. The orb atop Maleficent's staff then began to glow a sickly green and so too did the chains binding Loki. The chains dissolved before his very eyes.
Free at last, Loki could feel his own magic returning to him. It was like breathing fresh air for the first time in years. As soon as Loki could muster enough strength to cast a spell, he healed his wounds and dressed himself in his green and golden robes. Loki immediately recognized Hades and smiled.
"Lord of the Underworld, it would appear I am in your debt," Loki said before turning to Maleficent. "And to you as well, o' great sorceress. Permit me to inquire as to your name, m'lady."
"I am Maleficent, the Mistress of All Evil," she answered, "a proclivity I have heard you also share. I seek allies to aid in my conquest of all the worlds!"
"She's the real deal, Lokes," Hades affirmed. "Trust me, you're gonna want in on the ground floor of this exciting one-time offer."
Loki pondered for a minute before answering. "And how could I dare refuse my rescuers. Though, I do ask for your aid in freeing an... associate of mine from this prison of the damned."
Loki led the two over to the altar of Doom's punishment. The immense spiders responsible for flaying Doom alive each day immediately turned to attack the intruders. Hades and Maleficent battled the arachnids with fire and lightning while Loki slipped past to help Doom. It did not take long before each and every spider was incinerated. Loki had healed Doom's skin, and was currently helping him to dress in the pieces of metal armor scattered across the floor.
Hades and Maleficent went to approach the two, but Loki held up a hand to signal for them to stay back. Doom pulled his green cowl down to obstruct the view of his face. Clearly whatever state Doom's face was in, he did not desire anyone other than Loki to gaze upon it. A metal mask materialized in Loki's hand.
"A pity Odin left your mask behind to spite you," Loki said as he helped slip the new mask into place. "This one is not the same, but it shall serve its purpose well for now."
Loki helped his associate to his feet, and Hades and Maleficent finally got a good look at the mirthless expression on Doom's metal mask.
"I take it you two are responsible for my freedom," Doom said. "You have the gratitude of Doctor Victor von Doom."
"A pleasure, Doctor Doom," Maleficent nodded. "I am Maleficent, and this is my associate Hades."
Hades gave a little wave.
"It appears we both have dallied with gods of myth," Doom nodded. "Loki told me briefly of your proposal, and I admit myself most intrigued. I would like to hear more of your plans, but perhaps that is best saved for... a more pleasant environment."
"Quite so," Maleficent agreed as she summoned up a Corridor of Darkness. "Proceed through."
While Hades and Maleficent traveled to Niffleheim, Ursula remained back in the Underworld. She could certainly see why Hades despised the place so much: it was eternal boredom. The place was deader than dead. Ursula knew how to cheat death thanks to the powers of darkness, and she counted her blessings that she learned that magical talent before her encounter with Sora. The thought of spending eternity in the River Styx did not appeal to her in the slightest.
"HADES!" Pain and Panic cried out in unison as they came running into the throne room.
"What's wrong?" Ursula bellowed.
The two imps tripped over each other and fell at Ursula's feet... or rather where her feet would have been if she had any such appendages.
"Urgent news for Hades!" Pain said, pulling himself to his feet.
"He's away at the moment," Ursula explained. "Tell me the situation."
"Uh, well, there's a trouble maker among the new souls," Panic answered.
"He's recruited all of the other new comers to be in a gang and fought off all the Furies!" Pain added.
"Normally protocol is to dump Lethe water on him," Panic said. "But, well, umm..."
"The Hydra fell into the Lethe Pool," Pain continued. "And it's attacking anyone who goes near."
Ursula simply shook her head in exasperation. "How has Hades stayed in business all these centuries?"
Ursula picked up Pain and Panic each in one tentacle and began to slither out the door.
"I think this calls for a woman's touch," she said. "Show me where all this nonsense started."
The True Death.
That's what they called it. No healing, no regeneration, no new form, just death. It was supposed to be the end of any existence whatsoever. So why the Hell was he still conscious? Eric Northman drove the stake through his heart, and he exploded to the final words of "Well fuck." That was supposed to be the end. Yet this was the "true death" and he still had his wits about him. He was still Russell Edgington... An all bluish-gray and translucent version of Russell Edgington, perhaps, but he was Russell Edgington all the same.
If Russell still had some semblance of himself, then he figured so too must the other vampires who'd met the true death, including his beloved Talbot. To get his Talbot back, Russell would move heaven and earth alike. It wasn't hard to start a little rabble rousing. Ghosts were some needy folks, and a few well spoken words were all that was needed to get them to unionize under Russell's leadership. It helped that he retained enough of his vampiric strength necessary to punch out a few furies.
Russell had no idea if such a display of disobedience would get him what he wanted, but he had nothing more to lose. If there was even a chance his little stunt got him Talbot back, then it was all worth it. Thanks to his ghostly new entourage, Russell took over the Underworld's welcome center to act as his base of operations.
"Mr. Edgington," one of the ghosts said, tapping him on the shoulder. "There's an... octopus to see you."
Russell exited the building with his two guards flanking him and came face to face with Ursula.
"And here I was hopin' to get a little face to face with Hades," Russell said.
"He's not in at the moment, which is lucky for you," Ursula replied. "He doesn't exactly have a winning temperament."
"Well I'm not lookin' for some low man on the totem pole," Russell said. "I need somebody who can get me my Talbot back and send us along on our merry little way."
"You're not exactly in a bargaining position," Ursula said. "Sea and wind, hear my command!"
Ursula raised her arm dramatically and a tendril of water emerged from the River Styx. The tendril snaked around Russell and scooped up the two ghostly guards flanking him. Russell looked on in mild disgust as they were dragged down into the Styx.
"That's what happens to ghosts who annoy me," Ursula clarified while blowing on her nails for effect. "Lucky for you, I just so happen to have a certain soft spot for poor unfortunate souls, especially ones talented enough to stir up a little trouble."
Russell sneered. "And just what exactly are you sayin'?"
"I can restore you to flesh and blood," Ursula explained, "give you another shot at unnatural life. But that's only on the table if you agree to join a little get-together a friend of mine is putting together."
Ursula punctuated her offer with a chuckle.
"What kind of get-together are we talkin' about?" Russell asked, raising a eyebrow.
"The kind that conquers worlds together," Ursula answered with an evil laugh.
"I admit myself intrigued," Russell answered. "But I have goals of my own that I'd like to pursue. Will everyone's desires be accommodated?"
"Oh yes!" Ursula replied. "We're gonna make the whole universe give us everything we ever wanted! Here."
Ursula waved her hand and a Corridor of Darkness took form.
"Let's talk more about it at my cauldron."
And so another was added to the ranks of the Overtakers.