Present Day:
As Susan walked down the long winding staircase, she couldn't believe how things had turned out in the last few hours. She took one last look in a large mirror hanging on the wall and shook her head. "I must look ridiculous," she thought to herself. She was trying her best not to fall down the stairs in her metallic boots. Despite her objections, Helzeba had forced Sue to change into attire that is more "appropriate" for dinner. Susan found herself dressed in armor similar to Doom's, though she wore no mask. She had metal gloves that reached until her elbows, and a greenish dress that seemed to match Doom's own garb. A long green cape flowed behind her. Sue had initially refused to wear the outfit, but Helzeba insisted. She was not going to let Susan leave the room until she wore the armor.
"Fine," Sue had stated from inside the bathroom. "I won't come out then!"
Helzeba had reminded Susan that all customs in Latveria were mandatory, and she dared not face an international incident. Helzeba had promised Susan, that if she wore the clothes, she would be able to speak to her husband. Sue surmised she could just as easily destroy the entire castle with her powers, but fought the urge.
Defeated again, Susan strode as slowly as possible. As before, passing servants bowed when she walked past. Susan merely nodded to them and they continued their business. Helzeba watched Susan from the bottom of the stairs. She noticed that Susan's curtsy had a regal manner to it. In fact, there was much class to this superheroine. As she took Susan's hand, she could sense the strength in this woman.
The older woman escorted Sue through the consular quarters, and eventually to the grand dining hall. Sue lifted her head as she entered the pavilion. "It's as big as a football field!" Sue gasped. In the middle of the room was a large table. At one end was a large throne like chair, with the letter "D" above it. Sue huffed, "I can only imagine who that is for!"
Helzeba pulled out the chair at the far end. "Sit here your highness," she instructed. Her voice reverberated off the walls.
Susan pulled out a chair in the middle "I'll be fine here", Sue stated as she began to sit down.
Helzeba darted towards Sue. She was surprised at the old woman's speed. Helzeba again surprised Sue when she grabbed her metal glove and lifted her before Sue could sit. "NO! NO! You can NEVER sit as a commoner!"
Sue shook her head and followed the old woman. Do it for Reed, she thought to herself. She sat at the end of the table, in a large chair similar to Doom's. Helzeba clapped her hands, and a multitude of servants entered with several silver plates. Where is Reed, Sue thought.
The table was prepared eloquently, and Helzeba removed the first silver cover. Sue recognized the lettuce, but the other ingredients to this "salad" were foreign to her. Sensing her confusion Helzeba informed Susan that it was a Hassenstadt salad, the former name of Doomstadt, the capital of Latveria. It was made of pomegranates, olives, apples, Latverian lettuce, and a special dressing.
Susan cringed at the thought of its taste, but reluctantly picked up a fork and speared some of the lettuce with the dressing. Taking it to her mouth, Sue was hit with a rush of sweet flavor as she chewed. It wasn't half bad. Her hunger had long ago taken over, and Sue began to eat, however, she did not want to offend the old woman by scarfing it like a pig. "Ever the lady," the Invisible Woman told herself.
The old gypsy watched the younger blonde's every move. She was more impressed by this woman with every passing minute. Helzeba noted how Sue walked upright and seemingly proud, even in this strange circumstance. The new Lady Von Doom exceeded class. She even appropriately selected the furthest fork set up on the table. Her small pinky finger hung daintily off to the side of the fork as she ate. "This woman was born to be royalty," Helzeba thought to herself. There was no doubt, why royalty like Namor, Rama-Tut, and even the Black Panther had all vied for Susan's affections. She was destined to be a queen no matter what Helzeba did. It was the gypsy's job to merely ensure the right king claimed her.
The aging woman lifted the second plate to reveal a yellowish soup. To Sue, it looked about as appealing as the salad originally had, yet she picked up the proper spoon and politely slurped a small portion. It was cold, but delicious as well. "Mmmm!" Sue found herself nodding.
The aging woman smiled as she walked towards the kitchen, "It is Latverian summer squash soup. A delicacy really." The gypsy was intent on finding the right wine to compliment the dinner. She walked past the most expensive and oldest Italian and Californian wines. Tonight, Sue would only taste Latverian designs. In fact, Helzeba had helped prepare every bit of food herself, including the wine.
She returned to see Susan almost anxiously waiting for the main course. Helzeba attempted to pour a glass of the wine for Sue. Sue lifted her hands and waved the wine off. Helzeba merely nodded and pulled off the top of the last dish. Sue grimaced her face at the sight of a pig-like creature with tusks holding an apple in its mouth.
"It is boar from the woods of Doomstadt", the old gypsy informed the heroine as she cut a large piece of meat off the back and placed it onto Sue's plate.
Susan was no vegetarian, but this looked utterly horrible. From her recent experience with Latverian "delicacies", Sue was ready to take the plunge. She cut off a small piece and bit into the meat. It almost melted in her mouth. She couldn't help but close her eyes as the succulent flavor hit her tongue. She opened them to the sound of wine pouring into her glass. She again attempted to wave off the wine.
"Please Mrs. Richards", Helzeba said the name to play to Susan's emotions, "This wine has aged several years, specifically for you. It was grown with the finest grapes, hybrids of Californian, Italian and Latverian species. It is priceless!"
The younger girl's brow furrowed, "For years? For me?" She realized this was not a new plan. "I'll bet it was made by slaves, breaking their backs in the field," Sue said defiantly.
The notion caused Helzeba to almost fall over. "There are no such slaves in Latveria. Those who work in the vineyards love our Lord Doom, as all do."
Sue could see she had offended this kind woman. She felt somewhat terrible, after all, they were brainwashed to love Doom. Not wanting to further offend the culture and people of this place, Susan picked up the glass. Helzeba nodded seeing her pinky finger extend out as she lifted the glass. Sue properly sniffed the wine, swirled the glass and noted the blood red color of the libation. Helzeba was ecstatic that she would not need to teach Lady Von Doom proper etiquette for royal dinner engagements.
Sue raised the glass to her mouth and took a small swig. Normally she would spit it out in the glass next to her, but the sweet taste hit Sue's tongue and she drank the wine. Her eyes lit up and she turned to Helzeba, "Wow! For a maniac, Doom has some taste."
"Maniac?" Helzeba was startled again by this woman's defiance and seeming arrogance. "Your highness, please continue to enjoy the meal, I shall return with desert." Helzeba walked back into the kitchen. The woman's statement still lingering in her head. Then her face calmed, realizing that this was exactly the strength Doom wanted. In fact, Sue's attitude often mirrored Doom's in that way.
Helzeba sprinkled sugar on a pastry that Lord Doom himself considered divine. Helzeba muttered a chant over the pastry. It was the same chant she had muttered over all the food, especially the wine. The chant was an age-old spell, designed to bring out the deepest and often darkest of desires. It was all part of Lord Doom's master plan. He did not want to take Susan by force, though he could at any moment. He wanted her to willing come to his side. The spells were designed to draw out those qualities inside Sue she tried to fight, the urge and desire for power, the allure of royalty, the same qualities which drew her to people like Namor and T'Challa in the distant past prior to the fool Richards.
The desire for such power was not the only latent characteristics Doom wished to release from Susan. Helzeba had been shown the videos and files from Susan's past. She knew of the personality known as Malice that Sue had once become. Susan had a dark side of her, brought on by the neglect of her team. What drove Susan's anger the most was the neglect of her former husband Richards. When Helzeba had first touched Sue, she could almost taste and smell the feelings of neglect in the young woman. Doom instructed Helzeba to use spells to draw out these tendencies within Sue. Doom himself had placed his own incantations within the armor Susan now wore. Small ruins lined the inside of the suit. Sue had not seen these markings, but had seen them on the walls. She didn't give the signs a second thought. It would be an attack on her psyche she could not deny.
The plate with the strawberry pastry was placed in front of Sue. She had finished her wine and a portion of the meat. Sue was full, but remembered the offense on Helzeba's face. She placed the final fork in the bread tart and pulled off a small piece. Once again, her palate was attacked with flavor. "Listen lady," Sue said, "when I leave, you at least have to give me the recipes."
The meal was finished and Helzeba was bound to keep her promise and escorted Susan to Doom's private computer station. She hesitated at the door. "Not coming in," Sue asked.
"I cannot", Helzeba bowed, "only the House of Doom may enter!" She began to close the door behind her. "Just hit the receive button, Doom has made it so you can easily use the console. Your husband has been waiting." Helzeba said with a smile that made Sue feel eerie.
There were two seats in the room. The one in the middle of the room was larger, and again a large "D" made of gold glinted at the top. "Don't mind if I do," Sue said plopping into the larger throne. She reached over and hit the blinking receive button.
The face that greeted her was not Reed. Sue jumped up from the chair in a defensive stance, "DOOM!"
"Hello Susan!" Doom's visage covered the screen..............
2 years from now...
Norman Osborn's cabal was meeting once again at an undisclosed location. Norman sat at the head of the table. "I trust everyone got here ok?" He asked with a wicked smile. The table had changed recently, as Namor no longer wished to be involved. Those that remained included Emma Frost, Loki (now a woman), and Parker Robbins, aka the Hood. "Let's not have any tricks like last time," Norman continued. He was referring to when Emma attempted to read everyone's mind, save for Doom's whose mask barred such intrusion.
Parker Robbins looked over to Doom, "If we are not to have tricks, then the wench should show herself." His powers were now massive and he could easily sense the presence of the final occupant of the room.
"Doom?" Norman looked over, "What is the meaning of this?"
Doom stared Parker Robbins down, "I still am not sure why you are here thug, but if you ever call my wife wench again, it will be the last words you utter". He turned to look over his shoulder. "Show yourself Susan."
Emma was shocked. She had not sensed the presence of Susan in the room. As the Baroness Von Doom came into view it was suddenly clear why Emma could not sense her mind. Susan was wearing a mask similar to Doom's, though her blonde hair flowed out the sides of her tunic. The features of the mask were clearly feminine. The woman's armor was no surprise, as Emma had seen her wearing the closer fitting armor she now sported on several TV channels. In fact, it was all the media talked about anymore, what Sue was wearing on a particular day. Today she wore her battle garb, which mirrored Doom's own, with the subtle changes to support Sue's womanly physique.
"Susan", Norman smiled, "so glad you could finally join us".
Her hatred for this man was clear in her eyes and pursed lips, even if her face was covered, "Hello Mr. Osborn. I'd appreciate if you called me Baroness Von Doom!" She acknowledged Parker Robbins as she placed a hand on Doom's shoulder, "Mr. Robbins". She turned to Emma, "Ms. Frost".
Emma nodded back at Sue. The meeting went on as usual. There was no new business, simply reports from each front of their respective organizations, teams, and countries. Emma tried not to gawk at Susan, but found herself mesmerized by the woman. Only a short time ago she was such a different person. The White Queen recalled when Sue had initially returned to Latveria. Hordes of media surrounded Susan that day. She had merely stuck her head down, refused to comment, and boarded the private jet. Months had past, and no word came of what was happening to Susan. Doom had refused to allow media in the country to document Sue's activities. Then, slowly but surely, grainy videos and pictures taken by men willing to risk their lives for several thousand dollars began to flood the internet. First, she was seen on a float on "Doom's Day" the largest of Latverian holidays. The world was shocked to see her sitting next to Doom decked out in royal gear matching his. The face was no doubt one of an unhappy woman.
The next pictures showed a more stoic faced Susan walking on farms in Latveria. She was helping the locals grow food. It appeared Sue was becoming more and more involved with Latverian politics and economy. An act was passed, spearheaded by Sue herself allowing free healthcare to the people of Latveria. Many in America wished the current administration would follow Latveria's lead.
The most surprising photo was of Sue shaking the hands of the Latverian yachting team as they docked outside of Doomstadt on the Kline River. They had just taken the America's Cup from the American Team. There appeared to be a smile on her face. Then a picture of Sue and Doom holding outstretched hands above a throng of adoring Latverian citizens graced the cover of Time magazine. From that day, forward media was allowed within Latveria. It seemed they could not get enough. She was a mainstay on the cover of people magazine. What she was wearing was chic at the time, whether it was at a ball, a dinner reception, speaking to a crowd, or out on the town with her husband. Sue began to immerse herself in Latverian politics, and often spoke before the United Nations.
The world seemed to love Susan more than ever, and this shed Doctor Doom himself in a new light. Lady Von Doom showered the praise and accomplishments on her husband. Doom was credited with wiping out Latverian debt, and raising the Latverian dollar well above the American and Euro. Latveria became the richest nation in the world within a short time, and had even made several trade treaties with Wakanda to secure the world's second most abundance of vibranium. King T'Challa did not initially wish to deal with Doom and his bride, but reluctantly gave in after Susan and Doom helped save his country from a Kree invasion.
Not to say that they were all happy times for the House Von Doom. Those in the superhero and intelligence community knew better. There were rumors of nuclear weapons inside Latveria. Some claimed that new deadly technology, deemed by the world as "weapons of mass effect", resided right inside castle Doom.
Susan herself had vehemently denied the existence of such weapons. She threatened all who would attempt to invade Latveria, including United Nations inspectors. It was Doom who eventually let the inspectors into Latveria. There was information that Susan had allowed Doom to experiment on her powers, and that he had perfected a cloaking device that could mask facilities. Other information suggested that Susan herself was now powerful enough to hide entire cities. The media dubbed her "the Invisible Doom". In close circles, she often referred to herself as such, yet in public it was always Baroness Von Doom, or Lady Doom.
It all came to a head several months ago when a dying Galactus from another dimension came to devour the Earth. Where all the heroes of Earth failed, Doctor Doom and Susan singlehandedly defeated the being. Doom amplified Sue's power's one-hundred fold, and Sue created a hole the size of Texas in its stomach. It nearly killed Susan, but she recovered quickly. Doom was then named Times "man of the year", and Sue was seen on the cover right behind him.
The pair seemed to be the most prolific of the Cabal, even more so than Norman himself. Emma's own team of X-men was falling apart, now that Namor retreated to the ocean. Parker Robbins was still a two-bit thug trying to harness his wild new powers. As far as Loki was concerned, few knew of his/her real intentions.
The meeting finally drew to a close, "If that's all, I think we can go", Norman stated and picked up his own files. "Good day, gentlemen, and ladies." He exited the meeting room.
The Hood exited in his own manner, and disappeared into a fiery smoking light.
Loki stared at Doom, "Until we meet again Lord Doom."
Doom eyes had been fixed on Loki for the entire meeting. He did not trust this entity, this "god". He was almost certain of a confrontation in the future. Loki then just vanished.
Doom stood up and began to walk away. Susan followed behind. The were going to return to the Latverian embassy. Emma called out to Sue, "I couldn't sense you Baroness, because of your mask". She smiled slyly, "But I could sense another in the room, one with the distinct brain patterns of both you and Doom".
Doom stopped mid stride, "What is the meaning of this witch?"
Emma pointed at Sue's stomach, "Congratulations to you both!" She stood up and walked past a stunned Doom and Sue.
Doom looked at his wife, "So I am to have an heir!"
Susan detected a faint hint of what appeared to be delight in Doom's voice. "Finally!" Sue said rubbing his metal clad arm. They had been trying for months. With their schedules, it was almost impossible. Sue was elated.