Latveria: From Order, Chaos

[Doctor Doom]

Victor Von Doom was playing with fire, and he damned well knew it.

He had been toying with the affections of Morgan LeFay for months now, but the time-bound sorceress was not in this realm, and that gave Victor time and space to follow other interests.

From his study of the dark arts with LeFay, he knew that the mystic ties that held this world together were unraveling, and that was all because of the Scarlet Witch. Wanda Maximoff did not know the power she held. At least she did not know it anymore. 

When Doom had found the former Avenger, her memory was shattered, and her powers were all but gone. With time and, dare it be said, love, the dictator had brought the mutant witch back to some semblance of sanity and power. And now he sat on his throne in Castle Von Doom, waiting none too patiently for his charge to join him so they could make their way to New York. But even Doom knew that there were others needed before they could venture forth. The tarot had told him so.

[Mystique]

Spiral's portal opened just outside the city that surrounded the Castle Doom in Latveria. It looked like something out of a Hollywood production of a medieval fortress, and that didn't make Raven feel all that good about things. "Regan, do your thing before the townspeople see us and come out with pitch forks."

"Now I know why I like to work alone," Lady Mastermind grumbled as she reached out to the surrounding town and started to weave a cover story for the quartet and their robotic gift for the Latverian dictator Doom. "OK, we are guards for the castle. No one will know the difference. That way you can have your pig stickers handy, Spiral."

Mystique shifted herself into the guise of a guard as well to make the illusion a bit more real in case Regan got knocked out by some crazy Doombot or a real guard.

"Let's get rid of this metal pain in the ass then," Raven said as the group moved forward. "Spiral, sense anything we need to worry about?"

 

 

[Spiral]

After stepping out of the portal she just created, Spiral observed her new surroundings. Mojo may have been cruel, but at least he gave her unique abilities such as creating portals. She glanced at Mystique and frowned. ''The townspeople will be more likely to attack me with pitch forks unless I can cast a spell to turn myself invisible in time,'' she said. That was when Spiral grinned at a snail's pace. ''I might be fast enough to use all six swords or release multiple energy blasts at them.''

Spiral's eyes were on Mystique after the latter shape-shifted. *Interesting form* she thought as she remained near her. The teleporter's grin disappeared after Mystique's question. She shook her head very slowly. ''To answer your question, I don't sense anything.'' Turning to the portal, she gestured with every arm until it closed.

[The Scarlet Witch]

A woman in a white blouse, brown skirt and green cloak rushed past the group of guards at the gate of Castle Doom. She had a basket of red flowers hung over the elbow of her left arm, and she handed some of the flowers to a little girl near the gates.

"Victor will be very cross with me," she said as she finally ran inside and went to her chambers, hurrying to get ready so they could leave for this very important gala in New York. In the back of her mind, Wanda knew she had been to New York. Victor had told her that much. But it still seemed as if it were just something she had seen on a picture postcard.

As her maidservants finished fixing Wanda's dress and jewelry,  she looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. Nodding to her servants, Wanda left her room and hurried to Victor's throne room. "I am sorry, beloved, for my tardiness. Will we be leaving now?"
 

[Spiral]

Spiral glanced at Lady Mastermind for a moment. *Hopefully Lady Mastermind's ability will be useful. That is assuming we come across any trouble. As far as I know, Mystique can only assume forms and not abilities. I could be wrong. It's been some time since we worked together until now. Yet Mystique is good at hand to hand combat* she thought.

[Mystique]

Mystique watched as the woman in the cloak ran into the palace. If she had not been disguised as a guard, she would have shot the woman on sight. "The Scarlet Witch!" she snapped as she turned to look at Spiral. "What is SHE doing here?"

Raven Darkholme was not the kindest of souls at any time, and she was even less pleasant when it came to the likes of Wanda Maximoff. The woman had single-handedly decimated the mutant population, and for that she had to pay. 

"Let's follow her inside," Mystique said to her companions as she started to walk inside the great wooden gate of the castle. "And maybe we'll get some answers as to what Doom is up to. Spiral, we may have to run if Doom is trying something crazier than usual. Have you had any dealings with the Scarlet Witch? I forget if Mojo used her in any of his shows." 

[Spiral]

Spiral frowned when she viewed the woman running into the building. She had no idea who she was until Mystique mentioned her. She shook her head after Mystique's question. ''I don't recall seeing the Scarlet Witch in any of Mojo's TV programs. Our paths never crossed,'' Spiral said. A curious expression materialized on her face.

''What kind of magical abilities does the Scarlet Witch have? Are her abilities similar to my spells? How powerful is the Scarlet Witch?'' Spiral inquired. As for fleeing from Doom, she figured she was able to confront him on her own. One man across from six hands holding many swords. She was certain she could triumph during a confrontation with Doom.

[Mystique]

"The Scarlet Witch is able to alert all of reality," Mystique replied as the group advanced further into the castle. "She turned this dimension upside down a few years ago. She made Magneto the ruler of the world and gave everyone the thing they desired the most. That's how Wolverine got his memories back."

"Stupid runt," Sabretooth growled as Mystique shot him a funny look. "He is. You know it. And his red haired freakshow gal pal was the Lady of the Lake in Avalon. Remember when we heard that stupid story, Regan?"

"Not now, you two! Let me get back to Spiral's question," Mystique said as she glared at Creed. "When the Scarlet Witch found out she had been tricked by her brother Quicksilver, she went even more insane than usual and wiped out about 90 percent of the mutant population. They lost their powers when she said three words. No more mutants."

"Yeah, Wanda is a real cuckoo head," Lady Mastermind said as she made a swirling motion with her finger next to her temple. "Totally nutzo."

"If we get her upset, who knows what might happen," Mystique continued to explain as they got to the door's of what was likely Dooms throne room. "But she has to pay for what she did. I'm sure Doom won't see it that way, but she is responsible for the death or depowering of millions. It can't be ignored."
 

[Spiral]

Spiral scanned her surroundings quickly in case of possible traps or enemies. One eyebrow was raised in shock after Mystique answered her questions about the Scarlet Witch. ''The Scarlet Witch is able to give anyone their heart's desire? Will she be able to bring me Longshot's head on a silver platter?'' Spiral inquired. Sabretooth's recent comments didn't bother her at all. Her eyes widened at the revelation of the Scarlet Witch wiping out most of the mutant population.

''The Scarlet Witch is a powerful mage. Perhaps she can be a useful associate of ours.'' Spiral's sudden grin stretched from ear to ear. ''Imagine Mojo wishing to enslave the Scarlet Witch. He wouldn't be able to get her in front of a camera with her abilities. She would use her magic to cause him to suffer at a snail's pace. Hopefully I would be present to view my master's slow and painful death.'' She began to frown.

*I guess Mystique is unaware of my past. In another reality, I killed most of Earth's heroes. I was known as the Apocalyspe. I ruled with six iron fists! Shatterstar defeated me, but that was then. In other words, I know what it's like to kill millions* Spiral thought.

[Doctor Doom]

Doom watched Wanda as she entered the room and tutted under his mask as she made her apologies. Before he crossed to her side, he activated a large portal pad that was built into the floor next to his throne. "You are here now, and that is all that matters," he said as he motioned for her to take his hand. "And now we will go to this party and see if what Michael Priest is offering us is of any value, or if he is yet another dolt trying to usurp the power of Victor von Doom for his own designs!"

Before Doom stepped on the pad, the doors to his throne room opened, and a group of guards appeared carrying what appeared to be a Doombot. "Why are you bothering me with a broken robot?" he asked as the guards suddenly transformed before his eyes. 

"Oh shit," Lady Mastermind yelped as the illusion vanished. Mystique changed back into her usual blue form as well. 

"If you are looking for Magneto, he is not here," Doom intoned as he held Wanda's hand. He then looked toward Mystique and shook his head. "And I am late for an engagement." Doom looked in Spiral's direction and glared. "Well, what do you all want?"

[Spiral]

Spiral glanced at Mystique until she focused on Doom. She tilted her head in curiosity. *Why is Doom holding the Scarlet Witch's hand?* she thought. The teleporter saw Doom's eyes and loathed his tone when he asked his question. After forming a battle stance, she took all six swords out of their cases. Two blades were pointed at Doom in case he tried anything.

[Mystique]

"Doom, we need to talk to you before you go party hopping," Mystique said as she motioned for Sabretooth to set down the red haired robot.

"Do not address me in that tone, and tell your bodyguard to put down her blades," the Latverian dictator intoned as he looked at the group before him. "Why do you have my Doombot, and why is it dressed like Karenza?"

 "The stupid thing attacked us," Lady Mastermind said as she moved closer to Spiral. "And we thought you were sending out robots that looked like your enemies for a reason and could fill us in?"

"You mean you had no idea about this? And no one has stolen any of your Doombots lately?" Mystique asked as Doom shook his head. "I'll take that as a no."

"I do not have time for this," Doom growled as he opened a secondary portal near his throne. A picture formed in it of a darked haired woman in the usual green Latverian military garb. "Doctor, you are needed in the throne room. One of our Doombots went astray. I need you to find out why."

"Another doctor," Mystique said as she looked at Spiral. "And keep your swords handy. We don't take orders from Doom."

[Spiral]

The time-dancer of death glanced at Sabretooth as he placed the Doombot on the ground. She snarled and kept her blades pointed at Doom. Although Doom didn't order her to put her weapons down directly, she was aware that he meant her. Spiral had been ordered around by males all her life.

The first male to command her to do things had been the movie director during her days as 'Ricochet' Rita Wayword. The next male had been Mojo, her master. Perhaps Major Domo to some extent. Now Doom.

Spiral's battle stance remained. She nodded at Mystique. The shape-shifter was a bit more of a companion than her employer.  

[Mystique]

OOC: Still finding pics for the new character in this post

IC:

Raven rolled her eyes as she saw the woman Doom had been addressing finally make her way into the throne room. "Oh joy. She looks as cheerful as a heart attack," Mystique said to Spiral as she watched the woman walk to Doom, and speak to him briefly before he and the Scarlet Witch left via his first portal.

"I heard you," the female doctor snapped as she looked at the four people left in the room. She seemed to sniff in Spiral's direction as she looked intently at the time dancer's six arms.

"And you are?" Mystique asked as Sabretooth growled at the woman under his breath.

"Doctor Alexandria Kilduff," the woman in the green uniform replied as she looked back toward the Doombot on the table. "And that is not from this dimension. And neither am I. Our beloved dictator doesn't always tell the whole truth."

"If you ain't from here, lady, where are you from?" Sabretooth asked as Mystique watched the woman move around Spiral.

"From where that was made.  A little dimension where mystics rule the world. Ever heard of a place called The Rydenborne Institute?" Kilduff asked as she looked at the quartet.

"No, but I have heard of Jackson Rydenborne," Mystique replied. "An arms dealer."

"Much more than that, my dearies," Kilduff said as she moved right in front of Spiral. "His science staff would have a field day with you. Have you ever been cloned, my six armed beauty? An army of you would be most deadly."

"Back off!" Mystique yelled as she pulled her gun and aimed it at Kilduff.
 

[Spiral]

Spiral saw the new arrival, but remained alert in case the latter tried anything. She scowled when the woman sniffed in her direction. *Does the woman view me as a freak?* she thought. Spiral heard the doctor as she introduced herself. *Doctor Alexandria Kilduff should dread my six swords, but she doesn't.* Her eyes widened in confusion after Alexandria asked if she was cloned.

''An army?'' Spiral muttered. She frowned at Dr. Kilduff for a moment. She imagined herself leading a whole army of her clones. Hundreds of two-armed beings were going to suffer! Spiral lowered her swords. ''Will I lead the army?'' she inquired.

[Alexandria Kilduff]

Alexandria looked at Spiral and smiled. "Ah, you do like the idea!" she said with a grin as she prepared to run her hand under Spiral's chin but soon found a large, blue clawed hand on her shoulder. "And a shapeshifter? Excellent! And a feral madman and...what are you?" she asked Lady Mastermind.

"None of your business, beyotch!" Regan yelled as she moved closer to Sabretooth.  "And who says you can go cloning anyone, you mystic whackadoo freak!"

"She casts illusions," Sabretooth replied as he gave Alexandria a feral grin. "Mental powers. Not hocus pocus bull.."

"Mutants! Are you all mutants? I haven't seen a mutant in years...except for that Romany woman Doom keeps as his pet. Wanda. She gives mystics a bad name."

"She gives everyone a bad name," Mystique replied as she looked at the doctor. "And a world ruled by mystics?"

"Yes, ruled by Ronan the Everlasting, may he and the House MacFeorais rule for all eternity! Or at least may I be on the winning side if he falls."

"You ain't a doctor. You are a freaking mercenary!" Lady Mastermind yelped as Mystique kept her gun trained on the doctor.

"I am a doctor. Of robotics," Alexandria purred. "But I know a man named Abbadon who would love to meet you four. He, and I, do not have an issue with mutants. So you four could be very useful back home. If power and wealth and a chance to take over this world and that one appeal to you. Or do you have another master you answer to, my pretty, deadly assassin?" she asked Spiral.

[Spiral]

Spiral heard every word as Sabretooth and Regan talked or rather snapped. She was about to mention that she was not a mutant, but she wasn't the type to always tell all. Spiral frowned after Alexandria wished to know if ever she answered to another master. Mojo was not someone she was fond of remembering or mentioning. She shook her head. ''I do not answer to a master,'' she said. 

[Mystique]

Mystique did not like this woman one bit, and the fact she was throwing around the MacFeorais name made her ill. "The last time we heard anyone babbling about mutants and doctors, said mutants wound up as experiments in laboratories. And anything that stinks of the MacFeorais family makes that all worse."

Alexandria laughed as she watched Mystique closely and then turned back to Spiral. "Good, then I won't have to fight with anyone for your services. And yes, I have mercenary blood in my veins. My brother is a bounty hunter of sorts. But I doubt you'll ever run into him. Now, where did you get that lovely robot?"

"Africa. It sort of landed at our feet," Mystique replied as she moved closer to Spiral as Alexandria went to look at the robot. "Thoughts on this offer of hers, Spiral? Something about her seems odd," she whispered as Sabretooth gave Alexandria the robot's head to examine.  "I don't like to walk into things blindly."

[Spiral]

Spiral's frown was still on her face after Mystique mentioned doctors and mutants being experimented on in labs. Although Spiral herself was a result of being experimented on, she seemed eager to have others share her fate. The Body Shoppe happened to be a place far from Mojo. In a way, he was still present when Spiral tortured and enhanced others in her Body Shoppe. The Body Shoppe was where Spiral transformed both clients and victims just as she was changed. She faced Alexandria.

''Your offer sounds tempting,'' Spiral said to Alexandria. She glanced at Mystique. She began to talk in a soft tone. ''The offer sounds too good to be true.'' 

Spiral turned to Alexandria another time. ''How do I know you won't betray me?'' she asked. Although she betrayed others in the past for various reasons, she remained very cautious.

[Alexandria Kilduff]

"Nothing in this world is a given. I've learned that the hard way," Alexandria said as she looked at Spiral and Mystique. "But..." Alexandria stopped and chose her next words carefully. "If you can move between realms, it would be easy for you to exit mine quickly. Of course, you can always speak to Abaddon yourself."

Doom had all manner of machines in his castle, and one was a dimensional telecommunications device. Alexandria simply turned the machine on, adjusted some dials, and her true employer appeared on the video screen. "Lord Abaddon, I have met some very interesting souls in this realm, and I have made them your standard offer."

A white haired man stared back from the other side of the video screen and smiled. He then suddenly turned pale as he saw Mystique and Sabretooth. "I see. And how did you find your world's counterparts of our syndicate members?" he asked before turning his attention to Spiral in all her six-armed glory and got a wicked grin on his face.  "I've heard about you from the slavers of my world. You do work for hire of a very precise sort. Spiral, is it?" Abaddon asked as Alexandria looked at the screen. "You augment people for a price."

[Spiral]

*I will be able to move between realms as long as I can move my arms* Spiral thought with a frown. She stepped back when she saw a white-haired man. She had no idea why he turned pale after he saw Mystique and Sabretooth. Spiral scowled at the sight of his sudden wicked grin. *The man grins just like Mojo!* she thought. Spiral nodded. ''Yes. I do augment others,'' she said.

[Alexandria Kilduff]

"I told you I'd find someone better than those clockwork makers," Alexandria said with a smile. "And luck brought all these magnificent mutants my way. It certainly wasn't Doctor Crackpot."

"Oh, I see..." Mystique said as she looked at the screen. "Another man who wants to rule the world. Cue the violins. What makes you so different?"

"Probably nothing...Mystique, was it?" Abaddon said with a small smile. "But then again, it might be everything. I am looking for generals to run an army of augmented, mutant and mutated beings. I need scientists, strategists, creative minds...."

"What's in the tank behind you?" Mystique asked as Abaddon turned around and motioned to the stasis units behind him.

"Eternity," he said with a wicked grin. "Power. And the start of an army the likes of which the worlds have never seen. Death Angels one and all. Augmented, but not done with the finesse that is needed. Spiral, would you tell me about your work, one genius to another?"

  

[Spiral]

Spiral tilted her head in interest after Abaddon mentioned his desire for generals to lead armies. ''Augmented?'' she muttered as she placed one hand under her face for a second. She frowned at Abaddon. ''You won't use whatever information I reveal against me?'' Spiral asked. Part of her wished to rule with six iron fists. The other half of Spiral was worried about being betrayed.

[Mystique]

"I'd hold off giving him a damned thing, Spiral," Mystique said as she kept staring at Abaddon and his stasis units. "I agree with you. We all could be betrayed."

"Oh, ye of little faith," Abaddon said as he shook his head and looked through the screen at the group in Latveria.  "I have worked with people from other realms and dimensions. Do you want references or something? Ah, for the old days when..."

"I'm as old as dirt, and so is Sabretooth, and we have both been played before," Mystique said as she cut off Abaddon. "Spiral, what exactly would be fair payment for even one of your special talents in the Body Shoppe? If you put a price on anything you could do to a living creature, what would it be? Perhaps Abaddon needs to know that before we go any further."
 

[Spiral]

Spiral kept a close eye on Abaddon. Perhaps his words were sincere and perhaps they weren't. She glanced at Mystique. *Although I betrayed others in the past for various reasons, it's not fun when I am the betrayed one* Spiral thought. She focused on Mystique. A thoughtful expression formed on her face after her companion asked about body modifications.

''I usually experiment on others for fun,'' Spiral admitted. Was she eager to reveal part of the reason for being in her Body Shoppe was to be far from Mojo? Mutilate others the way he mutilated her? ''I am still interested in my own army,'' Spiral said.