Pyrrhic

[Beta Ray Bill]

Chirpa's garage. To the naked eye, the mere auto shop was nothing special, but if one were to dig deeper and head inside... they would learn that not everything was what it seemed. Entering the sanctum revealed that there were no hovercrafts that required fixing or simple mechanic parts and tools. No, littered there were droid parts and men hard at work. Building and supplying what one could only assume was illegal in the Empire. These men, these Ewoks as Luci called them, were attuned to the gang members' every whim to create what was necessary for the Westside. 

Honestly, Doom-- to some degree-- respected her. It was a thief's honor that she managed to gain command of an entire community of vagabonds and peasants. What she was really being paid for her part was the initiation of true, raw power. A power that only one with the ability to rule was able to muster up. What is power? some would say. Is it an ability that one has the inclination to do? Or is it the capacity of one's influence over the general of others? Yes, yes! It was all of these things, but Victor knew there was more to power than just charismatic sway or skill. No one needed to be born with the natural instincts of a leader and hunger, an ambition that could never be sated. For beings such as Doom, there needed to be neither failure nor fear of death. This was the only path to absolution. The only way of Doom.


Silently as if the whole world was watching Dr. Doom made his way to the garage's entrance. A small gust of man-made wind causing his green mantle flair behind his steps. Advancing upon the entrance swung open and four tiny and yet furry individuals stepped out. Doom's eyes narrowed but still held his approach meeting the one in the middle. 

"Chirpa is unaccounted for though I am under the impression that you will be ample compensation?" The Sovereign said folding his arms awaiting the tiny creature's response.

"Yes, I am Jev one of Chirpa's assistants. It is unfortunate that he is not with you. Are you prepared Lord of Latveria?" The Ewok asked a large smile growing on his face.      

 under his mask, Doom's face scowled at the little furry alien. 

"The subject is are you proficient enough in seizing the task?" Victor retorted.

"Yes, of course, my liege." Jev's grin grew even wider. 

"Silence!" Doctor Doom shifted his left-hand opening cloak. His right sifting through his inner pockets before bringing out a small briefcase. "Install these to my Doombots and prepare your lab. I will personally replicate the remainders." 

Doom placed the briefcase into the hands of one of the Ewoks and stepped into the garage. Jev scurried to keep up with the good doctor. 

"Your Highness with files you gave us, it took us a while but the armor you requested, It is ready."  

Still keeping his pace Victor brought himself to Jev's level. His intimidating mask and brown piercing eyes being brought close to his face. 

"It is complete? Prime the transferring process immediately." Doctor Doom brought himself back to full stature. Picking up the pace he tore off his cloak tossing it at one of the Ewok technicians.

Jev and various others darted off taking their places around an oversized terminal. The terminal itself had branching series of cables that connected to a platform like pad the had large mechanical hands that sat ready to pull and replace. Everything was set, everything was going according to plan. The tasked was complete and it was one more thing finished and out of the way in Doom's ever-revolving plan. 

Dr. Doom stepped on the metal platform. His boots making a metallic cling with each step until he came to halt at the center of the platform. Lifting both his arms in level with his masked head Doom slightly nodded at Jev. 

"Began armor transferring procedure! Is this machine connected to the city power supply!" Victor shouted across the garage. The machine humming to life drowning out any if all noise.     

"Yes! It's all-" 

"Then initiate it, you FOOL!" 

Frantically Jev smashed several buttons and flipped a series of switches. The machine's mechanical arms began to move on its own. One by one snapping and clicking armor pieces off and then replacing them with a new set. Slowly Doctor Doom's old armor was replaced with a newer model. A model that closely resembled his old self, back when it was on him the Fantastic Four and the world. 

"Armor and cloak are all set! Prepare for powering mode!" Jev shouted pressing another series of buttons and cracking several nobs. His technicians darted back and forth checking diagnostics and making sure cables were in place.

With a loud thud, a giant pod came over Doom. A Series of cords outstretched connecting with his new armor. Sparks started to pop out in the places the cords had connected with. The powering process was gearing up. This was it. The moment of truth. Would all their work be for nothing? Or would this be one of their most successful creations to date?      

"System is a go!" Jev quickly pulled one last switch. 

Loud ear splitting humming drained the entire garage of sound. The pod the encased Doom began to radiate with electricity. Lights all around started to flicker and the humming grew louder and louder until it was too much to bear.