SHIELD Hellicarrier, 3rd POV

The air was tense in the Shield Hellcarriers massive briefing room, so much you can cut it with a butter knife. Representatives from the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and both the Justice League and Young Justice League sat around a holographic table. The flickering projection in the center displayed the map of Latveria, with red markers indicating recent activity along its borders.

The terrain was rugged, the nation surrounded by natural defenses that had kept it isolated for centuries. Yet, its problems could no longer be ignored from the UN or the European Federation, so the groups were given the go ahead to operate. Captain America was seen at the front of the table, with Superman and Iron-Man as well, both leading the charge

"Alright people listen up," Captain America spoke up,"Latveria has become more than just a political concern. Baron Konrad's cruelty is bleeding into neighboring countries. Refugees are pouring into Europe, and reports of atrocities are growing by the day."

The room was silent as the words sank in, with each of the members taking note. The glowing hologram shifted, displaying images of scorched villages, terrified refugees, and mercenaries looting what little remained of the countryside. Many frowned or narrowed their eyes at this, the lost of life and the treatment of the people were disgusting

"The UN has been pushing for intervention to quell the Barons abuse," Wonder Woman said,"but Latveria's location and its natural defenses have made direct action...complicated."

"Tch, yeah more like some don't to ruin their extra cash flow," Robin whispered to himself

"Complicated is an understatement, our initial scans of the region show significant technological interference," Mister Fantastic said,"Latveria's capital appears to be protected by a network of energy fields we've never encountered before. It's as if someone has re-engineered the entire city in the span of only three days."

"Reed's right, whatever tech they're using, it's not standard military-grade," Tony Stark said,"it's advanced—beyond anything even the European Federation has access to. That's why we need to be smart about this."

"This isn't just about tech, it's about the people," Superman said,"we can't stand by while an entire nation suffers under the Baron's rule. He's proven time and time again that he has no regard for human life."

The hologram shifted again, showing an imposing image of Baron Konrad, a cruel despot whose reign had been marked by unrelenting brutality. His military, composed of ruthless mercenaries, was known for targeting civilians to enforce their rule. Even allowing them to do whatever they want to the populace, including murder and rape, destroying so many families

"If we're going to act, we must consider the innocent lives at stake," Aqualad informed them,"infiltration is the only way to ensure minimal casualties and ensure the people won't get dragged into the conflict."

"Agreed, a full-scale assault risks too many lives," Batman said,"this needs to be surgical."

"What's the plan then,"Robin asked,"do we sneak in, take out the Baron, and disable his forces like a Jenga tower?"

"It's not gonna be that simple sadly," Flash spoke up,"the Baron isn't working alone. He's got ties to mercenary groups across Europe. Even if we remove him, his network could still retaliate."

"That's why we take out the Baron and dismantle his infrastructure simultaneously," Black Widow saids,"we're gonna hit his supply chains, his communications, and his leadership all at once."

"And how do we deal with his defenses," Green Lantern(John Stewart),"that tech you mentioned sounds like a problem."

Reed adjusted the hologram, highlighting Latveria's capital, Doomstadt. A massive energy dome shimmered over the city, and multiple smaller nodes of power spread across the region. Along the walls robotic soldiers were seen patrolling the capital, they were at least 2 meters tall, looking like robotic knights of sorts.

"The energy fields are generated from these nodes, if we can neutralize them, we'll have a clear path into the city," Reed said,"but it won't be easy. Each node is heavily fortified and protected by these robotic knights."

"Wait since when did the Baron use robots," Artemis asked,"I thought he used mercenaries?"

"We don't know as this point, but all we do they have fortified the capital in the last few days," Btaman said

"Fortified or not, we've faced worse," Tony said,"we just need to coordinate our teams properly or this go south like an Alabama birthday party."

"We'll split into teams," Winder Woman said,"each one will take down the nodes while the others handle the Baron and secure the capital."

"Agreed, here's how we'll break it down," Captain America said

Reed then soon pulled up the team schematics:

1. Team Alpha (Infiltration): Led by Captain America, this team would consist of stealth-oriented heroes like Black Widow, Batman, and Robin. Their goal: infiltrate the Baron's palace and neutralize him directly. Cutting off the chain of command and disorient the mercenary commanders

2. Team Beta (Tech Disruption): Tony Stark, Reed Richards, Cyborg, and Kid Flash would focus on disabling the energy nodes and neutralizing Latveria's technological defenses. Thus giving them a chance to disable the force field and the robot soldiers, to lessen the defenses of the capital

3. Team Gamma (Evacuation and Support): Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aqualad, and Miss Martian would handle the evacuation of civilians and provide backup for the other teams as needed. Last thing they want is people getting caught in the crossfire of the battle

"We can't afford to fail, too many lives depend on us," Superman said

"Do not worry Man of Steel, we shall end this rule tyranny," Thor said with a booming voice

With that, the heroes stood, their determination seen as they filed out of the room, the hologram flickered one last time, showing the imposing city of Doomstadt—a fortress of cruelty they were determined to dismantle.

Little did they know, a new force had already claimed Latveria's throne...and a new ruler has taken over.

Doomstadt

The assigned teams moved swiftly across Latveria's rugged terrain under the cover of night, thankfully the moon was covered by clouds tonight. The mission was to be executed with precision, each group advancing toward their designated targets. The tension in the air was palpable, each hero prepared for the worst as they approached Doomstadt, the heart of the Baron's rule.

"Everyone stay sharp, we're almost to the capital," Captain America said on comms,"remember to watch out for civilians, we don't want o make the situation worse."

There they see the towering walls of Doomstadt came into view, illuminated by faint torchlight all over the area. Though what surprised the teams was the fact that the energy dome that had loomed over the city in their reconnaissance was gone, replaced by an eerie stillness. The mercenary checkpoints that should have blocked the paths were empty, soldiers lay lead on the ground, their weapons were nothing more then crumpled up balls of metal.

"Something's wrong, I'm seeing no mercenaries left in the area," Batman said

"All I'm seeing a disturbing amount of dead bodies," Superman said

"No power signatures from the energy fields either," Iron-Man said as he hacked into the network,"it's like someone pulled the plug from the outlet."

"Hey umm guys, you might come take a look at this," Kid Flash radioed everyone,"also I think stealth isn't necessary."

"Why," Superboy asked when they reached his position

Soon as they entered the outskirts of the city, the sounds of celebration reached their ears. Laughter, cheers, and music echoed through the streets as if the darkness couldn't scare the people. They emerged into the central square and froze at the sight before them.

The people of Doomstadt, once oppressed and silent, were now flooding the streets, like they were celebrating something. Families danced with each others, villagers embraced like long lost friends, and children waved flags of Latveria emblazoned with a new insignia: a shield with a dark iron face, surrounded by intricate runes.

Something they didn't expect to see...like...at all

"This isn't what I expected," Miss Martian said

The square itself was a testament to recent chaos, like if a hurricane torn through. Barricades were smashed, walls bore scorch marks, and piles of discarded weapons littered the ground. The mercenary forces that were suppose to be guarding the area were all dead, piled up and being dragged off somewhere by the males, all while the rest partied.

"Did someone beat us here," Robin asked

A young woman noticed the heroes and rushed forward, her face alight with joy. She was around in her early 20's, long black hair and bright blue eyes, she wore a dress that reached her ankles and had a warm smile

"You've come, he said others would come to see what he's done," she said,"I knew he was right!"

The heroes exchanged uncertain glances, wondering who this person was that took out and how he knew they were coming.

"Who are you talking about," Captian America asked,"also ma'am, what happened here?"

The woman beamed, gesturing toward the massive castle that loomed at the end of the square. There they looked up to see more dead guards along the walls, even some of the robotic soldiers were seen hanging by the wires.

"The man in iron, e came from nowhere," the woman said,"he destroyed the Baron's guards, tore down their machines, and walked into the castle without a single word. We thought he'd come to conquer us, but instead...he set us free!"

The crowd began to gather around the heroes, clapping them on the backs and thanking them, mistaking them for allies of the mysterious man. The heroes looked to one another, trying to piece together what had happened. They started by asking them questions, hoping to piece what information they get bit by bit.

"The man in iron huh," Cyborg asked,"sounds like someone stole your thunder, Stark."

"Very funny Wifi router," Tony said,"I don't know who this guy is, but he's using some serious tech. That insignia looks custom-made, not patched together."

"Whoever they are, they've neutralized the Baron's forces more effectively than we planned," Batman said

The celebration grew louder as the villagers began chanting a name. The sound reverberated through the square, carried on the wind like a battle cry.

"Doom! Doom! Doom!"

Suddenly a boy tugged on Superman's cape, looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Are you here to see him too," the boy asked

Superman knelt down, a warm smile and spoke with a tone gentle.

"Who son," he asked the boy,"the man in iron?"

"He's in the castle," the boy said as he nodded enthusiastically,"he said we'd never have to fear oppression again. You should go meet him!"

The heroes exchanged wary looks some were worried that whoever this was could be a problem. But if they managed to do this, helping the people, though killing a bunch of people as well, they could be looking at a new problem in Latveria

"If this man freed these people, why does he still remain in the castle," Wonder Woman asked

"There's only one way to find out," Batman said,"let's see who this man in the mask is."

"Agreed, but don't lower your guard," Captain America said"whoever this is, they're powerful enough to do what we came here to do, alone."

The team moved through the city cautiously, the villagers parting for like waves of onlooker. The closer they got to the castle, the more evident the destruction of this man in iron caused. Doors had been ripped from their hinges, and walls bore jagged scars where energy weapons or magic had torn through stone, and dead mercenaries laid out.

As they reached the massive gates of the castle, they found them open, the metal warped and twisted as though they had been ripped apart by sheer force. Beyond the gates, the grand hall stretched out before them, its torches flickering in the quiet air. But what really made them stop was the man hanging in the air, suspended by wires

It was Baron Konrad, who had a gaping hole in his chest, his eyes still locked with fear and terror. The heros were shocked to see this, but they looked at one another and carefully stepped inside, their footsteps echoing against the stone floors. The throne room loomed ahead, its doors ajar, the faint hum of power emanated from within, a steady rhythm like a heartbeat.

"Whoever this is, they've got a flair for the dramatic," Iron-Man said

"Says the guy in the flying toaster suit," Robin deadpanned

Batman raised a hand, silencing the banter between the two.

"Stay focused, we're not alone," Batman said

"Really what gave it away," Black Widow asked

As they reached the threshold of the throne room, the heroes felt a palpable shift in the air. The hum grew louder, the symbols carved into the walls glowing faintly with crimson light, as if they were getting powerful by the second. A figure sat on the throne, shrouded in shadow, the gleam of metal catching the torchlight, his eyes glowing bright yellow in darkness.

The man in iron had been waiting for them.

The castle loomed around them like a silent predator, its walls stretching high into the shadows. The faint echo of their footsteps bounced through the cavernous corridors, each step heavier than the last as they went in deeper. The destruction within was staggering, great stone pillars cracked and crumbled, tapestries scorched and dead guards all around

"This wasn't a fight, it was a one-sided massacre," Wonder Woman said

They passed rows of dead soldiers sprawled across the marble floors, their weapons discarded, shattered, or melted. Their faces bore expressions of terror even in death, as if they had been struck down by something far beyond their comprehension. The people were seen cleaning the area up, not bothered by the scores of dead soldiers they were dragging

"Whoever did this wasn't just powerful...they were precise," Cyborg said

"They killed people, they're dangerous so don't praise them," Batman said

The group pressed on, deeper into the castle, the air growing colder and heavier with every step. The faint hum of energy seemed to pulse through the very stones, as though the castle itself was alive and breathing. The glow of crimson runes flickered faintly along the walls, casting eerie shadows that danced and twisted as they moved.

"I don't like this, tech and magic don't mix well unless you know what you're doing," Iron-Man said,"whoever this guy is, he knows exactly what he's doing."

"Did he do all this alone," Artemis asked,"this place looks like a hurricane hit it."

"No, this was done by one person with a purpose," Reeds said

The hallway leading to the throne room stretched long and foreboding, its double doors wide open, as if inviting them in. The flickering torches lining the walls cast jagged, ominous shadows that stretched toward the heroes like claws.

As they stepped through the threshold, the destruction gave way to a chilling order. The throne room was pristine, almost untouched, save for the bodies of the Baron's personal guards lying crumpled on the floor, as though they had been struck down with methodical precision.

At the end of the hall, on a massive throne of black stone, sat a figure. He was clad in armor that gleamed darkly in the dim light, its surface etched with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with crimson energy. His face was obscured by a mask of cold, unyielding iron, its sharp lines sculpted into a stern and emotionless visage. A deep green cloak draped over his shoulders, pooling around the base of the throne like the shadows of night itself.

The figure sat motionless, his posture commanding and his presence oppressive. Even in stillness, the weight of his gaze could be felt, piercing through the slits of the mask. The room was silent save for the faint hum of energy emanating from the figure's armor. The heroes instinctively spread out, their training guiding their movements as they positioned themselves defensively.

This was Doctor Doom

"Who are you," Superman asked

Doctor Doom did not respond immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, as if studying them, measuring them up.

"We know what you've done," Wonder Woman said,"you've overthrown the Baron and dismantled his forces. But why, what do you want?"

Doom didn't speak for a few seconds until he finally did, his voice carrying weight of power.

"Want," he asked them,"hmm, I want what this world has denied its people for too long: order, justice, and peace. What I have done here is only the beginning, out with the old and in with the new as you say."

"Yeah, I've heard that speech before," Iron-Man,"that usually doesn't end well."

Doom slowly stood, his movements deliberate and controlled. As he rose, the room seemed to grow smaller, his presence consuming the space within. He stepped forward, the sound of his armored boots striking the stone floor echoing ominously.

"You think yourselves saviors...Heroes," he strained the word like a curse,"but do tell me...where were you when these people cried out for help? When they starved, when they bled when killed, or screamed when violated by the mercenaries here? You did nothing, because it was inconvenient, because it did not fit your narrow definition of heroism or your leaders deemed this...not worthy to deal with."

The words cut deep, the silence that followed filled with unspoken tension. Many felt pain from that, they wanted to act faster, but they were still held by the rules of governments trying to restrict them, cause they feared them. Their powers, it made people scared of what they don't know, and control was the only response to it.

"And you think you're different," Batman asked,"a mask and a throne don't make you a savior."

Doom stopped at the edge of the dais, his armored hands clasping behind his back as he gazed down at them. He walked to a window as he looked down to see the people still celebrating their freedom from the baron.

"No, you are corrects in that regard Batman," the man said,"but what makes me different is that I do what must be done, regardless of convenience or morals. I do not bow to governments or councils, people who think they have rights to control us. I do not play their games, instead I act then sit down with a thumb up my ass."

He gestured to the insignia emblazoned on the banners that now lined the throne room walls.

"You call yourself a leader, but all I see is someone trading one tyranny for another," Superman said

"Tyranny, you misunderstand Man of Steel," Dooms voice grew colder, sharper,"I have no interest in power for power's sake. My rule is a means to an end, a world without suffering, without chaos. A world where the innocent are protected, and the corrupt are brought to heel by those who were oppressed."

The group tensed as Doom took another step forward, the faint glow of his armor illuminating the sharp lines of his mask.

"Who are you," Thor asked him, intrigued by this man

Doom paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled heroes. Then, with deliberate precision, he answered with a little flair to just mess with them

"I am the future this world needs," Doom said,"I am the shield that protects the innocent, and the sword that strikes down the guilty...but you may call me Doctor Doom."

The declaration hung in the air like a thunderclap. For a moment, no one spoke, the weight of his words pressing down on them. Doom stepped back to the throne and sat once more, his posture relaxed but his presence no less menacing.

"Now, tell me...are you here to challenge me," Doom said,"or to witness the beginning of a new era of Latveria?"

The heroes exchanged uncertain glances, the once-clear mission now mired in doubt and unease. The man before them was unlike anyone they had faced before—not a tyrant, not a villain, but something far more dangerous.

A man who truly believed he could save the world.