American Comics: Multiverse of Madness

340. Doctor Doom vs. Galactus!

Beyond Earth, in the celestial void.

As the harbinger of Galactus, the flagship of the Universal Church of Truth was leading a seemingly endless fleet in an all-out assault.

Matriarch sat upon a grand throne, her piercing eyes calmly observing the beautiful blue planet before her. She had aided Galactus in conquering many civilizations, witnessing countless planets across the universe, but even so, Earth seemed to shine uniquely, evoking a strange feeling that made it stand apart.

"What kind of planet is this..."

Matriarch found herself at a loss for words. It was a deeply peculiar, indescribable feeling—upon seeing Earth, it was as if she were gazing upon the very center of the universe.

"Exalted High Priestess, this is the planet where Gladiator and his team last transmitted a signal," the church's scribe approached and spoke quietly.

At his words, Matriarch gradually shook off the feeling. "Why don't I see Gladiator? They should have already taken over this planet."

"My apologies, exalted High Priestess. Three minutes ago, we lost brainwave contact with Gladiator, indicating that he may have met his end. The same goes for the other members of the Royal Guard. Unless they somehow broke free of our mind control, it's very likely they're dead."

The scribe bowed his head even lower, knowing well the unpredictable nature of Matriarch. He was keenly aware that any misstep might cost him his life.

"Useless!"

Indeed, upon hearing his words, Matriarch sprang from her seat. "So-called Royal Guard! They couldn't even handle that old drunk Star-Lord. Earth currently has no heroes, no Avengers, no Fantastic Four—yet they still managed to get themselves killed here!"

Her furious voice caused the nearby members of the church to bow even lower, terrified of drawing her attention.

The scribe quivered but sighed and, despite his reluctance, continued his explanation.

"Exalted High Priestess, Star-Lord may have aged, but he was once a legend who saved the galaxy numerous times. As for Earth, this civilization may appear primitive, but it's not without threat. We cannot underestimate it."

Matriarch gave him a sharp glance, her eyebrows furrowing momentarily before she returned to her seat, speaking in a booming voice.

"What is there to fear? Half a century has passed—what could possibly remain here to stop us? Bring the ship closer."

The sun's faint light began to emerge from Earth's horizon as the Universal Church of Truth fleet advanced, with its colossal force casting a shadow over the entire planet.

As they neared Earth, church members first noticed a network of satellites bearing Hydra's emblem. These automated defenses were once deployed to repel extraterrestrial invaders. But now, under the cosmic energies radiated by Galactus, they had been reduced to space debris, circling Earth meaninglessly in predetermined orbits.

"Look at this junk. Half a century has passed, and Earth still relies on these 'toys,'" Matriarch sneered, casting a glance at the scribe, as if to suggest his earlier concerns were unwarranted.

The scribe caught her look and chuckled awkwardly. "It seems my limited experience pales compared to yours—wait, what is that?!"

Before he could finish, he noticed dark silhouettes moving rapidly toward them, seemingly heading straight for the fleet.

Everyone turned their gaze to the incoming figures; even from a distance, they looked like mere ants in the vastness of space.

"What are those?" Matriarch's expression turned curious.

"Exalted High Priestess, the detectors have not registered anything—wait, one has a life sign," the intelligence officer reported immediately. "Upon inspection, they appear to be mechanical constructs, with only one showing signs of life."

"Mechanical constructs?" Any lingering worries in Matriarch's mind vanished, replaced by scorn.

Unfamiliar with Earth's past encounters with Ultron or the nanobot invasions, Matriarch could only perceive these robots as nothing more than toys. "How primitive."

A dim light shimmered in the expanse as Doctor Doom, Victor von Doom, personally led his army of Doom-bots to meet the infamous Universal Church of Truth beyond Earth.

Doom halted his approach, pausing between Earth and the advancing fleet.

Looking up, he saw the overwhelming numbers of the galactic fleet filling his entire field of vision. The fleet was so vast that it blotted out the sun, casting a colossal shadow of impending destruction over the void of stars.

(Emergency alert: Catastrophic-level threat detected. Catastrophic-level threat detected. Catastrophic-level threat detected.)

Alarms blared from the surrounding Doom-bots in Doctor Doom's earpiece, amplifying the intense anxiety in the air. Even Doom himself couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine as he took in the terrifying sight before him.

Compared to the massive fleet, he and his forces were like ants standing before a chariot, insignificant enough that even being noticed felt like wishful thinking. At any second, they could be crushed to dust under the relentless wheels.

Annoyed by the incessant alarms, Doctor Doom raised a hand, removed his earpiece, and crushed it into pieces.

Turning slightly, Doom looked back at Earth from this perspective for the first time with such intensity.

So beautiful.

A shame he could never go back.

[Face death with the spirit of noble sacrifice, Earthling. Your resistance is meaningless. Take pride in your sacrifice, for it will sustain a being of supreme greatness.]

As Doom gazed at Earth, lost in thought, the Universal Church of Truth shattered the vacuum's silence, broadcasting a grand voice through cosmic energy. The thunderous sound seemed to explode within Doom's mind, leaving him momentarily dizzy.

"Dream on."

Doctor Doom's hands flared with green light. It was faint, but at that moment, it blazed with an unusual brightness.

"No one has the right to annihilate Doom's people except Doom himself!"

[Foolish insect. You have no idea what you're facing.]

The voice of Matriarch resounded again from the flagship, filled with disdain and impatience.

"All will bow before the all-powerful ruler, Doom. And that includes you!" Doom roared angrily.

Back on the Universal Church of Truth flagship, Matriarch laughed in disbelief at Doom's arrogance.

"Pathetic trash," she mocked, shaking her head, then turned to her scribe. "Issue my command: Full assault. I want to send Earth a message—it's time this planet met its new god."

With Matriarch's order, the flagship instantly boosted its engines, leading the fleet forward in an assault. They didn't even bother to open fire; instead, they charged forward directly, as if they intended to crush the ants beneath their wheels.

"No one ignores Doom!"

Doctor Doom's eyes were wide with fury as he stared down the oncoming fleet.

"Pay no attention to him. Keep advancing."

Matriarch sneered at Doom's anger.

The vast fleet of the Universal Church of Truth had no intention of stopping, pressing forward directly.

Seeing this, a surge of wrath erupted within Doom, his entire body trembling, veins pulsing beneath his mask. "Doom once conquered the entire Earth. Now, as a new order dawns upon it, I will not let you destroy it!"

Doctor Doom floated before the gargantuan flagship, his arms spread wide, as if to block its advance.

Matriarch chuckled at the sight, never having felt even a hint of threat from the man before her. His defiance seemed almost laughable, even as he risked his life.

"For Earth…"

Doom sighed softly, then released every bit of magical energy within him.

"Strange…thank you!"

In a single moment, the Earth's surface, initially shrouded in darkness, began to glow faintly.

Starting from Latveria, a vast network of energy was ignited, spreading through pipes and railways. Like beacon fires, the lights traveled onward, propelled by Doom's magic. Flickering flames of light expanded, slowly spreading outward.

"What's he doing?" Matriarch was stunned by the sudden display.

But no one answered her. Every church member's attention was drawn to the spectacle before them.

The entire Earth seemed to light up, forming an enormous magical array composed of golden magical circuits that flowed over the planet, its shimmering lines shifting continuously.

From space, all could clearly see a massive symbol resembling a tilted cross formed by four lines, akin to the window symbol of the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Under the brilliant glow of the four intersecting beams, one could faintly make out the locations corresponding to Latveria and the other three Sanctums if viewed on a world map!

Facing away from Earth, Doom stood before the Universal Church of Truth, the magic radiating behind him illuminating his small figure, making him appear impossibly grand.

"At this moment…"

Doom spoke slowly.

"…magic will rise again!!"

.....

30 advanced chapters on p@treaon
For advance chapters: /Uchiha_Itachi007 (replace @ with a)
341. I Am Doom!!
342. Doctor Doom's Final Act!
343. Infiltrating Apokolips.
344. Cyber-Metal Justice League.
345. Hamster Flash.