It was the day after James had given Yolda her orders, it started off as an average day for everyone but for one person, there was a palpable air spreading in the whole of Empire State University.
The gazes of the people around him were, for some reason, different… he did not know how or why but he felt their eyes filled with endless darkness. Victor von Doom, the young man who had been in constant conflict with Reed Richards, the foreigner who matched the American genius in talent… this young man did not know what kind of wave had begun to stir.
Inside one of the meeting halls of Empire State University, a group of old men and women were having a rather rushed meeting.
Few had noticed their disappearance as these individuals did not really appear in public often. At best, students would find them teaching during their classes, outside of that they were almost impossible to find unless you went to their office.
"The kid Victor… he's a genius but… if we continue to harbor him- we may find more trouble than necessary", one of the elders spoke up but his words were stalled and he had a hard time bringing himself to say more.
In response to him, another elder, responded, their words spoken with clarity and calm but it carried with it an air of repressed anger, "We already did our best in suppressing the matter but who would have thought that Richards would have such a vile personality".
One of the participants of the meeting sighed, she looked at all her fellow Dean's as she shook her head speaking with a reserved and regretful tone, "It all begun with his loud ravings… if he were just a bit more- humble, maybe we could have seen a partnership between two geniuses alas-"
Yet her words were cut short as the youngest Dean amongst them spoke up. His words carrying heavy resentment, his eyes filled with annoyance and rage as he responded-
"Isn't Reed the problem? Just transfer him out! That brat thinks he could do whatever he wants just because he has the talent to study early. He has no sense of humility! The kid would end up creating a bomb in the future killing millions! The worst part about it is that he may very well see it as a "necessity", the kid won't even consider the comments of his elders!"
Unfortunately, his words received a negative response as one of the olderset members of the meeting answered him-
"It's unfortunate but such is the fate of a genius, without competition and roadblocks, they would develop such pride"
The words of the elder made everyone else go silent, even the youngest member could only click his tongue.
Although the matter between Reed and Victor was repressed, due to a certain young man's incessant complaining, rumors had started to spread. With how much free time College students had after taking care of their homework, the complaints that Reed did not try to hide were overheard.
Some recorded his complaints over the walls, some just listened in and talked about it in online forums.
Night was the time college students were most active, it was at this time that they had the freedom to go through social media, watch the latest episodes of their favorite shows or continue reading their books.
Though, due to the resources in the dorm being quite lacking, only a few students had enough resources to enjoy entertainment of various kinds. Most of the students spent time talking with their friends and chatting in online forums.
It was at this time, when online trolls, knights and try hard heroes, keyboard warriors populated the forums.
As such, the complaints that Reed had about Victor were broadcasted all over the university forums.
Since the news involved the two top students of the university, many were quickly interested in whatever was said.
In the span of a few hours, background checks were done on Victor, the story of Reed interfering with Victor had been changed to Victor setting up a trap for Reed.
No one knew who started it, probably some patriotic bastard with a bias against eastern europeans. No one knows but what is important to note is that the hate for Victor had changed from "the scholarship kid who has more privileges" to "the foreign spy stealing taxpayer dollars trying to sabotage America".
Of course not many people believed the latter, yet-
The human mind was a curious thing, emotions were volatile and thinking patterns were so complex that a kind person could kill another without remorse or guilt if given the right set of circumstances.
James had come to the university, not to save Victor but to quietly watch it all happen.
He did not see what happened earlier in the day but he did witness the students rushing to the various deans offices. Security being called to handle the more- radical bunch and to maintain peace and order within the campus.
Now, James watched the discussion taking place, inside a meeting room, heads of various departments of the university contemplating on how to deal with the matter. Many of them tried to make excuses, some showed true desire for change but… without anyone saying it directly, their decision had already been set even before they entered the room-
"If that is all, then, if there is anyone against the dismissal of Victor von Doom's status as a student and the cancellation of his scholarship privileges, please raise your hand"
James watched the proceeding, his eyes glowing with quiet anticipation-
'Truly, the human mind is quite interesting, even in the face of subjecting another human being to a life of suffering, they still try their darndest to prove, even to themselves that what they're doing is a necessity, that it is right'
None raised their hands, none objected, all had affirmed-
This was it-
The start of Victor von Doom's descent into madness.
But-
Unlike what should have normally occurred, the darkness that would have enveloped Victor turning him into a monster that would threaten all of existence. This darkness was erased-
Erased by a bright light, a burning sun that showed him hope-
Yet… underneath the light are shadows, and the brighter the light-
The darker the shadows…
Whether this fate which Victor had been forced to take would lead to hope was a question to the future-
For now-
'Time to watch a good show'
James thought to himself as he recalled the information about Victor von Doom.
Back in the Dormitory, chaos erupted.
Two young men were brawling, right in front of their dorm. These two men were roommates, they had lived amicably- well until moments ago…
Victor von Doom had returned to his dorm, the gazes that were directed at him were weird causing him to conduct an investigation. What he found out caused him to panic as the joy he had experienced the night before slowly turned to anger and… madness.
It didn't even take a day, just a morning was enough for everyone to know of what was happening.
Classes had come to an end, the time was 5pm and many students were going back to their dorms but few actually did.
Instead, many were outside, those that entered their rooms had kept their doors open. It was as if they were waiting for a show.
Victor, aware of what's to come did not bear any hope of getting away this time. He could already tell his own fate.
It didn't take some genius with the ability to predict future events to know-
He's done for.
The moment he heard about how all the Deans of the University had their office raided by students wishing to file a formal complaint made Victor know that he had no escape.
Previously, the reason he was able to get away scot-free was because he and Reed were both equally hated.
After all, not one student in the academy would truly like a genius who obtained privileges because of their "talents". Although it was a stupid thought, Victor knew that humans were just predisposed to act that way.
Jealous of what they don't have, prideful of what they hold.
At this moment, Victor was aware that he was about to become a clown. A piece of meat to be feasted upon by the beasts around him.
Even a lion would be attacked if an opportunity was presented to others, much less a cub that had yet to grow a mane.
Victor walked through the familiar halls, his mind racing as he pondered about how he would proceed from now on.
He had nothing to his name and he could not really return to his home country. His visa was that of a student. After being dismissed from the university he had few options left…
Victor had long accepted his fate, now he was trying to find a way out but just as he was caught up in his thoughts he reached his room where he was greeted by a scene he both expected and was shocked to see.
Roy Gold stood in front of the dorm room, behind him the open door revealed all Victor's items. The room was already cleaned out, and all his items were neatly packed into his bags. His bed was cleanly set and a group of students were peeking out of their rooms, snickering and silently laughing at Victor.
But he ignored them, instead he observed Roy Gold, despite showing an annoyed expression, Victor could see the dust hastily wiped from the hands of Roy, the traces of sweat hastily dried and, although it was hidden, Victor could clearly see the dirty clothes that were hidden underneath Roy's bed.
Victor gave Roy a hostile stare, he did not say anything, instead he simply walked up to Roy, stared him in the eye as the two exchanged silent stares.
The world went silent as many onlookers held their breaths, their excitement hidden as they prepared to watch the spectacle that was about to unfold.
"What?"
The first to speak was Roy who simply asked Victor a simple question composed of one word but that was all it took-
*BANG*
A straight punch to the face, Victor's attack was too sudden, Roy was unable to dodge or block. Due to the punch, Roy dropped to the ground and this had caused many to take in a deep breath of shock.
There were a few courageous kids who wanted to walk up when they saw Roy stand up and lunge at Victor.
The two men started to brawl, they weren't proficient in martial arts, they had never been in a fight before.
As such, the battle between Roy and Victor was both boring and exciting. It was boring as their attacks were simple, with no feints or any flashy moves they were simply throwing out punch after punch, kick after kick and trying to take down their opponent with sheer force.
Their expressions were filled with anger and annoyance, it was as if years of emotions were being released at that moment.
Their brawl was gruesome and brutal but-
It never got inside their room, the whole battle occurred outside, in the halls. Their blood, sweat and tears were splattered all over the halls but none reached their room.
At times Roy would get the upper hand, but Victor would then find an opening and take the lead. It was an exchange, the two men continued their animalistic brawl until instructors rushed to the scene.
"Roy Gold! Do you want your scholarship revoked?!"
One faculty from the department of economics exclaimed as he restrained Roy while another faculty restrained Victor.
"HE STARTED IT!"
"YOU BASTARD!"
"ASSHOLE!"
The two former roommates exchanged curses and the two faculty members could not do anything but restrain them until security came.
When security finally arrived the two men were escorted to have their injuries treated. But, in order to ensure that they don't fight, the two were being led to different offices.
Each department had a nurses office, Roy was being led to the department of economics while Victor was being led to the department of natural sciences.
The onlookers who did nothing but watch and sometimes even encourage the two to fight were all forced to go into their dorm rooms. They weren't given any punishment but they were all given warnings.
As everything was settled, one of the faculty members saw the opened dorm room of Victor and Roy, he decided to close the door and lock it but as he did he noticed something-
"Is it clean?"
The beds were all neatly arranged, the only "mess" in the room was the pair of dirty clothes carelessly hidden underneath one of the beds.
Interestingly, whether it was the door of the room or the luggage that was set right there, none of them were affected by the fight.
The faculty member did not know how the fight started but he was happy that the two men did not use any of the luggage or items in the room as a weapon. In fact, he was glad they fought outside the room as it prevented them from picking up any "weapon".
If they did fight inside the room, they might not have escaped with such "simple" injuries.
Thinking along those lines, the faculty member closed the room, whether the men had keys or not was not his problem. The dorm manager had spares for all rooms so if they really didn't have their keys it was a simple task to request the manager to open the room.
After closing the door, the faculty member closed the door but not before calling for the janitor to clean up the stains on in the hallway.
Unknown to anyone, a white haired man watched everything happen, a smile covered his face as he said-
"Roy Gold huh?"
While Victor's life had taken a turn for the worst another event was occurring somewhere in New York-
Long Island, inside one of the many rooms of a medium sized house, two teens were talking.
One of them, a blonde female was sitting on the bed, her body was curled up as fear clouded her eyes. Next to her bed, a young man with similar blonde but shorter hair sat on a chair, his head rested on the backrest as he stared at the teenage girl.
"Sue, I know it's scary but- I checked your phone, even called police over to check the alley but nothing was found"
The young man consoled the girl but his words did nothing but further her discomfort as she replied, her voice tinged with fear-
"Johnny… I know what I saw- I-It may come after me…"
Hearing the words of her sister, Susan Storm, Johnny shook his head as he said.
"Come on, how about I sleep with you tonight. If anything happens I'll be here!"
His words were filled with confidence as he continued to try and calm his sister down but the response he got from her was-
"NO! Johnny… no- we need police… no- maybe even they can't"
Johnny did not know what was happening to his sister, he really wanted to help her but given her current state-
"Okay- I'll call the cops, if anything happens call for me okay? I'll be in my room"
Johnny shook his head as he stood up from the chair, he set it back next to the desk before leaving. He took one last look at his sister who did not even look at him leave. He let out a sigh before closing the door causing a loud click-
As Johnny left, Sue's demeanor changed, her eyes sharpened as she stared at the figure standing in front of her door.
A red haired maid, the same maid that she watched killed someone-
"Why act like that? Wouldn't it have been better to act normal?"
The maid asked, her words were lighthearted, as if she was playing a game.
"With what happened this afternoon, if I acted calm then Johnny would have noticed something…"
"Isn't it better for him to notice?"
The two women stared at each other's eyes, Sue, staring at the maid did not flinch, her mind was in turmoil but through sheer will she stood her ground.
"Quite an interesting one you are~ Is this your nature?"
She asked, but Sue did not know how to respond, but her words piqued her interest-
"How did you evade the police?"
Though Sue did not ask about them, instead she quickly asked the question that was plaguing her mind since the events that happened earlier that day.
"Oh? I do wonder where this will is coming from~ Tell me little Sue, why do you want to know?"
The red haired maid walked closer to Sue, she stopped just as she was inches away from her as she leaned forward. The maid's face was just a few centimeters away from her own but Sue was not perturbed, instead a sense of calm had washed over her as she stared at the maid's eyes.
"I don't know… I just feel something… it's like there's something about you that could answer my questions…"
The maid seeing the look on Sue's face was shocked, but she was able to control her emotions as she slowly pulled her head back.
Staring down at Susan Storm, the red haired maid smiled, her expression indecipherable. She licked her lips, her eyes glowed but with crimson light but nothing happened. As the light in her eyes disappeared, the maid's expression shifted ever so slightly, for just a moment, before quickly returning to the original calm.
For a moment, only silence was present in the room, neither Sue nor the maid spoke but soon, the maid turned back to Sue. Her expression change to a calculating one as her lips formed a playful smirk before she asked-
"Susan Storm, my master has an offer, are you willing to accept?"
Hearing the maid's question, Susan Storm's heart began to stir, she had a feeling, the answer she gave now would decide the direction of her life. It was nothing more than a gut feeling but-
Susan Storm closed her eyes, she recalled everything that she went through in her life, all the things that she had attempted and all the things she had seen-
For a few minutes, silence reigned inside the room once more but it did not last long as Susan Storm opened her eyes. She raised her gaze towards the maid, with a look of determination on her face she answered-