Marvel 616X

The training ground outside Castle Doom was vast, a sprawling expanse of reinforced terrain designed for combat. The air buzzed faintly with latent energy from the containment fields lining the perimeter, ensuring that even the most destructive attacks would not damage the castle or surrounding area. Above, Kaine sat on a balcony, watching the scene unfold with quiet intensity. A Doombot stood behind him, its servos whirring softly as it adjusted his position.

Albedo stood at the center of the field, his crimson eyes scanning his assembled team. Beside him, Polaris waited, her stance poised and ready, her green hair catching the faint breeze. Thor and A-Bomb stood a few paces away, their postures vastly different—Thor calm and deliberate, while A-Bomb shifted his weight impatiently, his crystalline skin shimmering under the sunlight. Across from them, Dr. Doom stood alone, his imposing figure unshaken by the four opponents preparing to face him.

Albedo glanced at each of his teammates before speaking. "Alright, listen up. Doom's not going to go easy on us, so we need to work together if we're going to make this count. Thor, A-Bomb, I want you to—"

Before Albedo could finish, A-Bomb slammed his fists together with a loud crack, his voice brimming with excitement. "I don't need a speech! Let's take him down!" Without waiting for orders, he charged forward, the ground shaking slightly under his weight.

Thor followed with a smirk, hefting a training mace provided by Doom. "Aye, let us test our mettle!" he shouted, sprinting after A-Bomb.

"Wait!" Albedo called, but neither of them paid him any attention. He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Polaris, stay with me. We'll cover them and—"

"Understood," Polaris said, her voice steady. She stepped closer to Albedo, her hands already glowing faintly with magnetic energy. "Let's see what they manage before we commit."

Thor and A-Bomb closed the distance to Doom quickly, the two towering fighters striking in tandem. A-Bomb swung a powerful right hook, while Thor brought his mace down in a crushing arc. Doom moved with an almost supernatural grace, stepping aside to let A-Bomb's swing pass harmlessly before raising his gauntlet to catch Thor's mace mid-swing. The clang of metal on metal echoed across the training ground.

"Predictable," Doom said, his voice calm. He twisted Thor's mace out of his grip, forcing the Asgardian to stumble back. "Your strength is wasted without strategy."

A-Bomb roared, coming at Doom with a flurry of punches, each one powerful enough to crack concrete. Doom raised his arm, a shimmering energy shield absorbing the blows effortlessly. "Raw power is not enough, Jones. Control your rage, or it will control you."

Thor recovered quickly, lunging forward with a fist aimed at Doom's chest. Doom sidestepped again, his movements almost elegant. "And you, Blake," Doom said, his voice colder now. "You fight with hesitation. Even a mortal frame can strike with conviction if wielded properly."

Albedo watched the chaos unfold, his frustration mounting. "They're just doing their own thing," he muttered under his breath. He turned to Polaris. "We need to rein them in. Can you pin Doom down?"

"I can try," Polaris replied, focusing her powers. The air around her shimmered as magnetic energy crackled to life, and she extended her hands toward Doom. Metal fragments embedded in the ground around him began to rise, forming a swirling barrier meant to encase him.

Doom noticed the shift immediately. "Ah, Lorna Dane," he said, his tone almost amused. "You show promise, but distraction is not a strategy." With a swift motion, he activated a rune on his armor, sending a pulse of energy that disrupted the magnetic field. The fragments fell harmlessly to the ground.

Polaris grimaced but held her ground. "That's not going to stop me."

"Good," Albedo said, stepping forward. "Let's see if we can do this the smart way."

Before Albedo could give further instructions, A-Bomb and Thor regrouped, both looking mildly annoyed but undeterred. A-Bomb pointed at Doom, his crystalline fists glowing faintly with energy. "Come on, boss," he shouted at Albedo. "What's the plan? Or are we just gonna keep taking turns getting smacked around?"

Thor adjusted his stance, his expression a mix of annoyance and determination. "Thy leadership lacks clarity, Albedo. If thou hast a plan, now would be the time to speak it."

Albedo clenched his jaw, feeling the weight of their expectations. He glanced at Polaris, who gave him a questioning look, her powers ready for his signal. His mind raced, trying to find a way to pull them together before Doom completely dismantled their efforts.

Albedo took a deep breath, clenching his fists as frustration churned in his mind. He stepped forward and, in a flash of green light, transformed into Swampfire. The change was immediate—his form sprouting with vines and bark-like armor, his molten core glowing faintly. He towered slightly over the others now, his presence commanding.

"Enough," Albedo growled, his voice deeper and more resonant in this form. "Listen up, because if we keep charging in like idiots, Doom's going to humiliate us for hours."

Thor and A-Bomb paused, exchanging glances. Polaris remained still, her sharp eyes fixed on Albedo as he stepped into the center of the group.

"Here's the plan," Albedo said, his tone firm. "Doom's not just a tank—he's smart. He's reading us, predicting our moves before we make them. We need to stop fighting like individuals and start fighting like a team."

A-Bomb raised an eyebrow. "So what's the move, boss?"

Albedo gestured toward Polaris. "Polaris, you're key here. Use your powers to disrupt Doom's footing—he relies on stability to counter attacks. Magnetize the ground beneath him, make it impossible for him to find balance."

Polaris nodded. "Got it. What about you?"

"I'll keep him busy," Albedo said, his molten core flaring brighter. "Swampfire's vines will force him to focus on me. Meanwhile, A-Bomb and Thor, you wait for the opening. When Doom tries to counter me, hit him together from opposite sides. Use your strength, but this time, coordinate."

Thor raised his mace, his tone resolute. "A sound strategy. I shall follow thy lead."

A-Bomb grinned, rolling his shoulders. "About time we get to smash with a plan."

Albedo looked at them all, his molten eyes narrowing. "Stick to the plan. No improvising. If we're going to beat him, we do it together."

The group nodded, and Polaris extended her arms, her green hair lifting slightly as her magnetic field surged to life. Albedo turned to face Doom, his glowing core intensifying as vines began to grow from his hands, snaking toward the Latverian ruler.

Doom, who had been watching the exchange silently, finally spoke. "An admirable shift in strategy, Albedo. But do not mistake coordination for superiority."

"Let's find out," Albedo said, charging forward.

Polaris acted first, her powers focusing on the ground beneath Doom. The metal fragments embedded in the earth vibrated, rising and twisting into an unstable surface. Doom's footing shifted slightly as the magnetic field distorted his stance.

Albedo lunged, extending thick vines that wrapped around Doom's arms and legs. Doom countered immediately, activating a pulse of energy that burned through the first set of vines. But Albedo was relentless, regrowing them almost instantly, forcing Doom to keep moving.

"Now!" Albedo shouted.

A-Bomb and Thor charged in from opposite sides. A-Bomb swung a massive punch aimed at Doom's torso, while Thor brought his mace down in a crushing arc toward Doom's shoulder. Doom managed to deflect A-Bomb's strike with his armored gauntlet but couldn't fully evade Thor's blow. The mace connected, forcing Doom to step back as the unstable ground beneath him threw off his balance.

Doom's mask tilted toward Polaris. "Clever," he said, his voice calm despite the situation. "But cleverness alone will not win this."

He activated another rune on his armor, sending a shockwave through the ground that disrupted the magnetic field. Polaris stumbled slightly, but Albedo yelled, "Keep it up! Don't let him recover!"

Polaris gritted her teeth, reactivating her field and intensifying its effects. The ground beneath Doom began to shift again, forcing him to redirect his energy to maintain his stance.

A-Bomb roared, swinging another punch, this time aiming low to take advantage of Doom's compromised footing. Thor followed immediately, coordinating his strike to land at the same time as A-Bomb's. Doom raised his hands to counter, but the combined attack forced him back further, the energy of his armor flaring under the strain.

Albedo grinned, the plan working better than he had hoped. But he knew Doom wasn't finished yet. "Stay sharp," he warned. "He's not going down easy!"

Doom moved like a force of nature, his movements calculated and precise. With a single gesture, he deflected Thor's next strike while side-stepping A-Bomb's follow-up. A subtle pulse of energy from his armor sent Albedo's vines crumbling into ash before they could ensnare him again.

"You adapt quickly," Doom said, his voice steady even as he blocked another blow from A-Bomb. "But adaptation without precision is chaos. And chaos will not defeat me."

Albedo gritted his teeth, his molten core flaring brighter as he forced more vines toward Doom, aiming to entangle his legs. "Keep pressing him! Don't give him room to breathe!"

Polaris lifted her arms, magnetic energy crackling as she wrenched a discarded piece of metal from the ground and launched it toward Doom. The projectile struck his shoulder, briefly knocking him off balance.

"Good shot, Polaris!" Albedo called, regrowing his vines faster now, weaving them around Doom's arms to pin him in place.

Doom tilted his head toward her. "Precision. A valuable quality. But—" With a sharp motion, Doom activated another rune on his armor, sending a wave of heat that burned through Albedo's vines and forced Polaris to step back. "Precision must be matched with resilience."

Thor and A-Bomb closed in again, this time attacking in near-perfect synchronization. A-Bomb swung low, aiming for Doom's legs, while Thor aimed high, his mace glowing faintly with energy as he brought it down. Doom deflected A-Bomb's strike with a pulse from his gauntlet, but Thor's mace clipped his shoulder, forcing him back a step.

Albedo seized the opportunity, shifting his focus. "Polaris, keep destabilizing the ground! Thor, A-Bomb, stick to the plan—don't break formation!"

Polaris nodded, her powers flaring as she intensified the magnetic field beneath Doom's feet. The ground twisted and buckled, forcing him to adjust his stance constantly. Thor and A-Bomb tightened their coordination, their strikes coming faster and with greater precision.

Doom deflected their attacks, but his voice carried a faint note of approval. "Impressive. You are learning. But learning is not enough to overcome superiority."

Albedo stepped forward, his molten fists glowing brighter. "Yeah? Let's test that theory!" He charged, sending a barrage of smaller vines toward Doom, not to ensnare him, but to force him to split his attention. As Doom countered the vines, Thor landed another solid hit with his mace, and A-Bomb followed up with a punch that sent a ripple through Doom's armor.

"Now we're getting somewhere!" Albedo shouted, his team beginning to rally.

Doom stepped back, his mask tilting slightly as if appraising them. "Your coordination has improved significantly, Albedo. But leadership is not merely about tactics. It is about anticipation."

Doom raised both hands, activating a series of runes across his armor. A burst of energy radiated outward, forcing Thor and A-Bomb to stumble back. Albedo braced himself, his vines absorbing most of the impact.

"Stay together!" Albedo called. "Don't let him break us apart!"

Thor and A-Bomb regrouped quickly, their movements more fluid now. Polaris flanked from a distance, her magnetic field growing stronger as she concentrated on Doom's armor, attempting to disrupt its runic systems.

"You adapt well, Albedo," Doom said, his tone carrying an edge of respect. "But adaptation is not victory. Show me what you can truly do."

Albedo clenched his fists, determination burning in his molten core. "Team, we're not letting up! Push him harder—don't give him a second to recover!"

The team pressed forward, their movements sharper and more unified as they rallied behind Albedo's commands. For the first time, there was a glimmer of cohesion, a spark of potential that hinted at what they could become. Doom, ever the teacher, watched them with calculating eyes as the battle raged on.

Doom's movements became sharper, more deliberate. His aura shifted, a palpable tension radiating from him as he finally decided to stop playing entirely. He parried Thor's mace with a single gauntleted hand and swept A-Bomb's legs out from under him with a calculated kick. A powerful pulse of energy from his armor sent Polaris stumbling back, her magnetic field dissipating in an instant.

"Enough," Doom said, his voice resonant with authority.

Thor, undeterred, roared and charged again, swinging his mace in a wide arc. Doom caught the weapon mid-swing, twisting it free from Thor's grip with ease. "You rely too heavily on brute strength," Doom said, his tone almost bored. He stepped forward, slamming the hilt of the mace into Thor's chest and sending him sprawling to the ground. "Power without control is wasted."

A-Bomb growled, leaping to his feet and throwing a massive punch at Doom's head. Doom ducked under the blow with ease, sidestepping and delivering a precise strike to A-Bomb's side. The impact sent A-Bomb skidding across the field, his crystalline skin cracking slightly. "Your enthusiasm blinds you to strategy," Doom said, his voice calm as ever. "Learn to temper your emotions, or you will fall every time."

Polaris recovered and sent a magnetic wave toward Doom, attempting to pull him off balance. Doom raised his hand, activating a rune that absorbed the energy before it could touch him. He stepped toward her with measured purpose, his voice cold. "You have potential, Lorna Dane. But your hesitation will always be your downfall." With a flick of his wrist, he sent a pulse of energy that knocked her back, though not harshly.

That left Albedo, still in his Swampfire form, standing defiantly in the middle of the battlefield. His molten core flared brightly as he launched a barrage of vines and fireballs toward Doom. The attacks were fast and relentless, but Doom moved through them with calculated precision, evading or deflecting each one.

"You've improved as a leader," Doom said, his tone almost approving. "But you remain predictable."

Albedo growled, shifting tactics. He sent a wave of vines to wrap around Doom's legs, then leaped forward, aiming to strike Doom with a fiery punch. Doom didn't move until the last second, stepping aside and grabbing Albedo's arm mid-swing. He twisted, using Albedo's own momentum to slam him into the ground.

Albedo groaned, trying to rise, but Doom placed a firm boot on his chest, pinning him in place. "You lack discipline," Doom said, his voice quiet but cutting. "Leadership is more than shouting orders. It is about understanding your enemy and your team equally. Until you learn that, you will continue to fail."

With that, Doom stepped back, allowing Albedo to get to his feet. The rest of the team gathered around, bruised but standing, each wearing a mix of frustration and begrudging respect. Doom regarded them all, his tone as cold as ever.

"Each of you has potential," he said. "But potential alone is meaningless without refinement. Thor, you fight like a god but think like a mortal. A-Bomb, your strength is your greatest asset, but it will destroy you without control. Polaris, you hesitate when you should act, and your fear of failure limits your effectiveness. And Albedo…" Doom turned to him, his gaze piercing. "You are clever, but cleverness alone does not make a leader. Learn to see beyond the immediate, or you will lead your team to ruin."

Albedo clenched his fists, glaring at Doom, but he said nothing. The truth of Doom's words stung, and he knew better than to argue.

Doom straightened, his commanding presence unshaken. "You have much to learn. This was merely an exercise. Next time, I expect progress. Dismissed."

He turned and walked away, leaving the team standing in the training ground, their battered pride lingering in the air. Albedo exchanged a look with his teammates, frustration clear in his crimson eyes, but there was also a spark of determination. This wasn't over—not by a long shot.

The team trudged back toward the castle, their bruises and battered egos weighing heavily on them. The training session had been more grueling than any of them had anticipated, and the lessons Doom imparted stung more than their physical injuries.

Inside the castle, they gathered near the washroom facilities. The air was quiet, heavy with unspoken frustration. Albedo glanced around, his molten core from his Swampfire form now dimmed as he reverted to his normal appearance.

"We need to do better," Albedo said, breaking the silence. His tone carried more exhaustion than anger. "If we're going to stand a chance against the Maker, we can't keep getting outclassed like this. Doom's right. We're not thinking as a team."

Polaris leaned against the wall, rubbing her shoulder. "He's right about a lot of things," she said, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Doesn't mean it's easy to hear."

Thor stood a few steps away, wringing out a towel. "Aye, Doom hath made his point clear, but I am no stranger to failure. Improvement takes time, Albedo. One cannot mend all flaws in a single day."

"Time we don't have," Albedo shot back. He turned to A-Bomb, who was busy inspecting the cracks in his crystalline arm. "What about you? Think you can work on that 'temper your strength' lesson Doom threw at you?"

A-Bomb shrugged, his tone defensive. "Look, I don't need some fancy strategy to smash things. Doom's just… Doom. Always gotta be ten steps ahead. It's annoying."

Polaris shook her head. "It's not just about brute force, Rick. We need to function like a unit, not a bunch of solo acts."

"Exactly," Albedo interjected. "That's what I'm trying to say. We need to—"

Polaris cut him off. "And what do you want us to do? Sit around meditating on teamwork like it's some magic solution? People don't just change overnight, Albedo."

"Maybe not, but we could try," Albedo countered. "If we don't start improving now, we're going to lose before we even get a chance to fight."

Thor spoke up again, his tone measured. "I understand thy frustration, Albedo, but our paths to improvement are not yours to dictate. We all have our battles to fight, within and without."

A-Bomb grunted. "Yeah, what he said. I don't need a pep talk. I need a nap."

Polaris pushed herself off the wall. "I'm going to clean up. Maybe after that, we'll all think a little clearer." She gave Albedo a meaningful glance before walking off.

Thor followed suit, muttering something about needing to meditate. A-Bomb stayed behind for a moment longer, but after another glance at Albedo's intense expression, he shrugged and left.

Albedo stood alone in the corridor, his frustration mounting. He clenched his fists, muttering under his breath, "If we can't even get on the same page, what's the point?"

A faint mechanical whir caught his attention, and he looked up to see Kaine Reilly, the Scarlet Spider, sitting in his wheelchair near the edge of the hallway. A Doombot stood behind him, silent but observant.

"You're making friends, I see," Kaine said, his voice dry but tinged with amusement.

Albedo sighed, walking over to him. "If you call it that."

Kaine smirked faintly. "They'll come around. Or they won't. Either way, it doesn't matter. The only thing that does is getting the job done."

Albedo raised an eyebrow, his arms crossing as he leaned against the wall beside Kaine. "And what do you think about getting the job done? You've been watching from the sidelines. Got any brilliant ideas?"

Kaine shrugged, wincing slightly at the motion. "Not really my thing. But I can tell you this: Doom's playing a long game, and he's testing you more than he's testing them. You think the others don't notice how he's riding you harder than the rest?"

Albedo frowned, glancing away. "So what if he is? I'm supposed to lead. If I can't handle this, then maybe I'm not the right person for it."

Kaine's smirk faded, his tone softening. "You're overthinking it. Doom's just trying to see if you'll crack. Don't give him the satisfaction."

Albedo stared at him for a moment, Kaine's words settling uncomfortably in his mind. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "You've got a lot to say for someone who's not even in the fight yet."

Kaine chuckled lightly, leaning back in his chair. "Doesn't mean I don't know what it's like. I've been where you are—trying to make a team out of people who'd rather work alone. It's not easy, but you'll figure it out."

Albedo glanced at Kaine, a flicker of respect crossing his features. "You think?"

Kaine nodded, his tone steady. "Yeah. Just don't try to carry it all yourself. You'll break."

Albedo stayed quiet for a moment before nodding, his frustration easing slightly. Maybe there was something to learn from Kaine's perspective after all.

Albedo shifted slightly, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed but his posture less rigid. Kaine's words had caught his attention, and though he wouldn't admit it out loud, he found himself genuinely curious.

"You were Spider-Man's second," Albedo said, glancing at Kaine. "What was that like?"

Kaine tilted his head back slightly, his gaze distant. "It wasn't easy. Spider-Man—he had a way of inspiring people. He didn't have to yell, didn't have to make speeches. People just wanted to follow him because he made you believe in something bigger than yourself. I was his backup, the guy who filled in when he was dealing with something more important. At first, I didn't mind. He was the face of the team. I was the guy who got things done in the background."

Albedo raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound so bad."

"It wasn't," Kaine said. "Until he left. One day, he just said he couldn't do it anymore. He had personal stuff—stuff I don't blame him for—but suddenly, the team was looking at me. They didn't ask questions, didn't give me a choice. It was my job now."

"And how'd that go?" Albedo asked, his tone tinged with skepticism.

Kaine gave a dry chuckle. "Not well. I tried doing things his way, thinking I could just copy his style and it'd all work out. But the team knew I wasn't him. Every decision I made felt wrong, every plan fell apart. They didn't trust me, and honestly, I didn't blame them."

"So what did you do?" Albedo pressed, leaning forward slightly.

Kaine sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I stopped trying to be him. I started leading the way I knew how. I wasn't the guy who inspired people with speeches or optimism. I was the guy who got his hands dirty, who was in the trenches with them, making sure everyone made it out alive. I was blunt, I was messy, but I was honest. And eventually, they respected that."

Albedo nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "So you just… figured it out?"

"Not all at once," Kaine said. "It took time. I made mistakes, big ones. But every time I messed up, I owned it. I didn't try to blame someone else, didn't pretend I had all the answers. That's what made the difference. They didn't need me to be perfect—they needed me to be real."

Albedo sat in silence for a moment, letting the words sink in. He glanced at Kaine, his expression a mix of curiosity and skepticism. "You think that's enough? Just owning up to your mistakes?"

"It's a start," Kaine said. "Being a leader isn't about always having the right answer. It's about showing your team that you trust them, that you believe in them—even when they don't believe in themselves. Once they see that, they'll start believing in you."

Albedo leaned his head back against the wall, exhaling slowly. "Sounds simple enough."

Kaine smirked faintly. "It's not. But if you want this team to work, you've got to meet them where they are. They don't need a perfect leader—they need someone who's willing to fight for them."

Albedo stayed quiet, mulling over Kaine's words. He'd spent so much time trying to prove himself—to Doom, to the team, to himself—that he hadn't stopped to consider what his team actually needed from him. Maybe Kaine was right. Maybe he didn't need to be perfect. He just needed to be better.

Albedo walked through the quiet halls of Castle Doom, his thoughts heavy as he made his way to his quarters. The conversation with Kaine lingered in his mind, each word turning over like a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit. The dim lighting of the corridors mirrored the shadows in his own thoughts, and by the time he reached his room, he felt a weight in his chest that he couldn't shake.

He closed the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment, exhaling deeply. The room was simple, sparsely furnished, and cold—functional but devoid of personal touches. Albedo paced to the small desk near the window and sat down, staring out over the moonlit expanse of Latveria's landscape.

His thoughts drifted back to his upbringing on Galvan Prime. The Galvans prized intelligence above all else, treating it as the pinnacle of their culture. Their belief was simple: intelligence was not just a gift but a responsibility, a tool to better the universe. It had been drilled into him as a child—solve problems, innovate, use your mind to make the galaxy a better place. For a time, Albedo had embraced that ideology. He had been Azmuth's apprentice, the brightest among a species of geniuses, destined to contribute to the greater good.

But somewhere along the way, he'd lost his path.

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk as he rubbed his temples. His fall from grace had been swift and brutal. His obsession with the Omnitrix, his jealousy of Ben Tennyson, his need to prove himself superior—it had driven him to actions he couldn't take back. He had betrayed his purpose, abandoned the teachings of the Galvans, and chosen destruction over creation. He had wanted power, recognition, and revenge. And in pursuing those things, he had failed. Over and over again.

Every plan had crumbled. Every victory had turned to ash. Even his own body—transformed into a flawed imitation of Ben's—was a reminder of his failures. No matter how hard he fought, how desperately he tried to claw his way back to greatness, the universe seemed determined to humble him.

He stared down at his hands, flexing them as he thought about the people he'd met since coming to this world. Doom, Kaine, Polaris, even A-Bomb—they all carried their own burdens, their own failures. Yet they kept going, each in their own way. Doom, despite his arrogance, had shown him a kind of resilience that Albedo couldn't ignore. Kaine, with his scars and bitterness, had still managed to offer advice that struck a nerve.

He let out a slow breath, leaning back in his chair. For so long, he had been consumed by his failures, letting them define him. He had let his mistakes fester into anger, his anger into obsession. But what had that gotten him? Nothing. If he was going to lead this team—if he was going to stand against the Maker—he couldn't keep running from his past. He had to own it, accept it, and let it make him stronger.

He thought again of the Galvans' teachings. Intelligence wasn't just about being the smartest person in the room. It was about using that intelligence to make a difference. To help others. To solve problems. That was what he had forgotten, and that was what he needed to remember.

Albedo straightened, his crimson eyes narrowing with determination. He couldn't change his past, but he could shape his future. If he was going to be better, it had to start now. Not as a perfect leader, not as a flawless genius, but as someone willing to fight for something greater than himself.