DC Under Doom Chapter 3:The Doom Standard.

Chapter 3: The Doom Standard.

-0-

Every screen on Earth went dark.

Every television. Every smartphone. Every digital billboard. Every government and military communication line.

In a matter of seconds, Doom’s message replaced everything.

The broadcast showed a single figure seated on an ornate throne of dark metal, high atop a dais in what could only be Castle Doom.

Behind him, through massive panoramic windows, the advanced skyline of Latveria stretched into the distance—a city untouched by war, flawless in its order.

Doctor Doom sat in stillness, clad in his emerald cloak and shining armor, his mask reflecting the light of the grand hall.

Then, he spoke.

“I have been watching this world and learned of an undeniable truth. This world is broken.”

His voice carried across the globe, deep and resonant. A voice that demanded attention.

“I have seen the best of you. And I have seen the worst of you. I have watched as your leaders squandered power, as your so-called ‘heroes’ failed you at every turn. I have witnessed weakness, cowardice, and corruption fester like an open wound.

“I have seen what you are. And I know what you could be.”

The world listened.

From the United Nations to the White House, from Themyscira to Atlantis, from Gotham’s underworld to Apokolips itself.

Doom continued.

“You do not understand who I am. And so, allow me to enlighten you.”

The screen shifted. A holographic projection emerged beside him—an entirely different world.

A world that was not this one.

A world of heroes, but not gods.

“This is the world from which Latveria hails. A world where men, not deities, stood against the tide. A world where heroism was born from tragedy and triumph—not from divine birthright.”

The projection showed men in armor, geniuses who built their own power. It showed heroes who had clawed their way to greatness instead of being handed it by fate. It showed warriors who fought their own wars instead of sitting above them.

The contrast was deliberate.

Then, the image shifted again—to this world.

The Justice League. The gods of Olympus. The rulers of Atlantis. The immortal warlords who had let history rot.

“This world stagnates under the weight of its own cowardice.”

Superman watched from the Watchtower, his hands tightening into fists. Wonder Woman’s expression darkened.

“The greatest minds of this planet are shackled by your League’s fear of progress. You sit upon power capable of reshaping humanity, yet you refuse to use it. You are not heroes—you are caretakers of a dying species. And under your protection, this world inches closer to extinction.”

Doom leaned forward slightly. “That will no longer stand.”

The world tensed.

“From this day forth, Latveria will be the standard by which all nations are judged. We will not allow weakness to continue unchecked. We will not allow corruption to fester. And we will not allow the failures of the past to dictate the future.”

The weight of his words settled across every nation, every leader.

Then came the final decree.

“Any nation found unworthy—any ruler found incompetent—will be stripped of their power.”

“I will save this world from itself.”

The world stopped.

“And for those who seek to stand against me—” Doom’s eyes burned behind his mask. “You will learn what it means to defy Doom.”

The broadcast ended.

-0-

(United Nations Headquarters – Emergency Summit)

The grand hall of the United Nations had never been this divided.

World leaders, presidents, prime ministers, and monarchs filled the room, their faces tense with indecision, fear, and admiration.

At the center of it all, the Justice League stood as representatives of Earth’s mightiest defenders.

Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Green Lantern, and Aquaman occupied a front-row position, their presence a reminder of the old world order.

But the balance of power had already shifted.

A heated debate was in full swing.

“We cannot support this! Doom just declared war on the entire planet!” The U.S. representative, his face red with frustration, slammed his hand on the desk. “We are discussing a global dictator!”

From the opposite side of the hall, a delegate from Uganda(Wakanda variant) scoffed.

“A dictator who saved us from Darkseid,” she countered, folding her arms. “Your League struggled. Doom acted. If you wish to criticize, tell me—where was your solution?”

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room.

The French president stood. “We cannot ignore his actions. Doom did what our armies could not. Perhaps we should listen.”

“He is a tyrant,” the British Prime Minister argued. “We must stand with the League!”

“A tyrant?” scoffed the Prime Minister of Brazil. “Or a leader unafraid to do what must be done?”

Tensions grew. Some nations had already pledged support to Latveria in secret meetings. Others feared the consequences of open defiance. The world was teetering.

Superman stood, his voice powerful and commanding.

“You’re being deceived,” he said, his tone firm. “Doom isn’t a hero. He’s a tyrant who wants to rule over you. Today, it’s corrupt leaders. Tomorrow, it’s anyone who disagrees with him. That is not justice.”

The hall quieted for a moment. Many leaders nodded. Superman had always been a symbol of truth.

And then…

The doors to the UN swung open.

The air shifted.

Doom had come.

He did not enter with guards. He did not enter with an army of Doombots. He did not need them.

He walked with absolute authority, his emerald cloak flowing behind him, his polished armor gleaming under the chamber’s lights.

The entire room fell silent.

Superman turned, his jaw tightening. “You have no place here, Doom.”

Doom continued walking until he stood before the League. He did not look at Superman. He looked past him.

“And yet, here I am.”

The confidence in his voice sent an undeniable shudder through the room.

Doom turned his gaze to the assembled world leaders. His voice was calm, measured—commanding.

“I did not come to ask for permission. I did not come to make threats. I came to state facts.”

He turned slightly, facing Superman fully for the first time. “You call me a tyrant. But tell me, Kryptonian—who has done more for this world in the last seventy-two hours? Your League, or Doom?”

Superman’s mouth opened, but Doom continued.

“Who stopped Darkseid’s invasion? Who reversed the Boom Tubes? Who hacked the Mother Boxes and saved your people while your League struggled?”

Doom’s gaze swept the room. “You sit in this chamber discussing the morality of power while I wield it. I do not ask for trust. I do not require faith. I simply produce results.”

The murmurs returned. Another third of the room shifted in favor of Doom.

The Justice League could feel the balance slipping.

Batman narrowed his eyes. Doom was winning.

Superman, refusing to falter, pushed forward. “And what happens when you decide a country doesn’t meet your ‘standard’? What happens when people say no?”

Doom’s gaze did not waver. “Then they will be corrected.”

A chilling silence settled over the hall.

Doom’s voice softened, but it carried an edge of finality.

“You do not have to like it. You do not even have to accept it. But understand this—Latveria is the new standard. And soon, the world will follow.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving behind only silence.

A silence that no one—not even Superman—could break.

One war was over, another had begun.