Archive of Our Own ^beta

Earth-TRN563

Teamtime at the Four Seasons.

“Oh, Claudette! That’s brilliant!” One of Susan’s friends beamed. Sue Storm was with her friends, chatting over tea, seeing Claudette show off the rock on her finger. Sue found herself getting distracted as she listened to the fountain behind them or the other couples talking nearby. Sue was wearing a blue dress and her blond, shoulder-length hair was styled like a work of art.

“I knew it would happen soon! I just knew it! Mazel Tov!” Trish beamed. She was a white woman with brown hair tied in a bun, wearing a purple, backless dress. 

“Thanks, Trish.” Claudette smiled. A Japanese woman with her hair in a sharp bob, with a face that would often catch Sue staring. She wore a jade-coloured dress. 

“Sue? Are you alright?” Nance, the last friend asked Sue. A black woman with an afro and a strong physique, wearing a pink dress. 

“Hmm? Sorry, Nance. I was… I was just picturing your wedding, Claudette!” Sue lied, smiling. “Congratulations! Marc’s a lucky guy.”

“I know he’s a little less… exciting for your tastes.” Claudette chuckled.

“We can’t all marry our college professors.” Trish scoffed.

“How is that brilliant but oh-so-distant Dr. Richards, anyway? Isn’t it about time he popped the question?” Nance asked. Sue thought back to the question Reed asked, not long ago…

“Susan… I wanted to ask you something. Perhaps the most important question I’ll ever ask: Will you come with Ben and me to space?” Reed asked during a dinner date in some fancy Thai restaurant.

“Um…” 

“Reed’s just so busy with his projects, y’know? They’re important. He helps this country more than even I could ever know.” Sue shrugged, awkwardly. “And I’m… Well, I’m…”

“Yes?”
“You’re…?”

“Here it comes…”
“I’m not going to be able to make it out to Long Island for tennis tomorrow. I’ve been meaning to tell you.” Sue confessed. “Reed’s got something extra-special planned.” 

“Ooooh, scandalous!” Trish cheered.

“Sleepover at the Planetarium, knowing him.” Claudette laughed.

“Forget Reed, how’s your brother doing? Talk about marriage material.” Nance said with a dirty smirk.

“Nance.” Sue rolled her eyes.

“The one that got away…” Nance sighed, dreamily. Sue looked down at her cup of tea, wishing so desperately that she could just disappear.

The Baxter Building.

The most technologically advanced ecologically friendly, most stylish skyscraper in New York City. Inside, Reed was rubbing his head as his lab assistant, Alyssa, lost her mind. Reed was a handsome man, greying at the sides of his hair and a squared-off jaw. He was skinny and lean but had enough muscle to work such heavy machinery in his experiments. He wore a lab coat, a light green buttoned shirt and a saddle-brown tie, then a pair of grey pants.

“Reed Richards, are you fucking insane?!” Alyssa said, standing at the opposite end of the holo-table which was projecting the blueprints for a rocket ship. She had dark brown hair tied in a ponytail and light brown skin. She wore a pair of rectangular glasses, a lab coat, a blue-t-shirt and darker blue pants.

“Alyssa, please…” 

“Scratch that question, of course, you’re fucking insane. Let me rephrase: How insane are you?!” Alyssa questioned, bewildered.

“I’ve self-diagnosed myself with a rare case of Autism.” Reed shrugged. “I assure you, I’m of sound mind.” He told her.

“You’re risking your reputation, your life for the advancement of something as stupid as space tourism?! How exactly do you define sane?” Alyssa said in disbelief.

“Obviously space tourism isn’t the end goal, Alyssa. The goal is… everything else I’m doing here. Space Tourism is a business venture. To subsidise the rest of my work.” Reed reasoned.

“ Our work, Reed. Don’t be insane and self-absorbed. If you need money, invent an anti-ageing skin cream. What about those risks?” Alyssa argued.

“Statistically, less than driving a car.” 

“Reed, this isn’t a joke. I’m tracking cosmic storms for the next three to eight weeks. Why tomorrow? Why not wait?” Alyssa asked. Reed didn’t say what he was thinking. He didn’t say it was because he wanted to be the first. 

“You’re going to be vilified, if not, arrested. You don’t have permits. You don’t have permission. You don’t have clearance. Who’s even flying with you?” Alyssa asked.

Lower East Side. Jackie’s Gym on Yancy Street.

Ben Grimm was pummelling a punching bag. He had fluffy, brown hair with a slight red tint to it and huge, bulging, tanned-white skin. His head was as square as a screen. He was handsome, but also intimidating to anyone who didn’t know him. He was wearing a grey tank top that said ‘EMPIRE U’ and a pair of blue sweatpants. An ex-football star, an ex-fighter pilot and Reed’s best friend. Ben went into the gym’s showers and as the water sprayed down onto him, he watched the water trickling down the tiles.

“Dammit, Reed…” Ben muttered, thinking about the moment Reed asked him to fly a rocket into space.

“Since we were roommates, where haven’t I followed you, Reed? But my gut… My gut is telling me we’re not ready.” Ben told Reed as they stood outside the Baxter Building, about to part ways.

“Ben…” Reed sighed.

“Ben, it’s like this: Do you want to make history, or not?” Sue asked him. What could he say? What could he do? Reed was like a brother to him, and Sue… They were his family. Where they went, Ben followed.

“Okay, okay. But we’re gonna need a fourth dumbass to join us. And quit smiling Susie, I still say my gut knows best.” Ben gave in.

Roscoe’s Garage.

The car is a Bentley. The mechanic is Johnny Storm. He was bent over, covered in oil and grease as he worked on the engine. 

“Man, I’d kill for one of these…” Johnny sighed, dreamily.

“Urrr, Johnny? I’m losing you, babe.” Roscoe told him. Johnny pulled his head out from beneath the hood and turned to his boyfriend/photographer. Johnny was an undeniably sexy smokeshow. He had blond, fluffy hair that was styled upwards. He was wearing a blue jumpsuit, with the sleeves rolled up to show off his impressive biceps and forearms.

“Sorry, honey. You know how I get in the zone.” Johnny chuckled, turning around and leaning back against the grill of the car, holding a wrench. “Is this better?” 

“Hmmm… How about we lose the shirt?” Roscoe suggested. Roscoe was his boyfriend, although their relationship was an open one. Roscoe was a Latino man with luscious, black hair and stubble. He wore a white, button-up shirt with a few undone and a pair of black pants. He worked as a model photographer - which was how he met Johnny.

“Wow… You made it a whole ten minutes. You’re getting worse at this.” Johnny scoffed, unbuttoning his overalls.

“I can’t help it.” Roscoe groaned, practically drooling as the sliver of skin that Johnny revealed got wider and wider. Then he pulled the shirt open, exposing his carved abs and impressive pecs. 

“Fuck…” Roscoe muttered, lowering the camera so he could see with his own eyes.

“How’s this?” Johnny smirked, holding the wrench over his shoulder as he flexed his muscles. Roscoe abandoned the camera on his tripod, before pouncing onto Johnny, crashing their lips together. Their lips hungrily attacked each other as their sexual hunger grew more and more. Roscoe’s hands were groping and touching all over Johnny’s chest and abs. 

“Fuck, Johnny… What do you say we have another ‘Photoshoot’ tomorrow?” Roscoe softly moaned as the blond kissed and nibbled on his neck.

“Mmm… sorry, baby. But tomorrow I've got family stuff, bright and early…” Johnny whispered.

“Tonight, then?” Roscoe asked, in a low, husky voice. “I'll get you home at a decent hour.”

“Fuck yeah… You got it.” Johnny purred before Roscoe fell to his knees…

The Next Day.

For the last few months, the farmers of Stockton, California, have wondered about the mysterious silo built on a nondescript acre of land, just barely visible from the freeway. 

“4… 3… 2… 1…” 

On this bright, clear, June day they’re still wondering. 

FROOOOOOSHHHH!!

The rocket containing the Fantastic Four launched from the ground, leaving behind a large plume of smoke. It hurtled towards the sky, while the astronauts inside rattled around inside. 

“Urrrrgh… I think I'm gonna be sick…” Johnny groaned. 

“Gimme a break, Johnny. This take-off’s far smoother than any of our rides in the simulator.” Reed chuckled. 

“It's not cos of the take-off. It's cos I was up late last night getting drunk and fu-” Johnny suddenly remembered his older sister was there too. “-urrr taking pictures…”

“I wasn't going to comment, but now that you mention it, I don't remember hearing you come in…” Sue said, knowingly.

“In case anyone’s more interested in the rocket ship than Johnny’s sex life, we’re exactly fifteen seconds behind the space shuttle.” Ben told them. 

Meanwhile, at the Baxter Building, Alyssa was watching the news, feeling like an idiot.

“Of course. I’m so stupid. That’s why you didn’t want to wait… While all eyes are on the latest shuttle launch from Kennedy, you and your lapdogs are manning the first privately-owned, privately-financed, privately-designed, privately-launched, utterly rogue rocket ship into space from California. ” Alyssa realised, putting her face in her palms. “Very sneaky, Reed. And you get to show your girlfriend the Milky Way up close.” She added, with envy in her voice.

In space, the Fantastic Four were still sitting in their chairs as they experienced the surreal anti-gravity. They looked out the windows, seeing Earth beneath them and the eerie, black abyss of space.

“So… what do we do now?” Johnny asked, twiddling his thumbs.

“It’s a test ride, Johnny. We orbit. ” Reed told him. “Just enjoy the view.” He said, before taking Sue’s hand.

If you’ve never been, it’s hard to explain, but… Time is funny in space. Different. It expands and contracts like taffy. While everything else is weightless, it seems to have mass and density. Space… the universe… the cosmos… containing every potential possibility. We drift in silence for moments; we drift in silence for days…

It’s amazing to consider: We’re four tiny, spirited, stubborn, courageous, trivial specimens of human beings on the cusp…

The silence was broken.

“Hi.” Reed said, but Sue was the only one that reacted.

“Um… hello?” She frowned.

“You’re the only one that can hear me, don’t worry. I designed it so we could have private chats.” Reed explained.

“Well in that case… helloooo.” Sue smiled.

“Sue… I need to tell you I love you. And now, I finally have a way of showing you how much I love you. Do you see how endless space is? Do you see how deep and infinite it is? That’s how far my love for you goes, Susan.” Reed told her, making his girlfriend blush.

“Oh, Reed…”
“Seriously, look…” Reed said, gesturing towards the windows. “I know it’s not been easy. I know dating a literal mad scientist like me can be challenging. But I hope the positives outweigh the negatives.” 

“Reed, I chose you for a reason. I’m here because I wanted to experience this with you. I’m in this with my eyes wide open. As long as you promise not to lose sight of what’s important, I’m on board for the ride.” Sue assured him.

“Thank you, Sue-” TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-

“Urrr… Guys? What is that?” Johnny asked, nervously.

“Gut is never wrong…” Ben muttered, anxiously. 

SCHOOOOOOM!!

A surge of energy blasted through the ship as the four astronauts flew into one of the cosmic storms Alyssa had warned Reed about. They were being bombarded by Cosmic Rays.

“Ben! Can you avoid these?” Reed grunted, reconnecting his communications to the rest of the team.

“What do you think I’m trying to do, asshole?! Hold onto something!!” Ben shouted as the ship rocked and rattled around, throwing the team around in their seats.

TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC

Things were getting murky at this point… All four of them remember the maddening sound echoing through the ship. Then… 

“Urrrgh fuck! Fuckkkk!!! So hot… I’m burning up…!” Johnny cried out, as his body was steaming like water on hot coals. Then his hand suddenly caught fire. “OH SHIT!! I’m on fire!!” He blurted out.

“Our shielding will hold! Stay on course, Ben! We won’t break.” Reed told him, but his skin was aching all over. He grunted and winced in pain. Meanwhile, Sue was clutching at her helmet as her eyes were turning pale.

“My eyes… My vision… Everything’s whiting out! ” Sue panicked. Ben fell out of his chair and onto the floor, unable to lift his arms. It was like they had been tied down to an anchor.

“Can’t move… My arms, they’re… they’re too heavy… ” Ben grunted. Reed quickly pressed a button on his helmet, which would contact Alyssa back at the Baxter Building.

“Alyssa, if you can hear me, take control of the ship! Get us back home!” Reed pleaded.

Ithaca, New York.

Alyssa was flying on Reed’s hover car, gliding over the trees as she searched for the crashed ship. They had fallen somewhere in Upstate New York. The hovercar wasn’t the most stylish vehicle, but it worked. It was like a long, steel bath with four different sections for the passengers. The Cosmic Rays were distorting the homing beacon, making it more difficult for Alyssa to find it. She prayed that the world hadn’t just lost the extraordinary mind of Reed Richards. 

Susan was stumbling through the forest, wearing a shredded spacesuit as she regained her senses. She only had one thought, that replayed in her brain like a catchy jingle.

‘Don’tbedeadDon’tbedeadDon’tbedeadDon’tbedead-” Susan was searching for any sign of her younger brother or her husband. Eventually, she found Reed’s limbs flopping over some rocks.
“Reed?! Oh my God!” Sue cried out, running over to him. When she approached him, she almost threw up. It looked like every bone in his body had been pulverised. His body looked like an empty, rubber glove. 

‘There’s no way he could’ve survived-’

“Susan?” Reed said, as his elongated neck turned his head around. Susan screamed in horror, before falling backwards onto the ground. 

“REED?!” She cried as he stood up. His whole body was stretching upwards and bending like a blanket, towering over his girlfriend.

“Are you all right, darling?” Reed asked, confused. Sue thought she might be losing her mind - maybe the Cosmic Rays had distorted her vision? She hoped Reed wouldn’t touch her.

“Are you… alive? ” Sue asked, unsure what to think.

“Yes. And elastic, it appears…” Reed said as his body returned to its normal state. “Fascinating…” He whispered, stretching his fingers up and down.

“Are you… hurt?” Sue asked, desperately trying not to freak out.

“No, I’m not in any pain. I’m just… perplexed. ” Reed told her, stretching his torso again and twirling it up into the air. When he looked back down though, he saw that Sue had disappeared. Except for her clothes, she had become invisible.  

“Huh… A theory is emerging, especially now that you’re… I don’t want you to panic, Susan, but… you just turned invisible.” Reed told her.

“What are you talking about?” Sue rolled her transparent eyes, before looking down at where her hands should be. “Oh… Oh my God… Reed?! Reeeeeedddd?!!!” Susan screamed in horror.

“Dammit… Alyssa was right…” Reed muttered to himself.

“Alyssa was right about what?! ” Susan questioned.

“Just… Wow. I read ‘The Invisible Man’ when I was three and now I’m living it.” Reed said, enthralled with intrigue.

“Reed! What was Alyssa right about?!” Sue demanded.

“Alyssa was concerned we might come into contact with cosmic energy. She warned against our flight. Obviously, the Cosmic Rays have altered us in different, bizarre ways.” Reed explained. Then suddenly, the realisation dawned on them. Where’s everybody else?

“Johnny…” Susan gasped. The couple started searching for the rest of their crew and soon heard Johnny crying out.

“Help! Help me! Oh God, help me!” He screamed in terror.

“Johnny?!” Susan called out, slowly turning back to normal.

“Sue! You’re visible again!” Reed told her. Sue didn’t even get a chance to see for herself when Johnny started running towards them. His entire body was on fire, leaving behind a trail of flames as he begged for help. His spacesuit had burned completely off his body, leaving him naked.

“Help, Sue!! Help me!! Make it stop, I’m on fire, make it stop!!” Johnny pleaded.

“Johnny! Drop and roll! Drop and roll!!!” Susan shouted to him, before going to try and help.

“Wait, Susan, no!” Reed said, stretching his arms out and wrapping them around Sue’s body, stopping her.

“Reed get your rubber fucking hands off me! He’s my brother! ” 

“Johnny, focus! ” Reed shouted to him, ignoring his girlfriend. “Take a deep breath. Stop yelling.” Johnny did as he was told and stopped running around.

“But… I’m on fire?!” 

“But are you in pain?” Reed questioned.

“N-No… No, I’m not…” Johnny realised.

“I don’t smell burning flesh, either.” Reed added.

“Oh my God, Johnny… You’re not on fire.” Susan realised too. “You are fire.” 

“This… This is weird. ” Johnny half laughed, looking down at himself. He was starting to relax as he finally took a good look at his sister and her boyfriend. 

“Reed’s all stretchy?” Johnny asked, unsettled as Reed reeled his arms back and away from Sue. “What um… What else stretches?” He asked, with his eyes darting down towards Reed’s crotch.

“I haven’t tested that out yet.” Reed half laughed, blushing slightly. “Johnny, you can probably shift between states, like Sue can shift between invisibility and visibility.” 

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Sue, you can turn invisible?!” Johnny gasped. “What the fuck is going on here? And where’s Ben?” He asked before he soon saw Ben’s figure over Reed and Sue’s shoulders.

“Oh… Oh, wow. ” Johnny muttered, eyes widening. His fire extinguished, leaving his body entirely naked.

“What?” Sue asked.

“Whatever you did to me, wise guy… You’re a dead man! ” Ben growled, stepping closer. The pilot had transformed into something almost entirely unrecognisable. He had become a giant, orange, stone-like-skinned Thing. His spacesuit had almost entirely ripped off his torso, leaving him in a pair of blue pants. He looked like a boulder with arms and legs. The Thing tore a tree from the ground and swung it towards Reed.

“Ben?! Ben, control yourself! ” Reed shouted, stretching his body out of the way. 

“Control myself?! Why didn’t you control yourself before convincing me to fly into a COSMIC STORM?! ” Ben shouted, furiously, swinging again. 

“Is that really Ben?” Johnny asked, whilst his hair was switching back from on fire to extinguished, back to fire then back to extinguished.

“Johnny, can you please cover yourself up?” Susan asked, covering her eyes.

“Oh, sorry…” Johnny said, before his crotch caught fire - hiding his dick in flames. “What the heck did Ben become, Sue?” 

“I don’t know, Johnny.” Susan said nervously, watching her husband’s elongated neck and limbs swerve out of the way of the tree.

“Please, Ben! Whatever happened to you-”
“‘Whatever happened to me?!’ I turned into a fucked up version of Frankenstein’s monster! And it’s your fucking fault! My gut told me going into space was a bad idea!” Ben shouted.

“We were all changed, Ben! Look at me! You, me, Johnny and Sue! But Sue can phase between visibility and invisibility, and Johnny can control his flame!” Reed pointed out. “Have you tried willing yourself back to-?” 

“What do you think, string bean? I tried! It didn’t work!” Ben snarled, grabbing Reed by his floppy neck.

“Then try harder! ” Reed croaked.

“I will, after I kill you for being such a-”

“That’s ENOUGH! Both of you! Stop!! ” Susan shouted, throwing a hand out. Suddenly an invisible wall appeared between Reed and Ben, splitting them and pushing them apart. 

“What the fuck?!” Ben blurted out, being pushed onto the grass and pinned down by the invisible force.

“Susan? Is this you? ” Reed asked, also being held against the floor.

“I… I’m not sure… M-Maybe?” Sue said, looking down at her hands as the forcefield disappeared.

“Woah… What other powers will manifest?” Reed muttered, in awe.

“What does it matter? You won’t live long enough to-”
“Come on, Ben. Even if it is permanent, I’d say it’s an improvement.” Johnny told him, while the rest of his body caught fire again. A part of him really meant it, even if his words stunk of sarcasm. Ben growled.

“Team Richards!” A voice shouted down to them. They all looked up to see Alyssa hovering above them.

“I don’t know if you’ve all been infected by some interstellar contagion or what, but we need to get you out of here asap!” She told them.

“Alyssa!” Reed gasped, before stretching his neck up until his head was eye-level with Alyssa’s. “We’re not infected.” He told her, but she grimaced and looked away.

“God… I can’t look… Whatever the case, Reed, we’ve only got two, maybe three minutes before this bucolic sliver of New York state is swarming with people in hazmat suits. So if you all wouldn’t mind getting into the damn hovercraft! ” Alyssa instructed, lowering the hovercraft to the ground.

“What about-?”
“Debris from the crash? I’ve coordinated covert clean-up with a second team, so hurry up! ” Alyssa snapped. Johnny extinguished his naked body, except for his crotch, and then got into the hovercraft with Sue. Reed got into the front next to Alyssa and the Thing had a section all to himself.

“Just because I’m getting in doesn’t mean everything’s all good. I’m still-”

“Take it from me, Ben. Cool off. Reed’ll find a way to turn you back into your old, beefy self.” Johnny assured him.

“There was an earthquake in New York City this morning, which might keep some attention off this crash…”Alyssa told Reed.

“Another quake? That’s quite fortuitous.” Reed said, surprised.

“Also, our PR department is feeding news outlets conflicting reports about UFOs, private airplanes flying out of designated airspace and a good-year blimp going rogue.” Alyssa explained.

“Good job.” Reed said.

“I’ve bought us some time, but that’s all. The truth’s gonna come out, Reed. It’s just a matter of when and how.” She warned him. 

“Ben…” Sue said, placing a comforting hand on Ben’s orange shoulder.

“Don’t call me that, Susie. I’m not Ben anymore.” Ben mumbled. “I’m just some Thing. I ain’t Ben Grimm…” 

The Baxter Building. The First Night.

“Lockdown?!” Johnny blurted out. “You’ve gotta be kidding me! I had a date- several dates in fact! And why the hell is Ben exempt?! Why does he get to go out? He’s the one who looks like a head on Mount Rushmore sprouted legs!” He complained, standing in their living room. He was wearing a red t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Reed was wearing a green cardigan over a yellow shirt and brown pants and Sue was wearing a pink tube top and loose-fitting jeans.

“We have powers we know literally fuck-all about, Johnny.” Reed sighed, frustratedly. “Until Alyssa and I can run some tests, I want us all to stay put and out of sight. Ben too, as soon as he gets back.” He told them.

“How long are we thinking, Reed?” Sue asked, anxiously.

“Well, until we can adequately determine if our transformations are permanent or mutable… until we thoroughly test the limits of our abilities… until we can see how they’re affecting our other bio-systems…” Reed listed off.

“Oh my God, that sounds like it’s gonna take fucking ages.” Johnny groaned.

“A few months, at least.” Reed shrugged.

“What? Did you say-?” 

“MONTHS?!” Johnny blurted out, his hair catching on fire. “No fucking way! I have a boyfriend to satisfy!” 

Johnny disobeyed Reed and got on his motorbike, before zooming through New York City. His hair was on fire as he blitzed through the streets, rambling to himself.

“I haven’t been grounded since I was 12. I’d rather see just how hot I am.” Johnny said with a smirk as his hands caught fire too. Burning hot enough to melt steel. Hot enough to combust. Hot enough to become complete energy. 

“Wa-hoooooo!!!” Johnny cheered, taking off from his melted bike and flying through the air. “ FLAME ON!! ” He shouted, twirling through the air.

The Lower East Side.

Where does Ben Grimm spend his first night as a monster? Hiding in the safety of the shadows, up and down Yancy Street. The old neighbourhood he grew up in had transformed into a nightmare. He was wearing his largest, brown coat and a pair of baggy, beige pants that Alyssa was able to buy from a store. On his orange head, he wore a dark brown fedora, casting a dark shadow over his face. Ben stood in an alleyway, holding back tears as he hunched over. He felt like he could be sick, but something was preventing him from actually puking. What had he become? He used to play football in these alleys, now he prayed nobody would see him. He lost his virginity in these streets, got mugged for the first time, mugged somebody else for the first time… It was like a previous life. It was like he died in that rocket and was reincarnated into a monster. Ben knew he should’ve stayed in the Baxter Building and let Reed run his experiments but Ben knew in his gut: This is his life now. 

‘Reed will keep on making his promises. He won’t sleep until he’s found a cure. He’ll do anything in his power to ‘fix’ Ben. Reed’s probably in literal knots already.’ Ben thought. ‘Good. Let him suffer for one night at least. Tomorrow, I'll make up with him. I’ll be my usual gentleman-self and tell Reed not to worry. That Reed can start his tests.’ Ben won't tell his oldest friends what he’s thinking: that he’s actually hoping he’s in a coma, post-crash and that this is just one of those nightmares that keep getting worse and worse… Ben looked up to see Johnny streaking across the sky in an orange, glowing line. 

“Kill me, now…” 

Meanwhile, at the Baxter Building, Alyssa and Reed were analysing the effects of the Cosmic Rays. 

“Well… the good news is, you’re not dying… I think…” Alyssa said, looking over the diagrams displayed on the holo-table’s projections. Reed was standing shirtless, stretching his arms into corkscrew shapes, playing with his newfound abilities. 

“Actually, Alyssa, I think it’s the opposite. To live is to be in a constant state of decay. Of breaking down… I don't believe I'm doing that anymore. Which is… troublesome. ” Reed explained. 

“Agreed. On the other hand, Johnny might be hyper-metabolising himself into an early grave… or not. And Ben might continue calcifying into a motionless statue… or not. ” Alyssa estimated. “Who knows? They left before-”

“They’re blowing off steam. They’ll be back.” Reed assured her, putting his shirt back on. 

“As for Susan, she turned down my offer to give her a physical.” Alyssa sighed.

“Can you blame her?” Reed reasoned. 

“If you’re implying she’s threatened by me, or jealous of me, she hardly needs to worry. I have no interest in dating a literal noodle. Besides, the two of you are bound for life now - well… the four of you.” Alyssa told him. “You survived… Well, I don't really know what you survived but you survived something extraordinary. I'm just the fifth Invader that didn't get famous.” She sighed. “Do us both a favour and tell your girlfriend that my interests are merely scientific. ” 

“Alyssa. Thank you for your help. Seriously. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.” Reed told her.

“Don't thank me, Reed. Just give me some rights. Y’know, there’s potential for a book in this. Hell, maybe four books. And I want to write…” Alyssa trailed off. Her eyes darted towards the door of the lab.

“Alyssa? What is it?” Reed asked.

“Nothing… For a moment I felt… Never mind. I thought I heard something.” Alyssa said. 

Susan was getting better at being invisible, but she’d have to learn that her breathing was still audible. She stood by the doorway, naked, listening in on the scientists' conversations. Next, she’d have to practice with her force fields.

The Next Day.

Business continued as usual on the public floors of the Baxter Building. While upstairs in Alyssa Moy’s apartment, she was watching the news while she was getting dressed.

“Construction on the Second Avenue subway line suffered further setbacks last night after yet another ‘site-specific earthquake.’ Live on the scene we have Vivienne Roberts. Hello, Vivienne! What is going on down there?”

“Depends who you ask, Steve!” Vivienne said, standing at the scene of the earthquake. Vivienne was a black woman with a stylish bob of black hair and dark red lipstick. She had some gold, hoop earrings and wore a big, purple coat. “Workers in the new subway’s main tunnel are describing something like a mine collapse. No fatalities, but six city workers were injured, with two excavators in critical condition at Mercy General.” Vivienne explained.

“At least they’re not talking about the crash.” Alyssa sighed, tying her hair up into a ponytail. She was wearing a light blue shirt and a pair of jeans.

“Geologists from Empire State University recorded tremors strong enough to have triggered such a cave-in, but as to what sparked the tremors… Well, there are some theories, including this one…” Vivienne continued. Then she turned to a homeless man, who immediately blurted out what he had seen last night…

“Living underground, I’ve seen a lot of things. Alligators, blood cults, circus freaks… but nothing like what I saw last night. You wanna know what caused the earthquake? Monsters. That’s what. Like something out of a Godzilla movie . ” He described.

“There you have it, Steve: Monsters in New York.”  

That morning, Reed came into the living room, where Susan and Ben were sitting. Sue was wearing a pink, fluffy gown and Ben was wearing a blue t-shirt and brown pants in the largest size Alyssa could find. He was reading a paper, seeing other mentions of ‘monsters’ in the articles.

“I made you some coffee.” Reed said, holding a steaming mug. He just wore a grey v-neck and a pair of black jeans.

“I’m good.” Ben mumbled.

“I heard you coming in, just before dawn. Did you sleep at all last night?” Reed asked.

“What do you think?” Ben asked, glaring at the scientist.

“I owe you an apology, Ben. And a promise. I’ll do everything I can to make this right.” Reed said. 

“Right for him, maybe. I’m good.” Johnny said, coming into the room, and stretching. He looked like he had just woken up, wearing a white tank top and a pair of blue briefs. 

“In fact, I’m thrilled. I spent the night practising and I’ve gotta tell you: These new powers of mine will fry your minds!” He grinned. “If nobody’s gonna claim that coffee…” Johnny said, taking the coffee cup from Reed’s hand.

“Johnny, I swear to God…” Susan rolled her eyes.

“Anyway, Reed, I’ve reconsidered. If you wanna do some tests, bring it. You can probe me all you like, I’m down with whatever.” Johnny said with a wink.

“Johnny, that’s hardly appropriate.” Reed said, gesturing to his girlfriend and Johnny’s sister. Before Johnny could argue, or make things worse, the TV in the lounge flickered on. It was Alyssa, video calling them.
“Moy here. We have good news, bad news and good news, so pay attention.” She announced, now wearing a lab coat over her clothes and her glasses. “The good news is, no one’s talking about you four or the crash. The bad news is, there’s a monster rampaging in midtown.” She revealed. All four of the super-powered individuals responded with bewildered silence.

“Huh?” Johnny finally said with an eyebrow raised.

“Is this some joke about me? ‘Cause that’s bad taste.” Ben told her, grumpily.

“Details are sketchy, but construction on the Second Avenue subway has awoken some kind of prehistoric monster… Some poor newscaster was just eaten on camera. It just so happens that it’s headed right for the Baxter Building.” Alyssa warned them.

“For the last few weeks, I’ve been charting strange seismic activity throughout the island.” Reed nodded.

“I figured this would be a… unique way of getting ahead of the story.” Alyssa suggested.

“We could save lives.” Reed realised.

“The hovercar’s fuelled and idling, Reed.”  

So Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben headed for the hovercar, that was docked on the rooftop. All four of them wore similar, matching blue t-shirts (Reed thought it would be helpful if they looked like a team). 

“I needed this. I needed an excuse to punch something.” Ben mumbled to himself as he got into the hovercar.

“Did I mention I can fly?” Johnny asked as he got in as well. “Well, I can. I can fly. And y’know what? It’s nothing like how you fly in dreams.” 

“Wait, you get to fly in dreams? I’m only ever falling!” Ben complained. Reed meanwhile, hung back with Sue before getting in the vehicle.

“Sue… I’m gonna have to ask you to sit this one out.” Reed told her.

“ What? Are you joking?” Sue asked, offended. She had since put her hair up in a bun.

“Your power’s invisibility. Not invulnerability. ” Reed pointed out.

“You said yourself you don’t know the full extent of my powers. What better way to test them than in the field?” Sue reasoned.

“I’m sorry, Sue, but I can’t put you at risk again. Until we know more, I need you to stay behind.” Reed told her.

“And I’m sorry, Reed, but you don’t get to make my choices.” Sue snapped.

“Susie…” Ben said, concerned. “Reed’s actually right for a change. Listen to him. Stay here, where it’s safe.” 

The three of them took off in their hovercar and started gliding down towards the location given by Alyssa. Johnny was sitting at the front with Reed.

“Dude, what was that all about? Please don’t tell me you’re leaving Sue out because she’s not a guy. She’s a badass, she always has been.” Johnny told Reed.
“ Ben’s indestructible, I’m indestructible and you can fly. ” Reed listed off. “It’s not because we’re men, it’s because Sue can actually die.” He told Johnny.

“Oh. Right, okay.” Johnny nodded before the car turned around a corner. “ HOLY SHIT?! ” The teenager blurted out.

“Finally, something uglier than me.” Ben scoffed. Below them was a horrific creature. It was like a giant lizard - about half the size of the Baxter Building. Its skin was green, except for the underside, which was more of a sickly yellow. Its mouth was enormous, with jagged teeth that looked cracked or simply missing chunks. Its eyes were glowing red, the tail had the girth and length of a limo but was far more flexible. The claws were huge too, with the same dirty-white colour as its teeth.

“As a man of science… I have no idea what that is!” Reed muttered, suddenly feeling daunted with this mission.

“Who cares what it is? It’s our target.” Johnny said.

“The kid has a point. I wanna hit it. Get me in close, Stretch.” Ben told Reed.

“I think we should come up with a more evolved plan than hit it.” 

“Oh yeah? Like what? You wanna invite it over for some cookies and tea?” Ben argued, watching the monster crush cars in its hands and splinter the tarmac beneath its enormous feet. 

“No. Johnny, go distract it. Lead the creature away from the crowds and into Central Park. We’ll neutralise it there.” Reed instructed.

“Okaaay, but um… Distract it how?” Johnny asked.

“For fuck’s sake, Johnny, you’re a literal Human Torch, use your imagination.” Reed rolled his eyes.

“Rightrighrtrightrightright…” Johnny nodded, looking down at the terrifying monster that was roaring beneath them. With a deep breath, he jumped out of the car and his body erupted into a ball of fire.

“ FLAME ON! ” He shouted out.

“Oh God, he’s got a catchphrase?” Ben cringed.

“Ben, I’m taking us down. You and I are gonna be ground support and backup for Johnny.” Reed told him.

“Backup for Johnny? How did things go so wrong for me?” Ben groaned as Reed lowered the hover car.

Meanwhile, back at the Baxter Building, Sue joined Alyssa in the laboratory, bored and dejected. Alyssa had a ton of different screens projected from the holo-table as she sifted through information.

“What do you need, Susan? I’m a little busy trying to find all I can about this overgrown Ninja Turtle and forward it to Reed and the others.” Alyssa told her.

“I don’t mean to interrupt I just… I can’t just sit in my own thoughts while they fling themselves into danger.” Sue told her. “Is that okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah, it’s fine. Sorry, I don’t mean to sound snappy. Just… It’s been a week for me, too.” Alyssa admitted.
“It’s fine.”
“Your pissed, huh?” Alyssa guessed. “Reed claims he’s protecting you, but it feels like a punishment. And I’m sure you suspect I advised him to sideline you. Well, I didn’t .” Alyssa told her.

“If that’s true then what the fuck are we doing here, Alyssa? This isn’t the A-Team or some macho high school football game. We’re not secretaries or the superficial ladies cast for eye candy! We’re the Ellen Ripleys! We’re the fucking Sarah Connors and the Leias of this story! ” Sue said, angrily. 

“Wow, you’re a lot nerdier than I figured. Listen, I agree, but A: I don’t want to be killed. And B: This is where I excel. Science. However, if you feel left out, let me remind you that there’s more than one hovercar on the Baxter Building’s roof.” Alyssa told her, with an encouraging smile.

Johnny was doing his best to keep the monster’s attention on him, dipping and diving over its face and shouting at it.

“Mothra? No, Gigan? Nope… Megalon? Nuh-uh… Grottu? Hmmmmm maybe? Here Grottu!! THIS WAY!! ” Johnny shouted. His father was a Godzilla fan, so by extension, Johnny was too. Meanwhile, on street level the Thing was trying to command people away.

“Move it, people! Move it!” He shouted and everyone did as he was told, because they thought he was one of the monster’s babies. They were panic-struck by the large, orange monster.

“For the luvva God…” Ben said, when a blond woman fell over onto the road. Johnny had no idea he was leading the monster in her direction and Grottu was about to step on her. Reed wanted to run some tests. Well, now he was about to see just how strong Ben’s body was. Ben quickly used his body to cover her, using his body like a makeshift bunker for her. Turns out, his body was strong enough to keep the woman from being crushed.

“ PLEASE DON’T EAT ME, MONSTER BABY! ” The woman cried beneath him as Grottu’s foot stepped onto Ben’s back, then lifted up again, as it trudged down the road.

“I’m not a monster baby, lady. I may look like a monster, but I’m one of the good guys.” Ben told her, before getting off her again. She didn’t buy it and quickly took off, running and screaming away from Ben. Reed, on the other hand, was using his stretched arms to guide everybody away from the monster and elongating his neck over the crowds as he shouted commands. 

“Follow my arms! They’ll lead you out of the creature’s path!” Reed instructed.

“What the hell are you?! What the fuck is happening?!” A construction worker blurted out, horrified by Reed’s unnatural body movements.

“Please, sir. Try not to panic. My name’s Dr. Reed Richards. I’m here to help.” Reed told him.

“‘Help’? Have you seen yourself?! You’re the one that needs help! You’re even freakier than the fucking ferret-guy. ” The construction worker said.

“The… The what?” 

“Let there be DARKNESS!! ” Harvey Elder, aka the Mole Man, shouted at the people running in terror. A small, quite chubby man with dark, shaggy, hair and long, ungroomed nails. He wore a pair of huge, blue ‘glasses’, but the actual lenses were just narrow strips. He wore a dirty, long, jade set of robes. He also wore a lighter, more sickly green and torn-up scarf, with different animal skulls sewn into it. He also wore a leather satchel and bandages around his forearms. He held a long, mangled, gnarly stick too, which he held in the air. But the Mole Man was hardly the eyecatcher. No, it was the beast he was riding on. It was a large, rhino-sized lizard that looked like something from the Jurassic period. It was a reddish-brown, completely scaly monster with really sharp teeth and plates of armour littered all over its body. Sue, in the hovercar, approached the Mole Man.

“ Overworlders! Your continued acts of terrorism against Subterranea will no longer be tolerated! Above there is chaos, betrayal and prejudice! Under there is harmony, peace and acceptance! You have tried my patience for too long! It’s time I force my hand!” The Mole Man shouted, as his pet’s claws made the concrete crumble in its grip. “ Korgu is only the first of my army of monsters birthed in the Earth’s womb! All of them are under the Mole Man’s control!!” He continued, referring to ‘Grottu’. 

“What the…?” Sue muttered, taking in the sight. 

Above the mayhem, a Daily Bugle helicopter was hovering above. Inside, Betty Brant and Ned Leeds were covering the news. Betty was behind Ned, with a pixie cut and wearing a yellow button-down. Ned, on the other hand, was wearing a red cap backwards, a red flannel shirt and a grey shirt underneath. The chopper’s door was open as Ned held the camera on his shoulder and stood on the helicopter’s landing skids (holding onto a handle inside). He was filming the scene taking place down below - of the monsters, the flying flame, the stretching man and the orange ape. 

“This is un- fucking believable…” Ned said, bewildered.

“Just keep filming, Ned. Remember, producer credit if you get me close-ups of the mini -monsters.” Betty told him. 

“Mini-Monsters? I'm only counting three, Betty. The lava guy, the rubber band guy, and the brick wall guy.” Ned told her.

“What about the Mole King? Or whatever he’s calling himself?” Betty asked, seeing people’s tweets on her phone.

“The Mole King?” Ned repeated in disbelief.

“Yeah. The station’s been getting calls about some Mole-guy, too.” Betty nodded.

“Yes! Run! Scream in terror!” The Mole Man cackled as the lizard he was riding crawled through the city’s concrete canyons. “You devastate my world as recklessly as children digging in a sandbox. But now, there will be a balance! For every cavern, every sub-strata cloister you defile, so shall the Mole Man and his children tear down one of your skyscrapers! I’ve been making a list, down in the cold, damp darkness. The greater your arrogance and your hubris, the taller and more airborne you make your buildings. But, they still rest of the foundations of clay. The grand consequences begin now! With that bright and ugly monument to humanity’s hollow pride.” The Mole Man threatened, looking towards the Baxter Building.

“Do you have to?” Sue asked, walking towards him. The Mole Man turned his head towards her, stunned at her boldness.

“Listen, my boyfriend designed and built it and while I agree he’s a tad arrogant, I’m hoping we can resolve things in a civil manner. What do you say?” Sue asked.

“You’re… You’re not running away?” The Mole Man said. His confidence was faltering. 

“Doesn’t look like it, does it?” Susan shrugged.

“You mean… my appearance… it doesn’t revolt you?” The Mole Man asked.

“What? No. Maybe a few years ago, when I was a bit more shallow, but… Especially recently, I’ve learned to look beneath the surface of people.” Sue told him.

“I am almost blind, but… even I can tell that you’re beautiful.” The Mole Man muttered, even blushing slightly.

“Thank you. My name’s Susan Storm. Yours isn’t really the Mole Man, is it?” She asked.

“N-No… It’s… It’s…” 

“You don’t have to tell me, if you don’t feel comfortable.” Sue told him, sweetly.

“I-It’s Harvey.” 

All the while, Johnny Storm was zooming around Korgu, leading him towards Central Park as instructed by Reed. He was enjoying himself, maybe too much, as he used his body like it was a carrot on a stick. 

“Johnny!! Careful!!” Reed shouted, extending his neck up towards Johnny.

“Reed, it’s fine, I’ve-” SMACK!! Korgu’s massive hand slapped Johnny away, making the blazing teenager crash directly into a water tower. He was immediately extinguished as the container smashed to pieces. A naked Johnny laid amongst the debris, awake but powerless. 

“Shit…” Johnny coughed as his body was still steaming.

The Mole Man and Susan Storm, on the other hand, were now strolling along the sidewalk - while the red lizard followed them like a trained dog.

“I was a student of the geological sciences.” Harvey told her.

“Yeah, that makes sense.” Sue said with a kind chuckle.

“The serenity of the underworld provided safety for me. The cacophony of hatred directed towards me for my… unique appearance…” Harvey explained.

“Mmhmm…” Sue nodded, understandingly. She couldn’t help but be reminded of-

“Ben! Johnny’s been extinguished!” Reed shouted to Ben. “He’s struggling to reignite, so it’s up to the two of us.” Reed explained, while his limbs were wrapping and tying themselves up around Korgu’s feet. “When I give the signal, can you pin down one of the monster’s feet?” 

“Yeah. Sure.” Ben responded, mostly concentrating on avoiding the sharp claws stepping towards him.

“I’m trying to find out how much tension my new… elastic limbs can withstand!” Reed grunted, straining. After a few more steps from the monster, it was time. 

“All right Ben, NOW! ” Reed shouted. They were finally close enough to Central Park, so that when it tripped…

“Wait, Reed! I’ve made contact!” Susan shouted. “You don’t have to-!” But it was too late. Ben had already pinned Korgu’s foot down and it tripped over the tangle of Reed’s limbs. But it tripped in the wrong direction.

“Oh no… Oh, nonononono!” Reed cried out as he saw it falling towards his girlfriend. 

“Oh my God…” She muttered as the big mass of green scales fell towards her.

THUNK!

“SUSAN!!! SUSAN!! ARE YOU OKAY?!” Reed cried out once the dust settled and his elongated body retracted. He ran over towards where Sue had been, only to find her holding a forcefield above herself and a few other New York citizens. 

“Holy shit. You did it, honey.” Reed gasped as everyone ran out from beneath the monster. Sue soon followed, letting Korgu fall the rest of the way.

“Okay. Your forcefields are a lot stronger than I thought.” Reed said, half laughing in disbelief.

“You should know better than to doubt me by now.” Susan said with a cheeky smirk.

“Unfortunately, our friend’s down, not out. But if you can hold the creature in place, perhaps I can stretch my body over its mouth and nostrils and deprive it of oxygen.” Reed pondered.

“No, Reed, that’s not necessary, jeez.” Sue said, quite surprised. “Harvey, can you please help?” She asked him.

“Certainly, Miss Storm.” Mole Man nodded, before facing his monster. “Korgu… HEEL. ” He shouted. Soon enough, Korgu hunched over and sat at the edge of Central Park, like how a person would crouch down. 

It didn’t take long for a crowd to form around the monster, in stunned awe of the fantastical creature. Johnny, wrapped in towels, was standing in the park with Sue as she gave him a debriefing on what happened.

“What kind of name is Korgu? All it took was heel?” Johnny complained, unphased by the guys and girls who were checking his almost-naked body out.

“His name’s Harvey Elder and he’s just… misunderstood.” Susan told him.

“Misunderstood? Susan, he trashed half of New York. People probably died.” Johnny reminded her.

“Yeah, and imagine how many more will die if we piss him off? He’s lived underground for the last 16 years, Johnny. He’s just angry and scared, but he’s willing to talk.” Susan reasoned.

Reed walked over to the Mole Man, who was sitting on a bench, awkwardly looking down at his feet that couldn’t quite reach the floor unless he sat on the edge.

“Dr. Elder. I’m Reed Richards, we met once. Only briefly, though. You gave a lecture at State University when I was a Freshman.” Reed told him. “I was quiet, back then. Quite shy.” 

“I vaguely remember a Richards.” Harvey said.

“Speaking hypothetically, Doctor… If I made a lab available to you, where you might set up shop, y’know, in the building you were moments away from knocking down, could you be persuaded to help us better understand your… ideology?” Reed asked.

“I live where the most glorious monsters dwell, Reed Richards. What comfort could you possibly offer me?” Harvey asked.

“How about…” Reed said, before Ben walked over too. Harvey gasped as he looked up at the strange-looking man.

“... more monsters, Doc?” Ben said with a sad smile.

“I want to make peace between our worlds, Harvey. And make you comfortable on your terms.” Reed told him, stretching his arm until he could place his hand on Harvey’s shoulder.

“There would be certain requirements…”

And so, Ben and Reed discussed their options with Sue and Johnny a few yards away from Harvey. 

“I don’t know, Ben. I guess we’ll see what happens. If the creatures beneath the ground truly decided to invade us… well, I don’t think we’d stand a chance.” Reed admitted.

“Excuse me! Hi, hello!” Betty called out, coming over with Ned filming behind her. “I’m Betty Brant. This is my newly promoted producer, Ned Leeds. Can we steal five minutes of your time?” She asked. Reed, Ben and Sue looked surprised, but Johnny…

“Sure, how can I help?” He asked with a flirty smirk, removing the towel around his torso, and letting his full, shirtless body soak up the camera lens. Susan’s palm smacked her forehead, embarrassed.

The news coverage on the quartet was everywhere.

“Mayhem in midtown as the underground warlord calling himself ‘Mole Man’ was subdued by four… unique personalities. Is that right, Betty?” 

“That’s right, Steve. Betty Brant here, with four new New York heroes.” Betty introduced, while Johnny was flexing for the camera on live tv. 

“They are…?” Betty said, before turning to the four.

“Urrr… He’s Reed Richards, I’m Susan Storm. This is my little brother, Joh-”
“Johnny Storm! Check out my Insta, get in touch. Men and women.” Johnny winked to the camera.

“A-Alright and um… You, sir?” Betty asked Ben.

“Camm me what I am. A Thing. ” He sighed.

“Urrr…”
“He means The Thing!” Johnny said, quickly. “That’s his, um… Code name! We all have code names.” He lied.

“Code names? That implies-?”

“We’re a team, Betty.” Reed nodded. “The four of us.”

“A team of what? Superheroes?”

“Urrr, adventurers. Explorers, scientists-”
“And superheroes.” Johnny cut Reed off.  “We’re the… The Frightful Four! Here to burn the crime of the universe!” He grinned.

“‘Fearsome Four’. Not sure I like the sound of that… we’ll have to keep track of this story as it develops!” J. Jonah Jameson on the other end of the camera, in his broadcasting studio. Jameson was an old, stubborn man with a very rectangular head. He had a grey flat-top, a grey, push broom moustache and some wrinkles made from how much he frowns. He was wearing a grey suit and a black tie. 

“Reminds me of the old days - some kind of Captain America rip-off. The age of Marvels! And-” KSHT!!

“My liege?” Alyssa called out, stepping into the throne room of Castle Doom. The home of Doctor Doom, the ruler of Latveria. 

“Did you see the news, Moy? Looks like Richards’ has finally learned to do something worthwhile .” Doom said, sitting on his large, grey throne. The floor leading up to him was were decorated with a royal red carpet, while on the walls, red and golden banners were strung up. They each had his insignia on them, which was a very fancy, medieval ‘D’. Next to Doom, was his pet tiger. A Bengal tiger named Gunner. Doctor Doom was a creepy-looking man, to say the least. Every inch of skin was hidden beneath silver, glistening armour - including his face. Over that though, he wore a sage green tunic that went down to his knees with a belt around his waist. Then, attached to his shoulders with large, golden circular clips was a long, flowing, moss-green cloak and hood.
“Well… mildly worthwhile.” He said, with a voice that had a metallic twang to it.

“Yes, my liege… I saw.” Alyssa said.

Hours Later at the Baxter Building.

Johnny was sat, grumpy and embarrassed, as the Thing grilled him about the name he had dubbed them. Johnny was now wearing a white t-shirt and jeans, while his hair was in flames.

“Are you seeing this, hothead?” Ben said, flicking through all the news channels talking about the ‘Frightful Four’. “Yet again, you’ve proven that underneath that jawline and big blue eyes is nothing but air. ” 

“For the millionth time, it just came out! And there are four of us.” Johnny defended. “Wait, have you been checking me out?” He realised, getting distracted.

“Fucking hell, Johnny, focus. There are so many adjectives that begin with F! The Forceful Four! The Forthright Four! The Fortuitous Four! Heck, even the Fearless Four! Almost any would’ve been better. You made us sound like some corny supervillain team.” Ben complained.

“Okay, those are all lame! And you’re hardly one to make fun of my name choices, Thing. God, only you would pick a name that could sound like either a cryptid or a porn name.” 

Susan, meanwhile, wandered into Reed’s lab. She was wearing a purple cardigan over a white tank top and a pair of jeans. Her blond hair was out of its bun, resting beautifully on her shoulders.

“Reed? I know when you’re hiding away in your lab it means ‘don’t interrupt’ but- oh my God, are you kidding me?” Sue stopped in her tracks when she saw her boyfriend. His head had inflated like a hot air balloon, making him look like a rejected extra from Mars Attacks.

“Susan, I was just thinking about you, come in.” Reed smiled.

“You were thinking of me and that happened? Is that a mind-boner for you?” Susan asked, unsettled. He was wearing a simple blue t-shirt and a pair of dark grey pants.

“No. Actually, I was thinking about all of us.” Reed told her.

“Honey, you know I love you, but could you please…?” Sue asked, unable to look at his inflated head.

“Right, sorry. It was an experiment. I wondered if increasing the size of my cerebellum would… never mind.” Reed said as his head deflated like a burst beachball. “It didn’t make any difference. Better?” 

“Yes. Much. Look, Reed-”

“I shouldn’t have asked you to stay behind, Sue.” Reed told her, getting it off his chest. “That was… stupid. I should’ve seen you as the fierce warrior you are and not just as my girlfriend.” He admitted.

“Is that… an apology?” Susan asked, enjoying the moment.

“Susan, based on what I saw today, I think you might actually be the strongest of all of us. Stronger than us all, combined . I don’t believe you’re anywhere near the limits of what you’re capable of. For instance: have you tried making objects other than yourself invisible?” Reed asked, curiously.

“I… No, but… Wait, could I do that?” Sue gasped.

“Potentially. Hopefully, we’ll find out.” Reed said, before turning on his holo-table and projecting a bunch of screens into the air. Sue took a close look, seeing designs for planes, uniforms, and even a logo. 

“Reed… what is all this?” Susan asked, impressed.

“We fought a monster, and I found inspiration… I saw what we could become. What we need to become. My first impulse, to lock us inside, was a miscalculation. Our destiny lies ahead, in the future. Forward-facing, always. The darkness… the old ways… That’s for other minds to contemplate.” Reed explained.

“Will this suit you, Dr. Elder?” Alyssa asked, showing Harvey his new laboratory. Most of the lights had been turned off and the windows had the blinds shut, but there were plenty of screens and worktables for him to use.

“It’s too warm, Ms. Moy… And far too bright. Otherwise, assuming the rest of my criteria are met, this will suffice.” Harvey told her, with a hint of a smile on his face.

“Everything we do from now on will be a journey into the unknown. ” Reed told Susan, excitedly. “An adventure of the imagination and an exploration of the infinite. Would… Would you join me, Susan?” Reed asked, holding his hand out. “Please note: I’m asking you first.” He added.

“It depends… do you really think I’m the most powerful? ” Susan smirked.

“... So long as I can still be the smartest. ” Reed chuckled.

“Deal.” Susan smiled before they both leaned in for a sweet, passionate kiss.

Step One: Uniforms

Reed, Susan, Johnny and Ben stood in the lounge of their penthouse, wearing their new uniforms. Reed, Johnny and Susan each wore a skin-tight bodysuit with a number 4 logo on their chest. It was almost entirely steel-blue coloured, except for the rim around their necks and their knee/elbow pads were black. They wore black gloves and black boots too. Ben, on the other hand, was wearing blue shorts and a large tank top, which hugged his body uncomfortably.

“The design is Sue’s, but the material is something I discovered.” Reed said as they wore their suits for the first time. “Unstable molecules, which will allow me to stretch; Susan to turn invisible without stripping; Johnny to burn without rendering himself naked; Ben-”
“And me to do a whole lotta nothing. ” Ben mumbled, tugging at the spandex-like fabric.

“Ben…”

“No offence to your artistic vision, Sue, but I think I’d rather show off my rock-hard abs like Johnny always does.” Ben scoffed, before pulling the tank top off his body.

“Wooohooo!!! Atta boy Benjy! Show ‘em off! You’ll drive the ladies and monster-fuckers wild!” Johnny cheered.

Step Two: The Car.

The hover car had a big number 4 on the front of it, as well as a space for Ben that was a lot bigger and more ‘accompanying’ to his size. It was parked up on the roof of the Baxter Building.

“Holy shit, Reed. It’s cool that we’re branding everything now, but you still couldn’t design a car that didn’t look like a fucking bath? ” Johnny rolled his eyes. 

“We can upgrade it sometime in the future, but right now, this is it. And for the record, we’re calling it the Fantasti-Car. ” Reed told him.

“The what?” Johnny laughed.

“Alyssa’s putting out a press release. The ‘Frightful Four’ has too many negative connotations.” Reed started.

“Too badass, you mean…” Johnny mumbled under his breath.

“So from now on, we’re the Fantastic Four. ” Reed told them.

“We are? Just like that?” Susan asked.

“Shouldn’t we have had a meeting to discuss this?” Ben complained.

“Yes. We should.” Alyssa said, stepping onto the roof. “Conference room in five?”

Step Three: The Names

Alyssa sat at the end of an octagonal table, with the other members of the Fantastic Four sitting around it. Around the conference room’s walls were large screens. 

“Sue, you’re going to be the Invisible Girl.” Alyssa told her.

“No, I’m not. We’re already pandering to the male audiences with these skin-tight suits, at least let me go by Invisible Woman. ” Susan argued.

“Alright. Alright, fine.” Alyssa agreed, correcting her notes on a tablet. “Ben, market research tells me that people actually like ‘ The Thing ’, so we’re gonna roll with that.” Alyssa told him.

“Good.” 

“Johnny, considering your similarities with the original Human Torch-”

“Whoa, what?! There was a Human Torch before me? ” Johnny complained, almost spitting out his gum, feeling his pride take a hit.

“Do you even go to school?” Reed asked, disappointed.

“We’re thinking that the most prudent thing to do is honour his legacy by calling you the Human Torch as well.” Alyssa explained.

“Alright, fine. But you better believe I’ll get more action figures.” Johnny shrugged, putting his hands behind his head.

“Great. So we’ll announce these at the press conference-”
“Wait. Hang on. What’s your superhero name, Reed? Elastiman?” Susan asked.
“Dr. Silly Putty?” Ben guessed.

“Nah, it’s Juicy Fruit.” Johnny scoffed, before pulling the gum from his teeth and stretching it, before placing it back in his mouth. 

Step Four: The Debut

“Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of everyone at the newly renamed Fantastic Four , inc., I give you the world’s greatest superhero team…” Alyssa announced. There was a large stage set up outside of the Baxter Building as the four heroes stood before the large audience. A banner of their logo was displayed on the wall of the Baxter Building above them as people were throwing confetti all over them.

“ Mister Fantastic! ” Alyssa announced.

“Wasn’t my idea, I swear…” Reed whispered to Susan.

“ The Invisible Woman! ” 

Susan waved to her friends, that she spotted amongst the sea of faces.

“ The Human Torch! ”

“Part deux!” Johnny smiled, winking towards Roscoe who stood in the front row.

“And The Thing! ”

“Now they love me.” Ben mumbled under his breath, seeing the woman who thought he was gonna eat her before.

“Together, they are The Fantastic Four! ” Alyssa announced, earning an eruption of cheers and applause. But one person amongst the crowd wasn’t cheering. A man with long, black hair and a thick beard stood there in stunned silence. 

“The Human Torch…” He muttered, wearing a red beanie hat and a big brown coat. “My greatest enemy… Alive? ” 

High Line Park.

Susan was walking along the raised pathways, that looked out upon the trees, with Nance as they were eating gelato. 

“Nance, I wouldn’t call us superheroes, per se. It’s not like we have secret identities. Not that you need a secret identity to be a superhero, I guess…” Susan was saying, blushing slightly.

“Girl, you all wear tights. ” Nane reasoned.

“We’ll fight crime if we see it, Nance, but it’s not like we go on nightly patrols or anything.” Susan explained.

“Right, because that would be weird.” Nance scoffed.

“Well, maybe Johnny does, but that’s only because he’s looking for a cute guy to save.” Sue chuckled.

“Speaking of cute guys…” Nance scoffed, seeing somebody coming over with a notepad and pencil.

“Invisible Woman?! OhmyGod! Can I have your autograph? OhmyGod I can’t believe it’s really you!” He beamed.

“Oh, I’d be happy to. I have to ask, there isn’t disappearing ink in this pen, is there?” Susan asked, almost cringing at her own joke. She signed his notepad, and then Sue and Nance continued walking.

“I can’t believe you have a schtick now, too.” Nance scoffed.

“Eh, over the last few days we’ve done Letterman and the Daily Show, so I’ve learned to come up with a quip. But I doubt that’s gonna be a regular thing.” Susan shrugged.

“Well, Johnny’s become the most lusted-over man on the planet right now. I’m seeing more thirst tweets about him than any of the normal Hollywood stars.” Nance pointed out, before noticing all the stares from everyone around them. “How do you stand all the staring?” She asked.

“Easy. Like this.” Susan said before both the superhero and her bestie turned invisible - including their clothes.

“Riiiiight. Invisibility.” Nance laughed, as everyone gasped around them.

“Just wait ‘til we find an out-of-the-way corner.” Susan told her.

“Well, what about Reed? How’s that been?” Nance asked. They found a secluded bench, where Susan lifted the invisibility veil. 

“As in…?” 

“I’m not asking about your sex life, Sue. Trust me, I don’t even wanna think about how that works… I’m talking about… y’know…?”
“You mean has he asked to marry me?” Sue nodded. “Not yet, but I’m fine with that, Nance.”

“Uh oh… Why? What did he do this time?” 

“No, no. It’s nothing, it’s just that… well, things are different now. We’re all different people now. He’s still the man I love, but he’s still different. It’s hard to describe.” Susan admitted.

“Have you talked to him?” Nance asked.

“Aha, I’ve tried, but there’s never a good time. He’s working now, more than ever. Searching for a cure for Ben, or we’re all attending a charity event, or he’s exploring some new dimension that he and Alyssa have discovered.” Susan explained.

“Alyssa…?”
“Don’t. I trust Reed.” Susan said.

“You know what you should do?” 

“Switch teams and use my powers for evil?” Susan joked.

“Ha ha. No. Go on a date.” Nace suggested.

“What?”

“You’re the Invisible Woman, Sue. You went to the moon and came back as a super-vixen and Reed still forgets to spend time with you. If he’s gonna explore other dimensions, then you should explore other options .” Nance reasoned.

“Nance, do I have to remind you that the main reason I started dating Reed is because every other guy I ever dated was either as dumb as a sack of hammers?” Susan rolled her eyes.

“Susan, look around you! You’re in New York City, population: eight million and counting! There are plenty of other fish in the sea that can use big words, begging for a date.” Nance reminded her.

“Nance, I love you, but it’s not happening.” Susan laughed.

Clinton Castle, Battery Park.

To the people around him, the man who recognised the Human Torch was just another member of New York’s homeless class. One of the nameless voices who haunt the city’s alleyways and homeless shelters. But a long time ago, he was known as Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner. An Atlantean who battled the previous version of the Human Torch all over New York. Most New Yorkers dream of stardom, financial success, and instant celebrity status. Instead, Namor dreams of drowning out Jim Hammond, his coral cities and tentacled pets. Namor dreamed of a place that only existed in rumours and fable. A Kingdom called Atlantis. 

“I was a Prince, once…” Namor mumbled, walking across the pier and looking into the ocean below. “I thought a man made of fire, who now insults me with his presence.” He growled. 

“Urrrr, hey buddy? You’re not gonna jump, are ya?” An old man asked, coming over with some other homeless men. They were Namor’s friends, whom he had spent years huddling against the winter’s chill with (although Namor never actually felt the cold). 

“My name is Namor!! ” He shouted, coming to the realisation. It was like his heritage had been completely wiped from his memory for however many years it had been. Namor kicked his shoes off and the small angel wings on his ankles fluttered, lifting him into the air.

“Oh fuck…” The old man muttered as Namor flew above them.

“I am the Prince of Atlantis! The Sub-Mariner! ” He declared, before diving into the ocean. He tore off his coat and shirt as his body pierced through the cold waters. The depths were jogging his memory, helping him to remember again. He disappeared into the murky depths, in a blitz of bubbles.

When he closes his eyes and sleeps, Ben Grimm is still a man. He has the shape of a man. The mortality of a man. The speech of a man. The strength of a man.

“Hey, Ben! Come on, wake up!” Johnny called to the big bounder from the doorway. Ben woke up in a bed that was designed for the Thing. 

“Urrgh, Suzie?” Ben groaned as his heavy eyelids opened.

“Urrr, no? Guess again, stud.” Johnny scoffed. He was wearing a white button-down shirt that was half unbuttoned and a pair of jeans. 

“Shit… For a minute I thought… Urgh, never mind…” Ben mumbled.

“I hope you weren’t dreaming of my sister. I’d call you a perv, but I dream of Reed far too often for comfort.” Johnny laughed. 

“Shut it, Johnny, or I’ll shut it for you. I was dreaming about Coney Island, where I spent my summers lifeguarding and hitting on girls. Dusty, the dog I had growing up on Yancy Street, died when a car hit him when I was fucking twelve. And yeah, your sister Sue. Probably the only girl in college I didn’t hit on because I knew my best friend was in love with her.” Ben described.

“Um… Okay. Well, I only came by to tell you that Reed and Alyssa wanna see you in their lab.” Johnny told him.

Ben’s heavy feet stomped down the corridor, down the elevator and into the lab where Reed and Alyssa were waiting.

“More tests, guys? I appreciate the effort, but when are you gonna give up? I got the short straw, maybe it’s time we just move on. I’m sure there are bigger fish to fry.” Ben asked.

“The Fantastic Four may be getting all the headlines, Ben, but I promised you I’d find a way to reverse your… condition. And that’s exactly what I intend on doing.” Reed told him, trying to avoid using the word ‘cure’. He was wearing his Fantastic Four suit but with a labcoat over it. Alyssa was wearing a pink polo shirt and a pair of black pants, with a lab coat on, too.

“This is a new idea, Ben. Dr. Elder and Reed were brainstorming.” Alyssa said, gesturing towards a dark corner of the room, where the Mole Man was lurking.

“Hello, Mr. Grimm.” Harvey waved, holding his cane and still wearing his green robes and scarf. “Forgive me, for hiding in the shadows, but an acute sensitivity to light demands such theatrics. And Alyssa gives me too much credit. All I did was hypothesize that Richards was perhaps… overthinking this.” Harvey explained.

“He’s right.” Reed sighed.

“Which you always do.” Alyssa nodded.

“Something I’m working on…”
“And I’m glad, but could you work on it faster?”
“Would you guys cut to the point?” Ben groaned.

“Brass tacks: It’s all about the Cosmic Radiation, right?” Reed asked, leading Ben towards another chamber of the lab. “Exposure to it is what changed you; therefore, re -exposure to it may change you back.” He explained.

“Reed, are you tryna tell me you wanna throw me into another Cosmic Storm?” Ben realised. “I’m not going up there again.” 

“You don’t have to, Ben. Not when I can make the storm happen here. ” Reed told him, bringing him to a large pod built into the corner of the room. It was made of steel, with a large screen over the doorway. A few holo-screens were displayed outside it, too.

“What the fuck is that?” Ben muttered.

“I call it ‘ The Storm Chamber ’.” Reed told him. “Pretty cool, huh?”

“Yeah. Charming. You want me to get into that thing?” Ben asked.

“That’s the plan. What do you think?” Reed asked.

“I think you’ve finally lost it. ” 

Meanwhile, the Sub-Mariner was still swimming through the ocean. It didn’t take him long to get home, after all, he is the fastest swimmer on the planet. But when he arrived…

“N-No… No, it can’t be…” He gasped. Sixteen hundred fathoms below, Namor barely feels the ocean’s devastating pressure. Yet his heart is crushed when he finds the spires and domes of Atlantis, his city and his continent… in ruins. All that was left was a crater. A carcass of what his home used to be. Such devastation reassembled Pompeii. But it was Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii. This? This could have only been committed by one species.

Minutes later, a furious and hot-headed Namor returned to the surface and grabbed the first human he could find: A slightly chubby man with a receding hairline and bushy moustache, who thought he would take a stroll by the water during his lunch break.

“Wha-Wha- What?! ” He cried as the bearded man with pointy ears and winged feet interrogated him.

“ Atlantis! What did your people do to it?!” Namor barked. He was only wearing his jeans, but the bottom of the sleeves had been shredded and ripped up.

“I… I… I have no idea what you’re talking about…!” The man cried.

“My kingdom! What happened to-!” 

“Atlantis, didja say?” Another man asked, coming over. A father with his family, clearly here on vacation, smiled at Namor.  

“We were just there.” 

“What?” Namor muttered.

Back at the Baxter Building, Reed was showing Ben an image of the rocket ship they had flown to space with.

“After we crashed in Ithaca, Alyssa recovered the remains of our ship. The hull of the ship absorbed the worst of the storm’s rays.” Reed told Ben. Alyssa then brought out a steel cube, that was being held on a tablet.

“Exhibit-A, Ben. We hyper-compressed the debris into a cube of metal teeming with Cosmic Energy. Like a… synthetic meteor, almost.” Alyssa told him.

“In this form, we can harness and manipulate the metal’s radiation. Slide it along a scale, if you will… Like tuning a radio. And re -irradiate you, Ben.” Reed explained as Alyssa placed the cube into a compartment of the Storm Chamber.

“So… I’ll go back to me old, soft, pudgy self?” Ben asked, not wanting to believe it.

“It’s hard to predict but in theory, yes.” Reed nodded.

“But on the other hand, Cosmic Energy is difficult to predict. Re-exposure may cure you, Ben, or… have zero effect, or…” Alyssa explained.

“Maybe make me worse. ” Ben guessed.

“It’s the eternal conundrum, Mr. Grimm. The lady or the tiger, which shall it be?” The Mole Man asked.

“The choice is yours, Ben. Of course, we’ll do whatever you want.” Reed told him. Ben thought back to his dream…

“What can I say? I’m feeling lucky. Crank on the machine.” Ben decided, before heading into the Storm Chamber.

The Museum of Natural History.

The must-see exhibit of the summer tourist is the LOST TREASURES OF ATLANTIS . Namor stormed into the monolithic building, wearing nothing but a pair of green, scaly speedos that turned a lot of heads (that were either disgusted or in lust). 

‘Unspeakable.’ Namor thought. ‘Atlantis robbed of her treasures, now on display like a harlot’s glass jewels.’ All around him were glass cabinets of Altantis’ treasures, ornaments and artefacts. Some of their creatures were strung up along the ceiling and an insulting recreation of an Atlantean’s anatomy was hung up on a wall. But one of the items caught Namor’s attention the most. A large horn. It was both made of a natural conch and metal, with a golden mouthpiece to blow into. 

“ The Horn of Proteus… ” Namor whispered. “The Trumpet of Glaucus… and these monkeys don’t even recognise it for what it is.” Namor growled.

Meanwhile, over on the Statue of Liberty, Johnny and Roscoe let out a big, satisfied sigh of relief. They were both naked and Johnny rolled onto his back, with his hair on fire, as they laid across the Statue of Liberty’s torch.

“Holy shit…” Roscoe half laughed, struggling to believe what just happened.

“Admit it. I’m the hottest.” Johnny smirked.

“Yeah. Yeah, you’re definitely the hottest.” Roscoe chuckled, glistening in sweat (Johnny’s sweat was steaming off of his body). 

“I figured you’d appreciate the view from Lady Liberty, while you’re on your hands and knees.” Johnny teased. 

“You know me so well.” Roscoe said, blushing slightly, before leaning in and giving Johnny a kiss. They passionately kissed with their hands caressing each other’s naked bodies until Johnny’s lips pulled away.

“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you!” Johnny remembered. “Esquire wants to put me and my abs on their cover for next month and I want you to take the picture.” He told Roscoe.

“Holy shit, really?! That’s fucking awesome!” Roscoe beamed.

“Yeah, babe. I wouldn’t want anybody else on the other end of the camera… Well except for Tony Stark, maybe-” Johnny said, earning a playful shove from Roscoe as they both laughed. 

“Are there any other buildings or monuments we can fuck o-?”

“BzzzzzzzhhhhJohnny?” A voice called out. Johnny looked down at his watch, to see his sister’s face on it.

“Oh God, don’t tell me what I just interrupted.” Susan said, seeing Johnny shirtless with some scratch marks on his chest. 

“Sue, what is it? I’m kinda busy right now.” Johnny sighed.

“Sorry to interrupt, Roscoe. Didn’t you get the alert? Some lunatic just robbed the Natural History Museum, so bring your fire and testosterone over here!” Susan explained.

“How is this a Fantastic Four problem? It’s just a robbery. I’m sure the police can handle it.” Johnny frowned.

“Well, Johnny, after the lunatic in a speedo stole some kind of… Atlantean musician instrument, he busted through the Museum’s roof and flew towards the Atlantic Ocean.” Susan explained.

“Waitwaitwaitwait… He’s in a speedo? I’m there.” Johnny told her, before grabbing his discarded uniform. 

Namor hovered over the ocean, holding the large conch shell. He spoke towards the sea, with a booming voice.

“Leviathan, hear the trumpet… and RISE! ” Namor shouted. He brought the Horn of Proteus to his lips and blew into it. A deafening, thundering noise erupted through the ocean and could be heard all the way from New Jersey. 

Susan, meanwhile, was in the Fantasti-Car, floating over the city as she continued talking with Johnny.

“Listen, Johnny, I’m in the hover-I mean Fantasti-Car, heading towards you.” Susan told him.

“Oh shit, Sue, I just realised!! How’s the whale?” Johnny asked.

“The whale?” Susan frowned.

“You know, the whale I used to be obsessed with as a kid? He didn’t steal that did he?” Johnny asked, worried.

“No, Johnny, he didn’t steal the whale.” Susan sighed, rolling her eyes.

“Wait are you leaving me here?” She heard Roscoe complain.

“Please, this is just some flying dude flashing his bulge, I’ll only be ten minutes, tops.” Johnny told him, before taking off. “What about your stretchy boyfriend and his boyfriend, Sue?” He asked Sue as he flew through the sky.

“I tried contacting them but they’re tucked away in Reed’s lab. Again. Working on something ‘extremely important’ again. Probably a new version of Rocky Road ice cream.” Susan sighed. 

Speaking of, Reed and Alyssa were waiting outside the Storm Chamber. 

“This is agony, Alyssa.” Reed mumbled.

“This is science, Reed. The irradiation is almost complete, just be patient.” Alyssa told him. Inside the Storm Chamber, that horrible sound ( TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC ) had returned, while the orange statue inside kept his eyes closed (as instructed). He could feel something warm spilling over his body, like sand. Like when he used to bury himself at the beach as a boy. He felt heavier, then lighter. Time seemed to slow to a stop, then reassert itself. It gets dark behind his eyelids, then lighter. That miserable sound dwindled to a trickle. Then the miracle of all miracles: Ben Grimm was not dead. The doors to the steel chamber that Ben feared would be his tomb slid open, with Reed on the other side.

“Ben? Ben?!” Reed called out, peering into the bright, green glow inside. 

“Reed? Call me crazy, but… I think it worked!” Ben said, standing in nothing but a pair of oversized Fantastic Four shorts. His body had completely reverted. He had his fluffy hair back, his hairy, fleshy skin and muscular body. Even his voice sounded like his voice again. 

“Holy shit…” Reed muttered, stunned.

“Tests, Reed. We need to run tests. Before we do anything else.” Alyssa told him.

“Agreed. And we will, Alyssa. But first… how do you feel, Ben?” Reed asked.

“How do I feel? You gave me my life back! I feel like… like… like kissing you!” Ben exclaimed, before grabbing Reed by his head and pulling him into a sloppy kiss. His shorts fell to his ankles, leaving him completely naked.

“Ben! I’m taken!” Reed laughed as his stretchy body was hugged by Ben’s nude one.

“Hang on… something’s happening…” Alyssa said, reading a tablet.

“I wanna eat something. I wanna get a massage! I wanna go clothes shopping! I wanna go to a nude beach and get sunburned! I wanna-”

“Ben, please. I’m receiving bits and pieces from the CPU of Sue’s Fantasti-Car. Something to do with a superhuman - apparently she tried contacting us earlier.” Alyssa told them. 

Sue in the Fantasti-Car approached Namor. She couldn’t help but blush as her eyes roamed all over his impressive build. He was incredible looking. Like something out of a Fifty Shades of Grey movie. 

“Fascinating. Your beauty arouses me.” Namor said, as his eyes returned the favour and feasted upon Susan’s body, which was wrapped in the skin-tight suit. “Are you the Torch’s mate? ” He questioned, as the ignited teenager also flew onto the scene.

“Ew, no. I’m his sister. ” Susan corrected.

“Namor, right?” Johnny asked. “Aka The Sub-Mariner? Aka Imperius Rex? Aka Prince of Atlantis? I’m Johnny Storm, big, big, fan! I used to read comic books about you when I was a kid- ah, who am I kidding, I still read comic books. Didn’t you disappear or something?” Johnny exclaimed. But Namor ignored him.

“You seem more evolved than the rest of your primitive species, darling. Perhaps I’ll let you live and take you as my wife.” Namor said with his eyes fixed on Susan. Although his eyes and bulge were somewhat hypnotic, Susan was not a fan of his tone. 

“Let me live? Take me as your wife?” Susan said with anger in her voice.

“Ohhhkaaay, I have no clue what you’re talking about, but-”
“Then I will explain it to you, Torch.” Namor growled, before lunging at the man on fire. His hand immediately wrapped around Johnny’s neck as they tumbled through the air.

“Your people mutilated Atlantis! Then you plundered and displayed her organs and bones for sport! ” Namor shouted while Susan cried out for her brother. Namor was so fast.

“You’ll drown, Torch! All of you!” Namor yelled. “But you will be the first!” Namor said, pushing Johnny by his chest towards the sea.

“Due what the hell?!” Johnny blurted out. “Your comic counterpart was way cooler!” He said, although secretly he found the beard a much hotter look for Namor. 

“You will DIE Torch! Drown in my VENGEANCE! ” Namor roared. But he failed to predict that Sue would just let it happen. She threw out her hand and encased both Namor and Johnny in the same bubble before they could reach the water. They both stumbled and bounced off the walls of the bubble as it sat on top of the waves. 

“What?! What sorcery is this?!” Namor shouted.

“Oooo, you’re lucky you didn’t call it sorcery in front of Reed. You’d have to sit through like an hour-long lecture.” Johnny scoffed. 

“Silence! What can a man of fire, possibly do against the Prince of Atlantis while surrounded by water? ” Namor snarled.

“Go super-nova, Johnny!” Susan called down to him.

“Oh yeah. I can go super-nova, fish-butt!” Johnny smirked, already getting brighter and brighter.

FWOOOOOHHHMMMM!!!

The ball was filled with blindingly bright fire, burning hotter than a volcano’s core. But all too briefly. When it died down again, Namor had his fingers around Johnny’s throat again. Although his body had turned crispy, Johnny had burned through the oxygen trapped within the Invisible Woman’s forcefield. Sue quickly realises her mistakes. Although Namor had been compromised and was dehydrating, Johnny had made it impossible for him to breathe in what is now, essentially, a vacuum. Susan’s drowning Johnny just as effectively as Namor would have.

“Oh God…” Sue muttered, before releasing her bubble.

“We just lost the Fantasti-Car, Reed.” Alyssa said through Reed’s Fantasti-Car’s radio as he raced towards the scene. 

“What?! What’s happening?! Talk to me, Alyssa!” Reed told her.

“I don’t know. I don’t have a visual. All I know is that Sue’s Fantasti-Car just blinked out. I’m sending you its last tracked coordinates, but hurry! If Namor gets them underwater, Johnny and Sue are doomed. ” Alyssa warned him. “I’m also sending you everything we have on Namor: books, profiles, eyewitness accounts, military files… his power levels are off the charts and he has had a grudge against the surface dwellers as deep as the Atlantic. ” She continued.

“I had no idea the ‘surface dwellers’ had so many enemies.” Reed muttered under his breath.

“Reed, buddy, what can I do?” Ben asked through the radio.

“Nothing, Ben. There’s nothing you can do.” Reed told him.

“Oh fuck…” Alyssa gasped.

“What? What is it, Alyssa?” Reed asked, nervously. “Is it Namor?”
“No, Reed. Something bigger. But I’m sure it’s Namor-related. Reports are coming in from all over. There’s some kind of aquatic sea creature moving towards Manhattan at a fairly steady pace. I’ve got a curator from the Natural History Museum telling me that given the artefact Namor stole, the creature is probably-”
“ The Leviathan. ” The Mole Man said. “Guardian of Atlantis, destroyer of cities. Even in Subterranea, we know of this beast. If my pets’ whisperings about Leviathan and its strength are true, Manhattan is in the gravest danger, Richards.” 

“Fucking hell, we’re not ready for this. We needed more field training. Sue and Johnny first, then Namor, then this Leviathan.” Reed said, anxiously. “Stay in touch, Alyssa. I’ll do the same.” When Reed signed off, Ben, back at the Baxter Building, looked distraught. He was racked with guilt. He was only wearing a towel now. He was beginning to think he made a mistake.

“I gotta do something. Benjamin Grimm doesn’t sit out on fights. Especially when lives are at stake.” Ben said.

“You’re not ‘sitting out on the fight’, Ben. It’s just not your fight anymore.” Alyssa reasoned.

“All due respect, Moya, that’s bullshit. If Susie, Johnny and Reed are in trouble-”
“They’ll have to take care of themselves. You heard Reed. There’s nothing you can do. In your human form, you’d only be a liability.” Alyssa told him, sternly.

“Yeah, okay. Message received, loud and clear. ” Ben sighed. How long does it take to build a life? Years? Decades? Try minutes. Seconds. To imagine… yourself getting married to a nice girl in Queens. Buying a house in Long Island… Growing old together, enjoying each other’s company, maybe even raising a family… In the short time he’s been human again, Ben has imagined and built life after life, dozens of possibilities… all of them were bursting with joy and happiness. But they weren’t Ben’s life.

“Ben?” Alyssa could see he was contemplating something.

“I got this body back so I could make a family. But I already got one and they need me. They could get hurt, or worse…” Ben told her.

“Ben, whatever you’re thinking, please stop thinking it. We changed you back on the longest of long shots. A hail Mary pass. If we tried to change you back again, it could A: Kill you; or B: Turn you into something worse. ” Alyssa told him.

“Or C: I’m the Thing again, right? Don’t matter, Doc, I gotta try.” Ben told her.

“I… I won’t do it. You can’t operate the Storm Chamber and I… I refuse to. Reed would kill me and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.” Alyssa argued.

“That’s fine, Doc. It’s not your choice. But if you won’t, will you, Mole Man?” Ben asked Harvey.

“Science is risk, Ms. Moy. And every second that passes, my phobia of a planet on which water rules Earth deepens. Besides, how could I deny a monster his truest wish?” Harvey reasoned. “Yes, Mr. Grimm. I will help you.” He said, before going to the Storm Chamber and activating it and opening the doors. Ben dropped his towel and stood before the green glow inside.

“Try not to worry, Alyssa. More than anything, Ben Grimm listens to his gut. And right now, his gut is yelling real loud. ” Ben told her, before stepping inside. “The Fantastic Four won’t work without it’s fourth member, right?” 

Reed finally arrived at the scene, seeing Namor flying over the sea and running his hands through his long hair. His skin was still scolded, but the water had already healed most of his body.

“Namor!” Reed called out. The Atlantean growled as he turned to face the leader of the Fantastic Four. 

“My name is Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four. Whatever grievances you have, I promise I will help you resolve them. But first, you need to tell me where Susan and Johnny Storm have gone?” He questioned.

“The Torch and his sister? They defied me, so I killed them.” Namor answered, casually.

“ WHAT?! ” Reed gasped.

“I searched the ocean for their corpses, to send your race a warning, but already they’ve been sucked away by the tides.” Namor explained. “Why? Were they important to you?” The scientist’s eyes widened as his blood boiled. Adrenaline pumped through his elastic body, as he lunged his top half towards Namor. He wrapped his long, rubbery fingers around Namor’s neck and screamed-

“ THEY WERE MY FAMILY YOU BASTARD!! ” 

“What the hell?!” Namor grimaced as his body was soon tangled in fingers and limbs, trying to break free from the bizarre human. “If it makes you feel any better, I will allow you to join them, in death!” Namor declared.

“You are sick! I would’ve helped you find your people! I would’ve helped return your property! I would’ve been on your side! ” Reed spat.

“And now, you wish to smother me?! Like a jellyfish?! I think not! Whoever you are, it’s plain that you’re just a scholar, not a warrior! ” Namor snarled, tugging at the stringy limbs and attempting to choke Reed’s neck in return.

“I’ll kill you, Namor!”

“Try your best, squid!” 

“Boys, boys, boys! Do you realise how dramatic you sound? Let’s play nice and get you separated.” Susan said, creating an invisible forcefield between them both and pushing them apart. 

“Susan?! Are you-?! I-I thought…”

“You thought the most powerful member of the Fantastic Four would be defeated by some water?” Susan asked, standing on an invisible platform, with Johnny hunched over on a separate one - each floating in the air. Susan was soaked from head to toe, while Johnny was trying to burn the water off his body, by making it steam. 

“Yeah, I was caught off guard by him once. But I was not defeated.” She smirked.

“I told you, Reed… my sister’s a badass.” Johnny coughed. 

“You are… resourceful. And your invisible grip is formidable. But I was bred to withstand the pressure of the ocean’s depths.” Namor reminded her.

“Yes. But that’s pressure from the outside, right? What would happen, say, if I imagined an invisible bubble inside your throat? Then started to expand it?” Sue asked, threateningly.

“Susan…” Reed said, somewhat freaked out by Sue’s theory. “As much as I want to support that hypothesis… we need Namor alive to call off his Leviathan.” Reed told her.

“His what now?” Johnny said, almost completely dried off now, as his hair started catching fire.

“I wouldn’t. In fact, I cannot. The Trumpet of Glaucus has been sounded. The Leviathan has been awoken. As sure as day follows night, your precious city will be destroyed. It’s probably already being destroyed, I imagine.” Namor warned them.
“Reed… When I was underwater, looking for Johnny… I saw this too. Seemed like it might be useful.” Susan said, before an invisible veil was lifted from the Horn of Proteus, that hovered next to her. Namor’s eye twitched. 

“Then we’ll take it and Namor with us.” Reed said as Sue put a bubble around Namor, too. “And hope, by some miracle, there’s still some New York to save when we get there.”

Battery Park.

The Leviathan had risen. And it knew only one impulse: To destroy, on land as in the sea. It looked like a massive whale with arms and legs. About the size of a few football stadiums, with six glowing, golden eyes and jet-black flubber. It did not think, but if it did, it would be thinking ‘ KILL ’. 

“Hey UGLY! ” A voice shouted.

“Hnnngh?” The monster groaned, before looking towards the ever-lovin’ Thing, riding Korgu.

“Guess what? It’s CLOBBERIN’ TIME!! ” Ben shouted, before charging Korgu towards the giant whale. The two monsters’ heads collided with a loud crash. Meanwhile, on the ground, Betty Brant was getting another scoop. Standing in front of Ned’s camera, she gave her story, wearing a purple pantsuit.

“-aren’t sure how long the battle’s been raging, but the Fantastic Four’s Thing has so far managed to match the sea creature blow for blow, fighting it to a standstill, it seems.” Betty explained while the two monsters were battling it out over her shoulder. “The mayor has declared a state of emergency and begun to evacuate the city, but how much time will the Thing be able to buy New York’s citizens? And of course, the big question is: Where’s the rest of the Fantastic Four? How much longer until the cavalry arrives?” 

Johnny’s red-hot body streaked through the air towards Ben, holding the Horn. 

“Hey, Ben! Reed said you were human again but then Alyssa just called and said you weren’t so

I’m all confused, but do me a favour and back off ’cause Reed sent me ahead to try something!” Johnny blurted out quickly as he circled the monsters. Johnny blew the Trumpet of Glaucus and, just like before, the Leviathan felt compelled to answer and follow. 

“Atta boy!” Thing panted as he saw the Leviathan slowly turn around and start following Johnny’s fiery trail. “I softened him up for ya!” Ben called after the smoking stud. Johnny kept on blowing the horn, leading the Leviathan away from Manhattan and out into the sea. Until he disappeared under the waves and was back where he belonged: Hibernating at the ocean’s sea floor. Back on the ground, Reed and Sue finally reunited with the Thing in their Fantasti-Car, with Namor bound by Sue’s invisibility powers in the back. 

“Ben, what in God’s name were you thinking?!” Reed blurted out.
“The Mole Man let me borrow his monster. Everything else? I can explain…”

Later that day, Namor was suspended in a glass tank. A prison that rendered him powerless. Inside, it was glowing green, as his almost naked body was displayed for everyone in the lab to see. It was humiliating, but Namor didn’t care. He knew one day, he’d get his revenge on the Fantastic Four.

“I’ll break out of this prison, beauty…” Namor growled as Johnny and Sue looked up at him.

“It’s Susan. And I don’t think so. That glass Reed invented, is made especially for you. Hit it and see what happens. Your blows will amplify and be echoed back to you, turning your brain into mush. ” Susan told him.

“Which, in your case, wouldn’t make much difference.” Johnny scoffed.

“Get comfortable, Prince. You’re there until we find the missing Atlanteans and then figure out, together, how to punish you for your crimes. Long-term. ” Susan added.

“You wanted me. I saw it in your eyes.” Namor said with a creepy smirk.

“Whoa.” Johnny muttered.

“Please. You’re handsome, Namor, but you’re still an incel. And I’ll tell you the same thing I tell my friends: Yes, Reed and I are different; and yes, he’s overprotective of me; and yes, he can be remote and aloof or whatever you wanna call it; and yes, we’ll probably never get married, but the hearts wants what it wants. And my heart wants Reed Richards. Always has, always will.” Susan told Namor, firmly.

“Have you tried telling him that?” Johnny suggested, impressed.

Reed, meanwhile, was in another chamber of the lab, with Ben. He just came in and found Ben leaning on one of the work tables.

“Harvey’s thrilled to have helped secure Earth’s, um… ‘supremacy over water.’” Reed said, coming in. “And Alyssa’s still distraught about what happened, but at least she’s not blaming herself, anymore.” He added.

“Good. Like I said, it was my decision. I wanted- nah… I needed to do it.” Ben insisted.

“Ben… why? Believe me, I’m grateful - you saved Manhattan from complete destruction, but… you were Ben again . Why did you do it?” Reed asked.

“Because when my best friend needed me most, I was a nobody in the lab. That’s not where I belong. I belong with you. My brother. My closest friend.” Ben explained.

“Ben, please don’t tell me you did this just for me?” 

“Ever since college, I’ve always been watching out for you, Reed. Making sure your precious head didn’t get cracked. Hard enough to do when you’re fighting superpowered fish that can fly. It’s what I know. It’s what I do. And I couldn’t do it as Ben. Now, it’s the same, just bigger stakes. Plus, Suzie and Johnny are in the mix, now. There’s a reason the four of us went into space together and came back like we did. A reason I came back like I did. And it wasn’t so I could let my people risk their lives while I kick back and have a brewskie on the beach.” Ben explained.

“I appreciate what you’re saying, Ben, but… well, if you want… We can try to make you human again?” Reed offered.

“Sure, we can try. And I’ll probably want to eventually, but for right now, Reed… This is bigger than us. This is how it’s supposed to be.” Ben reasoned. “I’m one of four. Better than one of none. ” 

“Yoo, what’re you guys doing down here? Were you about to kiss? Can I film it?” Johnny joked, coming in with his sister.

“Namor’s secured.” Susan rolled her eyes.

“Perfect timing. I was just asking Strech what we’re having for dinner?” The Thing chuckled.

“Reed… what is all this?” 

“I saw what we could become. What we need to become. Our destiny lies ahead, in the future. Forward-facing, always. The darkness… the old ways… That’s for other minds to contemplate. Everything we do from now on will be a journey into the unknown. An adventure of the imagination and an exploration of the infinite. Would… Would you join me, Susan? Please note: I’m asking you first.”

And so they did. The four of them. Body, heart, mind and soul. 

The legend of the Fantastic Four was born, and from that moment on, the world would never again be the same…