Issue 15: X Factor VIII

One portal later, Spider-Woman and Doctor Strange hurried into the Baxter Building, and when they finally arrived, they saw a devastated Fantastic 3 looking like they had lost their souls.

MJ walked up to them and shouted, "What are you doing? Get yourselves together! Right now Johnny and Spider-Man are fighting to survive, and every second we waste they are in more danger of dying. Why aren't you trying to do something to get them back? Why aren't you doing anything?"

Reed sighed before he answered her with a sorrowful expression, "Spider-Woman, every time we open the portal we come out at a random location in the Negative Zone. The reason we can't find them is that the universe is built like a constantly revolving 4-D maze. The doors we open are pinned to a single location in space while the rest of the universe moves around it, if we opened it up again, it wouldn't be in the same place as before."

"With the sheer size of the Negative-Realm, it could take us an eternity to find that spot." Sue finished Richard's sentence.

Hearing all that, MJ gulped before she turned to Doctor Strange and asked, "Can you bring my Spider-Man back?"

Strange smiled as he looked over Reed's mechanical wonder and said, "I must say I'm impressed. Your invention is actually able to tap into world energies and create a bridge between the realms."

Strange walked around the device and continued to speak as he inspected it, "However you have no defenses or cloaking mechanisms. Very reckless Mr. Richards. One as smart as you should know that when a person stares into the void, there is something that is going to be staring back."

Reed slumped his shoulders and asked, "Who are you?"

Stephen smiled and said, "I'm the Sorcerer Supreme of this world, Doctor Stephen Strange."

"Sorcery like the magic Doom uses?" Sue asked.

"No! Doom is a charlatan compared to real sorcerers. He has just started on his journey of spell crafting and only knows a handful of spells. Since his training is incomplete, I can say with complete honesty, that I am far more proficient than him." Strange then started to levitate and began using his magic to locate Peter and Johnny.

He was searching through multitudes of possible locations, making his body seem like it was moving through time slightly.

His face turned left and right leaving an afterimage of it, making it look like he had more than one face, each face representing a possible location.

While he was searching, Peter and Johnny were still fighting for their lives on a floating piece of what Peter thought was a Titanium Atom the size of a moon.

Peter was covered in blood, both dry and fresh. Entire hillsides of dead alien insects were laying around him, forming into a larger canvas of gore that covered everything in a hundred-mile radius.

Johnny was lighting up the battlefield with his Symbiote enhanced flames and still going at full strength. However, even after fighting so long, it was beginning to wear on their mental state.

Peter's Chi had waned greatly, the golden glow on his body dimmed and his attacks became weaker.

When Peter realized that he had exhausted most of his reservoir of Chi and his Chi's Regeneration had slowed, he raised his hand towards Johnny and called back his Symbiote before he said, "Sorry need a refill."

Webster covered his body as Johnny was now fighting in his Fantastic Four logo design boxers, that thankfully the Symbiote didn't eat.

Peter felt a change in his suit, the most obvious one being that Peter now could gain a slight copy of Johnny's power, but it was much weaker as he could only ignite around half the length of his arm and legs.

Although the Pyrokinesis was pretty cool.

In addition, Peter figured out why he didn't gain Johnny's full power, it appeared that since the suit had a weakness to fire, it couldn't gain the full source of Johnny's ability. However, the upside to this, was that the Symbiote had now gained a resistance fire and negated its original weakness.

He felt another change that came from eating Johnny's unstable molecule suit, but he decided to look into it later as he had a swarm Arthrosians to deal with.

Peter sent the suit back to Johnny and the two fought for what feels like hours.

Peter remembered that 1 minute on earth was equivalent to 5 and a half hours in the Negative Universe, and he wasn't too sure of how long they were fighting. The place they were in was dark and full of exotic materials floating around avoid. With no markers to keep track of time, Peter didn't know if they were fighting for ten hours or ten days.

However, despite all this, the two continued to fight on, Peter and Johnny covered each other's backs perfectly, a ring of dead insectoid bodies piled around them reaching higher into the sky.

Every time they switched the Symbiote back and forth, Peter gained a little more of Johnny's power while Jhonny mastered more and more of his power.

After so many swaps, Peter could now perform the most basic flame on ability.

Testing it out, Johnny was surprised to see Peter able to replicate his power. Johnny quickly blasted another wave of searing heat towards the enemies when he asked, "Seriously can you get me one of these suits?"

"Sorry, but Webster stays with me. Besides, even if I could get you one, I wouldn't know how," Peter mentioned as he thought of the Symbiotes breeding ability. He didn't know what the circumstances were for allowing his Symbiote to spawn an offspring, so he couldn't really help Johnny get a Symbiote of his own.

Also, Peter didn't know if letting Webster spawn another Symbiote would be such a good idea either. He was unsure if the magical alterations would carry over, and Peter really didn't want a crazed Symbiote running around.

Thanks to Webster the two managed to survive for days in combat, because of Peter's regeneration factor, losing sleep would only tire him mentally. However, even he, with all his super natural boosts, needed to sleep. Not even the Symbiote could keep him awake forever.

Johnny was even worse off, he had to rely on the Symbiote's copy of Peter's powers to stay awake and replenish his energy, and every time the suit came off, he felt like he was going through withdrawal.

Honestly though, regardless of the drawbacks, if it weren't for the Symbiote, both Peter and Johnny would have ended up as food for these creatures a long time ago.

Back with MJ and the rest, Doctor Strange was still searching through the massive maze that is Negative Zone, when suddenly, without any warning, he opened up his eyes and stated, "I found them!"

The magical doctor waved his hands in a circle as a portal opened up showing Peter and Johnny still fighting on top of a hoard of dead Arthrosians.

Peter and Johnny were panting heavily and mentally drained. All they wanted to do was go home and take a nap, but these damn endless swarm of insectoids just wouldn't stop coming.

As they continued to fight, a group of voices rang out in their ears that gave them a sense of endless joy. To them, the shouts of worry coming from their allies sounded like a group of angels singing in a church choir.

Peter felt MJ's Webbing reach out to him and tagging his back before she started to yank him towards her with all of her strength.

Johnny quickly spotted Reed stretching out his hand and took hold of him as his flame powers died down.

Within seconds, the two flew through Strange's portal while it was rapidly closed behind them.

Peter was caught by MJ and was being held like a princess. Being the troll that he was, Peter placed a kiss on MJ cheek, and with a corny and flirtatious tone, he said, "My hero."

MJ slapped him, dropping him on the ground before she glared at him and started shouting, "Don't you ever do something like that to me again."

MJ felt her legs grow weak as she fell to the ground. She then wrapped her arms around Peter's neck and started crying loudly, "I thought I'd never see you again! Do you know how bad I felt?!!!"

"Spider-Woman...I'm sorry, but I had no..." Peter didn't even get to finish his sentence before MJ slapped him a couple more times.

I thought my heart was going to explode!" MJ declared as she sat on his waist and gripped her hands through the webbing-vest on his chest.

While she shook Peter back and forth, MJ continued to cry out as she said, "Promise me, Peter! Promise me you'll never pull a stunt like that again! Promise! Never again!"

Peter sigh before he picked MJ and hugged her, "No promises Spider-Woman, you know more than anyone what I'm like. If I can save someone, then I'm going to do it, regardless of the danger, and you know better than most why."

"MJ pouted as she glared at Peter and said, "Then, then...at least promise to take me along next time."

Peter chucked and said, "Fine, the next time I jump into the Negative Zone without a way back, I bring you along."

"Peter, you know what I mean!" MJ shouted as she stomped his foot.

"Ouch! I get it! I get it! I promise not to leave you out again, but I think you just outed my identity to Doctor Strange," Peter declared as MJ finally removed her heel from his foot.

Strange laughed and said, "Actually I know both of your identities. I guess you have the Ancient One's old friend to thank for that. Her name is Madam Web, Furthermore, in the future when you two begin your magic training, you will have the chance to meet with her."

Peter's heart thumped.

"Madam Web?" MJ asked.

"Someone very close to the Spiders, all Spiders," Peter answered before looking at Strange, "I may not know of my Totem, but I at least know of them."

Doctor Strange looked to Peter smiled before saying, "I look forward to our next meeting Mr. Parker, and Mr. Reed next time think about cloaking your portal presence and maybe add some defenses to it."

After offering Richard some advice, Stephen made a portal, stepped through it before it disappeared behind him, and he returned safely to his Sanctum.

Sue was apparently taking a note from MJ's earlier actions as she was ruthlessly slapping Johnny across the face.

The Symbiote, noticing the danger that was coming from Sue, returned to Peter, and left Johnny in his boxers.

Now, Sue was currently slapping an almost naked Johnny while shouting, "You idiot! Stupid! How could you? You're the only blood I have left Johnny, did you think your life belonged to you alone?!"

Johnny cried out for help as he begged for mercy when Sue's hand came to a halt.

Tears filled her eyes before Sue hugged him and started crying, "I wouldn't be able to face our parents in the afterlife if you died for me! I don't ever want you to do something that reckless again!"

Peter smiled as he held MJ's hand and said, "I'm sorry as well, I try my best not to worry you like that again."

MJ, who was still sniffling squeezed him harder and said, "I'm going to hold you to that, Tiger."

Ben grabbed Johnny and put him in a headlock before saying, "Don't you ever do something that stupid again! You hear me, punk?!"

Reed sighed and looked over to Peter in amazement, not only because of him saving Johnny, but because he saw the Symbiote in action and it fascinated him.

When Johnny was finally released he turned to Peter and shouted, "Now Spider-Man! You have some explaining to do."

Peter laughed and removed the Symbiote's mask before he said, "Well, this may come as a shock to you, but, I'm Spider-Man!"

"No, duh! How? When? Why?" Johnny shouted in frustration.

"Long story, for another time," Peter said holding back his laughter.

Not understanding what Peter was snorting at, Johnny then turned his attention over to MJ before he looked her up and down.

"Well, are you going to introduce us or what?" Johnny questioned.

"Maybe you should put some pants on first. You wouldn't want your flaming Johnny to be seen now would you?" Peter asked pointing to at his underpants before he burst into laughter.

Johnny looked down on crossed his arms over his pelvis, "Damn it! I forgot about that! Give me back my suit, Peter!"

Peter laughed before responding with a wide grin, "Sorry the price of saving one Johnny Storm was a suit comprised of unstable molecules, besides once the material's been absorbed by the Symbiote, there's no way of getting it back."

Johnny didn't really care about the suit, after all, Peter did just save his life. He just figured it was worth seeing if he could get it back.

"Ahem! Give me a second! I'll go get dressed," Johnny said before running out of the room.

Along the way, Johnny saw the damage to the building and after a few seconds, one could hear Johnny shouting, "Augh! My room!" from a distance.

Gabbing a replacement suit, Johnny ran back to Peter and slicked his blond hair back before saying, "Hi my name's Johnny Storm, of course, you probably already knew that."

MJ laughed as she removed her Symbiote mask and shook his hand while saying, "I heard a lot about you from Peter, my name is Mary Jane, I'm sorry we couldn't meet under better...circumstances."

"No way..." Johnny said as he looked at MJ's face.

"What?" MJ asked innocently, making her look even cuter.

Johnny glared at Peter and said, "How'd a nerd like you, land a babe like this?

"Watch it, Torchick!" Peter bumped heads with Johnny.

"You did not just call me a Pokemon! Oh, it's on web-head."

The two suddenly started calling each other a string of insults.

"Motor-Brain!" Peter yelled out.

"Geek!" Johnny countered.

"Says the guy who claims Harry Potter is the best book about wizards! You need to expand your repertoire beyond children's books and magazines of Player Weekly. Do those pick up lines even work?!" Peter shot back.

"Oh, yeah, you skipped over being a four-eyed nerd and went straight to...wait how many eyes do spiders have? Eight eyes! And what's up with the color scheme of your costume? You look like an American flag and a spider had a baby," Johnny shouted out.

MJ looked to the adults and pointed at the bickering children as she said, "Is this normal?"

Sue and Reed started laughing before Ben said, "Whenever Peter visits. This kind of thing happens often."

Peter and Johnny were panting when they suddenly stopped and shook hands.

"Not bad, Peter Punker! Not many people can diss it out with the best like me," Johnny said with a grin on his face.

"You're not too shabby either Johnny Stork!" Peter said as he withdrew his hand.

In response to their tom-foolery, MJ rolled her eyes and mumbled, "Boys."

"I guess we owe you one Peter. Ben told us how you managed to keep the building from falling apart, not to mention what you did with the temporal crystal to buy us time. You really saved the day," Richard said as he patted Peter's head.

Peter flicked Mr. Fantastic's hand away while he said, "Knock it off, I'm not a kid."

Sue smiled and patted Peter's head as well before she said, "You saved Johnny. I…I don't know how I can repay you."

Peter smiled as he held out his hand before he stated, "A Paycheck would be nice."

Ben laughed before shouted out, "Kid's got a point, Reed. We did invite him over today to pay him!"

"Yeah, but who knew that we'd be paying Spider-Man!" Johnny added in.

Ben slapped Peter's back and joyously said, "You did good kid! Sue, pay the man!"

Sue gave Peter a hug before she said, "Thank you for saving my brother."

She then quickly left to grab his check.

When Sue came back she held out his payment, while Peter pulled out his wallet his Symbiote, he wondered, "Where does Webster keep my wallet?"

As he took the check into his hands, Peter's eyes bulged as he shouted, "Why is it so much!?"

The check he was holding in his hand made him shake, seeing this, MJ walked over and scoffed before she shouted "$150,000!!!"

"Don't be so surprised, Peter, your solution has pretty much taken over the adhesive market, right now is only the beginning once we alter the solution we can sell every type of glue, that outperforms everything on the market. Not to mention how quick concrete can be set with your adhesive solution, contractors and building developers drooled over it. It even had medical uses such as a replacement for sutures."

Peter smiled and put the check in his wallet. He then turned to the rest of the fantastic four and asked, "So anyone want to go get something to eat? I'm buying!"

"I could go for some Pizza, and then a long, long nap," Johnny said while raising a hand into the air.

"I just get the mother of all paychecks and all you can think of is Pizza!" Peter shouted.

"What, Pizza is good food!" Johnny complained.

After bickering back and forth for a few more minutes, the group decided on going out for Sushi, against Johnny's protests.

Along the way Peter they stopped by a central bank and opened up an account for Peter before he deposited all of his money. He also bought a new phone along the way, this one would be the main one he would use a Peter, so no more burner phones.

Peter started entering all the numbers into the contacts listing and then sent a mass text informing everyone that he had a new number.

Peter, MJ, and the Fantastic Four returned to their building and ate while talking and getting to know each other.

They noticed that Sue wasn't eating the meals and only going for the cooked fish when she announced that she was pregnant with Reed's child. 

Of course, everyone congratulated her.

Ben laughed like the jolly giant he was. The only reason Johnny figured it out, was because found the pregnancy test in the bathroom trash can, so he wasn't shocked at all. Reed, on the other hand, was the most surprised and the happiest of them.

"I'm gonna be a father!" Mr. Fantastic shouted with a joyful expression.