Chapter 2

In response to Ben's question, I simply raised an eyebrow and replied, "It's more like you've grown a bit in size."

Franklin Storm was the first to break and laughed. Ben followed shortly after.

"It's so nice to finally get out of those four walls," Ben said.

"I can understand that," I replied.

Then I looked at Franklin and added, "Can we get Johnny and Sue out now?"

I saw their cells nearby, but only Ben's was opened for me, which is why I asked.

"Yes," Franklin nodded. "Now we can finish all of this."

Ben and I were pleased. Franklin and Ben headed towards Johnny's cell, while I moved towards Susan's.

While Ben's cell was reinforced, and Johnny's was fireproof, Susan's and mine were quite ordinary. I glanced inside through the porthole but saw no one.

"R-Reed?" I heard the voice of the one who held a special place in my heart.

Once again, I confirmed that the canon was being followed. Susan Storm had become invisible.

"Susan, how are you feeling?" I asked.

This question genuinely occupied a large part of my consciousness.

"I-I'm fine," she said, with a tone that seemed both questioning and surprised. "Why am I in a cell?"

There was the question.

"The operation didn't go as successfully as we hoped. The Cosmic Energy tore through the defenses and... made us unusual."

"Unusual? What do you mean?"

In response, I elongated my fingers, creating various strange shapes with them. I could see the surprise in her eyes as she instinctively made herself visible.

"W-What was that?" she said in astonishment when I stopped.

But I couldn't see her face anymore; she had become invisible again.

"It seems I've become a rubber man," I said. "And you've become an invisible girl."

"Invisible?... Oh my God!"

With this exclamation, she became visible again, looking into the mirror.

"I'm going to open the door," I said, looking at the soldier standing to my right.

I understood that at this moment, it was better to act within the norms. The soldier silently handed me the card, which I used immediately. Once outside, she rushed into my arms.

"Everything will be alright," I said, holding her. "I'll fix everything."

—= Some Time Later =—

Not much time had passed since all four of us were out of our cells. We were in a room that had been converted into Franklin Storm's office.

It was clear it was his office for several reasons, the most obvious being the photo of Franklin with Johnny and Sue.

"Make yourselves comfortable," said Franklin, sitting in his chair.

It wasn't just me who saw that Franklin hadn't been able to relax since we awoke. Seeing that this man, who clearly cared about us, could finally take a deep breath somehow helped us relax as well.

CRACK

We all looked at the source of the sound. It was Ben Grimm, who had broken the legs of the couch he sat on.

"I think you need to strengthen the furniture around here," Ben said.

Johnny Storm couldn't resist, "I thought you needed to lose a couple hundred kilos."

Susan and I exchanged glances, perfectly understanding each other... This was going to be a long day.

At that moment, something unexpected happened... Johnny momentarily burst into flames. His emotional roller coaster seemed to trigger his fiery state. Susan's younger brother quickly regained control, but the damage was already done.

The fire alarm went off, and the sprinklers activated, drenching Johnny, Susan, Ben, and me.

"At least I don't have to work with my ass on fire," Ben said with a chuckle.

Soaked, Johnny looked at Ben and said, "One to one, rock head."

Franklin Storm, who had been silent all this time, spoke up, "Are you finished?"

Ben and Johnny nodded.

"Then let's begin..."

BOOM

An explosion from somewhere below, followed by shaking, made Franklin stop.

"I assume this isn't your fault?" Johnny asked, looking at Ben.

My friend didn't hesitate to respond, "I thought it was your diarrhea."

Dr. Storm typed a few commands into his computer, but seemingly not getting the desired results, he stopped.

"Boys, calm down," said Susan.

Meanwhile, Franklin quickly pulled out his smartphone. As I understood, this world's technology was more advanced than my own at this time. Smartphones and the internet were more widespread.

"Dr. Storm, something strange is happening!" someone said on the other end of Franklin's phone.

"What's going on?!"

"Some monsters have breached the facility! They're coming up from underground like mutant moles!"

BANG-BANG

"Damn it, this isn't working!"

"Use a bigger caliber!"

"What do you think I'm using?!"

The call was cut off. Franklin Storm stared at his smartphone in shock for a few more moments before I said, "We need to help them."

Susan, sitting next to me, nodded.

"I agree with Reed."

She seemed to understand my plan. Yes, she definitely understood my plan. I could see it in her eyes, which sparkled with mischief. Seeing this brought a smile to my face.

"Kick some monster butt?" Johnny said with a toothy grin. "I'm in!"

Ben nodded and added, "I'd like to blow off some steam too."

Franklin Storm looked at us with wide eyes.

"Don't worry," I said. "We've got this."

Susan and Johnny nodded, and Ben just grunted and headed outside.

We needed to act quickly before Franklin could snap out of it and stop us.

As soon as we left Franklin's office, Johnny didn't hold back and ignited. The room lit up a few shades brighter due to his fire.

"Where do we need to go?" Johnny asked as his flames died down.

BOOM

"Got it," Johnny said, turning fiery again.

In the next moment, Susan's younger brother started to hover. He acted on instinct...

"Johnny!" Susan called out.

BOOM

Ignoring his sister, Johnny rocketed towards where the monsters were presumably located.

Credit where it's due, Johnny flew fast. In about five seconds, he was out of sight.

"We need to hurry," I said, looking at Ben and Susan. "He might do something reckless."

Benjamin sighed and said, "Susan, I hope you don't mind if I smack him over the head a couple of times?"

"I'd be glad."

—= Johnny Storm =—

Franklin Storm's son felt like he could do anything. Flying came as naturally as breathing.

"Oh my God?!"

"What was that?!"

"Is that Franklin's son?"

Johnny's grin widened. The emotional high made his flames burn even hotter, increasing his flight speed. Johnny Storm was glad his father had chosen such a convenient facility. The corridors were wide and tall enough for flying without issues.

"Hahahahaha!" Johnny laughed, accelerating even more.

Soon, the Human Torch arrived at the scene where the monsters were clashing with the guards.

Seeing the monsters, Johnny Storm didn't hold back. He spread his arms and reached for the source of his fire, instinctively feeling the flame generator within him.

"LET THERE BE FLAMES!" he shouted, unleashing a torrent of fire at the yellowish monsters attacking the people.

The fiery mass, obedient to Johnny's will like a trained dog, began to scorch the monsters. The horrific creatures were burning in incredible numbers... However, everything stopped the moment a massive horde of monsters surged from underground, overwhelming the blonde hero.

"What the?!"

BAM

Johnny felt excruciating pain throughout his body. His vision began to darken...

—= Reed Richards =—

Tracking Johnny wasn't difficult. Thanks to the scorch marks on the walls, it didn't take superhuman intelligence to follow his trail.

I saw Johnny being engulfed by a swarm of small yellow-skinned monsters long before reaching the battlefield. My vision had become significantly sharper...

"Ben, head to 9 o'clock!"

My best friend trusted me, which is why he followed my instructions without hesitation.

Despite his stone body, Ben Grimm moved surprisingly swiftly, and after my words, he even picked up speed.

"Sue, can you put up a barrier around the hole?"

She nodded, and a smile appeared on my face.

"In that case, put up the strongest barrier you can. We need to trap these monsters with us."

The blonde smiled back, igniting a spark of happiness deep within my consciousness. My love for her was truly blinding. Now I understood why Reed did so much for her and the family he built.

"It will be tough, but we'll manage," I added before we entered the room where Ben Grimm had already charged at a huge monster holding Johnny's semi-conscious body.

Sue's brother fell onto an invisible platform created by the blonde. Both of Sue's hands were raised, and judging by her hand position, she was forming something like a quadrangular platform. I couldn't see the invisible wall but inferred its presence from indirect signs.

"Thanks, Susan!" shouted Ben, pushing off the invisible platform.

Ben's body crashed into the horde.

"TIME TO CRUSH!" Ben yelled as he collided.

"RARGH!!!"

For a moment, I thought Ben had managed to handle the horde, but the surge of monsters from the underground quickly corrected me.

"Come on!" Ben yelled, pushing further towards Johnny.

I glanced at Sue and nodded. It was my turn to act. My rubbery, flimsy body limited my actions, but I could still do quite a bit. I understood that Ben and Johnny were currently our team's main strike force. This meant my role was different.

A rubber body. What could one do with a rubber body? Quite a lot, actually, but many of my ideas required a strong physique. Unfortunately, I hadn't trained my body before this.

My two hands stretched to incredible lengths. Creating the necessary impulse and setting the direction... I was contributing too. My rapidly spinning hands found their targets in the horde with ease.

The disruptions I caused provided Ben Grimm with enough space and time to act.

"Thanks, Stretch!" Ben shouted, knocking out another group of monsters.

"Always welcome," I replied with a slight smile.

I could see that this battle allowed Ben to release some of his pent-up frustration.

BAM

The stone man wasn't holding back his punches. The ground beneath us cracked in places.

Meanwhile, Susan brought Johnny back to his senses. As soon as he regained consciousness, the blonde ignited.

"These bastards!" Johnny yelled, soaring into the air.

We now had aerial fire support. Johnny flew around, attacking the monsters on the edges. I could feel his flame even from a distance. The only thing containing his fire was Sue's barrier.

With her brother no longer needing her immediate attention, Susan began demonstrating her power. The combination of invisible constructs and fiery attacks greatly simplified things for Ben and me. Before long, we had the monsters retreating.

"Run, you bastards!" Johnny yelled at the fleeing creatures.

"What's the plan?" Ben asked.

My gaze fell on a device embedded in some of the monsters. Understanding this device was simple.

"We're going after them," I said, looking at my friends. "Someone was controlling them."

Now, each of our eyes filled with determination. I understood the reason.

"We need to find out what their master is planning."

"Do you hear that?" Johnny suddenly asked.

His question snapped me out of my thoughts...

"Yeah, it's like a rumble?"

Oh, damn...

"Susan!" I shouted, looking at her. "A barrier!"

The blonde quickly followed my gaze, immediately understanding where to place the barrier.

BAM

A massive monster emerged before us, seemingly unfazed by Sue's invisible barrier. This creature was significantly larger than its kin, and judging by its performance, much stronger.

"RARGH!!!"

Susan clutched her head, blood trickling from her nose.

"Sue, are you okay?" I asked.

Meanwhile, Johnny and Ben charged at the monster. My best friend from Yancy Street and Sue's fiery brother surprisingly didn't get in each other's way. Johnny's aerial attacks complemented Ben's ground assaults.

"I... I'm fine..." the girl said, leaning on my shoulder.

But fate had other plans for us. The rumble we heard before the monster's appearance repeated itself.

BAM

The ground beneath us shattered... A huge yellow hand burst from the earth.

I acted instantly. Susan couldn't react in time; she couldn't form a shield fast enough, so I had to take action.

"Sorry for being so forward," I said, enveloping Susan with my limbs.

In the next moment, the monster's hand closed around us. Susan would have handled it, but the monster was faster.

CRACK

In an instant, we were underground.

—= Ben Grimm =—

Today was definitely not the best day of my life. Waking up as a stone monster wasn't the ideal way to start the day. At least the brawl helped me blow off some steam.

But God seemed to want to complicate my life...

"STRETCH!" I yelled, seeing the monster drag Reed underground.

"SUSAN!" her younger brother cried.

Reed Richards wasn't just the man who could rid me of my stone burden; he was also my best friend.

"DAMN IT!!!"

My rage erupted in a flurry of punches against the monster hindering Johnny and me. The matchstick wasn't idle and helped in every way possible. Soon, nothing remained of the monster.

I met Johnny's gaze and saw the same determination in his eyes that was in mine.