Agent Fox Mulder (i_want_2) wrote in multi_fiction, @ 2008-07-25 17:36:00 |
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Entry tags: | fantastic 4, rated: adult, sky high, slash, spider-man, x-men, x-over |
Fic: Whisper These Words 1/1 Fantastic 4/Sky High
Whisper These Words...
By: Lopaka Tanu
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel Comics, Fantastic 4, or Sky High. I make no money from this.
Fandoms: Crossover Fantastic 4/Sky High.
Pairing: Warren Peace/Reed Richards.
Rating: Adult Slash.
Summary: Fear has always lead to irrational actions when allowed to flourish. Separation from oneself and what one fears has always been the reaction. Confrontation of those fears is not always healthy, as humanity is about to find out.
Spoilers/Timeline: Fantastic 4 -1 year after movie. Sky High - 1 month after movie. X-men - General Universe.
Warning: Graphic Violence, Character Death, Suicidal Actions, Angst, Language, Mentions of Rape.
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"As you will note, the war between the Amonacs and the Haisuk was less a war and more a massacre. Can anyone tell me why that was?" Sighing to himself, Professor Medula glanced about the half asleep class. They were by far the least responsive bunch he ever had the displeasure of poisoning their fragile little minds. It just wasn't any fun any more to try and corrupt their little brains with the history of science versus belief. "Any one?"
No one among the class stirred.
At his chair, Warren, with his hand down the front of his pants, scratched at what was fast becoming an irritant. He wasn't sure what Zach had spilled on him during gym, but he was sure it had come from Medula's Lab. When he got his hands on that glowing freak, he was going to really light him up. As it was, he would just have to settle for trying to burn it off.
Beside him, Will was splitting his attention between trying to stay awake and not peeking down the front of Warren's pants. It was a natural reaction, he wasn't in to the guy, he was just curious. Just curious. Catching Warren's eye, he tried his best disarming look.
Warren glared in return, allowing his anger at the little super geek to ignite whatever the hell was in his pants. With the scent of charred chemicals, relief was instant and Warren leaned forward on his stool to sleep. A snort of smoke at Will silenced any protest he might have made about ignoring a lesson.
"Fine, I can see I will have to take you by the hand like little babies once more and lead you through step by step. There will be a quiz and I do not grade on a curve." Activating a holographic pulldown over the black board, Medula tapped in the right numbers for the display of the battle field technology. "The Haisuk had the upper hand in that they grossly outnumbered the Amonacs, their technology was the most advanced of their day and they had the sheer will and determination to use it. Really, an admirable people, brutal and violent, but with a noble side that allowed them to truly appreciate a machine that could tear a man limb from limb at a distance of over a hundred yards."
Will blanched at his teacher's almost blissful words. They sounded like his recent encounter with his ex. What a night mare.
"Despite this clear superiority, the Amonacs, who were very few in number, killed every last one of them. Why?" He only paused because he was sure someone was listening in and it wouldn't look good if he didn't give the air of at least trying. To his shock, a hand was raised. "Yes, Mr. Stronghold?"
"Because the Amonacs were super heroes." Of course he knew this. Everyone in his family knew the history of... their family. He was one of a few people who were descended from them.
"That is correct. The Amonacs were super heroes. Because they used their abilities in a war with the Haisuk, the Haisuk were not only defeated, they were completely wiped out. Quick, efficient, and deadly, my three favorite descriptive terms." This time Medula's pause was to savor the words. He knew all about this history lesson, he could teach this class with his mind in another dimension. "Now, what lesson can we draw from this about science?"
"That superior technology does not automatically mean you win?" Layla tried for perky, but came across as borderline nervous freak out. She wasn't really sure of the answer as Will hadn't been the only one watching Warren's hand. She wasn't even sure why she was in class with these two, she still felt like hero support.
"Wrong! Can anyone who was actually paying attention to the lecture give me an answer?" In his mind, he was wondering just how long before he could drop kick the plant girl back to hero support. Advanced Mad Science History Studies for Heroes was too much for her it seemed.
"Technology without knowledge of one's enemies negates any supposed superiority." Hands now under his head, Warren cracked his back and tried to get some sleep. It was going to be another long shift at the Paper Lantern and he didn't want to crash immediately afterwards.
"That is correct, Mr. Peace. Never underestimate your opponent's ability to smash your finely tuned death ray, no matter how much loving detail went in to its construction." Now he was bitter. At this rate, he was bound to swing around back to ecstatic in five minutes. Oh, how he hated being around teenagers some time. Their emotions leaking out all over the place, it drove those of the superior brains to pick them up and lose control. Perhaps it was time to activate a neural suppression field again. May be the students wouldn't turn in to mindless zombies again, not that it wouldn't be an improvement over this bunch. It was worth a shot.
But Warren wasn't paying attention any more, his mouth hanging open, he began to snore.
Much to his chagrin, Will kept glancing to the smoldering front of Warren's pants. Now that he'd gotten the idea in to his head, he couldn't quite get it out. How big was Warren and how did Will measure up? He knew he was bigger than Zach, everyone was bigger than Zach. It was really too bad they didn't share a bathroom in gym, this could have gone a lot quicker.
Catching her boyfriend staring at his best friend's crotch, Layla instantly felt angry. He was always doing something stupid and this time, he was going to get hurt. Warren already barely tolerated their existence. If he kept up, Warren was going to think Will was actually interested, and then things would end up awkward. She knew poor Will felt inadequate ever since she'd told him he was average. It was nothing to be ashamed of, he could still grow.
"Because they had so easily defeated the Haisuk, the Amonacs were forced to flee their homes and come across the ocean to the new world. The fact they could fly was both a boon and burden." Much to his relief, as he finished speaking, the bell rang. Rubbing his massive forehead, Medula readied himself for the sudden influx of awakening teenage emotions. "Next week, we shall be discussing the ramifications of the discovery of the X-Gene in mutants and the Styro-gene in super heroes. Bring your blood samples!"
Grumbling, the mass of students grabbed their bags and rose from their seats.
Waking up, Warren opened his eyes in time to see Will jump back from looking down the front of his pants. He knew what this was all about. This was going to stop and he knew of only one way. Grabbing Will's hand, he shoved it down the front of his pants. He squeezed his thighs together in order to make Will move closer. "Satisfied?"
"Average." Will squeezed Warren a couple times, measuring with is fingers. "Average." In the next instant he was shoved off his stool as Warren was standing over him. It didn't matter though, because Warren's dick was average in size. "You're average too!"
"Layla, get your boyfriend some help." Shouldering his bag, Warren made for the door. Cracking his knuckles, he set out for the buses. He had a glow worm to catch.
For the first time in a week, Will felt extremely happy and it was all in thanks to touching Warren's cock. Yep, touching Warren's cock. Will stopped moving. He looked at his hand, the one with the soot remains of Warren's burnt underwear on it. "Oh, god, I touched Warren's cock!" Starting to hyper ventilate, he glanced up at Layla with wide eyes. "What have I done?"
"There is nothing to fear, it was all consensual." Patting Will on the arm as she helped him stand, Layla dragged her boyfriend from the Mad Science Lab. It would take a while to sink in that Warren wasn't going to kill him.
As he watched the last two students leave, Medula rubbed his temples. It would figure the last thought from those rusted traps they called minds would be about the reproductive organs of another student. Now, all he could think about was how horrifying it must be to realize some people really were that prudish. It was just another person's body, nothing to get all upset about. Sometimes he wondered was the pay really worth being stuck here until his pension plan would kick in.
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"President Clark has signed in to law today the Mutant Registration Act. He asks for all to remain calm in the face of such legislation and reminds us that it is a voluntary service to ensure that those who are mutants can receive the best health care considerations..." The TV screen flashed as it was turned off and the remote tossed at it.
Growling in frustration, Ben crushed another empty can of soda. "I still think it's a bad idea. There're too many wackos out there who'll take advantage of that database." He tossed the can over his shoulder with a grunt. The new tower came with little robots to clean up after them. Also, he knew it would bother Captain Priss and he was in the mood to rile him up.
Hands on hips, Reed Richards could only stare at his friend in disgust. Sighing, he stalked around the titanium couch to face Ben. "From a purely scientific perspective, I thought it was a grand idea. The information would be compiled one way or another, at least this way I have a copy for my research."
"Yeah, but you are the only one who wants to help those unfortunate enough to require it." Tossing the empty bag of chips over his shoulder, Ben opened his mouth to belch. He didn't expect it, but the rubbery hand covering his mouth wasn't that much of a surprise. Removing Reed's hand, he released another belch. "Get over it, Stretch, I'm only going to get more disgustin."
"Yes, and I'll be sure to get the fire hose to clean you later." With a resigned feeling, he walked away from the disagreement. He knew inside that Ben was right about the Mutant Registration Act, but he could still hope for the best. Just in case, he had prepared several ways to destroy the information if someone decided to use it against those mutants who signed on.
He moved on down the titanium corridor that joined Ben's rooms to the rest of the tower. It had been made specially for his rock friend, durable even to a slight case of temper tantrum. If he was really and truly pissed, not even the alloy walls would hold against him. Reed let his body contract until he was small enough to climb through the air vent. It was easier than walking all the way to the other side of the building and taking the elevator.
That was a problem with the design, they only had one elevator, and it was on the far side of the building near the rear entrance, almost as if it was an after thought to the construction. He found himself climbing through the vents more often than not. Sue would glide down the stairs in the government provided building and when Johnny could be bothered to use a door way instead of a window, he flew down them. Needless to say, there wasn't much in the way of wood or cloth in the building.
Personally, he hated the whole thing. Since the destruction of his old home thanks to Victor a year ago, he had found himself hyper critical of all their new places. This place had been built in little under a month thanks to the efforts of the Secretary of Super Beings and the Army Corp of Engineers. The speed was wonderful, but it left the entire building feeling cold and sterile to him.
A way he kept himself from going stir crazy in the endlessly uniform walls and bland colors was the comforting thought that work was almost done on his home once more. Then he wouldn't have to stay here constantly. Sue had her apartment, Johnny had his mansion or whatever whore house he found that night. It was just him and Ben here, unless Ben was out with his girlfriend, then it was just him.
Sliding up through the vent, his nose, which was five feet away from his face, caught wiff of something pleasant. Sue's perfume meant that he was approaching her level, in another two levels. She kept enough of it near the vents to drive out the stench of new paint and construction materials. Also to deter him from climbing through her vents.
That was another of their problems. Despite being freaks together, she viewed the rest of them as some what more disfigured. It wasn't something one noticed, unless you were Reed Richards. With the way she refused to stare directly at them or the tilt of her head when she was speaking to him, like she was trying not to show pity. The worst part was when he started to involuntarily stretch, she would just stare at the offending body part.
By passing her level, he continued on to the highest lab. He had important experiments running, one for her and Ben. He wouldn't tell them about it until he was sure, but there appeared to be another way around the radioactive reaction in their genetics. It would require an untainted sample of their DNA from before the exposure. With Ben that had been easy, it was Susan that had been the problem. Trust Johnny to have something like his sister's hair laying around.
Upon reaching his level, he squeezed through the vent and poured out on to the floor in a puddle of Reed. Soon, he was able to reform himself from the stretched snake he had become and walk over to the lab table. It was far from home, but it would have to do. On the lab top there were several beakers over bunsen burners carefully boiling down the contents to make a more concentrated mixture. When combined, they would make a genetic base for a viral sample. If it was the last thing he did, he would find a cure for Sue and Ben.
Just as he was about to reach out for one of the beakers, the alarms on the building started screeching. "What the..." Moving quickly, he stretched out to see the view phone. Activating it with a touch, he waited for whoever was on the other side to speak. "Richards. What is the emergency?"
"Federal emergency: A Dimensional Rift has been detected over Upper Manhattan. The Fantastic Four under the helm of Dr. Reed Richards has been summoned to assist in closing the breech and dealing with those creatures that have come through." The automated message was about to continue when the alarm system screeched again.
Reed felt a surge of dread as the power failed in the lab.
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Sighing with yearning, Layla watched the vid of Johnny Storm on the Stronghold's big screen as he sailed over New York City. Beside her, with a much more reserved, but equally emotional longing, Magenta just nodded. Across from them, in various degrees of disgust, Zach, Will, and Ethan watched the girls continue to swoon over the flaming man.
In the only arm chair, Warren watched the entire spectacle with an air of boredom. He had been invited over and accepted it because his mother had joined with the Strongholds to defeat yet another of his father's former henchmen. Unlike last time, this one wasn't quite so inept. Still it would have been nice not to have to be hanging with a bunch of fifteen year-olds on a Saturday he didn't have to work. Settling down in the chair, he spread his legs to get comfortable. Despite its size, the damned thing felt like it was made of steel. Probably was, considering the owner's strength.
On the couch, Will pinked horribly and coughed. Clearing his throat, he refused to look at Warren.
"Dude, you okay?" Zach patted his friend on the back, hoping it was the right move. Making sure other people weren't sick was not exactly his strong suit.
"Yeah, fine. Just something caught in my throat." Will kept his hands out of sight, no need to relive any embarrassing moments from yesterday. If Warren didn't bring it up, Layla and he wouldn't either.
"Shhh." Layla glared at Will, then quickly faced the television again. The reporter was going on about how Johnny had just saved a girl from the giant slime demon from the fifth dimension. She twittered over how he set the girl down next to the camera and blew it a kiss.
Even Magenta gave a soft moan. If only Zach could be that cool, instead of a self conscious poser. Oh well, he was her poser.
"He's hot." And like the needle being dragged across a record, this drew everyone in the room to stare at the person who spoke. Ignoring their questioning looks, he picked up the remote and turned the channel. If he was going to be forced to hang out with a bunch of heroes, the least he could do was enjoy himself.
"Hey! We were watching that!" Layla considered making the plant growing on the mantle behind him to strangle him, but decided against it as he would probably kill it, then her. Warren was still pretty much an unknown, despite being friends with them for a month. She folded her arms over her chest and sat back to sulk.
On the screen, Warren stopped channel surfing in time to see a picture of his father at a news conference. Turning it up, he held up a hand to shut up the others.
"...was not the first time a mutie has harmed us! They are the worst *Bleep* thing to happen to us as a race. And worse, they breed with our women and make more evil spawn! We demand that the government do something about these devils before more decent, god fearing humans are hurt!" The man was silenced as his segment was freeze framed and relegated back to the corner of the screen beside the reporter's head.
Stone faced, she adjusted the papers in her hands. "As you can see, it is not just a few people who feel this way, but many across the country, and indeed, the world. Baron Battle is only one of several villains that have preyed upon our people..."
Warren turned the channel, again the center of attention. Putting it back on the news network with Johnny Storm, he set the remote down on the table. He stood slowly, easing his body out of the uncomfortable chair. "I'm going out for a walk."
"We're coming with you." Standing up, Will pulled Zach and Ethan with him. At Warren's look, he shrugged and gave a half smile. "I want to get something from the store."
"Whatever." Flipping the zipper of his jacket, Warren made for the front door. He was at it before the others started moving. Despite his wanting to be away from it, he knew they would just get upset if he blew them off completely.
Will looked in askance at Layla. "You coming?"
"No, I think I'll walk with Magenta." Grabbing her friend's hand, Layla stood up. She didn't want to be alone or near Warren, but she wasn't about to admit that to him. "Come on, Mage."
"Okay. Looks like a guys' night out." Will put on a happy front for the others, dragging a still protesting Zach behind him. "Come on, guys, or Warren will leave us." There wasn't a chance, he would fly if he had to.
"Right, a night on the town, sounds great." Body glowing in the dark foyer, Zach couldn't hide his displeasure. It was a natural reaction to being around Warren in a bad mood. The guy was pretty scary. Of course, the flames on his finger tips at the moment didn't make him all cuddly and kittenish.
Layla waited until the boys had walked out of the house before dragging her reluctant friend off the couch. Reaching out, she turned off the television. "Come on, Magenta, let's go to your place, we can finish watching this there."
Snorting, Magenta shook her head. "How can you just ignore it like that? I mean, if it had been your father on the screen, you'd have come unglued." Fixing her hair out of her face, Magenta followed Layla out of the house.
"Look, there is one thing you don't do around Warren, that's acknowledge he has any problems. Especially with his father." Shuddering, she curled her hands in to fists in her jacket pockets. Winter was fast coming on in the area and unlike other more famous parts of California, it actually snowed here. "Remember the complete destruction of the cafeteria? Will insulted Warren's father? This ringing any bells?"
"Okay, I can see that." Magenta shrugged. It was probably for the best she didn't clearly remember the entire situation. What she did recall wasn't pretty. Walking down the side walk, she ignored the way the people looked out their windows at them. It was hardly the first time someone did it, she was used to people staring at the weird girl with the purple hair and clothes.
"Yeah, well, it was by far more worse just now. I doubt Warren will have any mercy for those people this time." Shuddering, Layla tried not to appear too scared. She didn't want Magenta to think she was a coward, just extremely cautious. Why get in a fight when you didn't have to?
"If you ask me, that's a good thing. Those kind of people don't deserve our mercy." It took Magenta six steps to realize Layla wasn't beside her any more. Turning around, she put her hands on her hips to glare at the plant girl. "What? They are the bad guys, just because they aren't trying to blow up the world with a massive bomb, doesn't mean they aren't trying to destroy it. I mean, think about it, they are basically calling for a civil war!"
"They are normal people, Mage! We save them, not kill them." Layla was completely horrified at her friend. How could she say such a thing, it went against everything that super heroes stood for. They were taught from day one that as heroes and hero support, they saved the innocent and disabled the bad guys.
"Just because they have no special abilities doesn't make them the good guys. We stop bank robbers and jewel thieves all the time. The only thing that makes them different from anyone else is the fact they are using a gun. Those people are spouting off hate without a care for what it means or does. You may not understand it, but words can do more damage than a gun." While Layla continued to stare at her in horror, Magenta spun on her heel and stalked off before her friend could see how much it really effected her. The girl was completely clueless and she didn't have the strength to enlighten her.
Layla watched her go, unable to get over the fact that Magenta had just advocated not only harming the citizens, but letting them die. The very thought horrified her to the core of her being and she couldn't believe her friend was actually saying it. It wasn't right, it just wasn't.
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Though he had lived in the city his whole life, Will had never actually walked its streets. He had been through the city many times, on buses, in cars, in his mother's arms as she flew him to a dentist appointment so as not to be late. Despite the circumstances, it was one of the most interesting times he had ever had. His head was constantly swiveling from left to right, searching out new things.
One thing that surprised him and delighted him, people actually stopped to watch the tvs in shop windows behind the security barriers. In fact, a crowd so large had gathered that the four boys had to go in to the street just to go around it. They must have been watching the telecast from New York, he thought. He wondered if his parents were visible, but the crowd was too thick to see.
Ahead of him, Warren was having to fight his way up stream through even more people moving towards the shop. He thought about crossing the street, but there were shops blocked by people over there too. His anger growing, he shoved a man blocking his way in to a group of gawkers. "Get out of my way!"
"Watch it, you fucking freak!" Pushing away from the gawkers, the man rushed forward to hit Warren.
Warren avoided the man's fist with ease, shoving him face first in to the suddenly cleared wall. People moved out of his way as he started forward again, only this time they were staring at him instead of the television. It didn't bother him so long as they got out of his way.
One woman, who was holding a sack of groceries dropped them and pointed at Warren. "It's him. It's the son of a bitch responsible for New York! He's come to do the same to us here!"
Panic spread throughout the crowd, people screaming and running in every direction.
Will saw Warren about to power up and decided to intervene. Grabbing Ethan and Zach by one arm, he rushed forward and wrapped the other around Warren's waist. Before Warren could react, Will had them off the ground and soaring over the city.
Bent in half, Warren felt the blood rush to his face. "If you want to live, Stronghold, I suggest you lower me now."
"Not until we reach your apartment." Seeing Warren's neighborhood in sight, Will altered his trajectory so that he could at least make a reasonable landing considering his cargo. In his right arm, Ethan had turned to near slush to keep from being crushed and Zach was starting to turn blue. Strangely enough, it was tempting to let him, but he released them when they were only a few feet off the ground.
Warren hit the ground and rolled to his feet, ready to roast Will like a turkey. "Prepare to die, Stronghold!"
Seeing that things weren't going to get any nicer, Will grabbed Ethan and Zach by an arm around the waist and shot off back over the city.
"Coward!" Hands flaming, Warren watched until Will disappeared over his building then turned towards the front entrance. On the steps an old man sat, pointing at him in horror. "What do you want?"
"You're him. You're Baron Battle!" Body shaking, the man wet himself as Warren stomped a foot in his direction. "Please, don't kill me." Cowering, he covered his head and closed his eyes. The sound of the door closing, he dared to peek from under his arm. Not seeing Warren any more, he felt instant relief flood him. A moment later, he glanced down at himself with a frown. "How did that happen?"
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Screaming, Johnny Storm soared over the skyline of Manhattan trying to dodge the flying whatever it was that was trying to disintegrate him. So far, it had hit him twice, one foot was missing the sole of his shoe, half his hair was also missing. It was huge and closing fast as he tried to duck behind a skyscraper to avoid it. That plan was fucked when the top of the building just disappeared in an explosion of energy.
"Okay, no more Mister nice firefly!" Rage welling up in him, he forced his muscles to contract and the flames increased in intensity. As he grew hotter, he spun around the building to build up momentum. Arms out stretched, he came around the building faster than ever before, aimed directly at the floating ship from the rift. He pressed his wrists together and shot the flame directly at the ship ahead of him.
The ship rocked from the blast, but he wasn't through with them. Rushing headlong, he impacted with the ship's hull and passed right through it. Half in, half out of the ship, he released the build up of flames and it shot out from him in a blast wave. The inside of the ship caught the brunt of the blast and turned in to an exploding cinder.
"Yeah!" Shouting his victory, he watched parts of the burning ship drift to the city below. Much to his horror, a large part of the ship's death blast was moving towards the surrounding sky scrapers. "No." He could only watch in shock as several buildings were caught in the shock wave and blown away.
If he could cry, Johnny knew his eyes would be filled with tears. "No." A shot from another ship sailed over his head. Feeling his grief turn to hatred, he grit his teeth and powered up again. This time, there would be no blast wave. Rocketing above the second ship, he stopped just high enough to have direct access to it.
Arms stretched out even with his shoulders, toes pointing down, he began to spin. Air sucked from around him his feet towards the sky, aimed at the craft, it sucked the ship up. He closed his eyes against the speed and blurry world. Moving so fast he felt the very air catch alight, he increased his speed.
Below him, the ship was caught in the funnel of flames and moved quickly despite its engines straining. Parts of the ship's hull grew red and turned to flames as the ship was engulfed in the funnel of fire. Soon, a terrible shriek filled the sky over Manhattan as the ship was torn apart and melted.
Surrounded by liquid metal, Johnny dizzily drifted towards the ocean. When he was sure he had gone far enough, he stopped and the sudden loss of pressure released the liquid metal. Drops fell upon the ocean and hissed as they instantly cooled. Steam filled the harbor and rolled around the masses upon the bridges and docks.
Exhausted, Johnny lazily drifted down to land on top of a bridge span. He was too tired to care to see which it was, he just collapsed back on the metal and bricks beneath him. Breathing heavily, he let his eyes close and was soon fast asleep. The battle would just have to continue on without him, he couldn't do any more.
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Reed moved away from the fighting as the Fantastic Four were replaced by others. Sue had been knocked unconscious after being caught in the last explosion and Ben was at the controls of the jet tending a sore leg which had taken a direct hit from one of the weapons used by the invading aliens. If he was going to save either one of them, he had to get going soon. Johnny had disappeared near the Brooklyn Bridge and he intended to deal with him if he needed help. After the destruction of the ship and half of Manhattan with it, he was going to have to fight with every person in between him and the hot head. They were going to take to the streets over this.
Stretching over a large chunk of skyscraper, he continued moving down the street. Several of the buildings had collapsed after the blast, killing all within range. He knew by now that the death toll was most likely in the thousands, but couldn't be bothered to care. If he stopped to think about it, the very thought would incapacitate him with grief, so he had to just keep going.
Soon, he was at the bridge and having to use the lamp posts to get over the crowd. He knew it was too good to last. He had hoped that being up high they wouldn't see him.
"There! It's one of them fucking freaks!" A bottle was tossed at him, accompanying the voice. It was followed by a rain of rocks, bricks, glass, anything they could get their hands on.
One large stone hit his out stretching hand before it could reach the next lamp post and he slipped down. Trying to retract, he wasn't fast enough to avoid falling in to the crowd. Someone below him grabbed his arm and was trying to drag him down. "Let go! I am not your enemy!"
"Don't fuckin believe it! Them freaks will say anything!" Too silence Reed, the man threw a large glass bottle at him. Before it could impact, a web hit the bottle and swung it back at the thrower.
Swinging down from above to land on another street lamp, Spider-man raised a hand to shake a finger at the man. "Didn't your mother ever teach you manners?"
"Die, spider freak!" The man picked up a rock and hurled it at Spider-man.
"Sorry, but I kind of like living, thanks though." Raising both hands, he shot out web balls at the mob. As the balls exploded, several people were glued to the ground, unable to move. "Mr. Fantastic, your man is on the second support tower top, best get to him before these rude people do!"
Reed nodded as he swung to the next street lamp. After that, he was able to grip a cable and climb the span. Using his elongated hand to grip the cable span, he reeled himself to it. Once on it, he ran up the span towards the tower top. He reached the top of the tower just as a group busted through the maintenance door.
Johnny was sprawled near the far edge, the mob between Reed and him The mob was armed with guns and knives, ready to kill the mutant freak for blowing up their city. Grinning, the leader of the mob raised his gun towards Johnny, taking aim.
Reed knew he wasn't going to make it to Johnny before the guy could fire. Reacting out of instinct, he enlarged his hand and swung.
Silence descended on the bridge as fifteen people went flying off the edge of the tower to their deaths on the bridge and water below. Their screams echoed until they impacted, one after another.
On his street lamp, Spider-man stood up and stared in shock at the top of the bridge tower.
He couldn't think about it. Reed didn't want to think about what he had just done. It had to be done, he told himself, they were a threat and it had to be done. Moving slowly, he walked over to Johnny's side. He knelt down and felt for a pulse, sighing when he got one. Closing his eyes, he wrapped an arm around Johnny, flattening it until it covered him like a blanket. On his chest, he pressed the Four emblem to summon their cruiser jet. From here, he could reach it without worry of harming other people with the thrusters.
Behind him, Reed heard someone land on top of the tower. The lack of gun clicking told him it wasn't one of the mob from below. Below. He snorted hysterically. They were all below him now. "If you know what's good for you, you will go away."
"I can't really do that, Reed." Hand resting at his side, he was ready to shoot the web and entangle Reed if necessary. Peter was still too much in shock to reconcile with what he had seen with the man in front of him. "Why?"
"They were going to shoot him." And he didn't have to answer any more questions as the jet had come. It was hovering near the edge of the bridge, Ben at the helm. He reached out for the handle as the cockpit opened to let him inside. Rising up, he deposited Johnny in the back beside his unconscious sister.
"They'll come after you." Not knowing what else to say, Peter just shook his head. He watched the hatch close and the jet take off over the city. They were heading in the opposite direction of the Fantastic Tower. Some how he doubted it would matter.
Reaching out, Peter shot out a bundle of webbing towards the opposite span to cross back in to the city. While they were finished, he still had a city to save from itself. If the X-men had left any invaders, he'd make sure to leave them a clear message about ever coming back.
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Sunday morning at the Stronghold house came and went without any activity. Rising shortly after noon, Will came down stairs scratching at his stomach. Seeing the empty kitchen, he stopped. He glanced about the rest of the house, but found it unoccupied. "Mom? Dad?"
He checked the answering machine, but found it was bare of any messages. The computer in the den only had junk messages in the inbox and voice messenger. Worried, he walked in to the sitting room and placed his hand to the scanner. The doors to the secret sanctum refused to open.
Frowning, he walked back in to the kitchen and picked up the telephone. He hit the speed dial to call the one person who might know where his parents were. "Hello, Mr. Mayor?"
"Sorry, but the mayor is in conference, who may I say is calling?" The nasal voice on the other end was short and abrupt.
"This is the son of Jetstream and the Commander. I want to know why my parents haven't returned from their last mission." Much to his shock, the line was disconnected. Staring at the phone in shock, he set it down on the counter. "What the hell is going on?"
Storming in to the living room, he picked up the remote and turned on the TV. If it was important enough for his parents not to call, it was important enough for CNN.
"...now in the eighteenth hour, battle grounds of New York City have spilled in to all five burroughs and the surrounding suburbs. The president has implored people to remain calm over what has become the worst national tragedy in history. Thousands of people have already been confirmed dead and still thousands more are missing. A state of emergency has been declared for the greater New York area and all Super Heroes who can, have been summoned to aid in the fight against the extra dimensional invaders. To recap, yesterday morning, a super villain known only as Krakatoa used a device created by his former employer, Baron Battle, to tear a hole in the fabric of space and time to let these beings in. An unknown amount of vessels and warriors have passed through, and there doesn't appear to be any sign of it ending soon."
An impact crater now existed in the center of the Stronghold living room, Will at the center where he had fallen to his knees. As the woman was interrupted by a person in the studio, Will came back to his senses and stood up. He had to do something, anything to help. He was a super hero, one of the strongest.
Decision made, he ran back to the sitting room and placed his hands against the seal of the secret sanctum doors. Pushing at them, he shoved the book shelves away, he frowned when they collapsed beneath his hands. He kicked away the wood and books to get at the steel doors beneath them and tried again. This time, the doors came away with a sheering sound. Will jumped on the nearest poll and slid down.
Walking in to the sanctum, he noted the low light levels with anger. "What next? Computer, Activation Sequence, Power Up, Will Stronghold, code name: Tetris!" Around him, the lights came on and the monitors on his parent's computer activated. "Well, it's good to see the voice sensors still work. Computer, Activation Sequence, Communications, destination Commander and Jetstream, Will Strong hold, code name, Tetris." While not easy to use, it was better than typing all the authorizations and activating the countless controls by hand.
"Communications are dark, silent mode in effect. Message, 1. Will Stronghold." The computer flashed the numeral designation for the message on the monitors.
Pressing the numbers on the keyboard as he sat down, Will entered in his authorization code.
On the monitor, his mother appeared. "Will, you've obviously broken in to the sanctum, we will discuss this when I get home, young man. I will assume you have learned something from your father and I and have already exhausted all other methods of standard communications. The Mayor will also be hearing from me if that is the case. You are probably wondering where we are." She ducked lower than the recording device's ability to see and a light flashed over the screen.
Coming up again, she glared at someone off the screen. "Your father and I are embroiled in the battle over New York, as you have probably surmised. For numerous reasons, we will be unable to reach a phone or communications device so I am leaving this message. Use code nine-eight-two on the keyboard to send a signal to Sky High. They will be standing by to pick you up. You are to go there and remain there until we come and get you. If they have any further information, they will share it with you. Take care, I love you." She was about to duck out again, when she leaned back in to the screen. "Forgot, you can fly, and I am so proud! Use the tracking device provided under code nine-eight-seven. It will lead you to Sky High. Bye, love yo..." The screen flashed red and her image disappeared.
On the monitor, the words 'signal lost' flashed before ending the message.
Sitting back in the chair, Will took a steadying breath. After he brushed the hair off his forehead, he leaned over the controls and found the right numbers. On the far side of the computer terminal, a drawer slid open. He looked in to the drawer and saw a compact device with a flat screen.
Reaching in to the drawer, he grabbed the device and pulled it out. When it came unplugged from the drawer, the screen activated and a blip appeared in the upper right hand corner. He followed it for a second as it moved slowly across the screen. "Sky High."
An alarm rang out in the secret sanctum.
Standing up, Will looked to the monitor for understanding. On the screen, a countdown had begun. "Automatic lock down?" He had thirty seconds before the sanctum was sealed. Running to the polls, he flew up them and landed in the sitting room. As his feet touched down, the doors behind him screeched closed and a steel door descended from the ceiling. If his heart hadn't been racing, he would have pitied his parent's paranoia.
After he had relaxed enough to remember what his mother had said to do, he glanced down at the screen of the tracking device. With a put upon sigh, he walked to the stairs. If things continued as they were, he would be stuck at the school for a few days. Fresh clothes and a few of his things would be nice to have while there. At the very least, he could get his homework done.
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Despite his best efforts, Reed felt Susan Storm slip from the grasp of this life and in to the next. After they had lost so spectacularly, he'd had Ben bring them back to the Baxter Building despite repairs not being complete. It was the only place in New York City that probably still had power and a working medical facility. It had been his home for so long, and now all it was only a tomb.
Pulling the sheet over her head, he blinked to clear his eyes and pressed his lips to her forehead. She would now know the peace of never having to be a freak again. He hoped, that if there was a heaven, she was there and happy. Walking to the door, he turned out the door and activated the thermostat so that it froze the contents of the room. She would have to wait until after the battle to be buried.
Walking slowly towards the opposite side of the hall, he entered Johnny's room. Ben was sitting in the chair, a compress around his wound, which he studiously avoided looking at. They both knew it was impossible.
In the bed, the covers had already been drawn up around Johnny's shoulders and his breathing was shallow. On the monitors, there were no signs of brain activity.
Feeling like the world had been jerked out from under him, worn out and exhausted, Reed reached out and turned the machines off. He was about to put the covers over Johnny's face when Ben's hands stopped him. Reed stepped back to let the big man take his place. "I'll prepare the jet."
"Yeah, do... thank you." Placing his palm over Johnny's forehead, Ben rustled his short hair for old time's sake. "Rest easy now, match stick, don't give them angels too much trouble else they kick you out of heaven. Knowin you, you'd just take over hell."
Backing out of the room, Reed made for the landing pad on top of the building. It was a quick trip to the freight elevator. As he waited for the lift to arrive, he looked down at his hand and saw it shake. He clenched it in to a fist, only to have to catch it as his fingers over shot their mark and dangled from the tips. He was so tired, but he couldn't give up just yet. There was still one more thing he had to do, Ben was depending upon him.
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Following principal Powers in to the gym, Will was bowled over by the noise inside. Along one wall, the bleachers had been left up for people to sit on, but the rest of the gym had been turned in to a three story dormitory. Bunk beds filled every free inch of all three levels. Kids, teens, and a few miscellaneous adults took up most of the beds. He recognized a lot of them from his first two months in school, but the rest were completely unknown.
Stopping beside the principal, he glanced to her in question. "What is going on here?"
"Three of our sister schools in the New York area were hit by explosions this morning, the work of domestic terrorists. We have been gathering mutants and super heroes alike, anyone willing to come." As she spoke, Principal Powers rubbed at her forehead. "Our buses are out picking up the bulk of our students and their families. The school's shielding will protect us from detection and we have been declared an emergency evacuation point by the government."
"What about my parents? They said that you might have information." Shouldering his bag, he desperately hoped she had heard something.
"I'm sorry, Will, but communications with that part of the country are set to emergency use only. Contacting a super hero already there is considered a low priority." She placed a hand on his arm to comfort him. "A few of your friends are already here and the others will be soon. Why don't you go find them?"
"Is there anything I can do to help?" He shrugged off her hand that urged him towards the beds. "I'm like one of the strongest super heroes in existence, I should be able to help!"
"You are also inexperienced. As much as you may want to, there is nothing you can do at the moment except stay where it is safe. That will make it easier on your parents so that they may do their job." As he tried to deny it, she gave him a stern look. "If this gets worse, you might have your chance. By then, those like you will be all that stands between these people and death."
It occurred to Will just how bad things might be. If they were evacuating people, then there was something really bad going on. Something about what she said stuck in his mind. "Wait a minute, you said sister schools. What is going on? Why are the schools being bombed?"
"Why do people kill anything that is different?" Without giving him another chance to speak, she condensed herself in to comet form and shot off.
Will was left standing there wide eyed and mouth open. Civilians were hurting super heroes? Glancing back to the levels of beds, he looked at the people on them closer. Many of them looked normal, but several of them looked different, some as subtle as Magenta, but others were barely even humanoid. Most of those that were different were sporting bandages and limbs in slings. One reptilian person was even missing a leg. "Has the whole world gone mad?"
"Seems that way." Coming up behind Will, Warren crossed his arms over his chest. The leather of his jacket protested being forced in to the position. "Your girlfriend is on the second level with popsicle and firefly."
It was a Testament to Will's ability to overcome his emotions that he didn't jump three feet in the air when Warren appeared beside him. It was just two. Clutching his chest, Will placed a hand on Warren's arm to steady himself. "You scared the crap out of me. What is going on here? Why are civilians attacking super heroes?"
Warren glanced down at the hand then shook his head. "They are blaming us for what one of their own has done. Krakatoa is human." Gesturing with his chin at the gathered crowd, Warren sneered. "My mom said it was all humans, they made a deal with a fifth dimensional warlord my father had pissed off. As you can see, it didn't work."
Will snorted in anger. "So, what now? They blame us for yet another thing one of their own do?"
"No, they blame us for the destruction of New York City. For not dying in trying to save their pathetic little lives." Hanging off the third level, a guy with brown hair jumped off, did a back flip to land in front of Will. Straightening up to his full height, he towered over the teen. Hands over his chest, he mimicked Warren's stance. "Why we even try is beyond me."
A blast of sulfur and a black clad, blue furred mutant appeared behind the man. "It is who we are. We do the extraordinary so that those who are ordinary can survive."
"Don't I know you?" Ignoring his companion, the tall man peered at Warren through ruby quartz sun glasses. His face scrunched as he tried to remember. "You look awful familiar."
"Funny, you're not ringing any bells. I think I'd remember someone's ugly as you." Pushing passed the stranger, Warren moved towards the stairs. When the man's hand landed on his shoulder, he powered up and snarled at the man. "Keep your hands off me if you know what's good for you."
Taking his hand back, the man shook it to ease the burn. "Son of a... I knew I recognized you. How did you get out? I thought they put you in for the rest of your natural life!"
"Is there a problem here, gentlemen?" Landing between the four of them, Principal Powers appeared out of her comet form. Her expression dared them to start a fight.
"I didn't know you accepted murderers on your staff." The brown haired man found himself thrown back across the gym in to the bleachers by Will. Recovering quickly, he raised his eyeglasses and a beam of light shot out at Warren.
Warren was already on the move, rolling to avoid the blast. Spinning, he threw a fire ball at the man only to have it rebuffed by Principal Powers. As he watched in shock, her eyes crackled with white light. He, Will, and the mutant were picked up, then slammed in to opposite walls by lightning bolts from her hands.
Raising her hands, Charlotte Powers, summoned all three combatants to her. She let them hang in the air in front of her as the gym went silent. "Obviously I hadn't made myself clear." Turning to the a woman behind the mutant, she nodded.
The man struggled as a collar was wrapped around his neck. After it was activated, he was dropped to the floor.
Powers stood over him, anger pouring off her. "Go take of your charges, Mr. Summers, now." As he was led away by the blue furred mutant, she turned back to Will and Warren and released them with a wave of her hand. "You two know the way, I trust I don't have to remind you. Coach Boomer will make sure you get there in one piece."
"It will be a pleasure." Moving up to stand behind Warren and Will, Boomer roughly slammed a hand down on each of their shoulders. "Come on, boys, time for a little time out."
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Will tossed his bag on the desk as he plopped down in the chair. The door to the detention chamber clanged shut on them and he rolled his eyes. Putting his head in his hands, he shook it. "I can't believe I did that."
"I can fight my own battles, Stronghold." Kicking up his feet, Warren sat back in his desk to get comfortable.
"I didn't do it for you." Groaning, Will let his head drop to the desk. It was hopeless, he was going to be stuck in detention for the rest of his life. Ever since he had met Warren for the first time, his luck had just flown out the window. "I just didn't like the way that guy's face looked."
"Then you truly are a super hero. It's not everyone who'll fix a guy's face for him." They paused for a moment before snorting. Laying his head back against the rest, Warren sighed. It was just one of those days. At least he wasn't stuck here with Layla this time. Last time he had been in detention, plant girl and he had got in to a fight over him torching dandy lions. She had not shut up the entire time and he was about ready to see how strong his grip really was and strangle her.
As he sobered up, Will felt the weight of everything he'd learn settle on him again. Glancing over at Warren, he caught the other teen watching him. "What do you think will happen with us now?"
"The usual. We will be stuck in here until Powers' has gotten the bug out of her ass over this. Probably be a while considering the stress she is under and we just provided her with the perfect way to express it." Pressing his lips together, Warren blew out through them, making them flap.
"So." Will waited five minutes before he continued on. "So, you're gay?"
"Does it matter?" He stared Will, watching him intently for a reaction.
"Not really, just thought I would make conversation." Shaking his head from side to side, Will tapped out a rhythm on the desk. "It's cool if you were, just thought, you know, I'd ask."
"Fine." Closing his eyes, Warren decided to get some sleep. As much practice as he had had, the chair was the perfect bed.
A few minutes later.
"So, when you stuck my hand down the front of your pants?" Will glanced over at Warren, who was glaring daggers at him. Grinning disarmingly, he held up his hands. "Okay, okay."
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At helm of the jet, Ben felt his eyes closing and fought to stay awake. Of the fantastic four, he was the only one still awake. Reed's body had finally given out and he was pooled at the base of his seat like a flesh colored gelatine. They were nearing their destination and if only he could hold on for a little more longer, they would get there in one piece.
Feeling lost in his finger tips, he used his palms to mush the controls as it became necessary. The blood loss was too great, he couldn't focus long enough to keep up control. In a last ditch effort, he did the one thing he'd swore never to do.
Reaching in to the console, he flexed dead fingers to grab the control joist and pulled it out. The jet's onboard computer activated with the removal of the memory block. Their destination was already locked in and the computer would handle getting them there. With a sigh of relief, Ben let the joist fall from his hand and he closed his eyes.
Now, he could rest.
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Walking down the street, Magenta kept the hood up on her pullover. She kept glancing over her shoulder, she would swear she was being followed. After having received the signal from Principal Powers to show up at her bus stop to be picked up, she had told her neighbor bye and was now waiting. Glancing at her watch, she noted with disgust that the bus was late.
When she was almost to the corner where Ron usually picked her up, she definitely felt the prickle of eyes upon her. Spinning quickly, she saw it was only her neighbor. Smiling sweetly at the little old woman, Magenta lowered her hood. "Mrs. Crabtree, what are you doing out here?"
"God damned mutant!" Bringing up the shot gun, Mrs. Crabtree aimed it at Magenta. "Your kind are an abomination in the face of all that is holy!"
"No. Mrs. Crabtree, please." Backing away, Magenta held up her hands to show she was unarmed. She spotted the storm drain behind her, if she could make it to the curb, she could transform and slip inside. "You know me. It's Magenta, your neighbor's daughter. You helped my mother get to the hospital so she could have me."
"I should have smothered you when I had the chance to spare the world from you." Cocking the barrels, she snarled at the girl. "I'll fix that now!"
Stepping off the curb backwards, Magenta let the change come over her and dove for the grate.
The shotgun went off in her hands and Mrs. Crabtree was coated in red. Startled, she dropped the gun. "Where am I?" She blinked, trying to figure how she had gotten out of her house and on the side walk. Feeling something on her cheeks, she reached up and wiped away at what it was. Examining her hands, it took her a moment to recognize the red stained purple fur. Her hands shaking, she began to shriek.
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"Principal Powers, there is a jet on approach." Coming up beside Charlotte, Nurse Spex held up her medical bag. "There is an automated message from the pilot asking for medical assistance. I don't think the pilot is flying as the computer was the one to respond when I called."
Charlotte felt her headache increase and wished the day would finally end. They couldn't take many more refugees, the gym and three fifths of the class rooms were filled. "Did the message say who it was?"
"The two remaining members of the fantastic four, ma'am." Together, they watched as the jet slowed it's pace and cut thrust in a textbook manner over the tarmac. Unfortunately, the tarmac was moving and the jet over shot the landing and hit the steps. Nurse Spex winced in sympathy for those on board. Moving in to investigate, she let Principal Powers lead.
Waiting until the engine shut down, Charlotte stepped up to the ramp and climbed up the side of the jet. Pressing the hatch release, she waited until it lifted to glance inside. Turning quickly to Nurse Spex, she gestured for her to come up. "They will need your assistance."
Lowering her glasses, Nurse Spex used her X-ray vision to scan the insides of the jet. Much to her dismay, there was only one alive. Sadly, she bypassed Principal Powers and reached in to the co-pilot's seat. Taking off her smock, she scooped up Reed in to it and folded it tight. Turning on heel, she stepped down the ladder and began walking up to the school.
With a sad glance to Ben, Charlotte pressed the hatch release to close the jet.
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Will was snoring when the door to the detention room opened. Hearing the whirring of the motor as it opened, he snorted and sat up blinking. Standing in the door way were two very familiar shapes. As he stood up, they moved in to wrap him up in a tight embrace. "Mom! Dad!"
Steve Stronghold held his son close, squeezing almost as tight as he could. The grunt of pain he heard came not from Will, but his wife and he released her. He gave her a half hearted apologetic look before turning back to Will. They were both tired beyond imagine, but it was they needed this, to be with their son.
Despite the pain, Josie understood her husband's need to keep tight those who were special to them. In the past two days they had seen so much death and destruction it was hard not to feel lost. Burying her face Will's hair, she took the time to reacquaint herself with the smell of her baby. Ordinarily, he would be too squeamish for her to do something so sentimental, and she was glad to have the chance this time.
"Can we go home now, Mom?" When he was able to breathe again, Will glanced over to his mother for confirmation.
Josie frowned. "Not yet, honey, we have to go back soon."
"The rift isn't closed, son." Rifling Will's hair, Steve tried to be cheerful for his son. "We are here just to see you for a moment and then we have to escort Professor Medula to New York. He's the one with the device and know how to close it. Then, after that, we will come get you."
"Yes, we will come get you. Principal Powers has canceled classes for the time being and we have to help the people in New York rebuild what they can." Tearfully, she piled Will's hair off his face, then laughed as he put it back. "Speaking of the people, what is this I hear about you fighting with the X-men?"
Groaning, Will looked over at Warren, who was still sprawled on his desk. "They started it, Principal Powers finished it. How come you didn't tell me she could shoot lightning?"
"Well, if you never got in trouble, there was no need for you to know." Placing a strong hand on his son's shoulder, Steve shared a look with Josie. They were going to have a talk with their son about fighting, again. "Since you are sticking here until the mission is over, we have decided to let Principal Powers handle your punishment for the time being. After that, you and I will sit down, again."
"And you will actually have that chat this time." Raising her eye brow at Steve, she let him know she knew what happened he was supposed to have this chat with Will.
Grinning, Will stepped back, ready to take his seat again. It was hard, but he had to let them go back and save the world. He would see them again soon. "I love you, Mom, Dad."
"We love you too, sweet heart." Waving to him one last time, she turned for the door and dragged a recalcitrant Steve behind her.
As the door closed, Warren raised his head and stared at Will. With a snort, he lowered his head again.
Will sat down with a sigh. Back to being bored it seemed.
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Entering the Mad Science Lab, one of the few class rooms that was unoccupied by the refugees, Steve and Josie walked over to the table where Medula was soldering on a wire to a device. Steve caught sight of Nurse Spex in the corner at one of the back lab stations and frowned. Clapping a hand on Medula's back, he winced as the Professor jumped. "Sorry about that."
"It's fine." His tone testy, Medula finished soldering on the wire. Taking off his goggles, he tossed them to the lab top and frowned. "I am finished."
"About time. Those people from the fifth dimension are really starting to get on my nerves." Cracking his knuckles, Steve ignored Josie's glare. "It's a shame that egghead from the so called 'fantastic four' fled the battle. I hear he was supposed to be smart enough to come up with something like this."
"Steve!" Some times her husband could be such an ass. That was the problem with marrying a former jock, all brawn, no brains or class. "He made a tactical decision for the good of his team. We've made the same before."
"Yeah, but not before the battle was finished. You're a super hero, you stick in there until the battle is finished or you are." Steve grunted at the looks he received from Josie and Medula. "I'm just saying, if you are going to play at being a super hero, be a super hero."
"Mr. Stronghold, that will be quite enough!" Closing the case on the spherical device, Medula glared at Steve. "For your information, this device was designed by Reed Richards shortly before his collapse. Nurse Spex is in fact, going to great lengths to ensure that his own morphogenetic matrix does not disintegrate in the far corner. He is the only surviving member of his team and I would thank you to show a little more tact."
In shock, Josie started towards Nurse Spex before stopping herself. Turning back to Medula, she frowned. "What happened?"
"Simply put, Extreme Fatigue, he used his abilities beyond his tolerable limits. The same thing has already killed Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch." Taking pity upon Josie, Medula lowered his tone to emotionless. "Sue Storm was caught in the explosion and was brain dead almost instantly. Ben Grimm suffered a fatal wound from one of the enemy cannons and bled to death in the attempt to bring me the blue prints for this device. Their sacrifice will be for not if we do not get this to New York immediately."
With a final look to the corner, Josie nodded. "Steve, carry the device to the bus, I'll fly behind to escort."
Steve nodded and gently picked up the sphere. He strained under the immense weight of it and wondered just what the hell it was made out of. Following silently behind Medula, he walked out in to the halls of the school.
All around them, mutants and super heroes came from the class rooms, many of them injured in one way or another. Josie forced herself not to look at them as she followed behind Steve. They were all casualties, victims of one person's personal vendetta against the world. If the opening of the rift hadn't killed Krakatoa, Josie would have gladly done it.
THE END of Story One!