Okay. This is my first try for a Fantastic Four story. I have watched the cartoon a couple of times (both the old version and the World's Greatest Heroes) and this idea was playing around my mind for a while before I finally decided to write it down. It will be very Johnny-centric (only parts of it will be general P.O.V.) and I hope I got the technical stuff right - at least most of them. Also, you should better know that I don't have an exact plan.

So? Please read and review, so I will know where this should be headed =)

Disclaimer: I do not own Fantastic Four. Or there will be a fifth with the oncoming power in this story xD

..

Some say that heroes are meant to be, that they were given a reason and inner power to aid ordinary people in any way possible. Some say super heroes like us weren't just encountered with weird ultra sonic rays out of the blue - that it is some kind of a premonition from the God.

Well, at times like this, I was sure that the God was definitely mocking me.

Ever since we entered the Baxter building, Susan tried to talk me into believing that that was not my fault. Yeah, maybe it wasn't my fault that fire doesn't work against our newly - strengthened foes.

But that was exactly it. Fire is supposed to be a devastating power - not something that the enemies or monsters could easily repel. I mean, Sue's powers were getting more and more awesome by the day, Reed learned to do many more stuff with his elastic body, and Ben was, well, you know how it is...

Me? I was like a useless burden that has to be saved by whoever nearby.

I don't know what feelings I showed on my face before entering my room and shutting the door on Sue's face, who was about to begin by sadly whispering, 'Johnny...'. I really didn't need anyone's pity now. Not pity.

I throw myself onto the bed, looking up at the ceiling. I gulped as a single tear rolled down on my cheek while what happened earlier today flashed in the back of my mind.

..Flashback..

Johnny never really liked hospitals. Especially after Sue and him lost their parents.

And especially now that he actually sent someone innocent in here.

A child of - what - he gulped - twelve years, maybe? He doesn't really remember. He had the misfortune of being in the Doombot's way - but most of all, the misfortune of being saved by Johnny.

They heard the door to the ER slid open and looked up as a young couple walked out of it, looking totally worn out. When they gazed upon the Fantastic Four and locked eyes with Johnny, the mother's eyes flashed with anger.

'Why are you even here? You came for damage check?'

The words cut into the young man like nothing else, and the words felt feeble and numb on his lips. 'Please... I didn't mean to...'

'Yeah, that's exactly the problem,' the father exclaimed. 'You didn't mean. You couldn't control your power. The media wasn't wrong about you, after all.'

The words felt like slap across his face. Thankfully, Sue came to her aid. 'Sir, please... I could only imagine how hard it is for you, but my brother was trying to save lives. Any of us could've done a mistake...'

'I never saw the three of you doing any. I never heard of any other kid getting hospitalized for heat stroke.' the man said, nodding towards her and the two other members, who looked too stunned to say something. 'He always does, right? And it wouldn't matter if something happened to Milo. You know, if he can't control it, why don't you keep him in a cage or something?'

..Flashback..

Keep him in a cage. Yeah, that was it. Maybe I shouldn't get outside for a while. Or forever.

Someone knocked on my door. When I didn't answer, the door cracked open and Sue peeked around it, inviting a delicious smell in.

'Time for dinner.'

I looked at her for the briefest of seconds before looking away. 'I'm not hungry.'

'Oh, come on, Johnny,' Sue said, now walking in. 'You haven't eaten anything since breakfast. And guess what - if it isn't your favorite flavor of pizza.'

I kept my silence as I turned to the other side, facing away the door. I heard Sue heaving a deep sigh.

'Johnny, I'm truly sorry for what happened, but you can't just go on punishing yourself. It's eating you up. And besides, we just talked to the kid's doctor, he is getting better fast.'

'It's not just that, Sue.' I stammered, gulping hard to get the bile away. 'You know... what they said was true. You guys think the same way, too.'

'No, we don't.' Sue said fiercely, but it was a little too late. It seemed like I was against the whole world now. 'I told you, we could've made the same miscalculation, I could have. This is not about being reckless...'

'You didn't cause this trouble.' I mumbled. 'I just wish...'

'You saved the world a hundred times,' my sister said softly, trying to console me.

'Intentions aren't enough.' I hugged myself a little closer. 'I just wish... I never took part in the spaceship expedition.'

'What do you mean? You were glad, you love your powers...'

'Not anymore.' My voice sounded very hollow, devoid of any emotions. It was remarkable how one thing could change someone so drastically. 'I wish I never had power over fire.'

Neither me, nor my sister noticed one very important thing at that time. A silver colored, almost transparent mist left my mouth and formed dull sparkles in the air before disappearing into the darkness of my room.