Chapter Ten "Susan Storm - Invisible Woman Part II"

"It happened. It actually happened."

Johnny mindlessly muttered those words repeatedly while he flew through the building in a burning daze. He had been in this state for the past month since he watched Peter lift Susan bridal style and walk down the aisle. His best friend was now married to his big sister. Spider-Man was the Human Torch's brother-in-law and the Invisible Woman's husband now. To make matters worse, Spider-Man was the leader of the Fantastic Four now.

The ideas were too surreal to believe, but the pictures from the wedding were the cruel reminder of how real it all was.

He glanced off to the side and caught sight of a clock that neared three P.M. Peter, Sue, and Ben were downstairs waiting for him so they could begin their training seminar, and Johnny wasn't mentally prepared for the lovey-dovey fiasco that was sure to come to head. Not today. Just something about his sister making out with his best friend sent his stomach in an upheaval. He had long grown used to it, but it still disturb him nonetheless.

Johnny let out a groan. He remembered the day Peter proposed. He and Sue came back from their dinner date, and a team meeting was called. Peter bore the cheesiest grin his nerdy demeanor could produce, and Susan couldn't contain her giggles or tears, which only added to Ben and Johnny's confusion.

Sue finally extended her hand out, allowing everyone to see the diamond ring on her finger. She used her free hand to brush her tears off her cheek. "Peter proposed!" she smiled.

Peter chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. "Can you believe it? She said yes! We're getting married!"

Ben's eyes widened, but Johnny's jaw practically dropped to the table. A smile formed on Ben's face. The large man made his way to Peter and gave him a friendly pat on the back. His large gravel hand fell on Sue's shoulder, bringing her cheerful gaze to meet his own.

"That's great news, ya' lovebirds! Any idea when the wedding will take place?" Ben asked.

"Not yet, but I'm so excited!" Susan said as her fingers intertwined with Peter's. She turned to face her brother with her smile intact. "What do you think, Johnny?"

No response was given. All of the blood left Johnny's head. His skin turned as pale as the bright side of the moon. His eyes rolled into the back of his head before his body fell limply to the side and under the table.

Johnny sighed at the memory. A part of him wanted this to be a dream. Spider-Man and his wisecracks led the Fantastic Four. Johnny admitted that while he was annoying, Peter had a knack for being obnoxious, especially when he barked orders. Maybe it was his pride that opposed. After all, how often did one's arch-rival score with his enemy's sister?

"Never," Johnny sighed.

Though he admitted that Peter was his best friend now, it still left a bitter taste in his mouth. Where he could make fun of him back in the day, he can't so much as say anything negative to Peter without Susan rushing to his side. If Sue was smaller, it wouldn't be a problem, but his sister was scary on so many levels. Anybody would could knock out Gladiator was to be considered dangerous.

However, it wasn't her power that scared him. It was her stare. It could burn a hole through someone faster than he could with his flame powers. The scowl she carried would even make Doctor Doom cringe. People thought the Thing was scary? They never met Susan Richards on a bad was something only she possessed, and Johnny grew up trying his best to avoid it. Was he a wimp for fearing his five-foot, six-inch sister? Heck no. He was smart. No one would understand.

Except for Peter. It was an amazing sight that day. Peter missed one of their dates, and Susan was furious. She gave Peter the glare and scowl. If his memory served right, she even had a small vein on the side of her head. However, Peter held his ground. Johnny stood in amazement at the sight. He expected Peter to run. Lord knows it would have been the smart thing to do.

Peter only replied with a small smile and a hand full of flowers. At first, Johnny expected Sue to create a force field around him and crush him like an insect. However, she steadily lost her nerve and let out a defeated sigh. She reached out and took the flowers in hand.

"Next time, call me if something comes up," she smiled, holding a stern look in her eyes.

Johnny's jaw dropped. Susan's glare and scowl, his childhood fears, were bested by a goofy grin and cheap flowers? Peter had guts, but that was a fool's errand. Maybe it was that moment that caused Johnny to accept Peter as Sue's lover. Anyone who could withstand her fury was worthy of mad respect.

In the midst of his daydream, Johnny failed to see the living, orange barricade in his path. He crashed into Ben, falling limply to floor. His head spun as he staggered back to his feet, but his balance would betray him. He fell back into the waiting arms of the Thing.

"Johnny Storm!" the voice across the room brought his gaze up, finding Spider-Man with Invisible Woman's arm wrapped around his own. "What did your sister say about flying in the house? Drop and give me twenty!"

His senses returned at the demand. Johnny frowned and pointed, ready to protest against it, but he glanced to the side and found a terrifying sight. The frown on his sister's face darkened, turning into a scowl. Her ocean blue eyes glared right into Johnny's soul, sending a chill down his spine. His protests would have to wait. He didn't have the remedy to his sister's scowl like Peter did. Not yet anyway.

He groaned as he placed his hands on the ground. One of these days, he will make sure to ask Peter how to repel the stare.

"Get ready to run some laps, too, Sunshine!" Spider-Man barked.

Johnny rolled his eyes. That was going to be a journey in itself.

Thanks for the support, folks. I know I was supposed to write the Enchantress chapter this time, but I thought it'd be better if I wrote a couple of follow-up chapters before I continue. Don't worry though. I promise Enchantress will be after the next chapter. Sorry for the quick change. It won't happen again... I think. (No guarantees!)

Next update - Loki, Follow-Up!