Disclaimer: Don't own the FF or Dr. Doom
Author's note: Thanks for all the reviews I got, they made me feel motivated to write…but then I had homework to do amongst other things. My weekends just don't seem to be free like they used to, which I suppose is a good thing but I apologise for my growing social life and increasing coursework load. This chapter is actually kinda short, like all my chapters but hey, at least I updated…right?
The door flew open and Phillip strutted into the room, Sofia at his side. The couple looked surprised yet pleased to see Johnny with Vanessa clutching on to him.
"Well well, what have we here? Looks like we've already done our job…and in less than a minute," Phillip said, a smirk on his face.
"Yeah well, I like to keep things simple," Johnny said automatically. Phillip let out a laugh.
"Good, then you wouldn't mind coming with me," Phillip turned around beckoned some people to enter the room.
"I didn't mean it was that simple," Johnny retorted. Vanessa grip on him tightened and she shot him a disapproving look.
"Don't make him angry," she hissed in his ear.
"I think I know what I'm doing," he whispered back. Phillip stepped aside from the door and henchmen streamed into the room. Johnny's eyes steadily grew wider as they kept on coming, there had to be at least thirty men cramped into the room by the time they had all entered.
"Still know what you're doing?" Vanessa whispered. Johnny didn't answer. Phillip nodded and two of the henchmen stepped forward, the both of them holding large guns. Vanessa's grip on Johnny tightened.
"Still sure it's not that simple?" Phillip asked smugly.
"It's only getting harder," Johnny replied, a sure smirk on his face. Phillip nodded and the henchmen took aim.
"Last chance," Phillip offered. Johnny didn't reply. Phillip nodded and the henchmen pulled the triggers.
Johnny winced as he felt something hit his stomach. Slowly he looked down. He groaned as he realised it was a tranquiliser.
"How many fucking times," he grumbled before he passed out.
A FEW MINUTES EARLIER - BEN
Ben didn't even blink when the chair he was sitting in slammed down into the floor below. He had had a feeling Doom would do something like that. He always did. The trapdoor that had betrayed him slid shut with a loud clang, a eerie silence followed. The metal restraints on the chair slid away and Ben stretched his suddenly aching limbs.
The room was like something out of the hose makeover programmes Sue insisted on watching during important baseball matches. If it were a makeover programme Ben had a feeling the room would be described as light and airy. All the furniture was either made of pine or white cloth. In the centre of the room, not too far from Ben's chair, was a king sized, futuristic looking bed. A few small statues littered the room. Ben approached one of them. He let out a small and very unmanly gasp as he realised the statue was of him. What the-? His thoughts were interrupted when a small voice said, "Ben?" The voice was barely a whisper but Ben heard it anyway. He spun around.
"Alicia?" he asked softly. He couldn't help but smile as he saw his girlfriend in the corner, a smile also on her face. Ben closed the large gap between them with three big steps.
"Alicia," Ben said again as he carefully lifted her out of the chair and pulled her into a warm hug. Alicia clung to him like a limpet.
"Did they hurt you?" Ben asked. Alicia shook her head.
"They just tried to get me to answer questions…questions about you," Alicia mumbled. Ben frowned, he briefly considered probing Alicia for the questions but decided against it.
"I was so scared," she whispered.
"I know babe, I know. But I'm here now," Ben whispered soothingly. They stood hugging for a while, just enjoying being with each other again.
"C'mon, lets get you outta here," Ben said quietly. The couple let go of each other and Alicia latched onto his arm. Ben looked around the room, a confused look on his face.
"Um…Alicia?" he said, the confusion evident in his voice.
"Yes?" She replied.
"Where's the door?"
WITH REED AND SUE
Victor smirked and bit back a laugh at Ben's words. He turned away from the monitor and looked at the others reactions. Reed and Sue looked stunned and confused. Stephen's expression was unreadable and Leonard shared Victor's smirk.
"Genius," Leonard announced. It was a wonder he didn't stand up and start clapping.
"Amateur," Stephen said loudly. Everyone turned to look at Stephen. If looks could kill Stephen knew Victor would have slaughtered him by now. He glanced at Sue and saw she had an odd look on her face. Was it…was it a sense of pride? Encouraged by Sue's opinion Stephen continued.
"Saw that coming a mile away…anyone can take out the door," he said in a monotone voice. "And anyway, Ben will just break down the walls," he added with a smirk on his face. Leonard's smile faded, it was something he had never thought of, Victor however kept his cool.
"Oh I know that," he said dismissively. "This is where my secret weapon steps in." Victor pressed a button on his chair.
"Watch and learn Stephen," Leonard added. Everyone rolled their eyes at his unnecessary comment.
Sue watched in horror on the monitor as Ben and Alicia began to have coughing fits, she grasped onto Reed's hand. He pulled her arm discreetly.
"Ben'll be fine…his body can handle anything," Reed whispered. Sue nodded, but it's not him I'm worried about.
WITH BEN
"Alicia!" Ben shouted through his coughing. "Alicia can you hear me?" Ben groaned in frustration when she didn't answer. He couldn't see anything and the only sound was the slow hiss of gas as more of it poured into the room. He pulled her close to him and began to make his way towards one of the walls. Praying it lead to a corridor and not another trap Ben repeatedly punched the wall until it gave in and bricks splintered everywhere. He stumbled blindly out of the room, still holding Alicia close. He waited a moment for his vision to clear.
He sighed in relief when he saw he was in a corridor.
"Alicia?" He mumbled hopefully. There was no reply. Ben quickly made up his mind to get Alicia somewhere safe before finding Doom and kicking his sorry arse.
WITH JOHNNY
The powerless teenager slowly opened his eyes. He was less than surprised to see Sofia and Phillip standing in front of him. He shivered slightly and then suddenly realised he was outside. His eyes widened slightly as he realised he could see the Baxter Building and right into the penthouse balcony. He was on the roof, propped up right against the edge. Surprisingly he wasn't tied up, just sitting there. A cold clammy hand was grasped around his. He looked around and realised apart from Sofia and Phillip there was only one other person on the roof.
Johnny didn't even have to look at Vanessa to know she was relieved to see he was awake. A small smile crossed her lips and she gave his hand a squeeze. Automatically Johnny squeezed back.
"Good afternoon Mr Storm," Phillip boomed. Johnny gave him a withered look as he started a monologue. Great, another friggin' wannabe. What's the attraction with all this super villain crap anyway? It's not like any of them get anywhere, they all wind up dead or behind bars with a crappy reputation. I wonder how he'll end up…hmm…he seems too young to die, he's annoying though…hmm, what's that smell? Is it hotdogs? Man I could kill for one of those right now…when was the last time I even had one?
Phillip paused, he had been walking up and down in front of Johnny and Vanessa for effect but it appeared the most important person wasn't even listening. Johnny was gazing off into the distance with a thoughtful look on his face and he kept sniffing.
"What do you have a cold or something?" Phillip snapped. Johnny snapped out of his trance and looked at Phillip.
"Huh?" He asked, mystified.
"You keep sniffing," Phillip moaned. Johnny smirked.
"It'd nothing," Johnny said shaking his head, "carry on." So Phillip did but Johnny just switched off again. Infuriated Phillip let out an aggravated roar and in one smooth motion picked up Vanessa by her throat and held her out over the edge.