An hour after Doom left with Amara, Reed, Ben and Susie were still in Dooms office. They were waiting for The Masks to bring Johnny.
"Do you actually think Doom is willing to give up Johnny?" Ben asked again. He had asked the same question at least ten times.
"If he wanted Amara enough then yes I think he would." Reed replied. "I think Johnny found out something crucial. So, Johnny must be in a serious condition for Doom to even consider it." He heard Susie whimper. "I'm sorry Susie, he's probably fine."
"I know, but I'm supposed to look after him. He's my little brother!" Sue replied. They fell into silence, each contemplating what happened. After the initial thoughts of 'oh my god' the group had not spoken to each other. Sue had cried for quite some time.
"Hang on." Reed said after a while. The others looked up at him.
"What?" Ben and Sue asked at the same time.
"The deal Amara made was that Johnny would be brought to Ben, not Sue and I. The Masks won't bring him to us, only Ben." Reed watched as the realisation washed over them.
"We better go then Reed." Sue said bluntly.
"I know Susan. Ben, contact us the moment you need help or when you and Johnny are safe. We will come and get you." Reed said before leading Sue to the elevator.
"I thought you lot were supposed to be smart." A voice said as soon as the elevator doors closed. Ben swung around quickly. He was shocked by the sight in front of him. There was a group of about five Masks standing at the back of the office/board room. Ben noticed the Masks were gathered around something. He squinted and saw it was a limp body. That's got to be Johnny. He thought.
"We are." He replied shortly. "Now hand over Johnny."
"If you were smart you should have known it wouldn't be that easy." Said the same voice. It belonged to the leader of the group.
"The deal was Am-" Ben started, but was cut off.
"I know what the deal was. And Dr Doom never intended to stick to it. The deal was never real. It was just a way for His Lordship to get what he wanted." Bens temper was flaring.
"Then why did you bring Johnny?" Ben asked. He was happy to see the Masks were stuck for an answer. "Just hand him over, he's of no importance."
"Thanks Pebbles." Johnny said very weakly. Ben was relieved to hear his voice.
"Shut up." The Leader shouted and kicked Johnny in the stomach. Ben began to advance on the Masks. He was outraged at how Johnny was being treated.
"Not so fast, Thing." The leader spat, Ben growled his reply and took another step.
"It's clobbering time!" he roared and leapt at the Masks.
He knocked the lead mask out by punching him in the ribs, and was satisfied at hearing one of the leaders ribs crack. He then worked on two other Masks, first dodging their attempts at fighting him. He knocked their heads together and moved onto the last two. He laughed as he saw them backing away from him. He growled again and launched himself at them. After a few seconds they were both out cold. Ben ran over to Johnny's side and checked his pulse. He was shocked at how weak it was.
"Hang on in there Fly Boy." He said affectionately. Johnny grunted in reply and whimpered as Ben tried to pick him up. "It's ok Johnny. You're safe now." Johnny nodded slightly and tried to stand up. His legs gave way almost immediately. "I'm gonna have to pick you up." Ben said as he picked Johnny up, this time Johnny stayed quiet, but Ben could see his pain written all over his face. "What did they do to you?" Ben muttered.
"Bens been a long while. I wonder if he's ok." Sue commented, mainly to herself. Reed had taken her back to their apartment in the Baxter building. The whole way home she had cried. Tears of relief that Johnny was coming home. Tears of guilt and sadness that Amara wouldn't. Tears of regret that Amara thought Sue didn't love her and would give her up the moment she could.
"Don't keep thinking about it." Reed replied, distractedly. Ever since they had gotten home Reed had been busy looking for something in his lab. He had been quite distant towards Sue since Amara had left, more so than his usual in-the-lab distance. 'I deserve it' Sue thought guiltily.
"I'm sorry Reed, I really am. But I couldn't bear to loose you and Johnny. At least this way we have only lost one person. I realise that sounds harsh and bitchy but…" Sue rambled.
"You have nothing to be sorry about Susan. Amara chose to go with Doom. To save her cousin and her lo-Johnny."
"Doom was wrong." Sue said and smiled slightly.
"About what?" Reed asked.
"You and Amara being completely different. You're both willing to give up everything to save one person." Sue said, proud of her fiancé. She jumped up as she heard the elevator doors opening. She rushed toward the sound, closely followed by Reed.
"Oh my god! Johnny!" Sue gave him a hug. She pulled back quickly as she heard her brother suck in a breath. She stepped back and took in his appearance. She saw how he looked paler and thinner than before. Also the sparkle in his eyes was all but gone.
"Hi guys." Johnny said lamely, his voice sounding strained. "Miss me?"
"Johnny what happened to you?" Reed asked.