I no longer have writers block: ) Thank you to the reviewers, especially Sailor Star7, thank you : )
"Oh, My God," Sue said as Ben finished explaining. "Poor Johnny. I can't believe Amara would do that to him."
"Susie, you gotta remember she's not herself." Ben reminded. Sue sighed and looked at the floor.
"I know, it's just..." She started.
"You feel protective of your brother?" Ben finished her sentence. "Of course you do." Sue nodded and sighed once again.
"Ben, go help Reed." Ben started to argue. "No, Ben they need more help than me. If Amara doesn't change back Johnny's gonna be heart broken. We need to stop that." Ben nodded.
"What about you?" He asked.
"I'm gonna get changed and I'll be there in a few minutes." Ben looked at her disapprovingly. "I will rest later." She added shortly.
"Susie will be here in a minute or two." Ben informed the others as he walked into the lab.
"She needs to be in bed," Reed said automatically.
"Hey, I tried. She's stubborn…it's a family trait." He said as he looked at Johnny.
"I take offence to that," Johnny replied.
"Take all the offence you want Fly Boy."
"Enough," Reed ordered.
"Sue!" Johnny said happily as his sister appeared at the doorway. He walked over and hugged her.
"You know Johnny, I don't think I've ever seen you that happy when your sister walks in a room." Ben said, causing the others to laugh.
"Shut it," Johnny replied as he pulled away from Sue.
"How are you feeling?" Reed asked.
"I ache all over," she replied. "But I'm alive." She smiled at her fiancé. "Have you got any ideas yet?"
"Many. Each as unlikely as the next." He replied.
"You'll figure it out," Sue said comfortingly. "Ben, Johnny, I think you should both circle the town. They'll attack again as soon as possible, especially if we least expect it."
"What makes you think that?" Ben enquired.
"I know Victor."
"Okay, come on kid." He motioned towards Johnny. The Human Torch nodded, he was too deep in thought to mind being called a kid. He didn't know if he wanted to see Amara or not. It would hurt him if he didn't see her, but it would hurt more he if saw her with Chris.
"Do you think that was a good idea?" Reed asked slowly. Sue stopped reading an article on mind control and looked up at her fiancé.
"I think so, don't you?"
"I have a feeling we will need to stick together." He replied.
"We will, but this isn't Victor's style, you know that. There's something more, something bigger going on."
"You're probably right," Reed agreed. "But if there is, we're going to need Amara back." Sue nodded and went back to reading the article. After a few minutes she looked up again.
"I don't get it," She started. "How can Amara be hypnotized or whatever? She's the one with a powerful mind."
"Its tied in with her emotions, it could be because she's used her power so much or because so much has happened recently, leaving her vulnerable." He stopped for a minute. "That's it! Sue you're a genius!"
"Uh thanks…I guess. What have you figured out?"
"Well this is fun," Johnny said, trying to make conversation. He didn't want to have to think of what might happen over and over again.
"Funs not the word I'd use." Johnny laughed a little. Ben stopped and turned to face him. "Johnny, if we have to fight Amara again, I don't want you to be there."
"I have to be," he replied indignantly. "I'm the reason she let us live."
"That could be a one time thing," Ben said. Johnny looked horrified.
"What do you mean? Amara isn't like that."
"She is now, didn't you notice how she threw your sister and your friends like they meant nothing?" Johnny looked at the floor.
"That's not her fault," he replied. "She's under his control…"
"We don't know that for sure do we? It could have been a plot from the start."
"How can you say that?" Johnny demanded.
"Yes, Ben, how can you say that?" said another voice. Johnny and Ben turned to face the new voice.
"Chris!" Johnny said, his voice echoing his hatred towards the man. Standing beside Chris was, of course, Amara.
"Yes it's me, I thought id introduce you to my lover Kira," He gestured to Amara.
"What do you mean Kira?" Johnny asked incredulously. "That's Amara."
"Will you just accept it Johnny? This isn't your girlfriend anymore" Chris replied, enjoying every second of Johnny's pain.
"Why are you here?" Ben demanded.
"Well, Thing," Kira started. "We were told you needed to die, so here we are, your executioners." Chris smirked and pulled her into a passionate kiss.
"Johnny," Ben whispered. "Go get the others…now." He was trying to shield the younger man from seeing this, but Johnny seemed rooted to the spot. After a few seconds he nodded.
"Flame on," He shouted and rose from the ground. With one last look at Kira/Amara he flew out of sight.