The Spider and the Flame

A/N: I'm not sure if I captured Spidey and Torch's dynamics right. If you think its wrong, I'll make some changes. Also, if you think this chapter can go better, I'd love to hear what you'd have to say, as I'm a bit worried about the quality of this one. Thank you in advance for your input and reviews.

Spiderman shot web after web from his wrists, attaching to various objects or buildings. He swung and let go of each web with ease, the process moving him across the city at a very fast rate. He headed directly for the Jameson Aerospace Museum (a place he did not particularly want to visit).

"Can't go one day without saving a damn museum," Spiderman whispered to himself as he shot out a web, attaching to a flagpole. The webhead swung down in an arc, letting go of the web at the peak of the swing. Spiderman launched into the air, maximizing the use of the previous swing. As he began his descent, Spiderman shot out a new web and restarted the process.

Several swings later, Spiderman landed on top of the museum roof, where Spiderman saw a skylight. Easily opening it, Spiderman peered inside to see three masked men, armed with M4s, waiting for someone. Checking if there was anyone else first, Spiderman attempted to disarm the men but something beat him to it.

Spiderman saw balls of flame melt the guns the armed men had. The men, ill prepared for the attack, dropped their guns quickly to avoid burning their hands.

"Crap!" one of the men said as he shook his hands to cool the heat.

Deciding to take advantage of the moment, Spiderman shot out three strands of webs that attached to the men's back, lifting them into the air. Moments later, Spiderman easily wrapped the three up in one ball of web, leaving small holes for the three to breathe through.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" a masculine voice yelled from above.

Spiderman looked up to see a flaming entity looking down upon him. "That's something you don't see everyday," Spiderman remarked.

The flaming man settled on the floor and the fire surrounding him dissipated, revealing Johnny Storm, looking at the wall crawler with an odd look. "You're Spiderman!" Johnny said as he pointed a finger at the spandex wearing hero.

"And you're…the underwear model?" Spiderman said back, a confused expression forming under his mask.

"Okay guys, I got the stuff, now we…" Shocker said as he emerged from the Space Exploration exhibit, not realizing that there were 2 young heroes were standing before him. After about 3 seconds, Shocker realized the situation, looking from the giant web, to the heroes, then back to the web again. "Great, now I got 2 tight wearing freaks on my hands," Shocker muttered backing away from the two.

"Hey, at least I'm not a walking mattress!" Spiderman shot back as he folded his arms across his chest.

"I think my sister has the same exact bed spread," Johnny said, trying to get a closer look to Shocker's outfit.

"ENOUGH!" Shocker screamed before he knocked the two into the far wall with a powerful shockwave. "I'm sick of everyone making fun of my costume!"

"C'mon Shock, don't tell me you don't enjoy bringing the joy of insults to people everywhere now do you?" Spidey asked, only angering Shocker further. Johnny snickered lightly.

"ARRGH!" Shocker fired another blast at Spiderman and Johnny but Spiderman leapt over it and stuck to the wall while Johnny's body ignited, taking off into the air.

"Catch!" Johnny called out, flying by Shocker while shooting a ball of fire, aiming for Shocker's gauntlets. Shocker easily created a wave of energy that protected him from the attack.

"That all you got?" Shocker asked confidently as he kept firing at the flying superhero.

"I'll tell you when I'm actually interested," Johnny shot back as he avoided each blast coming at him. After about three attacks, Shocker finally scored a direct hit, sending Johnny to the ground in a daze.

"I'm gonna put your fire out for good," Shocker told Johnny with a finality, poising for a final attack.

Spiderman then swooped in, kicking Shocker into a model of an airplane, the force splitting the plane in half. "Good thing he's not cushion challenged," Spiderman joked as he helped Johnny get up on his feet.

"I've been meaning to ask you, does your webbing come out of your wrists? Cause that's just nasty," Johnny said to Spiderman, eyeing his wrists.

"Does everyone have to ask me that?" Spiderman commented, giving Johnny a dirty look under his mask.

"Just asking," Johnny defended with a shrug.

Suddenly, Spiderman's spider sense began blaring and he immediately pushed Johnny to the floor, a wave of energy passing over them, destroying another model plane which was several feet away from the ball of web, where muffled screams could be heard faintly.

"How'd you know that was gonna happen?" Johnny said as the two got up.

"Spider sense," Spiderman explained, pointing to his noggin.

"And I thought Reed had weird powers," Johnny commented as he dusted off his blue uniform.

"At last my costume looks better than yours," Spiderman shot back, pointing at Johnny's tight fitting uniform.

"Hey I resent that!" Johnny defended. Before the two's exchange of banter could be held any longer, Shocker emerged from the plane, his costume torn on the left leg and the mask.

"I'm gonna get you two…" Shocker said, his gloves charging with energy. "And when I do, I'm gonna…" Shocker stopped there, feeling a blow to his stomach. Shocker keeled over in pain but that wasn't the end of it. He felt like an invisible fist slam into his jaw. This final attack took Shocker down at last, who dropped to his knees, then fell onto the floor, moaning in pain.

"What just happened?" Spiderman asked Johnny, who was smiling proudly.

"My sister," Johnny said through a toothy smile.

"Your…sister?" Spiderman asked, looking at Johnny incredulously. "Where's your sister?"

"Right here," Susan Storm said as she appeared from out of nowhere, dressed in an outfit similar to Johnny's.

"I think I'm getting delusional," Spiderman said as he put his hand to his forehead, checking for a fever.

"You're not delusional," Reed Richards said as he and the Thing, both dressed in similar outfits (the Thing only wearing the pants).

Spiderman noticed Reed Richards, immediately recognizing him from a science magazine several years back. Although Spiderman wanted to say something to the famous scientist, he decided not to do anything that might put him against the other four.

"Spiderman, nice to finally meet you," Reed Richards said as he shook Spiderman's hand. Unable to comprehend everything at once, Spiderman accidentally put too much pressure on Reed's hands. Reed quickly pulled away his hand, which was now deformed. Instantly, it formed back into its original shape. "Don't worry about that."

Spiderman could only stare in awe at just what happened before him.

"Looks like you did a number on this place," The Thing said with a laugh as he observed the destroyed exhibit room. He then walked over to the moving ball of web, where muffled screams were still coming from. The Thing easily picked them up, turning back to the group.

Reed picked up Shocker, putting his dazed body over his shoulder.

"I don't believe this," Spiderman muttered as he scratched his head in utter confusion and awkwardness.

The Fantastic 4 made for the exit but Reed, without turning around, called out, "Would you like to come return these guys to the police with us?"

"Sorry, I'm not exactly friends with the police," Spiderman answered, looking up at the skylight.

"C'mon, as long as you're with us…" Reed said as he turned around to look at the red and blue crime fighter. Unfortunately, he was gone.

"Dude pulled a Batman on us!" Johnny shouted as he moved his eyes about, looking for the wall crawler.

"Come on," Susan said in exasperation, grabbing Johnny's arm, pulling him away.

"Guess he really meant what he said," Reed said, looking up at the open skylight. Sighing with disappointment that he did get a chance to really speak with the famous menace/hero, Reed walked toward the others, who were already almost out of the room.

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Author's Replies

SpartanCommander: I've thought about the two fighting (even though they are friends) and hopefully, I can show that somehow. Hopefully…

Mark C: Friendship but there is also a friendly rivalry as well…which is essential to this story. I just hope I don't botch it up.

Agent G: I hope you liked the stuff I had Pete and Johnny say to each other. And I have you to thank for Reed and Pete's meeting, as I originally hadn't intended to do so early (Always paying attention to my reviewers!).