Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel
Universal Collisions: What If
Time
The Fourth dimension
Space
The Third dimension
Reality
The fifth dimension known as imagination
It's more than a linear path
Past and present can exist simultaneously
It's a Prism of endless possibility
Possible futures exist alongside forgotten pasts
Where a single choice can branch out into infinite realities
Free will is a lie, destiny and fate are the jokes
Creating alternate worlds from the ones you know
But there is also a sixth dimension, the dimension known as impossibility
I am the Watcher
I am an Orchestrator
I am your guide through these vast new realities
I seek the impossible
Follow me
Join me
And ponder the question
And destroy worlds
What if?
What if Spider-man (2002) joined the Fantastic Four (2005)
They are stories you know and ones I have witnessed time and time again. One hero born of chance, Peter Parker, an agent of the web whose powers come from a Spider-bite. And four people whose power was born from one man's urge to discover, in many universes Reed Richards leads Susan Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm on a voyage that forever changes them. But it is not until other choices are made that define the lives of these heroes, for there are universes where they bear their great power, but none of the responsibility. There is a choice.
There is no choice, all are bound by fate! The imaginers will!
The moment Peter Parker made the choice to not stop a criminal, a selfish choice that dooms his uncle, but gifts the world with a hero that will protect it no matter the personal sacrifice.
Likewise, from the tragedy of their accident, each of the Four chooses to be part of a team, a family who will stand in the way of the terrors the universe can offer.
Reed Richards searches for a way always, even if it means giving up for a day a way to turn his friend back to normal.
Johnny Storm chooses to embrace the wonders of his abilities, rather than the terrifying dangers.
Susan Storm in many ways the strongest in that she puts the needs of her other family members, sometimes before her own desires, reminding them to live.
But then there is Ben Grimm, a man who yearns for normality, for the face he once saw in the mirror. His choice is not to see the monster, but to be the hero.
One choice, however, can sometimes take another away. For a hero is not the only central character in a story, there must always be a villain.
They are both heroes and worlds that live apart, no longer. In the great expansion of the Multiverse two timelines join as one.
"The Sum of three thousand dollars will be paid to the terrifying, the deadly, the amazing Spider-man!"
"Oh that kid's going to get messed up," Ben Grimm said, chuckling before he drank from his beer.
It wasn't everyday he and Reed spent time together as ordinary men. One could understand the difficulty in seeing two opposites as best friends. Ben Grimm was a man of actions, a man of the streets who preferred simplicity. The taller but slimmer Reed Richards was more often than not a man of thought, of ideas, whilst his friend drank and watched an amateur wrestling broadcast, he only briefly looked away from his notes to see the skinny man in the red balaclava and shirt walk to the ring.
"I'm no expert, but even I can see that that is a fight that isn't going to last," he said.
"I give him at least two minutes, sometimes little guys can surprise you," Ben said.
The moment that Peter Parker however clung to the wall of the cage, was the moment Richards took interest.
"Incredible agility, note his hands, they aren't actually gripping the cage," Reed said.
"Are you sure you don't want to get your eyes checked Reed, besides, the cameras they use are crap," Ben explained.
When they saw the smaller Spider-man knock out Bone Saw with a kick, both men's jaws dropped to the floor in shock.
"Maybe this is all scripted," Ben muttered.
"I think he's actually unconscious."
That was the first time they saw Spider-man, the first moment of fascination. As the media explored Spider-man's later debut in New York, there came another moment of fascination. Or rather two:
"Amazing, Spectacular, cool, and he knows how his branding," Johnny Storm said when asked what he thought of Spider-man.
"I'm a New Yorker, Yancy Street born and bred, I can tell you these papers don't know crap about what kind of guy he is, when you wear a mask and stop to help a stranger, you're either two things, a creep, or a hero, I can tell you he definitely ain't a creep," Ben Grimm explained.
"He is most definitely an amazing case of enhanced physiology, I believe Spider-man may be one of either two things, a mutant or an individual exposed to circumstances that have enhanced his physical abilities, much as I believe the same way our own ancestors were influenced by cosmic radiation passing over our planet billions of years ago," Richards, ever the scientist saw it from that point of view.
The adventures of Spider-man continued, as did the experiments of Reed Richards. Years would pass and Peter would face the Goblin, Doctor Octavius and he would even win the girl of his dreams.
"Go get em tiger," Mary Jane Watson said on the day of the wedding she ran from.
"So it's not just my money you want, it's my toys," whilst Richard's path would lead him down an all too familiar road.
For a long time, Peter Parker would be a mere bystander, a watcher like myself. Until the year 2005.
"Parker, I want you to go down to the Doom shuttle launch site and take pictures, why are you still here? GO!" J Jonah Jameson yelled.
"Is it just me Betty or has Jameson been a little too nice nowadays?" Peter asked.
"Believe it or not Peter I think he's actually happy your girlfriend never married John," Betty Brant said, grinning as Peter blushed.
"Oh you heard about that?" he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head; he had always had an attraction to his Daily Bugle senior.
But this is not the What if we are exploring, Betty took Peter to the Doom industry launch site where, amazed he looked at the great Reed Richards and Victor Von Doom shaking hands. In Reed Richards he could already see a man much like his own father Richard Parker, a gifted scientist with good intentions. But he could also see Otto Octavius, a man whose good intentions had led him down a self-destructive path. As Peter took pictures of Victor Von Doom however, he could already see the similarities between him and a man he wanted to forget.
'I wonder if he and Norman knew one another,' Peter thought.
"Our mission to the Von Doom space station will be to study a cosmic wave moving through our solar system, it will pass through the previously unmanned station where we will be protected by the Adamantium shell and able to study its effects on plant life, it is my belief that study of cosmic radiations effects on biology will enable us to better understand our evolution," Richards explained.
Peter would smile, even as Jameson denounced his work, the memory of the fantastic voyage still on his mind.
"Crap, crap, are these astronauts or super models Parker?" Jameson asked.
"They would be Susan and Johnny Storm, the children of Franklin Storm, a scientist…"
"Leave the lecture to the science columnist Parker, I pay you to take pictures, put it on page six Robbie, 'Voyage to Doom,'" Jameson stated.
"Boss isn't that a bit fatalistic?" Hoffman asked as Robbie Robertson put a hand to his chin in thought.
"You might have just had a brilliant idea Jonah," the assistant editor to the Daily Bugle said.
"Of course, I had a brilliant idea, its mine," Jameson grinned.
"No I mean your idea about Peter," Robbie said, winking at the photographer. "He's worked for us a long time, but his skill set is science, he would make a good writer for our science column, or even a consultant on such stories," he explained.
Peter suppressed the urge to grin, even Hoffman was wise to what Robbie was doing. Jameson was an egotist, one had to appeal to it sometimes, he could never fathom an idea that wasn't his.
"It is a brilliant idea, Parker, you're under consideration, write me a decent story for the science column, but make sure you bring me more pictures of Spider-man first," Jameson explained.
Later that day, Peter sat in his apartment with Mary Jane, the TV in the background between them as they ate pizza.
"Robbie's right, you would be a good writer for…science stuff," she said, despite dating him for several months, even she wasn't passionate about his interests.
"It sounds like it uses up a lot of time, besides I was never really a writer," Peter said.
"You should try practicing, plus it would lead to a job Peter, a real job," MJ said.
"Maybe I like mooching off of my more successful and beautiful girlfriend," Peter smiled as he leant into kiss her.
Just as he did though his eyes were drawn to the TV, seeing a brief moment the news had covered an 'accident' on the Doom space station. This was where the paths of the heroes would begin to merge just as their timelines had. The familiar things happened, whilst at the Doom treatment centre, each of the four would one by one manifest their abilities. Then would come the moment that the Four would be revealed to the public.
"I know what kind of opportunity this is for me May, but honestly I don't think I have the time for it," Peter said, sitting beside a gargoyle in his costume, his mask rolled up and speaking on his phone.
"Peter when something is important enough you have to make the time, this is your chance to do something you know you're going to enjoy and you know you're going to be good at," May Parker explained, sitting in her new apartment.
"My ability to meet a deadline is infamous May I…" his voice drifted as he saw police and fire trucks speeding through the streets, on a course for the Brooklyn Bridge. "Sorry May, something just came up, all this talk of deadlines…"
"Don't worry Peter, go," May said.
She had been smiling when she hung up, knowing exactly what her nephew was doing. Peter swung after the emergency vehicles, pulling down his mask and assuming his moniker of Spider-man, protector of New York. There were questions to be asked of how the disaster on the bridge happened; only what Peter could do when he saw the fire truck swerve and break the bridge's barrier. Swinging in a wide arc around the bridge, Peter began shooting webs that stuck the dangling truck onto the bridge, buying time for it and the people still inside. When one man fell off of the truck though, Peter intended to catch him, but he was too late. His eyes widened underneath the lenses of his mask, seeing Reed Richard's stretch his torso and arms over the edge of the bridge, wrapping them around the man that fell.
Spider-man's amazement was cut short when the truck began to buckle. He quickly swung onto the bridge and grabbed the back of the truck. His strength was only one part of the equation, as he could stick to surfaces; he became an additional support for the truck. There was a chance with great strain that he could have pulled it up by himself. But he wasn't alone that day, and neither was Ben Grimm. The transformed Thing worked alongside Peter, helping him pull the truck to safety.
"Hey, big fan," Ben said.
"Thanks for the help," Peter said awkwardly.
"The Fearsome Four!" later that day, Peter, Robbie and Hoffman looked at Jameson with deadpan expressions.
His latest attempt at a front-page headline spat in the face of what every other news agency was putting forward.
"That guy Ben Grimm, he pulled that truck with Spider-man, Storm protected a girl from flames and his sister contained them, they're heroes Jameson," Robbie said, ever the defender of super powered heroes.
"Yeah in an accident Grimm caused, guy turns into some kind of 'Thing', terrorises half of Yancy Street and crashes into a big rig, how many dollars of property damage have these guys caused?" Jameson asked.
"Sir, I'm sorry but despite what happened Ben Grimm spent much of his early years in the air force, the man's a decorated pilot," Peter explained.
"Like a certain someone you speak highly of Jonah," Robbie said, barely hiding his smirk.
At her desk, Betty put her hand to her mouth to hide her urge to laugh. Jameson chewed on his cigar, letting out a deep growl as he stood up and turned to the window behind his desk.
"Well, the Fantastic Four is a pretty good name, but with Spider-man it makes five, there Fantastic Five PARKER!" Jameson yelled.
"I'm right here sir," Peter said.
"Go to the Baxter building, find out what these guys are planning and get me an article exposing what happened, whose to blame, Richards or Doom? Is this the beginning of a super powered pandemic? Details, details, details Parker, don't forget pictures too, go on get out of here," Jameson explained, slamming his hands against the desk and making Peter run.
"So does this mean he has the job?" Robbie asked Jameson, who grumbled at his old friend's smirk.
Peter spent his night researching at his Aunt May's, using MJ's laptop for the internet and watching the fox coverage on the Four as May made a cup of tea.
"Ben Grimm is a genuine American hero…"
"What he means is every team needs a mascot."
"I can't say that Jonathon Storm impresses me," May said.
"Graduated Columbia in engineering, served as a test pilot in the air force, he may be a bit of a dick May but he's no idiot," Peter said as he jotted down notes on his journal.
"Language Peter, and there are idiots amongst even smart people," May said as she bought over Peter's tea.
She looked over her nephew's shoulder, seeing some of the notes. Words like 'superheroes' with a question mark and 'fault' and 'dangers' were written down.
"It was pretty impressive what they did on that bridge," she said, crossing her arms as Peter continued without looking at her.
"All it takes is one mistake though," Peter muttered.
"Maybe they could use some help, whether they want to be superheroes, or try to turn back to 'normal' they could probably use a smart guy," May said.
"They already have the smartest man on the planet covering their problem," Peter said.
"Being smart doesn't make a person wise, your uncle knew that better than your father did I'm sorry to say, intelligence is what you know, wisdom is what you do with it. Maybe these people need a fresh perspective, not only to adjust to their situation, but if need be, to use their power responsibly," May explained.
She looked over her shoulder at her nephew as she looked away, seeing he had stopped his research and really began to think. He thought all through the night as he half researched and swung his way through a patrol. When the morning came, he put on his tie and went to the Baxter building.
"I'm sorry, but Doctor Richards is not accepting interviews," the receptionist said.
"I'm not just here for an interview, I attend ESU, I could be a third pair of eyes on Dr Richards's work whilst reassuring the public of their progress," Peter explained.
"The answer's no son!"
Though not to be downtrodden, Peter climbed up to the Baxter Building's top level, infiltrating the apartments and knocking at Richards's front door.
"Excuse me, I know this is a little personal, I work for the Daily Bugle…kind of, and I just wanted to get your story as well as an idea of how you guys are handling this," Peter explained.
To his surprise the front door opened, revealing Johnny Storm.
"Daily Bugle huh, hate that paper, how do I know everything I say won't be turned into slander by Jameson like it is for Spider-man?" Johnny asked.
"I…can't actually give you any assurances," Peter sighed.
"Johnny Storm, Fantastic Four incorporated," Johnny said.
"That's not what we're calling ourselves Johnny," Sue's voice came from inside the apartment.
"We said no interviews," Reed added.
"I'm not just here for an interview, and I know you're a bit strung for cash so it's not about a job either, but I am…something of a scientist myself," Peter shook his head slightly when he finished speaking.
"Johnny get away from the door," Reed's arm stretched, pulling Johnny away.
The man himself walked to the door and looked Peter up and down.
"Listen son, we're hard at work here trying to reverse our conditions, we don't have time for an interview, I appreciate the effort to come down here and that you have a job to do but I can't have any distractions from mine," Reed explained.
"So have you figured out a way to repeat the process yet?" Peter asked as Reed closed the door. "Maybe recreate the radiation you encountered, then contain it within a chamber that will continually bombard the subject, of course other than the dangers of potentially making your conditions worse you still need to secure a power source that can produce the energy you need, then the catalyst, perhaps a material that would have absorbed the radiation before landing on Earth, Vibranium perhaps?" Peter continued despite the closed door.
A moment passed and Reed finally opened the door, a look of intrigue in his eyes.
"There are traditionally diplomatic difficulties in acquiring Vibranium, but I attended the same university as Wakanda's prince, the lab itself is equipped to act as a staging site," he explained.
"The late Doctor Otto Octavius said the same thing about his Fusion experiments, even on the outskirts of the harbour though his second experiment still affected metal and electrical equipment in the surrounding blocks," Peter explained.
"What did you say your name was?" Reed asked.
"Peter Parker Doctor Richards, I was top of the science classes in Midtown and I'm second in my group at ESU under Doctor Conners," Peter stated and Reed nodded.
"Parker, would you be related to Richard and Mary Parker?" he asked.
"My parent's sir," Peter said, avoiding hesitating.
Reed seemed to think hard in a short period before he opened the door fully and let Peter in. Reed Richards's lab was not what Peter expected one part homely and another part minimum funded science lab, it had a balcony window in the same area as most of Reed's equipment. Areas of the lab covered both medical analysis, material analysis and engineering zone, right next to a small kitchen where Ben Grimm feaster on a bucket of nachos.
"The transformation resulted in an increase of his metabolism, right?" Peter asked.
"You can stop impressing him kid, he let you in already," Ben said gruffly.
"This is a sign of trust Peter, we want to get back to our lives, not be celebrities," Reed said and Johnny laughed.
"You're sure about that?" Peter asked.
"This could actually work out pretty well for us Reed," Sue said as she walked into the room.
"Doctor Storm, you released a few patents when you worked for Doom, and I enjoyed your thesis expanding on your father's research into biological entities outside of Earth," Peter stated and Sue smiled.
"That's sweet of you, but Ben's right, you don't have to sweet talk us, Reed," Sue touched the man's shoulder. "This might be too big for even you; it wouldn't hurt to have help that isn't Victor," she stated.
"Everything in your power Reed," Ben grumbled as he left the room.
"Okay, here's my initial design," Reed said, leading Peter to his blueprints.
Throughout the Multiverse, Spider-man often encounters the Fantastic Four, sometimes seeking a job, other times it is a fast friendship that forms between him and Johnny Storm. In this universe it is the passion to learn, and to innovate that leads Peter to help the four not as Spider-man but Peter Parker the scientist.
"It looks like you've found your calling Peter," MJ said, looking at Peter proudly as he typed out one of his first articles.
He wrote an expose on the conditions of the Von Doom mission, the unfortunate mistake that Richards had made, as well as the events that led up to the mission. Though it didn't point any fingers, it did not paint Victor Von Doom in a good light. Already under the great duress of having his company taken from him, Victor began his path to his destiny in this world, through another familiar face.
"Mr Osborn," Victor smiled, looking at Harry from across the table that separated them.
"Mr Doom," Harry huffed.
"Doctor actually, I understand your company has fallen on some tough times, what with the Octavius incident," Victor said.
"You're one to talk about tough times, you can't so much as make an offer on my company like you've done in the past," Harry retorted.
"That was back during your Father's Day, a brilliant man Norman Osborn, not close to me but he had his moments. His work on nanotech was one thing but I found his more chemical related accomplishments greater, and you're wrong about the tough times Harry. I can still afford certain things, like someone to dig into Oscorp for me, and secure a few…details," Victor smirked as he placed a blueprint on the table.
Harry's skin lost most of its colour as he looked at the glider blueprint, with the Oscorp logo beneath it.
"You father created a mask, but he didn't do a lot to conceal the rest of his glider project's design, I imagine his board of directors were very surprised to see their glider flying around before your father killed them," Victor explained.
"What do you want?" Harry asked.
"Certain items your father may have put into storage," Victor said. "Who knows, perhaps if you give them to the right person, you might get the benefit of getting Spider-man killed!"
Harry was tempted and afraid, two dangerous feelings for an already misguided young man to have. As a fearsome alliance was formed, friendships blossomed at the Baxter Building. The work continued as Peter helped Reed with his creation. He ran scenarios with Susan, and even formed a friendship with Johnny. The pair ran as Ben slapped cream across his face.
"JOHNNY! PETER!" he roared.
But there could still be conflict, some Peter witnessed as I did, the restrained love between Susan and Reed.
"You know I didn't get with my girlfriend because I complicated it, I mean it kind of was complicated but…" Peter mumbled and sheepishly chuckled as Reed looked at him. "The way you two are around each other, it makes me think of how I was with MJ, the connection and the feelings are there Reed all you have to do is have the courage to try and to respect Sue's decision to do the same," he explained.
Reed turned away from his work and for a moment considered what Peter said. The relationship between Susan and Reed didn't need Peter Parker to encourage it. Everything with them would happen as it was supposed to, just as everything that would lead to the four breaking apart would happen despite Peter's efforts.
"Oh Johnny," Peter whispered as he watched Johnny's show at the motor cross.
He followed Susan, Reed and Ben to the event, knowing that Ben most of all was the angriest.
"Maybe it's best not to just turn up like this guys," he said.
"We need to settle this, Johnny," Susan called to her brother. "You gave us names; you don't think do you?" she asked.
"We can talk about this at home," he said.
"No we can't, what are you thinking?"
"Where's my ride?" he asked.
As he asked the question, his red car, crushed into a ball, crashed at his feet. He glared at Ben, who had an equally hate filled look on his face. Peter knew he could get between both, but there were too many people watching, and he still had an identity to conceal. So, he could only watch as Ben and Johnny clashed, and wince as Johnny called Ben a monster.
"You need to think before you act," Reed lectured Johnny as Sue and Ben left.
"Yeah well you think too much you do nothing, what if we got these powers for a reason? What if it's a higher calling?" Johnny asked.
"What like making money and pulling chicks? Maybe you are that shallow Johnny, but I didn't think you were irresponsible," Peter said.
There was only so much Peter could understand or ignore. Reed recognised the rare anger on Peter's face.
"Is there any higher calling?" Johnny asked and Peter glared at him.
"I don't know, using your powers to help people, using them for something other than your own ego. You have these powers Johnny and that comes with a responsibility!" Peter said.
"Where did you read that childishly vague nonsense from?" Johnny laughed.
"From my uncle, the day he was murdered by a man out for himself," Peter said.
Johnny stopped laughing, and his smile dropped. Peter threw his arms up, turning and walking away. The words 'with great power comes great responsibility' would haunt Johnny in a different way from Peter. Peter who overcome by anger would write an article on the recklessness of Johnny Storm and the means the Four intended to reverse their abilities.
"I can't say I'm impressed with the Bugle's new article," May said to him.
"I worked with them May, got to know them, they're good people but…there's nothing I can do," Peter said.
"Maybe there isn't anything you need to do, like you said they're good people, that doesn't mean they won't make mistakes along the way," May said.
"There's a hero in all of us," Peter smiled slightly as he looked at May.
"Oh come now Peter, don't pretend you don't want to help or get involved, I know you Peter, I know!" May repeated, smiling as Peter looked at her in shock.
She stroked his cheek and kissed his forehead.
"Every time you were late for an appointment, every time you slipped away when things got tough, you were saving someone's life," she said.
"I didn't want you to worry, I'm sorry Aunt May," Peter said.
He had tears beginning to well in his eyes. Softly he wrapped his arms around his aunt and hugged her. May Parker was ignorant to the identity of Spider-man in many universes, but a constant throughout is the faith and the pride she holds for her nephew, even in universes where he proves only disappointment, she still holds the faith in his goodness and compassion. And just like any other universe, Peter's greatest comes not from his aunt, but her encouraging words, words that are of equal value to his uncle's.
"Maybe they don't need Spider-man, or maybe Peter Parker is exactly who they need," she said.
So, Peter left to find the four and put things right if he could. It was just when Ben and Reed had had their confrontation, just when Ben had stormed out of the Baxter building, barging past Johnny as he did.
"Where have you been Johnny?" Sue asked.
"Out filming," Johnny said.
"Filming, oh Johnny, you didn't do some commercial did you?"
"No, I didn't," he said defensively, putting his hands in his pockets and shifting uncomfortably. "It was a fire safety video," he said.
Sue looked at her brother in surprise, a brief look of pride crossing her face.
"Why did you do that?" she asked.
Johnny raised his head to answer, noticing Peter standing at the doorway.
"I figured if Reed couldn't get rid of our powers, I might as well be responsible with them," he said.
Peter nodded to him, both an acknowledgement and an unspoken apology on both their parts. He knew that Reed and Sue had one another, he also understood how dangerous a lonely and angry man could be, and what a person desperate for a normal life could do. When Peter looked for Ben, he saw him meeting in a diner with Victor. His mind flashed to the times the Goblin; Osborn tried to tempt him. Even a man of Ben's age and experiences could be driven to something terrible.
"Ben," Peter called to him as they walked through the streets.
"Going to write an article about me next?" Ben asked.
"I saw you meeting with Doom," Peter said.
"Have you been following me kid?"
"Out of concern, I don't know what Doom said, I can only assume it was something, something dark side, something, something join me and end this conflict," Peter stated and Ben groaned.
"Peter I've pictured a canyon I've flown through as the death star run, and yeah Doom's a creep but the things he said about Reed have been on the money," he explained.
"Reed makes mistakes Ben, but he cares about you, when he learned that he had miscalculated he tried to abort the mission, but Doom wouldn't have it, because Doom doesn't care about anyone but himself Ben. I know you know better Ben because you care about people too, about a suicide jumper, about a guy in a truck, about a fire crew. Reed called you a real American hero, people said so before you got powers, where they wrong, was he wrong?" Peter asked.
"Look kid, you're young, sometimes friendships, even the closest of them can fall apart because of the things that happen to us," Ben said.
"I know that better than you might think, but you know the kind of man Doom is," Peter said.
Ben Grimm had an angel of sorts on his shoulder. Unfortunately, not everyone had that luxury, tormented by the voice of his father, driven through blackmail by Doom; Harry Osborn would make a choice that would define a world. When it became clear that Ben would not fall for his manipulations, Doom recruited Harry as his test subject.
"Coward, using Doom to do your dirty work, you have the formula flowing through you, all you lack is the will, a disgrace just like I always knew you were," Norman's reflection ranted to him through the limo window.
"Shut up," Harry whispered.
"Something wrong Mr Osborn?" Victor asked.
"Nothing, why are we going to the Baxter Building?" Harry asked.
"I have it on good authority that the Baxter building is empty tonight," Victor said.
"And why would that matter?"
"Because young Osborn, that would mean that Richards' machine is unprotected, they're all so relaxed convinced that nothing can go wrong, just like that day in space," Victor stated and Harry rolled his eyes.
"What do you want?" Harry asked.
"I built my company from nothing; I came to this country after uplifting Latveria because I knew that America was a land of opportunity, a chance to grab more power. You inherited your father's company, yet still everything went wrong, you couldn't get the girl, you couldn't get success and it all came down to one thing responsible for that, or rather one person," Victor explained.
"Spider-man, he was just a loser, an orphan with no money and job, and yet, time and time again he had success," Harry said spitefully.
"You know who he is don't you?" Victor asked.
"That is my secret to keep," Harry said.
"You could do with some leverage I suppose," Victor chuckled.
The dark night that would have seen Ben Grimm temporarily cured of his powers, served as the night that an altogether new and terrifying monster would be born. Harry looked at the cosmic chamber as Victor ran it through its activation process.
"We claimed power when we were exposed to those cosmic rays, imagine what power you could claim, power enough to destroy your enemies," Victor said.
Though he was afraid, Harry was tempted, and angered by what the ghost of his father had said to him, Harry stepped into the chamber. Victor smirked as the cosmic rays bombarded the younger Osborn; he stroked his chin fascinated as the young man began to scream. His legs began to bend, bones snapping and reshaping as his skin began to fall away. Bat like wings burst out of his back, breaking the container. But still the cosmic rays infused with the serum in his blood, resulting in a new mutation, natural purple and green armour began to form across his body. His voice broke down as his mouth split into insect like mandibles. Victor laughed, seeing the shadow of the creature Harry Osborn had become. Von Doom crept back into the shadows, intent on using his newly acquired Oscorp assets.
Reed and Susan returned to the lab and found the chamber had been broken. In that moment, both worked together to contain it, all the while discovering the evidence of what had been created by it. The lab had been shattered, their work ruined, but that was just the start of Harry…no, Nihlus's rampage. Across the city, Peter looked on his phone at an ad that Johnny had made, the man himself sitting across from him.
"I see you took it to heart; I was angry when I wrote about you," Peter said.
"I can recall only the words reckless and irresponsible, but you weren't wrong Peter," Johnny said.
"I shouldn't have written those things though."
"Oh, you should have, that and what you said Peter, it opened my eyes, and the truth is before when I was so amazed by all of this, I found it all cool because I had to, because if I thought about the reality of it, I would panic. What if I flamed on when I was working on a car? What if it happened when I was with a woman?" Johnny looked at the floor, his usual smile faded, and the grim reality struck them both.
Peter saw the Human torch in a new light.
"For what it's worth, I think you've got a handle on it, you can…"
Unfortunately, that moment was shattered when insect like legs wrapped around Peter's shoulders and lifted him off of the ground. People screamed, but even that was blocked out by the screech of the monster carrying Peter into the sky.
"PETER!" Johnny yelled, running across the street, looking up at the slowly shrinking figure.
"GOT NEW BESSST FRIEND! PETERRR!" the creature hissed.
"Not a long list for me," Peter quipped.
"ALWAYSSS JOKING AREN'T WE!"
Harry threw Peter through a window; the office had been abandoned and it served as a viable battle ground. Tearing away his shirt and putting on his mask, Spider-man brawled with Nihlus, the pair crashing through the walls of the building. Peter had never been hit as hard as the monster hit him, and he had never had to punch anyone as hard as he was punching his former friend. Their battle took them through another window and when Spider-man tried to swing, Nihlus grabbed him again, throwing him down to the ground below. The lenses of his mask shattered as he crashed onto the hood of a car.
"WANTED THISSS FOR SSSSO LOOONG! PROTECT YOU IN HIGH SSSSSCHOOOL! NOW I CAN KICK YOUR ASSSS!" Nihlus yelled, standing over Spider-man.
"Harry, is that you?" Peter asked.
He yelled as Harry threw him across the street.
"What have you done to yourself Harry?"
"WILL AVENGE MY FATHER!"
"Listen to me, Norman killed himself when he tried to…" Peter was cut off however as Harry rushed forward, slamming him into a wall.
"HATE YOU! HATE YOU! HATE YOU!" Harry screamed, punching and slashing Peter, cutting off pieces of his costume.
"Harry, don't," Peter pleaded.
Just as Harry was about to bite Peter's neck however, an orange granite hand grabbed one of his wings.
"GET OFF OF HIM!" Ben yelled.
He wrenched Harry away, slamming him against the ground. Ben tilted back to avoid one of Harry's claws and arms suddenly wrapped around Harry's legs. People were drawn to the sight, drawn to a battle between a monster and superheroes. This was the moment the four stood alongside Spider-man.
"You're flying?" Peter looked up in shock at the Human Torch.
"I know right, now open wide bug boy," Johnny threw a fire ball at Harry, forcing him back as Ben removed his coat and hat.
"You trashed the neighbourhood and our house, IT'S CLOBBERING TIME!"
"WAIT!" Peter yelled as Ben punched Harry, knocking him back across the street.
He webbed Harry against the floor, focusing on particularly on his wings. But more importantly, he stood between him and the Four.
"It isn't his fault, it's the serum, it's affected his mind," Spider-man said.
"What are you talking about?" Reed asked.
"He would be referring to the Oscorp performance enhancer he took a few months ago," a voice spoke from above.
The four and Spider-man looked up and saw Victor Von Doom. Wearing a helmet the people of Latveria had gifted him with, and a hooded cloak, he had integrated padding from the goblin flight suit with a suit of armour. He stood on top of an Oscorp flight glider, upgraded with wider wings and more weapons.
"It does wonders for those who have the will to bear it," Victor said.
"You took it yourself, what have you done to Harry?" Spider-man demanded.
"Actually, you have Reed to thank for Osborn's predicament."
"The chamber, you used it on Osborn," Reed said.
"I wanted to see what would happen, and I wanted a bulldozer to throw at you, I've always wanted power Reed, and now with the secrets of the cosmic rays and the Oscorp tech, I'll have an unlimited supply," Victor explained.
"Victor, this is the Oscorp serum, it's affecting your mind too," Sue said.
"Ah Susan, to think I wanted to spend my life with you," Victor sighed before he fired electricity from his hand.
Sue conjured a shield to protect herself. But as she was shielding herself, Victor threw a pumpkin bomb into Ben, throwing him into a wall. Reed weaved around the blasts Victor fired whilst Peter flipped and avoided the gunfire from the glider. It became a fight to protect themselves and others. The Fantastic Four and Spider-man used their abilities more to save people from Doom's wild rampage than they did to attempt to attack him. He laughed as he drew in the electricity around him, unleashing a blast on Sue that brought her to her knees. Spider-man was launched off of the floor by the Thing, landing a kick that made Doom waved back. Reed then grabbed the glider with his hand, holding it in place as Johnny hit Doom with a fireball.
"I've anticipated this, fighting you all," Doom said as he fired missiles from his glider.
They chased after Johnny, seeking out his heat; others froze Reed's skin or generated sound that disrupted Sue's concentration. Doom slid a blade out of his glider, aiming to crash into Reed.
"Ladies, I'm going to have to borrow your car," Ben said to some civilians.
"He'll see it coming," Peter said.
"No, he won't," Sue said.
Each of the four had overcome Doom's attacks, with the exception of Reed. But just as Doom was close to crashing into Reed, an invisible force slammed into the glider. Ben had thrown the car and Sue had made it invisible, but the car was just a delivering system. As the car and glider broke apart, Peter jumped off of the roof of the car and delivered a punch that knocked Doom's helmet off.
Cheers rocked the city at the victory of the new heroes.
But for Peter it was far from a victory. He returned to the Baxter building the next day with Mary Jane at his side.
"Sorry about your home Reed," Peter said.
"And I'm sorry about your friend Peter, I'll do what I can, but considering the situation the best thing I can do at the moment is build a prison that can contain him," Reed explained.
"So long as Doom gets a place in that cell too," Ben said.
"The chamber, I couldn't salvage it Ben and considering what Victor did with it…"
"You don't need to explain anything to me Reed, but let's get to the elephant in the room," Ben looked to Peter, who shifted nervously.
"Or rather the spider," Johnny grinned.
"A little difficult to explain absences and the fact that Osborn said Johnny was your new best friend," Susan said.
"Yeah, I am Spider-man, but I didn't kill Norman Osborn," Peter said.
"Of course you didn't Peter, we know you well enough now to know that, thank you for all your help, and I was hoping you'd consider a permanent lab position with us," Reed explained.
"Seriously?" Peter looked dumbfounded whilst Mary Jane rubbed his shoulder.
"He accepts," she said.
"What?"
"No offence babe but you're not going to get a better offer anytime soon," Mary Jane said.
"Point taken, I'd love to, I mean I still want to graduate college and my Spider-man…"
"Say no more, because I've got you covered," Johnny said.
He ran into the other room, Peter looked to Sue and Reed for an explanation but saw they were equally confused. When Johnny came back into the room, he was carrying a small box, which he gave to Peter. Intrigued by the gift, Peter opened the top and widened his eyes.
"You're kidding me right?" he asked, looking at Johnny's grinning expression.
Ben face palmed whilst Mary Jane and Sue laughed, Reed shaking his head as Peter pulled out a blue costumed with a black Spider-man mask on it. He unfolded the costume, looking embarrassed at the '5' imbedded within the spider symbol. Johnny put his arm over Peter's shoulder and put his finger up.
"Now I want you to picture something for me Peter, New York's famous hero, with the world's first superhero family, team ups, merchandizing, maybe even a film," Johnny said.
"Actually, you may be on to something Johnny," Reed said and the people in the room looked at him in shocked. "For better or worse, this is who we are, and whilst we have these powers, we have a responsibility to use them, no different from being a good scientist or a good pilot," he explained.
"I think the costume's kind of growing on me," Ben said.
"Sometimes certain things can't be done alone," Reed said, extending a hand to Peter.
"So long as it doesn't keep me from New York duties then yeah, I'm in!" Peter said as he shook Reed's hand.
At that moment, someone began to clap their hands in an overdramatic, almost sarcastic fashion. The five and their guest looked towards the entrance, where a man in a black trench coat stood, his single eye bright with an idea.
"The Fantastic Five," Nick Fury said, moving his hands as if he was presenting the name. "It has a good ring to it but let me talk to you about an altogether more radical idea!"
Worlds have expanded, the Multiverse has expanded. And with this expansion will come new heroes. But the sad reality is that there will also be new villains. Already the likes of the Doom Goblin and his victim Harry Osborn plot their revenge in the super max prison. Harry was incapable of weeping anymore, but still he snarled in fury as he imagined claiming revenge. At that moment a portal opened in his cell.
Wait, no, that isn't supposed to happen.
From the greatest ideas of imagination, can come the greatest terrors. Prepare for the Forsaken Worlds and the Forsaken heroes!
Next What If Ego Succeeded
Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, I think the Fantastic Four duology gets a lot of flak, but it got the Four central protagonists down to a tee. The only fault I'd say was in the characterisation of Doom, at least when it came to his ability set.
For me this world was less a 'Fantastic Five' and more of a Spider-man and the Fantastic Four chapter.
Goblin Doom: What do you get when you cross Doom with the Goblin tech, green and grey Hobgoblin with Doom's face. The Serum enhancing Doom's ego, and his ego is already pretty far out there.
Harry Osborn/Annihilus: I had the thought, what would have happened if an ordinary person went into Reed's cosmic chamber. Forgoing an Ultimate Green/Hob Goblin look I went for a classic Fantastic Four villain.
Next chapter is exactly what we get on the tin, as we go to the Cinematic Universe to explore a new galaxy of Avengers.