Fantastic Four (Movieverse) – Hunted

Summary:

Sequel to 'Retribution' - Following his failed attempt to destroy the Fantastic Four, Doom makes good on his threat "You will pay... you will suffer every bit as much as I have. Enjoy the time you've got, there's not much left of it..." Johnnycentric as always :D siblingness

Disclaimer:

Do I look like I own the Fantastic Four? Am I Stan Lee in disguise? No.

Author's Notes:

Sorry for the late update, I would say that I had writer's block (my favourite excuse) but truthfully my mother banned me from my laptop because I refused to tidy my room. I know, pathetic.

Thanks to ebuchala, Penny3, Revriley, kit572, she-bang-fan and TigerLily1221 for reviewing!

Enjoy!


Chapter Six: The Game

"I can handle myself you know," Kayla rolled her eyes as she trailed behind the two remaining members of the Fantastic Four. The temperature in the corridor dropped a few degrees to prove her point.

"I'm just saying that this isn't what we pay you to do and that if the worst should happen..." Reed attempted to explain before the icy-powered doctor interrupted.

"Nothing's gonna go wrong," Kayla stated sternly to end the argument. They finally reached the fantasticar hangar. The sleek craft waited patiently for the team, its silver body glinting in the setting sun. The two men wore their skin-tight blue outfits whereas the uniform-less Kayla just stuck to her usual black ensemble, with a med kit slung over her shoulder.

"You do realise this isn't going to become a regular thing don't you?" grumbled Ben, slightly more cranky than usual. He clambered gracefully into his oversized seat at the back of the craft as the doctor climbed into the middle segment.

"If I wanted to be a superhero I'd set up my own team," Kayla sarcastically replied. She paused for a moment. "I'm sensing a spin-off!"

Ben just growled in reply, a low rumbling in the back of his throat. He began flicking switches, bringing the fantasticar to life, just as Reed stretched up into the pilot's seat. The scientist swivelled his head without moving his body to look at his newly assembled team "We'll be in Latveria in under an hour.

"Let's just hope we're not too late."


Elysium Castle, Latveria

Susan Richards woke up with one helluva headache.

She sensed that she was lying on her back on a very cold, very hard surface. Her muscles felt heavy and tired from the after-effects of the drug. She carefully opened her eyes, her vision full of fuzzy lines and brightly coloured spots. A few seconds past and finally her vision cleared.

Cold shivers ran down her spine as she realised where she was. She had only ever been there once before; but she'd never forget it. Elysium Castle; Doom's castle. Years back when she had worked for, and dated, Victor; he had bought her there for a vacation. She hadn't liked the creepy castle then and she definitely didn't like it now.

She dragged herself into a sitting position, ignoring the wave of nausea that threatened at the sudden movement. Everything swayed for an instant. She looked around the room again trying to decipher what part of the castle she was in. From the view out of the window (of a lot of trees) she guessed that she was at the back. She heard the sound of horses neighing somewhere nearby, determining that she was near the stables.

But why the heck am I here? She wondered. She was instantly on alert as she pulled herself to her feet. She vaguely remembered being back at the Baxter Building, as well as the hate and the anger that had fuelled her. They returned full force as she recalled the events that had led to this moment.

It went back to before that day. Doom had taken Johnny to get back at her for what she had done to him. She vividly remembered the murderous satisfaction of letting Doom fall to the distant concrete, and shuddered. She didn't like that part of her. That small dark spot in her heart that revelled in the revenge. And it was revenge; she wouldn't have even considered doing that if Doom hadn't stabbed and shocked her brother to within an inch of his life.

It was a vicious cycle that the ex-lovers were trapped in; and Johnny kept getting caught in the middle.

The large oak door opened with a weary creak. A strong breeze and the smell of rain filled the small stone room. The storm still thundered on over Latveria, the sky as black as the soul of the silhouette that filled the doorway. Sue stood her ground as the cloaked and masked man stepped further into the space.

The two stared at each other, the loathing heavy in the air. Doom broke the silence, his menacing metal voice echoing around the stone walls "The trip was pleasant I hope?"

"What do you want Doom?" Sue practically spat, cutting through the pointless small talk.

Although his face was masked, the grin was evident in his tone "I always thought you were the more patient...my, you have changed."

Susan continued to glare at her adversary. She didn't want to admit it, but she had changed since their fight. But that didn't mean she'd give Doom the satisfaction of being right.

"I have a little test; a game if you will," Doom playfully explained, stepping closer to Sue. "It's a very fun game...for me. It's also very simple; you're brother is waiting for you in those woods. All you have to do is find him...and kill him."

"No." Susan refused. She just managed to hold back a laugh. What made Doom think she would kill her own brother? He's more insane than she thought.

"It will be very easy, I've done half the work for you," Doom retorted, oblivious to the true reason Susan wouldn't play his game.

"I'm not going to kill my brother." Sue stated sternly.

"I haven't finished explaining the game Susan," Doom scolded. "There are rules; and a prize."

Susan huffed impatiently. "There's no need for rules. I'm not playing your sick little game."

"Here's the ultimatum. You kill Johnny; or I'll kill both of you." Doom explained shortly. He then teasingly continued "And you'll never get the prize."

"Nothing you could ever give me would ever make me hurt Johnny."

Doom nodded as if expecting that answer. "Do you feel a little different Susan? A little weaker perhaps?" the metal man smirked. Susan blinked at him, not following the random questions. "That's because I have given you a power suppressor. Your invisibility? Your force fields? Gone. You are as human as you were before your trip into space. My prize, should you win the game, is that I will take the same drug, making myself human too, and I'll allow you to fight me on a level playing field.

"Think about it. You may win the game; and get the revenge you so desperately desire." Doom suggestively whispered, letting the possibility sink in. He pulled a vicious looking blade from his cloak and offered it to the young woman.

Susan hated the fact that she was tempted. The bloodlust she had struggled to tame for the past year longed for release. To see Doom suffer would be worth it...no! What are you talking about? Kill your own brother for petty revenge? The opportunity to destroy Doom while he wasn't pretty much invincible was a chance she couldn't miss stop! Stop thinking like that! What's wrong with me? Johnny would understand...it's me or him...how could I even think that? No! No! No!

She couldn't stop the evil smirk that split her face. She gripped the handle of the hunting knife and studied the blade. In a voice that didn't quite belong to her she muttered

"I'll play."


Elysium Woods

It had been a long time since Johnny had last felt like this. Everything hurt. He could no longer distinguish between the different wounds. He hazily remembered a dog biting his arm, and he knew his legs burned from exertion, but he could no longer focus on anything. Something had hit his head...he could feel the slow trickle of blood on his cheek...but what was it?

He was in the woods. He could hear the strong breeze rustle the branches of the trees. It was raining too. He knew that because he was wet. The loud thunder sounded very distant to him and the bright lightening seemed dull. He was in a state of semi-consciousness. Not quite out of it, but definitely not alert. He couldn't tell if he was waking up or falling asleep, he just hung in a state of in-between-ness.

There was movement to his left. It took far too much effort to attempt a look, so he decided to ignore it. But then he recognised the voice. Sue?

"Johnny? Oh God! What did he do to you?"

Johnny blearily blinked open his eyes, a familiar face filling his vision. It was Sue, her blonde hair tied-back, her eyes red from tears and her face creased with worry. But there was something else. Even in his state of detachment he could sense something different about his sister. Something that put him on edge.

He tried to say something, to move or gesture in some way, but he found himself unable. There was a glint in her eyes. He saw her sigh resignedly. Her voice was full of real regret and sadness.

"I'm so, so sorry Johnny," she murmured, her hand disappearing from view. "I wish there was another way. H-He said that I have to Johnny. He said that if I d-didn't he'd kill me too." Johnny understood what Sue was saying, knew what she intended to do. He tried to fight back, but he simply couldn't. "But there's more. Now I'll have the chance to finish this. I can end this Johnny, I can kill Doom too. It's going to be okay."

Johnny fought harder against the tiredness and the pain. He managed to barely croak "S-Sue, pl-please, d-don't do this..."

"I'm sorry Johnny. But I have to. Please understand..." Sue disjointedly apologised. "Everything is going to be okay." She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and looked him straight in the eye.

Something changed.


Please don't hurt me!

I will update ASAP to redeem myself for this terrible character twist!