Yo! Yo! Yo! Yoooo! Hey there, everyone! After a long –albeit unplanned- hiatus, we're back for the last few chapters of our Fantastic Adventure starring Spider-Man and the "All-New, All-Different Fantastic Four". When we last saw them, Reed was finally brought back home, only to find that Wizard and his allies have broken loose and are battling out the rest of his family with the Grimm children following suit, but Peter decided that in order to take the win, Franklin's powers must be restored, and for that, they took a quick trio to LOOMWORLD! So let's see how things get solved in this on, shall we?
But before we do that, let's check the reviews!
Timeless Writer: I'm glad you liked it! Peter knew the details once he took the notes from Dr. Rachna Koul so of course he would be the one who found out the key. Now, I hope the execution of the plan is of your liking
cornholio4: There are times when Peter's intelligence truly shines and even surpasses Reed's, but as he said, Reed would've found out eventually regardless
Epiphany616: Believe me, the hype will grow once you reach the end of the chapter, and you can see how the stories connect here!
Sergio Kirelli: I'm very glad you enjoyed this moment of Peter, but yeah, one thing we know about Pete is that he tends to have a lot of money issues (one of the many things I can actually relate to personally). Fortunately, Kitty is helping him in that trust department.
Poser: The connection was necessary given that, as you said, he's one of the very few who remember everything about Doom's Battleworld.
Shadow: That's one of the things that people tend to underestimate about Peter but it's gratifying to see people being surprised when they discover how smart he is.
Specter11Dragon: No, Franklin won't have connections to spiders; you can figure it out as you read the chapter
Macross94: Ante todo, ¡Gracias por los elogios! Yo al menos disfruto del emparejamiento mientras dure (y veo que al menos será hasta el fin del run de Wells) y ya hemos charlado del asunto con MJ, a ver como acaba todo este drama
Wilcard Sparda: When you think about it, he kinda is on a roll, a very strange occurrence for him LOL!
young justice 17: Hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
Unknown Speaker: Peter's "Science Mode" For The Win!
And now, on to the story!
Enjoy the reading!
SPIDER-FOUR: THROUGH THE FOREVER GATE
Chapter 10: Power Play
It was nothing but chaos on the streets. Damaged cars, debris on both sides of the sidewalks, a good amount of destruction caused by the Frightful Four's fight against three of the Fantastic Four. Sue, Ben and Johnny are trying to hold on their own against the empowered villains, but the fight is starting to become one balanced on the side of the villains.
"For the first time in years, I'm finally enjoying a beatdown!" Hyde comments as he lands a punch against The Thing, sending him crashing against the side of a pick-up truck "How's that for a Clobbering Time, you #$%&+!?"
"This is for robbing me from my Kingdom, tramposa" Diablo uses his enhanced potions, boosted with his new energy to create a new ground that cracks the force fields around Sue.
"At least you guys have it easy; I have to contend with this guy who just won't turn off!" Yellowjacket complains as he dodges Johnny's barrage of flames by constantly shrinking and regrowing until he catches a breath and grows to giant-size in order to slap him down, crashing against a building "OW! DAMMIT! Stupid Torch!"
"I'll assume that you're having fun" Wizard comments as he floats above them, watching the fight unfold "Just be glad that I'm letting you have it since I could sweep the game board very easily" he then turns his sights to the place that once held the Fantastic Four as their home, the Baxter Building "Now, I know that they're no longer living in that building but it would be such a pleasure to tear that apart as a symbol of their end" he then begins to charge his energy, aiming to destroy the Baxter Building from the distance but suddenly he is wrapped from behind by a strange cover, prompting him to complain and wiggle as he floats down "What's this!? Who dares!?"
"You thought you could get rid of me?" Reed defiantly replies as he reforms his body into his natural shape, revealing himself as the one who wrapped him.
"Reed!" Sue calls for her husband as she tries to stand up while Ben tries to help Johnny, since he is the only one who can withstand his heat.
"It's good to see ya back Stretcho, we tried to hold the fort but instead we're getting our butts kicked with a can of whoopass" Ben comments as he regroups while the Frightful Four does the same, with Yellowjacket shrinking back to human size and Wizard lowering his energy.
"So you managed to escape from the place I imprisoned you… it seems that I underestimated your children after…" Wizard's words are then interrupted by a blast of fire that comes from the skies, revealed to be coming from N'Kalla, who has taken the shape of a dragon, while Jo-Venn jumps down wielding an energy staff.
"In the name of the Grimm Family and the Fantastic Four, you are condemned to fall!" Jo angrily exclaims as he stands in guard while Nikki lands to his side as she shapes back to her form.
"You two little brats need to learn a lesson about picking your own battles" Mister Hyde points at them, prompting Ben Grimm to step forward ready to charge at him in spite of the beating he has been taking.
"You're talkin' about my kids, ya big schmuck!" Ben angrily confronts him, ready to throw down again.
"You made a big mistake bringing them in" Diablo comments as he prepares another of his alchemic grenades.
"Can we get this over with already?" Yellowjacket poses the question, starting to feel annoyed.
"For once, we actually agree on something" Johnny replies as he begins to levitate.
"Enough talking, let's get to the fighting!" N'Kalla exclaims ready to fight.
"In the words of our father…" Jo-Venn then prepares to say his adoptive father's words.
"IT'S CLOBBERIN' TIME!" Both Grimm children exclaim as they run towards the Frightful Four.
"Kids! Wait!" Sue exclaims as she manages to create a force field just in time to stop an energy beam from the Wizard that was aimed at them.
"You should head back to the house, we'll take care of this" Johnny tells the children to step away while he fires a barrage of fireballs at the enemies.
"We want to help you!" N'Kalla replies as she tries to find a way through the force field.
"Yer as stubborn as me, I'll give ya that" Ben mutters and then looks at his children "Go help the civilians, we'll soften them up for ya when you come back" he tells them, to which they both nod begrudgingly.
"Yes sir" Jo-Venn mutters and then reluctantly steps away with his sister in tow, leaving the Fantastic Four to fight against the Frightful Four right in the middle of the city, yet Wizard remains calm and collected as he faces Reed.
"In a way, I'm glad you made it out, because now I have an audience to be witnesses of the fall of the Fantastic Four!" Wizard exclaims as he fires another energy beam that breaks Sue's force field, pushing down the family in one stroke, leaving them served for the empowered Frightful Four.
MEANWHILE, IN LOOMWORLD
Inside the vast temple where the Web of Life and Destiny is being kept, the portal opens wide, allowing Peter to walk through alongside Franklin, Valeria and Lockheed. As soon as they step out and the portal closes, the Richards children look around in awe, focusing their sights on the massive web located a few meters ahead.
"Alright kids, welcome to Loomworld, home of the Web of Life and Destiny and you might say it's also the main headquarters of the Multiversal Spider-Army" Peter makes the introduction as they walk around and looks through the temple. Valeria eyes the large wall with all of the devices that belong to the spiders, each of them marked with their respective Earths, while Lockheed flies around but then he stops, having the sudden feeling of another presence, a very familiar one "Lock? Something happened?" Peter asks him with curiosity and a bit of concern.
"Rooo?" Lockheed replies and flies near Peter.
"You felt something? Wait, does it have anything to do with Kitty?" Peter asks him more eagerly but then, the sound of footsteps is heard in the place.
"Peter? Is that you?" a female voice is heard approaching the place, revealed to be a young African-American girl with a bomber jacket and a cap with a turquoise-and-red spider-suit underneath and a small arachnid-like creature on her shoulder.
"Zero, hey, sorry for coming out of the blue" Peter greets her as he approaches her "Kids, I'd like you to meet Spider-Zero, she's the Master Weaver that keeps watch over the Web of Life and Destiny" he makes the proper introduction "Zero, she's Valeria Richards and this little fella flying around is Lockheed"
"Nice to meet you" Spider-Zero cordially greets Valeria and then looks at Peter "What brought you to Loomworld? As far as I'm concerned, the Web is not under a threat"
"Actually, we came because we want to help my brother" Valeria replies "Which by the way, where is he?" she asks as she looks around, finding him standing a few feet in front of the Web itself.
Franklin stands in front of it, taking a deep breath as he feels strange waves around him, like heartbeats pounding him as he tries to feel the energy flowing, closing his eyes and smiling through the warm feeling.
"I can feel it… the energy" Franklin comments in a calm tone "You were right Uncle Pete; I can feel hundreds, thousands of connections, like the Multiverse is linked through every line"
"Excuse me?" Spider-Zero walks towards him and steps in front of him "I don't think you should be this… close… to…" she started scolding him but once she looks at him she begins to feel smitten with him, slowly smiling "Hi…"
"Oh, I'm sorry" Franklin sheepishly apologizes "Probably I broke a rule but it's just… never thought I'd be in such a place" his tone changes to one of amazement as he looks at the Web and then at her "I'm Franklin, Franklin Richards" he extends his hand to shake hers, which she does, still smitten onto him.
"Hi… I'm Zero… I mean, Spider-Zero" Spider-Zero giggles a bit after introducing herself while Valeria rolls her eyes in disgust and Lockheed stifles a laugh.
"AHEM!" Peter clears his throat to interrupt the moment "Sorry for being rude but we're on a bit of a schedule" he then looks at Zero "The reason we're here is because we need the Web of Life and Destiny in order to recharge Franklin's connection through the Multiverse and restore his powers" he explains the situation to her, looking surprised at what he is proposing.
"Are you sure it can be done?" Zero asks him, to which he nods in response.
"Yes, by travelling directly into the core of the Web, The Tangle as you once called it" Peter replies to her.
"OK, that sounds plausible but you know that only spiders can flow through the web and reach the core" Zero replies, explaining a key detail about the Web.
"That's why I'm going with him, to guide him and ensure that we succeed" Peter replies, yet Zero remains concerned, turning to look at Franklin.
"I think I understand Peter's plan but we're talking about a huge amount of power coursing through your body" Zero explains the potential risk to Franklin "It's a huge gamble, are you sure you're up to it?" she asks him, to which he nods with a determined look on his face.
"I have to help my family, I want to help build the many dreams and ideas that I still have in mind and I want to prove I can shape a great future… I'm taking my chances" Franklin replies with conviction, prompting Zero to smile and then move her hand to activate a portal through the Web.
"Here's the way through the Tangle, once you reach it, hold on to the main strand so you can come back here" Zero explains the procedure "Good luck to both of you"
"You ready Frankie?" Peter asks him.
"Let's do this" Franklin replies and then they both jump through the portal, vanishing in a flash of light.
THROUGH THE WEB
Once they jump through the portal, they begin to flow through the strands of the web, catching glimpses of the many universes the Web of Life and Destiny is connected through, finding many different versions of Spider-Man on them, some of them recognized since they were part of the battle in Times Square from before.
Once the flow ends, they manage to reach the core of the web, resembling a massive puff of webbing with millions of strands connected from all over with electricity flowing from each strand and some of them glow brighter than others. Both Peter and Franklin float very nearby, with Franklin once again feeling the vibes of energy emanating from the core.
"I can feel it… the energy of the Multiverse flows strong from here" Franklin comments as he begins to relax "You were right Uncle Pete, here's where every world is connected, here's where I can feel the energy of each world flowing and reaching out"
"And now here comes the hardest part" Peter comments as he approaches Franklin "I'm gonna throw a web-line to the core and then connect it through you, that way we can establish the link and begin our recharge, you ready?" he asks him, to which he nods in response. Taking that as the signal, he fires the web-line to the center point of the core, forming another strand into the Web, then he quickly turns to fire another web-line, this one onto Franklin's chest and he quickly ties both lines to establish the connection "OK… now what?" right then, a spark flows from the core rushing through the new web-line, quickly reaching Franklin to give him a major boost of energy coursing through his body.
"AH!" Franklin exclaims after the sudden jolt of energy.
"You OK Frankie?" Peter asks him.
"Y-Yeah, yeah… It definitively felt like a big AGH!" Franklin replies but then he receives another jolt of energy from the core "It s-s-stings but… I c-c-can feel it… I can feel m-m-my energy… my p-p-power coming b-b-baACK!" he then receives another jolt of energy, causing Peter to float near him.
"It's OK Frankie, I got you!" Peter shows his concern, yet Franklin remains determined, now beginning to take more and more jolts as the now begin to flow in faster succession.
"UGHN! AGH!" Franklin begins to groan in visible pain, yet he holds tighter on the web-line just as the energy keep flowing with more intensity and at a higher speed.
"The energy is flowing faster…" Peter mutters at the sight of how the Tangle begins to focus the energy towards Franklin "It's like it's taking all of the energy directly at you…" he then turns to look at Franklin again "Frankie? Can you…?"
"YES!" Franklin exclaims as he begins to take more and more energy, suddenly beginning to glow "I CAN TAKE IT!" he feels how the power surges through him, glowing with more and more intensity as he takes more of the energy.
"Frankie!?" Peter shows greater concern but Franklin remains determined through the process.
"I WILL MAKE IT!" Franklin exclaims "I! WILL! MAKE IIIIIIIT!" right then, he bursts into a bright flash of light that engulfs everything around him, turning the place white.
MEANWHILE
As the process went by, Valeria and Spider-Zero await from the other side in front of the Web of Life and Destiny with Lockheed floating around to keep an eye on them.
"I really hope they make it" Valeria comments as she looks at the Web.
"They will" Spider-Zero replies "Peter always led us through and I'm sure he will succeed" she then looks at Valeria "So… does Franklin have a girlfriend?" she asks him, but once again Valeria rolls her eyes and sighs.
"Why would I care about my brother's love life?" Valeria poses the question with a deadpan tone.
"Hello?" A female voice is heard echoing through the place, putting the girls on alert.
"Is anybody there?" Another female voice is heard, this one with a distinct Russian accent is heard, one that Lockheed actually recognizes, prompting the dragon-like creature to fly towards the source of the voice, confirming his suspicion "Lockheed? What are you doing here?" she poses the question just as Valeria and Spider-Zero arrive after him.
"Excuse me but unless you were invited by a Spider-Totem, you cannot be here" Spider-Zero comments with a stern voice.
"Hang on, I think I recognize one of them" Valeria interjects as she recognizes the blonde woman with a leather outfit "You're one of Kitty's friends, right?"
"We both are" the other girl, one wearing a black and gold X-Men uniform, replies "I'm Sofia, also known as Wind Dancer, she's Illyana, or Magik"
"Katya brought us here because she wanted to make a quick stop before we march into battle against Mojo, it's a long story" Magik explains and then looks at the girls "I recognize the outfits, sorta, but still… who are you?"
"I'm Spider-Zero, Master Weaver and Watcher of the Web of Life and Destiny" Spider-Zero replies "And yes, I remember Kitty's situation, I was the one who sent her the Dimensional Watch" she points out that detail to them.
"And I'm Valeria Richards" Valeria introduces herself, prompting Sofia and Magik to remember the name.
"Wait, you're Franklin Richards' sister, right?" Sofia poses the question "I mean, I heard about your brother being a very valuable member for Krakoa, Professor X kept talking about him eagerly"
"But then we heard that he wasn't a mutant after all since he lost his powers" Magik adds to her friend's comments "No offense, it's just what I heard about him"
"Well, just so you know, as we speak my brother is regaining his powers thanks to Spider-Man's help" Valeria smugly replies but Magik looks at her with skepticism.
"Spider-Man? Really?" Magik poses the question but right then Lockheed interjects.
"Aroooo! Ruff Gruff Glerp Roo" Lockheed speaks to her in his language but Magik raises an eyebrow.
"OK, you're telling me he's smart and you're here to help him out?" Magik replies to him, much to the surprise of the other girls.
"You can talk to him?" Valeria, Sofia and Spider-Zero ask her at the same time but Magik simply shrugs her shoulders.
"Of course I do! You don't spend years living with Kitty Pyrde without learning how to talk with this guy" Magik replies and then looks back at Lockheed "You're really helping him? I mean, how come you're not annoyed by him?" she asks him.
"Glerp Rolp Ruff Racgk" Lockheed replies, prompting Magik to raise an eyebrow.
"Suuuuure… next, you're gonna tell me that you actually approve of her relationship with the Parker guy" Magik sarcastically quips but Lockheed looks at her with a face that says 'Actually…', to which Magik gasps in response with her eyes wide open due to the surprising reaction, quickly squinting them to glare at him "You traitor…" she mutters gritting her teeth.
"Ummm, I think we should leave" Sofia grabs Magik's arm out of embarrassment and looks at Valeria and Spider-Zero "We're sorry if we were a bother, we're just walking around but don't worry, we have to go back to Kitty and her crew anyways, thanks for everything" she pulls Magik away as they begin to walk and leave the place.
"Unbelievable, I mean, he never approved any of Katya's boyfriends after my brother and now he approves that guy!?" Magik complains as she walks away with Sofia "Not to mention that Spider-Man of all people is fixing a problem that not even Hank McCoy could, and to think I once beat him"
"You did?" Sofia asks her with a mix of doubt and curiosity.
"Da, it was when the Avengers and the X-Men went to war because of Hope and the whole Phoenix thing" Magik replies, recalling the time when she was part of the 'Phoenix Five' "Me and my brother gave him such a beating that he barely left alive, the only reason he won was because he took advantage of us being corrupted by the Phoenix Force"
"And does Kitty know about that?" Sofia asks her, prompting Magik to look at her with a mix of fear and annoyance as she covers her mouth with one hand.
"Nyet, and don't you dare to mention it… she would be pissed at me for weeks, understood?" she asks her and Sofia quickly nods in response "Good" then Magik takes off her hand and walks away, leaving the temple behind as Valeria and Spider-Zero look at them leave and return to the Web.
"What a pair of weird girls" Spider-Zero comments, to which Valeria nods in agreement.
"You know? The people of Krakoa were insisting on having Franklin just because of his powers" Valeria replies to her comments "I'd like to see their faces when Franklin gets his powers…" her words are interrupted when they see a huge burst of light coming out of the Web, prompting Spider-Zero to run toward it.
"Oh my God! It's coming from the Tangle!" Spider-Zero exclaims as she looks at the Web.
"You think they made it?" Valeria asks her but then two silhouettes appear just as the light intensifies and ends up engulfing all over the place.
BACK IN NEW YORK CITY
The fight between the Fantastic Four and the Frightful Four is becoming a one-sided affair in favor of the villains, with the Wizard having given them the advantage due to the cosmic powers he took. In spite of their best efforts, the Fantastic Family was not able to even make a dent on them. Even Johnny with his increased heat was no match for them, with Diablo being able to counter with alchemic barriers that kept him at bay while Grimm was brought down by Hyde and Yellowjacket took care of the Invisible Woman by shrinking out of the force field and grow large enough to knock her down. Only Reed was the one barely standing while the Wizard connects one punch that pushes him through the streets.
"Look around you Reed Richards, your family has been beaten and you are no match for my intellect" Wizard taunts him menacingly "I beat you Richards! And now the whole world will tremble upon my genius!" he raises his hands, releasing beams of energy to the sky as signals of his imminent victory "And there's no one else who could save you…"
"You think so?" Jo-Venn's voice is heard just as he jumps to strike at the Wizard with his energy staff, allowing N'Kalla to sweep in and slash his right side with her claws in her giant tiger shape, but the Wizard quickly reincorporates and uses his power to hold both kids down.
"AGH!" N'Kalla groans as the Wizard grabs her and looks at Reed.
"These kids, I saw them through little Bentley's eyes… the Grimm children" Wizard speaks menacingly and then looks at The Thing as he is being lifted by Hyde "Maybe before I end the Fantastic Four, I get rid of these two pests once and for…" then he is interrupted by the distinctive sound of the 'THWIP' and a web ball covers his face, distracting the remaining members to look at the sky and find Spider-Man arriving alongside Valeria aboard the Fantasticar.
"Valeria!" Reed exclaims while Spidey swings to kick down the Wizard, releasing his hold on the Grimm children.
"Sorry we were late, traffic was Hell" Spidey quips at the Wizard as he stands in guard while the villain removes the webbing from his face.
"YOU!" Wizard points at him and then looks at Valeria "You two think you have a chance to defeat us?"
"Actually, we were just paving the way for our Secret Weapon to arrive" Valeria quips at the Wizard but before he could answer, a beam of a blue-hued light energy strikes at Mister Hyde, pushing him through a building and releasing The Thing, then another beam strikes at Diablo, hitting him against a crystal pane and another beam burns down the chemicals around Johnny that kept him at bay. Another beam hits Yellowjacket in his face, making him tumble and fall down to the ground as he shrinks back to his regular size, all of this leaving the Fantastic Four in awe and the Wizard in bigger angry.
"WHO DARES!? WHO'S THE ONE WHO…" The Wizard's rant is cut off by an energy beam coming from above that quickly drops him down leaving him on a small crater and right then a beam of light descends, slowly taking a human shape that immediately brings looks of amazement and shock as the Fantastic Four discover that is indeed, a fully repowered Franklin Richards, carrying a wide smile and a look of determination on his face as he is ready to fight with such an eagerness that he can only say one thing.
"I'M BACK, BABY!"
Oh Yeah! Franklin Richards, the POWERHOUSE is back! Fully repowered, fully recharged and ready to unleash a good amount of whoopass all over the Frightful Four! But of course, don't think that the F4 and Spidey will just stand there and watch Frankie take over; they will get a slice of the action in the final beatdown between them!
Also, as you might have noticed, the stories are finally connected! Well, sorta… from Lockheed's mild feeling of Kitty's presence to Magik and Wind Dancer's guest appearance, there's the connection for both stories (and it'll be a bit further explored in the Kitty-Verse story as well).
Now, once again my life has been taking a lot off me –and I've been recently ill, but I'm recovering and delivering- but now that I'm clearing a little bit, I hope that I can finally avoid long delays. It's not a guarantee but fingers crossed. Regardless, I really want to thank you for your continuing support through my work and I hope you keep enjoying what I do and the stories yet to come.
Before I go, here's my update on how I've been following the Spidey comics: Yes, I've seen that fans are very, very, VEEEEEEEEERY pissed off at the recent developments around the main Amazing Spider-Man series (Fans are hating a lot on Wells and anyone –including me- who gives an opinion that is not ranting about "How they're ruining Spider-Man" and that "Peter and MJ should be back together", seriously these fans are giving a bad name to the Spider-Fandom and are as toxic (if not more) than the Snyderites) and if the growing rumors are true… then the Internet will burn in levels not seen since "One More Day".
But until that day comes, rest assured that the fandom will remain strong on this side. So with that said, I'll see you for the next one, the big fight!
NEXT CHAPTER: 4-ON-1 ODDS BUT WHO WOULD BET AGAINST THE ONE?