Okay, so this took a really long time to write, but I hope you can appreciate that this is the longest chapter of anything I've EVER written!!! I was tempted to wait a week and post it as two chapters, but I'm not that patient, or mean. So after much waiting, and some amazing reviewers, all of whom I have thanked at the end of this chapter, here is the angst-filled continuation of:
Cosmic Storm
By Robinyj
Saturday, September 29, 2007 - 16 hours before the Gorgun reaches the sun
Sue paced the living room. She paced and paced for hours, but never went further than four feet in any given direction, because only within the four feet she was pacing could she clearly see out the massive picture window and into the sky. As she paced she hardly ever tore her eyes away from that window as she was continually scanning the sky for a fiery blur that after two and a half days, still hadn't appeared.
"Johnny, where are you?" She whispered aloud, stopping her pacing to just stare for awhile into the blue horizon.
She didn't know why he had left, but she could guess, and she wasn't exactly worried for his safety, because she at least knew where he had been to some extent. For the first day and a half there had been reports coming in pretty steadily about sightings of the Human Torch all around the world. The French news made it one of their top stories and showed footage of Johnny circling the Eiffel Tower, another station had covered how Johnny had flown along the entire length of the great wall of China, and the final report she had seen had shown him hovering over the great Pyramids in Egypt. He wasn't causing any kind of destruction or chaos, he seemed to just be flying around, and taking in all the world had to offer. Sue couldn't really blame him, Johnny had the unique ability to be able to fly faster than a fighter plane when he chose to and if she had the chance to see the entire world before it was destroyed, she supposed she might do the exact same thing.
A day ago the flow of Johnny sightings had stopped as the news began covering one thing, and one thing only, the impending destruction of the sun and Earth's way of life. The government had decided that with a day and half left until possible annihilation, it was time to tell the world of its fate to give people time to make the proper arrangements. At this point, Sue wasn't really worried about her brother, but she wanted to know where he was and for him to be home. There wasn't much time left and they should all be together for the last few hours before fallout.
After the news had been released some cities became chaotic, scrambling for supplies or shelter, or looting had broken out since destruction seemed imminent. Other places in the world were very calm, very still - simply waiting. Several countries were holding massive prayer ceremonies and every airport in the world was jammed with people trying to return home to see their loved ones for their final hours. But worst of all, every eye and ear in the country was firmly fixed on the Baxter building, knowing that if anyone could save them, it would be the Fantastic Four, and the strange silver being that had been spotted visiting them for days now.
Sue had denied all requests to talk to the press, she couldn't bear to lie to them and tell them they had answers. She was in constant contact with government officials about any progress that Reed made, but there was really nothing to report, and she left that up to the politicians to relate to the public somehow.
Sitting down on the couch, she couldn't believe this might be the end. Sixteen hours - it might as well have been thirty seconds - it just wasn't enough time. At this point, even if Reed cracked the code of the Gorgun, came up with some miracle way of destroying it or rerouting it, the only kind of delivery system they would have for such a weapon or tool would be the Surfer. He was the only one that could make it into deep space in a matter of minutes, but even if that miracle happened, first it would have to be built, there would be no time for testing, and who knew how much the Surfer could actually help them? He wasn't able to use his powers to destroy the Gorgun, would it be crossing the line to help them to beat it? She just didn't know. She saw the room brighten for an instant and did know one thing - Johnny Storm had returned home.
Incredible.
That had been the first word he had thought of to describe it, but it had been many things. It had been exhilarating, breath-taking, awesome, stupendous, mind-blowing, amazing, and he would even go so far as to say, Fantastic!
It had also been exhausting.
Johnny had never flown for nearly so long in his entire life. Two and a half days straight, he had flown everywhere, the States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and taken in as much as he could. The adrenaline of each new sight had spurred him to keep going, along with the knowledge that it might be the last chance he ever had to see them. But now he was home, the Baxter building was looming ahead and with familiar sights came the dropping of his energy levels. His eyelids drooped as his flames finally sputtered and he made the worst landing he could remember since he had learned how to fully control his powers. He didn't even have the strength to voice the pain he felt as he rolled across the roof, flames extinguishing as he came to a stop on his back and decided that laying there for awhile and getting some sleep was a really good plan.
"Johnny! Johnny!" Sue had made her way to the roof and was rushing to his side.
Stupid older sisters, never let you sleep when you want to, Johnny complained in his head.
"Johnny, can you hear me?" Sue asked, holding his head in her hands and taking in his unfocussed eyes with the massive rings underneath.
"Hey Sue," he croaked out, his throat incredibly dry.
"You scared me to death! What the hell were you thinking taking off like that?" She demanded.
Johnny smiled, more to himself than his sister, "I saw everything … I was everywhere … China, Egypt, Paris - had a croissant, they're good - saw Peru even, I just stumbled onto it … saw it all."
Sue's anger and worry died away almost instantly, replaced with understanding and love. She placed a hand on her little brother's cheek, "Oh Johnny … I'm glad."
Johnny nodded, still half in a daze, "Me too. There's some really nice stuff out there."
At this, Sue laughed, "I'm sure there is. Come on, let's get you into bed."
Johnny felt his body lift up with greater ease and strength than Sue could possibly have and knew she was hefting him up with a forcefield.
"Those are so nifty," he slurred from exhaustion.
"Yeah, I like 'em," Sue agreed as she hauled him downstairs. She wanted to be mad at him for taking off like that for so long, but with so little time left, she was just happy her little brother had come home.
Johnny was asleep in Sue's forcefield before he ever reached his bed, with dreams of the Earth's wonders swirling through his head. Once Sue tucked him in she made her way down to the lab and sighed at the sight of her husband.
Reed was a mess. He hadn't shaved, he hadn't slept, had barely eaten and she was pretty sure was now injecting himself with pure caffeine. The worst part was, as much as she wanted to, she couldn't make him rest, there just wasn't time and he wouldn't listen. He was the epitome of stress and exhaustion, but his mind was Earth's only hope. The world was on his shoulders and it was crushing him.
"Hey," she said softly. He spun around quickly, knowing he couldn't tear his eyes away from the screen for long. "Johnny just came back, I thought you'd want to know."
"Johnny?" Reed asked, as if the name held no meaning. "Right, Johnny … left. Great … that's great."
Sue came into the lab and stood next to her husband, "Reed, breathe. Remember, we went over this with the Surfer the first time. When you stress and push it doesn't make it easier, just relax and let the answer come."
"What answer Sue? There is no answer! There's no magic machine or nifty gadget or team work strategy to take care of this one. There's nothing! I can't find it. There's just … nothing. I failed." Reed's tirade died almost as soon as it began and when he deflated with defeat Sue was right there to wrap her arms around him.
"You're a hero Reed, you're my hero. If there's an answer you'll find it, but if there's no answer then you can't just make one appear," the last thing she wanted to do was discourage him, but there was so little time left, she knew deep in her soul, that he wasn't going to find anything. "Sometimes there is no answer, it's like Pi, you can go on forever but you won't find the end."
Now speaking in mathematical terms, that was something Reed could follow. He nodded and somehow didn't feel discouraged, but a little lighter - the world couldn't blame him if he couldn't find an answer that didn't exist in the first place.
"Thanks Sue. I … I've gotta keep trying though."
She kissed his forehead, "I know. Good luck."
Johnny slept for almost ten hours. His body was still exhausted, but Sue had set his alarm clock so he wouldn't sleep until the end, and he felt rejuvenated enough to get up and get some kind of update.
While he slept the Gorgun had arrived. Anyone in the world with a telescope that was worth anything could spot it passing Saturn, slowly making its way across the solar system, drawn by the star that gave them life. What looked like a giant mass was really trillions upon trillions of smaller particles, travelling together through the path cut into the universe by Galactus, straight into the Sun that would feed the organisms and re-energize them for the next part of their journey.
Most people were surprised that it sparkled. As the life forms that made up the Gorgun burnt away the energy supplies they had stored, tiny flashes were caused by the combustion, creating a trillion tiny lights inside the mass.
It was beautiful.
It was death.
But Johnny Storm couldn't see it. The Gorgun would reach the sun in six hours, but New York and the Baxter Building were still in daylight making telescopes useless, though he could easily have viewed it on one of Reed's monitors if he wanted. Instead, he made his way back up to the roof. He had no intention of leaving this time, but there was one more thing he needed to see.
The Sun.
It was massive. Looking up at it, it was easy to forget how big it really was. Johnny could create flames, burn as hot as the sun, and that had somehow made his eyes immune to its brightness. He could stare into the center without flinching, which he did now, and tried to will their life-giver not to die.
The air was very still that day making it easy for Johnny to hear the light whirring sound of the Silver Surfer's board as he approached. He kept looking up and was slightly surprised when he heard footsteps coming up beside him, as Norrin hardly ever stepped off his board, especially after what happened with Doom.
Johnny didn't turn around, but he could feel that stare again, glimpsing into his soul …judging him, weighing him.
"Stop it," his tone was final as he turned to find the Surfer staring at him intently. Johnny returned the eye contact with an intensity of his own, "Stop looking at me, or through me, or in me, or whatever the hell it is you're doing. There's nothing to see okay, so just stop it!"
Norrin didn't turn away but Johnny could feel that he was no longer being examined inside.
"On the contrary Johnny Storm, there is much to see within you."
There it was again, that tone, that look of finality … importance. Johnny held the Surfer's gaze for a long moment and tried to keep from shaking as he finally said aloud what he had somehow known ever since Norrin had looked into his soul three days earlier. A truth he couldn't hide from, no matter how many times he flew around the world.
"I can stop this."
It wasn't a question, but the Surfer nodded. "How? Tell me, how? I've been through it a million times, there's nothing I can do! I can burn as hot as the sun, for what, thirty seconds, and that's if there was oxygen in space and if I could even get out there. I just … I can't! It doesn't work like that! There's nothing I can do!"
"I can give you the power you need to do this, but it is up to you to find the strength. I believe you have that strength, I have seen it in you," the Surfer said.
"You can do that? Make me stronger?" Another nod. "And you've known this the whole time! Jesus, why now? Why wait until the last minute like this? The world's in a panic, Reed's been killing himself for days and this thing's been edging closer. If you knew I could do this all along, why didn't you say something?"
The Surfer was unfazed as he replied softly, "I hoped Reed Richards would be able to find another way."
Johnny's brow wrinkled as his breath hitched and he asked with dread, "Why? What's so bad about this way?"
"You are important to this world Johnny Storm and many of its people. Important to … Susan. I did not wish for either to suffer."
Johnny rolled his eyes, "Man, how many guys is that now that have fallen for my sis?"
"If you do this, you must know, it will require great sacrifice," Norrin warned him.
"My sacrifice, yeah, I figured," Johnny said solemnly. "But it would save the planet, my family?"
"Yes."
"Then there's nothing to think about," Johnny said firmly. "This sucker's gotta go down."
"Then you are ready?"
"No," Johnny backpedaled, he couldn't just do this without telling them, but he also couldn't tell them, they'd try to stop him and he knew it. "I will be ready, just … just I have to go talk to my family, one more time."
The Surfer nodded, "Very well, but there is not much time."
"Don't I know it. I won't be long."
With a heavy heart Johnny went back downstairs. It was time to say good-bye.
"Wow, you look like shit."
It was a weird way to start saying his good-byes, but it got Reed's attention. Reed, who hadn't showered, slept, shaved or left his lab in three and a half days, and also didn't smile at Johnny's meager attempts at humor.
"Johnny, I don't have the time," was all Reed would say after seeing the mischievous grin on the Human Torch's face.
Johnny stared up at the huge monitor next to him that was counting down, "Yeah, it looks like the world's only got 5 hours, 52 minutes, 27 seconds left. 26, 25, 24, 23, 22 …."
"Johnny!" Reed snapped as he was understandably short tempered at the moment. "I'm more than aware of the time that's left."
"Could have fooled me. 5 hours, 52 minutes 17 seconds, 16, 15, 14 …."
"Johnny," Reed warned for a second time.
Johnny put away the smirk as he sat down in a lab chair and rolled it up next to Reed, "It just seems to me that if you REALLY knew how much time was left, you'd want to spend it with your family. With Sue."
At this, Reed stopped working, for just a split second, "There's an answer Johnny, I can save her. I can save us all … I just have to find it."
"What if you can't? There's five hours, fifty-one minutes and thirty three seconds Reed. It's been three and a half days and you're no closer than when you started. If you don't end up finding that answer you're looking for, you'll lose her anyway, just without the luxury of saying good-bye."
Silence as Reed absorbed Johnny's surprisingly wise advice.
"You're a good guy Reed. You were a little naïve sometimes when it came to Sue, hell, you still are, but I know you never meant to hurt her, ever, you're just … easily distracted. I hope you can appreciate how comforting it is to know that someone I trust is looking after the only family I have. I'm tempted to make you promise, but I know you'll always protect Sue, so there's no need. You'll do it whether I make you promise to me you will or not. So, thank you for that. Just take care of yourself too, and don't forget what Norrin told you, he's a smart guy. You cherish her, or I'll come back and kick your pliable ass into the next universe."
With this last promise Johnny started to make his way towards the door. Reed watched him go and sat stunned.
"Johnny?" he asked, wanting more explanation for the sudden heart to heart and serious exchange of words.
"I gotta go Reed, lots to do in my last hours."
"Bye Johnny," Reed mumbled, shook his head, and returned to his computer screen.
Ben was sitting in the living room. He wasn't watching TV, or reading, or doing anything, he was just sitting on the couch, staring straight ahead, motionless, as if he really was an inanimate man made of rock.
Unlike the approach he took with Reed, for once Johnny restrained himself from joking with The Thing, and instead sat solemnly next to him on the couch. Ben knew he was there, but did nothing to acknowledge his presence.
"Where's Alicia?"
"Taking a nap. I'm gonna wake her pretty soon, but, she's tired."
"It's all pretty exhausting."
"Yeah."
Still Ben hadn't turned to look at him; hadn't moved anything other than his jaw to speak.
"Ben, I'm sorry."
"Shut up kid."
It wasn't a response of anger, as Ben had delivered it with a little chuckle. No, it was a dismissal because to Ben, Johnny had absolutely nothing to be sorry for.
"I'll probably wish I had, but I'm gonna say this anyway. I am sorry if my … jokes have ever really hurt you. It's just, the only reason I come down on you so much, especially in public, is I want you to feel normal Ben, and it's the only way I really know how."
"You think reminding me all the time that I look like this, makes me feel normal?" Ben questioned incredulously.
Johnny looked away for a second before replying thoughtfully, "There was this guy I knew in high school, well, I didn't really know him, he went to my high school though. Anyway, he was in a wheelchair, and you know what, he never had any fun, and it wasn't because of the wheelchair, it was because of people. People wouldn't talk to him, hell, I hardly talked to him, because they were scared of saying the wrong thing and accidentally reminding him that he couldn't walk and causing some terribly awkward situation. And nobody would joke around with him for that same reason - everyone just felt awkward and pretended he wasn't in a wheelchair, when, duh, it's right there. I'm getting to a point - one day Sue couldn't get off work to pick me up from football and I ended up talking to this guy for like an hour in the courtyard somehow. Not surprising, he told me how he hated how no one ever mentioned his wheels. He knew of course, and had accepted, that he was in a wheelchair, and he wasn't going to get offended or hurt if someone said something about it, because it's not something a guy can forget, ever. But he can accept it. He wanted to be treated like one of the guys, and guys wail on each other. Regular guys make fun of each other over how they look, the women they get, the jobs they do, that's how guys work. And this guy just wanted to joke around and have other people accept him and be comfortable around him, so he could better accept himself."
"I make fun of you a lot Ben, but I accept you, so I treat you like a regular guy. I just know that if I didn't say anything, if I didn't make those jokes, nobody would. And you'd never get angry at me, or laugh when you get me back, and then maybe you wouldn't feel like you were really a part of anything either. Maybe if I didn't always put it out there like that, you'd just be stuck forever in rooms full of people all avoiding you and the fact that you're a two ton man made of rock, and you'd never get to laugh about anything. And maybe I'm wrong, but I know I wouldn't want to live like that. But if you did then I'm sorry."
A long silence dragged out as Ben took this all in and finally turned to Johnny with an expression that was a mixture of surprise, respect and appreciation. But mostly surprise.
"Jesus kid, you sure know how to get serious every time the end of the world comes rolling around," Ben said with light humor, though he clearly had appreciated the sentiment and taken it to heart.
Johnny didn't laugh though, "I know, it's just, this time I think it really could be the last time, and I wanted you to know."
"Thanks Johnny, that means a lot. And if this isn't the end, consider yourself free to call me Pebbles anytime, any place."
"Thanks Ben, I'll take you up on that … if you stop calling me Tinkerbell. I mean, we gotta draw the line somewhere between joking and downright mean," Johnny told him with a smirk.
"Yeah, that will take the end of the world. Unless of course you prefer Twinkle Toes."
"Nah never mind, Tink's starting to grow on me. I gotta go find Sue big guy, when you wake her up, hold Alicia extra tight for me, all right?"
Thanks to their conversation a few months earlier in a Yancy St. bar, Ben wasn't offended by Johnny's statement concerning Alicia, and knew the Human Torch was just happy that Ben had somebody to hold in his final hours.
"I will, kid," Ben promised, and then asked with genuine concern, "Johnny, you all right?"
"Words cannot describe my friend. Take care of yourself," Johnny said seriously, and then, to Ben's amazement, the brazen, crass Johnny Storm that lived life without an ounce of respect for anyone, turned on his heel before he reached the doorway and performed a crisp, straight-faced, honest salute. In that small motion was all the respect and dignity that the action usually bestowed on its recipient, all aimed directly at Ben.
The superhero known as The Thing was honestly choked up for a moment, and before he could reply, Johnny Storm had disappeared into the hallway.
"Must be the end of the world," Ben muttered, but felt the truth of Johnny's words and actions deep in his gut, and he would remember that feeling for a long, long time.
Last, but certainly not least.
The hardest button to button, as it were, but it had to be done. Taking a steadying breath, Johnny pushed open the door.
"Sue?"
She was sitting on the bed she shared with Reed, legs crossed, photo album in her lap, tears fighting to escape from her eyes. There was no need for words, or stories, or jokes to break the ice. This was his sister. His family.
Johnny sat on the bed beside her and said only, "Come here."
Though known for her stubbornness, Sue complied immediately and collapsed into his arms, but not to sob and expel her grief. Instead she took comfort from her brother and soaked up his strength, his life and his warmth, both figuratively and literally. He was always so alive, experiencing the world and everything around it and so eager to see and do even more, so at this time when the world seemed about to end, she clung to him in order to feel as much life as possible.
"I love you, sis. I can't remember the last time I said it, and I'm sorry for that, but I love you, okay."
"Johnny, I love you too."
"You know, when we were young I always figured we had to look out for each other, because we only had each other, and I wanted to be there for you so much, but in the end it was all you Sue. You raised me and yourself, got us both on the right track in the world and you were always there for me, always. You're just so strong Sue, you never asked for anything, from me, from anybody, you just took care of it all. Even without these powers, you've always been fantastic. And as much as I wanted to, I never got the chance to protect you the way I wanted to, to be a real brother to you, like you were a sister to me. I'm sorry I'm so reckless all the time, and we both know I won't change, I can only hope that now that it's almost time … I just hope that you'll be proud of me."
Sue pulled away and looked him in the eye. There was no look of confusion on her face like there had been with Reed and Ben because unlike them she was not surprised that her brother had hidden depths. But she did have a look of sympathy and regret.
"Johnny, I am proud of you and I love you too. You've grown up a lot, you stopped Doom twice, you saved the world. I'm the one who's sorry. I'm sorry I never told you that before and that you ever had to doubt how proud I am to be your sister."
"We're family, some things you don't need to say," Johnny reasoned, but Sue shook her head.
"We should still say them."
He nodded and looked at his sister, really saw her. He saw her love, compassion, strength and integrity and it boggled him how he could be related to someone so above extraordinary. He didn't even feel in the same league as his sister when it came to morality and inner-strength, but she loved him, and was proud of him and cared about him. He would miss that.
He would miss her.
He almost said it out loud, but stopped himself in time. He looked into her eyes and knew it would be the last time he ever saw them, and he felt tears threatening to betray him because he wasn't sure he could do it. Wasn't sure he could just walk away from Sue like he had Reed and Ben. He didn't know if he was even strong enough to get out of this room, let alone the building, knowing he'd never see his sister look at him like this again, with love and pride. The Surfer had said he had seen the strength inside of him, so he had to believe it was there and Johnny fought to find it. With a powerful impact, he lunged forward and embraced his sister, not violently, but almost as if to imprint her onto himself, so he could take some of her with him, wherever it was he was going.
"I love you, sis."
He broke off the hug and bolted for the door, careful not to look into his sister's face again, as he wanted to cherish his last image of her and leave while his resolve was strong.
"Johnny, wait! Don't leave again, please," Sue begged, desperate to have her family together when the end came.
Her voice stopped him in his tracks and he almost broke. Turning slightly, but still not facing her, he said, "I won't leave, I just got a couple things to do. I'll be back. I promise."
Sue considered this, weighed it, and finally spoke softly, "Okay."
And with that word Johnny was released and was able to finish his trip out of the room. Once in the hallway he collapsed against the wall, and willed himself to breathe. Tears pricked at his eyes and he forced them away like he had his entire life and he forced his mind to straighten itself out, convince himself it wasn't a big deal, but it was. The last words he would ever get to say to his sister, and he had lied to her.
He felt sick to his stomach because he knew he would not be coming back. The Gorgun required a sacrifice, and it was him or the world. It wasn't much of a choice really, and Johnny knew what he had to do, but he longed, craved to turn around and go back to Sue and tell her everything. Explain to her why he had to do this and how much he would miss her and how he wished there was another way.
But there was no time for that. Norrin was waiting on the roof, Johnny had finished his good-byes so it was time to leave.
Johnny walked up the steps leading to the roof feeling heavier than he ever had in his life. Every muscle and nerve felt reluctant to keep going, somehow knowing that he was leading them all to their destruction, but he forced them to continue. When he got to the roof he was almost disappointed that the Surfer was still there. It would be so much easier if he would have left, the world would have ended, but Johnny would have been able to do nothing about it, he could have taken no responsibility, and he wouldn't be faced with the task he was being given now. He had to become strong enough to stop the Gorgun, the entity that had destroyed a thousand solar systems before this one, and he had to do it quickly or the entire planet would pay the price.
Norrin Radd's solemn posture had not dissipated in any way during Johnny's absence, he had waited as though a statue. The Surfer turned and faced Johnny as he came up the stairs, not needing to be alerted of his presence.
"You are ready.'
An image of Sue flashed in front of his eyes. She would be strong enough to do this. She would never falter. Her strength, was his strength, and he knew when he was gone she would be strong enough to go on without him.
"Yeah, let's do this."
"Very well."
"Johnny? Hello?" The voice was soft, curious as to where the Human Torch was, and gently imploring him to answer, not demanding.
"Hey Susie."
It wasn't the person she had been looking for, but she smiled nonetheless, "Hi Ben. Have you seen Johnny?"
"Yeah a few minutes ago, we actually had a real good talk. That punk never ceases to amaze, does he? Too bad it takes a time like this to make people say what they really feel, huh? Anyway, he said he was looking for you," Ben explained, still sitting sedately on the couch, as if Johnny had frozen him with his honest words.
"He found me but he took off again. We actually had a good talk ourselves, made me realize we should all be together right now," Sue suggested.
"That's the best idea I've heard in days. Let's find the little heartbreaker then, maybe he went to see Reed to work his crazy, touchy-feely mojo on him too," Ben guessed.
"Yeah maybe," Sue agreed, but didn't fail to notice that even though Ben was trying to make light of Johnny's actions, the big man was clearly very touched and emotional at the moment. "I thought Johnny and I had a serious talk, but, he really got to you didn't he?"
Ben didn't deny it.
"He saluted me Sue, a true, honest, heels together salute. The damnedest thing I've ever seen," Ben said, his disbelief still evident even though he had witnessed it with his own eyes.
"Wow. I guess none of us gave him the credit he deserved," Sue added as they approached Reed's lab.
"Gave who, what credit?" Reed asked, meeting them in the doorway.
"Johnny," Sue immediately answered before realizing, "Were you about to leave the lab?"
Reed looked chagrined for a moment, but stood up tall, "Yes, actually. I was going to come and find you, well, because of Johnny actually. He made me see that there is too little time left to find an answer, but there is enough time left to be with the people who are the most important to me. My family."
Sue's eyes teared up and she threw her arms around Reed's neck, "Oh, Reed I love you. Whatever happens."
With a content, relieved sigh, Reed embraced her as well, "I love you Sue. I never stopped."
"It don't feel right to have touching moments like this without the Matchstick that set it all up," Ben commented.
"You're right Ben. Where is Johnny?" Sue asked as she pulled away from Reed.
"I haven't seen him for about half an hour," Reed replied then stepped back into his lab to take a seat at the closest monitor station. "His communicator isn't on, but the tracer says he's on the roof."
With a few more keystrokes from Reed the data from Johnny's tracking device switched to images from a surveillance camera overlooking the roof.
"He's with the Surfer," Reed reported as he watched the two talking on the top of the building.
Sue came around the peer over her husband's shoulder at the screen, "What is he … Johnny! No!"
No sooner had the exclamation of fear and panic left Sue's throat than she was racing for the door, with Ben and Reed only a few steps behind her as they all ran towards the roof. There were a lot of questions that needed answering, but Sue could only see one thing in her mind, and that was the image from the surveillance monitor of the Silver Surfer attacking her brother.
After Johnny confirmed that he was indeed ready to do what was necessary to save his home, the Surfer stepped forward with surprising little ceremony and placed his palm against Johnny's chest. The pure power radiating from that one hand was incredible and took the young hero by surprise. Johnny had thought he had felt the Surfer's power before, when they first met and fought, but now he understood that Norrin Radd could have destroyed him easily with less than a thought at the time if he'd wished. Johnny could now feel that the power of the Surfer was universal, cosmic and incomprehensible, not to mention crackling against the fabric of his uniform as it built up, sparked and shifted anxiously against him, like a wave trying to break through a levee. Then suddenly the Surfer's voice pounded through the air like lightning:
"Johnny Storm, I hereby declare you Herald of Galactus!"
The power surged and Johnny screamed.
TBC
Wow, that was sooo long. I know that was a lot of serious Johnny and talking and such, but now that the mushy stuff is all out of the way we can get into the fun angst. It's gonna be a rollercoaster from here on in folks! Hang on tight!!!!!!!!!
Many thanks to my fabulous reviewers as well! Although this chapter took awhile to get out, it would have taken even longer if not for these amazing people!
Darkemberdagger - Sorry I didn't update faster. University has started again and I had the flu recently, but your review definitely helped push me to get this done. It's great to know you're enjoying my fic.
Silver Dog Demon - Thanks so much for that fantastic review! I also am a huge fan of Johnny angst, and if you like Johnny being more mature than you probably really enjoyed this chapter. It was fun writing his mature side through this whole thing, but I'm starting to miss his fun side, which I can't wait to bring back in later chapters. Norrin will be discussing Johnny's soul in later chapters as well, if my outline goes as planned. As for Johnny burning in space, we'll just have to see how this whole Herald thing goes, won't we? Thanks again.
Silverangel83 - I actually meant to write to you! I had already started the outline for this fic when you posted the first chap of your story and I thought "oh no, she's gonna thank I'm a copier!" but I've been keeping tabs on your fic, and it's very enjoyable, and there are similarities but I was glad to see that we seem to be heading in different directions. I actually think I enjoy reading fics more myself, I read a lot more than I write, but when I have a story idea I just have to get it down. I hope you continue your fic, thanks for writing.
Raynne - thanks for the encouragement. I want to try to make chapters come out more regularly, but with school there's no telling when I can get some computer time. Appreciate the review!
PrincessFBI - I love when people spell 'gawd' that way, seriously! In my Pirates of the Caribbean fic, I had Jack say it like that, and a reviewer actually pointed out that I spelt it wrong, I couldn't believe it!!! Anyway, thanks for the review!
German Girl - ah, you reviewed twice, I guess I did take awhile to update, sorry. Thanks for the great review though, I love knowing what people are enjoying in the fic. Because people told me how much they loved all the Johnny and Ben serious stuff, I put a lot of mature, angsty conversations in this chapter and I hope it all worked. I will tell you this much, Johnny does not die, but I do have a lot planned to happen to him, not much of it pleasant, but death is not in the plans. I don't kill my favorite characters, that's just wrong. Thanks so much for reading!
Kuriei137 - Hey, I realize it may seem like I'm speeding things up quite a bit, but that's because I want to get to the good angsty parts, and I actually have quite a bit planned to happen with the Surfer and Johnny and the Gorgun, so don't worry, it won't be over too quickly at all. Sensitive Johnny seems to be everyone's favorite - I love it too - serious things just mean so much more coming from a person who always jokes around. I appreciate the review!
Moogsthewriter - so you're feeling a vibe huh? Well, I'm not going to say you're totally off, there's a few surprises along the way, but I wouldn't totally disregard that vibe. Thanks for the review!
Kanny - Thanks for all the praise, I really take it to heart and it helps get chapters out faster. Sorry I took so long to update. Hope you enjoy!
Sheela - you're on the right track, but there's a few things that have to be done before this whole 'moth to flame' scenario can be played out. I figured a lot of people would be able to guess the general idea that Johnny was gonna have to stop this thing, so now I'm working hard to try to keep a few surprises in there, but as you said, there are lots and lots of possibilities. And don't worry, LOTS of Johnny angst to come.
Brakkari - I'm so glad you're enjoying the fic, but unfortunately I don't know any other place to get F4 fanfiction, I've looked as well. I'm on quite the Johnny kick myself lately and since I was having trouble finding good fic I decided to write my own. Thanks so much for reviewing, sorry I couldn't be more help.
Sunkisst - thanks for the review, every kind words helps me sit my butt down and work on another chapter.
Iaveina - I know, two chapters of build up, and here I've ended a third and still hardly anything's happened. I'm terrible for always writing too much backstory. Oh well, I like to keep all my bases covered plotwise. Hope you're still enjoying, I'll try to get more out soon.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond, I devoured every word. Questions, comments, and suggestions all are accepted in the form of reviews. Thanks so much for reading, I'll try to have more soon, Robinyj!!!