"When Peter tried to justify himself by mentioning his ability to dodge attacks, I calmly accessed my observation archives. I presented him with irrefutable evidence—dozens of recordings made by hidden cameras, ruthlessly capturing moments when Peter had to take hits. Each video, showcasing his heroic but sometimes reckless actions, served as a reminder that even the quickest reflexes can't guarantee complete immunity from hostile actions.
After such a stark demonstration, Peter, feeling the weight of the moment, couldn't help but give a sad smile and admit, "Hah... I guess you're right." This admission, though made lightly, reflected his inner readiness to face the reality of his weaknesses.
"Admitting your weaknesses is the first step toward addressing them," I said.
My words laid the foundation for a new phase in our interaction. Peter, energized by this idea, seemed to find a new reserve of strength and enthusiasm.
"And now that we've crossed this Rubicon, I think I can show you my latest development," I said, filling the room with a sense of anticipation.
In the next moment, I activated a mechanism, and before us materialized a new Spider-Man suit, created from nanomachines.
"Are these nanomachines?!" Peter exclaimed, looking at the new suit, which matched his current one in color scheme.
The nanomachine technology allowed the suit not only to fit Peter's body perfectly, ensuring maximum mobility and comfort, but also to instantly respond to his commands, changing shape, density, and even functionality depending on the situation. This was truly a revolutionary achievement that could drastically improve not only Peter's self-defense but also his crime-fighting methods.
"Yes," I nodded with a slight smile.
I didn't have vibranium or adamantium, let alone mysterium, but even so, the current nanomachine base was quite formidable. In my opinion, this would be sufficient for Parker's level of power and the opponents he might face.
"Why are you helping me?"Peter suddenly asked.
This question raised my eyebrow involuntarily.
"You're a good person. And that's more than enough," I said.
—= Some Time Later =—
After Parker left with his new suit, it was time to prepare the team for the encounter with the Doombot.
Thanks to the device that accurately pinpointed the Doombot's location with 90% certainty, I could begin the preparations.
The lab was filled with an atmosphere of tense anticipation. All team members, except for Johnny, who was absent at the time of my announcement, gathered around, awaiting instructions. The air was charged with the significance of the upcoming confrontation with one of the most powerful and unpredictable individuals—Victor von Doom.
"The reason I gathered you all here is quite serious. Everyone here, aside from Johnny, remembers Victor von Doom," I began, drawing the attention of everyone present. My comrades' eyes reflected an understanding of the challenging task ahead, requiring maximum focus and effort from each of us.
As I revealed the full scope of Victor von Doom's actions to the team, the lab fell into a tense silence. My words, supported by numerous news reports and financial analysis, painted a troubling future. Each team member pondered the information, trying to grasp the full extent of the threat posed by Doom.
"He's become a ruler?!" Ben and Johnny exclaimed simultaneously, their voices tinged with disbelief and shock at how far Victor had gone in his pursuit of power.
Susan, meanwhile, was focused on analyzing the financial flows that indicated the scale of Doom's projects. Her sharp mind quickly deduced the ultimate goal of these investments.
"He's created a weapon," she said calmly, each word carrying weight and underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Her conclusion confirmed our worst fears.
I continued, presenting evidence that Victor had been monitoring our every battle. These materials, gathered after meticulous research, clearly indicated that Doom was not just observing us but analyzing and seeking our weaknesses.
"He's created a weapon against us," Susan reiterated, emphasizing that the threat was not abstract but very real and directed squarely at us.
At that moment, when the tension reached its peak, I tried to lighten the mood and add a touch of levity by turning to Sue and saying, "Did I mention how much I love you?"
My words, unexpected in such a serious context, brought smiles to everyone's faces.
When the location of the Doombot appeared on the screens, the air in the lab seemed to thicken with anticipation. The map showed that a vast distance had been covered in just a few hours, indicating the incredible technological capabilities of the bot. My teammates exchanged looks of readiness. At that moment, the bot was located within the United States.
"What are we waiting for? Let's attack it," Ben said, his tone full of determination, eyes burning with the desire to engage in battle immediately. He was always ready to jump into action at the first call.
However, understanding the complexity of the situation and the potential consequences of a direct confrontation, I gently but firmly countered his enthusiasm.
"I suggest we pretend we weren't expecting his attack," my words elicited a questioning look from Ben. I knew his desire to act was driven by the best intentions, but the strategy required a more subtle approach.
"Why?" his question reflected natural puzzlement. After all, we always tried to stay one step ahead of our enemies, accepting the fight rather than avoiding it.
Meanwhile, Susan, with her characteristic perceptive insight, had already begun to grasp the depth of my plan. Her gaze was filled with support and trust in the chosen strategy.
"To know Victor's every move. We shouldn't give him a reason to change his plans. It's better to control certain moments ourselves," I said with a slight smile.
—= Some Time Later =—
The appearance of the Doombot 'coincidentally' aligned with the day our team planned to fly to the Moon.
As soon as the detection devices registered the Doombot's approach, the tension in the air became palpable. Ben, with his characteristic sarcasm, expressed the collective frustration that even our plans for space exploration couldn't proceed without interference from our enemies.
Despite the Doombot's confidence in catching us off guard, its attack did not surprise us. Coordinated actions and quick responses allowed us to avoid an energy blast that could have had catastrophic consequences.
"Team, move out!" my command rang out decisively, emphasizing the importance of the moment and the need for coordinated actions.
In response to our reaction, the Doombot activated an additional spell embedded by Victor. At that moment, our struggle entered a new phase, requiring not only physical strength and agility but also intellectual effort to counter the magical components of its attacks.
The Doombot opened its hand, and at that moment, the spells Victor had embedded in it took effect.
"Hacking process... 60%..." I heard in my earpiece.
—\\—
"Unknown error..." the AI announced, its voice wavering as if it were encountering an invisible barrier.
At this critical moment, the hacking process was nearing completion, reaching 80% of its goal. The Doombot's behavior changed instantly and drastically, indicating the activation of its magical defenses. This was a clear sign that it was time to deploy the specially prepared device designed to overcome such obstacles.
I immediately redirected some of my resources to strengthen the protective field around Susan, who, finding herself in the thick of things, created an energy arena around the Doombot. This action isolated it from the outside world, leaving only Ben and Johnny inside, who, though not exerting their full strength, fought with enough power to protect themselves from potential enemy strikes.
Ben, with his unique combat skills, attacked the bot with lightning speed, trying to find weaknesses in its defenses. His movements were incredibly swift, a stark contrast to his appearance.
Johnny Storm used his fiery abilities, creating a powerful field around himself that emitted bursts of energy towards the bot. He skillfully maneuvered, avoiding counterattacks, and each of his strikes was filled with destructive force.
Meanwhile, I focused on the device meant to overcome the opponent's magical defenses. It was a complex structure made of metal and numerous magical inscriptions, pulsating with a soft blue light. I began the activation process, carefully adjusting each element to successfully counter the magical barrier.
"Eo Ire Itum!" I exclaimed.
The magical inscriptions glowed even more intensely, and I felt a part of my life force drain into the spell.
In the next moment, a beam of energy struck the Doombot. Victor's creation jerked as if electricity coursed through its circuits, affecting the components responsible for its movement.
A moment later, the Doombot began to glow from within.
BAM
A wave of magical energy burst from the Doombot's body, which had previously fueled its inscriptions.
"Hack complete," my assistant announced.
The Doombot's body went still, and its code was now an open book before me. Thanks to the AI, which simplified my work, making the necessary adjustments was surprisingly easy.
The ruler of Latveria had created the Doombot to gather information on us. However, now the information he would receive would be far less reliable. These circumstances created a favorable ground for our future strategy against Victor.
The Doombot's readiness for action, its recent aggression, all this was now just a memory.
"Done," I said, barely holding back a grin.
Understanding that the Doombot no longer posed a threat, my team slowly approached it.
"Are we leaving it here?" Johnny's question broke the silence.
Ben was still in his rocky form, apparently not wanting to tempt fate.
"Of course not," Ben declared. "What if it has some self-destruct function?"
At that moment, I joined the conversation, saying, "It poses no threat. Everything Victor embedded in it has been analyzed, and anything that could be dangerous has been removed."
"But we still can't leave it here," Susan said. "Its internal components alone are a danger to ordinary people."
Johnny created a fireball above his fist and asked, "So we destroy it?"
"There is a more rational use for this bot," I said, already envisioning the Doombot dismantled into components that could be used for many interesting purposes.
Using magnetism, I deformed the Doombot into a convenient shape for transport. Then, Pym's subatomic particles came into play, altering the size of the pile.
"That's better," I said, stowing the reduced metal heap. "Now we can continue our mission."
"Hopefully, it won't explode this time?" Ben asked, returning to his usual form.
"By the way, I don't want to risk getting another burn," Johnny added, no longer resembling a fire elemental.
"It shouldn't," I assured them.
This time, I considered numerous factors, and the protection was three times better than before. Moreover, the flight wasn't as far this time.
—= Some Time Later =—
"We didn't explode this time," Johnny said, his voice full of irony, with a smirk adding a touch of casual ease. This moment of lightness seemed almost unbelievable after the trials and battles we had faced. We were approaching the Moon, and everything seemed possible.
My enhanced engines, powered by adapted arc reactors, were a marvel of modern engineering. Thanks to my research in cosmic physics and developments in space-time fabric studies, we achieved the impossible. I created a warp-jump device that allowed our ship to cover vast distances in an instant, ignoring the classic speed of light limitations. This was my secret trump card, and it was thanks to it that we were now so close to reaching our goal.
Looking back at Earth, now just a small glowing orb in the vast darkness of space, I couldn't help but feel a deep connection to all of humanity's pioneers.
The Moon ahead was a shimmering orb, its surface dotted with craters and plains, appearing both mysterious and inviting. It wasn't just Earth's natural satellite, but a symbol of humanity's drive for exploration and discovery.
"It's an incredible view from up here," Johnny said, looking at Earth.
"Yeah, especially when the ship isn't threatening to blow up," Ben replied.
"I have to agree," Sue added.
At that moment, the ship was preparing for landing. This process was controlled not only by Ben but also by the autopilot that Johnny had set up.
"Is this the same place where Apollo landed?" Ben asked.
"Not quite," I replied. "We're in a more remote part of the Moon, which has only been explored through orbital images and remote sensing. This area contains unique geological features that, I believe, can reveal new aspects of the Moon's history and its impact on Earth. Studying these places can give us insights into various cosmic processes and even offer new approaches to exploring other planetary bodies in our Solar System."
To be precise, we had landed in the area known as the Blue Moon.
"Do you all see that?" I asked as the ship landed and the first data from outside began to come in.
"Yes... Can your scanners be wrong?" Sue asked me.
"No," I replied. "But just to be safe, we'll go out in spacesuits."
I glanced around at the team, ensuring everyone was suited up before beginning the procedure to exit.
HISSS
And so, the Fantastic Four stepped outside.
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"Again, the suit data confirmed its accuracy. I opened my helmet, driven not only by the presented evidence but also by my own physiology, which didn't require oxygen. My team barely had time to react before I stood on the lunar surface with my helmet off.
"It's true," I declared firmly. "There's air here."
My companions looked at me as if I were crazy. Their reaction was understandable; who could have guessed that there was a breathable atmosphere on the Moon?
After my words and the subsequent confirmation by the scanners, my teammates also opened their helmets.
"But how is this possible?" Susan whispered, unable to believe her eyes as she surveyed the lunar landscape.
"That's what I'm eager to find out," I replied, and it was the absolute truth.
I was genuinely curious to unravel the mystery of the Blue Area of the Moon. This place, shrouded in numerous secrets in comics and stories, served as the setting for many pivotal events in Marvel lore.
I knew that the Blue Area was not a natural creation. It was made by the Kree, an ancient alien race whose technology and knowledge far surpassed human capabilities. Their goal was to observe humanity and experiment with creating Inhumans, beings that straddled the line between human and something extraterrestrial.
"Let's explore, but don't wander off," I warned my team as I activated the drones. These small mechanical explorers took to the air, beginning their scan of the vast, mysterious landscape of the Blue Area.
Sue immediately began collecting lunar rock samples for further analysis, understanding the uniqueness of this opportunity. Meanwhile, Ben and Johnny diligently worked on capturing photos of this enigmatic place, images that could only be dreamed of.
I vigilantly monitored the execution of our plan, my primary goal being to uncover the location of the Inhumans. Moreover, if the opportunity presented itself, I intended to obtain DNA samples from one of their most powerful members.
The drones, like little messengers from another world, sent updates on their discoveries every few seconds, allowing me to observe their findings with exceptional precision. Within minutes, one report caught my attention — it contained an image of a forest.
"Well, that's unexpected," I couldn't help but comment.
Johnny, Ben, and Sue turned to me instantly, sensing the change in my tone. I quickly shared with them what the drones had seen, and together we witnessed the surprising discovery.
"Are my eyes deceiving me?" Ben asked incredulously.
"If you're talking about the forest, then no, your eyes are fine, big guy," Johnny responded humorously, lightening the mood.
"The surprise seems less shocking when you consider we're in a place where air isn't a rarity," Sue pondered, lost in thoughts about the marvels of this place.
"Do I detect a thirst for adventure in your voices?" I asked, grinning from ear to ear, anticipating the upcoming discoveries.
—= Some Time Later =—
As the drones ventured deeper into the unknown, we were granted the opportunity to explore this area, which, according to their data, was safe for us to traverse.
After several dozen minutes, we reached the edge of the forest, standing in stark contrast to the lunar landscape surrounding us until now. This forest was awe-inspiring in its lushness and exotic nature, so different from anything we'd ever seen on Earth.
"It feels like we've stepped into another world," Johnny remarked in amazement.
Sue devoted herself to studying the vegetation of this unusual forest. When her research began to yield results, she shared her findings:
"These plants aren't entirely alien, in the literal sense. My thorough analysis reveals they share elements with Earth's flora."
"So, you're saying these plants are cosmic pioneers?" Ben interrupted with a smile.
This joke elicited genuine laughter from Sue and me, envisioning the amusing image of astronaut plants.
"In a way," Sue smiled back. "It seems someone transplanted them here millions of years ago, explaining their uniqueness compared to Earth's flora."
At that moment, the drones discovered exactly what we had embarked on this journey for. They found Attilan, the mysterious city of the Inhumans.
"I think I know who might be behind all this," I mused aloud, reviewing the data sent by the drones.
The information confirmed my suspicions. Maximus, the mad brother of Black Bolt, hadn't noticed my drones operating in enhanced stealth mode. I suspected he used a special algorithm to create a defensive barrier, and my assumptions were correct.
"This is simply incredible..." Johnny whispered, barely containing his awe.
"I couldn't agree more," Ben added, echoing the team's amazement.
—= Attilan =—
In the throne room of Attilan, where every stone breathed history and the might of the Inhumans, Black Bolt, Blackagar Boltagon, stood in all his silent majesty. The ruler of silence, his power vibrated in the air like a quiet thunder, filling the space with a heavy anticipation. Kneeling before him was an Inhuman, whose fate was now inextricably tied to the king's will.
Medusa, the embodiment of dignity and unwavering calm, stood beside the throne like a guardian of ancient traditions. Her voice, filled with unshakable confidence and gentleness, addressed the messenger:
"You are here by the king's command to complete the mission your predecessor failed. Retrieve Crystal, who was lost on Earth."
The Inhuman, whose massive figure epitomized steadfastness and strength, spoke firmly without lifting his eyes:
"The order will be fulfilled."
Black Bolt's face showed no hint of emotion, though an untrained eye might think otherwise. But Medusa, knowing him better than anyone, caught the subtle tremor at the corners of his mouth — a sign unnoticed by most but meaningful to those who understood the king as she did.
"We believe in you, Gorgon," she said, her voice carrying not just support but an unshakeable belief in the mission's success.
—= Reed Richards =—
Understanding the logic of the programming language created by the Inhumans was not particularly difficult, and soon enough, I had a vast database on every Inhuman in Attilan at my fingertips.
"Johnny," I called out.
The moment was perfect to set the stage.
"Yes?"
"Crystal is from Europe, right?" I asked.
"Yes... Why? Did something happen?" Johnny responded, puzzled.
"In a way," I said, showing everyone Crystal's dossier.
—\\—
The data I extracted from the Inhuman database revealed a stunning truth: they maintained detailed information about each of their kin within the Solar System. This database, to which I gained access, contained comprehensive data on every inhabitant of Attilan — from basic biographical facts such as height, weight, name, age, and lineage, to an overview of the unique abilities possessed by the Inhumans.
Among the pages of this massive repository of information stood Crystal Amaquelin — the youngest child of the renowned Inhumans Quelin and Ambur, who held her place in the royal lineage of Attilan.
Like her elder sister Medusa, Crystal underwent the transformation through the Terrigen Mist at a young age, which granted her mental abilities far beyond ordinary imagination.
Johnny, visibly astonished, raised his eyebrows so high they almost touched his forehead.
"Well, a city on the Moon is probably a bit farther than Europe," he quipped, his voice tinged with playful humor.
His words elicited a mix of surprise and confusion in our glances directed at him.
"What?" Johnny responded, bewildered by our reaction. "I believe Crystal. She must have had serious reasons to hide the truth from me."
"Your words carry surprising wisdom for you..." Sue remarked gently, her voice a blend of astonishment and amusement.
"Looks like space travel had a strange effect on me," Ben pondered, his brows furrowed in thought. "Can't imagine Johnny speaking so wisely..."
Provoked by such comments, I couldn't stay out of it and began examining Johnny for any anomalies. My actions drew everyone's attention. Johnny stared at me with slight bewilderment, his gaze full of questions.
"I'm just checking, just in case," I explained as I conducted a medical diagnosis. "Strange... everything seems normal."
"You know what, go to hell," Johnny said, his voice filled with clear irritation but also hidden amusement.
After such words, holding back laughter became impossible. All four of us burst into loud laughter, enveloped in the atmosphere of camaraderie and mutual understanding that always accompanied us in the most unpredictable situations.
I then proceeded to a more detailed study of the data on Crystal. In the comics, I was more interested in mutants than Inhumans, so I had only a vague idea of why Crystal was on Earth.
"I think I understand why Crystal didn't tell us the truth," I said as I found an interesting detail in Crystal's dossier. "It's likely due to this point."
The Inhumans had a practice of genetic selection to maintain the desired level of genetic diversity and abilities. One of the programs of such selection revolved around Crystal and Maximus.
"How could she be forced to marry him?!" Johnny exclaimed, his anger so powerful it seemed to materialize in the air, filling the space with a heavy pressure of disappointment and rejection.
Silently, I delved into the search for information about Maximus, the younger brother of Black Bolt. Known for his borderline madness and genius, Maximus was the architect of many of Attilan's defense systems and technological marvels. But in the dossier I discovered, there was something that made me look at Maximus from a completely different angle. The depth of his madness and cruelty was astounding.
When Johnny saw the information about Maximus, his emotions erupted so fiercely that his figure was literally enveloped in flames — a vivid expression of his inner turmoil. Thanks to the isolating barrier surrounding us, we remained unnoticed.
Despite the initial outburst of anger, Sue's younger brother quickly regained his composure, standing before us as the embodiment of determination and willpower.
"I won't let that bastard get near Crystal," Johnny declared with unyielding confidence, a vow forged from the very essence of his soul.
"We won't let that happen," I said firmly.
I was about to add more, but at that critical moment, my artificial intelligence broke through the Inhumans' surveillance camera defenses.
Programmed to respond to certain keywords, the AI relentlessly drew my attention to an urgent notification.
My eyes quickly scanned the information presented, formatted in such a way that I could absorb it as efficiently as possible.
"It seems we'll have to expedite our return," I said slowly, finishing my analysis of the data.
Sue, Johnny, and Ben exchanged looks full of confusion and concern.
"What happened, Reed?" Sue asked worriedly.
"The king of Attilan has sent his hound to retrieve Crystal," I replied, starting to set up the teleportation device to return home.
As soon as the words about the impending threat were spoken, each of us instinctively prepared for the inevitable confrontation.
"I would have preferred to return home on our ship..." my words carried a note of regret and pragmatism, knowing that time was against us. Completing the final adjustments, I realized that every second was precious.
The next moment transported us, my team, directly to the Fantastic Four's building. All the collected samples, our ship — everything was now on Earth, leaving only a few drones on the Moon as our eyes.
Meanwhile, Johnny clung to the last hope of contacting Crystal, but when he couldn't reach her, his frustration found an outlet in throwing his phone.
"Damn it!" he exclaimed, releasing the device into the void.
Using magnetism, I halted the smartphone mid-flight and calmed him down:
"Don't take it out on the phone. It did everything it could."
Johnny's bewildered gaze shifted to me, but in response, I merely displayed a map of New York before him, with a bright red dot glowing on it.
"I found her," I said, providing hope with my discovery.
—= Crystal Amaquelin =—
To Medusa's younger sister, Crystal, the past few days might have seemed so incredible they bordered on fantasy. In the shadows of Attilan's walls, she had always been under the oppressive presence of Mad Maximus, his dark intrigues and unbridled lust for power blanketing her daily life with a heavy veil of anxiety. But here on Earth, she had found something akin to the freedom to breathe, as if for the first time in a long while she could take a deep breath, filling her lungs with the fresh air of hope and change.
And that was not even considering the sudden appearance of Johnny Storm in her life, who had burst into her existence like a comet, illuminating it with the bright colors of unexpected emotions and adventures. His boundless energy, fearless courage, and eternal optimism ignited a spark of joy in her heart, a joy long forgotten in the dark corridors of the royal palace.
Even though Crystal knew it wouldn't last long... she wanted to enjoy this beautiful dream a little longer.
"Princess Crystal," came the voice of someone Crystal had noticed a few dozen minutes ago. After all, iron hooves did not help with stealth.
"You must return with me to Attilan."
The young woman looked at the city that had given her such a beautiful fairy tale... Then she met Gorgon's gaze.
"Alright."
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