Bab 152: No More Fantastic Four

Victor's expression gradually settled, his earlier frustration replaced by a determined calm. To him, enduring hardship only made the rewards of wealth more meaningful.

"If no one benefits from these achievements, they are ultimately pointless. In my life, I've never shied away from taking bold steps. If something is worth pursuing, I commit fully. And now, I believe it's time to take the biggest step of my life!" Victor declared passionately. His proud demeanor and self-satisfaction were evident, even as he failed to notice the helplessness in Susan's eyes and the cold smile on Alex's face.

Victor's confidence seemed misplaced. Even Johnny was silently cringing, knowing he'd be in trouble with his sister if she were present.

Oblivious to the discomfort around him, Victor pulled out a lavish diamond ring from a black velvet box. He presented it to Susan with a nonchalant air.

"Look, some things a poor person could never earn in a lifetime. Susan, I want to say just four words—these four words could change both our lives."

Johnny sighed, and Reed was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond to Victor's grand gesture.

Talking about money in front of the head of Stark Industries? Are you crazy, or just completely out of touch?

Victor hadn't had a chance to express what he thought was worthless or mention the "four-character golden words" before Susan interrupted him impatiently. "Victor, there's nothing between us. It's all in your head, and I already have someone I like."

Victor's expression suddenly stiffened. The precious ring slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground. He turned to Alex, his face a mix of disbelief and anger. "Because of a young man? Susan, you should understand that love isn't about a fleeting moment of passion, but a long-term commitment. What I can offer you is something he can't."

"I'm sorry, but what you can offer, I've already received. You should stop bothering Susan," Alex said, raising his brows and cutting off Victor's speech. If there were no outsiders, Alex would have slapped Victor directly, but it seemed pointless now. He decided to wait until Victor became the so-called Doctor Doom. It would be more satisfying to deal with him then.

At that moment, the spacecraft's alarm blared loudly, and Reed's voice came through the communicator, urgent and clear. "The solar storm layer is accelerating and will reach us in a few minutes. The storm is deadly, and we must terminate the operation immediately."

The room fell silent as the gravity of the situation sank in. Victor's grand gesture, once the center of attention, was overshadowed by the immediate danger looming outside.

"Calm down, Reed. Open the protective cover," Alex ordered quickly.

"But Ben is still outside."

"Then let him come in quickly."

Alex hung up the communicator and observed the approaching solar storm with a calm demeanor. After all, it wouldn't affect him.

On the other side, Reed frantically contacted Ben and shouted into the communicator, "Ben! Come in right away!"

"What's the matter? I'm not halfway through my job yet, top student," Ben replied, his voice crackling through the static.

"Ben, get back! The solar storm is hitting early—you only have six minutes left!" Reed shouted anxiously. Ben was his best friend, and Reed was desperate to keep him safe.

Ben was stunned and rushed to return, but he encountered a problem with the connection between his spacesuit and the spacecraft.

"My fellows, I can't go back," Ben said with a bitter smile, his voice filled with resignation.

"Ben, forget it, this is the only option," Reed yelled, his voice tinged with desperation.

Suddenly, the spaceship's alarm blared, its red lights flashing wildly.

Ben, seeing the solar storm closing in, gritted his teeth and leaped into the observation station with a powerful push, just as the storm's fiery tendrils began to reach out.

Outside the space station, irregularly shaped golden fire clouds appeared against the black void of space. The storm was a swirling vortex of intense energy, moving freely and penetrating the metal outer layer of the station.

Alex, unfazed by the solar storm, focused on absorbing the energy. He drew the storm's fiery essence into his body, the energy flowing into him without leaving any trace of impact.

Susan, overwhelmed by the storm's impact, fainted. Alex caught her securely in his arms and initiated the return procedure for the spacecraft.

As he looked at Susan, unconscious in his embrace, Alex couldn't help but chuckle. Susan would eventually become one of the Invisible Women of the Fantastic Four. However, in this timeline, the Fantastic Four would no longer exist.

With Susan and Johnny likely to join him, there would be no connection to Ben, Reed, or the Stark researchers. They would be separate from any future Fantastic Four organization.

Compared to Susan's fainting spell, Alex had absorbed the storm's energy without any effect on him. It was merely a part of fate, a testament to his power.

With the goal achieved, Alex prepared to return, setting the spacecraft on its course back to safety.

(End of this chapter)

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Bab 153: Awake

After three days and two nights, Susan awoke feeling sore all over. As she opened her eyes, she saw Alex sitting beside her. Rubbing her aching head, she asked, "Where are we?"

"New York," Alex replied, handing her a slice of apple. Susan took a bite, savoring the cool moisture that soothed her dry throat.

Alex didn't mind that she bit into the apple, even whistling at the spot where she had taken a bite. Feeling a bit better, Susan sat up and tried to piece together the events leading up to her current situation.

"I remember we were caught in a solar storm and I felt dizzy. How did we end up back here?"

"I piloted the spaceship back. I'm not like you," Alex explained calmly.

"Right, you're a Mutant," Susan said, nodding as if this explained everything.

"No, you're the same now," Alex said with a slight smile as he reached out to hold her hand. The touch triggered changes in Susan's DNA. Instantly, she vanished from view, leaving only her clothes behind.

"My God! What happened?" Susan exclaimed, looking at Alex in shock, expecting him to explain.

"The solar storm altered your DNA sequence, granting you the same super abilities as a Mutant," Alex said.

Susan's eyes widened with realization. "So, you were keeping me from going into space all along because you were waiting for this to happen?"

"Yes, having super abilities isn't a bad thing. Just like our Mutants," Alex said with a reassuring smile.

"But I wasn't ready for this. Why didn't you tell me in advance?" Susan's voice wavered. She felt betrayed that Alex had known about the potential changes but hadn't prepared her for them.

"No, I'm here for your safety. The world is very dangerous. You were just an ordinary person before, without the ability to protect yourself. Now, with super abilities, you have the means to defend yourself. I won't limit you in any way," Alex said softly, touching Susan's cheek.

Susan felt a warm flow in her heart. Even though Alex had hidden things from her out of concern for her safety, it was comforting to know he cared.

"Okay, I'll check on the others," Alex said with a slight smile and walked outside.

Seeing that all three of them were awake, Alex didn't offer much explanation. Johnny saw Alex and quickly approached, his face full of concern. "Alex, are you okay?"

"Definitely fine, but you have something to deal with," Alex said lightly.

"We? We're fine! What's there to worry about?" Johnny shrugged, showing no concern.

"I mean, the solar storm altered your DNA sequence and gave you super abilities. Just like this," Alex said with a smile, extending a finger. The necklace around Johnny's neck suddenly levitated and spun in Alex's hand.

"Cool! Alex, can I be like you?" Johnny asked eagerly.

"It seems you're not worried," Alex said with a chuckle. Johnny seemed unaffected, much like the character in the original book who remained unchanged.

"Why should I worry? I haven't turned into a monster. Besides, not everyone with super abilities has to be a mutant. If they're not worried, why should I be?" Johnny shrugged indifferently.

"Okay," Alex agreed, noting Johnny's carefree attitude. It was clear the kid had a big heart, though Susan and the others were all Mutants.

"But, Alex, can I control the necklace like you?" Johnny asked eagerly.

"No," Alex replied, placing a hand on Johnny's shoulder. In an instant, a terrifying flame erupted from him.

"Cool!!!" Johnny exclaimed, his excitement evident as he watched himself surrounded by flames.

Alex released his hand, and the flames vanished instantly.

"Hey! Alex! I haven't had enough of this yet!" Johnny shouted, disappointed as the flames disappeared.

"Maybe you should find some clothes to wear first, and then learn to control your abilities gradually," Alex suggested, patting Johnny on the shoulder and pointing at his burnt clothes. "It's not a bad start, though."

Johnny quickly covered himself, yelling, "Hey, Alex, this is my new purchase!"

"I see. I'll send you ten good outfits later," Alex said with a wave of his hand as he walked toward the room.

"Wait, I'm not talking about that! Alex, you need to teach me how to control my abilities!" Johnny called after Alex, covering himself as best he could.

"I'll get to it later," Alex replied.

With Susan and Johnny taken care of, Alex turned his attention to Ben, the stone man. Despite his bald appearance, there was nothing about him to draw blood.

These individuals had good genes, but their reluctance to integrate was a drawback. It was almost a pity to discard them; they were, indeed, quite unremarkable!