Author Notes: Hi! This is my first Fantastic Four fic (mainly because I only saw the first film a few days ago. I know...I'm sorry...) Anyway, it's Johnnycentric, and hopefully you'll like it. I can't promise on regular updates, as I've got some coursework deadlines coming up, but I'll do my best! Enjoy!
Ice Fire
Chapter 1
"Is it ready?" The small man jumped out of his skin as a woman's sharp voice sliced through the quiet of the lab, knocking his empty coffee cup on the floor. She sighed in annoyance, "My employer is getting impatient. He tends to get slightly restless when he doesn't see the results of his money."
The scientist blinked dazedly for a few moments, until he managed to gather himself enough to stand and face the woman, "Uh, I think so. I mean, yes, it has passed all the simulations, but I, uh, well, I would prefer to conduct a few more practical tests, if, well, if that would be-"
The woman resisted the urge to roll her eyes, waving her hand dismissively to cut him off, "Enough. I take it the tests undertaken on the rats concluded satisfactorily?"
"W-well, yes, but you want to test the prototype on a much larger test subject, and I couldn't be sure if-"
"Can you not accommodate for the increase? Only I was to understand that you are one of the leading scientists in biochemistry…"
The man whimpered, "It's just, the ethics. Rats are very different to what you want to do. You are suggesting we test the prototype on a human!"
The woman laughed coldly, "You keep calling it a prototype. I assure you, it will be used once and for one purpose only. And as for the ethics…" she took a step forwards, making the man recoil, "I was under the impression that your incentive far outweighed your ethical values."
"No please, I won't question your motives again, please; I just want to go home." Sweat beaded on his forehead as his eyes darted over her shoulder to three men standing in the doorway, "It's ready. I've already compensated for all the variables. It's, it's done."
"Where is the final result?"
One final flicker of doubt crossed behind the man's eyes, but it was quickly smothered by his fear, "It's all set up, I, well, I took the liberty of preparing it. The final product is over there." He nodded over to a table upon which a thin briefcase was lying.
The woman sneered at his quailing mannerisms, and strode over to the case, unclipping it and inspecting the contents before re-sealing it and walking over to the door. "Thank you for your co-operation; my employer will be most pleased with your efforts." A tiny glimmer of relief spread across the scientist's face, until the woman pulled a gun from the belt of one of the men, planting one bullet into his head, "Pathetic. Deal with the body and the lab will you? I don't want any trace of us being here."
The woman allowed herself a small smile as she strode out to where her transport was waiting. It was almost time.
It was disgusting. Look at them all, fawning over the four pathetic excuses for humanity. All they had done was rescue a few people from a traffic pile up. Nothing they hadn't done before, and yet they were milking it for all they were worth, and the crowds were simply lapping it up.
Her eyes skimmed over the heads of those in front of her, until they locked onto her target. He was the worst of the four. Sickeningly cocky and confident. A small smile stole across her face before she arranged it into what she knew to be the expression of a giddy fan. Pushing forwards, she made her way to the front of the crowd, arranged the object in her hand, and then ran towards the Human Torch, throwing her arms around his neck. Squeaking as breathlessly as she could, "Oh my god you were absolutely amazing, thank you so, so much!"
Johnny looked shocked and awkward for a second, before he grinned, "Well, you're very welcome, miss. Perhaps-"
His sister rolled her eyes, tiredness apparent on her features being the one who had had the biggest part in holding the cars up, "C'mon Johnny, we should be getting home."
"Aww, Sue, I'm a big boy."
"Now Johnny." Reed's equally tired voice left no room for argument. Tensions had been running high at the Baxter Building as of late, the other three getting more and more sick of Johnny's antics; he still hadn't fully toned down the celebrity aspect of their job.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I've gotta go, maybe I'll see you for a drink some time? Or maybe just save your life?"
He turned and walked away, rubbing his neck as he joked to the Thing how 'that one' had really got her claws into him, only to be sharply rebuked. The woman dropped her façade, slipping the now empty syringe into her pocket and melting back into the crowd. When she was safely enough away, she pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialled. "Victor? It's me. Everything's been taken care of."
To Be Continued…
Author Notes: What do you think? Please review!!