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enjoy~ ninja

Reed Richards and Ben Grimm walked up to an enormous building. Construction workers were drilling a huge statue of a man.

“Typical of Victor von Doom to build the 31st statue of himself,” Ben said sarcastically.

“Well, it's obviously to create for visitors feeling of smallness,” Reed replied. "Inadequacy."

"Good thing it ain't working."

They walked through the glass doors. As they walked through the hallways, Ben said, “Remind me what we’re doing here again.”

“Come on, Victor’s not that bad,” Reed said. “He’s just a little…larger than life.”

::In Victor’s Office::

Reed explained to Victor what his plan was.

“…A solar wind is approaching the Earth’s orbit, and that same type of solar wind triggered human life. If we track this, we could help people live longer. It could revolutionize..”

“Enough.” A voice from the shadows cut him off.

“But I don’t think I’ve explained it all--” Reed voiced.

“Oh I think you have,” he said. “Reed Richards, always working with the weight of the world on his back. But doesn't pay the bills, does it?"

“You remember, Victor, when we went to school together and talked about working together? Exposure to the cloud is deadly but your spaceship shields are able to protect people from that.”

The dimmed lights grew brighter, revealing a dark-looking man sitting in a high backed chair.

Victor said, “So it's not just my money you want. It's my toys. If NASA doesn’t trust you, then why should I?”

Ben and Reed looked at each other. Victor laughed. Ben looked murderous.

“Ben it’s just business,” Reed muttered.

A higher voice from behind came through. “He’s right Ben. It’s just business.”

Victor introduced the blond haired woman as she walked down the steps. “I think you both know my director of genetic research, Susan Storm.” Reed paled.

“One more thing he’s got,” Ben said to Reed under his breath. “Hey Susie!”

“Hey!” They hugged. “How’s Debbie?”

“Great,” Ben answered.

She turned to Reed. A short awkward silence followed before Susan said, “How’s Jessie doing?”

Reed let out a small breath. “Good. You?”

“Never better.” It was all done cordially between them, ending with the handshake.

“You are just in time to hear the great Reed Richards ask for my help,” Victor informed haughtily.

“How fortunate for us,” another voice said sarcastically. Everyone looked toward the elevator, where a chestnut hair woman emerged from the elevator.

“Jessie!” Reed said quickly. “How did you get in here?”

“Johnny told me how,” she replied. “And you know how he can’t keep a secret.” She greeted Reed, Ben, and Susie with hugs and to Victor a formal handshake, ignoring his scowl. “Besides, I can’t miss my big brother’s breakthrough, can I?”

“As I was saying Reed,” Victor said, turning back. “Anything you get, I take 75% of that.”

“What about his firstborn?” Ben said cynically.

“Come on Ben.” Von Doom chuckled. “A quarter of a billion is still a lot. Maybe he can pay off his 4th mortgage on the Baxter Building hmm?”

Next to Reed, Jessie shifted.

“Deal?” Victor held out his hand. Jessie was tempted to slap it away. After a hesitation, Reed shook.

“Funny how things turn out, huh?” Victor directed the question at Jessie purposely.

“Hilarious,” she said through her teeth.