A Final Middle Finger to Victor Von Doom [Fantastic Four, Cross-Posted on FF.NET & Ao3]

[Virtuous Anglo]

A Final Middle Finger to Victor Von Doom

Chapter 1: Finding What I Thought Was Real

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The Battle was over, God Emperor Doom was defeated, and Reed Richards felt a peace he hadn't felt in a long time as he was reunited with his family that had been erased from existence thanks to being given the Beyonder's power by Molecule Man. The latter stripped it from Doom upon deciding he didn't like Doom or his values, while Reed treated him with respect and humility. With this power, Reed, alongside Molecule Man and his reality-warping son Franklin, recreated the multiverse one universe at a time, using this time to explore reality and spend some much-needed time together as a family after such a harrowing ordeal at the end of the multiverse.

There was, however, a loose end, a ripple in reality that Doom had created while acting as God Emperor of Battleworld, that being the Battleworld Royal Family. They were a version of Susan Storm-Richards, Franklin Richards, and Valeria Richards, created by God Emperor Doom from the last echoes of their original counterparts, except totally loyal to him and his ideals, with a history engineered so Reed Richards never existed. A perfect parody of everything Reed Richards loved, existing solely so that Doom could prove his superiority to Reed in all things, even when believing Reed himself was long dead.

But that Susan, Franklin, and Valeria were all tied to Battleworld, creations born as echoes of the originals purely for Doom, for Battleworld. But the multiverse was being recreated, and Battleworld would soon be a smaller and much lonelier place as the patchwork of realms returned to their native universes and their inhabitants were restored. The Battleworld Susan, Franklin, and Valeria, now with the knowledge of who and what they are, were fairly sure they would either cease to be or, at best, merge with their Earth 616 counterparts.

"Thank you for telling me the truth," Susan Von Doom said, giving a pained smile to Reed as she held her children close. "I don't know what will happen to us now. If we were created by Go…I mean, Victor, as an imitation of your family, then there is no Earth for us to return to, we don't belong anywhere."

"I believed that you would likely either fade from existence or merge with my family soon enough, but there is something I would like to try first before that becomes an inevitability," Reed replied, smiling before turning to his family, whom he had restored to reality a little while earlier. "Franklin! Come over here for a moment! I have a hypothesis I would like to test out, and I need your help!"

"What is it, Dad?" Franklin asked curiously, smiling up at him with all the love and curiosity a pre-teen boy has for his father.

His curiosity turned somewhat to apprehension when he came face-to-face with his Battleworld counterpart, Franklin Von Doom, who matched his look exactly. Reed coughed to break their attention from each other.

"We need to create a universe, but not one that existed previously. This one is going to be brand new, entirely brand new. I need you to listen to Mrs Von Doom and create a universe exactly to her specifications, okay?" Reed explained. Franklin thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Okay, I can do that," Franklin replied, turning to the woman who looked exactly like his mother. "Okay, what does this universe look like?"

"Well, it's a lot like yours, except your dad isn't there and my father, Franklin Storm, is a member of the Fantastic Four with purple pyrokinetic abilities in his hands," Susan Von Doom explained, trying her best to get the important details right. Almost on instinct, Franklin's mind reached out to hers and sifted through her memories, finding her memories of the Earth she was supposedly from that never actually existed, the memories Doom decided she would have of her past. Drawing from those memories, Franklin felt the cosmic and psionic power twist and swirl in his hands as the new universe took shape at his fingertips.

"It's ready," Franklin informed them. he was about to hand the universe off to his father to throw out into the void, but he was interrupted by Susan Richards walking up behind him and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Just a moment, Franklin," Susan Richards said, turning to face her husband and smiling softly. "I figured you might try something like this. Before you do, could I make a suggestion?"

"Anything, my love," Reed replied sincerely. Nodding, Susan kneeled and whispered something in Franklin's ear. She pulled back and smiled.

"Can you do that for me?" Susan Richards asked.

"Yeah, Mom, easy," Franklin answered, closing his eyes for a couple of seconds and then smiling. "It's done, the universe is ready now."

"Okay, go for it," she said, stepping back.

Franklin handed the universe to his Molecule Man-empowered father, who, like a slingshot, used his arm to throw the universe out of Battleworld and into its unique place in the cosmos. Molecule Man split a part of himself off, that fragment flying off to anchor the new reality as he had done for all the rest. Reed turned back to the Von Doom variants of his family and smiled.

"You have a home to return to now. Once you return, your father, brother, and Benn will be there waiting for you. Unlike most others we sent back, their memories of their time here will be maintained so they won't think you're mad for having two children you didn't have the last they remember," Reed explained, Susan Von Doom allowing a single tear to run down her face as she hugged her children close and smiled.

"Thank you," she said before turning to Susan Richards. "I can see why you married him, your husband truly is a good man. If there had been a Reed Richards on Battleworld, perhaps maybe, things would be different for me."

"Don't count yourself out just yet, you've got a whole new home to return to, just like the one you remember. But maybe, if you're lucky, it may turn out even better," Susan Richards said vaguely to her doppelganger, smirking before hugging her husband's side. "Good luck, I hope you can find happiness in your new universe."

"Thank you," Susan Von Doom replied, turning to the portal Molecule Man opened to her side. Herding her children through the portal, she turned back to her Earth 616 counterparts and said. "Don't tell Victor we're still alive, he lost my trust when he lied about who and what I am. I want to move on, from Battleworld, from him."

"You have my word," Reed agreed, waving as the portal closed. With the Von Doom family now gone, Susan allowed a moment of comfortable silence before turning to her husband and smiling.

"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" Susan said sincerely, leaning up and kissing her husband on the lips.

"You have, but I'll never get tired of it," Reed replied with a smirk.

"Come on, let's go finish rebuilding the multiverse or we'll be here for eternity," Susan suggested, leading her husband by the hand.

"Nonsense, we'll be here a couple of months at most," Reed retorted, but allowed himself to be pulled back towards his family. Susan shook her head fondly.

"Of course, dear."

 

[Virtuous Anglo]

A Final Middle Finger to Victor Von Doom

Chapter 2: Surprise! It's Reed Richards!

Author's Notes: I hope you liked the first chapter and are happy going into this one. I want the story to slowly unfold throughout my next few posts and turn into something bigger than its original concept, but who knows at this point? For now, enjoy this second chapter, and if you do, drop it a like and consider commissioning some work from me via my email address found in my signature. Until next time.

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The Baxter Building was a sanctuary of controlled chaos, its upper floors a blend of cutting-edge laboratories, training facilities, and the warm, lived-in spaces of a family home. Susan Storm stood in her lab, her blonde hair swept into a loose bun, her eyes fixed on a holographic display. Equations danced in the air, tracing theoretical pathways through the multiverse. Dimensional travel—her life's work, her passion—remained just beyond her grasp, a puzzle she was determined to solve.

"Susie, you planning to live in that lab, or are we grabbing lunch?" Johnny Storm's voice broke her focus, laced with his usual mix of bravado and affection. He lounged in the doorway, his flame-resistant suit unzipped to the waist, tossing a grin her way.

Susan dismissed the hologram with a wave. "Some of us have actual work to do, Johnny. Not everyone can skate by on good looks and fireballs."

"Skate? I'm a global icon!" Johnny shot back, juggling a small flame between his hands. "Dad's cooking, by the way. You miss it, he's gonna guilt-trip you about 'family bonding' for a week."

Susan rolled her eyes but followed him down the hall, their banter a familiar rhythm. The Fantastic Four were more than a team—they were her foundation. Her father, Franklin Storm Sr., was the steady hand, a physicist whose wisdom guided them. Ben Grimm, the Thing, was the unshakable heart, his rocky exterior hiding a fierce devotion. Johnny, the Human Torch, brought the spark, and Susan, once Susan Von Doom, now simply Storm, was the mind, her intellect fueling their scientific and heroic pursuits.

In the kitchen, Franklin Sr. was tending to a fragrant dish of roasted vegetables and herbs, while Ben diced potatoes with surprising finesse for his massive hands. The aroma was a welcome change from Franklin's occasional culinary misfires.

"Finally, Suzie," Franklin said, glancing up with a warm smile. "I was about to send Ben to drag you out."

"Would've taken more than that," Susan teased, sliding into a chair. "What's the occasion? You're cooking like we're hosting the UN."

Ben chuckled, his voice a low rumble. "Your dad's just sweet-talkin' us. We got an invite to some high-class science gala tonight. They're honorin' us for savin' the world and bein' brainiacs."

Franklin set the dish on the table. "The World Science Council's throwing it to celebrate our contributions to science and global security. They mentioned they're honouring someone else, too—someone they think you'll find interesting, Susan."

Susan paused, fork halfway to her mouth. "Me? Who?"

Franklin shrugged. "They wouldn't say. Probably some physicist trying to keep up with you."

"Or a stalker," Johnny added, dodging the napkin Susan flicked at him. "What? You're a big deal, sis. Gotta watch out for the science groupies."

"Keep talking, and I'll trap you in a force field," Susan warned, but her curiosity was piqued. Her field—dimensional physics—was a small world. Few could match her expertise, and fewer still would warrant this kind of mystery. She filed it away, her mind already turning to possibilities.

The Grand Meridian glittered under Manhattan's skyline, its ballroom a sea of crystal chandeliers and polished marble. The Fantastic Four arrived in style: Susan in a sleek, emerald-green gown that balanced elegance with practicality, Johnny in a suit he'd probably ruin by midnight, Franklin in timeless black tie, and Ben in a custom tuxedo that made his rocky frame look almost debonair.

"Feel like a brick in a china shop," Ben muttered, tugging at his bowtie.

"You're killing it," Susan said, patting his arm. "Just don't punch anyone who calls you 'dapper.'"

"No guarantees," Ben grinned.

The gala unfolded with the usual flair—cocktails, networking, and enthusiastic admirers. Susan navigated conversations about her research with ease, deflecting technical questions with a smile. Johnny charmed a group of young scientists, Franklin reconnected with old colleagues, and Ben, predictably, staked out the buffet, declaring it "not bad for fancy grub."

As the evening progressed, the stage lit up, and Dr. Elena Vasquez, the Council's chair, took the microphone. Her presence was commanding, her voice warm yet authoritative.

"Tonight, we celebrate not just heroism, but the pursuit of knowledge that changes the world," she began. "The Fantastic Four—Dr. Franklin Storm, Dr. Susan Storm, Johnny Storm, and Benjamin Grimm have redefined what it means to serve humanity. Their scientific breakthroughs and selfless courage inspire us all."

The crowd erupted in applause as the team took the stage. Franklin spoke first, his words heartfelt, emphasizing collaboration and hope. Susan followed, her speech crisp, highlighting the potential of dimensional research to unlock new realms. Johnny kept it brief and flashy, earning laughs with a quip about "keeping the cosmos flame-proof." Ben closed with a gruff nod to the "everyday folks" who made their work possible.

As they stepped back, Vasquez returned, her smile widening. "We also honour another visionary tonight, a scientist whose work has opened doors once thought impossible. Please welcome Dr. Reed Richards."

The name hit Susan like a spark, igniting curiosity rather than alarm. Reed Richards. It was a name that shouldn't exist here. Victor Von Doom, in crafting Susan and her children from the echoes of their Earth-616 counterparts, had built her memories around a universe without Reed Richards. Her reality—her children, her family, her life—was rooted in that absence. Yet here he was, a tall man with dark hair streaked with grey, ascending the stage with an unassuming grace. His suit was sharp but understated, his wave to the crowd almost shy.

Susan's breath caught, not from suspicion, but from a sudden, burning question: why? Her Earth-616 counterpart, Susan Richards, had asked her son Franklin Richards to make secret changes to this universe. Was Reed one of them? Had Susan Richards, knowing the pain of her losses, gifted her this piece of a life she'd never known?

Reed took the microphone, his voice steady and warm. "Thank you, Dr. Vasquez, and thank you all. Science is about daring to ask the impossible—and then building the tools to make it real. My team and I have done just that, and I'm thrilled to announce that we've created a functional interdimensional gateway."

The room gasped, then buzzed with excitement. Susan's heart raced, not with envy, but with awe. A gateway—the breakthrough she'd chased for years, always falling short. Reed had done it. She leaned forward, hanging on his every word, her mind already dissecting the implications.

"In one month, we'll lead an expedition through the gateway to explore a parallel universe," Reed continued. "We'll study its physics, its resources, its possibilities. The multiverse isn't just a theory anymore—it's our future."

The applause was thunderous, but Susan barely noticed. Her thoughts spiralled, not to traps or manipulations, but to Susan Richards. Why had she done this? Had she seen something in Reed—a spark, a potential—that Susan needed? Was this a gift, a chance to explore a path she'd never walked? Franklin Richards, her son in another life, held the answers, but he was beyond her reach, for now.

As Reed left the stage, the crowd swarmed him. Susan moved with purpose, weaving through the throng. She needed to talk to him, to understand the man who shouldn't exist.

"Dr. Richards," she called, her voice clear and steady.

He turned, his hazel eyes lighting with recognition. "Dr. Storm," he said, his smile genuine, almost boyish. "I was hoping to meet you. Your work on subspace harmonics is incredible—my team leaned on it heavily."

Susan blinked, disarmed by his warmth. "Thank you," she said, her curiosity deepening. He was younger than the Reed she'd glimpsed in fragmented memories, less worn by cosmic burdens. But his eyes held the same relentless intellect, the same quiet passion. "I was… surprised to hear about your gateway. It's extraordinary."

Reed's face lit up, and he dove into an explanation, his hands gesturing animatedly. "The stabilisation was the real challenge. We had to sync the quantum anchors in real time to prevent collapse—it's like threading a needle in a hurricane. But once we aligned the resonance fields—"

He caught himself, laughing. "Sorry, I get carried away. Would you like to see the schematics? I'd love your perspective."

Susan nodded, her mind racing. He was kind, charming, utterly unaware of the weight his presence carried. They talked for nearly an hour, moving to a quieter corner of the ballroom. Reed shared details of his gateway, his excitement infectious. Susan asked probing questions, not to uncover deceit, but to understand his process, his mind. If Susan Richards had chosen him, there was a reason.

As the gala wound down, Reed glanced at his watch. "I should let you get back to your team. But, Susan—if I may—I'd love to continue this. Maybe you could visit my lab? I think we could do great things together."

Susan smiled, genuinely this time. "I'd like that. And it's just Susan."

"Susan, then." Reed's grin was warm, unguarded. "I'll be in touch."

She rejoined her family, who were blissfully unaware of the questions swirling in her mind. Johnny was recounting a story about outsmarting a villain with a well-timed flame, Ben was chuckling, and Franklin Sr. was shaking his head with fond exasperation. They were her world, her anchor. But Reed Richards' presence opened a door to something new—a mystery she was eager to unravel.

That night, Susan didn't retreat to her lab. Instead, she sat in the quiet of her children's room, the soft glow of a nightlight casting gentle shadows. Franklin Storm Jr., six years old, slept soundly, his dark curls splayed across the pillow. Valeria, four, clutched a stuffed rocket ship, her breathing slow and even. Susan's heart swelled as she watched them, these miracles born from echoes of another life.

Victor Von Doom had created her and her children from the shadows of their Earth-616 counterparts, weaving her memories into a universe where Reed Richards had never existed. That was the reality she'd known, the one she'd built her life around. But Susan Richards, her other self, had asked Franklin Richards to make changes—subtle, secret alterations known only to him. Reed's presence was one of them; she was sure of it. But why?

Susan leaned back in the chair, her gaze drifting to the stars visible through the window. Had Susan Richards seen something she hadn't? A chance for connection, for discovery, for a life less haunted by absence? Reed was brilliant, kind, and driven—qualities that resonated with Susan's ambitions. Maybe this wasn't about recreating the past, but about offering a new future.

She thought of the gateway, of the expedition Reed would lead in a month. It was a chance to step into the multiverse, to seek answers not just about Reed, but about herself. Franklin Richards, her son in another reality, might hold the key to understanding Susan Richards' intentions. To reach him, she'd need Reed's gateway—and his trust.

Her children stirred, Franklin murmuring something in his sleep. Susan reached out, brushing a curl from his forehead. They were her reason, her purpose. Whatever Susan Richards had planned, Susan would face it as she always had: as a scientist, a hero, a mother. She'd join Reed's expedition, not out of fear, but out of curiosity, a hunger to know why her other self had chosen this path.

The stars outside gleamed, vast and endless. The multiverse was calling, and Susan Storm was ready to answer—on her terms.