MAY 7, 2025
The sun poured through the large windows of the Baxter Building gym, casting sharp rays of light across the room. Richard, fully recovered, was deep into his training routine. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he powered through push-ups, his arms flexing with determination. Balanced comfortably on his back was N'Kalla, casually scrolling through her phone while lounging like it was nothing.
N'Kalla: (Grinning) Hey, did you hear? Spider-Man's got a new logo.
Richard: (Mid-push-up, raising an eyebrow) Huh? Really?
N'Kalla: Yeah, but get this the logo on his chest is the same one on his back. Weird, right?
Richard paused mid-rep, holding himself in a plank, a look of mild confusion crossing his face.
Richard: Wait seriously? Which one are you even talking about? You know there are two Spider-Men swinging around New York, right?
N'Kalla: (Rolling her eyes) Of course I know. I mean the Spider-Man the one with the red and blue suit.
Richard let out a breath and dropped onto the mat, rolling onto his side to face her, arms crossed.
Richard: (Chuckling) Classic, huh? Sounds like something he'd do. Guess even with all that spider-sense, fashion sense still isn't his strong suit.
N'Kalla laughed, playfully shoving Richard's shoulder.
N'Kalla: (Smirking) Says the guy who stretches like a living noodle.
Richard: (Grinning) Hey, this "living noodle" saved your butt more times than I can count.
N'Kalla: (Snorting) Yeah, yeah. Just remember, next time I might be the one saving you.
Richard: (Eyes narrowing playfully) You wish.
As the two shared a lighthearted moment, there was a sudden chill in Richard's gut—a flash of memory from Ove's attack. His smile faltered for just a second before he shook it off.
Richard: (Voice quieter) We better keep training. If Ove shows up again... I'm gonna be ready.
N'Kalla noticed the shift but didn't say anything. Instead, she nodded and hopped off his back.
N'Kalla: (Serious now) Yeah... next time, we end it.
Richard took a deep breath, getting back into position.
Richard: (Focused) Let's make sure we're ready.
The piercing sound of the Baxter Building's alarm echoed through the room, cutting through the peaceful moment like a knife. Richard immediately shot up from the floor, his instincts kicking in. In his sudden movement, N'Kalla lost her balance and fell onto her butt with a soft thud.
N'Kalla: (Annoyed) Hey! Watch it, musclehead!
Richard didn't even flinch. His eyes were already locked on the flashing red alert on the nearby computer screen.
Richard: (Frustrated) Again? Seriously? I swear, if this is Ove messing with us again...
He stormed toward the computer and began tapping furiously, pulling up the security feed. The screen flickered for a moment before revealing the intruder. But instead of Ove or some monstrous creature, what they saw was something... different.
A figure in red and blue was scaling the walls of the Baxter Building. The suit was unmistakable Spider-Man. But this wasn't the Spider-Man Richard knew. The figure was shorter, leaner, moving with an energy that felt off.
Richard: (Narrowing his eyes) Okay, what the hell? Why does Spider-Man look so young on the CCTV?
N'Kalla, still sitting on the floor, crawled over and peered at the screen, her confusion mirroring his.
N'Kalla: (Frowning) I don't know. Wasn't he supposed to be an adult? Like, definitely not breaking into buildings?
Richard crossed his arms, his expression darkening as he stared at the footage.
Richard: (Muttering) Something's not right. If this is Spider-Man, then why the hell is he breaking into the Baxter Building?
The camera feed suddenly glitched for a moment, and when it cleared, the young Spider-Man was already inside, moving through the corridors with clear purpose.
N'Kalla: (Serious now) So... what's the plan?
Richard cracked his knuckles, his body tense and ready for whatever was coming next.
Richard: (Determined) We find out who this kid really is and why he's here. If this is some new player... it's time for a proper introduction and also tell Franklin and Little Girl about this will ya?
N'Kalla: (Smirking) Of course! Let me tell them and go web-hunting, then.
.
Spider-Man landed inside the Baxter Building with ease, sneaking through an open doorway. He grinned under his mask as he stepped inside, his voice full of smug confidence.
Spider-Man: How obliging of them, leaving a door open for me! Now this is a breeze!
He walked through the halls until he reached another door, swinging it open dramatically.
Spider-Man: GREETINGS, GROUP! YOU SHOULDN'T MAKE IT SO EASY FOR PEOPLE TO DROP IN ON YA!
Before he could take another step, the door slammed shut behind him. With a clank, a reinforced glass cage dropped from the ceiling, trapping him inside.
Franklin stood on the other side, arms crossed, smirking.
Franklin: Got news for you, loudmouth it ain't that easy! Now who are you, and why are you wearing Uncle Peter's suit?
Spider-Man flinched at the name.
Spider-Man: Uncle Peter? Wait... you knew my dad?? Never mind!
He placed both hands on the glass walls and, with a slow but steady force, began prying the cage door open with his bare hands.
Richard: That device cost us thousands if you wreck it!
But instead of breaking the glass, Spider-Man simply slipped out of the cage, bending the opening just enough to slide through before letting it snap back into place.
Richard: Oh, come on!
Before anyone could react, N'Kalla transformed into her Thing form, her rocky fists clenching as she stepped forward with a grin.
N'Kalla: Don't worry, rubber-face! This squirt's gonna be taught some manners right now!
She swung her massive arm at Spider-Man, shoving him backward.
Spider-Man: (Stumbling) Oww! Ya big ape, who do ya think you're pushin' around?!
He backflipped, landing on the ceiling, eyes narrowing as he prepared for a fight.
Richard sighed, rubbing his temples.
Richard: Here we go...
Spider-Man darted forward with surprising speed and, with ease, grabbed N'Kalla still in her Thing form and lifted her clean off the ground.
Spider-Man: Did ya forget you're messin' with a boy who has the proportionate strength of a spider?
N'Kalla, caught off guard, struggled in his grip.
N'Kalla: For cryin' out loud! That's what I get for pullin' my punch on account of his size!
With a sudden burst of strength, Spider-Man hurled N'Kalla across the room. She crashed right into Valeria, who had just stepped through the door.
Valeria: What the?!
Both of them went tumbling to the floor, a mix of frustration and disbelief on Valeria's face as she scrambled to her feet.
Richard's eyes narrowed as he stretched both of his arms, enlarging his hands until they were massive.
Richard: Now hold it, boy! We don't want to fight you at least, not until we know what we're fighting about!
He lunged forward, trying to grab Spider-Man in his elastic grip. But the young Spider-Man was quicker, flipping high into the air and landing on a wall with ease.
Spider-Man: Who's fighting? Just consider this a little exhibition!
Richard gritted his teeth, stretching his arm again for another attempt.
Richard: An exhibition? You broke into the Baxter Building!
Valeria, brushing dust off her clothes, glared up at Spider-Man.
Valeria: Yeah? Well, this "exhibition" better come with some answers or you're gonna regret crashing this party.
Spider-Man crouched, eyes narrowing beneath the mask, ready for whatever came next.
Spider-Man: Trust me, genius answers are exactly why I'm here.
Before Spider-Man could leap again, a sudden chill swept through the room.
Franklin, in his shimmering astral form, appeared behind him and grabbed Spider-Man by the leg, locking him mid-air.
Franklin: Enough! We want to know why you're here and why you're wearing our Uncle Peter's suit!
Spider-Man struggled at first but quickly froze, his body tense with nervous energy. His hands trembled as he slowly pulled off his mask, revealing a young face with hazel eyes and messy brown hair.
Spider-Man: Umm... hi? Hehehe...
The room fell silent, the tension thick. Valeria crossed her arms, her glare sharp enough to cut through steel.
Valeria: Now... introduce yourself. And it better be good.
Spider-Man let out a long sigh, clearly uncomfortable under their intense stares.
Spider-Man: Okay, okay! My name's Ben Parker II...
The room seemed to freeze at the name.
Ben: I'm... the son of Peter Parker and Cindy Moon yeah, that Cindy Moon. You probably know her better as Silk.
Richard blinked, processing the revelation, while N'Kalla still in her Thing for rubbed the back of her head, looking baffled.
Ben scratched the back of his neck nervously.
Ben: Look, I wasn't here to cause trouble. My parents sent me here because they want me to stay with my babysitters... who, apparently, live in this building?
Franklin's eyes narrowed, releasing his grip and returning to his physical form.
Franklin: Babysitters? You broke into the Baxter Building just for that?
Ben shrugged awkwardly.
Ben: Yeah... I didn't think knocking would be enough to get your attention.
Valeria groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose.
Valeria: Great. Just what we needed another Parker causing chaos.
Richard sighed, his arms returning to normal.
Richard: Alright, Ben. You better start explaining everything before I regret not letting N'Kalla clobber you for real.
Ben: ...Right. Uh, maybe I should start from the beginning?
.
Minutes later, the tension in the Baxter Building's main room was thick. Ben Parker II sat on a chair, rubbing his wrists, still shaken from the earlier scuffle. Richard stood with his arms crossed, his elastic fingers tapping against his biceps, while Valeria paced back and forth. N'Kalla, still in her Thing form, leaned against the wall, watching silently.
Richard narrowed his eyes.
Richard: So, Ben... you're telling us that your parents were abducted?
Ben nodded, his hands gripping his knees.
Ben: Yeah.
Richard: By who exactly?
Ben hesitated, his expression shifting to frustration and uncertainty.
Ben: I don't know. But what I do remember is that they were taken by Moloids.
The room fell silent for a moment.
N'Kalla raised a rocky eyebrow.
N'Kalla: You mean those little freaks that live underground?
Ben nodded again.
Ben: Yeah. Those little yellow guys with the big eyes. But something was off about them. They weren't just running around mindlessly. It's like they had a plan. And someone was leading them.
Valeria stopped pacing.
Valeria: You're saying there's a leader behind this?
Ben clenched his fists.
Ben: Yeah. And if my parents are still alive, that means whoever took them is using them for something.
Richard exhaled sharply and cracked his knuckles.
Richard: Alright, then. Looks like we're going subterranean. Time to pay a visit to the Mole Man.
The sound of mechanical whirring echoed through the room as H.E.R.B.I.E. floated in, clutching a sleek envelope with a government seal. His voice buzzed with urgency.
H.E.R.B.I.E.: A letter has arrived marked urgent from General Thaddeus Ross.
Everyone turned, the tension in the air shifting immediately. Franklin quickly grabbed the letter, tearing it open and scanning the contents. His brow furrowed, and his expression darkened with every word he read.
Franklin: Uh... guys. We've got a situation.
Richard: What now?
Franklin looked up, his voice serious.
Franklin: The four of us need to meet General Thaddeus Ross and President Donald Trump. At 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Washington, D.C.
Valeria blinked, surprised.
Valeria: Wait, the White House?
Franklin nodded and then turned toward Ben, hesitating.
Franklin: And, uh... Ben? You're gonna have to sit this one out. The letter specifically says only the Fantastic Four.
Ben frowned, crossing his arms.
Ben: Seriously? I just got here. My parents are missing, and now you're ditching me?
Richard placed a reassuring hand on Ben's shoulder.
Richard: Hey, this isn't about ditching you. It's official business. If Ross and the President want to speak with just the Fantastic Four, we have to follow protocol.
Ben: Yeah... I get it. Just don't forget what's really important, okay? My parents need help.
Valeria gave him a soft smile.
Valeria: We won't forget, Ben. We'll handle this, and then we'll figure out how to bring your parents back.
Franklin folded the letter and slipped it into his pocket.
Franklin: Alright. Let's get ready. Looks like we're heading to D.C.
Richard nodded, determination flashing in his eyes.
Richard: Team! If Ross and the President need us... it must be serious. Now Mobilize!