[Third Person Pov]
As Peter finished recharging his chi, azure energy coursing through his meridians in a controlled, steady rhythm, the faint glow spread outward and seeped into his suit. The enchanted fabric responded immediately, threads knitting back together as scorched plating smoothed itself out, repairs completing in seconds as if the damage had never existed in the first place. With a quiet exhale, Peter rolled his shoulders, feeling the familiar balance return.
That was when his HUD chimed.
Peter blinked and glanced at the translucent display hovering in the corner of his vision.
Incoming Call: Fire Breath
"…Huh." Peter raised an eyebrow.
He stepped away from the rest of the group, who were busy finishing their own preparations—adjusting gear, checking weapons, and exchanging last-minute remarks—before accepting the call.
"Johnny?" Peter asked, his tone uncertain.
"SAVE ME!" Johnny Storm screamed through the comm, his voice dripping with exaggerated anguish. "I'M DYING OVER HERE!"
Peter immediately stilled, his senses flaring instinctively. However he didn't detect any sense of urgency from Johnny or that he was any real significant danger at the moment.
"…What?" Peter asked flatly. "Johnny, you sound fine."
"I'm dying of boredom!" Johnny wailed. "Actual, soul-crushing boredom!"
Peter pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Aren't you supposed to be in the Savage Lands right now?"
"I am! And yeah, sure, it was cool for like five minutes," Johnny said. "Dinosaurs, jungles, ancient ruins, the whole prehistoric vibe—but guess what? Even giant murder-lizards get old after a while."
Peter frowned. "I don't buy that."
"Reed and Sue are off collecting samples and doing science stuff," Johnny continued, completely ignoring him. "Ben's out there 'connecting with nature' or whatever, it's probably a rock thing. Meanwhile, I get stuck on stupid guard duty, watching the mobile lab and counting stone and pebbles"
Peter rubbed his brow, already regretting answering the call. "Johnny, I really can't help you right now. I'm in the middle of something important."
There was a brief pause.
"…Are you Spider-Maning?" Johnny asked, his tone suddenly hopeful.
"Yes," Peter admitted. "Something came up. It needs my attention."
"Is it dangerous?"
"Very."
Another pause—then Johnny excitedly exclaimed. "Can I come?! Please say yes!"
"…That's what she said."
Johnny burst into laughter. "HAHAHAHA—okay, okay, but seriously, take me with you! I swear, I'll behave. I'll be on my best behavior."
"That's not reassuring," Peter replied. "Also, Susan will kill us both. You for ditching guard duty, and me for letting you."
"Don't worry!" Johnny said confidently. "I'll take all the heat from my sister. You know I'm great at handling fire."
Peter groaned. "Hold on. I'll ask the others. This mission is… special. Not something I can decide on my own."
"Aren't you the leader?" Johnny asked, genuinely confused.
"Not how this works," Peter muttered as he put the call on hold and turned back toward the others.
After explaining the situation, Scott adjusted his visor and spoke for the group. "We'll leave the decision up to you. He's your friend. You'd know best whether he be a liability to the team—or an asset."
Gwen crossed her arms and sighed. "As reckless as Johnny can be, I can't deny his power set is impressive."
Lizzy, meanwhile, pouted openly. "Why do we even need another flame user when you already have me?" she said with a huff. "Need I remind everyone that I'm an Omega-level mutant?"
The Spider-Family collectively groaned, drawing an amused giggle from Lizzy in response.
After several minutes of discussion, weighing risks against raw destructive capability, the conclusion became clear. Extra firepower—especially that kind—could make all the difference.
Peter reactivated the call. "Alright, Johnny. You can come."
"YES! FINALLY!" Johnny shouted. "Get me out of this prehistoric nightmare!"
Peter lifted his hand and traced a slow circle through the air. Reality warped, folding inward as an eldritch portal tore open—its edge glowing faintly—revealing a glimpse of dense jungle beyond.
A streak of blazing fire burst through the portal at super speed.
"WOOHOO!!" Johnny yelled mid-flight. "WHERE'S THE DANGER?!"
He spiraled through the air, taking in the assembled heroes with obvious excitement, before landing cleanly between the Spider-Family and the X-Men. His flames retracted smoothly back into his body, leaving him standing there in his blue-and-white Fantastic Four uniform, grinning like a kid who'd just been let out of detention.
Johnny's attention drifted immediately, his eyes sweeping across Rogue, Jean, Storm, and Kitty in open appreciation before he slowly turned back toward Peter. A grin spread across his face as he stepped in close, slinging an arm around Peter's shoulders and pulling him into an overly familiar embrace.
"You're the best," Johnny said sincerely. "I love you, man."
Peter snickered and shoved Johnny's face away with two fingers. "Behave yourself, you clown."
"Here," Aria said calmly as she approached. She raised a hand, tapping the faintly glowing purple gem set into her forehead. Soft light pulsed from it as she pressed two fingers gently against Johnny's forehead.
Johnny barely had time to react before his eyes slowly rolled back, his body stiffening for a moment as a flood of information poured directly into his mind. Tactical briefings, mission parameters, threat assessments, team dynamics—it all slammed into place at once. At the same time, unseen psychic barriers formed, Aria carefully weaving a protective mental shield around his thoughts, locking away sensitive knowledge and safeguarding the team's identities from prying minds.
A moment later, Johnny staggered back, blinking rapidly.
"Ugh… Christ," he muttered, rubbing his temple. "That is insane."
Aria stepped back, satisfied.
"Remind me to call you next time I need help with my exams," Johnny added, letting out a breathy laugh.
Then his expression shifted. A slow, delighted smile spread across his face as he lowered his hand.
"So let me get this straight," he said. "I'm going to be fighting giant killer robots."
He looked around at the assembled heroes, visibly thrilled.
"Can this day get any better?"
Johnny turned toward the X-Men and raised both hands in greeting, already slipping into his usual showman persona.
"Name's Johnny," he announced confidently. "Johnny Storm."
Flames flickered to life in front of him, swirling together and forming his name in blazing letters as he flashed a charming grin.
"You might've heard of me," he continued. "I'm a member of the Fantastic Four. Best buds with Spidey over here."
"No you're not," Harry muttered flatly.
"Never heard of you."
"No clue who you are."
"First time I've ever heard that name."
"A friend of Zpidey iz a friend uz."
Each comment landed like a punch to Johnny's ego. His smile faltered slightly with every response, shoulders slumping just a bit.
"…Wow," Johnny said quietly.
But being Johnny Storm, the moment passed just as quickly as it came. He straightened up, rolled his shoulders, and smirked. "That's fine," he said confidently. "That just means I'll have to go all out on this mission—so none of you ever forget me. I'll burn my name straight into your memory."
Peter shook his head, fighting a smile. "Alright. Is everyone ready?"
Charles nodded from his chair. "Hank and I will remain behind. We'll keep a close eye on things using Cerebro."
Hank adjusted his glasses and folded his arms. "And we'll be prepared to receive and treat anyone you send back."
Scott nodded once, then turned toward Peter. "Let's move. Every second counts."
Three portals opened simultaneously, reality folding inward as shimmering gateways revealed a forested mountainside beyond. One by one, the teams stepped through.
The portals snapped shut behind them.
They emerged at the edge of a dense forest high in the Colorado mountains, the looming silhouette of the Sentinel Facility partially visible further up the slope.
Johnny took a step forward—
—and was immediately stopped as Peter raised an arm in front of him.
"Hold it," Peter said quietly. "Nobody move."
The mood shifted instantly.
"I'm sensing electronics," Peter continued, his eyes narrowing. "A lot of them."
He turned toward Nightwing and tilted his head.
Nightwing nodded, reaching into his utility belt and pulling out a compact canister. With a flick of his wrist, he activated it.
A thick cloud of smoke burst outward, blanketing the clearing.
As it spread, thin glowing red lines appeared throughout the haze.
"Motion sensors," Peter said evenly. His eyes briefly glowed as his enhanced vision kicked in, revealing concealed machine guns, artillery emplacements, and layered kill zones hidden among the trees.
"This entire forest is a minefield," he added. "Traps, weapons, and automated defenses designed to stop anyone from getting close."
Scott's gaze hardened. "Shadowcat."
"Red," Peter said at the same time.
They both looked at their respective teammates.
"You're up," they ordered in unison.
Kitty and MJ stepped forward together, exchanging a knowing look and a confident smile.
"Leave it to us," they said simultaneously as they moved toward the forest.
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