chpt. 25

Sophia, Larry and I are all in our respective positions— we'll be helping with transporting Franklin between us to him keep from getting into Galactus' hands. Herbie is with us too, and Ginger is locked up in my closet.

I watch through the large windows as Johnny, Susan, Reed and Ben, all in their suits, set Franklin down on the centre of Time's Square. Everything is unnaturally quiet.

Sophia's hand grips mine, "Are we going to be okay?" She asks.

No. "Yes." I reply. I look at Larry and he nods, "We'll be alright." He says. Sophia nods.

"I'm scared." She says.

"Me too." I whisper.

I see Johnny's body go aflame and Susan, Reed and Ben get into their car, flying off. Sophia gawks at them.

"They've have a flying car?" She asks.

"Yup."

"Have you ever been in it?" She asks.

"Nope."

"We have to ride in that thing! Once this whole thing blows over."

I smile, "Agreed."

A massive shadow falls over the building. He's here. I hug Sophia and Larry one more time before we stand in our positions. I then feel the building shake beneath my feet. This is actually happening.

I then feel and hear the rumbling of heavy footsteps coming toward the building. Well, in the direction anyway. I see him for the very first time.

"That is one ugly motherfucker." Larry whispers and I nearly laugh.

I see Susan's forefield in front of Galactus's face, and then Johnny sending a beam of hot fire through it, blinding Galactus as the flames hit his eyes.

In that split second, I see Johnny making his way to us. I open the sliding door, letting him in. He puts Franklin down, who's is crying.

We all crowd around him, "Hey, hey, don't cry. I'll back in a minute, okay." He whispers.

He makes eye contact with me, before turning, then in mid-step, changing his mind, turning back to me, rushing over.

He then cups my cheeks, leaning in, and kisses me hotly on the mouth. My hands land on his chest as I kiss him back fiercely. I want to grip at his suit, make him stay, pull him closer, bur I know I can't. I have to let go. And I do.

He stares at me breathlessly, "Stay alive will, you?"

I nod, "Yeah."

"And take care of my nephew." He says.

I lick my lips, grinning, "Always." He grins, pecking my lips again quickly.

He winks, "I'll be back for more, later, okay?" His voice drops as he says this. My stomach flips.

"Okay. Kick ass." I say. He winks, petting Herbie, before jumping out of the window as his whole body goes aflame.

Herbie says something to me that sounds like "Wowza, wowza." I roll my eyes. My cheeks are hot.

"Did that just happen?" Sophia exclaims.

I nod. Larry smirks, "Nice."

"Okay, literally the end of the world is happening! Forcus!" I exclaim.

"Right, okay, sorry." The murmur.

I then hear buildings crash, metal scraping against metal on metal. I look out the window and a bright beam of blue light flashes through the window. Galactus. He's found us.

I pick up Franklin, closing the carrier, holding him close, as I back away from the window. Sophia next to me, Larry and Herbie in front of us.

He's there. In front of the window. Glowing eyes staring us down. I freeze. He's massive and scary beyond belief. Herbie then presses a button on his body and the building locks down.

There's a few moments of silence, before the building collapses into itself. A massive hand reaches into the house at us. I push Franklin into Larry's hands, pushing him, Sophia and Herbie away, as I force myself into Galactus's hand.

His hand closes around me, and I feel myself being carried out. After a while he opens his hand and sees me. He stops, then looks at the building, they're gone.

I see Johnny fly towards me, "Hey." I tell Galactus.

"Clever little bugs." He says, his voice booming in my ears.

Johnny scoops me up from his hand as Susan sends a forcefield towards Galactus, sending him back. I hold onto Johnny as he sets me down on one of the buildings away from the chaos.

"You okay?" He asks, his blue eyes wide with panic.

I nod, "Yeah. Now go."

He grins, kissing me again, before flying off as Susan keeps sending forefields his way. Somewhere Reed lands on him with a large metal pole, sticking it into, somewhere on Galactus's back. I just see lava. That makes him stall, reaching for a building for balance.

I see the portal open.

I then see Ben run through the pillars keeping up a building. Galactus looses his footing, falling into the portal. Susan keeps on pushing and Galactus seems totally vanish. Only for a split second.

He then appears, his hands coming out of the portal. I see Johnny fly into the air, saying something into his watch, before flying towards the portal. I see my ex-husband making his way to me at incredible speed at the same time.

No!

It's nearly too late— I see Shala-Ball flying past me at incredible speed. She pushes Johnny aside, grabbing my ex-husband and sends Galactus into the portal and it closes with them.

Silence. Is it over?

I see Susan laying on the ground. Not moving. Oh no.