Misunderstandings

Deep in Reed’s lab, the cosmic entity that was Susan Storm floated a foot off the ground, her hands clasped over her heart and staring down at the floor, motionless. Her long hair flowed overhead as if she were hanging upside down or submersed in water, the entire room was aglow with the soft blue energies she gave off, as if her flesh was a neon light. She never moved, never breathed, or blinked. It would not have been a mistake to question if she were even alive… Until she raised her head to the noises outside the lab, the sounds of shouting and panic. Raising a hand away from her chest, a light conjured between two of her outstretched fingers, waiting as the noises intensified.

*

Pandemonium had erupted in the living room when the blue skinned succubus hoisted Reed off his feet by his neck and glared up at him with glowing golden eyes. Her wings unfurled, they flapped once and sent almost everyone back in the wake of the turbulence they generated. Raw power filling the living room and causing overhead lights to shine brighter and the television nearby to scramble into static. The succubus’s face was a mask of pure rage, fangs barred in a hateful sneer up at the man she had in her grasp.

“Please!... ‘cough’… I don’t understand…” Reed wheezed, even after stretching himself so his feet could reach the floor, her grip on his throat was absolute, as was her rage.

“UnDeRsTaNd? YoU WaNt To UnDeRsTaNd?! YOU BROKE HER WILL TO LIVE!!! BeCaUsE Of YoU, ShE CaN’t EvEn DeCiDe HoW To Go To ThE BaThRoOm. BeCaUsE Of YoU, ShE StArVeS FoR DaYs BeCaUsE sHe NeEdS PeRmIsSiOn To EAT!”

“Let Him Go!” Susan demanded, raising her hands to use her powers, only to be blasted back by hurricane winds brought on from the succubus roaring back at her.

“PeRhApS YoU’Ve FoRgOttEn ThE TrAuMa YoU’Ve InFlIcTeD! YeS? Of CoUrSe!” Lowering Reed down to her level, the succubus let go of Reed’s throat much to his relief before said relief was snatched away when she grabbed either side of his head and stared into his eyes. Frozen in place, the golden pools of her eyes were like a well to him. An abyss he quickly stared into while she stared deep into his eyes and in turn, his soul. “I WiLl DrEdGe Up EvErY CrUeL AcT YoU’Ve PeRfOrMeD, EvErY StRiKe, EvErY StRaNgLe, Every… Every kiss, every caress, every gentle hug you’ve…”

Looking deep into Reed’s eyes, the succubus’s demeanor softened, the storm of activity calming all around them as did she. Loosening her grip on his head, she slowly traced a clawed finger down the side of his cheek before pulling the man into a loving embrace and nestle his head into her chest. Unsure how to react or what to do, Mr. Fantastic slowly reciprocated the hug. From where he was looking, he found everyone else getting up and watching as this version of his wife continued to embrace him, even folding her wings around him. He could still hear her speak under her breath, listing off everything he had ever done for Susan. How he gave her roses on their tenth anniversary, how they went out dancing, how they went ice skating in the park. Gently pulled up from her chest, Reed’s eyes went wide when she gave him a passionate kiss. Everyone was taken back until she finally pulled away and kissed him again on the forehead.

“Forgive me Reed. You’re not him.”

Stepping away from the man, the succubus version of Susan Storm turned and went back to the Susan sitting stunned on the couch, watching up confused while the demonic woman gently combed her fingers through her hair maternally.

Rubbing his sore neck, Reed found his wife quickly approach and embrace him, checking for any harm to him and finding nothing. Turning her attention back to the demon woman, the Invisible Woman frowned. “You’ve got a LOT of explaining to do sister!”

“I have the ability to read the desires of anyone I am in proximity to, in that regard I can read thoughts, memories, emotions…” Still giving the woman sitting in the chair a caring eye, the succubus turned her head to look up at Susan with a sad smile. “This version of us, of you, has been in the hands of a sexual sadist for over fifteen years, one that wears your husband’s face. Suffice it to say, I overreacted.”

Trading looks, the couple looked back at the confused woman sitting in the chair with a blank look on her face, her eyes still focussed on Reed the entire time while clutching at the chain around her neck.

“I can understand how you became angry.” Answered Reed. “I would be just as upset if someone had done the same to Susan.”

“I KNOW you would.” Smiled the succubus.

“Can you help her?” Asked Johnny, he and the others finally braved close enough to speak now that the winged one was calm again.

“I might…” Cupping the woman’s chin under her palms, the succubus pulled the woman in for a chaste kiss, the moment she did, the woman’s eyes went wide, their glassy sheen showing a spark of life and will again when the succubus pulled away, and the woman shook her head as if to clear the cobwebs. Looking around, the Susan in the chair made a face as she looked over everyone present, still clutching the chain around her neck but no longer fixated on Reed.

“Who are all YOU people? And why do most of you look like me?”

Impressed, the Fantastic Four and their guests looked back at the succubus who stood to her full height and wiped her hands as if finishing a hard day’s work. “There we go, I’ve put her mind back together, there might be some residual emotional scars but those will fade in time.”

“Hey! Where’s the other one?” Asked Ben, suddenly noticing one of the Susans missing from the group. “The one in the pink dress.”

Realizing the woman was gone, they all looked around, focusing on the now wide-open front door to their apartment.

“Well shit…”