The Fantastic Four Cannot Find Superia

In the lab, the machines beeped. And beeped. And beeped. Misfter Fantastic's limbs stretched out across an array of equipment that took up an entire wall. His neck stretched to check monitors set too far away. All the time, Sue Storm stood, arms crossed, feeling her steely biceps—and the guilt that gnawed at her new, perfect abs.

While her husband searched for Superia, the Invisible Woman admitted to herself that this was all her fault. Superia may have given her this super-soldier body, but it was her own overweening desire as a parent to give her children everything that had led her to agree to the blood transfusion. Poor Franklin had paid the price.

Oh my son, Sue Storm thought. What have I done? How do I make it up to you?

Then the beeping stopped.

Immediately, Sue came to attention, her blue eyes searching as Reed's neck and arms retracted. He turned toward his wife, his face grizzled with a five o'clock shadow.

"She's gone," he said. "A tachyon storm erased her chroniton trail. I'm not sure if she caused it, or if it had some natural source. But we can't trace her. She could be anywhere—anywhen."

Sue's shoulders sagged.

"Then—"

"Franklin is stuck as a biological female," Reed said. "Although we should discuss options. If they still identify as male, we can start puberty blockers, look at gender-affirming surgeries—"

Sue Storm nodded numbly. Her heart felt heavy. All this power, and she couldn't help her own child.

If Franklin even needed help.

"Let's tell them," Sue Storm said.

Valeria clung to her sibling. They had always looked similar, but now the two blonde, blue-eyed girls looked almost like twins, albeit with Franklin about five years older. Their super-soldier traits were evident, too. A subtle hint of musculature beneath the baby fat. Surprising reaction speeds.

Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm had joined them, as well as Ben's wife Alicia Masters. The whole family was there to be present for the decision. It felt so strange to Susan, to be discussing the complete gender change of her child at the kitchen table. But then, it was just how the Fantastic Four rolled.

Sue had set out fresh chocolate chip cookies to soften the news. Reed had dropped one—Franklin had caught the falling cookie on the toe of one foot and flipped it, with perfect accuracy, into her mouth. It was an impressive feat.

"...and that's how it is, sweetie," the Invisible Woman said. "We can't find the woman who did this to mommy, and without her, we can't undo what was done to you. So it's up to you, Franklin. What do you want to be?"

"Whatever ya decide, kiddo," Ben Grimm said. "We gotcher back. Help you anyway we can."

"And you don't have to decide right now," the Human Torch added. "We know this might be confusing. If you need time, you have the right to it. Or change your mind later."

Franklin nodded her head. She nibbled on her cookie and looked very serious.

"If I stay a girl," she said. "Will I get periods and boobs and stuff?"

"Without treatment," her father said gently. "Yes. You and Valeria will grow up to be just like mommy."

Something about the way Reed said that stung Sue Storm's pride. Yet she swallowed the slight insult. After all, this was her fault, and she had to admit to that.