[center][img]http://s8.postimg.org/pwi2gjdsx/superman_logo_012.png[/img][img]http://s28.postimg.org/raf0bi5p5/fantastic_four_by_annikaclarisse_d4uaiox.png[/img][/center]
[b]Downtown, Metropolis[/b]

As Superman touched down beside the Thing a broad smile crossed his face. The last time he'd seen the Fantastic Four they had been fighting off a character that called himself the Super Skrull. Unlike Clark, the Fantastic Four spent most of their time either off-world or travelling through the dimensions in search of advanced civilisations. Richards was the premier mind that Earth had - cleverer even than Tony Stark or Bruce Wayne. The technology the Fantastic Four salvaged from their missions were almost always turned into some new invention, almost always in aid of curing some once thought of incurable disease or something else equally charitable. In short, in a world full of heroes, the Fantastic Four were the [i]real[/i] heroes.

Clark patted Ben on the back by way of greeting.

[color=steelblue][b]"It’s a pleasure to see you too, Ben."[/b][/color]

[color=CornflowerBlue][b]"Superman, it’s been too long. How are you?"[/b][/color] Reed said as he stretched out a hand towards Clark. [color=cornflowerblue][b]"You look [i]stronger[/i] than before. You should stop by the Baxter Building some time so I can run some tests."[/b][/color]

Superman shook his head.

[color=steelblue][b]"Thanks, Reed, but I’m not too keen on labs. What brings the Fantastic Four to Metropolis?"[/b][/color]

Sue arrived next to her husband, placed a loving hand on the small of his back, and rested her head on one of her shoulders. Though Grimm was the powerhouse of the group, Sue was its backbone - her quiet strength was what held the Fantastic Four together through thick and thin. It had been Sue, not Reed, that had helped Ben come to terms with his appearance. Though her fiancé was often too focused on his research to notice the little things she did for him, it was clear even to Clark that without Susan Storm there would no Fantastic Four.

[color=PaleTurquoise][b]"Well, we were passing through and Reed decided he just [i]had[/i] to pick Lex’s brain about something."[/b][/color]

Johnny Storm touched down next to Clark, Reed, Sue, and Ben and gave the unconscious Avalanche a nudge with his foot.

[color=firebrick][b]"Looks like poor old Avalanche couldn’t have chosen a worse time to try to rob a bank."[/b][/color]

Ben gave Johnny a playful jab in the side. At last, it was [i]meant[/i] to be playful. What passed for a playful jab from the Thing was a normal person's sledgehammer to the chest.

[color=darkorange][b]"Pah. You can talk, last I checked I was the one doing all the heavy lifting, Matchstick."[/b][/color]

Johnny staggered several feet before regaining his footing. There was a burst of flame as Johnny reignited and shot towards the Thing at speed. He rocked Grimm with an uppercut that knocked Ben back a step or two but didn't seem to do him any real damage.

[color=firebrick][b]"You want to go, ugly? Name the time and place."[/b][/color]

Clark watched on in bemusement as the two threw blows back and force at one another mere seconds after having downed Avalanche. People in the buildings overlooking them had their phones trained on them as Thing batted successive fireballs away and Johnny darted just outside of Grimm's reach. Clark looked to Sue for an explanation.

[color=steelblue][b]"Are they [i]always[/i] like this?"[/b][/color]

He was met by an exasperated look.

[color=PaleTurquoise][b]"You’d be surprised."[/b][/color]

With an extension of her hand Sue Storm created a forcefield between her brother and Ben. The latter tested the strength of the forcefield with one of his rock-like fists before eventually conceding he wasn't going to make it through. Johnny powered down and, convinced the hostilities were done, Sue let the field melt away into nothing. 

[color=cornflowerblue][b]"You’re more than welcome to accompany Sue and I to the Watchtower, Superman – I’ve heard Lex has made some improvements to the building since my last visit."[/b][/color]

Clark turned a blushed red with embarrassment and Johnny let out a knowing chuckle.

[color=firebrick][b]"Haven’t you heard, Reed? Big Blue and Lex don’t exactly see eye to eye."[/b][/color]

The smug look on Johnny's face disappeared as Clark looked at him, unimpressed.

[color=steelblue][b]"Thank you, Johnny. I’m flattered, Reed, but I’m sure I’d just hold you and Lex back. Do make sure to send him my regards though."[/b][/color]

Ben's orange rock brows contorted into a frown as he realised that Reed had omitted his and Johnny's name from the trip to the Watchtower.

[color=darkorange][b]"Hey! What about us? Can’t we come to the Watchtower too?"[/b][/color]

Reed looked to Sue for help and she shrugged her shoulders. Sensing the awkwardness, Reed cleared his throat and then looked to Ben and Johnny with a sheepish grin.

[color=cornflowerblue][b]"I’m not sure I trust the pair of you not to break something. You’ll have to find some way to keep yourself busy whilst your sister and I speak to Lex. And [i]please[/i] try to stay out of trouble this time."[/b][/color]

The sound of Lois Lane's voice in the newsroom across town caught Clark's attention and he reached out his towards Reed with a friendly smile.

[color=steelblue][b]"I had better get going. It was nice to see you all again."[/b][/color]

Reed shook Superman's heartily and the Fantastic Four stepped back to allow Clark some space to depart. He flicked his cape away from his body and bent his knees. In one bound he took to the air and shot back towards the Daily Planet building. As he flew off into the distance the Fantastic Four watched him fade into the horizon, his red cape fluttering behind him as he went, and Ben Grimm elbowed Johnny Storm in his side with a teasing smile.

[center][img]http://s11.postimg.org/vvoivjv0z/latest_cb_20090608182149.jpg[/img][/center]
[color=darkorange][b]"Now [i]that’s[/i] flying."[/b][/color]