[center][quote=@Morden Man][b][color=#999999]“ENOUGH. WHAT MERCY I HAVE EXTENDED YOU ENDS NOW. PREPARE TO FEEL THE [i]FULL[/i] FORCE OF THE POWER COSMIC.”[/color][/b][/quote][/center][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ZfvPPwT.png[/img][/center]
[b][color=#ffffff]The Raft, New York[/color][/b]

[color=#ffffff]Sue Storm sent a blast of hard-light energy at the Silver Surfer that sent him careening away from the prison. The Fantastic Four landed on the concourse at what appeared to be the exact right moment. There were downed heroes scattered around the prison. The Flash appeared to be laid unconscious in a corner and the shattered remains of a blade marked where another hero had fallen. She sprinted over towards one of them, a young boy from the look of him, and helped him to his feet.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]There was a throbbing sound that sounded like the unrestrained power of the Surfer’s power cosmic ahead. She looked up, gulping slightly at the sight of the herald in full pomp, and remembered the exchange they had shared at the Triskelion. There was still good in him, she told herself, despite the blast of power cosmic that was sent in her direction. They needed to [i]reach [/i]the man inside, not beat him.[/color]

[color=#ea9999]“You know, I always thought surfers were meant to be chill,”[/color][color=#ffffff] Johnny said with a smile as he sent a fireball at the herald. [/color][color=#ea9999]“Whatever happened to that? Is that not a [i]thing[/i] anymore? When did surfers stop being chill?”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]The flames seemed to do next to no damage to the Surfer but it kept him distracted long enough for Ben to throw a large piece of debris at the herald. The impact of it wobbled him slightly but again wasn’t nearly enough to damage him. The Surfer returned the gesture with a blast of his own. It hit Ben squarely in the chest and sent him flying backwards.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]A wounded groan left Grimm’s lungs as he fought to his feet. [/color][color=#f6b26b]“Old Chrome Dome [i]really [/i]isn’t playing around this time. There was enough on that one to flatten me. You’d better keep your heads on a swivel, people.”[/color]

[color=#3d85c6]“You heard the man,” [/color][color=#ffffff]Reed shouted to the others as he assumed control.[/color][color=#3d85c6] “The Surfer’s not pulling his punches anymore. If he hits you, you’re going down for the count. We need to play this one smart. Johnny, Vigilante, I want you to give him something to think about – keep your distance, pepper him with everything you’ve got, but keep moving. Ben, old buddy, I’m afraid you’re going to have to be our tank.”[/color]

[color=#f6b26b]“Why do I always gotta be the punching bag, eh?” [/color][color=#ffffff]Ben feigned surprise.[/color] [color=#f6b26b]“Next you’ll be telling me that my career in male-modelling isn’t going to work out.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]The Thing smiled mischievously at Reed before sprinting off towards the Surfer without a moment’s hesitation. There was a loud shout from behind Reed as Grimm and the Surfer traded punches back and forwards. Richards didn’t even turn to look round, instead he continued to assess the situation and the personnel he had available to him.[/color]

[color=#3d85c6]“Spider-Woman, we haven’t been introduced yet but I believe you’ve met Johnny. He tells me your powers work just like the Spider-Man on our world. That means you have a … what did Spider-Man call it? A spider-sense?”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]The scientist didn’t even wait for a response. He looked towards the boy that Sue had helped to his feet. He was young and [i]clearly [/i]nervous, but he seemed powerful.[/color][color=#3d85c6] “Put … I’m sorry, I don’t know your name, son … put him on your back, [i]keep [/i]swinging, use that spider-sense of yours to sense when the Surfer is going to attack, that ought to give your friend here enough time to blast the Surfer again.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]Sweat was pouring down Reed’s forehead. He was still bleeding from his side from the blast that had levelled the Baxter Building and it was affecting him more than he let him – but there wasn’t time to worry about that. There wasn’t time to think about his lost world. There was just enough time to send the Surfer back to Galactus with a stark warning: Earth will not be bullied. They had done it once, they would do it again.[/color]

[color=#9fc5e8]“What about me?” [/color]Sue said from behind Reed. [color=#9fc5e8]“What’s my role in this, oh fearless leader?”[/color]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/CgZTuTK.png?1[/img][/center]
[color=#3d85c6]“You said you spoke to the Surfer at The Triskelion,” [/color][color=#ffffff]Reed said as he rubbed the stubble on his chin. [/color][color=#3d85c6]“I need you to do it again, Sue. All of this, [i]everyone[/i], I’m still not sure it’s going to be enough. We might not be able to beat him, but we could still [i]reach[/i] him. Just as we reached Norrin.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]Sue smiled upon hearing her fiance echo her own thoughts back to her and then gave him a curt nod. [/color][color=#9fc5e8]“[i]That[/i] I think I can manage.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]The couple sprinted towards the battle. The others had already begun acting on the plan that Reed had set out – with varying success – but one thing was certain: no matter how slim their chances were, they were immeasurably better off facing the herald with their allies at their side.[/color]