Sitting in a private room, at a table filled with copious amounts of various foods from alfredo pasta to pizza, to chicken wings, to tacos, etc... Reed and the others were eating, enjoying their first taste of real food since the accident happened.
Earlier after Ben had stopped laughing at Johnny, and the latter had been given some new clothes, Franklin then escorted them all to the current room they were in. So, they could not only eat but also relax.
Since the room itself had various televisions, computers desktops, and games that could be played. It was a gloriously crafted recreation center, which the four had been using without reservation.
Because before the food came Johnny had been working to play air hockey against Susan.
While Ben was watching a movie on his own.
As for Reed he had been at a computer terminal doing some research.
Namely trying to compare the information in his two sets of memories with the world itself. Because he wanted to make sure his mind wasn't playing tricks on him.
As such, he started doing a deep information dive on the internet, which thankfully all the computers in the room he was in were connected too.
Then just as Reed finished up his personal research the food had arrived, and he got with the others to eat. But as he did Reed went over all the information in his head.
First, from what he had been able to determine he was in a version of the Marvel universe that was largely a combination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe of the original Ultimate Universe, also known as Earth-1610.
Given that Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, and a host of others looked exactly like the actors they played their characters in the MCU.
That's not even taking into account that one Professor Charles Xavier exists in his new reality and looks exactly like Patrick Stewart. While Reed also managed to find a photo online of the Howling Commandos and spotted a Hugh Jackman carbon copy. Not to mention the fact the mutant haven of Genosha has been up and running for over a decade, and that Magneto looks like Ian McKellen.
So, all this confirms that Mutants and the X-men exist in his new reality.
Which makes Reed wonder which versions of Pietro and Wanda Maximoff will appear in his world. Will they be Magneto's children, or be more in line with their MCU counterparts? Well, only time will tell.
There's also the fact the Oscorp Industries and Norman Osborn exist in his new world. Though from the research Reed had done his origin is more in line with that of the Insomniac Spider-Man games.
But curiously when Reed looked up the Parker family, he found Richard and Mary Parker looked like their actors from the Amazing Spider-Man films, but their son Peter was a young Tom Holland that was born in 1995.
This telling Reed that elements from the various Spider-Man films, and games, were a part of his new reality.
Though this sent a shiver down his spine. Because if Norman Osborn was anything like his Earth-1610 counterpart then that told him the Ultimate Green Goblin, who in Reed's opinion is one of the most terrifying variants of the Green Goblin, could appear sometime in the future.
To say nothing of all the other potential threats out there.
Galactus, Apocalypse, Mister Sinister, Hydra, AIM, and of course Thanos.
Not to mention Victor, who is currently running around unchecked.
All of these individuals made the world a variable powder-keg just waiting to go off.
But Reed didn't panic, since it wouldn't get him anywhere.
Not to mention based on everything he should have time.
Because the first thing he did was look up the current year and saw it was 2005. So, if the timelines he knew held even a little true then he had a couple of years to prepare for the worst of things to come.
Hopefully.
"Reed."
Snapping out of his thoughts as Susan called to him Reed turned to look at her. "Yes Sue, what's up?" He asked.
"I was just about to ask you the same thing." Susan replied. "You look worried."
"Susie right stretch." Ben added. In between taking bites of a whole meat lovers pizza. "You look like you're aging by the minute."
"Wait, that's not actually happening to Reed, right?" Johnny asked.
"No, it's not Johnny." Reed replied. A soft smile appearing on his face. Glad that the people he cared about also cared for him so much. "And you guys are right, I am worried. Especially about Victor."
"Wait, what about Victor?" Johnny asked.
"Yeah, what has that arrogant ass done now?" Ben asked.
"Well, after he woke up he escaped the facility, killing several guards in the process." Reed quickly explained.
When he did both Johnny and Ben stopped eating, both of them getting shocked expressions on their faces.
"What?!" Johnny shouted. "When did this happen?"
"A few days after he woke up." Susan replied. "Which was shortly after me."
"Man, I knew old Vic always had a bit of a screw loose, but to go on and escape like that puts him on a new level of crazy." Ben commented.
"And now you can see why I'm worried about him." Reed spoke once more. "Victor always had a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He's also not one to back against someone he thinks hurt or wronged him. And since I was responsible for the creation of the teleportation device, along with you guys, and the Baxter Foundation, which resulted in all of our changes, and his..." He trailed off, letting his words hang in the air.
"You think he'll come after us." Susan finsihed.
Reed nodded at her words. "I think, it's a very strong possibility."
"But that's crazy." Johnny protested. "None of us did anything to Victor. The accident was just that, an accident."
"Yeah, you're right kid." Ben agreed. "But like Reed just said, Victor likely won't see it that way." He spoke.
"Then what are we going to do?" Johnny asked.
"Well, since we have powers, why not use them." Reed suggested. When he did everyone began looking straight at him.
"Reed, are you being serious right now?" Susan asked.
Reed nodded. "I am." He replied. "I mean, I don't know why this happened, but the four of us now possess wonderous, and I dare say, fantastic abilities. Which I know that once we got a handle on, we could use for the benefit of not just ourselves, but mankind as well. At least, that's what I believe."
"So, what, are you saying we should become superheroes? Like with the tight spandex costumes and capes?" Ben asked.
"Something like that." Reed replied. "But not like that exactly. I was thinking we could follow the example of Captain America and become symbols in our own way to the world. If you all would be open to that." He proposed.
"Well, I definitely would be." Johnny immediately answered. "After all, the ladies love a hero." He spoke.
"Yeah, and they also love men. Which you aren't yet." Ben spoke.
Jabbing at Johnny's age, since he was still only seventeen-years-old.
While Susan was twenty-five and both Ben and Reed are twenty-seven as of this year.
"I could say the same thing about you right now stone-"
"-Boys, enough." Susan interrupted. Leveling a glare at both Ben and Johnny, who backed off from each other. "Thank you." She spoke. After which Susan turned back to Reed. "Now then, as we were discussing before that small interruption, Reed I think you're idea is wonderful. But we need to proceed with caution if you do follow this path you're proposing."
"Of course, Sue. I know that." Reed replied. "And I'm certainly not pressuring anyone to give me an answer right now. Take some time and think about it. I mean, we're not on that tight a timetable."
"Aren't we kind of though, since we have no idea when old Victor might strike against us?" Johnny questioned.
"Nice job there lightening the mood their matchstick." Ben commented. "Maybe you should become a self-help guru." He sarcastically suggested.
"Well, if the shoe fits." Johnny replied, a smug smile appearing on his face.
Though before Ben could retort the doors to the room opened and Franklin walked in, leading everyone to immediately focus their attention on the man.
"I see all of you are doing much better." Franklin spoke, as he reached the table.
"Yes, doctor Franklin we are." Reed spoke.
"Yeah doc, it's amazing what some good food will do for ya." Ben added.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that." Franklin spoke. "Though unfortunately I didn't come here simply to make small talk." He revealed. Before sighing.
"What's the matter dad?" Johnny asked.
"Many things Johnathan." Franklin replied to his son. "But as of right now it's the situation surrounding all of you."
"How so?" Susan asked.
"Well Susan, after the accident the Baxter Foundation gained a lot of attention. Especially from certain government elements, like the military. Who wanted to claim authority over you all." He revealed. Leading Reed and the others to put shocked expressions on their faces. "Now naturally there was no way I was going to let this happen, and the moment I heard this proposition I moved to put a stop to it. And I did. But not without a bit of help."
"From whom exactly?" Reed asked.
"An organization I have done some consulting work with in the past called the Strategic Homeland Enforcement Intervention and Logistics Division. Also known as SHIELD for short. Who assisted me in keeping you all from being taken by the military. But in exchange, they asked me for a certain favor."
"You didn't hand over any data you gathered on us to them, did you doctor Franklin?" Reed asked in true worry.
Since if this world was based in part largely on the MCU it means SHIELD is HYDRA and the last thing Reed wanted was for them to go and ahead and try to replicate the process that gave him and his friends their powers.
"Of course not." Franklin immediately replied. "That was the first thing they asked for, and I would never allow that." He revealed. "But I did agree that once you all awakened, I would inform them. Which I just finished doing. And after I did, they asked me to arrange a meeting between you all and some of their people. An assessment."
"More like interrogations if you ask me." Ben spoke.
"Yeah." Johnny agreed. "Dad no offense, but this is sounding like some Men in Black type stuff you're talking about right now." He commented.
Franklin nodded. "I know Johnny. Believe me. But I also know SHIELD well enough to know they would never simply ignore the four of you, no matter what your intentions. They would've moved to make contact eventually. That's why I decided it would be better for all of us if we met them head on." He explained.
"I think you made the right choice here doctor." Reed spoke.
Susan nodded her head. "Yes dad. You did." She agreed. "On that note, when is this meeting with SHIELD?"
"Well, given all that's happened I convinced them to have it take place in two weeks. To give you all some time to come to terms with your new powers and new reality." Franklin explained.
"Well, you heard doctor Franklin guys. We've got two weeks to prepare for our first meeting with SHIELD." Reed spoke.
Reed already planning to make a very first memorable impression on that den of snakes disguised as saviors.