Post by Rift on Jan 2, 2022 16:07:36 GMT -7
In the years since the accident aboard the spacecraft had changed him from an ace pilot to a monster made of rock, Ben Grimm had seen and done many things. He'd visited strange worlds, fought all manner of costumed criminals and tin plated dictators, and helped save the world on more than on occasion. Whether it was out west during his stint in California or back on Yancy Street busting those knucklehead hooligans, Aunt Petunia's favorite nephew was used to fighting. He was also used to hiding how he felt. Often his condition had left him depressed, angry, and ready to give up on life. Since the world needed saving more often than not, it meant he had to stuff all of those feelings, man up, and go knock someone's block off and it was during these adventures that he had come to know a great many people.
Superheroes were plentiful these days. Spit on any New York City street corner and you were likely to hit someone in a costume. And Ben? Ben knew most of them. Avengers, Atlanteans, X-People, wallcrawling quip machines, actual machines, secret agents and spies, and of course those who regularly associated with his adopted family the Fantastic Four. As such he knew that beneath the spandex, power armor, and magical vestments those who willingly threw themselves into harm's way to protect total strangers from the darkest powers the planet had to offer were not just playing at being good folk. They were good, some of the best of the best. It was through these relationships that he remembered he was Ben Grimm, not just The Thing. They helped him through his darkest moments and whenever he needed aid he could call on any one of them and they'd show. Whether it was giving Galactus a cosmic wedgie or kicking Doctor Doom's armored backside so hard he flew out his green skirt he knew his friends would have his back.
Maybe it was because despite his big, burly, gruff exterior the grumpy stone skinned Ben was a teddy bear. He cared and cared deeply and if he called you a friend than that was what you were. In some ways he was the heart and soul of whatever team he was on, not that he'd admit it. The Idol of Millions only used the title in jest and was far too humble to admit that he had earned his reputation. He didn't just look like a rock, he was one, a pillar of the superhero community that everyone could rely on. It was for that reason he almost felt bad for what he was about to do. After all the various heroes gathered around him were friends, some almost like family. They were trusted and trusted him in turn. This gathering, something he hadn't been able to attend in far too long and dearly missed was in a way, them trying to remind him that he was loved. Which is what made what he was about to do so much harder.
"You do know ya ain't got a chance. None of yous do. 'Dis ain't arm wrasslin' with Shulkie where it could go either way. It isn't a one-on-one with Doomsie where he may have some fancy gizmo or whatchamacallit that can put the whammy on old Benjy. And it sure ain't fisticuffs with old Jade Jaw where I might be havin' an off day."
Leaning back, his specially made chair creaking, he smiled savagely as he lit a cigar. Blue eyes twinkling he scanned the room taking in the sight of all his friends.
"Dis is more than a battle. You yahoos decided to sit at the table. You chose this fate and once you choose there ain't no backin' down. Now I like ya or ya wouldn't be here. Heck some of you I may even love just a little. But like and love got nothin' to do with what's comin' your way. You just started a war with the Ever Lovin' Blue Eyed Thing and now..."
"Grimm? I get it. Mind games, literally going stone faced, but will you PLEASE DEAL THE CARDS ALREADY! Let's get this game started!" someone begged.
"Dawwww junior, that is so cute. You think this is a game? Nope," he explained with a crack of his knuckles. "This? This is poker and all of you are gonna have to ask Reed for cab fare when this is done, 'cause I'm cleaning you out. Now, pass me a bottle because it's..."
"CLOBBERIN' TIME!" a chorus rang out between laughs and clinking bottles.
A hearty chuckle came from Ben as he dealt out cards.
