val_von_doom

Sitting beside Val in her room, Ben tells her of the next big shock the Fantastic Four had after they discovered Val had disappeared; Susan suddenly being pregnant again. He goes on to tell her of the difficulties they had with the pregnancy and the delivery and how Johnny had to get Doctor Doom's help since Reed was not to be found at the time. Though it wasn't' her father Ben was talking about, Val felt a sense of joy that a Doctor Doom was involved. She even feels a bit of joy when Ben tells her the girl's name, Valeria Richards.

That bit of joy quickly fades as Ben continues his history and tells of how that same Doom used his connection to the baby Val to trap her, Franklin, Susan, Ben and Johnny in hell. Dr. Richards eventually overcame Doom's plan and trapped Doom in the Hell Reed's family had just been in but the cost had already been paid by poor Franklin.

Next Ben tells of how Reed, driven by guilt and anger, took the Fantastic Four to Latveria to preemptively foil any plans Doom might have to free himself from Hell. How Reed surprised his team by declaring himself leader of Latveria and how Doom once again returned, taking possession of first Susan, then Johnny and finally Ben himself. Ben's voice cracks a little as he tells of the struggle he had to regain control of himself long enough for Reed to kill him and thus defeat Doom again.

Val can't help the tears and reaches out to hold her Uncle's hands. Ben swallows and continues his story, telling how Reed figured out a way to go to heaven and, with Susan and Johnny's help, convinced Ben to return to life.

Next Ben tells of how the Avengers were attacked by the Scarlet Witch and disbanded. How Susan and Johnny exchanged powers and Johnny became, however briefly, a Herald of Galactus. "The Big G couldn't take ol' matchstick fer very long though and soon enough Johnny was back and Reed switched their powers back."

Ben takes another deep breath and begins to tell Val of the Super Human Registration Act and Reed's support of it. How it tore the Super Human community apart and more importantly, how it almost tore the Fantastic Four apart. "If ya ask me, I think Doom trappin' Frankie an' alla us in Hell had a big part in Reed's choice. How else do you explain somethin' so unthinkable as Reed supportin' somethin' like that? After all the times he fought against legislation just like it? Anyway, at the end of it all, Captain America surrendered and then got killed on his way to trial fer opposin' the Act."

Next Ben tells her of the Hulk's return to Earth and his rage. How Reed and a bunch of other big brains decided they knew best and exiled the Hulk off world.

Finally, Ben tells of the Skrull's invasion, just how close they came to succeeding and how Janet Van Dyne, the Wasp was used as a biological weapon and died. "An' ta think I was benched in the Negative Zone and this creep Osborn gets the brass ring. It busts my chops somethin' good let me tell you. Notin' good is gonna come o' this."

They sit in silence for many minutes as Val absorbs all the history. Eventually she says, "Uncle Ben I want you to promise me something."

"Anythin'," Ben replies immediately.

"When you go back home, don't tell Mom or anyone about me."

"I can't do that."

"I mean it! Valeria Richards deserves the life she has. Promise me!" Val locks eyes with Ben and he can't resist.

"Man Suez is gonna kill me when she finds out. Okay, but only so long as they don't know about Milliways an' it doesn't endanger the family."

"Thanks Uncle Ben. I think I'm going to be alright. With Milliways and you, I'm going to be alright."