Negative Space

"Perhaps things that are worthless in that space are precious resources on our side, Susan. This is a major breakthrough for human science! I believe that once the paper is published, Tony won't be far from a pardon," Mr. Fantastic said with absolute confidence.

Because of all sorts of wildly imaginative experiments, he had long been criticized by the scientific community. Even Old Pym, who was hardly one to stand on ceremony, thought Mr. Fantastic was too unsteady and lacked the meticulous reasoning a scientist ought to have.

Yet Mr. Fantastic remained unchanged. He liked conducting experiments that interested him, and being confined within a small framework made him extremely uncomfortable.

Helping Stark clear his name this time had actually gone against his principles. New energy, new materials—none of that interested him. Stark, as a businessman, liked those things, but he did not.

He wanted to know the truths of the universe and see those unknown worlds.

But this time, he would violate his principles anyway.

Stark had taken the blame for him, and it had kept Mr. Fantastic awake night after night. He wanted badly to confess his own crimes, but that would accomplish nothing. Rather than have both of them imprisoned for life, he would stay outside and find another way—use his strengths, publish a heavyweight scientific paper, and secure a pardon for Tony Stark.

Invisible Woman Susan was not as optimistic as he was. Their past experiences were truly too painful to revisit. Her beautiful eyes blinked twice as she asked worriedly, "Could it be dangerous? We don't understand Negative Space. Should we notify S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers in advance?"

This time, Mr. Fantastic thought seriously for a while. He trusted Daisy and Captain America, but as for the rest of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers, that was