With Reed in trouble in the Negative Zone, Sue tries to mobilize Johnny and Ben to help save him, however Ben becomes increasingly aggressive and challenging for leadership of the Fantastic Four. When their first attempt to rescue Reed fails, they seek the help of Agatha Harkness.
Agatha casts a spell that creates phantom versions of Reed in the Negative Zone (the side effect causing massive wind storms in New York), allowing Reed to slip past Annihilus and get back into the positive universe without Annihilus finding the portal. Back in the positive mater universe, the celebrations of Reed's return are short lived when the temperamental Thing quits the group, dumps Alicia and storms out of the building. With Ben now against the group, Reed fears that his knowledge from being with the Fantastic Four could put them all in serious danger.

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