Marvel Comics: The Sentinel(Sentry)

Joyful music reverberated through the night sky as a luxury cruise ship adorned with colorful lights departed from New York Harbor...

Inside the spacious cabins, guests mingled and laughed, bursts of merriment erupting periodically.

The ceiling which was decorated with countless balloons and ribbons bore a prominent banner: «New York Thanks the Fantastic Four!»

The presence of NYPD officers and government officials among the guests made it clear this was no ordinary private party.

"Sorry, I only meant to host a small gathering, but Johnny just couldn't keep his mouth shut..."

Reed pulled Sean aside into a corner, looking somewhat embarrassed. What was supposed to be an afternoon get-together had, thanks to Johnny's big mouth, turned into a crowded affair... fire department officials, NYPD officers, journalists, freelance writers, and a bevy of glamorous models now filled the ship.

Unprepared for the turnout, Reed had no choice but to reschedule the party for the evening and upgrade to a larger luxury yacht. At least he was no longer as financially strapped as before, when he could barely afford rent.

Since Doctor Doom's rampage through Manhattan, the Fantastic Four had gained immense exposure. Though Reed's scientific pursuits had stalled (with no investors willing to approach him after Doom Industries' collapse), an alternative path to fame had opened. Endorsement deals, talk show invitations, and media coverage had turned the team into household names overnight.

"It's a great party, though just a bit loud." Sean shook his head as the booming music nearly drowned out his voice.

The Thing sat at the bar, chatting amiably with a blind woman, while Sue, unable to tolerate the noise, had retreated to a quieter room.

Ironically, the guests of honor had become sidelined, with only Johnny thriving in the spotlight, dazzling a crowd of beautiful women by shaping flames into dazzling displays with his fingertips.

Reed watched the scene with a headache before sighing and leading Sean out to the deck for some air, "I heard S.H.I.E.L.D. came after you?"

The young man nodded. Tony's intervention had forced Nick Fury to back down... a development that left Sean somewhat disappointed.

He had prepared numerous countermeasures for the one-eyed director's interrogation, from a media blitz exposing S.H.I.E.L.D. to leveraging White House and military pressure on the World Security Council.

He had even considered having the Red Queen hack into Arnim Zola (HYDRA's digital overseer) to ignite internal strife within S.H.I.E.L.D.

Had Fury refused to yield, Sean wouldn't have hesitated to deal a crippling blow to the organization. Instead, Tony had swooped in, likely patting himself on the back for "helping" and repaying a favor.

"They approached Sue and me too, wanting the Fantastic Four to join. I refused." Reed leaned against the railing, his voice quiet, "As scientists, especially ones with powers, we shouldn't get too entangled with government agencies."

The elastic genius seemed troubled. Despite his newfound fame, Reed longed to return to being an ordinary scientist, buried in research rather than juggling TV appearances and magazine interviews.

"All of New York loves the Fantastic Four. Even Iron Man can't match your popularity." Sean chuckled.

Unlike Tony, who meddled in global conflicts and obsessed over armor upgrades, the Fantastic Four (like New York's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man) focused on grounded heroics: stopping bank robberies, assisting firefighters, and the like...

Naturally, the public favored those who made a tangible difference in their daily lives.

"When are you proposing to Sue?" Sean clapped Reed on the shoulder. Even superheroes worried about life's mundane dilemmas.

The stretchable scientist blinked before smiling wryly, "We're both hesitating. Marriage is... a big step. A new family, children... it's more daunting than subatomic chain reactions."

To Sean, whom he respected, Reed confessed his fears openly. For a man devoted to unraveling cosmic mysteries, the prospect of domesticity was as terrifying as it was alluring.

Sean raised an eyebrow, "Do you love Sue?"

"Of course." Reed admitted with no hesitation.

"Do you love science?"

"Obviously." He answered again, just as firm.

"If you had to choose one?"

Reed: "...."

Watching Reed agonize, Sean burst out laughing, "Children make choices. Adults take both."

Reed froze, then laughed at himself. The answer had always been that simple.

...

In Queens, a disgraced Eddie Brock trudged into an aging church, dipping his fingers in holy water and crossing himself...

Slumping onto a pew, he stared up at the sorrowful crucifix, pouring out his bitterness.

"I'm Brock. I come before You today, humbled and humiliated, to ask for one thing... Kill Peter Parker."

Before the engraved image, Eddie confessed his hatred to an all-knowing God...

Being a young photographer for the Daily Bugle, he had strived to earn a permanent position, only for Peter to ruin everything. Whether it was exclusive shots of Spider-Man or scoops on Umbrella's latest projects, Peter always had the edge.

No matter how hard Eddie worked, he could never measure up. Jameson, the stingy editor, would never hire two photographers. Without a breakthrough, Eddie would lose his freelance gig.

"Damn Peter Parker! Damn Spider-Man!" He seethed, recalling how his brand-new camera (purchased with his savings) had been crushed under Spider-Man's boot.

A bell tolled.

Amid its mournful peals, Eddie thought he heard a groan. Following the sound, he climbed the neglected bell tower, peering up to see a dark figure writhing atop the belfry, clawing at itself as if in agony.

"Hey, you need help?" Eddie asked worriedly.

He got no answer...

The bell continued to ring as the figure slammed against the massive bronze instrument, desperately tearing at something on its body.

"Probably a junkie... I better get out of here." Eddie turned to leave just as a droplet of black ooze dripped from above, landing on his arm.

The bell tolled again.

The liquid slithered up his limb like living shadow, rapidly engulfing his body. In seconds, the young photographer vanished, swallowed whole by the ravenous darkness...