Marvel Comics: The Sentinel(Sentry)

The weather gradually turned cooler...

Just as people were reminiscing about the scorching summer, autumn arrived with its chilly winds, prompting pedestrians to don long sleeves and scarves.

Sean lounged on the sofa in the vast, quiet apartment...

The usually chatty loli shut-in, unwillingly burdened with a backpack, had been forced back to school with the start of the new semester, leaving him alone at home, which created an oddly desolate atmosphere, as if he were some lonely old man left behind.

Shaking his head to dispel the bizarre thought, Sean listened to 'Hotel California' playing on the stereo as his mind gradually settled into tranquility.

After his first encounter with S.H.I.E.L.D., the secretive one-eyed director seemed to have taken no further action. His trusted agent, Coulson, along with Hawkeye, had departed for New Mexico.

Meanwhile, Tony Stark, having regained his health, had grown interested in Fury's Avengers Initiative. To the playboy billionaire, assembling the world's mightiest team of superheroes sounded like an amusing way to kill time.

Thinking of the Asgardians soon to arrive on Earth, Sean felt a stirring of excitement. The once-mighty civilization that had ruled the Nine Realms, defeated the Dark Elves, and driven out the Frost Giants... their influence had stretched across the cosmos...

There was no denying Asgard's glorious peak. To Sean, they represented humanity's key to the stars. Yet, the thought of the formidable Odin forced him to bury such ambitions for now.

"There'll be opportunities." His thoughts drifted with the music.

Closing his eyes, Sean reflected on how his life had settled into an oddly dull routine after everything fell into place.

The Red Queen handled the labs' daily operations. Yuriko organized all documents that required his signature by priority and classification, saving him considerable time and energy.

Dozens of research teams across Umbrella's various labs toiled away, Dr. Connors and Dr. Helen Cho led the biomedical division, while the Vankos and Dr. Octavius collaborated smoothly on energy projects, from Arc Reactor-powered weapons to the artificial sun initiative.

Though Umbrella couldn't yet rival giants like Stark Industries, its vitality had already won many admirers. Sean had rejected all outside investors, this was his private kingdom. Anyone foolish enough to covet it would regret their ambition.

On this point, the usually easygoing young man was unyielding. Even when Pepper Potts had hinted at a stock swap between Stark Industries and Umbrella to solidify their alliance, he had politely declined. The brilliant secretary quickly realized Sean shared her boss's possessive streak... That is, what he claimed as his own, he never relinquished.

His foundation stood firm. External threats had been neutralized. The mutant issue awaited the right moment... he had already dangled irresistible bait before the ambitious Vice President Underwood...

"The statesman who brokered peace between humans and mutants" would earn historic acclaim.

During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation (regardless of its true motives) etched his name into history as a symbol of justice and compassion. A politician like Underwood would recognize that achieving human-mutant harmony could propel his career to unprecedented heights.

Sean suddenly chuckled at himself. Even on a rare day off, his mind buzzed with schemes, as if the sudden calm left him unsettled. Like a battle-hardened veteran returning home, he lay restless in comfort, startled awake by silence.

Perhaps knowing the future kept him perpetually vigilant, his nerves taut as bowstrings.

While Iron Man shrugged off palladium poisoning, the Hulk began his fugitive journey, Captain America stirred from icy slumber, and Asgard's fallen prince arrived on Earth... the world turned as usual, with Sean biding his time.

Not that he lacked distractions... managing Umbrella, dating Gwen, playing parent at Mindy's school meetings, even seeking out Doctor Doom for "electrotherapy sessions"... And a gravity training chamber was under construction...

Yet these activities felt like role-playing... the dazzling surface of a sun, warm and bright, while its core remained unseen. As if his psyche had split into two harmonious yet separate entities.

When the music stopped, Sean opened his eyes, emerging from his reverie. Splashing cold water on his face in the bathroom, the icy shock brought full alertness.

Studying his reflection, he murmured, "I'm Sean. Sean Cyphers."

*Dum* *Dum* *Dum*

A knock sounded at the door.

After a brief pause, he crossed the living room and opened it.

The visitor surprised him. It was a redheaded woman in an apron, her wine-red curls slightly disheveled, a few strands clinging to her damp forehead. She held a steaming tray with a radiant smile.

"Hi, I'm your new neighbor." Her floral sundress exuded homely charm, "I baked some cookies."

Sean blinked, his expression briefly odd before accepting the offering, "I'm Sean. Sean Cyphers."

Ushering the stunning woman inside, they chatted on the sofa. She introduced herself as Scarlett Johansson, an aspiring actress who'd moved from LA to New York, now residing in the Baxter Building.

"Your experiences sound fascinating," Sean remarked sincerely, handing her a glass of water.

Miss Johansson had modeled in Tokyo before drifting to LA, where a 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' inspired magazine cover landed her a cameo in a Barcelona director's film. Now she has returned to the big city.

Lounging gracefully, her curves accentuated by crossed legs and folded arms, the redhead smiled, "Mr. Cyphers, I see your name in the papers daily."

"Call me Sean." He waved modestly, "Those are just trivial accomplishments."

Their pleasant exchange lasted twenty minutes... Scarlett shared Hollywood tales while Sean charmed her with witty remarks, earning admiring laughter and glances.

Under normal circumstances, mutual attraction might soon sweep them into romance.

Unfortunately, this was all an elaborate act.

After closing the door, the demure Miss Johansson's eyes sharpened with intensity.

Behind the door, Sean's lips curled in amused recognition...