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*****
Mike and Raven were going to hold a wedding!
Although no one knew who had leaked the secret, the news had already spread throughout Mike's entire circle of friends after just one night.
The Avengers, the X-Men, and all of his other friends—every single person knew the news.
Faced with this situation, Mike was somewhat speechless, but even more so, he found it both exasperating and amusing.
Well, that was that. There was no need to prepare a surprise anymore.
Mike simply pulled out his phone and officially announced the news to everyone in several different chat groups.
The moment Mike announced the news, the chat groups fell completely silent.
A few seconds later, messages began to pop up, one after another.
Looking at all the messages—some expressing shock, others surprise, and others blessings—Mike gave a cold sneer.
Every last one of them was putting on a pretty convincing act.
Mike: "Stop pretending. I know you all already knew."
Everyone: "..."
Mike: "The date is set for twenty days from now. I'll be visiting each of you personally."
Everyone: !
We already know! You don't need to come and tell us!
They would normally be thrilled to receive a wedding invitation from someone. But when it was Mike coming to deliver it, why did they suddenly feel a cold chill?
"Hehe!" Mike chuckled as he put his phone away, muttering to himself, "Their expressions right now must be absolutely priceless."
Now that the date was officially announced, the Kent family became incredibly busy over the following days.
They had to finalize the guest list, get formal attire custom-made, and decorate their home on Planet Kent.
Then, with only three days left, the news that Mike was holding his wedding finally spread to the public.
In an instant, all the residents of Planet Kent sprang into action.
There had been no official order, nor any request, but the residents of Planet Kent spontaneously busied themselves.
They began decorating the entire city, putting on their finest clothes, and preparing all kinds of specialty foods. The whole of Planet Kent became an ocean of celebration.
The tourists visiting Planet Kent, while eagerly joining in on this rare carnival, were once again shocked by the status that Mike Kent and the Kent family held on this planet.
But for all the mutants of Planet Kent, Mike Kent and the Kent family had not only given them a land to live on, but they had also protected them, given them dignity, and secured their right to exist. They were their guardians, their uncrowned kings and rulers.
The entire Planet Kent erupted in celebration because of Mike's wedding.
Due to this event, Planet Kent's second major holiday—Valentine's Day—was officially established.
The date was set as the very day Mike got married.
The first major holiday, meanwhile, was the day Kent City's construction was completed.
At this moment, inside the Super-Police Bureau Headquarters.
"Planet Kent's Valentine's Day... Mike's wedding..."
Nick Fury murmured in a low voice, unable to stop a small smile from forming on his face.
That guy... he's finally getting married.
One man's wedding was not only causing Planet Kent to boil over with excitement, but it was also making people all over Earth curious and full of anticipation. It had even become universally recognized as the most anticipated wedding of the century so far. Such treatment... was simply outrageous.
However, if Mike Kent's name was attached to this premise, then everything seemed perfectly reasonable.
Although Mike acted in a low-key manner, and usually even concealed his identity, the world had not forgotten him. After all, the image of Mike sitting on a throne amidst the ruins of the White House had deeply shocked every single person.
"Director, isn't this a bit too exaggerated?"
A super-police officer, who had come to report on a situation, asked in a low voice.
He had only recently joined the Super-Police Bureau as an ordinary human.
The police force in the Super-Police Bureau was divided into two categories. The first category was the regular police, composed of ordinary humans and mutants who possessed no combat abilities; they were responsible for administrative work and the like. The second category was the Super-SWAT, composed of mutants with combat abilities and some exceptionally skilled warriors or agents; they were responsible for fieldwork, combat, and other related duties.
On Planet Kent, aside from the exceptionally special X-Men, the Super-Police Bureau was the sole armed law enforcement agency. Therefore, the Super-Police Bureau wielded a significant amount of power on Planet Kent.
"Exaggerated?" Nick Fury glanced at the officer coolly and asked in a low voice, "Is it?"
"Of course!" The officer nodded firmly. "Planet Kent is supposed to be a free nation! Mike Kent is practically like one of those kings from the Middle Ages, placing himself above everyone else. This is very dangerous! And it's unfair to everyone else!"
"Hehe." Nick Fury gave a faint smile and said, "He has never once declared himself king. You are aware of that, aren't you?"
The man nodded, a strange expression flickering across his face.
That was precisely what he found so strange.
Logically speaking, given Mike Kent's power and his incredible reputation on Planet Kent, even if he were to declare himself king, there wouldn't be a single voice of opposition. But in reality, he had never done such a thing.
"Because he doesn't care."
Nick Fury gave the man the answer with a smile.
Immediately, he stood up and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window in his office. "He is the most straightforward person I have ever met. The things he pursues are simple, and his style of doing things is also simple. He doesn't care in the slightest about the things all of you seem to care about."
He paused for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face.
"Besides, his current power, and the Kent family's special status... that wasn't something he gave himself. It was given to him by all the residents of Planet Kent. It was given to him by all the mutants."
The man fell silent.
That... was indeed true.
Nick Fury smiled. "He has no need to be a king. Because in the hearts of all the mutants on Planet Kent... he is a god!"
Just as the man was about to say something else, Nick Fury waved his hand. "You're dismissed."
The man acknowledged the order and left.
After the officer departed, a cold glint flashed in Nick Fury's eye.
"Heh. More restless elements trying to get their hands on the Super-Police Bureau, trying to get at Planet Kent."
He took out his phone, dialed a number, and said as soon as the call connected, "Coulson, run a check on this most recent batch of super-police recruits."
"Understood."
Hearing Coulson's reply, Nick Fury ended the call.
Ever since the Hydra incident within S.H.I.E.L.D., he had developed an extreme distaste for enemies infiltrating his territory.
And Planet Kent... after living here for a period of time, he had grown to like it even more.
The Super-Police Bureau, the Kent Academy for Gifted Heroes, and Future Technologies were responsible for Planet Kent's security, education, and technology, respectively. Meanwhile, all other matters on Planet Kent—daily life, livelihood issues, and so on—were handled by Planet Kent's core A.I., Jor-El. The divisions were simple and clear, and none of them interfered with the others. Yet, when it came to handling difficult situations, they could unite all their strength together.
Nick Fury truly enjoyed this kind of living and working environment.
After pondering for a moment, Nick Fury picked up his phone again and made a call to Maria Hill.
"Hill, tighten security. We absolutely cannot allow any problems to occur in Kent City right now."
"Understood."
"Today, Mike Kent will be holding his wedding right here on Planet Kent! According to reliable sources, the ceremony will be held at the Kent Home, which is the very building you see behind me! Today, please follow me as we witness this wedding of the century!"
"Through our camera lens, everyone can see that Kent City has already become an ocean of celebration! The mutants of Planet Kent are all celebrating today's wedding!"
"According's to the latest reports, a large number of superheroes will be in attendance today. However, because some superheroes will be entering secretly, if you want to see your favorite hero, please stay tuned to our broadcast! We will bring you the latest information on all the superhero arrivals!"
"This is..."
Reporter after reporter surrounded the Kent Home, all scrambling to be the first to get their reports out.
These reporters had come from all over the world. They had expended considerable effort just to be on Planet Kent for the day of Mike's wedding.
But now that they had arrived on Planet Kent, they discovered that no matter what price they had paid to get here, it was completely worth it—even without factoring in today's news.
In this nation of mutants, there were far too many sights and wondrous things that they had never seen before.
The diverse abilities of the mutants provided them with countless novel experiences.
Of course, they were all still hoping to capture some exclusive news, something to add a significant highlight to their professional careers.
Time passed by, bit by bit. The crowd gathered near the 'Kent Home' grew larger and larger. If it weren't for the Super-Police Bureau maintaining order, the area would have long since become completely impassable.
But even with their efforts, the surrounding streets were almost completely filled with people, leaving only a single narrow lane open, just wide enough for one vehicle to pass.
After a short while, a procession of vehicles began to drive down the lane.
Seeing this, the eyes of the Super-Police officers flashed. Already on high alert, their focus sharpened even further.
Because the guests attending the wedding had arrived.
There were billionaires, famous scientists, and representatives from the various nations that had formally established diplomatic relations with Planet Kent.
Watching the guests alight from their vehicles one after another, the reporters became frantic, as if they'd been injected with stimulants, snapping pictures wildly with their cameras.
If they didn't take photos now, they wouldn't get another chance later.
Other than a few specially invited media outlets, which were permitted to send one or two reporters and staff members inside, the 'Kent Home' was strictly off-limits to all other journalists.
"Look! It's Iron Man!"
Accompanied by a wave of surprised cries, a gold and red iron figure descended from the sky, landing in front of everyone.
The Iron Man armor then opened up, and Tony Stark stepped out. He stretched his arms, gave a wave to the surrounding crowd, and strode confidently into the 'Kent Home'.
"Still as flashy as ever."
Someone grumbled in dissatisfaction, but their comment immediately triggered a rebuttal.
"If you had his level of achievement, you could be just as flashy!"
"Mike Kent is way more amazing, and he's not a show-off like that!"
"You just said it yourself, that's Mike Kent. How can you compare them?"
"Stop arguing! Look, someone else is arriving!"
The two people who had been bickering quickly looked over.
They saw superheroes who didn't need to hide their identities arriving one after another.
Tony, Vision, the X-Men, and more...
The appearance of each new superhero triggered a fresh wave of cheers from the crowd.
Meanwhile, in front of a dressing room inside the 'Kent Home'.
Gwen, who was meticulously dressed up, stood in front of the dressing room door, filming with a small camcorder.
This was the commemorative wedding video she was preparing for her father.
Even though professionals had already been hired for this task, Gwen still wanted to use her own hands to record this important day in her father's life.
She aimed the camcorder at her own face.
"Okay, I'm about to go see the bride! Dad, are you super jealous right now?"
"Hehe! Too bad for you! Auntie Raven is all mine!"
Gwen giggled, pushed open the door, and went inside.
She panned the camcorder in a circle, then walked over to Raven and the bridesmaids, introducing them. "And this is today's leading lady, Raven, along with her beautiful bridesmaids!"
Emma, Natasha, Ororo, and Wanda.
The four women smiled and waved at the camera. Standing to the side, Peggy Carter and Maria looked on with envious expressions.
Although both of them had also wanted to be bridesmaids, it wasn't quite appropriate, so they had graciously declined.
As for Jean, because she was Charles's girlfriend, it was also unsuitable for her to join the group of bridesmaids.
"Quick, Auntie Raven, say a few words to your future husband!"
Gwen aimed the camera directly at Raven.
Raven revealed a gentle smile.
"Meeting you, getting to know you, and marrying you... is the happiest thing that has ever happened in my life."
Hearing this, Gwen shouted excitedly, "That's so sweet! I can't take it!"
She covered her face, which was flushed red with excitement.
Seeing Gwen's reaction, the others couldn't help but laugh, and they promptly shooed her out of the room.
Gwen took her camcorder and went to other places, continuing to record the wonderful moments.
A few minutes later, she ran into the friends she had invited over. Instantly, the "film crew" expanded significantly, and the recording process became much more lively.
As the time for the wedding ceremony drew nearer and nearer, more and more people filled the grand hall.
The superheroes sat together in a specially designated area, nodding to one another in greeting.
Now was not the time for conversation. After the ceremony ended, there would be a banquet, and they could all talk as much as they wanted then.
Finally, after much anticipation from the crowd, the time arrived.
Although the scale of the event was grand, the ceremony itself was kept simple.
Mike and Raven, dressed in their wedding attire, simply held hands and walked from the main entrance of the hall all the way to the front, before all the guests.
Jor-El, having used the planet's light to create a physical body for himself, walked up to stand before Mike and Raven.
He had been entrusted by Mike to officiate their wedding.
He was both very willing and very happy to do so.
Mike and Raven's vows were very simple. But interestingly, they didn't swear their vows to any god, but rather, they swore them directly to each other.
Following the vows, the two exchanged rings and, amidst thunderous applause, shared a deep and affectionate kiss.
And just as they were embracing in their kiss, Jor-El, who was standing to one side, snapped his fingers.
Instantly, a massive amount of starlight appeared. Following the plan he had prepared in advance, he controlled it, transforming the light into a spectacular display of fireworks and flower petals that enveloped the entire city. It turned Kent City into a living painting, a masterpiece themed on romance.
Cheers erupted as people everywhere sent their blessings.
At that moment, the entire city's celebration truly began.
At the banquet following the ceremony, Mike and Raven made an appearance for a short while before quietly slipping away from the festivities. They went to a place where it was just the two of them.
On Planet Kent's Dreamy Prairie, iridescent bubbles floated up one after another from the grass, drifting gently on the light breeze.
Due to the time difference, it was currently sunset in this location. The fiery-red light of the setting sun spilled across the prairie, illuminating every single bubble and making them shine with all the colors of the rainbow.
And so, Mike and Raven sat holding each other on this dream-like prairie, quietly watching the sun go down.
In this one moment, they only wished to stay together just like this, forever.
(End of Chapter)