In Upper New York Bay, a five-deck luxury yacht sailed along the Hudson River, ribbons fluttering in the breeze, balloons floating in the air, and laughter flowing freely through the atmosphere.
Standing on the deck and gazing into the distance, the first sight to greet the eyes was the Statue of Liberty holding her torch aloft. Towering skyscrapers lined both shores, their reflections dancing on the shimmering water.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when wave after wave of immigrants arrived on these shores, that first glimpse of Lady Liberty was met with cheers and tears of joy, becoming an iconic scene in countless films.
This opulent vessel, owned by Umbrella, echoed with upbeat music overhead. The air carried the rich scent of champagne. The top deck boasted half an acre of lush green turf, where elites from all walks of society engaged in a casual round of miniature golf, while the bars and pools on the lower decks buzzed with vibrant energy. The whole ship was alive with festive fervor, like a floating entertainment palace...
Sean, the ship's owner, stood at the heart of the gathering in an impeccably tailored suit.
He lifted his champagne flute, surveyed the gathering, and delivered his toast in a clear, resonant voice, "Let us raise our glasses to Mr. Reed Richards and Miss Susan Storm. May their future together be filled with joy and everlasting happiness!"
A chorus of harmonious agreement followed, accompanied by thunderous applause.
The evening's stars, Reed and Susan, stood side by side beaming radiant smiles as they accepted the warm wishes of all present.
This was their engagement party. The perfect pair from the Fantastic Four would exchange vows in a formal wedding ceremony the following week.
Sean observed the mingling guests, plucked a glass of champagne from a passing tray, and sipped leisurely.
Given his position, hosting this engagement celebration for his close friends naturally drew an impressive guest list. The crowd represented a microcosm of high society; where wealth, influence, and prestige converged.
Two full years had passed since the Global Summit in Australia's Federal New City.
The initial formation of the united government had indeed encountered numerous complex challenges; border demarcations, public identification with the new system, cultural and religious differences... Public opinion at the time had been sharply divided.
Yet as time flowed onward, interstellar colonization gradually alleviated Earth's worsening resource scarcity and escalating international conflicts. The federal government's authority and responsibilities gained increasing public recognition.
The power pyramid shaping the world order now comprised the Supreme Council of the five major powers, alongside S.H.I.E.L.D. and regional representatives such as Wakanda and Latveria.
The credit-point currency system promoted by the unified government had smoothly transitioned into everyday use without triggering the anticipated economic crises or financial collapse. Overall, the world had stably completed its peaceful transition from sovereign nations to a cohesive human entity.
People increasingly glimpsed hope for the future, collectively envisioning a beautiful life in the grand cosmic era. It was precisely within this atmosphere of optimism that Reed and Susan, the ideal pair from the Fantastic Four, decided to marry, stepping toward matrimony amid widespread anticipation.
The moment news broke, media outlets around the globe scrambled for coverage. Newspapers ran bold headlines proclaiming it
In truth, the label was not unwarranted. Since the emergence of superheroes, the Fantastic Four had remained the public's most beloved team without question.
Even Spider-Man, once hailed as 'New York's Friendly Neighborhood Hero' or the perpetually headline-dominating Iron Man rarely managed to surpass them in sheer popularity.
This stemmed partly from America's mainstream ideological emphasis on family values, and partly because unlike Iron Man's preoccupation with global crises or street-level heroes operating outside legal recognition, the Fantastic Four radiated an approachable, relatable warmth.
Following Sean's toast, the party's atmosphere soared to its peak. Ben Grimm sat cozily at the bar with his girlfriend, lost in intimate whispers. Johnny Storm glided effortlessly through clusters of admirers like a fish in water.
Predictably, Reed once again found himself the odd man out at the celebration. Susan had long been whisked away by her circle of friends for spa treatments and hushed conversations on feminine secrets, leaving the groom-to-be to his own devices...
"This scene feels strangely familiar." Sean handed Reed a glass of champagne, his tone laced with gentle teasing.
"At gatherings like this, I'm always the one who doesn't quite fit." Reed chuckled self-deprecatingly. The once bookish young man now sported a neatly trimmed beard, his demeanor matured and grounded.
This brilliant mind had spent recent years stationed at Knowhere, immersed in upgrading and refining fleet equipment. The cutting-edge technologies harvested from the three great empires held an irresistibly magnetic allure for him.
"That guy, Tony, is off gallivanting alone in his starship headed for Contraxia. Let's hope the Ravagers don't mistake him for cargo and sell him off in a bundle." Sean said, guiding Reed toward a quieter section of the deck. {T/N: FYI, Contraxia is a planet notorious for its many brothels and bordellos. Numerous factions of Ravagers are known to frequent these establishments...}
Neither of them resided permanently on Earth nowadays. Sean was currently based at the lunar space station, while Reed served as the scientific advisor to Knowhere's First Fleet.
"You and Susan both seem a bit on edge," Sean observed, leaning his forearms on the railing and turning to study his friend.
"Perhaps I've been away from Earth too long. All this feels… strangely foreign to me." Reed admitted, his tone a bit wistful.
He gazed toward the towering skyline along the shore, his expression lacking the elation and fulfillment one might expect after a successful proposal.
"Pre-wedding jitters?" Sean quipped lightly, "Supposedly most men experience this. Tony's the textbook case... he's been with Pepper all these years, yet the mere mention of marriage still makes him instinctively retreat."
Recalling the star-roaming Iron Man, Sean couldn't suppress a faint smile. Tony's absence from the celebration stemmed primarily from his dread of encountering Pepper and being forced to confront the same choice now facing Reed.
"Who knows? I can unravel quantum mechanics, grasp string theory, but I've never quite deciphered what Sue truly wants." Reed sighed.
He had never been the type to navigate romance with ease. In this regard, he genuinely envied Johnny, whose boundless energy and enthusiasm toward beautiful women never seemed to wane.
"One week from now marks the happiest moment of your life. Try not to overthink it." Sean clapped Reed's shoulder, his tone light and reassuring.
It might even turn into a full-blown superhero gathering. Those beloved icons who had long exited the spotlight would reunite at this wedding of the century.
Since the implementation of the Superhuman Registration Act, such a cluster of well-known heroes was virtually unheard of.
"Forget the pre-wedding anxiety, you should be more concerned whether Susan might become a runaway bride." Sean's eyes twinkled with mischief as he deliberately added, "After all, she's about to spend her life with Dr. Reed Richard's, her future might lose half its excitement."
Reed shook his head with a helpless laugh and drained his champagne in one smooth motion...
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