Six hours later, Sean found himself in the vast darkness of space...
Through the protective shield of the space station, he gazed at the blue planet below... It was like a radiant gem, shimmering with breathtaking beauty.
This planet, teeming with countless lives, was like the most precious treasure in a divine vault, so mesmerizing that one couldn't look away...
Walking behind him, Reed and the others also paused to admire the awe-inspiring sight, one most people would never witness in their lifetimes.
"This is the true allure of the cosmos... an enigma that can never be fully unraveled," Sean murmured sincerely.
He had come to this world not merely to conquer or plunder.
If he could forge a new future in this era of emerging superheroes; one where humanity broke free from earthly constraints, discarded outdated social systems, and ventured into the boundless sea of stars, ascending to a higher civilization... wouldn't that be far more fulfilling than mere domination?
What could a man of unrivaled power bring to this world?
Would he be like Superman, a beacon of hope and light in people's hearts? Or a cold tyrant, recklessly taking until the world lay in ruins, sitting alone atop a throne of fear and hatred?
Sean believed there was another, more intriguing path. Wealth and influence could grant him greater authority, allowing him to establish an unshakable legacy...
He could shape the world's trajectory with his will alone. He wanted to become humanity's one and only sun... To radiate warmth, whilst remaining untouchably scorching.
"Quite different from the view at the Horton Planetarium, isn't it?" Susan said coolly as she passed Reed.
The lively Miss Storm glided by like a proud swan, clearly still irked by her ex-boyfriend's earlier obliviousness...
The brilliant Columbia University scientist was exceptional in every way, except when it came to romance. Only discussions of scientific research could ignite his eloquence.
Perhaps her initial attraction to Reed had stemmed from admiration. But after getting to know him, she found him dull and detached, often burying himself in research for months without a thought for her feelings.
'If only he could balance out Victor's temperament,' Susan mused.
One was indecisive and socially inept; the other was arrogant and impulsive. It was frustrating...
Her gaze inadvertently drifted to Sean, who was deep in conversation with Victor. Another renowned genius hailed as a rising star in science...
He was more charming than the former and more composed than the latter, like Thoreau's Walden Pond, serene on the surface yet unfathomably deep...
"We can monitor the approaching cosmic storm from here and run our tests," Susan said, shaking off her wandering thoughts.
According to Reed's calculations, the cosmic energy storm would pass the station in nine hours, which was the optimal window for data collection. Now, it was time to prepare.
"I'll need to borrow Susan for a while. Hope you don't mind," Doom said, casting a pointed glance at his old classmate, a victor's smile playing on his lips.
Reed's reappearance had put the ambitious Victor on edge. Susan had always kept him at arm's length. She was officially his girlfriend, yet their relationship lacked real progress.
Through sheer determination, Victor had risen from the obscure Eastern European nation of Latveria to New York's glittering metropolis. During his brief college years, his humble origins had made him the target of ridicule, while Reed (the celebrated genius) was universally adored...
After graduation, Victor leveraged his intellect and business acumen to amass wealth, finally securing his place on Wall Street and building an empire...
Meanwhile, the famed scientist, Reed Richards, was still scrambling for research funding, lost in his idealistic dreams of changing the world.
Even Susan Storm, the unattainable beauty from a privileged background, had left Reed behind, giving Victor his long-awaited opportunity.
To Victor, these were the happiest days of his life. The man he once deemed unbeatable now worked for him, and the muse he yearned for seemed to finally favor him. With Reed's research lining his pockets and Susan in his arms, his ambitions were within reach.
The thought nearly made him giddy. Wealth, fame, the woman he desired... all seemed inevitable.
"We'll leave you two to it," Sean said, steering Reed away.
The future Mr. Fantastic wore a bitter expression. Watching the woman he loved in another man's arms was a hard pill to swallow...
...
Seven hours remained until the cosmic storm's arrival...
Ben suited up in his bulky spacesuit, prepping for the most dangerous task: exiting the ship to place plant seedlings outside, exposing them to the storm's energy to study potential genetic mutations.
Sean and Susan would later map the results.
Dejected, Reed retreated to his quarters to refine his cosmic energy models, while the reckless Johnny helped Ben with his suit.
"Tell your buddy to stay away from my sister," Johnny warned. He had never been fond of Reed's dull personality, "He can spend his life married to science... no need for romance."
Ben shook his head, "Maybe Susan hasn't completely let go of those feelings–"
"Wow, let's think this through," Johnny cut in mockingly, "On one side, we've got Victor; he's super rich, and is also this year's leading man. On the other, Reed; the world's dumbest genius, he's also worth less than a post stamp… Hmm, tough choice!"
Ignoring their bickering, Sean walked alone to the observation deck.
Staring into the silent void, he felt the energy within him stirring... It was like a surging tide of power, restless and eager.
"Let the storm come fiercer," he whispered, anticipating the arrival of the cosmic tempest...
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Read from 50 to 150 Chapters ahead on my P@treon...
[email protected]/MayaMatengele01