It was a peaceful day.
The lingering glow of dusk shone over New York. People broke free from their exhausting work and set out for home, carrying either light or heavy hearts.
Traffic streamed across the overpasses, while crowds packed both sides of the streets, creating a bustling scene.
Although the United Government had been established for quite some time, most people still referred to places by their former countries. The great fusion of races and cultures remained a long and difficult task. Perhaps it would only truly advance in the next century, when all humanity entered an age of interstellar travel and migration.
As America's most prosperous city, New York was described as the beautiful and delicious "Big Apple." While it was admired by tourists from around the world, it had also suffered far too many terrifying disasters.
Superheroes who had once been active, supervillains who opposed them in endless numbers, and the ostracized Mutants had all kept the city from knowing peace.
Yet everything had greatly improved after the Registration Act was enacted. People no longer prayed for Superheroes to descend from the sky and save them. S.H.I.E.L.D. had earned the public's trust, and those Super Soldiers and Mutants were more than enough to handle criminals and villains with extraordinary abilities.
By the Potomac River, inside S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Triskelion Building, Reed hurried into the command room. Raven, the newly appointed director, Zemo, the supreme commander, Iron Man Tony Stark, and the rest of the Fantastic Four were already seated.
"Skynet's satellite network detected intense cosmic radiation in Greenland."
Mister Fantastic looked grave. The Silver Surfer was currently on the world's largest island.
"That's nothing. I've got worse news."
Tony had lost his usual playful grin, and a rare serious expression appeared on his face. He said in a low