The Shadow Cast by the Dour Sun (Sentry, Incomplete Solo)

[bio858]

Throughout Earth's Skies

Another flight, another successful mission for Robert Reynolds. He had felt grateful to Osborn for actually believing in him, for believing that he could actually suppress the darkness within. That meant he needed to perform, to deliver to the President. Each mission involving a fire, a natural disaster, or with a military attack against their armed forces, Robert would be ordered to intervene. And intervene he did, easily and quickly stopping every attack. Global issues were starting to become more and more trivial to the man. Hence, it would be no surprise that Norman would soon entrust him with missions that lie outside the border that would be the atmosphere making up space.

He would prefer to deal with missions back home, especially concerning the latest dossier of HAMMER forces botching an operation dealing with one of Brooklyn's local vigilantes. That scandal would end up besmirching HAMMER's name for sure, despite all of Reynold's hard work.

And of course it was that Lastman fella. I shouldn't worry about it now. I gotta get back home to see Linda. It feels like it's been ages since I last saw her.

And so, Sentry would speed along through the air, feeling the cold current practically blast into his impenetrable face. He was now returning home.

The Watchtower



Robert would breathe a sigh of relief as he finally returned home. It had felt like ages since he'd been back, but he could now take a breather. Flying towards the top of the watchtower, he'd land upon it's very roof. Touching down, he'd go through the automatic door that would take a quick scan to be notified of his presence, before letting him in. This was actually an old security measure Reed had built in prior, in case Robert decided to live out the rest of his years here in solitude within this tower that was really a worldwide range mind-wiping device.

With this feature, the residents that did decide to live in this foreboding tower would be notified of the allowed occupants. His wife would receive a message that functioned as a robotic voice that echoed throughout the halls.

"Attention. Now arriving, Robert Reynolds."

His wife would have her back turned to the elevator as it opened up, with her fully seated as she watched the news. It detailed various stories from HAMMER's blunder in New York, to the Sentry's prevention of another wildfire in South America. But yet, despite knowing her husband had arrived due to the sound of a ding from the elevator, she wouldn't dare move her body.

So, as the elevator doors opened and Robert exited out to the room, he'd call out to his wife in eager splendor.

"Honey, I'm home!" he'd say with a wide-grin upon his face.

Linda would respond back, "W-welcome back."

The Sentry would walk up to his face, placing both of his hands on her shoulders as she sat down on the couch. He'd crouch down to kiss her on the cheek, but she'd instead stand back up to head towards the kitchen.

"Oh wait, I should probably start prepping some meals in the kitchen. Anything you want? I bought some pre-made lasagna at grocery store earlier."

Robert however, would notice his wife's apprehension. "What's wrong Linda? Why are you so distant?"

Linda however, would barely have the courage to turn around and face him. Robert would focus in on her, somehow hearing a bit of her thoughts in the process.

Does he not remember? Why is he still wearing that costume here? Why can't things go back to the way they used to be? Why did he have to get those powers back? And these memories, why do I remember everything again?

Reynolds would realize the anguish his wife was going through, and would attempt to change back to his civilian attire. But the voice would appear, sounding off at the back of his mind.

Hey hero, you gonna change back? What if the world needs ya to save it again? You know, from someone like me? Heheheheh, I bet you're wondering why your wife is so afraid? Do you think you just fall soundly asleep when your back at home?

Robert would realize that his body may have been possessed by the Void when he was asleep. That meant his wife must have been endanger every time she decided to stay in this household. He...needed to keep her somewhere safe. But could he keep her away from him? She was his rock, his anchor to this world. Without her, could he even fight off the Void?

"Honey I-"

A ring would be audible from the one of the pockets in Reynold's hero-attire. Pulling out the smart-phone, he'd see that it was an urgent call from Norman.

"I-I'm sorry, give me a second."

Answering the call, Norman would assure to Robert that the emergency was urgent. There was some type of installation that had just suddenly appeared on Mars. A strange finding by Osborn's private scientists. He asked Sentry to check it out, especially given the recent Kree attack weeks prior. Without much time to lose, he'd try to bide goodbye to his wife, despite her avoid his gaze.

"Goodbye Linda."

With that, he'd speed off towards the roof, before flying out into space. Whatever the threat was out there, he'd need to deal with it quickly. Otherwise, his problems with his home-life would be sure to arise throughout the rest of the world, in the form of the Void. And that was one thing that Robert had no intention of unleashing out to the world, ever again.

[bio858]

Towards the Atmosphere of Mars

Doubt crept into Robert's mind. Had the Void really been taking over his mind while he slept? He imagined he had things under control, but the reactions from his own wife told him otherwise. She was afraid of Robert, terrified even. What had the Void done to her?

"You're probably wondering what I did to Linda right? Oh, nothing too serious yet. Just some scares here and there. A bit of shouting to put her in her place. I know you don't see it, but the lady's getting older. One day, her poor heart is just gonna give.

A grimace would appear on Robert's face, as he ignored the coldness around him within outerspace. He was approaching Mars quickly enough, and was about to reach the site where this supposed city happened to exist. The Void couldn't distract him now.

Shut up. SHUT UP! If you did anything to hurt Linda, I promise you-promise me what? You're gonna hurt me? You know the only way you're gonna stop me is by ending it all, right here right now. You don't got the balls for that, do ya Reynolds?

Robert would remain quiet. While there was some suicidal tendencies the weeks prior to his first meeting with Norman, he never really felt like he had the will to go through with it. Many would argue that it's a braver choice to keep on living than dying, but in Robert's case, he felt it was the opposite. Perhaps if he died, the world would be that much safer from the threat he would no doubt bring.

Ignoring all that, he'd finally land upon the red desert upon the planet's surface. According to the coordinates given on the specialized phone he was given, he wouldn't be far from the supposed alien city. Flying fast towards the intended destination, he'd spot it in front of him, in all of it's glorious splendor.



"That's not something you see everyday."
You're just gonna ignore me! You can't do that Reynolds-

The irritating voice in his head was getting quieter and quieter as Robert approached the city. His focus was entrenched upon the mission, as he started to blot out all other distractions. Flying above the skies, he'd enter into the city. There' as he floated above the city, he'd note the various flying vehicles and robotic "creatures" moving about on the streets. Yet, there weren't any people.

There weren't any Kree, and there definitely weren't any green men. It honestly felt empty, and that left him a bit unnerved. He'd start notice that all of the various flying vehicles were simply carrying cargo and robots, with the synthetic creations either imitating looking like a typical droid you would see in a sci-fi movie, or were like drones that were floating about a few feet off the ground below them.

He could have sworn these particular drones almost looked like the robots Richards had at his Baxter building. Speaking of, he'd last notice each of these vehicles that flew high in the sky where all coming to or heading towards one particular building. A pattern similarly shown with all of the robots that were down in the streets. Each of them were heading towards an unfinished tower, one that looked incredibly similar to-

-"The Baxter Building..."

[bio858]

At the "Baxter Building"

Flying towards the unfinished tower, Sentry would note all of the floating drones utilzing tractor beams to carry various materials to help cement and build up the tower more and more over time. It almost felt like watching a large mass of ants slowly build up an incredibly sophisticated tower as their home. It made him ponder if this was how that time traveler he heard of had the pyramids built when he traveled back in time to pose as a pharaoh. A story he found difficult to believe, even when it came out of the mouths of the Fantastic Four.

Heh, would Reed really proceed with such an idea himself on Mars of all places? He never announced that he'd have a global installation on Mars. Hard for even a man like him to keep that secret."

He'd look all around him to take in the view of the city. The more stared, the more familiar it started to feel. With constructions that seemed to resemble the Chrysler building or the Empire State building, it almost felt like someone was trying to make a gigantic model of New York City within Mars itself.

"Feels like something out of the Twilight Zone if I'm going to be honest. Maybe I'll get some answers from the drones there."

"There" being the faux Baxter Building. Flying up to the construction, he'd land upon a random floor (most likely the 35th floor). Noting the spacing resembling something akin to a hangar, he'd start trying to converse with some of the drones that were welding and melting various materials to help piece more and more of the construction together.

"Uhh, excuse me, did Reed program you to make all of this? Can you contact your creator?"

There was no response, as the drones kept on working on the project they had on hand. It did leave Sentry incredibly puzzled by all of this. Why would Reed want to recreate this "pseudo" New York City? Was it some kind of side project to him? So many questions, so little time.

For now, it was best to report back to H.Q., let them know about the strange situation on Mars. Pressing onto his earpiece, he'd be grateful that the tiny radio was capable of transmitting radio waves across space. No doubt the work of either Tony Stark or Reed Richards. Probably Stark design that was adopted by HAMMER to utilize for themselves. Nonetheless, Robert wasn't really the type to ask too many questions about such devices. He blindly trusted Osborn after all.

<"H.Q., Sentry reporting. I've reached the site. No foreign unidenitfied aliens here. Only inanimate entities here. Repeat, only synthetics here at the site. Hello, can anybody read me? Asking for further orders. Repeat, H.Q., what are your orders?"

The Sentry would wait for a reply, but no words would be said. His two-piece radio seemed useless, almost defunct. It practically made the Sentry a bit frustrated to say the least.

"Does this two-bit hunk of junk even work? What's going here?"

He of course, wasn't expecting reply. Yet a reply he would get, from someone within the room directly behind him.

"That...would be me."

The Sentry would turn around, feeling like he had just heard a familiar voice. Yet, when he did turn, he'd end up with another question.

"What? Who are you?"

The man would simply smirk, as his expression was simply covered up by his strange, oblong, metal helmet. He'd then answer the superhero, with confidence practically streaming through his own voice.

"Why, I'm Reed Richards of course."

[bio858]

The Sentry would look back around to see a man in a skin-tight suit of what he assumed to have been made out of unstable molecules. There would be glowing circular pattern upon his chest, with that light forming a line across his left shoulder. Of course, the more notable future is the strange helmet that man wore that covered the top half of his face. It seemed overly cumbersome, not very stylish in terms of design. Though there a number of supervillains who could do with some fashion tips themselves.

But enough about that, he needed to learn more about this "Reed Richards".

"My city has jammers all over, preventing communications from any "alien" sources, like yourself."

"I'm no alien."

"Reed" would then interrupt him soon after, as if making a correction.

"No, you are. Unless you just happen to be a native of Mars? Hahaha."

He'd make a small chuckle at his joke, before continuing on about Sentry.

"Unfortunately, I wasn't able to complete my construction here before the people of your Earth started to notice. So I guess my side project here will have to cease."

"So, what? You're just some imposter Reed? A clone? What do you even mean that you're not from Earth?"

"I am, just not this Earth."

"What? What are you on about?"

This "Reed" would take off his helmet briefly, to show his deformed head. The strange shape made Reynolds uncomfortable, but he'd feel even more unnerved by his face. He did indeed look like a younger Reed, though his face held some scars and an expression that indicated that his own life experiences were nothing like the Reed he did know.

This "Reed" would then put the helmet back on, before speaking back to the Sentry, wanting to speak more about the hero standing in front of him within this makeshift city on Mars.

"That I am Reed Richards, just not the one of your universe. And no, I'm no clone, or some imposter. He could not hope to match up to me. If anything, he's practically a pale imitation of myself."

He'd pace back and forth, looking upon a holographic display that showed up upon the top of his wrist. Looking through some readings, he'd look back at Sentry with a sinister smile on his face.

"The readings I'm getting off you, you aren't some Omega level mutant correct? No, the DNA signatures I'm reading indicate you a metahuman. A powerful one at that. You may even help me fight off the threat."

The Sentry had no idea what this man was speaking about, so he decided to ask some more questions.

"Are you talking to yourself, or me? What threat> What are you even talking about?"

"Nothing, it's none of your concern. Only mine. Which is why I'll have to capture you."

"Hu-"

This "Reed" would then point his left hand at Sentry, having said hand form into a giant synthetic canon of sorts, firing large amounts of plasma. Robert would get blasted by this energy, getting knocked through the city, breaking through several buildings. The blast even packed a punch, as even Sentry felt it. Whatever was going on, a fight was now on his hands, against this Reed Richards. A fight he did not intend to lose. Especially since he had no clues about the man's intentions.

[bio858]

Washington D.C

The President stood firmly in his chair, awaiting a response from the communications team within the hidden helicarrier flying overhead New York City. That particular station held contact with Sentry, who was sent out to verify the unidentified station made upon the surface of Mars. However, Osborn was disappointed that his Golden Avenger hadn't responded back just yet.

What's taking him so long?

Pressing a button upon his chair, a small cylindrical tube would rise up from his table, projecting a faint light over his own figure. Soon, he'd see a holographic projection of a man with a headset and a tucked button up with a tie. The man in the hologram that was facing towards Norman would suddenly stand at attention as Norman asked for an update on the Sentry.

"What's the status on Reynolds? He should have been back by now."

"Mr. President, sir, he's currently dealing with a predicament."

"Heh, you're joking right? What could be holding him up?"

"We aren't sure sir. As soon as the Sentry flew in on site, we lost contact. We aren't sure what's his status as of now."

"Goddamnit! At the earliest notice, patch me through to Reynolds! Do whatever you have to!"

---

Mars Station

As Reynolds was blasted through the buildings, he'd faintly notice the wrecked construction quickly repair itself back together, as if through magic. The trut would be through the various nanobots that were littered throughout the city, working tirelessly at making sure the empty city stayed at tip top shape. The point of such repair seemed meaningless, other than to suit the creators' strange vision. Regardless, Sentry would attempt to try and stand up from the rubble. As he would do so, he'd hear a familiar voice through his comms.

<"Reynolds! Reynolds are you there!">

<"Ugh, is it good to hear your voice Mr. President. Turns out the alien base isn't really made by an alien at all. The one who made it is-AAAAAGH!"

The Sentry would feel a sudden heat at his back, followed by an immense amount of pressure pushing forwards and downwards. With his face being push towards the ground, he'd regret ignoring the sensation that warned him of danger. He never had to rely much on it before. But there was a first time for everything, especially as this other Reed also seemed to have access to teleportation technology.

The mad genius had teleported himself behind Robert, and fired his cannon up close towards the hero. The immense amount of energy would have obliterated most beings. Except those as durable as the Sentry it would seem, as Reynolds would summon the strength to push back up against the continuous beam of energy coming out of the makeshift canon made from the black ooze that made up the Maker's suit.

"KchhhhhhhhAAAAAAAAGGGGH!"

He'd forcefully push through the beam, walking the blast as best he could, until he finally reached the originator of the blast. Aiming to try and grab the Maker, his hand would reach out, only for the Maker to teleport once more. The Sentry would look around, aiming to try and find the man. Eventually, he'd see him standing on the roof of a shorter, 2-story building. It would seem Reed intended to still stand tall over his would-be foe, though he was impressed by the abilities of our Sentry.

"I must say, the heroes of my world would have benefited quite a lot with your assistance. The energy I blasted your way was equivalent to the output of the surface of your Sun. Even greater in fact."

"Guess you haven't heard the memo." The Sentry stated as he stared daggers towards the Maker.

"And what's that?"

"The power I have? Think of the Sun and multiply it by a thousand."

"You maybe powerful, but that's a ridiculous hyperbole-"

All of a sudden, the Sentry would appear right in front of the Maker's face, catching him by surprise.
"Wha-"

Reynolds would throw a powerful punch, not really aiming at holding back. If it landed, it would have more than likely killed the Maker, even with his malleable form with his elasticity. Thankfully, a forcefield would automatically project outwards from the Maker's body to protect from most of the brute force of the punch. Though the shield would still forcefully carry the Maker's body through various buildings of concrete, with the damage itself being immediately repaired. The Maker though, would still feel the brunt of that attack, despite his shielding taking up most of the forceful blow.

As he now landed in the rubble, the Sentry would fly high in the sky, staring down towards "Richards", preparing for the mad genius' next attack. Whatever it would be, Robert would make sure that this Maker would regret underestimating his power. That was for certain.