Marvel: Familia System

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From the sky, Nero watched the battlefield unfold beneath him, the crackling energy and chaos of their powers a proof of how far they had come. A few years ago, they were just people trying to find their way in life. Donald had been banished to Earth, a cripple unaware of his true nature as Thor. The rest had their own struggles, none of which hinted at the immense power they would wield today. Now, with the Familia Rings binding them, they were unrecognizable from those days.

Below, Anthony wove between two Kronans, his fists glowing with golden light as he darted in and out of their reach. Diego danced around his own opponent, disintegrating wind twisting with precision, keeping the hammer-wielding Kronan off balance. Sofia's battlefield was littered with shards of ice and steam, her cold precision locking her opponents in place. Nigel, as calm as ever, directed the battlefield with his clones, his Cloud Flames amplifying each strike with devastating efficiency.

Maria sat in the middle of her chaos like an amused observer. Kronans battered at illusions that led them into their own allies, while others stumbled into pits or swung at air. She occasionally flicked her hand, shifting the mist just enough to keep them in turmoil.

Sofia shouted from across the field, her spear of ice pinning an axe-wielding Kronan to the ground. "Maria! A little heads-up next time they're walking into me!"

Maria waved dismissively. "You're quick enough to dodge. And besides, it's good cardio."

Anthony ducked under a molten blade, delivering a sharp uppercut that sent one of his opponents crashing into a boulder. "You should at least warn her. These guys don't exactly come with airbags."

"She'll live," Maria replied, tossing another kernel of her imaginary popcorn into her mouth. "Plus, I think Sofia likes the challenge."

"Don't make me come over there," Sofia said, her voice cutting through the mist.

Chuckling, Nero waved his hand, and vibrant orange Sky Flames spread outward, threading through the battlefield like rivers of light. The flames collected the essence of the six other Rings, merging into a harmonious domain that shimmered over the chaos. As the radiance enveloped the Kronans still standing, their movements faltered. Weapons clattered to the ground, molten energy dimmed, and the roaring battlefield fell silent as the massive stone warriors lowered their arms.

"Unreal," Anthony muttered, brushing dirt off his shoulder as he straightened. He stared at the Kronans, now docile and aimless.

"We do the battling, and he steals the spotlight," Sofia groaned, gesturing at the subdued enemies with her ice spear. "Why do I even bother?"

Diego glared at him. "Classic Nero. Always making a big entrance. You couldn't let us have this one, huh?"

After dealing with the Kronans and bidding farewell to Asgard, the group returned to their base. Nero dropped into his usual spot on the couch, Maria leaning against him, absentmindedly twirling her hair as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Anthony was sprawled on a recliner, one leg hanging off the side as he tossed an orange from hand to hand. Donald sat nearby, flipping through a book—some Asgardian text that Odin had insisted he take. Diego leaned against the counter, sipping a drink, while Sofia tinkered with a gadget at the corner of the room. Nigel stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back as he watched the sunset, the picture of quiet composure.

Nero closed his eyes briefly and called out mentally. "Sorella, calculate our latest achievements."

[Brother, the calculations are complete. The Familia's recent accomplishments have yielded the following rewards:]

Monaca Mission: Ivan's Battle and Aftermath

[Objective: Save Ivan and prevent collateral damage from his out-of-control rampage.

Result: Saved Ivan initially, neutralized him permanently when his redemption failed, averting potential harm to thousands of innocents.

Guild Conflict: Ezio's Maneuvering

Objective: Support Ezio in infiltrating the Assassin's Guild, destabilizing it, and ensuring his rise to power.

Result: Leveraged Kira's schemes to provoke a war between the Assassin's and Thieves' Guilds and finally an alliance, culminating in the elimination of both leaders. Ezio secured leadership of a unified Assassin-Thief faction.

Asgard: Kronan Assault

[Objective: Defend Asgard against the Kronans.

Result: Defeated the Kronan force, aided Odin in neutralizing the threat. Strengthened ties with Asgardian royalty. Dealt with an internet troll]

[Big Brother, achievements are listed. Would you like to open any Summon Cards now, or shall I store them for later use?]

Nero looked at the list and nodded, "Not bad. Calculate the rewards."

"[Brother, processing achievements...]" Sorella's voice chimed in, carrying a playful yet meticulous tone. "[Let's begin. Calculating based on individual contributions, impact scale, and narrative intricacies.]"

Monaca Incident

Rewards:

2x C+ Tier Character Card

1x D++ Tier Ability Card

2x D-- Class Item Cards

Guild Manipulation: Ezio and Kira's Strategy

Rewards:

3x C++ Tier Character Cards

3x C-- Tier Ability Card

3x D++ Class Item Cards

Asgard Visit:

Rewards:

1x C+ Tier Character Card

1x E-- Tier Character Card (For solving Mokami Problem)

2x D++ Class Ability Cards

1x C+ Class Item Card]

Others came near Nero, their attention drawn to the system screen now hovering before him.

"Oh, who will be our new companion?" Diego asked excitedly, leaning slightly to get a better view. His grin widened as if he expected some dramatic reveal.

Nero smirked, tilting his head toward the display. "Sorella, draw them."

The screen flickered as Sorella's voice chimed in. "[Companion Summons initiated. Processing… Summoned Characters: B-- Severus Snape (Harry Potter). C-- Gianni (Katekyo Hitman Reborn). C-- Spanner (Katekyo Hitman Reborn). Summoned Items: B+ Chakram of Light (Original). Summoned Abilities: B++ Dragon Shout: Fus Ro Dah (Original), C-- Energy Channeling (Original).]"

Nero waved a hand, dismissing the display, and looked at the group. "Alright, introductions are in order. Let's start with the obvious. First name up: Severus Snape."

Maria suddenly got all excited, sitting up straight. "Wait, wait! Wasn't he a wizard in that series? Potter!"

Her exclamation drew immediate confusion from the rest of the group. Anthony tossed the orange in his hand to the table, frowning. "What series? What are you even talking about?"

Sofia raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, Maria, care to explain? You just yelled like you saw your favorite celebrity or something."

Maria's cheeks turned a light pink. "Nero tells me stories from Prince's world sometimes, okay? My favorite is the one about this boy wizard and his school." She glanced at Nero with a small smile before looking away. "It's... Harry Potter."

Diego leaned against the counter, his curiosity piqued. "You mean like... bedtime stories? Are you serious?"

Maria huffed, crossing her arms. "It's not like that. He tells me when we're just relaxing. And yes, it's serious! Harry Potter is amazing!"

Donald set his book down, his gaze shifting between Maria and Nero. "And this wizard... Snape? He's a character from that story?"

Nero nodded, his voice calm. "He's from the series, yes. A skilled wizard. Brilliant at potions, and his defensive and offensive magic are unmatched."

Others nodded; they'd seen their share of summons by now. Each new addition brought its own quirks and abilities to the table, some surprising and others outright bizarre. Even the seemingly mundane characters had proven to be extraordinary. Ezio once wielded a godly artifact. A wizard wasn't a shocking addition. Edward Elric had traveled to Kathmandu to study under the Supreme Sorcerer in their world. From what Nero told them, Edward was doing just fine.

"How about these two?" Donald said, pointing to the names "Gianni" and "Spanner" on the list. 

Nero frowned slightly, crossing his arms. "To be honest, that's quite a coincidence. They're from the same universe as our Rings. And they're engineers."

Diego raised an eyebrow, sipping his drink. "Wait, like... mechanical engineers? That feels a bit out of place next to 'wizard extraordinaire.' What's their deal?"

"I told you about the Ring Boxes, right?" Nero asked, glancing at the group.

Nigel stepped in smoothly, his tone factual. "Using Flames to materialize various constructs, items, or tools, correct?"

Nero nodded. "Yeah, that's the gist of it. These two—Gianni and Spanner—specialize in that kind of stuff. If we bring them in, we're not just getting more hands. They could build us weapons, tools, and even train others to use Flames effectively."

"Train others?" Sofia asked, setting down the gadget she had been tinkering with. "Are you saying we're going to expand beyond our current little circle?"

"Eventually," Nero replied. "We're strong, but we're not an army. If we want the Familia to hold its ground, we'll need to arm others and teach them how to fight. These two could give us the infrastructure to do that."

Anthony leaned forward, tossing an orange from hand to hand. "So, they're like tech support for our firepower. I like it. We're long overdue for upgrades."

"Tech support sounds like an insult," Maria said, tilting her head as she idly played with a strand of her hair. "But I'm guessing they're more than that if you're this excited about them."

"Gianni's expertise is more explosive," Nero explained. "He's creative, resourceful, and damn good at designing weapons. Spanner, on the other hand, leans toward mechanics. He's an engineering genius who could put together robots or combat enhancements without breaking a sweat."

Diego grinned. "Okay, now I'm interested. Do we get giant mech suits, or is that too much to ask?"

Sofia smirked. "Why would you need one? You'd probably get distracted by your reflection in the visor."

"First of all," Diego said, holding up a finger, "I'd look fantastic in a mech suit. Second—"

"Second," Sofia cut in, "you'd trip over yourself trying to pose. Leave the serious gadgets to me."

"Children," Maria interjected, raising a hand lazily, "please. Let Nero finish."

Nero rolled his eyes but continued. "Gianni and Spanner are more than just gearheads. They understand Flames in ways most people don't. If we're serious about expanding our arsenal—and our reach—they're exactly who we need."

Donald glanced at the list again. "And the Chakram of Light? Is that a weapon, or am I misunderstanding?"

Nero shrugged. "Weapon. Circular blades, versatile in combat. It's nothing flashy compared to what Gianni or Spanner might build, but it's useful. I figure we could give it to whoever fits it best."

Anthony nodded. "Alright, sounds like they're worth the effort. But what about the Dragon Shout thing? 'Fus Ro Dah'? That sounds… theatrical."

"It's from a world of dragons and ancient power," Nero explained briefly. "It's a voice-based ability. Think of it as a concussive blast that can knock back enemies or cause destruction. Simple, but effective."

Diego leaned forward, resting his elbows on the counter. "So, you're saying if someone gets on my nerves, I can just shout them into next week?"

"Assuming you can handle the power," Nero said. "It's not as easy as yelling. It's an art."

"You hear that, Sofia?" Diego grinned. "I can finally shut you up with the power of my voice."

Sofia didn't look up from her gadget. "Oh, sweetie, I'd love to see you try."

Nigel turned from the window, his voice calm. "And the last one on the list—'Energy Channeling.' What can we expect there?"

Nero tapped the table. "That one's simpler. It lets the user redirect physical energy into controlled explosive bursts. Could work in hand-to-hand combat, maybe even augment weapons. Nothing groundbreaking, but it has its uses."

Maria stretched her arms, leaning further into Nero's side. "So, we've got a wizard, two engineers, and some new toys. What's the plan?"

"We bring them in," Nero said simply. "Snape first—he's going to need some explanation about how this world works. Gianni and Spanner will follow. Their expertise is too important to ignore."

Without waiting any further, Nero waved his hand. Three cards materialized in his palm, each glowing faintly as the Familia's attention fixed on them. Holding them between his fingers, Nero pinched slightly, and the cards dissolved into motes of light. Slowly, the glowing fragments coalesced into three silhouettes, their forms sharpening as the light faded.

The first figure stepped forward, his dark robes swirling slightly with his movements. His expression was sharp, calculating, though there was an air of controlled disdain that bordered on habitual. He adjusted his black cloak, the polished silver fastenings catching the room's light.

Severus Snape glanced around briefly, his gaze cool and assessing. "It seems I've been summoned," he said, his tone clipped but with a hint of curiosity. "This is not Hogwarts, I take it?"

"Far from it," Nero replied simply, his voice casual. "You've joined my Familia now. We'll fill in the details as we go."

Snape's dark eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing further, his attention shifting to the other two figures emerging from the dissipating light.

The second figure—a man with wild, dark hair and a grease-streaked jumpsuit—cracked his neck with a satisfied sigh. His goggles, slightly scuffed, sat pushed up on his forehead. Spanner adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves, already glancing around the room like it was a new machine waiting to be dismantled.

Spanner whistled as he looked around the base, then closed his eyes briefly, processing the flood of information from the Familia system. "Oh, Tony Stark guy is pretty smart. To think he can build something like that."

"Stark?" Sofia turned towards him, "He's overrated. I saw some of his designs when we crossed paths. All show, no substance. You wouldn't believe the inefficiencies."

Spanner smirked. "Guess he didn't have you to fine-tune his toys. A shame, really."

Sofia rolled her eyes. "Flattery won't get you far, grease monkey."

Anthony got up from his recliner, crossing the room in a few steps to where Sofia was standing. Without saying a word, he slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. His head rested lightly against her shoulder for a second as he spoke, his voice just loud enough for everyone to hear. "Let's see the third guy." He nodded toward the last glowing fragments of light hovering in the room.

Sofia gave him a sidelong glance, raising an eyebrow as she continued adjusting the components in her hand. "Jealous already?" she asked dryly.

Anthony grinned, not letting go. "Just setting the record straight." He tilted his head toward Spanner. "And grease monkey over there should know Sofia's not available."

Spanner raised both hands in mock surrender, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "Hey, no complaints here. I just got here, and I'm already in the middle of a lovers' spat. Great first impression."

Diego snorted from the counter, "You'll get used to it. The drama never ends with these two."

Maria, still nestled comfortably against Nero on the couch, smirked. "Oh, please. You're one to talk, Diego. Who was it that spent three hours flirting with an Asgardian God last week?"

Diego shrugged, sipping his drink. "He was very strong. And gorgeous. Multitasking is an art, Maria."

Nero's voice cut through the banter, light but with a hint of authority. "Focus. The last summon is coming through."

All eyes turned toward the remaining motes of light as they began to coalesce into a form. Slowly, the outline of a man took shape—a lean figure dressed in a crisp black suit with sharp lapels. His hair was dark, neatly styled, and his expression was unreadable but undeniably confident. As the light dissipated, the man adjusted his tie with a quick, practiced motion and glanced around the room.

"I take it I'm not in Italy anymore," the man said, his voice smooth and level, with a faint accent that hinted at his origins.

Nero stood, Maria shifting slightly to let him move. "Welcome to the Familia," he said, greeting the three.

The trio nodded in unison, their expressions steady as they each dropped to one knee before Nero. "Greetings, Boss," Severus Snape said, his voice smooth and deliberate. The title rolled off his tongue with a hint of curiosity, but there was no hesitation.

"Capo," Gianni added, his tone casual but respectful, one hand resting on his knee while the other adjusted his goggles.

Spanner tilted his head slightly, the faintest of smirks tugging at his lips. "Capo," he echoed, his gaze sweeping briefly over the group before focusing back on Nero.

"Alright, none of that," Nero said, his voice carrying amusement and authority. "You're part of the Familia now. Let's keep things simple."

The trio rose to their feet at Nero's gesture, blending into the group with ease. Snape, however, remained slightly apart. Nero saw Severus Snape draw his wand, testing a few spells. A flick of his wrist conjured a glowing orb of light, and another sent it spiraling into a corner where it fizzled out harmlessly. He muttered something under his breath, likely an incantation, before nodding to himself in apparent relief.

Satisfied, Snape turned slightly toward Nero. "It seems magic is not entirely absent here. That's fortunate."

"Good to hear," Nero replied. "Let me know if you need anything specific. I imagine potions will be next on your list."

Snape's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone neutral. "Always."

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