Marvel: Familia System

discord.gg/q5KWmtQARF

Join my Discord!

**************

Across the room, Spanner and Gianni were already engaged in animated discussion with Sofia. Spanner had pulled a small device from one of his pockets, its inner workings exposed as he tinkered. "Your gadgets aren't bad," he said, holding up a circuit. "But you're capping their potential. This could double the power output without burning the core."

Sofia scoffed, leaning in to inspect it. "Double the output? You'd fry the system in five seconds flat. This isn't some slapdash rig from your workshop."

Anthony, who stood just behind her, folded his arms with a grin. "You guys planning to blow us up already, or is this just foreplay?"

"Please," Spanner shot back, not looking up. "If I wanted to blow you up, you wouldn't see it coming."

Gianni chuckled, examining another of Sofia's prototypes on the table. "He's not wrong. But hey, don't knock a little chaos. It gets results."

Sofia grabbed the circuit from Spanner's hand, smirking. "Maybe, but I prefer my chaos controlled. Now, if you'd actually let me finish explaining, you'd see why your little shortcut would make this thing explode."

Anthony looked between them, pretending to nod sagely. "I totally see it. Yep. Explosion waiting to happen."

Sofia turned her head just enough to side-eye him. "You have no idea what we're talking about, do you?"

"Not even a little," Anthony admitted, grinning wider. "But I'm here for moral support. Someone's gotta keep you two from murdering each other."

Maria piped up. "Let them. Maybe Spanner will win, and Sofia will finally stop making everything so complicated."

Sofia didn't miss a beat. "Complicated? Says the woman who just spent ten minutes conjuring popcorn to sit on her ass while we saved Asgard."

Maria tilted her head, unbothered. "And yet, here you are, alive and unscathed. You're welcome."

Diego sauntered over. "I hate to say it, but Maria's illusions did save my perfect hair from getting scorched. That's worth something."

"Your hair isn't perfect," Sofia muttered. "It's annoying."

Diego flashed her a grin. "Annoyingly perfect. Thanks for noticing."

Nigel, still by the window, cleared his throat softly. "If we're finished comparing hair and hobbies, perhaps we should address our new guests. Their integration into the Familia won't happen on its own."

"You're no fun, Nigel," Diego said, turning toward the newcomers. "But fine. Let's start with the wizard." He stepped closer to Snape, sizing him up with a playful smirk. "So, how do we know you're not secretly evil?"

Snape raised an eyebrow, his wand still in hand. "I could ask the same of you, but then again, I can read your mind."

Diego suddenly flinched, covering the sides of his head with both hands. "Get out of my head!" he hissed, his voice sharp.

Snape raised an eyebrow, his wand twitching slightly. "You're quite sensitive. I barely grazed the surface."

"Barely grazed?!" Diego glared, his hands still hovering protectively near his temples. "You poked around like a nosy aunt at Christmas!"

Maria smirked, leaning back into the couch. "He does have a lot of mess in there, Professor. Proceed with caution."

"Not helping," Diego shot back, frowning as he straightened. "And what kind of wizard goes rummaging through people's thoughts uninvited? Is this how you made friends back at—what was it? Hogwash?"

Snape's lip curled slightly, though whether in amusement or disdain was hard to tell. "Hogwarts," he corrected coolly. "And friends were neither my priority nor my concern."

"You don't say," Anthony muttered. "With that attitude, I can't imagine why."

Sofia snorted softly. "Great, we've summoned another brooding genius. Just what this group needed."

"Oh, and you're a ray of sunshine?" Diego quipped, brushing himself off. "Careful, Sofia. Your sarcasm's showing."

"Bite me," she said without looking up.

Spanner raised a hand casually. "So, are we just going to ignore the part where he can literally read minds? Because I feel like that's worth a discussion. Or a warning."

Nigel, still by the window, interjected. "I suspect Mr. Snape's abilities won't require a debate so long as he exercises restraint."

Snape inclined his head slightly, his tone even. "Rest assured, I have no interest in frivolous thoughts. I prefer my time spent on matters of substance."

Diego scoffed, gesturing broadly. "Oh, I'm sure your substance is fascinating. But next time, try asking."

Nero chuckled as Donald plopped down next to him, the couch creaking slightly under the weight of Asgardian muscle. Donald nudged him with his elbow, pushing Nero to the side.

"Hey," Nero said, shifting to make room. He glanced at Donald with a smirk, then turned to the rest of the group. "Remember, the system protects our minds from scrutiny. Snape was just teasing you."

Diego's glare shifted back to Snape, his arms crossing defensively. "Teasing? More like psychological warfare."

Snape raised an eyebrow, his voice measured. "If I had truly intended to enter your mind, Mr. Martinez, you would know. Or rather, you wouldn't. Consider this a demonstration."

"Demonstration?" Diego threw up his hands. "Of what? How to be the most annoying wizard in existence?"

Maria snorted, adjusting her position on the couch. "Says the man who spent twenty minutes deciding which cologne to wear for a fight. You're practically a Kronan repellent."

"It worked, didn't it?" Diego shot back, turning toward her. "Not a single scratch."

"Maybe because Sofia and Anthony were cleaning up your mess," Maria said, twirling a lock of her hair. "Your cologne wasn't doing the heavy lifting."

Anthony smirked. "To be fair, the Kronans did seem a little distracted. Maybe they were trying to figure out what the smell was."

Diego pointed at him, his tone sharp. "Et tu, Anthony? I thought we were on the same team here."

Nigel sighed, his gaze drifting from the window to the group as their banter escalated. They were back at it again, trading jabs and quips like they had nothing better to do. He walked toward Maria, who was still lounging comfortably, occasionally tossing illusory popcorn into her mouth. Without missing a beat, he reached down and plucked a kernel from the air.

"Got any real popcorn, or do I have to settle for imaginary snacks?" he asked.

Maria shrugged lazily, conjuring a fresh bag in her hand and holding it out to him. "You're welcome to pretend with me. The calorie count is excellent."

"Always watching out for me," Nigel said dryly, tossing a phantom piece of popcorn into his mouth and mock-chewing. "Even gets stuck between my teeth. Your illusions are as irritatingly perfect as always."

Maria smirked, flicking a hand lazily to conjure another piece, which hovered just out of Nigel's reach. "You're welcome. A refined palate like yours deserves only the best."

"Appreciate it," the old man said as he eased down next to Maria. Nigel reached into the illusory bag of popcorn, plucking out a handful and popping one kernel into his mouth. "Even tastes burnt. I suppose perfection has its drawbacks."

Snape, standing a short distance away watched the scene with thinly veiled curiosity. "Illusions that interact with the senses so convincingly… A fascinating application of magic—or whatever passes for it here."

Maria turned her head toward him with a grin. "Magic, flames, illusions. Call it whatever you want, Professor." She gestured toward the bag. "Want some?"

Snape found the act of eating popcorn beneath himself, but curiosity got the better of him. He stepped closer, extending his hand cautiously to take a single kernel from the illusory bag Maria offered. He rolled it between his fingers, noting its texture. "Fascinating," he said, his voice carrying mild intrigue. Even the smell was convincing.

Maria grinned, leaning back against Nero. "Convincing enough for you, Professor?"

"It's… adequate," Snape replied, though he didn't eat it. He let the kernel dissolve into mist in his hand. "The level of sensory detail suggests a precise understanding of conjuration. You've invested considerable effort into this particular illusion."

"I like my snacks," Maria said simply. "And if I'm going to make something up, it might as well be enjoyable."

Diego smirked. "Popcorn's the least of what she's conjured. You should see her shut up a Kronan with a puppy illusion. It's weirdly effective."

Maria grinned mischievously, her fingers flicking lightly as the mist thickened. From the haze, a figure emerged, tall and familiar, exuding an air of effortless charm. Loki's unmistakable smirk adorned his face, his green and gold ensemble pristine. He tilted his head slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing in an expression of amused curiosity.

Diego froze mid-sip of his drink, his eyes widening as a faint blush crept over his cheeks. "Oh my," he muttered, setting the glass down too quickly, causing it to clink against the counter.

Maria couldn't help but laugh. "You're welcome, Diego. I thought you'd appreciate some...company."

Anthony watched with a smirk. "Isn't that the guy you were practically drooling over in Asgard? Looks like someone's got a type."

"It's not like that," Diego said quickly, straightening his posture. "I was being diplomatic."

Sofia couldn't hold her chuckle. "Diplomatic? Is that what they call flirting these days?"

Diego ignored her, pointing a finger at the illusory Loki. "You're not real. I know you're not real."

Illusory Loki stepped closer, his smirk deepening. "Oh, but you wish I was, don't you? Tell me, darling, were you this tongue-tied in Asgard, or am I witnessing something special?"

Diego's face turned a deeper shade of red as he waved his hand dismissively. "Maria, turn it off. This is harassment."

Maria shrugged, still grinning. "You seemed to enjoy it at the time. I'm just giving you what you want."

"I don't—" Diego cut himself off, visibly flustered, and turned to Nero. "Can you make her stop?"

Nero, lounging comfortably with Maria still leaning against him, chuckled. "She's got a point, Diego. You were awfully chatty with the real one."

"I was making conversation!" Diego exclaimed, his tone defensive.

Sofia finally looked up. "Pretty sure calling him 'absolutely devastatingly gorgeous' isn't standard diplomatic protocol."

"You weren't even there!" Diego shot back.

"Maria told me," Sofia said flatly, her lips twitching as if holding back laughter. "She's a great storyteller."

Much to Nigel's chagrin, the gang fooled around for hours, the conversation veering from teasing banter to playful challenges.

"You're hogging the popcorn, Nigel," Anthony said, leaning against the arm of the couch and reaching for Maria's conjured snack. "Share with the class."

Nigel glanced at him, unfazed. "It's imaginary. Conjure your own."

Anthony plucked a phantom kernel from the bag anyway, tossing it into his mouth. "Tastes a little burnt."

"Clearly an acquired taste," Nigel replied dryly, setting the illusory bag down as though it weighed something. "Or perhaps it reflects the company."

Maria smirked but said nothing, watching the group. "So, Snape," Diego began, his tone light but curious, "any first impressions? Or are we not interesting enough for you yet?"

Snape didn't look at him directly but responded after a moment. "You've all exceeded my expectations in... unpredictability."

"That's just a polite way of saying we're insane," Sofia interjected from her spot.

"Insanity has its uses," Snape remarked. "But it's rarely an organized affair."

"Who said anything about organized?" Anthony quipped. "We thrive on chaos."

"You thrive on something, that's for sure," Maria said, her voice tinged with amusement.

After the gang settled down, Nero gathered everyone, including their new and old allies and those able to make it to the base in New York. It was a diverse and chaotic crowd—some familiar faces, others freshly summoned. They moved through the sprawling base, conversations and teasing bouncing off the steel walls as they headed to Sofia's lab.

"I'm telling you," Gianni said, gesturing animatedly with his hands, "if she's got the right tools, I can have a prototype up and running in a week."

Spanner smirked. "Sure, if you want something that explodes on the first try. Maybe let the grown-ups handle the engineering."

"I don't see any grown-ups here," Gianni shot back.

"You two done?" Sofia interrupted without looking back. "We're already short on time, and I don't want to hear excuses later about why you didn't finish."

"I like her," Gianni muttered. "Takes charge. Very bossy."

"She's also the one who'll kick you out if you touch something you shouldn't," Anthony added, walking beside them.

Diego trailed behind, glancing at the glowing panels lining the walls. "You know, Sofia, you could brighten this place up a bit. Maybe some mood lighting? A nice lavender?"

"Lavender?" Sofia repeated, glancing over her shoulder. "Why not throw in scented candles while you're at it?"

"Now we're talking," Diego said with a grin.

Maria strolled leisurely beside Nero, seemingly uninterested in the lab's destination. "All this chatter," she said, tossing an imaginary kernel of popcorn at Anthony's head. "I could be napping."

Nigel, walking ahead, responded without turning. "If you find yourself too fatigued, Donna, I'm sure the others will manage just fine without your… unique contributions."

Maria chuckled. "Aw, Nigel, I didn't know you cared."

He ignored her, continuing toward the lab.

As the group entered Sofia's workspace, they were greeted by the hum of machinery and a maze of wires, consoles, and half-finished projects. Holograms floated in mid-air, displaying blueprints and diagrams too complex for most of the group to decipher.

"Welcome to my humble lab," Sofia said flatly, brushing past a table piled with tools. "Try not to touch anything unless you like your butt kicked."

Gianni stepped closer to one of the consoles. "What's this? Flame conductivity enhancer?"

"Don't touch it!" Sofia snapped, slapping his hand away. "I mean it."

"Relax, I wasn't going to break it." He stepped back, holding up his hands. "Much."

Nero cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "We're here for one reason. Gianni, Spanner—you're both about to awaken Dying Will Flames of this group. Sofia's already prepped everything you'll need, so let's not waste time."

"Dying Will Flames," Snape said from the edge of the room, his arms crossed. "An intriguing name. I take it they're not metaphorical?"

"They're a power source," Sofia explained briskly. "Think of them as a physical manifestation of your will. They can do anything from enhancing your abilities to creating constructs or weapons, depending on how you use them."

Nero looked at the summons gathered in Sofia's lab: L, Yagami Light, Sakura Haruno, Nami, Hercule, Lara Croft, Finn, and Severus Snape. Spanner and Gianni stood ready for their awakening, while others watched from around the lab. Not everyone could make it—Edward was still in Kathmandu, training under the Sorcerer Supreme, while Toph and Sokka remained at Xavier's school to avoid drawing attention. Frank Martin had become Kingpin's right-hand man, tying him down in New York's underbelly, and Ezio had taken charge of the Assassin and Thief Guilds, cementing his new position of leadership. Erwin Smith, buried deep within SHIELD's operations, couldn't easily sneak away without compromising his role.

"Well," Nero began, his voice cutting through the chatter as he gestured for the group's attention. "Let's start with introductions." He paused, letting their gazes settle on him. "You're in my Familia now. And whether you're here for engineering, magic, or brute strength, you're here because you bring something we need."

He then looked at the loyal faces of his summons. Some looked tough, others cold, but all were eager, their attention locked on him as the room quieted. He gestured toward the holographic display Sofia had conjured earlier, which showed the flickering colors of Flames—the vivid orange of the Sky Flame at its center, surrounded by the hues of the others.

"You've all seen what Dying Will Flames can do," Nero began, his voice direct. "But some of you only know them as the energy we use in battle. They're more than that. These Flames represent who we are—our willpower, our resolve, the essence of our existence turned into something tangible. That's why they're called Dying Will Flames. They're born from the idea of having something so important to you that you'd face death itself to protect it."

Hercule leaned forward slightly, his arms resting on the back of a chair. "So it's not just about strength. It's... focus?"

"More than focus," Nero said. "It's commitment. Every Flame has its own properties, tied to the person wielding it. The Sky Flame unites, brings balance to everything around it. The Storm Flame erodes and destroys. Rain Flames soothe, purify, and calm. Each Flame reflects the core of its user."

Snape tilted his head, his sharp gaze unwavering. "A rather poetic concept for something so evidently destructive."

Nero smirked. "You'd be surprised how often destruction and creation go hand in hand. It's not just about tearing things down—though Diego does plenty of that."

Diego raised his hands in mock innocence. "What can I say? I like leaving an impression."

"Usually on people's skulls," Anthony muttered, earning a smirk from Diego.

"Keep this up, and I'll leave one on yours," Diego shot back, though his tone was light.

Nero continued, ignoring their banter. "These Flames aren't just for fighting. They amplify what you're capable of. They make you more than you are. You've seen Sofia turn her Rain Flames into ice and create barriers. You've seen Diego disintegrate whatever he touches. But the Flames aren't limited to what you've seen. That's where Gianni and Spanner come in."

Spanner perked up, pushing his goggles higher on his forehead. "Oh, good. My cue."

Nero gestured toward him. "Flame technology is their specialty. They can take what's already in us and create tools that push it further. Imagine weapons that respond to your Flames, armor that protects against them, or even constructs that fight alongside you."

Gianni nodded, his arms crossed. "Think of it as giving your powers a blueprint to work with. Your Flames are raw energy—we can turn them into something you can actually hold."

Donald looked thoughtful. "By the way, does it work with... well, magic?" His eyes flicked to Snape, who stood with his arms folded, silent but attentive.

"It can," Nero said. "We've already started experimenting with what each Flame can do, but here's an example. The Cloud Flame's property is multiplication. With the right application, it could increase the number or power of spells. Imagine firing three Stupefy spells with a single cast."

Diego tilted his head, frowning slightly. "What now?"

Maria's face lit up in the way only a true Potterhead's could. "It's a spell that stuns the target," she said quickly, her tone full of excitement and disbelief. "Basic stuff, really. You'd love it."

Diego gave her a blank look. "Right. I'm sure that's incredibly useful if your enemies are... I don't know, squirrels?"

Maria rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Like you don't use basic moves all the time. 'Look at me, I'm Diego, and I can spin-kick my problems away.' Very original."

"You love my spin-kicks, admit it," Diego shot back, pointing a finger at her. "If I added magic, they'd be unstoppable."

Donald cut in, his tone dry. "Maybe save the spellcasting for someone who can actually focus longer than ten seconds. Or do you plan to spin-kick your wand across the room too?"

Diego shrugged. "Wouldn't need one. I'm all-natural."

"You're all something," Sofia muttered, not looking up as she adjusted a console on the far wall.

Anthony, leaning against the edge of the lab table, pointed at Maria. "Alright, nerd. If these spells are so great, what else can they do? Turn people into frogs? Make someone's nose disappear?"

Maria smirked, clearly in her element. "That's just beginner stuff. There's Expelliarmus, which disarms your opponent. Protego creates a barrier. Oh, and there's Avada Kedavra, but that's—"

"Wait, wait," Anthony interrupted. "What's that last one?"

Maria hesitated. "It's... uh... a killing curse."

Diego raised both hands, mock horror on his face. "So, let me get this straight: your 'amazing' wizard world has a spell that just... murders people? Isn't that a little dark for a children's story?"

"Not everyone's story is about sparkly vampires or shirtless werewolves," Maria replied. "It's called depth. Look it up."

Anthony grinned. "Alright, killing spells aside, how does that even work with the Flames? Wouldn't multiplying spells like that be risky?"

Sofia finally turned around, wiping her hands on her pants as she stepped closer to the group. "It depends on the caster and the Flame. The multiplication isn't just physical—it enhances the energy itself. But unless you're precise, it could blow up in your face. Literally."

Spanner, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "Sounds like a calibration issue. If you've got enough control, there's no reason you can't handle multiple outputs. Think of it like routing electricity. Too much at once, and the wires fry."

"That's what I've been saying," Sofia replied, crossing her arms. "But most people don't think about the mechanics. They just want the result."

Nigel's voice came from near the window. "As fascinating as this is, perhaps we should move on. Spanner and Gianni are here for a reason, after all."

"Always keeping us on track," Maria said, mock sighing. "Where would we be without you, Nigel?"

"Dead, most likely," Nigel replied without missing a beat, drawing a laugh from Diego.

--

It is the start of the new week. Please support me with Power Stones! Much appreciated!

-----

To Read up to 50 advance Chapters (25 for each novel) and support me...

patreon.com/thefanficgod1

Please drop a comment and like the chapter!