Marvel: Familia System

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Nero and his group of seven walked through the crowded pathways of the Stark Expo Center. The place was a noisy blend of flashing lights, elaborate displays, and tech enthusiasts milling about. Holographic projectors showcased everything from flying cars to robotic exosuits, while corporate representatives handed out promotional material with forced smiles.

Anthony stopped near a booth displaying a sleek piece of body armor, tilting his head. "Looks sturdy enough. Wonder how it handles kinetic energy."

Diego leaned closer to the suit's display, smirking. "You're already scheming how to turn it into your personal fashion statement, aren't you?"

"Practicality over aesthetics, Diego," Anthony replied, crossing his arms. "Not everyone's obsessed with appearances."

"Obsessed? That's rich coming from you," Diego shot back. "I've seen how long it takes you to decide on a tie."

Anthony ignored him, turning his attention back to the display.

Sofia was already a few steps ahead, standing in front of an interactive screen featuring a voice-activated AI assistant. She tapped through the demo, testing the system's response times. "This thing's got potential, but they're overcomplicating the interface. You shouldn't need five commands just to pull up a file."

Maria stood nearby, idly examining a booth selling high-tech jewelry. She lifted a bracelet and squinted at the embedded microcircuitry. "Tech disguised as fashion? Bold move. Too bad it's ugly."

Donald chuckled, his attention caught by a medical tech booth displaying a compact scanner. "This could be a game-changer in field diagnostics. Portable, efficient... They would kill for one of these back at the hospital."

Nero gave a short laugh. "You're really going to geek out over a scanner at a Stark Expo?"

"Hey, priorities," Donald said. "You think saving lives isn't worth geeking out over?"

"Fair point," Nero admitted, moving to join Sofia at the AI display. He tapped the screen experimentally. "So, what's the verdict?"

"Too much fluff," Sofia replied without looking up. "Stark Tech likes to dazzle people with unnecessary features. If they streamlined the system, it'd be twice as effective."

"Send them your resume," Diego quipped, sidling up beside her. "I'm sure Tony Stark would love to hire you after that glowing review."

Sofia smirked. "I'd just end up fixing all his mistakes."

As they moved deeper into the expo, a demonstration caught their attention—a robot performing complex acrobatics while wielding a pair of laser swords. A small crowd had gathered, cheering as the machine executed a flawless series of flips and strikes.

Nero looked over his shoulder at Nigel, his voice just loud enough to cut through the buzz of the crowd. "This is Hammer, right?"

Nigel nodded, his gaze lingering on the robotic demonstration ahead. "It is. Did some digging—everything checks out. After Ivan, there shouldn't be another Drone War. Hammer's public profile cleaned up a lot after the fallout."

"Anything under the radar?" Nero asked, looking at the dancing robot. 

"Not that I found. He's laying low, playing the 'reformed genius' angle." The old man responded with a shrug.

"Guess we'll see how long that lasts." Nero glanced back at the robot, its glowing swords cutting arcs through the air in a well-rehearsed sequence.

Donald looked at the robot as it completed a series of backflips and posed with its glowing swords. "Seems too… rehearsed?"

Sofia glanced at the machine, nodding in agreement. "It's just programmed to execute certain moves within designated timeframes. There's some basic environmental recognition in the code, but it's worse than Stark's public AI over there." She gestured toward the voice-activated assistant they'd passed earlier. "This thing can't even be called intelligence."

The group nodded collectively, though they all knew Stark's true AI systems were leagues beyond what the public got to see. This was more a flashy showpiece than actual innovation.

Diego crossed his arms, his lips twisting into a smirk. "So, Hammer's putting on a magic trick for tech-heads who don't know better. Classic."

Anthony tilted his head as the robot struck a final pose, basking in the crowd's applause. "It's showmanship. Not useless, but not practical either. You'd never take something like this into the field."

"It's Hammer," Maria said with a shrug, her attention drifting to another nearby booth. "What do you expect? The guy's entire brand is smoke and mirrors."

Nigel watched the scene with a detached air, "Still, it serves its purpose. Keeps the investors interested, which is all he needs right now."

"Investors don't fight wars," Nero said, his gaze lingering on the robot as it finished its overly theatrical routine. "When it comes down to it, functionality beats flash every time. The army isn't stupid; they'll see through this a mile away."

Before anyone could respond, two figures appeared, weaving hurriedly through the crowd. Mary Jane's bright red hair was unmistakable as she sprinted toward them, with Peter Parker trailing close behind. She broke into a grin as she reached Maria, throwing her arms around her in a tight hug.

"Sis! You're here!" Mary Jane's voice cut through the ambient noise of the expo, her excitement palpable.

Maria staggered slightly from the impact but laughed, returning the hug. "Of course I'm here. It's the Stark Expo—half the city is here."

Peter stopped a few steps away, scratching the back of his neck. "Uh, hey, everyone."

"Peter," Diego said with a teasing grin, leaning slightly toward him. "Still doing the 'awkward teen' bit, huh? It's been, what? A few years now?"

Peter flushed slightly but managed a small smile. "I'm twenty-one, for the record. And no, I'm not awkward. I'm just... polite."

Anthony chuckled, folding his arms. "Polite doesn't mean standing like you've been caught stealing cookies. Relax."

"Nice to see you, Peter," Nero said, cutting through the playful jabs as he stepped forward. "What brings you two here?"

MJ rolled her eyes, her arm still hooked around Maria. "Peter's a huge nerd, so he had to see the biggest expo of the millennium. And, of course, his idol's going to be on stage."

"Idol?" Maria asked, raising an eyebrow as she disentangled herself from MJ's grasp. "Please don't tell me it's Stark."

Peter fumbled with his words. "Well, I mean, he's... inspiring? The guy built his first suit in a cave. With a box of scraps. That's impressive."

Diego snorted. "Right, because genius billionaires are so relatable. Next, you'll tell me you want to name your firstborn Tony."

Peter looked indignant. "It's not like that! He's just—look, you wouldn't understand."

Anthony gestured at the expo around them. "It's not just about Stark, though. The whole thing is impressive, even with the showmanship. You can't deny it."

"Sure," Maria chimed in. "If you're into overpriced gadgets and overcomplicated tech. Stark's good, but he's not that good."

"Yeah," Sofia muttered from the AI display, "and half his tech is unnecessarily convoluted. But hey, clean energy's great."

Peter stepped forward, clearly trying to steer the conversation back on track. "Anyway, we're here because MJ wanted to check out the fashion-tech section, and I couldn't say no to seeing Stark in action."

MJ gave him a playful shove. "Don't blame me. You were the one who begged to come. I just tagged along to make sure you didn't embarrass yourself."

The group exchanged looks as Peter shifted awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. Despite knowing his secret, they still couldn't fully reconcile the image of Spider-Man with the nervous young man standing before them.

Diego was the first to pounce. "So, Pete, how's life as a freelance photographer? Must be tough juggling all that intense action."

Peter blinked, caught off guard by the tone. "Uh, it's fine? The Daily Bugle's a bit demanding, but I make it work."

"Demanding?" Diego's grin widened. "You mean between chasing leads and hanging... out?"

Peter chuckled nervously. "Yeah, it keeps me busy." He scratched the back of his head.

Nero smiled at them but gestured toward the next row of booths. "Let's move."

MJ grabbed Maria's hand and dragged her off toward a section where a group of university students were showing off their gadgets, leaving Peter trailing behind the main group. The gang moved in a loose formation, casually taking in the sights while keeping an eye out for anything unusual.

Peter jogged slightly to catch up, falling in step beside Donald. "So, what do you think of the place? Pretty cool, right?"

Donald glanced at him. "It's impressive, but most of it feels like it's built to sell a pitch more than solve problems." He motioned toward a nearby holographic display touting a medical exoskeleton. "That one's promising, though. With real-world application, it could cut recovery time for certain injuries in half."

"Yeah," Peter said, nodding enthusiastically. "Stuff like that's why I wanted to come. It's inspiring to see how far tech has come, even if it's all... commercialized."

Diego, walking just ahead, snorted. "You mean inspiring, like a certain billionaire's gadgets? Face it, Pete, you're fangirling."

Peter flushed slightly but stood his ground. "It's not fangirling. I just think he's—"

"A genius? A visionary?" Diego interrupted, spinning to walk backward as he grinned. "I mean, sure, but he's also a guy who charges a fortune for tech that doesn't even make it out of his inner circle."

Anthony glanced at Diego. "You're one to talk about exclusivity. Last I checked, you're not sharing your wind tricks with the masses either."

"Touché," Diego said, laughing as he turned back around.

Sofia had stopped by a booth featuring a sleek, black drone with neon blue accents, examining the specs listed on the digital display. "They're boasting a lot about adaptability, but this thing's not even modular. If one component fails, the whole system goes down. Useless in the field."

The group had just begun moving past a booth showcasing a miniature holographic city layout when their senses collectively shifted. Observation Haki flared across Nero and his group, a warning that prickled at the edge of their perception. Simultaneously, Peter paused mid-step, his Spider-Sense tingling like a persistent buzz that wouldn't stop.

"Anyone else feel that?" Donald asked, leaning towards the gang. He looked around, scanning the bustling expo, but nothing stood out.

Maria frowned, subtly shifting her posture. "It's like static. I can't pinpoint it."

Peter coughed lightly, looking around with an air of exaggerated nonchalance. "Um, I need to go to the restroom."

"Right," Diego muttered under his breath, smirking faintly as he shot Nero a quick glance.

Nero didn't respond, his eyes already sweeping the expo floor. Instead, he caught Nigel's gaze. The older man gave a faint nod before taking a step back into the crowd. A blink later, he was gone, his movement so smooth and deliberate that no one noticed him vanish, not even MJ, who was now chatting animatedly with Maria about some new gadget.

"Stay close," Nero said simply. The group understood immediately. They had been through enough to know what those words meant. Without drawing attention, they spread out subtly, keeping close to civilians while scanning the crowd. Everyone moved naturally, but their awareness was razor-sharp.

Diego sidled up to a food cart, snagging a napkin and pretending to examine a tray of pastries. "Think it's serious?" he murmured, eyes darting around.

"Always is," Sofia said under her breath, her fingers tapping a small device in her pocket. She stayed near a booth showcasing holographic maps, her posture casual. "That buzzing we felt? It's not random."

Donald walked a few paces behind them. "Anyone notice the increase in security near the main stage?"

"Not security," Anthony corrected, his voice low but steady as he scanned the area. "Private contractors. Their formation's too loose, and they're not coordinating with the expo staff."

Sofia's voice broke through the group's comlink. "It's the army."

Diego straightened slightly, scanning the crowd again. "Why the fuck are we feeling a threat from the army? Did someone declare martial law and forget to tell us?"

Nero closed his eyes briefly, the faint pulse of Observation Haki sharpening the sense of unease that rippled through the expo. When he opened them, he figured the ploy out. "They're here to create chaos and pin the blame on Tony. The goal is to pressure him into handing over his suits. Spread out, take down the threats, and protect the civilians. Masks on. Maria, take MJ and the others out of here. Use your illusions."

The group moved instantly, each slipping into position without a word. Maria nodded toward MJ, placing a steady hand on her shoulder. "Hey, sis, come on. I've got something cooler to show you. Trust me, you'll love it."

MJ looked confused but followed, shooting a glance where Peter vanished at. "Where did he go?"

Maria didn't wait for her to protest, leading MJ toward the nearest exit. Behind her, mist began to curl around the crowd, subtly redirecting people toward safe zones as Maria manipulated their perceptions.

Diego moved toward a gathering group of soldiers dressed as civilians, his steps unhurried as he casually slipped behind a nearby food stall. His sharp eyes picked out the earpieces and military-grade boots peeking beneath their pants. "Guess they missed the memo about blending in," he muttered, flicking his wrist as a faint swirl of wind began to gather around his fingertips.

One soldier barked into his earpiece, "Teams two and three, move into positions near the stage. We need Stark in the crossfire."

Diego smirked. "Guess that means you're team one." He stepped into view, hands in his pockets, his wind twisting subtly at his feet. "Hey, fellas. You lost, or is this the world's worst undercover op?"

The nearest soldier turned, his face a mix of confusion and annoyance. "Get out of here. This is a restricted—"

Diego's foot lashed out, a precise arc of wind catching the man's knees and sending him sprawling. Before the others could react, Diego followed with a sharp flick of his wrist, disintegrating their radios into a fine mist.

"Whoops. My bad." He grinned, sidestepping as one lunged at him, only to trip over a sudden gust that knocked his balance. "Should've gone with Bluetooth."

Anthony, meanwhile, had moved closer to the stage, weaving through the crowd. He tapped his communicator. "I count eight near the VIP section, armed but keeping it low-key. Two are setting up something under the main platform."

"Handle it," Nero replied through the comms.

Anthony didn't respond, slipping into a service corridor that ran parallel to the stage. He emerged behind the VIP section, his sharp gaze locking onto two men crouched near the platform, their hands busy with what looked like small explosive devices.

"Not exactly subtle," he muttered. In one smooth motion, he stepped forward, grabbing the first man by the collar and yanking him back. The man let out a grunt of surprise, but Anthony silenced him with a swift elbow to the jaw.

The second man barely had time to react before Anthony's foot swept his legs out from under him. The would-be saboteur hit the ground hard, gasping as Anthony knelt and dismantled the device with practiced efficiency.

"You should really invest in a hobby," Anthony said, his tone dry. "Bomb-making's overrated."

Sofia perched near the expo's central security hub, her fingers flying over a small console she slipped into the system. The screens around her flickered briefly as she bypassed the firewall, pulling up a map of the expo. "I've got a layout. Heat signatures are showing clusters near the south and east exits. They're trying to block escape routes."

"Not for long," Nigel's voice came through, cool and steady. "I'm on the east."

"South's mine," Donald added.

Sofia smirked faintly, isolating the feeds near the security stations. "And I'll make sure they don't have a backup plan."

Nigel moved through the east corridor, his clones splitting off seamlessly to flank the group of soldiers. He stepped into view just as they raised their weapons. "Gentlemen. I suggest you reconsider your options."

The leader sneered. "Who the hell are you supposed to be?"

Nigel's response was a flick of his hand, his Cloud Flames multiplying into three exact replicas of himself. The clones moved with lethal efficiency, disarming and subduing the group in seconds.

"I'm the man who keeps things from getting messy," he said calmly, stepping over the unconscious bodies.

Donald approached the south exit where a group of soldiers was corralling civilians away from the doors. He grabbed a nearby fire extinguisher, his Thunder Flames sparking faintly as he hurled it into their midst. The extinguisher burst on impact, filling the area with a thick cloud of smoke.

Using the confusion, Donald closed the distance, his movements swift as he incapacitated the nearest soldier with a swift strike to the temple. The others fell just as quickly, their weapons rendered useless.

He turned to the frightened civilians, motioning for them to move. "Go. Stay low and head for the main exits."

Nero had positioned himself near the expo's main hall, his Sky Flames subtly influencing the flow of the chaos around him. As civilians hurried toward safety, he kept his focus on the larger picture, coordinating his team through the link.

"Maria, status?"

"MJ's clear," Maria replied. "Most of the civilians are in the safe zone. A few stragglers, but I've got them covered."

"Good. Diego?"

"Cleaning up nicely," Diego said, the sound of wind and chaos punctuating his words. "They brought toys, though. One of them just pulled out some kind of shock baton. Cute, but pointless."

"Don't get cocky," Nero warned. "They're still military."

Diego's laugh crackled through the link. "Please. They've got nothing on us."

By the time the last of the soldiers were subdued, the expo had descended into a chaotic blend of panic and confusion. Nero regrouped with his team near the central hub, the faint hum of Maria's illusions still lingering in the air to keep the civilians calm.

"Report," he said simply.

"East is clear," Nigel replied. "No casualties."

"South's secure," Donald added. "Civilians are moving out."

"Stage area's handled," Anthony said. "Devices are neutralized."

Diego leaned against a nearby booth, dusting off his hands. "Let's just say they'll think twice before trying this again."

Nero nodded, his gaze shifting to Sofia. "Anything on the feeds?"

Sofia's face turned grim as her fingers moved quickly over her portable console. "Bombs," she said sharply. "A lot of them. And vehicles—dozens, no, hundreds approaching. My estimate? We're looking at a full-scale assault."

Nero's frown deepened as the group turned their attention to her. "Donald," he said, his tone clipped. "I want an EM block in the area. Fry everything electronic within range. Our comms are immune, so don't hold back. Nigel, you're on delay tactics—do whatever you can to slow them down. Diego, make it big and showy. Maria, pull them away with illusions. Let's move."

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