Marvel: Familia System

New Novel Alert!

Hey everyone! If you're enjoying my writing, you might want to check out my new novel:

Bat to the Future: The Other Midoriya

If you like smartass protagonists, chaotic energy, and a bat-wielding menace causing problems for heroes and villains alike, then this one's for you! Expect the same sharp humor, intense fights, and questionable life choices—because what's a Midoriya without a little trouble?

Go give it a read! And as always, thanks for the support! (Check my profile or search by the name.)

PLEASE ADD TO YOUR LIBRARY!

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The party was just a small scene. Nero didn't consider it important in the grander scheme of things. The mercenaries were nothing more than hired guns meant to stir up trouble for Warren, probably funded by one of those anti-mutant communities springing up since the whole Neogene reveal. Even though he and his crew had shifted public perception enough to calm down most of the chaos, you couldn't erase fear, envy, or plain ignorance overnight. People hated what they didn't understand—and feared losing their position in the world even more.

Back at their hideout, Diego was halfway through his dramatic recount of the party. He stood near the center of the living room, hands gesturing wildly, clearly enjoying himself. Donald sat on the couch, flipping through a book he wasn't really reading, while Nigel leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching Diego with part of mild interest and mostly boredom.

"I'm telling you, it was amateur hour," Diego said, spinning slightly to emphasize his point. "They had some jammer, sure, but the execution? Trash. The drunk guy causing a scene? Obvious distraction. And those mercs? They looked more nervous than Anthony when he tries public speaking."

Anthony, lounging nearby, shot him a glare. "I'm standing right here."

"Good," Diego grinned. "You can back me up. Tell them how pathetic it was."

Anthony shrugged, crossing his arms. "They weren't impressive. That much is true."

Sofia, seated at the table with a laptop open, spoke without looking up. "Let's not pretend you're some tactical genius, Diego. Just because they weren't professionals doesn't mean they weren't dangerous. They were sent there with a clear objective."

"To cause chaos and grab Warren," Nero added, walking into the room with Maria. He set down a glass of water on the table, glancing briefly at Diego. "If they were smarter, we might've had a problem."

"Exactly!" Diego pointed at Nero. "That's what I'm saying. They weren't smart. They came in loud, made a mess, and ended up looking like idiots in front of the whole party."

"Diego, not every situation is about how cool you looked while dodging danger," Donald muttered, flipping another page without reading it. "The point is, someone's stirring things up again, and it's not just about Warren."

"Anti-mutant groups," Nigel said, his voice low but clear. "They're getting bolder. Public perception might have shifted since the Neogene reveal, but fear's still there."

Nero nodded slightly. "They probably saw Warren as a high-value target. Kidnap him, make a statement. Typical tactics for these groups."

Sofia sighed, closing her laptop. "And with the government still scrambling to control the narrative, it's not like they're in a rush to shut down these groups properly."

"Not their style," Anthony said flatly. "They'll sit back, wait for things to escalate, then swoop in pretending they were in control the whole time."

Nigel straightened, stepping forward slightly. "You think this was a one-off attempt, or should we expect more?"

"More," Nero said simply. "Groups like these don't stop after one failure. If anything, they double down. They'll keep coming until someone makes them stop."

Maria came near Nero, her tone playful as she leaned slightly closer. "What's the plan next, boss?" She smiled teasingly.

Nero chuckled, tilting his head toward her. "How about a vacation in the arctics? I hear it's nice this time of year. Quiet, cold, and no wannabe terrorists."

She chuckled. "Are we sure this isn't about a certain Captain under ice?"

Nero grinned, taking a sip of his water. "Hey, I hear thawing out old war heroes is all the rage these days. Might as well join the trend."

Anthony leaned forward, arms resting on his knees. "Arctic vacation sounds boring, though. No bars, no people. Diego would lose his mind within a day."

"Please," Diego shot back, lounging on the couch like he owned the place. "I'd charm the polar bears and be crowned king of the north by sunset."

Maria tilted her head, pretending to consider it. "King of the polar bears? I can actually see that."

"Why do I feel like you'd get eaten in under an hour?" Sofia asked without looking up from her phone, casually scrolling reels.

Diego raised a finger. "Correction: I'd get invited to their secret ice bar. You know, where only the cool bears hang out."

Anthony groaned, rubbing his temples. "I hate that I even listened to that sentence."

"You love me," Diego said with a smug grin, stretching out on the couch like a cat basking in attention. He turned toward Nero, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Are we finally saving the Cap? You know I grew up with his stories."

Nero couldn't help but chuckle, giving Diego a pointed look. "Look at Nigel—he's the biggest fangirl here."

All eyes turned to Nigel, whose only reaction was a raised brow. "Fangirl? I appreciate history. There's a difference."

"Right," Diego said, dragging out the word with exaggerated skepticism. "Totally different from you having a framed photo of him in your office."

"It's a commemorative print, not a photo," Nigel corrected. "There's value in legacy."

Donald closed his book with a soft thud and leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "Legacy aside, pulling Captain America out of the ice isn't exactly a casual weekend trip. It's a high-risk mission with a ton of variables."

"And zero backup if things go sideways," Sofia added, eyes still on her phone, but her tone sharp. "This isn't a movie where you show up, chisel away some ice, and he wakes up perfectly fine. We're talking about reviving someone who's been frozen for decades."

Diego leaned over toward her, tapping the edge of her phone playfully. "You say that like it's a bad thing. Come on, Sofia, think about it—legendary hero, world war badass, shield that defies logic. This guy's got everything."

Nero shook his head. "He's a super soldier, literally. They pumped the serum into his veins and turned him into Captain America. That's why he's still alive after being frozen for decades. To him, this is just an extended nap in a deep freeze. He'll wake up disoriented, sure, but otherwise fine."

"See?" Diego pointed at Nero, turning to Sofia with a smug grin. "Told you it wasn't some impossible sci-fi revival. The man's built different."

Sofia didn't even bother looking up from her phone. "Built different or not, we're still talking about unfreezing someone who fought Nazis with a shield. You sure this guy's ready for the internet, smartphones, and influencers?"

Nero laughed. "In Prince's memories, they were discussing Captain America. Logically, the guy should've woken up homophobic, racist, and misogynistic after being frozen for decades. But somehow, the movies didn't portray him like that. Maybe this version's different."

Sofia lowered her phone slightly, giving him a flat look. "Let me guess—if he turns out to be a woke icon, you'll call it lazy writing?"

"No, just unrealistic." Nero shrugged, setting down his glass. "It's one thing to adjust over time; it's another to wake up in a completely different world and immediately fit in like nothing happened."

Donald smirked, leaning forward. "So, what's the bet? He's either super progressive or an old-school soldier who doesn't hide his opinions?"

"Both options are boring," Diego cut in, spinning his empty glass on the table. "I say we get a grumpy old man who's constantly complaining about everything but somehow still ends up leading the charge."

"I can live with that," Anthony said, crossing his arms. "Better than getting another idealized hero who's too good to be true."

"Hey, nothing wrong with a guy having morals," Maria said lightly, nudging Nero with her elbow. "You could use some."

Nero raised a brow, smirking slightly. "I have morals. They're just... situational."

Sofia rolled her eyes, closing her laptop with a soft click. "Right. Morals that depend on whether or not it's convenient."

"Exactly," Nero said, unbothered. "Situational ethics are just realistic ethics."

"Great philosophy for a leader," Donald muttered, pulling out his phone and scrolling aimlessly. "Nothing screams stability like selective morality."

"Says the god of thunder while casually scrolling his social media. Posted another selfie today, hot shot?" Anthony grinned, leaning back.

Donald slumped slightly, giving Anthony a half-hearted glare. "Cut me some slack, okay? I was crippled, skinny, and quite ugly for 20 years. Now that I'm a little…"

Diego licked his lips dramatically, eyebrows raised. "Handsome and buffed up?"

Donald grinned, shrugging. "Well, I was going to say 'proportional,' but thanks for the praise."

"Proportional?" Sofia deadpanned, eyes flicking toward him from her phone. "That's one way to phrase it. Still not explaining the thirst-trap selfies, though."

"I don't post thirst traps," Donald retorted, crossing his arms.

"You posted a shirtless gym pic with the caption, 'Built for power, not speed,'" Sofia countered immediately. "Tell me again how that wasn't fishing for attention."

"It was about progress," Donald shot back, clearly defensive but trying to keep his cool. "Not everything's about thirst, you know."

"Sure," Sofia said, tone dripping with sarcasm. "And Diego's just networking when he collects phone numbers at parties."

Diego placed a hand over his chest, feigning offense. "Excuse me, I'll have you know that networking is a critical skill. Building connections is key to success."

"Connections?" Anthony snorted. "You mean keeping your options open?"

"Call it what you want," Diego said smoothly. "But unlike Donald, I don't need to remind people I exist with gym selfies. My presence is memorable enough."

"Right, memorable for being an unrelenting flirt," Sofia muttered, scrolling through her phone again.

Maria, who had been quietly watching the back-and-forth, leaned against the edge of the table, smirking. "Careful, Diego. She's on a roll tonight. Might be time to tap out before she really goes in."

"Nah," Diego said with a lazy grin, tossing an arm over the back of the couch. "I like a challenge. Keeps things interesting."

"Funny," Nero cut in, setting his empty glass down. "I thought your idea of a challenge was anything that doesn't immediately fall for your charm."

Diego tilted his head, giving Nero an exaggerated look of betrayal. "Wow. Even you, boss?"

"Especially me," Nero said dryly. "Fun's over. Our jet's waiting. Pack your bags; we leave in thirty minutes."

Sofia grimaced, pushing her laptop aside. "Jet? Tell me Nigel isn't the pilot."

Nigel, seated quietly at the back, rose with an air of exaggerated composure and, as if by magic, pulled out a worn-out captain's hat. Placing it on his head, he said smoothly, "I'll be extra careful, Ms. Mitchell. Scout's honor."

Diego choked back a laugh. "Scout's honor, huh? Didn't know you were a scout."

Nigel ignored him, adjusting the hat. "I wasn't. But I could've been. I'm practically a model citizen."

"That doesn't inspire confidence," Sofia muttered, shooting Nero a look. "Why can't we get an actual pilot?"

Nigel tilted the hat at a jaunty angle. "Because real pilots don't let you nap in the cockpit and take turns steering."

"'Steering'? This isn't a damn yacht!" Sofia snapped, clearly regretting every past decision that had led to this moment.

"Technically," Nigel said with a smug grin, "it's called piloting, but I appreciate your maritime flair."

Maria chuckled as she slipped on her jacket. "Relax, Sofia. We've survived worse. Nigel's only tried to kill us… what, twice?"

"Three times," Anthony corrected. "Don't forget the time in Morocco."

"That wasn't my fault," Nigel retorted, adjusting his hat with exaggerated calm. "Strong wind. Unpredictable conditions."

Diego leaned forward from the couch, grinning. "And yet, somehow, every 'unpredictable condition' only happens when you're flying. Funny how that works."

"I fly with character," Nigel shot back. "Would you rather have boring flights?"

"Yes," Sofia deadpanned. "I would love boring flights. Boring flights mean not dying in a fireball because someone thought turbulence was just nature's roller coaster."

Half an hour later, the gang was boarded, and Nigel sat in the cockpit, flicking switches and checking systems with practiced ease. Nero slouched comfortably in the co-pilot seat, his legs propped up on the control panel, earning him a glare from Nigel.

"Capo, can you please not do that?" Nigel said, voice carrying just the right amount of irritation.

Nero didn't budge. "Relax. It's not like I'm touching anything important."

"It's not about importance," Nigel muttered, continuing his pre-flight checks. "It's about respecting the process."

"Respecting the process," Nero echoed mockingly. "Yeah, sounds like you."

Behind them, Sofia poked her head into the cockpit. "Is it too late to switch pilots?"

"Way too late," Nigel replied without missing a beat. "Buckle up, and if you're lucky, we might land smoothly."

Anthony, standing just behind Sofia, chimed in, "Define 'smooth.' Because your last landing in Florida felt more like an unplanned emergency drill."

Nigel clicked his tongue in annoyance. "That was turbulence. Not my fault."

"That's your favorite line," Diego called from the back, lounging across two seats like he owned the place. "Nothing's ever your fault, huh?"

"Because it isn't," Nigel snapped, flipping another switch. "Maybe if you all stopped whining and let me fly, we'd get there faster."

"Or not get there at all," Sofia muttered under her breath, strapping herself into her seat. "I swear, if you try another 'hard turn for fun,' I'm suing you for emotional damage."

"Noted," Nigel said dryly, adjusting his captain's hat again. "Now, everyone shut up. We're taking off."

The engines roared to life, and the jet began its smooth roll toward the runway. Donald, sitting calmly near a window, glanced at Anthony beside him. "Betting pool on whether we make it without incident?"

Anthony shrugged, fastening his seatbelt. "Depends on your definition of incident."

Sofia glared at them, "Stop making a joke out of it. Some of us want to live longer."

"Relax, Sofia," Diego said, leaning back in his seat. "Nigel's got this. Worst case, we bail out over a scenic glacier. I hear the arctic wild life crowd's really friendly."

"Fantastic survival plan," Sofia muttered. "I'll be sure to send your eulogy to the National Geographic."

Maria smirked, buckling her seatbelt. "Come on, Sofia, you survived Morocco. What's a little turbulence compared to that?"

"Morocco wasn't a little turbulence," Sofia shot back. "It was Nigel trying to prove that he could outfly a sandstorm."

"It worked, didn't it?" Nigel chimed in from the cockpit, flipping a few switches. "You're all still here, breathing and complaining."

Anthony sighed, pulling his seatbelt tight. "It's like he thinks near-death experiences are team-building exercises."

"I mean, they kind of are," Diego added with a grin. "Nothing brings people closer than shared trauma."

Donald shook his head, pulling out his phone again. "If we crash, I'm joining Sofia in her lawsuit."

"You can't sue anyone if you're dead," Anthony pointed out dryly.

"That's why I'm making a preemptive claim," Donald said without missing a beat. "I'll leave instructions for my lawyer."

"You actually have a lawyer for this?" Maria asked, sounding half-impressed.

Donald shrugged. "I like to be prepared. Just because I can heal fast doesn't mean I want to test it at terminal velocity."

Nero glanced back from the cockpit. "Alright, enough whining. We'll be fine. Nigel's flown us through worse."

"Key word being worse," Sofia muttered. "I don't find that reassuring."

Ignoring her, Nigel adjusted his captain's hat one more time, clearly enjoying the unofficial role. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Please remain seated, fasten your seatbelts, and prepare for takeoff. In-flight entertainment includes sarcastic commentary and Diego's ongoing midlife crisis."

"Midlife crisis?" Diego echoed, looking genuinely offended. "I'm not even thirty!"

"That makes it sadder," Sofia quipped without looking up.

The engines roared louder as Nigel pushed the throttle forward, and the jet picked up speed on the runway. For a moment, there was silence as everyone braced for takeoff. Then, with a smooth lift, the jet left the ground, tilting slightly as it climbed higher into the sky.

Anthony leaned toward Donald. "Smooth so far."

"Don't jinx it," Donald muttered.

"Too late," Sofia said, tightening her grip on the armrest as the jet leveled off. "Nigel's still the pilot."

"Have a little faith," Nigel said over his shoulder. "I only crash on special occasions."

--

I want to chat with you all but might contain a little bit of HxH spoiler;

Hello you all,

Wanted to have a little conversation with my dear readers. What is "peak" for you? Do you have anything that you can certainly point to and say, "This is peak"? Of course, I know the definition of peak—if we are not talking about literal elements like a mountain peak or statistical highs—is very subjective, but I am curious nonetheless. Well, I will go first.

For me, "peak" is Killua Zoldyck from Hunter x Hunter. !!!!!Spoiler Alert!!!!! He began as a cold, detached character who had no friends and was conditioned by his family to become an emotionless assassin, going as far as stabbing his own mother and brother without remorse. However, as he discovered friendship through Gon, Killua slowly began breaking free from his family's toxic influence. This journey reached its emotional peak during the Chimera Ant arc, where Gon, consumed by his own grief and anger, turned his back on Killua, leaving him heartbroken. Yet, despite the pain of rejection and betrayal, Killua risked everything, including defying his powerful family and placing Alluka in danger, to save Gon—without ever expecting gratitude in return. That, for me, is peak character development.

Secondly, it's Avenged Sevenfold's "Live in the LBC" performance in 2008. Just one year later, they tragically lost their incredible drummer, The Rev. Whenever I rewatch that live show, I can't help but get emotional. For me, this performance symbolizes the peak of their unity, talent, and passion.

These two examples are peak experiences for me. Now I would love to hear yours! Please share your personal peaks.

Thanks!

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