Phoenix in The Marvel

The lab was still quiet and dim as night approached. The blue light from the monitors reflected off the glass surfaces, giving the place a faint glow.

And right in the middle, on Tony's desk... the little scourge lay curled up in the depths of its sleep.

This creature was feeding. Sucking energy. It even grunted itself to sleep.

But the real question on Tony's mind was something else.

"Jarvis, where are we going to put this thing?"

Jarvis replied in his usual practical manner. "It's sleeping on the lab bench right now, sir."

Tony rolled his eyes. "I know, thank you, my brilliant AI. But is this a suitable place for it to live long term? After all... this little thing seems to be little more than a creature living on my desk."

Jarvis was silent for a moment, then began to list his analyses.

"Although the lab provides a stable temperature and sterile environment, it is not suitable as a long-term habitat for living organisms. Factors such as lack of natural sunlight, lack of space and lack of contact with the outside world can affect an organism's development and even its psychology."

Tony frowned. "Wait, wait... its psychology?"

Jarvis replied. "While the organism's level of consciousness has yet to be fully determined, its reactions so far suggest that its emotional and cognitive functions may be more advanced than the average bird."

Tony looked at the little bird as it stirred in its sleep.

It had just been born... but it already had character.

It chose food, it grunted, it had attitude.

And most importantly... it looked like it understood something.

Tony sighed. "I mean, can't it stay in the lab?"

Jarvis shot back. "In the short term, yes. But in the long term, a more natural environment would be advisable to provide the proper conditions for its development."

Tony raised his eyebrows. "So we're going to build a home for the little thing?"

"That would be the most appropriate term, sir."

Tony closed his eyes and sat back in his chair.

He had built countless things in his life.

But now, for the first time, he had to design a 'home' for a creature.

He laughed slightly as he thought about it. "Wow... I think we're in for a really crazy project."

Jarvis' voice echoed. "My suggestions include the following, sir: Adequate range of motion, simulated natural light, a controlled temperature environment, and a sleeping area made of organic materials."

Tony shook his head from side to side. "You don't think I'm going to build a luxurious bird's nest in the middle of the lab, do you?"

Jarvis replied in his usual logical tone. "Alternatively, we could create a special area for it. It could be a controlled habitat."

Tony bit his lip thoughtfully.

Then his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Jarvis... do you remember the holoprojection chamber?"

"Yes, sir, you mean the holographic test chamber that could provide fully adjustable simulations of environment and temperature."

Tony smiled. "Bingo! This will be our bird's new home.

"****"

Jarvis evaluated the idea. "This could be a very logical solution. We can constantly analyze the environment and change it according to their needs."

Tony sat up, rubbed his hands together and looked down at the sleeping little disaster.

"Okay, my little friend... You will be the first creature to live in a luxurious holographic habitat."

The little bird stirred slightly as if it could hear, stretching its wings and making a sweet 'chirp' sound in its sleep.

Tony smiled and shook his head from side to side.

"I hope you enjoy it, little prince."

The more Tony thought about the hologram room, the more excited he became. The room was one of the most technologically advanced proving grounds ever.

He could create anything he wanted with the simulations - a warm tropical jungle, a meadow with a gentle breeze, even an artificial sun floating in the sky!

But first... he had to make a few adjustments.

"Jarvis, activate the holo-chamber security protocols. Isolate the environment completely and run everything in there independently of the lab. Atmosphere, temperature, light levels... Hook it all up to a system we can adjust manually."

"Understood, sir. Initiating adjustments."

Tony leaned over one of the monitors and watched the changes Jarvis was making. The room was being reprogrammed quickly.

Artificial lights flickered in the projection walls. The holographic systems behind the glass panels began to engage.

At first, only a blue grid pattern appeared, then a virtual world that seemed real began to take shape within that grid.

First there was a lush green grass background. Gently waving leaves, flowers... Then a warm sun appeared overhead. The sky lit up. There was even the sound of small birds singing a sweet melody in the distance.

Inside the lab, it was as if another dimension had opened up.

Tony bit his lip and nodded slightly. "It's just wonderful. It may be one of the most ridiculous, but one of the best inventions I've ever made.

"Jarvis finished the final analysis of the system. "The environment has been stabilized, sir, and the simulation chamber is now completely safe for living organisms."

Tony looked at the small disaster on the table. It was still asleep. He paused for a moment.

He hadn't really touched the thing until now. He'd studied it, eaten and drunk from it, even argued with it. But he had never made physical contact with it.

Now the idea of reaching out and touching its feathered body filled him with a strange curiosity.

"Can I touch the bird, Jarvis?"

After a few seconds of analysis, Jarvis replied. "The risk factor is low. However, since the organism's level of consciousness is not fully known, the possibility of an unexpected reaction should not be ruled out."

Tony pursed his lips. "Good. So it's either going to be like a cute stuffed animal... or it's going to rip off a chunk of my hand."

Even as he said this, he kept his eyes on the tiny creature.

What was this thing really?

Was it just an ordinary bird?

Or was it so much more?

He inhaled lightly and cautiously extended his finger.

The feathers were... exceptionally soft.

But the most interesting thing was... there was a slight sensation of warmth, like an electric current running through the surface of metal.

It was as if there was an energy pulsing beneath the feathers.

At that moment...the little creature stirred slightly.

And its eyes opened.

If you want to support me patreon com Talamo