Marvel: Familia System

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Nero and his crew floated high above, cloaked in Maria's illusions as they watched the Hulk launch himself away from the city. The green behemoth's leaps carried him far and fast. Nero turned to Nigel, giving him a single nod

As Nigel disappeared, Sofia let out a small sigh, still focused on the faint trace of smoke hanging over Harlem. "Anyone else think it's lucky he didn't decide to take another swing at SHIELD?"

Anthony shrugged, arms crossed as he leaned against a nearby post. "Lucky for SHIELD, maybe. They're out here flashing their guns like they're the real threat, but one wrong step, and Hulk could've leveled half the agents. They're over their heads with him, and they know it."

Diego chimed in with a grin, "SHIELD's gotta save face somehow, right? If Hulk's too big to handle, they just slap a band-aid on the mess and call it 'containment.'" He shook his head, amused.

Anthony, hovering to Nero's left, gave a low chuckle. "You sure this is worth all the trouble? The guy's barely human at this point."

Nero chuckled as they watched from above. Down below, Nigel had just reached Hulk, moving with deft speed, sidestepping Hulk's wild swings with a precision that looked effortless. "Oh, he's more than worth it. Dr. Banner's a genius, and he's just as powerful in his own way as the Hulk. So long as Nigel can keep him steady with the Cloud Ring—limit Hulk's control—we can start bridging that gap between them. Banner needs to get to a place where he and the Hulk can exist without one trying to overpower the other."

Sofia raised an eyebrow, glancing between Nero and the scene unfolding far below. "So, what's the goal here—help Hulk act like an actual person?"

"Not quite," Nero replied. "We're going for something a little different. If we can give Banner even partial control when Hulk's out, he'll be able to fight without always losing himself to rage."

Donald, standing with ease on his floating disc of green lightning, looked over at Nero. "So, can the Cloud Ring really do something that sophisticated? Feels like our other abilities might actually do a better job of holding Hulk back."

Nero nodded. "You're right—that's exactly the plan. Right now, the Cloud Ring's going to 'Limit' Hulk's rage, giving Banner a sliver of control in those first moments when his temper spikes. Over time, we're going to integrate Sofia's Rain Ring to help 'Wash away' his uncontrollable anger. Each of you will combine your powers in sequence to keep his transformations in check, like gears meshing together."

As Nero explained the intricate plan to his crew, his eyes tracked Nigel's movements far below. Nigel had positioned himself right in front of Hulk, one hand on his forehead, the other pressed against his own chest where the Cloud Ring glowed with a faint purple light. In response, Hulk's wild, furious thrashing began to slow, each movement losing some of its violent intensity. The rage in Hulk's eyes dulled, just enough to indicate that Banner was beginning to surface, even if only for a moment.

Sofia leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowed. "Is it actually working? Looks like he's calming down."

Below, Nigel remained steady as Hulk's giant fists clenched and unclenched, his muscles visibly loosening. He let out a low growl, but his expression was shifting, anger fading into something that almost resembled confusion.

Diego gave a low whistle. "Gotta hand it to Nigel. Guy's got nerves of steel. One wrong move, and he'd be Hulk's next snack."

"Or worse," Donald muttered, keeping his gaze fixed on the scene below. "If this goes south, Hulk's just as likely to turn him into a modern art sculpture on the pavement."

Nero chuckled lightly. "Nigel knows what he's doing. The Cloud Ring's not just keeping Hulk's anger in check. It's holding back just enough to let Banner regain a sliver of control. With time, maybe that'll be enough to stop these rampages altogether."

At that moment, Nigel took a steady step back, his hand dropping from Hulk's forehead. The purple glow from the Cloud Ring faded, and with it, the green color began to drain from Banner's skin. Muscles receded, his massive form shrinking back into the frame of a man, and the confused, human face of Dr. Bruce Banner looked up, dazed, meeting Nigel's calm gaze.

"W-Who are you?" Banner asked, his voice barely a murmur. His eyes scanned the circle that had formed around him, catching sight of Nero and his crew, all wearing wooden masks with strange, glinting eyes in unique colors. Banner blinked, trying to focus. "What... what happened?" His voice was raw, a little shaky. He seemed more like a man struggling to stay afloat than the beast who had just been rampaging through Harlem.

Nero's voice came through, calm and collected. "We kept you from causing more damage than you'd want to remember." He inclined his head toward Nigel. "And he's the one who pulled you back from the edge."

Banner's gaze shifted back to Nigel, studying him with a look of disbelief. "Pulled me back… how?"

Nigel held Banner's gaze, unphased by the question. "All you need to know is we have the ability to control your green friend," he said.

The word "friend" made Banner grimace, but he stayed quiet.

After a beat, Nigel gestured towards Nero. "Now our boss has an offer for you, if you're willing to listen."

Banner took in Nero and the rest of the group floating above him, masked and silent. His gaze landed on Nero, who seemed to have the air of someone used to being in charge, even without saying a word.

"What kind of offer?" Banner's tone was cautious, wary.

Nero tilted his head, addressing him directly. "An offer to help. You've got an obvious problem, Doctor. And as things stand, the world's not exactly better off when Hulk is out destroying entire city blocks. You know it, and so do we."

Banner looked away, jaw tightening. "I didn't ask for any of this," he muttered.

Nero crossed his arms. "No one's blaming you. But avoiding it won't fix it either. What we're proposing is simple. We have the means to help you manage the transformations, keep the Hulk from running wild. Imagine if you could actually keep control instead of blacking out every time he takes over."

Banner's expression shifted slightly. "And what's in it for you?"

Diego chuckled from above, leaning forward. "Always skeptical, huh, Doc? Smart, though. I'd be asking the same thing."

Nero shrugged. "What's in it for us is a world with fewer cities turned into craters. You're a powerful man, Dr. Banner, and power unchecked is a liability for everyone. We're offering a way to make this work. With our help, you wouldn't have to run anymore, and Hulk wouldn't be some ticking time bomb."

Sofia folded her arms, adding, "Plus, not to be blunt, but SHIELD and the military aren't just going to sit around hoping you get better. How long before they decide to put you down instead of locking you up?"

Banner let out a bitter laugh. "You think I haven't tried? I've put the barrel in my mouth more than once. The other guy just spits the bullets back out."

Nero chuckled, unmoved. "No need to get grim, Banner. Listen, what you need to realize is that your body is housing someone else now. Hulk isn't just some monster locked inside you. He's a character all his own, with his own quirks, his own drive." He shrugged, his tone casual. "You keep fighting him, you'll keep going in circles. Start finding common ground, maybe it stops being a battle every time."

Banner looked up, still wary but listening. "So, what? You're saying I should be… friends with it?"

Diego laughed, hands resting on his hips. "If you're thinking friendship, you're already off-track. Think of it more like learning to work with a stubborn roommate. Can't get rid of him, but maybe you can agree on a few things."

Donald spoke up, his voice calm. "You're thinking of him as a problem to solve, Banner. But if he's got his own mind—his own will—he's something you can reason with. Or at least negotiate."

Banner let out a dry scoff, though his eyes were calculating. "Communicate? Hulk? That's a hell of a long shot."

Nigel stepped forward, eyeing Banner with a rare hint of a smirk. "You'd be surprised, Dr. Banner."

Nero raised a hand, cutting through the conversation. "Enough. This isn't a recruitment drive, Banner; it's an option we're offering. You can go on living like an uncontrollable machine, or you let us fix you."

Banner's jaw tightened, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. "Fix me? You make it sound like I'm broken." He looked around, taking in the masked figures surrounding him. "And why would I trust you? I don't know anything about you, except you all clearly know more about me than I'm comfortable with."

Anthony chuckled from his spot near Nero, arms crossed. "You're not in a position to question who you can trust, Doc. Not after what happened today."

Banner shot him a glare. "Trust isn't exactly something I can afford to just hand out, either."

Nero gave a short laugh. "Fair enough. But let's be clear about one thing: this is a lifeline, not a free pass. We're the only ones offering you a way to live without constantly looking over your shoulder, without worrying about the Hulk destroying the next place you end up in." He tilted his head, watching Banner's reaction. "You're exhausted from running, Banner. That much is obvious."

Donald shifted, the faint crackle of green lightning dancing around him. "And you've tried every 'official' route out there, haven't you? But they treat you like a weapon, like a rabid dog they'd rather put down than help. We're here to change that."

Banner clenched his fists, but he didn't respond. He looked down, frustration and resignation in his face. The group's words seemed to weigh on him.

Banner looked up, his gaze shifting from Diego to Nero. "So, what do you get out of it, exactly? You say you're helping out of the goodness of your hearts?" He let out a bitter laugh. "I'm not buying it."

Nero's voice remained calm. "What we get is simple: control. Control over a problem that could escalate out of control. The Hulk's strength is impressive, but without discipline, it's like giving a loaded weapon to a child." He paused, letting the point sink in. "And that's where you come in, Banner. The only way to keep the Hulk in check is through you."

Banner's expression softened slightly, though his eyes remained wary. "You're saying you want me to be... in control?"

Nero nodded. "That's the idea. With time, and with our help, you'd learn how to coexist with the Hulk. Not to dominate him, but to live in tandem with him. No more blackouts, no more waking up to destruction. Just a way to keep that part of yourself in check."

Banner glanced at Nigel, studying him. "And you really think this can work?"

Nigel gave a short nod. "If you're committed, yes. But it's not a quick fix. This takes time, and a level of trust."

Diego leaned in, smirking. "And a little faith, Doc. Something tells me you could use some of that."

Banner gave him a wary look. "Faith? That's rich, coming from a masked stranger who's apparently running this whole operation."

Nero raised a brow, unimpressed. "Consider it pragmatism. You just told us you've tried putting a bullet in your own mouth because you're that tired of running." He paused, eyes gleaming brighter. "So what have you got left to lose?"

Banner stayed silent, his gaze shifting to the ground. Nero had hit a nerve, and it showed in the stiffness of his posture, the slight clench of his jaw. 

Banner exhaled, his shoulders drooping as if all the fight had gone out of him. "Fine. Do what you need to do," he muttered. "I'll cooperate."

Nero gave a quick nod, then looked to the others. "Rain," he began, glancing at Sofia, "wash away the anger and bridge them together, then create a calm environment in Mist's illusion world. Mist," he turned to Maria, "use your powers to create a medium where the two can speak. Cloud," he signaled to Nigel, "limit the fight in that illusion realm so they can't shout, fight, or smash. Lightning," he motioned to Donald, "strengthen Banner's mind and will so he doesn't lose control easily. And finally, Sun," he turned to Anthony, "bring some light to Hulk's world so he doesn't have to live in the dark."

Diego raised a hand with a grin. "And what about me?"

Nero shrugged. "Watch them. Awesomely."

Diego threw him a mock salute, grinning. "Can do, boss."

Sofia stepped forward, reaching out her hand as the Rain Ring on her finger began to glow with a soft, tranquil blue light. She closed her eyes, focusing as a faint, cool vapor surrounded them, washing over Banner in waves, calming the tension that still held his muscles tight. The vapor seeped into him, like water easing over a fire, and Banner's jaw unclenched, his shoulders dropping slightly.

With a quiet nod to Sofia, Maria joined in, the Mist Ring on her finger glimmering. She extended her hand toward Banner, and an ethereal layer of shimmering energy formed around them. Banner blinked as the world around him began to fade, replaced by a quiet, serene landscape, almost like a peaceful forest under a twilight sky. In the heart of the illusion, a small clearing appeared, and within it, a single, sturdy table and two chairs.

Maria turned to Nigel, giving him a small nod. He stepped forward, and the Cloud Ring on his hand emitted a subtle, steady pulse of light. He placed his hand over Banner's heart, focusing as an invisible barrier settled over the realm. The ambient sounds softened, and even the faintest tremor in the illusion was hushed, contained.

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