M107- The King!

The room went quiet for a second.

Diego stared at the cards, exhaling sharply. "Fuck, I don’t know what these are, but even in card form, they’re oppressive."

Anthony tilted his head, squinting at them. "The pressure’s weird. Not like raw power, but… layered?"

Sofia leaned forward, tapping a few commands on her tablet. "Sorella, give me full analysis on all three."

[Working on it, Sister Sofia! Gimme a sec!]

Nero picked up the first card—Meruem. His gaze lingered on it longer than the others. He knew exactly what this meant. "Meruem… King of the Chimera Ants. If this works like it should, he might evolve by feeding." He flicked the card between his fingers. "Question is—will he only grow stronger by eating people like before, or can he absorb other abilities?"

Donald leaned back. "So, basically, you either summon a god-tier predator or a tactical genius. Either way, sounds like a headache."

Diego smirked. "Couldn’t we just drop him into HYDRA’s main base and let him go full buffet mode?"

Nigel glanced at the card. "We’d have to test if he even functions the same way in this world first. Last thing we need is him deciding we look tastier than our enemies."

Nero rolled his eyes. Everyone in the gang knew all summons were loyal to him. The idea that Meruem would suddenly turn on them was laughable, but he also knew they weren’t talking about loyalty.

“You’re all thinking too small,” Nero said, flipping the card between his fingers. “Meruem isn’t just a predator. He’s a strategist. A king. He won’t just ‘eat’—he’ll conquer. And if he works like he should…” He tossed the card onto the table. “He’ll evolve past what even I expect.”

Sofia scanned the data. “His potential is locked to how much he consumes. If it’s like his original world, he won’t just get stronger physically. He’ll adapt to whatever this place throws at him.” She tapped the screen. “Question is—does he evolve based on what he eats, or does he need Nen?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Nero said. “This world is drowning in power sources. Magic, mutant genes, cosmic radiation. If he can integrate it all, we’re looking at something beyond what even that world imagined.”

Diego let out a low whistle. “So, basically, we dropped a nuclear bomb into the food chain.”

Donald leaned back. “And if he adapts too fast?”

Maria shrugged. “Then we keep feeding him.”

Nero smirked. “Exactly.”

Diego grinned. “I kinda wanna drop him in Latveria and see how long it takes before Doom has an existential crisis.”

Anthony snorted. “You just want to watch a dictator shit himself.”

Diego shrugged. “If the boot fits.”

Sofia flicked to the next card. “Multi-Element Bending Mastery. Straight out of Avatar.” She scanned the details. “Looks like it covers all four elements, plus subcategories. Metalbending, lightning, combustion, even spirit energy.”

Nigel raised an eyebrow. “So, basically, full environmental control?”

Sofia nodded. “If he learns it properly, yeah. Every battlefield becomes his playground.”

Maria nudged Nero. “So, are you gonna use it yourself, or are you handing it off?”

Nero tapped the card against the table, thinking. “I’ll hold onto it for now.”

Anthony leaned forward. “You don’t already have elemental control?”

Nero chuckled. "Dying Will Flames and elemental bending are not the same thing. You know how strong Toph is with just Earth and Metal Bending. Imagine what a full Avatar can do." He leaned back, tapping the card against the table. "Maybe I should give it to Sokka, let him be the Avatar."

Diego grinned. "Sokka with bending? Man, he'd talk so much shit."

Maria smirked. "Would be fun until he starts kicking our asses with it."

Nero snorted, flipping the card once before slipping it into his coat. "Too bad. This power’s too strong to hand off." His gaze shifted to the last card. "Now this—this is a broken item." He picked up the green and silver card, turning it between his fingers. "Green Lantern Power Ring."

Donald raised an eyebrow. "And that is?"

"A universal weapon powered by will," Nero said. "Think of it like… the most advanced energy manipulation tool in existence. Whatever you can imagine, it creates. Shields, weapons, constructs, even entire cities. The only limit is your willpower."

Sofia’s fingers flew across her tablet, pulling up some additional data. "So, theoretically, if your will is strong enough, there's nothing you can’t do with it?"

Nero nodded. "Pretty much. It’s why the weak can’t use it. If you doubt yourself even for a second, it collapses. And if your emotions slip? It backfires."

Diego leaned back. "So it’s an overpowered cheat code with a skill check."

Maria tilted her head slightly. "Wouldn’t that make it useless for most people? I mean, let’s be real, even strong-willed guys have doubts. A ring that vanishes because you had one bad day sounds like a pain in the ass."

"That’s why most people don’t use them," Nero said. "The Green Lantern Corps picks people who are stubborn to the point of insanity. The kind that doesn’t quit, doesn’t second-guess. They literally run on willpower. If they hesitate, they die."

Anthony frowned. "And this one isn’t tied to them?"

Nero shook his head. "Not anymore. It’s just the ring now. No oversight, no rules, no limiters." He twirled the card between his fingers. "Which means it’s mine."

Sofia scanned the details. "Does it still run on emotional energy?"

"Willpower," Nero corrected. "But yeah, technically an emotion."

Diego whistled. "That’s a weird way to phrase it."

Nero shook his head, flipping the Green Lantern ring card between his fingers. “We already use Dying Will Flames and Haki. Both are willpower-based. Same goes for most of the summons in the gang. This ring fits right in.”

Sofia leaned back, scrolling through her tablet. “So, you keeping it?”

Nero exhaled through his nose, tapping the card against the table. “That’s the question. I could keep it, but there are strong-willed people in this world too. Someone else could use it, and we’d get another powerhouse in the gang.”

Diego leaned forward. “Sounds like a good idea. But who’s getting it? Someone here, or you planning on handing it off to some random in the wild?”

Donald scoffed. “You really think he’d give it to some outside idiot?”

Diego smirked. “You never know. Maybe Boss’s feeling generous.”

Nero ignored the banter, tossing the card onto the table. “Remember the system’s warning? ‘A Hidden Counter: The Infinity Stone destiny.’” He glanced around. “Thanos is coming. With his army. I already told you about him.”

Anthony frowned. “You mean the purple guy?”

Nero nodded. “Yeah. He’s not just some alien warlord. He’s got an army that makes everything we’ve fought look like amateurs. And when he comes, it won’t be a battle—it’ll be a massacre.”

Sofia raised an eyebrow. “And this guy’s that bad?”

Nero tapped the table. “Put it this way—if he gets his hands on all six Infinity Stones, reality itself bends to his will.”

Nigel cracked his knuckles. “And let me guess—he’s not coming alone.”

Nero nodded. “He’s got the Black Order—his elite killers. An entire army of creatures bred for war. And he doesn’t waste time. When he arrives, planets fall in days. He’s not coming for a fight. He’s coming for victory.”

Diego whistled, leaning back. “Alright, so that answers the real question.” He gestured at the card. “We’re keeping that.”

Anthony crossed his arms. “The real issue is who gets it. No offense, but adding more power to Capo doesn’t seem necessary.”

Maria smirked. “Yeah, he’s already annoying enough.”

Nero laughed, tossing the Green Lantern card onto the table. "True enough. I half want to give both cards to Meruem. All-bending, Green Lantern Ring, and his base power? He might very well become the strongest in our gang, stronger than even me."

Diego raised an eyebrow. "So we're just making a god now?"

"Not just a god," Sofia said, swiping through data. "A god that adapts."

Maria leaned back against Nero. "I like it. Would be funny watching Doom try to analyze him, only to realize the more he studies, the stronger Meruem gets."

Donald cracked his knuckles. "You sure about giving him that much? What happens if he decides to go full 'King of the World' on us?"

Anthony shrugged. "That’s assuming he can. Summons are loyal, but let’s say something screws with his instincts—would you be able to put him down if he grows beyond control?"

Sorella chimed in, [No chance of that happening. All summons are loyal to Big Brother, and there is no possibility of betrayal. No matter how strong they are. When Big Brother one day summons a creator god, even he will kneel before Big Brother.]

Diego smirked. “Well, that settles it. The almighty system has spoken.”

Maria nudged Nero. “That means you can stop pretending to hesitate.”

Nero flicked the Meruem card between his fingers. “Wasn’t pretending. Just thinking if I should put all my eggs into one basket or create a team of strong abilities. Like I said, Meruem is capable of growing endlessly. Even if someone else integrates All-Bending, Meruem may learn from them."

Sofia didn’t look up from her screen. “That’s assuming his growth follows the same pattern. If he can integrate skills outside of Nen, then yeah, he’s a walking arms race.”

Maria leaned against Nero. “Or we split them up. Meruem gets the ring, someone else gets bending. That way, he’s not the only one benefiting.”

Diego tapped the table. “You trust him with the Lantern Ring, though? You said it needs willpower. What if he’s too instinct-driven?”

Anthony crossed his arms. “That’s assuming the ring sticks to the usual rules. If it doesn’t reject him, then it’s a non-issue.”

Nero considered that. “Sorella, any info on whether Meruem can use it?”

[Analyzing…]

The screen flashed, data scrolling.

[The Green Lantern Power Ring will respond to any being with immense willpower. Meruem’s nature suggests adaptability. If he considers it his own, there is a high probability it will work for him.]

Donald exhaled. “So basically, as long as he wants it bad enough, he gets it.”

Sofia nodded. “Then the real question is—do we want to give it to him?”

Nero spun the card one last time before setting it down. “We’ll find out soon.” He grabbed the Green Lantern card and tossed it onto Meruem’s.

[Summoning…]

A pulse of energy surged through the room as the two cards dissolved into motes of light. The space in front of them shifted, warping like reality itself was reconsidering its structure. Then, with a low hum, the presence of something new settled in.

A figure stood where the cards had been.

Meruem.

His form was as expected—tall, insectoid, a humanoid blend of strength and precision. But the moment he opened his eyes, something else was there. Awareness. Not just of himself, but of the world around him. He wasn’t confused, wasn’t disoriented. He understood his existence immediately.

His gaze swept over the room, taking in each face with unnerving efficiency. Then his hand lifted, fingers flexing experimentally. A green glow flickered over them.

Sofia whistled. “That was fast.”

Diego smirked. “Dude didn’t even hesitate.”

Maria tilted her head. “What do you think?”

Meruem regarded her for a moment before speaking. “This… is power derived from will.” His voice was smooth. “An extension of one’s resolve.” He clenched his fist, and the glow intensified, forming a shape—a simple blade at first, then something more intricate. The construct shifted seamlessly as he tested its responsiveness.

Nero leaned back. “You getting a feel for it?”

Meruem nodded. “It is instinctive. A reflection of thought and certainty.” The construct in his hand shifted—a blade to a staff, a staff to a bow—before dissolving into nothing. His gaze moved to Nero, and without hesitation, he knelt on one knee. “Master.”

Nero waved a hand. “Get up. Call me Boss.”

Meruem stood smoothly. “Boss, if I may. Can you summon Komugi as well?”

Nero exhaled, already expecting this. “Summons are random, but I’ll try to keep cards in her tier. It’s not high anyway.”

Meruem nodded. “Thank you.”

Nero raised a hand, his Sky Flames igniting in his palm. “Absorb these and see if you can learn it.”

Meruem extended his hand, stepping forward as the orange flames washed over him. His body absorbed them effortlessly, the energy sinking into him, adapting. For a moment, his exoskeleton flickered, reacting to the foreign power. He clenched his fist, focusing. The Sky Flames, unstable at first, gradually settled, merging with whatever internal system governed his growth.

Sofia watched the readings scroll across her screen. “Well, that confirms it. He doesn’t just copy abilities. He integrates them. Full compatibility.”

Donald leaned back. “So, how long before he perfects them?”

Sofia tilted her head. “If I’m reading this right, he’s converting it into something unique to himself. Sky Flames aren’t just raw power—they embody balance. And Meruem’s whole deal is evolution. It’s not just working, it’s improving.”

Diego grinned. “So, if he eats more flames, what? He starts stacking abilities?”

Maria tapped her fingers against the table. “Could be. But Sky Flames already let him neutralize and enhance things. If he figures out how to use them properly, he might not need to eat anything else.”

Nero watched as Meruem raised his hand again. A small pulse of Sky Flames formed in his palm, but it wasn’t quite right. The color was off—deeper, edged with a strange emerald tint, like the Lantern Ring’s influence had already bled into it.

Meruem flexed his fingers, testing the energy. “It stabilizes,” he observed. “Unlike Aura, which fluctuates with emotion, this remains constant. It does not demand. It simply exists.”

Nero nodded. “That’s the point. It’s not about aggression or defense. It’s about control. Sky Flames don’t burn, don’t destroy, don’t heal. They command.”

Meruem absorbed the information in silence before shaping the energy into a thin line. A moment later, it solidified into a construct—something between a blade and an extension of himself. He swung once, experimentally. The air hummed where it passed.

Nigel whistled. “That’s gonna be a problem for anyone who thinks they can overpower him.”

Anthony leaned forward. “Think he can use the other flames?”

Nero flicked his fingers, releasing a pulse of compact Sky Flames. "You all, too. Let him integrate everything. Then we’ll call in more summons, see how he handles different energy types." He tilted his head. "Honestly, I kinda wanna see him make a wand with that ring and start using Snape’s magic."

Diego snorted. "We give him a robe, and Hogwarts is fucked."

Maria leaned against Nero, watching as the Sky Flames wrapped around Meruem like they belonged to him.

Without hesitation, the others activated their Flames. Donald’s Lightning crackled around his palm before arcing toward Meruem. Sofia’s Rain Flames dripped from her fingertips, cooling the air. Diego’s Storm Flames crackled as they met the others, while Nigel’s Cloud Flames expanded, their propagation effect already merging into the mix. Anthony’s Sun Flames flared briefly before streaming forward, and Maria’s Mist Flames curled like smoke, wrapping around Meruem without resistance.

Meruem stood at the center of it all, his body shifting slightly with each new energy. His exoskeleton darkened in places, his aura fluctuating as he processed the different properties. His fingers flexed, and in an instant, seven distinct energies swirled around him, balanced, contained.

Sofia’s tablet beeped, confirming it—his bio-readings had jumped. He wasn’t rejecting anything.

Diego grinned. "Means we’re doing science, right? That’s what this is?"

Donald rolled his eyes. "Sure, let’s call it that."

Meruem raised his hand, his aura pulsing with all seven flames. A sphere formed above his palm, layers of energy folding into each other. "Each element carries a distinct trait. Yet together, they stabilize. They complement."

Nero leaned forward, watching the energy shift between states. "Try something specific. Replicate."

Meruem’s gaze flicked toward the Green Lantern ring. A hum of power rippled through the air as a construct took shape—simple at first, then refined. A staff, sleek and elegant, formed in his hand, the surface crackling with shifting elements.

Sofia’s fingers flew across the screen. "He’s integrating the properties into the constructs."

Donald exhaled. "Meaning?"

She turned the tablet toward them. "A normal Green Lantern construct is just solid energy. His? They carry properties of whatever he infuses. That staff? If he channels Rain Flames, it’ll pacify. Storm? It’ll corrode. Sun? It’ll amplify damage."

Diego let out a low whistle. "Alright, that’s nasty."

Meruem spun the staff once before letting it dissolve into mist. "Limitless applications." He glanced at Nero. "What is the next phase?"

Nero stretched, cracking his neck. “Summons. You’re gonna test this against different power systems. Magic, chakra, ki, alchemy. This is gonna be good.”

He called them all in. Even Edward, who was busy in Kathmandu. Normally, he wouldn’t risk bringing them together—too many eyes, too many connections that could be traced—but this was different. Meruem needed to integrate everything, and the only way to do that was hands-on experience.Meruem stood in the center of the training space, his body already integrating the seven Dying Will Flames. His natural Nen was refining itself, reacting to the mix of energies. The Green Lantern Ring pulsed as he adjusted its constructs in real-time, shaping them based on the knowledge flooding into him.

Then came the rest.

Sakura’s chakra merged into his system, enhancing his physical and spiritual balance. Edward’s alchemy unfolded through his hands, the principles of equivalent exchange mapping themselves into his mind. Snape’s magic settled in like a second skin, instinctive. Hercule’s ki added a raw physicality, reinforcing what was already monstrous endurance.

Toph’s earth and metal bending integrated next. The ground beneath him shifted, responding before he even consciously moved. Sokka’s telekinesis followed, layered with his own growing understanding of energy manipulation. Pyrokinesis from Light flickered across his fingers, weaving into his construct.

Invisibility came next. L’s ability, now part of him. His presence flickered, then vanished completely, only returning when he chose.

Then, the last piece—shadow manipulation from Ezio, fused with Zed’s power. Darkness coiled at his feet, moving like a living thing. The shadows extended unnaturally, stretching across the space, merging with the flames, the bending, the alchemy, and everything else.

No hesitation. No resistance. His evolution had no limits.

His aura shifted, no longer purely Nen, no longer just one system. The energies harmonized, layered into something new. When he lifted a hand, the space around his fingers warped, reacting before he even acted. The Green Lantern Ring flared, but the construct it created wasn’t just green light. It pulsed with multiple elements—flames flickering within, metal reinforcing its form, shadows threading through its edges.

Donald watched the process. “So, no strain?”

“No.” Sofia tapped the screen. “It’s like he was built for it.”

Meruem moved, testing his new abilities. The ground cracked under his step, but it wasn’t destruction—it was control. He shifted his stance, and the floor repaired itself with alchemy. A spark danced between his fingers, shifting between Lightning Flames and raw electricity. A gust of air swirled around him, manipulated with bending, before it condensed into something sharper, magic refining its edge.

He flicked his wrist, sending a burst of darkness forward. It expanded midair, breaking into multiple pieces, then reformed into a new shape, bound together by telekinetic force.

It wasn’t just power. It was efficiency.

Nero crossed his arms. “Think you’ve got a handle on it?”

Meruem nodded once. His aura stabilized, the final pieces falling into place. His eyes flickered with recognition—he wasn’t just wielding these forces. He understood them.

The test was done. The results were clear.

The world wasn’t ready for what they had just created.