The room went dead silent for a brief moment before erupting into a mix of cheers, laughter, and knowing grins from those who truly understood the weight behind Nova's words. Wishes with him weren't simple party tricks. This was a man who could bend fate, reality, and physics with a casual flick of his wrist—if the mood struck him.
Skye and Maria looked confused, clearly out of the loop. What wish? Was Nova secretly a part-time genie?
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Aunt May explained Nova's ability, which startled both employees.
After the initial confusion, hope ignited deep within Skye's eyes. Could she find information about her parents?
Meanwhile, Maria was now fully alert and glanced around at the guests and customers. Nova's ability was truly frightening—essentially a reality-bending power. With it, he had created quite the background. The three mutant factions alone occupied the largest and most powerful sections.
Then there were Harry Osborn and two others. Their serums were a huge hit among both common people and the wealthy. Especially the military, which had gathered large funds to acquire them.
And then there was Tony Stark, the playboy himself. After exposing Obadiah, he now had full control over Stark Industries. Then there was also that armor of his. His A.I. was powerful enough to prevent any satellite or detection technology from tracking him—though SHIELD's alien tech clearly outmatched his A.I.
Looking into Skye's hopeful eyes, Nova smiled warmly. Then he turned to Maria, who had a calculating look in her eyes.
Guessing her plan, he thought for a moment and said to everyone, "Alright, ground rules before people get any ideas," Nova announced. "Wishes can't be overpowered. No asking for immortality, god-level abilities, or anything world-breaking. Keep it within reason, people."
A chorus of groans and dramatic sighs followed.
"Aw, come on!" Ned whined, flopping back in his seat.
Emma smirked. "Spoilsport."
Even Tony gave a mock pout. "There go my plans for a planet-sized penthouse."
Nova grinned, waving a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. Cry me a river."
Many groaned, but Nova ignored them and continued, "Also, some of you may not want to say your wish in front of others, so you can cash in that wish later in private."
That earned a few approving nods and lightened the mood, though a certain spy looked a bit disappointed.
Tony was the first to speak. "Wait, Nova, I want to sell that framed picture I wished for before."
Reluctance was clear in his voice, but Pepper smiled sweetly at his side.
Nova looked surprised. "No need to sell it. You can increase the limit of your wish."
Tony smiled heartily while others grew curious about the picture. But seeing Nova's smile, they kept quiet.
Then Nova said, "So, who's first?"
Everyone looked at each other. Suddenly, Logan stood up and said, "I want a bar filled with the most delicious wine in the world."
The room burst out laughing the moment Logan grunted his wish, his gruff voice cutting through the lingering tension like a hot knife through butter. Typical Logan. It wasn't world domination, power, lost loved ones, or immortality—it was booze. Not just any booze, but the best damn booze on the planet.
"Alright, Logan," Nova grinned and snapped his fingers.
A faint shimmer appeared in the corner of the room, and just like that, a fully stocked, polished mahogany bar manifested, lined with gleaming bottles from every corner of the world—brands no one else had ever heard of, vintages thought lost to time, and concoctions from places that probably didn't even exist on any map.
Logan's eyes gleamed like a kid on Christmas morning. "Now that's a wish worth makin'."
He strode over, grabbed a dark bottle with a label written in ancient Norse runes, popped it open, and took a swig.
Immediately, he shook his head. "Damn, that's strong."
The others glanced at each other as a tangible mix of excitement and nervousness settled over the room.
Nova gestured lazily. "Alright. Who's next?"
The three couples looked at each other, and Harry Osborn spoke, "We six will tell our wishes in secret."
Nova smiled and nodded.
Then he looked at the mutant group. Pietro said, "Well, I already have a hoverboard that matches my speed, so now I want a weapon—maybe a hero suit made of Adamantium or Vibranium."
Logan, on the side, grunted, "Big dreams, brat."
Nova smiled and shook his head. "It's impossible to get something that big without paying a price."
Maria, standing nearby, thought: Meaning, if given the appropriate price, he can conjure a suit made entirely of Adamantium or Vibranium... This guy's ability is absurd.
Then Pietro improvised with a slightly disappointed look, "Well then, how about two daggers—one made of Adamantium and one of Vibranium?"
Nova smiled and snapped his fingers. Two daggers appeared in front of Pietro.
The twin blades shimmered ominously in the light—one gleaming silver-gray with a faint, almost indestructible sheen, and the other a darker bluish metal that seemed to drink in the light around it. The air thrummed faintly, as if the metal itself recognized its own rarity.
Pietro's eyes widened, all trace of disappointment gone as a cocky grin spread across his face. "Now that's more like it." He grabbed the daggers and gave them a few experimental twirls, the weight and balance perfect in his hands. "Alright, Nova… you're back on my Christmas card list."
A fresh wave of murmurs swept through the room. Everyone was keenly aware again of just how easily Nova could reshape reality to his whim.
Nova let the moment linger a second, then turned toward Gwen, Mary Jane, and Felicia.
Seeing Nova, Felicia said in a sultry tone, "We three will cash in our wishes in private."
Hearing this, all the boys wolf-whistled, causing Gwen to blush slightly. But the shameless café owner didn't even change his expression and turned toward Mystique.
After thinking for a while, Mystique said, "I want premium grade B-07 serum."
With a slight smile, Nova snapped his fingers, and a serum appeared in Mystique's hand. Everyone looked curiously at the serum, which had driven almost all the gym rats crazy.
Seeing the looks everyone was giving the serum, Mystique quickly put it in her bag. After all, even military generals and billionaires had to stand in line for this serum. She needed to inject it quickly before anyone here got any evil ideas.
Emma clapped her hands to gather everyone's attention and said, "My wish will also be said in private."
Nova nodded and turned toward Aunt May, who shyly said, "I will also take my wish in private."
Skye, who was nearby, although she really wanted to speak out her wish, thought this was a private family matter, so it was better to ask in private.
Nova looked at his last employee, a super-sexy spy. After hesitating for a few seconds, she said, "I will also make my wish in secret."
Nova looked at her. The fish took the bait. Externally, he smiled and turned toward the last group: Tony Stark and Pepper Potts.
Looking at Tony's excited expression, Pepper tugged his tie and whispered, "Be a good boy if you want a reward tonight."
Although Pepper whispered, this café had many superpowered people who heard her, and grins broke out all around the room. Even Logan let out a low chuckle into his bottle, while Pietro nearly choked holding back a laugh. Tony, to his credit, managed a sheepish grin and mock-straightened his posture.
"Right, right," Tony cleared his throat, shooting Pepper a sly side glance. "I'll be good."
Nova smirked, leaning casually against the newly conjured bar. "Alright, genius billionaire playboy philanthropist—what's it gonna be?"
Tony cleared his throat again, and for once, there was a flicker of nervousness behind those cocky brown eyes. He stood up, ran a hand through his hair, then turned to Pepper. The room instinctively quieted, sensing something was about to happen.
"Pep," Tony began, his voice softer than usual, "I know I'm not always the easiest guy to deal with. Hell, I'm a work in progress on my best days. But you… you're the best thing that ever happened to me. And I've been thinking, maybe it's time I actually act like it."
Pepper arched a brow, a small, knowing smile curving her lips. "Tony Stark… are you asking me on a date?"
He grinned, that trademark Stark smirk laced with genuine warmth. "Yeah. Not just any date. The kind of date you'll brag about to your grandkids—or at least to Happy, because you'll be too classy to brag publicly."
The room let out a series of teasing chuckles and a few "Awws." Pepper, to her credit, looked more amused than flustered, but the fondness in her eyes was impossible to miss.
Tony turned to Nova, lifting his chin. "Alright, Nova. I wish to take this beautiful, brilliant woman on the most romantic date you've got in your cosmic bag of tricks."
Nova grinned, pleased. "Now that's a wish worthy of Tony Stark." With a flick of his wrist, a sleek, metallic portkey appeared—a polished silver ring engraved with faintly glowing runes. He handed it to Tony.
"This," Nova announced, "will take you to a very romantic location. Private, gorgeous, all the food, wine, and music you could want already set up—and the best part? Just you two, alone. No interruptions, no distractions."
Tony took the portkey with a satisfied grin. "Now we're talking."
Then, without moving his lips, Nova's voice echoed smoothly in Tony's mind.
Landing's rough, Stark. As your friendly neighborhood genie, I'll do you a solid—Pepper's gonna land right in your arms. Don't screw it up.
Tony's grin widened. He glanced at Nova, gave the slightest appreciative nod, then vanished alongside Pepper.
After a while, Nova turned to the others and said, "I once again thank you all for coming to my café."
A few hours later, after everyone had left, Nova stood alone, gazing at the café with a heartfelt smile. Mom... Dad... he thought silently. Although I'm destined to become very powerful, and my business will span across countless universes, this place will always remain my—our—heart.
The Family Café.