*C57 - The Calm before the Storm.

E/d note: Just a fair warning, I will likely not entertain any plot spoiler questions like "why this why that", because there is a Volume 1 afterthought. Volume 1 for this series ends with the original arc at C66. The ending chapter of Volume 1 will have some answers for some of the questions you might have, and I will also go through some initial Q&A in the afterthoughts. You can then ask your questions in that afterthought chapter, which i will try to answer to the best of my abilities. Also, after the end of Volume 1, this series will go on a short hiatus on Webnovel, maximum of 7 days for me to read through the questions and make changes to future chapters (most likely i will only implement changes in C80+ onwards since I am also still releasing Patreon chapters while this Arc is being released on Webnovel.)

'Inner dialogue/thoughts'

"Normal dialogue"

[System]

[Diary entries]

(Word count: 2,205)

~ The following morning with Luke, in the Peach Blossom Café ~

It had been an unusually busy morning for the employees of the Peach Blossom Café. On a weekday, their customers normally consisted of office workers who would order take-outs to have their breakfast in their office. However, this time around, the café was being frequented by what looked to be casual diners.

"I wonder what's going on. We don't usually get this many visitors in this part of LA." Pepper spoke aloud as she sipped on her beverage.

"Beats me, but I definitely do not mind the extra business. Just thinking of the profits that I could make today is enough for me to throw a celebratory party for us tonight!" Luke responded as he rubbed his hands together, dollar signs evident in his eyes.

"Ooo, am I invited? It's been a while since I've been to any parties. . ." Pepper's voice trailed as she spoke, being reminded of the current situation surrounding Tony. April reached out to Pepper's hand and gently took it into her own, a silent assurance to Pepper that she was not alone, to which Pepper smiled appreciatingly.

"Of course, you are welcome with us anytime." Luke started as he nodded and gave a gentle smile towards Pepper, "You can even drag the big boss, Tony Stark, along with you after he comes back safe and sound."

Seeing Luke's optimistic outlook to Tony's current situation had also caused her spirits to rise back up. "Yeah, you're right. When Tony comes back, I'll be sure to introduce you guys." Pepper said. Luke's eyes once again adopted dollar signs as he rubbed his hands together for the second time, thinking of all the money he could get from one of if not the richest man in the world.

"But no more of those fries dipped in milkshake ideas of yours, Luke." Luke's fantasy was broken abruptly by Pepper's sudden verbal attack. Sending a pointed look her way, Luke gave Pepper the stink eye.

"Tsk, I bet Tony would appreciate such novel adaptions. All of you are just haters, even Crystal had faked a vomit and a stomach ache when she tried it last night." Luke said dejectedly.

"Speaking of, where is she? I haven't seen her around all morning and she's usually the earliest one here." Pepper asked.

"Oh, she slept in. I gave her the early morning off since all that sugar she had last night was bound to catch up to her. I mean really, she had a large milkshake to herself and still swiped some of mine and Eve's." Luke said in exasperation as he checked his watch, "She should be coming in anytime soon though."

~ With Crystal, outside the café a few moments earlier ~

'I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!' Crystal thought as she rushed towards the café. She had wanted to reach earlier, however, she had been stuck in traffic on her way to work. 'Why did it have to be today of all days where there were a lot of people and cars on the streets!'

As she arrived near the entrance of the café, Crystal spotted a couple standing outside of the café. This was the same couple that she had seen a few times in café but had yet to interact with them. Oddly enough, it was always when Luke was not around. Seeing this, her complaints disappeared as she returned to her usual excitement and exclaimed, "AUBURN HAIR AND PALE BLONDE HAIR!"

Turning around, Wanda and Pietro saw Crystal pointing towards them with a wide smile on her lips. Adopting a wry smile, Wanda asked in confusion, "Uh, hi? Do we know you?"

Pietro, however, recognized Crystal and pointed out, "You're a waitress in this café, right?"

"Yup, I am! I've seen you visiting our café many times over the past few months. You're almost there to the status of a regular customer for us!" Crystal said as she walked up towards Wanda and Pietro.

"So, what are you doing just standing outside? Not going to make your way in?" Crystal asked curiously.

Wanda was caught off guard seeing how socially extroverted Crystal was, "We would have if we could. Take a look inside and you'll understand." Wanda said as she pointed towards the café.

"What do you mea-" Turning her head to look into the café, Crystal paused as she saw the scene inside, "Oh. . . I'm late and it's this busy?!" Suddenly, Crystal cried out in a panic.

Grabbing the hands of both Wanda and Pietro, Crystal made her way into the café, dragging the Maximoff siblings along with her, "Don't worry! I'll get you couple a table for your morning date!"

Wanda and Pietro were both stunned silent as they were swept away by Crystal's whims. They both stared at each other as they performed the mythical twin talk.

'Did she just call us a couple?' Pietro thought telepathically to Wanda as he raised an eyebrow.

'She did and I feel disgusted.' Wanda responded as she furrowed her eyebrow instead.

Pietro could only take the insult in silence, as any response he could have would have been the wrong response.

~ At the present moment with Luke ~

"I'm here!" Crystal's bubbly voice echoed throughout the café.

"Speak of the angel and she shall appear." Luke joked as he turned towards the entrance. However, what he saw had surprised him. Crystal was currently holding and dragging Wanda and Pietro by their hands.

'Thank god for the advanced body enhancement.' Luke silently reflected, feeling a surge of gratitude for the rewards the system had given him. Without the upgraded enhancement, Luke would have guaranteed that he would have experienced another mental breakdown, even with the additional weeks he had to meditate.

"Hey there Pup! We were just talking about you." Luke started before April chimed in with a flat tone, "And I do hope these are your friends and not some random strangers that you kidnapped."

Crystal looked insulted at April's insinuation, "I would never! These are my hopefully friends and soon to be regulars of the café! April, Pepper, Luke, meet. . ."

As Crystal was about to make the introductions, she suddenly went silent before turning to the Maximoff siblings in embarrassment, "I forgot to ask for your names." A sigh was heard coming from both April and Pepper, whereas Luke just chuckled at Crystal's antics.

"Right. . . The name's Pietro. And this is my sister," Pietro started in bemusement.

Wanda followed up with her own introduction, "Wanda." She spoke as she nodded her head in greeting.

Seeing this, Crystal introduced herself first, followed by Pepper, April and Luke. After acquainting themselves with one another, Pietro decided to initiate small talk.

"I remember seeing you before." Pietro started as he looked at Luke, "You're the guy who dropped the tray and then ran aw- Guffaw!" Before he could finish, Pietro was elbowed in the gut by Wanda.

Crystal and April had hardened stares as they heard Pietro insulting Luke. However, Luke could see what Pietro was attempting to do and so he decided to joke along with Pietro, "Yeah that's me. I ate one of April's cooking earlier that day and my bowels caught up just in time- OW OW OW OW APRIL MY EAR, APRIL!" This time, Luke was the one who was caught surprised when April started twisting his ear.

Crystal suddenly spoke up towards Wanda as she was still a little irritated at Pietro for his comments earlier, her voice tinged in uncertainty, "Wait, you guys are actual siblings? Not a couple?"

"Definitely not. I love my brother but he's not really the smartest guy in the room." Wanda remarked.

"Yeah, I get the same feeling." Crystal said as she side-eyed Pietro.

On the other hand, Pietro was amazed and in shock with Crystal's sudden 180-degree attitude shift toward him, 'I was only trying to make conversation and joke a little! Even the guy himself could appreciate what I was trying to do. . . Women. . . Such confusing creatures. . .' Pietro lamented in his heart.

"You guys do give off a similar vibe to our own pair of siblings." Pepper chimed in.

"He is not my brother." / "She is not my sister." Both April and Luke spoke simultaneously. They then looked at each other before speaking at the same time again, "That's what I said." / "That's what I said." They then leaned closer before speaking again. "Stop copying me!" / "Stop copying me!"

Wanda and Pietro were stunned in silence seeing the two interact. However, just as they thought things would escalate, both April and Luke snickered as Luke spoke, "Yeah, we're not actual siblings. But she's as close to a real sister that I could have."

"What the loser said." April added.

Suddenly, the group was interrupted by Carmen calling out, "Hey April! Could you help bring this order out to the floor!"

"Sure thing! Well, that's my cue. It was nice meeting you both." April said as she stood and made her way to the kitchen window.

"And we, should be heading back to work. Pepper, Eve's kids are in the lounge sleeping so you can use the office." Luke stated.

Pepper finished her beverage before taking her leave, "Thanks Luke. I'll be back in a minute. I have to grab some documents to go over from the office first."

Luke then turned towards Wanda and Pietro as he put out one hand for a handshake, "It was nice meeting you both too. Hope you enjoy your stay here, and as I always say. Any paying customer is always a welcomed customer in the café."

"Pleasure meeting you too, Luke. Sorry for the joke I did there earlier. In hindsight, it might not have been the smartest idea." Pietro admitted as he shook Luke's hand.

In response, Luke only shook his head, "It didn't bother me too much, so I'm not the one you should apologize to." Luke then nudged his head in the direction that Crystal had started walking away towards after she had finished talking to Wanda. "You might want to clear things up with her, she holds a pretty mean grudge."

Under Luke's advice, Pietro sighed in defeat as he called out to Crystal and rushed towards her.

The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward as only Wanda and Luke remained. "So. . ." Luke started. 'IDIOT! You're supposed to be walking away now!' Luke inwardly reprimanded. However, despite his best efforts, he was unable to walk away from Wanda.

"So. . ." Wanda repeated, raising her eyebrow at Luke's sudden nervousness.

"You look like someone I once knew." Luke blurted before a wince of embarrassment swept over his face while he screamed internally 'YOU ARE SUCH AN IDIOT LUKE! IS THAT ALL YOU GOT?!'

"Uh, thanks? I guess." Wanda replied, knowing exactly who Luke was referring to. Feeling a little mischief building within her, Wanda decided to tease Luke, "Was she at least pretty?"

Hearing Wanda's question, Luke's gaze softened as she noticed a tinge of sorrow and nostalgia flickering, "She was the most beautiful girl I've ever met in my life."

Wanda's cheeks flushed at Luke's easy admission, a gentle smile threatening to escape her lips. However, just as they were having a moment together, they were abruptly interrupted by the sounds of passing sirens outside the café.

Confused, Luke snapped out of his momentary daze, his head turning toward the entrance as the wailing sirens grew louder. Wanda followed his gaze, a look of concern spreading onto her face as well as the other customers of the café as they watched the flashing lights pass by the café.

Luke's voice, once soft and nostalgic, took on a more alert tone, "Something's happening out there." Luke said, his words edged with newfound urgency.

Suddenly, Luke's phone began ringing. Seeing that it was Natasha calling him, Luke felt a sense of foreboding creeping over him. Picking up the call, Luke prepared himself mentally.

"Luke, glad you picked up. We might have a situation here. . ."

- End of Chapter 57 -

E/d note: BOO! ANOTHER CLIFF HANGER! This Arc has A LOT of these going around :D

Next time in C58 - Danger on the Horizon, a Horde is forming!

A few minutes later, Ryan had ended his speech with a rallying cry for the thirst for knowledge, when unexpectedly, people started fainting.

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[Ding! Hidden Mission unlocked: Survive the Horde!]