Marvel Multiverse: Family System

S.H.I.E.L.D. and General Zod once again lost track of the three.

Flying north, the trio landed on an iceberg in the Arctic.

The Kryptonian ship that brought Clark to Earth was hidden here.

Clark bringing him to this place clearly showed trust—or maybe it was an expression of sincerity to make up for earlier suspicions.

But regardless...

Vex looked at the Kryptonian ship, feeling a surge of excitement!

If he could somehow claim this ship, the rewards would be beyond imagination!

But that was just a thought; facing an enraged Superman was something he couldn't handle.

Patience. No rush.

As they entered the ship, an intelligent hologram of "Jor-El" appeared. After glancing at Vex, it turned its gaze to Clark.

"I'm aware of what's happening outside," Jor-El said gravely. "That guy Zod is a classic war maniac. This time... he didn't come with good intentions."

Upon hearing this, Clark quickly repeated Vex's earlier analysis.

"He wants something from me?" Clark asked. "You know what it is, right?"

Jor-El remained silent, turning to Vex once again.

Vex understood and nodded—he was being asked to leave.

"Wait!" Clark shouted. "He's my friend, and..."

"No need," Vex declined. "Some things are better left unknown."

He left resolutely, not looking back.

After all...

He already knew what Zod was after.

—The Codex

It contained Krypton's entire genetic library, with sequences for every role in society. It could allow Krypton to start anew on another planet.

There was no need to hear Jor-El explain it all again.

Besides, his departure was a way to make a statement, while also ensuring both Clark and Kara felt guilty toward him.

—He came all this way to help, and they kept doubting him?

That guilt...

That was the best reward!

It would also make winning Kara's heart much easier later on.

---

Vex didn't have to wait long.

Clark and Kara emerged.

As expected, guilt was written all over their faces.

"Sorry, I really can't tell you what Zod wants," Clark said helplessly. "It's too important..."

Vex waved his hand, cutting him off.

"So, is it hope or doom?"

Clark fell silent for a few seconds.

"It's both hope and doom."

"Got it," Vex nodded. "Krypton's hope, Earth's doom?"

Clark and Kara both widened their eyes in shock!

How could he guess that?

Who was really the one with a super brain here?

"And what's your choice?" Vex asked. "Your adoptive parents or your biological ones?"

Clark remained silent.

"Clark! What are you hesitating for?" Kara said firmly. "If Krypton's choice back then had been the right one, we wouldn't have been sent to Earth!"

"I know." Clark gazed at the sky. "But... Krypton is still my home. I can't just let it be destroyed..."

Kara looked frustrated but had no way to convince him.

After all...

The Codex was inside Clark, and she couldn't defeat him.

Whatever decision was made, it would ultimately depend on Clark.

Vex shook his head as he observed.

Clark was too "merciful." He always hesitated, not decisive enough, and it was only after paying a certain price that he'd make the necessary cut.

However...

It was precisely because of this "mercy" that Clark could be Superman, the savior rather than the destroyer.

This...

This was his greatest charm.

"I don't care about Krypton at all!" Kara said resolutely. "If it really comes to that... I won't stand by and let Earth be replaced!"

She looked at Vex.

"Vex, you'll help me, right?"

Vex nodded thoughtfully.

"I've only been on this planet for three days. Saying I have feelings for it would be a lie."

"But if you choose Earth, Kara, then I'll support you."

He was stating his position.

It was because Kara chose Earth that he would choose Earth.

This touched Kara deeply, and she couldn't help but grab Vex's arm.

"I knew you'd be on my side."

Vex smiled in return.

Clark, seeing this, also smiled.

"As long as Kara has you looking after her, I'm at ease." Clark said. "I'm going to find Zod to have a talk."

He had made up his mind, even if it meant he might not return.

Kara wanted to stop him...

But Clark simply shook his head and, with a final "I'm counting on you" glance at Vex, shot into the sky toward space.

Kara, anxious, was about to follow when Vex grabbed her.

Boom—

The iceberg beneath them shattered as Kara was forcibly pulled back down.

Kara was both startled and surprised!

In her panic, she had used quite a bit of strength to take off.

Yet, she had been pulled back down so easily...

Vex's strength was at least equal to hers!

"Don't follow him," Vex shook his head. "You won't change his mind. Let's go call for backup instead."

"Backup?"

"You don't think this planet is just going to accept threats, do you?" Vex laughed. "Come on, S.H.I.E.L.D. should have gathered their forces by now."

Kara, feeling lost, found herself oddly believing him.

"Alright then, let's go."

The two took off again, heading back toward North America.

Once they flew out of the Arctic,

Vex deactivated the Snake Talisman's invisibility and pulled out his phone to call Fury.

"You probably saw it too—Superman went to face them alone." Vex said. "Where do we meet you?"

Fury was silent for a few seconds.

Then he said, "I've sent you the coordinates. We're waiting for you here."

"Got it. We'll be there soon."

He hung up and handed the coordinates over to Kara—after all, it made sense for an alien to not understand Earth coordinates, right?

Following the coordinates,

The two quickly reached the location.

Thanks to Kara's super-vision, they easily spotted the hovering helicarrier, which only had optical camouflage.

This ease reminded Fury of what Vex had said earlier—this thing was a giant target, bound to get shot down.

But what could he do?

Earth's technological foundation was what it was. Fury had no other choice!

Once inside the helicarrier,

Coulson, who had been waiting for them, led Vex through the hallways to the operations center.

The sleek tech-filled space was impressive at first glance.

But more eye-catching was the lineup present!

The original Avengers (minus Thor and Steve, but with Sharon and Lewis).

In addition, there were:

- Batman Wayne!

- The Flash Barry!

- The X-Men led by Professor X!

- The Seven led by Homelander!

In short,

Fury had called in everyone he could.

"What's the situation now?" Fury asked gravely. "Why did Superman go alone without consulting with us?"

This accusatory tone made Vex raise an eyebrow.

°°°

A/N: Milkman's here

Gimme stones, plz

More chapter on my pătreon: Moziel