Marvel Multiverse: Family System

"Alright, boss!"

Vex shattered the glass curtain, flew out, and restored it afterward, soaring toward New York.

He left the blaring alarms of the Triskelion behind.

—--—

At the top floor of New York Presbyterian Hospital, a giant searchlight cast a massive beam into the sky.

It was impossible for Vex to miss it.

"Mr. Vex, I'm so grateful that you came!" Pepper said emotionally.

Vex raised his hand, signaling her to stop.

"I don't particularly like that foul-mouthed guy, so saving him will cost extra."

He was being very blunt!

Though this opportunistic attitude sharply contrasted with the heroic image portrayed in the papers, Pepper was unfazed—after all, who trusts American tabloids?

"Whatever it takes, just save Tony!"

Vex simply smiled.

Money?

Did he even need that?

Without specifying a price, Vex allowed Pepper to lead him to the patient.

Arriving at the room, they found a group of doctors gathered around the bed, including a familiar face—Stephen Strange.

Vex glanced at him but didn't pay much attention.

"Hey, aren't you that... alien?"

"Don't be rude! His name is Vex!"

...

Several female doctors looked incredibly excited, their eyes practically sparkling!

One of them boldly stepped up to Vex.

"Hi! I'm Christine Palmer!" Palmer said excitedly. "Thank you for driving off the invaders! My mom was nearly... I just can't thank you enough!"

Vex smiled warmly.

"I'm sorry, but I need to treat him. Could you all leave the room for a moment?"

Palmer and the others were taken aback. Vex was a doctor too?

Strange furrowed his brows, a hint of hostility in his eyes—whether from Palmer's reaction or Vex's words, it was unclear.

"I'm sorry, everyone," Pepper intervened. "We'll double the fees. Please step out for now. Thank you for your cooperation."

Since the employer had spoken, Strange refrained from making any trouble, though he cast Vex a lingering look before leaving.

Palmer and the other female doctors reluctantly tore their gazes away from Vex.

He looked even more handsome in person than in the newspapers!

Once they were alone, Vex approached the bed.

*Smack!*

He delivered a hard slap with a smirk.

Pepper jumped in shock, on the verge of anger...

Then, to her astonishment, the once-lifeless Tony Stark suddenly shot up from the bed, clutching his face and glaring at Vex.

Just as he was about to retaliate...

"Tony, you can move?!" Pepper exclaimed in joy, almost embracing him but holding back.

"I thought I'd never see you again..."

Tony, realizing what had happened, dropped his anger and gave Vex a complex look.

Although it was clear that the slap was intentional, it had healed him...

So...

Not only did he get slapped, but he also had to be grateful and pay for it?

This was a bitter pill to swallow.

"Alright, how much do you want?" Tony asked reluctantly. "Healing me is worth at least a billion dollars. So, how much..."

Vex rolled his eyes and looked toward Coulson, who had been standing quietly in the background.

"Tell him the cost."

Coulson stepped forward with a slight bow.

"Mr. Stark, Mr. Vex has unique tastes, so you'll need to offer something rare and valuable."

Tony frowned, feeling a sense of foreboding. "You're talking about Van Gogh paintings or Chinese ceramics, right?"

"Unfortunately... Mr. Vex isn't particularly interested in Earth's cultural artifacts," Coulson replied tactfully.

Tony got the message.

He was after the Iron Man suits!

"Anything but the suits!" Tony offered hesitantly.

In response, Vex scoffed.

"Besides those giant action figures of yours, what else do you have that's worth my time?"

Tony: "..."

"Within three days, deliver the latest action figure to me—that's what you owe from before," Vex demanded. "As for today's fee, I'll collect a set from your next upgraded model."

With that, he turned and left without looking back.

Tony was left fuming.

"Mr. Stark, it would be wise to comply with Mr. Vex's request," Coulson advised. "Otherwise, whatever action he takes, S.H.I.E.L.D. won't be able to interfere..."

Or rather, more accurately, they couldn't interfere.

Coulson hurriedly left, leaving Tony's face looking even darker.

All of this over a single rude comment?

Talk about holding a grudge!

—-—

Coulson hurried out to find that Vex hadn't gone far.

He opened his mouth to speak...

"Let's go; isn't there someone else I need to save?" Vex said.

Coulson quickly nodded.

"Yes, it's in Brooklyn. If you take my car, it'll be..."

"Too slow, I'll just fly us there."

Using telekinesis to lift Coulson, Vex shattered a nearby wall, restored it, and flew off without a second thought.

Coulson's mouth twitched. He couldn't decide if Vex was being polite or not.

Under Coulson's guidance, they soon reached the destination—a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility where Steve Rogers had been placed inside a comfortable-looking container.

"He's been asleep for seventy years, so we set this up to ease him into things," Coulson explained.

"I'm not interested. So, you want him healed now?"

"We've made all the preparations; you can begin anytime..."

"Done."

Coulson fell silent.

This guy worked fast.

Just as Coulson was about to call the medical staff back, Steve Rogers' eyelids fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes.

Seeing Vex and Coulson, Rogers immediately tensed up!

"Who are you? Hydra? Where am I?"

Vex ignored him and turned to leave...

But Rogers suddenly lunged at him!

He rammed his shoulder into Vex, aiming for the door.

However...

"Ice!"

Rogers was instantly frozen, his eyes filled with shock!

"He's in good condition; he can stay frozen for half an hour," Vex said casually. "That should be long enough for you to get him out."

"Ah... yes..."

"Let's go."

Vex turned and walked out, leaving Coulson feeling bitter.

He sure handled things easily, but now I'm stuck with the mess!

As Vex exited the building, he pondered his next move.

Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky, crashing onto the street.