Marvel Multiverse: Family System

The flapping Phoenix wings disappeared, revealing a bottomless crater.

Just the diameter of the surface alone stretched...

Over ten kilometers!

Even Fury and Xavier, who had seen their share of wonders, couldn't help but drop their jaws!

Not even a nuclear bomb could blast a crater this massive!!!

But what shocked them even more...

At the center of destruction, Vex stood, completely unscathed—not a single hair out of place!

Unbelievable!

This was beyond unbelievable!

Was there even a weapon on Earth that could kill him?!

"Impossible!" Dark Phoenix exclaimed in disbelief. "I used all my strength! The Phoenix fire surpasses any star! How are you unharmed? That's absolutely impossible!"

Vex shrugged, spread his hands, and tilted his head casually.

"There was once a Phoenix host who collected hundreds of Phoenix Force fragments. We, the Starborns, defeated them too."

"You're just one fragment of the Phoenix Force; you can't hurt me."

Dark Phoenix twitched.

"How do you know there are other fragments?"

"Is that surprising?" Vex teased. "The multiverse consists of countless parallel universes, and each one contains a fragment of the Phoenix Force."

Vex smiled as he added, "You all pick different hosts, and some even travel between universes to collect other Phoenix fragments…"

"In fact, the host we Star Clan defeated was probably coming to devour you."

Dark Phoenix's mouth hung slightly open, her face showing signs of shock!

Though she could faintly sense the presence of other fragments, she hadn't realized how brutal it could be!

She was already so strong, but she could still be devoured?

Wait a second!

If it weren't for Jean constantly rejecting her, once the Phoenix Force reached its full potential, she would probably choose to…

Vex could see from Dark Phoenix's expression that his deception was working.

"So, what do you say? Want to team up?" Vex tempted. "Join forces with me, and I'll protect you until you've fully mastered the Phoenix Force. Then we can go to other universes and collect the rest of the fragments!"

Dark Phoenix seemed tempted!

But...

"What do you want?"

"What do I want?" Vex asked, puzzled. "Jean's the woman I have my eyes on. You get stronger, she gets stronger. What else do I need?"

Dark Phoenix opened her mouth, unable to find a rebuttal.

"I'll… think about it."

"This battle took a lot out of me. I need to sleep for a while."

"Protect her during that time, and don't let me... get devoured."

After saying that, the Phoenix Force around Dark Phoenix rapidly withdrew, vanishing in an instant. Jean collapsed toward the ground.

Quickly, Vex caught her in his arms, soft and fragrant, and gently healed her with the Horse Talisman. Jean slowly woke up.

"Boom—"

Two streams of fiery orange Phoenix energy burst from Jean's eyes, along with a joyful expression!

"She... she accepted me!" Jean exclaimed in excitement. "She gave me part of the Phoenix Force to familiarize myself with!"

Oh?

Did he just... fool the Dark Phoenix?

Why did this feel like he was tricking a little girl?

Vex, the gentleman, let go of Jean and stepped back, just enough for their breaths to mingle.

It was an ambiguous atmosphere.

"Congratulations on taking the first step," Vex said with a smile.

Jean, however, glanced at the massive, empty surroundings, the vast edges of the crater, and struggled to comprehend what had just happened!

—She had experienced the Dark Phoenix's treatment, trapped in her own consciousness.

She had no idea what had happened outside.

"Thank you," Jean said gratefully. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have dared to unlock it… let alone reach a truce."

Vex smiled but didn't take credit.

Because…

"Jean, it's not as simple as you think!" Xavier said seriously. "The Dark Phoenix originally planned to replace your dominant personality. She only went into slumber because Vex drained her power!"

Jean gasped!

What?!

She had almost not made it back?

Her lingering fear was quickly replaced by an overwhelming sense of gratitude toward Vex.

"Though your situation is stable now, I do have bad news for you," Vex said with regret. "For the time being, you won't be able to stay far from me."

Jean nodded.

"She told me to stay close to you... but why?"

Vex explained the "devouring theory" again.

"...In short, by unleashing all her power, Dark Phoenix has exposed her location to the multiverse."

"The abilities of my Star Clan naturally counter the Phoenix Force, so staying with me is safer."

"Otherwise..."

"Anyone who can cross the barriers between universes will have fully mastered the Phoenix Force, and if you encounter them..."

Vex left the rest unsaid, but Jean understood.

Instead of showing fear, Jean's eyes shone with a hint of anticipation.

Finally, she could interact normally with the opposite sex!

And not just any man...

But a handsome, kind, gentlemanly, powerful, and compassionate alien!

Vex noticed the look in Jean's eyes and knew it was pretty much a done deal.

Winning her over was only a matter of time.

All that effort he put into crafting this story was worth it.

Just as he was about to build on the moment...

Someone interrupted!

"Master, Tony Stark is calling. Should I answer?"

What does this guy want now?

Is it about the tallest building in Manhattan?

"Reject it. I'm busy charming someone."

"Understood!"

Alpha promptly blocked Stark for the time being. In Vex's world, nothing mattered more than his mission.

But then...

*Ding—Ding Ding Ding—*

Jean's phone rang.

She pulled it out curiously, puzzled that there was a signal in the middle of nowhere.

After answering, she passed it to Vex.

"It's for you. Tony Stark."

Vex "..."

He took the phone, sounding irritated. "You better have a good reason."

But Stark's next words made Vex's anger vanish instantly.

"Please! I'm begging you!" Stark's urgent voice came through. "Whatever you want, whatever it takes, I'll agree! Just get to Los Angeles right now and save Pepper! And Happy!"

Huh...

Even though he wasn't exactly on good terms with Stark right now, the man was actually begging him.

The proud Tony Stark, begging him!

"Alpha, where is Stark right now?"

"New York, Manhattan, Stark Tower, top floor."

Understood.

It seemed that Pepper was in danger in Los Angeles, and even S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't handle it.

With no other choice, Stark had to turn to Vex.

°°°

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