Marvel Multiverse: Family System

Using the Horse Talisman, Vex repaired the object before him.

A ten-meter-tall metal figure emerged.

Wait... why did this thing look so much like...

Optimus Prime?!

No!

It was Optimus Prime!

Vex glanced at the other three piles of metal debris and quickly flashed over to restore them.

Sure enough, they were Jazz, Ironhide, and Ratchet — three other Autobots.

So...

Optimus and his crew were responding to Bumblebee's call, traveling in meteor-shaped escape pods to Earth, only to be shot down by Vex while he was testing his Telekinetic Floating Cannons...

What a ridiculous coincidence!

And the funniest part was...

Vex hadn't hidden any of his actions, meaning that the entire event had been captured by the satellites in space.

No doubt the headlines tomorrow would be something like:

Savior Appears in Space, Intercepts Alien Visitors!

Breaking News! Savior Saves Earth Yet Again!

Or something along those lines.

Vex wasn't bothered by that. Right now, he just wanted to know if Optimus and the others were still alive.

He approached Ratchet and raised his hand to check his head.

Ratchet suddenly opened his eyes, which lit up like headlights.

"Master, this silicon-based lifeform is asking for your identity using a signal," said a voice in Vex's head.

"Answer him. Let's check if the other three are still alive too."

Ratchet fiddled around in place before responding...

"Master, they're are not moving, I can't check."

"Hmm." Vex muttered.

He opened his Gate, stored all four Autobots, and vanished from the spot.

Vex reappeared at a ground location, then released the Autobots from his treasure vault.

"Wow, what amazing technology!" Ratchet exclaimed. "Is Earth really this advanced? Bumblebee didn't warn us!"

Clearly, there was a misunderstanding.

Vex waved his hand and pointed at Optimus and the others.

Ratchet quickly got to work.

Vex felt a little tense as well.

After all...

Who wouldn't want a Transformers ride?

Even though Vex could fly, he still really wanted one!

Ratchet began his treatment.

To Vex, it just looked like he was banging around and giving them a bit of electric therapy.

But it worked, and Optimus and the others soon woke up.

It seemed they were lucky.

The beams from Vex's Telekinetic Floating Cannons hadn't destroyed them completely, and he had been able to restore them.

"Clank, clank, clank—"

The first thing Optimus Prime and the others did after waking up was assume battle stances, revealing their energy cannons.

Although they didn't aim directly at Vex, their glowing red eyes were a clear sign of their caution — you don't turn on red lights if you're not on high alert!

Clearly, Vex's earlier test shots had scared them.

"Earthling," Optimus Prime said, "we mean no harm to your planet. We are only here to reclaim something of ours, and we will leave afterward."

Vex floated into the air, meeting Optimus Prime eye to eye.

"I believe you, leader of the Autobots from Cybertron," Vex said with a smile, not hiding that he knew about Cybertron at all.

"You know of us?" Optimus sounded surprised. "To my knowledge, Cybertron has never had contact with Earth or any other carbon-based lifeforms."

"Let me introduce myself: Vex of the Star Clan from the M78 Nebula," Vex said smoothly. "Once we reach adulthood, we roam the universe seeking civilizations to settle in. One of my tribe members once visited Cybertron, but by then it was a wasteland. We only learned a bit about it from scattered remnants. I never expected to meet you in person."

"You're an alien too?" Ironhide asked excitedly. "Then why did you attack us?"

At this, Vex couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Which made Ironhide even more agitated!

He was being laughed at!

Mocked!

"Sorry, I didn't mean to," Vex apologized, trying to suppress his laughter. "Actually, I was just testing out a toy. How could I have known that your escape pods were disguised as meteors..."

Optimus Prime: "..."

The other Autobots: "..."

Oh...

"I told you there was no need to disguise ourselves as meteors!" Jazz grumbled.

"Who would've thought we'd be this unlucky and run into something like this?" Ratchet said helplessly. "We were planning to come quietly, grab what we needed... and leave quietly."

Hearing their conversation, Vex made an expression of realization.

"You're here for the AllSpark, right?"

All four Autobots turned to look at Vex.

"You even know that?"

"Yup, it's the only thing worth you traveling all this way for," Vex explained. "I've read reports on this planet. There's an organization called Sector Seven that has imprisoned a Cybertronian..."

As he spoke, Vex used the Phoenix Force to manifest a Decepticon symbol.

"It's a Decepticon!" Optimus explained. "On our planet—"

Vex waved his hand dismissively.

"I know. There's the Decepticon war faction and the Autobot peace faction."

"..."

Did this guy even know what type of oil they used? (A/N: This is a joke)

Vex continued, "Aside from imprisoning a Decepticon, Sector Seven also holds a large energy source that can bring life to machines, creating Decepticons — extremely violent ones."

"It's the AllSpark!" Ratchet exclaimed excitedly. "It must be the AllSpark! Where is it? Take us there!"

"Ratchet! Stand down!" Optimus Prime ordered.

Ratchet quickly realized his mistake. After all, the small figure in front of him was someone who nearly destroyed them with a single blast...

At the same time, the red glow in Optimus Prime and the others' eyes faded, turning back to their usual blue.

"Apologies. Ratchet was simply too eager. He meant no harm," Optimus said politely. "Since you know our goal, I wonder what the price would be for you to lead us to the AllSpark?"

Ah, dealing with someone smart is always easy.

"Well, I was initially planning on collecting a silicon-based lifeform," Vex smiled, "but since the AllSpark is involved, I've changed my mind. I'll help you with the Earth side of things, but in exchange, I want half of the AllSpark."

What the...

That was a huge ask!

Jazz, Ironhide, and Ratchet nearly exploded in protest!

The AllSpark was their energy source!

The origin of all Transformers!

And the key to reviving Cybertron!

How could he ask for half of it?

"Deal!" Optimus Prime said decisively. "We thank you for your generosity. I, on behalf of Cybertron, extend our deepest gratitude!"

Jazz, Ironhide, and Ratchet were left dumbfounded!

What?!

How could you just agree like that?

And even thank him?!

Vex grinned.

This Optimus Prime...

Was just too smart!

If he didn't lack an interest in big trucks, Vex might even have fallen for him.

"Master, Fury is calling," a voice chimed in Vex's head.

"The man to settle this has arrived. Wait for me a moment."

Vex stepped aside to take the call, leaving Optimus and the others some space to talk.

"Why did you agree to his terms, Prime?" Jazz asked anxiously.

"Yeah, that guy's way too greedy!" Ironhide growled.

"Leader, we need a reason!" Ratchet added gravely.

Optimus Prime's leadership was being called into question for giving away half the AllSpark so easily.

But Optimus remained calm.

After all, if he were in their shoes, he would've reacted the same way.

°°°

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