Different from Fang Mo's previous expectation.
The process of negotiating with the Goddess of Death turned out to be surprisingly smooth.
Originally, when Fang Mo brought up the matter to Nyarlathotep, he thought he would have a dispute with the other party.
After all, he did not expect that merely playing with a resurrection spell... It wasn't about destroying the universe, yet it actually alarmed one of Marvel's five primordial gods.
Reasonably, he almost couldn't help but mock when he learned of this news.
The other party is the Goddess of Death, theoretically holding the concept of all "death" in the entire Marvel Multiverse. Yet, she specifically came over because he resurrected a few people.
It's like someone is having a barbecue downstairs.
And you, just waking up on the eighth floor, open the window wanting to smoke a cigarette to refresh yourself but smell the fragrance.
Then these people rush up to knock on your door, indicating that you have inhaled the scent molecules spreading from their skewers, so you should compensate them.
...Isn't that absurd?
However, fortunately, the primordial gods on Marvel's side are quite reasonable.
Of course, this so-called reasonableness actually refers to these gods possessing a rather high level of humanity, not like saints or such, because they have reached a realm similar to supreme detachment, becoming absolutely rational and obtaining complete divinity.
After all, this Goddess of Death has even dated Thanos in the comics. Would a being with divinity do such a thing?
In short, that's about it.
Through previous conversations, Fang Mo quickly determined the general level of the Goddess of Death.
Compared to conceptual gods like Heaven's Dao, the Origin, the First Cause, most gods on Marvel's side... actually resemble powerful human-like beings more.
Simply put, although they sound very imposing.
In reality
, they can be communicated with through language.
This is very much like Fang Mo, so when he realized this, he immediately tried to chat with her, intending to use his rich experience to... persuade her.
Of course, the other party is a goddess known for her double entendres.
One with extremely loyal followers.
So, Fang Mo couldn't possibly win her over with just a few words, making her switch sides or disarm, to be honest, that's a bit unrealistic.
Even if the five great beings of Marvel have emotions, they are gods after all, aren't they supposed to be intelligent?
Thus, after Fang Mo's negotiation.
The Goddess of Death also accepted his proposal.
As long as Fang Mo doesn't go too far, then she would turn a blind eye.
But in return, Fang Mo would have to bring her more death in the future, not the death within this universe, but death from other universes.
After the terms were agreed upon.
The Goddess of Death did not stay here any longer.
In the blink of an eye, the Goddess of Death was gone.
"It seems she really has left..."
No sooner had the Goddess of Death left, Nyarlathotep immediately took a deep breath: "Phew, I don't want to be expelled so soon. This universe looks interesting; I need to stay a bit longer."
"So what exactly were you chatting with just now?"
Nick Fury, having been left out for so long, finally found a chance to interject: "It sounds like a very formidable person, you said she's Death, like a Grim Reaper or something? You broke the taboo between life and death, leading to her appearance?"
"Yes."
Fang Mo nodded, "That person is a multiverse-level Yama, you know?"
"Yama?" Nick Fury asked, "But from what I've heard from your conversations, shouldn't the person be a female?"
"Oh, then I'll change the term."
Fang Mo casually spread his hands and said, "How about the 'Burping Goddess'?"
"Can you act like a grown-up?"
Hearing this, Nick Fury immediately said, "She just left; can you not provoke her to come back? We're already in enough chaos, and we haven't even dealt with Thanos yet…"
"Sorry to interrupt."
Before Fang Mo could say anything, Howard Stark, who had been listening to the whole conversation, suddenly spoke up, "Is this because of us?"
"It's okay, dad."
Tony Stark immediately said, "Look, Fang Mo has already solved the problem. It's all good now."
While saying this, Tony Stark kept winking at Fang Mo.
"…Oh, right."
Seeing this, Fang Mo also realized and nodded along, "It was just a minor hiccup, but it's already taken care of. Don't worry, this 'Burping'… Madame Death is quite reasonable. She even agreed to help Wade revive someone back in the day."
"I've lived for several decades, but to be honest, all those years combined might not be as outrageous as today."
Hearing this, Howard Stark also laughed, "Today is the first time in my life I've witnessed magic firsthand and saw my son as an adult. We talked a lot and resolved many misunderstandings. Mr. Fang Mo, I really appreciate it."
"It's nothing, just lifting a finger's worth of effort, and besides, I'm quite happy myself."
Fang Mo smiled as well, "Seeing your family reunite after so many years is the best outcome for me. Just watching you all is comforting for me."
"I've heard about Mr. Fang Mo's situation from Tony."
Howard Stark said, "I'm deeply sorry for your situation, but if I may speak frankly, why don't you revive your own family?"
"…My situation is different."
Since it was Tony's parents asking, Fang Mo explained after a brief silence, "Simply put, I don't belong to this world, but the problem is… I can't return to my original world anymore. So, it's not that they died, but in their world, I died. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Is that so?"
Howard, being a scientist, immediately understood, "So, it's like a consequence of an experiment gone wrong? But… if it's just about not being able to return to the original world, why not try the Tesseract?"
"I've already gotten my hands on the Tesseract."
Fang Mo shrugged, "But the world I'm referring to… is probably a different universe, and the Tesseract only works in your universe."
"Alright then."
Howard nodded upon hearing this, thought for a moment, and then comfortingly said, "But don't be too sad. I believe there will always be a way."
"Hopefully."
Fang Mo smiled, not saying anything more.
Seeing Fang Mo didn't want to talk more, Howard tactfully turned his head to look at Bucky, the Winter Soldier.
"…"
Seeing this, the Winter Soldier immediately looked up, but his gaze quickly became evasive, clearly still feeling guilty and self-blaming.
His lips moved as if wanting to say something, but he remained silent.
"Sergeant Barnes."
However, Howard Stark naturally walked over and smiled, patting his shoulder, "You don't look well."
"Mr. Stark, I'm really sorry."
Bucky said, lowering his head.
"As they said, it's quite complicated," Howard Stark laughed, then comforted him, "But you don't have to blame yourself too much. In the era we were in, it was indeed tumultuous. My wife and I believe it was Hydra's doing, not yours."
"But…"
"There are no 'buts,' Barnes."
Howard smiled again and patted the other's shoulder: "Just as Mr. Fang Mo said, if only the victim has the right to forgive others, then obviously you have received my forgiveness. Although there are indeed some regrets in my life, today they were essentially all made up for."
"If I have to say, perhaps I still feel a bit indebted to Tony."
Howard sincerely looked at the Winter Soldier Bucky: "If you do feel some remorse towards me... then after my wife and I leave, join Tony and the Captain to destroy Hydra. We can't let such a tragedy happen again, after all, not everyone gets a chance to live again."
"Wait."
Hearing this, Tony Stark immediately sensed something was wrong: "Dad... you just mentioned leaving? Where are you going?"
"Back, of course."
Howard looked at Tony, with a gentle smile on his face: "We never belonged to this world in the first place, seeing you now is enough for us."
"What?"
Tony was stunned by these words, and then hurriedly spoke up: "But we've just met, I still have so many things I haven't had the chance to tell you, don't you want to meet Pepper? She's your future daughter-in-law..."
However, before Stark could finish his words.
Maria smiled and interrupted her son.
"It's enough, child."
Maria gently looked at Tony Stark, extending a hand to lovingly touch his cheek: "As your father said, this isn't Sergeant Barnes's fault, but we have to accept the fact, child, we are already dead."
"But Fang Mo has already resurrected you!"
Tony immediately said.
"Life is not about its length, but its significance." Howard looked at Tony with satisfaction: "Seeing our child surpass us and become so excellent, we are already content."
"But..."
"We are proud of you, child."
Before Stark could say anything, Maria once again smiled and spoke to him.
Facing his mother's calm and loving gaze, Stark wanted to say more, but at this moment, it seemed all his eloquence vanished, the words stuck in his throat, making him too choked up to speak.
"Alright, say hello to Pepper for us."
Howard Stark looked truly open-hearted, also smiling while patting his son's shoulder: "I'm really happy to see your growth, child. I'm sorry I couldn't accompany you through the most important times of your life, but everyone has their own destiny, and I believe you will go further on the path of science than I did."
"Science can't bring you back to life."
Tony sniffed and turned his head to say.
"Science can revive my will, Tony." Howard looked at Tony Stark seriously: "My thoughts continue in you. If the Stark family really has a legacy, perhaps this is it."
Saying this, Howard smiled and tapped Tony's chest.
Then he turned his head to look at Fang Mo.
"Mr. Fang Mo, I think it's time." Howard held his wife Maria's hand, smiling calmly: "Let's go back to where we belong."
"Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"
Fang Mo looked at them, his expression also seemed a bit complicated.
"No need, we've already decided." Howard smiled and shook his head: "Mr. Fang Mo, thank you for what you did today. Of course, it's not just for us, your actions also saved the entire Avengers. I can hardly imagine my colleagues and son becoming enemies."
"Tony is my friend, it's what I should do."
In such an atmosphere, Fang Mo couldn't play any jokes, and could only nod in agreement.
"Alright, we should go back."
Howard Stark spoke again.
"..."
Hearing this, Fang Mo also sighed, but after all, it was Tony's parents' active request. He might ignore others' requests, but sometimes he really can't refuse the older generation's.
Just like facing Odin who actively sought death before.
Taking a deep breath, Fang Mo had no choice but to call out to Death, who had just left.
Unlike the indifferent responses to others in the original story, the goddess of Death responded quite quickly to Fang Mo's call. Soon, a black mist spread, and the goddess of Death, dressed in a black robe, reappeared.
However, this time.
It seemed that everyone could see her existence.
"What's wrong?" the goddess of Death asked Fang Mo: "Do you have time now?"
"Sorry, I'm about to confront the paramour of yours in this world, so I'm still busy," Fang Mo replied, pointing to the Howard couple beside him: "These two want to go back with you, so I called you back."
"I see."
The goddess of Death was visibly surprised after hearing this and glanced at the Howard couple: "Then come with me."
With that, she extended her hand to them.
The Howard couple merely exchanged smiles upon hearing this, and then walked over.
However, before leaving with the goddess of Death, Howard turned back to look at Tony: "Tony, this matter is over. It's time to let go of the hatred."
"..."
Tony nodded upon hearing this, took a deep breath, looked up at his parents, and said, "Dad, Mom, I love you."
"We do, too."
They smiled and responded to Tony.
Soon, the surrounding mist became denser, blurring the boundary between life and death. And when the fog cleared, the goddess of Death had disappeared, and of course, the Howard couple had disappeared as well.
Seeing his parents leave.
Stark couldn't help but show a hint of sadness.
Seeing this, Fang Mo walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and comforted him: "It's okay, don't be too sad. If you ever really get married one day, I'll have Death bring them over to attend your wedding."
"Let's talk about that kind of thing later."
After all, being a superhero, Stark recovered quite quickly and soon cheered up: "…Let's first deal with the matter at hand. We came here to track down Ultron's whereabouts, and then we accidentally encountered that man named Zemo. The top priority now is still to deal with Ultron."
"Oh, you mean Ultron, don't worry about that."
Hearing this, Fang Mo also smiled, then turned his head and waved behind him: "Let me introduce a newcomer… Where the hell is Ultron!?"
~~~
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