Walking out of the alley, a zombie spotted them and lunged at them, claws outstretched. However, Melanie merely raised her hand, and several purple light arrows shot out, piercing the zombie and turning it into a sieve.
If the corruption only targeted ordinary humans, it wouldn't have caused such chaos. Regular armies would be enough to deal with these zombies.
But this virus was all-encompassing, capable of infecting heroes, extraordinary beings, and even gods?
From the moment this plague began, it was unstoppable. No one knew where it came from, and no one had any idea how to deal with it. This world had become a feasting ground.
It was most likely a archetype lifeform that somehow found it's way here.
On higher dimensions or even beyond that many types of archetype lifeforms can be found, like the hero, the villain, the wise old man, the trickster, the innocent, the true lover etc.
What their dealing here with is probably has something to do with the zombie archetype.
Wanda raised her right hand and snapped her finger. The next moment, their body disappeared into thin air, leaving no trace behind.
A series of sonic booms echoed through the air.Looking up, they saw several glowing figures streaking across the sky, heading toward the other side of New York.
Wanda recognized them, Thor, Nova, and the Fantastic Four. The Fantastic Four had just fallen, and their two children had likely been devoured by She-Hulk.
How tragic. It seemed that, outside the main universe, Franklin Richards in alternate universes was either a sacrificial lamb or on his way to becoming one. In major events, Reed's children were often the first to die.
The figures grow smaller in the distance and disappeared.
Unexpectedly they came across the domino that started the whole marvel zombie scenario. And this time unlike in the canon the heroes might not win.
Although Wanda wasn't a hero she can't let the plague destroy so many worlds, it will be antithetical to her goals.
After a moment's pause, they walked towards their next destination, their surrounding smothered with blood and flesh.
.
.
.
Above New York, aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier.
The zombie crisis had erupted so violently and suddenly that it gave the heroes no time to react. By the time S.H.I.E.L.D. agents grasped the situation, the world had already fallen.
Now, the superheroes who had received the distress call and rushed to the Helicarrier had all witnessed the horrors of the zombies firsthand. Watching their comrades transform into flesh-eating monsters was a nightmare.
The heroes no longer exuded their usual confidence. Instead, anxious and decadent expressions were etched on their faces.
The appearance of the zombies left them shaken to their core. Memories of friends and family being devoured alive or transformed into monsters haunted them, suffocating them with fear.
By the time they arrived here, they understood the gravity of the situation. They also knew that anyone who hadn't made it to the Helicarrier was unlikely to still be the person they once knew.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Command Center.
Although Nick Fury had prepared for the worst, he was still overwhelmed when true terror descended.
Sitting in his office chair, he stared at the screen on the wall, which displayed scenes of hell on Earth. His heart sank to the depths.
"Is there truly no solution? We still have Mister Fantastic. With Reed Richards' intellect, he might be able to help us develop a cure for this virus."
"Do you really believe that?"
Across the table, Tony Stark swirled a glass of red wine, leaning against the table as he spoke in a low voice.
"Everything is out of control. From the moment that speedster carried the virus to other countries, the situation became irreversible. At his speed, it won't take long before the entire world becomes a playground for zombies, just like in Resident Evil."
"But we have to deal with this mess somehow. There are still heroes and civilians out there waiting for me to issue orders."
Nick Fury frowned as he replied.
"At any rate, we need to develop a cure first. We can't just sit here and wait to die."
"And even if a cure is developed, what then? Do you know how many people have died since the outbreak began? Thousands? Tens of thousands?"
Tony shook his head, placing his glass on the table and speaking seriously.
"Even if Reed manages to create a cure, even if we save more people, what then? This world is finished, Nick. It will never go back to the way it was. We don't even know how many people will be left when this is over."
"Then what do you want to do, huh? Are you happier promoting defeatism here? Do you even realize how close the heroes out there are to breaking down? Some of them are just kids, Tony!"
Nick Fury stood up, walked quickly to Stark, and let out a heavy sigh.
"I… I really don't know what to do. I know this situation is terrible—worse than anything we've ever faced. Captain has already turned into a monster. Tony, I don't know how to give people hope again."
Tony stared blankly at the one-eyed man in front of him. For the first time, he noticed that Nick Fury was feeling true despair.
This plague, which had swept across the entire world, had clearly dealt a heavy blow to this man. Even someone like Nick Fury was beginning to crumble.
"Fine..."
After a long silence, Tony Stark finally spoke.
"I'll figure something out. You go calm the people outside. If possible, do your best to bring back any survivors."
"What are you going to do?" Nick Fury asked, his tone filled with doubt.
"I'm going to build a device for interdimensional travel. Think of it as an escape pod. I don't believe creating a cure will solve everything. Besides, I'm no expert in virology like Reed is—my expertise lies in engineering.
"With this device, we can leave this universe and find a way to live in another one. As long as I can figure out how to avoid landing in other apocalyptic universes, we can take the remaining survivors and escape."
Hearing this, Nick Fury took a deep breath, unsure of what to say.
He knew Stark was right. This world was beyond saving. Given the speed and adaptability of the virus, it was only a matter of time before Earth became a wasteland.
Even with the remaining superheroes gathered, it didn't matter. The zombified heroes retained their powers, and any mistake could result in more infections.
This was never a fair fight. Every fallen comrade would rise again as an enemy. With the balance constantly tipping against them, it was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed.
But if they followed Tony's plan, it would mean abandoning those who had already become zombies. These monsters might still have a chance at salvation.
"Tony, I once swore to fight for the protection of all humanity and the continuation of human civilization."
Nick Fury's voice was hoarse and low.
"So what?"
Tony frowned.
"Are you planning to stop me?"
"No."
Nick Fury shook his head, slowly raising a hand to pat Tony on the shoulder.
"I mean, do what you think is best. But I'll still have Reed and the others work on a cure or a serum. As long as there's even a one-in-ten-thousand chance, I have to try to save this world."
At this, Nick Fury raised his head, fixing his one good eye on Tony's face.
"But if all hope is lost…"
Nick Fury tightened his grip on Stark's shoulder.
"Then you are our only hope."