Chapitre 11: Chapter 11: Wanda
From the moment the helicopter was shot down, it was as if the world had been unpaused. Explosions echoed rapidly throughout New York City, creating a chaotic symphony of destruction.
The once-clear skies of New York turned into a murky chaos as thick, black smoke billowed upward. Flames devoured the exteriors of buildings, casting large swaths of the city in dense smoke. Sirens wailed, and the panicked cries of people mingled with the explosions, forming a harrowing chorus of fear.
The relentless blasts resonated like thunder rolling through the streets, each explosion further staining the skies with fire and smoke. The thick smog engulfed the city, blocking out the sunlight and plunging the daytime into an ominous twilight.
"Oh my god, I've never seen New York in this state—not even during the Skrull invasion."
Perched on someone's shoulder, Pietro watched from afar as a skyscraper began to collapse, its frame crumbling under the chaos. He could faintly hear the terrified screams of those trapped inside.
Under normal circumstances, he would have rushed in to save them, but today was different. It wasn't just because his injured leg made running impossible but also because he felt disoriented and lost.
Things weren't supposed to turn out like this. Back when he fought villains, the pattern was simple: heroes win, villains go to prison, escape, and then the cycle repeated itself after everyone caught their breath.
But today, everything had gone horribly wrong. People infected by the virus had turned into mindless, flesh-eating monsters. Pietro wasn't particularly close to Mystique, but seeing her devolve into such a state still filled him with sorrow—a bitter reminder of how fragile humanity truly was.
"Do you think… we'll make it through this?"
Pietro couldn't help but ask the man carrying him on his shoulder. The stranger, who had suddenly appeared, seemed to possess an uncanny foresight.
"It's hard to say," Noah replied with a shake of his head. Although he had managed to prevent Pietro from becoming a zombie, he couldn't be sure how much difference that would make in the grand scheme of things.
His main objective wasn't to eradicate the virus but to slow its spread. All he needed was for this world to hold together long enough for him to find a way to leave.
"However, I—"
Noah suddenly felt a sharp, excruciating pressure in his head, as though an invisible force was relentlessly crushing his skull. The pain was so intense that it felt like his head was on the verge of exploding.
"Ugh!" He let out an involuntary groan, his voice trembling with agony. Noah's eyes turned bloodshot, veins bulging and spreading across his sclera like red threads.
The pressure grew unbearable. Noah pressed his trembling hands against his eyelids, desperately trying to alleviate the pain, but it was futile. He quickly realized that the force was external, an invisible power targeting him directly. The only way out was to confront it.
Who is it?!
As the pain intensified, Noah noticed something strange: his breath had turned red. The crimson mist hung in the air as he exhaled, shocking him even further.
Was this some kind of reaction? A manifestation of supernatural energy? Or had something within him fundamentally changed? These questions swirled in his mind, adding confusion to his agony.
A sudden thought struck him. Mustering every ounce of strength, he shouted, "Wanda! I know it's you! If you don't want Pietro dead, stop crushing my head!"
The moment his words rang out, the overwhelming pressure abruptly vanished like a receding tide. Relief washed over him as the unbearable weight lifted. It was as if an unseen barrier had been shattered.
Sweat dripped from Noah's forehead, soaking his face and matting his hair. His clothes clung to his body, drenched in perspiration. Exhaustion hit him like a wave, leaving him barely able to stand.
He doubled over, spitting out a mouthful of blood. The metallic tang of iron filled his mouth as he wiped the corner of his lips, still trembling from the psychic assault.
"Put Pietro down, you filthy—oh! You're not a zombie!" Wanda's voice rang out as she stepped from around the corner of the street. Her expression shifted from anger to surprise as she realized Noah wasn't infected.
Quickly recognizing her mistake, Wanda approached him, guilt etched on her face. "I'm so sorry! I thought… I sensed Pietro nearby, tied up, and I assumed…"
"I thought you were some zombie trying to kidnap Pietro!"
Noah gave her a wry smile. "Great. My effort to make carrying him easier nearly got my head crushed."
"Wanda! You're okay!" Pietro exclaimed in delight, still draped over Noah's shoulder. "I thought you were infected too!"
"What happened to your leg? And these ropes?" Wanda's concern grew as she raised her hands, preparing to use her powers to untie him.
"No, don't undo them! Listen to me first," Pietro quickly explained everything, from his leg injury to Mystique's transformation, and finally turned to ask, "Wanda, what about everyone else? We need to contact the Avengers!"
At the mention of the Avengers, Wanda's eyes filled with tears. She bit her lower lip, struggling to hold back her emotions, but the tears eventually spilled down her cheeks.
"Colonel America issued an SOS through the Avengers' private line, calling all active members to assemble at Avengers Tower," she began, her voice trembling.
"But he… he was one of the first to get infected. By the time we realized it, most of the roster had already turned."
"I managed to escape by sheer luck. But She-Hulk… Hercules… Iron Fist—they're all…" Her voice broke, and she began sobbing uncontrollably.
Pietro opened his mouth, but no words came out. Protected by Noah from the start, he hadn't witnessed the horrifying transformation of their teammates. He couldn't imagine what it must have been like to see them turn into monsters. In the end, he remained silent.
"Hey! What's with the crying? You've got me, Ash the Great! As long as I'm here, this apocalypse doesn't stand a chance!"
The sound of a chainsaw revving up interrupted the somber moment. A man with tousled brown hair and wearing overalls stepped out from the same alley Wanda had emerged from. He brandished a freshly started chainsaw with a confident grin.
Noah squinted at the newcomer. He recognized him immediately.
Ash Williams—the chainsaw-wielding hero of Evil Dead, a traveler of multiverses, and the protagonist of Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness.
Also, a first-class troublemaker.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone