As I was travelling to Uranus while looking around the vast space, it felt quite calm and quiet. It was quite therapeutic. All of a sudden, I sensed something coming.
A tear in space appeared in front of me, and a giant head with three faces popped in.
I grinned and waved, " Yo, LT, my man. How's it hanging?"
The guy looked at me oddly and asked , " What is hanging?"
"Deez nuts!"
Living Tribunal gave me a look that questioned my sanity. Hey! I'm not crazy , okay!
I smacked my forehead and sighed, " Oh yeah, you probably aren't familiar with Earth slang." I was just asking how you have been.
The living tribunal replied in his monotonous voice, " The multiverse still exists, so I believe I'm what you humans call 'Chill'?"
I laughed out and wheezed, " I think you meant cool. You can maybe watch some Earth pop culture stuff. It's a good way to kill time."
He almost got defensive, " Why do you wish to kill time? He is a fundamental force necessary for the universe.
I just gave up and waved my arms, " It's not literal. It means passing time. Anyway, why did ya pop in ? To check in on me?"
The Living Tribunal replied seriously, " Multiverse, Earth-2149 has been judged beyond redemption. You need to go there and cleanse it."
I stopped smiling and looked at the big guy, " Do I need to erase the universe or save it? Gimme the backstory here."
He spoke without any emotion, " Whatever you may see fit. The hunger has taken over the world through a virus, and we must stop it before the infected start travelling to other universes."
He then continued, " Earth-2149 was largely identical to that of the main Marvel reality, Earth-616, with only a few minor differences. Not the universe you were in, the prime universe. Earth 2149's main point of divergence is unknown.
This reality continued on it's own until it was ravaged when a version of the Sentry of yet another alternate universe arose. He was sent by his native Watcher to create a temporal loop and prevent the infection from spreading to alternate realities. But he was the start of it all. I believe you humans call it irony."
"After he brought with him a disease that turned individuals into flesh-eating zombies, the Avengers were the first on the scene after Sentry crashed in the middle of Manhattan, and all were quickly infected. The disease soon spread throughout the superhuman community, with the superpowered undead feasting on the non-powered population. With most of the human life on this Earth extinguished, the super-zombies wandered the world, tormented by hunger with nothing to eat."
I sighed and asked, " Of course, it had to be zombies. So how do I go there? I don't exactly have a multiversal car."
The living tribunal just waved, and a futuristic-looking car appeared before me. He then nonchalantly spoke, " I believe this would suit your taste, although I am not sure why you need a car for travelling when you can fly. "
I was stupefied at this. " Alright, note to self : don't use sarcasm or metaphors in front of a guy who takes everything literally. " I muttered.
I just waved him goodbye and said, " I'll take care of your zombie problem. You should really get acquainted with Earth's culture. But do not follow any link provided by someone who calls him a man of culture; it'll probably traumatize you."
The living tribunal looked at me speechless. Before leaving, he left some parting words: "Due to your presence, in every universe, a different version of you awakened the power of Sentry rather than the man you know as Robert Reynolds. So beware of your other selves; although weak, they may prove to be a nuisance." He then turned around and left. What a dull guy.
Anyways, a quick trip to the zombieverse might feel therapeutic. Imagine killing yourself on an alternate earth; that sounds fun.
The car hummed softly as I leaned back in the driver's seat, staring out at the shimmering tear in space ahead of me. A literal rip in reality. No big deal, right?
I tightened my grip on the wheel of the futuristic ride. It was sleek, loaded with glowing panels, and way too many buttons. I wasn't about to touch them.
"Alright, Earth-2149, here I come," I muttered, letting the car guide itself through the portal.
One moment, I was in the cold emptiness of space; the next, I was staring at the ruined skyline of what was once New York City.
The city was a wreck. Skyscrapers lay in jagged heaps, streets were cracked and covered in debris, and everything was bathed in an eerie silence. Even the air felt wrong, heavy, like the universe itself was depressed. When the car touched down in the middle of what used to be Times Square, I stepped out and immediately regretted breathing in.
"Ugh." I gagged, waving a hand in front of my nose. "The air smells like a mix of rotting flesh and bad decisions."
I didn't get far before I heard a voice behind me.
"Well, well, well. Fancy seeing myself here."
I spun around, my eyes narrowing as I took in the figure stepping out of the shadows. It was me—or at least, a version of me. He was gaunt, his skin pale and gray, with glowing golden eyes that screamed "cosmic god complex." His suit was shredded, and he looked like he'd been on a three-week bender in a slaughterhouse.
"Great," I muttered. "Zombie me. Of course."
The other me grinned, his teeth bloody. "The Living Tribunal sent you, didn't he? Guess he still hasn't learned to mind his own business."
I crossed my arms and asked, "So, what's the deal, other me? Couldn't resist snacking on the locals?"
Zombie me laughed, the sound hollow and unnerving. "Oh, you don't get it, do you? This isn't just some casual infection. It's a hunger—an all-consuming, relentless hunger. And I embraced it. Unlike you, I didn't waste time pretending to be a hero."
I felt my jaw clench as I tightened my grip on FrostMourne. "So, what? You're just a walking corpse with a god complex? That's pathetic. Even for me."
Before he could answer, a deafening crash echoed through the ruins. I turned to see a horde of zombified heroes emerging from the shadows. Spider-Man, Hulk, Thor, Colonel America—decayed, horrifying versions of them. Their power still radiated off them, but there was nothing left behind those dead eyes.
Zombie me smirked. "You're in my world now. Welcome to the feast."
"Sorry, I'm not on the menu. But since I'm here, it's time for some pest control."
I let my senses expand, scanning the environment. The infection had spread across the planet, leaving nothing but death and decay in its wake. The quantum-based virus wasn't just rewriting biology—it was rewriting physics, forcing the infected to exist in a twisted mockery of life.
The super zombies were powerful but scattered. Their numbers had dwindled as they turned on each other out of desperation. The infection itself? A cosmic cancer, spreading across realities like a virus hopping between servers.
"This isn't just a clean-up job," I muttered to myself. "This is a multiversal containment issue. If I don't put a stop to this, it's only a matter of time before it spills over into other worlds."
Before I could finish processing, zombie me lunged. I sidestepped, slamming my foot into his face. He staggered back, snarling like the feral creature he was.
"Look, zombie me," I said, my voice sharp. "You're a mess, but unlike you, I still have some humanity left. So here's the deal: I'm going to fix this world. If you and your little zombie buddies don't get in my way, I might let you keep shambling around. Deal?"
Zombie me wiped his mouth, blood smearing across his face. "You're amusing; I'll give you that. But you're not leaving here alive."
I sighed and cracked my knuckles. "Guess that's a no. Alright, then. Let's dance."
The horde charged, and I stood my ground, energy crackling around me. I'd faced gods, monsters, and everything in between. Now I'm facing myself and his zombie colleagues.
Just another day in the cosmic office.