The Colonel America knelt down to pick up the shield. His tongue flicked across the bloodstained surface, his eyes narrowing in a shiver of ecstasy.
Hank had truly been a genius. Sending his wife aboard to create a distraction, letting her feast a little to pave the way for the remaining zombies to infiltrate the Helicarrier—it was a flawless plan.
It was a pity, though, that Janet hadn't made it back. She was probably dead by now. Shame. Maybe he'd eat a bit more in her honor.
"Hey, brat! Look this way!"
A deep, rough roar suddenly echoed from afar, shaking the very ship's hull. The Colonel America froze, startled, and turned toward the voice.
The bloodthirsty zombie, mid-lick of his shield, looked back to see a towering, nearly three-meter-tall, red-skinned, black-haired giant hurtling toward him. Muscles bulging like coiled steel cables, the colossus roared with unbridled fury, each step reverberating through the deck like thunder.
"Huh?"
The Colonel tilted his head, confused. In his experience, the zombie virus drove fear into everyone's hearts. People would scramble to stay as far away from him as possible. Yet here was this monster, charging straight at him, completely unafraid.
No matter. He didn't think about it long. Twisting his rigid jaw, he leapt toward the red giant. Whether he bit him to spread the infection or simply devoured him whole, it would be a win-win.
As the Colonel lunged, the red giant roared even louder, his already immense frame swelling larger with rage. His booming voice carried one simple command: "Get lost!"
With a deafening CRACK, the red giant's massive hand swatted the Colonel away like a fly. The Colonel's body sailed through the air like a cannonball, slamming into the ship's wall with such force that it left a massive crater.
The impact caused the wall to crumble, debris and dust scattering everywhere. Yet even with his mangled body, the zombified super-soldier began to move. Slowly but surely, he clawed his way out of the wreckage, his lifeless, hungry gaze locked onto the red giant. A grotesque grin stretched across his face.
Suddenly, bamf! A cloud of blue smoke appeared behind the red giant. From within, a zombified Nightcrawler emerged, teleporting directly onto his back.
Nightcrawler's sharp, prehensile tail plunged into the red giant's back without hesitation, crimson blood spraying from the wound. The spike sank deep, drawing a howl of pain and fury from the giant.
"Get off me, you bastard!"
The red giant thrashed wildly, trying to dislodge Nightcrawler, but the zombie clung on tighter, sinking his teeth into the giant's shoulder.
In that instant, a chain wreathed in black-and-red flames whipped through the air, striking Nightcrawler with unerring precision. The burning chain wrapped around him, pulling him off the red giant and binding him tightly.
"No... this can't be!" Nightcrawler shrieked, struggling to teleport away. But to his horror, his powers failed. Only a faint puff of smoke appeared around him, accomplishing nothing.
The cursed flames of the chain sizzled and popped, tightening relentlessly. Bound and helpless, Nightcrawler's struggles grew weaker by the second.
From the shadows emerged Ghost Rider, his flaming skull casting an eerie, hellish light. He moved with slow, deliberate menace, the chains burning brighter with every step.
Ghost Rider's skeletal hand clamped down on Nightcrawler's head, his grip unyielding. Nightcrawler's body trembled, his glowing eyes rolling back in terror.
"No... wait—"
Before he could finish, black-and-red flames erupted from Ghost Rider's skull, engulfing Nightcrawler's head. His anguished screams were brief, drowned out by the crackling inferno. When the fire subsided, nothing remained of his head but ash, scattering in the wind.
Ghost Rider released his grip, watching dispassionately as the rest of Nightcrawler's body disintegrated into dust.
He turned to the red giant, who was clutching his back. "General Ross, you're infected."
Ross, the Red Hulk, let out a snarl of defiance. "Damn right I am. But as long as I stay angry enough, I can—"
His fists clenched, his body radiating a blinding red light. His golden eyes burned with fury, blazing like molten coals. The rage inside him churned and surged, fueling his strength.
As his anger mounted, the very air around him grew hotter. The metal deck beneath his feet began to sizzle and warp, melting into glowing, molten streams.
Ghost Rider took a step back, not out of fear but to avoid the encroaching liquid metal. "...melt it away, huh? Smart move. Nothing like a fever hot enough to burn out a virus, especially when you can push yourself to gamma radiation levels."
Laughing, Red Hulk pounded his now-healed back. The gaping wound was gone, leaving no trace of injury.
"Alright then, where's that little bastard, Steve?" Ross turned, realizing that the American Colonel had quietly slipped away amidst the chaos.
"Forget him. You can't keep this up forever," Ghost Rider said, reeling in his chain and walking to Ross's side. "We're just here to clear the way for the main forces. Now hurry up and wake up Fury's plant guy."
Ross grinned and nodded. "Got it."
He launched himself across the deck, a blur of speed and power, landing with a ground-shaking impact near a large metal container. The force of his landing ripped the container apart, sending shards of steel flying.
From beneath the wreckage, a mound of fresh soil spilled out, rich and dark. Tiny roots emerged from the soil, twisting and growing rapidly.
Within seconds, the roots coalesced, forming the outline of a humanoid figure. Vines thickened into muscular limbs, and what began as a simple plant now stood as a towering, plant-based colossus, its eyes glowing with an otherworldly green light.
"Rise and shine, big guy. Time to do your thing," Ross said, nudging the creature with his foot.
The colossus stirred, its massive frame creaking as it fully emerged, ready to join the battle.