Trump Card

Zhang Ye ignored the others locked in battle, sprinting straight over to Pietro's side.

"You okay? Can you still move?" Looking at the twisted leg, Zhang Ye could already imagine how horrifying the pain must be. He helped Pietro up, asking with concern.

"Huff—huff—That, that guy is President X." Pietro didn't answer, instead immediately telling Zhang Ye who they were up against.

"I know, I know. Are you alright? I'm getting you out of here." Zhang Ye said grimly.

From the moment he learned President X was in this secret factory, Zhang Ye had been on edge. And when he saw the Scarlet Witch, he instantly confirmed that President X had taken over her body.

This had actually happened in Zhang Ye's memories. A well-known example from the movie universe: when Professor X was torn to pieces by the out-of-control Phoenix, he transferred all his consciousness ahead of time, eventually 'reviving' through his vegetative brother's body.

That showed just how terrifying Professor X's powerful telepathy could be. If he could resurrect through a vegetable, he could certainly forcibly occupy someone else's body.

And this time, it seemed President X had set his sights on the Scarlet Witch—the one who wielded the legendary Chaos Magic.

Even though nothing magic-related existed in this universe, the Scarlet Witch's Chaos Magic was still an infinitely powerful energy, no matter how much it was nerfed. After all, it was a force that could reshape the universe and rewrite reality.

Now, having seized the Scarlet Witch's body, President X was theoretically unbeatable. Even a nuke couldn't harm him. So Zhang Ye just wanted to take advantage of the chaos and get Pietro out of this disaster zone.

"It's, it's no use. I can't make it." Pietro spat blood, his face pale.

"Don't talk crap. Come with me now!"

"Really, it's no use." Pietro's face twitched in pain. Trembling, he pulled off his helmet and, with all his remaining strength, jammed it onto Zhang Ye's head. Then he spoke.

"Thank you, Zhang. Thanks for all the stories you told me. I know how bad my injuries are. Too severe. If you take me, you won't get out. Go, while they're distracted. That secret lab is in the New York suburbs, 1407 Graymalkin Lane. I believe in you."

"Don't give me that. Get up." Zhang Ye gritted his teeth.

"Let me stay here. You said this world is just a nightmare, no superheroes. So tell me—am I a hero now?"

Zhang Ye said nothing, but his clenched fists trembled slightly.

"Just a nightmare... just a nightmare. I just have to wake up."

Pietro's voice grew weaker and weaker, until it faded completely.

Zhang Ye checked his breathing. Pietro had fallen into a coma—the best outcome possible under the circumstances.

Blood from the helmet slid along its curved edge, dripping onto Zhang Ye's fist. He stood up abruptly, as if he'd made up his mind. Turning his back on the unconscious Pietro, he faced President X's direction.

"Sorry, Pietro. I've never abandoned my brothers in my whole life."

With that, Zhang Ye strode straight toward the battlefield.

The fight had already reached a fever pitch. Most of the soldiers on site were dead. Only President X, possessing the Scarlet Witch, faced the prisoners who had escaped from the Mutant Secret Prison, slaughtering them all.

Beast lifted a massive stone pillar, trying to ambush 'Scarlet Witch' like before. But the enraged 'Scarlet Witch' wouldn't give him the chance. She waved her hand, and crimson energy forcibly snatched the pillar away, then slammed it into Beast.

The violent impact shattered the pillar into pieces. Beast's body was crushed beneath the rubble, blood seeping through the cracks in the stones.

A woman who could unleash a lightsaber from her hand tried to charge at 'Scarlet Witch,' but suddenly changed targets, impaling another mutant prisoner beside her. Then she moved directly in front of 'Scarlet Witch,' blocking the energy beam Zhang Ye had fired.

"So, you're the real mastermind behind this operation. The last remnant of the Avengers." 'Scarlet Witch' withdrew her telepathy, looking at Zhang Ye as she spoke flatly.

Zhang Ye didn't answer. He fired several shots in quick succession, but the bullets were all stopped by the Chaos Magic.

"Is this your plan?" 'Scarlet Witch' sneered. Suddenly sensing something, she spun around and grabbed at the air with her palm.

Instantly, a cloud of blue smoke was trapped midair by crimson energy. Nightcrawler's body emerged from the smoke, snarling and struggling, desperately trying to teleport. But under the Chaos Magic's control, he couldn't escape.

'Scarlet Witch' kept her right hand in a grasping position. A bloodthirsty glint flashed in her eyes. She brought her left hand together with her right, then pulled them apart with force.

In an instant, Nightcrawler's body was torn in half by an overwhelming energy. His struggles ceased immediately, and the two halves of his body fell limply to the ground.

Such a bloody scene terrified the other mutant prisoners who had been about to charge. They wanted to kill everyone here, but they weren't stupid. Fighting something this terrifying was suicide.

After finishing that, 'Scarlet Witch' turned gracefully to face Zhang Ye.

"You didn't really think trash like this could kill me, did you? You think the Avengers could actually overthrow me? You're nothing but a joke. Your lives are meaningless—just like that lunatic Strange."

"Lunatic?" Zhang Ye finally spoke. "Like you, Naked Wheelchair Man?"

Those words stabbed into 'Scarlet Witch's' heart like a knife.

She erupted in fury. A powerful aura burst out, blasting everything around her away. Before Zhang Ye could react, a stream of crimson energy grabbed him and lifted him into the air.

"You think I won't kill you?!"

'Scarlet Witch's' eyes glowed red, unbearable to look at, as if one more glance would drive you mad.

Zhang Ye tried to activate his Repulsor Ray, but under the Chaos Magic, the Particle Beam couldn't form.

'Scarlet Witch' noticed his little move. Her face twisted in mockery. With a wave of her hand, Zhang Ye's body was yanked right in front of her.

Then, the Iron Suit on his left arm let out a series of clinking sounds. Piece by piece, the crimson energy dismantled and stripped it away, turning it into scrap metal.

"Stark's tech. This is your trump card? How pathetic. Did you really think you could kill me with this piece of junk?"

"Of course not." Zhang Ye stared coldly at the 'Scarlet Witch' inches away—or rather, President X.

"Oh? Do you have some other trick?"

'Scarlet Witch' sneered. Mocking these enemies always brought him unparalleled joy. The feeling of being above everyone else was too good. The power and authority intoxicated President X.

Seeing Zhang Ye completely helpless, 'Scarlet Witch' spread her arms, exposing every opening. She grinned wide, eyes bulging as she stared at Zhang Ye, and laughed.

"Come on. Show me your move. I'm right here. Kill me. Go ahead!"

Zhang Ye's expression remained utterly calm as he watched Professor X, who had completely descended into madness. He spoke slowly. "President X, your telepathy is formidable. I've heard you've entered many people's minds."

"Yes, and what of it?" The 'Scarlet Witch's' smile gradually faded.

"Then—"

Zhang Ye slowly placed both hands on his helmet, then abruptly tore it off.

"—take a look inside mine!"

(We've made it onto the recommendation list. I truly need everyone's full support. I've been writing this book with great care, and I hope you'll all join me in stepping into this bizarre, despair-filled world.)

(If you have votes, please cast them daily, or leave more comments—explanations, rants, anything goes—so I know I'm not alone.)

(Thank you.)