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Nolan's gaze fixed on Robbie Reyes or rather, on the hell-spirit fused inside him. His tone was sharp, flat.
"I gave you a warning. You ignored it. Don't blame me for what happens next."
Robbie strained, hellfire licking out of his skull, when Wong cut in quickly.
"Wait! Nolan on behalf of the former Riders, spare him. He's young. Reckless. He doesn't yet understand the burden."
The chamber doors blew open before Nolan could reply. This time, not the Charger—
—but a motorcycle. Wreathed in a darker, hotter hellfire. Flames that seared the air, reaching for the spirit as much as the flesh.
A rider, skeletal and burning, dismounted… and then the flames receded. A weathered man in a leather jacket remained, eyes wary, voice taut.
"Supreme One. I beg you—spare the boy. He doesn't yet know what he carries."
Nolan arched a brow. "Johnny Blaze."
Johnny's jaw tightened. He hadn't expected the so-called Superman of Earth to know his name. But Nolan was no ordinary mage. He'd read the hidden scrolls. He remembered.
Johnny knew Robbie had already overstepped. The kid judged whoever stood in front of him friend, foe, it didn't matter. No wisdom, only wrath. Johnny had seen it the moment Robbie confronted Stark.
Now Robbie was writhing, screaming, as Nolan's magic threads reached into his soul prying at the parasite bound to it.
"Rip the Spirit free," Nolan said coldly, "and he's no longer dangerous."
The air tore with Robbie's screams. Separation meant soul-shearing like tearing marrow out of bone.
Johnny's eyes widened. "Stop! Nolanvyou know what you're doing? Each Rider is a weapon against Zarathos. Against the great devils. We need them. Please."
Even Wong added, voice low but urgent: "The odds of a host surviving a Rider's judgment are slim. Robbie's existence is rare enough. He's learned his lesson. Let him keep it."
Nolan's hand hovered, magic coiled like razors of light. Then he relented.
"Fine," he said, narrowing his eyes. "But his leash is short. If he raises those eyes against me again, I finish what I started."
Johnny nodded, swallowing relief. "You have my word. He'll learn."
Nolan stepped back, hands folding behind his back. "Not for free. If you want him spared, you both owe me something."
Johnny's face hardened. "We fight evil. That's all we do."
"Exactly," Nolan said. "Then you'll fight where I tell you."
Johnny's suspicion flared. "We don't take orders."
Nolan's smile was thin. "I'm not asking. I want you as my insurance when I step into another universe, one already consumed by plague. Zombie universes. I need Riders at my back."
Johnny inhaled sharply. "Our power works only on the guilty—on sin itself."
"And what do you think a world of undead heroes is, Johnny?" Nolan asked quietly. "A buffet of sins, locked in rotting flesh. If your fire won't bite them… it'll bite the devils that spawned them."
The Riders exchanged a glance. Robbie's flames flickered weakly. Johnny finally gave a grim nod.
"You'll have us. But know this we ride for vengeance, not loyalty."
"That's all I need," Nolan replied.
---
Later, Tony leaned toward Wong, lowering his voice. "So… what exactly can these 'Spirits of Vengeance' do?"
"They burn your soul," Nolan answered before Wong could. He shot Tony a sharp look. "Don't even think about it. Reyes is under S.H.I.E.L.D., and Blaze answers to no one. You can't 'recruit' them, Stark."
Tony grumbled, unconvinced, but dropped it.
Nolan turned back to Wong. "And you? What brings you here? Shouldn't you be guarding the New York Sanctum?"
"You should be asking yourself that," Wong said, frustration leaking into his voice. "Your experiments weakened the walls between worlds. That's how this zombie plague broke through. You're the Sorcerer Supreme your job is to guard against this, not cause it."
Nolan's reply was calm, cutting: "The Ancient One knew. The Vishanti knew. And they let me proceed."
That silenced Wong.
"Good," Nolan said. "Then you'll understand. The zombie Rider came from a universe already lost. I'll be going there soon. You'll hold the Sanctum in my stead."
Wong nearly sputtered. "Again?! You vanish for weeks and—"
"Relax," Nolan said with a faint smirk. "Once Strange is ready, I'll pass him the mantle. If not… maybe you."
Wong paled. "No thank you."
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