The New Exiles

Issue #27 – Blink Quest – Part Three

The Time Brokerage – The Crystal Palace

"Get that system back online. Man, I can't wait to get my hands on Calvin," BattleStar began to swear.

Lamar was mad. He wanted more than anything to go after and find Blink. When Power Pack and activated the jump, Lamar had held his breath and awaited the familiar sensation of being moved from one reality to another, but alas, it never came. He quickly realized that everyone had been teleported but him. He was still standing in the Crystal Palace with Power Pack, Nocturne and Sunfire. As Nocturne commented, they realized that one of the bodies in the crystal chamber was missing. It appeared that this person, whoever it was, had been sent in her place. He knew Calvin had done it on purpose to keep Blink all to himself.

"I can't, some kind of power surge has knocked out communications. According to the grid, they are now on Earth-15731b. Whatever knocked out our power has also side stepped them to a branch of their original location," Power Pack said in panic.

"What caused the surge?" Nocturne asked.

"I don't know. The system is registering something but I can't read it. Until I get communications repaired and figure out what is going on, I don't think I should risk pulling them back," Power Pack said.

"As much as I hate it, you're right. They'll have to fend for themselves for now while we're stuck here," BattleStar grumbled.

"What do we do about these other four here," Sunfire asked as she glanced at the four bodies within the crystal chambers.

"Can you free them or tell who they are or where they are from?" Nocturne asked.

"Releasing Skullfire aka Timothy Fitzgerald from Earth-6375 and former member of X-Men 2099," the computer voice chimed as a figure with red hair, skull mask and black leather pants and jacket fell out of the crystal chamber and onto the floor beside them.

"I smell vampire on him," Sunfire said vamping out a little as the computer continued on.

"Releasing Century aka alien race called the Hodomur from Earth-116X and former member of Force Works," the computer said as a large muscular figure with white hair and red markings all over his body was freed from stasis.

"That guy is from Beak's home world," BattleStar commented at the alien being before them.

"Releasing Khaos aka Petra Maximoff from Earth-5281 and member of the Sisterhood," the computer said as a woman in black and green with long platinum white hair dropped to the floor.

"Name sounds scarier than she looks," Power Pack said as the system released the last figure.

"Releasing Devourer aka Janet Van Dyne from Earth-7756 and member of the Revengers," the computer said as a woman with short hair and a blue and white costume was freed from her crystal prison.

"Where am I and who are all of you? Where is La Lunatica?" Skullfire said suddenly glowing with power.

"You almost look like a man I knew on Earth once," Century said glancing at BattleStar.

"You all better start talking or I swear by the name of my father, Lord Quicksilver that I will kill you all," Khaos said as she glanced around the room.

"Interesting," is all the woman called Devourer said.

"Here let me explain," Power Pack said as she touched a few buttons and the computer system came to life and quickly projected a presentation that gave the new comers all the information they needed to understand the situation and where they were.

"They ability to travel between realities," Devourer whispered as she glanced at the computer system.

"I demand to return home," Khaos spat with anger.

"If you need help moving through realities maybe I can help," Century said as he reached behind him and pulled out his glowing weapon called Parallax.

"We need to get them all under control," Nocturne whispered to BattleStar.

"I agree, but," BattleStar started to say when some kind of alarm began to go off.

"What's going on?" Skullfire said staring at the strangers before him.

"If I'm reading this right, a very powerful energy signature is on a collision course with the Palace and it's the source of the energy surges we experienced," Power Pack said as the screens showed a small glowing object coming straight at them, growing larger as it gets closer.

"Brace yourselves!" BattleStar shouted as the glowing object slammed into the Crystal Palace causing it to shake and explode in a powerful surge of power.

Earth-15731b

"No sudden moves," a man in blue said to Mimic while pointing a gun at him.

"Where did they get these outfits?" Another man asked allowed.

"They probably robbed the costume shop in town," a third man in blue chuckled.

"I think we can take them," Krystalin said eyeing the men surrounding them with guns.

"No, he said McCoy's name. If we let them apprehend us, they'll take us right to McCoy and Blink," Creed said as he looked from Mimic, Krystalin and Morph and then down at Thunderbird who was helping up the mysterious woman with flaming red hair and a purple spandex type suit that had come with them.

"Where am?" The woman asked looking around.

"How is she?" Creed asked.

"Disoriented, but she'll be okay," Thunderbird answered.

"Stop talking and get moving," the men in blue said as they moved them towards an armored car.

"I'm surprised they don't worry about our abilities," Mimic commented as he moved along.

"Oh, we're not. You see, Regulator here can mentally control all body functions. Receptor here, she is using her powers to help him lock on all of you and you so much as think about using your powers and he'll put you in a world of hurt you've never known," the man in blue with a name tag that says Bloodhound said with laughter.

Soon all six Exiles were in the back of the armored car and being taken to an unknown destination. The men in blue made it clear that they were being "watched" and would be dealt with if they tried to escape. Creed looked over at the woman and saw that she looked a tad frightening as she finally recovered from her crystal prison and reality jumps. He eased her nerves as he quickly explained what was going on, how she got her and who they all were. She took it all in and then smiled a little.

"A little hard to believe but I've heard Mistress Doom talk of such things," the woman said as she introduced herself.

Her name was Mary Jane Parker and she was happily marred to a man named Peter until she discovered he had an alter ego. He was secretly known as Spider-Man the Kingpin of Crime. When she found his costume in his closet and confronted her, he had lashed out and threatened her. She made a run for it and sought out the Masters of Good. Spider-Man was upon her when the Non-Sinister Six had come to her rescue. She felt relieved until Spider-Man's Evil Knights arrived and started making quick work of the six heroes. She didn't know where to turn when another man came to her aid, Chameleon.

Chameleon hooked up a cable looking device to her arm and was going to use his chemicals to help alter her appearance so she could escape and hide. He had just started to administer the treatment when her evil husband snagged him with a web and yanked him into the Non-Sinister Six. Just as he collided with them, one of the Knights ignited a radioactive blast at them and killing them. Surprisingly, the radioactive blast caused a reaction that traveled up the cable still connected to Mary Jane. This resulted in her somehow having all their powers transferred into her. She had no control over them but it was enough to get far enough away until Mistress Doom saved her, took her in and trained her with the rest of the Masters of Good.

"So I took on the name Chameleon and can shift between the six different powers. I was at the courthouse filing my divorce when Peter attacked. Before I could react I woke up here," Mary Jane said as she finished her tale.

"Always hard to imagine an evil Spider-Man," Calvin said as the armored car came to a stop.

"Now, everyone come along nice and slow. Head Administrator McCoy will be waiting for us," the one called Bloodhound said as he led the six prisoners toward a giant white building.

"Welcome home," Receptor said as Creed saw a sign that read "Clinic for Paranormal Research".

"What I don't get is why they keep referring to us as Group E and that we escaped from here when we've never been here," Mimic said to Creed as they entered into the building and found themselves in a large lobby and reception room.

"That's because everyone here does, acts and thinks whatever I want them to," a grim voice said from above them.

"McCoy!" Creed growled as he saw the dark furred creature standing at the top of a stairway with a large man standing next to him.

"Where's Blink? If you've harmed her," Mimic said starting to call on his power.

"Alias, when we ended up here she escaped me. She can't hide forever, but in the meantime I'm having so much fun with these specimens," Dark Beast laughed.

"You're going down," Creed growled as he leapt towards the evil creature.

"Overshadow, if you would," McCoy said as the large man next to him turned all black and spacey and raised his arms out causing the Exiles to drop to the ground in pain as their world came tumbling down and they succumbed to the dark.


Outsiders Beginnings

Altered Destinies – Part Two

Earth-Time Quake – Outer Space

Black Axe was still getting used to what was happening to him. Not only was he now merged with Jean Howlett the new Phoenix Force, but he had to watch the recreation of the Time Quake Universe and the Outsiders. All this so that Jean's world and be saved and they both can live again on this world. Black Axe hated the idea and the whole situation but he had no choice. To refuse would have meant to be left alone to die in the middle of nowhere. Now here he was watching a massive cosmic storm heading for a giant space ship.

"Come along," Jean said as he felt himself pulled into the ship where he saw for people panicking at the controls.

"Reed, it's moving too fast. The storms going to hit us," Ben Grimm said as he glanced over to the man sitting to his left.

"Sue, you and your brother buckle up tight. This could be a bumpy ride," Reed Richards said as he glanced back at Susie Storm and her Brother Johnny.

"I still can't believe you talked me into coming along sis," Johnny Storm smirked.

"I don't recall twisting your arm. I should never have agreed to this," Sue said as the ship began to shake as the cosmic storm collided with their ship.

"I can feel it burning," Ben said as the comics rays passed through the ship and pounded into and through each of them.

"Hold on everyone. Oh please, don't let any harm come to them. Especially my Susie," Reed said to himself.

"We're losing control of the ship," Ben shouted as the ship felt like it was going to rip apart.

"This is quite boring," Black Axe said as he watched the four people trying to survive the storm.

"Come, the best is yet to come," Jean said as they suddenly found themselves on Earth where moments later a large ship came crashing down before them.

Black Axe watched as the ship hit the Earth and came to a smoky and fiery landing. After a few moments Ben came running out carrying Johnny as Reed came right behind him with Sue in his arms. They made it a good distance before the ship exploded. All four tumbled to the ground and did not move. After what seemed like eternity to Black Axe, the four sat up and stared at the burning ship. They all then looked at each other sighing in relief.

"That was awesome!" Johnny said suddenly.

"Are you crazy? We almost died," Ben grumbled.

"Calm down old man," Johnny laughed.

"Why you," Ben began to argue.

"Alright you two that's enough. Johnny I've about had it with you," Sue began to say when Reed began to scream.

"Reed, what's wrong?" Ben asked as sweat poured off his best friend's brow.

"I feel sick, like my whole body is on fire," Reed cried in pain.

"Maybe it's an after affect of the comic rays," Johnny said as Sue ran to Reed's side.

"Ouch, his skin feels hot," Sue said pulling her hand back after touching Reed.

"What's happening to me?" Reed asked as his whole body suddenly ignited and became a living human torch.

"He's on fire. Ben, Johnny, do something!" Sue screamed as she stepped back from the man of fire.

"Sue, I don't," Ben began to say as his words became nothing but gurgling sounds.

"Ben, what did you say?" Sue asked as she turned and gasped at what she was seeing.

Ben tried to talk as it appeared his skin was melting from his body. Sue watched in horror as Ben's whole body seemed to sag and melt till be became a giant stretched out glob of goop on the ground. Sue wanted to run to his side but between his weird noises and Reed screaming from this fiery body, Sue found she could not move. She didn't know what to do and knew that they were all going to die from the effects of the comics rays. She finally looked for her brother, for help and comfort.

"Johnny, you have to do something. You have to help them. Johnny? Where did you go?" Sue asked as she looked all around and saw that her brother was nowhere in sight.

"Calm down sis, I'm right here. Did you go blind?" Johnny's voice said from in front of her.

"Johnny, I'm not blind. Where are you?" Sue pleaded.

"Suzy, I'm right here in front of you," Johnny's voice came at her.

"Johnny, quit playing games this is serious. Where are you," Sue began to cry.

"Sue," Johnny began to say and then stopped as he peered at the side of the burning ship and saw everyone's reflection but his. "I've faded away."

"Everyone calm down," Reed said as Sue turned to see the man was no longer on fire.

"We're not dying form the rays. They've changed us. We just got to practice and control these abilities," Reed said as he willed his hand to catch fire and then go back out.

"Reed, how did you?" Sue asked as she saw that there wasn't a burn mark on him.

"Ben, imagine pulling yourself together and concentrate really hard," Reed said as they saw Ben slowly pulling himself back together and retake his normal form.

"This is too weird," Ben said as he extended a finger out and then pulled it back in.

"Johnny," Reed started to say when Johnny reappeared before them.

"Already on it," Johnny smiled as he kept vanishing and then coming back.

"It will take awhile but we can learn to use these gifts," Reed started to say and then jumped back giving Sue a horrified look.

"Reed, what's wrong?" Sue asked as she noticed everyone staring at her.

"Sis, something's wrong with your face," Johnny said with fright.

"What?" Sue said as she moved her hands to her face and felt large, hard bumps all over her face.

"Suzy-Q," Been gasped as Sue suddenly screamed with pain as her body began to change.

Her clothes started ripping as her body began to change and grow larger. Sue continued to scream as she watched her hands grow large and very rocky. In a matter of moments Sue Storm was gone and replaced by a large, orange rocky monster. She turned and looked over at thee three men. She could see the horrified look on their faces.

"What happen to me?" Sue asked with fear.

"Calm down Sue, it's your new power. Now concentrate and make it go away," Reed pleaded with hope.

For ten minutes sue tried and was unable to change back. It had come quite clear, that unlike the rest of them, Sue was unable to change back to normal. She had become a giant rocky thing and was stuck in this form forever. She reached out to Reed and he found himself accidently flinching back from her. Sue cried out in hurt and stepped away from Reed.

"I see it. You no longer love me. I hideous monster now," Sue cried as she suddenly turned and took off and with great strength and leaps was gone and out of sight.

"Sis, wait," Johnny cried after her sister but it was too late.

"This is your fault. You have to go after her," Johnny said looking at Reed.

"I'm sorry Johnny. I don't know if there is anything I can do," Reed said with sorrow.

"Fine, I'm out of here. Who needs you?" Johnny said as he vanished from sight and was gone.

"He'll be fine," Reed said as they suddenly heard the sound of sirens and rescue units.

"And with Sue becoming She-Rock the first ripple and Outsider is created," Jean says as Black Axe see the two remaining men become surrounded by rescue teams and security units.

"So why should that matter really?" Black Axe asked.

"With Reed not rejecting his love from her, she goes off to hide in the Colorado Mountains. This causes her brother to have no family and to end up alone and on the streets. Without guidance he slowly becomes a super powered thief. Thus, the Fantastic Four is never formed and Reed and Ben get taken in my Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. to be studied and trained.

"Reed will stay and try to find Sue and Johnny but Ben quickly hates the agency and immediately walks away and eventually makes his way to become a part of a different type of team," Jean says as they turn away from the birth and the death of the Fantastic Four.

"What a wonderful tale. So now where?" Black Axe mocked.

"We jump ahead a year and catch up with the Exiles as they create the final series of events that will lead to the next few ripples and Outsiders and the unstoppable path towards the Time Quake," Jean says as they suddenly vanish towards their next stop.

Next: Issue #28 – Blink Quest – Part Four & Outsiders Beginnings: Altered Destinies – Part Three