Editor's Notes: Happy Reading!

Heroes, Villains and Soul Reapers, Oh My!

A Marvel/Bleach crossover

By

David Vincent

Memories No More

Soon, a bright light appears to signify the exit to the portal. The heroes step through the opening only to find themselves several hundred feet in the air! Seeing the ground rushing up to greet them, Thor takes to the skies as Betsy wraps herself and Logan in a telekinetic net. Dr. Strange simply uses a levitation spell to safely lower himself to the ground. Perhaps it is because the other four heroes were used to having Hulk around, but no one thinks of helping Bruce as he plummets uncontrolably to a small forested area below! They all watch in horror as the panicked man disappears into the tree tops of what looks like a small park. The heroes hear a sickening thud as birds leave the tree tops, squaking their displeasure at being disturbed.

Psylocke: 'O' no... Bruce.'

Wolverine: 'Why the hell didn't ya catch him, doc?'

Dr. Strange: 'I... did not even think to assist Doctor Banner in descending.'

Thor: 'We hath survived a clash with the mighty titan, only to be denied true victory by this?'

As the remaining four touch down on the grass, they can see a few onlookers peer into the dust-filled trees beyond. They're arrival doesn't even get a second glance from the people due to them still being in soul form.

Psylocke: 'I can't pick up on Bruce's thoughts!'

Wolverine: 'What're ya'll standin' 'round fer?'

He flash steps to the edge of the wooded area and stops dead in his tracks as he and the others hear a deep familar voice rumble inside the glen.

Hulk: 'I shoulda flown first class.'

Logan hears Betsy sigh as she hears Hulk's voice. The curious people's thoughts flood Psylocke's mind as they hear the snapping of limbs as Hulk makes his way out from the cover of the trees. What was that huge explosion? All kinds of wierd things happen in this town. I hope it wasn't terrorists!

Wolverine actually smiles as he sees his long-time rival up close and personal again.

Wolverine: 'I thought we lost ya fer sure just then.'

Hulk: 'Whatever; puny Banner can't keep me locked up forever. He talks a big game, but when his life's threatened, my life's threatened. So I force my way out. Besides that, the guy's a selfish bastard if you ask me. He wouldn't even let Kenpachi give me a proper send off.'

Wolverine: 'I musta missed that lil' altercation. That woulda been fun ta see.'

The two walk back over to the recovering trio and then set off to find out where they had been dumped off at. After walking past several groups of people; mostly families enjoying a nice cloudless day, they come to a sign that is written entirely in Japanese. Logan steps up and easily translates.

Wolverine: 'Looks like we're in "Kararura Community Park" by what the sign says.'

Hulk: 'How's that relate to wherever that Urahara guy lives?'

Wolverine: 'Ya really think Mr. Hat an' Clog's shop would be listed on a park sign? I thought ya were a genius.'

Hulk: 'Watch it.'

He adds under his breath;

Hulk: 'It's Banner that's the genius, furball.'

Wolverine: 'Whatever.'

The two men's bickering ebs as the focus returns to finding out where they are in correlation to Kisuke Urahara's home and shop. Psylocke quickly and silently scans the minds of those around them to try and glean any insight to their whereabouts.

Psylocke: 'It looks like we're close to a local school called, "Mashiba". From what I gathered, it's a middle school.'

Dr. Strange: 'Do you know if anyone in the area has heard of Kisuke's shop?'

Psylocke: 'No. Which is not surprising. 'E seems to keep to 'imself.'

Dr. Strange: 'Agreed.'

As the heroes continue to think of ways to find their way around, Logan speaks up.

Wolverine: 'While all o' ya sit on yer hands, I'm gonna scout around. I'll keep in touch with Betsy and tell her what I find.'

Before anyone can protest, the feral mutant flash steps away, leaving only a bit of kicked up dried leaves in his wake. Soon after his departure, Thor also speaks up.

Thor: 'I agree with the beserker. I wilt fly overhead and map out art location.'

He swings Mjolnir into the air and takes to the skies.

It's simple for Logan to track things or people in an unknown environment. His mind easily recalls the scent of both Urahara and Yoruichi, as well as Ichigo and his friends. After several minutes of high-speed movement and taking in the many different scents around him, the mutant finally picks up on the faint scent of Yoruichi! He thinks; gotcha, darlin'. He stays on the trail until it becomes a little stronger and then thinks to Psylocke; alright, I've got Yoruichi's scent. Betsy, get a bead on me so when I stop, ya can point the magician in the right direction. Her reply; thanks, Logan. The mutant telepath severs the link with her teammate so that he is able to search without interruption.

Meanwhile, the thunderer's bird's eye view lets him take in the entire town of Karakura. Among the many districts and sections, Thor sees a fairly wide river and a train station that intersect each other as they run through the town. When they first arrived at the former soul reaper's shop, Thor remembers what it looks like from the air when he and his allies battled the many hollow that ambushed them. He uses this memory to find the simple building among the many other buildings around the area.

With every swift movement, the scent of his target gets stronger as it flows through Logan's nostrils. He smiles with anticipation at possibly sneaking up on the former captain of squad two. As he comes out of his most recent flash step atop a telephone pole, he peers across the street and sees Yoruichi on the roof of an adjacent building with his back to him. He smirks as he prepares his next few moves like a lion would when stalking a gazel. He disappears without a sound and appears right behind the cocoa-skinned woman! As he reaches out to touch her, she disappears and reappears behind him! She lightly grazes his jugular as she whispers playfully in his ear.

Yoruichi: 'Did you really think the Goddess of Flash would be caught so easily?'

The mutant smirks and raises his hands in surrender.

Wolverine: I had ta try, darlin'.'

Yoruichi: 'I know. Where's the rest of your team? Kisuke detected a Senkaimon opening a little while ago and I offered to investigate.'

Wolverine: 'Soul society dropped us way off course. We landed in some park a few miles from here. Strange, Betsy and Hulk are waitin' back there 'till me er goldilocks found somethin'. I guess I found ya first.'

As Logan and Yoruichi talk for a few minutes more, Thor spots the grey shingled roof of Urahara's shop. As he alters course to descend to the street below, he thinks his location to Psylocke. I hath located Kisuke Urahara's place of residence. The mutant looks through the god's eyes and thinks; good work Thor; we'll be there shortly. She severs the connection and informs Dr. Strange of the location that the thunderer had shown her. Within moments, Betsy, Stephen and Hulk all appear out of nowhere and stand next to the god of thunder.

Dr. Strange: 'It would appear that you found our destination before Logan.'

Hulk: 'Knowing him, he's probably out trying to pick a fight with someone.'

Psylocke: 'Do you really think 'e's that bad, Hulk?'

Hulk: 'C'mon. You're his teammate in the X-Men, right? Are you really gonna try and defend him?'

The purple-haired ninja pauses and then shrugs in defeat. Hulk huffs in victory before seeing the short man in question appear before the group with the auburn-haired former soul reaper in tow!

Yoruichi: 'Looks like you're all here now. Follow me inside; Kisuke's been waiting for you.'

The five heroes follow the toned woman inside the small shop. This time, without a prompt, Thor takes off his boots before stepping through the threshold. As the group makes their way past the facade of the "candy shop", Urahara pokes his head out from the back.

Kisuke: 'Welcome back; did you have trouble finding us?'

Dr. Strange: 'It was nothing that we could not handle.'

Wolverine: 'Speak fer yerself, bub; damn soul society dropped us off a few hundred feet in the air.'

Kisuke: 'I guess they thought you could handle the fall.'

Wolverine doesn't say anything to this and instead leaves the others to search for his body.

Kisuke: 'Before I lost Psylocke-san's body, I thought it would be nice to have her cook for us once more.'

Psylocke: 'I think I've gotten you spoiled, Kisuke dear.'

Yoruichi: 'Trust me, he'll be back to eating ramen in no time. The only time that we get decent meals around here is when Tessai cooks.'

Kisuke: 'You're so cruel, Yoruichi!'

He puts his fan up to his face to conceal his fake tears as the sometimes cat rolls her eyes.

Just then, Logan comes back dragging his body by the arm while the soul inside protests loudly.

Logan's body: 'Ow! Not so hard, please! It's bad enough I have to be beat upon by that red-haired child, but I'd think you'd be a little nicer!'

Wolverine: 'Zip it! I don't care what kind o' soul is in there, my body shouldn't act this way. Kisuke! Before anythin' else, I want my body back!'

The former soul reaper adjusts his hat to conceal his expression as he casually walks over to the shorter man while gripping his cane.

Kisuke: 'It's for the best I suppose; I think Jinta enjoyed inflicting pain on him more than he enjoys picking on Ururu.'

Wolverine: 'Yeah, I'm gonna get some payback as soon as that little shit gets back.'

Kisuke: 'Oh, you're right, he's gone.'

Wolverine: 'Him and the girl.'

Kisuke: 'I wonder where they ran off to?'

Wolverine: 'I don't care. How ya gonna get me back in there?'

He jerks his head to the side as he refrences his, at the moment, terrified body. Urahara's eyes gleam just before he swiftly brings his cane up to Logan's body's head. He positions the end of the cane up to the body's forehead as if he were pointing at it. The irritated mutant can see that the end has a symbol of some kind etched into it. Before the former captain of squad twelve jabs the end of his cane right through the body's head, Logan sees that the symbol is of a white skull surrounded by black and blue flames. The instant Urahara's cane passes through Logan's body's skull, the gumball-sized spirit exchanger that he had swallowed pops out and hits the floor! The eyes of the now soulless body roll up and back into their sockets as Wolverine's body falls lifeless to the floor! A still, silent moment passes before the mutant looks up to the hatted blonde man.

Wolverine: 'Ya couldn't o' been a little gentler?'

Kisuke shrugs sheepishly as he moves to retrieve his creation.

Logan sighs as he asks;

Wolverine: 'What am I supossed ta do now?'

Kisuke: 'Mm? Oh, just get back in; the connection you have to your body will take hold and keep you in place.'

The mutant eyes the man before doing as instructed. As Logan begins to mount his physical body, he pauses as he sees Hulk eyeing him with a smirk on his face.

Wolverine: 'I swear, bub, don't ya dare say a word...'

Hulk: 'I really wish I could remember this when we get back.'

Wolverine: 'Shut the hell up.'

Logan slides the rest of the way into his body and his kimono-clad soul form disappears from view. A moment passes before Logan takes his first real breath in over a week. He gets to one knee and rubs his head as he says;

Wolverine: 'Talk 'bout yer outta body experience.'

After Logan orientates himself, Urahara addresses the group.

Kisuke: 'Maybe it'd be good for all of you to return to your bodies before we eat.'

Hulk: 'Sounds good to me; I wonder what I've been up to lately.'

He lumbers off to search for his body as Thor's body comes strolling out of the bathroom.

Thor's body: 'Man, don't go in there for a few hours. Heh, heh.'

The thunderer retrieves his body and stands before the hatted man.

Thor: 'Mine time hath come; return Odin's Son to this vessel.'

Urahara pokes Thor's body in the head in the same manner as he did with Logan's and the lifeless form begins to fall. Before it falls to the floor, however, Thor moves behind it and enters fluidly. After witnessing the god, Logan scoffs;

Wolverine: 'Show off.'

Thor: 'I doth be a god, Logan.'

The feral mutant smirks before walking to the kitchen. After a minute, the jade giant calls from the next room.

Hulk: 'Alight, puppet master, show me what that cane of yours can do.'

Kisuke walks to the room that Hulk's body has been in since merging with the spirit exchanger. Even sitting down, the massive being still comes up to Urahara's chest! After dislodging the soul from the green goliath's body, it slumps over unmoving. Hulk practically falls into his 1,500 pound frame and almost instantly clutches at his stomach!

Hulk: 'What? Are you... kidding me?'

Before Kisuke's eyes, the large creature known as Hulk convulses and moans as his seven foot frame slowly shrinks and changes colors!

Kisuke: 'Strange-san, I think you should come in here!'

Dr. Strange appears in the doorway seconds after being called; already on his way due to Hulk's outburst.

Dr. Strange: 'I have seen this before. You are witnessing the change that takes place between our green-hued friend and his human personality; Bruce Banner.'

Kisuke: 'Why now? He's been in that room virtually since you came here.'

Dr. Strange remains silent as Banner slowly moves out of the fetal position and onto his hands and knees.

Bruce: 'It's because... he hasnt' been eating. Every ounce of his strength was used to counter his hunger... without me in his... body, he couldn't change back. The soul inside had no idea because of how it was built.'

Stephen helps the doctor to his feet and the man clings to the mystic weakly. Kisuke leads the two men out of the room and into the kitchen where Betsy is helping her body set out the food.

Psylocke: 'Bruce, I 'eard what 'appened; are you alright?'

Bruce: 'I'll be fine once I get some food in me. I feel like I haven't eaten in a week!'

Kisuke: 'That's because you haven't... on that note, Stephen-san, would you help me retrieve your body?'

Dr. Strange: 'Should I expect similar results with my body, Mr. Urahara?'

Kisuke: 'Not at all. The soul that resides inside you loves to eat. It also loves to fight. It's a very passionate soul.'

Dr. Strange: 'I see.'

The two enter the underground training area and find Stephen's body meditating on a boulder. When they approach, the body jumps up and immediately goes into a fighting stance!

Stephen's body: 'You're back! Time for round two!'

Dr. Strange: 'I am afraid I did not come to fight, body.'

The jumpsuit-wearing man ignores its soul and lunges for him! The mystic closes his eyes and holds up his hand and the body becomes suspended in mid-air just before it connects with its outstretched fist.

Dr. Strange: 'Kisuke, if you please?'

The hatted man pops his creation out of Strange's body and the sorcerer lowers his body into himself. Strange breathes in deeply as he once again becomes whole.

When the two return to the kitchen, they find Thor, Logan, Bruce and Yoruichi all eating the large spread of food that is laid out before them.

Kisuke: 'You guys didn't wait for us?'

Yoruichi: 'It was getting cold. There's still plenty of food left.'

The former captain of squad twelve looks over to the many bowls and plates that are already dirty and stacked up around the now human Banner and sighs.

Kisuke: 'Betsy-san, I should get you transferred before I sit down.'

Psylocke: 'That's nice of you Kisuke.'

After long last, the heroes have finally been returned to their physical bodies. Kisuke sits down beside his childhood friend, Yoruichi and Betsy finds a place next to Stephen. After another hour or so of eating and talking, the heroes help clean up and then go to find their costumes. As everyone finds different places to change, Banner finds Hulk's ripped purple shorts and holds them up as he sighs.

Bruce: 'I have no choice but to let you out once more...'

He steps into the many sizes too big shorts and begins to transform. Slowly, the shorts begin to fit until, finally, Hulk is back in the room.

Hulk: 'That's better.'

Once everyone has finished changing, Kisuke calls them back into the room where they had shared the large meal.

Kisuke: 'I assume you will use the same method to get home that got you here. So you don't cause unwanted attention, I suggest using the training grounds under the shop to open your portal.'

Dr. Strange: 'I agree. Thank you for everything, Kisuke Urahara. You as well, Yoruichi.'

Yoruichi: 'I'm just glad everything worked out the way it did. It's just too bad that none of us will remember any of it.'

Just then, the hatted man perks up.

Kisuke: 'Oh, that reminds me! Everyone head underground, I'll be there in a minute.'

He disappears around a corner and the heroes look to Yoruichi for an explanation. The sometimes cat just closes her eyes and shrugs as if to say this is normal behavior for him. Just as the five heroes begin to leave, Logan tilts his head as he hears the front door slide open. He sniffs the air and smirks as he pounds his right fist into his left palm.

Wolverine: 'Ya guys go on ahead; I got some unfinished business ta take care of.'

He heads off as the others follow Yoruichi down the hall. Logan rounds the corner just as Jinta, Ururu and Tessai come through the door. The mutant grimaces as he recalls how the soul acted in his body. He imitates the soul's movements to try and goad the small boy into a confrontation.

Jinta: 'Oh its you; what're you wearin' that guy's costume for? You think you can fool me by tryin' to act all tough? Time for another beating!'

Wolverine doesn't say anything because his rough voice will undoubtedly give him away. Instead, he simply pretends to cower in fear as the boy reaches behind a shelf and pulls out his large metal bat. The girl with the pigtails behind the boy tries to warn him but the red-headed boy ignores her.

Ururu: 'Um, I don't think - '

Jinta: 'Shut up, Ururu! I'm gonna give this guy somethin' to fear; Jinta Homerun!'

The boy rushes the feral mutant, much to the protests of both Ururu and Tessai, and swings his bat with surprising force! Just before the boy connects, Logan bares his canines as he smiles and catches the weapon in mid-swing! He pulls the surprised boy in close and growls;

Wolverine: 'News flash fer ya kid; I ain't that weakling yer used to smackin' 'round. I'm straight outta yer nightmares!'

As if to drive home his point, Logan unsheaths his two outside claws on his right hand and they extend past the boy's face with practiced precision! The red-haired boy's face turns pale as he begins to sweat profusely at Logan's threat.

Jinta: 'O-okay, okay! You made your point! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!'

The mutant smirks and retracts his claws as he sits the boy down roughly on the floor. Ururu runs over to him and chastises him.

Ururu: 'Mr. Urahara's going to be mad at you for picking on his guests, Jinta.'

The boy doesn't retaliate against the girl as he's still too frightened to move when Logan turns around and walks away.

When Logan re-joins his companions down below, he only has to wait a few minutes before the geta-wearing man returns. The heroes are surprised to see that Urahara has brought Ichigo with him as well. Stephen notices that he's in his physical body due to the grey school uniform he wears.

Kisuke: 'Just before I came down, Ichigo decided to stop by and say hi. He didn't know you guys were here as well, so it's good timing all around.'

Ichigo: 'Hey guys. It's too bad you're all leaving already. There's a lot of hollows that need their butts kicked.'

Dr. Strange: 'I am sure you will have no touble with them, Ichigo. You faced off against one of our universe's most feared villains and dealt him severe wounds.'

The teen smirks at the compliment as he folds his arms.

Ichigo: 'Yeah, but he didn't know when to quit.'

Dr. Strange: 'Indeed. He would have continued until he was completely spent if it was not for the intervention of Death.'

At the mention of the near omnipotent being's name, Urahara steps towards Stephen while reaching into his black overcoat.

Kisuke: 'I think this will serve you and your team quite nicely.'

As the five heroes look on, the former captain of squad twelve pulls out an item about as big as his hand and lets it dangle from a foot long chain that's wrapped loosely around his fingers.

Wolverine: 'What good's an empty hour glass gonna do us, Urahara-san?'

Kisuke: 'It does look like that doesn't it? Sorry for the design, I wanted it to stand out so that Dr. Strange wouldn't misplace it when you got back.'

Dr. Strange: 'Are you giving me this? What purpose does it serve?'

Kisuke: 'This little guy will help you preserve your memories of your time here.'

The five stare wide-eyed at the blonde man!

Psylocke: 'Does that mean you've recorded everything we've done up to this point in that thing?'

Kisuke: '... No.'

Hulk: 'What do you mean?'

Kisuke: 'As soon as Mayuri calmed down, I followed him back to his laboratory to pick his brain. Literally. I knew I had chosen the right person to replace me as president of research and development, but when I saw everything he's been working on in his free time, I was surprised.'

Logan folds his hairy arms as he becomes impatient with the hatted man. Thor shifts his weight as Hulk scratches his unruly, dark green hair.

Kisuke: 'I originally designed this device to record thoughts for viewing at a later time. His technology allowed me to modify this thing to absorb and store actual memories!'

Dr. Strange grips his chin with his fingers as he takes in what the former soul reaper has just said.

Kisuke: 'Of course, it only records one person's memories at a time and with each use, it deletes the previous stored data.'

Hulk: 'Well that's a big help since there's five of us. Do you have four more hidden in that jacket of yours?'

Dr. Strange: 'Actually Hulk, I do believe we have a way around the problem that Mr. Urahara has presented us with.'

At the mystic's musings, Kisuke's eyes gleam under his hat as he smiles knowingly.

Dr. Strange: 'Betsy; if you would be so kind to use your telepathy and "steal" each of our memories from our time here.'

Psylocke: 'I did something similar to this when we practiced against the dummy Thanos.'

She closes her eyes in concentration and puts her fingers to the sides of her head. She smiles inwardly as she touches each individual mind and notices they each have their own take on soul society and the soul reapers that they've met. The only mind she has any trouble with at all is Hulk's as even though he's relaxed, it's still like wading through quicksand. After several minutes of memory siphoning, the telepath opens her purple eyes and exhales audibly.

Psylocke: 'It's done.'

Kisuke: 'Good! Now, concentrate all of those newly aqcuired memories onto this point.'

He dangles the hour glass-shaped device in front of him and points to a small "eye" design at the top of it.

She focuses her will and memories and everyone watches as the eye opens and begins to glow! The clear, glass-like substance that the container is made out of fills with a yellow light as the quintet's memories are poured into it. After a minute more of this, the vessel glows brightest before the eye closes and the light fades.

Kisuke: 'Stephen-san, keep this with you; I have a feeling that once you cross back over to your side, you won't remember what this does. I hope that because of its shape, you'll keep it safe.'

The former soul reaper places the hour glass into the mystic's hand and Strange secures it by hanging it around his neck. Afterwards, Kisuke clasps his hands together and says;

Kisuke: 'It'll be pretty quiet around here after this. I don't know how I'll cope.'

Wolverine: 'Whatever bub, I'm sure ya'll manage.'

The hatted man rubs the back of his neck as Dr. Strange looks at Thor.

Dr. Strange: 'Are you ready my friend?'

Thor: 'Aye; tis been many days, but Mjolnir remembers yon magicks well.'

Not knowing exactly what to expect as the god of thunder prepares himself, Kisuke, Yoruichi and Ichigo step back a few yards. The thunderer takes up his enchanted hammer and begins to swing it over his head. Wind begins to blow out of nowhere as the head of his hammer starts to generate green and blue energy. After multiple rotations, a portal begins to open to the left of the heroes. With every second that passes, the hole in space becomes wider and wider until Thor feels that the portal is stable. While still spinning his weapon, the thunderer nods to the sorcerer. Dr. Strange practically yells as he communicates to everyone over the din of the winds.

Dr. Strange: 'This will be just as before! I do not know what will happen once we exit the portal, but I predict we should end up at my home in Greenwich Village!'

Wolverine: 'Ya "predict"?'

Dr. Strange: 'Due to Death's influence upon our memories, I can not say for certain!'

Logan rolls his eyes. After he calms down, he steals a glance at the cocoa-skinned woman and cracks a smile. After she folds her arms and winks at him, the hairy mutant runds head-long into the swirling energies! Hulk follows his diminuative rival and disappears into the vortex.

Dr. Strange: 'Thank you again!'

Kisuke: 'I hope this isn't the last of our meetings!'

Ichigo: 'Don't bring any more wierdos into my town next time!'

At that, the mystic smiles as he nods for Psylocke to go next. She smiles at Urahara and then, she too, disappears into the portal. Dr. Strange enters the portal next as Thor follows after saying;

Thor: 'Yon strength tis great, Ichigo; use it to protect this town, young soul reaper!'

The teen may not fully understand everything the tall god says, but he perces his lips into a determined expression as if to answer the thunderer.

Ichigo: 'Count on it!'

With that, the Asgardian takes one last look at the trio before being consumed by the portal's energy!

The mutant known as Psylocke finishes "tagging" the last of the holographic projected Hand ninjas as her training simulation begins to shut down around her. The artificially created environment slowly fades to reveal the the sleek, shiny metal of the Danger Room located deep under the mansion located at 1407 Graymalkin Lane, just outside Salem Center, New York. She pauses as she looks around at the large empty room before walking to the key pad located on the wall, next to the heavy blast doors of the exit. Once she exits the room, she grabs one of the many folded towels that are kept in a cubby built right into the wall of the hallway. After she wipes the sheen of sweat away from her forehead and bare shoulders, she drapes the towel around her neck and walks to the elevator that will take her back to the public floors of the large mansion. As she walks, she gets a telepathic summons from Emma Frost, codenamed The White Queen. Betsy, be a dear and meet the rest of the X-Men in the War Room for a briefing on our next mission. Though the blonde woman is her teammate, Emma's voice occasionally runs chills down Betsy Braddock's spine! She thinks back; I'll be right there. She sighs and continues to the elevator.

After covering five miles of scorching Mojave desert with a single leap, Hulk lands in a cloud dust right next to a very surprised Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake that was resting under the shade of a large rock. The snake barely lets off a warning from it rattle before lunging for the jade giant's thick calf! The snake's fangs break off almost instantly as they connect with the dense skin and Hulk reaches down to pick up the injured reptile. The snake struggles in his unbreakable grip before Hulk quickly crushes it to put it out of its misery! After going limp, Hulk tosses the snake several hundred yards away from him with a simple gesture! As he watches the lifeless creature disappear, the green goliath grumbles.

Hulk: 'Even the wildlife won't leave me alone all the way out here.'

He bends his knees again and lifts off from the ground in search of a little peace.

The Asgardian god of thunder surveys the solitude of the mountain that he's on. The sub-zero winds whip at the hair under his shiny helm as well as tossing his crimson cape violently about his unmovable form. He breaths the fresh, frigid air into his large lungs and then exhales slowly. He grabs Mjolnir by the thong and launches himself out and away from the summit that he's on. Once he moves a considerable distance away from the mountain, he lets himself free-fall for several minutes before swinging his hammer into the air and ascending once more. He flies for several minutes and silently enters the air-space of New York City! What would have taken even the fastest jets nearly a day to complete, Thor's might combined with his enchanted hammer, are the reasons he arrives there effortlessly. He touches down upon the roof of a thirty-two story building and walks to the edge to look upon the bustling streets below. With his godly eyesight, he can make out every minute detail of every human he surveys. Just then and from above, swings a red and blue clad figure! The thunderer smiles as he knows exactly who it is that flips in mid-air and nimbly lands in a crouch on the roof several feet away.

Spider-Man: 'Well I'll be a spider monkey's uncle! What brings you to my humble neck of the woods, big guy?'

Thor: 'Ho there Spider-Man! I didst feel the need to visit mine companions in The Avengers. Tis surely been awhile...'

The toned, but wiry costumed man stands up and mock scratches his masked head.

Spider-Man: '"Been awhile"? Not in my date book, blondie.'

He mimes pulling out a date planner and realistically flips through the "pages".

Spider-Man: 'Yup; I got us jotted down just the other day taking down some Doombots on the other side of town.'

The god eyes his teammate before looking away.

Thor: 'Yon actions doth puzzle me as always, but I concede thee recollection of past events.'

The comical super hero throws his invisible date book over his shoulder and calls out to the god in his best gameshow anouncer's voice.

Spider-Man: 'Thanks for playing, "name that battle"! Tell him what he's won, Johny! No seriously, do you wanna head over to to see ol' Shell-head?'

Thor: 'Iron Man? Indeed. I shall join you this day.'

Spider-Man nods before getting a running start to leap off of the building. Thor launches himself in the air once more as his companion lets fly a web line that catches a gargoyle to help propel him through the concrete jungle that is New York.

After finishing off the last of five beers that puts Logan's total to ten, he takes out some money and lays it on the top of the table as he gets up. He pauses at the door to allow a tall blonde woman to go ahead of him before he puts on his jacket. The barkeep calls after the hairy man;

bartender: 'Don't be a stranger, eh Logan?'

The mutant tips the brim of his cowboy hat as he walks out of the bar and onto the sidewalk. Before setting off to nowhere in particular, the mutant looks back at the door and then sniffs the air in the direction that the woman went. He rubs his forehead as he thinks; huh, that was some strong Deja Vu just now. Wierd. As he shakes his head to clear the feeling, he shoves his hands in the pockets of his jacket and heads down the street in the opposite direction of the woman.

Dr. Strange finds himself coming out of one his deep meditations inside his mystical home located at 177A Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village, New York, NY. As he slowly opens his eyes, he reflectively ponders his current whereabouts. I know this to be right, but somehow, I do not remember how I came to be in this place. He floats out of the meditation chamber and continues down a long hallway. On his way, he passes a full length mirror and something catches the mystic's eye. He stops abruptly and looks over his frame. His eyes show signs of sleep deprivation and his jaw is peppered with stubble. He rubs his face and then stops as he notices a thin chain draped around his neck. Looking at his reflection in the mirror, Stephen reaches for the hour glass that dangles near the Eye of Agomotto and removes it from his neck. He levitates the object above his palm and it rotates lazily while gripped in the sorcerer's power.

Dr. Strange: 'This artifact... it is of science but also infused with a power I have not yet discovered.'

After plucking the curious object out of mid-air, he resumes his journey down the hall until he comes to a set of intricately carved double doors with lion heads as handles. He whispers an incantation and puts his right gloved palm against the door. His hand glows with energy and the two lions roar as the doors slowly creak open. He floats into the extremely large room that has shelves and display cases set up all around. The room itself looks like it could take up the entire second floor, but that is just part of the mystery that is the Sanctum Sanctorum! He makes his way over to an empty space and mystically conjures a display case with a wave of his hand. After taking one last look at the hour glass-like device, Strange places it inside the thin glass case and closes the lid. He then holds his hands over the top of the transparent case and seals it shut using his vast magickical abilities. Satisfied, he floats to the threshold of the exit and takes one last look back into the room before closing his eyes and shutting the doors behind him.

Fin.

Editor's Notes: Just to have one last gasp for this journey, I'm sending you off with an epilogue to sew things up a bit. Now that the story is finally at an end, please tell me what you thought :) Oh, I was re-reading my last post at the end of 'Farewell' and it seems that fan fiction didn't allow me to post another website's name. I meant to write that I'm on a site call deviant art 'dot' com all one word like you would put in your browser lol. My screen name is icex1982 so if you're interested in what my art would look like for this story, please feel free to visit me over there!