Darkmoor was the capital of the new British Empire. Ever since the fall of the dark barrier and the disarray caused by the time war the Pendragons and Dragon's Claws have been busy with various threats to both time and to all of the United Kingdom. However just like stone causes a ripple in a pond. The Outsiders of time and space land in a world where the Dark Barrier had never fell.

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The Outsiders #2 "The Barriers Between Us"

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All the land that they surveyed was so different from the worlds they knew. Elves, centaurs, and all kinds of creatures from fairy tales roamed the land like they were a natural part of the ecology. Spider-Man rubbed his chin before he leaped atop a nearby building's rooftop to get a better look.

"See anything, Spider-Man?" Sue asked.

"Lots of stuff. It seems technology is out as far as I can see."

Mister Terrific tapped the hearing aid like devices in his ears and looked to the others, "The systems in my mask just went dead."

The Hulk snorted.

"Find something funny?" Mister Terrific inquired.

"Yeah you."

"Enough," Sue said as she created a force field between them. "Let's just find the limbo of this world and get on with our mission."

The Hulk cast a glance at Sue and for a single moment, she saw the same look in his eyes that the Hulk of her world had when he killed her family. The Hulk turned away and stomped off

"Whatever," he said over his shoulder.

"We need to find out where we are and get some details of how we might get to limbo from here," Spider-Man said.

"Exactly what I was thinking," Mister Terrific said in agreement.

"Don't look now, but I think we are about to get visited by the natives," Wolverine said as he tilted his head in the direction of the oncoming soldiers.

"Halt in the name of the dark guard of Darkmoor."

"Halt this," Wolverine said as he popped his claws. The Hulk cracked his knuckles.

"Hold it you two! Take us to your leader," Mister Terrific said.

"Bull$hit! I ain't goin'!" Wolverine growled.

"Listen to him Wolverine," Sue said softly.

"Why should I darlin'? I hardly know him. Hell, I hardly know you."

"Enough of this. Dark Guard, take them!"

Wolverine and Hulk prepared for a fight, but a bolt of energy knocked them unconscious. Sue and Mister Terrific turned to see who struck down their teammates and they saw a man in a dark Captain America uniform with a shield in his hands.

"What is taking you so long? Take them!"

The guards picked Wolverine up while ogres were summoned to carry the Hulk. Sue and Mister Terrific followed along while a figure followed along in the shadows. He pulled up his mask and wiped his sweaty brow then pulled it back down and followed them.

---

Pen Dragon sat in his cell with the same dreary look he had for the past several months. Since the Dragon's Claws were converted by the Bane and the Rebellion was squashed. The hope of victory and freedom was all but non-existent. The Barrier had now reached across the entire Sol System and started into the Andromeda Galaxy. The Sh'air had sent the Imperial Guard to do something about the Bane, but so far, they have not managed to get past the barrier. Pen rubbed his chin and ran a hand through his ruffled hair. The whole affair was something of a nightmare. Kate was gone. Merlyn was nowhere to be found. Betsy was in hiding. Jessica… no. He wouldn't think like that. He grabbed his daily cigarette allowance and lit it up. The smooth relaxing feel of the nicotine made him feel at ease. One question went through Pen's mind as he smoked his cigarette. Why did the Red Lord keep him alive? What use was he? Limbo was cut off. Otherworld had cut itself off as well. This world was left to its own devices. There must have been something he was missing. Suddenly the steel grate above him creaked and fell before his feet. A figure in red and blue dropped to the ground before him and his eyes widened as he recognized the man.

"Bloody 'ell! Spider-Man what are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you that question," Spider-Man said. His head tilted to the side as his spider-sense blared. "Company's coming. Let's move."

"I would like to, but those pillocks manacled my feet and I don't have the strength to climb all the way up there."

"Okay."

Spider-Man snapped the manacles, put Pen over his shoulder, leaped up onto the wall, and slid through the open window. By the time the guards came, they were gone.

---

Wolverine groaned and sat up seeing the mean green looking monster that sat next to him. He rubbed his aching head and popped his neck then took a glance at their surroundings. He wasn't sure how long they had been there. All he knew was the men had given him a couple of once through beatings when he tried to struggle.

"So, any messages while I was out?"

"Yea, your momma wanted to know if you wanted some whine with those lumps you got."

"Listen green jeans yer gettin' on my bad side. So why don't you shut up before I carve you up."

The Hulk stood up only to smack his head on the roof causing Wolverine to snicker. The Hulk wagged his index finger in Wolverine's face, "Don't laugh buddy boy or you'll go splat."

"Oh I'm shakin' in my booties."

The Hulk growled and sat back down. Wolverine's eyebrow raised and he stood up and walked over to the jade giant.

"How come you haven't busted us outta here?"

"I can't…" The Hulk said barely above a whisper.

"Yer kiddin'."

"I already tried while you were a sleep shrimp and didn't work. Some kinda magic keeps me from doing any damage."

"I bet my claws can take care of that."

"Go ahead runt."

Wolverine popped his claws and started slashing the walls repeatedly yet with each swipe the marks disappeared as soon as they were made. Wolverine punctured his claws through the wall and grunted as he attempted to widen the hole. The Hulk leaned over and applied his strength to help the X-Man. With effort by both of them, they managed to break a large enough hole in the wall that they could jump through before it closed. The two looked around and found themselves inside of underground dungeon.

"Hunh, figures all of the places ta be I'd be in a prison," Logan said.

"I know that feeling," The Hulk responded as he stomped ahead. "You got a bead on the others with that nose of yours?"

"Yeah, but there scent is pretty far away. It looks like we have a long walk."

"Oh goodie."

---

The Red Lord sat in his throne with Caliburn at his side. The fabled sword of the green now served the purpose of spreading the power of the bane through out the world turning all that was good into evil. Only a select few were immune to its corruptive power. These strangers that stood before him were among those select few.

"Who are you and why do you not kneel before me?" The Red Lord asked.

"I kneel before no one," Mister Terrific asked. A stun rod was slammed into his back and he was driven to his knees.

Sue looked at the man who was about to strike her and she lowered herself down while keeping her blue eyes on the Red Lord. The red dressed ruler made his descent down the steps from his throne and ran his armored fingers along Sue's soft and delicate face.

"You are more beautiful then any woman I have ever seen."

"Thank you," Sue said.

"Why don't you join me and become my mistress."

"No thanks…" Sue replied. The red lord felt something tightening around his chest, as did the guards who were watching over them. "Hurry and grab one of their weapons. I…can't…keep this up long…"

Mister Terrific got up shakily to his feet, kicked the man behind him in the gut, and wrenched the stun rod from him. He slammed the stun rod into the man and watched his smoking body hit the ground. He walked over and stunned the other guard allowing Susan to focus her full power on the Red Lord.

"Where's Spider-Man?" Mister Terrific ventured.

"I think he slipped away while the guards were busy by Logan and the Hulk's bickering. I have no doubt he followed us here."

---

Spider-Man lowered Pen to the ground and checked the man over for injuries. After making sure he was fine, he started to walk off when Pen grabbed his arm. Spider-Man looked at him.

"What?" Spidey asked.

"Your going back, aren't you?"

"Yes. I have to."

"You won't do any good unless you kill the Red Lord and break his connection to the sword he wields."

"How do I do that?"

"He must be killed by some one who has tempered their dark side. Only they can contain the darkness long enough for Caliburn's light to rid us of the Bane for a time."

"Okay you completely lost me there."

"You twit. Find some one who has come to terms with the evil with in him. Who do you know that has done this?" Pen ventured.

Spidey thought about it and two men came to his mind. He patted Pen on the shoulder and went on his way.

---

Wolverine and the Hulk stormed through the lower levels tearing apart all the opposition in their path. When the got to the top floor was when they saw Sue on her knees and Mister Terrific in the grip of some red armored man.

"You thought your powers were a match for ME!

The Hulk leaped into the air and came down right in front of the Red Lord. He grabbed the ruler of the bane and snapped his arm causing the villain to drop Mister Terrific. Terrific rolled away and ran up to Sue to see if she was all right from the mystical assault against her mind. She was rambling incoherently and then started yelling.

"Reed…Ben…Johnny…Valeria…NO!"

Mister Terrific took hold of her and held close, "Sue its all in your mind. Fight it! You can do it!"

---

The astral plane on Sue's mind was filled with images of torment and pain. She was collapsed in the midst of them and full of despair. She loathed herself and the green monster that she saw stalking before her. She kept lashing out with her powers, but she was doing no damage to him. She continued to beckon him to take her, but then voices started to penetrate the clouds of her despair just as the green specter had come to stand over her. She for a moment thought she heard her husband calling to her. When she turned around a faint image was behind her and it looked like vaguely like her husband. She reached out wrapping her arms around the neck of the faint image and kissed him. Taking strength from the voice the man she always knew would be there for her. She came out of it her delirium only to discover it wasn't her husband that she had kissed. Both Mister Terrific and Sue pulled away as Wolverine and the Hulk battled the Red Lord. It seemed to be a losing battle. The window above the King's throne room exploded inwards and Spider-Man came through. He somersaulted onto the ground and shot a hug glob of impact webbing onto the Red Lord just as the Hulk and Wolverine were tossed away.

"Hey Wolvie! Hulk! Only one of you two can kill big red, but you have to get the sword away from him!" Spidey yelled.

Wolverine flipped back onto his feet, ran, and leaped in the air slicing the Red Lord's arm off. The Hulk picked up the arm with the sword and pried the sword loose from the armored hand's grip. He tossed the sword to Spider-Man before he used the Red Lord's own arm to impale the monarch of the Bane. The Red Lord exploded and his darkness enveloped the Hulk for a moment. The Caliburn in Spider-Man's hand started to glow intensely and its dark light become a bright green, which drove the Red Lord away. Sue scooted away from Mister Terrific and got to her feet. She touched her lips and turned away from him. Mister Terrific looked away as well. Spider-Man walked up to the group wielding Caliburn as the battle was over.

"Okay. Now what?" Spider-Man asked.

A portal appeared and out stepped Jessica Drew the very first Spider-Woman and Betsy Braddock the Queen of Otherworld. They both wore regal wear and walked up to the heroes.

"You heroes should be dead. Yet you have returned and saved the last of mankind," Betsy said. "The world owes you a great debt."

"Now that Caliburn is freed from its taint it appears I must reluctantly claim the throne," Jessica said. "Though I do wonder Spider-Man. How is it you wield the sword when only those of ancestral family can wield it."

"Don't ask me," Spider-Man said. Jessica noticed he seemed to be in a trance of some kind as he held the sword.

"Are you all right Spider-Man?"

Spider-Man's eyes snapped open and he shook his head, "Whoa. Head trip."

"Allow me to take the sword then. Whatever allowed you to wield it must be wearing off," Jessica said.

She took the sword from the wall-crawler and the powers of the green surged through her. She used its power to call the green back and the darkness across the world faded. People were restored to normal. The Hulk and Wolverine dusted themselves off, as they looked at Betsy and Jessica in their tight regal wear. Wolverine nudged the Hulk and the green goliath grinned.

"Uh, I hate to change the subject, but we need to get to limbo," Mister Terrific said.

"Whatever for?" Betsy asked.

"We need to go there for a dire purpose that is bigger then you can imagine. I hope our saving of your worlds will convince you to help us," Spider-Man said.

"Will you help us?" Sue asked.

"Very well, but there is nothing there at Limbo. All of the technology is destroyed."

"We'll see for our selves if you don't mind," Mister Terrific said.

Betsy used Excalibur and created a portal to limbo. She then stepped aside and the Outsiders made their way inside with Spider-Man being the last, but he stopped as he looked at Jessica and the sword.

"Take care of that thing," Spidey said.

"I will," Jessica smiled.

Spidey stepped through and the portal closed.

---

Mister Terrific's T-Mask came back online and at that same time, his mask's sensors detected some equipment. He walked over to the wreckage, found a hidden button, and once pressed everything was restored. Widget the digital life form that connected itself to the hardware showed her appearance on a digital hologram. Widget was a former servant of Kang and many others that used her as a database of sorts on the theories and knowledge of time.

"Greetings. I am Widget. What is it you require?"

"We need to shift the time/space alignment of this multi-verse and its omni-verse," Mister Terrific said.

"Correlating data on possibilities…"

"What's that mean?" Wolverine asked.

"Its seeing if its possible, what affects it will have on the timelines, and what we would need to do to accomplish it," Spider-Man said.

Everyone looked at Spider-Man funny.

"I was guessing actually."

"Data complete. Temporal realignment requires more power then the generators currently possess. Suggesting alternate power sources…radiation, hyperspace, hyperium."

"We only possess two of those," Sue said.

"I don't have that kind of juice in me," Spider-Man said.

The Hulk snorted. "Let's get this over with."

"It requires both of you it seems," Widget interrupted as she ran some more calculations.

"Show us where to go," Sue said.

"Be careful," Mister Terrific said softly.

---

The Hulk and Sue stepped into the energy transference machines. Once their manacles locked into place, Sue cast a glance at him.

"Scared?"

"Hardly."

Sue turned away and concentrated on her thoughts of her family. While the Hulk just waited for the pain. The machines started to glow and then the screaming began. The temporal realignments started happening and Mister Terrific worked along with Widget to guide it so that the process didn't happen too fast. He saw in the view monitor Sue screaming in pain, but couldn't hear her as the Hulk drowned her out. He felt concern for her. He recalibrated the machines slowly and after several hours the multi-verses and omni-verses where realigned.

"Spider-Man, Wolverine. Go down there and make sure they are all right."

"Huh, sure," Wolverine said.

"Last one down," Spider-Man said.

"Shut up."

Mister Terrific turned to Widget and checked the data on the console, "So can you transport us to the next multi-verse?"

"Insufficient power."

"Well, I doubt Hulk and Sue can stand another round of draining."

"There is another possibility…"

"I'm listening."

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Author's Notes:

I'm back with my third issue, which is collectively #2. I have some feedback from my last issue, which I would like to share from a close friend fanboymiusprime2009

That it was awesome

Thanks a bunch!

And the Hulk was...unsettling

He's meant to be. This is the whole Banner as he would be if he ever came to grips with his problems. This one thing I have seen many writers botch when writing the Hulk is they try to make the Hulk seem like a different being separate from Banner when this is how Banner is. For me there is no Hulk in this form only Banner as he was meant to be. Totally fucked up and amoral killer. Unlike the previous merger's whose distinctions were where he was the Hulk and Banner or had the Hulk's power etc. This is Banner.

-Mimick 5/27/06