The tides of time and space seem to flow on forever like an endless sea of white on black. Colorless faint images of different realities play before the Outsiders of space and times eyes and they watch how different their lives could have played out before the images vanish altogether. Turning to the direction ahead there is a light at the end of their path and inside of that is light of the first world of the next multiverse.
Outsiders #3 "Infinite is too long!"
Mister Terrific checks the readout on his t-mask to see if all the data he catalogued from that other limbo matches the readings he is getting. While he did that the Hulk and Wolverine search around scooping out this world to see how different it is from theirs. A harsh and cold wind blows past causing Spider-Man to shiver. If there was any doubt he was improperly dressed for different climates he would tell you.
"I hate this," Spider-Man says. "How long are we going to be doing this?"
"There's no way of knowing," Mister Terrific responds.
"There's probably hundreds if not more multiverses with their own omniverse," Sue says.
The Hulk brushes the long bangs from his eyes and gazes into the distance as he ignores Spider-Man's complaining. Wolverine follows Hulk's glare. There is something moving there way and it is coming in fast. The Hulk turns to his teammates and thumbs in the direction, which the object is coming.
"We are about to have company."
The object comes to a stop before the team and they notice it is a humanoid shaped android. Spider-Man and Mister Terrific look over its high tech design as it examines them with its sensors. When it finishes, it addresses them.
"Greetings from Mayor Wittman."
"Mayor Wittman?" Sue says with surprise lacing her voice.
"Yes. You are now residing in New Manhattan."
"Holy--"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence, Spider-Man," Sue says.
"Ok," Spider-Man replies.
"Whose this Wittman guy?" Logan asks.
"The Wizard," Sue replies softly. "He's an old foe of my…husband."
"Right," Logan says.
"Stuff it shrimp," Hulk says.
Wolverine pops his middle claw in front of the Hulk and the green goliath grabs him and tosses him into the distance. Spider-man, Sue, and Mister Terrific's eyes grow wide seeing how far Hulk sent Wolverine.
"You think he survived that." Spider-Man says.
"I'd be surprised if he didn't," Hulk replies.
"That was unacceptable," Mister Terrific says.
"Bite me," Hulk replies.
Sue rests her hand on Mister Terrific's shoulder to stop him from engaging an argument with the Hulk.
"Let it go," Sue says.
"He could have killed Wolverine," Mister Terrific replies.
"Wolverine, the Wolverine from my world survived many clashes with the Hulk. If this Wolverine is anything like him then he will be fine," Sue reassures him.
Mister Terrific sighs.
---
"That mother fuckin' green pack of shit! I'll carve him into pieces!" Wolverine says as he spits up some dirt and pops a vertebrate in his neck.
Wolverine turns when he hears the sound of jets and he sees a fast approaching plane. He turns to the other direction from which his teammates are then back to the approaching plane. He gets up and dusts himself off before walking over.
"Hello Wolverine. My name is Bentley Wittman or Mayor Wittman as I have been called. Can I assist you?" Mayor Wittman asks.
"Piss off," Wolverine replies as he walks past.
"Where you going?" Mayor Wittman inquires.
"Hell if I know," Wolverine responds.
"Please, wait, stop. We have need of you and your allies," Mayor Wittman says as he rushes up beside Wolverine.
"Why should I care? This ain't my reality," Wolverine replies.
"That maybe so, but you have gifts as do your friends that may help save us. I know you are a great hero on your world despite the controversy of your celebrity status," Mayor Wittman says.
Wolverine glares at him, "An' how'd you know that?"
"The technology that has been integrated into New Manhattan has allowed us to see into other worlds as well perform some other marvels, but we cannot use it for our own dire needs," Mayor Wittman replies.
Logan turns to Wittman and crosses his arms across his chest. "Tell me about it."
---
New Manhattan rests on seven anti-gravity engines that keep it in orbit over the northern hemisphere of the earth. A pressure dome made from automatic resealing materials maintains its atmosphere. The team glances at the futuristic design the entire city has undertaken and out of all of them Sue is the only who seems uninterested. She eyes the Baxter Building that stands tall over all the skyscrapers and shivers from its cold and lifeless appearance. Mister Terrific spies her discomfort and starts toward her when Spider-Man calls out to them.
"Hey! Everyone look at this!" Spider-Man says.
The team walks over to where Spider-Man is standing and takes in the large statue before them. It is a statue of the Fantastic Four. Below the statue of them is an engraving. Sue walks up running her hand across the engraving.
They were Imaganauts and explorers of peerless skill. They have saved us millions of times over and with this statue, we honor their great sacrifice for what they have done for our children and us despite how bleak things have become. Let the Fantastic Four go where no man or woman has gone before and let god protect these brave souls on their journey.
-Bentley Wittman, Mayor.
Sue fell to her knees crying. Even in this world, she loses Reed. The image is too much for her. The Hulk starts towards her, but Mister Terrific stops him and goes over, picks her up and looks to Bentley who leads him to someplace where she can rest.
---
The team decided to split with Mister Terrific watching over Sue. Spider-Man finds himself in the digital library looking over the history records. His eyes blink as the most unusual thing catches his eyes. He checks and rechecks his search before climbing to his feet. When he turns, Wittman's robots are standing in his path.
"What's going on? This library is blank. There isn't a single shred of data here," Spider-Man says.
The robots stalk towards Spider-Man and the hero fires webbing all over them then makes a break for it. He gets to the door when a large fist nails him in the chin and he sails across the library, smacks into a wall, and slides to the floor unconscious. The robot's pick him up and carry him away.
---
Logan sits Indian style outside with his index fingers and thumbs touching together. The shirt, boots, and gloves of his costume are off and lying in a pile next to him. He breathes in slowly then lets it out. He sniffs the air and smiles.
"So, what are you doing here," Logan says.
"But to say the same about you."
Logan's smile turns darkly. "How's this going down? We fight and we both possibly die or you wanna even the stakes."
"You know me better then that, runt."
"That I do," Logan says as he falls to his back and sends his feet up into Sabertooth's jaw.
"You'll pay for that! Just like the red head did!" Sabertooth says.
"You should have never killed Jean, bub. That was your first mistake. Your second is showing up here!" Logan replies as he leaps at Sabertooth with claws extended.
---
The Hulk crushes Abomination's fist and smacks him across the room like some kind of child. The ugly brute skips across the floor nearly losing his balance before regaining it. He turns around and glares at his most hated enemy. The Hulk just smiles wickedly. His eyes a deep green laced with malevolent intention.
"You've gone through some changes, Banner," Abomination says.
"There is no Banner idiot. I'M THE HULK!" The Hulk roars as he tackles Abomination through the wall.
The two giants land outside of the garden area and crash to the streets of New Manhattan. The Hulk viciously pounds on Abomination shattering every bone in his body and pulping organs. He lets a bellow of enjoyment and anger before he tears the Abomination's head off. Radioactive green blood oozes all over the street. The Hulk looks around using his homing power to search for his teammates. His heart beats furiously in his chest as he craves more destruction and violence. He manages to locate Spider-Man who is closest to him and he leaps off to engage more puny enemies.
---
Mister Terrific snap kicks Mad Hatter and trips one of the double trouble sisters with a leg sweep. He kicks his legs out tripping the other twin and then springs to his feet. With two quick jabs with the back and side of his boot, both sisters are out. Sue fends off Titania, the Wrecking Crew, and the U-Foes by herself by channeling into her rage. Both villain teams are sent flying into the wall with thunderous force. Titania gets the oxygen cut off from her brain and she passes out. The villain teams climb to their feet only to be squashed into the floor with every amount of pressure Sue can manage. Once she is sure they are unconscious, she lets go and leans against a pillar for support. Mister Terrific walks over to her and leans next to her.
"What the hell is going on here?" Sue asks.
"I have no idea," Mister Terrific replies.
"I think we should confront Wittman and see what is really going on," Sue suggests.
"Good idea," Mister Terrific agrees.
The two go to find Mayor Wittman.
---
Sabertooth sits on top of a bloody Logan with both of the X-Man's own claws pointed to his face. Logan can feel Sabertooth's horrid breath on his face and he grunts as his overtaxed healing factor works to repair his injuries. He kicks Sabertooth in the back not once or twice, but three times. The beastly mutant is sent landing onto his face. Logan slowly gets up his body recovering much slower then normal. He eyes Sabertooth who is in a bit better shape. Both of them face each other and stand off. Logan's claws shine in the sparse light from the illuminant stars.
"T-this is over, runt. Your going down this time," Sabertooth says.
"I ain't finished yet," Logan replies with ragged breath.
"You can barely stand," Sabertooth says.
"Same with you," Logan responds.
"Let's end it then," Sabertooth says.
They charge one last time and with a final swipe both fall, but it is Sabertooth who dies as his head plops to the ground. Logan collapses to the floor as his healing factor can longer help him.
---
Spider-Man wakes up and sees Wittman wearing his Wizard garb. He shakes his head to clear his senses when his spider-sense goes crazy. He looks up and the Hulk comes crashing through the roof above. The Hulk turns to Spider-Man growling and pulls the web-slinger from the restraints. He holds Spider-Man in a tight grip.
"L-let me go, Hulk…your c-crushing m-me," Spider-Man wheezes out.
Wittman laughs when the Hulk backhands him sending him crashing over the table in his office. Wittman gets up slowly unaware the jade giant stomps towards him. Sue and Mister Terrific come in and look at Spider-Man in the Hulk's grip. Sue uses her invisible force field to pry Spider-Man loose and the web-head rolls away from the angry man monster. Mister Terrific scans Hulk using his t-mask's scanners and the results he witnesses is disturbing.
"Hulk's gamma energies are sky rocketing. He has entered some kind of meltdown and it's affecting his temperament," Mister Terrific says.
"What do we do to stop him?" Sue asks.
"Calm down?" Spider-Man suggests as he rubs his throat.
"He's too angry and unstable. We have to get him somewhere where he can fully let loose his rage then he'll be able to cool off," Mister Terrific replies.
Spider-Man web yanks Wizard out of Hulk's grasp and swings away. Sue makes herself and Mister Terrific invisible while the Hulk gives chase. Spider-Man barely gets to the Baxter Building when the Hulk catches up and he jumps down to the street below only to find the Hulk waiting for him. The Hulk comes toward them both and Sue makes all four of them invisible. The Hulk looks around snarling, unable to find his prey. He leaps away sensing some one else.
"Where is he going?" Sue says when she makes them visible again.
Mister Terrific's t-mask picks up a life sign and his face contorts in horror. "He's after Wolverine!"
"We have to catch up to him," Sue says.
"How?" Spider-Man asks.
The three of them look at Wizard.
---
Logan gets up tenderly with his body severely aching and still bleeding in some places. He tries to get into Za Zen sitting meditation position in order to help with the pain and promote his recovery when he sees the Hulk land before him. The Hulk's scream of anger surprises him.
"Flip yer lid, Banner?" Logan asks.
The Hulk charges towards Logan and the X-Man waits for him. Just when the Hulk comes near him he shifts into the form of Banner and pauses with confusion. Logan takes this moment to punch him in the face knocking him out. He then sits down and meditates.
---
A week passes and the team learns about Wittman's secret. They stand around him looking while he pathetically grovels on the floor.
"Please! There is no else here on this damned orbiting dead city! I'm all by myself! Please don't leave!" Wittman cries.
"Shut up," Logan says as he socks him in the mouth. "If I didn't owe ya fer the new clothes then you wouldn't be here."
"What's with the black leather look and the yellow shirt with a black over yellow X?" Mister Terrific asks.
"This is the school uniform we were going to go with, but decided against wearing them because of Jean's death…she created them," Logan explains.
"I see," Mister Terrific replies.
"Can we go now?" Spider-Man asks.
"Can I say something," Bruce interrupts. "I'm sorry for my losing control of the Hulk. I didn't know that would happen. I…don't know what else to say."
"Be glad you have some clothes then those itty-bitty shorts, Banner," Logan says.
Banner nods and the five of them step through the portal they created with the help of the technology they borrowed from New Manhattan.
Author's Notes
Welcome to my third/fourth issue of Outsiders. I know it took me a while and that was because I needed a break from the bookto get my creative juices going again. The Jean death was one of the plots I did conceive in my Ultimate X-Men run, but it was one of the many ideas that never got to script. I originally considered using my Ultimate X-Men First Genesis Wolverine, but I felt I had a stake in M2K's Ultimate Wolverine despite what the owner and the EIC might say or print. So I have added him to give insight to what direction I would have taken my favorite X-Man. As always, if you have questions email me. The link is in my profile. Oh and pay a visit to my forums if you have a question or not.
Till next time,
Mimick
