Exiles: New World (Marvel NEW)/Issue 11

The eleventh issue of the Marvel NEW ongoing series, Exiles: New World. It is preceded by Exiles: New World Issue 10 and succeeded by Exiles: New World Issue 12.
==Synopsis==
Justicer Bull and her Exiles have decided to join forces with the original Maestro, seeking to take down the imposter. Unfortunately, Greenskyn Smashtroll's fate lies dormant. Rojhaz's on the other hand, faces the judgment of the Kree Empire's notorious Accuser and his rag-tag team of aliens. All after the last man on Earth-2081 died. However, they couldn't return to the Panopthicron even after his death...
===Continuity===
The issue is set after Exiles: New World Issue 10 and it's the third part of the story arc, The Hulk of Two Worlds.
==Plot==
===Earth-2081===
Continuing from the last issue, the trio of Rojhaz, Strange, and Castle see the floating Ronan yelling at them that they're accused with a band of aliens behind him. Three Kree Sentries are also present near the Gamma Cave, backing up Ronan with extra firepower. Castle reacts to Ronan's threat by cocking his assault rifle while asking the Kree who the hell he thinks he is.
The Centaurian Archer beside Ronan asks the Accuser whether or not he's really famous on this planet. Ronan says no matter what, these strangers will die all the same. He also adds that he doesn't want this fight to be long, for he doesn't want to be bothered by a long, dead race. In an instance, Ronan orders his Kree Sentries to rain fire upon them before Rojhaz can speak a word.
Luckily, Rojhaz exclaims to both his comrades to evade and they dodge their onslaught in a nick of time. After dodging, Punisher asks the Captain what are they supposed to do now. Rojhaz briefly looks at the dead Bruce Banner and turns to Strange, asking him if he can confirm that he's dead. Strange tries to say yes to the Captain, but the Centaurian Archer shoots her yaka arrow at him, penetrating his stomache.
A Galadorian Spaceknight proceeds to try finish off the injured sorcerer, but Doctor Strange is still without his tricks. Before the knight can reach hiim, he generates a portal right in front of the rushing knight that apparently leads to the universe's Dark Dimension. Once the Spaceknight sees this, his eyes widen and he screams out in terror as he's unable to stop his thrusters from plunging him into the Dread Dormammu's realm.
On Rojhaz and Castle's side, Warstar of the Imperial Guard descend upon their position and smash their cover. The Punisher curses him to eat sh*t and rains down a hail of energy bullets upon the metallic giant and his small rider friend. Warstar tanks the energy blaster and immediately smacks the Punisher aside. Rojhaz rushes to aid Castle, distracting C'cll (the big one) by jumping over him and throwing B'nee (the small one) away.
Although his rider is dislodged, C'cll still goes on to fight the Super-Soldier, with Rojhaz holding his own and even shattering bits of his face plate. Angered, B'nee tries to smash him but Strange blasts a Bolt of Balthakk at the Shi'ar Guardsman, sending him flying miles away. Strange, kneeling while covering his wound, tells Rojhaz that he'll assess Mr. Banner's condition in a moment. For now, Rojhaz has to help Castle.
Handing over Castle some help, Rojhaz asks if he's still fit to fight. Punisher tells him that "petty, alien b*tches don't hurt him now" before he proceeds to whack the incoming Centaurian using the stock of his gun. He then demonstrates his proficiency in Earth's martial arts, knocking out the fragile archer with a combination of Systema, Krav Maga, and Judo moves. After throwing her off a ledge, Punisher soundly feels the air shifting behind him and dodges the attack of a Super-Skrull with the powers of Whirlwind and Living Laser. In the mean time, Strange engages in combat with the three Sentries.
Seeing how the alien's body looks like, Punisher switches his gun's ammunition to dark matter rounds, Rojhaz taunting the Skrull to distract him by telling him that the "secret invasion" failed. This instantly provokes the Skrull and prompts him to blast a beam of energy at him, but Rojhaz narrowly evades it and calls Castle out. Punisher quickly diminishes a large portion of his health by unleashing forty projectiles composed of dark matter.
Laying weakened on the ground, the Skrull begs for his life as Castle chucks a grenade. Not willing to give mercy, Castle stomps on the Skrull's throat and prompts him to open his mouth. In this gap, Castle throws the grenade to the Skrull's throat and rolls away in time as a large explosion ensues. Rojhaz sees this and asks Castle what the hell did Uatu provide him with. Castle smirks and tells him "Power Cosmic Grenades" do the trick.
Castle's joy abruptly ends when Ronan blasts him with a powerful beam emitted from his Universal Weapon. This sends Castle crashing on to the sides of the Gamma Cave's entrance, where Strange is seen detecting Banner's condition. Castle's fall prompts the sorcerer to call out his nickname. Standing up and turning to Ronan, Strange hears the Accuser's question of how can they survive a genocide engineered by themselves.
Strange thinks to tell him the team's real intention, but decides to tell him that they're not really the engineers. In an instance, Ronan blasts another beam which Strange colorfully deflects with a mandala, deflecting them and hitting the Kree. Ronan is knocked back but enraged, rushing to Strange with his Universal Weapon in hand. When he gets in range of attack, Strange blocks his attack with another mandala and his second strike is repelled when Strange conjures an orange dragon-shaped blast from the mandala that stumbles him and makes him roar in pain.
Ronan takes a breath, getting himself back together. Strange on the other hand, begins to float and tells him that he's facing the Sorcerer Supreme now so he better surrender, or dire consequences will follow. Ronan rebuffs, telling him that this is a dire consequence. Ronan's Universal Weapon pulls Strange towards him and his face gets smashed by his giant hammer.
Thrown back miles away, Strange gets a bloody face thanks to Ronan with his survival being attributed to his magical nature. Rojhaz yells out his name and all he gets is a small sigh from Strange. Ronan turns to the Captain with his hammer pointed at him and ready to fire another blast. Ronan tells Rojhaz that he looks similar to a patriotic hero from this planet, but he knows that he's not him. However, Ronan cares not for he will die all the same. Rojhaz's eyes shrink as he reveals to Ronan that he is him, trying to goad him into trying to melee him (where Rojhaz has a form of advantage).
Ronan is goaded, indeed, but he still goes to unleash a multitude of projectiles which Rojhaz dodges as he tries to close the gap. Unfortunately, Rojhaz, leaping at him to kick his face into kingdom come, gets stunned mid-air by a force-field Ronan materializes.
As he struggles to free himself, Ronan gradually shrinks the field to slowly crush his bones. As Rojhaz yells in pain, Ronan states that he usually doesn't like needless, painful deaths. However, he admits that he has always wanted to kill "heroes" this way. While Rojhaz's agony continues, the injured Frank arms a Desert Eagle he brought. His mind reveals that he's still got it when Barracuda was screwing him up, and he's been waiting all week long to use it.
Taking aim, Castle struggles to keep the pain away and holds firm his wound while crunching his teeth. When Rojhaz opens his eyes for the "last time", he sees Castle with his hand cannon firmly aimed at Ronan's neck. Cursing him as a motherf*cker, Punisher pulls the trigger and sends the .50 Action Express round to do its job. Too bad Ronan is superhuman and his armor is too powerful, though. The Desert Eagle's round simply bounces off him and attracts his attention.
He turns his head to the Punisher, who curses himself while his face turns pale. Ronan scoffs him, asking him if a mere human weapon will kill him. Ronan's question is answered by Strange, who tells him that it won't, but this will. Ronan loosens his grip on Rojhaz and his curiosity makes him turn to Strange's voice source. He sees Strange, enraged and back on his feet, casting an eldritch spell that surrounds Ronan with a sphere of energy.
Ronan's field de-materializes and Rojhaz finally hits the ground. Ronan struggles to break free of the energy, but Strange's incantation that gets louder and louder every second begins to fill the sphere with a purple gas. Ronan notices this but fails to hold his breathe as he inhales the mysterious gas. Ronan begins to suffocate as his skin turns white from its blue complexion. Strange says that for his ravenous blood thirst, he has sentenced him to breathe the Black Mists of Raggadorr.
Rojhaz coughs and breathes in satisfaction, looking at Strange trying to catch his breathe and Castle pressuring his wound. Rojhaz calls them both and dashes to them, asking if they're alright. Strange says that the Power of the Vishanti sustains him, and Castle will have the same sustainment right around now. After saying so, Strange gestures to Castle and his wounds recover. Castle sees to this and says that it felt weird. Nevertheless, he thanks Strange and the two help him get up.
Punisher tells them that "that's that", seeing Banner's body. Rojhaz sighs and does a facepalm, telling him that this is just bad. Strange reminds the Captain that their mission is a success, indeed. Banner is dead and someone from his own universe did so, and the Tallus should allow them to return or regroup with Bull's team. Punisher bluntly states that they should have returned right away after Bruce's death.
Rojhaz gives him an awkward stare but tells him that he's right. He however, feels that it's just wrong and "rushed". Punisher raises an eyebrow and asks him if he prefers a slow death. Rojhaz says that it's not what he meant; he's just quite surprised.
-
As Rojhaz's words are finished and the rest of their conversation is veiled, the view pans towards the frail old man's body, zooming into his eyes. In the next moments, a void of empty space is seen with Bruce Banner in the middle. Banner is seen posed with the same pose as his death recently. Banner gets up, grunting in pain as he grasps his chest which was blasted by Ronan.
Banner sees the void around him and stands up. He feels cold, yet aside from the brief pain he felt there's no more pain within his body. The pain that the Hulk wrought upon him when he tries to transform, the pain of the wastelands' radiation, and the pain his entire life has endured. Banner asks himself is this is Hell, Heaven, or Limbo. Banner guesses that it's the last one and thinks that he has died.
Banner becomes silent for a few seconds before sitting down, suddenly bursting out in laughter. He yells out his gratefulness for the Kree putting him out of his misery. He sighs, asking where can he find Rick and the others if this is the afterlife. To his horror, a voice responds to him that this isn't the afterlife. The voice, is one Bruce recognizes: the voice of the Hulk.
In an instance, the Hulk's titanic footsteps are heard and the elderly green giant himself appears in front of puny Banner out of the shadows. Surprised, Banner crawls away from the titan and tells of his impossibility. In his own vocabulary, the Hulk scolds Banner for his weakness and cowardice; Banner always thinks that the Hulk can be wished away, thinking that even with all their separations in the past they can never be connected. The Hulk despises Banner for his weakness, and tells him that if he does not want to live, then the Hulk will because he is the strongest one there is and no one will challenge him on that.
The eyes of the old man widen as he mutters "no", before the scene snaps back to the material realm.
-
Back to real life, Rojhaz and Castle are seen surrounding Strange, who's working on Doctor Banner's body. Rojhaz asks if he's truly dead. Strange brings forth quite a bad news by mentioning the fact that there's something going on with his body. From his aura, he feels something shifting, changing its own identity and nature. Rojhaz is taken aback and left silent by the statement. Punisher looks at him and asks if anything bothers him with that, 'cause he can just end the mission and get back to Bull with a single bullet. Rojhaz turns down, and Strange's question follows. He asks his superior if this is him trying to turn to the Hulk Uatu mentioned.
Before Rojhaz can answer, an arrow suddenlly sticks up his knee and cripples him. Strange and Castle turn to its origin point and see that Ronan's personal intergalactic lackeys have returned. The Centaurian tells them that they can't turn their backs on them. Punisher responds by mocking her, making fun of her "skills" in combat (as he beat her earlier). Strange advises Punisher to stay put as he telekinetically removes the yaka arrow and heals Rojhaz to a combat ready state.
Strange then confronts them and asks them if they want to suffer the same fate as their leader. Warstar (both B'nee and B'nee and C'cll) and the Archer look at Ronan's now-deceased body, his skin turned white and his eyes swollen like black holes. Strange also reminds the surprised alien duo (trio with C'cll) that there's only the two of them. Responding to the Sorcerer Supreme's words without fazing, C'cll tells him that they've come prepared.
Seconds later, a cadre of alien warriors consisting of two Kronan mercenaries, a swarm of Brood creatures, the three Kree Sentries that Strange simply spelled away, a giant Flora Colossus, and five Dire Wraiths. Seeing the situation, Punisher once again curses and asks Rojhaz if he can get the Tallus working. Rojhaz tries to operate the Tallus the way it was like in the previous world. Apparently, it can't work and Rojhaz concludes that Bruce is not dead yet, which by now means something really bad is gonna happen.
As the aliens prepare to attack, Strange conjures two mandalas and asks Rojhaz if they're supposed to fight both these otherwordly aberrations and the Hulk. Rojhaz sighs and tells him maybe, such possibility turning into reality moments later. When the Kronan Mercenary goes for the first rush into battle, Bruce suddenly yells out in pain and everyone turns to his body.
The Exiles back away from Bruce, Punisher immediately cursing out that this day's getting worse every second. Doctor Strange says that they will fight the Hulk, and he asks Rojhaz if the Hulk has anything strange in him. Rojhaz states that aside from being strong and more durable than titanium, nothing else. Strange turns to the alien warriors who are prepared for the coming fight. He turns back to Rojhaz and reveals to him that the Eye of Agamotto hasn't given him any visions about this ever since they arrived here. Rojhaz asks if that scrying device predicted their previous battle, and Strange said no; he doesn't think it works in other universes.
Moments later, Bruce eventually turns into the Hulk himself, delivering a devastating roar that stuns everyone there. Seeing the Exiles and the aliens, the Hulk roars and in a fit of anger kept within Banner for centuries, delivers a titanic smash that levels the entire cliff everyone's on. The Exiles are unable to react to this as the structure crumbles and everyone fall down to the wastelands below. Unluckily, the summoned dust from the resulting smash obscures what happens to our heroes and villains, as well as the Hulk himself.
===Earth-9200===
In a vast desert, a border outpost is seen guarding the dunes beyond it that lead to a city. Zooming in the view, the outpost looks abandoned, until someone apparently sparks up a dialogue. From outside the outpost, captions in green are seen detailing the words of an unknown being. The being asks his "boss" if he's heard of the new Hulk in town.
The view switches to the outpost's interior, where an office room is located. In the office, two Hulks are conversing. One of them, Joe Fixit, was the one speaking first and continues by stating that the "boys" say that he's feisty and both Maestro and Mistro failed to kill him even in chains. The other Hulk (by now, it's obvious that these two are Hulks) says that he doesn't care much for the little bugger, informing him that he's one of those "stupid" Hulks and that means he's weak.
Fixit, brandishing his oversized Thompson SMG with pride, nods in agreement to his partner but tells him that no other Hulks have made it so far that Maestro's impressed. The other Hulk asks if he's sure that Maestro's impressed, telling Fixit that he's not easily impressed alongside him, the Cannibal Hulk. Fixit simply gives off a whatever and asks him if he's coming to the stadium this evening to see him fight.
Cannibal Hulk says that the boss (Maestro) got him pre-occupied with tending the "stock". Fixit laughs and mentions the use of his words before having the Hulk shut him up by backhanding his weaker face. Fixit gets up, still with a smirk on his face. The pissed off Cannibal Hulk tells him to go away and see the boys for himself. Fixit complies and he exits the office, taking his fedora with him. Cannibal Hulk, sitting on his chair, sighs and calls Fixit out as an amateur. After a brief moment of silence, the Hulk pulls out a compartment beneath his table where a slab of meat is seen. He grabs it and puts it to his mouth, eating it while relaxing.
Fixit, getting out of the office, walks up a staircase leading to a ramp exposed to the outside world. There, a smaller Hulk Fixit referred to as Otis is seen looking to the horizon with a pair of binoculars he used in reverse. He asks Otis if he or his brothers got anything. Otis rudely says that there's nothing but sand and sh*t out there. Fixit shoves him, mocking his stupidity for incorrectly using the binoculars and asking him for some respect. Otis simply laughs at the ordeal and reminds him that greys are weaker than them, greens; respect is earned through muscles, and greys have less of 'em than the greens.
Otis challenges him, asking him what he's gonna do to him: shoot him with his puny gun or try to do some "Capone-style crap". Of course, Fixit is enraged and he impatiently demonstrates his superior might to the young Hulk by smashing him off-cold. Fixit reminds the near-unconscious Otis Banner of why his gang was spared while his father wasn't.
After silently cursing him, another member of the Hulk Gang arrives in the form of Beau Banner, who sees his knocked out brother without a reaction. He sees that he's holding a reversed binocular and tells Fixit that he's always the dumb one though not as dumb as Billy Bob. Fixit expects him to come in with a report of what he's gotten in the distance. Beau, in his unique vocabulary, informs him that Eustace, Charlie, and Rufus haven't returned yet from their scouting mission. Their Fantasti-Car, which has a tracking device, has suddenly disappeared from his tracker.
Hearing this, Fixit orders Beau to pick his brother and sober him up, also to gather up the boys for guard duty. It seems that something is coming their way.
-
Kilometres away from the outpost, the second team of Exiles led by Justicer Bull is seen hiding beneath the sand dunes. He asks Maestro if he's sure that there's an outpost up ahead. Maestro, laying beside her and Ghost Rider. Maestro asks her if he wants to beat the ever-living hell out of those stupid Hulk boys again. Bull admits that she likes to go a few rounds with them, though they're too easy to beat.
Maestro smirks and compliments here as being strong. Bull tells him to shut his irradiated mouth and proceeds to get her Tallus up. Through her Tallus, she telepathically speaks to Nova, asking her if she's in position. Nova is seen floating above the clouds in a strike-ready position. Nova confirms that she's ready to bring down some hell. On-ground, Ghost Rider asks if the Hulks are gonna be hard to beat.
Maestro tells him that there will certainly be his imposter's foot soldiers. Although they are strong, none of them are stronger than a normal Hulk. Hearing this, Ghost Rider's face reacts dramatically and asks if they are Hulks themselves. Maestro confirms, revealing that Maestro has actually been amassing an army of Hulks for a multiversal conquest.
Nova asks the possibility of Greenskyn being captured for his army, and the Future Hulk says that not every Hulks that came here get accepted. "Weaker" ones are identified, separated, and put into his personal colloseum for entertainment. The Hulks will be forced to battle either side-by-side against a large threat or in a battle royale situation where every Hulk must fend off for themselves.
Bull, taking point from Maestro's previous word, asks if he gets the throne back and all those Hulks as well, won't he just do the same thing as his imposter. Ghost Rider asserts his opinion, stating that he has no Infinity Gauntlets, Cosmic Cubes, or other stuffs like that to accomplish such feat. Maestro mentions his exhibition museum that contains "memorables" of the heroes and villains killed in the nuclear war's outbreak, but clarifies that he has no items worth mentioning on a universal scale before Nova tries to ask him something.
Nova sighs in disappointment and gets her head back in the game, asking the group if it's time. Maestro looks to the young Ghost Rider and tells him to "bring it on". Rider turns back and summons his bike, bursting out of the sandstorm's shadows into his presence while also apparently towing one of the Hulk Gang's Fantasti-Car but without its occupants.
When he gets on the bike, he reminiscences a bit and asks Maestro what he is supposed to do (again). Maestro reminds him to get into a safe range first before releasing the Fantasti-Car to distract the outpost's guards. When the guards check on the Fantasti-Car, which is loaded by a large amount of gasoline tanks and a surprise Maestro refuses to mention, Nova will blast the Fantasti-Car and trigger an explosion that will distract the Hulks from Nova's assault run and their attack.
Ghost Rider nods in acceptance and goes on to ride after asking them to wish him luck. After he rides away, Bull asks if he has any chance against the Hulks. Maestro scoffs, saying he's best kept for weaker ones. The Captain Britain asks him about her own chances, and he says he has no idea how powerful she is. Bull smirks in satisfaction.
-
Back in the outpost, Otis Banner is seen waking up while cursing Fixit for his stupidity. When he gets up, a Hulk mocks him for being beaten by a grey. Otis turns to see the Hulk who is apparently Boy-Bob Banner, also known as the Hydra Hulk. As natural as he is, Otis tries to roast Bob with numerous insults, even referring him to as a second-rate Billy-Bob Banner. Although Boy acts casual the first time, the moment Otis equalizes him to that "Lou guy", he is triggered and gets into a fight with Otis.
Their fight is broken up by the post's boss, the Cannibal Hulk, who throws both of them a great distance away. He asks the two if they're out of their mind, and both of them suddenly team up against him by insulting his lost mind himself (he is an insane cannibal). Also a natural Hulk, the Cannibal Hulk overpowers both giants and threatens to eat their intestines after the shift is done.
After letting them go, Cannibal Hulk is approached by the Technarch Hulk who announces his arrival by touching his shoulder. The Cannibal Hulk turns and pushes him away, the reason being he doesn't want to get infected by his filth. Without any real reaction, the Technarch Hulk informs him that a large amount of dust is kicking up several miles from the post.
Following his underling's trail, he sees Beau and Fixit observing the large dust coming their way. Fixit says that something's coming and the Cannibal Hulk states he can clearly see that. He orders Fixit to get his men ready and defend the post. Fixit yells at several normal Hulks below the fort who hear him well and get outside to prepare the welcoming.
The Hulks, most of them looking as generic as normal Green Hulks, arm themselves with some weapons from both the old world and the new world (ruled by "Maestro"). Stepping out to the desert, seven Hulks brandish their muscles, guns, and "brass" knuckles, flanked by Otis, Beau. They're also joined by Joe Fixit who loads his Tommy Gun with adamantium bullets.
Waiting for the dust to settle, Fixit calls out to whoever coward is hiding behind the sands. The dust settles at Fixit's "command", surprising him. Fixit then hears the winds shifting and the sound of engines blaring. Fixit prepares his Tommy Gun and orders the others to stand their grounds, moments before a Fantasti-Car of the Hulk Gang arrives without its drivers.
Beau is the first one to identify it, quickly rushing to it to see what's happened. He beckons Otis to join him, the latter asking him where the hell's Bob, Eustace, and Charlie. Boy-Bob Banner rudely calls himself out and a curse from Otis is what he gets. The two Hulk Gangsters examine it, Beau finding the tracker on the car. He identifies that the tracker's been destroyed and someone's either kidnapped or killed those three Hulksters.
Otis on the other hand, sees its contents and notices something strange. He finds out a bunch of round objects huddled together in the car, asking his brother what the hell those are. The other Hulks converge on their location, and while the two brothers speak their complaints of the situation, they are not aware of the happenings above the skies.
-
Above the clouds, Nova gets the signal from Bull to start raining hell. With the Worldmind assisting her in spotting the car, Nova charges up herself with the Nova Force and unleashes a blast that penetrates the cloud into the outpost. When the Hulks are trying to pull out the tanks, the beam falls upon the car like an orbital laser and releases a huge explosion.
The Hulks are violently knocked away and the Cannibal Hulk alongside the Technarch Hulk are knocked off the ramps. In the resulting blast, most of the outpost is heavily damaged, if not utterly wrecked. The Hulks survive the explosion, but they are injured. Fixit got his firearm destroyed and gets up annoyed, asking who the hell did this. Fixit's question is responded by Nova who announces her arrival by doing a bombing run. She relentlessly blasts the Hulks with powerful blasts with the power of stars, annihilating the Technarch Hulk who tries to grab her by leaping to her.
Seeing the Technarch Hulk's burning corpse, the Cannibal Hulk rallies his men's and they try to reach Nova. The flying Nova evades the stupid, jumping Hulks and gets a mockery from the Cannibal Hulk that she's a coward. Nova tells him that she's not the main treat today. In an instance, Ghost Rider runs over the man-eating giant with his hellfire wheels followed by Bull and Maestro bursting to the scene.
A fight ensues between the two groups, Ghost Rider trying to outmatch the Hulks with his wit, Nova and Bull handling the Hulk Gangsters rather easily despite their power to grow stronger. Maestro puts down the Cannibal Hulk, asking him if he's done serving the false Maestro. Choking him, the Cannibal Hulk responds by biting his hand. Maestro nonchalantly punches the Hulk's jaw, dislocating it while throwing him to a debris.
Maestro asks him if his boss is home but the Cannibal Hulk responds by getting up and trying to beat him. Maestro, using his fighting skills, evades him and breaks his spine. Disabled, the surviving Hulk still persists and Maestro picks him up. Maestro scolds his insolence and expresses his surprise on how loyal he is to the false one. While trying to question him once again, Joe Fixit ambushes Maestro from behind with a punch. Although briefly taken aback, Maestro quickly turns and angrily kills the Grey Hulk, telling him that he's had enough.
Bull notices this after beating a Hulk to a bloody pulp and calls him out. Bull asks why did he kill him, and Maestro counters with another question of why should she care. She reminds Maestro that that Hulk (and the others, as well) are from other universes and killing even a single inhabitant of them in another world will upset the balance. Maestro laughs and says it won't matter at all.
Cassandra can't help but hold her back since she can't really go tough on Maestro (he's stronger than her anyway). When the remaining Hulks have been defeated by Nova, she asks if they can proceed to the city. Before Bull can answer her, Ghost Rider spots a wounded Boy-Bob Banner trying to escape. He quickly chains him up and brings him to the Exiles' audience.
Boy-Bob struggles to escape, but Ghost Rider heating his chains while tightening it, prompting him to yell out in pain. Boy-Bob asks them their identities and what do they want, and the Rider simply says that they just want to get to the city and they're in the way. Plus, they all happen to bad guys so, he knows how it goes. Bob tells him that Maestro simply wants to create a safe heaven for Hulks throughout many worlds and prove that they're powerful together.
The real Maestro is offended by this and slaps Boy-Bob to submission, telling him that his imposter's reign is coming to an end and his presence in this world upsets every universe his Hulks came from. The Hydra Hulk asks why would Maestro care for universes while all he cares is to re-assert his power. Maestro outright says that he's right, but that's the point of why these Exiles are here. Upon hearing "Exiles", Boy-Bob is surprised.
Bob asks why the Exiles are so different from the one he knew. Nova explains that there could be many Exiles throughout the multiverse. Bull assures her that she's right, and the one Bob knew might be one of their previous incarnations. Bull mentions that they have to ask Uatu and Kang about this, telling that if there's one or more Hulks in this universe that knew of the Exiles, Earth-9200 is already sent to Hell at this point.
Ghost Rider proceeds to try and be tough, attempting to ask him of Greenskyn Smashtroll's whereabouts. Rider's attempt is cancelled by Nova, Rael herself asking where the troll is. Bob says he and the others have heard of a new Hulk that's been captured and will be one of this afternoon's main contenders in the Arena. Hearing the Arena, Maestro repeats it. He mentions that the Arena was abandoned in his reign and it seems that his imposter's trying to weed out the weak with it.
Nova asks if he knows where the Arena is, and Maestro sarcastically says no. In all seriousness, he does, though he expects major changes to it as he's been away for a while. Seeing Boy-Bob's expression, Ghost Rider asks Bull what he should do with him. Bull looks at the terrified Hulk and asks him to let him go. Boy-Bob is immediately relieved and thanks her for her mercy. Unfortunately, Bull orders Nova to pull him somewhere else, and Nova quickly grabs him before throwing him sky high.
Maestro's eyes widen at this. He thought Bull loathes killing. Bull says that throwing a Hulk to another part of the Earth won't kill him. Maestro keeps his hidden opinion to himself and simply agrees before proceeding to make their way to the city.
-
Switching the view to a dark panel, captions of a person telling someone to wake up are seen. The person goads the other man to pull his sh*t together and get ready to prove he's the strongest one there is. The scene keeps being black until suddenly a bucket of water splashes the being's face. Apparently, it's Greenskyn Smashtroll getting splashed, and he's chained up to a wall in a dungeon.
Greenskyn takes a breathe and sees his surroundings, identifying that he's in a dungeon. Greenskyn also notices a dark figure in front of him. From what he can see, he already knows that he's a "Hulk" but one that's grotesquely deformed. The figure steps out of the shadows and tells him that he's just "special", not deformed. The figure reveals himself to he Hulk 2099, the same Hulk that carried Greenskyn away after getting whacked by Maestro's Universal Weapon.
The Troll voices his opinion, saying that for a Hulk he's quite bizarre. Eisenhart laughs, reminding him that he's the only Hulk with three fingers and one of the few with no traces of Gamma Radiation whatsoever. Greenskyn spits on the ground, saying that he doesn't need "Gamma Radiation" to be strong. The Future Hulk leaves him to his opinion and tells him that the crowd's been waiting for his appearance.
Hearing this, Greenskyn asks Hulk 2099 if that's the reason he heard lots of chanting when he's "asleep". He confirms and proceeds to unshackle Greenskyn from his adamantium chains. In a fit of unexpected rage, Greenskyn headbutts Hulk 2099 and does a string of hits to try and knock him out. While beating him, Greenskyn tells him that while he loves to fight, he has no time for petty services and his duty is to kill Maestro. Unluckily, Hulk 2099 managed to interrupt his combo by holding both his hands when he tried to smash.
Smirking, Hulk 2099 compliments Greenskyn's persistence and might, admitting that he's quite stronger than he thought. However, he's all but a mere troll and he means nothing to the strength of the Future Hulk. Without even using his fangs and claws, Hulk 2099 beats down Greenskyn and leaves him kneeling on the ground before kicking his face away.
Greenskyn still tries to fight, but Hulk 2099 subdues him by attacking his pressure points. Shaking his head, Hulk 2099 says that Maestro won't be happy if the crowd doesn't like his new combatants. Besides, today's challenges are quite interesting. Hulk 2099 says that he looks forward towards having fun with him, but for now his boss comes first. He picks up the large troll and deposits him down a pit that leads to another dungeon.
Falling through quite a deep pit, Greenskyn falls down the new dungeon with a grunt of pain. Trying to get up, he attempts to hold his pain. He succeeds and curses that dirty, draconic bastard. After clearing the dust off his uniform, a person calls him out, asking if he's the new Hulk. Greenskyn turns and tells that he's got no idea what he's talking about. The person asks if Greenskyn Smashtroll is his name, and he confirms. However, Greenskyn is angered at how he knows his name and the person says that his name has echoed through the city and the dungeons of the Arena. The person explains that he heard he's bold enough to go a few rounds with Maestro himself.
Greenskyn lets out an unsatisfied groan, telling him that he just won out of dumb luck. The person advises him to not believe in luck, and today's battle will be won by them if they work together. Greenskyn becomes curious of who this man is and asks him to get closer. The person states that everyone in this dungeon are Hulks, no matter which reality they come from. And when he gets closer, the Hulk of Earth's Mightiest Heroes inform him that he's been here for nearly a year after Maestro captured him.
Greenskyn is taken aback by this and asks if Maestro's been building his army for this long. EMH Hulk states that no one knows for sure, but he knows that Maestro's not stopping anytime sooner until that scientist of his completed his task. Greenskyn ignores the last part of his sentence and takes the first ones, saying that he's tasked by the Timebrokers to kill Maestro along with his team. EMH Hulk speaks that he knows not of who the Timebrokers are. Greenskyn says that it won't matter, and although he's separated he knows his team will come for him.
EMH Hulk hopes that his team better come here and stop Maestro as soon as possible. Greenskyn smiles and tells him that he bets. Turning around, he sees a multitude of other Hulks around the dungeon looking at him and EMH Hulk. Green assumes that they'll be fighting with them this day. EMH Hulk informs him that most of his old teammates (Hulks, not Avengers) died two days ago fighting today's opponent. Greenskyn asks him if he knows them, and EMH Hulk says he has taken liberties in speaking to them yesterday. Although they're never keen on speaking.
First, EMH Hulk introduces Greenskyn to a surprisingly small Hulk whose presence here is literally out of Maestro's disbelieve that such oddity exists. Greenskyn agrees that he's very small, even for strongmen. With this, Greenskyn has been introduced to David Banner, Hulk '77.
Afterwards, he's introduced to a Hulk wearing glasses but without the intellect of a scientist. He however, was a smart kid before turning into Hulk and supposedly sacrificing himself to save Earth from Galactus. Greenskyn meets and greets with Bullet Points Peter Parker, the Hulk only capable of saying "Parker Smash" in different tones.
Then he gets on to see another Hulk whose true identity remains unknown to EMH Hulk, but from his appearance he knows that he's someone extremely familiar to him. He is a man whose archetype throughout the multiverse is known: hating on the Hulk. Yet here he is, a Gray Hulk himself with limited speech capabilities. Although Greenskyn knows not of this man's relevance, he still accepts his teammate, Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, the Hulk.
Seeing them, Greenskyn asks if there's only the five of them against whoever the hell Maestro is gonna pit against them. EMH Hulk states that as long as there's a new Hulk in town, their roster's complete. But since he is the new Hulk in town, their roster is complete even though there used to be eight or seven Hulks in a team.
Greenskyn assures him that with him by their side, nothing can beat them. The Grey Hulk, Ross, tries to express his doubts with his limited vocabulary, roughly asking him who does he think he is. Greenskyn approaches him and lends his hand to help him get up, telling him that he doesn't care who he is or what they are; he simply cares about passing the day and kicking Maestro's ass all the way to Eurth.
Ross' human mind comprehends bits of Green's vocabulary, but his speech remains the same as any other Hulks. After turning to EMH Hulk and asking what to do now, a horn suddenly blares. EMH Hulk informs them that the battle is about to start. The Hulks then get up and walk behind EMH Hulk, Greenskyn standing beside him. Greenskyn smiles as the gates open, wondering if Maestro's challenge will be easier than crapping over him. EMH Hulk mocks him, saying that those words came from a Hulk that got beat by Maestro himself for five seconds. Greenskyn gives off a loud laugh, saying that he doesn't know the real story.
-
In the Arena, Maestro is seen sitting on top of a balcony overseeing the entire place. There, he sits upon a throne while rubbing his chin, thinking about something. In his thought, he thinks if "Banner" has succeeded in completing his job. After several seconds of thought, he brings up his right hand where a hologram materializes. The hologram apparently takes shape of Bruce Banner, but a generic one that's indistinguishable among other Bruce Banners in the multiverse. In other words, no one knows where this Banner came from.
He asks Banner if the "Gamma Serum" is complete. The quiet and unassuming Banner informs him that he has finished the prototype and it is undergoing its test phase. Maestro nods and asks him when will the test phase go live. Banner surprises Maestro by telling that the Gamma Serum has already been applied to one of today's obstacles and it's tamed its needless rabid instincts alongside enhancing its subordination level.
Maestro smiles at the prospect and turns off the hologram after ordering Banner to keep him updated on his progress; he wants his plan to continue as soon as possible. After turning it off, Misstro comes to his side and asks how he's doing. Maestro assures her that he's fine and everything is going according to plan. Maestro states that these "Exiles" will come looking for their lost friend and they will suffer the wrath of Maestro. That, is if Banner's test doesn't kill him first.
Misstro says that seems like today's match will be exciting. Maestro agrees and reminds her to keep an eye on the crowd and spot that imposter of his alongside the Exiles. Misstro obeys him, but doesn't know how they look like. Maestro simply tells her that if she spots the flaming head of a Ghost Rider, the persons beside him/her are most likely to be the Exiles.
After saying so, Maestro orders her to sit down and enjoy the show. As the gates open, Maestro thinks to himself that the moment of proof has almost arrived.
-
Entering the Arena, Greenskyn shields his eyes from the gleaming sunlight before recovering. He sees his surroundings and the Arena itself, a gigantic colloseum with lots of open spaces. He also examines the crowd, telling EMH Hulk that he has spotted a few strange Hulks, from a strange Hulk wearing a black suit to a wolf-like Hulk, all cheering at the coming blood festival.
EMH Hulk tells him that most of those Hulks are either "new" citizens of Maestro's kingdom or those who have served him well. Greenskyn spits once again, telling him they'll regret serving that bearded bastard. Afterwards, the Hulks' attentions are diverted towards Hulk 2099, floating across the Arena on a spherical platform. There, he announces today's new battle that he promises to shake the very foundations of the Arena and shock the hearts of every citizens whether they be Lord Maestro's loyal human subjects or his Gamma servants.
Eisenhart briefly introduces the audience to today's combatants, identifying Greenskyn Smashtroll as the new Hulk and the first Hulk to boldly challenge Lord Maestro without flinching. Hearing this, Greenskyn is confused and asks EMH Hulk if he actually fought him. EMH Hulk reveals that although he fought him, he knew that he couldn't win so surrender's the only option. Greenskyn mocks him a coward, and EMH Hulk looks at him in disbelieve.
After all the acts performed by Eisenhart, the crowd goes wild the moment he proceeds to unveil the Hulks' main challenge. Describing the challenge as warlike, bloodcurling, and infernal, Hulk 2099 reveals that the challenge was used two days ago but nobody really saw what happened. Today, everyone will get to see the carnage these Hulks will bring.
Hardening his fist, Greenskyn steadies his heart and tells himself to not mind about whatever the hell that crocodile said. Turning to his comrades, Greenskyn informs them that he may not mean anything to them, but he has to know if they're ready. In an instance, even the small David Banner grunts in agreement and the Hulks clash their fists to let hiim know they're ready. Greenskyn smiles and turns himself back, cracking his knuckles to prepare himself for battle.
The gates opposite to the Hulks opening, Maestro reveals that apparently he's not present when these so-called "warlike, bloocurling, and infernal" threats were shown days ago. Misstro assures him that it'll be a pleasure for him to watch them pound the puny Hulks to submission. Maestro simply gives off an indeed as an answer.
The gates slowly open and Maestro grins at the prospect of him humiliating Maestro. And when the gates open, the Hulks are pitted against two Hulks unimaginable to even Greenskyn himself: the Infernal Hulk and Red Hulk, the Horseman of War. Seeing the Horseman of War violently stride to the battlefield and the Infernal Hulk roaring with all his demonic rage, Greenskyn is unfazed and tells his comrades that it's time to smash.
-
But wait! There's more to this challenge. With the crowd going wild over the two raging Hulks' appearance, Hulk 2099 reveals that there's one more Hulk these Hulks can never expect, and the Arena will never be the same. Thanks to Hulk 2099's extra words, the crowd goes even wilder and they grow excited to see the extra challenge. Hulk 2099 then announces the appearance of a new challenge, proceeding to announce his name. Problem is, the new challenge himself leaps on to the Arena in a smashing way, kicking up a dust that obscures vision.
When the dust settles, the crowd gets to see the new challenge and yes, their roars are truly bloodcurling. Now, the Hulks are not contending with just a Hulk with the powers of Apocalypse and a Hulk with Hell's strength, but also a Hulk wearing battle armor and a ravaging hunger. Seeing this Hulk, Greenskin's eyes widen in shock as the Hulk of Earth-Z appears, smashing the ground with intense rage and roaring uncontrollably.
Category:Comics
Category:Marvel NEW