Exiles: New World (Marvel NEW)/Issue 13

The thirteenth issue of the Marvel NEW ongoing series, Exiles: New World. It is preceded by Exiles New World Issue 12 and succeeded by Exiles: New World Issue 14.

Synopsis
''Just as things were starting to look down on Rojhaz and his team, Kang and Uatu assembled both teams to put their problems into a two-birds-one-stone situation. Problem is, nobody knows if old Hulks beating each other to death in a titanic showdown would be the best-case scenario for them. With a bloody aftermath following the decision, what would the Exiles do next?''

Continuity
This issue is the fifth and last part of The Hulk of Two Worlds story arc and set after last issue's aftermath. The issue's aftermath will also tease its continuation arc, [TO BE REVEALED].

The Panopthicron
In the control room, Uatu is seen stunned at what he saw. The carnages of both Earth-9200 and Earth-2081, he thinks to himself that he should've had prepared himself for this madness when he took the job. Kang notices Uatu's expression and asks him if she should take observing duties now. Uatu turns to her and unexpectedly threw up, annoying Kang. Uatu quickly apologizes to her and says he never expected this kind of violence. Sue is silent for this matter and telekinetically cleans herself up before angrily ordering him to get off.

Uatu storms off to somewhere in the Panopthicron while Kang sits down, calling him an amateur. Uatu overhears this at a distance and yells that he's said sorry. Kang goes on to monitor the now-united Exiles' progress and opens communication with the current functioning team leader, Rojhaz. She asks Rojhaz if his team's made a safe landing. Rojhaz mentions that they're doing decently so far and their team requires medical attention. Before Kang can respond, Rojhaz tells her he'll be examining them first so she should stay put.

Earth-9200
After disconnecting from Kang, Rojhaz sees to his teammates. He first approaches Punisher who is kneeling near Strange's body. He asks if he's alright and Punisher answers that his pulse hasn't gone up ever since he got here. Rojhaz orders him to keep doing what he does best in helping people to him. When Rojhaz takes off from him, the Punisher looks at him and asks if he really meant that.

Rojhaz, walking towards the struggling Justicer Bull, helps her get up and she thanks him. He asks her if she can fight and Cassandra jokes, saying that she's been worse. Rojhaz is not sure of this and tells her while he doesn't know much about her, he knows getting beat by a mutated She-Hulk armed with a duplicate of the Mjolnir should be very painful. A brief silence ensues while they look at each other before Bull admits that it was indeed the worst pain in her life. But that won't matter because they just lost someone.

Immediately, Rojhaz looks beyond her shoulder and Nova's body resting on the ground, behind Greenskyn's motionless body. Rojhaz notices Ghost Rider's headless body and Greenskyn being virtually unresponsive. Rojhaz's eyes widen as he expresses his concern. He approaches the young man's body and turns him over, disbelieving what the situation.

Bull apologizes to him, saying that she should've fought harder and more persistently. After a brief moment of silence, Rojhaz tells her not to worry about it and reminds her how dangerous their job is. Surprisingly, when Rojhaz comes to check on Greenskyn and Nova, a voice calls out to him and Bull asking what has happened. Recognizing the voice, they turn in shock and call out the young man's codename.

In the next panel, the view goes to Ghost Rider's severed head apparently still lit in flames. Ghost Rider states he's not feeling well and can't feel his body They rush to him and Rojhaz informs him that's because he is without a body as of now. Rider is surprised by this and mentions/reminds them that this isn't the first time he "died". Bull says she remembers that and she should've known better since his flames did not extinguish this time (Bull didn't notice the flames).

Rider tells her he did feel a little "blacked-out" though but he's fine. He then asks one of them to put his head back and they hesitate. Rojhaz asks him about the flames and Ghost Rider assures the Captain that no one but bad people can be harmed by hellfire. He jokingly asks him if he's a bad person. Rojhaz simply smiles and says it's good to see he's fine. Rider once again "jokes", saying as long as his connection with Zarathos is severed, nothing can kill him.

After Rojhaz picks him up, he and Bull look at each other before looking at the giggling Rider. Bul asks if that's true and can be taken into real consideration and Rider's smile is wiped off his skull. The moment he realizes what he said may be correct, Rider admits he's not sure about that. Rojhaz minds not and proceeds to put his head back. When his skull reconnects to his skeletal body, Ghost Rider is briefly overwhelmed by the strange sensation and uncontrollably shakes his own body.

Thankfully, Rider is back on his feet and expresses his gratitude for their presence and the Timebroker's decision since things have spiralled out pretty quickly here. Rojhaz looks around and spots numerous Hulks arguing around and simply watching them without any reaction. Rojhaz expresses his confusion and asks if there are supposed to be many Hulks in this reality. Bull explains the whole thing including who they're supposed to depose (one that's not trying to get back on his feet after receiving a beat-up from his human counterpart) as brief as she can.

While they converse, Ghost Rider spots the Punisher tending to Doctor Strange. Jogging towards him, he asks what happened to the Doctor. Punisher turns his head and says he's still alive. Ghost Rider says he's fine and asks how his Hulk goes. Castle curses and informs him that his goddamn Hulk beat the everliving sh*t out of them and broke some of his bones. For Strange however, he's in a stupid coma he doesn't know how to knock him out of.

Rider says he may be able to help and orders him to stand aside. Punisher does so and looks Rider attempting to do something involving eye contact. While seeing him work, Punisher thinks to himself that after all the mess that happened here and there, the young guy's still on-spot. Looking his progress, Punisher adds to his mind that perhaps he's not as bad as he thought and he's definitely someone he (hesitantly) needs to be inspired of. Nevertheless, Punisher believes all of this is temporary and he'll be home soon.

Back to Ghost Rider's perspective, he snatches Stephen's collar up and stares at him in silence. Punisher is confused and asks if he's doing it. Rider hastily says he is and he pulls Stephen closer towards his eyes. Castle is visibly disturbed at him but after several seconds of Rider's flaming skull lighting up and down, Strange's wounds suddenly recover and he wakes up in shock.

Wondering what happened, Rider explains that he's in Earth-9200 now and he has just healed him. Strange expresses his surprising gratitude and asks how he could do that. Ghost Rider admits that he doesn't know and he just thought, "If the Penance Stare can burn sins, can it burn sinful wounds?"

Strange's face is awe-struck by this and says he's not sure of what to say. Perhaps, the Penance Stare can unknowingly be used to burn anything both good or bad. Rider says he's not sure but that's not the case right now. Strange agrees and he remembers of his teammates' condition. He immediately sees Castle and asks how was he back then. Castle says he looked like sh*t getting punched by the Hulk. Strange smiles and states that it's great to hear him say that.

After he gets up, Rider, Strange, and Punisher run towards the rest of the Exiles (including Greenskyn who's just stood up). Punisher starts up the interaction, telling them that it seems both of them f*cked up. Bull answers that their target just got bodied by their own Hulk. Strange asks if that Hulk is indeed their target, why is he standing right behind them. Knowing who he's referring to, Rojhaz clears it up for Strange and introduces the real Maestro. The real Maestro proceeds to briefly explain what's going on and why there's another Maestro.

Now knowing what's up, Strange now asks why there are a bunch of Hulks "cheering" for them and several angry Hulks roaring at them. In an instance, everyone turns to see a group of alternate Hulks led by Hulk 2099. Seeing Hulk 2099, Greenskyn asks him if he's had enough of the fun. Eisenhart says it's quite amusing to see him suffer, but it'll be more amusing if he dies at his hands with his friends. Greenskyn chuckles and turns to his teammates and Maestro. He tells them to not listen to the bastard, as he's a stupid "no brain, all brawn" b*tch. Hulk 2099 mocks him, saying that that came from a troll he just beat. Greenskyn rebuffs, saying that he'll know what beating someone means when he's not chained.

Hulk 2099 simply states they'll see about that, and he starts the fight by rallying Maestro's loyal servants from all around the Arena. Nova realizes what he's doing, but none of the Exiles expect the result of Maestro's "loyal servants" boo-ing Hulk 2099 and his lackeys. From a distance, a deranged Bruce Banner calls Hulk 2099 boring and coward, suggesting him to fight. Everyone in the Arena hears this and agrees with him, beginning to taunt Hulk 2099.

Greenskyn laughs out loud at this ordeal and pokes Maestro, asking him if he saw that. Maestro surprisingly smirks at this and calls out Hulk 2099, asking why did his weaker duplicate recruit him anyway. Hulk 2099 becomes angered and states that they all will pay. In an instance, Hulk 2099 charges at them with his "attack dogs" and the Exiles prepare to fight. Maestro however, tells them to stand down and let him do the "talking".

TBA