Chapter 1
His head was pounding with information overload. He remembered the train derailing. He felt no pain. Adrenaline is an addictive drug.
One by one, he pulled the injured through the shattered window. He could hear sirens at the edge of his hearing. He turned his head to look at the people getting out of the red vehicles.
He slowly climbed down from the overturned train car and began climbing the stairs. About 10 meters above was an old wooden bench.
He looked at his stomach. Three bars were sticking out of it. Strange. He wasn't afraid. He simply sat on the bench and finally had time to admire the Alps. The weather was clear. The reflection of the snow-capped peaks could be seen on the lake's surface.
He had always wanted to come to Switzerland. This was only the second day of his journey. He knew he wouldn't climb Mont Blanc in this condition. He smiled, looking at his bloody hand.
Now he was reminded of the 'the masculine urge to bleed out in the snow' memes. The bastards were lying. There was supposed to be calm music, not the wailing of ambulances.
Two firefighters ran up to him and started talking in German. He understood maybe every fifth word.
"Gehe.... helfen.... zug...."
His voice was weak. He wanted to tell them to save the others on the train. They examined him quickly. The older of them shook his head and put a triage around his neck. He broke off all the colors except black. They gave him some kind of intravenous medication. Probably a painkiller.
He wasn't stupid. He knew what that meant. The older fireman rushed downstairs. The younger fireman stayed with him for a moment.
"Do you speak English?"
"Yes."
A young man's voice answered.
"I'm black."
"What?"
"Look at the triage. It's... black. Get out of here..."
The young firefighter hesitated.
"Go... I have a... good view here..."
The firefighter nodded slowly. He stood up and went down to help those who could still be saved.
He tilted his head back as far as he could to look at the snow-capped peaks. He felt strangely... cleansed. He was well insured, so his father would get enough money that he wouldn't have to work anymore. His mother would finally be able to buy the land he'd dreamed of to start his own small farm. His younger brother would have the means to finish school and start the business they'd talked about together.
It was a good life.
His only regret was that he would never climb Mont Blanc again.
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.
"Rise, my son."
He opened his eyes. The sky was clear, blue. Sunlight framed his face gently between the leaves of the trees. Birds and insects sang all around in a strange but pleasant synchronicity.
The grass beneath him was comfortable... not a single stone dug into his back. He reached into his stomach, but his hand found no protruding bars. There was not even a trace of blood.
He sat up slowly, expecting pain that never came. His hands were clean. He was dressed for mountain climbing.
He stood up. He looked around and started moving in a seemingly random direction. He walked slowly, inhaling the scent of fresh mountain air.
He should have been disoriented, but he remembered what had happened... he had died. At least he had managed to help a few people at the end. Was he in heaven now?
Somewhere ahead of him....between the trees....a blue light shone....it was coming towards him.
Strange.... he didn't know.... and he knew at the same time. It was a moment when faith intertwined with knowledge.... because to believe, you don't need knowledge.... but if you know.... how can you believe?
A voice from the coming light answered his thoughts.
"Faith is not blind hope, and knowledge does not kill faith. They complement each other. You knew this when you saved others. In doing so, you used knowledge, and at the same time, you believed you were doing the right thing. Now you know that death is not the end, because you see me."
A man in a white robe stepped out of the light. He walked barefoot. He had brown hair and a beard.
At the sight of him....he knelt. Not out of fear or compulsion. Simply...it was a reflex.
"Are....you..."
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Jesus offered him his hand, and he took it.
"Come, son. We need to talk, but don't worry. We have all eternity for this."
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.
.
"I saw your courage. Despite your wounds, you still decided to help others."
He just shook his head.
"No, Lord. I did what... had to be done."
Jesus smiled.
"Despite your words, I see you regret something."
He lowered his head...
"I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize to me. These are feelings you have every right to have. My Father gave you free will, and with it, the choice of how to act. Tell me about your regrets."
"I... I think I regret that my life ended so early... I didn't have time to help my brother... I didn't say goodbye to my mother... I had a fight with my father before I left... and now I regret it..."
Jesus placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Your grievances are human, son. You quarreled with your father, and that is a pain many bear. Despite this, your love for your family shines brightly, and with your death, you secured their survival on Earth. Know that you are mourned by many, not only your family, but also by people you don't know. That day, someone immortalized your actions, and your deeds and your death were witnessed by millions."
"What do you mean... millions?"
A screen appeared before them, showing clippings from news, newspapers, and social media.
*Hero of the Alps*
*A Real Man*
*A Man of Honor*
*Chad Energy. Saves people. Refuses to be saved. Doesn't elaborate. Dies.*
*Every man's dream.*
*Masculine energy to sacrifice your life*
"Your actions not only amazed the world, but also inspired people. Thousands came to your funeral. Have you ever wondered how many people you saved that day?"
He shook his head.
"No... I don't know. I was just pulling them out."
"Because of you, 17 people survived. 17 people are able to be with their families today because of you."
He didn't answer. He just looked at the headlines and memes.
"You've become a hero, son, and as you said, you didn't want to die... so I'd like to make you an offer."
He turned to Jesus.
"What do you need from me, my Lord?"
Jesus smiled.
"Relax, son, for you will have a choice. That's what makes you human."
Jesus pointed him in the direction, and the two of them set off slowly along the path through the forest.
"There are other worlds that are not as safe as yours. There are people who need heroes, who are willing to stand up for safety and goodness. There is one world where you can be reborn. It is full of people who possess various powers. You will have such power as well."
"But..."
Jesus smiled once again.
.
.
.
"I understand your worries. You worry that you won't be the same person you are now... but I don't want to take that away from you. You'll remember your life. You'll remember your time here. You'll have a family that will love you."
He just nodded.
"And... my power? What will it be?"
"I remember that in your lifetime, you were a fan of Avatar..."
He widened his eyes.
"I'll be able to... bend all four elements?"
"Yes, although you'll initially be born with one and will have to learn each of them, but don't worry, along the way you'll meet people who will be willing to help you along the way."
"So I'll get a chance at a new life?"
"Yes. A new life that you'll lead according to your conscience, and I know you're a good person."
"Can... may I ask a question?"
"Of course, son."
"If... you are all-powerful... then why don't you just save this other world?"
Jesus nodded in satisfaction.
"A very wise question. It's true that I am all-powerful, but as written in the Bible, God gave people free will. I don't interfere directly, because that would take away the meaning of free will. Likewise, I leave you free will. If you agree, then in the new world you will still be free to make your own decisions. What is light without darkness?"
"In a world without darkness, light has no meaning... and people wouldn't know how to distinguish good from evil..."
Jesus nodded in agreement.
"Lord... will we be able to talk... when I am reborn in the new world?"
"Not in the way we are talking now. But know that as long as you need me, I will be with you."
"I think... I think I'm afraid."
"I know, son... fear is a normal human thing."
He closed his eyes and calmed his breathing.
"This may sound selfish... but I really want to live..."
Jesus placed his hand on his heart, and warmth spread through his chest.
"It's not selfish, son. The will to live is a gift. Receive it with gratitude."
He closed his eyes... and after a moment, he felt cold. Someone was holding him upside down. Someone slapped him on the butt. He began to scream in fear and incomprehension.
"Show me my child!"
The nurse cleaned him up and wrapped him in some soft cloth. She said as she did so.
"Congratulations, Ms. Tsuchikawa, you have given birth to a healthy son."
The nurse handed him to the tired pro hero. The faces of her teammates, Mandalay and Ragdoll, appeared beside her.
Pixie-Bob looked at her son with a love she had never felt before.
"A few hours of fighting, but you were worth it, little one.... Now you need to get a good name.... How about..."
End of Chapter 1
A Few Words After Chapter 1
Hi. I wanted to write something new to take a break from my other fanfics. Here's some information you'll probably ask in the comments.
The age of the Wild Wild Pussycats is being changed. They'll be older. The AU accepts students from 16 years old.
The OC will be the same age as the characters from 1A and 1B.
The OC doesn't have a name yet, so I'd love to hear your suggestions in the comments.