"You died."
"Wait! What?!"
"You died. So you know how it is, death, wishes, reincarnation, etc. How about it? Today is your lucky day.", the person in front of me says.
"I ... don't understand a word you just said. What is going on? Where am I? And who are you?", I ask bewildered at this strange prank that is being pulled on me.
"I see. Wow, I didn't think that there were souls like you. Ok, well I guess it is time for me to explain to you what is going on. I didn't have to do that in like ... forever. But it is refreshing I guess. Alright here's the deal. You died and ...
....
....
....
"... Are you lying to me?", I ask after this long explanation.
"No."
"So I died."
"Yes."
"And you are some sort of Robert that grants wishes to those that are lucky and also die."
"A R.O.B. but yes, that is correct."
"Haha, ok ok. Well then let's see here. If you truly are what you say you are, then you must surely know what my greatest wish is, no?", I ask.
"I would say I have an idea, yes."
"And what would that be?", I ask him. There is no way he would know that. No one knows. I never told anyone. It is my secret.
"I assume it is to be a detective. But since you aren't smart enough, you would like to be as smart as those detectives you read about, like Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and the like."
"...", my jaw has fallen to the floor. How would he know that? Is this truly real?
"Yes, this is truly real. And yes I can read your mind. But I don't do it normally because those who come here, usually believe me from the start."
"Oh my gosh ... this is truly real then? Wha-what happened how did I die then? And and what about-"
...
"Are you calm now?"
"Yes, I apologise."
"That's alright. Now I would suggest that you do yourself something good and wish for something that you want."
"I wish to be the greatest detective!", I say without a hint of hesitation.
"..."
"..."
"You do realise that you can wish for anything?"
"Yes."
"You could wish for some awesome superpowers, like those in anime and comics."
"I never read those."
"Are you serious? Where did you live?"
"Why? Did I miss something?"
"... Yes."
"Oh, well. Is that a problem then?"
"Hmm ... that might be the simplest wish I have come across. Then what else would you wish for?", the person asks me.
"Uhmm ... nothing really."
"For real? I literally told you that you could wish for anything and you don't want anything else but to become a detective?"
"Yes, please. Is that not possible?"
"No, it is definitely possible. Well if that is the only thing you wish for, then how about I tell you where you're going?", he asks me.
"Yes, please."
"You're going to different worlds. The first one will be a more or less normal one, like the one you are used to and then you have the choice to go to others like one of the worlds in the DC comics."
"I see. Another comic. I really should have read some of them. But I do know DC. Batman is the best detective there after all.", I say with pride.
"*Sigh* Of course you would know him. Very well then. It would seem that you don't understand the danger you might find yourself in. I don't even know why I am asking and doing this, but would you like me to pick some things for you, in order to fulfil your one wish?", the nice person asks me.
"You would do that?"
"Yeah, sure. Why not. You'd just die anyway.", the nice person says.
"That is very nice of you. Thank you very much.", I say to him. He just nods.
"Yeah yeah. Here take these.", he says and hands me two little ... glass vials.
"And what do I do with them?", I ask him.
"You drink them obviously."
"Oh, alright then.", I say and drink both of them. They taste like ... medicine. I don't know why but I feel like I was suddenly cured from something and all thanks to these two ... vials.
"I suddenly feel ... so tired.", I say.
"Yes, that comes from the Essences. You will fall asleep, otherwise the changes can't happen. When you wake up again, you will already be in the new world. So this is the last time we see each other. I wish you a good life. I hope you get what you want ... Myroft.", the man says with a slight smile.
"Tha-nk ... y-ou.", I say and then everything turns dark.
.
When I open my eyes again, I am inside ... an orphanage. The wooden floor and the many small beds which are placed neatly right next to each other would speak for this. I can smell ... old, wet wood. There seems to be a leak somewhere. An old house from what I can gather at the first glance. But to make sure that this is indeed an orphanage I still need ...
"Mycroft, you're awake. Sister Mary and I were worried about you. How are you feeling dear?", a nun walked in and embraced me. From her accent, I'd say, Great Brittain, no doubt about it, but where exactly, I do not know that.
"Does your head still hurt?", Sister Margret asks me.
"There is some mild discomfort indeed. But I would say they will go away soon, Sister.", I tell her.
"That's wonderful dear. The doctor didn't know whether you would wake up again. You lay there as if you were ... *sniff*"
"It is fine now. I am healthy as a lark. Now what about supper?"
"Ah, there is the hungry Mycroft I remember. Come there should be some left over for you.", she says and we walk down.
.
Well, that happened. I really reincarnated into a new world and into the past no less. The day I opened my eyes it was 1872. I was located in Rye, East Sussex to be exact. It didn't matter to me, but I was hoping to see a bit of the modern world. I was only sad for a short time though. Because I gained some information about those two 'vials' I drank. Those two vials were some powerful little things. They granted me a variety of abilities.
One was for my intelligence. I was now the smartest man in the room. Learning came as easy as breathing now. I could remember everything that I saw, heard or even smelled.
I also learned that I can gain knowledge of a book, just by touching it. I don't even have to read anymore. I must say that is wonderful news, but I think that reading in front of a pot-bellied stove while it is raining outside, drinking a cup of tea, is a wonderful thing to do. I can also use more than one train of thought. It is very useful in certain situations and thankfully I can also turn this off or make them silent, not that the multiple trains of thought bother me, it is just new, that's all.
The other vial contained something even more impressive. It essentially made me immortal. I can't die unless my body is completely destroyed or I want to be reborn. This is amazing as I don't have to bother about acting like I am another person, but I could essentially just reincarnate again and be 'the son' I 'had.
Now I know what I want in my life or 'lives' and I will work towards that. The year is currently 1879, so that means that I will probably have two world wars in front of me. I plan on being there to help fight in both of them. With my intelligence, that should be a simple matter.
I am currently 5 years of age. I will work towards my greatest wish and also try to earn some money, as soon as possible to help the orphanage.
.
Something interesting happened. Two years after waking up in the orphanage in Rye, I met a fine gentleman who came to visit the school I was granted the opportunity to take a test for a scholarship. With my intelligence, this was as easy as pie and I was most certain that I would ace the test. I was tested on all sorts of things which I believed wasn't something a normal 7-year-old should know. It was of no concern to me and I simply answered all the questions.
Afterwards, I was told that the fine gentleman was the director of St George's School in Ascot, Berkshire. He was most interested in my performance and offered me a chance to study at his school. I had to suppress a smile when I heard him. I wonder whether that was what you called destiny of some kind. Because I know St George's School in Ascot.
I accepted of course. The chance to meet the child Winston Churchill is not something I would let slip through my fingers. Having connections was imperative for my future business. Because starting as a detective was hard, but if someone, say from an aristocratic background knew who you were and maybe even was your friend, then you would have a much easier time.
And just as I expected, when I entered the school I was in the same year as the future PM. I used my intelligence to create a meeting that looked random. I wouldn't manipulate him or anything. I just wanted him to know me. And maybe we could become friends. The young Churchill passed an unhappy and sadly neglected childhood. This became apparent when his academic accomplishments left much to be desired.
I met Winston 'perchance' and we got to talk. Everything about him says harsh and neglected childhood whereas the father says what goes. The more time we spent together, the more he told me about his home. I offered to teach him some things and due to my brilliant mind, it was a simple matter to teach him. He appreciated it. But I came to believe that he appreciated my company more than his improving grades. He didn't care for studying, that much was clear and no matter how much I tried to make him study more, it was only partially successful.
I managed to improve his grades so that Winston didn't have to transfer to another school like he should have originally. I came to genuinely appreciate Winston for who he was. He was headstrong, loyal and brave. Characteristics that will help him and the world during World War II. I told Winston about my dream to become a detective. He was revolted when I told him. Not because he looked down on my dream, but because he thought that someone as brilliant as I, shouldn't choose such a poor job. He was convinced that I would manage anything I set my mind to, so choosing to become a detective was just selling myself short, in his eyes.
I liked Winston. We became good friends in the 6 years we were in St George's together. Sadly, Winston's father, Lord Randolph Churchill had plans for Winston. He wanted him to prepare for a military career. So in April 1888, aged 13, Winston easily passed the entrance exam for Harrow School. It would be the last time we saw each other until much later. But Winston would never forget me, at least that's what he told me.
.
"I'll never forget you, Mycroft. And if it is truly your wish to become a sleuth, then I'll make sure to help you get some cases in the future. After all, you solved Hewer's missing watch problem.", Winston says to me.
"Why thank you, Winston. Remember the motto of St. George: Vincent Qui Se Vincunt. You overcame yourself in these years. Believe in yourself.", I say to him. Our school's motto means: They will conquer who overcome themselves.
"You are right. I'll remember it. Goodbye Mycroft, until we meet again."
"Rise the ranks, Winston, I will need my golden goose if my business doesn't work out.", I tell him in jest and he laughs. This would be the last time I saw him until quite a few years later. I stayed in St. George's school because of Winston. I knew he needed help and since we became the best of friends, I didn't care about those few missed years. I will get my doctorate and other degrees in the next year or two and then open my very own detective business.