The cold grip of darkness faded away, replaced by the warmth of a bright, unyielding light. Paul's senses returned one by one, his body tingling with an unfamiliar energy. His lungs drew in a deep breath—strange, new air. The world around him felt... different.
He blinked, squinting into the light. The moment he focused, the harsh radiance dimmed, revealing a vast, ethereal space stretching in all directions. There were no walls, no floor—just an endless, infinite void. It felt like being inside a thought, like reality itself had been suspended. And in the center of it all, a figure stood.
It was tall, humanoid in shape, but its features were difficult to describe. It was as if the figure was made of light and shadow in equal measure—its form constantly shifting and undulating. Its presence was not malevolent, nor benevolent; it simply was, a force that existed beyond understanding.
"Welcome, Paul," the figure's voice resonated in his mind, deep and unearthly. "You are about to become something far greater than you ever were."
Paul's throat went dry. His heart raced. How did it know his name? What was this place? Before he could speak, the figure continued, its voice calm, yet commanding.
"You were chosen. Your life was cut short, yes, but in exchange, you will be granted power—true power. You will see the universe as few others ever will. You will be reborn into a new body, a new life, in a world filled with untold potential. A world of gods, heroes, and villains. The DC Universe."
Paul's mind spun. He'd heard of DC comics, of course. The stories, the heroes, the insane cosmic threats... But it felt so unreal. Could this really be happening? Was he dead? Or was this some kind of dream?
"Yes," the figure said, as if reading his thoughts. "You are dead, but your journey is far from over. I have seen the way your life unfolded in your past world, Paul. The choices you made, the regrets, the ambition. Now, I will give you the opportunity to start anew, in a universe where the rules are different, where anything is possible."
A chill ran down his spine. "But why me?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"Because you were ready," the being answered, "Ready to evolve beyond your limits. I have watched you. Even in your last moments, you sought something more. Now, you will have it."
Paul felt a strange stirring within him, a pull deep inside his mind, like something ancient and powerful was reaching out to him.
"You will be gifted with the memories and mind of one of the greatest minds to ever exist," the figure continued. "A mind that transcends the boundaries of mortal comprehension. You will carry the knowledge, the cunning, and the intellect of Rick Prime, the most brilliant and unpredictable being to walk the multiverse."
Rick Prime? The name was unfamiliar, yet the flood of memories began to pour into Paul's consciousness—visions of a chaotic, unrelenting genius, a man who thrived in endless battles and brilliant schemes. He could feel Rick's intellect, his sharpness, his grasp on the most complex of problems. It was like becoming part of someone else's life, but the knowledge felt right. It felt like it belonged to him.
"With this gift," the being said, "You will also have access to a special enhancement. This is no ordinary substance. It is the pinnacle of mental enhancement—NZT-48. It will unlock the full potential of your brain, allowing you to think faster, more clearly, and process information at speeds previously thought impossible. This version of the drug has no side effects. It will remain with you permanently, and you will never suffer its usual drawbacks. You will think and act as one of the greatest minds in existence. The universe will be at your feet, Paul."
As the being spoke, Paul could feel the change happening. A power surged through him, filling every corner of his mind. His thoughts expanded, no longer constrained by the limits of his human brain. Ideas and calculations formed faster than he could comprehend, each one more intricate than the last.
He felt unstoppable. Infinitely intelligent. His understanding of the world, the multiverse, and the limits of possibility bloomed in his consciousness. The world was a puzzle, and he now had the pieces to solve it.
The being smiled, or at least, Paul imagined it did. "Go forth, Paul," it said, "Embrace your new life, your new power. You are more than you were. You are a force to be reckoned with, capable of reshaping the very fabric of this universe. But remember this: even the most brilliant minds can be tested. Do not let your gift turn into a curse."
Paul nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. He didn't feel fear. He felt... excitement. Power. He was no longer Paul from his old life—he was someone else entirely. Someone who could change everything.
"You may go now," the being's voice softened, as if guiding him away. "Your new life begins now. Remember, you are not alone. You will meet others—heroes, villains, gods—but none of them will understand you as I do."
And then, with a sensation like falling, Paul's mind was pulled away from the vast space. The light vanished, and the world around him changed once again.
Back on Earth
The next moment, Paul's eyes shot open, and he gasped for air. He was... not where he'd been before. The room around him was unfamiliar, yet it felt real—too real.
He lay in a crib. A small, child's body. His limbs were chubby, and his vision was blurry at first. But as he blinked and took in his surroundings, everything clicked. This wasn't just some dream. He was really here. A new body, a new life in the DC Universe.
As his memories settled, Rick Prime's intelligence filled his mind. Every problem-solving technique, every piece of knowledge Rick had accumulated... it was all there. And with it, the unshakable certainty that Paul—now this new child—could take on anything.
The possibilities were endless. A world of heroes and villains lay before him, and he knew exactly what he needed to do.
First, learn the rules of this world. Then... change them.