Marceline Bishop's life wasn't just a mess—it was a disaster zone, a hot mess served with a side of existential dread. At 23, she was already out of work again, a self-proclaimed nerd with no career prospects. Her apartment looked like a tornado had just passed through, complete with takeout boxes and a half-finished comic book she'd probably never get around to reading. She was the black sheep of her family, the underachiever among three highly successful siblings. Her brother was a lawyer, her sister was a doctor, and her youngest sibling had just graduated with honors. Meanwhile, she was still figuring out what she wanted to do with her life—and failing miserably.
She was about to head out for another interview, but the minute she stepped outside, she was hit with that familiar feeling: today's gonna suck. Just as she was contemplating whether she should just stay home and binge-watch her favorite shows, she spotted something.
A little kid, no older than seven, was standing in the middle of the street, cluelessly staring at the oncoming traffic. A car was speeding down the road, and it was clear that the kid hadn't noticed it.
"Of course," Marceline muttered, rolling her eyes, "Just when I thought this day couldn't get worse."
The witty part of her brain instantly flicked into overdrive. "Great, now I'm gonna be the one who gets flattened by a truck. Not even a cool, heroic way. Just some random pedestrian who gets taken out by a stupid car."
And that's when it happened.
Without thinking, Marceline lunged forward and shoved the kid out of the way. The force of her push sent the child tumbling to safety just as the car swerved around them, screeching to a halt.
Marceline, on the other hand, didn't get so lucky. In a split second, she felt a sharp pain, followed by a heavy weight slamming into her. She barely had time to react before everything went dark.
She should've been terrified—she was scared of dying, of leaving everything behind. But in that moment, she felt oddly calm, almost like she'd been waiting for it. Maybe her life was just one big cosmic joke, and she was the punchline.
Her last thought? Well, at least I did something good for once.
Chapter 1: The Last Act of Kindness (and Stupidity) - Part 2
Marceline jolted awake, her head spinning like a broken record. She was lying on something soft, too soft. The kind of soft that made her feel like she was in a dream, or maybe a plush furniture ad. Slowly, she opened her eyes, trying to get a grip on where she was.
What she saw made absolutely no sense. The walls around her were... white. Not just white—blinding, sterile white, like she was inside an infinity mirror. It felt like she was in the world's most expensive waiting room, but there were no magazines, no signs, no receptionist asking for her name.
She sat up with a groan. Her head felt like it was stuffed with cotton. "Okay, what the hell is this?"
A voice, smooth and warm like honey, came from across the room. "I see you've woken up. It's always fun when the chosen one finally gets their bearings."
Marceline froze. "Chosen one? Chosen for what? This place? Is this like... some kind of hospital or a VIP spa? 'Cause if it's the latter, I'm a little disappointed. No hot tubs, no soothing music... just a lot of white."
The woman sitting at a desk across from her smiled, her expression both amused and slightly knowing. She looked exactly like Oprah—like, exactly. But there was something off about her. Something that made Marceline's instincts twitch.
The woman tilted her head slightly, clearly enjoying the scene. "Oh, sweetie, it's far from a spa. But it is a place where your new life begins. And I'm here to help guide you."
Marceline squinted, eyeing the woman suspiciously. "So, let me get this straight. I was just run over by a truck, and now I'm in some... weird, weird office with a lady who looks like Oprah? Are we, like, in some weird alternate reality or something?"
The woman chuckled, leaning forward in her chair with a gleam in her eye. "Not quite. But you've been given a second chance at life. And what you choose to do with it... well, that's up to you."
Marceline blinked, still trying to make sense of her surroundings. "Wait, hold up. You're telling me that I'm alive? Like, really alive? 'Cause if this is some messed-up fever dream, I'm gonna be real upset. But if I'm alive, that means I'm not in a hospital, right?"
The woman's eyes sparkled with something close to amusement. "You're alive, alright. And you're not in a hospital. In fact, you're not even in a normal world anymore."
Marceline's brow furrowed. "Okay, seriously, you're talking in riddles. I just want to know what the hell is going on. Like, where am I? And why is everything white? Did I go to some weird dimension?"
The woman leaned back in her chair, her fingers laced together. "You're somewhere new. But not in the sense you're used to. I gave you this second chance because, well, you're special. Not everyone gets this opportunity."
Marceline sighed, shaking her head. "Great, so I'm special now. Wonderful. I'm not sure that explains the office vibe, though. What is this? Are you some sort of... therapist? Did I die and this is some posthumous therapy session?"
The woman's expression softened, but there was still a playful undertone to her words. "I'm not a therapist, no. But I am here to help you navigate your future. You have choices now, Marceline. You can be a hero. Or you can be something else entirely."
Marceline frowned, feeling a knot form in her stomach. "Hold up. Hero? What are you talking about? What's the catch? I was just trying to save a kid from getting hit by a truck, and now I'm sitting here with a lady who's apparently godly Oprah telling me I'm special? This... this doesn't feel real."
The woman's eyes darkened slightly, her gaze serious now, though she kept her calm demeanor. "You're not the first person to question your place in the world. But you've been given a chance to make something more of yourself. You could go back to your old life, or you could take control of your destiny. The world—multiple worlds, in fact—are open to you. But what you do with that power... that's up to you."
Marceline's breath caught in her throat, the weight of those words pressing on her chest. She didn't know what she was supposed to do with any of this. A chance at life? Sure, that was good, right? But this... this felt too big. Too foreign. She wanted to just walk out of the room, but there was nowhere to go. No exit. No answer.
She swallowed hard. "I—I don't get it. You're telling me I can... do anything? Anything I want? I mean, yeah, I've messed up a lot in my life, but now I've got a whole new chance? And you want me to be a... hero? Or... what?"
The woman's expression softened, her tone warm yet unyielding. "You're not just getting a second chance at life. You're getting a chance to decide who you want to be. A hero, or a villain. There's power in both. But the choice is yours."
Marceline shook her head, still reeling. "This is... way too much. I don't even know where I am, and you're talking about heroes and villains? What am I supposed to do with all this?"
The woman smiled softly, her eyes locking with Marceline's. "You'll figure it out. You always do. But remember, your choices shape your future. Don't waste this opportunity."
Marceline let out a shaky breath, feeling her head swim with the weight of it all. "Right. No pressure."
The woman's smile widened, almost knowingly. "No pressure at all. You're free to take it at your own pace. Just know this—wherever you go, whatever you do, I'll be watching. And I'll be here if you need guidance. But the direction you take is entirely up to you."
Marceline stared at her for a long moment. She had no idea what this all meant. But somehow, deep down, she knew that her life—everything—was about to change. She didn't know where to start, but she had a feeling the answers wouldn't come easy.
Chapter 1: The Last Act of Kindness (and Stupidity) - Part 3
Marceline's head was spinning, the surreal situation slowly settling into her consciousness. The woman—this godly Oprah—was still seated across from her, as calm and collected as before. Marceline sat back, arms crossed, trying to take everything in. The weight of what she had just heard was pressing down on her like a ton of bricks. Hero or villain? Her whole future—her entire life—was now in her hands, and she had no idea what to do with it.
"Alright, so... explain this system to me," Marceline said, forcing herself to sound a little more confident, though the lump in her throat was hard to ignore. "You said I have a second chance at life. Does that mean I get to choose what happens next? Is there a manual for this?"
The woman smiled softly, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, there's no manual, sweetie. But there is something even better: The Multiversal Fictional Summoning System. I'll explain it all to you, but first... it's time for a little fun."
With a snap of her fingers, a shimmering, golden wheel appeared between them. It spun slowly at first, the gentle click of each section filling the air.
Marceline blinked, not sure what to make of the whole setup. "Wait, hold up. That's how this works? A spinning wheel?"
The woman chuckled. "Oh yes, sweetie. This wheel will decide which world you'll be sent to. Think of it as a little game of fate. Once it lands, you'll be thrust into that universe. But don't worry. I'll make sure you're ready. After all, you're going to need some guidance, and the system will help you adapt."
Marceline stared at the wheel, her mind racing. "I'm guessing I don't get to pick, huh?"
"Nope. But don't worry. Every world has its strengths. Some might be more dangerous than others, but I'll make sure you're well-equipped to handle whatever comes your way."
Marceline's hands gripped the edge of her chair, the weight of her decision still looming over her. She had no idea what kind of world she was about to be sent to, but a part of her didn't care. She could feel the tension in her chest slowly ebbing away, replaced by a strange sense of acceptance. She couldn't go back to her old life anyway. No point in dwelling on things she couldn't change.
The wheel spun faster now, the colors and names of different universes blurring together. Marceline's eyes flickered between the wheel and the woman in front of her, but it was hard to focus on anything else.
"And what if I don't want to go anywhere at all?" Marceline asked, half-joking, half-serious.
The woman raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. "You're always welcome to stay here with me. But I think you'll find it's more fun out there. And besides... there's something waiting for you. You might just find what you've been missing."
Marceline bit her lip. She thought about her life before the accident—the mess she'd been living in. A part of her had been eager to leave, to get away from it all. Her dad, with his cold, distant attitude. Her stepmother, who always treated her like an outsider. Her step-siblings, who never hesitated to remind her that she didn't belong.
And then there was Grandma. She was the only person who'd ever truly understood her. The only one who'd never judged her for being different. The one who'd kept her grounded, even when everything else felt like it was falling apart. But now... she'd never see Grandma again.
A pang of grief hit her chest, sharp and sudden. Marceline clenched her jaw, fighting back the tears that threatened to rise. She couldn't go back. Not to her father's house, not to that fake family. But she could've really used one more hug from Grandma.
"Yeah, I'm ready," Marceline said quietly, her voice more resolute than she felt. She wasn't going back to the people who had never cared. But the weight of losing her grandmother still lingered in her heart, a dull ache that she'd carry with her wherever she went.
The wheel slowed, coming to a stop with a soft click. The words "DC Universe" flashed in bright letters across the wheel's face.
The woman clapped her hands together, looking pleased. "Ah, the DC Universe. A world full of heroes, villains, and everything in between. You'll fit right in, trust me."
Marceline's heart skipped a beat. "DC, huh? Heroes and villains... I guess that makes sense. I've got a few villainous tendencies anyway. But if I'm gonna be stuck in some strange world... guess I could do worse than DC, right?"
The woman nodded, her gaze softening just a little. "You're a fighter, Marceline. You've got a fire in you. I have no doubt you'll find your way."
Marceline swallowed hard. She didn't know what the future held, but for once, she was tired of wondering. She had a second chance. A whole new world. No more family drama, no more waiting around for things to get better. She would make her own path.
"Alright, then," Marceline said with a faint, uncertain smile. "Let's do this. DC or bust."
The woman smiled, and with another snap of her fingers, the world around Marceline began to fade. Before she knew it, the white room and the godly Oprah figure were gone, leaving nothing but the unknown world waiting ahead.
Chapter 1: The Last Act of Kindness (and Stupidity) - Part 4
The world around Marceline spun as if it were made of stardust and smoke. Her body felt weightless, like she was falling through a never-ending void. She tried to scream, but the air around her was thick and empty, swallowing her voice before it even left her throat.
Her mind raced with thoughts of what had just happened—what she'd agreed to. One moment, she was sitting in some weird cosmic office, and the next... well, here she was. She hadn't even had time to process it all.
Suddenly, the sensation of falling stopped. Her feet hit the cold, hard ground with a thud, knocking the wind out of her. The harsh scent of Gotham's gritty streets filled her nostrils. The sounds of the city—car horns blaring, distant chatter, the occasional scream—rushed in around her like a tidal wave. She staggered, catching her balance, and blinked rapidly.
"What the hell...?" she muttered, looking around. The skyline was jagged, full of towering buildings that looked like they'd seen better days. Dark clouds hung low in the sky, casting the entire city in a gloomy haze. The air was thick with smog and something else... something dangerous.
"Am I... in Gotham City?" Marceline whispered to herself, eyes wide. The place looked just like the gritty, crime-ridden city she'd seen in movies and comics. Only, this wasn't a movie. This wasn't a comic. This was real. And she was here.
Before she could process much more, a soft chime echoed through her head, followed by a voice that sounded strangely familiar.
[System Integrating...]
Her body tensed as a surge of energy coursed through her veins. She gasped, feeling something inside her shift, like an invisible force weaving through her muscles and mind. The system... it was real. She wasn't dreaming. The items... felt real. This was her new reality now.
[System Integration Complete.]
A small window popped up in her vision, outlining the basics of the Multiversal Fictional Summoning System. Her eyes narrowed as she scanned through the details.
[Starter Pack Received]
There was a sudden flicker in the air, and a small pouch materialized in front of her. It was a simple, leather-bound bag, much like a backpack, but it seemed almost... alive in its own right. She reached out hesitantly, her fingers brushing against it, and felt a hum of energy. The pouch was warm to the touch, and as soon as her hand made contact, it seemed to expand slightly, adjusting to her size.
The system's voice spoke again, clear and precise in her mind.
[You have received the following essentials from the goddess:]
One Silver Summoning Token
One Ability Token
Two Skill Tokens
Map of Gotham City (includes key locations, but beware of hidden areas)
Basic Health Potion x3
Energy Boost Elixir x2
Utility Knife
Lightweight Armor Set (perfect for stealth and agility)
Money (500 Dollars)
Marceline blinked, eyeing the items in her hand. The summoning tokens caught her attention. She wasn't sure what they did yet, but something told her they'd be important. The rest of the pack—potions, a knife, armor—seemed practical enough, and the cash was a nice touch. Gotham wasn't exactly known for being generous, after all.
She tucked the map away and adjusted the utility knife, feeling its weight in her palm. It felt right. The armor, light and flexible, clung comfortably to her skin. It was strange, almost as if the system had known exactly what she needed.
"Well, looks like I'm stuck here... at least I'm not completely defenseless," she muttered to herself, trying to shake off the unease settling in her stomach.
A shadow shifted across the alley behind her, and she whirled around instinctively, her hand reaching for the knife. The moment she turned, she saw a figure—a man dressed in dark, tattered clothes, his face obscured by a hood. He didn't look particularly threatening... yet.
"Need some help?" he asked, his voice gruff, but with an odd curiosity in his tone.
Marceline hesitated. She was still figuring out the basics of her situation, trying to integrate the new system into her mind, but one thing was clear: Gotham wasn't exactly a friendly place.
She took a deep breath and gave him a sarcastic grin. "Not unless you have a map to get me the hell out of here."
He chuckled, but it was a hollow sound, as if he'd heard that joke a hundred times before. "Welcome to Gotham, lady. No one ever gets out."
Marceline's grin faltered for just a second. She had no intention of sticking around in some dark alley, but she'd have to figure out what the hell was going on in this city.
"I'm not planning on leaving anytime soon," she said, her voice steady. "But if you've got any tips on surviving around here, I'd be more than happy to hear them."
The man eyed her carefully for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Stick to the shadows, stay out of trouble, and don't trust anyone. Gotham will chew you up and spit you out if you're not careful."
Great. A city of chaos, danger, and no one to trust. Just her luck. But she wasn't about to back down.
"Thanks for the advice, but I think I've got this," Marceline said, pulling the utility knife from the pouch. It felt strangely comforting in her hand, as if the system had known exactly what she needed.
The man gave her a once-over, his expression unreadable, then shrugged. "Suit yourself."
And with that, he disappeared back into the darkness of the alley, leaving Marceline to figure out her next move.