Today is the first day I've regretted waking up in my 18 years of existence. Imagine this: you live your life peacefully. Family, friends. You just graduated high school. You're heading to an Ivy League college—then bam. You wake up in the body of a superpowered teenager in a fictional world.
Well, that's my fucking reality.
Groaning in annoyance as my alarm clock continues to beep loudly, I slam a fist down onto it. The alarm clock shatters. Sitting up with a scowl, I rub my face.
My first day here, I was busy moving with 'my' single mother, Ayisha Rudolph, to Chicago. That's right—Chicago. Waking up as a side character in my favorite TV show is one thing. Moving to the worst possible place on earth to live in this reality—and arguably in my last—is even worse.
"Zandale! Get your ass up! You have fucking school!" my mom yells from downstairs, making me reluctantly start getting dressed.
Before dying, I had just graduated… and now I have to do senior year again.
I'm bulletproof now. The side-character hero, future member of the Guardians of the Globe. The original Zandale has been running solo since he was 15—roughly three years. For whatever reason, whenever I dig through his memories, I can't find how he got his powers.
He's not a Viltrumite. That's for sure. I've ruled out all possibilities. But 'my' father is alive and well—just an extremely busy man. And he's 100% human.
Heading to the bathroom, I get started on the first order of business: shaving off my beard. I'm 18. I don't know why the original Zandale liked facial hair, but I'm too young for it.
"BOY, HURRY UP! I DON'T HAVE ALL DAY!"
"COMING, MA!"
****
Sitting in the passenger seat of my mom's car, I blankly stare out the window as we come to a stop in front of my new school.
'Reginald Vel Johnson High School.'
My memories from my original life may be blurry, but that name sure as hell rings a bell.
"Have a good day at school, baby!" my mom says, driving off without hesitation.
Slinging my book bag over my shoulder, I run a hand through my braids in annoyance.
"Here we go again. High school… yay."
First period: Algebra 3.
Leaning back in my chair at the far back of the classroom, I stare out the window in annoyance as the class slowly fills up.
Once everything settles, the teacher begins calling attendance.
"Zandale Rudolph."
"Here."
I answer boredly before turning back to the window. But then the classroom door opens abruptly, catching my attention.
"Miss Grayson. You are 15 minutes late. Unacceptable on the first day of school," the teacher—Mr. Fields—scolds.
That last name gets my attention. I look up, and my eyes widen.
Mark? But… why is he a girl?
Long black hair. Roughly 5'8. Asian features. Solid blue eyes. She's pretty.
Shaking my head, I focus. Now's not the time.
Has she gotten her powers yet? Doubtful. News of the Guardians of the Globe being dead hasn't happened yet. And it's the start of senior year. There's not an exact timeline, but Mark graduates in early season two… so I'll assume she doesn't get her powers until midway through the year.
"Sorry. Won't happen again, Mr. Fields," the gender-bent Grayson says, her tone flat—like she doesn't care.
Her eyes scan the classroom lazily before landing on the empty seat next to me.
Being the only open seat, she walks over and sits beside me.
I resist the urge to stare, only giving her a side glance before speaking quietly.
"So… what held you up?" I try to start conversation
She raises an eyebrow.
"I woke up late. You don't seem familiar—are you new?"
"Yeah," I hum. "Just transferred today. My mom thought moving to Chicago was the best move for our family."
She snorts.
"No offense, but something tells me your mom isn't the brightest."
I nod. In this reality, Chicago feels like it's constantly under attack. If Omni-Man didn't exist, this city would've been destroyed twenty times over.
But I know the truth.
He's not going to be Chicago's protector for long… or Earth's.
Clenching my fist under the desk, I sigh.
"Yeah… we can agree on that. So, what's your name?"
"Minah. Minah Grayson. You?"
"Zandale Rudolph."
She smiles slightly.
"Interesting name. So, how are you liking Chicago so far?"
I crack a small smile back.
"I've only been here a day. Can't say it's been too bad."
"Oh—"
We both realize too late that the class has gone silent.
"Grayson. Rudolph. Is there something you two would like to share with the class?" Mr. Fields asks.
"No, Mr. Fields," we answer in sync.
*********
Second period was gym.
Holding back enough to pass as just "very athletic" is way harder than it sounds.
Third period: chemistry.
Fourth: AP English.
Each class lacked Minah. I didn't see her in the halls either.
At first, I hoped she was just another Grayson. It's a common last name. Maybe Mark still exists, and the timeline isn't too messed up.
But the more I looked—and failed to find the familiar protagonist—the more that hope faded.
Opening my locker after five tries—stupid combination system—I hear a commotion down the hall.
"Hey, stop!"
A loud bang follows. Someone just got slammed into a locker.
Walking toward the noise, I spot a familiar face.
Minah.
Her back is pinned against a locker. Surrounding her are three girls and two guys.
"Cut it out! Leave her alone!" a voice calls.
I turn and spot Amber… and next to her, William.
The guy pinning Minah looks furious. Minah just stares at him, completely blank.
That's… concerning.
"You say something to my girl, Grayson?" the dude snarls.
I step forward.
"Hey! What the fuck is going on here?"
My voice cuts through the crowd. Everyone turns to me.
The bully backs off Minah and steps up to me.
"And who the fuck are you?"
Todd. That's his name. I remember marks bully from. The show.
I stand my ground.
"Doesn't matter who I am, dickhead. Do you feel big pushing around a girl? Try that with me."
The crowd starts ooh-ing, egging him on.
"Fucker!"
He swings.
But to me, he's moving through syrup.
My perception speeds up, and a wave of pure euphoria hits me.
My powers.
Thinking through multiple options in an instant, I dodge and trip him.
Time snaps back to normal as Todd eats shit and slams face-first into the floor.
"Ohhh!"
The crowd erupts.
His two friends rush me. I weave one punch and lightly backhand the closest one.
He drops instantly, nose pouring blood.
The last guy freezes.
I tilt my head at him.
He backs up.
My ears catch a woosh in the air—
I spin—and catch Todd's next punch in my palm.
Crunch.
"FUCK! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU MADE OF?"
Todd screams, staring at his bent fingers in disbelief.
I wince.
"Ouch."
"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!"
The principal storms in through the crowd.
I raise my hands.
"Listen… it's genuinely not what it looks like."
*********
After explaining everything, I manage to talk my punishment down to a week of detention.
Turns out Todd and his group have been bullying people for years. The principal figured it was about time they got what was coming.
An hour later, I step outside—
—and freeze.
Minah is sitting on the school steps.
Waiting.
"Hey," I say.
"Hey."
I sit next to her. Awkward silence settles between us.
"…Thanks," she says. "For earlier. Todd's a dick. And his girlfriend Sabrina is no better. They've been tormenting me since primary school."
"It's nothing," I reply. "I couldn't just stand there."
I clench my fist slightly.
"It goes against my moral code."
"Moral code, huh…" she murmurs.
Silence again.
"Why'd you wait?" I ask. "You could've thanked me tomorrow."
She sighs.
"No one's ever stood up for me like that before. Amber and William try… but when it gets bad, they can't really do anything."
Her gaze hardens.
"I just felt like… waiting was the least I could do. Thank you, Zandale."
I nod, noticing the sun dipping lower.
"Hey… it's getting dark. Want me to walk you home?"
What type of man leaves a girl to walk home by herself at night? My mom raised a gentleman.
She blinks, then smiles faintly.
"Sure."
The walk is long—about 30 minutes—but I don't mind.
We walk in comfortable silence, my thoughts drifting toward training and the future.
Eventually, we enter a wealthy neighborhood.
Of course. Nolans a very successful author and the most powerful hero in the world
We stop in front of a large white house.
And there he is.
Nolan Grayson.
Sitting outside, drinking a beer.
"Dad," Minah says.
We lock eyes.
I don't look away.
"Minah. You're late. Who's this?" he asks, standing.
"A friend."
I step forward, offering my hand.
"Zandale Rudolph. Nice to meet you."
"Nolan Grayson."
We shake.
I apply just some pressure. Enought o get a good impression. But that's just a polite front. I know what he is. What he's capable of. An ancient Genocidal alien. A wolf in sheep's clothing.
As of now no one on the planet stands a chance against him in a fight. Something I need to change within the next couple of months.
His eyes widen slightly.
"Quite the grip you have," he says.
We hold eye contact for a moment longer before letting go.
He seems deep in thought.
"Honey, who are you talking to?"
Debbie walks out.
"Oh! Minah brought a friend? And it's a boy?!"
Minah groans.
"Mom, I just met him today."
"He's tall," Debbie says, smiling. "Do you want to come in? I just finished making dinner."
I scratch my arm.
"Thanks, ma'am, but I should head home. My mom's probably worried."
"Oh… alright. Next time."
"Thank you for walking her home," she adds before heading inside with Nolan.
"See you tomorrow, Minah," I say, waving.
I walk off, feeling her gaze linger.
Turning the corner, I smile slightly as my heart starts to race. Finnaly I can do it.
'Now… time to test my powers.'