Chapter Text
I blinked.
I was standing in the busy streets of Times Square on 42nd Street, dazed and confused as I listened to the pitter-patter feet of native New Yorkers go about their day.
What the hell? Wasn’t I just…actually, what was I doing? Did I black out? Wait, no, I wouldn’t drink during a school night.
Someone shoulder bumped me as I was pondering my strange situation. “Watch where the fuck you’re standing you dumb kid,” A tall businessman sneered.
An older Hispanic woman stopped walking when she heard him and went to address the man. “Hey! Watch your damn mouth! What’s wrong with you? Talking to a kid like that?” She scolded him.
The man scoffed, ignored her, and kept walking. I felt a wave of irritation hit me, as he was the one to bump into me.
I winced as I felt a sharp pain in the base of my skull. Ouch! I rubbed my head as I felt a headache coming on.
"Are you okay, baby?" the woman asked with concern. I nodded and gave a small smile. "Thank you, miss. I was just…–a little lost, but I know where I’m going now," I lied. The woman watched me like a hawk but began nodding in approval. I thanked her and waved before walking towards the train station.
Yeah, it’s kinda scary waking up somewhere with no idea how you got there, but at least I know where I am and how to get home. I should probably text my foster mom before I get in serious trouble. Who knows what sort of ideas she’s coming up with in her head right now? I pulled out my phone and tried texting her.
I typed up a message on my iPhone 12 and hit sent.
[Good Morning Mona, I ended up staying over at Tyler’s house. We’re on our way to school now.]
[ Message not sent.]
Huh?
My phone can’t be out of service, I just payed the bill, and I don’t have a single bar right now. I sighed internally, cursing my luck.
I check my pockets to see what I have on me. My wallet, keys, headphones, and a pack of gum were all there. At least I downloaded music in case my phone stops working for whatever reason. I put one headphone in my ear and played songs from my liked list.
I looked up to see…” it”, A building anyone from my generation would recognize. Something we've seen on our television screens almost our entire lives. Standing in the distance for all to see was “Avengers Tower”, looking like it was brought straight out of the comics. What the hell? Are they filming a movie? No, wait, that can’t be it. Don’t they CGI things like these if they were making a movie?
Then I saw something that only the child version of me could dream of seeing.
Spider-Man.
Not the ones dressing up as Spider-Man that perform in Times Square or at kids' parties. The real article in all his acrobatic glory, web-slinging towards Avengers Tower.
“Oh my god,” I muttered out loud.
“Oh my god! Look! It’s Spider-Man!” I shouted excitedly, pointing to the red and blue superhero. I looked around and realized people were looking at me funny. The hot dog vendor from across from me snorted. “First time in New York, buddy? I remember when I used to get like that.” He says, reminiscing.
I rear back offended. Excuse me? I’m from here Sir—ah shit. The lack of reactions from them seeing Spider-Man, Avengers Tower in the distance.
I’m in the fucking marvel universe.
I’m in the marvel universe!
But which one? Now my lack of memory is starting to make sense, some cosmic asshole is responsible for this I just know it.
I looked around and even though I couldn’t see them…would my situation be interesting enough for the Watcher to be—well, watching me? Even having that knowledge freaked me out. Speaking of freak out…
“Uatu could you help me out?” I thought loudly as possible.
Silence was my answer.
I notice my hands tremble as my new reality starts to set in. I feel like I’m going to be sick. There are so many things wrong here that I don’t even know where to start. I need a place to stay. My phone is out of service because my account doesn’t exist here. I might not exist here. I know my home life was complicated, but I do not have what it takes to live on the streets. This was not the plan. Fuck.
Okay, first things first, I’m going to go to the library and try to do research. I need to confirm a few things. Second, fuck I haven’t picked up any new comics. I don’t know any of the new storylines they have out right now. Who were the current Avengers? Third, find shelter, maybe leverage information I have on–no; who knows what would happen. I’ll probably just get my mind wiped.
My mind..
I shake my head. Nope, nope, nope. I was not going down that route.
Using my real-world knowledge of NYC, I arrived at the New York Public Library, I went to use the computer till I realized my library card might now work here.
I guess I could just use the free Wifi, hopefully they still have that in this universe.
I thanked all the gods of this world that I was able to connect to the free wifi. Hell I even thanked Thor.
I laughed quietly to myself, imagining him being confused about why some random kid is thanking him. What is thou mortal thanking me for? He talks like that, right?
I stood in a corner away from everyone else and stared intensely at my phone. I started going over old newspaper articles
“Serpent Slithers into Reality: God of Fear Unleashes Global Terror!"
"Asgardian Invasion? Odin Departs Earth as Chaos Reigns!"
"Stark Expo Returns: Innovation and Spectacle Light Up Flushing Meadows!"
“Mutant Island Nation of Utopia Established in the Pacific!
“Tensions Rise Between US Government and Mutant Population!"
"Spider-Man Foils Bank Robbery: Menace or Hero?"
"Fantastic Four Explore New Dimensions: Reed Richards' Latest Breakthrough !"
These were the current events? But isn’t this old? I remember reading some of these comics in elementary school. Wait a minute...I checked the dates on all of the articles, and the year was all the same.
2012.
WHAT THE–
I look around to ask someone for the date.
I see a librarian going through some books on the bookshelf. A short woman with brown hair and green eyes was staring intently at a book on the shelf. “This shouldn’t be here,” she mutters to herself. I glanced at the book title, “Beginner’s Guide to Summoning Your First Demon,” and shuddered. Knowing what I know now, that book could very well be legit.
“Excuse me, Miss…” I glance at her name tag. “Zelma, do you happen to know what year it is?”
Zelma looked at me sharply. “You don’t know what year it is?” she asked me with barely concealed concern. I laughed nervously and didn’t answer her question. I averted my gaze from the intensity of her stare.
Zelma sighs. “It’s the year 2012, kid. I don’t know what joke you’re playing, but I have important work to do. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She snatches the book off the shelf and stalks off. What the hell is eating her? Then again, if some weirdo came up to me at my place of work asking what year it is, I’d probably dismiss them too.
I was literally a toddler at that time. How the hell did I get sent thirteen years into the past of another universe? Was I supposed to help the heroes prevent something? Ha! I’m nobody important, I’m not going to delude myself like one of those isekai characters who suddenly think the world revolves around them. I was a regular teenage boy with a shitty childhood…
I groaned. Great, I sounded like one of them, and I’m pretty sure if this were a story, I triggered some kind of flag just now. My stomach growled. I’ve been reading for hours now without any breaks. I need to find something to eat, but I have to save my resources. I have three hundred in cash on me, and I need to spend it wisely. I look up places to eat that homeless youth can go, and found something interesting.
F.E.A.S.T.
Food, Emergency, Aid, Shelter, and Training.
I thought it only existed for the Spider-Man games, but I guess I don’t know everything because there a version of it that’s here. Using Google Maps and screenshotting the directions, F.E.A.S.T was located in Chinatown, which I’m nowhere near, but I also need shelter, so I might as well kill two birds with one stone.
I feel a sharp pain in my head.
I started to massage it before the pain went away. I'd better go before I get a hungry headache.
As soon as I stepped outside, I saw a girl flying faster than the eye could see and leaving a rainbow trail of light in her wake.
I shook my head and made my way to the train station. I don’t know how I’m going to get used to that. A part of me, the child part, is giddy that I’m in a world filled with superheroes. But the rational part knows just how dangerous this world is compared to the real world. But this is the real world now, isn’t it?
After a long, tedious journey, I finally made it to F.E.A.S.T. I went to meet with the front desk person, who gave me a knowing look. I asked her if they had any rooms for homeless youth, and she told me that they did, but they needed to get me in touch with a case manager. The front desk lady, Miss Casey, told me they were all busy helping other youths at this time, but that she would send someone to come get me after one was made available. She gave me directions to the soup kitchen. I thanked her and went on my way.
I was starving. I don’t care what they’re serving; everything is going down to my belly. I paused, shocked at who I saw was currently serving food.
James ‘Logan” Howlett…AKA “The Wolverine” was standing next to a giant of a man that I could only assume to be “Luke Cage,” and a man shorter than Luke but taller than Logan. It has to be “Danny Rand” AKA Iron Fist. What the hell are they doing here?
Of course, the universe had to be funny by having that answer to that question tap me on the shoulder.
The one and only Peter Parker smiles at me so good-naturedly that it almost blinds me.
“Is this your first time? I haven't seen you before. Wait, no, I’m so sorry, I don’t know why I said that. Nice going, Parker,” Peter said, groaning.
“Let’s start over, hi, I’m Peter Parker, and I’m one of the volunteers here.” Peter reached out to shake my hand.. It took me by surprise at first because I saw homeless people get treated like they’re animals. I grabbed his hand before I could come off as rude and gave it a firm shake.
“I’m Teddy, Teddy Grayson. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Pete,” I said earnestly. And it was, I mean, this is a man, despite the circumstances chooses to do good every single day.
Peter gives me an infectious grin. “You’re going to love the food here, I promise. My Aunt May is one of the cooks, and you’re just in luck. She made a fresh batch of her homemade Apple Pie,” said Peter, proudly.
A homemade apple pie does sounds nice. My mouth watered at the thought.
I mouthed my words to answer him, only to freeze as I realized I was talking to the living, breathing, real-life Peter Parker.
I shake my head; this isn’t the time to be fanboying right now. I shake his hand as I introduce myself.“ Yes to the pie, and yes to anything else your Aunt made. I could eat a horse right now,” I said humorously.
Peter smiled and clapped me on the back. “Here, let me introduce you to some friends of mine. It’s rare that we’re all together in one place, but they’re going to be serving today.”
Peter led me over to where Logan and the others were standing at the service station. There were two other people I didn’t recognize with them—a man and a woman. I wonder if they’re also superheroes out of uniform. Leave it to Peter to get his friends to do some good even as their civilian selves. Though I don’t think Luke Cage has a secret identity. Doesn’t he fight in regular streetwear? Like Conner Kent’s Superboy in the early Teen Titans run in…2009? 2007?
I guess it’s fine for now if Peter brought him here. He’s very particular about his superhero life crossing over to his civilian life.
“Hey, everyone, I would like to introduce Teddy. It’s his first time here. Teddy, this is Logan, Luke, Danny, Carlos, and Gloria,” said Peter, as he pointed out everyone to me. I accidentally made eye contact with Logan, and my heart spiked. Shit, did I just make myself look suspicious? Logan’s heightened senses could pick up on that sort of thing, right?
With no real documents and no way of identifying me, I could look like a possible spy to another spy with a bazillion years of experience. And given the history with heroes of this world, I could definitely get in trouble for a misunderstanding.
Case in point, Logan narrowed his eyes at me. I quickly turned my head and tried to act as normally as possible. “It’s nice to meet everyone,” I said nervously.
Gloria gave me a knowing smile. Oof. It’s not what you think, Gloria. As the first person in the service line, she handed me a plate along with a spoon, fork, and some napkins. “It’s fine, sweetie, we’ll take good care of him, Peter. Your Aunt May was looking for you earlier; it seemed pretty important,” Gloria informed him.
Peter smiled and thanked her as he quickly made his way to the back.
“What do you want, Teddy? We have Mac n Cheese, Meatloaf, chicken, steamed veggies, brown rice, and white rice?” Gloria asked as she started listing what they had. Whoa, there were too many options.
“I’ll have whatever Aunt May made. Peter says she’s the best cook around.” Plus, I also just want to eat.
Luke smirked. “Good choice, that woman is one amazing cook. I was just telling her she should open up a restaurant.”
I smiled, relieved that I said something right for once. “Aunt May’s Diner, I’d pay to see that,” I joked.
“With what money?” Danny Rand asked curiously.
An awkward silence developed after that.
I felt flushed with embarrassment.
Logan elbowed Danny so hard he let out an “Oof,” as Luke gave him a look that said, “What the hell is wrong with you?”. Gloria frowned at him, and Carlos facepalmed from behind him.
“Excuse my friend, his mother dropped him on the head as a baby,” Luke says smoothly.
I fought from smiling too much, relieved that someone was breaking the ice. I’m already overwhelmed.
“Don’t tell me it bounced back from all that air?” I snarked.
That got a laugh out of almost everyone.
“It was an honest question,” Danny grumbled.
I cracked a smile at the sight in front of me. Honestly, it reminds me of my foster brother, Christopher. That boy is unable to read a room and would say pretty funny shit at the worst time too.
My generation needs help.
“Ignore that jackass, kid. Let’s get some food in you and send you on your way. I bet you have more important things to do,” Logan gruffed. His sudden response startled me, but I nodded my head at him. I need to figure out where I’m going to sleep tonight. I was tempted to pull one of them aside and tell them everything in hopes that they could help me, but I have no idea how I could even tackle that. Besides, do I even want to get involved in the superhero community?
I would be way over my head, not to mention there are real-life consequences. I don’t have anything to offer besides meta knowledge, which might not be as reliable as I think. Like, how many times did this world get retconned? And how many people know that it did?
Putting existential crisis aside, I need to eat.
I got everything that Aunt May cooked, which was the meatloaf, the steamed veggies, and the brown rice. Carlos, who was at the end of the service line, gave me some gravy for my rice and a bottle of water. Though I could feel Logan’s eyes on me as I made my way to an empty table.
I hope he doesn’t make any rash judgments and decides to kidnap and interrogate me. That’s not how I’m planning on my day ending…