Chapter 2: Why are they here?

"What's up with powerful beings and their white space?" Ethan said, and when he did, Stan Lee appeared in front of him.

"That's because we like to use this space like a canvas. Think of it like a space where we put our drafts or sketches which then become a blank again when we turn our ideas into reality."

"Oh, that sounds fun. Can I use it too?"

Stan Lee chuckled and said, "Not now, though you might be able to make one on your own in the future." Though as he said that, Ethan was not listening and looked like he was thinking hard on what he want to see.

Stan Lee just watched and after some time, a 6 inch Godzilla materialized along with a miniature New York that it starts to destroy, which surprised Stan.

At that moment, Ethan opened his eyes and looked disappointed.

"Why is it so small?"

Little did he know that what he did was supposed to be impossible, while Stan figured that this might be due to Morpheus' Sand of Sleep mixing with Ethan's soul.

'I guess I won't have to worry about him too much' thought Stan.

"Well, for a "normal guy", you already did something impossible. Maybe you held yourself back in a worry that it might spiral out of control if you made it into its true size." Stan said then waved his hand and turned Godzilla and New York to its actual size.

Ethan looked so amazed, but when he turned around, he saw a building crumbling down on them.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!" Ethan shouted in a girl like voice, which made Stan chuckle.

When the building was supposed to hit them, it just went through their bodies which surprised Ethan.

"None of this are real, yet. And did you forget, you're still just a soul, and I am here so, you're safe." Stan said.

With a snap, Stan removed everything and turned the surroundings into a nice living room and proceeded to take a seat while motioning Ethan to sit across him, which he did.

"How can I be able to sit here yet was not crushed by a building?" asked Ethan.

"That's simple. Because I willed it." said Stan.

This made Ethan chuckle and just said, "Fair. I guess omnipotence is such a boon."

Stan smiled.

"Well, onto business. I'm sending you to a special universe."

This made Ethan get the chills, but Stan continued.

"Don't worry, it's not going to be dangerous for you, yet. And it won't be a transmigration. You'll be reincarnated into a body with your name around suburban Los Angeles, which is in an opposite coast from New York, so just focus on yourself during your time there."

"Doesn't the West Coast Avengers and the Champions operate there? Oh and The Agents of Atlas! I can't wait to meet Luna Snow."

"Those teams are not formed yet when you wake up." then in a low voice, "and they might not be needed when you get there."

"What was the last part, Stan?"

"It was nothing, though, since you seem excited, then I'll leave a surprise for you."

Ethan then thought about what kind of surprise he'll see. Would he meet Luna Snow right away?

"Unto your blessings. Since I plucked you out of your universe in such a manner, I'll let you choose one power. What are you going to choose?"

"Do I really have to? I want a low-key life." Ethan said, but also thought that if he is to survive, he needs to have some protection.

Stan noticed how hard Ethan was thinking and just smiled at him.

"Alright, I want to have the power of Absolute Luck"

This made Stan raise his eyebrows as this was not the power he foresaw him choosing. He saw multiple futures of him choosing something simple, like Super-boy Prime's power, or even a Saiyan's Power, but never Absolute Luck.

Stan thought for a while. The ability is overpowered. It ensures success in everything he does. And if Ethan wished for something so bad, it will come true. It's like Reality Warping with some limitations. Although, that might be the case, he knew that Ethan would probably just do some harmless fun with it.

"Alright. I'll let you have that power 'Although, your luck will be based on whether you've been good or bad'"

"Now, let's play a little game. Wheel of Skills and Traits. You'll be getting 3 skills which is simple enough, right?"

Stan then materialized a Wheel with over a hundred skills and traits and he started spinning it.

The first one landed on Audiographic Memory.

This put a quizzical look on Ethan's face.

"What am I going to use that for? Musical Impressions?"

Stan then said, "Well, maybe you can find some use for it."

Then the wheel started spinning again and landed on Mimetic Muscle Memory.

"Again? I'm starting to think this is rigged. Do you really want me to become and impersonator?"

"This one is extremely useful, you know? Just think about Taskmaster." Stan said.

"Okay. I guess, that's cool."

And for the final skill, it was the strongest one of the three. It landed in DNA Manipulation.

"Oh" Both Stan and Ethan said.

"Is my absolute luck already in play?" Ethan asked.

"It isn't. I guess you're already lucky, huh?" Stan said. "I was even planning on giving you the X-Gene, but I guess I don't have too."

Stan then looked at Ethan.

"Well, I guess it is time for you to go. Have a fun life and I'll see you again"

With a flash of light, Ethan was nowhere to be found in TOAA's white space.

"Kids! Breakfast! Kids?!" I hear a lady shout from next door.

'She's so loud. Why does she sound familiar, though?'

Then there's a sudden pounding in my head.

'Ugh! My head hurts.'

Memories of this body came flooding into me. Ethan Wilson of this world is a kid with a tragic past. When he was young, his parent's were in an accident and all that is left for him is the house and some money. He was left in the care of his Aunt Fay, though her real name is Morgan, who sadly passed just a week ago. He's now emancipated at 14.

I then looked around.

'At least the place looked well-maintained.'

*ding* *dong*

I heard the doorbell and went to check. Of course, I didn't open it right away to avoid being kidnapped by strangers.

"Who is it?"

"Hey, Ethan. It's Phil. Your neighbour."

'Phil? That name's familiar. Is it Phil Coulson? Did he have any kids?'

I then opened the door and right outside my door is really someone familiar, but not the Phil that I expected, and behind him was a blonde lady who you can tell is strict.

'Why are they here? Was I sent to the wrong universe?'

In front of me was Phil and Claire Dunphy. One of the main characters in one of my favourite TV show, Modern Family. To avoid an awkward silence, I then spoke up.

"Uh, hello. Why are you looking for me?"

Claire then spoke up.

"Would you like to have breakfast with us? It's not good for a young boy like you to eat alone."

"Yeah, eating alone is not good. It's kinda like playing with yourself. It's not as fun as playing with someone else." Phil said innocently, not realizing the double entendre.

"Phil!" Claire shouted a little.

"What?" Phil looked extremely confused. "Video games these days are often made for two players, you know?" Phil looked at me hoping that I back him up.

I just nodded.

"See? He knows." Phil said to his wife. "So, how about it? Want to come with us?"

'Well, this might be more fun than I imagined, so why not, right?'

I followed them to their place, which is just next door, and what sight welcomed us when we got in was Luke being stuck in the banister. Which then made Phil go off to find the baby oil.

He ran quickly up the stairs, but tripped a little, and said, "Someone really should fix that step."

"How about you wait for us in the living room first, Ethan? I'll be in the kitchen." Claire said.

I then sat on the armchair where I can still see Luke in the banister.

"Hey kid, are you alright?" I asked.

"Uh, yeah, I was just trying to see if I can fit in here again, but it turns out, I can't." He said dejectedly.

"Well, maybe you're just doing it wrong. I'm Ethan, by the way."

"Oh, yeah. You're the guy next door! I can see you playing on your PS3 through the window. Can I play with you sometimes?" asked Luke in an innocent way.

"Well, I could, but what's your name?"

"Oh, right. I'm Luke."

"Nice to meet you, Luke. Now, how about I help you get out of there.

I didn't know that Claire was looking at us and was glad that it looks like I can get along with Luke as she was worried I'll think he's 'different'. Phil was sure taking the time to find the baby oil, though.

"How about you push your head out, then slowly push one of your hands out after?"

Luke did as I said and found that he can go out that way. He then put the other hand out so that he can push himself out the banister, but got stuck mid-way.

"Oh, I guess I can't really get out"

"I think it might just be your belt."

Luke then put his one hand back in and took the belt off, and pushed himself out of the banister, while I try to help avoid falling down when he get out right as Phil got back.

"Yes! I made it. Thanks, Ethan."

I smiled at him.

"Good job, buddy! I guess we didn't need the baby oil, huh?" Phil said.

At that moment, Alex started going down the stairs. "I'm just gonna say it. I still think he needs to be checked by a specialist."

She then saw me and asked. "Who are you?"

"Oh, I'm Ethan Wilson. I'm a grade above you, and you're Alex, right? The smartest in the 7th Grade?"

This made her blush a bit, but then her face got serious and just nodded.

"You're the president of the music club, right? I heard you're great in Science and Math, but why did you choose to join music?"

"It's just fun for me. And for balance. I want my intellectual and creative side to flourish."

Alex just shrugged and left. Then Haley walked pass us and said.

"I'm having a friend over today."

When she said that, Claire in the kitchen shouted. "Who?" Then ran to where we are to here the answer.

"You don't know him."

"Him? Him??" asked Claire.

Luke on the side then teased her sister. "Ooh, a boy? You gonna kiss him?"

"Oh, shut up!" Haley said, then looked at me. "Who is this?"

Phil then interjected. "This is Ethan. The boy next door. Say Hi, Ethan."

"Hi, Ethan" I said, which made Phil chuckle while Luke laughed loud.

"Shut up, Luke" Alex said to Luke which turned into an argument between them.

"Easy, Easy" Phil interjected.

"Luke, Alex, how about you take it outside?" Claire said.

"And do what?" Alex asked.

"Fight in the sun. That'll be a nice change." Said Phil.

"Ugh" both the kids said.

"I'm kidding" Phil said with a chuckle.

"His name is Dylan. You know, I might just tell him not to come since you guys would just embarrass me again." Said Haley.

"Sweety, hang on a second. You're fifteen and it's the first time you've had a boy over. I mean, I'm bound to be a little surprised, but… not embarrass you." Claire said.

"And if you really asked him not to come, we could just set you up with Ethan here." Phil said, which accidentally made me think about what would happen if Dylan really didn't come.

Dylan was driving down the road and didn't notice the stop sign. When he passed it, he suddenly heard sirens and pulled over.

When the police officer got to Dylan's window, the officer saw white powder on the passenger side seat and Dylan's face so he pulled Dylan out of the car and asked his partner to gather the powder for evidence.

At the police station, they found out that it was just flour that Dylan's mother asked him to get before going home. He bought it early so that he won't forget before getting home, but when he put it on the passenger seat, his bracelet poked a hole in it and it made a mess on the seat, and as he was cleaning it, he slipped and his face got covered with the powder.

I didn't know it at the moment, but Haley told me about this incident when we got closer sometime after.

Haley looked at me from top to bottom and a blush made its way to her face, but she turned around and went to her room with a "hmph".

"I'm the cool dad. That's- that's my thang. I'm hip, I surf the web, I text. LOL: laugh out loud, OMG: oh my god, WTF: why the face? Um, you know, I know all the dances to High School Musical, so…"

*Insert Phil singing and dancing to "We're all in this together"*

"Well, how about that breakfast we offered you, Ethan? Let's go." Claire said.

"Luke, Alex, get inside." called Claire.

"What about Haley?" Phil asked.

"She just had a banana. You know she won't eat again until lunch." Claire replied.

I was waiting for the scene where Luke would shot Alex, but it never came. Turns out, Alex went back to her room to research what instruments she could play that would help her get into college. What I told her made her think that it might be beneficial for her to try out different things to make her applications for college more interesting.