"Where… where am I?" Wyatt said as he cautiously looked around his environment.
Wyatt found himself seemingly suspended in the vast expanse of space. Vibrant galaxies swirled in hues of deep crimson and shimmering gold while clusters of stars twinkled like scattered diamonds against the velvet backdrop of the cosmos. Every so often, a shooting star would streak across the void, leaving a luminous trail that danced before fading into the distance.
What bewildered Wyatt further was the sheer absence of sensations that one would expect in such an environment. There was no biting cold to chill his skin, nor the desperate need to inhale air in a vacuum that would typically suffocate a mortal being. Instead, Wyatt felt an odd sense of peace enveloping him, as if the universe itself cradled him gently, allowing him to drift weightlessly amidst the celestial wonders.
"This is trippy. Did I die… again? Is this heaven? Or the other place?" Wyatt muttered nervously as he continued to float in the empty vacuum of space. Not entirely sure of how much time has passed.
"Your performance was… lacking."
A booming, powerful voice erupted behind Wyatt, reverberating through the stillness of space. With a startled yelp, he quickly spun around, his heart racing at the sight before him.
Towering over him was a colossal figure, its imposing presence casting an ethereal glow. The being's bright, luminous white eyes seemed to pierce through the darkness, filled with an intense gaze that held centuries of wisdom. Its form appeared to be composed entirely of pure, swirling energy, crackling with an otherworldly light that shifted and danced like a living nebula. The figure's expression bore the weight of stoicism, a serene calmness that suggested an ancient power and an unwavering resolve, leaving Wyatt both awed and intimidated in its presence.
"You must grow stronger... Wyatt," The powerful being said. "If you fail to do so, then everyone's efforts would have been in vain... Her efforts would have been in vain."
"What? Hold on! Who or what are you? Where am I?! And what do you mean by 'everyone's efforts would have been in vain'? Make sense, damnit!" Wyatt yelled, ignoring the primal fear that was coursing through his body as he raised his voice to a being that could probably erase him from existence with ease.
"Grow stronger… and perhaps we'll meet again," The being said and snapped its fingers.
Wyatt screamed as he was sent hurling through the endless space.
••o••o••o••
Wyatt woke up with a gasp, his head aching in agony. He turned up to see an angry old Chinese woman swinging a broom at him whilst yelling in Mandarin. Her Mandarin quickly changed to English as she saw him finally awake and moving.
"How many times do I have to tell you weirdos not to sleep behind my restaurant? Get out! Get out!" The woman yelled. Another whack of her broom followed each word.
"Geez! Lady, alright! I going! I'm going!" Wyatt stood up and covered his head with his arms to defend himself from the woman's attacks. As he walked, he finally noticed that he was still in his rough looking suit, minus the helmet. Which he didn't remember removing before passing out. Wyatt shook his head and gave up on figuring out what happened and moved faster. It didn't take him long to reach the end of the alleyway he was in.
It was the middle of a bustling afternoon in New York City, where throngs of commuters navigated the busy streets, each individual lost in their own thoughts and routines. The sounds of honking horns and distant chatter filled the air, creating an effortless symphony of urban life. Amidst this chaos, a brief flash of light flickered unnoticed behind a large trash bin in the alleyway.
Wyatt, now clad in comfortable, casual clothing, stood at the edge of the alleyway entrance, taking a moment to stretch his weary, bruised muscles. As he looked around his surroundings, he absorbed the vivid colors of shop signs and the rhythm of pedestrians rushing by.
"Looks like I'm in Brooklyn," He said before hissing. "Shit. I hurt. I hurt all over."
Wyatt rubbed his tired eyes and released a heavy sigh. The hazy memory of his confrontation with the large god-like being still fresh in his mind. It was hard to differentiate whether or not that was a dream or not. "What the hell was that? Some kind of vision? Or maybe it was a dream? Whatever it was, it can't bode well for me. Okay… time to head home for a nice long nap."
••o••o••o••
A man with an eyepatch covering his left eye stood resolutely within the brightly lit surveillance and intelligence gathering room of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. The room hummed with the low buzz of technology and flickering screens that displayed a wealth of data on threats and operations worldwide. His expression was tight and collected, showcasing a lifetime of experience in high-stakes situations. This man was Nicholas Joseph Fury, the formidable Director of SHIELD, known for his no-nonsense demeanor and strategic mind.
Beside him, looking equally focused but with a hint of warmth in his demeanor, was Phil Coulson, Nick's trusted right-hand man. Coulson was a highly decorated agent, respected for his tactical prowess and unwavering loyalty. He stood ready with a wealth of knowledge and insight, prepared to support Fury.
"Care to repeat that?" Nick Fury asked in a tight voice. The small team composed of researchers and surveillance specialists all flinched at the man's icy tone.
"Y-yes, sir. We believe the individual known as Atomic appears to possess the ability to create or manipulate matter in his surroundings, allowing him to generate a variety of objects or materials at will," This observation was reported by a young analyst who, while addressing his superior, conveyed his findings with a sense of urgency. He provided this information while rapidly documenting details on his tablet.
With a swipe of his finger, footage of the battle in Harlem started playing on the large wall-sized monitor in the high-tech room. The video primarily highlighted Atomic's powers, showcasing his ability to fly and manipulate his surroundings to his advantage.
"Upon analyzing some of the wheelchairs, stretchers, and objects that Atomic created during the battle in Harlem, it was observed that the materials used in their various construction were found to be equal in quality to their man made counterparts. If not purer in quality," The young man noted, "This and the video graphic evidence of Atomic transmuting an entire bus into bubbles leads us to believe that..."
"Atomic can manipulate and transform anything he wishes," Phil said with astonishment. "That's…"
"Dangerous," Nick cut in, gaining everyone's complete attention. "That explains how Atomic was able to create Emil Blonsky's Adamantium restraints and those spikes he left on the streets. That material is one of the rarest and most difficult things to manipulate on the planet, and he just whipped it out of thin air like it was nothing."
"Actually, it seemed that he used the concrete as a… sorry. I'll shut up now." The young man said without thinking. Only to quickly quiet down once Nick's gaze fell on him.
"If Atomic can change the atoms of anything he wishes, the very world itself is his playground," Phil said. "Is he… capable of manipulating living matter?"
"Uh, we don't know if he can or can't yet," A brown-haired woman said meekly. "He didn't seem to have changed or affected any part of Blonsky's body during the confrontation, but if our theories on his abilities are correct, then there's no reason why he couldn't affect living matter."
"In theory, he could wave his hand and erase someone from existence. He's almost... like a god," Another researcher said with a fascinated look before grimacing as his colleagues stared at him. "I mean… sorry."
Nick glared at the researcher and glanced back at the footage still playing on the monitor. His lone eye focused on Atomic's helmet, almost as if he concentrated enough; the figure's hidden identity would be revealed to him.
"Coulson, form a specialized team and find out Atomic's identity. I want to know who he is and where he sleeps," Nick said and made to leave the room.
"Yes, Director." Phil nodded and turned back to the footage. He watched as Atomic flew and moved, not to fight the Abomination. But to help those around him.
As Phil watched Atomic save several lives, he had a feeling deep within him that Atomic wasn't a threat. His instincts were telling him that the man behind the helmet could be a force for good.
••o••o••o••
Erik Magnus Lehnsherr, better known as Magneto, stood with an air of quiet authority in a sprawling, opulent room adorned with dark wooden furniture and rich velvet drapes. The faint glow from the massive screen before him illuminated his intense gaze as he scrutinized the chaos captured in the footage from the recent battle in Harlem. His hands were clasped behind his back, a posture that exuded both confidence and contemplation.
As he watched the two titans—Hulk and the Abomination—clash with a ferocity that shook the ground, his focus remained unwavering, fixated solely on Atomic. The powerful displays of raw strength and destruction from the gamma powered titans were mere background noise to him; it was the enigmatic figure of Atomic that commanded his full attention. Each movement, each flicker of energy, drew Magneto deeper into a mental analysis of the hero's potential powers and possible skills.
"He's the one that you saw flying away from Charles's school," Erik stated. Behind him, a woman with blue skin and orange-red hair nodded.
"Yes, he's the one." Mystique nodded. "What amazing potential he has."
"Indeed. It leaves me to wonder why Charles let him go." Erik frowned and watched as Atomic created chains made of Adamantium to bind the Abomination. "What an incredible gift."
"I've already begun a search for Atomic. With him on the side of the Brotherhood, our goals for this world could come to fruition much sooner than later." Mystique said, her eyes glued on how Atomic held Abomination in place with just his hand.
"Use any method to recruit Atomic to our cause. He must not fall into any other faction." Erik said with a dark glare under his red and purple helmet.
"Understood. I will not fail." Mystique smiled and left the room. Leaving Erik alone.
"You will be one of my spears to take down the false wall of superiority that humanity has erected… Atomic," Erik said, his grey steely eyes locked on Atomic's helmet.
••o••o••o••
…2 Months Later…
A now sixteen-year-old Wyatt navigated around a group of tourists who were taking pictures, their laughter providing a cheerful backdrop to his morning workout. He felt light on his feet, each stride bringing him deeper into the city's heart, where the iconic architecture rose majestically.
As he jogged past Central Park, the expansive greenery provided a beautiful contrast to the surrounding concrete jungle. He could hear the distant laughter of children and the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind. He pushed himself to maintain a steady pace, his heart racing but steady—thanks to his daily physical training over the past two months. Granting him much greater strength and stamina than from he first woke up to this new world.
"Just a few more blocks," he muttered to himself as he navigated through the maze of streets. As he continued, the world around him became a passing blur—the honks of taxis, the chatter of pedestrians, the distant sound of a street performer strumming a lively tune.
Jogging past food vendors hawking hot dogs and pretzels, he couldn't help but smile. With his mental finish line just a few blocks ahead, Wyatt's spirits soared. He sprinted the last stretch, exhilaration coursing through him as he crossed the invisible finish line of his routine. Annoying some commuters as he brushed past them.
"Watch it, you punk!" A New Yorker eating a bagel yelled.
"Sorry!" Wyatt called out and ran away. As he ran, he passed by an electronics store with several televisions in the storefront. On their screens, various live news channels were visible.
"...it's been two months since the attack in Harlem that left it in tatters. There have been no more sightings of those involved..." A female reporter said as she pointed to the still-in-progress rebuilding efforts in Harlem.
"…Yeah, there was this guy dressed up like some Power Ranger or something. He just swooped in and began fighting that big, ugly guy out of nowhere. It's true! I was there!..." A homeless man said with wide eyes.
"...the sudden refilling of the 400-foot bottomless pit on 125th street in Harlem has left city officials and residents bewildered. The deep hole that was once blocked off by round the clock police watch has completed disappeared after a single night. Almost as if it was never there, to begin with." A male newscaster said as before and after images of the street that once held the large hole where the Abomination fell were no longer there.
"...I don't know if you're seeing this, Atomic. But I want to thank you for saving my life. I was the one you helped from..." A young woman with a light bruise on her head said as she stood in front of the Apollo theater.
The recent leaks of footage from security cameras and smartphones during the Harlem attack has thrust the Hulk, Abomination, and the new heroic figure known as Atomic into the spotlight. Amid the chaos and destruction, it was Atomic's courageous actions and relentless rescue efforts that have captured the hearts of many New Yorkers. Videos shared online by witnesses showcased his remarkable bravery as he navigated the perilous scene to help those in danger. As a result, a growing number of residents were now fascinated by this emerging hero, eager to learn more about the man behind the helmet.
As time passed on, the public's hunger for information about Atomic only grew, with many eagerly scanning the news and the sky, hoping for another glimpse of the enigmatic figure. However, much to their dismay, Atomic had yet to make another reappearance. His mysterious absence led to a gradual decline in the public's fervor and interest, but discussions about him continued to thrive across platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and a range of other social media channels.
Debates raged on as passionate voices clashed over whether he was a hero championing justice or a perilous vigilante operating outside the law. Some speculated about Atomic's origins, with whispers suggesting he might be a Mutant, a notion that stirred animosity among those who harbored deep-seated prejudices against Mutants. These sentiments fueled a growing call from certain factions within the community, demanding his arrest and raising questions about the implications of his powers on society as a whole.
All this attention was the reason for Wyatt to lay low and keep his usage of his powers under wraps in fear of those in SHIELD, Hydra, or whatever other organizations out there from finding him.
This didn't mean that Wyatt had completely set aside his powers. He had taken to pushing himself to train harder more than ever, determined to enhance his skills and strength. This was what led him to an old abandoned warehouse in a forgotten part of Brooklyn, far removed from prying eyes, that Wyatt explored the full extent of his potential, working tirelessly to refine his skills and unlock new skills to add to his ever growing repertoire.
The intense confrontation with Abomination served as a crucial awakening for Wyatt. The sheer ferocity of the fight made him realize that in a world teeming with superpowered beings, he couldn't choose to live his life in a lackadaisical manner. He'd end up dead if he did. Especially now that a large growing number of individuals knew he existed. Or at least, that Atomic existed.
With this knowledge, he understood that he needed to evolve—both physically and mentally.
While Wyatt could return to his peaceful days and never put on his metaphorical cape again, he knew he couldn't. Not after that night when he had stepped in to help all those people from Abomination.
It was during his battle in Harlem when Wyatt helped an old man with a broken leg onto a stretcher that he realized he had a gift. No, a responsibility. A responsibility to use his powers to help those in need. And with his abilities, it would be practically effortless.
But to do so, it meant that he would have to put on his helmet and cape back on. That would naturally bring the attention of several different groups and individuals with different agendas. Whether those be nefarious or positive.
This meant Wyatt had to be ready. While his main intentions were to help people, he knew conflict would eventually find him. Any future encounter could turn deadly at any moment, and without a solid grasp of his abilities, he risked ending up injured or even loosing his life.
With this in mind, Wyatt was determined to refine his powers, dedicating himself to training rigorously each day. He immersed himself in honing his skills and practicing his techniques and strategies until his abilities became second nature.
Even with each new day being busy with training and practice, It didn't help his nerves knowing that there was also a possibility of some powerful entity overseeing Wyatt's progress.
"You must grow stronger... Wyatt," The powerful being had said. "If you fail to do so, then everyone's efforts would have been in vain."
Wyatt was left confused at its words. There was so much to unpack in what it said that he didn't know where to start. He settled for the easiest aspect of its words. Getting stronger.
With his abilities, Wyatt knew that his potential was practically limitless. Unlike the Invincible universe, Wyatt wasn't held back by any external force, like writers. At least, he sincerely hoped that was the case. He couldn't be so sure considering he was now living in the Marvel universe.
Still, in the Invincible universe, Atom Eve was limited to whatever the writers wanted at the time, despite her reality warping powers. This usually meant that she wasn't allowed to outshine the series' main titular character. Invincible, aka Mark Grayson. Atom Eve could have always ended any fight she entered instantly if the writers allowed her. But they didn't; otherwise, Mark wouldn't have been able to shine.
But in his new world, Wyatt wasn't hampered by anyone. He had the liberty of growing as strong as he wished, so as long as he worked hard for it.
Another aspect to Wyatt's growing skills and power were his imagination and knowledge.
His imagination was expansive, enhanced by the memories of various fictional worlds from another life. When it came to learning, Wyatt's powerful new brain was prepared to absorb any new information he encountered or read. Which came easily thanks to his built in eidetic memory, which was what allowed him to remember the countless atomic structures and molecular makeups of everything known to mankind. With his eidetic memory, he was able to absorb any piece of knowledge he desired.
With this ability, he used any of the free time from his training to read and study up on anything he could get his hands on. Making him a regular at the New York Public Library.
Back to the present, Wyatt used a towel from his backpack to wipe off the built up sweat from his run off his face. Now walking at a leisurely pace, he eventually reached a small coffee shop. Where he bought a bagel with creme cheese and an iced coffee. Once he took a seat on a free table outside, he took out a sketchbook and flipped to his latest entry.
On the page was a meticulously crafted sketch of a vibrant red and white superhero suit, combining design elements reminiscent of Atom Eve, Invincible, and Omni-Man's iconic costumes. The suit featured an array of intricate details that highlighted the advanced materials used in each part of its construction. Such materials included a carbon fiber weave, which promised both flexibility and strength and a layer of graphene for added durability and resilience. Overlaying this was a luxurious silk exterior that offered a sleek, polished finish, catching the light from various angles.
To ensure maximum protection for his vital areas, the suit incorporated several thin plates of Adamantium strategically placed to shield the head and torso without compromising mobility. Despite the Adamantium plates incredible durability, Wyatt was well aware of their weak ability to absorb the shock of any physical attack. Even so, they would offer him incredible defense. Every aspect of the design was carefully considered, from the aerodynamic contours that enabled swift movement in flight to the reinforced seams intended to withstand intense combat.
Grinning at his design, Wyatt took a bite of his bagel and leaned back. "Ready or not, world. Here I come."
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AN: Please let me know if you're enjoying the story thus far. Your comments and interaction is what motivates me to write. So feel free to let me know what you think. Other than that, see you next time!