Posted my first chapter of NEBULAR RECKONING, an Invincible x reader fanfic! Below will be the chapter, you can find future chapters on my wattpad! Which i will hopefully figure out how to link...
Feel free to leave writing tips in the comments or dming me :))
Simply dust
You were never one to be plagued by nightmares. Sleep came relatively easy to you, with the occasional usage of melatonin or sleeping aids on particularly stressful nights. However, nothing truly disturbed your sleeping patterns. In fact, you hardly dreamed either. The only nightmare you can recall is a silly rendition of a horror movie your parents didn't want you to watch. Of course, you didn't listen. Children are always defiant like that, going against their parents wishes.
So why was it so strange to be having a dream now? Maybe because this didn't feel like a dream, nor a nightmare. This was something else.
You blink slowly - or at least your dream self blinks - before continuing to gaze at the pulsating star-like orb floating a few meters away from you. It's color is a radiant golden yellow, the shade of the sun kissing the horizon, other colors quickly joining the fray. Besides the orb, your surroundings are completely black.
Ridiculously, you part your lips to speak curiously, "Hello?"
The orb expands for a second, as though trying to brush against you with its rays, before shrinking down. It repeats itself over and over, desperate to interact with anything alive in this barren dreamworld. Finally, you step forward, tilting your head slightly as you watch the orb react to your movement.
The star quivers, flashing a luscious pink and yellow, and extends its rays out to you once more. You can't help it, you let out a small snort before extending your arm as well. Your fingertips brush against the light, its warm, you find, and somehow tangible. Its almost as though you can grasp the light with your hands.
This, you find, is indeed possible, as the light pulls you another step forward.
"Oh, careful now," you murmur, a small yet playful smile on your face, "I'm fragile"
The orb almost seems to respond to that, wavering shyly before gently tugging on you again. You let out another laugh, only to be cut off as a tendril of warm light wraps around the base of your neck, tugging you closer to the orbs mass. Smile wavering, you attempt to pull away, only for more rays to pull on you before you can get far.
Your feet are dragged against the floor unwillingly, sliding as the once warm tendrils now grow uncomfortably hot. Finally, the star-like orb pulls your hand into itself, consuming your flesh eagerly.
All you feel is pain. Burning, blistering pain as the rays pull you further and further onto the orb.
Are you screaming? You should be screaming. You think might be, but you're in so much pain its hard to tell.
The heat is unbearable, you're crying but the tears immediately evaporate due to the temperature.
It hurts, you just want it to end.
You'll do anything for this to end.
And it does. It does end, and you're somewhere new. A new abyss of white, free of orbs or other beings.
You wipe away tears, sobbing quietly as you lie on the floor. You cuddle your hand close to your chest, squeezing your eyes shut and wishing to just wake up from whatever nightmare hellscape this is.
"Hello?"
You lift your head, looking towards the voice, only to see yourself. Or, at least a version of yourself, a naked one. You quickly look down at yourself, sighing in relief at the sight of your pajamas. At least you're still clothed. You look up at the other you, who gazes down at you curiously. Hesitantly, you part your lips, "You're- uh, me. You're naked"
Wow, what an intelligent response (y/n), of course the first thing you say to a clone of yourself is that she's naked. Way to be a feminist, objectifying a girl immediately after being burned alive by a miniature sun.
The other you blinks slowly before glancing down at herself, as though she didn't even notice her bareness.
"Would you not like me to be?" The girl asks, before disappearing. Though, she quickly reappears, this time with a long white dress, "Is this more comforting?"
You nod hesitantly, wiping away the last of your tears as you sit up.
She smiles down at you, messing with the fabric of her dress for a moment before seemingly calming herself.
"I'm sorry," She says, a genuinely sorrowful look on her face. "I don't want to do this, but I can't hold us up anymore. Its time you do your duty as well"
Your own awkward expression drops to one of seriousness, the feeling of dread crawling up your spine.
"...what?"
Your question goes unanswered as she continues to stare at you, biting her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. Finally, she opens her mouth once more.
"You have to do your duty. I believe in you."
.𖥔 ݁ ˖☾𖤓☽.𖥔 ݁ ˖
The sun is shining, you can tell even with your eyes closed. It's so bright its honestly almost annoying, you just want to sleep a little bit more, but of course the sun had to ruin your plans of being a lazy bum.
Reluctantly opening your eyes, you stare at the ceiling tiredly before sitting up. You rub your eyes, glaring over at the clock mounted on your wall, cursing it despite its innocence. Its not the clocks fault you have school today, and its not the clocks fault you're so tired either.
Its almost weird how tired you are, you didn't wake up at an early time, and you went to bed at the same time too. So everything should be normal, shouldnt it? You shrug the odd sensation off, deciding to bypass the feeling by making coffee later.
Your morning routine is as usual, showering before getting dressed, then heading downstairs for breakfast. Of course, your parents aren't there. They haven't been for a while, off on a vacation in some other country. You would be jealous, but you learned to ignore it. It was the norm at this point, you were responsible and your parents knew it.
Breakfast was bland and small, but nutritious. It had to be, you took a little too much time in the shower this morning. You sighed heavily as you slipped your shoes on, grabbing your bag along the way. At last, you stepped out the door, immediately greeted by your favorite sight in the morning.
"Heyy (y/n), you want my extra muffin?"
A small smile forms on your face as you look up at Mark Grayson, your annoying neighbor for the last 18 years. He stands tall next to your doorway, backpack slung over his shoulder as his free hand fiddles with his layered shirt, his other holding out a freshly made muffin towards you.
"Debbie made muffins?" You immediately took the sweet treat from his hands after closing the door, peeling off the wrapper and taking a bite, "Mm, I'm seriously going to replace you as her kid one of these days. Her baking is the best"
Mark scoffed, rolling his eyes whilst the two of you begin to tread to school. He shoved his hands in his pockets casually, glancing around the neighborhood. "Thanks jerk, you know you could ask for the recipe, right?"
You grin widely in response, bumping against his side. "Yeah, but I like my version more"
The rest of your walk was filled with both peaceful and playful banter, conversation flowing naturally as it always had. It's hard to pinpoint when exactly you and Mark became such close friends. You can remember when you met as kids, the kid with the missing front teeth waving you over to his house one day. But along with the casual play dates, you grew closer. Telling eachother things you would never tell anyone else.
Including, to your initial surprise, your best friend telling little 12 year-old you he was technically an alien. In a way, it just made sense, telling eachother secrets like that. You were close to his family anyways, so other than his father's initial objection, you came to know a lot of Marks hidden life.
"You know," Mark started, "Dad keeps saying he knows my powers will come in soon, but its starting to sound like he doesn't even care anymore"
You glance up at him, brows furrowing momentarily before you smile, "Oh boo-hoo, you're either going to be a superhero or a regular person. Both of those aren't bad options, sorry you can't be lame like the rest of us"
Mark glares down at you, a silent request for you to take his comment a little more seriously. You sigh, leaning against his side and thinking.
"I don't know Mark, I'm sure you'll get powers some day soon, but I don't want to lie to you either. The stars will align for you, young padawan"
At that, Mark cracks a smile, shoving you off of his arm as your school finally comes into view. "You're the worst, (y/n)"
"I know, Mark"
.𖥔 ݁ ˖☾𖤓☽.𖥔 ݁ ˖
William Clockwell greeted the two of you at Mark's locker, immediately diving into conversation as he always had. You glanced out the nearest window, brows furrowing as a feeling of deja-vouj overcomes you.
William talking about whatever attack there was this morning, Mark bringing up Omni-Man, William making a remark about his looks.
This conversation feels familiar, obviously you don't remember every conversation you've had with the two guys, but there's something eerie about this one.
"Haven't you already said that?"
The two look over at you before glancing at eachother in confusion, William speaking first. "Um, I guess, but only because Mr. Fanboy loves him so much"
You hum softly, glancing away before nodding your head dismissively. The attention is quickly drawn away from you, much to your relief, as a conflict begins just a few feet away.
Amber Bennett, your school's leading feminist icon, is being harassed by Todd. Amber has always been someone you secretly admired, her bold and powerful voice- so unafraid to express herself. You've always been at least a little jealous of her courageous personality, but with it, comes unwanted attention. Specifically from guys like Todd, guys who are incapable of taking no for an answer.
Your internal monologue is cut off as Mark steps forward, William grasping his arm to stop him from moving more.
"Mark, you can't be serious. Todd is like, twice your size"
You nod along, brows furrowing as you watch Mark. "Mark don't be rash-"
You're cut off as the black-haired male walks forward regardless, calling out to the two.
"I think Amber has been pretty clear about how she feels, Todd"
Todd, annoyed by the sudden interruption in his already failed flirting, turns with a glare.
"Are you serious, Mark Grayson?" Todd lets out a sharp, mocking laugh. Mark opens his mouth to retort, only to be interrupted by a swift punch in the stomach.
Mark immediately hunches over, hands moving to grasp at his stomach whilst Todd prepares to lay another blow. Though he's also stopped, as Amber steps forward to land a kick on his groin.
"Leave him alone!"
You rush towards Mark, grabbing his arm and helping him stand properly, William moving to his other side. You watch as Todd hobbles away, cursing at the four of you. Finally, Amber steps forward, smiling warmly at Mark.
"Thanks"
She nods at him in respect, your eyes meeting hers before shes gone.
"...you're a fucking moron, Mark"
"Yeah, thanks (y/n)"