Ethan looked down at the comic book placed firmly on his desk, the bold red-and-yellow symbol of Superman emblazoned across the cover. He gave a wry smile before shaking his head slowly. "Yeah... he's a comic book character."
Diana didn't look amused.
She didn't wait for his full answer before removing the Superman book, revealing the one underneath — The title read: Wonder Woman, the image of a powerful warrior woman in red and gold armor gracing the cover.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she held the book up, staring at it in silence. "Then what is this?" Diana asked in disbelief. "Am I... a comic book character too?"
Anna blinked before glancing at the comic book in Diana's hand and then at her face. "What are you talking about, Diana?" she asked with confusion. She took the Wonder Woman comic gently from Diana's hand and turned it over, flipping through a few pages. "This is just a story... Why are you reacting like that? Isn't she your favorite? I thought that's why you used her name back in your world."
Jean's brow furrowed as a realization flickered in her mind. Her voice came slowly and cautiously. "Wait... You once told us your birthplace, remember? It was... Themyscira. That's what's mentioned here too. And your name... Diana Prince." She stared at the book, then at Diana with widening eyes. "Don't tell me—"
Anna gasped, the pieces falling into place. Her eyes darted between the book and the woman standing in front of them. "All this time... I thought you were cosplaying Wonder Woman because you liked her, but... damn. You're the real Wonder Woman."
Diana straightened, her expression hardening with determination. "Damn right I am," she said firmly. Then she turned her sharp gaze on Ethan. "And I need answers."
Anna and Jean mirrored her gaze, all three women now focused on Ethan.
He sighed heavily before rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to maintain a calm demeanor. 'Knew this day would come,' he thought. He moved Anna off his lap gently and said, "I honestly thought you'd figure it out during one of your girl talks... but I guess that topic didn't come up."
He stepped toward them, trying to appear as transparent and sincere as possible. "Look, even I don't understand everything yet. But I have a theory. You've heard of the multiverse theory, right? Now apply that idea—but take it even further. There could be entire universes where our so-called fictional characters… live real lives. We might call them fiction here, but maybe in another universe, they're just living out their existence."
He began drawing imaginary bubbles in the air with his fingers.
"Each universe is like a bubble. Sometimes, information from one bubble might seep into another—subconsciously. Maybe through dreams, inspiration, or imagination. Writers, artists… maybe they're just picking up on someone else's reality. So, someone who's real in one world ends up as a comic book character in another."
"And not just one multiverse," Ethan added with a half-smirk. "There could be multiple multiverses—a structure we call the Omniverse… trademark pending."
The women stared at him in stunned silence.
'Hopefully, the Marvel and DC legal teams never find me,' he thought with a mental wince.
Ethan pointed to the Wonder Woman comic again. "Look—the story in this book is different from your actual life, right? That could mean the writer wasn't making it up. Maybe he just picked up pieces of your story from your own universe or a different version of your universe. The concept of 'universe consciousness sharing' could explain how it ended up here, interpreted as fiction. They wrote what they could understand. Their own version."
Jean slowly nodded. "That... actually makes sense. And now that I think about it, you didn't really told us in detail about Superman or the others in your world. Otherwise, we might've figured this out a long time ago. So Ethan might have a point here."
Ethan exhaled in relief internally. Thank god. He'd been preparing for this conversation for a while now. He knew this day would come eventually.
Thankfully, DC Comics hadn't yet started officially publishing the multiverse variations of its heroes. That would've made things far more complicated. If Diana saw endless versions of herself—some noble, others questionable—it could cause more headache for her or a full-blown existential crisis.
Diana looked down at the comic again, flipping a few more pages. Her lips pressed into a thin line. "So... the idea that I'm a comic book character here isn't wrong. But it doesn't define who I am."
Ethan stepped closer to Diana. He took her hand in his own. "You can feel my hand, right?"
She nodded.
"Then you're real, Diana. Everything about you—your feelings, your strength, your memories—it's all real."
A small, grateful smile tugged at her lips.
Anna suddenly perked up. "Wait a second! If what you're saying is true, then... we might all be comic book characters in some other universe too!"
Ethan laughed nervously with a bead of sweat forming on his temple. 'Crap.' "Maybe? I mean... we can't say for sure."
Jean folded her arms, "It might also be possible we're just characters someone is writing right now. Being read by... who knows how many people."
All four of them suddenly turned and looked directly at the screen and narrowed their eyes at the audience beyond the fourth wall.
Silence...
Ethan swallowed and chuckled awkwardly. "Let's not go down that rabbit hole. We'll all have massive headaches."
(AN: They almost broke the 4th wall and were this close to finding us 😳. Luckily they didn't… Phew… 😮💨)
With a collective groan, they sat back on the nearby couch, each of them processing this strange revelation in silence.
Then Anna lit up like a child on Christmas morning. "Wait! Ethan! If your Omni-Watch can let you travel across universes... could we visit Frozen? You know it's my favorite, right?"
Ethan gave her a look. "Anna, you know the destination is random, right? I don't choose where it sends me. But... I guess it's possible."
Jean clapped her hands together in delight. "That would be amazing! There are so many heroes I'd love to meet."
Anna turned to Diana, eyes gleaming. "When we get home, you have to sign my T-shirt. Seriously. I want it framed."
Diana rolled her eyes but chuckled. The tension in her shoulders had visibly eased.
Ethan leaned back, letting out a soft sigh. 'All in all, that went better than expected. Now that they understand the multiverse theory, it'll make things easier if we run into alternate versions of them later.'
But then, his expression turned serious. "Alright, Anna but don't forget, it's time for your training today."
She pouted. "But I had so many questions! Especially after hearing all that from Diana—"
"You'll have time later."
For the past several sessions, Ethan had been using a combination of his Phoenix Force and his own life energy to slowly feed power into Anna. The process was delicate—meant to strengthen her mental faculties without overwhelming her.
He'd even consulted with Charles Xavier and together, they'd crafted a detailed regimen to help Anna increase her mental strength.
Her ability to control powers she absorbed seemed closely tied to her mental strength—and the more mentally disciplined she became, the better she could manage them. And the ability to absorb others' powers and memories might depend on her mental strength—or perhaps it's rooted in her mutation.
He could try to use the Phoenix Force more directly on her, Ethan wasn't taking any unnecessary risks. For now, slow and steady was safer.
Diana stood up while stretching lightly. "Training is important—especially after last night. You got sloppy, and it almost cost you."
Anna groaned. "Fine, fine. Let's go before you two make me feel guilty."
Ethan gave her a warm smile. "That's the spirit."
As the three of them walked toward the door, Diana lingering a moment behind, she picked up the Wonder Woman comic one last time and flipped to the final panel.
She smiled and placed the comic down, and followed her companions.
---------------
A few days had passed, high above the city skyline, perched on the edge of a skyscraper directly facing the Baxter Building, a lone figure sat with calm detachment. Wind tousled his golden hair as he stared at a glowing, translucent bubble hovering just above his palm.
Inside the bubble, a vivid scene played out—Susan Storm, the Invisible Woman, standing tearfully across from Reed Richards. Her voice echoed faintly through the air as she called off the wedding. Reed stood motionless, stunned, while she stormed out of the room, pain etched on her face.
The man watching it all smiled. "Finally," he murmured. "The wedding's cancelled."
A voice broke the silence behind him, dry and knowing. "It seems you're hellbent on breaking their union. Your indirect manipulations have yielded results. Congratulations… Kid Carter."
He sighed without turning around. "Can you please stop following me? It's getting annoying."
The cloaked figure of the Ancient One stepped forward and gracefully sat beside him, the hem of her robe fluttering against the breeze.
"A being of your power level roaming freely in my timeline isn't exactly giving me peace," she replied. "So don't mind me. I'm just making sure you won't cause irreparable damage."
Franklin Carter didn't answer immediately. His gaze lingered on the bubble, which had now shifted scenes. Susan Storm, his mother, sat alone in her room, silent tears streaking down her cheeks as her wedding dress hung untouched nearby.
The Ancient One's tone softened. "She's your mother, isn't she? Why make her suffer like this? What you're doing… it may erase your own existence in this timeline."
Franklin turned his head slightly, just enough to meet her gaze. "Don't worry," he said with a cryptic smile. "I'll still be born. Just not to him."
The Ancient One narrowed her eyes. "To Aeon?"
He nodded. "Ethan Carter of this timeline. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be born to her and him. It will be a better future for all of us."
She tilted her head. "What happened in your timeline that pushed you to do all this? What did Reed Richards do that made you sabotage his life?"
Franklin smirked. "Can't you just use that shiny Time Stone of yours and peek into my future?"
The Ancient One offered a patient smile. "Once, perhaps. But ever since Ethan Carter came into play, the stone can no longer see possible outcomes. Only endless, fractured possibilities. Courtesy of his unique existence." She leaned in slightly. "So how about you enlighten this old woman, hmm?"
Franklin leaned back on his palms and stared at the sky. "My father—Reed Richard—" he began.
But she interrupted, her brow raised. "Didn't you tell me your surname is Carter?"
"For someone this old, you sure are impatient," he quipped and his lips twitching in amusement.
The Ancient One chuckled lightly.
"Anyway," Franklin continued, "my mother was never truly happy with him. Oh, they loved each other… at first. But Reed—" He paused and his smile faded slowly. "Let's not go there. Let's just say she would've been happier with Ethan. My adopted father. The one who raised me."
"And yet," she said gently, "didn't you once say you hated him? For leaving you?"
Franklin's expression shifted into a scowl, though his tone remained calm. "You've been listening to my conversations with Cable, haven't you? Trying to play mind games now? Is this therapy now?"
"Not therapy," she said before rising to her feet again with grace. "Guidance. You young ones always rush into decisions driven by impulse. That's why this old woman keeps an eye on you—to steer you back to the right path when needed."
Franklin scoffed, but his heart wasn't in it. "I'm on the right path. And I don't hate Aeon."
"But…" she prompted.
He didn't reply. Instead, his eyes flicked to the bubble again. It now showed Reed standing before one of his invention prototypes, furiously typing into a console, his face hardened with resolve and pain.
Franklin exhaled slowly. "I don't want to talk about it."
The Ancient One nodded knowingly. "Very well. Whenever you're ready, Junior Carter."
"Don't call me that," he muttered.
She began to open a portal beside her, its golden rings swirling silently. Before stepping through, she turned one last time and smiled. "But isn't it your name? Junior Carter?"
And with that, she vanished into the portal, leaving only the sound of wind and the quiet hum of the energy bubble.
Franklin sighed and stared down at the streets below. "My name is Franklin Carter but... Junior Carter is also nice…" he echoed to himself.
....
Inside the sleek and modern confines of Ethan's home, the air buzzed with a subtle hum of excitement and final preparations. The hour had arrived—after a week of rest, bonding, and silent contemplation, it was finally time to send Diana—Wonder Woman—back to her universe.
Ethan Carter stood in the living room with calm determination, the silver Omni-Watch glinting faintly around his neck. Fully charged and ready, it pulsed with energy, as if aware it was about to bridge worlds once again.
Beside him stood Diana, radiant in her armor yet softened by the casual comfort of their time together. Next to her, Anna fussed with her gloves before adjusting the strap of the small backpack she wore. "I still can't believe I get to meet others," she grinned. "I used to read about them. It feels like a fairytale."
Ethan chuckled. "Well, just don't offend any superheroes or Villians there."
"I'll be charming," Anna said with a wink.
Meanwhile, Jean stood near the door, she had wanted to go too—but someone had to manage Aeon Biotech, and she volunteered.
Diana stepped toward her. "Thank you, Jean. For everything."
Jean smiled and embraced her. "Safe journey. And don't worry, your room here will still be yours if you come back."
Anna rushed in next, pulling Jean into a quick, sisterly hug.
Then, Ethan stepped forward with arms wide open. "Alright, I've seen everyone hug but me. Where's mine?"
Jean raised an eyebrow. "Why should I hug you?"
Ethan blinked and is puzzled. "Wait, what?"
But then Jean stepped forward and, instead of answering, kissed him deeply—her lips pressing into his with surprising passion. Ethan responded instantly, his hands finding her back and slowly beginning to wander… lower.
She broke the kiss abruptly and her breath brushing against his ear. "Now you have to come back to continue our session..."
Ethan swallowed hard. "Yes, Ms. Grey. I'll be back as soon as possible for… continuing our session."
Anna rolled her eyes dramatically. "Seriously?"
He turned to her, "Hey, she started it."
With a final look at the two women, Ethan reached for the Omni-Watch and touched the dial. The silvery mechanism, resting comfortably around his neck, sprang to life.
A flash of brilliant white light consumed the room as the watch activated. Wind rushed around them, papers scattered, and a low hum filled the air.
And just like that, with a final pulse, they vanished from this Earth and this universe.
---------------
High above, far out of sight, another presence watched from the shadows of a nearby rooftop.
A small, flickering bubble hovered before Franklin Carter, showing the moment they disappeared.
He chuckled, "Well, It's about time for Aunt Didi to show up in this timeline."
His smile widened, filled with anticipation and mischief. "And when she comes here, it's going to be wild. Can't wait to watch it."
The wind picked up around him, but Franklin stayed perfectly still, already calculating the next move on the board.
....
AN:
Didi's about to meet Ethan soon. So, stay tuned.
How is the story so far. Should I speed up or continue the same pace.
Also leave a review for this fanfic!