Life is full of decisions and unexpected events.
Some are born fortunate and some are born unfortunately.
A person can make the decision to do right or do wrong.
You can speak up or stay silent.
You can take a stand or stay seated and do nothing.
You can be a leader or follower.
You can be a hero or a villain.
Whatever happens in life inevitably comes down to the choices we and those around us make.
---
In the city of New York, a blanket of dark clouds and rain covered the sky and drenched the city.
In an alley sat a young man who looked to be no more than twenty years old. He had long obsidian black hair that reached his shoulders; a clear sigh it hadn't been cut recently and wore tattered clothes.
If it weren't for the cloak the young man used wearing to shield himself from the rain, a downcast expression could be seen on his face.
The sound of the thunder clouds and the pouring rain never reached him as if it was just background noise. The rain running only seemed to reflect his sorrow as he thought about how he got to this point.
This boy's name was Devin Jones.
Up until he was 11, Devin had been living a peaceful life with his parents. His father was pilot and his mother was a teacher. Despite their busy schedules, they always made time for him, which was something he was grateful for. His parents had shown him so much love he felt like the happiest boy in the world.
The happiness, however, was cut short.
On his eleventh birthday, Devin and his parents were in the car and driving. An excited expression was visible on Devin face because they were on their way to the amusement park.
His parents smiled warmly seeing the pure joy on his face.
Tragedy struck when their vehicle was hit by a massive truck. The collision was catastrophic and the care was mangled.
When paramedics arrived on the scene, the car was upside down. When they checked the car, they checked for survivors. They found that Devin was alive but unconscious. Their expressions soon turned somber when they found out when the parents weren't as fortunate.
Devin was rushed to the hospital where he received medical treatment.
An elderly man and woman arrived at the hospital. They were Devin's grandparents. They both broke down when they found out Devin people were killed in car accident caused by a driver who had a heart attack.
The only saving grace was that Devin was still alive.
When Devin woke up, he realized he was in a hospital room and was surprised to see his grandparents. They were so happy when Devin finally woke up. Their expressions turned strained when he asked where his parents were.
His grandfather was the one who delivered heartbreaking news
When Devin found out, it was like his world shattered. He screamed, telling them they were wrong and that they were lying.
Their expression only made him realize the inevitable truth.
His grandparents hugged him as he let a choked sob as he grieved.
Only a week after Devin got out of the hospital was there a funeral for his parents. When the Funeral was over, people gradually left and only three people remained.
Devin and his grandparents.
Devin stared and the gravestones, his eyes puffy with countless shed tears.
His grandparents stood closely yet patiently behind him; giving him the time he needed to say goodbye.
From then on, Devin lived with his grandparents.
The years went on and happiness returned to his life although not the same. His birthday was always a touchy subject since it was the same day his parents died.
Knowing that his grandparents were only getting in their years, Devin always helped his grandparents whenever he could.
Whether it was cooking, cleaning, or doing yard work, he always made sure to help. They even saw this as family time and it even instilled Devin with a good moral compass.
When Devin reached High school, he immersed himself in his studies and maintained top grades. When high school ended, he graduated at the top of his class.
His grandparents couldn't help but shed tears and felt proud of him and his accomplishments.
At 18, Devin was in college and had a steady job. He moved out of his grandparents' house and lived in a dorm on college campus.
Every Sunday, he would check on his grandparents and have dinner with them. Devin took charge of cooking dinner since he wanted them to relax.
Often his grandam would shed tears because she was proud of the man he had become. His grandpa would even comment on how he would make a girl very happy someday.
It made Devin happy seeing their expressions. His life was filled with so much love even after his parents' death. He was very grateful to his grandparents.
Unfortunately, those happy times came to an end with another tragedy.
Devin was now 19.
He was driving to his grandparents' house for the usual Sunday dinner.
His expression became alert when he noticed smoke immerging from somewhere in the distance. fear gripped him when he saw the direction the smoke was coming from.
The same direction as his grandparents.
He made his way there hastily but carefully.
When Devin arrived at his grandparents' house, the sight made his world tremble.
The house was engulfed in flames and firefighters were trying to put the raging fire out. Devin looked around franticly for his grandparents'. When he didn't see them around, his eyes went wide when this only meant one conclusion.
They were still inside.
Devin tried to run, eager to save his grandparents but he was stopped by the firefighters who were trying to out the flames out. He desperately screamed for them to save his family.
The fire was eventually put out but it was no cause for celebration.
Devin world shattered when he received the news his grandparents died in the fire.
The cause was faulty wiring that that sparked a fire while they were asleep and the smoke inhalation killed them.
Color disappeared from Devin's world as he sank into a sea of depression. He stopped attending classes and quit his job. The grief was too much for him to focus on anything.
Which is what lead him here.
Devin hid on the side of a dumpster as he heard the sound of a door opening. The alley he was hiding in was on the side of a burger joint.
An employee brought out bag full of trash and threw it in the dumpster. When he finally went back inside, Devin immerged from his hiding place and opened the trash before tearing the bag open. Rummaging through the bag filled with discarded food, Devin found a half-eaten cheeseburger.
Devin let out breath. All he did was move through the motions in life. He didn't get involved in anything and wondered if this was just his life from now.
He felt a deep sense of disappointment and regret about how his life turned out and the decisions he made.
Before Devin could take bite of the food, the sound of something being knocked over caught his attention.
Turing around, Devin saw two boys who looked no older than ten staring at him or more precisely, the food in his hands.
Seeing them, Devin couldn't help but see a bitter reflection of himself. A victim of unfortunate circumstances.
Seeing their hungry expression, Devin let out a sigh before approaching them slowly so as to not scare them.
When he reached them, he tore the burger in half before giving them the two pieces.
The two boys widened their eyes in surprise before hesitantly accepted the food.
Devin watched him eat with a small smile on his face.
For the first time in what feels like for every, he had done something good.
Some color had returned to his dark world.
When the two boys left, they waved Devin bye and he returned the gesture with a smile.
Just as the boy crossed the street, a sharp noise caught Devin's ears.
Looking towards the source, he saw a car swerving at high speed.
Turning his gaze back towards the kids who were still walking across the street, Devin made a decision at that moment. His body acted on instinct and he ran at a speed he didn't think he was capable of.
He stretched out his arms as he reached the two boys. He thrusted his legs with all his strength and pushed them out of the way.
He momentary felt a sense of joy seeing as the boys were out of danger.
That joy was replaced by overwhelming pain when a large heavy object slammed into his body. The impact caused his body to roll across the ground blood and broken.
The last thing Devin heard before consciousness slipped from his body was the sound of an ambulance and people screaming.
Devin also swore he heard a whisper in his ear.
Faint yet clear at the same time.
'Well done.'
---
Devin consciousness stirred as he felt a feeling of weightlessness all over his body. He tried to move his body but realized he couldn't. He noticed how the was no pain present in his body which should have been impossible.
He was hit by a car after all.
When he opened his eyes, what he saw shocked him.
Surrounding him was a vast tapestry of stars and cosmic formations. The sight was both breathtaking and overwhelming.
He stood witness to the sheer majesty of the universe, a silent audience to the celestial spheres as they wheeled in a sublime, star-dusted cathedral.
Devin sense came back to him as he was wondering how he could be in such a place. He looked down, trying to examine his body.
His shock came when he realized he didn't have a body.
Before panic could set in, a calm and soothing voice spoke to him.
"I see you're finally away."
Devin turned to the voice. He was surprised when he saw the voice came from a white glowing sphere.
"W-what are you?" Devin asked, a little warry.
"I'm what you humans call a Random Omnipotent Being or ROB for short."
'ROB!' Devin thought to himself in shock. 'But don't they only appear when reincarnating someone? Wait! Does that mean…?"
"That's correct, Devin." ROB replied, interrupting his train of thought. "you're getting reincarnated!" he announced in a tone that suggest he was winning a prize.
Devin was momentary excited but that excitement dimmed when he thought about his life until now.
"But I don't deserve it." he looked down with a disappointed tone. "After my grandparents died, I wasted my life and the chance they gave me."
"Something like this should go to someone more deserving."
"Funny." ROB replied. "Your parents and your grandparents say otherwise."
That comment made Devin pause and look back at the ROB in shock and surprise.
"W-what!?" he stammered.
"Yeah." ROB replied in a jovial tone. "Your parents and grandparents' feelings were for you were so strong that they believed you should get second chance."
"You spoke to them?" Devin asked in a shaky tone and ROB nodded.
"C-can I see them?" he asked hesitantly.
"Sorry." ROB said apologetically. "But that's beyond my power."
Devin's expression once again turned downcast upon hearing his answer.
Seeing his expression, ROB felt the need to cheer him up.
"You should know that they think about you all the time. They want you to take this opportunity so you can have a second chance in life."
He spoke a little more firmly this time.
"So, what will it be Devin? Will you take this chance your family hoped for you or will you continue to keep your head down four the rest of eternity?"
Devin looked at the ROB, and an inferno of unshakable resolve simmered behind his nonexistent eyes, a controlled blaze that promised absolute commitment.
"Good answer." ROB said in a smirking tone.
"Now let's move on." they spoke before a transparent window appeared between them.
"In a moment, this screen will display they world you'll go to." he explained. "Note that once it lands on a world, there are no do-overs."
Devin nodded in understanding.
The screen shifted throw various worlds too fast for Devin to see. The only one who could see anything was ROB.
The screen finally stopped.
Devin's blood ran cold when he saw the logo of the world he was going to.
'DC.'
He believed he had the worst luck right now.
A universe filled with superpowered individuals and world destroying gods.
Before he could sink into despair, ROB spoke.
"We're not done."
"Now we're at the part where you get your perk."
That made Devin's expression change to excitement and anticipation.
"Can I choose my power?" he asked excitedly.
"No." ROB dismissed.
"it's another roulette role."
The screen began flashing colors. A representation of what power he would receive.
The screen stopped on set of two colors.
Green and black.
"Now this is unexpected." The ROB spoke quite surprised.
Devin turned to the ROB and waited for his explanation.
"Well, it seems you're really lucky, Devin." ROB spoke in amused tone. "You get two powers."
"Really?!" His voice displayed shock and excitement.
"That's right." ROB replied before looking at the powers. "You get the power of an Osmosian and you have to first 10 transformations of the original Omnitrix."
"Of course, you won't need an Omnitrix to transform.
Devin couldn't hide his shock.
Being an Osmosian was already powerful enough because of their ability to absorb matter, DNA and energy but he even has the ability to transform into the original 10 aliens.
"I…I don't know what you say." He spoke humbly. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me, Devin." ROB said with a smile. "This is only possible thanks to you family. Make sure you don't regret it."
"I won't." Devin said resolutely.
"Perfect." ROB Spoke excitedly. "Now let's send you off."
"Wait!" Devin halted. "I have something I want to ask."
"No, I can't make you immune to mind control." ROB said in a dismissive tone. "You need some sort of weakness for your Osmosian abilities you yourself need to overcome."
"Crap." Devin clicked his tongue. "Guess I'll need to keep away from absorbing a lot of energy since it makes Osmosians lose control."
"But I can assure you that you won't have to worry about Zs'skayr. It'll be your DNA." ROB reassured.
"That's a relief." Devin let out a breath.
"Also." He spoke up. "Can you add Big Chill to the arsenal? It'll be good to have a transformation that can put out flames. I know I'll already have Heatblast but I don't want to immediately be accused of starting a fire."
"Oh! And can you make me immune to cloning." He pleaded. The last thing he wanted for someone to clone him. That was a can of worm he didn't want to open.
ROB was silent for a moment before replying.
"That's… doable." his orb-like body pulsed a bright light. "it's done."
"Thank you." Devin said gratefully.
"Now, off you go." A portal opened behind Devin and his consciousness was sucked in.
The portal closed and the ROB looked at the empty space.
"A person can make the decision to do right or do wrong."
"You can speak up or stay silent."
"You can take a stand or stay seated and do nothing."
"You can be a leader or follower."
"You can be a hero or a villain."
"I wonder what choice you will make, Devin." He said in excited tone before disappearing.