Sunlight poured onto William Kyle's face, making him stir. But something felt off. The air… fragrant yet unfamiliar. The sound of car horns, fast-paced conversations with American accents, and… no sound from his apartment.
In a flash, William sat up and looked around. This wasn't his room. The walls were spotless white, the curtains swayed gently in the breeze, and outside the window… was a cityscape he didn't recognize.
"What the hell…?" he muttered.
On a small table next to the bed sat an old brown envelope. His name was written on it: William Kyle. Frowning, he opened it and began to read:
[Greetings, William. We, the Dimensional Guardians, deeply regret to inform you that you have died in your original world due to a technical error in the reincarnation system. We cannot return you to your former world, but we offer you a second chance… in an extraordinary one.
This world is a reflection of what you know as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As compensation, we grant you a power: Shadowforce. You can manipulate, merge with, and create forms from shadows. Use it wisely.
"Your beloved God."]
William froze. His hands trembled as he crushed the letter slightly in his grip.
"WHAT?!" he shouted. "You... KILLED me because of some system error and just… gave me powers and tossed me into a world filled with monsters, gods, and walking nuclear weapons?!"
He stood up and threw a chair against the wall. His shadow moved—but not in sync with his body. It shifted—dancing, forming a dark flame-like tongue before fading again.
William took a few steps back, staring at his feet. "That… wasn't normal. So this is the shadow power?"
He took a deep breath. His emotions were still in chaos. This world wasn't his home. But slowly, his mind began to clear.
"Marvel Cinematic Universe… Before Tony becomes Iron Man? That means it's the beginning. The world isn't wrecked yet. No Thanos. No Chitauri invasion…"
He looked out the window. Early 2000s cars passed below. People walked briskly, busy with their lives.
William exhaled again, this time deeper. "Maybe… this isn't hell after all. Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a hero. Not just strong… but someone who's admired. Someone praised. Someone with a beautiful woman by his side."
He let out a small, bitter smile—yet one full of resolve. "If my old world only gave me loneliness… maybe this one can give me purpose."
His shadow stirred again, this time softer—as if responding to the desire in his heart.
William sat at the edge of the bed, still trying to calm himself. After hours of exploring the small apartment which apparently belonged to his new body, he began to understand that he hadn't just entered the MCU… he had become someone in it.
He turned on a small television mounted on the wall. The channels were normal—news, commercials, talk shows… until suddenly.
"My name is Tony Stark… and I am Iron Man."
The line rang out clearly. William froze. The camera zoomed in on Tony Stark as he revealed his identity as Iron Man to the reporters.
"Holy… this means I'm in the post-Iron Man 1 timeline?!" William hissed. "I thought it was before, but… now everything makes sense."
The news spread like wildfire. The world was in chaos. The military, SHIELD, the media—everyone scrambled to react to Stark's confession. William stared at the screen, a mix of awe and anxiety in his eyes.
"So… its already started."
But there was no time to panic. William stood up, took a deep breath, and looked toward a dark corner of the room. He stretched out his hand. Slowly, the shadow responded.
"Let's see… how far you can go."
Days passed. William didn't leave the apartment. He spent all his time trying to understand the shadow power that was now part of him. He could control the shadows of objects, stretching them, solidifying them, even forming weapons. Knives, spears, whips… all emerged from the darkness.
But when he tried something bigger, like forming a shadow humanoid, a soldier, the shape only trembled, then vanished.
"Failed again," he muttered. "Guess it needs stronger energy or emotions."
Even so, he could feel small progress. He moved faster when merging with shadows, able to slip from one dark spot to another unnoticed.
After training, he decided to step outside for some fresh air. This city… wasn't too different from his old world. Crowded, full of tall buildings, and people too busy with their own lives.
Lost in thought—BUMP!
He collided with someone.
"Oh, sorry—"
"William?!"
William turned around. In front of him stood a girl with bright blonde hair and lively eyes, wearing a denim jacket and holding a book in her hand.
"Uh…" William froze. Gwen Stacy?!
Gwen frowned. "Why are you spacing out? And why haven't you been at school for the past month?"
William stood frozen, his brain spiraling. Wait, so this body… is a high school student? And… knows Gwen?!
"I-I had stuff to take care of," William blurted out quickly. "That's why I couldn't come."
Gwen crossed her arms, staring sharply. "Stuff? For a whole month? Do you even realize you could fail the semester? The teachers are starting to ask questions."
William swallowed hard. He knew nothing about this school—let alone what subjects he was supposed to be taking. But instinctively, his mouth moved first.
"I'll be back tomorrow."
Gwen looked relieved. "Good. It's for your future too, you know? I'll be waiting for you. And if you're lying… I'll drag you there myself!"
She smiled, then walked off. William could only stand there, stunned.
A few seconds later, he ruffled his own hair. "Why the hell did I say that?! I don't even know this body's identity… and now I have to go to school?!"
He sighed. "But… I guess I can keep training my powers after school. Besides, if Gwen Stacy knows this body… who was I before I got here?"