The Source: Gamer Chapter 1, a Young Justice + DC Superheroes Crossover fanfic

A/N: Slight updates for typos and other errors. Also included lack of quest reward information explanation.

Chapter 1: Introducing the System

Movies and television always romanticize funerals. Rain coming down hard, to symbolize the grief one feels for the loss of their loved ones. But what if it isn't raining, instead, the funeral is on a bright and shining summer day? The world around you is happy, so you should be too. Somehow it feels like that should make it easier. It doesn't.

Losing your parents as a teenager is hard, probably harder than if you lost them as a child or as an adult. As a child, you can be moved to an orphanage, maybe get adopted, have a new family. As an adult, you have your own life, and an expectation that this would have happened one day anyway. But as a teenager, you are at probably the worst time in your life to be left alone. You are too old to start over and too young to just move on, you are alone and afraid.

How they died doesn't matter. Just the fact they are gone is enough. But, maybe it does matter. Maybe you could have done something, tried to stop it. How? Talked to them for five more minutes before they went out the door that morning. Talked to them more yesterday. Talked to them more at all. You felt like you didn't know them that well, always distant somehow. But now they are as far away as they could ever be, and you don't know if you could have done something to stop it.

"Car crash." That's what he said. The detective. He said some drunk idiot drove into their car at a hundred miles an hour, killing everyone involved, instantly. Maybe that's a good thing? They wouldn't have suffered at least. But it was so random, it just happened. You could have stopped it. No one saw it coming. If they had only been there a little bit later, if only you had done something. "It's not your fault," he said, "these things happen." Yeah, but why did it happen to them?

The lawyer says there was a will, not that it matters, who else would be receiving anything. But, it did come with a key (?), that's what it says in the will. It's supposed to be a key. It looks more like a flash drive. They were scientists, maybe it's a computer key? They never said what they did, just that they were scientists. Or, they were scientists, before all the moving.

Always moving. One apartment in one city, to another apartment in another city. They never mentioned why, just that it was time to move. No warning, just "pack up" and "let's go", "hurry", "there's no time for that." No more moving. This apartment was the last one. All of their stuff is still mostly packed away. Never had enough time to fully move in.

Three days. The apartment's a mess now. Everything has been unpacked, but nothing makes any more sense. The key opens something, that's what keys do. But, what does it belong to? The will didn't say. They didn't say. No one said anything. No one could have prepared for this. But they did. They knew this was going to happen, the will didn't say that, and they didn't prepare me.

They knew they were going to die. Not in a car crash, maybe, but that it was coming. All the moving, it was to stay ahead of them. Someone, something, doesn't matter, doesn't say. They kept a journal for me to find. That's not what the key was for. The journal wasn't hidden, just in the nightstand. They kept adding to it, every day, every time we moved, every time they believed they were found. There were other journals. The first time we moved, the first journal mentioned that. But none of them are about the key.

The journals mention it, some other thing. Maybe that's what the key is for? I tried using it like a flash drive. Didn't work. Not that it didn't register, it just didn't fit. No ports would take the key. It looks like a flash drive, but the will says it's a key. The journals talk about it. Maybe that's what the key is for?

Three weeks. I was already used to being on my own. We lived together, but they were never home. It's why I wasn't worried when they had been gone for a few days. It's why I wasn't prepared for the detective to knock on the door to the apartment. It's why I wasn't prepared for them to be gone forever. Three weeks, and I still haven't found what the key is for.

It's become my obsession. According to the journals, it was their obsession too. But at least they knew what it was for. They obsessed over what it could do, I obsess over what it is. They wouldn't give me the key if they didn't want me to use it. I know it opens something. I just need to find it.

Four weeks. I have checked every floorboard, knocked up and down the walls, and looked under every piece of furniture. I found it. A box, maybe, it looks like a box. There isn't a keyhole. It's perfectly smooth, no seam, no keyhole, no way to open it. Is this what the key is for?

Holding the key in my hand, turning the box around, the front glows. It glows when the key is near it. This is what the key is for. I know that now. I put the key in, somehow. I turn the key. The whole box glows with a strange pattern. The box doesn't open. The key is swallowed by the box. It continues to glow with that strange pattern. The box starts changing. It looks strange now.

*BONG*

It yells at me. I think. It made that noise. Loud and violent. It told me to pick it up. I don't know how I know that, but that's what it said. Pick it up. But just as my hand touches it, the strange glowing pattern starts moving through my hand. I can't remove my hand. The journals said "don't touch it."

It hurts. Everything hurts. I feel like my whole body is on fire. "Don't touch it." Now I know why. I scream. Or I would. I can't react. All I feel is pain. I don't see anything. I don't hear anything. I feel nothing, but pain.

I think I passed out. I must have. I woke up on the ground. It must have been a strange dream. I don't feel any pain now. But it couldn't have been a dream. The box is on the ground next to me. Only, it's broken. In pieces. I don't remember breaking it.

You didn't.

I almost scream as I leap up from where I was sitting. What was that? Did someone say something?

There is not enough time to explain. This connection cannot remain open for too long. You are too weak.

"Too weak?" This time I ask out loud.

The device tried to take over your body. It was angry after being trapped in that form. All of its senses were blocked off. Your parents had trapped it so no one could use it.

"You say it tried? I'm guessing it didn't succeed. Did you stop it?" I look around for whoever I am supposedly talking to. The apartment is empty besides myself and the mess.

No. You stopped it. It awoke something inside you. Something unique to your species it seems. We can communicate because of that awakening. You have been chosen.

"Chosen? For what? What is going on?" I am starting to panic.

Be calm child of Earth. You have been chosen by us, The Source. That device was called a Fatherbox. It is a machine that can directly interface with The Source. And now, so can you.

"But what have I been chosen for?" The panic has subsided, but I am still far from calm.

You shall be a champion of The Source, against what is to come.

"'What is to come?' What does that mean?" I am now more confused than worried.

We are running out of time. Everything shall be explained through the System.

"Wait! What System? You haven't told me anything!" I yell at the nothingness that was always there.

*WELCOME CHAMPION*

"Gah!" I shriek as a translucent blue screen pops up before me.

*SYSTEM INITIATING*

"System? This is the System?"

*INITIAL SETUP COMPLETE*

"Setup? What setup?" I still have no idea what is going on here. "What is going on here?!"

*TUTORIAL*

Would you like to access the Tutorial for the System, Champion?

*YES/NO*

"Uh...Yes?" The screen changes suddenly and a mass of text pops up.

The System was created by the Source in order to assist the Champion as they develop their powers. In your current state, you would not be able to handle the strain that the influx of power would cause to your body. Through the System, various aspects of your person will be enhanced, slowly introducing the Source into your body. Over time—

"Whoa whoa whoa. Hold on. 'Introduce the Source into my body?' What does that mean?"

The Source is the limitless energy of the Universe. Having been chosen as its Champion, your body will be prepared to handle the immense energy and power it can provide you. Do not be alarmed, you will maintain full control of your own sentience throughout.

"Oh." That's good. I think.

Over time, your body will grow first to peak levels for your species, then will continue to grow beyond as you make use of the System. Once reaching the peak, additional efforts will be needed to overcome the natural limits of your species. This will be elaborated on at the appropriate time.

"So I have superpowers?" I start to become excited at the prospect.

Not yet. Because of the initiation process, and the awakening of your genetic potential, your body has been reset within the System. As such, you are actually below average in all aspects for your species. Simply state "Status" in order to view your current status.

"Status…" I say with dejection at what is to come.

A new screen pops up before me, this one accompanied with numbers and a grid-like appearance. It looks almost like a video game screen…

Correct. The System was designed after the roleplaying games you are so used to playing. It was designed this way with your proclivities in mind, to ease the transition.

"Oh." Neat.

Please familiarize yourself with the Status screen before moving on.

Status

Simon Allen, (No Title), 16 y/o

Level 1 (0/1,000)

HP: 30/30

SP: 20/20

MP: 20/20

Race: Metahuman

Current Alias: None

Aliases: None

Affiliations: None

Base of Operations: Gotham City Apartment

Alignment: Neutral

Identity: Unknown

Occupation: High School Student

Attributes

Strength: 1

Endurance: 1

Agility: 1

Dexterity: 1

Perception: 1

Charisma: 1

Intelligence: 1

Wisdom: 1

Luck: 1

"All of my attributes are 1...you said 'below average', not that I was literally at the lowest score."

Your attributes were all reset when your body was reforming following your genetic awakening. This was done in order to protect you from the Fatherbox. Do not worry though. Having 1 in every attribute means that you will be able to grow all of them at a faster than normal rate. That is, as they return to average levels.

"Great." This sucks, I'm probably weaker than a baby. "How do I 'grow' my attributes to average levels?"

Physical stats can be grown through their related use. Strength implies lifting or hitting, endurance would be stamina exercises, agility for running or swimming speed, and dexterity for skillful applications of your hands. The mental attributes may be harder to grow. Intelligence simply requires learning new information and retaining it, but wisdom will require using any gained information for your benefit. Perception is from maintaining awareness of your surroundings while also learning as much as you can from your senses. Charisma, perhaps the most difficult, will require communication with others in order to grow. Luck grows on its own, randomly changing as needed.

"If luck is random, why is it a 1 right now?"

You haven't moved to accomplish anything yet, so it is merely stagnant at its lowest positive level. Luck can also become negative, indicating the presence of particularly bad luck.

"Wonderful." This sucks more than I realized. "I guess physical training is up first. Can't go anywhere if I can barely do anything. Intelligence might also be a good idea to grow."

Would you like to continue the Tutorial?

*YES/NO*

"Oh...there's more? I guess I should. Yes." Hopefully this won't last too much longer.

For future reference, you do not need to verbally respond. Simply thinking a command will interact with the System.

"Oh...uh...sure." Easy enough.

The Status screen disappears and is replaced with a new screen.

As an extension of your status, there are also your resistances, saves, and abilities. The first two are related to your ability to either resist damage or to resist actions performed against you. The latter refers to the saves, which are Fortitude, Reflexes, and Willpower. The first is your ability to resist physical actions against your body, namely poison or stunning. Reflexes are your natural response to incoming danger, wherein your body will react automatically in self-preservation. Willpower represents mental resistance, and the ability to resist intrusion or pain. Abilities will be defined later in the Tutorial.

Again, the screen shifts as the Tutorial continues.

Beyond your personal status, you can also access information related to your interactions with the universe around you. Specifically, there is a Karma system, briefly indicated by the Alignment section in your Status screen. Karma is how the Source views your actions, and is more relevant to your actions to harm or defend the Universe, as opposed to morality. Further, there is a Reputation system, though yours is currently empty as you have not encountered anyone for sufficient time enough for them to be registered. Both of these are used to monitor how your actions affect the Universe, either on the whole, or against specific groups and people.

"This is a lot. How much more does the Tutorial cover?" It might be my low intelligence, but I'm already getting a headache.

Next is the process of levelling up. The point of it should be rather obvious, but the true intention might be different than expected. As previously stated, your current form cannot sustain your burgeoning powers. By levelling up, as well as growing your attributes, you will be able to prepare your body for new powers. What you were not informed of, yet, is that the powers will not always come automatically. As you meet certain criteria, basic powers will manifest, but more specific powers will require research and training to develop. Further, every power must be trained as a means of adapting your body to it, rather than it being granted already fully developed.

The next screen is labelled 'Abilities and Skills'.

Abilities are non-activated options available to you, and may include skills or applied knowledge. Anything you may have already known how to do will have to be reattempted before the option is displayed in this screen. Your previous competence will assist your growth in that ability or skill. You have been provided two abilities related to the System. The first is called 'Gamer's Mind'. At its most basic, it will allow you to defend against mental intrusions through your Willpower skill, more easily than a normal being would be able. The passive applications will be emotional regulation and negation of certain mental defects, such as the need to sleep. This means, you will retain information automatically rather than through sleep, as well as your body does not need to sleep for mental stamina.

"No sleep? That would free up time for training and levelling. But does that mean I don't get tired?"

Your mind will still become exhausted, but is now represented by your MP stat. Once that reaches zero, you will faint, sleeping only required then, in order to recover from complete mental drain. The second ability is 'Gamer's Body'. It is similar to the first, but is related to physical stamina. At its most basic, your Fortitude stat will allow you a greater resistance to physical detriments than normal. Your body will not feel exhaustion, instead relying on your SP stat for stamina. Brief resting periods will allow recovery, rather than the need to sleep. Further, you will always be able to perform at peak performance, no matter how damaged you are, as indicated by your HP stat. Though, even your HP stat will be able to recover, showing physical regeneration at a far above normal rate.

"Wait. Can I still be damaged? You say my HP stat indicates damage, but will it be shown on my body?"

Your physical form will seem far more durable than it is, unless you build up resistances. Only extreme damage will actually be able to remove any part of your body. Loss of limbs will also be recoverable with time.

"Holy crap! A healing factor? That alone is a huge power."

Be warned, even if you have not physically sustained damage, so long as your HP reaches zero, you will die. As it is now, your HP will not be able to take even as much as a fairly strong punch.

"Oh…" I could die from a single punch. "I really need to start training. What else is there for the Tutorial?"

Powers are active use abilities that can be obtained from levelling up or from external influence. Your first set of powers will not be available until an attribute has passed beyond the upper average range. For reference, the average range for a human is 15-25 in all attributes. Peak human is at 100 points. Recall, in order to maximize use of the System, all attributes should be grown beyond peak human. That will be all for the Tutorial. Any questions can be directed at the System, though not all questions may be answered. More specific explanations for anything covered in the Tutorial may also be asked of the System, but not everything may be explained about each subject. Certain knowledge will not be introduced until milestones have been met.

*TUTORIAL COMPLETE*

"Wow. Ok. I have a long way to go." I let out a massive sigh. Or was I holding my breath? Doesn't matter. "Better get started."

The first step toward growing my attributes should probably be strength. The System says it is related to lifting weight and...hitting things. The first will be easier to train.

Note: Strength also directly affects your HP stat. As does endurance. SP is from endurance only. MP is from intelligence only.

"Uh...thanks. Are you always going to chime in like that?" It could be annoying.

The System is in direct concert with your mind. Any thoughts can be answered automatically. But if you would wish this feature turned off, simply confirm.

*TURN OFF AUTOMATED ASSISTANT: YES/NO*

"Wait! No. Might be better to keep this on." At least while I get the hang of things.

Ok, what weights do I have? I think I had a couple of 10 pound dumbbells in my room. My parents probably don't have anything. They were always too busy, probably never had time for things like this.

I walk into my room to begin the long road to superpowers. But as soon as I try to pick them up, I notice it is incredibly difficult.

"What the—" I can barely pick them up. "Why is this so hard?! They're only 10 pounds each!"

Note: Each point of strength, at least until peak, counts toward 10 pounds of weight capacity.

"And since I only have one point...this is gonna be even harder than I thought." I continue to struggle with the two dumbbells. Though maybe I should only use one for right now, until I get that second point into strength.

Thankfully, it doesn't take more than 10 minutes of lifting the dumbbell up and down before I gain that first point. From there, I move on to using both. It takes nearly an hour, but I finally have a whopping five points in strength. That's terrible. This is going to take forever.

It is recommended that you use increasing weights in order to maintain rapid attribute growth.

"Oh...duh." That's literally the same with building muscle normally. "I guess I could just start lifting things from around the apartment." And so I did. And another hour later, another three points have been added to my strength.

"I think I might need to get a gym membership." It's only been two hours since I got this System, but somehow I'm feeling frustrated. Either because I'm not growing as fast as I would like, or I'm still just mad that I am so far below average in everything.

From your memories, the System has noted that your parents left you a small amount of money following their passing.

"Yeah. Small." Most of the money was spent keeping us on the move. I don't even know where they got it, assuming they didn't get new jobs. "A job. Right. I'm gonna need one now."

*NEW MISSION: FIND A SOURCE OF INCOME*

"Whoa! I guess I should have expected quests."

Missions can be assigned by personal desires or directly assigned by others. Sometimes they may pop as a requirement from the Source itself.

"Don't quests normally come with rewards? What do I get for finishing this?"

The System will not list rewards for quests before completion. What you receive is entirely based on your performance during the quest.

"Why wasn't this in the Tutorial?"

The Tutorial was only meant to cover the most basic of features related to the System. Everything else will be informed on a need-to-know basis, or as they come.

"How helpful…" Odd name for the mission though. "Why isn't it called 'Find a Job'. Why 'source of income'?"

It is not expected that you will maintain a mundane lifestyle following the introduction of the System. Perhaps you will find necessity in less than legal means of establishing yourself while training. The Source does not find such things beneath you, as there are grander goals intended.

"Right. You did say the Karma system isn't related to morality. But I guess I still assumed the Source was benevolent."

The Source is necessary. Good and evil are subjective in the grander schemes of the multiverse.

"Okay! This is clearly beyond me right now." Best not dwell on the ins and outs of morality to what probably amounts to God.

A job would be stable, but would take too much time. I could try my hand at theft or supervillainy, but that feels counterintuitive. At least the second option does anyway. My stats are too low to be of much use for anything right now. Maybe I should focus on getting everything to the lower average before I attempt anything.

First things first, how much money do I have, and how long can I make it last? The will mentioned bank accounts had been transferred to my ownership. I guess the first thing for tomorrow would be to go to the bank and take stock. I remember my parents paying for everything with cash though…

"I almost forgot! There was a lockbox. At first I thought that was what the key was meant for." It probably contains whatever cash they kept on hand. "Now where— Ah! Here it is."

Instead of trying to find the key to this one, I just break the lid off with a hammer. Inside—

"Wow. That's a lot of money. I hope." I take out the bills and begin counting. By the time I am done, which took longer than I think it should have, I gained 2 points in intelligence and fifty thousand dollars in cash.

"This should hopefully last me for a while. I might not even need to check the bank yet." I might not want to check the bank. There might not be anything, or if my hunch is correct, they stopped using it. I remember those cop shows, where they would track someone through their credit card usage. "Whatever my parents were afraid of… I don't want that coming after me too."

A wise decision.

I gained a point of wisdom. "Nice."

"New plan." I think the best bet is for me to use up the cash I found before I begin the mission. I need to finish raising my skills. Getting to lower average is the minimum, but I will definitely push for breaking the upper average. Especially since that would be the start of getting powers from the System.

"Time to get to work."