Hey Guys here's chapter 2. I hope you enjoy it. I'm gonna let you know now since this is an OC self insert. The story may deviate a little once my character gets his bearings and realizes exactly what earth he's on. That being said the next few chapters are gonna be build up for my OC with some sprinkled in meets of the hero's and their partners and so on to get the ball moving. Additionally I'm in the process of moving so the next chapter might take a little to get out. Please leave a like and follow and a comment so I know what you think. Stay safe and healthy Guys!

Chapter: 2

ATLANTIC CITY

September 5th 11:45 EST

As consciousness returned Jack knew that something was off.

He was no longer in any pain, had no more discomfort, and was decidedly warm.

He most definitely wasn't laying on a couch the last he had checked. The fact that he had become a sort of light sleeper was finally coming in handy, since he was now subtly trying to get a look at where he now was.

The place was blurry from the obvious sleep in his eyes that he obviously wanted to wipe but did not want to draw any kind of attention to himself at this moment.

'Where am I?'

That and a thousand other questions again were flooding his brain, just like last night. The fact that he was able to remain this calm would actually seem disturbing to some, but Jack had learned to try and adapt early on in life.

His Dad Flint had been a single parent due to having to kick Jack's mother Lynn out for being a drug addict, and at the age of 8 Jack had to grow up faster to help raise his sister Hazel.

Life was quite accelerated after that. At 11 Jack had his first job working around his neighborhood doing seasonal lawn work for anybody in the neighborhood that needed it.

Some would say that helping pay bills and raising a kid at that age was too much…and in some respects they were right.

But Jack had developed a rebellious streak too and got up to all kinds of trouble as well, but also knew his Dad could never know about any kind of shenanigans lest he face the man's wrath so he kept the fights and everything else under wraps.

You say what you want but some kids learn to fear their parent's reprisal even if doesn't lead to a beating.

Between having to develop business acumen, maternal instincts,all the typical crap that is growing up and learning to have a sense of pride in hard work,Jack had picked up some interesting skills.

His Martial Arts teacher had instilled a very simple code: Hit Hard, Hit Fast, and Hit First.

So Jack picked up the habit of fighting a little dirty, (and what sue him it's not like every shithead on the street was gonna fight fair either) considering he'd been taught where and how to hit somebody.

He'd also picked up some of the rather more dare we illegal skills while spending time with friends that had a more street oriented lifestyle, like pick-pocketing, lock-picking, and a little bit of parkour.( Though being honest the parkour was only enough to jump off a roof or over a fence without getting hurt) Sometimes an honest days labor just didn't put enough on the table and that was a fact.

Though one of the better skills he picked up was essentially not a skill at all, it was actually the closest thing he ever really considered possible to having a super power in the real world.

After having been in enough fights on the street, or in the gym, mounting on top of the times during his youth he was having to actually run from people (i.e. cops, too many punks to fight at once, and even the occasional nasty dog) Jack had developed what he swore up and down was the "Poor Man's Spider Sense."

Yeah….

Not the best name but the results were good. He couldn't even count the times that it had saved his life. The uncanny ability to not only feel out danger and know whether or not it was directed at you, but with it the ability to feel whether you're in a room alone or not and where that person may be.

And it just so happened to be helping him now because he could most definitely tell he was being watched, and the perpetrator was only within a couple feet of him.

Hoping beyond hope that last night had been nothing but a sugar induced dream and that he had slept walked his ass downstairs (and fully expecting either his son or the dog to jump at him) Jack quickly sat up and threw out his arms shouting at the top of his lungs.

"BOO"

Yeah he felt like a cheese-ball, but what else was he gonna do.

It took only a second after quickly wiping the sleep from his eyes to know…

He was not in his house, he was most definitely wearing the clothes from what he had hoped was just a ridiculous dream, he didn't sound like himself, and he was definitely not alone.

Jack found himself sitting on a Matte Brown couch with a light blue blanket draped across his lap, while trying to take in the room around him quickly.

Light beige walls, hard-wood floor, long brown coffee table right in front of me, random bookcases and Knick knack cabinets scattered throughout filled with who knows what, a small nook that looked to be a kitchen, a hallway with what looked like 3 doors, and of course the most important part... the man sitting in a foldout chair right in front of the coffee table in front of him.

Jack could say that he looked pretty close to Michael Fassbender if he had just been a little older looking in the face and had slightly graying hair or the side of his head. He was wearing a white button up shirt with an almost blood red tie, and dark brown pants with dark colored dress shoes on his feet. The fold out chair he was sitting on had a tan trench coat draped around it while a tan fedora was sitting on the coffee table next to a gray ashtray, while a small cup filled with what looked to be black coffee sat wafting steam into the air right next to it.

The man's face looked passive but Jack had seen the same look in plenty of people's eyes before, the man was measuring him.

He was probably waiting for Jack to say something, anything…

"So you're the one from another universe eh?"

Okay well there goes that theory…

And did he just say what he thought he said...

So were just diving right in huh. Well that certainly makes things infinitely easier, and yet oh so more complicated.

It was all real, All Might, feeling younger, taking on One for All, all of it. He could feel his heart rate picking up but took a quick deep breath and affixed his most professional scowl on his face. Now was not the time to show weakness and be a little bitch. If this guy whoever he was had meant any harm he could have done it already which means he must be at least willing to try and civilly figure it out, besides if not he could always just jump the table and attempt his first 100% Smash see how the dude liked that.

Funny thing was though, Jack got the feeling this guy wasn't so bad and even though you know what they say about assuming Jack decided to take a tentative first step.

"How do you know about all that?" he asked while taking the best measure he could of the older man sitting across from him while trying to subtly prepare to go to war if it was gonna come to that.

The eyebrow raise he received after his own question was definitely slightly patronizing, but I mean in hindsight it could have been expected after what came next.

"I know because I tend to dabble in the mystic arts my young friend, and where I found you was saturated in mystical energy. A very specific kind of energy and once I felt it and the call it was putting out I followed it…to find what? You. No you do not simply wander into the kind of feelings I got last night and find a simple young man."

Jack was starting to sweat a little, none of this was making any sense. This stuff had to be a dream but for the life of him he could not wake up, no matter how hard he tried.

"I can assure you kiddo that this is no dream, you're really in the here and now and it's not gonna change anytime soon. So how about you try telling me what you do know so that I can try to help you hmm?" The question was phrased kindly enough and the man hadn't moved much at all but Jack still felt overwhelmed by all of this.

But truth be told Jack had told plenty of lies in life before and harbored more than his fair share of secrets and not just for himself mind you, and what he'd learned from all of that is that it wasn't healthy. And after plenty of mistakes in adult life he came to the very simple conclusion that his Dad had been right when he said "Lying only makes things worse, just get the truth out from the get go and take the rest as it comes."

And with that...

"Well…Sir my name…"

"Wait just a moment. Before we begin while I appreciate the manners don't call me sir, makes me feel far too old even though it is true. You can call me Richard okay? Let's keep this as light as we can until I feel it's necessary to change the tone." He said it in a kind voice and had made a slight waving gesture with his right hand to let Jack know to go on.

This all felt like it was going way too smooth but you know what they say about looking a gift horse in the mouth.

"Okay. Well my name is Jack, Jackson Alan. As hard as it might be to believe, before I found myself on the beach where I know you obviously found me from I was at home and probably about 15 or so years older and married with a kid and now...here we are." cue shoulder shrug.

The look on Richards face was actually priceless and drew a small chuckle out of Jack before his look shifted to something a little more quizzical instead of incredulous.

He moved slowly, and if Jack had to choose a word carefully was the best descriptor for Richard's movements as he rose from his seat and slowly stepped around the coffee table.

"I would like to do something if you don't mind, and I give you my solemn vow that no harm will befall you. I would simply like to make this process a tad bit easier on the both of us and cut out the need for any kind of long winded drivel if you don't mind?"

This question was said in a very bland matter of fact tone, and quite frankly if all this was real this Richard could have very likely saved Jacks life. Falling out in random places seldom turns out to anyone's advantage.

All Jack could give was a brief nod and then Richard did something that shocked and amazed him all at the same time, he raised both hands at him and then he witnessed a golden glow coming from the guys hands.

"Wohs Em Siht Snam Seiromem"

It was a very strange feeling. If Jack could describe it the feeling was like having brain freeze and yet almost like…like he had water passing over and around his brain while it was still inside his skull?

Wait...Like brainwashing? God he hoped not.

Richard kept his hands in place for what Jack had to guess was about 2 minutes. When the glow finally faded and he lowered his hands the look on Richards face was actually surprising to Jack.

The man's eye's reflected a level of sadness that Jack was very familiar with since he had felt it multiple times after losing a very important person in his life and there had been more than a few. Jack hoped there was no pity in his eyes, but had a very strange feeling that he would be running into that look a lot if people started digging into who he was and how he came to be wherever here was.

"I am sorry that you have been ripped from all you know. I can only imagine how that feels and the fact of the loss you have had to endure over the past year on top of that, you are very resilient. I can try to get you back to your home if you wish, though I must be honest with you…whatever the force is that brought you here it is powerful. I have very rarely felt the kind of energy that is wafting about you, but I can tell you now confidently that whatever it is that brought you and the other man here that gave you that Impressive power that is now growing inside you is truly beyond normal mystical comprehension...even for someone like me."

Of course the follow up to that was Jack immediately jumping at the request for Richard to get him home if he could. Why would he ever turn that down? WHO could possibly turn something like that down? But then his promise to All Might came slamming to the forefront of his mind, and not to mention lets not forget the fact that he now looks like he should be on an after school special.

Most importantly right now could he break his word that he had made to a now dead man? The direct and obvious answer would be he wouldn't have to, not really. His earth was definitely in turmoil and really what earth wouldn't be, as long as there were people there would always be some kind of strife because while there was always good the same could be said of evil.

Jack knew that if he could get home and keep it quiet until he could use at least 20% or more of One for All he could make a huge difference, he'd be able to save people and set an example. I mean who wouldn't with the kind of power that was even now crackling beneath his skin. He had already tried to tentatively get a hold of it and if the buzz that he got from just trying to focus on it was anything...woo mama.

Richard had been toiling about his apartment while Jack was having his introspection, opening cabinets, taking a large copper bowl out, pouring miscellaneous ingredients that Jack couldn't even imagine what they were for and that's when he started to chant in a language Jack couldn't possibly understand and would tell you immediately that he'd never heard before.

This carried on for about five minutes according to the grandfather clock next to the nearest right wall of the couch and at the end a subtle glow faded off and through the apartment, and then the level of light went back to what it was and the two sat in silence.

"So…"

"I am sorry, but I honestly can't find your home. The level of energy I just expended was over three quarters of my total pool of magic no easy feat if I'm being honest, and it literally felt as though I was fumbling around in a pitch black room looking for a wall to touch only to realize that I was nowhere near a surface at all."

Jack would have like'd to say that he didn't immediately feel like his life was over, but c'mon if you just got told that you'd really lost your family nay your entire life and world; what else can you feel.

His wife…the only woman he'd ever really been with. His son who wasn't even a teenager yet…and now he wouldn't see them again? Worst of all he was younger now? How old was he really? Even if he did find a way back what did that mean for him and his family? How does he deal with this? Can he even find his way home? Where the hell even is here? Again all the questions began to swirl around in Jacks head, and all he could muster to think was that he just needed some air before his head popped off.

Surprisingly he felt his feelings become muted and the pain wasn't so bad anymore. That is of course when he looked up and realized that Richard was pointing at him and his hand was slightly glowing again.

"I'm very sorry, I feel like a terrible host. As it is this is now about the fourth spell I've placed on you without your permission, if only we had been under different circumstances I wouldn't have done such a thing. I need you to understand that you are in no danger, the spells were more to make sure no one could track you to here and now, and that you wouldn't be a danger to me of course one can never be to careful. If your beginning to wonder what I mean by that it is quite simple, you haven't really been able to ask any questions and it is one of the spells I cast because I wanted to get the measure of you without a great deal of back and forth which can lead to omission or outright lies. Allow me to be completely honest with you in return with this being the first small piece of information which I will then remove the initial block I placed on you in your sleep so we can have a better repartee. Henceforth before we go any further allow me to formally introduce myself, I am Richard Occult…or better known by my title Doctor Occult!"

As soon as those words processed in his head Jack realized one very simple fact.

This was insane…

This was bad…

Jack was officially in the DC Universe where villains and heroes were commonplace, where magic and technology and mayhem were everywhere, and where the end of the universe could be right around the nearest corner and if you were a simple nobody you'd never even know it.

Jack had read about the man before him though very vaguely. Dr. Occult was a mystical detective and one of the Sentinels of Magic, a very important order that helped safeguard the world from mystical problems. He had teamed with the likes of the JSA and one of Jack's favorite hero's John Constantine to take down horrible foes.

Jack was interrupted from anymore fanboy like thought's on the matter when Occult cleared his throat with a cough.

"I must say to find out that you know of me as a comic book character made for the purpose of entertainment, is slightly insulting and worrying though not the most outlandish thing ever consider the counter argument. A singular universe is vast and even with my knowledge and experience in the mystic arts I myself am still sometimes left in awe of what possibilities stretch out before us."

"The further knowledge of understanding that there are an infinite number of universes makes it far easier for someone to understand, though I would be remiss if I did not tell you here and now to keep that secret to yourself for the obvious reasons I'm sure your already aware of and considering. If you would like I can cast a spell on you that will in the form of a tattoo effectively protect you from mental attacks to keep your mind and information…especially what should be considered extremely dangerous information you seem to know hidden. Its not every day someone is walking around with the identities of the super hero community."

"Rest assured I am very real, all of this is and you are very much on a different earth though which one in relation to yours I can not say. After sifting through your memories it is clear that you too will be a part of, and if I'm not mistaken a very large part of the future of this world. With the power you have inherited it will be quite easy for you to become a talking point for this earth whether it be for ill or for good…if you are planning on involving yourself in the larger world and by that I mean the world of as you would call it hero's and villains." Occult said as he re-took his seat in the fold out chair.

Normally Jack would have no problem answering the call answering any of this, if even only because he had given All Might his word to do so before taking on One for All though the fact remained he had a long road ahead if he was going to even consider it and he still so many unanswered questions.

"There is no need to be concerned if that is why you're so deep in thought. I personally will tell no one if that is the way you would like to go about all could also simply adopt a mundane life while I look for a way home for you if that is what you desire. When you are comfortable let me know what you wish to do" The paranormal detective said before he began to sip his coffee.

Jack was starting to spiral so he did the only thing he could think of…

And proceeded to once again do something that he was sure Midoriya would do; The mumble storm.

"Are you sure you can't get me home?"

" Why am I younger now?"

"How long will I live considering I was 30 just last night in another universe, even if you can send me back home?"

"Will I be stuck like this?"

"Can my body handle One for All at all considering I'm from a world that is completely different than All Might's?"

"What can I do for this world with no funds or connections?"

Jacks mouth started to run so fast that it was honestly impressive from Occult's point of view, though just as he was about to intercede the boy who had once been a man stopped him in his tracks with his last out loud question though it seemed like it was more directed at himself than him.

"Do I really want to even be a hero…isn't it enough that I just basically lost my entire life, why would anybody pick somebody like me who had everything to lose?"

For once Occult felt quite tired. Contrary to what many who knew Occult thought; having a slowed ageing process was not always a boon. Especially when it came to dealing with tragedy. He had dealt with many over his life, Richard had even dealt with losing his lover before at least in a sense. But what had happened to the young man before him was something he knew only a few individuals could even come close to understanding, and none at the age that he had been only to be rewound and allowed to remember it all and be separated from all that was known.

Placing his coffee mug down Occult again slowly raised from his chair, and approached the sofa carefully. He sat to the boys left and placed a hand on his shoulder to give it the tinniest of squeezes.

"I know that I don't know you personally; but I have seen your life. In full regale might I add? You are a good young man, and you have a kind heart. You have many conflicting ideologies when it comes to heroism but you know that above all keeping the innocent safe is the most important thing there is."

"You love your family, and I will do my utmost to continue looking for a way for you to go home this I vow to you. But in the mean time you do need to decide what you will do with yourself. You know that I can't make that decision for you."

"I will aid you no matter the life you choose to live, but I think you must ask yourself this before you truly decide what you'll do…"

"What is your heart telling you to do?" Occult asked before rising to walk into the kitchen from his seat to give Jack some time to make up his mind.

'What is my heart telling me? What a load of crap.' Jack thought as he stared at the man walking away from him wanting to throw something at his back.

He wanted to scream, rant, and rage, something…just to get it all out.

In the end he did the quickest one. The one he swore he wouldn't again. He started to cry again.

He would only think on it briefly later that he'd been doing that a lot lately, but at the moment it had happened again and the dam had burst. He kept going over it in his mind again, and again. His life had not been easy before nor was it now but it was his, he had felt pain but it certainly had never felt this bad even at the worst of times. It dawned on him that this was what true despair felt like.

And as cheesy as it was for Jack the memory that would help him make his decision and pull himself out of his mood was one that could be considered one of the best.

: FLASHBACK:

Perth Amboy NJ

1335 EST

It was wonderful to be around family even as crazy as Jacks was. Seeing his Mom was decidedly rare these days, and truth be told he liked it that way.

He was older now and understood that his Mom was in fact sick. Addiction kills, it ruins lives, and the fact is until you walk a mile in those shoes you could never know for yourself. Today was actually one of the better days, because his Mom was coherent and doting on his son. Life had been rough without her around and Jack had to take on a lot of responsibility that many had said he shouldn't have had to and that he hadn't been ready for it, but in the end he knew he was stronger because of it.

Obviously it took years for him to get to that point but the major take away being that he had forgiven his Mom and he accepted her, now with a better understanding that she did love him and his sister very much and hadn't walked away from them.

She simply had too many problems to try to be able to show it in what was considered a "normal" way. But he had plenty of good memories of her and he was about to be given another one.

Sitting on the couch in his aunt's spacious living room holding her grandson in her lap she looked over at Jack coming into the room.

"You know your Daddy's pretty great isn't he?" she asked as she held and tickled the little boy.

The quick response was the same as always.

"Yeah Nana Dad's my Hero!"

The smile that lit her face showed all her teeth and when she met Jack's eyes he felt all the love he'd ever needed and wanted from her.

"Yeah…Your Daddy's my Hero too…and why wouldn't he be, he's my special boy. Just like you're his!"

Jack smiled at them and asked if either of them wanted a drink to give himself an excuse so that he could walk away to hide his tears. He knew deep down that he shouldn't be ashamed of them but at the same time he kind of wanted to be selfish, and enjoy some of the few Happy tears he'd ever had.

: End FLASHBACK:

The Memory faded as did the tears, but his smile remained. He knew what he wanted to do, and he knew how he wanted to go about it too. He was gonna pick himself up and fight, he always tried and always fought and he wasn't gonna stop now.

It was gonna take a lot of time, and a lot of perseverance but he'd get it done. He wanted to go home and he would hold Occult to his word and look for ways on his own when he was competent, after all Occult isn't the only Mystic in the DC Universe and if not a Mystic then somebody with tech could help him figure out a way home.

He got up slowly from the couch and walked to the kitchen island to find Occult cutting up some fruit.

The smile ever present he started.

"I wanna be a Hero, can you cast the spell so my mind and all its secrets stay my own? Can you help me find somebody to help me train? And most importantly can I count on you as an ally from here on out?"

Occult looked up from his cutting for a brief moment and then began again while talking to the boy with a small smile on his face.

" I will do what I can to aid you though I must be honest my resources are somewhat limited, though helping find someone to train you shouldn't be too difficult in fact I know of a few that can be of service in this manner. I must say it's unfortunate that you have so little affinity for the mystic arts, if you were just a bit stronger I'd take you as a student in earnest. That being said I can teach you some things as you aren't completely outside of the spectrum of using magic, though I think you're looking for something a little more, Physical?" Occult said as he took his knife to the sink and then started to wash and then dry his hands.

"As for the protection simply tell me where you would like the tattoo and what you would like it to be, and I shall place the spell."

The answer was quick and concise.

"I want a blue Hamsa Hand, and I'd like it on my right shoulder blade."

Occult smirked at the answer and knew immediately why he had chosen it, though he wouldn't speak of it out.

Leading Jack back into the living room Occult had him straddle the folding chair with his chest to the back of it so that he could place his hand over his shoulder blade, and then proceeded to recite an incantation.

"Asmah yal ruoy dnah nopu siht yob, tcetorp sih dnim dna luos morf edistuo secrof!" Once the chant ended Jack could feel a mild burn as though he had gotten a sunburn on his back, though it only felt about the size of his palm.

"I am impressed that you thought to use that symbol in the first place, it will protect you greatly as that is what it is meant to do. It not only has the added benefit of being a symbol representing what you were looking for therefore enhancing its base properties, but the place you chose will make it almost impossible to detect and even on the slim chance that another mystic saw it they would dismiss it as a simple tattoo unless standing directly on top of you. Occult said as he gave a once over of his work and the patted Jack on the shoulder to let him know he was done.

Jack stood up and placed his shirt back on and proceeded to follow Occult back to the island to eat some fruit, where they then began to discuss Jacks next steps in the world.

"So…who can you take me to for training? Because if I'm being honest I already have the beginning direction to go with my power I just need to work on my body." As he said this he clenched his right fist and Richard could have sworn that he saw a few light bluish-green sparks dancing on Jacks knuckles.

"Well I already know the answer to the question I'm going to ask you, but I can't wait to see the look on your face."

"Does the Name Ted Grant ring any bells to you?"

Jacks answer was for his smile to shift into a smirk.