As a disclaimer.

This is a true and pure self-insert story.

I just published it since I'm a god damn nerd and I love fanon Worm. Yup, fanon. I haven't read past the first 2 chapters of the actual novel like a true Worm Fic writer.

Expect very biased perceptions of characters and situations, OOC action and very VERY unprofessional fact checking and inconsistencies with canon Worm.

Please enjoy the chapter. I certainly will.


Fuck.

Well this is a thing.

With a heavy grunt, I push myself out towards the light. Blinking as my eyes adjust to the surroundings, looking around.

"Literally crawled out of the trash...surely there's something poetic about this that I ak missing." I always was the type to talk to myself, especially when I was alone, sometimes even around other people.

As I crawl out, without much issue, my clothes are quite frankly a mess. But even more so was my mind.

It's uhh...kind of a shitshow in there.

I'm pretty sure that I had at least 3 mental breakdowns in there I like to overthink.

But thanks the the power of Infinite Multitasking (that I seriously need to adjust to) I was able to crawl out and slightly clean myself by rubbing some bits of food and shedded paper off of myself with a stoic face.

"Ok...let's start remembering what the heck just happened." I oh so eloquently say to no one who cares.

By the way, there is another guy who loose worse for ware like me, from looks alone, likely homeless. He notices me, that much is also clear. But seems like he just doesn't care.

I then, make an equally logical and risky decision to...walk.

Yup, I just get out of the trash, dust myself off and walk around the street. I am probably around a street. Looks urban.

Infinite Multitasking is one hell of a drug.

I allow myself to think and talk at the same time, thus ensuring I will never hit my head on low hanging branches or signs ever again.

Speaking of, right.

Uhh...

Just to clarify again.

Fuck.

I'm in Worm.

That in of itself held a lot to unpack. Many things to consider, many things a true avid reader of Worm can use to their advantage, maybe even end up enjoying this world.

Only issue is, I know jack shit.

I only ever read feel-good fanfictions of Worm. Only ever read the first two parts of Gestation a few years ago, that is if its even the spelling of the first chapter.

Worm first and foremost, was a trope breakdown.

Yup, Wildbow did it before it was cool. He deconstructed what it meant to be a hero or villain, to have powers. Threw a whole bunh of relaism into it, more than I was ever confortable with and slowly but surely made everyhing go to shit and therefore made the memes of Escalation.

I am aware it is a good story, but not my type of story.

Ughh...I'd even prefer to reincarnate in the MHA Universe over the Bay, why is that V17 Worm CYOA so fucking good?

Yup, that's right imaginary folks in my head. The mother of all self insert isekai whatever you call it fics. After completing a CYOA, otherwise known as a "Create Your Own Adventure" interactive questionaire of sorts, I somehow ended up in a trash dump in Brockton Bay.

I don't know if it was a Entity that chucked me here, Zelretch or R.O.B themselves. What I do remember was filling out that sheet and going to bed that day.

Then I awoke in the trash with a heap of new memories, a lanky body and what I would like to describe as "my mind being shaken around and expanded at a rapid pace like a water balloon also filled with ice being filled up by a hose.

Again. I am so thankful for Infinite Multitasking, plus the other multitude of abilities I chose.

Now, thankfully. Since I remember I did a CYOA, I was actually able to identify what powers, perks and all that I clicked on in order to end up as I am today. So, I was able to fully comprehend my situation in a few moments after sending mini mind me's of sorts to multitask, organise and memorize what I chose.

I am so glad I am a coward and pussy.

Since, I went ahead and chose easy mode, as well as started with an extra 200 points to play around with in that CYOA.

Hey, like I said. I read feel-good Fanfics of this world and take a guilty pleasure reading all sorts of fics where people use brute strength or tinker their way through beating Worm.

So at least I have a good amount of tools at my disposal to keep myself alive and well for many many years to come.

Also, kind of important.

Like, seriously important.

...Guess what, Entities are no more.

I messed around with the settings, so...I think the big Golden Man is no more and there is no apocalyse.

Key word, probably.

I will say it as much times as I need to, I never read Worm. I don't know how his world would operate without the threat of the Entities.

Ah wait, at least I knew some things from Canon Worm.

Since I went and changed that setting, who knows what kind of butterfly effects that caused, especially with Cauldron and whatever the fuck they are doing with their Boogeyman Fedora Lady.

So, I must do what I do best.

Be a damn pussy.

Once I figure out my role in this world, since I clearly already have access to my powers I can quickly hole up, keep myself safe and figure things out from there.


This world fucking hates me. I hate past me for choosing the Orphan and Infamous Origins drawbacks.

Somehow, a homeless orphan who's father was a part of the old ABB when he was alive ended up going to school in good old Winslow.

Now you may be wondering, how is said child not in an orphanage or why child protective services aren't coming for my ass?

Good question. I would like to know that too.

Probabaly a unique interaction with my choice of background details which I didn't give much thought other than 'ooooo more points to spend' and spent a total of 3 seconds thinking of the consequences.

Speaking of, I got details of my memories...well, this body's memories. But its not perfect, its spotty in some areas. Whichnis strange, since I took the Noctis Cape perk so I should have perfect memory, even if it not my memories.

It was not an issue on my part. Logically, that means its an issue with the body I am possessing.

I had a quick look through what memories I am sure about and did a pat down to find legal documents in my pants of all things.

Name, Joal Geiger.

What a stereotypical German last name, I don't have anything to do with radiation too if I recall right either.

It was this body's mother's last name, which I barely remember anything about other than the bright blonde hair I inherited from her. Sue me, I don't know the colours of hair and what you call them.

My father on the other hand, as I said was a part of the ABB. Surprisingly, he was Filipino. I read many fics where they say the ABB is usually made up of Chinese or Japanese members, so I was not too sure on their quota on other Asians like Filipinos or Indians and so on.

While I don't know for sure, I can put two and two together. My mother was probabaly one of the human trafficking victims of the ABB.

I wouldn't know, since I know for sure both my father and mother are dead.

I have no idea why she didn't abort me. Since uh...she was sort of a part of the E88.

Yeah.

What the fuck Worm?

Best part is, both gangs are aware of my existance. At least I was low priority due to being mixed, a child, plus after looking through more documents turns out I apparently had some issues with my memory, so I was considered a handicapped student.

Even better than best, due to my unique genetics I look like an Asian teen who dyes their hair bright blonde because of it. But I would never fit in with the gangs cause Nazis and Human Traffickers, plus I would never get along with the actual decent students or 'normal' people in Winslow due to the amount of inevitable trouble I would brjng.

Fun.

Why do I scorn those chosen fearures for me now? Well I go to Winslow, it is a Monday. Its January 3rd of 2011.

Taylor triggers today.

Fuuuuuuuuck.

Peak Worm moment.

While I use a majority of my mental faculties dedicated to scorning my past self and situation. I walk towards some local public toilets, head into a stall without even borhering to lock the half destroyed door and ensure no one is around to see what I would do.

I nope out of there.

Yup, one of the Powers I had chosen was Pocket Dimension.

From dissapearing in a simple blink from the dirty toilets to now within a nice little cottege that was furnished and clean. I open the front door and look outwards, an alternate reality for 100 meters that will continue to grow.

...

"I'm so never leaving this place."

Back in Earth Bet, I use another feature of Pocket Dimension that I added. An Avatar that I can control from within this pocket dimension which held some powers (albeit weakened) to about 60% of my actual capabilities.

Said avatar leaves the toilet stall, washes his hands with questionable soap and water before drying it like a civilised person and leaving the toilet.

First layer of protection set!

With a Tier 0 power known as Organized Mind having a unique interaction with my infinite Multitasking. I was able to essentially split my mind into two with one controlling the avatar while I turn my attention back to the pocket dimension.

No longer cringing at the past, I proceed to be unable to supress a shit-eating grin "I'm so happy I'm OP."

Friendbringers (plus the Upgrade). Three allies I've painstakenly synergised, planned and spent the most time considering the pros and cons of said powers to get that cold sheer power fantasy any teen would dream about.

I am so happy I am a wuss. With these allies, I have a chance to survive Earth Bet. Since I gave them powers all in mind with future growth and progression.

While I had some control over their creation such as size and general theme. I went with the same things.

The smallest size and humanoid looking. After all, at most I would like to be able to have them pass as humans, or at least Case 53s in the off chance they do ever want to leave the confines of this Pocket Dimension.

But other than that, from what I understand how they end up looking like or acting like is due to my subconscious.

Well, I can be assure of their loyalties. So better bite that bullet and summon them.

"Ok...so...how do I do this, power, shard. Whatever I call you." Hey, new body, still getting used to it.

Thankfully, it was pretty instinctual when it came to activating and using my powers, kind of felt like controlling your internal muscles without making any evident movement on the outside. Like clenching a muscle without flexing your body.

There was no theme song, no fanfare.

Just the gentle rustle of grass and leaves in the trees of this alternate reality as eventually...

2 women and 1 man, all naked mind you all blink into existance with no build up.

Of course, I blink in response.

I start muttering to myself as I adapt to how unextraordinary the summoning was "Huh...well I guess that makes sense. I'm pretty sure the Siberian and the Endbringers were naked too-"

"Daddy!"

"Father, greetings."

"Yo, pops!"

And thus, I respond in a suitable manner when 3 fully grown adults call a teenager thair dad. I didn't even summon the fourth Master Projection yet...

"Huh?"


Winslow.

It was...ok to look at. It was a little dirtier than most but what school didn't have some children who threw around trash here and there.

My...Joal's...our(?) avatar walked through the halls, after a quick look through Joal's limited memory, as expected he wasn't exactly the most studious individual, or the most liked.

As expected of the school where prospect gang members openly had something to prove to the other gang and people who didn't have the same skin tone as them.

As a halfie whose parents were apparently somewhat well known grunts in their respective gangs, they made their disgust of me known, though seemed to know better than to try anything with the meathead that was Joal.

Pre-possession Joal was a bit of a loner. While not a delinquent was defilently one that gave off the impression he went through the life of hard knocks. He was not adverse to picking a fight with someone who wronged him, it was the only way a loner could reasonably survive.

It could be considered targeted bullying by some, but the ABB and E88 prospects had other targets in mind, the opposing gang. So Joal was able to keep his head down and get by with C- on average.

Speaking of loners. Original Joal seemed to not have even spoken with Taylor much despite sharing the same class. Taylor mistrusted and avoided most anyway, and Joal kept to himself.

"Uh. Hey. I'm Joal Geiger, my normal route was under construction due to Cape stuff so uh...I'm a bit late." Joal spoke to the receptionist with a subdued tone, holding up a card with my own face with it to prove my identity.

"I've sent a note to your teacher through email. Hurry up then." Though dismissive, at least the receptionist didn't seem too bothered with me.

At least I seemed to not seem like I acted too differently from Joal. The accepted smalltalk and mannerisms from a teenager in the 2010s is very different to the 2020s.

"Thanks man." I give a quick nod upwards before walking through the door and into the hallway, heading to my designated class. I don't actually have anything on me right now of use in class so no need to head to my locker.

As for the real reason why I was late...I just awoken late into the day. I had no idea if Joal was one to typically oversleep before the possession.

For now, even though I was late. Even though I know Jack Shit about canon, I can hopefully probabaly prevent the Queen of Escalation from escalating too much. I still have a few more hours until the school day ends. I should figure out whether I even want Taylor to even trigger in the first-

"...! ...e...!"

In the distant end of the hall, I heard muffled cries and a horrid scent started to fill my nose.

"They did it first thing in the morning..."

I start running through the halls the cries and yelling getting more distinct and followed by fairly soft banging against the door of the locker. Shit, chances are she already triggered.

Say what you want, I am a wuss. I accept I am a cowards and I fully embrace the fact I am not a good person.

But even if on a whim or my own notion of justice, I gotta do something about this.

"Hey...hey! In the locker, any idea what the code is so I can get you out of there." I called out, making my face closer to the small slits in the top of the door "Fuck...that smell is horrible..."

The hoarse voice from within the locker seemed...almost confused for a few moments "Ah...ahh? You...who is there?"

"Just tell me the damn code already, that voice...Hebert. That's you right? I remember this is your locker, what's the code?" I wince internally at the sound of her voice, strained from screaming and crying.

It was one thing to read about it in words and text. But when it happens in front of you...

After a slightly hesistant string of numbers, I input that code and the doors open, with it a wave of bugs and stench flow out.

"Gah?!"

I catch the off balance body of Taylor as well as slightly yelp at the slight of the erratically moving bugs.

I'm not afraid of bugs typically but when a wave of who knows what flies out suddenly, you get a bit freaked out.

"J...Joal?" Taylor seems to take a few moments to orientate herself as she is soon quick to push me away as soon as she is able to stand on her own "I...what."

"Ah fuck, your hands are bleeding..." I mention as I look at Taylor's hands. Bruised and some skin peeling off from banging the locker "I'll get the first aid kit from the other end of the hall. Are you able to head to the girls bathroom by yourself?"

"Are, are you telling me I stink?" While not exactly hostile and seemed slightly pained, Taylor is clearly cautious and wary with me, can't blame her.

"That too. But think about it for a second, I turned up late to school and found you like this. You're telling me no other person wanted to help you, if they see you injured and vulnerable like this, probably just encourage them to act further." Random bullshit, go.

To be fair. I never was good at calming down crying people, children or adults.

"I...I...aaaaahhhh!" Taylor clutched her head, as if having the mother of all migranes.

I received a nice punch to the face a moment later.

While I could have dodged thanks to the influx of new powers I now had, I was pretty sure this was a canon event.

The now much more clearler screaming from Taylor, finally the other classrooms were able to hear, some of the doors opened and some kids first rushed out and watched, muttering to themselves.

This seemed to set Taylor off, probabaly due to seeing the faces of the people who saw her suffer and did nothing. I didn't blame her for it and completely understood it.

However...

"Ok, ok! Calm down Taylor." Currently, I was half gently half firmly holding onto the feral girl who seemed to squirm and desperate to fight something, anything to feel some validation at her injustice.

Oh how I wanted to just watch her go ham on the shitheads that were the students here. Probabaly would do the world some good.

But...I am well aware those with Warrior Shards don't really think about the concequences of their actions. So I was content to use my enhanced physical strength to juuuust barely holding her back.

The teachers eventually arrived and soon after cops and Paramedics did.

Taylor ended up still screaming and kicking the entire way as I couldn't help but sigh.

Trigger events are rough.

That was putting it lightly, a personal unique hell for a person. That was a Trigger event.

The cops had begun questioning some of the students nearby to inquire about the incident. It went just about as well as one would expect, none of them said anything, especially since Sophia Hess probably was around, as well as the other two, Emma and Madison their names were, probabaly.

Though, then there was me. The outlier and anomaly that wasn't there at the school in the morning.

"Son. Did you see anything at all?" The cop and their partner seemed tired, I actually did wonder why they didn't speak to me until now.

"Yeah actually. I was the one that let her out of the locker." I say fairly quickly before the trio had the chance to get any shenanigans done.

My response actually made the two cops perk up a little, I took a glance at their nametags, Cliff and Kate.

"That's actually really good Son. Mind coming with us by the car so I can ask a few questions?" Cliff, the older of the two with slight whites to his hair had asked.

"Yeah, no problem." With that, I followed the two out of the school, practically able to sense the glare sent to the back of my head.

After a short walk session, I was stood by the cop car where the two began asking questions.

"Alright, let's start things off. I'm Officer Clint, thats my partner Officer Kate." Cliff had begun with introductions, and something about a witness statement and jargon I did not listen to.

"Joal Geiger." I stretch out my arm for a handshake, that was popular enough during 2011 right?

Cliff and Kate seemed slightly confused by the name but shook my hand just fine, not racist cops, thats good.

"I'm half." I say quickly, which seemed to clear up the misunderstandings about my very Asian looking face and not so Asian last name.

"Right. Well, mind running us through what happened then, Joal?" Kate asked.

"Well, I was running late to head to school. You can ask the school receptionist about it, should have a record or something about it. I was walking to class at around part way through the first period where I heard banging and screaming. I headed towards the sounds and figured out banging was coming from one of the lockers. I let her out afterwards." I was careful not to sound too proffesional or well spoken, while Joal was the same age as me at life, I always was told I sounded like a kid trying to sound like a smart adult.

"Let her out. Was it your locker she was in then?" Cliff asked with a neutral tone.

"No, that was Hebert's locker. Ah, I figured out it was Hebert who was locked in so I asked her what the code to her locker was so I opened it with that." They think I was the one who locked Hebert in there? Well I guess I was the only person who seemed to know anything about the situation, probabaly was suspicious in their eyes.

"She was locked in her own locker? But then why was..." Cliff had trailed off, as if trying to think of a way to explain it all.

"No idea. I know Hebert didn't let her own locker end up like that. She is actually pretty smart and probably stores stuff in there." Got to try and make the cops investigate this at least, no matter what the plot is, I didn't feel good when I knew injustice was happening so blatantly to a person I read so many fics about.

"You knew Taylor?" Kate asked.

"Not really, we barely talked, just had the same classes, so I think I have a pretty good grasp of her character." I shrug "Though...Can I ask something?"

I make a show of looking around to see if anyone was watching or listening in.

"...Sure son." Cliff seemed to get a bit more serious "What is it?"

"Was the PRT contacted? When I let Taylor out, she seemed a bit wary, probabaly had a panic attack or something and was starting to calm down. But then she suddenly started making pained sounds and clutched her head before she started going feral. Especially when she saw Hess and Barnes. I don't want to assume anything but..."

It went unmentioned at how I alluded to a connection between a Master and Sophia. While I was not too sure about the specifics, I did know that apaprently some people went apeshit over Masters and Stangers.

The two cops glance at each other with serious expressions.

"You did good Son. Thanks for the information." Cliff nods at me before going into the police car and using some sort of radio.

"Of course he forgets..." Kate mutters to herself "Sorry about that, he gets like this whenever it comes to Parahumans. That's all the questions we have for now, thanks you for your assistance."

And with that and a quick wave, I finally head back into the school.

...

That's going to cause so many butterfly effects, won't it?

I ended up heading back to class and at everything seemed to end up normal again after after a while.

I was able to get by the work relatively easily, since I can confidentialy say I was more academically gifted than Joal was when I was living in...Earth...what do I even call my old Earth? Its not Aleph despite being really similar...

It was when lunch period started where things started getting interesting.

I heard the memes and rumours of American School meal for a long time now. I can confidently say it truly is just slop. It wasn't terrible, but you could practically taste the preservative salt on the things.

After I had sat down on a lone small table that only accomodated for four eaters, the other three seats were taken up, lo and behold, the trio themselves.

I've read the fics so I generally know what to expect, I know their dynamic, so while most of the school assumes Emma was the leader since she had the popularity, the lawyer father and was white, I knew Hess was the one who led the pack, so to speak.

Therefore, with a slightly raised brow I started off with "So what do three predators want with little old me?"

Ugh, that felt cringe to say, so chuuni.

"Predators." Sophia repeats with a bit of amusement but mostly mirth, this soon changes to one of seriousness "Why did you help Hebert?"

Straight to the point I see.

"To be honest, it was just my first instinct to. I didn't really think things through and thought it was an acvident or something." I shrug while eating my meal.

While I was careful not to be dismissive and was looking at them when I spoke with them, I made sure to not seem meek either.

"Well don't do it again. That was the best show we had in a while and you went ahead and ruined it." Emma cuts in with a haste to her voice.

"Yeah, what she said." And Madison could not help but say the most stereotypical side bully line, didn't she "Or what, you fucking the nerd?"

"Pfft!" I let out a little laugh, making a show of it "I barely speak to her, and that's your first conclusion? Listen, like I said. I just saw something happening, and just let her out. It's not that deep. But if you're gonna give me crap for it then..."

I trail off as my eyelids lower, not quite a glare but it sent the message. Joal was naturally an intimidating looking fellow and I saw enough movies to at least be aware of how to not be lame, hopefully.

"You...do you know who my father is?!" Emma says in a hushed yet harsh tone as to not draw more attention than they already did.

"Divorce lawyer." I say simply, not in a threatening tone, just a neutral one "I am well aware."

Emma seems to attempt to think of another reply, probably not expecting me to not be intimidated by her father. But, more than anything, Sophia seems to have a slight smirk.

"Stop, Emma. I think I understand you a little more now." Sophia starts "You're a sleeping lion, but poke one and you won't hesistate, will you? We never spoke that much, so I was almost tricked and thought you were prey."

For a lack of a better term, Sophia seemed to size me up, as if seeing me in a new light.

"I will neither confirm nor deny that statement. Though do you have to use so much metaphors?" I soon finish my food and then stand up and begin walking away.

To be honest, I really did not care for the Trio all that much. As long as they left me alone, and I get enough time to build up my resources, I'll be happy and safe.

I wonder what Prime Joal is doing right now in the Pocket Dimension...man I really should name that.


Meanwhile, with Prime Joal...

The reverberations were clear, armed men and women filled the stands of the sun kissed center.

At said center stood three bare butt naked adults, one giant red skinned woman with horns and what seems to be two bat wings, and a teenage boy with ripped baggy jeans and a hoodie filled with sweat.

The gates around them had opened, and soon Gladiators with flowing weapons and armour ran through like a stampede quickly surrounding the five. Some were clearly not human, being some kind of orcs or in some cases a fantasy beast-person.

Joal, of course had his opinions of this.

"I just wanted to relax in that small cottage!"

His cries were in vain as the Gladiators started rushing towards the center.

This was supposed to be the Worm universe...

Joal cursed his past self for going through the CYOA as he and the others began to run towards the hoard.