It was a dream unlike any other, one that defied description. Johnson found himself in an endless expanse of white, empty and silent. As he moved through the void, a figure appeared before him—a young man in his late twenties, yet radiating an ageless presence. His hair was a golden cascade, perfectly styled, and his skin shimmered with rainbow hues. Around him swirled a cosmic aura of every color, vibrant and mesmerizing.
A shiver ran through Johnson. Terrified, yet oddly familiar, he took a hesitant step forward. "Who are you?" he asked, voice wavering.
The man turned, smiling as if greeting an old friend, and lightly patted Johnson on the shoulder. "Oh, hey there, young me. I'm surprised you could get in here," he said warmly.
"Who are you?" Johnson repeated, this time more firmly.
"I'm you,the original you, the… future you. Don't worry, you won't understand. Remember when your house exploded, and you were moved to a police station?"
Johnson's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, I remember… Wait. Are you the one who blew up my house?" His anger and confusion surged as he grabbed the man.
"No, no! Why would you think that? I was the one who saved you," the figure replied calmly.
"From who?" Johnson demanded, still confused. "If you're my future self, then why didn't you save me sooner? How did you even reach me if you're in the future? Does this mean I can… time travel?"
The older Johnson's expression softened. "I can't tell you that. Just know this..you are limiting yourself by thinking so lowly of yourself. Your self-loathing is your greatest barrier, John."
"Shut up!" Johnson shouted, tears streaming down his face. "You're the last person I want to hear that from! Because of you, my entire existence is like this. You saved me that day, and I lost my parents… I should have been able to…"
A sudden punch to his face cut him off.
"You think it's easy for me?" the older Johnson roared, his playful expression gone, replaced by burning fury. "Because of that day, our entire lives changed. Even I, who grew up with my parents, was erased from existence. All for what? My family, the ones I cared about, are somewhere I cannot reach. All because of that day, John! Always because of us!"
The younger Johnson fought back, delivering punches of his own. "You had no right to save me! I didn't ask to be saved. I didn't ask for these abilities! My sister and I never asked for any of this! Ever since that fire, you changed my future and maybe yours too!"
"You don't understand. You never will, you foolish idiot!" the older Johnson snapped. "Everything you do, that selfless attitude, will cost you dearly. You need to learn to live for yourself, Johnny… don't be like me."
"You know I won't. I'm stubborn," Johnson replied, unyielding.
Lightning coursed across the younger Johnson's body as his eyes blazed with determination. "I won't give up my ideals, nor stop sacrificing myself to save others. I am a hero, and even if it's childish, fictional, or a copy, it is my resolve. My goal, my only wish, is to create a world of absolute justice where I can protect my friends and those I care about at all costs!"
The older Johnson's voice softened, though still firm. "You can't save others without saving yourself, Johnny. That's what I came to tell you. I can't stay much longer. You need to believe in yourself, move faster, and be happy. And stop beating your meat all the time, you perverted idiot! Get close to Kairos...he's a powerful ally. Grow stronger and faster. There's not much time left, John."
The white void around them began to crumble.
"What's happening?" the younger Johnson asked. "What's going to happen to you?"
"I had to meet an old friend to guide me here. I won't visit myself again. But before I go… take this ....your full potential, your power!" The older Johnson unleashed a massive surge of energy into Johnson's chest, and the younger Johnson plummeted into an endless abyss.
"What… what? You're leaving me after we just met?!" Johnson screamed as he fell. "I hate you!"
"So do I, John. You have no idea how much I hate myself. Remember ....you are the lightning that never stops running!" the older Johnson's voice echoed as he vanished.
The scene shifted. Older Johnson awoke in the vast Astral realm beyond the meta physical realm it is described as a surreal realm where nothing obeyed logic. The skies churned with constellations spelling forgotten stories, blinking moons, and clouds shaped like drifting castles, dragons, and ancient symbols. The land itself was a mosaic of ever-shifting realms. One moment, a field of infinite doors appeared, each leading to another dream. Turn away, and you might find yourself in a library containing every book never written, tended by Lucien. A glass city built by sleeping minds of gods could emerge, or a forest where every tree whispered riddles rooted in past lives.
Architecture followed no laws. Towers sprouted from oceans, bridges floated mid-air, and staircases spiraled into nothingness. Time had no meaning. Here, one could speak with their childhood self, share tea with forgotten nightmares, or walk alongside memories of the unborn. Creatures ranged from gentle dream-folk to shapeless nightmares, gods of old, and metaphysical concepts given form. Allies and warnings alike walked this realm.
At the center stood Orpheus' palace, where the Astral King watched, shaping and correcting the Astral space . The older Johnson was returned here by a figure even older.
"So, how did your conversation with your younger self go? Will he take your advice?" the figure asked.
"As expected. But I delivered the message. Thank you, Orpheus. I appreciate your help," the older Johnson replied.
"Don't sweat it. Always happy to help a brother," Orpheus said, fading into the light.
Suddenly, Johnson found himself falling through the abyss, panic clawing at him. He tried to scream, but no sound came. Water poured around him, thick and cold. He woke in a reinforced metal box, over three feet thick, as water rushed in.
"Help me!" he screamed, thrashing against the walls.
"Not my problem," Joyce said, floating above him with a smug expression. "It's your second day of training. Escape the box or drown. You are not allowed to use your suit in this session."
The water rose steadily as Johnson's heart raced. The real training had begun.