[AT] A New Man...

[After Transition]

I take a quick sigh before I ultimately decide on my course of action and what I will do going forward since it's clear she won't be able to take both me and the kid with her out of here with the metal piece stuck in her abdomen in between the metal laying of her suit but I doubt that she's not gonna try and take us both out of here and I bet she can do it as well but she's definitely end up killing herself in the process and I can't allow that as for all I know her existence is crucial to the continued survival of this universe and honestly a kinda like her and don't want her to die trying to save my worthless as so I suppose there's only really one way to go now, with my decision made I proceed with my plan to finally kill off Nicholas James. "Batgirl, you cant carry both me and the kid out of here with that metal piece lodged inside your guy and if you try to even if you do end up saving both of us which is highly unlikely you'd end up killing yourself in the process so I think the best option for all of us right now is for you to take the kid with you and leave me behind, I'll try and find another way out of here." I speak out while shoving the kid in my arms into the side of her that doesn't have a metallic object poking out of it and left with little other options she ends up taking the child into her arms and holding him as if she didn't then the kid would have fallen as I let go of him as soon as I shoved him toward her, I've pretty much taken the decision out of her hands and made it for her but I think I'm in the right here since I have an advantage here.

"What? I'm afraid not sir, you'll just have to come with me and the kid whether you like it or not me if I end up succumbing to my injuries it'll be after I have saved both you and the child as that is my duty as a hero and I'm not going to forsaken that." Barbara looks bewildered at my actions and starts to speak to convince me otherwise taking a strong tone which I'm pretty sure usually everyone goes along with but I'm afraid that I'm not everyone and I'm not going to be pushed over here by someone who I've gotten to know over the past few weeks that I've been in this universe and even Though I admit I've done something's I'm not proud of and even disgusted at back in the marvel universe I'm not the kind of guy whose gonna let his friends die for no reason. "Listen, no matter what you say I think it's better that you and the kid get out of here rather than just me and the kid because let's face it, I'm a degenerate loser that's not worth a dime and I've indulged in every type of drug and alcohol out there and I've used and taken advantage of anyone I've ever met while you are an amazing person that risks your own life to help others and if you die here instead of me then that means there are gonna be possibly thousands of people out there that your not gonna be there to save and they need you so take the kid and go, I'll try and find a way out of here if I can and who knows. Maybe I'll find a way."

I tell her hoping that that'll be enough to dissuade her from being so stubborn and actually leave with the kid so that Nicholas James can die here tonight because there's definitely no other way out of here, I'm not lying when I said all that stuff as all I did when I was in the marvel universe was basically use and take advantage of people and I indulged in every type of intoxicant possible during my past here in the DC world as well as commit numerous crimes that resulted in the deaths of dozens of people (I don't regret murdering that fuck back in the marvel world though because he definitely deserved it though I suppose I could have found another way), when I look back and think of the person I used to be before I was reincarnated in the marvel universe I can't even recognise myself anymore as that guy was just a normal person that went about his life without hurting others and if the opportunity arose and he could help others then he more often than not would but I'm not that person anymore and it disappoints me immensely to think of all the things I've done because I never even had a drink or smoked a cigarette back in my original world.

It's time for Nicholas James to die. "I don't care, your gonna be saved whether you like it or NOT!" Barbara explains while grabbing hold of my arm and trying to pull me with her to the spot directly underneath the big hole in the ceiling but I don't budge an inch as I use my powers to resist her pull and I don't doubt that she'd be able to move a normal human even in her weakens condition while injured but she doesn't move me and I believe that she'll just think it's because she injured and not because I have powers, but this is getting a little bit too ridiculous now and the fire is starting to enclose on us and I can see some parts of the factory roof start to collapse around us and I realise that's e don't have any more time and I'm tired of playing these games so I'm just going to be as blunt as possible without caring and just hope the kid currently in Batgirl's arms isn't paying too much attention. "BARBARA!!" I shout out which stops her in her tracks and she turns around from where she was trying to drag me to face me while hugging the kid into her neck with her hand and covering his ears. "W-what? I-I'm afraid we don't have time to chat, we-we need to go!" She falters for a moment before ultimately deciding to ignore it and continue her efforts to try and drag me clearly trying to avoid the fact that I called out her real name, I don't let her and I still refuse to move.

"Barbara, stop!" I call out and again she stops and turns to face me no longer being able to avoid the fact that I called out her true name and reveal I know her secret identity but even still she tries to pointlessly try to keep her identity secret. "W-why do you keep calling me that? You're wrong and we need to go, now!" She says but this time before she can try to pull me away again I continue to talk, I've committed to my decision and nothings going to change my mind. "Barbara stop, I know it's you. You may have your entire face covered and you might have even altered your eye colour but there's no way that I could ever mistake that gorgeous red hair of yours that's currently pouring out the back of you Bat helmet or whatever it's called, I know it's you." I say and in response she remains silent clearly too shocked to say anything and that works out perfectly for me since I don't want to prolong this for longer than necessary. "You don't have to say anything but know that this is my decision and I want to do this, you have a father that is waiting for you out there as well as a bunch of friends that are gonna be distraught if you don't show up while I don't have anyone that's going to miss me if I disappear since I haven't been a very good person lately. I want this Barbara to make up for all the stuff I've done and finally put it all behind me plus if I think about it it's like I'm giving my life for yours and I think I'm getting a massive bargain so you get out of here and you better go and and save the world one day. Thanks for the last few weeks Barbie, I might not have known you for long but I'm glad that I got to meet you and find out what an amazing person you are. See ya around Barbs..." Taking the opportunity for what it is I take hold of her chin and lean forward to lay a soft and lingering kiss on her soft lips before I pull back while she still in a daze and jump several steps back.

The ceiling above where I am now standing begins to collapse and I actually knew that this would happen as I took notice of this section of the factory roof crumbling while interacting with Barbara and now that I am going to die under this hail of debris and be consumed by the encroaching flames she'll have no choice but to leave with the kid as I'll already be smudged to pieces and burnt to shit but I'm alright with that even though it does pain me to see Barbara's face when I see the horrified realisation on her face when she realises what's happening but I think this was for the best, with this the toxic Nicholas James who was once a nice normal guy but was reincarnated into a world that was from out of fictional and dealt with it with denial and by acting out against the world as if everyone and everything was out to get him by I'll no longer be that man.

With this Nicholas James will die in this fire and from the ashes will arise a new man and he will strive to do things different and no longer be so scared of the world that surrounds him and instead embrace it and overcome it, I can modify my bone structure to give me a new face with my regeneration powers and even though I will have to make a new identity I doubt it'll be hard to get a new identity though it definitely won't be as good as the one the reality altering memory stick face me but I'll make do and start a new life and be a better man, I'm going to try and be like that guy who never hurt others for self gain before he died and reincarnated.

Tonight Nicholas James will die and tomorrow from the rubble a new and better man will take his place, and with that my vision turns to black as I'm consumed by the flames and the debris...

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<AN> I now have a Pa treon up and running and when a chapter is ready it will go up on Pa treon first so please take a look. Some support from you guys would be appreciated and motivate me.

Currently 34+ Chapters.

(www.pa treon.com/GutsyRipper)

A special thank you to my patrons Tim Brown, Stormrall, Turtle, Matthew Laird, Sage Honos, Derrick Porter, Manuel Arauio, Darth Bane and Zed. Thank you for the support.