Redoing My Life (Modern Family)

A certain celebrity's hobby shown in this chapter is based more on his appearance in The Big Bang Theory than on the one he has in real life.

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I had rarely made appearances for conventions and fan signings last year. I had left Matt to handle these events alone, which wasn't fair, so this year, I was determined to make up for it and attend some of them.

Looking at the long line stretching in front of me, I picked up the latest issue of Invincible—No. 30—to sign for a fan who was coincidentally named Daniel.

"Thanks, Daniel," he said, excitement clear in his voice.

"To you as well, Daniel," I replied with a smile, handing him back the issue.

The next person stepped forward, and the routine continued: I'd ask their name, sign what they brought, and make small talk if they seemed interested—which most of them were. Surprisingly, these events were always more fun than I expected. When I first started doing them years ago, I thought it would be the most boring thing in the world.

"Hi! My name is Emily," a woman said as she stepped forward, holding a vibrant Invincible poster.

"Hi, Emily," I said, smiling back as I took the poster to sign.

"The last issue was insane! I didn't see the breakup with Amber coming!" she exclaimed.

I looked up at her with a slightly confused smile. "You didn't?"

"No!" she said, genuinely surprised. "I thought they were going to work it out. But honestly, I'm happy about it—I'm an Atom Eve shipper."

"Oh," I said with a small chuckle.

"And Mark's brother? What's going to happen with him? Is he going to be a hero or, like, a new villain?"

'He is just a toddler,'I thought, amused.

"I can't say. Spoilers," I replied, handing her the signed poster.

"Ugh, fine," she said, laughing. "Oh, and please, please let Mark and Atom Eve get together!"

"I'll keep that in mind," I said with a grin as she walked off, leaving space for the next person to step forward.

The line continued to move.

The next guy approached the table, his excitement barely contained. Sometimes fans had the wildest ideas to share, and this one was no exception.

"So, don't you think Omni-Man was right? Earth should have joined the Viltrumite Empire," he said, his tone completely serious.

I raised an eyebrow but kept my smile. "That's… one way to look at it."

He launched into a detailed argument about how humanity would benefit from superior technology and military protection under Viltrumite rule. I nodded along, though I couldn't entirely agree.

The next few fans had milder theories, which I enjoyed listening to, but sadly nothing crazy—though I did like hearing the crazier ones.

Then sometimes came the inevitable shift to DC.

"You're writing the Superman movie, right?" a guy in a Superman shirt asked as he stepped forward.

"Yeah, man. It's almost done," I replied, signing his comic.

"I hope you're going to do him justice," he said earnestly.

"I hope I did as well," I answered, appreciating the sentiment.

He leaned in closer. "You should do a versus movie next—Batman and Superman, like The Dark Knight Returns."

I chuckled. "I'm sorry, Jake," I said, glancing at the name he'd given earlier. "I'm more of a 'Superman and Batman are best friends' kinda guy."

He frowned slightly. "That's boring."

"Well, Jake, I might create an Elseworlds TV show or something for those alternate takes."

His face lit up at that, and I thought, 'Well, that's definitely going to wind up on the internet.' I could already see it … Daniel Adler confirms elseworlds.

The signing continued, and I met more fans, answered more questions, and signed everything from posters to action figures. But eventually, it was time to take a break. I stood, stretched my legs, and stepped away from the table, grateful for the breather.

Walking around the convention floor, I couldn't help but feel a little sad that Matt couldn't be here. He'd been sick, and I'd practically forced him not to come. Cosplayers filled the halls—everything from superheroes to anime characters. Some costumes were breathtaking, while others looked like they'd been thrown together at the last minute, but all were worn with pride.

I passed by booths showcasing vintage comics, collectibles, and indie art. Familiar faces from the comic book industry waved at me, and I exchanged quick greetings. But as I turned a corner, I almost collided with someone—a familiar figure wearing his signature hockey jersey and backward cap.

"Kevin Smith," I said, taking a good look at the man in front of me.

"Daniel Adler! Good to see you again," Kevin replied as we shook hands.

We'd met briefly a couple of years ago, but it had been a rather short conversation. A lot had changed since then—for both of us.

"Good to see you too, Kevin," I said, shaking his hand.

Kevin's face lit up with enthusiasm. "Man, I just read the latest issue of Invincible. You and that Matt need to pump up the numbers! Don't leave us hanging!"

"Well…" I started, about to explain my packed schedule.

"Oh, sorry!" Kevin cut me off, a grin spreading across his face. "I forgot I was talking to the creative head of DC Studios!"

I laughed. "Well, that's one of the reasons."

Kevin tilted his head. "So, why didn't you call me, huh? I mean, c'mon," he said, mock-serious, "you've got all this power in DC now, and you didn't think to call me?"

I chuckled nervously. "I asked around, Kevin. Everyone said you were taking some time off."

Kevin burst into laughter, slapping me on the shoulder. "I'm messing with you, man! Yeah, I was taking some time off, but now? I'm back, baby. And ready for action."

"Glad to hear it," I said.

Kevin's expression turned curious. "So, where's Matt? I've got a proposition for him. Was gonna call him, but since you're both here…"

"He's sick," I replied. "I had to practically tie him down to keep him from coming here."

Kevin nodded thoughtfully. "Ah. I'll give him a call then. Anyway, back to business. Look, I've got this great idea for a Flash movie. It's solid gold, man. We need to talk."

"Sounds great, Kevin. But right now, we're focused on the big three."

"Understandable," Kevin said. "I hope you do Superman right, my guy. You need to get him right. No pressure or anything, but, like, pressure."

I chuckled. "Don't worry. He's going to be as righteous as the paladin I play in my D&D campaign with my friends."

Kevin's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Wait, wait—you play D&D?"

"Oh yeah," I said with a grin.

Kevin practically jumped in excitement. "This is perfect! Listen, I've got a group. Mix of actors, writers, producers… even a wrestler. Small, tight-knit, real casual. We're down a person for our next campaign, and you'd fit right in."

"Really? Who's in the group?" I asked, intrigued.

Kevin started counting on his fingers. "Joe Manganiello, The Big Show, Wil Wheaton…"

"Joe Manganiello?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

"Oh yeah. Don't judge a book by its cover. That guy might look like a Greek god, but he's the nerdiest man I've ever met," Kevin said with a laugh.

"No shit," I said, shaking my head.

"Also… Wil Wheaton," I said as I remembered the name but couldn't really place it.

"Wil Wheaton. You know, Star Trek guy."

Oh, him, I thought.

"That's a pretty cool group," I said, impressed.

Kevin's grin widened. "Oh, it gets even cooler. William Shatner joined a while ago."

I froze, my jaw dropping slightly. "Wait… what?"

Kevin laughed, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Yeah, Shatner. He says he's trying new things, and honestly? The guy's been vibing with us. It's wild."

"William Shatner? Captain Kirk? Playing D&D?"

Kevin shrugged nonchalantly. "Yep."

"Okay, now I have to do this," I said, shaking my head in disbelief. "Count me in."

Kevin grinned, clearly pleased. "That's the spirit! I'll text you the details." He pulled out his phone, and we exchanged numbers.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Kevin gave me a parting grin. "Looking forward to it, Adler. Oh, and don't forget about the Flash idea. Seriously."

I waved him off with a laugh. "I'll keep it in mind."

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I pulled up to the driveway of a modern, well-maintained house. It was impressive but not ostentatious—large enough to show success, yet cozy enough to feel inviting. The home had a contemporary design, with clean lines, large windows, and a front porch shaded by a neatly trimmed tree.

As I stepped out of the car and approached the front door, it opened before I even got to it. Out stepped Joe Manganiello, a wide smile on his face.

"Daniel Adler," he said, extending a hand.

"Joe," I replied, shaking his hand firmly. The man was a giant—muscular and towering, even larger up close.

"It's great to finally meet you face to face," he said.

I had texted him when Kevin Smith gave him my number, and we'd discussed the details of the game. He was a fun person to talk to.

"Likewise," I replied, my gaze briefly flicking to the house behind him.

"Come on, let's go inside. Everyone's here already," Joe said, stepping aside and leading me into the house.

I followed him in. "Oh, am I late?"

Joe chuckled. "No, no. Just on time."

The interior of the house was as tasteful as its exterior. The open floor plan made the space feel airy, with a vaulted ceiling in the living room. A mix of modern furniture and rustic accents gave the place personality—there was a leather sectional, a sleek coffee table topped with books about fantasy art and fitness, and a stone fireplace that added a touch of warmth.

The walls were adorned with framed posters of classic movies and artwork, many of which had a fantasy or sci-fi theme. My eyes drifted to the far end of the house, where I spotted a large dining table surrounded by comfortable chairs and a couch, clearly prepared for the D&D game.

"Yeah, that's where the magic happens," Joe said, catching my gaze. "The dining table turns into D&D central when the group's over."

We walked toward it, and he added, "But I've got plans. In a year or two, I'm building a new home—one with a dedicated D&D room."

"That," I said, "is the ultimate fantasy."

Joe laughed, leading the way. My eyes wandered to a few photos displayed on a side table as we passed—a collection of Joe with various friends and family. It struck me that in my old world, Joe had married Sofia Vergara. Here, Sofia Vergara didn't even exist—she was literally her character Gloria.

"So, Kevin tells me you mostly DM?" Joe asked, clearly curious.

I nodded. "Yeah, I've mostly run long story-driven campaigns. My friends and I would meet every couple of weeks—mostly homebrew worlds, with some pre-made stuff thrown in. It's been a while, though. Work's kept me pretty busy."

Joe nodded, his eyes lighting up. "Man, you're going to love this group. Will's DM'ing, and he's a genius at it."

I grinned. "I liked him in Next Generation," I said, remembering the series.

"Honestly? I'm just glad to play for once. Being DM is fun, but it's a lot of work," I added.

Joe laughed. "Exactly! That's why I barely DM anymore. Too much pressure. I just like throwing dice and smashing stuff."

As we reached the gaming table, I immediately spotted some familiar faces. Paul Wight—better known as The Big Show—was impossible to miss with his towering frame. Vince Vaughn lounged casually in a chair, while Kyle Newman, an author and film director, was engrossed in arranging miniatures on the table. Deborah Ann Woll, the talented actress, waved as we approached. Will Wheaton was looking through a pile of paper, and, of course, Kevin Smith was at the center of it all, chatting animatedly.

Joe clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Everyone, meet our new friend—Daniel Adler!"

The group turned to me with a mix of curiosity and excitement. I waved, smiling as I greeted them.

Paul Wight was the first to speak up. "We've met before, last year, right? You were the Rock's friend who he brought backstage… the guy who got body-slammed."

I chuckled. "Yeah, that was me."

Paul laughed heartily. "Man, I've been hearing your name a lot since then."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How come?"

Paul smirked. "Word is, you got Dwayne into some movie, and now he can't do WrestleMania."

I smirked back, feigning innocence. "Oh, yeah, that was me…saved everyone from twice in lifetime"

Paul narrowed his eyes playfully. "You didn't do it on purpose, did you?"

I shrugged with a sly grin. "I have no idea what you're talking about." I turned to greet Kevin and the others.

As I talked to them, I learned that a few more people would be joining in later in the campaign. One of them was a writer for League of Legends, which sparked an idea for a project.

The atmosphere was friendly and lively, and we naturally fell into conversations about everything from gaming to pop culture. Will and I even got into a friendly debate about who was the better captain—Kirk or Picard. The debate quickly escalated, with everyone in the room chiming in.

Eventually, Vince Vaughn tapped the table, looking around. "Okay, where the fuck is Shatner?" he asked, annoyed.

Almost on cue, Joe appeared, leading the man himself into the room. William Shatner strode in like he owned the place.

"I heard that, Vaughn," Shatner said, his voice full of his iconic cadence. "I am what you call… fashionably late."

"Holy crap, it's the man himself," I thought, as I watched him approach the table. Joe gestured toward me.

"Bill, this is Daniel Adler. He's the one Kevin brought in to join the group."

Shatner turned to me, looking me over like he was sizing me up. "Ah, some new blood," he said, drawing out the words for dramatic effect.

Vince crossed his arms, smirking. "So are you, Bill."

Shatner didn't miss a beat. "Don't listen to that fool. I am… a veteran at this. You, my friend," he said, gesturing toward me with an exaggerated flourish, "come to me for… any help."

I smiled, shaking his hand. "It's an honor to meet you, sir. I'm a huge fan."

Shatner tilted his head, narrowing his eyes as he studied me. "Let me guess… Star Trek?"

"Actually, not really," I said, earning a few gasps from the room. I held up a hand to stop them before anyone could protest. "I mean, I liked Star Trek, but I was more of a fan of your work in The Practice and Boston Legal."

Shatner's eyes lit up, and a wide grin spread across his face.

"Denny Crane," he said, his voice low and dramatic.

"Denny Crane," I said at the exact same time.

We both froze, staring at each other for a moment before breaking into laughter.

"I like this one," Shatner said, pointing at me and turning toward Joe. "We're going to get along just fine."

Then, Shatner paused, leaning closer to me in an exaggerated, conspiratorial manner. "Between you and me, it's good you're here," he said, his voice just loud enough for everyone to hear, "the rest of these guys are… kind of boring."

"Hey!" Vince, Kevin, Will, Paul, and the others all exclaimed in mock indignation.

Shatner feigned surprise, throwing up his hands. "What? I didn't say anything. Did you hear anything? I didn't hear anything."

"Okay, this is going to be fun," I thought as we began the game.

I played a barbarian named Thog Ironfist, a brutish and hilariously dim-witted orc whose solution to every problem was, "Smash it!"Shatner was Malrik the Magnificent, a flamboyant sorcerer. Joe Manganiello played Garruk Stonehelm, a no-nonsense dwarven fighter who took everything in the campaign far too seriously.Kevin Smith was Bungo Baggins, a halfling rogue who had a knack for getting us into (and sometimes out of) trouble. 

Deborah Ann Woll was Seraphina Lightbringer, a stoic cleric determined to keep us alive and guide us toward the righteous path. She was the glue that held the party together, often mediating disputes between our more chaotic members. And there were disputes. Paul Wight, the Big Show himself, played Rognar the Relentless, an ogre monk with surprising grace and wisdom. Vince Vaughn rounded out the group with Lord Jasper Greensleeves, a charming yet arrogant bard.

I knew this was going to be an unforgettable experience. Playing with actors and writers who were so skilled at storytelling and characterization was vastly different from playing with my usual friends.

As the game progressed, we found ourselves exploring a dungeon. Will Wheaton, our DM, adjusted his glasses as he spoke. "Okay, you come up to five doors, and you see two guards standing before you," he began, his voice laced with intrigue. "One steps forward and announces, 'Only one of us tells the truth, and the other always lies. You must determine which door to take, or you shall perish.'"

Before anyone could process, Shatner dramatically spoke. "Ah, the classic riddle! Clearly, we must outwit them with our superior intellect." He pointed grandly at Kevin's halfling rogue. "You, small one, ask them something clever!"

Kevin leaned back in his chair, shrugging. "Uh, sure. Let me think. What if I—"

Deborah cut him off. "No, no. Let's take a logical approach. If one tells the truth and one lies, we ask one of them what the other would say. It's standard."

Vince, in character as his bard, chimed in. "That's too predictable… it's too easy."

Paul, in character as his ogre monk, added, "We must stop and think for a while."

"Look, this is easy. Just ask one of them a question," Joe said.

Deborah shook her head. "Let's stick to logic—"

"Enough squabbling!" Shatner's voice thundered, cutting through the table chatter. "Watch and learn." He turned to Will, his voice dripping with melodrama. "I, Malrik the Magnificent, shall ask the question to end all questions. Guard! Which path leads to glory, riches, and adventure?"

Will, fully in character as one of the guards, replied dryly, "That depends entirely on your definition of glory."

The table erupted into laughter.

Shatner waved his hand dismissively. "Clearly, this is beneath me. Someone else take over."

Deborah turned to me, noticing I'd been quiet. "What do you think, Thog?"

Staying in character, I grunted, "Huh? Oh. Easy." I looked at Will. "I walk up to the guard on the left and, with my gigantic axe Deathbringer, I decapitate him."

The table collectively gasped, half-laughing, half-shocked.

"Violence is not the answer!" Paul cried, his ogre monk aghast.

Shatner, however, leaned forward with a smirk. "Let's see where this goes."

Will, shaking his head with mock exasperation, said, "Alright, roll for attack."

I rolled the dice, and it spun dramatically before landing on a natural 20.

"Aha!" I shouted triumphantly.

Joe buried his face in his hands. "This is going to be a disaster. We're all going to die."

Will leaned in, his tone serious despite the chaos. "Thog's axe cleaves through the guard's neck with one swift motion. The head rolls to the ground, blood pooling at your feet."

Still in character, I crossed my arms and added, "I walk up to the other guard, pick him up with my strong arms, and ask him, 'Is he dead?'"

Will smirked, barely holding back laughter as he replied in character, "No."

The table went silent for a beat before exploding into triumphant laughter.

"Genius. Absolute barbaric genius," Shatner said as we continued the game.

The session ended after several hours. As we all packed up, schedules were checked and aligned for the next session in two weeks. It had been a while since I'd felt this relaxed and connected with people outside my work and usual friend group.

As I drove home, my mind wandered back to Joe. A memory struck me—he had once played a small cameo in the failed DCEU back in my old world. He'd been cast as Deathstroke, but the role had never been explored further.

'Joe as Deathstroke,' I thought.

The perfect actor, the perfect character, and the perfect addition to the DCU in the future. Joe Manganiello could bring Slade Wilson to life. He was tailor-made for the role.

I made a reminder to talk to Joe later as I thought of storylines I could explore later in the DCU.

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A certain celebrity's hobby shown in this chapter is based more on his appearance in The Big Bang Theory than on the one he has in real life.

You can read up to chapter 171

p.a.t.r.eon.com/Illusiveone (check the chapter summary i have it there as well)