### Chapter 4: The Rise to Stardom
The years spun by like a kaleidoscope, each one layering new colors onto Justin Drew Bieber's life. By March 1, 2009, he was 15 years old, a lanky teenager with a mop of side-swept hair and a voice that had already begun to ripple across the globe. The date was precise—March 1, 2009—his birthday, marking a decade and a half since his birth on Earth-Prime-7. The location had shifted dramatically from the quiet streets of Stratford, Ontario, to the pulsating heart of Atlanta, Georgia, where he now stood on the cusp of superstardom. Years had passed since his small-town talent shows, and the Ascension System, ever-present in his mind, had guided him to this moment with surgical precision.
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#### The Path to Fame: 2000–2009
The journey from Stratford to Atlanta wasn't random—it was orchestrated, a symphony of *Luck*, *Talent*, and *Resilience* playing out over nearly a decade. By 2007, at age 13, Justin's life had taken a sharp turn. His early performances—captured on shaky camcorder tapes by Pattie and shared with family—had found their way online. YouTube, a fledgling platform in this parallel universe, became his launchpad. A video of him singing Ne-Yo's "So Sick" in their Stratford living room, posted in January 2007, caught fire. Views climbed into the thousands, then tens of thousands, fueled by the *Charisma* trait and a universe subtly tilted in his favor.
Scooter Braun, a young music manager with a keen eye, stumbled across it in late 2007. The Ascension System pinged: *Opportunity: Major Catalyst Detected.* Braun tracked down Pattie, flying her and Justin to Atlanta for a meeting. Justin, then 13, walked into Braun's office with a guitar slung over his shoulder and a confidence that belied his age. He sang live—Usher's "U Got It Bad"—and the room stilled. His voice, now deepened with puberty but still crystalline, wove magic. Braun signed him on the spot, and the *Wealth* trait flickered: *Financial Ascension: Initiated.*
By 2008, at 14, Justin was recording demos, his *Singing* and *Dancing* traits syncing seamlessly in studios across Atlanta and Los Angeles. Usher, a mentor figure in this universe as in the original Bieber's timeline, took him under his wing after a bidding war with Justin Timberlake. "Kid's got soul," Usher said, clapping him on the back. The system logged: *Mentorship: Enhanced.* Pattie, now 33, watched with a mix of pride and unease as her boy morphed into a commodity.
The tipping point came in November 2008 with the release of "One Time," his debut single. By March 1, 2009, as he turned 15, the song was climbing charts worldwide—#17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and rising fast. YouTube views hit millions, radio stations looped it, and teenage girls screamed his name at mall appearances. Stratford was a memory; Atlanta, then LA, became his orbit. He was super famous, a supernova igniting Earth-Prime-7's pop culture.
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#### The System's Eyes: Past and Present
Justin hadn't forgotten who he'd been. Malachi, the barista from Boise, lingered in his mind—a 28-year-old soul now housed in a 15-year-old body. He remembered the delivery truck, the shimmering void, the Wheel of Wishes. The Ascension System, still active, fed him updates: *Fame: 78% Aligned. Talents: Fully Operational. Universe Influence: 45%.* It wasn't just a progress tracker; it was a lens, revealing truths about the people around him.
Take Scooter Braun. The system tagged him: *Ambition: High. Loyalty: 85%. Risk: Calculated Manipulator.* Justin saw Braun's drive—relentless, sometimes ruthless—but trusted the loyalty score. Usher, too, got a readout: *Charisma: Peak. Intent: Mentorship, 70%; Self-Interest, 30%.* It made sense—Usher wanted Justin to succeed, but his own legacy loomed large.
Then there was Sean "Diddy" Combs. Justin had met him in early 2009 at a studio session in LA, a chance encounter orchestrated by Braun. Diddy, 39, exuded power—gold chains, a Cheshire grin, and a handshake that lingered too long. The system flared: *Influence: Dominant. Motives: Opaque, 60% Self-Serving. Caution Advised.* Justin's gut tightened. He knew the rumors from his old life—whispers of Diddy's shadowy sway over young stars. Earth-Prime-7 wasn't identical to his original timeline, but the parallels unnerved him. "Good to meet you, lil' man," Diddy had said, offering a weekend at his mansion. Justin smiled, declined politely, and filed it away. *Resilience: Active.*
Usher's presence balanced it. At a Grammy afterparty in February 2009, he'd pulled Justin aside. "Watch who you trust, kid. This game's got teeth." The system concurred: *Wisdom: High. Ally: Confirmed.* Justin nodded, grateful for the anchor.
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#### Life at 15: March 1, 2009
On his 15th birthday, Justin stood in an Atlanta penthouse Braun had rented for the occasion. The city skyline glittered through floor-to-ceiling windows, a far cry from Stratford's snowdrifts. A cake—three tiers, chocolate and vanilla—sat untouched as industry execs, stylists, and a swarm of new "friends" buzzed around him. Pattie hovered nearby, her smile tight; she'd traded her waitressing apron for a blazer, but the shift still felt raw.
Justin wore skinny jeans, a purple hoodie, and sneakers—his signature look, the *Modeling* trait now blooming. Paparazzi shots from a recent LA outing had gone viral, his sharp jawline and brooding stare plastered across tabloids. The system noted: *Beauty: Peak Activation. Public Appeal: Exponential.* He felt it—the stares, the screams—but Malachi's old self kept him grounded. "This is what you spun for," he told his reflection in a bathroom mirror, splashing water on his face.
The party was loud—hip-hop blaring, champagne popping (though Pattie swapped his for Sprite)—but Justin's mind drifted. The system whispered about the guests: *Producer, Ambition: 90%. Publicist, Trust: 50%. Fan-turned-hanger-on, Motives: Opportunistic.* It was a superpower, this insight, letting him navigate the chaos. He smiled for photos, danced a little—*Dancing: Showcasing*—but stayed sharp.
Later, alone on the balcony, he strummed an acoustic guitar, a gift from Usher. "One Time" played in his head, its bubblegum beat a stepping stone to bigger things. The system chimed: *Next Milestone: Album Release, July 2009. Projected Impact: Global.* *My World* was coming, and with it, the full weight of fame.
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#### Shadows of the Past
Justin's knowledge of "his" past—the original Bieber's timeline—haunted him. He'd read the tabloids as Malachi, seen the headlines: Diddy's rumored influence, Usher's guidance, the eventual spiral. Earth-Prime-7 wasn't a carbon copy, but the echoes were there. At a studio session in January 2009, Diddy had dropped by, tossing out casual offers—"Come chill, we'll make hits"—that the system flagged: *Hidden Agenda: Probable.* Justin kept his distance, citing a packed schedule. Braun backed him up, unaware of the system's warnings.
Usher, though, was a constant. He'd brought Justin to LA in December 2008, introducing him to vocal coaches and choreographers. "You're not just a voice, JB—you're a movement," he'd said, watching Justin nail a dance routine. The *Dancing* trait shone—fluid spins, sharp pops—blending with *Singing* in a way that felt effortless. The system agreed: *Synergy: Optimal.*
But fame had teeth, just as Usher warned. Fans camped outside the penthouse by March 2, 2009, their screams piercing the night. Twitter—a new platform here—exploded with #HappyBirthdayJustin, trending worldwide. The *Wealth* trait surged: *Net Worth: $500,000 and climbing.* Yet Justin felt the pressure, a shadow Malachi recognized from his old life's headlines. *Resilience: Sustaining.*
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#### The Road Ahead
That night, post-party, Justin sat cross-legged on his bed, a notebook open. He scribbled lyrics—raw, real, a mix of teen longing and Malachi's old soul. The system hummed: *Creativity: Unlocking. Acting: Stirring.* He'd debut in films soon, he knew it—the Wheel had promised. But for now, he was 15, famous, and teetering between boyhood and legend.
Pattie knocked, poking her head in. "You okay, superstar?" Her voice was soft, worried. Justin smiled—*Charisma: Effortless*—and nodded. "Yeah, Mom. Just thinking."
She left, and he stared out at Atlanta's lights. Diddy, Usher, Braun—they were pieces on his board, but the system was his edge. Earth-Prime-7 was his stage, and at 15, on March 1, 2009, Justin Bieber—Malachi reborn—was ready to own it.