A/N: so I don't have much to say here except a FINALLY GOT TO THIS POINT for a certain scene. Read on to find out what I am talking about. That is all.
"I had to say that where he could hear me..." Dubs sighed. "Well this is just all kinds of shit..."
As the new siblings ran out of med bay, Dubs yelled, "Superman on the roof! don't worry, I don't think he's pissed or anything… just might have to let the cat out of the bag!"
Ian gulped, "Dammit… I really wasn't liking that option."
Raven grabbed him by the shoulder, "What are you talking about?" she asked. "Should we be worried?"
Ian shook his head, "Not really worried. Wary is more like it. We're dealing with multiverse travel after all." he said as they all made it to the roof.
Superman crossed his arms. "Well… I heard that conversation two of you had a moment ago. So if there's an evil version of me… how soon before I have to fight him is the question, isn't it?"
Dubs sighed, "I don't think that will be an issue. We didn't leave a trail, and we didn't leave any way to get here behind." he said. "But if you came down here to size up the opposition, I'd be the one you need to run tests on." He said.
Superman frowned, "Batman already told me about Ian and Catherine. He didn't say a Motherbox was down here, and he didn't mention anything about a cybernetically enhanced woman. I was also not made aware of another Tamaranian or Martian in this area of the world."
Ian sighed, "Things just got a lot more active around here, Supes. Look, I know a Kryptonian, let alone Earth's best boy scout is not going to attack us without just cause, but you do bring up a point about the whole Dubs being powerful enough to take you on. Even I was not aware of that, and I was the one who brought the new blood to this universe to begin with, so if you are going to blame someone, I am the one to be held responsible for this."
Kat frowned, "Ian, we were the ones who-"
BB put a hand on Kat's shoulder to stop her, shaking his head.
Robin turned to Ian, "What was it you meant by Multiverse? Don't avoid the question, without this info we could be at risk."
Ian sighed, "It's just a theory where I come from. Or at least it was… I know the world that the kids are from as the Injustice Universe. It's a place where the world is ruled by an evil Superman bent on subjugation through fear after Joker makes him kill Lois Lane when she is with child, so he murders Joker in front of Batman. That's what I already explained when Catherine showed up. here's what I didn't say. In that universe… Raven is a willing servant of Trigon rather than a hero, the current Robin is only loyal to Evil Tyrant Superman, the robin standing in front of us is dead, and Batman himself is in a fight against half the Justice League along with the super villains he normally fights. With Multiverse theory being reality, I am sure there are more universes out there such as the one where Superman is a Russian Communist, or the one where the Justice League sets up their proteges to be heroes under tutelage with the clone Superboy and Martian Manhunter's niece as members of the Young Justice group. Also… If we're letting the whole Multiverse kids thing out of the bag… I think I am from Earth Prime… before it froze over and became lifeless in the Universe timeline where the roles of hero and villain are reversed. Hell, there's even a universe where Superman is Mexican and Bats is a literal vampire."
"Woah..." Was all BB said. The others were too shocked to say more.
Superman sighed, "Well I am not too surprised. It makes sense, seeming as I happen to have fought Ultraman a while back when that version of Lex called us for help a few years ago."
Ian sighed. "So apparently Justice League in this universe follows canon in my world… I am so…" He stopped for a moment, slumping in defeat. "Royally &^%$ed."
Superman frowned, "So how much do you know?"
Ian thought a minute and tried to play dumb, but quickly realized he wasn't going to get very far lying anymore. "About you? Or about this world? Right… dumb question… I know what happened to the Titans and the League in the past, but for the most part it depends on when or where I were to go… to be honest if we're talking Multiverse there could be other realities where NONE of this exists or time and space has allowed certain other franchises to be more prevalent. There also have been spinoffs such as Batman Beyond, or Static Shock which in the timeline I know are considered non canon. Have I lost you yet?"
Raven looked at Ian and said, "So you mean to tell me there are other worlds… other complete realities… in which NONE of us even exist, just because Earth Prime had a TV channel or show or video game about it?"
Ian gulped and nodded, fearing her wrath and knowing full well it would upset her.
Raven closed her eyes, and the ventilation shaft nearby exploded before she opened them again. "You lied to us to keep yourself safe, I cannot fault you for that. But to just withhold a bombshell this big..." she frowned, "I don't understand. If there are infinite universes with infinite consequences and differences, and you were aware… why? Why wouldn't you at least tell me? Tell us?"
Ian sighed, "I didn't want anyone to hate me, and I knew without powers, I'd just be another normal kid who knew way too much, possibly targeted by your enemies for my knowledge. I'm sorry Rae… I didn't ever want to hurt you, honest. I… I… I love you too much to hurt you!"
Raven's eyes widened, "Love? You… love… me?"
"Well it's about time he said it." Catherine said, smiling.
"Superman… I may have knowledge of things that happened here, but please don't inform the League." Ian spoke to the man of steel. "Do you honestly think Batman would leave me alone if he knew?"
Superman nodded, "Good call. I suppose I should leave you all for now, Though if your friend thinks he can actually best me, he's welcome to visit the Watchtower as long as we don't bust up anything too much!" Superman offered before flying away at mach speeds.
Starfire watched as Superman flew away, "I believe Superman has just invited Dubs to do the sparring with him. Am I correct?"
Dubs smiled, "Not high on my priority list. Still, might have to take him up on that later."
After that Dubs, Cyborg and Kirsty started talking about finding a good hero alias for her, while most of the Titans went back inside. When it came down to it, Raven and Ian were the only ones left on the roof.
"Ian, what you said when everyone was up here… did you mean it? Or was that Scott?" Raven spoke with uncertainty.
Ian smiled and looked into her eyes, "Of course I meant it. Every word. He's not in control, I promise!"
"But I'm a demon… and-"
"No your not. Your mother was human, remember? Even though I knew all that you'd done… everything Trigon put you through, I still fell for you, because I couldn't stop thinking about you. Even before I met the real version of you. Before, when I thought my life was shit, watching you use your powers made me feel so... happy! Sure the other Titans added to that charm, but I always liked everything about you… even the emoticlones!" Ian brushed a hair away from her face. "I won't take it back. How about I prove it?"
"What do you mea-mmffff!" Raven started before he leaned in and kissed her on the lips. In a flash of light, her clothes turned white and her hair lengthened, much like it had when she had won against her father, and as Ian let her breathe, she stumbled backwards in a half daze. He smiled. "Looks like your heart wanted to let you know just how it felt!" he chuckled. She blushed. "I… well… I..."
Ian smiled, "Hey, look! Nothing exploded and you're blushing! It's cute. You should show emotion more often."
"C-cute?" she blushed even further and turned to look away. Ian smiled, "Yes, you are. Now I think it's time we went steady, don't you?"
She didn't say anything for a long minute, looking over the bay, and Ian began to think he had pushed too far for about half of it. When she turned back to him there was a smile on her face and a tear in her eye. "I never thought I'd have a boyfriend in my life… Sure… sounds wonderful." She said.
A moment later there was a loud crash and Beast Girl, Beast Boy, and Catherine all tumbled from the door to the roof as it fell under their combined weight. A tick mark appeared on Raven's head as she said, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't toss all three of you into the bay!"
Beast Girl smiled sweetly and said, "Because cats hate water?" and turned into a cat.
Before anyone could come up with anything else?
Raven started laughing… wait what?
Ian raised a brow, "I thought you of all people would not find that very funny." he said.
Raven surprised everyone further by saying "Do you know how hard it is to never laugh at Beast Boy so I don't end up blowing something up?"
BB's mouth fell open, "You always thought I was funny?" he practically yelled in surprise.
Raven laughed a bit more and managed to answer with, "Always? No, but you were good at telling jokes."
Ian shrugged, "So white equals every emotion… Makes sense… Pizza anyone?"
Beast Girl jumped up and down "Yay! I want tofu on mine!"
Catherine sighed, "Of course you do."
Ian laughed, "At least now there's more than one vegan here! Let them share the tofu… it'll be gone sooner that way!" he said trying to stand up for the green skinned changelings.
The Titans all went out for Pizza, Beast Boy smiling and just all around being excited that he had someone to share his vegan lifestyle with.
A/N: I hope that was good enough as far as a confession of love scene. It was fun to finally write that scene. As always I would appreciate a review or two of the chapter, and I should mention as I had in a comment, that I can't reply to a review if it is from a guest, however, if I deem it important enough I will try to answer in an Auther's Note.
To the person worried Dubs was like Grid: No, he is more like a living computer with organic components, not a machine with a corrupt system. Essentially if there is a good comparison, Vision from Marvel would fit the SITUATIONAL bill, except that with Dubs, his brain is essentially a motherbox, and his skin is just like any other human except for around his jawline which is metal, and his eyes, which are lined with circuits.
Also, as far as fiscally, he was born into the world almost like a bottom up AI, so if you look at it that way, no, he does not have that available to him. He uses his own experiences to acquire knowledge on how to do things, and his morality was learned from creating viable solutions to problems similar to how a PC learns to play chess, therefore his team is what shapes his intellect. Hope that answers the question.
