Touring the Titans' facility was nothing short of a jaw-dropping experience. I had seen advanced tech before, but this? This was on a whole different level. The building itself had been upgraded a couple of times since Cyborg's father first built it, and now it was this futuristic hub for superheroes. Every room felt like it was tailored for someone who could break the limits of what I thought was possible.
Dick and Starfire were giving me and Cass the full tour, explaining the rooms they had for each Titan's unique needs. It wasn't just a gym—it was an entirely different realm of possibilities. They had weights in the tons—literally—designed for super-strong heroes, a speedster treadmill that could handle speeds beyond comprehension, and even a hologram battle room that let you fight against the most dangerous foes you could imagine. The AI system running everything was insane; it was basically a digital library with enough knowledge to teach you anything you wanted. There was even a quiet room built to block out all noise, complete with massage chairs and meditation lounges. The Titans thought of everything.
But as cool as it all was, I had a bit of trouble focusing on the tour. Why? Because I had Donna Troy on my left, and Barbara Gordon on my right—both vying for my attention. They were being super flirty, which caught me off guard. I'm not used to being the center of attention like that, especially when it's coming from two beautiful women at the same time. I'm no playboy, so the whole situation left me feeling a little awkward. I tried to keep my cool, nodding along as they spoke, but it was hard not to feel a little overwhelmed.
Cass, however, was having no such issues. I caught her smiling as she chatted with Rachel—Raven, the gothic beauty of the group. I couldn't help but notice that Raven had a rare smile on her face too, which was even more striking. Seeing Cass make a friend, especially someone so similar to her, made me feel relieved. Cass, despite learning to speak, read, and write, still preferred silence most of the time, and Raven seemed to be the same way. It was nice to see Cass connecting with someone who got her.
But then, my smile—which I didn't even realize was forming—seemed to have an unintended effect. Donna and Barbara's flirting hit new heights, to the point where they were almost ready to throw punches to win me over. I wasn't sure how it escalated so quickly, but suddenly, it felt like I was caught in the middle of a battle for my affections. It was crazy—who knew a smile could cause so much trouble? I kept calm, trying to defuse the situation by focusing on the tour, nodding at the girls while still observing everything around me.
When we finally arrived at our living quarters, I breathed a sigh of relief. Each of us had our own room and bathroom, which was perfect. That meant no awkward confrontations or drama over shared space, especially with a group this mixed. The common area, though, was something else entirely. An enormous U-shaped sofa that could seat eight, recliners at each end, and a massive 86-inch flat-panel TV with surround sound—it was all decked out. Cyborg had rigged it so the entire system was wireless, voice-activated by an AI that could do pretty much anything. Changing channels, adjusting the volume, switching to video games—all you had to do was speak, and the AI took care of it.
I couldn't help but think back to the simple setup Cass and I had at home: a 40-inch TV, no surround sound, and no high-tech AI. It was modest, but it was ours. Still, seeing this luxurious setup made me realize how different things were going to be living here. The scale, the technology, the luxury—it felt like stepping into a new world.
As we were shown to our rooms, Cass immediately voiced her disapproval. Her room was too far from mine, and considering she didn't trust anyone here except me—even though she'd probably made her second friend with Rachel—I couldn't blame her for feeling uneasy. Cass had always been cautious, and being in a new environment surrounded by people she wasn't familiar with only heightened that.
Without hesitation, I turned to Starfire and Dick. "Is it possible to move her room closer to mine?" I asked. They exchanged a quick glance and nodded without a second thought.
"Of course, no problem at all," Starfire said with her usual warmth, while Dick offered a reassuring smile. "We'll rearrange things."
Their understanding put me at ease, and more importantly, it helped calm Cass. She softened almost immediately after the adjustment was made; her tense posture relaxing as she realized she wouldn't be too far from me. Once that was settled, she seemed more comfortable. I knew it was just a matter of time before she fully adjusted, but having me nearby made all the difference for now.
After excusing myself from everyone—especially leaving behind Donna and Barbara in their heated argument about Barbara wanting to move into Titan Tower—I made a quick escape to the bathroom. Barbara's request had been met with a wall of resistance from Donna, Dick, and Starfire, each with their own reasons for rejecting her. I decided not to get involved in that mess.
Once inside the bathroom, I closed the door behind me and took a deep breath. I needed to mentally prepare for what was about to happen. My mind was racing, but I focused, pushing aside the noise. "System, unlock Mimicry," I commanded internally.
DING!
A familiar notification echoed in my head.
{Request confirmed. Unlocking Mimicry for Rachel Roth (Raven) in 3… 2… 1…}
Suddenly, a tidal wave of memories and experiences crashed into me. Raven's emotions, thoughts, and powers poured into my mind, and I braced myself for the overwhelming rush. It was like trying to drink from a fire hose, but I held on, pushing through the initial shock. Her telepathy, magic, and empathic abilities were immense—more powerful than I had anticipated.
But it wasn't just her abilities that struck me—it was her internal battle. The guilt, the fear, the hatred she harbored toward her own powers. She saw them as a curse, and that constant struggle was what kept her from fully embracing her true potential. I understood now that helping her wasn't just about mastering these new abilities; it was about helping Raven overcome the chains she'd placed on herself.
With newfound clarity, I realized I had my work cut out for me. Raven had untapped potential far beyond what she even realized, and with my abilities, I could help her unlock it.
Ding!
The system chimed again, signaling another notification. I couldn't help but grin as I thought to myself, "Guess it's time to check out my status."
{{The Ultimate Dimensional Travel System}}
• Host Name: Kyn James
• Age: 17 years old
• World: Altered DC – New Earth 0 (Stable Multiverse)
• Worlds Traveled: 0/∞: Countdown to Teleportation – 0:59 – Don't worry, no matter how long you're in any world, only a second will have passed when you return to your original world.
Meta Gene Unlocked: Absolute Mimicry and Replication
Unlocked Progress: 50%, Level ∞
Current Mimic and Status:
• Kryptonian God Rao – Authority over all Kryptonians
o Divinities: Energy Manipulation, Life, Strength, True Creation (Atom, reality, and magic manipulation), Adaptation, Creator and Master of the Phantom Zone, Spatial, Temporal, King of All Gods
• Richard Drakunovski (Dragon) – Martial Arts Prodigy
• J'onn J'onzz (Martian Manhunter)
o Abilities: Shape-shifting, Invulnerability, Regeneration, Telepathy, Telekinesis, Invisibility, Phasing, Matter Absorption, Criminal Justice System
• Rachel Roth (Raven)
o Abilities: Astral Projection, Darkness Manipulation, Dimensional Travel, Precognition, Telepathy, Telekinesis, Empathy, and Chakra Control through meditation.
Current Mimic Unlocked Progress: 100% (Using 50%)
Race: Human/Kryptonian God
Physique: Mortal/Godly Immortal (Beyond Time)
Before I could dive deeper into my newfound abilities, my eyes locked onto the countdown timer showing less than one minute before teleportation. "What the—?" Panic hit me as I realized I was about to be sent somewhere, and I had no clue where or why.
"System, why are you teleporting me so quickly? What's happening? Please explain!" I didn't wait for a response, but the system was quick to answer.
Ding!
{Kyn, you have been bonded to a dimensional travel system. After your Mimicry power reached 50%, it allowed the system to access your Dimensional Travel function. You are about to be teleported to another world. Get ready, you have 29 seconds left.}
My mind raced. "Wait! Where are you sending me? I don't even know what to expect. How do I prepare for this?"
Ding!
{It's a random teleportation through all time, space, and dimensions. What I can tell you is that it's a world that desperately needs your help. The main function of this teleportation is to assist worlds in need while making you stronger through unique experiences. Get ready. Countdown has reached 10… 9… 8…}
"No, wait! I—"
But before I could finish my sentence, the system cut me off.
{7… 1. Commencing teleportation.}
And just like that, everything around me warped and twisted, as if reality itself was being torn apart. I didn't have time to think; all I could do was hold on for the ride.
When I came to, I found myself hovering midair, surrounded by a desolate landscape that looked eerily familiar. The world beneath me was barren, with ancient, decaying megastructures stretching out toward the horizon. It felt like Earth, but centuries had clearly ravaged this version of it. As I scanned the horizon, something caught my eye—a small, sleek craft was being chased by a fleet of larger ships. The lone craft was putting up a fight, skillfully evading and counterattacking its pursuers, but it was clear it was taking heavy fire.
Without thinking, I shot forward, closing the distance in less than a second. As I neared—about 100 feet away—the lone craft managed to destroy its attackers with a brilliant display of aerial maneuvers. But just as the last ship went down, a colossal vessel emerged from the clouds, its weapons aimed at the smaller ship. My eyes widened as I realized where I was. This wasn't just any battlefield. I was in the war-torn world of Nier: Automata, specifically in the anime adaptation, Nier: Automata Ver. 1. The protagonist I admired most—the one I had to help—was none other than Yorha Unit 2B.
Without wasting a moment, I activated my heat vision and sliced the massive ship in half. The explosion rocked the sky as debris rained down. Through the smoke, I saw a flash of silver—2B's distinctive short, white hair. She was piloting the smaller craft, which had now transformed into a battle mecha. Her robot companion, Pod 042, was analyzing the situation, no doubt detecting me. It didn't take long before 2B's cool, calculating expression shifted into one of surprise. Pod's voice chimed in, "Detection: Living human. Scanning... confirmed."
A human? In this world? Impossible—We haven't seen a human for over a thousand years. Yet, there I was, standing in the sky, an anomaly in her reality. I noticed 2B's lips twitch into a faint smile as she steered her mecha closer. As the robot opened the hatch, she jumped out, and before I could react, she launched herself toward me.
I caught her effortlessly, hovering in midair as we faced each other. Her blue eyes, no longer hidden behind the signature black eyepiece, studied me with a mixture of curiosity and disbelief.
"Hello, Master. I am Yorha Combat Android Unit 2B," she began, her tone respectful but laced with curiosity. "Are you... human? And how are you flying? I detect no anti-gravity devices. What are you wearing? This... 'clothing' is unfamiliar to me."
Her barrage of questions was rapid-fire, but I could sense her genuine curiosity. She was analyzing every inch of me, trying to make sense of my presence. Despite her serious demeanor, there was a spark of wonder in her eyes, something that made me feel a bit more at ease.
She spoke in Japanese, but thanks to my ability, it took only a split second for me to completely understand the language as if it were my own. I took a breath, offering a reassuring smile.
"Hey there, 2B," I started. "Yes, I'm human—or at least, a superhuman. Flying is just one of the powers I have, and, well, these clothes are what superhumans wear." I gestured to my suit, giving a light chuckle. "It's really nice to meet you. And, I have to say, you're... you're breathtaking." I meant every word, unable to hide my awe at her beauty now that her eyepiece was removed.
Her gaze softened, though her expression remained stoic. "If you're a human, or... superhuman, then according to my programming, I am bound to protect and serve you. All Yorha androids are. Your existence is incredible, especially your ability to fly. But tell me—why are you here? And where are the other humans?"
Her questions were sharp, almost urgent. I couldn't fault her; in this world, humans were a relic of the past. I sighed softly before explaining the truth.
"2B," I said, locking eyes with her, "I'm not from this world. I arrived here accidentally—there are still humans in my world, but we're not the same humans that created you. I come from a place where different worlds exist, and this one—your world—just happens to be one of them. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
She paused for a moment, processing my words. Her brows furrowed slightly, then her expression eased as she nodded slowly.
"I see... You're from another world entirely. So, you're not tied to the humans that once existed here..." Her voice trailed off, almost contemplative. "But you are still human. And by that logic, you are still our master."
"Yeah, I suppose I am," I said, smiling gently, though the weight of that title felt heavy. "But listen, I'm here to help you, and I won't order you around. We're in this together."
2B's lips curved ever so slightly, her expression still composed but with a hint of determination. "Understood. But I insist, master, please give us orders. We were made to serve and protect you in any way possible," she said, her voice firm but respectful.
I blinked, surprised by her insistence. "You don't have to call me 'Master' or follow my orders, 2B. I'm not here to command you or treat you like a servant."
She shook her head slightly. "It's not about being a servant. It's our mission, our purpose. Without humans, we've lacked direction for so long. To have you here now... it gives us meaning again." Her gaze softened as she added, "Please, allow us to fulfill our duty."
I could see the sincerity in her eyes, the way her identity was tied to protecting humans. But this wasn't just about loyalty to a cause; it was about finding purpose in a world where humanity had long since faded away. I sighed, offering her a smile.
"Alright, 2B. I'll keep that in mind," I said to her with a genuine smile, feeling a sense of camaraderie beginning to form between us.