Chapter 69 - A Different World

Author Note: Men and Women of Culture...we have reached the divine numbers!! Somehow I can't remember Thursday or Friday...it all bended into a single day, and it was a shitty day. Sorry for the delay, I hope you all have a great day!!

==========================================

---Several Days Later---

Convincing the UN to allow me to take the empowered individuals shopping for necessities, I took the married couples first, then the men, and last was the women. They went last because I knew they would take the longest time shopping. Sitting outside the store with Luthor and Martian Manhunter, the three of us kept an eye on the surroundings. Since the store was pretty much packed with curvy women, degenerates were lining up not too far way trying to get pictures.

"You have it rough...", Luthor (Universe 3) sighed.

"Usually I would print clothing off, but I have told it ruins the experience.", I stated remembering the lectures from Melissa and David, "It's fine though, I don't mind sitting here. The biggest issue is dealing with people like that."

"You can't do anything about them?", Martian Manhunter (Universe 2) asked looking at the peepers.

"Unfortunately they can claim they are taking 'fan photos' of their favorite Heroes. It's not illegal since technically we Heroes work for the public. This area is particularly hard because this store is one of only a few in the area so all the Heroines shop here.", I sighed, "Before I started showing up they would have some perverts dress as women to get in, and get information about tastes and preferences. Now that I come here with the women, most women only shop here when I am here. The men don't come close because I can kick their ass, and call it 'crime of passion' which the cops usually ignore given the circumstances."

"This licensing crap sucks...", the men sighed.

"I keep telling them that, but they don't want vigilantes doing the job.", I said with a sigh, "Believe me, I would rather have it like your worlds did."

Hearing the women enjoying themselves as they shopped, other women I recognized showed up including the girls from Class 1-B, Jiro, Asui, Ryuko, Recovery Girl, and others. Seeing me there they waved to me before entering the store. Shooting a glare at the degenerates who stared to raise their cameras, they quickly put the cameras down.

"I have noticed that this world's crime rate is a lot lower than ours ever was.", Luthor (Universe 3) said.

"Most villains in prison don't try to break out because I will show up in seconds, and put down any outbursts. Some villains turned themselves in, others went into hiding, and some gave up and tried to resume normal lives. For the most part I do humanitarian work now and patrol which keeps crime down to a minimum. I work with Heroes around the globe relaying information to them so they can keep working, and supporting themselves.", I informed him, "Over all most people realize that with me around there is very little they can get away with. It's safer for them to stay locked up, or off the radar. Your world's would be a lot more difficult to do that in as you don't have the governments backing you all the time. That is probably the only saving grace about the license, I am law enforcement where ever I go."

"I can imagine that the villains are very cooperative when you show up.", Martian Manhunter (Universe 2) chuckled.

"You have no idea.", I laughed, "Almost all of them surrender immediately."

Telling me about their worlds and how they fought villains, it pretty much lined up with the comics. Sure it sounded like there was more relationships going on between Heroes and Villains than I thought, but it was too be expected. I mean with how attractive the women were it was no surprise the single men made relationships with them. Listening to them talk about the various relationships they had, they explained the difficulties of dating colleagues as sort of a warning for me. In my case I put family first so it wasn't really an issue for me. People like Batman put too much of their focus on the job, and not on family...I think that is part of the reason Selena was never happy with Batman. (Author Note: Because nothing is stronger than family...insert Vin Diesel meme.)

Having been with the DC women for a short time now, I had learned very quickly that they like getting their attention and needs met. They weren't in my business or anything like that, but they made it clear when I needed to slow down and spend time with them. For example, they wanted us to have dinner as a family so we can talk and enjoy each others company. Selena and Ivy were especially sensitive about that, they became quite frustrated with me if I prioritized my tinkering/research if it was supposed to be relaxation time. I understood they were just wanting me to not be an uptight ass, but I thought it was cute how they would tell me. Maxima, Blackfire, and Rumi just hit me when they were frustrated with me fixation with work.

"It is interesting.", Luthor (Universe 3) said, "I have noticed in all the world's I have visited that most of the time culture and fashion doesn't seem to be different between worlds."

"I have noticed that too.", Martian Manhunter (Universe 2) agreed.

"There are a few worlds where it's different.", I chuckled thinking of DC universe stuck in the 19th century, "Though for the most part you are right. So Luthor...if memory serves you and-"

"Don't bring up the past, please.", he sighed, "That was a long time ago, and we aren't on speaking terms after the betrayal she dealt me. While I may hate her now, she is one of only a few people left from our Universe. Once this is resolved I will be happy to never see her again."

"I understand, I was just curious given her interest in me.", I said.

"You aren't considering-"

"Not with billion foot pole!", I spat, "She is a psychopath, not someone I would ever want in my harem. That bitch is a blood thirsty killer with a nasty attitude."

Nodding his head he said that not all pretty faces had a nice woman behind them. Agreeing with him I knew several women that fit that bill without a doubt. Deciding to play cards while we waited I didn't even get a deck out before Selena called for some assistance. Realizing that she was either being serious or I was about to be assault in the back, either option was enjoyable. Walking into the store I went to the fitting room where Selena was waiting.

"Something wrong?", I asked noticing she has several items in hand.

"Just wanted your opinion on clothing options.", Selena stated.

"You realize I have classmates and colleagues in the store right?", I questioned.

"I couldn't care less really.", she replied, "Now do you prefer traditional or more racy bras and panties?"

"Style isn't really my thing.", I chuckled, "I would say go with what you are comfortable in. Last thing I would want would be for you to pick something that gives you a stiff back."

"I understand, I already tried these on and I like them. What I am asking is what you like.", she laughed.

"Oh!", I said, "Well...I honestly like the racy one."

"I thought you'd pick that one.", she giggled.

"Was there something else?", I asked.

"No, I just wanted to make sure.", she replied, "You're good to go..unless you want be a bit daring."

Giving her a grin I felt someone staring at me so I turned around to see Asui and Jiro looking at Selena and I. Before I could say anything they looked at Selena and then me.

"So you like older women too.", they said.

'Shit...I didn't think this through, Nemuri is in here too.', I thought, "If they are around my age or older I am fine, I look more for personality over looks."

Choking up the women in the changing rooms didn't buy that for a second apparently. Based on how the women in my harem looked one would think that was a bold face lie I admitted.

"Is she dating you too?", Asui asked.

"Yes, this is Selena.", I said, "She is an up and coming Hero. When my agency opens up I will bring her on the team as a lead."

Nodding her head Selena draped her arms over my shoulder, and planted a kiss on my cheek.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, the others have told us a lot about you.", Selena said, "Thanks for getting along with them, I know sometimes that can be tough to do."

"I heard that!!", Toga, Toru, and Mina shouted.

"I was referring to the few times you nearly killed us with your cooking of course.", Selena laughed.

"Shut it!!", Mina and Toru retorted poking their heads out of the dressing room.

"Make me.", Selena teased with a grin.

Sticking their tongues out the two closed the door again without continuing the conversation.

"So how many girls are you dating?", Asui asked.

"Right now 21, but that may change in a few weeks.", I said.

"Wow!", Jiro replied, "I didn't know you were dating that many!"

"It's too be expected, our husband is a powerful man!", Maxima stated coming out of her dressing room, "What do you think dear? I think it will put a smile on your face."

Wearing a fiery red lace bra and panty, Maxima posed for me with a smile. Staring at her chest and then their own the two girls deflated.

'Those are ridiculously huge!!', they thought.

"It looks great Maxima.", I replied, "I think a satin red or matte black would look even better though."

"Understood, I shall look for that then.", she said going back into the changing room.

"Is she a foreigner? Also why did she call you husband?", Jiro asked.

"She is a little ahead of the curveball at the moment.", I chuckled.

"Ah.", they said, "Wait you mean you already proposed!?. We aren't even-"

"I haven't proposed yet.", I stated.

"Oh.", they sighed.

Bowing out for the time being, I returned to my spot outside the store. Sighing the two girls looked for an open changing room. Since all of them were in use, they joined their classmates who were trying on different pairs of panties and bras.

"I didn't know you shopped here.", Ochaco stated.

"We usually don't, there is a sale today so we came for that.", Asui replied, "Due to my quirk though I need specialized waterproof bras. Any other kind will weigh me down or rust after a few dunkings."

As they tried on different sets the girls talked about various topics, mostly about their choice in undergarmets. Judging by what they saw the two girls trying on they thought it was to impress someone so they asked who they were going to see. Jiro said she had met a guy at a music store a few days ago, and had he had asked her out on a date. Asui stated she was thinking of asking a guy out, and wanted to put her best foot forward.

"Who are you asking out?", Momo and Toga asked Asui with excitement, "You haven't mentioned a guy to us before!"

"He's a guy I went to middle school with.", Asui said, "He didn't make the cut into the Hero course, but he is a General Student. His Quirk is similar to mine, but his a bit different as well."

"What do you mean?", Itsuka questioned.

"Wait, is it that kid with the is he the kid with the webbed feet and sharp teeth?", Dorothy gasped, "I saw you two together a few days ago!"

"Yeah...he has the abilities of a Snakehead. He can breath normal air and in the water, he wants to be part of naval rescue operations.", Asui said.

"That's so cool!", Toru and Mina shouted, "You will be such a cute couple!!"

"I have to ask him first, I don't know if he will say yes. He can be kind of a jerk sometimes.", Asui stated.

"Knock him dead girl!", Nejire and Melissa said patting her on the back.

"Thanks!", Asui said deciding on her choice of undergarmets.

"You too Jiro!!", Ochaco stated, "I am sure your date will go great, assuming he likes the same genre of music as you."

"He does.", she said with a grin.

After taking another half an hour to shop, the women had all they needed. Having them grab swimsuits, for those who had none, I said the rest of our day would be spent at the beach. Looking at me with confusion, Sonico stated that she thought we couldn't go to the beach.

"We can't go on Earth, but nothing says we can't go on the Moon. The Moon Base has a massive beach recreation area, I thought it was important for the people that lived there to have options to entertain themselves.", I stated.

"Hell yeah!! Another beach day!!", Mina and Rumi said high fiving each other, "That means it's rematch time!!"

"Rematch time?", Batwoman (Universe 11) asked.

"Yeah, we have to settle a score from our last volleyball game!!", the two snapped, "It's on!!"

"What the hell are you going on about?", Superwoman (Universe 3) spat.

"A friendly competition the two of them have going on. Since we have 22 women that can play, eleven women a side should do.", I stated, "Assuming you all want to participate."

"I don't know...Starfire get's a bit carried away with physical games.", Raven sighed.

"I apologized for that mistake!", Starfire pouted, "Are you ladies also playing?"

"You whacked me with a baseball bat when you were supposed to hit a watermelon. After that, you pegged me with a volleyball because that's how you thought you played the game.", Raven complained.

"I apologize Raven, I misunderstood...I thought it was like dodging of the ball.", Starfire said, "I didn't know we had to hit the ball lightly, but I do now. It won't happen again!"

"Fine, but if it does I am pegging you with volleyball!", Raven huffed.

"I will make sure that it doesn't get physical, there will be children there so please keep it PG.", I stated.

"Of course!", Rumi and Mina said pushing their foreheads together with a competitive grin on their faces.

---Moon Base---

Opening up the Ocean Rec Center to the refugees once we got there, it wasn't long before families came flooding onto the beach. Wanting to give the children a place to burn off their energy in safety, all of them saw it as a great way to get their minds off the horrors they had seen. Having the vendors that were at the Rec Center let the families have free food and drink today, they were more than happy to help having been told the situation. As we were getting setup, kids were already lining up for shaved ice, ice cream, and lemonade.

Eri was over with several of the children in line debating what flavor of shaved ice was the best. Telling them that it was a mix of Blue Raspberry and Cherry, the others told Eri she was crazy. Personally I like blue raspberry, watermelon, and apple but that was just me. Getting the court setup for the women, I looked over to see the DC women all getting ready to participate. Asking them if they were participating as well, they said they were though Superwoman was the only one not participating. She was too busy lounging in the sun tanning herself.

'Definitely not harem material.', I reiterated to myself.

Splitting the teams up as equally as I could I constructed a psychic barrier around them so they couldn't accidentally hit someone outside the court. Throwing Rumi the ball, since she won the coin toss, the women got underway. Watching my beautiful girlfriends running around their areas I couldn't help, but smile.

"Dude...are you actually watching, or just pretending too?", Robin (Universe 2) asked.

"I can do both, I won't root for either team since I have girlfriends on both teams.", I said, "As their boyfriend I can watch and enjoy the view. You on the other hand are too young to understand why it's a beautiful sight."

"You're right...I don't understand because usually women are bossy! The JLA women were tough to impress, and you had to meet ridiculous standards to make them happy!", Robin huffed.

"Sounds like you had a rough.", I stated.

"I had to lead the Teen Titans, and all they ever did was bicker over useless stuff. Like who ate the last slice of pizza, or who recorded over someones tv show. The worst times were went someone saved over an others save in a video game...Cyborg and Beast Boy would sometimes brawl over it.", Robin sighed, "Then there were Raven who was always meditating, and if you interrupted her she'd rip your head off. Starfire was nice, but she always brought the weirdest creatures back to the tower."

"Oh?", I inquired knowing that my Starfire would do the same if I didn't stop her.

"Yeah, like she brought home this one caterpillar looking bug that was the size of a small dog. Within a week the damn thing ate half the tower before it exploded, and made a mess everywhere!!", Robin sighed, "...but, I still miss them..."

"I am sure you liked her.", I jabbed.

"What!?", he choked, "What the hell does that mean!"

"Don't lie to me kid, you thought it was hot when she kissed you to learn your language.", I chuckled.

"How did you...ugh!", he huffed.

"It's okay to admit you miss her.", I said, "You don't have to be dark and brooding like Batman was. He chose not to have a life, you don't have to follow in those footsteps. You are your own person, don't let his legacy define who you are. If you do, you'll end up alone like he did."

"Yeah...I guess.", he sighed.

"I am serious Dick, be the Hero you want to be. You don't have to be his replacement, be who and what you want to be. That's the best way to honor your late father.", I said with a serious look, "He and a lot of others died to give you a chance at a new life. Don't keep clinging to the past, keep moving forward. If you don't you are never going to be happy again."

Thanking me, Robin decided to take a walk. I knew he was devastated still at the loss of his father figure, family, and girlfriend, but he was putting on a tough act to his the pain. Just like his old man he didn't like showing any signs of weakness.

'Poor kid...', I thought, 'Lost the woman you loved, and lost your second family...'

I set it aside for now because I knew comforting him would only piss him off. He was far too much like Batman for his own good in that regard. Focusing on the game, I was glad that I had a barrier up because things were getting heated. Both sides had completely forgotten this was a friendly match, and were now a bit too much into the game.

Deciding to use their Quirks and superpowers, the court became more of an arena. The tension between the two groups was so thick I thought someone was going to snap. Waiting to see what would happen I watched Maxima jump up, and peg the volleyball making a shotgun sound. Rumi reacted first reaching her hand out to stop it from hitting the sand. Jumping over her, Mina smacked it back over to the other side like a rocket. Going back and forth like that for thirty minutes Eri and her friends were amazed how strong they were.

"I can do that too!", Eri boasted.

"Yeah right!", one of the boys said, "You aren't that strong!"

"Yes I am, and I can prove it!", Eri said wanting to show off.

Asking me to get her a board or something, she wanted to show them she was strong too. Eri wasn't the type to back down from a challenge like that, and I had Rumi and Mina to blame for that behavior. Getting her a wooden board to break, I held it for her and she broke it with ease.

"See?", she asked, "I am not lying."

"Wow!!", all her friends gasped, "You are really strong!!"

"Yeah, it's because I work out!", Eri said proudly, "I work really hard!!"

"Yes you do.", I said with a smile.

Turning back to the field, I watched Batwoman take a volleyball to the face from Fury. Watching her slide across the ground I looked at Fury who made an apologetic grin. Sighing I asked Batwoman if she was alright.

"I am fine.", she replied getting back up.

Using my x-ray vision to confirm that she had several facial fractures so I healed her quickly with my Med Bots. Glaring at me as I healed her, she had a mixture of thanks and irritation on her face. It was nice to be treated like a woman by someone, but it also pissed her off that I didn't take her word for things. Honestly...dealing with her would be difficult because she is just as broody as any Batman, but she also was a woman.

"I didn't need your assistance.", she complained.

"I frankly don't care, just suck it up buttercup.", I replied once the treatment was done.

Letting them get back to playing they toned it down, by half a notch. Watching the ball get smacked around at supersonic speeds it soon became clear that getting a point on either team would almost be impossible. After another thirty minutes they realized that as well then gave up. Looking at me they asked what else was there to do.

"Why don't we just swim?", I asked.

"That works.", Mera (Universe 2) said stretching out, "Last one in is a rotten egg-"

Grabbing my girlfriends before she finished it took them a moment to realize that they had moved instantly. Laughing they looked at me with a grin on their faces. All of us played around in the water with the kids for several hours, and I could tell it was doing the refugees a lot of good. The women actually looked relaxed, the kids were smiling, and the people on the beach looked happy...aside from Superwoman. She looked irritated with the noise the kids were making.

"She is such a fucking grouch...", Mera (Universe 2) muttered, "Always thinking she is better than everyone else, she hasn't changed at all. I don't know what Luthor saw in her."

"Agreed, it's hard to believe she is my counterpart.", Wonder Woman (Universe 1) said.

"You aren't interested in her, are you?", Sonico asked me as she jumped on my back.

"No, she is a terrible person with no remorse for anything.", I replied, "She isn't a team player like all of you, and the team makes the dream!"

"Good, I thought you were going to say yes because she has a nice face.", Nemuri laughed.

"Yeah no...she is a bitch underneath that face. I am not interested in those types of women.", I said.

Once we were done playing I got shaved ice and ice cream for everyone before we called it for the day. Leaving the staff to make sure things got locked up when everyone was done, we returned to the Fortress.

---Fortress of Solitude---

Leaving the refugee Heroes and Villains at the Moon Base, we settled in for the night. While I made dinner Eri was excitedly telling the others about the children she met, and told us about all the things the children had seen. It was clear Eri understood that those children had seen and lost a lot. It was nice to see that she was helping in her own way to let them cope. Having witnessed what they had would mess any child up.

"So when are you putting them under for treatment?", Selena asked.

"Doing it tomorrow.", I replied flipping the steaks.

"Mom, what's he making?", Harley's daughter inquired.

"That's a steak, it is really delicious.", Harley told her daughter.

"Oh, is he your boyfriend?", her daughter questioned.

"Uh...yeah he is.", Harley said, "Isn't that right...dear."

"Of course, it's nice to meet you Lucy.", I said nodding my to her, "I hope you are comfortable living with your aunt for the time being."

"It's fine, the house is a lot nicer than when we lived in Gotham.", she admitted, "Thank you for giving us such a nice house. Please treat mom nicer than that horrible man did."

"Lucy!!", Harley gasped.

"Aunty told me all about how bad he treated you.", Lucy said.

Lecturing her mother, the child had a sharp tongue for someone her age. Watching Harley's reaction to her daughters scolding, I knew she was a good mother...she just wasn't so good with picking men. Serving dinner to everyone we had our meal, and settled down for the night.