Archive of Our Own

Disclaimer: Don’t own Batman or Gotham Knights (well, technically I own a physical disc of the game but nothing more)

Our Brother

Dick pushed the Batcycle to go even faster, swerving around cars in his way. His heart was racing, palms sweaty in his gloves. How could they have been so stupid? But it had just been Penguin…the man who had sent them to the Powers Club where Jason had nearly been ripped apart by the Court’s little traps. And Dick had sent Tim after Penguin alone. When his trackers had gone dead, his comm nothing but static, just like Jay’s had….

It had been three days! Three days of no sleep, of pushing themselves, chasing any and every lead. But there had been nothing, just blood in Penguin’s office, thankfully none of it Tim’s. They had lost Bruce, nearly lost Jason, they could not loose Tim! He was so young, still innocent in a strange way despite the way he had stalked them without their knowledge as a child. Knowing about the Court…what would have happened if they had noticed Tim? That didn’t bare thinking about.

Jason was almost fully healed thanks to the lingering boost the Pit had given him, Tim didn’t have that advantage. He was small and quick, a master of his chosen weapon, but against a large group of Talons? They could wear him down. And what…what if the Court…the Talons seemed to lack any ability to speak, little more than animals. What if Tim… No! Tim was fine, he had to be.

And then the comm crackled in his ear, activating.

“Robin, are you there? Your signal just reappeared on the Batcomputer. Do you read me?”

Dick swallowed, hearing the hope in Alfred’s voice and then…breathing, laboured and shaky.

“Belfry,” a voice whispered. It was Tim!

“Thank god. Are you okay?”

“I…I…”

“Easy Robin,” Dick cut in. “Can you hold there, I’m coming to you kid,” he swore.

“Promise?” Tim’s voice was softer than he’d ever heard it, shaky and young sounding.

“I promise.”

“And I’m right behind him,” Jason joined in.

“Belfry, location?”

“Sending you his location,” Afred told them, voice tight with worry.

“Checking cameras, I think I see him but he’s hunkered down. No sign of anyone else nearby for the moment,” Babs offered.

Good, that gave them time to get to him.

“You’ve got the kit on the bike?” Jason asked gruffly, the odd sound on his comm showing he was using that Pit transport method to move quicker.

“Yeah.” It was why one of them had been using it all the time, to ensure they could quickly get medical help to him once they found Tim.

They were silent as they moved through the city, even the comms were quiet now, except for the sound of Tim’s too fast breathing.

Finally, Dick parked the bike and grabbed the kit, slinging it across his body. He checked Tim’s tracker, above him, and fired his grapple. He landed silently, looking for his brother and at first didn’t see him, heart sinking. He looked again and…there! A slight shift in the shadows, tucking into a corner under the stairs.

“Robin?” he called softly, moving closer. His heart broke at the sound of a whimper. What had those monsters done to him?! “It’s okay baby bird, I’m here now.”

The shadow shifted slightly again and Dick grimaced, that was blood.

“It’s okay, I’m here, you’re safe. You’re hurt Robin, let me see?” He asked, he wouldn’t force Tim. He couldn’t actually get to him jammed in there like he was. Smart move, Dick doubted a Talon could get into that gap either, Tim barely fit.

“D…Dick?” Tim finally spoke.

“Yeah Timmy, it’s me.” Names weren’t meant to be used in the mask but there was no one around, the Court knew their id’s anyway.

Slowly, Tim uncurled a little, revealing a too pale face, his body wrapped tight in his cape. There was blood at his hairline, head injury or just a small cut?

A soft thud announced Jason’s arrival and Tim cried out, pressing himself deeper into the gap.

“Easy Tim, it’s just Jason,” Dick quickly assured him.

“Wing?” Jason growled, and Tim whimpered.

Dick motioned to where Tim had hidden himself and Jason crouched down. “He’s bleeding and doesn’t seem entirely with it,” he murmured. “Possible concussion.”

Jason nodded and then removed his helmet, revealing the domino underneath. He didn’t always wear one but thankfully he had today. If Tim was confused then seeing the helmet might scare him given their history.

“You’re hurt Tim, we’ve got the medical kit and Alfred’s ready back at the belfry to look after you. I bet a nice hot shower would feel good too.” It was doubtful he’d had a chance to clean up at all while in their hands. Had he had any food or water?

“Real?” Tim asked, peering at them from behind his domino. He looked so young and small curled up like that.

Dick swallowed, feeling sick. What had they done to him? “We’re real Tim. You got out.” He didn’t know how but Tim had escaped. “We’ve been looking for you the whole time, we would never give up kiddo.”

“Big bird’s barely slept,” Jason’s voice was carefully soft. “Been driving us all crazy. No more dead Robins kid.”

There was the sound of a sniffle and then Tim was struggling to get out from under the stairs. Dick carefully reached out to help and then he fell back onto his butt, Tim latched on tight. Dick held his little brother, feeling him shake.

“I’ve got you Tim, you’re safe now,” he promised.

The Court would pay for this. Bruce’s family or not, Jacob would pay for hurting their brother.

Jason watched as Dick held the shaking teen, hearing the muffled cries, and he felt sick. This wasn’t Tim, even when Jason had nearly…the kid had been sassy, unbroken. What the hell had those freaks done to him? He was filthy, soaking, and yeah, there was blood on his suit and cape. But was it his? It could be from a fight to escape. That he’d managed to escape was a miracle given he didn’t seem fully able to tell they were real. Or…had he been let go?

“We need to get off the roofs,” he told Dick. They were too vulnerable on the roof and Tim was in no condition to fight.

Dick nodded, adjusting his hold so he could stand. Tim might be the smallest of them but he wasn’t exactly a lightweight, especially in the suit with its armour. But Dick didn’t falter, arms wrapped protectively around the kid…around their little brother. Jason moved to secure Tim in place, feeling the kid trembling. Hesitantly, he ran a gloved hair over greasy, matted black hair, relieved when it didn’t come away with any blood on it. He followed Dick down to the street and then supported Tim in sitting on the bike while Dick opened the medical kit. The head wound was quickly cleaned and covered.

“Tim, were you drugged at all that you know of?” Dick asked gently, and Tim hummed in confirmation.

“Gas,” he mumbled. “See things…”

“Okay.” He quickly inserted a syringe, taking a blood sample for analysis. “Any chest pain, ribs?” he asked, but it was obvious Tim was fading fast.

The kid wasn’t even trying to sit up, slumping against Jason heavily, still breathing too shallow and fast for comfort. Jason was worried about his ribs because of that but there was nothing to be done till they could get him out his suit, and the armour would be offering some support at least.

“Tim?” Dick called, and Tim’s head flopped forward. “Timmy?!” He called in alarm.

Jason’s fingers went to Tim throat. “Pulse is fast and so’s his breathing. Put the kit away, we need to get him back to base now.”

Dick nodded, packing it away quickly. He got on the bike and Jason secured Tim for the ride, hating to watch the bike speed off.

He hesitated, wanting to go after those responsible but…Tim needed them. Soon, they would teach the Court why you didn’t go after birds, but not yet. So Jason headed back the belfry.

Alfred forced himself to move methodically as he prepared for Master Richard and Tim. They had found him; they would not lose him now. Miss Barbara helped him prepare, ready to go for young Dr Thompkins if her aid was needed. He missed the fully equipped medical bay in the Cave where he had access to x-rays and more.

If he needed more care than they could provide they would have to risk a hospital but Master Jason had reported that Tim was struggling to tell what was real which made being out in public dangerous. And the Court knew who they were, they could easily slip someone into the hospital to either take Timothy again or…kill him.

And then the elevator arrived and Master Richard stepped out, Tim limp in his arms.

“Dick?” Miss Barbara asked.

“He’s alive,” was the swift answer. “We’re worried about concussion and his ribs. He also was exposed to some kind of gas.”

Richard carefully laid Tim on the kitchen table. Usually, he treated them upstairs but the table allowed better access while he was laid out. They cut away his suit, finding bruises and abrasions everywhere. Master Richard carried a vial of blood over to the analyser, hopefully it would be able to determine what he had been gassed with.

Master Jason soon arrived, the three of them helping as they could. Timothy was soon on an IV to ensure hydration, changed into soft, clean clothing after a quick wash down which had revealed more wounds.

Barbara watched Tim sleep, the IV supplying hydration, pain relief, and antibiotics. The gas he’d been given was a complicated mix of chemicals, and it included a formula very similar Crane’s fear gas in it. The function was obvious, to break the victim down mentally and emotionally. And Tim had obviously been put through something physical as well. If he hadn’t escaped when he had…how much longer could he have lasted? And what effects would it have on him?

They didn’t know when he’d wake or what state he’d be in when he did. Would the gas have long term effects? He had at least one cracked rib which had been wrapped and he was on oxygen just to help since his breathing had been off. At least the heartrate monitor was slower now, closer to a normal range.

She knew that Dick and Jason were itching to go after the Court and were only staying in to be there for Tim when he woke. Since they’d been with him when he passed out, hopefully it would help to have them there. Instead, she would be leaving on patrol soon, as hard as it was to leave while Tim was unconscious.

They had to stop the League and the Court before things could get any worse.

He lay still, terror filling him as he felt something hard under him. No…not again. He’d made it out, hadn’t he? He couldn’t do it all over, he couldn’t. He fought back a sob; he just wanted to go home. There was a strange beeping noise, that was different, what did it mean?

“Tim?”

“You with us kid?”

No, it wasn’t real, he couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t. And he couldn’t help the sob that broke free. And then gentle fingers were running through his hair, the touch familiar from any time he’d been badly hurt or sick since becoming Robin.

“It’s okay Timmy, it’s Dick and Jason. We’re here, you’re safe in the belfry. You escaped and we found you on the roof, remember? The kitchen table’s not the most comfortable but you’re hooked up to an IV, oxygen, and a heart monitor. Once we’re sure you’re okay off them, we can move you somewhere nicer. Just open your eyes, please little brother.”

Dick…was begging? That…that wasn’t right. But he was so scared to open his eyes and see that place again. He shifted ever so slightly, tensing muscles – no restraints but the slight tug from an IV in his arm. And now he realised he could feel air being blown into his nose, it smelt…clean, not like the air there. Something soft was under his head too. Could it really be real?

“Come on Timbit, Alfred made some fresh chicken and noodle soup just for you. Bet you’re starving.”

He was, when was the last time he ate? He couldn’t remember. He just had to be brave and open his eyes, he could do that, right? His fingers twitched, searching, and then a larger hand was wrapped around his, the calluses familiar. Dick. Without meaning to, he pressed into the touch on his head and it didn’t vanish. Maybe…maybe he could risk it?

Dick gently stroked Tim’s hair, relieved when the kid’s fingers twitched, searching, taking his hand. Anything to help him accept this was real, that he was home safe. And then Tim pressed slightly into the hand that was in his hair and Dick glanced at Jason who nodded, he was becoming more responsive. He was sure Tim was conscious, but could he hear them?

And then to his relief, Tim’s eyes slowly fluttered open, taking a few moments to focus. His fear was obvious, his gaze darting around, taking everything in…or seeing things that weren’t there?

“Tim?” he called gently, and to his relief, Tim’s gaze landed on him. “Hey kid.”

Tim swallowed, licking his lips.

Jason grabbed a glass of water and Dick carefully helped Tim sit up enough that he wouldn’t choke. “Nice and slow, Tim,” Jason warned.

Tim looked between them, brow furrowed, a wariness in his eyes that Dick hated to see. “Real?” he asked softly.

Dick smiled gently. “We’re real Tim, you made it home. Whatever you were gassed it causes hallucinations and has some close similarities to Crane’s fear gas.”

Tim nodded slightly. “Air smelt funny,” he mumbled. “How…how long?” he asked around a yawn.

“Three days. Your trackers and comm died while at the Iceberg Lounge. By the time we got there, you were both gone but Cobblepot showed up at the hospital a few hours later, unconscious and with some mild injuries. We looked for you the whole time,” Dick promised.

“Labyrinth…underground…” his eyes drifted closed and he slipped into sleep.

“That could be anywhere,” Jason grumbled.

“Hopefully he came out near where we found him.”

And then the radio and computer went crazy. They had to leave him to check and they found reports of what could only be Talons running wild throughout the city.

“Damn it!” Jason snapped, glancing at Tim.

“if you get Master Tim settled in his room, I shall remain with him while the two of you help Miss Barbara with the city,” Alfred told them.

Dick hesitated, not wanting to leave but they were needed.

Jason picked Tim up once he was disconnected and carried him down to the bedroom. There were only two since they didn’t actually live there. It would be too strange with Dick running WE and Tim in school. Tim lived there officially as well, despite the adoption papers never being signed and Jack still alive. The man was never in Gotham though so Bruce had had authority to sign paperwork for Tim and now Dick did. Jack hadn’t even come back to support Tim at the funeral, despite all Bruce had done for Tim. Bruce had been more of a father to Tim than Jack Drake ever had. Dick would sign adoption papers in a heartbeat if he could but Jack wouldn’t go for it and Tim still held some distant love for his biological father.  

Dick suited up, checking his gear and weapons. They would deal with the Court; they would not be allowed to hurt his family or the people of Gotham.

Babs rushed into the bedroom as Tim screamed, finding him curled in the corner, batting at something only he could see. “Tim? Tim, it’s me, Babs. You’re in the belfry, you’re safe.”

She kept talking until he fell silent, staring at her with wide blue eyes. “With me?” she asked gently and slowly, he nodded.

Jason slammed his fist into the pad, seeing Dick wince slightly. Tim hadn’t left the room since they’d moved him there and every time that he slept…he woke screaming. Jason knew what that was like, it had been common for him when he’d first come back to life. But it had faded, hopefully, the same would happen for Tim.

Alfred was relieved when Timothy managed most of the bowl of soup. He seemed a little calmer tonight at least. He still seemed to be struggling to focus, his gaze moving to empty corners at time, as if seeing something that wasn’t there but for the first time, he hadn’t woken up screaming. His latest bloodwork showed improvement as well, it seemed the gas was finally out of his system. He was paler than normal, eyes haunted, and Alfred hated seeing it, Tim had never looked so bad even after he’d breathed in fear gas once.

“With me dear boy?” he asked, and Tim’s gaze jerked back to him.

“Did…” he stopped, staring down at the bed.

“What is it? I shan’t be angry no matter what you ask,” he promised.

“Did Bruce…did he regret…me?”

Alfred took a deep breath, closing his eyes briefly. “No, Bruce loved you, Timothy. You may not have legally been his but in every other way you were. You brought joy back into his life when all he had was grief and despair. He did not call on you or your siblings in that last fight to keep you safe; I know that.”

He held eye contact with Tim as he spoke. He knew the boy had doubts occasionally, had often pushed Bruce to say or do more to show how he felt to the youngest Robin. And Bruce had been doing better, with all of his children. The Court had wanted to break Tim; it made sense that they would have targeted his own feelings of doubt. How much had Jacob known about Bruce’s life as Batman? Enough to understand how Tim had come to them and the doubts it could create? How had he ever called that man a friend.

Tim pushed himself to his feet, feeling a little wobbly, but he didn’t want to stay in bed. He could hear movement upstairs and see the sunlight filtering in but wasn’t sure what the time was or even what day it was. He had the feeling he’d asked several times how long he’d been gone but it seemed to be sticking in his mind finally. Only three days…it had felt like an eternity to him at the time.

He still felt a little shaky but there weren’t shadows moving in the corners or voices so he figured he was recovered from what they’d done. It was hard to ignore what they had said, what it had sounded like Bruce and the others were saying. But it hadn’t been then, they all promised they had spent the time looking for him. Alfred swore that Bruce loved him and hadn’t regretted him being Robin. He had to believe them, he had to.

He'd thought he could face anything but the Court… part of him wanted to reach out to his friends but they didn’t deserve to be burdened with this. And how could he say anything to Bernard about it? They’d only just started dating and he didn’t know that Tim was Robin. It was too dangerous to tell him, not yet.

Tim cleaned up in the small bathroom, scrubbing at his skin despite having showered before, hadn’t he? The time since he’d come home was often foggy but his head was really clear now. He got dressed and headed upstairs, freezing when he saw the holographic Talon…one of the big ones. Those things had been easier to dodge but so much harder to make stay down.

“The Talons, taking Tim to that labyrinth he mentioned, all punishment for exposing the Court,” Dick was saying as Tim got close enough to hear.

“To think Jacob Kane ever thought we could be on the same side...” Jason growled, arms crossed over his chest.

“The Court wanted to get in our heads, they want us off balance. What they put Tim through…they wanted to break him and through him, the rest of us. And they didn’t even target him specifically, whoever went after Penguin would do for their plans.” Barbara stared at the image, studying it.

“It might have worked...” Tim murmured, surprising them. Had they really not realised he was there?

“You’ll be okay, Tim,” Babs insisted, walking over to gently rest a hand on his shoulder, smiling softly. “It’s good to see you up.”

“Will I? Will we?” he asked her. He had his arms wrapped around himself even as he forced himself to approach the image. “Batman didn't kill people. But where could he stand on soldiers lining up to reborn as these monsters?”

“I used to be dead. You think I'm a monster?”

Tim shook his head. “You’re nothing like them! You didn’t…you didn’t see…” he closed his eyes, swallowing hard.

“Easy Tim.” Dick’s hand came down on his shoulder, gripping firmly. “Take some deep breaths. Can you tell us what happened?”

Tim followed his instructions and then he felt a chair being moved behind him so he let himself fall into it. “I…I woke up in the labyrinth. It was so cold, all white stone. No comms or AR. It was hard to focus, the gas, it smelt strange. It was a maze of traps and dead ends and…I died. It felt so real and then I’d be back at the beginning and alive. I don’t know how….”

Jason froze when Tim said that he’d died. It had to have been mind games, the kid couldn’t have died down there. If the Court used their formula on him then he’d be like their Talons, right? But he was Tim, shaken and unsure, but definitely Tim. And he was talking now which was good, he hadn’t said much since they’d brought him home. Not that he could blame the kid when he’d been fighting nightmare and hallucinations most of the time.

But whether he had actually died or not, it had obviously felt real to the kid. And he didn’t deserve that.

It was a miracle that he’d escaped. How many victims had died down there over the centuries? Would they have turned Tim’s corpse into a Talon and sent it after them? It seemed like something Kane would do. But Tim’s method of escape explained the sudden flood of Talons in the city, not that it was his fault. And overloading the systems had likely ‘killed’ even more of the Talons, keeping the numbers from being even higher.

It was weird to hear the kid suggesting killing but it wasn’t killing, not really. He’d gotten in close to a few of those things since Tim was taken, calling them alive was a stretch. And it was nice to know that despite everything, Tim didn’t see him as a monster or anything like them.

“I’m with Tim on this, taking out Talons isn’t killing, they’re already dead. The Court members are another matter but the Talons will just heal and go back to killing unless we stop them permanently,” Jason spoke up, backing his little brother. “I watched one I knocked out to see what happened. No living human could have just gotten up like that thing did with the injuries I gave it. They’d be in hospital for weeks at least. And it went right for more civilians.”

“You have one setback and this is where you go, Tim? Murder? And you’re encouraging him!” Babs demanded, glaring at Jason.

“I get steering him away from killing people, but the Labyrinth was more than a ‘setback’, Babs,” Dick warned her, looking between her and Tim who had shifted closer to Jason.

“Don't talk about me like I'm not here. You're not Bruce. None of you are!” Tim snapped.

“Enough! Gotham practically lined up to kill Batman. Every time Bruce came home, bloodied, near death, I patched him up. Just as I now do for you. He was often angry. But he never stooped to their level. And neither will you. No killing the Court members.” Alfred glared at them all.

“Alfred's right, Batman had a code. No matter no tough this gets, we can't betray it.” Dick hesitated, looking at the image again. “You’re sure they’re dead?” he asked, and Jason nodded., he was the resident expert on being dead after all. “Then lethal damage on Talons only.”

Bruce hated lethal actions at all but there were cases where even he had to make exceptions. Some alien invaders for example, or magical creatures from other realms. If Talons were already dead, was it actually killing to stop them? And who knew, they might even be able to heal from mortal injuries, they wouldn’t know till they tried.

“The Court is made up of Gotham's founding families. They'll protect their own, like only family will,” Babs moved away from the topic of Talons, obviously not alright with the idea of killing them.

“They may be related, but they aren't family. Not like we are,” he told her firmly.

“The evidence we uncovered against Kane at the hotel is pretty much bulletproof.”

Then our best course of action isn't war. It's prosecution. Without the Court to control them, the Talons can be contained and stopped,” Alfred pointed out.

“I don't think Kane's gonna honour a warrant,” Jason snorted.

“He will if we help the cops serve it,” Dick smirked, obviously planning.

“The same cops currently gunning for every cape in Gotham?” Jason stared at him like he’d gone nuts. Maybe he had?

“There’s one cop still on our side,” Tim offered, almost timid after the shouting, and Jason shifted slightly, gently bumping his side.

Tim might have suggested it but Jason doubted the kid would be able to follow through, even against a Talon. He shouldn’t be going out for this bust, it was too risky, too soon.

Tim knew what they were doing, keeping him back at the belfry working on how to get past the armour on Kane’s building. And where usually it would annoy him…he knew he wasn’t ready. So he would research and man the comms, listening as they worked to find the judge to sign the warrant.

He might have been the one to suggest killing Talons but…could he? He didn’t know and he was scared that if he saw one, he’d freeze up. Give him an alien invasion any day, even ninja! The Court had won, they’d gotten into his head, made him doubt everything. It made him feel sick but he just didn’t know what to do.

“It's the blindfold really necessary?” She asked, getting frustrated with the cloth over her eyes. She was taking a big leap but…Jim had trusted the Bats and they’d given a lot of help over the last weeks.

“Not anymore.”

“Look at this place…Wait. Barbara? What are you doing here?” She demanded, shocked to see her.

Barbara smiled at her. “Renee. Glad you could make it. Welcome to the Belfry!”

And the truth hit her. How… “You're Batgirl. Did your father know?”

“If he did, he never said.” She shrugged slightly.

“But now you know. If you're gonna help us take down Jacob Kane, we need to trust each other,” a familiar voice said, and Renee turned in shock.

“Dick Grayson. Well, I guess you're Nightwing then.” He had to be if he was a Bat. Too young for Batman but the right age to have been the first Robin. Did that mean…but that was too crazy, right?

“Is it that obvious?” he asked with a grin.

“It's pretty obvious. You don't even, like, do a voice or anything,” a younger voice commented

She looked up to see a teen sitting on the stairs, vaguely familiar…

“Robin. I don't think we've met out of costume,” she offered. But there was something off about him. He was pale and almost curled in on himself. And Robin hadn’t been seen since before the city went nuts with those weird attackers.

“Actually, we've met, like, five times,” he answered, obviously aiming for sassy but missing.

And it hit her, the school hostage incident and a Wayne press conference. “Oh, yeah. Tim Drake, right?” She supposed that explained his closeness to the Waynes or had that come before the mask?

“We done laying our cards on the table? We got a plan to go over.” Another figure walked down the stairs to linger by Tim.

“Jason Todd. The dead walk among us.” She swallowed. Jason Todd had died years ago; Jim had gone to the funeral. What next, Bruce Wayne wasn’t dead either?

“I get that a lot. You get what we needed?” He sat beside Tim, seeming to hover protectively.

“The judge actually signed off on the Jacob Kane charge. Conspiracy to murder Langstrom. Some solid detective work. If you can get Kane out of that hidey-hole, I can make sure every honest cop in Gotham is waiting out front. Hmm... But that won't be easy... This building is basically a tank,” she warned them.

“We know,” Tim answered, standing up from the stairs to walk towards the computers, skirting around her in a way Robin never had. Was that all an act to help hide his identity or had something happened? “Armoured facade. Ani-aircraft guns on the roof.”

“That's why we...” Dick spoke up, getting her attention. He picked something up with both hands. “Have drones!”

“I assume you don't have a permit for that.” She shook her head, they were crazy and she was even crazier for going along with them.

“We absolutely do not.”

“Gotta admit, Pennyworth, I was kind of hoping you were Batman just retired or something.” But with him and the others…it left a pretty obvious option. Batman hadn’t been seen since then after all.

“Hmm. While I'm flattered, the truth is unfortunately more grim,” the elderly gentleman answered, confirming her guess.

She sighed; they could really use Batman. He had a reputation the others lacked, despite how long Nightwing had been in the business. “I'm sorry to hear that. So, about that plan!”

“The plan, yes!”

“You're gonna love it.”

She wasn’t so sure of that, but she listened. It was insane but…it might work. And once Tim had left to do something she looked at Dick. “Is he alright?”

The man winced. “The Court…the had him for a few days. They had a gas, worse than Scarecrow’s. He’s not hallucinating anymore but…he’ll be running tech support on this one.”

She nodded, feeling sick. A gas worse than what Scarecrow used? Poor kid. No wonder he was pale and they were being protective. At least he wasn’t arguing to go after Kane for payback or anything. She couldn’t stay quiet if he was.

Alfred ensured Master Tim had plenty of refreshments as he guided the others around. Master Richard was infiltrating Kane Industries while Master Jason and Miss Barbara dealt with the sudden League of Assassins activity throughout the city. He would prefer if Richard had backup but with Timothy effectively benched, this was the best they could do.

“Are you having fun down there? 'Cause these drones are a blast!”

Alfred smiled at hearing him showing enjoyment for the first time since his escape. He was doing well guiding the others. But Alfred just hoped that what had happened had not taken him out of the field for good. As much as his heart would prefer the boy to be safe, he thrived in the role of Robin.

“I’ve lost comms with Hood,” Tim announced after almost an hour. “Same interference we’ve had with other…” he trailed off, and Alfred laid a hand on his shoulder in support.

It felt like an eternity before Master Jason’s comm crackled back to life. “Got Kane, heading back up.”

Jason slammed Jacob against the wall. “Why?” he demanded.

“Why what?”

“He’s just a kid! Why would you do that to him?” he growled, fighting the urge to pull his guns. They were taking him down legally; Tim wouldn’t want Jason to kill him.

“He’s Robin, a symbol just as much as Batman was. He chose this life and everything that comes with it. And where is he now?” Kane smirked.

“Home safe,” Jason snapped. “And doing fine. You tried to mess with his head and you failed. Just like you failed to escape me. You hurt my little brother Kane; you better pray they lock you up for good or else I’m coming for you again.”

He dragged him out of the elevator and into the lobby where Renee was waiting.

“I knew we couldn't trust her,” Jason growled, and Dick checked to make sure his eyes weren’t glowing.

“We had Jacob in custody. We were finally gonna bring him in.” And yet part of Dick, a part he didn’t want to acknowledge, was glad the man was dead. For what he’d done to Tim… he had hurt Dick’s little brother. Knowing he could never hurt Tim again, could never hurt Jason or Babs…it was a relief.

“And now she's got everything she needs to start the next phase of her plan.” Tim was frowning, staring at the board, trying to put the pieces together. He seemed a bit steadier which was good.

“She'll go after our allies first, to keep us out of the way-“ Jason kept going.

“Exactly. That's why I already sent them a warning. Lucius is holing up in a secure location with a small security team. And Montoya's scrambling people she trusts,” Babs assured them.

But Dick shook his head. “It won't be enough. They'll die without our help.”

The computer beeped and Tim moved to check, shaking his head at what he could see. “League attacks... all over the city. It's already started.”

“Talia was playing the long game.” Tim was sitting on the counter edge, legs swinging as he fiddles with something electronic.

“I think we saw it. There just wasn't proof. Lord knows we have enough enemies already,” Jason answered as he began getting his gear on.

Tim sighed. “I guess I was just hoping she was, like, an anti-hero in all this, like you used to be.”

“I try not to sugarcoat my past with words like "anti-hero". I was bad too.” Jason looked over at him and Tim smiled at his brother.

“Well, I'm just glad you're on our side now.”

“Me too kid.” He reached out and ruffled Tim’s hair, glad when he didn’t flinch before he dropped down off the counter to walk beside Jason.

“I’ve got Montoya, Babs get Lucius, Jason you’ve got the doc. Tim, stay here and guard Alfred. If Ra’s could get into the Cave then she can likely get passed security here,” Dick ordered as they joined the others at the computer.

Tim wanted to argue but it was logical. Security on the belfry was good but it was also a lot more exposed than the Cave. “Be careful,” he warned and then they were gone, again.

“I found her,” Timothy announced, and Alfred moved to join him.

“Master Tim?”

“I found Talia,” he answered, blinking in shock at the screens.

Alfred looked to see what he had found. “Excellent work. We should inform the others.”

“No, they’re busy keeping everyone alive.” Timothy pushed back from the computer, looking over at the lone uniform. The one he had been wearing had been trashed but Alfred always ensured there were two full versions available as well as extras for all equipment.

“Tim,” he started but Tim looked at him.

“It’s just scouting Alfred; I can do this.”

He hesitated, wanting to keep him home and safe, but medically he had been cleared. His ribs had only been bruised and the armour would protect them.

“Be careful and withdraw if necessary.”

“I will.” Tim grinned, not quite his normal one but better than it had been since his return. A few minutes later, Robin was headed for the abandoned Arkham Asylum.

Arkham had been creepy enough when it wasn’t abandoned and falling apart. But Tim made his way through the ruins carefully. They had to find out what Talia was up to…and of course it was the stuff of nightmares.

“Langstrom was working for her too. No wonder the Court killed him,” he murmured as he looked over the data. He sent it all back to the belfry even as he read the reports. Enhanced soldiers with a serum made on Lazarus Water, not Talons but something else.

Tim went looking, finding the equipment in the tower and then taking out some ninja. It felt good, to be back out where he belonged, to fight. There was no hesitation in taking them on, spinning and dancing around them, bō in hand.

He made it back to the lab and stared at the broken tank, that could not be good. Hearing movement, he looked up and his eyes went wide. That…that was…worse than a Talon! At least they were still people shaped. But this…this was more animal than human. He backed away and it flew right at him, picking him up and slamming him through the glass.

Tim managed to roll across the courtyard, getting back to his feet, thankful for his armour since it meant the glass hadn’t sliced his back to shreds. He could do this; it was no different than fighting Killer Croc.

For the second time in only a few weeks, Dick was watching Alfred work on Tim. This time, the damage was only physical but also worse than those wounds had been. That Man-Bat creature had really done a number on him. He’d almost yelled at Alfred for letting Tim go alone but…if he hadn’t then Talia might have managed to cover up what was happening before any of them were clear to check on the place.

“It looks worse than it is,” he finally told them. “No broken bones or internal bleeding. With some rest, he will be fine.”

Dick relaxed. When Alfred had said he was sending the drone for Tim, that he wasn’t responding to comms… but he was safe and would be alright.

“We better get back out there,” Babs told them, turning the radio up.

Damn it. He didn’t want to leave but there was no choice, again.

Tim blinked up to find a familiar face leaning over him. “Alfred? How did I...” he felt groggy, his body aching. What had…oh. What the hell was Talia doing?! He forced himself to sit up, realising he’d been changed out of his suit, hopefully it had been salvageable.

“You know... you really should not be fighting with these injuries. The scan shows your ribs didn’t break but they are still bruised from before. This fight did not help. A few more blows, even with the armour…”

“Chaos in Gotham City tonight after another vicious attack in Robinson Park. These are reports across the city flying creatures wreaking havoc. Police are urging citizens to stay calm and remain indoors.”

Tim stared at the radio and then began forcing himself to get off the couch. “That's my fight out there.”

“The others are already on patrol. Once you are ready-“

“I proved myself the moment you met me. When I figured out Bruce's identity. And Dick's too. I learned how to be a hero by serving at a hero's side. After everything that's happened... I've become the Robin I need to be,” Tim told him firmly.

The Court, they had messed with his head, gotten to him. But…he got it now. Bruce had loved him, had been proud of him. Everything they had shown him was a lie, his own fears. He had led Young Justice, he had stood up to gods and aliens and he was still alive. He wasn’t a failure or a disappointment. He was Robin.

Alfred stared at him before nodding slowly. “I'm certain you already know what must be done.

“Talia's hiding a Lazarus Pit somewhere under this city. She thinks she's about to win. I can't wait to disappoint her.” Tim grinned and headed for the stairs.

“Hmm.”

“Reports of screeching sounds and strange lights have many Gothamites asking; What's going on at Arkham Asylum? The institution was closed several years ago following a series of investigations into staff conduct and treatment of inmates. The asylum held many of Gotham's worst offenders, including former District Attorney Harvey Dent, and wrestler Waylon Jones better known as Killer Croc. Arkham's inmate population was largely transferred to Blackgate Penitentiary where similar complaints are only compounded by issues with unsanitary conditions and overcrowding. This is Noor Rashid with GCN.”

Babs was not happy to hear Tim was back out so soon, but they did honestly need the help with the Man-Bats attacking. He’d done a good job at the asylum but was this too much too quickly?

She’d wanted Kane to go down for his crimes, to be locked away where he couldn’t hurt any of them. He would have never gone to trial for what he did to Tim but his other crimes? But if he had, would he have tried to give up their identities? It had been the biggest risk of their plan. Thanks to Talia, he was dead and their identities safe for now. Had he shared his knowledge with the Court? Only time would tell.

“The League’s gone underground…in the Wayne crypt,” Tim’s voice was colder than normal.

She’d hoped to beat him to the cemetery and figured the others had too. Tim was their little brother; he’d been through enough since Bruce’s death. There was no way she was letting him face Talia alone.

“Huh... So, that's a Lazarus Pit,” Tim murmured, staring at it in horror. How could they have not known when it was under the Cave?!

“Hmm...” And there was Talia, wonderful.

“Arkham experiment's over. Shut down. Call it ‘ethical reasons’." Tim leapt down to the level the Pit was on, watching her warily.

“Did you know, child, a Lazarus Pit can be used for more than just saving people from the brink of death? It has many purposes. In fact, a Lazarus Pit can make a mind more malleable. More pliable to suggestion.”

“So you made an army of zombies. Is that the plan?” he kept his tone almost playful, his body relaxed. The longer he could keep her talking the better, it would take time for the others to catch up.

“Sometimes, it's about more than your army. Sometimes it's about having the right General leading it.”

“I like the brain the way it is, thanks.” Would that be worse than becoming a Talon? He remembered seeing the image of himself in a white mask, another of him crawling the walls like one of them. Neither idea was appealing.

Talia laughed. “You, like your precious Batman, were never able to save Gotham. I've finally solved that problem.”

The chains in the Pit began to rise, bringing up a platform with something on it...someone.

“Bruce?” Tim whispered. No, that wasn’t possible, they’d buried him. And yet…the cloak was pulled off and he knew that figure.

“My father's mind was broken by repeated exposures to the Lazarus Pit. Unlike my father, I used that exposure to free Bruce's mind from his ridiculous oath. And you... You're right where we need you. Bruce's last test. Then we lead our new League into glory, remaking the world. Defeat this pretender, take back the city that is your birthright.”

Tim watched him stand, it was him, it was really him. And his eyes were glowing greener than Tim had ever seen Jason’s. “Bruce...” he whispered, pleading, and Bruce screamed.

He didn’t want to do it, but if he didn’t fight back then Bruce might actually kill him. So he dodged as much as he could, blocking when he couldn’t even when it made his arms ache. He managed to flip over him, locking his bō against Bruce’s neck as much as he hated it, holding him.

“It's Robin! You know me! Talia's manipulating you. You have to fight through this!”

“But you died, Tim. She said you died. Ah! You died.”

“I didn't I'm right here,” Tim promised. As much as dying had felt real, Jason had talked him through it, and his brother promised it hadn’t been real.

“No! Nothing about you is real! No! You're not real! No, this isn't real!” Bruce threw him off, and Tim rolled to his feet.

“You always believed in me, Bruce, even when I didn't believe in myself. Remember?” Tim demanded when he managed to knock Bruce down.

“No! Don't lie!”

“I'm right there, Bruce. I'm not going anywhere. Damn it, Bruce.” Tim yelped as he was knocked off his feet, landing awkwardly, but he managed to barely dodge the follow up blow.

They kept fighting, Tim begging him to believe him. He hated it but he slammed his bō into Bruce’s head in order to keep a heavy blow from hitting him and Bruce screamed. Tim hesitated as Bruce staggered away, shaking his head.

Slowly, Bruce looked up at him, almost squinting. “Tim?”

He froze, bō lowering a bit. “Bruce? Are you in there? Bruce?”

“Tim?”

“Oh, thank god,” he whispered and then darted forward to support Bruce as he began coughing. That didn’t sound good.

“What's... happening to me?”

“It's a long story. There was a Lazarus Pit under the Batcave. We found the Court of Owls. Your uncle, Jacob is the leader. Well, was. The Court's at war with the League, and since Ra's is dead, Talia took over. She's been throwing you in the pit and pulling you back out to wear you down,” Tim practically babbled as he led Bruce away from the Pit. He couldn’t see Talia anywhere which probably wasn’t good.

“Wait... You found the Court of Owls?”

“You'd be so proud of us, Bruce. We're working so well as a team,” Tim told him. And then Bruce groaned, clutching at his head. “No, no, no, no. Don't give in! That's what she wants.”

Jason stopped in shock as he saw Tim going toe to toe with Talia al Ghul and…he was winning? He knew the kid was good but this, this was something else! Dick landed bedside him and he spotted Babs at another entrance, all three of them shocked by the ongoing fight. This was Tim how he should be, not jumping at shadows and doubting himself. And as much as Jason wanted to help…Tim needed to do this, to prove to himself that the Court hadn’t broken him. And there…was Bruce.

“Now to end this. You hold my Beloved back from his true potential. He trained you well young Robin,” Talia gloated, and Tim readied himself.

He’d spotted the others but the fight had been so furious that any interference could have actually made things worse for him.

A voice laughed and Tim looked over to see a man in a familiar owl mask. “It's over. Now to our spoils.”

“A new Voice, huh? That didn't take long,” he quipped, trying not to pant.

“Take heart, your death has purpose. You die so the Court lives forever.”

“There's no timeline where I let YOU get a Lazarus Pit,” Tim snarled, relieved as his family joined him, ready to keep the Court at bay.

“You want this Lazarus Pit? You go through me,” Jason announced, guns drawn.

“Go. Deal with the vermin,” the Voice commanded.

Tim sucked in a sharp breath as a legion of Talons began to stream forward. No, he could do this. He readied his bō but then traded it for his sling to take them out at a distance, Jason opening fire even as batarangs flew. Talons began to drop from head shots and batarangs lodged in throats.

“Dick, Tim, Barbara, Jason,” Bruce’s voice called.

“Bruce?” Dick glanced around, and Tim frowned, where had he gone?

“All of you grew without me. Become your own heroes. The Knights that Gotham really needed. Together you're stronger than the Batman ever could be. I'm so proud all of you. And I'm sorry.”

“What are you doing?” Jason demanded.

And then they heard it, the familiar sound of the Batwing’s engines.

“You might want to run.”

Tim turned to look and realised what he was doing. “NO!” Not again. But Dick grabbed his arm, pulling him away. “Dick…”

“There’s nothing we can do,” Dick told him, voice thick with grief.

There was nothing they could do but run.

The explosion in the cave destroyed the Lazarus Pit. With it gone, the Court of Owls had mostly vanished. Without a shot at immortality, they knew they were vulnerable so they’d law low, for now. Tim was in no rush to face them again but if, when, it happened he would deal. And he would face them with his family at his side.

Talia was also nowhere to be found, hiding somewhere and planning her next move. She left behind a small team of League Assassins. To watch them or keep them busy? Knowing Talia, both.

Finding the wreckage of the Batwing…He…Bruce was gone. But Gotham City still needed Robin, needed the Bats. The Court would act like nothing happened. But Tim would watch them, and he’d make sure they knew. Bringing Jacob Kane's crimes to light was just the start. For what they had done to him, to thousands over the centuries, he would make sure they were dragged into the light. He would keep to Bruce’s teachings; he would bring them to justice. And he would free whatever was left of the people who had died to become Talons, not all of them were volunteers after all. They didn’t deserve to have their desecrated bodies running around doing the Courts dirty work forever.

He looked up and smiled in relief at the sight of his boyfriend. He’d barely seen him since the funeral and the last weeks, Gotham had been insane, well, more insane than normal. Tim looked tired, drawn, but then he saw him and smiled. Bernard grinned back at him; he would help Tim however he could. Sure, he had the Wayne’s to help him with his grief for Bruce, but Bernard wanted to be there for him too. First his Mom and now Bruce, it wasn’t fair.

“Hey,” Tim greeted him.

“Hey,” Bernard reached out and took his hand. “You okay?”

“You know…I think I am.”

“We lost him again, Alfred. Tim got through to him and then…”

“From what I understand, he was already dead. Long-term exposure to Lazarus-“

“I know, I know. He was struggling.” He’d barely seen Bruce but even then, it had been obvious that the Lazarus Pit’s hold was strong. How had Tim managed to get through it to him?

“He would be happy that you are well, sir. This is all Bruce ever wanted.”

“Yeah,” Dick whispered. He glanced at the monitor and smiled at the image of Tim sitting with his boyfriend at a café. Sue him, they were all going to be very protective of their little brother for at least a few months given everything that had happened.

Babs’ background work on Bernard had come back, he seemed a good kid. And he was obviously head over heels for Timmy. Maybe…maybe he could be the same kind of support for Tim that Lois was for Clark. Tim could use someone outside of them that he could talk to.

Bruce was gone, again, but they still had each other. They would keep Gotham safe.

The End.