Reflections and Refractions

Dick was having the time of his life.

He and Raven's first stop was Gotham where Dick picked up three of his siblings, Duke, Steph and Cass. He had initially intended to just find them and make sure they were safe and happy but...given the eras they were in he'd just taken them with him.

Duke was in his 'We Are Robin' era. This fact had surprised Dick because according to Raven this wasn't a Batman-less Gotham; in this reality Duke spearheaded the 'We Are Robin' movement in honor of his parents. Speaking of parents, the Duke of this world currently had no idea about his biological father and Dick didn't plan on telling him, not until he knew if he actually was Gnomon's son in this reality. Another thing this Duke didn't know was that he had powers although, given this was a different reality this Duke may not have powers to know about or not know about. Oh well, as long as Dick was here he'd be there to help him.

Meanwhile Steph was in her solo Spoiler work, shitting on her dad and other criminals. If her dad was still a Game Show Host, or at the least not a villain and Steph hadn't been a vigilante Dick would've just left her alone after making sure she was safe but she was a vigilante so...yoink!

Lastly Cass, who had been homeless for eight years since she made her first kill, had really recently moved to Gotham, perpetually on the run from the League and from her father. Dick approached her, the girl hiding behind a dumpster and gripping a rock tightly, signing a greeting to her. She was clearly tense, on edge with how much he seemed to know about her, knowing or assuming she had little to no ability to speak, but she hesitanty signed back. It took a while but Dick calmed her and explained who he was and miraculously...she made the choice to believe in him. He brought her out of the alley to where the rest of the group was waiting, to his delight Duke and Steph and Raven seemed to notice they should approach Cass gently and just like in his reality...Steph and Cass immediately hit it off.

After explaining the situation to these refractions of his siblings Dick, who they currently only knew as Nightwing, received some much needed hugs...even receiving one from Cass who intently observed Duke and Steph hug him, moving forward and snaking her arms around Dick's torso, giving him a gentle squeeze. They declared in their individual ways that even if they were different to him and he was different to them even after he'd go home they'd always be family.

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Dick and Raven, with Duke, Steph and Cass staying somewhere else, ventured to the League of Assassins, which in this reality was called the League of Shadows. The location of the 'League of Shadows' resided on an island where they picked up Jason and Damian while the trio remained in Jump City Bay on the island currently missing Titan Tower.

The biggest shock for Dick, as he found his younger brothers was that Damian was a baby. Like a baby baby, like he'd only been alive for mere months. It was very surreal for Dick to hold him cradled in his arms.

Dick with backup from Raven...demolished the League's forces. He cut through the assassins with ease, imobilizing and probably sending more than a few into comatose states but...he couldn't find it in himself to care. His brothers were somewhere before him...and nothing would stand between him and them.

Dick found them well...he assumed he found them when he reached a room guarded by Talia herself.

"Nightwing," She greeted, surprised.

"Lady Talia," He greeted dryly, weilding his escrima sticks, electricity crackling, "Stand aside."

"The only thing waiting for you here is death," She said coldly.

"What's waiting for me here...is the future," And then Dick was charging.

He fought with more ferocity than he'd fought since...nevermind that. Talia angered him...she always had.

This Talia may be different to the one in his reality, she may love her son he didn't really know...but all that didn't matter because she hadn't taken him away from this place. She hadn't taken him from this den of assassins, from the scrutiny of his grandfather, from the discipline and the dehumanization and the torment...but Dick would.

Dick charged, Talia kicking out expertly at him, presumably expecting him to go down, which is why Dick went up. He leapt onto the wall, pushing off of it and leaping through the air, coming down on Talia, with a kick downward of his own, his foot smashing into her shoulder, catching the woman offguard. Her legs buckled and Dick continued in his onslaught, surging forward once his feet touched the ground knee flying into her gut, woman staggering backward. Dick leapt on her and smacked her right in the face with hiscrackling escrima stick, woman crying out in alarm before falling limp.

Dick opened the door to the room immediately met with a katana inches from his eye. For a moment he thought it was Damian, protecting himself...but then he looked to the figure wielding the blade. They wore red robes with the sleeves cut off, a black skin tight long sleeved shirt under the vest. The red was trimmed in gold, a strap for their katana's sheath going across their chest. Lastly...they wore red goggles over a red face mask...with a red hood atop their head.

"Jason..." Dick breathed out.

The figure seized up and took an instincutal step back, hand tremoring slightly before apparently steeling themselves, steadying their hand.

"I will not let you pass," The figure said.

The voice was cold and hard...but it was unmistakably Jason's. And the voice cut right through Dick's heart.

"Okay," He found his voice, gently setting his escrima sticks on the floor, straightening slowly, hands raised slightly in surrender, "Okay, I won't do anything Jason."

"Don't...don't call me that," The figure grit out.

"..." Dick silently obeyed, Jason didn't talk much of his brief stint with the League to the others but he did with Dick and he revealed to him that in the beginning...he had no memory to the life he led before his death, perhaps this Jason was the same? Or maybe this Jason just wanted to distance himself from the past, understandable, honestly.

"You will leave this place," The figure said coldly.

"...I can't do that, little brother," Dick said softly, wry smile on his face.

"I am not-" The figure snapped before pausing, "I-who are you?"

"...You don't remember me...do you little wing?"

The figure reared back as if they'd been struck, dread seizing Dick, horrified that perhaps he'd done something wrong.

"Gray...son?" The figure let out a wheezing, strangled gasp.

"Yes," Dick gasped, "Yes, that's me."

"You...knew me?" The figure was gripping his head with his free hand, katana wavering.

"Yes," Dick whispered.

"You...are really my brother?"

"Yes, I am," Dick felt tears well in his eyes.

"My...name was...Jason?"

"That's right," Dick swallowed heavily.

"...Everything about you," The reflection of his brother said, "Your voice, your words...they resonate in my soul...you speak the truth?"

"I do."

"...You swear you will not hurt him?"

"...Hurt who?" Dick asked carefully, if Jason was trying to protect Ra's from Dick's wrath he didn't know what he'd do.

Jason seemed to ponder the question before deciding to trust Dick, stepping aside. Dick's eyes trailed from his brother's covered face to the space behind him...breath catching in his throat when he spotted a crib...and a baby. A baby that was standing on his chubby little legs, gripping two of the cribs bars with his thick tiny fingers, looking through the bars at Dick with big shiny green eyes.

Dick was gone. Taken. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

"Baby bat..." Dick whispered, an adoring smile making its way onto his face.

"You will not hurt us?" The reflection of Jason asked with an edge to his voice.

Dick turned to him and reached out, pulling back when Jason flinched back in surprise.

"Never," Dick swore passionately, "I will never hurt you."

Jason hesitated before taking a step forward...pushing his face into Dick's hand. Dick softened and gently held his brother's face in his hands, stepping forward and slowly pressing his forehead to Jason's the two boys staying like that for a long while.

"You'll take him from this place?" Jason asked softly, sheathing his blade when they eventually pulled away, his voice was soft and containing a hopeful tone.

"I'm taking both of you," Dick said softly.

Jason's mask stretched slightly, indicating the smile beneath it. Dick softened and moved forward, choreographing his movements so as not to startle him. He once again pulled his brother into his embrace, holding Jason close.

His little brother in this reality was still shorter than him, allowing Dick to hold him close. Jason's head was nestled in Dick's neck, Dick holding him close, holding the back of Jason's head, holding him all the closer.

Eventually they pulled apart and Dick slowly approached the crib.

Damian was a quiet thing, small and looking to him with those wide, curious, shining eyes, his head of raven black hair ruffling in the warm breeze that blew in through the window.

Dick's heart warmed and he bent slightly, reaching down into the crib, hands gentle as he situated them under his arms, lifting the boy through the air.

"Oh...my baby..." Dick whispered.

Dick brought Damian closer, holding him chest to chest, pressing his lips to the top of his head.

"My baby...my baby..."

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Looking upon his siblings now, Duke holding Damian carefully, Steph making funny faces at the baby, ass studying him with large eyes and Raven looking on with fond eyes...Dick smiled.

They were safe now...they were all safe. And he'd do anything to make sure they stayed that way.

As he looked upon them he was forced to confront one unchangeable fact...he was sure his siblings didn't need him. At least not...not the way he needed them.

God, he was so pathetic.

Every time he was without them he backslided. He became that boy he first was when Bruce brought him home. He was the boy he was when he first dawned the cape. He was that same vengeful, hating, rageful boy he was when he first became Robin. Without his siblings, his precious siblings he loved more than life itself...he grew dark and bitter and rageful.

How pathetic was that? That his happiness was so dependent upon his family? That he couldn't control himself when he was without them? That he let himself to succumb to such darkness-

Dick startled out of his spiraling thoughts from a slight tug on his sleeve.

"What's up, Red?" Dick asked gently, focusing on the red clad ninja beside him, reflecting back to how a mere hour ago they had been reunited.

He noticed near immediately although he preened at the name Jason there was still lingering...pain so he got to calling him Red or Little Wing, one of the two.

"You were trapped in your head," Jason said simply.

"...Thank you," Dick softened.

"Do we try to find your way home now?" Jason asked.

Even though he was lacking memories his intelligence wasn't hindered any. Jason understanding the multiverse of the whole situation.

"No," Dick said, "Not yet, first...we find your way home."

"Mine?"

"Our father has missed you terribly," Dick said softly, "He's the only one I will trust to keep you all safe and happy."

"Fa...ther? Batman?" Jason struggled to remember.

"Yes, our father is Batman."

"...Our eyes are the same," Jason noted.

"They are," Dick, without his domino mask, not thinking he needed it in the presence of family, said, eyes crinkling as he smiled.

"We're going to...Goth...am?"

"Yes, we're going home," Dick smiled.

"W...wa...wants...you," Cass struggled to sound out the words, appearing before Dick, holding Damian out to him.

Dick immediately and carefully took the baby from her, holding Damian before him, the baby looking at him with watery eyes and quivering lips.

"...He's never cried before," Jason told him, "And he's never spoke-" Damian immediately proved Jason wrong, the boy bawling out three words.

"Baba hugs! Baba!"

Tears immediately welled in Dick's eyes and he brought Damian close, hugging him to his chest.

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Back at the Watchtower the batfamily members were growing bored and when they get bored...disaster strikes.

"So..." Tim clicked his tongue, "What do we wanna do?"

"Stargaze," Duke yawned, "I wanna see if we have the same stars."

"Where even are we?" Jason furrowed his brows at their surroundings.

"The Watchtower?" Duke drawled, "What did you guys-did you guys not know?"

"I mean? It's an entirely different world," Tim said, "I don't think...any of us really care where in this other reality we are."

"'I don't think,'" Duke repeated in a mocking tone.

"Dude, why you pulling a Steph?"

"Hey!" The girl gasped in offense.

"Sorry, I'm bored," Duke yawned.

"I too find myself bored," Damian drawled, "The glamour of a new reality has passed. Plus, given our track record with alternate realities we should leave before evil descends upon our family."

"Aww, he said 'our family,'" Steph cooed.

"You have...experience with different realities?" Batman asked curiously.

"Don't even get me started on Injustice-"

"Drake," Damian said coldly.

"Ah, sorry," Tim winced, "I know...you went through the most."

"Let's move on from this topic," Damian grit his teeth.

"If you're really so bored," Zatanna said, "I mean, I have a memory spell I've been workin' on. I can project some of your memories?"

"Absolutely not," Tim denied immediately.

"Aw, c'mon," Jason whined.

"Do we or do we not want to traumatize the people of this world?" Tim drawled.

"We do?" Jason asked.

"Try again," Duke snorted.

"We don't," Jason sighed heavily.

"That's right," Duke said, tone slow and mocking,

"I was going to say that I think this spell could also...give us a view into your reality," Zatanna spoke up, "To just...see how the people left behind are handling things?"

"Oh, this'll be great," Jason grinned, "Dad being all emotionally constipated for everyone's eyes."

"You called him 'dad!'" Steph shrieked.

Batman was completely soft inside, a smile twitching at his lips.

"What? No, I didn't, if anything I called him bother 'cause he's always bothering me," Jason sputtered.

"That does not work, Todd," Damian drawled, "For you said 'dad' not 'father.'"

"I know it wasn't in the context of calling B 'dad' but...Damian just said dad," Duke commented, blinking in surprise.

"Jake Peralta can't help you, bro," Steph adressed Jason.

"You guys have Brooklyn Nine Nine too?" Red Robin gushed, "I mean, uh-"

"Of course we have Brooklyn Nine Nine," Tim made a motion of flipping his hair over his shoulder.

"So...about the spell?" Zatanna inquired.

"Fuck it, let's ball," Jason pumped a fist into the air.

"Alright," Barbara sighed heavily.

"Okay," Cass blinked.

"Yes!" Steph cheered.

"What could go wrong?" Duke heaved a dramatic sigh.

"This is gonna be a disaster," Tim sighed heavily but waved his hand absentmindedly, "But whatever."

"Alright," Zatanna said, "Just...put your hands somewhere on me."

"Don't have to tell me twice," Steph f boy laughed before backtracking, "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," Zatanna snorted.

The family members moved forward and did as instructed. Barbara awkwardly bent down slightly, holding Zatanna's knee. Steph rested a hand on her shoulder, Cass holding her hand. Duke set his hand on her shoulder blade, Jason resting her hand on that same shoulder, Tim gently gripping her forearm.

Zatanna's eyes glowed golden as she used the aura of the siblings to open a viewing portal into their home realm, Duke watching in awe, the only one actually seeing the beautiful light show.

"Okay, you can let go," She said, "I have enough of an echo of your presences."

The siblings released her and set back, watching Zatanna work.

"Tel su ees otni a dlrow ton srous tub srieht. Tel su ees eht etats fo rieht emoh dna rieht ylimaf."

Tim's brain whirred as he mentally deciphered her words, 'let us see into a world not ours but theirs. Let us see the state of their home and their family.' Huh, neat.

Before their eyes the fabric of reality before them rippled and almost...zipped open. Those familiar with Wayne Manor easily recognized the dining room, despite of course the disarray it was in.

Batman felt his heart squeeze as he looked on at a different Alfred, move throughout the view they had into this world, cleaning up the mess.

Alfred tensed suddenly, and picked up a rapidly beeping tablet.

"Well this is going to be good," Alfred sighed heavily.

A moment later the window was shattering, glass streaming harmlessly through the air.

"What the hell?" Steph jumped, "Oh," She snorted as a figure landed rather agressivly onto the wood floor, "It's just Kon."

"Me?" Superboy gaped at the person in the viewing portal, "That's supposed to be me?"

"Twink, himbo," Jason drawled.

"Alfred, I'm gonna ask this civilly," The teen said curtly, "Where the fuck is Tim."

"Mr. Kent," Alfred greeted tersely, "How nice to see you."

"Alright civility is out the window," The teen drawled, "Alfred, what happened here? Tell me, and tell me now."

"Kon!" A childish voice whined and a young boy flew through the destroyed window, "You broke the window."

"Who's that?" Superboy asked, mind instinctively going to the possibility that this was another clone, maybe they were like Match? But then...he considered another possibility, thinking about the news Lois had told him recently.

"Jon," Tim said simply.

"Whatever, Jon," 'Kon' huffed.

"See?" Tim smiled.

"It's not a big deal, the manor's getting fucked up like every other day, like look," He gestured emphatically to the mess in the dining room, "I didn't do this."

"Kon!" The boy, 'Jon' look stricken, "You said the fuck word!"

"'The fuck word?'" Kon repeated, brow raised, "So? I'm a teen, I am allowed to say the fuck word."

"I'm telling ma," The boy stuck his nose up at Kon.

"Oh wait, no, hold up," Kon backtracked, "Do not tell ma."

"Then don't leave me behind," The boy sniffed.

"Is that what this is about?" Kon softened, "I'm sorry I flew off without you I was just worried."

"Flew?" Superboy whispered, "He can fly?"

"Wait...can you not?" Steph asked, surprised.

"...I can't do...a lot of what Superman can."

"Kon's powers are pretty 50/50 he either has all of them or none of them," Tim explained briefly.

"Well so am I, that doesn't justify you just vanishing," Everyone directed their attention to the portal as Jon spoke, crossing his arms.

"You're right, I apologize, now then," Kon directed his attention back to Alfred, "Tim's heartbeat just up and vanished...now what happened?"

"A portal opened up and dragged Tim and his siblings through it," None other than Clark Kent strode into the room.

"It's me!" Superman gaped, "I mean, wait, no-"

"What? You think we don't know who you are?" Tim rose a brow, "You ain't that special."

"Dad!" Jon beamed.

"Dad?!" Superman choked on air.

"Ah...do you not have a Jonathan?" Damian inquired curiously.

"No-no," Superman shook his head.

"...Lois actually told me but um...she's pregnant," Superboy said awkwardly.

Superman bluescreened and everyone shrugged, continuing to look on at the events unfurling in another world.

"Jon," Superman let out a faux grunt as the boy shoot through the air and into his arms.

"Took ya long enough," Kon huffed.

"Given I was here first I think I should be saying that to you," Clark's eyes twinkled with fondness as he looked to Kon.

Something ugly and akin to jealousy churned in Superboy's core. Superman pulled himself out of his stupor, self loathing blossoming not for the first time within him as he reflected back on how he first treated his clone and honestly...to how he sometimes treated him now.

"How do you know of the portal?" Alfred inquired.

"I got the truth outta Bruce," Clark shrugged.

"Really?" Alfred rose a brow, "Master Bruce is in his moody corner of the Cave and is not in the talking mood."

"I'm good at deciphering his grunts," Clark smiled sheepishly.

"That's what she said," Jason elbowed Steph lightly, Batman and Superman pretending they didn't hear that.

"That's what she said," Kon grinned sharply.

Clark sputtered at Kon's words, face exploding with red.

"Huh?" Jon cocked his head to the side, "What does that mean?"

"Well," Kon began, "When some people are attracted to each other-"

"Kon-El!" Clark exclaimed, scandalized.

"My apologies," Kon had his hands up in surrender, "Wouldn't wanna go discrediting your saint-like reputation, dad."

Dad? Superboy froze, eyes blown wide. He...he had always viewed Superman as his father because that's what he was but...but when Superman acknowledged him only as a younger brother he had given up all hope of ever being a son to him but...but here was a version of him that called him 'dad.' And well...he couldn't help but wonder what this alternate version of him had done differently.

Superman too was frozen, stealing a glance at his clone. Looking between his Kon and the one before him the differences were obvious but...he couldn't help but wonder...did his Kon...see him the way this other one did? Did his Kon want to call him dad but after all the rejection...he just couldn't bring himself to? Superman mentally slapped himself, why was he expecting Kon to take the first step? He could take it...call him son and...if he didn't like that he could backtrack or pretend it never happened. Superman opened his mouth but the alternate version of himself beat him to it.

"Now...I know the two of you are worried," He shifted Jon so he was more comfortable sitting on his arm, "But you know the Bats...they're gonna be okay."

"Are they, though?" A man in red sauntered into the room from the other end.

"Oh, hey, Roy," Kon nodded upward in greeting.

"Roy?" Kid Flash repeated, "Well...which Roy is it?"

"'Which' Roy?" Jason repeated.

"Yeah," Kid Flash nodded.

"Does your Roy Harper not have clones?" Arsenal asked not so casually.

"Uh, no," Jason said, "He doesn't."

"I...don't know how I feel about that," Red Arrow murmured.

"And you would care because..." Jason trailed off, squinting at the man, "No way, Roy?"

"Um...not the real one but yeah."

"There's no such thing as 'real' or 'not real' you're a person," Tim said resolutely, "That's all there is to it."

"Sup, Kon," The man nodded back.

"Roy," Clark greeted.

"Clark?" Roy greeted with a bewildered wave.

"Roy!" Jon chirped.

"Jon."

"Mr. Harper," Alfred greeted.

"A," Roy smiled.

"Kenan!" An unfamiliar voice exclaimed.

"Jesus fuck!" Roy jumped.

"Oh, hey Kenan, what took you so long?" Kon drawled.

"Excuse you?" The newcomer 'Kenan' scoffed in mock offense, "The Superman of China has obligations none of you do, I was busy."

"I've...never heard of him before," Superman commented.

"He might not exist in your world."

"Did you almost get hit by a plane again?" Kon smirked.

"It was a privately owned jet so technically no?"

"Did you hear Duke's heart stop beating," Jon said, "Is that why you came? That's why we came."

"Wait, Roy how'd you know to come?" Kon looked thoughtful.

"After last time you think I don't have a tracker on Jason at all times monitoring his heartbeat?" Roy scoffed but there was a note of pain and bitterness in his voice.

Jason winced and pointedly glanced away, ignoring the pained looked people sent his way.

"Back to me," Kenan bit his lip and f boy laughed, "I did hear Duke's heart stop while flying over, that's why I was almost hit by that jet but I was already on my way over."

"Why?" Clark wondered.

"...Gnomon...kinda sent me...a message that Duke would be vanishing."

Duke tensed, eyes widening at Kenan's revelation.

"Gnomon?" Batman questioned.

"You...you don't think he sent us here...right?" Duke looked to his siblings.

"I'm...not sure wether or not portals are one of your dads powers but...it's pretty assholey so I mean, I can see him doing this," Tim lamented.

"Dad?" Bruce asked, an edge to his voice.

"Not the man who raised me but yes, my father," Duke huffed, "A total asshole."

"Do you think Gnomon could have done something with them?" An unfamiliar voice wondered from the window, everyone turning to see-

"Cissie," Kon greeted with a nod.

"Arrowette," Roy greeted with a raised brow, "What are you doin' in the Bats haunt."

"Arowette?" Green Arrow asked.

"Oh, maybe they don't have her here," Steph said thoughtfully, "Her name's Cissie King-Jones if she exists here and isn't already a vigilante she'll probably become one soo-"

"Oh!" Artemis lit up, "That girl," She turned to Green Arrow, "Remember? My first year as a member of Young Justice, we saved her dad?"

"Oh! Oh yeah!" Green Arrow recalled.

"Oh? Did your crime lord boyfriend not tell you?" The girl drawled in a sacharine voice, capturing everyone's attention, "I'm datin' Steph."

Steph grinned at her girlfriend while Jason shifted his weight, preparing for an onslaught of questions.

"So weird, last time I checked I wasn't dating a crime lord."

"What's happening here?" Arsenal wondered, "I'm...dating a crime lord?"

"I'm married to an assassin," Red Arrow pointed out, "We could have a type."

"Jason's gonna slip up again, dick fuck," Cissie drawled, "And probably behead another couple dozen mobsters, you gonna love him then still?"

Everyone gawked at Jason who tried to ignore them.

"You're a crime lord?" Batman asked.

"We're dating?!" Arsenal shrieked at the same time, "I-I mean, of course the more important thing is the crime lor-"

"Of course I will," Roy's voice cut through his the young man stepping forward challengingly.

Jason sputtered, face burning red.

"Good," Cissie's pesonality seemed to do a 180 as she beamed up at Roy.

"What the fuck just happened?" Kenan asked.

"Yeah, what?" Tim looked amused and curious.

"It's just something the arrows do when we see each other," Cissie shrugged, "We kinda test each other's commitment level to our respective partners and if it's not up to snuff we...shoot each other," She winced as she said the last part.

"Um...why?" Kon looked bewildered.

"Um...I think is started because Oliver and Dinah would always great each other with a very serious 'do you love me?' and would then have a friendly spar after the answer."

Black Canary and Green Arrow flushed red as eyes landed on them, they'd actually done that the first year of their relationship after they both first said love.

"We kinda just...adapted that and made it more intense?" Cissie tried to explain.

"Alrighty then," Kenan shrugged, "This might as well happen."

"Hey, where's B?" Kon asked, "We don't need his empty nest syndrome acting up resulting in a new Bat before the others get back."

"Wow, get called out," Steph cackled.

"Wow that was a dark joke, Alfred, I apologize."

"What's...empty nest syndrome?" Jon asked.

"Okay, so in Batman's case it's like where when his children leave he starts to like obsessively miss them so he goes out into Gotham and snatches up a kid that looks sad," Kon explained.

Batman bristled in offense, scoffing to himself.

"Got it!" Jon beamed.

"Batman does not do that, ignore your brother," Clark told Jon.

Again Superboy tensed, subconsciously curling in on himself. He wanted that...he wanted this life so badly.

"Alright, Alfred," Kon turned to the man, "What's the plan to get your grandsons back?"

"Oh, Batman, Zatanna and Constantine are downstairs," Clark said.

Zatanna and Constantine glanced uncomfortably at each other, remarking to themselves how weird it was that they were together in another world.

"But we need some assistance," A recognizable young woman stepped into the destroyed dining room.

Zatanna gaped at herself, she was stunning.

"Just wanted to say real quick, Mr. Pennyworth, I apologize for how many people have barged into your room," Kenan looked to Alfred with a sweet smile.

"Dude, you kiss ass," Kon shoved him.

"That's what she said," Roy cut in, "That's what she did?" He muttered more to himself than anything.

Steph choked on air.

"Sorry, Z, you said you need help?" Roy cleared his throat.

"The first thing we have to do is follow their signature and find out what reality they've gone to and then we figure out a spell to open a portal there," Zatanna said.

"And how do we follow their signature?" Clark asked curiously.

"Either through a biological connection or a romantic one," Zatanna said vaguely, "The people we're biologically related to have an...inprint of our essence with them and we can leave that same imprint of our essences on people we're in love with."

"Talk about convenient," Tim snickered.

"For Ms. Gordon do we want to go the biological or romantic route?" Alfred asked.

"If we go biological we've gotta go to the Commissioner and be like 'what's up, bro, your daughter's missing, come help us find her, oh, and please disregard that she went missing with a bunch of vigilantes and also Bruce Wayne's children are missing too but there's no correlation,'" Kon said, "Or, do we wanna go to Alysia and be like, 'your girlfriends missing and yes we're heroes but don't worry, Barbara definitely isn't Oracle?'"

"Asking for a friend," Batgirl cleared her throat, "Um...where would I find this girlfriend that I'm in love with?"

"Very smooth, Babs," Wonder Girl giggled.

"You'll meet her when the time is right," Barbara softened, "If she exists here."

"Right, there...there's always that."

"...Jim knows Barabara is connected with Gotham's vigilantes," Batman said, "He won't ask questions, his focus will solely be on her return."

"For Cass we have to go the biological route, right?" Kon asked, "Tim never said she was dating anyone."

"And my son tells you all the secrets in our family?" Batman drawled.

"Yeah, it's called open healthy communication," Kon smiled mockingly sweet, "You should try it."

There were several wheezes throughout the room.

"I mean," Clark snickered as Batman rose a brow at him, "He's not wrong."

"For Cassandra yes, we will be going the biological route," Zatanna said.

"Marvel's bring 'er mum over soon," Constantine drawled.

Cass' lip curled but she otherwise didn't react.

"For Steph we gonna break her dad outta prison or...?" Kon rose a brow.

"Her romantic partner's right here fuck nut," Cissie scoffed.

Kon gasped dramatically in offense at the 'fuck nut.'

"And Duke's romantic partner's here too so there's no need to go to his dad," Kenan waved.

"I'm here for Jason, of course," Roy piped up.

"Are we gonna be using Batman for Damian?" Zatanna wondered.

"I could be used for Damian!" Jon piped up.

"Oh?" Jason looked to Damian with wide eyes.

"You...and Damian are dating?" Clark blinked at Jon.

"Mmm-hmm!" Jon nodded, barely containing his smile, "We've started holding hands."

"Well that's the most adorable thing I've ever witnesses," Jason said, voice dead serious.

"Dami, that's great!" Steph cooed.

"I will disembowel you," Damian said seriously.

"Why am I always the last to know these things?" Bruce could only sigh, "Nevertheless my presence should be sufficient to latch onto Damia-"

"Delivery!" A delighted cheer sounded as Captain Marvel flew through the broken window.

Captain Marvel lit up as he looked upon himself, he looked much the same.

He was holding a woman by the back of her shirt, ignoring as she was flailing about, trying to cut his flesh, blades bending each time she hit him.

"Lady Shiva," Bruce greeted coldly, "Restrain yourself or we will."

Everyone glanced to Cass, taking note of her deceptively calm expression.

"I assume something has happened to that daughter of mine?" The woman stilled.

"She's gone missing, you're going to help us find her," Zatanna said coldly.

"I haven't taken her, I want nothing to do with the girl until she comes to me to fulfill her destiny."

"Question, if you want someone to defeat you and end your reign of destruction why not just defeat yourself and kill yourself?" Kon wondered.

"Your...mother wants you to kill her?" Red Robin looked horrified.

"She wishes for a challenge and a fight to the death from me," Cass said briefly.

"Quiet, boy," The woman glared at him.

"It's an inquisitive, journalistic question," The boy sucked in air and snorted, pushing up his shades, clearly imitating some Hollywood nerd or maybe the beginning of a f boy's transformational tiktok thirst trap from nerd to 'stud.'

"Lex Luthor should have disiplined you better."

"You didn't raise your daughter at all so I don't want to hear shit about my dad's parenting," Kon crossed his arms.

Everyone bristled in surprise, did this Kon...care for the Lex Luthor of their world?

"Your father is a supervillain much as is my daughter's father, yet there is a note of care you hold for him, I don't understand how."

"Here here," Superboy muttered.

"Well given my father didn't deny me the ability to speak and didn't raise me from birth to kill, for the sole purpose of protecting Ra's al Ghul that might've helped."

Cass pointedly ignored the surprised looks she was receiving.

"No, your father raised you to kill Superman, certainly not the same childhood my daughter received but...not truly all that different."

"Oh my Rao, it's like you're not hearing what I'm saying, my father-"

"Superboy," Bruce cut in, "Not the time."

"But she's dissing my dad," Kon said.

"Hey, can I put her down, my arm's getting tired?" Marvel piped up.

"You don't get tired, Marvel," Clark rose a brow at him.

"Just testin' ya," The hero winked.

"We'll seal her away in a pocket dimension 'till she's needed," Constantine said, "You got that 'andled, B-Marvel?"

"Ah, so close," Tim huffed.

"'So close?'" Red Robin repeated.

"Mmm-hmm, the only people back home who know Marvel's true identity are his rogues, Cyborg and Constantine, I was hoping he'd slip up."

"Wait..." Nightwing paused, "You don't know who Marvel really is?"

"Wait...do you?" Tim's eyes got an obsessive gleam.

"If he's the same as me..." Marvel stepped forward, "SHAZAM!" Lightning collided with him and there before him was a teenager with black hair and impossibly blue shining eyes.

"New brother..." Cass whispered.

"For real," Jason's gaping at him.

"Welcome to the family!" Duke grinned widely.

"We don't even know his name," Damian scoffed.

"Oh! I'm Billy," He smiled, "Billy Batson."

"Oh, he's sealed his fate," Tim snorted.

Everyone directed their attention back to the portal as with a pop, Marvel made Shiva vanish.

"Cool!" Jon gushed.

"Kon, I assume you will help us find Tim?" Bruce drawled.

"Come on, B man, y'know I'd do anythin' for my boyfriend," Kon finger gunned the man.

"Boyfriend?" Superboy repeated.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Tim deadpanned.

"He just said-"

"I actually don't speak English so I won't be able to answer any questions regarding my romantic status," Tim said.

"Tim and Kon have been helplessly in love for like ever but neither said anything for the longest time because they were like 'I don't wanna ruin the friendship,'" Steph bit her lip and stroked her chin.

"Stephanie," Tim said firmly.

"Shutting up now."

"I'm going to bring up a not great point," Roy spoke, everyone focusing back on the viewing portal, "What're we gonna do for Dick?"

Nightwing leaned forward intrigued.

"I know he's with someone and the relationship's pretty serious," Roy continued, "But I only know that 'cause that's what Jason's observed, I don't know who it is."

"I mean...we could find a tal-"

"Absolutely not," Bruce's voice was resolute and firm, "We will not bring one of them here and risk them getting their hands on him."

"What's he talking about?" Batman asked.

"Nothing," Tim said coldly.

"It sucks, I get it but a talon may be our only hope," Kon continued, meeting Bruce's gaze, "He hasn't told Tim about his romantic partners since he found out Tim talks about them with Harley. A talon he's biologically related to may be the only way to get them all back."

"...Tim didn't tell you everything about the Talons, did he?" Bruce's eyes narrowed on Kon.

"...No," Kon said, "But he told me enough-"

"Evidentally he didn't," Bruce said, "Because you'd be agreeing with me that Dick needs to be protected from them not delivered to them."

"What? You think we can't beat one talon?" Kon scoffed, "We use them, bring everyone back, and lock the Talon up."

"Yes, I think a talon with Grayson blood could best all of us," Bruce said, "If it meant getting Dick...they would kill us in a moment."

"What is he talking about?" Nightwing asked, hands subconsciously clenched into fists.

"...We can't tell you," Jason pursed his lips.

"Well that's scary," Roy 'oofed,' "Simple solution then...we find out who Dick's with. Obviously, not Zatanna," Roy listened, "Donna is...gone.

"Who is 'Donna?'" Nightwing asked.

"A...person," Jason said vaguely, "A person who if you encounter you are under no conditions allowed to fall in love with."

"What? Why?" Nightwing asked.

"I'll...explain later," Tim said vaguely.

"Could he be back with Kori? They were super in love?"

"Kori's still ruling Tamaran," Kon said, "Besides, she and Dick realized they're pretty good as just friends."

"Kori? Tamaran?" Nightwing asked.

"Starfire, she's a super hot alien," Steph said.

"Neat," Nightwing tried to hide his surprise.

"Tamaran is her planet," Tim tacked on.

"Then who?" Roy wondered, "'Cause it's not me eith-I mean, what? Who said that?"

"What?!" Jason shrieked, "Dick and Roy?!"

"Wow, this is...such news to me," Tim said in a bored tone.

"You knew?!"

"If someone has red hair, expect Dick's dated them," Steph patted Jason's back.

"Oh my god!" Tim exclaimed.

"What is it-" Duke stopped as Bruce in the portal spoke.

"You dated my son?" Bruce deadpanned.

"No?" Roy squeaked.

"I mean, that's not much of a surprise," Kon shrugged, "If they have red hair I kinda just assume they're one of Dick's exes."

That got some laughs.

"...I know who Dick is in a relationship with," Bruce spoke through grit teeth.

"Who?" Kon frowned.

Bruce seemed to call someone and as soon as the comm picked up Bruce was speaking.

"You're needed at the manor. Come."

Moments later a speedster was zipping into the manor.

None of the people of this reality recognized the speedster...but the batfamily members certainly did.

"Knew it," Tim grinned.

"No way!" Jason gaped.

"Love that," Duke grinned.

"Not surprising," Cass hummed.

"I honestly did not see this coming," Steph commented.

"Dick can do better," Damian crossed his arms.

"It's about damn time," Barbara laughed.

"My Dick tingle™ went off hours ago," The speedster said, causing some snickers to elicit from both realities, "But I thought to myself, there's no way something bad would happen right after destroying the League, what a foolish thought of mine."

"Hah, you said-"

"Yes, Kon," The speedster said as he gripped his cowl, beginning to tug it off, "As soon as I said 'Dick tingle™' I knew it was a mistake," The speedster finished pulling his cowl off.

"WALLY?!" All the people of this reality exclaimed.

Nightwing and Kid Flash gawked at the portal, looking to each other with eyes blown wide. Before they could watch any more...the portal snapped shut.

just a quick note, i don't rlly say but everyone is in the viewing portal is in their hero costumes so yeah (only gonna be adding pics of the batkids love interests)

- kon

- jon

- roy

- kenan

- cissie

- wally

"What happened?" Jason asked Zatanna.

"My power's not infinite," Zatanna said, "I mean...I could try again?"

"No...no, that's okay," Tim denied, "We've seen...more than enough."

"So...I guess we can do a bit of a question and response where...we have questions and then the spell will reveal the answer through your memories. How does that sound?"

"Meh, honestly, that sounds meh," Tim huffed, "But alright."

Duke sucked in air sharply and suddenly, doubling over, hands to his eyes.

"Duke?" His siblings were surrounding him immediately, "Duke, what is it? Are you okay?"

"...I saw it," Duke breathed out, eyes wide. He looked to Tim, "I saw what he did."

"Duke-"

"The brutality, the darkness...Dick's the best of all of us-"

"Don't you dare judge him," Tim snarled.

"I'm not," Duke hissed, voice cracking, "My heart is breaking for him."

"Should...should we not continue?" Nightwing asked awkwardly.

"...Duke has seen what will come to pass," Cass said, "That means this comes to pass...we must continue."

"Okay...let's do this," Zatanna mustered up a faint smile...and her magic flared.