Alternate: Chapter 1

A/N: I got this idea from my amazing friend SMBG57. He said the fanfics I read are too fluffy and would never happen, so I told him to think of it as an AU. He said it'd be cool if they met, so inspiration flowed from that, and here we are. It'd be easier to think of it as comic versions meeting fanfic versions.

I'd like to thank Total Batman Obsession (You are such an amazing author and friend. Your stories are awesome), SMBG57, E.J.H., and my family for all the support and encouragement. R&R

Disclaimer: All characters mentioned belong to DC Comics.


Dick's POV

My head was throbbing; nothing too surprising in my line of work. What concerned me was not remembering why. Opening my eyes, the sight of my mentor and three brothers knocked out beside me filled my bleary vision.

As I attempted to sit up, a wave of nausea flooded my system. I ignored it and crawled over to the nearest body, rolling the smaller figure over. Tim released a pained moan and looked up at me.

"What happened?" he softly asked.

"I don't know, but I plan to find out." I replied with determination drawn across my face.

I moved over to Bruce as Tim sat up and Jason stirred. I reached out to Bruce, but was instead pushed aside as he jolted up. Looking around groggily, he rose to his feet in slow movements. Jason muttered under his breath before looking over to me and scowling.

"Why am I here? I thought I made it clear I wasn't coming to family reunions anymore... or did you miss me that badly?" He smirked before rubbing the back of his head with a grimace.

"Tt. Last I remember, you weren't invited. Why are you here, Todd?" Damian spat out, causing us to look over at him.

Jason opened his mouth, ready to respond. Bruce grunted, drawing our attention to him. He was looking out across the city from the edge of the rooftop we were all on.


Bruce's POV

It's quiet; too quiet for Gotham. Something happened and I have to find out what it was.

Pressing a button on my utility belt, I sent a silent signal to the Batmobile only to find the signal non-responsive. My frown deepened at this reaction, grunting in dissatisfaction. Something is definitely wrong.

Calling the Batcave, I waited for Alfred to pick up. The line dropped before I got an answer.

After attempting to call the manor and signal the Batwing and Batcycle to no avail, I drew my already contorted features into a tighter scowl.

The streets were empty and silent against the cloudy sky. The only sounds the city made were the vague ticks from the clock tower and the eerie, howling Gotham wind.

Dick walked over to me, Tim not far behind.


Dick's POV

"So... what now?" I whispered as I appeared at his side.

"First, we go back to the Batcave. Then, we figure out what happened and why we're experiencing amnesia toward the event, then we find out who did this and what we're up against." he replied gruffly.

I nodded as he grappled down to the street. I rolled my eyes at his lack of warning, but quickly followed after signaling to the others. They landed beside me as my feet hit the ground.

Bruce walked into the alleyway leading to the Batcave tunnel. Pressing a button on the side, his frown deepened as the entrance refused to open for him. He pulled open a panel, clipped some wires, and typed in an override code. The entrance slid open. Thus starts the long walk ahead of us.


Jason's POV

I dragged my feet and sauntered with a slouch, walking lazily behind them with my hands deep in my pockets. I wasn't entirely amused with this setup. I thought I was done with this sick excuse for a family. I actually used to think I had a place amongst them... That I belonged with them somehow, but I was through with telling myself those lies. I would never be like them. I never could've been in the first place.


Tim's POV

We finally got to the end of the seemingly endless tunnel. I didn't realize the distance until we had to walk it. I have a newfound appreciation for the Batmobile's speed.

We entered the large, familiar cave only to see something no one was expecting. Someone, to be precise. Batman. Not the Batman standing a few feet away, but a Batman sitting at the Batcomputer.

I felt my brows draw together in confusion and caution. I looked back up and saw Bruce take a step forward, his chest rising in a deep breath and holding its place in an intimidating pose, a mannerism I recognized as his battle stance. A scowl formed on his face, teeth clenching and nostrils flaring. I noticed his gloved hands tighten into fists; I'm sure they were turning white with pressure.

As if sensing our presence, the other Batman rose from his chair and faced us quickly, mirroring the scowl Bruce wore.

He stomped over to us and Bruce waited, standing his ground.

"Who are you and how did you get in here?" The stranger growled.

"I could ask the same of you."

They had the same voice and same expression. It's kind of creepy.

They paused, analyzing each other and drawing their faces into a deeper glare.

"If this is what we're probably both assuming, we would only find out by taking a-"

"Blood test."

They both nodded curtly. They drew their blood and placed a drop of each on a slate, sliding them into the computer.

"Computer, analyze these samples for a match. Don't identify results unless it's positive."

Sure enough, the samples matched, both reading Bruce Wayne. Both pulled off their cowls, revealing identical Bruces. Everyone let their guards down (Not completely. Never completely in this family), but I had only one thing on my mind. Why are there two of them?

The familiar sound of the entrance opening pulled me out of deep thought and echoed through the Batcave. An overly energetic Dick came running down the stairs, blind with energy.

"Hey! Hey Bruce! I was wondering about th- woah!"
Dick's mouth hung open in shock as he got to the bottom and caught sight of us. He stood there for a while, just staring, before running up to Nightwing and yanking off his mask. Nightwing couldn't react before his blue eyes were exposed and wide with shock. Dick giggled and launched himself toward Nightwing, tackling him in a hug

"Awesome! This is so cool!"

"Um... hi?"

Dick came up to me next, strangling me in a hug before I could process his movement.
"There's another me, another Bruce, another Timmy," He released my tense form and called out to Jason, "and another Jay! Come give me a hug, Little Wing! "

Jason only narrowed his eyes and jutted his jaw out, brows knitting together in what looked like hatred. His arms crossed over his chest and he stood to his full height. He obviously wasn't planning on moving from his position any time soon.

Dick must have seen it too, because he bounded over with arms stretched out like branches. Jason growled and moved out of the way at the last second. Dick slammed into the wall Jason was leaning on prior to the hugging spree.

He rubbed his shoulder as he moaned and pouted, resembling a wounded puppy. Jason just turned his head in superiority and huffed with what one might call pride.

This apparently didn't stop Dick because he launched himself onto Jason, who was visibly surprised at the persistence and sudden contact. He tried to pry himself free, but seemed to be having difficulties. He let out an annoyed grumble and was released.

The ball of energy looked over, noticing a very sour-faced Damian for the fist time. A gleam in his eyes could be seen from the right angle, which I happened to be standing in. An enormous toothy smile crept onto his face, consuming the majority of his cheeks and turning it into a wide grin.

"Dami!" He greeted cheerily.

Damian drew his swords.

"If you come near me Grayson, the only thing you'll be embracing is your own mangled body, in an attempt to ease the wounds I'll inflict." He hissed.

"Aww Dami, don't be like that. It took so long for you to open up to me the first time!" A mock pout formed dramatically.

Damian continued to glare with fire in his eyes. Regardless, Dick walked up to him and the brat took a swing at him with one Katana. Dick gracefully avoided the blow, knocked the sword from Damian's hands with an elegant kick, and grabbed the other sword from his hand, tossing it gently to the side.

Damian threw an easily dodged punch. Dick avoided several attacks before picking up Damian and forcing him into a hug. Growling and useless squirming was all Damian did to respond.

Dick released him after a while, and Damian managed to get a kick in before running off toward Bruce.
Dick held his shin for a while, but recovered quickly.

I looked over to Nightwing, sans mask, and saw pure shock written all over his features. I sighed and shook my head.

Whatever was going on probably wasn't going to get any more normal. In fact, something told me it was going to get more and more insane.

Meanwhile, the Bruces were discussing multidimensional travel. Picking up on the conversation, I decided to join in and share my intellect.


Dick yawned loudly, reminding me of a bear. We all turned to him, then to the clock.

1:30 AM

"I think it would be best to get some sleep. It's been a long day for you. We'll figure this out tomorrow. You can take our rooms and we'll use the guest rooms. I'm sure you'd feel more comfortable in rooms you're familiar with." Bruce supplied rather politely for a Dark Knight. I couldn't help but be thrown off by it.

Batman nodded and grunted in a low voice; the expected reply of the Dark Knight I know.

The seven of us ascended from the Batcave and trudged up the stairs.

"The boys already went to bed, so Tim, Jason, and Damian, you'll have to take the guest rooms on the west wing. I'll have you switch tomorrow night.

"Dick, grab them some clothes. We'll be in the east wing guest rooms if you need anything. I'm sure you know where Alfred is." The Bruce of this dimension informed us.

"Thank you." I said when Bruce only nodded.

"Don't mention it," He replied with a small smile. Okay, this isn't going to get normal anytime soon.

We reached the top of the stairs; Bruce and Dick went to their rooms as the rest of us followed the other Bruce to the guest rooms. He gestured to eight doors down the hallway and informed us that Dick would be coming soon with a change of clothes for each of us.

"No need for clothes. I prefer my boxers, anyway." Jason barely managed to say through a yawn.

He shuffled heavily, feet dragging, into the closest room and shut the door behind him. I could hear the click of a lock and figured we wouldn't see him until tomorrow afternoon.

Damian haughtily stomped into the room across from him (he gets even more bratty and cranky with lack of sleep), leaving me with the room next to his. I quietly walked toward it, turning the knob and slipping in, but popped my head back out to look at Bruce.

"Good night," I called.

"Good night, son." He called back with a smile. Nope. I'm definitely not going to get used to this.

I closed the door quietly and pulled down my cowl. After taking off my utility belt, cape, boots, and gloves, I sat heavily onto the bed, not realizing how tired I was until I noticed how soft it felt. I flopped back onto the cloud-like mattress, releasing a hearty sigh.

A knock on the door interrupted my plans on sleeping. I sat up with a deep sigh before rising to my feet and heading to the door. A wide grin and bright blue eyes greeted me cheerily as I opened it.

"Here ya go!" Dick said as he shoved a bundle of fabric into my arms. I instinctively held onto it. Looking down at it, I began to sort the tangled bulge. Holding the shoulder area up, the rest of it unfurled, revealing none other than Alfred's nightgown.

I paused. A long pause. Just staring at it. I blinked and looked up at him with what I'm sure was a well blended mixture of shock, confusion, and horror.

My eyes searched his for an answer, but they averted from my gaze. His hand rose to the back of his neck nervously. His foot rubbed into the familiar mahogany carpet, eyes trailing to his feet, and gave an uncomfortable chuckle.

"Ah... well, you see... Timmy's a lot younger than you are. You wouldn't fit into his things. My clothes would be too big for you and Jay's bigger than I am. I thought Alfred would be a closer match..." he stumbled over his words, sounding almost guilty.

I sighed and held the gown up to my frame. Sure enough, it seemed it would fit pretty well. Now what was I supposed to do with this almost disheartening information? I'm the same size as Alfred... Just shorter.

Too tired for disagreements, I decided consenting would be easier.

"I'll take it. Thanks Dick. Good night."

"Good night, Timmy." He said with a warm smile.

I closed the door, changed, pulled the covers over my Alfred-clad form, and drifted off.