So it seems people like the premise for this story. Awesome. Here's the next chapter.
I do not own Batman, DC or any related works.
Chapter 2: Vengeance, the Night, Batman
Bruce typed at the computer. The only thing that had his attention at this moment. He could not bring himself to look at the man strapped to the bed in the medical area.
He looked like his father, aged by 30 years. He sounded like his father now that he thought about how he said 'I'm Batman'.
But this man had guns. This man had knives. And this man had shot at him. He couldn't be Thomas Wayne.
The computer was running both a full genetic test and an aging program on an old photo of Thomas Wayne. He had to be sure.
"Sir." Alfred announced as he walked towards Bruce, a sombre look on his face.
Bruce turned in his chair. "What did you find Alfred?" He asked instead of a greeting.
Alfred sighed. "The ground penetrating radar shows both graves are occupied with no signs of disturbance." He said as Bruce turned back to the computer, his scowl growing deeper.
"Why would someone do this Alfred? Why would someone clone my father, put him in a batsuit and send him here. To torture me? To break me? To make me remember the pain? Why?" Alfred sighed in exasperation and placed a comforting hand on Bruce's shoulder.
"Are you sure that it is a clone?"
"The initial DNA test was a match. It has to be a clone." Bruce said as he typed.
"But you are still running the full analysis and the aging program." Alfred commented, looking at the screen.
Bruce stopped typing and lowered his head, the scowl lifting but sadness still present. "I have to be sure Alfred. I need to know."
"Are you sure you would want these answers."
"I need them." Bruce answered. Alfred nodded but did not leave, waiting with the man who had become his own son.
After a moment the results came and the hearts of Bruce and Alfred skipped a beat.
The genetic analysis was a 100% match with no discrepancies or mistakes in the DNA. It even matched with the extra thirty or so year's protein build-up in the cells which is caused by natural aging. The aging program for the photo of his father nearly matched as well, apart from the loss of his moustache and the greying of the hair.
Bruce just stared at the results. Scenarios were running through his mind on how this was possible. He had to know the answers.
Deciding on what to do he pulled up his cowl and opened a communications feed to the Watchtower. After a few second a black haired man with a curl to his fringe answered.
"Superman." Bruce greeted stoically.
"Batman. What can I do for you?" Superman replied, having become used to his friends mannerisms long ago.
"I need you to scan Gotham for interdimensional anomalies."
"Sure. Any reason why?" Superman answered with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm curious." Batman answered, the blank expression showing that he was in no mood for games.
"OK just give me a second." Typing could be heard from Superman's end and Batman leaned back, locking his fingers together and leaning his chin on them.
"OK I've got something." Superman said. Batman sat straight for the answer. "There is a faint dimensional disturbance in Gotham city, which shows the signs of someone crossing the dimensional boundaries. It's strange though because the dimensional frequency has no matches in the database."
"When and where?"
"Scans show the disturbance occurred roughly around two hours ago at, oh." Superman became slightly distressed. Bruce's eyes narrowed.
"Where Clark." He stressed.
"It originated in the opening of Park Row."
"Crime alley." Bruce finished.
"Yes."
"Send me all the data. I'll look over it myself."
"Of course but Bruce what's going on." Superman asked, worry present in his voice and on his face.
"It's nothing I can't handle Clark. Thank you for your help. I'll see you at the next league meeting." Batman signed off before Clark could probe further. A second later he got the data but he ignored it, choosing instead to move to the med bay, where their visitor was waking up.
Thomas stirred as consciousness returned to him.
Memories came back to him. He remembered grappling through Gotham, breaking into the batcave and fighting another Batman.
He thought it was a dream until he opened his eyes and saw that he was in the medical bay he had seen earlier. It wasn't a dream.
He tried to sit up but he found he couldn't. Looking down he found that he was strapped to the medical cot. He couldn't move his chest, arms or legs no matter how hard he tried.
"Those straps are designed to hold metahumans down. I'd advise against struggling unless you want to hurt yourself." Thomas looked forward as the other Batman came into view.
"We have also liberated you of your cowl, cape, gauntlets and belt." Thomas only noticed at moment that he was unmasked. He glared at the other Batman.
"Who the hell are you?" Thomas demanded.
"I'm Batman." Bruce answered calmly, no emotion registering on his face.
"No you're not! I'm Batman!"
"Not in this world." Thomas' face contorted in confusion and anger. What the hell is this imposter talking about?
"What the hell do you mean 'this world'?"
"You have somehow crossed the dimensional barrier into an alternate earth Thomas." Bruce explained. Thomas looked stared at him in disbelief.
"That's impossible. And how do you know my name?" Thomas asked when he realised that this Batman knew his name.
"What happened in Crime Alley that night?" Bruce asked, ignoring Thomas' own question.
"What?" Thomas reeled back from the question.
"Why did you become Batman?" Bruce asked, more malice in his voice as he moved forward further.
"I…"
"What made you fight the injustice of the world?" Bruce shouted as he now loomed over the foot of the medical cot.
"MY SON DIED!" Thomas shouted. Bruce reeled in shock at Thomas's revelation.
"Joe Chill came out of the shadows, tried to mug us and in the scuffle he shot my son. Bruce died in my arms. After that I became so angry that the system had allowed it to happen that I became the bat to punish those who did wrong, no matter the cost." Thomas fell back as the hurt came back.
He looked up again to see Batman had lowered his head. When he looked up he seemed to be contemplating something.
"In this world it was Thomas and Martha Wayne who were killed in Crime Alley. Their son made a promise to fight the forces that took his parents from him. To fight for justice, not vengeance. To never swerve from the path of righteousness. He trained and fought to become the symbol of Justice for so many in Gotham and the world." Thomas looked at the man, tears pricking his eyes as hope and fear developed in his heart.
"What did he become?" He asked, praying that he was correct.
Batman pulled his cowl off his head and Thomas saw the face he had dreamed of for so long. The hope that had refused to die in his enveloping him once again.
"He became Batman." Bruce said as tears fell from Thomas's and his own eyes.
"Bruce." Thomas croaked, his voice breaking. Bruce moved forward and undid the straps holding Thomas down.
Once free Thomas stood and framed Bruce's face with his hands. He was Bruce. He knew it. So he pulled his son forward into a bone-crushing hug and let out all the emotions that had been building in his heart since that day, along with the guilt he now felt at the actions he had undertaken in the name of a skewed form of justice. The people he had killed because of his grief.
He felt a wetness on his shoulder and realised that Bruce was crying too. How could he not be? His father was here and alive.
After a few moments they pulled apart and Thomas felt exhausted. He had no energy and wavered on his feet, Bruce holding him steady.
"Let's get you a room. You look like you need the rest. And a shower." Bruce said, holding Thomas by his arm.
"Yeah, I'd like that." Thomas said, all resistance lost.
"We'll show you to a guest room. I've kinda moved into the master bedroom." They began walking out of the medical bay.
"I'd be surprised if you didn't. Hold on 'we'?" Thomas asked.
"Master Thomas." Thomas's head shot up at the voice of the man who had served him so long ago and had abandoned him when his rage spread to the punishment of others.
"It is good to see you again." Alfred said, a smile on his face and tears in his eyes.
To be continued….
A/N Lot of family drama in this one. And it's not gonna let up anytime soon so I'd strap up, it is going to be a doosey. The whole pre-52 batfamily will meet Thomas and some others. That is what this story will be about, not action and adventure. If you want that go somewhere else. If not then I hope you enjoy this. Thomas' willingness to kill and his alcoholism will come up, along with Martha. I haven't forgotten about them.
Again comments are more than welcome.