Red the Pokemon Master: The point of the Joker is that he has no origin.
kival737101: Dick and Barbara where different ages in canon, before reboots and such. Dick is 12 and Barbara is not in the harem, she is a teenager.
infinite neos: Someone who understands what they did to the family!
Here are a few reviews answered by Ghost:
Karlos1234ify: You'll have to wait and see.
ezellcoleton: As I have explained in other reviews: Grey and I have dozens of different stories on the go. It's difficult for us to update and edit stories when we're coming up with more stories and writing others.
Zx: Keep your eyes out.
Co-Writter: GhostKaiser23
Disclaimer: We do not own Batman
Author's Notes:
Yo everyone, here is a new chapter and I really hope you like this one!
Batman: A Different Path
Chapter 6: Darkness Grows
"Master Richard, would you like something to eat or drink?" Alfred asked kindly as Dick was still looking around the house.
"Oh...Oh yeah...Thanks Alfred." Dick spoke nodded. He followed the butler to the kitchen, having already found a room, where Ivy was having some green tea
"Oh Ms Isley, you should've let me make you tea." Alfred spoke
"It's alright Alfred. You don't have to do everything." Pamela smiled
"Oh, hello Richard." Ivy smiled as he sat down at the large, but not insanely large, dining table
"H... hello Ms Isley. W... where is Mr Wayne?" Dick asked a bit nervously
"He was needed at Wayne Enterprise, some board members where throwing a tantrum about some tech being held back in release because of safety reasons." Ivy lied instantly, feeling bad for lying to the child
"Oh." He nodded
"What would you like to drink Young Master Richard? And would you like anything to eat?" Alfred interrupted with a small smile
"C... can I have some milk? I'm kind of tired." Richard smiled sadly
"Of course." Alfred nodded with a grandfatherly smile as he poured a glass and passed it to Dick
"Thank you." The twelve year old orphan smiled sadly
"You are most welcome." Alfred nodded "Mad if you are tired I recommend I take you back to your room. A young man your age needs their sleep."
"Okay." Dick nodded, standing up with his drink "Miss Isley? C... can you thank Mister Wayne for me when he gets back in?"
"I will." Ivy nodded with a sad smile as the child left with Alfred 'I hope you are okay Bruce.' she thought
*time skip, in the BatCave*
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!" Bruce yelled in anger as he got out of the BatMobile. He had been searching for three hours only to discover that the Falcony family had gone into hiding and with their connections and money it would take him months to find them! He threw a few Batarangs deep into the cave in his anger before he sighed and sat at the BatComputer.
He had to find them
For Dick.
*Arkham Asylum*
Inside the Asylum, Harleen was currently having a cup of coffee in her office while reviewing her patient files. It was her next patient for the day. Finishing her drink she walked through Arkham, holding her clipboard against her chest "Okay, my last patient is...The Joker." Harleen read her clipboard. She smiled as she felt confident since she felt like she would be the one to cure the madness of the maddest man in Gotham, potentially world. As she entered the room where The Joker was, he was already lying on the patient's chair. The Joker was a thin, lanky man wearing the normal loose orange outfit of Markham inmates. He had pale white skin, wild emerald green hair and bright red lips pulled into a mad grin "Hello Joker. Are you ready for today's appointment?" She smiled
"Yes I am Harleen." he grinned "You know Harleen makes you sound so old... would you mind if I call you... Harley?"
*time skip*
Dick yawned as he walked downstairs the next morning, seeing Bruce and Pamela around the table "Morning..." He yawned as he rubbed his eyes
"Morning Richard." Pamela smiled
"Can you... call me Dick please? It sounds weird to be called my full name all the time." Dick asked nervously
"Sure. I'll commit it to memory." Pamela nodded
"How was that thing at your work?" Dick asked Bruce
"It's a work in progress, Dick." Bruce answered "But I'll resolve it soon. And don't try and make Alfred call you Dick. He still refuses to call me just Bruce and I've been trying since I was about eight."
"How right you are Sir." Alfred nodded kindly, filling Bruce's cup of coffee
"Have... have they caught him?" Dick asked nervously "The... the guy who killed my parents?"
"I... I'm sorry Dick. He's gone into hiding." Bruce sighed "They will find him but it could take months."
"Oh... okay." He said sadly
"Let's talk about something else. It's too heavy a subject for first thing in the morning. Did you sleep well Dick?" Pamela asked, trying to lighten the mood as she didn't want to see the boys upset before or during their breakfasts.
"Okay." She nodded
"What do you want to do today?" Pamela asked
"... I don't know." Dick frowned
"Well...How about we just stay in today? To get yourself acquainted." Bruce suggested
"Okay." He nodded with a small smile
"Now, which rooms have you seen?" Bruce asked
"Ah-ah. Not now Master Bruce. Young Master Richard needs his breakfast." Alfred interrupted
"You WHERE right." Dick muttered weakly, smiling softly
*with Barbara Gordon*
The red head was dressed in a large, loose grey shirt and blue shorts. She was on her laptop, typing away, doing an assignment for class but... her mind wasn't there. 'That night...Last night...I can't believe that still happened...' She thought as she just stared at the screen. The happiness she felt when she saved those girls, the adrenaline she felt when she was fighting, the pride she felt at winning and those faces of relief that those girls had when she saved them made her feel a sense of success she had never felt before. It felt... so natural. To help those people. To save them.
To be like Batman.
'Could I do it again? SHOULD I do it again?' Barbara thought. Looking at her costume at the side she was silent... and smiled. 'Yes. Yes I will.' she smiled, going to the internet. She needed equipment to do this properly and not die and she also needed to modify her suit a bit so she was less likely to be identified as the Batgirl 'I better do this right if I'm going doing this.' She thought as she examined the internet for her equipment. She bought ropes, grapple hooks and a few other things. She is smart. She could easily find the rest of the stuff she needed. But she also bought a new set of boots and gloves
Batgirl would fly again.
*Time skip, Wayne Enterprise*
"And so Mr Wayne, Victor has been working around the clock. Dedicated to say the least; but we're concerned for his health." A Human Resources agent spoke to Bruce.
"I'll have a word with him." Bruce nodded. He had this conversation before but this was the time he was sorting it out. Pamela was looking after Dick, showing him around the company. With a sigh he walked through the building, entering Victor's lab 'This has to stop, this is getting ridiculous.' Bruce thought as he saw the determined scientist
"Then this catalyst should stabilise the compound..." Victor muttered as he worked on a formula for MacGreggor's Syndrome
"Victor." Bruce said seriously, catching his attention
"Ah, Mr Wayne. I've synthesized a new catalyst for the cure. With some testing.-" Victor began to explain
"Victor, I'm here to talk about you not taking your breaks." Bruce answered "That has to stop."
"You want me to stop my experiments?!" Victor snapped
"I want you to stop working through your breaks. Human Resources are concerned for your wellbeing; and at this point I am to." Bruce answered "You can't just plough through your work without resting Victor. If this continues you WILL be removed from your experiments for a compulsory leave."
"But my work..."
"WILL be continued. That is why you have a TEAM. You are working yourself to death. You could make a mistake. Cause an accident. Please Victor. Calm down and have a break. Have something to eat and go to sleep for a while." Bruce interrupted
"I...Yes...Yes, you're right...If you'll excuse me...I've been up for a while." Victor nodded
"Good." Bruce nodded
"It's just...My determination and drive...I guess it was consuming me to save her." Victor added
"I understand." Bruce nodded
"I'll take a couple of days off. To collect my wits and thoughts." Victor spoke
"Good, you do that." Bruce sighed in relief, not just for Human Resources, but for Victor
He patted the man's armoured shoulder "Good luck."
"Thank you Mr Wayne." Victor nodded with a kind smile
*With Dick and Pamela*
"This place is amazing!" Dick smiled
"I know, even I haven't seen all the rooms yet." Pamela smiled
"Can... can I see your lab?" Dick asked
"Of course. Just be careful around it; okay?" Pamela nodded
"Okay." He nodded with a smile. As Pamela led Dick to her private lab, Dick was amazed to see the multitude of different flora. Each looked exotic to him and unique, intriguing his mind
"Wow." He muttered before he looked to the side and saw a bunch of red and green flowers "I've never seen flowers like these. What are they?" Dick asked kindly
"They are my own breed. I haven't named them yet." Ivy smiled
"Wow..." Dick smiled in amazement as he looked around the room with his hands in his pockets. Ivy nodded with a smile, putting her hand on his shoulder
*With Bruce*
"Lucious." Bruce nodded, shaking his old friends hand as they stood in his office
"Good to see you Bruce." Lucius spoke kindly
"How are the new projects coming?" Bruce asked as the two walked through a secret passageway
"Very well sir. We've made some breakthrough on the new materials and designs." Lucius spoke
"And how is project Batwing coming?" Bruce asked as they entered the subbasements level with the 'Wayne Tech BatCave'. Project Batwing was a high tech suit of armour to help Bruce against more powerful enemies
"It is still a few years off, sadly." Lucious sighed
"At least we're getting somewhere with it. How's your family?" Bruce asked kindly
"My son is fine. He is a year or so older than the young man you have taken in." He smiled
"And how's your daughter?" Bruce smiled "Tamara, was it?"
"She is doing great. She wants my job when she is older." Lucious laughed
"If she's as capable as you I might just hire her." Bruce chuckled
"I'll tell her you said that." Lucius laughed
Bruce nodded, looking around the cave for anything new "I see you have been busy." He noted
"It's been an inspiring few days." Lucius answered
"Weeks." Bruce agreed
"How is Ms Isley?" Lucius asked
"Amazing." Bruce smiled
"That's good to hear...And young Richard? How's he doing?" Lucius asked
"... better than I did." Bruce smiled "I... am planning on adopting him of that's what he wants."
"You're planning to adopt him? That's wonderful." Lucius's eyes widened
"You know I've always wanted a family." He nodded with a smile
"Well, I'll hold off the congratulations until it's been solidified." Lucius responded kindly
"It's his choice." Bruce nodded 'I wonder how he's doing?' Bruce thought
*with Dick and Pamela*
"So what're you working on now?" Dick asked kindly
"Currently I am helping Victor Freeze by growing plants which produce the right nutrients and chemicals for his cure for Migreger's syndrome." Pamela smiled
"Wow...You do so much." Dick spoke
"Thank you." She smiled "Is this sort of what you want to do when you're older?" Pamela asked
"No." Dick shook his head
"Well...What WOULD you like to do?" Pamela inquired
"... be a cop?" He shrugged
"Become a cop? That's great." Pamela smiled. Dick blushed but smiled
*At Arkham*
At the Asylum, Harleen was currently in session with one of her patients. She had an appointment with Pamela tomorrow and Mr Wayne asked to see her in two days. But her mind is still on her appointment's with the Joker 'Joker...What am I going to do?' She wondered 'He is so... free.' 'What can I do?' Harleen thought as she poured over her notes 'He is so nice and kind and he listens... he's just misunderstood... How can I get close to him without arousing the suspicion of the other staff members or the other patients.' She wanted to sigh but smiled and nodded "This has been a good session Mr Nigma, you may be able to be discharged in a two or three months if you keep up with this progress." She said with fake cheerfulness
"Thank you Ms Quinn. One question: when is a door, not a door?" Nigma spoke
"Mr Nigma..." Harleen warned him but then received a text "A door is not a door when it's ajar."
"Correct! You are much smarter than people say!" Nigma nodded with a smile, leaving
'Who thinks I'm stupid?' she frowned, reading her text. She saw it was a text from Mr Wayne, asking if she was still free in two days for lunch "Oh Mr Wayne." Harleen double blinked 'Yes I am. I have checked my schedule and I'm free that day.' she pushed her buttons and began to send the message. She didn't even have to wait ten seconds before she got a reply
'That's good. See you then. And you don't need to be so formal we me Harleen.' the text said
'That's fantastic. Until then.' Harleen thought and typed in "Mr Wayne" and changed it to "Bruce". And, unable to help herself, she added a smiley face before she sent the text. She expected Bruce to immediately respond, but ultimately he didn't. At least not yet. It got her a bit disappointed but at the same time her message sounded like he didn't NEED to reply. But she was blushing and confused as she looked at her phone 'What am I doing? I'm waiting for a boy to text me back like a highschool girl.' She thought 'Like I'm some high schooler waiting for the guy I have a crush on to give me hope.' That was when Bruce gave back a text which just read "Until then, smiley face." And then... she squealed and then covered her mouth 'Oh...I hope no-one heard that.' She thought and blushed
*With Bruce*
Bruce was smiling from the texts that he sent between himself and Harleen. 'Looks like I'm getting through to her. Hopefully I can stop her from going to The Joker before he hurts her.' Bruce thought. He had read through her file and wanted to keep her safe from that fate 'Now, to get back to work.' Bruce thought
*time skip, Wayne manor. A week later*
"Are you sure you want to go to this gala with us Dick?" Bruce asked, dressed in a nice suit and adjusting his bowtie "You don't have to if you don't want to."
"I want to; I think...it'd be good for me to get out of the house. And give Alfred some down time." Dick answered as he tried to put his own bow-tie on, although he was failing.
"Let me." Bruce chucked, kneeling down and sorting out Dick's bowtie
"Sorry, I'm not used to having a bow tie around my neck." Dick explained
"I know. I was the same." Bruce laughed
"How did you learn?" Dick asked
"Alfred. He taught me when I was your age." Bruce smiled. Dick gained a small smile at that "There." Bruce nodded as he finished tying the bowtie, patting it out "All good."
"Thank you, Bruce." Dick nodded
"Are we all ready?" Pamela's voice spoke from atop the staircase, she was dressed in a flowing dark green dress with a red rose corsage, her hair was in a bun and held together with chopstick hairpins.
"Whoa..." Dick gasped seeing Pamela gracefully walk down the stairs
"Indeed. You're glowing Pam." Bruce smiled
"Thank you Bruce. And Dick...You're just as handsome as Bruce here." Pamela smiled kindly
"Thank you." he blushed
"Are we ready to go?" Alfred spoke kindly and courteously
"I think so." Bruce smiled
"Excellent...Hmm." Alfred smiled then sighed contently
"What's the matter?" Dick asked
"Forgive me Master Richard. But to my eyes...You seem to be a family." Alfred spoke proudly
"A... family?" He asked in shock and confusion
"There's no need for that. I'm just stating an old man's dream." Alfred answered
"... Okay?" Dick tilted his head a bit
"Well then. Come along." Alfred spoke as he got the car ready.
Dick nodded, gulping, and followed. As the four entered the car; Dick was beginning to get a bit anxious. "What would these people say about me? What will they think of Bruce and Pamela? Will I mess up any meals?" Thoughts like this were swirling through his mind like a thousand miles a second.
"It will be okay." Pamela smiled
"Oh...Err...thank you. Sorry...It's just...I'm nervous." Dick admitted
"We know." Bruce nodded with a smile "It's fine."
"We've arrived, Master Bruce." Alfred spoke, pulling up to the gala they were attending
"Okay, come along Dick. Stay close." Bruce smiled
"Okay Bruce." Dick nodded
"Oh, thank you Alfred." Pamela smiled as said butler opened the car door.
"You are welcome Miss Isley." He nodded
As the three walked out to the gala, Dick felt overwhelmed seeing all these rich and important people. But as he walked side by side with Pamela and Bruce...he compared it to the circus 'It's just like performing in front of a crowd. And each crowd is just the same.' And he felt so comfortable. In the circus... he flew. And he knew his parents would catch him. And now...He knew that Bruce and Pamela would do the same now…. and that made him smile
"Mr Wayne, excellent to see you." a fellow socialite spoke approaching them
"Francis, good to see you." Bruce responded kindly
Dick was amazed at all the people walking around... before he noticed the girl with the socialite. She was about 16 wearing a sleek black dress that reached her knees, she had short red hair that reached her chin and cold, confident blue eyes 'Wow...She...She's cute.' Dick thought kindly with a small blush
"Don't stare Dick, I don't think you're Kate's type." Bruce chuckled as the man and his daughter walked away
"K-Kate? Her name's Kate? What do you mean "I'm not her type"?" Dick asked
"She likes girls." Bruce explained
"Ah...Oh..." Dick frowned
"Don't worry Dick, I'm sure there's a girl out there." Pamela reassured him
"Bruce." An older voice greeted with a grin, Commissioner Gordon greeted with his daughter Barbara by his side
'Hot-hot-hot-hot!' Dick thought upon seeing Barbara, blushing again
"Ah, Jim. Good to see you. And this must be Barbara, a pleasure to meet you." Bruce spoke kindly
"Mr Wayne." Barbara smiled
"How have you been Ms Isley?" Jim asked
"Very well Mr Gordon. Thank you." Pamela answered
"And hello, you must be Barbara. Your father never shuts up out you when he talks to Bruce." Pamela smiled at the red head, who was dressed in a silver/grey dress
"Yes, yes he does that. Nice to meet you Ms Isley." Barbara smiled
"H-Hi..." Dick gulped, gazing at the red-haired girl.
"Hey, didn't know you two had a kid?" She smiled
"Oh, in a sense. This is Dick." Pamela giggled
"H-Hi, D-Dick Grayson." Dick spoke almost fumbling over his words. But then he realised what Ivy said 'I-In a sense? Wh-What does she mean?' Dick thought
"Nice to meet you Dick." Barbara nodded with a smile "I'm Barbara."
"N-Nice to meet you too." Dick gulped. Bruce chuckled at Dick's nervousness
"Ah, this must be the young acrobat from Haley's Circus; how are you?" Jim spoke kindly
"I... am doing fine sir." Dick nodded nervously
"No need for this "Sir" business. Just call me Jim." Said Commissioner spoke kindly
"How have you been Jim?" Bruce asked
"I've been well; how have you been?" Jim responded
"Very good." Bruce smiled, wrapping an arm around Pamela's waist
"Oh...So you two got together? Congratulations." Barbara smiled
"Thank you." Pamela smiled
"Barbara sweetie, why don't you and Young Dick get something to eat, I'm afraid I might be rambling for a while." Jim spoke
"You're not that old dad, but thanks for the warning." Barbara rolled her eyes and smiled "Come on kid." She nodded to Dick, walking off
"D-Dick...My name's "Dick"." Said boy responded kindly but also in worry
"Yea yea." She chuckled
*Time skip*
Dick and Barbara were currently sitting to the side of the outskirts of the gala, currently eating some of the fancy but edible hors d'oeuvres. "Not bad, considering." Dick spoke after swallowing a mouthful of food
"Considering what?" Barbara asked
"I've tasted Alfred's cooking." Dick smiled
"Who's Alfred?" She asked
"He's the butler at Wayne Manor. He's a really great guy." Dick answered
"Ah." She nodded "What do you think of this gala? I bet it's different than what you're used to." Barbara asked
"VERY different. I'm a circus boy." He nodded
"Oh really? What was it like?" Barbara inquired
"... fun I guess." He shrugged
"But it was a home?" Barbara asked
"Yeah...yeah it was home." Dick nodded
*time skip*
It was the end of the gala; Bruce, Pamela and Dick were tuckered out from the conversing and the ending dance. "Enjoy the evening Master Bruce? Miss Pamela? Master Richard?" Alfred turned up at the front of the gala mansion
"It was very fun." Pamela nodded "I think Dick had quite the time with Barbara." she smiled. Dick huffed childishly in reply
"Come along Master Dick." Alfred smiled
"Okay." She nodded, following. As the four got into the limousine and drove off, Dick yawned as it was past his bed time.
"Tired?" Bruce smiled
"Yes...Yes I am..." Dick answered honestly dropping off
"Good night." Pamela smiled, running her fingers through Dick's hair
"N-Night..." Dick fell asleep on Pamela's lap
"He looks like you." Pamela pointed out with a small joking smile
"Blue eyes and black hair, does not make a Wayne." Bruce chuckled "But he IS a wonderful child."
Pamela raised an eyebrow at that "You mean you don't see him as a son?'
"No...I DO see him as a son. It doesn't matter to me if he had: Blue hair, green eyes, red hair, amber eyes...To me...Dick IS my son." Bruce clarified
"He hasn't even decided if he wanted to stay or not." She said, resting her head on his shoulder
"But I just had to say it." Bruce sighed happily. Pamela smiled and kissed him gently. As they arrived at the house, Pamela carefully picked up the young boy and was helped in escorting him to bed
"He's so light." Pamela commented quietly
"He's a gymnast." Bruce shrugged
"But you should try and carry him. He's so cute." Pamela smiled as they approached his bedroom. Bruce chuckled as Pamela placed him in bed "Good night...Our little boy." Pamela whispered to Dick and kissed his forehead
He bummed softly before be fell deep asleep "You're going to be a great mother Pamela." Bruce smiled kindly. She blushed softly, but smiled
*At the Gordon residence*
"Barbara, don't be too late. You've got school tomorrow." Jim spoke through his daughter's locked door
"Don't worry dad." Barbara answered, but she was currently getting dressed in her new costume. The Batgirl V2. Ready to start the crime fighting carrier 'Time to head out...And see what I can do.' She thought kindly. She gave her new form a quick look in the mirror, taking in the appearance happily. Barbara's face was covered in a dark blue, almost black, cowl with bat ears. Her red hair was flowing down her shoulders, she had a black cloak with a yellow interior clasped on her shoulders that appeared to be padded. Her dark blue costume costume was snug fitted for both freedom of movement and efficiency, she wore yellow gloves that looked like a gentleman's gloves connecting at the cuffs. Around her waist was a yellow pocketed belt with two pouches on the left and one large one on her right. Her feet were covered in yellow lace jackboots, that looked good for kicking a person in the stomach. Finally was the symbol that was on her chest: A yellow bat; signifying that she WAS Batgirl! 'I've got to admit: I pull this off quite well.' She smiled 'Time to go.' She thought as she opened the window "Night dad."
"Night, Barbara." Jim responded
Barbara smiled, and Batgirl jumped from the window into Gotham