Disclaimer: Not mine

So, no opinions on Sora taking up the vigilante lifestyle?

Trying to pick a new name for Tim to use, kind of considered phoenix since he's kind of gone through a rebirth with his near death and discovery of magic and Keyblade.

Chapter 5

Bruce stared at his son, mind reeling. "Dick? What's happened?"

Dick shifted but then motioned to the Batcomputer. "You should sit B."

"Dick," he growled.

"Please Bruce," Dick asked, eyes dark.

Bruce sat, looking at his son in the Robin suit, there were some changes to it from what he remembered Tim wearing but not large ones. "Where's Tim?" He would have expected Tim to have come to the Watchtower and now no sign of him in the Cave? He glanced at the workbenches and Tim's…was empty.

The sound of a motor had him looking to the entrance, watching a bike approach, and then Jason was there, staring at him with wide eyes. "Jaylad," he whispered.

"B?" Jason glanced at Dick who nodded. "How…he was right, Timmy was right."

Bruce stood and approached Jason; would he allow a hug? He'd barely touched his son since his return outside of a fight…but for once Jason initiated it, reaching for him. They embraced, Bruce holding on tightly.

"You're really back," Jason murmured.

"It's good to see you Jason," Bruce told him.

Jason then looked at Dick again. "Does he know?" and Dick shook his head.

"Know what? Where's Tim? Why is Damian, Robin?" he asked.

"I messed up Bruce," Dick was staring at the ground. "I…I didn't believe Tim when he came to me saying you were alive. I thought it was just grief, he'd been through so much in a short time. He pulled away from everyone and we argued a lot. I gave Robin to Damian but didn't get the chance tell Tim before he saw Damian in the suit. When Alfred went up to speak to Tim…he was gone."

"Tell the truth Dick, it wasn't just arguments, it was you coddling the brat even when he was poisoning Tim."

"What?" Bruce stated between the three. He'd had suspicions on Tim's 'fall' in the cave but there'd been no footage and Tim had been concussed. There just hadn't been time to investigate and start working on Damian before he 'died'.

"Oh yeah, no matter what that monster did, Dick told Tim to suck it up since he was older. Reality check Dick, Tim's a kid too. He's way too violent on the streets too, he's trashing Robin's reputation. Is it any surprise Tim left? And yeah, I know I hurt him too, I'm not proud of what I did and I know I owe Tim a lot of apologies," Jason snapped at Dick. "We know Tim ended up in Europe and then Babs got a file from him, it was on a timer, if he didn't input a code at a certain time it would send. Someone managed to put a pause on that…so she didn't get it till two weeks after he vanished. Last sighting was in Iraq and the file was everything needed to find you."

Bruce collapsed back into the chair. Tim…Tim was missing?

"It gets worse," a familiar voice called, and he smiled as Barbara wheeled into sight. She smiled back and hugged him.

"Worse how?" he asked, dread building.

"There's evidence Tim was being hunted by the League of Assassin's. I'm pretty sure they're who delayed the data delivery."

No…Ra's had always had some interest in his Robin's…and he knew Tim would definitely be of interest to him. His mind, ability to shut down his emotions to do what was needed…but Tim would not kill.

"Any evidence they have him?" he asked in dread, and Barbara shook her head.

"But Bruce…there's no sign of him anywhere. I've left messages for just proof he's alive if he doesn't want to talk, no answer. Kon-El can't track him either."

No…not another son… he looked over at Dick, seeing the guilt and grief in his eyes.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim slumped in the chair, unable to help feeling bad. They had a long trip ahead of them, apparently the only reason he had survived was because they had a kind of stasis pod on board that he'd been placed in. They each had a bag on board plus supplies for the journey and training.

Riku had remained behind, arguing loudly with the Master, Yen Sid. He'd signalled Sora to get Tim out and leave, and Tim felt bad leaving him behind, for being the cause of the argument. Sora had promised that the old man wouldn't do anything bad to Riku and Riku would walk out eventually. He couldn't help feeling bad though for running out on the argument since it was over him.

"Hey," Sora called, and Tim turned to look at him. "Stop worrying about it, Riku will be fine. Master Yen Sid won't do anything, just grouch. We, as lowly wielders, get to avoid all that Masterly argument." Sora flashed him a grin.

"Right," Tim nodded.

"So…where are we going and what are we going to do once in your World?"

"Well, I've been gone for a while, so hopefully they've used my evidence to get B back. So…I guess we start with Gotham. As much as I want to go home, the Manor hasn't really been home since Damian showed up. So, we'll need to find a place to live and train."

"Okay, you're the one with the local knowledge. What about your family, do you want to tell them you're back?"

"Not till I'm ready," Tim answered. He wanted to get the lay of the land first, see if B was back, what had changed in his absence from the city while he searched. "I need to work on a new suit too, maybe a new name."

"How does that work?" Sora asked, spinning his seat to face him since there were no Heartless around.

Tim settled in his own seat and began explaining about legacy identities and making your own. He hadn't been ready when Dick ripped Robin from him but he wasn't that kid anymore, he was ready now.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora stretched on the bunk and sat up, glancing down to see Tim fast asleep. He looked more his proper age when asleep, though he'd become less stressed looking while in Radiant Garden. But that stress had been coming back since they'd started preparing to bring him home. But Tim insisted he really did want to go home, and Sora guessed he was worried about his dad and if he'd been found.

If he had a chance to see his dad again…he'd take it. So, he could understand why Tim wanted to go home. If it was having a bad impact then they'd have to talk about it again, he was not risking Tim to Darkness. Yes, Tim could likely handle it like Riku did but that was a lot of torture he didn't need to go through. Sora knew he had Darkness too, anti and rage form proved that, but he couldn't use it, he didn't really have control of those forms. He'd been able to keep from going after allies but that was it. Could he learn to control it? Maybe, but he honestly wasn't interested in doing so. But if Tim did start, he knew enough to either help him stay fully in the Light or keep from being overwhelmed.

Sora rolled off his bunk and slipped out to the tiny food area to prep breakfast. He was looking forward to seeing a new World, and such a massive one at that. They hadn't really seen much last time since they were busy rushing to find Tim and then save him and that lady he was with.

"Morning," he called, grinning when Tim stumbled in, hair a mess, eyes mostly closed.

"Mmmm," Tim flopped down, head hitting the small table, and Sora bit back a laugh.

Sora put the mug down and wrapped Tim's fingers around the handle. "One coffee, don't burn yourself," he warned before going back to cooking.

"Thanks," Tim eventually murmured.

Sora set the plates down, seeing he looked awake now. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah, those bunks are a lot more comfortable than they look."

"Pretty sure it's magic," Sora admitted. "We'll reach your World today, should be at your planet in another two days."

Tim nodded absently, obviously a mix of worried, nervous, and excited. Sora hoped his homecoming was everything Tim wanted.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Damian sat on his bed, arms crossed, angry. Father had returned but all he cared about was that idiot, Drake. Who cared if that interloper had died in the desert? He'd done them all a favour in leaving. Yes, he had located Father, but anyone could have done that. He wasn't needed anymore, they had Damian now. Anything Drake could do; he could do better. Father would realise that soon enough, he now had the superior Robin to work with once cleared to take back the Cowl. Richard had been adequate but Father was of course far better.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim took in a deep breath, Gotham…no matter what it was home. A hand rested on his shoulder and he smiled at Sora. He then led Sora off the rooftop before they could be spotted by anyone, keeping away from the cameras. They went to a hotel off the beaten track and Tim paid using an id that none of the bats knew about, getting a single room with two beds.

"Okay?" Sora asked as they settled in.

Tim nodded. "Ask me again tomorrow but right now…it feels good being back in Gotham."

"Kind of stinks to me," Sora wrinkled his nose, and Tim laughed only to spin as something hit the window.

He stared in shock, that…that wasn't possible. He was dead, they were dead. But…

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kon shot upright in bed, blinking. What…something…he focused, finding his family, Bart, Cassie, automatically trying to find Tim despite knowing… his jaw dropped as the sound of a familiar body filled his senses. He focused and heard…he knew that voice. He didn't hesitate to rush from bed and take to the air, flying right for Gotham, heart racing in anticipation and fear. What…what if it wasn't him. The League of Assassins apparently had cloning tech and they'd been after him…

"Okay?" a stranger's voice spoke up near where he could hear 'Tim'.

"Ask me again tomorrow but right now…it feels good being back in Gotham."

"Kind of stinks to me," the stranger answered as Kon dropped from the sky to hover in front of a hotel room, staring inside.

He accidentally tapped against the brick and they both moved to look out the window. It looked like Tim, his hair a bit longer, skin a bit paler like he'd been indoors a lot but… he pressed a hand to the glass.

"Tim? Good guy or bad guy?" the stranger asked, fingers of one hand curling strangely.

"He…you see him?" Tim asked shakily.

"Yeah, bare chested, loose pants, black hair, can't tell eye colour."

Tim staggered back and the stranger caught him, shifting protectively to be between them. "Kon?" Tim whispered, and Kon nodded, pressing his other hand to the glass. Tim pressed a hand to his mouth, choking back a sob, and Kon reached out with hi TTK to find the latches, the window moving up and he landed on the carpet.

"It's me Tim, I'm alive…you're alive. When Bart and I got back…no one knew where you were, they're starting to say you're dead, especially since I couldn't find you," he whispered.

"Kon?" and then Tim was rushing across the room, Kon catching him easily, wrapping him up tight, TTK running over his body to make sure he really was okay. "You're really here," he whispered.

"I'm here, you're here," Kon choked. He glanced up to see the stranger had moved to the further bed, his back to them, giving privacy.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora moved away to leave them to their reunion. He knew what it was like to believe a friend was dead…it was obvious that Kon was Tim's version of Riku if Tim was Sora. He'd spent so long on his journeys looking for Riku and Kairi, not knowing if he'd ever see them again, so he knew how emotional the reunions were.

And the guy could fly! No magic involved that Sora could sense and he was pretty good at sensing magic these days. There wasn't a lot of magic in this World, not the levels he was used to. This world had levels that seemed to fluctuate or something which was weird, magic users moving about?

He purposely didn't listen in to what they were saying.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim curled into Kon, feeling the familiar sensation of his TTK running over his body. He hadn't realised how much he missed that. He clung to Kon, soaking up the warmth of his living, breathing body, so different to the last time he'd seen him.

"You're alive," Kon murmured, a hand running through his hair, and it felt nice, familiar.

"I didn't die," Tim assured him. "It was…it was way too close. If Sora and Riku had been even a minute later in finding me…" he felt Kon shudder, his grip tightening. "I'm okay now, they got me medical help, my spleen isn't exactly original, but the rest is healed. I need to avoid spinal hits for a while to be extra safe though."

"Tim…" Kon pulled back to look at him, Tim knew he was checking him out internally. He winced as he did. "Your spine…"

"Is fine, it only chipped the bone, didn't get the spinal cord. I uh…got impaled on a sword. Destroyed my spleen and damaged the stomach and liver while nicking my spine. Sora's people…well some he knows…they have tech that can make a new organ, it's called Replica, I think it's similar to cloning. So, they made me a new spleen, cleaned up the abdominal cavity before sepsis could set in, stitched up my stomach and stopped the liver bleeding…I had to be paralysed for a while to let my spine heal but I'm okay now Kon," Tim was practically babbling as he tried to explain that he really was okay now.

"A new spleen?" Kon stared in shock, and Tim nodded. Kon hesitantly put his hand over the area and Tim sighed but reached down and pulled his shirt up.

"You can barely see the scar but I know you can feel it," Tim told him, Kon had the sensitivity to detect a lot after all. Even, Ienzo and their teacher had done an excellent job. They'd not only saved his life, ensured he could still walk, but they had also done such a good stitching job that it wasn't noticeable to the naked human eye.

Kon pressed his hand along his back, finding the corresponding scar there. "I'm sorry…if I'd been here…"

"I couldn't scream Kon, could barely breath when it happened, I couldn't have called for you."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"But I would have heard you were in trouble," he argued. He would have flown to his side immediately, carried him to help, called the Watchtower… but would that have been quick enough? By the sounds of it, he'd been barely alive when found, then again, he might have gotten to Tim quicker than them. But…he was pretty sure they couldn't replace a spleen so maybe they had better medical tech.

Kon sighed and leant his head against Tim's. "Is that Sora?" he asked, since that was the name Tim had mentioned the most, and Tim nodded. "Alien?" that was all he could think of for them to have been able to help Tim.

"Complicated?" Tim offered, and Kon frowned. Tim stepped back, and only years of knowing him let Kon see he was nervous.

"Tim?" Had they done something to him? But then Tim wouldn't be with him and they would have tried to keep Kon away, right?

Tim frowned and then his eyes widened slightly. "No, Kon. I'm okay, it's nothing bad. No need to call in the calvary," he promised, not much of a code but it was one of the ones they'd come up with in Young Justice. "Promise. They were really good to me, free health care, food, clothes, anything I needed. And Sora brought me home as soon as it was possible. They're good people, friends."

Kon stared at him, searching for any sign of a lie but he couldn't find anything. "So, complicated?"

"Sora?"

The stranger turned and Kon took the time to look him over, bright blue eyes, lightly tanned skin, dark brown hair that was really spikey. He looked about Tim's age and height, slight build but there was muscle there. A brief look showed what looked like normal human biology.

"Hi, nice to meet you," he offered his hand, and Kon took it, unable to help some wariness. "Tim said you're his best friend?"

"Since we were kids," it was true enough. He'd been almost a newborn technically even if Tim had been a young teen.

That got him a happy grin from Sora who flopped down to sit on the bed. "So, you've got questions?"

"Yeah," he agreed, keeping a hand on Tim.

Sora looked at Tim questioningly and Tim nodded. "Okay, fire away."

"So what species are you?"

"Kon," Tim hissed, jamming his elbow into his side, not like it would hurt him. And yeah, okay, maybe that was a bit blunt.

"Human," Sora answered, crossing his legs. "I suppose you could say human plus?" he chewed at his lip. "But this isn't my World. It's a really long story though, got time?"

"To find out what happened to my best friend? Definitely."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"Hey Ma," Clark greeted as he answered the phone. He filled his coffee mug as Lois finished packing Jon's lunch.

"Hey sweetie. Is Kon with you?"

Clark frowned. "No, isn't he staying with you while he decides what he wants to do?" he focused his hearing and sure enough, Kon was not on the farm.

"Yes, but his room is empty and there's no clothing gone except what he wore to bed. He's not even wearing shoes. There's no note, nothing," she explained, voice tense.

That was concerning. Kon always left a note if he left in the night which he did if he was having trouble sleeping or nightmares. He was always worried about disturbing them or accidentally hurting them if they tried to wake him.

"Let me see," he told her. He closed his eyes to focus his hearing, searching for Kon…Gotham? And then he froze as he heard another voice. Was it really…Tim?! "He sounds alright, I've got to go Ma."

"Tell him to call, please."

"Of course." He hung up, torn over whether to call or just go.

"Clark?" Lois asked in confusion.

"Kon's in Gotham," he answered.

"Why?" she asked.

"He doesn't like Gotham anymore," Jon chimed in.

Clark covered Jon's ears, making him pout. A human couldn't block his hearing doing that, but he could. "He's with someone…it sounds like Tim," he admitted, and her eyes went wide. "But they aren't at the manor."

"Tim's alive?" she asked, looking relieved. Lois had always been fond of Tim after all.

"There's someone else there too, I can't make out what they're talking about though. Must be using a noise generator or something." Not surprising since Tim valued his privacy…if it really was Tim. No one, not even Kon, had been able to find Tim since he vanished. So was it really Tim and even if it was…brainwashing, mind control…Kon should have told someone to be safe.

"Tim might have a good reason to not be at the manor," Lois warned.

Given how things had been when he left Gotham, that was true, but Bruce had been grieving his son. What should he do?

TBC…