Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 7

Tim slumped in his Dad's embrace, clinging to the gear he was wearing. He was home…he had enjoyed his time in Radiant Garden but Gotham would always be his home. "Missed you so much," he whispered again, inhaling the familiar scent. His senses had increased with the growth of his magic, Sora and Riku said it was normal, that his strength and speed would increase over time too. He'd basically end up at the peak of what his body was capable of.

"We thought you were dead," Bruce murmured, gloved hand stroking through his hair.

Tim shivered, pressing closer, he needed his Dad so much.

"I've got you, you're safe Sweetheart," Bruce promised.

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Bruce quickly assured Tim that he was safe and loved, feeling him shiver despite it not being cold. Was he still suffering from his wounds? He'd said he was doing rehab which suggested he was healed and just needed to rebuild strength and stamina. He'd been moving fluidly enough that Bruce didn't think there was any lasting nerve damage or anything from the spinal hit, not like Babs.

"Let's go home," he offered, and Tim stiffened, pulling back, not meeting his eyes. "Tim?" he asked, alarmed.

"I can't, B, please."

"Damian," it clicked why Tim would react like that. He knew there was still the chance that Tim's mind had been manipulated but surely being with them would be safest to deal with that. J'onn or M'gann could check if necessary but surely if something had been done to him, one of the family would notice.

"B, I…I'm emancipated," Tim admitted softly. "I'll be eighteen soon too. I'm sorry but I can't live in the Manor, not after everything that happened there. It's not just Damian either. Dick…he turned the Justice League against me, everyone listened to him when he said I was unstable. If he hadn't done that, maybe I wouldn't have nearly died because I would have had backup since I was trying to get you back. And Alfred just stood back and never did anything. I was being poisoned, attacked, Dick always sided with Damian and Alfred never took sides sure, but he never spoke up for me." Tim took a shuddering breath and Bruce closed his eyes.

He had never thought his death would tear his family apart the way it had but without Damian's vendetta against Tim, would things have gotten as bad? Jason had told him what he'd done to Tim but he doubted Tim held it against him since Jason had been struggling with his anger and grief. Tim had forgiven him everything that had happened before after all. But he had never fought with Dick before, he'd been Dick's little duckling. The thought that Dick may have destroyed that…

"Damian is in therapy and I'm looking into other methods of helping him adjust to the real world," he explained and that got a small chuckle from Tim. "If you don't feel safe at home then we'll find somewhere else."

"I've got a place; I bought it before you…left. Built my own base under it which is almost done since they kept working while I was away. The building on top still needs work."

"In Gotham?" he asked to be sure, and Tim smiled.

"Of course, Gotham is my home. I might leave now and then but I'll always come home." That…that sounded pure Tim. "And you're still considering if someone messed with my head, even if I'm physically me," he murmured, leaning against the wall. "There's no way for me to prove they haven't without letting a telepath into my head."

Bruce nodded, he felt bad but that would be what an altered person would want. If he felt guilty then maybe he'd just accept they were themselves. Tim watched him and then sighed, letting his head thunk against the bricks.

"M'gann," Tim said, and Bruce frowned slightly. "Go on, call her."

That was easy but Tim had always been the most like him and if Tim had been turned into a sleeper of some kind, then it would mean his normal personality was in charge most or all of the time, waiting for something his handlers wanted done. And Tim would want to know if he was a danger to his family and friends so of course he would agree but insist on choosing who dug around in his head.

Bruce made the call, telling her it was time sensitive. They stayed in silence until she joined them.

"Tim?" she gasped, and he smiled tiredly at her.

"It's Gotham, what do you expect?" he asked, confusing Bruce, but M'gann smiled. Recognition code then, that was good. "Bruce wants confirmation my mind is my own."

She nodded and stepped closer, their eyes locking. Bruce waited silently, heart in his throat. If Tim had been changed…they could help him, undo it… then Tim blinked and laughed, shaking his head, even as her hands moved to her hips.

"You do!" She stated, and Tim shrugged slightly.

"Maybe…but right now isn't the best time."

"I suppose," she agreed, before turning to him. "It's him and I can't find any sign of mental tampering. And I won't tell anyone till you're ready," she told Tim. She moved in for a hug and Tim hugged her tightly. "I'm so glad you're not dead." And then she left them alone.

"Tim…"

"It's fine B, I get it and probably would have done the same." Tim's smile was soft, understanding. "Better to be safe than sorry and any of his turned could do a lot of damage."

Bruce nodded, relieved that Tim understood, that he hadn't damaged things between them. "So, your new place, it will be safe?"

"Best security I can get. I might not have Wayne level money but I'm still a millionaire in my own right."

Bruce closed the distance between them, placing his hands on Tim's shoulders. "You are my son Tim, you are a Wayne, even if you are emancipated." He frowned, "that didn't come up when I looked into your disappearance."

"Put it through when I arrived back in Gotham," Tim admitted. "I'm sorry Bruce but…I couldn't risk being made to go back to the Manor."

He could understand that reasoning even if he wished Tim would have waited, he could have arranged something so that both boys would be safe.

"Kon knows I'm back, he heard me talking and came to see, Clark overheard and he gave me a weeks' time limit on contacting you before he'd step in," Tim had shifted to look out over the city and Bruce joined him. "Do the others know you're here?"

"No, if you need some more time before they find out then that's alright." Bruce glanced at him. "If Clark hadn't stepped in?"

"I would have waited till construction on my place was finished," Tim admitted.

So, he'd have somewhere safe to retreat if things went badly.

"I'm not alone B, his name's Sora and he came back with me. I got dropped over in Europe, he found me outside his hotel and helped me."

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They'd come up with a basic story for Sora because Tim knew that trying to hide his presence would just make things worse. He'd hacked into the necessary systems and created an identity for him, with his place of birth as Chichijima island. It was remote enough to explain the gaps in his knowledge and the population was mixed too since Sora's name actually corresponded with Japanese but he didn't look fully Japanese. And it was better to not connect Sora to his time off World, keep interest in him lower. Could they keep the secret for life? He doubted it but he would try. This was not something the bats needed to know; it was something that was meant to be secret after all.

"I was a bit dazed when I got dropped off, he got me to safety, helped me get back on my feet fully. They dropped me off in the only clothing I had though, Sora knows who I am because of that."

"He knows your identity," Bruce stated.

"I trust him, B. He's never asked questions, never pushed, he's just there. He helps me with my therapy, wakes me from nightmares of lying in the sand bleeding out, unable to move… he knows how to fight too, was trained with a sword as a kid. The one time we were attacked on the way back to Gotham, he protected me and dealt with them." He'd ensured there were records of it, of their travels across Europe to reach the US. "It's my choice to trust him, he's my friend. You don't have to meet him or anything, you can keep your distance," Tim explained.

In some ways, it would be for the best to keep Sora from the other bats, at least until Sora could learn more about their World, enough to fit in without B or the others realising he wasn't from earth. He meant what he said, he trusted Sora, the other teen had backed him and his choices the whole time, so had Riku but he couldn't come with them since he was a Master. It would be harder to hide Riku as baseline human with his hair colour, looked like Bruce would just have to get used to having a 'meta' pop in to visit his best friend.

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Bruce didn't like it, a complete stranger knowing Tim's id and thus being able to work out the rest of them. But he could understand, Tim had been dropped off in Europe, alone and in his suit, had he been given any supplies? If he'd been disorientated, suddenly alone, then he was very lucky someone willing to help had found him first rather than someone who would have taken advantage of him.

Tim was happy to be home but had immediately emancipated himself, had begun setting up his own base even before leaving…he was back but on his own terms. Bruce didn't like it but there wasn't much he could do.

So, he drew his son back into his side, feeling Tim relax against him. "I can't say I'm happy about it, but I trust you. I'd like to meet him once you're settled, thank him for helping you. Will you let Leslie look you over, just to be safe?"

"Yeah, I can do that," Tim agreed. "So, Jason's back?"

"Hmm, he told me what happened between you."

"I don't blame him, your death…it pushed him back over the edge. I know he left Gotham before I did and I spotted Roy on a camera so I'm guessing the Outsiders grabbed him?"

"Yes, they apparently shoved him into therapy. He regrets what happened."

"I'll contact him," Tim promised.

"Ra's is still hunting for you," he warned, he wasn't likely to come to Gotham but there was still the chance he'd send his people to grab Tim.

"I'll be careful B."

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Riku smiled, catching Kairi, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. He was happy to be with her. "Missed you," he told her, taking in her bright smile.

"I've missed you too. Where are Sora and the new wielder?" she asked, glancing back at the ship.

"They've gone back to Tim's home to continue his training there. He has a life, Kairi, family and friends who had no idea where he was or if he was even alive. His situation is very different to ours," he explained.

If the Islands hadn't been destroyed, he knew Sora would have been more reluctant to be gone so long, he would have wanted to check up on their families during that first journey. But that hadn't been an option. Things were different now; they really didn't have links back there anymore. He'd never been close to his parents and Sora just felt too awkward seeing his Mum now.

"I'll be checking on them to see how his training is going, but there's not even myths about Heartless that Tim's ever heard of. Why he was chosen, we don't know. Obviously, the strength of his Heart but the magic there is weird, there are people with none at all and that seems to be the norm."

"No magic?" she asked in confusion.

"Tim said there are a few magic users but that it's very different to how we use magic. He's learning quickly though; he already has experience with a staff so learning the physical side has been easy. Magic gives him more issues for a few reasons," but he wouldn't share them without Tim's permission.

"What's he like?" She asked as they headed inside, so Riku began telling her about Tim.

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Tim finalised looked around his base, smiling at the grin on Sora's face. It was finally fully complete, all the equipment in place and ready to go. The work upstairs was still ongoing, turning the old theatre into a state-of-the-art apartment building while also staying true to the time the original building had been built in. He had the Penthouse and the rest of the apartments would remain empty for now. Depending on how long Sora ended up staying, he'd offer him one of them, maybe set one up for visiting Keyblade wielders. The others…well, maybe Kon would want to move in if he wanted time away from the farm? As long as he didn't work as a hero in Gotham, Bruce couldn't say anything.

"So now what?" Sora asked, sitting on the railing of the top floor, heels tapping gently against it.

It wasn't like falling was an issue, the space was large enough for him to glide or flow off other levels to land safely. And they all said any wielder could fall from higher and be fine…Tim wasn't game enough to try that yet.

"Suit design finalisation." He was still working on it, he kept changing things. "Want to start on yours?"

"Sure!" Sora chirped, and Tim grinned at him.

He pulled up the program, measuring Sora first to enter them so the suit would be in the right proportions. He brought up a basic suit and Sora frowned slightly at how form fitting it was.

"I know you're used to the pants and jacket look and that's fine for working as a Keyblade user but you want your vigilante look to be as different as possible so no one links the two."

"Okay, good point. So different colours too."

Tim nodded; glad Sora was okay with that. He knew they tended to get attached to their colours and he figured Sora and the others would be the same. He'd noticed most of Sora's clothing was in shades of black, dark blue, and red.

"Keeping red would be fine since it'd match with mine, just use a different shade."

"Hmm," Sora had his head tipped to the side, nose wrinkled and Tim…Tim looked down at the tablet. And then he grinned. "I could use Roxas' colours. You didn't meet him; he's living in Twilight Town just being a normal teen. He's only a few years old and the Organisation…he was my Nobody but he's his own person now. He actually looks like Ventus because Ven's Heart was in mine when he formed."

Tim nodded; he'd heard the basics about the others. Nobodies were a bit confusing but he had nothing against them.

"So grey, black, red, beige, and white," Sora told him.

So Tim went to work, deciding grey would work to help Sora blend into the shadows. It was form fitting like his own new suit, just like his old ones. There were dark red highlights on it while he changed his own suit so the parts that were originally black were now grey while the base was red. They would match that way, make it obvious they were partners. He was having fun, even adding a few silly things to make Sora laugh.

Finally, the designs were done and he set them up to be fabricated.

"Training time!" Sora announced, dropping backwards off the rail to land easily on the bottom level. "Come on Tim, jump. I'll catch you if you don't look like you'll stick the landing," he promised.

Tim took a deep breath and then vaulted over the rail; he could do this. He flipped and then it was like time slowed down or something and then he was landing in a crouch, feeling his body easily absorb the impact. That was…he was grinning and he knew it.

"Any twinges?" Sora asked, and he shook his head. "Great! Let's go." Sora summoned the Kingdom Key and Tim felt Flight of Justice form in his hand in response.

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Jason approached the figure warily, whoever they were, he didn't recognise them. A new bat? Bruce would have told him and told them the Alley was his territory. But there was something…

"I don't blame you."

Jason froze, he knew that voice. And then they turned and he took in the shades of red, gold, and grey of the new suit. The cape was a dark grey with the base suit in varying shades of red. His domino was dark grey with gold lining the whiteouts. Black hair was pulled back into a short tail to keep it out of the way. "Baby bird?" he asked and the other smiled.

"Hey, so…B didn't get around to telling you yet?"

He activated his comm. "Hood to Batman, private channel."

"Hood?" Bruce responded, the comm clicking as they went onto a private channel.

"Something you forget to tell me?"

"Ah, I thought it would take longer for him to reach out."

"So, it's really him?"

"It's him, confirmed by DNA and M'gann," Bruce assured him. "Only the supers know other than the two of us."

"Understood." He cut the call and stepped towards Tim, Tim matching him. And then his little brother was in his arms, clinging to him. "Missed you kid," he murmured. He pulled his helmet off, glad he had the domino on under it.

"Missed you too."

"Where have you been? Everyone's been looking for you."

"Might have been kidnaped by aliens?" Tim offered and Jason pulled back to look down at him, finding he didn't look down as far as he used to. The kid had finally hit a growth spurt it seemed.

"Excuse me?"

"Finished your patrol?" Tim asked, and Jason nodded, leading him to his nearest safehouse. Then he listened in shock to what had happened to him.

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He frowned, staring out at the stars. He had expected rebellion from Sora, he may have changed a little but not that much. So perhaps it was for the best he missed his exam. He had not expected the argument from Riku though. He did not like the idea of Sora training young Tim. He was obviously stubborn and would need a firm hand to ensure he walked the correct path. That was not Sora. But for now, he would have to watch and see. Perhaps things would not be as bad as he feared.

TBC…