#he doesn't want to think about the idea that Bruce isn't his biological dad

[tachvintlogic]

Danny and Damian Twin AU, except not really

@stealingyourbones this is a story premise that I think would be really funny.

Danny and Damian meet and notice they are identical. This is not a doppelganger situation; they are definitely related.

Danny thinks Damian is a clone. Damian thinks Danny is a clone. Their arguments over who's the clone go nowhere.

They bring in their parents.

Talia is very confused because she only had one son and didn't make Danny. The Fentons are also confused because they assumed that Danny was their biological son. Bruce is just confused in general.

After some discussion, it turns out that Talia went to a fertility clinic to have Damian, and the Fentons used the exact same clinic, so it was the clinic that must've fucked up.

But now no one knows who Danny and Damian's biological parents are. Is it Talia and Bruce? The Fentons? Talia and Jack? Maddie and Bruce?

After some shenanigans getting a sample of Danny's DNA that can be tested despite his ecto-contamination, they order some paternity and maternity tests to find out the truth.

And the results are....

[discowingneckline]

How do you think Dick reacts to be mistaken for Damian’s father? How would Damian react if Dick didn’t correct someone making the mistake?

Okay, so before I get into that, I want to talk about how I personally see the dynamics between Damian with Bruce, Talia, and Dick. I don't accept the idea that Talia al Ghul is a bad parent or that the al Ghuls are super abusive in the way comics has portrayed them from Morrison's run and after. I think it's racist, and I think it's overall shitty writing. Damian Wayne had said he is proud of both Talia and Bruce, don't ask me where that happened. It's a miracle I even remember it happened. There's also the one thing of Dick and Damian that my pookie @confusedhummingbird reblogged one of my things with, and I'll just steal that delightful panel for your convenience.

Anyway, so basically what I'm saying is that I don't particularly enjoy when Dick is hailed as a great parent compared to Bruce and Talia. Bruce and Talia definitely have some horrible fuck-ups (with Talia's being very racist in nature, and I swear to gods if someone fucking tries arguing her character wasn't treated in a racist manner, you're getting blocked so fucking fast). Like Bruce definitely did some fucked up shit too, but in general, I don't necessarily think he does a completely shit job at being a dad. In fact, when Batman is written in a halfway decent way, he is a pretty good dad in my opinion.

While Dick definitely did a good job with Damian, I think it would be pretty out of character for Dick to just discount Bruce and Talia's role as parents for Damian unless it was something pretty big and bad for Damian, in which case Bruce and Talia are probably being written fucking weirdly.

So onto your actual question! I think Dick would be...not bashful, but somewhere in there. I also think he'd just take it in stride and not correct them unless Damian wanted him to. He definitely doesn't want to overstep those kinds of boundaries with Damian if he has them. I also think depending on where they are at/what they are doing definitely contributes to how he'd react. Like when they were out as Batman and Robin, definitely was fine with the dad-son thing there. Out as Nightwing and Robin, doesn't bother to correct them. I don't think they'd get mistaken for being father-son in Gotham or in Blüdhaven, and I don't think any hero would mistake them for being father-son unless they were like new, new. But yeah, just depends.

I don't think Damian would really correct someone now. When Bruce died, in the period he was really learning from Stephanie, Dick, and Alfred, he probably would've corrected them. I don't think so now. I think family dynamics are a lot more fluid than people like to claim they are. Personally, I have a lot of people I see in parental roles, and one of them (which I don't see anymore because they are racist) were in a similar age range that Dick and Damian are. I didn't get mad or correct people when they thought I was their kid. I was either 1) embarrassed, 2) didn't care to make the effort to correct them, and 3) happy to be seen as such close family to them. That, and all the changes going on in his life at that time, and Dick's pretty much unwavering support for Damian leads me to believe that Damian wouldn't mind being seen as Dick's kid. I think he understands that Dick took on a parental role for him, and he can understand that he still has his biological parents to rely on.

SO! Basically, Dick doesn't correct people because I don't think a lot of people in their life would get it confused, and Damian doesn't mind because Dick is a parental figure in his life, and it isn't some sort of replacement figure for his biological parents.

[slothspamsstuff]

On your sexuality post. Can you elaborate on why cass and tims interactions would prove shes into dudes, id get it if you used kon but TIM?? TIM AS IN HER BROTHER TIM?? I hope to god your not implying what i tbink 🤢

They're not related by blood you know... How is that kind of shipping disgusting in anyway if one does not think of them as brother and sister since oh, you know? They're not actual siblings! The only thing that's closest to them being siblings is Bruce adopting them and he isn't even their biological dad. I don't personally ship them fyi, but I just don't understand what is not right about him into her or vice versa if they are not related by blood?

I sincerely hope you do read the comics and I'm not saying for sure or if it's even a fact that they're into each other cuz you can never be so certain, but the hint is there. Fandom can be fun and enjoyable but sometimes maybe you're just forcing yourself into the headcanon that they're something like blood brother and sister which is not true at all. They're simply close in age, are colleagues in the comics and even if the relationship was retconned later on, it was still a thing written by DC so idk, it's official?! Like okay, maybe by that logic you implied right there, shouldn't Steph and Cass be siblings too, since Steph is literally Robin no.4 or do gods forbid them to be like siblings since they're quite often shipped together and they're best friends? Yeah I just don't understand what you're trying to tell me here.

Though the reason I don't ship them is because the idea of Cass dating her best friend's boyfriend just doesn't sit right with me but that doesn't mean it wasn't implied she might have been into guys too. And admittedly, I haven't caught up on Cass and Kon so I still have a lot of reading to do.

Okay, since you've asked, first off: Batgirl #18, their first platonic interaction after No Man's land.

Then secondly, War Games and Identity Crisis, Tim losing Steph and his father, Cass losing her best friend, and so they bonded over mutual trauma and loss. And they bonded in Batgirl/Robin: Fresh Blood.

Then we have these:

Batgirl #58

Red Robin #25

Ok to be fair, she stabbed Tim on that one.

And this one, idk which comic it's from but there you have it.

Also, Solo (2004) #10, a married couple.

Like come on, are you really gonna tell me I'm problematic when the comics do be drawing them interacting like this? If this isn't enough then I dunno, maybe you should spend more time researching on each of their interactions, or take time to read the comics then go back and tell me what is wrong with everything I said, honestly. And yes, I will read up on Cass and Kon to see more, but you really need to understand that the batfam is a found family and not strictly related by blood, except for the case of Damian, so let people ship whatever they want, even if it's not your thing, because they. are. not .related. by. blood!

[metalotaku-da]

Keeping more fluffy ideas: maybe it's a safety out for Danny. to get him out of Amity. his family and the clockwork want him to do it to get out of Amity before a bad time line with the GIW? or if his parent's don't know before there is a bad reveal? maybe since it's magic, not a lawyer, but a chance meeting that starts up the contract as they meet the criteria. Maybe Dick is in Illinois with Ted Kord and Babs or with the Titans or Wally in central and Danny's there for reasons? a Kord gala? with Vlad or Sam. so it's in Chicago. Dick there with Bruce. or in Lew of Bruce. 

I think using the 2 year age thing would be cool. Maybe Danny is 18 and Jazz and Dick 20. so maybe one of the magic users says the only out is Jazz taking the contract instead. which Danny will not do to her. He's the one who Fenton lucked his way into an arranged marriage. His dreams have already been ruined; he's not taking away Jazz’s future too.

Here we start making it darker more angsty: if you wanted Dan and Dani in there. you could have some more angst of Dan offering to swap. but he's in a clone body that Vlad made stable as biologically male, because he didn’t know Danny was trans. Like hell they are going to tell him. Or if you want a nicer Vlad he did know. And when they knew Dan was going to need a body he put extra effort to do that for him. Hoping to help with some of his mental health issues by getting rid of the body dysphoria. Because of him being now a “born” male he doesn't work. added angst of Danny's feelings that the curse works because of his birth gender. And it making him feel invalidated. and all these strangers now all know that about him without knowing a thing about them and how they'll  react to it. let alone once the ghost thing comes out.

 the whole thing was made to make an heir of their joint lines kind of thing. if it's a really old and antiquated thing, it could be that's what fulfills the contract and sets it as completed. with some hocus pocus rules of a timeline from touch till conceivement is started. and if it doesn't happen then maybe something bad happens but Danny is immune because of a half ghost or something. Either death, crippling, a bad luck curse. Could go lighter to heavy angst. but Dick isn't (with his past history the thought of having to do something to someone without their enthusiastic consent is gonna cause ptsd to flare up.)

but Danny's not willing to let this random dude die or get maimed or cursed because of bad Fenton luck curse. could be why to try and bring in Constantine to try and break the contract. for like high stakes. but they can't get a hold of him. and as a backup Bruce is pushing his son to try and woo Danny. (it says conceive not birth it's a loophole Bruce latches onto. So Bruce offers to cover abortion if they want. No marriage required. He offers to pay expenses. Set them up for life. Kind of sounds maybe like bribing Danny. And in Bruce fashion he offers the first option he’d prefer and stops. Till he gets an answer which starts a fight. Because it’s Dick and Bruce, they are going to argue over everything here. which does not help Dick or Danny maybe.

Maybe Danny is like no i can take the kid and get out of your hair, you don't have to worry about it. which does not make Dick feel better. If he’s gonna be a dad. He wants to be a dad who’s there for his kid. Bruce offers to ensure their financial future if they do that too. And he’s not against that option either if Dick doesn’t have to face any of this again. Which could make Bruce and Dick fight. i mean a lot of room for potential fights between Bruce and Dick here. ) 

Could have Danny is taking care of a de-aged to stabilize Dani kind of thing too.  it would add other angst depending on how it started. him raising Dani as his daughter. Here Dick is thinking he's  gotta choose death or repeating leaving this poor guy with another fatherless child. (comes out Vlad is the other parent Dick's angst not only goes through the roof but so does his righteous fury. Barely contained murderous Robin is back.) extra awkward if Vlad and Danny are on good terms, if bad terms something for them to get closer over and an investigation and rescue could take place there. Like hell Vlad good or bad is letting some know nothing do that to his Danny. So Vlad could be a good conflict base. 

For drama. bring in the teen titans for moral support of Dick to help him decide how to proceed. reverse Amity group trying to talk Danny out of sacrificing his well being for a stranger. He’s sacrificed enough. (they all know this isn’t going to work on him. But I mean amity digging into the bats to find a reason they don’t deserve Danny’s help would be funny too. And it ends with outing both sides' hero work. 

All of this above just throwing at a wall for ideas or suggestions.

Ok but, the one poll recently reminded me of my desire for an arranged marriage Danny x Dick story.

Maybe it was an inherited one, not from Danny or Dick originally but one they both got.

Maybe the Grayson's were once friend with the Nightingale-Fentons and made a pact but the genders just never lined up, so it wasn't a 'if X from one and y from another' just if two compatible children were born at the same time-which can now be skewed to be any gender match up-but they have to be within like, 2? years of each other age wise max, the agreement-bound in magic maybe?-being stiff about that to prevent issues that way.

And Danny and Dick both find out about it at the same time-maybe when they were both 21ish?-from some lawyer family that was charged with keeping track and all?

Danny could try and see if the half-dead thing-so like, good parents and/or dead parents-could get him out of it but the observables and CW are oddly for it, and he'd never wish it on Jazz.

And Dick tries to find every out as well, even Constantine, or maybe Zantanna and Raven since their friends of his, looking at the contract and finding it's iron clad as well.

And they don't have to marry right away, just engaged and plan to marry within a decade at max, so they have time to at least get used to each other and all? No words against other partners just no divorce unless one is a threat to the other or whatever?

[alfredsolos]

The potential dynamic of Terry, Matt and Damian in Reverse Robins au is gold.

Matt is Bruce's first child, and is a big Batman fanatic. He buys every single merch and toy the moment they come out. And when he learns that his dad is Batman? Holy New Sidekick Batman!

Matt coincidentally discovers Bruce's night time activity at 10 years old. He begs and pleads to his dad to let him become a superhero too, but Bruce immidiately refuses.

One night frusturated and angry, he sneaks out of school to prove Batman he can be useful. As you can guess, it ends up with him getting kidnapped and in danger.

Bruce saves him in record time. Thinking of every single worst thing that could happen to him, he is scared.

But Matt does not give up. People expect him to end up traumatised, but he ends up being more excited to see his dad fighting criminals. It's totally epic!

Bruce exasperated and anxious of his son's future, agrees to teach him how to fight. But under no circumstances will he be a vigilante.

Bruce trains him for 3 years, hoping the Batman fanboying is just a phase and he'll change his mind. He doesn't.

At 13 Matt becomes Batboy. Not the most imaginative name but he doesn't really care.

With Matt on the streets, Bruce is extra careful and protective. For the first 2 months, he isn't allowed to interact with the criminals and only helps the civillians evacuate. But Bruce notices it. His night job becoming a bit easier, and over quicker. He starts to warm up to Matt being with him all the time, but never stops feeling the wrongness of putting a child on the line of fire.

Matt grows up and decides to try different types of vigilante-ing. He still goes out to beat criminals, but a certain day changes his whole perspective of crime fighting.

Bruce goes undercover as Matches Malone, while Matt watches the ordeal through the camera on his glasses. He, for the first time, feels excited in a very different way. He soon comes to the realization that he likes the spying and going undercover, so he talks with Bruce about it.

Matt finally drops Batboy to branch out on his own as an undercover agent. He doesn't stay in Gotham, but travels the world switching from disguise to disguise. He saves people using not only his fighting skills, but his acting and different voices with numerous wigs and clothes. It's an awesome feeling. It's freeing and Matt loves it!

Just after a year Matt leaves home to find himself, Amanda Waller pays Bruce a visit. A little boy with her, squeezing her hand.

Amanda then starts to explain. That Matt had his own mother and a father, but she injected the mother with Bruce's DNA so he was still his father, even though he never had any intercourse with her.

Bruce is furious, he had always thought that Matt's concievement was due to a mistake he did when he was stupid and drunk. He hides his anger, not wanting to frigthen the little boy. Which turns out to be another biological son from the same mother. It takes Bruce all his anger management control to not punch her in the face.

Bruce, ignoring Waller, kneels down to the boy and introduces himself. He learns that the boy's name is Terry and he is 12 years old. The boy looks just like him. Just like Matt. And his heart skips a beat.

The boy eventually comes home with him and he is silent and angry. He snaps at Bruce and Alfred whenever they try to have a conversation with him. Bruce has no idea what to do. So he tries to get to know about his life.

Appereantly, he was raised in an A.R.G.U.S. HQ his whole life. Waller had trained him with guns and defense arts. No wonder the boy was so cold.

Bruce contacts Matt after a week of Terry's arrival and explains the situation to him. Matt is furious to know the truth about his past and the horrible things his brother had gone through. He comes home in 2 days, not showing his frusturation to the boy, and gets to know him better.

To no ones suprise Terry already knows about their vigilante activities, and asks to be Batboy. He had been trained his whole life to become the Batman after all.

Bruce and Matt is hesitant though. Matt had the best time of his life being Batboy, but he knows the danger. The bullets and the fists. They both want him to have a normal childhood. But after days of arguing and deciding, Terry becomes the second Batboy.

Bruce quickly realizes that Terry is different than Matt's Batboy. The boy is very well trained, but he is almost unemotional. He does what he does because of duty. Not because of the want to save lives. It bothers Bruce but he keeps his mouth shut.

3 years pass and Terry turns 15. The whole crime fighting thing is... not what he had expected. Its almost frusturating really. They fight the same villains over and over again. They put them in jail, then they get out. It's an endless cycle. And it starts to bother him. Matt is, most of the time, absent. Going undercover and traveling all over the world. Terry is a bit jelaous, if he's being honest. So he makes a decision. He wants to continue fighting obviously, but not like this. So, he reaches out to Amanda Waller.

Terry asks Amanda for advice. She had raised him after all. And she makes a proposal. Come and work for A.R.G.U.S. as a team leader of the Task Force X. Also knows as the Suicide Squad.

A few days later, Terry leaves the manor with a note. Saying he has found another purpose for his life. He is drowning in Gotham, and he needs a way out. He needs to make his own choices. And with that, Red X is born.

Terry's absence is felt in the Manor. Bruce blames himself and so does Matt. They don't know where he ran off to, but there are no traces. No clues. Matt leaves to go find him, and Bruce changes.

He knows he made a mistake somewhere but doesn't know what. He is yet again alone and for the first time in years, he feels cold.

He doesn't get to brood more, as a war starts between two branches of the League of Assassins, and Batman investigates.

Damian for all of his life had one purpose. Destroy Ra's and his little League. His mother calls him Alexander. He will conquer the planet, but his priority is his dear Grandfather.

Damian was raised underground at the main HQ of Leviathan. His mother observing his every single move and teaching him to be better. More cruel, smarter, quicker and better. He had to be perfect. How else was he supposed to take down Ra's himself. He never met the man, but from the stories of his mother, he was a curse placed on their world. A pest. And Damian would stomp on him.

But nothing ever goes according to the plan. Everything goes to shit as always.

Few months ago, Damian gets a new trainer. He is young, but Damian does not underestimate him. He learned the hard way not to after all.

The man is different than his previous masters. He is almost... kind? Damian is intrigued. And he doesn't want to kill this man just yet.

The man teaches him how to survive on harsh conditions. Damian finds value on this training. After all he never went outside his entire life. Not before he is ready. The man seems to be taken aback by this information. And the look of pity in his eyes is what drove him to attempting on the man's life.

The man is a good fighter. It is an unexpected information and Damian is going to lose. And for the first time in his life, he is scared. But the man doesn't kill him. Instead ke knocks him out and kidnapps him.

When Damian wakes up he is inside a run down apartment and with a man he doesn't recognize. But then the man starts ti talk and Damian knows him. His trainer.

He looks so different. His dirty blond hair now is unkept black locks. Green eyes, now ice blue. He introduces himself as Matt and tells him his story.

Appereantly, the man was looking for his little brother, but instead had found him. Damian's living conditions had reminded him of his little brother so he had tried to save him.

Damian is furious and tires to kill him. But the man is strong and quick. He never strikes back. Only defending and blocking. Damian fights until he can no more.

When he falls back on his ass yet again, Matt asks to make a deal with him. Help him find his brother, and he will show him the world. Rid him of his burdens and free him. Damian is... tempted. Conflicted. After hours of debating and arguing he agrees. Matt frees him of his shackles and gives him the world.

Damian vows him that he'll find his little brother. And Matt believes him. Taken aback by the fierceness in his eyes.

The two travel and travel until it lands them right back to Gotham. Damian is excited to see the Batman but Matt looks... anxious.

After Damian's endless row of questioning, he admits that Batman is his father, and the child they're looking for is Batman's ex-partner Batboy. And he hadn't left Gotham in best conditions.

A few days later Damian finally meets Batman.

A few days before Batman sees Matt for the first time in 6 months, he learns of a child. A little more than a decade ago, Bruce and Talia was in a relationship. It ended badly. With their unborn child dying and him leaving. But that wasn't the case. His child was alive all along and raised to be a weapon. Just like Terry.

When Matt comes to Gotham, Bruce knows. So he goes out to talk with him, instead finding him with another child. His son Damian al Ghul.

Bruce cuts Matt off before he even starts to talk and tells him that the child he's holding is his half brother. Both the child and Matt is blown away. Gaping and not managing to make a noise. Bruce, finally asks them to come back to the cave so they can talk. And so they do.

A few days pass and the truth is out. They are awkward but managing. They tell Bruce about their plan to find Terry and he joins them.

Damian, though, refuses the name Batboy. Saying it sounds stupid. Instead he goes as Leviathan. Both Matt and Bruce are a little distressed about the name, but they don't say anything.

After months of research, they finally find him. Red X is different than his previous self. He is quicker and quieter. He uses guns and X shaped knives. He is the leader of the Suicide Squad and he's not willing to come home.

Fighting ensues. Yelling, crying, slashing, shooting and punching. They are all very tired. And finally, they fall back and talk. Talk about everything. No secrets. Only the truth. And Bruce feels lighter.

Matt decides to stay in Gotham for an undecided time to look out for Damian. Terry doesn't quit his position, but promises to come home and help them out from time to time. Damian abandons the name Leviathan. Along with his previous life. He still refuses the stupid Batboy name. So after days of thinking, Gotham gets a new vigilante.

He is quieter and stealthier than the previous Batboys. He doesn't hold back from shedding blood and he uses a long two handed sword. A new era begins. And his name is Heretic.

[paintball-writes]

Commissioner Gordon to the Rescue!

Paris, Eiffel Tower, 4:34 AM

" Ladybug we can't keep this going! We need help! " a bee -striped heroine's voice is heard from a distance. Abeille .

" While that is true, who is going to help us? The justice league already called us a joke." someone says followed by a sharpening sound. Tatsu .

" Why don't don't we ask Batman? He's the most reasonable one" a calm voice reasons supporting his girlfriend's idea. Serpent .

" Yes, but how are we going to call Batman without ending up in asylum? Bailing ya outta there is hard work ya know?" the spotted armoured heroin asks. Ladybug.

" She's right guys" the quick witted fox hero chimes in. Reynard.

"Why don't we broadcast worldwide news that if Justice League doesn't show up in Paris within 24 hours we'll destroy the world" the usually quiet turtle cladded hero asks. Shellder.

"Yeah right! That way we'll have even more charges." Serpent says glaring at Shellder.

"Hey LB don't you know a police officer there? Afterall you are from there." Abeille asks the once street kid.

"Yes, Bug. You know the old guy. Maybe we can ask for his help." Tatsu asks her girlfriend.

"That's a nice idea. The Commissioner does have contact with Batman! Oooh then we might get to use the Bat Signal! Oh my Kwami, what if he doesn't recognise me?" Ladybug asks.

"He will recognise you Bug!" Shellder chimes in.

"The Bat Signal is real!" Reynard exclaims.

"That's out of the point. Don't get distracted!" Tatsu scolds.

"Ladybug, do you trust him enough to reveal your identity? Cause if you don't he won't believe you either." Serpent reasons.

"I guess. After all he saved my life multiple times." Ladybug answers unsurely.

"Ladybug there's no 'I guess' it's either Yes or No." Serpent says sternly.

"Then I do. I trust him." Ladybug answers firmly.

"Alright then, Yes it is." Abeille says.

"To Gotham we go!" and Reynard jumps off. Returns a minute later. "So, when exactly are we going and where?" he then asks.

"Now, Luks call Jagged and inform him. I'm sure he'll cover for us. Kalki if you may?" Ladybug asks.

"Of course Great guardian, but till Serpent finishes the call can you tell how and when have you been to Gotham?"

"Oh that, I was a street kid with my brother back then. We used to steal for a living. Jason took care of both of us. I was just three when we started living on the streets. Jay was eight. There were a few warehouses where all the street kids lived together. Commissioner Gordon came disguised as an old man and gave the kids blankets. He also anonymously left food for kids. When I figured out that was him I asked him why he didn't report us to the CPS. He answered Kid I know the CPS gives you Pipsqueaks shitty homes. Don't think about it. When I was seven I was kidnapped by Scarecrow. For testing some toxins. He threw me out saying I wasn't good enough. So somehow I found myself in Paris. Without my brother." Ladybug says with tears in her eyes.

"I called Dad and he said Okay because the Sandboy akuma was hard. Five hours particularly, all of your guardians think we're having a sleepover." Serpent says breaking everyone out of their stupor.

"LB, Can I use Kalki this time? Please?" Reynard asks.

"Fine, Here." She says giggling.

Gotham, Police station, 10:52 PM

Gordon POV

The shift is almost over yet I can't help but feel something interesting is about to happen.

Suddenly a blue portal appears. I take out my gun for defence.

"Woah, Woah no need for a gun. We come in peace." The one dressed like a fox answers.

"Who are you? Clarify your purpose!"

"We're heroes of Paris. We come to ask for your help." The one with a katana answers.

"Heroes? In Paris? Since when? I'd say it was a joke, But the portal proves it. Why wasn't the Justice league informed?"

"Slow down a bit, 3 years, Justice league laughed on us, to specify Green Lantern." Striped one? Answers.

"A...Alright, But how can I trust you, For all you could be joker's goons."

"You can trust us, If you don't, you know her you can trust us." The one with harp points to a spotted Ladybug?..

"Okaay, What're your names?"

"Official Introduction Time!" The flute one answers.

"The name's Reynard, Paris's Residential Fox Hero! Fox to meet you!"

"Or Nathaniel Kutzberg"

"The name's Abeille, Bow down Peasants!"

"AKA Chloe Bourgeois"

"I am Serpent, The most Responsible one."

"Or Luka Stone."

"I'm Shellder, Pleasure to meet you."

"Or Marc Anciel"

"Tatsu, Nice to meet you Commissioner, Kagami Trusugi"

"I... I'm Marinette Todd, Hi Commissioner"

"Dear Lord Mari is that really you? What do need my help for?"

"We need to come in Contact with the bats, And can you help me find my brother?"

"Sure Mari, But about your brother you see, He's a Bat too..."

"What?! Seriously?"

Bat Signal, Gotham, 11:13 PM

Red Hood's POV

"Alright we're here Gordon, What's the problem?" Big B asks in his Batman voice.

"We have visitors Batman, They're looking for you." Commiss says. Who in the world would look for Batman?

One by one Teens dressed as animals come out from dark. Drat everyone's just as confused as me.

"Alright who're you playing dress up? Ya know that's dangerous." I ask voicing everyone's curiosity. Suddenly a blue blob attaches to me and starts Giggling.

"Jay-Jay it's me" My eyes start to sting. Only one person calls me that.

"P-Pixie?" I ask unsurely. Pixie nods her head.

"Pixie-Pop it's really you!" I say once i register what's going on.

"I'm never leaving you again Squirt. You're alright! Remind me not to let you alone on streets again, Leave it to Mari for a recipe for trouble!" I tighten my hold on her.

"Hood who's this? Why are they all dressed up?" B. Yeah I forgot he was there as well.

"B, This is Marinette, my little sister. Although I do not know why she and those kids are dressed up."

"Allow me to explain, There's been a super villian in Paris for three years now. These kids are the Heroes there. They came to me First cause they didn't want to get arrested. Green Lantern called them a joke. I know you'd shoo them off, but Bats I saw a Portal open. They came through it. And Jason, Your sister's the team leader!" Gordon explains.

"What! That bitch let me at him! troubling my sister for no good !I, Jason Todd will Skin him"

"Hood! No names at the Field!" Demon Spawn says.

"Relax, She knows."

"Elaborate" B says.

Batcave, Gotham, 8:56 AM

"Gabriel Agreste is Hawkmoth!" Red robin exclaims.

"Ha! Take that Chat! I was right!" Ladybug says.

"Red robin can you do research on one Lila Rossi? She's probably working for him." Abeille says.

Batcave, Gotham, 11:12 AM

"Guys! Emergency meeting!" Red Robin Shouts.

"Lila Rossi wanted psycopath in 3 different countries!"

College Dupont, Paris, 11: 34 AM (Next Day)

"You bitch why did you file a fake report against Lila!" Alya barks out at Marinette.

"My daughter did no such thing." That wasn't Tom Dupain. There stood in all Glory Bruce Wayne himself.

"Yo-Your Daughter?" Alya asks

"Yes, my adoptive daughter, Jason todd-wayne's biological sister."

"Hey Alya don't shoot the messenger, I filed the evidence on behalf of ladybug and her team!"

"What do you mean? Multimouse isn't supposed to be active!" Agreste says.

"Oh, I didn't know that! I mean how do you think your miraculous was taken Chat Noir?"

Gasps were heard.

"It was you!"

"Yes. Now son of a bitch outta my way!"

"What do you mean?"

"Haven't you heard Gabriel Agreste was Hawkmoth."

Andre's Ice Cream, Paris, 12:13 PM

"Well that went better than we thought, right Babe?" Kagami asks her girlfriend.

"Sure did Gami!" Marinette repies.

[luckyspot]

Terry's heritage does not weaken him as a character and instead both strengthens him and adds to the Batman lore.

Alright, so...anyone who follows me (I know there's only like, ten of you but I love you all the same!) has probably seen that I have been on a bit of a Batman Beyond high as of late.

And I know almost none of you care about my writing, but I do have some ideas in the works.

But, in getting back into the swing of the show that may have actually introduced me to Batman as a cartoon hero in the first place, I am reminded of a very controversial decision regarding our dear beloved Terry and his heritage.

*SPOILERS, but let's be real; if you didn't know by now, you probably weren't interested in the first place.* 

(This is gonna be a long one folks)

Terry is a result of gene manipulation done to his father by an organization that wanted to make sure another Batman would be able to take Bruce's place. Due to a lot of science that not only divides the fandom as to exactly what Terry is but also probably doesn't work the way the show claims; Bruce is, on a biological level, the father of Terry and his younger brother.

(Please don't go into the notes claiming "he's a clone" or “he's a copy", at the end of the day there really is no correct term for this)

So, if memory serves and the various posts and comments on the various youtube videos I find are to be taken as a sign of the public's opinion, people didn't like that revelation.

Before anyone gets upset, this isn't me belittling anyone over how they felt about this. I know that many people stated that they felt it ruined a sense of kinship with Terry, saying that it seemed you had to be associated with the great Bruce Wayne to be Batman and that you couldn't be normal. I get that, I really do and that was a downside of that revelation.

But, to everyone that says it weakens Terry as a character, I have to respectfully disagree.

"Terry's just some pawn." "He was supposed to be himself." "Nothing he does matters."

Guys...did we watch the same episode? Am I the only one who processed the last 10 minutes?

The whole argument against it is actually pretty funny, because everyone is getting angry and asking the same questions Terry did.

During the episode, when Terry confromts Amanda Waller, she tells him that up to a certain point, everything was engineered to specifics. He was watched, he was monitored, him and his family.

He was watched for the time that his life could be destroyed in the name of making a new Batman.

What to unpack first here!? There is literally so much said within that statement! Where to even start?

Well first let's focus on the surface:

Terry was intended to be a pawn, a pawn of a bunch of self-righteous manipulators who were willing to traumatize him "for the greater good."

This kind of thing is in no way new, but it shows so much. For one thing, even if Bruce grows older, the world and the people in it have not changed. People will still hurt others, who have done nothing to them. People will do anything if they think they can get away with it.

A single decision, while made for the sake of the city, destroyed a family. Yes, nobody died that night Terry and his parents left the movies. But what had been done still affected a family.

Terry's parents are divorced, most likely because Dad, seeing how his supposed children did not look like him, doubted his wife's faithfulness. Said divorce had an effect on Terry, who became a delinquent latchkey kid with a record. Had they been left alone, could Terry have had a healthier upbringing?

If Terry's parents had died that night, whose to say he would have become Batman?

Considering the city Gotham had become by then, it's more likely that Terry would've become a criminal. And even if he had decided to become a hero, what was he supposed to do? He doesn't have Bruce's wealth, opportunities or even assistance. He would've been just as likely to get himself killed trying to help people.

Granted, there's the possibility he would've been taken and forcefully trained, which leads to result that I'll touch on in a minute. But one must still acknowledge that everyone processes trauma differently, Terry could've felt determination or he could've felt rage or fear. Either way, what he would've become is anyone's guess.

All that stated, we must talk about Batman as a symbol. The Dark Knight, who prowls the streets of a cursed and forsaken city. Standing in the defense of the good people unfortunate enough to be trapped there.

Think about what Batman stands for.

Despite what some modern writers want to push on you (you know who they are...) BATMAN IS NOT A SYMBOL OF VENGENCE.

Bruce swore Justice on the name of his parents, not revenge. He does not want to get back at the criminal element, he wants to defend from it. He wants to make sure nobody else feels the pain, fear and anger that has plagued his life.

As Amanda stated when she realized she couldn't follow the plan, doing what they were going to to Terry would have spat in the face of what Bruce stood for.

They would have trampled his morals, in an attempt to immortalize him.

And as if that wasn't enough, turning Terry into a new Batman could have had a very sinister result. He would've been Batman sure, but he would be a Batman who fought for justice based on what others said it was. He would've been an attack dog, setting only on who was deemed a big enough threat.

That's not Batman. Justice doesn't discriminate, Justice doesn't cherry pick.

All this was happening behind the scenes, and Terry didn't find out about it for some 20 years.

Terry confronts Amanda, she reveals the project and Terry is left questioning everything he has known. He questions his will, his choices, his fate; he confronts a dying Bruce and lashes out.

He wonders just how many decisions have actually been his. Had everything been orchestrated to come to this? Is he just a copy, meant to emulate a relic of days long gone?

He realizes...No. 

Terry understands that in spite of everything, he is his own person. Which is the reason Bruce, who knew the whole time, kept his silence. Terry is his own man who will make his own choices.

He is not Bruce and by extension, neither is Batman.

Terry decides he will not live as Bruce did. He will not push everyone away, he will not resign himself to a life unhappiness, he will not die alone.

Terry is going to live a happy life and just to prove it, the episode ends with Terry preparing to ask Dana to marry him.

That's a weak character?

A character who resolves to be different than his predecessor? Who stands firm in his desire to live a happy life, in the name of no one but himself?

The whole episode, without meaning to, gave meat and flesh to both Terry and Bruce's character. We see what Bruce did for the city and how it's been decided that a person like him must always protect Gotham. But instead, we have someone else who has chosen to be nothing like Bruce; and still defend the city just as well.

Some heroes are born, some are made; but they will almost always come from where you least expect. A billionaire playboy, a rebellious teenager; both can be heroes.

All of this aside, and we still haven't gotten to my favorite theme about this. (I can hear you groaning, we're almost done, promise)

When one takes into account various themes from various comics and occasionally movies and shows, a picture is formed. Amadeus Arkham, founder of Arkham Asylum, being stricken with visions of a giant, demon bat that haunted himself and his mother. Legends and myths detailing the exploits of a warrior baring the symbol of a bat.

It all sets up the idea of fate and destiny. That Bruce was always meant to be Batman, that everything was ordained by...something. (I’m not personally religious, but the concept appeals to me)

The understanding that the Wayne fortune comes from their assistance in Gotham’s founding; that the Waynes have a responsibility to the city.

Those obligations, that destiny, all of it runs in Bruce's blood and that very blood flows in Terry's veins.

Terry shouldn't have gotten the suit, his father shouldn't have died, he should've lead a normal life.

But fate didn't work that way.

Due to circumstances nobody planned for, a new Bat protects Gotham in the future.

One that laughs, taunts and lives a happy life; but is no less a hero.

*Again, this isn't intended to belittle anyone who disliked that concept. In retrospect, the whole reason they probably did it is people kept pointing out Terry shouldn’t look the way he does. Which, considering they did that so he would look similar to Bruce, is a pretty humorous start to this decision.*

[airasilver]

@abundantlyqu33r

How the fuck are Bart and his mom born in the future if his dad and the rest of the family are in the present? I swear I read something with Bart and the League of Superheroes (it's been forever so don't quote me on this name) where it explains his origins but I can't remember. (I used to love those comics. Why can't I remember the name of the team?)

Edit: I remember Legion now but I don't know if that is actually part of the name or not.

Wait, does Barry still have Dawn and Don? Or did they recon that also? So it's only Don?

Here we go:

So it be for a fanfic I'm thinking of. An AU to be exact. A really weird one. Still in my head though so I'll probably never write it.

Under the cut because it's long and there are some things people might not like.

Shit, for some reason I think Dick named both his kids after his birth parents. So when I say John I mean Jake. I just don't feel like changing the name.

I should be sleeping since I got off of work an hour ago...soon hopefully.

Mari and John are there also. (I know they aren't technically part if DC's canon...or are they? I only know Dick had kids in an issue or two but that seems to be an Alternate Universe thing...)

Jason has a sister, I can't decide on twin or not.

Jason thought she was dead which is why Bruce and etc never knew about her.

She was either trafficked or taken with Sheila when Sheila left, both seem to work in my head.

She adopts Mari and John and has Bart.

I'm still figuring out how I want Bart to be born here.

Same with how she adopts Mari and John.

Jazmine Samira or Samira Jazmine for the name.

I have it where she isn't his sister. Either she gets with all four Robins or just three of them. Or even all four and Bernard. Or just Bernard and two of them.

I told you it's mixed-up.

I sometimes add a little sister. Tim's daughter, to the mix.

Catherine Elizabeth Mary Martha Grayson-Todd-Drake-Al Ghul-Wayne: 5 years old. Brunette hair, hazel eyes. I love the name.

Janet just doesn't sound correct in any way I think about it, as part of the name.

Don't know where Elizabeth came from. It just sounded pretty with the rest.

Dowd would be in there somewhere if I add Bernard.

Yes, everyone has everyone's last name but they go by Wayne or, if they are just found/beginning of the story, whatever parent is their biological father.

I add Lian sometimes under Star (is that her name when she's in Gotham? That I just found out about?).

If I add Lian, Jaz is related to Roy not Jason.

Lian isn't adopted by Samira but she does live with them.

Either Samira is introduced to the Bats first by a robbery or assault, attempted that is, or to Roy who is on his way to visit Jason when he runs into Jaz in either of the same situations.

I get to where they are in the batcave and introducing themselves to the others and then I'm stuck.

I now have another in my head. Willow is the name of the OC and she's Wally's sister.

She's found by Bart at a bar, she was working there.

Then taken to the Watchtower where she can't leave easily.

Or she's with Bart and taken to the Titans Tower along with Mari and John.

Either way they are found out by the League and etc.

I got to as far as Willow is taken to see Ra's if at the Watchtower.

Or she's throwing up and Slade, Grant, Joey, and Rose show up.

Willow is pregnant with Bart or about to be in either situation.

My mind is everywhere on this. But yeah, it's long but here is my ideas.

I have this idea where Bart is actually related to the Bats through one of the kids. Mostly one of the Robins but not Steph. I just don't know if it would actually work....