Chapter Text
It always starts this way, doesn’t it?
One dimension, two earths, three timelines. So many little threads that weave and form the tapestry of reality. So many little threads, each of a different colour and strength and importance.
So what happens. When one of them starts to fray? Thread wearing thinner and thinner where it intersects with so many others. Or maybe it was frayed to begin with.
No matter. It doesn’t change the outcome.
Xxxxxxxx
“-annual report of the Justice league findings and actions. Together with us here are all members of the justice league with exception to Zatanna and Cyborg.
In the last year, many things of great importance have taken place” Diana’s voice rings out across the small space, bored but professional. They do this every year, after all.
“In regard to items from the previous year’s meetings, we have none to discuss” Diana says, interrupted only by Hal muttering “Not that we’d remember anyway”. He goes quiet after a glare from both Bruce and Clark.
“On the agenda, we have a few things do discuss. Up first are international incidents” Diana says with a deep sigh. They all know that this part of the meeting is going to be tough on everyone. There’s always at least one incident to report and it’s never easy to discuss.
Fortunately, they’re interrupted.
Unfortunately, that interruption has consequences.
A snapping sound echoes through the room as a point of space just above the meeting table seems to warp and change. Like reality itself is changing and warping. The last time this had happened was with Superboy prime and his reality altering punch.
It means that the members of the league have seen these kinds of effects before, Bruce more than others. After all, it’s that punch that brought Jason back from the dead.
Everyone falls into position, ready for a fight.
It isn’t necessary.
Instead of some galactic enemy or Superboy prime, a book falls onto the table. Thick and heavy, pages clean and crisp.
There’s a title on the front, letting bold red with sharp curves. A picture of Red Robin drawn onto the page stylistically.
“Red Robin” Diana mutters before the room goes silent.
Xxxxxxx
Tim has no idea what’s happening. One moment he’s home alone watching some kids cartoon with zombies and monsters, the next he’s being dragged away from his comfy couch and his show as Kon doesn’t hesitate to grab him mid-flight.
“Conner Kent!” Tim scolds, clutching onto his best friend with a death-grip as Kon has the gall to laugh at him.
At Kon’s side, Tim can see Bart running along as Cassie flies on his left, casually holding conversation as if they aren’t moving the speed of light.
Tim will never get used to it.
“I was watching something. I was home. Resting. Don’t you guys always say I need to rest more? And now you interrupt that?!” Tim asks wildly, eyes switching between the 3 of them before he realizes that only Kon can hear him over the rushing wind.
He has to bite down his scream of frustration and settles instead for a glare that promises retribution.
None of his friends fall for it.
When Tim sees where they’re headed, he relaxes some, spotting the hall of justice and falling into the idea of work and disaster and probably some kind of invasion.
Funny how life turns on you like that.
None of his friends explain what’s happening or why they abducted him. Not even when they arrive at the Watchtower and Tim threatens to involve the contingency plans. They’re all tight-lipped and would have been silent if it weren’t for Kon’s giggles.
The environment doesn’t give Tim any clues either.
The Justice league is present, as you’d expect. Batman standing with the Batclan, who Tim did not expect to see here but it isn’t exactly uncommon. Then, Tim’s friends. The room is packed with faces and bodies, which should really give Tim some sort of clue as to what is going on but besides the justice league, everyone seems confused.
“Now that we have all convened” Diana says, eyes fixed to Tim’s form, which does nothing for Tim’s rising anxiety but make it bubble up even further.
“We have…received this book from what seemed like an interdimensional rift” Diana continues, gesturing to a book on the table that Tim hadn’t seen when he came in. It sticks out immediately. Pages clean and fresh. Thick binding. But that isn’t what makes Tim tense.
“Red Robin” is emblazoned on the front on bold red lettering.
“We do not know where it is from. Nor who sent it. We have scanned it for residual magic, radiation and energies and have found nothing. Every member of the league has looked the book over for any type of threat and have come to the conclusion that it is not a weapon. However. We have doubts about the authenticity and intension of the book. That is why we have gathered everyone here” Diana explains.
Tim’s eyes snap to the book again, this time taking in the details. The cover picture is of Tim in his Red Robin suit, cowl up, positioned as if swinging but there is no line visible.
It looks exactly like Tim. No deviation even the slightest bit.
“Tim” Diana’s voice starts again and Tim’s head shoots up in shock. “We are sure that this book has not been armed in any way. However, as you seem to be the focus of this book, we would like you to take a look inside and see what it contains” she explains once Tim meets her eyes.
Tim swallows. He doesn’t know what to expect. A bomb? A threat? Is this some sort of fan’s idea of impressing him? He doesn’t know.
Picking up the book, Tim can feel its weight in his hand as it opens to a random page.
On the pages, Tim can see panels of images, much like a comic strip, text within white bubbles. On the pages it had opened to, Tim can see images of himself, Damian and Alfred.
Tim remembers this moment. This conversation. It was right before Damian cut his line during patrol.
Everything is the same. Exactly the same. The words, the expressions. Actions.
Tim pages a bit forward to the moment Dick intervenes. It’s all the same.
“This. Either someone has been watching and observing everything, from within the manor to our patrols and documenting every single moment. Or this is something else” Tim voices quietly, staring down at the visage of Dick as Batman again, as If reliving it.
“Tt. How foolish of you. Father, Grayson and I would have noticed if we had been observed so finely” Damian snaps but Tim’s glare quiets him.
“It is an exact recreation or reconstruction of your life?” Diana asks a moment later and Tim doesn’t bother lifting his eyes from the page.
“Just from the name, I can assume that this is about my time as Red Robin. Most likely from the start of my adventure to find Bruce” Tim says and he can’t keep just a smidge of bitterness from his voice.
There is a guilty silence from the league as well as the others who were present for Tim’s search and hadn’t believed him. Until Bart breaks it with a burst of words that Tim cannot make out.
“You’ll have to repeat that, Bart” Tim says with an exasperated sigh.
“He says that’s great cause he was kinda curious as to what went down” Kon says with a smile “and I gotta say. I agree. I die one day and the next thing I know, I’m back. You’re broody and wearing a cowl. And Cassie is in tears, man”
Tim almost flinches at the thought, clutching the book to his chest.
If this is really a construction of his life. His thoughts, words and actions taken to paper. Well. Tim doesn’t really want anyone reading that.
“You realize we have to read it, right?” Clark asks from the side-lines, where he’d been standing, silent for a little while. Tim shakes his head and glares at the man of steel. They could pry this book from his cold, dead hands.
“Tim. They are correct. Some force from another dimension or some cosmic force decidedly has moved to intervene in our universe and this is how they have chosen we should do it. We should read it” Bruce voices.
Tim can see the logic in that but he can’t help the illogical burn of betrayal in his chest. These are his thoughts. Things he’d never told anyone.
Looking around the room though, there aren’t many supporters.
Dinah, J’on and Arthur look ready to let him walk. Tim knows his friends won’t fight him on this is he insists.
But a few of the leaguers look insistent. Grim.
Tim clenches his fist and hands over the book to Kon.
“Read it” Tim says, trying desperately not to raise his voice. It only kind of works.