Chapter Text
Damian Wayne can’t wait to grab the new Miraculous Ladybug Volume 6 at the store. He’s all geared up in his Gotham Academy uniform and headed to the comic stand. He’s so pumped for the next volume and can’t wait to read the finale.
As night descended upon Gotham, he finally had a moment’s rest after a demanding patrol.
His patrol complete, he settled into his favorite gargoyle perched atop to Gotham Cental broadcasting tower.
He eagerly opened the manga, flipping pages as he read with great enthusiasm, laughing and crying at the climax. Confused, he stopped and asked, “No, Adrien?
Why is Marinette facing this alone, without Chat Noir?”
What? where Adrien and his father's confrontation? it makes little sense, literally and metaphorically, it's almost a cop out, taking Adrien's agency and involvement out of the plot.
Despite plot inconsistencies and Adrien’s being sidetracked and oblivious to his father’s true identity as the villain, Ladybug (aka Bugnoire) still saved the day.
This is bullshit, when he saw one.
Frustration, bulging veins, he refuse to believe this is the ending, He would get? He waited for five years.
He literally grew up with them, from reading this around his 11 years old, now 15, this injustice.
Tsk, he can write a better plot than this.
He knows it's a shoujo super hero manga, but why sideline the Male Lead, is so pathetic.
If he wrote it, the story could be much better. Frustrated, he hurled the manga at the tower; it sailed away, descending into the traffic below. The smoky, brown haze of Gotham, and its ceaseless cacophony, overwhelmed him. He breathes.
The strong wind blew, brushing his cheeks.
A dazzling coloration, a distortion of the dimensions of time and space, emerged as a radiant blue glow resembling a portal.
Alert, he unsheathed his Katana.
A playful imp is zooming through the air wearing a low-cost Batman outfit.
It's Bat-Mite.
“You love that manga, don’t you?” With a grin showing its crooked shiny teeth.
Damian with eyes narrowed, looked at the imp.
” Tsk, what is it to you? Bat-Mite? Why are you here?”
He’s quite uptight. This four-dimensional being is not to be underestimated. This is a powerful being. He can alter reality with a flick of his finger; this makes him dangerous.
Assess. Robin, what was he after?
” Your excitement about what you’re reading is so infectious, it’s got me wondering.I wanted to see. What would you do , if you’re in their world? Mhhh?'“
“You want me to go to their world?”
Bat-mite, nod, too eager. As he flew, circling him.
” I refuse. I had a duty here as Robin. Accepting your whims is not my priority.”
”Really, Robin, it's a shame if you did not go. As I look, you are a staunch fan, having a Ladybug pillow, Chat Noir printed boxers, posters of the movie, and merchandise in one of your secret hideouts.”
His cheeks redden, his heartbeat raised, How dare he! He guards those secrets, and no one knows them, not even Oracle; he hides those precious treasures.
This Magical imp is so annoying.
He threw a birdarang at Bat-Mite in which he dodge.
”Ow, Robin, that's not a way to treat your future benefactor."
“Leave now, Bat-Mite, I'm done to your ceaseless offer.”
As he tried to use his grappling hook to leap to the other building. Bat-mite just follows through, annoyed at the Imp.
”Really, you’re not curious. We will only be gone for a minute. We are using a parallel clone of you, who will have memories of you while you are still here. If you wanted to see the plot unravel there, but with the two Robin around, the one in the Miraculous World, and the real you here in Gotham City?”
He halts, he lands on one of the apartment rooftop, overlooking the smoke filled city with a narrowed eyes.
That is tempting offer.
The Parallel duplicate is a new concept for him. In this alternate universe, Damian will have the ability to witness events unfolding in real-time. This ingenious idea seems flawless, but is there a catch waiting to be discovered?
”Do you hear that, Batman? What Bat-Mite is offering?”
Of course, he records the conversation directly, sending it to personal comms with his father. No way in Goliath's beard will he accept this pedantic offer, a deal with the devil.
His a seasoned veteran with this kind of mind games. Better to have Batman's input, he is too tired of the drama of miscommunication with his overbearing father.
A looming, tall, and imposing bat-shaped shadow filled the corner.
”What do you want, Bat-Mite? and involving Robin in your schemes.”
”Batman! my guy! I'm just offering, Robin some needed vacation, that's all. " His jittery, Bat-Mite is hiding something.
Batman’s gaze was intense, a silent challenge as he reached for his grappling hook.
“Robin, let's go. If you want to tag along Bat-Mite, don't interfere.”
They swung in on their grapple hook, arriving at the Batcave an hour later, ready to debrief; Bat-Mite followed nonchalantly, as if he owned the place.
In the center of the hanging platform, they stood; Batman, a commanding figure, loomed over them.
”Bat-Mite, explain the real reason, as I had no time for your theatrics.”
”The Miraculous World that I'm offering to Robin to visit is… it is in grave danger, as in Apocalyptic danger, it has only Lady Luck has been their saving grace.
And I need a competent and dead eer. I mean reliable Robin, to help the Miraculous heroes.”
He understood the deadly implication—not as a trap, but as an apocalypse, the end of a world he’d only read about in manga. He knew enough about multiverse phenomena to understand that a world needed a Robin, and he had to help them, as his parents had taught him. Subdue the world, and help it.
A critical juncture point, he looks at his father. Being a good soldier is to listen to his superior, but now, he wants to help, but there are too many uncertainties.
Batman asks. “What is the reason Robin specifically needed, if in any situation, I would be the better fit for parallel cloning and help that world?”
Bat-mite laughed. His manic, grating outburst echoed through the cave. The Bats flies frantically, looking scared at the imp.
”That's Gold, I have not laughed this much, you! Batman, in a shoujo magical world, not to be rude, but you haven’t read the manga and we're short on time, You don’t have prep time.
And Robin, read and breathe and live the manga. He will know the people in that world better than you. He is a Super Fan unlike you.”
Oddly enough, Robin cheeks were red again, having complimented about his weird Obsesion of the manga. One thing, that he is better than his father. He nod. Looking at Batman, who is silent, mulling.
“But is it ethical to have a parallel clone, for the sole reason of existing, is to help their world?” Curiosity, really, Damian had not heard of this kind of situation before. Are they breaking any laws of the universe that will bite them in the back later?
” He gave a good reason, Bat-Mite. This cosmic meddling is dangerous.” Batman adds.
”To be perfectly honest, the parallel clone is not much of an issue; he will be a real person with feelings, and we have a body we can use.
We’re just borrowing your soul, promises it’s not a deal with the devil. You're perfectly safe. Only your memories and your decisions will affect him.” Bat-Mite replied sheepishly.
“Soul, that's a dangerous line. You're threading Bat-Mite, I would not allow my son to deal with another cosmic event like this.
Damian, Remember Nezha? This is too dangerous.” His father added.
The weight of those words, he remembers, Nezha, the demon emperor who had played them, uses their grief after Alfred's passing. And made them suffer, but thankfully they had succeeded and vanished Nezha from this dimension.
If Alfred were alive now, would he encourage him to follow Bat-Mite, interacting with the characters he had grown to care for and love as a fan?
Remembering causes his chest to tighten.
Batman walked away, gesturing for him to follow.
“Robin, come here.”
He follows through, head held high, having a clone it mitigate the risk. But the ethics, he does not need to know it yet.
” Son, I admit this mission reeks of a trap, magic, and I don't like it. But there is a world that needs a Robin, and…… I believe in you.
You grew at 15, capable, and our mission, don’t forget that.
It's time for you to fly on your own wings.
Your mother would be proud, as I would and your siblings.
The risk is low enough. But remember this 4th dimensional beings are trickster there is a punchline.
We don’t have an answer yet.
It is your choice, Damian.”
Batman,stoic and put his hand on his shoulder.
Determined, his father had believed in him, even helping the people in a different world. Their mission did not change. Protect the weak and get rid of evil. It may not be Gotham, but Paris needed a Robin and he will heed the call.
With no words, he lunged at his father, enveloping him in a hug. It may be cheesy, uncharacteristic of him, but it is one of the genuine moments that his father shows of love and care.
”Thank you, Father, for believing in me.” They get away from their awkward hug and return to Bat-mite, who's flying carelessly, as if looking too eager to set his magical trap.
But the dread coming back full force, his misgiving, what if he failed, what if he let somebody killed?
What if he is not enough? Is his knowledge would truly help them?
How about meeting his favourite heroine Marinette? Is he going to be a blubbering fool, a fanboy, when he meets her?
Goliath’s beard, he is ill-prepared to manage teenage drama.
But he'll try.
He can do this.
”If I do this, what are the mission parameters?” He asked.
”Yes, that’s the reason you're the best, Robin. You go with your guts, and asking real question. Ah, let see, let see.”
Bat-Mite bought a tiny scroll in thin air. As he read.
“The primary concern is the potential akumatization of the two key figures in their world, putting it in jeopardy.
Marinette and Adrien, your primary goal is to prevent them from falling in love.
Their love is their world’s doom.
You recall Chat Blanc, right? There’s a 90% likelihood it will happen to him.
And Marinette, she can be akumatized and once she succumbs, it’s game over for you.
She will be the most powerful Akuma in every existence that will threaten not only their world, but the surrounding universe. So be careful, Son of the Bat, this mission has teeth. “
”You’re saying I need to intervene in their romance?
“Yes, Robin, their heartbreak could awaken Null, the Void Kwami—the most powerful Kwami in existence. He’s dangerous, even to us four-dimensional beings; if unleashed, their world is doomed.”
“Why me? Lukka Couffaine exists in that world, and Kagami Tsurugi could easily pursue Adrien. Why involve a Robin?”
“Now, now you're ruining the surprises, don't you?
You really wanted to know?”
This is ridiculous. This pedantic thought there is a reason he loves the manga.
“Their confusing Love-square relationships are both infuriating and captivating, and I'm completely invested.”
He took a deep breath.
“So you want me to be an interloper and ruin their romance?”
His hands curled into a fist.
Is it too cruel?
Only the hum of the Bat computer filled the awkward silence.
“Even if it's for a world ending mission.” he whispered.
There it was, Damian Al Ghul Wayne, Assassin, Detective prodigy, Heir to the Bat.
He can’t help it, felt something is not right. Who is he to be a home-wrecker in their relationship?
Is he going to take this mission, even if it means breaking an innocent relationship in order to save their world?
He looked at Bat-Mite, smiling. Forced?
“And for the secondary mission, do not reveal to anyone that I am taking you there at any time, as any interference from the fourth dimension increases the risk of awakening the void Kwami.
One last thing: a traitor among them. Watch out for your allies—a Kwami and a holder—I don’t know who they are, but my reliable sources say a hidden enemy is among the heroes. Stay vigilant, Robin.”
While he’s adept at keeping secrets, the task of uncovering a traitor presents a significant risk, something he understands. It could be challenging.
This mission is critical; enough with the paranoia. He is an Al Ghul, a master of shadows, and despite the difficulty, he—the new Robin, trusted by his brothers—will not fail. He will give it his all.
He shouted with a determined voice; the sound echoing through the air.
”Remember this Bat-Mite, I'll find a way to help them without resorting to put a wedge in their budding relationship. You'll see. I promise my ship will sail!”
One last glance at Batman, his father smiled, closed his eyes, and envelope him in a blue shimmer of Bat-Mite’s magic. A strange, cartoonish engine hummed in his ears.
The new feeling consumed him, and then everything went black.
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Did he awaken in a tiny container? It’s too dark! What in the world, Bat-Mite? This is absurd – he’s trapped in a coffin!
He should have refused.
That mischievous imp is likely laughing somewhere.
He punched the wooden lid, realizing it was workable. Oddly, there’s oxygen in the coffin.
Inside his coffin, he found a crowbar and a small shovel. Seriously, who would include such things? He also felt a flashlight in his suit pocket—that would be useful.
When he sees this imp again.
He’s going to punch it right in the face, no questions asked.
He escaped the coffin hours later, digging himself out and emerging into the chilling cemetery night, breathless and disheveled.
The familiar rain drenched him as he looked at the skyline of his city.
Why is he in Gotham Cemetery?
Gazing at the tombstone, his eyes widened as he read the inscription: Damian Wayne 2000-2010, the words hitting him like a shock.
Absolutely not!
And a fresh bouquet of lilies. Someone visited the tomb.
A frail figure with an umbrella caught his eye. Thunder cracked, the figure dropped the umbrella, and he gasped.
An elderly gentleman with a familiar appearance, sporting a beard and balding on top, dressed in a suit.
He walked forward.
He widens his eyes. Unbelieving.
It's Alfred.
”Master Damian?”
It’s Alfred, and he’s alive—no magic involved. Tears flowed inside him. He sprang forward.
In a tight embrace, disbelief washed over him; was this a dream, a dream where his grandfather lived? He’d take it.
The exhaustion hits him, with too much at stake, and reuniting with his dead and alive grandfather, he succumbs to the darkness of sleep.
(Cover Photo Edited by me.)
