A web in the dark

Dick Grayson hadn't planned on visiting the manor so soon. His life in Blüdhaven kept him busy, and while he still made regular visits to Gotham, it was usually for a case or an emergency. This time, though, he had a different reason.

Wally had said something was off.

Time had shifted in a way it shouldn't have, but the change was subtle—too subtle for Wally to pinpoint exactly what had happened. All he knew was that something last night had altered their future.

So, naturally, Dick came to Gotham to talk to the one person who might actually be able to figure it out.

Bruce was in his office when Dick arrived, already working as if he'd been there for hours. That wasn't surprising.

"Did Wally give any specifics?" Bruce asked after Dick explained the situation.

Dick shook his head, leaning against the desk. "No, just that something changed last night. Something big, but it's like the universe is still adjusting, so he can't tell what it is yet."

Bruce exhaled slowly, his fingers steepling in front of him. "We need more information."

"Yeah, well, speedster premonitions aren't exactly the most detailed," Dick muttered. "But he was worried, Bruce. He wouldn't have called me if he didn't think it was serious."

Bruce nodded, his expression unreadable as always.

Before they could continue, the door suddenly burst open.

Tim and Jason practically shoved their way inside, both talking over each other in a chaotic mess of words.

"—I swear to God, she looked just like—"

"—a literal copy of Dick, Bruce, I mean it—"

"—same eyes, same nose, same—"

"—I planted a tracker just in case—"

Dick held up a hand, his head already spinning. "Whoa—one at a time!"

Tim and Jason both stopped, looking at each other before Jason just plowed forward. "Okay, short version—Tim and I were at breakfast this morning, and we saw a kid. A girl."

Tim nodded quickly. "She looked exactly like you, Dick."

Dick blinked. "Like me?"

"Like a mini version of you, but, y'know, female," Jason said, crossing his arms. "And younger. Maybe nine or ten."

Dick felt his stomach drop slightly. He had spent years dealing with weird clones, doppelgängers, and the occasional alternate timeline nonsense. But a kid who looked exactly like him?

Bruce and Dick exchanged a glance.

"Do you think this is the change Wally was talking about?" Dick asked carefully.

Bruce's face remained unreadable, but his silence was telling.

Tim, ever the strategist, spoke up. "If it is, then that leaves the big question—does this make Dick an older brother?"

Jason smirked. "Or a dad?"

"Absolutely not," Dick shot back immediately.

Jason just shrugged. "Look, I'm just saying—"

"Wait—you planted a tracker on a kid?" Dick cut in, realizing what Jason had said earlier.

Jason didn't even flinch. "Yeah, obviously. Looked homeless, way too street-smart for a normal kid, and again, she looks just like you. I figured it was worth keeping an eye on her."