Archive of Our Own ^beta

Tim has a twin.

He has been aware of this his entire life. Even though he’s only six... He's old enough to be alone! His parents said so.

His parents also told him he was ‘lucky’ and ‘fortunate’ to be chosen. He should ‘be grateful to be picked’ rather than to be chosen to be given away.

So, when he turned six, the age his parents told him he was old enough to take care of himself, Tim decided that if he was old enough to take care of himself, then he should be old enough to contact his brother.

It took a few months, but with a little throwing money at people, a little forging signatures, and a sprinkle of hacking, Tim found his twin.

Daniel Fenton. Adopted by the Drs. Fentons, who already had a daughter. Jasmine.

When Tim saw the picture of Daniel, it was like looking into a mirror. Well, other than the hair. Where Tim had perfectly parted, cut hair, Daniel had messy spiky hair that covered his forehead.

Tim…sat with this information for a few weeks. He was nervous, okay? Should he send an email? A letter? Would Daniel even believe him?

Want him?

Tim weighed his options. The pros and cons. He ultimately decided on letters because they couldn’t be traced like emails, and his parents wouldn’t know.

On one rare, clear night, Tim sat down and wrote his letter to his brother.

It was a simple thing. An introduction, a greeting. A hope of a connection.

—

Dear Daniel Fenton,

Hi! My name is Tim, and guess what? We're twins! I just found out about you, and I couldn't be more excited. I always wanted a brother!

I have so many questions for you! What are your favorite colors? Do you like playing with action figures or reading? Do you have a favorite animal?

I understand if you don't believe me or trust me. I would also understand if you want nothing to do with me.

I hope you will write back soon.

Excitedly,

Timothy Drake

P.S. I prefer Tim!

—

Tim excitedly sends the letter and then waits.

And wait.

And wait.

It takes two weeks.

Two weeks of pure torture for little Timothy. He tries to be patient by turning to his homework. He turns to the internet and YouTube to learn how to cook (he's not very good). With all the nervous energy, he enrolled himself in self-defense classes. Maybe one day he can fight as well as Robin!

Two weeks when he gets an envelope with little cartoon ghosts.

Right, Daniel's parents are obsessed with ghosts and the science behind them. Tim may have done a little research on his brother's family. Just in case.

Tim yanks the envelope, leaving the other letters on the table, and running for his room. He dives under the covers of his bed, his hands trembling as he sits cross-cross.

Ever so gently, Tim opens the letter.

—

Dear Timothy (who perfers Tim)

After careful d̶e̶l̶i̶b̶a talking with my sister and finding my certificate. You are right!

I always wanted a little brother, but a twin is super awesome. And better!

My sister, Jazz, was super scared and nervous because what if you were a creep or a weirdo or lying? But my parents told me the truth. I'm not really upset, just confused but now I can talk to you!!!!

My favorite color is dark blue, like the night sky! I have a few action figures but I really like reading about space. Or sometimes mess with my parents stuff.

What about you? What's your favorite… anything? Color, animal, hobby. I wanna know all about you! :D

Happily,

Daniel Fenton

P.S. I perfer Danny and family calls me that and you're family now too. 

P.P.S Jazz says she is your big sister now too. Now you have a brother and sister!

—

As Tim finished reading the letter, he jumped out of his bed and ran around his room, arms flapping out as if he were trying to fly, giggling out of sheer happiness, excitement, and giddiness. He's sure if his parents ever saw him, they would tell him he was acting unbefitting of his pedigree.

After that letter, it was as if the floodgates had opened.

Practically every week, or two weeks if the mail is late, Tim gets a letter from Danny, and at least once a month, he gets one from Jazz.

Jazz's letter mainly comprises asking how he is, how he is feeling, whether he's eating enough, and if he's getting enough tutoring. Tim wondered if this was how older siblings acted. More than once, he dreamed how it would feel if she were physically there with him.

Danny's letter mainly consists of excited ramblings of anything and everything. About his friend Tucker and his love of technology. Danny talks about his parents and what they study and build. But most of all, Danny's love of space.

Once Tim asked about the stars, and the next letter Tim got was at least five pages’ worth of space, the stories behind constellations, and the math of space. At the end of the letter, in different handwriting, Jazz's Tim guessed, stating that she had to stop Danny from writing anymore.

Tim talks about being home alone a lot, how he has lots of tutors, and how he's become interested in skateboarding when he sees a YouTube video of it. During a gala, he watched a photographer command people into different places or poses to get the right picture and then talk about lightning and intention. It fascinated him.

A month before Tim's and Danny's birthday, Tim asked about twin stars and if such things existed.

Tim got at least six pages’ worth of information. He was never been interested in astronomy and space before, but whenever Danny wrote about it, he held onto and committed to every word.

Jazz told him how Danny asked about photography and skateboarding when Tim wrote about it.

It made warm fluttering feelings erupt inside Tim.

On their birthday, Tim sent his usual letter and a small box with an accurate galaxy projector and, most importantly, a certificate for named stars with a picture of the stars and coordinates.

Tim named Twin Stars for himself and Danny.

He excitedly shipped them, the box labeled ‘handle with care’ and ‘fragile’.

Tim wasn't expecting anything for his birthday. His parents, if they are at the manor, already give him gifts. As far as Tim knows, Danny doesn't have the money to spend on anyone else, since his adoptive parents spend most of it on their science stuff.

The night of his birthday, he felt disconnected from his body. He didn't recognize many people or kids, and he mostly had to act perfect, though he felt happy and aware when his parents gave him their gifts. A book about photography. He wasn't even aware they knew.

After everyone has left, Tim goes out to check his mailbox, and there's a package on his front door.

With careful consideration, Tim takes the box up to his room. He isn't sure what he was expecting when opening it, but a skateboard and an old-style camera–Polaroid if Tim remembers–was not it.

Tim covers his face, attempting to resist squealing and laughing out loud, lest his parents wake up. He could not stop his body from vibrating, his legs from kicking and squirming, though. He quickly skims through the letter. The skateboard was from Danny, and the camera was from Jazz.

The young boy checks the camera and film and immediately takes a picture of himself in the mirror. The picture turns out a little blurry because Tim could stand still, but he thinks it's perfect either way. He places the picture on his desk.

The next thing Tim looks at is his skateboard. It was nothing special, just the board and four wheels. The underside, though, is what has Tim sucking in a breath.

The underside of the board has a little cluster of planets and stars off-center and towards the right. On the opposite side, he has a cartoon skateboard with a Polaroid camera dispensing a picture. In the bottom center is a cartoon bear that kinda looks like Einstein, the words ‘Bearbert’ scribbled under the bear.

‘Jazz has a stuffed bear named Bearbert,’ Tim remembers from one of Danny's letters.

With a shaky breath and gentleness, Tim touches the designs as if he were touching a piece of art.

Without realizing it, tears streamed down his cheeks, and his small body trembled with a mix of emotions. His heart, burdened by a sense of longing and loneliness, finally found solace as he held the gift in his hands. A wave of warmth washed over him, bringing a sense of comfort that he had never experienced before.

His tears slowly transformed from tears of sadness to tears of joy, glistening in the soft light that filled the room. Tim's chest rose and fell with each deep breath, his sobs gradually subsiding as relief flooded his being. The weight that had been pressing upon his small shoulders seemed to lift as if carried away by the wind.

For the first time, Tim truly felt loved. It felt as if Tim had found a missing piece of his heart, bridging the distance between him and his twin brother, who lived far away.

With a shaky breath, Tim places the skateboard near his closest door, but he takes the camera to his bed.

With a relaxed smile, he falls asleep, hugging the camera and knowing he is loved.

The next morning, Tim immediately gets to writing his letter for Danny and Jazz. He expresses his love and adoration for his gifts, how grateful he is for the gifts and them. He'll love and cherish them forever. Honestly, Tim's almost afraid of using them for fear of breaking them.

In a week and a half, Tim gets two letters. One from Danny and one from Jazz.

Tim opens Jazz's letter first, too nervous to open his brother's.

Jazz expressed shock but gratefulness for the gift for Danny. He cried so much that he nearly threw up. Once he settled down, he immediately wanted to frame the certificate. She hoped Tim would love his gifts. Jazz expressed that their parents had gotten distracted during Danny's party and left for their lab, leaving Jazz, Danny, and Tucker on their own.

(It seems to Tim that despite him and his brother leading different lives, they still end up with similar parents.)

Tim opens Danny's letter next, and if he focuses on the paper, he can see dry wet spots.

The letter was a slew of thank you’s’ and excitedly talking about the twin stars and everything about them. Danny adored the twin stars, and he hoped Tim loved his presents.

Tim wrote a letter stating that he loved his present, to the point he didn't want to use them so he wouldn't break or damage them.

Tim bought a skateboard so he wouldn't damage the board Danny gifted him. He also bought a new camera to practice and only used his gifted camera for more personal pictures.

Year eight comes and goes by quickly. Every two weeks, Tim and Danny exchange letters while Jazz sends a letter once a month. However, when Danny went to space camp, it was Jazz who was sending the letters.

He kept every letter in a box under the bed.

As Tim turned nine, he started suspecting his neighbors of an enormous secret. He wrote to Danny about it, though he didn't say his theory. Danny suggested, following them. Maybe his brother was joking, but Tim followed through.

Almost every night, or whenever he could, Tim would go out into Gotham City and try to follow Batman and Robin. He took pictures of them flipping through the air and taking down bad guys. Perhaps it was stalker-ish, but Tim was having loads of fun. At one point, he saw a video of Robin doing a quadruple somersault, and everything clicked in place.

Only one family was about to make that move, and Bruce Wayne adopted one of them after the Graysons were murdered during one of their shows.

If Robin was Dick Grayson, then The Batman had to be Bruce Wayne.

Tim excitedly wrote a letter to Danny stating he figured out Batman's and Robin's identities, though he stated he wouldn't say.

Danny wasn't upset and understood why Tim wouldn't tell him, but found it cool how smart Tim was.

Nothing much happens in years ten, eleven, and twelve other than Danny getting a new friend named Sam, Jazz studying ahead for psychology and mental health, and their parents hyper-focusing on a new project, a portal supposedly. Tim still stalks–ahem–watches Batman and the new Robin. Jason, if Tim remembers correctly. He's seen the older boy in galas and other parties that Bruce Wayne through or during charity events. Jason looked very uncomfortable and out of place in those settings.

In year thirteen, Robin disappears, and they announce Jason’s death.

Tim felt devastated upon hearing the news. He wrote to Danny in grief and sadness about the disappearance of Robin (Tim couldn't say anything about Jason). Danny and Jazz wrote back with sympathy, though Danny asked if Tim could do something since he knew Batman’s identity.

Tim did nothing for a while until Batman was being way more aggressive than the bad guys. He ran to Dick, hoping he would help, but he didn't. It seemed Dick didn't have a good relationship with Batman.

Instead, Tim tried to help by being the new Robin. He didn't want to replace Jason. Never. But Batman needed a Robin. Though Batman consistently tried to get him to go away.

Things came to a head when Tim saved Batman from Two-Face with the help of Alfred.

Afterward, Batman decided Tim would have to go through rigorous training.

For months.

Before Tim spent all his time on training, he wrote to Danny that he wouldn't be able to send as many letters, but Danny could still send them.

He trained with Alfred, then Nightwing, then Batman.

While training, Obeah Man had captured his parents. His mother was killed. His father was in a coma and paralyzed.

Tim…wasn't sure what to feel. Of course, he felt sad and grief for his mother and his father but…he didn't feel depressed about it.

Taking a moment in his training, he wrote to Jazz about it. She was able to talk him through it. He could feel whatever he felt and how he shouldn't feel guilty if he wasn't in a depressive grief about it.

Tim was happy that he had Jazz as a sister.

During a time when Scarecrow attacks, Tim had assisted in Scarecrow's defeat, and Batman finally deems him ready to fulfill his role as the new Robin. However, they still sent him overseas for further training.

Tim could write only three letters during this time. In the letter, he stated he was sent to France to learn more. In his writing, he covered the city, food, culture, and, of course, how the night sky appears distinct from Gotham. He bought a few books on astronomy from France's point of view. Thankfully, they were in English.

In year fourteen, he debuted officially as Robin in Gotham and got a guest room in the Wayne manor where he spent most of his time.

Tim catches up on all the letters from Danny and Jazz. He excitedly writes back, stating he learned so much, and he couldn't wait to share everything he's learned and seen.

Of course, since Tim spends more time in the Wayne manor, he wants the letters sent there, but he wasn't sure he could behind Bruce’s back.

Tim realized he could go behind Bruce’s back. It's Alfred he couldn't hide from.

Tim tells Alfred that he has a twin brother he talks to but a family that lives elsewhere adopted him. He hesitantly requests that he have the letters sent to Wayne Manor rather than his house.

Alfred smiles and gives the ok.

—

Hey, Danny

How's it going? I am hoping that everything is okay with you. I'm sorry I haven't been able to send as many letters as before, but I've been incredibly busy. I really want to tell you everything. I hope you received those astronomy books; I got them while in France.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know about an address change. I'm spending less time in the Drake manor now.

How's Jazz doing? I know she was studying ahead. How is that going?

Your brother,

Tim

–

With how busy Tim's gotten, he's been sending fewer letters, which Tim hates. However, he is also worried, since Danny is also sending fewer letters. Jazz still sends her monthly letters.

The letter, after Danny turned fourteen, sent red flags in Tim's head.

Danny's handwriting wasn't proper or clean, but it was simple and legible.

That one was shaky, trembly, and often seemed to stop abruptly. If Tim focused, he could see some words roughly erased or scratched out. The latest one seemed to be a summary of a few weeks, maybe even a month.

—

Hey Timmers,

I'm glad to see you are doing O̶k great. I'm doing alright. Started high school with Tuck and Sam a few weeks ago. My parents finished the portal, which was cool.

I̶ d̶i̶d̶ s̶o̶m̶e̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ s̶t̶u̶p̶i̶d̶ I was able to turn it on! It works!!

Ahaha, ghosts exist! they came in through the portal. I̶t̶'s̶ m̶y̶ f̶a̶u̶l̶t̶. M̶y̶ r̶e̶s̶p̶o̶n̶s̶i̶b̶i̶l̶i̶t̶y̶.

They mess with the town. I don't know why, but there's a new hero! His name is Phantom. I help him by giving him my parents' stuff. I̶'m̶ s̶c̶a̶r̶e̶d̶ m̶y̶ p̶a̶r̶e̶n̶t̶s̶ w̶i̶l̶l̶ f̶o̶l̶l̶o̶w̶ t̶h̶r̶o̶u̶g̶h̶ o̶n̶ t̶h̶e̶i̶r̶ t̶h̶r̶e̶a̶t̶s̶.

My parents don't like him, though. They call him evil :((

If you're interested in the science behind ghosts and stuff, then I can send you a copy of my parents' stuff. But if you’re interested in ghosts, like wanting to learn about them properly, then I can send you a notebook of things my friends and I learned.

Ahhh, enough about that.

Jazz is doing great!! She's excelling in school, of course. There is no surprise there. I think she's taking college classes.

Oh! I think I have a stalker :D Like how you stalked, oh sorry, I meant, watched Batman when you were nine. He's harmless, and it's fun to mess with him. lol :P

Forever your brother,

Danny

—

That was…a lot. Ghosts exist? The portal actually worked? Danny has a stalker? Why was Danny's handwriting worse than it usually was? What were the erased and crossed-out words?

Tim started looking into Danny's family much more closely now that he has trained and worked under Batman.

The Fentons no longer seemed fit for Danny.

Danny hadn't had a proper check-up since he turned fourteen. A teacher called CPS twice. Almost all that turned up was that it was ‘misunderstandings’ and just ‘parents busy with work’.

Tim hated those phrases. He'd planned to look into Amity Park and finally tell Bruce about his brother but…

Life likes to throw corners at people.

Year fifteen is when shit hits the fan.

Tim's father was kidnapped.

He met Stephanie while he was looking into a villain called Cluemaster and teamed up with her several times.

Batman saved Jack and then Bruce decided to take some time off from being Batman. He handed the mantle to Nightwing. Temporarily.

So much happened that Tim could barely sit down and write a letter to Danny. When he had time, he felt like something was weighing him down. He still looked at the old letters and read any new ones.

At one point, Tim decided to train with Iron Master, but Lady Shiva had killed him. He went to warn Dava, a girl he met, about Lady Shiva. Once he had caught up with her in her country, the pair fought Lady Shiva. After resolving everything, he returned to the United States.

But during his flight, a massive earthquake that leveled most of the city struck Gotham.

The only thing going through his head were Danny and Jazz's letters and gifts. Thankfully, his house only suffered minor damage and didn’t affect the letters and gifts, as well as the notebooks and papers about ghosts.

He wrote to them, stating he was safe and uninjured. The earthquake didn't damage his house.

Tim eventually met Superboy and Impulse, aka Bart, and made a team with them. However, after Teen Titans teamed up with Young Justice on a series of missions, Young Justice’s lack of experience and poor coordination resulted in the death of two Titan members.

Through all this, Tim struggled to balance his civilian life and vigilante life.

In year sixteen, he started junior year at the new Louis E. Grieve Memorial High School, where Tim quickly made friends with Bernard Dowd.

Unfortunately, Jack discovered Tim's secret Robin gear. Tim's father demanded that he quit being a superhero. He even confronted Bruce for endangering Tim and threatened to expose their secrets if they didn’t release Tim from duty.

Tim reluctantly retired from the role due to his father's wishes.

During this time, he was able to write to Danny and Jazz. He apologized several times for the lack of letters and hoped they knew he still thought of them.

His siblings wrote back, telling him it was alright. Gotham was going through a lot, and they always kept him in their minds. They still loved him, regardless of the lack of letters.

Tim thought they were right in saying Gotham was going through a lot. When the city was plunged into a gang war, Tim’s father forbade him from helping, but he took the Robin mantle and went to help Batman when one of his school friends was shot.

His dad begrudgingly realized that the city truly needed him.

One day, one night, while Batman and Robin were investigating an unknown conspirator that was targeting the superheroes' families, Tim received a call from his father that there was an intruder in the Drake home.

Robin and Batman were too late to the scene.

Tim Drake had now lost both of his parents to crime, just like Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson before him.

Bruce offered to adopt Tim, who, after carefully thinking over it, accepted it.

Things slowed down for a bit.

He got used to living with Bruce and Alfred and moved all of his important things to his room in Wayne Manor.

Tim had his box of letters in his closet, the skateboard propped up on the wall near his bed, and his Polaroid camera on his nightstand. He had a smaller box of pictures he took with his Polaroid on his desk.

He could finally write back to his siblings, but after reading the latest letters from Danny and Jazz, ones he got a week after his father died and hadn't read because of being busy moving things and completing documents, his heart sank.

The letter had a rumpled appearance, with drops of blood and something green smudged into the paper, and Danny’s handwriting appeared shaky and rushed.

—

Hey Timmers,

I know you're busy with so much, and I don't want to drag you into this, but fuck, I don't even know where to start. Everything's a mess, just like my mind right now. There's this darkness creeping in, suffocating me, and I can't breathe. They're after me and I don't know what to do.

I thought they'd accept me.

I'm sorry if this letter doesn't make any sense. I wanted to tell you everything. I felt so guilty about lying to you, but now it's too late. There's too much to explain and not enough time.

I'm sorry, Tim, but I don't think we'd be able to meet up like we promised.

Just know I love you so much. You're my brother. Even if we never met, I love you so much.

Dearly, forever your brother,

Danny

—

“No, no, no!”

Tim sprang into action. He gathered everything regarding ghosts and the Fenton's research, as well as Danny and Jazz's letter, which he has yet to read.

He ran to the Batcave, placing the notebooks and letters on the desk and putting Amity Park coordinates into the bat computer. On another page, he searched for anything he could about Amity Park and the Fentons.

“Tim? What's wrong?” Bruce walked up behind Tim, a worried tone in his voice.

Tim swallowed. He didn't even know how to explain. He guessed he should just come out and say it.

Taking a deep breath, Tim tells Bruce everything.

“I have a twin brother.”

Bruce's eyes widen, and his mouth drops open.

Tim tells Bruce how he found out. All the letters he's sent, and he's gotten from them. How Danny and Jazz have helped him just by sending these letters. The gifts he's sent and the ones he's sent to them.

“This is the latest letter from Danny. A week after my dad died, Danny sent this letter. But I only opened it just now since things have settled.” Tim handed the letter to Bruce, who skimmed through it. “Bruce, my brother is in trouble. I have to help him. You can't stop me from saving him!

It was silent after Tim’s proclamation. Bruce was still glaring at the letter.

Bruce looks at the notebooks and then Tim's determined face. “I won't stop you from doing this, Tim, but I am going to help you.”

Tim releases a breath he was holding.

“You're not alone in this. I'll even call in Nightwing. Now, tell me what you know. We have to know what we're getting into before we do anything,” Bruce says, going into Batman mode. He's going to help Danny and bring him home to his brother.

Tim's eyebrows furrowed, and his back tensed. “But we have to hurry! Danny could be in trouble, Bruce!”

“I know, chum, but if we go in without a plan, it could put your brother in a worse situation, or you could get mistaken for him.” Bruce places a hand on Tim's shoulder. “We will save him. We just need to plan.”

“Master Tim.” Alfred softly begins, “I shall prepare a room for your brother, as well as prepare the medical room. Please trust Master Bruce and Master Dick will help.”

Tim swallows and nods.

Bruce calls Dick. He immediately said he was on his way.

Tim goes through Amity Park and the Fentons on the bat computer. Bruce focuses on notebooks and research papers. When Dick arrives, he and Alfred go through the letters to separate anything, mentioning ghosts.

“Hey, Timmy, there's a flash drive in this letter,” Dick announces, and holds up the flash drive to show everyone.

Tim’s head whips back in shock. “Who sent the letter? When?”

Dick places the flash drive on the desk and checks over the letter. “Someone named Jazz. It's unopened, so I'm assuming it's recent.” He passes the letter to Tim so he can read it.

—

Dear Tim,

I know you've been incredibly busy with something important, but we need your help. Please.

Danny is in danger.

There's something we haven't been telling you; it's just too much for just a letter, but with the help of a few of Danny's friends, we got all the important information in the flash drive. It'll explain everything.

If possible, you can let Batman or any superhero know. We've tried to contact The Justice League for the past two years, and they have done nothing.

Please try. I know it's a big ask, and I'm putting such a big responsibility on you when you're only sixteen, but I know you'll feel guilty if you knew too late and you were able to help, any way shape, or form.

From your big sister,

Jazz

—

Tim gripped the letter in his hand. Of course, Jazz knew he'd feel guilty. Even when she didn't know his secret. But he could help; he's Robin, for fuck’s sake.

“I guess we should just plug in the flash drive.” Dick shrugged, holding up the flash drive.

“Hm.”

Dick plugged in the flash drive, and the bat computer turned black.

“Uh, oops?”

Bruce deeply sighed.

“What? What happened?” Tim exclaimed. He looked back at Dick and Bruce.

Bruce…he looked hesitant. Like he wanted to speak about something but was considering it.

“Bruce? What is it?”

“...Are you sure these letters are from Danny and Jazz? At least, the most recent ones?” Bruce questioned.

“Bruce.” Dick gritted out, his jaw clenched.

Tim glared, his back tense. “Are you serious right now?”

“I don't doubt that Danny is your sibling. You've been corresponding with him since you were six.” Bruce explains, “But what if someone found out he's from the Drake family and is only using his likeness to get to you?”

Tim clenched his fist, hating Bruce's reasoning. “I know for a fact that it's Danny, and he's only told three people: his sister Jazz and his two friends, Sam and Tucker. I already did a background check on them. Danny's adopted family doesn't even know!”

Bruce blinked and sighed again. “Ok. I believe you. Then let's try turning on the computer again.”

Tim and Dick glance at each in shock. Bruce backed down? He wasn't going to further his doubt on this?

They didn't want to jinx it, so they moved on. Tim and Bruce looked over the computer while Dick looked over the remaining letter, and Alfred left to get snacks and drinks.

After an hour, the computer turned on. Bruce immediately checked over it.

“Hmm. Nothing looks hacked or corrupted.”

“Wait. Look at that.” Dick pointed to a new file. It looked… a tad green around the edges.

“I trust Jazz,” Tim spoke up. “If she says this will explain everything, then it will explain everything.”

“Then, let us see.”

The file started explaining the Ghost Zone or how it's known, The Infinite Realms; a dimension between dimensions. It connects all dimensions and time. Anything having to do with the afterlife exists in the Infinite Realms.

Anyone living there is called Infini-Beings, and there are two types of Infini-Beings. One type is what humans call spirits, ghosts, poltergeists, and so on. They form through a substantial quantity of ectoplasm, either in the ambient air or by immersing themselves in it, and experiencing a painful or emotional death. The others are called Neverborn. They aren't born through human death, but they exist through a concept. There are different Neverborn. Some envelop a holiday, idea, or legac.

Then there are the Ancients. They are essentially more than gods. There's the spirit of time who looks over the timeline to make sure the best timeline comes to fruition.

“This is…” Dick trails off.

Tim understood. It was a lot. The afterlife exists, all forms of afterlife exist in this dimension between dimensions, and, if he understood correctly, different times as well.

“Hm. We'll keep reading.”

There was a separate section explaining Halfas, and then Danny's picture showed up.

Several noises of confusion sounded out from behind Tim, but they kept going.

Halfas were rare. Unique. There's only one true halfa. The others who are similar came to be in different ways. A halfa is created when a human dies an emotional or painful death, with the addition of ectoplasm, is instantly revived, and continues to alternate between life and death. They are half human and half ghost. Half alive and half dead.

Danny is a halfa.

He died when he entered his parents' portal. He didn't think he worked. Even his parents had said so. So, he invited his friends over, and one of them dared him to go inside. The ‘on’ switch was inside the portal, and when Danny tripped when he was inside, he caught himself by placing his hand on the wall, which had the ‘on’ switch. A block's worth of electricity killed Danny, but the portal turned on top of him, so a dimension's worth of ectoplasm brought him back to life.

“Danny…died?” Tim whispered, horrified by this revelation. His twin had died. What was he doing while his twin had to go through this? Why didn't Danny and Jazz tell him? His hands shook as he kept reading.

The rest of it explained how he became Phantom, a hero for Amity Park. His physical health had changed and showed what it was now. It showed all his abilities and how he is still growing and gaining new powers.

It was silent through the three vigilantes as they took in this information.

“Tim, can you contact Jazz? She's the biological child of the Fentons. I'm sure she can help.” Dick suggested in a panicked tone in his voice.

“Tim, you focus on contacting Jazz. Dick and Alfred keep looking through the files. If Danny is half human, then most likely his biology has changed too, and we need to prepare for everything. I'll look further into the Fentons.” Bruce commanded everyone, trying to stop his kids from panicking and focus on the task at hand.

They all dispersed, Tim getting off the computer, so Dick and Alfred could look through the files and use his own to contact Jazz.

Finding Jazz's contact information, Tim immediately called her. After the third ring, she picked up.

“...Hello?” Her voice was hesitant and hoarse, as if she had been crying.

“Jazz! It's me, Tim!” He excitedly says into the phone. Tim wished he were talking to Jazz under better circumstances.

“Tim? Oh, Ancients. How did you–What?” Jazz stuttered.

“Jazz, I got your letter and one from Danny. I'm so sorry I didn't see them sooner. I've been moving into a new house, and I just–”

“Tim, don't you dare apologize!” Jazz interrupted his little brother, “You lost your father and your mother the previous year, and you've been so busy before that. I know my letter must have been a lot for you, and I'm sorry for that.” A few sniffles and rustling came from her side.

Tim frowned at that. He supposed Jazz was right, but “Still. I should have at least been reading these as soon as I got them. But Jazz! I got in contact with Batman! He's trying to help.” He glanced at Bruce, who started walking towards him.

“...Really? You did it? He wants to help?” Jazz's voice wavered, small and in disbelief.

Bruce cleared his throat and deepened it to Batman's voice. “Yes, I want to help. We need some clarification about Danny's health and, if possible, if you can tell us about your parents and hometown.”

Jazz broke down, sobbing, apologizing, and thanking them. She informed them about Danny's new vitals. His heart rate is far slower than normal, the same as his temperature. His vitals resembled someone who should be in the ICU. In his ghost form, his heartbeat is non-existent. In both forms, anesthetic or anything similar doesn't work on him. Regular stitches melt off of him.

Bruce frowned at that. “What could we use, then?”

“My dad made a fishing line to catch ghosts, but it works as stitches for Danny.”

“Alright, do you know where Danny is? His letters said ‘they’ were chasing him. And who is ‘they’?” Batman asked.

Tim was writing the information Jazz gave them while Alfred moved things around the medical room. Dick was looking over their weapons. None of them were ready when Jazz said,

“My parents.”

Everyone froze.

Tim wanted to throw up.

“My parents hate ghosts. They believe all of them are evil and manipulative. My mom started to suspect Danny, and they believed Phantom possessed the corpse of their dead son. They're wrong, of course.” Jazz explained with a tight voice.

“The Fentons…Danny's parents? They…”

“They have Danny in the basement, in their lab.” Jazz sniffled. “My parents don't even know I'm here. They think I'm visiting colleges. I'm staying with a friend of mine whose little brother is friends with Danny.”

“Is there a way to get them out of the house?” Dick asked, hardening his voice.

You can hear Jazz's hesitance and unknowingness. “I, I don't…know.”

They momentarily stay quiet, ideas floating through their heads.

“What if we make up a flier about a ghost convention? On the opposite side of the country?” Dick suggested. “Jazz, what if you brought it up to them?”

“That…could work. One of Danny's friends could make it up. He's good with technology.”

With that, they started making up a plan. Danny's friend, Tucker, and Robin–Tim in actuality–would make up a webpage and flier about a ghost convention. The Batclan would use the Batplane and land on the football field a few days before the Fentons leave. After they leave, Tucker will make sure the cameras or anything security-related won't go off. Jazz and Sam, another friend of Danny's, would sneak in and start packing anything important for Danny. While they do that, Batman, Robin, and Nightwing would sneak into the basement to save Danny.

Three days after they made their plan, the three vigilantes boarded the Batplane and left for Amity Park.

As they headed to their destination, Dick placed a hand on Tim's shoulder and lightly squeezed.

“How are you feeling?”

Tim squeezed his hands. “I'm…scared. I've only ever talked to him through letters. We planned to meet up soon and now…”

Dick moved his hand to wrap it around Tim and sighs. “We will save him, Tim; you got nothing to worry about there.” Seeing as Tim still looked worried, Dick said something else. Do something he should have done a while ago. “I don't think now is the right time, but I'm sorry, Tim.”

Tim makes a confused noise, and Dick continues.

“The way I treated you. Almost like an outsider, even when I helped train you. You just wanted to help, and I practically treated you like shit. Seeing you do all of this for a brother you haven't even met… just reminded me…of Jason. I also left you alone to deal with Bruce when you were only like fourteen as well.” Dick deeply sighed, rubbing his eyes, “I'm rambling, but I am sorry, Tim. I'll do better, and we'll help your brother."

Tension slowly eased up in Tim, and he leaned into Dick. “Thank you. I won't it's okay, because it wasn’t, but thank you for the apology.”

Bruce smiled from his seat, seeing the boys reconcile. He resolved himself to do better. Perhaps therapy could work. After they saved Danny.

After several hours of flight, they made it near Amity Park as the sun had set. Bruce turned on the invisibility cloak for the Batplane and landed on the football field.

And then…nothing.

Tim walked up to Bruce to see what he was waiting for.

“Bruce? What's going on? What are we waiting for?” Tim jumped to his feet from the anxiety and adrenaline.

“We're waiting for a few people,” Bruce simply said, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

Tim raised an eyebrow at Dick, who simply shrugged.

They waited a few hours until Tim saw four people walk on the football field. Bruce pulled on his cowl, and Tim and Dick did the same.

Batman opened the hatch door, letting the people in.

Tim held his breath as Jazz, Sam, and Tucker nervously walked in, though he didn't recognize the ginger-haired boy behind them. God, did he want to run up to Jazz and hug her, but he was currently in his Robin costume. He couldn't reveal his identity.

Batman placed a hand on Tim's back and nudged him towards Jazz.

Tim's eyes widened behind his mask, and his jaw dropped as he stared at Bruce.

With a small nod of encouragement from Bruce, Tim slowly walked to Jazz. “Hey, Jazz.” His voice choked.

Jazz's eyebrows furrowed as she walked in front of the group. “Your voice, do I…” she gasped as it set in for her who she was talking to. She pulled Tim for a tight hug, and Tim placed his head in the crook of his neck. “Oh, Timmy.” She whispered under her breath with so much emotion that made Tim's eyes water.

She said Tim's name with so much love.

They pull back a little, Tim putting his forehead on Jazz's and Jazz placing her hands on Tim's cheek. “We're going to save him. We're going to save Danny, I promise.”

After their emotional meeting, Tim stuck close to Jazz as they introduced the others.

Sam is a slim, fair-skinned teenage girl with light violet eyes, and chin-length, straight black hair with a small ponytail at the top back of her head. She also sported deep-violet lipstick on her lips. She wore a black cropped tank top with a light violet oval printed on the center, thick black bracelets on both her wrists, purple tights under a black skirt with a green crosshatch design, and black biker boots.

Tucker has brown skin, turquoise eyes, black hair, and wears black glasses. He wears a long-sleeve yellow shirt, green cargo pants with a black belt, and brown boots, along with a red beret hat.

The nervous, out-of-place boy behind them introduced himself as Wes Weston. He was pale, with freckles adorning his face. Short, messy, ginger hair and green eyes with bags under them. He wore a red and white hoodie, black shorts, and white sneakers.

Turns out, Wes found out Danny's identity as Phantom. At first, he tried to reveal Danny's identity as Danny and his friends messed with him, but after seeing how his parents kept trying to catch their son, Wes slowly became friends with Danny.

Tim guessed Wes was the stalker Danny was talking about. He felt protective until he remembered how he found out Batman's identity.

“So, what's the plan? How are we saving my little brother?” Jazz asked with steel in her voice.

“Tucker and Robin will upload the website for the fake ghost convention. Wes and Sam will mention the convention and hand the flier to the Fentons. It doesn't matter how it happens so long as it gets to them.

Nightwing will call the Fentons pretending to be one of the creators and asking them to be a spokesperson. Jazz will call them, encouraging them to go. Once they pack up and leave, Tucker and Robin will freeze any security they have, and we will sneak in at night. Jazz and Sam will take anything important for Danny. We'll find blueprints and gather evidence against the Fentons and save Danny.” Batman paused, letting the group take in the plan.

“After taking Danny from the house, we’ll heal him up here and take him to Gotham. Everyone knows their roles?”

Everyone nodded, determination, anger, and betrayal set in their eyes.

Jazz and Tim hugged one last time before the Amity Parkers left.

The next day, Tucker and Tim uploaded the fake website. They watched as Sam and Wes “bumped into” the Fentons and showed them the flier. They watched as the Fentons perked up. Jazz sent them a text confirming that she called them. They waited another day and noticed how the Fentons started packing their van.

At midnight, Tucker and Tim hacked their security and freeze their cameras. They waited another hour before Jazz and Sam let them into Fenton Works.

Immediately, Robin could see so many problems. He could see weapons, vials, and other weapons in progress littered around the house and even the kitchen.

Jazz led them to the basement door and gave them a backpack. “This has things that Danny will need. It also has the Fenton fishing line that could stitch up Dann.”

“We need a better name for that,” Nightwing muttered as Jazz unlocked the door.

Jazz hugged Tim one last time before heading to Danny's room.

Batman led the group down to the basement. It is dimly lit, with flickering fluorescent lights casting eerie shadows across the cluttered space. The air is heavy with the scent of chemicals, mingling with the metallic tang of weapon residue. The sound of buzzing electricity fills the room, accompanied by occasional hisses and bubbling from the various beakers and vials scattered haphazardly around. Jars of what looked like hands, arms, and eyes sat on shelves. In the middle of the room sat a medical table, and Danny lies motionless, the leather straps securing him tightly, his face a mix of fear and determination.

“Danny?” Tim's heart skipped a beat as he stood frozen in the doorway, his eyes widening in disbelief. The room was cloaked in an eerie silence, broken only by the faint hum of medical equipment. Danny, Tim's identical twin brother, lay motionless on a cold, sterile table, his skin a glowing pale-ish blue, hair snow white as it wisps around as if it were underwater. He wore a black jumpsuit with white boots, collar, belt, and gloves. A logo in the middle of his chest forms a D with a P in the middle. A mix of red and green blood surrounds him and pools on the floor.

“Robin.”

Tim takes a deep breath, reminding himself that he's here to save Danny. He walks up to the table and gently places a hand on Danny's cheek, gently guiding it towards his face. He softly pats his brother's cheek. “Danny? Danny, please wake up. We're here. I'm here.”

Tim waits for a sign that Danny is still alive or rather awake somehow. He tries to unlock the leather straps as Batman and Nightwing look around, collect evidence, and hack into any computers.

A weak and quiet groan makes everyone freeze.

“Danny!”

“Please, no. I'm still…your son, please.” Danny begs, keeping his tightly closed.

“Danny, please open your eyes. The Fentons aren't here.” Tim pleads to Danny.

Nightwing tries to help with the straps as Tim focuses on getting Danny awake.

“Wha–who?” Danny's head shifts left and right, trying to make sense of what's happening.

Tim takes off his mask as his brother finally focuses on him.

Danny blinks several times and weakly chuckles. “It's like looking into a mirror.”

Tim and Nightwing also chuckle, though mainly in disbelief and relief.

“You're seriously making jokes right now?” Tim grins as he finally breaks one strap, freeing Danny's right hand and Nightwing frees the left.

“Danny.” Batman's deep voice startles them. “Your sister said that you have two forms. Can you shift to your human one, or are you also injured in that form?”

Danny tries to sit up but cries out as his body, more specifically, his left side spasms.

Tim gasps and holds onto Danny through his pain.

“I…I don't think I can. It hurts.” Tears spring up in Danny's eyes.

“Okay, that's alright. We'll fix you up however we can and get you out of here.” Batman tries to get Danny to calm down. He turns to Robin and Nightwing. “Robin. Start downloading anything you can from the computers. Nightwing, help me with Danny.”

“What? No, let me stay with Danny.” Tim fights back. He wants to stay beside Danny. He just met him, and he doesn't plan to leave his side soon.

“You're our best hacker. You know immediately what's important for these things. You won't be far from your brother,” Batman reasons with Robin.

Tim scowls but decides not to fight with Batman right now. His brother is the most important to focus on. He squeezes Danny's hand and then leaves for the computer.

After thirty minutes. Tim has everything he can download. When Tim looks over at his brother, he notices that his brother is sitting up, even though he is still hunched over from the pain.

“I'll carry him to the plane. Robin, go meet up with Jazz.” Batman says. He bends to carry Danny bridal style and softly apologizes for any pain he was causing.

Tim follows behind but then veers off to head upstairs, following the path Jazz and Sam took. He easily finds his brothers’ door since it’s littered with stars and planets. He slowly enters to find Sam on the bed, eyes rimmed red and Jazz holding a backpack and a duffle bag by her feet.

Sam threatened Tim and had him promise Danny would be safe. Once she seemed satisfied, she left.

Jazz tightly hugged Tim and quietly chuckled. She placed a hand on his cheek. “I guess it's true that twins follow each other. Both of my little brothers turned out to be vigilantes. Please, take care of each other. I can't even imagine what you've gone through, but I've seen what Danny went through.” She hesitantly runs a hand through Tim's hair, and Tim melts into it. “I'll visit whenever I can. I may even move to Gotham for college.”

Tim couldn't help but snort. “You'd be the first to say that.”

“Now, go help our brother.” With a kiss on Tim's forehead, Jazz gives him the backpack and duffle bag and leads him out of the house.

Tim runs to the plane and finds Danny. He places the bags out of the way and holds Danny's hand.

“Hey.” Danny gives a small but pained smile.

“Hey yourself.” Tim greets, but sighs ‘Did you ever imagine meeting like this?”

“Ha, fuck no. I didn't think my brother was Robin.”

“And I didn't think my brother was Invis-O-Bill.”

Danny's eyes widened. “No! No, that's not my name! It's Phantom! Alright?”

Tim snickers. “How did that even happen?”

It was so easy to talk to and joke with Danny. It felt as though Tim had been talking to him for years, and though he talked to him through letters, Tim thought it would be difficult and different in person.

“It was when I was starting off. I didn't have a name yet, and people were just calling me random names. I'm glad I could stop that.” Danny explained with a smile. He looked around the plane and sobered up. “What's going to happen to me now? I know that…our birth parents are…gone. So, what now?

Tim frowns and glances at Batman and then back at Danny. “You'll live with me, of course. I just met you. Saved you. I won't let you out of sight.”

“Wait, didn't you get adopted by Bruce Wayne? Would he even want me?” Danny suddenly panicked, a lack of confidence showing through his voice and body.

“Of course he will! And if he doesn't, then I can just make up a fake family member. A fake uncle, and we can live by ourselves.” Tim resolves his voice hard and resolved and, obviously, pointed.

“I don't think Bruce Wayne will be happy about that.”

“And you think that'll stop me?”

“Bruce Wayne will gladly take you in,” Batman interrupts, placing a hand on Tim's shoulder in reassurance.

Danny squints at Batman, clearly not believing him. “And how do you know that?”

Batman sighs. He contemplates for a second and takes off the cowl.

Danny's jaw drops and sputters, “Are all billionaires weirdos? Do you have a creepy basement? Why did you dress up as a furry? Oh, Ancients, Wes was right? Wes was right. He'll never shut up about it if he finds out.”

Nightwing bursts out laughing as Bruce deeply sighs, though he looks a bit relieved and amused.

Tim snickers. His brother will be alright.

They'll be alright now that they have each other.

From letters sent through the miles to finally seeing each other.

They will be alright.