Chapter Text
Alfred watched Miss Selina Kyle strut around the Batmobile when she got in from a case involving Hugo Strange. As far as Alfred heard, something went seriously wrong. He and Miss Barbara were setting up the med bay while Master Dick went to fetch Doctor Thompkins for whatever it was that led Master Bruce to crumple as he did.
“I’m not sure if we will need her,” Miss Selina frowned at him. Alfred furrowed his brow as she opened up the door to reveal a youngman between Master Tim and Master Jason’s age. It was a young man that Alfred knew very well. The same boy that had to be kicked out of multiple schools for fighting and/or drinking despite knowing better, despite that genius IQ.
“My word,” Alfred frowned, “I believe I should call a Miss Zatanna.”
He turned towards the young redhead in the wheelchair. She’d be able to contact them faster than he. But unfortunately, Miss Barbara appeared to be in shock. Well, that’s fine. Alfred can work the computer too. Though he should probably bring in the family… They will want to see this.
“God, Brucie was such a jerk at this age,” Miss Kane frowned. Her wig and mask were off leaving her natural red hair to show and a face of pale makeup. The unconscious master was currently knocked out as Doctor Thompkins explained but appeared physically well and healthy for a sixteen year old boy. Mentally, they were waiting for him to wake up.
“I always thought Bruce was huge,” Master Jason frowned. The sixteen year old Bruce Wayne wasn’t small, he was taller and broad but unskilled. He did consist of the same build that adult Bruce had. He seemed to be going through puberty with a little bit of baby fat. He looked more like master Damian now than in his adult form.
“Even father had to grow at one point, Todd,” Master Damian snapped at his brother which earned a glare from the butler that silenced him.
“I didn’t think this family could get weirder,” Master Duke frowned.
“Z is on her way,” Master Richard walked back in after being on the phone with the magic user.
They all silenced at the sound of Master Bruce stirred in his sleep. The boy was waking, and the unanswered questions went through their heads; does he know? How much of his memory is there?
Alfred made sure to be the first one by the bed. If Master Bruce were to wake up with his sixteen year old mindset and memories then the old butler would be the best choice. Which seemed to be the case when the boy’s eyes flew open, at first confused but then frightened. The children watched from behind the butler with worry and concern while Miss Selina attempted to remain calm and collected.
“Master Bruce,” Alfred sternly yet calmly placed a hand on his shoulder, “Calm down. We need to know what you last remember?”
“Alfred,” Master Bruce shrieked, “Where are we? Who are they?”
“Well, that answers that question,” Master Jason sighed but was flicked in the ear by his sister whom scolded him.
“Why are you so old?” Bruce yelled. Alfred raised an eyebrow in response with an unimpressed look across his face. It caused the teen to go into a deep red.
“Hey, Alfie isn’t old. He’s just aging gently!” Miss Stephanie attempted to cut in. Alfred can appreciate the girl’s efforts. What a doll she can be at times.
“Thank you Miss Stephanie,” He deadpanned as Mistress Barbara rolled her eyes.
“Master Bruce,” Alfred began, “This may be confusing for you but what you think you know now is not actually now. It appears your memory has been altered like your physical state. What once was an adult is now a sixteen year old. Do you understand?”
“So did I travel into the future or do i have amnesia?” Bruce frowned. He was a smart boy that always put logic before panic. It did not surprise Alfred that the sixteen year old came to these conclusions.
“I prefer the term age regression,” Alfred smiled. He gestured for the tablet in Master Timothy’s hand. The true teenager handed it over to the butler so Alfred could search Bruce Wayne where a recent image of him showed from a gala nearly three week ago.
“This is you now,” He gave it to the boy on the bed, “and this is Batman’s cave. Your cave.”
“Batman?” He asked before looking at the new technology. The bright boy figured it out fairly fast how to search. The Gotham vigilante was the first thing to pop up, his eyes widened but he didn’t seem nearly as surprised as one would think. Bruce Wayne was always meant to be the Dark Knight of this city. He’d wanted to since he first learned how to brawl and protect others.
“I do this?” He asked.
“Since I can remember,” Master Tim spoke up. The attention turned back to the family at hand, half of them in their capes while the others were woken from their rest.
Master Bruce clearly didn’t seem to connect this, he can be dense at times, “Who are they?”
“Your family, Master Bruce,” Alfred grinned.
“So I guess we skipped that whole protection talk,” Bruce gulped.
Oh good lord.
Alfred will certainly demand a vacation as soon as this is resolved.