CW: body horror
Everyone knows that Tim is a meta, but it’s evident his power isn’t something he likes.
It could be that his powers aren’t favourable, something weak or useless to the cause of the bats. Maybe it’s something simple like a small healing factor or being able to know every colour in existence.
There’s also the chance it’s something dangerous, that he doesn’t want to risk using in case people get hurt. There are many powers like that already known, and the only reason Bruce doesn’t outright push is that Tim has given him a dozen assurances that he’s got it under control and has been in several near death instances and not resorted to it.
Of course, it might not be something that could save him in a pinch, but Bruce’s somewhat unethical stalking and monitoring of his foster son is not something that will just vanish.
Damian thinks it’s something weak or pathetic for a while, and that’s why Tim won’t mention it but two things make him remove that theory.
The first is that Tim hadn’t tried to hide his being a meta, telling Bruce straight out so he wouldn’t find out later and get angry, and wouldn’t have done so if he was truely ashamed.
The second and most important was the way Tim looked when he was asked about it or other metas were mentioned. There was a sadness in his eyes, something not quite pitying but remorseful. It was a bone deep sorrow he couldn’t hide even though he probably tried.
Damian started to think that the theory his power was dangerous might be more likely. Or maybe even that he thinks his power is ugly or wrong in some way and wishes he had been given something softer or more pleasing to the mind that whatever it is he wields.
It could be that it was something sad like seeing someone’s death or most painful memories, or that it went so far against his beliefs that he longed to have another power. Maybe the Drake heir would have preferred something pathetic in that case.
Naturally, the truth comes out.
The bats have been strung up, all of them captured at the exact same time, only for Ra’s in an attempt for him to asses more closely who he wishes to join his course whether that be by will or through creating an heir.
He’s talking his usual spiel, about his goal and ambitions and how they should be thankful they will be apart of the course.
Ra’s speak on how he will let the others go so Gotham will be safe, but he makes a crucial mistake as he does.
While he himself probably wouldn’t have done the actually assaulting, morbidly the older man would probably think it was a waste of his time, he would have found a way to mix his DNA with who ever he chose and the eyes that linger on Tim’s most beloved, most dangerous sister Cassandra…
Tim’s hands roll in his chains, making them move and the assuming sound echo slightly.
It’s enough for Ra’s to turn to him and approach, “Hit a nerve, Detective? I must admit, I am curious as to how your meta genes might be of benefit.”
The ancient man stands with elegance in front of where Tim hangs, looking at him with a genuine interest as he ponders the youngers abilities.
“Why don’t you tell me of your power? Or perhaps… a demonstration?”
Ra’s isn’t a fool, he makes to leave the room as he speaks, knowing that his ignorance of Tim’s power could be his reckoning. But Tim is one step ahead, has been since his sister was threatened.
“A demonstration sounds perfect.”
It’s all Tim says, the first words he’s spoken, before the whole rooms entry seems to change.
It’s not cold, but it’s making them all feel a chill that can only belong to dread. It’s utter trepidation, going through everyone’s blood like the cool of a IV fluid.
Then Tim’s neck snaps.
His head twist to face directly behind him and then falls backwards so he’s looking at Ra’s with a sickening grin on his face.
They watch as the corners of his mouth pull and stretch, not in a smile like the joker, but as if the skin is trying to get off of the bone of his skull and jaw. His teeth are still human shape, but there’s hundreds of them across his mouth, all looking as if they’re not just staying inside the Alamo’s non existent gums.
All of them watch in horror as Tim slinks out of the chains and falls into a boneless pile on the floor, as if his skin was just a suit. Only for it to then rise suddenly and much taller, his arms and legs and torso all stretched out like he’s been pulled apart slowly for several months.
His knees snap back at the same time his nails make a sickening sound as they seemingly become pure bone barbs from his finger tips.
His suit is scrap, baggy on his body as if the Kevlar and various metal plates have turned into rubber or paper with the effort of his stretching body.
Tim, if he can even be called a human name anymore, takes a step foward as his eyes cloud over with blood and lets out a hissing like laugh before pointing a contorted finger and nail at Ra’s.
His voice is like bugs crawling deep in a cold damp cave a thousand feet below sea level, “What is stronger… Demon?”
Ra’s is still as a statue and only ones as well versed in his body language like Damian can see the signs of genuine regret and disturbance in his face. Damian might even go as far to say fear if he could actually properly look away from the former Robin he had tried several times to terminate.
Tim, almost as quick as Flash, rushes forward and presses himself right over Ra’s. He’s almost four feet taller than him even as he’s hunched over, still holding both gnarled hands on the floor as if some kind of animal or maybe just because he cannot stand at full height. They could see him move over, but it was as if he was glitching forward as he crawled.
The creature’s neck snaps again, this time to the side and Ra’s Al Ghul flinches.
“Or Eldrich?”
The cackling sound of his laughs, like trees splintering, echoed through the room as Tim watched Ra’s realise exactly what Tim was capable of and more importantly how Tim, who was the being before him, had enough control and was smart enough to never need to use his abilities.
Tim twist himself back into his normal body but there’s just the slight evidence in how his eyes seem lifeless and his teeth seem just slightly wonky in his grin.
“Well? Do I fit your… view of beauty? Of a world you once knew?”
Ra’s leaves the room just as his assassins begin releasing Tim’s family.
Tim doesn’t pay attention to his families reactions or safety, simply leaving the room and trying to ignore the longing in his heart to change.
