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Oblivious to the two observers, Dick went on walking through the cave of his mind. He knew exactly who was following him, however, the Former Boy Wonder doubted the shadow would spring until he came to the end of the corridor. At the end…he saw Jason's coffin. But he was still a long way away…surely the shadow would wait…surely…

"Well well well… If it isn't Doubting Dicky, come to admire the Joker's handiwork. And you called ME a jerk!"

Of course…he could be wrong…

"You resented me, Dicky. Don't deny that you HATED me! You coddle Timmy now because you regret not taking ME under your wing!"

"No…that isn't true! I NEVER hated you, Jason. I hated BRUCE for a while—"

"For letting me into the fold. For REPLACING you!"

Dick actually snickered "Yes…I hated that you replaced me so soon after I got fired. But it was BRUCE who wronged me, not you."

He was attacked from behind, and a fist pummeled him in the ribs, then the head. Dick grunted, and was greatful that this was the 'desease' version of his successor. He really didn't want to get beaned by a crowbar again.

"Regardless, you thought I wasn't worthy! You thought I was just some PUNK off the street. Admit that at least!"

Dick shoved him off and growled "FINE! Yes, I thought you were a less than perfect choice. You WERE just some punk off the street…I…I did resent your attitude and rashness…but I didn't hate you."

"Liar! If you didn't hate me, why didn't you AVENGE me?! I was your SUCCESSOR!"

"I couldn't! Look…I…" Emotionally compromised and at a loss for words, Dick backed away, shaking his head, and looking to the shadows, hoping his real successor would drop a hint or two.

Suddenly…he knew. He knew exactly how to end this bitter, raging youth's hatred. He knew how this battle was supposed to end. He couldn't kill the youth before him, even if he was a part of the disease. He couldn't talk him down, because that just made his head hurt and they went in circles.

"Come here, you big jerk!" he said, lunging for the boy. His charge was met by a birdarang that sliced through his chest and up his neck. Not deep, but enough that it made him yelp and jump back.

"Jerk am I? Well, Dicky-boy…you are no prize yourself! I'm going to enjoy killing you!"

Dick waited for the youth to lunge at him again, then wrapped his arms around the smaller boy.

"What the?! What is…what are you doing?!"

"What I should have done in the first place. You're right…I did treat you different than I treat Tim. I'm sorry. I should have been there for you more. I'm sorry."

The hug was genuine, and the disease disapated leaving Dick by himself, a part of him feeling lighter than before.

Jason came up behind him.

"Well done, Nightwing. Well done. "

"That was easier than I thought it would be. I should have done that first."

"Um…there's something you should know though. We aren't the only two Robins here…"

Nightwing's eyes went wide. "Don't tell me…Alright Tim, show yourself."

The Current Boy Wonder came out of hiding, a sheepish grin on his face, his black and red outfit on, without his consent. "Hi Dick."

Dick rushed forward and hugged the boy he considered a brother. "Tim! What are you doing here? Are you unconscious? Are you…are you…No he isn't…he isn't.."

WHAM!

"Ouch!"

"Relax Grayson, Robin didn't die. Not yet anyway. I don't understand it myself, but it seems he is as sick as you are, if not more ill. His is…embarrassingly, a curable sickness, so you could say he is just visiting us for a while."

Dick was relieved, "Thank goodness. So…what's up on the outside?"

Tim smiled, then punched him in the gut "You idiot! You almost LEFT us! What were you thinking?! Cass said you went on patrol even though you had a bad fever! You realize I'M sick because I was so concerned that my immune system crashed!"

Dick chuckled

"I had to patrol. It's what we do, you know that. BRUCE once went on patrol with the measles, and he was fine. Of course he gave it to two-face and me, but he WENT."

Jason laughed

":Batman gave Twoface the measles?! AHAHAHA! Talk about justice!That must have been hilarious!"

"It was more than that…until I got it too. Then the hilarity was ruined." Dick pouted.

Tim was curious. "Sooooooo Dick…what now? You beat the disease right? You are gonna wake up, we'll go home and have a movie right?"

"Grayson has one more test. This test may kill him. He has never beaten down this last foe physically..at least I don't think he has. This villain wants him dead, and nearly succeeded on more than one occasion. Dick's own personal Bane."

Dick looked at the entrance to the last stage of his journey, his costume changing to the black and blue Kevlar of Bludhaven's lone vigilante. The Bludhaven skyline greeted him as he fired his grapple to enter this final stage. Tim shuddered as he followed, Jason on his tail.

"Blockbuster."