WARNING: Brief thoughts of suicide!!

Also, I am out of the hospital right now but I have a check-up with my regular doctor later today.

I am ill with something they haven't found in my body yet, my white blood cell count is too high which indicates an infection somewhere so I may end up going back to the hospital later. But for now-- FREEDOM!!!!

Oddly enough, receiving something equal to a death sentence didn't make Robin upset.

Frankly he didn't care. He has evaded death so many times in his short life, even before he became Robin.

He knew very well he was bound to run out of luck eventually.

There was only one thing he had to make sure of before he... left.

He finished printing the document and looked it over.

Really wasn't much, just stating he wanted Cyborg to take over as leader.

He shoved the document into a desk drawer and walked over to sit on his bed.

Although he didn't care that he was going to die he was afraid but not of death itself. He was afraid of not knowing when.

But there was always an option for that.

His gaze flitted over to his nightstand, where the pocketknife Bruce got him for his birthday was.

He picked up the blade and ran a finger over the tip.

Certainly no expense was spared on Bruce's part. Remarkable craftsmanship. Very sharp.

Wouldn't take much at all. Just one on each wrist...

Dick's eyes narrowed and he pressed the blade hard enough on his finger tip to raise a small bead of blood.

No pain, and it didn't take very much pressure at all.

He watched the blood drip from his finger until it started to increase in flow.

Then he got up and went to his bathroom to wash both his hand and the blade off.

When he finished drying off the blade he tucked it into his utility belt.

He wouldn't do it. Not yet anyways.

That was a last resort.

Besides... that's not how heroes go down. That's not how he wanted to go.

But it remained an option.

Red lights and a blaring alarm suddenly sounded throughout the whole tower.

Trouble.

Robin ran out to the main area where the other Titans were already waiting.

"Who is it this time?"

They all looked hesitant and then Gar pointed up to the monitor. None of them spoke, they were all looking at their leader's face.

"Hey Harleeeeeeyyyy, any sign of our little birdie yet?"

Ugh... so not in the mood!

"Let's go."

What the heck is he doing here?
_______________________________________

Right now, the team was hidden behind a building.

Usually, they would already have moved into the fight but this villain was more dangerous than any of the others they have faced.

Robin couldn't stress that enough.

Just to be safe, he gave everyone a re-breather.

When they asked what they were for his response was solemn.

"They'll help protect you in case he has his laughing gas with him. But even then you have to be careful!"

The moment they stepped out from behind the building the Joker started laughing.

"Oh Robbie it's been so long!"

He dramatically laid a hand over his forehead.

"That new Robin is such a bore!"

Robin growled between his teeth.

"Why are you here?!"

Joker started going towards them and on instinct, Robin stepped in between his team and the stupid clown.

"It's obvious isn't it bird brain?"

The Joker hefted a crowbar on his shoulder.

Seriously?

The Joker's grin suddenly turned into a dangerous frown, his eyes were burning with fiery and crazy determination.

"The world can't have two Robins..."

His crazy smile came back and he started to laugh for the nothing.

"Out with the old to make room for the new!"

That's just sad... even the villains that used to love torturing him don't even care anymore.

"Oh and by the way Boy Blunder I thought it would be really fun if some of these lovely citizens were to help me celebrate... with a bang."

The joker pressed a button, a detonator.

Oh hell...

"Hmm... that's odd. It was supposed to go off instantly. Oh well! Five minutes isn't that bad! HAHAHA!!'

"Raven?" asked Robin. If she can sense where the bomb is...

Raven pointed to an apartment building.

"You guys have to get everyone out, Cyborg try to disarm that bomb! I'll buy you guys time..."

They didn't waste a single second in the newfound rescue mission.

"So Boy Won-- ow!"

Something hit the Joker from behind and it provided Robin with the perfect distraction.

He kneed the Joker in the jaw and shoved Harley away when she started running towards the Joker, screaming.

Doesn't take much to knock Harley out but the Joker was a different story.

Robin had to keep Joker on the ground as he searched in his belt for a strong sedative, but the Joker kept throwing punches and thrashing around.

Most of the hits Robin avoided except for one that hit him, yes, in the abdomen.

The force made Robin stumble back a little and nearly broke the hold he had on Joker but he finally found the syringe and injected it into the Joker's neck.

He convulsed for a minute before he slumped against the asphalt, that creepy smile still on his face.

He looked over to the building and then down at his watch.

Five minutes and forty-five seconds.

Good job Cy.

The two idiots are unconscious and the civilians are safe.

He can finally look at the object that knocked Joker in the back of the head.

He let out multiple swears under his breath.

It was a batarang.

Why can't you just stay in your own damn city? Wally I swear to God if you told him you are so DEAD!

He didn't see or hear anything. But he knew he was here.

Robin looked over towards his team, they were still helping the citizens, making sure everyone is alright.

Raven looked over at Robin but he held up the one-minute finger and she nodded.

He quickly disappeared into a dark alley.

"You can come out now Batman."

A dark cloaked figure slowly walked out from the darkest parts of the alley.

"You've gotten stronger."

That supposed to be a compliment?

"And you're still brooding... is training the new and improved Robin too strenous for you?"

The Dark Knight sighed.

"Dick--"

"Show yourself too kid."

A very irritated boy comes out, sporting dark hair and probably a permanent scowl.

"Don't call me... kid."

Robin (Dick) let out a humorless laugh.

"You're obviously at least two years younger than me. So you're like what, fourteen? You're a kid."

It was odd talking to another Robin when he was already in costume. But it was satisfying to throw the words that were flung in his face, right back out.

"So... what's your name? It's obvious you know my name from what Bruce just said."

Dick said his former mentor's name like it was a curse.

"Hmph. I'm Jason."

What an 'award winning' attitude...

"Great. Well... take Joker and Harley then get out of my city!"

Robin (Dick) turned around to leave but Batman suddenly grabbed his shoulder.

Dick clenched his teeth and let out a low growl.

"Let. Go."

"What is wrong with you Richard?"

Dick roughly pulled away from the Bat's grasp.

He gave him a hateful glare and pointed to the younger boy.

"That is what's wrong with me! Yeah I get it, you needed another 'side-kick' but you didn't need to give him my name! Don't you remember where that name even came from? My mother-- you know what? Whatever. Just... go."

He looked over at Jason, he had his arms crossed with a look that made it seem like he wanted to shoot Dick in the face.

The feeling was mutual.

"I give you a year, 'Jay-bird'."

Then Dick left without another word.

Jason's eyes narrowed.

"What's with him?"

Jason looked up at his mentor and saw him lower his head.

"I made a mistake..."