Dick and Batman sat side by side on the edge of the bed.
It was an unbelievably harmonious scene. Even before they had turned against each other, they had rarely sat so close together, because usually, sitting like this meant they needed to have a heart-to-heart.
But they had not had a heart-to-heart in a very long time.
They could not have one now, either, because sitting across from them was the culprit responsible for what they had become—Schiller.
The Bat-family members had gathered outside the door, but since it had not been opened, they did not yet know what had happened inside.
"You need an explanation," Schiller said very seriously.
Dick looked up at him, fury plainly written in his eyes: And whose fault is it that we need an explanation now?!
"You need to see a dentist," Schiller said even more seriously.
Dick grew even angrier, and his gaze changed to: And whose fault is it that I need to see a dentist?!
Batman stood, opened the door, and walked out. His voice soon rang out beyond it. "Dick ate too many sweets. Doctor Schiller found his cavities and gave him a preliminary examination. The screaming was because he misjudged how serious it was and did not use anesthetic... Yes, he used to be a dentist."
The Bat-family scattered like birds and beasts.
Batman came back in and said to Schiller, "I'll take him away."
Schiller stood where he was without saying anything, showing no intention of stopping them. Dick had just opened his mouth when Schiller told him, "He'll take you away, or you'll stay."
No Dick would choose to go with Batman under these circumstances, but the Dick here knew he had no other choice. Staying would not even be an option in his mind—it would