Years ago:
"Boss, we caught a rat trying to steal the tires off your limo." The thug said.
"I want to see him." Oswald Cobblepot demanded. The thug clomped out and came back half-carrying, half-dragging a small, filthy, struggling boy by the collar.
"Lemme go, you fucking bitch!" the waif shouted.
"I hear you were trying to steal from me. Do you know who I am, boy‽" Cobblepot asked. The boy's eyes widened slightly as they focused on the man in front of him.
"Penguin." He whispered in equal measures of fear and awe. Then, a sudden harshness overtook the boy's body.
"You should really install some traps or something on those tires. I could give you some pointers…" Cobblepot laughed and signaled for his lackey to drop the child.
"I like your spunk, kid. How would you like to be my apprentice?" Penguin offered.
"My name's Jason. Not kid." The boy said, straightening out his clothes.
Penguin offered a hand to shake. Jason took it. The deal was sealed.
Now:
Red Hood, now in the safety of his room, pulled off his titular helmet. A soft swish of fabric alerted the mob boss to his subordinate's presence. Red Hood turned to see the leather and Kevlar clad assassin. The metal mask that covered the lower half of his face was painted as a dragon's maw, roaring in triumph. The Dragon dipped his head in greeting.
"I need a distraction. Free some of the Arkham inmates." Red Hood stated.
"Any preference as to which?" The Dragon asked in his soft, flat voice. Red Hood thought for a moment.
"Someone flashy. Someone like…" Red Hood trailed off.
"The Acrobat?" The Dragon finished flatly.
"Perfect."