Chapter 14
It had been a full month since he started his training. They would practice for more than an hour a day, and the improvements had started to show. Rundel's speed had increased drastically, and even though he had not had any physical change in his appearance his body was much more adjusted. He was sparring with Dinah since Oliver had some extra business at work. His parents seemed more relaxed ever since he found out, but they became more protective. Ever since that night Oliver had promised himself he would never let anything hurt either of his sons. Roy had been pushing everyone away, but he acted differently when Rudy tried. Rundel was trying so hard to keep the family together, and the result was tearing himself apart. His mind was always thinking about things that didn't matter. All he wanted to do was help Roy, and he did. Roy had quit drugs ever since Rudy came back from Sword Strike, even though he was distant. From Ollies perspective it seemed like those two were mentally linked. Dinah on the other hand knew how much they were connected. She would still poke at Rudy with questions, but they were more subtle. His seclusion, and introverted personality made it hard for him to speak to people, even if they were family. The two parents wanted to know how to introduce him to the league, but it seemed like a bad time every time they visited the Watchtower. It was rare that they visited now, because Rudy had learned how to land properly if he were knocked down. So Dinah started with advanced techniques that day, and after they did one final practise spar.
They stood opposite of each other in the Arrow Cave. Oliver would be mad that they went in without his permission, but Dinah didn't care. Her condo was too small anyway. Rudy still didn't have A set stance, but he didn't need one. As soon as she threw A punch he was behind her. His speed was unmatched, well unmatched to everyone but the Flash, and Kid Flash. His hesitance to fight stuck with him, even when he fought defensively. He dodged A kick aimed at where his arm was, but he had already ducked. Her foot was caught in his hand, and she was bout to lose her balance when she countered. Her foot became loose as she twisted it in A manner that forced Rudy to release. It didn't matter because he had lunged with A small jab at her side. Even though it hit, it didn't do much, but it bought him some time to go in for one more strike. His fist was stopped as Dinah blocked it with her own hand. The angle she bent it at sent him back as she readied her fist as she swung. His agile movement wasn't enough as her fist caught his side, sending him to the floor.
"That was really good, your improvements are easily recognisable." She said as she held out her hand to help him up.
"I guess." He said nonchalantly. He hated being praised, all he wanted to do was concentrate.
"You want to go get something to eat?" Her stomach was fighting her body, and she bet his was too.
It was Saturday, and the two of them had been training for three hours. Rundel had been training longer because Ollie woke him up early to practise with the bow. He really did have A gift for archery. He seemed well rounded, but whenever they would go to the Watchtower with him, he would eye that one weapon rack. They left the cave tired and panting. The hunger was hitting them, and each and Dinah had put Rudy on an intense diet in hopes of having him gain muscle mass. So far it wasn't really doing anything, and it didn't seem like it would, so she decided pizza would be a go to option. Besides he had been doing well with training.
"How about pizza?" She asked after thinking about it.
"uh, okay I guess, but I thought you wanted me to eat healthy." He responded.
"Eh, you're fine. It won't hurt too much to have something delicious." She said with A slight jovial tone.
It was almost five O'clock and seemed too early for pizza, so they decided to wait for Ollie. Then they just decided to ask him to pick one up, instead of going out for one. He arrived home his work attire, and ate with them at the table. Not much talking was required, as they were all devouring the food. They had finished, and their hunger was fulfilled. The food digested in less than an hour, and Oliver and Dinah had gone back down to the cave to suit up. They didn't really tell Rundel when they went out, but this time was different. Instead of heading out through the exit, they decided to go back into the house, and up to Rundel's room. They entered the room to find him laying on his bead with A book in hand.
"Hey, the two of have been thinking…" Oliver started.
"We think you're ready to come on patrol with us." Dinah finished.
The boy gave the two A confused look. He thought he wasn't ready, and really didn't trust himself to go with them.
"It's just A short patrol, nothing to big." Ollie reassured.
"You don't need A costume, just a mask, and we have plenty." Dinah said as she casually tossed him A domino mask.
"So, are you up for it?" She asked.
"S-sure, but I don't want to make it a hassle. I mean, I'll probably mess up. After all I only just started." Rundel replied.
He stood up and followed the two costumed parents back to the cave. He was handed one of the training quivers and a bow by Ollie. Although it didn't have any of the trick arrows he had, it was still loaded with average arrows. Rundel felt like something was missing but just blew it off as he slung the bow over his shoulder. His parents told him to stay back and watch for the time being as he didn't know procedures, and if anything were to happen he would run. As they lectured him Ollie placed a small earpiece in his palm to communicate if they were separated. He did a few practise shots and got used to the feel, then proceeded to head out with the two superheroes.
Oliver was tapped into the police reports, and said there was A robbery in progress. They used the rooftops of the shining city to move quickly. As they reached the bank the inside held tension as civilians could be seen from the windows on the floor. He was told to stay on the roof and use the earpiece to tell Dinah and Oliver if anyone left the building. So he sat at the ledge, ready to see the action unfold. They barged through the front doors, Oliver with an arrow ready, and Dinah already knocking out A goon. Although Rudy couldn't see much from the angle he was at, he knew fighting was going on below. The pedestrians ran out of the build as Rudy watched carefully and called in the number of people fleeing. The scene lasted about six minutes. The two adults met back up with their kid on the rooftop and carried on with the patrol. As they explained what to do when you enter a fight, like they hadn't described already in training.
As they went along with the patrol, another report was called in. This time it was a much more premeditated armed robbery. The same setup as last time ensued, except the two heroes entered the roof. They entered through the vents for A surprise assault on the marauders. They counted seven burglars with fire arms. Only to count five bodies knocked out unconscious after the brawl.
"Yeah, uh, I see two people with Balaclavas running out down Raleigh Street." Rudy called in.
"Do you want me to move in, I think I can make a shot." He added.
"If you think you can make a shot do it, but stay in the shadows, and don't attract attention to yourself." Dinah said back through her earpiece.
They were leaving the way they entered the building as Rundel ran to the next building with an arrow notched. He saw the two turn into the alleyway beneath him, and it gave him A clear shot. He aimed down, focusing on all the training he had been doing. He let out a breath as his bow steadied, releasing the arrow at one of the crooks. It struck the target lodging the steel tipped arrow into his foot. It was A powerful shot as it had stuck all the way through, incapacitating but not mortally wounding him. The other one looked back at his companion, only to start firing aimlessly at the top of the building above him. By then Rudy had backed away, dropping down from the building on the alleyway adjacent to the one he was looking at. His plan was to meet the man around the corner with A surprise attack, but as he prepared for the fight, he heard more gunshots. He accelerated himself around the corner, meeting his parents in A firefight. He had come from behind, and hadn't been seen by the two enemies. Pulling his bow back without thinking, he landed another arrow into the other man's thigh. Luckily, his parents were harmed, but the two goons were down and not out. They had dropped their guns, and had moved to hand-to-hand. One lunged at Dinah, but her speed was faster, and ended up breaking his face with her fist. The other went for Oliver, who had A knockout arrow pulled out of the quiver. He had no need to notch it, so he ended up activating it right under the criminals face as he moved out of his attack. The three of them stood there, allowing the adrenaline to finish.
"Good shooting kid. That's pretty damn good for A first time." Oliver said. He had walked over to Rundel to pat his back.
"Your training really paid off." Dinah added.
"Uhm, thanks. I-I guess I have pretty good trainers." Rundel said, trying not to stare at the to unconscious people laying next to them.
"Oh, we should leave now." Oliver said, as sirens could be heard in the distance. He ziptied the mens hands behind their backs, and retrieved the arrows from their bodies, careful not to cause internal damage.
The three of them returned home to the house without lights on. Rundel felt uncertain about shooting other people, but it was what his parent expected him to do. In the other world, he had no fear of firing, as they were computerized artificial intelligence, unlike this world. Where with one misplaced shot you could take someones life. Then again, the glint in the arrow that gave A hint of his past life everytime he fired an arrow gave him an odd feeling that relaxed his tense body. He returned to his room, ready to sleep as he took A glance at the comforting lights. Letting the warm glow take him away to his thoughts.
"You've got to admit, that kid has some skill." Oliver said to Dinah as they stripped their costumes.
"Yea, but did you see how he looked at the bodies?" Dinah replied back.
"He did give them an uncomfortable look, but it's his first time. I'm sure he'll get used to it. He's a Queen, he can adapt to anything." Oliver said jestfully.
Dinah gave him A death stare as she readied herself to head back up.
"Hey, you can stay the night if you want." Oliver said.
"Sorry baby, Bats called in earlier and wants me in early tommorrow." She said as she walked out. She wasn't mad, it was just A jokingly mean glare.
The next day came around soon enough, and Rundel awoke very sore. He had forgotten to stretch, and tried to make up for it by stretching as he made his way downstairs. A not greeted him saying that Ollie and Dinah had gone out. Only they didn't tell them that they had both been called to the Watchtower by Batman. They were already on their way, and before the tow adults knew it, they were on the Watchtower bay.
"You're here, finally. I have A mission for you two." Batman said in a gruff voice as he greeted them.
"What is it this time, it better not be another cargo transport like last time." Oliver said grumpily. He received A strong nudge from Dinah as he finished his remark.
"No. There had been A lot of underground activity in Star City. Someone has been planning something, and I want you two to keep an eye out. Continue training, but cautiously. I'll feed you more info when I find out more myself. If anything comes up tell me immediately." His words were serious, but then again he was always serious.
"Oh, and I need you to watch over the Covert Ops team at Mount Justice for A bit." He added.
It was kind implied that Dinah had to go, as she trained all of them. She wondered if Rundel would join that team, but it would require much more training. His skill was good, and he could match some of the teams skills, but he lacked the motivation. Oliver joined as well to assist in sparring. The two thought about what Batman had said about underground activity on the way, and hoped it wouldn't affect anything with Rundel.
Okay, not as long as I hoped it would be, but I got the ball rolling. Please review and hand outs on how to improve will make these improve, and allow my writing skittles to get better. Thanks.