Chapter 21: Training Pt 2

Bruce was amazed at how quickly Dick was learning from all of this. The child had easily dodged several things through their training sessions only getting hit a few times. His small acrobatic form made it easy to keep out of the way.

He also easily observed Bruce's kicks and punches, copying them closely. Together they found ways for Dick to pack more power in his punches. The kid was learning quickly, and one day with more muscle and weight he would be much more than a proficient fighter.

After a month of basics like that Bruce moved onto his next stage of training. Dick was taken out onto the grounds of the manner. Both of them wore sweats and t-shirts. It was a nice day, cool as it was fall but comfortable. A perfect day for training like this.

"We're going to be practicing hiding," Bruce said. "It's imperative to stay out of sight when scouting or getting ready to take someone down. With your bright costume it will be harder. You need to learn to blend in and use the shadows. Your surrroundings are helpful. So we'll be playing hide and seek."

Dick cheered. He jumped up and yelled. "No it!"

"No," Bruce nodded. "You won't be it. You will be hiding. However when I find you instead of running you will stand and fight me. We will spar. Understood?"

Dick nodded. He reached down to tighten his shoe laces and roll up his pant legs. He grinned at Bruce. "Can I go anywhere?"

"Not past the tree line or the driveway. Not inside either. I want you to be able to see the manor at all times. Me as well."

"Okay," agreed Dick. "How long are you counting?"

"I'll give you a minute. Ready?"

Dick nodded. Bruce closed his eyes and counted. He could hear Dick's light footsteps running through the grass to the back of the manor. That was where the hedges and tree lines were. Even the actual back wall of the manor was a hiding spot. The vines there covered the walls. They were easy to scale for someone like Dick. Smart.

Bruce waited a full minute before opening his eyes and going after his ward. He walked to the back of the manor where he was sure Dick was hiding. Now he needed to observe and see which area Dick was actually hiding in.

Running through wet grass made tracks. Not hard to follow to the tree line. Bruce walked over keeping his eyes on the trees for any sign of movement. He listened closely for breathing or rustling of the leaves. There was no sign of breathing but in the shadows he saw something move. Then he heard the leaves rustle.

He walked calmly in the direction of the trees, careful not to alert Dick. He walked behind the tree trunk. "I see you. You're against the trunk, twisted around it, in the shadows. It's a smart move."

"This is smawt." Dick leapt from his perch to Bruce aiming a kick. Bruce caught it. Holding Dick by his leg and hoisting him over his shoulder. Dick twisted trying to escape and found himself unable.

"Again," Bruce commanded. "This time try to be weightless, make no sound with you footprints, don't breathe a sound, be part of the shadows. I saw you this time and heard you."

"How do I stay quiet and be sneaky?"

"You'll figure it out. The first time you sneak past me I'll give you a prize."

Dick smirked gesturing for Bruce to start counting. He turned and ran, trying to make sure his feet fell silently as he chose a new place to hide. He was going to win.

For the next few months Bruce and Dick continued to train. Most of their training was fighting but Bruce used other things to train Dick as well. He continued the Hide and Seek game which was used often to teach Dick. They continued it at nights in Wayne Tower, then Dick was not allowed to fight. Only hide and seek.

Another continued game was Chess. Dick was getting the hang of the strategy. Bruce had him playing most days after school. It was a game Alfred enjoyed too and they played together when Bruce was on patrol. Apparently he and Barbara had even played during recess a few times.

One of the things Dick had proven best at in training was languages. Of course he had grown up multilingual so it wasn't so hard. He and Bruce would switch randomly throughout the day. He was kept in the practice of speaking languages he already knew and taught some new ones as well. Dick had been learning Mandarin, Cantonese and Arabic.

The training they were doing the least was target practice and escape. Target practice had not been needed more than the one time Bruce had brought Dick to the carnival. They had played several games, like darts, knocking down bottles and several other things. Dick had told him it was easy after learning and watching from some of the knife throwers. He had been taught to throw the knives without his parents permission once. He had kept going back.

Bruce quickly started crafting birdarangs for Dick. Smaller, birdarangs were easier to use than the large batarangs. He had let Dick start experimenting with them when training with Bruce.

The hardest of the training sessions for Bruce to do and the one he had held off the most was learning to escape from being trapped. There was a large likelihood of it, something Dick needed to be prepared for as a civilian and a hero. He started off small, teaching him to pick locks and slip out of looser ropes. Then it would get more intense.

"You've broken a leg and a bomb is about to go off nearby you. How do you get out?"

"I walk on my hands," Dick demonstrated.

"Next scenario… you're in an unbreakable cage and running out of air….."

They went through exercise after exercise. Each scenario was thought through. Dick was picking it all up even better than Bruce had thought possible. None of the things were challenging him and Bruce was scared he would have to let Dick become Robin earlier than he had thought. He had prepared him for now but a good student doesn't learn from one teacher but from many. It was time for a visit to Mt. Justice.