Utter disbelief filled him as he watched the class practice their hand-to-hand combat. Weapons weren't allowed according to the teacher. So, the class was paired, with no further instructions, and that is how we got to where we are now. And Renegade was just standing there at the edge of the room.
The room had begun to fill as the sun had peaked over the horizon. Red Hood was already in the room waiting. A few minutes later, Renegade walked into the room staying in the shadows like him. He turned his gaze to the door as the rookies started to file into the room. They all got into position waiting. A little while passed before the first student moved, soon others followed looking around the room confused, not seeing their instructor anywhere in sight. The corner of his mouth raised a hair when Renegade walked out of the shadows making the recruits jump.
Renegade gave his instructions in short, quick bursts. He spoke quietly as if he'd rather not speak at all. That would explain the silent greeting he gave yesterday. His tone showed authority despite its softness. Once he was done with his instructions, pausing once to say that there were no weapons allowed, he walked silently back to the shadows watching his class.
Red Hood knew the man was strange, but this is a new level. He was here to train the rookies and instead, he's doing nothing but watching the better half of the class kick the other side's butt. Red Hood had been tasked to watch and report any suspicious behavior from their guest and so far, everything he has done is weird.
It was a bit of a surprise to see Ra's al Ghul asking for help from the notorious assassin Deathstroke when he'd learned that there may be a mole in their mists. The mercenary sent his sidekick apprentice to help instead of coming himself. Him coming here after rumors of a spy had been going around the island was sure to tip off the intruder.
There has been no evidence of a spy until the rumors began a couple of days ago. Deathstroke had immediately sent help which Ra's took advantage of. The most feared mercenary's apprentice teaching the new generation of assassins was an opportunity anyone would take. Ra's probably suspected one of the kids was the spy. Not that he cared.
He didn't want to be watching a certain quiet guy in a Halloween costume. He felt a small bit of sadness for the guy. Who would want to wear those colors? The colors alone were enough he wanted to claw his eyes out. He was probably forced to as Deathstroke's apprentice.
From the shadows, Red Hood saw Renegade barely tilt his head in his direction. The first movement in the hours they have been there. Red Hood was sure that the man didn't see him.
His eyes narrowed as Renegade slipped out of the room. Red Hood didn't even glance at the students before following the dark and brightly colored man.
Renegade turned towards the sound of a door being slammed shut. He silently opened the door, walking into the hallway without alerting the students.
He knew that the Red Hood fella was following him. He paid Hood no mind, wanting to investigate the sound.
A figure walked around the corner out of his sight. Renegade followed the sound of stomping feet echoing in the empty hall. He flattened himself against the wall, peeking around the corner, and saw a kid opening the door before disappearing outside.
He didn't know what compelled him to open the door and walk through it to the arena Red Hood had shown him yesterday. The room was empty except for the kid. Renegade stayed hidden waiting for the right time to show himself. There was something about this kid that made Renegade want to protect him.
He was different from the others, but he didn't know-how. The kid was important that's for sure. All of the other students wore black suits that made them look like comic book ninjas, but the kid wore red and gold attire similar to what Ra's al Ghul wears.
He wouldn't be surprised if the kid was related to the old man. Not that he would ever call Ra's that out loud. The same clothes, the kid's attitude to the fighter told him a lot, the kid held himself highly and was treated that way.
Renegade stood in shock watching the kid demolish one of the practice dummies placed in the middle of the room. His sword moved in a swift, fast motions shredding the burlap sack, sand pouring out in waves. Renegade could see the anger in his movements as it propelled him to attack the dummy viciously.
No kid should be this angry, he thought. The kid yelled out as he drove his sword through the dummy's chest. His rapid breathing began to slow as the kid yanked his sword free, cleaning off some sand that clung to his weapon.
Renegade debated with himself on whether he should show himself and concluded. He had a death wish.
He waited for a second for the kid to calm down before walking towards him loudly. The kid spun around, his sword held tightly between his hands facing Renegade. Renegade held his hands up, showing the kid he meant no harm. The kid was already relaxed, not seeing Renegade as a threat as he stopped in front of the kid.
"Who are you supposed to be?" A high-pitched voice said unimpressed. "Are you that new educator Grandfather has been talking about?" Renegade nodded.
"I'm here to train, not to teach."
"That is the same thing." The kid looked at Renegade as if he was an imbecile. Renegade just shook his head in response.
"There is a difference." That was all he said. He wanted to say that he believed that teaching is about giving more than just instructions as a trainer would. A trainer tells you what to do and expects you to do it right. A teacher shows you how to do it, shows you ways that may help their students learn, and will advise if needed. Renegade has had both in his life even if he had never been inside of a classroom or a school. He wanted to tell the kid the difference, but it was not his place. Instead, he kept silent.
"Then, what is that difference?"
"Observe others and maybe, you will learn for yourself. From what I've seen, you have had trainers for most of your life, never a teacher."
The kid scoffed at his answer. His eyes running across his uniform, analyzing him as he had done the kid. The action only confirmed his suspicions.
"What is your name?" Renegade asked the boy, curious.
"Damian."
"Don't use so much emotion," Renegade said before he could stop himself. He backtracked, walking towards the door.
"Pardon," Damian said, raising an eyebrow. The kid's anger rose. This stranger thinks that he can just come in here and command me, the kid thought.
"If you aren't careful, people will take advantage of that and use it against you." The kid rolled his eyes
"What are you doing here?" Renegade didn't know the answer to that. So, he went with the most honest answer he could give before leaving the arena.
"Giving advice." The students were still sparing as Renegade walked back into the room. They continued as if they never noticed he'd left.
He snuck a glance up at where Red Hood was to find the stop empty. He sighed quietly. He thought about trying to befriend the Red Hooded guy since he was going to be stuck here for a while, but memories of his last friend surfaced, beating down the idea until it was nothing but an afterthought.
Damian stood, leaning against the wall. Red Hood jumped down from his spot from spectating the class, coming close to stand beside him.
They watched as Renegade dismissed the class and began to clean up the little mess they left.
"Who is he?" Damian was confused by the man he'd met earlier that week. The encounter was peculiar, invoking his curiosity. Renegade glanced around the spotless room before finally leaving.
Red Hood pulled off his mask once he was sure they were alone. He tossed the metal mask down beside him. Damian knew Red Hood hated wearing the vial thing.
"His name is Renegade. He's the apprentice of Deathstroke. Why?" Red hood asked the small boy, looking down at him.
"I met him and his behavior was odd." Damian didn't go into detail knowing that Red Hood had followed the man in question into the arena that day.
"Yea, he is kinda weird. Isn't he?"
"Agreed," Damian said, "Is he a part of the investigative team?"
"That's grownup stuff, kiddo." Damian glared at him at the nickname. "That and I'm not allowed to tell you." Damian went to retort when a commotion below them caught their attention.
Damian looked over the rail at the security guards running towards them. He turned in time to see Red Hood put his mask back on before he felt the heat of his back. They were thrown backward as an explosion rocked the building.
Hope you like the new chapter. The next one will be published in a week or so. Please like and comment what you think will happen next. I am open to any ideas for chapters. Thank you for reading. Have a nice day, until next week!