Chapter 6 Training Robin
"You may get up now. You might want to take it easy for a while. The brainwashing formula works by using your own memories against you and the strain can be quite painful." Julian explained to him as she cleaned up the lab.
"Why are you doing this to me? Why use this halo anyways? I mean you could order me not to runaway." Robin asked sitting up.
Smiling Julian used her PK to open a cabinet behind her. Out of the cabinet flew book that came to rest in her hands. She handed to him. "Read it. Its my favorite book."
Robin looked down at the book. It was called "Ella Enchanted." Reading the summery he understood. He may have to be obedient like Ella but he could find loopholes to get around their commands. "Perhaps I will later."
"I know you're angry at me and Slade, but cheer up. We have two whole weeks together. You might just enjoy yourself." Julian told him
"When pigs fly. So I heard about the Challenge. Do I have to train or am I just suppose to sit around here?" Robin asked curiously.
"Oh you'll be training alright. But what Slade teaches you will be far different that what I will teach you. Follow me now. Brutus come." Julian ordered marching out of the room with Robin following relecuntly behind her.
Robin kept trying to resist the commands he was given but it was no good. The serum in his mind forced him to obey. He followed Julian down the hall until they reached a gold door. "Brutus will be your responsibility from now on. I named him after my favorite character in they play "Julius Caesar." Think of him as one of your training exercises. I want to see how well you can take care of him. I will be teaching you culture. It's important to train your mind and body. I'm telling you this now because Brutus loves to interfere with our first exercise."
Opening the door Robin entered a dance studio. Immediately Brutus began yapping. "Brutus stop that this instant. Heel!" Robin command. Brutus stop yapping and walked over to him.
"As you can see a dog is the perfect way to test you. Now I want you to change into these clothes. Were going to practice three types of dance. Ballet, ballroom, and modern." Julian told him
Robin's eyes went wide. Dancing? No way in Hell was he going to dance.
"Oh you'll dance or I will have one of our robot servants cut your hair." Julian said catching his train of thoughts.
Clutching his hair he in panic decide to sacrifice dignity to keep his look. "I'll change." He muttered through gritted teeth.
Ten minutes later he came out of the dressing room. He was dressed in a white shirt, black tights, and ballet slippers. Julian had changed into a pink leotard, white leggings and pink ballet shoes. "I feel stupid." He muttered
Julian glared at him Using TK she move him over to the bar. "Dance is not stupid my child. It is one of the oldest forms of expression. In the Check Republic I took dance from age four through high school. You will soon be an expert at this. Your memory is so vastly improved you only need to do something once to be an expert." Julian told him assuming first position.
For the next hour Robin was drilled in ballet. He quickly got the hang of it. It was sort of like martial arts. He couldn't believe he was enjoying himself. Brutus kept getting in the way but he soon stopped that.
After dance he spent half an hour learning to play piano. He wasn't that good at first. "Relax and don't pound the keys. Close your eyes and feel the music." Julian instructed as she played Beethoven 5th in g minor. He was impressed.
The next half hour was spent in the drawing room painting. "Why do I need to know how to paint?" Robin asked confused. This was the weirdest training.
Julian smiled at him. Putting down her brushes she glanced at her family portrait. "A leader must be a master of many skills. Each day I will teach you different skills. Come we have one more thing to do before lunch."
He followed her outside. The minute he was out of the mansion he took like a shot. Julian only watched amused.
Robin hit the force field head on. He screamed his head off as 10000 volts went through his body. His crystal reacted by forming a counter force field to shield him. He crumbled to the ground in pain.
"I warned you about the force field but apparently you didn't listen to me. Your crystal and enhancements should be healing you. Now if your done acting like an idiot we have an appointment to keep." Julian told him. She helped him up.
They reached the stables five minuets later. "I hope you like riding. Today will just be in the ring but tomorrow we'll go riding."
Robin glanced up at the horse Julian had selected. It was a large black stallion. He was extremely nervous. He had never ridden in his life.
"Don't be afraid. Horses can smell emotions. This guy here is named Black Beauty. Here let me help you." Julian kindly said.
"I don't need your help. Leave me alone." Robin growled.
Julian glared at him. Her eyes glowed yellow as the halo went white. Immediately a flash of pain went through Robin's brain. "Stop. Please I beg you." Robin whimpered collapsing to the floor.
"Don't make me do that again. I could fry your brain. Now lets continue with your lessons. Hop on." She ordered.
Julian was very patient for the next hour. She taught Robin the basics of horseback riding. Robin hated to admit it, but she would make a great mom.
After riding lesson it was lunch. Julian and Slade forced him to put on a suit. He felt so ridiculous. Lunch was part of training to. Slade was teaching him manners.
After lunch he was given half an hour free time. After receiving another dosage of medication he went exploring with Brutus.
HE eventually found the game room. He hooked himself up with the VR technology. He got so into Alien Blasters he was shocked when someone shut it down.
"I'm pleased that you enjoy the game system but its time for you to continue your training." Slade informed him
"Back off. I'm not going to listen to you." Robin said.
"When will you learn my little protégé that I can do anything I want? We can do this the easy way or the hard way. I believe you would want to avoid the hard way." Slade said cunningly.
Gritting his teeth he got up. "Fine I'll obey, but that doesn't mean I have to like it."
Slade nodded in understanding. "Brutus go find Julian. Robin follow me."
Robin relecuntently followed his captive to a classroom. It looked like any normal high school room "I don't get it." Robin said confused
"While your mother is teaching you culture I'll be teaching you academics and fighting. I want you to be well rounded." Slade said.
"She is not my mother anymore than you're my father. We are not related at all!" Robin shouted. He paid dearly for his outburst. The halo sent a massive wave of pain through him.
"You better learn to control your temper. Also watch your tongue. I will punish you as nessacery. Now lets get down to business." Slade told him
For the next three hours Robin was in the weirdest school. He studied American government, psychology, American Lit, and U.S. History. He also was drilled in Biology, Advance Math, Computers, Foreign Language and Business and Economics. This was worse than Batman's training sessions!
Finally it was over. Robin was exhausted. Slade had even assigned him homework!
"I hope you enjoyed your lessons so far. While your culture lessons will change day-to-day your studies with me will not. Now time to teach you how to fight. Are you ready." Slade asked
"You bet I am. So where's the dojo?" Robin demanded.
Slade laughed so hard Robin thought he was going to have a heart attack. "That was amusing. No were not fighting like that right now. Come let me show you my favorite sport."
Ten minutes later Robin was in a fierce fencing match with Slade. Robin had fenced a little, but Slade was a master. "Good very good. Press you advantage."
Robin lunged forward but Slade parried with his foil. "Touché! I win. I must say that was an excellent workout son. Now we shall go to the dojo. First put your equipment away." Slade instructed him.
Once in the dojo Robin began to practice with a range of weapons. He already had mastered the bo staff now he was learning to manage katanas, sais, numchucks, whips, knifes, and throwing stars. Slade turned out to be a master at each.
"Can we take a break please? I'm wiped." Robin asked tiredly about an hour later. Slade nodded and tossed him a towel.
"How are you enjoying yourself?" Slade wondered outloud.
"I have to admit I'm learning a lot. I'm having fun but I want to go home." Robin told him
"I'm sure you'll feel differently after a few days. We have offered you the chance of lifetime. You should take it."
"I am an agent of good. Not one of evil. I believe that my friends will win. Once they have you can't touch me ever again." Robin spat out.
"We shall see. Evil has been around a lot longer than good. Once we have won you shall be evil. Trust me it will be sooner than later and you will like it." Slade spoke to him.
They continued the lessons until dinnertime. They had spaghetti. After dinner it was family time. They went to the library and started a fire. They took turns reading from "The Swiss Family Robison." After six chapters Robin was told to do his homework.
It took him about two hours to finish his homework. After that he watched some TV and went online. He discovered he could get mail but not send it.
Finally it was time for bed. After a nice hot shower he crawled into bed. Right before he fell asleep there was a knock at the door. "Enter."
Julian entered the room. "I just came to say goodnight and give you another injection. Please hold out your arm."
Robin let her inject him with the formula and give him his meds for his mental disorder. She then gave him a nightlight and hugged and kissed him goodnight. "Sweet dreams. I love you." She whispered as she tucked him in.
Robin was already drifting off to sleep. But Julian heard him mumble a reply. "I love you too... Mom."