AN: Jason, my love, I did not forget about you – which is why I am happy to announce that this is fully a Jason-chapter! YAY. :D
Jason is entering the League of Shadows and they do not appreciate his special brand of sass. Oh dear… Also, the introduction of some exciting characters.
Ruby Warrior Girl 730: Poor Artemis indeed.
At the moment, I don't have it planned for Wally to go undercover as a villain. Invasion-team is not planned (yet). Never say never. About Damian though… you'll see. :D
WillowBlueBird: Ich danke dir so sehr! Dein Kommentar ist einfach nur ein Highlight! :D
Haha. Wir sind alle stolz auf Nightwing. Manchmal bin ich selbst davon beeindruckt, wie weit er gekommen ist. Und Slade kriegt sein Leben vielleicht auch mal auf die Reihe. Er ist auf jeden Fall Nightwings neustes Projekt! Nightwing versucht immer die Leben von den Leuten um ihn herum zu verbessern. :D
Jetzt glauben wirklich alle, dass er ein Verräter ist. :,( Der Plan hat fast zu gut funktioniert.
Haha! Ich schreibe auf jeden Fall weiter. Ich hoffe, dir gefällt dieses Jason-Kapitel.
15. How to become a Shadow
The way to the League of Shadows-compound was arduous and Jason found himself breathing heavily while trekking up the mountain. He expected Themis to struggle as much as he did but she kept her unusual determination and went up the mountain as if she was on a hunt. The roots and vines coating the ground barely impeded her.
"You're slow, Hood", Themis said.
Jason gritted his teeth.
"Without me, you wouldn't even be here", Jason said, "So, you should think twice before pissing me off."
Themis scoffed: "You simply were the most convenient way to get here. I have my contacts."
Jason frowned, wondering what she could mean by contacts. Who was this girl even? What was her angle in this world of heroes and villains? She had powers but where had she gotten them from?
"You coming or not?", Themis stopped.
Jason's natural competitiveness was activated. He would show her. No one could out-determine the Red Hood.
"Only making sure that you can keep up", Jason said
"Sure."
Jason did keep up this time though the heat of the jungle made his leather jacket stick to his body soon. Wearing that hadn't been a great idea.
Themis seemed amused: "Are you warm, Jason Todd?"
This was it. Jason wouldn't go another step before she explained herself. He barely knew this girl. For all Jason knew, she could have bad intentions. She surely had no qualms stalking him.
Jason gripped Themis by the arm: "Cards on the table. How do you know who I am?"
Themis shrugged: "I have my contacts."
"Your mysterious Dad who works for Black Mask? I call bullshit. Your Dad being a lackey for Mask shouldn't give you the means to know as much as you do. You recognized Jade Nguyen as Cheshire. You managed to follow me despite having no formal training apparently. You mention your mysterious contacts."
Themis' face hardened: "You don't need to know how I know."
"We are stuck together in this godforsaken jungle about to go on a mission that could kill us. I have a right to know."
Themis ripped her arm out of his grasp: "Fine. My Dad didn't work for Mask. I just chose an explanation that you would swallow easily."
Jason sighed. Great. He had a stalker and a compulsive liar on his tail.
"My Dad is long dead. He died in a car crash when I was six together with my Mom."
Jason crossed his arms. He chose not to comment, waiting for her to go on.
"Really, Hood? No condolences? You are such an asshole."
"I'll be nice once you tell me what I'm dealing with."
Themis rolled her eyes: "My sister took me in. She was a lot older than me – in her early twenties at the time. And she was about to make it big. She worked with a lot of powerful people internationally when I got thrown at her."
"What did she do?"
"She was an ARGUS agent."
Jason frowned. Bruce had told him that ARGUS was the government organization that dealt with anything metahuman. Apparently, Amanda Waller's Suicide Squad was also part of it.
"Was?", Jason asked.
"She was murdered by a psychopath", Themis crossed her arms.
"Who?"
"We aren't that close yet."
Jason bit his lip. He couldn't imagine what it was like to lose his sibling. It would be like getting a body part cut off. A permanent hole in his body that would never stop hurting.
"I'm sorry", Jason said, "Losing your sister. That's horrible. I couldn't live without my brother."
"You are able to give condolences after all, Hood."
"I understand the vengeance-part. I assume you want to go after said psychopath?"
"He's still out there. Roaming free after what he did to her. I'll make him pay."
"You have the perfect powers to do it. The powers of retribution."
Themis continued walking: "I prefer to call them the powers of justice. I need more than powers though to take him down. And you won't be able to stop me. So, you either come on board or get out of the way."
Jason raised his hands: "No need to get angry. I get it. The heroes mean well but they are useless. They catch the villains and lock them away to what? Have them escape and kill again? I see what it does to Gotham – my city. It's still a cesspool even after Batman has been there for more than ten years. That's not real justice. Real justice is breaking the cycle. Killing those bastards who keep killing over and over again."
"You do get it after all", Themis frowned.
"I killed the Joker", Jason said, "I killed Black Mask. I killed the psychopath who made my brother's life a living hell. They deserved it and Gotham is better off without them."
Themis accelerated her steps as if she wanted to make up for lost time. Jason kept up this time.
"Everything for our siblings, right?", Themis asked.
"Everything."
They walked in silence for a while. At some point, the trees became lighter and Jason found it easier to manoeuvre the rough terrain.
"We're getting close."
"You ready?", Jason asked.
"Yes", Themis said without hesitation.
The trees broke open and revealed the compound. It was a wide building made from stone. There was a square in front of it that looked like a training ground. Everything was empty.
Jason halted, wondering why no one was here. He expected an ambush any second. They had made it. The walk up the mountain would be the easy part though.
The real challenge would start now. Jason needed to prove himself. He took a deep breath. Jason could do this. He was the Red Hood. He had killed some of Gotham's most infamous villains. He had been trained by Nightwing for years and even by Batman. There were worse candidates than him to learn from the League.
A cold blade pressed against Jason's throat. Jason didn't even flinch. He had expected this. Themis next to him was in a similar predicament, also a blade to her throat.
Jason looked at the source of the threat to his life. There was a boy in a black garb crouched on a tree. His hand held the katana with ease. Jason did a double take. He wondered if this boy was in a similar situation as Artemis and Cheshire had been.
"Your situational awareness is atrocious", the boy said in a nasally voice, "I was able to track you from the foot of the Mountain."
Jason turned his head and looked at the ninja threatening Themis. He was an adult, but he stayed completely silent. Strangely, he let the kid take the lead while staying in the background.
Jason felt dumbstruck. Who was this kid?
"We are here to join the League", Themis said, as goal-oriented as ever, "What is the procedure?"
"How presumptuous of you to assume that your abilities would be sufficient for the League after the performance you just showed me."
"And you are the judge of our performance?", Jason scoffed.
That kid wasn't even old enough to drink (Jason wasn't either but no one counted).
The kid glared at Jason: "You better hold your tongue, foolish imbecile."
"Sure, kid", Jason rolled his eyes, "Just give us a pointer where we have to go before I bash your face in. Kids are fair game if they threaten me with a katana."
The kid fumed at Jason's remark.
"This disrespect. You shall address me with my proper title. I am the Son of the Demon to you and you would never be able to defeat me in combat."
Jason froze. Son of the Demon? That could only mean one thing. Ah shit. Jason had screwed up before he had even begun. Bruce had warned him to think before he spoke for a reason.
"That's right, imbecile. I am Damian al Ghul, grandson of the Demon's Head Ra's al Ghul and son of the Daughter of the Demon Talia al Ghul and you shall treat me with the respect I deserve."
Jason bit his lip. Way to go. He had already pissed off the little prince of this whole place upon arrival.
"We apologize profusely, Son of the Demon", Themis said, "We are new here and we are not yet familiar with the customs of this island."
Damian scoffed: "I recognize an insult when I hear it. Todd should be beheaded for his insolence towards my person."
Themis said something in what Jason assumed was Arabic. Damian frowned before his face returned to blankness. Jason couldn't gauge what he was thinking.
Damian glared at Jason: "You should be thankful for your companion's words. They just saved your life."
Jason looked at Themis wondering what she had told him.
"I shall accept your apology", Damian turned to her as well, "Your pronunciation is still atrocious."
"I shall aim to improve", Themis said, "I sadly have not used my Arabic in a while."
Jason could believe that Themis was the sister of an ARGUS-agent. Her strange abilities made far more sense now and she had proved more useful than Jason had expected. Calming the Son of the Demon himself down was no small feat.
"You wish to attempt the challenge?", Damian asked.
"We want to join", Jason said.
"You are to be killed if you fail the challenge. Tragic."
Such a little brat. Jason already hated him. This kid reeked of entitlement.
"We know the risks and we are ready to carry them", Themis continued to play the diplomat.
"Very well", Damian's tone sounded more like he had said, 'prepare to die'.
The kid lowered his katana and strolled towards the compound. Jason assumed they were supposed to follow him, so he did.
The compound seemed like from an ancient time. It very well could be considering that Ra's al Ghul was centuries old. The walls were lighted with Lanterns and Jason marvelled at all the artistry on display. Beautiful ornaments carved out of woodwork decorated the walls and the tiles seemed to be hand painted.
Damian stopped in front of an intricate door. It was guarded by two ninjas with wooden staffs.
"Son of the Demon", they bowed in front of Damian.
No wonder the kid was such a douche. Everyone around him was feeding his ego.
Damian ignored his subordinates and knocked on the door. Then, he entered. Jason was about to follow but a guard put a staff to his neck. So, Jason raised his hands and took a step back.
They waited for a while. Then, the door was opened by another ninja from the inside. Jason frowned, unsure what to do. Damian was nowhere to be seen.
"The girl goes first", the ninja who had opened the door said.
Themis nodded: "I am honored."
The guards let her enter. Jason frowned when the door slammed shut. He didn't know what any of this meant. Jason looked at one of the guards with the staff, but his face was unmoving.
Jason tried to listen to what was happening inside, but the door seemed to have swallowed any sounds. He fought against the urge to nervously tap his foot.
He missed Themis' presence suddenly. She made things less lonely. Jason wasn't used anymore to doing things alone. Not after Nightwing had shadowed him for years and constantly looked out for him.
Jason suffocated this thought before it could go anywhere. Red Hood didn't need anyone. This training at the League would prove that he could go on a mission by himself. Without his big brother to protect him or gang members whom Jason could delegate to or even Themis to play diplomat for him. Jason would adapt and learn the rules of the game so he could survive by himself.
He did some breathing exercises Bruce had taught him. He could do this. He had the training. He had the killer instinct Jade had told him he needed. Jason was perfect for this mission.
After a seeming eternity, the door opened. The ninja looked at Jason, wordlessly indicating him to enter. Jason did. His chest constricted when he saw where he was.
The room was long and the right side wall was open as it was connected to a beautiful patio with a fountain in the middle. The water splashed, creating a peaceful but deceptive ambiance.
Ra's al Ghul was sitting at the end of the room on a throne. He wore a simple green garb. Jason wouldn't let himself be fooled though. Ra's didn't need intricate clothing to seem regal. Damian and Talia were standing behind Ra's on each side.
Jason looked at Talia. She wore an elegant, white dress with a slit at the leg. Jason noted the features she shared with Damian. Talia's skin was slightly darker, but Damian shared the same high cheekbones and regal features. Jason could feel the danger coming from her. Talia al Ghul was a force to be reckoned with. Batman had clashed with her multiple times and had found an equal fighter in her.
Jason noted one visible absence in the family. He wondered who Damian's father was. Bruce had never mentioned that Talia had a son in his teachings. Only that the woman was not to be underestimated.
Jason was unsure what to do. He felt almost naked in his functional cargo pants and boots. Never had he felt more like a dirty street rat than when he was faced with this family that looked like it owned the world. So, Jason simply opted to bow and stay in the position until he was given any other indication.
"You wish to enter the League of Shadows?", Ra's' voice was deep, commanding.
He went straight to the point.
Jason wouldn't dare talk back if he wanted to.
"Yes."
"You shall address me with Demon's Head, boy", Ra's said, "My heir already told me of your insolence. I shall attribute it to inexperience. Do not test me again, boy."
"Yes, Demon's Head", Jason corrected himself, "Please forgive my insolence."
He felt stupid for talking in this stilted way. But this was the game he was playing now.
"I hope your abilities are more developed than your manners", Ra's said, "Your challenge is a simple fight. If you fail to impress me, your punishment is to be killed."
Jason nodded: "Yes, Demon's Head."
He wondered whether Themis had made it. There wasn't any blood on the floor, but this didn't mean anything. Maybe the League was just incredibly cleanly.
The ninja who had opened the door for Jason approached. He had two katana and threw one of them at Jason.
Jason felt his heart sink. Nightwing had trained Jason mostly with the wooden sticks they had used. Jason had begged Nightwing to teach him how to use knives and guns, but Nightwing had only done so reluctantly.
"You need be careful with blades", Nightwing – then Talon - had said, "They kill."
Jason had rolled his eyes: "You literally have knives for fingertips, T, and it's not like you don't kill people if you perceive them as a threat."
"I bad example. I not want you be like me. I teach you to-"
"-defend myself I know. Knives and guns are readily available weapons though and I might need them to defend myself."
Nightwing's claws had dug themselves into his palms: "Fine. For protection. I teach you but I need you be careful."
Nightwing's eyes had been scared then. Terrified of the pandora's box he would open by teaching Jason anything but pure self-defense.
"I not want you lose your soul, Jason."
"Soul?", Jason had been surprised Nightwing even knew of this concept.
He doubted the Court had taught him.
Nightwing had nodded, lowering his head in embarrassment.
"I hear about it on TV. It describe good how feel. Feel like something missing. Here-", Nightwing had pointed at his chest, "It hurt."
Jason had felt uncomfortable: "I think that's just guilt, T."
Nightwing had shaken his head: "No. It like soul. How they explain, it fit perfect. I not know if Talon can have soul. I think not. Only person have soul. But I know it missing. And I not want you go through same."
"I won't", Jason had said, "And you are a person with a soul."
"Good", Nightwing had smiled, ignoring Jason's last point, "Because I not allow you lose soul. So, I teach you things you need. Not worse."
"Come on. You can use basically any weapon, right? The Court made you learn it all."
"It do", Nightwing shuddered, "I learn every weapon and I feel every weapon."
"So, teach me all of them instead of just the basics."
Nightwing shook his head, resolutely: "No."
One of the few times he had definitively refused Jason.
"It's not about what you teach me though. It's about how I use it."
Nightwing's eyes had looked haunted: "Some things you can only use for evil. You not understand, Jason, and I make sure you never do."
Jason had stopped pushing – silently annoyed at Nightwing treating him with kids' gloves. But if Nightwing didn't want to, Jason wouldn't make him. It would betray everything their brotherhood was based on if Jason pressured Nightwing to be useful for him.
Jason wondered if Nightwing thought about this conversation sometimes. If he was disappointed in what Jason had become. Going to the Shadows to train went against any morals Nightwing had tried to instill in him.
It was better like this. Nightwing had overcompensated in Jason's training. He had felt like a monster after his time with the Court and he must have been terrified of tainting Jason, too. So, he had put these stifling restraints onto their training.
Jason had been annoyed at the time because he hadn't understood – not completely. Now he did.
He understood why Nightwing had kept Jason – Red Hood - from reaching his full potential. He understood that it would have destroyed Nightwing mentally to teach Red Hood everything he had learned in the Court.
Cobb had been brutal with his Talons during their training, destroying them to put them back together as he pleased. Reliving all these memories while training his little brother would have been unbearable for Nightwing. So, Nightwing had done what he needed to protect his own sanity and – in his mind - Jason.
Now, Jason would do what Red Hood needed to do. He was old enough to rip off the restraints. He was old enough to search for a new master who would have no moral qualms. Jason had found him. Now, he just needed to impress Ra's al Ghul with a weapon he had barely used because of Nightwing's moral restraint.
"Bring it on", Jason told the ninja, trying to project confidence.
The ninja was quicker than Jason had expected as he lunged at Jason. Jason narrowly dodged. He raised his own katana and tried to bring it down on the ninja's head, but the guy blocked it and countered with a quick strike that caused a shallow cut along Jason's chest. A warning.
Jason felt determination rise within himself and he attacked the ninja more ferociously. Still, the guy danced circles around Jason and drew a thousand little cuts that stung. It dawned on Jason that Cheshire had been right: Nightwing hadn't prepared him for this at all.
Jason had always been a brawler – never one for fancy technique. And this ninja was all fancy technique.
At some point, Jason decided to throw the stupid katana away. Maybe it was a bad idea, but Jason would rather die with some dignity after having used his fists than get slaughtered by a thousand cuts.
The ninja froze for a moment, seemingly surprised by Jason's action. Jason used this opportunity for the good old Crime Alley-hook. The ninja's face flew to the side and Jason felt satisfaction at finally getting one good hit in.
Jason grinned. Leave fancy technique to the people who didn't seem to have bones in their limbs.
The ninja lunged at Jason and Jason found himself dodging. One of these dodges, the ninja left himself slightly open and Jason kicked him against the knee. The ninja made a slight sound of pain.
Then, it was kid's gloves off. Jason was relentlessly attacked by the katana. Jason had no choice but to fall back. He noticed that the wall was getting closer but there was nothing Jason could do.
Soon, he found himself pressed against the wall, katana pressed under his chin. Shit. Jason's heart raced. He was in a corner now. The ninja turned to Ra's al Ghul.
The expression of the Demon's Head was stern: "Your name was Jason Todd, right?"
Jason felt like his execution was drawing near.
"Yes, Demon's Head."
"Who trained you?"
"Nightwing did mostly. Batman a bit, too."
"You put shame onto the Detective's teachings then", Ra's said.
Ouch. Ra's wasn't happy. Jason was so dead.
"I mostly learned from Nightwing anyway", only after it came out did Jason notice that this might have come out more than a little bit ungrateful – which hadn't been his intention.
His mouth was running away from him today.
Ra's' face stayed blank: "You do not fight like a Talon."
Jason silently cursed that Nightwing had treated him with kids' gloves. He understood where Nightwing had come from. Still Nightwing's attempts at protection might lead to Jason's execution now – which understandably made him a bit nervous.
"You are far too unrefined, and your technique is barely existent."
Ra's just kept getting more brutal. The katana on Jason's neck seemed to get closer.
"I must admit that blades aren't my strength, guns are. And sticks. If you would let me shoot something-"
Ra's face darkened: "Guns are the weapons of the unskilled. I didn't expect much though from someone taught by a Talon."
Jason's face darkened: "Nightwing was a great teacher."
Jason may be frustrated that Nightwing hadn't taught him everything. But he had given Jason the tools he needed to survive in Gotham. He had been a firm teacher who didn't let Jason win fights. Still, he had been careful not to hurt Jason and had always been patient with him. Jason would always be grateful for that.
Talking back to Ra's al Ghul was a bad idea, but Jason was almost dead anyway, and he wouldn't go out like a meek, little mouse. He wouldn't bow before this elitist bastard.
"I have no use for you. You are unskilled and insolent."
Jason raised his chin, preparing for his throat to get severed. He would glare at Ra's until his death.
"One moment, please, Father", Talia spoke up.
Jason froze. He hadn't expected Talia to intervene on his behalf.
"Granted", Ra's sounded unsatisfied.
"You said you knew Batman, Jason Todd?", Talia asked him.
"I do", Jason opened his eyes, "He sees me as a son though we aren't on the best terms at the moment."
"Intriguing", Talia said.
"What is your objective, Daughter?", Ra's said.
"I might have use for him, Father. It would be a waste to dispatch of him if I may humbly advise."
Ra's frowned. He was visibly thinking.
"Fine", Ra's made a dismissive gesture, "Through my daughter's rare mercy you may survive, Jason Todd. I expect results though. You are to be Talia's responsibility now."
"Thank you, Father", Talia said.
"Thank you, Demon's Head", Jason bowed before Talia, "Daughter of the Demon."
Jason tried to put as much gratefulness into his voice as he could. He suspected that Talia didn't intervene often. It felt like Talia was sticking her neck out for Jason for some reason that Jason couldn't fathom.
"Now, leave my sight", Ra's said.
The ninja lowered his katana and indicated Jason to follow. Jason did, eager to leave this death-trap of a room. He was glad to be alive for now.
The ninja led Jason to a small chamber: "Training begins tomorrow."
He left and Jason sat down onto a mat. His room only contained the mat and a flimsy wardrobe. No window. No blankets. But Jason didn't care. He was used to worse, and he was still alive.
Jason laid down on the mat, only now realizing that his legs had been shaking. He had been so close to death tonight. Only Talia al Ghul's mercy had saved him. Jason kept brooding over that realization. Why should Talia want to save him? He had never interacted with her.
Talia had been interested in Jason's connection with Batman though. Jason wracked his brain about anything Batman had told him about Talia. There hadn't been much. Bruce had been tight-lipped about her. Describing her as a relentless opponent. No indication that Talia was quick to hand out mercy to anyone.
Jason sighed. Brooding wouldn't help. He was missing crucial information.
At some point, Jason's exhaustion caught up with him. So, he embraced sleep.
Jason woke up from a high reverberating sound. It sounded like the sharpness of a tuning fork. He groaned and forced himself out of bed. Jason put on the ninja garb that hung in the wardrobe. It was dark blue instead of black probably indicating Jason's status as an apprentice. Jason left the room.
A procession of ninjas walked along the hall, all with one goal. Jason decided to follow everyone else. The people were ghostly quiet. Jason wondered if it was discipline or just tiredness.
Jason saw a slender figure in front of him. His heart raced as Jason caught up with her. He hadn't expected Themis to survive. Her fighting was even more unrefined than his. She must have mediated her way through the challenge. Possibly, Ra's was more merciful if you didn't insult him and his son. Who would have thought?
Themis looked at Jason with a frown: "You survived."
"Barely", Jason admitted, "Talia saved me from the blade."
"What? Why?", Themis frowned, "Talia didn't say anything during my challenge."
"Ra's wanted to kill me but apparently Talia has plans for me. I don't know why either. Don't ask me."
"Maybe she has a crush on you, pretty boy", Themis elbowed Jason.
Jason scoffed. Yeah right. He doubted that Talia al Ghul's motives were ever so simple. She seemed too dignified to save a life for such lowly motives.
"Well, I used my powers to dazzle them", Themis grinned, "And maybe I smooth-talked a bit."
"So unfair. Ra's told me guns are for the unskilled."
Jason hadn't expected the League of Shadows to be a place where you could just coast by on your powers but maybe his assessment had been wrong.
"Well, not everyone can receive divine intervention."
"You won't let this go, right?", Jason asked.
"Nope", Themis sounded amused, "Apparently, you are a very special boy, Mr. Todd."
The ninjas gathered on the wide patio. They built neat rows with a square of trainees on the side. Jason opted to join them and imitate whatever they were doing now. It turned out to be a routine of very complicated yoga poses that made Jason's whole body quiver. He gritted his way through them with pure determination.
The trainer walked along the rows, ensuring that no one slacked. He stopped a moment in front of Jason. Jason tensed, forcing himself to keep his leg in a position it didn't want to be in. He was pretty sure he would rip something if he kept this up any longer.
After a minute that felt like an eternity, the man walked along, apparently satisfied with Jason for now. Or at least not so offended that he needed to punish Jason.
The trainee next to Jason quivered as his back slumped slightly. The trainer rained his stick down on the trainee's back. The trainee screamed which earned him another slap. He tried to force himself to become rigid again. It had no use though. His legs were so shaky that he couldn't keep up any pose.
Another slap.
Jason bit his lip. He had never been good at ignoring injustices in front of him. Always one to start a fight to protect the powerless. There was nothing Jason could do though. He was powerless here, too.
Talia's protection probably wouldn't reach as far as that it allowed for outright resistance. And Jason had come here of his own free will – just like the other trainees. Everyone knew what happened if you didn't perform in the League of Shadows. Everyone knew the risk and had decided to bear them. Jade had reiterated them bluntly to Jason. No one knew them better than her and Artemis.
The trainee next to Jason would feel them. He was a quivering mess as his body broke down completely. The trainer's face stayed blank as he retrieved a long knife. The apprentice tried to crawl back, but the trainer gripped his hair and slit his throat.
Jason bit harder onto his lip, stifling a sound. He couldn't attract any attention. He had to hold his position. Jade had told him that morals had no place in the League of Shadows.
Jason had told her he could handle it – and he would. So, he ignored the splatters of blood that covered the stone tiles next to him. Some had even gone as far as coating Jason's hands. A disgusting, burning feeling.
Jason remembered how N had cleaned his hands obsessively when he was younger. So much so that he had frequently rubbed his skin raw. Jason understood now why. He felt this deep need to rub his hands clean, too.
Jason suppressed the urge though and continued on with the poses. His body wanted to break down on him, but Jason pushed his teeth together and looked at the corpse next to him every time he felt like breaking apart. He wouldn't die like this. He would steel his body and mind and come back home as a weapon of justice. Being refined would hurt but it would be worth it.
Jason glanced to his other side. Themis was visibly struggling as well – sweat dripping down from her forehead onto the stone as her limbs quivered. But she clenched her jaw so hard that Jason feared her teeth would splinter and continued. They were survivors – both of them.
Jason followed the routine of the other trainees for the rest of the day. After yoga, the fully-qualified ninjas left and only the trainees were left. The instructor told them what to do.
Jason didn't understand anything, so he relied on the other trainees' movements and Themis' whispered warnings. Again, Jason found himself glad that she was here. Her Arabic would come in handy. Another field where Jason needed to catch up.
The fight training was brutal and glaring mistakes could earn you a slap with the stick. Jason suppressed a groan when it mostly focused on katanas again. But he took the wooden katana without complaint and paired up with Themis.
Jason felt better when he noticed that she sucked at this, too. Even harder than Jason did.
Jason could only look better in comparison, right?
The instructor zeroed in on them. He slapped both of them with a stick. Always alternating between them. Themis' face clenched in pain when she was hit but she made no sound and continued her fight with Jason.
The stick struck Jason's back. It made unpleasant memories creep up in his mind. Memories of Willis lingering over him with a belt. Jason had taken it then, he could take it now. So, he kept a blank face and continued to focus on improving his shoddy katana-work.
The instructor didn't seem satisfied with Jason from his annoyed grunt, but he apparently respected Jason's attempts enough to keep him alive. Jason took a deep breath.
Or he was held back by another fact. Jason caught a glimpse of Talia al Ghul standing by the side, watching him. Her hands were folded behind her back. Jason wondered what she was thinking. Why was she focusing on Jason instead of the other more skilled trainees?
Jason had always thought of himself as a capable fighter. He had been trained by Nightwing for years after all and even a bit by Batman. Seeing the other trainees, Jason knew he was wrong. Nightwing had gone so easy on him that it was laughable.
Jason wondered what would have happened if he had gotten Nightwing to train him like a Talon or a Shadow would be. If he had gotten Nightwing to be more brutal and relentless in his instruction. If Jason had gotten Nightwing to teach him everything.
Jason would be so much more effective than he was now. He could be a true blade of justice instead of still having to learn how to be one. Maybe he could have come close to challenging Batman.
Jason sighed – reminding himself again that Nightwing had done what he needed to do.
Curse his big brother's morals. How could anyone still doubt that Nightwing was a hero? Once Jason was back home, he would hammer into Nightwing's head that he was a hero until he accepted it.
Home. Jason couldn't think about home. It would tear him apart.
He glanced to the side. Talia al Ghul was gone.
The training ended and Jason's whole body ached. More specifically, his back felt like it was on fire.
The trainees went towards the compound. It was afternoon by now. Jason was ready to fall onto his mat, maybe find out where you could eat here. Instead, the trainees beelined for what revealed itself to be the kitchen. An elderly woman pushed a knife and a sack of potatoes into Jason's arms.
"Chores", Themis muttered to him, "We're the last ones who get to eat by the way."
Jason suppressed a groan. This started to feel like a boarding school with the added inconvenience of having death hang over your head for any mistake.
"Is the chosen one of the great Talia al Ghul too good to peel some potatoes?", Themis snickered.
The cook hit Themis' hands with a spoon for her troubles, screaming something at her. Themis lowered her head. She threw an amused glance at Jason.
They made a competition out of it. Who could peel their potatoes more quickly? Jason finished far earlier than Themis, sticking his tongue out at her. Having prepared meals for his parents since childhood could do that to a person. Catherine had been too out of it most of the time to cook and Willis had never used a stove in his life.
Themis glared at him.
Jason took pity on her and sneaked some of her potatoes onto his own cutting board. Themis smiled at him. Jason smiled back. Having her here did make things more endurable after all. Maybe Jason had been lucky that she had sneaked herself onto the boat. Not that he would ever admit that to her. Over his dead body.
Red Hood had wanted to do this alone, but he found out that he couldn't. Jason didn't know what to make of that.
AN: There he is. Our favorite, prickly, little Robin. Jason and Damian already hate each other – already brother-material. I was happy to write Talia as well. I have plans for her and Damian to feature quite prominently. Talia has a plan. :D
Also, look at Jason getting a sidekick (Don't tell Themis I called her that though :D).