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"I still don't get it," Jinx grumbled, "Red X used to be so cool, but now he's just another thief. What happened?"
Robin slouched lower in his desk. He was at the point where he would rather be back training with Slade than sitting in another one of these classes, especially today.
"That is an excellent question," their teacher, a horrid looking woman Robin couldn't remember the name of, replied and turned to the class, "and I think I shall open this up for discussion. Do any of you have any ideas?"
"Maybe something happened that caused him to loosen up?" See-More suggested, "A job gone wrong can change a villain."
"He didn't use to talk so much," Mammoth observed.
"And he's willing to change sides when it suits his own interests," Jinx added, "unlike before, when he wouldn't work with anyone. It's like he's a completely different person!"
"Hey, that's a thought!" Gizmo piped up, "What if he is a different person?"
"That certainly would explain a lot," their teacher mused, "Robin, you have been quiet today. What are your thoughts on the subject?"
Robin tightened his already crossed arms and slouched in his seat.
"Don't care," he replied, grateful that his mask hid the panic in his eyes.
"If I recall correctly," the woman continued, "you fought him several times during your time as a Titan. Surely you've noticed the difference? One must know their enemy."
Oh she was definitely targeting him.
"Like I said. I don't care."
"Perhaps we should inform your master that you are refusing to participate?"
At the mention of Slade, Robin and every other student in the room froze. The ebony teen out of a healthy fear for his newest mentor. His classmates out of adoring respect.
"That...that won't be necessary," he mumbled, unclenching his arms and resting them on his desk.
"Then I'll ask again. What do you know about Red X?"
"That the one you all know isn't the original. He stole the suit and the name just like he steals everything else," he answered, his tone turning sharp—cutting, resentful. He knew the kid behind the mask. And he knew him well.
After a lot of research and reconnecting with some rather shady contacts before becoming a reluctant apprentice, Robin had found the identity of Red X. A part of him wished that he would have been more surprised to learn the snarky thief was just another bird flying the nest of a certain bat.
"How do you know that he stole it? Surely the original Red X would have fought to get it back."
"He tried, believe me," he mumbled, "but, from what I hear, they came to an agreement, and Red got to keep the suit."
Everyone listening seemed to be fully invested in the former Boy Wonder's explanation. None of them had heard much about the mysterious thief, but the former hero seemed to have a lot of insider information. Information they should have since they were all villains with ties to Jump City's underground.
"How would you know, bird brain?" Gizmo demanded, jealous that his spot as the teacher's pet could possibly be in jeopardy.
"Do you know what kind of agreement they came to, Robin?" the teacher overruled. He smirked.
"Word on the street is the suit was a prototype anyway. The original Red X could make something better now that he can work the kinks out of the last one."
As soon as Slade lets me near the Workshop, he mused.
"Then how come we haven't heard anything?" Jinx asked. She couldn't understand how someone so new to the criminal world already knew so much.
Robin leaned comfortably back in his seat. Is this what Slade felt like all the time? Knowing so much information before any of them could figure it out? Talk about a power trip.
"Maybe you just haven't been asking the right questions to the right people," he countered. Villain or hero, he'd learned that having multiple sources on either side was vital for getting current intel. It was how he learned where Red liked to hang out and how he found his zynothium dealer.
"Who's your source? How'd you find out before the rest of us?!" Gizmo screeched.
Robin couldn't help it. Seeing the tiny inventor whining like a child with a face as red as Starfire's hair was enough to send him into a fit of laughter. This only caused Gizmo's face to burn an even brighter red than before.
"I say he's making it all up, because he doesn't know anything. He just doesn't want big bad Slade to pummel him for being a mouthy prick."
"I hope he hasn't been causing that much trouble," Slade's voice purred from the open doorway.
The room went silent, and Robin straightened up immediately.
"Master Slade," their teacher greeted professionally, "what a pleasant surprise. What brings you to the academy today?"
Robin was sure the man was smirking beneath his two-toned mask.
"Business," he replied curtly, "though I'm starting to find this much more entertaining. What's today's discussion?"
"The identity of Red X. Robin believes that the suit had two owners, and that the original gave the current Red X permission to wear it."
"Permission is a bit of a stretch," Robin mumbled, his voice only heard by his master's attuned ears.
"Then he would be correct. I personally find the current Red X to be lacking in prowess compared to the original. Too flashy and mouthy. The first had much more potential."
Robin flinched and briefly glanced around the class to see everyone taking notes, like they were hanging on to his every word. That was before the teacher asked a question that piqued their collective interest.
"If you knew the identity of the original X, would he have become a pupil of yours?"
Now Robin was sure Slade was smiling.
"I always get what I want. Come, Robin. We have work to do."
The ebony apprentice was out of his chair and by his master's side faster than Kyd Wykkyd could teleport. And as the duo left, the HIVE teacher tapped her nails in deep thought.
If Slade saw potential in the original Red X, then nothing could have stopped him from claiming him as an apprentice. Unless—
"—he had turn him first," she whispered, and a cruel grin spread out across her features. "It seems that our dear hero was on the darkened path long before his current arrangement."
A part of her couldn't believe it. The academy's most troublesome, and not in a good way, student was far from the defiant hero he pretended to be. She would have to do some more research to get the whole story, but it would be worth the wait.
......
"That crazy old crone is gonna figure it out now, thanks to you," Robin grumbled as he kept stride with his mentor.
Slade glanced down at the teen appraisingly. "She would have figured it out eventually, even without my help."
The ebony teen felt himself grin. "Still can't believe Jinx thought I was cool. She'd probably jinx herself if she knew."
"I meant what I said earlier. I always knew you had potential, but your performance certainly confirmed my opinion."
If Robin was concerned about that, he hid it well. "Do we have a job tonight?"
"You do. But I'll be there."
"In person? You do know running isn't really an option for me."
"I know you won't run," Slade replied matter-of-factly, "I'll be there as back up. Tonight isn't another simple robbery or potshot at Titans."
"You mean—?"
"Congratulations, Robin. You're ready to graduate."