One of the Men

[Thor]

Thor watched his friend's eyes from behind that red helm. 

"I was trained by Batman. The throwing knives I use are styled after his." Red pulled one out and stared at it for a moment. "They're supposed to be shaped like bats. It's stupid, I know, but its the shape I was first trained with and so it's the one I can throw best."

Thor looked at the strange blade. Now that Red had said it Thor did see that it was vaguely bat shaped. Wait, did he say he was trained by a bat man? "Who are these batmen and from where do they come?"

Red chuckled. "No. There is only one Batman, and he's not an actual bat in any way. He dresses up in this costume that looks vaguely like a bat and 'fights crime'." He placed an emphasis on the last two words that made it seem as though he thought what his old teach did was less than satisfactory.

Thor looked at his friend. "What happened?" he said, surprising not missing the emphasis. 

Red stuck the blade in the table a little to forcefully. "Nothing."'He did nothing!' Red thought angrily. "He left me..." 'to die.' Red thought angrily. 

"At least he left you with the skills to defend yourself." Thor said with a laugh. Red's chair fell to the ground with a loud bang. "Hey, where are you going?" Thor shouted at the back of his friend as he watched Red storm off angrily.

"Bathroom!" Red shouted bitterly over his shoulder. 

Thor watched his friend. He lifted his hammer. He hoped he wouldn't do anything rash. He recognized anger from pride all to well.

[Red-Hood]

Red ripped his helmet from his head viciously, throwing it as he entered the small bathroom. He breathed heavily as he thought of the man who had saved him from the streets. Who clothed him, fed him, trained him. Who left him to die at the hands of that sadistic clown. Red began to  hate this Omni. For teasing him with a new start, when in fact every minute in this place was a constant reminder that he wouldn't get his revenge he so desired from the thing that killed him, and the person who let it happen. 
 
 Red looked at himself in a bowl of water that was on the counter. He saw the child he once was looking back at him. Bloody. Beaten. Dead. Hot tears fell down his cheeks. In that moment he didn't feel like Red Hood, or Robin. He was Jason Todd, the boy who wasn't strong enough to save himself. The boy who relied on Bruce Wayne to save him. Hoped he cared enough to save him.

Red knocked the bowl from the counter, sending it flying and smashing into pieces against the wall. Jason was dead. Red Hood was all that exsisted now. And one way or another he would get his revenge. 

Red straighted up, gathered himself and picked up his helmet, placing it over his face to hide his tear stained cheeks. Turing to leave he was startled to see Alex standing in the door way looking concerned.

"What do you want?" Red said pushing past Alex before he could answer. For now Red would find Thor and start the training, his plans would have to be put on hold for the time being.

[Thor]

Thor stared down the dark hallway that had consumed his friend. To late did he notice that Alex had gotten up.

"No. ALex wait!" Thor shouted, but Alex had already turned the corner. This wasn't going to be a good thing. Thor waited. He didn't like infighting. It was the most frustrating thing about his brother. Always turning on those that should be called friend. Thor knew from experience that a good fight could easily go sour when a friend turns foe. He did not want that to happen to Red.

Red came out of the hallway, helmet on. Thor could almost see the anger radiating from him. Alex followed behind. "I'm sorry! I didn't see anything!"

Thor looked at Red, raising an eyebrow. Red stopped. Red spun around knocking Alex to the ground with the back of his hand. Alex lay there on the cold stone stunned, holding his cheek. "Stop following me." Red turned and walked over to the table and sat down across from Thor. Alex stood up and walked slowly back down the hallway and around the corner.

Thor looked down the hallway, then at Red. Red looked away. "Did he deserve that?" Thor said leaning forward.

Red looked at the big warrior from the side of his eye. Thor stared back. The question hung for another moment. "No..." Red said with a sigh.

"Go after him."

"Yeah..." Red got up and went down the hallway.

Thor watched a mousy maid girl sweep up the pieces of the cup. He saw the eyes of the other men on him. They were not friendly. He heard their grumbles and their grunts of disgust. He gripped his Hammer preparing for a fight. The door slammed open.

"Attention!" A figure dressed in a breast plate and steel cap stood in the door way. "Weapon Drills Today! Out to the fields now!"

Thor rose and followed the man to the fields.

[Red-Hood]

Red began to follow Alex to apologize for his burst of anger. It wasn't the boy's fault after all. He heard the commander yell for the men to head to the fields. Shit.... Guess my apologie will have to wait Red thought bitterly as he turned and made his way to the field. 

He quickly found Thor and stood next to him. Thor raised his brow at him once more.

"Don't give me that look... I'll deal with Alex later. Besides training will take the edge off." Red said plainly although he still felt guilty for taking his sudden burst of anger out on Alex. 

A man helping Commander Grayson began passing swords out to the seven of them. Wait seven? There were eight of them all together but Alex was no where to be seen. 

Stupid kid... He shouldn't be so senstive, especially if he wants to be a guard Red thought his anger flaring again. 

"Alright we will be practicing with the sword. The eigh-. Wait where is the Alex? Wasn't he at breakfast?" Commander Grayson said looking at each of the men.

 No one seemed to want to talk about the altercation that had happened moments before, either out of fear of what Red would do or not wanting to involve themselves. Red was perfectly happy with the silence. It was the kid's choice not to show up. 

"No matter, one of you will spar with me then." Grayson said. Red could feel Thor's gaze on him. He ignored the side glances, still facing the Commander. 

"Alright, pair up and give it your best shot, we'll see what needs improvement later."

Red turned to Thor figuring no one would dare face one of the primes. Sword in hand Red twirled it a few times to inspect the balance of the blade. Satisfied Red got in a stance to begin the fight.

"Begin!" Grayson cried. The clang of metal on metal echoed on the field.

With a cry Red began his attack. Red swiped furiously with the blade, Thor trying his best to block the onslaught of attacks. Thor began to lose ground, backing up to dodge the more vicious swipes that Red unloaded apon him. Thor jumped back, sucking his gut in as Red changed up his slashing motion into a powerful jab that would have more than likely impaled the warrior had it landed. Red chuckled as he twirled the blade again taughting the Asguardian.

[Thor]

Whatever luck had kept the Warrior God out of the way of his opponent's dull practice gave way after Red's elated sword twirl. Thor, unfamiliar with both the weapon his friend's fighting style, thought the almost care-free action was an opening to be taken advantage of. He was sorely mistaken, in more ways then one. Red slid under Thor's clumsy jab with ease and struck the warrior in the stomach with the pommel of the blade, then dance back just far enough to rock the warrior with a rapid smattering of sword strokes to either side of Thor. The thunder god raised his arms in a weak attempt to block the attacks, while still recovering from the blow to the stomach. Thor tried to reach out and grab the blade giving Red the opening he needed to bring a vicious blow right across the large man's face. Thor dropped to one knee.

[Red-Hood]

"Ha!" Red exclaimed  as he placed the tip of the sword to Thor's throat. Behind the his red mask Red an evil grin splayed across his face. Red could feel his heart beat pulsing in his ears as his adrieline rose. He loved the feeling of having the warrior who bested him once in such a submissive state. Holding the instrument that held Thor's life in the balance was like no drug Red had ever experienced. With a slight push he could end the Asguardian's life.

"Oy! Red! That's enough. You've clearly won now let the man up" Grayson yelled eyeing Red. 

Snapping back to reality he removed the sword from Thor's throat. 

"Take a break, get some water and cool off Red" Grayson said relaxing a little. Red dropped the sword on the ground and walked over to a woman holding a cup of water out. She shrank a way as he took the cup from her. Taking his helmet off he sipped the water. Feeling the coolness slide down his throat.

"Well fought friend" said Thor slapping him on the back. He took a cup of water and drained it in one gulp.

"I over did it, I could have killed you if the commander hadn't stopped..." Red said trailing off. What was wrong with him. Maybe Batman was right. He needed to have more control.

"Nonsense! I am the god of thunder! A tiny man made weapon could not easily conquer me!" Thor spoke braining Red out of his thoughts. 

"I'm sorry Thor none the less, that was wrong, I lost control" Red refused to look his friend in the eye. Thor merely nodded. 

"That is your training then. You are a mighty warrior. But with out control and a purpose, then there is no point" Red found these words of wisdom comforting and surprising given who it was coming from. There was more to his friend than he thought. 

"Come, the sound of battle calls to me!" Thor said placing his cup down and walking back on to the field. With a nod he drained his cup and followed suit.

[Thor]

As Thor stepped out onto the field he thought about the words he had just said.

"Without control and a purpose, then there is no point"

He had been like Red once. He thought back to the day his father had banished him. His words had been harsh and tempered by compassion. He rubbed his torso on the spot where his father had pushed him out of the gate. Thor shook his head to clear his mind of such thoughts. He pulled his sword from the ground where he had stabbed it. 
"Who will fight me next! You!" Thor pointed at one of the recruits that had just finished his bout. He had been resting after the fight, but when he saw Thor pointing at him he straightened up and looked around. Seeing no one near him he pulled his sword up and walked over. 

"Are you prepared to face the Thunder God!?" Thor charged the man without waiting fro an answer. He grabbing his opponents sword and drove them both to the ground where he proceeded to bring the pommel of the dull training blade down on the mans chest over and over. The man was wearing the hard boiled leather armor of all the recruits, but even with that the repeated blows were doing a lot of damage. 

"WOW!" An instructor dashed over. "Stop that!" Thor stopped pummeling his opponent and stood up. "This is sword practice, not 'beat the other guy into a bloody pulp' training! Here, you're gonna fight me next. I'll show you how to use that sword proper." The instructor took a stance. "Now come at me."

Thor obliged, running at the man sword raised. The instructor dashed to one side as he charged past. The instructor rapped Thor on the back of the leg. "If this were a real sword you would be missing a leg." The instructor walked over to Thor. "You're strong and tough but that won't save you from a thin blade between the ribs. When you attack move like this. It will leave you less open to counter attacks." The instructor demonstrated.

[Red-Hood]

Commander Grayson deftly moved on his feet, swaying and moving, he parried imaginary attacks, following up with jabs and slices of his own. The way he moved was controlled, beautiful when. Grayson made the simple task of defense and offense appear to be a dance. A graceful dance of war that led to death. Red watched entranced by the seasoned warrior's movements. They way he expertly controlled himself on the field would be enough to easily demolish his opponet. The only person Red could think of that could best this man in combat with the sword alone would be his second teacher Ra's Al Ghul, the leader of the League of assassins. The man had hundreds of years to sharpen his skills with the sword, as well as other weapons and fighting styles. Making him a master the art of war. Watching his friend train with the Commander reminded him off his training sessions with the Demon's head, a name Ra's was also known by. The only difference is that they used real weapons, intensifying the long hours of training Ra's would force him into. He remembered making the walk back from the infirmary many nights covered in deep lacerations and bruises where Ra's so easily broke Red's defenses.  He would have only the night to recover from the day's grueling training before being forced once again to do the same thing over and over the next day. Along with priceless knowledge Ra's also left him with many scars as a reminder of his hardship. Despite the old warrior's rough demeanor he always held a calm attatuide. Correcting his mistakes in a loving fatherly way. Better then how Batman would treat him.

Thor tried his best to mimic Grayson's movements, but with what amazing power he has he definitely lacked in dexterity.

"What is the point of this silly dancing! I could have smashed your skull in a thousand times and be done already!" Thor yelled in frustration.

Red shook his head chuckling as he did so. 

"Looks like you don't have a partner to fight, you'll fight me then" Red turned to see Alex standing there with a determined look on his face. 

"Alex! There you are! Hey I'm sorr-"

"Shut up and fight me!" Alex yelled charging at Red. Bringing his sword up he easily blocked the attack. Looking at the sword Alex was using he gasped in suprise. The sword was real. This moment of pause showed Alex to take the advantage. He kicked Red in the stomach knocking him back. Once again he charged. Red side stepped the attack kicking Alex in the leg as he did so. Alex looked furious as he spun to face Red once more. He began chopping and slashing furiously .Red dodged and deflected the blows easily, some of them were a little to close for comfort.

"Alex you're using a real sword, don't make me hurt you"

"Shut up! You're not going to embarrass me again!" He cried as he ran at Red again. Red one again side stepped the attack. As he passed he grabbed the blade and twisted it downward. Red kicked Alex once again sending him over the hilt of the sword and lying flat on his back with a hard thump. Red threw the sword away just as Grayson ran over. 

"What the hell is going on over here?" He said looking at the pair. 

"He had a real sword sir, I had to disarm him." Red said pointing at the sword that lay a few feet away.

"What? How did he get one of those? We keep them locked up! You go back to the barracks and wait for me there" Grayson said kicking Alex lightly.

"This isn't over Red." Asked said running from the field. 

"Well that's not good" Red mumbled as he watched the blonde haired man flee.

[Thor]

Thor walked passed Grayson, and put a hand on Red's shoulder. "You speak truth, This may not turn out well for us. He is roomed with us however. Let us finish today's training, and tonight we will wait for him to return and attempt to mend what has been broken." Thor looked away from the spot where Alex had been to where Red stood now. "Agreed?"

[Red-Hood]

Red nodded. He has no intention of "mending what is broken" however. Alex had fallen to far from forgiveness. Although Red had deserved some sort of repercussion for his actions earlier, an attempt on his life was not the answer for his transgressions. Red saw something in Alex's eyes that Thor was too far away at the time to see. The need for blood, for swift cold hearted justice that could only be carried out by his hands. The same look he had in his own eyes when he destroyed the bullies when he was in school all those years ago. The same look that Joker would see as he let out his last breath of life. The same look Batman would see. The entity of fear would come to fear the man he helped create.  The need for revenge and the burning look of hatred it leaves in the gaze of one's stare was not an uncommon look for Red but he never thought he would see it outside if his own reflection. Red didn't blame Alex for his new found gall, but this just proved Red's superiority on that battle field and intellectually. He would never have been dumb enough to assainate someone in broad daylight with several witnesses with in a short distance from him. 

You'll have to kill me boy if you want to end this and I'm not going down with out a fight Red thought grimly.
 
Red lay awake listening to the breathing of the other two men whom shared the room with him. Alex hadn't shown up for dinner and he hadn't shown his face once they had returned to the room either. Finally after what seemed like an eternity the two other men's breathing became even and repetitive, signifying they had at last fallen asleep. Quietly Red rose from his bed. Red removed a spool of twine he had found in the supply closet shortly after dinner. He got to work creating a simple trip wire. Once he was finished he attached one end to a flash bang. Satisfied with his work he then ripped a few pieces of cloth from Alex's bed sheets. He wrapped them around his eyes and ears in hopes it would protect him from the detonation. Although it would not completely nullify the effects of the flash bang it would be enough in case Alex showed up to finish what he has started earlier that day.

Red couldn't help but smile as he laid back down. Red always used to tease Batman for his paranoia of hypothetical situations but more tone than not this paranoia kept him alive. Red placed his knife within reach and fell asleep.

A large light illuminated the room followed by an ear splitting bang. His trap had worked, now to see who was his prey. Red tore the cloth from his eyes as he sprang from his bed. Red kicked feeling his foot connect with the familiar feeling of flesh and bone. The figure he kicked crumpled to the ground. By this point the other two men were already on their feet. Thor hammer in hand

Red grabbed Alex by his hair, pulling as he did so to expose his neck. He placed his knife on the soft flesh feeling Alex's throat quiver as he swallowed.

"What the hell is going on?" The man who Red didn't care to know the name of cried in shock.

"Alex here tried to make another attempt at my life. Didn't you Alex?" Red said digging the knife into his throat slightly. A line of crimson trailed it's way down his neck stopping at his collar bone. Alex grunted from the pain of having his hair slowly ripped from his skull and the new opening of the cut. 

"Now listen here you stupid child, I'm going to let you go. You will walk out of this barracks and go back to whatever sewer you climbed out of and never return. Understand? If I see your face again, I will not hesitate to kill you." Red said whispering in the man's ear. Red violently threw Alex to the floor. As soon as he was free he took off out the door.

"Well then. Goodnight" Red said in a mock cheerful tone.

[Thor]

Thor Awoke to a flash and a bang. He was on his feet in moments, Hammer in hand. He saw Red holding Alex by the hair, knife to the boy's neck. Should Thor save the boy or let his friend get revenge? Curse morality! Thor just wanted a fight without all the mess. He missed the jotuns. An enemy you could respect and one that hated you more than you hated it. If it was an Ice Giant, you attacked it. Never did you have to wonder which side who was on. It was simple. Thor looked at the boy, at Red holding the boy. This was anything but simple. Thor heard Red's ultimatum and then watched him let Alex go. Thor let air fill his lungs as a sigh escaped his lips. He looked at Alex as he ran out the door. Letting him go free would only cause trouble, but for some reason Thor was glad that Red Hood had not taken the boys life. He shut the door and let his Hammer drop to the ground. Once again, Thor put a hand on his friends shoulder. "You did the right thing letting him go."

Thor looked at Red. Red did not look back as he spoke. "I'm not so sure."

[Red-Hood]

Red didn't sleep well that night. Every creak or slight whip of the wind brought him into an attack position, thinking it was Alex returning to finish the job. Red looked at a dead rat he had killed durning the night. He thought it was Alex shuffling in the dark so naturally he threw a batarang at it, skewering the poor beast to the floor. 

Red had just began to fall asleep when the Commander entered the room giving the daily wake up call. With a groan he had awoken, staring at the rat that lay at his feet. 

"Come Red, let us eat" Thor said planting his large armored hand on Red's shoulder. With a yawn and a nod he followed his friend, dreading the day off trading he would be exposed to. For now the thought of Alex left his mind. He didn't think Alex would try anything with so many people around. He wasn't a complete idiot. Red believed he hadn't seen the last of Alex the night before.

[Thor]

Thor patted his friend on the shoulder to comfort him about the night before. He left the small dorm and headed to the mess hall. Thor thought about Red as he walked. He could hear his friend's steps, heavy with a sleepless night as they were. Red had let Alex go the night before, but that had not mended the wounds in either the boy or his friend. Thor thought about the rage that he had seen, so strong he could see it in Red's eyes and the way he stood. Loki, before he had learned the to present his sliver tongued facade, had had the same look about him. Loki had had most of a millennium to perfect his ability to hide his pain behind jokes and schemes. Red's pain was fresh. He had only had two to three decades of life to internalize the pain and trauma. Maybe that was what drew Thor to him; the thought that he just might be able to save him where he failed to save his brother. Maybe it was just that Thor needed the foil of a sneaky pessimist. Despite all his betrayals and lies, Loki had been Thor's most constant companion. His skills and style had always complimented Thor's and now that Loki was gone he missed the silver tongued devil.

Thor entered the mess hall, got his food, and sat down. Red followed him in his exhausted state. They ate in silence, Thor not feeling like making his usual boastful outbursts after the sobering contemplation of his past.

Instructor Grayson busted in and called for Thor and the other six second tier recruits. The went to the courtyard that they had trained in yesterday. The Instructor spoke loud enough for all to hear. "Yesterday's sparring was to test your skill with a sword! Today we will be improving it! You will line up in a row of three up front and a row of four behind, looking at me!" All the men grabbed a sword from the rack and took up positions. Thor took one of the ends of the back line. "Copy and repeat this motion!" He demonstrated a simple but effective two swipe sword swing. The men began to copy. "I will be walking around to correct your forms until I am satisfied!"

[Red-Hood]

Red stared blankly at Grayson. Really? What more do I have to improve on? Red thought to himself. Clearly he was the best swordsmen out of the recruits. Arrogance dripped off of Red as he began to perform the two slashes. 

"Shoulders higher Red, otherwise good job" Grayson said beginning his walk. Red snorted a little to loud as he walked. Grayson stopped and quickly turned back to face Red. 

"Is there a problem?" Grayson said staring down Red. 

Red rolled his eyes behind his helmet. "No sir" Red said bored. 

"Good, drop the attitude and continue training" Grayson said coninuing down the line if the initiates. Red brought his shoulders up as Grayson instructed. Red was suprised that this simple thing made the swings feel more fluidly. 

Even Thor seemed to be getting a better understanding. He still needed practice of course but he seemed to be eating up all the words Commander Grayson said regaurding his form.

[Thor]

Thor had forgotten how much he enjoyed this kind of training. Grayson kicked one of his feet. Thor tightened his stance. The upper-cut part of the swipe and upper-cut move gained some stability.

"Shoulders lower, Thor. It's not a hammer, it's a sword."

Thor lowered his shoulders. It made the connection between the moves much smoother. Thor let the moves flow through his arm. Into his shoulders. Into the way his hips swung. Into the way he stood. It felt good. Thor had not felt like this since he arriving to the Omniverse

After a good while of passing by each of the seven men and giving what correction was needed Grayson took his place at the head of the group. He stood there for a long while watching them, making sure that their form would hold without his close proximity. When he was satisfied with what he saw he spoke.

"Halt!" Everyone stopped swinging their swords. "You're all doing very well. Now I'm going to show you another." Grayson took another stance and preformed a down slash followed by a side slash. Everyone began to repeat the motion. Grayson began his patrol through the lines of recruits, correcting as he went.

[Red-Hood]

The two-strike drills went on for hours. Grayson giving them another two everytime the group as a whole had a true understanding of the movements and were able to perform them fluidly. Grayson  numbered each two-strikes and began calling them out at random. 

"5,2,9,5,3" Grayson yelled. He nodded his approval as he watched the men perform them in order. At first the transfers were sluggish and weak. They struggled to remember which combo was which number. Grayson patiently corrected the group of men when they made mistakes. Eventually the men began to help one another, correcting and giving advice where it was needed.

The men began to act more like the army the Kingdom deserved rather than individual warriors.  The complex movements became stronger and swifter as the training went on. Grayson smiled at his men, watching how uniformed they had become. Thinking and moving as one as he called out the random order of the movement sets. 

"Alright everyone stop! Great job men, you've made a lot of progress and I'm very proud of each and everyone of you. Take a break and we will get back to it in about fifteen minutes." Grayson said smiling at his men.

Red stabbed the sword in the slightly moist ground, the ground wet from the sweat if the seven. He walked over to the woman holding the water jug. She handed him a cup smiling, beginning to pour another for the next man in line. Red drained the cup in one gulp. He let out a satisfied gasp as he finished it, enjoying the water falling down his dry throat. Thor marched to his side finishing his drink.

"Hey great work Thor, you're really starting to get a hang of things." Red said playfully punching Thor's shoulder 

"Thank you friend. You continue to prove your aptitude with the sword. I still prefer the strength of my hammer!" He said sticking his hand out and summoning it to his side. He caught it easily and eyed it affectionately. Red chuckled as watched his friend admire his weapon of choice.

Red heard a rustling noise coming from the bush near where the pair were standing. Red quickly closed the distance and began rifling through the bush looking for the source of the noise. 

"What are you looking for Red?" Thor yelled realizing he wasn't standing next to him. 

"Nothing" Red said with a frown. He was sure he has heard something coming from the bush. Red walked back to the field. Their break was over, time to get back to work.

[Thor]

Thor watched Red-Hood walk back to the middle of the field, taking his place in line. Thor followed slowly and took his place along side the other recruits. He stared at his friend as Grayson began to rattle off numbers. Thor had gained enough confidence in his skill to go through the motions without paying them much heed. He was more concerned about his friend's behavior. He had seen good men fall to this kind of menace. Powerful warriors that should fear nothing, jumping at shadows. Fearing the ghost of threats dealt with long ago. Thor hoped his friend would not come to the same fate. Thor saw the flash of the sun on golden horns and the flicker of green as a shadow disappeared around the corner of a nearby pillar. He hoped he to did not fall victim to the power of memories unforgotten.

Instructor Grayson called for a halt. Thor realized he had just listed off all ten moves that he had shown them backward. "Now that you've been shown how to use these," He spun his sword expertly, "try using the moves I've shown you to best each other! Partner up and spar, then we break for lunch!"

Thor saw Red turn to the recruit next to him and begin to attack. Thor followed his example, turning to the man next to him. "For Asgard!" Then he lashed out with a side slash and followed up with a down slash. Move eight. The man blocked each heavy strike. Thor was strong enough to make the man use two hands to block his attacks but the man had plenty of time to set his feet and put his sword in the right position. Thor attacked again. Up slash, then down slash. Move five. The man blocked. Thor continued like that. Eight, then five, then eight again. Each swing the man blocked with plenty of time to recover and block the next.

Grayson called a halt to his own sparing match and gave the trainee a break. He looked at Thor, shook his head, and walked over. "Thor! Stop swinging that sword like it's a damn club!"

Thor paused in his assault. "I was winning!"

"Were you now!" Grayson said the words, but it was obviously not a question. "In a real battle the trick is not to win, but to survive long enough for your enemies to lose." Grayson looked at the recruit Thor had been bashing at. "I don't know about you, but it doesn't seem like he's having any trouble surviving you. Try throwing a couple of the thrusting moves into the mix." He turned to the other man. "And you, with an enemy this slow you should be able to work in some attacks of your own in between his."

Thor and the recruit both nodded in acknowledgment. Grayson turned to return to his own match. Unfortunately as he turned he saw Red-Hood spinning and flipping around his opponent, jabbing and slashing in set that Grayson definitely did not show him. Using the same moves builds a sense of unity and comradery among the men. Fighting with those moves will only make him seem more like an outsider and when it becomes important the men may not see him as a friend. Grayson began walking over. An Instructor's job is never done.

[Red-Hood]

"I don't think that's the move set I taught you Red" Grayson said folding his arms.

Red came to a stop from his complex movements and strikes. The recruit he was sparing with looked relieved to finally have a break from the constant onslaught of Red's attacks. He fell to the ground in a kneeling position breathing heavily as he did so.

"Not exactly, but I kept him on his toes. He even blocked and parried some of my attacks" Red said looking down at the man. He was massaging a few places where Red had smacked him with the flat of his blade when he  let his guard down. He looked at Red angrily as he continued to massage his sore body. 

"I didn't teach you these move sets for you not to use them." Grayson said.

"Yea? Well you told Thor that fighting is about tiring out your opponent so they lose." Red looked at the man. "He looks good and tired to me. Besides I could have ended the fight a long time ago but I wanted to give him the chance to learn from his mistakes. So what's the problem?" Red said driving his sword into the dirt. 

"Problem? You claim to be giving him the opportunity to learn and yet all I've seen is you decimate him. Clearly you are well trained with the sword, so instead of destroying him how about build him up? Show him a better way to defend. It's great you have these skills but save it for the real enemy, not your comrades." Grayson said getting angry now. 

Red took his mask off so the commander could see his face, more so he could show his disgust in what he had said. 

"That is stupid! You want me to hold back? Am I Also supposed to hold back when enemies are attacking? How does that help with anything?" Red yelled. Grayson stepped forward staring down Red only inches from his face. 

"Watch your tone boy, remember who your speaking too. No I don't want you to hold back I want you to lead as a better example, I already know there's not much I can teach you. So teach others instead of being an arrogant prick. I don't care if you're a stupid prime. Your life doesn't mean anymore than anyone else's, do you understand?!" Grayson said yelling the last few words, spittle hitting Red's exposed face.

"Sir I wasn't say-"

" Do you understand! " Grayson yelled once again.

"Yes sir" Red muttered unable to look him in the eye.

"Good, now get back to work" Grayson said glaring as he walked away. 

Red nodded and gave the man his have to help him from the ground. He began teaching rather than attacking allowing himself to take hits instead of brutally dishing them out. The man began to slowly gain more understanding and confidence with each strike.

[Thor]

After returning to his own sparing match for its completion, Grayson stepped back and watched all the rest finish. Once the last recruit admitted defeat he called for lunch. The eight men marched to the mess hall. Thor and Red-Hood sat down at there usual table. The other five sat at theirs. Grayson walked in between the two, then stopped. He looked at the two primes, then at the five men. "Ok, I guess I didn't notice this when that other kid was around but this," he motioned at the two tables, "this needs to stop. All of you get up."

Thor chugged his drink and stood. Red got up with a moan, still exhausted from the night before and lamenting having to move during his break from training. The other men also stood. Grayson looked at the two tables. "Alright, Thor and Red, you move that table." He looked at the other men. "Micheal, Grant, Gared. You three move that table. Just push them together." He said stepping out of the way.

Thor watched his friend stumble toward the table. Thor grabbed his friend. "Let me, my friend. The tables in Asgard were made of heavier wood than this and they were booted with solid iron, but we still managed to throw them at each other." Thor smiled and took hold of the table. Thor watched the other men take hold of the other table. Grant and Gared were tall but Micheal was the real brute. They started to move the tables together.

Grayson looked at the tables, now joined. "Alright. You all will sit here, together!"

They sat at the table together. The men stared at the to primes with an awkward mix of suspicion and awe. Red was too tired to make any snarky comments and Thor, not finding the table a friendly audience, turned his attention to the serving maids. They finished their meal and the rest of their training without incident. However, upon returning to their room the two primes found a bored guardsman with an interesting sword waiting outside their room. "I'm here to escort you to your new room."

[Red-Hood]

Red dragged himself to the room they has been sleeping in there last few nights looking forward to succumbing to his exhaustion and having done decent sleep that night. Red nearly screamed in frustration when he learned they had to move. 

"Why? What did we do now" Red said standing close to the guards face. Red was this close not or of hostility but to stabilize himself from how tired he was.

The guard softly pushed Red from him, Thor standing there put Red's shoulder around his neck to keep him from falling.

"YOU, didn't do anything. Word got back to us about Alex's attempt on your life so the three of you will be switching rooms with the others to down the hall to ensure your safety." The guard said starting to walk a way.

"I can take care of myself" Red said slightly delirious, stumbling as he walked. Thor still stood there watching Red ready to catch them if need be. 

"Be that as it may" the guard said looking at him unbelievably, " my orders are the same, your chests have already been moved. Red grumbled unintelligently but still followed obediently. 

As they walked down the cramped hallway to their new they passed the other recruiters. Judging by the looks on their faces they weren't too happy about moving either. Red could care less what they thought. Sleep was his prime concern. 

"Here we are, rest easy men" the guard said speaking the last part mainly to Red. He nearly nodded as he entered the room.

The room looked exactly the same as the old one. Red found his bunk and fell on it ,falling asleep almost instantly.