For Pride

Chapter II

"How long have you been awake?", Bruce leaned against the side of my door as I closed the book I was reading from. "Long enough to hear you brushing your teeth.", he smiled as he didn't expect more from an assassin. "Well, show me more of you. Time to work.", I followed Bruce all the way to a secret lair where I supposed he hides his weapons.

"Wear this. You'll be a robin from now on.", he wore a costume or 'Uniform' that resembled a bat. I found it childish. Why would I be serving a middle aged man that wears a bat costume? "I won't wear it.", It's embarrassing to wear such a thing.

Bruce's POV

He looked at the Robin suit as if I just offended him. "You don't have a choice here. You'll wear it because I said so."
"I'm not disobeying your orders. I'm analyzing the disadvantages of wearing this suit.", he handed the Robin suit back to me and started wearing a different one. It's colors were black and grey. There was also the government's Assassin's Association or also known as 'AA' symbol on his right arm. "What disadvantages does my suit have?", he walked towards me and pointed at the belt. "It's weight can be troublesome when jumping as well as the cape."
"Whats wrong with the cape?", he stretched the cape and looked at me. "It could be pulled by the enemy and be knocked down. The gloves get in the way when handling slippery situations. The mask can block my side views in attempt to reflex. The shirt and tights can effect my stretching points. For example, in a situation where I have to flex in order to hit or knock down my enemy. Finally, the 'R' symbol is against my contract. I am to wear the Assassin's Association sign in every mission.", I would have lied if I were to say that I wasn't impressed. He really thought this through.

"When are we leaving?", he stood still until I gave him a response. "Yes, we'll leave now. Get in the bat mobile.", I jumped on the car and didn't took long enough for him to followed. As I was driving he asked me questions about my suit. Asking why am I wearing a costume and why did I adopted three kids and my son.  I was offended when he asked me about my profession as a hero. "Have you never heard of a hero?"
"There's no such thing. I am to believe that those whom deserve being called a 'Hero' are those who sacrifice the most."
"Have I not sacrificed for the better good?"
"Correct. You won't be....Batman if you're family wasn't wealthy.", he hesitated in attempt to say my name.

Azriel's POV

Why am I working with a freak who fights crime with a bat costume? I'll rather take my position as a commander than this. "Is Damian not working with us today?"
"No. I'll like to see how you work.", when we finally arrived there wasn't really any crime. We just fought off five guys that were stealing. Sadly, I never got to fight with someone worthy of my position until seven drug dealers were spotted. "Azriel go finish off the armed men while I chase after the boss!"
"Yes, sir.", the men were pretty easy to kill so I followed Bruce in case he need some help.
"Move another muscle and I'll kill her!", Bruce stood still following the bosses orders while I stay hidden waiting for my time to strike.

"I'm going to attack.", I spoked to Bruce through my ear microphone. "Azriel don't!", I jumped out my hiding place and attempt to shoot at the woman's shoulder for it to travel through her and hit the boss, but Bruce immediately knocked me off. The boss threw the lady and ran.

"Let me get this straight. You killed the armed men and attempted of injure a civilian in order to harm the criminal?!"
"Yes.", Bruce was frustrated and angry at me for killing those men. I don't understand his point.
"We live under a rule. No matter what, we do not kill our enemies. Do you understand.", he strengthen his jaw. I nodded in response, but I also had to explain my actions. "I'm an assassin, not a hero. I don't hurt the enemy I eliminate them. It's been my duty since birth and something that won't change. In attempt of injuring a civilian was necessary to accomplish my mission. I made notice to harm her as little as possible. Please understand that I'm a professional and highly trained assassin. Killing is a priority.", I could still see that Bruce was furious. His breathing has gotten faster and his eyes can't pay attention at one thing. "Go to your room. NOW!"
"Yes, sir."

Bruce's POV

"He's not mistaken. After all he is an assassin.", Damian quietly sat on my chair. "Even if he's an assassin he will eventually learn not to kill. Just like you have."
"It was different with me.", I looked at my son. Will it really be different.

Azriel's POV

I was staring at the ceiling when someone knock at my door. "Come in. The door is open.", I already knew it was Damian. His footsteps are light, but loud enough to hear it. "Sorry, about my father."
"Don't apologize. Why are you here?"
"I was too trained to be an assassin. It might be hard, but you'll get used to not kill"
"I see you weren't trained well enough."
"Where are you getting at?"
"You gotten soft Damian. An assassin always puts their mission first no matter the cost. Failure is unacceptable."
"You know nothing about me."
"I know enough.", Damian left and the day continued. I waited in my room till midnight to make my move. There was a reason to analyze my entries and escape roots in this house.

Bruce's POV

"Master Bruce we have received papers addressing to Azriel. Seems to be confidential documents.", Alfred handed me Azriel's mail. The documents were shipped from government officials. Why would a sixteen year-old receive such important documents?

"Alfred bring Azriel here.", Alfred stood in his place and said to me. "Master Azriel isn't in his room at the moment.", I looked at Alfred and asked Damian to contact Azriel.

Azriel's POV

"Please don't! I beg you!", I stab my knife against his throat to shut him up. I was finally able to finish my mission and now it's time to return and give my daily report.

I climbed up the building towards my bedroom window. Before I opened it I noticed someone was there, Bruce was there. I hesitated and prepared myself for the worst.

"Where were you?", Bruce was sitting on the chair aside my bed. "I completed my mission.", I noticed some documents he was holding had my name printed on it. "I have not assigned you any task so where were you?", he was getting impatient. "I went after the boss."
"I didn't asked you to do so Azriel." Damian looked disappointed at me for disobeying Bruce.
"It's not a matter whether you have or haven't. It's my duty to finish my mission. I killed the boss for the purpose of being successful. I will not bear the burden of letting the enemy escape on my reputation.", Bruce was so frustrated that he walked towards me and slapped me. I could have dodged it but I let it happened. "You would go against my orders for the sake of your reputation?"
"Yes.", Bruce had the same look of disappointment as Damian. Bruce took a deep breath.
"Why did the government officials sent you private information?"
"That's confidential information. I cannot say.", Bruce strengthen his jaw and asked. "Why?", I attempted to take the documents without any harm but he insisted by moving the document higher in the air. "As I say before, it's information I'm not allowed to share with you."
"My patience is running low.", I jumped on his left shoulder and snatched the papers from his hand. "If you would like to know, you'll have to ask the government.", Bruce angrily left the room alongside with Damian.
Day after day, Bruce would lecture me about the importance of being a hero and to not kill. Arguing about the same problem and he still haven't understood my position. Until I got tired and made a reckless but necessary decision.