5758/The Bat and the Dragon

The Bat and the Dragon
Date of Scene:	10 November 2018
Location:	China
Synopsis:	Bruce Wayne and Richard Dragon train with one another, just a few short days before he became the Dark Knight.
Cast of Characters:	Dragon, Batman

---

Dragon has posed:
8 years ago. The Training of the Dark Knight.

The Dojo was on an isolated mountain in China. A heavily secret location meant only for those knowledgeable in either mysic arts or as part of the martial arts. Inside? The Grandmaster, Richard Dragon, was training a young Bruce Wayne, before he ever truly became the Batman.

He is barehanded as he looks upon his student. "You have learned well from my teachings, Bruce. But...now we must put all you've learned to the test. I will wield no weapons. Use everything I have taught you. Hit me...if you can."

Hit him once? JUST ONCE?

"Now...let's begin. You may use whatever weapon or style you wish."

Batman has posed:
    His training has gone on for many years now, not just here but in all manner of places from the most prestigious universities to the back streets of some of the world's deadliest cities. It is a quest for knowledge and skill that will never end, but now at least he feels as though he is closing in on whatever it was he set out to achieve.
    Bruce regards the weapons on display for a moment, his brow furrowed and his mouth a grim line. He has learned to use all of them to a masterful degree, yet in the end he does not choose one. Instead, he turns to the Grandmaster and displays both hands - empty and palms facing upward. He trusts nothing more than he trusts himself. Not against such a formidable opponent.
    He drives his fist into his open palm and bows shortly before straightening up once again. He is still for a moment, a casual observer would see no hint of motion or intent in his body language, and without warning his leg pistons out in a kick aimed at Richard's knee.

Dragon has posed:
Richard Dragon presses a fist to his palm, and returns the bow.

Then it is on!

That leg that pistons out towards Dragon? He simply lifts his leg upwards, the kick hitting nothing but air. It was like Dragon always told him: 'The best defense is never being there'. In retaliation, Dragon uses that same leg to try and kick the back of Bruce's knee to try and make him fall over.

But clearly...Bruce knew a surprise attack had almost no chance of success against someone as skilled as Dragon.

Batman has posed:
    Even as his attack is deflected, Bruce maintains the momentum - his knee remaining unstruck as he simply wheels about, putting space between the pair of them again. He knows well enough what has a chance of hitting and what doesn't, but he nevertheless tests the waters. He is not relying on what he knows historically of Dragon, but what he can observe in him today. All people have flaws that rise to the surface here and there, it is only a matter of observing and recognising the opportunity for what it is. He does not launch an attack of his own again, instead waiting and watching.

Dragon has posed:
Richard nods knowingly. Good...he's watching, instead of reacting. Dragon finally enters into a fighting stance, circling Bruce as there is a brief silence. He was looking for a weakpoint. Thus, the Dragon doesn't leap, instead he throws a feign. A fake roundhouse kick aimed for Bruce's side..that would never find contact. Instead, at the last second, the foot would move the opposite direction and a strong right hand attempts to warmly greet Bruce's nose!

Batman has posed:
    For a moment, Bruce's hands twitch to deflect the kick. But somewhere in his minds ciircuits connect and he recognises the feint just in time, tilting his head back just enough to let the kick pass a scant half-inch in front of his face. He uses the backwards momentum to once again wheel backwards through the air, planting his hands on the floor and attempting to drive his foot across the Sensei's jaw as he does so. Regardless of whether he lands the strike, however, he continues backwards in a Capoeira roll to slip away from the counter-attack.

Dragon has posed:
Well done Bruce!

Richard looks impressed for that split second before Richard leans his head back, utterly avoiding the capoeira kick just a little bit. But he, like a snake, fluidly rolls on the floor and tries to kick Bruce right in the temple when he rolls to his feet. But if it misses? Dragon will not pursue, and will instead enter a Wing Chun stance, hands closed.

Batman has posed:
    And so it goes.
    A number of different attacks and counter-attacks all flown, all evaded. Bruce may not be the same skilled fighter, but he reads people like no other and his capacity to predict, counter, and prepare is nigh-unequalled. As he swiftly slips out of range of the parting blow, he remains still. His own stance is not as fluid or as traditional. He simply stands, fists clenched at either side. His style is not simply a mixture of different moves and stances, but something altogether new spliced together from all he has learned.
    And it involves cheating.
    As he takes a step forward to initiate the attack, his toe catches under one of the thin mats designed to minimize harm when falling or being driven to the ground. It seems almost like a mistake, as though he misjudged where his foot might be, and the pillow goes twirling through the air towards Richard's head. He uses the distraction - the cheat - to launch his real attack. A clenched fist driven without a great deal of strength or destructive potential towards the midsection.

Dragon has posed:
What a dodge. Richard remains standing where he is, a deep breath being exhuded. A part of him thinks he's getting too old for this. He looks like he's in his twenties when he's actually in his forties. But, regardless, he simply watches...and listens...and waits.

Then the trap is sprung.

Pillow thrown, a pillow dodged. With a backflip, Richard dodges the pillow thrown at him, and once Bruce throws his strike? it literally looks like it hits! But...if Bruce looks closer? Richard Dragon's hand caught Bruce's fist...and Richard smiles to the future Batman, instead, attempting to push Bruce's fist away and light up his torso with a series of rapid strikes. An attempt made, but would contact be given! "Stop //trying// to hit me and hit me!" Richard trying to make Bruce give his best.

Batman has posed:
    One, two, three of the strikes hit home but Bruce is already moving backwards and his arm comes down to deflect the remainder out of the way. He's had worse, and he forces any pain or discomfort out of his head for the time being. The comment causes him to raise his eyebrows, falling once again into that unusual stance that is his own.
    "With all due respect," he begins, his mouth turning into a half-smile, "That doesn't mean much of anything, sensei."
    That's the truth of Bruce Wayne. He's learned to employ fighting styles as tools to a more perfect degree than almost anyone, yet the philosophy is thrown aside. Tossing out the peanut in favor of the shell, some may say.

Dragon has posed:
Richard then proceeds to sigh as Bruce shows no regard for the philosophy. "Bruce, the Nut is far more satisfying than the shell." Will he ever learn? Maybe when he's outgrown arrogance, but Richard was trying to give the 'do or do not, there is no try' of Martial teachers. But, he enters a stance again.

"Clear your mind. You are focused on far too much. Focus, and anticipate." and then, Richard lunges forward, aiming a kick towards Batman's side and a punch to his neck. Would it connect!

Batman has posed:
    The kick does not connect, but Bruce's response is far more sluggish than it ought to be. He truly is focused on too much. What will he do when he returns to Gotham? He's developed these skills - enough so that he now faces his final test - but where next? Can he just wade into the rising tide of crime and beat it into submission? He sees the kick and he ducks, but his mind is wandering and it is clear in the way he does so. Once again, he creates space between them.
    Cast it all out. Be in the moment. The future will be whatever it is, and every moment he spends diverting his attention lessens his chance to impact it when the time comes.
    Once more, his eyes flick up to focus on the Grandmaster. But this time it is different. The focus is a laser keen pinpoint - nothing else in his mind. No precognition about where his opponent may go or might do next. No, he moves forward with the singular focus of landing a strike. Something that he, until now, had never truly managed. His mind is at last focused entirely upon where he is in this time and place. He unleashes a flurry of blows at the man's midsection, almost robotic save for the fluid grace of each blow.

Dragon has posed:
Richard sees the change. It was what could happen if Bruce focused and honed his attention on his goal. If he did that? He could be unstoppable. Thus did Batman's greatest teacher teach him an ultimate lesson. Fists clash and blocks are traded....but finally, after Bruce punches Dragon in a critical spot on his wrist? He was able to land a single strike against Dragon's mid-section, and the grandmaster didn't look fazed from the hit...but it didn't matter if it hurt.

Doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile. A hit is a hit. Dragon places his palm unharmfully on Bruce's shoulder. "Finish!" and suddenly, the spar was over.

Dragon stood up straight, and he smiles to Bruce. "Congratulations, Bruce. You have won. You have spent a great deal of time under my teachings, and we have reached a point where there is nothing more I can teach you."

Batman has posed:
    Or a point where there is nothing more he is patient enough to learn.
    Bruce nodes his head, acknowledging the pat on his shoulder and bowing as appropriate. He was never one to show a great deal of sentimentality and his presence around the dojo has been a grim one. Whatever pushed him into this quest, be it the death of his parents or something deeper, has left him cold. His gratitude is there in the way he received the training and learned every lesson, but it never seemed to make it to his face or his words.
    "Thank you, sensei," he says flatly, before he moves to begin gathering up his things. In short order, it seems, he will move on just as quickly as he arrived.

Dragon has posed:
Richard releases Bruce so he can pack his things. But then he simply stands there, clasping his hands behind him as he watches the young Wayne pack up his things. "Now remember...I have taught you what I know. It is up to you, and of upmost importance, how you will use what is freely given." Richard bows softly to the grim presence before he will allow Bruce to say whatever goodbyes he wants.

Batman has posed:
    "You know how I intend to use these gifts," Bruce answers, stooping to pick up some more of his personal belongings - what few their are - and scooping them into his duffel, "Or at least you have a fair idea. This isn't for my own betterment."
    He pauses a moment, letting the duffel dangle over his left arm: "I hope you'll be able to accept that. Eventually."

Dragon has posed:
Richard chuckles mildly to Bruce. "I already know what you're going to do with these gifts. I've accepted it since the moment you walked through those doors however long ago." He approaches Bruce before he leaves, looking his student in the eyes. "My only hope is that you find some measure of peace, when all is said and done. You have my blessing. Go, and do good. No matter what, Bruce..as your teacher, and as your friend: I'm proud of you."

He then stands aside, and stretches his arm to the exit. "Your path awaits you."