Running

H.I.V.E. Beginnings

"Sit down." Wintergreen said as he entered Slade's room the next day.

Slade was walking over to his desk anyways, so he sat at his desk.

"He needs to be around other children his age. He needs friends and people he can trust." Wintergreen said.

"And what's wrong with me?" Slade asked.

"Besides the fact that you beat him? And he doesn't trust you?" Wintergreen said sarcastically. 

"Fine. There's that. But it's not exactly like I can go and kidnap a kid and make him be friends with Robin." Slade said.

"No, however, there is a place I've heard of; H.I.V.E." Wintergreen said.

"H.I.V.E. They are a bunch of idiots. They couldn't teach him as well as I can by myself." Slade said.

"You can still teach him, however, he'd be taught by others and be around children his age." Will said.

"Will, no. HIVE is stupid. They won't teach him anything useful." Slade said.

"You can select his courses." Will said, putting a pamphlet down in front of Slade.

"Just take a look." Wintergreen said and then walked out.

Slade shook his head, but picked up the pamphlet anyways. 

Halfway down the course list, Slade's eyebrow was up.

Interesting.

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"Robin, you will be packing tonight." Slade said suddenly at dinner.

"What?" Robin asked, taken aback by the statement. 

"You heard me." Slade said.

"Why? I thought that this was the place we were staying until you thought I was ready for the world." Richard said.

"No. We'll be going somewhere else. It has come to my attention that your education in villianry has been slightly limited. We shall remedy that immediately. And of course, William will be coming with us." Slade said with a smirk.

"Oh?" Will's eyebrow raised. 

"Yes." Slade had an evil smirk on his face.

Slade got up and put his empty plate in the sink.

"If I'm going to those insufferable idiots, I'm taking you with me. You'll see how bad they are." Slade whispered to Will.

"I doubt that they are that bad." Will said.

"You'll see." Slade said and walked off.

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"There will be rules and I will tell you once. Will has insisted on writing them down and posting them on paper on a board when we get to the HIVE Academy. Do not destroy that paper. That's the only set of rules and if you destroy the paper; I will not tell you the rules again." Slade said, sliding into the backseat of the car, next to Richard.

He clipped another band onto Richard's free wrist. 

"Balance." was the only explanation Slade gave.

"Two trackers you mean." Richard huffed and looked out the window.

"Hush, child." Will said.

They all sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Can we at least have music?" Richard asked.

Will sighed, but turned on the radio.

"...still on the search for Robin. The Justice League says-" Will switched the station fast.

A song popped on and no one said anything else.

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"Ahhh! Slade, welcome! And I see you've brought your two associates." smiled a familiar face. 

"What are you doing here?!" Robin screeched.  

"I could ask you the same, dear Robin." Lex Luthor smiled.

"I..uhm...uhhh...Slade!" Robin hid behind Slade.

Lex gave a chuckle, "No need to be afraid, Robin. Well, Robin should be scared. Renegade is always welcomed here though." 

"Right, villain school." Richard had a look of disgust. 

"Now, now, Robin. This is your school now, after all." Slade said.

"You all enjoy this too much." Robin said before walking into the front doors. 

Slade glared at him, but didn't do anything.

"I'll let you three get settled in now." Lex said, and lead the two older men into the Hive Academy. 

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"This is the private rooms you'll be staying in. It has one bathroom, one living room, one kitchen, and three bedrooms." Lex opened the door and gave Slade the key.

The living room was yellow with black leather couch, two black leather recliners, a glass and dark wood side tables and coffee table, black book cases, and a bulletin board. 

"There is a map and a list of activities on the bulletin board over there, along with some tacks. Have a good day, gentlemen." Lex shut the door. 

"Great." Richard rolled his eyes, putting down the bag he had and walked into another room.

"Richard." Slade said in warning. 

"NO! Don't you 'Richard' me! I don't want to be here! Especially not around Lex Luthor! A-And the kids and-and other people who don't like me!" Richard screamed, coming back into the room.

It was quite obvious that he was about to cry.

"Robin... This is not up for debate. You're going. Classes start tomorrow for you, so you need to get a good night's sleep. And I don't care if you or the other students or teachers like it or not, but you're a villain now. So get use to it real fast, otherwise you'll have a hard time here." Slade said. 

Wintergreen put the rules list on the bulletin board and the key right next to it. 

"Well, lets get this stuff unpacked!" Will split the two of them up.