Passing of the Mantle

The match was hard on him.  Derrick Mason more commonly known as the British pro wrestler named RedFox.  He came to the USA to earn money after he witnessed the death of his team mates and friends.  I came across the pond to see this legend.  My name is Daniel Dobson and I need to learn how to protect my daughter from the evil that took my wife.  After his match I met up with Derrick in his locker room.  “Did you hear that?” his voice is gritty with age, “Half the crowd was chatting retire.”  He looks up his face scared by age and violence.  “I heard, you still looked good out there though.” I try to make him feel better.

“Damn right I did.”  Slowly he stands from his chair, throwing the red and white headwear into a wash basket.  “You still want this old man to train you?”

To be honest Derrick wasn’t much older than me, ten or fifteen years difference if that, but I played along.  It made him happy to have a sidekick again.  “Of course I do, you were a great crime fighter.”  I smiley widely at him as I remember the head lines of newspapers years ago.

“Alright, lets get going.”

I spend six months with him.  My daughter back in England was being looked after by my oldest friend, so I knew she was safe.  Derrick trains me in every fighting style he knows, he also trains me in the history of his codename.  RedFox was a title held by many men over England's history.  Arthurs secret assassin, Robin Hoods mysterious spy, a Highway man who had a flare for the dramatic.  Each time the name got passed on.  Derrick was the latest in a line of legends.  He fought beside some of the greatest super heroes and gods of our time.  That was before the fatal battle over London.  

The six months past with speed.  “Here boy,”  Derrick said after a night on patrol in Chicago.  “I think it’s time you took over.”

“Excuse me.”  I was confused, I didn’t want to take over anything.

“You deserve the name RedFox,  I’ve seen my adventures, saved many people.  Like the crowds say; it’s time I retired.”

“But...”

“You want to protect that little girl of yours?  Protect the streets.  Put the riff raff back where they belong.”  He handed me the mask.  “You don’t have to wear that grubby thing, I’m just giving it to you as a symbolic gesture.”

We both laugh a little.  “I’m honored.”  

“Go make the world safe again.”  I nod and then begin to walk away.  “One more thing kid.  If you hook up with some like minded people, join in the big fights, even if the main man tells you to stay out of it.”