"You are this 'Ozpin' that has allied with the Bat, then?" Bane growled, fists tightening, "You are a bold one, to stand before me alone."
"I am indeed." Oz calmly took one step forward as a test; the behemoth didn't so much as flinch. "And you are Bane. From what I've read about you, I never would've guessed you would lower yourself to being simple muscle-for-hire." His eyes sharpened. "Let alone a madman's attack dog." He then sped to Bane's right side in a blink, cane heading for his chin-
Only to barely duck his head under the massive fist suddenly swung at him. Big and fast, the professor noted as he sidestepped a knee-strike and snapped The Long Memory twice at his opponent's chest. Bane didn't so much as flinch while he threw a straight left that turned out to be a feint for a kick. And a smart fighter. He knows what he's doing. This isn't going to be easy. As Ozpin twisted out of arm's reach, he caught a black shape flitting out of the elevator.
Unfortunately, Bane noticed it too. He snarled, "Clever, guerrero verde. But I am not so easily distracted." He whirled around and made to grab for Batman's trailing cape.
In a flash, Ozpin vaulted over the bigger man and brought his weapon down on the outstretched hand's wrist, then upon landing, performed a back flip with both of his shoes catching Bane's chin one after the other. The assassin stumbled backwards as he completed the flip. "And I'm not so easily discouraged." Behind him, Batman continued unimpeded for the penthouse door. Well, that's step one taken care of. Now for the hard part.
Bane rubbed his chin with an even darker glare than before. Unlike Shiva or Deathstroke, there was no respect in those eyes, only hatred. He didn't waste any more time on words but launched himself forward again, right fist primed for another strike. Ozpin knocked it off course before going for a thrust that was blocked by the left arm. The cane would've been grabbed if he'd been slower. The exchange of blows continued for a while, neither gaining the upper hand. Ozpin was faster and had the longer reach, but Bane's bulk prevented him from being hurt easily and his blows cracked the walls and floor with each missed hit. Not to mention the hallway was too narrow for either to fully move around.
This will take some time. Oz mused as he rolled under a backhand to drive the Long Memory's shaft into his opponent's cheek, receiving only a small grunt of pain for his efforts.
Batman would later go on to tell him that he had burst into the penthouse, planning on pinning the Joker to the floor and punching that damn grin off his face.
"Nice of you to drop in," Joker had cheekily said, playing with a rubber ball while two goons aimed their guns at him and two more had theirs trained on a terrified couple. "And just in time." Needless to say, it hadn't gone as planned.
(Wayne growled at the unimpressed black eyebrow, "Yes, I'm aware that I rushed in without thinking, Ozpin. I wanted to put an end to this as quickly as possible."
"Understandable, but still no excuse for carelessness. Always keep your guard up, especially with insane people." The teacher waved a hand. "Continue.")
Joker had tossed the ball away and gotten up from his chair, sauntering around the room. "A real shame Baney and Ozzy couldn't join us, but it looks like they're having a private bonding moment. Oh well, who doesn't enjoy making new friends?" He shrugged with a giggle, then gestured towards the bystanders huddling away from him. "Case in point. These two were just so nice to invite me into their room for the holidays, I simply had to promise that I'd handle preparations!" The man wrapped his arms tighter around the girl as another laugh echoed through the room. "Aww, they're nervous, but no worries, we'll turn those frowns upside-downs soon enough." The vigilante just continued to glare, calculating the time he'd need to disable the mobsters and get them out of the room. His hand drifted to his belt.
"Now then, on to the show!" The clown had then moved over to the dining table, upon which a collection of colored detonation plungers had been arranged. "You see, it's a tradition on my house to open one present each on Christmas Eve." He skipped closer towards the detonators, arms spread wide, as his gaze swept over them with a hum. "How about…" the Joker waved his hand before settling it onto one in the middle. He grinned at his captive audience (Batman noticed that at least one of the gunmen had looked nervous), "this one?" and pushed down the plunger.
Outside a massive explosion tore through one of the skyscrapers across the street, the shockwave shattering the windows. The couple screamed in fright at the noise, the goons guarding them or Batman too stunned to do anything.
And the Joker? He had done a little tap-dance in place, laughing all the while. "And a partridge in a pear treeee!" He sang while bowing with a vicious smile.
At that, Batman had launched two batarangs at the thugs by the couple, downing them, then reeled in one of the stunned duo by him to throw him with all his fury into his colleague. The gunmen down, he yelled, "Go, get out of here!" at the civilians and closed the distance to hoist Joker up by his collar. "How many lives did you just take?!" Batman roared, barely registering the man leading his girl out of the room as quickly as possible.
Joker had just shrugged. "None… I think." Seemingly not noticing his enemy's anger, he continued nonchalantly. "That was just a little stocking-stuffer. A construction site blocking my view." He spread all of his limbs out, still dangling from Batman's grip, with another laugh.
Batman shut him up by slamming his head against the table, pulling him upright, and then throwing him over the side, detonators flying everywhere.
One of which landed close to the Joker and was snatched up. "But this one isn't…" he sneered just before Batman ripped it out of his grip, snapped off the plunger and struck him in the mouth with the broken hardware. But even as he loomed over him and continued to beat him, the lunatic continued to laugh.
Right to when a familiar green-wearing body tumbled into Batman, sending the two sprawling.
The tremors from building's detonation had been felt even by the two combatants who had moved from the hallway to a guest room, but Bane had recovered first. He first kicked Ozpin against the wall, then charged his shoulder right into the professor, blasting him through the wood right into the next room. Which happened to be the suite.
As Batman shook his head to regain his bearings, he grumbled, "Thought you'd have Bane under control…"
"A work in progress," Oz shot back, Aura crackling around him. "What about Joker?"
"Same-" Batman was cut off from getting up by a heavy arm being forced onto the back of his neck.
Bane applied more pressure while leaning in. "I've long waited for this moment. With your death, I will find peace." He then reared back to throw another punch into Batman's face before lifting the stunned crime-fighter over his head. The giant man made to throw him through the window-
"Mind if I return the favor first?" was what he heard just before something plowed into him from behind, sending Bane smashing through the glass and into the penthouse's library below.
Ozpin helped up his downed partner before rubbing his shoulder with a light wince. Like tackling a Megoliath. But instead of complaining, he simply motioned his head towards the hole in the window, Batman nodding in agreement. As one, they jumped out into the fresh air to land through the sky roof Bane had shattered into the library, right as Bane had righted himself. "You are becoming an annoyance, Ozpin." He rolled his massive shoulders.
The ancient protector of Remnant extended his cane. "By all means then, let's see if I can move up to an irritation." He stepped to the left while Batman went right.
From the outside, Joker's voice bounced across the room for all fighters to hear. "And now, the moment you've all been waiting for…" Bane strode forwards, glass shards reduced to dust under his boots. "I present to you, the death of the Batman! Oh, and the oh-so wonderful Wizard of Ozpin, too."
Everyone in the library ignored the clown's ramblings. Bane made for a hammer-fist at Batman, only for him to flip out of the way and then stun him with a swipe of his cape. The room was much more spacious than a hallway, something Ozpin was grateful for as he jabbed the larger man multiple times at full strength with his cane. The final strike sent him skidding backwards, allowing Batman to grab him by the leather jacket, ram his head into Bane's forehead, and then flip him over his shoulder into the wood. Bane rolled to his feet, arms up to block the following kick, then threw his own foot up. Batman moved back and crouched. Ozpin then jumped onto his back and kicked off to crack his cane against Bane's face.
He stumbled away from the hit, clicking his tongue as he straightened. "These tricks will not help either of you." Bane pulled off his coat and tossed it aside, revealing a more refurbished version of the storage tank Ozpin had seen on the GCPD's prisoner. Tubes filled with the green liquid named Venom covered his whole back and fed into his neck and arms. He then tapped a button on his left wristband, prompting the machine to start pumping the stuff into him. Bane released a groan, verdant vapors coming from the tank's vents, then glowered at them. Once again Oz felt Bane held an uncanny resemblance to another large man from Remnant.
It was a very good thing they chose to dodge the first punch, because it reduced a bookshelf to splinters and confetti. If the gap in strength hadn't already been big enough, both men together, even with Ozpin's aura, wouldn't be able to match his blows. Not to mention Bane knew how to channel his strength. So they wordlessly settled on hit-and-run tactics, knocking Bane off-track and darting out of reach, even as his attacks made the air itself ripple. Then, while Oz distracted him, Batman slipped around and tore open a part of the pack, causing Venom to leak out.
Bane angrily lashed out, but his swings were noticeably weaker. When he managed to catch The Long Memory, Ozpin let himself get pulled in, only to swing around to the terrorist's back and drive both his feet into the tank, knocking him down and further damaging the system.
Still, Bane refused to fall for the same tactics twice. When Batman tried to sneak up from behind again, he was grabbed by the hand and forced down on one knee. Luckily, he managed to block the backhand aimed at his head and then kicked the big man's chin, forcing him to release his hold. But Bane recovered quickly enough to catch him again. When Ozpin intervened, the assassin slipped on a book under his shoe, causing all three of them to tumble through a window.
Separating in mid-fall, Batman managed to slow his descent with his cape while Oz fired his grapnel at a nearby gargoyle. Bane for his part twisted around so he did a four-point landing onto the balcony beneath, gravel and snow rippling from him. As Batman dropped towards him, Alfred said in a tone that brokered no argument, "Sir, I've anonymously sent a message to Captain Gordon. You and Master Ozpin have done a commendable job, but these villains clearly require more than just the two of you."
"No!" Batman shouted into his earpiece when he landed. "Not now!" But he didn't get a chance to say more as Bane stomped towards him. Meanwhile, the Joker laughingly swung around on one of the upper lampposts.
Ozpin sighed as he joined his partner. I can't say you made a bad choice there, Alfred. But one way or another, things are going to get frenetic.
"I will make this city kneel before me," Bane proclaimed, "and then I will leave it in ashes!" He then activated his tank and charged, the Venom strengthening his legs to the point he could've plowed through a bank vault.
As they evaded the racing murderer, Joker called down. "Uh, guys? Can we move this along? I've got buildings to explode." No time to focus on him, Bane suddenly leaped up and struck the ground, releasing a shockwave across the balcony.
While leaping over it, they heard Alfred again. "Gordon is on his way, sirs. You have to hold off Bane until he arrives." Bruce looked like he had something to say back, but Oz gave him a stern look. This wasn't the time. Luckily, even he conceded to that.
Beacon's headmaster jumped down and slid between Bane's legs, striking both ankles as he passed them. When he lurched, Ozpin then spun to his feet and pierced the tank with The Long Memory, more Venom gushing out as Bane roared. He reached for him, only for the smaller man to slip away. Batman in turn activated his shock gloves and proceeded to pummel Bane from the front. An uppercut lifted the heavy body up for a single second, then the caped hero retreated again to recharge his weapons.
Bane shook his head before giving them an appraising look. "Very good. I see there is still some fight left in you both."
"Yes," Joker agreed. "Now beat it out of them." As the trading of blows continued, so did his taunts. "T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a... well, a bat was stirring, oh and maybe a green little caterpillar, but a few more blows to the head and they won't be anymore." More laughter.
Bane elbowed Ozpin away to glare at the audience for a moment. "When I'm done with them, I'll be coming for you, payaso loco." He then punched Batman closer to the balcony's edge.
Joker just smirked. "Oooh, he hit you so hard it hurt me, Batbrain!" He then waved a hand, prompting some thugs to hop over the stone and join the fight. "The more, the merrier!"
Pausing a moment to pin one to the ground, Ozpin considered their options. The goons themselves weren't all that much trouble, but they could be enough of a distraction for Bane to finish them off. And it wasn't like Bane had any sense of honor to not take advantage. That meant making sure the small threats won't get in the way, so the giant threat can be dealt with.
Alright then. Ozpin kneed on the back of the downed thug's head, then jumped away from a Venom-enhanced haymaker. Bane went for another charge that had the Huntsman rolling out of his line of sight, but he placed a small patch of Explosive Gel where he stopped. Then as the colossus came for him again, he detonated just as the boot came down, causing him to stumble.
Batman saw the opportunity and kicked off of a mobster to bring his electrified gauntlets down onto the Venom tank. Now it was heavily damaged and likely unable to provide Bane with any more of the stuff, and Batman added an extra blow of voltage to his back before pushing him away. From the look on his face, Bane was running out of patience.
"Oh, come on!" Joker yelled, sounding rather irritated himself. "At least make a fight out of it! I want my money's worth. Fifty million—Heck—A hundred million dollars' worth! Congrats, Ozzy, you've earned yourself a spot on my Christmas to-kill list!"
I've never felt so honored…
As it turned out, Bane could still use a little Venom, and it proved sufficient to pound the balcony hard enough to knock everyone off their feet. Before Batman could react in time, he was hoisted up and pressed against the wall hard enough to crack it. "Okay, I'm getting bored now, Let's put a bow on it and call the casket maker, shall we?" As Batman tried to break free, Bane drew back his other fist. No more taunts, no more waiting around.
Ozpin rolled to his feet and thought fast. Drawing his grapnel gun, he launched it at Bane, the cable wrapping tightly around the bent elbow. Then Oz gripped his end and pulled back as hard as he could, forcing the behemoth off-balance for just a little bit. But enough for Batman to slip free and put some distance. Angered, Bane pulled on the cable himself, reeling in the one who had denied him his chance at victory.
Ozpin let himself get pulled in, re-extended the Long Memory with both hands on the handle, and spun in midair. Bane was stronger; he was faster.
The ancient cane slammed into Bane's face with every last bit of the momentum its master had accumulated, and a tiny bit of magic. Green sparks and green-tainted blood flew as the terrorist spun a full 360 degrees before landing on a crouch. No sooner had his shoes touched the snow again did Ozpin jump back away from him. Good thing, too, because he let out an enraged yell and leapt into the center to strike the ground again, tremors rippling along the balcony.
As he got back up and turned around (both a bit more slowly than usual) to glare at the duo standing next to each other, Batman's eyes flickered at something before returning the glare. "You just ran out of time."
Spotlights shined down on the balcony when Bane looked up. At least two helicopters were hovering above them. "Stand down. Repeat, stand down." Captain Gordon's voice called out from the aircraft. "Face down upon the ground or you will be fired upon."
Joker only laughed as he fired an automatic rifle at them with one hand and held onto the lamppost with the other. "Now THIS is what I call a party!" More of his men jumped onto the balcony to copy their boss's actions. In turn, the helicopters opened fire, cutting down at least a few. As for Batman and Ozpin, they had to take cover from the bullets. I've taxed my Aura enough for now, I'd rather not test it against those calibers.
Bane himself seemed to have regained his composure, barely flinching as one stray shot clipped his shoulder. Still, he eyed the Venom-mixed blood in his hand. "This rooftop's getting too hot." A few seconds later, two missiles slammed into the choppers. Both spun out of control and crashed into each other, a great fireball erupting. Then a more armored version flew down to hover in front of the balcony. Must be Bane's own reinforcements, Ozpin figured. Neither of us have the energy to fight them all now. Tch, a shame.
As Batman stepped towards him, Bane looked back to mutter, "You got off easy," then ran for the helicopter. Before he was out of range, the vigilante tossed a small, blinking device onto his storage tank. With a powerful leap, Bane was hanging onto the copter and climbing in.
Joker didn't seem to appreciate that, though. "Just where do you think you're going? Huh?!" He called out with a cackle and another burst of fire. While bullets dented the chopper's metal and cracked its windows, Bane briefly leaned in, then came back out and turned around to reveal a rocket launcher. With a short laugh of his own, he fired it one-handed.
The Joker didn't show the slightest hint of fear as the rocket flew past him and into the penthouse. The resulting explosion sent him flying for a loop and over the building's side. Not a scream came out of him, just more laughter.
For his part, Ozpin liked to think he was a compassionate person even after all the millennia, but he wouldn't have minded the deranged crime boss becoming a messy splotch in the streets below. After all the death and madness he'd put the city and Batman through, it was a fate almost too good for him. And it would be one less living nightmare I'd have to contend with.
So he was completely surprised when Batman sprinted without hesitation and dived off the balcony after their enemy. What is he- No, no time to think! Less than three seconds later, Oz was falling right behind the two. He'd promised Alfred he'd watch after Bruce, and that was one promise he intended to keep with all his power.
Further below, Batman had caught to the flailing, cackling Joker and latched onto him. They spun around for a bit before the black-armored man regained control. His captive yelled out something and made to throw a punch (Typical) only for it to be blocked and a headbutt to be added for good measure. Batman then shifted his grip so that he was holding onto Joker from behind and shot his grapnel at a part of the hotel just before they would've hit the glass dome.
Their fall halted for just a moment before gravity pried the hook loose, but it was just enough for Ozpin to catch up to them. The second his hand grabbed Batman's shoulder, he called forth an emerald barrier with the other just before they all crashed through the glass. The sphere kept them from falling apart and absorbed the brunt of the final impact, but no sooner was Oz forced to release it did they all roll away from each other on the lobby floor, groaning. Maybe I could've put a little more magic in there. Either that or I'm getting old…
Joker managed to get to his feet first with a snarl as he stared at Batman. "Now why…" Two of his goons suddenly ran up and pointed their rifles at Batman and Ozpin's heads while they rose. "Why?" Joker asked again, smile back. "Why would you do that?"
Batman simply grunted as he drew back to his full height, no fear whatsoever. And then, Ozpin understood. You're holding yourself to your moral code, aren't you? Even if you refuse to kill Joker, you could've just refused to save him. No one would really hold it against you.
…Except yourself. You don't want to compromise on your own set rule for fear the compromises wouldn't stop. Even if it were only once, the temptation would be too great, and you could find yourself personally taking a life. And for all your anger, that's one line you refuse to cross. Not necessarily for justice's sake, but for your soul's sake.
Joker snatched up the revolver that had fallen from his coat, stormed up to Batman and pressed the barrel against his cowl while leaning in. "Newslash: I'm the one who's trying to kill you and your bestest buddy." His words were full of angered confusion and disbelief. Ozpin, for his part, kept his gaze on Joker but couldn't resist looking at Batman with a new sense of respect. Honestly, he should have stopped being surprised by this man's sheer will. He doubted even Summer Rose, desiring to be something of a hero herself, would have been able to maintain such a standard. Least of all against someone like the Joker. As for himself, there was no comparison on that front.
You're a stronger man than I am, Bruce Wayne. Then his eyes hardened again when the Joker backed away and aimed…
Then shot the mobster that was guarding Batman. They looked in shock, including the other lackey. Which left him unable to avoid the next bullet. Ozpin glared back at him with utter disgust. "What was even the point of that?" He asked, only not rushing at the man because of the handgun.
Joker just chuckled and briefly shifted aim at Batman who tried to tackle him. "Ah, don't start up the waterworks for them, Oz. Those were two very, very bad men. Oh, the things they've done…" he clicked his tongue and wiggled a finger, walking to their left, "you really don't want to know. They deserved death." He laughed, then suddenly pointed the gun at his own head. "Just. Like. Me."
Batman batted the arm away and punched the Joker to the ground, who just laughed. He then loomed over him, knuckles clenching, before Ozpin knelt down onto the Joker's back and pulled out some handcuffs. "Perhaps," he stated, "but you don't get to decide when you die, Joker." He looked up towards Batman, who seemed a bit surprised. "Nor should he have to stain his hands with your blood."
Batman said nothing, but he did give the older man a look of respect, and perhaps, gratitude for his understanding. The main door was kicked open and Branden stepped in with his men, rifles at the ready. "Freeze!" As they forced their chortling captive into a kneeling position, the dark knight tapped his gauntlet while the SWAT officers formed a half circle around them. "Don't move, freaks!"
Joker looked up towards them with a giggle. "I think he's talking to you, boyos."
Ozpin looked back in disgust. "Find a mirror, a bath and some sanity, then we can talk."
Joker only gave an exaggerated wince as if the headmaster had hit him, before guffawing again. He hinted suggestively. "Perhaps we'll be sharing them before the night's over."
Ozpin shared a glance with Batman. "I think not."
Then on cue, the Batwing roared over the shattered ceiling, the floodlight shining down on them and blinding the officers. In the confusion, both vigilantes grappled onto the plane and shot upwards. "Take 'em down! Now!" Branden ordered his men, but their shots lacked the accuracy to do any harm. Batman was already in the pilot's seat, Ozpin in the passenger's, and the Batwing roared off into the night.
As they made once again for the Batcave, Ozpin was in a rare lighter mood. All in all, despite the plan going awry, stopping the Joker was hopefully the beginning of the end. They would find Bane again, in time, before mopping up the remaining assassins. And then, his supposed task done, Ozpin would be able to focus on returning to Remnant.
But not before he availed himself of one of Batman's computers to conduct a small but important search on a certain missing person. It was another world, who's to say she wasn't here? If he could return, if he could bring a little hope back in the form of something as simple and reassuring as a loving mother and good woman to a slowly recovering family and her teammates…That would be enough to sooth his soul till he was forced to move on to his next cycle.
For the first time in a long while, the ancient wizard's hope was returning. For once, it would seem things could actually go Oz's way.
And that's for the first (but not last) Bane fight in the story, hope it's up to y'all's standards ;-). Oh, and because a number of you understood that reference at the end of Chapter 11, I'll come clean and admit that the Obi-Wan statement is MasterPrince713's masterstroke. He had that idea since the beginning of the story, and I'm honestly happy for him that it was so well-received.
Oh, and P.S.: We agreed that we wouldn't do the Joker-imagine sequence. This story is from Ozpin's point of view, for one, so it wouldn't really mesh with the flow, and besides, Bats has had more of an impact on the clown than Oz right now, so it wouldn't be much of a change.
Review Q&A:
*To The Avenging Titan: Yup, that's the one, you may direct all praise to my editor. And now that Ozpin dealt out a sufficient amount of punishment to Bane, he's developed yet another enemy. Eh, comes with the job. As for Alfred and Bruce, that's going to be interesting.
*To Adriaus Nighthunter: Not really, but it could be fun. Hmm…
*To Jebest4781: Always happy to please, happy to hear.
*To Ultrasonic215: Yes, really. Praise/blame MasterPrince :-D.
*To barrera2009: Why thank you, and yes, I have considered a Spider-Man PS4 crossover. Truth be told, I'd put Qrow as Spidey's sidekick partner. Imagine Parker luck combined with Misfortune, oh I can be diabolical at times.
*To the first guest: Indeed, he is a bold one. Thanks again, MasterPrince!
*To MajorBrony95: Oh, now I'm excited. Happy to see the continuation of an inspiration's story any day, any time! And yup, Bane starts developing a dislike for Oz with this, but it's not hatred. Not yet.
*To Jarrik32: Yup, all thanks to my editor. But for the record, Obi-Wan won that fight and only died almost two decades later. And he wasn't even trying to win, just buy time.
*To Mastermind4892: Oh, believe me, I had fun writing Ozpin's sheer disgust and horror at just how far Joker will go. Goes to show you can be thousands of years old and still be in for a few surprises. And in the Bane fight, they were definitely on more or less equal footing. Hard to say how the fight could've ended hadn't Gordon's forces arrived. But Bane, in my opinion, doesn't believe in deeming certain adversaries worthy, unlike Deathstroke or Shiva. He simply considers them enemies to be broken more decisively than others.
*To MetalScizor: Glad you're still satisfied, you like this one too. But I'm afraid I don't know that much about Doom Slayer. Too many other series I'm addicted to right now, little room to spare just for non-fanboy stuff, I'm afraid ;-).