Chapter 8: Mess with the Bull
Author's Note: Hello guys, I'm back with a new chapter. Sorry, it took a while to update. I've been having stuff with school and other stories. Anyway, we get to see a past villain from earlier this story making an appearance in this chapter. Hope you guys all enjoy.
Adam Taurus feels that he is in Hell. Ever since his capture at the botched mission with the Schnee train, the Faunus developed a certain hatred for a certain pair of humans. Those pair of humans is Batman and Nightwing. Because of them, he was sent to Blackgate Penitentiary. It was also because of them that his partner Blake left the White Fang, or so he thinks.
Since Adam is the leader of the White Fang, everyone thought that his capture would mean the end of the terrorist organization. Sadly, they were proven wrong. The organization continued to run, with Adam's trusty lieutenant leading it along with the White Fang's majors.
However, Adam growled when he learned that his majors were taken down by the persistent Batman and Nightwing. So far, three of his majors has been beaten by the duo and sent to Arkham Asylum. Firefly, Killer Croc, and Man-Bat were the three who were sent to that insane asylum.
Adam knew that he needed to get out of this prison. If things continue to go the way they are, the White Fang will end. However, the bull Faunus knew that getting out of Blackgate isn't going to be easy. The only other way to get out of this prison is for someone to break him out. Hopefully the lieutenant is thinking of a plan to get him out of Blackgate, but he better hurry. If Adam continues to live in the prison, he swore he is going to go insane.
However, there's someone else that Adam believed could get him out of prison, the woman who visited him with her followers on the day before the train mission. The White Fang leader believed that her name is Cinder Fall. She came to him in order to offer him and the White Fang to join her faction.
However, Adam saw through her lies. Cinder Fall had only wanted him to join so she can use him and his group and manipulate them for her desires. As any smart man would do, Adam rejected her offer and ordered the woman to leave. The White Fang leader wasn't sure though if she ever attempted to come into contact with the organization again.
Adam doubts his lieutenant would have the White Fang ally with Cinder Fall and her group. They're not that desperate without them are they? Adam shook his head at the thought. He trained his fellow brothers and sisters not to accept the help of any humans. He trained them not to be desperate, not even to the point of getting human help.
Adam sighed at his thoughts. Every decision he made was for the better of his fellow Faunus race. How is he able to continue helping his kind if he continues to stay in this prison? Adam wasn't going to give up, but he's starting to become impatient. He wants to get out of here as soon as possible.
Recent news in the prison community is that there is a new prisoner. Nothing is known about this guy except for the fact that he is a human mercenary who only goes by the name of Deathstroke. Adam doesn't care about this guy except for the fact that he was caught and defeated by Batman and Robin. While the White Fang leader didn't like the mercenary due to him being a human, Adam wanted to know more about the two vigilantes.
The reason is because Adam wants revenge on the two once he gets out of Blackgate. It was because of them that he's rotting in this prison. He plans on finding that mercenary so he can tell him everything he knows about Batman and Nightwing. That way, he's going to be better prepared when he faces them.
After he's done dealing with the two vigilantes, Adam is planning on finding his Blake. That's right, his. The White Fang leader has been growing a lust for his former partner, a lust that cannot be tamed. Adam wants to find the cat Faunus so the two can be together. He longs to make her his queen once his revolution has finished.
Days passed by yet they feel like years instead. Adam lay on the bed in his prison cell. He hasn't met the mercenary yet, but he's still planning on doing so. The mercenary doesn't have a real name as no records were found about him. However, Adam knows the description of the guy as the prison allowed Deathstroke to wear his black and orange mask.
The reason that Adam has a hard time locating Deathstroke in his free time is because the mercenary has been placed in solitary confinement ever since he entered the prison. Adam was placed in solitary confinement when he first got here but then he was placed in the regular cell that he's now in.
The leader of the White Fang sighed as he wondered if it was worth getting information from a filthy human. He has nothing to lose, so there's no risk trying to get information from the mercenary. However, the only way for him to meet Deathstroke is if the people of Blackgate no longer have the mercenary in solitary confinement.
Adam needs luck to be in his side in order for it to happen. If not, then he'll need to think of another way to prepare for his rematch against Batman and Nightwing. The two vigilantes have been haunting his mind, especially Batman since he was the one who defeated him. He could hear them taunting him, baiting him to do something reckless that could get him killed. Every time that happens, Adam would shake his head to get the thoughts out of his mind. What he doesn't know is that he's slowly turning insane.
Meanwhile, Ren and Nora, in their vigilante costumes, are with Professor Ozpin in his clock tower. It's been days since the two fought Deathstroke and handed him to the authorities. Ren was still trying to find out who hired the mercenary to kill them.
"So, have any of you two find out any information on who hired Deathstroke to kill you?" Ozpin asked. Ren shook his head.
"No. He doesn't have any partners, making it difficult to find anyone who knows a bit of information about the mercenary," the black haired boy stated. "Did you find any background information about him?"
"No. I asked General Ironwood if he has any information about the mercenary. He replies that he doesn't have any records about him," Ozpin stated. General James Ironwood is a close friend of the headmaster. While he is aware of a vigilante operating in the city of Vale, Ironwood doesn't know Batman's identity which Ren is grate to Ozpin for.
"Great, so that leads to nothing then," Ren angrily muttered.
"I believe that you and Ms. Valkyrie should head onto your dorms Mr. Lie," Ozpin told the male teenager.
"I can't. I still need to find out who hired Deathstroke to kill us. That man killed someone just to lure Nora and I to him. What if the next mercenary that is hired kills more people?" Ren retorted.
"Ren, you're stressing yourself too much on this. You need to take a break," Nora told her childhood friend.
"I don't need a break! I swore an oath to bring justice against the criminal underworld! I can't bring justice if I allow someone to continue hire mercenaries to track us down and kill innocent bystanders," Ren stated.
"Mr. Lie, I get what you are trying to say. However, if you continue to tire yourself out, you won't be able to complete your tasks efficiently. You'll be at a complete disadvantage when you fight criminals," Ozpin told the male teen. Ren gave a hard stare before sighing.
"I guess you're right Ozpin. Thank you for the concern," Ren replied. "We'll change and head off to left. If there's anything that happens, let us know if anything new happened."
"Of course," Beacon's headmaster replied. The two teens left to the elevator so they can change into their civilian clothing. As soon as they were already inside, Ren was deep in his thoughts. While he wanted to know who hired the mercenary, he also knew that he has to look ahead for any criminal activities made by the White Fang and Roman Torchwick.
"You're feeling okay?" Nora asked. She felt concerned for her friend. There had been a few times that he became very obsessed with criminal cases, but they weren't as major as this one. Ren seemed to be beating himself up over the death of the club owner. He doesn't want any civilian to be caught up in his personal war against crime. It was something he wanted to avoid.
"I really don't know," Ren answered.
"This isn't the first time we've dealt with a murder," Nora said.
"No, but this is the first murder that involved us," Ren replied. "An innocent man died just for us to be brought out."
"You know it won't be the first time," Nora muttered. "Criminals will take the lives of others just to draw out our attention."
"This time, I'll be ready," Ren told his ginger haired friend. The boy, ever since he started his vigilante career, has always been determined to catch criminals and put them away for good. Before he became Batman, Ren swore an oath that he would live by.
Flashback
A sixteen year old Lie Ren looked at the newly made Batsuit that he had created using the money he gained. Nora happily looked at her costume while inspecting. Ren knew that once he puts this costume on, there was no going back.
"These are awesome Ren! I really like the designs you made in them. Not too complex yet not simple," Nora commented. "How come your costume has to do with bats?"
"Because unlike me, you're not afraid of bats," Ren replied. "Bats are symbolic to me. They represent my fear in which I will use to bring upon criminals. They're a fearful and cowardly bunch. It works perfectly."
"Okay, but what about me? I'm not afraid of birds. Plus, I don't see how birds are as scary as bats," Nora said.
"I just came up with the design because I thought it looked cool," Ren deadpanned. The gingered haired girl stared at him blankly.
"Well, I have to admit. It is a pretty good bird design," Nora muttered as she took another look at the blue symbol. "Let's try them on." Ren silently agreed, and the two of them changed into their vigilante costumes for the first time. Since they lived together for eight years already, Ren and Nora didn't mind changing clothes in the same room.
"It's time to pledge the oath," Ren announced once they were in their costumes.
"The oath?" Nora asked in confusion. Her childhood friend nodded in response.
"Yes, I created an oath that we will both swear upon. It's something that will remind us about our path and not to stray away from," Ren explained. "I created myself."
"Let's hear it," Nora said. Ren raised his right hand.
"I swear by the spirits of my parents to avenge their deaths by spending the rest of my life warring on all criminals," the black haired teen declared.
"Awesome oath. Now it's my turn," Nora told her friend.
"Very well. Raise your right hand," Ren said. Nora did as he said and raised her right hand. "Do you swear that we two will fight together against crime and corruption and never to swerve from the path of righteousness?"
"I swear it!" Nora exclaimed. Ren gave a smile.
"There we go. Now it's time for our first patrol," her best friend said.
Flashback end
Nora remembered that oath. Ren is sticking by it by dedicating his life by taking on crime. He's doing it by looking for the one who hired Deathstroke without any rest. Nora only wants what's best for her childhood friend. She just hopes that he isn't consumed by it.
Adam was eating his afternoon meal at the cafeteria of Blackgate Penitentiary. As always, he's sitting by himself. Most of the prison is made up of human criminals, much the the surprise of the White Fang leader. Usually, Faunus seems to be arrested more than humans. However, Adam knew that Blackgate isn't an ordinary prison.
It's a prison for the most dangerous of all criminals, regardless of which species they are. Adam happens to be the most dangerous Faunus criminal. If it wasn't for the fact that his majors within the White Fang were deemed criminally insane to be sent to Arkham Asylum, Adam wouldn't be alone.
However, the bull Faunus also knew that putting him with his White Fang subordinates would spell disaster. They would have came up with a plan and escaped already. It was a good thing that Adam's subordinates were legitimately insane.
Adam continues to sip his gruel in silence. This is his routine for everyday of his prison life. He would be forced awake early in the morning. Then, he'll be forced to do numerous exercises. After that, it's breakfast time. Then the criminals have to do hard labor outside. Then it's lunchtime. After that, every criminal has to do a task or chore. Then, it'll be dinnertime. Once that is out of the way, the criminals would be taken to their cells before an hour or two will come by until their curfew. It was a constant routine that will never stop.
However, this day is different for the bull Faunus. Adam saw someone he thought he wouldn't see for some time. He actually expected to see him later rather than sooner. Sitting at a few tables alone is a male wearing an orange and black mask with one eyehole. He's holding the mask inches from his face so he can eat his gruel.
Adam knew that man is the mercenary known as Deathstroke. He could tell easily by the mask. The leader of the White Fang knew that he is the only other prisoner that possesses information about Batman and Nightwing. Adam didn't care how he's going to gain that information as long as he does.
No longer interested in his meal, the bull Faunus stalked over towards the mercenary. To Adam, this is a milestone for his revenge against the dynamic duo. Once he reached Deathstroke's table, the White Fang leader sat across the deadly mercenary. Both of the two males stared at each other silently, wondering what the other would do. Deathstroke is familiar with these conversations, but he didn't care what the red head wanted but knew there would be one victor if things turned ugly.
"I take it that you're Deathstroke?" Adam asked the mercenary.
"Who wants to know," Deathstroke asked.
"The one who will bring a new future for Faunus, human," the White Fang leader answered.
"Adam Taurus, leader of the White Fang," Deathstroke analyzed. "I know quite a bit about you."
"Then you know what I want," Adam growled.
"I'm taking that you want information about Batman and Nightwing considering they defeated you all those years ago," Deathstroke replied with a slight chuckle.
"Watch your tongue human!" the bull Faunus growled. Adam wasn't going to take humiliation from anyone, especially from a human.
"You should be careful on who you're talking to actually," Deathstroke said. "I heard that it was Batman only who defeated you. It took the whole Dynamic Duo to take me down." Adam was a bit surprised when he heard the statement. It wasn't hard for Batman to take him down, but it took the vigilante and his partner to beat the mercenary.
"Fine. Just tell me what you know about those two so I can get my revenge on them," Adam told the mercenary.
"If you must know, they are somehow associated with Beacon Academy," Deathstroke answered.
"Beacon Academy, are you serious?! Then that means they're students!" Adam shouted with shock.
"Just because they are somehow connected with Beacon Academy, doesn't mean they are actually students. The vigilantes appear more skilled than mere hunters in training," the mercenary stated. "I've seen their battles, specifically against your White Fang grunts and those two majors of yours."
"Don't remind me," Adam muttered. He already heard about the failures of his organization too much for too long. He was getting sick and tired of it. He swore if he heard anymore news of the White Fang, then he's going to go crazy.
"That's basically the information I know about those vigilantes, their fighting styles and the fact they are somehow associated with Beacon," Deathstroke replied.
"That's all? What made you even fight them anyway?" Adam asked. The leader of the White Fang always wondered how he came across Batman and Nightwing.
"I was hired to kill them along with a couple of others. I failed, so now I had to kiss the money I could have earned goodbye," the mercenary answered. The White Fang leader couldn't believe that Deathstroke only came after the vigilantes just to make some money. Then again, there are probably large amounts of money considering their reputations.
"So you just went after them only for money? Who hired you?" Adam asked the mercenary.
"Yes, I went after them just for money. As for you hired me, I'm not obligated to tell you," Deathstroke answered. "However, I'm willing to fight them again even for with out pay."
"Why?" the bull Faunus asked.
"Because those two, especially Batman, gave me a challenge unlike no one has ever given me before," Deathstroke stated. "I will get out of here and go after them again."
"Not if I get out of here first," Adam muttered to himself quietly.
"Hurry up you animals! I want those bullheads to be loaded asap!" Roman Torchwick shouted at the working White Fang grunts. They were loading weapons and tools into the large airship for a large mission they were preparing. Cinder was beyond angry over the disappearance of Emerald and Mercury, so she ordered Roman more work than he has ever done before.
The orange haired criminal was fully aware that the extra work he was given was definitely his fault since he paid Deathstroke to kill Cinder's two minions. To him however, it was definitely worth it. With those two out of the way, it would easier for him and Neo to fight Cinder.
Speaking of Neo, the ice cream themed girl was tasked by Cinder to look for Emerald and Mercury. She and Roman both knew that it would be a big waste of time since they know the two are dead, but they also knew that they had to keep up with the charade in order to get the element of surprise over their soon to be former boss. Because of Cinder's new task, Neo isn't with her partner at the time being.
Roman knew that this mission would attract the attentions of Batman and Nightwing. Besides Cinder, the two vigilantes were a pain in the ass for the criminal. However, he came up with an idea that he believes will deal with the dynamic duo.
A few hours after Cinder assigned this tasked to him. Roman called the White Fang lieutenant, who's been acting as the White Fang's interim leader for the time being since Adam is at Blackgate Penitentiary, to send him one of his majors to help him out with the mission.
However, the real reason Torchwick asked for a major was because the orange haired criminal is planning to use the major as a distraction for the vigilantes while he carries out the operation. To Roman, it's a pretty good plan. Sure it might send one of those crazy majors to Blackgate or Arkham Asylum, but it was a necessary sacrifice to Roman.
While Roman wasn't sure who exactly the lieutenant would send, but the criminal didn't care as he never met any of the majors and hoped the major would be at least be a challenge for the vigilantes so the operation could be a success. It would only be a matter of time before the major arrives. In fact, the major should already be here.
"Hello, are you Roman Torchwick?" a voice asked the criminal from behind. The gingered haired man turned around to see a figure standing in front of him. Roman was surprised at the appearance of the new person, due to it being completely ridiculous.
The being is a male Faunus. Instead of white masks like the rest of the White Fang members, this White Fang member is wearing a green mask that covered all of his face. Stinking out of the mask are actual green antennas, indicating the Faunus to be an insect Faunus just like Firefly. The insect Faunus also has insect wings as well. The White Fang major is wearing a purple spandex suit and orange spandex pants and gloves.
"Huh, who are you?" Roman asked.
"I am known as Killer Moth, one of the majors of the White Fang," the insect Faunus explained.
"I see…" Roman muttered as he inspected the Faunus' costume to which he found silly. He wasn't sure if Killer Moth was the right person to fight Batman and Nightwing. Nevertheless, Roman needed someone to take the fall during the operation. Yet, it wouldn't hurt just to check this guy out. "So, the lieutenant sent you here to help me?"
"Yes, the other majors were busy with other missions for the White Fang. In fact, the rest are actually planning a way to help our leader Adam to break out of Blackgate," Killer Moth explained.
"I see…why didn't they include you to be part of the break out plan?" Roman asked.
"The lieutenant told me that I was more useful here and better off," the insect Faunus explained. Roman sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course, the White Fang lieutenant would send him a weak major.
"How good are you in a fight?" Roman asked.
"Well, I'm not the strongest or toughest physically. However, I make it up with my semblance," Killer Moth answered.
"What is your semblance?" Torchwick asked.
"I create sticky threads that could trap my opponents in a cocoon," the insect Faunus explained.
"That actually seems surprisingly useful," Roman muttered. "It'll be in good use if we ever face up against Batman and Nightwing in any of our operations."
"Batman and Nightwing?" Killer Moth asked with a bit of concern.
"Of course. There will be high chances of us going face to face with Vale's famous vigilantes," Roman replied with a devilish smirk. "You better hope you're ready to fight them. You're going to need it."
Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. It's been a little while since I last updated it because of my work on my other two stories. Once I give them updates, I will return to this story. Anyway, what is going to happen next in the future? There will be more action coming up. Read and Review.