Chapter 33: The Clown, the Scorpion, the Crow and The Wizard
It was in the middle of the afternoon and after Bruce had met with Ironwood as Batman he had managed to call Pyhrra who was in her "Barbara" disguise and Whitley into his office. He wanted to discuss about his meeting with Ironwood this morning and to decide what they should do next.
"So father were you able to talk with Ironwood, this morning?" Whitley asked his father.
"I was and it seems like for the most part, James is unwilling to send some of his forces to the other kingdoms, his main concern is protecting Atlas which means we might need to prepare for the worst case scenario" Bruce said.
"Which is?" Pyhrra asked.
"James due to his semblance makes him have a one track mind meaning no matter what his decisions are always the right one not to mention he was always stubborn, when it comes to decision making and what was right for Atlas" Bruce said as he sighed before continuing.
"James forcing Atlas to stop exploiting dust to the other kingdoms is just the start, I believe that it's possible that he might close Atlas borders" Bruce said causing Pyhrra and Whitley to widen their eyes in shocked.
"You don't think he would actually do that?" Pyhrra asked.
"I could see it while Ironwood is a good person overall, he is prone to make rash and questionable decisions it doesn't help that he has a semblance that allows him to convince himself that's he making the right decision" Whitley said.
"So what should we do then we can't just sit here while, Salem attacks Mistral and get her hands on the relic of knowledge plus Jaune, Ruby, Ren and Nora could be on serious trouble soon" Pyhrra said.
"I agree which is why it's about time that we make our move soon with or without James help" Bruce said as he leaned forward and pressed his hands in front of him as he sat on his desk.
"You don't mean-" Whitley said and Bruce nodded confirming that his son's suspicion.
"That's right we will be heading to Mistral ourselves and meet up with Ozpin and his group but first things first I would need to talk with Weiss, first" Bruce said.
"Your thinking about taking Weiss with us?" Pyhrra asked.
"I am, even though I'm going to be worried to death, Weiss would be of a great help against Salem and her forces due to her versatility" Bruce said.
"Not to mention it seems like Weiss has finally managed to learn how to summon due to her always training here at home" Whitley said.
"That's true it seems like everyone has gotten stronger, I wonder if Jaune and the others have gotten stronger as well" Pyhrra said curious to see how much the others especially Jaune improved compared from when she last saw them.
"I'm sure that they have it would be foolish of them not to try to get stronger" Whitley said as he merely crossed her arms.
"Weiss is out shopping with Alfred, Klein and Willow are you going to call Weiss, telling her that you need to talk to her?" Pyhrra asked.
Before Bruce could answer he had heard his scroll ring from his pocket and he took it out of his pocket and he saw that it was Ironwood that was calling him, wasting no time Bruce went ahead and answered his scroll.
"Hello...,sure I have some free time tonight..., right,,,,,ok I guess we'll see you tonight James" Bruce said after that he managed to hung up the phone.
"What happened, Bruce?" Phyrra asked.
"It's James, he says he has something important he wanted to tell Willow and I and he wanted to talk to us tonight" Bruce said.
"Then that could mean-" Whitley said.
"We don't know for sure however prepare your suits, gadgets and other weapons so that way you will be ready for our possible trip to Mistral" Bruce said as he pressed the button under his desk and the bookshelf slid to the side opening up the entrance to the batcave.
"Understood" Phyrra and Whitley said.
"But what will you do father?" Whitley asked.
"I'll prepare with you guys in a minute in the mean time I'll make a call to your mother and explain the situation regarding with James, you know what you two have to do" Bruce said as he gave Whitley and Phyrra a serious look to them was the Batman look of "get moving and don't waste any valuable time". Phyrra and Whitley nodded and the duo then made their way into the batcave. While at the same time Bruce was making a call to his wife to explain that Ironwood wanted to talk to them.
To Bruce, there is no doubt Salem and Cinder are making their moves right now, now it was time for them to counter their moves and fight back.
We go back to Mistral and Tyrian then jumped back to where the Joker was and he looked and saw Qrow and Ozpin and Tyrian laughed "well if I live and breathe Qrow Brawnwen a true huntsman has entered the fray" Tyrian said.
"If isn't the ancient one himself Ozpin hehahaha if I should even call you that" Joker said causing Ozpin and Qrow to narrow their eyes at that statement while at the same time Jaune had helped Ruby up and he began to wrap some bandages around her waist in order to stop the bleeding.
"Look I'm sure what circus act you two came from but you need to leave my niece alone" Qrow said to the Joker and Tyrian.
"Why my friend, my name is Tyrian and this here is the Joker and I'm afraid that's not possible my assignment from our grace was to retrieve this young girl so I'm afraid that is what we must do, one does not upset the queen" Tyrian said.
"Also it's not to often I get to meet a tragic hero, I must say it's pretty funny actually hehahaha" Joker said as he laughed at Ozpin.
"Queen, tragic hero?" Ruby said as she looked at Ozpin.
"Salem" Qrow and Ozpin said at the same time.
"Who?" Ruby said in a confuse like tone.
"I think we had enough talk don't you agree, Joker" Tyrian said as he got into a battle stance
"You're quite right Tyrian I think it's about time to give these people the ultimate show that will make them die laughing" Joker said as he swung his came around and got into a stance as well,Qrow and Ozpin also prepared themselves as well.
"You took the words right out-" before Qrow could finish Joker and Tyrian attacked Qrow and Ozpin and with the Joker he quickly lauched multiple slashes with his knife cane at Ozpin but the former headmaster quickly block them and push the Joker back and tried to multiple quick strikes with his cane but the Joker managed to block all of the strikes with his cane and the two clashed creating a shock wave through the town.
"That little poke of death trick isn't going to work a second time, old wizard of Oz" Joker said.
"Gah!" Ozpin said as he felt a sharp pain on his leg and he jump backed and dodged another swipe from Joker and once he did Ozpin grabbed his leg and saw that the clown implanted his shoe with a knife.
The Joker smirked at Ozpin and whistled at him and the former headmaster narrowed his eyes as the two continued their battle.
Tyrian had attacked Qrow with his wrist blades but Qrow managed to block them he then took a side step and tried to swing at Tyrian with his sword but Tyrian dodged it and tried to jump down and kick at Qrow, but Qrow managed to jump back and dodged the attack. He tried to attack Tyrian again but Tyrian flipped back and jumped to attack Qrow and Qrow swung his sword and the two clashed creating a shockwave.
Qrow then jumped and swung his sword at Tyrian but Tyrian dodged the attacked, he then went on the offensive and attacked Qrow with his scorpion tail, but Qrow managed to block the tail strikes, Qrow then jump and flipped into the air while attacking Tyrian with his sword causing Tyrian to block with his wrist blades creating a shock wave.
Back to Ozpin and Joker the two man were clashing their canes, Joker jumped back and tried to stab Ozpin multiple times but Ozpin dodging side to side until he grabbed the Joker's cane and he pulled it, forcing the Joker to be pulled towards him and Ozpin went ahead and punched the Joker back. The Joker quickly recovered and blocked an incoming strike from Ozpin. Joker then smirk as he tried to sweep kick Ozpin and Ozpin jump up to dodge the attack and that's what the Joker wanted as while Ozpin was up in the air he managed to kick Ozpin sending him back a couple of feet.
Ozpin slid back and at the same time the Joker pointed his cane at Ozpin and the knife part went up and he fired multiple gun shots at Ozpin and at the same time Tyrian did the same thing to Qrow and it wasn't long until Joker joined Tyrian and Ozpin joined Qrow and the former headmaster of Beacon and professional huntsman were blocking gun shot rounds.
Seeing that Ozpin and Qrow were struggling Ren, Nora and Jaune went up and tried to attack Joker and Tyrian but the two killers saw them coming, Joker closed the cane up and block Jaune sword strike, the Joker with his speed swung his knife cane at Jaune causing the boy to barely block the attack using his shield and knocking him back and the Joker went ahead and kicked Jaune causing him to slide back next to Ruby.
As for Tyrian he did a split and blocked Ren and Nora attack he then spun around and kicked Ren and Nora who blocked his kicks, he then stood on his hands and he kicked Ren and Nora away causing them to slide back to Ruby and Jaune.
Joker and Tyrian then tried to attack the young group but Qrow and Ozpin blocked their attacks.
"Don't come closer" Qrow said to the kids.
"Keep yourself at a distance from now and attack when you see a opportunity" Ozpin said.
"Fine, Ren lets go" Ruby said as she and Ruby ran and went up towards a rooftop both of them tried to aim at the Joker and Tyrian but they were fighting too fast it was hard for them to get a clear shot.
Back at the battle Tryian jumped over Qrow and attacked him but Qrow blocked the attack and Tyrain landed behind him, the servant of Salem then used his tail to attack Qrow who blocked it using his sword, he then saw Tyrian try to jump and strike him with a kick but Qrow block the attack the then tried to attack Tyrian twice with his sword but he managed to dodge both swipes and landed on his tail and shot at Qrow. But the huntsman blocked the shots with his sword. Tyrian then grabbed Qrow by the wrist with his tail and causing him to loose his grip with his sword and the sword flung until it was stuck to a wall.
With Ozpin and Joker the pace of the battle was picking up as well with the Joker doing multiple stabs with his cane but Ozpin dodged the attack side to side. Ozpin quickly went to the left of the Joker and tried to swipe at him but the Joker leaned backward to dodged the swipe, giving Ozpin a chance Ozpin a chance to swipe at his legs. But the Joker flip backwards to dodge the attack and once he landed he went and ahead took multiple slashes at Ozpin who barely managed to block the clowns assaults
Ozpin didn't expect to have this much trouble, he hates to admit it but of all the people he battled in his long life, the Joker might be one of the most unpredictable and dangerous foes he ever met. Ozpin then countered and he and the Joker were clashing canes until, the Joker pushed himself back and Ozpin then went and ran at the Joker to stab him but the Joker then quickly to his left side gaining some distance and then he lifted the knife in his cane up and shot at Ozpin pain causing the man to yell in pain a pit and make him loose his cane causing to slide over a couple of feet away from him right where Qrow's sword is at near the wall.
Ozpin and Qrow glared at Tyrian and the Joker as the duo laughed as they heard and saw that a gun shot barely missed them, Ruby and Ren continued to shoot at them but Tyrian and the Joker kept blocking the shots with their tail and cane.
Qrow and Ozpin then looked at each other "hey I hope you remember how to throw a punch, Oz" Qrow jokingly said to his former headmaster
"I can assure you I am not helpless without my weapon" Ozpin said after that the two men then quickly went up to Tyrian and Joker and punched them knocking them back. Both men then threw a couple of more punches until they both kicked the Joker and Tyrian knocking them back.
Both the Joker and Tyrian were on their knees and looked at Qrow and Ozpin "well the old man knows how to punch I'll give them that" Joker said as he rubbed his jaw. Qrow and Ozpin walked and went ahead and tried to grab their weapons but as they did both the Joker and Tyrian quickly attacked Ozpin and Qrow. With Ozpin jumping up flying up to a rooftop and Qrow got on his sword to dodged Tyrian's attack. Qrow then transformed his sword his scythe form for a moment and shot himself up until he grabbed a support beam and balanced on it.
Joker and Tyrian then jumped on the roof top, with Tyrian tearing though the support beam and Joker clashed with Ozpin and Tyrian with Qrow as Qrow quickly got his weapon back into sword form. Qrow and Ozpin swung back causing Tyrian and Joker to flip through the air and gain their distance. The duo swung at Ozpin and Qrow but the huntsmen and ancient wizard blocked their attack causing, Joker and Tyrain to fall through a whole.
But Tyrian used his tail while the Joker with his hand pushed and flipped themselves in the air and both of them shot at Ozpin and Qrow, but the duo blocked their shots. The criminal pair then quickly attack Qrow and Ozpin but once again they blocked their attacks, but Joker and Tyrian managed to push Qrow and Ozpin back into the building and the pair noticed a crack through the roof and they both ran to the other side while the Joker and Tyrian jump and landed on the crack causing both the clown duo to fall through the roof and landed on the ground.
"I'm going up ahead" Ruby said as she used Crescent Rose to slid down the roof and shot down on the ground two times to land safely on the ground. Ruby then ran to where the battle was and saw Ozpin and Joker being flown back with Qrow managed to stand on his sword and Ozpin slid back and Ruby saw that their aura's were broken and she looked and saw Tyrian and Joker aura was broken and she saw the two criminals attack Ozpin and Qrow and Ozpin and Qrow charged back but Ruby blocked their attack.
"Ruby" Jaune said as he was about to help his friend but Ren appeared in front of Jaune and motion him to stop.
"Do you wish to be taken?" Tyrian asked the silver eyed girl.
"No but I won't stand by and let someone get hurt" Ruby said causing the Joker to laugh
"Hehahaha wow you sound like just like the other silver eyed morons before I personally delt with them, breaking you is going to be so much fun" Joker said as Ruby charged at him and Tyrian and Qrow and Ozpin followed. Ruby and Qrow attacked the Joker with their weapons but the Joker jumped up giving Tyrian time to react and block their attack at the same time Joker went and attack Ozpin who block the attack with his cane and Joker smirk.
"Sorry old man but I'm not interested in you anymore so take this: Joker said as he quickly grabbed Ozpin arm and shocking him "AHHHH!" Ozpin yelled in pain as he fell on the ground. Joker then saw Tyrian kick Qrow back he then attack Ruby who blocked the attack and then shot her but she spun around crescent rose, she and Tyrian clashed weapons but Tyrian spun around and was about to strike Ruby with his tail but Qrow blocked and blocked another attack from Ruby.
"Ruby what did I say get back" Qrow said to his neice.
"This is my fight too" Ruby said before she can charge at Tyrian she heard a chilling voice behind her that made her blood run cold.
"Then you should pay attention to your surrounding little rose hehehaah" before Ruby could turn around the Joker slashed at her back causing her to yell and kick her her causing her to be flown right next to the wall where the support beam was about to fall on her. Ruby got up she knew she was bleeding from her back but she can't give up not when Joker and Tyrian were hurting people she care about she then looked up and was horrified to see a board was about to fall on her but Qrow at the last second cut the board in half.
Ruby smiled at Qrow and Qrow smiled back however that was all Tyrian needed as he went and scratch Qrow with his tail injuring him shocking Jaune, Nora, Ren and Ozpin who was getting up. But Ruby then placed crescent rose at Tyrian tail and shot a round cutting his tail.
"AHHHHH!" Tyrian yelled.
"Oh man that has to hurt Tyrian hehaha" Joker laugh.
"This isn't funny, Joker that bitch just cut my tail off!" Tyrian yelled as Ozpin, Ren, Nora and Jaune got in front of Joker and Tyrain.
"Well Tyrian looks like we might have to come back another time, old Salem won't be happy but I'm sure she would understand the situation" Joker said as he looked at Ruby and Ozpin.
"It's been a pleasure Ozpin your everything what she said you were and as for you little Rose you have the same bright and hopeful look as the others of your kind did hehahaha!" Joker laugh.
"I can't wait to turn that look into the ultimate look of despair that would be a great comedy so until then don't you dare die on me, Ruby Rose" Joker said as Ruby only glared at him.
Joker then threw a card in front of the group and after that he and Tyrian left the scene after that Qrow got on his knees.
"Uncle Qrow are you ok?" Ruby said as he and Ruby ran up to check up on Qrow.
"I'll be fine he just graze me" Qrow said.
"But he had a scorpion tail, Qrow you could be poisoned we need to treat you fast" Ozpin said.
"Professor Ozpin who was that guy?" Nora asked her former headmaster.
"How did you two get here?" Ren asked.
"Why are people after Ruby?" Jaune asked.
"Professor, Uncle Qrow what's going on?" Ruby asked her uncle and former headmaster causing Ozpin to sigh as he knew this was going to be a long explanation.
"Ruby, what is your favorite fairy tail?" Ozpin asked Ruby.
Meanwhile back at Atlas it was night time and Bruce Willow and Ironwood were in Bruce's office and Bruce was sitting down behind his desk and Willow was beside her husband while Ironwood was standing in front of them.
"Alright James what was so important that you wanted to have a meeting with us?" Willow said to Ironwood.
Ironwood sighed as he rubbed his head "this isn't something I didn't want to do, but I felt this was necessary in case Atlas gets targeted for an attack but I decided to close down the boarders to Atlas" Ironwood said.
"Are you insane James your turning your back on the rest of the world!" Willow said.
"I'm preparing for the scenario that Atlas and Mantle gets attacked the citizens safety is our main priority" Ironwood said.
"Then what about the jobs of the people of Mantle that work under our company the shipments, the trades, are you telling me your not allowing them to feed their families" Willow said.
"This is only temporary Willow, right now some we just need to prepare for the threat that lies ahead" Ironwood said.
"James the council will not be happy about this, your taking drastic measures without even talking with or at least hearing out he opinions of the other members" Bruce said as he knew Ironwood would do this.
"Then what do you suggest I should do, Bruce if you have any ideas I'm all for it" Ironwood said.
"Talk to the council James, let them know about your decision and explain exactly your reasons and the threat thats out there, also you need to have Mantle representative in the council so that they could voice their thoughts and concerns and how your actions can effect Mantle I told you many times that Robyn would be a great member of the council" Bruce said.
Ironwood sighed "you know I sometimes wish you would have joined the council" he said.
"Just because I'm not involved in politics doesn't mean I don't care about Atlas and Mantle, James you know I am willing to do whatever it takes to help and protect our kingdom but that doesn't mean we should turn our backs on everybody else or ignore everybody else opinions, that kind of stuff will lead Atlas to it's doom" Bruce said.
Ironwood sighed "you're right, I'll consider what you told me I should get going have a good day you two" Ironwood said as he went and left the office once he left Willow turned to look at her husband.
"Do you think he will do it?" Willow asked.
"I don't know Willow...but I hope so James he sometimes takes too much responsibility on himself, sometimes he really needs to learn to trust other people and their decision making he can't be right all the time" Bruce said.
"So Bruce what will you do?" Willow asked.
"If I would tell you that I might secretly leave Atlas to lets say Mistral would you be ok with that?" Bruce asked his wife.
Willow looked at her husband and sighed "I trust you Bruce you know I do so I don't mind any action you take, but you should take your own advice and trust me with whatever it is your hiding from me" Willow said she then went and kiss Bruce on the cheek.
"I'm going to bed, I'll see you later Bruce" Willow said leaving Bruce alone in his office.
Bruce sighed "I really don't deserve you as a wife, Willow...maybe Whitley was right maybe it is time to tell Willow, Weiss and Winter about me being Batman" Bruce said. Bruce wasn't really afraid of dying no, he knew that being batman and like any other huntsmen he could die at any moment and he was prepared for that scenario. But he has a family now and if he died there no doubt they would be bitter somewhat on why he didn't tell him or trust them with his swecert.
Whitley and Weiss were right perhaps it is time I should be more honest with them with my feelings...it's the least I can do after all they regain and mostly helped me move on from my parents death, my family they are my pride and joy" Bruce said.
He knows that Pyhrra and Whitley are getting ready and now it's time to contact Weiss and ask if she willing to join them on their trip to Mistral.
Bruce then grabbed his Batman scroll and he went ahead and called Weiss and it didn't take long until for Weiss to answer.
"Hello" Weiss said.
"It's Batman do you have time to talk" Bruce said as he shifted into his Batman persona, he knows that Salem is about to make her move soon to Mistral they need to act fast and he will act with or without Ironwood help.
A/N: Hey it's been awhile I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and the conclusion of Joker and Tyrian battle with Rub's group and a bit of insight on what's going on with Bruce and the others in Atlas. Anyway I want to say we might be done in volume 4 in a chapter or two and we are going to focus on the events in volume five anyway I hope you guys enjoy the chapter don't forget to read review and follow the story until next time guys see ya.