A brief answering of a review(/s) before the start.
Guest: You're absolutely right about that! The argument between Blake and Weiss is supposed to represent the extreme bias of each side: one being lax with crimes done by Faunus and the other being too accusatory of Faunus / White Fang in general. Although both can be justified, it doesn't make them any less wrong as they are still extremes.
It was the middle of the afternoon, and neither Ruby nor Blake said a single word since they sat down across from one another.
After their confrontation, it was decided to continue their talk to a nearby café. While Sun kept to himself inside the shop, RB members isolated themselves on the 2nd floor balcony. Fortunately, it was a slow day, so they wouldn't be expecting company anytime soon.
"So," Blake broke the silence. "You wanna know more about me."
"That's putting it lightly," Ruby said, mixing her half finished cup. "I wanna know how an ex-White Fang turned to become a Huntress-in-training."
Blake turned to her untouched cup, unable to look at her team leader. "It's complicated."
"Try me."
The faunus girl was still unconvinced at the proposal. Until an idea came to mind. "Alright, I'll tell you." Blake said. "But on one condition."
"Name it."
"I'll tell you mine, you tell me yours."
Her mixing stopped at the suggestion. Ruby eyed Blake, trying to decipher if she meant what she thought.
"I'm not the only one hiding something from the team." Blake pointed out. "The night terrors, your attacks, your vague answers about your past. The most I know about you came from Yang, and even she's not completely sure."
We need her to trust us. It's the only way to get some answers.
How are we sure we can trust her? What else has she been keeping from us? How exactly do we-
"I'm Robin."
What!?
"What?"
"I'm the vigilante from Atlas. I've trained and worked under Batman ever since I was 8 years old."
Blake was speechless. It certainly explained a lot, but she still couldn't wrap her head around it. It was unbelievable! Ruby Rose, her team leader, was Robin, the Girl Wonder.
"Still unconvinced?"
"I…I don't…"
"Your full name's Blake Belladonna, only daughter to Ghira and Kali Belladonna."
Blake's eyes widened in utter shock. "How did you-"
"Had time to do a quick background check before Sun found you." explained Ruby before continuing.
"Your father helped found the White Fang after the Faunus Rights Revolution and was even its leader up until 5 years ago. Your own mother was also a White Fang member. And oh boy, does she have some skeletons in her closet. You know, it's a bit on the nose for a Cat-faunus to have a criminal record for Cat burglary-"
"Okay! Okay!" Blake interrupted, having finally been convinced. "So, what do you want to know?"
"How long have you been with the White Fang?"
"Most of my life. Since you know about my parents, you could say that I was born into it. I was at the front of every rally, took part in every boycott, and even participated in every meeting my parents brought me too. I actually thought we were making a difference. Of course, back then, I was just a youthful optimist."
Blake then gripped her mug and grimaced. "Sienna Khan took over after my father stepped down. Since then, things have changed, but not for the better."
The White Fang hadn't always been so violent, but if someone were to trace back where that started, many would link it to Sienna Khan. Organized attacks; setting fire to Anti-Faunus shops; the hijacking of cargo from Faunus labored companies; all those ideas stemmed from the leadership of Sienna Khan. Her entire leadership complicated the relationship between humanity and faunus, especially in places like Atlas and Mistral.
Nobody could look at a faunus without thinking of them as a terrorist member of the White Fang.
"Yes, we were finally being treated as equals. But not out of respect….out of fear."
Ruby made no visible reaction while listening to Blake take a couple deep breaths. She patiently waited for her faunus friend to collect herself once more before continuing with her story.
"...And so, I left. Decided that my skills were best used to protect people rather than harming them, so I dedicated my life into becoming a Huntress. I got myself into Beacon Academy and kept my past hidden, all thanks to a little black bow."
Her ears wiggled under the guise of the black bow as Blake finished her story. It was kind of therapeutic, in a way, to have finally revealed her past to someone who she knew wouldn't judge too much. But enough of that, it was Ruby's turn to keep her end of the bargain. "So, how did you become Robin?"
Although Ruby was a woman of her word, it was difficult to determine which parts of her past to talk about without risking Bruce's identity. She had to play it safe. "I was…under his wing for a while before my debut as Robin."
That got a snort out of Blake.
"Originally, he was completely reluctant to train me, let alone take me out crime fighting. But I was a stubborn kid, reckless even. I didn't listen to a word he said and tried to practice all on my own. Of course, training on my own didn't do me too much good, so I stuck to studying the style my mom learned: Tricking. Batman did eventually come around on training me. Although, that was after I snuck aboard the Batmobile during one of his patrols."
The memory got a chuckle out of the Girl Wonder before continuing her story.
"I took too much after my mom in the stubbornness department, and he knew that. So, he made my training relentless; fighting techniques, detective training, you name it. All within the span of 6 months with almost no rest days. He was trying to get me to quit…but I relented. Ultimately, his final decision came down to a single test, 'the Gauntlet'."
"The 'Gauntlet'?" asked Blake.
"I had to evade Batman for an entire night in the streets of Mantle with nothing but my own wits and utility belt. It probably didn't help the fact that I also stumbled across a criminal plot by Mantle's Organized Crime."
Blake was lost for words, amazed at the girl's story. "Impressive. It must've been difficult to have avoided him for 12 hours."
"Ha! Don't be too impressed," Ruby cackled. "He caught me at the 8th hour. But he decided it was better to observe how capable I was at stopping a crime lord. Suffice to say, he was convinced enough and a week later Robin, the Girl Wonder, made tabloid headlines."
It was a new sight for Blake to see her team leader genuinely happy over a memory. Whenever she asked about the girl's past, it was often accompanied by sorrow and morose. But this? It was as if she was recalling the happiest time in her life.
Although the Girl Wonder did uphold her end of the bargain, there was still one more question the faunus girl had.
"Why 'Robin'?"
And with the biggest smile Blake has ever seen Ruby give, she answered. "Robin was the stage name mom had during her time in the circus."
Sharing their backstories with one another, it felt peaceful. Calming, even. It was as if the weight of the entire world had been lifted off their shoulders. It all felt…nice.
But they both knew it couldn't last long. They still had to address the elephant in the room.
"What now?"
"Now?"
"The robberies. I don't believe the White Fang is behind it, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't investigate it."
"We leave that to the authorities."
The faunus frowned at the Girl Wonder's response. "You can't be serious."
"Blake," Ruby pleaded. "We're Huntresses-in-training. This is a police matter. Whether the White Fang are involved or not, it's not our business to investigate the matter."
"Says the vigilante."
"Ex-vigilante." Ruby was immediate to correct. She couldn't help but wince at her words. It was to be expected, and while it hurt, it doesn't change the fact.
Blake was bewildered by her reaction to it all. Just a minute ago was she happily talking about her vigilantism, and now she was all about upholding the law? "How could you be so dismissive of this?! You're fully aware that lives are at stake, and yet you're shifting the responsibility to others! You used to be Robin!"
"I lost the right to be Robin when I selfishly cost the lives of innocent people."
Any words Blake had had died before they left her mouth. She…must've misheard her. But the way her posture just slumped and the sullen look on her face spoke otherwise.
Ruby pinched the bride of her nose while Blake sat speechless at what she said.
Perhaps it was time for her to tell Blake of the incident a couple of months ago.
~Months Prior, City of Mantle~
Racing down the streets of Mantle's underbelly did nothing to calm Robin's anger. Her hands tightly gripped the handles of the R-Cycle and sweat slipped past the seal of her mask. She had to focus on the mission; find the Joker, stop his plans, and bring him back to Arkham.
But the events prior wouldn't escape her own mind.
Roy, I can explain-
How could you do this!? We trusted you!
She grit her own teeth at the memory. It was for them. She was doing it for them-
Come on. Barb! Stay with me! Just hang in there!
…R-Ruby…
Her eyes closed to hold back any tears that threatened to fall. She should've been with Bruce on patrol. She should've-
When were you going to tell me my mother was murdered by that monster!?
We'll discuss this later.
"All Units be advised-"
The live chatter of the Police comm snapped the Girl Wonder back to reality, and to the upcoming collision of a lamp post.
Instinct took over as Robin swerved past the lamp and slid the R-Cycle to its side to forcefully break. But momentum got the better of her and both her and the bike skidded across the pavement before crashing into a wall.
Although her suit took most of the blunt force, pain still erupted across her entire body. She winced and groaned as she felt the new bruises form from the crash. Her own ears rang for a while until she could finally hear the police dispatch.
"Repeat, prisoner transport for 'Scorpion' has been halted due to vehicle troubles. Requesting any available units to head to the bridge connecting to the eastern docks."
Robin was quick to regain her bearings. Any pain she felt was soon put on the back burner once she realized who the operator was referring to. Tyrian Callows. She has his location. And he was out in the open. He's mine.
Fueled by anger- no, determination, Robin forced herself back onto her feet and onto the R-Cycle, ready to head straight for Tyrian Callows. But just as she was going to put the pedal to the metal, her private channel lit up.
"Robin, Joker's been spotted heading towards the abandoned circus in the western side of Mantle. I need you there ASAP."
Her grip on the handles of the R-Cycle loosened as her inner turmoil conflicted her choices: Joker or Tyrian?
After tonight, there won't be a better chance to get back at Tyrian Callows. She had to strike now before the chance slips! But her duty as Robin is sworn by the mission. The longer Joker is out, the more of a danger he is to the city.
What should she do? What should Robin do-
No.
This isn't something that Robin gets to decide.
Tonight, just for tonight, the decision is up to Ruby Rose.
And Ruby Rose has already made up her choice.
"You can't be serious, Scott."
"Hey! It's not my fault that my old man didn't teach me how to look at an engine!"
Franklin was so close to murdering this kid right about now. Here they were, standing outside the prisoner van, looking at its smoking engine, which none of them knew how to fix.
They were supposed to be hauling this psychopath all the way to Blackgate and should've been there an hour ago. But someone just had to grab the truck that had engine trouble. Hell, it was actually the kid's fault they're even off route in the first place! How could someone who grew up in Mantle get lost here!?
"I never should have let you drive, kid," Franklin grumbled under his breath. "I don't see how this could get any worse?"
As if on cue, thunder roared across the sky and soon droplets of rain slowly came pouring down. Franklin then punched the van in frustration before wincing as he rubbed his bruised hand.
"Eh, don't worry too much about it, Frank," Scott said, trying to comfort the older man. "Already called our situation in. A car should get here in no time."
"Kid, you ARE aware that Joker's escaped Arkham again, right?" Franklin pointed out.
Scott raised his brow. "So?"
"That means all hands on deck. Any officer, on-duty or off-duty, is to search the last area he's been sighted. In other words, we ain't gonna be seeing ANYBODY for the next couple hours."
His words had finally sunk in, and Scott started to get nervous. "S-So t-that means…"
"We're stuck with this lunatic for gods know how long."
The rain had started to pick up. Perhaps it was beneficial because it would mask the nervousness they felt. Or the cries and whining of the younger guard.
But Franklin didn't let the situation deter him. He had to keep strong and calm, for both of their sake. It was no use crying over spilled milk.
"Look kid," Franklin called out. "We can either start pushing the van to Blackgate or stay inside until back-up arrives. And like hell are we hauling this thing to the other side of the city."
While the elder opened the door to the passenger seat, he looked back at his partner. "Come on, I got a deck of cards somewhere around here, so we could pass the- "
It was then that Franklin took notice: Scott was nowhere in sight.
"Kid?" He called out, but heard no response except the rainfall. Maybe the kid didn't hear? But where did he go?
Franklin inspected the area he last saw the kid, but the heavy rain obscured his vision too much and only saw outlines. As he got closer, his eyes could make out the slight silhouette of something on the ground. It was the kid; he was clearly knocked out, but by what?
*CLANK*
His head shifted back to the hood of the car, but was greeted by a sharp pain in the face before he fell to the ground next to the kid. Darkness soon overtook him as he fell unconscious.
Ruby was quick to take out both guards for the convoy. She didn't need any interruptions for what she's about to do. Once she was sure the guard was knocked out cold, she made her way to the doors at the back of the van.
The man who took her mother from her was behind these doors.
There was no backing out of this. It was far too late for that now. It was now or never.
Taking a long breath of air, she opened the doors to the monster that was inside.
There, on his knees, was who she assumed was Tyrian Callows. His hands, feet, and tail were all chained behind his back, preventing any sudden movements. He hadn't even faced her when she opened the doors, his gaze was completely glued towards the floor of the van while his hair disguising whatever look he made.
"You're through, Callows," Ruby growled through her voice modulator. But he made no physical remark. "I've waited a long time for this."
Again, he made no indication he was listening. His silence was pissing her off. Rage oozed from her stature while she removed her batons. Her approach halted when she overshadowed his form.
"All the lives you've taken from this world, the hundreds you've killed just to satisfy your own sick mind!" She gritted her teeth before finding her composure. "I want to know: does 'Summer Rose' ring a bell?"
He remained silent, much to her irritation. She slammed the side of the truck with her baton and screamed. "Mother of 2! Dressed in a white hood! DO YOU REMEMBER HER!?"
It was then that he finally made a response; he simply snickered. From that snicker, he giggled. And from a giggle, he full-on laughed. He laughed the hardest she has ever seen anyone. Almost like him.
Ruby could not contain it anymore. Without restraint, she swung her baton across his face. Blood splattered onto the floor.
But the man kept laughing.
Any self-control was cut from her mind. With rage and agony fueling her, Ruby let loose her baton. Each swing swung harder than the last.
But blow after blow after blow, his laughter only grew.
And the more vengeful she became.
Left. Right. Left. Right. She continued to swing. Left. Right. Left. Right.
It all came to a stop when the blood he coughed splattered across the van walls. Her muscles burned in exhaustion, while her baton was bloodied at the tip.
But even after all that, he still let out one single chuckle.
No more. She was going to end this. Raising her baton, Ruby prepared one final swing.
*Click*
The sound stopped her in her tracks. What was-
*CLANK*
Her eyes caught something dropping to the floor behind him. It took a second to register what exactly it was. And by then, her blood ran cold.
It was the lock that held his chains.
Oh no.
For a split second, she saw Tyrian lift his head and stare at her through his hair, before giving one last shit-eating grin.
What happened next was a blur.
One second she was inside the van, the next she was thrown right out of it.
Her body slammed right onto the stone road, cracks forming beneath where she landed. Everything hurt like hell, even with armor softening everything. Had it not been for the rain splashing down on her face, she would've fallen unconscious.
Ruby tried to get up, but was soon pushed back down by the boot of the assassin. Any attempt to retaliate was halted when his stinger pierced the side of her suit. All her muscles began to strain from the sting until she couldn't even feel them. She couldn't move; she was paralyzed.
"Well well well, I'm going to have to thank you for all that! And here I was planning my escape," Tyrian said as he stood over her. "You know, you're the second person tonight that asked me about that Silver-eyed woman. Quite the small world, I would say."
She wanted to fight back. To thrash, scream, yell, even as little to spit on his boots. But her body wouldn't obey. Move! Move damn it!
"But enough of that now! I should really offer a little reward for my little jailbreak here." Tyrian grinned as he moved closer to her, his tail itching towards her face.
Movement from behind him caught the girl's eye. It was one of the guards; he had finally woken up; he was going to die!
Seeing the escaped prisoner, Scott panicked and went for his gun.
"And besides,"
"Freeze!"
"No good deed should go unpunished."
NO!
*FLICK*
Not a second later did a body drop to the ground. Blood seeped out from below the corpse and mixed with rain water, while some dripped from the scorpion faunus' tail.
And he just laughed.
Ruby tried to move, wiggle, or even struggle past her paralyzed limbs and try to save the fallen man. But even then she knew it was fruitless. An innocent died, and it was all her fault.
But it was the least of her worries for now. Exhaustion was taking over her, and her own vision soon began to tunnel.
"Well, I'm sure it's been an eventful evening for both of us," The man got up close to her and whispered. "The next time we see one another, I won't be as forgiving."
Without a care in the world, he finally removed himself from her fallen form.
"Hey! Stop right there!"
"HAHAHA!"
She couldn't see what he did next or where he went. All she heard was the sound of rain, gunfire, and the laugh of horrifying joy before everything turned dark.
How could I have let this happen?
Robin.
I let an assassin escape and let him kill innocent people. It's all my fault.
Robin, come in.
I let those people down. I have forsaken the mission. I took a life!
Robin!
I'm sorry! I'm SO SORRY-
Ms. Ruby!
Robin jolted awake at the yell of her name. A ringing in her ears blocked out any other noise. Her entire body ached like hell, but at least the feeling of her limbs were coming back. With what strength she had left, she forced her body onto its front, then pushed herself onto her knees. Robin took a deep, long breaths before she had finally taken in her surroundings.
Not too far away were the bodies of the guards, long past have they died of blood loss. Their blood barely noticeable as it had been washed away by rain water. The truck they drove was also missing from the site. Tyrian must've found a way to get it working.
This is all my fault. Ruby thought to herself while she gripped the sides of her head. Why didn't I just listen to Bruce!? He was right to keep us from doing this case. I-
"Ms. Ruby! Can you hear me?"
She wasn't when the ringing noise had stopped. But when it did, she finally realized the comms were active.
"Agent A?"
"Thank goodness! I'm sorry to rush Ms. Ruby, but you need to head to the circus in western Mantle immediately! I have lost contact with Master Bruce and I fear he could be in trouble."
Panic started to swell the Girl Wonder. Joker! How could she have forgotten?!
Ruby was reluctant to go. She couldn't bare to look away from the guard's bodies, her failures to be Robin. The weight of her actions chained her to that Mantle bridge.
Batman's in trouble. He needs us. He needs Robin.
How could we? This entire thing is all our fault!
There is no use in wallowing in our failures! The mission first, punishment later!
What about Tyrian? What of the guards? We can't just leave them like this!
Call it in. MPD will handle it.
But she knew what needed to be done. The mission wasn't over.
Robin gripped her gauntlets till her knuckles turned white. Her grief turned into determination as her tears dried up. She took one final look at the guards, hoping their souls were at peace, before sprinting straight for her R-cycle.
She would call MPD on her way. Batman needed Robin. The city needed Robin.
We need Robin.
The roars of an engine was all Robin heard as she raced straight through the hard rain that came upon the city of Mantle. The R-cycle was pushed to its limits as she put the pedal to the metal. The pouring rain tapped stronger onto her, while in high speed.
It wasn't long before the colorful lights of the abandoned circus came to view. All of it focused on the "Big Top" in the middle.
By the entrance of the circus parked the Batmobile. The hood of the vehicle was still warm to the touch. It hadn't been here for too long. She was close.
Unfortunately, the R-cycle wouldn't push any further. Having been crashed then pushed to its very limit, she should be counted lucky that it only powered down upon arrival.
Leaping over the turn-style, Robin made a mad dash towards the center.
Soaked. That's all she felt as she sprinted down the empty circus. Her heavily drenched bodysuit weighed her down even more than the armored plates did. She hadn't fully recovered from the poison of Tyrian Callows. But there was no time to lose. She had to keep going.
I can make it.
The exhaustion from running at top speed and the fatigue from the poison was starting to catch up. Yet, she continued to push herself.
I have to make!
Her own legs ached and were starting to slow down. She was at her limit-No, she was beyond it. Not too long later did she fall to the ground, heaving heavily, trying to catch her own breath.
But she shouldn't rest for long, as she saw the colorful Big Top from a distance.
Feeling the adrenaline kicking in, Robin picked herself back up and sprinted to the final stretch.
She was close. Very, very close.
But not close enough.
As she was a short distance away from the entrance, the entire tent erupted in an internal explosion that reached the night sky.
The force of the blast had launched her into the air before landing onto her back. Robin's ears rung, pieces of her armor had been blown off, and everything had felt numb. But nothing stopped her widen eyes from tearing itself away from the burning inferno.
No…
No no no.
NO!
Ruby could only watch in horror as the remains of the Big top burned to the ground, leaving nothing, but soot and ash.
This can't be happening. This can't be happening!
"BRUCE!"
Well. I had only realized not even halfway through writing this that the finale would be a lot longer than expected. It's because of this that I will be splitting it into parts. Whether it be a 2-parter or 3-parter, I have yet to tell. Hopefully I can have everything out either before Christmas or Halloween. Thank you again to everyone for all for the support, please leave a review or a comment on the story, and I hope you enjoy.
I do not own any of the characters. All characters and names used are owned by either Rooster Teeth and Detective Comics (DC).