A/N: Hello everyone, I hope you all enjoyed the little encounter with the crocodile hunter himself in the last chapter. Not quite sure why that came to mind, but I regret nothing. I just want to thank you all yet again for reading the story and showing the amazing support that you all have shown. I hope you continue to show this support as we move forwards. I hope you all have an amazing day. Rhino out.
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Walking out of the aquarium after their little venture, the three see the sun beginning to set along the horizon.
Ariel: "Wow, we were in there longer than I though."
Topaz: "Time really does fly when you are having fun."
Neo: "That and we did only come here a little before noon."
Ariel: "Hush you."
Neo: "Hush is the name of my weapon, yes."
Ariel: "One more word Neo."
Neo: "Word."
Ariel: "Topaz, Neo is picking on me."
Topaz: "Neo, how could you."
Neo: "I-"
Topaz: "How could you pick on her and not let me join."
Neo: "…"
Ariel: "You two are so mean to me."
Topaz: "Only for your reactions, they are adorable."
Ariel: "Hmph."
Neo: "His point exactly. You even puffed out your cheeks this time."
Laughing as they walked away from the aquarium, the three decide to stop by a small café to get something to eat. Entering the café, Topaz quickly finds himself confronted by one of the waiters.
Waiter: "You need to leave, we don't serve your kind here. You beautiful girls however, are free to stay as long as you'd like."
SLAP
SLAP
Ariel and Neo both take a turn slapping the waiter across the face, the sound echoing in the rather empty café. The girls then take Topaz by the hands and drag him out of the café. The man stares at the group with wide eyes and bright red cheeks. What the group didn't notice was the shady character sitting at one of the tables near the door. Once they left, the man gets up from his seat and walks out after them.
Ariel: "Gods, people are such assholes."
Topaz: "Don't worry about it. This is Atlas afterall."
Neo: "Let's just get some food back in the cafeteria of the school. As satisfying as it was to slap that guy, I would rather not deal with any more people like him."
Topaz: "I'm ok with whatever. I just want you girls to be happy."
Ariel: "Cafeteria it is."
Walking back through the streets of Atlas, the group makes their way back towards the school. Topaz couldn't help but feel like someone was watching him. Looking around he sees quite a few people looking towards him with looks of disgust, but one person looks at him with a different look. Their eyes show fascination mixed with something else that Topaz couldn't name outright. Looking closer at the strange man, Topaz felt that he was familiar, but couldn't place why. The man begins to walk closer and closer to Topaz and the girls, and with every step, Topaz feels something wrong. Gently moving the girls behind him, Topaz prepares to confront the man.
Topaz: "Can I help you?"
????: "Why yes, you can. In fact, you are probably the only one that can help me."
Topaz: "With what exactly?"
????: "My queen demands your head."
It was in that moment that Topaz recognized the man.
Topaz: "Ariel, you and Neo need to get out of here. Now!"
Ariel: "Why? We are not leaving you."
Topaz: "This guy is no joke. Get to Atlas Academy and let General Ironwood that we are dealing with a pawn of 'hers'."
Ariel: "Who is this 'her'?"
Topaz: "Now's not the time, go!"
Topaz sees Ariel and Neo take off running towards to school from the corners of his eye, never taking his focus off of the psychotic man in front of him. Topaz walks into an alley to take the fight away from the public to try and protect the people around them. Once they are out of sight, the man drops the cloak he was wearing, revealing a scorpion's tail that sways in excitement.
Topaz: "So Tyrian, what brings you to Atlas?"
Tyrian: "So you know of me? I can say the same about you though, but in much more detail. You've interested my goddess, which intrigues me. What is so special about you?"
Topaz: "Nothing. I'm just a regular old faunus."
Tyrian: "Are you calling my queen a liar?! How DARE you!"
Tyrian draws his weapons, and lunges for Topaz. Topaz takes a step back to dodge the blades on his wrist, feeling something wrong he rolls to his right, narrowly avoiding Tyrian's stinger.
Tyrian: "Oooh, not bad. You're pretty quick on your feet, but can you handle more?"
Topaz: "I wouldn't even consider this a warmup. Bring it on."
Tyrian: "You've asked for it boy."
Tyrian begins spraying bullets towards Topaz who rolls out of the way, taking cover behind a nearby dumpster. Hearing the bullets stop, Topaz lunges backwards and handsprings back to his feet. Seeing the blades imbedded into the ground where he just was Topaz sighs internally. Tyrian lunges at Topaz once again and attempts to slice his chest. Topaz sends a punch into his elbow before grabbing the stunned limb and throwing Tyrian over his shoulder. Tyrian lands with a sickening thub and a loud crack is heard.
Tyrian: "ARGH, you bastard! You will pay for that!"
Topaz watches in amusement as Tyrian struggles to get to his feet, his right arm hanging uselessly at his side. Raw fury is seen in his eyes, his desire to show Topaz's intestines the sky and watch the life fade from his eyes quite evident. Letting loose another roar of fury, Tyrian lunges at Topaz once again, blinded with his rage. Attacking any way possible, he sends slash after slash, kick after kick, trying any way possible to kill Topaz. Topaz blocks the attacks he can, and dodges those he determines he cannot block. Seeing an opening in Tyrian's attacks, Topaz sends another punch into the broken arm, causing Tyrian to shout in pain. Crouching low to the ground, Tyrian hugs his knees to his chest and pants loudly in both exhaustion and rage.
Topaz: "Had enough yet Tyrian?"
Tyrian: "My queen, my goddess does not like you. She has given me the glorious task of sacrificing you in her honor. And I shall do so gladly. I cannot fail her!"
Spinning in a circle, Topaz is surprised how quickly Tyrian's tail slashes across his chest. Looking down at his torn shirt, Topaz makes a face of horror.
Tyrian: "AHAHAHAHAHA I GOT YOU."
Topaz: "You fiend, how could you beat me."
Tyrian: "It's all apart of the goddess' plan. Your death was inevitable."
Topaz: "Not to burst your bubble or anything like that, but you should really not let your guard down so easily."
Tyrian: "What do you me-"
BAM!
Tyrian falls to the ground, unconscious, after Topaz punches him in the temple. Topaz lets his body relax and falls to the ground. Taking a deep breath, Topaz takes out his scroll and lets General Ironwood know his location, and informs him to bring a strong set of handcuffs, with the capability to restrain a tail as well. After a few seconds, General Ironwood arrives with Ariel and Neo in tow. The two girls run over to Topaz and throw their arms around him, squeezing him tightly.
Ironwood: "Glad to see you are ok after that encounter Topaz. You've done us another huge service taking down Tyrian. Are you injured anywhere?"
Topaz: "No, I'm completely fine. I baited him into letting his guard down by allowing him to slash across my chest with his tail, but the skin wasn't broken so I'll be fine."
Ironwood: "Make sure to keep an eye on that, and let me know if there are any changes with it."
Topaz: "Will do sir."
Watching General Ironwood cuff the unconscious Tyrian was rather entertaining for Topaz. The general was proceeding cautiously, not wanting to accidentally come into contact with the venomous barb on the tail. After Tyrian was successfully cuffed, Topaz takes Neo and Ariel by the hands and leads them back towards the school. Arriving in the cafeteria, the three grab some food and relax at a table.
Topaz: "Finally some food, I'm starving."
Neo: "Maybe if someone didn't have to fight every big time villain he comes across, you wouldn't be so hungry."
Topaz: "Maybe so, but it still wouldn't change what I do."
Ariel: "We know, it's once of the many things we love about you."
Topaz: "Love you both too. Now come on, dig into the food and enjoy it!"
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