Dr. Thaddeus Henry Merlot was gifted. Anyone could see that.Even from a young age, Merlot proved himself capable enough to solving nearly any problem, be it academic or theoretical. His young mind proved a sponge for all forms of scientific research, allowing him to graduate nearly seven years ahead of everyone his own age.A record of impressive achievements that eventually landed him a job at the ever expanding Schnee Enterprises. The company made quick work of putting Dr. Merlot where he belonged, his mind advancing their work and allowing the company to grow even larger.The image of a young, 25-year old Merlot standing beside the elder Patriarch of the Schnee family proved an inspiring image to all, if not burying those who also proved instrumental in the creation of the company.But as he grew older, a problem even his intellect couldn't solve came to bare. Deafness. Dr. Merlot was growing deaf, a genetic hearing problem gifted to him from a grandfather he'd never met passed down to him, an unwilling behold of the gift. Without warning, Merlot vanished into his lab within the Vale sector of the Schnee Enterprise building,People often claimed Merlot had gone made in his sudden deafness, experimenting on people ala Dr. Frankenstein. Anything at all to keep his mind at ease, despite the all encompassing silence. Regardless of rumor, this secretive research eventually caught the eye of Ruby Rose, aka Batmetal herself. And when she asked for a tour of his lab, under the guise of simple curiosity. Merlot agreed, never able to deduce the real reason behind the sudden interest in the man's work.Bats. That was the first thing she saw upon entering. Bats of all kinds taken apart, piece by piece, with blood staining some of the walls with gore. Swallowing the disgust, Ruby asked the obvious question." What's... with all of the research on the bats? " Ruby asked, hands in her pockets, clutching a sonic emitter tightly, ready for anything that may come her way. The old Dr. Merlot smiled and motioned to a picture he'd thrown together and hung above his work table. A dozen strands of paper, maybe more, were glued and bound as one, a massive bat painted with what Ruby could only assume to be blood covering it's main body, with those few spaces not taken up by the massive bat insignia taken by smaller, oddly shaped and warped variations." I want to be like this...Batmetal people have come to see, " Merlot claimed, honestly surprising Ruby with his answer. " You... want to be a vigilante? " Ruby asked, a brow quirked as she looked upon the taller, but no more imposing man. But with a grin as wide as his, the maniacal grin filling his lips, Ruby knew his true reasons without him needing to say a word." No, no child. I want... to.. be... feared! " Merlot remarked, holding fourth a vial of liquid as black as sin.And with one sip of his concoction, he changed forever. Skin as pale as paper and hair as white as snow gave way to fur as black as sin, his hands elongating into wings so massive, the nearly broke through the walls that stood around him.The Man-Bat had been born.---Hey guys, Grim here, back with a quick but awesome upload for you all.Now before I head out, I need to give an enormous thanks to merlotlover, who asked for this image specifically during the Blood Rose Knights run. You're awesome dude, so stay awesome.Any who guys, this has been GrimSoldier001 and I am signing off.---RWBY x Batman crossover - www.deviantart.com/grimsoldier… ---I don't own anything related to RWBY or Batman/woman. Both properties are owned by their respective owners, despite this being an amalgam of both universes.