Chapter 1
So i have recently caught Teen Titan and Young Justice fever, and had an idea like this brewing for a while, so i thought I'd try my hand at it. Hope you like, and a BIG thanks to TheForceIsStrongWithThisOne for helping me out, i greatly appreciate it. I own nothing in this story but my OCs. I also am using "The Batman" variation of Killer Croc, since it was my favorite thus far.
July 4th, 1997
Two men sat at their desks, keeping keen eyes on dozens of monitors, watching for any hint of an intruder. The man on the left, a portly man, held a large mug of coffee, steam rising from the small opening on the lid, taking a sip every few minutes. The man on the right, was thinner, holding a baton in one hand, twirling it of boredom.
"Terry?" Asked the one on the right.
"Yeah?"
"What are we doin' here tonight?" He asked, "Isn't today our day off?" The other man, Terry, set his mug on the table, setting his gaze on the younger man.
"Ya know, Richie?" He said nonchalantly, "Ima wonderin' the same thing. But when the boss man calls ya, you don't ask questions."
"Seems fair." Replied Richie, holstering his baton and crossing his arms. "For Luther. What's he doin' up there anyway?"
"Like I said," Answered Terry, "Ya don't ask questions." Richie just slumped his shoulders, letting out a "Humph" in reply.
"But I will say this," Began Terry, causing Richie to turn to his companion, "I did see someone, someone strange."
"Do ya know who it was?" Asked Richie, leaning closer.
"No, but I got a clue."
"What is it?"
"The guy I saw, He was wearing some full body armor, black and grey. Then he had this mask, it was strange."
"How so?" Asked Richie.
"It was, half orange, half black. But here's the kicker, it only had one eye-hole. Like the guy only had one eye."
"Nah," Began Richie, "That can't be it. The only guy I know who looks like that is-"
The two were interrupted by a loud crash and static as one of the monitors went offline.
"Jeez!" Shouted Richie.
"Get yer baton," Commanded Terry, "We got a problem." The two men quickly stormed off to the ninety-fifth floor, hoping to get there before whatever was causing the commotion did anymore damage.
A large cryo-tube sailed through the air, as two men leaped aside. One wore a grey business suit, the other, a black and grey battle suit and a half orange/half black mask. Both men were armed with semi-automatic pistols, the man in the business suit quickly tossed a magazine to the other.
"Those sedatives you gave him didn't seem to work, Luthor." Said the one wearing a mask.
"They did." Said the other, Luthor, "Just not well enough. Don't tell me you are afraid, Slade."
"I've dealt with stronger than him." Answered Slade. Just then, a large, green, scaled, and clawed hand burst through the wall next to Luthor, who leaped to the side, firing a few rounds into the creatures hand, who in turn, let our a roar of pain.
"I think you pissed him off." Said Slade in monotone. Luthor glanced at him with a glare, before readying his gun again, as the creature burst through the wall, giving the two men a vicious glare. The creature stood at an impressive eight feet tall, had dark green and scaly skin, a crocodilian head, and a long tail.
"You're gonna pay fo' this, Luthor!" It roared in a Cajun accent. "Ima gonna pick my teeth wit yo bones!"
"Please, Mr. Jones, let's talk like gentle-"
"I ain't no Jones!" It roared, "I'm Killer Croc!" 'Killer Croc' then reached aside, picking up another desk, casually tossing it at the two men. Slade, however, simply stood, and thrust his fist forward, cracking the desk in two and sending it tow different directions. Slade then readied his fire-arm before Luthor placed his hand on Slade's arm.
"Don't kill him." He urged, "We need him still." Croc, who had heard, stepped forward, baring his razor-sharp teeth.
"Need 'im fo what?" He growled. Slade then lowered his weapon as Luthor stepped forward.
"Mr. Jones, I mean, Killer Croc," Began Luthor. "We are in need of your special…assets. Which is why we brought you here, peacefully."
"Peacefully!" Roared Croc, "You 'n yo boys came 'a trudgin' down into my sewers, shot me full o' enough tranquilizer to put down seven rhinos, 'n the next thing I know, Ima inside a damned tube, wit a bunch o' lab-rats starin' at me. I don't know what you big-time city boys call peaceful, but down in the Bayou-"
"We are well aware of your place of origin, Croc." Said Slade in monotone once more. "We brought you here for your DNA."
"Fo' what?" Growled the large reptilian.
"Mr. Croc." Said Luthor, clearing out his throat. "You are an impressive specimen, superhuman strength, immunity to diseases, enhanced agility, and your massive lung capacity make you the ideal super soldier. However, we were certain you weren't interested in being anyone's subordinate."
"Yer damn right." Growled Croc, slightly relaxing his shoulders.
"Yes, well we anticipated as much." Began Luthor once more. "So instead of making you into the perfect soldier, we decided to make some."
"What do you mean?" Asked Croc. Luthor walked past the large reptilian, gesturing for him and Slade to follow. The trio made their way to the elevator doors as two security guards emerged.
"Is everything okay Mr. Luthor?" Asked one of them.
"Perfectly fine gentlemen." Replied Luthor. "Thank you for your concern. Now, why don't you two take the rest of the night off? I'm certain your service is no longer required. Have a good night gentlemen."
"Wow…thanks, Sir!" They both replied in unison, as the trio passed them by. As the doors closed, Croc could've sworn he heard, "Who's the big scaly guy?"
The elevator doors opened up as the two men exited, with Croc in tow.
"As you can see Mr. Croc," Began Luthor, gesturing to a dark lit room, "Your DNA is easily replicated, and the specimens should reach maturity within three to five years." With That, Luthor flipped a switch, illuminating the entire storehouse, revealing thousands of cryo tubes, each filled with a glowing yellow embryo.
"Whoa…" Muttered Croc. "How long have I been out?"
"A week, Mr. Croc." Replied Slade.
"You see, Croc," Began Luthor, "We intend to make an army, a very powerful army, and you have provided us the means to do so. For that, we are grateful." Luthor then nodded to Slade, who in turn pressed a button on his ear piece, speaking silently.
"What's he doin'?" Asked Croc.
"For your contributions, and as payment for the bullets in your hand, and future cooperation, Mr. Croc," Began Luthor once more, "We have set up an offshore account for you, and are wiring your payment. Now my dear Croc, I ask you this question. Will you join us?" Luthor then held out his hand, awaiting Croc's reply.
"Boy," He began, "We got a deal." Croc then shook the businessman's hand, with a smug grin upon his features. Releasing Luthor's hand, Croc glanced off to the side, noticing a separate cryo tube, and inside, a floating creature, similar to Croc.
"What's that?" He asked.
"A prototype specimen," Answered Luthor, "The first one to survive it's creation. Unfortunately, this one will mature at the rate of a normal human, so we have no need for it." The large reptilian sauntered over to the small tube, gazing at the "infant" floating in it's center.
"What are you gonna do with him?" Asked Croc.
"Most likely, dispose of it." Replied Luthor, earning an odd stare from Croc.
"You mean, 'kill him'?" Asked Croc.
"Yes." Croc stared back at the tube, then at Luthor, then at the tube before turning back to the duo of men.
"Nah." Said Croc Sternly, "I'll take him."
"Croc," Said Slade in monotone, "I didn't see you as the father type."
"You said they are my clones, right? Well, I won't let my own flesh and blood be tossed into a disposal bin. He comes with me." Luthor nodded.
"Very well. I will arrange for transport for you, and your, kin, back to your sewers in Gotham."
Croc turned back to the tube, gazing at the young creature before smiling.
July 4th, 2014Present Day
Cyborg sat in his office at the top of the T-shaped tower he called home, overlooking Jump City as fireworks fired and crackled in the sky. He sat alone, gazing at the files in front of him, each baring info on a new potential recruit. It had been three years since Robin had left the team, donned the name Nightwing, and began leading a rival team of superheroes know as Young Justice. Cyborg frowned at the thought of "Nightwing", mostly since the two no longer looked at each other as friends, but fierce rivals. It was no secret why Nightwing had left the team, his break-up with Starfire had taken it's toll on the poor man, enough to make him up and leave. Starfire, had also been hit hard. Soon after the whole ordeal, she left Earth, returning to her home world of Tamaran. Cyborg understood their pain, but not their ways of coping. Robin left all the burdens of Team leader upon Cyborg, without so much as a resignation meeting, and Starfire was a well appreciated member of the team, and her departure left a lot of scars, mostly on Raven, who currently was dating Beast Boy, happily. Cyborg couldn't help but laugh at his friend's good fortune. He had had a crush on her for years, and finally had his chance. But, with Dick and Star's departure, the team was left with only three members, with the occasional temporary titan. Now, Cyborg had been tasked with finding permanent replacement members for the team, but so far all potential recruits had either gone to Young Justice, or had declined.
Cyborg then picked up each file, flipping through them, seeing many taken's, and decline's. He was beginning to feel discouraged, but a file on his floor caught his eye. He picked up the file, and began flipping through, and smiled at the contents.
Name: Lava Lass (real name unknown)
Age: 17
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 102
Skills: Champion Boxer, lock picking, Bi-Lingual
Powers: Ability to manipulate fire, heat, and Magma
Titans/Young Justice: Teen Titans
Cyborg Smiled. She was perfect, Old enough to work with, yet young enough to train. The name "Lava Lass" would have to go though, this was America, and if she was going to be apart of the team, she would have to work on that.
The fireworks boomed in the sky, and the crowd cheered loudly as a lone figure wearing a tattered hoodie, torn and faded jeans, and run-down and floppy running shoes, limped his way to a nearby hotdog stand, placing down a five on the counter.
"One hotdog please." He said in a low voice, tilting his head downward. The vendor complied.
"You want anything on it?" Asked The vendor.
"No thanks." Replied the man gruffly.
"You new to town?" Asked the vendor in a friendly tone.
"You could say that." Was the reply.
"Hmm. Well, here's your hotdog. Enjoy, oh and uh, here." Said the vendor, handing him another hotdog. "Free of charge kid."
"Uh…Thanks." Said the man quietly, before hurrying off, devouring the first hotdog. He continued along the sidewalk, eating his second hotdog much slower, before coming to an alley, and stopping.
"LET ME GO!" Yelled a women as four thugs pinned her against a wall, while a fifth rummaged through her purse.
"Shut yer mouth!" Snarled one, pressing his hand to her throat, "Or I'll make you."
"Please." She sobbed, terrified, "Just let me go home."
"Oh we'll let you go home," Said the man holding her purse, "When we're finished with ya." The thug then advanced upon her, drawing a knife, running it along her thigh.
Having seen enough, the hooded stranger limped into the alley.
"Let her go." Growled the stranger, causing the thugs to turn their gaze towards him, each armed with their own weapon.
"Or what, hero?" Said the man in front.
"I make you." The group then burst into laughter.
"You?" Laughed one.
"Just go home before you get trouble boy." Said another.
"Don't be a hero." Sneered another.
"I'll say it again." Said the stranger, "Let….her….GO!" With that, the stranger took off at amazing speed, cracking one of the thugs on the chin, sending him hurling backwards into a trio of trashcans. The other thugs then sped into action, attacking the stranger, who ducked each swing, dodged each punch, and side-stepped each kick, each with amazing speed.
One thug then brought his lead pipe high above his head, attempting to bash the hooded stranger's head in, and brought it down, but was surprised to see the stranger catch the pipe. The stranger then reeled his hand backward, and sent his fist flying into the thugs jaw, making a sickening crack as the man's mandible shattered, whom of which fell upon the ground, writhing in pain.
Two men dealt with, the remaining three charged, and were surprised to see the stranger leap above then, landing right behind then, and using his good leg, preformed a spinning head kick, cracking each of their skulls, downing them.
Sensing he was in the clear, the stranger hobbled over to the woman, helping her to her feet, and handing her purse to her.
"Thank you.." She whispered through tears.
"No problem." Replied the Stranger gruffly. The stranger turned to leave, but was too late to stop an incoming trash can lid to his face, sending him reeling, but still able to dodge a knife swing, of which only tore his pants slightly. He could not, however, stop the next swing from the lid, as it connected, it knocked him aside.
"That's what ya get for being a hero, loser." Said the thug, smirking smugly over the whole ordeal. However his smug look soon turned to confusion, then fear, as his opponent stood up. It wasn't his opponents tenacity, but his appearance.
In front of him, stood a seven foot tall creature, with a crocodilian head, green, scaly skin, razor sharp teeth, and through the massive tear in his pants, he could see a long tail coiled around his right leg.
His fear prevented him from seeing the uppercut his opponent through, sending the thug crashing into a nearby dumpster.
The stranger gazed down upon his torn and ragged attire. His secret out, he gazed at the woman, before sprinting off into the night, before finding a manhole cover. Grasping it tightly, he yanked it out of place with relative ease, leaping down into the sewers after placing the cover in it's correct place.
Still fearing he wasn't safe, he sprinted deeper into the sewers, before finding a junction. Leaning against a wall, he slowly slipped downward, until he was in a seated position. Sighing, he placed his reptilian head into his hands.
"What am I going to do?" He asked himself, before relaxing his legs, and resting his head against the wall. "What in God's name am I going to do?"
So did ya'll like it? I really enjoyed writing this, and can't wait to continue. If any have suggestions or tips, i'll be glad to here 'em!
Till next time, Chayse_man.