10.57PM,Metropolis S.T.A.R Labs

Amazo's parts had been carted off to S.T.A.R Labs almost immediately after it's destruction at the hands of the JLA. It would be an understatement to say that everyone at the Labs was excited about the haul. This was the bleeding edge of nanotechnology and cybernetics. The possibilities were near limitless. They could build everything from self-repairing machines to nanites that could cure diseases such as cancer.

There was a team of scientists and technicians assigned to the case, headed by 2 specialists. They had been working overtime to try and unlock any information that the charred remains held. There were about 16 men and women in total, each group split into three's at different work stations, studying alternate parts of the android.

The first specialist was a lean man with brown hair, blue eyes and a pencil thin mustache. He was Professor T.O Morrow, a brilliant scientist, and just like his name suggested, he was a visionary in the field of robotic engineering. He was one of the first people that had been called in from Central City to examine the remains. Not much was known about his background, but if anyone could provide some in depth answers on the android, it was him.
He seemed to know everything about everything when it came to advanced technology.

The second specialist was Dr John Henry Irons.
He didn't look like the average scientist. He was huge, 6 feet 7 with a muscular physique. He had studied at Yale on a sports scholarship,graduating with honors and getting employed on a very lucrative contract by weapons manufacturing firm Amertek until his eventual resignation.
He was an unparalleled mechanical engineer and ballistics expert, and he was just as good with computers. Currently he designed non-lethal weapons for the Special Crimes Unit in Metropolis under his company Steelworks. If you needed something designed, rebuilt or deconstructed, especially if it had weapons of any kind, Dr Irons was your man.

There was a 3rd specialist who by all rights should have been there, but was nowhere to be seen.

Professor Ivo was the leader in the nanotechnology department, but no one had been able to reach him at all. He was the man that could give them more answers than any other. His expertise was sorely missed, and his presence-or lack thereof-did not go unnoticed by anyone.
But Ivo was notoriously reclusive and anti-social even by the standards of their community, and big time scientists like him were always busy anyway, so no one thought too much of it.

It was a miracle Dr Irons and Professor Morrow were both available.

And so the team continued with their work as best as it could. They also received more assistance in the form of two promising scientists: Dr Will Magnus, one of Morrow's brightest students,who was doing revolutionary things in the robotics and cybernetics industry much like his mentor, and Dr Silas Stone, a newly recruited S.T.A.R Labs scientist who could work out how just about any type of technology that was put before him worked. They were among the junior scientists there but anyone could see the two had promising careers ahead of them.

Presently the two of them were in the break room.

Magnus was very flamboyant by scientist standards. He drove a convertible Maserati,he was a snappy dresser and a ladies man, and he had a penchant for smoking from a pipe. That coupled with his strong forearms gained from riveting countless screws was an endless source of humor for the staff. Many Popeye jokes had flown about since his arrival.
Like all Uber-confident men he took it in his stride.

Stone was the textbook genius scientist. Quiet and reserved, with a work ethic that bordered on unhealthy. He was currently spooning sugar into his coffee mindlessly. He had been awake and on his feet for almost 18 hours straight, pausing only to eat something. Magnus stopped him when the sugar began forming a hill in the tiny cup.

"You need to take it easy there Stone."

"Hm?"

"We don't have to unlock the secrets of the universe today. You don't have to work so hard."

"Yeah." Stone said absent-minded as he walked back to the lab. Magnus shook his head, then he rose from his seat and intercepted him.

"You keep going like that you'll be a dead man. Have a seat. Relax. You've been busting ass for like a day and a half. You deserve a break."

Stone looked like he was going to put up a fight, then he collapsed into a seat with visible relief, his arms gripping the rests. Magnus noticed the glint of gold on his finger.

"Got the old ball and chain already?"

"Hm... Oh yeah. 10 years now."

"10 years? At your age?"

"High school sweetheart." Stone said with a sleepy smile. It was the first time Magnus had seen him smile.

"Kids?"

"One. A boy. Victor. How about you?"

"Me? I'll never get married."

"Never say never."

"Yeah... How about that andy?" he said, referring to the android.

An alert look came into his previously drowsy eyes.
"It's a tough nut to crack, I'll tell you that. Never seen anything like that in my life."

"You and me both Stone. I'm a pretty smart guy if I do say so myself, and I am a little stumped. That almost never happens. This is some high grade stuff. I don't even think it's Earth tech."

"Me either. It's just too advanced. And the metal, what is it? I've never seen an alloy that strong. Shame about the head. It would have made an interesting study."

"I heard we'll be getting it tomorrow. Wonder Woman can claim the trophy when we've researched the hell out of it."

"They really are something aren't they?"

"Who?"

"Metahumans."

Magnus scoffed. "Machines are more interesting to me. Give me a sentient robot any day."

"We don't have those."

"Not yet we don't."

"One day eh?"

"One day."

11.00PM,Themysciran Embassy

Steve and Diana sat at the balcony outside her bedroom, sampling treats that had been brought in from Paradise Island.

This was the first time they had been together-alone- in a long time.
The duties of both seemed to conspire to keep them apart.

But they were trying.

"Ok, I will admit, that was some pretty strong stuff." Steve said as he set down the empty beer mug.

"And the taste?"Diana pressed.

"Yes, it does taste a lot better than any beer I've ever tasted. Very rich and creamy. Almost buttery. What on earth do you use to brew it?"

"Just barley, hops and water. But all fresh produce on the Island is of an exceedingly high quality."

"I'll say."

"Now the mead."

She poured a generous helping into a goat horn.

"Very ethnic." Steve commented. Diana smiled.

"It's really sweet."

"It is made from honey."

"Yeah? Your bees must be on steroids." He drained the horn in one gulp.

"Take it easy Steve. I have blacked out on this mead many times before."

Steve was feeling good. Feeling buzzed.

Sadly they still had to discuss work issues.

Like the recruitment for the Justice League of America for starters.
He wasn't certain about anything, but from their brief interaction he thought Flash would join.
He was less certain about Superman. He had also left shortly after they had completed the objective. He couldn't blame him. He had spent every day of his life as a superhero being criticized or hunted by the media, military and police forces alike.
Batman he was sure about, but not in a good way.

There was also the small matter of the android's head. He was probably the only man that could ask her-without any fear-to give it up. He cleared his throat.

"About the recruitment for the JLA, how do you think we should go about it? I'm just a glorified errand boy really, so I'll leave the major decisions to you."

"Yes, I have been thinking about that too. Green Lantern seems to have a rapport with the Flash, and I believe they operate from the same city. I shall ask him to speak to Flash. Superman I do not want to force. He is in an awkward position. I think it is best for him to come to us. Pursuing him might have the opposite of the intended effect. As for Batman... he will be the most difficult but I think he can be persuaded to join."

"You really think so? He strikes me as a guy that likes to work alone."

"No one can do what we do alone. Not even the most powerful of us."

"Somehow I don't think he wants anybody's help."

"Perhaps not. But we may need his. I will not force our aid upon him, but I will at least try and get him to help us, even if it will be on the odd occasion. Perhaps we can make him an honorary member to begin with."

"'To begin with'?"

Diana looked at him as if he was mad.

"Well yes of course. Until such a time as he is willing to become a full member."

Steve shook his head with an amused expression.

"You're not going to give up on this, are you?"

"We all have a responsibility to play our part in the new world that is coming. I will just have to make him understand that."

"Hey, like I said, I'll leave those bits to you. I'll just do the paper work. So, uh, S.T.A.R Labs needs the head that you-"

"Claimed as a trophy? Yes, I suspected they might. I have it here. Just let me get it." She went into the bedroom, past that to go down the stairs, and further down into the basement. She picked up the head, tossing it up and down like a basketball with a reminiscent smile on her face. It was the first major threat she had the honour of helping to defeat.

Something fell out of the head, about the size and weight of a cell phone. It was the AI chip. She picked it up and wiped the layer of soot off of it.
The tiny metal chips were scorched and the plastic bits that had melted from the combined heat energy of all the energy beams that destroyed the android had melted and solidified in irregular gooey shapes.

But the metal plaque that bore the name of the manufacturer was largely undamaged.

She read it and her eyes widened.

Out on the balcony, Steve was regretting drinking all of the beer and the horn of mead. He was feeling it now. The warmth spread from his stomach to every nerve in his body. It felt...divine. Not in the way that snobbish people described everything from decor to food, but actual divinity. He guessed it was the magic that infused everything on the Island.

I should have eaten something before I came here. He rose. His legs felt like they were made of jelly and his head swam. He staggered forward and leaned against the rails of the balcony.

Noooooooo way I'm going back home now. Not even if the bike could ride itself.

He would have to sleep here. Or maybe she could fly him home. Which would be less awkward?

He staggered backwards and collapsed into the seat. The buzz was ramping up incredibly fast.
He should have known better than to drink at the same rate as Diana.

Water. He needed water. There was a bathroom in here.
If he just ran some water on his face he would be fine.

Somehow he made it to the bathroom and switched on the faucet, but he could barely stand at the sink, so he leaned over the bathtub and turned on the taps, then he placed his head under them. Right away he knew it wouldn't work. He could also feel the darkness creeping in. He hadn't blacked out in a very long time. He hoped he wouldn't drown.

Diana came back to the room and heard the faucets running. Steve wasn't in his seat on the balcony either. She put everything together immediately. In the bathroom she found him with his head under the faucets, barely conscious. She pulled him out.

He was mumbling.

"I told you to take it easy, didn't I? If something makes me drunk, imagine what it would do to you."

"I was...stressed out...Needed the release." He slurred.

"You will just have to sleep here."

Steve protested weakly.

"Oh please Steve. It is not that big of a deal. And it is not like you can do anything about it anyway, right now you are my prisoner." she added with a note of humor.

"Fine...but...wake me at...7." He slurred again before he passed out.

She carried him in her arms to the bed, then she removed his coat and shoes. She sat down on the other side of the bed and took out the chip from the folds of her dress.

There had to be an explanation for this. Bruce Wayne just didn't seem like the type of person to do this. Her instincts always led her true. And right now they were telling her to keep quiet about this until she knew more. In the meantime,she placed the chip inside a small chest she had brought with her from the Island, locking it and placing it deep under the bed.

She would need answers. Only one person could give them.

That person was presently knee deep in shit, literally.

Batman ran as fast as he could in the water, following the sound of screams and splashing water. There had been a string of gruesome murders originating from the sewers of Gotham City.
The newspaper photos alone would have made most men think twice about confronting whoever or whatever was responsible-let alone the official photos in the police files that he had received thanks to Gordon-but he wasn't most men.

The GCPD had sealed the area off immediately after the first wave of killings. The public knew little about the murders, only that they were exceedingly violent in nature. The Gotham Gazette and other papers were spinning a sensational story about a cannibal living in the sewers.

This was a lucky break really. He had caught something on his police scanner, a garbled distress call from the cops assigned to protect some maintenance workers who had to repair a ruptured pipe.
They sounded like they were under attack.

It all felt a little too convenient. A crucial sump pipe getting damaged in the very place where all the murders took place? They should have taken greater precaution.

His feet sloshed loudly in the filthy water.
No time for stealth when someone was so obviously in danger.
The beam from his torch cast eerie shadows against the walls.
Fat sewer rats scattered at his approach.

The screams were getting louder.

He was getting closer.

He rounded the bend and was almost knocked over by a terrified man who's clothes were badly torn.
He had on a safety helmet with a beam and he carried a bloody pickaxe in his hands.

He wasn't getting closer. They were coming to him.

He swept his torch beam over him, quickly assessing the injuries the man might have. Nothing too serious. Some bumps and scrapes. A hell of a lot better than what the victims looked like.

"Run." He said. The man didn't have to be told twice.

Gunshots rang out, then angry growling sounds, then screaming.

The dark shadows playing on the walls told the story.

The body of a policeman was thrown not too far ahead of him.

The face was ripped clean off, exposing the bloodied skull.

There were some scraps of flesh and hair still sticking to it.

That was more like the photos he had seen.

He flashed his torch beam straight ahead, from bottom to top. First was a pair of tattered jeans stretched tight over legs that were thicker than his arms. The beam swept higher. A pale white belly, scaly skin, an incredibly broad chest and shoulders, and a hideous,reptilian face.

Well, now I've seen it all.

He was huge.

Definitely 7 feet or larger.
He could only be described as a were-crocodile, but his face was distinctly human in appearance, despite the razor sharp teeth that jutted out of his lower jaw and the cold reptilian eyes.

He roared and lunged towards him.

Can crocodiles even roar? he wondered as he cartwheeled to the side, dropping his torch in the process.

He lowered the night lenses in his cowl.
Everything was a sickly green and somewhat blurry, but at least he could see.

It had fallen very silent.

He tried to remember everything he knew about crocodiles.

American crocodiles-scientific name Crocodylus acutus-were well armored with tough, scaly skin.
They were either gray-green or olive-green with long, slender snouts, which distinguished them from alligators. Also unlike the alligator, the fourth tooth on the bottom jaw of the American crocodile is visible when its mouth is closed.

Their diet consisted mainly of small fish, invertebrates, reptiles, birds and mammals.
This one clearly favored mammals overall.

American crocodiles were found in southern Florida, the Caribbean, southern Mexico and along the Central American coast south to Venezuela. They were typically shy, more docile than other types, and they stayed away from people.

So this guy didn't fit. In any way.

But he was also humanoid. Obviously the normal rules wouldn't apply to him.

What else?

They had fairly long lifespans. 70 years minimum.
They could move much faster than he could in the water, about 20mph.
Their average mass was anywhere between 150-450 pounds.

They also had a very, very keen sense of smell.

Batman stood completely still, every sense on high alert. Something burst out of the water beside him. He leaped back, just in time before a huge fist came crashing down on the concrete.

"Leave me alone! Why won't you all just leave me alone!" He roared.

He can talk. The plot thickens.

"You've murdered people. You have to answer for that." He said as he raised his fists and assumed a kickboxing stance.

The were-crocodile came lunging forwards again, snapping its teeth just over his head.

He ducked and fired two quick jabs to its soft underbelly.

It was about as soft as a sandbag.
The blows pushed him back a few steps, but didn't faze him.

He laughed coldly.

"You think you can beat me? Killer Croc has shit bigger turds!" He roared as he swatted Batman aside with much greater speed than he had anticipated from a man of his size.

His shoulder crashed into the wall painfully and his left arm instantly went numb.

But he could hardly feel anything, the adrenaline was in full effect now. He ducked the next blow as he popped his dislocated shoulder back into place, then he pulled on his promethium knuckle dusters and resumed his fighting stance.

"You've got balls man, but you're gonna need more than that." Croc teased.

Batman launched a punch from the base of his feet straight to the solar plexus of Croc, who doubled over in pain, gasping in disbelief. He followed up with a spinning heel kick to the face, a hard left cross to the side of the head and a powerful right uppercut.

Croc fell back in the water, dazed but still conscious. He could taste blood in his mouth. He had bit himself.

"You son of a bitch! I'm gonna kill you!"

He got up and threw himself at Batman, but this time he had anticipated the move and he stuck his leg out at the last moment, tripping Croc face first onto the concrete.

He was out of the water now. He had lost his main advantage.
Batman was the superior fighter but Croc still had the edge on strength and speed.

He had to finish this quick, and get the hell out of here before the cops showed up.

He stomped hard on his face twice, but once again Croc surprised him with his speed and strength, gripping his foot and flinging him in an arc over his head, smashing him into the concrete beside him.

If he got caught in a hold that was it. He would be crushed to death.

Batman swiftly switched into a Jiu Jitsu move and got Crocs arm in a lock, wrapping his legs tightly around his neck and squeezing his thighs as hard as he could.

It was like crushing iron.

He wondered if the hold would penetrate to the carotid arteries.
Croc wasn't down for the count yet.
With an impressive show of strength, he lifted Batman up with his one arm and slammed him down into the ground several times. He didn't seem to be getting any weaker.

That's when he remembered crocodiles could hold their breath for a very long time.
He was humanoid, but maybe he was Croc enough for this not to have any effect.

Batman did what most humans do when something doesn't work.

He hit Croc, hard.

He smashed the heel of his boot into Croc's temple again and again even as his other leg tightened the grip around his neck, pushing Croc's throat deeper into the back of his knee, flexing his leg to increase the pressure on the arteries.
After a minute or two the strategy began to have some effect.

Croc weakened, and eventually passed out. He held on tight for another minute to make sure he was really out cold.

Batman rose as fast as his screaming body would allow him.

He turned Croc over-he was incredibly heavy- and swiftly bound his hands, feet, shoulders and neck in restraining loops using the spare high tensile cord he kept for the purposes of his grapnel.
He was certain that would hold him.
Then he turned off the night lenses on his cowl and picked up the flashlight from the water, turning it on and shining the beam around.

Lot's of bodies.

Some looked and smelled like they had been here awhile, some were obviously from tonight.
The maintenance team and Police escort must have run into his lair when they were searching for the fault in the pipes.

It really had just been a coincidence.

He returned to the were-crocodile's unconscious body.
He wouldn't be out for long.

Better harvest what I can while I can.

He pulled out a syringe and drew some blood.
It took some time to get the needle to penetrate even in the softest of spots.
Then he sliced off a bit of scaly skin and placed it in a small transparent bag he used for collecting evidence.
Next he took a swab of saliva, then he used a special adhesive tape to lift a hand print, which he placed carefully in a small pocket at his waist.

Satisfied, he rose and walked with an alternate route through the network of sewers.

He knew this entire system by heart. T
here were 3 different exit points he could use, 2 of which led to openings not too far from the Manor.
He activated the tracking beacon on his belt.

The car would come and pick him up.

He took one last glance at the man that called himself Killer Croc. It sounded like a stage name. Like something a wrestler would have.

Blackgate Prison wouldn't hold him, he was much too dangerous even for the animals they kept in there.

Perhaps Belle Reve.
But that was for more high profile, global or at the very least national scale security threats.

He would likely go to Arkham Asylum, the newest in the line of prisons cum rehabilitation centers run by renowned psychiatrist Jeremiah Arkham.
It was commissioned just a few months ago with a lot of pomp and colour, specifically for dangerous supercriminals, human and metahuman alike.

He had attended in his capacity as Bruce Wayne.
Arkham was a bit of an oddball,his style seemed bizarre... Electro-shock therapy and sensory deprivation were rumored to be some of his most widely used methods.

But who was he to judge?

If Arkham found out what he was doing all night every night, he would probably throw him in a cell with Killer Croc.

A/N: Dr Will Magnus, of Metal Men. Always liked this guy, I always felt he was kind of like a mix of Reed Richards and Tony Stark, but more Reed than Tony. Barely. Sadly most people don't know him, even hardcore DC fans. Shame because he's a very cool character. He's like Macgyver with 100% focus on science. I loved the Metal Men run that pitted them against the Gogoloth and Will against his brother David. Definitely one of the gems in 52( I think it was 52). I'd definitely recommend reading it.