Chapter 10: Sewage Side-effects - Gotham Sewers/Harbor

A disturbance occurs down in the Gotham Sewers...

-

November 20th, 9:30 p.m.

"Any time, now, Crow." Ivy expressed.

"Patience, woman." Scarecrow retorted.

Making wide and slow arm gestures, the creature mimicked Scarecrow's actions, perfectly in-sync. With the vines swinging outward towards the sky, the missiles entered an evasive, anti-heat seeking maneuver, causing the missiles to repel from heat signatures, until reaching its targeted destination. Entering the mouth right below Ivy's and Scarecrow's feet, the missiles detonated, sending an immense amount of anti-compost serum throughout its neck, causing the stem to explode, sending Ivy and Scarecrow skyward towards the shore. Emerging from the water, Batman swam to the shore, observing his unconscious enemies lying before him.

"As much as I'd love to take these two in, I have to do something about the gas before it claims too many lives of Gotham. Alfred," Batman called.

"Loud and clear, Master Bruce."

"Any news from Lucius?"

"Oh, well. Yes, Master Bruce. He said he was done about 30 minutes ago. I do believe he said he would call you."

"Alfred, put me through to Lucius."

"Right away, Sir."

"Was is it this time, Alfred?" Lucius questioned.

"So sorry to inconvenience you, Sir. But it's..." Alfred started.

"Lucius, what's the big idea?" Batman demanded.

"Well, Master Wayne. This life we live is much like the showbiz. You don't treat your stars well, they might end up MIA."

"There's a bigger matter at hand, Lucius. But we will settle that later. I need something fast. What do you have for me?"

11:30 p.m

"Have I ever let you down, Mister Wayne? Just get here to see what billionaire playboys get to play with."

-

November 21st, 12:00 a.m

Water drops and quiet waves echoed throughout the sewer. **Gnt - Gnt - Gnt** **Plooosh!** a splash in the sewer water echoed throughout the tunnel.

"Krah! Something has been dumped in the water." Killer Croc growled, as he made a hasty exit out of the water.

Croc bared witness as his body began growing. Feeling his muscles tearing themselves apart, and regenerating at an over-accelerated rate, Croc hissed in pain. After reaching his pentacle of growth, Croc reached his right hand across his chest, throwing it heavily into the wall, smashing it. "I could get use to this body. My strength is ten-fold... I'm as strong as a lion's heart... and I thought I was strong before. I need to find who's responsible. I have a proposition for them."

Jumping back into the water, Croc made his way towards the harbor. "At this speed, I'll make it to the harbor in no time. I think I can get used to this." Barreling out of the sewage exit drain, Croc dove into the harbor. "Just as I thought. The salt water has no effect on my reptilian body."

Swimming to the shore til he could stand above water, Croc began picking up a scent. **sniff - sniff** Croc sniffed.

"My keen sense of small has evolved completely. It's as if I could taste them."

Croc gazed in the direction of the scent, catching eye of Ivy and Crow, as they laid unconscious amongst a pile of blue goo. With a thunderous hiss, Croc submerged his head under the water, to explode out of it, leaping himself toward his findings. **Poooom** Croc landed hard on the shore creating a crater next to Ivy and Scarecrow.

- **Agh!" Ivy and Scarecrow simultaneously shrieked, jumping out of their unconscious state. Curious to their surroundings, Ivy and Scarecrow peered in the dark hole cratered next to them. From the darkness in the hole, Croc hissed, suddenly grabbing Ivy and Scarecrow securely by their necks with one hand. Still hissing, Croc's long tongue intertwined with his fingers, tightly snuggling around Ivy and Scarecrow. Pinning them back-to-back, Croc dangled them before him with his monstrous tongue, tasting the blue goop that surrounded their bodies. Croc questioned,

"The first one who can tell me about this steroid gets to live."

Chuckling lightly, Ivy and Scarecrow mocked Croc, gradually getting louder and louder.

"Oh, so you think this is funny?" Croc questioned in an irritated tone.

"Actually, this is quite disgusting," Ivy replied.

"If you think we're just going to give everything up to you like that easily, then I highly suggest you rethink your strategy," Scarecrow suggested.

"So put us down, you disgustingly vile creature," Ivy chimed in further.

"So you two think it's going to be that easy?" Croc asked.

"Very well, Croc. Have it your way. I'll ask Batman to get me down when he gets here," Scarecrow warned.

"Batman?!" Croc shrieked.

"Oh, yeah, did we fail to mention? He'll be back any moment now. Did you think it was quite odd that we were unconscious on the shore? As much as I would love to say it was a nightcap, unfortunately, we had a run-in with Batman."

"Ugh, you're a pig." Ivy quickly added.

"So how about you take your foul extremities and keep them to yourself. We can talk on negotiation, under much more suitable circumstances," Scarecrow told Croc.

"As you wish, Crow. But know If either of you try anything, I won't hesitate to separate your torso from your legs."

"Sounds exciting," Ivy answered in boredom.