Chapter 12: Batman vs. Killer Croc part 1 - Gotham City Sewers

Out in the Gotham Harbor was a population full of evacuated ferries, posted and witnessing Batman's nuke decontaminate the city.

"All harbor captains: I have just gotten word that it is safe to abandon the city evacuation. You may turn your ships around and return everyone back to Gotham City," Captain Gordon instructed to the populace of ferries surrounding the GCPD ferry, which was smaller in comparison to the civilians' ferries.

"You think he's caught them bastards yet?" Bullock questioned Gordon.

"If not, I'd like to get my hands on him. Barbara had to miss her recital," Gordon replied.

November 21st, 5:20 a.m.

-

6:00 a.m

Scanning around the crater, Batman caught glimpse of Croc's shredded scales indicated in his Detective Vision.

"There's no mistaking it. Killer Croc has emerged from hiding. And from the looks of it, he's made some new acquaintances. Their footprints are leading back into the sewer system. It looks like they returned to the scene of the crime."

Batman began his pursuit into the sewer once again.

Winding through narrow and dark corridors, Batman made his way though with Detective Vision still active, leading him to his awaiting adversaries.

**CRREEEEAAAAKKKK!** Squealed a large water barrier door that Batman was leaning hard against, pushing the rusty door open to further his pursuit. Batman peered around the large sewer lair. Large pipelines scattered across the ceiling, with moss dangling from sprang leaks at the pipes joints. The room was full of failed experiments that lied there since their failure and have aged, becoming a constant reminder of their struggle to devise their most sinister plot. Batman embarked the catwalk of the lair, heading down to the end, getting a stronger signal of a life-form via Detective Vision.

"It would appear someone is in that back room. My Detective Vision's trail end in there."

7:00 a.m

Batman entered the incubation room and gazed deep at the glowing incubation tank illuminating the room. Batman approached the tank, but with hesitation and caution. Nearing the tank, Batman picked up a biological signature from a hair follicle on the floor.

**BING!** Batman deactivated his Detective Vision to look with his own eyes.

"Fiery red hair... Looks like Ivy's been in here... I'm getting closer," Batman stated, as he released the lock of hair to flout back to the floor, approaching the incubator.

Gazing into the glass with his face near the surface, Batman witnessed a small shift in the fluid, as if it was sucked inward. Batman squinted and leaned closer for a better look. Quickly, the goo shifted with much more disturbance, plunging Croc's face toward the glass. Batman was startled and leaned back instinctively. Batman stared as Croc as he lied unconscious. With no thought of battling an unconscious Killer Croc, Batman leaned back in with comfort to observe him closely.

"What did they do to you Croc?"

In an instant, Croc's eyes opened wide, exchanging a stare with Batman. They both leaned their heads in closer to their respective side of the glass, with their faces simultaneously getting more visible with anger.

**CHHHIIIINNNNNGGGGG!** Croc threw his arm out of the glass, grabbing Batman by his throat in the blink of an eye.

**SSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH** The fluid burst out, flowing like lava over Croc, surrounding all but his arm with Batman in its clinch.

"SSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" Croc roared with a thunderous hiss. Batman struggled as he dangled before Croc, grasping his hands in attempt to release his death grip.

"I've waited for this day a long time, Batman," Croc sneered, as his already inhuman body exponentially grew, towering over the shattered incubator.

Batman began desperately punching and throwing elbows into Croc's hand.

"You're nothing but a freak of nature, a pawn willing to sacrifice himself for his own selfish ambitions!" Batman yelled in a chocking fashion.

Croc raised Batman closer to the roof outstretching his arm upward. And in a relentless action throttled his arm down toward the ground, cracking the concrete with Batman's body, causing a swirl of dust to disperse around and from under Batman.

"Sssssssssssss!" Croc hissed again, however this time with a much more monstrous roar. Vibrating the room and Batman insides, Batman lied witness to the new Croc bellowing with blood lust.

"Batman... I've devoured men like you. But something about you tells me feasting on the entrails of a hero would be quite revitalizing." Croc announced, as he salivated thick green goo from his mouth of sharpened teeth.

"Keep dreaming," Batman mocked, as he kicked his legs into Croc's chest, causing him to lose grip, propelling Batman back toward the door.

**Fllllooooop** Batman released his cape cushioning his fall. Giving Croc a two fingered salute, Batman disappeared down the catwalk doorway.

"Not this time, Batman... I'm putting you away tonight-" Croc busted through the door way, which he could not fit through. "-FOREVERRRRR!" Croc yelled as he began his pursuit.

Croc's footsteps quaked beneath Batman's feet, designating his position at a steady rate.

"Very well, Croc. Let's play," Batman uttered to himself.