First One on One Match: Croc vs. Scarecrow

[Mr. Blank]

The middle of the mansion, the ballroom.

Two men, Killer Croc and Scarecrow awake to find themselves tied to massive pillars. Croc snaps the ropes easily with his massive teeth, Scarecrow takes a little longer but eventually frees himself from the ropes as well. The two men stare at each other, each reluctant to make a move.

Well….it looks like it’s going to be you and me facing off for the first one-on-one. I wonder what I’ll win from killing you.

The Croc smiles, shaking his head.

You’re foolish to think you can beat me, Scarecrow. I have no fear.

Scarecrow lifts up his hand, his needle covered index finger sticking up, he wags it condescendingly.

Now, now Croc. Don’t be like that. Everyone is afraid of something.

My voice cuts through their pointless chatter.

I hate to interrupt this great back and forth that you two are having, but I’m here to announce the stakes of your match. First, this will not be a simple one-on-one. I will release a few…. soldiers to help make this more interesting. Second the floor will fall away piece by piece. One of you must die here, the other will be rewarded handsomely. Who will win? Happy Killings.

The pillars they had just been tied to exploded, sending each man onto his stomach. The “soldiers” entered, each an asylum doctor with a bomb strapped to him, set to go off in three minutes. This would be interesting.

[Croc]

As Croc stood back up after the pillar explosion, Croc looked around the room panning right over Scarecrow, each soldier scared for their lives with the bombs attached to them. Croc laughed to himself as he charged the nearest doctor slamming into him, wrapping his arms around him smashing him into the pillar. The sickening crack of the doctor’s spine echoed throughout the ballroom, as Croc let the doctor’s lifeless body Drop to the floor. Croc spun around looking right into scarecrows eyes, smiling.

“How about we kill these pathetic soldiers first then kill each other? These people are only going to get in my way of killing you.” Croc said charging at another soldier

Grabbing another doctor “You better get started or I will have to kill them all and then just take you out as easily as I took out the first one.” Croc said biting into the doctor’s throat
“Come on Scarecrow let’s see what you are made of.” Croc said blood dripping from his mouth

[The Scarecrow]

It was Samuel Yerdley’s last day on the job. Go in, clock out, then retirement. That was it, and he was done. He didn’t even have that difficult of a job, all he had to do was clean a few toilets and then he was retired. He certainly didn’t expect to be strapped with a bomb and then shoved into a room with two of Arkham’s most vicious killers. He looked from Scarecrow to Croc and back. Could he get his bomb to detonate? It would be heroic of him to take both villains out and hey… he was probably going to die anyway. He concentrated on Croc. He was the clear target, after all Scarecrow was just human right?

Croc bit out the throat of… shit what was his name? Carl… Carl something… Sam guessed it didn’t matter anymore. Still it was a shame. Scarecrow had been lying on the floor after the explosion, hell maybe it killed him. Sam looked over and Scarecrow was gone.

Shit… where did that bastard go?

Sam clutched tightly at the bomb on his chest. It was his saving grace. He knew that even if one of these freaks killed him, the bomb was set to go off in three minutes. That would show those fuckers. Both dead, and he Samuel Yerdley, a hero.

Something pricked his elbow. He turned to look but nothing was there. He shrugged it off and went back to clutching the bomb at his chest, but no… that wasn’t right… it wasn’t a bomb there. It was a spider! A giant spider was clutching his chest, biting into him. It’s venom was slowly filling him up. He felt his legs give way under him. He stared up into the eyes of the spider. It began to sing. The song his father used to sing when he got home from the bar. The same song. The one that always preceded the beatings. Sam felt his bladder release.

A masked face appeared over Sam, a horrible distorted gas-mask of a face. It looked like the devil, and Sam thought it just might be. The devil’s hand reached up, and stroked Sam’s face with long sharp claws. Then one slit his throat. Sam’s eyes swelled with fear but soon dimmed and then faded entirely.

Now that my dear Croc is how you kill someone.

[Croc]

As Croc stood over his fresh kill, one of the doctor’s throats ripped out a pool of blood forming around Crocs feet. Croc just smiled as he looked down at his victim, the doctor’s blood dripping off of his mouth and teeth. Croc looked up to see that there was only one more Doctor left, if Croc remembered correctly there should have been two more but it didn’t bother him. The one Doctor that Croc could see was stricken with fear, he hadn’t moved from his spot, but that was about to change. Croc and the doctors eyes locked, the doctor knowing what was about to happen.


“Well it looks like you are the last person in my way.” Croc said


Before Croc could take a step towards the doctor, the doctor charged Croc head on screaming as loud as he can. Wither the Doctor was trying to be a hero or he was just being stupid it didn’t matter, when he got into Crocs reach Croc shot his hand out. Stopping the doctor dead in his tracks, Croc then began to slowly crush the doctor’s head his claws slowly piercing skin and blood slowly seeping out. The doctor began to scream in pain as Crocs grip got tighter and tighter, his skull would have already cracked if Croc wasn’t under the effects of a drug.


“You doctors were the ones that came up with this drug to weaken me,but as you can tell it is wearing off little by little.” As Croc slowly lifted the man to look him in the eyes “Your death would have been quick if I weren’t under the effect of your drug. Did you honestly think that your drug was going to stop me from getting out of here?”


Just then Croc heard a scream from the other side of the ballroom; Croc looked over to see the fourth guard panicking and screaming, then suddenly he dropped to the ground. Croc didn’t understand what was going on until Scarecrow appeared in front of the man, Croc saw the distorted Mask that Scarecrow was famous for. Croc watched as Scarecrow quickly slit the man’s throat and watched him die and his lifeless body fall to the floor.


Now that my dear Croc is how you kill someone.


“Impressive Scarecrow but your fear toxin isn’t going to be enough to get rid of me. You are going to have to get creative.” Croc said smirking at Scarecrow


Just then the last Doctor screamed again as Croc tightened his grip on his head, Croc looked at the doctor. Smiling Croc had a plan for this doctor, a plan that just might end this match early which is what Croc wants.


“Scarecrow catch!” Croc said grabbing the guard with both hands, spinning around and throwing the doctor at Scarecrow.


The guard went flying straight at Scarecrow, but Scarecrow was able to get out of the way letting the guard smash face first into the wall. The loud thud echoed in the ballroom as the doctor’s body smashed into the wall and hit the floor, blood began to seep out from under the doctor’s head. Scarecrow looking at the doctors body turned back around to see Croc only feet away, his claws swiping right at his head.

[The Scarecrow]

Ajit Davari attended medical school for multiple years before getting a job at Arkham asylum. He had worked hard, and it had paid off. He was the highest paid doctor in all of Arkham. He was excited because he got a chance to work with some of the most sociopathic minds that Gotham, and maybe even the world had to offer.

His father had often told him that Arkham was a dangerous place to be working. That didn’t bother Ajit. He had found bravery in his nearing obsessive curiosity. He had just been assigned the mind of someone whom he couldn’t’ wait to pick the mind of.

He walked into work. Bam. The next thing he knew he was strapped with a bomb and dragged through the halls. He was pushed roughly through a set of doors. To his horror Scarecrow and Killer Croc lay tied to columns. He knew in that moment he was going to die, a very ugly death. He had studied the minds of both of these men, and knew that they would kill them when they awoke.

The Two men, if you could call them men, woke up. Crow and Croc both easily escaped their ropes and then begin to kill the other doctors, their bodies falling broken or bloody.

Ajit had enough. His stare met Croc’s. He swallowed hard knowing what was about to happen.

“Well it looks like you are the last person in my way.” Croc said

Ajit stared at the larger than life croc-man. He screamed at the top of his lungs and charged. If this was to be his death so be it. It had been a good life. He had no regrets. Croc reached out his arm and grabbed Ajit by the top of the skull. He slowly began to crush Ajit’s skull. Ajit cried out in pain.

“You doctors were the ones that came up with this drug to weaken me,but as you can tell it is wearing off little by little.”

As Croc slowly lifted the man to look him in the eyes

“Your death would have been quick if I weren’t under the effect of your drug. Did you honestly think that your drug was going to stop me from getting out of here?”

Ajit tried to answer. His vision blurred. His life began to flash through his eyes. He knew this was the end. He had to fight. He struggled at the Croc’s grip. He kicked at the Croc’s body. To no avail. He screamed out. Croc looked surprised that the man was still alive, and tightened the grip. His face changed from a surprised look to a smile.

“Scarecrow catch!”

Ajit felt himself launch towards the lanky masked villain, who easily dodged out of the way. His face cracked against the wall and all he knew was darkness. His body flopped against the floor and blood began to seep out of his head.

His vision came back suddenly but was blurred. Croc was launching himself at Crow. Ajit looked down, the timer on his bomb struck Zero. His body exploded in fire, launching both Crow and Croc through the air. They landed in smoking heaps on the floor.

[Croc]

His vision came back suddenly but was blurred. Croc was launching himself at Crow. Ajit looked down; the timer on his bomb struck Zero. His body exploded in fire, launching both Crow and Croc through the air. They landed in smoking heaps on the floor.


As Croc slowly began to open his eyes after the doctor explosion, Croc knew that the other bombs in the room would be going off any time now. Croc knew that he had to get up before Scarecrow could, as Croc began to slowly get up. He noticed that Scarecrow was also slowly getting up; both of their heads must be spinning form the explosion. Crocs head was spinning and his vision was blurry once he stood up he stumbled around before catching his balance.


“Get ready Scarecrow things are about to get interesting.” Croc said smiling


Just then the other three doctors blew up and the floor began to fall out from underneath Crocs and Scarecrows feet. Underneath them wasn’t another floor like they were thinking, when Croc looked down he saw water. Underneath them was a floor full of water with 3 platforms to stand on, both Croc and Scarecrow tried to separate from each other before continuing the attack. Before they could do anything both of them fell into the next floor.


“God damn Mr. Blank for putting me through this bullshit, one day Blank I will find you and get out of here.” Croc said smashing into the water


Croc had smashed through the water and sank several feet before stopping himself; Scarecrow had fallen and smashed on one of the platforms. It took Scarecrow several minutes to stand back up after the fall, as he looked around for Croc he didn’t see anything, just water. Scarecrow scanned the water to try to find Croc, but to no avail. Croc was deep underwater and underneath the platform that Scarecrow was standing on.


“Well it looks like it just got really interesting; I hope you are ready Scarecrow because you are in my terrain now. Let’s see how you handle things now, your fear toxic is useless now.”


Croc shot up out of the water on the left side of Scarecrow, Scarecrow was just barely able to get out of the way in time before Crocs jaws smashed down over where Scarecrows head used to be. Scarecrow followed Croc as he flew over him and went back under water.


“Well Scarecrow you might have gotten out of the way the first time, but that won’t happen again.”


Scarecrow would have to change up his entire fighting style to compete with Croc now. Croc knew that the advantage was in his hands. As Scarecrow began to stand back up, Croc shot back out of the water right behind Scarecrow. Croc’s shoulder smashed into Scarecrows back and sent him straight back down into the platform. Croc landing on the platform smiled showing those white sharp teeth Croc has.


“Come on Scarecrow get up I want to look you in the eyes when I rip out your throat.” Croc said walking towards Scarecrow.


When Croc got close enough Scarecrow whipped around and swung his syringe glove, Croc was able to lean his head back just in time watching as the five syringes passed right over his skin. Croc jumped back in the water to get away from Scare crow for the moment. Croc knew what that glove has in it and it could get Croc killed if he gets to close.


“Damn that was too close, I need to end this and go continue killing guards to get out of here. Scarecrow you are in my way, but that is soon going to change.”


Croc knew he was going to have to think of something to get rid of Scarecrow. Suddenly Croc knew what he was going to have to do to win this. Croc had to get Scarecrow into the water, if he could do that the fight would be over. Croc knew he would just have to wait for the perfect moment to make sure he doesn't miss.

[The Scarecrow]

It was Darrel Newgate’s first day on the job. His father and his father’s father before him had both been guards at Arkham asylum. It was in his blood, he insisted to his girlfriend, who often tried to discourage him. She said if he was just a cop in Gotham that would be fine, his father would understand. Darrel was unperturbed however, and insisted.

He tied his tie and looked in the mirror. He cut a damn fine figure, his father would be proud. His girlfriend rubbed his back and kissed his cheek.

“Just don’t get killed handsome”

“You know I won’t. It’s the first day, the odds of that are astronomical.”

“Still, these are some sick people. Just be careful okay?”

It had been a pretty routine day so far, his boss had run him through the rounds and then let him guard on his own. Then the message went out. The one from Mr. Blank. Darrel didn’t know what it all meant, he just knew he had to find a way out of Arkham before one of those creeps killed him. He drew his gun and was making his way round a corner when he overheard talking.

“Mr. Blank drugged these guys? That pretty damn impressive.”

Darrel looked around the corner and saw four burly men carrying Killer Croc, and two hauling Scarecrow through a large door. They were both apparently unconscious. He swore and made to set out around the corner when more noise stopped him. Some doctors with bombs strapped to their chests were forced through the door as well.

“Whatever that is… it isn’t good.”

Darrel swallowed hard. He would have to do something. He couldn’t just let innocent people get hurt; his father had always said “if there are innocent, if there are weak, if they are in danger, you have a duty to help them, regardless of your own safety.” He would make his father proud.

Darrel slipped a silencer out of his pocket and screwed it onto his pistol. He slipped around the corner and took out the criminal standing by the door. One to the head. The criminal barely had time to shudder before hitting the ground, a hole through his temple. Darrel always had top marks in shooting. He had never shot anyone before though. He threw up more than he thought he would.

He slipped quietly into the room as a doctor was thrown into the wall. The resulting explosion threw Darrel into the wall. He felt his ribs crack and the breath leave his body.

Then next thing he knew the other bombs were exploding. He felt himself go weightless as the floor gave way to explosion after explosion. The water was cold as he fell into it. He looked around; Croc had also landed in the water.

“Croc’s going to kill Scarecrow…”

The Crocodile man launched himself at Crow and smacked into his back. The pair stumbled into the water. They were in Croc’s element now. Darrel swam as quickly as he could towards a platform, but began to feel strange. He looked over at the duo. Scarecrow had emptied his syringe glove into the water, filling it with Fear Toxin. The toxin quickly dispersed throughout the water, weakening the dosage, but it was still enough to cloud Darrel’s mind. He felt something tug at his leg. He looked down to see a phantom pulling him down into the abyss. Whatever it was, he could not escape. He felt himself being dragged further and further down. The bubbles receded away from his mouth. He felt himself overcome with a great warmth, and then darkness.

[Mr. Blank]

Mr. Blank's voice cuts through the madness that their match has become.

Well, well. Nicely done men. Now, it has come to the time when we must have a victor. The fates have chosen and Scarecrow...it is time for you to.....KILL the CROC. Happy killings!

[The Scarecrow]

It was Neil Thompson’s seven thousandth, sixth hundredth and fourth day on the job. Almost twenty one years on the job. Neil Thompson knew the exact minute he had started working at Blackgate Prison. It had been Blackgate Prison when he started working there, some political struggle had later changed the name to Blackgate Penitentiary. Neil didn’t understand the difference, and he didn’t much care. He hated his job, but did it for the paycheck. He was a clerk, he sat behind his desk, punched cards, took calls and did everything a clerk was supposed to do. He had always been fascinated by numbers; it was what he truly loved. He could calculate pi to the 351st digit. He could remember every phone number he’d ever been given (very few were from girls, he was a short, fat, balding man). He graduated top of his class from Gotham University with a degree in accounting, yet still the only job he could seem to get was the nowhere job of being a clerk at Blackgate. It had seemed his life had stagnated.

He was horribly upset when he found out that Blackgate was combining with Arkham. Change was something that did not come easily to Neil. He didn’t like it when his parents had kicked him out of their house, citing his lack of effort at finding a place of his own; he was thirty eight after all. He got a call from his boss about it.

“I don’t know what to tell you Neil, word came from the top this morning. Report to Arkham first thing tomorrow morning, your new boss will tell you further—“

“But Charlie—“ Neil was about to complain, as usual.

“Neil, this is happening!” The sudden outburst from Charlie startled Neil. He heard a frustrated sigh come through the line. “Neil, just report to where you’re supposed to.” He heard Charlie whisper “god damnit” under his breath before the soft-yet-harsh click disconnecting the call.

And so the next morning, Neil put on his suit and tie and reported for work at Arkham asylum. He sat at his desk and did exactly what he was told to, to the letter. Then a disturbing announcement went over the loud speakers.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, prisoners of Arkham Prison for the Mentally Rogue. This is Mr. Blank speaking. I have recently bought Arkham Asylum and Blackgate prison and combined them. This was for your benefit as well as mine. You see, there has been a plague on Gotham for far too long. This plague is not you, dear Arkhamites. The plague is the guards that take care of you. The plagues is the petty criminals held at Blackgate prison. The plague is one to which you, my dear friends, are the cure. And I intend to reward you for your service. For each Blackgate prisoner and guard you kill, you will receive “points.” You can use the points to buy back your weapons, your powers and your technology. You can also use these points to get your freedom. Get one million points and you will receive your freedom. This is not a joke. I am prepared to offer you this deal. Happy killings.”

Neil looked around panicked. The rest of the clerks looked panicked as well. Then the commotion started. Someone rushed in and yelled “They’re free! The fucking prisoners and free!” And Neil was lost to the commotion. There was rushing around, all in a panic. Something struck the back of Neil’s head and he fell, being swallowed up by darkness.

It was later when he came to. He felt the back of his head and his hand came away covered in dried blood. He began doing calculations of time, and was relieved that his mind was still fresh and not clouded by concussion. He staggered to his feet and looked around. The place was a mess. Papers were scattered everywhere, desks, chairs, all things in the office were out of place. Neil slowly walked to the door and peered out into the hallway. Lights hung flickering; bodies lay crumpled, bloodied and broken.

Neil made his way out of the room and silently down the hallway, then through the next hallway, then down a flight of stairs ever moving through Arkham. He heard screams and gunshots. He heard roars and laughs. He heard things that no person should hear. Then he heard an explosion. Then more explosions. The floor weakened and gave way beneath him.

This time he was not unconscious for long this time. The fall knocked the wind out of him and left him gasping for breath. He didn’t know where he was. He stood up gingerly and winced as he put weight on his injured ankle. He made his way through the closest doors and was surprised to find a room filled with water, three good sized platforms of floor sticking out through the water. On one of these platforms was Scarecrow. Then Croc took him into the water. The water around the two men became murky. A piece of straw floated to the surface.

Then the pair burst from the water, Croc had both arms around the smaller man, who was squirming to try and get his way out. They landed on a platform and Scarecrow squirmed his way out of the grasp. Croc went to slip back into the water but stopped upon seeing his reflection in the water.

“Bat-man?” He seemed very confused before turning back to the panting Dr. Crane. “You! You put something in the water!”
Scarecrow wagged his gloved fingers at the larger man, who noticed that the syringes were empty.

“That fear shit huh?...” Croc growled and charged the smaller man, who ducked under his legs and sliced as he passed, the blades barely causing wounds on the tougher skin of the Croc. Croc stumbled and swore. “That shit doesn’t make you better than me!” He charged scarecrow again, anticipating the Crows movement to the side and changing direction swiftly. The slammed through the walls right beside Neil.

Neil staggered back from the wreckage, and looked up to see Scarecrow leering at him, the man visibly breathing heavily. Croc lay in front of them in a slowly thickening pool of blood.

“How…. How did you kill him?”

Same way I’m about to kill you.

Neil saw the syringes on Scarecrows glove coming for his eyes. He knew how Croc had died and was fascinated in his final moments by it. The dodge had been a ruse, Scarecrow wanted to get grabbed by Croc, and had ensured his gloved hand be free. While in the larger man’s tight grip Crow had a perfect shot to the exposed eyes, a weak spot where his glove could do serious damage. They had entered the larger man’s brain through his eyes.

The same way he was about to die.

[Mr. Blank]

Congratulations Scarecrow. You get a free Perk.

+400 points for Croc.

+500 points for Scarecrow.