I've Got Your Scent

[Audrey]

"Jim that thing has just been floating there for hours now. It's not a barrel, it looks like an animal or something."
"I think it's dead."
"It isn't moving, so I think you'd be right."
"Kind of looks like a crocodile. Wonder where it came from? You only see crocs like that in New Jersey and Mississippi." The wind was cold as two burly dock workers mused over a strange floating object in the water near their boat. The thing had been there since they showed up. With it being night time, they couldn't see below the water, but the portion of the object visible above the water was long, scaly, and green. As one worker reached the end of his cigarette, he dropped it into the water haphazardly and pulled out another to replace it. He reached for a lighter, but was unable to find anything in his pockets. "Daryll, you got a light?"
"Still worrying about Sal two-timing you Jim?"
"No. I'm just bored as hell."
"Whatever man, I got it," Daryll obliged, turning in close to Jim to light his cigarette. As the cancer stick burned orange, the two looked back out to the water and took a double-take. The object in the water had disappeared.
"Poor son of a gun must've sunk finally."
"Or maybe it was sleeping and took off.."
"Or maybe it didn't exactly appreciate you dropping a cigarette where it was resting," a gruff slimy voice came from behind the two men. Going pale in fear, the two workers slowly turned around and set their eyes on a hulking man covered in scales, what looked like the offspring of a professional wrestler and the meanest alligator you could imagine. "Dinnertime."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

The Next Morning

Stephanie grimaced a little as she came onto the scene. An entire portion of the old wooden dock had been bitten away and in a pile of greenish saliva were the clothes of the two missing workers covered in a little bit of some kind of stomach fluid as well... and what looked like a half-digested squirrel. Hearing the report on the police radios she'd worked herself into, she had to come here though. The situation was practically screaming Killer Croc's doing. Batgirl and Robin probably had had experiences with the reptilian villain, but she feared the Jump City police wouldn't take the situation seriously enough. Stephanie had had the pleasure to deal with Croc on one occasion in Gotham and that was plenty to tell her about how tricky Croc was. The guy was both brawn and brain in one package. He was equally qualified to be a horror movie monster and a war strategist, but he liked people thinking he was dumb. It made them underestimate him and let him lure them into his traps where... well you ended up like the poor guys who used to own these clothes.

Not to mention it was VERY peculiar he was here on the entire other side of the country from his usual home in the Gotham Sewers. Sure he could have come after Batgirl or Robin, but Stephanie couldn't help but feel it had something to do with her since she arrived here not too long ago herself and... well, Croc and her had some unfinished business as well. As a patrol car swooped by, Stephanie ducked behind an oil drum to hide from their sight. The police had the crime scene wrapped up tight. Ironically though, the mass influx of cop cars and yellow tape made the scene all the more visible to the public. She's surprised no other curious eyes had snuck in here with the place so poorly guarded despite a legion of cops.

[Shadow]

Most normal people would have gotten up today and turned on the news to see the horrific incident that had occurred, but Aurora was far from normal. She was that kid strolling down the street that no one seemed to pay attention to because they had their own lives to attend to. Even the cops had no idea because she was actively avoiding them since she had no intention of going home until her own motives were settled and done with. Every time she saw one of those uniformed gorillas hobbling down the street towards her, she slipped either behind someone or just out of view to avoid being caught and it was when she was avoiding yet another cop that she saw the grotesque scene that was spread out just a few feet away.

In a childlike moment of wonder, Aurora bolted over to the tape that clearly read 'Police Line, Do Not Cross' and ducked under it, stepping onto the scene. Her eyes widened in shock as her pale silvery gaze took in the sight. In her little moment of stunned shock a few words escaped her, clearly pointing out that she was either stupid or had never seen something like this before...or maybe both. "Duuuuuuude, what happened here? It looks like a monster ate half the place and threw up." Though her words weren't directed towards anyone in particular, it was obvious that her brain to mouth filter stopped working and she had the mind of a five year old.

To her, the scene itself looked like it came out of a bad horror movie. Which was both creepy and so cool all at the same time. Well, maybe just a little cool but that was because she'd never seen anything like this back home. Where she was from all they had were your average run of the mill thieves and murderers and stuff. Never something this random or weird. With a thousand and one thoughts running through her mind, Aurora picked up a stick off the ground and walked carefully over to the little piece of shredded fabric and poked it with said stick as if it was going to come alive and go RAWR. Who knew what she was thinking but regardless, her thoughts had nothing to do with the fact there might be someone lurking nearby. Instead everything, thoughts and focus included, were centered around this lovely little dock and the fact it looked like a monster ate it.

[Audrey]

Speak of the devil. Just as she was musing about it, of course someone would do it. She heard the comment of an intruder into the situation. Steph just hoped it was someone capable and not a potential hostage for Killer Croc to nab as part of a complex psychological trap of some kind. With a flourish, she hopped behind an oil drum and got in a position to observe the newcomer. She was eccentric enough to be a metahuman that was for sure. Red tips on black hair? What is this, 2006? She hadn't seen tackiness of this magnitude since she saw a picture of Argent. Those two would get along PERFECTLY. Stephanie bet they even used the same brand of red hair dye. The concern though was there was no physical signs of meta-humanness or skill... or any manner of association with a manner of super team. Steph would have to keep a good watch on her to know for sure.

Or wait. What if this girl was an associate of Croc's placed out in order to lure Stephanie into a sense of security towards the lass only for her to turn Stephanie over to Croc? ... Nah, the hair didn't seem like the style Croc's associates nor did the fashion sense. Croc's lady associates seem to be of the more... trampy sort. But maybe that was part of the goal. Pick someone who absolutely wouldn't associate with him to set Stephanie at ease. God, she hated dealing with strategists, always have to think forty million steps ahead. Now she knew how Sherlock Holmes felt dealing with Moriarty. No wonder he hated that jerk so much. She idly wondered who would win in a rap battle between Sherlock Holmes and Batman for a second before deciding she wasn't gonna deal with the strategy junk and just step out and introduce herself.

"You would actually be almost entirely correct," she spoke stepping out from the oil drum and approaching the Hot Topic poster girl. "It is my theory that the wreckage is the cause of one Killer Croc. Who... can pretty accurately be described by just his name. He's a giant guy with scales for skin who violently smashes people and oftentimes eats them. Think like Bane but a cannibal crocodile man instead of a drug addicted luchadore... Yeah, that sounded way less stupid in my head. What are you doing here?" she explained doing her best to remember Bane. There were only stories about the hulking Venom addict in her time as he had left Gotham by the time she had become Spoiler. Doing what? God knows... and probably Bruce Wayne too. Stephanie didn't have much interest in the guy. She didn't like wrestling. The masks were the only cool thing about it, and that was exclusively a mexican wrestling thing. She always thought the whole mask being a luchadores greatest honor was so cool. She never exactly knew she'd get her own mask eventually.

[Deleted]

Cat teleported on the top a building. She normally didn't do day time jobs, but it was the weekend and Mr. Nos had texted her personal line, so it was serious. The metahuman felt like laughing when she saw the purple girl from last time; then did act on said feeling when she saw her apprentice there as well. Of this was too rich. "How's it hanging, purple girl. Anything interesting to share?" Cat teleported to the ground to look at the green goop. Mr. Nos had said that someone from Gothem was coming to town, according to his network, and by the goo, they were already here. "So who came to town Ms. Hero? All I know is they are from Gothem." 

The teleporter teleported away, out of Spoiler's reach, but still could see Aura and the hero. Cat's eyes took in the damage and area, it was something to behold. They had taken out a part of the dock, abit it was one of the old ones that was used to get to the water level still. Cat didn't know much about the other villains running around, but she did know a lot of badies came out of Gothem. And one had just left and was here now. It was rather disturbing. 

[Shadow]

Small scale destruction. Always a fun thing to take a look at, especially when it was caused by a hulking humanoid animal thing. As her mind tried to process the hundred thousand things around her, Aurora took a few steps closer to the edge of the dock being careful not to fall into the water. She bent down and ran a finger along the edges of the half eaten dock as if examining the bite mark. The first thing that came to mind was that no normal animal could have done that. The fact she was so focused on that one thing meant she never even heard Spoiler step out from the hiding place behind the oil drums. The sound of the stranger's voice startled her enough that she almost fell into the water. Barely staying balanced, Aurora glanced over at Spoiler giving her a sheepish look accompanied by an equally embarrassed laugh.

"Oh...uh...sorry, it just looked like a dinosaur went through here or something so I came to check it out." She fell silent for a moment, taking in Spoiler's appearance. To be perfectly honest, the whole outfit made the blonde look like she was some sort of cosplayer. It was just a bit funny but enough to draw Aurora's short attention span away from the fact she'd almost fell in the water. Purple. It was most often referred to as a color of royalty but this time it looked more like a color of a royal weirdo. Sure she wasn't exactly one to talk but seriously was there an anime convention nearby?

Just as she was about to open her mouth and make a complete fool of herself, Cat appeared out of nowhere like teleporters always do. It was odd hearing the self proclaimed villainess sound worried about a new villain here in the city. Although there was something that she wanted to know even if it did change the subject all together. Giving Cat a mock salute, she asked her dumb question. "So, do you two know each other? Or are you guys like epic rivals or something?"

[Audrey]

Great. Simply... Great. Of course Catastor had to show up. It was almost inevitable if there was a chance she could prove herself that Cat would show up and completely screw everything up. She was the Mandark to Stephanie's Dexter, The Prince Zuko to her Aang, THE DR. EGGMAN TO HER SONIC THE HEDGEHOG. She was like that cat from that nursery rhyme. The one who just kept coming back even after all the different ways he tried to kill it. She sighed and just decided to go along with it. If she attempted an arrest, Cat would just use the cheap total cheatsy teleportation powers she has and get away. How is that even fair? She and Robin were part of the population that just made due being awesome in and of themselves. One of the few ways she sympathized with Robin 1. He was a jerk though, so that's revoked anyway.

"By the looks of it, this is the work of Killer Croc. I'm surprised you aren't acquainted with him. The two of you both have the worst breath I've ever smelt," she answered demeaningly, instinctively lifting her hood from her mouth so Cat could read her words. "I'd appreciate it if you took off posthaste, cause I'm actually officially assigned to this investigation from the Titans. One call and they'll be over here in a second," she added, flashing her Titans communicator. It was a bluff of course. It would only call Batgirl. But Cat didn't know that. It looked just the same as any other communicator. With that jab in, she turned to her original conversation partner and redonned her mask to hide her words again. Man it felt good to be able to pick and choose what someone heard out of your mouth. "I guess you could say we're 'epic rivals', yeah. She messes up my glory moments, I lay down sick burns that no doubt haunt her psyche when she tries to sleep. You could say it's kind of a big deal," she said proudly to the other participant of the situation, picturing in her mind a duality the likes of which rivaled the Batman and Joker. Dang, she was cool.

[Deleted]

"Well no can do, Spoil Sport, I've my order and you have yours." Catastor said ignore the breath comment, she was being childish. This wasn't really the time to mess with the girl.  "Put your glorified cellphone away, if you were serious you would have called already. Go ahead Old Milk, call I can be gone before you can get off the phone then you can look like the idiot."

Catastor was not in a good mood to poke fun of Spoiler, Killer Croc being in town was not good news. Ruthless was not the type of underground that the Rat's Nest wanted. Despite being the 'bad guys' the Rat's Nest kept the Underground under control for the most part, so the Titans only had to deal with larger things. She doubted the Titans noticed.

"Low blow, low blow. Spoiled rotten, did no one teach you manners?" Catastor teleported the hero into the air, dumping her into the water. "And apparently someone didn't teach you not to turn your back on people." Cat tilted her head grinning as she spoke. "If I had looser morals and were as heartless as the villain you compared me to at the beginning of this conversation, you could be bleeding out on the docks, unable to call for help. I could be one of the most terrifying killers this city has seen." Cat teleported down stand next to Aura as she watched Spoiler climb out of the water. She couldn't deny it was greatly satisfying to do that to Spoiler. The girl had gotten on her nerves and it was nice to get some pay back. "But I'm not and since we are hunting the same person why don't we help each other out and work together?"

[Shadow]

Aura watched the pair go back and forth with their insults. To her, this was better than watching Saturday Night Live. The only thing missing was some popcorn but there was something in particular that really made her enjoy this little appearance her so called mentor had decided to make. Spoiler (who could really use a better hero name or be mocked for eternity) and Catastor (who Aura had many a comment on but never voiced them due to the fact she would be murdered for them) were acting like those kids in 80's sitcoms that hated each other so much....that in the end got married. It was simply hilarious but she tried her best not to die laughing. But her self control only lasted until Catastor teleported Spoiler into the water.

She burst out laughing the moment Spoiler made a splash. With a quick glance between the now drenched Spoiler and the person who had tossed her into the water, Aura grinned. There was one thing she was just dying to say, but there was a consequence. She might die. And not just because Cat was here. It was a comment meant for both Spoiler and the Math nerd. Still beaming like a fool, Aura spoke, her tone innocent yet mocking all at once."Are you two in the middle of a divorce?" She laughed again before continuing, "I'm only asking because you guys act like a married couple. I mean, sheesh get a room." Halfway through her statement it was clear she was only teasing. Her pale silver-violet eyes settled on Spoiler before flickering back to Catastor. Obviously, she was thinking of something. Dangerous as her thoughts may be, Aura simply shrugged then let her gaze rest on her so called teleporting mentor.

"You know...if its a crocodile we're after, you could always be bait. I hear they like cats." It was just a statement but at the same time, she was trying to irk the teleporter. It was only fair, seeing as how said teleporter kidnapped her and locked her in an abandoned psych ward. Aura didn't normally hold grudges, but when she did they were usually for something stupid. This time it was perfectly legit...even if the grudge was still a few months old.

Behind that innocent little smile of hers, was the beginning of a plan. Even if that plan now involved having to find a giant crocodile man, what could possibly go wrong?

[Audrey]

There were so many things that could be said at this moment. 'If by terrifying killer, you mean mild annoyance, then yes, you'd be right', 'Oh, you didn't know we were married? You should've seen the reception. They'll never get the blood out of those walls again.', and 'Maybe they're already here and you were just too focused on your magic tricks to see them behind you," all came to mind as wonderful comebacks to this two-man show Stephanie had been treated to, but she didn't go with any of these. Despite her toxic phrasing, Stephanie could tell Cat was just as worried about Killer Croc being in Jump City as she was. And Steph knew that if a braggart was worried, everyone should be worried. So this meant business. It wasn't the first time the two of them has sort of teamed up, but with a guy like Croc, it was necessary. Part of being a hero was knowing when you needed help yourself.

"As much as I despise your very existence, you're in the fortunate circumstance that I despise Croc's existence even more so and I realize that in the time it took you to quip one of your immature one-liners, Croc could eat an entire city block worth of people, so I suppose I'm going to be mature and agree to your proposal. We'll hunt Croc together. Mind you, you best be prepared to run as soon as he's dispatched, because you're going in right after he does. We are not and never will be allies. I mean, that would be ridiculous anyway. So yes, if you'll excuse me, I've got a crime scene to analyze," Steph practically spoke out in speech form, seeing herself almost as the bridge between Athens and Sparta in a way. Steph still really had no idea who the other gal was, but she just assumed she was some lackey of Cat's; typical, dumb, and cheeky. Why were all henchmen always the same way?

She turned her sights on the glob of mutant bile and pulled a silver canister off her belt. She popped the top and a Clorox-like powder shuffled inside. She then generously sprinkled some of the powder onto the bile and watched as it popped and sizzled reacting to the compounds inside the muck of ick. "Interesting..." she muttered to herself, purposely trying to come off as intellectual. In reality, it was just a simple bicarbonate that reacted to sodium. Just a quick way of telling where Croc's been. Based on the reaction, it seemed Croc likely had spent his last couple meals out at sea... As in the Caribbean Sea. This guy had been globetrotting to say the least. He had to have been in Gotham only last week. What brought him to Jump in such a hurry?

[Deleted]

Catastor glared at Aura before trying to dump her in the bay too. She turned to Spoiler and rolled her eyes. "You're the pun freak that started. I just wanted to know about your Gotham friend. If he is so bad why don't you make with the investigating and less trying save face. I don't want to work with you anymore than you do, but suck it up. And trust that won't ever happen. And the day that you catch me is the day I go strait."

The villain stood back and let Spoiler do her thing before starting to think about things that could bring someone so notorious out of their zone and into Jump. The underground and that was about it, but what was there that he wanted? "So any ideas why your friend is here purple smug? Maybe he's here for you?" Cat looked around still nervous where was this guy?