Justice League:
Scene: Gotham City, Nighttime. A blood curdling scream is heard outside an apartment complex. A large mass of a creature jumps out of the fire escape and leaps down into an alleyway. It is carrying something in its mouth. The creature lifts the lid off of a sewer and dives downward. As sirens are heard overhead the creature runs down several sewer tunnels. It stops and takes in a big bite out of the thing in its mouth. There’s a bright flash of light from behind as a Boom Tube opens and Darkseid emerges.
Darkseid:
They call you “Killer,” correct?
The creature turns around revealing himself to be Killer Croc. He is chewing on a human arm. He tosses the arm to the side.
Croc:
What’s it to you?
Darkseid:
Do you know who I am?
Croc:
Yeah, prey!
Darkseid Omega beams him briefly. Croc lands on his backside smoking from the Omega effect.
Darkseid:
I admire your zeal for death, Croc. Though your idiocy concerns me. I have use for someone like you. A raw unrestrained predator. But I only need one of you. There’s another. He’s coming to find you.
Croc gets back up rubbing his skull.
Croc:
Why should I care?
Darkeid:
You’ve gotten a brief taste of my abilities. Imagine the things I could teach you. Imagine the wealth and power I could give you. Imagine the scores of helpless sheep I could lead to your slaughter.
Croc grins.
Slay your enemy and I’ll make you the left hand of death himself.
He exits through the boom tube.
Opening theme.
Scene: The Watchtower. Rogue is on monitor duty. Batman teleports in.
Rogue:
Is that my Dark Knight in shining armor?
Batman:
I’d like to talk to you, Rogue.
Rogue:
Her expression becomes serious/intrigued:
Really?
She stands up as Batman approaches her.
Batman:
Give me your hand.
Rogue gives him her hand. He clasps a bracelet around it and presses a button on it, then removes his own glove and reaches for her face.
Rogue:
Batman, no!
His hand grazes her face as she backs away. Nothing happens.
Rogue:
What… nothing happened…
Cuts to Wayne Manor. A shadowed figure in a trench coat leaps over the wall. He gazes at the lawn and the path leading up to the door and spies several laser sensors. He leaps nimbly past them and maneuvers around a tree and flips onto a window sill. He touches the glass of the window and dissolves it, then enters an upstairs bedroom.
Cuts back to the Watchtower.
Rogue:
How… how did you do that?
Batman:
The bracelet is a modified slave collar that was used in Genosha some years back. It inhibits mutant powers. The Genoshan collars had negative long-term effects, but I’ve been working on elimina--
Rogue pulls him close and kisses him. He steps back stunned.
Rogue:
Tears welling in her eyes:
Well how about that. Batman, speechless.
He looks away a little embarrassed. She pulls him close again about to kiss him again, but an alarm beeps on Batman’s belt. Batman pushes her away and runs back towards the teleporter.
Batman:
I’ll be back to explain how it works.
Rogue:
Need help?
He teleports out.
Dumb question.
Cuts back to Wayne Manor. The thief is going through a jewelry drawer and has found a very extravagant diamond necklace. The lights go on, Alfred is standing in the doorway with a shotgun.
Alfred:
Hands high. Were I can see them. Turn around.
The thief turns around with his hands in the air still dangling the necklace. It’s Gambit.
Gambit:
Pardonez-moi, Monsieur.
He tosses the necklace up into the air and ejects a card at the floor quick as lighting. Alfred fires but the exploding card on the ground throws his aim way off and knocks him onto his back.
Some other time, Jeeves.
He makes a dash for the window. As he perches on the sill he is grabbed by the coat from behind by Bruce Wayne and hurled into the far wall.
Batman:
You’ve just made a big mistake.
Gambit:
My compliments on dat move, mom ami! Not what I expected from a rich snob. You are Bruce Wayne, N’est pas?
Batman:
And you are?
Gambit:
Dangerous.
He flips up a card and begins to charge it. Cuts to outside Wayne Manor. The wall explodes open and Gambit leaps out nimbly landing on the ground. He darts across the lawn as he extends his staff and vaults over the wall landing perfectly on his motorcycle and takes off. Moments later as Gambit’s motorcycle has just passed a seemingly abandoned dirt road, the Batmobile jets out and gives chase. Gambit is approaching Gotham City as Batman is encroaching upon him. Gambit looks back and smirks. Batman fires a blunt projectile out of the front of the Batmobile that hits the back of Gambit’s bike. He swerves and almost loses control. They approach a series of overpasses. Gambit begins to charge up his bike then leaps off of it swings around a lamp post and disappears over an overpass where a train is rushing by. Batman slams on the breaks but the bike skids along the ground and goes flying back into the Batmobile and explodes violently. Batman Ejects and grapples onto the overpass. The train is too far away for him to catch. He looks back down at the wrecked Batmobile, extremely pissed. Up in the sky the Batsignal shines.
Batman:
Terrific.
Scene: GCPD Headquarters. The Batsignal is lit and Commissioner Gordon is waiting. Batman swings down.
Commissioner Gordon:
Hands him a set of pictures.
You’re late.
Batman:
Car trouble.
Commissioner Gordon:
This one’s pretty gruesome. Female, Caucasian mid-twenties. She was mauled to death. Upper West side, ninetieth and Blake. Happened about an hour ago. Look at the bite marks on the arm socket.
Batman:
Shifting through the pictures:
Croc… I’ll find him before the night’s up.
He hands the crime scene pictures back and returns to the ledge.
Commissioner Gordon:
Not if we find him first.
Batman grapples downward. He disappears behind some buildings. As he swings back around he lands on a ledge and spies a sewer manhole. Rogue descends from the sky.
Rogue:
Hey. You ran off so fast I didn’t get to finish thanking you. Everything alright?
Batman:
Just peachy.
Rogue:
Anything I can help with?
Batman:
A metahuman stole a priceless diamond necklace about an hour ago. It was an heirloom of the Wayne family. Brown hair, red eyes, throws exploding playing cards. Anyone from your circles.
Rogue:
Remy…
Batman:
I’ll take that as a yes. Killer Croc is on the run in the sewers. If you can start the search, I’ll join up.
Rogue:
Um… wait… why don’t you look for Croc, you can take care of yourself down there, Sugah. I’ll get the necklace back.
Batman:
No.
Rogue:
Look, I’ve got experience with the… the thief. It makes more sense this way.
Batman:
Sorry. This is personal.
Rogue:
What do you mean…?
Batman:
He… totaled the car.
Rogue:
Aw…
She switches on her power dampener and gives him a peck on the cheek.
Croc’s the priority. You know him better. You’ll find him faster. I’ll be back.
She turns her power dampener off and flies away. Batman glares suspiciously in her direction then jumps down towards street level.
Scene: A Cajun restaurant/nightclub in Gotham City, there is outdoor rooftop seating. Gambit is enjoying some tasty gumbo. The waiter comes and gestures towards his empty mug.
Waiter:
Can I take that from you sir?
Gambit:
Bien sur.
He adds it to his tray of dirty dishes then looks up, yelps and drops all of his stuff as Rogue swoops down and grabs Gambit by the scruff of his neck. She carries him far away onto the ledge of a clock tower and tosses him onto his behind.
Gambit:
Gentle as always, cherie.
Rogue stands looking stern, her arms folded.
…and of course… stunning.
He gazes at her as she stands against the full moon with a gentle breeze rustling her hair. Rogue’s expression melts into a smile, she fights to resist Gambit’s charm.
Rogue:
You…
Gambit:
Yes…
He walks up to her and holds her. She gazes back.
Rogue:
You…
Gambit gazes into her eyes and smiles. Rogue snaps out of it and elbows him in the stomach.
Gambit:
Ow!
He falls to his knees.
I definitely deserve dat one, Rogue. After leavin’ you behind…
Rogue:
I’m not here to talk about that. You stole somethin’ tonight. I want it back.
Gambit:
I steal lotsa stuff every night, chere. You’ll have to be much more specific.
Rogue:
A diamond necklace. Belonged to Bruce Wayne.
Gambit:
Pfft! You pullin’ my leg? Who cares what I take from an obnoxious snob? ‘Sides it’d barely cover de cost of de upholstery I singed and the walls I blew down.
Rogue:
Wayne’s a good man, Remy. The necklace has sentimental value. So just hand it over and we can go our separate ways. Again.
Gambit:
I don’ want dat. And I don’t think you do either. Look, Rogue, let’s say this Wayne guy is halfway decent. I still need to fence the diamond. Not only do I need subsistence living so I can keep trackin’ down a mutant I followed from N‘Orleans, dere’s a major debt owed by the Thief’s Guild and I’m tryin’ to help my father.
Rogue:
Who’s the mutant?
Cuts to Batman in the sewers, he’s searching with a flashlight. He finds a splattering of blood and some claw marks. He follows them through a tunnel and hears heavy breathing and low growling.
Batman:
Croc…
A large shadow rushes by. Batman turns to face it but the shadow is gone. It is now in the corner silhouetted.
Croc?
He shines his light on it revealing Sabretooth, claws and teeth stained with blood.
Sabretooth:
You wish!
He growls ferociously and leaps at Batman. Batman whips a Batarang at him but it barely phases him as it bounces off his skull. He ducks downward as Sabretooth flies at him, rolls forward and kicks Sabretooth’s spine from behind. Sabretooth is barely phased by the attack and turns slashing around cutting Batman’s cape in half as he falls back. Batman flips back onto a pipe out of Sabretooth’s immediate slashing range.
Batman:
I hope you’re durable.
He pulls out an exploding Batarang and hurls it at Sabretooth’s chest. It explodes sending him back into the wall. Batman jumps down and approaches. Sabretooth’s wounds heal up almost instantaneously. Batman’s eyes widen. He gets back up.
Sabretooth:
I’m way more than durable, freak.
He growls and lunges again.
Cuts to Rogue carrying Gambit. They’re flying into a large storm drain leading into the sewers.
Rogue:
I think Batman’s already on Sabretooth’s trail. We’ve gotta find ‘em fast!
Gambit:
Normally I wouldn’t wanna be showin’ my face around a guy after totallin’ his ride. But I’ve been tryin’ to halt Creed for about a month now. He’s out o’ control. Without some kinda authority figure to keep him in check he’s just rampagin‘, killin’ at random and livin’ life like a savage. He’s aimless… like me after losin’ you.
Rogue:
Puts him down and stops.
Remy, we both know neither of us wanted it to end. I love you. You love me. We were made for each other, two rascals who live for the thrill. But…
She sighs.
Gambit:
I wanted to touch you more dan anything’ else in de world… It drove me insane… But seein’ you again chere…
Rogue:
Gambit… I…
They hear noises down the tunnel.
Let’s go.
Cuts back to Batman who is running from Sabretooth leaving Batbombs behind him as he Goes. Sabretooth powers through occasionally slowed down by Batman’s assaults but healing as he goes. Gradually Sabretooth catches up and tackles Batman. He pins him to the ground growls and rears back his claws ready to slice Batman to shreds. Suddenly Killer Croc tackles Sabretooth from the side and the two start wrestling, gnawing and cutting other. Batman gets up rubbing his head.
Batman:
What?
Gambit and Rogue approach.
Rogue:
Where’s Sabretooth.
Batman:
Is that him?
Gestures to Croc and Sabretooth fighting about twenty yards away down the tunnel. Rogue Nods.
What’s he doing here?
Gambit:
Escortin’ the lady. Got a problem, mon ami?
Batman:
We’re not friends. Now, hand over the necklace.
Rogue:
Boys--
Gambit:
Only if ya ask real nice.
Batman:
I’m not in a very patient mood right now.
Hurls a batarang at Gambit. Gambit grabs it charges it and hurls it back in one fluid motion. Batman ducks and it explodes against the ceiling. Tons of brick and metal come crashing down blocking them off from Sabretooth and Croc.
Cuts to Sabretooth and Croc. They’re sealed behind the rubble with no exit. They battle like ferocious carnivores. They seem very evenly matched at first, but after their first bout Sabretooth’s wounds heal and Croc’s don’t.
Back to Batman, Rogue, and Gambit.
Batman:
Now you’ve done it! They‘ll kill each other before we can get to them.
Gambit:
Good.
Batman:
Gets right up in his face.
That’s not how I operate!
Gambit throws a punch, batman ducks and decks him.
Rogue:
Cut it out, and put your heads back on straight, I can get us through!
Cuts back to Sabretooth and Croc. Croc is beaten and bloody but still fighting. Sabretooth finally gouges him in the gut. Croc falls over and slumps in the sewage. A boom tube opens behind them. Darkseid emerges.
Darkseid:
Congratulations, Sabretooth. To the victor goes the spoils. Finish him.
Sabretooth Grins.
Cuts to Rogue bursting through the rubble. Croc is lying in the center of the tunnel motionless. She rushes to him and feels his pulse. Batman and Gambit follow.
Rogue:
He’s dead.
Batman:
Where’s the other one?
Rogue:
Vanished…
Gambit:
That don’t make sense.
Batman:
Don’t worry about it. You’re going to jail.
Gambit laughs.
Rogue:
Remy, please. Batman, I’m sorry, I shoulda told ya. This is Gambit. He’s an X-Man.
Batman:
Why doesn’t that surprise me?
Rogue:
He’s a close friend.
Gambit:
More dan dat I’m afraid.
Batman:
That’s splendid! He’s a criminal.
Rogue:
So was I once. But he’s proven himself. Here.
She reaches into Gambit’s coat. Gambit grins momentarily then his expression fades to disappointment when she removes the necklace and hands it back to Batman. Batman gets in Gambit’s face again.
Batman:
Get out of this city and don’t ever come here again!
Gambit:
You’ve got anger management problems, mon frere. You two can sort out dis mess.
He takes Rogue’s gloved hand and kisses it then whispers softly to her.
I was wrong, Rogue. You touch me in ways no one else can. Meet me back at the clock… please.
She tries to speak but he shushes her and backs away into the shadows.
Batman:
If I ever see him again--
Rogue:
I don’t understand…
Batman:
What?
Rogue:
Sabretooth. He came all the way to Gotham just to throw it down with Killer Croc, then he leaves.
Batman:
Croc was just as eager to fight, he didn’t even notice me. I’ll finish up here.
Rogue:
You sure?
Batman:
Positive.
Rogue starts to leave.
Rogue…
She stops.
Thanks for getting my mother’s necklace back. It was important to me.
Rogue:
You know that I--?
Batman:
You touched Superman. It couldn’t have been too hard to figure out.
Rogue:
Then why? Why all the mystery? Why around me, if you knew I knew???
Batman:
My life is complicated. There’s already enough people tangled up in it.
Rogue:
You don’t have to carry all of this by yourself. You’ve got friends.
Batman:
I get by.
Rogue:
Batman… thanks. What you gave me… It’s the most wonderful thing I could ever imagine.
Batman continues to examine Croc’s body.
Goodnight…
She leaves.
Batman:
Goodnight.
Scene: Gambit is waiting at the clock tower. Rogue descends, touches her bracelet and kisses him.
End.