(HOll's P.O.V)

The plan wasn't to hide out in the sewer.

I'm ashamed to say that I had tripped on the debris after the explosion had happened, leading to me falling inside the collapsed tunnel with arms flaring wildly.

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, I had landed on the sludge of sewage.

The rain coat helped keep my shirt dry but...my shorts were drenched. Not to mention, I'd lost a slipper in the murky water.

All said, I was not in a happy mood.

It was dark.

Barely any light reached me down here.

Still, I'd escaped and that was all that mattered.

That said, what a close call. Maybe I should lay low and not bring any more attention to myself. That means no Killing off heroes or high profile individuals.

Anyone else that went against me was fair game though.

The sound of flowing water reached my ears as I jumped over the collapsed concrete and pieces of stone that had made up the walls of the tunnel.

The sudden and unexpected explosion that had destroyed the street seemed to have come from underground.

Someone must have planted a bomb or used some kind of power on the tunnel systems.

Taking into account the kind of crazies running around Gotham, it wasn't too surprising.

The explosion had helped me flee the scene. No matter the strange energy roiling within me, there was no way I was going to win against Supes.

Not without knowing what I could do.

So that timely interruption had saved my hide.

An hour or so had passed since then. A few turns had taken me away from the collapsed section of the tunnels.

It was like a maze down here. A maze I was navigating without a source of light.

The same problems I had started of with, also remained. I was hungry and I was cold.

And the damp environment wasn't helping much.

I stopped in place as I arrived at the first intersection.

To reach here, I had taken a few more turns but looking back the way I had come...one thing was apparent, I was lost.

The only thing to do was go further in.

Turning back now would place me in their hands. Knowing Batman, he was going to track me down soon without me actively trying to fuck myself over.

"This won't do...I need to get far away from here. Maybe even the city."

I muttered to myself.

Judging by my position at the intersection, it would be better to follow the direction of the sewer flow.

The sewage would most likely lead to a drainage and I could use that to leave the tunnel systems.

Ok. I dipped a finger into the murk.

I was taking the left then.

My feet barely made a sound as I kept on walking, rats and other manner of rodents scurrying under me.

My eyes had also adjusted a little and I was able to avoid tripping on the wet pavement filled with garbage and other waste I didn't want to think about.

Jeez, this was almost bad as a storm out at sea. Almost, because nothing beat that. The raging water, the heavy winds, the rumbling sky...it was..

Wait.

I just heard something.

I stopped in place, listening keenly.

Yeah...the roar of water reached my ears. That must be the drainage. I hurried up, following the sound as a blue light begun pulsing to my front.

The light illuminated the surroundings enough that I found myself in a wide cavern.

It was a massive waterfall of sewage, going down into the dark depths, farther than the eye could see.

Fortunately, a long rusted ladder was also bolted onto the wall, providing a way up and out of the tunnels.

The light seemed to come from something on the ceiling. A bulb? No, it was some sort of...rock crystal?

Could that be what had caused the collapse of the street behind me? There was no way to know. And I wasn't going to stick around and find out.

I readied myself. The Ladder was directly before me, just over the wide hole where the water flowed out of sight.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

I could make the jump. The distance was only a few meters. Gotta be careful though, missing the ladder was a death sentence. I had no idea how deep the drainage was.

I tried to pull on the elusive power within me for assistance. But even after an hour of interacting with it, I was yet to see any success.

"Fuck it."

I backed away, got into a running stance and then took off! The burst of speed was actually surprising. I wasn't weak by any means. And in highschool I had ran track. But this...this was something else.

My body was different in a fundamental level.

I was going to make it. I reached the edge and then-

"Oof!"

Breath escaped me.

Something rough had grabbed me by the back of my neck. A hand. It's texture scaly and hard.

"Where the fuck do you think you going?!"

A loud roar reached my ears, blowing my hair to the front of my face. Hot breath landed on my neck.

I couldn't even turn around to see what it was due to the vice grip it had on me.

Oh yeah...I just remembered something.

One of Batman's rogue gallery made the sewers his home.

I was roughly pulled and unceremoniously thrown back the way I came.

My body slammed into the sewage, the dirty water almost filling my mouth if it wasn't for my timely intervention.

Breaking through the surface of the murk, I was angry for the first time since getting here.

I coughed, pulling myself to the edge. My shorts were wet and so was my shirt. The rain coat had weighed me down so I had lose it. And the other slipper was gone as well.

Steps sounded out behind me, just as I got to my feet.

I spun around and immediately ducked a long scaly claw that landed onto the wall behind, tearing through the concrete and throwing up dust and pieces of shrapnel.

Before I could roll away like I had intended, my chest was caught in between the wall and a large arm.

"Cough!"

Breath left my lungs at the blow.

Inhaling heavily, I finally looked up at what or who was attacking me.

Killer Croc's face appeared before me. His mouth opened, revealing long sharp teeth that gleamed even in the darkness.

Then he roared, his bad breath blowing right into my face. Spit landed on my cheeks as I closed my eyes, turning my face to the side.

"You Joker goons shouldn't have come here!! What the fuck are those crystals?!! You destroyed my home!"

His deep voice rumbled out, beady red eyes scrunched up in fury.

His face was pretty expressive for a reptile.

"You must have me mistaken bro. I don't know what you're talking about."

I answered, feeling the pressure on my chest intensify as the fucker pressed me onto the wall even more.

"You're lying!!"

He shot back.

Fuck, I might lose a rib if I don't do something.

"Is- is this how you treat your guests, Waylon?"

Calling his name made him pause.

"How do you know that name? Huh? How do you know me? You know what? It doesn't matter. That crazy clown put you up to this, didn't he? What does he want with me?! I told them all to leave me alone!"

Killer Croc opened his large mouth, revealing the sharp teeth once more.

"Guess I'll have to send a more convincing argument. What do you say, your head?"

Oh shit. That plan had back fired miserably.

Batman you asshole, if you followed me down here, now's the time to intervene before I-

"Aarrghhh!!!"

I couldn't hold in the howl of pain as Killer Croc's teeth sank into my shoulder.

He was a cannibal right?

Dammit, I could die here. My vision swam as the teeth sank in deeper. Fuck this, I turned within myself, pulling on that same strange power within me.

This time, it surged forth eagerly. As if having a target to be used on was a prerequisite, a requirement.

A green slimy light escaped my palm landing on Killer Croc's neck.

However instead of decapitating him or blasting him back or anything just as violent as what he'd done to me,

Killer Croc stumbled back, the green energy creating a jell like collar around his neck.

"What...?"

He muttered, reaching up and trying to pull the collar off.

And suddenly I was flooded with a strange awareness. I knew what his body could do. How much he could lift, his jaw strength, the durability of his scales and the potential I could unearth out of him.

I sank to my knees, hit by a sudden bout of weakness. Blood poured down my shoulder in rivulets and my breath came out harshly.

That said, nothing could hide the smirk of success on my face. Why? Because I'd figured what power this was.

I now knew what I could do. I could control people. Killer Croc's entire body was under my control. All because of the green jelly like collar around his neck.

Something that no matter what he did would never be taken off unless I was killed or decided to take it off myself.

It was the power of the...Pet Pet Fruit.

I just...knew I was right. This particular Paramecia devil fruit was eaten by a guy called Breed in a popular anime in my world.

One piece.

And it was strong enough to control even the body of the main character who had an ability called Conquerers Haki, something that could dominate the will of others.

And now the power was mine.

"What is this??!"

Killer Croc demanded, trying to tear off the collar with his brute strength.

Veins surged out across his skin. But no matter how much power he applied...he couldn't get it off.

I couldn't help it, a few chuckles escaped me as I slid down the wall, applying pressure onto my bleeding shoulder.

Red eyes glared my way.

"You."

The mutated human said, stomping my way, sharp claws gleaming dangerously.

"What did you do to me? What is this thing on my neck? Get it off or-"

"Shut it."

I ordered, enjoying the expression on his face as he found himself clamping his mouth shut.

"Jump."

I gave another order.

Killer croc complied, jumping up and almost reaching the ceiling.

"Jump again, but this time land in a superhero stance."

He jumped and executed it perfectly.

"Do a moonwalk."

He pulled off a smooth moonwalk that would have put Michael Jackson to shame. Big guy had moves.

But big guy had also injured me badly. With a sadistic grin, I decided on a little revenge.

"Dunk your face into the sewage."

Waylon's face was fuming as he did so, sinking to his knees, helpless to refuse my orders.

He dunked his face into the water, staying there for as long as I deemed it necessary.

I got to my feet unsteadily, feeling the blood loss and hunger take effect.

"Get up."

I commanded after a few seconds and Killer Croc raised his face out of the water.

The defiance in his gaze said everything I needed to know.

If he ever got free...I was finished. Emphasis on the word 'if.'

I needed to get out of here, and because I couldn't climb the ladder in my current situation, that only left one option.

I cleared my throat.

"You will not directly, or indirectly ever seek to do me harm. You will not betray me. You will hide away all details about my abilities. You will tell me all relevant information and actively seek to protect me from any threats, whether I see them coming or not. Basically,"

I smiled, adding,

"You will dedicate your entire life to me. I know I cannot control your mind...(yet) or your consciousness, so I won't try. Follow my orders and I'll be good to you. Disobey and dunking your face into shit filled water will be the least of your worries. Nod if you understand."

His entire body was trembling in rage. Our eyes clashing in mid air. Schadenfreude in mine and hatred in his.

Then, tentatively...he nodded his head.

A wide smile split across my face.

"Good. Now Carry me out of this place to somewhere safe. Clean my wounds and get me some food...pet."

I gave one final order, struggling to stay awake.

If I passed out, I was as good as dead.

That was one of the lesser known weaknesses of Paramecia devil fruits.

Most would lose effect once the user was knocked unconscious. I didn't know if the same applied to the Pet Pet Fruit and I didn't want to find out.