Chapter 269: Batman: Trust Me!
Lizard Professor was on Bat Island. The island's strongest force originally needed for suppressing Lizard Professor—Hulk—temporarily didn't need acting. He was responsible for watching Norman Osborn.
Dr. Octavius was responsible for analyzing miniature sensor-transmitted comprehensive Lizard Professor data for overall judgment.
Professor Morbius would—based on Octavius's real-time feedback data—determine serum mixture proportions.
The serum itself wasn't any antidote.
Several scientists had long understood Lizard Professor's problem. Connors's own genes had issues. Current stages couldn't rely solely on medication re-repairing Connors's genes.
Morbius's currently-crafting serum resembled gamma inhibitors used on gamma monsters—specifically researched targeting Professor Connors's regeneration serum... something that could be called "insect repellent."
As for Batman himself—when other scientists' work temporarily hadn't encountered obstacles or difficulties—his job was closely approaching Lizard Professor under circumstances where Hulk hadn't battled Lizard Professor.
"Be careful."
One of Octavius's mechanical tentacles gripped one air filtration mask perfectly fitting Batman's cowl, handing it over while addressing Batman.
From data analysis, Professor Connors's pheromones plus molting-produced odors and bodily fluids were harmless to humans.
But data ultimately remained data. Octavius—as scientist—wouldn't blindly trust data.
Batman habitually prepared for worst-case scenarios. Therefore, even if Octavius hadn't handed over air filtration masks, Batman would have proactively requested them.
"I will." Batman's voice remained low while responding. "Morbius, how much longer?"
"Three." Professor Morbius spoke.
Batman's brow furrowed slightly. He knew on-site creation—based on data—of "insect repellent" perfectly applicable to current Lizard Professor represented considerable difficulty.
Even if Batman personally handled it, he'd probably require considerable time completing it.
Since "insect repellent" wasn't ready yet, Batman decided not waiting longer. He'd proceed directly to Bat Island.
After close-range Lizard Professor observation, he'd find methods returning for the serum.
Batman's thoughts raced. His eyes hadn't even glanced toward Professor Morbius. He lifted his foot, about to exit the laboratory.
But he subsequently heard Professor Morbius continue: "Two, one. Done."
Batman turned his head. He observed Professor Morbius drawing under ten milliliters of green liquid into one metal syringe, then tossing it toward him.
"Thanks." Batman caught the syringe in one motion, addressing Professor Morbius.
Now everything was ready. Batman rapidly exited the laboratory. He didn't even proceed to North Brother Island's shores—directly jumping in position from the laboratory entrance.
Amid muffled sounds, Batman—carrying whistling sounds—leaped into high altitude, then spreading his cape while gliding toward Bat Island.
---
Bat Island's core area. Precisely Parker Manor's incomplete foundation.
Previous nights, Norman Osborn had heard strange hissing sounds through darkness. He didn't know what they were. But Batman and North Brother Island scientists clearly knew those were Lizard Professor's breathing sounds.
But Lizard Professor currently lay here motionless. Breathing once every several minutes. Heartbeat slowed to extremes.
CREAK, CREAK...
Breathing remained weak. But Arkham suit displayed Lizard Professor's vital signs weren't feeble—rather his body was experiencing some internal transformation, accompanied by subtle bone and muscle growth sounds.
Amid these subtle sounds, Lizard Professor's body surface dark-green scales plus ferocious bone spurs gradually became gray-black, losing luster, separating from underlying muscles.
This was precisely Octavius's mentioned "molting."
Batman manually activated Arkham suit scanning mode. Eyes emitted white light. Beneath this shedding keratinized layer, he observed Lizard Professor's true appearance clearly.
"Spine elongating. Thoracic structure changing. Internal organ displacement. Upper jaw developing new organ—vomeronasal organ. Brain activity intense. Body temperature continuously dropping, gradually approaching current environmental temperature..."
Consecutive analyses—more intuitive than Octavius's pure data—appeared in Batman's mind:
"New scales highly keratinized. Body skeletal structure transforming toward reptiles rather than previous upright-walking humanoid lizard."
"Physique slightly smaller than before. Previously upright state height reached four meters. Body length approached eight meters."
"New physique. Current data: height three meters. Body length 5.7 meters."
Batman didn't rashly disturbing Lizard Professor's molting process. Didn't directly inject Morbius's rapidly-created "insect repellent" into his body.
From appearance, skeleton, organs, muscle distribution, plus scale thickness analysis—Lizard Professor's condition naturally wasn't optimistic.
But even Batman couldn't—under circumstances where Lizard Professor hadn't awakened—determine whether his consciousness remained lucid, whether the personality appearing after opening eyes would be Connors or purely beast.
One minute. Two minutes.
As time progressed, Lizard Professor's physique maintained unchanged. Only newly-formed scales began transforming toward dark-green, becoming increasingly hardened.
Simultaneously from nose bridge, two rows of fine saw-tooth scales stood upright—extending all the way to skull rear. These scales grew increasingly ferocious and sharp.
When extending to shoulders, these saw-tooth scales had completely transformed into ferociously-protruding bone spurs. Two rows of bone spurs irregularly extended all the way toward tail, converging together at tail tip.
Much later, daylight arrived.
When the first rays of sunlight penetrated Bat Island's forests, illuminating Lizard Professor's body—his tightly-closed eyelids suddenly opened. Golden vertical pupils flashed primitive ferocity.
RIP, RIP!
Lizard Professor moved. Breaking free from shed but still body-wrapped dead skin. Tearing, shredding. Twisting his tail while crawling from old shell.
"Emergency Plan C! When necessary, you can kill me!"
The instant Lizard Professor stood before Batman in completely new ferocious appearance—his mouth immediately released hoarse hissing screams, urgently shouting.
Words barely finished—Lizard Professor planted all four limbs on ground, looking upward while roaring once.
CRACK!
His tail coiled, wrapping Parker Manor's solid foundation—lifting one large chunk and smashing toward Batman.
"Batman, listen. My current condition is as follows!"
As Lizard Professor attacked, his mouth continuously growled:
"I've completely transformed toward reptiles. Skeleton..."
Batman dodged Lizard Professor's tail-lifted foundation, speaking:
"Body characteristics all recorded, Professor."
"Good!" Lizard Professor hissed once. He hunched upward while standing. Height matched Batman's estimates—over three meters tall, over five meters long.
SHING—the hunched Lizard Professor's two front claws extended gleaming cold-light talons. While launching attacks toward Batman, he urgently stated:
"My mental state is as follows: I believe you've invaded my territory. Therefore angry and launching attacks!"
"My body continuously secretes lizard serum suppressing frontal cortex. Simultaneously brain reconstructing neurons..."
"Save me, Batman! Brain attempting making me believe I'm a beast rather than Kurt Connors!"
Batman's voice remained low yet powerful:
"I'll save you, Professor Connors. Please trust me."