The following is a story adaptation of a role-playing game played between myself and my dear friend Alexander (aka HiQkid), in which I played as Dr. Henry Madison and he played as the curious characters of Gotham City. He has also proofread and edited this story. As such, he deserves partial credit as co-author and creator and of this story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gotham City, the DC Universe, or any recognizable characters, places, or events. Dr. Henry Madison is an original character, who does not exist within DC Comics Continuity.
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Henry Madison trudged hurriedly through the heavy rain, as he did every day since he had first moved to Gotham City as part of the rebuilding effort. Anyone viewing him would surely have thought that he was the most ordinary-looking man imaginable, save for two things. Firstly, Henry's hair and clothing, particularly his tie, were always slightly askew, no matter how he adjusted them, as he did from time to time out of habit. Secondly, there was always a slight shimmer surrounding him that was not entirely natural; it was like the glow of twilight fell upon him and nowhere else. As usual, Henry walked, red-faced and sweaty. As usual, his arms were full of plans and papers that left a trail behind him. As usual, Henry was late. In fact, the only thing that set this day apart from every other for this sad, meek little man was the sound of three men walking closely behind him. Henry took little notice. If he had understood the tremendous effect that these three men would have on the course of his life, he might have. Henry Madison's life was about to become anything but usual.
"Riddle me this," said the suave, soft voice that Henry heard behind him, over the din of the falling rain, "What are you if I say no more?" Henry heard a sudden, very loud crack, and was acutely aware that a large metal object was crashing against his skull. The last thing he heard before he lost consciousness was a punchline. "You, Henry Madison, are clueless."
When Henry awoke, it was to find himself chained up to a wall by unique, golden, question-mark-shaped cuffs that seemed to tighten the more he resisted. Before him, as his vision cleared, he noticed the three figures that had been stalking him on his way to work. The two bigger men were, quite literally, faceless thugs, having no facial features to speak of. The central figure was a man in a green suit with a question mark motif and a golden, question-mark-tipped cane.
"Wh-what do you want with me? I'm just a normal guy," stammered the increasingly nervous Henry.
"Oh, what a fine little puzzle you are," was the Riddler's reply, "Yes, that's it. A puzzle; hardly a 'normal guy' at all."
After briefly attempting to stutter, Henry gave up and just hung there, sweating and staring at the two faceless thugs.
"Ah, I see you've noticed my two faithful bodyguards. They were a gift from an old friend."
"B-but..." Henry shivered.
"But what do I want with you? Well, I'm not usually in the business of *answering* questions, but I will give you this little clue. You aren't the one I want, Henry. Kill him."
The faceless thugs drew pistols. Things began to happen very quickly. Henry's eyes widened, but not in fear. He loosened his pull on the cuffs and pushed gently, releasing a latch that allowed him to slip his hands free with ease. He then shouted, in a voice not entirely his own, "Bob-o! Full power ahead!" In Madison's mind's eye, he saw a sprightly little child set out to work, but all the Riddler and his thugs saw was the faint shimmer surrounding Madison become a vivid glow and surge forward, knocking them off their feet.
"Dr. Madison. I'm glad *you've* finally decided to join us. Just the man I wanted to see. It's fascinating to see two men inhabiting the same body, but hardly unheard of, especially here in Gotham. And a self-projecting, sentient force field? Bravo." The Riddler smiled contently as he rose to his feet.
"What does the Riddler want with one such as I? I am brilliance incarnate! I am the wielder of powers beyond even science itself! I am Dr. MADison!" As Dr. Madison spoke, he held his flailing fingers at the sides of his head, where they twitched and convulsed.
"I know. I know many things, as you'll soon discover. You see, Dr. Madison..." The Riddler paused for a moment to take note of the fact that Dr. Madison was not even looking at him; he was too concerned with examining the faceless men, "...I've been watching you for quite some time. You like to build things. I was considering hiring you to create something for me."
"Fascinating. I wonder how they work. I can think of at least several ways it could be done... hmm..." Dr. Madison turned, as if hearing the Riddler now for the first time, "Oh, yes? What?"
"An empire. With your gifts, you could rule this city, Dr., and I wouldn't mind having you as a friend."
"Why? So you can use me as your puppet? Not interested, thanks. I could care less about ruling anything."
"Oh, no. My days of pulling strings and creating capers are long since over with. It's been a long time since those first, happy days of crime and madness. The rules have changed, my friend, and I'm not the only one thinking of entering retirement. The Batman is in shambles, the Joker has been MIA for quite some time. Don't even get me started on the likes of Bane and Two-Face. But, ah, no matter. Tell me, then, Doctor, respectfully, what it is you do want, if not to rule?" The Riddler's eyes narrowed as he thought a million, coded thoughts per second, "To play second fiddle to Henry for the rest of your days? To die unknown and unrecognized? To spend the rest of your days building houses and writing plans, when there's an undiscovered world of creation out there?
Dr. Madison's eyes darted towards the Riddler in anger, and then became centered again. "Of course! Perfect. I'll do it! But there's a catch."
"Yes?"
"What about the Batman?"
"What about the Batman? Who sits in his cave all day and does nothing but cry?" He smiled a liar's grin, "If anything, I'd expect more trouble from Commissioner Gordon, these days." There was a pause. "And, might I ask, what made you change your mind so suddenly?"
"Just yet another brilliant idea from my unparalleled mind," Dr. Madison squealed and twitched with glee, "When do we begin?"
"What's the single greatest event in all of Gotham? Ah, of course, you wouldn't have heard of the big Gotham expo, as a newcomer to our fair city. Luthor's planning to dedicate the event to himself and all of his unmatched generosity in rebuilding Gotham. Find a way to use that, and I guarantee you'll be well on your way."
"I must begin at once! Goodbye and thank you, Riddler," called Dr. Madison faintly, as if from a distance. He then fell to the ground before the Riddler, and began to look around the room, utterly perplexed. His eyes narrowed.
"No! D-don't kill me, please," said Henry, clutching at his tie for dear life.
"Run along now Henry. The big boys are done talking. Go back to your little, insignificant life and remember; a good man is hard to find, a powerful man is hard to fine, and a good and powerful man doesn't exist. At least not for long," called the Riddler, as Henry stumbled away, trying to find his way out through the darkness of this strange place of winding halls and puzzled geometry. As Henry made his clumsy escape, the Riddler mumbled to himself, "Yes, quite a puzzle indeed. Oh, this will be fun."
