BATMAN: UNMASKED
CHAPTER 1
The party room was overdone, Wayne thought to himself. He has had many birthdays, but every year it still seemed like a big event for Gotham city. The owner of the hotel insisted on making the room as attractive as possible, to make Bruce Wayne feel like a billionaire.
"But I am a billionaire" Bruce argued. "Why would you make me feel like one".
"It is what I always say" the owner replied, in a French accent. "To make my guests feel welcome".
There were many silver and gold balloons, streamers, Happy Birthday signs and even a jazz band. Half of the guests were nearly drunk from all the champagne being brought out.
As Wayne moved though the tipsy crowd, he felt a bit uncomfortable with all the attention. His butler, Alfred, was enjoying himself a rare "day off".
"Just remember, you don't get the night off Al" Bruce joked.
"Is it really necessary to talk about that here, Master Wayne?" Alfred joked back.
"Just enjoy yourself Alfred, you'll need it".
The elevator at the end of the room chimed, and the doors opened to reveal one of the most well known criminals in Gotham City.
"Riddle me this" the Riddler called out across the room, many of the guests gasped in horror. "What is the one thing you can be sure of on your birthday?"
Many people in the crowd, despite the danger, began whispering answers.
"Nothing" the Riddler answered.
The Riddler's Henchman, all wearing dark green suits and black masks, didn't seem to understand.
"You all seem dumbfounded" the Riddler said with a smile. "Shall I explain it". He began walking through the crowd; his henchman followed him, showing their guns to the frightened guests.
"You can't be sure you'll be wished a happy birthday, you can't be sure you'll remember it, you can't be sure you'll….even get a birthday cake" the Riddler explained, taking a plate of birthday cake set out on a table. He took a bite.
"Coconut, yuck". He threw the cake away.
"As I was saying. You can't be sure if you'll even be a year older. You could just, quite unlikely but possibly, die before the hour you were born even comes around, and therefore, on your birthday, you can be sure of…" he was standing face to face with Bruce Wayne. "…nothing".
"I don't believe you were invited" Bruce said jokingly, but sternly.
"Doesn't bother me. A lot of people don't get invited to many things, but they go anyway".
Bruce Wayne nodded his head in agreement. "What do you want?".
"You, held for ransom. Billions of dollars coming fresh out of your bank account. Riddle me this: what does money have in common with me?"
"The color, green of course" Wayne answered.
"Correct, you answered that quicker than I expected. I'll give you one request before I take you out to the truck".
"Fair enough, may I use the bathroom?"
"Of course. I know you're smart enough not to try and escape, so I'll have my boys wait outside".
The Riddlers henchman escorted Bruce to the bathroom, and waited outside the door.
Once Bruce was inside, he began whispering into his watch.
"Oracle, we have a problem" he whispered
"I was sure something was going to happen today" came a reply. "Don't bother me with the details; I had Alfred hide a suit in the ceiling of the bathroom".
"Guess I'm lucky I'm in here now then".
The Riddler moved about the frightened crowd, balancing his bowler hat on his finger.
He dropped his hat when the bathroom door was kicked down by Batman.
"How…" The Riddler stuttered.
The two henchmen guarding the door were taken by surprise. One was high kicked, and the other was grabbed the neck. Batman bashed the one grabbed by the neck against the wall, knocking him out.
Two more Henchmen charged at Batman. One threw a punch, which Batman grabbed, and twisted the attackers arm, breaking it. He turned to other one just in time to deflect the knife being lunged at him; he head butted the henchman, who fell to ground.
"Well done Dark Knight, but now you have to deal with me" the Riddler mocked, swinging his cane at Batman. Batman ducked and punched the Riddler in the leg, grabbed the cane when Riddler dropped it and knocked his foe out.
"Sorry Edward, uninvited guests don't get in that easily" Batman joked.
Edward Nygma was being escorted to a prison cell in Arkham Asylum.
Nothing has changed much, Edward thought to himself, the cracks in the wall and blood stains were as familiar as usual.
Edward was thrown into his usual cell, the prison guards walked away.
The dark, cold walls of Edwards' cell were covered in green crayon drawings; question marks and riddles dominated every inch of it.
Edward put his head in his hands.
"How does he know?" he muttered. "How does he always know? He must have little camera's, all over the city, or ugly little bats, working for him. As soon as Wayne left, the Batman just….just….".
Edward frowned, and concentrated on a Riddle on the wall that stood out from the rest. "WHO IS BATMAN?"
Edward stood up, picked up a green crayon off the floor and began writing. He walked back staggeringly; hand over mouth, until his back met the coldness of the cell bars. He sat on the cold, dirty floor, staring at what he had written. "BRUCE WAYNE".
Edward started laughing quietly to himself, and then laughed so loud that it echoed throughout the cell block. Many of the inmates stirred.
"Well, someone must have heard a good joke today" said a familiar voice from the cell opposite Edward's. "Care to share Eddie? We can all use a good laugh in a place like this; don't hog it all to yourself".
"It's much better than a joke my friend" Edward called back, turning around to face the opposite cell block. "I have solved the ultimate riddle, one that will even make you smile bigger than ever, Joker".
"Really?" Joker asked, standing at his cell bars. "I would be surprised myself if I smile a little more…..just an inch would do the trick".
"So, are you in? We're going to need a lot of guests for this huge party".
"Of course, just let me make a phone call".
The joker began whispering into an orange walkie talkie which he had somehow snuck into Arkham.
"Harley, we need to make a few changes".
"Sure Mr. J" came the reply.
"We're going to perform a mass breakout out of here. I can't help but feel sorry for all the people in here, let's get them out as well darling".
"I was going to do that anyway. I got that big old Bane guy to help, and he is only too happy to get you out Mr. J"
"Ooh, that's my girl. Tonight, I'm taking you out to set fire to whichever building you want".
"Aww, your soo sweet"
"I am quite a charmer. But tomorrow night, we set fire to the whole town".