Batman: Identity Crisis
Prologue
An eerie green light protrudes from a darkened alleyway in the deep night of Gotham City. High above in the sky, the Bat Symbol looms. It's warning to the scum of this city well understood from the lowly purse snatcher to the so called super villain. The Batman is near and so is the demise of their criminal acts.
In the alley the light is building in luminous volume. The body of a slight man, dressed all in green, lies face down on grimy pavement. A large question mark can be seen on the back of his torn and tattered jacket. The seemingly lifeless form is covered in blood and dirt from what looks like a vicious beating at the hands of someone completely deranged.
In the sky the Bat Symbol flickers off as the dawn slowly approaches. Out if the shadows, a darkened figure saunters towards the man on the ground. The neon green glow can now be seen emanating from a small object held in the hand of this mysterious fellow. Arching ribbons of the green energy trail out, latching on the head of the grounded victim. Little white nodules began to follow the ribbons back the other man, flowing into his body as if he was absorbing the very essence of his victim.
The assailant began to shudder and convulse. As wave after wave of the energy hit him, he began to sink to his knees. Suddenly he started to growl and shake his head as if it were about to explode. Throwing back his head, the man let out a blood curdling scream. The light surrounded him as he was lifted off the ground and levitated in a ball of energy. In one violent motion, all the crackling, flowing magic-like energy imploded into the hanging figure and threw him against a wall.
The man slides down the wall into a seated position. Lifeless and limp he appears to be dead. A few feet from him the other man on the ground begins to stir. Almost as if in response to his victim starting to come to, the perpetrator's eyes flash open. His eyes are giving off the same green glow as was seen before in the alley. Slowly he gets to his feet, a bit shaky a first but quickly gaining his bearings.
On the ground the rousing form rolls over, bruises covering his face. His glasses are broken, eyes unable to focus on the looming figure coming towards him. Terror is painted on his face, still unable to comprehend what is happening to him. Trying to speak, his voice cracks and he begins to cough violently. After a few attempts, he manages choke out, "What is happening?" No answer. "Who are you?" No answer. "Wait, who am I?"
A soft chuckle is all the other man will give. Looking at his hands, as if he had never seen them before, he clenched his fists a few times just to make sure they still worked. Another small chuckle, rolling into a bust a maniacal laughter that would terrify even the most hardened individual. "It worked." he whispered to himself. "It Worked!" he yelled with undeniable glee.
Like a flash he turns to the confused victim. The man in green, still on the ground, tries to skitter away only to fall on his rear. Again he screams, "Who are you!?" "Who am I!?" Once more he is met only with a guffaw. "Have you no decency?" "What have I ever done to you?" "Have I wronged you somehow?" He begins to sob uncontrollably, "Please help me!?"
Finally the shadowy figure speaks, "No Mr. Nigma, it is you that has helped me." 'Strange' thought the man called Nigma, 'he speaks in such a soft manner, he could never have done this to me' Nigma decides to push the issue again, "What is you name sir?" The other man ponders for a second. "My old name no longer suits me." "I shall have to come up with a new one I suppose."
Nigma tried to stand. "Sir, did you see who did this to me?" "You seem to know who I am, even though I do not." The shadow man spoke with an almost evil glee, "Why Edward, I did this to you." Edward squeaked, "You did!?" "But why!?" As the other man picked up a pipe laying at Edward's feet he said almost sing song, "Because you're part of the family now Mr. Nigma."
"Family?" said Edward, seconds before the pipe connected with the side of his head turning out the lights again.