DC GENESIS: The Riddler #1

Title: "The First Act"

Story written by: Kisser Ne
Most Characters and Settings by: DC Comics

I can hear the sirens ringing in the background! Oh yes, they're coming and coming and coming! Before they reach me, I'll be gone. Before he reaches me, I'll be gone. I'll leave a surprise and to his demise, he will never reach me! The man in disguise, the paparazzi's eyes, he's the one who gets the prize! Oh yes... Batman, you'll get the reward of a lifetime... I am quick, I am smart and I know what I'm doing, now. I admit that in the past, you have bested me but I will prove myself to this world. Oh yes, I will. The only thing you have to do is guess. Let's see you solve my mysteries, shall we? I am the best, I am.... The Riddler!

Location: GOTHAM CITY MUSEUM

The man flipped and twirled through the museum, the tips of his toes lightly touching the floors as he sneaked through the corridors. The mission in mind, he was going to steal the "Hope Diamond." It's a symbol for Gotham, really. It's large and beautiful and well, its worth millions of dollars. Nothing was going to stop the masked criminal as he danced through the red sensors, getting closer and closer to his objective and by all means, not even the bat was going to spoil this grand surprise. The Riddler smiled to himself as he thought of his masterfully done plan to break Gotham's boundaries, to go where no villain has gone before...

He was going to make attempts, feeble but cunning. He was going to allow himself to get caught this time around and this would be the beginning of his illustrious plot and nothing stood in his way. He reached the large room where the sparkling gem rested and giggled ferociously. "Oh, Nigma. If only you weren't me, I'd marry you, you genius!" He chortled, biting his tongue as he brought a small box from a pouch on his leg. He pressed the button on the side and it began to unfurl from its puzzle sheath. A cane came forth and tapped the tiles beneath him, as he propped himself softly on the rectangular handle. He waited for a short period of time and looked upon the clock that ticked on the wall and with a heavy sigh, he tip-toed across the floor towards the glass casing and flicked his tongue. The speckles of saliva reflected the small detective lines as he slowly maneuvered his hand to the glass.

His fingertips grazed it, pushing gently on the surface as he searched for the weakest link. "Ah-ha! There you are..." he murmured, retracting his arm as he grasped his cane tightly, pressing two other minuscule buttons near the bottom of the shaft to unleash an extremely sharp sort of blade. He positioned the handle on top of his shoulder as he cranked his head to the side to hold it and steadied his hand. "Just like a pencil," he whispered as he licked his lips and slowly wrote upon the glass. "Riddle, Riddle, Riddle..." He hissed as he shaved at the glass, eyeing at his signature that formed from the tip of the knife. He finished and brought the blade to his mouth, pursing his lips as he blew off the new found dust. A smile graced his mouth as he began to giggle, which in turn became a hysterical and loud laughter as he danced around, rolling underneath the lasers and hopping to his feet on the other side of the case. "One, singular sensation every little move I make! One, thrilling combination every step that I take!" He sung as he brought the cane up and through the beams once more, he tapped the glass and it fell to pieces.

He gripped the diamond with his hand as he removed it from the velvet pillow. "Come to papa!" He squealed, holding it to his chest as he playfully puckered up and kissed it. "Time to take our exit," he whispered to the diamond as he pocketed it, quickly and rushed towards the entrance. "Where to create my art?" He pondered to himself as he sneaked through the sensors, acting very carefully so that he would not trigger any of them before his grand escape. "Ah! There's a good spot!" He exclaimed as he entered the great hall and hastily made his way to the eastern wall. His fingers scrambled through his pockets again as he searched for the most necessary piece to complete his crime. "Yes, here it is..." He said under his breath as he brought the large marker to the white paint. He only had one more step to go and then the authorities could come rushing in to find his masterpiece. After they discovered the diamond was gone and Batman deciphered his simplistic riddle, he would wait patiently for them to retrieve him from his "hide-out." He smiled just thinking of his deliciously devious plan and nothing was going to stop him.

"Riddle me this! What flies like a Bat and walks like a Man? If you understand what I have planned, meet me near the fan where the Old Man stands. Guess if you can! I'll wait where I am..."

The Riddler showed his teeth, grinning uncontrollably at his artwork as he nodded and turned around. It was time for the grand finale! He bolted towards the door and triggered the alarms, just like he was planning to do. Unfortunately, a shadowy figure awaited him outside, grasping him by the neck and bringing him to a complete stop. "Batman..." He growled as he struggled to breathe in the tight grasp. Edward was quickly cuffed and gagged and thrown into the Batmobile and transported to Arkham Asylum by the Bat, himself. The Riddler growled underneath his breath, replaying the moments of glory and the moments of failure over and over again in his mind. He was so close and yet, once again, everything was spoiled...

THE RIDDLER, GOTHAM CITY, SOME CHARACTERS AND ALL SETTINGS ARE THE PROPERTY OF DC COMICS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, THE PLOT AND THADDEUS VINCH ARE MY IDEAS, BUT THE REST IS DC.

Next issue:

DC Genesis: The Riddler #2

"Lost Tapes"