-An Abused Genius-

[[The] Riddler]

They say there is a fine line between genius and insanity but I don't know this line because I'm a genius and everyone else probably thinks I'm a little crazy but I don't care, I've never cared. People could never understand the complexity of my mind, the inner workings are too intricate for the likes of mere mortal men to comprehend. Is that really my problem though? It shouldn't be, it should be their problem. Why can't they get to my level?

My name is Edward, Edward Nigma to be exact. I work for WayneTech, not because I want to but because money is a necessary evil. You would think that being as bright as I am that I wouldn't need to work for people but alas access to the best tools around cost money as well and I don't have a ton of that. However, what they haven't been observant enough to figure out yet is that I've been stealing tools and blueprints. The reason they haven't figured it out its me is being the genius that I am, I've set other people up for it. I don't care about other people, I only care about me.

However, when the head of the Research and Devlopment department called me into his office, I was pleased. Maybe it was about time for me to get the praise that I was so rightfully due. So many people had gotten ahead on my hard work, it was time for my genius to be appreciated. I made my way into the office and stashed my ego away, for the moment being. I took the seat that was offered to me.

Edward Nigma: "You wished to see me, Sir?"[/i]

Head of R & D: "Yes Edward, I did. I have some bad news for you. We have to let you go, budget cuts and all."[/i]

My eyes flickered with rage. I slammed my fist against the table in front of me and glared at the man.

Edward Nigma: "You can't fire me! I do all the work around here! Without me, this place is nothing!"[/i]

Head of R & D: "That's not true Edward. Please pack your things and go."[/i]

Edward Nigma: "Oh I'll go, but this isn't the last you've seen of me."[/i]

I slid out of my chair and made my way out of that office. I got all my things together and took it out to my car. I was given a nice severance package but that wasn't going to be enough to satisfy me. I wanted revenge and I would get it, no one would stop me from getting what I wanted.

Three Days Later...

I'm sitting in my apartment, with a copy of the Gotham Gazette in my hands. I look down at the headline from the days paper and I cannot help but smile. Head of WayneTech Research and Development Murdered! And below the line was a picture of the murder scene with a big giant question mark on the wall above his desk, made out of the man's blood. There were no fingerprints, no traces of any physical evidence and I had been questioned, and provided an alibi. The police had verified it but they couldn't hang it on me, plenty of people had been fired and vowed revenge. Sure, I was the only one who had actually gotten it but I was the only one who was smart enough to get away with murder. It was the perfect riddle that no one could solve....no one but me that is.

[Barry Allen]

"Flying to Gotham, text u when I'm there."

[/font]

They really make cell-phones smaller than they should be.. Or maybe it's just that I don't like the modern technological advances? I don't know, it's really hard to say.

Oh, hi.

My name is Barry Allen, I'm a forensics expert- probably the best in the world. I'm not very personable though, they say it's hurt my career but I think otherwise. I like to spend my time munching on Cheetos and eating day old Chinese Food from my 'fridge, definitely not catching an red-eye out to Gotham City. I heard there's some big mystery with blood and a question mark.. Definitely not my cup of tea, but I'll make-do.

buzz.. buzz

"What?! U better give me some inside 411! =-*"[/font]

That's Iris, my dream girl. Did that sound like I was in the 50's? My bad, but it's true. Iris is the kind of girl you marry, but that leads to suicide from her talking your ear off, constantly. She's a cool chick though, i've come to grow fond of her and she's grown fond of using me to fill her with info for her job at Picture News, one of the bigger and important news places in Central City, where we're from.

"Maybe, we'll see. Hopefully I don't die in a plane crash. J/K!"[/font]

I wasn't joking though. I hated flying.. really hated flying. When I was a kid we traveled from Central City to Star City for vacation and that flight had more turbulence than life itself. Scared me to the point where the only flying I do is in Pilot Wings.. Ehh.. You probably wouldn't catch that reference. Nonetheless, I heard of Gotham, I knew that it wasn't exactly a place for cops, especially cops that was loosely attached to 'the force.' See, I'm not technically a police officer but I have a badge- sorta. I also have the ability to run names on our computer but I can't make arrests. So basically I do their job for them and they take the credit.

Nice.

buzz.. buzz

"shut up Barry! if ur not late ur joking about that stuff.. not funny!"

It was funny, because I didn't really care. I was a guy living in a hole in the wall, playing video games and reading comic books. People asked me if I had the chance, would I be like the Batman in Gotham? I said no, it's too much work. They asked me if I had one wish, if I'd be able to save lives like that guy Arthur Curry.. I said no, I'd use that wish for more wishes. Regardless, I guess at the end of the day I do save lives with what I do, I didn't intend on doing it. I like to believe that we've all got purpose and mine is to keep on the top of the leaderboards for whatever flavor of the month game I'm fiending on that month.

Saving lives? Dressing in armor and wearing a mask? That takes wayyyyyyyyyyy more effort than I'd like to emit. Some say I'm lazy, others say I'm complacent.

Me? I just say I'm Barry Allen, a sometimes good guy in a usually always bad world. Me being good at my job is sending me to Gotham City to work on a case of murder, sex, lies and a videotape.

OK, well.. Maybe not the last part- but definitely murder. I'm not one for horror movies, I prefer dramedies like "Funny People" and "Knocked Up." I don't find solace in other people's misery but I like knowing people share my views on life. I know there's something bigger out there for me, but I'd had to put forth an effort to reach it.

"k my bad, sheesh! i won't say fml, but i'll say brb cause i'm going 2 sleep. txt u l8r."[/font]

I lied, I wasn't going to sleep.

buzz.. buzz

"be safe barry."

I'd be thinking about Iris and how I'd probably destroy my chances with her by being who I am. Ah, it's alright I guess.. Nothing a few energy drinks and a night out in CHEERY OL' GOTHAM, MATE.. can't fix.

.. That's another lie. I would be thinking about Iris though, but I'd probably fall asleep from the anxiety pills I took for the flight. When I got to Gotham, I'd go straight to work on a case for a city I know nothing about for a guy I know nothing about.

"i will."

.. The story of my life.. I swear.[/center][/color]