DC: I am Batman

Gotham... a city cloaked in perpetual twilight, its skyline etched against a brooding sky. It's a canvas of shadows, a stage for a solitary figure to paint his masterpiece of vengeance.

– Batman: Gotham Impressions.

..... 

"Zzzt...

This is Gotham Gazette with breaking news. A tense hostage situation is unfolding at the Gotham Evidence Bureau. The Ventriloquist has barricaded himself inside, demanding..."

The reporter's voice crackled over the radio, barely audible over the downpour hammering against the Batmobile's windshield. "Experts speculate this is just another bizarre episode in Gotham's ongoing freakshow, fueled by the recent Arkham breakout... and of course, the Dark Knight himself. But speaking of the Bat, he's conspicuously absent..." 

Adam, the man behind the cowl, gripped the steering wheel. The square in front of the Gotham Evidence Bureau was more chaotic than usual. 

Before Wayne's Batmobile stopped, a large group of reporters surrounded it like flies seeing rotten meat.

They braved the drizzle and pushed the protesters holding signs that said "We don't want Batman" and the Police holding batons to maintain order. 

The flashlights of the cameras kept flashing. 

"Batman, what do you think about the recent rumors in Gotham that you were killed by Bane."

 "Do you have any idea about the challenge launched by the Ventriloquist?" 

"Batman, why did you openly..." 

"You freak! It's all your fault! The madman inside, do you understand? You attracted" 

"Catch him, catch him!" 

The protesters who tried to attack the Batmobile were quickly pinned down, but Adam turned a deaf ear to them. 

In the chaos, facing those gazes of admiration, indifference, or disgust, he opened the sliding roof of the Batmobile and inhaled the first ray of humid air on the rainy night. 

Huh -

He was a little nervous for the first time in a long time. 

As an actor in his previous life, he should have been accustomed to being exposed to the spotlight. 

But... today is different from the past. 

Adam sighed. Never mind traveling to the DC universe. As a super fan of American comics, he is confident that he can still live well. But he never expected that he would actually transmigrate into the body of the famous Batman, Bruce Wayne himself. 

As we all know, as the only one among the seven giants of the Justice League without superpowers, Batman is very likely the most powerful human ever on the surface of the earth. 

He is rich and powerful, extremely smart, extremely intelligent, has extraordinary fighting skills, and a will as strong as steel It's so awesome that it can't be described in words! But - what does all this have to do with Adam, a transmigrator? 

Oh, by the way, Batman is an orphan, and he was also an orphan in his previous life. This may be the only thing they have in common. The original body whose parents died and the time the transmigrator parents died, this double orphan combination is so cool. 

What's more annoying is that originally transmigrating into the body of Batman is already considered hell mode, and the timeline he traveled through is actually the period of "Batman: Knightfall". The Dark Knight is about to face one of the few complete defeats in his life - his spine is broken by [Bane]!! This can no longer be described as hell mode. 

Adam also thought about abandoning everything and leaving Gotham, but he quickly gave up this stupid idea. 

Bane knows Batman's true identity. If he flees without a fight, isn't that suicide? 

When Bane defeats him and completely controls the city, maybe... no, there is no doubt that it will be his death. Even if he survives by chance, he will be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

He glanced at the lower left corner and saw a line of small silver-white words that only he could see. 

[The Alfred Protocol is taking effect] 

[Warning! You need at least one anchoring prop to synchronize Batman's memory! ] 

"Damn it," Adam muttered under his breath, 'Other guys get transported to some fantasy world, find a glowing sword in a cave, and bam – instant hero. Me? I get the Batsuit, a city full of maniacs.'

Three days into this bizarre new reality, Adam had tried everything to trigger the Alfred Protocol and unlock Batman's memories. He'd sat in the Batmobile, meditated in the Batcave, and even tried on the Bat-shark repellent (it didn't repel anything, by the way). Nothing. 

Adam knew the Alfred Protocol was essential for his survival. Without Batman's tactical knowledge, combat skills, and the intricate web of relationships he'd woven over the years, Adam was just an actor in a bat costume. A dead actor in a bat costume, if Bane had his way. 

The glowing words in the corner of his vision blinked ominously. 

[Alfred Protocol] WARNING: Memory synchronization failure. Advise immediate acquisition of anchoring prop. 

Commissioner Gordon, haggard and disheveled, intercepted him at the entrance. "Batman, thank God! I thought you were..." 

"Dead? Don't believe everything you hear, Commissioner,"

Adam said, his voice a low growl. 

Gordon's eyes darted nervously. "But... Bane... we all saw..." 

"A deception, Gordon. A well-crafted illusion," Adam replied, his gaze unwavering. 

Gordon fell silent, clearly unsettled. He knew Batman better than anyone, yet something about him seemed... different. 

"You have what I requested?" Adam asked, his voice laced with urgency. 

Gordon nodded, hesitantly producing an evidence bag containing a grotesque puppet. Scarface, the Ventriloquist's twisted alter ego. 

Adam snatched the bag, a grim smile playing on his lips. "Excellent. This will prove... useful." 

He turned to Gordon, his voice barely a whisper. "The rumors of my death... were greatly exaggerated. It was Azrael who fell, not me. But that's a tale for another time."

Adam retrieved a large duffel bag from the Batmobile, then strode towards the Evidence Bureau, Scarface clutched in his hand. He paused at the entrance, a shadow among shadows.

"Ladies and gentlemen,

"The props are ready and the actors are in place" he murmured, his voice barely audible over the rain." The curtain rises. 

Let the performance begin."