A news copter whips around the Gotham City Police Department, its onboard camera focusing on the building's rooftop. Atop the GCPD sits a spotlight with a special emblem etched onto it. The symbol is that of a winged creature, similar to that of a bat. Gothamites and criminals learned rather quickly that this signal was often used to call upon the city's urban legend.. The Batman.

However, the logo has been altered to be upside down now with black markings to shape devilish eyes above it. The signal now shines what looks like a horrid face that matches what you would carve into a pumpkin if it were meant to be scary. This artistic change was done by none other than one of the many physcopaths in Batman's rogues gallery.. The Scarecrow.

Scarecrow's appearance resembled his dubbed name, a tatterdemalion. Around the lanky man's neck was a noose that tied down the bag on his head. Even that was covered by a tattered black gainsborough hat. The lunatic even had small bits of straw poking out from different spots of his outfit. The only thing that didn't coincide with a scarecrow's look was the devices attached to his hands. Metallic gauntlet like equipment wrapped around his arms as if they were lengthy gloves. On the ends of his fingertips were syringes filled with a special toxin the madman invented himself.

The Scarecrow had taken the police precinct hostage, the department's commissioner bound to a chair on the rooftop. James Gordon struggled against his restraints but was far too old to break free. His age reflected upon his appearance, greying hair that included his mustache. The commissioner even needed to wear glasses twenty four even for his sight to be clear, back in his youth the man didn't need any. Now the bifocals had been damaged, one lense cracked & the other fallen out. Gordon's face had been bruised from his captive's torture, scars and dried blood cover the commissioner's head.

The Scarecrow wields a scythe long enough to be the Grim Reaper's, and places the blade under Gordon's chin. Its a threat for the news chopper to not get too close, but also a taunt for the world to see. Aboard the aircraft is news reporter Vicki Vale, a beautiful natural redhead providing live coverage. The camera man gets the perfect angle with Vicki to the right and a view of Scarecrow behind her.

"-Jonathon Crane AKA The Scarecrow seems to have taken a hostage onto the rooftop now. From where we're flying, we can make out that the situation has escalated to a point that-", the reporter stops short upon seeing the rooftop entrance door kicked down by a shadowy figure. Nobody had ever caught him on camera before, until now, he's just been a myth..

The Batman steps out onto the rooftop, his cape covering his body so the only evidence to prove he's human is the open part of his cowl. The dark knight narrows his blank white eyes as he scopes out the environment. It was just as menacing as the small pointed tips on his head that resembled horns, some had thought him to be a demon due to the look. However, Jonathon Crane knew better after so many times battling the caped crusader. The Scarecrow knew just how human Batman really is.

"Let him go Crane.", Batman ordered with his fists clenching in anger behind his cape.

Batman was using the cloth to conceal himself after fighting Crane's cronies within the precinct. They had been armed with AK-47's & FN FAL's, despite the bullet proof suit, shrapnel pierced the body armor. To ensure he could still use his scare tactics, Batman wanted to hide his blood.

"I DON'T intend on doing that anytime soon.", The Scarecrow spoke through a distorted voice. The scythe pressed against Gordon's neck got deeper, starting to dig into the skin as a warning to Batman - don't come any closer.

Back on the helicopter, Vicki Vale was going nuts. "Are you getting this?! The Batman appears to be having a standoff with The Scarecrow!", she cried out with both terror and glee. The media was going to be in a frenzy after this!

Crane wasn't as skilled a fighter as Batman, but even so, the dark knight's injuries would put Gordon at risk if he rushed in head on. Scarecrow would be able to slit the commissioner's throat before Batman could even get three steps across the roof. The caped crusader began considering using one of his gadgets, perhaps a bat-a-rang. However, if he threw that at the scythe or Crane, Gordon would be at risk of the reflex from the sudden jerk.

Crane had Batman beat, the legendary figure was at Scarecrow's mercy. All Batman could do now was try and bargain, but the dark knight also knew there was no reasoning with a deranged being such as Jonathon Crane. Still, he had to try..

"You wanted me. Take me instead.", Batman offered. There was no sense in trying to talk Crane down, all he could do was attempt to swap places with James Gordon as the hostage.

"You'll find that I'm NOT SO EASILY manipulated, Batman.", The Scarecrow chuckled with sinister undertones. "You're forgetting that I was a professor in psychology.", Crane laughed.

Batman gritted his teeth, he was getting nowhere with this. It wasn't like he was stalling for time, there was no more Robin to back him up. Richard 'Dick' Grayson had moved to Bludhaven & become a new hero called Nightwing. After that, Batman had tried appointing a new Robin who's identity was Jason Todd. That was a mistake the caped crusader would come to regret forever.. a maniac called The Joker had murdered Jason Todd because Batman brought him into his crusade. Ever since, Batman vowed to work alone. Nobody would ever be given the Robin mantle ever again.

Batman's fingers found themselves digging into one of the many pouches in his utility belt. There was one option for how he was going to save Gordon and even that would be risky. The device Batman pulled out was no bigger than a nickel but with a simple press, it emitted a high pitched frequency that would spread across all of Gotham. However, it was at a certain level that humans wouldn't be capable of hearing. On the other hand, bats would have no problem locating the source of the sound.

In the caves and secret taverns beneath the city, the winged creatures flocked towards the noise like a homing beacon. It would be a matter of time before the flying animals swarmed the rooftop, and it would provide the perfect distraction for Batman to rush Scarecrow.

Elsewhere, in Japan, a young man watches the display from his television. Despite living in another country, the boy learned how to speak various languages, including English. The onlooker's name is Light Yagami, a light brown haired school student that wishes to rid the world of criminals such as Jonathon Crane. If he were like any other ordinary civilian, all he'd be able to do was watch.. but he recently fell into possession of an immense power.

Light Yagami had been walking home from school just a week ago when a black notebook fell from the sky. On the cover, were the words scratched on like a monster used its claw to write it: Death Note. When Light looked inside, he read a page explaining what the notebook could do, the rules of its abilities, and more.

Apparently, the journal had the power to kill anyone who's name was written inside. If you didn't specify how and when, the victim would die of a heart attack within forty seconds. Like most people would assume, Light thought this was some sort of odd joke. He didn't believe such a thing could be possible..and if it were, nobody should have such a power.

However, Light did think it would be funny to test it. He figured he should use it on a criminal if anything, then if it turned out to be real, nobody innocent would die. That's when Light discovered that the Death Note truly worked, and it belonged to a Shinigami. The notebook's owner was a Death God named Ryuk, who had grown bored and wanted to see what a human would do if given this ability. Ever since, Light has become a vigilante like the ones he idolized from America. Though he may not be as fast as The Flash or indestructible as Superman, he could still save lives! So Light began killing criminals that resided not only in Japan, but around the entire world.

Watching the intense situation on the news, Light sharpened a new pencil and began to write out Jonathon Crane's name in the notebook. With a proud smile, Light looked back and forth between the television & the watch on his wrist. It was just a matter of forty seconds now..

On the rooftop, Batman prepared to engage Scarecrow, it was a matter of forty seconds for the bats to swarm him. As the time ticked by, everyone waited impatiently for what would happen next.

After the moment passed, Scarecrow grabbed his chest like he had been shot by an invisible bullet. This made Batman hesitate for a brief moment, taken aback by the strange motion. Only for a moment though, as the bats he called flew down in a massive flock.

The news copter reeled back to avoid getting them caught up in the turbines or propeller. Besides, the camera couldn't show anything past the small black blurs whizzing by.

As for Batman, he used the opportunity to charge Scarecrow and perform a flying kick that nailed Crane in the face. Jonathon Crane plopped over as if he were already unconscious, but Batman paid no mind as he turned to help cut Gordon free. In one swift motion, the caped crusader slices the rope with a bat-a-rang.

"Go!", Batman orders the commissioner before turning around to face Crane again. The dark knight expects to see Scarecrow standing in a fighting stance, but is in awe to find the complete opposite.

Jonathon Crane lays crumpled up in a pile as if he had fallen off the roof. Batman approaches with caution to examine the corpse, wondering if this is some sort of trick. The detective discovers that this is no ploy upon placing his fingers on Crane's neck to check the vitals. Batman worries for a brief moment that his kick may have been too strong. Did he break his opponent's collarbone? Upon examination, the detective concludes that the neck bones are still in tact. The crusader recalls the moment that Scarecrow clutched his chest and examines there.

It doesn't take Batman long to figure out what had really killed Crane... it was a heart attack.

End Prologue

Next: Encounter!