Chapter 79: Allen's Poison Ivy Robin
"Old man Steve."
Allen's face squeezed into the frame as he waved at Steve in greeting.
Steve instinctively reached out to press the disconnect button, but Allen quickly stopped him. "Don't hang up! If you dare to cut me off, I'll head straight to Stark Tower to find you."
Steve immediately halted his actions, looking helpless. "What do you want?"
Everyone else in the base was completely stunned.
They actually knew each other.
"Tell them who I am."
Allen arrogantly put his hands on his hips, waiting for Steve to reveal his prestigious identity.
"You're Allen."
Steve was confused—weren't they all mixed together? Shouldn't they already know about each other?
Allen emphasized again, "I mean my identity in S.H.I.E.L.D., back in World War II."
"World War II?"
Steve recalled, "S.H.I.E.L.D.'s weapons expert, a member of the commando unit. What about it? What's the issue?"
It was ancient history. He really didn't understand why Allen was bringing it up again.
"There, there, there… You all heard that, right? I wasn't making things up!"
Allen smugly flared his nostrils at everyone, practically spelling out the word 'badass' across his face.
Bruce wasn't surprised. He had met Allen in the League of Assassins. Logically speaking, Allen should now appear middle-aged, yet he still looked like a teenager, which was highly suspicious.
And yet, he could be traced back to World War II?
Under normal circumstances, he should be at least seventy or eighty years old.
Steve's appearance remained unchanged due to being frozen, and that was mainly thanks to the super soldier serum.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had conducted a comprehensive examination on him and concluded that his "Bacchus Factor" played a significant role—otherwise, he might not have even survived revival.
Erik, on the other hand, was utterly shocked. From World War II to now, Allen was practically a founding figure of S.H.I.E.L.D., someone even Director Fury had to treat with utmost respect.
Damian, however, looked disappointed—he hadn't gotten to witness the dramatic spectacle he had expected.
As for Lilian? No one cared about her reaction.
"Old man Steve, have you seen Bucky?" Allen asked casually.
Steve sighed. "Bucky's in bad shape. He's been living in hiding, afraid that Hydra will find him and manipulate him into committing crimes."
"You could try asking Baldie—Professor X. His psychic abilities might help." Allen suggested.
"Maybe, it's worth a try."
Steve said, "If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."
The screen cut off.
---
Stark Tower.
Hiding nearby, Tony Stark let out a sigh of relief. "Good thing he didn't bring up Stark Industries' shares."
Back when Howard founded Stark Industries, he had given Allen a 30% stake. If calculated today, that would be worth tens of billions.
However, after multiple rounds of financing and dilution, only 15% remained—all managed by Tony. Combined with his own shares, he had full control over the massive business empire.
"Don't think of it that way. Technically speaking, Allen is your uncle."
Steve's remark nearly made Tony cough up blood.
If Allen was his uncle, then Steve was of the same generation—didn't that make Tony the junior here?
"Your sarcasm—did you learn it from him?" Tony scrutinized Steve.
"Not much. Just a little."
---
Back at the base.
Allen remained completely unaware that he was a billionaire.
He had long since thrown any thoughts of shares out the window, completely forgetting about them.
At the time, he hadn't taken it seriously, and after everything he'd been through, it had slipped his mind entirely.
"Hey, Bats. I've got intel that vampires might be keeping civilians locked up in a warehouse on the outskirts. Can you analyze which location makes the most sense?"
The intelligence from the female vampire still needed verification. At worst, it was just an extra trip.
Bruce pulled out a map of Gotham and began cross-referencing information to determine possible locations.
Allen explained the situation in full, then dramatically added, "Ah, my love… She betrayed her kind for me, watched the sunrise with me, and was willing to give up her eternal life just to create one fleeting yet sweet memory. This love… it's too heavy, too grand and tragic!"
Clenching his fists, Allen tried his hardest to squeeze out a tear.
Damian had his own take on the situation. "Let me guess… You forced her to watch the sunrise?"
"Oh, look at you, kid, acting all smug."
Feeling his ego bruised, Allen shot back, "Tch, stupid girl, you don't understand love."
"…"
That hurt.
He actually called me 'stupid girl.'
Damian's face turned red with frustration. After a long pause, he finally spat out, "You keep imitating Batman—you'll never have your own Robin!"
"I don't have a Robin!?"
Allen's eyes widened as he repeated, "I don't have a Robin!?"
His expression looked like he had just been triggered. His eyes darted around wildly.
At that moment, Lilian, who had been watching their bickering with amusement, suddenly made eye contact with Allen.
Oh no, he's targeting me!
Lilian quickly turned her head and pretended to be busy, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw Allen already beside her.
Panicked, she asked, "What are you doing?"
"Robin… My Robin… Keh keh keh…"
Allen let out an eerie laugh as his hand reached for her side.
"Allen, calm down! We have no grudge against each other, don't do anything excessive!"
Lilian nervously backed away while Allen kept closing in. A marker had somehow appeared in his hand.
"Stop!"
Unfortunately, as a mere girl, she was no match for Allen's absurd strength.
Before long, Allen finished drawing to his satisfaction and announced, "My Poison Ivy Robin."
Lilian looked absolutely miserable—Allen had drawn a black, masked domino on her face.
So embarrassing.
So humiliating.
She hated anything to do with Robin!
Covering her face, Lilian was on the verge of tears, looking utterly hopeless.
Damian, who had witnessed the entire scene, cringed.
If she counts as a Robin, then what does that make me?
As expected, the world of lunatics was incomprehensible.
---
"We've got a lead."
Bruce had finished his analysis and marked the possible locations where civilians might be held.
"There are three locations. It's obvious—they want us to split up and take us down one by one."
Allen narrowed his eyes in satisfaction. "A genius like me instantly saw through their scheme."
"The hostages might actually be spread across the three warehouses. I've already invited Green Arrow to assist us."
Bruce was always cautious. He had considered the risk of startling the vampires into taking drastic actions, so he had called in a like-minded ally.
"Green Arrow coming to Gotham? Now that's going to be lively."
Allen couldn't help but fantasize. "If only the princess were here too. I've been away for so long—she must be heartbroken. Ah, this damned yet irresistible charm of mine."
"Who's the princess?" Bruce asked.
"Diana."
Bruce was skeptical. "You know each other?"
"What's so strange about that? We were in the commando unit together during World War II. Of course, feelings developed. I was even the first man to set foot on Themyscira—to visit my dear mother-in-law, the Queen. What's the problem?" Allen said smugly.
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