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Aden Strong: Avatar In DC
An Innocent Old Man

An Innocent Old Man

(General P.O.V)

"I see him. An older man of asian descent, dressed in a t shirt and jeans. He's reading a copy of New Revelations of The Americas before Columbus. And it doesn't seem to be the only history book he has on the pile before him."

Superman told Batman. They were perched atop of a building overlooking the library where Aden had dropped off Iroh.

Batman narrowed his eyes as his suspicions were more or less confirmed.

"He's not a native. His face didn't turn up anything on any database. This man has never had an online presence which is strange."

Batman gave his thoughts only for Superman to shake his head, skeptical.

"That is hardly a crime. He doesn't seem like someone who can cause trouble, Bruce."

The Dark Knight looked at The Man of Steel in silence.

"He turned up with Aden at the entrance of the Library. The camera stationed discreetly above the entrance, captured them upon entry."

Superman frowned.

"Why didn't you say so in the first place? Regardless, just because he showed up with Aden does not automatically make him a bad guy. In the eyes of the law, he's not guilty of anything."

Superman replied.

"We need to interrogate him and find out what he knows."

Batman went on to say, Superman's word's falling on deaf ears. The Dark Knight looked to be done with the conversation if the way he palmed his grapple gun was any indication.

"Bruce, wait," Superman gripped Batman's shoulder and stopped him before he could swing away.

"I don't think that's a good idea. We have more important problems to deal with other than harassing someone innocent."

"He's leaving."

Batman abruptly stated.

"What?"

Superman turned his attention to the library and sure enough, they could see the old man exit the building. What was strange however was how he swiveled his head and stared right at them before turning away and leaving for an alley.

"Ok, I admit…I am a little interested in meeting him now."

Superman stated and floated up. He saw the small smug upturn of Batman's lips but chose not to comment on it.

Iroh's steps echoed loosely on the abandoned alley. He walked deeper in before stopping and turning around.

"You people have no sense for respecting your elders. I could feel your gaze boring into me incessantly."

Iroh addressed the two superheroes who had followed him into the alley. One of them floated down serenely, making the old general wonder what sort of abilities he had. Maybe a strong form of Air bending? Then again different world, different rules. The other one swung from the rooftop, agilely landed on the railing of a metal stair way before swinging from its bars and landing on the ground with nary a sound. Iroh looked on in interest. That was skill rivalling the earth kingdom's Secret Police, The Dai Li. He took the chance to study them, before they could speak up. Both of their spirits shone with the light of conviction. And the aura they gave off was powerful. Especially the tall man dressed in blue, red and a little bit of yellow. He felt like the sun.

The other one was weaker. Weaker by a very huge margin infact, yet his spirit was more wholesome and generally stronger than the one clad in blue and red. Of the two, Iroh felt that the black and grey themed superhero was more dangerous. He was similar to the him from before he lost Lu Ten and Iroh knew just how terrifying he himself was back then. Focused, highly skilled and relentless. Iroh made sure to pay close attention to him.

The thing that bothered him however, was why they were wearing underwear on the outside.

"Curious dress choices. I admit, I do not understand your culture fully but tell me this, is it common to wear your underwear on the outside?"

Iroh's words made Batman and Superman stare at each other strangely. It was a valid question but still…

"That is none of your concern."

Batman responded testily.

"What he means to say sir, is that this is not an underwear. Just an aesthetic added to the costume to make it unique. I'm sorry, where are my manners, I am known as Superman."

The Kryptonian introduced himself. Iroh raised a single eyebrow. That was a very bold choice for a name, Iroh thought to himself.

"You can call me Iroh."

He paid Superman the same courtesy and introduced himself as well, bowing slightly.

A brief silence fell upon the three as Iroh directed his sight to Batman. Superman sighed in slight embarrassment at how difficult Batman could be. The Dark Knight narrowed his eyes and finally said one word.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Batman."

"Mmmmh." Iroh hummed, "well, Batman and Superman, to what do I owe the pleasure of your acquittance?"

"We have questions…"

Batman begun only for Superman to step in.

"You don't seem like you're from around here, are you sir?"

Iroh chuckled slightly.

"What gave it away? I thought I was blending in perfectly."

Superman smiled slightly.

"You were. The only issue is that the cameras spotted you with someone dangerous… A misguided child."

Iroh's face turned serious.

"I can't say anything about his intentions before I first met Aden. But you're right and wrong at the same time. The boy is… going through something. Something that might cause him to lash out or clash with your ideals in ways you might find morally unsound. But you imply he's dangerous. You're wrong."

"What do you mean?"

Batman questioned, advancing forward to loom over Iroh. Superman flanked him on the right, crossing his hands on his chest.

"Simple, he is not dangerous Man of Bats, The Avatar is terrifying."

With that, Iroh simply…disappeared, leaving the two superheroes on the alleyway alone. Batman tensed, vigilant against a surprise attack. A minute passed and he stood up.

"Well, that was enlightening." The Man of Steel stated sarcastically.

"We didn't learn anything more than we already did. In fact, he left us with more questions than we initially had."

Batman ignored the Man of Steel and brought his arm up. He clicked on the pad of the holographic wrist computer and grunted.

"He's back at the library."

The visual feed, showed Iroh, calmly perusing an highschool level history book as a cup of tea sat infront of him. What was strange was how no one was calling him out on the blatant rule break. Foods and drinks were not allowed in that section.

"We need to go and interrogate him thoroughly. It is now obvious that while he might not be Aden's accomplice, he himself is a meta human, alien or…"

"An old asian master, fluent in the ways of chi and Kung Fu?"

Superman added while slightly chuckling.

"Flash, rubbing off on you?"

Batman asked, with a slight smile on his face, making the Man of Steel sigh heavily.

"Yeah. Ever since you left, he's taken me as his go to for annoying jokes…most of them are actually pretty funny, if they weren't at my expense."

Supes laughed while floating upwards.

"Anyway, It's clear that Iroh won't talk to any of us in these personas. So I was thinking, I could go in…"

"As Clark. Yes, that might work. I'll hang back. If Aden decides to show up, I'll be waiting."

Batman hashed out the plan, confident that the Teen would most likely come back. He entirely missed the change of expression on Superman's face to one of surprise, distaste and lastly determination.

"Batman, I'm going to have to take a raincheck on that."

Bruce narrowed his eyes. Something felt off with his best friend's sudden change in mood. So he questioned.

"Why?"

Superman looked down at him and responded before flying off.

"Luthor."

Just after Superman had taken off, loud screams, shouts, bangs and explosions started sounding out from the city. Batman narrowed his eyes and took off running. His grapple gun appeared and he shot a line atop of the roof of a four story building, then pressed a button on the grapple gun and he was pulled away. He landed on the roof and rolled, springing up just as he finished pressing a key on his holographic wrist computer. He took a running leap and jumped.

The distance was too long however and he didn't seem to have any intention to use his grapple gun like earlier. However, the batwing, flew in from under him and in a smooth arc, Batman landed on the cockpit and took off. The holographic projector connected with the Batwings internal systems and displayed a live clip of what was happening. Monster plants were attacking Washington DC, Gotham, Central City and other places across America. Most likely Poison Ivy.

"Pull up surveillance footage on the city and triangulate using news feed and live streaming to find out where the incident is happening."

It only took a second for the Batwing to give him the coordinates. Batman changed the direction of the Batwing and pressed on the gas, taking off like a bullet leaving a gun.

Something burned at the back of his mind though, why was Metropolis exempt from the Plant attacks?

(Metropolis- outside the city limits, abandoned construction yard)

"Ok, I'm here Lex. You said you wanted us to finish this once and for all, I think so too."

Superman announced, his expression hard like granite. He hovered above a bald headed man who had a slight smile on his face. Behind him, carrying a suitcase was none other than Mercy Graves. The woman was tense, while Lex remained relaxed and at ease.

"Sorry Superman but you know me...I don't clash fists like some uneducated brute. He... however, is a different matter, he revels in violence."

"What?..."

Superman was confused. Up until a presence made itself known, by shouting and then landing a heavy fist on The Man Of Steel's unbreakable skin. Superman was thrown away and slammed onto the ground, disoriented.

"Watch out for the Main man!"