Just as Batman and the rest of the league were leaving the courtyard, Arias turned to Terra and Fredrick to say his goodbyes.
"I should be leaving as well. I was clearly a target, so staying here will only put you in danger," Arias said in a tone carrying concern, knowing full well that his words were being heard by the members of the league.
He knew this wouldn't completely remove him from suspicion, but it would at least make those who hadn't known him long doubt his involvement in the matter.
Terra looked reluctant but nodded. "Alright, be safe... Dad."
Arias nodded at her words and looked toward Mercy before instructing, "Make sure she remains safe. And if you manage to find out who did this, let me know."
Without saying more, Arias walked off alone, seemingly unfazed by the possible remnants of danger that could still be lurking around.
Before getting far, Batman called out to him, "We'll have someone escort you, in case there are more attackers. We didn't do a full sweep." He offered, but Arias swiftly declined.
"I'll take my chances. If you follow me, I'll consider it a hostile action and act accordingly," he warned before walking off, leaving Batman frowning. But he could do nothing but watch Arias leave.
---
Upon arriving back at the solitary airport, Arias saw a familiar sight that caused him to smile. "You just don't learn," he commented, his gaze focused on Superman's figure hovering near his plane.
Superman bore a serious expression, eyeing him with a frown. "No, I have learned. Learned that you're a very dangerous individual, even more so than Luthor. I know you're the one behind this madness, and you're going to pay for it," he revealed, his tone carrying some anger.
Arias's smile grew wider, and he chuckled at Superman while shaking his head. "You really are nothing but your government's loyal dog. Does it make you proud? Feel important, perhaps? Because you're clearly not doing this to make a change. If you are, then I must be blind."
His words shook Superman's resolve and caused him to advance toward Arias, stopping only inches away from him.
"Think what you want, but I know putting you away for a long time will definitely bring about change for the better. So just give up. I've already swept the area; aside from the pilot, you're all alone. Don't make me beat you into submission." Superman warned, quite seriously, but Arias didn't seem bothered in the least.
Arias just sighed and shook his head. "You truly never learn, Clark."
**Bang!**
Superman's eyes widened as he quickly clutched his chest and coughed up blood, his body soon falling to the ground, in what felt like déjà vu.
"I... I checked, how..." His vision grew hazy as he looked at Arias in disbelief.
Meanwhile, on top of one of the airport's towers, Rose emerged from her prone position and removed the lead blanket that had covered her.
'How does he know this?' she wondered while descending the tower, surprised that Superman had fallen under similar circumstances again.
The same train of thought plagued Superman's mind as his consciousness began to slip.
Arias took the moment to grab Superman by the hair once again before warning, "That's two strikes, Clark. One more, and you're out."
Without waiting for a reply, he slammed Superman's face into the ground and boarded the plane, getting comfortable while he waited for Rose to arrive as well.
It was then that his satellite phone rang, and he picked it up casually. "Yes?"
The other side carried a feminine and seductive voice, one most would recognize as belonging to the ruler of Greater Bialya, Queen Bee.
**[I am expecting a thank you. After all, I have sacrificed some of my most unique tools for this scheme. I will say, though, the Light is very impressed with the results thus far.]**
"You're watching me?" Arias inquired in a displeased tone but was already aware that they were monitoring him—or rather, his plan. After all, they had invested in it, too.
**[It is only natural that we monitor the progress of the plan. Think of it as a sort of test to truly see if you're worthy of joining our ranks. I'm sure the others no longer carry doubts about you. Perhaps they even fear you now. Even I couldn't have imagined you'd defeat Superman with a single bullet, but why spare him? He's better to us dead.]**
"He still has his uses. Besides, what good is a hero who now knows fear and the people who bring it? You've likely already seen what his weakness is. If you wish to end his life, then I won't intervene. If that's all, I'll be ending the call now," Arias responded, his tone very different from the charming demeanor he had used when speaking to Queen Bee in Washington.
This was his way of expressing his displeasure with their so-called test and monitoring, and that he'd remember.
After seeing what he was capable of, Queen Bee definitely didn't want him as an enemy.
**[I can understand your displeasure. I, too, hated when my worth was tested, but that has passed now. There are no longer any doubts about what you're capable of.]**
The entire scenario didn't really bother Arias; he simply found it better to pretend it did, rather than showing he was aware that eyes were on him.
"I see. Then all is well. A fair warning, though—one of the few things that upset me most are people who pry into my privacy. No one is exempt from this."
**[I will heed your words then, but as advice, not a threat. Don't think for a moment that my courtesy toward you is anything more than that. So choose your words carefully, for I fear no man.]**
"You will learn to fear me, as will the world in the coming days," he warned before cutting the call.
---
**A/N:**
Give me your stones—you especially, yes you with the funny hair.
And for those asking how yesterday went, well that's a story on its own, but here's the summary:
So the girlfriend of my neighbor invited me because she wanted to play matchmaker for her friend, who's okay, but not enough ass. After a few more glasses of rum, I had an idea. I chatted with the boyfriend and suggested we do a food run since people came extra hungry or something. At the fast-food place, I had us drink more outside while waiting for the order, and by "us," I mean him. So much so that he couldn't drive. Being the saint that I am, I told him to sleep in the car while I handled the orders and took us back.
Inside the food place, the girl at the reception was pissed because the guy didn't tip her, so I offered her extra to do me a favor. She agreed, and I got the food before speeding back to the apartments, safely of course.
Once back, I took the guy upstairs and rejoined the party after leaving him on the couch. Then I found his girlfriend and told her how he passed out and gave her his phone. Afterward, I went to the bathroom, called the girl from the food place, and cashed in on the favor.
She then sent a text to the guy's phone saying that the pregnancy test came out negative and that he should be more careful next time.
While in the bathroom, I took a celebratory piss in his sink and dipped all the toothbrushes into the toilet before putting them back. By the time I came out, I heard an angry girlfriend cursing, and I left happy.