While Arias was in the midst of convincing Dr. June to join him, a convoy of black vehicles rushed onto the eerie street, some flashing red and blue lights.
Cheshire observed this from her vantage point and awaited instructions, having informed Arias already. Her comm was static for only a moment before it buzzed to life with a response.
[ I see, be ready to engage on my signal.]
"You got it, boss," Cheshire showed an excited smile under her mask and leaped off the high point she was on, quickly descending the building's side using her clawed gloves for friction.
Down below, numerous men draped in uniform and wearing bullet-proof vests rushed out of the vehicles and began to approach the building Arias was in.
Inside, Arias's response and the flashing lights outside caused an already worried Dr. June to show concern.
"They're already here," she stated quite obviously while looking unsure of what to do.
Before Arias could comment on her words, a loud voice resounded from outside, clearly enhanced by some sort of megaphone. "June! It's Rick. Listen, if you can hear me, please come outside. I know you're scared, and I know things look bad, but I know you're not at fault. We want to help you, June. Please stop running."
Hearing this raspy male voice, Dr. June showed a complex expression and turned to Arias with an unsure gaze. Arias also moved his head to face her and asked casually, "Friend of yours?"
June gave a light nod, as if unsure herself. "He was in charge of watching over me. He's… he's a good man. If what he says is true, then—"
"It's not." Arias curtly shut off her fantasies and reached for his side, drawing out a circular-shaped orb before tossing it out the nearest window.
And just a few seconds later… *Boom!*
It exploded in midair with vicious force, its shockwaves shattering all the windows on that side of the building.
Before Dr. June could even question Arias's actions, he grabbed her by the waist and leaped out from a window leading to the back of the building.
"Wait-wait, what are you—? *Pa!*
Like any normal person, the good doctor showed panic at the thought of plummeting several floors to the ground. Luckily, she soon realized that her worries were unfounded as Arias used his telekinesis to hover them to a gentle descent.
Ivy, who was waiting below, watched with caution on her face, having heard the noise and seen the explosion.
"I thought you said this was going to be quick?" Ivy questioned immediately as Arias made contact with the ground.
Before answering her, he released Dr. June from his hold and gestured her toward Ivy.
"Escort her back. Cheshire and I will ensure no one follows."
Arias said only this and was about to walk away when Dr. June panickily called out to him.
"Wait! Please, I'll trust you… just don't kill anyone. Enough people have died."
Looking back at her, Arias wore a look of contempt under his helm, but he could somewhat understand her current feelings regarding the madness of the situation.
"If only they shared the same mentality. But fine, if it puts your heart at ease, no one else will die by my hands today. Now get moving. Ivy, give me confirmation immediately once you've made it."
Feeling some relief, Dr. June no longer tried to interfere and left with Ivy, who also held her by the waist and used her vines to move quicker, snapping onto buildings and leaping over walls.
Almost immediately after the two left the area, a collective number of footsteps approached Arias from behind, with a voice soon yelling, "Freeze! Hands in the air!"
Arias turned his head to find a number of guns pointed at him, but before he could even speak… *Ting!*
The loud noise of metal clashing reverberated on the scene as Cheshire threw a flurry of knives to disarm the individuals.
"What the—?"
Confusion struck them, and they immediately looked up at the opposite building's wall, only to see the culprit cheekily waving at them. "Now, now, boys, you weren't planning to start the show without moi, were you?"
The men showed collective worry at the sudden appearance of Cheshire, causing them to hesitate on trying to pick up their weapons.
Cheshire looked poised to engage, but before she could, Arias gave an instruction. "Try not to kill anyone. Apparently, enough blood has been shed."
Given the mocking tone with which Arias spoke, Cheshire could immediately see that this new instruction was likely a request of their new member.
Not one to question her orders, Cheshire leaped from the building and immediately engaged, starting the exchange by landing a flying kick on the nearest man, sending him flying back.
"Aww, well, I guess it's your lucky day, boys."
Despite landing right in the middle of the tall, muscular, and well-trained officers, Cheshire didn't look the least bit fazed.
Without saying anything to one another, the group of officers engaged, with three closing in to restrain her while another radioed in, "Team A, this is Team B. We've got two unknowns here at the rear of the building, requesting assistance. How copy?"
The man spoke while looking toward the static Arias with caution. Unfortunately, though, before a response could come, Arias's figure appeared in front of him in the blink of an eye.
"What the he— eck!" The man couldn't even express surprise at the act as Arias gripped him by the throat with an inhuman level of strength before tossing him toward his fellow officers.
*Bam!*
He collided with them with immense force, knocking them to the ground while Cheshire skillfully leaped into the air and used one of the men's backs to propel herself higher, backflipping away from the collision and landing just a few inches away from Arias, all without looking the least bit serious.
"Wow, and here I was thinking they'd at least put up a fight."
Cheshire mocked the collapsed men while resting a single hand on her hip and tilting her head. Arias said nothing in reply and picked up two of the dropped pistols before standing and aiming toward them.
The few who could see him do this immediately widened their eyes in panic, but it was too late for them to do a thing.
*Bang!* x8
Arias pulled the trigger and fired shot after shot, targeting the men's legs with brutal efficiency. Their screams and pained groans now encompassed the building's rear, alerting the team that was currently doing a sweep of the building.
Having heard the gunshots, the team inside the building immediately rushed to windows giving a view of the building's rear. However, the moment the first officer peeked out, he was met with the sight of Arias juggling another grenade.
Without giving the man a chance to raise his weapon, Arias tossed the grenade at a seemingly perfect angle. The officer could only widen his eyes and yell, "Grenade! Get down!"
*Boom!*
Arias watched the explosion with crossed arms as the grenade exploded just a few meters away from the building, shattering the windows and engulfing a good area in flames.
"That should've injured the majority of them. Do a quick check and make sure no one is in a mobile state." Arias gave this final instruction before turning to leave.
An order Cheshire was more than happy to oblige.
"You're just full of surprises, aren't ya, boss? Oh well, no hard feelings, boys."