In the early hours of the next morning, Arias had gotten up, ready to begin executing his plan. Unexpectedly, as he left his room, he found Cheshire already waiting outside, casually leaning against the wall.
"Don't you ever sleep?" Arias asked with a slightly raised brow, to which Cheshire simply smiled. "I sneak in naps here and there. Sleep is overrated."
"I see. Well, get what you need and go downstairs to the vehicle. rcy should've arranged everything." After instructing Cheshire on what to do, Arias headed down to the lower floors, his destination: the cells.
Upon reaching them, he went to the only occupied one, housing an incredibly angry Ivy. As the door swung open, she couldn't help but stand from the corner where she'd curled herself up.
"Are you that excited to see ?" Arias mocked, his tone casual as he yawned slightly.
Ivy felt a strong urge to curse him, but she didn't dare, knowing the odds were far from in her favor this ti.
"What do you want?" She did her best to ask this in the most casual tone she could muster, though it ca across as very forced.
Arias smiled and tilted his head. "What? No insults, no yelling? You must really want to leave."
His contempt was clear, and he made no effort to hide it. Ivy, however, maintained control of her emotions and responded calmly. "You said to give you a reason to let out. Well, I can be an ally and a friend. Who knows when you'll need my expertise in the future?"
Ivy's response was improvised, and even she knew it wasn't a particularly good offer. When she considered more intimate options, though, she felt imdiate disgust and was completely unwilling.
Arias raised a curious brow and walked closer before reaching into his slacks and retrieving a collar. He casually tossed it at Ivy's feet and said, "Funny you should ntion your expertise. I happen to need an extra hand to help with so... various issues. But if I'm going to let you out, I need so reassurance. That collar is it."
Ivy lowered her gaze to the collar, her anger intensifying. It didn't take much to realize what sort of collar it was, especially given her experience in ta-specialized prisons.
"Wearing that thing is no better than having a bomb on and giving you the remote," Ivy replied, trying her best not to lose her composure completely.
Her pleas, however, fell on deaf ears. "It's cute that you think you have a choice, and even cuter that you think I can't kill you without the collar. Do I need to prove you wrong?"
Despite Arias speaking with a smile, his words made Ivy deeply concerned for her life. She couldn't tell whether or not he was bluffing, but she couldn't afford to risk it. With great reluctance, she picked up the collar and put it on.
Seeing her comply, Arias gave an approving nod. "You see? In the end, you did beco my pet—or in your case, my exotic houseplant. Now, follow . We're on a tight schedule."
Feeling as though she'd just fallen into a trap, Ivy's anger was beyond words. She could only glare venomously at Arias's back as he gestured for her to follow like one might beckon a pet dog or cat.
'I'll get you back for putting through this...' Ivy fud inwardly as she followed behind.
The duo soon arrived in the building's main lobby and made their way to the outer car park, where Cheshire was already waiting near a dark SUV. Beside her stood a confused Raven with nothing more than a backpack.
Seeing Ivy behind Arias, Cheshire couldn't help but smirk mischievously but restrained herself from making inappropriate comnts. Instead, she asked, "This isn't what I pictured when you said two more additions, but oh well, when in Ro..."
Ivy shifted her glare from Arias to Cheshire, finding her mocking tone especially irritating.
"Well, this one is disposable, and as for the girl, it's too dangerous to leave her too far from ," Arias revealed casually before walking over to the quiet Raven.
"I'd be lying if I said things will be easy going forward, especially given your unique circumstances. But... I can at least guarantee you'll be safe from your father," Arias spoke softly to Raven, who seed nervous, despite her expressionless face.
Arias didn't need to see her reactions to understand what she was feeling inside. Given the circumstances, he knew she was drowning in constant fear, regret, and guilt—the more she stayed alone, the deeper she sank.
His decision to bring her along was partly to keep an eye on her, but also to "mold" her, in a sense. Her latent potential was too attractive to put aside.
"I'm fine," Raven replied flatly, nodding. "I just don't want any more people to die for ."
Arias gave a small smile and nodded. "I understand, and they won't. Maybe her, but she's expendable," he added, shifting his gaze to Ivy.
"Now that that's out of the way, we should get going." Arias brought the brief exchange to an end and was about to enter the SUV when Cheshire asked, "Didn't you ntion sothing about an interview?"
Arias gave a faint smile and nodded. "Already done and pre-recorded. The *Gotham Gazette's* Vicki Vale should air it tonight, once we're long gone."
Hearing this, Ivy couldn't help but show a look of disgust. "Is there anyone in this city that woman isn't sleeping with? Tsk."
Cheshire playfully tapped her finger against her chin, pondering. "Sounds like you wanted more. Ouch, that must hurt."
Ivy narrowed her eyes at Cheshire, her patience running thin. "Not as much as it'll hurt when I—"
"Enough. Let's go." Arias cut them off before the exchange escalated into a full argunt.
He entered the driver's seat, and Raven followed quickly, slipping into the backseat in silence, hidden under her hoodie. Cheshire gave one final smirk to Ivy before acrobatically entering the vehicle through the sunroof, settling into the passenger's seat.
"Didn't think you were the type to drive yourself, boss," Cheshire quipped.
Ivy was the last to enter, slamming the door in frustration and diverting her gaze elsewhere.
"There's a lot you don't know about ," Arias replied cryptically before starting the car and driving off.
...
Later that day, right on schedule, news broke of Arias's monuntal decisions, and soon after, his pre-recorded interview with Vicki Vale was broadcast. It showed Vicki seated alone with the city skyline behind her, while Arias was shown in his private office, also with a cityscape backdrop. The broadcast made it seem like both parties were in different locations, leading many to believe it was live.
The interview began with Vicki offering so pleasantries before getting to the matter at hand.
"So, your company—or rather forr company—Leviathan, released an exclusive report to our network, which stated that you had no interest in regaining your assets and that you also plan to step down from your role in the Gotham City Special Task Force. Is this true? And if so, why?"
Arias, appearing calm, nodded and heaved a sigh, feigning helplessness.
"It is. As for why, the reason should be clear. Through Leviathan, I've been able to accomplish wonderful things for the world, especially for the ta-populace. However, my recent actions are beginning to stain what Leviathan stands for, so I chose to step down, knowing it's in capable hands and will continue to do good."
"As for the Task Force, the reason is much the sa. I only ever started it to help the cri-infested Gotham and to show my friend Princess Diana the better side of the outside world. Although she's still learning, she's won the hearts of many with her actions and bravery, so I felt she was ready to take on the mantle of leading an independent superhero group. With the League now under investigation, cri will skyrocket if no brave individuals step up to help the people."
Vicki nodded, showing appreciation and understanding, selling Arias's lies perfectly.
"You've indeed done a lot, and I think I speak for many of Gotham's residents when I say thank you for that. But doesn't this an you're giving up everything? Your wealth, your power? What do you plan to do now? Politics, maybe?"
Arias chuckled charmingly, then shook his head as his expression turned serious again.
"No, I don't think politics suit . And yes, I'm leaving everything behind, but knowing that what I've created will continue to better the lives of many is enough. As for what cos next, I plan to take on an unofficial ambassador role in Markovia, continuing to help ta-humans and children. More importantly, I want to ensure anti-ta terrorist groups are thoroughly eradicated so they can never endanger innocent lives again."
The nonsense Arias spouted was astounding, but what was more incredible was that his past actions actually backed up his words. It was a tough task to make Arias look bad, given all he had accomplished for the "good" of mankind and aliens alike.
Vicki played her role well, displaying a sowhat tearful expression as she spent a few minutes explaining how she herself had
been affected and then helped by him.
What followed were various testimonies from children, parents, and the elderly from all walks of life, recounting how Arias Markovic had helped them. After the display, Vicki smiled proudly and brought the interview to a close.
"Sadly, we must bring this interview to an end, but once again, on behalf of all the people you've provided for and saved, thank you, and good luck in the next Chapter of your life."
Arias, equally proud, nodded at Vicki's words. "Thank you for having , and to the greater public, thank you for your support and understanding. I wish you well. Goodbye."
...
As the interview ended, Arias and his makeshift team were already on a large yacht in an unknown location. Arias was watching his own interview on the deck under the cover of night, with Cheshire standing behind him.
"Wow, boss, you really know how to make an exit. A sha, just when I was getting used to the high life. Anyway... what are we really going to be doing?"
Arias switched off the tablet he had been watching and tossed it aside. Glancing at Cheshire, he smiled.
"The world can never truly appreciate soone if all they bring is happiness to the masses. They'll love you at first, but soon, they'll take what you've sacrificed for granted, making you nothing more than a slave to them—a fool, if you will. That's why, to truly win over the people, you need to show them the horror that takes place in your absence... even if you have to create that horror yourself. That, Cheshire, is what we're doing."
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