Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Last Wishes
4:30 PM 'Mount Justice:
A week and some days had passed since the events of the Sullen Forest. Arias would only join missions which where passed on by himself from Dr.Veritas, almost all of which consisted of destroying Darksied's scouts of parademons and the devices that open portals to apokolips, his war planet.
During this time Dr.Veritas and Harley had made considerable progress in the recruiting of metas and aliens who where either without a place to call home or victims of experiments. Harley would occasionally recruit some metas that chose to make a living on the streets by resorting to petty crime, those that got funny ideas of robbing her would never forget the name Bonnie.
Dr.Veritas had short listed special cases or any individuals that met Arias's requirements of either raw power, talent and intelligence. Needless to say out of the thousands of recruits found only less than ten met the requirements for the shortlist.
Arias who was currently on Mount Justice was discussing progress in the destruction of devices with some of the members of the league in front of the rest of the team.
"So even destroying them isn't enough...?"
Batman spoke in a heavy tone as he asked Arias who was the most knowledgeable in the matter.
"No destroying them simply delays the inevitable, Scouts will keep popping up all over the world till they have enough devices to open a portal strong enough to allow Darkseid himself to appear here. You just have to keep them at bay for roughly a few months, after that Darkseid will no longer be a threat."
Arias quickly explained while Batman nodded.
"From what you've told us about him I doubt he'll just give up after a few months of failure".
Superman was skeptical about the plan so he voiced his doubts. Arias shook his head and cleared Superman's doubts.
"You misunderstood me, I don't mean Darkseid will give up, at best he may his focus to another world. In few months will be more than enough time for Dr. Veritas to finish working on a countermeasure. Afterwards I just need to go to apokolips and put things in place."
'It's best they do not know in actuality, I plan on going there my self to bring his world to ruin...'
Arias's response, although vague left both members of the league and the team slightly surprised that they already began preparing measures for him.
From what he told them and what they heard from galactic refugees, Darkseid was a being far stronger than even Superman who was considered the earth's strongest being.
"Alone?...I can come help, that should make things even quicker."
Superman quickly advised, although this was just so he could see just what the countermeasure was. Arias showed a smirk before giving Superman a piece of information that destroyed his confidence in coming along.
"The planet Apokolips is currently in a system with a Red Sun if you're still confident you're welcome to join me".
Very few people among the league knew what this meant. Superman could only end his argument there.
"We can discuss who can come when the time to leave draws near".
After going through a few minor issues with a few other members and asking for progress reports from Kaldur the meeting came to an end.
After that the team bombarded Arias with questions about the red sun , how strong he is,if darkseid was really stronger than Superman and so on for forth long those lines.
"For the red sun you'd have to ask Superman himself and yes Darkseid may be stronger than him... Now can we get ready for the mission already?".
07:00 PM ' Somewhere In Eurasia:
The team was flying in Miss Martians ship heading for a remote village far from any proper cities.
"We got a report some days ago from a lone researcher who stumbled upon a strange village.
2 days into his stay he noticed people going to the church at night but never returned. When he asked, the residents only said those lucky chosen would go to the church and ascend to the heavens and they eagerly awaited their chance as-well."
Before he could say anymore Miss Martian told everyone that they had arrived. The team landed the ship on the outskirts of the village in camouflage mode and walked the rest of the way . They sneaked through part of the village undetected and stopped about 300 meters away from the church where a few townsfolk where gathered.
"We have to be as quick as possible neutralize the innocent and kill anything else".
Arias spoke straightforward and everyone simply nodded and waited for him to give a signal.
"Never heard of a church that needs guards at night".
Kid Flash randomly whispered.
"Sounds pretty sketchy if ask me".
Artemis casually added on.
"Well yea well nobody asked you".
Kid Flash retorted with an annoyed expression.
"What's your problem you always try and find fault with me , if this is how you treat all your teammates then I finally understand why speedy left".
Kid flash got angry and stood up from Miss Martians area of cover no longer whispering.
"Don't you dare act you know anything about me! You're ju-".
Before he could continue a light had shone on Kid Flash and the group as the villagers were alerted of their presence.
"Intruders! Intruders ! Warn the priest! The devils are here to stop our ascension like he foretold".
The villagers then began to gather around the group with whatever they could find as a weapon.
"Death to the demons! Glory to the savior!"
"Glory!"
"Glory!"
The villagers chanted as they began to attack the team.
"*sigh*, Don't waste time on them, neutralize them quickly and charge towards the church those things must be aware we're here now".
Arias flew into the air and rushed through the village in the blink on an eye.
"Knocking out many villagers in the process before rushing towards the church not even stopping once near it. He blew away anything or anyone that got in his way.
As he rushed into the church then down to the basement where a path leading deeper underground was found he fell into thought.
'This isn't right they should be guards at the very least'.
But soon the answer revealed itself. Once he entered a large hall he saw countless numbers of corpses on the ground while a portal nearby quickly closed leaving no creatures behind.
When the rest of the team finally arrived they where absolutely horrified, Robin went to examine a few corpses but shook his head.
"All gone. Seems they where killed just a few moments ago".
"Please..."
After Robin spoke a faint female voice could be heard near the among the corpses. When the team found the source they where left speechless, a woman with almost her entire lower body in pieces cried bloody tears while holding a dead child in her arms pleading to the group.
"please..let me join my son....I beg you...".
Robin turned to Zatanna but before he even spoke she shook her head slowly as tears began to appear on her face. Miss Martian had her face on SuperBoys chest unable to see anymore of this. The rest of the team simply looked at the mother and son pair with sorrowful eyes.
"Do you have any last wishes".
Arias was the only one to speak...
The women showed a weak smile and nodded.
"B-burry me next to my son *Cough*"
She spoke while coughing out blood. Arias only nodded and held the woman's head with both hands whilst looking into her bloodied eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Arias spoke solemnly but the lady simply put one of her hands atop his and showed a smile.
"Thank you".
*Crack*
As she spoke those last words arias snapped her neck in an instant, before standing up walking away from the scene in silence.
Everyone walked out of the church silently until Arias threw a fist that sent Kid Flash to the ground.
"I don't care what personal vendettas you have but the moment you decide to put on that suit your job is to put them aside for the good of the mission. Had you not given our position away lives wouldn't have been lost. Think carefully about why you chose to be hero and if don't find a clear purpose in it then stop before you get anymore people killed".
Arias spoke in a cold heavy tone as his body began to radiate black smoke.
He then turned and walked to Artemis who was slightly trembling.
"And you, have nothing to prove to anyone, you being on the team is proof of that. When you wear your costume focus only on the mission. You'll encounter enemies that will use many ways to mess with you. If you let them get into your head you may just lose it completely".
Having said those words Arias directly took off into the air rather than return the ship.
Arias flew through the air while sinking into thought.
'Is it because the woman reminded your mother Ari? You rarely let allow anything get to you.'
Arias remained silent for a while before finally answering.
'If you can't set aside your issues to see the bigger picture for the sake of achieving your goal then...you're doomed to fail'
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