Chapter 202: Tower Shenanigans Part 1

That night, after leaving Oliver in the warehouse, Arias returned to the vehicle he had come with and waited in the back, leaving only once he got confirmation that Oliver had boarded the ship.

His drive home was accompanied by Mercy and Cheshire, with Rose having left to continue her investigations.

Although he was yet to return his assets under his own name, Mercy had returned to her chauffeur/assistant role, with Cheshire now acting as a sort of hidden bodyguard in the absence of Rose and Slade.

During the drive away from the warehouse, Mercy kept casting glances at her rear view mirror, showing displeasure every time she looked at Cheshire.

Arias noticed this but didn't bother addressing it, after all, Mercy was the type to find problems with anyone. As for Cheshire, it was like she had a talent for making people hate her.

Thankfully, Arias's lack of words during the drive made both of them avoid sparking a fight.

Upon arrival at the residence, Arias dismissed them both and left on his own, his destination being the tower's lower levels, where Poison Ivy was currently housed.

Arias arrived at her cell in modest and calm fashion, showing a relaxed demeanor despite coming alone.

An angry Ivy was quick to frown once she saw him appear. She stood up from her isolated corner and showed a hostile look, however it was only met with a mocking smirk from Arias.

"Happy to see me?" He asked, clearly in mockery at her.

Ivy looked at him with both disgust and anger as she frowned even further.

"I'll only be happy once I get that pretty little head of yours on a pike!" She yelled out before launching a fast attack.

A long vine emerged from underneath her leafy sleeves, swinging towards Arias with vicious forces.

Not bothering to dodge, Arias's smile vanished and he quickly immobilized the attack using his telekinesis, the vine now hanging stationary in the air, mere inches away from striking Arias's head.

"Tsk." Ivy clicked her attack in clear disappointment at her failed efforts. She now looked worried and took a step back, showing her dependence on the attack earlier.

She had hoped to catch him off guard and bring him down in one single attack, after all, she lacked knowledge regarding Arias's recent exploits and thus still saw him as beatable.

"You really are short tempered as your profile says. It really makes me wonder how you got along with Harley, for a time at least."

Hearing Arias bring up Harley, Ivy glared at him. "We did, until the treacherous little bitch betrayed me for Batman's little play mate Joker. And now what? you keep her around as personal little fuck doll?"

Arias tilted his head as if in deep thought before nodding slightly at the accusations. "More or less, but with more features."

He then showed a mocking smile, further angering Ivy. She was constantly trying to retrieve her vine while stalling for time but Arias clearly had her in his hands.

Paranoia also had her glancing at the door, wondering if he had backup waiting outside.

Seeing this, Arias followed her gaze and asked, "What? Thinking of making a run for it? You're to try? It won't end well for you though."

The casualty with which Arias spoke caused Ivy to feel both frustration and helplessness.

It soon became clear that a chance to escape wasn't going to appear any time soon and more worrisome, she didn't know how long Arias planned on keeping her captive.

"What will it take for you to let me go? What do you want?" Swallowing her immense pride, Ivy took the initiative to start negotiating.

This brought a smile to Arias's face, but surprisingly, he turned to leave in the next moment. "From you? Nothing. It's more… what are you willing to offer for your freedom? I'll leave you to ponder on that."

"Wait-." Ivy tried to rush toward Arias but the door shut fast, cutting off her attempts to speak to him.

"Dammit!" She angrily kicked the door and returned to an angry state, pacing around her plain cell in utter frustration.

After leaving the lower levels, Arias entered the elevator and was about to head toward his private floor, but the display soon rang to indicate that it would be stopping at another floor on the way.

It stopped around mid-way and the doors opened to reveal Mercy, who was also on her way to her room.

She furrowed her brows at Arias as she entered the room, choosing to stand opposite of him with her arms crossed.

"Have fun with the dyke plant?" She questioned, her tone bearing some clear displeasure.

Arias though chose to answer in a way that would push her buttons. "About as much fun as I have with you."

As the elevator doors closed, Mercy turned her head to stare menacingly at Arias.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Taking offense to the comment, Mercy sought an explanation from Arias, who in turn chose to press at her even further. "Oh nothing, just that you both seem equally angry at everything and have poor people skills, especially towards men it would seem."

Unsurprisingly, Arias's answer caused Mercy to erupt in defense. "Fuck you, I have plenty people skills, and just cause I don't fuck the nearest guy I see, doesn't men I have problems getting into relationships."

Arias cracked a smile, "I never said anything about relationship trouble, but knowing you, I wouldn't be shocked. You don't look… never mind."

Stopping halfway only made an already upset Mercy more moody. "No, tell me, what the hell don't I look like?"

The smile didn't fade from Arias's face as he looked Mercy up and down before answering, "How do I put this, you don't look sexually active. I wouldn't be shocked if most men you met confused you for a fairly attractive lesbian feminist."

"Fairly!?"

Ignoring the now menacing glare being given to him, Arias nodded and even emphasized the point. "Yes, fairly, but that's just my opinion."

"Well fuck your opinion, it's wrong."

"Is it really? Care to prove that point."

Having had enough, Mercy soon punched the emergency stop button and brought the elevator to a halt.

"Fine, take out your stupid cock and I'll show you what's what!"