76 Chapter 76: Whatever it takes

Arias ended up arriving at the training hall an hour later than he had planned but to his surprise they were only two people there. Silver Banshee who was leaning on the wall and Slade who was talking to her.

"You know I've always wondered, do ghosts have sex? Because My wife was a nympho and I worry what she's doing in hell without me."

Banshee glanced at Slade for a moment before responding.

"Lies".

"Okay maybe she wasn't a nympho and is still alive but still I am curious if ghosts have sex".

Banshee looked at once more before responding.

"Some".

"Does that apply to ghosts and humans or ghosts only".

Slade continued with his interview. Banshee continued to respond coldly.

"Mortals Weak".

"I admit most are weak in bed. But they don't call me Death "Stroke" for nothing I'm sure I can handle it what's worse that could happen".

Slade winked at as he spoke. Banshee soon burst his bubble with her answer.

"Soul Sucked. Death".

Slade sighed and then shrugged.

"So a blowjob from a ghost will suck the literal soul out of me, and they can ride me till I die... I think I'll pass for now. But at least I know how I wanna die now. Thanks".

Slade turned to leave and noticed Arias before walking to him.

"Morning boss".

He spoke as he walked over to Arias.

"Early as usual I see".

"Yea it's kind of a habit at this point. Though I do admit I did also want to try and talk up Sliver Banshee".

Slade said while sighing.

"I take it that didn't go as planned"

Arias asked casually.

Slade nodded and voiced his thoughts.

"Yea so much for a romantic interest popping up for me".

Arias tilted his head and asked.

"Are they all that bad?".

Slade proceeded to talk.

"Sure all of them are pretty faces...but. One is my daughter, sure if she were seductive I may have fallen for her charms, but sometimes she's even manlier than me, and apparently I gross her out."

"Then Kara is too pure for my taste. She makes me feel like I've sinned just looking at her in her costume. And I've killed countless people never feeling guilty. I've even slept with a 15 year old girl before. For the sake of my plans of course. But the minute I looked at Kara's ass I felt going to church to confess and repent."

"Caitlyn is creepy there's no way around that. More importantly I'd get frostbite on my dick if I bedded her."

"Poison Ivy is an unknown. She has the whole plant kingdom inside her. Her insides could be as soft and sweet as a peach or thorny and bitter like a rose stem. I'm adventurous yes, but even I don't want to know what it's like to have Poison Ivy rash on my dick."

Arias nodded at his assessment

"Well you're not wrong I suppose."

Slade shrugged.

"Guess I'll stick to Bars and Prostitutes. You do have those here right?"

"Bars yes. Prostitutes you'd have to visit another planet. You could even get a slave."

Arias informed him casually.

"Wait a slave. Like she won't tell me I drink too much or that I need to change. A woman of my choosing whatever shape and obedient? Why was I never told I feel like I've found what's been missing in my life".

Arias couldn't help smile.

"I'll show you where to shop for them another time. In return, I need you to spar with me here. Nothing serious I just want to observe your moves as you attack. I recently found a weapon I'm interested in. And I understand you're quite pro efficient with all weapons yes?".

Slade smiled at Arias.

"Deal and right you are."

Arias smiled at his response and then black smoke engulfed his hands before fading. Almost immediately two lances appeared in front of Arias he then threw one to Slade.

"Well shall we begin."

Arias asked as he removed his shirt and cracked his neck.

Slade smiled and did the same

"I see you're familiar with how real men spar".

Arias shook his head and responded.

"I simply find it a little constraining, this way I'm feeling much better swinging the lance".

Slade nodded in agreement before attacking. He strikes and swings were accurate and deadly, but Arias parried and blocked every single one without moving from where he stood. Only his hands and eyes moved around to parry and observe Slade's attacks. Soon one block sent Slade a few meters back.

Slade wore a smile on his face as he looked at Arias

"Incredible. He has no blind spots he can block and parry even moves that hold no distinct pattern. I've never sparred with anyone like him. Truly amazing".

"Hey dad why the hell are you shirtless".

Soon Rose appeared and asked her father. Slade shrugged and flexed his muscles, for control and then spoke.

"Well obviously this is how men spar".

"Men Spar?".

Rose was confused until she looked to her right and saw what her father meant.

"M-mr Leviathan Sir Good Chest I mean morning".

"Smooth".

Slade said while shaking his head.

Arias looked at Rose and smiled before walking to her.

"Morning Miss Rose I'm glad you're here I need your assistance with my lance".

Rose blushed.

"W-whaa, N-need me to help with y-your thick lance?"

Rose stammered continuously as she spoke.

"He never said it was thick. Whatever lance you're fantasizing about is not what he meant. We need your muscles not your non-existent girly side so pick lance and get ready to attack".

Slade burst the girls bubble as soon as it appeared.

Rose lowered her head and had a lance appear before assuming a battle stance.

Arias now held a lance in each hand and looked at the two before speaking.

"Come".

Slade looked at his daughter and quickly explained.

"He means to attack not to actually cu-"

"I know!!"

Rose who was still embarrassed from earlier quickly attacked.

"Just trying to help. You don't have a good track record around guys".

Slade spoke casually as he attacked as well.

Arias blocked all their moves with ease, but his eyes mastered all their patterns and styles.

"I have experience with tons of guys!!"

Rose spoke in her defense. Slade raised an eyebrow.

"You really know what every man wants to hear don't ya".

Realizing her blunder Rose spoke quickly.

"N-not that kind of experience just like talking and one even held my hand once, but it wasn't for that long I am very pure...".

Slade made a face of realization.

"Ohh I remember. You had him sent to the hospital after he did that. Poor Timmy never walked again.".

Soon the other members arrived and the training session was brought to a stop. Arias had them gather nearby for an announcement.

"Okay starting today Slade is the Leader of the Task Force. He will be in charge when I send you out on missions. I gave the position mostly due to whose the strongest among you all".

Caitlyn quickly interjected.

"But the rest of us aren't weak either".

Arias smiled and continued to speak.

"Caitlyn your body becomes unstable in cold regions. Ivy not every location is going to have an abundance of plant life. Rose is still very inexperienced...in more ways than one. Silver Banshee doesn't communicate well and lastly Kara...who lets emotions drive her decisions. Slade holds no such weakness. His only weakness could be his lack of perfect vision but..."

Arias walked over and patted Slade's shoulder. A bright light appeared under Slade's eye patch, and he quickly took it off.

"This is.... I can see…"

He turned to Arias and was about to speak, but Arias continued to speak.

"Slade can lead. Make tough decisions. Quick thinker. Strong and Loyal. My first choice was Kara but any Leader who makes decisions based on emotions and morals rather than logic will endanger not only herself but her team and possibly risk failing the task. As for Kara you're off the team. You have the passion to help but don't have the drive to do what is necessary. So it's best you let those who do carry on."

Arias's words were sharp and precise.

Tears run down Kara's face as she kept looking down.

"I know the world isn't perfect *sob* and I know my way of thinking was wrong *sob* but I just think lives shouldn't be taken anyhow....".

Arias looked at her before speaking.

"The same people who say this still kill other forms of life for food and clothes. I'm pretty sure Superman isn't vegan. Most heroes are just hypocrites. If monsters attacked they would get killed but aren't they a form of life too. What you mean to say is you don't want to kill something that speaks to feel better about yourself...at the end of the day even heroes are murderous."

"Do you think no one dies when cities are destroyed in fights? And what's the solution? Put them in prison but what happens when all those accumulated enemies you caught are let loose. Like because of the Alliance invasion. Zero state the number of deaths cause from the criminals once held in prisons this year."

Arias asked and soon an automated Voice resounded.

[Approximately 82 million from less than a thousand criminals]

Arias clapped his hands and looked at Kara.

"Do you feel proud? Those lives you heroes spared have cost millions of innocent lives. But what would I know my Island also lost hmm let's see. Oh?. No lives lost. Why? Because I eliminate threats, but you, as long as you go to sleep knowing you didn't directly kill anyone you feel alright and at peace. Now look me in my eyes and tell me your way is right".

Arias spoke coldly as he stood in front of the trembling Kara.

She fell to her knees.

"Millions...of innocents gone...thousands of evil saved... I'm no hero... I'm worse than the psychos I've put away... I smile and laugh every day, but I've killed more people than them... I'm wrong...".

As Kara spoke, Arias intervened.

"But that doesn't mean it's too late seek... Redemption... You may be unfit for the team now, but I can train you to be a true hero. Do you accept or will you live the rest of your life pitying and questioning yourself knowing you could have made a difference?"

Kara looked up at Arias.

"Y-You still believe in me?"

She asked in a trembling voice. Arias only nodded and stretched out his hand to her.

"I accept... You methods are harsh, but the results speak for themselves. Your people are safe and the threat is gone. But mine has killed millions but the threats are safe and continue living okay lives.... I can't live knowing this!. Please teach me. Teach me to be like you."

Although her face carried tears she wore a determined look.

Arias smiled and looked at her.

"Training will be harsh... I hope you won't make regret my decision".

Kara put her hand on her chest.

"I Kara-Zor El, swear to do..."

"Whatever it takes!".