Chapter 172: Arias vs The Justice League Part 2

Following Arias's order, Harley didn't hesitate to raise her bat and set her sights on Black Canary's neck.

"Goodnight, birdie!" she yelled happily before swinging with all her might.

However, just as the bat was about to make contact, a green semi-transparent structure appeared from behind and struck Harley, launching her into a wall.

"Canary!" Green Lantern called out as he rushed to help. But just as he obstructed Harley, Arias furrowed his brows and chose to obstruct him.

Without warning, Green Lantern felt a powerful force grip him and slam him into the ceiling.

"Argh!" he grunted in pain, though he remained composed as he willed his ring to strike back.

A large green hammer formed above Arias. But, as before, Arias gave no indication of worry toward the attacks cast his way. He simply dodged to the right, pretending to lose focus over his telekinesis and freeing Lantern in the process.

Seeing what he thought was a weakness, Green Lantern regained his confidence and warned, "It's over. Don't make this any harder on yourself—just give up. You can't fight the entire League."

Arias smirked at this warning and used his telekinesis to recall a shaken Harley to his side before replying, "Perhaps not, but I can certainly keep you busy."

A look of caution appeared on Green Lantern's face as he heard this, but before he could react, Arias used his telekinesis to lift Canary and Flash off the ground and hurl them toward Green Lantern.

Using this brief distraction, Arias began to "retreat" from his position. Green Lantern quickly cushioned his companions and flew after him, sending a telepathic warning to the others. **"Markovic and Harley are on the run. Flash and Canary need attention ASAP."**

Green Lantern caught up quickly, but Arias continued to hurl anything that wasn't bolted down toward him, making flight difficult in the narrow halls. Just as Arias and Harley widened the gap, Green Arrow's familiar figure appeared from behind a corner, his bow already drawn.

Arias reacted swiftly, urging Harley, "Shoot, quick!"

With a grin, Harley drew her gun with remarkable speed and fired shots at Green Arrow, who was forced to dodge.

However, this didn't disrupt Green Arrow's form. Even while dodging, he let an arrow fly. It proved useless once again, as Arias simply redirected the arrow toward the approaching Green Lantern.

Not knowing what it would do, Green Lantern instinctively shielded himself with a thick, green barrier. Arias, processing things faster, manipulated the arrow over the barrier and down toward Green Lantern.

**Boom!**

The arrow's tip flashed, releasing a bright light and an ear-piercing sound, akin to a flash grenade. With Green Lantern momentarily out of the picture, Arias turned his attention to Green Arrow, halting him in place with his telekinesis, and gave Harley a nod.

Without hesitation, Harley shot Green Arrow in the leg. "Agh!" he cried out in pain.

Harley delighted in his suffering. "Geez, don't be such a little baby. There's more where that came from! No more playing with arrows for you," she declared wildly before shooting him in the arm.

"Ugh!!" Green Arrow gritted his teeth, groaning in pain. Harley was about to shoot his other arm when a batarang flew past and disarmed her.

Batman appeared, flanked by Dr. Fate and Superman. Arias inwardly chuckled but remained unfazed by their arrival. *I suppose I can end my little act here. This should be enough for now.*

A smile crept onto Arias's face as he looked at Harley, shaking his head and raising his hands in the air. "Stand down, Harley."

He then turned his gaze to the trio, feigning hatred. "Tsk, I should've known. At the end of the day, so-called independent heroes are nothing but the government's hounds."

Superman's eyes flicked to the bleeding Green Arrow. He rushed over to help, anger brewing as he looked back at Arias, ready to strike.

But, "Stop!" Batman ordered, halting Superman before he could throw a punch.

Superman's rage was apparent as he warned, "You're going to pay for everything you've done by spending the rest of your life in prison. If you even try to escape, I'll break your legs and arms the same way you—"

"Superman, that's enough!" Batman interrupted, his voice firm as he locked eyes with Superman.

Superman said nothing more, picking up Green Arrow and turning to leave just as Green Lantern began shaking off the effects of the flash arrow.

As Superman hovered away, Arias spoke up. "Pay? All I've done is make life better and safer for many. If anyone should pay, it's you and your useless League. Don't worry, though—I'll definitely be coming to collect... with interest."

A smirk curled across Arias's lips, further fueling Superman's anger. But the Man of Steel chose to walk away, ignoring Arias's taunts.

Meanwhile, Batman stepped closer, his gaze suspicious. "I'm surprised you didn't see this coming."

Batman didn't believe that Arias had come here defenseless. He had prepared numerous contingencies to deal with him, yet none of them had been necessary, as Arias had given up far too easily in Batman's eyes. It unsettled him.

Arias's smirk vanished as he furrowed his brows. "Oh, I saw it coming. But without me here, many children would've died. So what if you caught me? The truth will come out eventually—that the League is nothing more than the government's lapdogs, and they don't want to see their people truly prosper."

These words shook Bruce, shifting his earlier suspicions into deeper questions. Was Arias really willing to get caught just to save the children? If so, then despite his extreme methods, there was a chance he was being unfairly targeted by the government. And that small possibility worried Bruce.

Seeing Bruce remain silent, Arias chuckled and continued to mock, further selling the image of a man dedicated to bettering the lives of many.

"What's wrong? Is the guilt already setting in?" Arias asked in a low, mocking tone. "You condemn me for doing wrong, but civilization was built without killing? They mask the atrocities they've committed, fooling you and the entire nation. But soon, that mask will break, and I'll be there, standing on the shattered pieces while the world spits on your names. This isn't a threat—it's a warning. I hope you realize the difference before it's too late."