Chapter 236:  A Necessary Evil Part 2

After Arias, Raven and Cheshire left the warehouse, Ivy didn't hesitate to click her tongue in irritation before turning to Enchantress. 

"Well let's get starte- could you not touch me so creepily?" Ivy paused and added after realizing that Enchantress was slowly running her fingers across some of her hair.

Even for someone like her who was attracted more to women, Enchantress was far too unsettling.

In response, Enchantress didn't pull away her hand and instead showed an even more creepy smile.

… 

Meanwhile, Arias and company reached a vehicle waiting for them just outside the premises of that particular compound of harbor warehouses.

Once there, Arias turned to Cheshire and Raven. 

"For our part, we will need to travel to S.T.A.R city. But I still have a few more things to do here so I'll rendezvous with you there. Mercy has already left preparations to ensure a smooth journey, so long as you don't draw attention to yourselves." 

As Arias spoke, his gaze shifted to Cheshire, who feigned a look of surprise and even gasped playfully. 

"For shame boss, and here I thought you were beginning to have faith in me." 

Arias showed a small smile and shook his head, turning to Raven without replying to Cheshire's feigned pleas. 

"Keep her out of trouble."

Saying nothing more, Arias turned to leave on foot, soon vanishing behind an alleyway just across an empty road.

As playful as Cheshire was, she wasn't Harley, and he knew she wouldn't really do anything out of character. It was simply a casual exchange, one Arias played along with to make Raven feel more comfortable around him and the others.

In time, she was bound to grow more open, but Arias was in no hurry to see this.

Raven watched as Arias disappeared into the alleyway, her mind filled with a mix of emotions. There was a part of her that still didn't fully trust him, even after all he'd done for her. 

It wasn't just the mysterious aura that surrounded him or his enigmatic past, but also the way he seemed to effortlessly manipulate those around him.

Cheshire's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Well, looks like it's just you and me, Ray," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Raven sighed, ignoring the nickname and knowing that Cheshire was itching for some excitement. "Just remember what he said. We need to stay under the radar until we reach S.T.A.R city."

Cheshire rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, come on, where's your sense of adventure? Besides, it's not like our group has ever been good at keeping a low profile."

Raven couldn't help but feel worried as she and Cheshire entered the car, unsure of what she was planning.

…

It wasn't until late that night that Ivy and Enchantress had finished making preparations all around Metropolis.

At that time Arias had seamlessly blended into the nightlife of Metropolis's more lower class business districts.

He was currently in a near empty bar, sitting alone by a dimly lit table with a single glass of whisky resting at his side.

His phone, also on the table, soon flashed to life as a notification popped up informing him that Ivy was ready to start.

Arias's stoic demeanor didn't shift as he reached out and grabbed the phone with one hand, quickly typing the response, "begin", and sending it without hesitation.

As he placed his phone back down, he continued to quietly sip on his drink. 

But following his instruction, Ivy, with help from her enhanced ability, began spore clouds in various areas of Metropolis, the majority of them being densely populated.

Once Ivy did this, the rest could be left up to the wind and time. She quickly replied back, "it's done" thinking that her mission had ended there and then.

But Arias had far more outreaching plans. Her device let out a beep and she showed a look of surprise when she read Arias's reply.

"Good, now return to the yacht. You'll be taken to Gotham, and then S.T.AR city where you'll repeat this."

…

Just less than an hour after the spore clouds were released, the affects began to be seen.

The first to be affected were road users. It didn't take a genius to imagine what would happen on roads if users suddenly lost a vital sense or had parts of their body paralyzed.

One after another, road accidents occurred and had emergency services working full force. Sadly it didn't end there, and soon, calls for domestic help began to be received.

Some were serious, some were minor, but the level of confusion was about the same. 

And it only got worse with time. Now, even paramedics, police officers and firefighters sent out to answer the various calls were affected by the spores and thus helpless.

Those lucky had this occur during the way and they simply acted accordingly. Some though, weren't so lucky. 

Firefighters inside burning buildings lost vital senses, bringing their rescues to abrupt ends. Those even more lucky had could nothing but witness themselves burning to death… along with those they came to save.

In the midst of the chaos unfolding on the streets of Metropolis, Arias sat calmly in the dimly lit bar, observing the havoc he had set in motion. His expression remained impassive, betraying no hint of remorse or satisfaction.

As sirens blared in the distance, the atmosphere in the bar grew tense. Patrons exchanged worried glances, their conversations stilled by the realization that something was terribly wrong outside.

Arias's phone buzzed again, a message from Ivy indicating her return to the yacht. He acknowledged it with a curt nod and finished his drink in one smooth motion. Rising from his seat, he strode purposefully out of the bar, blending effortlessly into the chaos that consumed the city.

Meanwhile, Cheshire and Raven sat in the car as they navigated through the chaotic streets. The effects of Ivy's spore clouds were evident everywhere they looked. People stumbled blindly, their movements uncoordinated and erratic. Some desperately clung to one another for support, while others were reduced to crawling on the ground, unable to walk.

Raven's heart ached as she witnessed the suffering caused by their actions. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt, even though she knew it was all part of Arias's plan.

Cheshire, however, seemed unfazed by the chaos unfolding around them. In fact, she wore a cruel smirk on her face as she surveyed the scene.

"Crazy isn't it?" Cheshire said, her voice lacking all sympathy. "That's just the way life goes. One day, everything could be fine, then the next… you're gone."