Chapter 1: Return to Work
Chapter Text
Lian Yu
Day
Oliver Queen was running through the trees of Lian Yu, as he moved out of them, he caught a glimpse of what was there just above the sky, an airplane circling the island. Inside the airplane was John Diggle, former Army Special Forces, and Wendy White, I.T expert in Queen Consolidated, both looking for him.
”Wendy, if you’re so scared, why did you insist on sitting up front?” Diggle asked Wendy who looked positively terrified.
“This is the only seat with a seatbelt,” She replied completely nervous over the shaking of the aircraft.
“Which will come in handy when we hit the water at 180 miles per hour,” the pilot responded.
“Which will not happen,” Wendy said adamantly.
“I think that means we’re here,” Dig said, as the three saw the bottom of their destination.
”Lian Yu,” the pilot responded.
Dig and Wendy then moved to the airplane’s door, now open with the air moving quickly due to the speed and altitude of being several thousand feet in the air. John grabbed two parachutes, and Wendy quickly looked worried. “You said just in case!” She told him.
“Yeah, just in case we made it here,” Dig replied. “Come on.”
“No!” She argued.
"Wendy, on three!”
“I can’t, I’m scared!”
“Three!”
“I can’t-aaaah!” Wendy screamed as Dig suddenly got out of the plane. Dig and Wendy popped the chute mid-air and arrived on the shores of the island, Wendy still in shock from her skydiving experience began vomiting.
“My pleasure.” She replied wiping her mouth off with her sleeve.
“Let’s move,” He ordered and she followed. As they left the beach, Wendy caught glimpse a of what looked to be a balaclava mask; black on one half and orange on the other, propped up on the beach with an arrow on it, as if to be a warning
Dig and Wendy walked through the forest eventually finding themselves in open terrain, suddenly Dig stopped once he heard a noise.
"What is it?" She asked stopping.
"Thought I heard something," He replied, afterward the pair continued to move until Wendy stepped on something that locked her dead in her tracks.
"Dig!" She said in a panic.
"Don't move," He ordered, he got to his to look at it and his suspicions were confirmed. "It's a landmine. I'm going to try to disarm it." He said as he pulled out a retractable knife.
"You can't!" A voice said out loud, it was Oliver he was on the branch of a tree, shirtless and wielding a bow as both Wendy and John looked at him. "Diggle! Walk away! Wendy, don't move!" He shouted to both of them, as Diggle got out the way. Oliver then fired an arrow with a rope attached to it into a tree, then swung down towards Wendy. He grabbed her during the swing taking her away from the landmine which then exploded but both Oliver and Wendy were okay.
"God, you're… you're really sweaty," Wendy said nervously, as Oliver was shirtless and on top of her.
"You're a hard man to find," Dig stated as he walked to them.
Walking with Oliver to an abandoned fuser lodge, both Wendy and John looked at where they were as Oliver put a shirt on. "You shouldn't have come here." He said.
"Would have emailed, but this isn't exactly a Wi-Fi hotspot. Is this where you lived when you were here? I mean, the first time you were here?" Wendy awkwardly asked.
"For some of it," Oliver answered vaguely.
"Could you at least pretend like you're glad to see us. Dig and I spent weeks tracking you down. We've traveled halfway across the world and this morning we flew in a plane so old, I'm pretty sure I was safer once I jumped out of it. You could at least offer us water or coconut." Wendy humorously explained to which Oliver smiled as he went to the fridge container.
"Fresh out of coconuts." Oliver joked as he gave them each bottled water. "I am happy to see you. But I know why you're here. I'm not coming back to Starling City. I can't. My mission, my father's list, it was a fool's crusade and I failed. Malcolm Merlyn destroyed the Glades… Quentin died, and the Hood couldn't stop it, so don't ask me to put it on again, ever." He explained.
"This isn't about you being the Vigilante. This is about you being Oliver Queen. Your mother's in prison, Oliver, her trial's coming up. Thea's out on her own. Your family needs you. So does the family business." Dig explained, piquing Oliver's concern.
"All the bad press after the Undertaking left Queen Consolidated ripe for a hostile takeover by Stellmoor International. They've gutted every company they've taken over. Once they gobble up Queen Consolidated, everyone will be out of a job. Including one very blond I.T. expert." Wendy explained.
Approaching Oliver, Dig knew he needed to reach his friend. "Listen, I get why you had to leave, Oliver, probably better than anybody else. I've been there and after what happened, nobody can blame you for leaving. But it's time to come home." He said sympathetically and Oliver knew that he still had responsibilities to his family and his family's employees.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
Oliver and Slade were going at it with Escrima sticks, appearing to be evenly matched. Oliver and Slade exchanged blows before stopping at a draw. Oliver and Slade both laughed as they stepped back just before Shado walked in, Shado carrying a cage with a bird inside. Seeing Oliver distracted, Slade took advantage and struck his student across the face. Oliver groaned in pain as he fell on his back.
“You’re not the first man to learn the hard way women are a distraction.” Slade laughed as Oliver sat up.
“You’ve come a long way in a few months, don’t beat yourself up,” Shado said.
“I think that’s his job.” Oliver quipped.
“And I love my job, not that I wouldn’t trade it for a way off this island.” Slade chuckled.
“While the two of you were playing with each other, I was hunting,” Shado said as she gestured to the cage that she had caught previously in the past.
“And there’s nothing more attractive than a woman who can hunt.” Slade said as he walked passed them and towards the cage.
“My first meal here was a pheasant. Your father cooked it for me,” Oliver told Shado.
“He was a terrible cook,” Shado scoffed. “But a good father.”
“Let’s eat.” Slade said as he snapped the neck of the bird and it was silent.
Before anyone could move, something that sounded like an alarm went off. The group turned toward the sound to see a machine.
“What’s that?” Oliver asked curiously.
“That’s Fryers proximity detector.” Slade said as he put down the bird and he and Shado raced towards it.
“We salvaged it from the wreckage of the soldier’s camp, picks up anything that moves outside our safe zone,” Shado said as she brought up a map of the island on the screen and three moving dots were visible, “it’s been three months since we stopped Fryers, he and all his men were dead.”
“So maybe it’s an animal.” Oliver suggested.
“There’s an imaging interface.” Shado said as she pushed a button and the screen switched to a thermal image: three men.
“Those aren’t animals.” Oliver noted.
“And we aren’t alone on this island anymore,” Slade growled.
Verdant
Later in the afternoon
Thea Queen and her boyfriend and employe, Roy Harper, were kissing each other heavily as he pressed her against the bar. Only for her to turn him around, taking the lead. "I only have a second," Thea said in between the kiss.
"That's ok, my boss had been all over my ass today," Roy said finally catching a word.
"You should hear what she sounds like when." "Ow!" Roy said while Thea was taking off his sweater but stopped once he winced in pain. She then pulled it up and saw the gigantic bruise he had on his side. "You have got to be kidding me!" She angrily said as she pulled away from him.
"Come on, I don't want to fight." He replied.
"Clearly you do, since you keep on taking every street corner drug dealer that you can get your fists on." She replied.
"It's not like that. The Glades are worse than ever." He tried to explain.
"I know, but you already saved a busload of people and managed not to get buried alive." She reminded him of what he did the night of the Undertaking. "I mean, how much more of a hero do you need to be? It's like you have a death wish and guess what it's going to come true."
"Yeah, well, someone has to do something and stand up for what's right, like he did." He passionately stated.
"The Vigilante?" She said knowing who he was referring to. "Who hasn't been seen since the earthquake, which means he got buried alive and isn't coming back."
"I'm back," Oliver announced himself, and Thea and Roy noticed.
"Ollie!" Thea yelled and rushed to give her older brother a hug. "Ah, you remember my friend Roy."
"Still here?" Oliver said after Thea ended the hug.
"Always," Roy replied, leaving the two siblings to catch up.
"So how was Europe? You never texted, no postcards. Almost like you're on the island all over again." Thea asked.
"Yeah, sorry, I was kind of distracted. With snow skiing, waterskiing. A lot of skiing." Oliver lied even though he hated doing it. "I hear rumors that my club is under new management." He asked.
"Ah, actually, it's my club now, and you're not getting it back." Thea witted back.
"You're not old enough to drink." He said stating the obvious.
"But I am old enough to run a bar." She reminded him.
"Have you made it to Iron Heights?" He asked wondering if he visited their mother these past several months.
"To visit the woman who dropped a city on 500 innocent people. No, thank you." She said flatly.
"Thea, that's not what mom did."
"Right. She had no choice. But guess what? She did. A choice not to be a mass murderer and I have a choice, too. So, I choose not to be her daughter." She said plainly but then hugged her brother again. "But I am so happy you are home. Honestly, I need to deal with our liquor distributor who shorted me on yesterday's delivery, and one of my bartenders called in sick, so… what?" She noticed him looking at her strangely.
"Nothing. It's… it's nice to see you like this." He said admiring the young woman she was now.
"Like what?" She asked.
"Together." He stated.
"Diggle! I don't like being played." He told his bodyguard.
"I'm not sure what you mean," Dig said trying to be oblivious.
"That's why you came to the island and brought me back to Starling … to Star City, these Hood copycats on the news." Oliver guessed.
"Well, what if it was? They're just doing what you did last year, terrorizing one-percenters into cleaning up their act. Except they don't have your restraint Oliver or your honor." Dig explained.
"I'm done being the Vigilante." Oliver reminded him.
"Maybe this town still needs a vigilante," Dig told him.
"Now there's four of them. How's that working?"
"Please take me home. Got a big day at the office tomorrow trying to save my family's company." Oliver said now done with this conversation.
"Absolutely, Mr. Queen," Dig said as Oliver got into his limo.
Unspecified location
Same time
"And in local news, Oliver Queen has returned home again," in a dark room, a TV set played a news report as four men watched it, a clip of Oliver getting out of Roy's car taken on someone's cell phone playing.
"Why are they paying attention to him when we just took out another One Percenter?" One of them asked disgruntled.
"Guess he's takin' over the family business," another grunted and the first one had a look of realization on his face.
"We've been going about this all wrong," he said and they all looked to him.
"What do you mean?" Another asked.
"If we want real justice, we gotta take this fight to the name who did this to us," the first one said, gesturing to the picture of Oliver on the screen.
"Queen? He's just some useless brat," one of them protested and the leader laughed.
"His company's Applied Science Division built the Earthquake Generator. If we want real justice, then that family needs to pay for the suffering it's caused us. In full," he said darkly.
Queen Consolidated
Afternoon
Oliver and Diggle got off their elevator and were immediately ambushed by Wendy.
"They're in the conference room and FYI, no one is eating the bagels," Wendy said in a rush.
Oliver nodded silently before he entered the conference room. He saw the board members, some of them he recognized, having seen his father talking to them at one point or another. And Isabel Rochev. As she stood up, Oliver eyed her curiously, wondering what she could have done to be put on the list.
"Ms. Rochev," Oliver said, plastering on a charming smile as they shook hands. "Sorry I'm late."
"For this meeting or a career in business?" Isabel asked bluntly and Oliver raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't realize hostile takeovers were so hostile," Oliver joked as they sat down.
"On the contrary, I'm actually in a very good mood," Isabel said and Oliver narrowed his eyes.
"So ruining companies agrees with you?"
"Winning agrees with me," Isabel said and she was confused by the half amused smirk that crossed Oliver's face.
"You haven't won yet."
Isabel smiled. "Since you majored in dropping out of college, let me put this in terms that are easy for you to understand. You control 45% of Queen Consolidated stock. I control 45%, leaving 10% outstanding. But, in two days, the board will release the final 10%."
"And I'll buy it before you do." Oliver said.
"With what money?" Isabel taunted. "I doubt your trust fund is that large and no angel investor will go near the company that built the machine that destroyed half the city. Companies rise and fall, Mr. Queen." She said. "Your company has fallen."
"Oliver Queen!"
Startled, everyone looked up to see three men dressed like The Hood wielding guns burst into the room.
"You have failed this city," one of them said as they took aim at Oliver.
"Get down!" Diggle shouted as he pulled out his gun.
A fire fight between Diggle and The Hoods broke out as everyone else ducked under the table. Oliver grabbed Isabel and made for the door, pushing her though and she ran. Oliver ducked back for Wendy and grabbed her. They ran for the door before Oliver grabbed her, tackling her to the ground as one of The Hoods opened fire. The barrage of bullets completely shattered the glass wall behind them before it stopped.
Oliver helped Wendy to her feet as one of The Hoods burst in behind them. Oliver grabbed Wendy and ran for the window. Grabbing onto the chain for the blinds, Oliver and Wendy crashed through the window. Using the chain as a vine, Oliver and Wendy crashed through the window of a room a few floors down. They landed on the floor, hard, a little dazed but very much alive.
"You okay?" Oliver asked as he looked over at Wendy
"Let me get back to you when my stomach catches up with the rest of me," Wendy said, looking a little green.
Up above them, Diggle stood up as The Hoods retreated, their prey lost to them.
Later, as the Hoods had escaped, Oliver approached Isabel in the trashed boardroom. "Miss Rochev, I'm sorry about this."
"Because they were after you?" Isabel asked.
"Because what happens in this building is my responsibility." Oliver replied.
"Only for the next forty-eight hours." Isabel grinned, walking away.
"You could have stopped those guys!" Wendy snapped once the door had closed behind them.
"Not without giving everyone in that room a pretty good idea what I'm capable of." Oliver said pointedly.
"I think what Wendy's wondering is if you avoided taking them on and she's not the only one." Diggle said pointedly.
"I told you, I did not come back to Star City to be the Vigilante." Oliver frustrated that he had reminded them again.
"But they came after you, Oliver. You could have taken them out." Dig replied.
"No, I couldn't, Diggle. Look, there's a part of being the Hood that neither one of you are considering, the body count." Oliver decided to fully explain himself, knowing it was the only way they would finally get it.
"And excuse me for saying this, but so what? Since when do you care?" Wendy asked.
"Since Quentin." Dig quickly realized solemnly.
"Being the vigilante didn't matter. It didn"t stop Malcom Merlyn from destroying the Glades, and killing Quentin, so there wasn't a chance. It didn't accomplish anything." Oliver said shamefully.
"So don't. It's not like you've killed every guy you've faced." Wendy reminded him.
"I could have. Because when I put on the hood, it's kill or be killed. That is what kept me alive. That's why I should have stayed on the island." Oliver acknowledging the facts then grabbed his jacket to leave.
"Is that where you're going now?" Wendy asked.
"The two of you won't help me save my family's company, I'm going to talk to somebody who will," Oliver said.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
"Someone's definitely out there, they're moving closer," Slade noted before he frowned as Shado walked away, "where do you think you're going?"
"Flanking position." Shado said simply. "If they get the drop on you, you'll want some back up."
As Shado walked off, She turned to Oliver and said something in Mandurian. Oliver responded in kind and she smiled before walking off.
"So Shado's teaching you both Chinese?" Slade raised an eye brow.
"I'm sure she'd be happy to teach you too,” Oliver said before a gunshot echoed throughout the area, "Shado!?"
Slade and Oliver ran towards where they had seen the woman walk off. Shado's hood was lying on the ground. Slade picked up the hood. Exchanging horrified glances, the two ran off to search for her.
Iron Heights
Afternoon
Sitting in the visitation chair, Oliver saw his mother, Moira, in a jumpsuit and she smiled at him as she finally sat down. "Hey." He said."
"Hey." Moira greeted her son.
"I'm sorry I didn't make it here sooner." He apologized.
"Oh, no, no, no. Please, Oliver. There are going to be enough apologies with me apologizing to you for the rest of my life." She said full of shame.
"You don't have to. You saved hundreds of lives." He reminded her.
"And killed hundreds more. Including Quentin." She retorted.
"That was Malcolm." He said.
"Your sister doesn't see it that way. And, you know, my attorney is thrilled. If my own daughter can't forgive me, she's not too optimistic about in a jury box. All right, enough of that. How has it been going at Queen Consolidated?" She asked surprising him on how she would know about that. "Yes, we do get the news here, Oliver."
"Right." He said.
"You know, if I'd known the key to you taking your rightful place at the company was its demise, I would have declared bankruptcy a year ago." She joked but might have been serious.
"I don't know if I'll get to run it for long." He explained.
"Stellmoor."
"Their VP is coming after us hard."
"Isabel Rochev."
"Yes."
"Do not trust that woman, Oliver. She is dangerous."
"Well, mom, everywhere I look, there are no good options. I don't know what to do."
"You don't have to do it yourself. This is a family business."
"I love Thea. I don't think that she wants anything to do with it."
"I wasn't talking about Thea."
Verdant
Later
the club was in full swing. Roy brought over a tray of drinks and set them down, looking over at Thea.
"You okay?" Roy asked in concern. "You've been a hundred miles away all day."
"It's just... I don't want you to keep doing this. You're going to get yourself hurt," Thea said disappointingly.
"Someone has to protect the city, Thea. The Hood is gone," Roy pointed out.
"I don't care, Roy. I can't let you get hurt," Thea sighed.
Roy opened his mouth to speak when, suddenly, there were shots going off. Everyone screamed in panic as Roy grabbed Thea, instinctively pulling her down to the ground as The Hoods made their way through the crowd, shooting off a few more rounds to quiet the crowd.
"Where is Oliver Queen?!" the leader shouted. "He's back in town, he owns this dump. Where can we find him?"
the leader grew unsatisfied when no one moved.
"Alright, fine, plan B then," he said before grabbing a random girl and throwing her onto the floor before taking aim at her. "I'm gonna start shooting people until Mr. Queen grows a pair."
Before he could shoot however, Roy rushed him, tackling him to the ground. Roy then stood up and engaged another of the Hoods, grabbing him and throwing him to the ground. As the hood hit the ground, one of his hands came off, to Roy's shock. As the Hood screamed in pain, Roy grabbed his gun when a scream pierced the air. Whirling around, Roy saw the leader had Thea, his arm around her as he pointed his gun at her head.
"Go ahead, try it hero," the leader egged on.
The leader smirked and ran out. Oliver came there eventually, angrily seeing what happened. When he learned Thea was taken, he grit his teeth.
"You!" Oliver barked as he turned to Roy. "Stay right here."
Without waiting for a response, Oliver stalked out, going after the leader and Thea.
Just as Oliver pressed the keypad to open the bunker, Dig and Wendy arrived. "I've made a few improvements down here," Wendy said as they walked down the stairs. "Just in case, you know you decided to come back." She said as she flipped the light switch, as Oliver was left stunned by the upgrades Wendy had made including a glass window case that held his suit.
"We need to find these guys," Oliver stated as he began looking around.
"I've been trying, ever since you got back. I figured you'd come around eventually." Wendy said.
"One of them was missing part of his hand. Maybe a veteran? Check hospital records, any males that have had surgical amputations on their extremities." Oliver asked her to do as she began typing.
"Cross-checking by race and age. Got one, Jeff Deveau. Caucasian, late thirties." Wendy said bringing up his records.
"What else can you get on him?" Oliver said as he began looking at his arrows.
"Ex-Marine," Wendy replied.
"Would explain how he can handle himself." John summarized. "Did he lose his hand overseas?"
"No. In the earthquake. Says here he and his wife were trying to make it across the 52nd Street bridge when it collapsed. She didn't make it." Wendy said sadly, feeling a little sympathy for the man.
"Phone records, please. I want to know who he's in contact with." Oliver asked.
"He's made a lot of calls to a church in the Glades. Something called Standing Strong. It's a support group for those who lost loved ones in the quake." Wendy explained.
"Great place to meet three other guys as angry as you, looking for a little payback."Dig pointed out.
"Get me an address, please," Oliver asked.
"You're going to need this," Wendy saiid as she walked over to a table and showed Oliver a compound bow. "I had it custom made. How'd I do?" She asked.
"It's perfect," Oliver said gripping it tightly.
"You were right. Once I signed on, I stopped thinking about all the bodies you dropped. Because I knew that being the Hood meant occasionally being a killer. Maybe there's another way." She said acknowledging what she and Dig were asking of him.
"They have my sister. What other way is there?" He said solemnly.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Night
Oliver and Slade hid in the bushes, looking in on the camp. Shado was surrounded by men that reminded them of Fryers, their hands bound in front of them. Oliver tried to rush in but Slade held him back.
"What are you doing?" Slade hissed at him.
"We need to save her." Oliver snarled quietly.
"Listen kid, I understand how much you care about her but we need a plan. There are a lot of them. Wait for my signal." Slade ordered and Oliver reluctantly nodded.
"Where are the graves?" one of the men asked Shado who didn't respond, "Where are the graves?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Shado said only to get slapped and Oliver's hands tightened into fists.
Shado groaned in pain as the man grabbed her and put a knife at her throat.
"Tell me or I'll kill you." The man growled at Shado.
Oliver could take no more and rushed forward with Slade following him. Oliver was lost to his rage, tackling a man down and beating him into submission. Oliver was unsatisfied however, and picked up a rock and began beating the man with it. Shado cried out to him but Oliver did not hear her in his haze of rage. Slade's voice finally reached him and Oliver dropped the rock. Oliver fell back on his knees as he stared in shock at what he had done.
Starling City
Later
Outside, the leader was attempting to lead the struggling Thea out when an arrow sailed past them, hitting a car window near them.
"Let. Her. Go," Oliver growled as he aimed at the leader.
"You wanna save her?! There was no justice for people like the Queens until you showed us how!" the leader snarled as he whirled around, Thea still in his arms.
"Taking innocent people hostage. Targeting unarmed civilians. Kidnapping a teenage girl. You call this justice?! You're not a hero, you're a thug," Oliver growled. "Let her go."
"You'll have to kill me," the leader sneered.
The Hood fired and the arrow went into the man's jugular. The man stumbled back in pained shock before falling over the railing. The Hood lowered his bow before looking over at Thea.
"Get out of here." He said and she didn't need to be told twice.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Night
Oliver stood up shakily as he stared down at the dead body as a radio went off.
"We're not alone on this island anymore. The question is where did they come from?" Slade asked concerned.
Queen Consolidated, next day
"You can't win this. I now own 50% of the stock. By tomorrow, I'll have the outstanding five percent and I will control your company. Any attempt to fight me will lead to litigation and leave you penniless. And trust me, poverty isn't as glamorous as Charles Dickens made it look." Isabel snarked.
"What if I found someone to invest new equity capital?" Oliver asked her.
"A white knight? With all due respect, your last name is now associated with mass murder. Even you don't have that good a friend." She said arrogantly.
"You're right. I have family." Oliver corrected as Tommy Merlyn entered.
"I know a lot of you are unhappy to see me here and I can understand why that is but I can promise you, I am not my father and Oliver is not like his father or his mother either." Tommy said. "We are trying to redeem our family names and create a better legacy for our city after the attempted destruction of the Glades Oliver's parents and my father took part in and with your help, I believe we can accomplish that. I do not intend to hurt anyone here or the city that has suffered, as a consequence of our parents' action but we plan to create rebuild this city and turn it into something better than it is. Whether you will help us or not, is up to you. But before you make up your mind, ask yourselves, whether the sins of the fathers or mothers are sins of the sons and whether they deserve to be punished for the rest of their lives."
The board members considered before turning to each other.
"Well, I for one, think we should help them." Walter said as he entered, while the board members got up.
"Mr. Steele." Isabel said. "It has been my understanding that you have stepped down as CEO."
"I have. I now work as CFO of Starling National Bank and I intend to support Mr. Queen and Mr. Merlyn all the way until the end, since I believe in redemption. Now, is there anyone else, who may consider their decision now?" Walter offered.
"They have my support." Dennis said as he got up.
"And mine." Another board member said as some of them got up too.
Starling City Graveyard, next day
Morning
Oliver was standing in front of Quentin's grave, a look of sadness on his face when he heard someone behind him. Turning around, he smiled as he saw who it was.
"Hello Dinah," Oliver greeted, happy to see her.
"Ollie, hi," Dinah said and they hugged.
"You come here often?" Oliver asked as he pulled back.
"At least a few times a week," Dinah said as they turned to face the grave. "So, you've been busy."
"Isabel Roschev, other problems... I have a feeling that I'm going to be around here for a while," Oliver nodded.
Dinah grabbed his hand as Oliver held hers.
Verdant
Later
"So everything's good at the company?" Diggle asked and Oliver's smirk gave it away.
"And we're back in the vigilante business." Wendy said brightly but Oliver shook his head.
"I spent the last year trying to avenge my father. But if we're gonna do this, it has to be about…the city, not the list." Oliver began.
"So what's next?" Wendy asked curiously.
"The City still needs saving, but I'm not a hero. I will never be." Oliver said conflicted. "A symbol…I like the sound of that."
"It's too bad the hoods kind of ruined your code name." Wendy told Oliver.
"No, it's good. I never liked that name anyway. I don't want to be called The Hood anymore." Oliver announced.
"So who are you?" Diggle asked.
Oliver paused before looking down at the arrow in his hand, clearly thinking.
Chapter Text
Starling City
Night
A FEMA truck was driving down the road when two bikers drove up behind it. As they began harassing the truck, a red mustang pulled up behind them. From behind the wheel, Roy pulled to the side and turned his headlights on. Blinded by the light, one of the bikers swerved and crashed into a parked car.
Smirking, Roy continued pursuing the remaining biker. Seeing Roy, the remaining biker turned around and headed for him. Roy whirled his car around and gunned it, heading straight for the biker. Suddenly, the biker pulled out a gun and opened fire and a barrage of bullets hit Roy's car, causing sparks that blinded him. When it faded, Roy saw he was in front of some unused road signs that he couldn't avoid. Roy's car flew into the air before landing with a crash.
Not far away, the truck was heading down the road until the driver spotted a figure down the road. Whirling two knives, China White threw them and they went through the windshield, killing the driver and his passenger.
As the biker and White began taking the truck, Roy crawled out of his mustang, injured, and looked up to see three cops surrounding him.
"Just so you know, the real bad guys are getting away!" Roy snapped.
They paid him no mind and he was pulled to his feet roughly as he was cuffed.
Verdant
Later
"We're going to need more sparring dummies," Oliver said to Dig during the crowd of the partyers in Verdant.
"I'll start ordering them in bulk. This means you're ready to launch crusade 2.0.?" Dig said and asked.
"I'm ready, I just don't know where to begin. Last year, I had the list, getting justice was as simple as crossing names out of a book." Oliver admitting that he doesn't really know how to help the city right now.
"This is Starling… Star City." Dig said, the city's new name still taking time for him to get used to. "You never have to look far to find someone engaged in illegal activity. Yesterday Big Belly Burger got robbed." He told.
"Was Carly there? She ok?" Oliver asked.
"Yeah, she was, um, it was her day off," Dig said reluctantly knowing Oliver didn't know about him and Carly.
"Good. Well, the three of us should get dinner. I haven't seen her since I got back." Oliver said.
"Why the sudden interest in my love life?" Dig asked.
"If it's important to you, it's important to me," Oliver stated and saw his sister walked towards him.
"Hey! I didn't see you come in." Thea said giving Oliver a quick hug.
"I had a secret entrance installed when I ran the club," Oliver said with Thea surprised at his statement. "Kidding." Although he really wasn't.
Thea then looked at her phone as it was ringing and answered it. "Hello? Yes, yeah, this is Thea Queen. Of course, that's where he is." She said, peaking Oliver's concern.
SCPD
Later
Roy sat across from Dinah, cuts and bruises on his face while he was cuffed to the table. Dinah placed a red arrow on the table before she laced her hands together, thinking. Obviously, he was trying to imitate the Vigilante, she mused.
"I had no idea the vigilante was taking on a juvenile partner nowadays." Dinah said sarcastically.
"I'm eighteen, alright." Roy snapped.
"That's right, you are. So I can charge you with obstruction right now!" Dinah snapped back.
"Are you?" Roy met her gaze unflinchingly.
"No," Dinah took out the keys and unlocked his cuffs, "but stay out of trouble, leave this to the professionals."
"Who, the police? Yeah, because they did such a good job of stopping Malcolm Merlyn." Roy scoffed.
"I think we both know I wasn't talking about them." Dinah gave him a pointed stare.
Roy stared at her slack jawed, but didn't say another word. Dinah opened the door and the two emerged from the room to see Oliver and Thea waiting.
"My god, what happened?" Thea demanded as she rushed to Roy.
"He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, got a little roughed up. Nothing serious." Dinah lied easily.
"I'm gonna go talk to Roy for a minute." Oliver said as he trailed after his sister and Roy.
"I'll always think of you fondly." She said sarcastically as she left.
"Save the speeches. Your ex-girlfriend already laid one on me, still, no effect." Roy told Oliver as he tried to pass but Oliver grabbed his arm.
"I used to be a lot like you, Roy," Oliver said.
"I doubt that. I spend more time in the back of cop cars than limos." Roy said knowing Oliver's life of luxury.
"The world doesn't work anymore. It broke a long time ago, but it was like you were the only one who noticed. That makes you angry and you're afraid that that anger is going to burn you up inside if you have to live in the world one second longer knowing that you could do something to fix it. That anger's going to put you in the hospital, kid. Or worse." Oliver told him what someone else basically told him, years ago.
"Well, I'll take worse. It's better to be dead than in a hospital these days, right?" Roy said angrily.
"What do you mean?" Oliver asked.
"Been to the Glades Memorial, lately?" Roy asked.
"No, but I didn't read that it was damaged by the quake," Oliver said.
"It wasn't. The medicine that FEMA's been sending the hospital is being hijacked. So, if they don't re-supply, they'll be forced to close." Roy said.
"By who?" Oliver inquired.
"I don't know!" Roy shouted. "The doctors and nurses are already bailing on the place and the cops? The cops rarely venture that deep into the Glades, so I guess that leaves only me! What's it take to make you angry?" Roy said fed up by Oliver's far too relaxed expression.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Morning
The sun was starting to rise over the trees as Oliver stared down at his bloodied hands. Oliver looked over at the body before looking up at his companions. Shado and Slade stared back at him worriedly as he stood up. The three of them moved out, Oliver finding a rock and sitting down on it.
"Others will come, they won't be happy we killed their men." Shado said as Slade kneeled down.
"All the more reason to figure out why there here," Slade said as he pulled out a piece of paper from one of the men's pocket and unfolded it, "it's a map of the island chain containing Lian Yu. This is similar to recon scans ASIS gave me when I was sent here to rescue Yao-Fei. Whatever they're looking for; it must be here, on this island."
Shado was only half paying attention, staring at Oliver, as his back was to her. Slade stood up and he and Shado stared straight at Oliver.
"I've seen men at war with that look in their eyes." Slade mentioned.
"What look?" Shado asked worriedly.
"The one that says he's splinting into someone else, someone he doesn't even recognize. If someone doesn't talk to him, it'll tear him up." Slade explained as they stared at Oliver's back.
After a moment of debate, Shado walked over to Oliver. He did not even seem to be aware of her presence until she grabbed his blood stained hands. He looked up at her with the most lost expression and Shado's heart clenched before she pressed on.
"Come on; let's get that blood of your hands." Shado told him.
Glades Memorial Hospital
Later
"So someone's stealing medicine from Glades Memorial? Just when I thought criminals couldn't sink any lower," Diggle said as he and Oliver sat in the car.
"It's not criminals, it's the Triad," Oliver said and Diggle looked at him.
"What makes you say that?" he asked.
"The police were talking about a white haired woman," Oliver started. "And I don't know too many white haired women in Starling City that are involved in this kind of crime.”
"Why are you so sure it's the Triad?" Diggle asked suspiciously.
"China White and I have a history, I know how she works. Something like this is just up her alley," Oliver said grimly.
Oliver then noticed a press conference going on in the hospital with all the cameras focusing on one man. "This city is failing on all accounts." The man spoke to the reporters.
"Who's that in the spotlight?" Oliver curiously asked.
"Sebastian Blood, the local alderman that I told you about, not too shy about sharing his opinions," Dig answered as he noted that Blood was a little too vocal for his tastes.
"Which are?" Oliver asked.
"Which are that the Glades have been abandoned," Dig replied.
"And no one gives a damn about these people." Blood said passionately. "We cannot stand by while the doctors on the other side of those doors are working with the bare minimum of resources because the police department already sees us as a lost cause. Meanwhile, thieves are seeking to make a quick buck off the misery of the Glades." Blood then noticed Oliver and then quickly turned his attention to him. "Oliver Queen, isn't it?"
"Alderman." Oliver greeted Blood and the cameras now had a split focus on both men.
"What brings you to Glades Memorial, Mr. Queen? I assume someone of your means can afford the best medical treatment money can buy and I can assure you, you're not going to find that here." Blood said barely able to contain his condescension for Oliver.
"That's wrong, sir. The people of the Glades have suffered too much not to have access to basic medical services." Oliver spoke up to him.
"Well, that's very compassionate of you to say. Although I wonder where your family's concern for its fellow citizens was when they ordered the construction of the earthquake machine that killed 503 people." Blood said angrily as the cameras then rushed on Oliver.
"Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, please! I will be doing everything in my power to atone for my family's culpability in this tragedy." Oliver said in a panic trying to get the press off his back.
"Well, I'm sure the people of the Glades that I represent will sleep better knowing that if they still had a place to sleep. If their homes hadn't crumbled around them! If their stores and their businesses hadn't been condemned!" Blood said in a fury that turned everyone against Oliver.
"You did this to us! Go back to your mansion, rich boy!" Members of the crowd spoke up.
Spare us your mercy visits, Queen! You've done enough for this city already." They continued to yell. The crowded shout angrily at Oliver as both he and Dig made their attempt back to the limo, increasing their speed as the crowd escalated further into throwing things at them.
Undisclosed location
Same time
China White stared in shock as all her men were on the floor, unconscious. They had been beaten, savagely. And in a chair, sitting calmly at the table, was a man wearing a mask made out of gold.
"Chen Na Wei," the man boomed. "I've wanted to meet you for a long time."
"Who the hell are you?" White demanded, feeling for her knives.
"If I wanted you dead, I could kill you where you stand without even getting up," he said and she stopped. "My name is Brother Blood. I want you to handle the Vigilante."
"I already know who he is," White snorted and Brother Blood chuckled.
"I don't care about his identity, I want him dead," Brother Blood walked off.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
Oliver and Shado were standing in the river, Shado gently washing the blood from Oliver's hands. Shado gently lifted Oliver's hands out of the water as he stared ahead, probably not even seeing her.
"You saved me." Shado told him and this finally seemed to bring Oliver out of his funk.
"That's what I keep telling myself: that I killed that guy because he was gonna kill you. But what if that's not the reason? I just feel like this island, it's…it's turning me into something terrible." Oliver confessed.
Shado looked away for a moment before she dipped her hand in the water briefly. Shado brought her hands up and ran her water laced fingers over his face.
"Nothing…can turn you into something you're not. I don't think the world is separated into good people and bad people, I think it's a bit more complicated than that. Everyone…has light and darkness inside of them. What matters is which side you choose to act on." Shado told him as she placed a hand on his cheek.
Oliver and Shado stared at each other for a moment before Oliver leaned down and kissed her. They kissed for a moment before they stepped back and began to remove their shirts…
Queen Consolidated
Afternoon
"So how are things in Glades Memorial?" Oliver said as he walked down the hall towards his office, talking on his phone with Diggle.
"Bad. Roy's right, this place is standing on its last leg," Diggle said and Oliver frowned. "We need to stop the Triad, quickly."
"We will, once we find China White," Oliver promised before he saw Tommy coming up to him. "Gotta go. There's work to be done."
"Look, Ollie, I think it might be best to shut down the research on the skeleton key." Tommy said, looking at the documents. "I mean, in the wrong hands, it could be used for hacking into military facilities, banks… I mean, after what our parents did, we don't want to be responsible for something like that happening, ever again."
Oliver considered. "You might have a point there. I'll make a call and order them to shut it down." Then, his phone rang as he answered the call. "Yeah, Wendy? Uh-huh. Be right there." He hung up as he got up.
"That kind of emergency?" Tommy asked as Oliver nodded.
"Tommy, can you—"
"Don't worry, I got your back." Tommy promised as Oliver left, as a moment later, Isabel entered.
"Where did Oliver go?" Isabel asked, annoyed.
"Got a meeting he forgot he had made." Tommy said, covering for him.
"Huh. That's happened… third time now." Isabel scoffed. "Is he gonna come for the event with Blood?"
"He might be a little late but I wouldn't worry." Tommy assured him.
"Guess you two are still thick as thieves, aren't you?" Isabel glared at him as Tommy chuckled.
Unspecified location
Same time
"I look forward to working together," Brother Blood said, sitting at his desk as China White stood in front of it.
"As do I. I look forward to making the vigilante suffer," White said with a smirk.
"As do I. But it would be a mistake to underestimate him. So I would advise you to cease and desist your raids of the FEMA trucks," Blood said as he leaned back in his chair.
"Of course," China White said with a smirk. "Anything for a friend."
Verdant
Same time
Roy was putting some boxes of liquor in the storage room when Thea walked in.
"We need to talk," Thea said and Roy sighed.
"Well, can't say I didn't see this coming," Roy said sarcastically as he turned around to face Thea. "You have an issue with me going out at night."
"Yeah, do. I wanted Dinah to arrest you," Thea snapped and Roy was silent, staring at her incredulously.
"So it's okay for the Vigilante to go out at night to save the city, but not me?" Roy asked after a moment.
"That is not the same thing and you know it. He has been trained to do this, you haven't.” Thea said emotionally and Roy's eyes softened. "I can't worry about you Roy."
"I'm sorry, I don't like making you worry," Roy said remorsefully.
"Then stop, please," Thea pleaded as she walked up to him.
"I'm sorry, I can't," Roy said and Thea stared at him incredulously. "The Glades, they're my home. I know I don't have the skills, but if I can help make it a little safer, even just a little bit, then I'm going to do it. This is who I am Thea. I love you…but I love my home to. You can't expect me to just turn my back on it. I will do anything for you…but not that. If you can't accept that…you can't accept me. And I can't be with someone like that."
"Are-are you breaking up with me?" Thea stammered as the room as suddenly filled with a tense silence.
"I don't know," Roy said after a moment. "But I have a few vacation days set up. I'm gonna use them, I need time to think. Please, don't call me…I need space."
Roy then leaned over, kissing her on the cheek before walking out, leaving Thea to wonder what had just happened.
Arrow lair
Night
"Can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually getting more done here than at work." Wendy almost whined.
"What did you find?" Oliver demanded ignoring her comment.
"FEMA is shipping one hundred-thousand units of medical opiates to Glades Memorial." Wendy explained.
"When?" Oliver demanded.
"Truck is scheduled to leave in twenty minutes." Wendy told them.
"Not if that motorcycle gang has anything to say about it." Diggle pointed out.
"Unfortunately for them, I have something to say about it." Oliver said darkly as he walked over to the case containing his respective costume.
Starling City
Later
Two FEMA workers were loading up the truck when two men on motorcycles rode up; opening fire on them. One of the workers was hit, dying from the barrage of bullets. The other took cover between the trucks as the two men got off their motorcycles.
"No, please, don't," the worker begged as they approached him.
"Down!"
Without thought, the worker obeyed, dropping to the ground. Behind him, Oliver fired two arrows, getting the two men in the shoulder.
"Make your delivery," Oliver barked.
The worker didn't need to be told twice, rushing to the truck. However, as he got inside, he was hit with a knife in his throat, killing him almost instantly, to Oliver's horror.
"I feared you'd perished n the quake," Oliver tensed as China White walked into view, twirling a knife. "Denying me my revenge. I'm glad you're still alive…Oliver." she smirked as he tensed. "I'm not sure how I didn't put it together sooner. It's time for you to pay for Hong Kong and your past interference in my business."
"Your business is going under, permanently," Oliver growled.
Oliver fired but, at that moment, a dark skinned man with bronze claws jumped down from the roof of the truck, using the claws to glide down. Once on the ground, he used his claws to deflect the arrow.
"I don't think my new partner agrees with you," White said smugly as Oliver stared at them impassively. "Our partnership was easily cemented. You see, I was eager to see you dead and he was eager to kill you."
Angrily, Oliver fired at the clawed man but he used his claws to deflect it before rushing Oliver. Oliver used his bow to deflect the man's claws and they began trading blows as White got in the truck and began driving off. As Oliver manage to back the clawed man against a truck, sirens blared as various police cruisers rolled up. However, rather than going after the truck White had taken, they got out and trained their guns on Oliver and the clawed man.
"Starling City Police, we have you surrounded. Put down your weapons or we will open fire!" Pike ordered.
Oliver and the clawed man froze, both weighing their options. Then the clawed man pushed back against Oliver and he jumped out of the way. The man's claws struck a steam pipe and a mist flowed through the area. The police opened fire and Oliver and the clawed man ran, their feud put aside. Oliver threw down a smoke bomb before firing an arrow with a line, using the smokescreen to get away.
Arrow lair
Later
After extracting the bullets the SCPD had hit him with, Oliver was stitching himself up as Diggle and Wendy watched.
"Does it hurt?" Wendy asked hesitantly.
"Not as much as some things," Oliver said as he finished.
"I love that we live in a city where the police are more interested in catching you than the drug stealing mobsters. Our tax dollars at work," Wendy said disgusted.
"The police have always gone after the vigilante," Diggle pointed out.
"This time was different," Oliver said as they turned their attention back to him. "They got in my way. I can barely make things better as Oliver Queen and now I can't make things better as the vigilante. Don't you see how infuriating it is? And that's not the only thing that's bothering me. China White, she knows who I am."
"What?" Wendy yelped as she and Diggle looked stunned.
"How is that possible?" Diggle questioned and Oliver smiled tightly.
"Like I said, she and I have an unpleasant history. I guess I was foolish to think she would never work it out. But I wouldn't put it passed her to go after the people in my life. My mother is safe in Iron Heights, but Thea-"
"I'll keep tabs on her," Diggle promised and Oliver nodded in gratitude.
"Wendy, I want you to keep close to me for now. No one is safe until China White is in the ground," Oliver said grimly.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
Hearing Slade call out for them, Oliver and Shado hurriedly put their clothes back on. If Slade caught them like this, they would never hear the end of it.
"Just washing off!" Oliver said as Slade came into view.
"Well, you better be prepared to get dirty again. I think I figured out where those men were headed: it's just a couple of clicks northwest of here. Let's go." Slade ordered.
Oliver put his shirt back on and they followed Slade through the forest. Judging by the teasing smirks he kept sending them, they were not as lucky as they had thought.
"Be careful," Slade warned Oliver as they walked a little ahead of Shado, "don't fall too hard."
"Why? To make sure there isn't a part of this island that doesn't totally suck?" Oliver asked sarcastically.
"To survive. She's a distraction, and on a place like this, a distraction is going to cloud your judgement. And that is what is going to get you killed," Slade stopped and looked over his shoulder at Oliver with a grim smile, "look at what this island has already done to you kid."
Queen Consolidated
Evening
"There he is," Blood muttered when Oliver showed up.
"Something came up, Alderman," Oliver gave Tommy a nod as he approached the stage.
"Well, your lovely ex-girlfriend was here to keep me company." Blood eyed Dinah in a way that made her uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry, traffic was awful." Oliver said apologetically as he approached the podium with Tommy as they both cleared their throat. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Sorry for the delay. Now I know there has been a lot of negative attention towards the Queen family and my friend Tommy Merlyn since the Undertaking and I know how you may feel about us and my sister Thea but to make things clear, my family did not support the Undertaking. The only members of the Queen family who followed actions of Malcolm Merlyn was my father, who had intended to back out." He then stepped back as Tommy took charge.
"So my father sabotaged the yacht, murdering Robert and condemning my best friend to five years in hell and leveraging his mother into assisting him by threatening her children's lives. I understand your anger towards me, Oliver and Thea, however unjustified it may be, but we are here to try to redeem our families' names and hopefully with your help, rebuild what has been lost because of my father and restore our city to its greatness." Tommy finished.
Oliver stepped down and was met with applause. Oliver walked back over to Dinah, who was only too glad to have an excuse to leave Blood alone.
"Don't ever leave me alone with him again. He creeps me out." Dinah told him as they walked away.
Triad safe house
Later
The clawed man, Ben Turner, was pacing back and forth as White and some of her men watched.
"I came here because you said he was a hunter, that he'd give me something I always wanted: a challenge," Turner sneered. "But he ran from the police."
"Don't underestimate him," White warned him.
Whatever else she was going to say was cut off when one of her men gasped, a man grabbing them and tossing them. Brother Blood then stepped up.
"Don't fail me again," Blood growled to China White, "But I'll give you another chance. I want you to keep an eye on Tommy Merlyn."
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
The three continued to walk through the forest when Slade stopped. He pulled out a photograph, looked at a rock, before looking back at the photograph.
"For those men, this location could have been one of one-hundred and fifty different islands. But for someone who knows this island like he knows his own name." Slade smirked as he turned to his companions.
"So those men were looking for this place, why?" Shado asked curiously.
"That would be the question." Slade told her.
"Slade, over here?" Oliver called out.
Slade and Shado joined Oliver. He had discovered a cave, almost concealed by vines. Slade took out a knife before cutting away the vines. The three of them entered the cave to see that it had been turned into a small living area. Looking down, they saw skeletons, but they were different. And they weren't talking about the fact they were dressed in Japanese uniforms. They were shaped weird.
"The skulls are misshapen." Shado pointed out as Oliver leaned down.
"What happened to these people?" Oliver wondered.
"Whatever did happen to them was over sixty years ago," Slade said as he picked up a rusted sword, "all these soldiers belonged to the Japanese imperial army."
"Since World War Two." Shado pointed out.
"We're missing something here," Slade said as Oliver examined a necklace on one of the skeleton's necks, "you don't come here just for corpses."
Verdant
Night
The club was in full swing, music blaring as the clubbers danced the night away. Thea was standing by the bar when she spotted someone making his way through the crowd. She stared, shocked, as Roy made his way over to her.
"Hey, can we talk…privately?" Roy asked, not wanting to do this with music blaring in their ears.
Thea nodded mutely. She hadn't expected to see him for another few days and she honestly wasn't sure whether him being here was a good or bad thing. She led him off the lower level and into her office. She turned around to face him as the next words out of Roy's mouth stunned her.
"I quit," Roy said and she stared at him, not comprehending what he was saying.
"What?" Thea asked shocked.
"I quit," Roy repeated. "I can't do this anymore Thea. You say that you can't worry about me when I’m out there. But I have to be true to who I am. If it's a choice between you and my home, my home will win, every time."
"Well then, I guess you made your choice," Thea said, tears filling her eyes.
"Yeah, I guess I have," Roy said lowly, hating hurting her but knowing there wasn't any other way. "I'll be by in a few days to pick up my last paycheck."
Roy then turned and walked out, each step causing him to feel more pain than he'd ever known. But he had, he had to hurt her now to save her more pain down the line.
Once the door closed behind him, Thea collapsed into her desk chair, putting her hand to her face as she began to sob.
Notes:
Hopefully, you like it and I'm doing everyone in character; I'm still focusing on polishing the story and getting it moving. Changes will come later!
Chapter 3: The Dollmaker
Chapter Text
Starling City
Night
Billy Russel was in his loft apartment, talking on the phone when, suddenly, the lights went out and Russel heard the dial tone, his phone having been disconnected somehow.
"Your justice has come now."
Russel panicked as he heard a female voice speak up behind him. Russel turned around to see a masked woman was there, crossbow in hand, pointing it at him.
"You were Steven Mangragora's lawyer," The woman growled.
"All I do is manage stock investments," Russel babbled, hoping that his security would show up to protect them from her.
"That's not all you do," The woman said and Russel paled even more. "How many people have you swindled out of their savings, how many!?"
"Those people knew what they were getting into when they signed up with me," Russel tried to justify.
There was a shot behind him, and as soon as he heard it, he felt the bullet cut through the back of his calf. He howled and went careening to the icy dock, catching himself on both hands. His leg was in agony, his ears still ringing, all of it making his head spin as he hauled himself up onto his elbows and made one last desperate bid for survival.
He'd only managed to drag himself a few feet when footsteps echoed behind him. He sobbed brokenly, not daring to look back. A hand wrapped around his arm, and he was thrown onto his back, his skull cracking against the old wooden planks as he sobbed again.
"Please!" he begged, holding his hands up in surrender. He blinked up at the woman hunting him, trying to see her. But she was just a black, blurry shape against the night sky. "Please! Whaddya want? What is it, huh? What do you want from me!"
She didn't say anything. She just stared at him until Russel broke down again, too distraught to speak.
"I just didn't want to shoot you in the back," she admitted, her voice low.
She raised her gun, cradling it with both hands like it was something precious, and she shot Billy Russel in the head.
Tommy and Dinah’s house
Later
Tommy drove home from work. He was pretty frustrated at the fact that he hadn't been able to help Oliver in his time of crisis, though he was glad Oliver got to keep his company for now. When he walked outside, a group of muggers were seen trying to rob a woman. Stepping forward, Tommy shouted out to the group of them.
”Hey!” Tommy called out and they dropped the woman, surrounding him.
“Merlyn! You got some nerve showing up here.” The first guy snapped.
“Leave the woman alone.” Tommy growled but the others laughed.
They all stepped forward to attack him.
”I guess I’ll have to make you.”
Tommy tried to kick them, but he had no fighting experience at all. Pulling out a dagger, the first man threw it at Tommy’s chest. The dagger cut through his skin as he fell to the ground. The second man then kicked Tommy in the chest, sending him down as the others rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding any other attacks. Tommy groaned, bloodied and beaten.
Arrow lair
Night
”So who’s the next target?” Diggle asked as he and Wendy stood behind Oliver as he sat at the computers, looking at what he was doing. “Who’s Ezra Barnes?”
“Our next target. You’ve heard of the gun pandemic in The Glades?” Oliver asked and they nodded. “Well, Barnes is a military man posted at Camp Kirby. Secretly, he smuggles out military grade weapons and runs a black market weapons ring. His top sellers include the crime lord who calls himself ‘The Mayor’.”
“I thought we were trying to move past your father’s list,” Wendy pointed out.
“He’s been flooding the Glades with corruption. I’m not going to kill him, just teach him a lesson. There’s still work to do,” Oliver said, looking at Wendy. “Barnes runs a supply run in two days. Only he’ll be getting some unexpected interference.”
”Want some backup?” Diggle offered and Oliver shook his head.
"Having the bodyguard of the new CEO of Queen Consolidated is not a good idea. I appreciate the offer John, but I can handle it," Oliver assured him before Wendy's phone rang.
Picking it up, Wendy stared at it in shock for a second before answering.
“We have a new problem,” She said, causing both of her teammates to look at her sharply.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
"Wonderful, now we have a dead Japanese soldier in our home." Slade said sarcastically as he walked away from the skeleton.
Shado leaned down to better examine the skeleton. "Those men were looking for these corpses, aren't you the least bit curious as to why?"
"I'm more interested in how many more of them there are and where they're operating from. They'll be coming for them, which means they'll be coming for us," Slade pointed out as he put a bag of tactical gear together, "and as we've already seen, they're not the friendliest bunch."
"So, it kind of looks like you've done that before." Oliver pointed out to Shado.
"Before Fryers kidnapped me, I was pre-med. I learned how to do things like this," Shado told her boyfriend.
"She's a woman of many talents. Come on." Slade said, tossing the bag to Oliver before he walked out of the fuselage.
"Come on where?" Oliver asked as he followed Slade outside.
"To higher ground. We need to get to a vantage point where we can establish the enemy's position." Slade said as he looked over his shoulder at Oliver.
"What about her?" Oliver asked as he looked back at Shado.
"I'll be fine." Shado assured him.
"We shouldn't split up." Oliver hesitated.
"Let her play with the corpse, we'll be back before she knows it." Slade said crudely as he walked away.
Oliver looked one last time at Shado examining the skeleton before he followed after Slade.
Starling City
Later
Elsewhere in Starling City, a young woman got in her car after buying some beauty supplies when she was suddenly grabbed from behind, a hand covering her mouth.
"You have such beautiful skin," Mathis said as she screamed against his hand.
Arrow lair
Later
“According to Lance’s old file, The Doll Maker killed once every three days last time he was in Starling City,” Oliver said as he read the file.
“That gives us two to catch him,” Diggle noted and Oliver nodded.
“Wendy, any connection between the victims?” Oliver asked as she typed at the computers.
“Young, pretty. Lance couldn’t figure out how he chose them, which doesn’t give me a lot of confidence that I can,” Wendy said regretfully.
“If we wanna stop him, we need to,” Oliver said as he closed the file. “Mathis doesn’t have any family or known acquaintances, but he does have an attorney. I’m going to pay him a visit.”
“I’m assuming this takes priority over Barnes?” Wendy inquired.
“Barnes will still be there in a few days, Mathis’ next victim won’t be if we don’t stop him,” Oliver said as he grabbed his bow.
District Attorney's Office
Same time
Tommy arrived at the DA'S office to find Dinah talking to her boss, she looked tired. When Dinah spotted him, Donner gave them a moment alone. "Hey Tommy, everything okay?" she asked.
"I just haven't been sleeping well," Tommy brushed it off. "How are things going here?"
"Why the sudden interest in my job?" Dinah asked.
"I'm always interested in you," Tommy smiled.
"Tommy... You haven't been the same after the Undertaking," She recalled.
"Yeah, well, would you still be yourself if your dad was responsible for destroying an entire portion of the city?" He reminded her. "Everything that happened since then was my fault."
"No, Tommy, it's not. My dad believed in what he was doing, and I miss him every day, but we're all responsible for our own choices." She said trying to reassure him.
"Doesn't mean I shouldn’t be able to do something," He growled before walking away.
Starling City
Sunset
Tony Daniel, Barton Mathis’ attorney was in his office until an arrow broke through his window and he was left dangling out the door.
"Tony Daniel."
Daniel jumped as he heard the modulated voice, whirling around to see The Hood aiming an arrow at him.
"Where is Barton Mathis?" Oliver sneered.
"Iron Heights Prison," Daniel said immediately.
"He got out," Oliver growled.
"What? When," Daniel asked, playing dumb.
Growling, Oliver let go of the draw string and the arrow sailed towards Daniel, piercing him in the shoulder. Daniel cried out in pain, falling on his desk.
“You’re a vigilante! I’ll call security!” Daniel yelled.
”They’re taking a nap,” Oliver muttered as he raised the bow.
”What about the cops?” Daniel smirked.
”You won’t tell anyone about this,” Oliver explained.
”Why wouldn’t I?” Daniel questioned.
"Because you have another shoulder," Oliver growled, grabbing the arrow and twisting it, causing Daniel to cry out in pain.
"Okay okay okay! There was another place. He was always drawing it, sketches of it in his cell," Daniel finally said.
"Where was it? Was it in Starling City?" Oliver asked.
"The Bisque Museum. He said it reminded him of Germany, where porcelain dolls were invented," Daniels confessed.
Oliver let the arrow go and stalked off, causing Daniel to sigh in relief.
Motel near the Bisque Museum
Later
the room was empty, save a phone and a doll that had something in it's hands that made Oliver’s blood run cold. It was a clipping of a news article about Quentin arresting Mathis six years earlier.
Suddenly, the phone started ringing. With a sinking feeling in his stomach, Oliver picked it up and put it to his ear.
"You're not Detective Lance,” Mathis said on the other end.
"Wendy, I need a trace," Oliver said lowly.
"Already on it."
"You’re going back to prison," Oliver growled.
"Prison? I've never felt better in my life. Fresh air agrees with me," Mathis taunted him.
"Don’t get too used to it. Lance caught you before, it's only a matter of time until I do it myself," Oliver snarled.
"Fair enough. In the meantime however, there's someone would like to say hello to you. Say hello dead," Mathis said and Oliver’s blood ran cold as he heard a women scream in the background.
"She's done nothing to you. Let her go," Oliver growled.
"And let her wither away in a mediocre and forgettable life? No no no no, she deserves so much better than that. She deserves to have her beauty preserved. Pristine. Forever. Don't worry. I will turn her into something special. Pay attention Mr. Hood, what comes next is truly exquisite," Mathis said as Oliver heard the woman scream again and something being poured, a liquid. "The sound of an esophagus slowly hardening. Like a symphony."
"Wendy," Oliver growled.
"I'm trying, but he's blocking my trace," Wendy said.
"It's for the world to enjoy. After all, everyone loves a pretty doll," Mathis said and Oliver knew she was dead.
The Foundry
Later
"The police found her body an hour ago," Dig said.
"Does the new victim give us any forensics we can use? Oliver asked.
"CSI did a complete forensics work-up, but they sent everything out to a private lab," Dig answered.
"Can you get in?" Oliver asked turning to Wendy.
"No, they took their system offline. It seems like someone hacked into a lot of police-related systems last year." Wendy answered referring to her herself.
"Then we do it like we did the Merlyn job," Oliver stated.
Forensic lab
Later
"You're up, Wendy," Oliver told her as he inserted a device into the system's mainframe.
"All right, I got toxicology first. What are all these? Chemical ingredients of all the make-up found on the victims; skin cream, nail polish, lipstick." Wendy listed as they showed up on the computer monitors.
“Stop,” Oliver commanded, “This one. Ethyl paraben. Sodium laureth sulphate. It was there before." He explained.
"It's skin cream. Forensics found traces of it on her fingers, probably something she used before he grabbed her." She told them.
"Skin cream." Oliver said. "Mermaid something. One of the victims from his last run, she had this in her purse, and Quentin’s files showed us that he had the lab analyze it, and it's the same formula."
"Wendy," Oliver said.
"Already on it." She responded and almost immediately she brought up the skin cream company logo for them to see.
"Ethyl paraben and sodium laureth sulphate is Mermaiden's proprietary formula," Wendy told them
"Two victims with the same taste in skin cream, that can't be a coincidence," Oliver said.
"No one could never figure out how he chose his victims," Wendy told him.
"I think you just did," Oliver responded.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
"We shouldn't have left Shado." Oliver told Slade as they walked through the woods.
"It's her life. Her choice," Slade said as he put off a branch of a tree that was in the way, "you listen to my advice."
"What advice?" Oliver asked confused.
"To avoid attachment." Slade reminded him as they started to climb up a cliff.
“Yeah, that was bad advice." Oliver told him.
"It'll save your life." Slade insisted.
"Maybe I don't want to live under those terms." Oliver snapped.
"Maybe you're an idiot." Slade said irritated.
"Hey, you think caring about people gets you killed. I think it's what keeps people alive." Oliver said and Slade stopped.
"I was wrong about you," Slade turned around and flashed a tight smile, "You're definitely an idiot."
"That's who I am," Oliver said and Slade scoffed before turning around and starting to walk up the cliff, "I'm not changing."
Slade was walking up the cliff when part of it collapsed underneath him. Slade cried out in surprise as Oliver raced towards him, barely catching him by the arm. Oliver started to pull Slade back up the cliff.
"You should be happy I haven't avoided an attachment to you." Oliver grunted as he pulled Slade up.
The Glades
Next Dad
Tommy walked into a bar, looking around. A white-haired woman wearing a wig saw him and smiled.
"I'm here to see Jason. He's expecting me," Tommy said and her eyes lit up.
"You must be here about the self-defense classes. Fourth door on the right in the back. Knock before you go in," she said and Tommy nodded.
"Thanks. I'm Tommy," Tommy said, holding his hand out to her.
"Chen. I hope we get to know each other," China White said as she shook his hand.
The Foundry
Night
"So, this is it. Skin cream, that's our lead?" Dig said skeptically.
"It's something. What do we know about the product?" Oliver asked.
"It's made from crushed mother of pearl and it's super high-end. Only carried in a handful of boutiques and it's marketed for women with extremely delicate complexions." Wendy explained.
"He picks his victims for their skin and the cream is how he finds them." Oliver proclaimed.
"Only four stores in the city carry it and three have surveillance systems. I've ran facial recognition through all of them looking for Mathis but come up empty." Wendy told them. "He must be staking out the stores from the outside."
"Fine. So, we'll do the same." Dig stated.
"That could take days we don't have. He's probably out there right now looking for another girl." Oliver told them.
"So that's what we give him. I'll go to the stores that carry Mermaiden, and buy it in each one to cover our bases." Wendy said volunteering.
"It's too dangerous," Dig said trying to caution her.
"More dangerous than going undercover in a mob casino or jumping out of a plane? It's my life. It's my choice." Wendy said as both men realized there was no changing her mind.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
"There are only two ways off this island," Slade said as he and Oliver finally reached the top of the cliff, "by sea and by air."
"So what, you're gonna steal whatever they used to get onto the island?" Oliver asked.
"Well I'm tired of living here, aren't you?" Slade asked.
The two took out there binoculars and started to look out over the island. It didn't take them long to locate what they were looking for: a ship just off shore. Oliver lowered his binoculars, shock, awe, and hope filling him.
"It appears to be two or three clicks off shore." Slade said slight excitement visible in his voice.
They were startled by a series of loud booms. Slade looked into his binoculars and saw the smoke trail of missiles coming from the ship.
"It appears to be firing off its location." Slade noted.
"The plane." Oliver breathed.
"They must have found it." Slade agreed.
"Shado!" Oliver shouted as he turned around and ran.
"Wait kid!" Slade shouted as he ran after Oliver.
Starling City
Night
Wendy was heading to the last store that sold the Mermaiden skin cream, she was even carrying it outside her person; hopefully, so that Mathis would see it. "This is the last store. You're going to reimburse me for these, right?" She asked Oliver on comms as this cream was expensive for her. "I saved my receipts."
"Go to the rendezvous point, stay in public," Oliver responded hiding in the shadows.
"Someone's coming," Wendy spoke, warning them both and Oliver caught glimpse of the one was following her.
"I got him." He told her.
"Ok, I'm going to admit to being seriously wigged out right now." She said nervously. As all three men waited to back her up, eventually the person that was following just went to another building. "False alarm, but next time I offer to be bait for your serial killer, please turn me down." She exasperated. She then began walking away but then accidentally ran into Mathis, who sadistically smiled at her and dragged away from the scene.
Mathis dragged Wendy into a construction site when an arrow pierced his shoulder. He growled in pain, loosening his grip and Wendy managed to elbow him and throw herself out of his arms. Mathis shoved her and she was sent flying. She hit some crates, going down, dazed, as Mathis yanked the arrow out of his shoulder. Oliver jumped down to the ground and Mathis took off. But, before he could get far, Oliver reached into his quiver, pulling out an arrow. He notched it and fired, the arrow getting Mathis in the leg.
Mathis wailed in pain, losing his footing. He fell on his face as Hilton and Diggle arrived. As Diggle checked on Wendy, Hilton quickly rushed over to Mathis. Before Mathis could get away, Hilton yanked his arms back, handcuffing one of his hands.
"It's over," Hilton growled at him.
Tommy and Dinah's apartment
Evening
Dinah was sitting down looking at a picture of Quentin when Tommy came over to her.
"Hey," Tommy said sneaking up on Dinah.
"Tommy, you should be in bed," She sighed.
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep anytime soon," Tommy said and sat next to her, "you were right. What happened wasn't the Hood's fault, it was mine. If I had stopped my father when I had the chance, your dad would still be alive. I'm so sorry..." He cried, as Dinah held him tightly.
Court house
Same time
Oliver walked into the courtroom and sat down next to Thea, ignoring his sister's relieved gaze. Moira glanced back at him but Oliver only met her eyes in a steely gaze.
"Docket ending 4587, State versus Queen." The bailiff announced as the judge took his seat.
"All right, I'll hear your motions, ladies first," the judge said, looking at Moira's lawyer, Jean Loring.
"Your Honor, we would like to be heard once again on the issue of bail," Jean said. "Ms. Queen has languished in the Iron Heights prison now for five months."
"And in those five months, did the 503 people she's charged with killing miraculously return from the dead?" the judge asked sarcastically. "If not, I'm a little unclear on how the passage of time is relevant."
"Might I remind the court that the defendant is presumed innocent?" Jean asked.
Oliver fought the sigh that nearly escaped his lips. Jean's argument would sound a lot better if his mom hadn't confessed on live TV, he noted idly. Jean was going to have to come up with new tactics.
"No need, I want to law school. It's where I learned that bail, once denied, cannot be set in the absence of change of circumstance," The judge informed her before looking to the prosecutor's table. "Mr. Donner, what do you have for me?"
"Your Honor, the State has no pre-trial motions to make at this time." Donner said as he got to his feet. "But we would like to serve notice to the defense pursuant to rule of criminal procedure Fifteen."
Oliver was surprised by the speed at which Jean leapt to her feet and a pit of dread began to form in his stomach.
"Your Honor, I would like to conference with the District Attorney," Jean said hurriedly.
"There's really no need, nor any obligation," Donner said smugly.
"What about professional courtesy?" Jean shot back. "I would like to have a conversation with you before you seek the death penalty."
Dimly, Oliver was aware of the crowd gasping and Thea gripping his arm tightly. But all he could feel was shock. He had not bene expecting that outcome.
"Your client aided and abetted an act of mass murder. 503 conversations wouldn't convince me that Moira Queen shouldn't be the 504th fatality," Donner said coolly.
Moira glanced back at Oliver and Thea and he saw the fear in her eyes. Oliver reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. Understanding flashing in her eyes, Moira reached out and grabbed his hand.
Roy Harper's house
Night
"Yeah, yeah of course I can start Monday," Roy said as he was on the phone with his new boss. "Yeah, thank you. I'll see you then."
Roy had no sooner hung up then the lights in his house went out. Roy looked around in confusion when a voice spoke up behind him.
"Roy Harper," Roy whirled around, shocked to see The vigilante, in his suit with the hood up, standing behind him. "I hear you've been looking for me."
"You saved my life," Roy said swallowing his shock. "Made me realize it wasn't much of a life. That I could do what others couldn't, were too afraid to do. I could help you save this city."
"You're untrained," Oliver pointed out.
"I can fight!" Roy argued.
"You can take a beating. There's a difference," Oliver said pointedly.
"Then teach me!" Roy said angrily.
"First, you need to prove that I can trust you," Oliver said.
"How do I do that?" Roy asked eagerly.
"To do what I do, I need Intel. You can be my eyes and ears in The Glades," Oliver explained.
"How do I contact you?" Roy asked and, in response, Oliver tossed a flechette at his feet.
"Put that in the alley wall of Verdant and I'll know to contact you," Oliver said before he turned and walked out.
The lights flickered back on and Roy knew he was gone. Roy picked up the flechette, grinning. It looks like he was in.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
"Oliver!" Slade shouted as the pair ran through the mining field.
The two ran through the field before a missile detonated in front of Slade and behind Oliver, sending them both flying. Dazed, Oliver looked up to see Slade on the ground, half his body on fire, before he passed out.
The next thing Oliver was aware of, he woke up in a cell on the ship.
Chapter 4: The Huntress
Chapter Text
Starling City
Night
Oliver walked into the now familiar garage, drawing the attention of Alexi and his men.
"Ah, welcome brother," Alexi said as Oliver walked over to them. "We have not seen you since you asked us to...handle the associates of Isabel Rochev."
"Being CEO of a major company is a little time consuming. I do have another favor to ask though," Oliver said and Alexi raised an eyebrow as Oliver pulled out some files.
"Another meeting with a drug dealer?" Alexi asked as Oliver handed him the file.
"Nothing like that. That is everything I know about a man called Sebastian Blood. About a year ago, he wiped all digital traces of himself from existence. I know the Bratva can go places others won't, get things others can't," Oliver said as Alexi opened the file.
"What interest is this man to you?" Alexi inquired as he looked through the file.
"Let's just say that he and I have unfinished business," Oliver said vaguely and Alexi nodded.
"First, you know how this works," Alexi said, closing the file.
"I do something for you, you do something for me," Oliver said, already expecting it and Alexi nodded.
"Someone has been interfering in our business, attacking all the gangs," Alexi said as he turned away from Oliver.
"Who is he?" Oliver asked curiously.
"Not he, she," Alexi corrected, taking Oliver back. "My men report a masked woman dressed in purple wielding a crossbow. She is very skilled and aggressive, putting several gang members who work for crime boss Mangadora in the hospital.”
"And what do you want me to do about it?" Oliver asked curiously.
"I'm sure that someone of your...capabilities is able to handle her," Alexi said as he turned around to face Oliver, a gleam in his eye that made Oliver's blood run cold.
"I'll do my best," Oliver muttered as he turned to leave.
"I'm sure you will," Alexi said smugly as Oliver walked out.
Arrow lair
Afternoon
"The Bratva know who you are?" Wendy yelped after Oliver told her and Diggle of his meeting with Alexi.
"Alexi does, I'm not sure about the others," Oliver said with a sigh.
"How is that possible if you were on Lian Yu for five years?" Wendy asked confused.
"Unless you weren't," Diggle said knowingly as Oliver remained silent.
"My third year away, I spent a lot of time in Russia," Oliver said after a moment. "Some of the Bratva saw me in the hood. I'm sure me showing up in Starling City four years after The Hood made his first appearance made some of them put two and two together."
"Back on topic, what are you going to do about our resident copycat?" Wendy asked curiously.
"We don't know she's a copycat. I want you to look into her, find any information about a masked woman in purple," Oliver ordered Wendy.
"Are we stopping her or thanking her?" Wendy inquired.
"That depends," Oliver said vaguely.
"On want?" Wendy asked.
"What she's after," Oliver said simply.
Queen Mansion
Day
Oliver arrived at the party, finally, and greeted Isabel. "Sorry, I'm late." He apologized.
"This party is meant to attract new investors to the company. Being fashionably late might do well on the club circuit but it does not inspire confidence on Wall Street." Isabel said coldly, then looked at him oddly. "Is that blood on your face?"
Feeling his face, he felt it and quickly realized it must have been from previous fights. "Oh, you must have cut yourself shaving, how do you even take of yourself," Wendy said covering for him.
Shrugging his comments off, Isabel walked away to the crowd. Oliver was about to join the party himself until he caught a glimpse at Dinah and followed her as she got herself a drink. "Hey." He greeted her as she turned around.
"Please don't ask me if I'm okay, I've had enough of people asking if I'm okay," Dinah said visibly agitated.
"I would never do that to you." He said.
"Thank you." She replied.
"You okay?" He asked which annoyed her.
"You'd think after the Quake and my dad I'd be used to having trauma." She said trying to brush the experience off.
"I've had a few of those. You never get used to them." He said recalling his own traumas.
"Do you mind if I ask how you got through them?" She asked.
"Mostly, I just found something to focus on. That's what works for me." He admitted.
"Huh, that's actually what I'm trying to do right now, at the DA's office." She said before leaving to go to mingle.
"So hey what kept you?" Wendy asked as she approached.
"Guns," Oliver stated.
"Guns, Mr. Queen." Sebastian Blood said walking up to Oliver and Wendy. "I was just talking to some of my constituents about guns. What's your take on the matter?"
"Never used one myself." Oliver lied.
"Gun violence in the Glades has gotten increasingly out of control. Everyone at the DA's office is working overtime to try and stop it." Blood explained.
"Well, I'm sure you, the DA, and the SCPD are doing everything in your power to catch the one bringing these guns into the Glades," Oliver stated.
"We are. We even know who's been supplying the gangs with these new armaments." Blood confirmed.
"Really, who?" Oliver pretended not to know.
"Some gang lord who calls himself "The Mayor". Thinks he's the one to save our city." Blood answered. "The Mayor only cares about spreading anarchy and chaos, all from the barrel of a gun." Blood said with disgust.
"Sounds terrible," Oliver commented.
"You have no idea." Blood replied as he left.
"That guy seriously creeps me out," Dinah sighed in frustration.
"Then why do you interact with him?" Oliver asked.
"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," Dinah replied before she walked off.
North China Sea, five years ago
Night
Oliver stared stonily as the captain of the ship attempted to interrogate and threaten him into giving up information on the others. Oliver stood up and looked the captain in the eye before speaking.
"Go to hell." Oliver said firmly.
"Can't, we're already there." The captain said before pulling out a gun and shooting Oliver.
Oliver screamed as he fell to the floor. The captain walked away as Oliver groaned in pain, staring at the wound in his side.
Arrow lair
Afternoon
Wendy was on the computers going everything she could figure out about this masked woman, while Dig and Oliver were wrestling with each other on the mats; Oliver was having the advantage. To be fair she could have gotten this done faster but watching two shirtless muscular men sparring against each other was distracting for her.
"I found a number of police reports from the last few months that may involve our mystery girl. They describe a masked woman in purple who killed five people, and so far she's mostly stuck to the Glades which is probably why she flew under our radar for so long." Wendy explained. "She mainly goes after the Italian mob, and the others. They call her the Huntress.”
"Are you sure it's her?" Oliver asked holding Dig in a pretty successful lock.
"Broken limbs, blunt force trauma from a crossbow, has connections to gang members... That sort of thing?" she muttered.
"That's her," Oliver said flipping Dig on his ass.
"She's targeting all the victims, who work for Mangadora, the mob boss," She mentioned.
"First the Hoods, now her. Looks like you started a movement." Dig said as Oliver helped him up from the ground.
"I don't want to start a movement, so we catch her. I'm not letting the city get overrun with vigilantes." Oliver said agitatedly.
"And how do we do that?" Wendy asked.
"I know a guy," Oliver replied.
The Glades
Later
Roy then walked back into the back alley, tossing the bag into a dumpster. His air standing on end, Roy pulled out the flechette Oliver had given him and threw it. However, Oliver easily caught it, surprising Roy.
"Good reflexes," Oliver said as he tossed the arrow back at Roy's feet.
"Was wondering when I'd see you again," Roy said as he picked up the flechette.
"There's someone new it town, a woman in purple. She's targeting criminals,” Oliver ordered.
”I know. I’ve seen her,” Roy added and Oliver was surprised, but only for a moment.
“She’s killed five people so far, but all of the victims worked for the Commission. The last group of organized crime,” Oliver explained.
“She’s fast and skilled. Not like the usual copycats,” Roy revealed.
“She’s an assassin. Find her, do not engage. Leave that to me,” Oliver ended and when Roy turned around, he was gone.
Starling City
Same time
Steven Mangragora sank into his chair when he realized he was not alone. He turned around to see the vigilante that killed his lawyer.
"You're making a big mistake," Mangragora told her.
The woman remained silent as she stated at him.
"Who the hell are you, huh? Did I kill your boyfriend or something-" Mangragora was cut off when the woman removed her mask, stunning him.
"I'm Helena Berteneli!" She screamed, shooting him in the chest.
The Glades
Morning
Roy, carrying some liquor that had ‘gone missing’ from the bar he worked at, walked up to a bazar, a rather low one. It was for looters and low lives mostly. It was one of the ways he had made money back before he had met Thea.
“Harper,” the owner, Louis, said pleasantly. “It’s been a while.”
“Been busy,” Roy said evenly.
“I can see that,” Louis said as he eyed the crate of liquor. “I’ll give you a hundred.”
"Four," Roy countered.
"Two-five," Louis offered.
“Deal…if you throw in some information,” Roy said and Louis groaned as he took the liquor from Roy and headed into his truck. “Come on, you’ve got your finger on the pulse. I’m looking for someone. She uses a crossbow and bears up criminals.”
“Sounds like your type,” Louis said but Roy ignored the jab.
“Likes beating the crap out of guys with a crossbow,” Roy finished.
“That still sounds like your type,” Louis laughed.
“I wanna put eyes on her. What do you know?" Roy asked.
“Not much,” Louis said as he pulled out a wade of cash. “You know Cindy? Folks call her Sin? She’s got short, spiky hair,” Roy shook his head. “Yeah, I've seen her a couple times hanging around with your purple girlfriend."
“So where can I find Sin?” Roy inquired.
“Well, she hangs out over at Fifth and Boyton." Louis said, handing Roy his money. "And that is what I know."
Roy nodded in appreciation before he turned and walked off. A few feet away, Diggle watched from his car before causally following after Roy.
Arrow lair
Next Day
"I've set up the cash for guns event with Blood." Oliver said as walked into to see Wendy sitting at several of the computer monitors, viewing the screens.
"Do you trust Blood?" Wendy asked suddenly.
"He seems sincere in his intentions, but Dinah's right, there's something...off about him. We need to keep an eye on him." Oliver admitted.
"Then we keep an eye on him when Dinah doesn't." Wendy said and Oliver nodded.
The Glades
Afternoon
Roy was walking through The Glades where Louis had told him he’d find Sin. It didn’t take him long. After about fifteen minutes, he saw a teenage girl, maybe around seventeen or eighteen, with black hair cut in a pixie style throwing away a bottle in a paper bag. This had to be Sin, he thought as he started walking over to her.
“Cindy? Sin?” Roy called out and she whipped her head towards him, narrowing her eyes.
“What do you want Abercrombie?” Sin asked annoyed.
“I’m looking for a friend of yours. Blond, dressed head to toe in purple?” Roy asked.
Sin sighed. “The two of us are gonna take down some guys trying to rob a bank tomorrow night. If you show up there, you’ll find her there.”
Arrow lair
Later in the afternoon
Wendy was at the computer as Oliver was working on the Salmon Ladder when Wendy’s phone rang.
“It’s Dig,” Felicity said and Oliver dropped down as Wendy answered. “What’s up?”
“Well, I spent the day tracking Roy. He talked to some lowlife north of The Glades then he went towards Fifth and Boyton. According to the tracer in the Flechette, he took off running after something and found our person. He’s probably sending a signal for you to get there,” Diggle said and Oliver and Wendy exchanged a glance.
“Think it’s the masked attacker?” Wendy asked.
“I don’t know, but either way, Roy might have gotten himself into some trouble,” Oliver noted. “Where is he now?”
“Starling National Bank,” Diggle said.
Starling National
Mid afternoon
In his suit, wielding his bow, Oliver entered his office. Roy was there, being held by a woman dressed in a suit. She was this Huntress with dark hair tied back in a ponytail. She was a little younger than him, with eyes filled with anger.
"Get out of my way. I don't want to have to fight you, at least not right now," he said as Oliver narrowed his eyes.
"Who are you?" Oliver demanded and she laughed humorlessly.
"I think it's sad that you don't know," she mocked and aimed her arrow, catching Oliver off guard. "I was there, when you killed my father. You did this to me, because you failed this city!"
"What?" Oliver asked, shocked as she smirked.
"I was there that night, when you killed Frank Berteneli in front of me. You told him that you failed this city, and now you're the one who failed," Huntress sneered and Oliver took a moment to compose himself.
"Huntress, this is between us. Let Roy go," Oliver tried to reason with her.
"No, I don't think so. I'm going to make you feel every bit the pain you made me feel. Starting with him!" Huntress roared.
She pulled out a flechette but, at the same moment, Oliver pulled one from his sleeve and tossed it towards her. It hit her hand and the weapon was knocked out of it. Oliver rushed forward and Huntress was forced to let Roy go in order to dodge his strike. She rolled out of the way and onto ground as Oliver grabbed Roy and shoved her behind him.
"Go, now!" Oliver ordered.
Roy didn't need to be told twice. As Roy ran, Huntress notched an arrow and fired. Oliver threw another flechette, knocking the arrow to the ground, allowing Roy to escape. Huntress fired an arrow at Oliver but he dodged. As she notched another arrow, he grabbed the arrowhead, stopping it.
"We don't have to do this, Huntress," Oliver tried to reason with her.
"I know, but I want to," Huntress sneered.
She sent a kick to his abdomen and he stumbled back before she swung a kick at him. Oliver dodged and they began trading blows, using their escirma sticks at baton. Suddenly, Oliver grabbed her hand and then managed to put her in a chokehold. Oliver intended to break her neck but hesitated for a fraction of a second. That was all Huntress needed, breaking out of his hold as she jumped to the other side of the room.
"Bye arrow," Huntress said, tossing something towards Oliver.
Thinking it was a grenade, Oliver ran to avoid the blast. It went off, but it was only a smoke grenade. The room filled with smoke and, as Oliver searched for the Huntress, he realized she was gone.
North China Sea, five years ago
Night
Oliver was howling in pain from his bullet wound when he spotted something. Just outside his cell, within his reach, was a surgical dish with a pair of pliers and what he would need to stitch himself up.
"Why-why'd they do this?" Oliver asked the man in the cell next to him as he breathed against the pain.
"They make all of us do this," He said in a Russian accent, "supposed to show prochnost. It's Russian, for strength."
"They did this to see if I'm strong?!" Oliver demanded angry.
"To see if you survive," the man corrected, "living...is not for the weak."
Oliver stared at the man before reaching through the cell and picking up the tray. Bring it inside the cell; Oliver used the pliers to start to dig out the bullet, even as he screamed.
Later, Oliver woke up in his cell after hearing the door open. He looked over to see the captain kneeling down in front of his cell.
"Sewing is not your strong suit." The captain said as Oliver let the bullet drop from his hand onto the floor, "now we can talk. For two years, my men and I have been looking for a grave site."
Oliver pulled himself into a sitting position and looked over at the captain.
"Did you find the graves? Where are the bodies? Were the bones old and misshapen?" the captain asked and Oliver's silence was all he needed as he pulled himself to his feet and pulled out a walkie-talkie, "this is the island."
Arrow lair
Night
“She’s got some kind of connection to the vigilante,” Oliver said as he finished recounting the events at the museum to the rest of the team. “She holds me responsible for something, but I don’t know what it is.
“And now we have another problem, great,” Wendy said with a humorless laugh.
“I hit her with a tracer Arrow; it should allow us to find her. Hopefully, before it’s too late,” Oliver said grimly.
DA'S office
Afternoon
At the office, Dinah was at her desk, and she couldn't help but look at her anti-vigilante board, knowing that she wanted the task force to be disbanded, especially since Tommy now knew it was a bad idea to hunt him.
"Burning the midnight oil again I see," Adam commented, causing Dinah to look up.
"Oh, Adam, hey," Dinah replied. "Just...catching up on some case files."
"Ah," Adam responded.
"What would you say if I told you I was thinking about disbanding the anti-vigilante task force?" Dinah asked.
Adam was surprised by the question and it took him a while to respond.
"I'd say that's a surprising decision," He finally answered. "Your boyfriend seemed determined to arrest him by any means necessary."
"Yeah, well, he doesn't work here." She retorted. "Besides, he just had a change of heart."
"We could talk about it over dinner?" Adam offered.
"Thanks for the offer, but I have to go," Dinah responded and left.
The Glades, next day
Afternoon
Oliver watched as Roy gave up all his guns. Oliver couldn't help the smile as Thea walked over to him.
"How's he doing in training?" Diggle asked Oliver.
"Good, he's nothing like I was. In a few weeks, I think he'll be ready for archery training." Oliver said freezing.
"Oliver, good to see you," Blood said as he walked over to him, " we've taken in over three-hundred guns in three hours."
"That's great." Oliver smiled.
"You know, The Undertaking was a tragedy, but maybe it was what this city needed to wake up," Blood said and Oliver looked at him surprised, "in the wake of tragedy, we can rebuild. Now that tragedy has come and passed, now we can rebuild this city, stronger than ever."
"I like the sound of that," Oliver said, "a better city, a safer city for people to grow up in."
Suddenly, the air was pierced by the sound of gunfire. Trucks drove in, breaking the police barricades. Oliver and Blood stared in shock as The Mayor stood up out of his pickup truck, an assault rifle in hand.
"Listen up people; this is your mayor speaking. I don't recall this event being sanctioned. What happens in The Glades only happens if I allow it." The Mayor said arrogantly.
"You're not the leader of this community! You don't speak for these people!" Blood bravely stepped forward.
"And neither do you. Not anymore." The Mayor signaled to two of his men.
As they took aim, Oliver tackled blood out of the way. Oliver took cover behind a police car as the gangbangers opened fire. The police returned fire and it was a fire fight before The Mayor and his crew drove off. Oliver shot up and ran towards Roy and Thea, kneeling down and checking them over.
"You two alright?" Oliver asked as he ran up.
"Yeah, we're fine." Roy said.
Warehouse district
Not long after
Oliver and Diggle entered the building. Oliver gave the single and the two burst into the warehouse to find…nothing.
The tracker was there, but it was empty. The Huntress was gone.
Arrow lair
Later
“This Huntress person must have ditched the tracker and figured out that I planted it. She’s very good,” Oliver said as they all stood in the lair.
“So what do we do now?” Diggle asked.
“We can’t do anything right now,” Oliver said as they looked at him incredulously. “It’s been hours since she escaped. When she shows up, we’ll go after her, but not now.”
“Because she’ll target another member of the Commission. And then we strike,” Wendy realized and Oliver nodded.
“And we need to find her before then,” Oliver said as he started walking out of the lair.
“Um, where are you going?” Wendy asked as they all stared at his retreating form in confusion.
‘I have a weapons ring to break up,” Oliver tossed over his shoulder.
“Oliver,” Diggle called out as Oliver grabbed his bow.
“Barnes had his chance John,” Oliver said darkly as he stalked off.
Starling City
Later
Ezra Barnes and his men were about to hand Xavier Reed, the crime lord who called himself ‘The Mayor’ the spoils when an arrow flew out and hit one of Barnes’ men in the shoulder. He went down with a cry as everyone looked around wildly. Spotting Oliver standing on a railing, one of Reed’s men opened fire on him. Oliver easily avoided the bullets and fired, getting the man in the stomach. As the man went down, Oliver fired two more arrows, getting two of Barnes’ men in the shoulder. Whirling his bow, Oliver struck several of Barnes and Reed’s men, taking them out. Sensing out behind him, Oliver notched an arrow and whirled around, seeing Reed standing several feet away, holding a missile launcher.
“Old school weapons, respect. But can they do this?!” Reed asked as he pulled the trigger.
Oliver fired his bow at the same time and the arrow collided in midair with the missile. The resulting explosion threw them both back and Oliver lost his bow in the chaos, landing on his back. Sensing two of Reed’s men heading towards him, Oliver knocked one of them off their feet with a well-aimed kick. Jumping to his feet, Oliver punched him hard enough to knock him out before pulling out a flechette and throwing it, hitting the one he had knocked down in the shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain.
Reed was looking around for Oliver, trying to find him before Oliver jumped down behind him, knocking his head against one of the vehicle’s, knocking him out. Finding his bow, Oliver picked it up before going in search of his true target.
Barnes was running when an arrow flew out, hitting the side of one of the trucks he and his men had arrived in. Pale, Barnes turned around to see Oliver aiming an arrow at his chest.
“Ezra Barnes, you have failed this city!” Oliver snarled before knocking Barnes out unconscious.
Chapter 5: Vendetta
Chapter Text
Restaurant
Night
Inside the restaurant, mobster Nick Salvatti and his men were about to rough up Mr. Russo and his daughter when an arrow flew by and struck the fuse box behind them. Sparks went off as the power went out, plunging the restaurant into total darkness. The Arrow appeared, gunning for the men holding Russo’s daughter. The Arrow grabbed the arm of one, twisted it, before punching him in the face and he dropped to the floor, groaning in pain.
“Go now!” The Arrow shouted at Russo and his daughter and the pair didn’t need to be told twice.
Salvati pulled out a gun and started firing, forcing the vigilante to duck for cover. The Huntress then quickly appeared through the open door, guns blazing and Salvati was hit in the leg before taking cover behind the counter. The Arrow threw a knife and disarmed the shooter before engaging her. After only a few seconds, it was obvious that the Huntress was far more skilled with guns that in hand-to-hand combat. The Hood jumped from behind her and tackled the shooter. She threw him off, but he managed to remove their helmet.
It was a woman that Oliver didn’t recognize, but he fired an arrow, only to have it miss his target. The woman used this opportunity to escape, fleeing out the room.
Arrow lair
Later
“Helena Bertinelli,” Oliver said as he pointed to the image of her on the screen that Wendy found after he described the picture to her and Diggle. “Daughter of mob boss Pino Berteneli.”
“Who was killed by the Commission, explaining this vendetta she has against them,” Wendy explained.
“And the Hood killed Frank Berteneli, her grandfather, a year ago,” Diggle pointed out and Oliver shot him a look for a second.
“So that’s why she’s got something against the vigilante,” Oliver explained.
”Puts a lot of things in perspective,” Diggle noted.
“We’ve been keeping tabs on the members of the Commision who haven’t been murdered yet,” Oliver said as Wendy pulled up multiple pictures, taken from crime scenes of murder victims.
“She has been busy, torturing and killing Mafioso's left and right that might be a part of this organization now,” Wendy said. “Last known sighting was a month ago, Palermo.”
“Got a name: the family lawyer for them, Rupert Throne. She’ll come after him,” Diggle added.
“So we use this guy as the bait, and swoop in afterwards?” Wendy questioned.
“Helena will stop at nothing to finish this, and she doesn’t exactly care about any collateral damage she may cause. The two of us are not the same, and I’m going to prove that,” Oliver said grimly.
Verdant
Later
“Hey, what’s going on?” Oliver asked as he walked up to the rest of Team Arrow.
“I got a line on Michael Statton, Helena's fiancé." Wendy explained.
“He’s been dead for five years.” Diggle pointed out.
“Which makes it very impressive that he rented a car last night.” Wendy said pointedly
“Helena.” Oliver said angrily.
“I hacked into the car’s GPS, she’s headed for a warehouse on the docks.” Wendy said worriedly.
“I’m on it,” Oliver growled and walked away.
Starling City
Later
A black Mercedes was speeding down the road when it was forced to stop. The Arrow was in front of it, blocking its way with a bow drawn and an arrow notched.
“Get out of the car Helena!” The Arrow barked.
The driver ignored him and tried to back up but The Arrow blocked his way, his bow out. Oliver reached into the car and pulled the driver out, before reaching into the car and tossing him to the floor. The driver, a man that was decidedly not Helena, was thrown into a fence that was knocked over and he landed on the ground.
“Where is she?” He demanded.
“I don’t know, some chick just told me to take this thing for a joyride!” The driver said terrified and The Arrow growled in frustration.
Arrow lair
Night
Oliver was taking out his frustrations on a training dummy, thinking of Helena as he did so. Oliver paused in his assault, taking a deep breath as Wendy watched him concerned.
“Anything on Helena?” Oliver asked as he grabbed a nearby towel.
“Rupert Throne is beginning an auction for something extremely valuable, a lot of high-grade weaponry. Luckily, we have an eye on him and can track him down,” Wendy pointed out and Oliver nodded silently. “This is probably a stupid question…but are you okay? This feels like it’s becoming too personal for you.”
“Because it is personal,” Oliver said with a sigh. “I created the Huntress. I killed her grandfather, even if it was in self defense. I inspired these vigilantes, and I should’ve known better, but I did it. When I was killing people, this problem didn’t exist. This is all because of the effect I’m having on the city.”
“Whatever Helena’s done, it’s on Helena, not you. You can’t save someone from themselves,” Wendy pointed out.
“Maybe, maybe not. But it’s a moot point either way. One way or another, we stop Helena tonight,” Oliver said firmly and Wendy nodded in agreement.
Starling City
Later
A van with Rupert Throne inside was driving down the highway when the headlights caught a dark dressed figure. It was Helena, wielding her crossbow. She fired her weapon, the bolt crashing through the windshield and striking the driver in the throat. The van swerved, crashing into a telephone pole nearby. With a smirk, Helena began approaching the van when she heard the drawstring of a bow. Whirling around, she saw Oliver taking aim at her.
“It’s over Helena,” Oliver said, his voice as cold as ice.
“You’re right, it is. You won’t stop me from giving him exactly what he deserves,” Helena sneered as she took aim at Oliver.
“You’re done Helena,” Oliver said coolly.
Helena took barely a moment to assess her options before firing. Oliver dodged the bolt before he fired at Helena. Helena grabbed the arrow, stopping it in mid-air and then elbowed Oliver as he rushed towards her. As Oliver stumbled back Helena threw the arrow at Oliver, who deflected it with his bow. As all the vigilante rushed towards her, Helena raised her two crossbows and fired at Oliver.
He dodged, Oliver firing another arrow as he did. Helena dodged with a back flip as Oliver rushed her. He tried to strike her with his bow but Helena stopped him by bringing up her crossbows, using them to block. With a wild movement, the two disarmed each other and began trading blows. After a few moments, Oliver had her backed up against a tree, his hand around her throat.
As he saw the look in her eyes, suddenly, Oliver understood. And it floored him. He had been wrong about her.
Taking advantage of Oliver’s moment of hesitation, Helena kneed him in the abdomen and Oliver let go as she tried to strike him. Oliver blocked her strikes before jumping back.
“I know what you’re after Helena. And I’m not gonna give it to you,” Oliver said firmly.
“We’ll see about that,” Helena said, a dark, desperate look in her eyes that Oliver had never seen before.
Or maybe he had and he had mistaken it for something else. With a roar that sounded more animal than human, Helena rushed him and Oliver stood perfectly still. Helena tried to strike him with a kick but Oliver dodged. She tried repeated strikes and jabs but Oliver merely dodged, making no move to attack or defend himself. The more Oliver dodged, the angrier Helena seemed to become. She pulled out a knife and attempted to strike him. This spurred Oliver into action.
He reached out and grabbed her hand, stopping the knife inches from his chest. They wrestled for the knife for a few moments before Oliver disarmed her, managing to take the knife from her. Oliver then grabbed Helena, spun around, and tossed her towards the tree he has pinned her to earlier.
As she landed on the ground, none of them noticed Rupert Throne had managed to free himself from the van. As he tried to escape, ahead was stopped.
“I’m not gonna do it Helena,” Oliver said as he approached her, dropping the knife to the ground. “I won’t.”
Angrily, Helena jumped back to her feet and rushed Oliver. She struck him across the face but Oliver showed no to reaction to this. She then drove away from him.
Chapter 6: Russia
Chapter Text
Starling City
Night
Roy was watching from a distance as two SUVs pulled up. Two men got out of the SUVs and a voice spoke up behind Roy.
"You should be more careful." The Arrow said in his disguised voice and Roy almost jumped. "You're completely exposed."
"I knew you were there," Roy said trying to save some dignity, "so, you wanted me to tell you when the funny money guys made their move, here we go."
"Not we," The Arrow corrected, "you're not ready for this yet kid. Go home, I can handle this."
Roy turned around to protest but the vigilante was already gone.
Inside the warehouse, the criminals were striking a deal and a bag of money was about to be handed over when it was struck by an arrow. It promptly burst into flames and the man dropped it before he was hit in the leg and went down to the floor. The Arrow emerged from his hiding spot, taking out a guard before going in. The Arrow raised his bow and fired two arrows up to the rafters. One fell into a box with the other grabbed onto the catwalk above him, dangling for his life. As another one emerged from around the corner, The Arrow took out a bow and fired it at him, striking him in leg, knocking him down. The vigilante turned to the man who'd set up the deal, who looked at him fearfully.
"Time to go to jail," The Arrow growled at him.
Arrow Lair
Later
"Well, another night, another scumbag behind bars." Diggle quipped as the two walked down the stairs.
"Better get home, Thea wants to talk with me." Oliver said before he stopped right where he was along with Diggle.
Wendy was down there, sitting at the computers, but she wasn't alone. Standing next to her, Amanda Waller stared at Team Arrow stonily. After a moment, Team Arrow got over their surprise and walked over to them.
"What the hell are you doing here Waller?" Diggle asked surprised to see her.
"I need your help, Mr. Diggle," Waller grinned as she looked at John Diggle.
"With what?" Oliver asked uneasily.
"There's an agent in Russia on a mission, she went dark. I would like your help in retrieving her." Waller explained.
"Why come to us?" Diggle asked suspiciously.
"Because the identity of the agent will cause you to be emotionally involved." Waller said and Oliver and Diggle looked at each strangely before looking over to Waller.
"Who is this agent?" Oliver asked not at all prepared for the answer.
"Lyla Michaels." Waller said and everyone stared at her shocked. "If you have time to consider this request of mine, call me."
Waller then walked up the stairs, leaving Team Arrow alone as they all stared at the flash drive in Oliver's hand.
Ship in the North China Sea, five years ago
Day
Oliver awakens to find himself in a room on the ship. A face he thought he'd never see again stares at him. It was Sandra Wu Sun, staring down at him.
"Sandra? I thought you were dead?" Oliver gasped, but was kicked in the stomach.
"Prisoners do not speak," Sandra growled in an emotionless voice.
A man stands before him, looking at Oliver like he is a frog he can't wait to dissect.
"My name is Ivo, what's yours?" Ivo said in an American accent.
"…Tommy." Oliver said smoothly after deciding it would be best not to use his real name.
"So, how did you come to be on this island Tommy? I assume it wasn't by choice." Ivo asked as he picked up a notebook.
"The boat I was on went down, I was shipwrecked here. I was the only survivor." Oliver said tonelessly.
"Well I'm sorry to hear that," Ivo said as he wrote something down, not sounding like he meant it, "did you explore the island much?"
"Some of it." Oliver admitted.
"You didn't happen to run across a Japanese Imperial-Navy sub, did you?" Ivo said before continuing, "You see, during World War Two, every country was trying to develop the ultimate weapon. The United States had the Manhattan project; of course the Nazis had Das Uranverein, and the Japanese? Well, they had Mirakuru."
"Mirakuru?" Oliver repeated.
"Stem cell regeneration therapy decades ahead of their time. Every war advances the cause of science Tommy. And the Japanese, they had developed a serum that causes enhanced strength, rapid cell regeneration. They called it Mirakuru, Japanese for miracle. They thought they could create an army of super soldiers. They were transporting their only supply when that cell came under heavy fire by the Allied forces. And it ran aground into this chain of islands," Ivo explained as he walked over to Oliver, "thanks to you, we now know it's this island."
"You killed my friends over some fantasy serum?" Oliver growled filled with rage.
"Oh, it's quite real Tommy. And you'll see that when you help us find it." Ivo said confidently.
Arrow Lair
Later
"It's all true; there is no way this is fabricated." Diggle said stunned as he looked over at the contents of the flash drive.
"Dig, call Waller, tell her we're in." Oliver ordered.
"You don't have to do this, Oliver. This is my problem, and I'll be the one to handle it," Dig argued.
"I need to have your back, Dig. Consider it for all the times you've done it for me in the past," Oliver explained.
Star City, next day
Morning
Oliver, Wendy, and Diggle were about to board the plan when a black limbo pulled up. The trio stopped as Isobel Rochev got out.
"Where do you think you're going?" Isobel demanded as she walked towards them.
"I was thinking of checking out the company holdings in Moscow." Oliver said smoothly.
"What kind of partner decides to check out overseas holdings behind the other ones back?" Isobel demanded.
"It was an oversight." Oliver said as he mentally seethed at the unneeded complication.
"Well lucky for our partnership, I'm a fast packer." Isobel said haughty as she walked towards the plane.
"Oliver." Diggle hissed.
"I'll handle her. Diggle, we'll get Lyla back. If nothing else, because I owe you for helping keep me safe." Oliver said before they followed Isobel and Wendy onboard.
Moscow
Oliver and Diggle walked into a bar/club.
"Oliver Queen," Both men turned to see Anatoly stand up and walk over to them, "if it isn't my favorite American!"
Anatoly walked over and gave Oliver the kiss on each cheek before he stepped back. Oliver smiled as Anatoly said something in Russia that Diggle couldn't understand.
"It really has been too long," Oliver agreed before turning to Diggle, "John Diggle, this is Anatoly Knyazev."
"Thanks for meeting us." Diggle said politely as Anatoly gave him a blank stare.
"If Oliver vouches for you…then you are my second favorite American!" Anatoly laughed as he shook Diggle's hand.
Anatoly led Oliver and Diggle into a private room and poured them each a glass of scotch.
"First a toast." Anatoly began as he set the glasses in front of Oliver and Diggle.
"None for me, thanks." Diggle politely refused.
Oliver reached forward and pushed the glass towards Diggle. At Oliver's pointed look, Diggle took the glass. They all raised their glasses and Anatoly said something in Russian.
"To strength." Oliver translated before they all took a drink.
"Now, business," Anatoly said as he opened a small, leather box and pulled out a picture, "this is the woman you are looking for, yes?"
"That's her." Diggle agreed while Oliver noted Lyla's appearance.
"Picture is from two days ago from Gulag. Prison." Anatoly explained and Oliver looked at him sharply.
"Lyla was arrested?" Diggle demanded.
"Not quite. From what I hear, she was trying to break in." Anatoly explained.
"Why?" Oliver demanded and Anatoly shrugged.
"I do not know but clearly she had issues trying to break back out," Anatoly said, "Gulag is worst in Russia. It's called Koshmar."
"The nightmare." Oliver noted.
"It's full of violent psychopaths and killers. And that's just the guards." Anatoly said grimly.
"Anatoly, we need a way to get into the Gulag to extract her." Oliver told him.
"You get in; you get shot before you get out. Or end up like your friend, it is impossible." Anatoly shook his head.
"Man, I owe this woman more than you could ever know. Either I'm leaving Russia with her or I'm not leaving Russia at all." Diggle said firmly.
"Very well," Anatoly said after seeing Diggle was serious, "only way in is as prisoner. I have guard there, owes me favor. Give you one shot in twenty."
"Set it up. I'll go." Diggle ordered.
"No, it has to be me," Oliver said and Diggle looked ready to protest, "John, you have done so much for me, agreeing with me, even when you thought my play was wrong. That's why I need to do this to make it up to you somehow."
After a moment, Oliver looked over at Anatoly and nodded.
Hotel, next day
Morning
"You need to be wearing this when they process you. The guards will take it but that's the point," Wendy said as she hands Oliver a black jacket before opening up a laptop and bringing up a picture of a stern looking Russian man, "this is Anatoly's inside man."
"He'll know where in the Gulag Lyla is being held." Oliver explained.
"Good," Diggle got over his shock and looked over at Oliver, "anything else?"
"You need to meet us at the rendezvous point with me when all hell breaks loose or-" Diggle began.
"Or I am a permanent Russian." Oliver deadpanned.
Diggle's phone went off and he pulled it out.
"Two minute warning." Diggle said as he pocketed his phone.
"Be careful Oliver." Wendy said as she handed him a scarf.
"I'll be back guys, and I'm bringing Lyla with me." Oliver promised as he walked out the door.
"So, did you find anything out about Isobel?" Diggle asked as he turned to Wendy.
"Besides the fact that she's a huge bitch? After the car ride, she went up to her room and stayed there all night." Wendy said tonelessly.
"Well, today is a new day," Diggle said before his phone went off and he answered it, "Hello?" Diggle waited five seconds before hanging up, "the clock's ticking."
Ship on the North China Sea
Late day
"You know in Russia, we have a Gulag," Anatoly mentioned to Oliver as they sat in their cells, "almost as bad as this."
Sandra then entered the cell.
"Sandra?" Oliver gasped.
"Don't say my name," Sandra explained. "If they find out we know each other, then they'll kill us."
"I thought you were dead," Oliver sighed.
"When the boat came to shore, I was gone. And I thought you were too. I was out floating for days when they found me. And they saved me." Sandra told him.
"Is that why you're helping them?" Oliver asked.
"I don't have a choice," Sandra stated.
"I need to warn my friends," Oliver said softly.
"I thought you said your friends were dead." Sandra said curiously.
"They aren't that easy to kill," Oliver said softly.
Meanwhile, on Lian Yu, Shado applied some substance to the moaning Slade's face.
"It smells like puke." Slade complained.
"It will heal your wounds." Shado told him.
"You have to go. Get out of here, to high ground." Slade attempted to order.
"I'm not leaving you." Shado said immediately.
"I will not be the reason something happens to you." Slade said.
"Then we're in agreement, we make our own choices." Shado said idly.
"You know, you're a strong woman," Slade sighed in frustration. “The kid’s lucky to have you.”
Slade suddenly started to shiver violently.
"It's the burns, they're lowering your body temperature." Shado realized.
Koshmar
Night
Oliver was sitting at a table with his cell mate when he noticed someone was glarig at him from another table. Noticing this, Oliver's cellmate leaned in close.
"Those men, they are Vory," he said before he saw Oliver's blank expression, "they are in charge. It is best to stay away."
"Got it," Oliver said before lowering his voice, "Listen, I'm looking for a guard named Sergei Pavelski."
"Far corner, over there." His cellmate said after looking around for a moment.
Oliver looked over and the guard met his stare, nodding at him. At that moment, the Vory walked over and slurred at Oliver. Oliver looked over at them annoyed.
"Are we seriously gonna do this?" Oliver asked.
In response, the Vory struck Oliver on the back with a metal tray. Oliver went down, momentarily dazed.
"Guess so." Oliver grunted before he leapt to his feet.
Oliver tackled the head Vory and the two wrestled on the ground. As the crowd cheered, Oliver and the Vory wrestled for a bit before Oliver gained the upper hand. Oliver pinned the man with a leg bar and was on the verge of breaking his leg when the guards came over and broke up the fight.
"Fighting is strictly prohibited." One guard said before they roughly dragged Oliver away.
Oliver was chained up to an overhead pipe in a large freezer. Across from him, another man was in the same position with his head down.
"Six hours for you." The guard told Oliver.
"Six hours, I can't be in here that long." Oliver protested.
"Now seven hours." the guard said snidely before walking off.
"Well, that was pretty stupid." Oliver glared and seethed as he recognized the voice, while Lawton looked at him. "Then again, you've been called a former airhead for some time."
"Wait, Lawton. What are you doing here?" Oliver asked surprised.
"Your spine frozen through yet?" Lawton quipped.
"Trust me. My problem here isn't with the cold." Oliver glared.
"What, you still haven't forgiven me for the stock auction?" Lawton taunted as Oliver's blood boiled. "Man, you really hold a grudge."
"As much as I'd like to have some words with you, I didn't come here for you." Oliver sneered.
"I know why you're here." Lawton said. "That A.R.G.U.S. agent."
Sergei entered the freezer, freeing Oliver. "We don't have much time. There you go. Let's go. Let's go."
Oliver leaned onto Sergei as Lawton eyed him. "Nice seeing you, Queen."
"Five minutes, must hurry." Sergei said, leading Oliver down the corridor.
"Remind me to get you a pack of cigarettes, when this is all over." Oliver muttered.
"I don't smoke." Sergei said before he stopped and gurgled and fell down, with an icicle sticking out of the back of his neck as Oliver glared at Lawton, who had managed to escape.
"You weren't going to leave without me, were you?" Lawton teased.
"I should kill you right now." Oliver growled.
"You won't." Lawton said.
"Why?" Oliver challenged.
"Because I'm the only one, who knows where your friend is." Lawton said. "You're not stupid. You wouldn't put yourself in here without an exit strategy. I take you to her, you take me out."
Oliver and Lawton knocked out a guard as Oliver took his gun before Lawton could.
"I'm guessing you want to hold on to that." Lawton said as he went down the corridor. "This way."
Ship on the North China Sea
Night
"Let's get out of here." Sandra said as she unlocked Oliver's cell.
Nodding, Oliver left out of the cell with her closely behind him as he stared directly at Anatoly before preparing then to leave.
"Hey, what about the rest of us?" Anatoly demanded.
"I'll come back, I promise." Oliver said before running off.
Oliver and Sandra knew they were dead if they tried to swim for it. Finding a radio, Sandra gave it to him as Oliver began speaking.
"Shado, are you out there? Shado," Oliver called out but nothing, "Slade, Shado, are you alright?"
On Lian Yu, the two of them heard Oliver's voice come over the radio. Shado jumped up and rushed to the radio, picking up the speaker.
"Thank god you're alive!" Shado shouted in joy and relief.
"Shado, I'm-" a bullet suddenly lodged itself in the wall behind him.
Oliver dropped the speaker and stood up as Sandra and Ivo suddenly walked inside the room.
"Thank you, for confirming that your friends are still alive," Ivo said politely, "and now you're going to lead us right to them."
Before Oliver could do anything, He was Tasered and slumped into unconsciousness.
Koshmar
Slightly later
Oliver and Lawton walked up to a gate that was chained shut.
"If I say she's in there, what's keeping you from shooting me?" Lawton demanded.
"Honor." Oliver said as he glared at Lawton before unlocking the door. "You should try it sometime."
Oliver entered and around the corner, he found unconscious Lyla as he gently shook her.
"Lyla." Oliver said as Lyla slowly came to. "Agent Michaels."
Lyla slowly came to as she was surprised to see Oliver. "Wait… you… you're Johnny's friend. What are you—"
"It's a long story. Waller sent me here to get you out." Oliver said.
"Wait, wait, Lawton—"
"I know." Oliver said, interrupting Lyla as he helped Lyla on his feet.
"What's your extraction plan?" Lawton asked.
"Depends. What time is it?" Oliver questioned before an explosion sounded off and an alarm blared throughout the whole prison as they felt tremors. "Let's go, go, go, move, move, move!"
Oliver, Lyla, and Lawton ran down the prison through the hallway and the processing area as Lawton picked his targeting eyepiece.
Oliver, Lawton, and Lyla went to the courtyard as Oliver knocked out a guard, while Lawton turned on his eyepiece. "Much better."
Anatoly drove them to safety as they stopped. "We are clear."
"Stop the truck. Stop the truck." Oliver ordered before turning to Lawton. "Move, Lawton."
Oliver and Lawton went out as Oliver was aiming his gun at him, considering as he took a breath, seeing Lawton in another light.
"The only reason I'm letting you go, is what you did tonight." Oliver said.
"That's the thing about honor, Queen. You can't turn it on and off." Lawton chuckled as he was about to walk away before turning to Oliver again. "I'm just curious. How is it you think John's brother ended up dead?"
"I know you don't miss. At first, I thought you killed his brother because you missed the shot at his client but Andy was the target, wasn't he? Someone like you doesn't miss his mark." Oliver demanded, as Lawton nodded.
"Andrew Diggle was the contract." Lawton said.
"Who would want to kill Andy?" Oliver asked.
"I don't know their names. Just an alias. H.I.V.E." Lawton said as he walked away. "Food for thought, Queen. Food. For. Thought."
Chapter 7: Trial of Moria Queen
Chapter Text
Unspecified location
Cecil Adams, known by his street name The Count, was working on his new brand of Vertigo. When he finished the brand, he laughed gleefully.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
"Please, you don't have to do this." Oliver pleaded as Ivo's men and Sandra dragged him towards the fuselage.
"Be quite." The leader snarled.
"Slade, Shado, run!" Oliver shouted only to get punched, which sent him down to the ground.
Ivo's men opened fire on the fuselage as Oliver looked on in horror. After a few seconds, they held their fire. The leader approached the damaged ship and looked inside.
"There's no one here." He said as he pulled back.
"They must have moved on from their position," Ivo said as he pulled out a small, black box and handed it to the lead soldier, "charges are set, make sure they have no place to return to. And you," he turned to Oliver, "you're gonna take us to the graves. Let's go, get him up!"
They grabbed Oliver and forced him to his feet and they walked away. Inside the hiding place, Shado and Slade were already out, Shado disarming the detonators.
"We were lucky." Shado said as she disarmed the detonators with barely seconds to spare.
"We were lucky," Slade said as he gestured himself, "you were good."
"I'm going after then," Shado said as she began gathering up her arrow and bow.
"I agree, let's go." Slade said and she looked at him as though he were insane.
"Slade, you can barely walk." Shado pointed out.
"All the more reason not to stay here," Slade said as he got to his feet, "won't give them another chance at blowing me up."
Star City Court House
Later
"Are you okay?" Dig asked Oliver as he led him and Thea up the courthouse steps, his voice particularly raspy.
"I should be asking you that question," Oliver replied as Diggle was sweating like a hog.
"I'll be fine." Dig insisted.
"You look like you have the flu," Oliver remarked as he, Diggle, and Thea continued to pass the swarm of reporters.
"If that's true, I shouldn't have wasted my time getting vaccinated," Dig stated.
"Diggle, whatever it is, just go home," Oliver told him.
"Oliver, listen, I can take care of things." DIg tried arguing.
"No, we'll be fine, all right. Go rest. And don't make me call a cop. There are a few of them around here." Oliver said in a rare moment of humor for him as Diggle finally left.
"This isn't fair, they're not the ones on trial," Dinah said angrily.
"Well that won't stop Jean Loring from using them as props to draw sympathy," Donner noted.
"You don't seem overly concerned," Dinah noted.
"She confessed to being an accomplice on live television," Donner said smugly.
"She also said Malcolm Merlyn coerced her," Dinah said before she saw Donner's smirk. "You have something, don't you? I thought I was your co-counsel Adam. If you're holding a trump card, don't you think you should share it with me?"
"It's going to be a good trial. Come on, we should get inside," Donner said smugly.
As Donner walked inside, Oliver and Thea were being led inside, ignoring the hounding reporters. Oliver looked over at her and she looked at him helplessly.
Moira was then uncuffed and she took her seat. Glancing back at her children, Moira smiled reassuringly before the trial began.
"Prosecution, you may present your opening argument," the judge said.
"Thank you Your Honor," Donner said as he got to his feet. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I'd like to turn your attention to the statement Moira Queen gave that fateful day."
The flat screen turned on and Moira's face was on it as she gave her press conference six months ago.
"-have been complicit in an undertaking with one horrible purpose- to destroy the Glades and everyone in it," Donner paused the playback as Moira winced.
"And it worked. Homes were lost and lives were destroyed. All because of her actions," Donner began, pointing right at Moira. "True, she had second thoughts; remorse which compelled her to deliver this statement. But on behalf of the five hundred and three lives that were extinguished that day, I say, Moira Queen, your remorse comes too late."
Donner took his seat and Jean stood up as Oliver silently prayed she had a good defense to that. Jean silently picked up the remote and rewound the clip before pressing play.
"For the past five years, under the threat of my life and the lives of my family-"
Jean then paused the clip before turning to address the jury.
"Why wouldn't those threats silence her? Why wouldn't Moira Queen be terrified? Malcolm Merlyn killed her first husband, abducted her second," Jean pointed out as she began. "Why wouldn't she be in fear for her life? For the lives of her children? What would you do? If it were your children in the crosshairs of a mad man's rage?"
Oliver silently released the breath he hadn't realized as felt Thea relax slightly next to him. However, both of them knew this fight was far from over.
Queen Consolidated
Same time
Wendy was at her desk listening to the news about the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator in Central City and later the opening statements of Moira Queen's trial. Wendy turned her head when she noticed that Dig seemed particularly unwell as he walked up towards her. "Dig, don't take this the wrong way but you look awful." She stated.
"Yeah, well, I don't feel so great, Wendy." He replied, picking up some documents on her desk. "Is there a right way to take that?"
"You should go home." She suggested.
"I am going. I just need to make arrangements for a replacement bodyguard." He said as he loosened his tie.
"Did you get a flu shot?" She asked getting out of her seat and walked to Oliver's office. "Personally, I never do. I know I should. I just have this thing about needles. All pointy things, really. Which is ironic, considering who we work with."
"Yeah, it's not the flu, Wendy, it's more like ..." He started to say but then collapsed on the floor.
"John!" She said as rushed into the lobby to him.
Abandoned warehouse
Later
A sharp-dressed man walked into the warehouse and started looking around. "Hello, are you there?" He asked.
"Here, there, everywhere." The Count said coming out of nowhere and held out a silver briefcase. "So. How goes our little science project?"
"Working like you said it would." The man replied.
"How wonderful." The Count said excitedly.
"Ah, so listen. Doing the thing was Fifty Thousand. Keeping quiet about it, I'm thinking it should be 50 more." The man explained greedily.
The man then caught the Count smiling sadistically at him. "Hmm. Oh, I want word to spread. It's kind of the whole objective, actually. You see my point." He said circling around him.
Once behind him, he took out a double syringe and stuck it into the man's arms, injecting him with a lethal dose of Vertigo. "You should know I find, post negotiation distasteful." He finished as the man died gasping in pain. The Count then kneeled to his corpse. "Ahh. Such as shame you won't get to see what your works have wrought, doctor. But soon, everyone else will and they'll beg for it to end."
Arrow lair
Afternoon
Dig was on a table aching in pain with Wendy holding him down, when Oliver just walked in.
"What are you doing here?" Dig said as he noticed Oliver.
"I heard you passed out," Oliver answered.
"I told Wendy not to call you," Dig argued.
"Yeah but before that, you said "gaw" and "thud", so I didn't take it very seriously," Wendy said leaning over to help him. "And you tested positive for Vertigo."
"She was right to call. Did you say Vertigo?" Oliver asked.
"I've never used Vertigo before in my life," Dig said defensively.
"Well, you were exposed to it somehow," Wendy explained.
"Vertigo's in play again." Oliver speculated.
"When the Count recovered from his OD, he was sent to Iron Heights. That got hit by the Quake." Wendy explained. "And just like the Dollmaker, officials worked overtime to cover it up."
"Yeah, it's not like he's dangerous or anything," Dig remarked.
Oliver walked over to his glass chamber with his suit and grabbed an arrow. "I know what you're thinking -" Wendy started to say but was cut off by Oliver.
"No, you don't. I made a choice not to put an arrow in this guy and it was obviously not the right choice. I worked this up to counteract the effects of Vertigo, give it to Diggle." Oliver said giving Wendy the syringe from the arrow. "I have to get back to court, while I'm gone just work up whatever you can and figure out how Diggle got Vertigo in his system without his knowledge." He ordered then left to be there for his mother.
Courthouse
Later in the afternoon
"When was the first time you hard about this so called Undertaking?" Donner asked Thea as Oliver watched from the audience.
"The same time everyone else did, during the press conference." Thea admitted.
"Doesn't seem like you took it too well." Donner noted.
"I was surprised. Who wouldn't be?" Thea asked rhetorically.
It was at that point Oliver noticed that Donner didn't look well. Donner cleared his throat before continuing.
"Uh, your mother was immediately taken into custody but I assume you went down to the precinct to see her." Donner said and even Thea began to see something was off about him.
"Um, actually I didn't see her until she was moved." Thea admitted as she squirmed.
"To the prison?" Donner asked for clarification and Thea nodded, "do you remember when?"
"Uh, I don't remember the exact date." Thea said hesitantly.
"It's okay, I have the visitor log right here," Donner said as he pulled it out, "October ninth, five months later. Why so long?"
"I-I-I- are you okay?" Thea asked as Donner leaned on the table for support.
"An answer please. Why did you wait so long to visit your mother?" Donner demanded.
"Your honor!" Moira's lawyer interjected.
"I want to hear this." The judge said.
"I wasn't ready, I needed time. I was-"
"Angry. So angry that it took you five months to forgive her?" Donner challenged.
"It was complicated." Thea said defensively.
"No, it's actually quite simple. You blamed your mother for what she had done. So why shouldn't the jury?" Donner challenged and Thea looked over at the jury uncertainly, "your honor, we have no more questions for this witness..."
Donner suddenly leaned against the table once more and Dinah stood up in concern as everyone watched in alarm and confusion. Dinah cried out as Donner went down and started to convulse.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
Ivo knelt down next to the skeletons and frantically began to search them.
"Where is it? Where is it?!" Ivo shout up and rounded on Oliver, "where is the Hosen?"
"What?" Oliver asked not knowing what he was talking about.
"The arrowhead. Every report said that it was with the bodies, you said you and your friends were here, now where is it?" Ivo demanded and Oliver didn't answer, "Take him outside, make him show you where his friends are hiding."
Ivo's men grabbed Oliver and led him outside. Oliver tossed to the ground and the leader approached him as he took out his gun.
"Tell me where they are." He demanded.
"I don't know!" Oliver said honestly.
"Tell us or you lose your hands." The man said as he kneeled down and put the gun to Oliver's hands.
"May I suggest another option?"
They looked up to see Shado with her bow, Slade with an assault rifle, all aimed at Ivo's men and Sandra.
"Let the kid go and we won't blow your heads off." Slade growled.
Ivo came out and Shado pointed the bow at him.
Arrow Lair
Night
"How you feeling Dig?" Oliver asked as he walked in.
"Fine." Diggle said vaguely.
"You have a lousy poker Face Diggle. Did he take the antidote?" Oliver asked as he turned to Wendy.
"Didn't take." Diggle said.
"The Count must have a new brand of Vertigo." Wendy explained.
"So aside from what happened with the prosecutor and your sister, how'd it go today?" Diggle asked.
"Fine." Oliver said blankly.
"Your poker face is worse than mine." Diggle told him.
Suddenly, The Count's face appeared on the computer screens. Oliver and Diggle looked at it in horror as Wendy followed their gaze.
"Hello Starling City." The Count said in a sing-song voice.
"Wendy!" Oliver barked and she started typing.
"Miss me? Many of you may have noticed that you aren't feeling like yourselves." The Count said gleefully.
"He's taken over all the local network feeds." Wendy said.
"Track his signal, now!" Oliver ordered.
"Like our good assistant district attorney here, "the camera panned over to Donner, tied to a chair, "you may recognize him from his work in the Moira Queen trial. Say hello."
"What do you want?" Donner demanded.
"I want what you want: for you to feel better." The Count said crazily.
"Go to hell." Donner sneered.
"You want your pain to end and I can do that," The Count turned the camera around and knelt next to Donner so the audience could see him, "with Vertigo. It's what your body craves, fortunately the power of relief is right here," he pulled out a syringe, "and you have to do is go to your friendly neighborhood Vertigo dealer and request the cure. Simple supply and demand at work. Now, say you want this and it's yours. All that pain will just disappear. Say it."
"I...I want it." Donner said.
The Count smiled before injecting Donner and his body stilled. The Count brought the camera back on him and smiled crazily at the camera.
"You see a simple solution. I'm Count Vertigo and I approve this high." The Count said before turning off the camera.
"Where'd he broadcast from Wendy?" Oliver demanded.
"He bounced the signal off the Star Labs satellite; he could have done it from anywhere." Wendy said.
"He'd stay local. Study the footage, frame by frame if you have to. There is something on there that will give us The Count's location." Oliver ordered.
"If The Count dosed the entire city, then why are only a few people showing symptoms?" Diggle inquired.
"It's possible that the exposure was selective, used something that only few people would be affected." Wendy proposed and Oliver nodded in agreement.
"Diggle, go home," Oliver ordered and Diggle looked at him stunned, "you're no good like this. Get some rest."
Grumbling, Diggle then went out of the lair. The next hour consisted of Wendy going over the footage while Oliver waited. Finally, something happened.
"I think we've got something." Wendy called over and Oliver walked up her.
"I don't see anything." Oliver said.
"You have to pay close attention to Donner. More specifically, his eyes," Wendy said as she enlarged the image, "look at the reflection in his eyes."
"What is that?" Oliver asked as Wendy enhanced the image.
"Our city seal. Starling City Municipal Records Department, that buildings been abandoned since our city went digital," Wendy looked over at Oliver, Dollars to donuts, that's where The Count is operating from."
"Not anymore." Oliver growled as he stood up.
The Count's hideout
Slightly later
The Count demanded his crew move faster, knowing that they would have a lot of customers in the near future. Suddenly the Arrow dropped down and shot an arrow to free Donner to getaway. "Go!" Oliver ordered the lawyer.
"Be still my heart." The Count noticed and Oliver quickly drew back another arrow to point it at the drug lord.
"Shut this down!" Oliver ordered.
"I've heard you've developed an allergy to killing." The Count said mockingly.
"I said shut it down!" Oliver yelled once more.
"Or what?" The Count said thinking he was safe since the Arrow wasn't killing anyone anymore.
Oliver then shot an explosive arrow at the Vertigo supplies, destroying it. The Count and his men began shooting at Oliver but a stray bullet hit Donner, causing Oliver to focus on saving the ADA rather than take down the Count as he made his exit.
Courthouse
Morning
The next morning, Oliver, Thea, Moira, and Jean were in the private chambers. "But you said you didn't want to testify." Thea said after her mother told them she was taking the stand before sighing, "But you have to. Because of me." She dropped into her chair, dejected.
"No," Moira said trying to take away in guilt her daughter was feeling.
"You have to do damage control." Thea continued.
"None of this is your fault." She said to Thea sternly, "We're here because of what I did. Now, you both know the truth, but you don't know all of it. But the DA's office does."
"What does Spencer have?" Oliver demanded, tired of the secrets.
"You shouldn't have to find this out in court," Moira said after a moment.
"Find out what?" Thea asked.
Moira took a pause. "Years ago, it was many yes ago, your father was engaging in his ... his extramarital activities. And I had a moment of weakness. I cheated on him." She paused again. "With Malcolm Merlyn."
Oliver and Thea looked shocked, Thea starting shaking her head in denial. "No. No, I ... I asked you about this. Last year. You said that there was nothing between you two!"
"There wasn't." Moira said at once, "Sweetheart, it wasn't an affair. It was very brief, and a long time ago."
Later on, the revelation of Moira's affair continued as DA Kate Spencer continued to cross-examine her.
"Mrs. Queen, you claim that you were afraid of Malcolm but I have proof that says otherwise. Is it true that you once had an affair with Malcolm Merlyn?" Spencer asked.
"I wouldn't call it an affair," Moira said as the crowd began muttering at these new facts, "it was very brief, no more than one night."
"But you did cheat on your husband with him?" Spencer asked for the benefit of the jury.
"It was a moment of weakness from a woman trapped in a loveless marriage. So yes, I did cheat on Robert Queen with Malcolm Merlyn." Moira admitted.
"And you continued to see him for many years. In fact, Malcolm Merlyn was a guest in quite a few of your parties." Spencer pointed out.
"He was Robert's best friend until Malcolm had him murdered." Moira reminded her.
"And this was the reason you claim to be in fear of your life and the life of your children?" Spencer challenged.
"Well, I think it's a fairly compelling reason," Moira said defensively.
"Last year, your second husband, Walter Steele, was abducted by Mr. Merlyn, is that correct?" Spencer asked.
"Yes, so you see-"
"Why didn't Merlyn kill Walter the same as your first husband?" Spencer challenged cutting Moira off.
"Because I convinced him not to." Moira reluctantly admitted.
"And Malcolm Merlyn listened to you. Your friend spared Walter's life and yet you'd have this jury believe that you and your family were in danger." Spencer said.
"We were. I was afraid-"
"Afraid of getting caught," Spencer said cutting her off again.
"Despite my youthful mistakes, Malcolm Merlyn was a dangerous man," Moira said.
"To other people. But the only person who posed a danger to Moira Queen and her family was Moira Queen. No further questions your honor." Spencer said as she stepped down.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
"So you three took the hosen. Get him up," Ivo ordered and the leader picked up Oliver, "so I know he doesn't have it, which means one of you does. Give it to me and we'll discuss an exchange."
"We don't know what you're talking about. Give us Oliver and we'll leave you alone to look for it." Shado offered.
One of the soldiers moved forward, barely an inch, but it was enough for Slade. Slade fired, hitting the soldier in the feet. He went down, groaning in pain.
"Anyone else want to be stupid?" Slade challenged.
"I wouldn't, he's trigger happy and low on patience. Not a good combination for him on a good day." Shado warned them.
"Okay, fine. Take him, cut him loose." Ivo ordered and the leader cut Oliver's binds.
Oliver immediately sucker punched the man before rushing over to his friends. Slade covered him by shooting at Ivo's men before the four of them were off. As they ran, Oliver looked back and rescued Sandra.
"They're following us!" Oliver warned.
"Not for long." Shado said as she dropped something behind her.
A few seconds later, from a safe distance, the four of them heard an explosion.
Arrow lair
Afternoon
Wendy and John were in the bunker still looking working out how the Count drugged everyone. "Oliver's going to be pretty wrapped up with his mother," Dig said still sick from his exposure."You making any progress on how The Count's getting Vertigo into people's systems?"
"Not much. Each dot is the home of somebody with withdrawal symptoms." Wendy said showing him on the computer screens.
"That seems pretty random." He stated.
"That's because it's very random." She affirmed.
"Ok." He wondered. "What if people weren't exposed at home; what if they got dosed at work? Can you do this by their employment addresses?"
"I'm really starting to wonder what it would take to impress you guys." She quipped and with a few keystrokes showed something on the screen.
"It's a trail. A path through the city." He noticed.
"Any place you've been?" She asked.
"I got my flu shot." He answered.
"You got your vaccination from one of those trucks, right? She asked.
"One of those roving flu trucks? The route." He said.
"It's a flu vaccination tour. A truck sent out by Starling City Mobile Care." She showed on the computer
"I got addicted after one injection? That can happen?" He asked incredulously.
"Sure. Try heroin some time." She said causing John to give her a look. "Not try, try"
"All right, where's the truck now?" He asked.
"Downtown." She told him. "What do you think? Call Oliver?"
"No, no, he's busy with his family. I'll go." He said grabbing his jacket.
"Yeah, no. That's not happening. I'll go." She stopped him.
"Wendy it's too dangerous." He told her.
"It could turn out to be nothing. If it's not, I'll call." She assured him.
Courthouse
Shortly after
The trial was over and the jury was currently in a locked room debating a verdict. Oliver was outside waiting when he saw Dinah show up. "Hey." She said to greet him.
"Hey," Oliver said with a rather sad smile.
"You okay?" She asked.
"Yeah ... yeah, I will be. My mother told me what you did last night. Thank you for that, I don't think Thea or I would have handled it very well if we didn't hear it from her first." He said reluctantly but gratefully.
"You're welcome, I just hope I don't get into even more trouble with my bosses." She admitted, and Oliver walked away once he saw his sister.
"Thea?" He said stopping her.
"Can we call it a night?" Thea said tiredly from the trial.
Jean Loring then appeared to address the siblings. "Jury just signaled that they could have a verdict. He wants to get this over with." She said.
"Line forms behind me," Thea said bitterly.
"A verdict that quickly is bad, isn't it?" Oliver asked worriedly.
"I think the two of you should prepare for the worst," Jean said sadly as she left.
Oliver then heard his phone ring it was Wendy's. "Excuse me." He said walking away.
"Wendy." He said.
"Oliver." The voice answered and it wasn't Wendy it was the Count and Oliver froze in his tracks. "Is it ok if I call you Oliver? Surprised to hear from me, right? Not as surprised as I was. You see, I find this not unattractive blonde, getting all up in my business and what does she have on her? A Queen Consolidated I.D. badge. Now, I think to myself, why does that name ring a bell? Oliver Queen. He tried to buy off me last year, just before the hood put me in a padded cell. Ipso facto, Green Arrow." The Count taunted him and Oliver grew angry and hung up the phone to leave.
"Where are you going?!" Thea said.
"Oh, something's come up at the office." Her told.
"Ollie, the jury!" Thea pleaded.
"I have to go." He insisted.
Queen Consolidated
A little later
Oliver walked around on Queen Consolidated in his Arrow Suit, his bow and arrow ready to fire at moment's notice. Walking into the board members' office he saw Wendy tied to a chair and the Count standing behind her.
"Pretty swanky offices. You can see all the destruction that your mom caused from up here." The Count told him.
"What do you want?" Oliver growled.
"World peace and personal satisfaction. Though not necessarily in that order." The drug lord replied. "You poisoned me and put me in a hole. You have no idea how much I hated you for that. Turns out, someone else hates you, too."
"Who?" Oliver demanded.
"Oh, you're going to be surprised when you find out. He's a man of means. Set me up with my new operation so I could draw you out." The Count said piquing Oliver's curiosity.
"To do what?" Oliver asked.
"This." The Count said and he pulled out a gun and immediately opened fire on Oliver, who quickly took cover.
Once the Count stopped firing Oliver spoke up. "You're going to have to try harder."
"Done!" He remarked and put the gun to Wendy's head as he started dragging her. "Come on! So now we move on to plan B."
"Oliver, don't! Not for me!" Wendy pleaded as Oliver pointed his arrow at him.
"Quiet, please." The Count told her. "I'm threatening. Lower your bow."
"Your problem is with me," Oliver told him. "It's not with her."
"Well, then, consider this your penalty for making me go to plan B in the first place." He replied and Oliver then fired an arrow at the Count which hit him causing him to drop Wendy. Oliver then fired two more arrows at the Count causing him to crash through the window and fell several stories; even if the arrows didn't kill him, the fall most certainly did. Oliver then ran over to check over on Wendy.
"Hey. Hey. Hey, shh, shh." Oliver told her seeing that she was clearly shaken by this. "It's all right. You're safe."
"Oh, you were shot," Wendy said noticing that one of the Count's bullets must have grazed Oliver.
"Hey. It's nothing". He reassured her.
Courthouse
Later
“Any news?" Oliver asked Thea showing up immediately surprising him.
"Where have you been?" Thea asked pissed that left at such an important event.
"Something happened at Queen Consolidated." He told her. "You will see it on the news later. Just don't worry about it."
"What would you have done if there'd been a verdict?" She said pissed.
"Thea I don't know." He said feeling guilty. "Are you ok?"
"Hey. Jury's back." Jean appeared telling them.
"Come on," Thea said as they entered the courtroom.
"I have received a note that the jury has arrived at a verdict. Please publish the verdict." The Judge said as everyone was anticipating the results.
"In the superior court of county state versus Moira Queen verdict On one count of conspiracy in the first degree, the defendant is found not guilty." The Jury Foreman said causing a stunned uproar to everyone in the crowd and elation for the Queen family their lawyer. "On the 503 counts of murder in the first degree, the defendant is found Not guilty."
"Mom," Thea said happily.
"I love you both so much," Moira said turning around hugging them as tightly as possible.
Arrow lair
Later
"Congratulations," Wendy said. "Is that appropriate?"
"She should have lost." Oliver reluctantly said. "She should have been convicted."
"Did you want her to be?" Dig asked.
"I expected her to be," Oliver admitted. "Verdict doesn't make sense."
"Still, your mom must be thrilled," Wendy said. "Beyond."
"It's more like shock, I think," Oliver replied. "They're processing her now. I just wanted to check in on you." He said turning to Wendy and then Diggle. "And you."
"I'm feeling better," Dig told him.
"And, with the Vertigo tainted vaccine, Queen Consolidated's Applied Sciences Division was able to formulate a non-addictive treatment." Wendy Explained.
"Good," Oliver said. "I need to meet my family at home. So you guys go home, get some rest."
"Good night," Digg said as left.
"Good night," Wendy said and just as she was about to leave turned around. "Oliver. I, uh I just wanted to say thank you."
"Yeah." He said.
"And I'm sorry." She said regretfully.
"For what?" He wondered.
"I got myself into trouble again, and you killed him." She admitted. "You killed again, and I am sorry that I was the one to put you in a position where you had to make that kind of choice."
"Wendy, he had you, and he was going to hurt you. There was no choice to make." He told her, causing her to sadly smile and then leave. Oliver then caught a glimpse of the muted news channel and saw the headline of it, "Arrow kills again".
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
Once they were far enough away the soldiers, they stopped and Sandra stood next to oliver. As he looked over his overheard, he frowned as he saw the state of Slade while Shado walked over to them.
"He doesn't look so good." Oliver noted as Shado reached them.
"He's not." Shado agreed. "Who's that?" She asked looking at Sandra.
"It's complicated," Oliver answered for her.
"The hosen thing they're looking for is still on the plane." Oliver told them.
"No, I've got it," Shado said as she pulled it out, "it has a Buddhist inscription on one side; it reminded me of my father."
"I'm pretty sure they're not interested in Buddhism." Slade said between little gasps of pain as he walked over.
"What's on the other side?" Oliver asked and Shado turned it over.
"30-30-147-12." Shado read off.
"Coordinates but to what?" Oliver wondered.
"While I was on his ship, Ivo told me about this miracle serum, the Mirakuru. Supposedly, it regenerates cells, heals." Sandra said and the three others exchanged glances.
"You think these are leading us to the Mirakuru." Shado said.
"I don't see why else Ivo is so obsessed over that hosen." Oliver said and Shado nodded.
"Do you think...it could save him?" Sandra asked as she looked over at Slade.
"...only one way to find out." Oliver said after a moment.
Blood's office
Same time
Blood was watching a news report on the attack at Queen Consolidated when Officer Daily walked up to him.
"Sir, there's been a development," Daily said.
Blood looked over at him blankly before walking over to his desk. Opening the cabinet behind it, he revealed his mask inside.
Starling City
Not long after
Blood, now wearing his mask, walked into his lab. Men were bound to chairs, tears of blood on their faces. All of them were dead...except one.
"How do you feel, Brother Cyrus?" Blood asked the one on the end.
"Stronger," Cyrus Gold said.
"Good. Then you're ready," Blood said pleased.
Elsewhere in Star City
Same time
Moira was in a car Jean had directed her to, the driver pulling away from the courthouse. As he drove, Moira rolled down her window, breathing in deeply as fresh air hit her face for the first time in months.
"The Freeway will be quicker," Moira told the driver.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Queen, but I was instructed not to take you home. Not yet," he told her, to her alarm.
Moira's mind raced, trying to figure out what was happening as the driver pulled up to an empty parking lot. He got out and opened the door for her, letting her what.
"Where are we? I-I don't know this place," Moira said, growing more and more confused and alarmed.
The driver ignored her question, looking behind her and smiling at someone.
"I brought her sir," he said.
The driver was then hit in the chest with an arrow, to Moira's horror. He went down, dead and she whirled around to see Malcolm Merlyn, wielding a bow, walk up behind her.
"Hello Moira," he greeted calmly.
"You-You're supoos-they said you were dead," Moira stammered.
"There are parts of the world where death is an illusion. I've been to one. I've learned to be very convincing," Malcolm told her calmly. "But I returned because you needed my help."
"Help?" Moira repeated, her mind whirling with fear and horror.
"With your trial," Malcolm clarified. "You didn't think that jury acquitted you without a littler persuasion, did you?"
"What do you want?" Moira asked, attempting to calm her racing mind.
"I still have resources in Starling. Including in the DA's office," Malcolm said and she paled as Malcolm walked closer to her. "I followed Mr. Donner's investigation into you with interest. The ease with which you lied about us for years, it made me wonder if you'd lied to me."
"No, no," Moira said as the realization set in.
"It was a matter of a simple genetics test to confirm suspicion," Malcolm said, ignoring her.
"Don't," Moira pleaded but he ignored her once more.
"Imagine my joy at learning that Thea is my daughter," Malcolm said gleefully as Moira closed her eyes, the fear she'd lived with for years finally realized came.
Chapter 8: Barry Allen
Chapter Text
Starling City
Night
Thunder roared in the skies above as, in a Queen Consolidated building, two security guards were making their rounds when they heard a strange sound. A loading bay door gave a loud clang as it shook, like it had just been hit with a car. The two stopped and looked at the door in confusion.
"What was that?" one of them asked.
The door was then hit from the other side again, and then again. The guards drew their guns as the door finally broke down. The two barely got out of the way in time as it hit the floor, revealing what had been hitting the other side.
It was a bald man dressed only in black with a mask covering his face. He walked forward and they opened fire on him. But to their shock, he didn't even flinch as the bullets penetrated his skin. He punched one of the guards, sending him flying into some equipment, dead before he hit the ground. The other guard tried to run but he didn't make it far before the man grabbed him by the neck, lifting him into the air with impossible strength. The man struggled, but was helpless as his air was cut off and his throat crushed. The man tossed the guard's body aside and moved on, walking further into the warehouse.
Queen Consolidated
Morning
Oliver, Moira, and Dig exited the elevator where they were greeted by Wendy. "Mrs. Queen, welcome back to the company." She said welcoming Moira.
"Thank you," Moira said graciously as the four continued walking.
"You look fabulous. Really, better than ever. Did you do something to your hair?" Wendy said rambling her mouth off as usual.
"Yes, I shampooed it without eight women and a guard watching me," Moira answered.
Wendy laughed at that remark before stopping herself. "Is it ok to laugh? Because I was ordered not to say anything about you being in prison, just to avoid any awkward exchanges."
"Like that one," Oliver stated the obvious.
"Right." Wendy acknowledged.
Isabel Rochev was in a board meeting going through the latest company projection. "We need to drill down on these numbers before the earnings call." She said before stopping once she saw Oliver and Moira. "Oliver. I didn't realize your mother was stopping by for a visit today."
"Well, it's not a visit. This is her company, too." Oliver reminded her as he pulled up a chair for her to sit down.
"Of course. How are you, Moira?" Isabel asked feigning politeness.
"Back, Isabel," Moira replied coldly.
A brief pause, Isabel turned to Oliver. "Mr. Queen, may I speak to you for a minute?" The two went to his office. "What sort of message does it send to the investment committee, to the city, if we hand Queen Consolidated right back to your mother?"
"She was acquitted." Oliver reminded her.
"By a jury. Not by the city." She stated. "Oliver. Stop thinking like a son and start thinking like a CEO."
As Isabel walked away from a frustrated Oliver, Dig appeared. "Oliver. There's been a break-in." He said informing him.
Queen Consolidated Applied Science division
Morning
Oliver, Diggle, and Wendy walked into the building and paused upon seeing the destruction. Lieutenant Pike then approached them as Oliver and Diggle went to get a look at the damage.
"This door was made of expanded reinforced titanium, what did they use to do this?" Diggle asked.
"Not sure yet. No sign of any explosives maybe a forklift or a crane or a forklift. I'm guessing there were three or four other guys. And given how quickly they were in and out of here...they were fast." Pike assessed the situation.
"I'll say." Oliver agreed as he stood up.
"Any idea what these guys were so eager to break in here for? You didn't happen to leave a spare earthquake machine lying around, did you?" Pike quipped and Oliver shot him a look, "sorry."
Officer Kelton then came up to them with his tablet.
"This is what we're able to pull off the security cameras," Kelton said as he showed them the video.
Everyone was silent as they watched a masked man easily kill the guards. Oliver was pale as he watched the man take out the camera with a box. It wasn't possible, he told himself.
"He was the only guy we got on video. The rest of the crew must have come in after him," Kelton said, breaking Oliver out of his thoughts.
"Actually, it was only one guy."
Startled by the voice, everyone turned as a dark haired man with a young face walked in.
"Sorry I'm late. But actually, my train was late. Well, the second one. The first one I did miss, but that was my cab driver's fault. I've got this great traffic app, and... but he thought that he was right. I'm here now, though. So...." he babbled nervously.
"Great, who the Hell are ya?" Pike asked sarcastically.
"Barry Allen," the man babbled. "I'm from the Central City Police Department. I'm with the crime scene investigation unit. We're working on a case with some similar unexplained elements in Central City, so when the report of your robbery came over the wire, my captain sent me up here."
"And you think one guy did this?" Diggle asked skeptically.
"One very strong guy, yeah. It takes about 1,250 foot pounds of torque to break someone's neck," Barry said as he took the tablet and pulled up a photo of one of guard's bodies. "You see the marks on the guard's neck? The bruising pattern suggests the killer used only one hand. I'm guessing you don't know how hard it is to break someone's neck."
This last line was said to Oliver, who appeared lost in thought. Oliver shook his head, snapping out of it.
"Hmm? No, no idea," Oliver lied even as his mind raced.
"Uh, we're going to need a list of the entire inventory here to figure out exactly what was stolen." Kelton said.
"Actually, I think I know what was stolen," Barry said, bringing their attention back to him. "A centrifuge. An industrial centrifuge. Probably the Cord Enterprises 2BX 900. Maybe the six series."
As he talked, Barry led them over to a concrete base, which looked like something had been yanked out of it.
"Both have a three column base. Here, you can see the three sets of broken bolts where the thief just ripped it out of the ground," Barry explained.
"And what exactly is a centrifuge?" Pike asked, regaining his bearings.
"It separates liquids," Wendy explained. "The centripetal acceleration causes denser substances to separate out along the radial direction."
"And lighter objects move to the top," Barry added. "You can see the cracks heading towards the door. Footsteps. One guy," Barry said definitely before pausing. "Anyway, it's just a theory. One backed by a lot of evidence."
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
The group of four continued on, Shado in front, Sandra in back, and Oliver helping Slade down the path. Shado had the Hosen and a compass, which was spinning wildly.
"We need to change direction." Shado announced.
"We need to rest." Oliver argued.
"If Ivo and any of his men survived that blast, they'll be tracking us. We keep moving." Slade said firmly.
Slade almost tripped over a branch but Oliver stopped him. Even so, Slade cried out in pain as Oliver and Sandra steadied him.
"Five minutes." Slade allowed in a gasp.
Slade and Sandra gently sat Slade down on a tree stump large enough for Slade to sit on. After sitting him down, Oliver walked overdo Shado, leaving Sandra and Slade alone.
"Do you believe that, that this hosen will lead us to the wrecked Japanese sub?" Shado asked him once he reached her.
"Ivo seems to think so, I just hope whatever miracle is on there will help Slade." Oliver said as looked over at Slade and Sandra
After a few moments, Slade got to his feet, despite Sandra's protests. He staggered over to Shado and Oliver with Sandra following.
"I feel like taking a work, anyone care to join me?" Slade asked with forced optimism as he threw on arm around Shado's shoulder.
Queen Consolidated
Afternoon
Oliver was staring out the window of his office, lost in memories when Diggle called his name.
"Oliver," Oliver turned around to face Diggle. "Got the final inventory from Applied Sciences. That CSI from Central City was right. The only thing missing is a centrifuge."
Oliver took the inventory report from Diggle, a sinking feeling forming in his stomach. If someone was trying to recreate Mirakuru, then they now had a device capable of doing just that. All they would need now was blood and a sedative, a strong one.
"You have to see this," Wendy said as she walked in, breaking Oliver out of his thoughts. "I pulled up CC traffic camera footage from across the street of Applied Sciences. This is three minutes after the alarm went off."
Wendy turned her tablet around and showed them the video. Oliver paled as he saw a masked man, the same one from the security videos at Applied Sciences, carrying the centrifuge on his shoulder like it was a duffle bag and put it in the van.
Someone wasn't trying to recreate Mirakuru. Someone already had recreated it, now they were trying to make more of it. And they had already started gathering the supplies.
Hearing someone walk in, Oliver looked up to see Barry standing just outside his office.
"Can we help you with something detective?" Oliver asked.
"Oh, CSIs aren't actually detectives. We don't even carry guns. Just some plastic baggies," Barry laughed before he saw Oliver's annoyed look. "Uh, where should I set up my equipment?"
"I'll show you," Wendy offered.
"Wait, what is going on?" Oliver asked confused.
"Your assistant said that you preferred to keep the investigation in house, so I cleared it with my captain to give you a hand." Barry explained as Wendy looked at Oliver sheepishly.
Oliver's years of growing up in the Queen house allowed him to smile politely at Barry before he pulled Wendy aside.
"What are you doing?" Oliver asked lowly.
"We need to find this intruder. And he seems to know more about it than any of us. Forensic science isn't exactly my forte," Wendy pointed out.
Oliver nodded as Wendy walked off to show Barry around.
"Why am I getting the feeling you know more about this than Wendy's new friend?" Diggle asked once Wendy and Barry were gone.
"Pray that I'm wrong Diggle," Oliver muttered.
"And if you're not?" Diggle asked and Oliver was silent for a moment.
"Then not even the vigilante can save the city from what's coming," Oliver said darkly as he turned to stare out the window once more.
Queen Mansion
Afternoon
"I hear you're throwing a party." Moira gasped and spun to see Malcolm Merlyn standing by the French doors that led out to the patio, "I didn't get my invite."
Moira took a moment to compose herself, "Where exactly should I have addressed it? Starling City cemetery?"
"I know that's where you wish I was right now." Malcolm stated. "Lying beside all those I killed."
"Am I supposed to feel sorry for you, Malcolm?" Moira asked, "You killed 499 people. Your son doesn't want to have to do anything with you. You cannot have my daughter."
"Our daughter." He said, cutting her off. He moved in closer, "I think we both needed someone that night. I felt so bad about betraying Rebecca's memory that I left Starling. Left Tommy behind. That's when I made my way to Nanda Parbat, where I found my new purpose."
He smirked at her, "In a way, Moira, you made me the man I am today."
"Thea is innocent." Moira argued fearfully, "She loved Robert. Please don't take that away from her, I'm begging you."
"Thea is all I have left." Malcolm said coldly, "Tell her the truth, and tell her soon."
He turned and walked back out the way he had come in, leaving a red-eyed Moira alone in her room.
The Glades
Late afternoon
Roy opened the door of his apartment for Sin, watching as she came inside.
What's up Sin?" Roy asked in concern.
"I need your help. Can we talk?" Sin said. "It's my friend Max. He's missing. I haven't seen him for a week, no one has. Something happened to him. I figured you knew someone who could help."
As Sin gave him a pointed look when she said 'someone', Roy caught on. She wanted him to call in The Hood, on this.
"I'll see what I can do," Roy promised.
Queen Consolidated, Applied Sciences
Night
"You found something?" Oliver asked as he and Diggle walked up to Barry and Wendy.
"There were trace amounts of Sucrose and a spec of dirt the killer dragged in her on his boot." Barry explained.
"Which got me thinking, there's a sugar refinery two miles from here," Wendy picked up where Barry left off, "the land around there is suffused in waste sugar, so I check. There was a delivery truck stolen a few days ago."
"The truck mates the make and mode of the truck the killer used to steal the centrifuge." Barry explained.
"Can you track the vehicle?" Oliver inquired.
"We've been trying." Wendy explained just as something went off.
"What was that?" Oliver asked as they looked at Wendy's tablet, which showed a map of the city.
"You're not gonna believe this, the truck was just used to rob a blood bank." Wendy said shocked.
"Are you sure?" Oliver asked quickly, heart pulsing.
"Yeah, our guy just made off with thirty-thousand CCs of O-negatives." Wendy explained.
"So he has super strength, likes blood, please don't tell me we suddenly believe in Vampires." Diggle scoffed.
"We need to give this information to the local police." Barry suggested.
"I'll take care of that. You said you were working a similar case back in central City?" Oliver asked Barry.
"Yeah, it's s-similar. Has similar elements, a lot of similarities." Barry stammered and Oliver made a mental note to look into it.
"Right." Oliver said as he turned to go.
Starling City
Night
A sugar refinery truck was driving down the highway. It was missing the driver's side door as the masked man who had attacked Queen Consolidated drove. Oliver drove up behind him on his motorcycle and, spotting him through the rearview mirror, the masked man tried to drive him off the road by swerving wildly. Oliver shot an arrow, shattering the mirror. Oliver drove up to the driver's side before jumping onto the roof and swinging through the empty door. Oliver and the man scuffled, Oliver throwing a barrage of punches at the man but he was unaffected, to Oliver's shock.
The man punched him and Oliver was sent flying out. At the last second, Oliver grabbed the edge of the doorway and swung himself onto the hood, hanging on for dear life. The windshield shattered as the man reached through, grabbing Oliver and yanking him back inside. Desperately, Oliver pulled out a flechette and tried to stab the man in the leg. However, to Oliver's alarm, the arrowhead was flattered upon contact, like it had struck a steel wall. Angrily, the man struck Oliver and he flew into the passenger door, which then flew off the car. It landed on the pavement, sliding Oliver into some trash bags. The car drove away as, dazed, Oliver pulled himself up, staring down at the arrowhead.
Arrow lair
Later
Oliver winced but made no further reaction as he was patched up. Diggle and Wendy stood back for a minute before Oliver finished.
"Thanks." Oliver quipped as he put his shirt back on.
"You were right when you asked if I knew more than what I was letting on," Oliver told Diggle as they faced him and Wendy, "I've seen men with these abilities before."
"What, where?" Wendy demanded shocked.
"The island," Oliver began, "my second year there, I came across the remains of a Japanese world war two military project. It was a serum designed to create human weapons."
"Human weapons, what's next aliens?" Diggle asked in disbelief.
"This is real Diggle," Oliver snapped, "those five years I was away; I came across things that just...defy explanation.There was a doctor; he came to the island to test the serum on people. The ones that survived, their endurance, reflexes, and strength were all enhanced."
"And you think this doctor is here in Starling City?" Diggle inquired.
"He's dead," Oliver said firmly, "but there might still be someone out there with the serum. A strain of it survived on the firefighter."
"You think someone found the recipe." Diggle said knowingly and Oliver nodded.
"Why couldn't you have been marooned on Aruba?" Wendy moaned but Oliver ignored her.
"There's a third component, a strong sedative," Oliver said before handing the flattened arrow to Wendy.
"Wendy, I need you to analyze the blood on the arrowhead," Oliver said as he handed Wendy the ruined arrow, "See if you can find out what sedative they're using."
"We can figure out where the next robbery will be," Diggle realized.
"Barry and I will get right on it," Wendy said before walking out.
"What did you find?" Oliver demanded.
"You were right. Mr. Allen isn't who he says he is," Diggle admitted.
Queen Mansion
Night
Moira was in the ballroom, lost in memories of many balls past. She almost missed the presence behind her. Almost.
"Moira," Moira fought the flinch that threated to overtake her as Malcolm walked up behind her. "Have you told Thea?"
"No. And I'm not going to," Moira said as she turned around, enjoying the enraged look on his face.
"I set you free, Moira." Malcolm seethed, moving closer, "Your life belongs to me."
Moira finally turned to face him, "I am through being afraid of you."
Malcolm chuckled.
"You think you can stop me?" He asked with a smirk, "Even the Vigilante couldn't kill me."
"No, he couldn't." Moira admitted, "But I know someone who can. Ra's al Ghul."
Malcolm was taken aback.
"How do you know that name?" He asked warily.
This time it was Moira who smirked, "Well, I didn't. Until you mentioned Nanda Parbat."
Malcolm stood there in stony silence as Moira continued, "The League of Assassins, however twisted their aims, believes very deeply in a code of honor. Your undertaking betrayed that code."
"You told Ra's I'm still alive?" He asked with a slight quiver in his voice.
"He was so grateful to hear it." Moira revealed, "Because he so very much wants to kill you himself. Now he'll stop trying to kill your son. So my advice to you, Malcolm- Run."
Malcolm smiled proudly at Moira- she had beaten him at his own game.
"This isn't finished, Moira." He said as he turned and walked out of the room. He was relaxed as well as tense. Relaxed because his son was safe now. Tense because he wasn't anymore.
The Glades, next day
Morning
"So aren't we calling the vigilante? This seems like right up his alley," Sin said as she and Roy entered Max's apartment.
"When we know something, I'll get in touch with him. Right now, we don't have much," Roy said as he looked around.
It was like a lot of the apartments in The Glades, except it was full of paintings. They all had the same theme: a man in some kind of mask. It sent chills up Roy's spine.
"Interesting paintings," Roy muttered.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Sin asked.
"If I knew that, we'd already be out of here," Roy said, grimacing as he saw some old pizza in a box and closed the lid. "He hasn't been here in a week you said? Did he tell you where he was going?"
"No, just said he had to do something. But I never heard back from him," Sin said.
Roy nodded before he saw something. Walking over, he picked up a brochure to a blood drive for Sebastian Blood.
"This blood drive was a week ago. When did you say Max went missing?" Roy asked, staring at the brochure.
"That day. Do you think it means something?" Sin asked.
"I don't know," Roy admitted.
A little later, Roy and Sin exited the apartment building, unaware they were being watched. Across the street, Officer Daily watched in his cruiser before pulling out his phone and dialing a number.
"It's Daily. Someone's looking for Maxwell Stanton," he said into the phone.
"And they should find him."
"Yes Brother Blood," Daily said before hanging up.
Queen Consolidated
Same time
Wendy and Barry were chatting together watching the news. "Central City is just a day away from making history when the controversial S.T.A.R. Lab's particle accelerator is finally turned on." The news reporter said.
"Pretty cool, right?" Barry said enthusiastically.
"You know there's been a hundred percent increase in earthquakes since they've turned on the Large Hadron Collider," Wendy remarked.
"That data is misleading," Barry argued.
"Oh, do tell," Wendy replied smiling.
"You know about misleading, don't you?" Oliver accused Barry as he walked into his office.
"What are you talking about?" Wendy asked.
"He's not from CSI, he's an assistant. Whose bosses don't know you're in Star City." Oliver explained. "And there is no similar case in Central City. So tell me, Barry, what are you really doing here?
"I told you my mom was murdered," Barry said to Wendy.
"By your father," Oliver interjected.
"He didn't do it." Barry insisted.
"You said that the police didn't find the man who killed her," Wendy recalled.
"The police think they did. My dad has been serving a life sentence. They didn't believe me." Barry told her.
"About what?" Wendy asked.
"I was 11. One night something just came into our house, like a tornado. A blur." Barry explained slowly. "Somewhere inside The Blur, I saw a person. My dad went to fight it. I tried to get 'em when suddenly I was 20 blocks away from our house. Nobody believed me. They thought I was trying to cover for my father. But what I saw that night was real. As real as the man that ripped down that metal door with his bare hands." He paused before speaking more passionately. "That's why I look into cases like this. The ones nobody believes are possible. Maybe if I can just make sense of one, I might be able to find out who really killed my mother and free my dad.
Barry sighed as walked to Wendy. "I am sorry I lied to you. Better find another plus one." He said and then left the office.
"He did lie about who he really was." Oliver reminded Wendy who looked upset at him.
"And what do we do every day?" Wendy countered as she walked away too.
The Glades
Late afternoon
Roy almost jumped at the sound of his phone ringing. Pulling it out, he saw it was Sin and answered.
"Sin?" Roy answered.
"I found Max," Sin said and Roy could tell from the sound of her voice that it wasn't good news.
"Okay, where are you?" Roy asked.
"I'm on the edge of Kent and Queens," Sin said and Roy nodded.
"Okay, I'll be there," Roy said as he hung up.
Queen Mansion
Day
Oliver, Thea, and Moira walked down the stairs were they met Wendy. "Hey. How's everything going in there?" Oliver asked her.
"Good evening, Queens." She smiled at Moira and Thea, then looked at Oliver. "Can I have a word?"
"Yeah." He said taking her by the arm as they left in private. "I'm sorry if I overreacted a little bit earlier."
"Oh, you think?" She said sarcastically, making it clear she was still upset with him. "Look, right now you need to apologize to your mother. Not me."
"For what?" He asked.
"Your being wrong." She said sadly as she showed the three of them a nearly empty entrance parlor. With classical music playing, only about six people there, and a bartender serving drinks.
"I guess these days, I only draw a crowd when I'm on trial for murder," Moira said bluntly as both Thea and Oliver looked sadden and upset about this.
"Mom, you don't have to -" Thea said comforting her mother.
"We have guests." Moira cut her off with a smile. "However, few of them there are."
Turning to her brother she could see his "this my fault" look. "This is not your fault, Ollie," Thea said.
Walking into the party room, she saw Roy in a rather nice suit. "How's your mom doing?" He asked her.
"Oh, you know us, Queen women, nothing gets to us." She told him confidently.
"You must take after your dad." He commented.
Later on, Oliver saw Wendy just standing alone on the dance floor. "Time for a dance?" He asked her.
"Not really feeling like dancing with you, Oliver," Wendy replied a little coldly.
"I know and that is why I called him." He said and showed her Barry dressed in a suit, standing there. "FYI, they will card him at the bar." He joked.
"Hi," Barry said to her.
"Hi," Wendy replied with a smile.
"I was serious about not being able to dance. But I'll hold your hands and sway." He said.
"Sold." She chuckled as they joined together and started swaying.
Submarine, five years ago
Night
Shado and Oliver help Slade down the latter. As Oliver helped Slade stand, Shado takes a flashlight and walks deeper into the sub. Oliver and Sandra followed her, Oliver gently lowering Slade to the floor, propping him up against the wall as Slade groaned. Oliver and the two woman walk deeper into the sub, looking around.
"He doesn't have long." Shado pointed out.
"Then if the drug is on board, we need to find it and find it now." Oliver ordered and they moved out.
They walk into the a room and find something. It's a box and Shado opens it to find a sheet of paper on top several needles. Shado picks up the paper as Oliver reaches in and pulls out a needle.
"The Mirakuru." Oliver said softly.
"According to this, Slade needs a sedative in his bloodstream first." Shado said as she put the note down.
"Then let's look!" Oliver barked and they started to look around.
"Found something," Sandra said as she pulled out a broken glass bottle, "but it's empty."
"If we give it to him without a sedative, what will happen?" Shado asked as she turned to the note.
"He'll probably die but he'll die if we don't give it to him." Oliver said frustrated.
There was suddenly a loud clang. The trio looked above them, knowing what-or rather who-it was.
"Ivo and his men. They've found us." Shado said grimly.
The Glades
Same time
Roy arrived to see Sin being manhandled by some police officers.
"Max! Get off, let go!" She was screaming as Roy rushed over.
"Hey, leave her alone!" Roy shouted as he rushed over.
The officers practically shoved her towards him and Roy caught her, steadying her on her feet as the officers turned away.
"Stupid cops," Sin sneered before turning to Roy. "They're saying Max OD'ed!"
"Was he using?" Roy asked.
"No! He made extra cash donating blood. You really think the hospital would let him be a donor if he was an addict?" Sin asked angrily.
It didn't make sense, Roy knew as he glanced towards the police. No one was paying attention to them. Getting an idea, Roy pulled out his phone and walked over to the body. That did not look like a normal OD, Roy noted as he saw the tears of blood. Roy took the picture before one of the officers noticed him.
"Hey, you can't be here," the officer said as Roy pocketed his phone.
"Was just leaving," Roy said as he walked back over to Sin.
"So what, we just leave?" Sin asked angrily as Roy started leading her away.
"Yeah, we leave. Because now, I have something," Roy said lowly.
Neither of them noticed Officer Daily watching them as they walked away.
Arrow lair
Later
"Ketamine is a common surgical anesthesia derived from hydrochloric salt," Wendy told Oliver and Diggle as she sat at the computers.
"Can you use it to track him?" Oliver inquired.
"With the current concentration ratio in the blood sample, there's only one possible location with a large enough quality of the sedative that correlates with the amount of blood the stolen centrifuge can process," Wendy said before pulling up an image on the screen.
It was of a warehouse but there was no sign, strangely, Oliver noted.
"What is it? There's no sign," Diggle noted.
"Argus doesn't like to advertise. It's a disaster bunker. Right on the edge of the Glades. Argus has them all over the country. They store relief supplies- food, clothing-"
"Medicine," Diggle noted and she nodded.
"I'm on my way," Oliver said as he grabbed his bow.
"Oliver," Wendy called out as she grabbed the flattened arrow, walking over to him. "I can't believe I'm actually saying this. The way this arrowhead is bent, it means her muscle density is at least 120 pounds per cubic foot. That's almost the same density as common concrete. Your arrows may cut this guy, but they will not stop him."
"Well, I've beat someone like this before Wendy. I can do it again," Oliver said, honestly hoping that was true.
"What if you can't?" Wendy asked uncertainly.
"Oliver," Diggle called out, bringing their attention back to him.
On the screen, Oliver could see an image of the back alley of Verdant. The flechette was in the wall. Apparently, Roy wanted to talk.
Outside Verdant
Not long after
Roy was pacing the alley as Oliver arrived.
"What?" Oliver growled in annoyance.
"I need your help. A friend of mine's friend, well, the cops think he OD'ed, but we think he was murdered," Roy explained.
"Why?" Oliver inquired.
"Well, he wasn't an addict, for starters," Roy said before pulling up the photo he had taken of Max. "And this doesn't look any OD I've ever seen."
Oliver paled as he saw the picture. It was worse than he thought.
"Tell your friend to stay away from this, do whatever you have to, but throw them off the trail," Oliver ordered. "This, this is bigger than they can imagine. It's gonna be up to us to put a stop to it."
"Us," Roy noted and Oliver nodded.
"I made you my eyes and ears to see if I could trust you. You've proven I can. Now, your training starts. Enjoy the holidays, and then I'll come to you," Oliver promised him.
"I won't let you down," Roy promised and Oliver could see some of himself in Roy, back when he had first started training under Slade.
"I hope so," Oliver said before he turned and walked off.
Lian Yu, Five Years ago
Submarine
Night
Slade continued to scream as tears of blood poured from his eyes down his face. Then he stopped and Shado felt for his pulse. Shado drew back, grief on her face. Sandra looked away, covering face with her hand as tears weld in her eyes.
"No. Please. Please!" Oliver shouted but there was no response from Slade.
Sandra pulled him away and Oliver buried his face in her hair as they both mourned. Then, they door burst open as Ivo and his men stormed inside.
Starling City
Later
Oliver walked through the warehouse, his bow gripped tightly in his hand. Hearing something from above, Oliver moved out of the way just in time as a crate fell just where he had been standing. Seeing the masked man on the shalves, Oliver fired three arrows, which the man dodged before jumping down, landing on his feet with inhuman grace. He tried to strike Oliver but Oliver jumped out of the way, firing another arrow. But this one exploded into an iron cable, which wrapped around the man's neck, binding him to a pillar.
"Who are you?" Oliver demanded.
"Merely a follower," the man said in a deep vice.
"Of who?!" Oliver demanded.
"My brother," he said vaguely, to Oliver's frustration.
"Did he give you the Mirakuru, did he inject you with it?!" Oliver demanded.
"No, he saved me with it," the man said.
The man then broke the cable with his bare hands before rushing Oliver. Oliver fired two arrows, one each hitting the man's feet, pinning him. The man did not seem to register the pain as he tried to strike Oliver but Oliver ducked, avoiding his fists. Oliver delivered several punches and struck him with his bow a few times but this had no effect. The man knocked the bow out of Oliver's hands before ripping one of the arrows out of his foot. Oliver dodged a punch and moved behind the man, delivering several punches to his back but they remained futile. The man ripped the other arrow out of his foot before backhanding Oliver, sending him flying across the room.
Oliver tried to get up but the man grabbed him and threw him into the air. Oliver hit his back on an air conditioning united before falling back to earth. Before he could hit the ground, the man punched him, sending him flying into some shelves. Oliver felt some prick him in the leg as he landed in the pile of destroyed boxes. He saw two syringes in his leg before he passed out.
Chapter 9: Ghosts
Chapter Text
Oliver had drifted in and out of consciousness for a while, at one point seeing Barry, Diggle and Wendy surrounding him, looking worried as Barry shined a flashlight in his eyes. Shado had been there too, reaching a hand out for him and he'd instinctively reached for her as well.
Currently, Oliver was out cold, his mind tormenting him with images from the past.
"Survive," Robert said before shooting himself.
"Time to choose Oliver!" Ivo said as he whirled the gun at Sandra and Shado.
"I wish you had died on that island," Tommy drunkenly sneered.
"You cannot die until you have known complete despair. And you will know it. I promise," Slade sneered at him.
Oliver's eyes snapped open and, on instinct, he reached up and grabbed the person above him by the neck. Suddenly, other people were there and Oliver realized he was strangling Barry as Diggle tried to pry him off. Oliver let Barry go and slumped against a table as Oliver's confused mind tried to make sense of this.
"What-what is going on?" he demanded as he pulled himself to his feet.
"You were injected with a strong acting blood coagulant," Wendy explained.
"You would have stroked out," Barry said clearing his throat, unusually calm for someone who had nearly been choked to death. "But fortunately you had a very effective blood thinner handy. Warfarin. Better known as rat poison."
"Kid saved your life, Oliver," Diggle told him.
"This is the point in a lifesaving emergency where you thank the person that did the lifesaving," Wendy said as Oliver turned to look at her incredulously.
"You told him who I am." He accused.
"Yeah, I did." She said bluntly.
"That's not your secret to tell, Wendy." Oliver argued hotly, "I decide who finds out my identity."
"Well, we didn't have time to get your vote, what with you unconscious and dying." She said, moving around the table to stand in front of him.
"What happens if he leaves here and goes right to the police?" Oliver asked accusingly.
"He wouldn't do that." She replied.
"What were you going to do, put an arrow in him?" Wendy asked sarcastically.
"I was considering it." Oliver threatened.
"Don't worry, he's kidding!" Wendy said to Barry.
"I'm not going to tell anyone." Barry said, moving closer, "And you don't have to thank me, but you should thank all of your friends, Mr. Queen."
Oliver's phone buzzed. He grabbed his phone from the table and looked at it. It was a text from his mother.
"Can you please come home?"
Oliver sighed.
"I have to go home." He said breathlessly, "That man that I fought in the bunker, he has what he needs to mass produce the serum from the island. And we have to stop him."
He started shuffling towards the stairs.
"He touched your skin when he grabbed your neck." Barry told him, holding up the tape, "I was able to absorb the residual oils from his skin, which, when added to a gel-based polymer, might be able to recreate his fingerprint."
Oliver gave him a look then nodded slightly before he slowly moved off.
The Glades
Same time
"What do you mean we need to stop?" Sin asked as she stared at Roy in disbelief.
"Sin, when a maniac with a bow and arrow tells you to stay off this, you listen. Frankly, I'm surprised that he didn't put an arrow in me," Roy said. "He seemed to know a lot more about it than we do. I say we let him search into this on his own."
"Oh screw you," Sin snapped as she stormed out.
Roy sighed as he stared after her. That could have gone better.
Queen Mansion
Later in the morning
Oliver was at home, changing shirts, when he felt someone behind him. He turned around and was stunned to see his father standing in his room. It was impossible; he had both seen Robert take his own life six years ago. And yet here his father stood, perfectly healthy…or so he appeared.
"Dad." Oliver breathed shakily.
Oliver jerkily walked over and almost hesitantly reached out for his father. His hand made contact with Robert's solid shoulder and Robert's arms wrapped around his son. Oliver returned the hug in shock and disbelief.
"You can't be here." Oliver murmured against Robert's shoulder.
"I had to see you son," Robert said as he stepped back, "to warn you."
"Warn me about what?" Oliver asked as they both stepped back.
"You can't stop what's about to come Oliver. Put down your bow, take your family and run. It's what I should have done long ago." Robert pleaded.
"I use that bow to honor you dad." Oliver argued.
"If you don't run, you will lose everything and everyone that means something to you." Robert told him.
"Oliver?" Oliver whirled around to see Moria standing there looking concerned, "who are you talking to?"
Oliver whirled around to see his father got. He kept looking around to see his father but there was no sign of him. Moria kept looking at him, expecting an answer.
"He-he was just here. It was my father mom. I know it's impossible but I swear to you he was just here." Oliver said completely baffled.
"Oliver you should get some rest." Moria said gently.
"No, I can't. There's something I need to do first." Oliver said firmly.
Tommy and Dinah's apartment
Same time
Up in Tommy's room, Tommy sat on his bed as Sin paced back and forth.
"And then he just said to let it go! Like it's some hobby are something!" Sin ranted to Tommy.
"You sure we're talking about the same Roy?" Tommy asked skeptically.
"I don't know who that guy was, but it sure as Hell looked like him," Sin said angrily.
"Are you? Going to let it go?" Tommy clarified when Sin looked at him confused.
"Hell no," Sin said immediately.
"Okay. I'm in," Tommy said as he got to his feet. "But we do this my way."
Lian Yu, five years ago
Night
Ivo picked up the needle next to the seemingly dead Slade just as the captain came back in with the box. Ivo stood up and walked over to it, looking at it like it was his salvation.
"Mirakuru," Ivo said before looking over at Oliver, Sandra, and Shado, "take them."
The trio was led outside the sub and back onto the mainland at gunpoint. Sandra looked over her shoulder at Ivo.
"You got what you wanted; you don't have to do this. You don't have to kill us." Sandra told him in a surprisingly steady voice.
"You're right; I don't…which is why I won't make that choice. But he might." Ivo said as he looked over at the standing Oliver.
"What?" Oliver asked stunned and confused as Ivo forced Sandra to kneel with Shado a few feet from her in a similar position.
"Time to choose Oliver. Who lives and who dies," Ivo said as he pulled out a pistol and pointed it at Sandra's headed before switching to Shado's, "because in thirty seconds, I will shoot them both."
Arrow lair
Late morning
"You three have taken down some nasty people," Barry said as he examined Oliver's suit in awe. "The Doll Maker, Count Vertigo, Dodger, The Huntress."
"We weren't keeping score," Diggle shrugged.
"I was," Barry said as Oliver walked in.
"Barry," Oliver said and Barry looked over at him. "The rat poison that you gave me, are there any side effects?"
"Yeah, hallucinations I think," Barry said before pausing. "And excessive sweating. Are you sweating excessively?"
"You're hallucinating?" Wendy realized as they all looked at Oliver in concern. "What are you seeing?"
"I saw my father," Oliver said bluntly.
"You did train in a jungle or forest environment, hence the green," Barry said excitedly before he saw the look on Oliver's face. "Hey, let me draw some blood, see what's up."
Oliver and Barry moved over to the medical station and Barry began getting some materials to draw blood.
"Hey, can I ask you something? Why no mask? Not to tell you how to do your vigilante…ing, but the grease paint thing? It's a poor identity concealer," Barry said as he began drawing blood.
"So find me a mask that conforms perfectly to my face and doesn't affect my ability to aim while I'm on the run," Oliver said sarcastically.
"You should look into a compressible micro fabric. It could be great," Barry said as he finished taking the blood sample.
"Found Cyrus Gold," Wendy said from over by the computers.
"Who's Cyrus Gold?" Oliver asked as he and Diggle walked over to the computers.
"The human weapon that left you nearly dead last night. The kid did manage to pull his print off your neck," Diggle explained.
Oliver nodded, looking over his shoulder at Barry. Barry had talent, that was for sure. In another life, he might have tried recruiting Barry in his early days.
"I've had facial recognition software scanning closed circuit cameras all over town," Wendy said, breaking Oliver out of his thoughts as she pulled up an image of Gold. "He's at the corner of Delgado and 25th right now, but we're just about to lose him."
"What else is at that intersection?" Oliver asked.
"A parking lot, a market, a motel," Wendy listed.
"Could be where he's holed up," Diggle noted.
"I got this," Oliver said as he moved towards his suit.
"Oliver," Diggle stepped in front of Oliver. "Why don't you let me handle this? It's just recon."
They were concerned about him, Oliver realized. They had reason to. And it was just recon.
"Fine, but I'm going as your backup," Oliver said in a voice that left no room for argument.
Diggle nodded and the two walked out of the lair together.
DA's office
Same time
Dinah frowned at the flowers she had received from Sebastian Blood. She had been receiving gifts from him recently, which she guessed was a form of courtship. But Dinah couldn't help but remember the feeling of unease that had washed over her when he had approached her Oliver was right; there was something off about Blood.
"Secret admirer?"
Dinah nearly jumped, whirling around to see Tommy grinning and a spiky, dark haired girl approach her desk.
"No, my father," Dinah lied, kissing Tommy on the cheek. "You must be Sin."
"Hey," Sin said awkwardly, feeling out of place.
"So what brings you by?"Dinah said curiously, knowing Tommy hadn't been home recently but was bothered.
"We need your help," Tommy said. "Sin's friend was murdered, but the police aren't going to investigate. They said that he OD'ed, end of story."
"Check this out," Sin said, pulling out the blood drive pamphlet and handing it to Dinah. "He earned extra money donating blood. We found it in Max's apartment. They wouldn't have accepted his blood if he was using, right?"
"No, hospitals generally don't accept contaminated blood," Dinah said as she looked down at the pamphlet. "When did he go missing?"
"The day of the blood drive," Tommy said and a pit of dread began to form in Dinah's stomach. "If he did donate blood there, maybe they at least know something that happened to him."
"I'll ask around," Dinah promised.
"Thank you babe," Tommy said gratefully.
Still, they left right after. It would take time to learn what was wrong, Dinah noted, Still, she had other worries, she thought as she glanced down at Blood's picture of the pamphlet. It seemed like it was time to take a closer look at Starling's favorite son.
Starling City
Night
Diggle got out of the car, Oliver staying inside. This was a new feeling, Oliver mused.
"If you get bored, I keep a book of crossword puzzles in the glove box," Diggle joked and Oliver scowled.
"Not funny," Oliver grumbled.
Diggle entered the motel and made his way up to the room where Wendy had determined White was staying in. Shinning a flashlight, Diggle looked around cautiously. It was cleared out, save for a bed, which had no sheets on.
"What do you see?" Oliver asked over the Comms.
"It's clean, really clean," Diggle noted before finding a book, opened, on the kitchen counter.
Hearing someone behind him, Diggle whirled around. Gold was there, and he grabbed Diggle's arm before he could fire his gun at him. Tightening his grip on Diggle, Gold forced the gun away as Diggle fired off several shots. Diggle groaned in pain before punching Gold but it didn't even faze the man. Gold pushed Diggle into the other room and, seeing a window, Diggle jumped through it, making his escape. Diggle held onto the fire escape before swinging up to the stairs. Diggle quickly raced down and jumped to the ground once he was at a safe distance. Oliver rolled up in the car and Diggle quickly raced into the passenger's seat.
"Go go go!" Diggle chanted and Oliver took off.
Oliver had been right, Diggle realized. This guy, he wasn't human. Not anymore. And Diggle honestly wasn't sure if they could beat him.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Night
"You don't have to do this! You got what you came for, just take it and go!" Oliver pleaded.
"Ten seconds." Ivo said coldly.
"You freaking psychopath!" Oliver roared.
"History will make that judgement," Ivo said as he pointed the gun at Sandra, "five seconds."
Oliver did not say anything. Ivo shrugged like it was no big deal.
"Time's up." Ivo said as he prepared to shoot Sandra.
"No!" Oliver shouted.
He simply reacted, Sandra would tell him later. Oliver rushed forward and put himself in the path of the gun. Ivo stared at him coolly.
"I guess you made your choice." Ivo said as he turned the gun on Shado.
"No!" Oliver shouted as Ivo shot Shado in the head.
Undisclosed location
Later
Tommy was trading punches with Chen as he was shoved into the wall.
"Ow," Tommy grunted as he didn't know what hurt the most right now, his wrist or her stomach. "Don't you think you could have pulled your kick back there at the last minute?" He asked in a painful moan.
"Do you believe that the thugs and killers in your city's streets will restrain themselves?" Chen asked.
"No." Tommy grunted as he struggled to his knees.
"Then you should be prepared not to receive any different treatment here," Chen replied.
Finally, on her feet, Tommy slowly walks over to the couch that Chen had obviously been sleeping on. "So who are you? Why are you in Starling City?" Tommy asked curiously.
"For a friend," Chen answered and then saw Tommy reach for his water bottle but immediately dropped it and winced as he clutched his wrist in pain. "It would appear that you have a light sprain." She noted as she took a seat next to him.
"I think you got a little carried away at the end," Tommy mentioned as Chen examined his wrist.
"Perhaps, I'll get you cast and be sure to avoid your wrist in future sessions," Chen assured him.
"So how long, do you think it will be before I can defend myself?" Tommy asked.
"When you're ready," Chen stated.
"And when will that be?" Tommy asked again.
"When I say you're ready," Chen told him.
Tommy and Dinah's apartment
Later
Upstairs, Dinah was explaining her findings to Tommy and Sin.
"I checked into the blood drive and it's all legitimate. In fact, what Alderman Blood has done has helped save a lot of lives," Dinah said and Sin looked dejected.
"So if the blood drive is on the up and up, then how are we supposed to find Max's killer?" Sin asked, about ready to give up.
"While I was looking into the blood drive, I did find something," Dinah said, pulling out a file and handing it to her boyfriend. "All of the blood donors at the drive were subjected to a psych evaluation by the Langford Institute."
"Is that legal?" Tommy asked as he looked at the file.
"It's not out of the norm," Dinah admitted. "And while someone at the institute might know if Max was on drugs, there's no way of finding out without a warrant. Which we're certainly not going to get. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help."
Arrow lair
Night
Barry and Wendy were talking when Oliver walked in, holding a tennis ball.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Wendy asked immediately.
"Fine. Just a little crowded at my house right now," Oliver said. "I wanted to come down here to get a little privacy."
"Yeah, sure," Wendy said as she got out of her chair. "Come on Barry. We can watch the countdown at Big Belly Burger."
"Your blood analysis is almost done," Barry said as he followed after Wendy.
"Thank you," Oliver said lowly as the pair left.
Once he was alone, Oliver walked over and grabbed his bow off the rack. Oliver tossed the tennis ball across the room and fired an arrow. However, someone caught the arrow and Oliver lowered his bow in shock.
"What's the matter kid? You look like you've seen a ghost," Slade Wilson sneered.
Starling City
Same time
Pike led his squad of officers towards the door of a building in The Glades, all of them having their guns drawn.
"Are you sure he's in there?" Pike asked one of the officers.
"Yes, sir. Sector car spotted Cyrus Gold entering. He hasn't left," she said and Pike nodded as they reached the door.
"Safeties off," Pike ordered before breaking the lock on the door.
The officers entered the building, shinning their lights. For a moment, it was silent as they searched for Gold. Then, a sawblade was thrown through the air and one of the officers cried out as he was hit in the back, dying instantly. The other officers whirled around as Gold jumped down, knocking one of the officers against some barrels and knocked Daily against a desk, breaking their arm in the process.
Gold then vanished, seeming to disappear into the shadows, leaving only Hilton and Pike.
"Open and surround him!" Pike ordered, shining his light as he looked for Gold.
Hilton walked over to the officer Gold had shoved into some barrels. He felt for a pulse but shook his head at Pike sadly. Feeling a swell of righteous fury, Pike moved deeper into the building with Hilton surrounding him. For a moment, there was nothing, then they heard a noise above. Someone had pushed some cardboard boxes off the top of the shelves and Pike ended up buried underneath them.
Then he was grabbed by the neck and lifted into the air. Gold slammed him against a stack of wood. Pike sent a series of punches towards Gold's masked face but it was useless. Seeing a key dangling from Gold's neck, Pike snatched it off him as Hilton opened fire. This only seemed to annoy Gold. He tossed Pike to the ground, knocking him out before turning on Hilton.
Gold grabbed Hilton's gun and twisted the barrel. Hilton realized what he as planning but couldn't stop it. The barrel was bent back until it was under his chin. Gold pulled the trigger and a single shot was fired.
Arrow lair
Same time
"This is a nice place. It's a bit more comfortable than the fuselage on the island," Slade noted as he walked around the lair, still holding the arrow Oliver had fired.
"You're not real," Oliver said, more to himself than Slade.
"Neither are you," Slade shot back, stopping in front of the glass case containing Oliver's suit. "You told everyone when you started this crusade that it was about making up for your father's sins. That was a lie." Slade snapped the arrow in two, dropping it to the floor before he turned around to face Oliver. "This charade is to atone for your sins."
"You're dead," Oliver said bluntly.
"You are not a hero. Or a friend. Or a brother," Slade said and Oliver turned away from him, trying to compose himself. "Do not turn your back on me! Not again."
"You're gone," Oliver said, more to himself than Slade.
"Wherever I am, it's time you joined me."
Slade rushed Oliver, pushing him into a weapons cabinet. Oliver retaliated, swinging his bow at Slade's head but Slade evaded. Slade struck him, sending Oliver into a table.
"They say a coward dies a thousand deaths, but even that wouldn't be enough for you," Slade sneered.
"I tried to save you!" Oliver snapped as he turned back to Slade. "And your son."
"But you couldn't," Slade said as he pointed a finger at Oliver accusingly. "Just like you couldn't save your city."
Angrily, Oliver rushed Slade and they began trading blows. Oliver used his bow to deflect some of Slade's strikes but Slade knocked the bow out of Oliver's hands and punched him. Oliver was sent flying over a table, knocking over some beakers as he fell to the floor. Slade flipped the table out of his way before grabbing Oliver and haling him to his feet, putting the younger man in a choke hold.
"The island didn't make you strong kid, it revealed you to be weak," Slade sneered in Oliver's ear.
Slade then tossed Oliver into the glass case containing his suit. The glass shattered as Oliver and the mannequin fell to the floor. Oliver looked around wildly but Slade was gone. Or he had never been there at all.
Undisclosed location
Not long after
Tommy and Chen had just finished another round of training before he got up, panting.
"So what's on today's agenda?" Tommy asked twirling the tonfa in his hands.
"For the past several months, I've been teaching you to fight. But now I need to teach you to fight to win by any means." Chen explained to him.
"Is there even a difference to that?" Tommy asked skeptically.
"Yes actually," Chen assured him as she stepped on the sparring mat. "Every organization that trains warriors has its own set of tactics, ideas, and philosophies about combat; and whether intentional or not this gives rise to habits and flaws to those trained in these systems."
"Sorta like how boxing focuses mostly on punching," Tommy stated.
"Precisely."
Arrow lair
Later
Oliver was cleaning up the broken glass when Wendy and Barry returned, shocked at the destruction.
"What happened in here? Did someone break in?" Wendy asked shocked.
"No," Oliver said bluntly before a beep went off.
"Hey, your blood analysis is done," Barry called over as he sat down.
"So you know what's in my system?" Oliver asked as he made his way over to Barry.
"That's the thing, your blood's clean. There's nothing wrong with you," Barry said apologetically.
"Then why am I hallucinating?!" Oliver demanded.
"I don't know," Barry admitted. "But whatever your problem is, it's not pharmacological. It's psychological. It's in your head."
"It's in my head," Oliver finished with Barry.
"Guys, we got something here," Wendy called out and the pair began making their way over to her and Barry at the computers. "I scanned the key Cyrus Gold stole and traced its serial code back to the manufacturer."
"This particular key fits a locked gate somewhere on Crescent Circle in the Glades," Barry added.
Oliver nodded, grabbing his bow off the weapons rack.
"Wait, where are you going? You can't go out there in your condition," Wendy said worriedly as she got out of her seat.
"I have to Wendy," Oliver said simply.
"Oliver, Gold left you half dead, which is 50 percent better than how he left Detective Hilton," Wendy said in a panic.
"Wendy," Diggle said and she looked over at him. "We've tried it every other way. Oliver is the only one who stands a chance against this guy."
"He's the only one who knows what he's up against," Barry added and Oliver nodded at both of them in thanks.
"I have to end this Wendy," Oliver said simply before he walked out.
Langford Institute
Same time
Tommy unwilling to wait around, had snuck into the institute. He smashed his hand through the glass on the door and reached through, unlocking it. Shaking off the cuts on his hand, he walked inside, walking over to a filing cabinet. He tried opening a drawer but it was locked. The one underneath it wasn't, so he pulled it out and began looking through the files. Finding the last name 'Stanton, he pulled it out, seeing a picture of Max on the front. Pulling at the picture, he saw 'Mirakuru' was printed on the back.
Hearing a noise, Tommy realized someone was there. Closing the drawer, he rushed over to the desk and hid underneath. His heart hammering in his chest, he clutched the folder to him as he heard something being poured on the floor. Gasoline, he realized with dread.
Rushing out, he pushed the man pouring it into the wall and made a break for it. However, he had only made it halfway down the hall before someone grabbed him and slammed him into the ground. The last thing he saw was a man with a black mask standing over hin before he lost consciousness.
When Tommy came to, he was strapped to a chair. Looking around as he became aware of his surroundings, he saw that the room he was in resembled some kind of mad science lab. The man who had been pouring gasoline on the floor at Langford, Doctor Langford, was pulling something out of some device Tommy didn't know what it was. Langford put the vial he had taken out in a needle.
"It's ready," Langford said, presenting it to a man in a Skull mask.
"Is that this Mirakuru? Is that what you injected Max with?" Tommy demanded as the man in the skull mask approached him. "Get that away from me or I'll kill you!"
"No Brother Tommy, you'll kill for me," the masked man said before he stuck him in the neck.
Tommy felt like fire was spreading through his veins as he was injected. Tommy cried out in pain before a noise from above distracted the men.
They looked up as a small explosion destroyed part of the ceiling. Oliver jumped down, firing an arrow into Langford's leg, taking him down. Oliver notched another arrow and took aim at the man in the mask.
"Brother Cyrus told me he killed you," the man said.
"Guess he's not as strong as you'd hoped. Where'd you get the Mirakuru? Who gave you the formula?!" Oliver demanded.
"It was a gift from the freighter. A gift I would use to save this city from itself," the man said as he held the vial relevantly.
Gold then rushed Oliver but Oliver fired. The arrow hit Gold in the shoulder but Gold ignored it. Oliver swung on the line he had gotten in on; trying to strike Gold in the head with a spinning kick but Gold grabbed him. Oliver was thrown into the wall, going through it as Tommy’s wails of pain pierced the room, tears of blood pouring down his face. Gold stalked over and Oliver grabbed his bow just as Gold kicked him. Oliver was sent sliding across the room, his earlier wounds acting up. Then it was quiet, eerily so. Oliver looked up to see Tommy unresponsive, slumped to the side as the masked man checked his pulse.
"Another failure," he said.
Oliver slumped to the ground a sense of defeat overwhelming him.
"Get up," a voice that was more familiar to him than his own suddenly spoke up.
Shock flooded through him. It couldn't be, Oliver told himself as he pulled himself into a half sitting position.
"Quentin," Oliver muttered.
"You're not gonna die down here." Quentin told.
"Quentin, I'm sorry. I let you die." Oliver apologized.
"You didn't let me die Oliver, you fought to save me. Because that's what you do, what you have always done: you fight to survive. I know I called you a murderer when I tried to arrest you but you are not. To the people of this city, you are a symbol: a symbol of justice, a symbol of truth, a symbol of hope. You beat the island, you beat Malcolm Merlyn. So fight Oliver. Get up and fight." Quentin ordered.
"Kill him," the masked man ordered.
Gold rushed Oliver but Oliver jumped out of the way. Oliver struck Gold with a series of fast punches before striking him with a kick, sending the surprised Gold stumbling back. Oliver then fired an arrow at the centrifuge, which exploded on contact. The chemicals hit Gold in the face, causing him to cry out as it burned him. The explosion made the roof unstable, as pieces of debris fell, one hitting Gold and killing him and another crushing Langford under it.
The masked man rushed off but Oliver had other concerns. He rushed over to Tommy, whose chair had been knocked over in the explosion. Cutting Tommy's restraints, Oliver pulled him away from the chair and immediately began compressions to his chest, trying to restart her heart.
"Come on Tommy. I am not leaving anyone else to die! You're tough Tommy, so fight. Come on, fight!" Oliver ordered.
By some miracle, Tommy seemed to hear him, as Tommy opened his mouth and let out a strangled gasp for air. Oliver breathed a sigh of relief before picking up Tommy and carrying him out.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Night
Oliver and Sandra stared at Shado's body, grief and shock on their minds. Suddenly, it was chaos in the clearing and the couple looked up to see Slade tearing Ivo's men apart like they were practice dummies. Ivo escaped in the chaos and one of the soldiers approached Slade, who punched him clear through his chest. The man dropped dead and it was at that point Slade caught sight of Shado. Slade walked over to her and fell to his knees next to her. He took her in his arms and looked over at his friends.
"Why?" Slade asked brokenly.
"I…" Oliver wasn't even able to look Slade in the eye.
"Ivo just shot her, he made Oliver choose who to save." Sandra said, not able to look Slade in the eye either.
"It's not your fault kid, but he's going to suffer." Slade vowed as he stood with the fallen Shado in his arms.
Starling City
Later
"Merlyn managed to survive," Blood told his underlings. "Now Star City will be under my control. Putting those copycat hoods up to assassinate the mayor was just the first step."
"Yes, Brother Blood," they all chanted.
"The stash of Mirakuru we found won't be enough. Soon, Star City will be ours."
"Yes, brother Blood." They replied.
Arrow lair
Later
Oliver walked down into the lair, almost immediately greeted by a hug from Wendy, which he halfheartedly returned.
"So Gold?" Diggle asked as he walked over.
"Died on Saturday, buried on Sunday," Oliver said as he released Wendy. "But we have other problems."
"Can't we ever get some good news?" Wendy asked in exasperation.
"Tommy was injected with the Mirakuru," Oliver said to their alarm. "I dropped him off at his apartment where he lives. But we will need to keep a close eye on him."
"Great, any other problems?" Wendy asked, only half joking.
"Gold was working with someone. I saw him; he wore a mask with the image of…of a skull. He's trying to mass produce the serum to build an army," Oliver warned them.
"Why?" Diggle wondered.
"You're a soldier. What's the primary purpose of an army?" Oliver asked.
"War," Diggle noted and Oliver nodded before he noticed something.
"Where's Barry?" he asked.
"He went back to Central City, wanted to get home in time to see them turn on the particle accelerator," Wendy explained before picking up a box and handing it to Oliver. "But he did leave you this."
Curiously, Oliver accepted it and opened it. He began to laugh as he pulled out a green mask. One which he noted would not affect his vision.
"Nice Barry, nice," Oliver muttered, wondering how he could thank Barry.
Central City
Same time
In his lab, Barry was looking at his board with everything he knew about his mother's case when the news report on the Particle Accelerator said something that caught his attention.
"We are now being told to evacuate the facility," the reporter said as Barry looked over. "The storm may have caused a malfunction to the primary cooling system. Officials are now trying to shut down the particle accelerator, but so far have been unable to regain control of the system-"
The power went out and Barry looked through his window at Star Labs in the distance. An orange light shot up into the sky followed by a wave of energy that stretched all the way out towards the entire city. Noticing water leaking in, Barry grabbed the chains and tried to close the shutter when he noticed something. The chemicals he was mixing started floating into the air, exactly like his fish tank the night his mom had been murdered. Barry looked up at the sound of thunder just before a huge lightning bolt struck the glass, destroying his lab and sending him flying across the room as he was struck in the chest. Barry hit the shelves, out cold as the energy passed through his body, the shape of a lightning bolt appearing on his cheek before it faded.
Roy's house
Later
Roy was doing some of his dishes when he heard a noise behind him. Picking up a knife, he whirled around to see Oliver, in his suit, standing a few feet from him.
"I thought you said we'd meet after the holidays," Roy nodded.
"Circumstances have changed," Oliver said and Roy noted he wasn't disguising his voice before, to Roy's shock, he lowered his hood.
"I…was not expecting that," Roy said honestly as he lowered the knife to his side. "You're…"
"Yeah," Oliver confirmed.
"Why tell me now, why not wait until the holidays are over?" Roy wondered.
"Because what we're up against, I'll need you ready as soon as you can," Oliver told him. "It's time for your training to begin."
Unspecified location
Same time
Chen took off her wig to reveal the face of China White, on the phone with Brother Blood.
"His training is almost complete. Soon, he will be our weapon," White said with a smirk.
DoctorWho2002 on Chapter 1 Sat 19 Jul 2025 07:37AM UTC
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Joey_De on Chapter 1 Sat 19 Jul 2025 12:52PM UTC
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Joey_De on Chapter 1 Sun 20 Jul 2025 09:31AM UTC
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