Disclaimer: WB/DC own these characters. I do not, just the original ideas.

AN: I saw pictures from next week's episode, and one of them shows Team Arrow in handcuffs standing in front of Ra's. That caused a plot bunny to tackle and sit on me until I agreed to write this one up. Even without a full story behind it, which I objected to, but the plot bunny insisted. For now, this is a one-shot, because I wanted to share this. It may grow, or it may become part of one of my on-going stories. We shall see. I know this is AU, but I like it and wanted to share. Just not sure how AU it will end up being. So enjoy, and if you are so inclined, leave a review. Much appreciated.

As they were led through the catacombs of the fortress, Felicity reflected on the sad fact their plan had failed. Miserably. Merlyn of all people had warned them of the riskiness of this plan, but he still agreed to accompany them with the hope of rescuing Oliver once and for all from Nanda Parbat. She thought they had come up with a foolproof plan this time; it surely had the best possible chance for success. Or at least she had believed.

She and the other members of Team Arrow had thought they planned for all contingencies. With the knowledge Diggle and Malcolm had of the inside of the fortress, as well as the super-powered suit of Ray's, Felicity thought they had a chance at success. With the addition of their new friend Tatsu, code name Katana, she really thought they would succeed. Unfortunately, it all proved to be for naught. Again.

Felicity followed the rest of her colleagues through the hallways, the silence only broken by the echo of their steps falling on the cement floors and the rattle of their manacles and chains as they moved along.

Ra's watched from his throne situated at the end of the room as the serious group entered. He allowed a little smile as he observed some of the group clearly attempting to hide their fear behind supposedly confident poses. The woman Oliver Queen loved, Felicity, was the last to enter, and she met his eyes straight on with a look of determination on her face. Of course, she would. The foolishness of youth. And love.

The group also included John Diggle, right-hand man of Oliver Queen, who had accompanied him on his previous visit to Nanda Parbat, and for whose life Oliver would've begged. Malcolm Merlyn followed, the man who had betrayed Ra's numerous times. Ra's was surprised Merlyn indeed had the audacity to once again return to Nanda Parbat and challenge him. Laurel Lance was next, sister to his daughter's Beloved. Ra's could see the family resemblance to Ta-er Sah-fer, in both appearance and their inner spark of defiance. Ray Parker, the neophyte who mistakenly believed he could help this group by his inventions, and Katana, otherwise known as Tatsu, former wife of Maseo, now known as his very own loyal servant Sarab.

After he made them stand there for a minute, being pleased with their growing discomfort, Ra's stood up and paused, letting his robe fall down into place behind him. He then walked slowly towards them, taking increased pleasure in observing several of the new captives swallow hard. Ra's looked at each member of Team Arrow in the eye, slowly allowing his gaze travel from one member to the other in silence. He walked several more steps closer to the group.

"This needs to stop, and it needs to stop…now."

He paused, his eyes narrowing, daring someone to speak up and ask the question he left hanging in the air. He especially expected the petite blonde to say something. A small irritation rose within him when no one took the bait. Instead, Ra's stepped closer to the group, then stopped again.

"I have apparently chosen the right man as my heir. One capable of eliciting such fierce loyalty is truly a worthy individual. The fact you have again attempted to rescue him, misguided as it was, is truly a testament to the strength of that loyalty." He walked the last remaining steps and stood in front of the group, tauntingly within arm's reach. "However, it must stop. Now." His gaze fell upon Merlyn.

He watched as Al Sa-her squirmed under his gaze. "Al Sa-her, you of all people should know better. Why did you not communicate the futility of this attempt to these foolish individuals?"

"I did, Master, but they unfortunately are too stubborn to listen to me."

Felicity had had enough. "Why would we listen to a lying psychopath like him? Oliver belongs with us. He shouldn't be here with someone who's trying to take away his very soul. He didn't survived Lian Yu, the Undertaking, Slade Wilson and your blade just to become a mindless, soulless entity only existing to do your will. We will not stand for it."

Ra's walked over to Felicity, who appeared to grow a half-inch taller in height as she met his eyes. Until he fixed a different type of glare on her, which resulted in her visibly swallowing and taking a step backward.

"You do indeed have a unique spark within you, Ms. Smoak. However, sparks are known to have a very short life, burning brightly but extinguishing quickly." Grabbing Felicity by the throat, he forced her to look at him. "Make no mistake, my dear. Choose to continue to defy me with such statements of war and rebellion, and I will begin my killing with you." Releasing her and ignoring her gasps for breath, he walked away a few steps from the group, then again turned to face them. Ra's also ignored Diggle's actions, which included a step towards him. Only a touch of Ray's hand on his arm prevented Diggle from making a rash action.

Felicity herself was taken aback by the suddenness of Ra's' movements. Gone was the polite façade he had presented to them before. Standing before them was a man of pure evil no longer hidden. She barely acknowledged Laurel taking her hand and squeezing it in an attempt to provide support. It quickly left, for which Felicity was thankful, given the unpredictability of Ra's' movements now.

"As I was saying, before I was interrupted," he stopped and looked at Felicity. Felicity refused to flinch under his glare. "I am surprised, Al Sa-her, you had the audacity to return to Nanda Parbat. You must have believed this mission had a possibility of being successful, slim as it may have been."

Before Merlyn could inhale, he felt the end of Ra's sword pressed against his Adam's apple. Again. Meeting Ra's' eyes, Merlyn could only pray he would survive this encounter with the Head of the Demon.

"Tell me, Al Sa-her, why shouldn't I run you through this time with my sword? Aren't you becoming as tired of this as I am?"

Closing his eyes, Malcolm attempted to prepare himself for the death he was sure to be his in the next minute. Instead, he felt the absence of the tip of the sword. Opening his eyes, Malcolm watched as Ra's smiled at him instead. Shaking his head, the man said, "Who would've thought, such a short time ago, I once held such high regard for you? What a disappointment you truly turned out to be."

Malcolm attempted to swallow the nausea floating up his throat. He shook his head, trying to recollect himself despite the fear rising within him. I knew I shouldn't have tried this. How could I ever believe this had the slightest chance of success? Yet, I owed Thea, Robert and Moira to try.

Addressing the group once again, Ra's stated, "My soldiers will now escort you back to your jet. Which you will then board without any other incident. And you are never, ever, to return." Once again fixing his gaze upon Felicity, "For if any of you do, no matter who you are, I will kill the person and all of you as well. And all of your families." Clearing his throat, Ra's said, "Have I made myself clear?"

Ra's was satisfied to see six nods, even though Mr. Diggle's was a little hesitant. Ms. Smoak, however, stood there, biting her lower lip, eyes blazing with hatred. Ra's was surprised by the lack of a verbal response from her. Perhaps she is finally learning her place.

Felicity stood there, silent, unmoving, even though everything within her screamed for her to do something, anything. However, out of concern for her companions, not for herself, she remained silent. For once in her life. Meeting Ra's gaze, she allowed all the hate she was feeling to show through her eyes. She had never hated a person more than this…degenerate standing in front of them. Silently she made a vow to Oliver that somehow, someday, she would find a way to make Ra's pay. Somehow.

Felicity was startled out of her dark thoughts by the man himself. "I repeat, have I made myself understood, Ms. Smoak?"

Clearing her throat, hoping her voice would be strong, Felicity stated a simple yes. Nodding, Ra's accepted her reply. "I wish you a most pleasant journey back to Starling City." Pulling himself to his regal height, Ra's turned and exited the room. Six guards approached them, and the one in the lead gestured to Diggle to proceed them out the door. Diggle made sure he had everyone's attention, nodded, and led the group out of the throne room with the guards taking up the rear of the procession.

It was a somber group indeed who walked to the jet and boarded it without incident. As the plane took off, Felicity leaned against the window watching the landmarks of Nanda Parbat get smaller and smaller. Chin in her hand, tears rolling down her cheeks, her heart finally broke into the tiniest parts possible. She finally accepted the fact this situation might indeed be something the great, the wonderful, the amazing Oliver Queen could not overcome. She felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, Felicity looked into the concerned eyes of her good friend and counselor: the one, the only, John Diggle.

"I'm sorry, Felicity. I'm sorry I let you and Oliver down." Felicity was surprised to hear the catch in his voice.

"Don't you dare say that John Diggle! We tried. Ra's is….he is…well, he is Ra's after all," Felicity said, then sniffed. She struggled to find a Kleenex, and John handed her a handkerchief. Who would've thought John Diggle carried handkerchiefs? She took it gratefully and blew noisily into it. "Thanks."

"I hate to say this, Felicity, but….but you know, this has to be it. Our last attempt to rescue him. We can't, we just can't afford to try any more rescues." Continuing after a pause, Diggle said, "Even if it kills us."

"I know." Felicity looked down at her hands in her lap and said even quieter, "I know. I don't like it. I can't stand it. If I could, I would kill Ra's with my bare hands, tearing him into little bitty pieces and stomping on them."

Grabbing Diggle's hands in her own, Felicity desperately searched his eyes for answers. "It's not as if we didn't try, right? I risked our lives by trying to secret him out the first time, right? And then, with this idea? Right? I tried. We tried. Every thing, right? There's nothing else we can do, right?"

Diggle looked at his friend sadly. "Yes, Felicity, we certainly risked our lives at least twice to get him out. Not to mention my going with him the first time to Nanda Parbat. However, he wouldn't want us to get killed and the end result being the same. Ra's was very clear he would no longer tolerate any other attempts."

Felicity fell silent, not knowing what she could add to the logic her good friend had said. She settled into her seat, wishing the earth would open up and swallow her and her broken heart whole, never to be seen again. However, a small thought snuck through the darkness of her despair. Despite everything, somehow, she knew Oliver Queen would survive.

AN: Yes, I have decided to leave it there. For now. Like I said, keep an eye out for either a continuation of this or be added to a continuing story. I will probably post an AN letting you know one way or either. Thank you again ever so much for reading!