Author's Note and Disclaimer:

This is an idea I got from reading some Green Arrow comic books and re-watching some video game walkthroughs, such as Watch Dogs, Splinter Cell etc.

This will be a prequel of Birds of Prey, Merlyn's Redemption and League of Shadows but can be considered a standalone and will be for most part occuring on Earth-2 around Mia Dearden (Earth-2 Thea) and John King (Earth-2 Malcolm)

I do not own DC Comics or the CW TV shows Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow or any other characters or elements pertaining to the mentioned franchises.

2006, Starling City, Earth-2

"Daddy, where are we going?" A girl around eight years old asked as she went down an alley with a young man and a woman and a boy around eighteen years old.

"Well, I think we're gonna go to an amusement park today, what do you think, Tommy?" The man turned to his son.

"Dad, can you let me drive with Mia the autodrome?" The boy asked.

"Of course, Tommy." The man said. "Perhaps this will improve your driving skills, since you'll have your license soon."

Then, in an alley, they happened to encounter a man in leather jacket as he seemed to limp. "Dear God. Malcolm. We need to help him." The mother said before nearing the man in leather jacket. "Are you alright, sir?"

The man suddenly pulled out a gun from his pocket. "Wallet and jewels. Now."

"Easy, son." Malcolm raised his hands. "You don't have to do this."

"I said, wallet and money!" The thief snarled as the girl went behind Tommy, frightened.

"Tommy, I'm scared!"

"Shut up!" The thief glared.

"Calm down." Malcolm said calmly with his hands up as he was reaching for the pocket in his jacket and slowly pulling out a wallet, handing the man a handful of dollar bills. "That's all I have on me. Just take it and go."

"Not until she gives me jewels!" The thief turned to the mother.

"Rebecca, just do as he says." Malcolm told his wife, who reluctantly pulled out her ring and took off her pearl necklace, handing it to the thief. But then a black arrow flied from above, disarming the man of his gun before he was hanging upside down as Mia screamed.

"A bogeyman!"

"Hey, what the hell?!" The man yelled, enraged as Malcolm looked up to see a figure in black hood, holding a bow and on him quiver full of arrows before the figure fired a grapnel arrow and vanished into the night.

Later, Merlyn Manor

"So, a man in black hood with bow and quiver saved your lives?" Hilton asked as he was writing down Malcolm's statement. "Who was he?"

"I honestly don't know." Malcolm said. "But he saved the lives of my family. I think we can be thankful to him."

"I suppose." Hilton sighed. "But still, we don't need vigilantes here in town. If you remember anything else…"

"I'll call you." Malcolm nodded as he shook hand with Hilton. "Thank you, Lucas."

Mia was in her room, hugging her teddy bear tightly as Malcolm entered, smiling. "Honey, I know it cannot have been easy what happened today but you should turn off the lights."

"I don't want to be in the dark, I'm scared, Daddy." Mia said, crying as Malcolm sat next to her.

"You know, honey, sometimes darkness is a good thing. Like, when you want to go to sleep."

"Why can't I go to sleep with the lights turned on, Daddy?" Mia asked as Malcolm turned off the lamp and through the window shined the moonlight.

"When it's dark, you can't see what's in the dark." Malcolm said. "But in the darkness you can see what's around you much better, especially if you know your surroundings very well in the light."

"But I can't see you, Daddy." Mia said as Malcolm turned off the lights.

"Don't worry, it will be alright." Malcolm said as he walked down the darkened room. "You may not see me but you can hear me. Use your other senses to your advantage and you'll be able to find me. Concentrate and don't be afraid."

Mia tried to look around in the shadows before pointing her finger in the dark. "There you are, Daddy."

"Clever girl." Malcolm said as he turned on the lights. "You see? In the dark there's nothing to be afraid of. You just need to be sure what's there."

Later, Malcolm went outside before he encountered…

"Robert."

"Malcolm." Robert Queen nodded. "I've heard about the today's incident. Are you alright?"

"Mia is shaken up by what happened today but she will be alright." Malcolm said. "How about Oliver? How is he doing?"

Robert sighed. "Honestly, that Lance girl is a bad influence on him. But I can only try to steer my son in the right direction."

"I see." Malcolm nodded.

"I'm planning a business trip to Shanghai next month and I'm hoping I could bring Ollie with me. Perhaps he could learn something more before he takes his place at Queen Consolidated."

"Well, I wish you good luck, Robert." Malcolm smiled politely.

Sometime later

Malcolm was having a business meeting with a colleague of Asian origin before the colleague's phone rang.

"Malcolm, could you please leave me in private? This is a… personal call." The Asian man said as he held his phone.

"Of course, Frank." Malcolm nodded. "Take your time."

He politely left the office and waited outside before he heard shouting. "You must be out of your mind if you believe I will submit to your conditions! How dare you… do you have any idea, who I am?! Hello?! Hello?!"

Malcolm entered, worried as Frank banged the phone on desk and Malcolm noticed the angered look on his face. "Is everything alright?"

"I… do not concern yourself with me, Malcolm." Frank assured him. "It was… some… contractor with… unrealistic conditions he wanted from me."

Malcolm nodded before they resumed their meeting.

A few hours later, Malcolm was leaving before noticing he forgot his briefcase and went up to Frank's office. "Frank, I'm sorry but I left…"

He gasped upon seeing an Asian woman in black hood and a red dragon tattoo on her shoulder slitting Frank's throat and he turned around and tried to run but she was able to catch up with him with inhuman speed as she slammed his head to the ground and everything went black.

Malcolm woke up to see he was in a darkened room as in front of him was the Asian woman talking with someone else, a man around 40 years old before he looked down on the ground to see he was in the middle of carved circle on the floor and there were actually nine circles on the floor, each smaller within the large one as the Asian woman left.

"Well, since Mr. Queen and Mr. Chen turned us down, perhaps you will accept our offer, Mr. Merlyn." The man said as he neared Malcolm.

"Who… who are you? What is this place? Where am I?"

"My name is John King." The man said. "And as for this place… well, I am working on behalf of the Ninth Circle."

Author's Note:

So, what do you guys think? Is it good? Is it bad? Should I continue?

Please review and let me know if you have been enjoying this.

With regards

Bl4ckHunter