I finally has peace. After years... centuries of fighting. I had peace. Almost 2 months ago I resigned from active duty with both SHIELD and the Avengers. I had once joined to protect people.. but after the Sokovia Accords I had been forced to do things I would never forgive myself for. After betraying my family and friends I could not look at myself the same ever again, which was why I quit. Then a month later Oliver had defeated Darhk, and Team Arrow has split. I was the last to decide to leave. It had been a hard decision as I had fallen in love with Star City over the past 4 years, however after Laurel's death, Thea and John leaving the team, and of course after the Avengers fracturing, I could not take the pain of fighting without a team.

I was retired. A weird feeling. I knew I still had my duties as Dragon Rider back in Alagaesia.. and technically I was still Grand Mentor of the Assassin Brotherhood, however I had effectively retired from the assassins to join Oliver in Starling City, and I decided to take some R&R time before heading back to Alagaesia.

Now normally I would have preferred to spend the R&R time with Natasha, however she had gone into the wind after the battle at the German airport and had not made contact with me.. so that was out of the option. What I did choose was something Percy had said to me during out duel and had been on my mind a lot. I had been back on my earth for almost 4 years his time.. centuries in my time with time travel, and had yet to visit my mother.. whom I had not seen in over 7 years since I left for Alagaesia with Zeus. So that was precisely what I did.

I had been staying with her for 3 weeks now. It was a nice change of pace. She forgave me pretty quickly for not visiting. How could she not once I told her all I had been juggling over the past few years. Agent of SHIELD, Avenger, Team Arrow. She was shocked to learn I had time traveled, but in the end chose to be understanding, and was just happy I had survived all those years to come back home to her. She even forgave me for betraying the Demigods a couple of months ago, stating I was only doing what I believed was right, and for the good of the millions of Star City residents.

We had spent those three weeks talking. I shared thousands of stories of my travels. I told her of Ellesmera.. of sailing the seas as a pirate, of fighting alongside the fastest man alive.. all of it. Right now I was in the middle of explaining Eragon and my trip to the old home of the Riders, Vroengard. "This place was amazing mom, the buildings.. they were huge.. the door ways alone were big enough for two large dragons to walk through side by side. Now the place was in ruins since during the last great battle between the forsworn and the Riders of old a young rider killed himself with magic, effectively making the place unlivable to protect the hidden stash of eggs and Eldunari, but to just imagine it in its prime is remarkable... in fact.." I stopped dead, my back stiffening. My Mother said "What is it honey?" I heard voices in the hallway. The sound of guns cocking. I yelled "GET DOWN!" I tackled her off the couch as bullets flew threw the doors and walls. I rolled off my mother and threw my hand back towards the wall, calling my mark 4 suit. However I remembered it was currently at the Avengers Facility and would take a while to get here. So it looked like I was fighting this one Son of Zeus Style. Or at least Blue Lightning Style.

I waited until the first man kicked down the door to rush him. He pointed his gun at me and began to fire, I knocked it aside with my right hand, and followed with a punch to the face. I then pushed him back into his friend who was firing bullets at me, using him as a human shield. I then twisted out from behind him and kicked the guy into a wall. By this point electricity was arcing all over my body, adding power to my kicks and hits. There were four remaining men. All with guns. I quickly disarmed them one by one using kicks and SHIELD techniques. By then the four had surrounded me. They all began attacking me with fists. That was their final mistake. Being Blue Lightning.. and the Assassin Grand Mentor.. I was more than adept at fighting when gloriously outnumbered. The key was to keep moving.. keep your head on a swivel.. anticipate your opponents attacks. When I punched, I would simultaneously kick. It wasn't an easy fight though, on account for they fact they were trained. However I had the advantage of my powers. Every time they did come in contact with me they were electrocuted. 3 passed out from this.. one remained standing. I kicked him into the wall and then lifted him up in the air. My arm was still electrified.. however my hand was not.. a lingering threat. I growled "Who sent you?" He just smirked. He then grunted "Hail Hydra."and used his tongue to remove one of his teeth. I growled "Oh no you don't " I let the electricity surge through my hand.. electrocuting him before he broke his cyanide pill. He slumped unconscious.

I immediately pulled out my phone and called Coulson. "Phil, It's David. I have a clean up in Canada. 6 Hydra agents just attacked me in my home." He responded "I'll send someone to round them up. Thanks David. We really do miss you here." I shook my head "This has only reaffirmed my belief that I am done with the hero game. I'm retired."

I hung up and went to go let me mom know it was safe. "It's safe mom, they are all taken care of." I then stopped in my tracks. I saw her there, laying on the floor in a pool of her own blood. Gun shot wound in her chest. I rushed forward. "Mom!" I felt for a pulse.. nothing. I electrified my hands and tried to jump start heart. Once, twice, three times. Nothing. I started CPR. I continued that for a solid minute. That was when there was a crash and I was hit hard in the back, sending me tumbling over.

My suit slowly attached itself to me.. until I was fully encased in the Mark 4. I then said "EDI.. scan her.." She scanned the body and said "I'm sorry hun.. she lost too much blood. That bullet wound was fatal.." I broke down. Tears forming. I started racking my brain in how she was hit.. then I remembered the first guy I beat.. I had to knock his gun to the side but it still fired… my mom was dead… and it was my fault.

Oh I was so not retired...