Chapter 1: New Start
Authors Note: HI everybody! I am here and with Arrow. I am using my character along with a few oc's from my original stories. I hope you all enjoy. :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Arrow.
My jet hadn't even landed before reporters and news cameras had started running towards my plane. I roll my eyes, thankful that I had most of my belongings already moved to Starling City beforehand.
Once the plane was officially grounded I grabbed my large black case and waited for the pilot to open the door. The second it opened I made my way outside and through the crowd, trying like hell not to react to their crude comments and questions.
"Mr. Warney, why did you leave Gotham?"
"Is it because of the rise in vigilantism?"
"I heard it was because of that accident involving Barbara Gordon."
That last comment made me want to put that slimly little bastard into the ground, but the last thing I wanted was to start causing trouble right after getting off of the plane. I just continued walking as I made my way towards the black limo. The driver opened the door for me, and exchanged a brief nod with him, before stepping inside.
"How was your flight?"
I looked up at the smug smile of Malcolm Merlyn and shrug my shoulders at his question.
"Rather dull." I look out my window at all of the reporters swarming around the car like bees. "Why the hell are these ass hats here?"
"It isn't often that a rich playboy from Gotham just decides to up and move from Gotham to Starling." Malcolm explained. "Not to mention Oliver Queen." I raise an eyebrow.
"I thought he was dead?"
"Apparently when his yacht sunk he washed up on an island and spent the last five years alone, before being picked up by some fishermen."
"So rich playboys are all the rage in this city?" I asked rhetorically.
"Apparently, now how about we get some lunch and we can discuss further business."
"Sounds good."
(!)
Malcolm picked an exclusive restaurant of course, and we ordered our food. He also asked that we sit in a booth far in the back of the restaurant. We had important business to talk about and not just my stake in his company.
"So, I set up a warehouse for you to continue your weapons research." Malcolm explained. "It is in a private and secure area, so you can work in peace."
"Thank you, but I am working on more than just safety features for weapons," I explained. "I am trying to make the world a better place." Malcolm smiled and raised his wine glass to his lips.
"Oh I know…Sparrow." He grinned taking a sip. I flinched at the old alias my mentor had given me, but I have put that in the past. Those days are behind me.
"It's Jayden now Malcolm. Jayden Warney." I snapped. "I don't call you the magician."
"Fair enough." He nodded. "So, what really happened to you in Gotham?" He asked. I shake my head.
"It was…nothing." I say in a shaky voice. "I was just outmatched."
"Outmatched?" Malcolm asked in disbelief. "Who could outmatch you, was it a league member?"
"No, he was…something else, something much more…darker. It doesn't matter anymore." I finish up my food and get up from my seat. "Look enough with our side projects. Let's focus on our current objectives. Didn't you say that you had my penthouse ready for me?"
"Yes of course. We can discuss business more tomorrow." He paid for the food and we made our way out.
(!)
Malcolm and I exchanged our farewells and parted ways for the evening. Malcolm told me he had everything packed up and shipped here last night and I made my way to the top floor.
The penthouse had everything packed up and set up from Gotham. Things like my paintings, my antiques, and my furniture. My more personal belongings I kept with me at all times. This had my more personal belongings.
When I made sure I was alone I unlocked my case and opened it up and reminisced through my belongings. I start to take things out like my tattered black sneaking suit, my dirty .44 python, my broken sword, and of course the red hood.
I hold the hood out to get a better look at it. This was a something I wanted to get rid of, but I would regret the next day. This hood was not just a mask. It was a reminder of how much of a failure I truly was.
(Five years ago)
My dad had picked me up from the police station that night. A few people, who I had the misfortune to call my friends, all went joyriding in his new Lamborghini and ended up nearly hitting some old lady crossing the street. I had caught the wheel in time and saved her, but the car was wreaked and I nearly busted my face open from the crash.
Everyone was alright, but I don't think I would be seeing the light of day for a long time. I walked next to my dad for a while until we were far away from the police station. I waited for dad to yell at me when we were far away from the station, but he just continued walking.
"Okay come on dad," I snapped at him. "You haven't looked at me or said anything in over an hour!"
"It wasn't your fault. Your friends got drunk and almost committed a hit n run and you saved that poor old woman's life." He didn't look to good. He actually looked like he was disturbed by something other than me.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing, but we do need to talk."
I was confused, until he grabbed me by my shoulder and pulled me into an alleyway. He grabbed me by the shoulders and slammed me against the wall.
"What the hell?" I snapped at him, but he slapped his hand over my mouth, silencing me.
"Shut up and listen," He looked around with fear in his eyes. Something bad was about to happen, if it wasn't happening already. "I've done my best to raise you, but all of your life I have been lying to you. Wayne Enterprise's board of directors has been corrupt for the past thirty years. It's what got the Wayne's killed and my wife and my son."
My eyes widened and I rip my dad's iron grip off of my mouth.
"Dad, what the hell are you talking about?"
"Gotham's greed, it's the sickness that plagues this city. The Wayne's were killed because of it and now I'm about to be as well."
"Dad…"
"That's what I am telling you kid, I am not your father."
My blood went cold from what he had just told me and I didn't know what to say. I tried to ask him what he was talking about, but I never got the chance.
A man from out of the darkness crept up behind him and pointed something at the back of his head. The moon light shined down on it, revealing itself to be a .44 python.
The gunshot echoed throughout the alleyway and my father's blood splattered all over my face.
(Present)
I dropped the hood back into the case and slammed it shut. I needed to get the hell out of here for a while. I started to pace around my house until I realize that the television was on. It was another news bulletin on Oliver Queen's welcome home party. Apparently anyone who was anyone would be there.
What the hell. I'm rich and hopefully it's an open bar, I need a few dozen drinks.
(!)
The host wasn't even here yet and already the party was wild. I ordered a second Jack Daniels and checked out the club scene.
Starling City, what a joke, this place wasn't anywhere near as rough as Gotham. These jokers dance like they don't have a care in the world. Why would they, they are either kids who come from lawyers, cooperate executives, and egotistical tyrants.
"Jayden Wayne?"
Speak of the devil. I turn and smile at the young man.
"Tommy Merlyn." I reach for his hand and shake it. I knew Tommy from his dad. We met a few times, but that was only when he needed money from his father. He and Oliver were damn near inseparable according to his father.
"Wow, I haven't seen you in years, how have you been?" He asked. He didn't really care, but he probably didn't want his dad giving him crap for not inviting me or something.
"I'm fine I have been working for the past few years something you wouldn't know about." I joke as he laughs sarcastically. "So, where is the man of the hour?"
"Speak of the devil." Tommy looks over at the stairs leading down to the dance floor and I follow his gaze as well and spot the man of the hour, Oliver Queen.
He looked a lot older and mature than the last time I saw him. His hair was shorter and his build was more muscular. I guess five years on a god forsaken rock would change anyone. Tommy threw an arm around his shoulder and motioned for the DJ to cut the music. The club went silent as Tommy threw an arm around his best friend.
"Man of the hour!" He shouted, causing everyone to cheer. "Give this man a proper home coming."
Oliver made his way through his adoring fans of party goers and playgirls and stood in the center of the dance floor and raised a shot glass.
"I missed Tequila!" He shouted. Everyone cheered and the DJ lit up the music again.
I shook my head in annoyance and just continued drinking. After a while the alcohol started to take over and I was in the center of the dance floor, grinding with whatever girl came my way. In the drunken haze of the crowd I couldn't find our gracious host. He was probably off nailing that girl who looked like she was from Twilight.
While I was mingling with this one girl I started to get pissed off when the music was abruptly cut off.
"Starling City Police!" A gruff voice shouted out. "Party's over, kids."
All of the contenders, myself included started booing at the police. I stumbled over to Tommy and we watched one of the detectives make his way over to us.
"Oh, Mr. Merlyn. Imagine my shock to find you here." The detective practically snarled at Tommy. "What did you roofie anyone special tonight, huh?" Tommy only chuckled at the insult before our host greeted the detectives.
"Detective." Oliver greeted as he made his way through the crowd. "It's a private party."
"Yeah?" He asked rhetorically. "Well, there was an incident over at Adam Hunt's building tonight. You know anything about that?" Oliver just shrugged his shoulders.
"Who's Adam Hunt?"
"He's a millionaire bottom feeder, and I'm kind of surprise you aren't friends." The detective insinuated. Oliver just stood there smiling.
"Well I've been out of town for…awhile."
"Yeah, well he just got attack by the guy with the hood, the guy that saved your ass the other day." I glanced between the detective and Oliver.
A guy in a hood was going around attacking people. I hadn't even heard that Oliver was abducted. Malcolm sure as hell never mentioned that his son was kidnapped. Why didn't he tell me?
"The Hood Guy?" Oliver asked. "You didn't find him? I'm gonna offer a reward." Oliver turned to the crowd. "Hey everybody. Two million dollars to anyone who can find a nut bar in a green hood."
And now his favorite color was green apparently. I would definitely look into this later tonight. I looked back at Oliver to see that the detective was getting a little too close to him.
"Did you even try to save her?" He asked in a calm, but furious tone. "Did you even try to save my daughter?"
"Let's go, partner. Sarah wouldn't want this?" His partner calmly pulled the detective away before disappearing into the crowd. I looked back at Oliver and Tommy who both had grim expressions on their faces. This would be another thing to look into.
Oliver stood up on one of the podiums and held his arms out.
"It's way too quiet in here! This is a party!"
Everyone started to cheer and dance again, but I think my buzz was starting to wear down.
I was about to leave, but I bumped into someone again.
"Sorry," We both said in unison. When we met eyes I was surprised to see that it was Oliver. "Oh, hey, you probably don't remember me?"
"Jayden Warney." He smiled and offered me his hand. I reached out and shook it. "I don't think we have ever met."
"No, I started doing business with Malcolm about two years ago while you were on the island."
"Of course, I heard you made your way all the way here from Gotham." He commented. "Why did you leave?"
"Eh, needed a change of scenery I guess." I shrugged. "Why?"
"Well you know I have been reading up on some things. Like how certain criminals had acquired your army issued assault rifles and armor piercing ammo." What the hell, who was this guy to judge me on crap I hadn't even done on purpose and how the hell would he know about my business after being on Gilligan's Island for five years.
"I'll have you know, that one of my corrupt business partners had stolen and sold them without my knowledge." I say with a fake smile across my face. "I mean, it has been dealt with by me personally, of course."
"Yes, they found him dead on top of his car, after being thrown out of a five story building."
"Yes, well business like that is rough, but it is business. Doing drugs, spending daddy's cash and being a dead beat boyfriend, is not good business." It was his turn to scowl.
"That's not who I am anymore." He grunted.
"No, it is who you were though, and from what I just saw with that cop I don't think everybody forgot who you were. Question is who are you now?"
"None of your business who I am."
"You made it my business when you harassed me on my career choice. Do you even have any idea what you are going to do now that daddy is gone?" A small twitch appeared in the corner of Oliver's eye. He was trying like hell not to hit me, probably didn't want to damage his suit. It didn't matter to me. I could easily waste him if I wanted.
"Have a nice night. I have got work to do."
I pushed past him and got the hell out of that club.
(!)
Later that night I buried myself and both the internet and coffee. I wanted to know more about the scum in this town.
Adam Hunt was of course the kind of scum who would sell his own mother for a few bucks. And according to all of the charges he was facing, he had embezzled forty million dollars out of his employees and clients.
So where was it?
I hacked his account and discovered that there wasn't a penny left. Hunt didn't have anything to his name, especially since I just bought his company not ten minutes after it was declared bankrupt.
Whoever this Hood guy was he knew what he was doing.
I started going on a binge search on who this guy is, and what he wanted. His first attempt was saving Queen and Merlyn. A few mercenaries kidnapped them for a ransom, and this guy killed every single one of them.
A vigilante no doubt, but the difference between yesterday and today were the methods in which they were done.
The kidnappers were killed by means of close quarters combat, due to the stab wounds and broken necks. Tonight he used a bow and arrow. Why the change in weapons?
"Hmm..." There wasn't much more to go on in this guy's case, so I continue on my third project. "Sarah Lance."
That detective was her father, Quentin Lance and has an older sister Laurel Lance, a lawyer.
Apparently she and Oliver were having an affair, but she ended up going down with the ship. I guess I couldn't blame the detective for being pissed at Oliver.
If I had a child I would destroy the bastard who had harmed them.
With nothing left to go on I turned off my laptop and made my way to my bedroom. I started to hate this city when I arrived, but now things were starting to get interesting. I pull the covers off of my bed and pull a glock 17 out of my nightstand and slip it under my pillow.
I can't sleep without some added security.
Gotham has made me paranoid like that.
(Flash back)
I sat there for ten minutes with my father's head in my lap. The man who had killed him was lying on his side with my dad's business pen in his jugular. He just came out of nowhere and had killed my father like it was nothing. I wanted him dead, and I had killed him in cold blood.
"Holy hell, hey over here!" I looked over at the cop who was standing over me as a few more made their way over to me.
"What happened?" One of the cops asked.
"He killed him, I think."
"Damn, his throat his really torn up. How many times did he stab him?"
I stabbed him seven times. His blood is splattered on my face and smeared on my hand.
The sick part wasn't that I didn't feel a thing, the sick part was that I felt a little satisfied.
