Disclaimer: 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.


The Arrow, Roy, Diggle and Black Canary entered as they saw the drug dealers dead, hung upside down before one of the dealers came to and grabbed Diggle by his leg, saying something in Spanish as Diggle translated.

"He took Paco."

"Whoever did this, ignored the drugs, took a gang member." The Arrow summarized. "This was personal."

"Yeah, more than that." Diggle said as he looked around. "Whoever did this was trying to send a message."

Roy pointed on the floor. "I think I know what it is." They looked at the word "GUILTY" written on the floor with blood.


The Lair

"Guilty of what exactly?" Henry asked.

"The Culebras are one of the most ruthless gangs in Starling." Laurel listed.

"And who's behind them?" Sara asked.

"Los Halcones." Laurel said.

"And Paco?" Oliver asked.

"That's like looking for a needle in a haystack." Chloe groaned. "Who knows how many Pacos are in Starling."

"Get on with it." Laurel said. "I think I'll head to the gym."


Three years ago, Africa

Sara and Jack were chasing down Kotero as Sara was jumping over the debris he was throwing in their way before she tackled him to the ground and she grabbed him by his hand as he struggled. "If you as much as spark your hands, I'll break them."

"What do you want from me?" Kotero demanded.

"The sanctuary." Sara demanded. "It crumbled. Why?"

"What?" Kotero scowled.

"All-Caste!" Sara snarled.

Kotero widened his eyes. "It's been… centuries, since there were guardians of the Well in the sanctuary. If there would be no more… it would fall… and the Untitled would return. I've heard that Talia al Ghul used to be one of the guardians. They called her back."

"Talia?" Sara demanded. Her former teacher.

"She went there after leaving the League of Assassins." Kotero explained. "A guardian must be chosen and they cannot abandon the sanctuary without leaving it with a next one, otherwise, it will fall and evil will rage upon this world."

Sara stared as she let him go. This was all her fault.

"And what happens if it falls?" Sara asked.

"Lazarus pits… in this… region… whoever drinks it… will die…"

Sara widened her eyes. The monks that drank from the well… the water supply ran from the sanctuary into some villages around here…


Present, Wildcat Gym

Henry was observing Laurel sparring with Ted Grant before he knocked her on the ground with his legs.

"Ted!" Henry yelled.

"What the hell was that?!" Laurel demanded.

"Today's lesson. Fighting's about being surprised and not rattled." Ted explained. "You look rattled."

"Try angry." Laurel snapped.

"Another lesson, then." Ted passed by her. "It's not about you getting knocked to the mat. It's if you get up."

"OK, fine. Then let's go again." Laurel got up on her feet.

"Not tonight." Ted put down his gloves. "I gotta close up shop. And you need to get some rest. Let those muscles recover."

"Yeah. That's not a bad idea. Proteins would work." Henry suggested.

"Korean tacos then. On me." Ted smiled.


The Arrow later entered the gym to find another dead body hung up and on the floor written with blood "GUILTY".

He turned around as the lights turned on, aiming an arrow at Ted. "Why did you kill all those men?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Ted demanded as Laurel and Henry entered.

"Hey!" Henry yelled.

"What are you doing?!" Laurel demanded.

"Get out of here." The Arrow growled before Henry and Laurel noticed the body hung up.

"Oh, my God…"

"Now!" The Arrow barked.

"Hey, calm down." Henry intervened.

"Ted didn't do this." Laurel pleaded. "He's been with us for the past two hours."

"And that body wasn't here when we left." Henry added. "Please."


The Lair

Sara picked a sample of Roy's blood and did an analysis. "Roy, why did you want me to test your blood for Mirakuru? It's clean." Roy looked relieved and nervous. "Roy, please."

"I've been having dreams… and not normal ones… and… I think I killed Richard."

Sara tensed but scoffed. "Roy, that's crazy."

"I know but… I need to know for sure."


Wildcat Gym

"Look, Quentin, Ted wouldn't do this. I know him." Henry pleaded.

"If he didn't do it, who did?" Quentin asked. "And why would he string up a body in his gym?"

"Good question." Laurel said.


Three years ago, Africa

As Sara, Kotero and Jack went to a nearby small town, it seemed that some people were coughing and were very ill.

"Oh, my God…"

"Is there a cure for it?" Sara asked.

"I don't know. It's a myth." Kotero said as she turned to him.

"There must be something. We can't let these people suffer." Sara sighed. "If I'd known that the sanctuary was so important…"

"Do you know where it is?" Kotero asked. "There may be a cure but I need to see it with my own eyes."


Present, the Lair

Chloe looked at the computer. "According to the CSU's files on the warehouse murders, the Culebras were armed but our killer didn't use a gun. He beat them to death by brass knuckles."

"That's a pretty specific M.O." Oliver pointed out.

"And six years ago, someone was killed the same way. Culebra drug dealer. Blunt force trauma. Left-handed." Chloe said.

"Let me guess, Ted 'Wildcat' Grant's a lefty." Roy said.

"They call him the Starling Southpaw." Diggle said.

Then, there was a red dot on the screen on the map of Starling City. "He's on the move." Sara said.

"You put a tracer on him?" Diggle asked.

"Just because Laurel trust him, doesn't mean we have to." Oliver said.


Elsewhere in Starling City

The Arrow entered a storage unit as he saw another body hanging from the ceiling as he looked around, noticing masks on mannequin heads, knives, newspaper clippings about a vigilante, brass knuckles…

Suddenly, Ted grabbed him from behind and knocked him on the floor, holding him in chokehold but the Arrow freed himself as they traded blows. Ted was skilled but the Arrow improvised and used a boxing glove arrow, knocking Ted on the ground. "Second time I've found you with a body!"

"I've never killed anybody." Ted protested. "I'm being set up."

"Why should I believe you?!" The Arrow demanded.

"Because I used to be a vigilante." Ted explained. "I used to be you." He got up on his feet as the Arrow was processing the new information. "This city's been hurting long before you showed up."

"I've never heard of another vigilante in Starling." The Arrow said.

"It was six years ago." Ted said. "I wasn't news. I stuck to the Glades."

The Arrow grabbed one of Ted's masks from the desk. "And these are supposed to convince me? Masks are also useful for serial killers."

"Says a guy currently wearing one." Ted pointed out.

"Who's that?" The Arrow turned to the body.

"I don't know." Ted replied. "I've never seen him before in my life. But this was hung around the body that was found in my gym." He pulled out a key. "The key is to the storage locker. He's leaving me a trail to follow."

"Who is?" The Arrow asked.

"Whoever's setting me up." Ted snapped. "Look, I've never killed anyone."

The Arrow turned to him, glaring. "Except for that drug dealer that you beat to death six years ago."

"That was a mistake. I may have avoided jail but I have lived with the guilt of that man's death every single day of my life." Ted said. "I gave it all up after that. I locked this place up and I swore I'd never open it again."

"Who else knows about the locker?" The Arrow asked.

"No one." Ted replied. "This is where I kept my supplies. A safe place separate from my day job. I'm sure you and the blonde 've got one just like it."

"Our is bigger." The Arrow drawled.

Ted neared him. "Look, we both want to find out who the hell's doing this. We could help each other."


The Arrow and Ted met Laurel and Henry, who showed them a file. "His name's Albert Mancini. No criminal records aside from a few unpaid parking tickets."

"Grant says he doesn't know him." The Arrow said.

"Oh, now you believe him." Laurel said sarcastically.

"I haven't decided." The Arrow snapped. "Do you know that you're training with a vigilante?"

"She didn't." Henry stepped up. "I knew."

The Arrow and Laurel stared at him. "Why did you let her…"

"Look, I know Ted. That part of his life is over. Trust me." Henry pleaded.

"Did you know that six years ago, he beat someone to death?" The Arrow growled.

Henry nodded. "People change."

"You don't know that." The Arrow snapped.

"OK, are you guys finished with your little private chat?" Ted neared them, running out patience.

"The guy from your storage unit, he has no criminal record." Laurel said as she handed Ted the file. "He was a magician. Magician's assistant, more accurately." She turned to the Arrow. "He worked with a local act before getting cut loose. Mancini hasn't worked since."

"Culebra cartel, magician's assistant. What's the connection?" The Arrow asked.

"Their act was at the Sansa bar." Ted explained. "The Sansa bar's where the drug dealer was murdered."

"You mean the person you beat to death?" The Arrow snapped.

"I told you, whoever's doing this is leaving me a trail to follow." Ted protested.

"Then we follow it." Laurel suggested.

"We need another minute." The Arrow intervened.

"How do you guys know each other?" Ted stared.

"It's a long story." Henry sighed as Ted left them in private.

"Does he know who you are?" The Arrow asked as he turned to Henry.

"We didn't tell him." Henry said. "But I wouldn't be surprised if he has connected the dots already. But I trust Ted. Please."

"Remember the mistake Diggle made with his friend named Ted, two years ago?" The Arrow shot back.

Henry sighed. "You don't trust him."

"No." The Arrow said. "That's why I'll be keeping a close eye on him. And you're not coming. Either of you." He told Henry and Laurel.


Sansa bar

Diggle was watching the perimeter as Ted and the Arrow went inside the club.

"I'm on sight." Diggle said.

"Copy. Watch the perimeter." The Arrow ordered as he and Ted went inside.

"How many partners do you have?" Ted asked curiously.

"The Culebras, the body in your gym, the body in your storage locker. Someone's gone to a lot of trouble to frame you for murders and bring you here." The Arrow pointed out. "Why? What does all that have to do with one killing six years ago?"

The lights turned on as the Arrow and Ted turned around to see a man in black jacket and a leather mask on the upper level of the club. "Hello, Ted, I see you got my messages." He pulled out a gun and fired as the Arrow and Ted took cover behind a pillar. "Arrows. Brass knuckles. I never knew why we couldn't just use a gun the way they did."

"Because we're better than they are." Ted shot back. "At least we're supposed to be."

"That's almost ironic, coming from you." The masked man retorted. "I trusted you!"

The Arrow fired and disarmed the man as he ran away before SCPD entered the club, forcing the Arrow to flee as they apprehended Ted.


Verdant

"Sorry he got past me." Diggle said apologetically. "He knew an exit out of the building that wasn't on any blueprints that Chloe hooked me up with."

"You had Ted arrested?" Henry demanded as he and Laurel neared Oliver.

"Quentin's men found him at a crime scene." Oliver explained. "Another body was found at a storage locker that he owns, along with evidence of past vigilantism."

"No. He's innocent." Laurel protested.

"I know. I saw the person, who's doing this." Oliver explained.

"Who?" Henry asked.

"He was wearing Ted's old gear. Full face mask." Oliver explained. "Clearly Grant knows who's behind the mask."

Sara dragged Roy aside as she showed him the blood analysis. "Roy, I looked at your blood and… I didn't find any traces of Mirakuru in your system. I don't think you killed Richard… but… I think your dreams are psychological."

"What does that mean?" Roy asked.

Sara sighed. "I'm not sure."


Three years ago

As Sara, Jack and Kotero drove to the ruins of the place where she had been for a few months, suddenly, around them appeared shades in forms of people…


Present, SCPD

As Quentin was interrogating Ted, Henry and Laurel entered.

"Can you give us a minute?" Laurel pleaded.

Quentin left them alone as Laurel and Henry sat across Ted.

"Look, Ted, you need to be honest with us." Henry said. "Someone is setting you up and I think you know who and why."

"I don't." Ted protested.

"Don't lie to us. Please." Henry pleaded.

"The Arrow saw you with him. He knows you know who it is." Laurel supplied. "Hey. If the D.A.'s office refuses to seek an indictment, the police have to release you. But first… She sat across Ted. "We're gonna need you to be straight with us. Who is the man behind the mask?"

"His name's Isaac Stanzler." Ted said. "Six years ago, the Culebras ran the Glades. I thought it would be a good idea for families to be able to live there without worrying about their kids getting shot. So, I decided to do something about it."

"You became a vigilante." Henry realized.

"Just like you as the Black Canary and Oliver Queen as the Arrow." Ted said as Laurel and Henry stared. "Come on, you asked me to train her almost a year ago. I saw her fight, you think I wasn't able to put the two and two together?"

"Ted." Henry interrupted him. "That's not the point. Stantlzer, what about him?"

"Your friend in red hood, you know who I mean?" Ted said. "Stanzler was my guy in red. I guess you can call him my apprentice. And one night we decided to go against this drug dealer that was pushing crank near the school. We tracked him all the way to this nightclub."

"And what happened?" Laurel asked.

Ted looked at Laurel grimly. "That drug dealer… Isaac got to him first."

"Wait. That murder from six years ago…" It hit Henry and Laurel.

"That wasn't you. That was him."

"I researched you. There never was a mention of Stantzler." Henry pointed out.

"I took the blame for it." Ted sighed. "I hung it up after that."

"And what about Stantzler?" Laurel asked.

"What happened with him?" Henry insisted.

"I told him to get the hell out of Starling." Ted explained. "That I never wanted to see his face again. I cut him loose. That's why I've been lying to you this whole time. Everything that's happening is my fault."


Later, the Lair

"No word from Laurel or Henry?" Oliver asked.

"Not yet." Chloe said.

"If Roy's experiencing side effects of Mirakuru, we need to keep a closer eye on him." Sara said.

"I won't give up on him." Oliver protested.


SCPD

As Henry, Laurel and Ted went outside, in the alley, Isaac hit Henry in the head with his gun from behind, knocking him out before taking Laurel and Ted.


The Lair

Oliver got a message from Henry. "Someone took Laurel.'

Sara's phone rang as she picked it up and scowled before turning on the speaker. "Laurel."

"You gave me direction, purpose. I hated you so much for that…"

"That voice, that's him." Oliver said.

Chloe typed quickly on the computer. "They're on Route 17, heading north."


Starling City

The Arrow, Diggle and Roy started to chase Stantzler down before he knocked the Arrow off his bike as Laurel rammed the car to two parked cars as she threw Stantzler out. The engine caught fire as the Arrow and Diggle pulled Ted and Laurel out and Roy was fighting Stantzler before he managed to knock him out as he faced his mentor.

"Don't abandon me." Roy pleaded.

"Never." The Arrow smiled.


Starling General

"Are you OK?" Sara asked as she, Henry and Oliver entered Laurel's room.

"Yeah, don't worry." Laurel assured them as she put on her jacket.

Henry sighed. "I'm sorry, if I had known that Ted…"

"You did what you could." Laurel said. "This isn't on you."

"We'll always be here for each other. I promise." Sara smiled.


Author's Note:

So, what do you guys think about it?

Please review and let me know if you are enjoying this so far.