Chapter 10 - Heroes and Villains Part 2

AN – Here's part 2 and I hope you enjoy it despite the darkness and yes, it is dark!

*Please see Chapter 2 for SPOILER ALERT and DISCLAIMER!*

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"What about everyone else out there? If the city is under attack—" Diggle got no further in his thoughts.

"Cities, not just Starling City. Gotham, Central City, Coast City, Ivy Town. JLA Headquarters are being hit in multiple cities. The military and ARGUS will be responding as well but..." Felicity was focused on Diggle. Her voice trailed off when she saw the flash of pain. "Lyla."

"I can't stay here. I have to get out and fight." Diggle turned back to the door but didn't reach out a hand. The key pad flashed red. "Felicity, open the door."

/

Again, taking a breath, Felicity spoke loudly. "No, I can't let you leave without a plan. I can reach out to Lyla and continue getting information. Just give me five minutes, that's all I need."

Diggle gave a reluctant nod - intel could help him help Lyla. He turned back and found Oliver staring at the bows and arrows as if in a daze. Remembering the woman, he connected the dots and spoke the question he knew had to be repeating in Oliver's head. "Laurel Lance is the Black Canary?"

Felicity glanced first at Diggle before finding Oliver. She knew of his history with Laurel and could only imagine his pain and confusion. Her answer came quickly. "Actually, no."

"No? She was wearing a mask and fighting." Oliver finally spoke in an angry growl. "Why are you lying to me?"

Tapping out a few more keystrokes, Felicity stood up and stepped close enough to touch his arm. "I'm not lying, I've omitted a few things but I haven't lied to you. Laurel isn't the Black Canary but she does help out like she's doing now. She didn't train until the end of your marriage."

Oliver barely remembered those days and knew he hadn't been there for Laurel. She had discovered a picture of a woman that looked like her missing sister Sara. A brief image of a blonde in white leather flashed in his mind followed quickly by Laurel's smile. She had been excited and hopeful about finding her sister. He had just lost his mother and son and was floundering in darkness and despair. They had grown apart months before they had officially separated. Neither a shared past nor shared love had guaranteed them the future they had once hoped for together. In the years since their divorce, they had become friends again. However, as he hadn't told her about training with Richard, he couldn't blame her for not sharing her secrets either.

"So who is the Black Canary?" Diggle asked when Oliver remained quiet.

"Dinah Lance." Felicity supplied without taking her eyes off Oliver.

"Laurel's mother?" Oliver had to clarify the obvious. She hadn't been around much when they had been kids. After Sara's abduction, she had virtually disappeared and left Laurel to her drunken father just as he and Thea had been left with their mom. He couldn't picture her as the masked hero any more than he could imagine his ex-wife.

Felicity turned when the computer beeped but she answered while reading the screen. "Yes. Her story is hers though and I can't say anything else. I'm sorry but there's a lot I still can't tell you."

The five minutes crept by with Felicity on the computer, Oliver staring into space, and Diggle making circuits around the large space. Felicity worked to push aside her emotions and focus on the task ahead – there was no time to give in to fear or grief. Diggle's solid presence helped. He had asked her to bring up city plans and he had reviewed the information as it came in. She knew he continued to review the data mentally while monitoring the perimeter of their space. He was a well-trained soldier and she was glad he had their back. However, Oliver worried her. She knew the last minutes had shaken him and she also knew there was more to come.

"Okay, here's what we know. The attackers seem to have been dosed with the same serum that we've been studying. They have super strength and healing but mentally they're unstable. While someone clearly started this, we don't know who or why or where they are. We also don't know if he or she is still in charge. The attacks started as assaults against heroes but the violence has spread throughout the cities. Most communications are down – it's total chaos outside."

A series of explosions shook their building once more. Felicity switched the monitors to the security cameras. The images showed their building as well as the attached facilities that also comprised Queen Consolidated. One shot revealed Laurel racing inside a crumbling building as she screamed. Felicity worked to follow her movements while the other woman fought masked men without even slowing down. Laurel suddenly dropped to her knees amidst the carnage.

Oliver's eyes were glued to the blurry image of Laurel kneeling next to an injured Tommy. "He sometimes swings by at night to see me. I didn't know he was here. We have to help them. Tommy was only here because of me, he…"

Unable to continue, Oliver stared at the screen. Tommy had started making unannounced visits as soon as Oliver had accepted his dad's deal. He had just gotten clean and sober and he knew the visits were Tommy's way to provide support and help. For his efforts, Tommy was lying on the ground bloody and hurt.

Felicity heard Oliver's words and she felt his pain. She moved until she could take his hand in her own as she gave a negative shake of her head. Oliver's office was on the other side of the QC compound and there was no way to reach them in time to help Laurel save Tommy. Helpless, they both watched the scene play out. They couldn't hear the words but the love between the couple was so obvious. Laurel brushed a hand over Tommy's face; he caught her hand and kissed it. Tommy then brushed Laurel's tears away before she leaned in to kiss him.

Oliver couldn't believe he had missed their connection and wondered why neither had told him. He knew Laurel was happier in recent years despite the chaos in Starling City. Tommy had even put his father's crimes behind him and had seemed to be moving forward. He was glad they had found each other.

The ceiling beams gave way with a resounding crash just before the screen went black.

Shocked silence reigned in the underground lair for several moments. A new series of smaller explosions sounded just over them. It was Diggle who made the call.

"It's not safe any longer, Felicity. We need to get out of here now."

After only a moment, she squeezed Oliver's hand and agreed. "I know of another location but I need to let the others know."

Diggle moved to grab more weapons while Felicity worked on the computer. Oliver continued to stare at the dark screen. The sound of the door opening demanded a response and all moved together.

Smoke filled the room just before they heard someone fall to the floor. Oliver grabbed Felicity when she moved but she had already reached the computer. A single button forced the door shut. Diggle approached quietly with his weapon drawn.

"Oliver, Felicity."

The harsh, computer modulated voice called weakly but Felicity immediately moved. Oliver followed right behind her and Diggle met them at the door. The smoke rose to reveal the Arrow lying at their feet.

Kneeling, Felicity tried to speak but the man looked past her and she bit her lip to stay quiet. The Arrow pushed the dark hood back to reveal his face and met his son's eyes.

"Oliver, I was trying to make things right. I'm sorry."

Unable to respond, Oliver watched his father's eyes close. His breaths were nearly as ragged as the man lying before him.

Robert's voice cracked and then sounded less automated when he continued. "Help won't come in time. Laurel's gone – I failed to protect her. You need to get out now."

It was Felicity who noticed the blood on his dark suit. Automatically she put pressure on the wound and turned to Diggle since Oliver still stood frozen. "Find a med kit. We'll have to help him."

"No Felicity." Robert met her eyes with a grim frown before turning away. "Get her out of here Oliver. Felicity knows who to contact for help. You need to fight back, protect your own. Be better than me, son."

No words came to Oliver even when his father's last breath stuttered out and his eyes closed. He couldn't even formulate thoughts, much less words. Dropping to his knees, he stared with unblinking eyes at his father's body.

"Oliver, I'm so sorry but he's right. We need to move. I can get someone here to help but not from here and we need help to save the city." Felicity's heart ached for the man kneeling beside her. She had actually known his father much longer and logically realized she knew Robert Queen better than his son. Working on missions to defeat villains just brought people closer together – that's how the Justice League had actually started. Her heart though recognized something in Oliver Queen, something that bound them together in ways she hadn't fully accepted. She couldn't even explain it but she couldn't walk away from him either. Tugging on his arm, she spoke again.

"Yes, your father was the Arrow. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you but there's more too. Oliver, please look at me."

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AN2 – Okay, I know this one was darker but you may notice that many things that have happened on the show are happening in this alternate timeline so yes, Robert Queen, Laurel, and Tommy all had to die (SORRY) as it's an important part of the characters' arcs and allows OTA to be born! Next they will gain some new friends! More action is coming and it does get lighter again too!