Welcome back to Star City. Now that the photo of Oliver Queen dressed as the Green Arrow has been leaked, how will the mayor get out of this mess? Enjoy.
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To Ladyawesome45321: Thanks, and you're welcome.
"Well, that's the thing about life, is the surprises, the little things that sneak up on you and grab hold of you." - George Banks, Father of the Bride
Oliver Queen is about to address the report of the Green Arrow rescuing the three kidnapped delegates working for Markovian businessman Alec Tarkov, who remains in the custody of Anatoly Knyazev. The Bratva Pakhan demanded a ransom of $20 million, which Mayor Oliver Queen needed to put up a new police station to replace the one that was destroyed by Black Siren during the breakout of Alex Faust.
As he waited for the clock to strike 8 precisely, Oliver sits in his office watching the news about The Flash's capture of metahuman Becky Sharpe, a.k.a. Hazard. It made Oliver happy that his friend is back and doing the same thing that made him proud: protecting Central City. Unlike Green Arrow, The Flash saves the people with a smile on his face the injects hope into the hearts of people of his city. The Green Arrow can only ensure the safety of Star City, but he remains a figure of controversy, much like his previous alter ego, The Arrow.
"Mr. Mayor," Roy called, entering the office. "You might wanna address the public right now. They're in a frenzy."
"Might as well," Oliver agreed as he turned off the TV. "How's the search for Anatoly?"
"Felicity's narrowed his location to one area. It's only a matter of time until she finds the right warehouse," said Roy.
"How's Thea?" Oliver asked, worried. With his identity compromised, any criminal could go after his sister just to hurt him.
"Still comatose," Roy answered sadly. "But don't worry. I have two SCPD officers guarding her room at the hospital."
"Good," Oliver said as he sighed.
"What's the matter?" asked Roy, concerned.
"I just can't seem to get away from something like this," said Oliver. "First, Quentin. Then Ra's al Ghul. And now, probably Anatoly."
"You can count out the first two. The people think I'm The Arrow and we're keeping in that way to protect you," said Roy.
"True, but how much longer until it ends?" Oliver wondered worriedly. "We both know secrets never stay buried forever. That photo is creating turmoil. Agent Watson is hellbent on finding out the truth. How much longer until I stop being lucky?"
"Hey, don't talk like that," said Roy. "Look, I know how hard is for you to lose Diggle and Captain Lance, but it shouldn't make you feel hopeless."
"I'm just being realistic, Roy," said Oliver. "Besides, it's not just about the Green Arrow. It's about William. I can't be there for him all the time. And now, he just got bullied because his classmates think the photo on the news speaks the truth."
"Maybe you can teach him to fight. To defend himself," Roy suggested.
"I gave him a simple lesson. Punch the biggest guy in the nose and evoke fear," said Oliver.
"That's... actually pretty good advice," Roy admitted. "Hey, if you want, I can teach him."
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ARROW ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Oliver steps out of his office to talk to the people of Star City about the ransom demanded by Anatoly. Trying to make sure he keeps a professional expression on his face, he speaks into the microphone and says what he thinks is appropriate.
"We do not negotiate with terrorists," he started. "That is an age-old rule that any leader, whether mayor, general, or president must follow. Anatoly Knyazev has crossed a line by infecting Mr. Tarkov on live television. I will not give into this terrorist's demands, but I will not allow a good man like Mr. Tarkov to pay the price. The office and the SCPD are working hard on locating where Mr. Tarkov is. If the Green Arrow is listening, then I ask for your cooperation as well."
"Mr. Mayor, what else do you have to say about the possibility that your are the Green Arrow?" asked one reporter.
"Mr. Mayor, are you simply just referring to yourself in the third person?" asked another reporter.
"Mr. Mayor, if you are the Green Arrow, was Roy Harper your motivation to become a vigilante?" asked another reporter.
"Everyone!" Oliver raised his voice. "We have a terrorist threatening to murder a the one person who is the key to establishing a new precinct for the SCPD, and all you can think of asking me if I am Star City's masked hero? If I was the Green Arrow, I wouldn't be sitting here in my office. I would be out there and questioning every low life for his location. But I'm not the Green Arrow. I am the mayor, and I would like to get back to doing my job."
Oliver returns to his office. The reporters asked more questions, but he ignored them.
At the bunker, Felicity is trying to locate Alex Tarkov, as well as help Curtis synthesize an antidote for the toxin that Anatoly used to poison Tarkov. Dinah and Rene were practicing together with long bamboo sticks, or as they call it in the Philippines, arnis. Rene hated these exercises, but Dinah insisted because she enjoys exercise.
"Evelyn used to love this," said Rene.
"Yeah, I can still remember her flipping me on my back with one," said Curtis.
"Evelyn Sharp. She was a teammate turned traitor, right?" asked Dinah.
"Little twerp sold us out to Adrian Chase," said Rene.
"What about the other newbie? Rory Regan? Or was it Ragman?" asked Dinah.
"His magic rags ran out of magic after absorbing a nuke, so he couldn't stay," said Rene.
"Have you ever thought about contacting him?" asked Dinah. "Maybe he already found a way to recharge his magic rags."
"No, we prefer to respect his decision to be lonesome on this journey," said Felicity.
"Besides, I think he would've come to us immediately if he did get his rags working again," said Curtis.
"Metahumans. Magic. Aliens. Alternate dimensions. Resurrections. What's next? Terminators?" Dinah joked.
"Ooh, I really hope not," said Felicity.
Dinah and Rene's sparring session ended with Dinah tagging Rene on the leg.
"Looks like you could use more practice," Dinah teased.
"One of the cases where I miss John. At least he was being easy on me," said Rene.
Dinah's smug face turned into a sad one upon remembering her deceased friend.
"Sorry," Rene apologized.
"No, I get it," said Dinah. "I miss him, too."
"Well, Dig's not gonna want us sulking in the dark like The Hood: Year One so let's work double time," Felicity ordered. "Curtis, how's the antidote?"
"Ready," Curtis replied.
"Rene, how's your leg?" asked Felicity.
"It's just like a slap to the face. It'll pass quickly," Rene replied.
"Dinah, how's your hair?" asked Felicity.
"Only 25% blonde," Dinah replied.
"Okay, in that case, get into your costumes and put on your masks because I have found Anatoly Knyazev," Felicity said, sounding like a plucky general.
"You just love barking orders, don't you?" Rene questioned her.
"It makes me feel important," said Felicity.
"You're our hacker and tech expert. You're more than important to this team," said Curtis. "I mean, you're part of OG Team Arrow."
"I said... suit up!" Felicity repeated, sounding like an aggravated general.
Green Arrow stood on top of a pile of shipping containers at some shipyard. Black Canary, Wild Dog, and Mr. Terrific were patrolling the shadows elsewhere, keeping an eye out for Anatoly's armed men.
"Green Arrow? Earth to Green Arrow?" Overwatch called via comm-link. "If you're done posing for the security cameras, Tarkov needs that antidote ASAP."
"Remember. I created more of that antidote and gave it to the rest just in case," said Mr. Terrific.
"Good," said Green Arrow. "Overwatch, what's the status on Speedy?"
"Roy just went to the hospital to keep an eye on her," Overwatch answered. "Two guards remain outside her room."
"Be sure his comm system stays active," Green Arrow ordered.
"Oliver, I know you're worried about Thea, but right now you have to stop Anatoly," said Overwatch. "In other words, move your ass."
"You never know when to stop, don't you?" Green Arrow questioned.
"Hey, with John... gone... someone has to be ordering you around on the field when your head's not clear," said Overwatch.
Green Arrow ignores Overwatch and fires an arrow towards another shipping crate. Using his bow, he zips himself down to the ground and towards the first warehouse where he will search for Tarkov.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ARROW ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Mr. Terrific and Wild Dog walk carefully through the shadows, trying not to be seen by Anatoly's men. Black Canary had suggested splitting up to cover more ground, which the boys approved.
"If one of us finds Tarkov, we should have a signal," Mr. Terrific suggested.
"Yeah, I was gonna with something like, I see him or Hey, over there," Wild Dog said sarcastically.
"Not original but effective," Mr. Terrific agreed. "What about if one of us spots the Bratva?"
"How about, heads up," Wild Dog replied with sarcasm.
The two vigilantes turn a corner, only to stumble upon a group of Anatoly's men.
"Heads up!" Mr. Terrific signaled.
The men started shooting, forcing the two boys to duck for cover. They jumped behind a pile of empty oil barrels, but two thugs spotted them. They started firing, until Black Canary shows up and uses her Canary Cry, sending the two of them flying away with damaged ears.
"You two okay?" asked Black Canary.
"Behind you!" Rene shouted.
Black Canary turns around to see a thug approaching her with a garrote in hand, intending to choke her to death. She kicks him in the stomach, steals his garrote, and then uses it against him, choking him.
"D, don't you think about it," Wild Dog warned her.
Black Canary smiles at Wild Dog before removing the garrote from the thug. She then knocks him out with one punch to the back of his skull.
"I'm no savage bird, pup," Black Canary joked.
"Very funny," Wild Dog replied, unamused.
"We got more Bratva thugs incoming!" Mr. Terrific warned them.
Mr. Terrific punches one thug in the stomach and then throws him to the ground. He then throws his T-Spheres at two shooters in the distance, knocking them out.
Wild Dog starts shooting at more incoming Bratva shooters.
Black Canary uses one thug as a shield from one shooter's fire. She then pushes the dead thug towards the shooter and uses her Canary Cry on both of them.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ARROW ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Inside a warehouse, a bunch of Anatoly Kynazev's men attack Green Arrow. The green-hooded archer, as always, takes down all of them easily as if they were a bunch of angry street children. He takes one out with a simple. He flips one of his head, knocking him out. He blocks one thug's kick before kicking him in the knee, causing the thug to fall and hit his head on the floor. He flips another one to the ground before taking out two more with simple punches and kicks.
After using one thug as a shield from gunfire, he tosses the dead body aside before kicking the shooter in the stomach.
He whacks two thugs in the face with his bow.
He knees one in the stomach.
He flips one up-side his head.
He takes out the last one by killing him with an arrow to the chest.
With all the thugs incapacitated, Green Arrow proceeds deeper into the warehouse to look for Anatoly.
At Starling General, Roy Harper was currently being held by two armed goons who once served the Triad. Their boss, China White, who had recently escaped from Iron Heights, was looking down at the still comatose Thea Queen. When the assassin saw the photo of Oliver Queen as the Green Arrow, she engineered her escape in order to get her revenge.
"Such a fragile little thing," said China White, holding her karambit knife close to Thea's face.
"You stay away from her," Roy growled angrily, trying to break free of the thugs' grip.
"I will once I put her in a permanent coma," said China White. "His father. His mother. His bodyguard. And now, his sister. Oliver Queen sure has a habit of putting the people he loves in harm's way."
"What about me? I put you in prison the first time. I cost you the Triad," said Roy, still passing himself off as The Arrow.
"And I will make you pay for that, but first..." China White prepares to stab Thea.
Angered to the max, Roy had no choice but to unleash his secret weapon. He breaks his right arm free. He pounds on the goon's foot, hurting him as if someone dropped a weight on his toes. Roy punches the goon to the left in the stomach before punching him hard in the face. He takes out the goon on the right with a simple smack across the head.
"One more move and your girlfriend gets it," China White threatened, holding her knife close to Thea's throat. "Now, as a cop would say, get on your knees."
Roy did as China White said and gets down on his knees. He puts his hands behind his head. Before China White could kill Thea, Roy fires what appears to be an electric disk from his arm. It sticks onto China White and electrocutes her until she passed out.
Roy quickly drags China White away from his ex-girlfriend. He stood right by Thea, holding her hand.
"It's okay, Thea. I'm here. I'm always here for you," he said to her.
Back at the warehouse at the shipyard, Green Arrow found Anatoly, standing next to a dying Alec Tarkov.
"I asked for $20 million specifically," Anatoly reminded him. "You trade this man's life for new police station?"
"Not exactly," said Green Arrow.
Green Arrow shoots an arrow and hits Tarkov. Anatoly assumes that it was kill shot, which confuses him, considering Tarkov is the hostage in need of rescuing.
"I don't think you understand how this rescue thing works," said Anatoly.
"No, I think I do," Green Arrow corrected.
Anatoly looks at Tarkov again. The arrow that hit him was injecting some sort of serum into his system. Tarkov started to move again.
"Some sort of antidote," Anatoly realized. "Very clever."
"Now step away from him, Anatoly," Green Arrow demanded. "He's not a part of this."
"I made him a part of this," said Anatoly.
Suddenly, Tarkov was shot. He's dead. Anatoly had been holding a gun to Tarkov's back the whole time. Green Arrow can only look at his former friend with disgust. This is not the man that helped him get into the Bratva to avenge an innocent woman's death.
"And I never got my money," Anatoly added.
"What the hell happened to you, Anatoly?" asked Green Arrow. "Not even Gregor would have done that!"
"Yes, he would have," said Anatoly. "You never saw because you were too naive. You still are."
"We were friends," Green Arrow reminded him.
"Yes, we were," Anatoly said with anger. "But our friendship is why I am here. I was Pakhan, and you took that away from me."
"You blame me? You used to be an honorable man," Green Arrow said.
"I am an honorable man," said Anatoly. "Did I have bomb planted in your son's room? Did I have him kidnapped? Tortured? No, because even though we stand apart, I am still good man."
Anatoly starts to walk away.
"Anatoly!" Green Arrow shouted, preparing to draw an arrow from his quiver. "Don't you move."
"Don't bluff. We have been here before. We both know you would not kill me," said Anatoly, feeling so sure of himself.
Green Arrow lowers his hand and asks, "Why did you leak that photo of me?"
"As Kapiushon? I did not," Anatoly said truthfully. "I told you. I am honorable man."
Anatoly leaves. Green Arrow can only wonder about who could've leaked the photo of him if it wasn't Anatoly.
Later that evening, Roy Harper was called into FBI Agent Samantha Watson's office in Star City along with the mayor. However, since Oliver was running late, Roy had to show up alone.
Roy wanted to stay silent as he waited for Oliver, but Samantha has been throwing shade at him for the past few minutes.
"Look, if you have something to say, just spit it out," said Roy.
"You're The Arrow," Agent Watson started. "You knew Oliver Queen because you dated his sister. Sounds fitting that he would take up your mantle to honor your legacy."
"Look, if Oliver Queen is the Green Arrow, which I'm not saying he is, then I would be proud of him," said Roy. "All he's done is protect this city. He saved it from Damien Darhk. He helped the world's greatest heroes stop an alien invasion. The President even expressed her gratitude. I'm surprised she would allow you to just arrest a man who has done nothing but good."
Agent Watson's professional expression almost dropped in response. Roy noticed this.
"Unless the President doesn't know that you're here," Roy realized. "This is all some vendetta, isn't it? You come here to investigate the Green Arrow behind the President's back. Sounds suspicious."
"I am not the one in question here," said Agent Watson.
"No, but you made the choice to come here to my city," said Roy. "I think Oliver Queen is not the only one who needs investigating."
Before the tension between Roy and Agent Watson can rise, Oliver finally arrives.
"Sorry I'm late. I had to see my sister," Oliver said. What he said was true, since, of course, he heard about China White's attack on Starling General.
"About time," said Agent Watson. "Although, I thought I asked for your son to be here..."
"Let me stop your right there," Oliver interrupted her. "Roy, leave us."
Once Roy was out of the room, Oliver speaks to Agent Watson.
"Regardless of who you think I am, you have no right to force my son, an 11-year-old, into reliving the trauma of his mother's death just so you can prove that I am who you believe I am. For the past five months, I have been trying to be a good father. I have tried to be there for him, no matter how hard it is to walk between two worlds. As father. As mayor."
"Touching speech," Agent Watson said unemotionally. "But you do realize telling the FBI how to conduct an investigation is an obstruction of justice?"
"You accuse the me of breaking the law when you yourself are seeking to detain someone the President has pardoned for vigilantism," said Oliver.
Agent Watson could no longer look professional. Shock was all over face.
"I called the President. I asked her why an FBI agent is here in Star City to arrest the Green Arrow, considering she thanked him for his assistance in foiling an alien invasion last year," said Oliver. "If you don't believe me, I'll put her on speaker."
Oliver takes out his phone and calls President Brayden and puts her on speaker.
"Hello, Mrs. President," Oliver greeted her. "I'm here with Agent Watson."
"Nice to speak to you, Mr. Queen," said Susan. "Agent Samantha Watson, you are hereby relieved of your badge for attempting to incarcerate one of the country's greatest heroes without my consent. Be grateful that the removal of your position is the only punishment I have in mind for you."
Agent Watson could only glare at Oliver, who had a smile on his face, satisfied with his victory.
Meanwhile, in an abandoned facility somewhere in Star City, Anatoly Knyazev was being accompanied by Black Siren, who was escorting him to the main office to meet with a certain someone.
"I still cannot believe former lover of Oliver Queen would turn on him," said Anatoly, surprised to be laying eyes on the thought-to-be-deceased Laurel Lance.
"We are not here to discuss about my miraculous celebration and descent to villainy, Mr. Knyazev," said Black Siren. "We are here because you agreed to my offer."
"You were right when you told me that Oliver Queen would never give me my money," said Anatoly. "You are certain you can provide what I need?"
"Not me. I'm talking about someone I work with," said Black Siren.
The two arrive at the main office, where a middle-aged man with glasses was typing relentlessly on his laptop. Upon seeing the arrival of Black Siren and Anatoly Knyazev, he stood up.
"Greetings, Mr. Knyazev," he said, shaking hands with the former Bratva Pakhan. "My name is Cayden James. You and I just so happen to share a common interest. Oliver Queen."
Later that evening, Roy was in the Arrow Cave, staring at his right arm. There is a reason that he wears nothing but hoodies and a glove on his right hand since he returned. It has something to do with how he was able to shoot an electric disk through a hole that opened in his hand. He never told anyone, but considering that Oliver doesn't like it when people keep secrets, he has decided to tell him tonight, especially since he used his "peculiarity" to rescue the mayor's sister.
Oliver was right there, staring at his own suit. All Roy had to do is walk up to him and confess.
"So, Agent Watson's off your back," Roy started casually.
"True, but Felicity and Curtis just delivered to me the bad news," said Oliver. "The photo of me was not doctored. It came from a security camera at the very parking lot where I revealed my true identity to Dinah."
"Then people will keep thinking you're the Green Arrow," said Roy.
"What if I wasn't?" Oliver replied.
"I'm, uh, not following," said Roy.
Oliver had a smile on his face as he continued. "Every time that I'm out there as the Green Arrow, I'm a target of the threats that are out there and the threats that are undoubtedly coming. Star City needs the Green Arrow, but William needs his father. I can't be both."
"So, what's the plan?" asked Roy.
"Maybe it's time for you to get back out there," Oliver suggested.
The next evening, Alex Faust and a couple of his men were being pursued by Team Arrow, led by Roy Harper, who now dons the Green Arrow suit. Green Arrow and Black Canary are stationed on top of a building next to the parking garage where Faust was. After ducking from gunfire, they report to the rest of the team.
"He's in the structure next door," Black Canary reported.
"On our way," Wild Dog replied.
"Are you ready?" Green Arrow asked.
"Always," said Black Canary.
Green Arrow fired a grappling hook arrow to the next building. Black Canary holds on to him as he zipped himself and her to the other side. They chased Faust to the parking lot, where he was planning to make a getaway with a few bags filled with bombs. Faust's two men fire at the vigilantes again, forcing them to duck behind a car for protection.
When one of the thugs tried to ambush them from the other side, Green Arrow slides across the hood and kicks him. After dodging and blocking the thug's punches, Green Arrow hits him in the face with his bow, kicks him in the leg, and the punches him on the side of his head. He was about to get up, until Green Arrow shot an arrow through his knee. He cries in pain and stays down.
Black Canary uses her Canary Cry on the second thug, causing him to slam to a wall.
Recovering from slight ear damage, Faust makes a run for the stairwell. Once he opened door, however, he saw Wild Dog and Mr. Terrific waiting for him. Faust turns around only to see a green fist heading for his face, knocking him out.
"Ooh, down for the count. No more bombs for you, bitch," Wild Dog insulted the unconscious bomber.
"Nice job, boys. Right place, right time," said Black Canary.
"Go Green Arrow," Mr. Terrific cheered. "Should I call you Green Arrow? It feels kinda weird."
"Yeah, it is," Green Arrow agreed. "But sooner or later, we're gonna have to get used it."
Just when you thought this would play out the same as Arrow 1x02... the photo is not fake and Oliver brings the president into his fight against Agent Watson. I'm sure there are some of you probably guessed that Roy was gonna be taking Diggle's place as the one who is suiting up as Green Arrow for Oliver so he can be with his son.
I also thought I'd add an attack on Thea just so the photo of Oliver would have some actual consequences besides the exposing his secret identity to the city.
Also, do you have an idea about what is Roy's secret?