AN: thanks for the follows, favorites and reviews they mean a lot. I hope you enjoy this chapter my apologies for the wait it took a bit of researching and I kept getting my left and right mixed up lol. If I have any technical mistakes I am sorry I've done my best with what I could google.

I want to say thank you to tealrose for helping me inspire my muse while writing the sparring music was a big success. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

I do not own Arrow/Mutant X I just wanted to try something new

Chapter 12 - The Calm before the Storm

Oliver and Diggle followed Shalimar and Brennan to a large hall type room. They entered the room both taking stock of their surroundings. There was a rack on the right hand side by the doorway containing 3 sets of kali sticks, a basketball, half size bo staff, pad and glove sets and a tablet. Continuing the sweep anticlockwise around the room revealed basket nets at opposite sides of the room and in the 4 corners CCTV cameras.

"You practice Eskrima?" Oliver asked it was his area of training and he recognised the kali sticks on the stand. "Modern Arnis founded on Eskrima but based more on self defense techniques than attack." Shalimar answered, "You fancy your chances?" She asked moving towards the stand. "I won't go easy." Was Oliver's reply. Shalimar laughed she loved how men assumed she needed an easy ride. Oliver placed his bow on the floor to the left of the doorway. "Diggle you joining in?" "I think I will watch the show for now." He replied trying to keep the humour from his voice. "Starting off easy then." She gloated grabbing two kali sticks, "How many?" She asked Oliver. "Two." He replied then caught the propelled sticks. Shalimar took two more for herself and spinning them in her hands feeling and testing the weight she skipped happily into the middle of the room. Pirouetting she turned to face Oliver and brought herself into the attention stance where she waited for Oliver to join her.

Oliver watched Shalimar's graceful movements into the middle of the room and her transition into the attention stance. He thought for a moment then decided to remove his leather jacket it rarely restricted his movements but he wanted to make sure he was at his most flexible. Placing it with his bow he copied Shalimar's movements for testing the weight of the kali sticks as he walked over to her. He took several focusing breaths as he came to a stop standing opposite Shalimar with his feet together and his shoulders relaxed leaving his arms at his sides copying the attention stance.

Both bowed showing their respect to the other. Upon lifting their upper bodies they assumed their attack stances. Shalimar moved her right leg outwards into the side stance position and moved her right lower arm upwards to hold the kali sick in line with her head. Her left arm positioned across her middle with the kali stick in line with her left elbow she was ready to deflect any attack. Oliver moved his left foot forward keeping the width positioning the same into the forward stance. He moved his right arm up to his chest with the kali stick in line with his left shoulder and his left arm came up in line with his waist and the kali stick crossing the right one. He was in position to initiate the strikes.

Diggle and Brennan moved to stand together against the wall making sure they were well out of the way. "So are you trained like him?" Brennan asked. "Initially no I'm ex-Special Forces. Oliver has taught me a lot however my skills are more firearms but I can hold my own. You?" Diggle answered. "I was a street kid and high end thief until Adam found me. I've trained with everyone here so it's a mixture really my talents are more electrical if I get in trouble." He explained with a devilish tone towards the end. Before Diggle could say anything Brennan had held his hand out and sparked up his electricity current.

Diggle flinched back shocked at what he was seeing he didn't understand Brennan's comment and was about to ask when the guy had held his hand out. Next thing his hand had small moving arcs of lightning dancing around. "What the?! Neat party peace." Dig said. Bringing his fingers together to extinguish the electricity he carried on, "Not unless you want to empty the room. It has its uses saved our asses a few times now." Brennan said.

He didn't get to finish as the sparring pair started exchanging blows. Oliver made the first move he rotated his left hand bringing his kali stick up to guard the left side of his head. While bringing his right arm forward and upwards to land a blow to Shalimar's head his right foot came forward past his left to bring him forward into the strike. These movements took place in the matter of seconds but Shalimar was fast. She saw his muscles tense as his body readied for the move he was going to make and her instincts kicked in to the moves she knew well. She brought her left arm across her body so the kali stick was in line with her head to deflect Oliver's advancing strike. Then with her right arm she extended it towards Oliver's head to connect with his defensive kali stick. That was strike #1.

There was a short pause as both tested the others strength behind the kali sticks. Shalimar felt Oliver pushing and she saw his face void of any emotion complete concentration on the sparring. His strength was impressive but she knew she was stronger and faster and he didn't know it yet. This is going to be fun she thought breaking out into a smirk. Oliver saw her smirk and couldn't understand why she seemed so happy during a sparring session. He decided to go into the next strike and catch her off guard.

Oliver threw Shalimar's right kali stick backwards as he brought his left arm across his chest to bring the kali stick in line with his head. Simultaneously he brought his right arm back and swinging in a figure 8 brought it round to the left side of his body and propelled the kali stick towards Shalimar's right side of her head. Shalimar watched his movements and saw where he was about to strike and lifted her right arm to deflect his kali stick. She brought her left arm forward to connect with his right kali stick. That was strike #2.

There was more testing of each others strength behind the sticks before they parted into the next strike. Oliver uncrossed his arms then outstretched his right arm to bring the kali stick in line with Shalimar's left elbow. He moved his left arm upwards while spinning the kali stick into a downwards hold to protect his side. Shalimar mimicked his position her left blocking his right stick and her right attacking his left. Strike #3.

As soon as the sticks made contact they broke apart instantly moving into the next strike. Oliver moved his left arm across his body to protect his right side. He crossed his right arm over in a figure 8 extending it out towards Shalimar's right elbow. Shalimar mimicked Oliver's movements milli seconds before him blocking his attack and almost striking him. Strike #4.

Oliver shifted his stance moving his right leg back in line with his left and shoulder width apart into a straddle stance. He returned his left arm to his side and brought his right arm up to deliver a downward strike to Shalimar's core. Shalimar caught Oliver's strike in a cross formation of her sticks, she struggled for a moment before throwing his stick back towards him and copying his move. Oliver used the same blocking technique Shalimar had just used and he was surprised to feel the strength behind her stick. He held it for a few moments before she started to push harder. He saw a smile form on her face, he focussed and locked all his muscles to halt her movement. Then he clamped down his jaw in determination and pushed back throwing her kali stick back away from him. Strike #5.

Oliver heard hushed voices over his shoulder but decided to ignore them he knew it was Diggle and Brennan and he needed to concentrate on Shalimar she was more than she seemed.

Diggle whispered to Brennan, "She's a strong woman. I was shocked before when she stopped the Arrow now I'm speechless." "That's my girl. You ain't seen nothing yet." Brennan replied.

Shalimar stood her ground from the push back and smiled at the rise in challenge. "So do you only do the basics or can you improvise? I'm not seeing anything special here." She teased Oliver. He tightened his grip on his kali sticks, "I thought this was a friendly spar." He retorted. "Yeah but you at least have to give me a challenge this is child's play." She said twirling her sticks. "I see and the rules?" He queried. "Anything goes just make the strike order." She replied.

Without letting anymore time pass Oliver set into action he dropped into a crouch and swung his extended right arm to the left. Shalimar watched Oliver drop to his haunches and begin his strike to her and she took evasive action. She leapt into the air and spun over Oliver to land behind him. While crouched she turned her top half to the right and swung her right arm around with the kali stick connecting with the side of his shin. The force took Oliver's feet from under him and he stared up at the ceiling from his side.

Standing Shalimar held her sticks in her left hand and offered her right to help Oliver up. He accepted with a dumbfounded look on his face, "How did you..." He started to ask. "I tell you what I'll go easy on you how about you try again on strike #8 while I'm blindfolded." Before Oliver could reply Shalimar moved over to the equipment stand and retrieved her blindfold. Both heard Brennan snigger and she glared at him to be quiet she didn't want her surprised spoiled. Oliver was speechless he had amazing hearing and smell but he was hopeless at sight deprivation fighting.

Shalimar set the blindfold on and readied herself for an attack. She resumed her previous starting position and waited. Oliver could not believe he had to be the attacking partner in a sight deprivation fight. He took a few calming breaths and spun his kali sticks planning his move. He moved left to right a few times testing that she couldn't see and was satisfied when her head remained in the forward direction. He had to achieve a downward thrust on her left shoulder easy as it was already exposed. He moved into a right foot oblique stance to sustain his frontal strike. He brought up his right arm twisting so as the kali stick faced Shalimar and brought the stick down end first into Shalimar's shoulder.

Shalimar's sight went black as she tied the blindfold into place. She tested the security of the knot by twisting her head around making sure it would stay in place during the spar. Then she resumed her attack stance and waited. She heard Brennan's breathing he was calm watching the fight. She heard slightly raised breathing from near Brennan which must be Diggle. Then she heard Oliver's breathing he was taking deep slow breaths, she chuckled to herself he tries very hard to be calm she thought. Then she felt ripples in the air she felt the breeze over the hairs on her arms, at her elbow the breeze was light compared to a heavier breeze at her hands, he must be twirling the sticks. Next she heard footsteps 4 to the left then back and 4 to the right and back. She kept completely still focusing on her senses.

It was quiet for a moment then Shalimar heard a faint step closer to her than the others and on her left side so he was in a right foot stance. Next she felt a very gentle breeze on her left cheek in an upwards motion, he's moved into position. She relaxed further needing to sense the tiniest indication of his attack move. A small creek in the floor revealed Oliver had shifted his weight, Shalimar braced, she heard the whistle faintly getting louder and she decided to move. Bringing her left arm across her kali stick struck Oliver's an inch from her shoulder. She continued the movement until it was clear of her body and brought her right arm up above her head rotating her arm to point her kali stick down. She thrust the stick towards Oliver and his left shoulder making contact and knocking him back.

When she heard the thud of him hitting the floor she freed her hand and removed the blind fold. She saw a shocked and annoyed Oliver and she burst out laughing the adrenaline rush in her system making her feel hyped. "I'm sorry I tricked you with my unfair advantage nice effort you made me work much harder than I'm used to." She offered a hand to Oliver which he took. Once standing he bowed to Shalimar showing his respect even if he was really annoyed. Shalimar followed Oliver's bow with her own he had been more of a challenge while blindfolded than at the start and she was a little impressed.

"Hey you two want a drink?" Brennan asked. "Yeah" Shalimar replied. Oliver nodded. "You want to carry on watching or help me carry?" Brennan asked Diggle. "I'll give you a hand I think Oliver will play nice for a few minutes." He joked. "Come'on follow me I'll give you a tour." And with that they both left.

"You wanna try again?" Shalimar asked Oliver. "Sure train hard fight easy. Slade won't be easy so I need to train harder." He answered. "I tell you what you try and get me in the 12 strikes while I'm blindfolded and then I'll show you how to fight blind." She offered. "Deal." Oliver answered. Shalimar pulled the blindfold down again and resumed her attack stance and waited.

Up in the Helix Felicity took a seat at the same terminal as before and Jesse sat in front. "So we have backdoor access to the Pentagon, FBI, CIA, NSA, USCC you name it we have access. A perk of Adam's position." Jesse explained. Felicity was speechless with her mouth dropped open a little. "I think you're drooling." Jesse joked instantly making Felicity shut her mouth. "I guess its much faster having access rather than borrowing." At Jesse's confused look she elaborated, "Hacking is such an ugly term and illegal." Laughing Jesse turned back into his computer and started typing away. Felicity knew she had searched all the major intelligence agencies systems as well as the city's resources looking for Slade Wilson's name anywhere.

"When did Slade make himself known?"Jesse's question broke Felicity from her thoughts. "A few weeks ago but he had been meeting with Moira Queen he's backing her campaign. His financial trail went into several different offshore accounts then stopped. The first incident with Mirakuru was months back so I looked around that time and still nothing. I went back a few more months and drew a blank." Felicity speedily spoke answering Jesse's question. "Well he needs to live somewhere and eat so he needs money and people to do his bidding I imagine. Was there anything unusual before the Mirakuru appeared?" Jesse asked brainstorming.

Felicity thought about it, there was Isabel Rochev's hostile takeover of QC and the 4 fake hoods we stopped the hoods and outsmarted bitch Rochev. Then there was the triad stealing the medical supplies from the glades they are locked up now. Then the doll maker case and we stopped him and the Canary came on board. Next we took down the Mayor and his illegal gun operation. Russia was next saving Lyla and stupid Rochev struck again. The count came back again and Oliver made sure he's not going to come back ever. The Mirakuru made its first appearance with Cyrus Gold, Oliver stopped him and destroyed the serum. We dealt with shrapnel and took down the skull mask who we thought was behind the Mirakuru. We stopped the bronze tiger with the quake machine and freed the Canary from the league. Then we stopped Tockman and Slade appeared at Queen Mansion. "You sure keep busy." Jesse broke Felicity's thinking.

Felicity looked up at Jesse and blushed, "I said all that out loud?" He nodded, "Who's Isabel Rochev?" "I'm sure she was put here to make our lives awkward, she's co CEO of Queen Consolidated Oliver's company. She isn't very nice she thinks I'm Oliver's floozy and I slept my way to being his EA. Seriously why don't people think Oliver just wants someone he can trust. She always seems to be around when Oliver is running late and I'm a terrible liar, if we were a TV show I'd say she knew who we were and she planned to be around at those times." Felicity explained in her babbling way. "What if you're right and she does know." Jesse suggested "I've checked nothing linking her to Slade." "Hmm let me try something." He said typing away at his computer. "All done." Ye said a few moments later. "That search is running it shouldn't take long to finish. How did such a tech whiz get involved with the Arrow." Jesse asked making conversation.

"Well it's a long story but the short version is a bleeding out vigilante was in my car when I was leaving QC one night Moira had shot him. He trusted me because I'd already been helping him without knowing he really thought I was a true blonde. A bullet riddled laptop does not happen when you spill a latte on it. His lies are worse than mine. Anyway I took him to his base of operations and Diggle fixed him up. I only helped to save my boss Walter Steele at the time as he was kidnapped. Then I realised how much good he does for the city he is a real hero even if he is stubborn he constantly puts himself in danger for others." Felicity answered, "You must love him a lot." Jesse stated.

Before Felicity could answered Jesse's terminal bleeped he tapped the screen then sent the information to Felicity's monitor. "We got a hit take a look at Ms Rochev's private email there are multiple messages from a Wales Fillons." "What kind of a name is that?" She asked rhetorically. "Well we have a code cracking program and it identified Wales Fillons as an anagram for Slade Wilson. From the looks of these emails he has been instructing Ms Rochev on how to play Oliver. Their first communications were about the take over. Hang on there's something here one just came in an hour ago." Jesse trailed off reading the email. He heard Felicity gasp she was a speed reader too, "He's planning on kidnapping Thea before Moira's election rally. He wants Isabel to get the company from Oliver." She read out in a hushed voice her mind whizzing with plans.

Just then Diggle and Brennan appeared. Dig whistled his approval of the Double Helix, "Now a black driver can get some respect driving this." He joked, Brennan and Jesse laughed but Felicity was worried about the newest development and Diggle noticed. "Felicity what's wrong? Did you find Slade." "Yes and no, do you want the good news, bad news or the really bad first?" She asked. "Felicity." He sternly said. "Okay good news is yes we've found a digital trail thanks to Jesse. Bad news is still no location we're working on it." As she said that Jesse started tapping away. "And the bad news he's going to try and kidnap Thea." She finished. "When?" Was Diggles only question. "Before Moira's election rally which is next Saturday so we have a week to find him." She answered. "He needs to know." She added. "I'll get a security detail on her for now until we are finished here. He needs to speak to Detective Lance then he can watch Thea I don't think he will grab her till Friday he can't risk us finding her before he completes his plans." Diggle said he picked up his phone it had a blank screen which he showed to Felicity.

"Right Jesse can I?" She asked making sure it was okay to unblock his phone for a moment. While Diggle set the detail up Brennan started talking, "I'm showing Diggle around then grabbing drinks you want anything?" "We will be finished soon so meet you down there." Was Jesse's reply. Diggle finished on the phone, "They are heading to her night club now." Felicity activated the block again. "Come'on Diggle let's keep moving leave the nerds to it." Brennan said jokingly. "I'll give you nerd Jesse shouted back at Brennan's retreating form.

"We need to set up searches into Wales Fillons from before the take over at QC. Need to look into money transactions, property, employment, companies and travel movements." Felicity stated. "I'm working on the property don't just look for Wales Fillons he might have other anagram alias so use our coding programme it'll take a bit longer but it'll be through. I'm sure you can find it and work it in. I'll do employment next if you do the rest." Jesse said. "Alright." She agreed and entered the computer.

Emma walked into the hall room unfazed by the sparring scene taking place. Roy however stopped dead in the doorway and Canary almost walked into him as she was watching the scene. Oliver was flat on his back with Shalimar stood over him a huge smile on her face laughing. Oliver didn't look very happy but both newcomers noticed he was blindfolded. Shalimar grabbed Oliver's hand and pulled him to his feet still mildly laughing she asked, "Again?" His reply was taking his defensive straddle stance and had his kali sticks crossed over his chest.

Shalimar twirled her kali sticks while pacing back and forth. She stopped twirling and walked from in front of Oliver to behind him and approached his back. Lifting her right hand she brought the kali stick into a downwards thrust on Oliver's head. With the kali stick halfway towards his head Oliver raised his crossed sticks and spun on the spot. Shalimar's kali fell into the gap between his sticks and stopped its strike. Oliver threw her stick back and dropped into a crouch attempting to strike Shalimar's knee position. However she saw this and just as the kali stick should have impacted she pulled her legs up into her body. As the stick moved past her legs dropped and she landed in a crouch herself. She swung her left kali stick and impacted in Oliver's shoulder knocking him onto his side again. "Damn it." Shalimar laughed, "You're getting better. You're friends are here take a break." Oliver dropped his kali sticks and fell back onto his right arm while his left removed his blind fold.

Canary gently pushed Roy into the room and she skirted past him to Oliver. She was concerned about him not many could knock him down like that. "I'm okay Shalimar is teaching me to fight differently. I need some new moves if I'm going to take Slade down enough to help him." He answered Canary. "If you were centered you might fight better." Emma commented and Shalimar nodded in agreement. Everyone turned to look at Emma, "When I first arrived at Mutant X Shalimar helped me focus so that I could control my gift. Its all about breathing and relaxing. Look we will show you if you want. Roy you might benefit from this." Emma explained.

Roy dropped his hoodie by Oliver's bow and waited to see what was going to happen. Oliver stood and picked up his sticks offering to take Shalimar's back as well. Canary moved back towards the door keeping herself near the exit and out of the way. Emma picked up the tablet and started using it. Her tapping stopped and she lifted her head to look around the room.

The hall had disappeared to be replaced with a truly incredible sight. There was the sound of trickling water and Oliver saw a waterfall at the back feeding into a stream filled with plants, tealight candles and big pebbles. The stream was like a moat surrounding a wooden platform. The room emanated calm and safety. There were no windows but it felt like the room was connected to the outdoors. Oliver looked up to see an odd structure it was like a triangle but with rounded points and a long stairway up to it.

"What happened to the hall?" Roy asked followed closely by Oliver, "What is this place?" Emma and Shalimar giggled they never grew old of seeing peoples reaction to their beautiful home. "This is part of our home Sanctuary and our training Dojo." Shalimar answered. "This is our simulator generator we use it to train before some missions or just for fun. We have projectors in the corners and this is a simulation. This space was designed to be neutral and calming so it will be perfect for this exercise." Emma explained. She returned the tablet to its resting place and walked into the middle of the wooden platform. Shalimar followed, Oliver and Roy exchanged looks before joining both ladies. Canary remained where she was.

Oliver and Roy stood slightly behind the 2 ladies and in line with each other and watched. Emma and Shalimar started with feet together and wrists crossed in front of their chests. "It's progress we are after not perfection." Shalimar stated before falling silent. Oliver and Roy attempted to copy their movements. The ladies flowed from side to side extending their arms out to the furthest reaches and bringing them back in close to their chests to flow in a different direction. The movements became trance like pulling and pushing their bodies and energies back and forth, no need to rush, no life threatening accuracy required. Just flowing back and forth, out and in.

Oliver felt different he seemed to lose all reason to be broody and angry with the world. It felt like the island almost never happened, he was in the blissful place he had been finding while holding Felicity. He could feel the strength in his body, his muscles as they flexed in the gentle flowing movements they weren't under demand yet they seemed stronger. Oliver just let himself become consumed by the movements and nothing else.

Roy felt like a girl he was glad Thea wasn't around she'd find a way to make fun of how he was moving like a ballet dancer. He followed the movements but he felt clumsy compared to how elegant the ladies looked. "Roy breath in when you move towards your centre and out when you extend outwards. Try not to think about your movements just empty your mind." Emma quietly interrupted his thinking. Okay so don't think and breath. Pull my hands in and inhale, push my right hand there and left one here and exhale. Roy followed the breathing and copied the movements pushing other thoughts aside. Its so quiet, my body isn't shouting anymore. I can hear people moving and breathing in the building. I can see the hall behind the hologram thing. This is incredible I feel as strong as I do when I'm mad but I can think clearly. Roy stopped thinking and returned to the movements and breathing enjoying the peace he had found for the first time in his life.

AN: I wonder how long it will be peaceful for. Please leave me a review let me know how I'm doing.