Chapter 21

"WHERE IS SHE?" Clark shouted through the com at Bruce.

"We've got a plan to extract her and – "

"WHERE…IS…SHE?"

"We've got eyes on her location and I'll give it to you AFTER you listen to me."

"I'm flying over Starling, where are you?"

Bruce sighed "You're job is to get the hostages out and secure them in the Batcave. Alfred's expecting them. Then you fly back and help us. We're by a warehouse at the docks."

Clark flew over the docks. He could see both the Bat family and Team Arrow in position around the perimeter. He scanned the warehouse.

"I don't see her or the other hostage."

"They're underground" Nightwing said

Clark looked again

"There's an underground room, but I can't….it's lined with lead."

"Heat signatures say they're there. We're ready to go when you are. Just one warning it looks like Deathstroke is near them. Do not engage. Just get Felicity and Ms. Lance and get out. We'll attack when you go."

Clark positioned himself over the lead lined room and then flew down. He crashed his way into the room

"Felicity?" He said looking around

"Clark get out of here" she was on the ground in the corner next to an unconscious woman.

"Not without you" he was about to go towards her when he felt it. A crawling feeling up his neck, he faltered, his strength was leaving him.

"Felicity." He said looking at her

"Please Clark." She said "GO"

"It doesn't take much does it?" he turned to find Deathstroke looking at him. "When I first fought you I was wearing one of these. I bought it 3 years ago from a crazy man who claimed it fell from the sky. When I fought you it glowed. It's no coincidence. It was only after I escaped you that I made the connection. This stone." He said holding up a glowing rock. "It weakens you." Clark collapsed. He tried to make his way towards Felicity, but found that he was almost too weak to crawl. Slade walked forward laughing.

"It's nothing personal" Slade continued "But your interference could jeopardize any move I make in the future. So I've decided to eliminate you." He pulled a sword from the scabbard on his back.

"NO" Felicity shouted.

"Felicity" Clark groaned

Slade smiled. He walked over to where Felicity was bound on the floor. "Don't worry Luv. I'll make it quick." He caressed her hair. "Look at him Ms. Smoak, see how he struggles to save you even though he has no chance. That is love." He turned to Clark. "I'll probably end up killing her too. We all know Queen cares more for Ms. Lance than your Felicity. The two of you can be reunited in death." He slowly drew his sword across Clark's face. Clark cried out. The sword had managed to draw blood. "See how the stones have weakened him. I can hurt him. He can bleed. I can kill him."

Felicity struggled against the bonds, but they stayed put. Then Digg and Sara burst in.

"Get away from them."

"Ah Sara, how lovely to see you again." Slade smiled. He pulled out a gun and pointed it at laurel's he, while placing the edge of his sword against Felicity's throat.

"The rocks" Felicity shouted "They're draining his strength."

"Shut up." Slade roared "One more step and I make sure they both die screaming"

"You're surrounded Slade" Digg said "Oliver and the others are securing the perimeter. It's over."

"Not yet. This isn't over until I say it is." Slade said. "Where's Oliver."

"I'm here." Oliver walked in. behind Slade, Batman and Nightwing dropped in silently from the hole in the ceiling. Nightwing grabbed Superman and was about to escape with him by using a grapple.

"Not so fast." Slade tossed one of his swords, severing the grapple line and dropping both Nightwing and Clark to the ground.

"I see you've made yourself some new friends." Slade sneered "you always did hide behind those who were better," he indicated Batman "Smarter" he indicated Felicity "and stronger" he pointed at Clark.

"Put your weapons down" Oliver said

"No" Slade shouted "You took everything from me. You murdered Shado. You injected me with the Mirakuru. Everything I am is your fault. Just as everything that happens to them will be. You will learn what it means to – "

Batgirl dropped in from the ceiling and stuck him in the neck with a syringe. Slade collapsed.

"Sorry to rain on what I'm sure was a really well rehearsed speech, but villain grandstanding really gets on my nerves."

"That syringe was full of the prototype of the Mirakuru antidote. It's untested so there may be side effects" Nightwing said as he untied Felciity. "Hopefully they're painful."

Sara rushed over to Laurel and untied her. She and Digg picked her up and carried her from the room. Robin grabbed the kryptonite and put it in a lead lined box while Batman grabbed his gun.

"The perimeter is secure and the police are on their way. By the way Queen, Isabel Rochev is among those we got tied up outside. You need a better screening process for your business partners."

Felicity rushed towards Clark. He managed to get to his feet.

"Felicity" he whispered, still weakened from the kryptonite.

"I'm here" she whispered. "I'm – LOOK OUT" Felicity pushed Clark out of the way.

A shot ran out.

"FELICITY" Clark shouted.

She was lying on the ground. Slade, who it was apparent had only been faking his unconscious state, was holding a small gun he had hidden in pocket on his chest.

"No no no no no" Clark held Felicity. Batman and Oliver launched themselves at Slade. The antidote had weakened him enough to for them to be able to subdue him.

"I told you kid." Slade cackled "I will see you suffer. Her blood is on your hands"

Clark turned towards Slade, his eyes murderous.

"Kal" Batman said "Felicity needs a hospital" Clark wrenched his eyes away and gathering up Felicity he flew to Starling City General.

"This woman has been shot. She needs help."

The ER doctors stood in shock.

"NOW" Clark shouted.

Scared, they quickly took Felicity and took her to the operating room.

"Superman." Bruce said over coms "you need to leave the hospital"

"I can't just leave her."

"You can and you will. Staying here doesn't help her it only compromises your secret and raises questions as to why Superman is so interested in Felicity Smoak. Leave. Now."

Clark flew out of the hospital and back to the warehouse. Grabbing Slade he slammed him against the wall. He started choking him.

"Give me one good reason not to end your worthless existence."

"Stand down Kal" Batman said

Slade laughed "Going to kill me are you?" he gasped.

"It's what he wants" Batman said.

"I don't care. He hurt her. She could be dying right now because of him." Clark tightened his grip on Slade's neck. "I'm going to watch as the life slowly drains from his body."

"And what would Felicity think if she saw you right now?" Bruce said quietly. "Do you think she'd want you to become a killer because of her?"

"He deserves to die."

"He deserves to rot in jail tormented by the ghosts of his crimes and his failure." Batman said

Clark slowly loosened his grip, letting Slade drop to the ground.

"You're weak" Slade laughed "ALL OF YOU."

"I won't kill you" Clark said "But I will ensure that you are incapable of forgetting what you have done. You tried to extinguish Felicity's light, I'm going to make sure that you never see the light again." His eyes began to glow red and he directed his eye beams straight at Slade's remaining eye.

"Enjoy your darkness Mr. Wilson" Then he flew away.

He was changing back into his civilian clothes when he got the call.

"Mr. Kent? My name is Dr. Wilson from Starling City General Hospital. You're listed as the emergency contact for Ms. Felicity Smoak."

"That's me. Is Felicity alright?"

"I'm afraid Ms. Smoak has had a grevious accident. How soon can you get to the hospital?"

"Is she alright" Clark repeated.

The doctor paused. "It's best that you get here soon so I can explain the details."

Clark took a deep breath. He called Lois and left a message on her answering machine explaining where he was. He then flew to the hospital.

"Please Felicity." He begged "Please don't leave me."