" Where are we? Why did you bring us here Speedy? This isn't exactly a safe neighborhood."

Not safe an understatement in the mind of Laurel Lance from the scenery all around her. A scenery that screamed out crime. A part of The Glades that nobody dared to venture into. A part that was known for high crime activity.

So that begged the question as to why they were in this part of the city at this given moment? Something she had been racking over in her mind as she followed after Thea through the city and to this part of town.

A place she never dared not venture into. Not alone anyways. Especially now. Especially since her face along with the other members of her family would be easily recognized in this part of the city. Something she knew would brew trouble instantly for them.

But not only this but a certain other figure was also on her mind. A figure that was still a mystery to her. A figure that was causing so much panic in the city. From the crime lords of the city to even the citizens that called Starling City their home.

The vigilante. The Dark Archer. Whatever you wanted to call them. The reason for so much panic in the city. Known as a hero to some. But for others it was the exact opposite. Instead they were known as a murder.

A man or woman that was taking the law into their own hands. An act that was causing more harm than good in her eyes. Especially since when she was about to achieve a breakthrough the right way just over a week ago.

Was about to achieve something nobody thought was ever possible. About to achieve true justice. About to ensure that one of the most corrupt individuals would spend the rest of his days behind bars. A moment she knew would have brought true changes to the city.

A moment that would make every criminal in the city think twice about committing a crime. Make them think twice about breaking the law.

But it was not meant to be. Instead they had showed up. Instead the mysterious vigalantee had once again taken matters into their own hands. Had once again caused an unimaginable incident to take place.

An incident that in which could only been seen through the countless horror movies she had watches in the past. Only this time it had been different. This time it wasn't only a crime lord that had fallen before them. This time it came with the price of the lives of a few police officers.

Officers with families. Officers with clean records. Good men and women that only seeked to do justice. Much like she did. Officers that were only doing their jobs to only receive their ends at the hands of the vigilante.

A violent end only suitable for the corrupt. But not for them. Instead they had been casualties on that given day. Casualties of war. War that had been taking place inside of the city for years like countless others.

Only this time things were proving to be different. This time their deaths would be avenged. That was the word that had been going around the city. Word that a massive manhunt for the mysterious archer was about to take place.

An drastic event in the minds of some in the city. While others didn't think this way at all. Didn't think the move was drastic at all. Instead thought it was something that needed to be done. Needed to be done to ensure the safety on the citizens of the city. Especially from the higher ups that were looking to save face in these dark times.

Dark times such as these. Streets filled with nothing but crime. Robberies and muggings taking place around every street and alleyway daily like clockwork. Missing persons reports being filled with every passing day. Families being slowly torn apart. Streets getting littered with the homeless.

Just like this street. A street that showed so much already. A street that once showed a peaceful neighborhood. But no longer. Instead it displayed the exact opposite.

Once beautiful homes now showing signs of multiple break ins with no attempt by the previous owners to restore their home. Gang signs and graffiti spray painted across each and every wall as far as the eye could see. Broken down street lights and stop signs displaying no sign of any authority nearby.

" Well after everything that has been going on for the last couple of weeks, I figured it was time we learned how to defend ourselves. And i mean truly defend ourselves. Especially if this Dark Archer character is still at large just hunting down random people.

So after doing hours of research and extensive background checking, I found this place."

Without turning her eyes away from Laurel for a single second as she extends her right index finger out to point towards a nearby building slowly Thea watches Laurel turn to look towards the building before after a few moments Thea can't help but do the same.

" Wildcat Gym? What exactly kind of gym is this? It doesn't look like much."

" Exactly. Just take a look at the place. It provides us the perfect cover for us to get some combat training. Think about it. None of us will be pestered by the media here since this would be the last place they would ever think to look. This place is secure and we wouldn't need to worry about any outside distractions in here."

Taking her eyes away from the gym as a smile forms across her face slowly Laurel looks back over towards Thea to see her doing the same before her smile widens even more when she sees out of the corner of her eye Oliver nodding his head as he looks over towards the gym with a smile across his face.

" You really thought all of this out didn't you?"

" Yep. I thought it was time we fight fire with fire whenever the situation called for it. Just like trouble has been finding us for the past couple of weeks. Even though we have already taken some precautions in that regard, I still think each of us should learn some kind of combat style so we can defend ourselves.

Besides if this place doesn't measure up to our expectations then there is always plan b. Although let's hope it doesn't come to that."

" And this mysterious plan of yours was what exactly?"

" Well i was going to suggest that we hire some personal trainers for ourselves. I was thinking that we could have a personal yoga trainer for ourselves while Ollie could work with Diggle. Since he is ex military from what he's told Ollie then i'm sure he wouldn't have any problem in helping train him in some form of combat.

But as i thought about it that plan would totally blow up in my face. Knowing Ollie whenever he would see you doing some sort of yoga stretch he would get distracted causing the whole thing to unravel quickly. And don't you even defy it Ollie."

Without having any chance to react as she hears Oliver and Laurel letting out a small laugh slowly Thea crosses her arms over her chest before as she hears their laughter dying down Thea let's out a small huff.

" Well she's got me there. I would get constantly distracted by watching your cute butt."

" I do have a cute butt don't i?"

" The best."

As a bright smile forms across her face leaning forward Laurel presses her lips to Oliver's own for a gentle kiss before seconds later as she feels herself getting lost into the kiss Laurel pulls away to look towards Thea when she hears her clearing her throat.

" Hey! If you're finished save the lovey dovey stuff for behind closed doors. We've got work to do."

Letting out a small laugh as they see a glare coming across Thea's face Oliver and Laurel raise their free hands up in mock surrender before moments later as they see Thea walking past them in the direction of the gym slowly they follow after her.

" Alright we're coming Speedy. But before we go inside i think it would be best for you to tell us everything that you found out about this place. Afterall it's like i said before. This isn't the safest of neighborhoods."

" To be honest there wasn't much to be told about this place. From what i've seen the gym is owned by some guy named Ted Grant. He's some sort of ex boxer or something. Anyways from what i've gathered after he hung up his gloves he opened up this place. I guess he wanted to pass down his knowledge to others. That's what i'm guessing anyways. He was a pretty good boxer from what his record was telling me."

Within mere moments as they see Thea entering into the gym slowly Oliver and Laurel follow after her before as they hear the sound of the gym's doors closing behind them a confused look comes across their faces from what they see.

A gym that seemed as though it had been abandoned. Off into the far corner of the room punching bags one after another are seen lined up with traces of dust across them. In the middle of the room a large boxing ring could be found with the same traces that it hadn't been used for sparing in a long time.

A scene that made their confusion only deepen as they stare around at the inside of the room. But confusion however they knew deep down they shouldn't be having. Shouldn't be having due to where the gym was located. Located in a part of town that nobody dared to adventure off into.

Which only made the question of why here enter into their minds. Why would he decide to open a gym out in this part of the city? Why would he choose to open an establishment in the most dangerous parts of the city?

Did this place hold a special meaning to him? It must have in order for him to open shop in a place like this. Was he one of the very few citizens that decided to remain living in this side of the city. Or was it something else.

So many questions entering throughout their minds making it so they are unaware of a figure staring directly at them from a side room off in the corner of the room.

" Well this is promising."

Snapping her head to the side as she sees Laurel staring towards her with a grin across her face letting out a huff Thea sends a glare her way before she looks back forward towards the ring.

" Well you got to give it to her. This place does provide the perfect cover for us."

" Exactly!"

" But this place does look as though it's been abandoned. Are you sure that this place is even still open?"

" I'm sure. Well…."

" Well what?"

" Well when i did an internet search about finding us possible gyms inside of the city to take a look at the only thing that i could find on this place was an outdated website with only the address and business hours posted on the website."

Letting out a sigh as she looks over towards Thea slowly Laurel shakes her head before the sound coming from the corner of the room causes her to look away from Thea and over towards the corner to see what she deemed to be a figure standing in the shadows.

" Can i help you?"

" Is your name Ted Grant? The owner of Wildcat Gym?"

" That depends what your intentions are Ms Lance."

" You know my name?"

" That's right. I never forget a face. Especially since your face has been plastered across every news station around the city along with the two standing beside you. Now i ask again what are you doing here in my establishment?"

" If you know who we are then we can just cut straight to the chase. We're looking for a place to receive proper training to use in order to defend ourselves when we need to. My little sister's idea. As you might have guessed this is our first stop since it would provide the perfect cover for us in terms of the media and any unwanted guests getting in the way."

" I see. And this sister of yours. I was under the assumption that she was dead."

Glancing over to her side as she sees Oliver briefly closing his eye gently Laurel gives his hand a squeeze before she looks back over towards Ted seeing him glancing back and forth between her and Oliver.

" The sister that you are referring to was lost out to sea. However in this case, I was referring to the young lady that is standing beside me."

" And what makes you think that i'm willing to train your little group?"

" Well for starters from the looks of it you could use the business."

" Money isn't everything. There is more important things in life than money. Especially to me."

" I can agree with that statement. There is a lot more important things in life than money. However think of this as a business deal. We're looking to get proper training so we can defend ourselves whenever a situation arises. And if you have seen the news recently then you know we can use all the help we can get in that regard. You will be well compensated for your teachings. What do you say? Do we have a deal?"

" No deal. Don't come around here again. I don't need to be wasting my time with the likes of you three."

With her eyes go as wide as saucers as she sees Ted turning around to enter into a nearby side room shaking her head Laurel slowly leads Oliver towards the entrance doors before as she reaches the entrance doors a confused look comes across the face of Laurel as she looks over her shoulder to see Thea unwavering staring intensely at Ted's retreating form.

" Speedy? Let's go. I've seen a lost cause when i see one."

" Just a second. Hey you! What's the matter!? Don't think you can do it anymore!?"

As she sees Ted coming to a complete stop to look over his shoulder in her direction slowly Thea crosses her arms over her chest as a grin forms across her face.

" I think, I know what all of this is about. I don't think you have a problem with any of us. I think the problem here is you. You don't think you could do it. Afterall your gym just radiates the fear that you're trying to mask from everyone."

" Afraid? You think that i'm afraid of you? No that's where you are wrong. I'm afraid of what i'll do to you little girl. Now run on home. This isn't the place for you."

" That's where you are wrong Mr Grant. I think this is the perfect place for us."

" Is that so?"

" I know so."

" Then let's find out."

Without taking her eyes away from Ted for a single second as she sees him re emerging into the room that she is in to only disappear around the corner in a nearby room a confused look comes across Thea's face before suddenly as she sees Ted emerging out of the room with a pair of boxing gloves along with a piece of protective head gear Thea's eyes widen as she glances over her shoulder at Oliver and Laurel to see the same reactions across their faces.

Suddenly without having anytime to react Thea let's out a small groan as she catches the boxing gloves in her hands followed by the head gear before as she glances down towards the boxing gloves in her hands slowly Thea looks up to see Ted putting on a set of boxing gloves as he approaches the ring.

" Alright let's find out if you're just all bark or not. Get in the ring."

As she sees Ted jumping up onto the apron to only witness him moments later duck through the ring ropes glancing over her shoulder as she sees Laurel and Oliver approaching her taking a deep breathe slowly reaching out Thea puts on one of the boxing gloves with the help of Laurel followed by the other as the sound of Ted throwing a couple of practice jabs inside of the ring echoes through the gym.

" Let's go princess. I don't got all day."

Glancing up as she sees Ted throwing right jabs at high speed slowly Thea gulps her throat before as she turns her head back to grab the headgear from Laurel the sound of a loud bang echoes throughout the room causing Thea and Laurel to suddenly snap their heads to look towards the ring.

Suddenly as she sees Oliver entering into the ring dropping the head gear into Thea's hands quickly Laurel climbs up onto the apron as she sees Oliver approaching Ted.

" Ollie?"

With a grin forming across his face as he sees Oliver coming to a complete stop to glance over his shoulder towards a concerned looking Laurel on the apron of the ring suddenly Ted let's out a loud whistle causing them to snap their heads towards him.

" So you want the first round? Fine by me. I was expecting to face the little chiwawa with all the bark first but i'll settle for the protective older brother instead."

" Ollie? Ollie don't…."

" You should really listen to her. Wouldn't want to ruin that pretty face of yours now would we."

Taking his eyes away from Grant as he sees Laurel glancing back and forth between them slowly Oliver makes eye contact with her before seconds later as he hears her letting out a sigh Oliver watches Laurel give him the slightest of nods as she gets down from the ring apron and down to the ground to stand next to Thea.

Slowly turning back forward as he sees Ted looking towards him with a grin plastered across his face Oliver can't help but do the same as he slowly cracks his neck.

" Wildcat huh? Let's put that name to the test."

With his grin only intensifying as he slowly gets into his boxing stance to only see Oliver just staring towards him with intensity radiating from his eyes in a sudden move rearing back Ted sends a right jab his direction to only feel himself hitting nothing but air as he sees Oliver moving his head in the opposite direction.

Rearing back once again as he sends another jab followed by another that continues to hit nothing but air from Oliver's constant dodging attempts suddenly Ted switches tactics hoping to catch him by surprise by throwing jabs with his other hand to receive the same result as he presses on forward towards Oliver.

As he sees the next jab coming in his direction in a sudden move side stepping to the side Oliver sends a vicious strike to Ted's stomach forcing the former boxer to suddenly lose focus for a split second before without giving him a chance to react Oliver sends a vicious strike that connects across Ted's face causing the former boxer to stumble backwards a few feet.

Regaining his footing as he feels some blood forming inside of his mouth rearing back Ted spits a small amount of blood down a few feet away on the ring before as he looks back up to see Oliver staring towards him with a blank look across his face Ted can't help but grin in his direction.

" A challenge. I like that."

Taking a deep breathe as he slowly gets into his boxing stance to see Oliver unwavering from his spot with lightening fast speed Ted sends a right hook in Oliver's direction to only seconds later have his eyes widen when he feels himself hitting nothing but air.

Without giving him a chance to react as he switches up hands once again to send a series of left jabs in Oliver's direction to hit nothing but air Ted lets out a disgruntled sigh before mere seconds later as he sends a right hook that misses his target completely Ted is forced to grit his teeth as he feels a vicious strike landing against his side followed by another.

Continuing his onslaught as he sends vicious strike one after another into Ted's side to see the former boxer flinch from every blow that lands across his side as he tries to block the strikes to no prevail suddenly Oliver feels himself hitting nothing but air as he sees Ted leaping back a couple of feet.

Charging forward as he sends a combination of jabs towards Oliver that hits nothing but air the glare across Ted's face intensifies before slowly as he sees Oliver back peddling towards one of the ring posts a mere ghost smile comes across Ted's face.

As she sees the fight inside of the ring caminsing once again with Oliver with the advantage Laurel can't help the smile that comes across her face as for a brief second she glances over to her side to see Thea with the same smile across her face before as she turns her head back forward towards the ring the smile across her face vanishes and her eyes go wide when she sees Oliver back peddling near a ring post as Ted continues to send series of strikes in his direction that seem to be getting closer to landing.

" Oliver!?"

Keeping his attention on Ted as he feels his back hitting the ring post as Ted sends another jab in his direction in a sudden move Oliver snaps his head just in time to avoid the incoming strike followed by another.

With her eyes going wide as she sees Oliver continuing to dodge jab after jab being sent his way by Ted despite being cornered against the ring post Laurel can't help but stare at the scene in total shock before as she feels her hand being gently grabbed Laurel snaps out of her shocked state to glance over towards Thea to see her staring towards the ring with a smile slowly forming across her face.

As he sees Ted continuing to send jab one after another in his direction that seem to only be getting quicker by the second Oliver continues to keep his head constantly in motion dodging every single strike coming in his direction before as he sees Ted throwing his body into his next punch in a sudden move Oliver side steps to the side causing Ted's right hook to go over his head before as he hears Ted's back striking against the ring post without giving him a chance to react Oliver sends a right hook of his own that connects directly to Ted's jaw causing his body to slide down the ring post.

Leaping back a few feet as he sees Ted slowly rising to his knees raising up his hands Oliver gets into a fighting stance before slowly Oliver watches Ted reach up to wipe some blood off his busted lip.

" Well done. Good stance. Better control than i've seen on most."

Lowering down his hands as he sees Ted looking back towards him with a smile coming across his face slowly walking over Oliver extends a hand out towards Ted to only feel his hand being grabbed within moments before tugging back Oliver helps Ted rise up to his feet as the sound of clapping from down below echoes throughout the room.

Letting go of Ted's hand as he looks down to see Laurel and Thea smiling up towards him as they continue to clap their hands with a smile coming across his face slowly Oliver bows his head down towards them earning him a small laugh from the girls before within moments as he sees Laurel sliding under the ring ropes slowly Oliver makes his way over towards her to only feel himself being brought into a deep kiss by Laurel.

As he feels Laurel wrapping her arms around his neck slowly Oliver wraps his arms gently around her waist earning him a small giggle before seconds later as he feels Laurel breaking off the kiss out of the corner of his eye Oliver watches Laurel lean her head down to rest close to his ear.

" I want you so bad."

Leaning her head back as she sees Oliver looking directly at her with a smile across his face Laurel can't help but do the same before slowly as she leans forward the sound of someone clearing their throat from a short distance away causes her to suddenly stop to turn her head to the source to see Thea standing nearby with a smile across her face as she shakes her head.

" I'm guessing it's a movie theatre night for me isn't it? You know so you can spend a long night with your Rocky Balboa."

As she sees a massive blush coming across Laurel's face slowly Thea shakes her head before she looks over towards Ted to see him pulling off his boxing gloves.

" Sorry about that. They tend to do that alot."

" It's fine. However i do have some questions. Starting with where did you receive your training?"

Suddenly as she sees the smile across his face vanish slowly Laurel follows Oliver eyes to look at Ted to see him glancing back and forth between them.

" Your footwork. Your tactics. Although i've seen it happen to others before you were baiting me to go on the offensive while you were just waiting for an opening to present itself to you. It shows that you have had some sort of training."

" I was stranded on an island for five years. I had to learn how to defend myself from everything that lurked on the island. Otherwise i wouldn't have survived."

" Fair enough. Now about training here what do you expect to learn from me exactly? You weren't giving me your all…."

" Neither were you. You were holding back too."

Rearing back as he throws his boxing gloves out of the ring slowly Ted nods his head as a grin forms across his face.

" Indeed i was. From what i've seen you don't have much to learn. However if you are serious about wanting to learn how to defend yourselves then i won't turn you away. I originally opened this gym to help anyone that needed to let off some steam on something other than others. To in a sense help give them a sense of direction."

" So you used this place as some sort of therapy center?"

" I guess you could say that. In the bigger picture yes. But it was also a means for citizens of the city such as yourselves to learn how to defend themselves. From what i could tell you each could use it."

" What do you mean? From what we say Ollie totally kicked your ass in there."

" I wasn't referring to Oliver. I was referring to you and Laurel. Let me see if i've got this right. I assume since her father is an known police officer in the city Ms Lance has been taught some forms of combat by her father as a means to defend herself. Maybe some self defense classes as well due to her line of work.

You on the other hand i'm guessing have never thrown a punch before in your life. Although you have the heart and would have gotten in the ring with me to show it when you were putting on your boxing gloves, I noticed your hands were shaking. Anyone with some sort of training wouldn't show this.

Are my theories correct?"

Glancing to his side as he sees Thea nodding her head Ted returns the nod before he looks back over towards Oliver and Laurel.

" That's what i thought. I have no problem in you training here in my gym. I'll even teach you everything that i know. But if we do this there is no turning back. There is no half assing this. I expect one hundred percent effort out of each of you and nothing else. Can you agree to these terms?"

Looking around the ring as he sees everyone in the ring nodding their head towards him as a smile forms across his face Ted returns the nod before slowly he makes his way over towards the ring ropes to only stop just as he is about to go through the ropes.

" Good. We will start your training tomorrow. Starting at seven o'clock sharp tomorrow night."

Without having any chance to react as they see Ted stepping through the ring ropes to only see his retreating form go out of sight through a nearby side room slowly Laurel leads Oliver out of the ring with Thea following after them before mere moments later as they exit out of the gym the sound of a cell phone going off causes Laurel to look away from their parked car and towards Oliver's pocket.

Reaching back as he retrieves his cellphone from his back pocket to find an unknown number across the caller id with a flick of his thumb Oliver snaps open his cell phone before slowly he brings it up to his ear.

" Hello?"

" Hello Oliver."

Looking away from their parked car as he looks over towards Laurel to see him looking towards him with a curious look across his face slowly Oliver nods his head towards the cellphone before within moments as he sees Laurel leaning over Oliver brings the phone closer to her.


" So let me get this straight. Mom wants you to meet her at Queen Consolidated tomorrow to discuss business involving the company? Nothing else?"

Placing his drink down on the kitchen counter as he looks over towards Thea to see her looking directly towards him from the living room slowly Oliver gives her a nod as he feels Laurel gently placing a small bag of ice down on his bruised knuckles.

" It looks that way."

" I don't buy it. There's always something else when it comes to mom."

" Normally i would agree with you on this but your mother doesn't have any leg to stand on. According to your father's will in the event of his death Queen Consolidated's stocks were to be divided among the Queen family with each of you getting a large number of shares. In fact from what my understanding is Oliver owns fifty one percent of Queen Consolidated's stocks and he is the rightful heir to take control of the company if he so chose so."

" So what do you think i should do?"

" I think that you should hear her out. If something happens that makes you feel uncomfortable then you can always leave. But i think it would be best that you meet up with her. Especially if it involves your father's company.

I do think however that you should bring Thea along with Mr Diggle with you to these meetings. You're mother can be manipulative in terms of getting what she wants."

" Alright then it's settled. Tomorrow Ollie and i will take a class field trip to Queen Consolidated. I'll report everything that happens during the meeting to you after principle Lance."

As she sees Thea giving her a salute Laurel raises an eyebrow towards her before she watches Thea slowly make her way out of the living room and towards the loft's door.

" I'm gonna go catch a late night showing."

Suppressing a laugh as she sees Thea giving her a wink Laurel can't help but smile towards her before as the sound of the loft door closing behind her echoes throughout the loft slowly Laurel turns her attention over towards Oliver.

" So we've got the whole loft to ourselves. What do you want to do?"

" Oh i can think of a few things."