Elli Bishop: Oh tell me about it, the Arrow writers repeatedly make everyone stupid to fit the plot, best seen in season five. It's actually fun poking holes in the plot contrived stupidity of the characters. Yep, Slade and Emiko is a match made in Hell.
Guest 1: Maybe, we'll see.
Guest 2: That's not really a plan I have for Sin at this time. And even then, that really wouldn't matter to Sin, as Sin really doesn't seem to think highly of her father.
Guest 3: Yep. Nope, not good at all.
Queen Mansion
Morning
Oliver walked out of his bathroom, dressed only in a towel when he heard his phone ring. Walking over to his desk, where it was still plugged in, he picked it up and saw Felicity's image flashing across the screen.
"What is it?" Oliver asked as he answered.
"Have you seen the news this morning?" Felicity asked in a panic and Oliver frowned.
"No. Why, what's wrong?" Oliver inquired.
"Turn it on," Felicity said in a voice that had him on edge.
Oliver picked up the remote to his TV and turned it on. By chance, it was already on a news station and a news caster was giving a report. Oliver's blood ran cold as he read the caption 'Blood killed by Starling Vigilante?' on the screen.
"Early this morning, Sebastian Blood's body was found in his campaign office. The murder weapon was an arrow to the heart. Reports say that Blood and the vigilante had an altercation earlier in the week in which the vigilante threatened Mr. Blood," the news caster said. "Starling City Police refused to comment on whether the vigilante was a suspect or not."
"It looks like your evil sister is back and she just made you the SCPD's most wanted," Felicity said in a rush.
"She's done more than that…she's made the vigilante public enemy number one," Oliver muttered.
Starling City Police Department
Same time
Quentin stood in the Squad room with every other officer in the precinct, all of them facing Pike as he addressed them.
"As I'm sure all of you know, Sebastian Blood was found dead in his campaign office earlier this morning. The Coroner's office is still examining the body, but the murder weapon was an arrow," Pike explained. "According to members of Mr. Blood's staff, there was an altercation between Blood and the vigilante earlier in the week following Blood's Unity Rally. As of right now, the vigilante is the prime suspect in Blood's murder. DA Spencer will be issuing an arrest warrant for him later today. If you see him, do not engage without backup. I don't think I need to remind you all that he is to be considered armed and extremely dangerous."
As the officers began walking out of the room, Quentin had an uneasy feeling in his stomach. It was obvious that Emiko was setting Oliver up. And she was doing a pretty good job of it.
Arrow lair
Later in the afternoon
"So, your sister goes dark for months, and then frames you for murder? Why?" Diggle asked as he, Oliver, Felicity and Roy stood in the lair, a news report on Blood's murder playing on the computer.
"Because she hates me," Oliver said bluntly. "From what my mom told me, Emiko's mother was unstable. Growing up in that kind of environment, it seems Emiko came to hate me as much as her mother did."
"But why kill Blood of all people?" Felicity wondered.
"Fastest way to get people to turn on the vigilante, kill Starling's favorite son," Roy pointed out and Oliver nodded in agreement.
"Roy's right, she saw an opportunity and took it. And my visit to the Alderman certainly helped matters in her favor," Oliver noted.
"So what do we do?" Felicity asked.
"Roy, hit the streets, see if you can find anything out. Felicity, keep an open channel with the rest of us, Quentin Lance may contact you, keep me updated. John, come with me, I have some of my own contacts I want to check out," Oliver ordered.
"What about Sara?" Diggle asked.
"Sara's handling another problem," Oliver said as he and Roy exchange grim looks.
The Glades
Same time
In a warehouse, Sara and Sin were exchanging blows with wooden Bo staffs when Sara suddenly struck out with hers, delivering a well-aimed strike to Sin's feet. Sin swayed before angrily trying to strike Sara. Sara brought up her staff to block but the force of Sin's strength broke both staffs and Sara as sent flying across the room, to Sin's shock. Sara hit the wall back first but was otherwise unharmed.
"And that is why we didn't use metal," Sara said as she got to her feet.
"I'm sorry, I-" Sin started.
"It's okay, this is gonna take some getting used to," Sara assured her. "What's happened to you, it made you powerful. But if you can't learn to control that power, you'll be a threat to everyone around you."
"You talk like you've seen this before," Sin noted and Sara was silent for a moment.
"Five years ago, I encountered a man with the same abilities. He was injected with the same thing you were," Sara finally admitted.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Sin demanded angrily.
"Because I didn't want to scare you. The serum twisted his mind until he was unrecognizable to the people closest to him. And eventually he had to be put down," Sara explained.
"Oh," Sin said in a small voice that made Sara realize just how young she was.
"Hey," Sara walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I am not gonna let that happen to you, I promise."
Queen Mansion
Not long after
"What happened to Sebastian Blood was a tragedy, but I don't see what it has to do with me," Moira said as she sat down across from Pike in the sitting room.
"You have to admit, it's awfully convenient that Mr. Blood meets an unfortunate end right around the time you plan on announcing your plan to run for mayor," Pike pointed out.
"And I'm sure this has nothing to do with how the city feels about me," Moira said sarcastically.
"Well, considering what happened with Unidac Industries, you understand our concerns," Pike pointed out.
"What I understand is you coming to me with a baseless accusation. I'll make this easy for you: I had nothing to do with Sebastian Blood's death. Unless you have any further questions, please leave," Moira said managing to keep her tone both angry and profession.
Pike nodded before rising and walking out of the sitting room. Once he was gone, Thea walked in.
"So, do we need a lawyer?" Thea asked.
"No. The SCPD were just ruling me out, it does look suspicious," Moira admitted with a sigh. "I just hope your brother can put a stop to Emiko's madness soon."
Garage
Later in the afternoon
Oliver and Diggle walked into the garage and all movement stopped. Apparently, Oliver's role in Alexi's death was neither forgotten nor forgiven; given the looks the Bratva members were giving him and Diggle.
"How may I help you brother?" the new leader as he walked over, barely managing to keep his voice civil.
"The copycat archer, the one who killed Sebastian Blood. I want them found," Oliver said, not beating around the bush. "I know you have the resources to point me in the right direction."
"You know how things work around here," the leader pointed out and Oliver nodded.
"Whatever you need, I'll do it," Oliver promised and the leader smiled.
"Good. I hope you still feel that way," the leader said as Oliver got the feeling he was going to hate whatever this 'favor' was. "Because a man with your abilities should use them for the right reasons. And I know just the thing."
Starling City
Same time
"Congratulations," Slade greeted Emiko as she walked into his office. "Your plan to frame Oliver for the Alderman's death went perfectly."
"The police have always been looking for an excuse to crucify Oliver, it was no difficult task. What do you want?" Emiko asked and Slade smirked.
"I like you, you don't bother with false pleasantries. I think it's time you begin honoring our alliance," Slade, picking up a file and sliding it across his desk. "My plan has a final step, months from now. I need that to make it happen."
Emiko picked up the file and opened it. As she did, her eyes widened in surprise.
"You realize what this could do?" Emiko asked as she looked up at Slade.
"Yes. Can you get it?" Slade asked pointedly.
"Give me twenty four hours and I'll have it for you," Emiko promised.
Arrow lair
Night
"Are you sure about this Oliver? The city is already feeling like you're the bad guy in all this. Doing this might make it worse," Diggle pointed out.
"They already think I killed Sebastian Blood. There is nothing that can make this situation worse," Oliver said, grabbing his bow as Roy walked in.
"What's going on?" Roy inquired, sensing the tension in the room.
"Oh, Oliver's gonna go rob an architect for the Bratva," Felicity muttered, taking Roy back.
"Um, what?" Roy asked confused.
"The Bratva has resources we can use to locate Emiko. But they want me to take the plans for some building first," Oliver explained.
"This has bad idea written all over it," Felicity voiced her displeasure with this course of action.
"Maybe, but my leads were all dead ends. Anyone have any better ideas on how to find Emiko?" Roy asked and the other two were silent. "Then it looks like the Bratva is our best option right now."
"We have no other options. So for now, we go with the Bratva," Oliver said in a voice that left no room for argument.
Starling City
Later
Oliver, dressed in his sit, entered the home of the architect. As he made his way further into the home, his hair stood on end. It was quiet, too quiet. He rounded the corner and saw the architect, Ted Mosby, on the floor, an arrow sticking out of him. Oliver quickly rushed over, lifting him into his arms.
"Come on, let's get you to a hospital," Oliver said.
"Forget about me. You have to stop them," Mosby muttered weakly.
"Who?" Oliver asked confused.
"The Ninth Circle," Mosby muttered before he took his last breath, leaving Oliver staring down at him as he wondered what the Ninth Circle was.
With Turner dead, I had to get creative for 2x12. And this also allowed me to start the Ninth Circle plot.
Hope you all enjoyed the How I met your Mother reference.