Before we get into the chapter, I will say upfront that 2x16 did not happen. I will reveal later on what happened with the Qadir situation, but it just didn't work for the story.

Ellie Bishop: It will play out different, in some ways it will better and in others a lot worse for everyone. Yeah, Roy and Quentin is a dynamic I really would have liked to see play out in the show that sadly never got the chance to. Roy's dead is the same in both timelines, its just now something Roy is finding out about.

Guest: Glad you enjoyed it. Glad to hear it. Yeah, Slade is easily the greatest Arrow villain. While I love Slade, I think Titans' version gives him a good run for his money, shame he got wasted on a rather stupid storyline.

Oliver found himself standing in a clearing. He realized with a start he was back on Lian Yu when a voice spoke up behind him.

"I've missed you."

With a start, Oliver whirled around, seeing Shado standing a few feet from him.

"Shado?" Oliver breathed. "You're-you're dead."

"Yes, I am. Because you chose Sara over me," Shado said, anger coloring her voice. "Why didn't you choose me? Why didn't you choose me?!"

Oliver gasped as Shado stabbed him in the chest, over and over again as she kept asking 'why didn't you choose me' repeatedly.

Oliver's eyes snapped open as he sat up in bed, breathing heavily. Just a dream. No, not a dream, the dream. The same dream he'd been having since Slade's visit to his home. Oliver ran a hand over his face just before his phone vibrated where it sat by his bed side. Picking it up, he saw he had a text.

'it's time' it read.

Starling City

Later in the morning

In one of the seeder parts of Starling City, Oliver sat in a restaurant at a table in the back, waiting for his guest to arrive. After a few minutes of waiting, they did, sliding into the seat across from him.

"This is the second time you call me to Starling City in less than year. Last time I had to shoot Captain for not following orders," Anatoly noted. "I hardly think you called me here for social visit."

"You're right, I didn't. This wasn't something I wanted to tell you over the phone," Oliver said and Anatoly raised an eyebrow. "Slade Wilson. He's alive."

"That is impossible. You stabbed him in the eye," Anatoly said, all the blood leaving his face.

"And it didn't take. He showed up at my mother's house last week. He's coming after my family and friends Anatoly," Oliver said grimly. "You know I would not normally involve the Bratva in what I do here, but-"

"Say no more brother. Wilson is monster who must be stopped. Whatever you need, just ask," Anatoly said earnestly.

"Thank you. I need you to have someone followed," Oliver said, reaching into his jacket pocket.

Pulling out a photo, he put it on the table and slid it across to Anatoly. Picking it up, Anatoly's eyebrows raised as he saw who it was.

"You know who this, da?" Anatoly asked as he looked up at Oliver.

"Why do you think I called you?" Oliver asked blankly.

"Nothing is ever simple with you Oliver. I shall have my men follow from a distance. At times like these, I yearn for Kovar," Anatoly said dryly.

"So do I," Oliver said with a grim smile.

Not long after, Oliver was walking towards his motorcycle when his hair stood on end. Whirling around, he was surprised at who he saw.

"Amanda," Oliver greeted as Waller smirked.

"Hello Oliver. Don't look so surprised, you asked me to look into the Ninth Circle after all," Waller said and Oliver started.

"You found something?" Oliver asked and she nodded.

"Call your team. Not just John Diggle and Felicity Smoak, Sara Lance and Roy Harper as well. I have a feeling we're going to need all of them," Waller said.

Roy's house

Not long after

Roy was staring down at his father's file, deep in though when his phone rang, startling him. Seeing Oliver's picture flash across the screen, Roy answered.

"What's up? Any news on Slade?" Roy asked.

"No, but we might have a lead on the Ninth Circle. Be ready to leave in twenty seconds, they're on their way to pick you up," Oliver said before hanging.

Roy stared down at his phone, confused before there was a knock on his door. Pocketing his phone, Roy walked over and answered it. On the other side were two men in suits. Behind them, Roy could see a car, much nicer than anyone in the Glades could afford, parked in his driveway.

"Mr. Harper, we'll need you to come with us. Mr. Queen is waiting," one of them said.

Argus base

Later

"This is so cool," Felicity geeked out as Team Arrow stood in the control room with Waller and Lyla.

"You said this was about the Ninth Circle," Oliver pointed out and Waller nodded.

"As you said, they're elusive. But I was able to track them to a man named Dante, a terrorist financer, or so he appears. Unfortunately, he likes to stay out of the spotlight. But he has an intermediary, a man known as Virgil," Waller said as the image of the named known as Virgil appeared on the screen.

"So how do we find this Virgil?" Diggle asked.

"Already taken care of Johnny. A recent associate of ours has done business with Virgil before. He just has to make the call," Lyla explained.

"Associate. What a polite way to say 'forced recruit'," Oliver said grimly as he glared at Waller. "I remember when I was an 'associate' of Argus."

"You reached out to me for help Oliver. Like it or not, we need each other," Waller pointed out.

Oliver glared at her, seething. As much as he hated her, Oliver knew she right. If he wanted to get closer to the Ninth Circle, to Emiko and Slade, he would need to play this game for now.

"Alright, fine. We'll do things your way now," Oliver said through gritted teeth.

"So who's this 'associate' of yours?" Sara asked after a moment, the tension between Oliver and Waller making everyone uncomfortable.

Not long after, Waller and Lyla led Team Arrow down the hall into a cell block.

"I've been trying to put together a team, which has proven difficult when most of my hopefuls end up dead at the end of your bow," Waller said with a look at Oliver that he ignored. "I call it Task Force X."

"Give me a break. This aint no task force."

Diggle stiffened as a cell door was opened and man with an eyepatch was led out. Oliver had a look of disgust on his face and Felicity looked uncomfortable as Sara and Roy looked confused.

"Call it what it is Waller. The Suicide Squad," Floyd Lawton said with a smirk.

"You gotta be kidding me," Diggle growled as he glared at Waller. "Him? What, OJ and Charles Manson weren't available?"

"Johnny," Lyla said and Diggle looked at her. "I understand how you feel, I do, but Lawton is our only link to Virgil."

"I've done some jobs for Virgil over the years," Lawton said with a smirk as his cuffs were removed by the guards.

"Yeah, I bet you have," Diggle scoffed, glaring at Waller. "This man killed my brother!"

"Which does not change the fact that we need him to get to Virgil," Waller said, unmoved.

"She's right," Oliver, looking like h just swallowed a lemon as Diggle turned to him in shock.

"Oliver-" Diggle started.

"I understand John, really I do, but, and it pains me to say this, Waller is right. We need Lawton to get to Virgil. And I'm sure there's some sort of contingency in place in case Lawton goes rogue," Oliver said as he glared at Waller. "Since you can't threaten innocent civilians, I'm gonna guess a bomb in his head?"

"I suppose great minds think alike Oliver," Waller said with a smirk.

"No, I just know how you think," Oliver said in disgust.

It was clear that Diggle wasn't happy about this but nodded, conceding that they needed Lawton for now.

Later, the group stood in the briefing room, going over the mission.

"So Lawton gets us the meet, then what?" Oliver asked.

"He doesn't get you the meeting Oliver. Oliver Queen is too public a figure I'm afraid. This is why I needed them," Waller said as he looked at the surprised Sara and Roy. "Miss Lance and Mr. Harper will be going in as Deadshot's employers, who wish to discuss business with Virgil."

"No, out of the question," Oliver said immediately. "Roy's still recovering from getting stabbed."

"I'm fine Oliver. And like you said, we need to get to Virgil," Roy pointed out.

"Ollie, this might be our only shot at getting Intel on the Ninth Circle. Roy and I can take care of ourselves. Trust us," Sara told him.

He trusted them just fine, Oliver thought grimly as he glanced at Waller and Lawton. It was Waller and Lawton he didn't trust. But it looked like he didn't have much of a choice.

Starling City

Night

Roy, in a suit, and Sara, dressed in a black jump suit, followed Lawton as they were let into the building. As the doors closed behind them, they were locked by an electric lock.

"Nice place," Roy mentioned as he looked around, eying the various people in the room. "Really has that whole 'criminal underworld' thing going for it."

"Used to be a Triad hangout until the cops got wind of it after that business with Bertinelli last year," Lawton explained. "After it was raided, Virgil took it over."

"Keep focused on the mission," Waller said over the Comms. "Remember, your objective is to locate Virgil and have him agree to work together."

"Where is he anyway?" Sara wondered.

"Floyd Lawton."

At the sound of the accented voice, the trio whirled around. Virgil approached, a charming smile on his face. Yeas of experience told Sara something was up just from the look in his eye.

"After that business in Russia, I never thought I'd see you again," Virgil said as he and Lawton shook hands.

"Well Virgil, you know I'm the best at what I do," Lawton said as they dropped hands.

Argus base

Same time

In the control room, Oliver, Waller, Diggle, Lyla and Felicity watched from a body cam on Sara's suit as Virgil led the others over to a corner.

"No bodyguards, that's a good sign. Lawton, you just have to make him agree," Lyla told him.

Starling City

Same time

"I was happy to get your call Floyd," Vigil said as he sat down. "My employer wishes to inquire when you'll pay your debt. Russia demands a price."

"Well, my new employers have an offer, one that will more than pay what I owe," Lawton said as he glanced over at Roy and Sara.

"Intriguing," Virgil said, flipping a gold coin. "It's too bad it wasn't made in good faith."

Suddenly, several people pulled out weapons, aiming at Roy, Sara and Lawton. As they realized the situation they were in, Virgil got to his feet and aimed a gun at Lawton's head.

"Kill them," he ordered. "Except for Mr. Lawton. Dante will deal with him personally tonight."

Argus base

Same time

"Shit shit shit," Felicity said worriedly as Oliver and Lyla paled while Waller looked displeased and Diggle clenched his hands into fists.

Starling City

Same time

As Virgil began forcing Lawton towards the exit, the criminals in the room rushed towards Sara and Roy. Sara pulled out two knives, engaging two men as Roy pulled out a gun, opening fie. He hit a man in the arm, causing him to cry out in pain. Roy then kicked him in the abdomen, causing him to drop the sword. Roy picked it up before using it to block the strike of another man's sword.

"Don't let Virgil leave," Waller said over the Comms.

Roy pushed back, kicking his opponent down as Sara stabbed hers in the legs, causing them to fall to their knees as they pursued Virgil. As more men rushed them, Roy shot one of them as Sara threw a knife, stabbing one in the leg. Roy whirled around, striking one in the temple with the hilt of his sword, knocking them out as Sara picked up a sword from one of the men she and Roy had taken out. She was a whirl of movement, cutting down men (non-fatally) left and right. Roy could only watch in a bit of awe as, within a minute, every last one of them were down for the count.

Seeing Virgil leading Lawton towards the exit, Sara threw one of her knives, which hit the electronic lock, trapping them. Virgil stopped just before Lawton elbowed him in the face. Taking advantage of Virgil's distraction, Lawton grabbed for the gun. The wrestled for it for a few moments before Lawton yanked it away from Vigil and punched him in the face. Virgil stumbled back and, realizing he was surrounded, turned and ran.

"Nowhere to run Virgil," Lawton said with a smirk as Virgil ran towards the corner.

"Treachery earns the worst punishment Floyd. Dante will make sure you get what you deserve," Virgil taunted him.

Then, with a laugh, Virgil ran for a nearby window. He crashed through the glass before they could do anything. The trio rushed over but saw no sign of him.

"He got away," Sara said regretfully. "The op failed."

Argus base, next day

Morning

"Is all this really necessary?" Lawton asked as he, Oliver, Diggle, Waller and Lyla stood in the briefing room, Lawton's hands cuffed to the table.

"Until we figure out how you tipped off Virgil, then yes," Lyla said and Lawton stared at her incredulously.

"What, you think I warned him?"

"You're the one who set up the meeting. Maybe 'Dante will deal with him personally' was code for 'get Deadshot out before things go to Hell'," Diggle sneered.

"Regardless, I'm going to be viewing your phone call with Virgil, looking for coded phrases," Waller said.

"You'll be wasting your time Amanda," Oliver said and they all looked at him. "He didn't do it."

"Thank you," Lawton said sarcastically.

"What makes you so sure Oliver?" Waller demanded.

"Because he's a lot of things, stupid is not one of them. Lawton knows even if he had gotten away, you would've activated the bomb in his head and you wouldn't lose any sleep over killing him. It doesn't make sense for him to tip off Virgil," Oliver argued and Waller looked thoughtful.

"You know, instead of blaming me, you should look a little closer to home," Lawton said and they all looked back at him. "How many agents do you have on this op anyway? Long list of suspects you got there."

"That's absurd," Waller scoffed.

"No, it's not," Sara said with horror. "This is how the Ninth Circle operates; they place agents within whichever Regime they're trying to topple so that they can help bring it down from the inside."

"We have dozens of agents in the building, any one of them could have warned Virgil," Lyla paled as the realization hit her. "Argus has been compromised."

It honestly wouldn't surprise if Lawton had been hired by the Ninth Circle at some point or another.

Hope the fight scenes were okay.