Author's Notes: As promised from the intro for all those that have continued this far and are reading this right now, I thank you for the interest. For the people who follow me or have favorited me they will know more about this but i'll catch you up. This Arrow series you are about to read has a brand new cast and a brand new story. The reason for this is simple. Although i love Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen and Katie Cassidy as Black Canary this story as well as the future sequels connected to this story takes place in a different universe(look to the bottom of my profile page to learn more). That being said this is going to be a brand new story. This story will have a few references from the Arrow show in it(the title of the story is kinda a obvious one lol) but beyond that everything you saw in the show will be different. Character personalities have been changed to be more comic accurate. Certain characters have been erased from this universe(sorry Felicity,Thea,and Sara fans). From that last sentence i know most of you who will read this story are probably disappointed by this. Like i stated earlier this is another universe that isn't connected to The CW Arrowverse so many changes needed to happen. That being said i recasted every single character in these stories(can again be found on the bottom of my profile page, I will also list below who is playing these roles for this story down below after these author's notes). The actors and actresses, I picked for these roles, I felt not only looked like the characters but could also play these characters well if given the chance. Here is the confirmed cast so far.
Oliver Queen/Green Arrow- Justin Hartley
Dinah Laurel Lance/Black Canary- Tess Kielhamer
Slade Wilson/Deathstroke- Joe Manganiello
Dinah Laurel Lance- Stana Katic
Moira Queen- Natasha Henstridge
Some of you will recognize some of these names. Others are you are gonna say who? Especially Tess Kielhamer. I would suggest looking them up. They are very talented actors and actresses. As for her casting its rather simple. Her personality to me screams Black Canary and i'm not just talking about her looks either. She is an experienced martial artist(like Black Canary in the comics),she is a total badass in real life(again like Canary in the comics),and i believe she would make an awesome Black Canary if someone were to ever give her the chance. That being said some of you are probably leaving this page. Others scrolling down without reading to leave some annoying and obvious trolling review. For those that want to read this, I thank you and look forward to your reviews. That being said lets begin the tale...
Empty walls with numerous small holes all around where once posters had been displayed proudly. An empty dresser with each and every single drawer taped tightly shut. An already made bed with its usual contents missing. Packed boxes stacked up in the corner of the room with each and every single box individually labeled. A bedroom that was once full of life. A bedroom filled with so many memories. A room that used to belong to a lone woman who could be found now kneeling down digging through a nearby box before she returns over to the bedroom bed and stuffs the contents in her hands inside of a black duffel bag resting at the foot of the bed. A dirty blonde haired woman who hasn't stopped smiling for the past week. A week full of surprises. She had often brought up the idea about getting a place together with her boyfriend of the past seven years. Had often brought up the benefits of having their own place and after what appears like forever he had finally decided it was time to take the next step in their relationship but she would never blame him. To many their relationship seemed to be complicated. Seemed to be unrealistic especially from the way how each grew up. One the heir to a billion dollar company who many would often say was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. As for her? She would never complain. They may not have the most money in the world but to her only one thing truly matters and that's family.
Taking a step back mentally going over everything she has packed away in the bag so far suddenly as one item comes to the forefront of her mind rifling through the inside of the bag seeing it nowhere in sight frowning down at the duffle bag for a split moment instantly with a snap of her fingers turning on her heels slowly Dinah makes her way across the room towards an walk in closet. A closet that once was filled to the brim full of dresses and shirts but now as she flips open the closet only one item can be seen hanging surrounded by numerous empty hangers. Her most prized article of clothing. A nice black leather jacket that had been gifted to her so long ago. The first ever gift gifted to her by her boyfriend after they had first gotten together back in high school. At the time a bit big on her but now it is the perfect size. A leather jacket she can't help but smile at as she remembers that fond memory of that day so perfectly before without any hesitation she takes the jacket off the hanger and puts it on. A jacket just from the smooth inside alone makes her smile widen as she closes the closet and stands in front of the mirror still attached to the closet door. A reflection that smiles right back at her as she reaches back to grab a hold of her long locks and ties them up into a ponytail before just as she gets finished the sound of a knock coming from her open bedroom door snaps her out of her daze and turn to find her mother leaning against the open doorway with a fond smile on her face.
" All packed for your trip?"
A question that she knew deep down wasn't the real question she wanted to ask. In fact she could already list off the questions she would want to ask. Questions about if she is truly ready to start a life with her boyfriend. If she is truly sure about getting an apartment that is quote so far away from home. Her words not her own. Questions any parent would ask but she has no doubts. This needed to be done. She needed this. They needed this.
" Yep all packed and ready to go. Besides we're only going to be away for two weeks. A month tops. Godforbid if I were to miss the first day of the new term."
Receiving nothing but an amused look from her mother, smirking at her making her way across the room as Dinah kneels down to grab the lone item resting against the nightstand next to the bedroom bed unaware to her knowledge a frown appears across her mother's face. Her most prized possession. This unique and custom made katana from the heart of Japan. A katana with her name engraved into the blade. An item that only makes her mother's frown deepen as she straps the katana over her shoulder.
" I really wish you would get rid of that thing."
Glancing over her shoulder seeing nothing but her mother eyeballing the katana strapped over her shoulder in disapproval rolling her eyes making her way back to the bed reaching out Dinah zips up the duffle.
" Not a chance of that happening. You know how much I love martial arts. It would be like asking dad to quit drinking coffee."
Sharing an amused look with her mother before either of them can get another word in edgewise suddenly the sound of the front door's doorbell ringing causes the two women to glance out of the room before they look back towards each other with matching grins.
" Gee I wonder who that could be?"
A doorbell that keeps ringing in a familiar pattern only done by one person. At least the only person with the balls to do such a thing. Especially knowing just who the man of this house is.
" For crying out loud! I'm coming,I'm coming!"
And speaking of man of the house as she listens to her father's grumbling from the living room where she can already picture him struggling to get out of his recliner while folding up a newspaper that had been sprawled out in his lap grabbing a hold of the straps to her duffle bag sharing one last amused look with her mother slowly Dinah makes her way through the house until she is standing at the front door. A door that now shakes as another unique knocking sequence is heard. She gotta love him. Only he could drive her father this crazy though she still wasn't sure if it was intentional or was just part of her personality. Hearing footsteps rapidly approaching turning her head to look to her right to send her irate and annoyed father a knowing smile without any delay Dinah reaches out and opens the front door before she can't help but smile widely when she sees her boyfriend down on one knee holding his right hand out to her with a wide grin.
" My Pretty Bird, will you do me the honor of going on a kick ass month long vacation with me?"
You've got to love him. Only he would do something like this. Not only is he able to annoy her father this much but also he has this uncanny ability to make her smile this much. So much so that with a laugh she leans up against the open door frame and looks down at him with a grin while she brings her free hand up to tap underneath her chin with a mock thoughtful expression.
" That depends. What kind of guarantees can you make?"
Oliver Queen. The only child to Robert and Moira Queen. The heir to the golden throne or so what everyone says of him. A young man that is nothing like what you would expect of a billionaire's son. Could he have turned out worse? Yep definitely. He could have turned out much worse. Could have turned out like a womanizer like his old man. Could have turned out with the mindset that he is god's greatest gift to humankind. Luckily for her then that didn't happen. Instead she likes this finished project much more. This witty and funny man that can always make her smile. That can always make her laugh whenever she is feeling down. A man that looks up towards her from his spot on the ground with this knowing grin on his face. This small game of cat and mouse they like to play. A game that usually ends with both laughing and those around them embarrassed.
" Oh i'm so glad you asked. First off you get an all expenses paid tour through the North China Sea. I've heard there are killer waves and perfect rays there to help any get a perfect tan."
Unable to help herself from grinning, not allowing him to win that easily removing her hand from underneath her chin without paying him a glance Dinah pretends to inspect her nails.
" Tempting,tempting,tempting? Go on. You have me rather interested."
Grinning widely, getting up from the ground without looking away from her face slowly Oliver takes a step forward towards her.
" We get to frolic around most of the day in just our swimwear showing off our beautiful bodies to the world."
Lifting her eyes away from her nails to grin his way dropping her duffle bag down onto the ground reaching out gently Dinah wraps her arms around the back of his neck as she feels Oliver's hands coming down to rest against her sides.
" Umm hmm? Getting warmer."
Glancing down seeing how inviting her lips look right now shaking this quick thought away leaning forward gently Oliver leans his forehead against Dinah's own as he stares into those brown eyes of hers seeing nothing but them twinkling in nothing but amusement.
" And I know with good authority that our new place will be ready to move into with all of our things already delivered and waiting for us while we….enjoy ourselves out at sea."
" Oh?"
Nodding his head gently against her own making her grin only widen even further giving in to the temptation leaning forward just as their lips are about to touch the sound of a throat being cleared loudly causes Oliver to stop his advance and look back Dinah's shoulder before his eyes widen in shock and he jumps back in surprise looking like a deer caught in headlights.
" Mr Lance!? Sir!? Fancy seeing you here!"
Quentin Lance. A name that you would receive mixed reactions from those that hear it. A respected police officer. A detective to boot. A man that knows how to get the job done. A man known for being such a hard ass. A loose cannon at times whenever he is too invested into a case. Some would just say that's what makes him such a good police officer but others would think differently. The ones who would stare at him in anger or jealousy just wishing they were in his shoes.
" I sure hope so. It is my house."
Chuckling nervously while scratching the back of his neck glancing at his girlfriend with a silent plea in his eyes to help him out receiving nothing but an eye roll in response feeling her arms leaving his neck Oliver can't help but watch in amazement Dinah go over and with a simple kiss on the cheek make any annoyance that may have been on Quentin's face vanish almost instantly. And they say he is spoiled. It was well known at least to him anyways that his girlfriend has her father wrapped around her finger and for that he was grateful. He doesn't think he would be able to pull half the crap he does if she didn't.
" Bye daddy. I'll see you in a month."
Returning back to the front door snatching her duffle bag up from the ground with no other words needed to be spoken grabbing a hold of his arm Dinah tugs Oliver away from her childhood home and towards his parked sports car while back at the open doorway Quentin watches their retreating forms with a frown. A frown that doesn't go unnoticed by his wife of twenty five years as she comes over and hugs him gently from behind and looks over his shoulder following his line of sight.
" She'll be alright. It's just a boat trip."
" With Queen."
Ah now that is what this is about well not on her watch. She would not allow her husband to have such thoughts about the young man she considers like a second child to her.
" No not Queen, his name is Oliver and we both know he is nothing like his father. Hell, that boy has spent more time with us then his own parents. At this point we could practically claim him as our own. Laurel already has and pretty soon if i know my daughter well enough she'll make sure it's official one day."
Shaking his head not noticing the way his wife's face shows confusion at his action with a sigh reaching down Quentin lays his hands down on top of his wife's own.
" He's not the Queen, I'm concerned about."
With her thoughts filled with nothing but confusion leaning forward to take a closer look at his face as she sees his face hardening with his eyes not truly focused as though he is thinking about something else loosening her grip around his waist Dinah takes a couple steps back and stares at the back of her husband's head with a pointed look.
" What aren't you telling me?"
Seeing the young couple disappearing out of view as they enter into the parked sports car letting out a sigh glancing over his shoulder seeing his wife almost glaring at him now with a no nonsense look across her face nodding his head slightly quietly Quentin closes the front door before he motions for her to follow him.
" Let's move this discussion into the den away from any prying eyes."
Feeling nothing but this sinking feeling in her gut taking one last look out a nearby window to see Oliver's sports car driving away turning to look back towards Quentin nodding her head slowly Dinah walks past him and heads in the direction of the den with him following after her.
Thunk!
Ah another direct hit. It still amazes him to this day how at peace he feels whenever he holds this object in his hands. This state of the art and customized bow. Sure at first he had been against wielding such a thing. Perhaps it was because he had been practically forced at a young age to learn how to use such an item due to his parents' wishes? What was so special about needing to be seen as fine and proper was still beyond him. Wearing business suits every day. Walking like you have a twig shoved up your ass might be his parents thing but it just wasn't his thing. Though he supposes he could thank his parents silently this one time. Though he hated it at first he now has come to love shooting arrows. The sheer focus needed to hit the point you're aiming at. The way you must clear your mind of all thoughts except for you and the target. This sheer focus that can be seen clearly in his eyes now as Oliver silently reaches back and grabs a hold of another arrow from the quiver strapped across his back. As he lines up the arrow perfectly and pulls back the strings as this comforting wind breezes on through making the flags hanging high above the upper deck swing freely. An arrow that soon joins the others when within a blink of an eye he releases the arrow sending it soaring through the air and crashing into the setup archery board near the edge of the upper deck. A shot he can't help but stare at feeling rather pleased of himself from the way each and every arrow on the target is well grouped and near the bullseye in the dead center. Yep there is nothing quite like it. Well almost anyways.
The sound of bare feet making their way across the deck heading towards him making him lower down his bow and look over his shoulder. He may like the sight on the target but there was something he likes seeing even better. This breathtaking sight that demands his full attention. Such attention he grants easily as he turns fully around to watch her approach taking in every little detail. Taking in every little detail that is Dinah Laurel Lance. The way her smile is brighter than any summer day. The way her long in shape legs look so inviting. Such legs he has seen destroy numerous opponents during many sparring sessions. The way her hips sway so seductively while a white towel covers the treasure underneath them. Hips he can only stare at with his mouth slightly open as she grins at him and makes her way towards a set up blue beach chair lounger. A grin that turns quickly into a smirk as she turns her back on him and mentally decides a little teasing is in order from the way her hands reach down and slowly remove the towel around her waist revealing a pair of blank bikini bottoms before in an almost catlike way she crawls onto the lounger on her hands and knees giving him a good view of her backside. A game that would never get old to her no matter how many times she does it. The way she always snaps him into this daze whenever he sees her frolicking around in nothing but a bikini. A sight he has grown accustomed to seeing over this last week while they've been out at sea but the sheer face alone only she is able to get such a reaction out of him always leaves her quite pleased inside. Just like it is right now as she comes down into a lying position with her hands tucked behind the back of her head while she stares at him through her black sunglasses with silent amusement in her eyes looking as though she is sleeping.
" Didn't you parents teach you it's rude to stare at a lady?"
Snapping out of his daze shouldering his bow making his way over until he is standing behind her chair looking down Oliver can't help but grin down at her from the way she remains unmoving from her spot.
" I'm not staring. I'm just doing some exotic bird watching that's all."
Suppressing the smile that wants to form turning in her seat so she can face him with her arms coming up to rest against the back of the chair lowering her sunglasses down slightly to reveal her eyes a mixture of amusement and happiness can be seen coming across Dinah's face.
" Is that so? And what kind of birds are you watching?"
Grinning down at her smiling face kneeling down until he is almost eye level with her reaching out Oliver grasps the sides of the back of the lounger and leans even closer until their noses are nearly touching.
" Only the prettiest one."
Smiling brightly reaching out to cup his face in her hands leaning forward gently Dinah brings Oliver into a kiss before she breaks the kiss and silently giggles.
" That was so corny."
" Yeah I know but you loved it."
Rolling her eyes with a grin starting to from glancing over her shoulder towards the archery board in the distance then back towards his face with an idea suddenly forming in her head rising up from her seat slowly Dinah makes her way across the deck to stand directly in front of the board to inspect the arrows across the board. Arrows that though close are not quite on the mark from the usual pin point accurate shots she has grown accustomed to seeing from him.
" Huh? Looks like you're not quite on your A game today. Shame though you're usually on the mark."
" You don't need to tell me about it."
Glancing over her shoulder seeing the widest of grins that just makes her smirk without taking her eyes away from his own reaching out Dinah starts to play with a nearby arrow.
" Is that so?"
" I know so."
Smirking at the confidence she is hearing in his voice turning her head back forward reaching out with ease Dinah plucks out each and every one of the arrows out from the archery board before she turns to make her way back into the taped line she had seen Oliver standing behind earlier.
" Well we'll just have to test that then. I propose a friendly wager. One shot apiece. The closest to the center wins."
Feeling rather intrigued especially by the way she dangles one of the arrows in front of her in a teasing manner making his way over gently Oliver plucks the arrow out of Dinah's hand and comes to stand directly behind the taped line as she vacates her spot in favor of standing behind him.
" And what are we playing for?"
Taking careful aiming closing his left eye shut so he can solely focus on the archery board in the distance feeling a pair of arms suddenly hugging him from behind as he glances over his shoulder suddenly the feeling of her hot breath on his ear sends a jolt up and down his body before a grin forms across his face when she whispers into his ear.
" Position?"
Starling City. The greatest city that has ever lived. At least that is how it had once been spoken of from his father so many years. A city that was described with so much passion. With so much pride as he would be told stories of the city's rich and storied history every single day and night as though it was a magical world just waiting to be explored. As though there truly was no other place like it on the face of the Earth and his father was right. The city is truly different then all the rest. Stands out compared to the rest but not for any good reason with only one clear cut explanation needed to be said. The city is corrupt, plain and simple. Corrupt from head to toe. Filled with corrupted bureaucrats making more and more shady deals behind closed doors every single day and night. Filled with numerous power hungry individuals looking to make a name for themselves not giving a damn who they hurt on their path to greatness and he couldn't fault these people. He is one of these people. Queen Consolidated. His company. His billion dollar company. A company that is seen by most as a beacon of hope for the city. Seen as a beacon of hope for every single man and woman that calls Starling City their home. Seen as the future for this once great city along with its founder. Robert Queen. A revolutionary way before his time. Considered to be one of the brightest minds to ever be born inside of Starling City. At least that is what the gossip he has heard over the years claims him to be. As for him? He didn't find himself to be anything special. No he was just like all the rest of the power hungry individuals inside of this city. The same greed and lust for power that had enabled him to create a billion dollar company from the ground up. But a company that hadn't been built overnight. Hadn't just achieved its success through hard work from its dedicated employees over the years. No it had been achieved in other ways. In ways you didn't want the police to find out. In ways you would want certain records to be hidden away from any prying eyes.
But a company that is far from his mind right now. A company that will still be there long after he dies. He can only hope when that time comes the company stays in the family. Such a thought he has been having lately as he makes his way down through the lower deck with his hands tucked deep into his jacket's pockets. That word family. A word that has always meant something to him. A word that had been hammered into his head at a young age by his father with one clear quote always attached to it. A quote he can hear his father saying so perfectly in his head right now.
Nothing is more important than family.
And he couldn't agree anymore with that sentiment even if he tried. His father was right. Family truly is the only thing that matters in the world. Not power,not money,no only family. A family that he hasn't been there for over the years and he couldn't think of a single excuse as to why. Truth be told they would be ashamed of him if they ever learned about his daily life. All the lies he has ever told them. All the times he had been unfaithful to his wife. All the times he had ignored and put off doing activities with his only child to engage in some more pleasurable activities with the first woman that would catch his eye. A family that surely must know of such unforgivable things taking place. Especially his wife. Moira Queen. His wife of the past twenty two years. A woman that in all tense and purposes could have divorced him so many times over the years for all of the times he had gone behind her back to sleep with another woman but so far has not. Why she hasn't yet he still hasn't the faintest clue but he does have his theories. A woman that he once saw almost everything eye to eye with but now? Now they seemed like complete strangers to each other. Perhaps it is for their only child's sake? And speaking of only childs glancing up towards the ceiling as he imagines what is going on a few decks upward letting a faint grin appear across his face for a quick second turning his head back forward Robert continues to walk through the lower deck silently with nothing but the sound of the wooden floorboards creaking with every step keeping him company. His greatest accomplishment in his life. His son. A son that he is so thankful for to this day didn't turn out like him. Didn't turn out into the womanizer he has become. Didn't turn out to be the power hungry individual he had been at his age. No he had become the exact opposite of himself. This whitty and full of life young man who he could honestly say has found the perfect match for himself early on in his life. Such words as soulmates he has heard being thrown around numerous times by some of the maids at the mansion who had seen them interact out in the gardens and he couldn't agree with them anymore. She simply was the perfect match for him.
Dinah Laurel Lance. Seen as a bright young woman since the first moment his son had invited her over to the mansion at the tender age of five. A young woman who he could honestly say could be the lone reason why his son has turned out the way he has. The way she would scold him whenever he would slack off on his school work. The way she would often stick to his side throughout the school years and scare off any that would even look towards his son with any bit of interest. Those with ill intentions in mind that he was all too familiar with. The way she would always steer him away from the wrong crowds. From those rich snobby types who think just because they have money they are better than everyone else. But most importantly the way she showed him just what having a real family is like. The way her family has practically become his own from the amount of time he has spent with them compared to his own. A small family that has never once looked at him differently due to his last name. Parents that never have forbidden him even once from seeing their daughter even after knowing just who his parents are. A small family of three that he will be eternally grateful to for the rest of his life.
Coming to a stop leaning his back up against a nearby wall with a sigh escaping his lips taking a quick look around to make sure he is alone finding no one in sight reaching back into the back pocket of his pants slowly Robert retracts his hand and stares down at the lone object in his hands with a hint of regret in his eyes. What appears to be a common black journal that can be found in numerous households around the world but this one is far different than the rest. If only those that thought just this knew the truth of what they would find inside of this book. This wasn't just some normal journal filled with his thoughts. No this was something else. A piece of evidence the police would love to get their hands on. Journal entries about his past dealing from back when he was just starting building his empire. Journal entries listing off the names of every single person he had ever made a shady deal with including some of the whose whos in any sort of position of power inside of Starling City. A journal that if need be will be in the hands of the authorities soon enough if he is unsuccessful with his business in China. He just hoped it wouldn't come to that. Too many lives were at stake to leave things to chance. If he was to fail now….
Shaking away such terrifying thoughts with a sigh tucking the journal back into his pocket for safe keeping with a sigh Robert pushes himself off from the wall and continues on forward through the lower deck of his boat unaware that from just down the long hallway he is traveling down a lone man awaitis for him in the shadows. A man who remains silent patiently waiting in the shadows clutching a handgun firmly in his hand as he listens to the sounds of the older man's footsteps getting closer and closer by the second.
Did he consider himself to be an expert marksman? No not at all. True he knows his way around a bow. He kinda had to thanks to being thrusted into archery competitions at such a young age. Would he consider himself to be better than most? Hell yeah he would but he would also consider himself to be the perfect gentlemen. At least when it comes to her anyways. Maybe just maybe he had aimed a little bit higher than usual. Maybe just maybe he had gripped the arrow a little firmer than he usually would causing the arrow to go off course even more. Maybe just maybe he had not only ensured she would hit the target but to hit the dead center of the bullseye like a professional. In the end it had been well worth it. To see the satisfied smile that had graced an appearance across her face. The way her eyes lit up in silent victory once the realization of what had transpired kicked in. A look that would soon become predatory when her eyes came to land upon him leaving one last question to be answered.
A rather simple question. Is he spoiled? Yep though contrary to belief he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth and speaking of mouths he makes the most use of his own as he battles for control of the heated kiss he is in as his hands roam down her sides. As her fingers clutch the back of his hair tightly while her long legs get tighter and tighter around his waist. Yes he is spoiled. A beautiful and badass girlfriend who he loves more than anything else in this entire world. More money to his name than he will ever need for one hundred lifetimes. A last name that with a snap of his fingers can get him anything he ever desires. Yep he is spoiled alright and he was okay with that. Especially if it gets him more moments like these. These intimate moments alone with his girlfriend just enjoying every single inch that is Dinah Laurel Lance. A simply put goddess in his book. A woman that would be the center of attention the moment she would walk into a room. A woman whose eyes can always read him like an open book. These brown eyes that stare deep within his own with nothing but lust as she pulls away from the kiss breathing heavily. As her legs unwrap from around his waist and come to touch the ground just to remind him of the slight height difference between them in her favor. Eyes that just stare deep within his own sending silent messages of what she wants to happen next as her arms silently sneak around and come to lay on his chest until with a gentle push suddenly Oliver feels himself stumbling back and hit the foot of the bed causing him to land back first on the mattress. This soft mattress that creaks from the sudden pressure being applied as he presses down his hands while pushing himself up slightly to watch the small show taking place before him. To watch as Dinah with a sway in her steps seductively makes her way over and comes to straddle his lap with a predatory look in her eyes. With nothing but lust in her eyes as her hands reach back to untie the knot on her black bikini top freeing her breasts before with a flick of her wrist she carelessly tosses the top off to the side and leans down to bring him back into a heated kiss. A kiss that only gets more intense by the minute as one of his hands finds her breast and gives it a gentle squeeze causing her to moan into the kiss while his other hand snakes down to grip a hold of her ass cheek through her bikini bottoms. A heated moment that without any warning comes to a sudden halt when instantly the sound of an explosion is heard echoing through the entire boat. An explosion that rocks the entire boat causing Oliver to tighten his grip around Dinah as they come crashing down to the wooden floorboard bumping heads with her landing on top of him.
" Okay that's enough foreplay."
Nodding his head in agreement despite the growing headache starting to form glancing towards the closed chamber door then back towards her before he can say a word suddenly the sound of another explosion echoing through the boat makes Oliver snap his head back towards the door as his arms tighten around Dinah as the room starts to shake all around them.
" What the hell is going on!?"
He wished he could answer that question for her but at the moment he doesn't have a clue. This confusion in his eyes as they quickly get up from the ground with Dinah making a beeline to grab a hold of her bikini top from the ground while Oliver slowly makes his way over towards the door and leans his ear forward to see if he can hear anything coming from the outside. He just wasn't expecting to hear what he hears coming from the other side. The sound of loud shouts. The sounds of complete panic from voices rushing by the room. Noises that make his eyes widen before he turns to look over his shoulder at Laurel seeing her squeezing herself into a pair of jeans.
" Stay here. I'll go see what's going on."
Before he gives her a chance to protest without any delay Oliver throws open the door causing him to see a flash of a crew member racing by the room. A crew member that tells him everything he needs to know. The screams he heard weren't his imagination. No they had been real and with the way the boat is moving unsteadily right now it could mean only one thing. The boat was sinking. His father's boat is sinking. An realization that makes his eyes go wide before he snaps around and watches a now dressed Dinah making her way quickly towards him with her katana strapped over her black leather jacket.
" We gotta get out of here!"
Coming to the same conclusion as him nodding her head quickly without slowing down her pace Dinah grabs a hold of Oliver's hand before without stopping she pulls him out of the room and heads to the left only for her grasp on his hand to break as the boat once again shakes making her reach out to steady herself against a nearby wall. A loss of contact that isn't there for long when Oliver retakes her hand and quickly starts pulling her in the opposite direction as crew member after crew member rushes past them. Some that bump into them causing them to barely stay on their feet as the boat continues to rock back and forth. Others that merely race through the small openings being presented to them without paying a single glance back. Crew members that each tell the same story. Tell of the fear they are feeling. Tell of the sheer panic they are feeling and they should be. All of them should be. The boat they are on. The Queen's Gambit. What was supposed to be the finest yacht in all the world is sinking to the bottom of the ocean. An impossibility that somehow has become a reality. A horrifying reality making them quicken their pace as they ascend down to the lower decks with haste where emergency rafts could be located for just this reason.
But once they ascend down the last of the steps and start to make a beeline down the last obstacle stopping them from the rafts a raspy voice coming from behind them makes them suddenly pause. A raspy voice barely loud enough through the noise but just enough for them to hear it. A voice that makes them quickly look over their shoulders before their eyes widen in nothing but shock. Out of everything that was happening this was the last thing they ever expected to see. The owner of the yacht. The ship's captain Robert Queen staring up at them from the ground with a pained expression holding a blood covered white shirt as blood trickles through the cracks on his fingers using the wooden stairs to keep him upright.
" Dad!?"
Quickly rushing over with Dinah not too far behind, kneeling quickly down in front of his father with his eyes starting to burn with unshed tears looking into his father's eyes before he can muster another word Oliver is silenced when Robert gives him a pain filled smile.
" I'm sorry son. I'm so sorry…."
" Don't! Please save your strength! We're gonna get you…."
Shaking his head sadly feeling a jolt of pain in his midsection gritting his teeth with closed eyes taking a shaky breath Robert opens his eyes to stare into Oliver's watery eyes as silent tears trickle down his son's cheeks.
" Not this time son."
Feeling another jolt of pain rushing through his midsection unable to hide it this time lowering his head down Robert starts to cough violently causing blood to splatter out of his mouth and down onto his trousers. A sight that only makes Oliver's tears intensify as Dinah brings a hand down to rest on his shoulder providing him the slightest bit of comfort.
" Listen carefully to me. I'm not the man you think I am, Oliver. I didn't save our city, I failed it. I did something terrible, and in my efforts to make it right, I ignored my conscience and made alliances with terrible people. There's a book in my back pocket. A book with a list of all their names. And with these people, I always told myself that everything I did, I did for my family. That's a lie. Because what good is a family without a soul? You can right my wrongs. You can be better than I was. You can save this city."
Such a powerful statement said with so much conviction behind it leaving both of them deeply confused by his words. Just what does he mean by all of this? What is he talking about when he says he failed Starling City? And just what is this book he is talking about? A book that suddenly comes into their view as Robert reaches around himself before presenting this small black book out towards Oliver with a shaky hand.
" There isn't a lot of time left. This won't make any sense to you now but it will in due time."
Not even bothering to suppress the tears that keep trickling down his face reaching out to take the journal off his father's hands the moment Oliver glances down towards the journal in confusion with a slight smile Robert turns his attention away from him to focus squarely on Dinah with a pleading look in his eyes. A look that shocks her to the core as she stares into his eyes seeing so many emotions racing through them.
" Take care of my boy."
Nodding her head slightly blinking away the tears that want to fall as she watches his eyes slowly starting to drop shut Dinah's eyes go as wide as saucers as her body goes stiff as a board.
" Raisa was right. You two are perfect for each other. Never forget that."
The silentest of opinions that makes Oliver snap back to reality and quickly look back towards his father before his eyes go wide as saucers and his tears intensify when he sees his father's eyes closed shut with a content smile on his face as he remains unmoving from his spot against the stairs.
" Dad? Dad!?"
There was no need to check for a pulse. From the way he is unmoving. From the way his hand against his wound has gone stiff Robert Queen was now gone. Murdered by some unknown crew member. A death that would send shock waves through the world once word gets out about it. A man who would go down with his most prized possession possibly to never be seen again but she would make sure it is known what they had seen. She would make sure it is known what he had told them. A silent promise she makes to Robert now as she looks away from his face to look towards his son's face. Towards her boyfriend's face seeing nothing but pain across his face that tugs hard on her heartstrings. A look that makes the tears she desperately tried to hold at bay trickle out of her eyes and down her cheeks as she brings hands around to hug him gently to her chest from behind.
" Ollie? We have to go."
Knowing she isn't going to get a response moving her hands down to gently grasp a hold of his arm with a tug slowly Dinah pulls Oliver up to his feet as the sound of another explosion is heard coming from nearby making the boat shake violently once again. This shaking that snaps them out of their daze and with one last look at Robert Queen's unmoving body they quickly race down the hallway and into the lowest part of the yacht. A lower deck that is so quiet and void of life as they see very few rafts left to be lowered into the rampaging water down below. Rafts they quickly start to race towards until the sound of a click coming from the shadows makes them come to a sudden halt before as if on instinct Dinah releases Oliver's hand and quickly spins around throwing her right forearm towards the shadows causing to their shock a hidden figure to stagger backwards a few feet as a loud bang coming from the concealed firearm in his hand echoes through the deck. A bullet that strikes the top of the wooden ceiling above them making each of them jump up in surprise before Dinah is quick to recover from her shock with wide anger filled eyes and charges towards their attacker. A sudden move that makes the unknown figure quickly try to raise his firearm up towards her only for his arm to be slapped away with ease and a vicious punch to land clean against his jaw snapping his head to the left followed by a kick low kick to the back of his right ankle making his leg buckle until a leaping knee strike lands clean against his jaw sends the firearm in his hand flying into the shadows with a clang as he falls backward onto the wooden floorboards unconscious with a loud thud. Remaining in her fighting position with her hands in front of her as she stares down at the man seeing him unmoving except for the way his chest rises up and down. The very man they now knew just who had been responsible for Robert Queen's death. The only question now was why? Why did he murder the billionaire?
A question that would need be answered later as snapping out of her daze Dinah quickly turns around and races towards Oliver to grab a hold of his arm before without any hesitation they race towards the remaining rafts left. A raft they quickly lower down towards the water as the yacht continues to shake violently. As the water down below gets closer and closer by the second as they quickly put on their life jackets and leap into the water directly next to their raft. As they quickly get inside and together paddle the raft away just in time as the sound of another explosion coming from the yacht echoes through the air. As they watch what was considered to be the greatest yacht in the world be lost out to sea bringing down its captain with it.