[Adam Hunt's Residence]
Adam is talking to someone on the phone when he hears someone jump down behind him.
Hunt: I have to call you back.
Adam turns to see a man dressed similar to the Arrow but in black instead of green.
Hunt: What? Did you come back for another pound of flesh? You're gonna be disappointed, pal. Thanks to you, I'm-
Dark Archer fires 3 arrows in quick succession aimed at Hunt's chest, then jumps out the window he came in from.
[Lair]
Oliver and Jared, barehanded, are currently sparring with Thea and Diggle, both armed with a bo staff. After a few rounds, Oliver and Jared pick up the pace and knock the two down but taking longer than the week before.
Oliver: Both of you are able to keep up the pace now when we change it.
Jared: Great job this week.
Diggle: I could say the same thing about you two.
Thea: Yeah, between the two of you, you guys have crossed 7 names off dad's list this week alone.
Jared:Yeah, well, some of these guys are just giving it up now.
Oliver: All we gotta do is pay 'em a visit.
Laurel enters the lair after finishing her work at CNRI.
Laurel: It seems the vigilante's reputation is beginning to precede him...Laurel walks up to give Oliver a kiss on the lips.
Jared:Another round?
Laurel:No. Thea and I have an appointment with a client we need to get to and both Oliver and you need to work the new fundraiser for Verdant, you're both behind on your deadlines.
Jared and Oliver give each other a small smile only the two could see. Over the weeks it became clear that Laurel and Thea were going to be managing them with their projects for their consulting agency. It was very easy for them to let their agency work fall behind focusing on vigilante duties.
Diggle: Yeah I'm gonna take my nephew over to the mall so he can let Santa know what he wants for Christmas.
Oliver:Oh. Christmas. I didn't even realize. Did you? Oliver looks to Jared.
Jared: No.
Thea: That was because you two have been logging in so many hood hours ever since that thing with Helena.
Oliver: I meant... There were no holidays on the island. Every day was... How do we stay alive? To do that, you had to forget things, like Christmas.
Laurel: You're back now...Laurel gives Oliver a warm smile.
Oliver: I remember dad would throw a party every year, and he would put a Christmas tree in every room. The whole mansion smelled like...
Thea: (smile on her face) It smelled like Christmas. Mom used to have those boxes of candy canes.
Oliver: Remember we used to race to see who'd finish first?
Thea: Yeah. I always won.
Oliver: No. You cheated.
Laurel, Jared and Diggle give the siblings warm smiles as they listen to them reminisce. Laurel is smiling because she remembers the times she comforted Thea about Oliver being gone. Jared remembers all the times Oliver told him he needed to get back to his sister. Diggle remembers his brother and how they used to be just like the pair in front of him.
Thea's expression then saddens...
Thea: Well when you and dad disappeared, by the time Christmas rolled around, none of us felt much like celebrating, so we kind of skipped Christmas that year. Every year. And with Walter still being gone...
Silence falls on the group as no one has been able to gather any new information on Walter. No information on where he is, why he was taken, is he still alive...everything about the disappearance was strange. Strange was also how Moira Queen acted, as if nothing was wrong.
Diggle: Your mom still insisting that he left because of a fight between them.
Oliver: Yeah she is… She has Lance and the rest of the SCPD convinced that he'll be back when he cools down but something felt off when she was talking to them. Like she didn't believe it herself.
[Adam Hunt's residence]
SCPD investigating Hunt's residence for clues.
Hilton: The hood guy.
Lance: That's what I thought at first. But these black arrows aren't consistent with his M.O. Hilton: And neither is the fact that the hood guy took Hunt for $40 million a few months ago.
Lance: It doesn't make sense to kill him now. Something doesn't add up.
Hilton: We're dealing with a copycat.
[Malcom Merlyn's office]
Malcolm and Moira are arguing in his office.
Malcolm: Your husband interrogated him, and his questions suggested a knowledge he shouldn't have of the list so something had to be done about it. Don't you agree?
Moira: Yes, I do.
Malcolm: Then let me handle it. He will be returned safely when he is no longer an issue.
[Lair]
Oliver, Diggle and Laurel looking over news on the copycat Archer.
Diggle: Who would kill Adam Hunt with an arrow? I mean, other than Jared and you?
Laurel: A setup, maybe.
Diggle: You mean someone looking to cover up killings by making it look like the work of the Arrow?
Oliver: Whoever he was, he's good. The grouping on both victim's chests were tight. It's a compound bow, most likely. The guy is a... The guy's a legitimate archer.
Diggle: So someone who would be particular about his choice of arrows. We get an arrow, we get a bead on where he purchased them. So what are we gonna do?
Laurel: What anyone does when they need help. Call a cop.
Oliver gives Laurel a smile as he picks up on her idea.
[Outside SCPD Station]
Mailman hand Lance a package which he takes and opens. He finds a cellphone in it and as soon as he takes it out, it starts ringing.
Lance: Lance.
Arrow: I didn't kill Adam Hunt.
Lance:You...
Arrow: You can call me Arrow.
Lance:That's cute!
Arrow:You told commissioner Nudocerdo that you might be dealing with a copycat, another archer, which makes me your best bet to take him down. But I need your help. I need one of the arrows from his murder.
Lance:Yeah, we're pretty good at pulling down leads off evidence. Thanks.
Arrow:Not like I am. I can do things the police can't, go places they won't.
Lance:Like I said, I don't even know who-
Arrow:If this archer doesn't stop soon, we both have a major problem. Think about it. Then call me. Number is programmed in.
[SCPD Commissioner's office]
Lance is debring the commissioner on the latest victim of the copycat Archer.
Lance: Commissioner, the latest one is Nelson Ravich. The Arrow hit him earlier this week. Ravich wired back the money he embezzled less than 5 minutes later.
Commissioner: All right. We tell the press the Arrow did this. Hunt's murder is a page 10 story, at best.
Lance:But Ravich makes this a serial murder case.
Commissioner:We can't let the public get wind of the idea that there are two of these nut jobs running around.
Lance:You want me to ignore a serial killer.
Commissioner:Just catch one of these psychos. I don't care which one. That is a direct order from your commanding officer.
Lance:Well, you can forget it, then.
Commissioner:Fine. It's forgotten. And you're off this case, Sergeant, effective immediately.
Lance gives the commissioner a stern look and then walks out the station dialing the number he thought he never would have used.
Arrow: Don't bother trying to trace this back to me. You'll never make it through the encryption.
Lance:There's a heating vent on the corner of O'Neil and Adams. You'll find what you're after there.
Arrow:It'd be a mistake to set a trap for me, Detective.
Lance:I'm trading away just about everything I believe in here 'cause it's the only way I've got to get this b*st*rd. You got till Christmas. And then, copycat or not... I'm coming after you.
[Lair]
The Arrow team is looking over the arrow and the evidence they got from Lance.
Laurel: So dad gave you a Christmas present after all.
Everyone gives out a small laugh.
Oliver: Hmm.
Diggle: So what are we dealing with?
Oliver: Teflon-coated titanium blade serrated to split the bone.
Jared: Shaft is some type of specialized polymer, which is stronger than a typical carbon fiber.
Oliver: This...this is a custom job.
Thea: Nelson Ravich, another name we crossed off dad's list. So is this guy trying to frame you two or call you out?
Oliver: Either way, we need to find him. Can you figure out where it came from?
Jared: Not without drawing attention to us. We can always go to Felicity.
Laurel: Why haven't you added her to the team yet, she seems pretty skillful?
Oliver: We will soon enough but she has a background that makes me hesitant. But if she keeps proving herself then I don't see a reason to.
Thea: Then Jared and I will ask her for help.
[Queen Consolidated - IT Department]
Thea and Jared enter Felicity's office with her back turned to them.
Thea: Hey! Felicity jumps as she turns around.
Felicity: Don't you knock?
Jared: Felicity, this is the I.T. department. It's not the ladies room.
Felicity: Right. What can I do for you?
Thea: My buddy Shane is really into archery. Apparently it's all the rage now. I don't know why.
Jared:It looks utterly ridiculous to me.
Thea: Anyway, it's Shane's birthday next weekend, and I wanted to buy him some arrows. The thing is, he gets these special custom-made arrows, and I have no idea where he gets them. I was hoping you could find out where this came from.
Felicity takes the arrow and notices a distinct company mark and starts researching for information.
Felicity: The shaft's composite is patented. And that patent is registered to a company called Sagittarius. That's Latin for the archer.
Jared:Really?
Thea: Could you find out where and when this was purchased?
Felicity: According to Sagittarius company records, that particular arrow was part of a bundle shipment. 200 units. Sent... to this address.
Thea: Felicity... You're remarkable.
Felicity: Thank you for remarking on it.
Jared: And Merry Christmas.
Jared and Thea head out the door.
Felicity: I'm Jewish.
Thea smiles at her and replies before walking out.
Thea: Happy Hanukkah.
[CNRI]
Tommy enters the office to Laurel and Johanna working. He steps up to Johanna as she sees him approaching and accepts the kiss he plants on her lips.
Tommy: Merry Christmas.
Johanna: What are you doing here?
Tommy: I'm having a last-minute Christmas party, and I would like for you to be there. Laurel you are invited as well. Already texted everyone else.
Laurel: Of course Tommy, thanks for the invite.
Johanna: Spending holidays together aren't we moving a little too fast Merlyn.
Tommy: Not at all! Tommy gives her a kiss and leaves to prepare for the party.
Laurel: You two seem to be doing great.
Johanna: I know...who would have thought Tommy Merlyn, settling for one girl.
Laurel: The right one!
Johanna and Laurel give each other warm smiles.
[Tommy's Party]
Oliver and Laurel join Tommy and Johanna at the party giving each other hugs and kisses.
Tommy: Thank you for coming, Oliver, Laurel. You guys look great.
Laurel: Merry Christmas guys.
Johanna: Merry Christmas. Let's get a holiday photo, just for the 4 of us.
Oliver: Of course.
The two couples talk amongst each other, catching up on what they have missed. Mostly time for Johanna and Oliver to get to know each other more. As they are talking, Jared, Thea and Diggle walk in.
Tommy: So glad that both of you could make it.
Jared: Merry Christmas, man.
Thea: Merry Christmas. Tommy
The party continues with more guests arriving, as the atmosphere begins to drop as everyone hears the TV playing the current news.
Hostage on TV (bleeding from a head wound): Happy holidays, Starling City. For the past three months, this city has been laid siege by a vigilante. But the police have been unable to bring him to justice because they lack the will to do what justice demands. I will kill one hostage... every hour in the name of this vigilante until he surrenders himself to my authority.
[Lair]
The Arrow team is watching the news while Oliver and Jared are preparing themselves to go out.
Diggle: Police are on the scene, Oliver. I think you should let them handle this.
Oliver: Those people are there because of us, we have to be the ones to end this.
Laurel: We?
Jared: There are hostages, we can't risk their lives. One of us will confront the archer, while the other frees the hostages.
Thea: Good plan but what are you going to wear, I see only one costume with a hood.
Jared: This. Jared pulls out a ski mask.
Oliver: Or maybe it's time you put it on.
Jared: NO!
The rest of the team jumps at Jared's sudden outburst.
Jared: I'm sorry, but I don't think...I can't…
Oliver: Slade wanted you to have it for a reason.
Jared: I'm not ready, not yet. His swords and this mask will have to do for now. I can't take his mantle.
Oliver gives him a nod as he finishes puting the suit on to leave the lair with Jared.
Diggle: Either of you know who Slade is?
Laurel and Thea give each other a look to see if the other knew. After confirming they turn to Diggle with heavy looks on their faces.
Thea: Slade was Jared's dad, well the closest thing he had to a dad before...
Laurel seeing that Thea was hesitating finishing her sentence spoke up for her.
Laurel: ...before he was killed on the island.
Diggle's expression immediately dropped.
Diggle: How?
Thea: I don't know, he hasn't told me a lot of details.
Laurel: Neither has Oliver.
Diggle: We need to get them to tell us, not just for us but their sake.
Laurel: We know, Thea and I try everyday but it's not easy to get them to open up.
[Abandoned Warehouse - Glades]
Arrow and Jared reached the roof and jumped down to the second floor through the skylight. Jared heads down to the hostages while Arrow leaves to look for the archer. Jared jumps down to get close to the hostages. With no sign of trouble he frees all the hostages
Jared (modulated voice): Get to the roof.
Hostage: What about…?
Jared: Don't worry about him.
As the hostages leaves to the roof, Jared looks for Arrow and the archer.
Meanwhile on the 2nd floor of the warehouse, Arrow walks into a hallway to see the copycat archer waiting for him.
Dark Archer: Thank you for coming. After the warehouse, I knew I'd have to do something dramatic to get your attention.
Arrow: What do you want with me?
Dark Archer: What any archer wants- to see who's better.
Arrow and Archer both draw arrows and fire at each other. Both men dodge the arrow fired at them while notching another one as they get close to each other. Firing the second, Arrow ducks to dodge while the Archer managed to catch his arrow. The Archer tries to use the arrow to stab his opponent but Arrow uses his bow to block the incoming attack. The two then begin throwing punches and kicks until the Archer manages to grab the Arrow's wrist to twist it and use his momentum to throw him to the ground. He then begins to kick Arrow in the chest.
Dark Archer: First Hunt, then Ravich, and now you. I know about the list, and the man who authored it wants you dead. They call you the Arrow. Let's see what you look like without it.
Before the Archer can take the hood off, Jared jumps in and uses his sword to slash across the Archer's chest. Arrow uses the opportunity to stab the Archer in the leg with an Arrow. Arrow and Jared begin to dominate the Archer with their combined attacks, Arrow using his bow and arrows and Jared displaying the years of swordsmanship that his father taught him.
Seeing the disadvantage he was facing, the Dark Archer throws out a grenade to create distance between him and the two fighters. Arrow and Jared seeing the grenade jump out the way, giving the Archer time to escape.
[Lair]
The rest of the Arrow teams tend to Oliver and Jared's injuries.
Jared: When we confront somebody on the list, we tell them that they failed the city. But tonight, it was us who failed.
Laurel: Five hostages are home tonight with their families enjoying the holidays. Because of you two. This guy, the other archer... He'll get his. And you two will give it to him.
Oliver: We might have a bigger problem. The other archer told me that somebody compiled the list. I always assumed it was my father. But what if it wasn't?
Thea: What do you mean?
Oliver: I think there's someone else out there. Someone who's more of a danger than the archer. And we are going to take him down.