Arrowverse Injustice: Chapter 3: Grieving & Repercussions:
The Glades, Starling City, Earth 13 (Five Years Earlier, Two Hours After Arsenal's Death):
At their place, Cindy 'Sin' Simone was getting ready for a night out in Star City when they heard a knock on the door [1]. Cindy went to the door to see that Speedy and White Canary were outside, in their casual clothes, and they (Cindy) was unaware of the saddened looks on their faces.
"Sara! Thea!" Cindy hugged their two friends.
"Hi, Cindy." Speedy said, voice cracking.
"Come in. I've been hearing about the last few weeks, how are you guys holding up?" Cindy said, letting their friends in their home as they all sat on the living room couch.
"Not good, Sin." WC responded weakly.
Cindy then noticed that someone was missing.
"Where's Abercrombie, he busy doing Arsenal business or a photo shoot for a clothing industry?" Cindy asked. [2]
Speedy and White Canary didn't know how to explain Arsenal's death to Cindy, but they (Speedy and White Canary) at least had to try.
"Cindy, something terrible happened tonight…" Speedy shakily said, remembering the horrific memory.
"What happened?" Cindy asked, concerned for their friends.
"It's Roy, Sin…" White Canary solemnly began.
"What happened to him?!" Cindy was now even more concerned for their childhood friend.
Seeing that Speedy and Thea weren't answering, Cindy became more concerned and scared for Arsenal.
"Thea, what happened? Where is he, Sara? Where's Roy?" Cindy shakily demanded.
White Canary and Speedy looked at each other, realizing that there was no way to explain this to them softly, but there was no need to explain at all because with the silence and solemn atmosphere… Cindy immediately realized what happened to Arsenal, and was struck with grief.
"No…" Cindy shook their head in denial, with tears glistening their eyes.
"Cindy, I'm so sorry." Speedy tried to comfort them.
"No, you're lying! He's not…! He can't be…!" Cindy pushed Speedy away. "Abercrombie, stop playing! Abercrombie! ROY!" Cindy then went outside, desperate to find Arsenal but they were held back and restrained by White Canary.
"Sin, stop." White Canary struggled to restrain her friend as they continued to resist.
"NO! NO! HE'S NOT GONE! HE'S NOT GONE! He's… Gone!" Cindy struggled more, but their struggles were now weakened with sadness and grief.
Speedy then walked outside to see White Canary kneeled down, consoling Cindy, as she wrapped her arms around them.
"No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no." Cindy broke down in tears, sobbing.
Speedy then approached Cindy and kneeled beside them as she held their face in her hands, making them look at her facial appearance; a saddened look with bloodshot eyes and dry tears streaming down her face. Speedy then sobbed with Cindy as she embraced them, the latter returning the hug, as White Canary consoled both of them with tears streaming down her face, silently crying.
The Bunker, Starling City:
At the Bunker, the entire lair was very solemnly quiet. Overwatch was sobbing in Atom's shoulder as he was saddened, Black Canary was silently crying as Nyssa held her shoulder, the latter saddened as well, and Arrow was in the middle of punching a wooden post, his fists clenched and knuckles visibly injured with blood as his gloves were torn to reveal cracked skin beneath with splinters. Black Canary then looked at Arrow and realized that she hasn't seen him like this ever since Barry died, so she went to Arrow to try and make him stop, just for tonight.
"Ollie. Ollie."
Arrow didn't listen.
"Oliver, stop! Stop!" Arrow finally listened and stopped punching the post, as he turned around, panting from the punching.
"Just stop for today, don't be the Arrow, don't be the hood or the mask." BC held his hands, coated in blood, with hers, before she removed Arrow's hood and took off his mask so he could be Oliver Queen, and not the Arrow.
"It's okay, honey. Just let it all out for today." BC held Arrow's face in her hands as tears began to stream down his face, and he tried to pry her hands away but was unable too since he kept holding onto them as needed support.
"Let yourself fall apart…" Arrow then broke down and kneeled down to his knees, sobbing as BC hugged him, crying as well. The anguish from the last few weeks was too much for Arrow, from losing Barry and now Arsenal.
"I got you, I got you… . I promise to hold you together." BC promised her husband, the latter sobbing.
Star City Cemetery (One Week Later):
Speedy, Arrow (as Mayor Queen), Flash, Felicity, Nyssa, Vibe, Frost, Vixen (Mari), Atom, Supergirl, Superman, Sentinel, Martian Manhunter, Olsen, Wild Dog, Spartan, Lyla, JJ and Sara Diggle, Mr. Terrific, Artemis, Jax and Professor (Firestorm), Nora Darhk, Ragman, Valor, the Canary Sisters, and Cindy all partook in Arsenal's funeral, alongside SCPD Captain Quentin Lance and members of the SCPD and civilians of Star City as they all came to say goodbye to the Crimson Archer of Star City.
"Roy Harper may have been many things to some people… a thief, a liar, and/or a lowlife from the Glades. But there was more to him than just those traits, he was a friend, a partner, a brother, a hero to us all, my sister's boyfriend, and he will always be considered family to us." Arrow began, glancing at those very closest to Arsenal; from Cindy, who was silently sobbing in her left hand but was consoled by White Canary and Speedy, the latter sobbing as well as she mourned for her love.
"When Roy told me that when the Arrow saved him, he said that he gave his life purpose, and ultimately while Roy was one of my bodyguards, he was more than that. Because before Roy died, he revealed to me and my sister the truth: that he was Arsenal, the Arrow's partner." Arrow revealed to the shock of every citizen in Star City, except for Captain Lance, Cindy, members of Supergirl's side and members of Arrow's side.
"And for the past week, we have notified those Roy was close with in the Glades, participated in multiple memorial services in remembering Arsenal and listened to each of the eulogies in those tributes, and Roy gave his own life to save Star City from the threats of the Slabside." Arrow continued.
"So today, don't think of it as saying 'goodbye', just think of it as saying 'until next time and thank you for everything.'. Because that's what he would've wanted, for everyone to have a hero in their lives. Thank you, Roy Harper, and farewell, brother." Arrow ended his eulogy.
After the eulogy ended, friends and family began placing roses on Arsenal's coffin, with Cindy, Speedy, Supergirl, and Arrow being the last four people there.
"Goodbye, Roy. I will always love you and thank you for being the love of my life. Tell my mom and dad and Tommy that Ollie and I miss them." Speedy placed her rose on Arsenal's coffin, before blowing a goodbye kiss.
"Goodbye, Abercrombie. Thank you for always being there and protecting me. If you see my mom and dad, tell them I miss them and that I love them." Cindy placed their rose on Arsenal's coffin.
"I'm sorry, Roy. If you see them, tell my parents, both biological and adoptive, Winn, and my Barry that I miss them dearly." Supergirl asked, as she placed her rose on Arsenal's coffin.
"Thank you for everything, my friend, and forgive me for not being there in time. If you see them, tell my parents, Tommy, Akio and Maseo, Taianna, Yao Fei and Shado, and Barry that I'm sorry for not saving them in time and that I miss them dearly." Arrow placed his rose on Arsenal's coffin, as he asked for the latter to forgive him and those he failed to save.
Arsenal's coffin was lowered into the burial hole, his tombstone read, "Roy Harper: (July 13, 1991- August 12, 2019) Beloved Son, Friend, Brother, Hero of Star City: Arsenal", and the burial hole was next to the graves of his own mother and father; the Harper family… finally reunited… finally at peace… or so it seems…
Arrow then began to lead Speedy to the car, so they could head home and grieve as a family, but not before looking back at Arsenal's grave before getting in the car.
The Bunker:
Back at the Bunker, Wild Dog, Spartan, Black Siren, Artemis, and Mr. Terrific (Red Arrow was disowned, therefore she is out of the team) awaited for the arrival of Arrow, Speedy, Nyssa, Atom, and the Canary Sisters.
Once they heard the elevator doors opening, a cold atmospheric feeling entered the entire lair as Arrow, and those who sided with him, walked out of the elevator with glares on their faces that represented rage, betrayal and/or resolve.
"Thea, Oliver, about Roy… we-" Spartan began, but was cut off, punched in the face by Speedy with enough force to send him to the floor.
"SHUT UP! YOU DON'T GET TO SAY HIS NAME! NOT HERE! NOT EVER!" Speedy shouted at Spartan, hatefully, as he got back up with help from Siren and Wild Dog, while the former was being held back by the Canary Sisters.
"You six had to speak your mouths to Kara, and because of your arrogant actions, almost half of the villains, Merlyn, Darhk, Sobel, Talia, half of every inmate that we all put away are out there somewhere and Roy is dead!" Arrow snarled, as the five traitors winced and looked down in shame and guilt.
"Each of you swore an oath when you joined this team and the Justice League, to save Star City and protect the lives of the innocent. What you did was not just an insult, but an act of betrayal to your city and to your people!" Atom added.
"You sent Stanley Dover and Cayden James somewhere through a breach out of their cells without consulting anyone! Not your leader, not the Warden, or the guards! What kind of person does that, Mr. Holt?" Nyssa asked Mr. Terrific pointedly, who had the audacity to glare at her, but she glared back at him and making him step back.
"I once believed that you would never do anything like this, Evelyn. But now, I guess I was wrong about you. Your family would be very ashamed of you." Overwatch said to Artemis, the latter who looked down in shame
"Rene, I understand you wanted to vengeance for what happened that day, we all do." Black Canary softly began before changing her into a disappointed one. "We all lost close friends and allies, but you allowed almost every inmate to escape Slabside, your wife would be very ashamed of you." Black Canary disappointedly said, as Wild Dog looked down in shame.
"And as for you, Dinah, you are disgrace to my original mantle; to me and Laurel." White Canary snarled at Black Siren. "As White Canary and Black Canary, Laurel and I are kind, compassionate, and honorable. But you have never shown any demonstration of those requirements to be a Canary and you allowed several inmates, including Vigilante, Vincent Sobel, to escape, why?"White Canary demanded, glaring at Black Siren, the latter looked down in shame.
"I want you five to remember that because of each of your reckless actions, remember that Emiko killed Roy!" Arrow sneered towards the five traitors.
"Oliver, we swear we had nothing to do with what Emiko did!" Spartan pleaded.
"I know, but you were complicit in what she was suggesting to Kara, therefore complicit in Emiko's actions." Spartan, Siren, Wild Dog, Artemis, and Mr. Terrific winced at the reminder. "And because of that, effective immediately, you six are no longer welcome here and you will be stripped of your status in the Justice League." Arrow resolved to the shock of the traitors and the acceptance of Atom, Speedy, the Canary Sisters, Overwatch, and Nyssa.
"You can't do this to us!" Spartan yelled.
"YES, I CAN, JOHN, AND I WILL!" Arrow retorted. "You forget that Barry, Kara, and I founded the Justice League, therefore I have the power and the authority to either promote or strip someone of their ranks." Arrow reminded the traitors. "Your actions have tainted your names and status, and you have disgraced us all. Leave now, and never return!" Arrow commanded, the five traitors walking out in shame and in anger.
Outside of Diggle's Apartment (Later):
Spartan walked through the streets and arrived outside of his apartment, in time to see that boxes were loaded in an SUV, while Lyla put her children in their seats and buckled them up.
"Lyla, what is going on here?" Spartan approached Lyla, who was loading the last box in the back.
"Isn't it obvious?" Lyla sneered. "Out of all the hypocritical things you could've done, John, this was the last straw."
"Lyla, please, think of our children…" Spartan began, but was cut off.
"I am thinking about them, and I will not have Sara and JJ be raised by someone who is so full of hypocrisy and self-righteousness! You are not the man I fell in love with and I don't think you ever were." Lyla said, as she removed her wedding ring and gave it to Spartan and she finally went to her vehicle and then started the engine.
"Goodbye, John." Lyla then drove off with her children.
"Lyla, this life we had, this family, our children, was all me! DO YOU HEAR ME!" Spartan yelled, knowing that she can't hear him, but that won't stop him from venting out.
Spartan then entered his almost empty apartment, and in a fit of rage destroyed his entire place, seats were thrown across the room, tables were flipped over, and pictures were shattered. All that was left were the sounds of panting due to the anger that was let out.
One Week Later/The Glades:
Red Arrow currently returns to her run-down apartment in the Glades, and is not aware that someone is in her place until she hears the floor creak.
Red Arrow then spun around to see no one in the living room.
"How the mighty Emiko Adachi has fallen; from a warrior trained by the Ninth Circle to another citizen of Star City." A voice said, mocking Emiko.
The source of the voice stepped out of the shadows to reveal Batwoman.
"Emiko Adachi, you were meant for more than just this. Oliver and Thea left you when you tried to speak your pleas, but they left you just as your father did." Batwoman began, making Red Arrow glare at her, the former not being moved. "But what if I told you everything you once had can be yours again? Supergirl's cause was only the beginning, Artemis is rallying more people at this moment. Everything you once had can be yours again, you just need to follow the command… of the High Councilor." Batwoman offered Red Arrow, as she threw a duffle bag at the latter who catched it, revealing to be her uniform and compound bow.
"Oliver and Thea Queen, your time is over! They will pay for leaving me! THEY. WILL. PAY!" Red Arrow yelled, pledging her loyalty.
"Excellent."Batwoman smiled.
Spartan's Apartment (simultaneously):
Spartan's apartment was a mess; empty beer bottles filled the room, the smell of alcohol stenched the entire living room, and empty wrappers of Big Belly Burger were scattered on the floor. He was sleeping on the sofa, with a beer bottle in his hand, until drunkenly awoke from his sleep to hear that someone… or something was in his apartment.
"John Thomas Diggle…" A beastly, ominous voice whispered.
"L-Lyla, is that y-you?!" Spartan slurred, as he stumbly got off the couch and began to go to the source of the voice, only to find a Ring, glowing Red.
"W-What are you? Who are you?!" Spartan demanded,
"That is of no importance, human. All you need to know is that the Red Lantern Corps takes great interest in candidates such as you. You have a higher calling, John Diggle, for you carry such great anger and resentment in you, and feel betrayed by those who left you." The voice, The Butcher, said looking into Spartan's heart.[3]
"THEY LEFT ME, BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO EXPLAIN!" Spartan sneered. "After everything we've been through and done together, they all just threw it all away, left me! My best friend, who was like a brother to me, fired me and my colleagues from his team, and my ex-wife left me and took my children away from me!" He continued. "THEY MUST PAY FOR WHAT THEY DID!" Spartan declared.
"Yes… Such anger and rage…!" The Butcher said, with much glee. "What if I offered you the chance to have it all again? All you need to do… is pledge your loyalty to us." The Butcher offered.
"They will pay for what they did…!" Spartan snarled, pledging his loyalty.
"Then JOIN US! Become vengeance and JOIN THE RED LANTERNS!" The Butcher roared.
Spartan then took the Red Lantern Ring and inserted it in the index finger of his right hand and his entire body began to glow red, with his eyes glowing black, and red and black futuristic armor suiting up around him.
"For my hate and anger is strong with crimson red, you will help me right these 'wrongs' and fill those who have judged me with dread. For such strong emotions burning like conflagration, this will be my declaration; BEWARE THE RED LANTERNS' HATE, FOR DEATH WILL BE YOUR FATE!" Red Lantern Spartan declared his oath, as he held up his right hand with the Red Lantern Ring glowing.
"Your time is over, Oliver...!" Red Lantern Spartan growled, with his eyes glowing red.
Many have speculated that Diggle would've gotton a Power Ring from the Green Lantern Corps in the Arrow finale, but a Red Lantern ring works best for Spartan in this story
[1] Bex Taylor Klaus, the actor who played Cindy on Arrow, is non-binary, hence the they/them pronouns.
[2] A reference to Colton Haynes' early career days, he modeled for Abercrombie & Fitch, a casual wear retail company.
[3] The Butcher is the entity of Red Lantern Corps, who takes the appearance of an Earth bull.