It had been 6 months since the Undertaking. Oliver had been out of town that whole time. Thea had to take over Verdant which was good, I got a job with her as a security man for the club. It was a temporary thing I knew. Only a little over a year to go before I would potentially fake my death (possibly actually die). I had not suited up after the Undertaking. What would be the point? I failed at the one thing I was trying to do.. I failed this city. And it was Oliver's fault. He had not told me about the second device. What else did he not tell me about that I could not prevent? No.. My days as the Ghost were behind me. I lived my days in the foundry, Training for the sake of training. I knew one day I would take up the hood one last time, where I would die to make way for younger me to take up the mantle, so I guess I was training for that. Felicity and Diggle would come visit often. The overhauled the foundry, putting in more gadgets and better tech center and mannequin's in glass cases for Oliver's and my suits. This I was okay with as it now reassembled the foundry I started in, in 2014. This meant we were still on course.

It was on this evening Felicity and Diggle came in, Felicity carrying two breif case looking items. I looked at her and said "What are those Fel? Don't you think the Foundry is spruced up enough as it is?" She rolled her eyes "No, ones a gift for you." She placed one in front of me, I went to open it up and she said "And one is for Oliver." I stopped and looked at her "He's come back?" Diggle then said "No. We are going to go get him and bring him home. His Mother's Trial is starting soon and he should be here for it." Felicity then added "And since you refuse to Hood up to help this bleeding city.. We are going to convince Oliver to." I shook my head "No. Don't go running back to him and beg him to come back. He is a liar.. A coward." Diggle then said "Come on man.. He's grieving Tommy. He failed in stopping the Undertaking.. We all did. He just figures it is better for everyone if he remains alone on the Island." I looked at him "You are right Diggle. He did fail this city. Had he just told me about the second device, we wouldn't have a bleeding city to save right now would we?!" Felicity bit her lip and said "Well maybe that is why he didn't tell you.." I looked at her "What?!" She then put up her hands "This future you came from, Starling City was still in trouble, in need of saving. Had he told you how to fully stop the undertaking.. Well that would have destroyed the timeline. Maybe he did it to save you?" I sighed. She was right of course, I then mumbled "He could have still warned me." Diggle then said "Listen man, we came here to convince you to help us get Oliver back. I chartered some rocky transportation and we will need you to catch us if we start falling from the sky." I rolled my eyes and sat in silence for a few moments before a groaned "Fine. But don't expect me to be nice to him." Diggle laughed "After the way he treated you the first couple months of you being on the team, He's got it coming to him." I smirked.

We flew in a metal plane with a questionable pilot who kept speaking in chinese. I didn't bother trying to translate for the others as I knew Felicity was scared enough without me translating about the island being cursed and us going to our deaths. Dig leaned forward "Felicity if you're so scared, why did you sit in the front?" She then replied "It was the only seat with a seatbelt" I smirked "Which will come in handy when we hit the water of course." Dig then looked at me "Which will not happen... thats why we brought you." I rolled me eyes "Of course." The pilot spoke more chienese and Dig replied "I think that means we're here" I shook my head "It means he thinks we are suicidal... but essentially yes.." Dig went back and got ready to parachute down. Felicity looked back "But you said the parachutes were just in case" Dig then said "Yeah, just in case we made it here. Come on." Felicity said "No." I looked at her "Don't worry Fel.. I'll catch you if you fall." She then said "What if you have been lying about your ability to fly?!" I sighed "And earlier this year when catching the Dodger, how else would I have made it to suit up in time to cut him off." She was flustered "I don't know.. Maybe you can run really fast?" I couldn't hold back a smile "I'm not the fastest man alive Fel.. That title will be held by someone else soon enough." Dig then said "We are missing our window. Hurry up!" She reluctantly got ready and they jumped out. I looked at the pilot and said in his language "You tell anyone about what you have heard or seen.. And I will hunt you down and kill you in your sleep. Thanks for the ride." I then jumped out and dove. I angled myself to be near the pair when they pulled their chute. I flew around them and said "Isn't this fun?!" I grinned. I loved flying and it was a shame I could not do it more than my few needed attempts over the years. Felicity yelled "I think I am going to be sick." Dig's eyes went wide "Wait until we hit the ground!" I then dove for the ground and landed lighting on my feet Once Dig landed I helped him with the chute as Felicity vomited. Dig then opened up his bag and tossed me my gauntlets "Just in case." he said. I nodded and fitted them on as we set off to find Oliver.

We walked along a trail until Felicity stepped on something. I heard the click. A landmine. Dig said "I'll try to disarm it" as he went in with his knife. A voice higher up yelled "You can't!" I twisted and ejected my wrist blades and saw Oliver.. Shirtless, atop a tree with an arrow notched in his bow. My head bowed down not wanting to look at him as my blades retracted. Oliver yelled "Diggle, David. Back away. Felicity... don't move." Dig and I moved, Oliver then fired rappel line arrow and swung down, tackling Felicity off the mine, it exploded but we were not harmed. Diggle turned to Oliver "You're a hard man to find." He shook his head and said "You should not have come here" I nodded "Something we agree upon." Oliver gave me a look but said nothing.

We made our way to an airplane chasis.. Something I recognized from the stories of Slade and Shado training Oliver. "You lived here? Like.. The first time you were here" Dig asked. Oliver said "For some of it. I know why you are here.. I am not coming back to Starling City. I can't. My mission, My father's list. It was a fools crusade, and I failed. Malcolm Merlyn destroyed the glades. Tommy died... and the Hood couldn't stop it. Hell, The Hood and The Ghost from the future couldn't stop it. Plus I may have lost another friend.. All because of the hood. So don't ask me to put it on again. Ever." John then said "This isn't about you being the Vigilante.. This is about you being Oliver Queen. You're mother is in prison, Oliver. Her trials coming up. Thea's out on her own. You're family needs you." Felicity then said "So does the family business. All the bad press after the Undertaking left Queen consolidated ripe for a hostile takeover by Stellamoor international. They have gutted every company they've taken over. Once the gobble up Queen Consolidated, 30,000 employees are going to be out of a job. Including one very blonde I.T expert." Diggle then said "Listen I get why you had to leave Oliver, probably better than anybody else, I've been there. After what happened nobody can blame you for leaving. But it's time to come home." Oliver was silent for a while before he looked at me "You have been quiet David. Why aren't you fighting for my return?" I didn't look at him "because I don't want it." was all I said. He was silent some more before agreeing.

A few days later we arrived back in Starling City. I rode in the front with Dig. The Ride was silent, until Oliver asked "Who's Blood?" Dig then said "A guy who wants to save this city. Fill yours and David's shoes." Felicity then went over info she had on Stellmoor internation with Oliver. Oliver decided to visit Thea first and we obliged. While that was going on.. The mayor was killed by a group of Terrorist/Vigilantes known as the Hoods. I am not sure what went down with Oliver when he found out.. I was busy working security at the Club for Thea. After closing I was walking to report to Thea the club was cleared when I overheard her talk with Roy. She went to breeze past me but I grabbed her arm to stop "Hold on there Miss Queen, where are you off to in such a rush' She snapped "Working." I then said "Listen.. Thea.. I get why you aren't visiting your mom.." She groaned "Ugh.. Not you too." I let go of her arm and held up hands in surrender "I may not be Roy.. You may only control my paycheck, but that doesn't mean I can't care about you. I know you want to hurt your mom by staying away.. But I also know its hurting you." She rolled her eyes "How would you know that?" I bit my lip slightly before I said "Because its hurting me." She raised an eyebrow "Your mother killed thousands?" I chuckled slightly "No thats my father. My mom is the sweetest person you will ever meet." She then asked "Then why do you stay away from her?" I sighed "Because I hurt her. I made a wish once... feels like lifetimes ago. I got what I wished.. But because of my new obligation I had to leave her. I broke her heart.." She then touched my arm, though I do not know if she did it consciously "Why don't you go back?" I shook my head "I can't know.. I made too many choices.. Too many commitments. I can't see her again. But you.. You can see your mom, you may be angry now. Trust me though, anger wares off and you can't be this angry at someone unless you feel strongly about them...even if they lied to you and held secrets from you that lead to deaths of thousands..." I trailed off.. Realizing I had stopped referencing Moira Queen.. And was referencing my anger to Oliver Queen. She smiled and hugged me "Thank you David.. I don't know what I would do without you anymore." I hugged her back "All part of the job Miss Queen.. All part of the job." She pulled back and smirked slightly "That never grows old." She then walked off.. And I was left to contemplate my feelings.

Another day went by, Oliver was attacked but was alive, so I didn't worry about it. I didn't go see him. I did not care to. I was not ready to make amends.. Nor was I ready to just be his body guard again. I liked my gig at the club. Thea and I had grown close and I had liked that. Not to mention I was building a friendship with Roy. That was nice as I was unsure if future me would be able to build a friendship now that Oliver and I had hung up the hood, so it was nice to do it now. I was working security walking the floors at the club that night, when suddenly I was hit over the head and hit the floor.. Blacking out for a moment.

When I came too, the Hoods were holding the floor hostage yelling for Oliver Queen. I squeezed my eyes shut to push past my pounding headache. I looked around and noticed I was near the door down to the bunker. I contemplated whether to stand up to the goons as a security guard.. But I knew better..they would just shoot me. So I slowly made my way to the door, punched in the code and went downstairs.

I suited up for the first time since the Undertaking, my suit having been repaired in my down time. It felt oddly good to be back in the suit. I grabbed my bow and went to the door. before opening it I pulled up my hood. I allowed myself a quick smirk before opening the door and slipping through. I then notched a rappel arrow and zipped up to the second floor. I then stood there watching as The Hood's got a hold of Thea and started inching her towards the door, saying they would settle for this Queen. Roy had a gun and was warning them to stop. I then said with my voice changer on "The Queens are under my protection." The whole crowd gasped and looked up. I notched an arrow as the one Hood said "Ghost.. We are on the same side. . the side of Justice." I then said "You are on the side of anarchy.. Of revenge, not justice. Thea Queen is innocent in the scheme of the Undertaking. Let. Her. Go. Or I will put you down." One of the other hoods said "If you aren't with us then you are the enemy too!" He then shot at me, I dove out of the way but the bullet still caught me in the shoulder. I groaned but forced myself to get up. I had not been quick enough. They had gotten away. I jumped down and stumbled on the landing before chasing after them. I heard tires squeeling as I got to the exit. I ran out into the street but they were gone. Roy was not far behind me. He said "We've got to go after them!" I glanced sideways at him "We? We do nothing Harper. I will find them." He looked at me and said "My god you've been shot, you're bleeding." I tried to stay un responsive as I replied "It's nothing. I've been through worse. Harper.. What you did tonight was reckless.. Brave.. But still reckless. Don't do something like that again." He then said angerly "I've had too since you and the Hood have disappeared. Where is he anyways? Is he following the hoods?" I then said "The Hood and I do not work together anymore." He was about to say something when Sirens sounded. He then said "Get out of here Ghost, go back to hiding. Its what Ghosts do anyways." I just said "I will find Thea." I then turned and ran, going for the alley where I slipped back into the Foundry unseen to address my wound.

I sat atop one of the tables self stitching my wounds when Oliver, Felicity and Dig came in as Felicity said "We fixed up the place.. Figuring you would come back around eventually." Oliver then saw me and came over to me he asked "What happened?" Diggle then said "Nice to see you in the suit again man." I shook my head "Didn't do much good. I was too slow, got shot and they got away." Oliver then said "Let me finish that." I didnt answer and moved away from him as I finished the stitch. He sighed then said "We need to find these guys." Felicity then admitted "I've been trying ever since you got back.. I've got to admit though I thought Oliver would hood up before David." Oliver then turned to me and said "You stopped being the Ghost?" I gave him a pointed look "No point. I failed my mission.. One doomed from the start." Oliver just shook his head and said "Thea's boyfriend said one of the Hood's was missing his hand. Maybe a veteran? Check hospital records, any males that have had surgical amputations on their extremities." Felicity then said "Cross referencing for age and race... got one. Jeff Deveau. African american, late thiries." I then asked "What else can you get on him?" She then responded "Ex- marine, would explain how he can handle himself." Oliver interrupted "And get the drop on David." He looked at me and nodded. I shook my head "No. You don't get to come back here after dropping off the face of the earth and try to gain back my loyalty with a cheap attempt to flatter me" He stepped up "That was not what I was doing! What is with you anyways? This is the most you have talked to me since the undertaking." I then yelled "BECAUSE I COULD HAVE STOPPED IT! IF YOU HAD JUST TOLD ME ABOUT THE SECOND DEVICE. I COULD HAVE SAVED THIS CITY! YOU LIED TO ME OLIVER! I TRUSTED YOU!." Felicity interjected "Guys! You an kill eachother later.. I found the motive. He and his wife were trying to make it across the 52nd street bridge when it collapsed... in the undertaking.. She didn't make it." I clenched my fist in anger. More deaths that would have been avoided had Oliver told me.

I walked away as did Oliver. Both of us examining our own equipment (which was on display in this new layout of the bunker.) Felicity dug up some more on where the Other Hoods could have come from. Oliver then said "Give me an address" I then sighed and said "I'm coming with you.. To save Thea. I promised Roy." I noticed Dig and Felicity smile and I shook my head slightly. "One. Last. Time." I clarified. Felicity then said "Then you will need the gifts. She gestured to the two cases. We opened our cases. I found inside the bow I used when I first took over the mantle of Blue Lightning in 2014. Black Compound bow, dark blue string.. Blue hue to the whole bow. Oliver's was simlar, but with a green string and hue. This told me the timeline was headed in the right direction. Felicity said "I had them custom made.. Are they okay?" Oliver and I nodded.

Felicity then said "You were right. Once I signed on and stopped thinking about all the bodies you dropped, cause I knew that being the Hood and the Ghost meant occasionally being a killer. But maybe there is another way?" Oliver then said "They have my sister, what other way is there?" We suited up and headed out.

Thea was trying to reason with the crooks when we arrived, however she was not successful. The lead man was about to put a bullet in her head when Oliver notched an arrow and fired, disarming the man. "Get away from her!" He yelled. I notched an arrow and pulled back the draw string, amazed at how easy it felt yet knew how powerful it would be. The men opened fire and we dropped behind cover. Oliver went right I went left. We snuck around the wall and attacked 2 of the men ourselves. I noticed Oliver did not kill and I could help but feel a twitch on my lips. I took on the same challenge and knocked my guy out with a swift few hits to the head. I then noticed the lead man escorting Thea at gun point. Oliver and I quickly glanced at eachother before running. Oliver cut him off when I snuck up behind. Oliver said "Let. Her. Go." the Hood guy then said "If I let her go there will be no justice.. No justice for people like the Queens. You showed us how to get justice on them." I then notched an arrow and said "We were wrong." He was distracted long enough for Oliver to fire, sending him tumbling over the edge. Oliver ran forward and grabbed him, to stop him from falling. I ran up to Thea and ejected a wrist blade, cutting her bonds. "Go, Miss Queen." He raised an eyebrow before Oliver yelled "Go! Get out of here" He then struggled to carry the man up, so I helped him. We had just completed a mission with no bodies dropped.. I had to admit it was a good feeling.

Oliver took the men to Detective Lance, I went back to the Foundry.. To take off the suit one last time. I then left to pick up the keys for a new appartment I had looked into once Oliver got back.

The next night I went to the club for my shift to find Thea there alone. I walked up to her "My god Thea, are you alright.. I'm so sorry. One minute I was standing, next I was on the ground waking up and you were gone!" She looked at me "Were you now?" I nodded. She then said "I know you did your best.. Luckily the Ghost came to our rescue.. He seemed a little rusty though." I shrugged "Well maybe he has been out of the game too long." She shook her head "Something is going on between him and the Hood.. I picked up tension when they rescued me.. And something about the Ghost.. Hmm." She trailed off. I smiled "Well I am glad you are alright." She smiled back "thank you. I visited my mother by the way.. Went pretty well. All thanks to you and Roy." I chuckled "Glad to me of service Miss Queen." She raised an eyebrow, then turned and left. I went downstairs as I knew I needed to tell the team of my choice.

They were already downstairs. Felicity grinned "I'm happy the 4 of us are together again.. Back in the arrow business" Oliver and I both said "No". I then said "I came back to tell you I'm hanging up the Hood.. For good this time. I can't work with someone I don't trust.. And I won't just work with him to keep the timeline intact.. Especially because I can't trust anything he told me in the future... I'm taking control of my own destiny for a change." They all started talking, I stopped them with a look and then pointed at Oliver and said "No.. You.. You don't get to save a say Oliver! We had a deal when I joined the team at the start of the year. If I failed, you would kill me. Well I failed. However since its your fault I failed, I 'm not going to honor the killing me bit.. You don't have the right to. But I am leaving the team. The Ghost is no more. He was a shadow of darkness who's sole purpose was to correct the timeline and stop the Undertaking. He failed. I'm done." I then turned and left, planning to just work at Verdant until Iron Thunder came to Starling City, where I would hide until he time traveled and then offically give up that mantle as well.. I didn't deserve to wear that armor."