Disclaimer: I do not own anything in Arrowverse or Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC Comics, Marvel Comics or any characters or elements pertaining to the mentioned franchises or anything else you may recognize.
The Ghosts on bikes ambushed a van driving down the road as a truck forced it to skid towards a junkyard as the driver jumped out. Before the Ghosts could execute the driver, the Canary turned on her sonic device, stunning them before she jumped down, pulling out her batons and engaging them as Spartan and Green Arrow in a van knocked down the Ghosts before they went out with Daredevil, engaging the Ghosts.
But one of the Ghosts threw an explosive into the van as it exploded, burning the cash.
"They burned all the money." Spartan realized.
"H.I.V.E. didn't want the federal government to send the money to Star City bank to help." Daredevil said.
Later, the Lair
"Why would Darhk go through all this trouble to watch the city tear itself apart?" Klein wondered.
"A base of operations." Oliver said. "They have to be able to operate out of somewhere."
"And where better than a dead city with almost dead police department?" Matt added.
"Any luck we got from the tooth of that H.I.V.E. member that we took down?" Diggle asked Klein.
"No. FitzSimmons said that due to leadership issues back in S.H.I.E.L.D., they've been quite busy but they'll reach out once they have something." Klein said.
"Maybe Ray will have better luck. I'll ask him." Oliver said as Klein nodded.
"Hey, you got a sec?" Diggle asked as he showed Oliver and Sara the file containing disturbing information about Andy.
"What is this?" Matt asked.
"I got that from Lance, who got it from Damien Darhk." Diggle explained as Oliver and Sara wiped their faces in frustration. "And this is definitive evidence that H.I.V.E. had Andy killed because his criminal operations conflicted with theirs."
"That doesn't track at all with what you have told us about Andy." Oliver said.
"That doesn't track with what I knew about Andy." Diggle said. "I guess I never really knew him at all."
"What is that?" Matt asked.
"Apparently, Andy was a member of a rogue U.S. army organization that has committed numerous war crimes." Oliver summed up.
"John, don't you think he could've been undercover? I mean, just because the file says…"
"It's all right there, the fact are the facts." Diggle argued, interrupting Matt.
"I think what Matt is trying to say is that Andy was your brother and he deserves the benefit of the doubt." Oliver said.
"Things are not always as they seem to be at first glance. I know that better than most people." Matt said as Diggle considered.
Later, City Hall
"Hey, mom." Oliver greeted as he entered Moira's office.
"Oliver, I should remind you and Sara about…"
"…the annual Patrolman's Benevolent Association gala." Oliver realized as Moira nodded.
"Bring a tux and a dress for Sara." Moira said.
"I'll be there." Oliver nodded.
Later, Wolfman Biologics
"OK, Ray, where next?" Spartan asked as he and the Canary entered the labs.
"Get a sample of the chemicals. That should help me unscramble the DNA markers and ID some of the Ghosts." Ray said.
"Where do we find this thing?" The Canary wondered.
"Second floor, a lab in the northwest corner. It should be a yellow liquid." Klein said.
The Green Arrow was on a stakeout outside as he saw the Ghosts entering the labs. "Incoming. Four Ghosts, north entrance."
The Green Arrow and Daredevil engaged the Ghosts, Green Arrow hitting one of them in the face with his bow, while Daredevil kicked another one down.
"Guys, we're in." Spartan said as he and the Canary entered the lab before the latter found a vial with pale yellow liquid.
"Got it." Sara said before a Ghost burst in.
The Canary took cover behind a table as the Ghost opened fire before Spartan shot him in the chest as the Ghost fell down.
"Green Arrow and Daredevil need help." Klein said.
"You should go, get out of here." Diggle told Sara.
"But what about—"
"I got this. Go." Diggle said as Sara left. "Guys, I'm going for an ID on the Ghost that shot at us. Stand by."
Diggle knelt down and took off the Ghost's mask… but he immediately stepped back, gasping in shock as he saw the Ghost's face, revealing it to be his deceased brother. "Andy?"
Andy opened his eyes and hit Diggle in the face, wrapping his legs around him and knocking him down before Andy ran away, while Diggle stared in shock.
Later, the Lair
"I thought your brother was dead. How is this possible?" Klein wondered as he looked at Andy's file.
"I don't know. I can't believe this." Diggle sighed as he wiped his face in frustration, looking completely confused.
"OK, it's obvious that H.I.V.E. faked his death. Maybe it was a part of his recruitment…"
"You saw the file." Diggle snapped, interrupting Oliver. "You saw what kind of man my brother was, what kind of man he is."
"We don't know anything, not until we hear it directly from Andy." Oliver said firmly.
"And how exactly are we going to do that?" Sara questioned.
"We get him out of H.I.V.E." Oliver proposed.
"Oliver, why are you still giving him the benefit of the doubt?" Diggle demanded incredulously.
"Because he's your family. You told us he was a good man, maybe part of him still is." Matt told him.
"I don't know." Diggle shrugged.
"Wait, last month, back at the lumber yard, a Ghost had a shot at killing you. Why didn't he?" Klein pointed out. "Unless it was your brother."
"So, what, he had a chance to kill me and he didn't, so I'm supposed to forget he's a killer?" Diggle asked sarcastically.
"I was a killer, Dig." Sara argued as Diggle turned to her. "I murdered fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children, husbands, wives. You shouldn't have to condemn your brother so quickly until you know all the facts."
"I can't square that circle, Sara." Diggle snapped at Sara. "That H.I.V.E. member was nothing like my brother. That man who my brother was, is dead. He's dead."
Diggle left as everyone felt sad for him.
Later, Star City
Moira was on the stage, making an announcement for the Star City Police Department benefit as everyone applauded for her before Quentin went down as Oliver and Sara approached him.
"Dad, we need a favor from you." Sara said. "A location of one of Darhk's foot soldiers."
"Could be a little difficult. Darhk called me into his office this morning for a little chat about how he didn't trust me anymore." Quentin said sarcastically.
"Wait, wait, wait, are you in danger?" Oliver asked, worried.
"I hope not." Quentin admitted. "But listen, when I was there, I saw something on his desk. Something about Slip 52 down at the docks. Now, if the Ghosts are there, maybe the one you're looking for, will be there too."
Oliver nodded, as a moment later, Moira approached him.
"Oliver, can I talk to you for a moment?" Moira requested as Oliver nodded as they went aside. "Someone named 'Damien Darhk' just approached me and offered to support me and the city council, considering the… recent trouble with the Ghosts. Now, tell me, is this Darhk…"
Oliver nodded as Moira paled, both of them worried. "Tell me you didn't…"
"I told him I would consider letting him help but… he said that if I would refuse, there would be consequences." Moira said, as Oliver felt a pit of dread form in his stomach.
"What exactly did he want?" Oliver asked.
"To stop my project about restoration of Starling Bay and leave it as it is or there would be… unpleasant consequences." Moira explained as they realized the veiled threat.
Later, the Loft
"I'm not sure if it's a good idea, Ollie. Darhk isn't stupid, he'll know something is up." Sara said as Oliver filled her and Matt in. "And frankly, this might be the dumbest idea you've had since trying to save Slade rather than getting us both to safety, when Anatoly fired on the Amazo."
"Sara is right, trying to outsmart a master criminal never ends well." Matt said, remembering how he tried to take down Fisk. "Eventually, Darhk is going to see through you and if you spend so much time in close quarters with him, he's gonna figure out that Oliver Queen and the Green Arrow are one and the same person. Just because Captain Lance lost his trust, it doesn't mean we can afford that kind of risk—"
Suddenly, Oliver's phone rang as he answered the call.
"Yeah, Cameron, what is… he did what?!" Oliver shot up from the chair as Matt gapped at what he had heard.
Later, the Lair
"You are an idiot, you know that?!" Sara exploded as soon as Bobbi and Jemma finished patching Diggle up.
"How did you even know about the docks?" Oliver demanded.
"I talked with Lance at the gala. He might have mentioned it." Diggle said.
"As soon as I found out where did he go, I called Bobbi and Simmons to get him out of there." Klein explained.
"Good thinking." Oliver nodded before turning to Diggle. "John, you are too emotionally involved into this. You're finished."
"Oliver-" Diggle began but Oliver cut him off.
"No, I am not discussing this with you, until you get your head straight, this is your last time in the field! Because of your emotions, your judgement is clouded and making you make mistakes like this!" Oliver snapped and Diggle was silent, knowing Oliver was right.
"OK, you made your point, I get it, I messed up." Diggle said as Oliver calmed down. "But, listen, when I was there, I saw Darhk give civilians these yellow pills, which seem to make the people, who take them, susceptible to suggestion."
"Like Vitura." Sara realized.
"Maybe this is why your brother is with H.I.V.E.?" Matt suggested and Diggle glared at him.
"And maybe he is a selfish bastard, who cares only about himself." Diggle snapped before the computer dinged.
"It's FitzSimmons." Klein read.
"Did they get something from the tooth?" Oliver asked.
"Well, they couldn't get an ID from the DNA but there are traces of sodium fluoride from the tooth, like in the water. And there is one place that has been shut down for this reason." Klein said. "Mueller psychiatric facility."
"Suit up." Oliver ordered.
"Oliver, we don't have the manpower to take the Ghosts down." Diggle protested.
"We're not going to. We're going to get Andy out of there." Oliver said and raised his hand when Diggle opened his mouth. "He is your brother, he might be brainwashed and he might know something about H.I.V.E. And this might be our only shot at finding out something."
"Plus, looks like you're not the only ones interested in the Ghosts." Klein said as everyone turned to him, confused.
Later, Star City
"Onsite." The Canary said as she, Daredevil and the Green Arrow jumped down.
"Be careful. It's heavily guarded." Klein said.
"How are we going to find out which one is Andy?" Daredevil asked.
"Fitz and I put cameras onto your suits. S.H.I.E.L.D. tech. Infrared lenses. It will help me see through the masks and possibly ID Andy." Klein explained as Daredevil and the Canary jumped down and Green Arrow ziplined onto the opposite rooftop.
"We need to ID Andy. When we do, you wait for my signal before engaging." Oliver ordered.
"Can't do that. I've been made." Daredevil said as he threw a billy club at one of the Ghosts.
"Me too!" The Canary cried out, dodging the gunfire before she kicked one of the Ghosts back and saw a baton flying towards another Ghost, knocking him out before it flew back towards a blonde woman in blue and white suit.
"Well, well, well, small world, isn't it?" Bobbi smirked.
Melinda May engaged one of the Ghosts, kicking him in the chest and throwing him down before another one of the Ghosts had her in chokehold. May slammed him to the wall but the Ghost dodged her kick and pulled out a knife as May dodged before she hit him in the face and knocked him out as she pulled out his mask.
"I got him. Bobbi, I need your help." May said.
Green Arrow and the Canary were outside as Green Arrow knocked down one of the Ghosts and the Canary kicked another one in the face as Atom flew around, knocking down the Ghosts with his blasters.
Atom descended, taking down the Ghosts.
"Agent May."
May whirled around and saw Darhk and turned around, about to run but somehow, Darhk was in front of her again as he slammed her to the wall as May turned pale as he touched her neck.
Suddenly, Lance Hunter shot him with a dart as Darhk fell down, incapacitated.
"You OK?" Hunter asked as May nodded. "Let's go."
Hunter helped May pick Andy up as they ran.
Green Arrow knocked down one of the Ghosts before kicking back another one as Atom dodged the Ghosts' punches and beat them up, while Daredevil jumped at two of them, wrapping his legs and arms around their heads and slamming them to the ground, while Spartan showed up, shooting down the remaining Ghosts.
"Nice of you to show up." Green Arrow quipped.
"My brothers needed me. The ones in the red and green." Spartan smiled.
Later, the Lair
"Thanks for the help." Oliver said as he shook his hand with Bobbi, Hunter and May.
"No trouble, mate." Hunter said.
"If you need something, we'll be there." Bobbi said. "Besides, we've been investigating the Ghosts for a while too. Be careful, though. Whatever they're planning, it's big." Then she took a breath. "I hope your friend will have some closure with his brother."
"And here's something I realized." Oliver said as he looked at Bobbi and Hunter. "Just frankly, how often did infiltrating an organization of evildoers end well for you?"
"Not quite enough." Bobbi admitted and Oliver nodded, realizing that going undercover with H.I.V.E. was too risky.
Elsewhere
"Are you ready?" Maki asked as Bullseye put back on his mask.
"I'm gonna hit the mark this time." Bullseye said as Jade sharpened her sais.
The next chapter is going to be a bit different and it's not going to cover Vandal Savage plot yet.
Frankly, Diggle going with Oliver into the docks alone without backup was stupid and it's been shown he can be quite reckless, like Felicity, if left unchecked and it's been shown repeatedly that he is better as a soldier, rather than a leader.
So, what do you guys think?
Please review and let me know if you have been enjoying this and want for me to continue.