Disclaimer: I do not own Daredevil or Arrow
Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed or reviewed this fic so far.
You know people, I am not the best at writing romance. So while MurLance will happen, for the sake of this story, Tommy and Laurel are not in a relationship. Just assume that they decided to not go down that road. A love triangle is beyond me totally. I hope you don't mind.
Chaos Sorcerer: We'll see how their dynamic evolves slowly. Daredevil is actually more open-minded now about killing and stuff. His thoughts in Chapter 2 explain that. I will read that story till the end. Don't worry. The Avengers/LOTR crossover is amazing. It was the first amazing story I read on this site when I discovered it 4 years ago. I have been watching Alex Luthor videos for the past 3 years. I will check out Ultra Sergeant's stuff too.
Chapter 4- A Murdock in Starling City
Adam Hunt was talking to someone on the phone. Near him lay magazines which talked about his ruin in detail. He was asking the other person to help him in starting a new business.
Suddenly, he heard a sound behind him. As he turned, he saw an archer standing in the shadows.
"I'll have to call you back", he said to the other person and cut the call.
He assumed this archer was the same one who had ruined him.
"What?" he asked in anger and confusion, "You've come back for another pound of flesh? Well you're going to be disappointed, pal. Thanks to you I'm-"
He was cut off when an arrow penetrated his stomach followed by another and then another. He fell on his bed, dead.
The archer lowered his bow, looked at the body for a second and walked away.
Oliver and John were sparring with combat knives and they seemed evenly matched as both of them were blocking each other.
"Nice!" commented Oliver as he noted how much he had improved, "You're picking up pace."
"We could say the same thing about you", said Diggle, "You've crossed 3 names off your father's list this week alone."
"Some of these guys just give it up", said Oliver, "All I got to do is visit 'em."
"It seems the vigilante's reputation is beginning to precede him", said John as Oliver managed to scratch his forearm.
"Ah!" he said in surprise and a little pain.
"Another round?" Oliver asked with a smirk.
"No!" said John with a matching smirk.
Oliver walked towards the computer and put down his knife.
As he sat down, John said, "Gotta take my nephew to the mall so that he can tell Santa what he wants for Christmas."
"Christmas", said Oliver in surprise with a sigh, "I didn't even realize."
"Because you've been logging so many hood hours ever since that thing with Helena", said John before adding, "And even more after the confrontation with Daredevil to find out about the archer who lured him here to fight you."
Oliver gave John a look and said, "I meant…. there were no holidays on the island. There just…. Every day was- "How do I stay alive?" And to do that, you had to forget things. Like Christmas. My dad threw a Christmas party every year", he recalled with a smile, "He would put a Christmas tree in every room. The whole mansion smelled like….. It smelled like Christmas."
"Maybe give the List and this thing with Daredevil a rest", suggested John, "And enjoy the holidays with your family. Besides, I hear St. Nick has a list of his own. And I'd wager you're in the nice column. Go home, Oliver."
John walked out while Oliver sat on the chair, thinking.
Oliver walked back into the Queen Mansion. As he closed the door, he saw Thea walking up to him, wearing a dress.
"You look pretty", he said with a smile before asking, "What's the occasion?"
"Mom and Walter are having a dinner party with a bunch of big muckety-mucks", said Thea, sounding bored, "Best night of my life."
Oliver let out a sigh and said, "Thea, why aren't there any decorations up in our house?"
"What do you mean?" asked Thea.
"No wreaths, no tress", pointed out Oliver.
"Everyone's just been busy lately", said Thea, "I'm sure they haven't gotten around to it yet."
"Does Mom at least have some of those boxes of candy canes?" Oliver asked hopefully, "Remember we used to race to see who would finish first?"
"Yeah", said Thea with a smirk, "And I always won."
"No", said Oliver, "You cheated."
"Well", explained Thea as she started walking away, "She went sugar-free last year so I doubt you'll be seeing any of those around."
Oliver sighed and walked away too.
Later, Moira and Walter sat along with all the guests they had invited for the dinner party which included Malcolm.
"The thing that people forget is that Robin Hood was a criminal", said Commissioner Nudocerdo.
"And stealing from the rich to give to the poor is the job of the Democrats", joked one of the businessmen as the others laughed.
"All joking aside, Commissioner", said Malcolm, "Crime is down for the first time in 5 years."
"That is because of the changes that my department has implemented", said the Commissioner.
"Or perhaps it is because the vigilante's activities have had a chilling effect on the city's criminals", said Walter and there were murmurs of agreement while Malcolm simply nodded.
He looked at Oliver and asked, "What are your thoughts, Oliver?"
"I think the vigilante needs a better nickname than 'The Hood' or 'the hood guy'", joked Oliver as everyone laughed.
"I agree", said Malcolm with a smile, "How about- 'Green Arrow?'"
"Lame!" said Oliver bluntly as Malcolm smirked and sipped his drink.
Walter's phone rang and he said, "Forgive me!"
He looked at the phone and said, "It's the office. Excuse me!"
He then got up and walked out of the room as Malcolm looked at him.
A while later, a patrolman walked up to Nudocerdo and whispered something in his ear which turned his expression into a grim one.
"I'm sorry", he said as he got up, "Something's come up."
"Is everything all right?" asked Oliver.
"The vigilante has struck again", said Nudocerdo as everyone looked shocked, "He just put an arrow in Adam Hunt."
Nudocerdo then walked off with the patrolman as everyone whispered amongst themselves. Malcolm gave a very slight smile for a moment.
Oliver then took out his phone and pretended that someone was calling him.
"I really do need to take this call", he said, "It's my contractor. Excuse me."
Moira nodded as he got up and walked out.
Quentin looked over at Hunt's body as Nudocerdo arrived.
"The daughter came over", Quentin explained, "Used her key, found dad. Hat trick to the chest."
"The hood guy", said Nudocerdo.
"That's what I thought at first", said Quentin, "But these black arrows aren't consistent with his M.O. and neither is the fact that the Hood took hunt for $40 million a few months ago. Doesn't make sense to kill him now. Something doesn't add up. We're dealing with a copycat."
Outside the apartment, The Hood listened. He did not know that Daredevil was standing above the apartment and listening as well.
"So why would this other archer who set you up to fight Daredevil and then kill Adam Hunt?" asked John.
"Another setup I guess", said Oliver.
"Whatever this guy is planning, it is definitely not good", said John.
"The guy is good", said Oliver, "The grouping on Hunt's chest was tight. Compound bow, most likely. And Daredevil said he could mimic me very well. So the guy's a….. The guy's a legitimate archer and a skilled fighter."
"So someone who would be particular about his arrows", said John.
"We get an arrow", said Oliver, "We get a bead on where he purchased them."
"What're you gonna do?" asked John.
"What anyone does when they need help", said Oliver before surprising John by saying, "Call a cop."
"Quentin Lance!" said a cop as he walked up to him and gave him an envelope.
"Yeah!" said Quentin as he took it and the cop showed him a paper saying, "Sign here."
Quentin signed it and gave it back saying "Thanks."
He then opened the envelope and pulled out- a phone.
He sat down and looked at it in confusion.
Suddenly, it rang but the number of the caller was blocked.
He accepted the call and said to the caller, "Lance here!"
"I didn't kill Adam Hunt", said the voice on the other side.
"You!" said Quentin angrily as he realized who the caller was.
"You call me 'The Hood'", said The Hood, "It's not a great nickname."
The Hood then got down to business, "You told Commissioner Nudocerdo that we might be dealing with a copycat which makes me your best bet to take him down. But I need your help. I need one of the arrows from his murder."
"Yeah", said Quentin sarcastically, "We're good at pulling leads off evidence, thanks."
"Not like I am" said The Hood, "I can do things the police can't. Go places they won't."
"Look, I already told you", said Quentin angrily, "I don't even know who-"
"If this archer doesn't stop with Adam Hunt then we both have a problem", The Hood cut him off, "Think about it. Then call me. Number's programmed in."
The call was then cut.
Oliver and Thea sat together at Big Belly Burger eating fries which was decorated for Christmas.
"I think there should be a national holiday for the guy who invented fries", commented Thea, "Or at least a statue."
"There is no Christmas party", said Oliver in realization, "Is there?"
When Thea didn't reply, he said, "Thea! Dad used to have them every year. Did you all just think that I wasn't gonna notice?"
"Hi, Thea", said a young boy as he walked up to them.
"Hi, Shane", she said to him before pointing to Oliver and saying, "This is my brother, Oliver."
"Nice to meet you", he said to Oliver, "Thea's brother. Bet the food on that island is better than the stuff they serve here."
"You'd lose that bet", said Oliver.
Turning to Thea, he said, "We're heading out to the bay, if you wanna come."
"Thanks but, uh", said Thea, "I'm spending the afternoon with my brother."
Oliver gave a slight smile at that as Shane said, "Another time. See you."
He then walked off and Oliver asked Thea, "How do you know that Shane guy?"
"We rob banks and smoke crack together", joked Thea.
"Heh, that's funny" said Oliver, "I have a feeling I'm not gonna be a fan."
"You don't even know him", argued Thea, "Let's change the subject."
"Fine", said Oliver, "You were gonna tell me why we're not having the annual Christmas party."
"When you and Dad disappeared", said Thea, "By the time Christmas rolled around, none of us felt like celebrating so we kind of skipped Christmas that year. Every year. And it's really fine."
"No", said Oliver, "No, really it's not."
The two sibling then ate in silence.
"We're having Christmas", said Oliver to Thea, Moira and Walter who were sitting together on a couch while he stood in front of them, "I went 5 years without it and then Thea tells me that you guys didn't have it either and I'm the reason. So maybe now I can be the reason we have Christmas again."
As the three looked at each other, Oliver said, "I thought I could throw the annual Christmas party."
Thea let out a humorless chuckle and asked, "You?"
"I know that I haven't been the son, stepson or brother that all of you deserve", said Oliver, "Especially lately but this feels like the right moment to start making up for lost time. What do you say?"
Moira gave him a smile and said, "I say yes."
"Yes!" said Oliver happily as Walter smiled.
"Okay", he said, "I will take care of everything. You don't have to do anything. Just show up, look fantastic and bring some Christmas cheer, okay?"
"Okay", said Moira as Oliver walked off but stopped on seeing the look Thea was giving him.
"Fine", she said on noticing his look.
"You're a good man, Oliver", said Walter to him sincerely.
"Hell yeah", said Nelson Ravich to the person he was talking to on the phone as he walked on the street, "I gave him the money."
As the man on the other end berated him, he said, "$70 million isn't worth getting an arrow through the chest. And if he's got a problem with that, you can tell him-"
He was cut off when he felt something sharp go into his back. An arrow then protruded from his chest, having pierced his heart.
As he fell down, the Dark Archer lowered his bow, looked at him for a moment and walked off.
"Commissioner, this is Nelson Ravich", said Quentin to Nudocerdo as they looked over at his body, "The Hood hit him earlier this week. Ravich wired back the money he embezzled less than five minutes later."
"All right", said Nudocerdo as he gestured for Quentin to follow him to a corner which he did and Nudocerdo said, "We tell them The Hood did this. Hunt's murder is a Page 10 story at best but Ravich's murder makes this a serial-murder case. We can't let the public get wind of the idea that there are 2 of these nutjobs out there."
"You want me to ignore a serial killer?" asked Quentin incredulously.
"Just get one of these psychos", commanded Nudocerdo, "I don't care which one. That's a direct order from your commanding officer."
As he walked off, Quentin said, "Well. You can forget it then."
"Fine", said Nudocerdo, "It's forgotten. And you're off this case, Sergeant. Effective immediately."
As he walked off, Quentin gave him a defiant look and made up his mind.
Oliver's phone rang and he knew it was Quentin calling him from the phone he had given him.
He picked it up and said, "Don't bother tracing this back to me. You'll never make it past the encryption."
"There's a heating vent on the corner of O'Neil and Adams", said Quentin, "You'll find what you're after there."
"It'd be a mistake to set a trap for me, Detective", said Oliver in a warning tone."
"I'm trading away everything I believe in", said Quentin truthfully, "It's the only way to get this bastard. You've got till Christmas. After that, copycat or not, I'm coming after you."
Oliver analyzed the arrow as John walked up to him and said, "So your friend Lance gave you a Christmas present after all."
"Hm-mm", confirmed Oliver, "Teflon-coated titanium blades. Separated to split the bone. Shaft is some type of specialized polymer which is stronger than your typical carbon fiber. This…. This is custom job."
"Lance gave in after the other archer dropped another body", said John in realization.
"Nelson Ravich", confirmed Oliver.
"Which is another name crossed off your father's list", pointed out John, "So is this guy trying to frame you or call you out? And why the hell did he trick you and Daredevil into fighting each other?"
"Either way", said Oliver, "I have to stop him."
Quentin and Laurel watched the press conference of Nudocerdo on TV where he said The Hood had killed Hunt and Ravich.
"It isn't him, is he?" Laurel asked Quentin, "The man in the hood, he didn't kill those people."
"You're the one who said he was a monster", said Quentin to her.
"He was trying to protect me", she argued, "This is different."
There was a knock on the door and Laurel said, "It's probably Joanna. She said she was gonna come by with some files."
She switched off the TV and walked towards the door. She opened and to her surprise, it was Oliver.
The two looked at each other awkwardly and then Oliver looked at Quentin.
"Merry Christmas, sir", he said to him politely and shook his hand, "How are you, sir?"
"Proficient with firearms", said Quentin angrily.
"Dad!" said Laurel and he quickly walked away.
"What're you doing here?" she asked him.
"We're having a last minute Christmas party", he said to her, "And I'd like to invite you to it."
He then gave her the invitation and she said, "But I want to spend the Christmas with my father."
"I know", said Oliver, "And I understand why. But just in case you change your mind. A plus one is allowed."
As Quentin walked up to them, there was another knock on the door.
Laurel went to open it and this time, gasped at who stood in front of her.
Oliver turned to look at the visitor.
"M-Matt?!" she said in disbelief.
"Hi Laurel!" said Matt with a smile, "Can I come in?"
"Y-yes!, she said as she regained her composure, "S-sure."
"Thank you", he said as he walked in.
Oliver observed the man. He was blind and used a walking stick. He was good looking. But he seemed something else entirely.
"I was in the city working on a case", said Matt with a smile, "Thought I would catch up. It's been like-"
"4 years", said Laurel.
"Who's this?" asked Oliver.
"Matthew Murdock!" said Matt as he shook Oliver's hand.
Oliver said, "I am Oliver Queen."
"I know about you", said Matt.
"So who are you?" Oliver asked.
"I am a lawyer in New York", said Matt, "I know Laurel from law school."
"Yeah", said Laurel, "We met each other in law school."
"I've seen you before", said Quentin before his eyes widened in recognition, "You're the guy who defended that nutjob- Frank Castle."
"Yeah", said Laurel awkwardly, "I remember that too."
"Let's not talk about that", said Matt as his expression turned a little grim and the two Lances shut up, knowing that there was something sensitive about it.
Oliver observed that. This Matt seemed to be hiding a lot of pain behind that smile. Just like he did.
"So how are you?" he asked her.
"I am good", she said awkwardly, "I am good. Just waiting on some case files."
"Laurel Lance", said Matt with a smile, "Always trying to save the world."
Laurel blushed a little and Oliver looked between the two. They seemed more than friends.
"Well", said Matt, "It was good catching up with you."
As he started walking off, she said, "Matt!"
"What?" he asked as he turned back.
"Uh", she struggled to say, "Oliver just invited me to a Christmas party at Queen Mansion and he says that I'm allowed to bring a plus one. You want to come?"
"Sure!" he said with a smile, "What time?"
"7:00", she said, "Don't be late."
"Okay", said Matt as he walked off.
When he was out, Quentin asked her, "So was that your boyfriend from law school?"
"Uh…." said Laurel, "Yes!"
The awkward conversation between Matt and Laurel finally made sense to Oliver.
Laurel, on the other hand, wondered why she had invited her ex to her other ex's Christmas party.
Matt walked out and his smile faded. He was happy to see Laurel again and reconnect with her but he was not expecting to meet The Hood again.
He had heard Oliver's heartbeat clearly and knew that he was the Starling City Vigilante. He couldn't have imagined that in his wildest dreams. But then again, Tony Stark was Iron Man.
Matt decided not to do anything about that for now because Oliver had good intentions for the city. But the other archer needed to be stopped.
The Hood walked in an alley till he reached the warehouse whose address Felicity had given him. He slowly opened the door and walked inside. At the end of the room, a black arrow was sticking out of the floor.
As The Hood stared at it, the door behind him suddenly slammed shut. The Hood spun around, trying to reach for an arrow, but no one was there. As he looked around, he heard a sound resembling a short circuit.
He then saw a large tube with 6 smaller tubes around it. 3 of them were draining green liquid into it while the other 3 were draining red liquid. The liquid was rising towards a flame.
The Hood realized what that was and started running. He fired an explosive arrow at the door. As the device exploded, the arrow blasted the door open and The Hood jumped out while the room went up in flames. The Hood turned back and looked at it in frustration.
Oliver, now cleaned up and dressed in formal clothes looked around at Queen Manor where the party was going on.
Oliver walked up to Diggle and said, "I see the halls are decked."
"You okay?" Dig asked.
"I'll manage", Oliver assured, "Is everyone having a good time?"
"You sure you wanna do this man?" asked John, "Maybe now's not the best time for you to be Martha Stewart's elf."
"My family needs this party, Diggle", said Oliver firmly, "Which means that I need it."
He heard the door close behind him and saw Shane entering with flowers.
"Hey dude", said Shane casually, "Thea invited me. I hope that's cool."
As Oliver looked at the flowers, he said, "These are for your mom."
Oliver looked at John and whispered, "Smooth!"
Dig gave Shane a wry grin and said, "Good luck, kid."
Oliver walked into the sitting room where the party was going on.
"Oliver", said Moira happily as she stood with Walter and Thea.
"You guys look great", complemented Oliver, "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas", said the three simultaneously though Thea sounded less enthusiastic.
"Let's get a holiday photo", suggested Oliver as he gestured to the photographer.
"I already sent out or Christmas cards, Oliver", said Moira.
"Mom, let's just get a picture for the 4 of us", said Oliver.
"Of course", said Moira pleasantly.
After their picture was taken, Shane walked up to them and said, "Excuse me, Mrs. Queen?"
As Moira looked at him, he gave her the flowers and said, "These are for you."
"Well, thank you", said Moira formally as she accepted them, "I'll-I'll go put this in the water."
Thea led Shane away.
"Is everything all right?" Walter asked Moira.
"You and I should talk alone", she said softly and walked away.
"Everything okay between the two of you?" he asked Walter.
"Yeah", said Walter with a formal smile as he patted Oliver's shoulder, "I'm sure it will work itself out."
As Walter walked off, Oliver saw Thea and Shane going off deeper into the house. He did not have a good feeling about that.
But then he saw Tommy coming.
"Hey man!" said Tommy as the two hugged.
"Merry Christmas!" said Tommy.
"Merry Christmas!" said Oliver.
Oliver then saw Laurel entering with Matt.
"Laurel", he said as he walked up to them.
"Merry Christmas!" the two said simultaneously to each other as they shared a brief hug.
"Merry Christmas, Mr. Queen", said Matt as he shook his hand.
"Merry Christmas, Mr. Murdock", said Oliver as he shook his.
"So", Oliver asked Tommy, "You know Matthew?"
"Yes", said Tommy, "Met him a few times while him and Laurel were dating."
"I think we're past that phase", said Laurel, "We're just friends right now."
"Yes", said Matt with a straight face.
"Well", said Oliver, "It was nice to meet you Mr. Murdock."
"You too Mr. Queen", said Matt with a smile.
As Oliver and Tommy walked off, Laurel said to him, "Everything all right?"
"Yes!" said Matt, "It's just that last time I was in such a party, it wasn't a pleasant experience."
"Well I assure you nothing wrong will happen in this one", said Laurel with a smile.
"If something does happen, I will sue you", said Matt with a chuckle.
"Careful there, Murdock", she said with a chuckle of her own.
Oliver heard loud music coming from Thea's room.
"Thea!" he said as he started opening the door, "It's Ollie. I've got something to tell you….."
He trailed off when he saw Thea putting her dress over her bra while Shane was putting on his shirt.
"Oliver!" Thea gasped in shock.
Giving Shane an 'if looks could kill' glare, he said firmly, "Hit the road."
Shane quickly grabbed his jacket and ran out past him while Thea asked him, "What are you doing?"
"Funny", said Oliver angrily, "I was going to ask you the same thing because there's a party going on downstairs that I threw for you."
"I told you, I didn't want a party", said Thea angrily, "But you didn't care because you came down with the holiday blues. I've been trying to get you to open up for months. All this party is doing is bringing back memories I've been trying to forget."
"Thea!" he said angrily, "Why would you want to forget?"
"No matter how fancy the party is you throw", she said angrily, "Things will never be the way they used to be in our family. Ever again."
The two glared at each other for a while.
"Oliver!" said Dig's voice from behind.
As Oliver turned to him, Thea walked away.
"What is it now?" asked Oliver in an angry tone.
John motioned for Oliver to follow him.
The two were then in Oliver's room.
"The archer's moved to the next level", said John as he picked up the remote, "He's taken hostages. This just hit the news."
He then switched on the TV and the two looked at what was happening with horrified expressions.
Several hostages were tied up on chairs. One of them was a woman with a fearful expression whose makeup had been ruined by her tears.
"Happy holidays, Starling City", she read from a paper as her voice trembled with fear, "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."
John switched off the TV and said, "The police are on the scene Oliver. You should let them handle this."
"Those people are there because of me", argued Oliver in a determined tone, "I have to end this."
"Oliver, this guy… this guy, he's very dangerous", warned John.
Oliver shot him a glare and snarled, "Diggle, there wasn't anything on that island that was twice as dangerous as this guy, and I survived there for 5 years."
Unbeknownst to them, Matt was lingering close to the hallway and had heard everything. He walked up to Laurel and said, "Sorry! I have to go."
"Where are you going?" she asked, "The party has just begun!"
"I am sorry!" he said again and kissed her on the cheek and then he walked out.
Nudocerdo and Quentin were arguing about how to enter the building where the hostages were being held.
Suddenly, a line was shot to the roof of the factory and The Hood rode down above the cops' heads. He jumped on the roof and jumped inside through a skylight, crouching near the hostages.
He used a fletchette to cut open their binds.
"Where is he?" he asked.
"I don't know", said the woman from the TV.
"It's going to be okay", he told them all, "Follow me."
As they walked out through the hallway, he said, "Get up on the roof."
As they walked up, the woman stopped and asked, "What about-"
"I'll handle him", he cut her off, "Move!"
She walked up too.
The Hood walked back down the hall. As he reached the end, he suddenly stopped. He turned around and saw the other archer standing at the other end.
"Thank you for coming", said the archer in a distorted voice, "After the warehouse, I knew I had to do something dramatic to get your attention."
"What do you want from me?" asked The Hood.
"What any archer wants", said the other one in a mocking tone, "To see who's better."
He reached for an arrow but The Hood beat him to it and fired. The archer leaned sideways to avoid and fired back.
The Hood managed to dodge it as it shattered a window behind him. The Hood moved around the corner, firing one last arrow. The other one fired 2 more arrows in quick succession and ran after him.
He then entered the room where the hostages had been kept. He looked around, arrow notched on his bow.
He looked at a shard of a broken glass on the floor and saw a reflection of The Hood up on the rafters, getting ready to fire.
He swiftly looked up and fired, disarming The Hood.
He fired again but The Hood moved away, dodging it. He jumped onto a light but this time, the archer's shot hit him on the upper thigh.
He shouted in pain and landed on a table. He rolled away as another shot whizzed past him. He picked up his bow and fired back but the archer dodged and disappeared into the shadows.
The Hood fired into the shadows, hoping to get him. He then notched another arrow, looking for his opponent.
Suddenly, the other archer came behind him and fired an arrow into his back. Just a second before it could hit him, a flying object deflected it away.
The object went to the raised hand of- Daredevil. It was his club.
The Hood turned around and looked at his rescuer.
"You?" said the other archer angrily, "What are you doing here?"
"You attacked me in my city", said Daredevil angrily as he moved towards him, "You tricked me into fighting him. I'm sure whatever you're planning involves me or Hell's Kitchen or both."
The archer tried to smack him with his bow but he dodged and hit him on the face with the club, making him stumble. The Hood then jumped next to him and gave the archer a flying kick, making him stagger back.
The archer recovered and fired 2 arrows at them both. They ducked as he angrily yelled, "First Hunt! Then Ravich! And now the two of you."
He tried to punch The Hood but Daredevil kicked him away. He ran to him but The Hood smacked him away with his bow.
"I know about The List", he revealed to The Hood, "And the man who authored it wants you dead!"
He threw a flashbang grenade on the ground and escaped.
As the two recovered, The Hood asked, "So was he the guy?"
"Yes!" confirmed Daredevil with a nod, "He's planning something bad."
"Thanks for the save", said The Hood.
"No problem", said Daredevil, "Oliver!"
The Hood gave him a shocked look.
"How?" he asked.
"Take off that hood and that grease does a poor job", said Daredevil.
"But how do you know it was me?" Oliver asked as he took off his hood.
"Let's just say I have some special enhanced features", said Daredevil, "They helped me discover who you were when I met you today."
"Today?" Oliver gasped as he realized something, "Matt?"
Matt cursed himself for his carelessness in his head.
Looking at Oliver, he said, "I know who you are. So I guess it's fair."
He took off his mask and Oliver looked at him.
"But you're blind!" he said incredulously.
"The accident that blinded me enhanced my other senses", revealed Matt, "Now I can use them for a lot of stuff."
"Oh!" said Oliver, taking it in before asking, "Do you know who he is?"
"No!" said Matt, "Because he has blocked his heartbeat somehow. Not the first person I have met who can do that. But tell me, what is the List?"
"Not your business!" growled Oliver angrily.
"This archer tried to kill me in my city and lured me here to fight you", snapped Matt, "I think everything related to the situation is my business as much as it is yours."
Oliver sighed angrily and said, "Before my father died, he gave me a list of all the people who he said were poisoning the city. I thought it was his. But this archer says otherwise."
"I thought your father drowned", said Matt.
"Now that is NOT your business!" said Oliver angrily.
"Fine!" said Matt, "So what are we going to do?"
"We?" asked Oliver, "Just because you saved me, it's a partnership?"
"I think this guy is planning something that involves both of our cities", said Matt, "He might even be having some allies. Only together can we stop him. Don't you want to stop him?"
Oliver sighed again and threw something at Matt which he caught. It was a cell phone.
"Don't try tracing it back", said Oliver, "If you need help, call me on that. I can call you too."
"Fair enough" said Matt as Oliver fired another line and rode away.
Malcolm walked towards the workbench which held several rows of arrows. Standing near it, he ripped off his mask and hood, giving a slightly angry expression. Daredevil and The Hood together would be a huge obstacle on his side. He realized that his plan had failed now.
He stood quietly, thinking of something else.
Laurel sat in her house when her phone rang. It was Matt.
"Hello!" she said as she picked up.
"Hello, Laurel!" said Matt as he spoke to her, "I just wanted to say, I'm sorry for leaving like that."
"It's okay", said Laurel sincerely, "It's just that….. it's been 4 years so…. I just wanted to catch up more."
"Well", said Matt, "I am going to be here for a while."
"That's good", said Laurel.
"Yeah", said Matt, "But right now, I'm tired. Good night, Laurel."
"Good night, Matt."
Oliver and John stood together in the lair.
"So Daredevil is after him now, huh?" said John.
Oliver nodded in response and said, "While I still can't bring myself to work with him, I think he has a point. The archer tried to kill him while making him believe it was me. So whatever he has planned, it somehow involves both of our cities."
"We'll have to find out", said John.
"We might have a bigger problem", said Oliver, "The other archer told me that somebody compiled the list. I always assumed it was my father's. But what if it wasn't?"
"What do you mean?" asked Dig.
"I think there's someone else out there", said Oliver, "Someone who's more of a danger than the archer."
He then vowed, "And with or without Daredevil's help, I'm going to take him down."
The longest chapter of this story finished. Now most of the chapters will be around this length or shorter or a little longer.
I hope I'm doing a good job with Matt and Oliver's dynamic. I think it is handled far better here than in 'The Devil of Star City' and most of it is in character for them. And I think every serious vigilante can get a little careless once in a while.
I also hope the Matt/Laurel thing is fine. I can't just make it a romance right away. So these are baby steps.
I know I said that I won't be including the wider MCU or Arrowverse earlier but now I have reconsidered it which is why Tony Stark got mentioned. But I am not going to follow any of their timelines now. The MCU timeline here is far different from the actual MCU because that's the best way to combine both the universes. I will also use some elements from Marvel and DC Comics to make this is a good shared universe.
BTW, right now, my exams in college had ended so I had a lot of time but now I have started studying again so the updates won't be regular. But I will still try to update once or twice a week. Just needed to let you know.
Please review. I always appreciate your feedback.