Chapter 4
Blast From The Past

"You know I gotta ask you. Why aren't you in Nanda Parbat?"

"I guess you haven't heard the news. I left. To protect my family."

"Well, why am I not surprised?"

"What you're doing here, Jericho?" Sara asked, why is he here in Starling City? He can't be here to take her back can't he? Talia told her personally that he left the league years back, so what reason does he have to be here? He looked different, he was a bit older, he looked like man who had seen tragedy and gone through hell. She probably guessed that's what Gotham City does to the people. Take the innocent from the people and drive them to the insanity with the corruption and greed. "I haven't heard from you since Russia."

"I overheard your phone message to Oliver. I was just about head back to the Plaza." Jericho replied, "A criminal from back home was here in Starling City."

"That Mr. Freeze guy that were on the news?" she questioned, Jericho nodded with a mhmm sound, "And I take it You already know who The Hood really is?"

"Yeah, I did. didn't take a genius to figure that after 5 years of being missing, there are suddenly reports of a green hooded vigilante terrorizing the Criminals of this city."

"Figures." She mumbled,

"Does Nyssa know about this?" Jericho asked, already suspecting that the answer would be a no and his suspicions were confirmed when she looked away, "She doesn't know, does she?"

"No. she does not. Look, I had to go. My sister, my dad and mom lives here, I couldn't stand by and do nothing." she defended her actions,

"I get it, ok." He cut her off as if he understood her reasons, "I would've done the same thing. But still you should've told her. you can't just pack up and leave." he's the last person to judge her considering that he left to restart his life in Gotham. But that didn't give her right to just pack up and leave without telling anyone even though that may sound a bit hypocritical coming from him.

"You know Nyssa. She won't listen. She's committed to the league. She's sworn an allegiance." She argued,

"So have you." He argued back,

"And you." she remarked,

"Touché." He retorted, then sighed rubbing his forehead as he felt a migraine coming, he had a good start to the day but now… he felt a bit deflated "Look, is there some place that we can continue without point scoring each?"

She nodded already thinking ahead of Jericho, "Sure. I'm staying with a friend of mine, her apartment is not far from here." They left the alley in the direction her friends apartment. The alley was right around the corner of the apartment. It only took a few minutes to get there.

They stepped into her friend's apartment; Sara closed the door behind her and locked it. it wasn't too shabby, not exactly 5 star but it was okay.

"Nice place." He noted, walking over to the kitchen and opened the fridge to see if there was any beer because he sure needs it right now. Sara took her jacket off her and hung it up in the hallway.

"Thanks for noticing" She said, entering the living room and checked out her phone to see if there were any messages and there were none but there was a missing call from Oliver. she'll call him later.

"Got any beer?" he asked, looking inside the fridge.

"There should be right above your head." she told him, he found a beer behind a milk cart that was next to some take out food.

"Thanks." Jericho closed the fridge and opened the lid; he then sat down on a chair drinking from his beer as he wondered what kind of impact his departure had on the League. That question has always followed him for nearly 6 years. He went to ask Sara about it. "So what happened in the League after I left?"

"It got bad for a while." Sara began as she sat down on a couch. Jericho took a sip from his beer while listening to Sara's, "we took it all hard but Nyssa and Talia took it the hardest, your father was most disappointed in you." Sara shook her head remembering downward spiral of Reynolds with a tsk, "But Paul… he got worse. Started to kill everyone in sight, criminals, politicians, government officials, activists. He was disowned eventually for attracting too much attention."

"Can't say I'm surprised. He always had a violent temper." He grumbled, "What he did do then?"

"He ran them up." She replied,

"Who ran he up?" He questioned,

"I can't tell you." She sighed, Jericho didn't like when he's being kept in the dark of something important and he certainly didn't like it now especially from Sara.

"Sara." He said, bit stern this time.

"I said I can't tell you, alright?" She rose up from the couch and headed for the door not wanting to answer the question but Jericho wasn't going to let her get away that easy. He followed and grabbed her arm determined to know who Paul ran up on.

"Damnit Sara! I need to know." he demanded through his gritted teeth growing impatient and she had it.

"He started to kill our own, Jericho!" she snapped as she pulled her arm away, Jericho went silent once he heard the revelation, "There's gonna be a special place in Hell for the things he did."

"League members?" he questioned, she nodded yes. "Why?"

"Said that the League is nothing more but bunch of murderers and exterminators. That it was for the greater good." she explained.

"And then what?" he quizzed,

"After that, he went underground. No one has heard from him since. I tired to keep tabs on him but it seems that he went off the face of the earth." He breathed out sharply through his nostrils. Just because Paul went underground, doesn't mean that he's up to something devious. They didn't say to each other for some time, it had been a bittersweet reunion between the two former comrades that at one time even considered them respectively as brother and sister.

"I noticed that you have a ring on your finger." She spoke pointing to Jericho's claddagh ring, "You're engaged?"

"Yeah. I am." He answered,

"Good for you. Who's the lucky girl?" she asked,

"Her name's Barbara." he told her,

"Lucky Babs." She declared; he let out a little laugh despite the mood that they were feeling.

"Got that right." he replied, twirling his ring with a quick glance on it.

"What happened in Russia, Jericho?" Sara asked softly, it was Jericho's turn to look away from her, and Sara knew Jericho wasn't going to tell her what happened down there. What had Paul done that caused Jericho to leave the League of Assassins?

"All I can say is Paul shit the bed back there." Jericho admitted,

Jericho and Sara left the apartment feeling somewhat bitter of their conflict and the conversation afterwards. what's left to say really?

"So what did you do when you returned home?" Jericho asked, breaking the awkward silence, as he walked down the stairs to the entrance of the apartment building with Sara.

"I decided to head back to protect my family as Black Canary. Oliver soon found out about my return and eventually my dad learned that I was still alive when AL-Owal showed up and tried to bring me back to your father."She replied,

"Really?" Jericho asked, grabbing the door handle "What happened?"

"I killed him." She answered nonchalant, Jericho nodded in acknowledgement, he knew that he should tell her that it was immorally wrong but he never liked AL- Owal anyway. In fact, Al Owal called him a flawed swine that grew up in cesspool. It struck him close to home as he was referring Jericho as a swine and Gotham as cesspool.

"Ok. Then you left realizing that you couldn't stay here anymore, right?" She nodded again in confirmation as they walked through the door entrance and walked the stairs to the sidewalk.

"What changed your mind?" he questioned, Sara was forced to swallow the lump formed in her throat as she headed to tell the part where things got bad since she left.

"My sister, Laurel." She answered keeping her voice steady, hardly. "Her boyfriend was one of the 503 victims in the earthquake. She blamed Oliver for not saving his life but then she started to blame herself. Oliver called me a few days ago that she just lost her job at the DA's office. The assistant DA found trace "

"Does she know that you're here?" he asked,

"No, she still don't." she admitted, "She still thinks that I died on the Gambit."

"Want my advice, Sara?" He said,

"Not really." She murmured,

"Help her." he advised, these were the two simple words yet they had a very powerful meaning behind them. Sara knew that he was right, but she was worried of how Laurel would react, given that she's in under belief that Sara died on the Queen's gambit nearly 6 years ago. Add to the fact that her mind isn't exactly well at moment, she'll probably have a shock of her life. No, she will not put her through it. Like ever.

"Sara. If you think running away will, think again." Jericho chided, as if he read her mind. "It only makes it worse. Be there for her. Help her out. Come out of the shadows and get her back on track. "

"She'll blame me for everything wrong in her life when she sees me for the first time in nearly 6 years." She remarked, "It won't be easy."

"Didn't say it was." he said, "I'm just telling you like it is. You know that, right?" she nodded in understanding, even though the expression on the face was telling him otherwise so he grabbed her left shoulder with his hand in an attempt to reassure that she can save her sister. Just because someone stumbles and loses their way, doesn't mean that they're lost forever.

"So, have we fulfilled our care and share quota for the day?" she asked,

"Sure, we're done." Jericho replied, then teased her with a playful grin "Brat."

"Lover boy." She countered,

"Goldielocks." He quipped,

"Womanizer." While they were bickering they went to the park which was out Jericho sat down on a bench viewing it, it was pleasant sight watching parents spending time with their kids, couples whom enjoy their company towards each other. It's shame that it's plagued with criminality and degeneracy.

"It's real nice here. I used to take my canary that my dad bought for my tenth birthday here." She explained as she sat down next to him with her right arm resting on the arm support. "It was a way to relieve some of the migraines he got from the constant squeaking."

"Yeah, I can see why you like this place, Sara. It's real charming." he commented,

"Isn't it?" she inquired with a chuckle, Jericho looked at her with a serious look hoping that the talk would get Sara to get Laurel out of her addiction.

"You're gonna help Laurel, right?" he quipped,

"Yeah. And you're gonna tell me about what went down in Russia when you come back some day." she enquired,

"I will." He promised, "Just not today."

"Sounds good then." Jericho and Sara observed the people at the park in silence of what started as a sour meeting with some tensions turned to making promises to each other.

It wasn't supposed to end like this. it was a simple mission, go in, take out the threats, extract information and leave. But because of Paul's recklessness, two innocent people are dead, a little boy and his mother. Dmitri just lost his family and was absolutely distraught. Nyssa and Talia are burying them and the rest were taking care of the dead security guards.

He felt odd about this; it was affecting him for first time in a very long time. Up until that moment, he was completely fine with the killing if that meant protecting the world. But now, he feels uncertain if he still thinks that way. He wondered what his mother would think of him now. He wouldn't doubt that she would criticize for choosing a cruel way of fighting the problem. She'll always say that there is other ways to fight crime that doesn't necessary require killing. God, he really became lost when she died. When he grew up, he never cared of what people thinks of him. he lived to the fullest. He made a decision right there as he tore his mask off and threw his sword away. But he wasn't going to leave this life without a note. He found a piece of paper on a table and a pen with it. He wrote a goodbye letter to Talia and Nyssa, put it on the table once he was done and ran off the mansion not looking back to the city of St. Petersburg.

"Ra's built Arkham City?" Sara exclaimed in shock, Jericho just finished explaining his incarnation in Super maximum Security prison led by Hugo Strange in Gotham. they just entered Verdant night club and was going to the Cave that was down in the basement.

"Yep, Strange made a deal with dad and ratted me out." he replied,"But when Batman and I stopped him, Daddy dearest killed Strange as a punishment for his failure."

"Wow, I mean I heard about Arkham City but never would I imagine that he was behind all this." She said, still wrapping her mind around "And he had the Mayor of Gotham under his control, right?"

"AH huh" Jericho confirmed, "In fact he was the reason why the former Quincy Sharp reinstated Arkham Asylum and why his mayor campaign was so successful. But right after Strange's death, The City Council soon found about Strange's criminal activity and Sharp's involvement, they were left with no choice but remove Sharp from the Mayor position and the court sentenced him life imprisonment in Blackgate without the possibility of parole."

"And here I thought Dr. Ivo was crazy." She mumbled as Sara and Jericho headed down the stairs to the Cave where Oliver was doing pushups on a Salmon ladder with Felicity and Diggle watching on.

"He does this all day?" Jericho asked,

"Pretty much." Sara shrugged, Felicity and Diggle turned around to see them walking over to the training ground. Felicity ducked her head away as she became nervous within 10 foot radius, she pushed her glasses back up. "Hi, guys."

"Sara? I thought you left." Dig said bit surprised by her return to Starling City.

"I did. But Oliver called me a few days ago. It was about Laurel." she explained,

"So he told you." Dig stated in understanding, then noticed Jericho for the first time, "Jericho, right?" he wondered if he got the name right and he nodded a yes. At the mention of Jericho's name, Oliver got off the ladder and went to see him.

"I heard Freeze made a deal with DA to reduce his sentence. Nice work." Oliver complimented,

"Well, we don't like taking all the credit." He shrugged, "You did good, for a rich boy."

"Rich boy, huh?" Oliver chuckled, "You know, when Sara told me about you, you sounded like a urban myth than real. But after what I saw last night, you really are the Son of The Demon."

"Aw, I'm flattered." Jericho smirked with a snigger, "But thanks though. Wanna do some sparring?"

"Like now?" he asked, "I thought you were leaving."

"I am. Just not yet." Jericho explained taking his jacket off and tossed on the table. "What do you say, Ollie? You up to it?"

"We'll find out won't we?" he stated as they took their fighting stances ready, the others were very interested in this sparring session especially Sara. "Ready for some serious pain?"

"Bring it, Arrow boy." Jericho motioned him to bring the best out of him and the fight had just begun.

Dr. Emil Conner was watching the security tapes from Gothcorp observing every movement of the Test subject fighting against the former Gothcorp employee Victor Fries at Cryogenic testing Facility in Gothcorp and he was in awe of how well trained the subject was. how easily he got away from armed henchmen and eliminated the threat. My, my. he is different, Slade was right. But the question is can he finally be the first successor of Project Wolverine? Can he succeed in what other had failed? Dr. Conner certainly hope so.

Couple of weeks later

It was a busy night at the Verdant nightclub for the guests and its staff. Sara was working at the bar filling it in for Roy who apparently is on a vacation. Thea dropped by the bar to see if everything was running smoothly and Sara ensured that it was. She was in the process of making a cocktail when someone called her name out.

"Hi Sara." She looked up to see Jericho in a worn out shirt and a pair of black pants, he held a jacket in his hand. She was surprised to see him like this considering that she hadn't seen him since Nyssa came into town.

"Jericho? Where the hell have you been?" She asked while glancing at Thea who overheard, she mouthed to her boss that he's a friend, she nodded in acknowledgement "You've been missing for three weeks."

"Three weeks huh?" Jericho said, "Felt like months if you ask me. Is there someplace private? I'll explain to you what happened." Thea took her cue to leave, sensing that this was something personal. But she then saw four men in black suits marching towards the bar wearing black. She went to cut their path.

"Can I help you, gentlemen?" she asked, the men ignored her question by pushing her aside as they walked towards the bar. One of the men pulled out a gun from his holster and aimed at Jericho who hung his head in dismay with a groan, he knew that they would come looking for him under the orders of Dr. Conner but he didn't expect to be found this soon. So much for hiding.

"Freeze!" The music was cut off rather abruptly and the party was over.

"Friends of yours?" Sara asked slight worried that they're not the SCPD, Jericho shook his head no confirming her worry. Jericho raised his head and turned around to face them with a scowl featured on his face. He sensed that they won't leave without him so he pulled out his new weapon to make sure that they don't bring him in a body bag or worse.

Snikt! They looked down at the extended metal claws coming out between his knuckles on both of his hands.

"What in the..." Sara whispered in awe, what are they, claws or something? How did he get them? An more importantly, what has he been up to Thea mirrored her face expression once she saw them. How did he get them? Well, it started with a surprise visit from Nyssa Al Ghul.

Gotham City.

"OK, it was very interesting, don't you think?" Jericho commented as he and Barb entered their apartment in fancy clothing, they just came back from a dinner in honor of Commissioner Gordon's work that helped Gotham getting rid of its bad reputation hosted by GCPD.

"Which part? The one that had Bullock eating the buffet during dad's speech or when he was embarrassing himself by doing the Gangnam style dance?" she asked rhetorically as he helped her up by picking her up bridal style. He then carried her to the master bedroom laughing at the fond memory of him dancing like that singer. Harvey would probably give him "God, Harvey really did outdo himself this time.

"Yeah, but you gotta admit, for someone who is overweight, he sure know how to dance." he commented, she shook her head in dismay but couldn't help the smile that slipped. Je then left the bedroom for some privacy and headed outside to the balcony where he viewed the city below the balcony.

"I hope that you had a pleasant evening, Jericho." He turned around to see what that voice came someone who he hadn't seen since Russia.

"Nyssa." He declared,

"Hello brother." Nyssa greeted, flashing a compassionate smile "You look quite well."

"So do you." He remarked, still not believing that she's really here, what brings her to Gotham? "What you're doing here?"

"Shouldn't I be granted the benefit of doubt?" She inquired, "Can't a sister visit her brother?"

"It's been 6 years, Nyssa. Seems the Lazarus Pit agrees with you." Jericho stated, if there's one thing he knows about his big sister, that she's up to something or she has a secret agenda. His best bet is probably both.

"Time has not tempered your sarcasm, brother." She observed; she looked out to the streets absorbing the feeling that Gotham was radiating at this moment. "It's different. The atmosphere. Gotham has improved as of late. People are feeling more safer here. Corruption is no longer holding the city hostage."

"You came all the way here just to say that?" he asked incredulous,

"No, I also wanted to tell you that I'm not staying here for very much longer. I'm being followed." She sighed, "I just wanted to see you again. it's been far too long."

"Yeah."He said, "If you think of convincing me back to League of Assassins, don't bother. I'm not going back."

"Of course not, you made it very clear in your letter." She grumbled, pain flashed in her eyes for a second before it left at the sorrowful reminder of St. Petersburg. "I have no intentions of doing that. it's not why i'm here."

"You don't say." he muttered cynically, "Look, I have a good life now. This is who I am. The Jericho you knew died in Russia." And there it was, she heard it from his own mouth that the brother she knew is not the Jericho she knows today.

"I know brother." she admitted, little bit hurt although she understood his reasons. "Send Talia my regards." Those were the last words before she left the balcony by climbing up the balcony above them, to rooftop. Jericho sighed as he went back inside his apartment confused of her visit. Although he'll find out the reason why soon and by soon, very soon.

AN: I know it isn't exactly a long chapter but it's just a warm up to the things to come in the story. Trust me. below the Author's note is another preview of what will happen later in the story. Peace.

Jericho was lowered down to the water tank, his whole body had been submerged under water and the sharp needles was being filled with the hot liquid of Adamanitum and sunk into the water themselves. They were lined up on different points of his body, three of them were just above his head. Jericho knew in that frightening moment he had just entered hell.

"Inject." Dr Conner declared,