Disclaimer: WB/DC own these characters. I'm only borrowing them for a while. I own the original ideas found in this.

AN: Thank you for returning. And we're getting closer to the mission for which Oliver had been kidnapped. Will he be able to stop it?

Oliver had spent the past week bored to the utmost degree. He saw Ra's only three times, and each time the criminal mastermind refused to give any clue as to what scheme Ra's believed Oliver was going to help him with. Oliver remained chained to the wall of the cell, able to stand and sit, but only able to walk a few steps in the cell. In order to maintain some sort of strength maintenance, as well as to expend nervous energy, he spent part of each day doing calisthenics and various exercises as well as jogging in place.

The morning of the eighth day started as the past seven had, but suddenly Oliver felt eyes on him as he was doing push-ups. When he finished his last one and rolled over to sit up, he saw Ra's was standing outside his cell watching him. Oliver pulled his legs into a yoga pose and silently returned his gaze.

"Never rest a minute, do you, Mr. Queen?" Ra's asked, amusement shining from his eyes and a smirk on his lips.

"Never know when I'd get a chance to bring you down, Ra's. Got to keep up my strength."

"Always with your wit, are you not? However, that so-called wit is only charming up to a point. Now, though, I will finally tell you what your role is in killing Darhk." Ra's opened the cell, entered and closed the cell door behind him without taking his eyes off Oliver.

"Killing Darhk? I've told you before, Ra's I've taken a vow not to kill."

"That is such an antiquated idea. And one so unworthy of you. You will have to learn how to view the world as not strictly black and white. That was why the previous candidate for my Heir did not work."

"You mean, Nyssa?"

"No, there was someone before Nyssa. I will tell you more at a later date. As for now, we will review the plan to kill Darhk." He paused, waiting for another interruption from Oliver. However, Oliver refused to take the bait, only choosing to wait for Ra's to continue.

Ra's gave Oliver a smile which was more than a smirk, but then continued. "I have received word that Darhk will make his move tomorrow night. The stars will be aligned, so he will release the virus at that time. In order to receive the power he is searching for, he has to be away from his power source, the idol you are familiar with from the island. Which will leave him without his power. So, while he is distracted, and powerless, we will be in place to kill him.

"Your role, Oliver, is to fire an arrow to kill Darhk. Once and for all. One of your explosive arrows will kill him when he is the most vulnerable."

"How can you be sure I will fire this arrow?" Oliver attempted to act defiant, even though he suspected it would be of little use.

Ra's gave a short laugh as he shook his head at the younger man's supposed foolishness. "Because if you don't, he will then release the Alpha-Omega virus. You, of all people, know what will happen if that should occur. Millions in your city will die. I don't think you want that, do you, Oliver?"

Of course I don't want that. But I also don't want to break my vow not to kill, even another criminal. "You still think Darhk doesn't suspect a thing?"

"Yes, because in his mind no one would be able to think of such a plan but him. His ego even bypasses mine in its size."

Oliver ignored the temptation to react to such a remark. "If I may ask, if I kill him while he's holding the virus, what's my guarantee he won't, as he's dying, release the virus as he falls to the ground, dead?"

"Well, that depends upon several factors, I suppose. Something you will have to improvise. Either kill him before he picks up the vial, or perhaps as he collapses, the vial will not break." Nonchalantly, Ra's shrugged his shoulders. "Unfortunately, that part of the plan is more difficult to strategize. Actually, it is quite out of our hands to plan for."

Oliver was seething, trying in vain to control his anger. Of course, what would else could he expect? Of course Ra's would act nonchalant about the safety of Star City. Why would he be concerned about citizens' safety? Ra's knew Oliver was vaccinated against the virus, and surely Ra's had inoculated himself and his soldiers as well.

Ra's continued with his snide smile as he watched Oliver struggle with his anger. "It's a good thing you will be taking a nap, Mr. Queen. It will give you time to think this all through."

Before Oliver could prepare for it, Ra's stabbed a syringe into Oliver's forearm. Not again, Oliver thought as consciousness faded away.

~~OQ~~OQ~~OQ~~

Previously:

As the team progressed to refine the details of the rescue plan, Felicity continued to take notes, and maintain progress. For the first time since he'd disappeared, she had hope they'd be able to rescue Oliver and bring him home.

Before they went their separate ways that night, Batman administered the vaccine for the Alpha-Omega virus to everyone. Even Felicity took one, despite her hatred of needles and worry of side effects. However, as Diggle reminded her, whatever side effects of the virus, they would be better than possible dying from the virus itself.

Over Felicity's objections, Batman had set up a temporary command post within the Arrow bunker. His argument was that it would only supplement Felicity's computers, but Felicity knew he didn't quite trust her babies' capabilities, which offended her greatly. However, as Diggle reminded her, it was all to get Oliver back safe and sound. Batman also announced that he and Nightwing were going to spend the nights in the Lair, to protect their identities, instead of staying elsewhere.

Whether Batman truly doubted her babies' capabilities, Felicity had to give the sullen crimefighter credit when he was able to detect movement in Nanda Parbat, indicating that a plane was indeed on its way.

"Felicity, notify your team we're on notice. I'd say, given the distance to travel and the time difference, it will be tomorrow night that Darhk will be here and carry out his ceremony."

Felicity was able to contact all of Team Arrow, and Barry, without difficulty, and to set up a time for everyone to meet at the Lair for a final review. Meanwhile, Batman and Nightwing continued to monitor Ra's progress. With Felicity's assistance, they discovered that Darhk, under the assumed name of Sam Smith, had reserved the penthouse at the largest hotel in Star City, the Hudson Hotel.

Plans were finalized with all combatants the next evening when they were all gathered in the Lair. Batman and Nightwing would go to the roof of the parking garage across from the Hudson Hotel, being the most logical place for Oliver and Ra's to be located. Felicity would be located in the van parked on the street below monitoring comms. Lyla and Diggle would be on the ground outside the parking ramp, keeping an eye out for any unexpected activity. Laurel, Roy, and Malcolm would be stationed around the Hudson Hotel, monitoring the activity around it and for any last-minute changes as well. Once they got word that Darhk had been neutralized, they would go up to the penthouse suite to confirm it. And it would be up to Barry to catch the vial holding the virus before it crashed open, exposing everyone in the city to its dangerous contents.

The team got into position, comms working, everyone on alert. Felicity was having difficulty keeping her nerves tamped down, but she concentrated on remaining as calm as possible, for Oliver's sake. Whether he knew it or not, Oliver was depending on them to keep their city safe and to rescue him. And hopefully take care of two of the worst criminals the world had ever known, while they were at it.

~~OQ~~OQ~~OQ~~

After an indeterminate amount of time. Oliver found himself again waking up from a drugged sleep. This time his arms were restrained behind his back with chains, his ankles bound together as well. He was again leaning against a wall, but this time it appeared they were in the living room of a hotel suite.

"Hope you had a pleasant rest, Oliver. See, I spared you the agony of transatlantic travel by providing you a guaranteed rest while we traveled."

"Oh, you are ever so kind. I take it we are now in Star City?"

Ra's walked up to Oliver and kicked him several times in the abdomen. "You still haven't learned yet, Oliver? Tsk, tsk. Manners, Oliver. Very important in our relationship."

Oliver bit back several replies he wanted to say but thought better of it.

"In answer to your question, yes, we are now in Star City. I wish you would rest so you will be in optimum shape tonight, but I will not administer another sedative. I do not wish to affect your ability to shoot accurately in any fashion."

Hating to make any semblance of bowing to Ra's' authority but tired of receiving hits he couldn't defend himself from, Oliver asked, "If I may ask, liege, when will we leave?"

Ra's looked up at the clock on the wall. "In two hours we will prepare to leave, and be on our way within a half hour after that." Walking towards the door which Oliver presumed led to a bedroom, Ra's stated, "I myself will go and rest." Two guards appeared from the other room and stood at attention at each doorway, keeping their eyes on Oliver. "You rest, Mr. Queen, and I will be back."

Oliver was restless and sore, but unable to move from his sitting position due to his restraints. His mind at first was busy with creating possible escape plans, but each one had to be discarded as impossible. Looking at his two guards, Oliver wondered if he could convince them to help him, but quickly discarded that idea as well. No way could he plead to a possible humane nature; he wasn't even sure they had one. Finally, Oliver decided to close his eyes and meditate, to give his body and mind some needed rest. If he did end up doing what Ra's had said, he would need all the peace he could cultivate, in order to hit his target.

Before he knew it, Oliver was being shaken awake. He was blindfolded, gagged, and thrown into the back of a van. The bonds around his ankles were removed. He wasn't sure how long it took them to get to their destination, with all the turns they went through he was certain they were making sure he didn't know. With his head pounding from the tranquilizer he'd been given before they had left Nanda Parbat, his sense of direction was off.

After the van stopped, he was pulled out of the van by two of the guards and was half-dragged up several flights of stairs, then into an elevator. Still blindfolded, Oliver had no idea as yet what building they were at. Ra's had managed to conceal specific details about this final showdown, despite Oliver's multiple attempts to discover any info whatsoever.

As the elevator opened, Oliver felt fresh air on his face as he was led some distance away from the elevator. His blindfold then taken off, Oliver wasn't surprised to find out they are on the top floor of a parking garage overlooking Star City. Looking across the street, Oliver wasn't surprised to see the Hudson Hotel, the grandest hotel in Star City, complete with a penthouse and huge balcony, facing him.

"Don't worry, Al Sa-him, I will show you which window to aim. And a high-powered bow with high specs to see him with. And one arrow. Of course."

"Of course." Holding up his chained wrists, Oliver asked, "Will I get these removed so I can do the job?"

"Of course. But it will be a while." Pointing to a chair some distance away from the edge, Ra's suggested, "Why don't you go sit down and rest? Collect your thoughts so you can hit your target."

~~OQ~~OQ~~OQ~~

Thirty minutes later, Oliver was in position, looking down as Darhk stepped out on the balcony of his penthouse suite at the Hudson Hotel. He nocked the arrow and was in position, waiting for the optimum moment to release the arrow.

Darhk appeared to be oblivious of anyone observing him. He lifted his head, raised his arms out in front of him, holding out his hands and appeared to take several deep breaths. He then opened up his suit coat, took out a vial from an inside pocket, and Oliver made the decision. As Darhk made to remove the cover of the vial, Oliver let the arrow fly. It hit Darhk right in the heart. He took a step back, and Oliver could see the look of surprise on his face as his relaxed hand let go of the vial. As Darhk fell backward, Oliver observed a flash of red go up the building and pass in front of Darhk, then it and the vial disappeared. Before he could put all the details together, Oliver was hit with a traq dart, and fell unconscious at Ra's feet.

Before Ra's could collect his unconscious Heir and leave, Batman stepped out of the shadows behind him. "Hello Ra's."

Ra's slowly turned, a smile gracing his features. "Hello, Detective. Imagine my surprise in finding you here." Pausing for effect he then asked, "Why are you here?"

"To prevent you from taking this young man as your heir. No one deserves such a…burden…being Heir to the Demon."

"Burden, Detective? Not everyone would think so. Least of all Mr. Queen. Eventually. Even though he presently denies not being attracted to the idea, give him time, and he will be convinced."

"No, he wouldn't."

"You are incorrect, Detective. At times, Mr. Queen has exhibited similar morals as you, but he has too much of a history of dark deeds to be permanently attached to such a set of morals." Walking sideways to the other side of the roof, Ra's said, "That is why you were never going to agree to be my heir, Detective. You possess too inflexible a moral code. Hardly ever gray, are you? You see the world in polarities. Mr. Queen here, has had moments when he has seen the grays in the world. That is why he will succeed as my Heir. Even with your attempted interference."

Ra's may have believed he would catch Batman unawares, coming at him with his two swords he had taken from hidden sheaths behind him. However, Batman also had two hidden swords in his cape as well, knowing what type of weapon Ra's preferred. A battle commenced between the two, while Oliver remained unconscious a distance away.

Without Batman being aware of it, two of Ra's' soldiers were approaching the combatants to assist their liege. However, Nightwing jumped out of the shadows and began to engage the two soldiers. A flash of red appeared, and the two soldiers were next seen restrained with rope.

"Thanks, Flash, but I had it handled," Nightwing said with a grin.

"Yeah, I guess so, but it doesn't hurt to make sure. I also took care of all the other soldiers in the immediate area. Ra's didn't bring too many soldiers with him. I guess he didn't figure he'd have a fight on his hands."

The two men turned as one to look at the two combatants continuing to battle a short distance away from them. "Should we assist Batman?" Flash asked.

"Nah, this is something he needs to do on his own," Nightwing answered, just as Batman feigned weakness and Ra's got in a nasty abdominal slice. As Ra's pulled back, Batman brought up his other arm and impaled Ra's through his other sword.

Ra's looked at his opponent. As his eyes fluttered closed, he said, "You were always my number one choice, Detective." Ra's tumbled over at Batman's feet.

Batman looked over at Nightwing and Flash, taking in the restrained soldiers behind them. "Well done. I assume everything else has been taken care of?"

Nightwing nodded at the fallen Ra's at their feet. "Except for one remaining item, Batman. You said, you would take care of Ra's finally if given the chance, so that he can't be resurrected any more by the Lazarus Pit. Here's your chance."

Batman reached out as if to take the sword from Nightwing's hand.

AN: Will Batman really kill Ra's al Ghul permanently, to make the Lazarus Pit useless on him? Read the next chapter when I post it to find out. So thanks again for reading and if you choose to leave a review, know I always, always appreciate it!