Chapter 9 FLASHPOINT: Heroes and Villains Part 1

AN – As promised, I'm posting early as the next 3 AU chapters are divided into 2 parts each. We will soon return to the original 'real time' story! :)

*Please see Chapter 2 for SPOILER ALERT and DISCLAIMER!*

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Several weeks later, Oliver was again staying late at the office. He had continued working with Felicity on the new military contract and was convinced they couldn't be a good match. Intelligent didn't come close to describing her. She still rambled and blushed around him but there were times he couldn't even understand what she was saying. Her knowledge and understanding of the tech his family's company was creating far exceeded his. There was little doubt, in his mind anyway, that she would already make a better CEO than he could ever hope to become.

Even knowing there was no future, he still found his eyes watching her, wanting her. His frustration did fuel his training though.

He had stumbled into Richard Dragon mere months after Merlyn's actions had destroyed the Glades and his own family. It had felt like his life was completely out of his control and crumbling around his ears. Even though he had chastised Thea for turning to drugs and alcohol, he had done the same. It had been worse than his younger days with Tommy. Richard had been there to help him during a bar fight and that was when his had training began.

Martial arts, running, and healthy living had helped him turn his life around. He was in the best shape of his life physically but he still hadn't found a way to let go of the guilt or move on. If he had been stronger before, his mom might not have died. The image of her sad smile before she closed her eyes haunted his waking and sleeping moments. If he had known more, Samantha and the son he had never gotten to know might not have died. So many lives lost for Merlyn to avenge his own pain. Oliver understood that drive – when there was a whole or darkness inside you, you had to do something to fill it. He had even studied the acts of the city's new heroes and villains with interest as all seemed to thrive in the darkness.

Much like the public, he wasn't entirely convinced the heroes were actually good. It wasn't just Starling City, but also Gotham and Central City who had reported on the existence of both heroes and villains. There was much more darkness in the world now and much more darkness inside Oliver too. He wondered if that's why he was drawn to Felicity Smoak. It wasn't just the colors she chose but her smile and warmth. She had become the bright spot in his world.

"Earth to Oliver!" Felicity spoke more loudly and laughed when he jerked around to face her. "We need to work on your ninja skills. A brass band could have walked through playing and you would have missed it!"

"Sorry, just a lot on my mind." Oliver shook his head as if to clear it. He intended to smile at her but then realized he already was.

"I'm here, if you want to talk or something. I mean not that you don't have friends but all I meant was—" Felicity just wanted to count backward to take herself back in time. She always had a plan of what to say to the man but the words seemed to get twisted.

"Thank you Felicity." Oliver spoke seriously and stood up to move closer. He studied the flush on her cheeks but still changed the subject. "Do you have the new test results? Any improvements in the serum?"

"I wouldn't say improvements - more like anomalies. It seems to only work with specific gene combinations, as if this was altered based on one individual's DNA." Felicity paused while she considered the line between a lie and a simple omission. She couldn't tell Oliver the whole truth about Slade Wilson and Mirakuru though.

"A super soldier, not soldiers then?" John inquired as he joined the pair causing both to jerk around to face him. He had welcomed Felicity's late night call since sleep had again eluded him. Working closely with Lyla was a double edged sword of pain and pleasure. It felt like he was at a crossroads in his life only he wasn't certain which path to take. He nodded to the pair in greeting.

"Diggle." Oliver returned with a nod of his own.

"Yes, exactly." Felicity agreed simply with a smile for Diggle before returning her focus to Oliver. "The data and specimens from...the military had some anomalies. If we can't figure it out then we can't duplicate any serum that will protect our soldiers."

Diggle raised a brow at the pause but knew Felicity had to have received more details from Lyla and ARGUS. He had to wonder what ARGUS hoped to accomplish and what Felicity believed she was working on. Instead of asking questions though, he waited for Oliver to speak.

"What do you mean anomalies?" It wasn't just the technology that Oliver didn't feel like he fully understood. It seemed there were pieces of the puzzle missing. He had even asked his dad about Lyla Michaels but the older man had refused to share any details. There were times when Oliver wondered just how much his father hid from him.

A loud crash stopped Felicity from speaking - she cringed when the whole building rumbled and shook. By the time she looked at the men, Diggle had already palmed his gun and Oliver had moved to stand next to her. She pulled on Oliver's arm and spoke. "We need to get downstairs now!"

Felicity's only thought was to make it to the downstairs headquarters and call for back-up. She wasn't able to move toward the back exit though as Oliver wouldn't move other than to put her behind him. Diggle was already opening the door and checking the hall.

"Get her out the back. I'm going to see what's going on." Diggle directed in a quiet voice. He glanced back just to catch Oliver's nod before he prepared to engage the unknown enemy.

"No!" Felicity near shout had Oliver stopping and Diggle closing the door with a glare. "We all need to stay together and get downstairs. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. All of us together, downstairs, now."

Diggle and Oliver exchanged frowns before Diggle spoke. "Getting backed into a corner isn't a plan. I'll distract and you two get out and call for help."

Felicity was prepared to argue again when gunfire filled the air. It was much closer to them now. She wasn't sure she could speak any longer so she just nodded when Diggle gestured them to silence. While she did work with heroes, her job was usually behind a desk...safely behind a desk. The few times she had ventured into the field had always been catastrophically bad and scarring. All that stood between her and danger now was John Diggle and Oliver Queen. Diggle remained stationed near the door and Oliver was in front of her. He gave her a reassuring smile before turning to face the door when it opened.

"Felicity, we need to get you out of here."

A blonde woman in black leather swung her staff behind her and a loud thud signaled the fall of her attacker. She barely spared the attacker or the two men in the room a glance. "Felicity, move it now!"

Though the mask concealed her face, Oliver recognized her. "Laurel? You're the one they call the Black Canary?"

"There's no time, Ollie. Felicity, take them downstairs. Move!" Laurel remained focused on her job.

A male voice called out and Laurel dropped to the ground before an arrow flew overhead. As she rose, she slammed the door shut behind her. Felicity used her tablet to open a hidden door and called out in an urgent whisper.

"Come on, let's go!"

Confused, Oliver moved to follow her. Diggle still hesitated but a twist of the knob confirmed the door was now locked despite the fact that the fighting continued. He turned and got in line behind Oliver.

Lights illuminated the narrow hall and stairs before they arrived at another door. Again, Felicity used her tablet while both men checked behind them for any sign of others. The door opened to reveal the headquarters used by the Arrow and Black Canary. Weapons, training gear, computers, and med supplies filled the space. Felicity moved to a computer while Oliver and Diggle scanned the room multiple times.

Diggle moved toward a door on the far side. He called out his question without even trying to open it. "Is this our way out? Where does it lead?"

"A couple places actually but we can't leave yet. I need to update the others and get them help." Felicity's eyes remained glued to the monitor. Reports of attacks in various cities chilled her to the bone. There was no one available to help and all of her friends were in danger as well. She took a deep breath and forced herself to think. The words came tumbling out.

"Plan B then. We won't have anyone else coming to help but we are safe here. I still don't know what's going on but we need more info on the attackers. This location is secure and we can remain in contact. I vote we stay here for now."

"What about everyone else out there? If the city is under attack—" Diggle got no further in his thoughts.

"Cities, not just Starling City. Gotham, Central City, Coast City, Ivy Town. JLA Headquarters are being hit in multiple cities. The military and ARGUS will be responding as well but..." Felicity was focused on Diggle so her voice trailed off when she saw the flash of pain. "Lyla."

"I can't stay here. I have to get out and fight." Diggle turned back to the door but didn't reach out a hand. The key pad flashed red. "Felicity, open the door."

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TO BE CONTINUED…The second part of this chapter will be posted by Saturday!