Arsenal season 1: Deathstroke's Gambit
Oliver was leaving his hideout when his phone rang. He picked it up and with a stern distorted voice, he said, "Whoever this is better have a good reason for calling."
Detective Quentin Lance was the person on the other end of the phone said, "They have my daughter Laurel."
"Who are they?" The Green Vigilante asked.
"The message was from a Deathstroke and something about meeting somewhere." Detective Quentin Lance replied.
Oliver was in shock, and couldn't believe what he just heard. He turned the phone to his other ear and said, "I'll meet you on the roof of starling hospital. Come alone."
Oliver frustrated hung up the call and the line went dead. Oliver then dialed Diggle's number and waited for it to connect. After a few minute it did. Diggle who was on the other end picked up and said, "Hello, Oliver. What is it? Not like you to call."
"We have a problem?" Oliver replied.
Diggle who had been on the other end of the line wondered what, was going on. What had happened to have Oliver call in when usually he dealt with the problems in his own way? He said, "What problem?"
"The man who has Laurel is named Deathstroke. It's a name I haven't heard of since I returned from the island. When I had escaped the island, there had been explosions going off around me. The building Deathstroke was in had exploded. As far as I was concerned, he was dead."
"You never mentioned how you escaped the island or this guy before until now. If you say he died on the island then who is pretending to be him? What reason could he have for kidnapping Laurel?"Diggle replied.
Oliver had walked to his car and was wearing his Green Vigilante clothes and was about to start the engine of his car. He put his cell phone on speaker and stood there in his seat thinking about the past. Oliver was having a flashback moment to the day Deathstroke had been killed. Oliver heard Diggle's voice and snapped out of the flashback moment and said, "I escaped using a boat that had been bringing in Supplies to the island. That day was a day I buried in the back of my mind. I didn't know that it would haunt me here in Starling. I intend to find out the identity of Deathstroke is. But my main objective is to save Laurel and get her out of arms way."
Diggle listened to what Oliver was saying about his past on the island. Oliver had finally trusted Diggle enough to open up about his past. He began to get a picture of what he went through and learned what had happened to him the day he had escaped the island.
Oliver was still carrying the burden of what had happened for too long. The demons that haunt his mind were still there and were deep. Hearing the guy's name and voice must have brought things back up. Diggle was leaving the home of his FBI contact and had made it to his car and started the engine. Diggle had planned on driving to the mansion, until his cell had gone off.
Diggle sat in his car and said, "I think you'll need some help on this one Oliver. You can't blame yourself for what happened then or what happened with Laurel."
"I can't. If she hadn't asked me for help in the past it wouldn't have made her a target." Oliver replied.
Diggle started the engine once the keys were in the ignition. He placed his cell on the cell holder and pressed speaker on the cell and said, "All we can do is figure out how to save her and not handle this alone."
Oliver knew that he wouldn't be able to handle Deathstroke alone. He took a breath and said, "What about the Red Vigilante maybe I can find him and ask for his help."
"Do you know how to find him?" Diggle asked.
"No I don't but I'll think of something." Oliver replied making it to the hospital.
Oliver was parking the car and then turned the engine on off. He noticed detective lance's car not far from where he had parked. Oliver grabbed his phone and got out of the car and said, "I've arrive at the hospital to meet Laurel's dad. I'll call you back when I know the location of Laurel."
Oliver hangs up the cell by pushing the end button on the cell. Takes him twenty minutes to get the hospital then heads to the roof. Once on the roof he sees Laurel's father standing there and in a distorted voice said, "Play Deathstroke's message."
He turned to see the Green Vigilante standing behind him. He pressed the on button on the tape and they both heard the tape play. Deathstroke on the tape said, "Green Vigilante, we have your friend Laurel Lance. There's something about you I can't put my finger on. But you have 5 hours to meet me at 225 James Street. The building is abandoned. Come alone, no tricks."
The tape finished playing and officer lance pleated with the Green Vigilante and said, "I know we've had our differences but I know you wouldn't risk her life."
"I'll do my best." The Green Vigilante replied and disappearing as officer lance looked back at him.
Oliver was just outside his car when he heard a voice behind him. He turned to look at the voice and saw it was the Red Hood. "Hello Oliver Queen. Don't turn around." Roy replied standing behind him.
"So it seems you know who I am yet I have no idea who you are. I wondered how I could get in touch with you." The Green Vigilante replied.
Roy moved from side to side and said, "The name's Arsenal or can call me the Red Arrow. I hear you will be needing help in saving Laurel."
"How do you know about her disappearance?" Green vigilante asked.
I bugged your phone when you weren't looking." Roy replied looking at Oliver's back.
"Are you saying I've seen you before?" Green Vigilante asked.
Roy stopped moving and said, "Yes, we have and I know what you think of me. But right now I'm the only one that can help.
The Green Vigilante slowly moved backwards towards Roy, tried to overpower him. Roy noticed that Green Arrow was about to make his move. Oliver used his bow to knock him out. Roy anticipated Oliver's move and blocked with his bow. They were evenly matched move for move.
Roy not surprised looked at the Green Vigilante and said, "Nice try Oliver but I don't think so."
Roy tossed him an ear piece and said, "To help stay in contact when we both go."
"The ear piece is to stay in contact how?" Oliver asked looking at Roy, trying to figure out where he had seen him before.
"Place the ear piece in your ear, which ever ear you choose and tap it once to turn on and off." Roy replied looking at Oliver.
Oliver was continuing to try and Identify Roy. But Roy made sure he couldn't. Roy used a smoke screen arrow and then used a smoke screen arrow and then disappeared. When the cover cleared Roy was gone. When the cover cleared Roy was gone. Oliver was impressed by his moves and decided that next time he sees him. He'll offer to train Arsenal. He placed the ear piece in his pocket and got into the car and drove off not before dialing Diggle to tell him where he was holding Laurel.
Oliver while driving pressed the speaker button on his cell phone and said, "Diggle I just got paid a visit as I was leaving the hospital by the Red Hooded guy.
"How was he able to find you?"Diggle asked.
"He bugged my cell phone." Oliver replied.
"When did he have time to bug your phone? What did he want?" Diggle asked.
"I don't know how he was able to bug my cell, but he offered his help to save Laurel." Oliver replied.
Diggle had made it the abandoned building and was waiting in his car. He was staying low in his car. Diggle looked in the direction of the building and said, "This Deathstroke had men watching the place. It's heavily guarded my guess the only way in is to go from up top. Wait...
"What is it Diggle?" Oliver asked.
"I'm seeing a guy in a Red Hood attached to a rope heading to the roof." Diggle replied as a man with a gun was heading his way.
Suddenly an arrow hit the man in the chest and he fell to the ground. Diggle got out of the car, dropping his cell phone on the seat next to him. He noticed the Green Vigilante standing on the building where the car was. Green Arrow then moved off and made it to the rope and went the same way as the guy in the Red Hood. The line had gone dead, Diggle hadn't noticed since he put his phone down. He watched as Green Arrow went to the other side heading after Arsenal. Diggle stood there by his car, looking up at Green Arrow as he crossed. He said, "Good luck."
At the building, Deathstroke is his office talking with Breath-taker. There discussing about what they have planned for the bank job she had failed the night before. There was a female voice screaming out in the next room. Deathstroke heard the screams and walked into the other room and said, "You're awake finally?"
"Who are you? Where have you taken me?" Laurel asked.
"My name is Slade Wilson but you can call me Deathstroke." Deathstroke replied.
"What do you want with me? Do you know who I am?" Laurel asked.
Deathstroke walked to a brief case and pulled out the contents of what was inside. There was a needle with a chemical compound inside. He turned around looking at her and said, "You're bait for the Green Vigilante and we know that your name is Laurel Lance the daughter of Quentin lance your father. Who works as a police detective? Now hold still this won't hurt a bit."
He grabbed her arm and pressed the needle inside her. She screamed at top of lungs as it went in and the chemicals went inside. Laurel passes out from the strain.
Breath-talker watched and looked at Deathstroke and said, "What was in the needle."
"A chemical that will make her sing like a bird. You can thank Malcolm your employer for creating this compound. Laurel has become the first in test subjects." Deathstroke replied.
"What you're doing to a human being is wrong. I won't stand for it. Breath-talker replied.
Deathstroke smirked and was ready to pull his sword, but refrained himself and said, "I don't question my employer as long as I get paid. No tomorrow you have a job to do. Failure is not an option."
"What's that supposed to me?" Breath-talker asked.
"It means if you fail again. Malcolm ordered me to terminate you." Deathstroke replied.
Breath-talker was mad and angry after hearing what was said. She stormed off and left the building. She got into her car and drove off. She was heading to see Malcolm and discuss what she had just learned after talking with Deathstroke.
An hour goes by and Laurel awakes and is looking around. She feels very different than before. She noticed Deathstroke talking with someone in the distance. She called out to Deathstroke who heard her calling for him and said, "What do you want?"
"I want to know what you've done to me." Laurel asked.
"I was instructed by my employer who'd like to remain anonymous. To inject you with a chemical compound which will make you create supersonic vibrations with your mom. In a sense you can sing like a bird." Deathstroke replied looking at laurel making sure that she was tied up good to the chair.
Laurel opened her month causing the vibration to happen. The noise from her mouth caused things to break. Deathstroke covered his ears as she opened her mouth. Deathstroke was pleased that the chemical did exactly what she was made to do. He looked at her and said, "Good, you've exceeded my expectations of the chemical that's now in your system giving you those abilities."
Laurel smiled and was planning her escape and was thinking of a cool name to call herself. She liked the name Black Canary. It took her a few minutes for her to finally agree to the Black Canary name. Deathstroke had left the room to go and see what the commotion was outside the room he had been in.
Breath-Taker entered Malcolm Merlyn building and headed towards his office. She pressed the floor Malcolm had been on and enters the elevator. While in the elevator, she pulled out a knife and hid it inside her left sleeve as the elevator beeped and the doors opened. She got off the building and headed towards Malcolm's office. As she was walking she noticed that a guard was standing outside his door.
It had been put in place after what had transpired last week. A man had broken into the building and had put a knife to Malcolm's throat and held him hostage for almost three days. It took the Green Vigilante to stop the psycho who had broken into his office.
It had happened on a Tuesday night of all nights. That was the evening Malcolm worked late. The man was send to prison for his actions. Breath-taker walked up to the guard and made the knife go down her arm. She caught it with her hand. As she got closer, she turned her left arm and stabbed the knife in his chest and held it there as the man fell forward.
She held the knife there, as the man tried to pull the knife out. He died and she slowly and quietly placed the body on the ground. She grabbed the handle of the door and entered the office of Malcolm m. He looked up in shock in seeing Breath-taker standing in front of him holding a knife at him. He looked at her and said, "What's the meaning of this?"
She was pointing her knife at him and looked at him with angrier in her eyes and said, "Enough of the pleasant trees Malcolm. It doesn't suit you."
"What brings you to my office Breath-taker?" Malcolm asked looking at her nervously.
Breath-taker wanted answers to her questions looked at Malcolm and said, "I want to know why I and Deathstroke aren't pulled off the heist and why he's setting a trap for these vigilante's."
Suddenly out of the curtains a man walked out and slit her throat. She grabbed her throat as the blood gushed out and flowed down her neck. She looked at Malcolm and at the guy and realized who he was and said, "But why"
"It's because I can." The Joker replied and laughed at Breath-taker as she fell to her knees and died right there.
Joker turned his attention to Malcolm and said, "Now that this problem has been taken care off and your hands are clean. I'll take care if your vigilante's problem if Deathstroke fails."
Malcolm hesitated as he spoke to the Joker spoke. He was little scared that the Joker would kill him. He looked at him and said, "Agreed. But please don't kill me."
"Kill you. Where would the fun be if I kill you Malcolm? Besides by the time I'm finished things in Starling will be different." The Joker replied.
The Joker walked out of his office not before breaking his window behind Malcolm's chair having the glass shatter. He picked up the body of Breath-taker and tossed it out.
It came crashing down and landed on a car. Joker laughed and chuckled as the body went out the window and said, "Wait until Starling city gets a load of me."
The Joker walked out of his office and disappeared as he appeared, leaving Malcolm in shock about the body and the murder of Breath-taker. How was he going to explain what happened to police?
He knew that soon the police would be arriving at the scene. This means that Roy and Oliver would have to hurry before the police surround the place. Once on the other side, Green Arrow pulled out the ear piece hidden in his pocket and placed it in his left ear. He listened for signs of movement. The only sounds that could be heard were the sounds of cars in the distance. Green Arrow bent down and watched as a patrol walked beneath him. He pushed the ear piece once and turned it on. Green Arrow whispered "Mr. Arsenal if you're not far please tell me."
Roy opened the door slowly and walked to where Green Arrow had been bent over looking down at the patrol appeared behind him and looked at him as Green Arrow turned to face Arsenal and in a low voice said, "It's about time you showed."
"Why are you whispering?" Roy asked with a confused look on his face.
Green Arrow stood up and whispered "I'm whispering so that the patrol doesn't hear us."
Roy leaned over the edge and saw the men walked by then stood straight and looked back at Green Arrow and said, "There gone now, so we're save to talk."
Green Arrow walked over to the skylight that was not far from the door and turned to face Arsenal and said, "I'm guessing you heard me call you on the ear piece."
"Yea I heard you calling my name when I knocked the two guys and threw them down the stairs." Arsenal replied.
The Green Arrow had a thoughtful look on his face as if forming a plan, he looked over at Arsenal then looked up at the skylight then returned to back to Arsenal. "Let's split up. You go that way." his eyes drifted over to the skylight "And I'll go this way" he pointed over towards the door."
With excitement in his voice Arsenal looked at the Green Arrow saying ""I was hoping that you'd let me get the skylight."
Roy smiled at the thought of Green arrow saying yes. Without thinking Arsenal jumped through the glass of the skylight. The glass of the skylight shattered as he went through. It hit the ground and went all over the place. Roy looked up and signaled Green Arrow with his hand then headed straight.
Oliver who was standing there looked at Arsenal and said, "We need a..."
Just as Green arrow had been talking, Roy had already got through the window. Oliver hadn't finished his sentence, when he had noticed that Arsenal had already taken off. Green Arrow smirked and looked down as Arsenal had taken off on his own.
He then heard a sound of a door creaking open, a man was creeping up on him. He was holding a stick in his hand. Green Arrow looked up as the guy was striking him and grabbed the stick. He kicked him in the groin, having him fall to his knees. He looked at the skylight and threw the guy over board causing him to land on the ground. Blood flowed from the spot where he had landed. Green Arrow knew he needed to leave the area before more men heard and saw the body on the ground. He turned his body towards the door and pulled the door open.
He peaked down to see if anyone was coming before headed down the stairs. As Green Arrow made his way down the stairs he encountered a group of men coming towards him. The first men that came up to him, he punched him in the face. The first man to come up to Green Arrow tried to punch him in the face, but missed him. Green Arrow dodged his punch, knocking him down the stairs.
Green Arrow noticed more men heading his way and jumped to the steps on the next floor. There were only 3 who had walked up the stairs and watched him. They stopped in their tracks and turned around and started heading back down. He grabbed his bow from behind his back and pointed his bow and arrows at them. He fired his bow at them, taking each of them out. Once on the same floor as Arsenal, he headed in the same direction. More men had been called to his area and began running towards him.
Green Arrow pointed his bow and arrows at the 3 men who were charging towards him. Three arrows were placed on the bow. He looked around for an alternate route past them, but didn't see any. He took a deep breath and fired them at the men hitting them in there chest, killing them instantly.
In a different part of the building, Deathstroke was talking to a group of men. One of the men who had taken upon himself to lead the group looked back at Deathstroke, whose name was Jim. Their weapons had been drawn and Jim needed orders to where his group to be placed.
Deathstroke looked at Jim with a confused expression on his face and said, "What is all the commotion out here?"
Jim pressed his walki-talkie and commented to the person on the other end, then looked back at Deathstroke and said, "I've just received word that the men described as the Green and Red Arrow's are in the building."
Deathstroke's expression changed from being confused to a being angry and not surprised that they would show up. "The two of them must be here to save their friend. This will be interesting for me. Have your men leave the Green Arrow for me. As for the other Arrow, you can kill him."
Jim's facial expression changed to having a smile on his face. He looked at Deathstroke and said, "I'll have my men direct him in your direction."
There was a sound of people being hit and gun fire. Deathstroke heard the sounds and realized where they were coming from and walked off. Jim heard the sounds coming from where Laurel had been tied up. They all followed Deathstroke who was first to walk off in her direction.
Roy was just outside and was ambushed my Deathstroke's men. They had automatic weapons with him and pointed it at Roy .Roy dived and hid behind some boxes as the gun fire happened. He pulled his arrows out and fired some at them. He looked around the room, trying to plan his next move. Roy pointed his arrow to the light switch and fired causing the lights to go off. The room was now dark.
Roy made his move firing his arrows and hitting the men in the legs or shoulder. Some he walked up to and knocked them out. They were all taken down and Roy turned the light switch back on. Now that the lights were on, he could see where Laurel had been tied too.
Roy made his way to a room, where he saw a woman tied to a chair. He looked around as he walked up to her. The coast was clear for now. He bent down as the woman looked at him and said, "Who are you?"
"I'm a friend of the Green Arrow. Names Arsenal" Roy replied untying the ropes, then pressed his ear piece.
He said, "Green Arrow if you can hear me I made it too your friend Laurel. Who the heck are you?"
Roy turned and saw a man grab him and toss him through the glass window landing in the next room. Deathstroke had an angry look to himself as he faced Arsenal, then looked back at his men and said, "Watch her."
The men watched her as he headed into the next room. Roy got up slowly and shakes off going through the glass window. A big piece of glass was lodged into Arsenal's right side. It went through his back, and the blood had gone through his clothing. Roy knew he needed a doctor or someone who could pull it out and save him. He pulled it out and tossed it a side. He knew the blood as starting to flow and that he didn't have much time. He grabbed his bow and stood up and faced Deathstroke.
Laurel Lance watched from where she was standing and could see that Arsenal was in trouble and opened her mouth. Noise came out causing the men to fall to the ground clutching their ears as they bled. She hit a few on the head using a stick she picked up from the ground.
Deathstroke walked stood there facing Roy and said, "So you're that Red Arrow guy. Does that mean your partner Green Arrow is here?"
"First off he's not my partner. Do you always give these long speeches or does it come naturally for you." Roy asked, looking at Deathstroke.
Deathstroke came forward and was about to grab Roy, when Roy used his bow and Deathstroke anticipated his move causing him to snap his bow in half then kicked him hard to the ground and said, "Aww is that all you got."
Laurel ran towards Roy who was on the ground and bent down to check on Roy's injury then back at Deathstroke and said, "Leave him alone."
"Make me." Deathstroke replied.
Laurel got up and opened her mouth and pointed it in the direction of Deathstroke. Deathstroke grabbed his ears and bent over.
Laurel saw him hunched over and turned her attention back to Arsenal. She walked up to him and helped him up. While holding him, she looked directly at Deathstroke. He looked straight at Laurel and clapped and said, "I see the powers we gave you work very well."
"Remind me to thank your boss next time I see him." Laurel replied helping Arsenal stand up, so that they could escape.
Roy weakly turned to look at Laurel and in a weak voice said, "There's an arrow on the floor over in my arrow bag that can give us cover."
"I don't think I can reach It." laurel replied franticly.
Suddenly an arrow shoots past her and she turned to see Green Arrow standing there. He looked at Laurel and said, "Get the Arsenal out of here. Find Diggle and get him the help he needs. Find my friend Diggle and take him somewhere and save his life. He's dyeing and needs help, leave Deathstroke to me. He's my problem and I'll deal with him.
Laurel nodded and began walking towards the door then stopped to look at Green Arrow. She just then realized who the Green Arrow was. It hadn't dawned on her until now. She had thought about it, and then looked in his direction. He looked back at them and said, "Go!"
She pulled the knob of the door and headed outside and began shouting for help. She had Roy's left arm around her shoulder and was trying to keep him awake.
Back inside the building, Deathstroke pulled the arrow from his shoulder and threw the arrow to the ground and smirked. He looked at Green Arrow and said, "Let them go. I've waited a long time for this. I know who you are under the hood. Oliver Queen."
"What gave me away?" Oliver asked.
"You're fighting style and who else would be in starling city." Deathstroke replied.
Deathstroke pulled out an explosive charge and placed it on the table. Then looked at Oliver and said, "Let's up the stakes. I'll stop the timer on the explosive charge if you're able to defeat me in less than one minute. I'll stop this from exploding and killing us all."
"And if I don't agree you'll kill us anyways." Oliver replied.
Deathstroke inputted the time on the explosive charge and turned holding the trigger and said, "You have no choice."
"Slade what kind of twisted game are you playing." Green Arrow asked.
"Oliver Queen this isn't a game. This is a test to see if you are better than me or are you still that loser who couldn't keep up with your training. I see you got off the island at what cost?" Deathstroke replied trying to antagonize Oliver.
Oliver pulled his hood back and gave Deathstroke a mean looking look. In an angry tone Oliver said, "You have quiet the guts to bring up that day. You have no idea what I went through."
In an attempt to antagonize him, Deathstroke knew how to push his button. It was working too, because Oliver pulled the ear piece out of his ear. He knew that Arsenal was listening even though, he had gotten hurt. He looked at the ear piece that was in his hand and stared at it with his eyes. He had made his choice and placed it into his left pocket then turned his attention to Deathstroke.
"You mean the fact that Yao Fei sacrificed himself in order to save you and his daughter." Deathstroke replied.
Oliver's tone was of remorse for what had happened. He stood there looking at Deathstroke and said, "I never meant to place him or his daughter in the predicament she was in."
Tears fell from Oliver's eyes as he wiped them from his cheek. "I made my promise to take care of his daughter and I have. No thanks to you. How is it you survived?"
"I survived in parts to Lex Luthor. I owe my life to him and I'm indebted to him for his help."Deathstroke replied getting ready to start the timer.
Oliver put his hands up and moved in closer to him and said, "Wait before you start the timer. Before you start the timer, I ask you to please hold off on setting the timer. I have a few things on my mind that need answers to and I believe you can answer at least one of my questions?"
Deathstroke wondered what the questions Oliver had on his mind and said, "What's your question Oliver?"
Oliver had many questions on his mind and decided which he should ask first. He looked at Deathstroke and the thought of Lex Luthor helping him bothered him. He made the choice to ask the question about Lex and said, "What does Lex Luthor have to do with you?"
"Everything, you see standing in front of you isn't what it appears. The real Slade Wilson died three weeks ago. I took his place and as far as the world is concerned I died on the island. He made it possible and gave me a new face and his life. Lex made sure to eliminate the real Slade Wilson and replaced him with me." Deathstroke replied.
He tossed Oliver a Bamboo stick and held one in his hand and looked back at Oliver and said, "What will it be Oliver?"
Oliver caught the bamboo stick and twirled it around getting in position. "All I'm going to say to you I'd that they were both good men and when I kill you. They'll finally be able to rest in peace."
In a stern voice, Deathstroke said, "That's the spirit Oliver. Let's begin."
He started the count down on the explosive charge. You could see the numbers going down.
What will happen between Green Arrow and Deathstroke?
Who will come to Laurel's aid and get the help needed for Arsenal?
How will Laurel react to finding out that Arsenal is really Roy Harper?
Now that the Joker has shown himself what kind of trouble will be in store for the city of Starling?