Note I am changing the cannon slightly with what happened to Wildcat's partner Issac and their falling out.
2 weeks later
On TV a news reporter was discussing the recent murder commited by The Dark Archer. "Malcolm Merlyn is alive the infamous philanthropist and terrorist was thought to have been killed by The Arrow 2 years ago but late last night at the nightclub known as Verdant he killed a member of The Royal Flush Gang; Kyle Reston also known as Ace Merlyn was-"
Thea turned off her TV, walked to her balcony and looked out over the city. She thought of how Merlyn betrayed her in killing Brick and now he's a completely different person. Just as she got that last thought out someone knocked on the door, Thea rushed to the door thinking it was Oliver but was disappointed to find Roy standing there.
"Hey Thea" Roy said happily as he walked in.
"Hi Roy" Thea said sadly while sitting down on her couch.
"Something wrong?" Roy asked sitting down on the chair opposite Thea.
"Oliver, I haven't seen him in almost 2 months, where is he?" Thea cried.
He then realised that he hadn't told her that he had been lying, he then came up to her and hugged her.
"Thea he's fine, it's going to be ok" Roy said trying to consoul her.
"Everyone says that but when someone disapears for 7 weeks it means they are probably dead," She said crying into Roy's shoulder.
"He was gone for 5 years and he came back," Roy told her.
Roy's phone vibrated, he checked it to see Felicity's caller ID.
"I have to go but are you going to be ok?" Roy asked.
Thea nodded and Roy left walking into the hallway and answered his phone.
"What is it?" Roy asked in an angry manner.
"Who stuck an arrow up your butt?" Felicity asked.
"Sorry what's going on?" Roy asked.
"Zytle escaped from jail, Vertigo is back on the streets!" Felicity said.
"Crap this is going to end badly" Roy said while walking outside.
"I've called John he's hitting dealers in the glades." She said.
"I'll go downtown, do the same." Roy said walking down the street.
Ted Grant's Gym
Ted punches away at a bean bag while thinking about the fight with Brick, Laurel then walks in with her gym bag.
"Ted what are you doing here you should be resting!" Laurel said while putting her bag down and running up to him.
"I'm fine Laurel, I just needed some practise, I can't stand being at home all the time" He told her.
"Huff fine just take it easy ok" Laurel sighed.
A group of men in hoods were making a lot of noise from outside, fed up with it the two went outside to see what was going on. They found 6 guys throwing money at another.
"Excuse me what's going on here?" Ted said with Laurel behind him.
The men turned with one of them holding a bag filled with Vertigo.
"Vertigo!" Ted and Laurel said in unison.
"Get the freaks or no Vertigo for any of you!" The man with the bag shouted.
The men ran up to Ted and Laurel with a few of them packing knives. One of then tried to slash open Ted's throat, Ted dodged in the nick of time then kicked him in the gut. Two of the men went up to Laurel she moved out the way socking one of them in the face and fell back to back with Ted.
"So whats the plan?" she asked raising her fists.
"Remember manuver X?" He said smirking.
"I haven't gotten that one down" she said.
"It'll be practise" Ted said.
Immedietly Ted ducked through one of the guys' legs and kicked him in the back of the knee, Laurel then jumped kicking her foot into his face thus propeling her up in the air where she then grabbed one thug pulled him over landing on her feet and subsequently throwing him into another. Ted then punched a guy dodged a punch from another grabbing one's arm and throwing him on the ground then he proceeded to dispatch the last two. The dealer looked at the two in fear and ran down an alley, with Ted in pursuit. The thug turned arouned a corner so did Ted unfortunately Zytle was standing there and hit Ted with a syringe in the chest containing a strong dose of Vertigo. Ted fell to the ground and Zytle walked off.
"No one is stronger than Count Vertigo!" he said as Ted fell unconscious.
Laurel ran up to him to see if he was ok.
"Ted wake up TED!" She shouted.
The foundry
Felicity sits at her desk then Laurel walks in with a delutional Ted.
"Felicity help me!" Laurel screamed while trying to get Ted on the table.
1 hour later
Roy and Diggle walk in.
"Felicity we went after 9 dealers between us but nothing on... Zytle" Roy said noticing Ted on the table.
Roy and Diggle run up to Ted.
"What happened to him?, Diggle asked.
"There was a dealer near thr gym, Ted chased him down an alley where Zytle showed up out of nowhere and nailed him with some Vertigo." she said.
"I'll synthesize a cure" Felicity said while she went to the make shift lab table.
"Laurel he'll be ok" Diggle said softly.
Laurel looked in fear at Ted wondering what he was dreaming of.
Flashback to 4 years ago we see a 47 year old Ted Grant on a rooftop in his Wildcat uniform.
He surveyed the area near him and noticed a couple of thugs attacking a woman in an alley way.
"What's wrong do you need a hand?" The first thug said grabbing the womans arm.
The woman tried to break free but was thrown to the wall.
"Ooh I think she wants to play" said the second thug.
The two thugs went up to her with the first one pulling a knife out. Wildcat ran up to them punching the one holding the knife in the jaw knocking out a tooth.
"Ahh my mouth!" The first thug screamed as he fell to the ground.
Wild cat gestured for the woman to flee and she did so.
"No we can play this the easy way or the hard way, which will it be?" Wildcat said whilst putting a brass knuckle on his right hand.
The first thug got up with the second also drawing a knife.
"Good choice." Wildcat said sarcastically.
The thugs ran up to him with one behind the other. Ted dodged the first one then elbowed the second in the stomach, he then proceeded to kick the second one two more times. When he tried to go for a third his leg was grabbed by the thug and he was pulled forward on the ground. The first thug grabbed him from behind whilst the other raised his arm preparing to cut open Ted's throat. Just then Issac ran inbwearing a ski mask and brass knuckles he knocked out the first thug holding a knife, Ted then got out of his hold and both him and Issac gave the last thug a punch in the face.
"Hey man looked like you needed some help" Issac said happily.
"A couple of minutes ago wouldn't have been that bad," Ted said sarcastically.
The two tied up the thugs to a lamp post, while doing so a plastic bag fell out of one of the thugs' pockets containing some purple and green pills.
"What are these?" He asked while picking it up.
"Vertigo," Issac said Ted just looked at him confused.
"It's a new drug on the streets." Issac said.
"Do you think that these guys did what they did because of it?" Asked Ted.
"Probably, it's a hulicinagenic makes you go crazy" said Issac.
"Well then we should get to the bottom of this." Ted stated firmly.
End flashback
"Ahhh!" Ted screamed as he woke up from his sleep.
"Ted calm down!" Felicity said trying to calm him.
Ted looked around adjusting to the computer screens, lab benches, the arrows layed out on the table and the manequins wearing the Green Arrow and Canary uniforms.
"What happened?" He asked hastily.
"You were hit by a high concentration of Vertigo you're lucky to be alive" she said.
"Where are the others?" He asked calming down a bit.
"Laurel and John are trying to find leads on The count and Roy went to Thea to see if she knows anything." Felicity told him.
"I need to help them" He said while getting up.
"No way you're in no condition for this," she said.
"Felicity you don't get it this is all happening because of me" he said in a serious voice.
Verdant
Roy walks in and heads to the bar where Thea is.
"Hey Thea" he says.
"Hi Roy" she said sadly while turning away to her drink.
"Thea I know things are hard right now but I am on a case and I need..." Roy said whilst noticing a packet of Vertigo in Thea's purse which was on the counter.
Roy snatched it out of Thea's purse, she tried to stop him but Roy fought pushed her off.
"Thea what the hell!?" He shouted.
"Roy I can explain!" She exclaimed.
"Explain what that you're taking Vertigo again remember what happened the last time you were on this stuff!" He shouted which caused her to cry.
"It's Oliver he has been gone for so long and I needed some escape Roy." She cried.
"You can't do this Thea-" he shouted.
"Oliver I need him back Roy or atleast know what happened I need closure." she said really crying now.
Roy looked down in guilt.
" He's dead, he's dead Thea, he died in a fight a fight with Ra's Al Ghul." He said softly.
"What, you knew you knew this and you didn't tell me! How could you lie to me like this why does everyone lie to me!" She said falling back against the counter crying.
"Thea" Roy said.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT, GET OUT I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" She shouted.
"Thea I, I" He stuttered.
"What is it!" She asked furiously.
"I need to know where you got the Vertigo from?" He said.
The foundry
Felicity is checking for updates on the case while Ted is spray painting one of Barry's masks that was lying around from his last visit.
"Ted what are you doing?" Felicity asked.
"Well it seems that Wildcat is coming out of retirement so I better update the suit." Ted said while finishing up painting the now black mask.
"So you're stealing Barry's suit?" She asked.
"Not really just the cowl minus the ear things, and I found some of Dig's combat armour." He said smiling.
Just then a beep came from Felicity's computer.
"What's that?" He asked.
"Roy just texted he said that he knows the warehouse Zytle keeps his drugs, Warehouse 64 near Dock 4 looks like Wayne Enterprises bought the place after Merlyn Global Corp went down. Captain Lance is leading a team down there aswell.
"I'll head there now." Ted said.
"Ted you can't!" She shouted.
"You're right the paint hasn't dried looks like I'm wearing the old suit." He said sharply.
"Fine I'll call Roy." She said giving up.
Warehouse 64
The warehouse was filled with crates of Vertigo some thugs and the police were shooting each other. there is also a walkway above where Zytle and his henchmen were shooting gas bullets containg Vertigo (like the gas gun from the green hornet movie)
"You can't stop Vertigo!" Zytle shouted.
Roy smashed through a window on the roof and landed on the walkway, he then shot an explosive arrow at the frame of the walkway causing a part of it to fall down. Luckily Roy moved to a part that wasn't effected unfortunately so did Zytle.
"Warner Zylte YOU HAVE FAILED THIS CITY!" Roy shouted.
"Well I guess I was right, somethings don't die, even you. Tell me how are you gonna set yourself apart from your predicessor?" Zytle asked.
"How about a new codename I am The Green Arrow, say that to Captain Lance when you're stuck in a cell." Roy said confidently.
"Well aren't you sure about yourself" let's see if that will continue?" Zytle said while shoot his gun at Roy.
Roy dodged diving to his side and then shooting an arrow knocking Zytle's gun out of his hand.
"What you gonna do now?" Roy said while standing up.
"Let's see what to when your outmatched oh yes you flip the table." Zytle said.
Suddenly the entire walkway collapsed knocking down most of the cops and thugs. Roy was knocked out with Zytle standing behind him weekened but holding a vertigo gun to Roy.
"Let's see if the legacy continues." Zytle said about to shoot Roy.
"Let's" Ted said while punching Zytle in the face.
The two stared each other down.
"So something new has been added who are you ment to be?" Zytle said.
"The last guy who asked me that ended up getting a bullet in the head." Ted said.
"Aren't I scared." Zytle said while lunging at him.
Ted dodged it then proceeded to trip up Zytle making him land on his stomach.
"It's over." Ted said.
Zytle then noticed his Vertigo gun from earlier and picked it up shooting Ted in the chest. As Ted inhaled it he fell to the ground screaming in pain. Just then more police officers arived causing Zytle to flee, Roy woke up pulling Ted along with him.
Flashback 4 years in the past
Ted and Issac are dispatching a couple of Vertigo dealers leaving them whimpering.
"Well that went well." Issac said.
"Yeah but these are just small time dealers not the main problem." Ted said while whiping away blood from his jacket.
"Well I got an idea"
Ted and Issac stand on a rooftop with one of the Vertigo dealers who is chained to a water tower.
"So my friend who is the man behind Vertigo?"
The thug didn't answer. So Issac punched with brass knuckles knocking out a tooth.
"So you gonna tell me?" Issac said again.
"I can't he'll kill me!" The thug screamed scared for his life.
"What makes you think I won't" he said while punching him two more times each time harder than the last.
"Issac cool it." Ted said.
"So do I need to ask again." Issac said intimedating the thug.
"Please God help me!" The thug screamed. Issac proceeded to punch him several more times.
"Issac stop it. Issac STOP!" Ted said while grabbing Issac's arm.
"He deserves this-" issac said hastily.
"Count..." The thug said weekly.
"What?" Issac and Ted said in unison.
"Count... The cou... His name is... Count Vertigo." The thug said then he died from the pain.
Ted rushed to him to see if he was ok, only to find the thug without a pulse.
"We know his name we know who he is Ted." Issac said happily.
"At the cost of another..." Ted said holding back his anger.
"He's trash the important thing is that we got the count." Issac said defensively.
"And what you gonna do with him?" Ted said.
"Ted I..." Issac said quietly.
"Shut up, you went against everything I taught you, go after The count guy yourself, I want no part in it" Ted said while Issac teared up.
End Flashback
Ted awoke in the foundry to find Laurel and Felicity with him.
"Oh my God, Ted you're awake!" Laurel said with concern.
"What's with you and getting hit by Vertigo?" Felicity said.
"Where's Roy? He got hit and-"Ted said breathing heavily.
"He's fine Dr Lockhart has him" Felicity said.
"Ted before you started on your new suit you said that this was your fault, why?" Felicity asked.
Laurel looked with curiosity as well.
"You know when I said that I abondoned Issac, that he killed someone. The person he killed was a Vertigo dealer, I was so angry I left him when he was going after the original Count Vertigo. If I hadn't abandoned him and helped him then with The Count he could've been stopped a long time ago before he had a legacy to continue, think about it like if Oliver was arrested by Lance 2 years ago." Ted said while sulking.
Alleyway in the glades
Zytle stumbles down and leans his back against a wall catching his breathe when Merlyn turns up holding a newspaper.
"40 of Vertigo's men arrested with another 12 dead. Today the SCPD took down the Vertigo opperation taking all crates and boxes of the deadly drug and due to evidence on a conputer at the crimescene 180 Vertigo dealers across the city are behind bars." Merlyn read off from a newspaper.
"I can explain." Zytle said.
"Explain how with all of my resources and money you were taken down by the knockoff version of The Arrow" Merlyn demanded.
"He had a partner..." Zytle said scaredly.
"The canary I know" Merlyn said.
"No a man in black he had brass knuckles" that's all I could make out." Zytle said.
"You have failed me you fool." Merlyn said.
"Give me one more chance please?" Zytle muttered.
"Fine I'll be lieniant, I'll give you a couple of trucks and Vertigo. This time forget the cover tasks and hit the targets all 200 of them!"
"Thank you, you won't regret this!" Zytle said joyfully.
"I hope so and one more thing here's some incentive." Merlyn said calmly.
Merlyn hit Zytle in the neck with a syringe.
"What did you do?" He asked.
"A special form of Vertigo, I striped away the performance and mental changes and left only the important part" Merlyn said while smiling evily.
The foundry the next day
"Looks like the news reports were right for once, no Vertigo has been seen anywhere." Felicity said while smiling.
"But Zytle's still out there." Ted said finishing up stitching his suit.
"It'll be fine he's just one guy what can he do." Laurel said consouling him.
"Yeah you shouldn't worry too much" Diggle said.
Felicity was looking through a spreadsheet on her computer and noticed something and let out a gasp.
"Felicity what is it?" Roy asked.
"After Ray Palmer bought Queen Consolidated I hacked into Merlyn's trust and used his cash to pay for everything." She said.
"Felicity that's blood money how could you do that without telling us?!" Roy said loudly the others looked over as well.
"That's not the point, a transaction of $200 000 was taken out today not sure why."
"Who took it out?" Ted asked.
"Ray, Ray Palmer" Felicity said in shock.
Ted's gym
Ted strolled putting his bag down then proceeded to check if anybody was still there. He then heard the sound of a punching bag getting hit. Ted put on some knuckles and went over to the private training room to find a man shirtless with black hair hitting a bag. he couldn't make out his face but after the man punched a hole in the bag he realised who it was.
"What are you doing here?" Ted asked.
"I need to ask a favour" The man said.
"Wow never thought I'd here that from you kid" Ted said while sitting down.
"You see I've got a new protegé.