Okay, heads up, I'm going to be diverting from the tv show universe from this point on, to answer the questions I've been getting lately about whether or not John will stay or leave Team Arrow. By the way, has anyone else seen flash 4x18. I can't believe that's how they ended both Elongated man and killer frost, though I'm hoping that they'll at least recover Caitlin's powers. Also, is anyone else as excited as I am that this is Marc Guggenheim's last season writing Arrow. Hopefully now the show can get back on track. Also, what is it with the Arrowverse lately, first the writers break up Team Arrow and now it seems like they're moving to breakup Team Flash to. Anyways, on with chapter 26.


"Hey, normally after you yell at someone, you're gone a bit longer." John said to Oliver as he and Laurel entered the bunker.

"Yeah, well, I figured I owed you an apology for punching you." Oliver said.

"No man, you had every right to do punch me, I crossed a line when I brought up Samantha and I'm sorry." John said and Oliver nodded accepting his apology.

"And listen, For what it's worth, I know you've done a lot of good. I know lately it seems like everyone's been questioning your leadership, me included." John said.

"Found the location of Diaz's Vertigo operation." Alena said as she walked up.

"Have you two found any shred of sanity, perhaps?" Laurel asked the boys.

"Let's go." Oliver said as all three of them moved to suit up.


"I count 13 bogies in this den alone, heavily armed." Black Canary said as the 3 of them crouched in their positions overlooking the site.

"No Diaz." Green Arrow noted.

"Got at least 20 million in Vertigo here." Spartan said.

"He's gonna miss it." Black Canary said.

"The only way that we make it out of here is if we trust each other." Green Arrow said.

"We've been through worse, Oliver." Spartan said.

"I'm not sure that we have, John." Green Arrow said.

"You're quarterback. Call it." Spartan said.

"Let's move." Green Arrow said as the 3 of them jumped into action and began taking out Diaz's thugs as they tried to protect the product and failed.

"This place is bigger than we thought." Black Canary said.

"How many more explosives do you have?" Green Arrow asked.

"I'm out." Spartan said.

"Then we improvise. Vertigo's flammable in its liquid state. I'm heading there now." Green Arrow said.

"You'll never make it." Spartan said.

"Not alone." Green Arrow said as the partners made their way towards the Vertigo supply.

"I'll cover you." Black Canary said as she unleashed her Canary Cry, sending the thugs flying back.

"You ready to light this candle?" Green Arrow asked Spartan.

"Ready as I'll ever be. Black Canary, get ready to evacuate." Spartan said.

"Already on my way out, I say you got about 2 minutes before they recover from that sonic blast." Black Canary said.

"Copy that. That's all the time we need." Green Arrow said as he fired explosive arrows into all the vats of Vertigo.

"Let's get gone." Spartan said and Green Arrow nodded his agreement as he fired another arrow outside and they used to swing out of the building as it exploded.

"Thanks for having my back." Green Arrow then said to his partner.

"Anytime." Spartan said.


"Well, that sounded productive." Alena said as the team returned.

"Judging by the burn marks, I'd say that we destroyed the entire facility and Diaz's entire Vertigo stash." Laurel said.

"And the reason we were able to do that is because we were a team out there tonight. It wasn't just the three of us out there, fighting each other as much as we were the enemy, it was the three of us acting as one. And if we continue doing that, than we will stop Ricardo Diaz and save our city." Oliver said and John smiled sheepishly.

"Listen Oliver, I think I owe you an apology." John said.

"You already apologized John. And so did I." Oliver said.

"I didn't mean for punching you. And you had every right to punch me earlier. I crossed a line by bringing up not only Samantha, but Felicity to." John said.

"Still I shouldn't have brought up Andy." Oliver said.

"And that apology was also for how I've been acting lately. I let my desire to be the Green Arrow become as much of an obsession as using that drug was. It was an addiction and I let the withdrawal effects cloud my judgement and I nearly destroyed my relationship with my real brother because of it. Can you ever forgive me?" John asked and Oliver grinned at him.

"Of course. After all, you've forgiven me for far worse things John and you did make some good points. I mean, the way you made them was awful, but they were still good points." Oliver said.

"So what are you going to do about them?" John asked.

"I don't know yet. But John, do you want to stay on this team, because if you don't, I won't force you to stay." Oliver asked him.

"Oliver, I've been with you for 6 years now. I'm not quitting now. But I think we do have some issues we need to work out." John said.

"And we will, but John, in the future, if you don't think I'm making the right call, don't just cave in, make yourself heard, since you know how much I value your opinion. And who knows, it might actually help us save the day." Oliver said as he held out his hand to John.

"Deal." John said as they shook hands and everyone could feel something begin to feel between the two brothers.