Chapter IV
Arrow and Speedy met by the docks.
"Ok," Arrow said, "we need to take Slade and Clock King down. If they're working together, it's going to be tough, but we can beat them."
"How do you know they're hanging out around here?" Roy asked.
"I don't," Arrow said, "but I can always find informants. Any word from Sara?"
"Right here," came a female voice, as the person he addressed came forward out of the shadows. She was wearing a mask and was dressed in black. "And it's the Canary, remember? This better be good. I had a training session with Nyssa that I'm missing."
"I'll bet," Arrow muttered, remembering the relationship she had with the so-called leader of the League of Assassins. "Anyway, Slade's escaped and we don't know how. He's joined forces with the Clock King and we all need to work together to stop them for good."
"We've stopped them before," Canary said, "and we'll do it again."
FLASHBACK: THE ISLAND
Oliver and Sara were combing the island, looking for a way to stop Slade. Suddenly, there friend, Anatoli Knyazev came up to them.
"Anatoli," Oliver said, "What's wrong?"
"My men," Knyazev panted, "after we took control of Amazo sub, we were trying to get catch of day for food, but we picked up girl in net."
"Girl?" Oliver asked, "What are you talking about?"
"Bring her out, boys!" he called, as his crew brought out Ariel, who could now stand with both legs.
Oliver was in shock.
"Wh-Who are you?" he stammered.
"Unfortunately she can't speak," Knyazev said, "you'll have to do your best to understand her."
"Don't worry," Sara said, as she grabbed Ariel's hands, "you're safe with us!"
Ariel smiled.
Back in the present, at the precinct, Regina was talking with Laurel Lance, her father, and Diggle.
"If you don't mind, Mr. Diggle," Regina said, "I'd like to have a word with Ms. Lance. If you'll excuse us."
"Of course," Diggle said, "don't go too far, though."
"I'm not in the mood for coddling, Mr. Diggle," Regina snapped, "trust me, I can take care of myself."
Suddenly, they heard an explosion from outside.
"What was that?" Regina asked.
"Sounded like an explosion," Quentin Lance said, "Probably a couple blocks away. I'm gonna go check it out."
"Dad, no!" Laurel protested, "You can't go back into action already!"
"Why?" Quentin asked, "it's my job, sweetheart!"
"I know," Laurel said, "but it's too dangerous. You just survived a heart attack! I don't want to see anything happen to you."
"I'll be fine, honey." Quentin said, giving her a hug.
"I'll go," Diggle said, "I can handle it, you two stay here with Regina. Laurel, you might have to call a friend."
He gave her a nod, signaling her to contact the Arrow, whom she had just recently found out was her former lover and friend, Oliver Queen.
"Wait just a minute—" Quentin started to protest.
"It's ok, Detective Lance," Diggle said, "I got this. I've had training. Your daughter's right; you're not in good condition to be back on the front lines just yet. Don't worry."
"At least let me send a squad there," Quentin said.
"They're already on their way, the police band just switched on, altering all available officers to head to Starling First National Bank. I better get a move on." Diggle said.
Meanwhile, Arrow and Canary arrived at the bank on their motorcycle.
Deathstoke and Clock King walked out with their men.
"This ends now, Slade!" Arrow yelled.
"Well, well, kid," Slade said, "Think you can stop us?"
"We did before," Arrow said, "and we're putting you down!"
"Let's see you try," Deathstroke taunted.
As Arrow rushed at him, Deathstroke whipped out a gun and started firing. Arrow ducked behind a parked car. Meanwhile, the Canary was sparring with the Clock King's henchmen.
"You have impressive moves, my little chickadee," Tockman said, "however, you don't have enough training to realize the precise moment you need…to strike!"
When she was caught off-guard, Clock King triggered a button that caused his pocket-watch to burst into a blinding flare. With Canary caught off guard, he clocked her in the face. (See what I did there? He's not very gentlemanly, to punch a woman square in the face, especially when she's caught off-guard.) With Canary unconscious and out of action, Tockman's henchmen grabbed her and attempted to load her into a truck. Out of the corner of his eye, Arrow saw this occur during his fight with Slade.
"Canary!" he shouted.
He rushed over and attacked the henchmen, knocking them out with stun arrows.
Meanwhile, Regina went to investigate.
"Regina, no!" Laurel shouted, "it's too dangerous! There are hundreds of thugs and murders in this city!"
"I don't run from monsters," Regina said, "they run from me!"
Suddenly, they found themselves witnessing Arrow's fight firsthand.
"You're not going to attack any more innocents, Slade!" Arrow shouted.
"You misjudge me, kid!" Slade said, "I'm called Deathstroke now, and when I deliver the killing stroke, you will be finished!"
"Well, go ahead," Arrow said, "kill me."
"Too easy," Deathstroke said. "I'm going to let you decide."
He grabbed Regina who was nearby.
"Let go me, you creep!" she yelled.
"Now, now," Deathroke said, "calm down."
"Let her go!" Arrow shouted.
"Like I said," Deathroke said, "a choice, you either save her…"
Deathstroke's goons were holding the unconscious Canary, with Tockman holding a blade in the shape of a second hand to her throat.
"or her." Deathstoke said.
"The clock is ticking, Mr. Arrow," Clock King threatened.
Back on the past on the island…
Oliver, Sara and Knyazev were helping the speechless Ariel across the island.
"Don't worry," Oliver reassured her, "we'll protect you. We need to get you somewhere safe."
"No doubt Slade's already on the hunt for us," Sara said, "he's probably planning to weaponize Ivo's formula and mass-produce it across the globe."
"If that's his plan, he won't get away with it," Oliver said, "Anatoli, take the girl and hide in your sub. Sara and I will be back for you later."
"But where are you going?" Knyazev questioned.
"To stop Slade," Oliver said, "maybe we can still reason with him before this gets any uglier. Just take the girl, and get out of here!"
"Right, comrade!" Knyazev responded, "c'mon!"
Ariel was very confused. She had no idea what these strange people were talking about and she wanted to get back home. She had to find something that she could either give or use against the Evil Queen.
Knyazev led her back to the submarine.
"Stay here, moy dorogoy," he commanded in his thick Russian accent.
Ariel was quivering with fear. This vessel was apparently something humans used to explore the seas. She remembered Sebastian always told her that life was better under the sea, but with crafts like these, her father's kingdom could be discovered and attacked, before he could defend it. She knew humans were kind souls, though. She had to get back to her beloved Eric. There had to be something that could help her.
Suddenly, they noticed something was coming in through the vents.
"Gas!" Knyazev cried, "Quick, cover your…mouth…"
He and Ariel both passed out from the gas attack.
Three muscular soldiers came in, all wearing masks. One of them sent out a radio signal.
"Target neutralized, sir!" one of them said.
"Excellent," Slade said, his secret location, "bring them to me!"