Disclaimer: I do not own Arrow.
I meant to add this at the end of last chapter, but since Black Canary is taken, I am open to any suggestions for Laurel's vigilante alter ego.
Queen Mansion
Night
"What are you doing here?" Oliver demanded as he stared at Slade stunned.
"Mr. Wilson just made a sizable contribution to my campaign." Moira said, frowning at Oliver in disapproval as she walked over to them.
"How generous of him." Oliver said with a catch in his voice, the shock not yet wearing off.
"Well, it was the least I could do. What this city needs is a pro-business mayor like Moira to spread growth through urban investment." Slade said with a smile that was supposed to be charming but Oliver could only see it as menacing.
"And we were just discussing how to combat the rising wage gap." Moira explained.
"And the answer to that lies in your budget proposal." Slade said as he walked away from Oliver.
Slade walked over to Moira and put an arm around her shoulders. Oliver had to fight his every instinct to break Slade's arm.
"When I think about everything your mother went through after the quake, all I can say is that she and I have something in common." Slade said as he removed his arm from Moira.
"What's that?" Moira asked curiously
"That I know what it's like to pick yourself back up when people have written you off." Slade told her.
"Indeed." Moira said as she looked over at Oliver pointedly.
"Is something wrong Mr. Queen, you look a little piqued?" Slade said with feigned concern.
"I'm fine, thank you." Oliver said, trying to regain his composure.
"Oh, thank you dear," Moira called out as the maid wheeled in a food cart, "Oliver, Mr. Wilson was kind enough to bring a bottle of authentic Australian rum."
As Oliver turned towards the food cart, he was struck by a strong sense of déjà vu.
"Will you join us for a drink?" Moira asked Oliver.
"Of course." Oliver said stiffly.
"Wonderful." Slade said cheerfully.
Slade poured three glasses and everyone picked one up.
"What should we drink to?" Moira asked.
"To friendship." Slade toasted with a pointed look at Oliver that Moira missed.
Slade took a drink with Moira and, now sure it wasn't poisoned, Oliver followed suit.
"Delicious." Moira said as she lowered her glass.
"This here is a beautiful piece," Slade as he walked over to a model sail boat, "Tell me, does your family spend much time on the water?"
"Not since my late husband." Moira said sadly.
"I'm sorry Moira, forgive me. I do remember reading about that accident in the paper," Slade said as he turned away from the model and looked at Oliver, "You your wife- Sara is it?-were two brave souls."
"We don't like to talk about it." Oliver said blankly.
"I can understand that. It must have been hell for the two of you." Slade said as he walked over.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
"Ivo's freighter is here," Slade said as he laid out a map on one of the cases, "From what you learned from your Russian friend, he keeps eight men on deck. Three on the starboard, three on the port and two up in the brig. But our main concern are these GP twenty-five grenade launchers that they're carrying around at all times."
"And we have no way of knowing if they have night-vision." Oliver noted and Slade nodded.
Oliver turned and walked away from Slade and over towards Sara. She was mashing up something in a bowl and Oliver turned his head away as he caught a whiff.
"That smells terrible." Oliver said.
"It'll taste even worse." Sara told him.
"And it'll work?" Oliver said skeptically.
"Anatoly told you that they have a truth serum. If it's the same one that Shado told me the Chinese military were working on, then she told me how to combat it. It'll work." Sara said hopefully.
Oliver and Sara then walked out of the fuselage to have a private conversation.
"What about the Mirakuru?" Oliver asked as they reached outside.
"What about it?" Sara asked curiously.
"Maybe it's a miracle cure…but it's also something else. Something far too dangerous to fall into the wrong hands, hands like Ivo's." Oliver pointed out and Sara nodded in agreement.
"Slade might not let us." Sara pointed out.
"Let you do what?" The man in question asked as he appeared in the doorway.
"If this thing doesn't go our way…we can't let Ivo have the Mirakuru." Oliver said carefully.
"You think we should destroy it. You're right. We should burn it." Slade agreed.
Later at night, Sara and Oliver stood in front a fire as the box containing the Mirakuru burned.
"Do you have any idea why Ivo wanted this so bad?" Sara asked and Oliver shook his head.
"That didn't exactly come up in our conversation." Oliver said dryly and Sara nodded.
"We need to talk about tomorrow," Sara said and Oliver looked over at her, "Slade wants to kill Ivo."
"I'm not gonna let that happen." Oliver said but Sara shook her head.
"No, he wants to kill Ivo for Shado. You saw Ivo, he's just like Fryers. If he gets the chance, he's gonna twist it around, blame us for Shado dying. And Slade will believe him because of the Mirakuru messing with his head. We can't give Ivo that chance." Sara said and Oliver looked at her startled.
"Sara-"
"I know, I know," Sara sighed, "its murder, I don't feel good about it. But Slade is unstable; he will kill us without thinking twice about it if he thinks we are responsible for Shado's death. You have to kill Ivo." Sara told him.
"…Alright." Oliver said reluctantly.
Later in the fuselage, Oliver and Sara were stocking their weapons for tomorrow when the sound of metal touching glass sounded. They both looked up to see Slade holding bottle of rum, a knife on its tip.
"Who's thirsty?" Slade grinned.
"Where'd you get that?" Oliver asked surprised.
"Who cares? Let's drink it." Sara grinned as she grabbed three tin cups.
"This was one of the few precious pieces of cargo to survive the crash. Billy Wintergreen and I were saving this for a rainy day, but considering, god willing, this is our last night on the island…" Slade trailed off as he filled all three cups.
"To taking the freighter." Sara toasted.
"To getting off this island forever." Oliver raised his glass.
"To Shado." Slade toasted and Oliver and Sara both felt a flash of guilt.
The three clanged glasses before they each took a deep drink. Once they all lowered their glasses from their mouths, Oliver spoke up.
"If something happens to me tomorrow-"
"You can't think like that." Slade said firmly as he walked pasted them.
"If something happens to me…can you tell my family that I wasn't that stupid kid that got on that boat?" Sara nodded.
""If I don't make it…tell my family I died on the Gambit." Sara said and Oliver was confused.
"Why?" Oliver asked.
"Let them remember me the way that I was." Sara explained simply and Oliver reluctantly nodded.
"We should all get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow. Slade said as he lied down on a bunk.
Oliver awoke the next morning after a night of restless sleep, plagued by nightmares. Seeing that Sara and Slade were already up, Oliver stood up and walked over to a wooden crate the size of a small box. Oliver opened it to reveal the hood that had once belonged to Yao-Fei and Shado. Oliver took it out slowly, starting at it for a moment before putting it on. Tying the straps around his neck, Oliver pulled the hood over his face. Oliver looked over and saw Sara gearing up some batons and knives while Slade took out his mask.
Later, the trio were hiking over the edge of the mountain where The Amazo was clearly visible. Oliver walked over to the ledge and took out a pair of binoculars, taking a closer look at the freighter. Oliver set them down before taking out an arrow, coating the tip with tar, and then lighting it on fire. Oliver took aim and fired but his aim was off, thus it bounced right off the edge of the shore.
"Well, we don't have all day." Slade told him.
"There's a breeze." Oliver argued even as he took out another arrow.
After repeating the process, Oliver fired again. This time, his aim struck true, and the pyre exploded. Oliver grinned as Sara took out the binoculars.
"They're coming. Two men, armed." Sara said after a moment.
"You know, when we first tried to get off this island, it was as strangers. Now it's as brothers." Slade noted to Oliver.
"See you on the freighter." Oliver said before he turned and walked off.
Oliver was waiting on the shore as the two men reached the island. It didn't take them long to spot Oliver, who quickly took off running. He didn't get very far as he 'tripped' over a root. He fell to the ground and the two men grabbed him.
"You're lucky Ivo wants you alive." One sneered as they dragged him towards the boat.
The Amazo
Later
Oliver was shoved into his cell and the guards slammed the door closed.
"I told you I'd come back." Oliver said as he lied on his back.
"Fantastic. We're saved." Anatoly said sarcastically.
As night fell and Oliver lied in his cell, talking with his fellow prisoners, the guards opened Oliver's cell door and dragged him out. They led him into Ivo's lab and Oliver was strapped down to a chair.
"Welcome back Oliver," Ivo said as he walked over to him, "my men are still searching the beach for your friends. They have the Mirakuru. So, where are they?"
"You can go to hell." Oliver sneered.
"You may want to rethink that." Ivo said as he tore open part of Oliver's sleeve.
"Ivo, you can torture me all you want, I am never gonna tell you where they are." Oliver told him.
"No, not willingly." Ivo agreed as he took out a syringe.
"Wait, what is that?" Oliver asked.
"Oh this? You see this, Sodium Pentothal. It's more colloquial, yet very descriptive name, is truth serum." Ivo said as he neared Oliver.
"Wait wait don't I'll tell you anything!" Oliver shouted seemingly in a panic.
Ivo injected into him and Oliver seemed to relax.
"Now, let's begin." Ivo said calmly.
Queen Mansion, present
Night
"Tell me; is there anyone special in your life Mr. Wilson? Wife or children?" Moira inquired as the three of them satin a sitting room.
"Sadly no. There was someone special once but she passed away a few years ago." Slade said sadly.
"I'm sorry Mr. Wilson." Moira said regretfully.
"My mother and I have had to deal with a lot of loss unfortunately. And eventually, we learned that you just have to move on." Oliver said as he gave Slade a pointed look.
"I don't believe that," Slade said as he gave Oliver a mocking smile, "you know, I heard that your family has an affinity for the fine arts."
"Yes," Moira said as the three of them walked out of the room, "my husband amassed quite the collection of nineteenth century American landscaping."
"I'd love to see them." Slade said as he turned around.
"Maybe another day," Oliver said sharply and Moira looked at him appalled, "My mother and I have some family business we need to discuss, right now."
"I'm sorry; my son seems to have forgotten all of his manners. Let me just have my staff open up the rest of the house. "Moira said as she walked out of the room.
"Thank you." Slade said politely.
Once she was out of the room, Oliver grabbed the ice picker and lunged for Slade. Slade whirled around and caught Oliver's hand in a vice like grip. He tightened his grip slightly and Oliver groaned as he was forced to drop the ice picker.
"Mom? Ollie?" Thea's voice called out and Oliver looked over in alarm.
"Not yet kid, I'm still going to meet the rest of your family." Slade said with a cruel grin on his face.
"Hello? Oliver hid the ice picker with his foot as Thea walked into the room, "Ollie, have you and mom talked yet? This whole not speaking thing-"
"Thea now's not really a good time." Oliver said firmly.
"Who's your friend?" Thea smiled politely at Slade.
"Slade Wilson," Slade said with a charming smile as he took her hand, "it's a pleasure to meet you, I've heard such wonderful things about you from your mother.
"
"About me?" Thea said in disbelief.
"Thea, good to see you," Moira said as she walked in, "This is Lade Wilson and I-"
"They've met." Oliver said curtly.
"Was just about to show him our art collection," Moira said as she shot Oliver a look, "but you're far better suited."
The three of them walked out of the room and Oliver reluctantly followed.
The Amazo, five years ago
Night
"Oliver, what's your name?" Ivo said as he shined a light in Oliver's eyes.
"Oliver Jonas Queen." Oliver said dazed.
"Oliver where were you born." Ivo said as he put the pen away.
"Starling City." Oliver answered.
"What'd you build a bonfire on the beach?" Ivo demanded.
"So you'd see it." Oliver answered.
"I told you." Ivo's man sneered.
"Was the bonfire a trap?" Ivo demanded.
"Not a trap, a distraction." Oliver said a little dazed.
"Why was the bonfire a distraction? Where are Sara and Slade right now? Where are they?!" Ivo demanded when Oliver tried to fight it.
"They're on the freighter." Oliver told him.
"Where on the freighter?" Ivo demanded.
"Under the engine room because we have a raft." Oliver said still sounding dazed.
As Ivo shot orders, Oliver was led by two guards towards the cells. As the alarms blared, Oliver suddenly attacked the two guards. He knocked one out with a punch to the back of the head and then grabbed one by the arm and threw him over the raining. Oliver then grabbed the keys from the unconscious guard and ran off.
Lian Yu
Same time
"They're clearing the deck, half the ships empty." Sara said as she lowered her binoculars.
"Are you ready?!" Slade asked over the roar of the winds as he let the parachute out.
"You really don't want an honest answer to that. But you've done this before, right?" Sara asked.
"Nobody's done this before!" Slade shouted as he grabbed Sara and jumped off the cliff.
They sailed through the air on the parachute down to the deck of the freighter. Oliver came on deck seconds later and Sara handed him his bow and quiver.
"Here, I think these belong to you." Sara said as he took them.
"We're on a clock and she needs to free the prisoners." Slade said as they moved out.
"Ivo's men are down in the engine room, just like we planned." Oliver told them.
"More convenient for me to take them out," Slade said as he pulled his mask on over his head, "Find Ivo but don't kill him. That son of a bitch is mine."
Queen Mansion, present
Night
As Thea was giving a tour to Slade, Oliver discreetly dialed a number on his phone.
"This was one of dad's favorites, wasn't it Ollie?" Thea said as she gave her brother a pointed look.
"Yes it was. He loved that one." Oliver said as he looked over at Moira.
"Then you must never sell it. I believe that when we lose someone we love, we have the obligation to honor their memory." Slade said as he smiled at Thea.
Arrow lair
Same time
Water splashed on the floor as Laurel hit the bowl of water. Laurel glared up at her sister who just stared at her.
"I've been doing this for half an hour. I thought you'd be training me." Laurel said impatiently.
"I am. It's a Chinese technique for building up arm strength. Now again." Sara ordered and Laurel gave her sister a dirty look as she slapped the water again.
"You think eventually I'd hit something." Roy complained as he lowered his bow.
"Ollie makes it look easy." Sara told him.
"Is anyone going to get that?" Thea asked as she walked in with Diggle to hear her phone going nuts, "guess not."
Felicity sat down at the computers and answered her phone. She frowned as no one replied.
"I do believe we have been pocket dialed." Felicity said as she put it on speaker phone.
"And here is a Joseph-Cooper from eighteen-ninety." Thea's voice spoke up and Roy looked up.
"Hey that's Thea." Roy noted.
"Looks gorgeous." A male voice spoke up and Sara's blood ran cold.
"It-it can't be." Sara said shocked and everyone looked over at her.
"It everything okay?" Laurel asked as she stood up.
"I know that voice," Sara said as Slade spoke up again, "oh god no."
"Who is it Sara?" Diggle asked.
"His name is Slade Wilson…and if we don't stop him, he's gonna kill me, Ollie, and everyone we love." Sara announced.
"Wait, I thought you said Slade Wilson was dead?" Diggle said as everyone followed Sara to the weapons room.
"So did I but that's not a voice I'd ever forget," Sara said as she got out a knife, "Dig, get the biggest gun you got." Diggle pulled it out and set it on the table in its casing. Sara eyed it for a moment.
"That might work." Sara said causing Laurel and Roy to look over at her stunned.
"Might?" Laurel asked skeptically.
"Roy, do you remember the other person Ollie and I knew with Mirakuru in his veins?" Sara asked.
"It was Wilson?" Roy asked and Sara nodded, "I have the Mirakuru in me to, let me help."
"You good?" Sara asked and he nodded.
"I have it under control." Roy assured her.
"Let's move out," Sara said as she, Diggle, and Roy walked out of the lair, "Slade was a trained killer before he was injected. You get a shot; you take it, no hesitation."
The Amazo, five years ago
Night
It was chaos as people ran out of the cages as Sara released them one by one.
"What are you doing?" Anatoly asked as Sara opened his cell.
"Do you wanna die or do you want to run?" Sara asked and Anatoly ran.
Sara continued to let prisoners out while, on the upper levels, Oliver searched for Ivo. After hearing from some men that Ivo was in his office, Oliver ran for it, taking out all the guards that stood in his way. After finding the bolted door, Oliver took out a grenade and threw it at the door. HE took cover as it exploded and blew the door off. Notching an arrow, Oliver entered the room to find Ivo on his back.
"It's harder than it looks isn't it?" Ivo asked as Oliver hesitated, "killing an unarmed man."
"Seemed pretty easy when you murdered Shado." Oliver sneered.
"I didn't murder her Oliver, you did." Ivo told him.
"You shout her in the head!" Oliver snarled.
"I gave you a choice, you chose the woman you loved, like anyone would! You blame me but that's because you can't face your own guilt. I loaded the bullets yes, I pulled the trigger yes. But you aimed the gun. And you hold yourself responsible. Don't you?" Ivo taunted.
"Yes," Oliver admitted, "but that doesn't mean I won't kill you."
"The question is…what will he do?" Ivo asked as he looked over Oliver's shoulder.
A pit of dread forming in his stomach, Oliver turned around to see Slade standing in the doorway. Slade took off his mask and looked at Oliver, betrayal and pain on his face.
"Is it true?" Slade demanded and Oliver was silent, "tell me."
"Slade, I tried to tell you-" Oliver began.
"Tell him Oliver," Ivo interrupted as he stood up, "I was angry, like you are now. I wasn't thinking clearly."
"Shut up!" Oliver snapped at him.
"I acted rashly, I told him to choose between Shado and Sara!" Ivo said.
"Don't listen to him, he is a monster! He will say anything, you know that he will!" Oliver attempted to reason with Slade.
"Tell him I'm lying Oliver, say it." Ivo taunted Oliver and Oliver couldn't bring himself to say it.
"I can explain." Oliver said.
"You've known." Slade said before pulling out his sword.
Oliver ducked as Slade attacked Slade swung it at him. Ivo ran from the room as Slade attacked Oliver, during the process kicking the steering wheel, making the ship take a sharp turn. Oliver fell down to the ground as everything crashed around him. Slade however, managed to keep his footing and grabbed Oliver around the neck, slamming Oliver against the wall.
"Slade, please…Ivo." Oliver gasped.
"He's dead. As dead as you are." Slade snarled.
The ship seemed to hit something and there was a crash as both of them fell to the ground. Oliver stood up and saw an explosion on deck. Oliver sprinted from the room and onto the deck.
Sara was on the deck with Anatoly and a prisoner called Flynn, who was using glass as a mirror to get a look at their odds.
"How many?" Sara asked before a bullet shattered the glass.
"This one time, you can pray for me." Anatoly said before he grabbed a gun and jumped out.
Anatoly opened fired, taking out several of Ivo's men. However, his gun soon jammed as one of Ivo's men neared him. Thankfully, an arrow him the man in the leg and he went down as Oliver approached.
"Behind you!" Anatoly called out.
Oliver whirled around and fired at the man, hitting him in the shoulder.
"Ollie!" Sara called out as Oliver ducked for cover with them, "are you okay, where's Slade?"
"He knows." Oliver said and Sara nodded, dismayed.
There was an explosion and Sara peaked over as Ivo's men started to regain control.
"We have to get off this ship." Sara announced.
"No!" Oliver protested, unwilling to give up.
"Ollie, it's over okay! We can still leave, we can swim back to the island!" Sara shouted at him.
Reluctantly, Oliver nodded. Together, Oliver, Sara, and the prisons ran and jumped over the side of the ship. Just as he jumped, Slade appeared, grabbing Oliver's leg and swinging him back onto the ship. Oliver was thrown back a few feet before he landed . Slade approached as Oliver looked up.
"Slade, wait-" Oliver cut off with a punch to the face.
Queen Mansion, present
Night
"Slade is dangerous. No chances, no mistakes." Sara said over the comms as she walked over to the mansion.
"I'm in position. Slade comes out, he won't know what hit him." Diggle assured her.
"Thermal imaging is coming up now; they're in the north-west hall." Felicity told them.
Sara nodded as she jumped up, used the side of the house to boost her jump and grabbed onto a light post.
"Roy," Sara grunted as she pulled herself into the house, "just get Moira and Thea away from Slade. Don't start a fight, you'll lose."
"Okay." Roy agreed as he walked inside.
"Thank you all for such a wonderful and exciting evening," Slade said as the four of them exited the hall, "you were a wonderful guide."
"Did you have a favorite?" Thea asked.
"I found The Promise to be particularly compelling." Slade noted.
"That, you home?" Roy called out.
"Roy?" Thea asked as he walked into the room, "I thought I was meeting you at Verdant?"
"Oh yeah." Roy acted clueless as he and Oliver exchanged a look.
"Oh, this is-" Moira began.
"I'm Roy Harper." Roy interrupted.
"Slade Wilson," Slade said as he walked over and the two shook hands, "It's a particularly firm handshake you have their son."
"Yeah, you to." Roy said evenly.
Sara walked into view from the staircase. Oliver looked over ad gave a slight shake of the head and Sara nodded as she put the knife away.
"Ollie, there you are," Sara called out and Slade whipped his head around, surprised to see her.
"Sara, we didn't hear you come in." Moira said as she walked over to Oliver.
"I didn't want to interrupt the tour." Sara said as she looked over at Slade.
"Mr. Wilson, this is Sara, Oliver's wife." Moira introduced as Slade and Sara locked eyes.
"Of course, you're famous. I mean, it's hard to find that special someone who means everything to you." Slade smiled like a shark.
"What would you like to do now? Mr. Wilson?" Oliver asked coolly.
After taking a look around and measuring his his odds, Slade spoke up.
"I hate to break up the party, but I feel I must be going," Slade said as Moira led him to the door, "I hope to be seeing more of you Moira."
"Dig's got a shot lined up outside." Sara said so that only Oliver could hear.
"Mr. Wilson," Oliver called out and everyone looked over at him, "may I walk you to your car?"
"Certainly." Slade said.
Oliver and Slade exited the house and Oliver walked Slade to the car that Slade must have arrived in.
"Cyrus Gold, The man in the skull mask, all this was you. They work for you." Oliver noted.
"Don't forget getting your mother off so it hurts more when she dies and funding The Count for his research. Well, I do have my allies, just as you have yours. John Diggle for example," Slade said and Oliver looked at him sharply, "I suppose you're wondering why he hasn't taken his headshot. Don't worry, he's still alive. For now."
"Slade, what do you want?" Oliver demanded.
Slade didn't respond, simply getting into his car. He rolled down the window and looked over at him.
"Five years ago, I made you and Sara a promise. Do you remember? Well, I'm here to fulfil it. See you around kid." Slade said before driving off.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
"We made it." One of the prisoners said as they sunk to the shore.
"Where's Oliver?" Anatoly asked and Sara whipped her head around, her gaze going to The Amazo
The Amazo
Same time
Oliver woke up as his cell door opened. Slade stood over him, holding a knife.
"I need you to see something." Slade said and a guard came in, dragging Oliver to hisfeet and forcing him out.
"Wait," Ivo said as a guard forced him over, "You need me. You have the Mirakuru in you."
"Not just in me," Slade said as he pulled out the vials of it, to Oliver's shock, "You burned a box of dirt."
"Okay look, I can help. I've spent my entire life studying them-"
"It was you. You were the one who killed Shado." Slade said.
"No, he chose!" Ivo said desperately as he pointed at Oliver, "It was him."
"Get him a gun," Slade ordered and Ivo was handed a gun, "show me how you killed Shado. Show me!"
Ivo, trembling, pointed the gun at Oliver.
"Slade, this isn't you. It's the Mirakuru. You're sick." Oliver p leaded.
"I don't care." Slade told him.
"I was trying to protect Sara but I never wanted Shado to die. I cared for her to, you know that I did." Oliver tried to reach Slade.
"I don't care." Slade repeated.
"You said we were brothers, you said that." Oliver reminded him.
"Is that how you aimed the gun?" Slade asked Ivo.
"Yes." Ivo told him.
Slade suddenly whirled around, using his sword to cut off Ivo's hand that was holding the gun. Ivo fell to his knees as he cried out in pain.
"Get him out of here." Slade ordered as he walked towards Oliver.
"Why don't you just kill me?" Oliver wondered.
"You cannot die…yet. You cannot die until you have suffered as I have suffered. You cannot die until you know complete despair," Slade walked until he stood right in front of Oliver, "and you will know it. I promise."
Oliver and Sara's loft
Later
"Slade is alive, I don't believe it." Sara said as she and Oliver stood on the balcony.
"We have to stop him." Oliver said firmly.
"We will okay, we will." Sara assured him.
"We have to," Oliver corrected her, "because now we have even more to lose."
So, what do you guys think? Please leave any thoughts or comments you may have, feedback is greatly appreciates.