Scarred

Disclaimer: I own nothing but what you see here! Takes place in a world where Lian Yu doesn't happen and Sara/Oliver doesn't happen either.

Summary: After a brutal kidnapping Oliver experienced in order to find out what he knows about certain loved ones' travel means within the city, the changed Queen Scion embarks on a journey of change.

For nearly 8 years, no one had seen or heard from Oliver Queen ever since he left Starling City after having a rather brutal experience courtesy of a few kidnappers. Kidnappers that wanted to know the routes of those he cared about in order to better ambush and kidnap them. But he refused to give them what they wanted for a week straight. Claiming he knew nothing when he actually did until he managed to break free and make it to a hospital in the Glades. His friends and family had been both relieved and horrified to know of what he had experienced with those men and Oliver was even terrified of potentially getting arrested by Laurel's father for having killed a few of the men who had him hostage with a gun when he managed to get free. He'd be relieved though when the man told him it was self defense of his own life in a situation like that. And Oliver wasn't sure, but he thought he might have heard a smidgen of grudging respect from the older man after learning all of what he did during his refusal to say a single word to his kidnappers. His experiences with those men had changed him considerably. Causing him to confess to a multitude of sins Laurel never knew about and wanting to be a better man to her and everyone else he knew. But he also admitted that her drive to move in and marriage at such an early age was a little too much for him to handle.

Wanting her to dial it down a notch. Of course, the fact he had told her a great deal of things would help with that anyway since she would need some time to deal with it all. Furthered horror would come his way when one of the most wanted men in the world known as 'The Huntsman', who was actually one of his kidnappers that had willingly came after him in the hospital. Not giving a damn at all about casualties and the like. The man also had something of a taste for human flesh too and was one of the many reasons every agency in the world was after him. Their encounter would end with Oliver gaining another permanent scar under his breast and using a move The Huntsman had shown him once that ended with the vile man's neck being broken while raining at night on the street outside of the hospital after the fight had managed to make its way outside. A week later would see him leaving the state and later on, the country. As he felt so much shame for what he had done that he could hardly stomach being around his loved ones but had made sure to leave them letters explaining why he had left and that he had no idea when he would be back. Even taking out enough money to avoid being tracked by them with any purchases of his. His decision would NOT settle well with anyone, especially Thea, Laurel, and his mother.

Tommy's reaction was one that no one cared for since he was just disappointed his brother in all but blood and fellow party animal wasn't around anymore to have fun with him. Failing to realize the seriousness of the whole situation. But his mother would have something to say about that more then what his father would. Who wanted to send him off to the Military to finally get him straightened out once and for all. Forcing him to work with her at her clinic in the Glades in order to make him grow up and even making him get a place in the Glades. Tommy would also be cut off from his trust fund in order to grow up and would be banned from partying and the like to ensure he grew up. All in all, it would be something the young Merlyn Scion would hate for a good long while. Oliver's journey would take him across America, and meeting the likes of Ted Grant, who helped start his path to learning how to fight back. He'd stick around for about 3 months before moving on, finding himself in Japan and be-friending a family known as the Yamashiros. Who's son Akio reminded him a bit of Thea, which had brought something of a pang to his chest for that matter. Akio's mother, Tatsu, would even show Oliver how to use a sword since she knew how to use one.

Maseo, and his friend Slade Wilson would teach him how to use guns along with a few fighting techniques. Slade had chosen to move to Japan with his son Joe after the death of his wife, which had caused him to retire from ASIS since he'd been forced to miss her funeral because of a mission for them. While something of a gruff man, Slade would become something like a brother to Oliver and even help him deal somewhat with his shame and guilt over his actions regarding his kidnappers. Oliver would stick around for about 6 months, learning quite a bit in the process before feeling the urge to move on. Slade and Joe, along with the Yamashiros and a few others he had met and be-friended, would throw him a small party the night before he left. While on a ship to China, the wonderer would meet two people. One being a Russian known as Anatoli Knyazev and a British man known as John Constantine. While both were somewhat shady, Oliver found them to be good men despite their pasts and considered them to be as brothers, and they him in return. Getting to learn Russian and a few tricks both men knew. Which interestingly enough, included actual magic much to his surprise thanks to Constantine knowing it. They'd travel through China for a time until the trio ended up going their separate ways due business that had called on Anatoli and Constantine. The trio would have a huge party too that would see them end up in jail for a few days amusingly enough.

This would also be how he'd end up meeting the Gulong family once he was out of jail and browsing about in the nearby marketplace for something to eat. And in the process, help prevent Mei Gulong's purse from being stolen by a would be thief and allowing for a meeting to happen between Oliver and Mei's sister, Shado. Both being rather instantly smitten with one another much to Mei's amusement. Their dad had honestly worried him some thanks to his being a General but the man would turn out to be a friendly sort. Easily welcoming him amongst them and often having something philosophical to say. Something that had amusingly earned him the nickname of 'The General of Philosophy'. Shado would end up teaching him the art of Archery and even a few medical techniques. Along with introducing him to the idea of Dao De Jing and finally helping put him at ease over his past actions. Oliver would end up staying in China for 4 years, even marrying Shado and gaining his own green hood that she made for him as a symbol of their family. Along with giving him a red Dragon tattoo on his shoulder blade as another means of symbolism when it came to their family. Though Yao Fei himself was the one who gave that tattoo. The urge to wonder had hit him after being in China for four years and Shado would go with him rather then staying in China.

Which was fine by him as he would have greatly missed her. Their journey took them to the Middle East to a place called Nanda Parbat, a place of enlightenment led by a man known as Ra's Al Ghul. Who had once been a deadly assassin many years in the past until he had come to Nanda Parbat. Where he eventually took over as its wise leader. His daughters, Talia and Nyssa Al Ghul were certainly interesting characters too. And for whatever reason Oliver couldn't really shake, he thought Nyssa and Laurel's sister Sara would hit it off. Something the second daughter of Ra's would decide to see if that actually would happen with her father's permission. Though she would keep quiet about Oliver's hand in all that. Oliver and Shado would remain in Nanda Parbat for several months, learning all they could until leaving to continue their journey. Their skills would occasionally be put to the test as they traveled, helping out others when needed and gaining interesting nicknames because of it. Anatoli would jokingly refer to his old friend as 'Kapushon' when he and Shado showed up at one point in Russia.

And while both were good with him, neither really wanted anything to do with the organization he was part of. Which he thankfully understood. The two would continue on their journey for a little while longer until returning to Hong Kong in China after learning and meeting all sorts of people. Where Shado would give birth to their daughter, Emiko and they would remain until a total of 8 years had passed. Her birth would bring in Slade, Joe, the Yamashiros, Anatoli, Ted Grant, Constantine, and even surprisingly, Ra's himself to celebrate the birth of their friends' baby girl. Sometime after Emiko's birth would see Oliver choosing to make the decision to finally return home. And not only would Shado and Emiko be going, but so would a retired Yao Fei and Mei as well. Along with their cuddly Huskie pal named Lupus that the two travelers had picked up at one point during their travels. Though part of the reason Oliver had chosen to return home is due to the fact that he had heard his family had been taken hostage within Queen Consolidated.

And wanted to help save them, especially considering the fact that one of the people holding her was Tobias Church. One of the individuals who'd taken him hostage 8 years before along with Constantine Drakon and China White. Amanda Waller, the head of ARGUS who owed Oliver a favor, would help supply the returning Queen Scion with a chopper to help quickly get into the building his family owned with John Diggle piloting it. Who he'd actually met at one point before leaving America a second time when he and Shado had been traveling. Along with John's wife, Lyla Michaels-Diggle. Who helped lead the team that would save Oliver's family. One of whom included Roy Harper as he and Thea had gotten married two years previously. A fact he was a bit saddened about having missed out on as he wouldn't have minded giving the kid a shovel speech where his sister was concerned. "Well, well." Chuckled Tobias as he eyed Oliver.

"Might be a little hairer then the last time I saw your silver spoon ass, but I'd know your face anywhere, Oliver Queen."

"And I'd remember yours too, no matter how much I want to forget." Growled Oliver darkly as his loved ones looked on.

Tobias chuckled darkly. "Once you meet me, you can never forget me. Now, why don't you put that toy bow of yours down and we can get… Re-acquainted." He told him with a sickening grin on his face.

"Speaking to my husband in such a way will not end well for you." Promised Shado darkly.

Her words gained shocked looks from Oliver's family as their captor just chuckled. "Ooh, got yourself a fiesty one there, Mr. Queen! That's gonna be a fun time for sure!"

He gave Shado a wink, who looked at him in disgust. Oliver growled and then fired off several arrows. One went into the man's right shoulder, causing him to drop his gun, the other two went into his knees, instantly forcing him to the floor with a pained groan. Allowing for Oliver to swoop in and knock him out while Lyla's team took care of the other unwanted intruders. Once his family was untied, they all rushed to him and hugged him as cops began to make their arrival. "Oh Oliver!" Cried out Moira happily.

"You're finally back!" Cheered Thea happily.

"You've grown into a fine strong man, son." Robert told him with a proud smile on his face.

"Well, I have Shado here to partially thank for that." Informed the returned Scion with a smile towards her.

Who smiled back and came forward after he gestured for her to do so. Robert smiled at her. "Welcome to the family, young lady."

And with that, she was drawn into the hug. Causing her to feel a bit of relief in the process as well! Even if Moira was a little bit suspcious of her while Thea couldn't wait to get to meet her new sister in law! "By the way, you and I need to have a talk, Roy." Oliver informed his sister's husband.

Who gulped a little. "OLLIE!"

"Sorry Speedy, but its my privilege as your older brother. One I might be using a lot now that I'm back for good."

Thea merely rolled her eyes at that. She'd be mad later once things were calmed down and she had had time to adjust to the fact her big brother was back.

Author's Notes: And bingo was his name-o!