Rising Spectre

Disclaimer: Reading a most recent chapter of Arlyss' 'The Spectre' and seeing the clip of Ra's killing Oliver helped inspire this idea.

Summary: After his death at the hands of Ra's Al Ghul, Oliver Queen is given a new role in life.

"What? How'd I end up here?" Questioned Oliver Queen as he stood up on a familiar beach on Lian Yu.

As right now, he should be very much dead after being stabbed by Ra's and kicked off the side of the mountain by the long lived man. "In a sense, your soul is tied to this place." Came an unfamiliar voice that had Oliver whirling around to see a dark haired man with gray in his beard.

"Who are you?" Questioned Oliver suspiciously.

"In life, I was Detective Jim Corrigan. In Death, I came became… Something else. And now, you have that opportunity to do the same."

Oliver stared at the other man for a moment, wondering if he should trust anything he had to say. "I get it, you don't trust me or anything I say because you've no idea of who I am. Understandable." Jim told him in an understanding tone of voice.

"Is this some trick of Ra's'?"

The man shook his head. "No, not even he has the power to reach this place." Replied the man and with a wave of his hand, Jim showed him what had transpired moments ago where his death was concerned.

Along with where his body now lies after being shoved off of the mountain. "I… I'm dead."

"That you are, my friend. And therein lies the problem." Jim declared, making Oliver look at him.

"What do you mean by that?" Wondered the fallen archer.

"You weren't meant to die this day, Oliver. You were meant to live well into your 80s but unfortunately a great deal of things are no longer the way they were meant to be thanks to the interference of others looking to change things to their preferences."

Here, Jim waved his hand again and Oliver saw Barry's idol, Harrison Wells, be murdered by another, the nightmare of Barry's childhood known as 'The Man In Yellow' and then take his place. The same figure who had, a short time before, murdered Nora Allen just so he could become the beloved hero instead of Barry. "I knew there was something about that man I didn't like." Murmured Oliver with a frown on his face as he was also shown a group known as the 'Time Masters'.

Whom, with their respective role in life should know better, but clearly chose to ignore that. "With your death, the Balance is close to being thrown completely off its axis. And if that were to happen… Let's just say it wouldn't be good."

"Then bring me back to life!"

"I can't. Such a thing is beyond even me, I'm afraid. But your protege, Roy Harper, and your sister, Thea, they and others can help keep it from going completely off its axis while you serve a higher purpose. A higher purpose that will also help keep things from completely going off the axis." Jim told him.

Confusing Oliver in the process and not liking that one bit. Hell, the thought of his baby sister being involved in Vigilantism didn't set too well with him for that matter! "Why me? Why not just send me on my way to wherever it is I'm meant to reside in Death?"

"Because, you're among a very small handful on this Earth that can handle the responsibilities I currently bear without abusing them. Even God agrees with my decision to pass on the Power I currently bear to you." Jim explained.

Oliver's eyebrows were considerably high after being told that and he couldn't help but take a step back when the man suddenly turned translucent and was also suddenly covered in a green outfit complete with a green colored cloak with a hood. "What the!?"

"I am The Spectre. A spirit of vengeance, of redemption, and of protection. Allowed to act by the Will of God Himself on the Earthly plane." Declared the ghostly Jim Corrigan to Oliver's shock before he returned to normal.

"Wha… Why me? Why, why not the others you mentioned?"

"Because, Oliver, thanks to your path you are the most suitable. You would be willing to act in ways those like the Batman would not." Came the answer.

"I… I see."

"Take the time you need to think over my offer." Jim offered kindly.

Figuring the man before him was going to need it and Oliver was grateful for that.

Author's Notes: As I got to the end, I realized Oliver probably would need some time to think over the offer.