Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. Sorry it took so long to get this up. I've been busy with college.

This chapter will be where this story departs from the storyline of the show, and it won't return to the storyline of the show until the end.

Let's get to it. Also, things won't be as bad in this chapter as you may think from the title, but things are going to get a bit more difficult for our heroes.

Chapter 15- A Whole Lot Worse

Bucky smiles as he takes a bite of his food. He looks across at Laurel, who is smiling broadly at him.

"Thank you so much for coming to dinner with me, Laurel," Bucky says.

"Of course, Bucky. I haven't gotten to go out like this in a long time, And, this a great way to celebrate our win," Laurel replies with a smile.

Bucky chuckles as Laurel takes a drink. Then, he asks, "So have you thought about going to work at the DA's office?"

"I have thought about it. And...I think I will. I just...well, I need to study up a bit on law before going back. Plus...I can't just leave the rest of you to take on Prometheus without me. I need to help you guys take him down," she says.

"Oliver found time to be both the Green Arrow and the mayor. I'm sure you could help us as both Black Siren and the District Attorney," Bucky says. He pauses for a second, before saying, "Well, Assistant District Attorney, I guess, since Chase is the DA." Laurel chuckles a bit.

"You're right. But, with everything going on, I think I should focus on Prometheus before I try and be a lawyer," Laurel responds. Bucky nods with understanding.

There's a few moments before Laurel starts to speak up again. But, before she can even get a word out, Bucky's phone rings. He reaches down, sees that it's Felicity, and answers it.

"What's up, Felicity? I'm out with Laurel right now," Bucky answers.

"We've got a problem. We need the two of you at the lair as soon as possible," Felicity responds.

"Alright. We'll be there as soon as possible," Bucky says before hanging up.

He looks at Laurel for a moment, and she asks, "Felicity called and wants us at bunker, I'm assuming?"

"Yup. Sorry to have to cut this short," Bucky says. Laurel just nods as Bucky goes to grab a bag for their leftovers.

(The bunker)

"Sorry we're late," Bucky says as he and Laurel walk into the lair.

"What took you so long?" Diggle asks.

"It took us a while to get through traffic," Bucky says, waving away Diggle's question. He then looks at Felicity and asks, "Well, what did you call us all here for?"

Felicity types a few keys, and pulls up a picture of a wrecked prisoner transfer bus.

"Police found this a few hours ago. Its was the bus being used to transport Warner, Cutter, and White. Police found it overturned, and the front riddled with bullet holes. Not only that, they found Warner, the guard, and the driver dead at the scene, and no sign of Cutter and White," Felicity explains.

"So, someone attacked the bus, killed the driver and guard, and then killed Warner? Why? And who?" Bucky asks.

"I managed to hack into the police database and get access to what information they have so far. Apparently, the rounds fired at the bus were from a FN SCAR 16, and the guard and Warner were both killed with a Glock 17," Felicity says.

"And we know one person who likes to use both those weapons," Curtis says with a touch of sarcasm.

"It's Vigilante. He showed himself again," Diggle says.

Bucky's face grows serious. "Vigilante. I should've expected he'd come after them," he says.

"I got something more," Felicity says, drawing everybody's attention. She types in a few commands as she says, "The guard that Vigilante killed had a body cam. It captured footage of everything that happened."

Everyone watches the screen as the video plays. They watch, from the cop's perspective as Vigilante shoots Warner. They watch as the guard hurries out of the bus, and is gunned down by Vigilante. Then, as Vigilante prepares to shoot Cutter and White, they see a boomerang cut across Vigilante's hand. Then, they see Harkness run into view and engage Vigilante.

"Harkness?!" Diggle asks in shock as Felicity pauses the video.

"Who's Harkness?" Bucky and Rene ask at the same time.

"He's a former ASIS agent who's about as good with boomerangs as Oliver is with a bow. Because of that, he's known as Captain Boomerang. He went rogue from ASIS, but Lyla's old boss caught him and forced him into her Suicide Squad. He broke free of their control, and tried to kill Lyla. It took Oliver and the Flash working together to stop Harkness. He was imprisoned on Lian Yu, in the same prison as Slade Wilson," Diggle explains. He then looks alarmed and looks at Felicity. "Did Slade get out too?" he asks.

"No, he didn't. I hacked ARGUS and found their report on the breakout. It confirms that Harkness was broken out of prison, but whoever broke him out knocked out Slade before they did so. He's still in his cell," Felicity responds. Diggle breathes a sigh of relief.

"Wait, so he didn't break out on his own? Does ARGUS know who broke him out?' Bucky asks, even though they're all certain that Prometheus was behind it.

Felicity just resumes the video. Everybody watches as Harkness and Vigilante are fighting tooth and nail as Cutter and White watch. Then, Viper walks into view. Soon after, she leaves with the other two women, and Harkness throws down his exploding boomerang to distract Vigilante.

"Who was that lady?" Rene asks.

"Viper," Bucky responds in a flat tone.

"That crazy green haired lady who attacked you that one night?" Curtis asks, to which Bucky just nods.

"According to the ARGUS report, she's the one who broke Harkness out," Felicity says.

Bucky sighs. "So, Viper broke Harkness out of prison, then used him to help her free Cutter and White. I'm guessing Warner was on that list too, but I'm also guessing they didn't count on VIgilante getting involved," he says.

He thinks for a moment. Then, he says, "I think that Viper is a bigger part of Prometheus' plan than we originally thought. I think we need to try and put more effort into trying to find Viper. Felicity, I want you to use the footage of her from that video to try and find her. And try and find any place she and her followers may be using as a base."

"On it," Felicity says, already typing away.

"Diggle, I want you to go to your wife and let her know what we now know. I want ARGUS' help looking for Viper. The rest of you, I want you training. This is gonna be far harder than we first thought," Bucky says before he and Laurel head over to the staircase to the lower floor so they can finish their dinner.

"Where are you two going?" Curtis asks.

"Well, since our dinner got interrupted by that call, we're gonna go finish our food," Bucky says as if it's obvious.

"Wait, your dinner? As in you were out at dinner together?" Diggle asks with a knowing smirk.

"Yeah," Bucky responds apprehensively.

"Sounds like you two were on a date," Rene says.

"No. We were just enjoying dinner to celebrate beating Warner and her crew, and just to unwind and relax," Laurel says defensively before she and Bucky turn and walk out.

"They were totally on a date," Rene says matter-of-factly.

"Yup," Diggle adds, grinning.

(A hour later)

Bucky ducks under a blow from Laurel, throwing a punch of his own, which she blocks. "You're getting better," Bucky says as he throws another punch, which she just manages to dodge.

"Well, I have a good teacher," she says as she kicks at his head, but he blocks her and throws her aside.

The two face off and are about to lunge for each other again when Felicity's voice comes over the intercom. "Guys, come back up here. I found Viper," she says.

Bucky and Laurel just look at each other for a moment before they hurry up the stairs.

"What do you got?" Bucky asks as they get up to the computer station.

"I managed to spot Viper on a traffic cam. She was going into a warehouse on the edge of town. The photo was taken about 15 minutes ago," Felicity says.

"Alright. Laurel, I want you to stay here with Curtis. Diggle, Rene, you're with me," Bucky says.

"Why am I staying behind?" Laurel asks.

"I want you to stay here in case Vigilante or Prometheus pops up. Plus, just in case this is a trap, I want you and Curtis on standby," he says. Laurel doesn't look happy, but doesn't argue.

"Let's go. Suit up," Bucky orders as he heads towards her suit.

(Warehouse)

Bucky slowly moves between the trees surrounding the target warehouse, with Diggle and Rene following him closely.

"You guys, do not underestimate Viper. She is good, and she's gonna have friends with her. This ain't gonna be easy," Bucky says in a low voice.

Suddenly, a loud noise comes from around the side of the warehouse. Bucky freezes for a moment, then says, "Move!"

Bucky, Diggle, and Rene all sprint around the corner of the building, just in time to catch Viper walking out of one of the doors with two guards. With two quick shots from Diggle and Rene, the guards collapse.

Viper smirks as she turns to face Bucky. "Well, Mr. Barnes. Good to see you again," she says.

Bucky stops short, then takes a few slow steps towards her. "How do you know who I am?" he demands.

Viper laughs. "My new friend Prometheus has extensive resources, and he's very smart. Plus, it would seem that HYDRA's greatest assassin didn't die like I thought he did. I thought my old bosses didn't keep secrets like this from me," she says.

Bucky feels stunned. It takes him a moment to recover from this shock, then he demands, "You worked for HYDRA?"

"The name Viper wasn't a hint?" she says with a chuckle.

Bucky feels very disconcerted, Finally, he says. "Very well. Then I'll wipe out what remains of HYDRA by taking you and your men down." And with that, he rushes her.

Viper grins before running to meet him. The two clash and start exchanging blows at near superhuman speed.

At that moment, ten more of Viper's men race out of the warehouse. They raise their guns and aim right at Diggle and Rene. Rene dives behind some barrels, and Diggle jumps behind a tree as the men open fire.

Bucky and Viper's duel carries them away from Diggle, Rene, and Viper's men as they all exchange fire. After a few moments, Bucky blocks a blow from her, and they stand there for a moment. And after a moment, Bucky growls at her, "Why are you working for Prometheus?"

Viper smiles. "Because. I have a history with Oliver Queen. Plus...I enjoy causing chaos," she says.

Bucky ducks under her arm and aims a kick at her stomach, which she dodges with a back hand spring. She pulls out a gun and fires several rounds, but Bucky blocks them with his cybernetic arm. He then lunges right at her and grabs her by the arm, flipping her onto her back and pinning her to the ground.

"Who is he under that mask?" Bucky demands. Viper responds by scissoring him and using her legs to throw him off of her. She pops back up on her feet, grins, and says, "Wouldn't you like to know?" before lunging back right at Bucky.

The two continue fighting until Bucky manages to get under her guard and knock her to the ground. Her grabs her by the throat with his cybernetic arm, ready to choke the life out of her.

Suddenly, an ear-splitting scream splits the air, and a shock wave throws Bucky back. At the same time, the few remaining guards throw down smoke grenades.

Bucky looks up from his spot on the ground, and catches a brief glimpse of a woman dressed in black running off along with Viper. At the same time, the rest of Viper's men race away under the cover of the smoke.

Bucky sits up and looks in the direction Viper disappeared. He sighs as he sees she is gone.

"Well. This just got a whole lot worse," Bucky says.

I'll end there.

I already confirmed that HYDRA exists on this Earth during the first fight against Warner's crew back in CHapter 13,, and yes, I have now confirmed Viper is a member. Or, was. You'll get the history of her involvement with HYDRA, and with Oliver, later on. And yes, there was also a Winter Soldier on this Earth. I will confirm he was Bucky's doppelganger, and he is also dead. So, we will not be seeing him. Also, yes, that was Dinah who helped them escape.

Also, yes, I know that Diggle and Rene's teasing is basically the same Rene and Curtis gave Oliver when he first went out with Susan Williams. I found the way they did it funny, and figured I'd reuse it.

Now, we are about to get into the exciting part of this story. Next chapter will feature Bucky and the team finding out about Chase's identity as Prometheus. I'm still open to ideas about how to do it, so please give me your ideas. Vigilante will likely be involved somehow, but not guaranteed yet.

Alright. Until next time, please review, and stay tuned!