Wow, it's been a whole month since I updated. I am so sorry it took so long; I did not intend to go so long without updating. I will try to update more in the future.
Before we begin, I would like to address something. We recently lost a legend. Legendary comic book writer Dennis O'Neil, who revolutionized Batman and Green Arrow, as well as gave us the Green Arrow/Black Canary romance, passed away a few days ago. Rest in Peace Dennis O'Neil.
Guest 2.0: I originally intended for Bobbi to appear but she was better used elsewhere. Where she was will be revealed.
Unspecified location
Mid-morning
"No," Anatoly said immediately in denial. "Gregor is Pakhan, he would not betray Bratva."
"You don't find it a bit odd that Oliver just happens to go missing after Gregor sends him on a mission to send a message to Kovar?" Dragon asked with a raised eyebrow and saw doubt enter Anatoly's eyes. "I get it, the Bratva is everything to you, and you can't even entertain the thought that Gregor is a traitor. But the thing is if you don't, then your friend Oliver Queen could very well die."
As Anatoly wrestled with this, Dragon felt his phone vibrate. He pulled it out and looked at the message Bobbi had sent him. He stared at it for a moment before getting up and walking towards Anatoly. Dragon held out his phone so Anatoly could see what Bobbi had sent him.
It was a photo of Gregor, with some men, escorting Oliver off Kovar's property. From the look on Oliver's face, as well as the state of him, he did not look like he was going willingly.
"This was taken by another agent I have stationed outside Kovar's mansion. Tell me, does Oliver look like he's happy to see Gregor?" Dragon asked and Anatoly remained silent. "From where I stand, he looks like he would rather go back to Kovar."
Dragon then pocketed his phone and pulled out a small knife. Anatoly tensed as Dragon walked behind him, thinking this was the end. But Dragon simply cut the ropes around his hands.
"You don't trust me. I understand, it's easier to think I'm lying rather than to believe that Gregor betrayed you," Dragon said as he cut the binds around Anatoly's legs. "Go back to your brothers. If I'm lying, Gregor will have brought Oliver back, no doubt managed a daring rescue. If not…"
He didn't answer but Anatoly knew what he was going to say. If Gregor did not return with Oliver, it was because he was with Kovar.
"Here," Dragon put a phone in Anatoly's hand. "It's yours, my number is programed in. Once you know I'm telling the truth, give me a call."
Bratva safe hose
Afternoon
A bag was removed from Oliver's head the second time that day. Only this time, he found himself in a dark basement, his hands bound to a chair. Gregor stood in front of him and Oliver glared up at him angrily.
"I expected one of the captains, maybe one of your newer recruits. But you, I should have seen this coming," Oliver sneered.
"My captains warned me against letting an American into the Bratva. But I thought you could be useful. It appears we were both wrong," Gregor noted.
"How could you betray the Bratva this way?" Oliver asked angrily.
"My alliance with Kovar benefits Bratva," Gregor dismissed.
"You mean it benefits you," Oliver sneered and Gregor smiled thinly.
"Me, Bratva, it is all the same. I am Pakhan, what benefits me benefits Bratva. If anything betrays Bratva, it is your vendetta. You joined Bratva to get to Kovar, yes? You used us," Gregor sneered.
"That is not how it happened and you know it," Oliver snapped.
"I am Pakhan! If I say that's how it happened, it is how it happened! My word is law!" Gregor exploded and Oliver sneered. "Now, I will have your obedience Oliver Queen. Even if I have to beat it into of you."
Gregor then slugged Oliver and his head whipped to the side.
SHIELD safe house
Same time
"You're sure this will be enough to make Knyazev flip on Kovar?" Bobbi asked as she paced back and forth.
"Betrayal in the Bratva is not tolerated. Once he knows that Gregor is on Kovar's payroll, Knyazev will do everything he can to expose him and save Oliver. Then, we can save your boyfriend," Dragon assured her.
Bobbi nodded reluctantly, knowing he was right. It was flawless logic really, since, according to Oliver, Anatoly was man of honor. Still, she couldn't help but feel something was going to go horribly wrong.
Bratva hideout
Same time
Anatoly walked into the room, his mind whirling with everything Dragon had told him. He wanted to just dismiss it all but…it made sense, as much as Anatoly wished otherwise. And that photo had been pretty damning.
Shaking his head, Anatoly saw Viktor and walked over, hoping that Viktor would tell him something, anything, that would disprove Dragon's accusations.
"Viktor, has the Pakhan been in?" Anatoly asked, not beating around the bush.
"He went out, said he had business to attend," Gregor said and Anatoly nodded, looking troubled. "Is everything alright?"
"Just…has there been word on Oliver?" Anatoly asked quietly.
"I'm afraid not. I am sorry, but it appears that Oliver is likely dead," Viktor said gently.
Anatoly felt his face fall, for more than one reason. Dragon was right, Gregor was with Kovar. Feeling the rage of betrayal fill him, Anatoly turned and walked out. He had a call to make.
SHIELD safe house
Not long after
Dragon's phone rang and, with a smirk, he pulled it out before he answered.
"You were right. Gregor is with Kovar," Anatoly said gruffly in answer.
"You can deal with your feelings of betrayal later. Oliver's life is in danger. Tell me, is there anywhere Gregor would have taken him?" Dragon asked and Anatoly was silent for a moment.
"There is a place, on east side of Russia. Bratva only use it in emergencies, no one would think to look for Oliver there," Anatoly said. "We will meet, I will show you."
"No. I understand your desire for revenge, but we need someone on the inside. Kovar is still the target of my mission. You say close to Gregor, and when the time comes, you'll be the one to kill him," Dragon promised and Anatoly was silent for a moment.
"Very well," Anatoly agreed finally. "But no other Bratva die but Gregor."
"You have my word," Dragon promised.
Unspecified location
Later in the afternoon
Oliver tasted blood in his mouth, sure his lip was busted. Kovar had not gone easy on his him. His face hurt all over. Kovar knew how to torture someone without breaking his nose, that was for sure.
"You have only been here a few months, yet you think you already know everything. Did it not occur to you that I could be playing Kovar?" Gregor asked.
"I don't believe you," Oliver said and Gregor scoffed.
"Of course you don't. You are fixated on obsession with Kovar. He told me everything, how this is about your family," Gregor said and Oliver glared at him. "Let me ask you something: Do you think your mother and sister would be happy to see you if they knew what you had done in their names?"
Oliver opened and closed his mouth but had no answer. In truth, Oliver had never stopped to think what would happen once he returned home. He had been so fixated on that goal he never stopped to think of the after, of what returning home would actually mean.
"I think they will fear you, see you as monster," Gregor said and Oliver almost winced at the thought. "Bratva would never judge you for the things you have done. I can give you a family Oliver. One who would welcome you as brother rather than brand you a monster. I just need your obedience."
"Go to hell," Oliver sneered and Gregor sighed.
"Very well," Gregor said he picked up a gun and took aim at Oliver's head. "If you will not join me, you will die."
Oliver was sure he was going to die then and there. There was no Slade, Shado, Yao-Fei, Clint or Natasha to save him this time. What he was sure was his last thought was of Moira and Thea before something happened.
Upstairs, the sounds of gunshots and the screams of Gregor's men was heard. Upstairs, Dragon grabbed one of Gregor's men and threw him against the wall, knocking him out as Bobbi whirled her Battle Staves. She struck two of Gregor's men, electrifying them. They cried out in pain as Dragon saw two more enter behind Bobbi. He pulled out his gun and fired, getting them in non-fatal ways. They went down, groaning in pain as Dragon and Bobbi stood victorious.
"Be grateful I have a promise to keep," Dragon told them gruffly.
Downstairs, Gregor had untied Oliver and pulled him to his feet. He pushed Oliver in front of him with his arm over Oliver's shoulder, planning on using Oliver as a human shield. He made a move towards the stairs when the door burst open. A shot was fired and Gregor cried out. He dropped the gun, holding his wounded shoulder before Bobbi rushed in. With a hit to his face with her Stave, Gregor went down, out cold.
As she turned to Oliver, he fell to his knees but she was there to catch.
"Oliver, are you okay? Oliver?" Bobbi asked but he didn't respond, losing consciousness quickly after.
"Let's get him out of here," Dragon said as he lowered the gun to his side. "We can regroup as he recovers."
