Chapter 3: Oliver Queen
In Star City, Oliver Queen, better known as Green Arrow, was filling out his own payroll checks for his employees at Queen Industries. Like Bruce Wayne, he too spent some time away from his city to learn certain skills so he can protect his home when he comes back. It was however on an uncharted island rather than temples and dojos. And rather than dress like a bat and use various types of gadgets and vehicles, he dressed like Robin Hood and mastered the use of the bow and arrow to protect his city from crime. Oliver's wife, Felicity Smoak, who also works in the I.T. department came in to give Oliver some news on a certain mercenary who Oliver had a long-time rivalry with. "Ollie, you got a second?", Felicity asked as she stopped in front of his desk. Oliver stopped signing the checks and paid attention to his wife. "Yeah, what's up?", he asked while giving her a smile. "I came to give you some updates on Slade like you asked.", Felicity said. Slade Wilson was on the island Oliver was stranded on for years and taught him many of the skills and fighting techniques he uses to defend Star City from crime. "Okay, and?", Oliver asked. "For quite some time now, he was in Venezuela at some top secret training facility where he had been instructing his own personal militia.", Felicity explained. "Great. That's just what that psycho needs, an army of trained killers.", Oliver sarcastically replied. "But just recently, he had come back to America; specifically Gotham City.", she continued. "Gotham?", Oliver asked sounding puzzled. "Yes. You ever hear of the crime lord Carmine Falcone from Gotham?", she asked. "I think so. Why?", he asked. "Well, he recently just died of cancer and his daughter has taken over for him. Apparently, she hired Slade and his men to take out Batman.", she said. "Geez, Wayne's got no idea who he's dealing with.", he said. "Actually, I think he does. I was looking through some old Gotham newspapers online and it said that 10 years ago, Batman fought Slade when a bounty was put on his head and Batman ended up kicking Slade's ass. That landed him in Blackgate for a very short time before he got busted out by Amanda Waller to join the Suicide Squad.", she said. "Looks like he took that job to settle the score with Bats. Only a few people including myself have ever been able to actually beat him. Looks like Wayne is another one of those few.", Oliver said. "So, what do you plan to do?", she asked him. He got up from his desk and said, "Looks like I'm going to Gotham.". "Are you going to also reach out to Bruce?", she asked. "Looks like I'm going to have to if Slade's after him. I just hope he won't be too difficult. You know how he is, he always thinks he can do everything himself.", Oliver said. "That's not true. I thought he has helpers too.", Felicity said. "Yeah, but I haven't heard any recent news about them. More and more of those bird boys come and go, and that Batgirl lady just disappeared. No matter what, he's gonna need my help. I also have a score to settle with Slade once and for all.", he said. "How are you going to plan things out?", she asked. "I'll just arrange a little meeting with our old friend, Bruce Wayne. It would probably be good publicity for our companies to do business together like in the past.", he said. Oliver began to make his way out of the room before Felicity grabbed his arm and stopped him. "Just be careful, Ollie. Don't underestimate that mercenary and get yourself killed.", Felicity said with concern in her voice and eyes. "Don't worry about me. He's not going to get the chance to kill me. He may be called the World's Greatest Assassin, but he's no different than any other punk I beat up to me. I promise I'll make it back here safe.", he assured her. They shared a quick kiss before they both left his office. "Gotta start packing my bags and my quiver. And I gotta make sure I bring lots of arrows with me. Slade's not getting away from me this time.", he said. After he had everything packed, he made all the necessary preparations and began to make his way from Star City to Gotham City.