After landing the plane near the coast. Around the same area as he did last time he was here with Thea. The five of them exit the plane. All on guard as they scan their surroundings.
When he turns his attention towards his wife standing further away from the group and closer to the forest, he notices she doesn't look well. Her face is paler, and it looks like she's focusing on breathing too intensely to be natural.
It's not surprising that she might feel a little ill. She is about to take on her sister who left their family a long time ago. A sister who helped the kidnapping of her sister in law and husband's son along with said son's mother. Also, the last time she and Oliver flew a plane together it ended up crashing and her father was killed on the same night as well as the man she despises being put in a position of power above her making her his servant.
Not his greatest decision.
"We should unload the gear quickly. My sister and her forces will be heading this way." Nyssa states her eyes watching the thick brush. Their landing here won't stay a secret for long. If it ever was. "I'll search the area for any hidden threats." He nods at her before she wanders off to secure the area. He makes a mental note to keep an eye on her.
Turning his attention back to Roy Helena and Malcolm he gets everyone started. "You Heard Nyssa. Roy Malcolm start unloading the plane. Helena grabs the knockout darts and then follow me."
"Where are we going," Helena asks as she reaches back into the plane grabbing her knock out arrows.
"To see an old friend." He vaguely replies. Turning back to the other two. "Stay sharp. We'll be back soon."
It's strange to be working with Helena again. But also, a bit poetic. She was the first person to join him in the field on his original crusade. The first person he trained to fight alongside him and the first person who betrayed his trust to seek vengeance.
It's almost fitting that Helena accompanies him to find the man who was the first person to train him how to fight. The first person who betrayed him to seek vengeance.
Helena falls into step next to him just like she used to do. Back then everything seemed so much easier. He had a plan and a mission. A list of names to bring justice to and then he would be done. He would have atoned for his father's sins and made his city a safer place.
He would have been free.
Some days he wonders what would have happened if he had refused to come home when Felicity and Diggs came to this Island to get him. He should have just taken Thea and ran off to Europe. When his mom got free the three of them should have left the city. Left behind all the bad memories and mistakes.
Maybe if he had done what he wanted none of this would have happened. Maybe grab Sara and disappear with her. Go somewhere where the league couldn't find her. Couldn't find them. How many people would still be alive if he had just done what he wanted to do.
Slade would have no reason to attack Star City if he wasn't there. The League would never have unleashed the bioweapon. Darhk would never have dared to make his move while Ras was still in power, and the league was strong. Laurel would never have become a vigilante. Would never have been stabbed with his own arrow. Talia would still be his ally. Chase would never have come to power. Talia would have stopped him before that. William would be safe and sound.
Sometimes he wishes he could go back in time. And fix all the mistakes he made. How come when other people make a mistake it's ok. Everyone forgives them and helps them deal with it. But when he makes a mistake, everyone turns on him and people end up dead because of him.
Maybe he should have become Ra's. Having the league would have been useful right about now.
Sometimes he feels everything at once. All the pain and regrets. Others he feels nothing at all. His darkness extinguishing the light inside of him. Taking away those feelings. And he doesn't know what's worse. Drowning beneath the waves of his memories. Or dying from the thirst of wanting to feel something other than numbness and darkness.
Oliver Queen and the Green Arrow are constantly battling each other. Talia taught him to separate the two versions of him. And he tried he really did. But he could never complete the process. This made the light side of him limit the dark side. Brought both versions of himself into play at the same time. He never separated his two selves.
And now the people he loves are paying the price. Everyone wanted him to play the hero. When the truth is he isn't a hero. He's a man who gets the job done. That's what Waller saw in him. What Talia trained him to do.
That same feeling Helena was struggling with the first time the two of them met. The murder of her fiancé left her broken and empty inside. Her anger taking her down a dark path. A path he tried to stop her from going down but accidentally pushed her past the point of no return.
Sometimes he wonders what would have happened if he had done what she asked. If he had helped her to take down her father. Would she have spiralled as much as she did. Or would the feeling of vengeance be lifted leaving her an emotional wreck once she realised that killing her father didn't change anything. Didn't stop the pain or the anger. At least when he died Helena was remorseful of her actions as she understood the terrible things she did didn't help alleviate the pain. They just intensified her own suffering. That made her apologetic and willing to atone for what she had done.
If he had helped her to kill him before he wandered down that dark and lonely path, would she have come out a changed person. Of drifted of deeper. Another what if to add to the pile.
"So..." Helena trails off breaking the silence as the two walk further into the forest. "What's the plan here Oliver." That is a good question. At the moment there really isn't a plan set in place. Chase and Talia have organised everything to bring him to this point. Any plan he makes would go out the window at the first obstacle.
But just because he can't make a plan on how to deal with the threat doesn't mean he can't find more people to side with him. Which brings them to the ARGUS prison. "Use the sleep darts to knock out the guards and the other prisoners. But don't knock out the man in cell 11139. I'm going to talk to the prisoner in cell 00347."
"We're recruiting prisoners now," Helena asks in disbelief.
"I recruited you didn't I." He shoots back. Not to mention he also has two ex-assassins on his side as well.
Helena pauses thinking over what he said. "Fair point." She concedes. "I take it you have history with these two."
"They both tried to kill me." A great answer that fills her with belief in their mission.
Helena raises an unamused eyebrow at that statement. "There is a pattern here in people you're calling in for help." It's sad that it's true. Right now, everyone on his team has tried to kill him. Even Roy. But in all fairness that was due to the Mirakru. He's really hoping Slade was the same reason. Otherwise, this is going to go downhill quickly.
"The chance of freedom makes grudges seem smaller." He says far more than sure then he really is.
"Is that a statement or a wish," Helena asks seeing through his mask. "Because if these people are locked up because of you I don't see why they would help us. What makes you think Chase hasn't already got to them."
She has got a point. But he's already thought of that. "I'm counting on Chase going to one of them. The one you're after. The other... Well, I'm hoping he will stand with me again. He was once my brother." He really hopes the old Slade is back. The one who used to be his brother. The man who first trained him to fight.
The guilt of what happened still burns to this day. If he had injected him with the cure would Slade have recovered faster. Would that dilute his hate. Make him sane again. His friend. Or would he have just doomed his family sooner.
"Sometimes I worry about you," Helena tells him honestly. His idea on how to play this isn't great. But it's better than nothing. He needs more help. And Slade is one of the only people he knows is killed enough to handle this threat. Even if he does manage to save his team most of them can't fight at this level.
William Samantha Felicity and Quentin aren't fighters so they will have to be protected which means people will have to be designated to focus on that and only that otherwise someone could sneak past them all in battle and kill the five of them before he or any of his team are even aware they are in danger.
And if his team have a split focus then they will make a mistake which could cost them their lives. That's if they aren't killed while trying to fight people out of their league. Curtis is nowhere near the skill level needed for this. Rene isn't either but he stands a much better chance. Dinah is on the same level as Rene, but her meta powers give her an advantage in this battle. But still one on one she will struggle to keep up with Talia's students.
They can easily deal with Everlyn. She has some skills but not enough to handle being in a battle like this. And Talia wouldn't train her. She may hate him, but she still has a code for picking students. And Everlyn doesn't meet her standard.
Digg and Thea can hold their own against the students but wouldn't stand a chance against Talia or Chase. Or even some of Talia's most seasoned students. Even Roy and Helena would struggle with them and those two are good. Much better than he was then Talia first found him.
Nyssa and Malcolm are the only two members of his team that can go toe to toe with all the people on Chase's side and have a good chance of coming out victorious. Nyssa has already called dibs on being the one to face off against Talia. He has Chase. So that leaves Malcom to deal with Talia's best students with assistance from Roy and Helena.
The others though have to get off this Island as soon as possible. Dig and Thea with Dinah's cry can get everyone safely off the island. Or at least he hopes so. Maybe he should have them hide somewhere until he has dealt with the threat. The odds here aren't great.
He has no idea how to handle this. But he does know that he needs Slade's help. So he is going to focus on that and deal with everything else as it comes.
"I know... Now let's raid this secret government prison using our own arrows from either a bow or crossbow." He says with a joyful smile opening the bunker door and entering. Helena hesitated for a moment before following him.
"What insanity have I signed up for." Oliver doesn't bother to hide the small grin that appears at Helena's words.
Leaving Helena to deal with the other prisoners and guards Oliver climbs down the ladder leading to an Iron door with the ARGUS symbol printed on the door. Pushing it open Oliver slowly approaches the cell. The man he came here to talk to tracking his every move. "Hey Kid, I'm glad you came back." With a small smirk on his lips, Slade approaches the cell bars curious as to why he's back. "What brought you back to the island."
Exhaling with a sigh Oliver starts explaining why he's here. "I need your help." Slade raises an eyebrow at that.
"You need my help." Slade parrots back to him eyeing him up. "What's happened." He asks without the usually raged induced tone he has come to know with him.
"First, I'd like to talk about you. You seem..." He trails off looking over Slade. His body language is more defeated then on guard. Far more relaxed than it should be considering the promise Slade made to him. He seems more like the man he used to know.
"What, in possession of all my marbles," Slade remarks.
Oliver shrugs. "More or less."
"The Mirakuru wore off some time ago kid... I mean, I remember everything that happened. I'm not trying to escape that but it's all like some bad dream." Slade tells him sounding remorseful for his actions. Oliver knows from Lyla that the Mirakuru wore off. But the question is does Slade mean what he says or is he just trying to get Oliver to let his guard down before he tries to kill him again. Will he help him or join Chase. "Now regardless of my sanity, why do you want my help. After everything I've done... to you."
Deciding to test Slade a little Oliver fills him in on what's going on. "I need your help to save my friends and family from a man on this Island. He's called Adrain Chase, and he holds both Thea and my son William as a hostage."
Once again Slade raises an eyebrow at him. "Since when do you have a son." So not the point here.
"Slade... are you going to help me or not." He asks a hint of annoyance in his tone. If Slade isn't going to work with him then he is wasting his time here. Time he could be spending helping his friends.
"I think I'm stating the obvious when I say I killed your mother and for that alone you should have killed me." A fact he really doesn't need to be reminded of.
"You were once my brother Slade. My best friend. I never wanted to kill you." Oliver tells him honestly. He never wanted this to happen between them. Never wanted to try and kill him. Even after all he's done, he still doesn't want to kill Slade.
Slade takes hold of the bars looking him dead in the eye. "You tried on the Amazo."
"You had just killed Sara," Oliver growls at him. Even after these years, that moment is still lodged in his mind. The way she screamed his name as the war sucked her under. That was the only moment after all their time on the island where he was willing to kill Slade. Even after he tortured him, he still wanted to save him. But hurting Sara. Killing Sara. That was the final straw.
When Slade killed his mother at that moment, he was ready to kill him. Wanted nothing more than to lodge another arrow into Slade's eye. But he didn't. He didn't because as everything settled down, he remembered that the man who killed his mother wasn't Slade. No really. And there was still a chance to still save him.
Everyone says he made the choice because he wanted to change his methods. Wanted to honour Tommy and stop killing. That isn't true. None of it is true. He let Slade live because he couldn't kill him. He couldn't lose his brother again. Not when there was a small chance, he would come back to him.
Couldn't lose him so soon after losing Tommy and his mother.
Taila would tell him his feelings clouded his judgement. She would be right as well. He couldn't bare to lose him. So locked him away. Protected him from Thea. He just couldn't lose Slade forever. "Maybe this is why I didn't." Oliver really hopes what he is saying is true. Plucking the USB from his pocket he holds it up for Slade to see. "On his drive is all the intel I have gathered on your son, Joe. Including his present whereabouts."
Slade staggers back at this. "Are you offering to help me find my son." Disbelief clear in his voice.
"I want us both to find our sons," Oliver tells him. His gut tells him that he can trust Slade. He prays he's right or Nyssa will never let him live it down. Reaching into the duffle bag he brought with him he reveals Slade's Deathstroke mask. The black and orange mask which once laid waste to his city might be the thing that saves his family.
Accepting the mask Slade sends him a genuine smile which solidates Oliver's trust in him. "You and me kid. Like old times."
The walk back to the plane is strange, to say the least. It hits Oliver that he has three people with him who he put in prison. Who have all hurt people he's cared about. The Huntress, Deathstroke and Captain Boomerang.
The only reason he's bringing Harkness with him is because of the look he shot him the moment he, Helena and Slade entered his cell. He wasn't confused or the tiniest bit surprised. No, he smirked at them like he just won the jackpot.
That could only mean one thing. The thing he wanted to avoid but now he might be able to use to his advantage.
Unsurprisingly by the time they returned to the Plane Nyssa and Malcolm were in the middle of an argument. Roy stands there awkwardly looking as if he wants the ground to swallow him whole as he looks over the supplies.
Deciding it's best to cut the two of them off from arguing anymore Oliver calls out. "Have you offloaded the supplies."
Malcolm answers tearing his hate filled glare away from Nyssa. Something he will have to deal with. He did promise Malcom what would happen if he caught him doing that to Nyssa. "Just about everything. By the way, what do you need an RPG for.
"As I've stated Chase has Talia, an army of her students, Everlyn Sharp and a meta human on his side and God knows who else is waiting around the corner to surprise us." His eyes flicker over to Harkness for a moment before returning to his team. His move being caught by his friends as they subtly glace towards him. Roy giving him a small nod tells Oliver he will watch him and be ready. "I have no interest in this being a fair fight."
"Is that why you released the animals from their cages," Nyssa asks glaring towards Harkness with distaste.
"Oh, come on love, that's no way to start a new friendship." Harkness slimily replies as his eyes track up and down Nyssa's body. He had done the same thing with Helena which earned him a fuck you from the Huntress.
He really wishes people would stop making comments towards his wife. It's really hard to work on controlling your anger when you are constantly beating the shit out of people for their actions.
An angry Oliver forces him to his knees so Nyssa can threaten him as well.
"Look at me again like that and I'll feed you your eyes."
"You're not her type anyways." Malcolm defends her.
"And even if you were you still wouldn't stand a chance." Roy throughs his own support in.
"Or live long enough to even reach her radar," Helena adds on.
As amusing as this is he needs to get everyone focused and back on task. Nyssa can kill Harkness later. "All right, that's enough. Let's get ready to mo-"
Suddenly the sound of a missile is heard overhead, and the group looks up to watch as the missile strikes the plane. Blowing it up.
"Hoo. So much for your plane." Harkness couldn't help but exclaim with nothing but glee in his voice. Earning a glare from everyone. But especially Oliver and Nyssa. Maybe his plan to use Harkness to find everyone isn't worth having to deal with him.
"There goes our ride home, kid," Slade utters watching Oliver closely. The kid he trained doesn't even seem fazed by the loss of the plane. Nor the dark haired woman standing to his right. His wife apparently. In fact, they seem more angry with Harkness then they are ride being destroyed.
Oliver and Nyssa exchange a small look. The plane was never their way off the Island. Just their way here. Their ride off is still incoming and should be joining them shortly.
Turning his attention to Roy Helena and Malcolm, he tells them to grab everything they need. He gives Slade his weapons as well while keeping Harkness from taking anything. With a flick of his head towards Roy his protege gets the message on what to do. When Harkness goes to grab something Roy bumps into him hard pushing him back. After that Roy smiles in his direction telling him it's done.
While everyone grabs what they need Nyssa approaches Oliver as the two stand off from the main group watching the surrounding area. "I thought you were going knock him out. Not bring him along." There is a bite to her voice. No doubt from Harkness actions towards her earlier.
Oliver looks her over and sees she looks normal again. No sign of illness like before. Good. He would hate for Nyssa to be out in the field if she was feeling sick. She wouldn't be at her best and be disadvantaged in a fight. He can't lose her. Not here on this island and definitely not to Chase.
"And I was." He admits understanding her annoyance at changing the plan and how Harkness is still eyeing her up. "Until I realised that he would lead us to exactly where everyone is. It's a huge island and the longer we spend searching the more danger we are in."
For a trained offer ASA agent Harkness is actually really bad at hiding his emotions. Him not being surprised at Oliver Helena and Slade showing up in his cell. The way he didn't react at all to the fact that Oliver Queen is the green arrow. That his family have been taken. That his son is here. Didn't ask any questions about who Chase was. Who Taila was. Why they have done this. Why Oliver is talking to him. Harkness just sat there smirking as if he knew something they didn't.
The only way he could have been more obvious was if he was wearing a shirt that said on Chase's team.
His reaction to the plane being blown up was complete glee. He's not even trying to hide who his allegiance is to.
"He will lead you into a trap". Nyssa states to which Oliver nods to.
"I'm counting on it." He tells her knowing that his plan is dangerous. But it is the fastest way to find everyone. Chase, Taila and Black Siren are the main threats they are dealing with. Chase won't let anyone kill him. His own need for vengeance stops him from making sure this all ends. Nyssa can handle Taila and Roy can deal with Black Siren having experience with a version of her scream beforehand. Helena can easily handle Everlyn. Slade can easily deal with Harkness. and everyone can deal with Taila's students. Should they find the others freeing them would make it easier for them. Not to mention the rest of the backup is still on route. "Besides I have you watching my back. What could go wrong."
"Famous last words Husbands." She mutters.
Smiling towards her he jokes, "Nah on my tombstone can my last words be I've got this. And then you put under it he did not have this."
Nyssa lets out an amused breath at this. "Why do I put up with you." She says with mock annoyance. A light smile gracing her lips.
"Honestly, I've been asking myself that question for a while now." He jokes back keeping the atmosphere light.
Whatever come back she was about to say was cut off with everyone else joining them all geared up and ready to go. Their light-hearted amusement fades back into the serious mission ahead of them. Walking into the dense forest Oliver starts to lead everyone more inland. "The RPG that took out the plane came from other there. And my son's call from west of here."
"Hostages could be in either place" Harkness says trying to be helpful. No doubt he was about to say maybe their little group should split up in order to search both cites.
Whatever Harkness was going to say was interrupted by Slade. "Or in neither. This is a large Island."
"I'll check out the RPG site." Malcom suggests stepping away from the group.
The last thing he needs to deal with is Malcom Merlyn going off on his own. "I will go with you." Nyssa volunteers having similar thoughts as him. Well less of volunteering and more like stating she will be going with him.
Merlyn rolls his eyes at hearing this. "It's almost like you don't trust me." He snarks towards her.
"No, it's exactly like I don't trust you," Nyssa responds coldly.
"Be careful habibti." Oliver says quietly grabbing onto Nyssa's arm as she passes. A small smile upturns the corner of her lips at hearing him call her habibti.
He doesn't like the idea of her being out there on her own with only Merlyn as backup. A man who has threatened to kill her once already today. He debates about whether he should send Roy with them to be safe. Or to at least ease his own uneasiness at the idea of them splitting up.
Seeing the conflict raging on in his head Nyssa quickly tries to settle his mind ."Don't worry husband. I can handle myself." There was never a doubt of that. But that doesn't mean he still won't worry about her.
Taking her at her word he lets the two of them go off on their own. "Stay on comms."
Nyssa leans up giving him a soft reassuring kiss. "We'll be back soon," Nyssa assures him before she and Malcolm disappear in one direction. As he leads everyone else west.