Slade on his right and Helena on his left taking the spot Nyssa had. Harkness is slightly behind them watching their every moment. Roy is behind him taking up the rear making sure no one can sneak up from behind him. He is also the one tasked with keeping an eye on Harkness.
It's no surprise when Harkness is the one to break the silence. "Why does he get a weapon and I don't." The other Australian whines.
"Because I trust him more than you." Which in itself speaks volumes to Roy and Helena. He's reaffirming Harkness disloyalty for everyone to hear. Slade shoots him a look as his words sink in. Slade's body tenses slightly but he sends Oliver a nod letting him know he understands what he is really saying.
Harkness not getting the hidden message continues to whine. "Didn't he kill your mother."
"And laid waste to our city. Infecting me with Mirakuru." Roy adds on grumbly.
Helena wasn't really around for all this but had heard about what Slade had done from her talks with Oliver. She doesn't really understand why he's trusting Slade. "He's got a point there. Why are we trusting him."
Ignoring Roy and Helena's add ons he round on Harkness grabbing him by his jacket and pulling him close. "You listen to me very carefully. You help me take down Chase you go free. You fuck with me, and I will make you wish I had let Huntress knock you out in that cell." He warns menacingly.
Letting Harkness goes Oliver stalks forward. Everyone else falling in behind him.
Roy and Helena might not understand why he is trusting Slade, but they will always follow his lead without a second thought.
Addressing Roy and Helena. "I understand your concern, but we do have a plan. I trust Slade."
Slade gets the message about not trusting Harkness. They need to keep the conversation off of their plans. They can't let Chase know what they are up to. "So, you didn't marry the blonde." Not the way of keeping Harkness out of their plans like he expected.
"Which one," Oliver asks as their group treks through the woods. "Sara or Felicity."
Slade shrugs out of the corner of his eye. "Either. I know you were in love with Sara." Well, that was obvious to everyone. "But you were also in love with Felicity."
Why did Slade have to pick this topic of conversation. "Sara left. She leads her own team now. She's found some peace and happiness in what she does. And if she's happy I'm happy." He still misses Sara but understands why she had to leave. Why she hasn't come back. And she can't just leave the legends. They would be useless without her.
He tried to reach out to her and her team for help, but they didn't show. The flash was gone. According to Cisco, he vanished into the speed force to save the city. Supergirl is currently dealing with a super dangerous alien who is threatening to wipe out National City. It's really not a good month for heroes at the moment. Every team seems to be dealing with something.
"And Felicity." Slade probes for more information on what he's missed while he's been locked away.
"Are we really talking about his sex life." Harkness bitterness about what Oliver did to him earlier can be heard in his voice.
Ignoring Harkness Oliver admits that he and Felicity weren't the best idea in the end. "We never would have worked out. We view the world too differently." Both Felicity and Dig spent so much of their time together trying to change Oliver into someone else. And for a while, he believed he could be someone else. Someone not coated in as much blood as he is. But that was never going to happen. The only way to protect his city is to keep it safe from all those who want to destroy it.
Sparing Slade's life wasn't because of him wanting to be better. It was him not wanting to lose his brother. But they saw this as him trying to change. Seeing a better way of saving Star City.
If Oliver had done what he should have done, then things would have. First, he should have killed Malcolm after everything with the League was over. Giving him the ring was a fool's mistake. He should have killed him. When Nyssa asked him to kill Malcolm, he should have done it. Letting him live was a horrible idea. Of course, Malcolm would come back at Oliver for stealing the league away from him. For cutting off his hand.
His son paid the price for that.
Malcolm had gone to Damien Dhark and not only told him about Oliver's son but then went to Central City and kidnapped him himself. Because of that Oliver decided he couldn't be in his son's life. Couldn't put him at risk like that again. Have his enemies use him as bait. It was safer for William and Samantha to be as far away from them as possible. He couldn't be a part of his son's life because Malcolm had exposed his son to this life.
If he had killed Malcolm, then maybe he would have been more involved in his son's life. He could have prepared him and Sammatha better in case something like this happened.
When he first arrested Damien that was also a mistake. He had a chance to kill him. He should have killed him. Damien had league training. No prison would have been able to hold him. Every league member would be able to escape never mind someone who was considered to be the next Ra's.
Not to mention the fact that he still had all of Hive to help him break out. He literally had an army at his disposal. Why did Oliver think it would be a good idea to arrest him. That if he did then everything would be over.
The night of the riot Damien plunged an arrow into Laurel's chest because he thought he could win without having to kill him. Millions if not billions of people's lives were put at risk because of that decision. Yes, in the end, they did manage to defeat Dhark and destroy Hive but too many people died before that. And in the end, he ended up killing Dhark anyway.
He should have done it sooner.
He also should have killed Chase. Shouldn't have let his emotions get the better of him. Billy paid the price for that. He should have seen it. It was too easy. Until that point, Prometheus had been playing with him. Mocking him. Wanting him to do what he did. He should have seen the trap.
No one that skilled just walks out into the open like that. It was all too easy. He should have seen it. Should have thought about it. He just reacted. And now an innocent man is dead. A good man.
He should have killed Chase before this. But he didn't want to give him that. Didn't want to let Chase be right about who he is.
Now he's not so sure. At the start, Chase wanted to expose him as a killer. Wanted to destroy him. Now he wants Oliver to kill him. He taunted him. Telling him over and over again that he will have to kill him to end it all.
Oliver won't do that. Not because he believes himself to be above killing or it's not who he is but because someone who wants to die that badly. Who wants to destroy every aspect of Oliver's life wouldn't just decide to die. Oliver killing Chase would be doing what he wants.
So, Chase has a plan. He's doing everything in his power to force Oliver into killing him. But why. What has he got planned for his death. And for that alone Oliver refuses to kill Chase. Not until he understands what his grand plan is. How he's planned all this on ending.
Getting back to answering Slade's question Oliver admits the main aspect as to why he won't get back together with Felicity. Even if Nyssa wasn't in the picture. "Besides she's always been more in love with the idea of me then who I really am."
"Yeah..." Roy rubs the back of his neck. "It was weird when you started to show an interest in her. She wasn't your type and there was that whole you and Sara thing." The Sara thing being the fact that he moved on from Sara so quickly. And the whole Felicity and Digg make comments about his relationship with and not approving of them. It was clear that Felicity was jealous of them. Even when he had already told her gently that he didn't want to be with her. And Digg believed that the two of them would be a great idea. And started to push them together. Even when Oliver wanted to be with Sara.
Looking back Oliver knows they had good intentions. Felicity had a crush on him so his getting with Sara would make her a little upset. He doesn't blame her for that. Her snippy comments towards Sara annoyed him but Sara told him to let it go. That it would pass soon, and it did. As for Digg he just wanted the two of them to be happy.
Nonetheless, anyone who he dates they wouldn't approve of. It's one of the reasons why he kept his relationship with Nyssa quiet. He didn't want to deal with their comments about Nyssa. And in all honesty, he doesn't think he would have reacted well if they made a comment about her to him.
"Yet you married the daughter of Ra's Al Ghoul." Slade jumps in. "How did that come about."
"Isn't her sister working with this Chase."- Harkness asks sounding a little nervous about the idea of having to face one of Ra Al Ghoul's daughters.
"Yes." Oliver wants Harkness to be aware that Nyssa is here. When he runs off to tell Chase Talia will hear this as well. He hopes this might make her rethink siding against him. It's not likely but he hopes. "It's the only reason we are here in the first place. I didn't want her to have to fight her sister. Not after I needed her help to defeat her father. But I couldn't fight Chase Taila and her students by myself."
"Yet she's here now." Slade comments
"My son and sister are here," Oliver growls. The threat towards two of the most important people in his life still pressures him to be at his best. As fun as this conversation is everyone needs to stay focused. "Nyssa refuses to allow any harm to come to her sister-in-law and stepson. Even if it means going against her sister."
He still hates the fact that Nyssa is having to go up against her older sister. She's doing it for him. If it was anyone else asking, she would have said no. Well... Maybe if it was Sara she might have said yes. Nyssa's weakness is the Queen and Lance families. But if it was anyone else, she wouldn't have even entertained the thought of doing this.
Slade still decides to push the subject. "You still didn't say how you ended up marrying her."
He tightens his grip on his bow trying to keep his calm. He really can't keep snapping at people today. "Her father arranged it so we wouldn't have to kill each other for the role of Ra's Al Ghoul. We to be equal in the league. United in marriage to bring in a new age to the League of Assassins."
Helena pipes up this time. "Didn't you just say you killed her father."
"We didn't want to be forced into a marriage. We wanted our relationship to be on our terms." He still can't believe that his wedding was a forced arrangement with the threat of death lingering over him. Not how he ever expected to get married but given how his life has gone he really isn't surprised. At least he and Nyssa were somewhat friendly at the time. It made the whole thing easier. And from it, he and Nyssa have grown to care for one another. He just wishes that their wedding day wasn't tainted the way it was. "And we didn't want to unleash a biological on Star City and commit genocide."
Roy laughs at this. "Love how you put that second." Oliver just rolls his eyes at his protégé.
Roy glances towards Oliver before asking the question that has been on his mind for a while now. "When did the two of you get together... I mean from what I knew the two of you didn't get along." That might have been an understatement. He and Nyssa went from trying to kill each other to working together to trying to kill each other again then to working together, married somewhat allies then friends and then a couple.
A lot happened in such a short time.
"That did play a part of it. But we respected each other as warriors. Things just happened between us. Neither of us saw it coming." Oliver replies really wishing this conversation was brought to an end.
"Was this before or after your forced marriage," Helena asks getting more involved in this conversation.
Sighing Oliver answers her question. "Before. We were sort of together before... It's complicated."
Once again Roy laughs at his words enjoying his pain. "That is an understatement."
"She makes more sense to you than the tech girl," Slade states much to Oliver's confusion.
"How you figure." He asks genuinely wondering what he means. Slade has met Nyssa for only a few minutes but seems to think they are a good fit.
Surprisingly it's Helena who answers. "You have a type, Oliver."
"Oh yeah and what's that."
"Woman." Woman. He isn't following what Helena is talking about. "You don't go for the girls anymore. The easy to woo and wow." That's kind of true. After the Island he wasn't looking for the same fun, he was back when he was nothing but a playboy billionaire. "How many women since the Island have you dated that are trained fighters."
"You... You make a good point." Shado, Helena, McKenzie, Laurel, Sara, Nyssa you could even count Talia. Nothing happened between them but there was something there. Something neither of them touched upon.
"It's easier to connect with someone like that. To share your struggles and fears. They understand what you've been through and don't judge. Our crucibles make us stronger makes us see the world like it really is the good the bad and the ugly. The part we play in that. People like Felicity don't see it the same way. They still see all the good. It's frustrating to deal with someone like that." She isn't wrong. The amount of time he and Felicity clashed was down to how they see the world and how that affects the mission. When he came back from this Island the first time Talia had made him aware that he had to do whatever it took to save his city. That was the only way to help the people. And over the years that has faded away and people have suffered for it. Helena continues sounding softer then before. "It's nice but naivete is annoying when it gets in your way of doing what needs to be done."
"I hate the fact that you're right about that," Oliver admits before quickly trying to shift the conversation tone. "Can we talk about something else now."
"Why are we making you uncomfortable."
"Yes." He states with annoyance.
"Fair enough," Helena says but the way she is eyeing him tells a different story.
Oliver sighs not wanting to deal with this conversation. "Look what happened between me and Nyssa is our business. Our relationship has been complicated from the start but I know there isn't anyone else I would trust as much as her. And from that trust, something else grew between us. Something special that for the first time in a long time is making me happy."
Slade pauses in his movements and points up ahead. Taking the hint, the five of them duck down and slowly approach eyes and ears on high alert. Entering into a clearing they spot four wooden cages left unguarded. "Why are they unguarded," Slade mutters before they leave the safety of the brush.
"Isn't it obvious." Oliver says.
Roy finishes the thought. "It's a trap."
"We're going to spring it aren't we." Helena groans her head dropping to her chest.
Oliver pushes on first Slade and Harkness close behind him. Roy turns to Helena and smiles. "I'm going to take that as a yes."
Coming into range Oliver can make out the locked away bodies of Thea Felicity Curtis and Samantha. Where are the others though. The closer they get the more worried Oliver becomes. The five of them are out in the open yet nothing has happened yet.
Just as they reach the cages the locked away members shout out their names.
"Oliver." Samantha Felicity and Curtis shout out in relief at seeing them.
"Roy," Thea shouts once she recognises her ex-boyfriend in his new suit. Slade shushes them earning a heated glare from Thea. "What is he doing here."
Oliver goes to answer her then a rustling from above is heard. Immediately Oliver Slade Roy and Helena locked on to the sounds and turned around their weapons drawn just as Everlyn and Talia dropped down from the trees. The former with a pistol and an arrogant grin. The Latter shooting the younger girl an irritated look with her bow and arrow drawn on Oliver. No doubt Talia is annoyed with Everlyn for giving their position away completely ruining their sneak attack.
"Hello, Oliver." Talia simply greets as she stops frowning at Everlyn returning to her neutral but slightly amused mask she's always worn around him.
"Oh, hey Talia how have you been." Oliver smiles at her lowering his bow. If they have planned every move out then no doubt, she would be expecting him to be angry towards her. Well, he isn't going to plan their game. Besides he knows Roy as his bow aimed at her. Helena has Everlyn pinned with her crossbow and Slade has shifted closer to Harkness ready to strike when the moment comes.
His words also have another meaning. No doubt Nyssa and Malcom are still on comms and hearing everything. They just need to delay long enough for them to show up. Then it's five on two. Maybe three.
...
...
Wait...
Nyssa and Malcom are on comms... Meaning they have heard every word said so far... Oh God... Nyssa heard everything they had just been saying. Maybe he should let Talia kill him.
"We're close." Nyssa's voice comes over the comms and into everyone's ear. The message stall is clear.
"I've been expecting you," Talia says unaware of his helping incoming.
"Yeah, I know. Sorry, we took so long. Had a slight issue to deal with before coming here." He tells her acting as causal as possible. Which surprisingly isn't as hard as he thought it would be. On the plane, he said he doesn't blame her for what she's doing. A little hurt yes but he gets it. She might not be his friend anymore, but she will always be his mentor. "What do you think of Lian Yu. Is it everything you thought it was or are you disappointed. Have you come across any of my traps. Thea almost got both of us killed last time we were here when she stumbled upon one. I ended up getting impaled in the shoulder saving her."
Is it sad that he is actually interested in what she thinks.
"Hey. That was not my fault." Thea shouts from behind him
Next to him, he can hear Roy and Helena quietly chuckle amongst themselves before both of them piping in. "It's our first time here as well," Helena states nodding towards Roy who picks up from her.
"It's a nice Island so far. No wonder everyone decided to come here for their evil schemes. Ten out of ten on deserted island advisor."
"Kids." Slade mutters.
Seeing a chance to mess with the two women in front he turns to Slade channelling his inner Barry. "Oh, Slade. I'm so excited that the two of you can meet." He says far too happily flicking his bow towards Talia. "Talia was my mentor after you. She taught me everything I needed to return to Star City."
"I believe that I was the one to teach you everything you needed." Slade is quick to defend his own teaching.
Talia scoffs. "You may have started his training Mr Wilson, but I am the one who honed his skill."
"She has you there," Oliver says taking Talia's side. He looks towards Evelyn. "Clearly Talia isn't teaching you. Not that I'm surprised. You have to at least have some talent for Talia to decide to train you."
Glaring towards Oliver Everlyn growls out, "I have talent."
On cue, Oliver Roy and Helena all burst out laughing. Helena recovers first. "Oh, please if that was even remotely true you wouldn't be using a gun."
Everlyn was not happy with the three of them laughing at her. "What's wrong with a gun." She snaps demanding answers. Showcasing her lack of patience and discipline.
Roy is the one to answer her. "Anyone can use a gun. But it takes skill to wield a bow and arrow."
Oliver adds on "Why do you think me, Thea Roy Helena, Chase, Talia, and her students all use a bow and arrow. We're actually skilled in a fight. I tried to help you with a bow, but you failed to understand the basic laws when mastering the bow."
Everlyn starts to turn red. Her grip on the gun tightens to the point where Oliver is starting to become concerned she might misfire. "And what would that be."
"To use a bow and arrow requires patience and discipline." The three of them state. Helena and Roy having endured multiple speeches about this in the past. And Oliver learned that from Talia.
Oliver can't help but add on another dig at the woman who betrayed him. "Something you lack." His former mentor looks towards him with a sense of conflict happening within her. For as much as she is consumed with rage at Oliver for killing her father, she can't help but be proud of her student and how far he's come along in his training. And the way he has trained his own protégé's. Oliver has always been her best student.
On another note, where the hell are Nyssa and Malcolm. He really needs to have a word with his wife about what the word close means. Because they clearly have two very different definitions.
Harkness decides now was the time to butt in. "As entertaining as this is to watch can we get back to business." Harkness words are directed towards Talia and Everlyn in his shocking betrayal. "And don't worry about that gun mate." He says opening his jacket revealing a hidden gun. "Mr Chase already set me up." Shock.
Everlyn looks towards them overjoyed at the situation no doubt patting herself on the back for the brilliant plan. Talia however watches the four of them not even blink at Harkness's reveal. They knew. She concludes. They knew yet they brought him along anyways. Why. What is Oliver playing at here.
Oliver watches Talia and sees the moment when she realises Chase's play didn't work out the way they had wanted. He guards his expression making sure to give nothing away to his former teacher.
Three vs four. The odds are in Oliver's favour. Not just in the numbers but the skill sets. Talia is the only one of them who poses a threat to them. But Oliver knows he can hold her off long enough for it to become a four vs one.
Hell, even one on one he has a good chance of winning. It's been a long time since he's fought against Talia. It would be interesting to see how their battle turns out. But he doesn't want that. Doesn't want to fight his sister in law... and that is a weird thought. Talia is now his sister in law. Oh. He doesn't know how he feels about that. "I really don't want to fight you, Talia."
Like him, Talia is keeping her expressions hidden away. "I do." Is her unnerving neutral tone.
"We were like family once." Oliver tries.
"That was before you destroyed mine." She spits back at him.
And ok kind of fair but not fully true. "No, your father destroyed your family. He disowned your sister. He ordered your brother's death. He tried to kill my sister. Ordered me to hunt down and kill your sister." He argues back praying she will see his side of things. That what he had to was necessary so all of their family could survive.
Nyssa always said her sister's loyalty was to her father first and foremost. Even when she left there was no doubt about her devotion to the league. "And for that, you killed my father. You once told me that you would do anything to protect your family. Well so will I." She promises.
"Your family is still alive. You don't have to do this." He pleads and argues back at her.
"For my family I do." Talia's tone is final. There will be no more discussing this. She has drawn her side and he has drawn his. She really believes she is doing this for her family. That she is getting justice for them. How is he ever going to convince her that she doesn't have to do this. That her family is still united. That they want her back more desperately than she wants vengeance.
As if hearing his prays Nyssa and Malcolm rush out of the forest into the clearing bows drawn on Talia Harkness and Everlyn. "Sister," Nyssa yells gaining her older sister's attention. A sister she hasn't seen or heard from in years.