Chapter Text
Lian Yu
Day
Diggle and Wendy jumped down from the plane, opening their chute as they landed on beach of Lian Yu. Taking off their backpacks with chutes, Diggle looked around. “Let’s just keep moving forward.”
They all entered the forest. "Be careful, there might be landmines around here," Wendy warned as Diggle was cautiously watching his step, while going deeper into the forest until they arrived at a wreckage of a plane. "I can't believe that thing is still standing."
Then, on cue, a shadow dropped on Wendy, who spun around and shoved the shadow back, revealing it to be no one else than Oliver. "Nice welcome, Oliver." She said sarcastically.
"You shouldn't have come here." Oliver said, looking at Wendy and Diggle.
"So, this is where you lived the first two years." Diggle looked around the fuselage.
"It's good to see you." Oliver said. "But neither of you should have come here. I know why you came but I'm not going back to Starling City. I can't." He said in self-loathing. "I can't. My mission, my father's list, it was a fool's crusade. And I failed. Malcolm Merlyn destroyed the Glades. Quentin died. And the Hood couldn't stop it. So, don't ask me to put it on again. Ever."
"You did what you could, Oliver,” Wendy held his hand. “Don't blame yourself."
"How can I not? We were supposed to stop the Undertaking and—"
"You can't save everyone,” Wendy reasoned, smiling at him. “Besides, we didn't come here for the vigilante but for Oliver Queen."
"Your mother's trial's coming up. Thea needs you. Your family needs you." Diggle listed. "And your family business too. The Undertaking made a bad PR on QC, and it's being currently in a hostile takeover by Stellmoor International. They've torn down every company they've gotten their hands on. Lot of people are getting fired.”
"I get why you had to leave, Oliver," Wendy said. "I've been where you're at. I've lost a friend too, when I was away and I turned my back on everyone I cared about. Trust me, it's not a permanent answer. I missed you. We all did." She put her hand on Oliver's breast as he stared into the sad eyes of his friends.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
Oliver and Slade were going at it with Escrima sticks, appearing to be evenly matched. Oliver and Slade exchanged blows before stopping at a draw. Oliver and Slade both laughed as they stepped back just before Shado walked in, Shado carrying a cage with a bird inside. Seeing Oliver distracted, Slade took advantage and struck his student across the face. Oliver groaned in pain as he fell on his back.
“You’re not the first man to learn the hard way women are a distraction.” Slade laughed as Oliver sat up.
“You’ve come a long way in a few months, don’t beat yourself up,” Shado said.
“I think that’s his job.” Oliver quipped.
“And I love my job, not that I wouldn’t trade it for a way off this island.” Slade chuckled.
“While the two of you were playing with each other, I was hunting,” Shado said as she gestured to the cage that she had caught previously in the past.
“And there’s nothing more attractive than a woman who can hunt.” Slade said as he walked passed them and towards the cage.
“My first meal here was a pheasant. Your father cooked it for me,” Oliver told Shado.
“He was a terrible cook,” Shado scoffed. “But a good father.”
“Let’s eat.” Slade said as he snapped the neck of the bird and it was silent.
Before anyone could move, something that sounded like an alarm went off. The group turned toward the sound to see a machine.
“What’s that?” Oliver asked curiously.
“That’s Fryers proximity detector.” Slade said as he put down the bird and he and Shado raced towards it.
“We salvaged it from the wreckage of the soldier’s camp, picks up anything that moves outside our safe zone,” Shado said as she brought up a map of the island on the screen and three moving dots were visible, “it’s been three months since we stopped Fryers, he and all his men were dead.”
“So maybe it’s an animal.” Oliver suggested.
“There’s an imaging interface.” Shado said as she pushed a button and the screen switched to a thermal image: three men.
“Those aren’t animals.” Oliver noted.
“And we aren’t alone on this island anymore,” Slade growled.
Unspecified location
Present day
“And in local news, Oliver Queen has returned home again,” in a dark room, a TV set played a news report as four men watched it, a clip of Oliver getting out of Roy’s car taken on someone’s cell phone playing.
“Why are they paying attention to him when we just took out another One Percenter?” One of them asked disgruntled.
“Guess he’s takin’ over the family business,” another grunted and the first one had a look of realization on his face.
“We’ve been going about this all wrong,” he said and they all looked to him.
“What do you mean?” Another asked.
“If we want real justice, we gotta take this fight to the name who did this to us,” the first one said, gesturing to the picture of Oliver on the screen.
“Queen? He’s just some useless brat,” one of them protested and the leader laughed.
“His company’s Applied Science Division built the Earthquake Generator. If we want real justice, then that family needs to pay for the suffering it’s caused us. In full,” he said darkly.
Limo, en route to Queen Consolidated, next day
Morning
“And who’s Blood?” Oliver asked as he saw one of the pieces of graffiti in the area.
“An alderman from the Glades trying to save this city,” Diggle said as he drove Oliver to Queen Consolidated. “It seems like he’s trying to fill your shoes.”
Queen Consolidated
Afternoon
Oliver and Diggle got off their elevator and were immediately ambushed by Wendy.
"They're in the conference room and FYI, no one is eating the bagels," Wendy said in a rush.
Oliver nodded silently before he entered the conference room. He saw the board members, some of them he recognized, having seen his father talking to them at one point or another. And Isabel Rochev. As she stood up, Oliver eyed her curiously, wondering what she could have done to be put on the list.
"Ms. Rochev," Oliver said, plastering on a charming smile as they shook hands. "Sorry I'm late."
"For this meeting or a career in business?" Isabel asked bluntly and Oliver raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't realize hostile takeovers were so hostile," Oliver joked as they sat down.
"On the contrary, I'm actually in a very good mood," Isabel said and Oliver narrowed his eyes.
"So ruining companies agrees with you?"
"Winning agrees with me," Isabel said and she was confused by the half amused smirk that crossed Oliver's face.
"You haven't won yet."
Isabel smiled. "Since you majored in dropping out of college, let me put this in terms that are easy for you to understand. You control 45% of Queen Consolidated stock. I control 45%, leaving 10% outstanding. But, in two days, the board will release the final 10%."
"And I'll buy it before you do." Oliver said.
"With what money?" Isabel taunted. "I doubt your trust fund is that large and no angel investor will go near the company that built the machine that destroyed half the city. Companies rise and fall, Mr. Queen." She said. "Your company has fallen."
"Oliver Queen!"
Startled, everyone looked up to see three men dressed like The Hood wielding guns burst into the room.
"You have failed this city," one of them said as they took aim at Oliver.
"Get down!" Diggle shouted as he pulled out his gun.
A fire fight between Diggle and The Hoods broke out as everyone else ducked under the table. Oliver grabbed Isabel and made for the door, pushing her though and she ran. Oliver ducked back for Wendy and grabbed her. They ran for the door before Oliver grabbed her, tackling her to the ground as one of The Hoods opened fire. The barrage of bullets completely shattered the glass wall behind them before it stopped.
Oliver helped Wendy to her feet as one of The Hoods burst in behind them. Oliver grabbed Wendy and ran for the window. Grabbing onto the chain for the blinds, Oliver and Wendy crashed through the window. Using the chain as a vine, Oliver and Wendy crashed through the window of a room a few floors down. They landed on the floor, hard, a little dazed but very much alive.
"You okay?" Oliver asked as he looked over at Wendy
"Let me get back to you when my stomach catches up with the rest of me," Wendy said, looking a little green.
Up above them, Diggle stood up as The Hoods retreated, their prey lost to them.
Later, as the Hoods had escaped, Oliver approached Isabel in the trashed boardroom. "Miss Rochev, I'm sorry about this."
"Because they were after you?" Isabel asked.
"Because what happens in this building is my responsibility." Oliver replied.
"Only for the next forty-eight hours." Isabel grinned, walking away.
"You could have stopped those guys!" Wendy snapped once the door had closed behind them.
"Not without giving everyone in that room a pretty good idea what I'm capable of." Oliver said pointedly.
"I think what Wendy's wondering is if you avoided taking them on and she's not the only one." Diggle said pointedly.
"I told you, I did not come back to Star City to be the Vigilante." Oliver frustrated that he had reminded them again.
"But they came after you, Oliver. You could have taken them out." Dig replied.
"No, I couldn't, Diggle. Look, there's a part of being the Hood that neither one of you are considering, the body count." Oliver decided to fully explain himself, knowing it was the only way they would finally get it.
"And excuse me for saying this, but so what? Since when do you care?" Wendy asked.
"Since Quentin." Dig quickly realized solemnly.
"Being the vigilante didn't matter. It didn"t stop Malcom Merlyn from destroying the Glades, and killing Quentin, so there wasn't a chance. It didn't accomplish anything." Oliver said shamefully.
"So don't. It's not like you've killed every guy you've faced." Wendy reminded him.
"I could have. Because when I put on the hood, it's kill or be killed. That is what kept me alive. That's why I should have stayed on the island." Oliver acknowledging the facts then grabbed his jacket to leave.
"Is that where you're going now?" Wendy asked.
"The two of you won't help me save my family's company, I'm going to talk to somebody who will," Oliver said.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Day
"Someone's definitely out there, they're moving closer," Slade noted before he frowned as Shado walked away, "where do you think you're going?"
"Flanking position." Shado said simply. "If they get the drop on you, you'll want some back up."
As Shado walked off, She turned to Oliver and said something in Mandurian. Oliver responded in kind and she smiled before walking off.
"So Shado's teaching you both Chinese?" Slade raised an eye brow.
"I'm sure she'd be happy to teach you to," Oliver said before a gunshot echoed throughout the area, "Shado!?"
Slade and Oliver ran towards where they had seen the woman walk off. Shado's hood was lying on the ground. Slade picked up the hood. Exchanging horrified glances, the two ran off to search for her.
Iron Heights
Afternoon
Sitting in the visitation chair, Oliver saw his mother, Moira, in a jumpsuit and she smiled at him as she finally sat down. "Hey." He said."
"Hey." Moira greeted her son.
"I'm sorry I didn't make it here sooner." He apologized.
"Oh, no, no, no. Please, Oliver. There are going to be enough apologies with me apologizing to you for the rest of my life." She said full of shame.
"You don't have to. You saved hundreds of lives." He reminded her.
"And killed hundreds more. Including Quentin." She retorted.
"That was Malcolm." He said.
"Your sister doesn't see it that way. And, you know, my attorney is thrilled. If my own daughter can't forgive me, she's not too optimistic about in a jury box. All right, enough of that. How has it been going at Queen Consolidated?" She asked surprising him on how she would know about that. "Yes, we do get the news here, Oliver."
"Right." He said.
"You know, if I'd known the key to you taking your rightful place at the company was its demise, I would have declared bankruptcy a year ago." She joked but might have been serious.
"I don't know if I'll get to run it for long." He explained.
"Stellmoor."
"Their VP is coming after us hard."
"Isabel Rochev."
"Yes."
"Do not trust that woman, Oliver. She is dangerous."
"Well, mom, everywhere I look, there are no good options. I don't know what to do."
"You don't have to do it yourself. This is a family business."
"I love Thea. I don't think that she wants anything to do with it."
"I wasn't talking about Thea."
Verdant
Later
the club was in full swing. Roy brought over a tray of drinks and set them down, looking over at Thea.
"You okay?" Roy asked in concern. "You've been a hundred miles away all day."
"It's just... I don't want you to keep doing this. You're going to get yourself hurt," Thea said disappointingly.
"Someone has to protect the city, Thea. The Hood is gone," Roy pointed out.
"I don't care, Roy. I can't let you get hurt," Thea sighed.
Roy opened his mouth to speak when, suddenly, there were shots going off. Everyone screamed in panic as Roy grabbed Thea, instinctively pulling her down to the ground as The Hoods made their way through the crowd, shooting off a few more rounds to quiet the crowd.
"Where is Oliver Queen?!" the leader shouted. "He's back in town, he owns this dump. Where can we find him?"
the leader grew unsatisfied when no one moved.
"Alright, fine, plan B then," he said before grabbing a random girl and throwing her onto the floor before taking aim at her. "I'm gonna start shooting people until Mr. Queen grows a pair."
Before he could shoot however, Roy rushed him, tackling him to the ground. Roy then stood up and engaged another of the Hoods, grabbing him and throwing him to the ground. As the hood hit the ground, one of his hands came off, to Roy's shock. As the Hood screamed in pain, Roy grabbed his gun when a scream pierced the air. Whirling around, Roy saw the leader had Thea, his arm around her as he pointed his gun at her head.
"Go ahead, try it hero," the leader egged on.
The leader smirked and ran out. Oliver came there eventually, angrily seeing what happened. When he learned Thea was taken, he grit his teeth.
"You!" Oliver barked as he turned to Roy. "Stay right here."
Without waiting for a response, Oliver stalked out, going after the leader and Thea.
Just as Oliver pressed the keypad to open the bunker, Dig and Wendy arrived. "I've made a few improvements down here," Wendy said as they walked down the stairs. "Just in case, you know you decided to come back." She said as she flipped the light switch, as Oliver was left stunned by the upgrades Wendy had made including a glass window case that held his suit.
"We need to find these guys," Oliver stated as he began looking around.
"I've been trying, ever since you got back. I figured you'd come around eventually." Wendy said.
"One of them was missing part of his hand. Maybe a veteran? Check hospital records, any males that have had surgical amputations on their extremities." Oliver asked her to do as she began typing.
"Cross-checking by race and age. Got one, Jeff Deveau. Caucasian, late thirties." Wendy said bringing up his records.
"What else can you get on him?" Oliver said as he began looking at his arrows.
"Ex-Marine," Wendy replied.
"Would explain how he can handle himself." John summarized. "Did he lose his hand overseas?"
"No. In the earthquake. Says here he and his wife were trying to make it across the 52nd Street bridge when it collapsed. She didn't make it." Wendy said sadly, feeling a little sympathy for the man.
"Phone records, please. I want to know who he's in contact with." Oliver asked.
"He's made a lot of calls to a church in the Glades. Something called Standing Strong. It's a support group for those who lost loved ones in the quake." Wendy explained.
"Great place to meet three other guys as angry as you, looking for a little payback."Dig pointed out.
"Get me an address, please," Oliver asked.
"You're going to need this," Wendy saiid as she walked over to a table and showed Oliver a compound bow. "I had it custom made. How'd I do?" She asked.
"It's perfect," Oliver said gripping it tightly.
"You were right. Once I signed on, I stopped thinking about all the bodies you dropped. Because I knew that being the Hood meant occasionally being a killer. Maybe there's another way." She said acknowledging what she and Dig were asking of him.
"They have my sister. What other way is there?" He said solemnly.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Night
Oliver and Slade hid in the bushes, looking in on the camp. Shado was surrounded by men that reminded them of Fryers, their hands bound in front of them. Oliver tried to rush in but Slade held him back.
"What are you doing?" Slade hissed at him.
"We need to save her" Oliver snarled quietly.
"Listen kid, I understand how much you care about her but we need a plan. There are a lot of them. Wait for my signal." Slade ordered and Oliver reluctantly nodded.
"Where are the graves?" one of the men asked Shado who didn't respond, "Where are the graves?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Shado said only to get slapped and Oliver's hands tightened into fists.
Shado groaned in pain as the man grabbed her and put a knife at her throat.
"Tell me or I'll kill you." The man growled at Shado.
Oliver could take no more and rushed forward with Slade following him. Oliver was lost to his rage, tackling a man down and beating him into submission. Oliver was unsatisfied however, and picked up a rock and began beating the man with it. Shado cried out to him but Oliver did not hear her in his haze of rage. Slade's voice finally reached him and Oliver dropped the rock. Oliver fell back on his knees as he stared in shock at what he had done.
Starling City
Later
Outside, the leader was attempting to lead the struggling Thea out when an arrow sailed past them, hitting a car window near them.
"Let. Her. Go," Oliver growled as he aimed at the leader.
"You wanna save her?! There was no justice for people like the Queens until you showed us how!" the leader snarled as he whirled around, Thea still in his arms.
"Taking innocent people hostage. Targeting unarmed civilians. Kidnapping a teenage girl. You call this justice?! You're not a hero, you're a thug," Oliver growled. "Let her go."
"You'll have to kill me," the leader sneered.
The Hood fired and the arrow went into the man's jugular. The man stumbled back in pained shock before falling over the railing. The Hood lowered his bow before looking over at Thea.
"Get out of here." He said and she didn't need to be told twice.
Lian Yu, five years ago
Night
Oliver stood up shakily as he stared down at the dead body as a radio went off.
"We're not alone on this island anymore. The question is where did they come from?" Slade asked concerned.
Unspecified location
Later
A man was watching a news report on The hoods attacking Verdant when Isabel Rochev walked in.
“Looks like your plan worked,” Isabel said and the man chuckled.
“My plan has just begun,” the man said as he eyed footage of them continuing to cause trouble.
Starling City Graveyard, next day
Morning
Oliver was standing in front of Quentin's grave, a look of sadness on his face when he heard someone behind him. Turning around, he smiled as he saw who it was.
"Hello Dinah," Oliver greeted, happy to see her.
"Ollie, hi," Dinah said and they hugged.
"You come here often?" Oliver asked as he pulled back.
"At least a few times a week," Dinah said as they turned to face the grave. "So, you've been busy."
"Isabel Roschev, other problems... I have a feeling that I'm going to be around here for a while," Oliver nodded.
Dinah grabbed his hand as Oliver held hers.
Verdant
Later
"So everything's good at the company?" Diggle asked and Oliver's smirk gave it away.
"And we're back in the vigilante business." Wendy said brightly but Oliver shook his head.
"I spent the last year trying to avenge my father. But if we're gonna do this, it has to be about…the city, not the list. I’m never going to stop going after the people on the list, but this city needs saving,” Oliver began.
"So what's next?" Wendy asked curiously.
"The City still needs saving, but I'm not a hero. I will never be." Oliver said conflicted. "A symbol…I like the sound of that."
"It's too bad the hoods kind of ruined your code name." Wendy told Oliver.
"No, it's good. I never liked that name anyway. I don't want to be called The Hood anymore." Oliver announced.
"So who are you?" Diggle asked.
Oliver paused before looking down at the arrow in his hand, clearly thinking.