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Chapter Text

THE GRANT GYM

A 7-year-old blonde girl with taped fists is punching a bag. One could call it a punching bag of sorts. She’s throwing haymakers. She’s clobbering the object. She’s showing it who’s boss! She gets a brilliant idea!

“I’m gonna kick it!”

Yeah, she’s gonna kick it. It’s so cool when they do it in the movies. So cool when the superheroes do it. Dinah gets in position and throws her leg in the air for that kick! Then…

…she falls

PLAM

“oww”

“Horrid, Dinah!”

The girl turns to see her mother of the same name walking towards “Sweetie, your delivery is all over the place”

“But I thought you just punch and make sure the other guy doesn’t punch you” she rubs her head while getting back to her feet

“That’s not fighting. Fighting is a lot more delicate than you might think. You have to keep your stance strong. Body at ease. Eyes clear. Your movements smooth. Even throwing a punch requires a lot more effort than you might think. It’s practically an art form in its own strange way”

“But I’ve seen you and Uncle Ted throw punches so quick. You don’t take your time-“

“That’s because practice, Dinah. With enough practice and quick thinking, your strikes will matter and will affect your opponent-“

“And look cool!” Dinah chimes in

“That too. If you want to properly learn” the elder Dinah sheds a gleeful smirk “Lets begin”

3 MONTHS LATER-GRANT GYM

In the same boxing ring, the young Dinah Lance is having a little sparing session with her father, Quentin Lance. Dinah Drake, watches her husband and daughter battle while drinking her bottle of water. She’s amused and almost reaching the point of being on the edge of her seat.

“Good girl. You’re improving your form. Though still sloppy in your delivery”

Dinah looks over to her mother to defend herself “Hey, I’m trying-“

Quentin takes advantage of her distraction, sweeping her legs and dropping her to the floor.

“Fantastic work, Quentin. You defeated a little girl” Dinah Drake enters the ring and kisses her husband in the cheek.

“EW” she remarks, as well to her defeat “No fair. He’s bigger than me” Dinah pointed extremely to her parents

Dinah Drake chuckles “Doesn’t matter how big your opponent is. You have to outwork the opponent. Be smarter and clever”

“Though being better helps” adds on Quentin “Now that that is over, now is the time we go visit Mr. Robert Queen”

“Oh, come on, dad! I don’t wanna go”

“You’ll thank me when we get out. There, we have some of the best archers in the city. Plus, Robert has a so-“

“UUUUGGGGHHHHHHHH” Dinah interrupts him with her grunt “Come on, I don’t wanna see discount Robin Hood’s. I wanna fight like mom and Uncle Ted!”

“Your mom does it for other reasons aside from looking cool! And you won’t do what she does. Now come on, young lady. I need you to be serious and proper”

“Aye aye, Officer” she salutes him

Starling Archery Range-The Archer’s of the City

Dinah and Quentin stroll along in the long fields of this sizeable range. Of this magnificent scope. Despite the grand scale of grass before her, she could care less about. Her father is the one who greatly admires the scope of the range.

Dinah Lance sees all of the archers of Starling City. Some impressive, almost hitting their targets. Some absolutely whiff, barely getting the arrow out of the string.

Eventually, Quentin and Dinah approach a man in a thousand-dollar suit.

“Robert Queen!” Quentin walks to Robert

“Quentin Lance!” now Robert is happy. The two shake hands, happy to see the other. “Glad you and your daughter could make it. Hello Dinah, Quentin tells me a lot about you”

“Hello, Mr. Queen” she says mildly interested “My dad says a lot about you, but I barely remember it”

Robert is caught off guard by Dinah’s blunt honesty and Quentin tries to hide his annoyance through laughter and gritted teeth

“She’s just joking. She does that”

“I see. Well certainly Dinah will remember this amazing archery! Look at the people here”

“Very on point” adds Quentin

“VERY on point” repeats Robert

“Some people suck here. I saw a guy earlier crying about his lame archery. We are the best archers at?”

“Right here!”

Confidently from the distance, entering their limits of visual perception. Enters a young blonde boy, holding a steel bow in his hand.

“Dinah Lance” steps forward Robert to be next to the boy “Meet Oliver Queen. The best archer here”

“Is he like your son?”

“Yeah I am. I’m also a great archer” Oliver points out

“Oh yeah? Prove it!”

Quentin is close to face palming at Dinah’s constant snark. Robert is not too pleased with it either.

The challenge has been made. Oliver, annoyed by this girl, looks to the Arrow Target far from them. He looks at Dinah, sticks his tongue out and now places his arrow to the string. With his stance and posture in place, he focuses. Archery takes precise focus. Concentration. Deep breaths, and…

THOCK

The arrow hit the center. He shot clean. In the first try. This little boy hit his target that quickly. He steers towards Dinah, who is not impressed.

“Oh yeah? Do it again!”

Oliver grunts. In a matter of seconds, he lets fly many arrows. He launches several strong shots. Each piercing the other arrow. All of them clean shots. Oliver looks over to see a now surprised Dinah.

“Whoa” utters the befuddled blonde girl

Quentin can’t believe a young man could have that good aim. Robert just smirks, already knowing his son’s talent. Dinah gets close to the target spot. Seeing all those arrows pierce one another. So precise. So rough.

“That…that’s gotta be rigged. This can’t be real” Oliver crosses his arms. Feeling superior “So cool” she says in a hushed tone

“Yeah, it is. What can you do?”

“What can I do?”

KICK

Without missing a beat, with one high kick, she kicks down the wooden target. Sending it to the ground. Well, that was the plan, instead, she falls again.

“Ugh” Dinah groans. Oliver snickers

“Really? That? That looks easy! I can do that even”

Oliver tosses his quiver and bow aside. Time to kick!...and he falls.

“HAHAHA” Dinah laughs at the fallen boy who glares at her “That was great” she tells him

Oliver gets back up and Dinah offers his quiver and bow back. He’s a bit taken aback by her act of sincerity considering she’s been naggy this entire time, yet he takes his arsenal back.

“Thanks. Maybe kicking is not easy as it looks

“Trust me I know”

“Who’s teaching you that?”

Dinah gets ready to answer but his father coughs, not wanting important information to leak.

“It was…some teachers. Kung Fu classes and stuff. That’s always the stuff I’ve been interested in”

“Okay. Well, I think you know what my stuff is”

“Robin Hood?”

“Hey, Robin Hood is cool. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise”

“I bet you have the entire collection”

“Mmmmmmm-I’m trying! But my dad tells me I need to spend my money better. “Son you can’t waste money all the time!””

“My dad’s the same! What if I want that big Justice Society poster? What if I want singing lessons? It’s what I want!"

Robert and Quentin see the two kids now somewhat getting along and they don’t quite understand.

“I…think they’re getting along now?” asks Robert

“I don’t understand kids these days” responds Quentin

Back to kid talk “So, your name is Oliver?”

“Yeah?”

“How about I call you Ollie instead? Rolls off the tongue better”

“Ollie? I like that. I like that! I have two names now! And you?”

“It’s Dinah”

“I’ll call you…“Dinah”!

“That’s…good!” she just accepts it “So I’m good at kicking and you with the sticks, wanna see who can run faster and reach the tree waaaaaaay over there?” she points over to the tree which is many feet away from them

“I’ll beat you!”

The kids laugh and run, ready to see who’s the faster of the two while enjoying the other one’s presence.

2 years later in the Starling City Country Club’s Tennis Court

With their tennis gear on and hats to protect them from the sun, young Dinah and Oliver raise their tennis rackets for the game.

“Batter up?” asks a confident Oliver

“Four?” says Dinah while preparing to swing the ball

She hits the ball and it goes to Oliver. Thus, he fails to hit. Now he hits the ball, and Dinah fails to catch. Now Oliver fails. Now Dinah fails. Rinse and repeat.

“This sucks!” rants Dinah “We don’t even know how to play and our parents tells us to play this “Just to learn?””

“They don’t want us around the golf course. And we can’t get inside yet.”

“Is there anything exciting inside the club?”

“Welllll” Oliver thinks up something good “There’s a small movie theater”

“You want to sneak in?”

Oliver shrugs and a Cheshire smile forms around Dinah’s face

INSIDE THE COUNTRY CLUB THEATER ROOM

One of the workers readjusts his tie, opening the door of the theater room after hearing some ruckus inside of it. He opens it up, much to his horror, to find Dinah and Oliver having made a mess of the place. Soda cans lying around, cotton candy stuck on the walls and the volume is high with the movie they’re watching, Bambi 2: The Revenge, playing. The boy is eating popcorn while the girl chows down on a pizza.

“I am calling your parents!” he howls out, leaving

“What’d he say?” asks Dinah looking over to Ollie

“There was a guy there-“

“IS THAT A KAREOKE MACHINE?!” Dinah stops Oliver, pointing at the machine that’s in the corner

“Now you notice?” Dinah rushes to it, marveling at it “Dinah, it’s just a stupid karaoke machine. I don’t get it” he got up, still eating his popcorn.

“Let’s use it! I wanna sing!”

Oliver sighs, throwing his popcorn to the floor. The two kids are able to set up the machine, with Dinah flicking through the songs to see which one she likes the most.

“Oo! This one!” she points to the song “Gone, then Stitched” she giggles as that’s a song she’s enjoyed for so long (one month) “Alright, Ollie! You ready to hear my astounding voice?” she turns around to see Oliver’s ear being pinched by his mother.
Dinah’s parents are also there with the worker from before also looking crossed. Dinah has only one way to defend herself “Karaoke machine?” she extends the microphone to the adults with a twitching smile on her face

OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTRY CLUB

Dinah and Oliver are getting a yelling and a lesson taught to them by their parents, but they can’t hear anything. Must be the sugar still coursing in their stomachs. They just smile at one another with a look that says “worth it”.

2 YEARS LATER- LANCE RESIDENCE

In Dinah’s room, the two sit on the floor with Dinah looking down pouty while Oliver casually drinks his soda of Kooba Cola.

“Congrats on the graduation, Lance” he cheers with his soda “I’d tip my hat but it’s in the closet”

“Graduation is not until 3 months”

“Still, congrats” Oliver notices her moodiness “Alright, what’s up with you? I thought we were gonna watch those B movies you keep talking about?”

“It’s just I can’t find the perfect school for Junior High. The one I wanted to go won’t accept me and the other ones don’t look too good”

“Hmm” thinks the blonde boy while brushing his chin that he hopes hold his future goatee “Go to my school”

“Your school? Doesn’t it cost…like a lot?”

“My parents will cover it. They love you. They’re finally happy I made a non-rich kid friend”

“Or one that doesn’t piss you off”

“Hey! That Luthor kid was a jerk. And I don’t even wanna meet Bruce whatever”

“Really expanding your horizons”

“Enough about me. Go to my school. My parents will cover it”

“I don’t think my parents will like that. Pride and stuff”

“Half of it. My parents will cover half of it”

“Mmmmm”

“Come on. Pleeeeeease?”

Oliver has now brought in the puppy eyes. Dinah is now trapped. She can’t look away. She can’t beat male puppy dog eyes “I can talk to them”

“Great!” Oliver smacks Dinah’s shoulder in exuberance. Not too pleased with the smack, she slaps back hard. “Oww” he rubs his shoulder

“But it’s gonna be hard getting in” remarks Dinah

7 MONTHS LATER- DENNIS ACADEMY

In their school uniforms, Oliver and Dinah enter the Academy.

“I’m still amazed at how easy I got in”

“Leverage” thinks Oliver “Isn’t it great? We’re finally in the same school. Took us long enough!” he says out loud

“Oliver!” a voice unfamiliar to Dinah belches out Oliver’s name

Ollie turns around to see his buddy, Tommy Merlyn “Tommy!”

The two high five, talking over one another leaving Dinah in the dust.

“Oh Tommy. Now that I have you here. I want you meet the grand Dinah Lance!” he presents her, with her waving at Tommy

“Dinah. The elusive Dinah. We finally meet” he extends, hoping for Dinah to take it and maybe give Dinah’s hand a kiss

“We have met. Twice actually”

“Yeah, but it was years ago” he wraps his arms around Ollie and Dinah “Now the three of us get to have lots of fun. Oh but before I forget, I gotta use the bathroom”

He leaves, leaving Dinah and Ollie alone again “What a guy” reflects Oliver with his fists on his hips

“It was months ago the last time we met” said by Dinah in utter confusion

“Don’t mind him. come on, we’re gonna be late for class”

A year and half later in the Lance Residence

Dinah is finishing up her homework on a Friday night while Oliver is watching a sports game on Tv.

“Come on! Let’s go Starling City Stars! I swear, if these guys lose again in hockey, I’m gonna throw this tv out” The young boy gets no response and looks puzzled at his friend “I don’t get it Dinah. The nights young and you’re here doing homework? That’s lame”

“I’m just being responsible. Also, my parents insist on it”

“Are you always gonna do what your parents say?”

“Are you gonna leave things, like homework, at the last minute?”

“I don’t!” he crosses his arms in defiance

Late Sunday Night

Dinah watches the tv in her PJs before her mother comes in with the phone “Honey, it’s your friend, Ollie”

Dinah picks up the phone “Hey rich dude, what is it?”

“Soooooooo-What’s the answers for the math assignment?!” he asks with worry

Dinah revels in this “What did I say about leaving things at the last minute”

“Okay blondie! Come on!”

“Ollieeeeee”

“Okay! It won’t happen again!”

4 YEARS LATER- ROBERT INFANTINO HIGH SCHOOL

Sitting on the trees, Dinah looks over her phone while Oliver finishes up his homework as fast as possible.

“Hey, D” Ollie asks Dinah while still writing “When did America found its independence”?

“Well-seriously, Ollie? Really?” she looks at him irked “1776”

STAR BRIDGE

With the moon glistening their faces, both are walking along, with Oliver overcome with superiority while Dinah looks at the ground.

“Seriously, Dinah. Thanks again for the help with homework. I aced it!”

“Hmm”

“Come on. It won’t happen again”

“Mmmm” she mmmm’s annoyed

“Okay, I’m sorry. I just-“ He rubs his head not knowing what to say while Dinah looks at him

“Ollie, I need you to focus. We have one more year together in school. With college coming up and us probably going to different colleges-”

“Hey, even if we go to different colleges, we’ll still be together. Nothing can separate us. We’re like two peas in a pod” She snickers “Okay, that was lame. Bottom line, we’re glued together. You’re my best friend, Dinah. Without you, I don’t know where I’d be. Helping me out a lot more than you should. Putting up with me when you didn’t have to. You’re the…well you’re awesome and-”

SMOOCH

She cuts him off. She cuts him off with a kiss. A kiss which catches him by surprise. A kiss he accepts. A kiss a long time in the making. The two separate and lock eyes.

“Finally!” he utters out loud

1 YEAR LATER- TINDER SMITH GARDEN ARENA

Graduation is at hand. Academic caps are thrown upwards and the future is looking bright for the youngsters. Dinah is hugging it out with her parents. Quentin especially tightens the embrace.

“Dad” Dinah warns her father “You’re crushing us”

“I can take it” responds Dinah Drake “I have for so long”

“Eww, mom! Please not now”

“Oh, pish posh, sweetie” Dinah Drake brushes it aside with Quentin letting go of his tight grip “Where’s Oliver? You should check up on him”

“I will, mom”

A couple of minutes go by and Dinah finds Oliver talking to Tommy. She hugs him from behind, tightening her embrace.

“Babe, come on! Don’t catch me by surprise” he playfully said while turning to meet eye to eye

“You don’t want surprises?”

“Maybe for later” the two kiss

Tommy clears his throat, feeling uneasy about it all “I’m still here”

“Buzz off, Tommy” the couple say together

“Great, now they’re talking at the same time”

Now alone (somewhat, people are still walking around) “So…you finally picked a good college?” asks Dinah

“Star City University” responded Oliver

“You serious? That’s the one I’m going”

“Yes. I wanna be close to you, Dinah. Like I said, nothing can separate us”

8 MONTHS LATER-STAR CITY UNIVERSITY-DINAH’s DORM ROOM

With her hair knotted in a nice bun and two pencils in it, Dinah is sitting in her desk chair as she’s reading through a book trying to stay awake. She might as well start having bags in her eyes considering she hasn’t slept that much in the past few days. A small stack of books is in front of her as she’s reading. All those books she also had to read. Behind her in her bed, her lover Oliver Queen twiddles with a pen, whistling.

“Babe” orders Dinah “I need you to stop. This assignment is kicking my ass”

“Come on, babe. It’s Valentines Night! Don’t you girls want to go out and, I don’t freaking know, be romantic and stuff? The new Tommy Wiseau Action movie is out and I heard it’s epic”

“We’ll watch it tomorrow, Ollie. I’m stuffed with homework. Freaking band practice. If it wasn’t for that I’d be finished and you’d be stuffing my face with pop-corn, cause my weak arms would be relaxing”

Oliver grumbles in annoyance

“Tomorrow. I pwomise” She looks away from her book to stare innocently at him

“Fine. I’ll let you be by yourself so you can stay focused”

He goes to her to give her a kiss goodbye and leaves the room. Oliver gets out his phone and calls Tommy.

“Dinah’s a no show…yeah I’m still going. I’m not gonna be a stiff like her”

THE BLIGHT NIGHTCLUB

The music is loud and the lights are blaring. Oliver is shaking a leg on the dance floor, along with the other frat boys and girls looking to have a good time this night. His shirt is pulled and Ollie sees Tommy.

“Thought I lost you for a second” comments Oliver

“Just went out to get some helpful guests for us”

Two women, one in tight jeans and sleeveless shirt and another with a white dress that shows a bit too much leg. Oliver goes with the latter and they all dance till they can’t dance no more.

THE PARKING LOT

After hours there, outside of the club, Tommy is pecking at his girl’s cheek while Oliver attempts to take a puff out of his cigar. His lighter won’t work for some reason, he just bought yesterday. He’s getting impatient at it feeling ripped off. Luckily, his date for the night has one of her own. He accepts the gesture and gets to have his smoke.

“Having a good time?” she asks

“Yep. Best one in a while”

“Is it because college? I know that feel”

“No, it’s not that. It’s my…friend” She points to Tommy who is now kissing his date.
“No, it’s another” he corrects her “She and I are like the…bestests of friends. Bosom buddies. Greatest of pals. But lately…she’s tiresome. I wanna hang out and she wants to remain in her dorm room and finish up homework or call her parents.
Anytime we do hang out, she tells “Oh Ollie don’t drink too much” “Oh Ollie we can’t stay up this long. Tomorrow we have classes” “Oh Ollie, that’s bad for your body””

Oliver takes a puff of his cigar “What a nagger” says his female companion

He releases the smoke from his breath “She can be”

“Sounds like you need new scenery”

“Maybe…I don’t know. Maybe not change the scenery, but see more than one, you know?”

“I think I do. Hey, wanna hear some of my tunes in my place?”

“Your place?”

“Well, my motel room. Just for the night”

Oliver throws his cigar to the floor “I can spare time for that”

THE MOTEL

Oliver and the lady enter, both of them looking at the other one with tremendous lust. They approach the bed, Oliver getting curious over what might happen.

“Hey, where’s those tunes you were talking about?”

She gets close to Mr. Queen. Placing her hands on his shoulders “See, you gotta help me with them”

“Do I?” Oliver goes along with her

“Yeah. I need proper direction. Firm direction”

“Strong and firm, right?”

“Very” she utters in a hush tone

Oliver feels it coursing down his body. Their eyes are shut and they squeeze each other. It’s gonna be a long night help for those tunes.

1 MONTH AGO-THE HIGHWAY

In her car with other vehicles honking their horn just because, Dinah is calling Oliver on the phone while driving, slightly crossed.

“What do you mean you can’t make it?”

NORTHGATES HOTEL

Oliver rests on his bed wearing nothing by his underwear “Sorry babe. I made a promise to my grandmother I would help her move”

“You could have told me that before”

“Sorry again. But with what’s going on with dad’s business and the stuff with him and my mom. It-it got complicated. I swear I’ll make it back when you get back”

Dinah pinches her nose “Fine”

“I’ll call you back later tonight. I don’t wanna stay too away from you”

“Alright, Ollie Queen. And you better call. I’ll be waiting” she sounds more engaged and less sour

“Don’t wait too long”

He throws a kiss to the phone and hangs up. He tosses his phone away at the floor to get a good view of the woman in front of him, who has on the most stunning of lingerie. She climbs in the bed and Oliver sits up.

“Maybe she does need to wait” He snickers and the woman gets ever closer

LANCE RESIDENCE

Dinah had a good evening with her parents. Felt nice being around them after being gone from them for a while. Late at night, as she rested on her bed looking outside at the stars, she hadn’t gotten that phone call Oliver promised.

“What’s taking him so long” she thinks to herself

After a couple of minutes she calls, but nothing. She tries again. Nothing. What’s going on?

The Brock Club
Oliver prances around on the dance floor with 2 beautiful women by his side. One pours him some Vodka while the other Brandy. He feels vibrations in his pocket. Ollie gets excited only to find out it’s his phone. Once he gets it out of his pocket, he groans when he sees its Dinah. He throws his head back, not wanting to answer. So, he ignores it and continues to party like it’s the 70’s.

1200 FACTORY

Tonight, is the night. The Singing Birds are done performing in the minor leagues. Done performing in low rent places. Now they’re performing in places slightly larger than that. It’s a good gig they think. They’re the hot opener and the band is excited.

All, except Dinah, who’s calling Oliver to see if he’ll show up. Nope. No response. After he told her days ago, he’d attend. Feels as though he isn’t around her anymore. Anytime she wants to set up something in her free time, he isn’t around. Anytime she makes free time, he isn’t around. What’s going on?

“Dammit Oliver” she mutters

“Hey” calls out Ditto, the drummer of the band “You ready? We start in 5 minutes”

“Right, right” Dinah rubs her head “I’ll be with you guys in a minute”

She looks back at her phone, nothing. Onstage, the curtains have been pulled and the Singing Birds are there. Dinah is front and center, with a mic in hand and an urge to sing her loudest. She is prepared, ready, but one look at the crowd, no sign of Oliver Queen.

“Motherf-“ it crosser her mind, but none of that anymore. Now it’s showtime. Tonight was supposed to be a big night and it’s going to stay that way. “Star City!” she shouts out loud “Are you ready to rock!”

“YEEAAAHHHH” The crowd roars

“Come on Singing Birds! Let’s kick it! ONE! AND A TWO. AND A THREE-“

The performance is had and the people seem to be enjoying them. It was a rocking night for the Dark Sirens and the attendees. However, not for Dinah. As much as she may enjoy singing and the attention this gives her band, Oliver, her boyfriend, wasn’t there.

Another occasion where he seems to duck her. Why has this been happening so much recently? Her bandmates and several crowd members walk up to her to congratulate her on the show, but she hears nothing. She gives them a small thanks and walks off.

“I can’t be feeling this way” Dinah thinks “This was supposed to be a good night. A great night. My first big show. And I feel nothing. I need clarity. I need clearness. I need-” her expression changes once she leaves the place “I need to give him a piece of my mind”

Star City University

In 1 am of the morning, Dinah storms the halls of the place. Anyone who passes by her minds their own business, seeing her peeved off appearance. She knocks the door of Oliver’s room.

“Hey Ollie, you missed the show! After you told me you’d be there!”

No response. She hits the door but no response whatsoever. She bleats. Annoyed at this, she kicks the doors of Oliver’s dorm room open, tired of his absence in her life. Once she steps in and turns on the lights, she sees what he did for the night; The lady in his bed wrapped around his naked body.

Seeing that sight before her very eyes makes Dinah want to gasp. Perchance to even cry as this was something she feared for so long. She knew Oliver lived a life of privilege but he treated her so kindly. It didn’t matter where their standing in the pecking order. Maybe he could have been different from the rest. She was wrong.

“YOU BASTARD” she yells out, waking him up.

“oh no” he worries brushing his eyes to see clearly

Dinah throws the one-night stand lady and her clothes out of the room. She closes the door and goes near Oliver, who tries to find space between the two after getting up from the bed.

“Babe. Baby”

“Don’t you pull that crap with me! You ignore me for months now! You sleep with some tramp! What’s wrong with you?!” she twitches her eyes, not wanting Oliver to see her cry. She doesn’t want to show any sign of weakness.

“Look, I’m sorry, okay? Didn’t mean to piss you off”

She can’t believe it “You’re sorry?” she goes near him, once more he tries to back off “You’re sorry?! You say that like that’s supposed to fix everything?”

“Sorry is a sorry” he shrugs

“You mother****r! You F****** pig!”

“Oh boy. Look Dinah, it all started with you”

“Me?!”

“Yeah. You kept studying and focusing on your music. I wanted to go out and you were busy. Anytime we did go out, you kept nagging at me. We’re in our college years and you don’t want to get wasted?”

“Oliver, I care about my damn education! I want to make something of my life! What about you, huh? Is getting intoxicated and arriving late to class really what you want to waste? Do you just want to waste your life?”

“My life is set. I have the money to prove it. All you need to do is be around me. Live a little”

“Be around you? What are you talking about?”

“I thought after college, we’d get married and just, I don’t know, be together. You really didn’t have to do all this studying. Marry me and you’re set”

“I am NOT going to depend on you, Oliver! I’m not gonna waste my life on only just being “Mrs. Queen””

Oliver rolls his eyes

“But you do depend on me. If it wasn’t for my parents, you wouldn’t have been accepted in these high price schools. I had my dad convince the dean from our High School to bring you in, even if he didn’t like middle class people like you.
Don’t act like you don’t already depend on me. And then you expect me to listen to your subpar band? Listen to your whatever music? It’d be better if you admitted you depended on me cause then you don’t have to depend of your crappy music”

Dinah’s reaching her boiling point. Her fists curl and her eyes bulge. She’s failed to keep her sorrow hidden. She doesn’t want to give Oliver the satisfaction of seeing her cry. Oliver views that Dinah might cry and turns around.

“Did-did you just turn your back on me?” speaks up a broken and bitter Dinah

“I did just that. Now how about you leave my room? I have a lot to think about this relationship”

Dinah is gob smacked at this. He’s the one who did the cheating and yet he’s the one who’s going to think about their relationship?

She furiously turns him back to her side and she kicks him with the biggest kick in the nuts that you have ever read in your life!

WWWWAAAAAMMMMM

The kick was so strong that the rooms in between this one might have heard it. It was as if a wrecking ball smacked the pavement of the street sidewalk. Oliver instantly groans, but after those first few seconds, he simply wheezes.

He holds his crotch, hoping they’re not broken. He falls to his knees, trying himself not to cry. Dinah looks at his pathetic state, not finished yet. She kicks him straight in the face, causing him to hit his head hard on the floor.

“I am going to do just that” she said to her now ex-boyfriend

Dinah walks out of the room, angered at this event. Plenty of anger, as well as heartbreak. Many of the students see her walking away, leaving little drops of her teardrops. She leaves the building, going to the outside. She runs, trying to find the farthest place away from all this. Dinah doesn’t want them to see her like this. She didn’t want to show weakness.

She…she wants to be alone.

Dinah Lance falls to the ground, and finally, away from it all, she allows herself to be vulnerable. She breaks down. Shedding tears at what should have been a good night. Why tonight? Just why?

In one single moment, she collects all the fury and grief she has now and lets it all out with one deafening scream. If you’re close by, deafening it was. It should have been a simple loud yell from a torn woman. Instead, from Dinah’s throat projects more than a scream. A scream that was supposed to be filled with misery and bile, instead projects an incredibly strong hypersonic sound.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

It’s released onto the woods. The yell was so loud it tore down or shattered the trees in front of Dinah.

Dinah is horrified by this occurrence. She’s seen this before. It’s from her past. What was once a scream she rooted for from afar is an object that scares her. She’s inherited the Canary Cry from her mother.

MONTHS LATER

The semester had finished up, Dinah Lance had gone back home, managed to secure a few gigs with the Dark Sirens and the people around her expect big things. Yes, opportunities are there, and her nights have become a lot lonelier.

Oliver Queen has been scoring average to bad grades. People aren’t expecting much of him and his nights, despite sleeping with many women, piling and boozing up as much as possible, his nights are awful.

THE PIER

Oliver is in the middle of a chat with his father, a chat he doesn’t want to have.

“How could you do that to Dinah?! She was the only good friend you ever had in your life!”

“Look, I didn’t mean it-“

“Oh shut up, Oliver! You keep making excuses! That’s all you ever do! Excuses and whine about how people don’t get you!”

“She’ll realiz-“

“She’ll realize nothing! NOTHING. The not rich lady is better off without you!”

As if Dinah’s absence already wounded him, hearing that from his father just piles it on.

“F*** YOU, DAD. F*** YOU. IF YOU’RE SO ANGRY WITH ME, WHY DO YOU KEEP ME AROUND? WHY ARE YOU STILL WITH MOM IF THINGS ARE BAD? YOU DON’T THINK I DON’T KNOW HOW BAD THINGS ARE? You know what? I’M BETTER OFF WITHOUT *YOU*”

He hangs up the phone and in his state of fury, he chucks the phone to the water. He bellows out a small yell before covering his eyes “Does he hate me?” he questions himself, trying not to cry.

Slowly, Tommy Merlyn approaches him “Hey…you okay, man?”

Oliver wipes away a small tear that was growing, refusing to let Tommy see him this way, and looks at his friend with confidence and swagger “Course I am, dude! Lets party!”

“Dude. I heard the yells, you sure you wanna hop in? Wanna talk or something?”

“Nah! The babes are in there, right?”

“Ughhh, yeah. Yeah!”

“Then let’s get started!”

Arms around their shoulders, the two rich boys enter the boat, called; the Queens Gambit.

IN THE SEAS ON THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT

Oliver, Tommy and the rest of their guests are having a hell of a time. Pills, booze, cocaine, pool party. This is just what they all wanted. Even if the rain and loud thunderstorm can be definitely heard by them. Everyone is laughing, everyone is drinking. Plenty are getting it on already. Oliver sees some of it in the jacuzzi.

“Come on, Jenky! Not now!”

“Ignore him, man!” orders Tommy “Get yourself one of them!”

He points to one of the girls outside the pool. Oliver gets out and takes a sip of his drink, ready to make his move.

TTHHHUUUUOOOOOMMMM
Then the boat moves. He brushes it off, but then…

TTHHHUUUUOOOOOMMMM

It makes another move, this one quakier then the last. It literally rocks the boat. Oliver grows fearful, not wanting to walk to that girl anymore. He stands still, hoping that the ship no longer does any sudden movement.

TTHHHUUUUOOOOOMMMM

Fat chance when a stormy night is occurring. The ship keeps up its rocky swings. Everyone in the ship holds onto something or someone. Panic is everywhere, including the captain. He tries his best steering but the constant shaking makes him fall to the nearest wall, hitting his head for a loop.

Oliver is whimpering, wanting this night to end already. He can barely see anything anymore with the rain obscuring his entire vision. He prays to any God to help him in this terrible situation.

In that moment, not holding to anything, he’s thrown overboard. Water surrounds him, filling his lungs. His screams are muted and are unnoticed. He does his best to swim back up, wanting to great area of air to breath. He manages to get back up, and he sees a horrid site.

“Oh God no”

The ship is now sinking, everyone is screaming for help and any type of rescue is dim. Seeing all this, he goes to the nearest piece of wood he can hold onto for safety. With the worst already nearby, Oliver closes his eyes.

“Please don’t let me die. Oh God” he cries “Oh God I don’t want to die!”

He almost can’t hear himself as the surrounding noise drown out everything. The young man wails. His pleas are unheard and everyone around him tries to find survival.

MORNING

On the shores, the ocean water comes and goes to the sand. Sometimes it brings shells, sometimes starfishes, other times it brings Oliver Queen. The man lands on the apparent island body first. His eyes are nearly stuck shut. He turns around because his mouth can taste to putrid sent of sand and tries to open them, but the agonizing glow of the sun blinds him. He covers his eyes with his hands and after many minutes, he’s able to open them better.

His attempts to stand up are also difficult. Oliver’s knees buckle and struggle to stand straight. He looks around the habitat. Sand, trees, bushes, coconuts…him. He turns back to see just the ocean. Nothing else. It’s just him. On an island. Alone. Nobody here with him. His knees buckle once more and lands on the itchy sand.

The ambition of leaving this island increases by the micro second. With that, Oliver hits the sand furiously.

“EEERRRRGGGHHHHH” he growls at this predicament. He gets on his knees and lets out his loudest, most deafening scream “AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH”

“what do I do?” he silently tells himself “what the hell do I do?”

Chapter Text

Oliver Queen is Dead!

The news reports this all over Starling City. Oliver, his friend Tommy Merlyn and a group of people went out on a boat to party. However, they went out on the worst night possible. It was a rainy and stormy night and the ship had sunken. Tommy and some of the people were found alive, but the captain and others had died, including Oliver Queen.

Dinah Lance sees all this news. In home, passing the streets, people discussing it when she’s drinking at a bar. The news that a childhood friend and ex-lover in Oliver had passed away. All she can really do…is to turn off the tv, keep walking and ignore the discussions. Oliver had betrayed her and she can never let that down.

LORD BYRON’S GARAGE

The Singing Birds have finished up practice, taking 5 to rest up “Nice digs, Byron” Dinah compliments the drummer of the band’s garage “Improved headquarters over Ditto’s place”

“My mom had it with you guys!” guitarist defends herself “You’re louder when hanging out than when we’re playing”

While the bandmates converse, Dinah is on the outside. She touches her throat. Still the night where she let out a Canary Cry worries her. It didn’t happen now, thank Presence, but it could still happen again. She doesn’t want this to come out now when her band is at least getting some small attention. Why now?

“Why no-“

KKKRRAASSHHH

Just 10 feet away from the blonde, startling her to a considerable level. She sees for herself a form of being she hasn’t seen before her very eyes in a long while. She sees a supervillain! An odd one at that as the villain is decked out in a classic purple wizard outfit. The villain himself gets up of his hole, stumbling as the crash left him in a loop.

“my freaking head” he looks over to see Dinah, and her bandmates who peek over in the corner not wanting to let their whereabouts known as what’s going could be dangerous for them “YOU. You dare let your eyes upon me, you jezebel?!”

Unimpressed, Dinah comments “You look like-“

“The Wizard!”

“The Wizard?!” Dinah remembers the Wizard. An old school JSA villain they fought. She even remembers the time her mother kicked him so hard in the mouth when his wand was taken away by Starman, that his jaw was wired shut for a year given the hit.

“Yes! I am his son! And I come here to reclaim my fathers lega-“

KRRRAASHHHH

Now shows up an even worse sight. An ape of a man is behind the Wizard Jr. and grabs him by the throat “please not again” the Wizard Jr. pleads

“Nah! Battalion doesn’t let criminals get away”

He tosses the villain right inside the garage The Singing Birds were rehearsing

“What the hell?!” Dinah remarks

“Step back, blondie. I’m here to save you”

Battalion charges straight ahead. The Wizard Jr. holds his head, already knowing he has a concussion. It gets worse when he’s hit like a battery ram. Battalion charged right at the wall, breaking it, but finally defeating the Wizard Jr.

“You ******* ****” yells out Paloma, the keyboardist of the band “You just wrecked our equipment You wrecked my friend’s house”

“Back off, lady. I was trying to stop a villain. Be grateful I was here. I’m a hero after all”

Dismayed, Dinah squares up to the DEO Agent “I’d be more grateful if you didn’t make a mess of the place. I remember a time when heroes didn’t try to wreck public property…not intentionally”

“Ha!” laughs Battalion “Get real, you losers. You need people like me. Or else you’re screwed. Now clean up the mess”

The DEO Agent walks away, with the Wizard Jr. in his clutches. The Singing Birds look over the mess, already panicking as this equipment costs money. Dinah too worries, but as if she wasn’t already angry, a heavy amount of rage courses through her veins. She’s seen this happened other times on the streets. She’s seen this after or even during rock concerts she attends. When will the people of the DEO open their eyes to their own behavior? When will this end?

ONE DAY LATER-THE LANCE RESIDENCE

Downstairs in the garage, Dinah fiddles with the guitar, checking to see if its strings are in place and if it sounds good. She doesn’t play the guitar for her band, but she still enjoys playing around with it. Now walks Dinah Drake, her mother, to check up on her.

“Hey, hon” she says in a positive demeanor, but Dinah still strings her instrument with focus “Are you attending the funeral?”

No response

“Did you know that the funeral is today?”

“I know”

“You do?”

“I’m not going”

Dinah Drake wants to respond, but she knows why. She knows her daughter needs some distance given all that happened. She just leaves, leaving her daughter alone with the guitar.

THE EXPRESS BAR

After all day in the basement Dinah enters the place, wanting to get out of the house. She spent all day playing with the guitar and thinking of song lyrics for her bands next song. Now it’s time to clear her head. Just relax. She takes a seat on the counter with the bartender ready to take her order.

“One lemon rye” she orders and he goes to prepare it

Dinah taps on the table, amusing herself a bit, but not enough. She then hears moaning from the guy next to her who lays his head on the table. She taps harder but his moans grow. Dinah looks over to see what’s up with the guy, who switches his head placement.

GASP

The blonde woman is surprised to see it’s Robert Queen, Oliver’s father. Her drink arrives and she immediately begins drinking it. She tilts her seat to the other side, hoping Robert doesn’t see her. He opens his eyes, groaning at waking up.

“You okay, buddy?” asks the bartender

“yeah” he weakly says, paying his tab and stumbling to remain on his two feet.

Dinah sees his struggle, feeling bad for him, but this doesn’t involve her. She doesn’t want to be around them “No more Queens” she says to herself in her mind

Robert is close to the exit door, but he falls to the floor. Dinah feels for him, but all she wants is a drink. Nothing more. No helping anyone tonight. Then Robert snivels. He holds his eyes, trying not to blubber. Losing his son has taken a toll on him, as it would any father.

Not wanting him to be alone, Dinah leaves her seat and attends the man “Hey buddy, let me help”

“whuzza-whaza-“ he gets a good look of the person helping him “di-di-dinah!”

“Hey, Mr. Queen” she tries her best to sound genuine

“Dinah” first time he’s felt good tonight “it’s so good to see you. I haven’t seen-seen you in so long”

He gets back up on his feet, though Dinah still assists him “Wanna head out?” asks Dinah

“In a moment. I just…I just need a seat, please”

Dinah understands and takes them to the table near them that was empty. They take their seats and Robert clears his throat.

“You look good, Dinah. It’s nice to see a friendly face”

“Right back at ya. Though you could use a shower”

Robert chuckles “Yeah. The liquor breath doesn’t help”

“If I had a mint, I’d give it to you”

“I appreciate that” the two chuckle a bit. After that, Robert gets serious “Dinah…I’m sorry over what happened with Oliver. The way he treated you. betrayed you-”

“No, Mr. Queen. Oliver is responsible for his own mistakes. You were nothing but a good father, trying to instill good moral values into a son with privilege”

Robert is caught off guard by the comment “I…I could have done more. I was living with him. and yet I didn’t persuade to continue archery. Instead, I allowed him to give up and still hang around with other privileged kids who didn’t know any better. I should have been a better father. Just…a better man. My final conversation with him…he told…he told me he’s better off without me”

Robert sniff’s, holding his head down.

“I-“

“That was the last time I spoke to my son. I can’t even comprehend how he was in college”

The two lock eyes, both looking crestfallen.

“Last time we spoke, we broke up. I even kicked him. Anytime I saw him around, I looked the other way. Looking at him was like looking at a decaying building. He just didn’t care anymore. He looked like he was constantly on benders. He wasn’t the man who was my friend. He wasn’t the man I loved”

Dinah’s hand was on the middle of the table. Robert touches it, comforting the woman trying to hold back anger and sadness. Words aren’t exchanged anymore. They looked at anything but the other. Hearing only the chatter around them. After a minute, Robert breaks the air.

“How-how are your parents?”

“Oh-them? They’re good. My Dad made Captain. Mom’s plant shop is still going strong. As strong as a plant shop can be sustained with this economy. Hey, how’s Moira?”

Robert smiles “She? Okay. But about your father. It’s about time. I haven’t spoken to your old man since you went to college”

“Why’s that?”

“Just…sometimes people drift apart. Sometimes it isn’t all just some big confrontation or goodbye were your friendship ends. Things just end. To think we knew each other since high school”

“Wait, you two know each other that long ago?”

“Yeah. We were even in the same band”

“What?!” Dinah almost got up from her seat “My dad and you…rocked out?!”

“Hey, we were two youngsters looking to have a good time. We were pretty groovy even. In fact, we were the Groovy Parks”

“…” says Dinah

“Yeah…yeah that name. Park City is where we were living at the time. We thought it was a good name”

Dinah is this close to splitting her hair “Why didn’t he tell me?!”

“Maybe to hide the awful mullet he had back then”

“Well that’s to be expected. But a band? Next thing you’ll tell me my mom was in it”

Robert holds his mouth to contain some laughter

“Oh my God!” almost the entire bar looked at her after he disbelieving shout “This is too much!”

“She was in it for a while. They got closer and eventually the band split up. Then I made my fortune in Starling City, met Moira and married her. Your parents came here and you two eventually were born”

“I always thought you two were only friends because you invested in the police”

“That I did. But my friendship with your father was more than that. He’s why I invested. I wanted Starling City protected. And it…” he sighs, then hold his head as some of the alcohol is still having an effect

“Alright, let’s get you out of here, Mr. Queen. Let’s take you home”

She assists him out, leaving the place. Once they leave, a gang of about 5 men also exit. Dinah and Robert approach Dinah’s car. Dinah opens the door for Robert, as he holds his head.

“Good car, lady” Dinah looks ahead to see a man with golden teeth walking up to her, flanked by 4 other men “Helping Gramps here?”

“Actually, I was. If you want the car, I can’t give it to you. it’s my precious”

“Too bad. I want it” he snickers

Dinah has Robert enter the car and she walks up the main guy “Well you can’t have it. Now piss off. The sort of drunk man is much better company right now”

She turns her back on him and she enters her vehicle. Insulted by her ignoring of him, he grabs a hold to her…posterior. Instant rage button, as she elbows him in the nose.

WHAM

“MY NOSE. YOU F****** B****”

She smirks at his anger. The man and his goonies are ready to assault. Now getting down to business. She touches her throat, should she do it? Use the sonic scream she found out she possessed at the night her and Oliver broke up? Using her fists won’t be enough, maybe the scream can help.

BAAFFF

Suddenly, the one from behind is bashed in the head with a hockey stick, falling to the floor. The crew turns to see a man in a hockey mask, camo pants and jersey.

“What the hell are you, idiot?” asks the main guy

“Wild Dog, idiot!”

He proceeds the bash the head of the member charging at him. Wild Dog fights 4 of the crew with his weapon. The leader takes out his knife, but Dinah disarms him, taking down his weapon. She tosses him to Wild Dog, who hits him with his hockey square in the face.

WWHAAAMMM

The gang rives of the floor, groaning in misery. Dinah approaches Wild Dog, nodding to the work done.

“Not bad…hero?”

“Heh. I guess. I’m no Flash or Starman, but this’ll do-”

“HANDS IN THE AIR”

The light of a helicopter shines on Dinah and Wild Dog, who cover their eyes as it blinds them. In the ground, a man and a woman decked out in a black and grey uniform approach the two.

“Wild Dog, the DEO have heard of your escapades this past week. You are in violation of the Ban of Supers and Vigilantes. You are under arrest”

“Arrest me? Screw you!”

Wild Dog runs off but the woman pulls her gun out. Dinah runs at her to stop, but the man gets in her way, stopping her. The woman shoots Wild Dog in the leg, causing him to fall.

Minutes later and Wild Dog is unmasked and arrested. Dinah and Robert see all of this in the car just a few feet away, disappointed. Dinah drives off, dejected at this scene. She doesn’t want to be here anymore. Too much of an abhorrence for her.

With the two now driving through the street, silence is around them. They haven’t said a word since they left the bar. Dinah stares straight ahead while Robert twiddles his thumbs.

“I miss heroes” Dinah takes a quick look at Robert before looking ahead again “Real heroes, you know? The Justice Society. Best heroes ever if you ask me. Green Lantern, Flash, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Wildcat, Blue Beetle, Liberty Belle. All of them. Stopping group like the Injustice Gang. Spreading hope everywhere they went”

Dinah chuckles “Yeah”

“It was because of them that I decided that I wanted to do good with my money” Robert inhales and exhales “I wasn’t always a good man, Dinah. I used my money to take out the little guy. Created businesses that take out small businesses. Drove away people from their homes. I…hurt a lot of people”

“I know” Dinah is already getting tired of his regrets, it’s something she always knew but wanted to ignore

“No. Not just the way I used my money. I…helped bad people, Dinah. Helped them hurt people”

Dinah was faintly blocking out Robert by this point, but now she’s listening again.

“I gave money to the wrong people. And those people…killed better people”

Dinah wants to say something, but she stays quiet. She bites her lip and lets Robert continue.

“I at least faced some recompense. Black Canary, Wildcat and the Sandman found out about the operation and put me in jail. During my stay, those same 3 went up to me and called me out on my behavior. Told me to straighten myself out. If not for myself, at least for my family.

I managed to get parole and retain my money. After that, I used my money to help people. Help the little guy. Employ them and give help to small businesses. Moira and the shareholders were annoyed that I was blowing money away. Spending too much, but I didn’t care. I was helping my city. Because of those heroes, I made a change in my life. I wanted to do the same for Oliver. It’s why I urged him to take up archery because he seemed to enjoy it”

“He was so good at it” comments Dinah “Looked so cute”

Robert snickers “Looked like a hero in my opinion” Robert takes a breath “If they could inspire change in me, they could inspire change to so many more. It’s why I fought tooth and nails to abolish the Ban on Supers and Vigilantes. I knew a government organization in the DEO, being the only force outside of local law enforcement, battling crime would be problematic. But my attempts went nowhere. Now DEO controls all costumed individuals and super powers”

“It sucks, I know”

“Want to know something ironic? Tonight’s encounter is a dejavu” Dinah raises her eye in confusion “Earlier this year, when I got out of work, in the parking lot, I was accosted by a gang so similar like the one we encountered. Out of the shadows came “The Rainbow Defender!””

“Seriously?” a slight laugh leaves her mouth

“Even the costume is what you would think, but once the Rainbow Defender saved me, he was cordial. He asked if I was alright, if I needed assistance. Even fixed my tie and made sure I left the premises unscathed. Before leaving, I thanked him and hoped to see him again.

Very next day, I read the news that he was arrested by the DEO. Even saw a photo of him with a black eye and bloody mouth. He looked so young, younger than even you”

“That’s awful”

“Found out the person he was stopping that day was never arrested. He robbed a Ma and Pa store. Almost killed the owners. These p***** in the DEO were more concerned with the masked vigilante than the actual criminal.

I miss heroes. Real heroes. Not the people who put on costumes for the DEO. The idiots who work for the DEO. All they do is cause problems. Wreck the place like villains do. This new hero, Battalion, stopped the son of the original Icicle. Their fight caused property damage and killed a family. Battalion, the hero that the DEO calls, didn’t even care.

I know asking help for costumed people is ridiculous, but they have an honor to them that the DEO does not have. They do not go into situations simply putting the bad guy down. They can steer them down a better path, not toss them in jail and throw the key away.

We need that back. people can call me foolish, but it’s the truth. We need real heroes back, not these government sponsored ones. Where are our heroes? Where are our heroes?!”

His rant blares her ears as much as the noises outside. After his diatribe, Robert remained quiet in his seat. Silently whimpering to himself while Dinah kept her eyes on the road. She drops him off on Queen Manor, still listening to his cries.

LANCE RESIDENCE

Dinah walks downstairs, looking over at her guitar and notes. She should read them but she doesn’t care. She disregards them to walk to a brick wall. It may seem like a simple brick wall, but she knows it’s no ordinary wall. She crouches down and says…

“1947”

Suddenly, the wall opens, splitting in two. Deep within it is something the young Dinah hasn’t gazed at in a vast period of time. Inside, it reveals a costume inside a plate of glass. The costume of “The Black Canary”. Dinah takes a good look at it, it’s the costume her mother used back in the day.

During the 1970’s, Dinah Drake fought crime in Park City, later traveling to Starling City, as the Black Canary. Her accomplishments were so impressive that she was heralded by many as the best hero around, though some men objected. She found herself alongside other heroes and together, they founded the Justice Society.

During all of that, she dated and married Detective Lance and they eventually sired a baby. Sadly, for the 1990’s, Dinah Drake was forced into retirement with the Ban of Supers and Vigilantes. Now she lives a quiet life in Starling City.

In one of her earliest memories, Dinah in her room window, saw her mother put on her domino mask and head out alongside Hourman and Green Lantern. She saw her mother and Wildcat take down Tigress and Sportsmaster in a stadium where a baseball game was taken place. The young girl could even remember putting on Sandman and Doctor Mid Nite’s mask for funsies at home. She could remember having Hawkman and Hawkwoman for dinner.

She could remember her mother arguing with her father about the law that was going to force her into retirement. She could remember her mother crying while Doctor Fate comforted her. She could remember her mother’s sadness having to put that costume away for the final time.

That costume, the Black Canary as a whole, meant so much to so many. Superheroes meant so much to so many. Now the idea of the hero has been tainted. Superheroes are meant to be so much more. Help any situation, not be constrained by the limits of a government that is neglectful. Fight all evil. Inspire a better day.

And that…is not what Dinah Lance wants to do. She closes the doors of the wall. She goes upstairs, takes a shower and goes to bed at 1 am.

She tucks herself comfortably and awaits to be knocked out to the sleep. The week has been rough and it’s time to rest. Now is resting time and hope the morning brings something better.

…

That doesn’t work, in fact, she’s not that sleepy. She turns her head and keeps her eyes shut. Nope, still awake. How about if she turns to the other side? Nah, still not yet unconscious. She sleeps with her face buried in her pillow, but that makes it worse. She grabs her clock and it’s 2:30 am.

“What the f***?!”

She can’t go to sleep. She keeps thinking about her interactions with Robert Queen, the Black Canary and even…Oliver. She remembers when he stopped practicing archery. Didn’t even have a good explanation for leaving it. Dinah, however, kept with learning basic levels of combat with her mother to defend herself. Still, she keeps herself in shape, but she’s forgotten her past lessons. She’s lost a few steps.

“Steps I don’t want to lose”

Dinah opens her eyes and leaves the bed. With a tank top, pajama shorts and flip flops on, she leaves her home, ready to go where she needs to be if she wants to remember her past fighting lessons. No more waiting, this moment is too important.

Now she halts outside of her home, prepared to walk out on the streets and meet her destined location.

“The f*** am I doing? It’s night, I’ll do it in the morning”

The very next morning at Grant’s Gym

Ted Grant leaves his ring and takes off his gloves. He aims to pick up his water bottle but the door of his gym is opened. Enters a prepared and determined Dinah Lance.

“Hey Uncle Ted. You finished for the day?”

“Finished? Heh, I got started”

The two smile and enter the ring. A long day’s work has started.

Over the next 2 years, Dinah has been making time for Ted Grant. Using up all her free time to train. Even spending nights there, much to her parent’s irritancy.

Even her bandmates irritancy. While drinking water from a bottle, Ted overhears Dinah’s phone call.

“Sorry…tell the others I can’t make it. I’m helping my uncle…he’s got a bad back problem”

Dinah finishes the call a couple of minutes later and Ted is there standing once she turns around.

“Canceling band practice?” he asks

“For another, more important practice. And it’s not so much canceling, we have a sub in for me” she defends herself

“Dinah, sweetie, this is the third time you’ve canceled. Don’t you think your band is just as important?”

“It is, it’s just-just I wanna do this. Now!”

“I thought you liked singing”

“I do. But I wanna be with you now. I wanna be learning. I need this, Ted. Please”

“Ugh” he groans “Fine”

She hugs him, but he ain’t going soft. Before and after this, she’s put through the ringer by Ted Grant.

Starting with boxing, to what Dinah really wanted to learn; Capoeira, Hapkido, Krav Maga, and Muay Thai. She was taught all this in the Grant Gym or even outside of Starling City. Both traveled to different places of the world. Japan, Thailand, Brazil and the United Kingdom. There, Dinah would spare with some of the best fighters Ted met throughout his time as a hero.

So many styles Ted Grant knows. Styles he used as the stubborn and willful; Wildcat!

Ted Grant was once the Heavyweight Boxing Champion. A celebrity in his sport. But a disagreement came with his managers and he was framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Ted Grant became the Wildcat to prove his innocence. And once he accomplished that, he remained a hero, helping those were threatened by those who aimed to harm them.

Ted and Dinah’s mother, the original Black Canary, Dinah Drake, were close, like siblings. They both shared a common bond, being the normies in a team filled with people who are faster than the human eye or can bench press a mountain or be God’s Right Hand of Justice (that’s a story for another day).

They teamed up frequently, always having each other’s back. Ted was even one of Dinah’s bridesmaids for her wedding, much to the JSA’s amusement and Ted’s annoyance.

Even after they retired, they still remained close and Ted was always going to be help the Lance Family. Now Dinah is here and Ted is more than accommodating to help.

Even before training with him, Dinah could tell that Ted was the one angriest at retiring. From up in her room, after she went out with Oliver for Karaoke Night at his home, she could hear Ted Grant yelling to his mother about the Ban. She could remember all his rants to his fellow teammates about the situation.

Maybe Ted is training to Dinah, knowing all her frustrations recently. Maybe he’s training her so that she can continue what the old generation started.

Regardless, Ted has been a big help and it was nice to spend time with him, given she’s been away to college.

One day at the Grant Gym, Dinah is ready for the next important lesson; meditation!

“Meditation?” asks a befuddled Dinah

“Yes. Meditation” responds Ted

“Come on, Ted! We spend all this time doing flips and kicks and fists and…skips. We gotta do something so cliché?”

“You have to treat your body like a temple. Mind clear. Everything must be centered”

KICK

In that moment, the doors of the Gym are opened. There stands Dinah Drake, crossing her arms, looking at her daughter and former teammate. Dinah and Ted look over, surprised at Dinah.

“Dinah!” Speaks up Ted while the younger Dinah is muted “Look…we were just planning on meditating”

…

“Okay, that’s a half lie. But the other half is true”

The older woman sighs “You were never good at it. Let me show my daughter proper meditation”

Dinah Lance perks up, her mother is going to help while Ted is relieved, he won’t get a yelling.

With having THE Black Canary around, Dinah gets even more harsher training. With her mother now involved, add on that Ted is still there and their old ways of thinking and training, things are increasing in the rougher and tougher department.

YEAR 3 AT THE DUMP

Dinah riffles through a folder of papers she has on her hands. It’s ideas she has for a song for the Singing Birds. She may want to train but she still has a band.

“Don’t step. Don’t step. Don’t step to me. I’ll brea-NO” she crumbles the page “Sisters and mothers. I plan to-NO” she crumbles another page “When heroes depart, they leave dreams in their-NO!” she smacks herself with the remaining papers in the forehead “Why can’t I think up some good lyrics?! How have I gotten so lazy? Ughhhhh”

With this frustration, she looks over to a couch near her and wanting to release some anger, she rushes at it.

KICK

“AAHHHH” not the best idea. Now her foot hurts “Son of a mother-AAHHHH-“

Suddenly, her voice gushes. As if the great heavens from above are readying itself for an opening. A stream of sonic energy is released.

“EEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA”

The Canary Cry is unleashed. And with it, half of the dumpster is opened wide. Dinah sees for herself when her eyes are opened to see the mess she made on the already existing mess. The Canary Cry is back. she thought it was a fluke but now it’s back.

How? How can it be back? she questions, almost to the point of hyperventilating. She stops herself and leaves the dump, running away from the people that might approach the area to see what happened. Or run away from this dreadful reminder.

THE GRANT GYM

While Dinah is having breakfast, eating oatmeal, she looks across to see her mother with an escrima stick. Dinah is puzzled by it, only for Dinah Drake to launch at her with the stick.

“Eeep!’

Dinah utters in fear, getting out of her wooden chair before she can get hit. Dinah is able to dodge the first couple of shots of DD, only for the older woman to get lucky with the third one, hitting Dinah in the mid-section. Dinah holds her stomach due to the pain, only to get kicked in it and launched to the fridge.

She grumbles in suffering. Things get worse when her mother stomps on her for good measure. Once the battle settles, Dinah can only look up from the floor to see her mom eating her food.

“When…sensei” Dinah Drake is enjoying the oatmeal “taught me, this is one of the…things he would do-This is good oatmeal” she takes a pause to eat some of it “Bottom line, be prepared at breakfast. Be prepared everywere. You’re not safe. Even when sleeping”

Dinah Drake walks off, leaving her daughter alone on the floor.

Having her mom around definitely helped, but also made things worrisome. Especially when they had to lie to Quentin about their whereabouts. It wasn’t a secret Dinah was comfortable keeping, but her mom made her keep it.

While a strict teacher, Dinah Drake is still a mother and she made sure her daughter kept up her studies in college, considering some of her grades have been on the slump and so has her band.

YEAR 4 at the Lance Residence

While washing the dishes, DD talks to Dinah about her band “Come on, mom! I thought we were learning a new style”

“You will. But first you have to perform with your band”

“The Singing Birds are alright”

“Are they? Ted tells me you keep skipping practices with them. And when you do perform, your singing is “all off”. There seems to be a miscommunication”

“My band…” Dinah keeps her mouth shut, realizing she has no good response

“You’re in college to study music. You have your own band. Don’t let it go to waste because you wanna fight crime”

“I-“

“Don’t let this be your only life. You need more in life. Kicking bad guys in the face is fun and all, but it’s not worth it unless you have something to go back to when you’re home”

“Yes, mom” she begrudgingly says

“Don’t be like that” DD rubs her daughters’ shoulder “I’m just looking out for you. I don’t want you wasting your life. I want to see you on the stage, graduate, actually have a life outside of the “side job”

Dinah smiles. Sure, she wants to train and follow in her mom’s footsteps, but for part of her life, she wanted to be on stage. Sing and travel. Now that it’s right in front she’s going to pass it up? She won’t let that decay like a corpse.

And yet despite her flawless skin, it crawls thanks to the secret she’s kept bottled up for years now. That fateful night when she released the Canary Cry. Now that her mother has a hands-on approach with her training, it’s best she knew about the situation. She has something inside of her that she wants to reveal and feels like it’s only useful for the line of work of fighting crime.

“Now please finish here” said DD, wiping her hands clean “the new Neil Breen movie is coming on TV and I don’t wanna miss it”

“Mom, wait!” DD hastily turns to Dinah given the raised voice of her words

Dinah touches her throat “There’s a reason why I haven’t been as into music as I was before. And it’s not just the wanting to be a hero”

DD notices her daughter holding her throat. Her eyes light up. She knows.

2 weeks later- Subbasement Training Room

Deep beneath it, around Dinah Lance are floating spheres. She releases the Canary Cry on them, instantly blowing them up. One tries to blast her. She’s able to see the blast and dodge, once more using the Canary, destroying it.

In another room watching this, Dinah Drake is impressed by how well Dinah seems to be adapting to her new power. She winces when Dinah gets blasted in the stomach, but she responds with a Canary Cry.

BOOM

“She’s getting the hang of it. Faster than you did” someone next to DD sarcastically comments

“Why must you make me feel inferior, Terry Sloane?” DD playfully retorts

Terry Sloane, the former Mister Terrific. An Olympic-level athlete, former JSA member and one of the smartest men on Earth.

“You and Ted really have her battle ready. She’s good for a girl with only 4 years of proper training”

“She’s like a sponge, Terry. She sucked up all the information quickly. Still needs refinement, but she’s almost perfect”

Terry smiles at the information, but something is gnawing at him. A feeling of uncertainty. A feeling that he feels Dinah has to be clued on “Dinah…are you sure?”

“Sure? Sure, about what?”

“About…having your own daughter become a vigilante? Fighting crime? Is that what you envisioned?”

“Dinah chose this line of work and I’m helping her”

“It’s just with the Ban of Supers and the DEO already being ruthless. Dinah, your daughter won’t just possibly be stopped. They’ll keep her behind bars, without trial, maybe forever. You know they’ve done that before with any young person that wanted to be a hero. I know you and Ted took retirement-“

“Look, Terry, I know what I’m doing!” DD raises her voice, now meeting Terry eye to eye “My daughter will know what to do. Nothing will stop her. The DEO won’t stop her. She’s gonna be a better hero than me some day. I just know it. Look at the way she moves. She’s getting a better handling of this in her first few years of training than I did. She’ll be fine”

Terry just looks worried. Dinah Drake may be a friend of his, but he knows she can be stubborn. He’s worried for what may happen to the young woman in training. Is her being the new hero around the block the way to go? Should Dinah Drake risk her daughter’s life like that?

At the end, Terry remains quiet. He’ll reserve judgment. He’ll go along with this.

22 minutes later:

Dinah Lance is downing her bottle of water while leaning her back on the wall. Today was quite the training session. Her mother enters, patting her on the back.

“Good job, kiddo. Only a few blasts hit you”

“Still hurts”

“That’s part of the process. Cuts, bruises, blasters hitting you on all sides. Hurts like hell, but it helps mold you. Soon, an ordinary punch will be like a leaf from a tree grazing you in the face. No criminal is gonna stop you”

“And if my fists don’t work, then let my Canary Cry do the job when they’re in front of me. In fact, with only this power, why even-“

“No” DD directly lays it down

“No?”

“You won’t use the Canary Cry on someone who’s in close proximity of you”

Dinah is caught off guard by how suddenly serious her mother was “Why not?!”

“Unless they have super strength or their body is resistant, you’ll kill them. And heroes don’t kill”

“But what if they come at me too hard? What if they have guns? Knives?”

“That’s why you’ve been learning how to fight. That’s what we’ve been teaching you. I know having a superpower now can be useful, but you can’t abuse it. Even heroes with powers didn’t solely rely on them. You don’t just punch a problem. You assess it. You work sharp, not hard. Remember, that”

Dinah wants to speak up. Why can’t she use her superpower most of the time? But she has been training for years now. Learning a vast variety of fighting styles. Can’t let them go to waste.

“Yes, ma’am”

“Now, about your band? Don’t you think I’ve forgotten about that”

Dinah sighs, not wanting to discuss music with her mother.

Year 5 at the Pulpstep Arena

The Singing Birds had performed in a not packed Arena. Backstage after their performance, Dinah had cleaned herself up and went to drink some water, only to be hugged tight and picked up by DD.

“You did great honey!”

“Thanks mom” she lets out while being crushed

“I knew you would do great” she puts Dinah down “I can’t help but take some credit. I persuaded you to continue your musical stylings and here you are killing it in the main event of the Pulpstep Arena! Though next time make sure to smash a guitar, it’s what we did back in our day”

“Mom, we were the opening act. Plus, I think I heard some people yell that we sucked”

“Ignore the hikikomori’s, tonight is your night! As well as the next, cause it’s time we gave you “the present””

“Wouldn’t it make more sense for it to be this tonight?”

“Yeah, but you have to hang out with the band. You have to celebrate and maybe get in a fight and get intoxicated and-”

“I get it, mom. Thanks for coming. It meant a lot seeing you. Hey, where’s Dad?”

“Stopping a fight outside with the band that came after you. Take care, sweetie”

Dinah smiles as the door is shut. Tonight, was good. Tonight, will continue to be good. Tonight, she will drink!

THE GRANT GYM

Dinah enters the place as her mother and Ted Grant are already there, standing next to a glass display wrapped in a blanket.

“Alright, Dinah Lance!” bellows out DD “You’ve been training hard for these last 5 years. Hell, you’ve been training since you were a kid. But now your training has been perfected, thanks to me”

“COUGH COUGH” Ted coughs

“And Ted too of course, might as well thank him. Now that you are more refined. Now that you went to the proper places to hone your craft. We have decided that you are ready. The time has come to pass the mantle. To continue a legacy while crafting one of your own”

Ted pulls down the blanket, revealing what’s inside, much to Dinah’s astonishment.

Inside the glass display, it’s…it’s…IT’S…

nothing.

“Uuhhhhh, is it invisible?” asks Dinah as she scratches her head

“Oh dear…actually why didn’t I think of an invisible costume at one point? Just find the best equimen-“ Ted elbows her shoulder, motioning for her to get to the point “Right, you see, honey. I may be giving you the Black Canary name-“

“YES. YES” the younger woman throws her fist up in excitement “I knew it! I knew it’d be the new Black Canary!”

“Dinah!” she has her attention again, slowly walking towards her daughter “You may be the new Black Canary, but I ain’t giving you the old costume. Think of one your own. Make something of your own. That’s why we gave you some carpentry lessons on the side”

She pats her on the back, hoping it gets through to her. As Dinah contemplates about that, Ted and DD pass her by, leaving her alone for thoughts for a costume.

“Why DID we have to bring an empty glass display?” asks Ted

“Shut up”

Over the next week, Dinah sketches several costume ideas. In her room she thinks up more ideas. She’s of course going with a domino mask. She writes down a black domino mask.

“Cause I’m the Black Canary. I’m so smart!” but then she reconsiders “Wait, what if I go for black paint for the eyes and a low cut leotard?”

She draws what it could be

“Nah!” too lame and ugly

18 minutes later

“Will all black attire, from neck to toe work?

3 minutes later

“Nah. That’s lame”

13 minutes later

“How about this? Leather jacket with shoulder pads?

2 minutes later

“Ugh!”

9 minutes later

Blue and black jumpsuit with a headband?

3 minutes

“Yeesh! No thank you!

4 minutes later

“Straight up biker look with black hair?... I already hate it. Though I need to do something about the hair”

She brushes her hair with her hand. Her hair has always been a Long light ash hair lady.

While a domino mask can be a help, she needs something more for the disguise.

Next day at the Wig Shop, she found the wig she was looking for. The one she’ll use for her civilian identity with her natural hair being the one for her hero life.

Now inspiration is truly coming. In her sketchbook, she draws down the design she likes the most “Side note” she says while writing “Get a haircut”

3 MONTHS LATER

Two men in baggy and torn up clothes are at an alley. One has the money. The other the stuff. What they don’t expect is the other one joining in. She jumps right next to them. Startling them. The dealer is initially afraid, but smiles when getting a good view of the person who made her arrival. Slowly approaching them.

“Hey, bab-“

PUNCH

“Not tonight. Not ever” she punches him directly in the face. Dropping him immediately. The one buying from him tries to run off with the cash and blow, but only gets 1 second before he’s pulled in by the woman and thrown to the wall. As if that didn’t hurt, he’s punched in the stomach, finally down. The dealer groans, holding his face in agony. Once he lets go of his nose, what he sees up is his attacker.

“Now, sugar. Let’s take you to the cops so you can spill the beans of this operation”

STARLING CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT PRECICNT

The cops are doing their usual stuff. Paper work, drinking coffee, chatting with one another. Then one of the detectives throws the drug dealer from before in one of the cells. Captain Lance approaches him.

“Good job” the Captain takes a sip from his coffee cup

“Apparently we have the new superhero to thank for”

Lance stops drinking and stares at the Detective “So, one of the DEO hooligans?”

“No. Word around this one isn’t in the DEO”

“Captain!” one of the rookie cops approaches him “I’m getting word of several thugs just a few blocks down are tied up. It’s the Menendez boys we’ve been trying to catch for months”

“Hmm?”

RING RING

RING RING

RING RING

The phones are ringing. People are calling. Another cop or two go to Lance to tell him about the new hero.

“Who’s this hero?” he asks as this all too much

THE MARQUETTE APARTMENT

On the Marquette neighborhood, a woman sneaks her way into her apartment room. She turns on the light, wanting to find her bathroom. After she does, she approaches the mirror and looks at it. Denim jacket, black blue top, biker shorts, fishnets and black domino mask. Dinah Lance fingers points at the mirror with plenty of pride.

“Good job, Black Canary!”

A HIDEOUT SOMEWHERE IN THE AURORA DISTRICT

A blonde man, shirtless with his jeans, is sharpening some artillery. He hears the news of the Black Canary and chuckles.

“See you soon”

He finishes sharpening and admires his work. Securing his hold of the shaft. He places it on a pack. A perfect pack of arrows, pals.

Chapter Text

All over the news, the report of Oliver Queen going missing is announced. While Tommy and the people in the party survived thanks to the Coast Guard, many of the crew had sadly passed away and Oliver was never found.

Robert and Moira Queen, Oliver’s parents, sent search team after search team to find Oliver, but nothing. Zilch. No body. Oliver was declared dead.

Those who once knew him, such as Dinah Lance, simply walked away from any interview or questions asked to her about Oliver. Tommy on the other hand, spoke highly of Oliver. Telling tales of their great friendship.

To everyone on Starling City, Oliver was dead. But on this island, Oliver is going to wish he was dead.

Unknown Island-Day 1

Oliver lays on the sand, crying while covering his eyes. He lies there, hoping somebody can save. The Coast Guard, the Marines, the DEO. He’d even call for the help of his father, whom their conversation last time ended badly.

Oliver closes his eyes, wanting to go to sleep. Expecting to wake up and find out this was all a bad dream. 30 minutes later, maybe? Or an hour? Or just 3 minutes? It’s hard to keep track of time on this island. He opens his eyes…and sees he’s still stranded here.

“F****** hell” he swears “Somebody! Help!”

He waits a solid minute, anticipating for an arrival. It does not happen, for a myriad of reasons.

“Great! Just f****** great. All the nights. ALL THE NIGHTS. It had to be this one where a thunderstorm showed up! Hey God!” He looks up at the heavens “Why not just strike me down while you’re at it?! I lost my only way of salvation! Just send a thunderbolt and have it cut me and burn me to a crisp!”

Another minute, nothing. The severity of the situation hits Oliver, with every second a new thought of hopelessness aches at him. Oliver’s eyes well up and kicks the sand out of frustration. He looks over at all the nature this island apparently has.

“I have no other option. Gotta cruise there and hope there’s food…and I’m talking to myself” he lowers his head down “f****** great”

The first 10 seconds passing by isn’t so bad. Just a nice little stroll. It’s after those 10 seconds where things start to get awful.

“Ow!” Oliver steps on something that hurts his foot. He looks down to see a small shell “Right, I don’t have shoes…F***”

Not having shoes was already an immediate problem. The plants were also a trouble. Both stepping on and passing by. Anytime he swatted away any of the leaves that obscured his path, one would smack him in the face anytime he rushed his stroll. This occurs for hours with no end in sight.

“I feel like I’m in a Twilight Mirror episode. Though Rod Serling being here would be an improvement” Appropriately, it gets dark and the moon rises “Why not just have it rain now?”

KRRAAAKKLLLEEE

The rain begins to descend on the island and Oliver can only tilt his head down in shame.

For hours, Ollie looked around to see if there was any food around. Anything to shovel down and end the pounding throes of his hunger. He’ll eat a rotting banana if need be. Eventually, to his luck, he found a large tree that contained coconuts near the top.

“Alright! Now how do I get up there?”

Oh, the predicament. It was in that moment he remembered all those Robin Hood stories he read and saw. How effortlessly Robin Hood would climb up trees to make his shot.

“Alright…let’s do this”

Both and knees are now ready to make the climb. He jumps and places his body on the tree…only to slip up.

“Okay, let’s try that again”

Another try. Another fail.

“Third times the charm”

He manages to stick on the big tree this time…for about 3 seconds. He tries his best to climb, but merely slips away to the ground.
“GODDAMIT”

He grabs the nearest rock around and throws it to the coconut. That utterly fails. It doesn’t even pass the halfway point. He grabs more rocks and each shot gets worse.

“SERIOUSLY?”

He paces around, blowing off steam as he swears inside his brain. Not looking, he steps on one of the rocks,

“OOOOWWWWW” yelping and falls to the floor. He growls under his breath, he wants to swear some more, but what’s the use? Nobody is coming. There’s nothing that can help him here. No food, no helpful resource. Just nature, coconuts he can’t grab and rocks that hurt him.

His tummy begins to make the rumbles and Oliver yowls. He hasn’t drank or eating anything in what now feels like days. He could eat some of the berry’s he saw 2 hours ago, but he remembers an event when he was a kid.

It was at the Starling Archery Range. He was practicing and there was Dinah alongside him. The place had 400 acres to it. So as curious kids, they went out to the wilderness and found some bushes. Those bushes had berries to them, delicious looking berries.

Oliver wanted to eat them, pretending to be a survival man. Dinah warned him that it could be dangerous but Ollie didn’t care. He ate some of them. Later that day, Oliver was in the hospital thanks to those poison berries. Dinah proceeded to be next to him to tell him the tales of poisonous berries. He gave her the finger and she almost blushed.

Oliver chuckles when he remembered the part that his mom saw him giving Dinah the finger. Sure, he was scolded, but looking back at it is fun. Now he wipes away the sweat of his walk.

“Come on, Ollie. More tales of the past”

The Christmas Eve where Dinah finally showed him A Christmas Story. Dinah always cried at the end. Oliver just thought it was okay. The time him and Tommy managed to get a B in a test after copying the results from one of the nerds. It helped them pass a grade. Him and his dad going fishing. They went overboard, but got a little fish. Robert got it with his own hands. Sure, the car ride home wasn’t pleasant and the seats had to be cleaned up thoroughly and they were sick for a week, but they laughed it off.

“Heh”

A nice trip down memory lane. It distracted Oliver long enough so that he was back to shore. It’s as if he made a circle. He notices and doesn’t care. At least he’s away from the trees. He sees the ocean water, the flowing ocean water which could be a help right now considering he’s not only hungry, but thirsty. In that very moment, he decides…

“Should I degrade myself and risk my wellbeing…F*** it, I’m drinking that!”

Obviously, it’s not the healthiest thirst quencher to drink up, but he has no choice. Plus, it’s better than poison berries. He launches himself to the water and slurps up the liquid. For a solid 2 minutes he guzzles the water down his throat. It’s refreshing in a way. Probably has to do with the dehydration.

“Good…water…”

He coughs a bit, drinking too much. Also, it’s salt water. Not exactly the best beverage.

Taking into consideration that there is no bed, he tumbles to the sand, just like when he arrived. He looks up at the sky. The cold dark sky. Oliver could admire how nice the view actually is, but he shivers. It’s still a cool night. He holds himself as tight as possible, expecting it to give him warmth. (it doesn’t)

His teeth won’t stop clattering. His head can’t decide whether to lie on the sand or be mid-air. He almost can’t feel his feet.

“I can’t feel my f****** feet”

Oliver can’t even choose if he wants to scream at God or cry or go crazy or all the above.

“I-I…I know I did a lot of bad stuff…I did drugs…didn’t listen to my parents…looked at a playboy mag or two …got into fights…cheated on the best girl ever…but…anyone up there. God, Angels, Jesus…Satan. Just anybody. Don’t let me suffer. I’ll repent. I’ll pray. I’ll do good. I promise…I just don’t want to die here…” the man curls up in ball “I don’t want to be alone…”

He weeps after his plea. Weirdly enough, best thing he did that night. He cried himself to sleep. At least he forgot he was feeling cold.

Unknown Island-Day 2

The former billionaire playboy awakens from his slumber.

“I’m still here” He groans “Next time, I should get on my knees and do an actual prayer. Might actually work. Welp, you should get used to do this, Oliver. No one is coming to help you. The people upstairs won’t help you. this is your routine. This is your life. This is your own h-“

As he got up, he noticed a plate. A plate. A goddamn plate. Just lying on the sand with 2 cooked fishes. There was also coconut juice to drink from. But forget that; Food, actual food. Cooked food. Ready-made to eat food.

“Food!”

Indeed Oliver; food. He scrambles to the plate and devours that fish. Eats it like a zombie eats human flesh. He ate it until there was nothing left to eat.

“I need more!” he constantly whirls around, anticipating for more food “I need more! I…I-where? Who? Who cooked that fish? Who the hell cooked that fish?”

No time to whine about going back to nature. Oliver enters the forest again.

…

Then goes back. He’s not very good at this. Finding someone. Finding anything for the matter. Plus, he almost got lost the last time. Better to stay here for now. Plus, he now notices the coconut he can drink.

Unknown Island Day 3

Wakes up to see another round of cooked fish. But no traveling for that blonde man.

Unknown Island Day 4

Wakes up to see another round of cooked fish. But no traveling for that blonde man.

Unknown Island Day 5

Wakes up to see another round of cooked fish. But no traveling for that blonde-

“You know what? I’m just gonna look for the guy” remarks the now up to it Ollie

Now to walk! There is someone else in this island. Someone he can talk to. Someone who might have the resources to survive. Heck, someone that can maybe get him out of this hell.

“Who are you?!” Oliver bleats out “I know you’re in here! Somewhere! I just might find you quickly in these next few minutes!”

For over a couple hours, Oliver traveled the plant life. More of this underwhelming scene (his opinion, not mine). For that hour Oliver kept shouting. Intending for the unknown person to hear him.

“I don’t want to fight” Oliver doesn’t have the strength to scream anymore “I…I just-need help…please”

For the next hour, no sign of the fish food giving man. Oliver kept walking, even his knees were about to burst.

“help” he barely gets the words, he’s exhausted “just…”

Tired and thirsty, he sees a rock nearby that he can sit on.

“You’ll find him, Ollie. You’ll get to him”

Unknown Island-Day 9

More traveling, more nothing. Oliver hasn’t even gotten to anywhere new. A lot of time, he’s walking in a circle.

“I swear I was walking a straight line” he seethes under his teeth

After another hour, he finds a perfect sitting boulder.

“Oh rock boulder. The ones that can be a convenient good enough seat for me, you are becoming my best friends”

He sits there and clutches his heart.

“At this point, why not have a panic attack? Also, guy, if you can hear me. It’d be nice to talk to someone who isn’t me. I need…conversation… I’m getting tired of-of myself”

“我也是”

Oliver yawps and falls of his rocky seat. He sits up in shock and alarm to see the man he was looking for. The man he was looking for, unlike him, has shoes, very important. Also, has on dark tatterdemalion attire. A scraggly beard and long hair. And to Oliver’ biggest surprise. The man had a bow and arrow. Oliver could tell this man has been on this island longer than he has.

“H-he-he-HEY” Oliver manages to let it out “Yo-you-“ he can’t stop stammering

Oliver wants to speak some more, but the man stomps on the ground only once. That one time gets Oliver to not speak. The man now takes Oliver’s seat and looks in the distance.

“Ye-yeah. Take a break”

For the next hour, Oliver saw this man look at the trees and bushes and just anything else, but not him. Oliver wants to speak, but he can’t get his words out. He’s too nervous. After the hour passes, the man rises from his seat. Oliver was looking at the dirt and grass as the man got up. Once he did, Oliver as well gets up.

The man tilts his head to Oliver. That alone causes a shiver down Oliver’s spine. With his attention to hi, the man motions for Oliver to follow him.

“Now he wants me to follow him?” Oliver thinks unto himself “You know what? Good. It’s something.”

A CAVE

Oliver and the Man enter a dank, wet at many parts, and overall, creepy cave.

“Nice house” Ollie brings up

The Man doesn’t respond. He simply continues his walk inside the cave. Oliver stares up to see that some light up top illuminates the cave. Probably why this stranger lives here. He also sees that the man has plenty of raggedy clothes around. And a bird trapped in a cage. A bird cage one could call it.

“So, you wash these clothes?”

“…”

“Of course”

The Man goes to his small campfire. He is cooking more food.

“More fish. Yaaaaaay”

“別擔心，我會盡快烤鳥”

“That’s…great”

The Man sits down to cook the food and Oliver sits by 5 feet away from him.

20 minutes later

“So” Oliver taps his knees “How long-“

The man leaves his seat and goes outside. Oliver wants to leave, but is too timid to do so.

3 hours later

“Hey, guy-“

“安靜”

“I just-“

“安靜!”

Oliver just remains in his seat, threatened by the tone of his voice.

Unknown Island Day 10

Another day where Oliver tries to talk, but gets rejected. He’s offered cooked bird and accepts it. He does need to eat. But during the course of it, the silent man leaves Oliver and goes outside of the cave to eat.

After the meal, the man coming back and more excruciating silence, Oliver looks outside the cave, seeing the bright sun hit his eyes. Tired of sitting, he gets up and looks across the cave. He sees that The Man is sharpening something. He gets up close, and before he can be 6 feet close, The Man turns around.

“你不擅長偷偷摸摸”

“I don’t know how to respond because-“

The Man ignores and continues his work. His work on arrows, which catches Oliver’s eye even more.

“Hey! Arrows!”

“當然，白痴”

“I used to-to be archer. But I gave that up. Yep, I sure did. I was a hell of an archer. The best in Starling City”

“如果你是最好的，那一定是最糟糕的弓箭手城市”

After finishing his words, the Man is quite again. For another few minutes as he continues sharpening his arrows. Tired of his purpose obliviousness, Oliver grabs him by the shoulder.

Not happy about this, The Man pushes Oliver’s hand, gets up and kicks Oliver in the mid-section. Oliver falls the ground, holding his stomach, aching and moaning. The Man scoffs and goes back to his arrows.

After 6 minutes holding his breadbaskets and coughing, Oliver sits up, glaring at The Man.

“What the ****, guy? You give me food and you let me in your man cave. Then you don’t wanna talk and kick me in the stomach, what the hell?!”

The man actually does respond.

YAWN

“Oh **** you! How about you speak some English and stop being an ***hole?”

YAWN

“Come on. Say some words. I’ll even take the language of your species. Give me some of that Mandarin. Or Japanese. Or Klingon. Or-“

“My native language is Chinese, you racist piece of ****”

“Well, I don’t speaka Chinese!!!” once his rage dipped, Oliver now grasped what had happened. The man spoke. In a language he can understand “You can speak English?!”

The Man turns to Oliver “Of course, I can. Everyone can speak a little English. Though I know a lot of English”

“You can speak English and you haven’t spoken of a whiff of it since you met me?!”

“Why would I? You’re an annoying ass”

“THEN WHY AM I HERE?”

The Man chuckles “To test you, wooden head”

“Te-te-test me?!” Oliver gets up, trying not to choke a man

“I thought you had strong strength of character. Perseveration. Given you went to find me for days and never gave up. Turns out I have to start from 0”

“What in the HELL are you talking about?!”

“Look. I don’t know who you are. How you got here-“

“How do you not know me? I’m Oliver Queen! Son of Robert and Moira Queen! Starling City-“

“HAHAHAHA”

Oliver takes a step back. The volume of that laugh almost made him trip. Being a cave may have amplified it, but it still creeped him out.

“Why do billionaires think they’re the center of the freaking universe? One time, an acquaintance asked me about some person called Lionel Luthor and I said “Who the *** is Lionel Luthor?” Or was it Lathor? Lethor? I don’t remember. Bottom line, I don’t care about you One Percenters”

The Man rises from his seat, walking towards Oliver. Oliver realizes how this man is an inch taller and the way he moves causes him to back up.

“Oliver Queen. ¡HA! Please make me laugh some more. I haven’t had a good chortle in years. Oliver Queen. You say that as if I’m meant to care. I do not. I would not care back in the mainland and I would not care here. You may matter back in that sinkhole of a country of yours, but here? Here, you don’t matter. I don’t matter. The name of the game is survival. You want to know where you are and just anything about your predicament?”

Oliver nervously nods

“This! This is Lian Yu. In my home, it means purgatory. What was once a small land for villagers was attacked by assassins. Matters went horrid and soon this island was abandoned.

I am Yao Fei. I sent myself to a personal exile. My own purgatory. I was once a good man, but to help my family in dire times, I myself became an assassin. My wife found out what I was doing, took my daughter and left me.

Now I am here to live out the rest of days. Grow old and die or perhaps let a disease get the better of me. But I made enemies in my day and now they are here. Stuck with me. I must do what I hate. I have to kill them to survive. I’d let them kill me, but I feel…like I haven’t suffered enough”

Yao Fei exhales, giving Oliver his first sign of weakness.

“You were lucky they had not founded you. Be grateful for my mercy. I ask you this, “Oliver Queen”, will you allow yourself to be sent to Hell, or survive long enough to see that your reward in the afterlife be fruitful?”

Oliver can’t believe what he’s hearing. He’s stuck in his own purgatory. He might as well. His abhorrent behavior back in his old life should be called out. Much like Yao, maybe he deserves to be here. And much like Yao, why not remain alive to see yourself become old and pathetic.

But he still does hope to leave this island. See his friends again. See his family again. See Dinah again. He’s made his decision. Oliver feebly nods to Yao, wanting to survive.

“Good. You mentioned earlier that you were once an archer?” Oliver nods more assured this time “Good. We are going to make you a bow, craft some more arrows and see if the old archer in you can make a return, “Oliver Queen””

Lian Yu- Day 11

Made out of the trees of this island, Oliver readies his bow. Yao Fei views his stance, posture and aim. He brushes his beard…not impressed. Oliver points his arrow the tree, hoping to hit the target they painted. The arrow is shot out by the string. It lands right…on the ground.

“Failure!” exclaims Yao “You call that archery? I’ve seen nincompoops who can only speak in 亂搞 that aim better”

“When I was a kid, I was practically the best archer in the city!” Oliver tries defend himself

“Then build me a time machine and bring him here. We’ll bond by archery and drinking. He’ll be better at it than current you” Oliver groans, but Yao just doesn’t care “Now try. Again!”

Lian Yu- Day 12

Oliver tries archery. Tries to shoot the arrow at any place in the target. Again, he fails.

Lian Yu- Day 13

Oliver tries archery. Tries to shoot the arrow at any place in the target. Again, he fails.

Lian Yu- Day 14

Oliver tries archery. Tries to shoot the arrow at any place in the target. Again, he fails.

Lian Yu- Day 15

Oliver tries archery. Tries to shoot the arrow at any place in the target. Again, he fails. Again! This time around, Oliver has had it.

“******* **** **** *****”

Yao rolls his eyes as Oliver cusses up a storm .

“You!” Oliver gets close up to Yao “You’re such a master archer, aren’t you?”

“I am”

“Then be a teacher. I get it. I’m not the archer I once was. I suck at it now. But if you wanted me to try it again and you want me to be some soldier for you, then be a freaking teacher! Don’t just tell me to keep my stance firm and strong and see the shot clearly. Show me the way that I lost. I haven’t done this in years, but I know there’s more to archery than that”

“And what is it, Oliver Queen?”

“I don’t remember. That’s why you’re here. Be the teacher! Show me the way! I want to learn again! Show me…show me why it’s a thing of beauty!”

Yao scoffs at Oliver’s yelling. Oliver is incredulous at this. Some bearded guy keeps him alive to be a soldier and now he won’t be his commander.

Oliver growls while brushing his face in his anger. He throws his bow at the tree in a fit of rage and storms off.

Yao scoffs a second time. How dare this young blonde man insult him that way? Be that ungrateful? He wants so survive? Figure that part out himself...

although. He does need help. He was the one that saved Oliver. He is the one putting up with him. Considering they’re now around each other more, and only one of them can actually defend himself here…

“Ugh” Yao scratches his head

Oliver is throwing pebbles at the musty river, in an attempt to blow off steam. He sucks at that too with it barely getting past 3 feet. He throws the last one at a tree and it ricochets back at him, smacking him in the forehead.

“Ow!” he rubs his now hurt forehead

“Are you gonna cry?”

Oliver sees that it’s Yao that made the comment “About the arrows or the pebbles?”

“Both. Mostly the latter”

Oliver brushes him off. He sits down on the ground, not knowing what else to do.

“I haven’t been a teacher for a long time” Yao says, getting Ollie’s attention “I…apologize for not teaching you the correct way. You want me to guide you? Then come with me”

Yao goes to leave, but Oliver speaks up.

“Why go there? It’s useless” Yao looks down on Oliver “There’s nothing that can work. I’m not good at it anymore. I left that. I left it…for no reason. Even after my dad encouraged me. After Dinah encouraged me. I was the best at it. The best archer in Starling City. I was good at something for once…and I left it for no reason. And the worst part? I don’t even remember why. If it was just laziness or the party life or-” Oliver stops, trying to keep it together. Putting his head in shame.

Yao sighs “come with me. We’re going back to the target spot”

Oliver can hear his steps. Once he looks over, Yao has left. He knows he’s been failing these past few days. Hell, he’s been failing these past few years. But hey, what’s one more try? Oliver leaves his itchy seat and goes back to the target spot.

In there, Oliver points with his quiver yet again. Yao makes sure he gets a good view of Oliver’s posture and makes sure he’s as calm as possible.

“Look…you say you were good at it, right?” Yao asks

“Ye-yeah?”

“Did you like it?”

“Yeah”

“Remember why you liked it. Remember all those times you tried it. Think about those training sessions and the competitions. Even if someone was making a peep of sound, did you ever, corny as it is, feel at one with your quiver?”

“In a way, yeah”

“Were you ever distracted?”

Oliver slightly chuckles “No”

“Once you accomplish those two tasks, find that instinctual part of yourself. Find clarity. And take a nice…deep…breath”

Oliver was never the best student in school. Always thinking about other stuff and trying to talk to his friends who were next to him. Always leaving things at the last minute.

But when he was taking archery lessons, it fit him like a glove. He took to it quickly. At this very moment, he feels like he’s in archery class again. So, much like after those first few classes, when it clicked him, in this event, it clicks him again.

THOCK

He shoots the arrow and it lands. Below the target. But it actually hit something not the grass or passing by the tree. Oliver turns to Yao, who nods in approval.

“Something is something” comments Yao

Over the day, Oliver tries repeatedly to improve. He keeps hitting the tree, but that doesn’t stop him.

Lian Yu- Day 17

Oliver tries archery. He actually hits the target spot, but only at the edge.

Lian Yu- Day 18

Oliver tries archery. He actually hits the target spot, right at the halfway point. Almost getting there in the middle.

Lian Yu- Day 19

Oliver tries archery. He actually hits the target spot. Oh so close. Almost the middle. Just a little. Even Yao smacks him in the back. Impressed he’s reached so close.

Lian Yu- Day 20

Oliver tries archery. He actually hits the target spot. He did it! Yao smirks and nods in concurrence. Oliver has hit the middle spot.

“I-I-I did it! I did it!”

He jumps in the air, bouncing on the ground with happiness. Just like when he was younger. His parents would cheer on and Dinah would run at him to punch him in the shoulder. That was her own way of support. He was so happy he might as well have freeze framed like in the movies.

Yao pats him on the back, and with that approval, Oliver grabs an arrow from the bag they brought and he aims to shoot another arrow. He does and it hits the middle. Penetrating the one already there. He grabs another arrow to shoot it and does.

THOCK

A strike of perfect middle shots. Why not a fourth one? He does it…and fails.

“Ha!” Yao bleats out “Don’t worry, Oliver. You did good”

Oliver smiles. Now enjoying his time with Yao.

From that moment on, it seemed like things were getting easier. Every day, Yao built up his strength. Improved his survival skills. Made him be one with his setting.

Archery was good, but knowing how to protect one’s self was useful. From learning how to cook fish and birds, to properly set up a fire to multiple forms of fighting.

It comes in handy with people coming to attack them. For the next 2 years, they avoided the attackers. Setting up camp at different places in the island. Though during that time, something crossed Oliver’s mind and he was confused.

LIAN YU-DAY 240

“Why not just fight them?”

“If one can avoid a fight, take it”

Still, the travels helped. It only refined Oliver’s skills. To him, these were rigorous tests and he was acing them. The more time passed, the more Yao accepted the once entitled rich boy.

Oh, and Oliver has gotten a bushy beard.

Lian Yu- Day 421

As the moon prepares the descend, a fire is prepared and Oliver and Yao are eating the marshmallows of the camp they had just raided. Mean looking people they seemed. It’s a miracle they weren’t spotted.

“Why eat marshmallows now and not their sandwiches?” asks Oliver “I’d rather eat the sandwiches now”

“Because marshmallows after being cooked in the fire is delicious”

“Seems clichéd”

“And?”

“Hmmm. Can’t argue with that”

After eating them, Oliver keeps thinking back to those people. One of them seemed so familiar. It’s as if he saw him before. He talks to Yao about it.

“He was the one with the bandanna. Only guy there with a beard. Had a tattoo on his shoulder”

“Ah, him. If I recall correctly, he’s of Starling City”

“What?!”

“Yes. Name is Richard Harris. Before I had executed his son, they were both demolishing buildings of the lower class. Leaving people stranded with no homes” Yao eats his marshmallow

“I…I never knew. I lived all my life in Starling City…and I never knew the guy…I never knew what happened to those poor people”

Yao shrugs “I didn’t like killing him, but, and it truly is horrific to say this, but in a perverse way, I enjoyed the hit. I somewhat enjoy the hits on the rich, the scum, the rapists. The ones who harm people who were only living their lives. I even smiled when I saw their open yet dead eyes as the blood began to enclose the floor”

Oliver is disturbed on so many fronts. Yet as an add on, he’s also intrigued “Te-tell me more, Yao”

After 30 minutes of story about Yao’s history of hits. His battles with the rich. The time his family were evicted from their home. And some of those people Yao met across his life, some of them were even from Starling City.

As a whole, it was the One Percenters looking to expand their companies. Some of them Oliver even met in his life. Some of them his parents did business with. All of it begins to change Oliver.

“Christ almighty…how did I not know?” asks a saddened Oliver

“There’s so much you don’t know when you’re in a high throne and gifted everything”

“You know, even if I’m in a high throne…I could still help”

“Help? Ha! Oliver, I like you, but if you ever, SOMEHOW, get back to your city, you’ll just go back to being the rich boy in his high throne, drinking 10,000-dollar vodka from the loudest club on the city”

“No, I won’t!” Oliver stands in defiance “If the day comes where we get out of his hellhole, I’m going to change my city. I’m going to write the wrongs inflicted on it. I’m going to make a change and make them pay for failing my city!”

Yao wants to laugh, but hearing Oliver’s plans, it inspired faith in him. Oliver continues to inspire and impress his old beating heart.

Lian Yu- Day 752

It’s chilly night that can send shivers on the entire body of a person due to its temperature. In their situation, they’ve gotten used to it. Sure, it’s still a hassle, but one gets used to it. Yao is sleeping like a baby, while Oliver looks up at the stars.

Sometimes, he and Dinah would gaze up at the stars at night from the roof of Queen Manor. So pretty and majestic. At some times, they would even sleep on the roof. The best one was when Dinah fell asleep on Oliver’s shoulder. He didn’t make a peep and let her nap. One of his best nights.

CHRUN CHRUN CHRUN

Suddenly, rustling noises can be heard.

Oliver sits up, is it the people that have come for Yao? He’s only gotten glimpses of them, but a full interaction has never happened. Oliver peers to Yao, who’s still asleep, and he lets him sleep. No disturbing. Maybe it’s not the attacker. Perhaps it’s just critters.

However, Oliver rises from his position to attend the matter. Any spot close to the bushes are vacant. Anything past it seems clear.

“Maybe it’s just the lack of sleep” he mutters “Yeah, that”

Oliver is now going to go sleep. Just his mind playing tricks.

CHRUN CHRUN CHRUN

Then the same rustling sound from before returns, pestering Oliver. This time, when he turns around, the person attacks him. A man has taken him to the ground, attempting to choke him. Oliver gargles, struggling to breath. He grabs a nearby rock and is able to hit the man with it on the head.

Oliver gasps for air, that was a close one. It’s his first attack on Lian Yu. The first time he meets Yao’s attackers. He gets up and is face to face with the man he struck.

“Why-why are you doing this?” asks a worried Oliver

“That son a bitch killed my father! You think I’m going to stand for that!”

“Look. Please. That man is only on the island so he can-“

The attacker launches himself at Oliver, spearing him to the ground. The man goes to punch, but Oliver blocks it. After the first few shots, Oliver rolls the man over. He gets up and when the man goes in for a strike, leading to Oliver hip tossing him. After that, he speedily drops his knee on the man’s face.

Looking over to find the rock from before, he grabs it as the man gets back up. As he approaches, Oliver hits him across the face.

THAM

Spilling blood from his forehead. Oliver wants to keep striking, wanting to finalize the job, but a man is down. Unresponsive. Maybe go back to him later.

Back at the camp, Oliver sees Yao getting attacked by another man.

“No!” Oliver hollers

Oliver runs at him, but the man punches him square in the face, dropping him. The man stomps on Oliver. With every stomp, Oliver groans. Not just because it hurts, but because it was really pissing him off. Going for another stomp and Oliver gets out of the way. The man attempts another punch, but Oliver rolls out of there, ducking it.

He sees his bow and arrows sitting on the tree and he runs to it. Once he grabs them, the man tries another blow, but Oliver elbows him in the face. He points his arrow at the man and without any hesitation or question, shoots it.

THOCK

Right at the head

Up to this point, Oliver wanted to take the man down for his attack, but only knock him out. Once he sees the arrow hit head, he realized what he had done. Adrenaline and bile were overwhelming Oliver. Eating him like a stowaway who hasn’t eaten in days, crawling to the nearest area containing food.

Now, what engrossed dipped away and reality sank in. Oliver Queen drops his bow and backs up to a tree. His knees feel weak and he falls hip first.

“N-n-no-no. ¡No! No!”

Oliver stammers. He can’t keep it together. He wants to look away, but can’t. He can see it clearly, much as it may horrify him. He’s taken a life.

THOCK

“Hmm, I was wondering if you’d do it”

Oliver darts his attention, still fidgeting, to Yao, who shoot an arrow to the man Oliver fought before. The man Oliver hit in the head with the rock. Oliver peers his head to the side and sees the man, once unconscious, now lifeless. Yao sees Oliver shacking, who looks back at the man he had just killed.

“I’m sorry about this Oliver. But it’s either them or us. It IS horrible. Disgusting even. However, at the end of the day, I warned you this would happen”

Oliver still trembles, not even blinking for a moment.

“What will it be, Oliver? Will you cower at your act or will you accept it and fight another day?”

Oliver slowly peers his guise at Yao, not having the right words to let out. But what words can be used for this. It's kill or be killed. A motto he would carry for these next couple of years.

Lian Yu- Day 1,806

The road has been paved in blood. They're all gone. He's the one that's left. And now, a boat is out in water. All Oliver Queen can do is wave his hands in the air and hope they notice. They do and thus, the group of fisherman approach to help the stranger. And now, it's time to start anew. Now, it's Oliver's time to erase those who failed his city.

Chapter Text

LANCE RESIDENCE

In the garage, 2 weeks before The Pulpstep Arena show, Dinah and her band make sure they’re in tune and ready for the big show.

“Come on, guys. We gotta be in tune and ready for the big show”

“Hey, I’m doing good” responds Lord Byron “I think you’re sounding off key, D”

“Offkey? How dare you? I oughta-” Dinah points her finger

“Hey!” Ditto tries to deescalate the situation “If we’re gonna fall apart and go our separate ways, let’s do it AFTER we’re famous”

“Hmm” ponders Dinah “She’s right. If we blow up, it should be on stage. It’d get us attention. Take 5”

The band tries to let their creative juices flow. You know, let things flow and be calm, man.

While the band just drinks some water and talks amongst one another, Dinah looks over the freshly arrived newspaper. Should be nothing interesting. Merely the usual and some small regular…old…news.

WHUP

She drops the stacks of papers. She covers her mouth and shakes her head, not believing what was put in print. Dinah drops to the floor, almost landing back first. She can’t believe it. It can’t be. It’s impossible. This shouldn’t be happening.

“Dinah!” yells out Byron

Her bandmates attend to her as she almost seems unresponsive despite the open eyes. To Dinah, what she read was inconceivable. It’s Oliver Queen; Alive.

STARLING GENERAL HOSPITAL

Moira Queen, mother to Oliver, runs through the halls of the hospital. She opens the doors in her haste. She can’t believe her eyes. It’s her son, in a bed. She thought this could never happen again. Oliver himself looks at her, smiling. The first comfy sight he's had all day.

“Hi mom”

Through the tears, Moira runs to her child, hugging him “I missed you, Ollie”

“I missed you too”

1 HOUR LATER

“I just…wow” Moira is still at a loss for words. She holds her son’s hand. “Oliver, how? How did you survive?”

Oliver remembers. Remembers each punch. Each scar. Each attack. All the lonely and dark nights.

“I met the right people” he politely says “They protected me. Though a lot left and the last guy with me…” Oliver sighs, looking away “he was a great man”

“Oh Oliver” she rubs his hand, but Oliver changes course

“Hey, where’s dad?”

“He-OH. Business trip. Something about the DEO”

“Really? I thought dad was against the DEO”

“It’s not about selling weapons. It’s something more peaceful. The DEO isn’t just about aliens and super powered dilemmas or stopping crimes-”

“right…right” Oliver nods. Disappointed he couldn’t see his dad right away, but he’ll be here soon. He has to. He’s waited 5 years to see him again. To apologize to him. To apologize for a lot of things.

To apologize to Dinah.

Café Shop

1 week before The Pulpstep Arena Show, The Singing Birds look over to Dinah, who sips from her coffee cup. She doesn’t need to see with her own eyes to know they’re watching.

“What?!” she lets out

“D” Ditto nervously says “We just want to know…are you ready for the show?”

“Yeah” she says not missing a beat

“With Oliver alive-“

“I left Oliver. A long time ago. I can do this”

She continues her drink and the bandmembers just look at one another worriedly. Hoping she stays true to her word.

SCZR RADIO STATION

Later on, with the day, on the SCZR Radio show, Oliver is being interviewed by one of the most famous radio show hosts in Starling City; Colt Irvine. Colt asks him about his time on the island.

HELLO STARLING CITY RADIO STUDIO

As people wake up, they wake up to see Oliver Queen’s interview about his stay on the island.

THIS DAY IN STARLING STUDIO

Today Oliver Queen is being interviewed about his time on the island.

And the interviews just keep PILING on in. Each time, Oliver responds the same:

“I was helped out by people already living on the island”

“They helped provide food for me”

“Sucked not having electricity”

All the same! And throughout it all, he’s gladly had his mother at this side. He met up with Tommy again, who gave him the biggest hug when seeing him again. But he hasn’t seen his father, who’s still talking with the DEO. He hasn’t seen Dinah, who has been someone he’s been meaning to talk to. Luckily, in the back of one of interview places he didn’t learn the name of, he finds out about the show at:

THE PULPSTEP ARENA

The Singing Birds had performed in a not packed Arena. Backstage after their performance, Dinah had cleaned herself up and went to drink some water, only to be hugged tight and picked up by Dinah Drake, her mother.

After a nice mother/daughter talk, Dinah Drake had left and Dinah smiles as the door is shut. Tonight, was good. Tonight, will continue to be good. Tonight, she will drink!

Once she stepped outside of her room, someone was standing there. Someone, from her past.

“Holy s***!”

“Hey, Dinah” Oliver Queen was there. With some nice clothes and a warm smile “Dinah…it’s so good to see you” he tries to approach her, but she backs off “I-“

“I’m happy you’re alive, Oliver. You cleaned up nicely..." she taps her feet "I'm glad you got a haircut"

"Heh, thanks. I'm glad I got rid of the beard. Though I think I can pull off a goate-"

"I'm reeeally happy you're alive, Ollie. Really. But we split up. That’s that. I hope you can find peace or whatever back in Starling”

Dinah picks up her bag and passes by him, but thinking this might be his only chance to tell her how he feels, Oliver grabs her wrist.

“Dinah, please. I spent years hoping to see you agai-“

“Let go, Oliver”

“I just-“

“Let go Oliver! You’re hurting me!”

Oliver sees his pressure on Dinah and she swipes her hand away from him. Oliver is disgusted by his own behavior. He wants to apologize, but Dinah just leaves. Both are angry at this encounter. Oliver for his horrible management of the situation and the way he was hurting Dinah.

And Dinah, not just because of his attitude, but…because he’s back. This was an encounter Dinah never expected to have again. Deep down, she does want to talk. Either to reach out, ask how all those years went. Maybe to make peace after how things turned out. Maybe to let him have it again. Maybe to see if he changed and…be friends again. But Oliver is in the past. Just leave it. No more of him.

She reconvenes with her bandmates and they hang out throughout the night. From a bar to nightclub. A shot of tequila for everyone in the dance floor. Before Byron can get his, Dinah grabs his shot and drinks it herself after she drank her bottle.

That was going to be that, but Dinah, having a bit too much to drink “Let’s go to another club!”

“Heh, what?” says Ditto

“Another club. I feel like dancing”

“You sure? I think we’ve had enough-“

“Another!”

She marches out, giggling. The bandmates just shrug and follow her. They went to a bigger and louder one. More dancing and more beer drinking. Bo sees that everyone has had too much to drink. Especially Dinah, who’s doing the robot alongside a cute guy. Not very good I might add. He goes to help her but now he himself is tipsy.

“Oh no” he mutters

Outside where the dumpster is, Dinah exits. She reaches out for anyone, asking for her crew but they’re not there. The cute guy from before is there, making sure she doesn’t fall.

“You okay?” he asks

“Me? I’m fu-fu-fine! bettor than-everrrr”

“Okay. Just like how I like it”

He rubs his hands on her shoulders. Her eyes dwindle, her sight not stable. He turns her around and pushes her to the floor.

“wha-what?” Dinah confusingly asks

“Just shut up”

The man smirks as Dinah is unable to protect herself. He unbuckles his belt. The grin he has is something only a truly putrid person would have. Immediately, he’s forcefully turned around by someone he never expected to see; Oliver Queen.

PUNCH

With as much force as possible, Oliver decks him in the face. The man already feels his tooth leaving its place. He gets up to attack Oliver, but Oliver takes the man away from Dinah’s direction. All the while punching him in the gut.

The man coughs, frightened to see his own blood on the floor. He looks up to see Oliver delivering a boot to his face. Oliver gets down to lay another punch. That first punch felt so good, he followed it by delivering many more. Oliver stops as soon as both eyes of the attacker are swelled up.

“You better be listening to me. If you ever tell anyone I was here and ever get near her again. I swear to f****** God, I’ll find you and I’ll kill you! Do you understand?”

The guy mouths something but nothing is heard

“DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”

“yes” he lets out

Not wanting it to be finished, Oliver grabs the man’s head with his two hands and smashes his skull to the ground. This isn’t over, Oliver keeps his hold on the man and repeatedly smashes the back of his head three more times.

As if he wasn’t bleeding enough from the front area, he’s now bleeding from the back. And yet, that isn’t enough. He hasn’t suffered enough. Oliver stomps his head with as much force as possible and spits on it for good measure. He goes back to check on Dinah, but she’s already being attended to by her bandmates.

“Get up, D. we called a cab”

They share some chuckles and lean one another to make sure the other one doesn’t fall. Oliver smiles, he just wanted to know if Dinah was fine. He looks back at the carcass he dealt with, appalled that human life like that exists, and leaves. It’s why what he has planned is necessary to him.

NEXT DAY AT THE LANCE RESIDENCE

It’s already 4:30, and Dinah is simply resting on her bed. She can’t stop thinking about last night. It was just supposed to be about the show. Then Oliver. She wanted to ignore him, but now he was back in her life. Now her memory was foggy. She was so drunk. All she can remember was some guy. A guy who threw her in the ground. And the enjoyment he was going to have by-

KNOCK KNOCK

Enters Dinah Drake, Dinah’s mother, with a bottle of water “Here you go, sweetie. Don’t worry, I already know your dad screamed at you for getting drunk. I’m just here to give you a clean drink”. Dinah is unresponsive. She just rests on her bed, looking up at the ceiling “Come on-“

“Oliver visited me last night”

“What?!”

“He-he visited me”

“Oh, Dinah. How was it?”

“That’s why I got drunk. I wanted to talk to him. I didn’t want to talk to him. I-I-just don’t know”

She puts her hands on her head, almost getting ready to pull out some hair and DD stops her.

“You stop that, dear. Look-“

“And the worst part. I got too drunk and I met this guy. I can’t be completely sure. But-but I think…he wanted to get his way with me”

She turns to the other side, covering her face. DD wants to talk. She really does. It isn’t that she doesn’t have the right words. It’s just she knows they aren’t enough. She just hugs her daughter. Letting her know that the worst part is over.

“Ho-how-how am I gonna be the Black Canary…when I can’t even defend-“

“We’ll worry about that later”

A mother consoles her child. Letting her cry. Giving her the chance to let it all out. In this moment, nothing else matters.

1 hour later

Captain Quentin Lance leaves his house as soon as a limo pops up. It’s Oliver Queen exiting it.

“Mr. Lance. It’s been so lon-“

“I’m giving you a warning, Queen, because I know you’ve been through enough. Don’t come back. My daughter doesn’t need you anymore. Just leave”

“But Mr. Lan-“

“Out!”

Oliver tries to speak, but he can feel Quentin’s glare piercing him. He caused enough problems with her years ago, might not be best to open old wounds while her father is around.

“Right” Oliver disappointingly utters before going back to his limo and leaving

In the backseat, he looks up at the window at Dinah’s room. So many nights where he would sneak in and spend many hours there during their teenage years. Sometimes he would sneak out and get caught by Dinah Drake and almost arrested by Quentin. Sometimes sneak out and get back to his home and get scolded by his parents.

As the limo drives off, Oliver considers sneaking in. Just for a talk. A real one. He wants to see if she’s okay. He wants to be around her again. He needs her.

“no no”

Oliver rejects his own idea. It’s a stupid idea. Leave her alone. Just let her be. She doesn’t need him after the rough last night. She needs space. Desperate space.

QUEEN MANOR

At night, in the patio, Oliver pours himself a glass of wine while looking at the Living sculptures that surround the back of his home. These weren’t around before his trip, so they were made during his stint on the island. These sculptures are quite the sight, that even someone like Oliver who isn’t a connoisseur of art can stare at them with wonder. He walks around, looking at them one by one.

One displays a man doing a pose similar to The Thinker, as he is down on his luck. Another showcases a battle between two people, probably close at some point, now fighting to see who wins. The third one Oliver gazes at is one that is smaller, but still amazing, as a crew, an army, marches on in to consort order. And the last is that of a phoenix, rising from the ash and becoming anew.

“Oliver, dear?”

Moira taps him on the shoulder, startling him for a second.

“Oh, hey mom”

“Enjoying them?” Moira herself notices his viewing of the sculpture

“Yeah. They’re pretty good”

“I’d say they’re more than good”

“Great?”

“Heh, no. Mind clearing”

“Hmm?”

“When…we thought you died, sleeping at night was difficult. Your father and I couldn’t even sleep in the same bed most of the time. It was almost suffocating. It felt as though we blamed the other for you being gone. I would just walk around this big home. No sense in staying in one place or sitting down. I wanted to clear my head.

So, I called in an artist and he and a friend made these sculptures. So anytime I felt down or felt sad about what had happened. I would look at these and they’d made me feel better. It would make things easier”

“I’m glad you at least found some peace. I can’t imagine how easy these 5 years were”

“I think you do, honey. Your 5 years were worse. Not knowing if you were going live the next day. Or whether knowing if I was alive. Or Dinah. Or-“

“Dad?”

“Him too”

“When IS dad coming back?”

“Like I said the last time, he’s-“

“Dead?” Oliver growls that out, his mother now scared.

Oliver expects his mother to say another lie. Another fib. Just something, because he knows she’s hiding something.

“When did you find out?” she sadly asks

Oliver drops his glass, as those words stab him. He was actually hoping she would say another lie. And that the lie was the truth, because the actual truth is something he was praying would be proven false.

“Why? Why would you keep this?!”

He plods to her and she backs up as he’s too close “You wouldn’t have understood”

“Dammit, mom! He was my father! My freaking father! How would have I not understood?!”

“Because you came back!” she yells out “Is this what you wanted? “Hey son, welcome back after being gone for years. Also, your father died of cancer”. Is that what you wanted after immediately coming back?”

Oliver just nods in disapproval “2 weeks have passed mom. You could have told me the truth at least a couple of days after. I was away from you guys for a long time, I could…I could take dad being gone”

Oliver drops to his knees, wanting to yell at the world for taking his father.

“dad” he says under his breath “dad”

“Son-“

Moira tries to put her hand on his shoulder, but he slaps her hand away. Oliver gets back up, scowling at her. How could she have done this? How? Oliver runs away, not even wanting to be at close proximity of her.

“Oliver!”

Oliver can hear her, but denies her. No more of her. She lied to him. He could have handled the truth. The truth that a man who wanted what was best for him is gone. A man who aspired him for great things. A man whom he didn’t…exactly have the best conversation with before his presumed death.

“Dad” Oliver says it, trying not to cry.

THE MARQUETTE APARTMENT

Having her own apartment was new for Dinah. She's been crashing in her parents place, the Grant Gym and her bandmates' places so much she doesn't know what to do on her own. She still hasn't finished packing.

"At least I have my bed" she remarks. She opens up her closet and sees the outfit of the Black Canary. The title handed down to her by her mother. She just stares at her outfit "I don't deserve to be the Canary" she closes the door and rests on her bed.

LATER ON:

Oliver doesn’t know where he’ll go. He just wants to be away. Oliver is going through the motions, not caring where he lands. Once his mind finds some clarity, he found himself in a cab. And the cab took him to a nightclub. Specifically, the…

THE BEAUT CLUB

“Godawful name” Oliver grouses looking at its sign on the outside of the building

“Hey! Hey! Hey!”

In an unbelievable coincidence, Tommy Merlyn is there, ladies wrapped around on each of his shoulders.

“I thought you were taking it easy, Ollie?” asks a curious Tommy

“I just…needed to get out of the mansion. I just…just need a drink”

“Well, they’re on ME!”

Tommy points to himself, leading Oliver the way in once he passes by him. What a night to get fully intoxicated. One beer bottle handed to Oliver. That is later on emptied after chug. A second one is handed to Oliver. Then a third one, and well, on and on and on.

The two buddies horribly dance, either together, alone or with the ladies. A guy might have slipped in there. Either way, they can’t tell. All the sounds and imagery just seem to blend in and are passed away.

Quite the night to party. Quite the night to spend with Tommy. Quite the night…to waste.

“wwwha-what” the light, it’s hurting Oliver “the-the…crap! F***”

Oliver hits whatever is next to him. He spent the night sleeping on the couch of…

TOMMY MERLYN’S APARTMENT

He has his jeans on and nothing else. He sits up, wiping his face. Trying to bear his surroundings better. He sits up, the hangover already dissipating, just a little, though instead of walking, he stumbles. He opens up one room and sees Tommy in his bed, sleeping like a wasted baby.

He can’t remember a whiff of last night. He wakes up half naked. Suffers from a hangover. Just like the old Oliver.

“If he was still here, Yao would slap me across the head” Oliver mumbles

“What was that, son?”

Oliver turns to the other side, perturbed by the sound of another person suddenly here.

“Whoa! Ollie, it’s me! Can’t you recognize an old face?”

“Oh, it’s good to see you, Mr. Merlyn” Ollie sighs

“Come on, Oliver. I’ve been telling you this since you were a teenager, just call me…” the man smiles from ear to ear. Handing Oliver a glass of fresh water “Malcolm”

It’s been so long since Oliver saw Malcolm. He hasn’t aged a bit.

“I highly recommend drinking as much water possible today. Helps the body wash away the liquor. For the most part at least”

“Thanks” Oliver chugs the water fast

“Mighty thirsty, are we?” remarks an amused Malcolm

Oliver chuckles “It’s good water, Mr. Mer-Malcolm. I needed it”

“Okie. Now how’s about we sit down. We haven’t talked in YEARS. Can you believe that?”

Malcolm walks to the couch, sits down and gestures to Oliver to do the same. He does exactly that. Oliver and Malco;m simply looked at one another. No lines and dialogue shared, only staring. Oliver taps on the table near them as this is getting nowhere.

“Awkward silence” comments Oliver

“Awkward silence indeed. Let’s make this better. Just…I mean 5 years in an isl-“

“AAAUUUGGHHH” Oliver groans, tilting his head back “Malcolm, no offense, but I’m sick and TIRED of the island questions! I told you! I had help from people already there. Some lef-“

“Okay Okay Okay! Sorry I touched a nerve there”

“Look, it’s just-I’m sorr-”

“No no no. I get it, Oliver. One gets very tired after a while with the same questions. I know the media keeps pestering you. Didn’t mean to keep pushing”

“It’s uh-it’s fine” Oliver brushes it off, looking at the table.

“Ummm, Moira called me, I’m…I’m sorry about your father”

Oliver quickly looks up at Malcom. More of a reminder of his father’s passing.

“He wasn’t perfect. But he truly was a good man, Oliver. Robert Queen was someone who always wanted the next generation of Starling to succeed. It’s why he was so pushing of you, of Dinah. Even to Tommy.

Sometimes, the only way to get Tommy to be responsible and do his tasks and homework was having a chat with Robert. At times, it felt as though he was the only one able to get to him. that’s how good your father was”

Oliver just stays silent. He chews on his lips. Another reminder of his failure to appreciate his dad when he was still around.

“I didn’t…my goodbye to him, Malcolm. It was awful. Freaking awful”

Another session of silence, but this one Malcolm allows. For Oliver. For his sake. After almost a minute, Malcolm gets up “Time for some breakfast. I’m taking you out to eat”

“What about Tommy?”

“He can get himself breakfast. I want to spend time with you. Plus, you can use the company”

Malcolm pats Oliver and walks to the door. Oliver isn’t that far behind. Putting on his shoes and a shirt.

THE EXPRESS BAKERY

Oliver and Malcolm are at a line as the place is in a rush

“This place seems new. Wasn’t this an arcade before?” comments Oliver

“The Arcade wasn’t selling too good. Owner claimed bankruptcy. Thus, this place came around a couple of years ago. This bakery is doing pretty good. I eat most of my breakfasts here”

“I can tell it’s doing good”

“Good is the eggs they make, Oliver. So delicious! I feel like I could make love to those eggs. I won’t, but you get my point”

Malcolm clasps his hands in the anticipation

“I get your point. Food love making is an unwritten crime. Even in the island I was in it was illegal” Oliver joyfully states “Shame we couldn’t bring Tommy in”

Malcom’s excitement fades just by the mention of that name “Well…mmm” Malcolm tries to brush it off but Oliver keeps bringing Tommy back up

“Everything all right, Mr. Mer- Malcolm?”

“Yeah yeah…okay no. He’s still…Tommy. Always living out the nightlife. Always partying and drinking it up. I just want him to mature, you know?”

“I…I understand. Ever since I came back, it feels like nothing has changed. He’s still the same guy as before. Last night, there were points when I wanted to slap the beer bottle away, but I didn’t because I wanted to drink last night. Now it feels like I haven’t matured. This is supposed to be a fresh start for Oliver Queen and already it’s off to a bad start”

“Hey. Last night was last night” Malcolm tries to calm down Oliver “Sure, you got drunk, but we all have those nights. I know I’ve had them and might have them some more. Now you learn from it. Avoid it. I just wished Tommy avoided it, and it felt like for a while, he did”

“Really?” asks a surprised Oliver

“Yeah. After the boat crashed, Tommy was distraught. He felt like he killed you. Subsequently, he started working for me. Small position in Merlyn Global, but he was doing good. He got sober and it felt like we made a connection. First time in our lives actually”

Then the fondness of the past in Merlyn’s voice fades “He had one night where he failed a job, and I mean really failed. Got drunk and…he’s been drinking excessively again. There are nights where I check up on him to make sure he hasn’t hit his head on something and find his car rammed in the tree. Honestly, sometimes I wonder where I failed”

Oliver got all that. It makes him truly sad to hear the fall of such a close friend of his. That he’s stuck in this never-ending ruination. But Tommy is still his buddy, he has to stand up to him.

“Co-come on, Malcolm. Don’t give up on your-“

“Enough about Tommy. This line is moving, finally. What about you?”

“But-“

“We’ll go back to Tommy later. I want to know about you, Oliver. If you’re looking for a job”

Oliver wants to keep mentioning Tommy, but Malcolm is in a way, offering Oliver a spotlight to talk about his own problems, and now is the chance.

“Well, my mother told me I have a spot at Queen Consolidated. Whenever I’m ready of course. But, just maybe, I’m thinking of someplace else. I don’t know”

“Go on. I’m intrigued”

“I know it’s my family’s business, but I feel like I could do more someplace else than just sponge off of a business already prepared for me since I was a kid”

“Maybe take up archery while you’re at it?”

Oliver lets out a laughter. A fake one. “Maybe. Let’s see. Look, I wouldn’t mind working for Queen Consolidated-“

“How about Merlyn Global?” intrudes a sly Malcolm

“Wh-what? Seriously?”

“Yeah. It’d be nice to have some new blood in the company. I can see the ambition in your eyes, Oliver. You and I together? Me as the boss and you as an assistant”

“Not the position I was looking for”

“It’s a start. But I’d love to have you around. You did joke to your dad that you’d work for me if he didn’t take you to see the Commando 3 movie”

Oliver stammers, flattered by the position “Hmm. Okay okay. Look, I’ll let you know. I really like the offer, Malcolm, I do. I’m just so indecisive”

“Take your time, Oliver. At the end, it's up to you. What is it that you want to do? I know you’ll make the right choice. I just hope you straighten up your mind and you get to work in a tight and effective manner. Look, we’re next, time to order up”

Oliver smiles at Malcolm words of support. He hasn’t really been focused since returning. He’s been all over the place. It’s time for Mr. Queen to straighten himself and get to preparing himself. To work with what he promised back on the island.

Also, to make his order, Malcolm is tugging at his shirt to get his attention “We have a line, sir” says the cashier "Get out"

GRANT GYM

At night, with her motorcycle, Dinah drove there. Ted apparently wanted a special late-night class with her. Dinah has been feeling down recently and maybe being around Ted can help.

Once she opens the doors of this place, Ted isn’t there. Nobody seems to be there except the blank silence.

“Ted?” she asks, looking around “Come on! You wanted me to be here. I am here! Let’s just-“

“Get this over with?” somebody finishes her sentence “I knew you would say that”

A voice hollows the entire gym. One that seems to remind Dinah of something but she can’t quite put her feather on it.

“Very funny!” Dinah points out

“You have to temper your anger, child”

“Child? I’m in my twenties, guy”

“Very well. Then act your age. You’re still beating yourself for an incident that didn’t occur”

“Still doesn’t make it any less painful”

“Hmm. Understood. But will you let yourself be in the doldrums or rise up and show the world that nothing can stop you?”

“I…” she struggles. The voice may be annoying her, but eventually, she has to get back up. She has to.

“I’ll get up” he once more finishes for her “I knew you would, but I didn’t need my prophetic dreams for that”

“Prophetic dreams? Now hold up. It can’t be-“

“Oh it is”

“The Sandman?!”

Right from behind her stands a blast from the past. In a stylized green and orange suit, trench coat, gas mask and utterly beautiful fedora. The Sandman, Wesley Dodds, is right in front of this rookie.

“It’s been too long, little Dinah. I remember seeing you when you were tiny and dressing up as Hawkwoman. You have grown”

“Yeah, that happens when years pass by”

“It truly is great seeing you”

“Mom and Ted put you up to this, right?”

“No. Only your mother. Ted did agree for me to use the gym”

“Only if he punched you, right?”

“Of course”

“That happens when you just leave…without having that much of a goodbye” Dinah pivots away from the Sandman “It would have nice seeing you from time to time”

“I’m-I’m sorry I didn’t keep up with visits. Frankly, I haven’t seen anyone from the Justice Society in a long time”

Dinah looks at him again “A law that bans heroes doesn’t mean you guys had to be cut off from each other’s life’s. Wesley, have you seen any friends for a long time?”

“Wasn’t I here to help you?”

“I think you came here because deep down you wanted to see an old face. You don’t have to be alone”

Dinah comforts Wesley, a man she admired for a long time.

“We’re not finished. I came here for a reason. Speak up, I heard what happened”

Dinah already looks away

“My child. I can't relate to an experience like that, but I know you're not one to give up. I know you, Dinah. I haven’t seen you for so long, but I see it in your eyes. You’re still as determined as ever. I remember the time when your father brought you back from school after you got in a fight. You wouldn’t let an older kid get his way with a girl your age.

That girl was thankful for your assistance and you two became good friends at school. I even remember you telling me that your friends’ parents told you that you were a good influence on her. Want to know where that girl is? She’s helping her community center near where I live and is going to bring two wonderful kids to this world.

If you can start having a good domino effect when you were a child, imagine what you’ll do once you don your costume”

Dinah grows a slight smile “You believe in me that much?”

“I do. And my dreams tell me you’ll do great things”

“Bit of a spoiler”

“I always was”

Dinah chuckles and simply looks at a man she called a hero for so long. She may be annoyed he wasn’t around for a long time, but now, in the flesh, memories of a fan start coming back. She hugs him. She hugs one of her favorite heroes.

And Wesley, who’s been away from people for so long accepts the embrace. It feels nice being around someone he knew again.

“Now I gotta say something else” Dinah lets go of Sandman “I know you came in for a pep talk, but can a training session also be worth your time? You already made the travel”

She couldn’t see it, but Dinah knew that Wesley was smiling behind his mask. The man nods and motions for Dinah to enter the ring.

A hideout somewhere in the Aurora District

Oliver has prepared himself a salmon ladder. He smiles at his craftmanship. Time to start climbing.

THE CAPSTONE BRIDGE

Jogging past it are Dinah and DD, with Dinah in the lead.

QUEEN MANOR

Oliver is already in his hundredth push up, sweating on all sides of his back.

THE HYDE PARK

Dinah meditates with Ted Grant, finding her center.

The Hideout at the Aurora District

Oliver just finished up another climb at the salmon ladder

“Time for another”

NEW YORK CITY

In one of the best gyms of the city, Dinah came in to train with the former Sandman. Already close to beating him.

TOMMY'S APARTMENT

Oliver went in for a movie night. Now he sits on the couch waiting for Tommy to leave the bathroom so they can continue watching their flick. As he waits, he uses his thoughts to pass the time.

Maybe more training can be accomplished. How well can he do out there? How fast will he be to avoid the DEO once they see him? Perhaps…he can see Dinah again.

He DID want to see her. Talk to her after their last chat went by badly. Reconnect. Truly forgive her. This is the choice that he truly wants.

THE LANCE RESIDENCE

Oliver makes his way to enter the house, hoping things go by smoothly. From the inside, Quentin can see Oliver outside, and he’s not too pleased. DD can see as well and she follows her husband.

It’s off to a bad start when Quentin Lance comes out and grabs Oliver by his collar, staring him down like the criminals he fights.

“I want you to listen clear and listen good, Queen. I don’t care how freaking rich your family is or even if I lose my job. If you ever get near my home or daughter again, I’ll make sure I find-“

“Quentin!” Dinah Drake is here, yelling out to her husband “Let go of Oliver”

Upstairs in her room, Dinah was meditating, but stops once she hears the commotion outside.

“What? Dinah, come on! This guy is scum. I don’t care if he spent 5 years on an island, he’ll wish he was back when I’m through with him!”

Dinah Drake separates her husband away from Oliver

“Quentin, I think I know why Oliver is here and I think it’d be good for our daughter if she saw him”

“Have ya forgotten that this punk here just cheated on her like she was trash?”

“I haven’t forgotten. But our daughter needs finality. She needs to confront him. Oliver…” she looks over to him, very seriously “I’m glad you didn’t die, but if you ever hurt my daughter like you did all those years ago, I won’t stop my husband, got that?”

Oliver nervously nods and is allowed passageway into the house by DD. Dinah heard all that. The man who was her best friend for a long time is coming on up. They could have talked after the concert, but she didn’t want to talk. She rejected him, even if deep down, she wanted to reach out. Find some measure of peace. Not leave it like they did years ago.

She sits on the floor, trembling. Shaking. She bites her upper lip in apprehension. Dinah now remembers that she locked the door, not wanting any interruption. She peers over to the door, already hearing Oliver’s footsteps.

Steadily, she gets up on her feet. Does she reject him like last time or accept him? Oliver is close at hand to the doorknob and Dinah wipes away her sweat. Does she really want him in? Does she want to see him? As he walks, she rushes to the door and unlocks it. She draughts, somewhat regretting her decision, but the act has already been done.

Oliver has one hand in the doorknob. It’s now time to have the talk he’s been waiting to have for years. He wants to forgive. He wants to bellow about how much he missed her and thought of her every day. He wants to be in her life, but knows it can’t be the same way again. Even if he can’t talk to her, at least he can make peace. Some measure of it. Just a tiny single fraction of it.

Dinah stands a couple feet away from her door. Rubbing her shoulder, waiting for Oliver to open the damn door. Oliver can’t stop respiring in a haste. It’s just opening a door; how hard can it be? Open it and talk to her. He wants to do this. He needs to.

The waiting is worrying Dinah. Why won’t he enter? Oliver coughs in the shoulder of his shirt. Why can’t he open this door? A talk. That’s all he wants. Just a talk.

A talk that maybe she doesn’t want to have. She didn’t want it after the concert, perhaps she doesn’t want it now.

Oliver knows he betrayed her trust long ago. He broke her heart. Her trust. Maybe he doesn’t deserve this. Doesn’t deserve to be here. To have this second chance with her.

Maybe, she’s better off without him.

“I love you, Dinah” he quietly mutters and let’s go of the doorknob.

Oliver gets away from the door, from the house and from Dinah. Dinah stands there, a tear slowly streaming down her cheek. She can’t move. She’s paralyzed. Was that it? Was that all? She wants to yell out, release her anger. But no. No time for that. She has to leave that in the past. It won’t do her any good. Oliver won’t do her any good.

QUEEN MANOR

Oliver drinks up from his bottle of liquor, wiping off tears. No matter how many he wipes away, he can’t stop sobbing. He has to stop, if he wants to be ready for the future.

Chapter Text

SCZR RADIO STATION

“Hey everyone, Colt Irvine here! And recently there’s been a buzz around Starling City about the return of the “Black Canary” on the streets? The once former famous superheroine from yesteryear seems to be back with other rumors saying it could be a new one-“

CLICK

HELLO STARLING CITY STUDIO

“-have ya’ll heard about the Black Canary taking down a couple of gangs recently? You know some of those gangs robbed my good friend Earnie a few weeks back. So forgive me DEO, but thank you, Black-“

CLICK

THIS DAY IN STARLING STUDIO

“-last night this crook, the “Black Canary” took down another superpowered crook "The Duchess" who had been robbing from many stores all around the east side of Starling Ci-“

CLICK

ROXX NEWS

“This is Bucker Larson and I am outrage I say! Can you believe this gutter****? Thinking she can parade herself and making a mockery of our system? I saw some little girl on the store say “wow, she’s pretty cool”. If I was that kid’s parent, I would have slapped her across the head! What we should be asking is when is the DEO getting involved and rightfully arresting this no good bi-“

CLICK

APARTMENT BUILDING

The aforementioned little girl is watching all this, a bit perturbed “Yo bro, I got mentioned on TV”

The brother comes in with a basket of clothes “I heard, Michelle. No you weren’t”

“Why was he so angry? Black Canary seems cool”

“She’s not following the law”

“Yeah, but, she’s helping, Jesse”

“Not to everyone”

“But remember that drug guy from across the street? The one that got Uncle Pablo into that stuff? I don’t see him anymore. Christine told me he’s in jail now-"

"Because cops found further evidence-"

"WHICH she gave to them, secretly. Or how about the Chain Gang? I haven’t heard anything from them in weeks. Bro, I haven’t slept this good in a while”

“That’s not the point. She’s gonna cause chaos soon if she doesn’t stop. it’s happened before with her kind and it’ll happen again”

“I don’t understand! Her kind seems fine. Didn't mom and dad used to say they had autographs from The Flash and-”

“Go to sleep. It’s getting late” he leaves with the basket to continue doing the laundry while Michelle can only get up in a huff

THE STREETS

Like the girl, some of the hobos in the area are organized in a huddle watching the late-night shows talk about Black Canary. Their tv that’s on top of a plastic chain barrel is giving them the scoop as they eat their bread with milk.

“Man, what a bunch of whinners” says one of the men there

“Oh come on, Dan, that’s an insult to whinners everywhere” so says…The Black Canary! Eating alongside them as she sits Indian style.

“Hey Canary, when you gonna take out those d bags?” asks one of the women there, with the other people nodding and agreeing

“Well I can’t put down all of them, Anne. Some are only guilty of stupidity”

“Like Geoff over here” says Dan pointing at Jeff, with Jeff looking at him peeved

“You take that back, you…stupid head”

Anne speaks up again, a bit uneased is her expression “Not this is only rumors, but word from the streets say that some meeting from these ***hole rich people is being organized somewhere. One a those tv guys is goin’ to be there”

Canary taps her chin “I heard recently that in some of the lower neighborhoods that plenty of women were taken. I think I may know where this is going. Got any idea where this meeting might take place?”

“Word always spreads around here. we’ll let you know”

“Good, cause I gotta go on patrol now” Canary gets up from her seat “Take care guys, you’re the best group of friends a vigilante can spend her time with” she exits with all of them waiving her goodbye

QUEEN MANOR

In the TV of his room, Oliver sees news about the Black Canary while he does push-ups. Some channels praise her, others look down. Oliver just scoffs “So long as she doesn’t get in the way, I’ll send her flowers as a thank you”.

But Oliver is left curious if she may be financially equipped to deal with crimefighting. Something he has an abundance of. For now. When he hears his mother has returned home, it’s the perfect time to make sure he’s not without cash.

Before she can climb up the stairs, he stands at the top “Hey mom” he greets “You know that job proposal you always had up for me?” he grins

MAIN SCPD PRECINCT

While finishing up paperwork, Detective Quentin Lance is visited by a rookie cop who’s reading the newspaper “Hey Boss, I heard this Canary chick is a cutie. I’d like to put her in handcuffs”

Lance scowls at the rookie “Did you only come here to annoy me about your fantasies, kid?”

“Umm, no, sir. How goes with finding the Canary?”

“I got zilch. The chief has everyone trying to find her, so now I can’t go after Brickwell anymore. This is what happens when a super gets in the way. Now bug off, I gotta finish this, I’m having a bad headache enough already”

The rookie leaves and Lance continues his paperwork, which for the first time is a hail Mary for him. It takes him away from thinking about the Canary. His wife, Dinah Drake, was the original Black Canary and he knows she didn’t take kindly forced retirement when superheroes were forced out. He’s been dodging this question at her at home for weeks, but could she be the new Canary? Or perhaps she had a hand in training this new one.

BIG YACHT JUST OUTSIDE OF AURORA

Inside the ship, a group of repulsive and stomach-churning men surround the room with their chuckles and grotty smiles. Women are put on a platform in only their bra and panties. They shiver for the environment is too cold but these men don’t care. They howl at them to take what’s left off and laugh at their worried faces.

PLAM

One of the bodyguards is sent flying through the door, much to everyone’s surprise. Out of it comes…

“THE BLACK CANARY” shouts one of the men in suits

“Hey now…” walks in a man in a white suit, all the swagger to boot “Baby, I know what it looks like but these girls have nowhere to go. We gave them purpose. How about you, eh? You up for Ka noodling with top men like us?”

“Hmm” the Canary smiles “Let me think about it”

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

In that moment, she lets out a loud Canary Cry on the floor, now puncturing the ships alignment. Everyone is now off balance. Black Canary grabs the man in the white suit and decks him across the face with a hard right hand, chipping away a tooth.

The heavies try to shoot at her but they can’t get good steadiness and their shots miss. Canary goes out, knocking down each with devastating kicks and punches. With each other takedowns, she holds her fists “Why does punching have to hurt ME too?”

One of the men in the event goes to choke her with his hands, angry at her for disrupting his fun

CRACK

One of the women forced into this grabbed a bottle of liquor and smashed it over his head

“Hey thanks” Canary compliments her “Just might need a sidekick if I get distracted”

The woman smiles but it immediately fades, dropping the bottle and Canary tends to her “I-I wanna go home” says the timid woman

“You will. What’s your name?”

“Adriana”

“Okay, Adriana, help me get the other girls”

Everyone in the ship has made their escape in different speedboats. Some are sweating all over the bodies whereas others are holding a frozen bag on their cheeks or foreheads to mend the pain. Then there’s Black Canary who’s with the women that were a part of this disgusting show. Each has a trench coat on to ease their cold. And they surround the man in the white suit, making sure he doesn’t escape.

At the docks, Canary holds him up by the collar of his shirt “wait wait wait!...wait” Canary waits for him to talk “Sorry, blanking on my thought”

KICK

With that, she kicks him in the stomach and sends him to the waters “Pleas-please! I can’t swim!”

A minute later and Canary has him on shore “If you want to bide time with an introduction, I already know you’re Phillip Copeland. You run an insurance company, giving people safety nets, only to take them right away when they least expect it. You are not spoken well around the streets. I have this one friend who knew this guy who used every foul word of the dictionary I want to describe you”

“Should I give a ****?”

“Yeah, I suggest you talk fast. Give me information on everything or those ladies over there will make sure you wished you had heard that friend’s description of you on repeat”

The ladies that he took away from their homes and made to seem less than stare angrily at him, each ready to tear him apart “Just look at them, Copeland. Each death stare can pierce the earth”

“okay, I’ll talk. I wasn’t the organizer of this”

“Okay, LADIES”

“No wait! I wasn’t. Okay, I kinda was-look! The guy who originally set this up was Buddy Simmons. The guy who runs the XTV broadcasting system. He’s the one in charge of this trafficking ring, but he was busy tonight and he let me be the host”

“Anything else?” Copeland nods in disagreement, and Canary snickers “Okay, let’s try this again”

She picks him up again, holds him close to her, as if they were in a hugging position. She moves her head away but still close enough to his ear, and…

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Copeland falls the ground, holding his right ear as he rives on the ground “And there’s more where that came from”

“Jesus Christ! Fine! I’ve been in meetings with him! He could be talking with Kyle Davis, the dude from SCZR Radio Station! He was in on it too! That enough?”

“Maybe. Hey ladies, you got it all?”

Adriana steps in “We recorded everything, just like you asked”

“What?!” yells Copeland

“I need you to stay here with the ladies for when the police show up. This will be helpful for the court hearing. You want a reduced sentence and avoid the countless dropping the soap moments? Confess your crimes, actually help the people you were supposed to. Oh, and aid some charity’s while you’re at it, it’ll help your image. You don’t and I’ll be sure to visit you one night and show you what my Canary Cry really does when impacting a human being”

“Canary Cry? That’s the lamest-“ her mouth opens up a bit “Stop stop! I get it!”

“Good” she kicks in the head “That’ll stop you from running” and she kicks his unconscious body "That'll make me feel good" Canary goes over to the ladies “Be sure to give this to the cops and to give additional information if they don’t ask enough questions”

“I thought you’d help us get home” says a somewhat disappointed Adriana

“I’m sorry, I can’t. There’ll be people who have better resources than I do. They’ll take you to your families. What each of you are going to do will help stop the scumbags who went after you”

“It won’t”

“Not immediately, but trust the process”

“Are you going to kick Buddy what’s his name’s ass?”

Canary gives a wink and a nod, departing just when she hears the police sirens. In the same period of the Canary’s exit, so leaves a man who was watching from afar. A hooded figure who heard with great interest.

THE LANCE RESIDENCE

At 4am, Quentin has finally arrived home, just barely made it to bed as he holds his sleeping wife tight

“You were supposed to get here earlier. Even had some lingerie on” says Dinah Drake

“I arrested Phillip Copeland tonight. he was actually up for confessing his dealings. He’s gonna help us bring down two other ****heads”

“Still don’t like him”

“same”

“how goes chasing the new Canary?”

“oh for Gods sake, please don’t talk about the Black Canary”

“I will, the ***** stole my name. my gimmick. I should have gotten it copyrighted”

“due time, dear. Now sleep”

“do you have your work clothes on?”

“Yes”

“Get them off. you’ll wrinkle them”

“Come on, D”

“sorry, sleeping now” she smirks. Despite acting like she’s angry about this new Canary, Dinah Drake cannot let her husband know she’s behind the training of the new heroine who is their daughter. And deep down, she worries what will happen when her daughter and her husband meet on the field.

And to Quentin Lance, can his wife be this Canary? Could she be replaying her old character? He wants to ignore it, but could she be more involved in this than he would care to admit?

MAIN QUEEN CONSOLIDATED BUILDING

Outside of the premises is a stage that is hosting a big event for this business. In the podium is Moira Queen, the head of Queen Consolidated and Oliver Queen’s mother, right in the middle of her speech which she is proud of.

“-and it is with great admiration and importance, especially as a mother, that I welcome to Queen Consolidated as the new Chief Technology Officer; Oliver Queen!” Oliver steps in and hugs his mother as the audience applauds and the photographers take their photos of this

THE DINING HALL

Chatter is had and wine is drunk, this little party is main headlines for the news. The once thought to be dead Oliver Queen is still the most popular man in Starling City, as people are still swarming him for talks and interviews. While his mother and him talk to a politician, Oliver is tapped in the back

"I have to say I'm disappointed, Oliver" Oliver is caught by surprise by the arrival of a smirking Malcolm Merlyn "After our talk I thought you'd join me"

"Sorry. Just wanted to work close to home, you know?" Oliver smiles at his mother

"Eh, I get it. Just so you know, son, door's always opened"

Malcolm pats him on the back and Oliver smiles. Glad to see someone truly there for him. Before he can continue a talk he wants to have, he's bombarded by reporters. Thankfully to him, it’s finally not about the island, it’s about his new position.

“In my position, I will make sure Queen Consolidated in #1 in technological achievements and most certainly one of the most lucrative businesses in the world, let alone of this great city. Now if you don’t mind, I want to get to know some of the greatest minds this company has to offer and eventually, the world”

WEAPONS DIVISION

In a big space with experimental guns and missiles around, only one sort of a chubby white dude seems to be around, and he’s eating chips while watching the popular tv show; Breaking Good.

“I’ve heard of that show, need to give it a watch when I’m not so busy”

The guy almost falls out of his seat when he hears that out of nowhere voice. He worries further when it’s Oliver Queen talking to him “Uhhhhhhh”

“Hello sir?’

“Sir, hello!” He gets out his seat and shakes Oliver’s hand “It’s an honor meeting you. you’ve done so much like surviving on that island and…and…” the guy begins sweating, nothing else is popping off

“Hey, dude, no need to walk around eggshells. I haven’t done much in my life. I have no shame in that”

“Oh good, because you haven’t done jack ****”

“HAHA” Oliver slaps him across the shoulder “First time impressions and you don’t act like a suck up. You should have seen the people in the Standards and Practices division”

“They got you a cup of coffee?”

“Water in a dixie cup, but close enough. I like you, man”

“The names Henry Fyff, Mr. Queen”

“Oliver is just fine. Where’s the rest of the group?”

“The group isn’t big, but the others took the day off. I’m just here because I don’t wanna go to my mother’s place. It’s bingo day there and I say no thank you”

“No offense because I live with my mother, but shouldn’t you have your own place? I thought being in the weapons division made a lot of dough, especially with DEO backing?”

“Most of it goes to the top of the company and the DEO. We’d get enough, but with Luthor Corp being the biggest supplier of weapons in the US and Starling City not being a real priority for the DEO, the people who actually work on these only get scraps”

“I’m-I’m sorry to hear about that”

“Eh forget it. I at least get to watch my stuff here. And I think Veronica from accounting is into me”

“Who’s Veronica?”

“Man, you need to get around here more”

“That’s why I’m here, Henry. You say you don’t make a lot of money? What if I were to say you can make more and get your own place?”

Henry looks at him with a lack of certainty “What do you mean?”

2 WEEKS LATER- XTV BROADCASTING SYSTEM BUILDING

The Black Canary, from behind a dumpster truck in an alley, watches Buddy Simmons enter his limousine, with security pretty tight this time around as they make sure nobody gets near him. For the past couple of weeks, Canary has been keeping an eye on Buddy Simmons, watching him afar as she’s noticed that between 11am-2pm, he leaves and returns three hours later from whatever hour he left.

Could just be regular old meetings, or could be more. Canary knows she could have followed him to his meetings to know the full scope, but she had no way to get there. Not anymore. After they enter and leave the premises, Canary follows suit with her newly bought; Motorcycle!

As she drives off “I always wanted one of these puppies. Dreams do come true…” the wind is a bit too much on her “Should have worn the helmet. For many reasons”

A HIDEOUT SOMEWHERE IN THE AURORA DISTRICT

At a table with plenty of material and arrows in it, Henry is working on an arrow, making sure a tube look structure is well put on the arrow.

“How goes it?” asks Oliver, finishing up on his salmon ladder

“I think this time it’s been adjusted wisely. It won’t be blowing up in your face. Or back I should say. I still think you should test it out”

“I will, out there”

“It might not work”

“It will. I know when I choose wisely, Henry, and I know you did right with some of these adjusted arrows. I look forward to using your combustible content”

“Oliver, dude, I still think it’s too dangerous”

“So are the people who I’m aiming at. See you later, I have a meeting to attend”

DESERTED EDIFICE IN THE WOODS

The place isn’t big but it’s away from any houses or parks nearby. It’s in its own property of land with two limousines parked outside with security on all sides.

“Okay” Canary rubbed her hands “Super-secret meeting inside. Just might be Kyle Davis there too. And there’s big tough guys there also. Plenty of them. Seems unfair…” Canary smirks “For them”

Then to her surprise, she’s tapped on the shoulder. She turns around, startled, further startled to see a group of 5 people cladded in black and blue gear, practically ninja like, are in front of her.

“…Well then…” remarks Canary “It’s only fair I throw the first punch”

She does exactly that and the person easily ducks, uppercutting her. She lands on the floor and swings back to her feet to defend herself from the incoming assault. To the confusion of the men guarding the place, coming out of the bushes, they see the fight going on.

“It’s Black Canary!” comments one of the guards “And she’s fighting Mr. Simmons’ ninja guards!”

“Again?! Come on, that’s an insult to us”

“Who cares? Let’s take down that broad!”

That particular guard rushes to Canary, hoping to prove himself…and ends up getting punched in the nose, immediate knockout.

“Yeah, let the ninjas handle it” the regular old bodyguards try to stay away from the fight

In the fight itself, Canary throws haymakers and anything that resembles a strike to the group. She’s fast but they’re faster. If it was one on one, she might have a chance but it being a group has made it worse. Each punch she throws gets weaker and slower while the villainous group’s make each strike count. Canary knows this, to the point that the world seems to be getting blurrier.

By the time her vision seems to have improved, she’s surrounded by the lethal team that put her down in the back of her person. In the front is Buddy Simmons and Kyle Davis, with s&@! eating grins that can’t be washed away.

“I remember seeing the original Black Canary when I was younger, even had a crush I’ll admit” comments Simmons “You’re almost as pretty. Maybe if you give us a show, we’ll be kinder and I can let you off the hook”

Simmons rubs his hand over her face. Said hand slowly moves down, reaching her chest. Canary responds by…

BLAM

Headbutting him in the nose

“YOU BITCH” Simmons follows it up by punching her in the face and dropping her again “What is with the women of this generation? Back then, women would have been happy with the touch of gentlemen like myself”

Davis chimes in “Or they’d know when to keep their mouths shut to keep their jobs”

“Some still do” both men laugh, a knee slapper the comments were to them “Enough chit chat, I think we all know what the proper action to take right now”

“you-you’re right” says a weak Canary. She winks at Simmons and she points her attention the ceiling

EEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Canary Cry right on up, changing her direction ever so slightly to take down half of it.

“YOU CRAZY BROAD. YOU’LL KILL US ALL” screams Simmons

“Men this generation” laughs Canary, elbowing two of the lethal team behind her. The debris is falling and everyone is scattering. Black Canary runs to the wall and with another Cry, she breaks the walls down. Before she can exit, she’s kicked to the side by one of the members of the Lethal team.

The Black Canary swings for another kick but her movement was too slow for her standards that her opponent dodged and punched square in the face. To the surprise of the rookie hero, a voice comes out of the person looming over her “You caused this collapse, stay and watch the fruits of your pathetic labor”

“And they talk, ain’t today full of surprises?” saying that, she keeps something hidden in her jacket

They pick up Canary and Canary, with the most sizeable of lucks, is able to hit her opponent up top the head with one of the broken bricks from the wall. She made sure not to be too forceful, to give them a chance to escape from the place.

Canary heads and finds the guard she punched earlier rising up from the ground “Stupid hero lady, when I get my hands on her-”

“Right here” says Canary

“AAHHHHH” he screams like a girl “What I meant to say is that I totally support your cause. Hero Power For Life”

“Good to know. Now how’s about you show it?” Canary holds up a gun.

The guy goes to pick out his gun only to not find it “Where is it?”

“Hello?” she points to the gun in her hand

“Yeah, I know, you’re packing. But where’s my gun?”

She rolls her eyes and closes the gun in on him “Get me out of here and you won’t get a concussion!”

“Nu uh! I’m no sell out”

She pulls him aside and focuses her sight on those charging at them

EEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

She screams and throws them aside. With him looking at her affrighted, he gives in “I see your point” he says while his hands tremble.

They go to one of the cars and before departing, she uses the Canary Cry to destroy the other cars there. The Lethal Team, ordered by Simmons, charge at Canary with great speed “FLOOR IT” she screams and the car bolts out of there. The team is still in pursuit, even as the cars is in motion.

“Man, Mr. Simmons knows how to pick heavy’s”

“Pretty sure that is a lie considering yourself”

“Hey, I’m helping you now. Want me to stop and feed you to the sharks?”

“Want a ******* bullet coming from one side and going PLROOO outside the other?!?!”

He keeps driving and eventually the Lethal Team gives up due to exhaustion. Canary still maintains her grip on the gun, making sure the bodyguard doesn’t stop at any moment “Please stop pointing the gun at me”

“No. You’re taking me to a junkyard. You’re still useful to me”

“What? I-“ he stops his words and keeps driving “If you’re trying to be a hero, keeping me hostage isn’t very heroic”

“Trust me, buddy, I know. God, I know!” with her free hand, she rubs her forehead

“You okay? You can talk to me, I’m a good listener”

“Lousy stakeout plan. I got caught immediately and had my ass handed to me. This never would have happened to the original Black Canary”

“Oh! So, you’re a new one?”

She looks at him dumbfounded, she might have gotten stupider with that response “Dude, look at me. Look at me!”

“Yeah, you’re hot, what about it?”

She restrains herself from smacking him in the head “How have you lived this long?”

“I’m charming”

Having had enough “Junkyard, now!”

“Which junkyard?!”

“S*** you’re right. Okay give me a second”

DESERTED EDIFICE IN THE WOODS

Back at the site of the battle, Simmons finishes a phone call “Pick up is coming in about half an hour. The clean up team will also be coming”. The Lethal Team is walking back to the group “And where is the lady?!”

“Apologies, Mr. Simmons. Even people like us can’t outrun a car”

“Lousy mercenaries. You were hired because you were beyond “human condition”. What good are you?”

“Well then our job is done” says the leader, with his team walking off

“No wait! Job ain’t done!”

“Apologies again, but you said it yourself, lousy mercenaries. We can never be useful at the rate we’re going”

“I’ll double your pay”

Though their masks cover their faces, the leader smiles underneath it. Davis approaches Simmons “Hey pal, can ya spare a couple? That hussy could come after us again and my guys ain’t enough” Davis’ bodyguards look at each other annoyed.

“Oh really? How about I give less than one?”

“Come on, Simmons. You owe me”

“Do I? Last I checked I was the reason your station is still running and your behind on your last payment” Davis looks defeated “Next time, “pal””

After some time, the crew arrives and each side is taken away in limousines. Davis ponders as the vehicle moves “You okay, boss?”

“No you idiot. Simmons, he’s got good help but what do I have to show for it, Grizz?”

“You know…I’ve heard from a friend from a friend about someone who could help you out”

Ready to ignore him, he stops himself “...Go on” Davis says more relaxed

“He’s a drug dealer all the way from Vlatava, but a powerful one and I’ve been hearing rumors he could show up in Starling anytime soon. My point is I think you can squirrel with this guy and maybe make him a heavy for you”

“A drug dealer? Who cares?”

“It’s not that he’s just a drug dealer. It’s that the stuff he uses…it’s like…crack on another level”

“Okay? What’s his name?”

“You’ll get a kick out of this. It’s-“

KKRRIIISSHHH

Suddenly the limousine that guarded them is off its course and spins around, crashing into a tree. Kyle Davis holds his head, hurting from the impact. Grizz checks in on him but Davis slaps his hand.

“Check what the **** happened!” the door is left opened and Davis sees the limousine in front that was riding some of his other men also crashed.

THCK

From out of nowhere, to the start of great confusion leading to rising terror, Davis sees an arrow pierce through the skull of Grizz. The splatter of blood plashes the grass and Grizz’s lifeless body hitting the ground. Davis looks as if he’s seen a ghost before him.

It gets worse when the other guys come out to deal with the situation. Davis sees two of them get shot with arrows and the others run for the sake of their lives. Davis remains in his limo, and even though he can’t see any of what’s going on, he can hear each man scream in agony and horror.

He hears any time an arrow hits its target and the body splashes to the floor. Some even get arrows in the neck and gargle in their last moments, hoping for any salvation in these short seconds.

Davis can’t handle it but he doesn’t know what to do. He knows full well all his men have fallen. Maybe this is Simmons and his Lethal Team sending a message. Maybe it’s God coming to send a message. Maybe it’s an ex-wife or someone from his past. Regardless, he knows it won’t be pleasing.

KRASH

Crashing down from the glass limo top, Davis sees the man who’s taken out everyone in sight. A hooded man with a domino mask, but Davis can feel his eyes piercing his own skin “Who are you?” Davis asks like a frightened boy “Why are you doing this?”

“Because of you”

The hooded man pulls out his crossbow and an arrow and with a release…

THCK

THE JUNKYARD

Anne and the bodyguard from before are helping patch up Canary, wrapping up her right arm and ribs as the color grey is mixed with blue there “Damn woman” comments Anne for her “You sure you want to head out again? The color of those bruises are a no pleaser for me and definitely a no pleaser for you”

“Doesn’t matter. I have to get back out there. Maybe my stunt spooked Simmons. I could catch him off guard”

The bodyguard speaks up “But you told me on the car your plan sucked and was lousy. Just look at what the Lethal Team”

“I know, guy!”

“Look, my name is-“

“Urrggh” Canary facepalms “You should have seen those people, Anne” Canary remembers each member of the Lethal Team “Their strikes, the precision, I’ve trained styles similar to theirs, I’ve been trained by the best and yet it wasn’t enough. Even if I fought one of them, eventually they would have bested me. This wouldn’t have happened with the original Black Canary, she would have handled this better”

“Look…” the bodyguard speaks up again “You gotta stop selling yourself short. I’m sure the old Canary made some mistakes. Botched things up along the way. I think it was the same case for other heroes. The point is to learn from them and improve at the next task. Plan better and use what you got to get the job done, because complaining about your screw ups never solves the problem”

“Wow…” Canary looks at him puzzled “I’m glad I ran into you. You’re a wise bodyguard, you”

“The name is Chris-”

“Okay, you”

“It’s…right. Can I get back to work? I’m glad to help you out but I need the job and I’m here only because you brought me”

Anne comments now “He’s got a point. It’s not very heroic to keep a man against his will”

“That’s what I said!” Anne and Chris the bodyguard high five

“Fine, you can go…but I gotta give you this” Canary gets up from her seat and…

POW

She punches him in the eye, giving said eye a tint of black

“WHAT GIVES. AAHHHH”

“If you have that at work, they’ll be less suspicious that you helped me out”

“Appreciate the sentiment, but still OWW” while Chris the bodyguard holds his eye in pain while Canary and Anne chuckle together

XTV BROADCASTING SYSTEM BUILDING

Having enjoyed a quick stop to a strip club to forget the actions of the Black Canary, now in the comfy stay of his limo with a glass of champagne to imbibe right as he’s next to his workplace, Buddy Simmons is given a call. The call that Kyle Davis has been found dead.

Inside the place, Simmons arrives in the top floor, with the Lethal Team right behind him. His normal looking bodyguards remain downstairs, sharing smokes and steering clear of any strangers nearby. After Simmons enters his office, the Lethal Team remain outside.

Simmons gets the phone, ready to make a call he’s regretted making for years, but with a vigilante gunning after him and a murderer having been so close to him, he can’t take any more chances. He must require the help of someone he fears more than anything he’s ever encountered.

Outside of his office, the leader of the Lethal Team can’t help but move around the area “Is everything okay, sir?” asks one of his subordinates

The leader just holds his hand to keep him quiet. The leader makes sure each step he makes is kept quiet as he hears a strange ticking sound. He can’t quite make out where it is but each second the ticking gets faster. His followers are left confused as to them their leader is only making strange movements.

In that moment “EVERYBODY GET DOWN”

KABOOOOM

THE JUNKYARD

As Black Canary makes sure her arm is working fine, Geoff, Anne and Chris the bodyguard with a pack of ice for his eye come running “Canary! Canaryyy!”

“Whoa, guys, what’s up with you?”

“The-the-the XTV building just-just-“ Geoff stutters

“There was an explosion in the XTV building!” screams Chris the bodyguard

“What?!”

“One of my bodyguard pals is there when it happened! Says he needs all the help they can get!”

“Alright, you, get the car ready?” Chris sniffs “Oh, is this still about the name thing?”

“No…it’s just my eye still hurts”

“Oh yuck it up”

XTV BROADCASTING SYSTEM BUILDING

The top floor has been bombed, with Buddy Simmons falling to the floor, failing to make his phone call and now even more petrified than before. The heavies downstairs rush into the building, however they’re going to wish they hadn’t done that. Once they enter, each and every single of them is taken down easily with the quick shot of an arrow. They never had a chance.

In the top floor, Simmons shudders at the thought of what could be in there. He tries to make the call again but the person he seeks doesn’t answer “GODDAMMIT”

He runs outside and sees the Lethal Team down. Some have expired while few moan and try to crawl. One specifically tries to reach Simmons, and just now an arrow reaches his skull “See?! This is why I’m trying to call him!” shouts Simmons. His eyes quiver when he hears footsteps even with his ears still ringing. He sees a figure with a hood on coming out of the smoke with a bow in one hand and bloody intentions in the other.

“It’s you! You’re the one who killed Davis!” the man in the hood smirks, resulting in Simmons going back to his office, locking the door and even putting his table in it. It does nothing as the man in the hood easily plows his way in. Immediately in his entrance, he sees Simmons shaking as he holds a gun. With that, he pulls out an arrow and shoots it right on Simmons’ gun wielding arm.

“Buddy Simmons” his deep voice only solidifies Simmons fears “Your actions in the human trafficking ring has caused trauma to many women, taking them away from friends and family and using your TV station to promote the façade that this city is stable and thriving. It is not and it’s time you paid for your transgressions”

“Please…” he whines, holding his arm “It was just a job” the man in the hood pulls out an arrow “I beg you, mercy! Look! I have money! Lots of it!” he preps up the position of his arrow in his quiver “PLEASE. You want something else?! You think I’m a bad guy?! I know a worse guy! I do! I was even gonna call him! If you and I got together, we could make-“

“Buddy Simmons”

“Please for the love of Christ, hear me out!”

“You have failed this city”

“NOO). PLEASE”

THCK

The Black Canary arrives, and she sees the shocking display before her. Buddy Simmons dead, and the imposing threat before her, who looks at her, emotionless. Even for someone like The Black Canary, this sight was a touch too much. She is truly speechless.

Chapter Text

THE PIER-YEARS AGO

A small little carnival is had in the Pier and everyone is joining the festivities. Little Dinah Lance is prancing around the pier with utter excitement, with today being a special day. School is over and she’s ready to have fun. In one hand she is holding hands with her father and the other she holds cotton candy.

“The ferris wheel was amazing, daddy! But I think we can do better!”

Quentin laughs “Oh yeah! You know when I was your age, I was afraid of heights so the ferris wheel would be more than amazing”

“But I’m not a scaredy cat like you”

“Keep up with that attitude, and the only thing you’ll fear is no more rides”

“You can’t do that! There’s still the carousel! And teacups! And all the roller coasters here! That’s real danger!”

BOOOM

To the surprise of Dinah, Quentin and everyone in the Pier, high up above they can all see smoke coming from one of the buildings. In the air, the Wizard is throwing energy blasts at the incredible Doctor Fate, who puts up a force field to protect himself.

“It’s Uncle Kent, daddy!”

“Dinah! Voice down!”

“That’s why mommy couldn’t come. She’s too busy kicking Injustice ass!”

“Dinah, don’t use language like tha-“

With eagerness to watch combat in person, Dinah runs off, hoping to catch her family in action “I gotta watch this!”

“Come back, little missy!” Quentin shouts, running at her. Soon as other civilians accidently get in his way as they try to get away from the battle, Dinah outruns her father “Get back her, Dinah! Once I’m through with you you’re gonna wish you were behind bars! Listen to me, dammit-oh Christ she gets the language from me”

Dinah is able to reach the battle zone. Or well, the end of it. Doctor Fate and The Wizard’s struggle end with Fate dropping him to the floor like a sack of meat. Wildcat and Doctor Mid-Nite tie up Sportsmaster and Tigress. Sandman is bringing Evil Star to a cop car and Black Canary is talking the cops.

“Well that sucks, I wanted some action. I wanted-“ Dinah stops herself the moment she sees Hawkman descend down to Wildcat and Doctor Mid-Nite and holding a white blanket with a view Dinah Lance should not see at her age.

“His name was Randy Novak. We failed him” says Hawkman. Wildcat and the Doctor can only grimace. Sandman away, even with the mask, is clearly in pain and Black Canary puts her hands in her mouth in sadness.

“Whoops! Well, you know what they say about collateral damage-” says Sportsmaster, laughing. Sandman knocks him out with a punch

Little Dinah struggles with the sight before her “He’s-he’s-he’s-“

“Dinah!” she’s forcefully turned around by her father “Don’t you dare run from me and do something so stupid! Running to a battle-“

Dinah eyes begin to well up and she hugs her father. He now sees the dead body that she saw and he keeps his mouth quiet. He looks at his wife, The Black Canary, as she looks at him with confusion “Why did it happen, daddy?! Why did he die?!”

XTV BROADCASTING SYSTEM BUILDING-THE PRESENT

The New Black Canary sees for herself the work of this hooded figure. He has slain Buddy Simmons, the head of XTV Broadcasting.

“Why?” she weakly asks, still in shock

“Shouldn’t you know the answer? He’s scum!” his voice echoes through Canary’s ears “I thought you’d be here to do the same”

“…no…no! That’s not how we do things!”

“It’s only how YOU do things. Which means not getting results”

“You don’t understand what you’ve done. You’ve made things worse!”

“I took him down. I took Davis down. Remember Philip Copeland? The man you left for the cops? He’s walking free. You had your chance and you blew it”

“You don’t understand. There’s a process-“

“What you need to process is that the lies you told those women after your show in the yacht is harmful. Starling City needs a pull of change and I’m the one to force it. Stay out of my way”

The hooded figure goes to leave but Canary paces herself to him, grabbing him by the shoulder. The hooded man backhands her, dropping her. Canary scolds herself for not telegraphing such an easy shot. Perhaps she’s still not 100%.

“Did you not hear me? Stay out of my way if you know what’s-“

Canary sweeps the legs and drops him. She gets back up and aims to grab him by the head. However, he’s quick to raise his leg up and kick her in the side of the head. she goes down on one knee and the hooded man grabs him bow, hitting up top the head.

“Those yells of yours made you deaf”

“canary cry, edgelord robin hood” she weakly mutters

Before the green hooded man can do anything, he’s suddenly kicked in the chest, slamming back first on the floor. He looks head as it was by the Leader of the Lethal Team that the hooded man took down in the explosion. The Leader stands his ground, even though his suit is mostly torn asunder, his breathing an all time high and wounds so obvious that the blind can see.

“you killed my team” says The Leader “My people!”

“You were all murderers. You’ll join them soon enough”

Immediately the moment he pulls on arrow, the dark green colored man is pushed to the ground by Black Canary. They both struggle with their holds on the arrow and The Leader literally slides to the ground to kick the hooded man, with the arrow sliding away.

All three get back up and the hooded figure makes quick work out of the two. Dodging their blows, blocking them and hitting them back hard with his own hits and using the bow as a weapon. Canary and The Leader in any day can bring the heat to the fight, but tonight their strength has been evaporated thanks to other events. They’re too weak to fight the already skilled hooded man.

They lie on the ground in different sides of the room. Canary is next to the dead body of Buddy Simmons. His blood on her hands and she’s left frightened. The hooded man pulls out an arrow, adjusting it with his bow right to The Leader.

“You won’t be missed” says The Archer

Canary snaps out of her senses and calls out to the Archer “Stop!” she gets on her feet. Tired of her intervening, the archer launches the arrow to her left leg

THCK

“AAAHHHH” she howls, landing hard on the ground, holding her wound

“Stop fighting, Canary!”

The Archer looks disgusted at her for making him do that. That’s his mindset. That she’s the one to blame. To him, taking her down was a necessity, even if deep down, he wants to tend to her “No no no. It’s foolish”

He turns around to the Leader and he’s…vanished! He’s gone! The Archer could break his own bow he was so angry. He turns to Canary who’s still holding her leg.

“You see what you’ve done?! Another piece of garbage you let free!”

“You’re the one actively trying to kill people. Ever consider yourself one of them?”

The green hooded man scoffs and pulls out an arrow. Launching it at the glass window from the office, shattering right as police arrive outside. Up in the sky surprising all, a helicopter makes its way and it’s Henry Fyff, Oliver’s weapons designer.

“Suck it, Cousin Percy! I told you those helicopter riding lessons wouldn’t go to waste!”

The Archer pulls out a special arrow, which turns out to be a grappling hook arrow. Using it, he launches himself to the landing ski of the helicopter. Even with cops shooting, he makes his way up. Oliver pulls down his hood and brushes his head “Take us out, Henry”

“There goes “The Hood”" says Canary. With that over with, she looks at her situation “well…” only says one word does Black Canary looking at her leg with an arrow having pierced it. She takes one of the arrows left behind and she bites down on it. Wanting to get this over with, she quickly pulls out the arrow.

SLLIKKK

Even with biting something her scream could be heard by anyone around.

Much to her disgust, she goes to Buddy Simmons. She can’t leave the arrow around with her blood smeared over it. She takes out his jacket “Sorry, dip****. Can’t leave any evidence” she cleans up the blood from the arrow and then uses the jacket to patch up the wound, wrapping it over as a makeshift band aid. Before Canary can clean up the areas that some of her blood touched, she can already hear the cops coming.

It gets worse when the helicopters start coming in. Before the cops arriving at the floor can spot and shoot her, Canary uses her Canary Cry on the ceiling, causing rubble to fall and blocking them away from her. With the choppers now in clear view of her, close to her and adrenaline pumping in her veins, Black Canary makes a decision.

“Well, **** it”

She begins running to the chopper and launches herself to it. The two cops inside can’t believe she made the jump and landed inside. However, the wound is still there and Canary drops down to one knee. The cops point their guns at her and she doesn’t take it too kindly “Come on, boys. Ever heard of a fair fight?”

Black Canary takes their guns away from their grips and tosses them away from the chopper. She palm strikes one cop in the face and kicks the other in the gut. Canary tosses them out of the helicopter and they land in Buddy Simmons’ office. The pilot of the chopper gets his gun out, but Canary easily gets it and points it at him.

“Take it to Tinder Smith Garden”

“Why would I do what you say?”

CHCHIK

“Okay, understood” says the pilot with the gun safety now off

“Two times in a row I do this. I gotta stop using guns as a way to threaten people”

“Wait you’ve done this before?”

“Pilot this ****!” she yells and he follows, scared out of his socks over the threat

TINDER SMITH GARDEN ARENA

Even with having her own personal pilot, Canary can see cop cars that are following the chopper. The helicopter lands in front of the prestigious arena that has hosted many events for the city. Canary swivels the pilot to her direction “Thanks for the assist and I hope you can forgive me”

She clocks him in the head with his gun "Not" Leaving him in his seat and gets out of the chopper, right when the cop cars are arriving. Once they get, their guns are pulled, already deciding to take her down. Before a bullet can be released, Canary unclenches her jaw and the Canary Cry is heard.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

The distance is long enough that the Cry only pushes the cops and their cars away, without the risk of killing them “You don’t bring a gun into a shouting match” Canary literally pats herself on the back for that. She does hear their groans and mewling over the attack “Oh stop it. You’ll only be deaf for like a couple minutes. Maybe hours. Don’t know”

She goes the opposite direction from the cops and moves to go back to the streets, however…

CLICK

One cop has managed to sneak out from where the rest where and snuck up behind the hero “HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE EM”

Canary slowly tilts her head to look at who’s shouting at her. Just with that yell, she knew but she had to see it for herself. Her father; Quentin Larry Lance, aiming a gun at his own daughter. But to him, it’s just someone cosplaying as the Black Canary, the identity his wife once used. With that, Dinah Lance can only place her arms in the air.

“Take off that mask of yours! I need to know everything!”

Canary is close to hyperventilating. She can’t fight her dad, but the alternative will be just as unpleasant. Her hands shake as they’re in the air and her eyes keep moving around. She can’t keep still.

Lance approaches “I see your shaking. Why? You jumped out of a plane, survived that arrow killer and seem to be beating groups of people. Why am I different?”

Canary bites her lips as he might be getting closer to the truth.

“Or is that you’re scared of reality? Finally the world seeing you as a stand in for the original Black Canary? An inferior one?” He puts his free hand on her right shoulder and pushes her to the ground on her knees “Lets see who this Canary is”

He reaches for her domino mask and much to her shame and regret, she does what she thinks is the only right option. Canary grabs his arm and proceeds to go for the palm strike to his face. However, Quentin is fast to hit her hand with the butt of his gun, causing her to gasp in pain.

Quentin moves to take off her mask but Canary rolls back and is back on her feet. Having had it, he begins shooting at her, and she dodges, able to kick his gun away. Canary holds her leg that still has that wound from the arrow shot from before. The jacket is now completely filled with red, dark red.

She refocuses just in time as Lance goes to punch her. She blocks it and finally is able to land a palm strike. However, though it hurt him, Quentin keeps his ground. Canary goes for a roundhouse kick and he dodges. She tries to sweep the legs and jumps. As she gets up, he lands multiple blows on her.

Dinah should have known her old man would have been trained well. What with years in the force and having one of the best fighters ever as a wife. Add on that other members such as a Wildcat and Mr. Terrific may have given him some pointers and Dinah truly realizes she has to fight tooth and nail now. She lands on the ground and before he can mount more on her, Canary lifts both her legs and kicks him in the stomach, pushing him back a little bit.

“You’re good” compliments the Canary “What kind of training did you get?” she says trying to act like she doesn't already know

“Simple, old fashioned street brawling from Park City and Starling City. Good times. I have the scars to prove it”

“Nice” or else it would be if Dinah hadn’t been told this by her dad years ago. Then he said it in a playful manner. Now, not so much “Is this the part where we exchange stories from our fights?”

“Sure, when you’re in the interrogation room”

He rushes to her and Canary gets on one knee to punch him in the ribs. Then decks him in the mouth and pushes him back with her leg. Angered, he runs to Canary again. Yet she heaves herself at him and headbutts him full force, finally dropping him.

In spite of that, she also rang her bell with that collision. Making herself dizzy and now she stumbles, almost falling on her hips. Black Canary retains ground in time to hear the sirens of police cars coming in. She runs, she runs as far away as her toned legs can take her. Even with her still bleeding out of one of them, she charges on ahead.

Multiple cops still chase her, some doing it because it’s their jobs. Others because she’s making a mockery of them. Others because they just wanna put her 6 feet under. In her attempts to evade the cops, Canary hops over cars, able to avoid getting hit by more than one.

Springs herself from fences and enters places to get out from the back. Canary doesn’t even try to look back anymore; she just assumes cops are chasing her. All this auto pilot motion finally ends when she reaches her destination…

THE GRANT GYM

She enters the doors of the place and finds Ted wearing only a bath towel to cover his wildcats “Dinah, what in the world?!” he exclaims seeing her in poor shape

She lands on the ground, at last able to relax and not fight anymore. He rushes to her and picks her up from the ground “you know” she lets out in her frail state “today, i’ve been beaten up God knows how many times, caused a building to crumble, seen deaths, had an arrow shot through my leg, jumped into a helicopter and fought the cops-“

“Dinah, you gotta relax, hon”

“seeing you in that bath towel was the worst thing I saw today” she hears a sound as if something hit the ground "oh dear lord put me to sleep"

STARLING CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

The cops are licking their wounds and being checked out. Quentin Lance was lucky he didn’t get a concussion in that fight. He takes a seat and ponders tonight. Annoyed that he was beaten, but that he can get over it quickly. It’s just…that new Black Canary.

Her moves, the way she conducted herself, her approach to the situation. While the latter was sloppy, she has potential. And to Quentin’s relieve, it isn’t his wife as the Black Canary again. However, the new Canary was probably trained by Dinah Drake. Quentin grabs the flask from his drawer and drinks from it.

AURORA HIDEOUT

In one of the couches of the facility, Oliver, still in his Hood outfit, takes a seat next to Henry who passes him a beer “Tell me, man. Was she hot like the internet says?”

“Was she hot? I don’t know. I didn’t really pay much attention to appearances. The only thing I’ll say is she looked like a mess by the end”

“Damn dude, ya coulda helped her”

“Why would I do that? She went against me so screw her. She can fend for herself”

“It’s just-aren’t ya two fighting for the same deal? Plus, you’d getta superbabe out of it”

“I’m not interested in anyone right now, Henry. The point is putting down the people who eat away at this city. If the Black Canary gets in my way again, I fear what I might do next time”

“Hardcore doncha you think?”

“Don’t poke the bear is all I mean” Oliver chugs his drink

“So, when are ya going after the politicians here? They eat away Starling pretty good”

“Due time” Henry raises his eyebrow “…I won’t bomb them. Jesus, Henry. But trust me, I’ll write the wrongs done here, no matter the cost”

THE GLADES

In what’s seen as the black sheep of Starling City, this district is a haven for criminal endeavors and the meeting place of many of Starling’s crime lords. Inside one of the houses of this place, downstairs in the living room, a young man tries to listen to his shows but the sounds get drowned out by the shoutings of his parents’ upstairs.

“-you don’t understand, I need TIME to create my stories!”

“All you do is get distracted! Why don’t you get a real job, you ****?”

“Tell your dip**** son to get a job too! He’s in his twenties!”

Another fight between them and the young fellow tries to maximize the volume to listen. Even the TV is starting to be bothersome as it hits commercials and the first of some pays tribute to Buddy Simmons.

“Hey pop” he looks upstairs “You worked for that guy, right?...yeah, he insulted all your ideas…insulted mine too. No love for Stephen Morrison in this damn city”

The young man grabs his phone, hoping to be distracted by it. Again, Buddy Simmons is mentioned and he rolls his eyes. However, the page he’s reading from lists out all of Buddy’s illegal activities in Starling. From sex trafficking, to bribing city official, to sexual harassment. No comeuppance to him…until the Archer came in.

“This article is praising The Hood” Stephen finally smiles, ear to ear, practically glued “Thank you, Hood” he says in the most worshipping of tones

LANCE RESIDENCE

The Detective arrives home, tired from working all night, more than what was intended. However, work hasn’t ended. He needs to confront his wife about the elephant in the room. The one that must be addressed. Yet, to both a relieve and ire, she isn’t home. Not a sight to be seen.

THE GRANT GYM

In an item that reminds her of old times, Dinah wakes up in her old Grant Gym bed. She lifts up the sheets to see her wound has been stitched up “Hmm, I’m feeling a lot better. Must have been the sleep”

“Probably that”

Now enters the room Ted Grant…and Dinah Drake, crossing her arms “Hi mommy” Dinah waives, forcing an innocent smile “How long was I out?”

“Rest of the night. Most of the day…all of yesterday” replies Ted while Dinah just looks at him with disbelief as her eyes quake. She grabs her pillow and screams into it “Dinner will be breakfast. How does pizza bites sound?”

“There will be NO pizza bites” says Dinah Drake

“Mom’s right. The guys in the Junkyard might already make some”

“Junkyard?” questions Ted

“Dinah, what the hell happened out there?” questions DD

“I messed up, mom” Dinah looks away “That’s what happened”

“Back in our day-Oh God did I just say that?” she worriedly says to Ted before looking back at her daughter “when we messed up, we just had the bad guy run away and maybe a building was on fire. Yours was…more”

“Excuse me for not being perfect. It was a long day”

“So were ours. Dinah, you pointed a gun at a helicopter pilot. You should have seen him in the news. He made you out to be the Devil”

“Or made you out to be like Mordru” DD looks at Ted, irritation can clearly be seen “Heh…I’ll just take me and my references out…”

He shuts the door and DD sits in the bed “Save your preaching and anger, mom. I’m angry enough with myself now that I couldn’t stop the Hood”

“And what are you going to do about it?”

“Find him”

“How?”

“I don’t know, finding him”

“Do you have any leads? Traces? Who he might be?”

“I don’t know, I’ll figure it out”

“How?”

“By…finding him”

“How?”

“Quit bugging me. You trained me for this”

“Trained you a lot than just using fists and kicks. Are you gonna kick the problem?”

“No! I’ll…I’ll find something of interest of him”

“And what is that?”

“He…he went after powerful men. Davis and Simmons. Outside of those two, there’s Copeland and…” the lightbulb dings for Dinah. She looks at her mother with a face that is both proud and annoyed “You sneak”

DD shrugs and kisses her daughter’s cheek “Get ready”

“Will do”

Dinah marches on ahead for her task. Putting back her Canary outfit and crunching her knuckles, already battle ready. But before she can head out… “Wait dear, you haven’t eaten anything. You need to eat before you can find The Hood”

“The Hood? Well he may be a killer, but good to know the name is catching on”

“You say that like you coined it first”

“I did!”

“Well that name has been all over the news. It was stolen, I guess. No royalties for you in the future”

Dinah just sighs and leans on her mother’s shoulder “The pizza bites better be good”

PHILLIP COPELANDS ESTATE

The rich man trudges around his office. Security is through the roof tonight and the sight of seeing cop cars outside doesn’t please him. He takes off his jacket and sweat is all over his shirt.

“Little request, take a bath and put on some deodorant”

“AAAIIIIEEEE!” Copeland turns around and sees Black Canary before him

“You?! How’d you get in?!

“Tried sneaking in but the bodyguards in your front door caught me in the window. So I beat them up”

“Oh great you’re here. Waiting for your boyfriend The Hood to get here?”

“First, we ain’t a couple. I don’t date murderers. Second, I’m the one who came up with ‘the Hood’ name, just letting you know. Third, I’m here to save you”

“Save me?!”

“Trust me, I don’t like it. I’d rather be helping someone from getting kidnapped or worse because they deserve to be saved, but I can’t allow another murder in this city. Even if it’s scum like you”

“Scum? Scum?! Because of you, those s*****-“ Canary walks to him, not happy to hear that derogatory term be used “Those…ladies-told on me to the police and even my inside guy couldn’t help me! Now I’m being investigated and I’m losing sponsors!”

“You’ll lose more if you don’t leave this place. If I got in, so will The Hood and there won’t be more of this pleasant chatter we’re having”

“Where am I supposed to go?!”

“Any family members that might take you in?”

“Family? Who gives a **** about family?” Canary grabs him by his collar and pulls him in close “What? Want a kiss? Heheh-“

STOMP

Right into his toe “YOOOOW” he holds it while bouncing on one knee “My…my stepdad. He’s the only family who hasn’t died or left”

“Good, then leave and only bring you two security dudes”

“Two? I gotta have more!”

“To conspicuous. You’ll be spotted easily. That’s why I appreciate the lifestyle of ‘Less is more’. So move it”

Outside, Copeland is able to leave with a suitcase filled with clothes and with some measures of safety. Canary looks from the rooftop and much like the rest down below, decides to exit from this location. Unbeknownst to her, away in the distance is The Hood watching it from afar.

“Disgusting, Canary. Letting the bad guy go away. Don’t worry, Copeland. Finding you will be a sinch”

2 WEEKS AGO-DEO BASE IN SEATTLE

Sergeant Harold “Tex” Thompson, once was known as Mr. America during the Age of Gold for Superheroes, now is a high-ranking officer for the DEO. The man once wore a costume that might as well have been the US Flag. Now he just wears a standard black DEO uniform with the only thing remaining from his old costume is his old black domino mask. And he still holds the Mr. America name, proudly even.

He’s the one who heads this facility, overseeing the training of DEO Agents from a safe distance from the danger room. Seeing them fight reminds him of the old days. Fighting evil doers alongside his partner “The Fatman” Bob Daley. Taking down the One Eyed Gorrah or Rowten.

“Sergeant” walks up a DEO Agent, suddenly breaking apart his old memories

“Agent” replies Thompson, his voice commanding respect from the agent

“I was told to meet with you and you weren’t in your office-“

“Doesn’t matter. Any way you meet with me is important given the order from on high”

“Sergeant, if you don’t mind me asking, is it from-“

“The Director, of course” An outside voice is heard and the Agent turns to see Director Robert Todd Bones. The one who oversees everything in the Department of Extranormal Operations. A man who has surprisingly lived a long life. Participated in wars from Vietnam to Markovia and he still as lively as someone who woke up at the right side of the bed.

The man’s appearance is literally a skeleton walking and talking, yet one can still perfectly see emotion from him despite the hallow eyes and teeth that can never be locked away. He has gloves on, probably to not show any skeleton hands. That’s always been the rumor among DEO Agents anyways.

“Director, it’s an honor to meet you” he stares at Director, with sweat reaching his chin. After seconds, he realizes he hasn’t saluted and he does do that, late as it may be.

“Ah, it’s fine, Agent. Don’t worry” laughs Director Bones “In case you’ve had your head up in the clouds like a few moments ago, you’d know that our mission is to bring in unregistered and illegal metehumans and vigilantes”

“Of course”

“And recently there seems to be an upswing in vigilante activity. I’ve sent Agent Hank Heywood to deal with the alien in Metropolis. We’re trying to understand this pretty, apparently Amazon, lady. We’re learning more from the new Flash in Central City, new Green Lantern in Coast City, new Blue Beetle in Hub City.

And of course, the new Black Canary over in Starling. And it seems as though she ain’t the only one there. Robin Hood or “The Hood” is there too. One kills, the other doesn’t. I don’t care. Someone needs to arrest them and given your credentials in the army. Especially in the Markovia War, with the way you helped me, I know you’re the best person for the job”

“Thank you, Director”

“Prepare your team, ready yourself and head on over to Starling…” the Director takes a puff from his cigar “…Agent John Diggle!”

Chapter Text

JSA TOWER-YEARS AGO

The meeting hall of the Justice Society of America is practically impenetrable. Difficult for any evil doer to step in for their attack. The Green Lantern, Alan Scott and Hawkman, Carter Hall, watch over the supersized computer to check on any trouble that might arise today. But there is trouble that has arose. It’s…

“Dinah! Get back here!”

The young Dinah Lance runs into the room and Green Lantern makes a construct of a bed to stop Dinah. Now comes in Dinah Drake and Quentin Lance, the latter who speaks up now.

“Young lady, what did we say about rushing into rooms?”

“There might be demons and sinners afoot?”

“What? No!” Lance whispers to DD “Dammit, why did we let freaking Spectre babysit last week?”

Alan laughs “Don’t worry, guys, nothing bad is happening now” he gets down on foot knee “Hey, Dinah, how are you doing today? Doing well in your studies?”

“Of course” Dinah points to herself confidently

“Uh huh” Alan looks up to DD and Quentin who makes C shapes with their right hands “Young lady, you need to focus better”

“But school is so boring. I wanna do what you guys do! I wanna go out and punch an evil demonic shark right into-”

“COMING THROUGH” rushes in Hawkwoman holding a bloodied Sportsmaster. Seeing that grisly sight, DD and Quentin are quick to move. Grabbing their daughter and leaving the room that she may not see.

“Kendra, what is going?! I thought you were in Metropolis!” Hawkman rushes to his wife

“My love, Wotan escaped his cell and went right to the Injustice Gang. He controlled them to attack us. Kent was able to defeat him but electricity all over the city went out and Sportsmaster was caught bad in their battle. I don’t think any of the hospitals around can help with this much bleeding. Jay is helping Metropolis at this moment but this man needs assistance right now!”

“Okay, rush him to the med-“

“Why?!” screams little Dinah, rushing back to the room with the adults surprised to hear her shout “He’s a bad guy. Why should we help him?”

Her mother gets back, pulling her am “Because we have to, sweetie” DD tells her

“I’d say leave him dead!”

“We don’t have time for this” Hawkman says, putting Sportsmaster in a stretcher and rushing out of the room with the JSA members following suit. DD and Quentin Lance exit the room again with Dinah with the little girl frowning at the idea of a supervillain being helped

STARLING CITY-PRESENT DAY

In her motorcycle, Dinah Lance, The Black Canary, supervises the getaway of Philip Copeland. The man is in a van and is aiming to stay with his stepfather. For his own protection. Lest the Hood come in to kill him like he did Kyle Davis and Buddy Simmons.

Canary may not like Copeland but she can’t let a man die, scummy as he may be. It’s not what she was taught growing up. It appalls her to help someone like him right now instead of the downtrottent that she swore to aid. But sometimes, helping bad people is part of process of justice.

JSA TOWER-YEARS AGO

In the hall, young Dinah sits with her parents on the couch. The girl twiddling with her thumbs grows tired of dancing around the subject “I don’t get it, why are you helping Sportsmaster? Hasn’t he killed people?”

“I know” says Dinah Drake, with a tad hint of sorrow leaving her voice

“So why help him? Isn’t letting bad guys die a good thing?”

“Says who?” speaks up Quentin now

“Kids in school. Teachers too. Some of your cop buddies. They love people like the DEO. They came to school one time and talked about how it’s necessary to put down the bad guys when it counts”

“Sweetie…” Dinah Drake holds her daughter “I know it may seem easy to…“get rid” of the bad guys, but that’s what it is, easy”

“And?”

“Not everything that is easy is right”

Quentin steps in “People will get lazy. Be taken advantage of. If we just start killing people, we’re no better than the bad guys”

“And helping them is better?”

“Dinah, sometimes, we don’t choose who we help” says DD “We just do. No matter who it is. Because if we don’t help, all that we'll have is regret. It’ll eat us up inside and the pain won’t go away”

“That kinda sucks”

“Yeah, it kinda does. But the alternative isn’t any better. We all have to believe in a better way and to believe in the best of people. Maybe, just maybe, people Sportsmaster will become a better person in the future"

STARLING CITY-PRESENT DAY

It all comes back to Dinah Lance. She wants Copeland to suffer for what he’s done in the sex trafficking ring and inappropriate actions in his workplace. But the punishment will come in the form of a jail cell. Maybe there, scum like him can learn that his actions were wrong. She doesn’t know. What she does know is that she can’t let one more murder happen.

THCK

Out of nowhere, an arrow pierces the tire of the van, causing a slight gasp from Black Canary’s mouth. With that shot, it causes it to lose its mobility. The driver is able, barely, to steer the backside of the car right into a tree.

KRAASSHH

Any car driving by slows down to attend the crash victim. Any person nearby approaches the car. But all move along when the hooded archer enters the scene.

“Is that The Hood?”

“I hear some people calling him a vigilante”

“I think he’s a killer”

The Hood looks at them with just one glance and they all scurry away. The Hood opens the car door and sees… a rather pudgy looking individual “who are you?” questions the dark green cladded attacker

“name’s Chris” he weakly says with his drool hitting the airbag “and you…are screwed”

KICK

From behind the Hood is hit with a flying kick by… “Black Canary” seethes the archer

“You remember me?” happily questions Canary “How nice. I thought I had to take another arrow in the leg for a helpful reminder”

“Another one might come your way if you don’t back off”

“Sorry, no can do. Stopping a killer from murdering someone will help me in the hero scoreboard”

“So, you’re doing this for show?”

“Says the man who keeps making a scene wherever he goes”

“If only you could see my way, lady. Your vision of right and wrong clouds your judgement. I’m not a killer, but I know I’m no hero. I’m just doing what needs doing”

“There’s a better way, Hood. You’re literally stopping yourself from a better choice”

“There’s no choices in this city”

“There’s always a choice. I found that out when I was a kid. I know we’re not kids anymore but I know lessons from back then can still apply to now. Stop this madness”

The Hood doesn’t respond immediately, he just stares at her. The grip on his bow slightly waning and his breath more relaxed “…how did you trick me?”

“Goddammit” Canary can only place her hand on her forehead

“Don’t ignore my question”

“Hood, please listen-“ she stops herself when with his bow, he shoots an arrow right at her. She runs off but the arrow releases a compound out of it. A net is released and it traps her.

“A net arrow?... actually, that’s smart”

“Stop fighting me, Canary. Stop getting in my way”

“So, should I explain how I tricked you or stop getting in your way? You’re making a lot of requests, pretty boy”

He pulls out another arrow and this one is certainly not a net arrow but a traditional, very pointy one. Which he shoots next to her with vigor.

“Angry, are we? By the by, tricking you was certainly easy. I know you have to have someone helping you given the helicopter last time. You’d have to be tracking us and the van Copeland has are usually being sold here in Starling. All I had to do was get one and fool you when entering the tunnels. Copeland’s driver stops and my bodyguard steps in. Thought all of it myself. I’m pretty proud of it”

“Well, aren’t you a big girl” he growls

“Big strong girl I might add”

FLASH

To the surprise of both, a great flash of light from a car in front hits them both. Causing them to cover their eyes and look away.

“Back away!” yells the Hood “I have enough problems to deal with”

“No, Mr. Hood” a man walks out “This is your last problem. Us. This is Agent John Diggle and by order of the DEO, you and your little bird are under arrest”

“Little bird?!” angrily questions Canary “I’ll show you, little bird…I just have to get out of this net first”

“No, you won’t. The Hood hastened that problem. Now it’s just this punk”

“You and what army?” asks The Hood

“God I always wanted someone to say that” happily speaks Diggle. Around Canary and Hood, people make their presence known as they walk out in front of them. It's a swat team of DEO Agents. All prepped up with their weapons in hand “This thing going on with you two is over”

“Heh” The Hood actually laughs “If you want over, it’s when her and I team up. Otherwise…”

Faster then he’s ever moved before, The Hood pulls another arrow and with a mighty pull of the string from his bow, the force of that shot hits the ground and it unleashes a flash arrow, blinding everyone except the Hood who covered his eyes. They all groan, dropping their weapons and stumbling around.

“Don’t worry” says Hood “It’s just a prototype. I think. Your sight will come back in a minute”

PUNCH

The Hood gets decked across the face by Agent Diggle, who shielded his eyes at the last moment. The hit caused Hood to drop his bow “Just enough time for me to arrest your ass”

“So much for avoiding a fight” the Hood utters, now running at Diggle with both aiming to hurt the other now

Black Canary struggles, not just with the net still incarcerating her, but the fact that, well… “blind. ******* blind! God, what did Ted say about what to do in a situation like this?”

GRANT GYM-3 YEARS AGO

Dinah sits in the apron of the ring with Ted in front of her, arms crossed and demeanor quite serious “You’ve been blinded. Literally. What to do?...**** me, pray for a Hail Mary”

PRESENT DAY

“Geez, thanks a lot, old man. Wait, mom said something about this!”

LANCE RESIDENCE-2 YEARS AGO

“Alright, you’re blind, you’re confused, what you need to do is-“

PRESENT DAY

“WAIT, the arrow!”

Canary remembers Hood shot an arrow next to her before the DEO came in. She’s able to pull her hand out and moves to her right. She touches the grass with the arrow so close “Just keep touching, you beautiful blonde. Just keep-THERE” she’s found the arrow and takes it, using to the cut the net she’s in.

The Hood and Diggle aren’t having it any better in their duel. Hood grabs Diggle’s skull and pushes it to hit his knee. Diggle elbow strikes across the jaw then punches him in the stomach. Before he can kick him, Hood grabs the leg and uses his own legs to sweep Diggle’s only free leg, dropping him to the floor.

He starts kicking him, however it stops when Diggle is able to wrap his legs on Hood and drops him now the floor. Both get away from each other and resume their struggle, running at the other.

By the time Canary cuts through the net, she’s retained her sight. She touches her face in joy “I can see. I can see again!” she looks around and sees all the other DEO agents who can now see again “Oh **** everybody can see again”

The Hood sees that view as well “**** me everybody can see again”

PUNCH

Diggle punches Hood when he isn’t looking “**** you indeed, son”

Much to Diggle’s annoyance, the thing he wanted to avoid is now disrupted. The news media is up on top of a bridge, here to report on the situation.

“HELLO STARLING CITY, this is Richard Benjamin and I am bringing you breaking news! Tonight of all nights we are seeing a battle; the DEO vs the Black Canary and The Hood! The fight is incredible and I almost can’t even put into words what I’m seeing”

Canary on the other hand has multiple DEO Agents running after her. She throws the shaft of the arrow at the first agent to reach her, with the shaft hitting his eyes before punching him multiple times in the chest, finishing with a thunderous uppercut. With that he drops to the floor.

Any other agent coming after her is dropped. Canary herself can’t believe she’s doing this. She’s successfully defeating government trained people. Maybe it’s the adrenaline, she is feeling rather alive suddenly. Maybe it’s the rush of battle. She doesn’t know, she just admires her work.

“Damn I’m good” she pats herself on the back

BANG BANG BANG

The agents now shoot at her with their firearms. Canary dodges the hits, now hiding behind a tree “That’s right, they have guns. How could I forget?”

Back with the Hello Starling City crew “Come on, Pete, get a close up, the ratings will go through the roof”

“No offense, Mr. Benjamin, but I thought you’d be more worried for Black Canary”

“I am. She helped a friend of mine. But my job is my greatest friend so get on with the camerawork”

ABANDONED BUILDING

Atop it, Henry Fyff, Oliver’s helper, hears about the carnage going on through the radio from Oliver “I know I shouldn’t, but Ollie’s gonna get creamed. He’s gonna get arrest. He’s gonna get interrogated. He’s gonna tell them about me. Then I’ll get fired and arrested and sent to jail and drop the soap and now I won’t have my TV anymore! I gotta know what happens in Breaking Good!” he bites his nails “I gotta help, but how?!"

He looks at the helicopter and remembers there’s missiles in them. Henry smiles at the sight.

THE GLADES

In one of the few good bars of the district, the young teenage fellow Stephen Morrison walks in the joint.

“hey” says a man in a wrinkled suit “no kids in here”

“Dude” says Stephen “Look around you” the man does look around and sees the place is filled with teenagers who give the man the stink eye

“oh right” he leaves the place with a strand of drool leaving his mouth. Stephen himself goes to one of the tables with his friends in it.

“What are we playing tonight, boys”

“Yo, Stephen!” a teenager rushes in the place “You gotta look at this”

He takes the remote from the TV and showcases Stephen and everyone in the bar the battle going on with Canary, Hood and the DEO.

“Alright, gang. This is too soon but this is our chance to help” Stephen smirks, enjoying what’s to come.

THE FIGHT ZONE (got any other location title to call it?)

Diggle is laying his hits on Hood’s stomach, with blood rising up his mouth “Fight’s over. You’re arrest”

The agents aren’t just here for the Hood, but for Canary too, and they’re coming in hot for her with their shooting “Well, the tree wasn’t the best hiding spot” she steps back and…

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

With her Canary Cry, she drops the tree, with the DEO Agents now running back. This gives her enough distance to do another Cry without killing them.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

With this, it pushes all of them back, including Diggle from the Hood. Canary also makes sure to flip over the cars, a pass time she’s doing more of she’s noticed.

With their ears ringing, she goes leave. Punching and kicking anyone coming in her way “You guys are a breeze” she laughs. However, it stops when Diggle spears her to floor and punches her right in the face.

“Do I look like a breeze, sweetheart?!” Diggle shouts, even if he can’t hear all that well

He pushes his fist down again and she grabs it, flipping him to the side and reigning down shots at him. The Hood gets back and is able to take down any DEO agent coming after him. He sees Canary fighting Diggle, with Diggle now flipping Canary over and choking her.

Hood runs to them and pulls Diggle to him with his bow, chocking him with it. Diggle elbows him in the stomach and elbows him in the face. Canary gets up, gasping for air. She jumps on Diggle, placing her legs on his shoulders and reigning down punches on his almost bald head.

He pushes her off, with Canary landing on her feet. He aims to strike her, but the heroine dodges and now she goes for the punch and HE dodges. However, the punch actually hits the Hood, who in anger punches Canary. Diggle now punches Hood, dropping him to one knee.

One DEO Agent gets her licks in and she kicks Hood in the face, placing him on the ground. Canary stumbles and another agent hits in the back of her head with the butt of his gun.

“That settles it” says Diggle “You’re both under arrest”

This should be a moment of victory for John Diggle. Get back to base and maybe have a shot of liquor with the Director for a job well done. Despite that pleasant image, Diggle and his people look up to see the sighting of a helicopter flying near them.

“Did anyone make a call for a chopper?” his people nod in disagreement and the chopper itself…

BLAM

One of the missiles of the craft shoots just a few feet away from everyone, but its force was powerful enough to send people standing flying off. Henry then shoots another missile at the opposite direction, with now more people flying into the air and hitting the ground in an unpleasant manner.

The Hood sees this opportunity, aiming his arrow at the helicopter legs. A rope releases from the arrow and wraps around the legs of the chopper. The Hood is trying to escape and John Diggle won’t have any of it. As soon as the Hood flies away, Diggle jumps at Hood, wrapping his arms around his waist and going up with him.

Worried that he might get the upper hand and see Henry, Hood lets go and both crash on the Hello Starling van.

PLAM

“NO! NO! I just had people paint it!” screams Richard Benjamin “…is the camera still working”

“Of course, sir. Why wouldn’t it?”

“Oh sweet, take a shot with these guys”

Down below, Canary, despite her weak state, crawls herself back up and tries to exit the scene. Taking advantage that many of the DEO agents are disposed of temporarily. Then about 5 come at her even if they themselves are also in a weak state.

“Come on, guys” says Canary “Aren’t we all tired?” they pull their guns at her “Of course” she rolls her eyes

Back at the bridge, the camera showcases Hood and Diggle struggling to get up “Well if I’ll be!” exclaims Richard, getting close to Diggle “Are you Agent John Diggle? The war hero?”

“Get that camera out of my face! I’ll have you arrested, boys!” he pushes the camera away from him, focusing his attention on Hood. But now that focus, along with the news crew is turned to the back where a couple of cars pull up. Out of it is a group of people with domino masks and hats almost Robin Hood like charging up to them all.

Diggle goes to stop them, but he looks down below and sees even more cars piling up with even more people coming out. They too have the same costume structure as the ones in the bridge. The group attacks Diggle, dog piling on him and keeping him to the concrete ground.

The crew at the bottom rush at the DEO Agents who are still a bit fuzzy. Punching them, kicking them, or even using blunt weapons on them. The agents confronting Canary now aim their firearms on the group.

“Stop or we’ll shoot!”

The group stops, but they aren’t scared “You think you can scare us?” questions a girl “***** you haven’t seen what we’ve seen! You can’t do anything to us!”

“Oh yeah?” gleefully asks the agent in the middle, clearly getting ready to shoot. However, he gets kicked from behind by Black Canary. She also punches the first agent to turn to look at her. The other agents use their guns on Canary and…

CLICK

All of them are out of bullets. Horror surrounds their faces as their protection is now nonexistent. They’re now attacked by the mob, driven to the ground. Canary looks at this, shocked to see this display. She grabs a boy and a girl by the collars of their shirts "Fights over. Let them go"

"You can't go! Hey guys! Dog pile on Canary!"

Canary pushes them to the ground and runs away and this catches the eye of every member of this wrathful group “Where is she going? Stop her!” Canary stops and…

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

With the Canary Cry, she pushes all of them back, which allows her to run again. Run all the way to find her motorcycle which she left behind away from the action. Though she’s still hurting, she finds in the hands of Chris the bodyguard, who is waiving at her.

“Motorcycle!” she says with happiness, hugging her device “And no scratch on you”

“I’m here too, Canary" says Chris the Bodyguard "and I’m fine even after the crash”

“Thanks, bodyguard. Hey, you know how to ride a motorcycle?”

“Nope”

She moans in displeasure “Fine, whatever. I’ll ride it. Get on”

In the bridge, Diggle pushes back the group. They try to attack him again but Diggle makes quick work of them. Punching many of them square in the face and using the biggest guy in the groups momentum to hip toss his back right into the news crew van.

Diggle goes to attend to the Hood and sees he’s being carried out by two of the gang’s member. Now Hood is being escorted away. “STOP. NOW.”

He aims to pull out his gun but he has no weapon, it was taken “Dammit!”

Now Richard Benjamin approaches Diggle “What a harrowing escape by The Hood! With, apparently, his group coming in with the save. Agent Diggle, what is your response to this absolute bewildering experience you have just-“

Diggle pushes the mic away, right into the camera, breaking the lenses. Pete the cameraman falls to the ground, hurting from that hit “Oh God, Pete!” screams Richard “Is the camera broken?!”

THE JUNKYARD

“It’s nice to be back in the hideout” says Black Canary, sitting in a stack of newspapers with Anne given her a neck massage

“Well, not the hideout one wants” says Chris holding his head

“What’s that supposed to mean?!” angrily questions Dan, eating his bowl of soup

“Don’t mind him, Dan, just keep eating your food” says Canary “It’s nice to know you give good rubs, Anne. I didn’t know you were a professional”

“Top of my class” Anne looks at Chris and nods in disagreement, letting him know she is in fact not a professional

“What’s the plan, Black Canary?" says Chris "Feels like we accomplished nothing with the Hood getting away”

“Look, the plan was to avoid him getting Davis and now Davis is still alive. From the look of things Hoodie might have his own gang. One I won’t let stop me. In fact, this is a good motivator. Preps me up for the worst”

“Man, Canary. Only ya can look at the positives. I know I’d be worried”

Chris and Anne exit to watch TV with the other bums in the area while Canary sits away from them “Yeah. The positives” she scowls into the unknown. Truly what is there to do with this new gang.

STARLING GENERAL

In one of the rooms, John Diggle has gotten proper treatment by the staff and he’s okay. The phone call he’s going to answer on the other hand…

“Hello, Director”

DEO BASE

Director Bones sits alone in his office, tossing aside his cigar “Agent Diggle, this was supposed to be a simple catch. Nothing too complicated. Why i am having to hear this humiliation from these soul sucking news stations? God, I need to sue them”

“That you should do si-“

“Don’t suck up to me. How are the Agents?”

“All of them got hurt pretty bad by the Hood’s crew. About half of them are gonna stay here for further analysis given the broken bones. At least the rest are gonna be able to walk out of here tomorrow”

“Oh brother, you know…It’s bad enough the alien in Metropolis got away. Christ, the President wouldn’t shut up about it. Powerful aliens leaving our grasp. We also can’t let freaking normal humans leave our grasp. It makes us look especially weak. They were human, right?”

“Yes, Director. And I truly am sorry for failing this great organization”

“And this great country, Agent Diggle. Next time, don’t have the help on your side be rookies. Because of what you’ve done in the past, especially to me, I’m still keeping you on this assignment. Just come back to your base and get yourself some proper help for the next time you deal with these unlicensed costumed fools”

“Thank you, Director”

Director Bones hangs up and Diggle gets up from the bed. Looking up at the moon as a way to calm him his slowly rising anger and shame.

THE GLADES

The Hood wakes up in a huff, gasping for air. Thankful for that damn Agent Diggle not being around. He’s surprised to see his wounds properly tended. His hood and domino mask are still on and even Henry is by his side “Henry…where are we?”

“Some hideaway of these kids who saved you?”

“Kids?”

“That would be us, Vigilante” enters the leader in the room “Do you mind Vigilante or Hood or Archer or-“

“I don’t care about my name. Call me whatever”

“Well to us, it’s hero. My name…” he takes off his hat and mask “Is Stephen Morrison. After what you did to Buddy Simmons, in that moment I truly found this city’s savior. And all I wanna is say is I’m here to help”

The Hood gets up from the rusty bed “I’m thankful for the assist, I really am, but I have no time for this”

“But sir, it isn’t just me…” practically the entire crew comes out of the door and take off their masks for Hood “it’s all of us”

Henry looks at this with a hint of worry, but Hood brushes his chin with a gradually growing smirk on his face “And you want to help? All of you?”

“Yes. We love Starling City and we’ll do whatever it takes to save it. For far too long this great city has been a joke to many and a menace to others. Attracting other menaces to come in and play with us like toys. No more. They'll be the toys and we'll break them bit by bit”

“Hmm, you kids got a name?”

“Sure” Stephen nods with glee, throwing each arm to the side with his group united “We’re the Speedy’s!”

Chapter Text

THE GLADES

Since the 1980’s, the Glades have always been seen as the armpit of Starling City. It’s most impoverished district and where criminals feel the safest. That’s why the Black Canary is here, in the back of a car with Chris the Bodyguard as her chauffer.

It amazes Canary how Chris is still around given their partnership kickstarted with her abducting him during Buddy Simmons ordeal. The same man he originally worked with. At least she’s glad he’s making up for it by working with her.

It’s been a month since The Hood escaped thanks to a fellow hood gang. One month since the DEO attacked him and Black Canary. Those are memories that are still ingrained in Dinah Lance’s brain. It’s a miracle she escaped capture from the DEO.

Anyways, this is a night she can’t take for granted. She’s roamed the streets for days and nights, avoiding cops while trying to find what can be useful to her. Just where is the Hood and his crew? Earlier in the day, she was able to get information out of a 14-year-old girl, skipping school and entering a bar. She was in a card game and winning.

Canary disrupted the events after it ended and forced she told her information she wanted. About how the girl left the group because they were “lame” and how they reside in The Glades.

“You know, boss lady” says Chris “You could have asked for more from her. We’ve been at it for hours and I’m afraid some people might notice”

“She wasn’t gonna say more. We got what we need, a door with 2 x’s in it. Plus, she’s just a kid, no need to pry her for more” Canary leans back on her chair, looking for that door even if it seems she isn’t all that into it”

“Hey, you okay?”

“Oh, me? yeah. Yeah. It’s just…I can’t believe that madman is grooming kids. All to satiate his anger”

“Are we sure he even groomed them?” she raises her eyebrow in confusion “Look, I ain’t defending him. It’s just some kids and teenagers are just pissed off for reasons and they tend ta like it when someone shows off power. I’m guilty of it. Hell, I’m still guilty of it. Why da ya think people like shows about crime and killers?”

“Entertaining they can be, but all those shows do is just make morality look weak and make upright characters idiots that need to "get with the times". I can’t believe that, bodyguard. It’s not how I was raised. I still believe in a better day and stopping the bad guy. Naïve maybe, but better than causing bloodshed or denouncing the idea that being a good person is flawed. No one else will die on my watch”

Canary has already motivated herself, looking out better with steadier vision. This helps as right in the next corner, there’s the door she’s been looking for.

“And they said I was bad in hide and seek”

“What’s that?”

“Turn back”

“Why?”

“To get ice cream and get laid-I found the door, bodyguard! What else would I be talking about!”

“Chris!”

“Bodyguard!”

THE HIDEOUT

With Chris the Bodyguard remaining inside, Black Canary steps inside, already seeing some garbage on the floor and plenty roughed up jackets “Hmm, expected worse actually. Like arrows lying around and posters of Hood or women in bikinis…or Hood in a bikini”

Canary sees ahead a door with the target board on it with an arrow right in the middle. Things seem to be deserted by the looks of things, but a danger could be afoot. Still, she has to take the chance.

“I wonder if I have a group of fans…” she slowly opens the door “Because they’d come in handy right now” she opens it fully and…no one’s there “If that girl played me man do I wish I could have pried more from her. F****** kids”

While no one is here, there is still stuff to check out. Canary sees the dummies set up with arrows piercing different areas of the body. None of them reached the head “Well this is wonders, he’s training them to be little archer gremlins” she takes a better look at the dummies “Seems as though this was recently, so they left…recently”

She goes back into the car where Chris was playing the hit game of Displeased Birds. She shuts the door with force, panicking Chris “What-ah damn! Dammit, boss! I was gonna win this time! Now I have to go back!”

“Sad” she rolls her eyes

“Find anything?”

“Nope. Nobody was there. However, I have a feeling the people might know”

Several minutes fly by and away from the car, a teen looks at the vehicle driving off. He goes to a phonebooth where he tries to make a call with urgency “Come on, pick up!” no one answers

“Don’t you hate it when money goes to waste?” The teen yelps and there is Black Canary, in all her beauty and terror “Care to step outside?”

She drives him out and pushes him against the wall “So, how’s Hoodie doing? I haven’t forgotten the punch from last time” she gets closer “And the arrow to the leg”

“Threaten me all you want, this is pleasure for me”

She punches him in the stomach “I don’t like punching minors but I’ll make this one tiny exception”

“I-I don’t know”

“Sure you do” she grabs him by the collar of his shirt “And I’ve been meaning to test out how my Canary Cry works when a wall is close. Do all the bricks shatter into tiny particles. And just how does a person look after it?” the teen gulps, sweating profusely

“Help! HELP”

Canary looks to the side and sees a little girl and her 2 friends running away with a big guy, almost 7 feet, right behind them. His laughter can practically be heard around the vacant neighborhood. His stomps almost as loud.

“If the Hood was here, he’d-“ Canary drops the boy to the floor and chases after the giant of a man

The little girls run right into an alleyway, but it’s a dead end. No one there to help. There, they see a clear view of the Big Guy. Bald with eyes going different ways. He licks his hands, approaching them slowly. He giggles, tingling his fingers as they plead to him to do them no harm.

“Please don’t hurt us!” one girl says, shielding her friends as they cry

“Hey!” the Big Guy turns around to see Black Canary, who has barely restrained anger and contempt over him “Pick on someone your own size!” The Big Guy ignores her and walks to the girls “How rude!”

She runs right at him, jumping to the air and kicking him in the back. Only he doesn’t budge. Finally he notices her and throws his arms up to crush her. She slides down between his legs and he destroys the pavement. Canary gets back up, knowing now he has super strength…

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

She pushes him back with the Canary Cry, causing The Big Guy to let out a mewl of pain. His movement stops right next to the wall of a condemned apartment building “Well then, I guess I do get to test out this theory” remarks Black Canary

The Big Guy cleans out his ears and looks down to see Black Canary again and…

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

This one was stronger and she shatters the wall and the wall after the wall. Even the inside has cracks under the strain of her yell. At the center is The Big Guy, whose ears are bleeding and his motion stopped. Black Canary stands on top of him again and…

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

That Canary Cry was so powerful it almost opened a hole in the floor. Dinah doesn’t even realize just how strong that blast truly was. Canary checks for a pulse and it’s still there “Alive but I can’t get anything for interrogation”

“do-do-don’t worry” Canary turns around and sees it’s the little girl that spoke out against the Big Guy and tried to shield her friends “he doesn’t talk actually”

Black Canary runs to the girl, taking off her jacket and placing it over the girl “Oh my goodness, are you okay?” the heroine asks worried

The girl nods “Yeah, he didn’t touch us or anything…but he might have”

Canary hugs the girl, having felt that fear herself a while back “I’m sorry to ask you questions but do you know anything about him?”

“not much. only that he takes little kids into his cave or something. He doe-doesn’t live in one place. He just goes around. Some of the kids from school have been missing”

“Since when?”

“Like 4 weeks now I think? I-I don’t know anymore!” Canary hugs the girl again, rubbing her forehead

“Don’t worry, what you told me was helpful” she assures her “Honestly, maybe I shouldn’t have gone after him full force so fast”

“Why?”

“He had a shirt on. Blew it off with my Canary Cry. It had a drawing in it with a logo and everything. I can’t quite remember”

“I don’t remember either”

“Oh, it’s fine. Say, what’s your name?”

“It’s Michelle. Big fan by the way. Can you take me home? Me and my friends live just a few blocks from here”

“Obviously I’ll accompany. It’d be my honor”

Michelle finally smiles, a feeling she thought would be absent for the rest of the night. Canary holds her hands and they go back to Michelle’s friends. The heroine helps each make it home safe and sound.

Before that, much to her shame, using a payphone, she made a call to the DEO. Reporting The Big Guy’s whereabouts so they can arrest him. Luckily, they did their jobs and arrested the brute. One problem she's thankfully over and done with.

THE STREETS

Going back to the car with Chris driving, Dinah Lance ponders in the back, not being able to remember the shirt of The Big Guy, hoping it could clue her in his place of work.

“Hey yo, boss? Ya okay in there?”

“Not really. I’m trying to remember the shirt of the large guy I fought. And I’m worried of what will be the mental state of each girl. After an experience like that with the type of guy he looked and acted like, they might be scarred. Plus, what are the states of the missing kids? How many have been taken? God knows it might be worse”

“Jesus, sorry ta hear about that” silence surrounds the drive for a while, with Canary fearing for the children. Chris himself worries for Canary as she’s putting a lot of pressure to herself. He knows that remaining quiet won’t solve anything “Hey, wanna go back to big beefy monster dude you talked about? Uh, tell me what you think the shirt looked like”

“The shirt? I don’t know. I didn’t really pay that much attention”

“Come on, Canary, ya gotta know more. Just use that brain of yours”

“Trying, bodyguard. All I can remember is a drawing and a logo?”

“And?”

“It was overly detailed. It was a promotion. For…for a…for a carnival? I think it had a Ferris wheel and a tea cup ride”

“Well, all carnivals have that. But hey, at least ya have that. Carnivals!”

DINAH’S APARTMENT

In her habitation, Dinah uses her laptop to research all of Starling’s carnivals. Some are still around, many closed down.

GRAND CARNIVAL

For the next couple of days, as Dinah Lance, she checks around each carnival that are still around. She checks for any red flag and secret passageway, but they seem to be on the up and up.

“Well this was a waste” she throws her head up “Defunct carnivals, here we g-“

“HELP SOMEONE STOLE MY PURSE”

Dinah hears that plea and she sees the crook running right at her direction. She steps back, and at the right time, she pulls her leg out, tripping him. He gets back up to punch her only for her to punch him. She returns to purse to the owner and she’s applauded by a small crowd around her.

This gives Dinah some contentment. Just a simple taking down a purse snatcher can liven up her night. It may have been small but that’s why she entered the hero business. Whether the problem be big or small, she would be there to help.

Lately, with The Hood and some of Starling’s Elite, Dinah feels the Black Canary’s focus has been on the wrong people. Sure, those are problems that needs attending but for a while she completely forgot about everything else.

She’s been ignoring calls from her bandmates, missing band practice multiple times. Hasn’t had the time to make a call home. Plus, that’s not even getting started with the crime factor of the job as a vigilante. For all she knows, crime families and several gangs are causing problems that could be gotten worse by the day. The innocents need Black Canary, and that’s why she needs to find those kids.

THE JUNKYARD

Using her laptop there, Canary and Chris research the discontinued carnivals of Starling City.

“Top of the morning, crimefighters” Anne enters, eating a bag of chips “What are you two doing? Who Wants to be a Thousandare is gonna be on any minute”

“Sorry, Anne my doll, but me and bodyguard are researching shut down carnivals” she says while still reading on her laptop “Where each location is and see any recent photos to see if it’s possible to check there”

“Ya know, boss” says Chris the bodyguard “I think ya might narrow down your searching by, uh, checking the owners? See if they’re alive and stuff?”

“Wait…you’re on to something”

“I am?”

“He is?”

“If you looked at the bald brute, what would he want with those kids? What’s the purpose aside from assuming the worst? And while assuming the worst should be thought of, he was probably kidnapping those kids for someone. Giving them to someone. And maybe any of these owners could be that someone. Thanks, bodyguard!”

“…glad I could help” Chris pats himself on the back while Anne raises her eyebrow at him

ATOMIC JUICE

After plenty more researching, missing Who Wants to be a Thousandare and checking in 4 other closed down carnivals, the Black Canary and Chris the Bodyguard are looking into this one.

“Ah the greatly named Atomic Juice Carnival” Canary says as they’re close arriving “Closed down for 10 years, its owner, Jerry DePaul tried to collect enough money through a pyramid scheme to get the carnival back…and failed. He hasn’t been seen since”

“Why’re you telling me this?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

They arrive on the scene and the entrance seems to be intact. Even if all the rides are demolished and tents tearing up. The only sound to be heard is the wind hitting the air and Chris’ teeth clattering “Dammit, bodyguard, get a hold of yourself”

“I always had a fear of carnivals, boss! Clowns and those large people…and cotton candy”

“Look Whinny McPissPants, if you’re that afraid that the ghost of Evil the Clown and Monster Cotton Candymen are gonna show up and swallow me whole, go back to the-“

Chris runs back in a dash. It felt like watching Flash run to her, so much it made her snicker. Canary checks though any secret passageway. Ruffling through to see any secret doors.

“Come on, there’s always a secret door” Dismayed over entering another dead end, it dawns on Dinah to check where no one would check “The rides!”

She goes though the rollercoaster, jumping over the scrap and metal, finally reaching the middle of this ride. There, she sees the secret door on the floor.

“Ha, knew it! About time I found an evil lair. Hope it’s as good as the ones Vandal Savage had for Ma and the JSA” She opens it, but only sees the steps which leads down and the darkness. Complete darkness “Do I really want to enter here without backup…of course I do!”

She keeps the door open and makes her way. Each step she takes into the unknown, the more she can’t help but feel the shivers. Dinah may be a grown woman now but even as an adult, she still fears when the light is vacant from the vision. Everyone does.

NEW YORK CITY-MONTHS AGO

In a small warehouse where only one light bulb is below Dinah Lance, Wesley Dodds, the former Sandman, approaches her “You have to be ready when luminescence is gone. When murk and dullness surround every corner”

“How am I supposed to fight when there is no light?”

“That’s just an excuse to give up and hope for a better outcome by an outside force. You have to make the better outcome. You have to be ready”

PLAM

He breaks the bulb with a punch, now Dinah has no way to know where Wesley is. She panics and keeps shaking her head to find where he might be. He was right in front and he knees her in the mid-section.

“What was that? You can’t panic when in combat, especially in the first seconds. Can’t let yourself be flustered. You have to find tranquility. Hold your body like a temple. I can feel your anger now. Will that be your answer when you fight? Be pissed off?”

“…no”

“Then get up and embrace your surroundings before they swallow you completely”

STARLING CITY-PRESENT DAY

Black Canary inhales and exhales to keep tranquility. To not be trampled over by the bleakness that’s everywhere. She just keeps on walking. Trudging along no matter how long it takes. She doesn’t care, she can do this for hours and not feel the ebb reaching her knees. Time does go by.

Well, that’s what Black Canary believes. She doesn’t quite know. It may be minutes or hours. However long it may be, it was worth it as a single silver of illumination can be seen far ahead “Huh, there truly is a light at the end of the tunnel”

She runs toward the light and stops just right where the very radiance blinds her. She sees an unsettling sight she didn’t precisely expect; a huge cavern. One with kids working down below, moving carts filled with rocks and using pick axes against the walls. Their clothes torn and hands with some sprinklings of blood.

“What the hell?”

She descends down below and rushes to the first kid close to her “Hello, I’m here to help you. Can I get a name?”

The kid…doesn’t say anything. She just stares at Canary and goes leave. Canary is puzzled by it but she rushes to the child again and even shakes her this time “Please understand I’m not like the one who’s keeping you here. I want to take you out of here”

The kid leaves again, going back to her job. With a closer look, she sees how straight up zombified they are. Like they’re in a trance. Even ones who seem to have been here recently looked to have had their souls sucked out “God, this is what would have happened to poor Michelle and the others. What kind of person does this to kids?”

“I am”

CLONK

Canary turns around gets clocked upside the head with a cane by this sudden person. Once more darkness is around her but this time it’s easy to beat it when she opens her eyes. However, she finds herself tied to a chair in a type of rocky platform for everyone in the cavern to watch. A good 40 feet Canary is from the ground.

Climbing up a rope, the leader of this job and the man responsible for these kids being here has made his way up. His own clothes are teared up a little, but it’s only because his own muscles are ripping them up a bit. His top hat covers his eyes and feet are black and clearly haven’t been washed “Jerry DePaul?”

“Jerry DePaul?!” that rascally voice is heard loud and clear for everyone in the cavern. The kids stop working when they hear it “I haven’t heard that name in 3 years. Reminds me why I hate it”

“What happened to you?”

“You say it like I’m Jerry…but I’m not. Not even close. I” he takes off his top hat, revealing his eyes and shedding hair “...am Jonas DePaul!”

“…who?”

Black Canary is kicked over, dropping to the floor “How dare you?! How dare you?! I was the son of Jerry DePaul. The son he never gave the time of the day for”

“Then why kidnap kids? Couldn’t birth one like your old man so you kidnap other people’s kids to compensate?”

“Birthing kids? A waste of time for me. They I use as a necessity. And if you think I treat them poorly, I tender to them better than any adult did to me in my childhood. As a kid I was dunk tank kid. Always meant to be mocked”

“Ah man, I’m-I’m sorry to hear about”

“I don’t need your sympathy! I hate you! Anyways, I used to sneak around the park when the people left. One night I fell on this cavern and couldn’t believe the space of this location. In my travels I found the first piece of crystal gold ever seen in Starling City.

The old man was sitting on a gold mind and he didn’t know it. When the park came in hard times I suggested going down to collect it and he rejected it. The performers? Laughed me off. Didn’t even consider taking me seriously all because I was the kid who spent more time in water than hanging around in their coke induced parties”

“Well…at least we know where the money went”

“Don’t you dare cater to me. After this carnival closed down, I left everyone, went to fend for myself. I traded my first piece of crystal gold in exchange for an illegal surgery. One that gives me delicious super strength. Sure, the doctor was arrested, but I wasn’t there”

“And let me guess, you found your friend afterwards”

“Yes, the same friend you and your DEO friends arrested My good pal, Al”

“Whoa! I am NO friend of the DEO. Surprised those bastards haven’t found me yet. Guess I’m that good. Also, don’t worry, you’ll find your friend again. Maybe share the same cell when you find each other behind bars”

“I will NOT be imprisoned. I’m so close in finding these crystals. They are here and I will become so rich I can leave this mud flap of a city. Perhaps go to Vlatava and take some drugs I’ve heard are beyond compare”

“Sorry to ruin your vacation, but your flight is gonna be canceled. And we can end this peacefully if you surrender and let these kids go”

“Hmmmm, NO! My children, may you all assemble as many candles for yourselves after this raucous duel”

“Uh, what?” questions Canary

“You came here not just to save these kids, but to fight me, yes? Well, lets have our battle…but on my terms” he goes to a small stack of rocks just near his left and picks one to destroy any lamp that illuminates this cavern. His arm is incredible. Precise and accurate. In a matter of seconds, this cavern resembles what its meant to be; empty.

Canary grits her teeth knowing this isn’t boding well. Already it’s off to a poor start when she’s picked up and smashed on the ground. Sure, she’s out of her shackles, but now she has to fight Jonas who has enhanced strength.

NEW YORK CITY-YEARS AGO

Dinah is pushed to the ground again by Wesley Dodds “Sloppy. Have Dinah and Ted taught you anything?”

“This sucks! It’s not fair”

“Tell that to the criminals that are not going to care. Or law enforcement when they come after you. Stop leaving yourself for an opening. You have to be unpredictable.

In the darkness and light, you don’t just use your eyes and fists for combat. You use your ears. Hear the voices, hear the footsteps. There, you won’t be psyched out. The enemy will”

Dinah hears the quick steps of Wesley and she’s able to block his strike and gives a strike of her own right to his face. She kicks him in the mid-section and then kicks him in the face, dropping him.

“Finally, improvement. Wanna call it a night?”

“No. Let’s keep doing this”

STARLING CITY-PRESENT DAY

Dinah didn’t know if he was smiling or nodded when that happened, but she’d like to think so. This absence of light isn’t a hindrance. It’s part of the job. No different than stopping a purse snatcher.

“Thank you, Sandman…” she hears Jonas DePaul coming right behind her “And thank you, Jonas, for your super strength” she quickly turns around and with her jaw open, she releases one hell of a Canary Cry.

EEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIII

Cracks are heard everywhere in the cave. The kids cover their ears but Jonas wasn’t so lucky. With that, Jonas DePaul is pulled back, with his spine hitting the walls. Having no way of holding onto anything, he lands on one of the crates the kids were pulling.

KRRRRRSSSSHHHHH

As if that wasn’t painful, the debris he hit before falling now land of him, causing him more pain and finally knocking him out. Black Canary doesn’t need to see to know he’s down for the count “Hey, can one of you be a great sport and use those candles you have?”

They all shine a light and Canary is able to find the rope and climb down right in front of them.

“Does…” says a kid who’s closest to her “Does this mean we don’t have to work no more”

She kneels down “Of course, kiddo. This is over. I’ll make sure that mean old man won’t hurt you anymore for as long as I live” One kid kindly gives her one of the candles and she takes it. Canary is ready to lead the way to their escape, but after her first step, she halts.

She can’t help but look at the wall that they were digging through to find the crystals. Sure, Jonas was crazy, but given he has super strength and had to have gotten somehow, as he stated, he bought them. He might have been right.

“Kids, I’m gonna have to ask you to go to the escape tunnel. Just make a right, then a left. And cover your ears. Multitask”

Canary goes to the main wall they were digging “So big yet could have taken years to finally plow through" she smirks "I can do it in seconds”

EEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIII

With one Canary Cry that lasted for a while, she destroys the barrier keeping them here from there. Once the dust finally settles, Canary passes through and see that there was in fact crystal gold. Not the scale of numbers that Jonas built up. But there’s enough that the amount of money is staggering. She smirks at the sight, knowing just what to do.

DAYS LATER-PAWN SHOP

The attendant of the shop was playing on his phone the game of Displeased Birds, focused on it, barely able to hear when someone passes through the door “Hello, I just need to know. Just how much value do these have?”

“I don't know? What are they they?"

"Golden Crystals"

"Ha! Golden Crys…tals?” the owner drops his phone when he sees Dinah in a trench coat, sunglasses and hat, and next to her is a crate of gold crystals. Somehow Dinah was the second most beautiful thing in the city.

THE STARLING CROSS CHARITY CENTER

In the main offices, Dr. Geiss is researching information in her laptop when he door is hastily opened by one of the fellow workers of the place “Ma’am! Ma’am!”

“David, calm down, what’s the meaning of this?”

“We-we-we”

He’s interrupted by a friend of his “LOOK AT OUR NEWEST DONATION”

Dr. Geiss does that when looking into her laptop and her eyes almost fall out

OLDTOWN

MARQUETTE

TESSERVILLE

In so many of the neighborhoods and districts of Starling, many middle and especially lower-class families all around Starling have just found out that their bank accounts seemed to have shot up quite well. Mental health centers and hospitals have also received this beautiful donation. So many people in Starling City are celebrating right now.

THE JUNKYARD

A table has been set up and anyone who lives there have taken a seat, as well as Black Canary and Chris the Bodyguard. Everyone is having the best meal they’ve had in quite some time. Anne drinks a nice glass of wine with Canary taking a bite of her steak “I don’t get it, Anne” says Canary “Why didn’t you take the money? I could have given all of you a nice house”

“We appreciate it, boss lady, but we like it here actually. Home like the ones you have just don’t work for us. But we do like a meal like this”

“Hear hear!” says everyone

Chris quietly goes to Canary’s ear “I’m not like them. thanks for the apartment”

“I know, bodyguard” she pats him on the cheek. Before she can continue eating, she sees a car steer fast from ahead with a cop car chasing it “Save me the food, guys. I have a criminal to stop”

Chris steps up “Need my help?”

“No, got a new motorcycle and I want to finally use it. Enjoy the feast”

She leaves and Chris slouches back to his chair “Why does she do that to me”

“Just eat up, Chris” Anne stuff his mouth with a piece of meat

In her motorcycle, she dashes through the streets in search of stopping those crooks. The job is never over for a superhero, and for the Black Canary, it's one she's finding a lot more enjoyment in than she thought.

Chapter Text

THE STREETS

The worst part of being alone is having someone behind your back when walking the streets at night. That’s what crosses the mind of this young redheaded boy as he runs away from three bigger kids coming towards him with haste “Get back here, punk!” yells the leader.

The redheaded boy smirks, able to outrun them and cross to an alleyway. The bullies enter as well, ready to pounce on him “Come out. Come out wherever you are”

“If you say so” from atop is a voice is heard and the redheaded boy descends from the fire escape ladder, falling on top of the leader. The two lackeys grab a different arm from him to pull him up.

“Oh, now you’re dead, ****head” yells the leader as he gets up holding his head

“Honestly, I feel alive. Especially in a fight, Layfield” the boy pulls out his left arm from one of the bullies and reels back to deliver one heck of an elbow strike to that boy’s nose. The big kid falls to the ground, crying as he holds his own nose as it bleeds “Oh baby gonna cry?”

The other big guy goes to punch him but the redhead knees him in the stomach. He holds firm the back collar of his shirt and pants and sends to the dumpster head first. The leader having had enough goes behind the redhead and chokes him as deep as he can.

“Should have left us alone! With you dead, I can get her back!”

The redhead stomps on the bully’s foot, succeeding in the letting of his grip. The redhead coughs, able to get some breathing in. He glares at his attacker, who charges at him. The redhead once more smirks, raising his leg and deliver a kick unto Layfield’s grapefruits.

“There’s no going back anything, Layfield. Accept it and maybe I’ll forget you existed in like two weeks. The world certainly will”

“Nice, did you practice that in front of a window beforehand?”

The unexpectedness of someone else talking almost caused the redhead to trip. He turns around to see a group of 5 people, all wearing red hoods with a domino mask covering their eyes. The redhead also spots that each are wearing something over their shoulder. A backpack of sorts over their backs with stick like items sticking out.

“Maybe. What? You guys want to pick on me too? Just look at what I did to these punks. Totally efficient”

The one hood in the middle pulls out the thing that confused the redhead and it’s a bow. Hehind are arrows and he points an arrow at the boy.

“GULP” is what the redhead uttered

THCK

An arrow is released and it passes by the redheaded boy and it plunges the shoulder of Layfield. The redhead turns around and sees Layfield howling in pain. Above him was a broken shard of glass.

“Not efficient enough. You’re welcome for the save, kid” says the apparent archer as his crew walks to the redhead

“What is this? A carnival act? What do you want from me?”

“To come with us”

“Come with the Speedys!” says the one girl there

FACTORY IN THE AVALON DISTRICT

The redhead and the archers enter this once toy factory now turned training center. The redheaded boy is surprised to see all these teenagers and young adults launching arrows into targets. However none seem to hit the middle. The redhead shakes his head and chortles.

"Why the smug face, kid?" says the Speedy next to the redhead

"Me? Just so many archers. Rookies from the looks of things"

"We're all learning"

"You need to learn more"

"What? Are you some great archer?"

The redhead smirks, his eyes peering away to the side "I've dabbled in the past. By the by, can I ask your name?”

“Just stick with Speedy!”

“Nah nah nah” waves off the one ahead “I’m fine with sharing my identity. We're all in this together after all. It’s Stephen. Stephen Morrison, and the name of the game are bows and arrows. Here, we’re learning how to go from shooting from a small distance to going the distance”

“You know…” says the redhead “It’s only NOW I realize I just entered a factory that might have the Hood in it”

“No ‘might have’, kid. He’s here. We’ll introduce you to him soon”

They enter a room that has the kids and teenagers learning self-defense. Stephen puts his arm over Roy's shoulder as he shows him the training “Can’t always rely on our weapons. A good beat em down will do us good”

The next room shown to the redhead is someone working on the special arrows “That’s our special weapons guy; Henry Fyff”

“Hmm?” Henry turns around “oh hey. Another new Speedy?”

“That he is” says Stephen, patting the redhead on the back

“Wait, I haven’t agreed to anything”

“Yet” so speaks; The Hood! The redhead is startled to see this man before him. Especially so early. “Something wrong, kid?”

“He’s just nervous” says Stephen

The redhead coughs, trying to regain his cool. He's read about The Hood. How brutal he is to the people he executes. He's talked with other kids about him and how they think it's cool how he kills so many people with power in the city. There's nothing cool about him now. Even though a domino mask covers his eyes, it feels like the boy is staring into a chasm. Right now, the redhead knows he has to stare back. Has to talk back.

“A little bit. Didn’t think I’d see you in the flesh. Read about you. Kinda crazy”

“This whole city is crazy” says The Hood “And here, we believe in fight fire with fire”

“You believe that?”

The Hood scoffs “Come with me” the redhead raises his eyebrow in befuddlement. Stephen pushes him to go to him and the boy walks. The Hood now walks side by side with the boy in the corridors “Tell me, why are you here?”

“Because your “Speedys” wanted me here after I kicked some ass. Frankly, this is kinda creeping me out”

“Who did you fight before?”

“Just some teenagers from a high school. This ***hole Layfield kept going after this girl in my apartment and even when she broke up with him, he still kept coming over and over. I stepped in and…well slashed the tires of his cars. Gave him and his loser friends a beating. Felt kinda good actually”

“Are there more like him?”

“Oh yeah. In my school, hangout spots”

“Well, that’s what we’re here to stop, kid. Bullies. Bullies from different walks of life. Ones who prey on the weak and wipe them out. I’m sure you’ve seen it before”

The boy’s expression dims “…I have. My…brother. 5 years ago. Now I live…alone”

“Sorry to hear about that” The Hood places an arm over the boy’s shoulder “We can avenge him. We can avenge those who died pointlessly, by getting rid of the parasites this city has. The one who control every day and grow in power And I truly believe in that, kid”

“Can we stop it with calling me kid. I have a name”

“You haven’t given it to us”

“The names Roy. Roy Harper, and tell me more about being a Speedy”

LANCE RESIDENCE

Out of the bed is Dinah Drake as she puts on her clothes while her husband, Quentin Lance, just woke up “Did I have to wake up just when you’re fully clothed?”

DD laughs “It’s your fault you had to be up late last night”

“I blame the crooks and the vigilantes. Always making a ruckus”

“And I’m sure you’ll have it sorted it out soon”

“Especially the Black Canary. Can’t be having someone use my wife’s hero name”

“And what about The Hood?”

“One problem at a time”

“If you need me, I’ll be at the shop. New flowers coming in hot and business might begin to bloom” she blows him a kiss goodbye and leaves. Quentin smiles as she leaves, and once she does exit, his beam washes away from his face.

He noticed she ignored the Black Canary mention and wanted more out of the Hood. Again, Quentin doesn’t want to believe his wife has a hand in this new Black Canary, but as a detective, to him, it’s his job to investigate.

DINAH’S APARTMENT

In her apartment room that has too many boxes that still need to be unpacked, Dinah sits on the couch scrolling through her laptop to find any details about The Hood. Any last known whereabouts since the streets the last few weeks have been silent. Too silent. But the blonde heroine decided it was best to use the internet for help. Specifically, its platforms of HeadPage, Dwidder and Onstugrum.

“Lousy help” she tosses her laptop aside. She brushes her hair and blows in the air, annoyed to not find anything “He can’t be this good at being silent, especially with those kids who aided him last time. Probably planning something big. And I’m here in tidy whities drawing a blank! Ugh!”

She grabs her small computer again and surfaces through the web. Once she checks in UsSpace, the most popular of these platforms, she’s hit with an ad.

“Damn ads. Need to kick the butts of the people who made them. They’re the real criminals eating away at the masses” before she can click the X button, she sees it’s an ad for the new Robin Hood movie, made by the people who made the critically acclaimed movie, Birdemic “Heh, Ollie would have loved to have this…”

…

PUNCH

She punches herself in the face for not thinking of this sooner “Why didn’t I think of this sooner?” she holds her hair, close to ripping chunks of it off “Oliver used to be an archer as a kid. The best at it. The best thing he was probably ever at! He was in an island for 5 years! Probably saved himself! He loved Robin Hood! Robin Hood has green in his costume! The Hood has green in HIS! He has ******* Hood in his name!”

She gets up from her couch, her eyes close to popping “Dammit Dinah! This is why you should have learned to be a ******* detective! You could learn a ******* clue or two!”

PUMP PUMP

From above Dinah hears that noise and looks up “SHUT UP! SOME OF US ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!”

“Sorry Mrs. Rodriguez!”

OLDTOWN

Such as the name gives, it’s the oldest district in the city. Practically the heart of the city at one point, where city elections and festivals were mostly held. But with the passing of time, it's now seen as a relic. Only still standing due to its meaning and reputation.

In it, The Hood and about 10 Speedy’s watch from a rooftop looking up to see the largest mansion in Oldtown “Goddamn” comments Roy Harper “I’ve seen Hotels that aren’t as big as that one”

“It’s that way for a reason" speaks up The Hood "There lives the city’s longest living councilman: Donald Milton. For decades Milton has allowed shipments for illegal drugs from other countries to come in. As a favor, he gets a cut in the deal and the people doing business with him threaten anyone who opposes him”

“How’d you get all that information?”

The Hood smirks

2 WEEKS AGO-THE DOCKS

A beaten man, the head of Milton’s security is spitting away blood from his mouth. He gets up on his feet with The Hood and some of the Speedy’s circling him. Stephen Morrison motioning for him to get up “I’ve heard stories about Councilman Milton. Now confirm it for me; what does Councilman Milton actually do?”

Minutes rattle on and the guy prattles to the Hood about Milton’s activities. Being there in person for Milton’s phone calls, meetings and some of the shipments.

“Good. Now to send a message to your boss” he pulls out his bow and his arrow is pointing right at him

“Wha-what are you doing? I told you what you needed!”

“Yes. And you’re just as responsible as Milton. You have failed this city!”

THE PRESENT- OLDTOWN

“I have my ways. Security has been ramped up ever since, but Milton is always alone in a room. There’s no alarm system and there’s 5 security guards stationed in each floor”

“And just how do we get in?”

“Simple. Two of our Speedy’s are going to go upfront”

Down below, one security guard does apprehend the two Speedy’s and forces them inside, throwing them on the floor “What are you thinking coming in here at night?” the guy asks, towering over them

“Being distraction” says the smaller Speedy of the two

The door is kicked in and out pours The Speedy’s. The guards pull out their firearms but none of them are able to get their shots as each are hit with arrows. Some in the stomach, some in the shoulders, some in the legs. They’ve all been beaten.

The other guards start coming down and the fight is on. The Hood sees and hears the commotion. He pulls out an arrow, which is actually a grappling hook arrow and is able to reach high up the mansion. Breaking a window, startling two security guards there. In their surprise, Hood takes this chance to shoot them with arrows, both arrows piercing their hearts.

Down on the first floor, Roy Harper stops fighting to gaze at what he’s watching “I can’t believe what I’m seeing. These kids are nuts. Brave but nuts”

“No, just brave” says Stephen Morrison, coming up from behind “Come on, kid. Join the pandemonium”

“One of us might get shot. We’re not adults with years of experience. We’re all teenagers and kids, Morrison”

“But we’ve got tenacity. It’s why we follow The Hood” Stephen pushes Roy aside and hits one guard with his bow who was running at them “It’s why this city needs us. Now…” he puts an arrow in the string “Let’s get rid of someone who is part of the problem”

Roy is startled by Stephen’s delight in this. In disbelief seeing someone like that so young enjoying violence. The redhead runs at the guard, kicking him in the head to knock him out. Stephen scowls at Roy “Save the arrow for when it counts” says Roy

Roy and Stephen look to the side and see so many of the Speedy's losing the fight. They're being punched and thrown around by these brutes of security. Roy runs at them, holding firm his bow and shooting an arrow at the tallest man there with a rope arrow. Tying up his leg and pulling his bow up to have him fall.

Two other security men run at Roy and the redheaded Speedy chuckles. Leaping over one to kick the other in the face. The other runs back at Roy, who with a pull of the string, releases an arrow that...passes by that guy. The guard picks Roy by the neck, chuckling. Roy smiles back and the arrow suddenly hits the guard in the back of the head knocking him out.

"Boomerang arrow" Roy hits one guard with his bow and the other one who had his legs tied up gets hit with a blunt arrow knocking him out "Hey, these trick arrows are a marvel" comments Roy who's proud of his work

At the top floor in Donald Milton’s room, Milton himself hides in the closet, gun in hand just in case. He’s already called the cops but they haven’t arrived as quickly as he wants.

BAM BAM BAM

“Please God, let The Hood die. I'll go to church after this, I swear”

The gunshots stop and Milton stops whimpering

PRAM

The door is kicked in and Milton hopes it’s not The Hood as he holds his gun tight “Councilman Milton!” The Hood’s voices is heard loud and clear “Your long time on the job is over”

Milton tries to keep himself silent, but he won’t stop whimpering. His hands won’t stop shaking. Having had enough, he plows through the door and begins shooting.

BAM BAM BAM

Shooting at…nothing. There’s nothing. The Hood isn’t there “Whe-where?”

From behind The Hood shadows over the Councilman “You have failed this city”

THCK

Downstairs the security has been beaten to a pulp and The Speedy’s help each other up. Some have bruises and gashes, but they’ll be fine. The Hood comes down, all of them looking at him waiting for orders.

“Donald Milton won’t be causing anymore problems for Starling. Let’s head out”

DINAH’S FLORIST SHOP

Detective Lance arrives at the shop, with a box of chocolate in hand “Hello, Mr. Lance” he’s not greeted by his wife, but by Dolores, a younger woman who takes care of the shop when Dinah Drake isn’t around.

“Hey, Dolores. How’s college going?”

“Grades could be better. Always seem to stay at a B”

“Heh, mine were worse. Just where is Dinah? I thought she would be at the shop today”

“Oh, Ms. Drake-Lance hasn’t been at the shop for the past few days”

“She hasn’t? That’s a shame, I wanted to surprise with her chocolates and then a lunch date. We haven’t done those for a long while”

“That sounds nice”

“It does. Know where she might have taken off to?”

“Oh, Mr. Lance, I don’t know if it’s my place to say so. It’s her privacy after all”

“Well that don’t mean anything to this detective. I could have you arrested for negligence and harboring useful information”

Dolores gasps, afraid at the sudden force of Detective Lance’s voice

“Dolores, I’m just yanking your chain. I wouldn’t do that to you. I just want to be good to D. We’re getting old and I just wanna spice up the marriage. Be spontaneous and show her a good time. If you know what I mean”

“Yeah…yeah, I think I understand. Umm…” she scratches her head “Sometime she heads out to scout future competition. Other times it’s to help an old college friend with some student she has. Honestly, Ms. Drake-Lance seems to do a lot of errands”

“Yeah, she does that from time to time. Thank you for telling me. And good luck on those exams. Study hard. Don’t wait on the final day like I did”

Quentin Lance leaves the shop and sighs in annoyance “Just where are you going, D? You can’t be doing that many-” in that moment, it comes to the Detective

YEARS AGO- THE BAR

Dinah and Quentin are sharing a beer with a cop friend of Quentin. After only a few minutes there, Dinah’s purse begins making a noise and when Dinah checks it out, it’s her JSA communicator. She pulls Quentin in close “Gotta head off. Tell Davy I had to help a college friend with some brat student he has”

“And he would call you why?”

“Make the story up. I’ll see you later, sweetie” she kisses Quentin and heads off

THE PRESENT

Quentin groans entering his car “And the only one who can be calling her, who lives her in Starling in need of her help…Ted Grant!”

MAIN QUEEN CONSOLIDATED BUILDING

Dinah visits the premises and sees Moira Queen, the mother of Oliver and Chairwoman of Queen Consolidated. She’s been gone in a business trip and came back just in time for Dinah to get the answers she seeks. She sees Moira coming out of the entrance door and walks to her person, bumping into her.

“Who the hell?” questions Moira in anger

“Oh my!” says Dinah “I’m so sorry I didn’t mean-Mrs. Queen?”

“Di-Dinah?” Moira is puzzled “Oh dear, it’s been so long!” Moira hugs Dinah

“It has been. Good to see you” Dinah tightens the embrace

“I’m sorry I haven’t visited. I’ve just been so busy. How are your parents?”

“Doing good, good. I gotta say, how’s Oliver? I haven’t really had the time to meet with him”

“Oliver has been very busy as the new Chief Technology Officer. Though he mostly spends time with the people of our Weapons Division”

“Can you point me towards his office?”

“Can’t. Classified. Also, it’s closed for the day”

“But if Oliver is not here, could he be with the people of the Weapons Division if he spends as much time? Perhaps in their homes?”

“Look, sweetie, if you want to talk to Oliver. Just do it in our home. He’d love to have you. I have to go now”

Moira leaves Dinah alone and enters her limo. Dinah sighs “That’s dandy, I didn’t get what I wanted. Well…not entirely”

Dinah’s lips pull up for a smirk as she pulls Moira’s ID Card from her pocket. She wraps a scarf around her neck, ties her hair with a bobby pin, puts on some sunglasses and enters inside. Dinah remembers that their Weapons Division was located downstairs in basically the building’s basement during her visits here as a kid.

She uses Moira’s ID card on the ID scanner to the enter the Weapons Division. Much to her disappointment, she sees that nobody is actually there. She checks around the place, spotting for any anomaly but is coming up empty.

“This is what I get for not listening to Momma Queen-” without looking, she bumps into one of the desks in the place. She looks around it and spots that the cabinets are locked “Well then, Black Canary, it seems this lock has to be…unlocked...” she facepalms “Need to improve with the one liners”

She pulls out the bobby pin and begins to pick the lock “This should be easy. Picking a lock is one of the easiest things in the world. All the great heroes have done it. This should only take seconds”

15 MINUTES LATER

Dinah rubs the sweat off her forehead as she grinds her teeth in dismay “Why is this taking so long?! They do it fast in the movies! The movies lied to me! Good God almighty what did dear old mom say if I was in this situation?”

YEARS AGO- LANCE RESIDENCE

Dinah Drake sits down her daughter on the couch “Alright, sweetie, there comes a time when a lock comes between you and the clues you seek. All you have to do is-”

THE PRESENT

“Oh, finally it’s unlocked” Dinah pats herself on the back “I knew I could do it, just like the great heroes of the past”. She opens the cabinet, seeing for herself the many files there.. She pulls out some files and ruffles through them. After a couple of minutes… “Nothing. Just nothing!” she slams the files on the floor. Dinah pans over to the right, seeing extra desks and file cabinets. The blonde bombshell sighs and pulls out her bobby pin once more.

THE SECURITY ROOM

In his seat, the security guard, instead of watching the tv monitors, is watching a show on his phone “Man, what is Henry thinking? Breaking Good is so overrated. This is why I watch Daughters of Anarchy”

He drops the phone of the desk and looks at the monitors. He was once bored but once he stared at the far-left corner, he noticed a most peculiar sight. It’s Dinah sifting through files. He gets on the phone quickly “I’m gonna need some men on the Weapons Division room. I’m pretty sure a woman just broke in. Use lethal force if necessary”

The guard hangs up and proceeds to make another call.

WAREHOUSE

The Hood and the Speedy’s arrive back to base. The Speedy’s are all getting chummy, each complimenting the other on what they did. All except Roy Harper, who keeps his hands on his pockets and head down. Stephen Morrison sees him and scoffs. He gets close to the Hood’s ear “I need to talk to you about the Roy kid”

RING RING

“We’ll have to deal with that later” The Hood gets away from the Speedy’s and answers the phone in his playboy Oliver Queen voice “Hello Greg, how do you do?”

“Mr. Queen, remember when you asked me to call whenever there seemed to be a breech into your area of work?”

“Yeah?”

“There seems to be a woman there. I’ve already called security. Just letting you know”

“Thanks, Greg. Very much appreciated”

The Hood hangs up the phone and rushes out of his hideout. Stephen notices him leaving “Where are you going?”

“To deal with a nuisance”

“What about Roy?”

“I’ll talk to him when I get back. So sit and wait for me”

WEAPONS DIVISION AREA

After looking file after file, Dinah has almost glued on a dejected look of apathy. One that slowly tempers as she reads on the files of Henry Fyff “I was getting worried it’d just canned projects for guns that fly in the sky or missiles that shoot out other missiles. But here…” Dinah bites her thumb nail as she reads files about grappling hook arrows and explosive arrows.

“Now why would this be here? Is it the whole crew or just this Henry guy? Either way, time to find where he lives...” she looks away in the distance "...but for a good cause"

She puts the files back into their cabinets and before she can get up…

“Freeze!”

Dinah’s eyes go wide and she moves her head up from the desk to see 4 security guards with guns out “Jesus Christ” she quietly mutters “They really amped security here in the past few years”

“We’re going to ask you to leave the premises” no response “I need you to get up and leave or we’ll use force”

Once more nothing and the guy nods for the guy on his left to get her out “Okay, lady, enough is enough-what?”

“What is it, Steve?”

“No one is there”

Dinah, using her scarf as a makeshift face mask, goes behind the two guards in the back. She reaches out and smashes their heads together. The main guard turns around and Dinah kicks him in the face. The other guard points his gun at her and Dinah still charges. Slapping the gun away and punching him in the face. Finishing off with body slamming him to the ground.

Dinah makes her escape, using the elevator. But still, the man in the monitors sees her making her exit “This woman took down 4 of our men. I need back up now”

In the elevator, Dinah stays in a balanced state. Not even thinking about the array of security that will come at her strong without mercy. One must be in a cool head for the fight to come. Though the awful elevator music tries its best to throw her off.

The doors open and Dinah launches herself out with amazing velocity. She makes it out the door and takes a left. The other guards do the same, aiming to grab her. Many of them come out, but she doesn't seem to be around. Doesn't matter, they think she has to be around the premises.

“Have you found anything?” one guard asks

“Nada. It’s like she teleported or something”

The guards scatter and go on to search again. In the bushes outside of the building, a head pops up and it’s Dinah Lance “Think of something, Canary. You didn’t think things through and decided bushes were your best friend. Bushes are not your friend. Escape is. But how do I get out?”

She looks ahead to see one guard nearby. She gets down, causing some ruffling with the bush. The guard finds it odd and gets close. A hand reaches out and grabs his collar, pulling him in. After some seconds of punching and many other seconds of putting clothes on, Dinah comes out of the bush WITH the guard’s clothes on. Shirt, pants and hat.

She leaves her hideout and trudges along, looking to her left and right numerous times to make it look like she’s looking for…well, herself. She walks pass by another guard.

“Sup” she says in her best macho voice

“Oh hey” the guard replies before going back to looking. Dinah makes it out of the area and takes a big sigh of relief.

Once she exits, Oliver Queen enters. He approaches one of the guards “I’d like to know what happened properly”

THE PARKING LOT

Oliver enters his car, having been told what happened. The only thing that truly got his attention was the files being checked by the invader. What could she want crossed the mind of the blonde rich boy.

RING RING

It’s Ollie’s phone and he sees that his mother is calling “If this is about the intruder, don’t worry, I talked to the employees about it”

THE AIRPORT

“I already know about it, sweetie. I just got off with Johnny on the phone and he’ll be firing a good amount of our security. And do me a favor, send out a call for security hiring's”

“Is that it, mom?”

“No. I had bumped into Dinah moments before I left. Oliver, I think she’s interested. You better seek her out”

“Mom, I went over this before. It’s important we keep out distance-…” Oliver stops “You talked to Dinah before you left?”

“Yes. Now go get her back. I miss Dinah. So full of passion and exuberance. Don’t lose her again”

Moira hangs up and Oliver applies grip on the phone, close to shattering it into pieces. He remembers looking through the footage and could clearly see the intruder was blonde. Dinah is blonde and Oliver is pissed “It can’t be…she can’t-”

GRANT GYM

In the ring after a long training session, Ted Grant, the former Wildcat, finishes sparring with a student. Giving him a hand and picking him up from the ground “I keep saying it, Paulie. You gotta keep your guard up. You’re too focused on the attack that you’re leaving yourself open for a hit”

“I know, Mr. Grant”

“Well if you knew, you should have done better. Come on, if you plan on being this big-time detective, you gotta know how to kick some ass”

Paulie laughs “I’ll do better next time”

“And you’ll do better when you start in the academy? You’ll school everyone?”

“Obviously”

“Atta boy. Now go get some ice for the jaw after you get out of the shower”

The younger lad exits the ring and Ted does so too, drinking from his bottle of water.

KNOCK KNOCK

Ted raises his eyebrow, a bit surprised that someone wants to be here late at night. Maybe it’s Dinah Drake to crack open some beers and talk. Maybe it’s Dinah Lance for some extra training. He opens the door and…

“Hiyah Teddy” maybe it’s Detective Quentin Lance “Been a while, hasn’t it?” he says with a smirk on his face

APARTMENT BUILDING

Henry Fyff arrives at his home, yawning after a hard day’s work “Mom, I’m home!”

“That’s good, dear!” a voice is heard from another room “Food is in the microwave”

“Thanks, love you!”

“When are you arriving at dinner on time?!”

“Mom, I told you this before! I’m doing stuff for the greater good! You’ll understand eventually!”

“Sometimes I don’t understand you, Henry!”

“Go to sleep, mom!”

He throws his back on the couch and kicks his feet on the table. Straight away, a breeze comes over from behind “Oh that feels nice” he comments “...Wait!" he sits up "Mom!”

“What?!”

“Did you leave the window open?!”

“No! After I heard about in Roxx News that Black Canary could be a flying devil canary that sours through the skies to eat us, I’m leaving those windows closed indefinitely!”

Henry gasps under his breath, knowing full well that somebody might be here. He gets up from the couch and goes under it to fetch a weapon so he can defend himself “Trust me when I say this, you wouldn’t want to mess with me and my…my-”

“Bat?”

“AAIIEE!” Henry yelps and turns to see Oliver standing, looking down on him holding his bat

“You need a better weapon than a bat, Fyff. In fact, your apartment needs a security defense system”

“I may be a genius, Ollie, but I’m keeping my home weapons free. This is my safe space. Plus, my mom would nag about it” Henry says while dropping the bat on the floor “Anyways-what the hell are you doing here?!”

“You already know about the intruder who came to Queen Consolidated. What you don’t know is they looked through your files, Henry”

“Did they steal something?”

“Not from what I looked. But Henry, and I need you to be honest, did you leave any papers containing information about The Hood or any ideas for weapons?”

Henry has his mouth open but nothing is coming out. He’s trying to remember thoroughly.

“Henry!”

“I…I…did leave some ideas for arrow weapons before we moved in to the new headquart-“

Oliver sits down and sighs in frustration “She’s coming”

“Who?”

“The intruder. Who just might be the Black Canary. Who just might be my ex”

“Huh?!”

“And don’t panic, I have some Speedy’s doing recon to make sure she doesn’t come in to interrogate you or worse. This is going to be permanent from now on. You’re going to have Speedy’s with you at all times”

“Wha-Oliver, I don’t need kids being my bodyguards!”

“This isn’t up for discussion” he looks out at the window, getting a view of the city “If Black Canary wants a war, I’ll make sure it’s one she’ll regret even existing for”

THE STREETS

A group of 5 people sit on the bench while waiting for the bus. 4 enter the bus itself when it arrives. The one person stays. Dinah Lance, with a jacket on, using the hood to cover her head, looks up at the apartment building of Henry Fyff.

“The Hood could be around, and his child soldiers too. Can’t afford a fight right now. If it’s 100% you Ollie as the Hood, I need to save your soul before you take down this city with it”

Chapter Text

THE HOOD HIDEOUT

In this location, The Hood trains the Speedy’s, kids with no home and/or a desire for brutal justice enacted on their flawed city. The Hood himself isn’t around for tonight, as he and some Speedy’s are out there looking for the Black Canary just outside of Henry Fyff’s apartment.

A good chunk of the Speedy’s themselves are in the hideout, simply having a fun time. Some are in the corner playing cards, others are playing pinball and one Speedy like the sharp Roy Harper has approached a circle formed by the other Speedy's “Hey guys, little piece of advice. When a circle is formed, I expect it to be during a bonfire”

The other Speedy’s chuckle except Stephen Morrison, who scoffs “I’m here learning some backstories, Harper. Getting to know the group. Building trust, you know?”

“Do you not trust me?”

“Not ones who stop me from making the necessary kill”

Roy scoffs, remembering how Stephen was angry over Roy stopping him from killing a security guard in their last mission “Whatever”

Roy walks off, but one kid gets up to run at him “Stop right there, Roy. You should join us. It can be fun and make us a stronger team once we truly get to know each other”

The other Speedy’s nod and motion for Roy to come to them “You heard Danny. You heard the rest” says Stephen “What’ll it be?”

Roy shrugs and sits down with them “Alright, whose turn is it?”

THE STREETS

Dinah Lance walks across the busy sidewalk, feeling a bit lost in her own way. Days ago, she made the connection that the murderous vigilante The Hood and her old flame Oliver Queen might be one in the same. Fueled her assumptions were when she found files for weapons for The Hood in the Weapons Division, where Oliver works, of Queen Consolidated.

She wanted to confront Herny Fyff, Oliver’s main weapons engineer but the Hood has Speedy’s around the block in the dark. She could fight them and beat them, but she can’t risk a fight. Not yet. All Dinah can think about is what if Oliver, the Hood, could be inside. She wants to confront Ollie after so many years but she doesn’t want to.

He hurt her and despite all the crime fighting she’s done and plans on doing, talking to Oliver is what makes her skin crawl. Dinah lifts her arm up and sees the time; 4:30 “Hmm, I can make it to band practice on time this time. Thanks for the watch, Ted”

LORD BYRON’S GARAGE

Practice has finished, one that Dinah required “I needed this, guys. Felt good to get the vocal cords pumping again. I didn’t miss a beat” She turns to her bandmates, each one glaring at her with their arms crossed. Except Lord Byron who keeps his hands on his hips to be different “Am I going to be shanked?” one eyebrow raises up in confusion

“No, Dinah” says Bo Maeve, one of the bands guitarists “But this conversation will feel like one”

Ditto, the drummer, rolls his eyes “I got this” he tells it to Bo “Dinah, The Singing Birds feel like your focus has been…lacking”

“What? But you guys heard me tonight and you heard me when we performed at the Pulpstep Aren-“

“Dinah, that was months ago and we’ve failed to capitalized on it”

“YOU have failed to capitalize on it” says Bo “We call you and you don’t pick up. We call your mum and she says you’re busy. With what? Do you have another job? Can’t you find a way to balance it?”

“It’s…” Dinah rubs the back of her head “Complicated. I can’t say”

“Say or won’t?” asks Ditto

“Come on, guys” Lord Byron steps in “Lets give her a chance to explain herself. She IS still part of the Singing Birds. Go on Dinah”

“Look, what I do in my time is my own and none of your business. I’m sorry I haven’t been around as much. But I was here this time and I’ll make it to the next few. You can trust me on that”

The band members converge, their chatter can only be heard distinctly by Dinah. They finish and Ditto again takes the lead “We’ve decided to keep you in the band…”

“Wait, this was to decide if I was going to be kicked out or not?!”

“For now! Dinah, we need you in the Singing Birds. Cause if you’re not with us, then we’re not gonna need you anymore and we’ll find a new one and we’ll need…them instead” they exit the room leaving Dinah alone to contemplate. Ditto facepalms while Bo gets in close to laugh at him.

“What happened, I thought you “got this”?”

“Shaddup”

DINAH’S APARTMENT

Dinah Lance scratches her head once leaving the elevator. She looks down on the ground while walking to her room. Band Practice was not all it was cracked up to be. She’s on thin ice and she promised to be there for the Singing Birds. Deep down, this young heroine knows her promise won’t mean much in the long term.

“About time you showed up”

Dinah looks up and sees it’s…

“Ollie?”

Dinah couldn’t believe it. It’s Oliver, visiting her again. Right now, she wishes she was getting drilled in by The Singing Birds.

JSA BROWNSTONE- YEARS AGO

The Black Canary, Doctor Fate, Mr. Terrific and Wildcat return to the base, some with more concern than others “This doesn’t worry you guys out the least?” questions Terrific “The DEO are already taking out threats faster than even us at some points. The Director wasn’t exactly subtle in how he’ll approach us now”

“Oh Terry, stop whining” says Ted with his hands behind his head “As if they have that much power to take us down. We’ve been around for too long to just be put on the bench. Say Kent, any dreams you have to prove dear ol’ Terry right?”

“I have seen…visions” his voice bellows from the helmet “I’d ask Wesley for his prophetic dreams to see if they’re different, but…after what happened to Sandy…”

The mood around the four shifts to a more downhearted feel. Some with regret and others with simple sadness.

Dinah, wanting the JSA to be less glum now remarks “Come on, Kent. You once saw a vison of Vandal Savage merging with a space entity to vanquish us all. You HAVE been proven wrong before. Plus, we’ve always defied predestined outcomes. It’s in our nature as heroes”

“See?” says Ted looking over at Terrific “Nothing to fear”

The open the door and there walking in a circle is Detective Lance “Quentin!” Dinah spouts with rejoicing. She runs to her husband, pecking at his cheek.

“Why’re you here, Quentin?” asks Wildcat “Is there a Detective Convention no one knows about?”

“If so, can we come dressed as Sherlock Holmes?” interjects Mr. Terrific

Quentin however, is less than enthusiastic as the others “Quentin?” asks Canary

“There’s been talks in my department. Almost all the departments if my contacts are to be believed”

“Honey, what are talking about?” she stops hugging her husband

“You know those visions I heard you guys talking about before coming in? I think you need to believe them starting now”

SCPD PRECINCT

Detective Quentin Larry Lance remembers that day clearly. He remembers the time with the Ban of Supers Act in its beginning stages. How every cop in the country was now encouraged to hunt after any super powered individual and gimmick with a costume. That time he visited the JSA Brownstone was the last time he went there.

The Detective now is with his computer seeing old fights of the former hero Wildcat during the Age of Gold. The new Black Canary’s fighting style reminds him of his wife, but now it reminds him of Wildcat.

GRANT GYM- DAYS AGO

Ted has opened the doors of his gym and there walks in Quentin Lance “It has been a while, Quentin” says Ted, cleaning out his ears with his pinkie

“Why don’t you come by for dinner sometime? I know Dinah would love to have you”

“Ah it’s fine. We always have the odd lunch meet up here and there”

Both men sit down on a table “Always good to know some JSA members still remained friends. Sad how you lost contact with Alan, Jay, the Hall’s-”

“Quentin ol’ buddy, what’s with this? Why the sudden visit? Are you looking for the wife or daughter or black partner you go out to have wacky adventures with?”

“Just nostalgic, I guess. Things get so boring in the station and with this new Black Canary around, I was wondering if you recognize anything about her? Know anything about her?”

“Oh no no no. I’m trying to steer clear of it. I always do whenever metahumans and vigilantes are around. Don’t wanna get the kick again. THAT is nostalgia”

“Has Dinah told you anything about the new Canary?”

“Just annoyed from I’ve seen. Wants-”

“The identity back. She told me already. And yet, her movements-“

“Quentin…stop it”

Quentin laughs “Stop what?”

“I know what you’re doing. I know when a cop is trying to get a rise out of me. I know when anyone is trying to get me to spill just an iota of something”

“So, you admit you know something?”

“Never said I knew something. But I know you feel I or Dinah know something about the new Canary. And if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. I’m not gonna allow you to arrest that girl and drive her over to Blackgate where she’ll stay there for life”

Quentin clicks his tongue, giving Ted a black look. Ted himself crosses his arm and slouches on his back on the chair. It reminds both men of a similar talk.

LANCE RESIDENCE – YEARS AGO

Quentin returns home and peers over the corner to see Ted Grant howling while Dinah sits on the couch, hands over her forehead “Come on, D! We can’t just give up now! This is where the world needs us the most!”

“Ted, look at us right now” she stares up at him “It’s just the two of us now”

“I know it’s scary, Dinah. But look at what they did to Kent. To Sylvester. To Rex for God’s sakes! We can’t let them down!”

“Ted, remember last night?” she looks at him, contempt in her red almost teary eyes “Remember last night?! The only reason we got out before being swarmed by DEO Agents was because Zatara, Ted and Al gave us the time we needed to escape. We have no Brownstone, no equipment, no big gun, no great big powers-”

“Then let’s get the others. Convince-”

Dinah rises from the couch “The others knew what was coming and they’ve retired to protect the ones they love. I…” her eyes shake in anger and shame “I have to do the same. I can’t let them take me away. I can’t let Dinah grow up without a mother. It’s not fair to her and Quentin”

“If we don’t fight, this will be someone else’s fight and one they might not win”

“That’s enough, Grant!” Quentin finally makes his presence known “I’ve had to listen to you for years complaining about everything under the sun! I’m not gonna let you belittle my wife over a pointless fight!”

“Of course a cop thinks we should just blindly follow a law. Say, how many heroes have you arrested?”

“Knock it off, Ted” Dinah warns him

“Calling it like I see it”

“That’s it, get out of my house!” Quentin gets up to Ted’s face

“I’d like to see you put your cop training to the test”

“You know, why don’t I-” Dinah with one hand pushes Quentin back. She quickly maneuvers over to Ted to grab him and slam him to the ground with a hip toss. Ted looks up at Dinah, not surprised by the attack but by how much fury she has on her person.

“Get out” she says to him. Ted didn’t want to take this lying, he’s never one for backing out of a fight. But fighting Dinah? Never.

GRANT GYM- THE PRESENT

“You’re lucky she forgave you” says Quentin to Ted

“People can’t stay mad at me. I’m too charming”

“It’s always jokes with you, Ted. Every time you open your yap it’s a stand-up routine. You really haven’t changed”

“I always did wonder who would have won had Dinah not butted in. I’ll say it first, it would have been me”

“I stand corrected. It’s joking and fighting. I’m surprised you haven’t started any bar fights that I had to be called in to stop”

“I have more restraint than you give me credit for. Which is why I’m asking you to leave”

Quentin scoffs “You’re not gonna tell me any truths, are ya?”

“Quentin, if you wanna find truths, question where you’re working, who’re you working for and why you’re working. Think someone like you can finally find peace in that”

“Me find peace?” Quentin gets up from his chair “Follow your own advice, Ted”

Quentin exits the Gym and enters his car, closing it so hard he might have shattered the glass. Ted from a window in the gym sees the detective drive off. Ted Grant walks across the halls of the gym. He enters his room and opens up a chest in the closet, chortling a bit.

“Me? Find peace? I’m doing fine”

He sees a costume he hasn’t seen in so long. The old Wildcat outfit.

GRANT GYM- YEARS AGO

Dinah Drake comes into the place, seeing it all empty “Jeez Ted, can you have any lights on? And what’s that smell-”

She turns on a light and sees Ted wearing the Wildcat outfit. The man himself in crawling on the floor with a bottle of beer in hand.

“My God” she says in disbelief

“i-i-i’ll get thozzee bazzdards. all of them…giovanni, al, knight, hank, all draidors”

“Ted for God’s sake” she approaches him

“i’m gonna get those-“

“Ted, please. Stop” she puts his head on her knees

“i…i”

“Let this go. Please”

A tear forms in the eye of the always abrasive boxer. He doesn’t want to accept defeat “i don’t wanna stop, dinah”

“I know”

“this…this is all i have”

She rubs his head “We’ll bounce back from this, Ted. We always will”

GRANT GYM- PRESENT

Ted brushes the mask of the costume. Remembering all the good fights he once had and the memories with old friends.

STARLING PARK

Quentin Lance sits on the bench, seeing all the kids running around, the families having picnics. He? He’s waiting for someone.

“Hello, Detective Lance”

Now sits next to him is someone holding an ice bag below his jaw… “Hello, Paulie” The fellow who Ted Grant was training before “Your jaw is a bit colored”

“Well, when the former heavyweight champion hits you, what else do you expect?”

“What I expect are answers. Have you seen Dinah in the gym?”

“A few times. She always brings nice flowers” Paulie laughs but Quentin keeps a straight face “Right right. Umm, any time she’s around it’s just to talk to Ted, but it’s super secretive. Closed off from the other students. So many classes I had had to be cancelled because Ted had “something going on”.

Some thought he might be training someone important or someone rich who was keeping things on the downlow. Others thought maybe he had a honey. A lot of the trainees thought he and your wife were-“

Paulie instantly zips his mouth shut when he sees Quentin staring daggers at him.

“Uh, I wasn’t one of them”

“Whatever. Now, about the secret training”

THE HOOD’S HIDEOUT

The Speedy’s are still gathered together for story time, with one having reached the end of his tale “-and that’s how after the death of my parents, i got payback against my bully and became the proud Speedy amongst you all”

CLAP CLAP CLAP

“Thank you, Harry” says Danny, the one who organized this gathering “Your history is not finished and yet it’s one we’ll always remember. Who’s next?”

Roy smiles and raises his hand “I’d like to be ne-”

Stephen Morrison interjects “I’m next!”

Danny motions for Stephen to begin “Sorry Roy. You gotta be faster to truly catch the eyes of the audience” Stephen clasps his hands together “Now, just how did I get here?”

SCHOOL IN THE GLADES- YEARS AGO

A younger Stephen Morrison exits class alongside the other students. Right behind him is his English teacher “I don’t say this often, Stephen, because I don’t like to pick favorites. But your report on what happened at World War II was some of the finest writing I’ve read in my time. The communication and how you formulated each paragraph”

“Thank you, Ms. Reid. My nights are just me at the house so it lets my mind be clear and properly put together each detail I want to describe”

“I’m glad to hear of it. Say now, isn’t your father a writer?”

Stephen awkwardly chuckles “That he is”

“I’m sure you can talk to him to see if he can find you a spot in where he works. Perhaps get your career started”

“That’s way too fast, Ms. Reid. Also, I wanna be a storyteller. I wanna create my stories”

“Today there are still stories done about events such as WW2. And they find their ways on television and to success”

Ms. Reid nods to him and continues walking while Stephen remains standing, surprised in his own way “Storyteller” he whispers, brushing his hair and growing a smile on his face. As he walks off, a trio of kids frown at their now confident classmate.

In the cafeteria, Stephen sits alone on a table, chowing down on his sandwich. Over and over, he keeps thinking about being called a storyteller. And how he could explore events throughout time. All the topics he could discuss. Not just about wars but pivotal moments in history. Lost empires and incredible revolutions. He just might talk to his father about that.

“Look what we have here” Stephen turns his head to see some of his classmates now joining him. The bigger one standing behind him, crossing his arms “How’s the sandwich. Tasty? Nom nom nom? Should be, it’s sandwich day after all-”

“Piss off, Dany”

The kids laugh “ho ho!” exclaims Dany “I wish we were friends, Morrison. You always get right into it”

“It’s my food. What’s the show?”

“No. The show is you talking to Ms. Reid. What’s going on? Class favorite? She gonna do you favors now?”

“Hey Dany” speaks up the bully from behind “I think he’s doing HER favors, if you know what I mean?”

The gang laughs and Stephen sneers at all of them, gripping his food “What would you know about doing favors, fatty?”

Offended, the big one grabs Stephen’s head and smashes it on the table. Now all the gang join up and begin stomping on Stephen. All the kids in the other tables catch notice of this. Some watch and others look away. All Stephen can wonder is why no one is doing something.

APARTMENT BUILDING

On the couch, Stephen is looked after his mom, who rubs her son’s head. Stephen himself has stitches on his forehead and a cut bottom lip. The door is opened and now enters Stephen’s father. Looking disheveled and throwing his jacket tothe floor.

“How did it go?” asks Stephen's mom

“Horrible. It’s cancelled, Marge. After 5 years, Miracles is cancelled. All thanks to that ******* waste of life Buddy Simmons. ******* comes in, takes charge of XTV and starts cutting shows”

(Oh Dad) Stephen adds that information to the group (Always did hate Simmons. Even badmouthed him on the XTV building. Btw, here’s where I say something)

Stephen groans a little, still feeling stung.

“What’s with him?”

“Got beat up at school” says Stephen’s mom

“Did you try and fight back?” he asks while picking up a beer from the fridge

“It was 3 dudes and one attacked me from behind”

“Boo hoo. Me and my friends fought a group and won”

“Yeah, “me and friends””

“At least I had friends”

“Dustin!” yells Marge

(Good old, mom) Stephen tells to the group (Always had my back. She was the one who told dad about the conversation with Ms. Reid. How I could help him with XTV Broadcasting. To pitch shows and such. Dad resisted but once summer vacation came, he took up a chance)

XTV BROADCASTING SYSTEM BUILDING

In the board room, with his dad next to him. Buddy Simmons and other individuals listening, Stephen pitches an anthology show about the lost stories of World War II. Soldiers still around with tales that were never documented and battles lost in time.

(I was pretty confident to start it off. Never did I feel so open and prepared. But the more I talked, the more I realized nobody was really listening. Even my dad was trying hard not to sleep. Everyone was tired. Well, all except one guy but he's a story for another day. The first time I stuttered, Buddy Simmons got up and got very close. Telling me…)

“Kid, I’ll think about it

THE HOOD’S HIDEOUT

Stephen rests his cheek on his fist while the others look at him with sorrow

“One of the worst things you can say to someone in the entertainment industry. They did allow me to pitch shows over the next few years. I was so happy by that news that I didn’t even go to college. I was so confident I would make it. But it was after the 5th time I noticed that it was always when other people were around to pitch that I was allowed to come in.

It was basically an audition process. The others were suckers like me. All except that one person. The one person who always had their idea put on TV, regardless of quality and if it’ll be timeless. Only chosen because the budget allowed it and it was relevant for what was popular at the moment.

People like me were just canon fodder. There to set up the main event. We never had a chance. By the time my dad was fired I wasn’t even allowed on the building. Me and dad tried to get jobs in other networks but Simmons heard what dear old dad said about him and now we were blacklisted from the entertainment industry.

At one point I thought I could be a storyteller, one of the best. Now, I can hardly remember any of the stories that made an optimistic kid so hopeful at one point"

Stephen stops speaking and no noise is heard for 10 solid seconds. Until…

CLAP…CLAP…CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

The Speedy’s cheer Stephen in jubilation. Gathering before him to pat him on the back.

“Oh man I wish I knew sooner” says Danny “You really are a great storyteller, Stephen”

“I guess I still have it in me. Old habits never die”

While each Speedy attempt to learn more from him, Roy can only look at Stephen. Admiring him in some ways after learning so much, but the redhead can’t help but feel rather incomplete. A sentiment furthered when Stephen looks over to Roy to shrug and smirk. Roy simply can only scowl at him and walk off.

DINAH’S APARTMENT

This is not what she wants at this moment Dinah does. Her old flame Oliver Queen next to her apartment door “You look great” Oliver says “Although when don’t you?” he chuckles

“Can you back away from the door? I think I left the stove on”

“Homes, they can simply be bought again. Just materials. Answers, those are very valuable”

“Wha-what are you on about?”

“Mom told me you bumped into her. In the Queen Consolidated building I work in”

“Yeah yeah. Just a coincidence. I was in the area”

“To see me?”

“Just passing by”

“Dinah, come on, you can’t keep ignoring me forever”

“Of course I can. Look”

She walks towards the door but he blocks her “Come on-”

With one hand now grasping his shirt collar, she pushes him out of the way and opens her door “Quite the strength you got there”

“Dad’s a cop, remember? I can take care of myself very well”

“Is that why you were asking where I was to mom? Where some of my subordinates were at? Why would a singer like you want to know that? One who tried to avoid me months ago?”

“Ollie, are you a cop now or what? What’s with the questioning?”

“What I do in Queen Consolidated is important. My workplace was invaded”

“That sucks. I hope you figure out who stunk up the joint” Dinah goes to walk inside her room

Oliver shuts the door before Dinah can enter “That’s what I’m here for”

Dinah curls up a fist with her hand and bites her tongue. She peers her eyes to Oliver who is also not looking too pleased. Though she’s angry, there is worry in her. Does he 100% know it was her who invaded Queen Consolidated? If he’s truly The Hood, does that mean he knows she’s Black Canary?

“Get out of my way, Ollie”

“Just answer the questions”

She goes to push him again, but he grabs her arm. She tries to leave but his hold is firm “Ollie!” she shouts. She tries to budge but he’s stronger than she remembers “You’re…you’re hurting me!”

Dinah’s next-door neighbor opens her door “Hey, what’s going on here?”

Ollie without even looking “Get back inside now”

“I’m calling the manager”

“No!” Dinah pushes off Ollie’s hand and slaps him. Her neighbor gasps and Oliver almost falls to the floor. With rage consuming his very soul right now, Oliver gets close to Dinah’s face, seething with fury.

“Denise, make the call”

“I’m going. I’m going” Oliver leaves in a haste, taking the stares. Not even looking back at Dinah with a hint of remorse.

“You okay?” Denise asks Dinah

“I’ll be fine”

“It’s just-”

Dinah quickly enters her place. Pacing quickly to the kitchen. She gets herself a glass from the cabinet. Before she can pour herself water from the fridge, the glass falls, breaking on the floor.

“******* glass. ******* glass!”

She throws the gallon the wall. Seeing the floor now with glass and water, she rushes to her room, shoving her face into the pillow to scream. To release the anger. The annoyance. At least that was the original intent. After a minute, she stops screaming and begins weeping.

“Dammit Ollie…” she says, wiping away a tear. She wants to remember him from days past. Years past. The man she thought she knew. Instead, he’s unrecognizable “What happened to you? And if you are The Hood…”

Dinah throws herself back into bed. What will she do? Can she bring herself to stopping him when the times comes? Because Dinah Lance knows that sooner than later, she will be forced to fight The Hood and it’s one where defeat could very well end her life completely.

THE HOOD’S HIDEOUT

Young Roy Harper opens the door and enters the room of Henry Fyff who is preparing special made arrows.

“Uh, hello?” waves Henry at Roy who is looking at the ground with his hands in his pockets

“Whu-oh! Sorry!” chuckles the lad

“Looking for something?”

“Nah, just spent a handful of minutes walking across the place. Honestly, I’m just roaming around just because. Just like to-”

“Walk and think?”

“Yeah. That”

Both guys chuckle “Same here. Although I’d at least read the sign in front” Roy goes to see the door had “Special Arrows Making” “Made it myself!” Henry points to himself

“I can tell…” Roy looks away to another side of the room, kicking the floor

“Okay, kid. What’s up with you? What’s on your mind?”

“It’s Stephen. He’s already driving me nuts because he’s an ass, but it’s worse that now he’s God’s Gift to the world to the other Speedy’s now that they know his backstory. Which shouldn’t bother me but-”

“Stephen’s backstory? Ha!” belches Henry out from his gut “It’s true his story, but he’s said it to everybody under the sun here. It’s not the first time he’s assembled a group to share stories”

“So he’s-”

“Looking for attention. Feel bad for him really. Seems like a bright kid who needed direction. This seems like a direction for him. But I wonder…”

“Wonder what?”

“Ah forget about it. What’s your story, kid? I can tell you didn’t share your backstory back with the club”

“Me? Heh, maybe another day. So, what arrows are you making?”

“Hmm” Henry makes some space so Roy can get closer “This right here is taking a while but we got here an Epoxy Arrow. Kinda like an explosive arrow but instead of blowing up, it covers the person with adhesive that will keep them stuck. Perfect if any super powered folks come in”

Henry picks up another arrow “Blight Arrow. Able to blind a person due to its white bright flash effect over the eyes

“This one over here?” he points to a blueprint

“Oh this? Something Hood wants but I don’t see the point of it”

Henry shows him other blueprints but Roy keeps looking at the first blueprint. How what’s drawn there seems to be a boxing glove.

“-and hopefully I get that anti-gravity arrow made in the next few months. Roy?”

“Wh-oh yeah cool. So-um, how do you” he taps on the table “…how do you make these?”

Henry smiles “Okay, welcome to school”

Chapter Text

SCZR RADIO STATION

“Oh brother, did you hear about what The Hood and the Speedy’s did last night to billionaire playboy Rich Weeks?”

CLICK

THIS DAY IN STARLING STUDIO

“Another hit at a Starling Elite as The Hood lays in a deadly shot at yet another target, one Billy-“

CLICK

HELLO STARLING CITY STUDIO

"Apparently even daytime isn’t safe from The Hood and Speedy’s as on the steps of City Hall, Judge Pollock Marlow received an arrow through the eye from a Speedy-”

GRILLS BAR

The patrons inside toast their beers as the mention of The Hood. Cheering him on.

SKATING RINK

A bunch of teenagers assemble together to watch on a phone the recent string of Hood news "Now that's what i'm talking about!" yells the tallest one in the group "Hey, who do you think he should kill?"

"Should kill Principal Melo"

"Or how about the damn Mexican who got my dad to divorce my mom?"

"Are those damn Asians from my apartment?"

From the distance hearing their every word. Lifting his hood up, intrigued by their every word, sits a Speedy, Stephen Morrison. The one who brought the lost youths of Starling together to form the Speedy’s. He spits out his gum, and gets up, approaching the group that now fascinates him.

APARTMENT BUILDING

Little Michelle tosses away the remote across the room, crossing her arms in dismay. Her brother Jesse arrives after hearing that noise “What did I say about tossing stuff?”

“It’s the news. It’s all-”

“What did I say about the news, sis?”

“There’s so much violence and Black Canary hasn’t stopped Hood and his goofs”

“The authorities will deal with it. If she and Hood actually fight, it might be a blessing in disguise with the right people coming in. Now come on, I need your help to move my bed”

He leaves and Michelle just sighs, getting up and wondering where her hero is.

SHOWVILLA CASINO

The people are coming in hot tonight, with parking almost impossible to get. The ones who did get inside are throwing their money around to see if they’re lucky enough to win at any of the games. One of them is winning at a game of Roulette. And his name is…

“District Attorney Moriarty!” utters a man wearing the most bedazzled and stylished suit in the place “Didn’t think I’d see you her"

“Why wouldn’t you?” asks the DA while having a honey by his side “You know I can’t resist coming here at least once a month, Mr. Hackman. I feel like I’m in my A game every time I come here”

“That’s good to know, that’s-that’s just great” Hackman pushes aside the lady by the DA and gets close to his ear “It’s bad enough you win practically most of the time and that I waste money on your reelection campaigns, but you being here is bad for business”

“The hell are you on about, Vincent?”

“You’re the DA, haven’t you been looking at the news? The Hood and his gremlins are killing top people here in Starling. What makes you think you aren’t next?”

“Stop b****ing. Don’t you already have good security? Plus, I have my aids with me”

Hackman leans over to the left to see his aids from afar. The aids waive at Hackman, still having on their stylish sunglasses “Doesn’t matter. I don’t want vigilantes coming here wrecking my joint. In the most nicest terms; get out!” his demand being heard by some people who were nearby

“You can’t-”

“Oh please, Derek. You don’t want some shady stuff coming out, don’t you?” DA Moriarty frowns at Hackman, angered by that threat "I know some of the people you've put away who didn't do the crimes you tagged on the-"

THCK

However, a threat isn’t as thorough as the actual attack. An arrow is lodged right through the shoulder of…the woman DA Moriarty came with “AAIIEEE!” she screams and trembles at her grave wound

“Your security sucks, Vincent!” screams the DA

The Hood and 3 Speedy’s are at the top floor. The smallest of the Speedy’s holds his head in embarrassment “Oh God, I didn’t mean to-”

Stephen Morrison slaps the kid across the head. His head list to look at The Hood “This is why we don’t let the young ones shoot first”

“Shut it and shoot. Oscar…” he looks at the one who failed the shoot right “We’ll have a talk after this is over” The Hood launches an arrow aimed at the DA. One of Moriarty’s aids pulls him out of the way and gets hit with the arrow himself.

“That guy earned his check” says Oscar

“Keep firing!” shouts Hood. Before he can fire another arrow, him and the Speedy’s are being shot at by security. Causing him and his boys to take cover, behind a wall. Stephen pulls out an arrow and launches it close to the security. It’s a smoke arrow and their vision are now blurred.

The group nod at another and fire arrows at each of them. The people downstairs are now running in a panic, with Moriarty’s last Aid being a shield for him as they run to the entrance door.

“We’re taking heavy hits inside” says the Aid using his earpiece “We need a team fast for the DA-”

THCK

“HRRK” groans the Aid as an arrow has pierced his stomach. He falls to the ground, with the DA falling near him. With blood now in his mouth, he looks up at the lights while holding his wound.

DA Moriarty looks away from the body to see Hood and his 3 Speedy’s approaching him “You-you can’t! Stop! I can help you in ways you couldn’t imagine! Resources that can be-”

“We don’t need your help, DA Moriarty. You haven’t helped anyone aside from yourself in all your years in office. The only thing you’ve done is fail…this…city” he pulls out his arrow and with it on the bow, he prepares to release while the DA begs for mercy.

From the second floor, a woman smirks looking at the battle “Well then, guess I better not fail this one”

EEEEEEEIIIIII

The Canary Cry is heard very loud and clear. The blast hits the first floor causing The Hood and anyone around to cover their ears. Black Canary runs on down, and with the awesome speed she’s developed in this run, she kicks The Hood hard, blasting him off a few feet and landing on DA Moriarty.

Oscar goes in for the attack, aiming to hit Canary with his bow. Without even looking, Canary grabs the bow and tosses it away. The Speedy follows it up with an attempted punch, but Canary trips him up with her leg, causing him to land face first. The other Speedy tries to tackle her, but Canary kicks him in the head. He stumbles so she grabs him and tosses him over.

Unlike the others, Stephen uses his bow and shoots an arrow at Canary, which she dodges at the last second, however the arrow sliced over the jacket she had on “I can excuse attacking me. But my priced and coveted jacket? You’ve done it now!” Canary runs at the young lad, who keeps shooting but she keeps dodging. She gets in close and applies a vice grip on the nose.

“Oh, freaking DAH!” Stephen feels more pain each second. She lets go and knees him in the stomach. Before she can admire her work, Canary spots the bleeding Aid who was shot in the stomach. She rushes to him, looking over the wound.

“it-it-it hurts” he says with a tear forming in his eye

“It’s gonna be okay. I need you to be strong. Hold my hand while I pull this out”

With a yoink, she pulls out the arrow “AAHHAA” he cries. Canary quickly takes out jacket and tears it in two. She uses one half to cover the front and other over his back “it-it’s not e-enough”

“I know. Stay strong for me. Help will be coming and you’ll be good as new. Scouts honor” Canary looks on ahead and sees Hood pulling out an arrow from his pack and getting ready to stab the DA with it “Please apply pressure to it. I-"

"Am I gonna be okay?"

"Pff, of course you are. Modern medicine will make you good as new. As I was saying. I have a target in sight”.

The DA has nowhere left to run from the Hood. With his hand in the air ready to stab, Canary jumps and pushes him off with a mighty right kick.

Hood rolls back and gets on his feet, as quick as Canary. The two take their stance, Hood not making any attempt to use his weapon. Canary and Hood lock eyes, trying to get a read on the other opponent but their heartbeats are too high. They feel the other is someone near and dear to them. Could they really do this right now?

Black Canary is the first to drop her stance and Hood does the same seconds later. Silence surrounds the two as their gaze at one another doesn’t fade.

“What are you waiting for? Attack her!” shouts Stephen getting up from the ground while still holding his stomach

BRAM

The door is kicked open and now the DA’s men are coming in guns a blazing

BAM BAM BAM BAM

They shoot at the costumed folks, causing all of them to run. Hood had to leave behind his bow in the escape. He and his Speedy’s made a left while Black Canary made a right. She wanted to look back but she couldn’t afford it. It was the right move. She has more pressing matters right now.

Two men go to the DA to check if he’s in suitable state “DA Moriarty, how are you?”

“TOOK YOU ******* LONG ENOUGH” he slams the floor. He looks over at the bleeding Aid who’s being attended to by other security people “I lost…my game! I had it won!”

Black Canary is running to the back exit but before she can pass the door, Vincent Hackman stops her by getting in the way “Hello honey. Saw the show there. You were great” She rolls her eyes “I think I see that now our goals align. You don’t like Hood and I-”

WAM

She punches him across the jaw. She grabs him by the air and forces him to look up “Listen up well, dirtbag. The only reason why I’m not taking down your operations is because Edge lord Robin Hood is in my way. But when you sleep tonight, remember, these will be your last moments in luxury before I bring it all crashing down”

She drops him on the floor and closes the door to his face. Canary runs into a van. But not just any van. One driven by… “Bodyguard!” says Canary sitting on the back with Chris the Bodyguard saluting her “Beam us out”

THE JUNKYARD

Black Canary returns to her hideout, where she adjusts her jaw while looking at a mirror that Chris the Bodyguard is holding. Anne, leader of the homeless people in this part of the town, approaches the heroine “Nice to see you not looking so banged up”

“You’re just saying that cause you don’t want to patch me up. Got anything to share?”

“We’re hearing that the DA has been sending some men to several bars around the city. Paying the rough looking fellows tight money to go after you and The Hood”

“Hmm, could be a blessing in disguise” Canary stretches her arms

“Umm, how?” Chris says, laying down the mirror “I think you’d want to avoid all the murderers and guns slingers who are gonna try to serve you up a silver platter”

“I’ve been too focused on Oli-” Canary bites her bottom lip. Anne and Chris notice this, looking at one another with a confused glance over Canary’s action.

“Too focused on The Hood and The Speedy’s. I thought with the whole thing with Jonas DePaul, I’d be going back to fighting criminals. Making a real difference that I sought out to do”

“But…” Chris once more speaks “The Hood IS a criminal”

“He’s a murderer” says Anne

“And a douche”

“That and more" Canary adds the last part "But people say we’re cut from the same cloth. And in many ways, they’re right. We’re costumed fighters battling horrible people. His problem is that he’s made himself, and a bunch of kids who don’t know any better, judge, jury and executioner.

And yet it feels like he gets more results than me. Hood is bad, but they’re worse people out there and they’re free to hurt those they deem worthless. I’m the one picking a fight. He’s the one stopping the biggest scum in the city.

And with a bunch of kids at his beck and call, I wonder…is The Hood the hero the city wants?”

“Whaaaat?” laughs off Chris “Who the hell wants this guy?”

He’s expecting Canary to lighten up, but she remains her serious state. Anne twiddles her thumbs “Some of the people nearby cheer him on” Anne says in her downer state.

“2 nights ago, I fought 2 Speedy’s around Aurora. Some people nearby attacked me and let the two escape. I was lucky I didn’t break their limbs. God, I was so pissed. I’ll never forget the face of the guy. Telling me The Hood is the future. Is that the future? Cynicism and murder?”

“It-it-it” Chris stutters, trying to formulate a proper response.

Anne steps in “I know how it feels, Canary. I felt it myself for years. Lord knows I’ve spent so much of my life having to see horrible men hurt people. I had sisters and friends join the same gangs who killed my parents. All because it let them live.

Well, when I live, I don’t want it to be at the cost of morality. Or at the cost of being human. When I live, it’s to be kind. And every day I do that, I believe in it more. I prove to those people that they’re wrong because someone has to. And something tells me you put on this costume because you feel the same way”

Canary finally perks up a bit, a smile steadily growing.

“Look, Canary” Chris steps in “I was working for a rich ***hole before you came in, gave me a job and showed me just how cool you are. I’m glad you showed up in my life cause now anytime I help you, I help Starling. It reminds me I made the right switch. I used to sleep at night ashamed at myself. Now, I’m happier. First time in forever"

“Oh Chris” Anne pats him on the back “Didn’t she abduct you the first time?”

Canary interjects “No need to mention that part. And you’re both right. If I want to show people heroism and decency still matter, people like The Hood need to be reminded of it”

“What’s your plan now?”

“Simple…” Canary walks off “I’m going to reason with The Hood”

THE HOOD HIDEOUT

The Hood and the Speedy’s come back but without anything to show for. Hood is angered and the others hold their bruised parts. Roy Harper and the others approach them, with the former being the one to speak up “We looked at the news. We’re glad you guys are okay”

“Okay?” Stephen asks, dropping his bow on the floor “Okay?” he gets in closer to Roy “Nothing is okay. Black Canary again got in the way and the DA lives. We can’t accept this as any other than a disappointment tonight!”

The other Speedy’s look over to the Hood who is staring down on Stephen.

“I…sir, I didn’t-”

“Save it. You're right. This was a disappointment”

“Oh come on, man!” Roy shouts. Stephen's chuckle has a small tingle of awkwardness. He did not expect that response.

“We went out there for the express purpose of ridding Starling City of one more scumbag and the Black Canary got in the way. She keeps getting in the way”

“If I may” Stephen interjects and raises his hand “I think it’s time we consider that Starling has too many of us sharks around and that the adorable dolphin that Canary is is simply out of her depth her. Not adapt enough here in the sea”

Roy rolls his eyes “First, as a writer, you should be ashamed of yourself with that analogy. Second, what are you implying. That we should kill Black Canary? Cause I ain’t killing no hero”

“Hero? Red, WE are the heroes here. Heroes get the job done”

“Heroes save lies” Roy gets nearer to Stephen

“Heroes make the hard choices”

“Enough you two!” The Hood raises his voice, causing the two to back away from the other “Who else has anything to say in defense of the Black Canary?”

The Speedy’s keep their head down. Some want to speak, but dare not for instilling anger to their boss.

“Good to know nobody has a problem” The Hood turns around, preparing to walk out.

“I have a problem”

The Hood turns back, seeing Henry Fyff raising his hand “To my office. Now”

The Hood walks, so does Henry. He’s stopped when Roy puts his arm on his shoulder “Need me to back you up?”

“Don’t need to. Me and Hood need this talk. And when it’s finished, I expect you to tell me your life story. Still haven’t heard it”

Roy chuckles and Henry gives him a wink before following The Hood. Henry passes over Stephen, who smirks at the tech genius. Saluting him off, with Henry turning the other cheek.

"By the way, boss!" yells Stephen "I brought new recruits earlier today in case you haven't noticed"

The new recruits are the same teenagers Stephen met in the Skating Rink. They don't even salute. Just smirk and nod.

"Thank you, Stephen" says Hood "You can all learn something from him"

Roy scoffs, glaring at Stephen who approaches the new recruits. Crowding them before him "This isn't gonna end well" comments Roy

LANCE RESIDENCE

The door is opened by Dinah Drake, and the original Black Canary is pleased to see her daughter, Dinah, on the other end “Sweetie! You made just in time for dinner” she hugs her daughter

“Actually, I ate before coming here”

“Good, cause I ordered takeout just for me. Your dad’s working right now” they share a laugh, but Dinah Sr. is quick to look around the premises. Not a single person in her sight. She brings Dinah home and they sit on the couch “Have you seen any strange characters around your apartment?”

“If you’re asking about Dad, no I don’t think he’s been near me”

“You think? Sweetie, if you father finds out you’re Black Canary, it could be big trouble”

“Come on, Mom. You told me that you told Dad you were Black Canary pretty early in your career. I think Dad can handle me being a superhero”

“He won’t. He’ll go into cardiac arrest if he finds out”

“Mom, do you really think Dad is gonna choose his job over us? His Family?”

“Quentin’s doing his job. We have to do ours. Keep a close eye. Even in band practice or going out jogging. This is an instance where you have to follow your brain and not the heart”

Dinah sighs in exasperation, not being able to handle another more second of having to lie to her father and assume the worst in him. Dinah Sr. catches that glance of her daughter and comforts her.

“You know what? I can tell you didn’t come her to be interrogated. What’s on your mind, kid?

“Just that I have some plans aimed at The Hood. Maybe a way to finally reason with him”

“That’s good to hear, honey. A hero’s greatest strength is never their fists, but their ability to reach out to others”

“And I also came here to see if you have a jacket I can use. Mine has been getting pretty shredded recently and I’m strapped for cash” she chuckles

"Hmm" her mother raises an eyebrow

THE HOOD HIDEOUT

Henry is sat down by The Hood, who walks around him disappointed. Like a child in the principal’s office who’s going to be scolded “How dare you question my authority in front of everyone? Making me look like a fool”

“So, that’s what this is? Angry the nerd made the school jock look like a dork”

“You’re not a nerd. You’re a valuable asset to this mission, Henry”

“If I was, then can I go to the café or my local comic shop without having a bunch of people who are still fighting puberty look across the street at me, Ollie”

“It’s for your protection. And we use codenames here, Henry”

“Then why don’t I have one? You’re the one who the kids don’t really know the name of. “Oliver Queen”. Remember that name once in a while”

“There it is again. Why belittle me, Henry? We need to show unity and strength. Those kids need us to lead them to victory. To-”

Henry gets up from his stool and gets up in Oliver’s face “Those kids need a ******* life, Ollie! It’s one thing to show them how to fend for themselves. Even give them a cause, a purpose. But so many of them only think about the mission. They’re making games about how many casualties they can rack up. They think killing is fun-”

“It’s kill or be killed!”

“That mentality is bull**** and you know it!" Henry points his finger at him "Deep down you know it!” The Hood scoffs, preparing to walk out, but Henry gets in his way “What happened in that freaking island, Ollie? I get being stuck there for 5 years sucks all kinds of ***. It would drive me madder than a hyena. But you? What happened that made you this…cold?!”

Oliver Queen sighs, looking away from Henry. In a matter of seconds, Oliver remembers how every day was a struggle. Each fight he took part in to survive. All the blood, from his and others. Each scar inflicted on him that will never leave. Oliver remembers Yao Fei, the man who retaught him archery and the man who helped him survive. The man who…

Oliver holds on to the top of his hood. Henry expects him to pull it off and even the domino mask. However, Oliver lets go and lets the hood stay. He looks at Henry once more. Getting so close that Henry is close to tripping to the floor “It made me strong. It made me realize what I can do for Starling City. And now, these kids need the same if they want to be ready for the real world”

The Hood leaves Henry’s space and walks to the door “And one more thing?...” Henry awaits his words “The Speedy’s will be following your every move now. I’ll be having two posted at your door now. And don’t talk to them or any of the others unless I say so”

The Hood shuts the door closed and Henry can’t believe this. He might even rip chunks of his hair off he was so angry. The builder wants to rage, but all he does is fall to the floor on his knees “Oh God. Dear freaking God…I made a mistake”

LANCE RESIDENCE

In the basement of the home, Dinah sits on top of boxes as her mother rummages through old wardrobe “Should have brought my old books here to pass the time”

“Stop complaining” says Dinah Sr. “I’m finished here” she tosses something at her daughter’s face. Dinah opens it and it’s…

“Mom…” her voice shudders “It’s this-”

“The first jacket I wore as the Black Canary. All the way from the 70’s” Dinah Drake gets in close to admire her old jacket while her daughter watches in amazement

“How have you kept this for so long? Shouldn’t it look all-”

“I had Doctor Fate repair it a year before I retired. Kent owed me one”

“Mom, I-I don’t know what to say. Except…I don’t deserve it” she hands it back to her mother.

“First, you came to me for help. Second, what are you talking about?”

“It’s just I haven’t done enough to earn this. I want to be The Black Canary, but there’s just so many crime lords and corrupt officials still walking and I haven’t dealt with them. I’m fighting-”

“Shush now, dear. I get the feeling of haven’t not done enough. I understand. But when you have on that name and head on out on the streets, you swore you’d stop all crime. Is The Hood a criminal?”

“Yes”

“Then stop him. And stop him the way you told me before”

“Right…right!” confidence returns to Dinah. And just as quickly, she hugs her mother. Who is all the happier to reciprocate the warm hug.

This would bring anyone to smile, but for this man? He wishes he could smile. Miles away in a…

MOTEL

In the comfort of a bed, Quentin Lance watches through a secret spy cam this act. Quentin brushes his hair back and forth in frustration “I can’t believe you, Dinah. Why? Why?! Our daughter?!” he gets up, ready to punch a wall if need be “Why are you making me do this?”

He pulls out his phone, entering his contact list. In speed dial, he sees the name before him. Of the Captain of Starling City Police; Otis Brahms “Come on Quentin…” he sighs “Just make the call…”

Chapter Text

DINAH'S APARTMENT-4 WEEKS AGO

Dinah Lance is doing push ups and sit ups.

JACKSON PARK-3 WEEKS AGO

She's jogging, passing by anyone in her way.

MARQUETTE-2 WEEKS AGO

She blitzes by anyone in her way as she runs. The sweat hitting her eyes doesn't phase her.

GRANT GYM-1 WEEK AGO

The blonde bombshell boxes with Ted Grant, able to get leg up against. Getting a good shot in his mid-section.

"OOF. Jeez, Dinah. Are ya preparing for a war?"

She wipes off the sweat with her forearm "You can call it that"

PARTS UNKNOWN-PRESENT

A squadron of people are lined up. With a clearly superior officer taking a good look at each of them “Starling City has been the victim are vigilantism that we have allowed to reign for longer than we should have.

Months of abhorrent behavior from folks that have deemed themselves the ones who rule. No longer. We have been the first line of order in America for years now. For Starling. We become the order”

THE STREETS

A young 25-year-old entrepreneur comes out of his limo, huffing and puffing. The car is not even placed in a proper manner. It’s been flipped over, with the driver moaning in pain. The young man is running away from two Speedy’s, looking like they should be in High School, as they're not far behind the entrepreneur. Each having a wicked grin while preparing their arrows.

“20 bucks says I ice him”

“30 bucks I hit straight in the back of his head”

“40 bucks says you’re all having a night of packs of ice for your cheeks”

“Who the-”

The Black Canary is right here! Running in between them, giving them a wink. She quickly grabs one of them from the collar of their shirt to halt him, Delivering a heavy blow that makes one of the Speedy’s see stars.

The entrepreneur knocks on one of the doors of a store “Come on! I need help!”

No response and he runs again, knocking on another door, but again, nobody wants to open “You know what you’re doing?! You know who I am? I’m in a position where I can sell your ass to the highest bidder! I am a somebody!

“Well then, that means you can help me at this moment”

The guy is startled and sees Black Canary, leaning on the glass next to him while waving. In an alleyway, she pushes him against a wall, having no issue with lifting him up in the air with one arm.

“Why were the Speedy’s after you?”

“I’m rich, lady. That’s why I’m a target. You pay attention to anything in the news?”

“Just for the curiosity if my favorite shows get renewed. And you’re more than rich. You’re Connor Myers. You’ve been on news sites all week for the excessive partying. But it’s more than just that. What have you done to get them on you?”

“I haven’t done anything. Anyone ever tell you you’re too jacked to be a woman?”

“Anyone ever tell you you’re too small to be a man?”

Instantaneously, he feels a massive twinge on his grapefruits “AAAHHH, YOU *****”

“Want to feel it again?”

“OKAY. OKAY! I may have scammed money from investors so my company can look good for the quarter annuals! Worked! Now I’m organizing a concert for next year”

“No. It’ll be cancelled and you’ll be returning money to those people”

“You crazy? Got a lot riding on this!”

“That’s fine, I can send you to the wolves instead of getting my hands dirty”

She puts him in front of a Speedy who’s preparing his bow and arrow “Please don’t!”

“There’s a police precinct 2 blocks from here. Confess everything”

She pushes him off and he runs away. Canary makes sure he runs off to the right coordinates so she doesn’t have to chase him all the way. She also makes sure to dodge the arrow aiming right at her. Basically on instinct.

“Ha! Like my mom before me” she runs to the Speedy and pushes him against a wall “Getting real tired of pushing people against the wall tonight. Now, be a doll and send a very special message to your overlord”

THE HOOD’S HIDEOUT

In one of the training rooms of the place, some Speedy’s are practicing their aim. Specifically, Oscar, who fails the hit the bullseye. He grabs another and shoots again. Failing once more, with this arrow not even close to hitting the mark. Oscar grunts at this fallacy, humiliating himself in front of his compatriots.

Stephen Morrison enters the room, standing next to his fellow Speedy’s as he crosses his arms “What have I missed?”

“Just a show better than anything on TV”

“Ah, Oscar failing” smirks Stephen “He’s worse than an asthmatic in the water”

“Can’t believe Hood brought him on a mission”

Oscar hears their comments and wants to attack. But better to prove them wrong he thinks. He holds his bow so tight he might make his hands bleed. With a pull of the string, he releases his arrow and it…lands on the floor.

“HAHAHAHA”

“What a joke!”

“I think you got that bug!”

“And they brought you to a mission?”

Oscar drops his bow and goes to exit. Until he bumps into probably the best fighter, after The Hood. The confident and outspoken Roy Harper, who scowls at each of his Speedy’s.

“Hey ***holes!” he gets their attention “Is this how you treat a teammate? Is this what the Speedy’s are? Yo, Stephen!” he gets in closer to the group “When you assembled all of us, is this what you had in mind? Mocking one another?”

Stephen walks in closer to Roy. Being the older and taller one, he towers over the young archer “Ever heard of tough love?”

“Ever heard of excuses, ginger boy? You guys probably think you’re the best archer in the room”

“No. I am!” Stephen points to himself

“Ha! Oh yeah?” laughs Roy “Let’s see it”

Stephen scoffs, looking at Roy who smirks himself, ready for a little competition. Stephen picks up a bow and gets a pack of arrows, motioning Roy to do the same.

THE HOOD’S OFFICE

The man himself is training, using a dummy bag to further improve his strikes. On the table, Oliver Queen has missed calls from his mother Moira Queen and best friend Tommy Merlyn. To the Hood, Oliver doesn’t matter. The Hood does. And right now, he’s preparing for future battles. Future wars even. Ones he intends to win.

The door is opened and rushes in the two Speedy’s who were apprehended by Black Canary “Mr. Hood…” says the young man holding an arrow with a note pierced in it

“Why are you two here…” Hood says while still focusing on the dummy “When you failed to kill Connor Myers?”

“We’re sorry! Canary got to us!”

Hood’s teeth grind and punches the dummy so hard, the equipment falls to the ground. The two Speedy’s looking on with a great size of unpleasantness. Hood grabs the arrow and gets the note, reading what’s inside.

His eyes go wide when he reads the part “meet me at the Starling Archery Range” he crumbles up the paper and hides it in his suit.

“Sir?”

“I’ll be gone all night. Stephen is in charge” he walks away. Not sure if he’s ready for the biggest encounter he’s had in all his life “Back where it all started, eh Dinah?”

TRAINING HALL

Minutes later and they both take their stances. Stephen and Roy both have their arrows on their strings and release them at the same time. Both arrows hit the bullseye. They go for another play and once more their arrows hit the bullseye. A third time is had and Stephen’s arrow does NOT hit the bullseye. Roy’s does.

Roy chuckles, pulling out another arrow. With a mighty pull, it hits the bullseye perfectly again “Should I go for 5?” he throws his hand out “5? 5?” the other Speedy’s nod in excitement. Roy pulls out another arrow and once more, the arrow hits the bullseye. Another stick at the bottom that was pierced hits the floor.

Roy puts down his bow and bows the cheering of the crowd. Oscar runs up and high fives him. Stephen approaches the group, with the others keeping their mouths shut when he gets in close “…Good game, kid. Just…good game”

He said without looking. Stephen crumbles his knuckles and walks away. The other Speedy’s following him. So many of them see Stephen as the Number Two around here and don’t want to anger him by siding with Roy.

As they all walk in the hall, they’re approached by the Speedy’s of before who were stopped by The Black Canary earlier. One of them whispers in Stephen’s ears. Giving him news that cause him to smile more than happiest man alive.

Roy walks the other way with Oscar “Thanks for having my back there" says Oscar "And it was SO cool seeing Stephen’s smug face get one for once”

“It was cool. And fun!”

“Roy, how are you so good with arrows? You’re a kid like me and others and Stephen is like 17 or 18. You’re better than anyone here”

“Well…” Roy shakes his head, trying not pat himself on the back.

“Come on, tell us something about your past”

“Okay I’ll say something. My family were expert archers and it seeped through me. Dear brother Bird was the best. So freaking amazing. Him and pops were the best teachers i could have asked for. And now let’s talk about you and your archery”

“What else is there to say? I suck!”

“Kinda, yes. But you got potential. I think training can be better if you’re in a more comfortable place. Know any good places?”

“I don’t think we should-wel…I like the park”

“We can go out there at night when no one’s around”

“Hey!” they hear a voice in the back and it’s one of the few girl archers here “I saw what happened there. It was awesome! You’re amazing, Roy”

“Thank you…umm”

“It’s Anya”

“Pleasure to meet you”

“hii” says a nervous Oscar. Roy catches his reaction, now gets an idea surging through his brain.

“Anya, how good of an archer are you?”

“I think I’m getting pretty good at it. The Hood's been teaching me. More of that and i'll be great.”

“That’s good to know! Cause I have my friend Oscar who could use a teacher tonight”

“Really?”

“Really?!” asks louder Oscar

“Yeah. He needs a better place to train. To really open his mind and stuff. Preferably Avalon Park”

“Oh I love it there. Of course I can go”

“That’s just great. Okay, Oscar and you will have a great time I’m sure”

“We will. See you later, Oscar” she waves at Oscar and leaves.

Oscar inhales and exhales hard, buckling to his knees “I hate you”

“You’ll love me. I got you a date, a teacher and maybe a girlfriend. I’m a miracle worker” Roy pats him on the back

Just outside the Hideout, Stephen kicks down a garbage drone, with several Speedy’s by his side “That little pissant. A prodigy he thinks himself as”

“He IS pretty good” says a Speedy

“I beg your pardon, Reggie?”

“Actually, I’m Danny. The one next to me is Reggie”

Reggie waves hello and Stephen scoffs “I’m surrounded my smart asses”

“Just relax a bit, Stephen. You’re on edge”

“You…you’re right, Danny. My apologies. To every one of you for my unprofessionalism. When I brought the Speedy’s together, it was to help The Hood in his mission to leave a mark on this city. To better it with a brutal brand of righteousness. And I can’t be with you guys if I’m acting childish”

“Oh come on, don’t say that”

“We get it”

Danny approaches Stephen “No need to beat yourself up, man”

“I’m glad you guys understand. It makes me feel better. That’s what this brotherhood is meant to be. To help one another and not show off like some attention seeking kid like Roy Harper. Who, i might add, refuses to share details about his past with us. We’re all getting to know each other perfectly.

Like Thomas and how his parents refused to encourage him in his attempts to be a computer designer. Amy and how social services refused to take her to a proper home after her parents left her. Luis and his unstable household. You think Starling was gonna help us? No! Each of us are now here for the better and we’re here to give it a proper booster shot”

“What do you mean?” asks Reggie

“I’m saying we should go into the city. Not to attack some ****heads. But take down some of their…castles lets say”

“Would The Hood agree to this?” asks Amy

“Baby, he’s allowed this” smiles from ear-to-ear Stephen does when no one can see him. So many ideas popping into his mind. All now possible.

LANCE RESIDENCE

Detective Quentin Lance enters his home, the same home of the family he built. It's supposed to be a safe place and contain happy memories. Now he enters dejected after finding out his wife is responsible for their daughter being the new Black Canary. How she’s going against the law. The same law that might imprison her forever if they get their hands on her.

How can he ever look at her again? Well, now he plans to, by opening the door of his room to see his wife doing push-ups on the floor in only her yoga pants and sports bra.

“Hmm?” she looks up to see him “Oh hey dear. Came in time to see me reach 50 push-ups?” she gets down one more time “Aaand 50!” she gets up

“You preparing for something?”

“Come now, Quentin, you know I like to stay in shape” she flexes her muscles “Still look banging after all these years”

“Still trying to look like Black Canary, huh?”

“I am Black Canary"

"Was"

"Wh-what do you mean?” she laughs while putting on a shirt

“It just feels like you never left that mantle behind sometimes”

“Mm, you’ve gotten bad at this. You do realize Ted and I still talk? He told me about you going to Grant Gym. Also, you don’t think I don’t know when a spy cam is in my own home?”

She pulls out the spy cam Quentin used to watch over his wife. He's perplexed to see it but he keeps his stance high “You found out too late. I have you and Dinah talking on tape”

“Dammit, Quentin…” she crushes the cam with one hand “How could you?”

“How could I? How could I?!” the Detective gets in close to his wife, who scowls at him “This is not a discussion for you to take the moral high stance! This is about you and your inability to let go. I came here to see you a final time in our home. I’m bringing you in, Dinah”

AVALON PARK

The entire park is without anyone. Except for Oscar and Anya, wearing their Speedy outfits, who sneak their way in through the gate. Oscar can’t help but smile. Not just when looking at Anya, but at the park “I know a park looks best at day, but there’s magic to it at night”

“I just enjoy it because there’s complete peace and quiet. You think we can raid one of food stands? They oughtta have some doughnuts there”

“Raid? Like break in? Isn’t that against the law?”

“Come on, we’re Speedy’s! If we’re fixing the city, is us taking food really all that bad?”

“It’s just…” Oscar can’t articulate the best right now and Anya notices, reconsidering her options.

“Sorry, sorry, Oscar. We came here to train. Let’s do that”

He smiles again, making them both feel better. They go to a sweet spot, with Anya painting a circle target spot on the second tallest tree in the park “Maybe you’ll do better on trees than with the usual equipment” says Anya

“I don’t like hurting trees”

“You won’t. They’re not alive”

“I’ve read the opposite”

“Then break that rule. In fact, the tree wants you to be a great archer. To hit that middle and be spectacular”

Encouraged by her, Oscar takes a breath and pulls out an arrow. Taking his time, almost even a minute, he finally releases his arrow and it's inches away from the middle.

“That’s great, Oscar!”

“You think so?”

“Do it again!” He releases another arrow and with a shot, it reaches few inches from the top “You can do it!”

Oscar shoots another one and this is just close enough to the middle.

Anya claps “I guess that’s where the magic comes in”

Oscar blushes “I’d like to see you try”

Anya walks towards him, pulling out an arrow, and turning quickly to point it at the red circle. She shoots an arrow and it wasn’t close to hitting the middle “Hey, can you teach ME now?”

The two laugh, with Anya punching Oscar’s shoulder in such exuberance. Oscar takes another look at her, admiring her warm smile and how the wind is blowing in her hair. To him, he’s now seeing purely great magic “You look very-”

“You know, with enough good training, you both can be great archers…”

The two gasp. Turning to the left to see a sight they were warned to be afraid of. With black and grey garb around them and with specially made batons in their holsters. 5 DEO Agents are walking up to them, each holding firm their firearms

“Though it’ll take years” says the one in the middle

“Ho-ho-how did you get in here?” asks a worried Oscar. Who just now realizes he should point an arrow at them when Anya has already done it.

“By getting in. Much better than you kids” they look at the opposite direction. Seeing before them Agent John Diggle “The Hood should teach you to listen more clearly” now more Agents are coming in, surrounding them.

“You!” yells Oscar. Him and Anya point their arrows now at him “I remember you-”

“Likewise. Some good men were sent to the hospital thanks to you Speedy’s. It made me pull men out of Starling and let you run rampant. But it made my superiors rethink. Made them realize how you kids, Canary and Hood clearly need more than just a message being sent. It needs to be a permanent mark”

The two Speedy’s still hold their bows firm. Ready for battle. But no one is when they hear a strange sound from the south. It’s a hulking creature wearing green coded DEO outfit, but with spikes on the shoulders. The man looks human enough and he’s running straight to his fellow DEO Agents.

“Dammit!” exclaims Diggle “Who gave Battalion orders to come in now?”

The man pushes agents out of his way and goes straight to the Speedy’s. They fire their arrows at him but they hardly do anything to stave off Battalion. They simply bounce off him like rubber bands. The creature takes the Speedy’s by the collars of their shirts and slams them to the ground.

They wince, so weak they can’t move. Oscar can only raise his arms to deliver hits to Battalion’s arms that only tickle him “Stop it little man. It’s so funny it might make me tinkle”

Diggle hits Battalion with the butt of his gun “Agent Alexander Lyons, what in the name of my patience are you doing here? You aren’t part of my team”

“Of course not…” an outside voice makes his presence clear “He’s part of mine” now enters Sergeant Tex Thompson. The man who was once…

“Mr. America?” questions Diggle

“Sergeant will do, Agent Diggle”

“Sorry, sir. With all due respect, what is your reason for being here? Starling is supposed to be my assignment”

“It was. The Council came together and decided it was best for me to lead with you as my second”

“Why wasn’t I informed of this?!” his sudden voice raising at the end worried the other agents

“You didn’t need to. Americommando was the one who thought it was best” Diggle tilts his head up. Trying not to disrespect his superior officer “With apologies, Agent. Nevertheless, this is a mission you’re still needed in”

“And did you have to bring HIM in?” he points to Battalion who is snickering like a schoolboy “I think it would be best if powered agents weren’t here”

“The Council thought it was best to have him. Just pretend he isn’t here”

“That’s right, Diggle” mocks Battalion “Care to take the complaint to the Director. Haha-”

“Shut your mouth, Lyons” says Thompson while still looking at Diggle “Agent Diggle still outranks you and you will follow his orders if need be”

“Ye-yes, Sergeant” this surprises Diggle seeing as how Batallion has a reputation of breaking stuff and causing way more damage than needed. Simply laughing it off. Now seeing Battalion like that assures Diggle further more that it was wise not talking back to Thompson.

Mr. America motions the agents to take The Speedy’s away in their vehicles. Mr. America walks with Diggle to the vehicles, his hands clasps behind his back “With those two handled…” says Diggle “May I be allowed to go to the SCPD? It’s important to let them know the DEO will be staying for a while”

“Not needed”

“Why?”

“Because I already went there. And there won’t be "for a while", Agent Diggle…”

STARLING CITY POLICE PRECINCT-2 HOURS AGO

Mr. America is at the offices of Captain Otis Brahms “Pleasure to meet the tremendous Mr. America” The Captain extends his hand to the Sergeant.

“Thank you, Captain" he accepts the handshake "I know Director Bones has talked to you and the Mayor directly of the DEO’s presence here”

Both men take a seat “Yes, Sergeant”

“Now I’m going to need you to let your detectives, officers and simply anyone who works for law enforcement here know of the changes coming in the next few days…”

“Ye-yes, Sergeant”

AVALON PARK

“What were the discussions, Sergeant Thompson?” Diggle asks with a slight hinge of worry leaving his voice while Tex Thompson keeps his composure. Keeping to himself.

STARLING ARCHERY RANGE

Inside what was once one of Starling’s most impressive clubs that brought many archers, young and old together. Even at times, those from different cities and countries came here, to see how great they can be and share their thrilling love of this pastime.

It has been closed down, 4 years to be precise. It surprises Black Canary that this placed hasn’t been torn down, thrashed by others or locked down by the police. She remembers how this edifice was searched as a possible hideout for The Hood but nothing came of it. It’s just left alone like a ghost house. A fitting place for the showdown Black Canary prepared for.

Now for the dynamic heroine, she brought her own chair to wait. Legs crossed to make herself comfortable and tapping her forearm with her finger to find someway to enjoy herself. Hardly a thing to do when she remembers the enjoyment of the past in this very location.

How she watched Oliver train and even beat other adults in games. It was probably there where she felt first in love with him. One time she lost a bet to him over whether the new Evil Living movie by Samantha Raimi would ve good. Dinah thought it’d be bad and Ollie thought it’d be good. It was amazing and Dinah had to dress up as a cheerleader for one of Ollie’s competitions. She thinks that’s where puberty first hit him.

She smiles at remembering all the fun times they had here and just everywhere. No regrets for her.

BUMP

Her smile leaves in an instant when that strange sound is made clear to her. She stares at the dank vacant shadow she’s looked over all night. From its depths, comes out a man. A man who sees himself as a necessity to save his city, whether his actions are justified or not. To allies and enemies he’s known as The Hood. To Black Canary, he’s just…

“Oliver”

“Dinah” he holds tightly his bow saying her name

Dinah catches that action, now deciding it’s time to get up. They each stand firm on their feet. The light of the moon being their only form of illumination as it’s clear from the window. No more hiding, no more fights that are interrupted by others. It’s just two people with a fight years in the making.

Chapter Text

It feels as though they’ve been looking at one another for hours now, but to Dinah Lance, the second Black Canary, she knows it’s only been seconds. Dreadful seconds. It’s her one course of action to relax herself before this pulse pounding fight.

“You know, Ollie, I know you’ve changed plenty, but still you let a girl waiting for 2 hours. That’s what you did on our 5th date. Or was it our 6th?” she jokes so she doesn’t lose herself and fight like an animal.

Ollie sneers, not amused by Dinah’s attempts of distractions.

“I could have brought my guitar, think up of a new song. Surely the word showdown could have made for some choice lyrics”

Oliver still has no response.

“Although it is nice to see Robin Hood still have an influence on you even after all these years. Remember camping all day in the bookstore down in 6th Street? All just so you can get one of the original copies from the original books? I still laugh at Tommy giving up after 1 hour”

“Enough!” his voice is not only made clear in the room. But the entire domain “This could have been simple, Dinah. You could have stayed out of my way. You could have gone after purse snatchers and two-bit criminals. Instead, you go after me”

“You’re a criminal, Ollie. No different from the others you had killed”

“I’ve killed bad people. Bad people that your father, the “detective”, and his flawed justice system, would have allowed to roam free if they even tasted a whiff of jailtime. And that’s being generous”

“It may not work a lot of the time, but I’ve been taught to believe in the process. That no matter how dark and straight up ****** up things are, it’s up to us to set things right”

“Much like the Justice Society and your mother, you want to be some inspiration from afar. To be a “friend”. Tell me, how well did that work for those guys?”

Dinah truly scowls at Ollie for the first time tonight.

“I’ve actually brought Starling’s youth and forgotten souls together. Showed them how to defend themselves and made them agents in the battle against corruption. When this is all said and done, Starling will be made better. Removed from the shackles of its oppressor. And the Speedy’s can live in a city that allows them a fair chance”

“Christ on a pike, do you even listen to yourself? You speak like a mad King with followers who would slit their own threats if you asked it of them. Is that what the Speedy’s are? Just little slaves to you? What’s next? You sit on a throne while they wave fans around you and feed you delicious grapes?”

“Keep talking, Dinah. Keep talking! You always talked a big game”

She grins “Only because I could back it up”

Seeing that as a challenge, Oliver right away pulls out a blunt arrow and with a hefty pull of the string, releases it. Before she can even gasp in shock, Dinah moves to the side. Dodging the arrow in what were mere micro seconds.

“See?” Dinah titters “Also, this is why I always won at dodgeball”

Oliver growls and shoots out another arrow. Dinah rolls out this time. With that, she grabs the steel chair from before and uses it as a shield to block Oliver’s arrows. She trudges at him, with the chair still covering her. However, the archer realizes he can just shoot at her legs.

Too late, as Dinah hits him with the chair. She grabs it by the legs and takes a swing of it. Again, hitting Ollie and causing him to fall. She aims it high to strike him once more but Oliver kicks her in the stomach. Dinah lowers down the chair and in that quick instant, Oliver takes advantage. The way she’s positioned the chair too close to her face, Oliver kicks the chair right square at her head.

Dinah now falls and Oliver retrieves his bow. He points an arrow at her, this one being the pointy one “Stand down. Don’t make me do this”

“Thought you were willing to get your hands dirty”

“Consider this mercy”

“Consider this-” she sweeps the legs and kicks his own legs, once more dropping him. She raises her legs once more and drops it on his face “Couldn’t think of a comeback so I went with the attack faster than planned”

She grabs him by the hood of his outfit to raise him up. Oliver lifts his arm so that he can have his own hold on her. He grabs her tight and launches her to the wall. The archer kicks her in the stomach and goes in for the punch. Dinah dodges, causing Oliver to punch a hole through a wall.

“AAGGHHH”

“Say it some more!” she grabs him the head and rams it a couple times on the wall. As the corner of his forehead now begins to bleed, Dinah wraps her arms around the back of his stomach. Before Oliver can elbow her in the head, Dinah lifts him up the highest she can. Slamming him on the ground with an awesome German suplex.

Dinah mounts herself on top of him and begins delivering multiple punches on him. Oliver is able to block them even in his position and is able to deliver his a punch of his own to her face. He pushes Dinah off him and now he’s on top of her. Oliver begins to deliver a barrage of palm strikes. Dinah raises her arms to block a few but the rest land hard on her. She spits out blood after the last strike.

Oliver regains his bow and pulls a specially designed arrow. Not wanting to take chances, Dinah pulls herself up and kicks the arrow up to the ceiling.

KBOOOM

“An explosive arrow?!” Dinah screams

“meant to get electric one” Oliver mutters

KKKRRRMBLLL

The ceiling now crumbles and so much from the floor above now begins to fall down. The fighters are now separated with the rubble from above causing a hole to divide them. Oliver is able to get out fine, although Dinah is not so fortunate. The crumbling ceiling begins to tear down the floor from where she stands and the wall from behind.

Her stance is shaken and in a matter of seconds, she’ll fall to the outside “No!” she screams “Momma Drake’s little girl ain’t going down like this!”

Dinah runs despite her surroundings now falling to pieces. With a great big leap from the dangerous ledge, Dinah jumps before the rest of the falling debris can get her. It feels like time stopped and she’s in slow-mo. She’s in the air and it feels like she’s levitating. A most fascinating sight for Dinah Lance.

She lands on the safest spot for now and makes out of the room before anything else can descend. Dinah falls to her knees and takes great deep breaths “Good…GOD! I could’ve died…I still have so much to do. Like play at the Tinder Smith Garden”

Dinah gets up and just now realizes Oliver is not in sight. He could have escaped and is now alerting The Speedy’s. Or…“he could be anywhere…anywhere with those dangerous as **** arrows. But if you hear me now! Nothing you do will work! Even if your arrows shoot my eyes!”

She begins her walk, now growing eyes on the back of her head. Ready for Oliver’s next assault. And hoping arrows don’t shoot at her eyes.

TINDER SMITH GARDEN

Tonight, the grand arena is the sight of a charity event, with The Starling Cross Charity Center being the hosts. The MC of the event is at the podium, so happy at this evening “It is with great honor that I introduce to you, Dr. Enola Geiss!”

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

She steps in “I’m very happy you could all be here. Recently, my foundation received a tremendous donation by an unknown source. I like to think I know who it was and if they were here tonight, I’d throw a party in their honor.

The next few days, we approach The Glades, an impoverished side of Starling for decades. With struggling adults AND children. We aid them now so they can have the chance to live out a better life. And I can’t possibly do it without…”

Now enters the stage a man in a stylish suit “Darren Heyman!”

The crowd applauds again and Darren and Dr. Geiss hug “Thank you all. I’m glad to finally be a part of a cause that matters. For most of my life, it felt like I was wasting it. Making the life of others worse-”

“Do you really feel that, Mr. Heyman!”

A voice from the audience is heard loud and clear for he has his own microphone. The person walks slowly to the podium, having on a hoodie with the hood covering their eyes. Darren leans in on Dr. Geiss “Who gave that guy a microphone?”

“Do you feel an ounce of shame? Do you look at yourself in the mirror after what you’ve done to others?”

A security guard grabs the guy “Okay that’s enough”

“It can never be enough, enabler!” the guy kicks the guard in the stomach and reveals himself to be a Speedy. Stephen Morrison in fact “Tonight, we take down this sham of an event!”

Geiss and Heyman try to leave but they notice each exit is blocked. The Speedy’s have arrived. All of them in their read jackets and domino masks. All of them wielding bows and shooting arrows recklessly. All of them shooting arrows at guards and people trying to run away.

THCK

An arrow is lodged into the back of an elderly man trying to escape.

“God!” comments one of the Speedy’s “Are we doing this, right? This seems too much”

“We’re following Stephen’s lead, Daniel. If he says these guys are the worst. and The Hood allowed him to do this. Then we do as we’re told. We’re the good guys, remember?”

To those who remained seated for their own safety, the Speedy’s flip their tables and kick them to the floor. The worried Speedy from before, Daniel, alongside two others point their arrow at a group of kids. All of them raising their hands up, terrified to say anything. Daniel looks at his two compatriots, in disbelief they’re okay with pointing arrows at defenseless children.

The children are the lucky ones, so many of the adults are getting hit with arrows. Some die, others are lucky just to get hit in the leg or arm. Darren Heyman and Dr. Geiss make it off the stage, with Heyman covering her.

Without much luck “Come now, you think I’d let you out of my sight?” Stephen smirks at the two

“Look, kid…” says Dr. Geiss “You look like you’ve seen harsh days. Please, there’s a better-”

THCK

Stephen shoots an arrow at her shoulder, causing her to fall. Darren tends to her, with any attempt to help futile “Why?” asks a perturbed Darren Heyman “Why are you doing this? I thought you went after rich straight up *****. Why here?!”

“But you are a rich ****, Darren Heyman. Remember me?” Stephen takes off his mask to reveal himself

“I don’t…wait…you were…you were Morrison’s kid”

“Hit the bullseye there”

“But…but-”

“Don’t make excuses. You yourself said up there that you made mistakes. I want you remember them right now”

“I…I…I remember. You pitched several stories to us. Ideas for TV shows. You were so ambitious”

“Still am. Just in another line of work”

“And I…was a loud critic of you. Always the one to reject your ideas”

Stephen’s smirk washes. His first sign of disapproval is on his face right now.

“I’m sorry I did that to you. You were just a kid. One who just wanted to share his love of writing and ideas with the world and all I did in my position was belittle you”

Stephen bends down to get near Heyman’s face “That you did”

“That’s why I left the TV and entertainment industry. I was a bully and threw my weight around. God, the people I mistreated” Heyman covers his eyes in shame “When I left, I went on a soul search for a year or two. Felt like more.

Then it came to me if I wanted to make up for what I did, I could use my money to help. I saved enough. So, I helped out small neighborhoods, gave money to charity and went to the people I hurt before to make amends. So many weren’t happy to see me but at least they got a chance to scream.

I know it’s too little too late. I understand. But please for the love of God. Don’t hurt the people here because of me. Let them go. There’s a better way, kid! There’s still a chance you and your friends can live peaceful lives! Ones where you don’t get to be seen as monsters! Please, let us help you!”

Stephen stands up straight, putting back on his domino mask “A nice gesture, Darren Heyman. But you said it best…” he aims an arrow right at Heyman, with a smirk glued on to him “Too little too late”

THCK

STARLING ARCHERY RANGE

Dinah has made it downstairs where the Lobby used to be. Walking in this closed edifice at night with a deadly archer ready to make mincemeat out of her is giving Dinah the slight hinge of the hibbie jibbies. The heroine makes sure to glance upwards for the deadly vigilante can use the second floor as a great spot to shoot his arrows.

Dinah wonders if it’s possible he escaped and she’s just walking around like an idiot. She takes quick peep over to the outside to be sure. Away from her, Oliver truly is upstairs and he takes out an arrow from his backpack. He pulls the string from the bow, ready to shoot a concussive arrow to knock her out till next week. However…

TRING

Oliver’s own mouth makes a sound. One of fury once the string’s noise is heard. Dinah heard it too, now knowing where her ex-lover is. Oliver still shoots the arrow, with Dinah dodging so close. Oliver keeps shooting arrows at a quick pace. Dinah runs to safety in the receptionist area. Once she’s covered, no more arrows are shot.

“Hey!” shouts Dinah “Is the arm getting rusty?”

THCK

One arrow pierces the table. And not just any arrow. An explosive arrow.

“Crap!” Dinah bolts out of there. Despite not being there to be caught in the blast, she’s still slightly blown away.

BOOM

With her tumble on the floor, Oliver blasts another arrow. This one being a sharp arrow and it graces Dinah’s thigh. She ducks for safety in one of the corridors. She peeks over to get a view of Oliver and he’s still shooting arrows.

“How many arrows did you bring?!”

“Enough!”

“I’ve seen war movies where soldiers didn’t even have that many ammunition!”

Dinah puts her person out there for a clear shot and with that, she opens her mouth for a loud Canary Cry!

EEEEEEEE

Oliver runs from where the blast would have hit him. He’s making it to the stairs and Dinah releases another Canary Cry. Again, Oliver makes it out unscathed, but his ears are ringing and falls to the ground, bow still in hand. Dinah prepares another Canary Cry, but the archer is quick to fly out another arrow at her. This one hitting the ground and…

“Another explosive arrow?” the archer smiles at her reaction. First true genuine smile he’s had in weeks. Dinah runs back to the corridors “No matter how many explosions you throw at me, I’ll just-”

BOOM

Dinah is caught again in the edge of the blast, and it hits the corridors hard, taking out chunks of it.

“GASP” does the archer. Oliver runs downstairs, now worried he overdid it “Dinah? Dinah?!” he sees the small rubble. Rummaging through it, wondering if she’s below it “Please don’t be hurt! I didn’t mean to! I thought you would-”

KICK

From the rubble a leg made it out to hit Oliver Queen. Now a body pulls itself out with vigor. Dinah Lance’s body!

“Surprise, bitch” she takes two pieces of wood from the ground and smashes one on each side of Oliver’s head. Kicking him in the gut, taking him down for good measure “Explosions can never take me out. That’s what Sandman trained me for! Never tell my mom about it”

Near by the archer, he sees the lethal sharp arrow he shot from before. He quickly snatches it before Dinah can notice it. She grabs him by the hood of his outfit to pull him up.

“It’s over Ollie. Please let it be over. For both our sakes-”

STCH

He impales the arrow RIGHT on her foot “AAAAIIIIIEEEEEE”

The howl of Dinah Lance is heard in all over the domain. If someone was walking by hallow fields, they could hear clearly the yell. Oliver adds salt on the wound by plucking out the arrow in a terrible pull. The blonde bombshell falls to the ground, holding her wound as blood trickles down.

Oliver stands over her, using the same arrow as before. Pointing it at Dinah who has tears in her eyes. Looking up at her opponent with utter contempt “It’s over, Dinah. Stay out of my way and or be a part of the issue”

“What…what in the seven hells happened to you to-to make you this way?” she wipes away a tear “Was it the island or were you always one “bullseye” away from bedlam!”

“I don’t know. Maybe I was always this way. Maybe I changed for the better. I like to think the latter because Lian Yu was a great life changer. Made me the man I needed to be in order to survive the real world”

Dinah dismisses it “I’ll be the judge of that when I wake you up”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

With her bleeding bad foot, Dinah swings it to kick Oliver’s knees and sends him body first for a painful landing. He was quick to put his forearms to the ground for a safer landing. However, Dinah still took the chance to deliver another kick, this one to his face.

With that momentum, Oliver rolls over be on his feet and so does Dinah. Both breathing at an excessive rate. The only thing keeping them going is their adrenaline and desire for victory. Their eyes lock again. Both angered over the other. Wondering how long will it take for the other to simply stop.

They run at each other, with Oliver swinging his arm to club at her. Dinah dodges and swings around his person, putting him in a chokehold. Oliver tries to pry her grip but she wretches it even deeper. He runs to the nearest wall back first with a great heave. Oliver does it a couple more times before Dinah finally let’s go.

As she’s bended over, he kicks his leg up and smashes it on her face. Now Dinah’s nose is pushing out ichor. Oliver flutters a punch to that nose, but Dinah blocks with her forearm and uses the other one to nail a good hit on Oliver’s nose. Now his is bleeding.

“You smash mine; I smash yours. Sound logic, ain’t it?”

Oliver wipes away the blood on his hand and jumps in the air for a kick. Dinah pushes him back, using his momentum to slam him on the ground. As he’s on his knees, trying to get back up, Dinah swings in for a roundhouse kick. The archer dodges and propels his body to ram in on Dinah’s back, causing her to fall.

He’s quick to grab her and put her in a rear naked choke. Oliver’s pull around her neck is so tight, he might even snap her neck by accident. Losing breath fast, Dinah pushes her body upwards, with her stomach now on his right shoulder. Oliver tries to his hold on her but Dinah is attempting to wiggle out.

Having had enough of this, Oliver uses his free arm to pull at her hair, almost taking out chunks of it. He runs back to the wall and tosses her like a dart to it.

THMP

Blood now begins to cover Dinah’s hair with some small chunks of the wall pasted on her forehead “It’s done. Lay there, Dinah. It’s the only thing you can do by now”

Oliver begins walking away, sure to himself that he’s won this fight. Not even considering helping her in some ways. Before he can reach the opening…

EEEEEEEEEEEE

The Canary Cry is used on the ceiling, causing it the crumble and blocking the exit. Oliver turns back to Dinah, who is on weak knees. She takes off her domino mask. She takes off her wig. She takes off the gloves. Dinah even grabs the blood on her and rubs it on her chest.

“Come on, Ollie. The fun hasn’t even started yet”

SCPD PRECINCT

In the interrogation room, a young boy, a young archer, lifts his head up from the table. It’s Oscar, a young Speedy who was trying to improve his archery with the help from another Speedy, a crush of his. Blood flows down from his nose with a small tear coming down. Two cops are snickering at the display. Enjoying what they did to the kid.

Now enters the room Sgt. Tex Thompson, Mr. America of the DEO. Once inside, he slaps the closest cop in his radius and pushes them both away “This is what Starling’s Finest have to bring? Assaulting a minor without any incentive to truly pry information? You might as well be cavemen. I better not see you in the next few days. Even weeks maybe”

“Sorry, Sergeant” says the cop that got slapped, walking away with his partner in shame.

Oscar is surprised to see now two different events in the same night that has Mr. America taking charge of a scene. Everyone around bowing to his demands and showing him respect. Even The Hood to him doesn’t have that much power.

“Sorry, that had to happen to you, kid. These freaking cops, am I right?”

Oscar wipes the blood from his nose “I’m not a dingus, you dunce! Stop sucking up to me. I know what you and the cops want. I won’t be giving up the Speedy’s! Ever!”

Tex smacks his lips, holding back a chuckle “You’re surprising me, Oscar. Can I call you Oscar?”

Oscar doesn’t respond, looking away.

“You tried to score with a girl. You were trying to fight Battalion even though he outpowers you by a mountain size. And you didn’t give up your friends even when two police officers roughed you up. You truly ARE a Speedy and a loyal ally”

Oscar scoffs

“Loyalty and integrity are the cornerstones of the DEO and US Military. And each side has learned a crucial lesson over the years.” Tex grabs Oscar by his cheeks and forces the kid to look at him “Loyalty can only last for so long. What even is loyalty to a human being when pressed against the wall by a far more powerful force?”

From his waist, Mr. America pulls out his coveted bull whip. With a single toss to the lightbulb above, he destroys, leaving them without blaze. Oscar tries to get up, but Mr. America forces him to remain in his seat. Oscar can’t see a single smidge of whatnot. All he can do is remain seated for escape is out of the equation.

“Of course, that was just a single precision strike. But do you know what a bullwhip is truly capable? The way it can cause torment to a human soul when applied in differing ways? I was a boy scout once, and trust me, the number of knots I learned to tie up, can be applied to this AND the person I’m closest to”

Oscar trembles. The more he struggles to escape his chair, the more Tex Thompson applies pressure to his right shoulder “AAAAHHHHHHHH!” howls the young lad.

“Your little lady friend didn’t make squeal. She was positively loyal. That’s probably why she’s in the infirmary. Poor girl had to make it hard” Oscar gasps. He wants to attack Tex and save her, but his shoulder is close to being popped out if he tries to power out again.

“Make this easy on yourself. For the girl and for the Speedy’s. We’re not going to be entering guns shooting to the wild. They’ll be stopped. Force will be used if we’re provoked. But we want to help you kids. You’re inspired by The Hood? A clearly unstable murderer? Let me and my partners be your guide. Hone your skills with the DEO and let the entire world know your might”

Oscar sniffs. Trying his best to ignore Mr. America. Not wanting to rat out his partners. His brothers.

“Or, you know. Live out your lives in a cell with hundreds of deranged criminals and murderers. Never knowing what could have been. I think I’ll go with the latter”

Tex lets go of his grip on Oscar and walks to the door. Oscar sniffs again, tears now descending from his eyes. Even a yell won’t be enough to let out his anger and shame.

“Wait!” Tex stops once the door is opened “I’m sorry, guys” Oscar says quietly in sadness, whereas a smile crosses Tex’s face.

STARLING ARCHERY RANGE

The two fighters are still in combat, having gone up a few floors. Now entering what was once the banquet hall. They both keep doling out punches and kicks. The other one either blocking or dodging. It’s on repeat, one Oliver has noticed, annoyed by it. When Dinah goes in for a punch, he grabs her arm and tosses her several feet away.

He takes out his bow and goes to use to use it as a bat to smash her face in. Dinah sees it with a second to spare. She sees him, thus she raises her boot, hitting him in the face. Oliver staggers and Dinah runs back to his person, dealing out a flying knee strike.

Minutes fly by and they find themselves in the locker room area. Dinah picks Ollie up to ram him against the wall. She goes to do it again, yet it’s stopped when Oliver begins hammering in some elbow shots to the back of her head. She pushes him off and batters him a powerful kick to send him flying to the wall.

While he’s sitting on the ground, Dinah kicks him to make sure he stays there. Oliver boosts up to hit her with a punch on the stomach followed up by an uppercut. Dinah spits out blood right on his eyes, blinding him. She knees him on the stomach and a Cheshire smile is smeared on her face.

Finally, Dinah can take off the accursed quiver. Oliver tries to run off to no avail as Dinah kicks him to one knee. With that, she takes off his quiver. She rummages around to get some good arrows.

“Come on…” she pulls out a lethal arrow “Nope. Come on, give Momma Drake’s baby girl a blunt arrow” she however gets… “What?”

Oliver kicks her in the face and snatches arrow “Electric arrow”

He uses it on her, literally shocking her. Dinah powers out and pushes him back on the wall. Grabbing his head and ramming it on the wall. Oliver pushes her hands and now has hold of her, tossing her across the room.

Another pile of minutes later and now they’re in theater. All the movies they watched here, whether it was done legally or illegally. Mostly illegally. Oliver has firm hold of his bow and arrow again while Dinah can only use her fists.

“How long can you keep this up, Dinah” Oliver says “You’re weaker than when you came in. You’re exhausted beyond belief. You have no weapons to aid you. And you don’t have the guts to do what needs to be done, so that Canary Cry is useless.

You’re not a hero like your mother. Or a fighter like your father. You’re an adult who acts like a kid. Who still likes to believe that the world can have heroes on top. You’re naïve. You’re not fit to fight the war out there and you’re not capable of real victory."

Coming from Oliver, it stings. But she hardly will let it fester inside for long “You know, Ollie…” she says, spitting out blood before she can continue “This reminds me of the tales of my mentors…how they would spend several hours fighting their enemies”

“Not interested”

“Shut it. This is the apt time to talk about this. You used to think you knew everything about me. Here’s how you actually learn.

Now, heroes fighting villains for hours. Not anything new. But this particular fight reminds me of the one fight mom had with the villainess Tigress. One where brute force and skill was the item used most. Alongside Tigress’ weapons…just like how you use arrows here.

We are frankly paralleling that fight. Except that one ended in a stalemate…Tigress was found by her husband, Sportsmaster, and taken away. Luckily Doctor Fate found them all and stopped the bad guys. Personally, I’d like to think he put a spell on them.

But on this moment. This very moment, I won’t allow a stalemate or for you to leave to cast your vengeful justice over Starling. I’m gonna stop you. Right here, right now. Even if it takes hours, even the entire day or even when the sun dies out! I WILL stop you!”

She curls up her fists, raising them up with her eyes firmly up. Oliver can sense this just got harder. He fires a net arrow at Dinah. She smirks as she runs directly to the weapon. Dinah slides on the floor, grabs the net and gets up with such incredible speed, wrapping the net around Oliver.

Dinah puts his in a headlock position, laying in several punches to the head. Oliver is able to wrap his hands around her and hip tosses her on the floor. Both fighters are back on their feet. Oliver is annoyed and frustrated whereas Dinah is stern, making sure to study Oliver’s movements.

How he telegraphs his punches, which she dodges, dealing out a knee to the stomach. How he goes to grab her, resulting in her flipping him over to the seats area. The archer growls, being made a fool.

Spotting Dinah walking towards her, Oliver catches sight of Dinah still struggling with her ankle. The same one he stabbed with an arrow. Oliver runs to the wall. He climbs effortlessly to the seats above. He launches two explosive arrows at each stair. With one motion of his hand, he tells her to come at him.

Dinah blows to the air, running to Oliver. With her non bloody ankle, she kicks the wall and makes it upwards, grabbing onto the ledge. Bad move as Oliver stomps on her knuckles. Dinah mewls, frowning at the man she once loved.

Oliver doesn’t stop there. He stomps on her knuckles several more times. She lets go of one hand, with the other still holding on. Oliver doesn’t let up, refusing to let her beat him. Not wanting it to end like this, Dinah lifts herself up and grabs him by his belt buckle. Gathering all her strength, she tosses him from the ledge.

However, the archer is able to twist his body and land feet first. Although one buckles, and he falls to the floor, favoring it. Dinah just simply falls back first on the floor. Oliver slaps his leg, trying to give it life. Fast as possible as Dinah is getting up, still battle ready.

Oliver reaches for an arrow. The last arrow to his surprise, and it’s an explosive one. Seeing no other option, he fires it at the floor, hoping it can stave off Dinah. Oliver runs out of the room, hobbling in the fastest way possible.

“It can’t…it can’t be. How could she be THAT good?” he questions himself, dropping his quiver so it won’t weigh him down. He’s made it to the second floor, hobbling in the hallway “She isn’t my better. She can’t possibly be. Never!”

“Well at least you’re still talking about me!” Oliver hears her shout and Dinah comes in with a powerful kick to the back. Followed up by a thrust kick to his face.

Oliver is staggered, dumbfounded, his back leaning on the wooden stairwell. Dinah shrugs “I’ve always wanted to do this”

She runs right at Oliver, spearing him, breaking the stairwell and they both land badly on the concrete floor. Oliver got the worst of it. Dinah gets off him and lays her back next to him. She throws her fist in the air.

“victory…for Dinah”

Chapter Text

THE JUNKYARD

It’s all a daze. It’s hard to focus. It’s hard to think. It’s hard to even open his own eyes. But the latter is the only thing Oliver Queen, The Hood, the lethal vigilante of Starling City, can do. He lays on a bed, wheezing. Feeling pain all over his body. The greatest feet of the night right now is the elementary action of sitting up.

He finally does it and notices his ribs tapped up, arms bandaged and his left knee, the one he buckled in his fight with Dinah, the Black Canary, now in a makeshift cast. He finally oversees his surroundings and realizes he’s in a small hut of sorts. But the more he looks around, the more he realizes he's in a junkyard. Having passed this area a couple of times before. To finally address his concerns, enters Dinah Lance, also tapped up.

“In case you were wondering, I don’t have a concussion. I hope. Do you have one? Let’s see?” she flips him the bird

“…it’s one” Oliver groans

“Good. After the way that ended…” Dinah takes a seat “I’m surprised we weren’t out longer”

“Why are we here? Is this your hideout?”

“More like a hangout spot with friends” Anne and Chris the Bodyguard peek their heads over and Dinah waves at them as they wave back “They’re good people. Homeless people food is very tasty actually. Sometimes. And don’t worry, we left your hood and mask on. Nobody knows who you really are”

“How much…has passed?”

“Hours. Valuable hours”

“What do you mean?”

Dinah grabs the remote and turns on the TV, with it displaying surprising news to Oliver.

“-Starlings finest entered the arena and no sight of any Speedy’s can be seen. This just hours after the Speedy’s attacked a charity event hosted by the Starling Cross Charity group and Darren Heyman. With the latter being executed by the self-proclaimed leader of the team.

It is with great caution to the viewers at home to be aware of the graphic imagery you are about to be shown. If you are the least bit squeamish, turn away for this is what occurred in this fateful event”

To the disappointment and anger of Dinah, and the shock of Oliver, they both see camera footage of the Speedy’s attack at the event. With the deaths of so many. At the end, Stephen took the stage.

“Greetings to those still standing. I’m glad you are because when you leave, you will be the audience that witnesses the grand chance this city will have thanks to The Hood and the Speedy’s. No more will the powerful lord over the weak. No more will the fakes be continued to act like they care.

I know that our actions may seem abrasive, but it’s only because it’s what’s needed. And our actions won’t just be attacking the elite in their homes. It will be where it hurts the most. And those that support them, well…you’ll find out”

CLICK

Dinah turns off the TV, turning to Oliver who can’t believe it “I…I never…never meant for it to come to this” says a fuddled Oliver

“What that kid said, is it all that different to what you’ve said before?”

Oliver looks away from Dinah, angered.

“Dammit, Ollie”

“I can-I can reason with them. Stop them before anything gets out of hand”

“That’s the problem. It already has”

“Wha-what do you mean?! How could this have happened?!”

“While we were fighting out like Roddy Piper and Keith David in They Live. AND the time for the rest up, they not only attacked the charity event, but several other key locations around Starling City. They blew up the Mayor’s house. They set fire to the front of City Hall. They murdered a visiting Congressman from Washington.

And if none of that grabs your eye, I’ll let you know that they attacked the Plaza Sun Mall, setting several stores on fire. They rampaged an abortion clinic. And the Star Centre, where we would go every Christmas for the Christmas Tree Lightning or we would dress up for Halloween every year. Yeah, they assaulted the people there.

I don’t even know how many people died, Ollie. It’s indescribable. And all of these are kids. Freaking little trolls who should be going through puberty and finding if they like boys or girls. Only doing the fatal task of following your orders. Reflect on that!”

Oliver slumps back to the bed, putting both his hands on his head. Not even beginning to comprehend what he’s been told “that-that was…stephen” he tells to Dinah “he was the first speedy…and I made him…the man in charge if I wasn’t there…oh god”

LANCE RESIDENCE

There stands Dinah Drake, with her husband looking down at her with a mixture of confusion and disappointment “Dammit, D. How could you? How could you allow our daughter to be…to be a vigilante?!”

Dinah Sr. pinches her nose “It’s not that easy to explain, Quentin”

“Yes, it is!” he gets way too close to his wife, who pushes him back a slight bit with no hesitation “I know, Dinah. I know it was hard to let go being the Black Canary. To being a hero. The life of our friends being made difficult. What happened to Kent, Alan, Sylvester. Rex-God, poor Rex Tyler”

“It’s not that simple, Quentin. If you think this is an ego problem, it’s not. Our daughter needed guidance. Help. She wanted more out of life”

“Oh, so being a costumed crimefighter is just a thrill seek-”

“It’s about fixing the city. The world even. It’s…not right out there. It’s always bad news out there and our sweet Dinah knows it. The good news is few or fictitious. Months ago, my shop was almost blown up because some cops-”

“Don’t you eve-”

“Because some cops thought the street was harboring a “superhero”. It was just some teenagers in costumes. And there is more news like that around the world. Me and Ted, we gave Dinah a choice if she wanted this to be her path. Her choice, we have to respect that”

“Respect-Dinah! Sweet baby Jesus! We respect her decision if she wants to be a rockstar! We respect her decision if she wants to travel around the world or be an astronaut. NOT being a “superhero”. Did it ever ONCE pop into that mind of yours that she could get arrested by me or worse, the DEO. Locked up for the rest of her life in Blackgate?! Christ, I almost did arrest at her at one point!”

“Of course I thought of it! Don’t think of me as an idiot. Damn right it worried me. But I trusted her. Because I know she can handle whatever the powers at be throw at her. She’s still new to this and she’s done great work so far. The people she’s helped. Gangs around the blocks she stopped” she smiles from ear to ear “Quentin, our daughter is amazing! She’s doing the name of Black Canary proud”

“You mean, YOU are amazing” he seethes

“I beg your pardon” she crosses her arms, raising her eyebrow at her husband.

“Don’t think of ME as an idiot. It’s not about letting Dinah be on a path of “self-discovery” and her holding the mantle. It’s that you and Ted Grant could never let things go. If it can’t be you out there fighting crime. Then let it be your own blood”

“How DARE you, Quentin?! How dare you?!” she squares up to him “You think I’d want my own flesh and blood to be on a suicide mission?! It’s not that! It’s about standing up-”

“Oh, spare me the flowery declarations! You have nothing to stand on! Don’t start taking the moral high road! It really is about ego! YOUR ego! And now, Dinah, she…she’s out there” he brushes his hair, walking away from his wife “Doing God knows what. You’ve made her a crook. And you’re the biggest one here”

“So what? You’ll arrest me? Why haven’t you done so already? If you came here to take me in, you’d have called a SWAT team and I’d be going to jail. So come on, dear. Call the Captain and be done with it”

Quentin scoffs, looking disgusted at Dinah. He puts one hand on the wall, trying to control his breathing. Gripping his phone with the other hand. He stares at his wife again, close to breaking his phone if not careful “Get out. Now.”

Dinah Drake suspires at that news. She’s trying to keep a brave face, but being told that is not what she expected. She wants to stay and continue talking. For the good and the bad. She doesn’t want to leave her husband alone. In spite of that, she does exit her husband’s sight, and her own home. Quentin falls to his knees, holding himself as he’s too broken to even yell out to the heavens to release the pain.

THE HOOD’S HIDEOUT

Roy Harper, a young archer and a prodigy at that, rushes up to front door of where Henry Fyff, a weapons maker for The Hood and the Speedy’s, is at. However, he’s inside in the same duration as two Speedy’s guard over his door per the request of The Hood.

“Get out of my way, guys” he says looking up at the two bigger boys.

“No can do. He’s working overtime”

“Over. Great word to use for your services for the night”

Inside, Henry Fyff tries to keep his eyes as he designs more arrows. Suddenly, he hears the loud noises outside “Great, you guys wouldn't shut up about what's the best movie ever. Now you gotta go hamhawk like a bunch of stupid schoolboys?”

The doors open and the guards spill over. Roy Harper enters the room “It ain’t like saving the Princess from the castle, but will this do?”

Minutes go by, and Roy bursts open the doors of living room where some Speedy’s are playing video games. He’s flanked by Henry, who is also angry “Alright, ***holes!” exclaims Roy, getting everyone’s attention “Can anyone explain the news going on right now?”

“Wh-what news?” says one Speedy

“Don’t play around with me. I know most of you are innocent, given you’re here and not out there”

“What’s going on, Roy?” asks Daniels

“Took a look on the news. Apparently precious Stephen Morrison has declared war on everything”

Minutes later and they’re all caught up to speed about the goings on around Starling.

Roy speaks up again “This. Is. Bad! It already sucks that people out there think we’re a menace. Well you guys are, i've been on the up and up. But now Stephen’s poked the bear. We’re more than enemy #1 right now. We’re terrorists right now”

Roy takes a look over the door and sees two Speedy’s approaching the door. Roy fires a blunt arrow at one each in the legs, dropping them. The gang walks towards them with Roy in the front. One of the girl Speedy’s remains in her stead, walking to the nearest window.

“Why is Stephen doing this? Why now?”

“Better yet” Henry steps in “Does The Hood know?”

As they talk, the girl notices some strange men walking about outside.

“No, Hood doesn’t know. But he will, and he’ll be happy. It’s what he’s trained us for. Starling needs this right now. A hard lesson that the mighty will prevail”

“Goodie” Roy slaps his forehead “They’ve drank the Awesome Aid. What other bad news is out there?”

“Uhhhh, guys?” the girl comes forward “I think I got some bad news”

KRRSSHHH

The windows of the place are broken. DEO Agents with jetpacks are now swarming the place “Get on the ground now!” they point their blasters at them

“Oh great!” Roy yells out in anger, preparing his bow and arrows “MORE bad news!”

Roy fires sharp arrows at their legs at an immense rate “Man do I wish big brother Bird could see this” Roy says with pride “Come on, guys! Let’s move!”

The gang runs out the room. From the first floor, DEO Agents are coming out of the woodworks. There are only two Speedy’s in the first floor. They’re hiding behind some crates, holding tightly their bows. They rise up, already the arrows are attached to the bow. And the arrows fired are…none.

The taller Speedy’s bow is intercepted with a whip. The whip takes away the bow and grabbed by a man in a red domino mask and the standard black and grey uniform DEO Agents wear. The Speedy’s are hit in the back by two Agents and cuffed.

“who the?” asks the one whose bow was stolen

“I am the. Me.” the agent points to himself “All American Kid! Still a proud sidekick to Mr. America and a fine DEO Agent if I say so myself. Agent Lyons…” now enters the behemoth Battalion “Ge the others with full force. The other agents will follow” Battalion runs along, excited for this takedown of painful proportions.

THE JUNKYARD

As The Hood moves around his pinkies and feels his knees with his hand to make sure he can walk again, Black Canary is on the other side putting on her gloves “What are you doing?”

“What does it look like? Just putting on my gloves”

“You’re going out there, aren’t you?”

“Somebody has to stop all this mayhem. The one you fostered” she grips her fist, making sure the gloves are tightened

“Dammit! I didn’t mean for all this happen! Why can’t you understand that?!”

“I believe you, but it’s still an issue that needs resolving and the cops won’t be able to deal with this” Canary stretches her arms

“At least take me with you. I can reason with them. You want me to not be so kill happy? Well, there it is”

“You’re too hurt. You’ll be a liability. Better to stay here so we can have that important talk”

“We’ve already had it. This city…it can’t be fixed by some old ideals, Dinah. It needs proper hands-on dealing. That’s for the better”

“Ollie, in the range, you were talking like a freaking zealot. I was waiting for you to say God sent you on this mission. Maybe the ways of the heroes before me are too restrictive. Can seem foolish. But I’d rather be pegged as a sap by some dipsticks than come to old age and barely look at myself in the mirror because I gave up on my morals”

“The Speedy’s. The cops. They’ll come after you hard. They don’t abide by your rules”

“All the more I have to work harder and smarter. Now stay.”

“Hey! HEY.”

Black Canary leaves and goes to the exit. Anne and Chris go towards her before she can depart “I’d rather not agree with the arrow killer, but…uh” Chris scratches his head.

“You can’t do this alone!” exclaims Anne “You’re not enough!”

“I have to try. The people in between are getting hurt. I won’t allow them to be caught in some meaningless fight”

“It’s more than that, Canary" Anne shouts out "Geoff?!”

Geoff and another homeless man approach the crew. Geoff twiddling his thumbs “Me and Ray, we uh. We were catching food nearby a police station and we found some DEO Agents walking out of the station. This one guy, he was on the phone saying he’s gonna arrest all the Speedy’s”

Chris steps in “And we’re pretty sure you and Hood over there are included”

“Good story guys” Canary takes a seat on her motorcycle “If only I heard it during the journey”

“What-you’re still going out there?” questions Anne

“I knew the DEO was gonna be an issue from Day One. Won’t stop me”

“This seems different, Boss lady” says Chris “Much different. At least let me drive you”

“I need you all to stay here and watch over a hooded friend. I’m hoping deep down I can still save him. And I have hope I can save several lives right now”

“And do you hope you can fight in your sucky condition?”

“That’s the thing. I prepared for it” Dinah pulls out a small needle from her pocket “My first two mentors wouldn’t like it, but my third, he gave me the idea” Dinah smiles thinking about The Sandman, Wesley Dodds.

PNG

She injects herself with the needle, feeling a boost of renewed energy “Tata, friends” she tosses the needle aside.

VVRROOOOOOOMM

Feeling restored, Black Canary drives away, heading into danger. Her friends looking on with worry.

CONDEMED BUILDING

Stephen Morrison watches from the rooftops as the Star Center has been made a mess. One of the Speedy’s, smaller than him, comes forward “Yo Stephen, should you be out in the open like this? I think some cops might find us”

“Hush, James. Things’ll be fine. I just wanna enjoy the sight. Truly a marvelous set piece fitting for the wealth of anarchy this city was bestowed upon tonight. And this not even the end of it”

“Yeeeahhh, I and others have been meaning to talk about that…we’re…worried”

“Worried, my friend?”

“Don’t you think this is enough? I mean, our mission is to stop the powers at be. I mean…some of the places we attacked were...not sucky people filled”

“James…” Stephen puts his hands on James’ shoulder “It’s called a shock to the system. Sending a message”

“Wh-what message?!”

Stephen eyes narrows. He grabs James by his shirt and pushes him against the wall. James’ eyes tremble in fear over the suddenness of Stephen’s wrath “If you haven’t figured it out despite being with the Speedy’s this long, try to figure it out yourself!”

He drops James on the floor. Stephen takes a breath and smiles again “Do yourself a favor. Don’t do the whole whispering or talking in close quarters with the others. They will report it back to me” Stephen looks at the door and sees two Speedy’s opening the door “So, please James. Stick with us. For your own good”

Stephen exits, with James remaining on the ground. Close to huddling up in a ball and cry. Wondering if he made the right decision joining the Speedy’s.

DINAH DRAKE’S FLORIST SHOP

Dinah Drake is drinking a gallon of water she kept in a small fridge. Having ran all the way here and avoiding cops on the way. She finishes chugging, tossing the gallon behind her. Next to the small fridge is a safe. She locks in the password and inside she pulls out…a flip phone!

“And people say only drug dealers still use them!" she dials in a number "Hey Ted, it’s me. Pick up the phone quick, ***hole!”

She makes another call and gets voicemail “Whatever, I’ll say it now…Quentin…he finally confronted me about it. The whole ordeal. Dinah. You and me training. Everything. All of it. I at least was able to destroy the small cam he planted before he came in so he doesn’t have evidence but…this is bad. That and the towns around the city are looking bad-”

KKRRSSHH

The glass window of the front is smashed open. Dinah Drake sees its criminals coming in, each holding a weapon. One has chains. Another has a knife. The leader has a gun. The call ends and Dinah Drake glares upon the collective “Okay, old lady. How about you give us the moolah and we don’t ruin this nice shop?”

One of the thugs tosses a vase of flowers to the floor, to the delight of the others “You know…you’re pretty hot for an old lady. How about you give us each a nice sloppy reward and we won’t have to have the money?”

Dinah Drake just rests her head on her cheek “Oh you poor silly idiots. I wonder how long it will take for your brains to function properly. 1 month? 2 months?”

The leader looks at his crew, laughing at that comment. When he looks back at Dinah Drake, she runs at him and kicks him in the stomach so hard, it sends him flying across the room. The other members gang up and on her, cutting her off from an exit “Lets make a woman out of her!”

Dinah Drake scoffs “Yeah, each of you are not gonna be able to walk when you reach your 60’s”

After a couple of minutes, the gang leader gets up, coughing up a storm and holding his stomach from falling apart. He stares ahead and sees his entire laying on the ground. Broken teeth and black eyes all around. The leader shivers, dumbfounded to see his crew decimated by this mere woman.

“Want a piece?” Dinah Drake crosses her arms, her smirk smeared over her face.

The leader jumps out the open window he smashed open and runs away. Crying and flailing his arms in desperation like the recreant he grew up to be.

THCK

Not for long as an arrow shoots at his head, with his blood now making a pool. Dinah Sr. gasps at the shocking event. She hides behind a corner, just as a few Speedy’s approach the premises. They all see for themselves the gang beaten down, moaning and groaning.

The one member closest to them pleads to the Speedy’s “don’t-don’t kill me. those guys there-“ she points to the rest of the gang “They tried to rape an elderly woman…” Dinah rolls her eyes, knowing she’s not that old “I tried to stop-”

“**** it. Kill them all.”

They all shoot arrows at each member. Dinah is disbelief that such young men can be as brutal as they were. Before they can exit, they’re swept up by something unbelievable. All attacked by some force that moved so quickly and swift, that even an expert fighter like Dinah Drake couldn’t see.

The force enters the store, stalking the room like a hawk. The man is wearing a DEO uniform and red sunglasses. Dinah tries to escape quietly-

BBZZZZZZ

She gets a call from Ted Grant. The guy twists his head to the corner and dashes to it. Finding only a bee flying around. The agent still looks around. Without even looking, he flicks the bee over the wall with a quick gesture of his finger, squashing it. The agent searches around the shop. Entering other rooms to find out who was being called. He kicks the door to the bathroom open and sees nobody inside. But the window is open.

He follows suit, following the trail to another block. Dinah Drake is running once more, finally answering Ted’s call “You almost got me caught, you freaking idiot!... It’s not funny!... Look, things are getting worse around here and I need your help because right now, somebody needs to keep the peace and it can’t only be Dinah!”

THE JUNKYARD

Chris and Anne stand outside of where the Hood is placed. They’re both drinking Kooba Cola from cups and looking up at the stars “You know-COUGH” Anne coughs, having drank too much “The night doesn’t look so bad. Even if the city is going bananas. It’s nice to know the skies aren’t so-”

WHOP WHOP WHOP WHOP

Above them are helicopters heading East. Chris looks over to her, close to laughing “You were saying?”

“I stand corrected…I’m scared for Canary. You saw her. She’s too hurt”

“I’m just as worried for the boss. But it’s not like we can add anything if we went with her. We’d slow her down. She knows what she’s doing. I hope…" he clicks his tongue "We’re the lucky ones! We’re not the ones getting attacked by terrorist kids!”

Anne taps on her cup “Why’d you stay around, Chris?”

“Well, the thing-did you say Chris?” Anne nods “It’s just…everyone here calls me bodyguard because the boss lady does”

One of the people who lives here passes by “Hiyah, bodyguard!”

“Come on, you’ve stuck with us these past months. You deserve to have your name said. I’ve always liked that name”

“You do?” Chris chuckles, awkwardly.

“Now, why’ve you stay?”

Chris shrugs “Got nowhere else to go. Got fired from my last job and I can’t afford my apartment anymore so I had to sell it. I’m shocked my former coworkers haven’t come after me. My former boss is dead and there’s others stuff I’m avoiding, especially because sooner or later my car might get taken away from me. So here, it’s my new home.”

“Was the last job good?”

“Not really. I stood by and watched my last boss hurt plenty people. I was next to others who didn’t care if someone died. I was there for the paycheck. Honestly, getting abducted by Black Canary was the best thing ever. It…eases the conscious. It doesn’t fix what I did before, but…I just wanna be a better person. And you guys here have made me a better person”

“Chris…I’m glad you’re here. Everyone here has done stuff we’re not proud of. Some here were lawyers, accountants, bankers, the works. They were either fired and had nowhere else to go. Or were ashamed and decided to be among the destitute to punish themselves”

“What were you?”

“…a nobody”

“Well…I think you’re a somebody. A special somebody” Chris brushes his hair, smiling alongside Anne who is beaming right now. Chris wanted to say more but didn’t know how to follow up. Trying to decide what next to say was hard. Which allowed him to hear what was going on in the Hood’s quarters. Which was…nothing.

Chis points to where the Hood should be staying and motions for Anne to follow him “What’s up?” she asks confused.

Chris and Anne enter and see the bed is empty and the Hood is not here “Crap!” yells Chris “We had ONE job!”

Geoff rushes to the two, tapping their backs rapidly “Jesus, Geoff!” exclaims Anne “What’s with you?”

“The-the-there’s guys out there! They’re attacking us!”

The three make it out and sees criminals kicking stuff around and pushing people to the ground “What is it you said about being the lucky ones?” asks Anne

“Iiiii stand corrected”

THE STREETS

From block to block. From district to district. The Black Canary is doing all she can. Looters are taking this chance to rob anything with a price on it. Smashing in a store to rob all the food. Before they can even make it out Black Canary comes in to drive them out with black eyes. Before they can kill any two innocent boys, she stops them where they stand. The boys look at Canary, trembling.

"RANDI! WILL! WHERE ARE YOU?" shouts a man with a friend by his side "Dammit, it's been an hour and nothing!" he says, already panicking.

"I think you don't have to wait for another one" Black Canary enters, holding the boys.

"Kids!" the kids rush at him, hugging him "Thank you" he says, grateful.

Canary nods and runs off, back to her motorcycle.

"Wait!" says the father "I've heard about you. If you're looking to fight some folks, go to Downtown. Last i heard things look bad there. If not, then run far away. I know i am"

"I know i'm not. Stay safe" She salutes them and leaves. Still with enough energy heading in to the next stop.

THE HOOD’S HIDEOUT

It’s a warzone in this stronghold. The Speedy’s are fighting with reckless abandon. Many are failing to get a good shot at any of the agents. The only one who’s able to hit any agent is Roy Harper. Hitting one agent with a blunt arrow, knocking her out. Another agent trapping him with a net arrow. And one behind him with a sharp arrow piercing his shoulder.

One Speedy on the ground yells at him “Dude! How about you kill one of them before he kills us?!”

“I’m not here to kill anyone”

“Then you joined the wrong side!" That Speedy is then kicked in the face by an agent

“Guess I did” Roy says in solitude. The redhead grabs Henry Fyff who was hiding behind a table. They make it out of the room, meeting up with a few Speedy’s “Guys, go back. It’s a dead zone there”

“Where else do we go?!? TheAllAmericanKidisdownstairstakingdownanyotherSpeedyoutthere!!!”

“Whoa whoa whoa! Calm down, kid”

“You’re a kid too!”

Another Speedy interjects “Jesus, calm down, Matt”

“We’ll-we’ll find a way out” Roy assures them “We have to. We won’t-”

TOOM TOOM TOOM TOOM

To the confusion of them all, they hear loud footsteps that might be from a Kaiju for all they know. They look ahead and see the big burly behemoth that is Battalion. He plows through all of them like bowling pins. Knocking them out in one fell swoop.

“Strike for me!” declares the DEO Agent. Roy still holds onto his bow firmly with arm. Even if the rest of his body wants to lay there.

He looks at the near 7 feet monster, getting on his knees, using his bow as a walking cane “i’m still here, ya big hairy, dumb***”

THE STREETS

The Black Canary has arrived at Downtown, seeing before her the crazy sight of a rampage showering all of Downtown. Stores being wrecked and gunfire being used at a whim. The fight between looters, Speedy’s, the cops and DEO Agents. It truly is pandemonium. Many people go after her, at any side really.

With a new adrenaline boost surging through her veins, she feels invigorated. The heroine drops a looter with an uppercut, grabs the gun of another and hits it over the head of a cop. Kicks a Speedy in the face and suplexes a DEO agent to the ground. The people attempt to gang up on her, but Black Canary is quick to unclench her jaw and point it over the heads.

EEEEEEEE

A Canary Cry that makes them cover their ears and with it not being hit at them directly, it doesn’t kill them. Though several building now have to fix their windows. Canary rushes at them, disposing of several more people. One cop points his gun at her, ready to shoot. Black Canary slaps the gun away and punches him a couple of times to drop him. Before she can focus on the others…a round sphere is dropped near them.

“What the-”

BOOOM

Canary is blown a few feet away. She shakes her head to see clearer as it was blurred for a handful of seconds. When Canary can look fine enough, she sees the cops and the DEO Agents taking over the scene. Dropping anyone who opposes them.

Without them looking at her, Black Canary runs off “Dammit, Lance! You just had to get into a fight. You couldn’t just leave well enough alone and save people who actually needed-”

Another sphere is dropped near her and she runs away “Who the hell keeps dropp-“

BOOM

Again, the great fighter is blown away. She lies on the ground, groaning as a man stands over here. His face glazed with an insane smile. An eyepatch for the left eye and 4 different scars around the face.

“Oh, you poor delicate, woman. I wish a fight wouldn’t have happened between the two of us but I have a mission, and you’re a problem. A problem for; Extremus!”

Chapter Text

AIRPLANE

In his own private jet, Malcolm Merlyn sits, calmly drinking his glass of wine. With no real noise to annoy him.

"Mr. Merlyn" walks in one his assistants "We just got news that Starling is under attack. And your son...your son seems to have been caught in it. He's in the hospital"

Merlyn puts his glass down "Tell the pilot to still go to Starling. Get me the Mayor on the phone. I will enter regardless"

The assistant exits, and Merlyn looks over to the window "Finally, something of interest in this city"

DOWNTOWN

Her chin rests on the ground as she places a forearm on the grimy, almost **** ridden floor to regain some ground. Dinah Lance, the Black Canary, slightly lifts herself up to see standing over her is a radical DEO Agent. One who has just called himself; Extremus. His left eye is missing so an eyepatch is placed over it and his face riddled with scars, 4 big ones in fact. He crouches down, brushing her hair.

“By the order of the DEO, you are under arrest! A shame really”

“like…like hell”

Extremus shrugs “And much like there, up here you have no say in the matter over what we do with you. Time to get out of this alleyway. I swear i can actually hear a homeless dude taking a ****”

He grabs her by the hair tight to pull her up. Worried he’ll find out she has a wig, Black Canary gets up in a flash and grabs him. With a belly-to-belly suplex, she slams him on the ground.

Canary can see ahead that Extremus is pulling out a sphere bomb from his utility belt. Before he can toss it at her, she kicks it away. The bomb lands to where some DEO Agents and cops were walking towards. They realize what it is and they all run, with the bomb only blowing them away."

Refocusing her efforts on Extremus, Dinah lays out "I can tell you have an explosive personality, but this is ridiculous" and then lays in a spin kick on his face and goes to follow him with a flying knee. One he blocks by pushing his hands on her knees, causing her to land body first to the ground. Canary gets up only to get hit a chop to the nose.

Black Canary holds her nose that’s now bleeding. She looks at Extremus with disbelief as her sniggers “My clock may be a bit broken but it can still tick once in a while” he waves his hands around “I’m not all bombs, missy”

Canary wipes the blood from her nose and puts up a stance. The two fighters circle each around, Extremus licking his lips while Canary just scowls. She makes the first move, going in for a punch that he kicks away. His body keeps moving and Extemus follows up with a kick to her stomach that propels her to the wall.

Canary gets up and gets out of the way so he can splash against the wall. But it was a ruse as he propelled his foot on the wall. Sending his person to deliver a flying kick to the head, dropping her. Extremus grabs the heroine and hurls her to the other wall.

Dinah feels she’s seeing stars right now after that toss. It goes worse as she gets picked up by the neck. Extremus is almost chocking the life force out of her. He releases his right hand and begins doling out various punches to her stomach. It was so much she spat out a wallop of saliva to his uniform.

“ah man, I just had this cleaned”

Extremus lets his grip over her go and before she can say or do anything, he karate chops her in the neck. Black Canary drops to the ground, holding her neck as she chokes.

“Can’t be letting you use that Cry, ain’t that right?” even as she chokes, she looks at him with great disdain.

THE HOOD’S HIDEOUT

The prodigy Roy Harper is using his bow as a makeshift cane. He has to if he wants to square up to the titan before him; Battalion. The most powerful DEO Agent in the city at the moment and a brute who’s happy to fight at a moment’s notice.

“Spikes, man?” Roy comments “Spikes on your outfit? Are your teeth sharp too?”

“The 90’s was my decade. Never letting it die”

“That’s just compensating…for something” Roy puts his left knee on the ground “Alright…give me a second” Roy lifts himself up and is finally able to stand on his two feet “I like to take a breath…before I win a fight”

“You?...You?!” Battalion is baffled “HAHAHAHAHA”

With his mouth open, Roy uses the only arrow he has on his quiver and shoots it right inside Battalion’s throat. Startled by it, Battalion plucks the arrow out, coughing out a smidge of blood. Roy looks around the floor for any other arrows to help him in this impossible fight.

With Battalion now marching at him, Roy uses a net arrow at him. Next on item is an electric arrow, literally shocking him. However, Battalion powers out of it, growling like a mad dog at the young archer. Roy grabs the nearest arrow to him in desperation. Before he can use it, Battalion grabs him, putting on a bear hug. The noble Speedy tries to escape but to no avail. Battalion is too powerful as he squishes harder.

Another Speedy enters the fight. Matt, the kid who was scared before. He still is frightened, but all the other Speedy’s are out and Roy is close to passing out. Perhaps worse right at this moment. He grabs the arrow Roy dropped and hops on Battalion’s back. Without any hesitation, Matt plants the arrow at Battalion’s eyes and to everyone’s surprise, it’s a fire arrow.

“AAAAAIIIIEEEEEEEE”

Battalion shrieks, loud enough for everyone in the building to hear him. He drops Roy and grabs the leg of Matt. He pulls tightly, and with a big scream, the dangerous DEO Agent smashes him to the floor. Roy sees Matt’s body on the floor. Not moving. Blood is pouring out his head fast. A pool is forming.

“no…no!” Roy can’t believe it “wh-why?!”

Battalion rubs his eyes “He was in my eye. I had fire in my eyes”

“You bastard! You killed him!”

“Got off, easy. I’ll do worse to you”

With a bow in hand and nothing else, Roy Harper still charges ahead to the danger in front. Before the creature can also charge, his back is hit with an arrow. An arrow that encases him in ice.

“What the-” Roy doesn’t understand what happened

“Run, kid!” Henry Fyff runs to Roy, grabbing him by the shoulder “That was a prototype and even then, I don’t think that’ll hold him for long! Follow me to my lab!” The two run along, with the ice quickly having cracks in it.

DOWNTOWN

Black Canary tries to get back up, but a foot is placed in her chest by Extremus to keep her down. Her throat has been attacked and now she can’t use the Canary Cry.

“Have you accepted defeat, pretty lady?”

Canary refuses to respond

“Okay okay. Do you accept defeat, sexy lady?” She just glares at him some more. Extremus facepalms, disappointed by her stubbornness “Come on, sexy lady. You’ve exhausted all your options. You’re not a better fighter and you’re starting to look like ****. And I don’t like damaging a pretty face like yours. I didn’t break your throat completely. You can still talk. Say something”

He lowers himself a bit to hear her weakly speak. Awaiting an answer. An answer Black Canary is happy to deliver.

Eeeeeeee

A Canary Cry. Extremus holds his ears, mewling as he felt great pain. Canary kips up, now smirking.

“you actually did me a small favor. my standard canary cry would kill you but by going after my throat, all it is a loud sound that can take you down upfront”

Eeeeeeee

The cry is used and Extremus lands on his knees, his ears close to bursting. Black Canary runs at him, delivering a knee strike to the face. She picks him up by the hair to deliver two chops on each side of his neck. Now he’s the one who’s gagging. Canary does next a punch to the mid-section, proceeded by a knee to the nose and finishing up with a roundhouse kick which finally drops him.

“YES” she calls out in excitement, throwing her fist up. She holds her throat “not the best time to yell” now DEO Agents and SCPD officers begin to amass, seeing her standing before a fallen Extremus “maybe now’s the time” She hurls herself next to Extremus and rises up to use him as a shield.

“HOLD YOUR FIRE” yells out an agent. Black Canary gets up, still using Extremus as leverage. Backing away from the group “For a so-called hero, why're you using him as a shield and cowering away?”

“that’s nonsense. although I do have a habit of kidnapping people that needs stop”

Canary thinks she’s safe, but on the other side, more agents and cops come in, ready to shoot her down. She gasps at the surprise, looking at both sides and wondering what to do. Each side is coming forward. The seconds are coming down fast and Black Canary has been pinned down between a rock and a hard place.

“wait! extremus’ bombs!”

She remembers how he tapped into a button on his belt and it gave him his bombs. She presses that same button and now the heroine has a bomb. Canary tosses it at the side closest to her, causing them to fall back.

And to the other, she releases a Canary Cry. Her throat is still sore so it luckily doesn’t kill them. It just only causes the literal feeling of hurt. She drops Extremus to the ground and runs forward. Black Canary ran back to where she stationed her motorcycle. It only has been tossed to the ground but it’s not broken.

KBOOM

A grenade was launched at it, blowing it up. Now escape is once again futile "Balls" she says almost dejected. More of her would be captors come out. The heroine is forced to flee. Where? Anywhere but where she is now “i have no idea what i’m doing. what i would give for teleportation powers. or flying. or super speed”

She runs to the other block, where she sees ahead of her a construction site.

BANG BANG BANG

Now they’re shooting at her. None of the bullet’s land on her “thank spectre they suck-”

BANG

One bullet graces her thigh, but it still hurts a vast deal "damn you spectre!" Black Canary enters the premises and passes by all the steel beams, with her chasers after her. She goes over to the side and rubs her throat softly but quickly.

“come on, come on, come on” she rubs her throat “you need a big one right now. fast. believe in yourself like all your the shows said-" No, that isn't enough for her. It's just deflecting from what's going on. She wasn't inspired by some shows on TV. It was the people who came before her. The ones who inspired her. The Justice Society! "Like your heroes said!”

She takes a deep and boundless breath, the other agents now closing in on her. Without further ado…

EEEEEEEEEEEEEE

With the Canary Cry back and ever high powered, she uses it on the steel beams and the trucks. With those falling down, the agents and cops are forced to scatter again. There is still DEO Agents near her. One shoots directly, but Canary dodges. Moving fast towards her attacker. She tosses the gun away and delivering several punches to his chest dropping him.

Another agent tries to use a baton on her, but she twists her elbow and kicks her to the curve. Canary grabs the baton and uses on the agent running after her, hitting him on the mid-section with and again to the head to drop him.

Canary continues running, not knowing where else to go. She reaches almost an end as now she’s in a waterfront, dazed at this point. The adrenaline boost she gave herself the last time has now worn off.

BANG

She’s shot in the shoulder. Again, the DEO and SCPD is on her trail. And not just them. Mr. America, the one leading this group, is also there, clocking his gun and making sure he gets a good shot.

She remembers Tex Thompson from her youth. Dinah liked him, but she can tell something was off about him. He was too keen on security and protection. She would sneak in on conversations from the JSA Brownstone where she could hear her mother and other members like Hawkman and Green Lantern arguing with him "guess my assumptions were right" she says under her breath

BANG BANG BANG

They fire again, with one bullet hitting her in the leg. And another in the arm. With that, she falls off the ledge, landing on the water.

“Dammit!” yells Mr. America. He makes a call from his communicator “Black Canary has fallen off the waterfront. I need a crew to find her now. I don’t care if she’s drowned and the fishes are eating her. I need a conformation on the body”

THE HOOD’S HIDEOUT

Roy and Henry have made it inside of Henry’s office. Roy closes the door and puts the lock. Henry looks at Roy as if his answer for 1+1 was 4 “You DO realizes that accomplishes nothing, right?!” his voice almost breaks at the end.

“Well, give me your sweet smart super duper plan! That IS why we’re here, you ding dong!”

“That’s simple. We take all the stuff I haven’t used for safety and throw it at him”

“…that’s stupid!" he flails his arms "“Captain, what do we?” “Throw all your missiles at the enemy. It can work!””

Henry and Roy get nose to nose now “You have any other options?!”

BRAM

Battalion breaks the doors down “RRAAAAGHHH”

Roy and Henry look at him with tinge of fret “Throwing everything plus the kitchen sink sounds good now!”

Battalion stomps the ground and rushes at Roy, picking him up like a doll by the throat. Now in a state of panic, Henry reaches his hands for basically anything to use as a weapon. He grabs some blueprints and hits at Battalion over his back. Battalion looks at Henry, then looks down and looks back at the inventor.

“whu-whu—whuhahaHAHAHA! What?!? You-you thought that would-HAHAHA!”

Because it sent him to a laughing fit, his grip on Roy waned and Roy was able to get out of Battalion’s grip. A jiff he caught sight of quick. He reaches to grab Roy again but the archer is quick and grabs an arrow from the table nearest to him. With a firm grip on his bow, he shoots it at Battalion’s eyes and it’s…

“A…sticky…gum arrow?” Roy is puzzled as Battalion takes it out of his eye’s seconds later

“Can't have all be lethal. Use the other ones!” Henry shouts Roy reaches out a little further, now having hold a different kind of arrow that he launches at the behemoth.

KBOOM

An explosive arrow that now causes Battalion to stumble “Use them all! Quick!”

Roy keeps shooting, with each one able to push Battalion back, with his hip now touching the other table. Henry looks to the corner, seeing his small office drawer. He remembers he was able to convince Oliver to get him the necessary tools to make a rather dangerous weapon he had in mind. Henry goes to the drawer and takes out the drawer box, putting it in clear position for Roy.

“Kid! I need you to shoot at THAT box!” he points to the box

“Kinda can’t at the moment! If I don’t keep shooting at this freak, he’ll just keep attacking!”

“You’re on your last 2 arrows. Make them count. Let’s beat this guy and run!”

Roy notices Battalion has finally landed on one knee. Having no further course of action, he goes… “Why the hell not?”

He shoots his second to last arrow right at Battalion’s eyes to keep him in his position.

“Go to the door! When you shoot, we RUN”

They both make it to the end and Roy points the very last explosive arrow at the drawer box. Battalion is getting back up again, glaring at the kid who he thinks of as a pest. Someone that makes him hate all kids now. More than before! Roy shuts one eye, making sure it doesn’t go off by an inch. With a heavy breath…he shoots.

THCK

It hits the target

BOOOOOOOOM

The blast hits Battalion directly, but the force of it sends Roy and Henry flying. It destroys a good chunk of this floor and its vibration of it is felt throughout the entire building. Downstairs, it was definitely felt by All American Kid “was that an earthquake?” he questions.

DEO Agents go upwards to see what had happened. When they arrive, they see for themselves the now crushed part of the building. All American Kid stands before the ledge of what was once Henry’s office. It’s now annihilated. The only thing in this room that remained is Battalion. Who is now outside, having landed on a vehicle, out like a light.

Despite this startling exhibit, All American Kid considers it a victory. He and the other agents arrest the Speedy’s, having defeated them and crushed their spirits. They don’t even try to run away like kids their age would. They’re just numb at this point as they’re carted off.

In the distance, from the forests, Roy Harper stands gazing at this deflating display. Draped over his shoulder so he can lean on something and walk is Henry Fyff. He’s whizzing, his glasses are now gone and parts of his clothes are ripped up. Roy’s as well, and they’re bleeding from the head, nose, arms, almost everything.

However, Roy wants to go on. He won’t be imprisoned and forgotten. He can’t allow that. He chooses to live and be free. That is what he’ll do right now “come on, Henry” he says even if his voice is weak “lets get get a doctor. even an awful one. i don't know, lets just move. just-just” he stops talking. Nothing else to say.

GRANT GYM

“HHRUHH” exclaims Dinah Lance, sitting up from her bed. Worried she might be still getting shot at or lost in the sea. No, she finds herself in the same small bed used for her the last time she needed a fixer upper.

The door opens and it’s her mother and Ted Grant “Good, you’re awake. After a couple of days finally” comments Ted “That gives me the chance to bring this up. D…” he looks at Dinah Drake “Can you tell your kid that she needs to stop coming here looking like she got run over by a car?”

“How was I found?” asks Dinah, rubbing her head

“You were found by some friends of yours in the shore of the Sara River” speaks up Dinah Sr. “Who are also homeless? Are those the people of the junkyard you mentioned last time?”

“That they are. Are they here?”

“They and many others” says Ted

Confused by that, Dinah gets up, still feeling groggy from all the fighting days ago. She opens the doors and sees a great deal of people here. Resting and getting a chance to eat.

“What happened? Why are so many here?”

“Me and your uncle Ted made sure to give these folks shelter. They’ve all lost homes or can’t live in their own neighborhoods. Dinah. My sweet Dinah. A lot happened yesterday”

YESTERDAY- CITY HALL

With a huge crowd waiting for the news to be given to them after the last two insane nights, in the podium stands Mr. America

“Hello, Starling City. I am Sergeant Tex Thompson, otherwise known as Mr. America. Now I haven’t been in this great city for many years. But I stand here before you today, declaring that until this city is rid of all the parasites that intend to brainwash you, I now declare myself a Starling citizen.

The Speedy’s, foot soldiers for the violent vigilante The Hood, enacted multiple terrorist’s attacks in your fair city. We were able to arrest droves of them, but there are still those who are in hiding. The Hood is in hiding. The Black Canary is in hiding. Whether she’s with the group or not, they’re criminals to the law.

Because of their brutal actions the past few nights and their savage attack to these fine agents just months ago…”

He points to a screen that showcases the agents who were assaulted by the Speedy’s (Chapter 8) in the DEO’s first attempt to arrest Canary and The Hood.

“The DEO has now partnered with the Starling City Police Department to reign in these criminals and restore balance to your city” The Chief walks in from the left, shaking Thompson’s hand. On the right, walks in several DEO Agents.

“Rest assured that these fine agents and more will be out and about, making sure your safety is top priority. The loyal and level headed, All-American Kid, William Armstrong. The finest sidekick I could have ever asked for.

The wild but effective, Extremus, Colten Saxton. One of the greatest fighters in the world, Konstantine Drakon. And of course, the man who started the charge against these criminals, who I’m proud is here today; Agent John Diggle!”

The man himself is not the most comfortable right now. Looking at his superior with unease but still keeps a stern look for the camera.

“Today, Starling City changes for the better! Today, we remind the world to say NO to vigilantes! And forever, your heroes are the ones HERE. Who will guarantee that no more dark days will EVER happen to Starling City!”

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

LANCE RESIDENCE

It’s all but a ghost house this now is. Quentin Lance didn’t even sleep in his bed but his couch, still in uniform. He walks around the halls, seeing the pictures of his family during the years. He sees a photo of him and Dinah Drake standing before Dinah’s Florist Shop. How young they were. A photo of his wedding day. His wife absolutely stunning in her gown and he himself kissing her in the cheek.

A photo of Dinah Drake when she pregnant and Quentin is kissing the belly. The photo for when Dinah was born and they couldn’t help but cry while staring at her. The time they went to Hong Kong. Alan Scott had given them that as an anniversary gift.

“I wish…I wish it was still like that” he puts his head on the wall, almost wanting to cave his head in it “Dammit, D!”

He goes back to the couch, picking up his phone. Having his captain on speed dial. He’s so close to pressing the button and making the necessary call. Though Dinah Drake destroyed the camera bug, he can still rat her out. She has to be staying in the Grant Gym. He’ll expose them. He can expose that his daughter is the new Black Canary. For the badge and justice. He can expose all the Justice Society members that went underground. All…of…them.

Quentin’s eyes begin to go red. The tears are forming as his hand shakes. He drops his phone and falls on the floor. Quentin holds a chunk of his hair, trying to rip it out. Disgraced that even for a moment he considered selling out past friends of his. His wife. His wife that he wishes was still here.

“you made everything perfect, D. Dinah, my sweet sweet, Dinah”

THE STREETS

In a broken apartment that only has meth heads living it, Oliver Queen comes out of the smoke with a bottle of water. He has a trench coat over his Hood costume and he’s taken off the domino mask. He drinks from the bottle, all of it. While his thirst is satiated, his body is still hurting.

“Dinah” Oliver rubs his shoulder “Despite all the fights in Lian Yu, you actually gave me the hardest fight of my life”

“She did, boss?” Oliver turns to see Stephen Morrison in front. Happy as can be to see him.

“Ste-Stephen?! How did you find me?!”

“The DEO is planning on setting agents and cops in every town. So i'm having the Speedy’s do it first in terms of blocks. Not perfect but a work in progress. Rich and Daniel saw a familiar looking guy walking the last few blocks. And your face reminded them of the Hood. And here you are”

Oliver drops the bottle. Not looking to happy seeing Stephen “Stephen-”

“And Black Canary did this to you? She must have cheated. How can a chick beat The Hood?”

“Stephen-”

“I got worried you got lost or something. With you here we can-”

“Stephen!” Oliver’s voice causes Stephen to pause “What the HELL have you done?”

“What I-”

“How can you attack the city? Blowing places up? Scaring everyone?”

“Uh, weren’t we always scaring everyone? Need I remind you our job is to kill the guilty”

“NOT the innocents! Star Centre. Tinder Smith Garden-”

“And they had some bad people in there, boss man. Look, I think it’s the injuries that are making you-”

Hood grabs Stephen by front his hoodie, pulling him in “You little snot nosed, punk! We don’t do half measures! We don’t save a city by shooting arrows at children! We don’t kill good people!”

“You were fine with fighting Black Canary. Isn’t she a good person?”

“That’s different-”

“It’s the same! I just did what you were going to do eventually. I just fastened things up. You’re welcome”

“How dare you-”

Stephen elbows Oliver in the mid-section. With that, he runs away. Despite his state of pain, Oliver chases after him. He has no quiver, bow or arrows. No weapons whatsoever. But he still charges ahead. After 5 minutes of chasing, Oliver finds himself in the outskirts….

DAMEN HILLS

A relatively quiet district that was lucky avoid any kind of attacks throughout its history. Oliver chases Stephen all the way to a condemned toy factory. It’s as hollow as the Archery Range, but Oliver hardly cares. Stephen jumps from a catwalk and lands 10 feet away from Oliver.

“There’s still a chance you can walk out of this with no issues, Hood. A simple apology and hearing me out could help”

“You’re a criminal, Stephen. You’ve brainwashed all the Speedy’s to be maniacs and terrorists. Being a pariah is one thing. It’s another to be an extremist”

“We’ve all crossed lines, Hood”

“And you’ve jumped over it. Spat on it and made yourselves what you hate”

“So, you hate on me for being a “brainwasher” and being an extremist? That I influenced them? Hood, come ON. It wouldn’t have happened if YOU hadn’t influenced ME”

“What? How could I have influenced you?”

“Come on, man! You’re a walking power fantasy come to life! Taking down whoever you want however you want! That’s what I wanted to do to shmucks who rejected all my stories years ago! That’s what other young kids want to do to “the man”. To guys who control the law, the system.

You turned it upside down not by putting on a costume, stopping a purse snatcher and making children smile. But by sending the cowards to the gates of hell”

“That-that was differen-”

“You accepted a group of kids to be your troopers in a fight against ruthless, dangerous adults. Molded them as killing machines despite them not having any real control over their hormones to begin with. You want to judge ME as a criminal? I think you have to have powers, because hypocrisy is your weakness”

“Shut your mouth, kid!”

“No rebuttal? No witty comeback to make my boots shake so hard that the ground around us trembles till there’s no floor left to stand?”

The Hood approaches Stephen, but the young adult puts his hand out, still smirking.

“Stop right there. You won’t do crap and you know it. You want to yell at me about how we’re the brutal heroes that the real world needs. Stop lying to yourself, Hood. This ain’t even been about writing the wrongs done to your city. About how one day you woke up and found out the truth.

This is all, and has ever been to you, a game! A thrill ride. Honestly, I’m just gonna drop the pretenses and say, I relate to that to the upmost degree!”

Oliver is still baffled by what Stephen is saying. But his hands quiver, as his words are starting to get to him raw.

“As I said, a power fantasy you are. I wanted to write great stories, and buddy, you helped me forge the best one. You know how easy it was to dangle the carrot to the lost ones here around Starling? Giving them something, pretending they’re fighting a cause when in reality, they’re my characters to play with?”

“Yo-you bastard! How could you-”

“At least I’m honest with myself in that I’m using them to further my own enjoyment. But you? Why do you use them, huh?”

Stephen walks towards Oliver, he raises his fists up for a fight. But Stephen literally walks over him. Not even looking at him to an eye-to-eye level once.

“Did you have a lonely childhood and now found friends who wanted to play with you? Were you someone who wanted to have kids of his own but couldn’t find a special someone to make you babies?” He slaps his own head, feeling he now figured it out. Hood grits his teeth in sheer fury.

“Or perhaps you were actually lost at one point? Maybe lost the one good thing in your life? You let it go to waste and decided your own life was a waste, so you use the Speedy’s as a way to fill that hole in that pierced heart of yours?”

“AAGGHHHH” Oliver swipes his hand to strike Stephen but he ducks. The force he moved almost causes Ollie to fall and he stumbles. Stephen walks away from him. Still smiling.

“That was insightful. Poor, Hoodie hood hoodie. Your own declaration is as flimsy as a kid convincing himself their parents won’t divorce…right?” he laughs as he says the last word.

“…yes” Oliver drops to his knees “you’re right. you’re…******* right!” he pounds the ground in his anger. Multiple times to the amusement of Stephen.

“You know, if it brings you comfort. The Speedy’s are out there having their own thrill ride” Oliver looks up, his eyes having clearly teared up “I told them to splurge a little. They’re all haunting down those that piss them off. The ones who specifically screwed them over”

APARTMENT BUILDING

A coach has been shot with multiple arrows by a single Speedy “That was failing me in P.E.!”

BASKETBALL COURT

A group of kids just having fun are confused as more people seem to be coming in. All in red hoodies and holding bows.

CONVINIENCE STORE

A client has entered and the cashier warmly greets her “Hello, how may I help you today?”

The client raises his bow and arrow at her “You *****. This is for ratting me out last year!”

DAMEN HILLS

Stephen brushes his bottom chin in proudness “Man, the DEO is gonna come at us hard for that. This war just got so much more interesting! I wonder how Black Canary will fit into all this. Is she alive right now? I don’t know. I think they shot her dead!” he laughs.

Oliver gasps, covering his mouth in shock “no, dinah”

“You say something, crybaby?”

“she…she has to be okay. She-” Oliver stops muttering to himself. A thought now kicks in. He stands up, his eyes almost glowing red “How? How did you move around so quick? All the attacks. How?”

“Uh, by being really good?”

“I trained you kids well, but not that well. You have no real mutuum of transport. No big weapons to level several monuments like you did. You had to have had help from someone. Someone more powerful than even me”

Stephen rests his backs on the wall. He pounds on the door “FINALLY, you get to enter”

BBUMM

The door is kicked in in a grand show of forcefulness. The entrance door even reaches the feet of the Hood from afar. The man himself startled as the herculean person walks into the building. He towers over everyone, even they were standing on a ladder.

“Hood, you already know how XTV and other networks rejected me. How I loathe each and every one of them. All except one man. And his name is Daniel Brickwell!”

The man himself fists bumps Stephen “He was a friend of Buddy Simmons and was invited to those meetings. He was the one guy who tried to talk Buddy into accepting my ideas but Buddy had other friends there to tell him no.

We’ve kept in touch. Always meeting once in a while for a lunch. And in that last one, I had a biiiig favor. And given his incredible wealth and connections, he helped me and the Speedy’s”

“Hey Hood!” his bellow rings Hood’s ears almost as much as his appearance “That offer Stephen tried to bring up? Lets just it’s now off the table”

“uurrh-RRAAAHHH” Having had enough, Oliver runs at Brickwell, having had enough of talking. Brickwell just slaps him across the face and sends Hood back where he was. Brickwell already looks like he’s made from bricks, now Oliver knows his strikes feel like one smacking into your face.

Brickwell puts his foot is Hood’s chest. Slowly applying pressure, causing Hood to flail like a fish out of water “I think he wants to breath”

“Come now, Mr. Brickwell” Stephen pats him on the back “No need to break him. He’s already shattered. Isn’t that, right, hmm?”

Oliver stares at the two. No longer anger but only…defeat. Brickwell releases his foot from Oliver, chuckling alongside Stephen as the two exit. Oliver tries to get up, but the strength has vanished. None left. Just misery and humility.

THE GRANT GYM

Across the edifice people are resting. Eating whatever they can and helping those close to them. In Ted Grant’s own room, he drinks a brew sky alongside Dinah and Dinah Sr. “This…” Dinah rubs the back of her head “is a lot of a lot”

“I know. Honestly, not surprising coming from Tex” comments Dinah Sr.

“You think so?” questions Dinah “He seemed odd to me before, but weren’t you…maybe friends with him at some point?”

“Not really. We respected Tex, but there’s a reason he never joined the JSA. Guy always wanted power”

Ted snorts “Always talked about how one day he would be the first superhero to make it to the White House. I think as a boy he drew a picture of himself with a big ****-”

“Ted!” yells Dinah Sr. with Dinah covering her mouth in laughter.

“...With a big **** while in a throne in the oval office with babes caressing him”

"Grow up, old man" she smacks him across the back of his head

“So, he wants it all” remarks Dinah

“And by setting an example with Starling..." Ted says rubbing the back of his head "He might even make a play for Bones’ position as Director of the DEO…”

“And eventually parlay that into a career in politics” Dinah Sr. finishes off. Dinah taps on her bottle, thinking of way too much, and the elder hero notices it “Dear? Are you okay?”

“Hm? Me? Yeah. I’m getting by. It’s just…” she gets up, leaving her beer on the table “It’s just I never expected it to be like this. I thought my first year would be stop mafiosos and ****bag businessmen. Not fighting America’s top military force”

“It was going to happen eventually, sweetie. Now’s the time you decide what to do. Hang up the costume or fight the tough fight. Whatever it is, it’s your choice. We won’t begrudge you for anything”

Dinah puts her head on the wall, once more lost in her mind, figuring out what to do.

STARLING GENERAL HOSPITAL

Malcolm Merlyn sits next to his son Tommy, holding his hand as he remains in a coma “Don’t worry. This is a great opportunity. We’ll make you better. You’ll finally reach your potential this time” Merlyn smirks, giddy at this new prospect.

BRICKWELL’S ESTATE

In a theatre room, watching fancam footage of people running away in terror of the attacks of the Speedy’s, Stephen Morrison and Daniel Brickwell toast to each other at this evening.

CONSTRUCTION SITE

A DEO Base is being built in Starling. Overseeing it are Mr. America and All-American Kid. The latter of whom speaks up “Jeez whiz, boss. Pretty sure I doodled something like this when I was a child”

Tex pats him protégé on the back “Felt like giving ya back something. This just the beginning, William. I'm not someone who's comfortable with a measly position people think is an accomplishment. I strive for more. This city and this country will remember me as the greatest victor” he and his sidekick grin.

THE GLADES

The homeless are all huddled up, trying to feel the warmth of the fire from the garbage tank. Budding in to get close, Oliver Queen is in front of the fire, the people around him confused. One guy gets too close to him, not knowing where he is “oh buldu. Oh bilda-”

Oliver pops him in the mouth, chipping a tooth and dropping him. He scowls at the others, with all of them running away. With the fire to himself, Oliver takes off his costume of the hood. The suit, the mask, even the empty quiver he kept strap to his back.

One by one, he drops the items into the tank. Slowly watching as it all burns. Everything he was as The Hood is in flames. To him, it was all a lie. And now the lie can smolder. He is now in rags. He is now no different than those around him. He is now nothing.

GRANT GYM

Having had enough of pondering the dilemma and sick of what worries will come, Dinah Lance stands strong before her mentors. With purpose and courage “The Black Canary will save this city. One ass kicking at a time”