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Green Arrow and Dark Archer currently trading blows. The Emerald Archer might have been able to overpower his nemesis if it weren't for Prometheus joining in on the fight right about now. Thank fully, he's able to hold his own but is caught off guard when they both kick him the gut, making him reel back. Prometheus grabs him by the hood and throws him face first into a wall. Dark Archer manages to grab Oliver and put him in a choke hold.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure both your wives, sister and mother will be joining you in death very soon." Malcolm says to his godson, who tries to resist but can't due to lack of oxygen. Joining them are former Lady Shiva's former and rogue student, Ricardo Diaz, Chien Ne wei aka China White, Constantine Drakkon and Simon Lacroix aka Komodo, wanting to see the man who has foiled and stopped their plans and beaten them up for years. Malcolm whisper in his ear: "So will your son." That makes something inside the former Warith al Ghul snap.
Oliver elbows Malcolm in the various times, breaking from the choke hold and knees Malcolm in the face, hard. Black Canary, Black Siren, Black Arrow, Red Arrow (Emiko Queen), Wild Dog, Artemis (Thea Queen), and Arsenal arrive to back him. Black Canary and Black Siren engage Diaz, Wild Dog trades blows with Komodo, Red Arrow and Artemis with China White and Arsenal faces off against Drakkon. Black Arrow charges Prometheus, keeping him occupied while Green Arrow deals with Dark Archer. Oliver deals a serious of blows and strikes to Malcolm.
"Over my dead body." Oliver snarls, repeatedly punching Malcolm in the face and body, the former League of Assassin horsemen not having enough time to fight back.
He’s tackled by Athena, trying to but for Malcolm to recover but Oliver overpowers her easily, knocking her out with a hard punch to the face. He turns to Malcolm walking into an alley.
He chases after him. He dodges an arrow meant to hit him in time. He sees Malcolm, his hood up and mask on.
“So, tell me. Are you ready to die?” Malcolm asks, referencing their fight top of Merlyn Global all those years ago. The night of the Undertaking. The night Oliver failed to save Tommy.
“Are you?” Oliver shoots back, earning a scoff from his Godfather.
Malcolm fires another arrow. Oliver dodges firing his own arrow. Malcolm ducks under it, firing at Oliver. They both keep firing arrows, which bounce off each other until Malcolm does to strike Oliver with his bow which Oliver slides under and blocks Malcolm’s proceeding attack with his own bow. He dodges all of Malcolm’s attacks, landing a well-placed hit with his bow on the former horseman.
He makes Malcolm duck and roll, aiming and firing an arrow at him, which Malcolm stops inches away from his face. Unlike the last time, he fires it back Oliver, which explodes right in front of him, making fall back. Malcolm smirks but it leaves as soon as he sees Oliver get back up quicker than he expected.
“New suit. Made to handle explosives and hard impacts a little better than before.” Oliver informed him, leaving the fact that Oliver has gotten use to such explosives and the explosive arrow he fired was a little breeze compared to some explosions he’s dealt with.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m still the superior warrior.” Malcolm said arrogantly, earning a scoff from the Emerald Archer.
“If that were true, I wouldn’t have kicked your ass dozens of times in the past.” Oliver reminded him.
“But this time, I came much more prepared.” Malcolm said. Soon after, Thanatos Guild assassins dropped in, surrounding Oliver. Malcolm smirked, knowing that Oliver was weakened due to exhaustion from all the fighting these past few years while Malcolm was still quite fresh despite some skirmishes. He knew Oliver could outlast him so he his men wear him down more, evening the playing field.
Oliver grimaced, realizing what Malcolm was doing.
“Duck, lover.” He heard a female say, which he did, an arrow embedding it self in a Thanatos Guild assassin. He turns to see Cupid, aiming an arrow at another assassin.
Ben Turner aka Bronze Tiger and Jade Nyugen jump behind the other assassins, starting to take them out.
“Deal with Merlyn, Queen. We’ve these punks, go.” Ben said, stabbing an assassin with his three knifed brass knuckle (kego kagi blade was the closest I could find to resemble it), killing them. Jade stabs them with her Sais, the poisons she laced in them killing them slowly and pain fully.
Oliver runs after Malcolm, who had run back after seeing all three enter the scene. He rounds to corner, seeing a decepticon vehicon that spots him. It goes to fire at him but is hit with Sabot rounds from Adrian Chase aka Vigilante, making the vehicon fall back, being offline.
“I saw Merlyn head to where the others are. End it, Oliver.” Adrian said.
“He dies, no matter what.” Oliver promised him grimly, earning a nod from the Anti-hero. He chases after Malcolm, seeing him approach Tommy, who was struggling with Chase.
He goes to hit Malcom with his bow but swings around and parries it with his scimitar. Oliver swings his bow, which Malcolm ducks and goes to strike Oliver. Oliver catches his arm in time and disarms of his scimitar with his bow, landing blows in his wrist. Malcolm kicks Oliver in the back in retaliation. Oliver delivers a capoeira kick to Malcolm’s head, making fall back.
Malcolm gets back, grabbing his bow. He and Oliver charge at each other. The two trade blows, not giving quarter to the other. Malcolm decks Oliver across the face his bow.
“Oh, come one. You can do better than that. You’re a killer, a depraved monster who found a way to channel his darkness and pat himself in the back for it!” Malcolm said ruthlessly, trying to bring back all those memories of what Chase was trying to convince him, that he was a monster who enjoyed killing.
Despite his small bits of doubt, he squashed them down, knowing that everyone he killed was either in self-defense or because they had something truly horrific or there was no other alternative.
Oliver and Malcolm kept on trading blows until Malcolm decks Oliver again in the face.
“Your father took the coward’s way out, and all these years, you told yourself it was brave, but he was a coward, just like you.” Malcolm sneered, making Oliver relive his father’s death but also his final words.
“You can make it home, make it better, right my wrongs.” Robert said before he shot his bodyguard.
“Survive.” His father said before aiming the gun at himself.
It fueled him, remembering why he fights, why he wears this hood. For his father, for Shado, for Akio and everyone he’s lost along the way but also the people he loves who still breath like Sara, Nyssa, Thea, Laurel, Slade, Talia, Roy, Tommy, Emiko and every one else and the people of his city.
“I’m not my father. I’m not Robert Queen.” Oliver stated matter of factly. He managed to block and parry all of Malcolm’s blows and grab his godfather by the throat.
“I am my own man. My name is OLIVER QUEEN! I AM THE GREEN ARROW!” He exclaimed, making Malcolm’s eyes widen in fear, now seeing why he and Bruce where both perfect heirs in Ra’s eyes. They both had a will and determination rarely seen and they both had it in large quantities but Oliver took it a step further, not afraid to ends his enemies lives if they are too dangerous in his eyes while Bruce used to hold himself back, wanting to give his enemies a chance until he killed joker and most likely Ra’s soon if the way things are turning out happen.
Oliver throws Malcolm against, delivering a rapid series of punches, remembering all the lessons of his mentors and friends over the years.
“Breath, everything breath.” Yao Fei said.
“There is now giving up to these guys. No crying or buying your away out of it!” Slade exclaimed, aiming a gun to his face.
“Everyone has a demon inside of them. The ‘Dao De Jing’ recognizes the Ying and the Yang. Opposing forces inside all of us. The darkness. Light. The killer… and the hero.” Shade said to him.
“Living is not for the weak.” Anatoly said to him in the Amazo.
“A man cannot live by two names.” Maseo told him in Hong Kong.
“There are people in the world who deal only in extremes and it would be naïve to think anything less than extreme measures will stop them.” Amanda Waller informed him coldly in Hong Kong.
“There is a monster inside you, yes, but it is not you.” He asked Talia what the difference was. “No, you need to create one.” She gave him Yao Fei’s hood. “You need to give the monster an identity. It’s only when the monster becomes someone else, some…thing…else that you’re free to be Oliver Queen.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready.” He said to her honestly.
“I will help you become ready.” She gave him his old bow.
“You can’t beat me, Oliver. Yes, you’re younger and faster yet you always seem to come up short against me. Wanna know why? Because you don’t know in your heart what you’re fighting for.”
“I called you a murdered, Ollie but you are not, you are a hero. You beat the island; you beat my father. So, get up, Ollie.” A hallucination of Tommy encouraged him when he was fighting Cyrus Gold.
“I could not be more proud.” Moira said to him when she revealed she knew his identity the night she died.
“I know who you are in your bones, Oliver and that person doesn’t give up.” Laurel said to him after his mother died, urging him to fight.
He remembers it all their lessons and words of encouragement, beating Malcolm until he’s on the ground, wincing and hissing in pain.
“Thank you for once again teaching what I am fighting for.” Oliver said. He breaks both of Malcolm’s kneecaps by landing well placed kicks in said kneecaps, making sure he doesn’t escape. He aims a bola arrow at him, firing it and it wraps around Malcolm.
“But my friends and family remind me of remind of how.” Oliver finished, slumping exhaustion but knowing the battle was far from over.
Green Arrow looked at Dark Archer, who had just had both his knee caps broken by said Archer, feeling nothing but hatred for his god father, who sentenced him to five years of hell and killed his father but without that, he would never become the man he is today. So in very twisted way, Malcolm, and to a smaller extent Ra's, helped him become the Green Arrow. He was broken out of his musing by Malcolm laughing suddenly.
"What's so funny, Malcolm?"
"You think your a hero?" Malcolm asks instead of answering him.
"Huh?"
"You think your a hero?" Malcolm asks, his louder than before. Green Arrow smirks and aims an arrow to Malcolm's head.
"No. I'm just the monster that hunts monster." Green Arrow answers. He lets the arrow go, killing Malcolm. Black Arrow, who had seen what was going on, makes his way to his brother in all but blood.
"You okay?" He asks cautiously.
"I'm fine. Though I think I should ask you that." Green Arrow looks at Black Arrow not in sympathy but in understanding.
"I told you, my father died the same night as my mother. That monster was simply wearing my father's face." Black Arrow says resolutely, They look at Black Canary, Arsenal, Black Siren, Artemis, Red Arrow and Wild Dog walking towards them.
“All tied up Hoss.” Wild Dog informs the Emerald Archer.
“Except Prometheus. He’s dead.” Arsenal add, quite gleefully. He looks at his team, who all look at bit beaten up and tired but are still in fighting shape.
“All right. Let’s move out and join the big battle.”
*
Oliver Queen was very well known for his patience but even he had his limits. Jazz tried to change the conversation but Oliver felt something snap when Clark practically brushed off what he, Sara, Matt and Bruce were saying.
“No, we clearly haven’t.” Oliver growled at Clark, who gulped at the look on Oliver’s face.
“Let me ask you this, if you had no super powers, were just a regular human like the most of us here despite being very well trained going up against dozens of armed with nothing but a bow and 20 or so arrows, would you hesitate to kill them in self-defense? For you and for any innocents possibly caught in the crossfire.” Oliver asked pointedly, making Bruce, Matt, Peter and the other street level heroes and killers look at the Kryptonian in curiosity.
“I… I take them down to prevent them from getting back up.” Clark said softly.
“Then you have your answer. Try looking down the streets you try and claim to protect. This meeting is finished.” Oliver said, Bruce, Matt and Peter nodding in agreement. Everyone knew who were really in charge in the room and it certainly wasn’t Optimus or Clark.
*
Oliver, Sara and Nyssa were now in their bed in their Wayne Manor guest room, laying down after getting their injuries checked. They had done all
“How are Thea and Roy?” Oliver asked them.
“They’re alright, Husband. Simply resting after Jason gave Mr. Harper a sedative to sleep.” Nyssa informed, snuggling up to his side but mindful of his bruised ribs.
“The others are all resting up. Now, tell us what’s really bothering you?” Sara, knowing he was trying to distract them from having a serious conversation.
“I’m not sure was far off when told me I’m just a depraved monster.” Oliver said, some of his old issues resurfacing.
“Ollie, you kill because you have to, not because you enjoy it.” Sara said sternly.
“If you did, I would have ended you the first time we met. I know evil when I see it and you are not. Mr. Merlyn was, as was all the others you killed.” Nyssa said, making Oliver look into her eyes to see she was telling nothing but the truth.
“I know but I’m glad you two remind me of that.”
“And we shall do so until it is ingrained in your mind.”
“But even then.” Sara said with a teasing grin. Oliver kissed her, growing more heated and passionate. Nyssa helps them remove their clothes along with removing hers as well. The threesome spend two hours making love.
*
One Month later
Oliver was looking Tim, Jason and the other Outlaws talking and joking around, smiling a bit at seeing Tim less somber than he was three and a half months ago.
“You good?” He looks to see Roy, wearing some jeans and a black star trek t shirt. He noticed he only had a water, thankful Roy truly kicked his drug and alcoholism, for Lian’s sake at least.
“Yeah. Just glad Tim’s better than before.”
“You and me both. Saw that kid the first few weeks. He looked like death incarnate with how skinny he was and that dead look in his eyes, it genuinely frightened me.” Roy said honestly, rubbing the back of his neck subconsciously.
“Glad to see he has more meat in his bones.” Oliver said, taking a sip of his beer.
“Yeah.” Roy said somberly.
“Roy, what is it?” Oliver asked, his eyes narrowing in concern.
“After the battle, me and Jade had a talk. More of an argument really. I wanted her to give her lifestyle, saying how she could join the League and maybe be with Lian but she didn’t budge on the last part, stating how she wants Lian to grow up as normal as she can and she can’t give her that.”
Silently, Oliver was cheering a bit at Lian his granddaughter niece not being near her assassin mother but he felt for Roy, knowing he wants Lian to have both of her parents, even if they aren’t together.
“Roy, this life usually ends only one way. Every day we’re out there could be our last. I think Jade acknowledges that and doesn’t want Lian to lose her mother.” Oliver said, making Roy raises his eyebrow in confusion.
“So, you’re saying she doesn’t to get close to Lian because she’s afraid of what?”
“Her enemies realizing, she has a daughter and going to hunt her down is a massive danger. Just having a daughter is big danger but she’s with us. I’ll split this word open and tear down the sky before I allow her to come to even the slightest harm. Everyone one else is the same, Roy.” Oliver assured him.
“I know. Just wish Lian had her mother.”
“She does, in a way.” Oliver said, motioning to where Thea was with Lian on her lap, Tommy and Laurel with her, the former making funny faces at her. Roy smiles despite himself.
“Yeah.” He takes a sip of his water. “Thank you. I just... needed to hear that, I think.”
“Anytime, Roy.” Oliver said, putting a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it in comfort. Roy walks away, joining Thea, Lian, Tommy and Laurel, grabbing Lian and raising in the air a bit, making her giggle.
Oliver would, if only to himself, admit he sees Roy to an extent as a son. He would do anything for him and Lian. He wasn’t Lian to Roy. He would do anything to keep her safe.
He also knew that Roy would one day take on his mantle. While he hoped that day would not be for a long while as he still had at least five more years, he knew the time would come soon. If it did, he hoped Roy was ready. The same for Jason and Miles, knowing they would be the next Batman and Spider-Man. He still had no idea who could be the next Daredevil, resolving to do some research on who could take up Matt’s mantle.
Because if their was one thing this world needed, it’s a Dark Knight, Emerald Archer, Wallcrawler and Man without fear to keep the boogeyman out of kids closets.