115Ellie Bishop: Yep, last chapter largely acted as set up for multiple future storylines.
Jinero: Well, first he shoots Barbara, paralyzing her. And it's implied he raped her as well. Then he kidnaps Gordon, beats him, drugs him, and shows him nude pictures of Barbara after he shot her all in order to drive Gordon insane. It's really one of the most perverse things Joker has ever done.
Starling City
Afternoon
Oliver walked into the now familiar garage, drawing the attention of Alexi and his men.
"Ah, welcome brother," Alexi said as Oliver walked over to them. "We have not seen you since you asked us to…handle the associates of Isabel Rochev."
"Being CEO of a major company is a little time consuming. I do have another favor to ask though," Oliver said and Alexi raised an eyebrow as Oliver pulled out some files.
"Another meeting with a drug dealer?" Alexi asked as Oliver handed him the file.
"Nothing like that. That is everything I know about a man called Simon Morrison. About a year ago, he wiped all digital traces of himself from existence. I know the Bratva can go places others won't, get things others can't," Oliver said as Alexi opened the file.
"What interest is this man to you?" Alexi inquired as he looked through the file.
"Let's just say that he and I have unfinished business," Oliver said vaguely and Alexi nodded.
"First, you know how this works," Alexi said, closing the file.
"I do something for you, you do something for me," Oliver said, already expecting it and Alexi nodded.
"Someone has been interfering in our business, attacking my men," Alexi said as he turned away from Oliver.
"Who is he?" Oliver asked curiously.
"Not he, she," Alexi corrected, taking Oliver back. "My men report a masked blonde women dressed in black wielding a baton. She is very skilled and aggressive, putting several of my men in the hospital."
"And what do you want me to do about it?" Oliver asked curiously.
"I'm sure that someone of your…capabilities is able to handle her," Alexi said as he turned around to face Oliver, a gleam in his eye that made Oliver's blood run cold.
"I'll do my best," Oliver muttered as he turned to leave.
"I'm sure you will," Alexi said smugly as Oliver walked out.
Arrow lair
Afternoon
"The Bratva know who you are?" Felicity yelped after Oliver told her and Diggle of his meeting with Alexi.
"Alexi does, I'm not sure about the others," Oliver said with a sigh.
"How is that possible if you were on Lian Yu for five years?" Felicity asked confused.
"Unless you weren't," Diggle said knowingly as Oliver remained silent.
"My fifth year away, I spent a lot of time in Russia," Oliver said after a moment. "Some of the Bratva saw me in the hood. I'm sure me showing up in Starling City not long before The Hood made his first appearance made some of them put two and two together."
"Why didn't you tell us this?" Diggle asked.
"Why don't you tell us about your time in Afghanistan?" Oliver shot back and Diggle had the decency to look sheepish. "You of a people know there are thigs soldiers don't talk about. There are things in my past I'm not ready to talk about, that I might never be ready to talk about. I need you to respect that John."
"You're right, I was out of line," Diggle apologized and Oliver nodded.
"Back on topic, what are you going to do about our resident copycat?" Felicity asked curiously.
"We don't know she's a copycat. I want you to look into her, find any information about a blond woman in black," Oliver ordered Felicity.
"Are we stopping her or thanking her?" Felicity inquired.
"That depends," Oliver said vaguely.
"On want?" Felicity asked.
"What she's after," Oliver said simply.
Starling City
Night
"Quite a turnout," Isabel said testily as she and Oliver stood next to each other, seeing the quest of Oliver's benefit for The Glades.
"And I'm sure you're overjoyed," Oliver said sarcastically.
"I just don't believe we should bankrupt ourselves in trying to restore your family name," Isabel shot back.
"No, you just believe in gutting companies, putting hundreds of people out of work in the name of 'winning'," Oliver said calmly, enjoying the look of anger on her face. "I've done my research on you Isabel, every company you've acquired has profited at the cost of its employees. You think you fight for your company? No, you only fight yourself."
Oliver could see her seething with anger but he couldn't help but be impressed as she walked off rather than make a scene. Say what you will about Isabel Rochev, she knew how to control her emotions.
"Nicely done," Laurel said as she walked up, having heard the last part of their conversation.
"Thanks. What are you doing here?" Oliver asked, surprised to see her there.
"As I am your oldest friend, the DA's office opted to have me be here to represent them," Laurel said sarcastically and Oliver winced.
"I'm sorry about that," Oliver apologized and she sighed.
"It comes with the territory I guess. You've had a busy week. Corrupt business tycoons, serial killers, crooked politicians. You're a superhero Ollie," Laurel said and Oliver looked away at the look of pride on her face.
"I'm not a hero Laurel, I'm just a guy trying to do his best to save his city," Oliver said evasively.
"So was Tony Stark," Laurel said calmly, almost laughing at the look of confusion on Oliver's face. "You need to catch up on the movies you missed while you were away."
"Mr. Queen."
Oliver and Laurel looked up to see a dark haired man with matching eyes approach them. Oliver thought he looked vaguely familiar.
"Sabastian Blood," Blood said, holding out a hand out to Oliver and Oliver's eyes lit up in recognition.
"The Alderman from The Glades," Oliver noted as he shook Blood's hand and Blood nodded.
"I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment," Blood said and Oliver nodded.
"Of course," Oliver said as he looked over at Laurel. "I'll see you later."
"Sure," Laurel said with a nod as she turned to Blood. "Alderman Blood."
"Miss Lance," Blood greeted politely as she walked off.
"So what can I do for you Alderman?" Oliver inquired.
"I came here tonight to offer you some friendly advice," Blood said and Oliver raised an eyebrow. "The people of the Glades have a lot of anger towards your family."
"As they should," Oliver said calmly, taking Blood back. "My mother was involved with something terrible. But I'm not her. If that's your warning Alderman, you've wasted both our time."
"Mr. Queen, Not every problem can be solved by throwing your money around," Blood told him.
"I agree," Oliver said, taking Blood back. "But, in case you're in need of a history lesson, this country was built in no small part because of rich men in a position of power. If you think this city can be saved without the assistance of the rich, you're fooling yourself Alderman."
"You know, I've seen your office. Quite a view. How small we must look from up there," Blood said condescendingly and Oliver smiled tightly.
"How small I must look from up on your high horse," Oliver said, taking Blood back. "I see the way you look at me, it's the same look I've gotten most of my life from people who only saw Robert Queen's son, decided I was rich scum and would only ever be rich scum. You may have come here under the illusion of friendship, but it's become very clear during this conversation that you're far more interested in judging me than working with me. Have a good night Alderman."
Oliver then walked off, leaving Blood staring after him with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Everything okay?" Diggle asked as he walked up to Oliver.
"Yeah. There is just…something off about that guy," Oliver muttered, unable to shake the uneasy feeling about Blood.
Oliver then felt his phone vibrate. Pulling it out, he saw he had a text from Felicity.
'Got something.'
Arrow lair
Later
"Over the last few months, there's been police reports of a woman in black attacking, well, attackers," Felicity told Oliver and Diggle. "She put five would be rapists in the hospital."
"She's targeting criminals, which explains why she's going after the Bratva," Oliver muttered.
"First the hoods, now her. Looks like you started a movement," Diggle noted and Oliver sighed.
"I don't want to start a movement, so we find her," Oliver ordered.
"And how do we do that?" Felicity inquired.
Bar
Later
"So, how was your first night on the job?" Jade asked as she and Roy cleaned up after closing.
"Honestly you should try Verdant some time. Compared to that, this was easy," Roy said as he tied a trash bag.
Roy then walked back into the back alley, tossing the bag into a dumpster. His air standing on end, Roy pulled out the flechette Oliver had given him and threw it. However, Oliver easily caught it, surprising Roy.
"Good reflexes," Oliver said as he tossed the arrow back at Roy's feet.
"Was wondering when I'd see you again," Roy said as he picked up the flechette.
"There's someone new it town, a woman in black. She's targeting criminals. Find her, do not engage, leave that to me," Oliver ordered before walking off, disappearing into the shadows.
Arrow lair
Later
"Do you really think Roy can find her?" Diggle asked skeptically.
"Maybe not, but it's a good trial run for him. I want you to tail him tomorrow," Oliver ordered.
"So I have to follow him around?" Diggle asked incredulously.
"Just keep an eye on him. The flechette I gave him doubles as a tracer; I wanna know where he goes and who he talks to. With any luck, Roy might be able to pick up a lead we can use to find our woman in black," Oliver explained.
It always annoys me when Diggle gets huffy about Oliver not telling him things about his five years of hell, yet Diggle isn't exactly offering things about his time in Afghanistan. Diggle is a soldier; he should understand that there are things people like Oliver don't talk about.
