Sitting in the dimly lit Arrow Cave, Jonathan had hatched a plan to scare Oliver upon his return from whatever duties had called him away. He positioned himself strategically, hidden just out of view from someone entering the main area of the cave.
As he waited with a grin, anticipating Oliver's reaction, likely an arrow or knife sent his way, Jonathan's ears picked up the sound of footsteps descending the stairs. His grin widened, ready to spring his playful ambush.
But as the footsteps grew closer, Jonathan realized they sounded lighter. With a flicker of curiosity, he prepared to confront whoever was coming down into Oliver's sanctum. Though he did think it was probably Felicity and she was going to have a heart attack.
He was correct it was Felicity who entered the cave, her attention instantly moving towards her computer as she took her seat, unaware of Jonathan's presence. Seeing his opportunity, he waited until she was fully absorbed in her work before springing his trap.
With a burst of speed, he leaped from his hiding spot and yelled, "Boo!" Felicity let out a high-pitched scream, startled by the sudden intrusion into the cave's silence.
Catching her breath, she exclaimed, "Oh my God, oh my God, what's happening?" Her hands flew to her chest as she turned to identify the source of her fright, her heart racing from the surprise. Jonathan couldn't help but burst into laughter, from seeing her startled.
Seeing that it was just Jonathan, Felicity's initial shock transformed into a mix of relief and annoyance. "What the hell was that? Why would you do that?" she demanded, as she hit his arm.
Jonathan, unable to contain a mischievous grin, responded, "Oh, it was just harmless fun. To be honest, I was hoping to get Oliver, but this is good as well." His tone playful, "He probably knows I'm here now though."
Oliver's voice suddenly broke through the light-hearted moment from behind them, causing both Jonathan and Felicity to turn in surprise. "Oh, I definitely know you're here now," he said, a small smile playing on his face. "Anyone in a mile radius knows we are here."
He stepped closer, the amusement clear in his expression. "It's been a week. What happened, Jonathan? I thought you'd be back sooner," Oliver asked, his tone shifting to one of curiosity about Jonathan's absence.
"I planned on it," he began, "but I was with my brother and dad. Ever since my coma, they are always worried about me." He shrugged. "I'm sure your family was the same once you got back from your five year sabbatical."
Oliver nodded in understanding. "Yeah, my family was the same," he acknowledged. Changing the subject, Oliver then asked, "So, what are you doing here now?"
Jonathan smiled. "I came to practice some more fighting and follow you around on patrol tonight," he said, eager to get back into learning.
"We have a few hours until night, so we can do some weapons training," Oliver suggested.
As they were discussing, the sound of footsteps approached, and Roy Harper made his way into the Arrow Cave. Jonathan, although already aware of Roy's identity and his role alongside Oliver, still showed a look of surprise.
Jonathan turned to Oliver, "Who's this?" he asked, hoping he was convincing.
Oliver turned towards Roy. "This is my partner, Roy. In the field, we call him Arsenal."
Jonathan, seizing the moment to make a formal introduction of his own, extended his hand towards Roy, "Hey Roy, I'm Jonathan." He then added. "When we're suited up, you can call me Astrape."
Roy, grasped Jonathan's hand firmly. "Astrape huh?" he mused, "What's it mean?"
Jonathan smiled. "It from Greek mythology, referring to lightning or a thunderbolt. It also depicts a sudden radiant burst of light, associated with lightning or energy."
Jonathan turned back to Oliver. "Well, what are we waiting for?" he exclaimed, his tone filled with anticipation. "Let's get to practicing."
A few hours passed, the intense training taking its toll on Jonathan and Roy, their bodies bruised from the exercises. As they rested, Felicity's voice cut through the post-training haze, relaying a message from Captain Lance requesting Oliver's presence at a crime scene.
Oliver, taking in the information with a quick nod, turned to Jonathan and Roy. "Stand by. I won't be long. Keep yourselves ready," he instructed, before suiting up and running out.
Jonathan stood up. "Well, I better suit up as well." He declared.
Roy, looking over in surprise, couldn't help but voice his curiosity. "How are you not worn out?" Jonathan's swift rebound from exhaustion startling him.
Jonathan's smile widened at Roy's question. "Speedsters do everything fast, even healing," he explained, a touch of pride in his voice.
His expression then shifted to a mild frown as he continued, "Though that means I have to eat a lot, which is kinda breaking my bank at the moment." He shrugged, "I've been studying in my free time so I can learn to make a calorie dense food bar."
"Wait," Roy shook his head. "How many calories are you needing right now?"
Jonathan's smile returned."I'm consuming 10,000 calories a day," he remarked casually. "And the only reason it isn't more is because my body uses its own powers to fuel itself."
At that revelation, Roy's expression morphed into one of sheer astonishment. "How do you even manage to get that many calories in?"
Jonathan shrugged slightly, the routine having become a second nature to him. "Weight gainer shakes and really large meals," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "It's not easy, and it gets pretty repetitive, but it does the trick."
As Jonathan and Roy continued their discussion on the dietary demands of a speedster, Felicity geared up to leave the Arrow Cave. At that moment, John Diggle walked in. Noticing Felicity's departure, he asked, "What's up?"
Felicity paused, turning towards him with a half-smile. "Oh, it's nothing. I just have to head to work... my other work," she explained.
Fully inside now, Diggle scanned the room, his eyes settling on Roy and Jonathan. Noticing Oliver's absence, he questioned, "Where's Oliver?"
Roy turned towards Diggle. "He's out talking to Capt. Lance. He said he wouldn't be long," Roy explained, his brow furrowed slightly. "Is something wrong?"
Diggle shook his head. "No, nothing," he replied, he then added, "Do we know what he's looking into?"
Oliver walked in at that moment. He held an arrow within an evidence bag, drawing immediate attention. Diggle questioned, "Another copycat archer?" with a frown.
Oliver shook his head, a serious tone to his voice as he clarified, "No, the MO is different." He moved to upload some photos to the computer, then pulled one up on the large screen. The image was startling—a dead body dressed as the Arrow. "Whoever this person is, they're calling me out," Oliver began, his focus sharpening as he pointed towards the disturbing depiction.
Jonathan,not recognizing the person, asked, "Is that anyone you guys know?"
"Just some nobody we put away last night," Oliver responded, dismissive of the victim's identity.
During this exchange, Roy examined the arrow more closely. He pointed out the arrow head. "Is this a spade?"
Jonathan leaned over for a closer look. "I think it's a heart," he corrected. "I also think that the arrow head is hollow."
Diggle's gaze shifted from the arrow to Jonathan. "Why do you think that?" he asked, prompting Jonathan to elaborate.
Jonathan pointed towards the arrow, the details that had caught his attention. "The way the head is shaped," he explained. This wasn't just a random choice. Jonathan knew that from the show but had to make something up otherwise they may never know as Oliver wasn't beating on the arrow head in anger.
"Was any other arrow left behind?" Jonathan continued. "If not, then whoever did this may have left it for a reason. Maybe there's something in it."
Oliver nodded in agreement. "Let's break it open and see if we can find anything," he decided.
Snapping the arrowhead in half and revealing the hidden note with an address, Jonathan laughed. "I knew it!" he exclaimed, pumping his arm. "I'm a freakin' genius." His reaction was genuine, he didn't know if anything had changed timeline wise so this was a win to him.
Roy responded with a half-laugh. "Sure, sure," he said, his tone light.
Oliver, though remained serious. "I hate to interrupt, but let's go," he began, setting the plan into motion. "Diggle, I need you here on support while Felicity is out." He then turned to Roy, assigning him his role. "You'll be on overwatch. Stick to the roofs and keep watch for anything suspicious." His tone was authoritative.
Finally, he addressed Jonathan directly, "Jonathan, stick with me. Let's see what we can find."
--
Arrow and Astrape stepped cautiously into a hall, the atmosphere inside eerily romantic—the floor was covered in a thick layer of rose petals. As they advanced, Oliver began to comment on the unusual scene before them, his voice trailing off into an incredulous murmur, "What...?"
Jonathan couldn't help but smirk. "I was right, that was definitely a heart not a spade. Bet this is some love-struck weirdo that wants you," he jested, knowing he was right but also wanting to tease Oliver.
Oliver, however, remained focused and somewhat apprehensive, his head shaking slightly in response. "We don't know anything yet. Stay on guard," he cautioned.
Reaching for his ear to communicate with the team, Oliver checked in. "Arsenal, Dig, do you see anything?" he asked, hoping for some piece of information.
"Nothing," Dig's voice came through clearly. Arsenal added his own confirmation from his vantage point, "All clear." Echoing down the hall, drawing both Astrape and Arrow's attention toward its source was a ringing.
They stacked up on the door from where the ringing emanated, ready for whatever lay on the other side. With a swift motion, Arrow breached the room—kicking the door open and drawing an arrow in one fluid movement.
Inside, the room was an extension of the hall's eerily romantic vibe, covered in rose petals. The walls were adorned with newspaper clippings, articles centered on the Arrow's exploits and battles. In the middle of the room, a heart-shaped arrangement, lined with the very arrows Arrow uses, created a weird pointy centerpiece.
Arrow sheathed his arrow and approached the ringing phone. With a cautious hand, he picked up the device and answered, placing the call on speaker so Asrape, and the rest of the team through their comms, could hear.
A woman's voice, affectionate and cheerful, flowed through the phone. "Did you like my present, honey?" she cooed.
Arrow cut through. "Who are you, and what do you want?" he demanded.
Her laughter filled the room before she replied flirtatiously, "I want you, baby. We are going to be Star City's power couple. I can't wait to see the news about us."
In the background, Astrape couldn't contain a snort, a huge grin spreading across his face. This, however, only served to irritate Arrow further, his frustration audible as he growled out another question, "Where are you?"
"Not yet, baby," she teased, her tone playful. "Keep the phone, though. I have another gift for you, and I can't wait for you to get it." With those final words, the line went dead.
Arrow didn't waste a moment, immediately calling out, "Dig, did you get anything?" Hopeful for some trace to the caller's location.
Diggle's response came through. "No, my tracking skills aren't the best, and she had some kind of encryption on the phone."
Astrape, shook his head in annoyance, "How often do the bad guys that are solo have encrypted devices?"
"Too often," Arsenal replied.
Arrow spoke up, "Let's head back. Dig, try and get Felicity in. We need her on this; maybe she can get something from the phone."
Once back at their base, Jonathan, now unmasked, couldn't contain his grin. Roy noticed the expression and asked, "What's got you smiling?" Jonathan chuckled, his amusement evident. "Oh, it's nothing, just that Oliver clearly has a die-hard fan that can't wait to meet him."
Oliver, somewhat exasperated by the situation, responded firmly, "We have to take her down. She's clearly crazy."
Diggle, leaning against a table with a smirk playing on his lips, interjected with a perfect suggestion, "I don't know, Oliver. Maybe you can save her. Stop her from killing and do some good in this city. I'm sure the city is worth more than a date or two, right?"
Oliver's gaze swept across the room, "This is going to be a thing now, isn't it?" he voiced.
----
Longer chapter here. Let me know if you enjoyed it.
Rant time for all you Arrow and The Flash fans out there. Why are the characters in the show so stupid? I've been rewatching them using some stuff from it as inspiration and I can't help but get upset at some of the poor writing choices. Like Oliver not telling Misa Serah is perfectly fine after she tells him to kill Malcom as payment for healing Thea. Like Misa's whole problem is that there's a blood debt that must be paid but that isn't the case anymore right? That's only one example, another is in the cross over episode with Vandal where Oliver doesn't tell Felicity he has a kid, like I understand he wants to be part of his kids life but she is the one person he shouldn't keep it from, even his mom says Oliver has to keep it a secret if he wants to see his boy.
Let's move on to Flash. Everything moves in slow motion for him right? The how the fuck does a peak human touch him? Ever? It shouldn't happen, and it truly is so annoying that every time Barry fights someone that doesnt have super speed he struggles. I understand in cases like Tony cause he can turn himself into metal, and Grodd cause like he's a huge gorilla what are you gonna do? But Barry getting caught off guard every fight and getting hit by base line humans and then it taking him a whole year just to stand up. It is always so annoying.
Sorry, I just got seriously annoyed with the shows. Also I'm going with the Wisconsin placement of Starling/Star City. In the show they always say west coast this and west coast that but I looked up a map and arrowverse Star City is not on the west coast unlike comic Star City.