August 17,2012

A date that would forever be remembered in the hearts of each and every man and woman that would call Starling City their home. Not because of a joyous occasion had taken place on this given date.

No joyous memories of wedding vows being said. No joyous memories of a child being brought into this world. Instead only darkness had emerged. Darkness that has hovered over the city for the past year.

All starting on that fateful night. A night like no other. Nothing out of the ordinary taking place. No special events taking place down town. No social events. Just a quiet night that had quickly changed into a horrible nightmare within a flash.

An explosion that seemed to rock the entire city. Buildings being lost with a blink of an eye. Once quiet streets and sidewalks reduced to ash. Power surges flickering throughout the city engulfing the remains of the city into total darkness.

Conditions in which was never felt before. But that was when it happened. A city wide panic. Citizens screaming through the darkness in mobs with some looking to find the nearest shelter while others fared much worse.

Fared with having sustained injuries. Some lucky with just a few scratches and bruises here and there. Some others weren't so lucky. Others had sustained much worst. From having their bones broken to be barely holding on for their own dear lives as their loved ones rushed them through the darkness.

A scene that look much the same at every single hospital,clinic,and pharmacy that was left standing. Pharmacy's that were being overwhelmed with so many injured causing their entire stores to be overwhelmed quickly causing what was once a well kept store to look as though a tornado that made it's way past.

Hospitals that had every single doctor and nurse rushing around the facility not allowing them to catch a breathe as more and more injured made their way inside. Injured with most having to wait their turn in massive lines while the ones in critical condition were being taken care of by the overworked staff.

Clinics that were faring the same with every single man and woman on payroll quickly rushed in to help the mass. A mass that seemed never ending.

A scene that would occur for most of the night into the early part of the next day until panic and fear once again had taken over in the hearts of many of the citizens of Starling City when a report had been issued out.

The report of the destruction of The Glades. A report that quickly caused many to try and call their loved ones living in the area to not receive and answer. Caused many to panic and rush towards the scene to only be stopped by the stationed police force as medical teams stayed on standby off to the side while the combined efforts of the police force along with the fire department searched over the area looking for any signs of survivors.

Survivors that were so few. Survivors that didn't come out without something that would change their lives forever. Some with mental scars of watching their loved ones perish. Others with physical scars that would remain with them for the rest of their lives.

Scars that could be seen starting to be inflicted on every single citizen that witnessed the scene with their very own eyes. Witnessed watching countless bodies being recovered out of the carnage. Bodies that very few could even be recognized.

A scene that would take place for days. Long days of countless members of the police force and fire department working diligently without taking any sort of break hoping to find another survivor lurking in the wreckage.

A very scene that would continue to haunt the minds of countless civilians as they tried to go on with their lives throughout the months. Months that were long and hard for most as a wave of change started to occur throughout the city they called home.

Changed that first started with the remains of once The Glades being closed off to the public while constructions crews work on clearing up the damage in an attempt to rebuild some of what was lost.

Change that started to happen from an surprising individual. An individual part of one of the city's most known and respected families. But not the one the citizens had thought it would be.

A woman known throughout the city. A woman known for being one of the most powerful and successful people to ever come from the city.

A woman that seemed to have lost just as much in the eyes of the civilians on that fateful night when she had lost her daughter.

A woman that quickly started to use her resources to help rebuild what had been lost. The very same woman that wasn't well liked throughout the city for the past couple of months before that fateful night.

But now? Now she was seen as a savior. A beacon of hope. Hope that the city would be able to be rebuilt. Hope that has quickly watched her popularity among the civilians skyrocket to never foreseen heights. Even to the point where civilians were lining up in search of her guidance.

A situation that has lead up to this moment. A moment that many in the city never though would have been possible well over a year ago.

Moira Queen For Mayor

A fitting title for the unexpected hero. That is what some would say. But as for some others? They didn't think this way.

The very same others that knew exactly the person that Moira Queen truly is. The very same individuals that have watched from the shadows as her corruption spread throughout the city. Corruption filled with deception.

The same deception that was continuing to grow unknown to the citizens that call Starling City their home. Deception starting with The Glades. The destroyed part of the city that was currently being rebuilt with the promise of providing new homes to everyone that lost everything that tragic night.

What they didn't know was this was the plan along. A plan to ensure this outcome was to come to fruition so many years ago. Only she perfected it.

A plan formulated by her former enemy. A plan to destroy a portion of the city in an effort to avenge his lost wife.

A plan that she had watched take over two thousand lives with hundreds more suffering severe injuries. Lives that she knew would forever be changed from this devastating event.

But a devastating event that also presented an opening. An opening that she knew she couldn't waste. An opening to squeeze her way into the hearts of every citizen by showing a simple gesture of kindness.

To show she was just as affected by what happened as they were. To show that she was too human. Gestures that first started with the announcement of The Glades being rebuilt. Rebuilt with many new homes being restored with new additions of living quarters being provided to anyone that would need a place to stay.

A gesture that instantly won her many of the hearts of the citizens. An action that has quickly lead up to this moment. A moment of a campaign race to decide who should be the leader of the city. Should it be the old guard or should there be a new voice?

Ignoring the constant flashing lights she can see radiating from a few cameras in the crowd gathered around the podium with a forced smile across her face as she makes her way slowly up the steps to a round of cheers reaching out Moira can't help but send a waive to the crowd before mere moments later as she stands before the podium to hear the crowd levels dying down below her slowly she takes a deep breathe as she glances around towards every single face in the crowd.

" Thank you. Thank you all for coming."

Coming to a pause as she glances around her surroundings to see numerous reporters hidden within the crowd with some raising up their cellphones high up into the air in hopes of getting her speech recorded keeping the smile on her face taking a deep breathe Moira turns her sights back forward to focus on a camera being held up by a news team at the end of the crowd.

" We have been through so much these past couple of months. Months that have been so hard and tiring for each and every one of us.

But dawn is coming. We have been through so much together. We have been through hardships. Each and every one of us has been heartbroken feeling as though this world has taken so much from us that we could barely stand.

I can't undo the damage that has been done but i can promise you that a new day is coming. A day where we no longer have to fear what is lurking in the shadows.

A day where we can walk down the streets with our heads held high proud to call Starling City our home. And that day is now. If you elect me as Mayor, I promise you that day will come. It is time that we no longer allow fear to control us and take a stand against all those that dare to poison our city…."

Coming to a pause as she takes a deep breathe looking down towards her speech papers written down on the podium just as she opens her mouth to speak suddenly the sound of someone clapping their hands loudly from the far end of the room causing their claps to echo through the silent room causes Moira to look up from her prepared speech to the sound of gasps.

Looking to the far end of the room as she spots two familiar figures standing closely by each other at the far end of the room staring directly at her with blank looks across their faces despite what she is feeling radiating from their eyes instantly Moira's eyes widen for a brief second.

Familiar faces that none throughout the city have seen in over a year. Faces that could instantly be recognized.

Laurel Lance. Once a well known lawyer that was known for standing up for the little guy inside of a courtroom. A fearless woman that would take on any case presented to her without blinking an eye.

A respected woman. A woman that was feared inside of a courtroom. A woman that only stood for only one thing.

Justice. The very same woman that had been seen the previous year with another man. The very same man that is standing by her side right now.

Oliver Queen. A once known millionaire playboy. A playboy that was thought of to be lost out at sea before being returned home. Some would say it was by sure luck that he even survived. Some would say he was destined to return home to do great things.

Great things that he had started to achieve over a year ago. Along with his now wife and sister. A sister that had been reported to be lost on the same night as what has been named The Undertaking.

A power couple that had took the city by storm from their countless efforts to help improve the city for the better. Efforts that seemed to cease once their lost sister was put to rest leading to their eventual disappearance.

A disappearance that had been well documented. Documented from numerous media outlets describing a drastic change in their healths. Some describing how they wanted to get away from the city after being delivered yet another mental scar.

Others reported it was due to them wanting to raise a family of their own in a safer environment. A reason none would blame them for.

But what these media outlets didn't know was they were far from the truth. They weren't just starting over in some other city hoping to put the past behind them. They weren't lying on a beach somewhere hoping to forget their hardships.

No what they didn't know was they too were experiencing their own hardships. Hardships that had last well over a year until they had finally arrived up to this point. A moment that they would make sure the city would never forget.

Keeping her eyes focused on Moira at all times as she seizes her clapping to stare at the Queen Matriarch directly in the eyes ignoring the shocked stares she is receiving from members of the crowd out of the corner of her eye feeling Oliver's arm gently wrapping around her waist suppressing a smile slowly Laurel crosses her arms over her chest.

" Fine speech but i can't help but comment on how you're avoiding answering the problems at hand. You talk about leading these people out of the shadows. To embrace change and not fear the darkness but have you?

Will you lead the charge and truly help change the city for the better or will you continue to do what you've always done and just swipe every single problem under the rug like you have done countless times in the past?

Tell me this. You talk about how much you've lost just as much as every single citizen that calls Starling City their home. You have talked about how much you are ensynch with these people.

But are you really? Are you really in touch with all of these people? The very same people that have one question constantly on their minds since the night of The Undertaking?"

Taking her eyes away from Moira as she glances around to each and every citizen in her line of vision to see different emotions plastered across each of their faces while every single news reporter standing inside of the crowd are looking directly at her with their cellphones and cameras raised high up in the air slowly Laurel takes a deep breathe before she takes her eyes away from the crowd to take a quick glance back up towards the stage at Moira to see her staring down towards her with a blank look across her face.

" The question that we should be asking ourselves is not who we should vote for to be the mayor of the city but to who was really to blame for that night. Was it The Green Arrow? A man that was brave enough to do what many of us wished we had the courage to do each and every single night? I don't think so.

Instead while this city was hurting we directed all of our pain and anger towards him when we really should have searched out for the answers we have been seeking all along. Answers that we still haven't been answered. Think about that."

Suddenly as she hears the crowd erupting with chants with many nearby reporters trying to desperately make their way through the crowd to ask them questions in hopes of landing a story on the news despite being held back by some of the stationed police officers glancing over to her side as she sees Oliver giving her the slightest of nods returning the nod without any hesitation turning on her heels slowly Laurel makes her way towards the exit with Oliver following close by her side unaware of the mixture of emotions radiating across Moira's face as she stares at their retreating backs.

Ignoring the small crowd that is lurking behind them that he knew to be reporters without so much as glancing back within a few minutes as he leads Laurel into a packed parking lot reaching into his jacket pocket with his free hand as he grabs a hold of key from within to hear the sound of reporters shouting out for them without any hesitation coming to a stop next to a parked motorcycle reaching out Oliver takes one of the helmets resting on top of the seat as he sees Laurel doing the same out of the corner of his eye.

" Mr Queen!? Ms Lance!? Do you have any further…."

Without any hesitation reaching out as she gently wraps her arms around Oliver from behind and gives his chest a gentle squeeze instantly without having anytime to react Laurel feels herself traveling through the parking lot at high speed to only glance over her shoulder to see the packed parking lot off in the distance mere seconds later.

It's okay. I got to be a hero….just like you.

Ignoring the cold breeze that is currently making it's way through the area keeping his eyes focused on the blazing fire in front of him as he listens to the sound of wood crackling from the flames before him unable to get the image out of his mind without taking his eyes away from the flames with his grip around Laurel's form tightening slightly slowly Oliver shakes his head as he suppresses a few tears that are threatening to fall.

I'm no hero. I'm so sorry Thea.

Unable to suppress them any longer as he feels his hands being given the gentlest of squeezes feeling a few tears trickling down his cheeks closing his eyes as he returns the gesture unaware to his knowledge just below him silently Laurel stares directly into the fire with her own tears trickling down her cheeks.

A fire that she could feel burning up deep inside of her like the previous nights she has spent in this position. In a position a few weeks ago she never would have thought she would have found herself in.

The position of being in a place that had often terrorized and haunted her dreams. A place that she heard nothing but stories of pain and suffering about.

Lian Yu. An island located in the North China Sea. An island known as purgatory. At least according to the Mandarins anyways. A definition that was too true.

An island that was so big that she often wondered what was on the other side. Often wondered what it truly looked liked. Often wondered if she would find some of the answers she had always seeked somewhere lurking on the grounds.

But a place that she knew was isolated. A place that she knew would allow her to never be found along with Oliver. A place where she could collect her thoughts and fight through the pain that she is currently feeling.

The same pain she can feel radiating from another. The very same man that she considered to be the most important individual in her life. Much like how she knew she was to him.

A man that has often remained silent on most nights staring at the fire with so many emotions radiating from his eyes just holding her tight. A man that she wished so badly that she could take away his pain like she had so many times before.

The same pain she can feel lurking inside of herself. The pain of still remembering one of the most painful memories of her life. Memories all starting on that fateful day.

A day filled with so many deaths. Filled with so many innocent lives changing with a blink of an eye. The day known forever as The Undertaking.

The day a portion of the Starling City known as The Glades was reduced to nothing but ash. Not because of a nuclear strike being deployed by an invading country. Not because of some sort of terrorist attack.

No it was because of a mad man. A man that had been hellbent on destroying The Glades forever cementing his legacy. A legacy that would never be forgotten to everyone that knew the truth.

A truth that had cost them dearly. But not in the way they had thought. It wasn't at the cost of themselves. It wasn't at the cost of their bodies being punished.

No it was something else. Something that continues to haunt them. It had cost them another part of themselves. A part that they would never regain. Cost them a part of their small family.

A truth that was too painful to believe. To painful to believe that she would never get to see her again. To painful to think she would never get to hear the sound of her voice ever again.

Thoughts that have haunted her mind through the weeks. Painful weeks of having to relieve one of the worst days of her life. A day that she knew would be memorable.

But not like this. Not in this way. Not as the day that she would lose her sister in law. Not as the day she would watch by helplessly as her sister in law slowly died before her eyes without being able to do a thing to prevent it.

A death that she knew would take a great amount of time to move on from. But time could wait. Time could wait for her to choose when she was ready to move on.

The same situation that she knew deep inside the man holding her tight to his chest was fighting with. A situation that she knew would lead to more bloodshed. Lead to more lives being taken.

Lives of individuals that she knew were beyond saving. Beyond giving a chance to redeem themselves. Men and women that she knew whose hands weren't clean in any of this.

Not of the destruction of The Glades. Not of the streets being turned into a breeding ground for the corrupted. The corrupted that still walked the streets praying upon the weak.

Men and women that deserved to die. A thought that scarred her deeply the moment it had popped into her mind. But was it that crazy? Was it crazy to think that just maybe she had it wrong.

That instead of dishing out second chances to those that would prey upon the weak that more drastic measures needed to be taken.

Opening his eyes as he releases a breathe reaching up as he wipes away his tear stained face with the sleeve of his jacket to only gently return his arm back around Laurel's waist taking a deep breathe just as he closes his eyes the sound of Laurel releasing a breathe scooting closer gently Oliver brings Laurel closer into his chest before slowly leaning down her gently kisses the top of her head to only turn his attention back forward towards the fire.

" We can't let them win."

Glancing down as he feels Laurel taking a deep breathe against his chest leaning down gently Oliver rests his head against her own as he feels her giving his hands a gentle squeeze.

" We can't allow them to get away with this. I don't care about happens to Starling City. Not anymore. It can burn for all that i care. I just want….I need justice for what they've done.

I need justice for them taking her away from us. She was so young Ollie. Too young."

Suddenly as he hears the sound of silent sobs coming from below tightening his grip around Laurel as he feels her turning in his embrace to bury her head into his chest wrapping his arms around her unable to suppress them as he feels tears trickling down his cheeks slowly Oliver closes his eyes.

Constant chatter echoing from all around him. Numerous men and women from different eras passing on by him without so much as looking his way.

Chatter that for some odd reason has been much louder that usual on this given day. Something that he couldn't quite figure out but it still didn't faze him one bit.

If he was being honest with himself then he would admit that he truly didn't care. The same attitude that has followed him through the months watching as countless trainees fresh out of the academy were hired and thrown straight into the fire known as Starling City.

Faces that he could barely remember. Prepared speeches that were almost memorized at this point. The same speech that he had received when he first joined the force loaded with confidence. The same confidence and swagger that he could see radiating from some of the new recruits.

Swagger that would cause his lips to curl up into a smirk before it would disappear back into it's thinned state.

The same look that could be seen across his face now as he sits by his desk watching as countless officers new and old making their way around the office. A look that everyone was so accustomed to seeing.

But a look unaware to their knowledge told of a story. The story of internal conflict radiating deep inside. Conflict that was burning up inside like a volcano just waiting to erupt.

A conflict of so many emotions running through his mind. Some in which even his co workers wouldn't quite be able to understand.

Emotions that were running high from the past couple of months ever since that day. A day that he would always remember. The day that his life had been turned upside down.

A day that started out normal in his book. Waking up and getting ready to head out into the city to have breakfast with his daughter before reporting to work.

But it hadn't been that simple. Instead he had felt the shockwaves much like many of those still in the office. Shockwaves that had quickly engulfed the office into total darkness. Shockwaves that had destroyed every single means to communicate to the outside world.

A terrifying thought before it had quickly become a reality once he had seen it. The Glades completely reduced to nothing more than ash. A sight that was so terrifying left him speechless like many others.

Speechless until he along with a couple of officers had quickly made their way past a hostile and panicking crowd to make their way through the carnage in hope of finding survivors.

Survivors that he knew wouldn't be too many. But he had to try. He had to try for them. Try for every single man and woman that had given their lives on this given night. Men and women from the citizens of The Glades to even the local police force that had been stationed here in hopes to prevent this causality from even happening.

A police force that he knew wouldn't leave these people to this fate if they could help it. A fate that they had shared on this night with them.

Faces that he knew he would never see again. Faces like his former partner Lucas Hilton. A man that had volunteered to stay stationed with the dangerous device along with countless other officers rotating between shifts.

A man that he knew had been lost to the blast along with the countless others that had been stationed there in hopes of preventing this disaster. Hoping to disable a device in which had never seen before. A device that had at the end of the day beaten even the city's greatest minds in this battle of wits.

Snapping out of his thoughts as he looks down towards the newspaper on his desk to read an article about reports of crime sprees rising up letting out a sigh reaching out as he takes a sip of his coffee just as he places his mug down on his desk to see a familiar figure standing in front of his desk slowly Quentin raises up his eyes from his newspaper to glance up at them.

Quentin Lance. A well known police detective. A man known for being a dependable man that could get a job done. Even if it wasn't always by the book.

A man that looked as though he had aged considerably the last couple of months. The once short black hair now gone. Instead a well shaved scalp could be seen.

His once well shaved face now gone. Instead a short stubble could be seen across his face. A very different look to the once highly feared officer.

" Is there something that i can do for you Ms Bertinelli?"

Helena Bertinelli. His current partner. An officer fresh from a transfer just over eight months ago. A respected woman. A woman much like himself in terms of his character.

A woman that often kept to herself and her personal life close to the vest much like himself. A decorated officer with a colorful history much like himself with countless arrests under her watch.

But what separated them was their pasts. Pasts that he was sure to look into once he had learned the true name of his partner. A past that brought many surprises.

Surprises to know she was the daughter of Frank Bertinelli. The once know head of the Bertinelli crime family before he had met his demise a few years back in mysterious circumstances.

Circumstances that he still wasn't sure of. But what he did know was she wasn't bothered one bit by these events. Instead it looked as though she was looking to clean up her family's image into something better.

An image he has been watching with his own very eyes the last couple of months unfold. Unfold as she worked diligently with other officers in hopes of cleaning up the streets of what she called filth. A statement that he was more than glad to agree with and help in any way that he could.

" Have you heard anything from them yet boss?"

" Them? What are you talking about?"

" You're daughter and son in law. It's all over the news. Their back."

Snapping his head back up as he sees Helena giving him the slightest of nods without any hesitation reaching out as he grabs a firm hold of his computer's mouse key and quickly enters into his web browser to bring up a newsfeed just as he watches the feed coming to life suddenly Quentin's eyes widen as he sees a previously recorded scene that had taken place earlier in the day playing across his computer's screen.

A scene that he couldn't believe was truly real. His baby girl. His oldest daughter making some kind of speech in front of a crowd that had been gathered for some sort of event. What he guessed was some sort of political event.

A speech that he couldn't help but listen to with pride. Although deep inside something was troubling him. Something he couldn't quite figure out.

Maybe it was by her appearance. The appearance that she looked as though she had aged a few years these past couple of months.

Her trademark blonde hair she had been seen with was now flowing down her shoulders. Her trademark dresses and business attire that she would often be seen wearing to every social event was now gone.

Instead a simple look of a ripped pair of jeans with a short white shirt displaying a respectable developing six pack could be seen being covered loosely by a black leather jacket.

A look that he had seen once before. But not with the look in her eyes. A look as though she was a caged animal just waiting to strike. A look that he had seen briefly flash through her eyes whenever she truly believed in something when someone else didn't.

The same look that he could see radiating from another's eyes on the feed. The same man that he had seen by his daughter's side for over a year before they had suddenly vanished.

A man whose eyes told a story. The story of a storm raging deep inside. A storm just waiting to be unleashed.

A man whose appearance has also changed slightly. The trademark light brown hair was now slightly longer and in desperate need of a haircut. His once well shaved face now non existent with a growing light brown goatee and beard now seen in it's place.

Appearances that only make him wonder as he continues to watch the feed in silence what had happened to them. Where have they been and what exactly happened to them since they have been gone?

Keeping her eyes focused forward and her footsteps silent as she continues to follow up a lone figure up a pair of stairs to a familiar floor to only hear a couple of feet just behind her another doing the same keeping a forced smile across her face without breaking her stride slowly Laurel follows after once her former landlord through familiar grounds.

Mr Setoguchi. A quiet and peaceful man married of a family of four. A man that never drew a single complaint from any leaving in his complex. A man that would always look out for the best interests of each and every person living under his roof.

A nice man. Too nice of a man living in this city. These are just some of the thoughts running through Laurel's mind as she continues to follow after they slightly shorter man through the complex towards a familiar apartment at the end of the floor with Oliver following close behind her.

A man that she could only wish would one day get as far away from the city as he could. Not just for himself but for his family as well. A family that was much like himself. So kind to help anyone in need without blinking an eye. A quality not seen anymore.

Coming to an halt as she watches Mr Setoguchi slowly unlocking a familiar sight hearing the sound of the lock being undone snapping out of her thoughts as she watches him enter inside of the apartment without hesitation slowly Laurel follows in after him.

Suddenly as she glances around the apartment before her to see everything that she had left behind well over almost two years ago for a brief second Laurel's eyes widen slightly before they return back to normal.

The same brown couch that she had received from her parents still resting inside of the living room. The same walnut dining table still in the same spot with its chairs placed all around the table. Even what looked to be the very same bedroom bed still inside of her former bedroom.

Turning her attention over towards Mr Setoguchi just as she opens her mouth with a questionable look across her face suddenly Laurel is silenced as he lets out a chuckle with a small smile across his face before she watches him turn to look around the room with pride riddled across his face.

" I didn't have the heart to change anything. Everything is just as you left it. In fact i due believe you are the last occupant of this particular resistance."

" But why? Why would you do this for me?"

" Because you have been more the generous. Not only to me but also to the citizens of the city. And i believe it was do time that the city gave back.

You have done more for the city then i think either of you truly realize. You represent hope that maybe one day this city won't be as dark as it seems.

Besides you are by far my favorite out of every man and woman that has ever rented a room from me."

Suppressing a grin as she sees a smile forming across Mr Setoguchi's face returning the smile just as she sees him turning away glancing over her shoulder to look at Oliver with her eyes focused on him slowly Laurel nods her head.

Returning the nod looking over towards Mr Setoguchi reaching back as he tucks his hand into his back pocket just as he sees him turning to look at him with a questionable look slowly retracting his hand to reveal a wad of bills reaching out Oliver extends the wad out towards Mr Setoguchi.

With his look only deepening gently taking the wad out of Oliver's hand with a flick of his fingers as he unravels the wad to see hundreds of hundred dollar bills in his hands with his eyes going as wide as saucers instantly Mr Setoguchi snaps his head up to look at Laurel to see her staring at him with a ghost smile across her face.

" That should be plenty to cover the entire year and a little extra for everything you've done for me through the years. I only ask for one small favor."

Unable to speak a word as he slowly nods his head to see the smile across Laurel's face vanish into nothing more than a blank look for a brief moment Mr Setoguchi's eyes widen.

" I would like for you to not put our names on the lease. This is only temporary as once we are done taking care of what we need to Oliver and I will be leaving this city for good."

Seeing the stern look across the young woman's face as he nods his head extending his free hand out as he gently drops the apartment key into her outstretched hand without saying a word slowly Mr Setoguchi exits out of the apartment making sure to close the door behind himself.