These Prison Walls (An Arrow: Season 7 Fanfiction)

Chapter 33: We Have Saved This City

TW: suicide, ugly-cry moments (don't say I didn't warn you, get out your tissues)

Hours later... 

'So this is what it feels like to save a city, minus Palmer Tech becoming a crater,' Laurel remarked. 

'No civilian casualties,' Roy said. 'That's a win.' 

'We really couldn't have done this without your help,' Oliver said to everyone. 

'Thank you,' Dinah replied gratefully. He turned to Laurel. 

'Laurel, thank you.' The two of them shook hands. 

'That last-minute SCPD defence helped turn the tide,' Felicity said.

Well, I'm just relieved the department' back on our side, and we can show our faces in the city again,' Dinah replied. 

'Because you proved this is a team of heroes,' Ben Turner spoke up. Rene walked up to Oliver and me. 

'I'm sorry about Emiko,' he said. 

'Thank you,' I replied. 'I - I know we tried to save her,' I added, looking up at Oliver. 

'Oliver, I know this isn't how you wanted her story to end,' John said. 

Once Ben and a few of the others left, we turned back to the crew. 

And then there were seven,' Rene remarked. 

'Actually, six,' Roy replied. 'I can't stay.' 

'You're gonna catch up with Thea?' John asked. 

'There's a lot I still have to figure out,' Roy replied. 'I killed two innocent people. I have to find a way to atone for that.' 

'Well,' Felicity said, 'since we're on the subject of goodbyes, we have an announcement, too.' 

'We're stepping back,' Oliver said. 'We're leaving Star City. Not forever, but for now.' 

'You just saved the city. You don't want to take a victory lap?' Rene quipped. 

'I didn't do anything. Our team did.' 

'The fact that this city is safe is part of the reason why we can leave,' Felicity said. 

'I've spent a long time thinking about my legacy as the Green Arrow. I always hoped it would be saving the city. But now I know that my greatest legacy... is this team. I started this mission alone. I was certain that I would end it alone, but the truth of the matter is that every bit of success that I've had along the way is because of all of you. The city is safe because of your courage, your compassion, your selflessness, and your loyalty.' 

'Oliver, that sounds like the 4 pillars of heroism to me,' John replied. 

'We should find a way to remember them to symbolise we will all be there for each other always no matter what.' 

'Oh, like a signal, you know,' Felicity said, 'one of us is in trouble, we'll all come running, including you, Roy.' 

'We should just call it the Mark of Four, right?' Oliver suggested. 

'That's brilliant,' Felicity replied. 

'Man, I hope this isn't the last time we're all in this bunker together.' 

'Hear, hear!' John exclaimed. 'But it does feel like the end of an era.' 

'Okay, well, let's just try to think of it as the beginning of a new one,' I said.