Lauriver Chronicles

Chapter 83

After they'd hit the ground, Team Arrow had quickly been split up by all the forces that were gathered outside the hotel, which were a mix of Bertinelli's thugs and Slade's men.

Though Arsenal found himself engaged in combat with a familiar foe.

"Was wondering if you'd show up after I saw Slade." Arsenal said to Cheshire after she tried to lunge at him in a surprise attack.

"Did you really think I'd be that easy to get rid of after what you did to me?" Cheshire asked as she pulled out her sais.

"Please, we were both working each other, don't be mad just because I did it better than you did." Arsenal said as he blocked her sais with his bow.

"I see you've learned some new skills." Cheshire nodded.

"My boss figured I could use some tips after messing with you. But I have to ask, did the job ever become personal to you?" Arsenal asked her.

"Why did it become personal to you?" Cheshire asked.

Before either of them could respond, suddenly, an object came flying through the air and knocked Cheshire back.

"Mind if we tag in?" Robin asked with a grin as he and Spoiler jumped to the ground.

"What are you doing here?" Arsenal asked, since he wasn't aware that Green Arrow had called in backup.

"Huntress called, told us what happened and Batman decided that we should lend a hand. Especially since we've been tracking this one for a while, considering all the dead bodies she's left in Gotham." Robin said.

"Just doing the job I was hired to do." Cheshire said unapologetically.

"And one of those people was my friend." Spoiler snapped as she lunged at Cheshire, who easily dodged it.

"Three on one. I like those odds." Cheshire said.

"Let's do this." Arsenal said, only to have to duck as a throwing star flew past his head.

"What the hell?" Arsenal asked.

"You didn't think I came alone did you?" Cheshire asked with a smirk under her mask as a young black man wearing black combat gear.

"Who is this guy?" Arsenal asked.

"Painkiller. The result of one of the League of Shadows' pet projects to create enhanced soldiers." Robin said, since they'd run into him before.

"And this one is just the prototype. I'm just testing him out so the League can see how effective he is." Cheshire said.

"Before you make more. And here I thought Ra's al Ghul was old school." Spoiler said in disgust.

"Times change and the League of Shadows changes with them. If you want a traditionalist, fight his daughter Talia. But the great one knows how to adapt with the times to keep us relevant." Cheshire said.

"Enough talking." Painkiller said as he unsheathed his swords.

"Careful. Don't let his hands touch your skin, since they're loaded with one of the most deadly venoms on the planet." Robin said.

"Got it, anything else I should know about?" Arsenal asked.

"Don't worry, he's here for the Bat brats, I want you all to myself." Cheshire said, since she hadn't expected the Bat brats to crash this party, she hadn't taken any chances to ensure that her opportunity for revenge on Arsenal wouldn't be denied.