Green Arrow - Emerald Archer

Chapter Five

"...the only information Star City has on this hooded man-in-green is from last night, when he was seen from a security camera walking out of an old warehouse after supposedly taking down a criminal on FBI's Most Wanted using only an old fashioned bow and arrow. The Police Department and seemingly the rest of the city are eager to find out the identity of the man behind the hood."

"Morning, Mr. Queen."

John Diggle stood in the doorway. He looked like he had just gotten up. It was 7:00. Oliver, however, had gotten up four hours ago. He had still not gotten used to the new sleep schedule. He never really slept any on the island, maybe a few hours every few days. He had spent most of the night watching the limited footage of him walking out of the warehouse, donned in his hood and figuring out his next move. He now laid on a couch in the main room of the mansion, watching the news.

"That was a fast one you pulled on me yesterday," Diggle continued. "Impressive. You know, in my past few years of being a bodyguard, no one's been able to do that? But let me make one thing clear. In the future, my ability to protect you may overlap your personal comfort, but I will not back down. I have a job to do."

"And so I do," Oliver replied.

"Excuse me?"

"I own this warehouse, see? And I'm going to turn it into a night club. Which means I have some work to do, so if you don't mind I will be making some calls."

John Diggle waited in the corner as Oliver arranged for people to go out and fix up the warehouse. Finally, after a few more calls, Oliver turned to him.

"Okay, I need to get out to the warehouse."

"I thought you arranged for people to get it ready for you," Diggle said.

"Yes, but I need to see to some things. You don't have to go, I'm perfectly able to-"

"I'm coming."

As Diggle started the car, Oliver went up to his room and grabbed the wooden box back out from under his bed. He went back out to the car and loaded it into the trunk, then hopped into the back seat of the car.

"What's that?" Diggle asked as he started the car, looking back at Oliver.

"What's what?" Oliver countered.

"The thing you put in the trunk."

"Oh, nothing," Oliver lied.

--

They arrived at the warehouse several minutes later to find the repair and construction workers already hard at work. Oliver and Diggle stepped out and started towards the entrance to the warehouse. As the approached it, they encountered a worker trying to lift a heavy board up all by himself.

"Help him out would you?" Oliver said, motioning for Diggle to lend a hand, which he did.

Oliver continued inside and looked around. The room was lit up with the construction worker's lamps. It looked much cooler lit up, a perfect place for a night club. A round area for dancing with room up top for a bar and D.J. On the side there was a staircase leading up to an area with a rail to look over at the dance floor. A perfect place for idle conversations. Beside the staircase leading up there was a door. Oliver opened it and found exactly what he was looking for, a giant basement.

Oliver grabbed a worker walking by.

"I want this door and any others leading down to the basement area to have locks on them. And don't go down into the basement. Okay?"

"Yes, sir." the worker said.

Oliver continued down to the basement and wiped off the dusty tables. He placed the wooden box that he had carried in on it. Then he made more phone calls. Tons more. He had dozens of companies drop off equipment outside of the warehouse. He had spent thousands of dollars when he was done. He also tried his best to keep Diggle busy while at the same time making sure no one entered the basement. Then he started to bring the equipment he ordered into the warehouse, waiting for electricity to work, then plugging in lights, computers, monitors. He put in tables and chairs to work at. He even put up a rung ladder, all in the basement. This was his cave. He brought in materials to make his own arrows, a punching bag, and even a mattress to sleep on if necessary. He connected all the power to one big switch, which also needed a combination, so the whole basement would be pitch back and invisible to anyone who somehow got past the locks on the door.

Then he punched in the combination for the power and everything came to life. The lights came on, the computers started. He spent the next hour loading them with GPS and mapping softwares. Then he sharpened his arrows and tested out the rung ladder. Then he got to his favorite part.

He had made a trip to Central City a few hours ago, where he had given a generous reward to whoever pointed him to the man who had made the suit for the Flash, a hero that Oliver had heard all about upon returning from the island. Oliver needed someone he could trust to make him a proper suit, and Cisco Ramon seemed like his guy. He had met with Oliver right away, something about the Flash being on a mission else-ware.

"So, you're the Hood?" Cisco had asked. "I can see that."

"You can?" Oliver had asked.

"Well, now that you've told me, it's seems obvious. You're his size, his build. I've heard all about you on the news. You really want a suit from me?"

"I sure do."

"Cool! I actually have one already made."

"You do," Oliver had asked, amazed.

"Yep, I make suits for all possible heroes. I guess just a hobby. I've been working on a mask for some guy in Metropolis, but we can talk about that later..."

Cisco had then shown him his suit, complete with a mask not unlike the Flash's. Oliver turned it down, though, wanting to keep his hood. He had then offered Cisco a good amount of money, but he declined it, asking only for Oliver to call him if he needed the Flash's help or wanted to team up. Oliver couldn't see the team up happening, but the Fastest Man Alive's help couldn't hurt if he ever got in trouble.

Oliver tried on the suit back at his warehouse, and  was immediately thankful that he had trusted Cisco. His new suit was the softest thing he had ever worn. Cisco had left the hood the way it was, however, per request from Oliver.

Oliver sat back and admired everything that he had put together in the last several hours.

But all this wasn't just for China White. After thinking on it all last night, Oliver had decided that he wouldn't stop after he put an end to Vertigo. He would keep on protecting the city and being the Flash of Star City. The city needed someone to look up to. They needed a hero.