Arrow: Crucible

May 2022

STAR CITY HIGH

In the hot boiling sun of Star City High the 2022 Star City High graduating class stood outside to get their diplomas among them was William Clayton also the valedictorian of the graduating class.

In the four years that passed after Oliver and Felicity's death William Clayton was taken in by Diggle and his family and around those years William became like another son to Diggle and JJ was like an brother to William.

Diggle in addition to giving William an home and an loving family also provided the boundaries that an teenager needed even when William challenged them at times but he was still on the inside mourning his father and Felicity's deaths and they were still fresh in his mind.

During that time William manly focused on his schoolwork earning him an spot on the honor roll at Star City High except for the occasional party much to the dismay of Diggle and Lyla.

William walked along with the graduating class as diplomas were being passed to the class he wished his father and Felicity could be there to see him walk with his class.

An superintendent handed William his diploma to which he thanked him.

William walked over to the podium to begin speaking.

"Hello graduates of 2022. Today begins our journey to adulthood and our futures". William said into the mic beginning his speech.

DIGGLE HOUSE

After graduation William was lying on the couch staring at an piece of paper with an number an girl had given him. 

Diggle looked at William and grinned at the sight.

"Does it ever mean anything Diggle?". William asked him.

"Not in this lifetime William". Diggle said.

MIDNIGHT

William was asleep in bed while the rain of Star City was pouring down making an noise. thunder was louder than usual this night.

He tossed and turned mumbling the visions of him, and his parents flashed into his head. and he awoke.

William walked quietly to the bathroom and washed his face as he coughed. looking at himself in the mirror.

Everything that happened four years ago with his father and Felicity gone it still was fresh in his head.

William sat in the shower turning it on as the water came down on him he wept quietly of his guilt of everything that happened.

BEACH LATER

The sun was rising on an beach near Star City. An woman rose her head next to William in the back of an truck hearing the sound of the calming ocean.

"Where did you learn to do that?....".  the woman asked William passionately in her voice "I think I learned it somewhere". William replied jokingly but calmly.  "So you wanna go to breakfast or swim in the water to wake up?" William asked the woman.

"I don't think my legs are working yet". The woman said to him.

William couldn't help but chuckle as he ran toward the ocean.

GYM

Inside the gym Diggle, William and JJ were working out. JJ had grown into an witty but well meaning teenager while Diggle and Lyla were keeping him in line in addition to William as well.

JJ and William became very good friends following William moving in with the Diggle's even though JJ always got on William's nerves on occasion.

"Come on William!". Diggle said to him in encouragement as William was lifting weights while JJ was running on the treadmill. William walked over to the salmon ladder where years earlier his father used it and so did Felicity and his father at one time but he didn't know that.

William moved the pole up to do an chin up on the ladder just like his father did years ago Diggle couldn't help but grin at the sight of William.

CENTRAL CITY LATER

William was sitting alone at Big Belly Burger in Central City eating his lunch. He was in Central City visiting his grandparents for an few weeks as an side trip before heading home to Star City. William sipped his soda when he saw Barry Allen seeing him and walking to sit with him.

"Mr. Allen?". William said surprised at the sight of Barry "William I didn't know you were in town". Barry said to him "Yeah i'm in Central City for an few days visiting my grandparents". William replied to him. "Also eating my lunch too". Barry pointed to Iris who entered the restaurant to sit with him and William. "William... How are you?". Iris asked William.  William sighed "just fine". he told him but whenever he was alone he would be sad about his parents. "I was sorry about Oliver and..". Iris was interrupted "Thanks Miss West". William politely said making Barry sigh.

Suddenly an woman noticed her purse was missing and an man was out the door "HELP THAT MAN STOLE MY PURSE". An woman yelled making William jump and running out the door in pursuit of the thief leaping from an car onto the thief tackling him onto the ground body slamming him despite Barry running toward him. William already got him and returned to Big Belly Burger giving the woman her purse back. "Here you are ma'am". William politely said as the woman thanked him. 

William then sat down to resume eating his lunch.

STAR CITY

William was entering his new apartment an few miles away from Diggle's house as Diggle, Lyla and JJ were helping him set up his new home. they were sad to see William go as they knew since Oliver and Felicity died William was an part of their family. but William promised them he would be near them and would come home for holidays.

JJ had wanted to put an girlie poster in the living room but William balked at that idea. JJ too was beginning to enter high school as an freshman so he was growing up like William did.

Shortly after putting his apartment together William took out an picture out of an box. it was his father and Felicity smiling on an beach. he took an look at it for an moment as tears began to fill his eyes. "miss ya dad and miss ya Felicity". he softly said to the picture while Diggle entered the room.

"William wanna go to dinner?". he said softly as William wiped his eyes he nodded walking toward Diggle and hugging him. "William... your folks would be proud of you and they're looking down at you". Diggle comfortingly said to William. "Yeah". William said to him "Let's go to dinner". he said to him.

LATER

William was asleep on the couch of his apartment. He saw something in his dreams. lightning, chaos and The Flash disappearing and reverse flash heading toward him and Diggle.

William awoke with sweat coming down his head. "What did that dream mean?". William said in thought. "Mr. Allen didn't say anything about 2024 and him going missing?" William thought.

"Maybe its nothing..". William said lying back down the couch.

But soon William would be right about what was to follow in two years from now in Central City.