Frosty Arrow

Chapter 31

Oliver was receiving a beating from one of Church's underlings when suddenly, he got an idea.

"I want to speak to Church." Oliver said.

"And why would he do that, even if he were interested." the lackey asked.

"Because I can help get him what he wants." Oliver said and the lackey immediately headed out before returning a few minutes later.

"So, I hear you can help me get what I want. How?" Church asked.

"You only took us because you wanted the Green Arrow right?" Oliver asked.

"Yeah, but he's running late." Church said.

"So maybe you should give him a bit more incentive. Send out a hostage video to let him know you mean business." Oliver suggested.

"Not a bad idea actually. Men like him are probably used to empty threats, but if I show him I'm serious, he'll come running to me." Church said.

"So, have I earned the right to not be beaten anymore?" Oliver asked, coughing in pain.

"For now. You may have just saved your own life though." Church said as Oliver was dragged back in with the rest of the hostages, grinning to himself that he'd found a way for his team to find him.

Felicity was currently running numerous facial recognition scans across the city when a strange broadcast popped up and to her shock, she saw it was Tobias Church, holding Oliver at gunpoint.

"John, Laurel, you guys should come check this out." Felicity said as they joined her.

"Trace this." John said.

"I already am." Felicity said as she began the trace as the video began.

"Green Arrow. I took the mayor and his cronies to get your attention, but you don't seem to be taking me seriously. So now, here we are. You have one hour to turn yourself over to me or I start killing hostages. Starting with the mayor. In an hour, I'll send a video revealing a location to meet me at. Once you're mine, I'll let the hostages go. But come alone." Church said as the video cut out.

"Did you get a location?" Laurel asked.

"Yep, Church really should've made his monologue shorter, but it's lucky for us he's so chatty. He's got them in a warehouse off Adams and Mason." Felicity said.

"Should we call Thea?" John asked.

"No, Thea's got her hands full at City Hall, besides, we can handle this between your skills and my powers. However, I do think you'll need a different costume." Laurel said, causing both John and Felicity to look at her.

"What do you mean?" John asked.

"I think it might look suspicious if the Green Arrow isn't the one who responds. Church wants the Green Arrow, I say we give him the Green Arrow. Just not the one he was expecting." Laurel said.

"You want me to wear the hood?" John asked.

"Just for one mission. Roy's more ideal since he's as good with a bow as Oliver, but you've subbed in for him before." Laurel said.

"Not a bad idea. And actually, Cisco and I have been preparing for just such an occasion." Felicity said as she went over to a storage cabinet where she pulled out a crossbow.

"Cisco calls this bad boy the Green Monster. Designed to fire arrows instead of crossbow bolts, it'll allow you to truly act the part as the Green Arrow." Felicity said.

"Not sure if I should really be wearing Oliver's hood." John said.

"He'd want you to John." Laurel said.

"Fine, but just for one mission to make sure that no one gets suspicious." John relented, though Laurel could tell he was actually thrilled to be able to wear the hood.

Oliver was wondering what was taking so long. He knew that Felicity could've traced the footage back to their location in seconds, so where was the team.

"Well, guess I better be heading out." Church said.

However, suddenly, the temperature went down and Oliver grinned.

"I told you. You should've been more afraid of the cold." Oliver said as suddenly, a slide of ice blasted in through the window and Khione and Green Arrow came in on it.

Oliver could instantly tell it was John wearing his hood and he smiled, since he'd been hoping this would happen.

"Tobias Church, you have failed this city." Green Arrow said, aiming his crossbow at Church as Khione moved to free the hostages.

"How'd you find me?" Church asked, clearly not realizing that this was a different Green Arrow.

"I was already looking. That video though, it let me right to you." Green Arrow said.

"Hostages are free." Khione reported as the last of the hostages, including Oliver, who was trying to blend in, moved out.

"Too bad for you, I was prepared for a double cross." Church said as he activated was definitely a detonator, before jumping out a window into a waiting chopper.

"Bombs." Green Arrow said.

"Overwatch, are the hostages clear?" Khione asked.

"Yep, your dad already has SCPD and ambulances waiting." Overwatch confirmed.

"No time to get out of here, so we'll have to improvise." Khione said.

Before Green Arrow could ask what she meant, Khione created an ice dome around them to protect them from the blast.