New Earth: Arrow

Chapter 9

On his way to CCPD, Oliver decided to call his mom to get an update on Thea.

"Oliver, how's Central City?" Moira asked.

"It's good. I talked to my friend about Thea." Oliver said.

"What did she say?" Moira asked.

"She's gonna start working on a cure as soon as she can. In the meantime, she advised that we put Thea into some kind of hibernation to freeze the progression of her sickness to give us more time to find a cure." Oliver said.

"Queen Consolidated has been experimenting with suspended animation technology for space travel. I'm sure it could be repurposed for this." Moira said.

"Has it been tested?" Oliver asked.

"Several times. Granted, it's never been used for indefinite storage or for this purpose, but the life support systems should work." Moira said.

"Let's hope we won't need to keep her in there for long. But mom, you can't just force Thea into a pod. It has to be her choice." Oliver said, since while he wanted to save his sister's life, he wouldn't imprison her against her will.

"I will talk to her, try to convince her to do it, since I won't force her into the pod, but I hope she will agree to it, if only to spare us from the pain of losing another child." Moira said.

"I'll be back soon to help convince her if I need to." Oliver said.

"Be safe Oliver." Moira said as she hung up and he arrived at CCPD.

When Oliver entered the precinct, he almost immediately ran into Joe.

"I didn't know you were in town." Joe said.

"I'm not here to cause any problems." Oliver said, knowing Joe's view of him.

"Look, I owe you an apology. Barry told me about what you did. About all the things you've done. I was wrong. You're not a criminal. You're one of the bravest men I've ever met. I understand now why Barry holds you in such a high esteem." Joe said as he held out his hand, which Oliver shook.

"Speaking of Barry, Cisco told me he was here?" Oliver asked.

"In his lab." Joe said and Oliver nodded.

"Thanks." Oliver said as he up there.

Oliver smiled when he entered the lab to find Barry hard at work.

"Feel like taking a break Flash?" Oliver asked with a smile as Barry looked up and grinned widely at him.

"You know I'm gonna hug you now right?" Barry said and Oliver smiled.

"I'll let it go this once considering the circumstances of the last time we saw each other." Oliver said.

"You mean when Sara and I were kneeling over your dying body at the dawn of time?" Barry asked and Oliver nodded as Barry walked up and hugged him.

"It's good to see you alive man." Barry said.

"Thanks. Now, I believe I owe you a conversation." Oliver said and Barry nodded as he then proceeded to slug Oliver.

"Damn." Oliver said as he rubbed his jaw.

"I'm surprised you weren't expecting that." Barry said.

"I let you have that one." Oliver said.

"Sure you did. But anyways, Oliver, I'm not mad about the choice you made, we both know I would've made the same call as you did. I am mad that you didn't tell me about your deal sooner." Barry said.

"I knew that if you knew about it, that you'd try to save me and honestly, I didn't want you to. Not only would that renege on the deal I made, but also, I was honestly tired of fighting my fate. Honestly, knowing that my journey was reaching its end, it was kind of a relief, knowing that I'd finally be able to find peace. Not that I'm not grateful to be alive." Oliver said and Barry nodded.

"I guess I can understand that, but Oliver, you were wrong when you said that you weren't the best of us." Barry said.

"Barry, you and Kara are the best of us. You represent hope, something I could never do." Oliver said.

"Maybe, but Oliver, you inspired a generation of heroes. Me, Spartan, Arsenal, White Canary, Black Canary, all of us, we wouldn't be heroes without the Green Arrow. We wouldn't be heroes without you." Barry said.

"Barry." Oliver began.

"No Oliver, it's true. You've always been the mentor we could turn to when we needed it. The world needs the Green Arrow. It needs you." Barry said and Oliver smiled.

"Maybe. But I am still standing by what I did. There can always be another Green Arrow, but there can't be another Flash or another Supergirl." Oliver said.

"There may be other people who can wear your hood Oliver, but that doesn't mean they should. You are the true Green Arrow. And right now, Star City needs you. Now more than ever." Barry said.

"And Central City needs the Flash. Maybe you can catch me up on why you haven't followed in Kara and Kate's footsteps?" Oliver asked.

"Because until yesterday I wasn't sure how much longer I'd have my powers." Barry said.

"What do you mean?" Oliver asked.

"Do you remember when I forced you to give me your Spectre energy at the vanishing point?" Barry asked.

"Of course." Oliver said.

"Well, it turns out when you did, while it gave me the energy boost I needed, your energy also destabilized the speed force, killing it." Barry said.

"I'm sorry Barry." Oliver said, feeling guilty.

"Don't do that to yourself man. You warned me that it would be dangerous, but I ignored you. But it doesn't matter anyways, since I tricked Thawne into creating a new one. Long story." Barry said.

"Well, I've got some time, since Cisco and Felicity are likely still geeking out over the bunker designs." Oliver said and Barry nodded as they continued talking.