Lessons Learned

Chapter 11 - Changes

Chapter 11 - Changes 

AN - This chapter glosses over the last few S2 episodes in this single chapter so I warn you now that there are some SPOILERS! After this chapter, I hope to continue this as a series of mostly unrelated "one-shots" in this particular happier, fluffier Arrow universe. 

DISCLAIMER - Not even the tiniest portion of CW's Arrow belongs to me but I love it anyway!

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Roy set the bow and quiver down and moved on to one of the training dummies when he lost his concentration (again). He started with basic routines Diggle had taught him previously then tried to change his speed and power as Oliver had instructed. Even without the Mirakuru, he still struggled with control and precision and as he no longer had the additional strength he knew he needed to be better. The only plus side of Thea being gone was that he had plenty of time to train now. Roy put an immediate stop to those thoughts and forced himself to focus again on his form as he tried again. 

Still focusing on keeping his center low, Roy ditched the katas and improvised with a series of quick strikes and kicks. He realized he still kept his hands up like a street boxer and stepped away shaking his head in frustration. He then immediately took a deep breath, released it, and tried again as he could hear Oliver's voice instructing him in his head. He continued training until he felt the pain in his hands. Roy looked down and saw the blood dripping from his scraped knuckles and rolled his eyes at his own stupidity. No Mirakuru also meant no super healing. It was just one more change he needed to get used to - no super strength, no super healing, no Thea. 

As his focus returned to Thea, Roy stopped training and grabbed a water bottle for a quick break. Instead of replaying his final scene with her for the hundredth time though he took a moment to look around the new lair. It was actually much better than the basement at Verdant but he still wasn't comfortable here. Roy snorted at his thoughts - he really wasn't comfortable in his own skin right now. 

Oliver may have arranged for Laurel to prevent his prosecution for his Mirakuru inspired crime spree and he may not remember those events but he still had to live with what he had done. It was Diggle and Oliver who had filled in the blanks about that time. Felicity was the one who had brought up the footage and apologized for not having told him earlier. Roy could still see the cops falling to the ground dead at his feet. He saw them every night in his nightmares, he also saw Thea with tears running down her face. Nightmares were another new thing for him and he didn't appreciate that particular change in his life. Roy shook his head to clear it and again focused on the lair. 

Oliver, Diggle, and Felicity had made a lot changes to their set-up. They improved their security, supplies, technology, and, well, basically everything. They hadn't wanted to recreate the Foundry here plus the new location had a very different layout so it wouldn't have worked anyway but Roy still kinda missed their old set-up. Just one more new thing to deal with, Roy thought with an annoyed sigh. 

Ditching the water, Roy decided to return to target practice but he stopped as he crossed the room. He had to smile as one of the many changes in the new location was that Felicity had required the targets be far away from her new babies. Felicity was still very excited about the new ARGUS supplied computers even if she had spent hours trying to ensure ARGUS had no ability to spy on them. She remained paranoid and continued to work on their security each day. 

That fear of outsiders was one of the reasons he was alone in the lair right now. This was actually the second location and it was the one that they were keeping a secret. The official location was known by everyone who knew Oliver's identity and that list was even longer than when Roy had found out. The Team had accepted the need for others to know and would continue to accept help when necessary but they were also even more concerned about security now. The second secret location gave an extra layer of security to them and it was somewhere that just belonged to them. It seemed Team Arrow had learned a few things and were doing things differently now. More changes, Roy growled to himself.