Dressed once more as the Arrow, Oliver Queen moved through the cells at Nanda Parbat that Rashe had actually given him permission to do this didn't erase his caution. As far as his friend would know, the Arrow had broken into this fortress to rescue him. Which was enough to force caution into his movements. When he found the right cell, he knocked the door off its hinges with one well-aimed kick. Lance was sitting on a cot, his back against the far wall, his head down.
"Captain Lance, I need to get you out of here."
"Oliver." Captain Lance breathed. Oliver froze in place. "Save Oliver Queen."
Trying to conceal his relief Oliver stepped forward. "Don't worry, he's safe. He's the one who told me to get you out of here. And I intend to do that."
Earth-21 Oliver Queen is brought in chains and made to kneel before Rashe Al Ghul.
Rashe Al Ghul: Death comes to all things Mr. Queen. Even one as powerful as myself.
Oliver looks up with resolution. “Kill me. With me out of the way, the Arrow won't be a problem for you anymore. We both know why. But give the people of Starling City a fighting chance. Spare the life of Captain Lance.” He took a breath and closed his eyes a moment. “Quentin Lance. Let him go. I will BEG for it if needs be.”
“His life means that much to you.”
“If you wanted to force me onto my knees, all you would need to do is threaten his life. Like you I am many things; a liar isn't one of them. Please, don't punish him for his loyalty.”
“You have shown tremendous strength, fortitude, power. A sense of honor and integrity all but absent from the world outside the League.” Rashe sheathed his sword. “But you are mistaken. I don't want to kill you. I want you to take my place. I want you to become the next Rashe Al Ghul.”
“Malcolm Merlyn as he is known now chose family over destiny.”
“Malcolm was one of you?”
“After his wife died he drifted. When he killed the man responsible he felt even more lost. He came to us seeking a purpose in life. We gave him that.”
“And he found anew purpose, being there for his son. Or at least his daughter.”
“You know the man?”
“I am not eager to give you more people to use against me.”
“So long as he does not murder an innocent, Malcolm Merlyn and his family are safe from us. But that's not why you hesitate. You were talking about your own family. How is that so?”
“Tommy Merlyn and I were as close as brothers growing up. His father was nearly non-existent in his life. It led to Tommy's death two years ago. Forging his own path...and dying a hero in the Glades. Eight months later I learned that my sister, Thea...is biologically Malcolm's daughter.”
“That would shift ones priorities.”
“He felt he could correct his mistakes. That he could be a better father to her, than perhaps she had even known from Robert. And yes I call him 'Robert' anyway. They live as father and daughter.”
“Rightly so.”
“Will you let the Arrow rescue Captain Lance?”
“Why do you specify?”
“As Oliver Queen I could never successfully rescue him. But I was also asking if you will help me keep my secret. Let him think of the Arrow however he thinks of him. And let me don that hood at least one last time to rescue someone so...so important to both of us.”
“Tell me, do you ever get tired? I've been alive for 280 years Mr. Queen, I've never met anyone who spoke of their various identities as you do. Do you ever get tired, protecting as the hooded man and as Oliver Queen anyone important to either man?”
“In this case, that doesn't matter. Quentin Lance matters to the Arrow as much as he matters to Oliver Queen. But to answer your question... Yes I do get tired caring so much about everyone that matters to 'us'. But I only ever get tired from it not of it.”
“You speak quite wisely. You do realize I am still going to...”
“Yeah I kind of figured that.”
“Your audacity is as refreshing as it is unwise.”
“Somehow I got the impression that lying to you was far less advisable than being stupidly honest. Besides, I'm more concerned with getting Quentin out in time. It's kind of drowning out all other considerations.”
“Rescue the Captain. Go back to Starling City and continue looking after the ones you care about. We will continue this conversation another day. I don't have to tell you you have indeed given me another tool I can use to break your will IF I choose.”
“If that day comes we shall see what 'God in Heaven has in store'. Until then I will simply say, thank you, for your consideration...in letting me save my friend.” He continued pointedly.
Dressed once more as the Arrow, Oliver marched through Nanda Parbat. He searched through the cells as well as the open rooms. He heard a cough. Oliver looked through the bars of Lance's cell. The man was sitting up, holding tightly to the edges of his bed. He wasn't looking up. With one well-aimed kick Oliver broke down the door.
“Captain Lance, I have to get you out of here.”
“...Oliver.” Quentin Lance said faintly. Oliver froze in place. “Save Oliver Queen.”
“Don't worry, he's safe. He told me to get you out.”
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