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ARROW BUNKER
Drake Lance
I sit in the table that Ollie used to sit in to drink with Diggle and have my laptop open listening to my new pieces of music, editing it and making improvements to make it perfect as it’s super late at night. I have my notebook next to me that Cisco brought in from my Gotham apartment and write notes in it and doodles. I have some of my band members watching the Gotham apartment as it’s my favorite place in the planet, it’s MY home. The $3 Million dollar apartment wasn’t easy buying, especially when you’re known for your loud and vicious concerts that sometimes, always end in chaos.
This new fame/singing career is close enough to a normal life. Balancing my life as Black Canary in the singing industry and the whole vigilante industry is difficult. I’ve seen many conspiracy videos while being on tour about me being identified as my vigilante identity but I don’t let it bother me. If TMZ got the scoop on me being The Black Canary, the world wouldn’t be so surprised, everyone knows inside what I really do. But I am far from being a hero.
I continue creating lyrics and having a rhythm and beat in mind already. The band is going to love this. I take a photo of the lyrics and send it to group and check the time to see it almost 1 am and realize I’ll have to get out of this quiet and peace zone and go back home and keep an eye on Will.
I have no interest in sleeping, there is something happening outside of this bunker and it’s keeping me awake. There are a lot of unanswered questions, plenty about my counterpart and the Ghost.
“Don’t think too hard sweet stuff.” I hear a familiar voice that sounds like Adrian Chase and turn around knowing who’s it is but as I do, I see nobody in the bunker. Even if he was here, he’s supposed to be dead. I scratch my head as it’s a bit itchy and rub my eyes feeling drowsy. I get up from the desk and walk around the bunker alone and take myself out for a tour.
I go into the garage and see a collection of motorcycles and see the one that Laurel used to ride. I look at the black and yellow cruise type body Harley Davidson as it’s been detailed and taken care of as a trophy and collector. I’ve always been into a sport bike body for my motorcycles but I don’t plan on taking one in just yet.
I walk out of the garage and into the little exercising room Ollie would always train in. I stare at the salmon ladder as it’s gathered dust over time. I walk close to it remembering the image of Ollie on this jumping all over the ladder like the pro he was. I then remember all the good times and the difficult times and smile at the thought. I walk away from the ladder and look at my phone knowing I’m getting over this loss better than these last two years have been for me.
As I look at my phone, a photo message notification slides down on my screen from Rene. I open the message and find a disturbing photo of Rene. I look at the photo and he looks poisoned as the skin on his face has turned into a dark purple green. Another message gets sent in the same chat with the message saying: Come find him -Silver Siren.
I look at the phone and then decide to call him myself. I don’t fear a lot of things in this world, because I’m capable of a lot of things. As I call, I hear Silver Siren pick up the phone.
“Hey, you finally got my message!” He says as he sounds just like me, and being sarcastic. I guess that’s one thing that both of us have in common between these two earths.
“What do you want asshole? Money? Fame? A getaway vacation like your sister?” I say wanting to hear it from him and his sole motivation.
“Hear me out Canary, I trade you for your pal Rene… I precisely only want you, no one else showing up of course. No Mr.Terrific, No Felicity and No Green Arrow.” He says wanting me and it all makes sense. Ra’s Al Ghul has always wanted one thing, this city. He needs to take out the only person that is capable of protecting this city to take it for himself. I’ll let him think that.
“Lucky for you Silver, I only work alone. Send me the location and I’ll be there. Oh and keep Rene some company will you?” I say knowing what I have to do now.
“See you soon Can-” He says and I hang up on him not caring for the rest of what he has to say. I wait a minute or so and he sends me the location and it appears to be inside a warehouse by the harbor. Why do all the bad things happen at the harbor?
I grab my jacket putting it on and walk into the garage seeing Laurel’s motorcycle again. “You’re the only one that’s going to get me there quick.” I say getting on the motorcycle and starting it as I hear it rev it’s engine like the beast it is.
_________________
STAR CITY HARBOR
I sneak around the harbor seeing all the ships parked as their shipments are being delivered. I look at one of the shipping containers remembering almost 3 years ago when Ollie and I stopped Mario Falcone from his sex trafficking here in Star City. I remember David Jones, Officer Jones, when he was alive. He left Star City to go to Gotham and stop the Falcone mafia. Of course when I moved back we ran into each other but that’s a different story for later.
I focus back on finding Rene and Silver Siren and the GPS leads me into what looks like a giant warehouse for Queens Industry. I look at it knowing it’s for sure abandoned as the painting is almost worn off. The only thing left of it is it’s unrecognizable logo of Queens Industry. It’s shocking that this didn’t get repainted into Palmer tech when Ray or Atom took over.
I close the GPS app on my phone and turn my phone off as I stuff it in my back pocket. I figure a way inside as I look at the door already opened but it’s too predictable. This could be a trap, maybe even an ambush. Coming alone might’ve been a stupid idea, but if Silver was smart, he would’ve sent back up.
I decide to walk in through the door and do so as it’s empty. I see the moonlight shinning down on a spot and see Rene tied up to a chair sitting in the middle of the warehouse. I run to him knowing that Silver wouldn’t let him just go like this and keep my instincts.
“Where’s Silver?” I ask Rene as I look at him to see his face bruised and covered in blood. He tortured him, and not in a way a normal person would, but in the Russian way, pain without death. He was looking for information.
“It’s a trap.” Rene coughs out and I ignore him already knowing the situation. I’m hard to take down, there’s no way that Siren is alone in this right now.
“Right here… Sorry, I was getting tired of waiting for you.” I hear my own voice from behind and turn around seeing myself standing wearing all black with a dark long black coat as he wears what seems to be an entire body suit made out of this almost leather fabric along with a almost mechanic choker around his neck. I look at him as I see minor differences between me and him, from the scars on his face, and structure to the way he stands like a soldier, and of course the silver blonde hair he has.
“This isn’t awkward at all.” I say as we both look at ourselves and he chuckles coldly. He stands far from me not getting close and I’m getting a feeling he’s up to something.
“So you’re The Black Canary everyone keeps talking about? It’s a shame what happened at The Hall Of Justice with you.” He says and then walks slowly towards me.
“Yeah, don’t confuse yourself with me. We might look a like but I am nothing like you.” I say clenching my jaw starring at him and he chuckles with an evil smile.
“What? A killer? A liar? You think I didn’t know this already?” He says walking past me and I turn as he moves, and keep my eyes on him. As he walks around, I notice a gun strapped to his leg and a knife on the other leg.
“Maybe I’m wrong about one thing. We’re both assholes.” I say annoyed already with the presence of Silver Siren as this isn’t going fast enough. “What do you want anyways Silver? You have me here, let him go.” I say and he stands behind Rene’s chair and takes out his knife cutting him loose.
When Rene is cut loose he looks at me strange and worried. I ignore him showing I don’t care for him and he goes knowing what to do. Get out and go. The team doesn’t know about me here, no one knows.
“You came alone?” He says and as he does I hear a group of people in what sounds like combat boots walking from behind.
“You think I can’t take care of myself.” I look behind me seeing about 6 men armed with swords in what looks like to be camouflage uniform. This is Siren’s backup.
“On my earth, I’m one of Stalin’s best assassin to live. I am The Soviet legend.” Silver says knowing his self worth but it doesn’t matter. He hasn’t seen me fight yet.
“Welcome to Earth 1.” I say and quickly turn around and scream as loud as I can throwing the soldiers off their feet and keeping them down. “SCCRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.” I stop screaming and then look back over at Silver Siren taking out his gun from his leg strap and aiming it at me and begins to shoot. I quickly move fast dodging the bullets as I move towards him.
I quickly kick my leg high in the air hitting his hand disarming him from the gun. I then go in for another kick and he ducks down dodging the move. He quickly takes out his knife and if I know him after all the things he’s done, it’s definitely filled with poison.
He tries to stab me or at least cut me with it but fails as I’m faster at moving and quicker with my reflexes. He goes in to stab me but I grab a hold of his hand stopping him. I grab his wrist tight and he quickly knees me in the gut, he turns fast and then swings his knife on my shoulder as it slashes my leather jacket open cutting my skin as well. I fall back loosing my balance as I begin to feel the symptoms of it fast.
“This is a hell of a stronger dose than what I gave your friend Batman. Of course he’s knocked out into a coma, but I’m hoping this kills you.” Silver says as I begin to get dizzy feeling it and try to get a hold of myself. I begin feel some of my meta human cells fight it and my heart beats fast.
I walk back slowly seeing my cut turn green and begin to find it hard to breathe. He walks towards me slowly putting his knife in his strap. I look back at him and then turn around seeing the soldiers regroup and aim their guns at me as they surround me. I’m outnumbered.
“No antidote this time Canary, which means no more singing for you.” My alternate self, Silver Siren says as I begin to drop on the floor and he grabs his gun from the floor. “I wonder what they’ll do when you’re dead, or when I take over of course.” He says as he walks towards me looking over my body as I choke on the air. “Don’t worry, you’ll be too dead to care anyways.” He says as he arms his gun and aims it at me.
I look at my alternate self and as I do I see a dark figure behind him standing on the roof looking down. The figure pulls out a gun and then begins to shooting at the guards putting them down and I quickly kick Silver Siren’s leg and he falls on the ground. Silver’s gun flies off him and I get an idea on getting it for myself.
I drag myself away from Silver Siren as the poison isn’t killing me neither hurting me as much as I thought it would be. I then hear the mysterious figure jump down and hear a sword slashing the air fast and take a look seeing the one and the only, Deathstroke.
“Drake!” He yells and I look at him sickly and he throws me a vile. I catch the vile in my hand and quickly drink it and as I do, I feel regenerated and healed from the poison that Silver poisoned me with.
I get up from the floor and see Silver getting up from the floor as well. Slade keeps himself busy with the soldiers and I take a chance on Silver again. We both walk up to each other slowly as if we were in a ring match, but this is more of a life or death situation.
We both fight at the same time as we throw kicks and punches. We have almost the same fighting style, he’s just a bit harder and I’m more faster. I kick Silver in the leg and punch him hard in the face as I have the upper hand knowing my speed and having no limit on how much hurt I can bring on him.
Silver doesn’t give up and he gets back up fast and goes for a punch but I grab on to him and throw him to the ground. Silver falls to the ground but rolls back up as I suck in for a scream. Silver sees me and gets back up for a scream battle and as I do I see his choker shine a low yellow light as if he’s charging up.
“SSSSCCCCREEEEEEEEEEE / AAAAAAIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.” We both scream at the same time but instead of it impacting the both of us it throws Silver off into a crate of boxes. Silver’s body crashes into the crates and I see the pieces of wood everywhere. I walk towards him knowing that his scream isn’t as powerful as mine, meaning A) his scream isn’t organic or B) he’s not strong like me.
I turn around seeing Slade taking down the last soldier with his sword as he then shoots the man with his gun. Him killing these soldiers doesn’t bother me and so I let him be. I focus back on Silver Siren and walk closer to him to hear him groan.
I see him laying on the broken pieces of wood and stand over his body. “It’s over Silver.” I say as I look down at him as he takes off his mechanic choker and throws it away from him. I feel Slade come up behind me as he stands by my side.
“Go ahead and lock me up!” He says and spits out blood from his mouth on to the floor. “Ra’s is coming for you pretty bird and there’s nothing you can do to stop him from taking YOUR pathetic little shit hole of a city this place is. It’ll be his before you even know it.” He says trying to piss me off but from where I’m standing, he’s pissing the wrong person off.
“He can try.” I say with a small smile and kick him hard in the face knocking him out. I look next to me and see Slade in his Deathstroke uniform. “Thanks for coming.” I thank Slade and then look at my leather jacket angry knowing that this is special to me. This is the only thing that reminds me of myself and what I do.
“It’s ripped.” Slade says pointing out the obvious as he begs me to take it off. “I’ll fix it.” I look at him confused as this isn’t the right place neither the right time. I’m running for my life and just took down the person that ruined it for me, and right now this jacket isn’t as important. I diss Slade and then look at Silver Siren knowing I have to bring him to the hall of justice, or what’s left of it.
“You have handcuffs?” I ask Slade and he reaches for his cuffs and hands them to me. I handcuff Silver Siren’s hands together and then take out my phone. I dial 911 knowing that The Justice League along with The FBI and CIA will hear me when I say the words I need to say.
“911 what’s your emergency?” I hear a human voice and I smile as I stare at Slade as he can hear the phone. Slade takes his mask off raising eyebrows as I’m becoming almost too unpredictable.
“Hey this is Drake Lance, also known as Black Canary I’ve just took down 6 mercenaries down in the Harbor here in Star City after also taking down the person that ruined my life for me. Send whoever you have to send but know that I might still be here by the time they get here. Just thought you should know. ” I say knowing Cyborg is listening into the phone lines for my name or my voice. Hopefully this rings a bell. I keep the line open and hear nothing knowing that this line has been bugged of course. I hang up right away and throw my phone into the pile of the soldiers knowing that this iPhone is a burner phone and my personal one is at home. I’m rich enough to buy more anyways incase anything happens.
“Where are you going?” Slade asks me as I grab Silver’s body and carry him on my shoulder having the strength to do that due to my powers.
“The Hall of Justice and prove these level headed morons wrong.” I say angry remembering them almost killing me almost two days ago. Slade follows me as I carry Silver’s body and I look for a helicopter on one of these boats to get to the nearest airport and take a private jet from there.
“You can’t keep doing these things alone Drake. You almost died.” He says and I spot a helicopter pad with a helicopter near me. I walk fast to the helicopter and Slade follows me again playing catch up as he watches my back.
“What if I told you I knew you were coming?” I lie to him and he shakes his head as we reach the helicopter. I open the door and dump Silver’s body on to the back seat of the helicopter and Slade goes around the helicopter as I make sure Silver is empty of any weapons and communications. I throw everything Silver has on to the ground but make sure to keep the antidotes to wake up Batman when I return.
“You’d be lying.” He says and then gets into the pilot seat putting all the equipment on himself. “I’m flying.” He looks over at me and I slam shut the back door and as I do, I hear police sirens from a far coming close. I quickly get in and Slade begins to turn everything on as the blades begin to spin.
“Well hurry up, I don’t think these guys are happy to hear from me.” I say as I start hearing the sirens go louder. Slade quickly lifts off the ground and soon enough we’re high in the air.
“Trust me, I know what I’m doing, I’m the king of escaping kid.” He says getting too ahead of himself but proves himself when we’re high in the air. I look out my window to see FBI vans surrounding the area and feel relieved that Slade got us out.
“That was close.” I sigh in relief knowing that this will be all over soon. As Slade flies the ride is silent and I take off my jacket starring at the rip in it. I lay the jacket on my lap knowing I’ll have someone fix it.
“So where now?” Slade says as he’s already en route to the airport. I look over at the horizon and the view of my home, MY city according to Silver Siren.
“The airport, and I hope you know how to fly an airplane too because we’re heading to The Hall Of Justice.” I say being serious and Slade makes a small smirk being charming and it annoys me a little.
“Are you underestimating me?” He says jokingly and I look over at him with a small smile.
“You’re asking the guy that kicked your ass in Paris.” I say with a smile and chuckle as I shut him up fast.
“This is Deathstroke and Black Canary, En route to the Hall Of Justice.” He says and I nod at him with a small smirk on my face and look away going to relax for once. I need to catch up on some stressless sleep. I’ll need it incase anything goes south when I bring Silver in.
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HALL OF JUSTICE
The morning sun shines on the lawn of the rebuilt Hall Of Justice as it still looks in ruins. Many men work on it as they wear their construction hats. I hear the noises of drills, hammers, and trucks moving, the usual stuff. I walk across the lawn with a ripped black long sleeve t-shirt from Silver Siren, with black jeans and my black Doc Martens.
I hold on to Silver Siren as his mouth is gagged with a piece of fabric as I threatened to throw him into the worst place ever if he spoke. He’s automatically joining Stryker’s island since Iron Heights would’ve been too nice to him. I continue to push Silver Siren in front of me and as I walk, I see some members of the league not attacking as they stare at me.
I being to walk up the steps pushing Silver in front of me and the members gasp at the sight of Silver. I get agitated that they would ever think that I would betray them like this. They never thought twice, and didn’t go easy on me either. I push Silver Siren through the doors and make my way to the meeting room knowing the main members, the founders, whatever you want to call them will be discussing about capturing me.
I quickly throw Silver through the doors of the room and see the main members of The League stand up in shock. Green Lantern, Martian, Wonder Woman, Superman, Aquaman and Flash quickly stand up from their chairs and stare at me and Silver Siren.
“Sorry to interrupt your boring meeting.” I say angry and Diana looks at me relieved and I ignore her.
“Who’s this?” Kal says as he walks towards me and they all look at me confused.
“My doppelgänger, the one who’s ACTUALLY responsible for all the damage he’s done to this place.” I say as they awkwardly stand there in shock.
“And does he have a confession brother?” Diana asks me to reconnect but that’s broken. My trust and belief in these people are done. I look at Diana meanly, knowing my path from here.
“Use your lasso or at least that’s what you should’ve done to begin with.” I snap at her knowing that she’s capable of so much.
“Drake, I am so sorry… For Everything.” Diana says trying to save the bond me and her have had and I shake my head dissing her. Bruce would’ve believed me if he was conscious.
“Don’t apologize, the damage is already done.” I say looking down at Silver as he looks at me chuckling. I quickly throw a punch to his face knocking him out as he’s annoyed me enough this week.
“I’ll take him to the cells for now.” Hall says and uses the power of the lantern to create an orb around Silver and floats him away. Hall leaves the room leaving the rest of us and I take out an antidote from my pocket knowing that this can wake Bruce up.
“This can save Bruce.” I say laying it down in the table and cross my arms not knowing what to do exactly. I walk towards the window angry starring at the lawn that has been ruined cause of all this. I stop thinking of how things could’ve happened and think of now. It’s over. Not all of it of course. The only question is: What happens next?
“You have all our apologies Drake. We were wrong to accuse you of these actions.” Kal says being formal and the leader of this. They all walk up to me gathering in front of me to talk to me.
“You showed us your great strength and your loyalty to proving your innocence when nobody believed in you. It takes a strong person to do something like that and not completely run away.” Martian Manhunter says as they’re all going somewhere from this.
“That is a true sign of a hero.” Barry says looking at me as he’s been there for me after Ollie’s death. I hit rock bottom for awhile, but it was always Diana and Barry helping me up, but Bruce takes a lot of the credit for picking me back up. Again, a story for later.
“We understand that fate works in mysterious ways and you proved yourself to be a better hero and person than you would’ve before.” Kal says and I look at him knowing I’ve done a lot to show my loyalty to this. Being with Superman and them meant a lot to me, to fight and take down giant squids is everything to me. To fight for something bigger.
“We’re asking for you back Drake.” Diana says with a small smile as she walks up to me grabbing my hand. “We’re asking for you to join us, to join the top of the Justice League.” Diana says and Kal nods agreeing with that decision. It’s what I’ve always wanted. “I’m asking you to come back.” Diana says knowing the partnership we could have as she lays my mask on my hand. We could’ve had.
I look at the mask knowing what it’s been through. It’s gone from Sara, to Laurel and to me. The Black Canary mantle has existed for years through all my sisters. I look at the mask and close Diana’s hand knowing that this is what they would want me to do. My sisters fought because they believed in Justice and the better good and this isn’t it.
I look at Diana as she looks at me shocked and sad. She’s always been there for me except for this dark time that I came out of. “I’m sorry Diana, but I’m not coming back.” I say as I feel disappointed and sad with myself rejecting the only offer that I’ve always wanted.
I walk away from The Original members and walk out of the room. I exit the Hall of Justice knowing I could’ve had it all but I know what I have to do and what I need to do. This isn’t the place for me.
As I walk down the stairs of The Hall I hear someone running behind me. “Drake! Wait!” I hear Diana’s voice as I continue walking ignoring her as I’m already disappointed in myself for rejecting the offer that could change everything but it’s for my own good. “I need to talk to you!” Diana says and I stop walking and turn around and let her catch up. She pants as tears grow in her eyes as she stands in front of me.
“Why are you doing this brother?” Diana asks me wanting answers as she’s confused. She’s always known I’ve wanted this. We fought many battles together and lived to tell the stories.
“The League didn’t trust me. You didn’t trust me either.” I tell her and she takes the blame for it. “I was on my own!” I say crossing my arms looking away from her as I’m ashamed of myself for believing in The League.
“But I believe in you! I believe that you could do so much more if you come back. I trust you now, after what you put yourself through. Please don’t do this to yourself.” Diana says and I shake my head.
“I told you it wasn’t me and you didn’t believe in me! Trust is supposed to go both ways Diana and I don’t trust neither believe in you anymore. I don’t believe in any of you anymore.” I say looking at her as I don’t see the older sister I used to see anymore. All I see is someone who tried to kill me.
“This is your life Drake! This is what you always wanted. You’re making a huge mistake brother.” She says trying to fight for me and I shake my head knowing what is best for me.
“Maybe, but I have to sort this out on my own. Without The Justice League and without you.” I say turning away from her starring at my path of going back to Star City. “You were like a sister to me.” I say and walk away from The Hall knowing my return won’t be coming back.
“May the gods be with you Drake.” She says as she stops calling me brother as she used to always do. I was the only man she considered a brother. She understood my loss of Ollie and she trained me. Our reunion won’t come again, not ever.
It’s time to save my city
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