[Chapter 16]

We walked outside to see a burning city.

"Gideon, camouflage the ship. This doesn't look like the type of place we want to linger out in the open," Rip instructed.

"That looks a lot like a Palmer tech building, but why does it have a Smoak logo on it?" Ray wondered our loud.

"This is Star City," I said looking around.

"I thought you said the timeline was safe" Sara asked Rip.

"Yeah, Star City was intact in 2016. This... this is 2046" Rip explained. Suddenly a man with a green hood and a bow and arrow jumped onto a car.

"Don't move!" He said and Rip got ready to shoot him. I was on guard as well. Thank god I put on a hoodie and I'm not just in my bra.

"Oh, thank god," Ray said.

"I said don't move," The man repeated firmly.

"It's me. It's Raymond. Oliver, look, I know it's been a long time, but don't you remember that Rip Hunter recruited us to become legends?" Raymond asked.

"I never heard of any legends," The man said before turning to me. His brow furrowed and he scowled at me.

"You bitch," he says in a low voice and I look at him, confused.

"Excuse me?" I scoff at the stranger.

The stranger hit a button on his arrow and fired at me. I smile at his foolishness, to think that I couldn't deflect a simple weapon like a bow and arrow. The only thing was that this arrow was way faster than I could have thought possible but I ignore the thought in my mind. I wave my hand to deflect the arrow into a tree trunk, but the arrow passed the attack and continues on course unaffected.

Worried, my eyes turn green and I command the earth to throw up a wall of vines to protect me, as that is the elements job, but the arrow pierces it and speeds up if that's even possible.

Panicked, I duck and roll, avoiding the unnaturally fast arrow.

"Isabelle, look out!" Leonard cries and I turn, seeing a faster, silver-glinting arrow flying straight at me. I didn't have time to move out of the way and I fell to the ground, curling up into a ball. The arrow struck my abdomen and the pain was unimaginable. I've only felt like this when...

...when Emmy and Jay Jay died.

I should have known. The arrow... is made out of rhodium. I could feel my power slipping away and my eyes drying up of color and turning gray. My vision is unfocused and blurry and could hear faint shouts and gunshots. Then I feel someone touch me and brush the hair away from my face. I know it's Leonard, but I can't see him. I'm too weak to lift my head or any part of my body.

Finally, my hearing comes back to me slightly and I can hear what Leonard is saying to me.

"Isabelle! Isabelle, can you hear me? Please answer me. Please don't be dead. You can't go like this. Come on, Isa. Answer me, please." Leonard begs and he sounds like he about to cry.

"I'm not... dead yet," I say making him sigh in relief.

"It's not your time Isa, not yet." Leonard soothed me while stroking my hair.

"Mr. Snart, bring her back to the ship now. We have to get that arrow out of her." Rip shouted at Leonard and I felt myself being picked up and rushed to the ship. I moan in pain cause the running shoved the arrow deeper into my abdomen.

Finally, I was let down in a chair and I felt wires being connected to me and Rip talking beside me with Stein. Leonard was also there listening and holding my hand.

"The arrow seems to have pierced Epigastric region and made of some sort of metal," Stein observed.

"It's rhodium. It's the only... thing that can kill me," I breath out and then let out a cry of pain when Rip touched the arrow.

"You're hurting her!" Leonard yells at Rip.

"Gideon, I thought you gave her sedatives to relieve pain?" Rip asked the AI.

"It's not going to work," I say. I can't even blink. This is unbelievable. Next time I'm wearing under armor. "Not human..." I trail off exhausted.

"We have to pull out the arrow now before the Rhodium kills her," Stein reported.

"I'll do it. Let me be the one to pull out the arrow," Leonard volunteers eagerly. Rip declines and says that someone with at least a little expertise should pull out the arrow.

I start zoning out from the pain so I don't pay attention to their argument but finally, I guess Leonard agrees that Rip should be the one to do it.

"This is really going to hurt Isabelle," Stein apologizes and Rip carefully and quickly pulls out the arrow. I scream in pain and convulse just as Leonard shoves me back down to the table. I hear his hushes and soothing words telling me that it's all over and I did it.

A single tear slips from my pale gray eyes down my cheek and I feel Leonard wipe it away with his thumb and both his hands clutch my face and stroke my cheeks.

"It's okay Isa. It's okay to cry. I know it hurts. But it's over. And I promise I'll protect you. Always." Leonard whispers in my ear strokes my hair.

"I've finished repairing her to the best of my ability Captian," Gideon announces and Rip and Stein both leave the room.

Slowly, I feel some strength return to my body and soon enough I can move again. My sight returns and I surprise Leonard by raising my hand and stroking his hand on my cheek. The only problem is, my powers haven't come back. My eyes are still dull and gray. This happened after my last contact with Rhodium. I lost my powers for a little while but they came back.

They always came back.

"You're okay Isa. You're okay," Leonard soothes and kisses my forehead. I smile at him and raise my hand to cup his face.

"You've been crying," I smile at him and run my fingers through his hair.

Leonard just kissed me. Sure it was just on the forehead but, it was a kiss. Stupid human emotions, making me feel all butterfly-squeamish inside.

"I thought I lost you," Leonard says softly. "Plus I wasn't the only one who shed a few tears."

"I shed one tear. One," I say holding up one finger in front of his face. He captures my hand in his and laced his fingers through mine.

"You don't always have to be so strong," Leonard confessed and I laugh.

"I'm just not used to having someone around that understands me," I say and look him in his eyes. His wonderful, dark blue eyes with dancing light blue flecks. Eyes that, are only one color all the time.

Leonard starts leaning closer and closer in and when we are almost touching lips, someone clearing his throat cut throughout the moment.

"Meeting on the bridge. Ms. Light, you should stay there and rest. Mr. Snart on the other hand, we need you to be present," Rip commanded as I sit up.

"Woah Isa, what are you doing?" Leonard says as he stops me from standing up from the chair.

"I'm coming to the meeting. Nothing is going to stop me from kicking that little dweb's ass, with or without my powers," I say glaring at the two men.

"You're still weak from getting hit and you're powers haven't returned. You're of more assistance to the team if you just focus on resting for now. Also, we are not getting any more involved in this time zone than we already are. We are fixing the ship and then we'll be on our way" Rip explains and I groan in frustration as I lay back down.

"This is ridiculous," I sigh to myself as the two boys left.

*A Little While After*

"It's not money. It's not jewels. It's not a valuable artifact. You're just lucky I'll steal anything right about now," Mick complained in the hallway of the medbay. Huh. My sensitive hearing has returned.

"As I suspected," Rip stated and I get out of the room.

"We'll get your gizmo. You just get this bucket flying again," Leonard said as I walked into the room they're all in.

"I'm coming with," I said changing into the outfit I wore when we broke Ray, Mick, and Stein out of the Russian Gulag.

"No, you're not Ms. Light. This does not concern you. Plus it's too dangerous out there for you without your powers-" Rip starts but I cut him off.

"My powers will come back whenever the hell it's convenient. And if you have forgotten, I can kill people with guns, knives, and if needed, my own two hands. You can't stop me, so get out of my way," I say.

Leonard grabs my jacket off it's rung and hands it to me. I give him a questioning look.

"I know that there isn't anything I can do to stop you, but I sure as hell can try and protect you," Leonard says and I blush on the inside.

Rip groans. "Fine."

I put my gun in its holster and hide knives on every part of my body. The green arrow is still, only human.

"So this is just a potential future. It doesn't matter if we kill anyone here, right?" Mick asked, breaking into our conversation. I bet he was feeling a little uncomfortable with our conversation.

"Well, to avoid the risk of a paradox, it's probably best to refrain from killing anyone," Rip stated.

"I'm not going to promise anything," Mick replied.

We exit the ship onto a dirty, garbage smelling street. A small fire was burning what little paper was left on the street and the sky was dark.

"Palmer Tech's just 2 blocks up this way. Or at least it used to be," Rip said and we turned to keep walking.Suddenly there was an explosion and 2 large gangs of bikers road towards us and started shooting.

"Take cover in there!" Rip yelled and we ran towards an abandoned bus.

"It's like World War III out there," Leonard commented.

"It's beautiful," Mick stated as I rolled my eyes. I pull a knife from up my sleeve and aim for the nearest biker. I take him out easily when suddenly the Green Arrow appeared and started shooting at the bikers. I feel Leonard tense up next to me.

"We need to find another route," Rip told us but Mick just laughed, loving it.I saw Green Arrow take a hit and fall to the ground.

I jumped up and ran towards him, ignoring the calls from Rip.I easily caught up to the Green Arrow and he pointed his bow and arrow at me.

"What the hell is your problem with me?" I ask, kicking the bow out of his hands and placing my knife against his throat.

"You... you survived," He said simply.

"No shit Sherlock. Who are you and why are you trying to kill me? How do you even know that-" I get cut off.

"That rhodium can kill you? I'm the Green Arrow," He said.

"You don't smell like The Green Arrow from 2016," I stated firmly and he snorts.

"Thanks and that's because that Green Arrow is dead," The man said in his non-disguised voice.

"Why are you trying to kill me?" I demanded as Rip ran up to us.

"You caused all of this. You destroyed Star City and killed the original Green Arrow and... my father," the man admitted.

"Who is your father?" I ask, cutting the skin on his neck a little.

"John Diggle... my name is Connor," He explained.

"I didn't kill your-" I start but get cut off by a group of armed men walking into the alleyway and started attacking us. A man walked up and shot a large missile at us. Conner pulled Rip one wayand I jumped another way. A nearby building collapsed around us and once the dust had settled, I stood up and couldn't find Rip and Connor anywhere.I race back to find Mick and Leonard surrounded by a bike gang.

"Drop your weapons, and hand over your wallets," A man commanded as they pointed their guns at Mick and Leonard.

"Wait, are you actually trying to mug them?" I asked amused as I walked over to them.

"What is this, amateur hour?" Mick laughed.

"If you don't do what my man says, we're going to crush you into the pavement like a couple of ants and take your woman," A man wearing a long fur coat said walking over to me.

"Really?" Mick asked amused.

"What do you say we teach these fellas a lesson?" I said smirking to Mick and Leonard.

"Yeah," Mick agreed as the man took off his fur coat and punch Leonard in the face.

"That's what you get when you don't follow directions," The man told Leonard.

"Interesting. Hold this," Mick said, handing me his gun and punch the man in the face, but he didn't budge. His men laughed.

"Second thoughts..." Mick said and grabbed his gun and roasted the man with it.

"Whoa! Where did you get that?" The man holding the coat asked.

"eBay," Mick said casually as Leonard and I shared an amused look.

"Now, your boss will not be needing this," Mick said as he took the fur coat and put it on.

"Well, this has been fun, but I think it's time to leave," I said, wanting to get back and find Rip and Connor.

"Leave? Why would we leave?" Mick asked, pulling a girl to his side and jumped on a four-wheeler with her. Leonard shrugged at me and got on a motorbike. I sigh deeply and get on behind him, wrapping my arms around hiswaist as we took off.

***

I sat in a booth of a club with Leonard who has an arm around my shoulder to fend off any drunk men, spinning one of my knives in my hand as Mick drank and celebrated with his new gang.

"Hey, you, I'm terrible with names. I'm going to call you Fonzie," Mick shouted at the man who gave him the fur coat.

"Yeah!" 'Fonzie' cheered.

"I'm going to call you Kenickie," Mick said pointing to another random man. "Anyone else here need a name?" Mick called out

"Ok, I think it's enough now" I comment to Leonard and he nods in agreement. Then he stands up and walks over to Mick, so I get up and follow.

"Your highness, can I get a moment of your time, please?" Leonard asked sarcastically. Huh, I guess he isn't very happy about being stuck here either.

"Sure," Mick said getting down from the bar and walks over with us to an empty corner.

"Ah, isn't the future great?" Mick commented.

"We really should be getting back to Rip and Connor," I start.

"Why?" Mick asked.

"Because I want to figure out whatever the hell is his problem with me and then go back and finish the original mission," I said firmly.

"And I'm not looking to put down roots here," Leonard added.

"Why not? It's everything we've ever wanted. I got a gang that does everything I tell them to. I got a fur coat. I got a chalice. You can get your answers," Mick explained to Leonard and me.

"What about stopping Savage?" Leonard asked.

"What about it? You're the one who said we're in this for the score, remember? We could live like kings here. No cops, no heroes... just some fool in a Green Hoodie. It's Christmas everyday," Mick explained before walking off with a girl on his arm.

"I'm losing my patience. Now is not the time for games," I growl and Leonard places a hand on my shoulder.Suddenly a new group of men walked in and the music stopped.

"Who invited them?" Mick asked annoyed.

"Word on the street is Deathstroke is pissed bout something," 'Fonzie' replied.

"Deathstroke... what kind of name is that?" Mick asked as one of the men who attacked Rip, Connor and I walked into the room. I slowly moved behind Leonard to hide my face from the newcomer. Leonard wrapped an arm around myshoulders and pulled me into him so it looked like we were a drunken couple. To be honest, it felt really nice.

"Party's over. Everyone hit the streets. Hit everybody on them. I want Green Arrow dead by morning," Deathstroke yelled out.

"Listen, pal, this is my gang. The only orders they take are from me," Mick said angrily.

"Hmm, might be your gang, but it's my city," Deathstroke said to Mick before turning to the crowd.

"Green Arrow is running with a female with gray eyes and a Brit in a brown coat. Kill them all," Deathstroke ordered as I felt Leonard tense up and only relaxedonce the room was cleared.

"Looks like your new minions are about to go on a citywide manhunt for Rip and me," I said walking over to Mick.

"So what?" Mick asked.

"They're going to kill our friends," Leonard snapped.

"Since when did they become my friends?" Mick asked and I recoiled from this a little.

"You and Raymond seemed to get pretty tight back in Russia," I said.

"I've never been tight with anyone," Mick snapped.

"Mick, it's time to go," Leonard stated firmly.

"You're not the boss of me," Mick yelled and went for his gun.

"Actually, I am," Leonard said, raising his voice.

"Ok, enough!" I yelled, stepping in between them. "This guy says that I'm the reason this happened to Star City and I want to know why and how this happened. I'm sorry but this is my chance to find a way to change myself, by preventing what is supposed to happen here. Let's make a deal, you help me get to Rip and Connor and then youguys can have this conversation about the future," I said firmly, leaving no room for argument.

We followed a few of the people from Mick's gang to an abandoned building and heard fighting in the distance.

"There's too many of them!" Conner called out. Leonard, Mick and I shared a look and ran towards the fighting.

"Your timing is exemplary," Rip called out as Mick and Leonard started shooting men and I took out the remaining men with my knives.Once the fighting had stopped, I looked around.

"Where's Connor?" I asked as Rip picked up his bow.

"He's been taken," Rip said sadly.

"It must Deathstroke," I said.

"Hmm... the guy with the half face and the body armor has a real mad-on for the kid in the hoodie," Mick added.

"Can I have a word?" Rip said to me firmly as we walked away from the others.

"Rip..." I started to say.

"I know what you are going to say," Rip interrupted.

"We have to get him back," I continued.

"Yes, that. You're forgetting this future is only a potential timeline," Rip said annoyed.

"But it's not!" I shout. "I did this. I destroyed Star City and I want answers about how and maybe why this happened and Connor has them," I snap.

"We going back on the ship and we are leaving 2046 to deal with itself," Rip commanded me like a father and walked away. I stomp back toLeonard and Mick.

"Now that we rescued them, let's have that chat," Mick said to us.

"You want to stay here," Leonard stated.

"Thought I made that pretty clear. What I'm less clear on is why you don't. A city of thieves and criminals..." Mick said.

"Sounds like a lot of competition," Leonard stated.

"Then we wipe them out. What I did to that other guy, we do the same to this Deathstroke and anyone else stupid enough to get in our way. Take a look around, Snart. We're living thedream," Mick explained. I sigh annoyed, walk up to Mick and knocked him out.

"What happened to him?" Rip asked walking over to us.

"Difference of opinion," Leonard stated before I could say anything.

"Right... we need to get this and Mr. Rory back to the Waverider," Rip said and lead us off in the direction of the waverider.