I was greeted with cold water being thrown at me. I jolted up and looked around, only to find my hands bound in chains. I looked up to see the chains being attached to the beam above me. I started looking around the room for Oliver, but he wasn't with me.
"I hope I didn't hurt you," my dad said as he walked towards me.
I glared at him. "Where's Ollie?"
"In another room. Much like in your situation." Dad came closer. "I always wondered why the Hood was so willing to listen to you when I was shot. Should have known that you were his accomplice." Dad let out a breath. "Wow, my own daughter. One of the vigilantes." He circled around me. "So, the nightclub? The leaving work early? You...You really had me fooled. You really did. My hope is that I can explain everything to you to help you understand."
My lips formed a tight line as I my glare hardened. "You murdered Mr. Queen! You're the reason why Oliver and I spent five years in hell! If anyone is fooled, it's me!"
"I didn't know you were on that boat before it was too late!" Dad snapped. "If I had known you were on the Gambit, then I would have persuaded you to stay. When I found out that you were on that boat..." He shook his head as he held his head down. "Five years. I blamed myself for five years. Not only did I lose my wife, I've lost my daughter."
"You've lost your daughter the day you left. After Mom died," I sneered. "You left me and Tommy alone. Tommy had to play mother and father. My first day back from that hell of an island, it was Tommy who welcomed me home. He's the only person I look up to." I used my head to gesture to him. "Look at you. Do your really think you'd be honoring Mom by destroying the Glades?"
"I'm sorry if I wasn't the perfect father. But neither was Robert Queen." He held up my mask. "Do you really think you're honoring him with this mask." He slowly shook his head. "Not a day goes by I don't miss him. But, Ashley, don't you see. You might not be honoring Robert, but you can honor your mother. I want you to join me. We can destroy the Glades together."
Is my father really being sincere? I don't know. Do I believe him for a second? Not a chance.
"I hope you burn where you're going," I said.
"You're not going to kill me. I know you might hate me, but you could never kill me."
"Well, you did kill me." I leaned forward until I was looking at him dead in the eye. "I wouldn't be too sure. What's that saying? Like father like daughter."
Dad sighed sadly. "You and Oliver can't beat me. Yes, you guys are younger and faster yet the both of you always seem to come up short against me. Wanna know why? Because you don't know in your heart what you're fighting for. What you're willing to sacrifice and I do. No one can stop what's about to come."
Dad brought his hand up and brought it close to me. I glared at him as he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me in for a hug. When he pulled back, he held up my mask in front of my face.
"Not even the vigilantes."
Lian Yu
Fyers was getting ready to launch his missile on the plane. Shado kept crying as she looked at her father's dead body. My mouth was still wide open as I processed everything. The only comfort that brought me is that Ollie is next to me.
Oliver tapped on my foot with his and nodded at me. He motioned towards his back. I looked back to see a small knife cutting his binds. I slowly nodded back and looked at Slade. He returned the nod before nodding at Oliver. We need to do this. And we need to do it now.
Oliver broke through his binds and got up. He pushed Fyers away from the radio before stabbing the guy talking to it. Slade and I got up. I ran towards Fyers and pushed his against the table, the best I could do with my restraints. Slade brought his leg up and kicked him while Oliver broke Shado's binds. Shado kicked the guy while Oliver cut my binds. One guard came at me, but I collided my fist with his cheek before bringing my elbow up.
The guy fell back towards the table with the weapons. I noticed the blade Slade gave me was on it. I ran over and grabbed it before I felt one of the guards pulling me back. I grunted as I brought the dagger up and stabbed the guy.
"Fire! Fire the missile!" Fyers' yelled.
I turned around and cut Slade free from his restraints. He grabbed the dagger from me before stabbing it in the middle of the guard's forehead. The soldier dropped down when Slade pulled the dagger out and handed it back.
I followed Oliver out of the tent, only to see the missiles being launched.
》》》》
Starling City
The moment I heard people grunting my head perked up. There were a few shots coming from outside. I looked around to see what I could use. Ollie might need my help. But I'm stuck in these stupid chains. The only way I could break out is if I dislocate my hand. Ah, shit. I might need to dislocate my hand.
I bit my lip as I brought my hands together. I popped one bone out of place, grunting as my hand slid out of the cuff. I landed on the ground with a hard thud before going on my elbow. I yanked the chain down as more gunshots were heard outside. I pulled the chains with me as I ran out. One of the guard's was sneaking behind Oliver. I grabbed the chain with my good hand before wrapping it around his neck. The guys started choking. I brought my foot up and kicked his kneecap out before snapping his neck.
"Guess she doesn't need saving," I heard next to me. I looked over to see Diggle holding his gun before firing. I moved out of the way before the guard behind me fell on the ground. "I take back every joke I made about you guys sticking a tracking device in your boots."
Oh, thank god for the tracking device.
》》》》
After snapping my hand back in place and getting the cuffs off, we went back to the rendezvous point. Felicity was at Queen Consolidated going through the data she pulled off my dad's network. Diggle said she found the design schematics of the earthquake generator. That's great. We could shut the machine down. We just have a one problem. We don't know where the generator is or when it'll be set. Not only that, she's at the precinct. So, make that two problems.
I tried to call Tommy, but he's not answering his phone. I left messages, voicemails. I need him to stay away from Dad. I know he promised, but Tommy doesn't know. Now I'm 100% certain that he should know. How am I going to tell him that Dad's the other archer? Is he going to believe me though?
"Come on, Tommy," I whispered as I tried calling him again. Oliver was calling Lance to at least warn him about my dad leveling the Glades. Lance could at least evacuate people before the earthquake hits.
"Whatever you think of me or my partner, Detective, please believe this," Oliver pleaded. He didn't say anything before hanging up the phone.
"Hi, this is Tommy -" Tommy's voicemail said.
I cursed under my breath as I got up. I started running up the stairs. Diggle and Oliver didn't say anything. I could feel their eyes behind me as I ran out. I barley made it two steps before crashing into said brother.
"Woah," Tommy chuckled as he grabbed my arms. "Are you having your sugar rush again?"
My mouth flew open. "Tommy, didn't you get any of my messages?"
He shook his head. "Ah, no." He pulled his phone out and his brows shot up. "I guess I put my phone on silent." He scrolled through it. "And that is a lot of messages. What's the big -"
I got to the point. "Tommy, I want you to stay away from Dad."
"Yeah, you told me that, but never told me why."
"Dad's not the man we think he is."
"You mean a workaholic? I'm pretty sure -"
I bit my lip before blurting it out. "Dad's has a plan to destroy the Glades!"
Tommy froze. "What?"
"Dad and Mr. Queen...they made a plan together to destroy the Glades."
"Ash, do you have any idea what you sound like -"
"I'm telling you the truth!" I ran my hand through my hair. "Dad's planning on doing it because he thinks it will avenge Mom's death." He shook his head. "Come on, Tommy. We know the kind of man he is. Oliver was too late when he found out, but we're not."
"No. Dad isn't like that." Tommy shook his head. "No. This is the man who wouldn't look at me when you...." he gulped, "when you died."
My eyes softened. I know it's hard to believe right now, but he needs to know. I grabbed his arm. "Tommy, he was the reason why I was on that island. That's why he was hell hellbent on spending time with me when I got back because he knew what he did."
"Ash -"
"No, Tommy. I might have lied to you about who I really am since I got back. But I need you to believe me. I wouldn't lie about something this serious."
Tommy just stared at me. He didn't remove his gaze when he asked, "Is she telling the truth?"
I looked back to see Oliver behind me. He gave Tommy an apologetic look before nodding.
Lian Yu
I couldn't do anything but watch with wide eyes as the missiles flew ahead of us. Oliver pulled me with him to take cover as gunshots kept firing. We hid behind one of the barrels. Oliver needs to deactivate the missile launcher. Slade, Shado, and I could be his backup. The only weapon I had at the moment was the dagger.
I ran from our spot before slicing the guard across the chest. Another came at me and I slashed his throat before pushing him away. Slade came over and yanked me next to him before handing me one of the guns.
"Keep firing," he ordered me before he started shooting. He looked back at Oliver. "Go, kid!" Then patted my arm as Oliver ran.
We shot up and started firing at the soldiers. A few yelled as they ran, which gave me the upper hand as I fired. One was running towards us so I grabbed the dagger and threw it. The blade lodged itself in the guy's chest before he went down.
Slade kept yelling as he fired left and right. I kept shooting the guards near me until one tackled me from the side. I tried to push him off, but he had his hands around my neck and started choking me. I kept gasping for air as my windpipes got squeezed. The guard went limp as a bullet went right through his skull. Slade came over and picked me up.
My eyes widen as one guard ran at us. "Behind you!" I yelled. I pushed Slade behind me and started firing until the guard fell.
Slade ran up to a different guard and wrapped his arm around the guy's neck before punching him. I turned around and shot the guy in the head. I ran over and pulled the dagger from the dead guard before stabbing another soldier in the back. I turned him around before grabbing his head and bashing it against my knee.
I looked up to see the plane flying through. The missile was making its way towards it until the very last second. It made a little curve and started coming right at us. My eyes widen as I ran towards my friend.
"Slade!"
I felt my body fly forward as the blast from the missile pushed my body forward.
》》》》
Starling City
Things are about to get a lot worst. Oliver called me and said that my father is planning to start the Undertaking tonight. Tonight. We need to stop him. I tried to call Tommy again, but he's not answering. After my confession, he said he needed some air. I just hope he's not doing anything stupid.
I stood next to Diggle at the bunker. Felicity was able to figure out that the symbol in Robert's book is a map of the old subway tunnel system. The same symbol that got us thinking that the Undertaking is connected to the Glades.
"If I had a machine that could trigger an earthquake in an otherwise geologically stable area where would I position it?" Felicity thought out loud.
"Underground," Oliver answered.
Felicity nodded before pulling up another map from the computer. "This is a US geological survey of the tectonic plates running underneath Starling City." She pointed at the glowing red light on the map. "This red line here is a known fault that runs right below the Glades."
"For about a mile, that fault runs underneath the old Tenth Street subway line," Diggle added.
"Dollars to donuts, the seismic device is somewhere along there."
I got a good look at the map. "We know where it is," I said. Oliver nodded his head in agreement before his phone started vibrating.
He pulled away from the group. "Now is not a good time...What channel?" He hung up the phone after that. "Felicity, pull up the local news, please."
"Ollie, what's going on?" I asked. Oliver didn't say anything. Felicity pulled up the news. Ms Queen was standing in front of a crowd of reporters.
"My name is Moira Dearden Queen. I am the acting CEO of Queen Consolidated. And God forgive me, I have failed this city," she started. What is she doing? "For the past five years, under the threat for my life and the lives of my family...I have been complicit in an undertaking with one horrible purpose. To destroy the Glades and everyone in it.
"But I realize now that my family's safety will mean nothing if I let this dreadful act occur. But you need to know that the architect of this nightmare...is Malcolm Merlyn." If my father was watching this, he won't be too pleased. Good. "Yes, and I have proof that he has killed dozens in pursuit of this madness. Adam Hunt, Frank Chen and my husband...Robert.
"Please. If you reside in the Glades, you need to get out now. Your lives and the lives of your children depend on it. Please."
Felicity shut the monitors off after that. Oliver shook his head before moving away towards the chest.
"Oliver, I'm sorry," she said.
"Don't be," he responded. "She gave those people a chance."
"Something my father never did," I mumbled. I went over and grabbed my bow while Oliver pulled his out of the trunk. He blames everyone in the Glades for my mom's death. But everyone isn't responsible for that. If he really wanted to avenge my mom, he wouldn't be doing this. He could have tracked her killer down and have him arrested. Not murder innocents.
"I thought Merlyn broke your bow," Diggle pointed out.
"I have another," Oliver said as he pulled out his spare. Or more importantly. Yao Fei's. I went grabbed my dagger from the table before I stood next to him.
"I was going over the device schematics. The device can be set for a timed detonation or remote activated by mobile transmitter," Felicity informed us.
"And by knowing my dad, he'll have one on him," I added. I bet he has it on him right this second.
"Listen, guys. If we can just get our hands on this transmitter, maybe we don't need to track down the device," Diggle said.
"It's too big an if, Diggle," Oliver protested. "We need you in the subway. Find the device, disarm it."
"So you two can take on Merlyn?"
"Yes," I answered.
"Or, he'll kill the both of you," Diggle argued. He glance at me. Yeah, my father won't stop until the Glades have been destroyed. Even if it means killing me.
"We know," Oliver said when I didn't respond. "He already beaten us twice. And neither of us know how to stop him."
Diggle nodded. "Okay. Well, how about this time, you bring along something you didn't have the last time you three fought? Me."
I shook my head. "No. Absolutely not."
"And I can't let either of you do this." He looked at me. "Ashley, I know you hate the man, but he still is your father. You can beat him, put arrows in him, but you're nothing like him. Are you sure when the time is right...Are you really capable of killing your own father?" I didn't say anything. "Look, it's not just the two of you anymore. Not since your brought me into this." He motioned towards Felicity. "Us into this. Besides, army regulations. A soldier never lets a brother go into battle alone."
Diggle placed his hand out for one of us to shake. As much as I don't want him anywhere near my dad, he's right. We brought them into this life. They're in it and decided to stay.
Oliver brought his hand up and shook Diggle's hand. "I'm out of bows," he teased.
"And there's only one dagger in here," I added.
Diggle smiled. "I got my gun."
You know what, forget the handshake. I gave Diggle a hug. "Thank you."
"I guess it's up to me to do the dismantling," Felicity said as I pulled away.
"This whole area is ground zero," I pointed out. "I want you out of here." And find somewhere safe.
"If you're not leaving, I'm not leaving. Besides, if I don't deactivate the device, who will?"
It was Oliver's turn to smile at us. He went around and grabbed the burner phone from the desk.
"I need one more thing from you," he started. "My partner and I know where Merlyn is keeping the device. It's in an abandoned subway station near Papp Street..." Oliver's gaze softened when he looked at me, "That's where his wife was murdered." Felicity came right over and pulled me in for a side hug. Out of all the places my dad chose to keep the device, he chose that one. "I need someone I can trust to deactivate the device. We have a mutual friend that I think could talk you through it...Right now, Detective, it needs you."
》》》》
Oliver and I were suited up. We, along with Diggle, broke into my father's building. The place was dark. A little too dark for my liking. We turned the corner and got our weapons ready. When we went inside his office, there was no one there. A few dead officers here and there along with a few broken pieces of furniture.
"Looks like we missed him."
Lian Yu
The camp was completely burned. A few tents were on fire. A few dead bodies around us. I was buried in a pile of rubble when Slade found me. We sat back against one of the barrels and waited. I'm going to be honest, I don't think I can do this any more. I really need a nap or something.
"Shado!" I heard Oliver yell. "Slade! Ashley!"
I sighed in relief when I heard his voice. Slade started to laugh as I stood up.
"Boy, I should have figured," he started mocking before getting up. "You couldn't save the day...without making a mess."
I ran over to him. "Ollie!" I wrapped my arms around him tightly. Oliver returned the hug, but I winced when he touched the bruise on my side.
"You ok?" He asked. I nodded. He looked between me and Slade. "Where's Shado?"
I furrowed my brows. "We thought she was with you."
"Actually," we heard from behind. Oliver pushed me behind him as Fyers came out with Shado in his arms. His gun pointed towards her head, "she's with me."
"Let her go!" Slade yelled. "It's over, Fyers."
Oliver held the bow and pulled on the string. "Let her go." I had the dagger ready in my hand in case Fyers decides to try anything.
Fyers didn't. "Amazing. A two-year operation undone because a young playboy and an overachiever happened to wash up on the shore and how here you two are. Killers." He laughed. "You both wanted nothing more than to leave this island and now you can. I can call in a rescue ship, you can go home."
"Bull shit," I sneered. This is just another fake promise.
Fyers looked back from Oliver and me. "Tell me. Are you two really prepared to sacrifice your freedom for her?"
Oliver let the arrow fly. It zoomed across the camp and landed in Fyers' chest. He grunted as he fell back. Does that answer his question?
"Guess so."
》》》》
Starling City
There was this coughing sound coming from behind us. I turned around and get my arrow ready, but stopped when I saw Tommy on the ground.
"Tommy," I called out, getting Oliver and Diggle's attention. I put my arrow back before running over. I lowered my mask as I knelt next to him. "Tommy."
"Ashley," Tommy coughed out.
"Where's Dad?" I shook my head. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to get some answers."
My eyes widen. "You confronted him?" He nodded. "Why? I told you to stay away from him."
"I know and I should have listened." He sat up. "You were right. You were right about him. Didn't even deny that he almost got you killed. He even admitted in being that other archer."
"Ashley," Diggle said from behind. I looked back to see him and Oliver motioning me to follow them.
"Are you gonna kill him?" Tommy asked me.
I didn't answer. I wrapped my arms around him for a tight hug. "Just go home. Stay away from the Glades."
I got up and went over to the guys. I pulled my mask up as Diggle held on to a small opening on the wall.
"Looks like a false wall," Diggle told us. He opened the wall opening, not lowering his gun as we went inside. A bunch of swords, knives, and a few arrows surrounded the place. We went further into the room and there my father was in his archer uniform.
"Welcome," he greeted. "I've been waiting for you." He looked at me. "Ashley, this is your final warning. Turn around and go home."
"Not a chance in hell," I sneered.
"Then you get to watch your city die."
"Where's the transmitter?" Oliver asked.
"Somewhere I can easily get to it." Like where? His back pocket?
"I doubt it," Diggle said. "You'll be too dead."
Then Dad moved to the side. Oliver and I fired our arrows at him, which he moved out of the way. Diggle started firing his gun, but each bullet missed. Oliver went over towards the weapons rack, but moved when Dad shot an arrow at him. Diggle went towards the other side, but Dad got out and grabbed his wrist before twisting it. He moved his hand before elbowing him. I went up to kick Dad, but he used his hand to block it. Oliver swung his bow only for Dad to use his arm as a shield.
The guys tried attacking my dad from the front while I got the back. Dad would dodge their attack while he tried to kick my from behind. He pushed Oliver towards the table and punched his shoulder blade. I went over to punch him, but Dad grabbed my wrist and elbowed my nose. Diggle tried to take a swing. Dad was quick enough to kick Diggle back while Oliver got up. Dad grabbed his bow and was about to hit Oliver, but I grabbed mine out and blocked it. I pulled my dagger out and slashed it across Dad's cheek. He grunted as I punched him back.
Instead of attacking, Dad ran towards the other side of the room. Diggle was about to follow him, but couldn't when Dad threw a knife on his shoulder. Diggle groaned as he fell back. Oliver and I rushed over.
"Dig," Oliver called.
Diggle held the dagger in his shoulder. "Stairs, guys. Go, go."
Oliver and I ran up the stairs towards the entrance of the roof. Oliver opened the door, only for us to jump back when an arrow went flying towards us. Dad had his hood up as he held another arrow.
"So tell me, are you ready to die?"
For my answer, I pulled out my arrow and fired it. Dad moved out of the way and started coming at us. Oliver and I notched our arrows and ran towards him. Dad shot one, but we moved out of the way. Oliver and I fired, same results with my dad.
Oliver ran up ahead and slid under my dad's swing. Dad was about to hit him, but Oliver held his bow up to block the attack. I swung my bow, but Dad turned and used his to block mine. Oliver swung his fist. Dad was fast enough to block him. He didn't see me bring up my leg and kicked his back so Oliver could punch him. Dad swung his bow at me so I moved to the side to avoid getting hit. Oliver launched another arrow only for Dad to catch it. What's that saying he always told me? Learn from your first mistakes.
The arrow beeped before it created this small explosion. It knocked Dad back. It wasn't enough to knock him though. Dad grunted before he started running towards us again. He pulled out his sword this time while I pulled out my dagger. He swung at us. Oliver used his bow to block the blow while I used my dagger to cut part of his calf. Dad grunted as he knelt down. He brought his good leg up and swept it across from mine. I fell back as he grabbed Oliver and flipped him over. He was about to punch him again, but I got up and used the handle to knock it against his temple.
Dad fell to the ground. Oliver ran over and jumped up before wrapping his leg around Dad's neck and flipping them over. I punched his jaw as he fell forward before kicking the sword out of his hands. Then Dad wrapped his arms around me before he swung his body around to lock my body into a hold. I brought my elbow up before punching him and flipped us over.
Oliver was going to attack except my father him and spun around before kicking his chest. I was about to get up, but Dad threw something and it lodged itself into my leg. I grunted as I fell down. Blood coming out of the wound. I heard a few more grunts and looked up to see Oliver in a choke hold. Oh, my god. He's going to kill him!
"Don't struggle. It's over," Dad said. He lowered Oliver. "There was never any doubt in the outcome. Don't worry. Your mother and sister will be joining you in death."
My eyes widen. "Dad, stop!" I went towards the dagger and tried pulling it out.
Dad glanced at me. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'm not going to kill you. Though we are going to talk about your punishment."
"If you want to talk about punishment, then kill me!" I cried. "Kill me, but leave him alone." I shook my head. "You won, ok? Let Oliver live, kill me instead. I don't care anymore."
"Ash -" Oliver grunted.
"Mrs. Queen. Thea. They'll be dead. If you kill Oliver, that'll be too easy. If you let him live, he could feel the same pain you did when Mom died. Everyday passing by for him to think what he could have done differently." My lip quivered. "And killing me will make things better."
Dad laughed. "And how would killing you make this better?"
"Because I love your daughter," Oliver grunted. He grabbed the discarded arrow from the ground before plunging it the small opening under his armpit, making the arrow hit my dad. Dad's eyes widen as Oliver pushed him off. "Thank you for teaching me what I'm fighting for." Oliver got up and glared down at him. "But my father taught me how."
Dad was about to get up, but Oliver swung his fist as hard as he could and knocked him back down. He limped over to me right when I pulled the blade out. He knelt down and crashed his lips into mine. I gripped the collar of his jacket as I returned it before he pulled away and wrapped one of his arms around me to help me up.
"Guys, Lance did it," Felicity said through the ear piece.
I glared at my dad. "It's over."
Dad held his wound. "If I've learned anything as a successful businessman, it's..." Dad couched, "redundancy. Something you should have known by now, Ashley."
My eyes widen. Always have a backup. I pressed my ear piece. "Felicity, there's another device. There's two of them!"
Oh, shit. We need to get out of here. Oliver went and grabbed Diggle from the ground, don't know how long he was there. I went over to wrap his arm around me as we all limped towards the exit. But that the ground started to shake, making us lose part of our balance. My eyes widen when we see one of the buildings starting to crumble down as this huge explosion took place. Soon enough all the building started to fall. One by one in a puff of smoke did they start crashing.
"Oliver? Ashley?" Felicity cried.
"Are you ok?" Oliver asked.
"Yeah." She started sobbing. "The damage seems to be contained on the East Side past Wells Street."
East Side? That's where Laurel is. My eyes widen at that thought, but another panic went through me. If Laurel is at the precinct then Tommy could be too. Oh, my god. Oliver and I exchanged worried glances, Diggle noticing them.
"Go, guys," he said. "Go, go, go."
Oliver and I ran out of the building. We hopped on our motorcycles and sped through the crashing city. I broke every speed limit known to man. I jumped over the railing and took the short cut to the station. I looked back to see if Oliver was behind, but I lost him. I didn't stop. I kept going as fast as I could. The station was up in flames by the time I arrived. Laurel ran out of the precinct and hugged Lance. I looked around for Tommy. If anything he would be behind her.
"Dad, Tommy's still in there," Laurel cried.
I jumped off of my bike and ran inside the station. "Tommy!" I jumped over the fallen case. "Tommy!"
"Ashley!" I heard Tommy yell.
A huge smile came to my face when I saw him up ahead. I was about to run over, but a small shake made me lose my balance. The shaking stopped, but I heard something crack.
"Tommy, get down!" I yelled as I ran over.
The ground started to shake again. I jumped over and knocked Tommy down with me as this small explosion erupted inside the building. The building shook as smoke and concrete fell on top of us. A few fell on my back as I covered Tommy.
We both started coughing before looking at the wall that almost crushed us. "You ok?" I asked.
He nodded. "Yeah." He coughed again. "What about Dad? Did you -"
I shook my head. "No."
He sighed in relief. "Thank you."
"Tommy! Ashley!" I heard Oliver yell.
"Over here!" I shouted. Oliver ran from around the corner. He sighed in relief when he saw us.
He came over and checked us to make sure we were alright. We made our way to the door and waited for Tommy to come out. Laurel moved her head. Tears streaming down her face as she ran over and hugged him.
"Tommy!" She cried.
Lance came over. "You ok?"
Tommy nodded. "Yeah. Those vigilantes. They saved me."
》》》》
A/N: Ok, I decided to go along and save Tommy's life. When he died this season I was like no!!!!! Lol. Yeah, so I might have to change a few things for upcoming chapters, but yay. He's alive!...in my story.