Chapter 6: The Huntress Returns and a Pen of Lies
The Arrowcave, or as Adam liked to call it, "Oliver's Brooding Batcave for One (Plus Sidekicks)," was buzzing with an unwelcome familiarity. Helena Bertinelli, the Huntress, was back in Starling City, and her return was, as usual, less about family reunions and more about violent vengeance. Arrow S02E17: "Birds of Prey." Adam had seen this episode. It was going to be a messy one.
"So, the ex-girlfriend from hell is back," Adam announced, strolling into the main area where Oliver was, predictably, scowling at a monitor. "And by 'hell,' I mean 'that one time you thought dating a vigilante with daddy issues was a good idea.' No judgment, just observation. Though, I do have to say, your taste in women has definitely improved since then. Just saying." He winked at Felicity, who was at her console, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.
Oliver's head snapped up, his scowl deepening. "Adam, this is serious. Helena is a dangerous individual."
"Oh, I know, I know. She's got a crossbow and a penchant for dramatic entrances," Adam conceded, waving a dismissive hand. "But let's be honest, Oliver, your love life is basically a highlight reel of 'What Not To Do When You're A Brooding Vigilante.' It's like a cautionary tale, but with more leather."
Diggle, leaning against a pillar, let out a long-suffering sigh. "Adam, please."
"Right, right. Focus. Helena. Frank Bertinelli. All very dramatic. But here's the thing," Adam said, pulling out his Pen of Creation. It looked like a perfectly ordinary, if slightly fancy, ballpoint pen. "I've been working on a little... prototype. A new piece of tech, if you will. For those moments when you need a little extra... oomph."
Felicity, ever curious, looked up. "A prototype? What does it do?"
"It's a multi-functional, dynamic, and highly adaptable... drawing tool," Adam declared with a flourish. "Think of it as a 3D printer, but for, like, immediate, on-the-fly, slightly cartoonish solutions. For example," he paused, then quickly sketched something on a notepad. It was a remarkably detailed, if slightly exaggerated, map of a ventilation shaft, complete with arrows pointing to a hidden access panel. "Need to get into a secure area without tripping alarms? Boom! Instant blueprint for a hidden vent. Just... don't ask how it works. It's very cutting-edge. And involves a lot of quantum foam. Probably."
[PEN OF CREATION USED. COST: 7 NON-PLP (SIMPLE DRAWING).]
Oliver stared at the drawing, then at Adam, then back at the drawing, his brow furrowed in utter confusion. "You... drew that?"
"With my mind, Oliver. With my mind and this very advanced, very secret pen," Adam said, tapping the pen against his temple. "It's all about visualization. And, you know, a little bit of luck."
Later, as the team prepared to move on Frank Bertinelli, Adam had another stroke of "genius." He pulled out his phone, found a picture of Oliver, and with a mischievous grin, used the Pen to draw a ridiculously bushy, handlebar mustache on Oliver's face. He then showed it to Felicity.
Felicity gasped, then burst into laughter, a loud, uninhibited sound that rarely echoed in the grim confines of the Arrowcave. "Oh my god, Adam! That's... that's amazing! It's so... regal!"
Oliver, hearing the laughter, turned, his eyes narrowing. "What's so funny?"
Felicity, still giggling, held up the phone. Oliver took one look at his mustachioed self and his face went from grim to utterly dumbfounded. "What is that?! Adam!"
"Just a little artistic interpretation, Oliver. A vision of what you could be. A distinguished gentleman of leisure, perhaps? Or a villain in a silent film," Adam said, trying to keep a straight face. "It really brings out your eyes. And your inherent seriousness."
"Oh, the look on his face. Priceless. Worth every single Non-PLP. This is why I'm here. To make Oliver Queen question his life choices, one ridiculous mustache at a time."
Despite Oliver's annoyance, the "blueprint" for the vent actually proved useful in their pursuit of Helena. Adam, from the sidelines, watched as the team navigated the building, occasionally pointing out a "lucky shortcut" that just happened to align with the map he'd drawn. He even managed to subtly guide Laurel Lance towards a piece of evidence she might have missed, a small, almost imperceptible nudge from his luck.
The confrontation with Helena was as chaotic as expected, filled with crossbow bolts and emotional baggage. Adam, safely behind Felicity's console, offered a running commentary, much to Oliver's exasperation.
"You know, for someone who claims to be so 'dark' and 'brooding,' you sure do attract a lot of drama, Oliver," Adam mused aloud as Oliver narrowly dodged a crossbow bolt. "It's like you're a magnet for emotionally unstable women with a vendetta. Maybe you should try a dating app that screens for 'no history of vigilantism'?"
Oliver, grunting with effort as he blocked a strike, shot a murderous glare in Adam's general direction. "Focus, Adam!"
"I am focused! I'm focused on the fact that you're about to get a crossbow bolt to the face, and I'm trying to provide some much-needed levity before you become a permanent fixture on the 'Missing Persons' board," Adam retorted.
Ultimately, Helena was contained, Frank Bertinelli was dealt with, and the city was, for the moment, safe. As the dust settled, Adam felt a satisfying ping from the System.
[MISSION COMPLETE: BIRDS OF PREY. REWARD: 250 NON-PLP.]
[SIDE MISSION COMPLETE: HUMOROUS DISRUPTION. REWARD: 50 NON-PLP.]
"Two-fifty for saving the day, and fifty for annoying Oliver? This System truly understands my priorities. I'm basically a professional nuisance, and I'm getting paid for it. Best job ever."
He glanced at Felicity, who was now smiling, shaking her head at him. "You know, you're absolutely ridiculous."
"And you love it," Adam countered, a genuine smile replacing his usual sarcastic one. "Besides, someone has to keep things interesting around here. Otherwise, Oliver would just spend all his time brooding in the dark, and frankly, that's just bad for morale. And his complexion."
Oliver, who had just walked in, still looking tired and annoyed, heard the last part. "I heard that, Adam."
"You were meant to, Oliver. It's called 'constructive criticism'," Adam said, winking. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I've earned myself a celebratory pizza. And maybe I'll draw a tiny little crown on it, just for fun."
System Status After Chapter: Non-PLP: 833. PLP: 1.