Lore/The Moral Dilemma

***2:05***
***Unknown Location***
*Blindfolded, Oliver attempts to remain calm. He tries to remember his training, but these men seem to know the typical tricks. A helicopter lands, and several men step out and walk towards Oliver. They only speak in whispers, evaluating a few files. Finally the Leader speaks up:*

”The great Oliver McQueen, what an honor!” says the Leader, chuckling a bit. “I would say the same, but ya’ know,” replies Oliver, “I’m blindfolded. And tied up.” The Leader looks around at his men and nods. Almost mechanically, the men put on their masks and the Leader takes off Oliver’s blindfolds. Taking in a deep breath, Oliver looks around. Besides immediately counting how many men there are, along with how well they are armed and taking a glance at their transport, Oliver can’t help but notice where he is being held at: The Magenta Forest. The place where Izzy and Oliver got married.

*He thinks back to that day, and the joy he had when he saw her walking down to him. There was no alter or even seats, but the wedding was great. The guests were a bit rowdy, but they all calmed down when the bride arrived. Soon enough, ”You may now kiss the bride!”*

After a sly smile, the Leader asks, “Do you know who I am, Mr. McQueen? Tell me, have you done your homework?” Oliver stares at the Leader, then back at the men standing. “Well, seeing your men’s stances, weapons, and taking into account the transportation you used… yeah, I got nothing,” says Oliver while smiling. “Do you find this situation humorous?!” demands the Leader.

*He thinks back to all the times Izzy used to wait for him to go off duty, and all the times he would struggle to balance his Commandership with his marriage. Oliver smiles at how it seems like things are still holding him back from his wife, despite him not being a Reaper any longer.*

“Yeah, something like that. Look, can we just move this along? I want to see my wife already.” The Leader glares at him with anger, then begins speaking with pride: “I am the great Leader of a never-ending army. My men are vicious and show no mercy. I own tons of territory, and my influence reaches to even farther places. I am the leader of the revolutionary army known as the Reapers,” she says while looking at Oliver in his eyes, “I am Bolo Santosi!”

*Oliver remembers back to all the times Jane handed him packages with uniforms sent to him personally by Bolo and how he would blatantly ignore or throw them away. “Oliver! I’ve lost count on how many times she has sent you a uniform, you need you take that as a sign and wear them,” says Jane worriedly to Oliver. “Don’t worry, I got this,” declares Oliver. He did not have a care in the world about such petty things as Avenger and Commander.*

“Look uh, if this is about those uniforms,” he gulps, “I can uh, I can have them dry-cleaned and returned to you.” Bolo sighs and facepalms, then says, “Mr. McQueen, this is not about the damned uniforms! I am here to tell you that you will not be going back to the Reapers. You are no longer welcome there.”

*”So, ‘Avenger’, huh? You stepped down for me, didn’t you?” she frowned. Oliver gave her a warm smile and a hug, “It’s about time I made a choice, don’t ya think?”*

Oliver smiles, “Done. Anything else, or can I get going?” Bolo folds her hands as she looks around at her men, then says, “Mr. McQueen, I don’t think you quite understand the severity of the situation here. Your Commandership was absolutely horrible. You lost tons of territory and made the Reapers look weak. Even the people of Panau began questioning the power of the Reapers. For these reasons, I have permanently stripped your right to hold any position of power within the Reapers. You are done, Mr. McQueen.”

Oliver’s face turns serious as he explains, “Not everything is about territory. I was a leader of the people, be it Reapers or not. I lead the Reapers into several battles, and sure we lost some, but one thing we never lost was our morale. I kept everyone’s hopes up and made sure the Reapers believed in not only what they were doing, but in me. I tried doing the right thing, and sure we did not possess a fear factor, but fact of the matter is that we worked together as a faction and stood our ground when it mattered. So you know what Bolo?” continues Oliver as he manages to unravel the rope around his hands and stand up, “You can take your position and shove it up your-”

She puts a pistol to Oliver’s forehead. “Do it, go on, I dare you. Kill me and see how many Reapers turn against you and your unjust cause.” Bolo sighs, then puts the gun down. “You’ve got balls,” says Bolo just as Oliver gulps, “but I stand by my command. You are not to go back to the Reapers. I know you do not care for your own life, but think for a moment of your friends. Your wife…”

*Oliver thinks back to the time when Izzy got kidnapped right in front of him, and he was completely helpless. He cringes to that feeling, and tightens his fists.*

“Don’t go down this road, you’ll regret every second of it,” whispers Oliver to Bolo, “and I’ll make damn sure that you do.” Bolo turns and begins pacing, “You have a choice to make, Mr. McQueen. Either pick up your wife and leave Panau, or stay back with the Reapers and live in fear. In fear not only for your life, but for hers. Either way, you have 2 hours to decide.” She looks at her men and nods, and everyone begins getting into the quapaw. “Come, I will be decent and drop you off at my HQ.”

*It was a long ride, and Bolo made sure to stare at Oliver throughout the entire thing. As they reached their destination, Bolo says something ominous: “Good luck Oliver. You will need it.”*

*Oliver closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath. He thinks about his entire life and Izzy, then visualizes all the great battles and endless meetings done for the Reapers. As he exhales, Oliver smiles from all the great memories, and knows which path to choose...*