Chapter 2
Oliver just stared at her for a minute, unable to comprehend the words she had just spoken. Or rather, he just couldn't believe them. Nyssa Al Ghul, heir to the Demon, one of the deadliest warriors on the planet, who the last time they met seemed to have nothing but contempt for him and his crusade now wanted to be a part of it? It just wasn't possible.
"Just give her a chance Ollie. For me, give her a chance."
Sara's words came back to him, and Oliver found himself wavering. Could this be what she meant? For him to give her a chance to join his crusade?
"Why Nyssa? Why do you want to join my crusade? In the past you've shown nothing but contempt for me and my team, for the very people we protect. Why the sudden change of heart?"
For a moment she glared at him, anger clear in her eyes as if she was asking why he dared to question her. However, just as quickly as it appeared her anger left and she sat down beside him, seemingly having lost the strength to stand.
"My father...he never truly believed Sara was one of us. He did not care that she died, save for the fact that it gave him an excuse to attack your city. I realize now that he never truly cared for me, at least not when it comes to my happiness. That and Sara's death finally made me realize that I needed to leave the League."
"Say I believe you...with the resources at your disposal you could go anywhere, do anything. Why come to me?"
"When we spoke, Sara often told me of your crusade, and after seeing it firsthand I must admit that while I disagree with your methods, there is something to be admired in your willingness to defend a city that so many have given up on. I want to do something that Sara would be proud of, and joining your crusade is something she asked me to do more than once."
"If I allow this, then you need to understand that there are rules you will follow. Rule number one, unless I say otherwise no killing."
"That is a fool's choice. Will you honestly tell me that your city would not be better off without the monsters that you put in prison?"
"Maybe so, but that's not how I do things anymore."
"The League-"
"This isn't the League Nyssa! Now you can either follow my rules or we can part ways. Your choice."
"I still think you are a fool, but for Sara I will try." She replied finally, and he nodded. He figured that was the best he could hope for.
"Rule number two is that when we are out in the field, I call the shots. No questions, no argument."
"Understood."
"Rule three...you will treat my team with respect. I don't care how much better a fighter you are they have had my back and Sara's and they will be treated with the respect that is due."
She just nodded, and he continued.
"Rule four...my family is not to be touched. If you harm them, I will kill you."
"Fair enough. Anything else I should know?"
"As a matter of fact there is, but first I need to know where we are."
"We are on my personal vessel. I figured you would wish to return to your city as soon as possible. Do not worry, we are the only two aboard. As far as my father and the rest of the League are concerned you died."
"Good. Now, can you change course? We need to go to Lian Yu."
"Why?"
"So that I can put Slade Wilson in a Lazarus Pit."
"Have you lost your mind?!"
"No but Slade lost his when the Mirakuru entered his bloodstream. I intend to try and get it back. He wasn't always the person we fought. Once, when I was stranded on Lian Yu, he was my brother."
"You know your team will not react well to this." She said after a minute, making him raise his eyebrow.
"And they'll react so much better to you?" He asked, making her laugh softly.
"Point taken. However, If I do this, if I help you save your friend, then I want something in return."
"To kill Malcolm Merlyn." He surmised, and she nodded.
"Done. We will go and kill Merlyn after we try and help Slade."
"I thought you didn't kill anymore." She replied, and his eyes darkened as he remembered seeing Sara's cold and lifeless body.
"There are exceptions, and if you'll recall I never said you couldn't kill. I said you couldn't kill unless I told you otherwise. In this case, I'm saying you can kill." He replied, and she smiled coldly. She would enjoy watching the life leave Malcolm Merlyn's eyes.
For a moment there was silence and then Oliver spoke.
"I saw her when I died. Sara. She told me about the pit, told me what you were trying to do. She asked me to give you a chance. She also asked me to tell you that she loves you, and that you need to move on and live your life for her."
"Was she happy?" Nyssa asked softly, her words barely audible.
"She was."
Nyssa just nodded before standing and walking out of the room, leaving Oliver alone once more.
Oliver stood up from the bed, surprised to feel no pain from his recent battle. In fact as he looked over his naked torso, he was shocked to find that his body was free of the scars that he had gained over the years. The only mark on his skin was the tattoo that signified him a member of the Bratva. Otherwise, it was as though his time on the island never happened in the first place.
Hesitantly, he began to test his muscles, carefully stretching so that he could ascertain if there was any internal damage. To his surprise there was none, at least none that he could find. In truth, he felt better than he had in years.
Oliver dropped to the floor and did a series of crunches and pushups to get his blood flowing before walking out the door in search of his potential ally and some answers.
"So I see you have began to discover the benefits of the Lazarus Pit." She said by way of greeting, when he entered the dining room.
"I feel different...it's like I'm younger, stronger, and my scars are gone."
"When one bathes in the Pit, it does not merely restore life. It also removes the impurities from one's mind and body. In this case, your scars and the pain of your battles."
"Leaving me in quite possibly the best shape of my life." He replied, and she nodded.
"I would suggest you eat while it is still hot." She told him, indicating the bowl of rice and fish at the seat opposite her. He sat down, eying her warily. He doubted she would save him only to poison him, but with the daughter of the Demon one could never be sure.
A few moments later he was finished, grateful that she was apparently sincere in her desire to work with him. However, only time would tell just how far that desire extended.
"Thank you." He said simply, and she nodded understanding what he wasn't saying. He was thanking her for his life just as much as he was the food. It was only two words, but when one had seen and done as much as Nyssa Al Ghul and Oliver Queen two words may as well have been a thousand.
"We should be arriving at Lian Yu in four hours. I would recommend you rest as you were out for nearly five days."
"I think five days is long enough. I would much rather spar, if you're up for it of course?"
"But of course." She replied before leading him to the training room. Her father had spared no expense on this vessel and that included a state of the art kitchen, living quarters and training room, with more than a dozen weapons lining the walls. The boat also came with a state of the art GPS and autopilot, so it basically drove itself.
"Choose your weapon." She said simply, and he nodded before taking a bo staff from the wall, twirling it experimentally. Nyssa picked up a staff of her own before facing him in the center of the training ring. For a moment the two warriors merely stared at each other, as if daring their opponent to blink. Then as one they charged, staffs clashing as they both tried to gain the upper hand. Both had seen the other in battle and knew that they were facing a capable opponent, but seeing someone in combat or even fighting by their side is different from actually facing them in combat.
Oliver could see where Sara had gained her skill from. Oh he had helped her some, but the majority of her skill clearly came from Nyssa's teachings. He lost himself in the fight, dodging, blocking, striking and dodging again, constantly searching for the smallest opening in her defense. There was none. Her technique was flawless to the point where her staff seemed less like a weapon and more like an extension of her own body. Aside from Ra's Al Ghul, Nyssa was the most dangerous opponent Oliver had ever faced, but given that her father was arguably the most dangerous man in the world it wasn't all that surprising.
As for Nyssa she found her respect for Oliver Queen increasing. He was indeed a worthy adversary, using his weapon as though he had been born with it. Oh his training had not been as extensive as hers by any means, but she had been taught to kill before she could talk whereas he had learned out of necessity. Though she would never admit it to him, Oliver had an edge that she would always lack.
It still didn't stop her from putting him on his back after nearly twenty minutes of furious combat.
"You fight well." She told him as she helped him to his feet.
"You too. Shall we go again?" He asked, and she didn't reply, choosing instead to throw him his staff, which he had dropped when she had put him on his back.
"Well well, I have to admit I'm surprised. I didn't expect to see you again kid." Slade said as he looked at where Oliver stood on the opposite side of his cell.
Oliver didn't respond, and a moment later Slade fell unconscious, a dart sticking out of his neck.
"How long is this going to take?" Oliver asked as he looked over to where Slade was lying on the bed, his arms and legs strapped down just in case the Lazarus Pit failed to work.
"I do not know. I have never heard of the Pit used to heal a mind that was affected as his was." Nyssa replied.
Before Oliver could respond he heard a groan and saw Slade's eyes opening.
The moment of truth had arrived.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! The next chapter will be up soon! Please review and if any of you have ideas for Nyssa's code name when she joins team Arrow please include them in your review!