Heir Apparent
Chapter 10 – The Potential To Do Good
"You have improved since I first saw you shoot, Thea," Nyssa remarked as they gathered their arrows from their targets.
"You can talk," Thea replied as she pulled her last arrow free. "You rarely miss the 10 ring now and even then, it's in the 9 ring."
"As I said, I became most proficient," Nyssa described casually. "And my lessons are coming back to me."
"I'll say," Thea commented as they walked back to their bows. "Can I ask you something Nyssa?"
"Of course you can Thea," Nyssa said as she laid her arrows onto the bench they used.
"How did you and my brother meet?" Thea asked hesitantly. Nyssa paused, considering her answer. "If you don't want to tell me, it's alright.
"No, it's not that," Nyssa said reassuringly. "Just so much has happened since then. It was three years ago."
#Flashback – 3 Years Ago#
"What is it?" Nyssa asked as she stepped onto the bridge of the small freighter. They were headed through an island chain in the South China Sea, travelling from the Philippines to Southern China, when Nyssa was called to the bridge.
"An explosion Nyssa, off our port bow," an assassin, Hakim was his name, Nyssa remembered, answered. "I cannot make out the source as yet."
"What is our position?" Nyssa asked as she moved to look out the window. It was after midnight and the clouds had covered the moon that had been out earlier, darkening the sky.
"We are approximately 15 km off the coast of Lian Yu," Hakim replied. Nyssa considered the situation. Lian Yu was meant to be uninhabited but something had occurred that had caused a large explosion.
"Take us around the island. Locate the source of the explosion," Nyssa ordered. Hakim bowed his head before turning away to do the Heir's bidding. "I will be below."
#Arrow#
"It was a freighter," Hakim announced as he and Nyssa examined the wreck ahead of them through binoculars. The sun had risen an hour ago allowing the assassins a much better view of the source of the previous night's explosion. "The hull states that it was called the Amazo."
"It will never be leaving Lian Yu," Nyssa declared. "That much is obvious."
"It appears that some sort of explosion tore out the bottom of the freighter amidships, sinking it," Hakim hypothesised. "What do you wish to do?"
"Anchor us out of sight of the wreck and prepare the RHIB," Nyssa ordered, setting her binoculars down. "Hakim, you will accompany Saqr, Rasha and myself ashore. We will investigate further on foot."
"As you command," Hakim said as he set down his binoculars and followed Nyssa off the bridge.
#Arrow#
"Saqr, do you see anything?" Nyssa asked as she exited the tree line. Saqr was known for his keen eyes and Nyssa had relied upon them more than once. And again, he did not disappoint.
"The freighter appears devoid of life," Saqr replied from where he stood atop a rocky outcrop. "On the beach below us are several bodies, some clearly dead."
"Check the bodies," Nyssa ordered to Hakim and Rasha. They moved off as Saqr descended. "Anything else?"
"The remnants of a large aircraft in a clearing," Saqr answered. "Several kilometers inland."
"Let us rejoin Hakim and Rasha," Nyssa said, turning to follow the path the two assassins took. "We will inspect the aircraft afterward." Saqr said nothing as he followed Nyssa down to the beach where Hakim and Rasha stood over the body of a man. Nyssa couldn't make out any details but his clothes were torn, he was wearing a green hood and his hair was shaggy, wet and unkempt.
"This one yet lives," Rasha announced as she rested the tip of her sword on his shoulder. "Though who knows for how long." Nyssa walked around the man and crouched near his head. He had an unruly beard and bruising covering most of his face but his skin lacked the pallor of a dead man.
"He is a survivor," Nyssa stated, noticing a collection of scars on his lower torso; blade and bullet wounds. She then examined his hands. "And he is an archer."
"What do you wish done with him?" Hakim asked. "He is the only survivor on the beach. And we found no tracks." Before Nyssa could reply, the body below them stirred, elicited a groan and rolled over on to his back. Bright blue eyes starred up at the four assassins, looking at each of them in turn before focusing on Nyssa.
"Who are you?" A ragged voice asked. Nyssa looked at each of her companions before looking back to the man.
"I am Nyssa, daughter of Ra's al Ghul, Heir to the Demon," Nyssa announced as she stood up.
"Mouthful," the man gasped out. "Don't suppose you're here to rescue me?"
"No, we're not," Nyssa proclaimed.
"Damn," the man gasped out again. His head rolled away from Nyssa followed moments later by his hand snapping out and grasping Rasha's ankle and pulling hard. Unprepared for this, Rasha couldn't prevent herself from being knocked to the ground; even as several shots rang out.
Though caught unprepared, the three other assassin's reactions were immediate as they scattered and rolled to their feet before Nyssa and Saqr both drew and released arrows at their attacker; a man of African descent. Their aim was lethal.
Recovering, they looked back to find Rasha struggling to her feet holding her arm while the man lay still, fresh blood staining the sand below him. Hakim dropped down beside him and applied pressure to the bullet wound he found in his side.
"It is bad Nyssa," Hakim stated, even as he pressed harder. "If he stays here, he dies."
"He deserves our help," Rasha proclaimed as Saqr bandaged her wound.
"Nyssa," a voice crackled from the radio that Nyssa carried. Retrieving it, pressed the transmit button.
"Yes?" she asked.
"A helicopter approaches," the voice announced. "We must go."
"We will be return immediately," Nyssa agreed, lowering the radio. "Bind his wounds as best you can. We will treat him onboard."
"As you command," Hakim replied as Saqr dropped down opposite him. Together, they bandaged the man as best they could given what supplies they had. As they finished, he man regained consciousness, groaning loudly as they moved his body. "What is your name?" Hakim asked.
"Oliver," the man, Oliver answered through teeth gritted in pain as consciousness fled from him once again. "Oliver Queen."
#Present#
"Wow," Thea said in astonishment. "That's not cool at all. I thought it would at least be something resembling heroic. Rescuing you from the water or something," Thea said disappointedly. "Stumbling across each other while walking along the beach, that sounds kinda lame."
"It is what happened though," Nyssa stated as she looked down at her watch, noting the time. "Forgive me Thea but I must go. I have to see a friend before lunch. I will meet you at Oliver's Office at 1pm."
"I can't wait," Thea said excitedly. "We can check out all the convertibles. I need to pick which one I want for my birthday."
#Arrow#
"You can come in Zayda," Nyssa said from her position on the couch. She had been waiting for perhaps 15 minutes before she had heard the girl, Sin, approaching the apartment. She had paused outside the door and Nyssa wondered if she was going run but was reassured when Sin knocked on the door. "It is unlocked."
"Hey Nyssa," Sin greeted the woman that rescued her as she entered the apartment, closing the door behind her. "You know, you should keep that door locked in this neighbourhood. Safer that way."
"I will remember that," Nyssa noted, gesturing for Sin to sit. "Please, sit."
"Why am I here?" Sin asked as she sat in the lounge chair opposite Nyssa, leaning forward to rest her elbows on her knees.
"Why do you think you are here?" Nyssa countered, wanting to get a better understanding of Sin. "Why did you come?"
"A girl in my position doesn't always have a lot of options. She has to take a chance now and then," Sin justified, standing back up. "And I don't know why I am here. Maybe I'll just go and save us both the trouble."
"Sit down Zayda," Nyssa ordered, her voice taking on a forceful tone. Sin stared Nyssa for a moment before feeling compelled to do as she was told. She sat back down. "Better."
"So you say," Sin challenged.
"I asked you here because I see something in you Zayda. Something that most people have to one degree of another but few ever tap into and use," Nyssa explained. At Sin's blank expression, she continued. "You have potential. A great deal of potential."
"Mean's nothing when you live in the Glades," Sin declared.
"Where one lives, where one came from, what one did before," Nyssa said calmly. "That all means nothing. It is what we do when opportunities arise in front of us that matters."
"And is that what this is?" Sin asked, gesturing her arms at the apartment.
"It is," Nyssa agreed.
"So what's the deal?" Sin enquired, she was in a rough situation currently but not so rough that she didn't want the details; she wasn't stupid by any means.
"The deal, as you put it, it simple," Nyssa stated. "This apartment is yours, so long as you earn it. No drugs, you keep your consumption of alcohol to a minimum and you maintain a job."
"Jobs don't come easy in the Glades," Sin said, considering what Nyssa was offering. "And everywhere else turns you away once they hear you come from the Glades."
"Leave that to me, Zayda. I will take care of it," Nyssa assured her young friend. "Do you have any more questions? Or do we have an agreement?"
"Just one question," Sin replied. "What does that word, Zayda, mean? Nothing bad I hope."
"No, it is nothing bad," Nyssa confirmed. "It is an Arabic name. It means fortunate, or prosperous."
#Arrow#
"Good day Felicity, and how are you?" Nyssa said as she appeared at the door of Felicity's workspace. Felicity's head shot up at the sound of Nyssa's voice, still not used to her friend being able to waltz into her place of work.
"Ah, hi Nyssa," Felicity exclaimed. "I'm good, how are you?"
"Very well, thank you," Nyssa replied happily. "I was just on my way to see Oliver and thought I would say hello."
"What a coincidence, I am on my way to see Oliver as well," Felicity said as she stood up from behind her desk. She picked up a stack of folders and headed for her door; Nyssa falling easily into step beside her. They exited into the hallway in time to see Moira and Walter exiting his office.
"Hello Moira, Walter. How are you both?" Nyssa called in greeting.
"We are fine Nyssa," Moira replied steadily, too steadily for Nyssa's liking. "I didn't realise you knew anyone here at the company."
"Miss Smoak, wasn't it?" Walter asked. "Oliver's Technical Advisor."
"That is correct Mr Steele, Mrs Queen," Felicity answered shakily. It was obvious to Nyssa that Felicity was unused to dealing with those in positions of great power. "I am helping your son understand technology," she explained. "Not that he doesn't understand it because he does. It is the more complicated..."
"What she means, is that after our time away, Oliver needs a little help to catch up with how much the world has changed," Nyssa interjected, rescuing her friend from further embarrassing herself.
"And that is nothing to be ashamed of," Walter proclaimed. "I would be more worried if he tried to do his job without knowing everything that he might need to know. And with that, we must go. I have already caused us to be late enough. Ladies."
"Enjoy your meal," Nyssa offered. Moira smiled slightly in return before she and Walter disappeared into the elevator. "Shall we?"
"Yes please," Felicity answered, still trying to get over her horror. She decided to change the subject. "So how are you finding Starling City?"
"It is, quite different, to what I am used too," Nyssa described slowly, choosing her words carefully.
"It is unique," Felicity agreed. "And yet I still choose to live here."
"Speaking of living," Nyssa began. "Oliver and I are considering buying an apartment here. Would you be interested in joining me while I hunt for one?"
"Apartment hunting," Felicity stammered. She wasn't used to people, even what friends she had, asking her for help in non tech related situations. "I guess I can help you. But I don't know what help I can be. I'm not exactly a decorating guru or anything."
"You are my friend," Nyssa stated with finality. "That is enough."
#Arrow#
"So are you going to tell me what car you bought?" Oliver asked as they got out of the car that Rob had used to drive them into Starling in.
"No, I am not," Nyssa stated with a warm smile. "It is a surprise."
"Given that Thea went with, I am almost assuming she talked you into a convertible," Oliver said, returning his wife's smile. They walked towards the door of the restaurant, allowing Rob to take the lead and 'protect' them.
"Now Oliver, when has anyone ever talked me into doing anything that I do not want to do?" Nyssa wondered, knowing the answer.
"Never," Oliver chuckled as they walked through the door after Rob, their eyes scanning the inside of the Big Belly Burger.
"Area is secure, sir," Rob stated professionally.
"Thank you very much, Rob," Oliver replied curtly as he stepped into the restaurant fully and headed towards where Diggle was seated; Nyssa close behind him. He saw that Carly had apparently delivered some food to Diggle and decided to introduce himself. "Hello, Diggle's sister-in-law Carly," he said warmly, offering his hand. "I am Oliver Queen and this is my fiancé Nyssa."
"I know who you are Mr Queen," Carly replied darkly, holding his hand for a curt shake.
"No, you really don't," Diggle interjected as Carly walked off. Oliver and Nyssa stood before Diggle for a moment before taking a seat on the bench opposite him.
"Good evening Mr Diggle," Nyssa greeted her husband's former bodyguard. "How is the shoulder?"
"It's fine," Diggle answered emotionlessly. He didn't know what they wanted or why they were here.
"We noticed that there was a distinct lack of police vehicles waiting for us today," Oliver noted casually. "I knew you wouldn't drop a dime on us."
"Have you considered our offer, Mr Diggle," Nyssa asked.
"An offer?" Dig scoffed. "That is one way to describe it. You are both insane."
"Perhaps I am," Oliver observed sardonically. "God knows, I have every right to be given what I have seen and done. But this," Oliver said, pointing at the table between them. "This is a chance to do good. The kind of good that we believe compelled you to join the military."
"Please," John countered. "I don't know about you Nyssa, but Oliver, you were born with a platinum spoon in your mouth. You think being on an island for 5 years with no room service gives you the right to judge me?"
"No, it doesn't," Nyssa responded. "But it is what we believe and given that you have not notified the authorities, it is a well-founded belief."
"Believe me, I'm considering it," Dig threatened coldly.
"That would be, unwise," Nyssa pointed out, her voice turning icy.
"We didn't come here to threaten John," Oliver pointed out, placing a small, faded notebook onto the table. Diggle picked it up and flicked casually through the pages, seeing it contained a list of names. "This book was my father's. I found it when I buried him." Diggle's eyes shot up at this new information.
"I thought you said that you father died when his boat sank," Diggle asked, confused. "You were the only survivor."
"He and I, along with one of the crew; we made it to one of the life rafts. But there wasn't enough supplies for all of us, so he shot the other man and then himself in the head, right in front of me," he said to an astonished and shocked Diggle.
"An as much as Oliver believes that Robert did that to give his son the best chance to survive," Nyssa continued. "We also believe that he did it so as to atone for his sins."
"That notebook contains a list of names of everyone who as benefitted by hurting others," Oliver revealed sternly, his voice hardening. "It is time they repaid the debt they owe."
"And you two are the collectors?" Diggle asked.
"If not us, then who?" Oliver questioned. "As I said when you woke up. Starling City is dying. We need act now before it dies completely."
"So now you are doctors too?" Diggle asked derisively.
"I need to right the wrongs done to this city by my family," Oliver pleaded softly. "Just as I am offering the opportunity to correct the wrongs done to yours."
"Oliver," John said, leaning forward, his attention squarely focused on the man across from him. "What are you talking about?"
"Your brother's killer," Oliver stated before being angrily cut off.
"Leave Andy out of this!" Diggle demanded.
"The police never caught him. His bullets were laced with curare. That is a very particular M.O," Oliver observed, looking John in the eye. "Only one man has it. His name is Floyd Lawton and I put an arrow in his eye seconds after he shot you."
"Are you telling me that you took down my brother's killer?" Diggle asked in clear disbelief.
"What Oliver is saying... what we are offering, is a chance to help other people, and their families," Nyssa said earnestly.
"I remember a time when people in this city helped each other. They can't do that anymore because a collection of people," Oliver remarked, pausing to choose his words. "People like my own father, see nothing wrong with taking everything then can from those around them and raising themselves up above everyone else," he said animatedly as Diggle sat back to consider what he was hearing. "It needs to stop and if neither the cops nor the courts are going to, then Nyssa and I will. Before others decide to take action."
"Our hope, Mr Diggle, is that you will join us," Nyssa declared as Oliver picked up the notebook and stood.
"I'm going to the washroom, Rob," Oliver said, holding his hand up to his approaching bodyguard. Rob stood stock-still next to Diggle as Oliver disappeared into the back of the restaurant. After a moment, Diggle looked up at the bodyguard.
"Oh that boy's long gone, man," Diggle said, waving his hand in the air. Rob looked up in dismay before heading for the washrooms. Neither of them noticed the smile on Nyssa's face; a smile she quickly schooled.
"You have an opportunity and a decision before you, John Diggle," Nyssa said as she stood up from the bench. "I would consider my options both wisely, and carefully." Without waiting for a reply, Nyssa walked out the front door.
#Arrow#
"Do you think he will join us?" Nyssa asked as she and Oliver walked down the path towards the mansion. They had had a busy night meeting Laurel, who directed them to a Matt Istook, who directed them to his office to retrieve a file which they then delivered to Laurel. Nyssa was tired from all the back and forth and ready for some sleep.
"I don't know," Oliver admitted, his uncertainty clearly obvious. "I hope he does. We could use his local knowledge. And his skillset."
"I agree. And as he was becoming suspicious of us, it was either kill him or recruit," Nyssa said. "And I was loathe to kill him as he had not wronged us. His being wounded unfortunately required us to accelerate our plans."
"Who knows, perhaps it will be a good thing that he join us sooner rather than later," Oliver pointed out.
"You speak of these assassins that have attacked us," Nyssa said. "The ones wearing the red viper."
"We do not know who they swear allegiance too and that concerns me," Oliver explained. "I also am concerned about the blonde woman that you saw. She is an unknown to us and we will need to be prepared in case she decides to make a move."
"Let her, husband," Nyssa proclaimed. "I will educate her on why I am Warith al Ghul."
"Of that, I have no doubt," Oliver declared as they walked up the steps and entered the mansion.
"Ollie! Has Nyssa told you?" Thea asked excitedly as she bounded down the stairs to join the two.
"Told me what?" Oliver wondered cheerfully.
"What kind of car she bought," Thea clarified. "It is wicked!"
"No, she hasn't told me what it is yet," Oliver stated before getting a conspiratorial look on his face. "You could tell me though."
"Nope, these lips are sealed," Thea declared adamantly. "You should have seen her. The sales guy was like 'are you sure you want that car ma'am. Are you sure you can afford it?' And Nyssa was all 'have it ready by tomorrow morning I'm buying it outright.' It was awesome!"
"Is that right?" Oliver questioned, happy that his sister was happy. "Where was this again?"
"Nice try big brother," Thea said as she turned away. "But you are just going to have to wait and see."
"Worth a shot," Oliver said as he watched Thea climb the stairs. "Good night Thea."
"Night Ollie, Nyssa," Thea called back down.
"Good night Thea," Nyssa replied as Thea disappeared from sight.
"She seems much happier," Oliver observed as he wrapped an arm around his wife.
"I think she is happier," Nyssa agreed. "And without chemical intervention too."
"Then it is the best kind," Oliver noted as they heard a car pull up outside.
"It would seem that your body guard as finally caught up with you," Nyssa pointed out as she heard footsteps. They both turned to face the door as it opened to reveal an exhausted Rob entering, his jacket over his arm and defeat etched into his face.
"Rob," Oliver greeted his bodyguard. "You gotta keep up."
Author's Notes
Well that is Chapter 10 everyone. Double figures. Yay me. Hope everyone likes it. First flashback appeared as well. Hope that didn't disappoint anyone. Let me know either way.
Quick question to everyone. What car do you all think Nyssa bought? I already know what it is but what does everyone else think it is? Remember, it is late 2012.
As always, please leave me a review.