Wildcat Gym, Night

Tracking down her beloved's sister, Nyssa caught Laurel training by herself in the empty gym. Watching from the shadows, Nyssa observed the older Lance sister's technique as she began striking the punching bag. The word adequate would perhaps be the kindest word she could offer for Laurel's current level of skill because while she not entirely sloppy, she was not an amateur either. She did, however, admire the look in her green eyes; they carried a fearsome determination, the same kind she saw and loved in Sara's eyes numerous times; even now she could still picture her beloved's piercing blue gaze. But she also saw something else, something angry and vengeful; something Nyssa herself had noticed in herself more than once in her life, something she had at this very moment.

After two jabs and cross, Laurel grunted and eventually saw Nyssa walking towards her. "I thought you were going back to your father?" Laurel spoke up.

"I thought I owned you a goodbye," Nyssa answered. "I intend to make good on my promise to Sara. And to you."

Laurel sighed sadly. "It kills me that he's still out there." She admitted.

"Merlyn?"

"Someone." Laurel clarified as she trusts that Oliver believes Malcolm didn't kill Sara, though she still had some doubts. "It kills me."

"It pains me as well. I see you've been training ... and wearing the jacket." Nyssa noticed.

"If you're going to stand there and tell me I'm not strong enough or tough enough, please ... don't"," Laurel said in an annoyed and defensive manner.

"Back at the cemetery, I would have. But since, you've reminded me that the strongest metal is forged in the hottest fire." Nyssa commented.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Laurel asked confusingly causing Nyssa to smirk.

"Don't forget to turn your hips. It's where the power comes from." Nyssa advised and walked away from her.

"Nyssa wait!" Laurel said suddenly causing her to turn around. "Teach me."

"What?"

Taking off her boxing gloves, Laurel walked over to her sister's lover. "I love Sara ... but in the past, she and many others caused me a great amount of pain ... and anger. Recently, I've been dealing with my grief and anger with the guy who runs this place, Ted Grant. He's helping me make sure that I don't bottle it up so much; giving me a place to vent. But as much as he's helped me, as good as he is ... he can't teach me like you can." She said to Nyssa, face to face. "He can't teach me the things that Sara knew."

"Why ask me? Why not Oliver?" Nyssa questioned.

"I have. He's refused." Laurel replied.

"Perhaps he is right too. It is commendable of you to want to avenge your sister." Nyssa commented. "But there is no need, Sara will have justice. I can assure you of that."

"Nyssa, please." Laurel pleaded.

"Laurel ... do you know what Sara admired the most about you?" Nyssa asked causing the would-be vigilante to grow quiet. "She admired your heart. Your kindness, your generosity, your capacity to forgive. I am beginning to see those gifts myself. But it because of those traits that I know you would not be a good assassin."

"I don't want to be an assassin. I just want to know how to fight like one." Laurel clarified.

"It is the same thing. Granted, there have been exceptions but I see no reason why you should be one." Nyssa stated in a slightly irritated manner and Laurel was more annoyed. "What can you do that would make me want to train you?"

Thinking to herself, Laurel knew there was one thing that she could do to convince Nyssa and while a part of her didn't want to hurt her; she was kinda pissing her off. Flashing a smirk to the Heir of the Demon. Laurel then screamed at the assassin and as she screamed a powerful force came from her mouth, which sent Nyssa flying across the room as she knocked down some chairs. Laurel walked over in front of her as Nyssa was regaining consciousness. "That," Laurel replied in a cocky tone as Nyssa looked flabbergasted.

Several minutes later, the two sat on a bench together with Nyssa's ears still ringing from the noise. "Tell me, did really have to demonstrate your ... ability on me?" Nyssa asked agitatedly while covering her right ear, she was having some hearing difficulties at the moment.

"Probably not, but in my defense, you did poison me." Laurel reminded her.

"To get Sara to come back to Starling. And it was not even a fatal dose." Nyssa defended herself.

"And you also kidnapped my mother." Laurel pointed out.

"Fair enough," Nyssa admitted defeat in this argument. "What you did ... how did you do that ... what are you?" She asked looking at her confused.

"After we buried Sara ... I started going through some of her old things." Laurel sighed as she hung her head down. "As I was looking at this dumb stuff shark she had as a kid, I buried my face in it and started crying. When I stopped I ... I just screamed and then before I knew it my glass table stand ... it completely shattered." She recounted as she was still in disbelief of what she was capable of now. Glancing at Nyssa, she could tell that woman wondered how she became what she is now. "And no, I haven't always been like this."

"Then how did you ... become what you are now?" Nyssa inquired.

"I'm not certain, but ... last year I was visiting my mom in Central City. There was a science experiment that went wrong, their device blew up and I was hit by this ... wave. I didn't think much of it at the time. Maybe I should have." Laurel reflected.

"Perhaps." Nyssa agreed.

"Nyssa. A few nights ago I went out to take down some piece of crap who was beating up his girlfriend. If my face isn't any indication, it obviously didn't go very well." Laurel remembered as the guy surprised her with a baseball bat. "I took him out with this ... thing. But that night I realized that I need more than just this. I need more than self-defense or boxing lessons. I need someone to help me control this ... power ... and to teach me how to fight for real." She explained and Nyssa looked at her, actually considering training her. "So what do you say?"

Nanda Parbat, Day

Stepping into her father's chambers, Nyssa knelt down on one knee in respect for her father and master; who she saw was once again bathing in the waters of the Lazarus Pit. "The rumors were true. Malcolm Merlyn is in Starling City." She reported to him.

"There is a sadness in your voice." Ra's al Ghul noted in his daughter's tone as he got out from the pit.

"Ta-er Al-Sahfer. She has fallen." She answered her voice breaking slightly.

"Sara Lance is dead?" He asked slightly surprised as his servants helped him clothe himself.

"Yes." She replied sadly as she shed a tear.

"At Merlyn's hand?" He speculated as he took his sword.

"It appears. I have vowed a blood oath to avenge her." She told him aggressively.

"Al Sa-Her will face the League's justice. But for his crimes against our code." He told his daughter as he walked towards her.

"But Sara-"

"Was never truly one of us." He immediately countered causing her heart to sadden even further. "And what of Queen?"

"He has sworn to protect Merlyn at any cost." She informed him as he held his hand to pull her to her feet.

"If this is true, then Oliver Queen courts war with us." He decreed.

"Father, there something else that you must know." She spoke up. "Sara's sister, Laurel Lance. She has requested me to train her."

"She wishes to be an assassin ... to find her sister's killer, I presume?" He reasoned.

"She wishes to learn our ways without becoming one of us. She would be a poor assassin, she is too compassionate and idealistic. She lacks the necessary resolve to kill on command." She stated bluntly.

"And yet you still wish to train her." He noted on his daughter's face, though he did not know why. "There is something else, isn't there? Tell me."

"She is like you, father." She answered after a moment of hesitation. "She is ... she possesses a gift beyond the likes of mortal men."

Contemplating her answer, Ra's then stared at the Lazarus Pit; the source of his gift. "She is able to live beyond her time, like me." He said rather surprised by this revelation.

"No. Her gift is different than yours but no less extraordinary. When she screams a ... force comes from her mouth. I have seen it, I have felt it; it is truly incredible." She explained. Giving him a moment to process such information, Nyssa stepped forward to him. "Father throughout the League's history, there have been several warriors who have learned our ways without becoming one of us. Saladin. Miyamoto Musashi. Richard Dragon. Sara's sister would not be the first."

"You believe she should be an exception, as they were?" He assumed.

"Yes. While does not share our methods, she shares our motivation for justice. Everything Sara has told me about her sister is true, she is an advocate for the people." She said.

"And yet, she an ally to Queen. His lover at one point, as I recall." He countered. "If we were to face him in the coming months, then with her power ... and our training; she would be a dangerous foe to us. Why should I permit you to train her if she is to become our enemy?"

"If she becomes our enemy ... I will treat her a such. But I believe she will not be, and I wish not to train her just because she was my beloved's sister. But because I do not wish to deny the world a warrior such as her. I believe she is meant for greatness and I would be honored to help her achieve that." She stated.

Ra's looked down for a moment, considering his options. "Go to your chambers. Rest. Mourn for your beloved. I will have my answer for you in the morning." He told her. Nyssa gave her father a respectful bow before leaving him. Alone in his chambers, Ra's had a great many things to contemplate on this day.

Starling City, Empty Junkyard, Night

Three days later, at an empty dump, Laurel was looking at a broken-down car in front of her. A part of her wishes that she had a better-looking car in front of her; so that she could better tell of what this "cry" was able to do. Opening her mouth Laurel screamed and pushed the car back several feet, but she fell back on her butt as she did so.

"Impressive." A familiar voice said with a foreign accent. Laurel turned around and saw that it was Nyssa. "The average car weighs approximately 2600 pounds. Your power to force it back is quite amazing."

"Thanks," Laurel grunted as she got up on her feet. "Hopefully, I'll eventually be able to do it without falling on my ass." She joked.

"I'd strongly recommend it," Nyssa said with a slight smile.

"How'd you find me by the way," Laurel asked.

"I have my methods, perhaps I shall even teach them to you," Nyssa replied. "Among other things. Shall we begin?" She continued and Laurel began to smile.

Authors Notes: Laurel's training in Season 3 was ... well, I want to say lazy but inconsistent would be the most appropriate word. In season 1 & 2, Laurel's capable of taking guys down pretty quickly but by Season 3 it's almost like she forgot everything; granted actually fighting in the streets is a lot different than self-defense but still. Then when she appeared as the Black Canary she struggled to take down a single thug and finally after training with Nyssa she was able to hold her own against members of the League of Assassins. By Season 4, Laurel was, however, a better fighter, she wasn't great but she was good and competent and gradually it seemed like she only getting better until they stupidly killed her off. Many critics have noted how limited her training seemed and I sorta have to agree, a couple of weeks with Ted Grant and then Nyssa; she did gradually get a lot of field experience even if was unprepared when she first started out I admit. Overall, focus on Olicity in Season 3 neglected many aspects of the show that would've made Season 3 better such as Laurel's training, as showing how hard she was actually working to be the Black Canary after Sara died would've helped with Season's quality, in addition, to focusing on Ra's as an antagonist just to name a few; in retrospect 3 wasn't as bad as 4 though.

When it comes to Laurel's start as the Black Canary, I'm torn because as much as I liked Sara in Season 2 a big part of me feels Laurel should have debuted in Season 2 as Black Canary and have it revealed that she has a more advanced fighting background than we were initially lead to believe like in my rewrite story of Arrow Season 2. Anyway, in this story is how I would've liked Laurel's progression to have gone following Sara's death. This story will focus primarily on Laurel's training and her fights. It will begin in Season 3 and end with Season 5. I hope that you enjoy it.