Hi everyone are you all doing well? Here we are with Part 3 and in turn the final part of the "Arrow" element of this saga. And now we'll also see the anticipated final battle between Ra's Oliver vs Nyssa for control of the League.
OmnilBIBUltraInstinctGodzilla: That's a solid comparison regarding the contrast and really shows how far Oliver has fallen. And true on Oliver's choice. And yep on Nyssa and Laurel and you'll get to see how that goes here.
Aragorn II Elessar: Thanks very much and good to know. And thanks regarding how Oliver was written here and gotcha on Thea's fate. And I'd really thought Oliver had only saved Malcolm so Thea wouldn't have the blood of a relative upon her conscience but thanks for explaining those other elements to me. And good to know regarding my version of the League and we'll finally see on the clash today.
Super Shadow 2018: Yep and thanks and here we are.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Arrowverse or the "What If" concept.
What If Oliver Never Rescued Malcolm After Thea Turned The Latter Over To The League Part 3
Earth-7
Somewhere within South and Central Asia: Hindu Kush Mountain Range
Nanda Parbat
It was currently nightfall, the sun having receded over the horizon a few hours ago and having given way to the darkness which now enveloped the skies above. The full pale moon and sparkling stars currently hung bright across the backdrop of the currently black skies with the moon itself casting an ethereal glow upon the ground below.
Across from Nanda Parbat Nyssa and Laurel had their forces positioned around all sides of it and thereby encircling it while they and their people utilized the mountain slopes to obscure their presence from the sight of Ra's forces stationed across from them.
Both women were bubbling inwards with excitement regarding tonight's events and their final plan's commencement.
"Are you ready beloved?" Nyssa questioned her partner and lover with a hopeful smile.
"More than ready. Ready to avenge all I've lost and I'll always be ready to follow you anywhere," Laurel replied to the ravenette with a reassuring smile. The two women then grasped ahold of each other's hands and squeezed them together in encouragement before Nyssa signaled to her followers to commense the assault and they acknowledged her then moved to neutralize the platoons Ra's had guarding the city.
Speaking of whom, the sentries which made up the platoons were still maintaining their stations per Ra's instructions in anticipation of Nyssa's upcoming attack. Suddenly and out of nowhere a black arrow soared through the air at top speed and struck a sentry in the side of his neck which caused his body to collapse onto the ground face forward, deceased.
The other sentries were startled but before they could completely register what had just transpired yet another among them perished from another black arrow and this time to his heart.
One of the sentries however was soon able to ascertain what was currently transpiring and sounded the alarm.
"bisureatin! 'arsil kalimatan! nahn taht alhisar!" ["Quickly! Send Word! We Are Under Siege!"], he cried out in Arabic to the 3 assassins beside him and they scurried away to do just that right before a shrunken pierced his neck and crimson blood flowed from the resulting wound as he was released from this life as well.
Rapidly a number of sentries fell one after another from a combination of arrows, shrukens, and even daggers before they finally unsheathed their swords or drew their bows and arrows and engaged Nyssa's assassins who charged towards them and the clash began in earnest as both assassin groups fought violently.
All around Nanda Parbat were scenes of black clad and hooded assassins engaging each other in battle as the sounds of swords clashing resounded mightily while arrows soared rapidly from both sides and shrukeins and daggers met their targets. The assassins also conducted rapid spinning moves as they fought and either leapt upwards or spun through the air horizontally to dodge each other's weapons.
Laurel on her part conducted a combination of highly advanced and rapid hand to hand combat moves, strikes, karate chops, fierce boxing skills, and speedy roundhouse kicks against her enemies and also utilized her Canary Cry to send her opponents to the ground and clutching their ears in discomfort.
She remembered that the power lied within her hips like Nyssa had impressed upon her long ago and utilized them whenever she moved her body during the battle.
She also showed no mercy but used lethal force during most of her fights and either struck her bo-staff into the hearts of Ra's people or took them from behind and used it to pull their heads backward and snap their necks before letting their limp and lifeless bodies collapse to the ground.
Nyssa on her part also fought ferociously outside of her home, leaping and twirling through the air and spinning her body as she bore down upon her enemies like a vengeful being, a significant portion of them falling to her. She spared none who engaged in combat with her, using her sword to stab them in the abdomen during up close battles or firing her arrows into their necks and hearts when they came at her.
During the fierce fighting which saw mounting casualties on both sides an increasing number of Ra's servants were also struck down by black arrows flying towards them from above. Those were the work of other members of Nyssa's side who'd positioned themselves upon mountainous structures above and overlooking the fighting.
Nyssa and Laurel's people also wore yellow bracelets around the clothed portions of their wrist to enable recognition of each other while avoiding friendly fire.
As the battle raged outside the 3 assassins dispatched to sound the alarm had hurriedly entered Nanda Parbat and coming across Sarab had informed him of what was transpiring who in turn hurried away as fast as his legs could carry him and made his way to the Lazarus Pit within whose waters Ra's was currently submerged in as he bathed..
"Milord. Our enemies have arrived and laid siege upon us and our forces are currently engaging them outside," he rapidly informed him.
"Instruct our own forces within our home to also be ready to engage them should they breach the perimeter and infiltrate us. And make clear they are to show mercy to none but to slay them all," Ra's commanded him in response while stepping out of the pit as his attendants, dressed in loin cloths, helped dress him in his attire and placed his robe around him.
"At once milord," Sarab acknowledged and hurried off and barked instructions to their people while Ra's grasped ahold of his sword beside him and prepared to face his opponents.
Meanwhile and within a corridor nearby an assassin wearing a yellow bracelet hurriedly approached Mesi.
"Our mistress has arrived. It is time," he informed her to which she acknowledged with a nod.
"Spread word to our people throughout here and inform them to commence the uprising," she replied and he nodded in return then rushed off to do as she'd instructed him while she watched him leave before turning and doing the same. Between the two of them word traveled rapidly as they spread their message and the necessary recipients relayed it to others who in turn relayed it to others within their faction.
In response everyone within Nanda Parbat loyal to Nyssa immediately unsheathed their swords and turning on their brethren and sisters beside them fell upon them and slew them where they stood, either stabbing their abdomens, sides, and chests or slashing the front of their necks then dropping their lifeless bodies onto the floor. Once done they unleashed a strong war cry and charged throughout the corridors, halls, and pathways of their city and engaged in fierce battle with Ra's people, their uprising now in full effect.
Meanwhile Mesi had gathered a group of the most advanced assassins on their side and went to confront Ra's. She knew she couldn't defeat him but she'd do her best to contain him in one location to prevent him from joining the wider battle and to stall until her mistress arrived.
Ra's on his part had marched into his throne room surrounded by his own small group when Mesi and her own group stormed into the room.
"Milord. You may have survived our predecessor's sword and been decreed by him as his successor but in our eyes you are not our Ra's. Nyssa is the true and rightful Ra's A'l Ghul as it was her birthright by blood and thereby you are a usurper not to mention a foreigner. Henceforth we demand you relinquish the throne immediately and acquiesce the title of Ra's to our mistress up her arrival!" Mesi declared firmly as she and her cohorts brandished their swords against him.
Ra's eyes widened at the audacity of the group before him, them believing they had any authority to issue him, Ra's A'l Ghul, commands and especially one of this magnitude and particularly from traitors, before narrowing while blazing with fury.
"You forget your place Mesi! I always knew you were a traitor yet even I did not believe you would be so foolish. I am Ra's A'l Ghul, have been ordained as such by my fulfillment of the prophesy, and you shall stand aside at once and maybe I'll spare you the same fate that will shortly befall your mistress!" he coldly stated in response then ordered her, raising up his own sword towards her menacingly.
Mesi stood firm.
"No milord, I shall not stand aside and it is your own fate that is sealed," she countered with strong certainty.
Ra's shrugged.
"We shall soon see. And since you have made your choice be prepared to fall by my sword," he replied casually while adapting a battle stance.
"If death is what's necessary to free our organization from your unlawful grasp then will I gladly accept release from this mortal life for our noble cause," she stated with unwavering certainty while feeling at peace with her decision.
"So be it," Ra's declared with finality before raising his own sword and Mesi copying his movements before they and their groups charged towards each other and then commenced their own fight.
The assassins on each side fought violently while swinging their swords and clashing them together repeatedly as their bodies spun in different directions while also striking each other with flying kicks. As the fight progressed Mesi utilized all of her training and ferociously fought against Ra's while their swords clashed together. She also continuously danced around him in a way that positioned her body further from him to prevent him from striking her down prematurely.
She fought against him with tremendous strength and fury and refused to hold back, knowing her mistress was depending upon her.
Ra's ascertained what she was doing however but decided to play along since he still intended to use Mesi against Nyssa which would only work once the League princess had arrived. Plus he acknowledged to himself that she was a more than capable fighter and one of the League's most advanced yet, at times keeping him on his toes. Nyssa especially and Sara had clearly done a superb job training her.
During their duel she ended up genuinely taking him by surprise by means of head butting him, causing him to stagger backwards a bit, and then using that moment plunged her sword forward in an attempt to stab him in his side.
Ra's quickly managed to reorient himself and dodged the attempt which caused Mesi's sword to instead slash through his left sleeve and against the skin of his left arm, leaving a small gash. She attempted to maintain the momentum and swung her sword towards his neck but he quickly jabbed his elbow upwards and struck it against the underside of her chin, causing her to falter, before sending her sprawling to the ground with a flying kick.
In response some of Mesi's allies beside her and who'd killed their own respective opponents from Ra's group rushed towards and engaged him, working in concert, but he soon managed to subdue then slay them and left their bodies on the floor. Mesi on her part took a few breaths to recover before lifting herself upwards and repositioning herself back onto her feet after which she and Ra's reengaged their duel.
Back outside, Nyssa and Laurel had finally managed to eliminate the entirety of their opponents who'd stood as an obstacle between themselves and Nanda Parbat. Afterwards they and their forces finally entered and stormed the city and then engaged all of Ra's forces who opposed them while linking up with those within who fought on their side.
The entire city was engulfed in violent civil war as the opposing groups of assassins fought tremendously and brutally, refusing to acquiesce even an inch of ground, knowing that the fate of the League depended upon the outcome of this battle. Multiple lives were lost as blood was spilled on both sides and the walkways were almost littered with bodies.
Soon the tide of battle started to turn in Nyssa's favor as those within who'd instigated the uprising, now buoyed by their comrades who'd arrived and bolstered them, began to overrun their enemies and establish control over multiple locations throughout the city. They still faced stiff and sometimes grueling resistance from Ra's assassins in other locations but continued to stay the course, both sides fighting to the last man and woman.
Meanwhile Nyssa and Laurel hurried to the throne room and upon their arrival saw the deceased bodies of assassins across the floor, some with a silver bracelet around their wrists and others without it. In the center of them stood Ra's himself and before him on her knees was Mesi and with his sword at her neck.
"Welcome ladies. I see you both finally made it. And now that you are here you now have a choice to make though the choice is yours especially Nyssa," Ra's greeted them and then gestured his head downwards towards Mesi whose face held a look of defiance.
"Release her at once!" Nyssa demanded while bearing a look of anger, and a hint of fear, at the current position of her third in command and most faithful servant.
"Actually Nyssa but she is the choice you must decide upon immediately. Either you surrender, lay down your weapons, and command your cohorts follow suit or I will slay her where she is. What is your choice?" he coldly declared and then questioned her while placing the edge of his sword closer into Mesi's neck, drawing a bit of blood, to emphasize his point.
Nyssa found herself at a crossroads and uncertain as to what she should do. She understood what Ra's was doing however and it was by using her emotions against her, something she'd remembered had worked out negatively for her during their past encounters when he'd been Oliver.
She also knew the tremendous difficulty of the decision being laid before her and that Ra's hoped it would cause her emotions and confidence to be compromised as she was forced to choose between either continuing to fight for her birthright or surrender and hopefully in turn spare the life of someone who was like a sister to her.
Nyssa found herself on the verge of tears, not wanting to lose Mesi, and may have very well broken down then and there and it not been for Laurel placing a reassuring hand upon her shoulder, anchoring her and filling her with confidence once more.
As she attempted to ascertain a way out of this terrible conundrum Mesi then spoke up.
"It's alright mistress. I do not fear the pain of death for it is only a new beginning. I implore you not to sacrifice everything you've worked towards and achieved just to secure my life alone. If my blood must be spilled in order for your victory to be realized then I welcome the release of death," she stated with a bit of sadness in her voice yet also with determination, having made peace with the prospect of death ages ago.
Hearing her words broke Nyssa's heart and especially considering how much she cared for her but seeing the former's resolve and the pleading look in Mesi's eyes to heed her words gave her courage and peace with the choice she knew she must make. And especially since it was what Mesi wanted and Nyssa knew she had to honor that.
"I'm afraid I'll have to decline your generous offer Ra's for I will never yield to you and you heard Mesi. My followers and I care deeply for one another & will sacrifice everything including our lives for each other. Except no one is required to & only do so voluntarily. And since this is her choice then I must respect it and therefore the decision's already been made," she declared with finality albeit tinged with tremendous sadness.
Ra's nodded.
"If that is your choice then I shall oblige you both," he stated and then with a move of his wrist slashed the blade of his sword across Mesi's neck then let her now lifeless body collapse to the floor while both Nyssa and Laurel flinched and looked away. They then bowed in respect for her before Nyssa looked upwards and directly into Ra's eyes with a steely expression within her own eyes.
"I demand a trial by combat immediately and without any preparations beforehand. If I win and remove you from this life then I regain my birthright and control of the League falls to me," she challenged him but in such a way that showed she would not take no for an answer.
"I accept but if I win and grant you the release of death then all with you must lay down their weapons and surrender to my authority. Agreed?" Ra's replied as he accepted her terms while laying down his own.
"Agreed," she answered with a firm nod after which both leaders sent word to their forces to cease fighting and to gather in the throne room. Word spread and heeding the respective commands the battle ceased and their assassins made their way to the throne room.
Once they'd arrived and gathered around them, Ra's removed his cloak and Nyssa removed the veil around her face and pulled her sleeves up. Laurel then walked up to her and grasped ahold of her shoulders.
"I believe and have faith in you Nyssa. You've got this," Laurel assured her with a loving smile.
"Thank you beloved," Nyssa replied with a grateful smile and then pressed their lips together in a sensual yet gentle kiss, pouring all their love and emotions into it in case it was their last. They soon parted after which Laurel positioned herself further away to the side and Nyssa and Ra's stood across from each other, swords drawn, and stood facing each other for a moment before charging towards each other and striking their swords together as the final battle commenced.
The two combatants fought each other ferociously and neither one held back. They swung their arms upwards, downwards, forwards, and in circular motions as their swords clashed repeatedly while they also performed epic flips and danced around each other.
They continuously battered their swords together with their entire strength while using their legs to either strike each other to the ground or sweep each other off of their feet before quickly repositioning themselves back onto their feet.
Nyssa and Ra's fought back and forth and both leapt upwards as the other took turns swinging their sword downwards toward their opponent's legs. They also ended up on their knees and slid along the floor as they continued to duel and then got back up while ducking and dodging each other's strikes and spinning around each other.
During their duel they used their fists to strike each other's faces at least once and spun their bodies as they conducted flying leaps and spinning kicks in addition to fast cartwheels. They also engaged in a bit of hand to hand combat with their fists striking together in an upwards and downwards move.
On and on Nyssa and Ra's continued to fight while leaping over and underneath each other and as they battled Nyssa maintained absolute control over her emotions and immersed herself entirely within her warrior side. She fought with more than significant power and fury while utilizing every trick, move, and strike her late father had instructed her in including his most ruthless methods.
Neither her nor Ra's had any qualms fighting dirty and for Nyssa this wasn't just a battle for her birthright and for the future of the League but also a battle for her life, her future, her destiny, and even for Laurel knowing how much her current beloved desired to see Ra's defeated once and for all over the destruction he'd wrought upon the former Canary's home.
And for Ra's it was about his own honor and maintaining his grasp upon a title and throne he felt was rightfully bestowed upon him by what he considered to be a sacred prophesy that his predecessor had informed him of.
At different moments Nyssa had Ra's on the defensive and during other moments he had her on the defensive while those observing the duel were uncertain of the final outcome and could only speculate as to who would claim victory upon its conclusion.
Suddenly Ra's leapt upward once more and unleashed a barrage of punishing kicks while Laurel cried out to her as they took her to the ground before he placed his foot upon her abdomen and pointed the tip of his sword downwards and towards her throat.
"Are you prepared for your release now Nyssa?" he asked her coldly with a hint of amusement certain he'd bested her.
Nyssa closed her eyes in seeming defeat but in actuality had moved into a meditative trance as she focused on locating her center. She soon located it and with a surge of fresh confidence surging through her she took ahold of Ra's sword with her bare hands, not flinching at the pain of the blade slicing through the skin and drawing blood, and with all of her might wrenched it away from his hands.
Next she quickly flipped her legs backward and struck his chest so hard it knocked the air out of his lungs. Before he could recover and her maintaining her momentum, she lunged forward and swinging his own sword towards the base of his right shoulder she quickly and cleanly sliced through his sword arm and dismembered it from his body and then let him collapse onto his knees before her.
The spectators surrounding them all let out gasps of shock, not having expected this turn of events to unfold, while Laurel gazed upon her girlfriend with beaming pride. Nyssa then causally strolled over to Ra's and pointed the sword towards his heart.
"Actually I believe it is you whose life is forfeit as per our agreement," she declared matter of factly as Ra's bowed his head in defeat.
"Congratulations Nyssa, you are now Ra's A'l Ghul. Now finish it," he softly acknowledged her with a voice of acceptance and recognizing his years long journey had finally reached its conclusion.
Nyssa nodded her head in agreement before her features morphed into an expression of pity as she gazed upon his broken form.
"I will always remember the honorable man you once were and the noble warrior who fought hard and gave all he could to protect his home before my father put an end to him. And not just myself but Laurel here as well. And perhaps in another life we could've been comrades and even partners. I only hope you'll find peace in the next life, Oliver," she said to him softly while addressing him by his original name in years in acknowledgment of the person he had been.
She then drew back the sword and then thrusting forward plunged it into his heart before extracting it and watched as the life left his eyes and the man who'd once been Oliver Queen, later the Hood, later the Arrow, and finally as Ra's A'l Ghul collapsed to the ground dead.
Nyssa then bowed her head in a moment of silence while Laurel wept softly, not for the man himself who'd he'd once been before his fall from grace. Afterwards she walked over to the dismembered arm and bending downwards, removed the Demon's Head ring from its lifeless finger and lifting herself upwards placed the ring onto her own finger.
In response all of the assassins within the throne room knelt before her and bowed their heads in subservience as the word "Ra's" was ushered by all of them together in one voice. Laurel on her part also bowed her head briefly before the two women's eyes locked onto each other and they gave each other soft smiles.
Over the next few hours Nyssa and with Laurel by her side cemented her control over the League and instructed that the bodies of all of those who'd fallen be given a ceremony followed by a proper burial. It was done and Nyssa observed as each body was lowered into the ground though she displayed the most emotion as Mesi was buried. Laurel on her part held her close at that moment and rubbed circles upon her back in an attempt to comfort her which Nyssa appreciated.
With everything said and done Nyssa with Laurel retired to the former's chambers and sat down on her bed as they processed everything which had transpired and led them to where they were now.
"We did it Nyssa. We actually did it," Laurel commented in wonderment while having a hard time believing it even though the evidence was before her.
"Yes Pretty Bird. We actually did it and I don't think I could've done so without you," the other woman responded while looking at her with adoration.
"So what now?" Laurel asked curiously while tilting her head to the side.
"We shall continue the League's work to wage war against and cleanse the world of evil and corruption as best we can. Except unlike the previous Ra's and the one before him and all of their predecessors, we shall do it the right way in that we won't annihilate cities or civilizations, will do all we can to avoid collateral damage, and if someone can potentially be redeemed we'll grant them that opportunity. I can only hope you'll remain by my side during this endeavor," Nyssa answered her and then looked at her hopefully.
Laurel in response reached her hand forward and took ahold of Nyssa's, holding it tight.
"A thousand times yes my love and always and forever," she answered with conviction and Nyssa beamed widely before capturing her lips in a passionate kiss which Laurel returned and then they laid back on their bed snuggled up while resting their foreheads together, certain of the future. Afterwards the scene moved away from Nyssa's chambers and outside of Nanda Parbat then lifted upwards and into the night sky with the stars above still sparkling brightly before the scene faded to black.
End Of Arc I
A/N So what did everyone think of this arc's conclusion, the final battle, Oliver and Nyssa's last confrontation, and the arc overall?
And I apologize I didn't get this finished on Saturday last week. I really prefer to post once a week but it doesn't always work out that way.
I hope you all enjoyed this first part of my What If type series and I fully respect the feelings of those who have no interest in the Nyssa/Laurel romance angle.
My next arc will be set within "The Flash" and will explore a universe in which Cisco became the Flash instead of Barry.
Finally but if anyone would like to write a sequel expanding upon this arc or write an alternative version of it they have my permission as long as you give me credit as the original author.
Until next time, have a great day.
