Chapter 7: Reunion
The plane over to Nanda par bat had been quiet, Thea hadn't spoken much and slept on the plane which suited Nyssa quite nicely as she wasn't sure how to answer Thea's questions let alone anything else. Being a big sister is something Nyssa had no experience with it wasn't something she knew the dynamics of. Nyssa knew from the moment she came aware of her life and choices in her life that she would kill or be killed in the League. Being with Sara had allowed her to experience love for the first time, especially after having felt the more perverse members of the league staring at her like she was a piece of meat to be taken, used, abused, and then discarded. Sara had been refreshing in that respect, she was just as innocent to their relationship but more willing and adapting to their situation. Sara was also pleasant to be with, Nyssa was able to set the tone and the boundaries of their relationship without having to worry about anything else. But her relationship and subsequent marriage to Oliver had change things for her, before she was disgusted by a marriage to a man, as she had grown up around them all. Oliver changed things for her, she knew right away that Oliver had not taken to the mind recalibration her Father had performed on him as League ritual. No, instead, he blended in to his surroundings, but even he was surprised by their nuptials Nyssa had only a few moments before she realized the extent of her Father's planning.
As the plane touched down Nyssa was interrupted by any further thoughts as she led Thea off the plane and gathered what meager belongs that both had brought with them. Nyssa grabbed Thea's hand and guided the younger girl towards a small caravan with horses and took 2 dark black horses. As she moved to help the younger girl onto the horse she was astounded to see Thea taking to it quite easily, Thea speaking for the first time noticed the look sent her way and replied, "Robert, my step-father got me a pony when was 8. I learned to ride early on," offering a small smile to Nyssa she allowed the older girl to lead her towards her brother.
Thea's mind was plagued with questions as she desperately wanted to reconnect with the only member of her family she had known her entire life. As she slowly started to realize the world wasn't black and white, it was shades of gray. But she was still hoping Oliver hadn't changed so much that he would treat her like a stranger. Thea had seen both her mother and step father, die, her real father come back to life only to leave her constantly, lost a half brother. But through it all she had Ollie, and then she lost him, it was a merry go round in her life never being able to hold on to family. As she looked up from her musing she could see that Nyssa had stopped and saw a sight she didn't think she would ever see. Nanda par Bat, the home of the League of Assassins. Thea dismounted her horse and followed her sister-in-law as legions upon legions of assassins formed an honor path allowing the young girl into their midst. At the center however was the only person she ached to see, not caring if she looked like a silly young girl Thea sprinted towards her older brother and embraced him quickly as tears ran down her face crying heartily. She felt her brother's arms wrap around her and a whispered greeting into her ear, "Welcome Speedy."
Ras looked upon his younger sister and current heir with a proud look on his face it was the first time since he took over the league that he relaxed allowing his sister to embrace him and show a level of warmth and comfort for the younger girl. Guiding his baby sister into the headquarters of the league and taking her to a warmly decorated room, Ras led the girl there personally stopping at the door and addressing his sister, "You've had a long journey, take a few hours to rest up and refresh yourself, we'll meet in the dining room for dinner we can talk then. It warms my heart very much to see you again Thea, I'll see you soon." Oliver kissed the top of his sister's head and walked out of the room his warm exterior fading back to the cold hearted warrior and leader of the League. A slight nod at his wife and taking her into his embrace and passionately but chastely kissing her in greeting and then telling her to rest up after her journey. Ras walking back towards the training rooms to over see his warriors progress.
The Mask's Lair
Laurel was sitting in front of the computer trying to figure out what the "Pit" was and quietly interrogating Felicity as to what Nyssa meant by it brought Thea back, back from where?
"What did Nyssa mean by her comment Felicity what happened to Thea? What don't I know?" Laurel was wondering if there was something wrong with the younger girl eagerly stepping into the "Big Sister" role for Thea as she had done previously when she and Oliver dated. Felicity stared at her computer screen trying her hardest not to blurt out what happened. And at the same time hoping John who was standing by the weapons case cleaning his gun would step in and explain it to the newest member of their group. Thankfully, John did answer and Felicity was off the hook.
"Last year, when Ras was trying to get Oliver to become the next Ras, he was trying all sorts of methods to do so. Going so far as to put his sword through Thea's chest and nearly killing her. It was then Oliver told us about "The Pit" or as you might know it as The Lazarus Pit, from the Bible. The pit that can bring people back to life. Supposedly, anyway Oliver took Thea with him and us as well to the home of the league, Oliver as you remember turned himself in for the League to use the pit to bring Thea back to life. What none of us knew then was that you just cant bring someone back to life without a cost. We thought the cost was losing Oliver, we never realized that Thea would also be paying a cost" John finished his last statement by slamming his fist on the table and denting it. The anger on his face was palpable as you can see the veins in his neck and head pulsating. Rage filling his voice, "Thea has been suffering and going through this all by herself and we, I, was so blind to it. Now something is threatening that young girl's life and there's nothing we can do to help her but turning her over to the monsters who did this to her in the first place."
Laurel was sympathetic to John's pain and it only doubled her own as Thea had been living with her this entire time, but another thought came to her mind as well, Sara. If the pit could bring people back to life then there was hope for Sara to come back as well. It was quite the idea using the Pit to bring Sara back and getting her sister back. All she needed was a plane and her sister's body and she would bring Sara back. Hell if she could find Oliver's body she could bring the man she loved back as well. Hope was blooming in Laurels' mind and heart at the thought of bringing two of the most important people back to her. She knew the others wouldn't approve but she had to do it, its better to ask for forgiveness then permission right? As thoughts flew through her mind another individual was planning something sinister.
A tall man with a black suit was standing before his personal army giving them a rallying speech as he enjoyed listening to himself talk. Every step he took every moment of his body was precise, no flaw or mistake could be seen. He looked over his men and saw that one of them was wavering in his belief, that the others might see the weak link in the chain and crumble, he walked over purposely to his weak link and immediately started to drain his life force away. Making sure the others could see the weaker member's suffering he spoke, "Tomorrow night we begin cutting the legs out of this city, we hit the new mono-rail train system that is being set up, discourage more people's hopes and dreams, And gentlemen, if we see more of those Mask rejects, terminate them with extreme prejudice, Genesis cannot be allowed to stop.
