The Four Paths
Disclaimer: This was inspired by Okori from the Lauriver Discord.
Summary: Once, they were the best of friends. Now, they're all on different paths.
Dinah Laurel Lance, Sandra and Carolyn Wu-San, Ricardo Diaz, and Ben Turner were once a great group of friends in their teens. And all shared a common interest in learning the Martial Arts from their teacher, one Richard Dragon of the Dragon Dojo. A former student of the legendary O-Sensei as well for that matter. Granted, Diaz wasn't necessarily the easiest to get along with due to something of a rough home life and like Oliver Queen, wasn't someone Quentin Lance liked much of. Something that actually made the rough houser and the Silver spoon fed Scion have enough of a common bond to be something close to friends. But unfortunately, life would turn ugly for the group when Carolyn was found murdered three blocks away from the Wu-San household. Seeing a splintering in the group as Sandra became cold and focused on looking for the one responsible and furthering her skills while Ricardo's home life got worse to the point he began to fall more and more into a dark hole.
It didn't help when he was forced into an orphanage and kept having to deal with a jackass by the name of Jesse Federico. Causing him to gradually become resentful towards his friends and their families for not being willing enough to take him in and thus, preventing him from dealing with more Hell. Ben gradually found himself getting more and more involved in Mercenary work that kept his mind focused and off of Carolyn and as a result, falling into something of a dark hole like Ricardo was as he saw more and more of the darker side of the world. Laurel, meanwhile, focused on at first trying to join the Police Academy but when her dad prevented it because he was afraid of what would happen to her if she was successful in making it through the Academy, she ended up pursuing a path in being a Lawyer. The paths his students had set themselves on aside from Laurel had hurt Richard as he had truly cared for all of them and prayed that the three would find their way back to the light one day.
It also bothered him somewhat that Laurel hadn't bothered with continuing her training after Carolyn's death and focusing on other things like her relationship with Oliver. A relationship he wasn't necessarily a fan of given the boy's immature nature and his treatment of Laurel. But kept quiet on the matter as he knew his student didn't appreciate anyone giving their opinion of her relationship with the Queen Scion, no matter how valid said opinion may be. Even having seen first hand the arguments between herself and her father and how ugly those could get. But tragedy would strike again for Laurel some time later when both Oliver and her sister were presumed dead at sea. Worse yet, the two having been seeing one another behind her back and thusly, making the whole situation even worse. Richard, fearing for what this may do to her, managed to get her to focus on her training again in addition to learning how to be a Lawyer.
Interestingly enough however, would cause Laurel to see how bad things were getting in the Glades and wanted to do something about it. Leading to her becoming a Vigilante even though Richard at first disapproved of it as he worried it would get her killed. Prompting him to join her in her efforts to help those of the Glades and joining forces with another by the name of Ted Grant. Who, despite his age, could still kick ass with the best of them with his boxing skills. Skills Laurel asked him to teach her as well so that she would be even more effective in the field. It wouldn't be until at some point during Oliver's return and his methods as the Hood that saw Laurel's efforts getting noticed by an old friend of her's, one Sandra Wu-San. Who at that point was going by the name of Lady Shiva and wanted to see how her old friend's skills were now that she was using them to fight against the wastes of Society. Neither knowing that Diaz thought Laurel was wasting her time and that Ben was actually impressed with what she was doing since both had easily recognized her particular fighting style.
"You sure we can't just go for Shakes and Fries, Sandra?" Tried Laurel imploringly in the Dragon Dojo.
Completely shocked by the changes of her old friend and not particularly liking them either. "And be treated to the horrid sight of the Fries in the Shakes? I think not." Shiva said with a shudder as that to her was just disgustingly unhealthy!
Laurel scowled and Richard for his part couldn't help but snicker and even agreed with his former student that that particular concoction was disturbing and unhealthy. "Then we can do something else then. Something that'll be better than this pointless fight you're looking for."
An angry look appeared on Shiva's face. "It is NOT pointless! If you do not fight me, Laurel, you are worthless in my eyes!" Declared the woman and causing hurt to well up in her old friend.
"F-Fine… If that's what you want." Laurel replied with a waver to her voice.
"This fight will end when one of you makes the other concede the match. There will be NO deaths here today, is that understood, Sandra?" Declared Richard sternly towards his former student.
Having heard the stories of some of the things she'd done over the years since leaving to find the one whom had killed Carolyn all those years ago. Shiva scowled at her former teacher but nodded to show she understood and said as much. "This is your Dojo and I will respect your wishes on this matter."
It was, perhaps, the least she could do. But once she was done with Laurel she would challenge him afterwards. Dragon nodded in satisfaction at the response and moved to the side of the mats. "Then so it begins… HAJIME!" Yelled the man and with that, the two old friends began their match.
Author's Notes: I'm placing this here in 'Possibilities' because that's the best answer for now given the potential this has for a continuation.