Hi everyone how are you all today? I apologize for the almost 2 week delay in posting. A delay primarily resulting from incomplete fics and chapters not ready to be uploaded, a bit of laziness, and still recovering from being sick which started last week.

But I'm back for now and here's the latest entry for this saga. And placed within its pertaining order among the other entries.

Some time ago, maybe during the preceding year, I came across the trailer for a movie on Netflix entitled "Peppermint". The story chronicling a woman named Riley North who became a vigilante and used lethal force against the criminal network who'd murdered her family. And also the corrupt and local judicial system who'd allowed them to walk.

Some time back then but the idea of Riley being counted among the champions sounded solid to me and therefore one I've decided to incorporate. Recently and due to that but I'd finally watched the movie for research purposes. Also personally finding the movie compelling and enjoyable.

One thing it doesn't fully answer is how exactly was Riley trained. Therefore but this fic will be my attempt to answer that but in a way that connects with this saga. Hence the crossover. And now here we go.

Disclaimer: I don't own "Peppermint", "Arrow", or their characters.

Setting: Mongolia

Location: Underground Fight Club

A cacophony of cheers echoed around them as the 2 opponents faced each other within a cage. One a hulking muscular man and his opponent consisting of a dark haired woman in her thirties. Both individuals had their hands encased in black boxing gloves and they were circling each other.

The referee then blew his whistle. Signaling for the fight to commence. To which the man immediately responded by swinging his arm forward. Striking against the woman's face hard which left a dark bruise upon it while sending her sprawling onto the floor upon her back. He then surged his fist downwards and towards her chest but thinking quickly she caught and grasped it hard. Following it up with a sharp upper kick to his midsection resulting in him collapsing onto the floor next.

She then promptly lifted herself up and banged her gloved fists together repeatedly. After which her opponent also removed himself from the ground and faced her once more. Visibly angry and with the 2 of them glaring at each other.

They then began boxing each other in earnest. Engaging in ferocious boxing, kick boxing, intense hand to hand combat, and landing fast and brutal blows upon each other's chests, torsos, shoulders, and faces. Neither of them holding back for within this ring there were no rules. Only victory to the strong while no tactics were excluded, dirty or otherwise, to achieve victory.

As for the female fighter, her name was Riley North and she'd fled her peaceful suburban home in the U.S. following the tragic and horrifying loss of her beloved husband and their precious little girl. The latter 2 having been gunned down by ruthless street gangsters in front of her while the then family of 3 were leaving the carnival they'd attended earlier.

She'd later discover that her husband had gotten himself mixed up in some shady business with a friend of his. Primarily including a plan to steal from the crime boss those thugs had been employed by. Though her husband had backed out in the end and chosen to not involve himself in this endeavor. Choosing her and their daughter instead.

Yet the crime boss was unaware of his change of heart and ordered him killed as an example to anyone who dared to cross the former.

Riley would later identify the killers at the police station. Yet during the subsequent trial that followed, their defense attorney would shred her testimony asunder while the D.A. didn't bother to object. Resulting in her ascertaining that those 2 attorneys and even the judge were on the crime boss's payroll. Followed by her flying into a rage and attempting to attack the thugs on trial before being forcefully restrained by the bailiff.

After which the corrupt judge had acquitted her family's killers then had remanded her into custody in which she'd be confined to a mental facility. Supposedly for being insane. But after being loaded into the transport vehicle she'd attacked and neutralized the guards inside along with a seemingly sympathetic police officer before escaping the truck and fleeing the scene.

She'd return to her home and after slamming then locking the door behind her she'd release loud and anguished sobs. Tears having streamed freely down her face as she'd sobbed hysterically. She'd also flown into fits of rage and had thrown objects around as she'd ranted at the unfairness and corruption of her city's judicial system. She'd even repeatedly slammed her fists into the walls until they'd begun to bleed.

Once the evening had approached Riley had realized she'd needed to make a run for it. Figuring out that her home would probably be the first location where they'd conduct their search. Mentally slapping herself for not having realized it earlier. But could you really blame her considering the severe tailspin of emotions she'd just been immersed in?

There'd been one enormous obstacle however. She hadn't possessed the appropriate funds to travel far. Her financial situation being tenuous and the reason why her husband had almost embarked upon the wrong path. But at that point Riley was extremely desperate.

Seeing what she'd felt was the only solution and understanding that time was of the essence, she'd gathered only her most essential belongings and had exited her home before heading to the bank downtown where she'd been employed and secretly robbing it. Acquiring $55,000 from its safe.

Then when she'd returned to her vehicle and had loaded up the money in its back seat before getting back inside she'd awakened to what she'd just done. Stunned by her actions and not having expected that side of herself to emerge. Feeling shame while beginning to sob once more. Her hands forcefully clutching the steering wheel while her forehead rested against it.

Yet she'd felt it was too late to back down and that she'd needed to stay the course.

As such she'd then restarted her vehicle and headed off to the airport before boarding an airplane for Hong Kong. Bidding farewell to her previous life forever.

Four months after her arrival in Hong Kong, Riley had found herself in some severe trouble. She'd come across a young Chinese couple being accosted by a group of well built thugs. The men also making lewd gestures towards the female within the pairing. Their intent clear while her boyfriend was trying and failing to stand up to them.

The sight had caused Riley's blood to boil and while it'd hadn't been quite the same thing it'd nonetheless reminded her of her own situation. Suffering at the hands of those who thought they could do whatever they desired and to anyone. Not fearing the consequences.

She'd therefore confronted the men resulting in their prey fleeing the scene while the latter group was distracted. Then upon noticing their would be victims had escaped they'd redirected their attention onto Riley. Vowing to make her pay for dating to interrupt their horrid fun.

They'd then ganged up upon her and while she'd fought back valiantly, even managing to connect a few punches, they'd promptly overpowered her and had assaulted her. Furthermore but they'd nearly raped her before Hong Kong police had arrived upon the scene. Causing her assailants to scatter while said police admitted her into the local hospital. Riley having sustained a facial fracture, ruptured spleen, and a dislocated shoulder.

The doctors had managed to repair her injuries followed by her recuperating once her surgery was concluded. Then when she'd felt recovered enough she'd quickly and quietly discharged

herself from the hospital but not before leaving money to cover her medical expenses.

Afterwards Riley had found herself holed up within a cheap motel while figuring out her next moves. And then and there she'd decided she'd no longer allow herself to be the victim of anyone. Instead she'd do whatever was required of her to reinvent herself into a strong a resilient individual. Someone who would not submit to anyone's brutality or general crap. Someone who would instead make her enemies or would be enemies fear her.

During the months and then the following 3 years which had passed she'd worked to restructure her body into the ultimate fighting machine. Traveling across the world and participating in illegal and underground fight clubs. Not only to train and gain expertise in hand to hand combat but also as an outlet for the inner pain and fury she still possessed.

She'd also practiced staying underneath the radar and eventually received proficiency in that endeavor.

Returning to the present and during what was her fifth year away, Riley was currently in Mongolia. The setting for the current fight club she was participating in. Her and her opponent still harshly beating each other to a pulp. Growls and grunts emanating from each other as they boxed it out.

At this point her body was now well built as she'd intended and she was significantly stronger. Not to mention greatly advanced in hand to hand. Coming close to what she'd desired and pleased with what she'd accomplished for herself.

The fight had lasted 13 minutes so far and with neither of the 2 fighters prepared to concede defeat. Finally and having had enough, the male fighter made a feint towards the left and when Riley surged her right hand forwards to counter it, he promptly followed it up with a brutal strike against her groin. Causing Riley to gasp and emit a groan of surprise and pain.

Afterwards he seized ahold of her and wrenched her towards him so that her back was facing his front. All before wrapping his arms around her throat and squeezing hard. Whether to strangle her into unconsciousness or to murder her right there being unknown.

It didn't matter to her since neither was a desirable option. Therefore Riley began grasping at his muscled arms as she struggled hard to liberate herself from her opponent's unyielding grasp. Also choking from the stranglehold her throat was locked in. But he refused to relent yet continued to further increase the pressure. Before long she found herself beginning to succumb to the pressure around her throat. Her arms falling limply to their sides as her body starting to slacken and black spots appeared before her eyes. Slowly falling into either unconsciousness or death.

The crowd of observers leaned forward in their seats with anticipation. Eagerly awaiting to witness the final outcome though one which already seemed inevitable. None however was more eager than a particular woman among the audience.

Said woman was brunette, mid 40s, and Mediterranean looking mixed with soft East Asian features. Along with an almost regal appearance.

She was also clothed with a black attire while her hair flowed downwards.

She was positioned behind the crowds and near the entryway. Her face entirely serious and her lips set in a thin line as she'd surveyed the entire fight since it had commenced. Completely focused upon it but with the remainder of her senses extremely alert. Her father having drilled within her the absolute necessity of minding her surroundings at all costs.

Returning yet again to the pertaining fight everyone observed as it appeared to be finally over for Riley, the woman starting to allow herself to welcome it. Wondering if it would be preferable to accept defeat and possibly death since the latter option especially sounded like a mercy. Having spent the previous years doing nothing but fighting.

Before she could however allow the embrace of darkness to consume her, even if it might only be unconsciousness, she suddenly saw her daughter standing across from her. Her precious little girl and the treasure of her heart who'd been horribly ripped away from her.

Seeing her at that moment resulted in Riley desperately reaching her hand out towards her. A painful ache emanating from her heart while tears streamed from the eyes of the bereft mother.

For a moment their eyes seemed to meet and the daughter lifted her tiny hand and waved softly at her mom. Resulting in a watery smile emerging upon her mother's face. Immediately afterwards she vanished however. Causing Riley to emit a somewhat muffled yell of anguish while her mind immediately and rapidly flashed back to the terrible evening her daughter and husband were callously gunned down. As the horrifying flashes within her mind rapidly continued she began to feel a rage unlike anything she'd ever experienced prior. Along with a strengthening conviction that she must survive for the time being. She must! For there was just no other option if she truly wanted to honor her family's memory.

Resolved in that, Riley felt a enormous surge of energy coursing throughout her body and drawing upon it she began pushing her legs upward. Slowly yet steadily returning to her feet. In response her opponent further tightened his stranglehold to maintain his supposed victory over her and determined to finish this. Yet she would not be deterred and with a final burst of energy she lifted up one of her hands and slammed the knuckles of its pertaining fist into his right eye with ferocity and speed. Resulting in him relinquishing his grasp and clutching his eye as he growled in agony. Crimson blood gushing from said eye.

Riley then followed it up with an upper cut to his throat. Causing him to use his other hand to clutch it as he gurgled and emitted hacking coughs.

Finally she used her knees to propel herself upwards and into the air, an arm raised high, before descending downwards and landing an intense blow against the side of his face. Resulting in him crashing backwards and onto the ground with a hard thud.

She was immediately upon him afterwards. On her knees and straddling his torso as she repeatedly swung her arms downwards and pummeled his face with vicious punches. Leaving it a swollen mess. Yet she still wouldn't stop. Seeing only red and lost in a haze of bloodlust. Unleashing all of her rage, hatred, and fury onto her opponent and relishing in it.

Eventually her arms were clutched in a tight grasp as Riley found herself being dragged away from her opponent. Struggling and kicking in protest and demanding they let her go as 2 of the fight club overseers dragged her further away and out of the ring before finally relinquishing their hold upon her.

After which she jerked herself forwards and shook out her arms. Glaring at both the overseers and her defeated opponent before ripping her gloves off and throwing them to the side. Followed by her spitting out a mixture of saliva and blood before storming away as those within the audience who were rooting for her released a shout of exuberant cheers over her victory. Though she didn't pay them any mind. This fight being for her like any other fight.

As Riley stormed away, the aforementioned brunette woman within the audience stared off after her with a shrewd expression. Her lips now pursed in keen interest and her eyes radiating with pride over Riley having finally neutralized her opponent. Just as she'd observed from the bereft former wife and mother when she'd previously attended other fight clubs where Riley was performing. Having attended over the preceding 2 years and growing impressed with how much progress Riley had made with training herself.

Today's fight also further solidifying her final decision pertaining to Riley. Upon which she quietly followed behind the latter. Sticking to the shadows and maintaining a distance so that Riley wouldn't sense her presence.

Riley meanwhile had headed over to her designated area within the locker rooms. After which she'd gone to the sink and turning on the faucet repeatedly splashed some cold water onto her face before staring hard into the mirror above said sink. Studying her bruised and reddened face, mussed up hair, and her battered and scarred body.

She suddenly felt a wave of anger wash over her. Upon which she swung her arm forward and smashed her closed fist into the mirror. Cracking it and leaving her pertaining knuckles bleeding.

She then looked down at her bleeding hand. Breathing hard and her body trembling. She then found herself feeling overwhelmed by a flood of emotions stemming from her earlier near defeat, the loss of her family, the current life she was leading, and so many other things. Resulting in her collapsing to the floor and sobbing hard. Mourning her previous life, the Riley she'd once been, and the unfairness of it all and how she had not asked for any of this.

"Congratulations on the hard earned victory you achieved Miss North. Though you certainly look the worse for wear," a female voice spoke her at that moment. Causing Riley to snap her head upwards and towards the brunette woman who'd just addressed her.

"I'm sorry but who the heck are you exactly?" she questioned her suspiciously. Her body tense and ready to engage in combat in case the other woman was looking for some trouble.

The brunette smiled.

"At ease Miss North. And to answer your question, my name is Talia," Talia reassured then answered her. "And now I'd like to invite you to accompany me. For we have much to discuss," the former continued further then punctuated by stretching out her arm and extending her hand towards her.

Riley looked at the offered hand warily. Uncertain if she should accept. But something within her, perhaps based upon the aura Talia was excluding, was making her sense that if the latter had desired to harm her she would've done so by now. And frankly, all things considered, what did she have to lose?

Therefore she responded by extending her own hand forwards which Talia grasped, pulling her onto her feet. After which Riley followed her as they left the locker rooms and exited the building they were in.

To Be Continued

A/N What did you all think so far? I hope you guys enjoyed it including this movie's fans.

For the record, almost everything written here in terms of Riley's backstory and years long journey is canon. Though I came up with the idea of her defending a young Chinese couple to explain her canon injuries during her time in Hong Kong. Same as with her emotional status after robbing a bank before becoming a fugitive

My personal intent is for this to be a very short story where we'll see Talia train Riley and assist the latter's transformation into the seemingly unstoppable warrior she is in canon.

I also don't know when the next update will be but only time will tell.

Until next time, have a blessed day.