SPEECH INDICATOR NOTES:

"Normal" - Spoken English.

=Normal= Spoken in a foreign language. I will note which language is in the text. i.e. he said in Spanish.

-Normal- Spoken mentally or telepathy. Also used to converse with the Nexus.

Italics - Internal thoughts of person listed in text.

Underline – Written word, texts, notes, signs, etc. Italics Underline is written in a foreign language.

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Acronyms, terms, and translations are in the end of the last chapter. It is for reference only.

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TIBET, HINDU KUSH MOUNTAINS - LEAGUE CAMP: 17 DEC 2012

Oliver, Laurel, and Thomas followed Nyssa from the train to a series of waiting jeeps. They looked like they were built for all kinds of terrain. According to their current position, the vehicles were more than suitable for the high mountain, arid climate they were in.

After they had accepted Nyssa's offer on the yacht, she ushered them into a private train car for their next leg of the journey. It was overland travel. While it was a private car, they never felt forced or trapped. It was a luxury that Oliver and Thomas found unfamiliar. Laurel was less familiar with choice, than she was a restriction of movement.

But the train was not crowded. Nyssa avoided questions about her people's identity or purpose for the next week. This peaceful travel gave the three friends a chance to gradually rekindle their friendship after so long apart. It allowed them to heal, mentally and physically.

Thomas was absorbing all the Chinese that Oliver had learned on the island. He would frequently grill Nyssa for even more on that language. While Nyssa was reticent to discuss her own people, she was eager to teach Thomas what she knew about the Chinese. Thomas devoured the new language with excited interest.

Meanwhile, Laurel and Oliver were tentatively reconnecting on a more personal level. Laurel's bruising slowly healed. It was Oliver's careful approach that healed her heart. She could only hold him. But she no longer jumped when she was unexpectedly touched. That jumpiness would make her angry more than anything else. Which was why Oliver worked with her on to resolve it. To reduce or eliminate it as a trigger. To give her confidence in her reactions again.

An hour's drive from the train station, the vehicles pulled into a circle of tents. Everyone slowly emerged from the vehicles and waited. Oliver, Laurel, and Tommy noticed their careful actions and mimicked them.

=Come,= a hidden voice called out in Arabic.

The rest of Nyssa's people slowly approached the tents. But Nyssa held back before she turned to them. "You three will follow me. You will wait in silence until you are addressed. Kneel where I point out. Do you understand?" she told them seriously.

"Kneel?" Oliver asked cautiously.

"It is a sign of respect," Nyssa replied. "As is your silence."

"Okay, I understand," Oliver replied. He had been in enough business meetings with his father to understand cultural constraints. He knew some men needed those little signs of respect from strangers. Especially when the strangers were from another culture.

"I'm good," Thomas added. He had experienced many of the same cultural constraints with Robert. Malcolm never bothered. But Robert had included him with Oliver frequently.

Laurel just nodded. She would take the lead from Oliver and Thomas. She knew that they were no longer in America. Culturally, things would be different here. She was aware of how the various cultures in Starling were different, even if she had not experience them herself. Her mother had taught the various elite students in Starling. She was especially adept at integrating those cultural difference in her classrooms.

Nyssa nodded and then led them into the circle of tents. She led them inside the camp, stood erect, and then entered the central tent. She strode confidently into the large room in the center of the tent. Oliver, Laurel, and Tommy followed her silently.

The inside of this tent was portioned off. The largest portion housed a throne-like chair with a man sitting on it. He was a stout man with a heavy fighter's build. He appeared to be middle-aged. His hair was graying slightly at the temples. He had keen brown eyes that took in everything with sharp intelligence.

Behind him stood two large men with swords at their sides. They were wearing the same gear as the rest of Nyssa's people. A type of solid black armor. But these had three red stripes and one white stripe on their shoulder pads. The splash of color was shocking. Their keen eyes examined the new arrivals in detail, looking for threats. Around the room, the rest of Nyssa's people knelt. They had left a space in the front for Nyssa.

Nyssa pointed to three spots towards the rear of the group. Then she strode forward and knelt before the figure on the throne and waited. Oliver, Laurel, and Thomas knelt where indicated and stayed in silent observation.

=Daughter,= the man greeted Nyssa in Arabic with a smile. =I see that you have returned. I am pleased that you have suffered no losses with this evil.=

=Thank you, Father,= Nyssa replied in Arabic. =The battle would have been more difficult if we did not have the assistance of Lian Yu.=

=Interesting,= Ra's al Ghul replied. =How did you gain the assistance of Lian Yu? That Nexus is notoriously picky in its alliances.=

=Indeed,= Nyssa agreed. =But this evil tried to take someone favored by Lian Yu. It was inclined to assist us in freeing him. Lian Yu made our opponents unaware of our presence. We were able to dispatch them very easily.=

=I see,= Ra's al Ghul nodded. =Nab al Ghul may rest until your next mission.= He said with a wave. The rest of Nyssa's people rose and left the tent. Oliver, Laurel, and Thomas stayed where they were. The two men behind the throne stayed as well.

"Father, I believe that these three would benefit the family," Nyssa said in English after the tent had cleared of the others. Nyssa made a motion to Oliver, Laurel, and Thomas.

Ra's al Ghul stood and came over to examine them closer. =They are too young to join the family,= he said softly in Arabic. =They will be missed,= he replied to Nyssa.

=They will not,= Nyssa replied in Arabic. She continued in English, "To the outside world, they were all assumed dead six months ago. A yacht accident killed the rest on their craft. They have survived various trials during that time. But their families do not know of their survival."

Ra's al Ghul stared down at Oliver, then Laurel, and finally Thomas. "Why do you want to join our people?" he asked them. "Why not return home to your families?" His piercing eyes took in the expressions of each of them.

"To hunt evil," Oliver replied as he returned the cool regard. "Fyers was on Lian Yu. We were able to stop him from destroying a civilian airliner. But someone paid him to do it. I want to be a part of that. I want to hunt that kind of evil. To stop it before it hurts others."

"To kill it?" Ra's al Ghul asked him. It bothered him that Batman was too blind to see that some evil could only be replaced with death. The man failed to see how some evil poisoned the world. The only way to save the world was to cut out that poison. Not all. Some evil could face society's justice. But some could not.

"To kill it… Like I did with Fyers," Oliver said frankly.

Ra's al Ghul nodded in approval. This one has already killed evil. He would not be as limited as Batman. He has already seen the need. "What of you?" he asked Laurel. She is not the first woman to seek strength in the family. But her reasons will matter if we are to train her or not.

"I was on the ship. Ivo… he needed to die. He was insane, but... I didn't know how to do it," Laurel said. "I did what I could to keep me and Thomas alive. I would like to learn how to kill that kind of evil. To better protect myself and others."

"I see," Ra's al Ghul nodded. Yes, her reasons are to defend more than herself. Not revenge. He turned to Thomas. "What of you?" he asked.

"I would like to think that I can kill to end evil. But I don't know. I was on the ship. I was caged. I did everything I could to help Laurel keep her sanity," Thomas said. "I know that Ivo needed to die. I just hope I can be someone who can do it. If not, I will gladly support Oliver and Laurel as they do what is needed."

"Interesting," Ra's al Ghul replied. This one is not sure he can kill. But it is something he admits does need to be done. He doesn't refuse to kill because of the outside world. Rather that he is not sure he can. He is unsure of his ability. Not the morality imposed by the outside world. Yet he admits that he will support those who do kill evil. "It is not weakness to admit that you are unsure of being able to do something. But to show that you will support others for the need to do it... that is a profound strength." He returned to his throne. "A new group of trainees is gathering at Nanda Parbat. You will take them there. Instruct al Sikiyn on what their strengths and limitations will be. He is in charge of this group of recruits."

"It will be done, Ra's al Ghul," Nyssa replied with a bow. Then she rose and turned to them, "Come." She led them out of the tent.

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

TIBET, NANDA PARBAT - CLASSROOM: 28 DEC 2012

For the next few weeks, they were sequestered at Nanda Parbat with the other recruits. The priestess showed them to the basic facilities in the training wing of the fortress. They spent most of their time waiting for the rest of the recruits to gather. They were given a single room for all three of them. They felt that this ensured they stayed together. The other recruits had single rooms. This action reassured them. They were not being separated. They were together.

Every day the recruits gathered in a large room with carpets scattered across the stone floor. This was the room they were allowed to meet and socialize with the other recruits. A priest or priestess was present, but didn't do anything aside from watch the recruits.

"Good morning, Recruits," the older albino priest said with a smile as he took his place near the entrance of the room. "I am Dusan."

The trainees all whispered and greeted the old priest and settled on the carpet facing him. This was the first time any of the priests had addressed them as a group.

"Before we start any of your training, you might be wondering why we are all gathered here in this manner," Dusan said with a smile.

Several of the students began to nod in agreement.

"There are many reasons," Dusan continued as he sat on the rug in front of them. "For one, joining the League is a huge life change. You have all had something happen to you. Usually this is something traumatic. This trauma could cause you to make a rash choice. Joining the League is not a rash choice. It is a life choice."

Dusan stopped and took the time to look each of the recruits in the eye before he finally continued. He smiled softly and added, "For another, it takes time for all our potential new recruits to come to Nanda Parbat. You are from around the world. From many diverse places. We like to start you all together. It helps to build a place for you in our family. Unity."

"Today is your first day together," Dusan said as he nodded to the young man who was new to the group. "From what I have been told, this is all the new recruits expected. Do any of you have any questions about where the facilities are found?" he asked them all.

"There are only eight of us?" Laurel asked in surprise.

"Yes," Dusan replied. "This is a rather large group. But I do know that Dafdae has come of age this last solar cycle." He smiled at the young woman. "She is a child of the League. She is now old enough to become a full member."

"The League?" Thomas asked. He was assuming that was the true name of Nyssa's people.

Dusan gave a genuine smile. "You are stealing my thunder, young man. Yes, we are all the League. The League is an ancient order of Shadow Warriors. The Source tasked us to stand apart from the outside world. To bring balance. To ensure that good and evil remain in balance," Dusan said with a kind smile.

"If we maintain balance… Why do we only hunt evil?" Oliver asked in confusion. He was certain that Nyssa had said that her people hunted evil.

"Good question, young man," Dusan replied. "This is why we stand apart. We do not hold the beliefs of any of the outside societies in the world. Most of those societies hold various beliefs that worship an aspect of the Source. But the Source has tasked us to maintain balance. These societies do not see that balance. They only see their aspect."

"An aspect of the Source?" a young man said. "What do they call their aspect?" he asked.

"Their aspect has many different names," Dusan replied. "The outside societies even go to war over which aspect is correct when it is usually the same as the Source. Which is why we stand apart. We serve the Source. Not one aspect of the Source. The Source is balance. God, Allah, Yahweh, Zeus, Iuppiter… none of these aspects are truly the Source. None demand balance from their followers."

"But…" the young man stuttered. "Those are good. Not evil."

"The Source is both good and evil. Creation and destruction. The Source is balance," Dusan replied. "As I have said, those are aspects of the source. They each have another aspect which holds the 'evil' aspect of the source. Zeus is balanced with Hades. God is balanced with Satan. Vishnu is balanced with Shiva. Yet all these are aspects of the Source." He gave a pause to allow the recruits to absorb that lesson. "The men who commit evil in the name of their aspect are not good. Their actions are evil. That is why we stand apart. We answer only to the Source. Not a single aspect. Our duty is only to balance."

Dusan gave another pause before he continued. "What happens when our people must eliminate an evil man who uses the name of Allah to commit genocide?" he asked a young man. He was of Arabic descent. This was a current problem in the world.

The young man looked down in shame. He said regretfully, "The people who follow that man would think he was murdered for his allegiance to Allah. They would look to carry out the genocide in his name."

"Sadly, that is too true. The act is evil, even as the aspect is good," Dusan said. "It is for this reason our people live in the shadows. It is why our people stand apart from the outside world. The outside world labels us as Assassins. But we are not. We serve balance," he said. "We do not kill the man who steals bread to feed his family. It may be a crime in the outside world. But the act is good. We kill the man who orchestrates the plan to starve the city for more gold. That is the true purpose of the League. Our true duty. We are not a League of Assassins… though the outside world calls us that. We are simply the League."

"We recruit and train all our people. Often, children are born to our Shadow Warriors. Children raised within the League. Our priests and priestesses care for them while their parents are hunting evil," Dusan replied. He grinned again at Dafdae who grinned back, "All these children have been taught to respect and uphold the League Code... as I am sure young Dafdae will tell you."

"Joining the League is a life change. Do not take it lightly. This is a permanent change in your life," Dusan told them. "Infrequently and only when the member swears to obey the League Code, has Ra's al Ghul ruled to allow them to return to their previous lives. To go rogue... to leave the League without the blessing of Ra's al Ghul, is to place our entire family at risk. It is for this reason that rogue Shadow Warriors a hunted and killed. To protect the League. To protect our family. This is the purpose of the League Code."

"What is the League Code?" Oliver asked. He was curious. Dusan had mentioned it several times.

"Ah," Dusan replied. "There are several important aspects of the League Code. The first and most important is to serve balance. The second is to honor the secrecy of the League. Outside of these walls, the League is secret. The League is hunted. The League is misunderstood. You are invited into our family. To betray our secrecy is to betray your family."

"The third rule of the League Code requires you to minimize your killing," Dusan said seriously. He looked at each of them. "We will teach you to kill. But we do not want you to kill indiscriminately. Balance is our first code. Secrecy is our second code. Minimal killing is our third code. We kill to maintain balance. To keep our secret. But we do not massacre entire cities if one death will do in its place to maintain balance. If possible, allow the outside world to take care of evil within their grasp. Assist them. Give them the tools they need to eliminate evil on their own. This helps our first and our second code. The outside world fails to stop evil because they do not know of it. Help them know about it."

"How often do people leave the League? Seek to be released?" Thomas asked softly.

"Rarely," Dusan said. "Do you want to leave?" he asked. "It is better to have doubts now than later. Those doubts would only cost your life at a critical time."

"I… I want to stay with my friends… support them," Thomas said.

"There are many positions in the League that are not active in hunting. Most of these positions support the Shadow Warriors who are active hunters. Because of my skin condition, I cannot be on an active hunt. That is why I am a priest," Dusan pointed out gently.

"I have nothing," one of the other trainees said softly. "All my family are dead. I can't go back."

"But you are alive," Dusan reminded her. "You can find similar evil and replace it with death. To ensure that no other family is killed like yours was. Your pain will assist others. Many of our Shadow Warriors have decided to use their hurt... their pain... to help others."

"I can do that," she replied.

"Good," Dusan said in encouragement. "To start this new life in the League, you will need a new name. This is to symbolize your desire to put your past behind you. Your old names live only in the past. They will be forgotten. Your new name is the name your new family will call you. The League. Consider how you came to be here. It can help you choose your new name."

The trainees turned to each other. They began little discussions about what had brought them to Nanda Parbat. Oliver had already talked about his experience with Fyers to Laurel and Thomas. That was the incident that had led him to the League.

"What do you guys think?" Oliver asked them.

"For a name?" Thomas asked. "I don't know. But it should be something simple, right?"

"I would prefer simple," Oliver replied. "Laurel shielded you from Ivo. That should be Laurel's name. The shield."

"I like that," Thomas said. "Caged, doesn't really do it for me."

"You did so much more than that, Thomas," Laurel replied. "You kept talking about choosing your fate. What about that?" she asked him.

"Yeah, choice," Thomas said. "I chose to come with you guys. My fate. My choice. That pretty much sums up how I got here. Granted, I had to survive that fate. But I wouldn't choose another path."

"What about me?" Oliver asked. "Washed ashore? Punching bag? Bad hunter?" he quipped.

"Arrow," Laurel replied. "It was your arrow that killed Fyers. You replaced his evil with death. That was the start of your journey."

"Arrow," Oliver said. "I could use that name."

Dusan walked up to the small group of three. "Have you three come up with any potential names?" he asked.

"I think we have," Laurel replied. "I am 'the shield' for how I shielded my friend from Ivo on the ship."

"This Ivo was a source of evil?" Dusan asked while considering this name.

"He was," Laurel said through gritted teeth. "Nyssa was able to kill him. It just took six months to get there."

"It is always good when evil is replaced with death. Yes, Shield. Al Aldire. It is a fitting name for you," Dusan said with a kind smile. He turned to Oliver, "Do you have a name?" he asked.

"Arrow," Oliver replied. "For the first time, I replaced evil with death."

"Then it is a most fitting name for you. Al Sah-him," Dusan replied with a nod. He turned last to Thomas.

"I didn't do anything as memorable as they did. I was locked in a cage and supported Laurel. But I chose to go with them. My choice. My fate," Thomas sighed.

"Hum. Choice or Fate. Kahiar or Qadar," Dusan replied. "Neither is a bad name. You could be named frog."

"Frog?" Thomas asked.

"Dafdae," Dusan replied. "It means frog. She likes it though."

Thomas shook his head. "Qadar. I like that better of the two," he replied.

"Qadar," Dusan replied.

The other trainees had a harder time committing to the League. A few of them were unsure about committing for the rest of their lives. One was afraid for the family they left at home. But all were burning to do real justice in the world. To hunt evil. Their trauma demanded action. To help others avoid their trauma.

After an hour, Dusan called their attention back to the head of the room. "All right everyone. It appears that everyone has decided on a name. From now on, you will begin to refer to each other by only your new names. Allow me to introduce you to your new family," Dusan started. Then he walked over to the young woman he had identified as a League child. "This is al Dafdae or Frog." He then stepped over to the young man next to her. "This is Tayir Alfiniq or Phoenix." He continued to Oliver. "This is al Sah-him or Arrow." To Laurel, "This is al Aldire or Shield." To Thomas, "This is Qadar or Fate." To another young woman, "This is al Samita or Silence." To the next man, "This is Eadatan or Bite." To the last man, "This is al Sahalia or Lizard."

"These are your fellow trainees for this solar cycle," Dusan said. "Your old names are alive only in the past. They are forgotten." He took a brief break to let that sink into all the trainees. "Go eat and then return. We will begin more detailed discussions about the history of the League. I will explain why it is important to maintain balance." With that Dusan rose and left the room. He had to make preparations for the indoctrination phase of their training.

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

USA, WA, STARLING CITY - THE LANCE HOUSE: 31 DEC 2012

"Dinah," Quentin said in a resigned tone. "Please be reasonable."

Dinah Lance turned on Quentin with fire in her eyes. "You don't think I'm being reasonable?" she demanded. "I am staying this long for Sara. Not for you."

Quentin sighed. He had seen this coming. Dinah had started to pull away from him and Sara as soon as the news of the Gambit had come to them. Quentin didn't help. He ran to his work. When that didn't work, he ran to the bottle. Dinah was just running away.

Sara was the one who pulled him out of his funk over the holidays. She had demanded that he be present for every little thing she was doing… for Thea.

Quentin couldn't wallow in guilt when he was there to cheer up a young 11-year-old girl. A child who had lost her father and her brothers in one blow. He couldn't drink. Which was the whole point that Sara was trying to make. That he could quit if he tried. I didn't quit, but I did moderate my drinking.

Dinah hadn't even tried to join the family outings. She had failed to go to the holiday events. She actively avoided her family. Her daughter. Her mother's reaction hurt Sara. The University of Starling City had already accepted her college application. She was pressing forward with her life. All she had left to do was graduate high school.

Once Sara graduated, Dinah had decided to leave Starling. Forever. To abandon her family. To forget all the pain of losing Laurel that was associated with Starling.

"I don't expect you to stay for me," Quentin replied with a sigh. I love Dinah. But she no longer loves me. I wish she wouldn't hurt Sara like she has. "I would hope that you still loved me enough to stay. But I won't make you. If that's what you want…" He sighed. "But Sara…" he hesitated, "Sara doesn't understand why you want to leave. Talk to her. U of SC accepted her college application."

"Well," Dinah proclaimed, "She can change her mind. I want her to come to Central City University. Get away from all these memories."

Quentin sighed. To run away from the memories, like you. "Sara wants to be here for Thea. She can't do that in Central City," he said. "Talk to her."

"Why does she even bother?" Dinah asked. "That girl is not family. Sara shouldn't cater to the Queens anymore."

"That's unfair, Dinah," Quentin replied. "Thea was born after we got here from Gotham. Sara helped to raise that child. Thea is like a little sister to Sara. She never catered to the Queens. She was there for her friends and her sister."

"Look at where it got her sister?" Dinah spat at him. "Dead. I will continue to blame the entire family for the loss of my child. Laurel had such a bright future." She turned hate-filled eyes at him. "I was informing you that I will be changing employment. You can come or not. I don't care. I can't stay in this city any longer."

Quentin sighed. "I won't be coming," he replied tiredly. "I'm too old to start over in a new Police Department. I have seniority here."

"Very well then," Dinah replied. "I will pack my things as soon as the school year is over. Expect divorce paperwork around that time. Sara will have graduated. We won't need to worry about her any longer."

"That's cold, Dinah," Quentin replied. "Laurel stayed at the house for her first two years at the University."

"Sara won't need to," Dinah replied with spite. "Her 'friend' gave her money. She can fund her own place."

"Fine," Quentin told her. "Be jealous and hateful. This has nothing to do with Sara. Sara is still OUR daughter. Whom I love. I'm not so sure about you with this whole display…"

"How dare you assume that I don't love my daughter?" Dinah spat.

"Hey," Quentin replied. "I am only going off your actions. If you love her, talk to her."

"Fine," Dinah said spitefully.

"Good," Quentin said as she stormed out of the room. I'm hope Sara can talk some sense into you.

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

TIBET, NANDA PARBAT - FORGE: 31 DEC 2012

The evening before their indoctrination was to begin, Dusan took them to a different room. This was the forge. Many weapons were crafted in this place. The furnace was hot and the coals were a bright white color.

Dusan stepped forward. "Sikiyn, the trainees are ready to bear their new lives," Dusan said formally.

"Thank you, Qas Dusan," Sikiyn replied. He turned to the new trainees. "You have chosen your new names. Now you will bear them on your skin to show your commitment to your new life. Al Dafdae, remove your top and brace yourself."

The young League-born woman stepped forward and took off her top, stripping to the waist. Then she stepped up on a small platform and grabbed hold of two knotted ropes that hung from the ceiling. Sikiyn approached with a white-hot brand from the furnace and pressed it into the skin on her back while the others watched. Her skin sizzled, but he removed the brand before it pressed too deep. Her brand was in the shape of a frog.

"Al Aldire," Sikiyn called next. Laurel replaced Dafdae after she had removed her top. A shield branded into her skin.

"Al Samita," Sikiyn called. Samita replaced Laurel. A circle with a slash branded into her skin.

"Al Sah-him," Sikiyn called. Oliver replaced Samita. An arrowhead branded into his skin.

"Tayir Alfiniq," Sikiyn called. Tayir replaced Oliver. A bird on fire branded into his skin. A phoenix.

"Eadaten," Sikiyn called. Eadaten replaced Tayir. A mouth biting branded into his skin.

"Qadar," Sikiyn called. Thomas replaced Eadaten. An outline of a hand branded into his skin. The Hand of Fate. Choice.

"Al Sahalia," Sikiyn called. Sahalia replaced Thomas. A lizard branded into his skin.

"Follow," Sikiyn ordered and he led them out of the foundry to the Isolation wing.

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~