"You really don't remember?"

Shado opened her mouth to answer, but then stopped. Laurel watched as a myriad of emotions flashed across her face, eventually culminating in recognition. "It's coming back to me in bits and pieces," she finally said. "I remember going to the warehouse and the speech. The Joker attacking the master. The League slowly being Jokerized… and then there was the two of us. We tried to escape, and we made it to the window, but there were too many. And then I…"

"…sacrificed yourself to save me," Laurel finished, a note of sadness in her voice.

"I did," Shado concurred, swallowing. "Everything after that is a blank. Laurel, did I…?"

The younger woman didn't say anything in response, which was all that really needed to be said. Shado gave a gasp of horror as tears began to gather in her eyes. Laurel quickly pulled her into a hug before she could break down. "It wasn't your fault you were brainwashed. You had absolutely no control over your actions."

"But still, all of those people…" The archer hiccuped. She had killed before, even in cold blood, but only ever evil men. Never innocents. That was the one thing they had both taken comfort in. Now only one of them could.

Laurel pulled away briefly to cup Shado's face in a comforting manner. "It was not your fault. None. The only person to blame is the Joker, for doing this to you. No one else."

Her friend still didn't look convinced, because guilt was a powerful thing like that, but she nonetheless nodded. Satisfied, Laurel pulled her into another hug, rubbing the back of her head in a soothing manner. Shado had always been there for her, supporting her in moments like this. Now it was her turn.

They stayed like that for quite a bit. As Shado's sobs finally began to subside, however, they found someone else making their presence known. "Am I interrupting something?"

Laurel and Shado blinked as they both looked up to the side to see the Bat-Plane flying right next to the crow's nest. The hatch opened to reveal Nightwing in the cockpit, giving them a wave. "You want to come with me? I doubt either of you want to see Ra's right now."

The two best friends exchanged looks. "I think we'll take you up on that offer," Laurel decided for both of them after that brief, silent conversation.

"Alright then. Hop in."

Within minutes, they found themselves away from the docks and its frozen battlefield and lowering into the hidden landing pad in the Bat-Cave, beneath Wayne Manor. They were met there by Alfred and an entire cart worth of medical supplies, all of which was very much welcome. Laurel, the only one who needed any serious medical attention, was brought to the infirmary where the butler started treating her, while Dick took Shado to the Bat-Computer so he could run a blood test on her. "We want to make sure the cure is permanent," had been his explanation.

"Why does Batman trust us in his space?" Shado had asked after the blood test was finished. She had her arms crossed and was giving Laurel a rather expectant look.

Laurel smiled nervously. "I may have given him our real names and a high-level overview of our backstories," she sheepishly admitted.

Her friend stared at her for a long moment, looking mightily unimpressed, before sighing outwardly. "Under normal circumstances, I would be mad about that," she said, before moving forward and taking a roll bandages to wrap Laurel's other arm. "But, considering he just helped save me from being an insane, endlessly laughing lunatic, I'll let it slide."

With that, Shado began her own treatment of Laurel's injuries. While there wasn't anything major, the younger assassin had accumulated a number of bruises and cuts, in addition to being exhausted and sore. If she lived past whatever Ra's had in store for her when he finally got to her, then she was probably due to be laid up for at least two weeks if not more. Wonderful.

Just as Shado had finished bandaging a particularly nasty contusion on her leg, the Bat-Computer came to life, the screen morphing into Oracle's increasingly-familiar insignia. "Status update?"

"Lay it on us, O," Dick answered for all of them.

"You got it, Hunk Wonder. The GCPD has concluded their round up efforts. Unsurprisingly, the League escaped before they could nab a single member and are holed up God knows where. Maybe our two little strays can help with that."

"They're probably back at the mansion," Shado suggested, ignoring the small dig. Barbara had no reason to be friendly with them, after all. "That's the only place we can think of."

"I'll check it out, then," Oracle promised. "Well, anyway, the same cannot be said for the Rogues. Dad managed to bring all of them in. A few of the minor ones are in the wind, but either we or the GCPD will catch up to them soon enough." Her voice turned grim. "There are two major ones missing, however."

"Let me guess: The Joker and Harley Quinn."

"Unfortunately, yes."

The mood of the entire Bat-Cave darkened. It only figured that the two most dangerous Rogues would be the ones to escape. "Any idea where they are?" Laurel asked.

"I'm checking their usual haunts now, but chances are they're laying low. The Joker might be insane, but he's not stupid. He knows he really pushed the envelope tonight and that everyone, from the GCPD to other rogues, will be looking for him, whether it's to arrest him or take their revenge on him for brainwashing them. I wouldn't be surprised if he's left the city for the time being."

Shado frowned. "Won't that be a problem? Aren't you afraid he'll go to some other city and start terrorizing people there?"

"No, we're not, Miss Gulong."

The two assassins blinked and turned to Alfred, who was folding some of the towels he had used to help clean Laurel's cuts. "The Joker's greatest obsession is Batman," he explained, years of exhaustion and anger pouring out of him. "He will always come back to this city, as long as Batman is here."

There was resignation there, too. It made Laurel wonder what, exactly, the Joker had done over the years to warrant such a reaction. She imagined it couldn't be anything pretty. A lunatic like that, obsessed with Batman, whose primary concern in life was fighting crime… well, whatever schemes the Joker cooked up couldn't have been fun. At least, not their definition of fun.

Before anything more could be said on the matter, a ping! sounded throughout the cave. Dick went to the Bat-Computer and pulled up some kind of inbox, frowning as he decrypted the message that had been sent to them. When he finally read it, his entire demeanor turned serious. "It's Ra's," he revealed to everyone. "He wants to meet us. All of us."

Meaning, that he knew Laurel and Shado were with the Bats and was demanding their presence at the meeting. This was not a request, but a summons, and no matter how much all of them wanted to refuse, that was not an option. In the wake of the recent attack on Gotham and the League's subversion, the master had to be absolutely livid.

"You don't have to go," Dick tried to tell her, but Laurel shook her head.

"It'll just put us in an awkward position, and I can't stay under your protection forever." She sighed again. "I'll go."

The address was for the estate, as Shado had correctly assumed. When they arrived there in one of the spare Batmobiles, Batman was already there waiting for them on his own. He nodded to all of them, and then led the way through the gates. A pair of sentinels were stationed at the doors, and they both wordlessly opened them the moment Bruce was at the doorstep.

Once inside, they saw all of the League's forces in Gotham were present — or at least, those that had managed to survive. Laurel noted, with mixed feelings, that around half of the assassins that had come to the city with Shado and her were not present. Some were probably doing guard duty or running errands, but not all of them. The rest had to be dead, almost certainly.

No wonder Ra's was angry. She could practically feel his rage as they slowly approached the dining room where he was standing at attention, hands clasped behind his back. His face was neutral, but his fury was palpable. It made Laurel dread her own punishment, which was sure to come soon.

The dining table had been removed, as had all the chairs. All the assassins, those that remained, were lined up against the walls, with the exceptions of Al-Owal and Nyssa, who were flanking the Demon's Head as always. And of course, Laurel and Shado weren't among them either, standing safely behind Bruce and hoping Ra's wouldn't notice them immediately. Thus far, it seemed he hadn't.

"Detective."

"Ra's."

The two men stared each other down, the tension between them thick and heavy. There was just too much history for it to be any other way. For a moment, she was afraid a fight would break out and she would find herself having to choose sides. After helping her save Shado, Laurel knew which side she would choose, but that could very well mean her own life, and now that her best friend was back, she was no longer keen on losing it.

Suddenly, Ra's spoke. "Qalnaswa. Join the rest of your fellow assassins," he ordered. Nobody missed how he only spoke to Shado and not Laurel.

Shado shot her a worried look. Laurel gave her a subtle, slight nod, and with that her friend complied with the order. She was in this situation because she wanted to save her friend; it would be a waste for Shado to go down with her now that Laurel had succeeded.

"Taer Al-Aswad, stay where you are," Ra's continued once Shado was lined up with the other assassins. "I shall deal with you momentarily. Now, for the main business at hand."

At that signal, two pairs of assassins marched in, each dragging a body between them. It took a moment for Laurel to recognize them under all the bruises and swelling, but she could never forget either of those faces. The Joker and Harley Quinn.

"These two were already responsible for much death and destruction prior to tonight," Ra's noted, speaking directly to Bruce. "And yet, you did not kill them even as the number of their crimes mounted. Now, with their most recent attack, they've added hundreds to their body count. Will you kill them now?"

It was a loaded question with multiple underlying meanings. But Laurel could see the heart of it. Will you finally accept your place as my heir? Because if Batman finally gave in and killed these two criminals for their actions tonight, it would mean acceding that Ra's' form of justice was as just as his own. And that acknowledgement was only a step away from joining the League himself.

So of course, Bruce refused. "No," he answered.

"Why? Do you believe they do not deserve to die?"

Surprisingly, Bruce shook his head. "No. They most certainly do. Their crimes are unforgivable. But I cannot kill them, because that is not my way. It will just be the first step to becoming you, and I absolutely refuse to be anything like you," he said with conviction.

Ra's narrowed his eyes. "Is your resolve truly that strong?"

"Yes. For as long as I live, I will never kill."

They locked eyes once more, another battle of wills. After a moment, Ra's seemed to back down. He closed his eyes briefly, sighing in disappointment, before raising his left hand. He then curled it into a fist.

Laurel couldn't hide her flinch, watching wide-eyed as both supervillains were beheaded. Next to her, Dick hissed, while Bruce scowled heavily. As soon as the heads dropped, Ra's began speaking once again. "It is clear now that for all your talent and skill, Detective, you will never be the heir you could be, if only because of your sheer stubbornness. So now it is time for the Demon to wash its hands of you. Consider this a final gift from us for helping save us — we have done the one thing you have never had the strength to do, and prevented these two from causing any further harm to your city."

With another sweep of the hand, the bodies were carried away. "Taer Al-Aswad," Ra's suddenly said, calling to her. "Come forward."

Laurel hesitantly stepped forward, going to one knee and bowing her head. Ra's stared down at her imperiously as he addressed her. "You have broken several of our by-laws. You have willing exposed yourself to the public, have brought an enemy into one of our sacred strongholds, and fought side-by-side with those same enemies against the League. By all rights, I should cut you down from where you stand right now."

She didn't dare say anything in defense of herself. Ra's was right. Even if she didn't regret it, even it had been necessary, Laurel had broken several tenants of their code. She had broken the vow she had made to the League in front of the waters of the Pit. No matter her reasons, he had every justification to kill her.

Steeling herself, Laurel closed her eyes, and waited for the blow to come.

"However, it is through these actions that you have saved us. Punishing you for that would be in poor form."

Laurel's eyes snapped open upon hearing that. What? Out of a sudden bout of bravery, she dared to look up and meet Ra's' eyes. There was a touch of respect there.

"I have met your kind before, Taer Al-Aswad. I have always known you would never be truly loyal to the League," he continued. "You have broken our laws, which you must be punished for, but you did so to save us, which grants you a degree of mercy. So I offer you this as your punishment: a complete release from your vow to us. Should you accept, you will be free of all of your remaining obligations to the Demon, and be allowed to return to your former life."

For a moment, Laurel didn't know what to say. There were two different ways a member of the League could be released from their oath: a "ghost" release and a "complete" release. A "ghost" release allowed a person to return their former life as well, but it came with caveats. The released was still beholden to the League's laws and code, including fighting against evil and not using their skills for any kind of monetary or personal gain. If those conditions were not met or were broken, then the released was at the mercy of the League and whatever punishment they devised for them. On the other hand, it also came with the benefit of still being able to use League resources if they gave ample reason to the master, including many of their safehouses.

A "complete" release was similar but distinct. The released in that case could both return to their former life and use the skills they learned from the League for whatever purpose they wished, without any fear of reprisal. This included becoming a mercenary, something that was usually heavily frowned upon and warranted a punishment. However, the downside was that the person could not access League resources anymore, nor make any contact whatsoever with the League. That was why it was called a "complete" release — the former member was supposed to sever their ties entirely from the Demon, and breaking that promise would see severe consequences visited upon them.

But Laurel didn't care about that. She could finally leave the League behind her for good and never have to think about this chapter in her life ever again if she wanted to. She could move on. In many ways, a complete release from her vow was everything she could ever want.

Except for one thing.

She could already feel Shado's gaze burning into her, and Laurel could not help but glance her friend's way. If she accepted this, accepted the offer Ra's granted her, then she would have to leave Shado behind in the League. She would never get to see her best friend again, and the mere idea of that alone tempted her into saying no.

But of course, Shado had to make it difficult. The older woman made eye contact with her and shook her head, silently mouthing to her to accept. They both knew that they would never get a chance like this again. If Laurel refused now, then Ra's might very well keep her in the League forever, and she would never get to see any of her loved ones again, nor be able to fulfill her goal of solving the mystery behind the Gambit's sinking.

So Laurel turned back to Ra's. Upon seeing the unflinching glint in his eye, she knew any attempt at refusal would've been pointless anyway. He wasn't going to accept no for an answer. After all, he knew of her bond with Shado, he knew what this would do to them both. And this was supposed to be a punishment as much as it was a reward. There was no greater punishment he could give her, than separating her from her last remaining loved one.

"I accept," Laurel answered, once more bowing her head.

"Very well then." With that, he stepped forward, and placed a hand on top of her hooded head. "Taer Al-Aswad. By my right as Ra's al Ghul, I release you. You are now free to return to your former life."

He removed his hand and stepped backwards. Laurel got to her feet, and gave him one final bow, before stepping back herself, next to Bruce and Dick. The older of the two men placed a hand on her shoulder, a silent request that she leave with them.

"Someone will be sent to you later with your things," Ra's told her solemnly. "Now, our business with you all is finished. I must ask you to leave. Athena, Al-Owal, escort the outsiders from the premises."

The rest passed by in a blur. They were escorted out of the mansion and to the gates of the estate by the older assassins. Athena was quick to leave them once they arrived at their destination, but Al-Owal lingered behind for a moment. He shared a final look with Laurel, a single nod of acknowledgement that she returned after a brief hesitation, before taking his leave. She supposed that was his way of saying goodbye.

With that, she was driven back to the Bat-Cave with Batman and Nightwing, where Alfred was waiting for her with a change of clothes. To her surprise, also waiting for them there was Barbara Gordon. It was the first time Laurel had seen the other woman in person ever since the disastrous night where at Barbara's home where she had been revealed to be a spy.

"You'll be staying with me for the time being, until you figure out your next step," the information broker explained. "Having an unknown woman stay at Wayne Manor when there's paparazzi occasionally lying about will just cause problems."

"I see," Laurel said, giving Barbara a nod of thanks. "Thank you for your generosity."

She paused for a moment, and then added, "I'm sorry about spying on you for the League, by the way. I know it was my mission and everything, but it was still wrong. For what it's worth, I really was beginning to like you as a friend, and Shado was too."

Barbara gave her a piercing look, before waving her off. "Since you helped saved Gotham, including my dad, consider it water under the bridge. Though you better not do it again," she warned half-jokingly.

Laurel smiled. "I won't. I promise."

She stayed over at Wayne Manor for the night, and for breakfast, before heading over to Barbara's. After a moment of thought, Laurel had decided to keep her hair hidden under a hoodie and wear a pair of sunglasses while out in public. She wasn't quite ready to let the world know Dinah Laurel Lance was alive yet.

Honestly, she wasn't sure what she wanted to do yet. Everything happened so fast, and she needed time to think. Part of Laurel desperately wanted to go home immediately and reunite with everyone, but the rest of her was fighting against it. Now that the euphoria of saving Shado had passed, she could feel the immense guilt that had been dragging her down ever since she had joined the League returning. A feeling that had only grown since last night.

How could she face any of her friends or family after what happened? Laurel might have helped stopped the attack, but that didn't change the fact that beforehand, she had played a part in perpetuating it, no matter how small. Nor the fact that she had done so, knowing it was wrong but unwilling to act because she had been too much of a coward to try otherwise.

The Bats couldn't have forgotten that either. Regardless of the sob story she had given them, she was still a criminal, an assassin. And now that she was released from the League, they could send her to Blackgate without any fear of reprisal from the Demon. They wouldn't even have to live with her blood on their hands; Ra's no longer had any just cause to kill her.

But they hadn't. Whether out of pity or sympathy or some elaborate attempt of manipulation, they had opted to help Laurel instead. She couldn't help but feel grateful, even if the rest of her rebelled at so easily getting a pass. Maybe she had made up for her part in the attack, but what about the rest?

The answer came to her the following night. She had been listless, sitting on Barbara's couch and mindlessly flipping through the TV channels. There were over three years of pop culture she had missed out on, and yet Laurel couldn't find it in herself to focus on any of it. She was almost grateful when the doorbell rang, giving her a reason to get up and do something remotely productive.

Then Laurel opened the front door, and saw Shado at the other end of it.

They stared at each other for a long moment, before Laurel silently stepped aside to let her in. Shado accepted the invitation, walking inside as Laurel closed the door behind her. In her hands with a small burlap sack. All of Laurel's meager belongings, the ones that belonged to her and her alone, and not the League.

"I can't stay for too long," Shado told her once they were facing each other again. "If I do, they will get suspicious."

"I know," Laurel said, reaching over to give her friend a comforting squeeze on the shoulder.

Shado returned the gesture with a bittersweet smile, before reaching inside the sack to take her things out. The first thing was Laurel's Canary necklace, which Laurel moved to take herself and tie it back around her neck. There was no need to keep it off any longer, after all.

A few weapons followed, including some of the knives from Lian Yu, one of the few other things to survive the Amazo's sinking. Then the List, which Laurel grabbed rather firmly. She needed to take another look at it later, now that she had time to focus on it.

That should've been it, but Shado had opted to give her one last thing: the Hozen.

"Are you sure?" Laurel asked, a touched shock, even as she accepted the arrowhead.

Shado nodded. "So you'll always have a piece of me with you to remember me by," she explained. "And maybe, one day… it will lead us back to each other."

Laurel's hand enclosed over the arrowhead, and then she threw her arms around the other woman, feeling the tears one more come. Shado returned the embrace without a moment's hesitation, clutching her back just as hard. "Sisters?"

"Sisters," the older woman confirmed, just as emotional. "Always and forever."

The now-former assassin squeezed her friend tighter. "Thank you for everything, Shado. I love you."

"I love you too, Laurel," Shado replied. "And thank you for everything as well."

They tried to stay like that for as long as possible. But eventually, they had to let go. With salty tears, Shado bid her one final wave as a farewell. And the moment she stepped outside and closed the door behind her, Laurel finally felt like she was entering the next chapter of her life.

After Shado was gone, Laurel finally allowed herself to break down and spent the next hour crying her heart out in the room Barbara had given her. Everything that had happened these past three years, all the pain and sorrow and anger she had bottled up, it all finally came out at once. Now that Shado was gone from her life, perhaps for good, now that she was free from the League, Laurel no longer felt the need to try and be strong. She could finally just… let go.

It hurt and yet it felt so good. A catharsis that had been a long time coming. Once her tears finally stopped, she went to the bathroom to clean herself up, and then downstairs to pick up a glass of water from the kitchen. The feeling of that cool liquid down her throat served to calm Laurel down, and she made sure to swallow down every last drop.

Now she could think. And almost immediately, her mind went to one thing: the List.

As she picked up that little notebook, Laurel felt her resolve hardened. Everything that had happened to her these past three years, all of it went back to that book and the man who had given it her before putting a bullet in his own head. A man whose death that she had promised to one day solve, no matter what it took.

In was in that moment, Laurel knew she couldn't go back home. Not yet, at least. Not after the League, not with all this… darkness swirling inside her, looking for some kind of outlet. If she was ever going to figure out the mystery behind the sinking of the Queen's Gambit, behind Robert Queen's death, then she needed to find some way to channel all the conflicting feelings inside her into something constructive. She owed it to him and his family to find those answers and get him justice, no matter what.

She knew just who to help her in order to achieve those goals.

The only question was whether or not he'd be willing to.

"I need your help."

When Barbara got home, the first thing she had asked the other woman if she had a discreet vehicle Laurel could use to visit the Bat-Cave. She needed to talk to Bruce as soon as possible, before she lost her resolve. Barbara had been confused and a touch suspicious but said that she did, on the caveat that she come along. She didn't trust Laurel quite yet, for all that she had seemingly forgiven her. Laurel was too determined to be offended.

Dick blinked. "Again? Is there some other League plot going on that we need to know about?"

Laurel shook her head. "No, nothing like that," she said. "It has to do with something more personal. Something from before I joined the League."

Bruce, sitting in his swivel chair in front of the Bat-Computer, narrowed his eyes at that, while the rest of his team (Alfred, Dick, and Barbara) straightened up. They all gathered around Laurel and waited expectantly. Laurel, for her part, took out the List and handed it to Bruce.

"As you all know, I omitted some of my back story to all of you when we first met," she started with. "Part of it is because a lot of those memories were too painful for me to recount, even now. But also because some of them weren't relevant at the time."

"And now they are?" Barbara asked, somewhat skeptically.

The former assassin nodded. Bruce's frown deepened, and he held up the List. "This is a list of a number of prominent businessmen, politicians, and criminals from Starling City. And it's written in League ghost ink, but the looks of it. Where did you get it?"

"From Robert Queen," Laurel revealed, much to everyone else's surprise. "The night the Gambit sank, I wasn't the only person to make it to the life raft. Robert, and his bodyguard Dave Hackett did as well. We drifted at sea for a few days, but it was clear that unless we were found soon, we weren't going to make it. The rations and water we had weren't enough to support three people."

"Then, one morning, Robert started speaking strangely. He said that he didn't save our city, that he failed Starling somehow, and that what happend to the Gambit was the result of that."

It took a moment for the realization to hit. "The yacht was sabotaged," Dick said slowly, eyes widening.

"Yes. Ollie once told me that the Gambit had sailed in storms much worse than the one it supposedly sank in, which is what made the situation so strange. I wasn't really sure to believe it until I got the List and found the names, and my suspicions only rose when I learned they had been written in the League's ghost ink."

"Shado and I investigated the League's records but we couldn't find any tie between them and Robert. And I couldn't leave to do any more investigating because of obligations to the Demon. But now that I'm free, that's no longer an issue."

"Before we go any further, just what happened to Mr. Queen?" Alfred asked, pursing his lips.

Laurel looked down. "Like I said — there wasn't enough rations for three people. So Robert made a choice to make sure at least one of us would survive. He took out his gun and killed Dave, then gave me the List, telling me it would help solve what happened to the Gambit. Then he told me to tell his family that he loved them, before…" She trailed off, and looked away.

Now that there were solemn looks all around. They were all smart enough to figure out what had really happened to Robert.

"That's why I need to solve this," Laurel said once she regained her composure, a steely glint in her eyes. "Someone tried to kill Robert Queen, and they succeeded when he chose to give his life for mine. I owe it to him and to his family to find out who that person is and bring them to justice. It's the least they deserve."

"So what do you need help with, then?" Bruce asked, closing the book in his hands. "I sympathize with your plight Laurel, and I would love to investigate this myself, but I can't leave Gotham. None of us can."

"I know." She closed her eyes. This was it.

"I'm going to be blunt, Bruce. I need you to train me to be a vigilante."

FINALLY! This chapter was way longer than I thought it was going to be, but it turns out Laurel had a lot to process here.

So, yes, this is how Laurel leaves the League. The reality is that she did break a shit-ton of the League's laws by going to Bruce for help, and under different circumstances, she would be killed for that. But at the same time, Ra's still has some honor and isn't an ungrateful bastard, so he's not going to persecute the woman who saved him and most of his elite from being turned into brainwashed lackeys for a maniac like the Joker. So he decides to cast her out instead.

As Laurel notes, this is both a reward and a punishment. She hates being part of the League and no longer having any obligations to them is a dream come true. However, it also means she's going to be separated from Shado, possibly forever, after she had just gone through hell to save Shado from the Joker. There's really no reason for Ra's to try and punish Laurel any other way, because there's no greater punishment for her right now than that, and he knows it.

We will see Shado again later down the line, but not for some time. Now, we're getting into the next chapter of Laurel's life — remaking herself into the hero she was meant to be.

Also, as for how this differs from what happened in (theoretical) canon — as I told you before, Sara wasn't sent on this mission because she wasn't trained enough yet and because Ra's didn't want to risk her helping Nyssa. Therefore none of the League escaped being Jokerized, there was a lot more damage to Gotham and it took a lot more effort for Bruce and the Bats to find the Joker Gas and engineer an antidote. Because of that, by the time the League was free from the brainwashing, the Joker and Harley were already in Batman's custody and he prevented Ra's from killing them, which is what caused Ra's to finally wash his hands of the idea of making Bruce his heir and eventually turning his attentions to Oliver.

Next Chapter: The Beginning of Year 4.