Chapter 1

-Nanda Parbat-

Ra's was relaxing in the pit when suddenly the door behind he burst open and Nyssa came in.

"Oliver Queen is still alive, somehow Taer Al-Sahfer's killer still yet breathes," said Nyssa angry.

Ra's raises his eyebrows still facing away from Nyssa relaxing in the pit. Getting out of the pit he replies, "Yes, I know. He has returned to Starling City Apparently. '' Ra's gets dressed while talking.

"Why did you not tell me?" asked Nyssa. "I had a right to know that justice has not been done" finished Nyssa angrily.

"Because Oliver Queen did not murder Ta-er al-Sahfer" said Ra's emotionlessly.

"Why would he lie, what was the point in challenging you into a trial by combat if he didn't do it?" asked Nyssa.

"Maybe he was protecting someone, maybe he was forced to," said Ra's still emotionless.

"What about Sara's murder, are you not doing anything about it," asked Nyssa, angrily.

Sheathing his sword Ra's replies "Sara was your beloved-"

"-And you never approved" interrupted Nyssa.

"I know Sara would leave us. Leave you. One way or the other" said Ra's bluntly.

Nyssa closed her eyes at the reminder.

"I didn't approve of the love that I knew would end only in heartbreak" finished Ra's, standing in front of Nyssa dressed.

"Whether Queen killed Sara or not, he challenged you. He defied you. For that alone, he must die" stated Nyssa, looking into Ra's' eyes emotionless.

"No, I have something else I need you to do. I want you to bring me Malcolm Merlyn alive" ordered Ra's.

"As you wish," said Nyssa, trying to hide her anger.

-Arrow lair-

In the arrow lair Malcolm, Oliver and Thea were sparring against each other. Suddenly Malcolm had Oliver in a lock and Thea trapped underneath it.

"Coordinate your attacks. If you don't fight in unison, your numbers become my advantage" said Malcolm.

Taking his sword away and stepping back Thea attack him by surprise but was quickly disarmed. Holding two swords now, one to each of their necks, Malcolm continued his lesson.

Breathing heavily Malcolm then said "you both have a long way to go. Particularly you, Oliver. You've spent years preparing to bring a bow and arrow to a sword fight".

"That's almost funny coming from you, considering you're the reason the league is targeting us," said Thea, annoyed.

"Thea has the club closed for renovations. I've reinforced all the entrances with A.R.G.U.S tech. We're secure" interrupted John.

"John," said Malcolm.

"My friends call me Dig. You shouldn't even speak to me" replied John, walking away.

"If the club is as secure as dig says, perhaps you and Thea should relocate here," said Malcolm.

"We discussed that," said Oliver sighing. Thea wants to stay in the loft.

"I have only been able to survive in Starling City because the league has no idea where in the city I am," said Malcolm.

"We're not leaving the loft," said Oliver.

"You and your sister have the same stubbornness. Clearly, it comes from your mother's side of the family" said Malcolm, walking away.

"It's pretty amazing how much Malcolm taught you in such a short time," said Laurel.

"Yeah. He's father of the year" replied Thea.

"Your fighting style, it- it reminds me of a bit of sara," said Laurel.

"That's, um, probably because the same people taught Malcolm and her to fight. I need to take a shower" said Thea, trying to hide her guilt.

Oliver was practising on the wooden dummy with one of the swords until he heard John walk in.

"What?" asked Oliver.

"I was gonna ask for a favour but I'm… really more concerned about you at the moment, Oliver" said John.

"I'm fine" replied Oliver, looking away.

"You've been pushing it pretty hard with Malcolm Merlyn lately. When's the last time you got a decent night's sleep?" asked John.

"I will sleep when this is over," said Oliver, dismissively.

John just walks away.

Oliver just stares after him and feels his anger rising. He hits the wooden dummy a lot harder with his sword, fueled by his anger and strength.

-Verdant Nightclub-

Roy walks in on Thea sitting at the bar staring at the counter and turns to look at the secured door in disbelief.

"This is hardcore," said Roy. "When Dig said he was fortifying the club, I figured there'd just be a few extra locks and cameras," said Roy, chuckling to himself.

"Are you ok?" asked Roy.

"No. No, Not really" said Thea

"What's wrong?" asked Roy.

"Ollie told me that I can't tell anyone".

"Whatever it is, you have to be able to talk about it with someone. Someone who's not your brother" said Roy.

"I killed Sara," said Thea. It was Malcolm he-

"I know" interrupted Roy.

"And none of you told me?" asked Thea, angry.

"You know last year when I went off the rails for a bit?" asked Roy.

"Yeah" replied Thea, confused.

"I was also under the influence of something. And just like you, I killed someone. A cop".

"Roy," said Thea, comfortingly.

"They didn't tell me, either. And when-when I found out-" started Roy.

"You wished that you didn't know" finished Thea.

"Look. I'm not gonna lie to you and tell you that the feeling ever goes away but I can tell you that it does get easier, Thea" said Roy.

"You don't have to see that cops family almost every day. I can't imagine that it's going to get any easier. And I don't think that it should" replied Thea, looking away sadly.

-Offices-

Thea walked into the office of laurel's place of work only to hear her on the phone.

"Hey, dad. It's me. Again. Listen, I know you're upset and you have every right to be, but it's been over a week and now that you know the truth, neither of us should go through this alone, so… please call me back. I love you" said laurel, recording a message to her father on the phone.

Turning around Laurel spots Thea standing in the doorway.

"Hey. What are you doing here?" asked laurel surprised.

"Um I-I need to talk to you," said Thea, nervously.

"Is everything alright?" asked Laurel.

"No, it's about Sara," said Thea

"Ok" replied laurel, confused.

"Malcolm Drugged me. He gave me something that made me... Susceptible to suggestion and I-" started Thea.

"Thea.. what are you talking about?" asked Laurel.

"I killed Sara. I didn't know what I was doing, ok? It wasn't me. I'm so sorry Laurel" said Thea, trying not to cry.

"If Merlyn drugged you...then it wasn't your fault" replied Laurel, trying to contain her anger. But how could you work with him? How could you stand by his side?" asked Laurel, angrily.

"Because of the threat of the league. We have to work with him. I don't have a choice" said Thea grudgingly.

"Yes, you do. What happened wasn't your fault, Thea because it wasn't your decision. If you want to make this right, what you from now on, that is" said Laurel.

-Arrow lair-

Oliver was practising swinging his sword about in different movements with one hand behind his back. He was practising on changing the direction of the sword itself in the fastest ways possible. He knew he had to be fast to challenge the league's warriors.

He suddenly heard footsteps and turned around pointing his sword at Laurel. He lowered the sword upon recognition.

"I can't remember Sara's smile. It's weird, isn't it? I know Sara used to smile an-and laugh but when I close my eyes and try and picture it, all I see is the way I found her" said, Laurel.

"You know, sometimes the only thing that keeps me going is the thought of one day finding her killer" finished laurel.

"We will. I promise" said Oliver before walking away to put his sword down.

"How do you do that?" asked Laurel

"Do what?" asked Oliver

"Lie. Right to my face. Thea told me, Oliver, she told me everything. How could you keep this from me?" asked Laurel

"After what you wanted to do to Lacroix and Merlyn? Do you really need to ask me that question?" asked Oliver.

"I'm not so consumed with vengeance that I blame Thea for Sara's death. I blame Malcolm Merlyn" replied Laurel.

"I need him," said Oliver.

"He murdered my sister".

"With the league targeting us, he is the only chance I have of saving mine! This is how it has to be" said Oliver, abit firmly.

"It's really amazing...the way Merlyn always finds a way under your protection," said Laurel, annoyed.

"I'm sorry Laurel" replied Oliver.

"You know it's hard to remember a time... I was ever once in love with you," said Laurel, before walking away.

It didn't affect him as much as she had hoped. He likes someone else now, though his recent activities might have affected his friendship with the women he liked.

-Loft-

Thea was meditating when someone walked in and the candles went out.

"I told you not to tell anyone," said Oliver, annoyed she didn't listen.

"I guess I'm just not as good at keeping secrets as you are" replied Thea, in a similar tone.

"Thea, I'm not going to pretend that I understand all the different types of pain that you're in, but the threat. It is very real and the only way we are gonna survive is by acting in unison" said Oliver, loudly.

"Are you really quoting Malcolm Merlyn to me right now?" asked Thea, disgusted.

"Yes. Because he better than anyone understands the danger the three of us are facing" said Oliver, firmly.

"We're not in any danger, not anymore. Not you or me. But Malcolm he's going to face justice" replied Thea, just as firmly.

"Thea, it doesn't matter whether or not Malcolm faces justice, we are still in danger. I faced Ra's al Ghul and lived, he will come for me and you are my sister. You are in just as much danger as before. All you have done is removed a warrior from us" said Oliver, angry.

Thea was stunned, she had heard her brother angry lots of times but not often at her. When it was at her, she knew she had done something wrong and thinking over what Oliver had said, he was right. Though she didn't know about him fighting the Demon's head and that only her more scared.

"We don't need him, he deserves it" finished Thea.