Enemy's Embrace

Ch. 10

Ayana stood outside the Meta Cell that held her ex-lover captive. As their eyes locked, it was clear as day. She loved him far more than he would ever comprehend, while he adored her in ways he would never show.

"What do you want?" Snart sneered, "To say goodbye?"

She looked at him for a long moment, before speaking. "I already said goodbye once," She reminded him.

He nodded his head slowly, a silent acknowledgement of what she said.

"I remember," His voice was soft this time, this was the Leo she remembered. His head perked up, "Is that my hoodie?"

She looked at the jacket she wore, "Uh, I guess it is," She shrugged, "I haven't worn it since..." Her voice trailed off.

"Since?" He questioned.

"Let's just say you weren't my only bad choice," She turned to leave.

"I wouldn't say-" Snart started, stopping mid-sentence. A loud explosion went off behind her, forcing her to turn around.

Smoke billowed from the rooftop of S.T.A.R Labs, sending a chill down her spine. She spun on her heels, just in time to catch sight of something leap into the building.

She would recognize the black garb anywhere. "Zaim," She called out.

"Azhara," The assassin greeted her, "I heard Ra's released you."

Her attention flickered between the assassin and her ex-boyfriend in his cell, "He did."

Zaim grinned, "Ra's hates losing his prized assassins,"

"Ra's chose to release me," She argued, "But that's not why you're here."

"Not exactly," Zaim agreed, "But it's a start."

Ayana chuckled, "I see," There was no missing the glint in her eye, "You're here because of Talibah and Malaq."

"They're dead because of you."

"I have a didactic memory, trust me when I say I had no role in their demise."

"You can pretend all you want, but you failed them, you failed me." Zaim unsheathed his sword, pointing it directly at Ayana's chest.

"Do you really want to challenge me?" Ayana asked, a warning in her voice. Leonard looked between the two, confusion overwhelming him.

"To avenge my fallen brethren I will gladly take up arms against the great nightshade," His tone was mocking.

Ayana's eyes narrowed, pulling the collapsible quarterstaff from her boot.

"Don't bother," Zaim scoffed, "Your worthless little staff won't hurt me."

Ayana twirled the staff expertly, causing Zaim to step back, eyes widening in surprise.

"You forget who trained you," Ayana taunted, before attacking, deftly using the weapon to disarm him.

As soon as he dropped his weapon, Ayana swung at him, catching him in the shoulder. With a yell of pain, Zaim staggered backward.

Leaning against the wall, Zaim let out a sigh, "You never change."

Ayana glared at him, "Watch your tongue."

Zaim chuckled, "One of these days you'll learn to accept defeat gracefully."

"Not likely."

And Zaim launched himself at her, swords flying. Ayana blocked each strike with her staff, striking back twice as hard. Each blow was clearly painful for Zaim, but he showed no signs of letting up.

She spun the staff, knocking Zaim's feet out from under him. Before he hit the ground, she jumped, flipping into the air. Using the staff to brace herself, she used her momentum to flip, taking aim at Zaim's exposed back.

Pushing herself off the staff, Ayana landed on top of Zaim, punching him in the jaw with all her strength. As soon as she felt contact, Zaim arched back, rolling out of the way. Ayana scowled at him, leaping off the other side of him.

Leonard watched the battle, helplessly, from his cell, a growing sense of dread gripping his stomach.

Ayana fought with grace, precision, and speed, blocking every blow thrown at her. Every so often she would jump into the air, using her weight to trip Zaim up, before spinning and landing back-first on his stomach.

There was no double that her brother had already been alerted of the explosion. She knew it was only a matter of time before he sped into the room.

Zaim lunged at her , swinging wildly with both weapons, trying to score a lucky hit. Instead he caught nothing but air, causing him to stagger backwards.

"You're reckless," She warned, preparing to attack again.

Before he could swing his swords, however, Zaim was grabbed from behind by none other than Barry Allen. After a brief struggle, which ended in Zaim being pinned to the floor, he let out a growl.

"What was that?" Barry asksd her, throwing Zaim into a different Meta Cell.

Ayana rolled her eyes, tossing her staff aside, "That won't hold him."

"What are you talking about?" Barry asked, hands on his hips.

"He's Leauge of Assassin, they're trained to escape ." She crossed her arms, "His lack of stamina will keep him contained for a few hours, but not for very long."

"How do you know that?" Her brother questioned, turning to look at her.

She gave him a cold stare, before speaking, "Because I trained him."