Chapter 4: Chapter 4: "Stronger"
Thea Queen stood in the middle of the dense woods behind the Queen mansion, her breath visible in the cool night air. At twelve years old, she had grown taller, now standing at 5'5", her movements more fluid and confident. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting long shadows on the forest floor as she adjusted her grip on the wooden staff in her hands. She spun it effortlessly, the movements second nature to her now.
She had been training for years, ever since she could walk. Her regeneration ability had grown stronger, allowing her to push her body to its limits without fear of permanent injury. She had even tested it once, deliberately cutting her hand with a knife and watching as the wound healed within seconds. The pain had been sharp but fleeting, a reminder of how far she had come.
Thea's mind drifted back to her past life, where she had trained in martial arts, archery, and swordsmanship. Those skills had carried over, ingrained in her muscle memory. She had spent countless nights in the woods, practicing her hand-to-hand combat, mastering the bow, and perfecting her swordplay. She was a force to be reckoned with, though no one knew it—not even Oliver.
Speaking of Oliver, Thea couldn't help but smirk as she thought about her older brother. At seventeen, he had fully embraced his playboy persona, much to her amusement and occasional frustration. He and Tommy Merlyn were inseparable, always getting into trouble together—whether it was sneaking into clubs, flirting with girls, or pulling pranks around Star City. Despite his wild behavior, Oliver had started a serious relationship with Laurel Lance, and Thea couldn't help but tease him about it every chance she got.
Earlier that evening, Thea had watched as Oliver and Tommy prepared for a night out. Oliver was dressed in his usual flashy style, his hair perfectly styled, while Tommy cracked jokes about their latest escapades.
"You sure Laurel's okay with you going out tonight?" Tommy asked, grinning.
Oliver rolled his eyes. "Laurel's cool. She knows I'm just hanging out with you."
Thea, sitting on the stairs with a book in hand, couldn't resist chiming in. "Yeah, because nothing says 'I'm committed' like sneaking out to hit on other girls."
Oliver shot her a glare, his cheeks turning red. "I'm not hitting on anyone, Speedy. Mind your own business."
Thea smirked, closing her book. "Whatever you say, Ollie. Just don't come crying to me when Laurel finds out."
Tommy burst out laughing, clapping Oliver on the back. "She's got you there, man."
Oliver groaned, grabbing his jacket and heading for the door. "Let's go before she starts lecturing you too."
Thea watched them leave, shaking her head with a smile. Despite his playboy antics, Oliver had a good heart, and she knew his relationship with Laurel was more serious than he let on.
The next day, Sara Lance visited the Queen mansion. At fifteen, Sara was a bundle of energy, her mischievous streak as strong as ever. She and Thea spent the afternoon in the backyard, practicing archery. Sara was impressed by Thea's skill, though she didn't realize just how advanced Thea really was.
"You're really good at this," Sara said, watching as Thea hit the bullseye for the third time in a row.
Thea shrugged, lowering the bow. "I've had a lot of practice."
Sara grinned, nudging her with her elbow. "You're such a show-off."
Thea laughed, a rare sound that made Sara's grin widen. "Says the girl who tried to climb the mansion's roof last week."
"Hey, that was fun," Sara protested, though her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Later, they sat under a tree, the afternoon sun filtering through the leaves. Sara leaned back against the trunk, her expression thoughtful. "Do you ever feel like… I don't know, like you're stuck in someone else's shadow?"
Thea glanced at her, curious. "What do you mean?"
Sara sighed, picking at a blade of grass. "Sometimes I feel like everyone only sees Laurel. She's smart, she's perfect, and I'm just… me."
Thea hesitated, then placed a hand on Sara's arm. "You're not just 'you,' Sara. You're amazing in your own way. Laurel's great, but she's not you."
Sara looked at her, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Thea. That means a lot."
There was a moment of quiet between them, a subtle tension that neither of them acknowledged. Thea felt a warmth in her chest, a feeling she couldn't quite name. She pushed it aside, focusing on the present.
That evening, Thea sat at the dining table, her latest report card in front of her. Straight A's, as usual. Moira and Robert beamed with pride, praising her for her hard work and dedication.
"We're so proud of you, sweetheart," Moira said, placing a hand on Thea's shoulder.
Robert nodded, his expression warm. "You're going to do great things, Thea. I can feel it."
Thea smiled. She spent the evening in her room, studying business strategies and reading up on Queen Consolidated's latest projects. She was determined to be ready when the time came to take over the company.
Later that evening, after Thea had excused herself to her room, Robert and Moira sat in the study, a fire crackling softly in the hearth. The room was warm, the flickering light casting a golden glow over the shelves of books and family portraits. Robert swirled a glass of scotch in his hand, his expression thoughtful, while Moira sat across from him, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
"She's remarkable, isn't she?" Moira said, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft, but there was a note of pride that couldn't be hidden. "Thea, I mean. Straight A's again. She's so focused, so driven. Sometimes I forget she's only twelve."
Robert nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "She's always been ahead of her time. Even as a child, she had this… determination. It's like she's always known what she wants."
Moira sighed, her gaze drifting to the fire. "I just worry about her sometimes. She's so serious, so intense. I wonder if she's putting too much pressure on herself."
Robert took a sip of his scotch, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered her words. "She's strong, Moira. Stronger than we give her credit for. And she's not just book-smart. She's got a sharp mind for strategy, for leadership. I've seen it in the way she handles herself, even in small things."
Moira turned to him, her brow furrowing. "What are you saying, Robert?"
He leaned forward, setting his glass on the table between them. "I'm saying that Thea might be the one to take over Queen Consolidated someday. Not Oliver."
Moira's eyes widened, and for a moment, she was silent. Then she shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Oliver's the eldest. It's always been assumed he would take over. And he's… well, he's a Queen. He'll grow into it."
Robert's expression grew serious. "Oliver's a good kid, but he's not ready for that kind of responsibility. He's too caught up in his own world right now. Thea, on the other hand… she's already thinking ten steps ahead. She's been studying the company, asking me questions about our projects, our competitors. She's got a natural instinct for this."
Moira hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands. "But she's so young, Robert. And the board… they'll expect Oliver to step up. They won't take her seriously."
"They will," Robert said firmly. "When the time comes, they'll see what we see. Thea's not just intelligent—she's a leader. And she's got the drive to take Queen Consolidated to new heights. Oliver… he'll find his own path. But Thea? She's the future of this company."
Moira was quiet for a long moment, her mind racing. Finally, she nodded, though there was still a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. "You really believe that, don't you?"
"I do," Robert said without hesitation. "And I think, deep down, you do too."
Moira sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I just want what's best for both of them. For all of us."
Robert reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "We'll figure it out, Moira. Together. But for now, let's let Thea be a kid. She's got plenty of time to grow into the role."
Moira smiled softly, squeezing his hand. "You're right. She's already carrying so much on her shoulders. We don't need to add to it."
The two sat in silence for a while, the fire crackling softly in the background. Outside, the moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the Queen mansion. Unbeknownst to them, Thea stood just outside the study door, having overheard the entire conversation. A small, determined smile crossed her face as she turned and walked back to her room, her mind already racing with plans for the future.
As the night deepened, Thea stood on the balcony of the Queen mansion, looking out over Star City. The city lights twinkled in the distance, a reminder of the world she was preparing to face. She felt a sense of calm and determination, knowing that she was exactly where she was meant to be.
"I'm ready for whatever comes next," she whispered to herself, her voice steady and confident.
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**Author's Note:**
Hey everyone!
Thank you for reading, and I hope you're as excited as I am to see where this story goes. Let me know what you think, and I'll see you in the next chapter!