Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games or, its characters.
***Rated M for a reason still.*****
**** Still same bat place. Still same bat channel.****
The Rave's Bride
Chapter 10
Back From The Dead
"CLEAR! ! ! NO RESPONSE! CONTINUE CPR! 1.. 2.. 3... BREATHE! MARI! MARI COME ON! ! FIGHT BACK DAMN IT! ! 1...2... 3... BREATHE! CHARGING AT 200. FIGHT BACK! ! IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO SURVIVE! ! 1..2...3... BREATHE! CHARGED AT 200 JULES CLEAR! ! !"
All look has gravely Mari's body arches upward again from getting hit with the cardiac paddles to get her heart going again. Cato turns away his eyes start to tear up then turns back around to look has he hears;
"Beep,..."
"Beep..."
"Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep..."
"Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep..."
"DOC! We have a regular heartbeat! Vitals are back up & looking good real good. She's breathing on her own. I think we got her back."
The doctor there looks at the monitor & rechecks vitals again to make sure has all watch in hope.
We got her back?!... HOLY SHIT! We got her back! This one's a born fighter."
The people in the room breathe a sigh of relief. The Doctor placed an oxygen mask on her. President Snow, Cato & Leni talk has the doctor goes up to Brutus & asks;
"Just who the FUCK IN THEIR RIGHT MINDS ALLOWS A GIRL WHO 'IS' ALLERGIC TO PURE CHOKE JUICE DRINK IT AT HER WEDDING?! ! THAT'S WHY WE USE ONLY THE SYNTHETIC FOR THE RAVEN BRIDE'S TRIALS FOR PETE'S SAKE! ! !"
Brutus has he looks to her godfather President Snow he replies:
"By law when she called herself the Raven's Bride we have to give her a choice. Mari knew the risk in doing this. Thank God she remembered to wear her tags & Leni was standing by with the anti-dote in case somebody switch out the vials."
"Who gave the vials to the groom?"
President Snow answered;
"I did but doctor both vials were synthetic choke juice at half to three quarters strength. It's what she could handle for the trials. Cato where is Brick & Ace?"
"Ace is back in one. Brick back at the dorms on campus why? Cara came by after you gave me..."
President Snow looked at Brutus as Brutus spoke:
"Mr. President all three are in the arena this year. Mari has definitely earned the right to represent District Two. We promised her sir. Let her take them down. At least let her make the call to step aside or to go on in after them sir."
"Brutus that was my intention in the first place. However with this last attempt on my only living heir & relative I get one to make an example of."
Cato who looked down at Mari was now gripping his hand. He looked back at President Snow;
"Sir look, she's already fighting to get back to us. Let her make the call, please."
Two hours later;
Cato refused to rejoined the party even when he heard the guest cheer at the announcement that Mari passed the Raven's Bride Trial, he wouldn't leave her. Mari starts groaning has she grabs the hand tighter;
"Cato. Where's mom? I need to talk to mom."
"Shh... We got you Mari. I'm here. You're safe Mari. Shh.."
Cato knew that they were going to have to tell her again. Her mother, Maria Castle a Peace Keeper has been dead for over five years now. He's hating the moment that he will have to tell Mari again. For he remembers when they told her the first time. It took six months before she uttered a single word to anybody else except her best friend Lexi. He hated the fact that she was never told of their marriage contract by her parents until a week ago when he was acting like a total dick towards her.
Yet he even had to admit their parents were right. They're a perfect match for each other. For Mari fought him tooth & nail on everything even at the alter. If anything he muses to himself it'll never be dull that's for sure. Cato looks at Mari to see her open emerald eyes as she groans;
"If this is what a hangover feels like I really feel sorry for Victor Aberthany. Oh boy talk about one weird dream yet it was so real. I thought I even imagined it Cato but 'you' were even caring."
"Brava young lady brava... (Has Snow comes to her side) You were right has usual. Now what do you want to do about it?"
"Who broke into the records when Cato was 12 & tried to kill him? Only to kill my brother instead. Who broke into the records & changed my allergy from the pure to the synthetic last week? Who did this is the one I want in the arena Uncle Snow. I get Tommy's killers or I die trying."
Cara is brought in by none other than Gloss & his date Jemma.
"Then you get Brick. You will represent District Two but your husband will be your mentor for this Mari. I am taking Cara to the capitol for her services, has my bride."
At this Cara balks;
"What! She withdrew! I'm suppose to go in this year! !"
Cato then goes on the defensive;
"No I withdrew her without her consent to keep my promise to her brother Cara! I promised Tom that I would do my best to keep her out of the arena! The only reason she got this far was her parents never told her of our contract when she was almost seven & I eight. YOU knew this Cara! YOU KNEW! ! I told you that myself! I knew that you would pull a stunt but outright murder?!"
Snow interrupts has he replies;
"Not anymore dearest. I cancelled your betrothal contract with Ace & made an offer that your family wouldn't refuse. Has of three pm this afternoon we've been betrothed. Say goodbye to District Two forever dearest. You will be housed in the back part of the east wing for the rest of your life for 'I' own you now. Someday you'll thank me for it. (he looks to his guards 'take her away.')"
His guards her take out of the room. Mari doesn't feel sorry for Cara at all. Snow looks to his goddaughter;
"How do I sell this one Mari?"
I look to Cato who gives that silent plea to please step down. Mari looks at the President who clears the room of all but Cato, her best friend Lexi, Leni, Brutus & Haymitch. Mari replies;
"You go on the air tonight & announce your pending marriage to Cara as of today. You announce the big wedding of Cato & I for the Capitalists like we originally planned. Just for you although I find the color utterly atrocious, I'll even wear (as Mari looks up to the heaven's) dear god help me white for it. (as looks again at her godfather again) I would prefer lavender. Since weddings & new beginnings are in the air this season being the generous kind benevolent President that you are, only the worst of the worst that are reaped face the best in the arena this year. Yet no one will know until game day. That will be more money & revenue for the betting books on who actually goes into the arena. 24 of us go up on platforms on game day. 20 go back down to return home with the country's thanks for their service & sacrifice. They're to be replaced by one Victor who will be at my side. Together we take down the traitors for their crimes against Panem."
"Why four?"
"At least give your bride a choice, Uncle Snow. Life in her gilded cage with you or the arena? To represent District Twelve not Two. That will be your 'wedding' present to her. Either way she never leaves the Capitol as long as she lives. All these years it was four of them against one of me. The boy from nine was put in this year for his criminal activities against the district. He'll be the fourth."
Mari looks over to Cato;
"Any volunteers?"
Cato looks at Snow;
"I'll go in for her President Snow. Mari you've risk your life twice. Once at seven when Brick locked you in that damn trunk & today at your own wedding. Enough is enough Mari. Let me keep my promise to Tommy."
"I vowed on my brother's casket, at his graveside Cato that I would get his & my mother's killers. I meant it. It would be nice if you have my back Cato. Sending the 20 home via betting pool could quell the rebellion this year. It could also make you a huge if not 'tidy' profit at the same time. It would definitely entertain the Capitalist this year Uncle Snow & give them something to talk about for years to come. On the brighter side, look at all the presents you'll get for your upcoming marriage even more so if, you're a widower again because of the arena. You know how the Capitol just loves you."
At this Snow just chuckles then replies;
"We'll run the numbers then we'll see Mari. You'll have my answer when you & your mentors here (pointing to Cato & Leni) arrive at the Capitol two days from now. I will need to know who your heirs are then, just in case. I still wish you were of Capitol birth my dear goddaughter. Maria would've been so proud of you today. Brava Mari brava."
With that the President leaves. It was then at mention of her mother, Mari tears up has she's reminded of the reality that she's alone in 'this' world once more. For when her brother Tommy died in the Hunger Games five years ago on the same day, Maria Castle was murdered in the line of duty. Mari was at school when it happened. Her mother's killer has yet to be found. In Maria's last will, her best friends Brutus & her Mentor Leni have been Mari's legal guardians ever since. They've been put in charge of guarding Snow's sole heir to the Presidency.
Cato & Mari were alone for awhile so Mari could cope of losing her mother again.
The tears were coming down has Mari turned away only to be turned back around & pulled into a bone crushing hug by Cato. He wasn't going to let her shut the world out again. Not like before as he leans down to kiss her. Cato didn't stop kissing her until she started to respond back. It was then he spoke;
"I'm not sorry that I tried to keep you out of the arena Mari. I will never apologize for doing everything humanly possible to keep my promise to your brother, Tommy. Mari I am sorry that I've been a total dick toward you the whole time for you to go through this alone."
"But it felt so real. She was so real Cato. I could smell her homemade blueberry pancakes with bacon again. When I was in the arena you even sent in her homemade Shepard's pie after I got Brick.
Well (slightly chuckles) at least I'm in a dress for the occasion. I'm still trying to figure out what is real & what isn't in all this. Is this real? Is mom really gone?"
Cato could only hold her tighter to him to show her he was real:
"Remember I said I would help you. (Cato puts her hands on his heart) Can you feel this? (Mari nods) This is real. Did that happen in your dream? Did the people in your dream used our code word?"
Mari thought about it & for all the things that happened not once did the Cato ever try to convince her. Mari replied;
"No not really. They just wanted me to stay with them. In my dream you said when I told you the code word from another dream that it was me who was in danger. Only when I remembered that I was allergic to pure choke juice which was our back up. That I should've been dead only then did I come back."
Cato then nodded;
"Now do you understand why I don't want you to go in the arena? You have one hell of a subconscious Mari. Also Brutus wanted to know are you ready to go downstairs to our reception?"
"I need a moment. (Has she looks at Cato) She was so real, Cato has were you with the exception of one thing."
"And that is?"
"You got miffed when I saved you from being killed twice. And you, who kept putting off my back..."
KABOOM! ! ! ! !
Cato suddenly covers Mari with his own body to protect her has there was a flash of bright light from an explosion. The house & windows shook has the guest scream outside inside the enclosed tent where their reception was being held.
Brutus runs into the room has Cato looks at Mari to make sure that she's not injured;
"Mari! Cato! You two are okay, right?"
Cato answered for both of us;
"Yes, Brutus. What happened?"
Brutus came in more into the room;
"The Guards had Cara in Snow's limo. When Snow was getting in to leave, it blew up. All in the car are dead. We think Cara was sent in as a suicide bomber or the limo was sent up as a death trap for Snow. Your job right now is to stay here & guard your wife the new President of Panem."
At this Cato just pulled Mari closer to him & replied;
"Keep Lexi with Leni & Haymitch has planned Brutus. She & I are next in line."
Brutus just nods & ducks back out of the room. We look at each other has we realize with a smile, we can ban the games. Turn the games into something that doesn't mean the slaughter of innocents. That we can prevent the rebellion & unify the country as a whole. Possibly save thousands if not millions from dying in a war that they don't understand. That needless bloodshed can be avoided. Yet there is something Mari still has to do. For her this is very personal. Her family's murderers. Mari wants a piece of Brick for what he did all those years ago to Tommy. Cato knows this too. Mari was first to speak;
"I guess we should go down to our wedding reception when Brutus gets back?"
"I guess so Madam President."
Both look at each other then, they both start laughing.
****I never said who would survive & I did promise a twist.****
****This what was Mari going through the realms between life & death during the Raven Bride Trial from the beginning when her mother came in until now when they brought her back from the dead.****
****Pending on reviews, will decide to make chapter eleven the final chapter or to continue on.****
****Hugs from the white walls of the rubber room.****