Chapter 24

'See how the game of life is playing all of us for fools
Dancing a string around us, making all these silly rules
See how he looks down on us like we're acting out a show
Throw the dice and let's see which head will roll...'

This is a vocaloid song 'The Life Game' redubbed by JubyPhonic P good song to describe this chapter. Yaknow within all the typing I forgot to welcome our new reader! Welcome to the party Stronger123. I'm glad you like the story thus far. n_n last chapter Mariko broke out of Arkham—with some accidental help from Dick Grayson. Now mariko's on the road to find Savage. How will that turn out? You'll just have to find out. ONWARD TO THE BATTLE FIELD!

"Mr. Savage," A woman said next to Vandal Savage as she stood in his office, he looked up. The woman cleared her throat and held up a news paper.

"I'm well aware of Miko's escape from Arkham; I expected nothing less." He said sitting back in his chair, "Within the hour she will be in my office, of that I am sure. No calls, no visitors am I clear?"

"Yes sir." The woman said then dismissed herself. Savage sat behind his desk and waited patiently for Mariko's arrival.

~0~

"Miss Mariko if I may ask; what happened?" Tony asked, Mariko looked over.

"What do you mean?" she asked, "In Arkham?"

"N-no—well yes—but…just a while ago…" Tony said tripping over himself once again. Mariko shrugged.

"The Young Justice League team is following us, that's all you need to know." She said, "So step on it I want to see Savage-sama."

"Yes ma'am." Tony said then drove a little faster.

Within an hour later Mariko made it to a large industrial building, she smiled, but also noticed something flying over head. She frowned.

"Hurry up Tony; we need to get to Savage." She said, Tony looked to his dog who whimpered up at him.

"Miss Mariko if I can be so bold…" He began Mariko looked over her shoulder.

"Don't." she said cutting him off, "Now let's go."

"But Miss Mariko—"

"Shut up Tony!" She shouted, Tony sighed and followed Mariko into the building. Meanwhile on top of the building the Team landed the bio-ship.

"And you're sure she's here?" Super-boy asked, M'gaan nodded.

"This was the building I managed to find while sifting through her mind. It wasn't easy." She said, "Ever since the first time I went in there she's kept her thoughts seriously guarded."

"Well let's go before and cut her off before she gets to Vandal Savage." Aqualad said, the group nodded, and then made their way inside.

~0~

"Savage-sama!" Mariko called bursting into Vandal's office, Savage cocked an eyebrow as she came in.

"Savage-sama; I'm back." She said happily, "I got out of Arkham; all on my own, and I'm ready to get back to work."

There was a long silence; during which Savage gave Mariko a stare that made her uncomfortable. She shifted on her feet.

"Savage-sama? I'm ready to go back to work," She said walking cautiously to his desk, "Savage-sama…"

"I'm afraid Miss Miko; that you are no longer needed." Savage said, Mariko gave a look of confusion.

"W-what do you mean?" she asked, "Did I do something wrong?"

"Nothing wrong," Savage said as he stood and walked out from behind his desk and up to Mariko, "You've simply outgrown your usefulness to me. You are no longer needed."

"Savage-sama I don't understand," Mariko said, taking a step backward, Savage nodded.

"Of course you don't; a child, even with your mental capacity, could never understand the works of adults." He said, Mariko bit her lip as Savage stood over her, his usual smirk that he carried when he saw her no longer visible, "You are relieved from your duties; you are no longer useful to me, which I why I left you in arkham."

"S-so then I was…just some pawn?" Mariko asked, Savage nodded.

"And like many before you; you shall be dealt with." He said, Mariko shook her head; she couldn't believe what she was hearing. What Savage was telling her.

"I must say it took a great deal of work to get you onto my side." Savage continued, "Helping that infernal boy with murder; he was supposed to hand you over after that. However he didn't seem to trust me after that."

"You helped Takumi kill my parents..?" Mariko asked, Savage nodded.

"Oh yes; the plan was to have him hand you over with the promise of a better life, when he didn't I had to think of another way." He explained, "Enter the masked thugs who broke in that night. Of course you being sold to that Inn was a slight set back; I didn't expect them to do that, and it took some time to find you again."

Mariko bit her lip; as the memory of the night Takumi was yelling at some unknown man. It was Savage, he was protecting her from this man. This monster. Mariko stared at Savage, fear and hurt and betrayal portrayed on her face. She felt her legs weaken and give out on her as she fell to her knees.

"You killed Takumi…" She mumbled, Savage nodded silently.

"But I wouldn't be too worried about that right now." He said walking up to Mariko and pulling her up by the shirt collar, "After all you shall be joining him soon."

~0~

Outside the room the Team made it to Savage's office. They were cut off by Tony and his dog however who glared at him.

"Out of the way Kid," Artemis said aiming her bow, Tony snorted.

"Pleas; you think you could hurt me with that?" He asked, next to him Yukie growled, "I'm not letting anyone in here."

"You don't get it do you? Mariko's in danger, Savage is going to kill her!" Robin shouted, Tony's glare disappeared and was replaced with worry. Suddenly there was a loud crash, the team burst through the doors to see Savage standing in front of a broken window. The team stared, as Savage turned to them.

"You're a little late." He said plainly, Robin glared and took off for the window. He jumped through the broken glass and after Mariko who was falling fast. He straightened himself so that he may fall faster until her caught up with the young genius. He grabbed her around the waist and reached into his belt to pull out a grappling hook. It shot out and caught itself on an opened window, stopping the two from their fall. Robin let out a sigh of relief and then looked to Mariko who was staring at the ground.

"Mariko…are you ok?" Robin asked.

"He killed him…" Mariko mumbled, "Takumi…"

Robin sighed; she was in shock. She wouldn't be able to be much good to anyone while she like this.

'M'gaan, get everyone out of the building; we're taking Mariko with us.' He said mentally.

'Please tell me you're kidding.' Kid said, 'for one we have Savage right here; plus why would need some crazy computer chick?'

'Just do it!' Robin shouted, 'I'll meet you at the bio-ship—just get out of there!'

Up inside Savage's office, Savage smirked.

"And so what will you do now?" He asked, unaware of what was going on inside the Teams heads. "I suggest you all leave before you get yourselves into trouble."

The Team glared as they put down their weapons, seeing how he couldn't pursue them they left dragging Tony and his dog behind them. Savage smirked in triumph.

"Mariko; you have to snap out of it." Robin said, shaking Mariko who was still dazed. The duo were on the roof by the Bio-ship, waiting for the team. Mariko shook her head.

"R-robin…? When did you get here?" she mumbled looking to the masked hero. He sighed.

"Mariko I've been here for a while." He said, Mariko looked up at Robin and bit her lip as tears threatened her eyes. She then looked down at her hands and remained silent as the others came to the roof. Tony went wide eyed.

"Miss Mariko!" he shouted and ran to her. Yukie barking happily behind him. Mariko looked up at the older boy and then down at his dog; as if trying to register what was going on. "Miss Mariko you're alright…"

"No time for pleasantries now; let's go the longer we stay here the more of a reason Savage has to come after us." Kid said, the others nodded and boarded the Bio-ship except Mariko who stood in silence.

"Mariko; come on you're coming with us." Robin said, Mariko shook her head.

"Why should I go with you? You're just going to put me back in Arkham." She said, her back turned to him. Tony's dog Yukie whimpered and bumped Mariko's hand with her nose. "I don't want to go back to Arkham."

"And you won't." Robin said, Mariko looked over her shoulder and saw Robin holding his hand out for her, "I promise."

"Promises can be broken Robin," She said, but took his hand anyhow and boarded the ship as it took off.

Oh poor Mariko! Ok show of hands how many people saw that coming? For the record she hasn't joined the good side yet. I haven't decided if she will or not to be honest, and there will be a next chapter—in case this one sounds like it was the final chapter. Look forward to it! And Review; 'See you later armadillos—unless I see you first. Haha!'