Chapter 25
Last chapter Mariko was revealed the reason to why her life was so. She'll be suffering from depression for a majority of this chapter. Sorry about that. Oh this week's YJ was just totally Crash! I even caught a glimpse of my favorite Witch-boy. Haha ONWARD TO THE BATTLE FIELD!
The Team, Tony, and Mariko rode on the Bio-ship; Miss Martian piloting, while the rest of the group glared at Tony and Mariko. Tony glared back at the team, his dog growling as she stood beside Mariko who stared completely dazed ahead of her. While Mariko herself stared out of the window deep in her own thoughts.
"Ok; I'm asking. Why are we taking her to the Cave?" Superboy asked. "Why should we trust her just because she was thrown out by Savage?"
"Because we don't leave an innocent person to suffer." Robin said.
"I'd hardly call her innocent." Zatanna said crossing her arms. "Even if she was victimized this time she's done more victimizing then a victim."
"Regardless; this time she's the victim and an eye witness to anything and everything the Light is up to." Robin said. Miss Martian nodded.
"I agree with Robin," She said then looked to Mariko who was being comforted by Tony and Yukie, "Mariko Miko's more useful with us than in Arkham Asylum."
"Don't make her out to be some kind of tool!" Tony growled, placing his hand on Mariko's shoulder. Mariko's eyes shifted but she made no move to remove him.
"Sorry Tony," Artemis said, "But she is right. Mariko's knows more about the light than anyone."
Tony looked to Mariko; she seemed completely broken. As if her life was going out from the inside. There was no life in her eyes; the spirit he had once seen while working for her was now gone—completely vanished.
"Why should we trust you?" he growled. Robin looked to him.
"Mariko already does, and if you care about her at all; so will you." he said, Tony looked back to Mariko; she had fallen asleep and was leaning against the wall with Yukie lying in front of her. He then looked to Robin.
"Alright fine; but only for Miss Mariko's sake." He said sternly. Robin and M'gaan nodded as the group rode off toward the Cave.
~0~
"So Mariko Miko has been abandoned by the Light," Batman said, Robin nodded, he had explained the situation to Batman and the rest of the League.
"We tracked her down to one of Vandal Savage's buildings; when we saw that he tried to murder her we decided it would be best to take her into custody." He said.
"And where is the young hacker girl now?" Aquaman asked.
"With the rest of the Team; she's still a bit shaken over what's happened." Robin explained.
"We'll have to interrogate her you are aware of that right?" Superman said, Robin nodded.
"I know, but I don't think she's up for any of that now." He said, trying to buy enough time for Mariko to regain herself.
~0~
"Miss Mariko," Tony said, nudging Mariko, trying to get her wake; he didn't know why Robin and the others had let her sleep, but he was sort of grateful for it. "Wake—oh, sorry Miss."
Mariko looked to him with a silent scowl. She hadn't said anything since her short conversation with Robin before boarding the bio-ship. Tony debated asking what they were talking about; however she didn't seem as though she was ready to talk to anyone.
"We need to get off the ship; they aren't too happy about you staying here." Tony explained, Mariko rolled her eyes as Yukie stood up with her and she walked off the ship where she was met with the rest of the Team. Her eyes widened with surprise then narrowed as she remembered where she was and what was going on.
Her Savage had betrayed her; he was the reason she was like this. The reason she was thrown into a life of complete turmoil. He was Takumi's murderer, she bit her lips and tried to erase the thoughts from her mind. She just couldn't believe it all.
"Where's Robin?" Tony asked, Mariko looked up at the older boy. Surprised to hear him ask that question.
"Robin's relaying all that's happened to the League in the main hall of the Cave." M'gaan said kindly. Just then Robin and Batman came in towards the group. Tony stood in front of Mariko; not at all happy with the new comer.
"Am I to be interrogated now?" Mariko asked monotonic voice, which surprised most of the group who hadn't heard her speak in some time. She looked to the others and rolled her eyes. Batman nodded.
"You know that Robin already promised not to send me back to Arkham; I plan to hold him to that." She said, glaring to Batman; the person who decided to drop her off there the last time. Tony turned to Mariko, with concern.
"Miss Mariko are you sure about this? How can you trust this guy?" He asked, Mariko continued to glare at Batman who glared back.
"Shut up you useless cyborg, and I don't trust any of them." She hissed, then looked to Robin but said nothing, "Tony; stay boy."
Tony bit his tongue and his lip to keep from lashing out as he watched Batman take Mariko away while he stayed behind with the others.
~0~
"I hope you don't expect me to say anything about the Light." Mariko said staring at the Batman who sat across from her.
"The Light has abandoned you Mariko Miko." Batman said, "Or have you forgotten that?"
Mariko narrowed her eyes in a glare at Batman, who glared back. Suddenly the door opened, and Martian Manhunter walked in.
"Why is he here?" Mariko growled standing up and taking a step back.
"To make sure you tell the truth." Batman said. Mariko glared.
"The last time one of you weirdoes went in my mind she dug up memories that I'd rather have kept buried." She said then narrowed her eyes at Manhunter, "So excuse me if I don't trust you, pale."
"I assure you Miss Miko; I will not go through such intimate thoughts." Manhunter said, Mariko glared.
"I'm not saying a word; nor will I let some creep invade my head again." She growled backing herself into the corner of the room.
"It's either this or Arkham." Batman said coldly. Mariko went wide eyed with fear. Arkham was the last place she wanted to be. Ever. She closed her eyes tight and placed her hands over her ears.
"I don't wanna go back! I'm not a human being there; you can't! Robin said—"
"Robin isn't in charge here Mariko Miko." Batman growled, then nodded to Manhunter who nodded back and focused his mind on closing in on Mariko's.
Soon he was surrounded in darkness only to be rushed by a sudden bright light.
'GET OUT!' Mariko's inner self screamed then forced Manhunter out of her head, he let out a yelp of pain and surprised as he was once again met with reality again. Mariko giggled darkly.
"I warned you…" She said looking up, "Heh; ever since Martian girl surprised me that day in Tokyo I've been extra careful."
Mariko then stood up straight.
"Now I'm not going back to Arkham—I refuse, and I won't be safe in Belle Reve." She said, then frowned, "And I don't plan on saying anything; for the simple fact that I don't know anything anymore."
"Care to explain..?" Batman asked.
"Not while he's here." She hissed. Batman nodded to Manhunter who then exited the room.
"Start explaining." He ordered. Mariko glared, but relaxed a little bit.
"Not long before I was set up I started to be pushed out of the loop. I don't know anything; Savage-sama stopped telling me things." She said, "That's all I have to say; can I go now?"
Batman shook his head; if everything Robin had told him was true, Mariko was in danger. No doubt the light would be sending people to silence her. More than likely Savage would want to tie up loose ends soon. Mariko glared.
"Why the heck not?!" She shouted. Glaring up at Batman.
"Where do you plan on going…?" He asked, Mariko paused; she hadn't thought of that. Where would she go? The only home she had was gone now. She sat back down in her chair the threat of tears stinging her eyes.
"You don't know where you'll go do you?" Batman asked.
Meanwhile outside of the interrogation room Robin, Kidflash, and Aqualad watched Batman talk to Mariko.
"He's not going to say what I think he's going to say is he?" Kid asked, the other two shrugged and looked towards the two way mirror.
"I can't exactly promise you revenge Mariko; but at the very least you can earn a little redemption by joining the team." Batman said, Mariko scowled.
"And what makes you think I want redemption?" She hissed, Batman shrugged.
"It's either this; or Arkham." He warned, Mariko studied his face to see if he was bluffing. She let out a growl of frustration when she couldn't tell.
"You're cold; and coming from a person who builds machines that's saying a lot—creep." She hissed, "Alright fine; but only to get back at Savage."
Batman nodded.
"We should probably tell the others." Robin said as he exited the room. Kidflash groaned, but followed Robin and Aqualad.
~0~
"She's what?" Conner shouted, vocalizing what the others were thinking. Robin nodded.
"Batman thinks that this will be the best way to keep tabs on her. So starting today Mariko Miko and Tony Dex will be joining the team." Robin said, then looked to Tony who had been sitting patiently with his dog.
"Miss Mariko agreed to this?" He asked, amazed that Mariko would even consider the idea. Robin nodded, as Tony scowled and looked to Yukie who barked.
"Does this mean she'll be staying here at the cave?" Zatanna asked.
"She doesn't exactly have anywhere else to go now does she?" Conner grumbled unhappily. Robin nodded.
"Well I can see that everyone's happy here." Mariko said her voice dripping with sarcasm walking into the main hall of the Cave. She sighed, crossing her arms.
"How does anyone expect us to trust you on missions?" Zatanna asked.
"You don't really have much of a choice in matter." Batman's voice said, "Until we can be sure that the Light isn't hunting her."
Mariko huffed, "You under estimate me greatly Batman."
Batman leered as Mariko crossed her arms and looked off to the side uncomfortably under his gaze.
"Well I think it's great that Mariko's joining the Team." M'gaan said, Mariko cocked an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Good; I'm going to go inform the rest of the League of this." Batman said, then walked ahead toward the Zetta pod and left for the Watch Tower. The rest of the team glared.
"I don't like this either." Mariko growled crossing her arms.
"I'm out of here." Conner said as he walked off, the others began to disperse as well, leaving M'gaan, Artemis, and robin, with Mariko, Tony and his dog.
"I'd help you settle in; but I have to get home." Artemis said, Mariko was silent as she watched the others leave too. M'gaan smiled to her.
"I can show you around the Cave if you want?" She said sweetly, Mariko shrugged.
"Do what you want." She mumbled, Tony went to stand and follow when Mariko leered.
"Stay." She demanded, Tony looked down; she was angry with him. He then watched as Mariko left with M'gaan to take the tour of the area. Robin looked to Tony, who glared back at him.
"What's your problem?" He asked, Tony huffed and looked to his dog Yukie.
"Doesn't matter; I'm going to look around on my own." He said, then walked away with Yukie not far behind.
~0~
"and this is the Kitchen!" M'gaan said sweetly hovering a bit. Mariko looked up at the Martian.
"Oh and since you're going to be living with us, my real name is M'gaan. You can call me by that while you're in the Cave." She went on, Mariko scowled, "Is something wrong Mariko?"
"Why are you doing this?" she asked, M'gaan frowned and landed on the ground in front of her.
"Doing what?" she asked.
"I'm not your friend; I'm your enemy." Mariko said, "So why are you acting like I am?"
M'gaan paused for the longest time before speaking again with a soft and gentle voice.
"There's good in you Mariko; I've seen it." She said, "Robin and I both think that way."
Mariko frowned; that was the first time she had heard that from someone other than Takumi. The idea of doing good was impossible to her, she thought. Then having someone give her any sort of compliment was completely foreign. Mariko blushed.
"I only joined to stay out of Arkham, and to get back at Savage." She mumbled, looking away from the older girl. M'gaan smiled.
"I know." She said, "Come on I'll show you to your room."
Yeah there was a bit of implied Yuri-ness in there. I hope you all don't mind. M'gaan and Mariko will probably share some kind of bond. Next chapter she'll be spending time with Robin…I kind of feel sorry for Tony right now. Poor kid's never gonna catch Mariko's dual colored eyes. Review please 'See you later armadillos—unless I see you first. Hahaha!'