“Rylan! Rylan! Look at what I did!”
Rylan turned to look at Jade. She was proudly showing her friend the finished assignment she had been told to do. Rylan smiled at the younger girl.
“Very nice Jade. Go...see if Miss Martian wants help in the kitchen.”
Jade nodded and headed out of the room and towards the kitchen. Rylan shook her head, exiting the mountain. She felt the heated sun on her back, allowing a warm breeze to fly past her.
“Oh Jade. If only I could help you. I wasn't programmed to change you, just watch over you. How childlike you've become in their precence. If only I could see the real you. Just one more time. The Light has treated you horribly yet you do as you must. Why is that? If you would only tell us to fight then Alisa and I would follow you into a battle against the Light. What are you hiding?”
A sudden chill ran down her back and she turned.
“Hello speedster.”
“Hey Frost.”
“You can call me Rylan.”
“Nah. That's an informal name.”
“So I'm just an aquientance? Shame. I thought we'd become friends.”
Wally scoffed and Rylan smiled.
“Yeah I'm not friends to those connected to the Light.”
“So you aren't friends with Superboy?”
“He's different.”
“Ah. So it's a sexist rule hmm?”
“I am not sexist!”
“Okay speedster. But you think you know everything. You don't.”
“So? You don't know everything either.”
“Wally, are you that dense? I was made to be a genetic clone should the JLA reffuse the Light. Look where I am now! Does this look like I'm ready to follow the Light?!”
Rylan sighed, putting a hand to her forehead.
“I'm sorry speedster. My emotions are based on whatever Jade wants.”
“Jade? How old is she? Five?”
“Thirteen. But she has had a past that makes her childlike. Do not judge her because she acts immature. She is very...withdrawn.”
“Woah! Sorry.” Wally placed a hand on her shoulder. “I never meant to be rude.”
“I know. But Jade is hiding something. Even I don't know what it is. To be honest, she has never understood the concept of humanity.”
“I don't understand.”
“Jade was raised a warrior. She shows no fear. Her armor is thick and strong. Emotions are never there. Memories are erased. Jade has never really looked at humans. At what normal people do. She used to have that life but it was stolen from her. Now all Jade knows to show is childlike innocence and brutality. The Light destroyed what she was. Yet I must stand by and watch as she fights for her life everyday. Because she knows nothing about trust. Nothing about humanity.”

Jade walked into the kitchen and waited for the martian
“Yes Jade?”
“Do you need any help Miss Martian?” Jade asked politely.
“No. But thank you.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Jade walked away and towards her shared room. Living in the mountain was fun, but it could also be boring. She entered her room and sat on her bed. Looking around at the plain room, Jade felt a shiver run over her. It reminded her too much of her room at the Light cavern. A sudden image appeared in her head. A girl stood in a tube filled with breathable purple liquid. Sharp pins injected her body. The girl screamed in pain, trying to break free. More pins entered her body. The girl, looking terrified, watched a silver helmet come down and over her head. When she couldn't see anymore, a sharp pain filled her head...
“Jade?”
Jade shook her head. She looked at Robin, who stood in the doorway.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. I was just...my head was in the clouds.”
“Mmm. You haven't practiced for a few days. Why don't we get you back into the habit?”
“Of training?”
“Yeah. C'mon. I'll help you.”
Robin stuck his hand out. Jade stared at it for a few minutes before putting her hand in his. Robin pulled her up and they started their way to the training room.