A/N: This story being updated. After reading the latest chapters, I decided to combing the first four which are all less than a thousand word into one. Sorry for the confusion but its still the same with some things corrected for continuity.
Chapter 1
She snatched the coat off her bed, put it on, and marched down the hall to her brothers' room. Inspecting the state of the room as she entered, she gave them directions for the night. Brian was nine and would be in charge of Alex seven. They would eat the food prepared in the fridge and be in bed by nine. She would be home by ten. Brian nodded as she went on with the directions. Mrs. Lulla Mae would keep an eye out for them and they could call her if they had any questions. Sari was supposed to watch them tonight, but as usual her sister was a no show.
Like most nights her dad was nowhere to be found. That was okay by her. He was just one less thing to worry about. Lately, he had found himself someplace to be other than mopping round the house getting drunk trying to forget their mother. She had died in a car accident last year and things were definitely taking a turn for the worse. Her loving, caring father transformed into a distant, withdrawn man. Let him stay out it would mean that her brothers would be a little better.
After finishing the directions, she hugged them and said bye. She marched out of the front door. She waved at Mrs. Lulla Mae who waved back her from her porch. Mrs. Lulla Mae was a member of her church. If you wanted or needed, Mrs. Lulla Mae could help you. This year she had seen a lot of Mrs. Lulla Mae. It was she who had gotten her a job working at the local library in the afternoons after school. It was also Mrs. Lulla Mae who tended to her brothers when her sister had flights of fancy. She walked pass the rows of shotgun houses and little front yards that dotted the landscape. Things just kept getting better and better she thought as she came to the bus stop and boarded the bus that came along.
Her neighborhood looked tough but mostly it was filled with an elderly community and a few small families. They rarely had any type of trouble thanks to the neighborhood watch, also known as the Little Lady Chat Circle.
She had been instructed to come to her aunt's house tonight. She watched as the scenery changed from rows of sad houses mired in struggle to happier ones smiling brightly in their finery. The houses on this street said we know of the bests the world has to offer. She got off when the bus stopped and walked down the street to her aunt's house.
She entered the code at the gate and pushed the button and walked in. By the time she got to the door her aunt was already there.
"Hello, Earla, your right on time," she said smiling.
"Hey, Auntie Mari," Earla replied back. She hated her name. She was named after her father Earl. Earla her mom had told her meant warrior. Yeah, because she was in a battle for existence.
He aunt was the prettiest woman she knew. She actually worked as a supermodel and had her picture in plenty of magazines.
"Tonight, Earla," her aunt explained, "you will be going to Mount Justice to meet the others like you. There they will teach you about your powers and how to control them. You will need a disguise. So, I took the liberty of getting one for you." She then handed her clothes and pointed to the bathroom.
Earla nodded when she finished talking. She really didn't have time for this crap. Let some others take care of the supped up metajunkies and leave her out of this mess. She sighed as this was not to be because her aunt had caught her using her powers to charge up the battery on brother's portable game. He had forgotten to charge it and was in a huff because it would be dead for most of the trip they would be on. She had walked into an empty room and she just was going to give it a quick charge when she was caught. Thus, she ended up in her current situation. Stuck going to Justice League Jr. She put on the clothes and thought her aunt was crazy.
The outfit she had given her was a ridiculous shade of cerulean compete with white gloves and boots and a full head mask. Thank the lord for small favors. Why did superheroes insist on looking like complete loons? She walked out of the bathroom.
"Don't forget to call me Vixen," Auntie Mari said.
"Ok, and what do I call myself?" She asked feeling completely ridiculous.
"Your code name is Volt. We will be transporting from another location. Always keep the mask on and be careful."
She wasn't a fool. Although, her faith in that was beginning to wane. Why in the seven hells did they have to dress like this? Aunt Mari, er, Vixen walked over to a wall in the living room and pressed a button beside a plant. It led to a secret exit out of the house. They then walked another block before approaching old closed down tenement building. Her aunt walked to the faded blue door and keyed in a number into the electronic look. Following her aunt inside, she was amazed at the interior of the place it certainly didn't match the outside. There was a computer on one wall and a mat for working out along with other equipment.
"You can get the tour of HQ later," Vixen stated noticing the awe in my eyes. She walked to a far corner of the room onto a square mat.
"This is where we transport from." Vixen said as she inside and pulled her in and showed her the code to activate the transport from the pad on the wall. Square mat began to glow and she felt this jerking sensation.
She heard the computer speak just after she and her aunt appeared in a tunnel. She followed her aunt's lead as the tunnel emerged into a large open area. She couldn't help but be impressed at the heroes gathered at the computer; she could make out Batman and some woman and man in a red suit. She missteped and nearly tripped. Great, klutzy much she thought.
"You will be here until you are given clearance to leave," Vixen stated. "I will have someone looking in on your brothers. Just be yourself and train."
"Yes, I understand," Earla replied. She didn't want to do this. She had told the story to her aunt about how she had gotten her powers when she was being grilled last week. She had been at a track meet at Dakota Union High when a big cloud of smoke had appeared. She was taken to the hospital like everyone else and checked out okay, but over the next few days she found that she could control electricity and create small charges. Really, she had dealt with this over a year and had learned to turn it on and off she didn't need the training.
Batman was currently informing the team of the next mission that they were going to be on.
"This past Fourth of July," stated Batman, "four ice villains staged simultaneous attacks. Mr. Freeze, Icicle Jr., Killer Frost, and Captain Cold were all apprehended. Perhaps too quickly Cold and Frost were immediately sent to Bell Reve Penitentiary. The federal facility designed to house super-villians."
"The seventeen year old Icicle Jr. was sent to a juvenile facility while Freeze was sent to his usual cell in Arkaham Asylum. Freeze petition to be declared legally sane and Icicle Jr. sued to be tried as an adult.
As a result, both await transport to Belle Reve which seems to have been the goal all along. Superboy and Miss Martian have been chosen to go undercover to find out why."
An unknown boy with blond hair asked, "Who inside will know their true identities?"
"No one, we can't be sure the prison staff hasn't been compromised," Batman answered. " You two will be asked to memorized the information in this packet." He said as he handed them the information. "You will also be given special training by Canary for this mission." The two teen took the folders and nodded.
"This is Volt." Batman continued, "She has recently come into her powers and will be coming to here to train. Volt, this is Superboy, Miss Martian, and Aqualad. The other members of the team Kid Flash, Robin, and Artemis are out. This is Black Canary she is in charge of your training schedule along with Red Tornado who resides here and monitors the activities of the heroes who live here. I am in charge of the missions that the team goes on and will be in charge of determining when you are ready to join the team on missions. I am going back to the Watchtower to work on a few things. If you need any help they will be able to assist you." With that Batman stood up and walked towards the tunnel just as the light appeared with the transport tunnel.
Black Canary walked away from the computer and said, "Let's get started. You need to complete a diagnostic training routine so that I can see where exactly you are."
I looked at my aunt who gave me a smile, "Okay, I said as I stepped forward, "What do I have to do?"
"Simple," Black Canary said as she walked over to the training mat, "try to take me down."
Earla nodded and walked into the training area on the trip there she was thinking of ways to get out of this situation. Unfortunately, the trip was too short to create grand escape plans and so she punched at Black Canary. Corrections, she did not punch Black Canary but the air that was around Black Canary. She kept dodging her punches. Aqualad stayed to watch while Superboy and Miss Martian had gone off somewhere.
After she finished one last punch, Black Canary nodded, "Not bad for your first try. Let's see where your power level is Aqualad you're up." With that, he entered the ring.
"Try to hit me with your electricity." She nodded in response and pulled a bolt and tried to hit him. Black Canary was around the edge of the ring observing her actions along with her aunt and Red Tornado was watching from the computer where he had remained after Batman had left.
"That is enough for today," Black Canary stated. "Let us run the data and Red Tornado and I will have your training schedule after we confer with your aunt."
Earla waved and went off with Aqualad.
"This is the training room, and down the hall are the living quarters and the library. Finally, through here is the kitchen." Earla looked around and they found Miss Martian and Superboy in the kitchen.
"Connor focus...um hi," Miss M said as she saw them come into the room.
"Miss M, Superboy, and I live in he hall year round while the others have lives outside of the hall."
"So, basically you are under the control of Red Tornado. When do I get to meet the rest?" The three shared a look and waited.
"Why do I feel like you are setting me up?" I asked M'gann. "Well…," she started, "Wait until you meet Robin and Kid Flash."
Recognizing Kid Flash B03, Recognizing Robin B01,
"Hello, beautiful. Try not to be overwhelmed by my greatness," said Kid Flash as he appeared in the spot next to her.
"She's more than likely underwhelmed because you're not as awesome as you think. Nope, definitely not overwhelmed," Robin said as he looked at her as he walked in.
"She doesn't look underwhelmed." KF spat back.
"Then it's settled, she is whelmed."
"How do you figure?"
"Easy she in a new place surrounded by strangers that makes her nervous so she overwhelmed. But, then you showed up and are not impressive as the rest of us. So, subtract that which makes her whelmed," replied Robin.
They both then looked at her. She looked and smiled. She had always been told in case of doubt follow the crazies.
"These two are Kid Flash and Robin," Kaldur responded to her question.
"Hello," Earla replied back.
"Just call me KF everyone does. Where you from? Have you been given permission to tell? Are you going to be joining us on any missions soon?" KF asked. She shook her head. She watched as he made several quick trips to the refrigerator and a pile of sandwich ingredients appeared.
"She in the niece of Vixen and she is an electric user. That's all I could get before the program locked me out. She apparently has not been given permission to share her civs with us yet." Robin answered KF's questions. She continued to watch KF as twelve sandwiches were made. He then got a series of plates and put them on it. He then added chips.
"Ummm…", Earl stammered as KF put plates in front of everyone.
"Don't feel bad. He can't share his dets with us and cannot be around us without shades on," KF replied in quick succession, he placed a series of bottled drinks on the table and sat down.
"Only because you don't have Bats breathing down your nose." Robin replied, "Do you know what would happen if I let you in on my secret identity?" She looked at KF's plate of five sandwiches and a pile of chips.
"He has a high metabolism and essentially eats like a bottomless pit most of the time to keep up with it," Kaldur leaned over and explained.
"So, what others have you found to add to the project?" Robin asked KF. Apprehension filled the room as the others tensed.
"What is black and white, black and white, black and white?" KF asked.
"What?"
"A penguin rolling down a hill."
"What's black and white a laughing?"
"What?"
"The penguin that pushed him."
"That is awesome. Adding it now to the joke lexicon," Robin explained. If the looks were any indication they were working on a joke lexicon to throw out
She stared and sent a silent prayer that was answered when Kaldur was radioed to bring her with him back to the computer. They were both given the schedule that she would follow for the two weeks. She was to be trained by Kaldur and Black Canary. After a quick look at the schedule, she nodded.
"I look forward to working with you," Kaldur said. She nodded, said bye, and left with her aunt.
She looked down at her watch for the third time. Her brothers and she were right on schedule with a little to spare. They boarded the bus and she found her seat. It had been two weeks since she had started her training with Kaldur. He was something of a mystery. He was not boring but he was very stiff. Not to mention the other two she had met that night. She let her mind wander.
She smiled when saw her best friend Marion Thompson board the bus. "Hey are you still on for Sunday School and the movies afterwards."
"Yes, Creek said that he would come too. He found out that Mr. Frankel is making Renewed Brownies again and he wants to be first. He almost jumped a seven year old when he got the last brownie last time," Earla replied.
"So, want to clue me in on why you so concerned with going to church every Sunday?"
"Watch ye therefore ye no not when the master cometh."
"Your aunt still thinks that you're in choir at church?"
"Yep, not to mention the youth missionary society, junior ushers, and praise dance teams who all have meeting on Sunday. Otherwise, I wouldn't get any day off from her teachings if she thought I had any free time. Sundays are holy for a reason!" she said with a giggle.
"So, are you going to the dance next Saturday?" Marion asked, "The theme is Red Carpet."
"Of course, I have even arranged for your mom to watch the bros for me. So, who are you going with? Their conversation continued as the bus vroomed along the highway. She was going with SJ another boy in the class that was enviable. They got off the bus and headed to the cafeteria for breakfast and shared notes. Two test this week she noted and wrote down the homework that she had forgotten. The bell rang and they were on their way to the first class of the day.
Earla checked the book return cart and filed the few she found there. Working in a library had its advantages. She could work on homework at the desk and still watch her little bros. Thank you Mrs. Lulla Mae she thought. English class was brutal today. Mr. Vaughn handed the class poems to interpret and to write essays. She ended up with Emily Dickinson.
Death is a dialogue between
The spirit and the dust.
"Dissolve," says Death. The Spirit, "Sir,
I have another trust."
Death doubts it, argues from the ground.
The Spirit turns away,
Just laying off, for evidence,
An overcoat of clay.
Earla inspected the poem again and started to compose her essay. If she wrote the rough draft now, she could rewrite the final draft in history. She glanced at the clock. It was almost time for her do her final checks. She hastily scribbled the sentences got up and did her final checks and reports.
As she boarded the bus with her brothers, she was reminded of how little time she was actually spending with them now. She didn't like it. Nothing to I can do there, she though. As long as we need the fundage, I will be the happy hero.
She gave them dinner and was off to Mount Justice for her first official evaluation session against the intimidator himself, Batman. If she could pass his evaluation, she would be allowed to go on a mission. Properly supervised of course, she wanted to get out of Mount Justice even if it was dressed as a complete loon.
She arrived in the hall and saw Batman, Black Canary, and Vixen waiting by the holocomputer. Kaldur and Red Tornado had monitor duty at Belle Reve. It was indicated that the prisoners would make their move soon. KF, Artimis, and Robin were all working on different assignments.
Batman sat at the computer and started the video monitor. "This will be a test of the skills you have learned so far. You will be evaluated on your judgment, effectiveness, and overall performance. You will face two opponents. The first will be your trainer Black Canary."
Black Canary stepped into the ring and said, "Don't worry you'll do fine."
Begin Black Canary started her opening salvo and Earla countered with a barrage of her own. It went like that for about five minutes before Earla ended up on her back. The usual Earla though.
"Good," Black Canary said hand out for the assist up.
Batman typed into the computer and stated, " Your next opponent will be Vixen. You goal is to quickly neutralize the target."
When Vixen stepped into the ring Earla swallowed hard. Eye raised Earla looked at Batman. Aunt Mari had taken on some of the world's strongest supervillains and she was supposed to stop her. Morosely she walked up to her aunt. Hello failure here I come.
Vixen touched her amulet and said "Let's go." A cheetah came and I blocked with a lightning bolt and she then went on her attack then Earla countered. This time the view of the ceiling came with a revelation that it needed to be cleaned.
"Not bad," Vixen said hand out. Earla smiled. She was improving.
"I will be done with you evaluation in a few minutes. I will need to discuss my finding with your other testers," Batman said as he pointed to the kitchen.
Earla walked into the kitchen area and her mind went to paranoid mode. Was she really ready to go out and to fight actual crazies like the Joker, and Killa Frost? But, man, what a thrill it would be to fight and match wits with them. By the time they called her back, she was both equally horrified and excited about the prospect.
Batman started talking and pressing buttons on the holocomputer, "Your attack abilities have progressed a great deal. Your evaluation of the intent of your opponent is good as well." He stated as various sections of the fight video played.
"However, you lacked follow through on your attacks and you need to work on directing your electrical projections," added Vixen.
"In short, you still need a lot of work," He said pausing the video.
"However, you will be okay if you partner along with another members," added Black Canary.
"With this in mind, I am recommending you for light duties until your deficiencies are worked out," added Batman as he handed her a disk. "These are the items that you need to work on and your new training regimen. Tomorrow you will go with Kaldur and Red Tornado tomorrow night to monitor Belle Reve.
A/N: This didn't come out like I expected.
A/N: This is a reposting of this chapter with some mistakes corrected thanks to the lovely Vain Gloriousness for catching the shifts in tenses. I also want to say that this story is not dead.
A/N: Jokes were taken from my favorite youtube video 50 jokes in less than a minute it always makes me laugh. Feel free to submit any corny jokes you can thinks of but keep 'em clean. I was watching the Shawshank Redemption for the quote.