Disclaimer: Need I say more?
So I'm kind of taking a risk, putting this in the crossover section. I mean, who reads the crossover section? Eh, too much work. If this doesn't get at least one review, I'm switching it to the YJ sections cause they review waaaaaaaay more than people in the KH section.
Chapter I: Maybe it's Maybelline
Robin sat on the rocky edges of Mount Justice, baby blues boring into the shimmering water as he threw rocks off the edge and frowned as they splashed into it, creating tiny ripples. He was absolutely sick with the new couple bickering, Miss Martian goggling over Superboy (which was painfully obvious), and Kaldur moping over Tula. Why was everyone so concerned with falling in or out of love? He had asked Wally, but all he did was ruffle his hair and tell him he would understand when he was older. He angrily threw another rock into the ocean. He absolutely hated when Wally did that. When anyone did that. But Wally was his best friend. His dim-witted best friend who thought Artemis had cooties before they had a big argument that ended with major lip-locking. That was the Wally he knew. When they were younger, he had never made any comments about their age difference. When Wally turned thirteen and shot up, he only made comments on Robin's height, never his age. (Truth be told, Robin thought he'd be a lot taller when he turned thirteen.) He was really the only one. Speedy had asked him if it was past his bedtime on several occasions. Black Canary nicknamed him Babes (which did not refer to a pretty-looking girl, but an embryonic infant). And he had been known as Baby of the League for quite some time [And apparently an author at wrote about him being the baby of the team, and when a baby gets upset, you can't help but placate them. Don't ya think the Boy Wonder deserves more respect than that?]. He didn't mind it when he was nine, but, after all he'd been through (witnessing his parent's murder, being beaten nearly to death) how smart he had really become (his advanced hacking skills and computer knowledge, the fact he'd skipped a couple grades, his position as captain of the mathletes) and his physical capability (his ability as a gymnast and an acrobat, that could easily win gold at the Olympics) he deserved to at least be considered a teenager. But of course even that was a stretch. Nope, he wasn't the youngest of the League, he was the baby. He chucked another rock into the water and stood up, brushing himself off as he walked toward the cave.
~*~MAYBE~*~IT'S~*~MAYBELLINE~*~
When he walked into the "living room," he was surprised to see Wally was – get this – NOT meshing his lips into Artemis's face.
"Hey." He greeted, upon seeing Robin enter.
"Hey." He repeated with a darker tone, plopping down next to him on the couch.
"Oooh, someone's moody."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." He replied, more interested in what the news anchor had to say.
"…Reporter Semaj Naps, here, on scene where a Dr. M. J. Gregory was apprehended by the police for robbing Gotham City Bank. However, before officers could get to Gregory, a masked girl," suddenly a figure, who surely fit the man's description with being both female and masked stepped forward.
"My name is Mocking Jay." She announced, then scurried out of sight, a smug smile giving away she was pleased with getting her name out.
"Well, that was most rewarding. There you have it. Mocking Jay. A new vigilante or just a one-hit-wonder? Only time will tell," here Robin did a face-palm at the choice of words, "This has been Semaj Naps, now back to you, in the studio."
"Thanks Semaj, we now turn to meteorologist James Span…" Robin walked away, losing interest in the show. After all, everyone's talking 'bout the weather.
~*~MAYBE~*~IT'S~*~MAYBELLINE~*~
Richard Grayson walked with the small current of students that coursed through the hallways of Gotham City Academy, assuming his normal melt-into-the-crowd position. He really didn't have any friends at the school, what with Bruce's strict rules and the possibility of something leaking, but merely acquaintances he would wave to or acknowledge with a nod when passing in the hallway. But of course no one knew he had no actual friends, so when you saw a kid like that strolling down the corridors of the private school, it seemed as if he had more than enough. And that's exactly what everybody thought. So technically, he wasn't an outcast there. Just normal, melt-into-the-crowd Grayson. But it really wasn't always like that. He was a smart kid, but barely thirteen, and as I'm sure some of you can guess, not many sophomores like having a child protégé in their mist, so he wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms into the 10th grade. Well, with the exception of the girls, they ate that kind of stuff up. They would randomly come up and hug him, or ruffle his hair. Which he was annoyed at, and it only made the male demographic dislike him even more. He thought he had problems with the Justice League before! They were relentless! But eventually they got the message and got used to having him around and his popularity faded. Somehow, he had never been gladder.
But now, he was on his way to show around two new girls. He rolled his eyes at the thought. He was probably going to have to deal with that all over again. And I know you guys are probably wondering, why Dick? Well, besides the plot spiraling ahead depending on this, none of the seniors could do it. They all had Senioritis. Juniors were in the middle of semester exams. Freshman were too young. So that left sophomores. But half the kids would be away on a field trip for the next three days, leaving 25% of the sophomore population behind. Then of course, during a field trip only 50% of that original 25% bothers to show up to school. So what would that leave the percent at? 12.5% (no thanks to an inconclusive calculator :/) Notice how I said small current? Yeah, of that 12.5%, 50% of that would be girls. And the principal just happens to be a male chauvinist. And the other 49.99% (I know my math is crap on that one but I don't know how many kids were there to begin with) happen to be males and the only reason they were not on the field trip was because they had ISS. (The part that just didn't go for no reason are probably at home.)Therefore, Dick was the only option. So he said a quick prayer before meeting the two new students at the front of the school. Once he got a glimpse of the two, he was shell-shocked. His face was caught between surprise and a nervous laugh.
The first girl, truthfully, he didn't know. Didn't even have a clue, but man! He surely didn't believe in love at first sight – but dang! Beguiling smile, enthralling azure eyes, dark lashes thicker than most, cheek bones (as Keenan would put it) like perfect sugar plums, with a dynamic jaw line, implausibly skinny waist, legs a mocha, creamy color, smooth and shining, lips almost tantalizing with a rosy hue and full stature, but there was something off about her. Something he had only seen in comics and animes. Her hair was short, but not boyish short, long enough to look fiercely (despite her soft expression) feminine, and it had been styled somewhat oddly, sloping upward in certain places, coming to a sharp point in others, and it was blue. Her hair was blue, like Caribbean water you only see in commercials blue. It was startling. But before he could guess Splat or Manic Panic, he knew he had to introduce himself, though the other girl already knew him. Well, she knew the Robin him.
Yup, standing next to the blue beauty was Oliver Queen's "niece." Though both in the same private school attire, somehow it looked better on the other girl. Maybe if Dick didn't find her being there a surprise, she would've faded into the background next to the bluenette. But now, somehow his attention was diverted and his eyes flitted to the archer. Man, wait till Wally heard about this!
"Hello," he finally greeted, approaching them, "I'm Dick Grayson and I'll be showing you two around for the day." He explained, holding out an amiable hand. Artemis let out a sharp snort. The other girl gave her a look, silencing her and making her feel guilty about insulting the boy who could possibly tell her the wrong schedule if he wanted to.
"I'm sorry, I – um, how old are you?"
His lips curled into a smile, but he refrained from giving off his notorious cackle, which would most definitely blow his cover, so instead he replied, "Age is just a number, m'dear."
"Well," the sky-haired teen interjected, "Nice to meet you, Dick. I'm–" she gave Artemis another look as she reached for Richard's outstretched hand.
"Aqua." Artemis replied, as their hands met (Who knew hands could be so soft?), "her name is Aqua. I'm Artemis. Artemis Crock." She stuck out a hand and Dick leisurely (and reluctantly) let go of Aqua's and shook hers.
"Great now that we're acquainted, would you mind following me? Homeroom is in ten minutes. They both nodded and trailed after him, glancing over the school, perusing, not only the facility, but also the small boy whom served as their guide. Okay, laugh. Because whom is a funny word, I'll admit it.
"You look familiar." Aqua claimed brusquely.
"Is that so?" he inquired, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Yeah. It's your eyes. I swear I've seen them before."
It was his turn to release a sharp snort.
"What?"
"No one ever remembers me by my eyes."
"Well, why not?" a temporary sun burn washed over her cheeks in a warm glow, "Your eyes are beautiful." Artemis elbowed her.
"What was that for?" she yelped in surprise. The archer gave her a petulant look.
"Oh, I'm sorry, was that offensive? I didn't mean it like that, I – uh, meant they were handsome, not beautiful."
Dick just smiled wider, "Oh, no need to apologize; I'm fine."
She sighed a sigh of relief.
"Well, Miss Congeniality over here has a point. I think you look familiar too."
"How so?" She didn't answer for some time, probably lost in thought.
The trio walked on in comfortable silence.
"You're really small." Aqua concluded bluntly, like she was thinking of all the ways she might know him in her head, but just that one statement flew out of her mouth.
"I'm not that short." He claimed without a trace of defensive nature in his tone.
"Oh, I didn't mean to be rude, just – not short, but small, well, no, it's just like someone I know." She pursed her lips and her eyebrows furrowed, "You sound awfully like him too."
"Well, I'm sure your friend, as well as I, isn't really short. We're just fun-sized." She laughed softly, making her sharp hair bounce, catching the light as it moved.
"Well, this is where your lockers are." He swung his hands to advertise the designated locker area.
"Aqua," he began, looking at the paper in his hand, "your locker number is 1467 and the combination is 08-13-02. Artemis, your locker number is 1498 and the combination is 06-14-09. I'm locker 1426, if you need anything, between classes, you'll find me there. Now, these are your schedules. Your homeroom is determined by alphabetical order, on the last name variable. So, Crock, you're with Mrs. Barnes for homeroom. But Aqua, I'm not sure what's wrong with your application, but your homeroom has been…" he examined it closer, "…left blank." He gave a confused look, then offered, "You could just come with me to my homeroom, or to Artemis's, which ever one you would feel most comfortable." She glanced between the two, her eyes locking with Artemis's as she gave a curt nod.
"I'll…I'll go with you." She decided.
"Alright then, just get your stuff from your locker and I'll show you the way."
"I…I'd like that." She smiled.
~*~MAYBE~*~IT'S~*~MAYBELLINE~*~
Robin plopped down on the couch with utter bliss taking him over. He sighed melodiously.
"Why are you in such a good mood?" Kid Flash, who was sitting on the couch as well, asked.
"Girls."
"Whoa – what?"
"My bad, girl. As in singular."
"Singular as in single?"
"Not for long, my friend. Not. For. Long."
"Care. To. Ex. Plain?" he sounded out with a staccato beat.
"New girl at my school. Got to show her around the whole day, have lunch, and when we missed the bus," he lied (he didn't take the bus, Alfred drove him, but was helping Barbara with something that day, so he was going to naturally take the bus. Was.), "I got to walk her home."
"Dude. Score."
"Oh! And there's one more thing I forgot! Along with her was–"
"Ugh!" there was a loud grunt and a small thud.
"That sounded like Artemis." Wally concluded.
"I got it." He assured him, standing up to check on the problem. KF was feeling pretty passive, so he flippantly waved off the fact Robin was checking on his girlfriend instead of himself.
Even though the door was open, and the scene was apparent to him, he softly wrapped on the side of the door.
"Everything okay in here?"
"Sorry," she apologized, shuffling the calculus book into her arms, "I don't know. This stuff is just really, really hard." When he didn't leave from the threshold she gave him a stare.
"You know you can go now."
"But if I left, who would help you with the calculus?" Her face lit up.
"Really? You'd do that?"
"Sure, why not? We're a team, aren't we?"
Then it suddenly hit her. His age. He shouldn't be any better at calculus than she was.
He read the expression on her face and replied,
"I configured the security at Watchtower, I fix it if it has any problems, I've hacked into security systems trickier than it without a second thought. I think I can handle 10th grade calculus."
"Thanks." She smiled, scratching the back of her neck.
"Don't mention it." He shrugged, taking the calculus book in his hands.
~*~MAYBE~*~IT'S~*~MAYBELLINE~*~
Batman sat with Superman, J'onn, Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Aquaman as they stared at the tape, which had been put on loop.
"Have we all reached a decision?"
Everyone solemnly nodded. As if they hadn't already taken action.
AN:
Alright, for those who don't know Aqua, she is, in fact, not an OC. Let's just get that straight. Now, I have a very special update system for this one. If I get at least one review, I will continue writing this story. Now, updates might be spaced out cause I'm working on – Holy Crap! – 10 other different projects. I actually think I'm going to upload this one soon (not really sure, though). Lately, I've been writing one chapter to go with one story, and then not really finishing a corresponding chapter, so I'm going to have to get on that. Now, sure, yeah, if I get a review, I'm going to see this one through. If someone alerts, I'll write two chapters in the amount of time it would take to make one. If someone favorites, I'll write three. If someone adds me as an author to favorites, I will write four chapters with in the time span of a week. And if someone reviews and tells me how the name of the reporter is special, they get an AMAmazing* mystery prize.
*AMAmazing, derived from the band name AMA, said for publicity recognition