It was Saturday morning, the perfect day for humanity. It's a day where everyone can sleep in til noon and not care about appearances.
Whistling, I walked out of my house to get the mail. It was a beautiful day, the sky blue and the sun shining. Normally I would feel silly going outside with my pink fluffy slippers and dark blue pants, but, like I said, it's Saturday.
I grabbed the hand full of mail and returned to my home, where I sat down at the kitchen table.
"Junk, junk, junk, junk," I shifted through the bills, solicitors, and etcetera.
"Oooo, what's this?" I peered at a fancy letter with my name on it. Not hesitating to preserve the details, I carelessly ripped open the envelope. In it was letter and a small piece of paper. The letter read:
Dear Miss Alexandra Cross:
We have been observing your academic progress over the last few weeks, and we are very pleased with the results. On the recommendations of your peers, teachers, and with your astounding grades, we are proud to offer you a full scholarship to Gotham Academy. Please send the acceptance form attached to this letter with your answer. We are looking forward to seeing you at our great school.
The Dean of Gotham Academy,
Phillip Wilcox
I stared at the letter, and stared, and stared. Then it sank in.
"WOOOHOOOO!" I jumped up from my chair and danced in happiness. Mira approved with a bark.
In my joy, I kissed the letter, "FINALLY! All those late nights studying! Putting up with those idiot teachers! Those mean students! My hard work finally paid off, and now I'm going to the most high-class school in Gotham!"
I sat down again, shaking with excitement. I had to make myself clam down so I could check the yes box on the acceptance form. I put it in a separate envelope, and sealed it.
Sighing with a smile on my face, I turned back to my mail. More junk, and an ad for new condos in Gotham. Those went straight into the trash can.
My phone blared loudly, making me jump. I looked at the caller ID.
"Batman?"
"Lexi," He acknowledged.
"I'm guessing you didn't call me to exchange pleasantries, huh?"
"I need you to provide over watch on-"
I cut him off, "Batman, you know what I said. You're not exactly abiding on what we agreed on."
His voice was cold, "I need you to help me on a mission. And I am playing by your rules, Lexi. I'm confronting a villain, which can become highly dangerous. I need you to come along and watch so nothing goes wrong."
"And if something does?"
"You fight."
"Easier said than done," I told him.
"Be at the top of Gotham Towers in an hour. No excuses." Click. End call.
I fumed at my phone. Why does he think he commands me? I only do this because I can! Not because he asked me to!
"Stupid Batman, thinks he controls everything," I muttered while dragging my feet up the stairs.
I looked at the uniform hanging in the back of my closet. Should I really do it? What would happen if I don't? What if I got hurt? What if Batman got hurt again? What if I got killed?
Stop freaking yourself out! I mentally slapped myself. Whether I wanted to or not, I had to don this costume and help Batman.
I quickly put the uniform on and slipped the mask over my eyes, surveying myself in the mirror. I wasn't Lexi anymore, but Element, a crime-fighter that was new to the streets.
"This will work out well," I sarcastically said.
Mira barked, and I smiled, "I guess I do look different. But that's the point. I think.."
Gotham Towers, or anywhere, really, is far away because I can't drive yet. That meant I had to ride my bike all the way there. Well at least I'll get some exercise.
I opened the door to the garage, and Mira whined.
"Sorry Mir, can't take you with me," I patted her head, "I wish I could though. You'd give those bad guys a scare!"
I exited the house and went into the garage. I wheeled out my dark red bike and swung my leg over it. Good thing I had enough sense to buy a new one last year. How silly would it look for a hero to arrive on a light blue seashell bike? Heck, how silly would it look for a hero to arrive on a bike, period?
I'll stash it somewhere, I thought with a shrug. I pushed on one of the petals and started riding out towards Gotham Towers.
The sun was just beginning to set when I finally arrived on the site of Gotham Towers. Batman was no where to tell me where to stake out.
"Great," I hissed, and looked upward. Where would Batman take care of things? I need to pick a place where I could see him.
Think, Lexi! Batman would probably would do his work in an enclosed space where no one could sneak up on him. Wait, wasn't there a fenced courtyard out back?
"I'm a genius!" I said, and jogged out to the courtyard.
Sure enough, there was Batman, poised in the shadows. I saw his eyes shift under his cowl. With the slightest movement, he pointed a ledge high up above us.
I flashed him a thumbs up and proceeded to climb it. As soon as I hoisted myself up to the first hand hold, my dismay grew large. This ledge was seriously high up!
"And they wonder why I failed pull-ups," I murmured as my arms shook with the next grip.
With a grunt, I lifted my body onto the ledge. I gasped at the view. I could see the whole courtyard, plus a few fifty miles. I had to give Bats credit. He thought of the perfect place. If anything went wrong, I could jump down to the rescue. Or just deal with them from up here. I mean, why get my hands dirty while I could hit them with rocks? But I'm fairly sure nothing would go wrong and I wouldn't have to do anything.
The sun sank behind the horizon, and the lights turned on in Gotham Towers.
The overhang above me shadowed the ledge I was perched on, so I was safe. I watched carefully as Batman stepped out of his hiding place.
I was intently watching for any signs of trouble, but that didn't mean I was alert to my surroundings. A sound that was like a sword being pulled out of his sheath came from behind me, and I turned swiftly around.
I held my hands in front of my chest, ready to defend myself. A shuriken like object came whizzing at me, and I barely dodged it. I sent a blast of air in the direction of the shuriken, and I heard a grunt as the body made contact with the floor.
"Move and I'll freeze you!" I hissed, hold a strand of water in front of me. The person came close to me, so I dropped the water and aimed a punch at what I believed to be their face. A hand grabbed my wrist and twisted my arm behind my back.
"That. Hurts!" I said through clenched teeth and splashed water into the person's body with my free hand. I froze it, and the person used another shuriken to break free.
The person swung at my ankles, making me fall. It stepped into what little light was shining when I struggled to my feet.
First I saw it's raven colored hair, then the domino mask, then the "R" on the uniform.
"R-Robin?" I stuttered.
"How good of you to know my name," He said flatly.
"Oh my god. I attacked the Boy Wonder!" I held my head in my hands, "Bats is gonna kill me!"
"Wait a minute, Bats? Batman sent you here?" Robin asked, crossing his arms and looking a bit pouty.
"Yes. He sent me to watch him confront an enemy to make sure nothing went wrong."
"Why would he send you on my mission?"
"Your mission?!" I poked a finger on his chest, "You may be the Boy Wonder, but this my mission. Bats called me personally to send me here."
"I bet your temper has gotten you in trouble more than once," Robin grinned as he brushed away my finger.
"Cocky, much?" I muttered and turned away from him
"I have the experience," Robin murmured in my ear. I bit down on my lip to prevent the heat rushing to my cheeks.
"You're really annoying," I told him.
"I get that a lot," His grinned widened.
"How old are you?" I asked, not taking my eyes off of Batman, who was punching someone in the gut.
"Thirteen," He turned his attention to Batman also.
"Should we help him?"
"Let's wait a little bit," Robin cautioned.
"So, now you're the expert in everything?" I glared at him.
"And I say again: I have the experience."
"Is there anything you can't do?" I asked, slightly joking.
He smiled widely, "Hmm, nope!"
I rolled my eyes as the Boy Wonder continued his surveillance.
"Gotcha, we'll be right down," Robin pressed his finger to his ear.
"Batman says to meet him down there," Without further explanation, Robin took out a grappling gun and swung down to the courtyard to where Bats was standing alone.
I bit my lip in frustration, "Like mentor, like apprentice."
Moving my hand upwards, the ground in the courtyard shook, then rose into a column of rock. I stepped onto the column, and lowered the rock down to where both Bat and Bird were standing.
"So I see you've been introduced to each other," Batman said as soon as my foot hit solid ground.
"We got off to a rocky start," Robin smiled.
"More like a frozen start," I said, and he laughed.
"But Bats, why did you send Robin here when I was doing fine?" I asked.
"Just in case you did something stupid."
I took a step back, "You don't trust me?"
Silence.
"Of course not. I knew this was a mistake! I should've never let you talk me into this!" I turned on my heel and ran away.
I ran over to where I hid my bike, and rode away furiously. Tears flowed down from my cheeks, yet I didn't know why. I never wanted this in the first place, yet I still did it. Is there a part of me that actually wanted to be a superhero?
I really felt like my sister now, running away when things got tough. Of course, she really went through with it, while I was just running away from my problems. But, eventually they will come back to bite in the butt.
I slammed the door shut and ran up the steps, cursing as I hit my knee on the side table in the hallway. I ran into my room and peeled off my mask. Angrily, I slammed it, along with the pouch and headband, into the drawer where they were previously held. Then I took off my uniform and jabbed into the way back of my closet so I could see it. Out of sight, out of mind.
Putting on my comforting pajamas, a red silk long sleeved shirt with matching pants, I sat on my bed, curling my knees to my chest. I glared at the closet containing the costume and all it meant.
Stupid Batman. Stupid Robin. Stupid large man who made me save Batman. I just wanted to start anew from what happened to me. But of course I have to be the hero and get caught up with Bats and his birdbrain of a protégé.
Don't think about them, Lexi. I told myself. There would be no more superheroing stuff in my house. That was a promise.
June and July passed by really fast. I aced all my final exams and spent the Fourth of July at Rina's, who was a good friend of mine. I spent my summer just doing what I always do: dancing, swimming, going outside, just being a regular kid. It was what I always wanted, and I didn't think about that costume, or Bats, once.
Until Bats called.
"Batman?" I answered questionably into my phone. I was lounging outside on a patio chair, putting processed, squeezable cheese onto Ritz crackers.
"Hello, Lexi."
"What do you want?" I heard an edge creep into my voice.
"To apologize," He caught me so off guard that I choked on my cracker.
"W-What?" I sputtered, wiping the cheese off my mouth.
"I'm sorry, Lexi, for making you do something you didn't want to do. I pushed you, when you clearly were uncomfortable. And sorry for sending Robin to watch you. I was being paranoid." A sigh on his end.
"That's something I'd never expect from you."
"Don't get used to it," He retorted. Then a pause, a cough.
I raised an eyebrow, even if he couldn't see it, "What's the catch?"
"You see, Lexi. Robin and other sidekicks have formed a group called Young Justice, a team to operate on the sly of the Justice League. I really believe that you would be a great addition to this team."
I found myself slowly shaking my head, "I don't know Bats. It's just too early to push the responsibilities. School starts in a month."
A long pause then followed. Why does he pause so many times? Isn't Batman known for his bluntness?
"I'm asking you to really consider this offer, Lexi."
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm sorry Bats. I really am," I told him.
"Of course you are," He said, curt. Then he hung up.
I stared at my phone for a while, then slowly pressed the 'End' button. I leaned back into my chair and closed my eyes.
I wasn't really thinking about Batman's offer. I decided not to let it bother me. But it was.
I opened my eyes, and dialed a number on my phone.
"Hello?"
"Bats? I'm in."
"Today is August 18th, right?" I asked Bats as we stood in front of a phone booth. We were in a random alley somewhere in Gotham City, both dressed in our uniforms. Well, I've never seen Batman as a regular citizen, but he has to have an alias, right?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?" Batman opened the door.
"Just wondering," I said, entering and crossing my arms.
"RECOGNIZED: BATMAN 02. RECOGNIZED: GUEST" A electronic voice, like the one at Helga's, said. There was a flash of blue light, and suddenly I was standing in a hangar type room with a wide floor and a holographic computer. Behind me were things that looked like roller coaster entrances.
"Zeta-tubes," Batman told me.
There were six teens standing in front of the computer, but as soon as they heard the voice, they all turned.
Four were boys, and two were girls. One girl had blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail and was wearing green; the other had reddish-brown hair and a cape. This girl was green and was floating.
"A green floating girl? Now I've seen everything," I said under my breath.
"She's a Martian," Batman hissed, equally low.
Pity there was only two girls. But this place did seem very clean even though four males inhabited it.
The first boy was very tall and muscular. He had short black hair and very light blue eyes, which I felt could look into my soul. He had a black shirt with a red 'S' on the front. The next guy was dark skinned, and had platinum hair with eyes to match. He had tattoos on his arms and fins on his ankles.
"Atlantean," Bats said before I could say anything.
The third boy was dressed in a yellow top and red pants. A mask went over his face, but showed his green eyes and red hair.
The last one had black hair and a domino mask with…. Wait, that was Robin!
"YOU?" He and I said at the same time, pointing at each other. He stalked up to Batman and I.
"What is he doing here?" I asked, while Robin cried, "What is she doing here?"
"You both are going to be working together," Batman sternly said, glaring at both of us.
"This is going to be fun," I rolled my eyes with sarcasm as Robin threw up his hands.
"I'll let you get acquainted to your new teammates," Batman said, walked into the zeta-tubes and disappearing.
"Hi!" I turned and saw the Martian flying toward me. She landed and clapped her hands together, "It's so great to have another girl on the team! We'll be just like sisters!"
"Not counting he thirteen you already have. Including me," said the blonde girl, smiling slightly. She stuck out her hand, "I'm Artemis."
I shook it, and the Martian slapped her forehead, "Hello, Megan! My name's M'gann M'orzz. Or Megan Morse when we're out of the Cave. Or Miss Martian when we're on missions," She turned and waved to the boys, "Come on guys, meet our new teammate!"
All of a sudden there was a blur, and the redhead was next to me, "Hello, beautiful. I'm Wally. See, I already trust you with my secret identity," He grinned and threw his arm around me.
I shrugged it off, feeling slightly uncomfortable, "You're a bit sociable," I examined his outfit, "Kid Flash, right? Seen you on the news."
Wally threw his hands towards the sky in a hallelujah pose.
"People get his name wrong all the time. Isn't that right, Flash Jr.?" Artemis teased. He just glared at her.
"It's very nice to meet you," said the Atlantean, "My name is Kaldur'ahm, but all my friends call me Kaldur. I am also Aqualad, protégé to my mentor and king, Aquaman."
"Yeah, yeah. I guess I should say that my name's Superboy and also Conner Kent and also welcome," the muscular one said.
"I can't believe you, of all people, are my teammate," Robin chocked out.
"You've met before?" M'gann asked.
"He sabotaged my mission."
Robin flashed back, "I was helping your mission!"
Before I could make a reply, Wally stepped between us.
"Why don't we stop talking to Mr. No-One-Knows-My-Secret-Identity, and focus more on you."
"Yes! Please show us what you can do!" M'gann excitedly jumped up and down.
"Uhm, don't we need your name?" Artemis asked.
"Hello, Megan! I forgot to ask!"
All five of them were crowding me, asking me my name, my powers, what was my favorite type of cookie-
Wait, what?!
"Uhm. My name is Lexi. I control all four basic elements, which is why my alias is Element, and uh, chocolate chip."
"Please, demonstrate your powers!" M'gann stepped back a little. I decided she was the most talkative one, but her cheeriness was…pleasant, in a way.
I felt nervous showing off my powers in front of these experienced heroes, but it's not any different from a dance competition, right?
I focused all my energy on the one spot in the middle of everybody. Slowly the ground shook, and rose into a large rock. I set it gently on the ground. I moved my hand in a large circle above my head, collecting the water particles into one long stream of water. A sharp jerk downward, and the water slashed the rock into three pieces.
"Maybe you could get better with training. And lots of it," Robin scoffed and turned, clearly done with me.
I opened my hand in his direction, and a gust of wind messed up his hair. Robin turned with an irritated expression crossing his features.
I grinned, "Maybe I need to work on my aim a little?"
"Oh you'll fit in just fine," Artemis said.
"Come on, let's give you a tour!" M'gann started floating in the direction of a hallway. The others followed her lead.
"Lexi," I was stopped by Kaldur; he had a warm smile on his face, "welcome to the team."