Thank you all so much for your kind reviews, favorites, and follows! I'm glad you're all liking the story so far. :)

I do not own Young Justice.

Veni Mecum

Chapter Two:

"Vires acquirit eundo"

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"It gains strength as it goes."

"You're out in the field now?"

Elliot withheld the wince at the surprisingly incredulous, and dare she say displeased tone of Roy Harper—in his uniform at the moment—Speedy, as dark, smoldering eyes narrowed flatly at her from beneath his mask. Despite Robin beside her and Kid Flash at her shoulder, and even Aqualad beside them, she was suddenly tempted to take a step back as Roy bore down on her, muscular and firm, his presence taking up the small area around them as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"You sound excited," Elliot said finally, gently pushing the hand of one of the goons they'd just beaten to the side with her foot.

"I'm no—" Roy paused, his lips quirked downwards and he turned to the other three males beside her. "You think she's ready?"

"I don't see why not!" Kid grinned brightly, resting an arm on her shoulder as he grinned. Roy's gazed followed the action, staring for a moment before he glanced back up. "You should've seen how we took down Cadmus—"

"Mecha has proven herself, not just to us, but to Batman as well," Aqualad explained finally, his calm voice forcing Roy to look at him levelly. "She would not be here with us tonight if he had second doubts."

"Though I can speak for myself," Elliot flashed them a smile. "Thanks. But look, I can handle myself you know, I'm not hopeless."

The doubt was clear on Roy's face as he stared back flatly. Elliot continued to smile as he stared, and she slyly glanced to the three goons she'd managed to secure with her steel wires.

His brows furrowed, gaze hardening. "That's coming from the girl who almost assisted a robbery unintentionally."

Aqualad look startled, Robin snickered and Kid patted her back comfortingly, but was unable to withhold his grin. Elliot's golden eyes turned flat. "That was one time—he just asked me to watch the door and—aside from little slip ups, I'm strong!"

Though her words seemed less effective as she stood before Roy, his towering figure looming over her. And despite the mask shielding his face, she could image his eyes, a deep, dark blue, glaring back at her.

"You're strong."

"I'm pretty strong." Elliot repeated, nodding her head as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Within seconds Roy's leg shot out, Elliot's eyes widening as he swiped her legs out from under her. Her body began to fall back, but her arms instantly shot out, palms down as she propelled herself backwards. But Roy followed after her, swinging his fist around and she ducked, bring her leg around to deliver a roundhouse kick.

"Shouldn't we stop—" Kid began, stepping forward in disbelief, but Robin shook his head, grinning slightly.

"I don't think Speedy can really approve of her fighting crime just yet," Robin explained, watching as his friend ducked and dodged Roy's relentless assault. "So just give them a second."

Roy swung an arm out and she ducked to the left, feinting right before she pushed off from one of the beams above the harbor, forcing herself forward. Roy's arms went up to block but she arched her back midair, knocking into his side just hard enough to topple him over. His legs staggered back and she pushed down, his back colliding with the floor. Roy moved to stand but she was on him, pinning him down and straddling his midsection as she panted, golden eyes looking victorious.

"See?" She inhaled, smiling brightly down at him. "Strong."

But years of training should have really taught her better as Roy narrowed his eyes, bucking his hips upwards and catching her by surprise as he surged forward, her weight not enough to pin him down as he flipped them over. Kid frowned, ready to step in, but Robin shook his head once more.

Elliot's back hit the floor and she groaned, ready to dodge, but a heavy weight landed on her and a rush of air left her as Roy straddled her hips, pinning her hands down on either side of her head. Elliot blinked, Roy staring down at her flatly. "See? Not ready."

Her lips turned upwards, golden eyes glittering, and Roy paused until a gentle hum filled the air. His gaze turned upwards and small cubes seemed to hover in the air, held in place by a magnetic force until Elliot snapped her fingers, and the cubes flattened into spinning disks, thin and ready to cut. Roy was silent, eyes narrowing as he scowled, and she smiled brightly up at him. "I'd say otherwise."

"She's been on missions with us before," Robin started finally, and Roy sat up, finally getting off Elliot—to her relief—and offering her a hand. Any other day, she would have taken it, but tonight she rose up on her own, brushing herself off before deactivating the cubes, watching them fall harmlessly onto the floor until she pressed a button and they came together, forming one larger cube that she picked up. "She's not inexperienced, and it's not like she's going to be running off on her own. We'll be with her."

"And technically, she doesn't exactly need your approval," Kid added, whistling innocently when Roy sent him a searing glare.

"None of that matters if she won't take a fight seriously," Roy said finally, and Elliot blinked, surprised—ah, who was she kidding, it was pretty obvious she didn't have her heart into it—that he'd noticed.

"I was surprised," Elliot offered. "Didn't think you'd tackle me head on, and plus, you're my friend."

"Nonetheless, you should always be ready. What if I were being controlled? You expect to stand a chance—"

"But you weren't controlled." Elliot smiled, brightly despite Roy's narrowed eyes. "And I trust you."

The next argument left his lips, his mouth closing and settling into a scowl as he crossed his arms over his chest, settling for glaring at her, as if he could will her to submit simply by staring. Hah. She simply grinned back unabashedly at him, unfazed. She was raised by Batman after all, the king of intimidating looks, and good as he was at it, she wouldn't back down that easy.

"But you know that we didn't come here to ask whether or not you approved," Aqualad stepped forward. "We came to offer you a place on our team."

"And if you're so worried about my safety," Elliot added cheekily, but her gaze was soft as she smiled. "You should come with us."

She'd known Roy for several years now. Though she was closest to Robin in both time and relations, she'd bet both Roy and Wally later on in her time with them. Though initially she and Roy hadn't seen eye to eye—not that that changed much even now—she'd trust him with her life. He was her friend, and if this was something for all of them, she'd rather have him on this team as well.

"You in?" Robin grinned, but Roy's face seemed to flicker until it hardened.

"Pass. I'm done with Arrow and the League telling me what to do. I don't need a babysitter or a club hangout with the other kids. Your junior justice league is a joke, something to keep you busy and in your place." Roy turned his back on them, prepared to leave until he paused.

He bent down and shuffled through the suit pocket of an unconscious goon, and coming forward with a piece of paper and a pen. He scribbled something onto the surface before he marched forward, Elliot taking a step back in surprise when he shoved the paper into her hands and narrowed his eyes. "My new number. Memorize it. If you're ever in way over your head, you call. No questions. Got it?"

"When would I ever—"

"Got it?"

"Aye, sir." Elliot blinked at the ink numbers and looked back up at him as he turned, her brows furrowing. "But wouldn't it be easier if you...were there too?"

"I'll pass." With that Roy turned and moved to the shadows between two cargo decks, not sparing them a final glance. "That team is a joke."

With that he was gone, leaving nothing behind but a number and distraught faces.

And Elliot couldn't help but feel slightly touched that he'd decided to give them his new number to keep them updated.

So maybe a little further down, he still cared, and would have their backs.

When Batman had told her she would finally be apart of this team, finally be out in the field, Elliot had been beyond ecstatic, hell, she'd been majorly whelmed. The idea of finally being able to fight alongside her closest friends and do something had made her heart swell and adrenaline course through her veins.

But of course... Her fingers paused, mid-screw in creating some new invention—and if it worked out right, would be able to fire off small flathead arrows in seconds—as she rested her cheek on her palm and blinked, staring idly off into the bulletin board now messily decorated with blue prints and structural drawings. A small photo of her and Dick from Christmas a few years ago was pinned in the corner, adding a little homey feel to the whole thing. The photos she'd taken over the years were all pinned to a separate wall, ranging from scenery to Wally stuffing his face, and all the way down to their latest one. There's always a catch.

And that meant that Batman's prime ideal for her participation in this team was to act as their engineer, mechanic, whatever you would like to call it. Though he informed her she would be deployed on missions from time to time, the duties and responsibilities of upgrading weapons and inventing new ones for the team, and the cave, would fall onto her shoulders. And yeah, she loved this kind of stuff—she was a true child born from the forge, where others saw scraps she saw inventions—but it didn't mean she hadn't kinda gotten her hopes up that there'd be more to this gig.

Her new workshop in the cave was great though, she couldn't complain about that. Equipped with tools of all kinds and her own blacksmith's forge, she could build and create as she pleased. And it connected to a fair sized room to the right; serving as a bedroom should she choose to stay the night instead of returning to Wayne Manor.

I guess I just have to be patient. She blew her lips and idly prodded a strange dragon-like metal creation with her wrench before she shoved up her goggles, mussing her already tousled locks as she laid her chin against the desk. But would it kill him to think I can do a little more than loosen a few bolts? Elliot Winterstorm can do more than build some awesome machines too, you know.

She felt the vents switch on—was someone cooking?—and a breeze fluttered through the room, rustling papers and drawing her attention towards the scrap of paper she'd recently pinned to her board, a number scrawled out in ink. Golden eyes flickered and she spun around in her swivel chair and pushed herself across the room, sliding a panel open and gazing at the costume that lay beneath.

Robin had a say in the design, and grudgingly Kid managed to get a few words in too when she'd been making it. Long dark gray combat boots that reached below her knees, tight black shorts, loops wide to fit her tool belts that would criss cross over her hips (Robin had customized it to make it look a little similar to his despite her protests). A dark gray shirt with a white 'M' in the middle (Kid said it always added a little flair) was the top, followed by a black cape that went over her shoulders (Rob again), and her black mask.

And sadly, the poor thing had only seen the light of day, or the moon, thrice in the days passing so far after the Cadmus incident.

"But Bats knows what he's doing," Elliot reminded herself with a sigh, leaning back and looking up at the ceiling thoughtfully. "So I guess I've just got to wait..."

A heavy knock sounded on the door and she perked up, turning and wincing when a second knock came, denting the door slightly beneath it. She heard a muttered curse behind the door and smiled. "It's open!"

The door popped open and Superboy stepped in, scowl in place as he glared at the door before turning to her. "Aqualad wanted to know where you were."

"Well, I'm here," Elliot gestured to herself before grinning up at him. "What can I do for you?"

Superboy blinked, his head craning around to take in the sight of the workshop around him—tools littered across the floor, papers already starting to fall from where she'd just set them, and odd gadgets and metal to glass contraptions all around. "Did you... make all of these?"

Elliot blinked, glancing around before rubbing the back of her neck with a small laugh. "For the most part, some aren't finished though."

"That's...cool." Superboy said finally, looking for the right words as Elliot beamed at the compliment, knowing getting words out of this guy was a victory itself.

"Thanks—hey, try this for me, would you?" Elliot tossed him a pair of seemingly thin gloves and Superboy caught it with ease, blinking. "Go ahead, try them on."

Slowly, he slipped the gloves on and blinked when they suddenly hardened, a metal sheen falling over as they grew slightly in size and density, becoming iron fists. Elliot hummed, tapping the desk before she turned around. "It fits around your hands... so it should convert just fine..."

"You made these?" Superboy flexed his fingers, looking slightly amazed as he threw a punch into the air. A sudden wave of wind followed the action, slamming into the wall and toppling over various tools this way and that. The two teens blinked, Superboy turning to Elliot as she paused.

"...wind turbines are working fine too it seems."

Superboy slipped off the gloves and set them down onto a table as Elliot spun in her chair and went back to work at her desk. The Kyrptonian made his way to stand a little ways beside her as he surveyed the workshop, looking faintly interested in this whole thing as she worked. His eyes turned upwards and Superboy paused, catching the several photos of her and Robin pinned along her wall. "Are you two... together... or something?"

Elliot's wrench pulled a screw too tight and she blinked, looking up at Superboy in surprise until he followed his gaze. "Oh—oh," she shook her head, laughing slightly. "No, nothing like that. Robs my... Well, he's my closest friend; we're almost like siblings I guess, just without the blood... Or the title. I grew up with him and Batman."

"You grew up with Batman?" Superboy turned to look at her sharply. "Are you—"

"No, but practically family." Elliot paused, looking thoughtful before she continued. "I guess I just never let him sign the papers, and he never pushed it. When I was little they took me in and brought me up."

"What happened to your parents?" Superboy leaned against her worktable, looking at her curiously as Elliot smiled, not surprised that he didn't seem to beat around the bush with his curiosity.

"It's kind of complicated... But in short, my dad was a drunk, my mom got into drugs, and things weren't that pretty. But I met Robin on the side while I was playing at the park and got to know him, and one night they found me out on the streets when I was in trouble and decided I was a lost cause worth saving." A warm smile turned her lips upwards, golden eyes warm like honey. "I owe them my life."

"...He sounds like a great guy." Superboy turned his head, and Elliot glanced to him, staring at his furrowed brows for a moment before she smiled broadly.

"He is, isn't he? Way cooler than Superman."

"What?" Superboy turned, incredulous as Elliot nodded.

"Batman is way cooler than Superman."

"No he isn't."

"Yeah, he is."

"Superman can fly, he's got super strength, heat vision—how is Batman any better than him?" Superboy leaned forward, eyes narrowed and Elliot simply smiled, golden eyes glittering.

"Batman beats some of the biggest baddies out there without super powers."

"Superman could beat him easy." Superboy declared, slamming his fist into her desk, and she blinked at the small crater he'd created. "Sorry."

"I'd bet money on Batman's win."

"Then you'd lose."

"I'd be rich."

"Superman is one of the strongest heroes out there!"

"Batman is too, but he does all of his work from the shadows. I think that sounds cooler."

"All he does is flap around and toss things!"

"Superman flies around and lifts things up. And he does not flap, okay? He glides."

"How is he—"

"Hey guys—oh." The two teens turned to where Miss Martian stood, looking surprised before she blushed, offering a quick wave before she continued. "I hope I'm not disturbing anything, but Aqualad's tracked Red Tornado and I think he's on his way."

"Cool," Elliot offered her a small smile in return and stood, stretching her arms over her head with a satisfying groan until she paused, and turning to Superboy she added. "And while Batman is way cooler than Superman, when it comes down to heroes, I think Green Lantern's pretty cool."

She flashed him a wink at his dumbfounded expression and slipped out of her workshop, smiling at Miss Martian before she continued on her way, whistling all the while. Miss Martian turned to Superboy. "What was that about?"

"...don't worry about it."

One of the openings to the cave shifted downwards, the hanger opening up to reveal grass and thick trees as a spinning torrent of red came towards them. Elliot slipped her hands into her pockets as the wind tugged at her ponytail, Red Tornado coming to a halt before them. "Greetings. Is there a reason why you have contacted me outside the cave?"

"We hoped you had a mission for us," Aqualad said calmly, and the android was silent before he answered.

"Mission assignments are the Batman's responsibility."

"But it's been over a week and nothing is—" Robin started, but Red Tornado raised a hand to cut him off.

"You will be tested soon enough, for the time being, simply enjoy each other's company."

"This team is not a social club," Aqualad stated firmly. And Elliot wondered if he was thinking to what Speedy had said to them before.

"No. But I am told social interaction is an important team building exorcise." He began to walk forward, not sparing them another glance. "Perhaps you can keep busy by familiarizing yourself with the cave."

Elliot frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. "Already did that..." Kid and Robin flashed her incredulous looks and she blinked. "What? As your mechanic I've got to know the blueprints of our base front to back."

"Familiarize ourselves, what does he think this is?" Kid muttered, looking annoyed, and even Robin seemed slightly put off by the orders.

"Does he think this is a joke?"

"Oh, I'll find out." Miss Martian began, turning around and gazing hard at Red Tornado. The android continued on his path, entering the cave and she blinked, sighing. "I'm sorry; I forgot he's a machine. Inorganic...I cannot read his mind."

"Nice try though," Kid offered, and a smirk tugged at his lips as he shifted closer. "So, you know what I'm thinking right now?"

"We all know what you're thinking now," Robin elbowed Kid, and the speedster flinched, flashing him an annoyed look.

Aqualad glanced downwards before looking up, his face slightly hard. "And now we tour the clubhouse."

"Well, Superboy and I live here, we can play tour guides." Miss Martian offered, and when the group turned Superboy blinked.

"Don't look at me."

"We won't." Kid leaned forward, smiling suavely towards the young Martian. "A private tour sounds fun."

"She never said private." Robin corrected.

"And if you'd like, I'd love the help, Mecha." Elliot blinked, looking to the young Martian in surprise as she offered her a bright smile. "Especially since you know your way around so well."

"Hah, fat chance," Kid slung a heavy arm around her shoulder and Elliot frowned. "Our mechanic tends to get herself lost before she even knows it."

"I do not—"

"You should see her at home," Robin added, shaking his head as he grinned, eyes glittering beneath his shades. "She gets lost on her way to the bathroom."

"Okay, you know how big Br—our place is." Elliot defended, but the two simply continued to grin as she huffed, Miss Martian giggling softly at the scene.

"Team bonding, we'll all go." Aqualad said finally, and the group turned to follow after Miss Martian. "But Mecha will stay center so she does not get lost."

"What the—oh, come on."

"And that would be the back," Miss Martian gestured to the cliff top view from the edge of the mountain. Elliot's eyes shone as the sea stretched on endlessly to their eyes, bits of trees and brush dotting the mountain side as it rose upwards. "The entire cave is the mountain."

The view really was beautiful. The salty sea breeze wafted up to meet them and Elliot beamed, slipping her hands into her tool belt before she pulled out her camera, snapping a photo of the shimmering waves and cliff sides before she tucked it away as they retreated back inside.

"The whole thing was hollowed out by Superman and Green Lantern in the earlier days of the League," Kid added expertly, and Superboy frowned.

"Then why abandon it for the Hall of Justice?"

"The cave's secret location was... compromised." Aqualad explained.

"So they traded it in for a tourist trap? Yeah, that makes sense." Superboy turned aside and Elliot simply smiled.

"If villains no the cave, then we must be on constant alert." Miss Martian realized, looking alarmed until robin grabbed her hand, offering her a reassuring smile. His Dick Grayson smile. Elliot added to herself.

"The bad guys know we know about the place, so they'd never think to look here."

Kid put his hand over Robin's and turned to Miss Martian with a bright smile. "Uh, he means we're hiding in plain sight."

"Ah, that makes... more sense."

"Whose brilliant idea was that? Probably Batman." Elliot smirked, and Superboy narrowed his eyes.

"Superman carved out this cave, didn't he?"

"And Green Lantern."

Superboy's brows suddenly furrowed and he sniffed, turning his head around. "I smell smoke."

Miss Martian's eyes went wide and she lifted herself from the floor and into the air, shooting down the hall. "My cookies!"

Sure enough, the smell of smoke and sickeningly sweet smell wafted up from the kitchen as the group filed in, and Elliot winced at the burnt hockey pucks Miss Martian pulled out. A frown touched her lips as she sighed, crestfallen. "I was trying out Grammy Jones' recipe from episode—ahah, never mind!"

"I'd bet they would've tasted great," Robin assured, and a loud crunch filled the room as eyes turned. "He doesn't seem to mind."

Kid blinked around a mouthful of burnt cookie, another in his hand. "I have...a serious metabolism."

"I'll make more?" Miss Martian offered.

"It was sweet of you to make any." Aqualad assured, and she smiled at that.

"Thanks, Aqualad."

"We're off duty, call me Kaldur'ahm." A small smile and he added. "But my friends call me Kaldur."

"I'm Wally," Wally leaned forward, resting his head on his hands as he smiled up at Miss Martian. "See? I already trust you with my secret I.D, unlike Mr. Dark Glasses over here and Mecha." Elliot frowned and Robin narrowed his eyes, resting his hands on his hips. "Batman's forbidden Boy Wonder and Mech from telling anyone their real names."

It's not like I mind. Robin glanced at her when he noticed her tempted look and she deflated. "One of the rules for letting me in, Bat's orders."

"Mine is no secret—it's M'gann M'orzz, but you can call me Megan. It's an earth name, and I'm on earth now so..." She shrugged, and turning to Elliot she added. "And I think it's kind of cute—like a nickname!" Miss Martian offered, looking eager as Elliot blinked in surprise. "It'll be like we're sisters! Mecha and Megan—M and M."

"Maybe you can shed some of the golden light of feminism onto our friend here," Wally grasped Elliot's shoulders, resting his cheek on her head as he sighed ruefully. "She seems to be missing the gene."

"Hop off, West—"

"Oh, I'd beg to differ," Robin smirked, tapping the cookie tray. "Maybe she's missing a more feminine outlook, but she does have this whole domestic thing down back home."

"Robs," Elliot turned, looking pleadingly toward her friend, golden eyes shining. "You're supposed to have my back."

"We should make cookies together sometime!" M'gann's eyes shone and she rushed forward, clasping Elliot's hands in hers as the dark haired girl blinked, startled for a moment. "We can bake all kinds of things—oh, and shopping! We can go down to the beach and we—"

"Can do our hair, our makeup, our nails," Wally grinned impishly at Elliot's pale face, the young girl grimacing as she tried to find a way to start digging herself out of this hole. "Everything Mecha just loves..."

"You know what else we should do?" Wally blinked as Elliot smiled brilliantly towards M'gann. "Have sleepovers—just like the movies."

The red head's emerald eyes went wide at the idea, images of the two before him tossing pillows and giggling flashing through like a wonderful daydream until Elliot added. "But you know, only all girl sleepovers."

Wally deflated, looking stricken as M'gann giggled. Golden eyes flickered to the end of the room where Superboy suddenly stood, moving to exit until he paused, turning around roughly with wide eyes. His eyes narrowed and Elliot's brows furrowed as he clutched his head. "Get out of my head!"

M'gann's eyes widened and all eyes turned to her as she glanced around. "What's wrong? I don't understand."

Elliot winced, reaching up and touching her head as the sudden feeling of being split open filled her, leaving her feeling naked and vulnerable as M'gann's voice came through crystal clear. "Everyone on Mars communicates telepathically—"

"M'gann stop." The sudden intrusion shot back as quickly as it came and Elliot shook her head, shuddering at the feel. Kaldur looked at her sternly. "Here on earth, it's an extreme invasion of privacy."

"Besides, Cadmus' creepy little physic genomes left a bad taste in his brain," Wally explained, nodding to Superboy.

M'gann's eyes went wide and she turned. "I didn't mean too—"

"Just stay out." Superboy growled, stalking off to sit a little ways away.

Elliot eyed his hunched figure for a moment before turning to M'gann with a small smile. "We know you don't mean any harm, but it's just... it takes time to get used too."

M'gann's amber eyes softened before they brightened and she tapped the side of her head. "Hello, Megan! I know what we can do!"

The Martian suddenly flew off, leaving the group behind her to stare after for a moment before shrugging, following where she went. Elliot glanced to Superboy's hardened face and she paused, opening her mouth when M'gann appeared, taking a step towards the teen.

Elliot stared for a moment longer before smiling, turning on her heel and following after the rest of her team.

"It's my Martian bioship." M'gann declared proudly, and Elliot perked up at the word 'ship' as M'gann lead them forward.

The small red and black pod floated a few feet above the ground, compact and smooth. Wally blinked before offering a small smile. "It's...cute. Not aerodynamic, but cute."

"It's at rest, silly." M'gann smiled, waving her hand. "I'll wake it."

The oval spherical shape quickly extended, morphing into a larger ship, narrow and slender as it grew to its full size. M'gann moved her hand and the ship spun around, Elliot's eyes shining in excitement as a door opened up. "Well? Are you coming?"

Despite the moment of hesitance Elliot quickly rushed forward, slipping inside as the rest shrugged before following. The dim lighting of the ship gave it an ethereal sort of glow, and Elliot whistled appreciatively, running her fingers along the walls until she paused, frowning as the others filed in. "It's...not metal?"

"Nope, completely organic." M'gann smiled proudly and she turned to the team. "Strap in for launch."

A deflated look came onto Elliot's face and Robin chuckled, ushering her to a seat as they rose forth from the ground of the ship. Warily she took a seat, instantly flinching when seat belts slid from the back and over her chest, locking her into place. "Cool... A little weird, but still cool."

"Red Tornado, please open the bay doors." M'gann took her spot at the head of the ship; two glowing orbs stretching forward as she gently moved her hands into the light. The hanger doors slid open and the ship rose upwards, until it surged forward.

Elliot quickly clutched her seat, paling as she flattened herself back. Though rolling hills and tree tops flashed by, incredible scenery at work, she refused to budge. M'gann glanced over and frowned. "Mecha, are you alright?"

"Fine. Peachy, I promise."

"Don't tell me you're afraid of heights." Superboy scoffed, and the dark haired girl narrowed her eyes.

"No, I'm not afraid of heights. It's just that the idea of flying in something without and screws or bolts makes me a little nervous." Elliot swallowed and M'gann smiled warmly.

"You have nothing to fear, the ship is one hundred percent stable, and completely organic."

"That's great and all, but the material I work with is usually inorganic, so..."

"This is incredible," Robin praised, and Wally sighed, glancing over.

"She sure is."

M'gann glanced to the speedster and he blinked, looking flustered. "I mean the ship—the ship! Which is also normally called a 'she', like...most ships..."

"Fast on his feet, not so much with his mouth." Robin smirked, and Wally narrowed his eyes.

"Dude!"

Elliot's gaze shifted to where Kaldur leaned over to speak with Superboy. She followed M'gann's eyes and turned in her seat. "Don't let it bug you too much."

"He'll come around." Robin encouraged, but M'gann frowned, looking down.

"He doesn't seem to like me very much."

"You guys do know he was super hearing, right?" Wally inquired, and Elliot rolled her eyes.

"I didn't know Superman sulked."

Superboy's shoulders squared and he half turned in his seat, shooting her a glare so deadly, if he really did have heat vision, she imagined she wouldn't be here right now. "I didn't think Bats would be afraid of heights."

"Highly arguable," Robin commented offhandedly, smirking as Elliot groaned.

"Cut me some slack—I'm not afraid of heights! Just this ship's layout!"

"Hey," Robin grinned suddenly, turning toward M'gann. "How about you show us a little of that Martian shape shifting?"

M'gann's eyes lit up at that and she stood, Elliot watching curiously as the bottom of her shoes turned black, and suddenly she had the carbon copy of robin smirking back at her, well, sans a little well-needed testosterone. She spun around and mimicked Kid Flash, offering them a more feminine version of the speedster.

"Is it wrong that I think I'm hot?" Wally swooned, and M'gann smiled turning once more.

Elliot blinked, startled by the same pair of golden eyes gazing back at her as M'gann beamed, an exact copy of herself, complete with her tousled locks and oil smear on her cheek—she had a stain on her face the whole time? Elliot quickly rubbed at her cheek and Wally blinked, his lips turning upwards as his eyes grew slightly dreamy. "Two Mechas sounds like a great deal to me too."

"Very nice," Robin clapped his hands together, but offered her a small smile. "But you know you aren't fooling anyone with those, right?"

"Mimicking boys is a lot harder."

"And... your clothes," Kaldur started.

M'gann beamed, pulling at the collar. "They're organic, like the ship. They respond to my mental commands."

"As long as they're the only ones," Superboy muttered, and a tight silence followed the words until Wally perked up.

"Can you do that cool shifting through walls thing that Manhunter does?"

"Density shifting?" M'gann looked surprised before she smiled apologetically, brows furrowing. "No... It's a very advanced technique."

"Flash can vibrate his molecules through solid objects," Wally's eyes widened as Robin continued. "When he tries it, bloody nose."

"Dude!"

"Guess some people have it, and some people don't." Elliot mused, and Wally flashed his friend a pout as M'gann smiled.

"Here's something I can do," the entire ship seemed to flicker, and when Elliot glanced outwards, the same visual was offered, rolling hills, blue skies. "Camouflage mode." The dark haired girl took a second glance and blinked in surprise when she realized the entire ship seemed to be invisible, the edges and side wings gone from sight.

"Red Tornado to Miss Martian, an emergency alert has been triggered at the Happy Harbor power plant. I suggest you investigate, covertly. I'm sending coordinates." The com suddenly went off and Elliot looked up in faint surprise.

"Received," M'gann shifted her hands. "Adjusting course."

"Tornado's keeping us busy again," Robin deducted, brows furrowing, and Elliot turned in her seat.

"Maybe he just has something for us to do," she shrugged, drumming her fingers along the seat until she sighed. "I'm sure he's trying too..."

"Well, a simple fire led you to Superboy. We should find out what caused the alert." M'gann offered hopefully, but the ship shifted and Elliot turned as Superboy narrowed his eyes.

"I think I know the cause."

Golden eyes flashed and Elliot shifted in alarm, her eyes growing wide at the sudden sight of a tornado barreling straight towards them. The wind tunnel picked up speed, picking up cars and ripping forth a lamppost with deadly power, and the ship shifted as M'gann turned, attempting to steady the bioship as it entered the current.

A hard turn nearly threw Elliot over the side had it not been for the belts, and a rough jostling began to shake the ship. M'gann narrowed her eyes and she shifted her hands, the entire ship shooting forward and breaking forth from the tunnel to hover above the parking lot. The belts around her dispersed and Elliot was up, pulling her goggles up and over her eyes as the hatch below them open and they leapt downwards.

She felt Robin shift beside her and she brought out her board, her boots glowing blue at the soles as she mounted the skateboard. Another tornado began to wreak havoc only several feet away, brushing against the power plant and threatening to destroy the entire structure. Elliot hesitated for a moment, torn between working the way she did with Robin and Batman and how she should act with the team.

Would they follow after?

"Robin, are tornadoes common in New England?" Aqualad questioned incredulously, and when there was no reply they turned to the empty spot. "Robin?"

"Mecha, hold up!" Wally took off, zipping after the dark haired girl as she pushed off on her board, making her way down to the building where she knew Robin would already be.

Glass shattered as windows busted open from the force of the wind. Elliot narrowed her eyes and tossed a sticky white slab of metal towards the door, the entire thing snapping before it crumpled and she rode on through, eyes darting this way and that for raven locks when she spotted Robin struggling to stand as a larger red figure approached him.

She instantly assessed a metal body and reasoned he was an android of some sort as he tensed, ready to attack if this went awry. Robin ducked out of the way as he sent another twister towards them, and before she could shift into position, Superboy busted through and leapt to crouch beside them. "Who's your new friend?"

"Didn't catch his name, but he plays kind of rough!" Robin announced, and Elliot pushed off, slamming her foot down and turning her board as she paused beside him.

High pressured waves of air rolled off the hardened gloves, tubes curling out and transferring back into his shoulders as a ripped green scarf fluttered, a low gust surrounding the unnamed villain. "My apologies, you may address me as Mr. Twister."

His hands rose and a blue light ran down the metal until the open holes at the end ejected the high pressured air. Elliot's eyes narrowed and she ran her eyes along the suit, trying to identify any chinks or signs of what it was made of as Superboy attempted to tackle Twister head on. Another blast and a tornado formed with the action, picking up Superboy and tossing him aside.

She quickly helped Robin up as the team regrouped, and there was the briefest pause, a unified thought, and then they charged.

Elliot hit her board and speeded to the side as Wally went head on, her eyes widened when a blast hit him straight on, tossing him through the wall and outside with terrifying ease. Her hands slipped into her belt and she scattered metal plates along the floor, tipping her board and spinning around just as Aqualad and M'gann were knocked away. "I was expecting a superhero, not children."

"We're not children," Robin snapped, flinging his arms out. A bomb destroyed the initial tornado, the batarang slamming into the suit. But Twister glanced down and flicked it aside as it exploded.

"Technically you are. Have you no adult supervision? I find your presence here...quite disturbing."

"Well, we hate to see you disturbed, let's see if you're more turbed once we kick your can!"

"'Cause we're about to kick your ass." Elliot smirked, flipping a switch, and the metal plates along the floor began to rise upwards, flattening out and forming steel walls around Twister.

He raised his hands but the wind buffeted, returning back as the walls slowly began to weave in closer together until it shut, forming a cube shape. M'gann lifted the metallic cube into the air, letting it spin for a moment before she slammed it hard against the ceiling. Cracks appeared against the wall and the pipe valve at the top snapped, hot steam shooting down and enveloping the cube.

There seemed to be a pause before Elliot heard a distinct snap, her heart picked up at the familiar sound of metal crumbling and she shuffled through her belt, trying to find something to work with when the cube finally split apart, pieces of metal flying this way and that as Twister rose upwards, powering himself from the force of the wind pushing from his gloves. "You think something like that can contain me?"

But Superboy surged forward, raising his fist to slam hard into the red armor, but a hand raised and he was knocked aside. M'gann lunged, Elliot tailing as she slipped a steel cable and arrow out, sliding it into a small grappling gun and firing it off.

The arrow impaled through the metal, and Elliot as M'gann shot forward. She pressed down and an electric current ran through the cable, following along until it reached its destination. There was an angered cry and M'gann picked up one of the metal walls and slammed it against Twister.

Robin and Kaldur ran past them, surging forward, but Twister raised his gloves and caught them in a vortex, tossing them around until they slammed into each other.

"Robin!" Elliot hopped onto her board, only to be knocked aside as a torrent slammed into her, flattening her against the wall. A second shot went out and slammed M'gann as well, and Twister rose upwards.

"That was quite turbing, thank you." Elliot shook her head, groaning as a wave of pain washed over her and she propped herself up on her arms. Twister left the plant, making his way outside. Wally.

Elliot grimaced, reaching over and grabbing her skateboard as she stood, the others already on their feet as they made their way outside. A flurry of wind shot by, Wally caught in the draft and ready to slam into the floor until M'gann raised her hand and the dust cloud cleared, Wally hovering mid air. "I got you, Wally."

"Thanks," the speedster touched ground with a sigh of relief until he turned his gaze upwards, and Elliot kept a hand on her belt, ready to pull out whatever she could.

"I thought you would have all learned your limitations by now."

"What do you want?" Kaldur snapped, and Twister rose upwards, raising his hands.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm waiting for a real hero."

"Read his mind," Kaldur ordered, and M'gann blinked, looking startled.

"I thought you said not to do that—"

"It's okay with the bad guys!" Robin exclaimed, and M'gann nodded, her eyes narrowing as she raised her hand to her head.

A look of frustration crossed over her features. "Nothing, I'm getting nothing—" Her eyes went wide and she tapped the side of her head. "Hello, Megan! Mr. Twister is Red Tornado in disguise! He's inorganic, and android. And how many androids do you know that can generate tornadoes?"

Elliot frowned, her shoulders slumping slightly and her board ceased to hum beneath her feet. "But why would..."

"Red Tornado sent us here!" Kaldur face dawned with realization.

"After saying we'd be tested soon enough—this is his test," Robin snapped, opening his arms up wide. "Something to keep us busy."

"Speedy called it," Wally glanced downwards, brows furrowing as a look of irritation crossed his face. "We're a joke."

I will not let Roy have the satisfaction of thinking he's right. Elliot's eyes narrowed and she stepped in between the two. "I don't know, even though the metal build up made to shape this guy is similar, the way the air canons fire don't look like the kind of structure Red uses—"

"He probably just made himself look different and changed a few things around," Wally shook his head. "And where would another tornado shooting android come from?"

The speedster shook his head and stalked forward. "This game is so over."

Elliot frowned and Robin put a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head as they walked forward. Golden eyes looked clouded as she ran through Red's structure from what she could remember, comparing the metal. Robin stopped and pointed an accusing finger. "We know who you are, and what you want."

"So let's end this." Kaldur finished.

Twister's head titled back. "Consider it ended."

Two twisters rose up from his palms, arching forward into the sky and forming together. The entire area around them began to swirl, the sky suddenly darkening as a chilling gust billowed past, and Elliot shifted, nervously drumming her fingers along her belt as her board began to hum. Kaldur shook his head. "An impressive show, but we will not engage!"

The hair rose on the back of her neck as bolts of lighting struck down, and the swirling vortex around them began to swell. Robin stiffened and Wally blinked. "Uh, can Red Tornado do that?"

"You think I'm Red Tornado?"

"Crap," Elliot's eyes widened and she reached into her belt, a sterling silver ball in her hand. "Guys get down—"

"How ironic."

Elliot flung the silver ball outwards, the small sphere morphing into a larger fist size as a bolt of lightning shot down, splitting the ground beneath them as they toppled to the floor. The silver ball flickered, the pure silver metal attracting the electricity and forcing the main power of it to conduct through the sphere, crackling around it as it landed onto the floor. Her head hit the ground with a jarring impact and Elliot winced, reaching up to her head. There was a tremor that went through the ground and Superboy appeared beside them, clods of dirt thrown up into the air from the force of his fall.

The crackle of electricity and ferocious bolts of lightning still littered the air and Elliot winced, fumbling through her belt to find another conductor when the stormy winds that once shot at them seemed to cease. Elliot paused, glancing up to find that Twister was still looking down on them, but the electric pulses had stopped. Her brows furrowed until amber eyes caught her own and Elliot blinked as M'gann put a finger to her lips, and when Wally began to stir beside her she quickly placed a hand over his mouth.

"Fine then, I won't deny that you children have power." Twister's make-shift eyes seemed to narrow. "But playing hide and seek with you won't help me accomplish my goal. So stay concealed, and if you try and trump me again, I will show no mercy."

With that the android left, Elliot remaining still until Wally sat up. "What happened?"

"I placed the bioship between us." M'gann murmured, but a loud crack filled the air and bits of rock scattered as Superboy angrily beat his fist into the unfortunate boulder.

"And that's supposed to make it right?" He stood, marching forward, and Elliot shakily stood up as well, coming to stand slightly between the two as he narrowed his eyes. "You tricked us into thinking Twister was Red Tornado."

"She didn't know," Elliot straightened her back, chin titling upwards as Superboy glared at her, and she gazed back, eyes chips of gold.

"It was a rookie mistake," Robin agreed.

Wally slid his hands into his pockets and glanced to the side. "You should... hit the showers; we'll handle it from here." He nodded to Elliot and Robin and took off, sliding down his goggles and zooming past.

Superboy glanced over and narrowed his eyes. "And stay out of our way." With a leap he was off.

Elliot was silent for a moment before she tapped her boots together, the soles lighting up as her board zipped back to her and hovered slightly above the ground. The end extended and Robin slid on. The messy hair girl paused, looking to the side awkwardly—god, she was terrible at this, wasn't she? All those parties she had to attend to put up a farce for Bruce Wayne and she never did develop any good social skills.

Elliot rubbed the back of her neck and then laid her hand on M'gann's shoulder, her eyes softening before she hopped onto her board and she and Robin took off, following after the rest of the team.

Well, if they still counted as one.

The sky was beautiful, really.

Clouds gently trailing over one another across the gentle peachy pink shade, darkening to a cloudless violet as the sky began to darken with the coming evening. The sun was setting beyond the harbor, boats lining the shore as the sea looked outwards, endless. If she could, Elliot would have stopped and taken a picture.

But a boat was roughly picked up from the harbor and tossed nearly fifty feet into the air, swirling wildly with the force of the twister before it touched ground, slamming into a nearby townhouse and splintering the roof.

And this won't get us anywhere. Elliot rode around on her board, tossing her sticky wads of metal—she'd affectionately dubbed them stickers, and let them splatter along the floor, explosion rocketing from them. But with every explosion came a new tornado that wiped it away, leaving her running low and dodging pieces of stray debris flying out from the free for all going on in front of her.

She ducked behind a fallen stone wall, looking around wildly for pieces of metal she could use. A few poles jutted from the ground and she sprinted forward, picking up a motor blade and a pole before rolling for cover behind a house. Elliot prepared to make a makeshift spear of some sort when a dark shadow fell over and she turned her eyes upwards, widening at the approaching fall of a motor boat.

The roof caved and she rolled, sprinting to get out of the collision when firm hands grasped her, picking her up from the ground before she knew what was happening. The wind snapped her ponytail back, strands falling into her face as she clutched onto to the cotton shirt, her head turning upwards as Wally grinned, running a wide circle around Twister and away from the debris. "Second time already? We should make this a tradition."

"Don't get too used to it," Elliot narrowed her eyes, trying to distinguish Twister amidst the blur of things passing by and she reached into her belt, shuffling through and retrieving the pieces she was working on before. Wally set them down behind a fallen statue, Robin peeking around the corner as he grasped his utility belt, putting it on.

"You brought your utility belt?" Wally said incredulously, and Robin arched a brow.

"Never leave home without it. First lesson Batman ever taught me."

"Yeah, like never go to the bathroom without it—"

"It tends to come in handy," Elliot spoke up, and Wally rolled his eyes, knowing her tool belt was on her no matter where she went. Her hands grasped a welding tool and she set the flame against the motor blade, softening the metal and turning it so it would sharpen into a better shape. "What's the plan?"

"Everyone listen to me." Elliot stiffened, wincing at the sudden intrusion as Miss Martian's voice rang through. "All of you."

"What did we tell you—" She heard Superboy start until M'gann cut him off.

"I know. And I know I messed up. But now I'm very clear on what we need to do. Please, trust me."

Elliot paused for a brief second before she thought back. "What do you want us to do?"

Ten.

Elliot waited, fingers waiting as she rolled the small balls between her fingers, golden eyes flashing back and forth as 'Red Tornado' faced off against Mr. Twister.

Nine.

The idea was rather brilliant, really. And despite her happy smiles and quick-to-please nature, Miss Martian knew what she was doing when she meant it.

Eight.

The spear she made minutes ago was sent into place, knocked into the ground as Red and Twister faced off, powers clashing and nullifying each other out.

Seven.

Then Red was down, Twister lowered his hand, prepared to do whatever mal intent he carried towards the other android when Miss Martian revealed herself, eyes glittering.

Six.

Then Wally sent the Android flying, Superboy leaping in and colliding his fist straight through the metal armor, oil and gears scattering.

Five.

She stepped out from the statue, reeling her arm back as Twister fell into the water, receiving the attack from Aqualad until he was flown into the air and back onto the ground.

Four.

Twister staggered, bolts flying off of him wildly as he spun around, trying in vain to attack.

Three.

Elliot began pushed off on her board, riding closer and closer as he staggered.

Two.

The balls from her hand began to hum, the presence of electricity in the air going mad as Twister backed up against the spear lodged into the ground.

One.

Elliot let the balls fly, the balls of copper snapping and reacting in place as the buzz of energy filled the air. A magnetic field appeared around Twister, sending a vicious shockwave throughout the android. Smoke began to trail and an arm popped off as Miss Martian brought him into the air.

Robin dashed out beside her, flinging bombs out and watching as the remaining arm fell off, smoke and metal flying in all directions as Miss Martian finally slammed the body to the ground where it remained still, crackles of electricity coming off from it. The doors to the chest suddenly flew open and an older man fell out and onto the ground, slamming face first onto the floor as he struggled to stand. "F-Foul, I call foul."

M'gann raised her hand upwards, and Elliot blink as a boulder lifted up from the ground and above her head. Realization shot through and her eyes widened, mouth opening to shout only seconds to late as the rock came slamming down. Wally recoiled and Robin stiffened in disbelief beside her, looks of shock flickering over their faces until the raven haired boy marched forward.

"I don't know how things are done on Mars, but on Earth, we don't execute our captives!"

"You said you trust me," M'gann allowed herself a small, dainty smirk as she lifted the rock upwards, revealing shattered remains of a robot, gears and wires littering the ground and Elliot blinked. "That's why I couldn't read his mind."

Elliot whistled, tightening her pony tail as Wally stepped forward, bending down and swiping a part before he raised an eyeball upwards. "Cool, souvenir."

"We should have put more faith in you," Kaldur nodded his head towards M'gann. "You did well."

Golden eyes softened, but Elliot turned her head, not sure if there was anything to say really as M'gann smiled. Wally quickly praised the Martian as well, pocketing the eye he'd picked up.

Souvenir...

Ahah. "Hey guys, get together for a second!"

M'gann and Superboy looked confused, realization seemed to dawn on Kaldur as Robin and Wally already moved to stand beside each other as Elliot shuffled through her belt, pulling out a camera. M'gann's eyes lit up at the sight. "We're taking a picture?"

"Again?" Superboy frowned and Elliot simply grinned, glancing to the group and then adjusting the camera.

"Of course," she set the timer and jogged over, slipping in between the open space between Kid Flash and Robin. M'gann suddenly flew over, throwing her arms around Elliot's neck and near toppling the girl over until she steadied herself. "We have to keep making memories, don't we?"

"I suppose it will be nice to look back on one day," Kaldur said finally, as if seeing some reason to this and Elliot rolled her eyes.

"Sure, sure, now say 'Twister'!"

A second and then the unified call went out, save for a disgruntled Superboy who looked appalled by the very notion of saying such a thing. A flash shot out and Elliot slipped from the group, taking the photo that left the camera and flapping it in the air for a moment before glancing down, a smile on her face.

Their mouths all formed an odd shape from the word, except for Superboy who looked disgusted for a moment. The others peeked over her shoulder and she smiled, slipping her hand into her belt and pulling out a pen. She flipped the photo and scrawled 'First Team Bonding' and beamed.

"That's a keeper."

Once again, thank you guys for taking the time out to read my story! It means a lot, and it's really nice to see that you all like it so far. :)

Some requests have been made to have more revealed about Elliot's background story, and all will come in due time, I promise. But for now, I hope you're all enjoying our clueless mechanic. :D Thank you all for taking the time to read, and I hope you've all enjoyed!

THANKS FOR READING AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Marshmellow-

-OUT!