Disclaimer: Until Duke Thomas came into the picture, were the only kids Batman took in basically boys who could pass as his biological children? Yep. You know what that means? It means that writers can't really be creative with how Robins and sidekicks looked – unless your name was Stephanie Brown – until recently and all rights to Batman belong to Bob Kane, Bill Finger, DC Comics, Cartoon Network, and Warner Bros.
Coast is clear. Rocket, you're on point.
Got it. Beast Boy, maintain cover and stay close.
Roger!
Just as Rocket began flying towards the building with a small green fly buzzing next to her, both of them quickly hid as a girl with long brown hair with streaks of blue in it suddenly appeared and started a fight with the guards.
What is that girl doing down there?! Rocket stared in shock as the girl suddenly began shooting lightning bolts from her hands and spewed fire from her mouth. And how is she doing that?
I think the better question should be why is she bragging to the guards that we're nearby?! Artemis' mental shriek had several members of the Team wincing and rubbing their heads.
Do not engage, Team. Aqualad ordered. I repeat: Do. Not. Engage.
Can we engage if they start shooting at us? Beast Boy asked nervously.
Yes!
"– and despite the unexpected turn of events, we were able to secure the hostages from the League of Shadows." Aqualad concluded the report.
Batman stared, "Then why is that girl here with you all?"
"I was just getting to that," Aqualad spoke dryly, "Despite miraculously coming out of the fight with few injuries, there is no form of identification for us to go by with our sources and needed to address this to the League before something occurred."
"And she kept insisting on seeing you for some urgent message," Artemis added, "And keeps insisting that she become your sidekick…"
"And she won't leave us alone…" Rocket glared at the young girl poking Kid Flash in the eye, who was swatting her hand away each time she got close. "And she's too dangerous to hand over to the police."
Aqualad sighed, "And there are many other League members who could perform the role as mentor better than Batman could, given the circumstances."
"Circumstances?" Kid Flash snorted, "So, what you're saying is some wack-job barging in and almost getting us killed because she blew our cover should become a hero?!"
Aqualad blinked. He sighed, "Our only other option, unfortunately, is to part ways and pretend meeting her didn't happen. Like it or not, she is vulnerable to other influences, enemies who would seek out her…odd…abilities –"
"YA SEE?" The girl cried out happily. Beast Boy and Blue Beetle took several steps back. She continued, "I'm a danger to myself and everyone around me. That means I have to join yous, you're so crazy awesome and I would sooo be able to be a hero and –"
"All Aqualad said was that you shouldn't be left on your own!" Blue Beetle snapped, "That doesn't mean you can join the Team. Dios mios, you almost got us massacred earlier because you jumped into a fight we did not want to initiate in the first place!"
The girl's smile faded before returning a moment later.
Batman continued staring, "Does nothing phase her?"
Blue Beetle looked at the girl, "Frankly, I don't want to think about what would happen if she did get phased…"
Kid Flash glared.
"No, Kid, we're not automatically going to trust her," Aqualad continued, "I am saying that we need to be careful with what happens. Manhunter and M'gann can examine her mind for implants or memories. We will gather intel on her vague background and determine if she has a family."
"Annnd…if she doesn't?" Beast Boy asked slowly, fearing what the answer will be.
"Then we will make living arrangements for her."
Artemis sighed in defeat, "Which safehouse should we use?"
"Babe, I think the better question to ask is: Is she going to live in the Cave?" Kid Flash looked at Aqualad, almost daring him to say yes.
"Of course not, Kid," Aqualad walked over to the monitor and began typing, "We'll simply erase the memory of this location from her mind as a precaution."
"YAYYYY!" The girl screamed in delight, "I get to live in the – wait, what."
"Team, escort her out of the Cave and erase the location from her mind," Batman said and began walking away, "Head to Boston, we'll have a place set up for her under Red Tornado's guardianship."
The girl looked hopeful, "Does this mean that –"
"No," Batman didn't turn around to respond.
"But I –"
"No."
"You're –"
"No."
"If you could just –"
"What part of no are you not getting?" Batman still didn't look back and continued walking away.
The girl's face twitched, but she still retained her smile.
Kid Flash and Blue Beetle stared at her with frowns on their faces. Why was she so determined to have Batman as a mentor? They both thought.
Destroy entity. Blue Beetle sighed as the Scarab interjected. Scans indicate unbalanced energy of unknown origins. We must destroy at all costs!
"No,"Blue Beetle whispered, not wanting an odd look from Kid Flash, "let's let the League handle this."
And risk another incident similar to one five years prior? Based on archive information, the execution of handling the problem was on an incompetent level…
"We can't just kill someone like that…no, we don't kill. Period," Blue Beetle snapped, "I'll just let the League know this and keep an eye on her, if that helps…"
It does not, but I cannot control this vessel and therefore must comply unwillingly…
"Great…"
He looked at the girl, still smiling despite the rejection and humming to herself. Blue Beetle walked over to her, wondering what he was getting himself into.
"So..." He started slowly, "Do you have a name?"
I theorize that it will be a long one and further prove her delusional state. The Scarab's voice almost sounded dry and witty.
The girl blinked and pulled a strand of hair away from her eyes, "Ethel."
"Ethel...?" Blue Beetle started, thankful for the 'oh' sound that Ethel made.
"Ethel O'Brian."
Author's Note: This is the first year anniversary of this chapter and what better way to celebrate than by posting a new chapter with a Mary Sue character? I would like to thank Misskinny's fic, Insert Cliché Title Here, for the idea of this chapter. Check it out if you just want wackiness when it comes to clichés.
And I believe that this isn't the last we've seen of this girl…almost ended the chapter with Blue Beetle being too friendly off the bat. He'd play more on the cautious side.
Don't forget to review, either!
Stay warm!