Author's Note: I'm back. Hope you like the second piece. Wish it were longer, but there are limits my brain can handle. Reviews are appreciated, as always.

Disclaimer: Did Jamie get any focus outside of his friendship with Impulse and the season long struggle with controlling the Scarab? Nope, and that means all rights to Young Justice belong to DC Comics and Cartoon Network.

XXXX

"So…how exactly do your powers work?" Just think of those chips, Jamie. Blue Beetle thought. Think of those salty chips you love to eat nonstop when Garfield doesn't break into your locker like he does with everyone else on the Team. It might keep you from screaming bloody murder…

Ethel smiled – the better way of phrasing it would be that her only expression didn't change – and looked out at the rocky terrain that they were using for practice. "I just do it. Can't explain it."

This would imply instinctive behavior. The Scarab spoke. Genetic knowledge passed down from the parent.

"Yeah, I figured that," Blue Beetle muttered quietly so Ethel wouldn't hear him. Not that it would have been a concern, she was suddenly prattling on by herself about anything that came to mind. If she were to find herself alone several hours later on the rocky terrain Blue Beetle picked out for this, would she expect that?

"– I mean, Batman is sooo cool, like the best person around. He's a badass and the best superhero in the universe. Screw Superman, he sucks, even though he has all those powers to kick Batman's ass into space. It's just, Batman is awesome and Superman's a jerk to Superboy for no reason –"

As it has been demonstrated, her favorite topic of self-discussion was Batman, with a side-dish of slamming on Superman for things long resolved. Wait, how did she know about Conner?!

Breaches within security are impossible with the evident intelligence that this thing has demonstrated. The Scarab said. It continued when Blue Beetle opened his mouth, I could hear your thoughts. The issue remains on how she is aware of this information…

"– and I know that there's good in the Joker; that bitch, Harley doesn't deserve him! BatJoke forever and ever and ever and ever and everandeverandeverandeverandeverandeverandever –"

"What."

What.

What.

"Ethel!" Blue Beetle said sharply. Ethel froze in the middle of her tirade and looked at him with a smile. "We're not here to discuss Batman, we need to get an idea of what you can do and how we can make sure you can control your powers."

"But I already know how to control them, honest!"

"Prove it, then." Blue Beetle pointed his arm at her, the blue armor shifting until it formed a small cannon. "Fight me."

Chance of victory: 60%.

"60?"

There is not enough data to come to a cohesive conclusion. The Scarab explained. Acting upon caution. Lethal force suggested in the event that more data proves entity to be a threat.

"I told you," Blue Beetle said as the cannon started charging, "We aren't killers. The League and the Team are on standby. If we have to go all out, let's at least make sure there isn't a corpse."

Recommendation heard ignored. Lethal force advised.

"Why am I not surprised?" Blue Beetle growled.

Blue Beetle stood before Red Tornado, Black Canary, Batman, and Captain Atom. He tried not to twitch; he worked up the nerve to try talking, he wasn't going to screw it up now.

"I…detected unknown biology on the girl. On Ethel," he started. "There's no way to determine if she's an alien or genetically made like Superboy."

"What is it your recommended course of action, then?" Red Tornado asked.

Blue Beetle looked down at the floor, then at the face of Red Tornado, "My suit needs time to closely examine Ethel. No dissecting or anything gross, my Biology grade's debil."

"If you are suggesting monitoring the girl closely, the League is capable of having escorts on shifts," Red Tornado looked at Captain Atom, who nodded in agreement.

Blue Beetle sighed, "The only person I want to waste their time is me."

"Negative," Red Tornado said, "You have school and your family. You may partake in a shift, if that will be satisfactory to you."

Captain Atom frowned, "What if she's more dangerous than we anticipate?"

"My Scarab can scan her if I have enough time," Blue Beetle suggested.

"If the danger proves to be too much," Red Tornado said, "then back-up would be needed."

"We can have some members from both the League and the Team on standby," Black Canary suggested, "Any suggestions, Jamie?"

"Miss M. And Zatanna and Rocket. They can detain Ethel quickly and non-lethally."

"Her fire-breath might be magic-based," Batman began walking away, "Superman and Superboy are out. Captain Marvel would be a good idea, he's magic-based."

"Doctor Fate can help with containing the girl, too," Captain Atom added.

"Alright," Blue Beetle nodded, "I can test her tomorrow and you guys jump in if it gets too hot. No pun intended."

He dodged a lightning bolt and took to the skies before firing his cannon. Ethel barely managed to jump out of the way in time. Her long hair got tangled in her legs and Ethel tumbled across the dirt, skidding her knees and tearing up her jeans.

"OW! TIME-OUT! TIME-OUT!" Ethel cried.

Blue Beetle stared.

"You think she's a threat?" He asked the Scarab in a sarcastic voice.

75% chance of victory.

"That's what I thought," Blue Beetle smirked.

He swooped in low, flying closer and closer towards Ethel. She looked at him with puppy-dog eyes, not even thinking of dodging when Blue Beetle grabbed her by the shoulders and dragged her through the air.

We can make it look like an accident.

"We're not going to do that," Blue Beetle hissed.

"Stop talking to your Scab and stop attacking me!"

"I told you, we're seeing what you can –" Blue Beetle's eyes widened. He slowed down and came to a halt, dropping Ethel to the ground. He whispered, "How did you know about the Scarab?"

"Doesn't everyone know?" Ethel wasn't smiling now. Blue Beetle swallowed twice, for once wishing that she had that stupid grin on her face. She was starting to remind him of that girl from that anime about the giant robots fighting those…what did Beast Boy say they were?...Angels?

Scanning lifeform now. The Scarab…oh God…the Scarab actually sounded scared. Still unable to comprehend biology. Layer upon layer of species detected.

"What?"

"What's the Scab talking about?" Ethel asked in a dull voice.

"It's Scarab and none of your business!" Crap! Maybe he shouldn't have volunteered in the first place. "Back-up requested! I repeat, backup requested!"

"Confirmed," Zatanna's voice responded in his ear, "Stay tight."

"Want to grab a dinner? I loooooove Mexican food!" Ethel's smile had suddenly returned.

Blue Beetle took a step back, "Okay, first of all: I have a feeling that the second part was really racist. Second –"

He felt several pairs of feet touch the ground behind him and frowned, "I'm going to have to take a rain check on the dinner."

As Rocket contained Ethel in a kinetic bubble, Blue Beetle walked several meters away and deactivated his armor. He grabbed his hair and groaned. He looked up to see Miss Martian looking at him with concern.

"You know something?" Jamie asked, "I'm starting to think that this was a pretty bad idea…"

Author's Note: Computer needs a new battery, so I feel limited with where I can write. Plus, school starts again, and I won't have that much time to work on fics. Bored, I remember a review where you said to try exploring the clichés in more detail and that's what I've been trying to do at times. I wish I had more time for longer stories, but I can split them apart into smaller chunks to work with.

Plus, I feel like I am exploring a cliché in more detail now: What if a Mary Sue character started interacting with the Team and wanted to join them (or Batman)? Short answer: The Team would wonder where the hell she came from and want to investigate it in more detail without giving into her demands. The consequence: Blue Beetle is finding himself disturbed by both her behavior and how difficult it is to read her in both character and biology. Even the Scarab is a little scared of her, now. And now? Well, we are taking a little break from the first part 2 story arc for another piece in the meantime.

Thanks for reading!