Chapter 3

Disclaimer - I don't own DC comics or any of its characters nor do I own anything to do with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This story is purely a work of fan fiction and does not seek to claim ownership or seek any financial gain.

Last Time

"What exactly do we know about these two," a frustrated Robin asked Red Tornado.

Superboy grinned, "I like her."

oOoOo

Chapter 3

Miss Martian was making a sandwich when Xander walked into the kitchen. She greeted him with a smile and a small wave, "Hello Alexander."

Xander smiled, Miss Martian was like a perky green-skinned Willow, "Please just Xander. Um, Amanda and I were wondering if someone would be able to take us into town to get some clothes and things. We've pretty much got nothing but what you see, some PJ's and a credit card."

"Oh no, well we can rectify that. I can get Robin if you wish," she offered. Artemis was scheduled in for training with Green Arrow. So Robin was probably a good choice, in so far that he knew more about clothes shopping. Being a shapeshifter meant that wasn't usually an issue.

"Err, maybe…well, I suspect that Robin is probably still grilling Batman right now. And he's probably a peeved that I know his identity," Xander's serious expression turned into a smile. "Besides you are much prettier. Plus, I think Amanda would appreciate a female shopping companion. I may be older than I look but I never actually mastered the art of shopping."

"How old are you Xander?" asked Miss Martian.

"I was twenty-nine, a genuine card-carrying adult," replied Xander with a somewhat forced smile.

"This must be difficult."

Xander shrugged, "I'm usually in the thick of things, planning, and stuff. I get why the Justice League haven't involved me too much. It must be hard to take this seriously," he tapped himself on the chest.

Miss Martian stared at him trying to decipher his intentions. Like Wally, he had the demeanour of a prankster but something hinted that there was more going on.

"You're trying to work me out, aren't you?" asked Xander.

Miss Martian paused and then nodded.

"I don't mind if you have a peek," he tapped a finger on his temple. "Fair warning though my life hasn't been all sunshine and puppy dogs."

"Some of my teammates have made it clear that my Telepathy is not always appreciated," replied Miss Martian.

"Well as long as you are not trying to make me quack like a duck or be your personal butt monkey then go for it," replied Xander.

Miss Martian paused puzzled by the reference before finally shaking her head, "Maybe tonight, let's go shopping first."

oOoOo

"I don't trust them," said Robin as he and Aqualad watched Miss Martian lead Xander and Amanda off toward town.

Aqualad frowned, "Why Robin? The Justice League has vouched for them after the Martian Manhunter confirmed their story."

"Why can't we know their story, what are they hiding?" asked Robin.

"It is unfair to accuse them of being secretive if we have not yet given them an opportunity to explain," pointed out Aqualad. "They do however seem to know a lot about us."

"I tried Batman, but he wouldn't say anything except that they may be here awhile and that they are not considered a threat."

"That's because they are not a threat," said Batman as he stepped out of the shadows of the cave mouth.

Robin and Aqualad turned to see the caped crusader staring toward town. Aqualad looked at Batman in surprise, but Robin just accepted his former mentor's stealthy appearance.

"I can't believe you trust them, just like that," said Robin.

"I don't trust them at all, but that doesn't make them a threat Robin. Give them a chance…oh and spar with them, believe me, you might learn something," said Batman. "I have a briefing with Red Tornado about the situation in Washington, and I think Black Canary sent you some information on your training regimens."

oOoOo

That Evening….

Once upon a time, Xander would have been annoyed being a pack mule for shopping bags. These days he just gritted his teeth & tolerated it. To be honest, it wasn't that bad, and the bags certainly weren't heavy.

Amanda gestured at the bed, "Just toss mine on my bed X-man and I'll sort them out later. Can we check out the kitchen? I'm starving."

Xander shrugged, "I'm pretty hungry as well." It went without saying that Amanda would be hungry. A teenager and a Slayer meant a big appetite.

The kitchen, however, was already occupied by Aqualad and Miss Martian.

Xander held back on rolling his eyes once he spotted the pair waiting. "Looks like our interrogators are waiting for us," muttered Xander.

"You did say that we could speak later," said Miss Martian, who sounded slightly confused.

"I did indeed," replied Xander. "Amanda, why don't you get a sandwich. This thing could take a while."

"You want one X?" asked Amanda.

Xander shook his head, "Nah, I suspect this will probably be unpleasant enough that I won't want a full stomach."

"To what are you referring?" asked Aqualad.

Xander grinned as he plonked himself down on a chair, "To avoid any…misunderstandings I thought I'd let M'gann have a peek in my head. That way when Robin decides to question our motivations, she can set him straight."

"Has not her uncle already done so," asked Aqualad.

Xander nodded, "He has, but he is not here. Miss Martian is a part of this team."

"My telepathy shouldn't cause you any discomfort," explained Miss Martian.

"Normally, unfortunately, my brain has been mucked around with a few times," replied Xander. 'Well,' he thought to himself. 'That and the Hyena. I'll leave her out of it for now.'

"Are you sure Xander?" asked Miss Martian.

Xander nodded and gave her a thumbs up.

M'gann extended her senses toward Xander and suddenly she saw his mind. Images and sounds clashed around her as she tried to get her bearings.

"You know he's a bit of a tool, but he is my host so don't go poking where he doesn't want you."

M'gann turned to see an image of an older Xander, this one was dressed almost entirely in what looked like a military uniform. The figure blurred and Xander changed. This one had a smirk plastered across his face and his yellow-tinged eyes were locked on to hers.

"We will protect the pack," said the new figure before it began giggling. "Alpha's coming…"

The image shifted and Xander crashed his skateboard as he spotted a beautiful blonde girl.

Xander and a redhead sat watching a movie. He nodded as she pointed out a flaw in the plot.

A comic book detailing the adventures of Superman.

He was driving a sharpened piece of wood into the heart of man before he exploded in a cloud of dust.

A naked brunette looked down at him with an expression of lust.

A blond woman pulling him into bed before kissing him.

Fighting nightmares…young women, girls training to fight the things in the darkness.

A non-human figure lifted Xander up by the neck.

A human drove his thumb into Xander's eye…

M'gann recoiled in horror as a shadow of his pain was transferred to her, and she let the connection go.

"Are you alright?" asked Aqualad.

Miss Martian opened her eyes to see her teammate kneeling beside her.

"No, I'm fine," she turned to Xander as she sat up. "What have you been fighting?"

Xander shrugged, "Vampires, Demons Warlocks. Whatever was trying to end the world."

"But how? you were older in your memories."

"Started when I was in High School and I was twenty-nine when I came here…I guess I'm about sixteen now," replied Xander.

"And Amanda is your student?" asked Miss Martian.

"My friend," corrected Xander with a smile. "And yes she is also a newbie Slayer so I suppose you could argue she is a student."

"I think of you as my sort of watcher slash big brother," said Amanda as she came to stand behind Xander.

"What did you see?" asked Aqualad.

"Their Earth is infested with dark creatures I have not seen before. Both Amanda and Xander fight as part of a team that seeks to stop them. They are both soldiers more than crime fighters."

Aqualad slowly nodded, "I see, I am not unfamiliar with soldiers but are you not too young to serve Amanda? Such would be the case in Atlantis."

Amanda shrugged, "I was called, all the Slayers

are called and that usually happens between Twelve and Seventeen."

"Called by whom?" asked Aqualad.

Amanda looked to Xander for an answer, "Fate, the powers that be, God. We don't know. My friend Willow can detect and track them, but we still don't know what the criteria is."

Amanda's expressive face turned serious as she tried to explain, "It used to be pretty much a death sentence. You were called and maybe lasted a year, tops. It's better now that Buffy is in charge. She's been the Slayer for years, well Faith too I suppose, but Buffy is the one that built the new council. Xander totally kicks butt as well. He trains us to win, first rule and all that."

"The first rule?" asked Miss Martian.

"Don't die," replied Amanda.

"A good rule," said Aqualad with a slight smile.

The four of them talked for several hours and right through dinner before breaking up and going back to their rooms.

oOoOo

"So?" prompted Robin.

"Amanda is a mystically empowered warrior called a Slayer. She has been granted superhuman strength, speed, agility, stamina, and durability. How much of each is yet unclear. Alexander is one of her teachers and mentors her and the girls like her. They are soldiers, fighting a war against the supernatural. M'gann confirms that they mean us no harm."

"Soldiers?" repeated Robin but before he could say anything more Black Canary called out for them to gather around the training area.

"Alright let's see what we have to work on. Amanda, you face off against Aqualad."

To the Young Justice team, it looked like an almost dangerously unequal contest. Well, it did right up until Amanda tossed Aqualad out of the ring.

"Wow," whispered Wally.

"How did she do that?" asked Artemis. Amanda's moves had been lightning fast and almost impossible to follow.

Robin narrowed his eyes. Kaldur had attempted to grapple using his greater size and strength. The much smaller Amanda had evaded and then literally thrown Kaldur out of the ring.

"Impressive Amanda, How many martial arts do you know?" asked Black Canary.

Amanda shrugged, "I never really counted. Slayers sort of have an instinct for fighting. We train and stuff but we kind of use what works."

"Hmm, okay Xander you and Robin."

Xander stepped into the training area with a fair bit of apprehension. Robin was very well trained and could, no doubt wipe the floor with him.

Robin smiled and launched a punch.

To Xander, it was like slow motion. He leaned away from the punch and grabbed Robins forearm as his fist passed by.

Robin kicked out at Xander's knee trying to force him to release his arm. He scored the hit, but Xander didn't even twitch. With an astonished expression, he lifted Robin in to the air.

Robin felt a moment of fear as Xander's eye's flashed yellow. There was something dangerous almost predatory in those eyes before they returned to normal.

"What the heck?" whispered Xander right before Robin's boot connected with his face.

oOoOo