Why did she agree to this again? Gotham Academy was awful. One look at all the students here could tell you about everything you needed to know. The way they held themselves, the way they talked, and the way ignored Artemis. Well, everyone, except for Bette Kane.
The girl might have been nice, and she might have paid some attention to Artemis, but she was... annoying. At least that's what Artemis thought. Bette just kept blabbering and blabbering on. And Artemis couldn't help but lose focus on their conversation. On their very one-sided conversation. So, slowly droning out most of the noise, she let her eyes drift over the campus, taking in the dull sight, until they rested on an abandoned looking part of the school. From where Artemis stood, she couldn't see all of it, but a few rows of dirty windows and even dirtier walls were visible. Why someone would let a whole school wing standing without use for so long was beyond her. On top came all the weird stories she'd heard. And weird stories, in this case, ghost stories. Of course, Artemis wasn't fazed by something as trivial as ghosts. But then again, she did know a few... supernatural things. Or people. Okay, so it would be a total lie if she said she wasn't at least a bit curious about it. Apparently there was a real actual ghost in the abandoned school wing of Gotham Academy. A ghost at her school. That was kind of cool. Besides, it's not like there was much of anything else at this school, that Artemis found at least mildly interesting.

"Artemis? Are you even listening to me?"

Finally coming out of her stupor the blonde focused back on her new classmate. Blinking a few times, she stammered an excuse and asked her to repeat whatever she had said last.

"Well, we need to get your shedule," Bette said. "Let's go."

So they did. Passing many other students on their way, they ventured through the annoyingly complex hallways, that were sure to get Artemis lost in the next few weeks. Most didn't pay them any attention. And those who did either knew Bette and greeted Artemis to be polite, or just stared at her like she was some weird attraction and only her for their entertainment. Getting the shedule didn't take long. The secretary was a pretty nonchalant elder woman. Her probably-dyed brown haur formed a nearly perfectly round shape around her pale, wrinkly face. She didn't say much, or smile. She just asked for Artemis' name, and gave her the shedule. Artemis greatly appreciated that. Saying thanks anyway they left the old, somewhat smelly office. Funny how the richer schools have all the old and smelly equipment. And furniture. And people. Okay, so she didn't know much about the people, but she imagined Gotham Academy's teachers to be old, smelly, and dressed completely old school. Maybe she even hoped them to be.

After Bette had given her quick directions, so she could actually find her own classroom, the other student dissapeared around one of the many corners and was gone.

Artemus arrived at her classroom seven minutes late. She didn't get detention, since this was her first day, and therefore her first time being late. Next time would be worse. Taking a seat in the back in practically every class, she managed to pass school until lunchtime. On her way searching for the cafeteria (or Bette) she managed to accidently crash into the seventh person that day. It was first person that had ran into her, and not the other way round. Artemis was about to just walk away, when she saw the books and papers all over the ground. The person that had ran into her, a girl her age with red hair, was desperately trying to recollect her things, while the students around them kept trampling over them carelessly.

Feeling pity for the girl, Artemis crouched down next to her and began to help her.

"Here," she said, as she handed the girl some slightly crampled papers.

Smiling gratefully, said girl accepted them, and together the stood up.

"Thanks. And, uh, sorry. For running into you."

Artemis waved her hand dismissively.

"It's alright. I've ran into so many people today, this is nothing new."

The girl laughed a bit, then suddenly held out her hand for Artemis to shake.

"I'm Barbara Gordon, by the way."

Artemis smiled and took the offered hand while introducing herself.

"Artemis Crock."

"I don't think I've seen you before. Are you knew?"

Artemis nodded.

"Wayne scholarship," she explained simply.

Barbara's eyes lit up.

"Ah, I remember now. You're that girl Bette told me about during english!"

"Uh, yeah, that might be. She showed me around and everything," Artemis replied. She furrowed her brows. "Actually, I was looking for her. Er, well, I was looking for the cafeteria, and hoped she would show me where it is." she admitted.

"Oh, no problem! I can take you there. We can have lunch together."

Artemis wasn't sure what to think of the enthusiastic girl yet. But she seemed to be nice enough. Especially considering she offered her help even though she had been in such a hurry just a minute ago. Speaking of which...

"I don't want to be a bother. You seemed to be in quite a hurry when you bumped into me."

It was Barbara's turn to wave her off.

"Yeah, I can take care of that later."

"Take care of what, if you don't mind me asking?"

She was trying to be careful, she didn't want to destroy all hope at making a friend here. She hadn't met any particularly nice students yet - besides Bette and Barbara, of course. The redhead smiled. It was a kind of weird smile, if you asked Artemis, but she didn't think much of it.

"I was going to bring a friend of mine some stuff," she vaguely explained.

Artemis raised one eyebrow.

"Stuff?"

Barbara shrugged.

"Just schoolwork and a few other things."

Artemis nodded. That sounded like a pretty normal thing to do. Still, the way the other girl had said 'other things' had Artemis wondering if there might be more behind it. She mentally slapped herself. She was at school. Not on some kind of mission. She just couldn't help but be suspicious about every person she met, and her mind kept offering all kinds of odd scenarios and conspiracy theories. Pull yourself together, Artemis, she told herself. You don't need any more enemies. So she took a deep breath and accepted Barbara's offer. Having arrived at the cafeteria, the two got themselves their lunch and sat down on a table colse to doors. All the while, Artemis had a hard time ignoring the curious, and often less friendly stares that were being sent her way. She decided it was best to ignore them and focus on her food. In between their eating they did some chatting without purpose until suddely two boys sat down on either side of her. They both shared the same auburn hair and pale skin covered in a random pattern of small freckles. Their sky blue eyes had a mishivious glint in them and they wore identic grins.

"Why hello new girl! It is a pleasure to meet you!" the one on her right began.

"Uh, hi... stranger whom I've never met."

"Ah, but we won't be strangers anymore! This handsome guy over there," The boy on her left gestured to the other one. "Is Ellis." He leaned a bit closer to whisper in her ear. "I'm only calling him handsome 'cause we've got basically the same face, of course."

An indignant voice called in from her right.

"I heard that!"

"And I," He now proudly gestured to himself. "Am Horris. Horris Baker. A pleasure to meet you."

"We're twins, by the way," Ellis added.

"Yeeees. I hadn't noticed."

Artemis felt a little akward and overrun by these strange brothers. She wasn't very optimistic she was going to be able to tell them apart in the future. Across from her, Barbara had face palmed the moment the boys had sat down at their table, fearing what was to come.

"Guys, if you would be so kind?"

The boys just grinned at her.

"What, you want us to leave so soon?" Ellis asked in mock hurt.

"Dear Ms. Gordon, we have yet to learn the name of this fine lady right here!" his brother agreed.

Barbara sighed, annoyed, and just rolled her eyes. Poor Artemis.

"Well?"

They looked at Artemis expectantly.
She frowned.

"What?"

"Your name...?"

"Right." Despite still feeling highly akward, she decided to play nice. The less enemies she made the better. "Artemis Crock."

"Ah, the greek goddess of the hunt. A fine name for such a fine lady," Horris said.

"And goddess of the moon. Beautiful... and quite fitting," Ellis commented.

Artemis blushed unwillingly, mumbling a quiet thanks in response.

"Gu-uys..."

"Aw, shush Barbara. Can't you see we're trying to make a new friend?" Ellis whined.

His twin nodded.

"Exactly. So, tell me, Artemis, what have you heard of... The Gotham Academy Ghost ?"

At this she perked up noticeably.

"Just a few things," she answered truthfully.

"Well in that case, we shall tell you the original story. What do you say?"

Artemis glanced at the girl on the other side of the table, hesitating, but then agreed, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Can't hurt to hear a good story, right?"

The twins smiled proudly.

"That's the spirit! Why aren't you ever this optimistic, Barbara?" Ellis scolded.

Said girl had laid her arms on the table, her head on top, trying to blend out the oncoming conversation.

"Can you just leave?" she grumbled.

Artemis didn't quite understand what she had against the two boys. Or was she annoyed because they were going to tell that story?

"No, I want to hear about that ghost. This is my school now, too, so I think I should know. Sorry Barbara."

She grumbled some more and Horris decided to start.

"Six years ago, an unnamed group of terrorists attacked the school and started a fire in the now abandoned part of Gotham Academy. Fortunately, the alarms went off in time and the teachers had a chance to get their students out of the burning building before the fire reached the chemistry labs and an explosion almost destroyed the west wing of the school. Policemen, firemen and the ambulance guaranteed everyone that no one had been severley hurt and that the teachers had done a great job in getting evergone out safely. But, it is said, that one of the students had been left inside..."

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I do not own Young Justice or any of the DC Universe characters.

A huge thank you to DC_lover for the wonderful compliments! :D Here's your chapter!