The prison chef heaved a pile of slop onto his tray. The 'food' bubbled and steamed, making him cringe.
"Thanks…"
He said as he left to find a place to sit. After he sat down, he stared at the meal in front of him. He winced then said to himself,
"How am I supposed to eat in peace when my tray isn't symmetrical!?"
He pushed the tray away and smacked his head down onto the table.
"Hey Stripes."
Someone said. He kept his head down, but looked up at Icicle Jr.
"Hi."
He replied, not at all enthusiastic. He recalled how he even ended up at this hole. It began when some weird dimensional portal made by a near-Kishin caught him in a rift that dragged him and his partners to this odd, new world. Due to their appearance, some dudes, one dressed in a blue body suit with a red cape and 'S' on his chest alongside some character who resembled a bat, attacked him not long after he entered for who knows why. After a short battle, he and his companions were cuffed and in an armored prison vehicle headed for a place that the guards called, 'Belle Reve.'
Back to the present, he looked at his tray with disgust, but pulled it back, ready to try to get it down. He thought to himself, Well, I may not look it, but a Grim Reaper needs to eat. Shaking, he opened his mouth to the slop incoming. As it entered his mouth, a hiccup gag choked up, making it harder to swallow. When he swallowed, the slimy mass bumped the collar wrapped around his neck. He fingered the power neutralizing object before attempting another bite. Icicle Jr. advised,
"You know, if you lean forward a bit, the collar doesn't affect swallowing."
He followed the advice and found it worked very well.
"It would be nice if you told everyone your name instead of letting us call you Stripes."
"As much as I hate the stripes, I'm not keen on giving my name out that easy."
He replied, just after choking down the last of the slop. Stripes' hair is perfectly black, except for the three white lines circling half-way around the left side of his hair. He REALLY hates the stripes.
"Wait, you don't like the stripes?"
Icicle Jr. inquired. Stripes answered,
"No. I've tried to dye it, but they just came right back."
"Okay. With that out of the way, what about your weird eye color?"
"Just a usual color of one like me."
His eyes are straight-up yellow with a darker shade of yellow ringing closer to his ever black pupils. He changed his gaze over to the womens' half. Divided by a wall of extremely thick glass, it was practically the only contact between the two genders. Through that glass, Stripes could see his two partners, Liz and Patty. Liz sat at a bench with boredom written all over her face and her lunch untouched on the table. Patty had taken her slop and shaped a giraffe, perfectly unaware of the evil they were in.
He would've walked to the glass and tried to talk to the pair, but 'top dog' Captain Cold sat on the bleachers right next to the windows. Stripes frowned, then got up to put his tray away. When he came back to sit down, someone approached his and asked,
"Have you heard of me before?"
"No."
"OH! I'm hurt…..but I'll live! You may call me The Riddler."
He told Stripes.
"Yay. What do you want?"
Stripes replied, no emotion showing. The Riddler chuckled then said,
"Ugh. Fine. I want a riddle as to who you are and what your name is."
"Is that all? Give me a moment to think."
Stripes said, folding his arms and closing his eyes. After about two minutes, Stripes said,
"My father's two names fill all with fear. Immortal, his is. Rising, I am."
He finished proudly. The Riddler scratched his head, then walked away puzzled. Icicle Jr. just sat there, completely confused.
"Dude, can you just give me the answer?"
He asked. Stripes smiled and said,
"That would be too easy."
Young (Soul Eater) Justice
Lying on his bunk, Stripes pondered about his life back at Death City. I wonder if father misses me. He sat up and sighed. Stripes eyed his skull rings, which he wondered why he was allowed to keep. This stupid collar keeps me from using any of my power. Silence filled the cell, as he was the only one occupying the cube.
"The cell isn't even symmetrical…."
He said to no one. He got up and looked around by the cell door. The guards were almost asleep on duty, but otherwise nothing was happening. I wonder how Liz and Patty are doing. Hopefully they share a cell. He thought as he lay back down. Right as he did, the slot in his door opened and something fell to the floor. Stripes propped himself up on his elbows to see a fresh prison issue orange jumpsuit on the floor.
He sighed and changed into the new suit that was not symmetrical. Out of nowhere a loud explosion went off just above the Penitentiary. The electricity flickered then went our completely. Stripes looked at his mirror to find the collar was dead. That explosion must've been an EMP blast. He thought. Stripes smiled and summoned his skateboard. He stepped on and charged though the door. Once the dust settled, he put away the skate board and jumped down to the crowd. There he approached the con who was called Blockbuster and tapped him on the shoulder.
Blockbuster turned with a growl. Stripes grinned and asked,
"Could I trouble you to remove this collar for me?"
The massive being reached over and pinched the collar, smashing it into oblivion. Stripes bowed and said,
"Thank you."
Stripes was about to go rendezvous with Liz and Patty when The Riddler called out to him.
"I've figured it out!"
He smiled then pointed both hands at Stripes in a jazzy way.
"Your dad's a dragon, right? Nothin' fiercer!"
Stripes' gaze was absolutely pitiful and then he smiled, saying,
"Do I look like a dragon to you? No. My father is not a dragon. He's much scarier than any ol' dragon."
With that, he turned to find a way to the women's section. Stripes soon found some prison mates trying to smash through a wall. They were very close to break through, so Stripes just stood back. The final blow came and the wall gained a large hole. The heavy hitters stepped back to allow all the girls to cross over into the men's wing. Stripes simply stood where he was, waiting for Liz and Patty.
Near the last of the bunch, the Thompson sisters stepped through the rubble and immediately spotted him.
"Kid!"
Patty screamed with pure enthusiasm and delight. As poor Stripes, now revealed as Kid, was losing oxygen from being hugged too tightly. Liz calmly walked over and said,
"Patty, I don't think Kid can breathe."
Patty released Kid instantly and said while smiling,
"Oops! Sorry!"
Kid gasped, then sighed, then calmly said,
"Now that we're together, lets' change back into our regular attire, shall we?"
He extended his arms and began exercising his power. A black mist started at their feet and crawled its way up, extending just above their heads. At once the impermeable mist dissipated and the three were no longer in orange jumpsuits. Patty with her daisy dukes, belly showing tank top-turtle neck complete with tie and fun hat, Liz in her full tank top-turtle neck with a matching white tie, jeans and matching hat. Kid wore his usual custom tux complete with a skull bowtie. Liz and Patty simultaneously nocked their hats and said,
"Shall we?"
"Indeed. We've all been here too long."
The three headed back to where the cons had almost broken though. Kid could see that they were tired, maybe not enough energy to deal enough in the final hits.
"Icicle Jr.!"
Kid called. The boy of ice walked over from the sidelines.
"Yeah? Nice tux, by the way."
"Thanks. My companions need their collars removed."
"Sure, no prob."
Icicle Jr. grabbed the collars of the two sisters, froze them and ripped them off easily.
"You have our thanks."
Liz said. Kid then asked,
"What's holding them up?"
"The walls are a little tougher than expected. It's a problem because there isn't anyone else with the hit strength required to break though."
Kid looked at the sisters.
"Seems like we know what to do now, right girls?"
"You talking about Cannon?"
Liz asked.
"Not quite. Only if necessary."
Kid answered. Patty bounced in excitement and said,
"Let's do it!"
Icicle Jr. looked confused yet again.
"'Cannon'? What Cannon?"
Kid smiled and answered,
"Maybe you'll see."
Before Kid could get going, The Riddler snuck up behind him and whispered into his ear,
"Your dad…does it involve death?"
"Yes."
The Riddler stepped back before announcing loudly,
"Your dad is a grave keeper!"
Kid stood there dumbfounded. How is this idiot a super villain? Patty rolled on the floor laughing while Liz was hunched over, also laughing.
"Ahem,"
Kid recovered.
"No and Yes."
"How am I wrong?"
"Grave keepers aren't immortal. You are on the right track."
Kid replied, but turned before The Riddler could ask anything else. The trio instead headed for the beaten up wall. Captain Cold and Killer Frost alongside Blockbuster were arguing about getting through the wall. Kid could easily see they were all somewhat tired.
"Excuse me. Might I be of help?"
Kid asked. The three stopped arguing to laugh at him.
"Think you're tough, do ya, punk?"
Captain Cold finally said.
"It'll take more than a squirt like you to bust that."
He added. Kid frowned but said,
"Fine. Liz, Patty, let's show them how terrifying we can be."
The sister transformed into twin pistols and landed neatly in Kid's hands. With hesitation, Kid opened rapid fire on the wall. After only thirty seconds he stopped and the wall crumbled apart, leaving a hole bigger than anticipated wide open.
"Oh yeah. I'm tough Captain."
Kid turned his head to say. He summoned his skateboard again and stepped on. It lifted into the air and Kid said,
"Farewell."
As he shot off like a rocket.
Young (Soul Eater) Justice
They landed in an alleyway in Star City. Night had already fallen and the sisters needed to transform or risk cramping up badly. Luckily, the alleyway had an old mattress.
"I'll stay up. I'm not tired anyway."
Kid told them.
"Okay."
Patty yawned. Liz said nothing as they laid down to sleep. Kid rummaged through the nearby dumpster and found a rugged, dirty blanket. Better than nothing. He thought. He placed the blanket on the girls and sat against the dumpster. Before long, Kid decided to try to call Lord Death. He got up and preformed his call. It still worked. Lord Death's figure appeared in the sigil.
"Kid! You're alright!"
"Hi Dad. I would've called sooner, but there were a lot of complications."
"I'm just glad you are okay. How are Liz and Patty?"
"They are also fine. Resting now. How is everyone over there?"
Lord Death tried to reply when Black Star popped in.
"Where have you been!? Everyone's worried sick, especially me!"
"Reaper Chop!"
Black Star rolled out of view and Lord Death cleared his throat.
"He is right, though. Where are you?"
"I'm not sure. It's another Earth, yet Kishin don't have any influence here. As far as I know, soul eating does not occur here. Although, super heroes and super villains constantly fight over the balance of good and evil, peace and chaos."
"So, like a manga?"
"Exactly."
Lord Death hummed as he thought. Kid waited patiently for his father's repose. Finally he said,
"I don't suppose you have a way back, do you?"
Kid's gaze hit the ground as he answered,
"I do not. But, I could try observing the souls here until I do find a way back."
"Yes, Yes. If you do find any souls threatening to become Kishin, take care of it."
Kid looked back up with determination.
"I will. I promise I'll stay safe until then."
"Talk to you again soon."
"Bye."
Thus, the sigil faded and Kid was alone again. Apart from two snoring sisters. Kid had only sat down next to the mattress when he saw a large dark figure about ten feet away. Kid recognized his as one of the two who caught him and sent him to Belle Reve.
"What do you want?"
Kid muttered, standing up.
"What is it that you want?"
The stranger, now more closely identified as the over-grown man trying to be a bat, asked him. Kid just stood there for a moment before saying,
"To return to where I belong. Also to see this world before I leave."
A silence filled the alley. Even the cars going by didn't make noise. After what seemed like forever, Bat-dude finally said,
"What's your story?"
"Say what?"
"How'd you get to where we are now?"
Bat-guy's jaw was the only think that had moved since his appearance. Kid gazed downward again before explaining,
"My friends and I were in a fight against a near-Kishin. This one had the capabilities of opening multi-dimensional portals and using them as weapons. During the battle, it took all we had to avoid getting sucked into a portal. We, my friends and I, were close to victory. Unfortunately, I dodged one portal to end up jumping into another.
Once I came around, I tried to figure out where I was."
Kid glared at Batty.
"That's when you and your friend intercepted me and my friends, then sent me to Belle Reve."
Silence was returned. Bat-Bat said,
"What should I call you?"
"Kid."
"Very well. I'm Batman."
"Oh, I forgot. Those two are Liz and Patty."
Kid added, pointing out which sister was which. Batman then told him,
"Wake them up. I'll take you someplace where you could fit in."
Putting an emphasis on could. Kid folded his arms and asked,
"Why are you doing this? Wasn't I your enemy when I met you?"
Batman turned to exit the alley, but didn't walk.
"I don't have to tell you. Let's move."
Kid reluctantly shook the girls' shoulders.
"Hey. Get up. We've got a place to stay."
Liz rolled over to face Kid.
"I thought you were going to stay nearby to make sure nothing happened to us."
"I never left. He came here."
"'He'? Who's he?"
Kid turned to point at Batman. Liz looked terrified for a moment before getting up and stretching. Patty yawned, but hardly opened her eyes. She mumbled,
"Carry me?"
Patty asked in such a way Kid could not say no. He scooped her up in his arms and she wrapped her arms around his neck. I'm as big as she is. Have I really gotten this much stronger? He thought to himself as he walked out of the alleyway. Batman had already helped Liz into a car also designed as a bat. With help, Kid was able to strap Patty in next to Liz where Patty could use her sister's shoulder as a pillow.
Kid strapped in the back, holding on for fear of better technology. If I die, at least this car is symmetrical! He told himself. Batman hit the pedal and the car was gone in a flash. Kid was surprised Patty wasn't waking up. Even I didn't know she slept so heavily. He noted soundlessly. After a moment, Kid relaxed into his seat to try to take in the city. Only seconds passed before the city vanished and the group approached a small, singular mount next to the sea. Batman drove at extremely high speeds to the mount, stressing the passengers.
"Aren't we gonna slow down!?"
Liz screamed. Batman said nothing as he slowed and stopped right at the base of the mount. The car hatch opened and Kid was the first only out. After getting down, he face-planted the dirt. Kid laid there while Batman helped Liz get Patty on her back in the form of piggy-back. Batman helped Kid up, and then led the three to the mount.
Without thinking, Kid began using Soul Perception. He looked at Batman to see a dark grey sphere with the yellow bat symbol. Liz and Patty, their usual pink with their hats. Inside the mount, he could see a good eleven souls standing together. Kid could tell that seven of them were about his age.
One of those souls was deep blue, with some form of an eel wrapped around it. Another was perfectly black with a red 'S' on it. The third was yellow with a red bolt ringed in white. The fourth was light green with a large 'X' wrapped around it like a Christmas present. Next, a white soul wearing a black eye mask. The next soul was deep green with a light green arrow on it. Finally, a black and white soul wearing a top hat was observed.
Kid snapped out of it when a hidden ramp opened up to the four.
"Batman Override; three guests."
"Recognized."
A computerized voice answered to Batman. Batman gestured for them to follow. They walked down and through a wide hall as the ramp closed behind them. No going back now. Kid thought to himself. After a minute of walking though the hall, the cavern opened up into a massive dome. In the middle of the room stood all the souls Kid had seen, alongside a red robot with a large blue cape.
The group had been talking to each other before Batman, with Kid, Liz and Patty in tow, came in. The group stopped to stare at the newcomers. Kid suddenly felt insecure and a wave of shyness he hadn't felt in a long time overwhelmed him. Before he knew it, Kid had a shy blush flourishing his cheeks. But Kid could see the people in which he believed the souls belonged to. He also saw the four others whose souls he didn't get the chance to observe. One of these souls belonged to a massive wolf that appeared very intelligent and powerful. The other three were adults who obviously were heroes. There was also a red robot in the group.
Batman motioned for them to stop only feet away from the group. Kid's gaze drifted down, to the side. Liz didn't appear nervous, but just stood there with Patty still snoring. Batman said,
"These three could make excellent allies,"
Then turned to one of the older looking teens,
"Aqualad, I ask you to help them feel welcome and part of your team."
Aqualad nodded and said,
"I will do my best."
Batman turned to Kid and said,
"These adults are part of the Justice League. Meet Captain Marvel, Black Canary, Martian Manhunter and Red Tornado."
Each hero gestured a different way of 'hello' when introduced. Batman turned away from the group and left the cave. Aqualad turned to Kid and was about to talk when the kid with the lightning bolt on his chest raced over faster than Kid could see.
"New teammates, huh? I'm Kid Flash, 'KF' for short."
He said as he wrapped an arm over Kid's shoulders.
"Artemis."
A girl with a wicked bow said as she walked over. The second girl smiled and said,
"I'm Miss Martian. Or 'Miss M'. Or Me'ghan. Or Megan. That's an Earth name."
Megan gestured to a boy at her side.
"This is Superboy."
He snorted then added,
"Call me Connor."
Aqualad finally got the chance to properly introduce himself.
"I am Aqualad. My name is Khaldur'am, while friends call my Khaldur."
Now a younger boy wearing shades came up to say,
"I'm Robin. Nice to meet ya."
The last member gathered her courage.
"I'm Zatanna. Memorizing all these names must be a little hard."
Liz smiled and said,
"Not at all. I'm Liz, and this is Patty."
Using her head to point at her sister. She continued when she saw how Kid was acting.
"And this is Kid."