Symbol

Not many people realized just how passive Thunder was. Maybe it was the nature of his powers that made him this way? Natural thunder is often slow and, although it may sound threatening, is completely harmless. Thunder was of a similar disposition himself. His large build and deep voice would often made him quite intimidating, especially to any criminals that found themselves up against him. But, in truth, he often disliked confrontation and would prefer to take the more peaceful option.

Now was one of those times. He felt that he probably should be doing something to break up the argument that was raging in front of him, but to do so might just make things worse. So instead he was sitting cross-legged on the floor, occasionally sipping on the tea Raven had very kindly made for him; his eyes slowly moving between the two 'combatants'.

It was a silly argument really. Thunder and his brother Lightning had come to Jump City in order to help their friends, the Titans. There had been a group of villains, calling themselves Nature's Fury, attempting to take over the city. Each one claimed to be able to control a force of nature such as wind, lightning etc. However, none of them had any real power. Their abilities derived from enhanced power suits that they wore. So they were no match for a pair of brothers who could be described as forces of nature incarnate.

It turned out that they had not been the only visitors in Jump that day. The masked speedster, Kid Flash, had been staying with the Titans at the time of the attack. He had used his high-speed powers to blow away the so-called wind master Maelstrom, at the same time that Lightning had shorted out the electricity wielding crook, The Bolt.

As the criminals were being carted away, Beast Boy happened to look at Kid Flash and Lightning standing next to each other. He had remarked casually that, with their hair, build and the lightning bolt symbol on both their chests, they kind of looked alike. Lightning had dismissed the comment as foolishness, to which Kid Flash had jokingly replied that he should see being compared to him as a compliment.

Now Thunder knew of his brother's quick temper, and his stubbornness when it came to arguments, but he was now coming to realize that Kid Flash was not one to back down either.

"I am not changing my symbol!" The red-headed hero said loudly. "The lightning bolt has been the symbol of the Flash since World War Two!"

"Your powers do not even have anything to do with lightning!" His yellow-skinned challenger shot back.

"Oh, really? Do you even know how I got these powers? It was a couple of years ago, after I got zapped by a big bolt of lightning that came out of nowhere!"

"Brother, where abouts were you at this time?" Thunder asked Lightning.

"That had nothing to do with me!" Lightning insisted. "I do not go firing bolts of lightning at random places… anymore."

"Anyway," Kid Flash continued, "The lightning bolt goes perfect with my slogan: Kid Flash; Faster Than Lightning!"

He struck a dramatic pose as he said this; with one hand in a fist on his hip, and the other pointing in the air.

Thunder looked to see if he was pointing at anything in particular. After seeing that he wasn't, he said,

"I thought your slogan was: Kid Flash; Fastest Boy Alive."

Kid Flash brought his hand down, behind his head.

"Well yeah, but I've been thinking about changing it. There've been a few jokes circling round…"

"So, you'll change your slogan, but not your symbol." Lightning said, with his arms crossed. Kid Flash turned back to him.

"Well I don't see why you should be the one who gets to keep it." He answered.

"Hmm, let's see." Lightning held his chin in his hand in mock contemplation. "I shoot lightning from my fingers, and my name is Lightning. What else should I use for my symbol!?"

Thunder sighed and put his tea down. If he didn't try to stop this soon, sparks were literally going to fly.

"Brother, does it really matter if someone has the same symbol as you?" He asked gently.

"That is easy for you to say." Lightning replied. "How would you like it if somebody was walking around, wearing your thunder cloud?" He pointed to the cloud symbol on Thunder's chest.

Thunder looked down at his cloud, and put his hand protectively over it.

"Hey dudes!"

The three of them looked up as Beast Boy entered the room; a friendly smile on his face.

"Are you still arguing about that lightning bolt symbol?" The changeling asked as he leant on the back of the couch. "I don't really blame ya for both wanting to keep it. It's cool. I remember thinking the same thing about Mento's lightning bolt symbol when I was in the Doom Patrol."

Both Lightning and Kid Flash's eyes narrowed at this.

"This Mento." Said Lightning. "Does he also have powers of electricity?"

"Hm? Oh, no. He has psychic powers." Beast Boy answered.

"Psychic? What's that got to do with lightning?!" Exclaimed Kid Flash.

Beast Boy suddenly realized the two boys had suddenly turned their attention, and malice, away from each other and towards him. He began to back up, quickly.

"Whoa, dudes! Did I say 'lightning bolt'? Y'know, come to think of it, Mento's symbol is more on its' side. It's really just a squiggly line. Nothing too special about it."

Oh the while this was going on, Thunder was sipping his tea and casting thoughtful looks at his cloud. He wondered if there was such a thing as superhero symbol patent laws.