A/N: I don't own the Teen Titans.

Eris: I was going for that. And the Kenya reference was about when he joined the Young Justice on the mission in Africa. The one where he faced Onslaught.

frog31791: Yes he does.

Chapter 37:

Thankfully, everyone in the prison kept a respectful distance from the new inmate. After his display of courage, or maybe idiocy, and violence, it was no wonder no one wanted to be within stabbing distance. Not that he actually wanted to go through that again.

Unbeknownst to his quote unquote housemates, he could make out most of their conversations. Especially since most of them involved him.

"Did you hear about that new kid? Took out Ojo even when he was gettin' stared down by Brick and Shade.".

"I don' know 'bouts you, but I'm betting he gets his ass whooped within the week".

"Did you say 'Shiftling'? Weird name, but whatever.".

All throughout dinnertime the mentions of him and glances in his direction added up until he lost count. He hadn't planned on doing that, but his instincts and common sense had started acting together, yet in disharmony. In the end, his more violent side slipped through for just a few moments. But as everyone found out a few moments was all it took for something to go down. It didn't pass his attention that a third guard was added to escort him and Icicle Junior back to their cell. A loud clang reverberated through his ears when the door was closed, leaving just the two of them alone again.

"I heard you stuck your fork in Ojo. Whatever happened to first impressions?" the chilly man asked once he had reclaimed the top bunk.

"They were getting on my nerves, and it doesn't help that a bunch of territorial instincts were scratching at the back of my head." the changeling explained, earning an impressed whistle from his bunkmate.

"Well, I think you'll do just fine around here. Unless my dad and or Onslaught comes into the picture. By the way, I haven't told the others that you're in here. But I'm surprised they didn't find out." Junior stated nonchalantly.

"Speaking of, where are the others? How come you don't have Psimon or Bulldozer for a cellmate? And what's the deal about your dad?" Shiftling asked the mattress above him.

"Simple really. They don't want us conspiring. They already watch us enough whenever we meet up during free time, and sharing a cell would be too dangerous. Even with these collars." Icicle stated. Then he went quiet. Unusually quiet for someone like him. "As for the other question, my dad's the 'big man on campus'. Or 'in prison' in our case. I don't exactly know how, but throughout the years he's become the most feared and respected person in the joint. If anything, Waller is the only one anyone here obeys before him.".

"So if I don't want trouble I need to get on his good side?" Shiftling suggested more than asked.

"Correctamundo my friend. But good luck with that. Unless you're a super genius, heavy hitter, or competent ice villain, the chances of you getting an opportunity to talk to him are slim an' none." the icy teen retorted. "And it doesn't help that you already got on Brick's bad side. He's one of the heavy hitters I mentioned. Along with Bulldozer, Devastation, Psimon, and me. Even Shimmer has at least some respect from him. So no offense, but unless you can get the rest of Onslaught to drop a grudge, you're out of luck. Now go to bed. The guards don't like us inmates staying up talking too late.".

Maybe being a cellmate with this guy will pay off in the long run. That was a big "Maybe", but that was something to ponder tomorrow. Now, however, was time to get some sleep. He'd probably need it for tomorrow.

Another loud clang awoke the two inmates, but this time it was a metal baton striking the bars that made the cell door.

"Wakey wakey eggs and bakey." the guard joked before moving on to the next cell and repeating the procedure. With little enthusiasm Shiftling sat up and stretched out, a large yawn escaping his lips. It took him a few seconds to recall where he was, but much like the elephant inside him, he never truly forgot anything. Within reason of course. Icicle was already awake and had his feet dangling off the top bunk.

"I never asked yesterday, but how long are you in for? And why are you here exactly?" he asked the green teen.

"If all goes well, two months. And I'm in here because I killed someone not too long ago." Shiftling responded.

"Let me get this straight. You, a hero who helped the Kiddy Justice League, killed someone?" Junior restated as a question.

"Yeah. What about you?" the changeling followed up.

"I've got a few years. I've been charged with a handful of crimes like theft, destruction of government property and the likes, but as you could probably guess the biggest problem for them is they can't exactly give me the full sentence without giving away how terrible the system is at keeping us bad guys in check. Everything is better kept a secret for the sake of the civilians who can't handle anything this big." the icy villain explained, his voice laced with amusement at the situation that worked in his favor.

"Makes sense. Pretty ironic how the people putting you away are the ones who have to hide their failures." Shiftling stated, earning a mixture of laughter and agreement.

The discussion between the two was interrupted by the arrival of the three guards who would walk them down to breakfast. Just like last night, the two grabbed their trays and waited in line. Breakfast was a much better meal then dinner. There were small pancakes, vegetables usually reserved for lunch and supper, and something resembling water mixed with orange concentrate.

Unfortunately, Brick was the one serving the food. Instead of neatly placing the various items on Shiftling's tray, Brick scooped a larger than necessary serving of vegetables and messily tossed it onto the awaiting tray. Carrot pieces, corn kernels, and peas splattered everywhere within a three foot radius, including all over the waiting recipient.

"Too bad we don't have any green beans for the green bean." the white haired man mocked, earning a roar of laughter from everyone who was in hearing distance. In response, the green teen made a big deal of picking a few bits of food from his jumpsuit and ate them. After a few seconds of chewing and a swallow, he shuddered and spoke yet again.

"God that's awful. You didn't mix them with your bare hands did you?". An even louder choir of laughter broke out, and even through his red skin Brick could be seen getting red in the face.

"Maybe I did. Got a problem with that?" the man shot back while standing up straight to his full height.

"As someone who cares about my personal wellbeing, yes I do." Shiftling quickly retorted. Brick's first response was too get angrier, but just as quickly calmed down to an almost friendly attitude.

Another scoop of vegetables was placed onto the tray, this time gently and followed by a few pancakes and orange juice.

"You've got a fast mouth kid. Now move along, there's a line half a mile long behind you." Brick stated as if nothing had happened. Although confused, Shiftling did as requested and sat down in the first empty seat he found. Just a little down the table a small group of conversing inmates stopped for a few seconds, then resumed their chatter but with their eyes on him. Not even a minute later a girl with dark blue hair and bluish white skin approached the teen and sat next to him.

"Have to hand it to you, you're entertaining. Name's Killer Frost. You're Shiftling, right?" the girl introduced.

"Yeah. You one of Icicle's friends?" the verdant teen followed up.

"Damn right I am. I notice you seem on decent terms with his son. Junior's not too annoying is he?" the girl asked with fake worry.

"He's fine. Tellin' me about the ropes, giving me tips about what he can. While you're around, what does it take to get on the big man's good side? I've been told that's the best way to stay alive around here." the changeling requested.

An interested look filled Frost's face and those of her nearby companions.

"There are a few ways. Mainly, you have to be dangerous. Smarts and strength are what he likes, along with ice powers like me and his son. Chances are you won't fit into his entourage. You're way too little compared to others to be a threat even with the collars holding his bad boys back, and you don't seem all too smart given you keep messing with Brick and his own gang." Killer explained.

"Can't blame me for trying. Guess I just gotta hope the rest of Onslaught doesn't spot me. Not that green skin is the best camouflage in this place." Shiftling said with a shrug. At the mention of Icicle Junior's team, a short series of whispers broke through the small group. Killer returned to them for half a minute to add her own whispers, then gave the green teen her full attention.

"How do you know Onslaught?" she requested, almost demanded from the changeling.

"Had a little run in with them recently. Why do you ask?" Shiftling followed with a bite of pancake.

"Well, they're kind of well known around here. Devastation is one of the strongest when the collars are off, and Psimon is one of the most powerful telepaths around. Then there's the fact that Junior is Icicle's son." Frost explained.

"Yeah, I suppose those are true. But we all have collars, so the playing field is level, isn't it?" the changeling rhetorically asked before standing up to take his tray to a conveyor belt that carried it to a washing room.

"He is an interesting one, isn't he?" a stocky male with blond hair and white shirt thought aloud.

"That he is brother Tommy." a similarly styled female replied. The three watched with attentive stares as the new inmate made his way over to the exercise court.

For the most part, the exercise equipment was standard stuff. Simple benches and a few modified barbells, though why Amanda or whoever ran the joint was willing to give the inmates the means to get stronger was a mystery to Shiftling. But still, this was a good chance to get ahead of the pack. Most of the other prisoners were still eating, and he was willing to bet money that not everyone here actually worked out.

Luckily for the shapeshifter, the benches were empty, so he had free reign to the weights. As he loaded on more and more of the weighty disks he could feel more people start to stare. Just like after he stabbed Ojo, he could easily make out several of the mutters going through the crowds.

"There's no way someone that scrawny can lift that much with a collar on.".

"How much you wanna bet he gets himself squished?" to which another answered, "I'll bet the rest of my breakfast if you bet yours.".

Eventually the prepping changeling settled for a total of three hundred and twenty pounds, not counting the bar itself. While not spectacular by any means, it was a rather dubious amount for someone his size to lift without powers. Nevertheless, the green teen positioned himself on his back and grasped the bar with as wide of an angle as he could manage. After a quick countdown in his head, he pushed up on the bar and carried it far enough from the rack to let it drop to his chest before pushing it back up.

"Not bad kid. Could have sworn you were going to crush yourself." an all too familiar voice called out. An unpleasant red face looked down at the changeling and smiled. A heavy elbow rested itself on the bar, forcing it down to just inches above the struggling user's chest.

"I'm not too heavy, am I?" Brick asked with a sarcastic tone.

"No, you're as light as a bag of cement mix." Shiftling managed to spit out between struggles.

"You flatter me. Really. But it appears you're in a bit of a pickle. And I'm not talking about your green, salty skin." the red man stated. The bar continued to drop until it was resting on the teen's chest. Still, Brick didn't ease up on the pressure, and took a stance similar to leaning against a counter.

"Tell you what. Apologize for what you said to me and did to Ojo and I'll call us even." the man offered.

No one would get the chance to hear the green teen's response, as Brick was pushed aside by another familiar being. With all the extra weight gone, the heavy bar was free to shoot up to the rack. However, the adrenaline that had been rushing through Shiftling's system caused him to overshoot the rack and send the bar flying behind him and crashing to the ground.

"What's your deal Junior?" the red skinned man demanded from the icy villain.

"Did you really think doing that was a good idea? I'm pretty certain my father would be disappointed at losing someone as strong as him." the blue skinned teen replied. "And it would be on your head." he added with a sneer.

For what felt like hours the two stared each other down, neither willing to retreat a single inch. The guards above were already prepared to step in, and would probably have to if the tension in the room didn't drop soon.

"You're lucky you're Icicle's son. But be warned, your man won't always be the top dog. And when someone finally takes him down, you'll be on your own kid.". Each word was laced with venom and would have cut through steel had they been tangible. Finally the two separated. Brick left to eat, and Icicle checked on his cellmate.

"Thanks. I owe you one." Shiftling grunted between gasps.

"Gotta hand it to you, you're stronger than you look. Maybe my pa could use you after all." the villain offered before leaving the green teen. Slowly the other inmates went back to their previous activities.

"I wonder how things are going back home." the green changeling thought to himself as he started swinging two barbells back and forth. Memories of the tower and the other five inhabitants filled his mind. Especially those of a certain half demon. God, he would be so glad to be back there.

About half an hour into the workout he and Icicle were walked back to their cell. Surprisingly, there were only two guards this time.

"Man, you're not so good at these 'first impressions' are you?" the chilly teen sarcastically asked.

"No, apparently not. But thanks again for the help back there. I'd probably be green goo if you hadn't stepped in." the green inmate said.

"Hey, don't worry about it. You'd do the same for me, wouldn't you?".

"I suppose I would. So what happens now?".

"Well, we hang out for a few hours until chores are assigned, then lunch a little after that. You're new, so you'll probably get low priority jobs like mopping the floors.".

"Doesn't sound too bad. Any idea what lunch will be?" the changeling requested as he occupied his bunk.

"Probably generic stuff. You know, small PB and J sandwiches with whatever assorted sides is cheapest this week.".

Shiftling just nodded and the two remained in silence.

"Hey, would you like to meet my dad? After all, he's bound to have heard of you by now, and he might be able to get you protection from Onslaught." the teen offered.

Shiftling thought about it for a few moments. There were a number of ways this go right, but also a number of ways it could go wrong.

"Sure. During lunch I presume?" he finally responded.

"Yeah, you're catching on real quick.".

Minutes later a guard appeared and interrupted the chatting inmates.

"C'mon kids. Time to get to work. Junior, you've been assigned to laundry. The new kid's got mopping to do." the man recited as he led the two to their various stations.

"Called it. See ya later." Icicle said as he was led away down a different hall. Meanwhile, the green teen was led back to the eating area.

"You've got a mop and plenty of water. I assume you know what to do." the guard stated with a push to the mentioned objects. Figuring the best thing to do was to get it over with, Shiftling quickly grabbed the mop and started pushing it back and forth across the floor, occasionally dumping it in the water bin before going back to the simple motions.

"If only the others could see me now." the teen mused to himself. "B, you really do know how to use that thing!" rang in his head in Cyborg's voice. The image of Cy with him mouth agape was enough to make him chuckle as he moved over to the next spot and started cleaning it.

A/N: Wow, it's almost been a month again. Sorry to keep you all waiting, just didn't have much time to write. On the other hand, I did start another short story and removed Green Ops from my works page.

Let me know what you though! I hope you are all doing well with the pandemic and political tensions riding higher than ever. Have a great day!