Kai and Luke were in S.T.A.R Labs, working together. The eccentric scientist was training the hybrid in how to use complex machinery, and to his surprise, Kai instantly understood.
"Usually takes most newbies two days to operate such a thing. But you kid? I fear you'll put me out of the job." Luke said as he wrote down notes of progress.
"But then I wouldn't have a master to look up to." Kai finished loading spare materials, sending them to another lab group. "Besides, it's good to have someone who understands tech like I do."
Luke couldn't be more proud of Kai. "You know, I see alot of your mother in you Kai." The hybrid walked up in curiosity.
"I don't know about that. Considering my appearance, I thought I lost any resemblance to her."
Luke smirked, "That's amazing, every word of what you just said, was wrong." The familiar quote made Kai chuckle.
"Okay Master Skywalker." He mentally noted how there was a resemblance between Doctor Thomas and a familiar Star Wars character.
"Hilarious Padawan." Luke sarcastically said, "Let's finish this last task of the day, and you can go back to being a superhero."
"Is that jealousy I detect from you?" Kai asked, "Trust me, it's not easy balancing my work here, and stopping wannabe villians."
"I'm messing with you." Luke patted him on the back, "Give me video games, and chocolate pretzels and I'll be set for life."
"We'll have to team up sometime, show the pros how it's done!" They shared a laugh together, mutually agreeing with one another.
After an hour of re-arranging file cabinets, Kai clocked out, suiting up to patrol the city before heading back into Titans Tower. Luke stayed behind, looking at his computer screen with a serious stare. During the first day of training, the scientist needed a blood sample from Kai, to see how the cells in his body have changed since his transformation. But that wasn't the only reason that Doctor Thomas had, for he searched for answers, a link between metahuman, and human.
The results on the screen were shocking to Luke, but it wasn't the bad kind of shocking. A tear left his eye, the answer had only sparked emotion.
Blackstar couldn't help but laugh at his opponent. A man "wrecked" havoc at a local Italian diner, carrying a gun that shoots out. . . wait for it, onions.
"You dare mock me!? The Onion Boy!?" The screeching voice was enough to make you want to punch his lights out.
"No offense, but you're an adult." The hero answered back. "Leave the food gimmick to The Condiment King will you?"
The Onion Boy began to open fire, peeled onions came flying towards Kai at a high velocity, almost matching the speed of a bullet. Of course Blackstar dodged them, trying to contain his laughter at what was probably the dumbest villian in the history of mankind.
"Why won't you stay still!? JUST COME ON AND-" The costumed villain was interuppted by Kai's flying kick, causing him to fall back onto a table, breaking it in the process.
He was already out cold, with the victor standing triumphant. Until he felt the sting of the onions, violating his eyes.
"Jeez those onions must be out of date!" He said aloud, noticing the police officers who watched the fight.
"I've dealt with some weirdos in my time." A female officer said, "But a dude with an onion gun?"
"Thanks for stopping him, weird alien fox guy?" The name only made Kai smirk.
"It's Blackstar. I'm new here." He replied, "Got here about a week ago."
"Glad to know that you new guys are doing your predecessors proud." And with that slightly sarcastic compliment, Kai flew off, eager to return to the tower for a moment of relaxation.
"So much for a busy night. . ." He thought, slightly dissapointed with tonight's villain.
Landing on top of the tower, he found Wonder Girl outside. Was she waiting for him? Or was she just needing the fresh air?
"Heya Cass." He greeted, only to recieve silence. "Are you alright?"
She turned to him, her eyes filled with tears. "K. . ." She couldn't finish her sentence as she broke down. Kai responded by pulling her into a hug, gentley rubbing her back.
"Am I a freak?" She whispered.
"Who said that?" He asked, looking at her with concern.
"It doesn't matter. . ."
"Who said that Cass?" He asked again firmly.
"It was my teacher. He just kept insulting me all day, turning everything into a joke about me, like how I'll never be like Donna Troy, or Wonder Woman."
Kai felt his temper boil, but he restrained himself from snapping. "Well he doesn't know you Cass. You've done your mentors proud, and by coming here, going to school or college on top of that, you're doing great."
Wonder Girl kept her grip on Kai, listening to his kind words. "So what if we're different? It is better to be unique, than to be a carbon copy of someone else."
"I should know Cass. I'm an obvious example of being different, even without the fur, I always thought that I didn't fit in any group. But I didn't care because I could handle being the outcast, and now I'm part of something greater. We're Titans Wonder Girl, and we're fine the way we are!" Kai's words of encouragement brought a new light in Cass's eyes, tears stopped falling as they looked at each other.
They hugged each other again before heading inside, both feeling much better. Upon entering the lounge, Superboy and Miss Martian were watching Titanic, despite Connor's reluctance.
"There was enough room on that raft!" Kai called out, earning a frown from the green lady. The hybrid raised his hands in defense, "Just saying. . ."
Tim emerged from the kitchen, wearing an apron, depicting a muscled chest. Kai and Cass held back from snickering. "Don't ask. Just don't." He quietly said before retreating back.
After the end of Titanic, Miss Martian shed a tear at the end. "She let him go. . ." She sniffled.
"Where's Jaime?" Kai asked aloud, not directing the question to anyone in paticular.
"He's staying with his family for a week, wanting to spend time with them." Superboy spoke as he comforted his lady friend, discreetly changing the channel to the latest news.
"Giovanni's resturant was attacked by a wannabe villian, calling himself The Onion Boy, who launched an attack on Giovanni and his staff, with his "onion gun". The suspect had damaged property with this contraption, and assualted the many diners that were present, all whilst he ranted and screamed throughout the ordeal. Thankfully, the mysterious hero calling himself Blackstar, had appeared just in time before anyone was injured, and subdued the Onion Boy, before letting the police handle the rest." A female news anchor described Kai's action against the insane screecher. He sighed as he noticed all eyes on him.
"He wasn't The Condiment King, but jeez those onions were out of date." Kai said as hopped over the couch, sitting down.
"There's always some idiot out there who think they'll be the next biggest villain since the Brotherhood of Evil." Conner said, rolling his eyes at the screaming Onion Boy being carried away by police.
"YOU RESORTS TO THE PAYCHECK, AND YOU GOT IT!!"
The Owner appeared next, describing the scenario. "He was a former employee. I fired him because he made unwanted advances to fellow staff, my daughter included. So when he arrived with that gun, he just started screaming like a banshee, demanding that he got his job back."
"And what you do think of this Blackstar?" A reporter on the scene asked.
"I have to admit, the guy was fast, hard to make out as I hid behind the bar counter. But if he's watching this, I wanna say thank you, and you're welcome to a free dinner."
The group quietly clapped, Kai responded with a curteous bow. "For a z listed villain, I didn't think I'd get such an honorable mention."
"Small victories all add up eventually Kai. Sure these guys aren't as dangerous, but dealing with them makes the job easier, even if they've got the most ridiculous gimmicks." Miss Martian smiled at him. "Besides it's great for you in the long run."
"This guy didn't even last fourty seconds, it would've been less if I wasn't finding it hilarious." Blackstar said, followed by his friends chuckling in response.
Tim called out to the team, "Dinner is ready!" The group moved quickly to the dining area, a welcoming smell entered the air.
After the team finished their extravagent Indian meal and cleaned up their mess, everyone took a moment to let their stomachs settle.
"Oh Man." Conner said, "Now that was good Tim." He complimented Robin.
"Certainly beats Jaime's cooking." Cass added, with a curious Kai raising his eyebrow.
She then explained, "Jaime made a really crappy chicken noodle soup one time."
"Most of the time we all take turns in cooking for the team, Blue Beetle is the exception." Conner added, shuddering at the memory.
"Thanks for the warning."
The group laughed with each other, only to be interuppted by an alarm. The monitors showed live footage of a robbery taking place in Jump City Bank, a familiar blue skinned magician was present.
"Mumbo Jumbo. . ." Wonder Girl muttered, "The last thing we need. . ."
"Guess the dessert is gonna have to wait." Robin moved the cheesecake back into the fridge, "Let's go!"
"Right!" The group shouted in unision, and so they went off to stop Mumbo.
If it was one thing Wonder Girl didn't like, then chasing a whacky magician was the big one. Mumbo used whatever trick he had to stop the Titans from catching up to him. Utilizing a giant bubblegum cannon, he successfully caught Superboy, Miss Martian, and Robin, letting them struggle in annoyance at the sticky substance.
"Stick around!" Mumbo called out, laughing as he ran. The magician continued to run from Wonder Girl and Blackstar, who narrowly avoided the giant gum attack.
"For an old man, he's fast!" The hybrid grunted, "Dude must have had one of those energy drinks."
"If we can knock his wand or hat off of him, he'll lose his powers." Wonder Girl charged straight towards Mumbo, avoiding the trickster's attack.
With a quick swipe, Cass took Mumbo's hat with swiftness. The magician grunted in fraustration as the giant money bag became heavy. His hat no longer giving him the property of lifting objects with ease. Kai could see him struggling with the giant bag, sensing that the weight could potentially crush him. Not taking any chances, Blackstar flew towards Mumbo, grabbing him by the waist, and forced him to let go of the bag. The bag rested on the concrete, it's contents leaking out of the top.
Kai placed a confused Mumbo down, looking at him with discontent. "Sorry Mumbo, but the show is over."
"W-Why did you do that?" The magician asked.
"That bag would've done more than hurt you. When Wonder Girl took your hat, your magic had slowly weakened, and your strength was waning under that weight. You wouldn't have survived the crush, especially considering your age." Blackstar confirmed as Mumbo's skin returned to a pale white, the frail old man was pushing past his mid seventies.
Miss Martian, Robin, and Superboy joined the hybrid, followed by the local police force.
"You shouldn't keep doing this Mumbo." Wonder Girl approached the shaking old man. "Your magic is beginning to fade, and soon it will ultimately be gone."
Mumbo looked down at his hands, a part of him knew that he couldn't keep this up. He sighed, accepting that it was time to hang up the cloak. After taking the money back to the bank, and having Mumbo taken away with the police, the group retreated to the Tower, intending on eating their dessert.
Once everyone had eaten, the majority retreated to their rooms. Kai on the other hand remained in the lounge, watching an old documentary about S.T.A.R Labs research, familiar faces appeared on the program. First came his mother Alice, who was explaining her role as an exo suit developer.
"Here in S.T.A.R Labs, I believe that in making these suits, I will be able to find ways of making rescue during natural, and unatrural catastrophies a faster, more efficent, method to save lives." Her voice was a soft New York accent.
The camera showed the various suits in development, including what seemed to be a prototype variation of the Star suit. Then it switched to another scientist, who walked alongside Alice.
"I'm Doctor Luke Thomas, and I am currently the head of the metahuman research division." The familiar voice made Kai's face light up with joy, as he listened to his mentor talk of his group, and why he had chosen to devote himself to understanding metahumans, and find ways of helping them cope with their unique circumstances.
The next scene however made Kai frown, just seeing the man who killed his mother smiling just made his blood boil. John Miller was showcasing a new kind of material. "This kind of material has no name. It may seem like your average metal, but what it is capable of will amaze you."
John demonstrated how the material could withstand fire, acid, sharp weaponry, blunt force, and electrical discharges. "With this material, I'm hoping we can use this for military purposes, further increasing the chances of survival."
It didn't surprise Kai as he was aware of his attempts to weaponize the Star suit, in the hopes that it would be the perfect war machine. As Miller continued to showcase a gauntlet of the same material, and as he put it on, it adjusted to the shape of his hand, completely covering the arm like a second skin.
"This adjusts to one's shape and size, demonstrating how versatile it can be, giving the user more freedom of movement, rather than the bulky suits you're used to seeing here."
As the documentary continued to eight months later, depicting Alice, Millar, and Luke celebrating a pregnacy annoucment.
"Here at S.T.A.R Labs we consider all colleagues as one big family." The voice of Alice narrated through the celebration.
"In another few months, I will be giving birth to a boy. I have already settled on a name." Alice said aloud, prompting a question from the camera man.
"What name have you decided?"
"Kai." Alice answered, "Kai Thomas Black."
To hear the words come out of his mother was a breath of relief. But why did she choose Thomas as a middle name, instead of his supposed father? Was it because Luke knew Alice longer than John? Or was there something more to this than meets the eye?
Kai switched off the TV before leaving for his room, the multiple questions spun through his head. "I should ask Luke tomorrow, maybe he'll clarify why my mother didn't name me after John. . ." He thought to himself as he prepared for bed.
Little did Blackstar know, that the answers were right under his very nose. . .
End of Chapter VI: Birthname
Author's Notes:
For those who may wonder who the hell is Onion Boy, I'd like to confirm that he is inspired by none other than a certain Youtuber, who is a rather pathetic human being. I couldn't resist making a dig at him, so I wanted the villain to be as weak as possible. Just a one off of course, so he won't be returning as he bears no major plot. Thank you all again, and I'll see you in the next chapter.