YEY, my first Reviewer! StandMyGround! Much luff!
Chapter 2This new villain was like nothing they had ever faced. The black beret and curly mustache was a dead giveaway that this was indeed the man they were after, but he also had dark hair, a muscular build, and wore a black smock. At least…it appeared black, but with all the different colors of paint caked on the clothing it was hard to tell. Wielding a brush in one hand and a pallet in the other, the man had a super ability unknown to the Titans. They became aware of it as they rushed to the part of the city where his crime was being committed when all of a sudden they skidded to a halt. This street and the buildings on either side were covered with painted murals of all sorts. If it wasn't that the man painting them was a kidnapper, Robin might have allowed some of them to remain there.
The villain cackled as the teenage team assembled, even though his back was turned to them and he was bent over a small section of a wall. "Where is the girl?" Robin growled, his eyes narrowed at the lowlife. The sharp bird-a-rangs the boy carried opened with a snap, their razor sharp edges glinting in the sun.
The scoundrel clicked his tongue in annoyance and turned to face the vigilant team. He waved his finger in the Titan's direction disapprovingly. "Now, now, children," his voice vaguely reminded the teens of another villain they had fought. It was deep, commanding, and seemed to strike fear in their hearts, despite the silly gestures he was making towards them. "That is no way to start a new relationship. Let us first get to know each other."
Cyborg frowned, "We don't have to know you, all we have to know is that you're a kidnapper and we are about to kick you're a--"
"Cyborg," Robin hissed, his eyes never moving from the villain's face, which was twisted into a cruel smile.
The man laughed, sending shivers up the superheroes' spines. "Yes, that's more like it," He said, gesturing with his hand holding the paintbrush, droplets flinging onto the kids, "I am the artist formally known as E. Zel. And let me guess; flashy, spandex costumes; annoyed, intent stares; below voting age…hmm…you must be the Teen Titans. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Yea, yea, warm fuzzies all around," Beast Boy mocked, "but--"
Starfire interrupted before he could make some corny joke, "Tell us where you have taken the daughter of our country's leader." Her eyes were glowing green, as her powerful star bolts formed around her hands.
"Children these days," The Artist shook his head, "No patience. Nor do they respect their elders. Alas," he folded his arms across his chest, careful not to smear paint across his already covered smock, "I do not know who you are looking for. I haven't seen a girl."
Robin's fists clenched so hard together he was probably drawing blood. "You lying,--" His insult was cut of as he sprung at the villain his bow staff at the ready. The staff was heading straight towards The Artist, when suddenly he smiled and, in thin air, painted a multicolor line. He grabbed at the line as Robin was about to come down hard on him, and surprisingly, it moved and became clutched in the villain's hand. As The Artist held the conjured staff up in defense, Robin's weapon hit the painted one, resulting in a metal on metal clang that echoed through the teen's ears.
"How…?" Robin shook his head angrily, in confusion.
Raven raised an eyebrow suspiciously, "What kind of magic is this?"
"What? Did I forget to tell you what I could do?" The Artist laughed mockingly, getting enjoyment from Titan's bewildered expressions.
"It doesn't matter," Robin snarled, "Tell us where the girl is, and we might let you off easy."
The villain shook his head in disappointment, "You heroes never understand how much a nice please will get you in the world. Nevertheless, who is this girl you want to know about." A cruel smile crept up his face, as his eyes showed a malicious sparkle, "Did she look like this?" He waved his hand slowly, the paint falling from his brush building up into a picture. All the titans could do was wait until he was finished.
Colors flew from his brush, The Artist smiling as he painted. In a matter of seconds, he was done. "This is her, no?" He laughed manically as the heroes stared in horror at the figure before them.
There was a girl lying on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest. Tears streamed down her dirty cheeks and her golden brown hair was tangled with leaves and sticks. But the fact that horrified and disgusted the teens, was what she was wearing, or, lack there of. The poor child was clothed in nothing more than shredded pieces of fabric, hardly an excuse for clothing, shaking with fear. Small moans of "Please, no" and "Help me"'s reached their ears.
Beast Boy clutched his stomach and turned vomit in a bush. Raven closed her eyes and shook her head, sad for both the girl and her friend. Cyborg and Robin were visibly angry, though one more so than the other. And naïve Starfire could hardly get her mind around the situation.
"You," Her voice managed shakily, "Are a very bad man."
Cyborg narrowed his eyes in disgust, "When I get my hands on you—" His arm was switching into his cannon as he began to run towards the villain.
The villain who was just laughing, keeping half an eye on the titans while the other eyed the girl appraisingly.
Raven levitated, surrounding her hands with her black aura and headed towards the man. Robin, wordlessly, launched himself at the girl in an attempt to rescue her from this madman. He was an inch away; his arms ready to scoop her carefully up when…
Robin crashed through the girl, landing roughly off-balanced on the concrete. He was covered with the peach, browns, and other colored paints that had made up the girl. Looking around, the boy wonder noticed The Artist disappear into thin air just as Raven's aura snatched at him. Star bolts and sonic blasts hit the wall behind where the villain was standing a moment before. Half expecting to see a green animal follow the blasts, his masked eyes caught sight of the green boy looking even greener than thought possible. At first, Robin was going to yell at him, but he decided to hold his rage in check as he noted him bending back over the bush.
Needless to say, Robin was angry. Covered in paint, and furious.
I know this hasn't been very interesting yet (or about Raven), but next chapter will be better. I just had to set the stage.