Teen Titans: Predator
Chapter 1:
It was a cold and quiet night in Jump City when a lean built 16-year old male with pale gray skin—standing at 5'8" with sloppy, curly black hair and a scar on his right eye—forcefully shoved an average sized adult male in a black leather jacket against the wall with one arm. The teen glared at him angrily as he let out a ferocious growl, striking fear into the man.
The teen wore a tight red and black bodysuit with black and red gloves. The front torso was all red with black stripes on the chest and waist - seemingly in the form fangs - and the legs were red with black lining. He also wore red and black boots that went up to his calves. On his back was the black logo of a paw with a bold red 'P' in the center. Lastly was a domino mask with sharp edges resting on his face, covering his eyes.
"Where is he?!" The teen asked in a tough gritty tone.
"I-I don't know what you're talkin' about." The man cried unsteadily.
"Quit lyin' to me, Dipstick! I know a lie when I hear one. Now start talkin' before I rip you to shreds!"
"I really don't know what you're talkin' about, man."
"I'm talkin' about Red X! Tell me where he is!" He said, punching a hole in the wall.
"Who's Red X? I-I don't know what you're talkin' about, man; please just let me go!" The man begged. The teen growled, then sniffed the man's jacket and a very familiar scent escaped from him.
"You've got his scent on you. Don't screw with me, pal." The teen growled, forcing the man to sweat. "You know where he is...and you're gonna tell me. Now start talking before I leave a really bad scar on ya face."
"Okay, okay..." The man breathed. "Red X told me to-" From out of nowhere, an X shaped shuriken collided against the man's skull, shocking the teen. He dropped the now unconscious thug, then looked in the direction it came from. He spotted a figure in all black on a rooftop, fleeing from the scene.
The teen narrowed his eyebrows and growled. He quickly rushed towards the figures destination and jumped as high as he could, gripping the wall with his claws. He grunted continuously as he reached the top. He crawled about on all fours, searching for the figure, who was nowhere to be found. He rose to his feet and looked around some more until he noticed a piece of black fabric lying on the ground. He picked it up and brought it to his nose.
He took a few whiffs and a wry smile grew on his cheeks. He dropped the fabric and followed the suspect's trail.
A few minutes passed until the trail ended and he finally located the source of the trail but there was no sign of any life whatsoever. He looked around in confusion, almost eagerly searching for the culprit; no progress. A sudden feeling of intense buzzing occurred in his head, signaling incoming danger.
A chain of mini red Xs' suddenly surrounded him, forming a circle. The teen's eyes widened. He swiftly reverse somersaulted into the air as the Xs' released a chain explosion.
The teen landed back on his feet a good few feet away from the explosion. He caught eye of a figured dressed in all black landing in front of the smoke.
He was a tall, scrawny figure wearing a completely black bodysuit with a red X placed right over his left pectoral muscle, an ash-gray utility belt with matching gloves that had red Xs' on the palms and back of the hands. Next was a pair of black boots with steel-soles and a black cape with an ash-gray interior. Lastly was a mask in the shape of a white skull and a red x starting on his forehead and ended beneath his right eye.
"You lookin' for me, Red?" Red X asked, in a slightly mechanical voice.
"The name's Predator, Dirt-bag." Predator retorted as he and Red X found themselves in a standoff. "You almost killed that guy!"
"You know what they say about rats, kid. They don't always last very long." Red X warned. "But I'm more interested in why you're putting in all this effort of looking for me?"
"You know exactly what you did." Predator said, aggressively. "You're gonna pay for all of it."
"Great, another justice-bringing delivery boy. Is it seriously that big of a deal?"
"Yeah...it is." Predator growled, his eyes turning golden yellow. His teeth sharpened into fangs, while his fingers shifted into long, black claws. Some fur grew on his cheeks while his hair turned gray; similar to a gray wolf.
"What're you a werewolf?" Red X scoffed. "I was expecting more."
"Trust me; I'm more than meets the eye." Predator said, preparing to fight.
"You really sure you wanna do this?"
"Trust me, it's the only thing on my To-Do-List." Predator said. He roared as he charged at Red X.
Red X crossed his arms together and swiftly shot out a septet of X-shurikens. Predator jumped up, avoiding them - countering with a sideways somersault kick at Red X. Red X jumped backwards as Predator landed feet first to the ground.
Red X threw a punch but Predator blocked it and threw a series of claws, punches and kicks at him. Red X blocked and dodged every one of them, whilst throwing punches and kicks of his own.
"You've got moves kid...urgh...I'll give you that." Red X said between punches.
"I'm just gettin'...hurgh...started!" Predator said, throwing a roundhouse kick. Red X blocked the attack but was also pushed back a few feet. Predator's eyes turned bright red and his hair turned golden brown. Red X raised an eyebrow. "I'm not just a wolf." Predator smirked. "I'm every carnivore known to man."
Predator grunted as he charged on all fours at the similar speed of a cheetah. Red X clenched his fists as Predator pounced with a fist raised. Predator threw a punch but Red X teleported out of view. Predator rolled on the ground landing back on his feet, briefly sliding on the ground. Red X reappeared in the air behind him, triggering Predator's instincts. He looked back and saw Red X raise his palms. The Xs' started to glow and shot out two beams of red energy.
"Shoot." Predator groaned. He performed a series of backflips, vastly trying to keep his distance.
Red X ceased fire as he landed back on the ground, whereas Predator performed a massive jump in the air. He then swung his arms open and charged down at Red X. Red X unleashed another chain of X-shuriken, which Predator swiftly avoided by twirling in mid air.
Red X once again teleported out of view, causing Predator to punch a hole in the ground. Predator rose to his feet, cautiously looking around. His instincts kicked in yet again when Red X appeared behind him and threw a fist. Predator swiftly ducked under the punch, allowing him to counter with an uppercut to Red X's jaw. Red X grunted loudly, staggering backwards.
Predator lunged forward and continued his attack with two hooks to the jaw, followed by another uppercut. Red X attempted a punch but it was blocked, allowing Predator to land a punch to Red X's chest. Predator pulled his head down and landed a knee to his face. Red X grunted again, grasping his head - his eyes were shut tight from the pain. His eyes opened to the sight of Predator jumping in the air and hitting him with a flying kick. Red X was thrown a few feet away, rolling on the ground and landing flat on his front.
Predator's body returned to normal as he approached the felled Red X.
"Had enough?" Predator asked, lifting his head up to face him.
He was caught off guard when Red X's eyes shot open and he grabbed his wrist. Predator shouted as he was electrocuted by a powerful surge of electricity from Red X's palm. Red X continued with a punch to the face, pushing him back.
"Actually..." Red X said, rising to his feet. He lifted his fists and the Xs' on the back of his hand extended into X-blades. "I'm just getting started."
Predator growled as he cracked his jaw. His eyes turned dark brown, his fangs grew slightly longer than before and his fingers extended into long - approximately three inches - black claws.
"Okay, Letter-Head, COME ON!" Predator roared, once again charging at his prey - Red X doing the same thing.
Predator swung his claws which Red X blocked with his blades - sparks flying from the collisions. Red X performed a few attacks of his own but they, too were either blocked or avoided. Predator lunged his claw, which Red X swiftly ducked under, causing Predator to trip forward, rolling over Red X's back. Predator's reflexes helped him land back on his feet, their backs now facing each other. They both twirled around, swinging their weapons simultaneously. Sparks flew once again as the claws and the blades collided together. Red X suddenly landed a roundhouse kick to Predator's abdomen, pushing him back.
Predator rolled back on his feet, his claws leaving marks in the stone below. He growled viciously and leaped into the air. Red X's blades started to spin like buzzsaws as he jumped into the air as well.
The tension grew intensely high as they drew closer, ready to strike each other down. They both performed a series of rapid strikes against each other, eventually coming to a halt and landing back on the ground, panting heavily.
"You got something on your face." Red X said, arrogantly. Predator felt his left cheek and saw some blood on his finger. Red X smirked internally, but was stunned when he saw the scratch on Predator's face suddenly disappear, fully healing in seconds.
"I heal fast." Predator smirked. "Can't say the same for you, though." Red X looked down and saw three claw marks on his chest, right where the X is. "X does mark the spot, right?"
"Cool trick. And you're right...X does mark the spot - you just gotta know where to look." Red X nudged his head to Predator.
Predator raised an eyebrow and looked downward, seeing he was standing over a large, glowing red X. Predator's instincts kicked in too late, as the X released a massive current of electrical energy. Predator screamed loudly from the intense pain, feeling his entire body sizzle uncontrollably.
"Thanks for the tip on the healing." Red X said, approaching Predator. "That's 120,000 volts coursing through your system; regular people usually can't withstand that."
The electricity finally ceased, allowing Predator to fall to his knees, panting heavily. His body steamed and tingled uncontrollably, parts of his skin was blistered and fried - some displaying open wounds. His costume was now ragged, burn marks everywhere and parts of his clothing ripped off. He attempted to stand on his feet but his body was completely numb.
"That was fun kid, but let me clear somethin' up." Red X said, looking down at him. "You're not the first hero to get in my way but in most cases, it never ends well for them. I'm usually not so merciful but after seeing you in action, I've got some newfound respect for you. So here's a little piece of advice: stay out of my way or it'll be way worse than this. Consider this your only warning."
With that said, Red X started to walk away.
Predator grunted as he felt his strength slowly return, his wounds also starting to heal up.
"X..." Predator grunted, standing on his feet. "Don't...walk away..."
"Oh and one more thing." Red X suddenly twirled around and threw another shuriken.
"SLINK!" Predator's eyes widened as the X-shuriken sliced right through his skull, making it's way through his head and exiting through the back. His body immediately went stiff, rendering him completely immobilized. Predator's eyes remained wide open, the look of shock not leaving his face.
"The tides have changed, kid." Red X placed a foot Predator's chest. "I'm the predator and you're the prey."
He kicked Predator off the roof and into the darkness below.
Meanwhile
"Man, I cannot wait; All-You-Can-Eat Pizza Friday!" Cyborg said jovially, as he drove the T-Car along the road towards his and the Titans favorite pizza joint. Robin, the team leader sat in the second seat while Starfire, Raven and Beast Boy sat in the back.
"Indeed." Starfire agreed. "I am most eager to enjoy the tangy goodness of the yellow beverage."
"Starfire, we told you..." Robin said with a smile to his girlfriend. "That's mustard. It's not exactly meant for drinking."
"Hold up!" Cyborg said, noticing Beast Boy sticking his head out the window in the shape of a dog drooling uncontrollably again. "Yo, what did I tell you about getting drool on my car!?" He snapped with sharpened teeth.
"Hehe, sorry, I forgot." Beast Boy chuckled nervously, shifting back into his normal form.
"You know what, just for that I'm getting pepperoni as soon as we get there." Cyborg threatened.
"Dude, you wouldn't!" He yelled offended.
"Oh yes I would! Maybe that'll teach you to think twice before getting your slobber all over my car again."
"Dude, I said I was sorry!"
"You two arguing about this is all the more reason I hate sitting next to you." Raven said looking up from her book, a red nerve vibrating on her forehead.
"I'm just saying I've been those animals. Just seeing those poor creatures being eaten is torture." Beast Boy cried with large, sad eyes. "I can almost hear their cries of pain and suffering."
"They're dead! There's nothing to hear!" Cyborg said.
"Look, Beast Boy, it's not the first time we've had meat around you. So I wouldn't really make such a big deal out of it." Robin suggested.
"But dude-"
"Let's just enjoy the night while it's still young and not make a big deal out of small things, okay?"
"Ugh, fine." Beast Boy said crossing his arms.
"Finally." Raven muttered relieved that she could focus on her book again. For the last few seconds, everything was quiet until:
"BASH! KLANG!" A large human-shaped obstacle came crashing down into the hood of the T-Car, then bashing into the windshield, smashing the glass in the process.
"WHOA!" Cyborg exclaimed in shock as he slammed his foot on the break. Robin's eyes widened as he grasped tightly to his seat. The car slid heavily, leaving skid marks in the road, eventually coming to a stop. The body fell off the car and into the pavement.
"Is everybody all right?" Robin asked, checking the backseat to make sure everyone was okay.
"I believe I am unharmed." Starfire said, her eyes widened and her hair a messy. Beast Boy had his arms wrapped tight around Raven—his mouth wide open and his eyes as big as saucers. Raven's eyes were wide for a second until she glared at Beast Boy and used her telekinesis to get him off.
"Aside from everything else, I think I'm alright, too." Raven said. "What was that?"
"I don't know; too dark to tell." Robin said. "Come on, let's check it out."
They all stepped out of the now slightly damaged car. Cyborg, out of consent for his 'baby' immediately started bawling his eyes out.
"Aww not again! How many times does this have to happen?" He cried, grasping his head and falling to his knees.
"Cyborg, we'll worry about the car later. Right now we need to figure out what fell on the car." Raven said.
"Well whatever or whoever it was, they better hope I don't put them through the-"
"Uh, guys?" Beast Boy called pointing at a person lying on the road. Starfire gasped as they quickly rushed towards him.
"Who is it?" Beast Boy asked.
"I don't know." Robin rolled the person on his back revealing Predator's burned and blistered body and a huge gash on his forehead.
"Aww dude, sick!" Beast Boy exclaimed, feeling his stomach churn.
"Is he..." Starfire asked nervously.
"I...I think so, Star." Robin said, despairingly. "Cyborg?"
Cyborg rushed to Robin and crouched next to Predator's body. He cringed at the sight of him.
"Third degree burns, plus something struck him in the head...gonna have to-" Cyborg was interrupted when Predator let out a loud, gagged cough.
"Yikes!" Robin exclaimed as the others shouted in surprise. "He's alive!"
"There's no way; he fell seven-hundred feet!"
"Wait, look." Raven pointed.
Predator's wounds suddenly started to patch themselves. His damaged flesh rapidly restored itself, shifting his skin to normal as if the wounds were never there. The gash in his head closed and patched itself together as well. The only thing that remained damaged was his suit. Despite his healed up body, he remained unconscious.
"Okay, I'm gonna be sick!" Beast Boy ran to the side and started puking.
"Can you hear me? Don't worry, you're gonna be okay." Robin advised. "C'mon guys, help me get him in the car.."
"Okay. I'm not very hungry anymore, anyway." Beast Boy groaned.
"We need to get him back to the tower, quick." Robin said as he and Raven carried the masked teenager into the T-Car. "Cyborg, is the car still functional?"
"It's just some minor damage but it should get us back to the tower, fast enough."
"Then just get us there. Beast Boy, you, Raven and Starfire keep an eye on him until we get there." Robin ordered as he and Cyborg got back in the car.
"Do not worry, friend." Starfire said calmingly to the unconscious Predator. "You are in good hands."
Beast Boy poked at Predator's legs in disgust, while Raven placed a hand on his forehead.
"Any idea who he could be?" Cyborg asked.
"Not sure. But I've got a hunch none of this was no accident." Robin replied, glancing back at the teen as the car headed it's way back to Titans Tower.
To Be Continued...