Chapter 2:
Titans Tower
Predator lied about unconsciously in the infirmary found within Titans Tower. His breathing was quiet and his heart beat at a normal rate. The Titans stood in the other room keeping an eye on his vitals on a large monitor while Cyborg searched for any known information on the other.
"You really think it was a good idea bringing some guy we don't know to the tower?" Beast Boy asked. "I mean sure, he's dressed like a superhero and has some freaky healing ability, but how do we know he's not some sort of homicidal maniac or something?"
"That's exactly why we brought him here and why he's nice and tied up in the other room." Robin said, leaning against the wall. "Besides, we couldn't just leave him in the street like that. Cyborg, did you find anything?"
"Nope, nothing. I've checked the police reports, public records, not one thing in the slightest gives has any info on this guy." Cyborg said.
"Keep searching; check if there's anything from nearby cities."
"Already on it."
"Raven, how're his x-rays looking?"
"Well the good news is the scans show he's fully recovered on the outside. The inside, that's a different story." Raven pressed a button on the controls and the monitor displayed front and side view x-rays of Predator's brain. The frontal view displayed a deep, lengthy gap between his left and right hemisphere. "His healing ability is still in the process of restoring the brain. Whoever did this used something powerful to strike through just about everything, including the temporal lobe; that's the bad news."
"Ewwww..." Beast Boy commented in disgust. "Um, why's that a bad thing again?"
"It's the part that stores brain cells - memories, so to speak." Raven answered.
"Oh. Well, I mean, it's just one memory. It can't be that hard to remember."
"There's over 100 billion cells in the temporal lobe, genius." Cyborg said, continuously typing. "Even if his brain fully heals, there's no telling if he'll remember anything. By the time he wakes up, he might've forgotten his own name."
A tiny yellow duck flew through Beast Boy's head, leaving a trail of blue dots.
"Oh...bummer." Beast Boy muttered.
"Perhaps the assailant knew the attack would not kill him?" Starfire said.
"Maybe so, Star." Robin agreed, rubbing his chin. "We'll figure this out, don't worry."
"I've got something!" Cyborg announced. He pulled up a news print from the Gotham News.
"What've you got?" Robin asked, rushing next to him.
"Brace yourself for this one." Cyborg advised. "He's from Gotham, like you. The GCPD's had numerous reports of a young vigilante hunting criminals in the city for over a year. People assumed it was well...you at first, but it was eventually discredited based on statements from the thugs."
"Well, at least we know he's a good guy." Beast Boy said. "But what's his name?"
"Predator." Cyborg said, flipping through the online news reporters. "According to the thugs, he's some kind of metahuman with the ability to 'transform' into animals. The cops've hardly gotten a beat on this guy; there's literally only two photos they could gather."
Cyborg flipped to two photos of Predator. The first was a blurry picture of a red and black blur climbing a rooftop. The second was a slightly better quality, warehouse surveillance picture of Predator punching a thug in the jaw, while three others appeared to be attacking from behind.
"So he's a shape-shifter like Beast Boy...only better." Raven asked.
"Hey!" Beast Boy scowled.
"Beast Boy, I did not know you had a brother." Starfire said, placing a fist on her chin.
"I-I don't. At least, I don't think I do." Beast Boy stuttered.
"They're not related, Starfire. Beast Boy's an only child." Robin said.
"Forgive me for not thinking the obvious."
"But what's he doing in Jump City, is the real question." Robin rubbed his chin in thought.
"Who knows? All we can do is wait and ask him ourselves." Cyborg said.
"Have you checked the city surveillance footage from the past hour?"
"I tried but there weren't any cameras on the roofs of any buildings in the area."
"You guys might wanna see this." Raven advised. The other Titans looked at the monitor with Predator's CT scan and saw flesh growing back in his brain - fully recovering every last inch of it. "His brain is fully recovered; he could wake up any second now."
"Okay, now I'm really not getting any sleep tonight." Beast Boy groaned, placing his hand over his mouth. "So, what now?"
"Now, we wait." Robin said.
Some Time Later
The Titans waited patiently for a sign that Predator regained consciousness.
"Dude, how much longer are we gonna wait?" Beast Boy asked, yawning. "It's almost midnight and you know how I get without my beauty sleep."
"You really gotta work on your jokes, man." Cyborg replied. Beast Boy sulked.
"Shut up."
Predator's heart rate monitor suddenly started beeping rapidly, gaining their full attention.
"Something's wrong." Raven said. "His heart rate's spiking."
"Something must be stressing him out. Could be aftershock from the attack." Cyborg said.
"Beast Boy, go check on him!" Robin ordered.
Beast Boy nodded and rushed into the other room as the monitor suddenly flatlined. He pulled the curtains and his eyes widened when he saw absolutely nothing. He noticed, however, that the restraints had been physically ripped off by something sharp.
"Um, guys?" Beast Boy yelled, running back to the door way. "He's...not here."
Beast Boy shouted as he was suddenly tackled from behind by Predator. Predator slammed him to the ground, forcefully shoving his head to the floor.
"Who are you!?" Predator roared, his eyes glowing yellow and teeth turned to fangs. "What're you doin' to me!?"
"Hey, hey, take it easy, man." Cyborg said calmly, catching his attention. Predator's eyes widened from his appearance. "We're not gonna hurt you."
"Please, listen to him." Starfire pleaded. "We only wish to help you."
"We don't want any trouble." Robin added.
Predator looked around the room as the Titans slowly approached him, stunned by each of their appearances.
"Look, dude..." Beast Boy strained. "I'm an animal just like you. If you let me go, we can-GAH!"
"Get back!" Predator shouted, ignoring Beast Boy's plea and adding pressure to his head. "I don't know what's going on, but whatever it is, it won't end well for any of you!"
Predator felt strange in his torso. He looked down and saw he was encased in a mass of black energy. He shouted as he was forcefully pushed from the ground and sent flying into the wall. Raven held her arm up, her eyes glowing crystal white as she kept hold of Predator.
"Beast Boy, are you alright?" Starfire asked, helping him to his feet.
"Yeah." Beast Boy sighed, rubbing his head. "But I think I've lost my rank as the alpha-male."
"Urgh, what is this!?" Predator yelled. "Let me go! Aargh!"
"Hold him." Raven ordered to the others. The other Titans quickly rushed in and held on to Predator's limbs. Robin and Starfire held his arms, Cyborg pressed against his torso and Beast Boy - in the form of a python - wrapped around his legs. They surprisingly struggled to keep him restrained against the wall.
"Grr, get the freak off o' me!" Predator grunted.
"He's stronger than he looks." Robin strained, slowly losing his grip.
"Whatever you got planned Raven, do it now!" Cyborg advised. Predator started biting at them but Cyborg pressed his head back.
"Just hold on a few more seconds." Raven sat down in a meditative position and closed her eyes. "Azarath, metrion, zinthos."
A dark aura surrounded Raven's body. She opened her eyes, revealing a pair of crystal irises, followed by the spirit of a large raven flying into the air. The raven started flying towards Predator. Predator caught eye of the bird, his eyes widening as it charged right at him. The Titans released him as the raven phased into Predator's head.
Predator's Subconsciousness
Predator suddenly found himself in endless darkness; the Titans were nowhere in sight. Everywhere he looked was a vast emptiness.
"What happened?" He muttered. "Where am I now?"
"Predator." A voice suddenly called him in an echoed tone. "Predator, can you hear me? I just wanna to talk."
"Who said that?" He asked in shocked. "Show yourself!"
He caught eye of a giant white vortex appearing in the darkness. The vortex took on the entity of a large black raven that squawked loudly into the darkness. Predator took a few steps back then readied himself for whatever else was coming. The raven suddenly shrunk down in size, taking on Raven's original form.
"You!" Predator growled, popping his claws. "Who are you? What've you done to me?"
"Relax." Raven replied. "This is your subconsciousness. I can't hurt you and you can't hurt me. Even so, I'm not here to fight; my name's Raven."
Predator furrowed his eyebrows at her, confused of just about everything.
"...How do you know me?"
"It's kind of a long story." Raven answered.
"S'not the answer I was lookin' for." Predator said. "What do you want from me?"
"I can explain everything but I need you to trust me first."
"Trust you!? You and your buddies had me tied up in a dark room. Why the heck should I trust anything after that?" Predator asked angrily.
"Because I know you're not a bad guy. I know you're confused, you're angry and distressed. I know you've been alone for a while and you're not sure who to trust anymore. Believe me, I knew what that was like...then I met my friends." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Maybe we can fix that for you too."
She extended her hand out to him. Predator stared at her, cautiously.
"Why're you doing this?" Predator said.
"It's kind of what we do. So, do you trust me?"
He looked down in thought.
"I...alright...I trust you." Predator said, taking her hand. Raven smiled lightly. "But one wrong move and we're gonna have a serious problem."
"Then I have nothing to worry about. I'll see you in a second."
"Wait, what?"
Predator shouted, panting heavily while placing his hands on his knees. He looked up to see he was back in the real world. He was still surrounded by Raven and the other Titans. Beast Boy hastily hid behind Cyborg.
"Okay..." Predator sighed, standing upright. "Who the heck are you guys?"
Some Few Minutes Later
"So let me get this straight...I was in a fight and whoever I was fighting pushed me off a roof...and that's when you guys found me?" Predator said, leaning back against the wall.
"Well, something like that." Beast Boy answered, nervously. "Quite the opposite, actually. You see, uh, you...kind of-"
"You fell on my car, man." Cyborg finished. He pulled down a blackboard with a picture of the T-Car. The windshield was shattered and hood was badly dented. Predator glared at the photo.
"I don't have insurance if that's what this is about." Predator said, sarcastically. "Why don't I remember any a' this?"
"They hit you in the head." Robin said. "Whatever they used struck the temporal lobe in your brain. We had hoped your healing ability would've recovered some information but it doesn't seem to work that way."
"It had to be a bullet or something; high-caliber, probably." Predator said.
"Doubt it." Raven said, turning on the monitor for Predator's x-rays. "The force of impact was way too extreme for a simple bullet; whatever they used was large and advanced."
Predator stared at the x-ray angrily. He growled, clenching his teeth and fists.
"What do you remember?" Cyborg asked. "There anyone in mind who could've done this?"
"None that come to mind in this town. I've only been here for three days...maybe it's been more; I don't remember."
"Then I believe the trail has gone cold." Starfire said.
"Not for me." Predator growled, heading for the exit.
"Whoa, wait, where're you going?" Robin asked.
"I'm gonna go catch the freak who did this." Robin, Raven and Cyborg suddenly slid in front of the doorway, blocking his path. "What're you doin'?"
"Not a good idea, man." Cyborg advised. "It's too dangerous."
"Yeah - for them. Now get out of my way."
"He's right, Predator." Raven agreed. "Whoever did this clearly knows about your healing power. That means they deliberately weren't trying to kill you; it was some kind of warning."
"Yeah? Well they shoulda tried to kill me. I'm not gonna sit here like a stinkin' dog on a leash while the loser out there thinks he can get away with this!"
"So, say you find them, then what?" Robin scolded. "They could strike you the same way they did before; they know where to hit you. If that happens again, they could do some serious damage; you could end up not remembering anything at all."
"Last chance, get out of my way!" Predator threatened, popping his claws open.
"That's not gonna happen, Predator." Robin said sternly. "This doesn't have to end in another fight, either; you're not a bad guy. I get that you want payback-I do-but deep down, you and I both know that that'll only end in a very bad way. We want to catch this guy just as much as you do but we can't be rash about it; we need a plan. If you want to catch the guy who did this then you need to do it our way...you have to trust us."
Predator caught himself in a stare down between all of them. He felt an intense amount of frustration but deep down he knew they were right and he wasn't the type to admit it. He grunted in frustration and put away his claws.
"Alright, what do you suggest?" Predator asked.
"You stay here and rest up. For all we know, your healing factor may still be at work. If so, then we can figure out who it was and plan this out." Robin instructed.
"Stay here?" Predator raised an eyebrow.
"At least until this whole thing is sorted out."
"Hmph, I dunno about that. I don't-"
"But you must!" Starfire interrupted, suddenly jumping in and leaning towards him. Predator leaned back, stunned. "It would mean so much if you stayed with us so that we may help you. We could also, perhaps, get to know you better."
Predator was stunned by Starfire's generosity, he was almost lost for words. He stared her down as she gave him an enthusiastic smile.
"Ooooookay?" Predator gave in. "I guess I'll stick around for a bit."
"Oh, glorious!" Starfire exclaimed, folding her hands together. "Then let us welcome our new friend with an honorary glork feast."
"A what!?" Predator exclaimed.
"Uh, actually, Starfire, it's getting pretty late." Robin said, grabbing her hand. "I think it'd be in everyone's best interest if we all got some sleep."
"But I-"
"I know you're excited about Predator staying with us but he needs a little space. It's been a long and complicated night...for all of us, actually."
"Very well then." She agreed with a frown.
"So...where do I sleep?" Predator scratched his cheek.
"We have a room that's been pretty vacant for a while. There might be some dust here and there but it's still in good condition; that okay?"
"Honestly, I'll take that over a rooftop any day." Predator mumbled.
"Rooftop?" Starfire said, confused. "You do not have a home?"
Predator's eyes widened as they all stared at him in concern. He narrowed his eyebrows and put his head down.
"No..." He answered. "I'll...take that room right about now."
"Okay, then. Follow us." The doors slid open, allowing Robin to exit the room. The other Titans followed along, as did Predator. Beast Boy remained where he was for a second, then rushed over next to Predator.
"Hey so uh, can I ask you something?" He asked.
"I'm listenin'." Predator answered.
"Is it true you're a shape-shifter, too?"
"Yeah, kinda."
"Kinda?"
"I can't do what you do, kid." Predator said. "I can't fully transform into animals. On top of that, I'm all carnivore; there's not a drop of herbivore DNA inside me...it's a long story."
"That's interesting. So, does that mean I'm still the alpha male?" Predator glared at him with an eyebrow raised. Beast Boy chuckled nervously, a large sweat dropping from his forehead. "Nevermind. Um, wanna hear a joke?"
"Ehh, sure, go for it." Predator said, meekly.
"Oh no." Cyborg whispered.
"This should be interesting." Raven mumbled.
"Okay, this is a good one. So a dog walks into a bar and asks the bartender, 'Do you have any jobs?' and the bartender say 'Why don't you try the circus?' What does the dog say?"
"I dunno. What?"
"The circus doesn't serve ice cold bones!" Beast Boy let out a laugh. Predator scratched his head, unamused. Cyborg and Raven groaned and cringed. "Good one, right? Wanna hear another?"
"No, 'cause I think you filled the hole in my head with stupid." Predator said, annoyed.
Beast Boy stopped in his tracks, his mouth agape and eyes shifting into squares as the background shattered like glass. The other Titans found themselves laughing intensely.
"Oh man, that was funny!" Cyborg said wiping a tear from his eye. "I love this guy!"
"Good one!" Robin laughed.
Predator glanced at Raven who chuckled quietly with her hand covering her mouth.
"You're pretty funny." She said, smiling.
"I really wasn't joking but...thanks." Predator said, a small smile on his face. A light blush spread on her cheeks and she quickly looked the other direction, her smile hardly fading away.
"Come on, it wasn't that funny." Beast Boy said, displeased.
"You're right, it wasn't...it was hilarious!" Cyborg said, laughing once more.
The Titans eventually reached a door which Robin opened after pressing the button.
"Well, here it is." Predator stepped inside and took a look around. It was a large, open room with large glass windows - a nice view of the city - and an outdoor nighttime theme painted onto the ceiling. There were also some dusty old pictures of the Titans and a blonde haired girl with goggles. "Like I said, it's not much but..."
"Someone lived here before me, didn't they?"
"It actually belonged to a friend of ours but...she moved on to other things." Robin answered. Predator quickly noticed the sad expression on Beast Boy's face, his pointy ears now droopy. Predator knew a sensitive topic when he saw one. "If you don't like it then, I guess we could make some space in-"
"No, no it's uh...it's fine." He said. "I really appreciate it. And look, sorry about, you know, freakin' out earlier. I'm not really used to warm welcomes."
"Hey, man, it's no big deal." Cyborg reassured. "We'd have done the same thing...well, almost all of us."
"Do you ever have anything nice to say about me?" Beast Boy frowned.
"Not really."
Predator smirked at them, amused.
"Alright, I'm turnin' in for the night." Predator announced.
"Alright, see you in the morning, Pred." Cyborg waved walking away. "You need anything just let us know."
"Goodnight, Predator." Starfire said, followed by Beast Boy then Robin. Raven remained in the doorway.
"You okay?" He asked, approaching her.
"Yeah, I'm fine, it's just...are you sure you're gonna be okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good." He said. "I've been through worse, honestly."
"Believe me, I know the feeling." Raven agreed.
"Heh, guess that's just life, right? But yeah I'll uh...I'll be alright."
"Well, if you need anything, just let me know, okay?" She said, compassionately. "And also...thanks for trusting me."
"Don't mention it." He smiled lightly, blushing a little.
"Well...goodnight."
"G'night."
Raven excused herself from the room and headed down the halls. Suddenly the door slid open and Predator peaked out.
"Hey uh...Raven..." He called.
"Yeah?" She looked back at him.
"Thanks for believing in me...you're pretty cool."
"...Don't mention it." She smirked with another blush. She turned and continued her way down the hall. Predator shut the door and sighed. He turned and went back to the window outside, taking in the view of the city and crossed his arms.
To Be Continued
That's chapter 2. Now I know there seems to be a bit of romantic tension between Raven and Predator and I know there are a lot of Beast Boy x Raven fans. In all honesty, in the old series, I did see a relationship between RxB but Warner Bros. ruined it for me and moved it all to TTG!, which I actively dislike. It's just not the same as it used to be.
I just want to make it clear that this is a FanFiction - it's in no way canon to the actual series. But because this is my story, I will choose to do it my way and if there are those who can't accept that, I'm sorry to hear that. Thank you, however, to those who look forward to more chapters coming along the way and could care less about the shipping status. :)