Three Down and Out

Death slowed his hover bike when the gate to a cemetery appeared. Finally stopping before the gate, he turned off the bike and slid off the seat.

Pushing a series of buttons on his wristband, the gate opened. As he walked, the sphere holding Raven followed him. The gate closed behind them.

Following a path past tombstones, they came to a house in the middle of the cemetery. Walking towards the porch, his foot rested on the first step. The step didn't creak under his weight. No creaking boards as Death walked towards the door and turned the knob.

The door opened. No floor, but a spiral staircase. He followed it down past the skull covered wall. When steps stopped, Death continued towards a stone doorway.

Entering a cavernous room, he saw his master was sitting on the edge of a stone stage, studying a human skull.

"There was a time when one could judge a person by measuring their skull," throwing the skull over shoulder, "The bride has arrived," getting up and walking towards Raven.

Bowing, "Yes, master."

Pushing her hood back, Richard pushed up Raven's face.

"What do think of her?" he asked.

"Another chick to me," answered Death.

"True, one wouldn't think Trigon's blood pumped through the veins of this vessel. Traditionally brides wear white not black."

"Well the groom wears black, might want them to match."

Turning his attention away from Raven to Death, he added, "Time to get ready for the groom."

Staring at their captives, "Time for all good things to end," remarked Famine.

Pestilence didn't listen. She was busy using her binoculars. They felt a presence coming and it wasn't Death.

Seeing someone riding a motorcycle towards them, "A new player," mumbled Pestilence.

Riding Robin's motorcycle, Rath sped past wreckage. The motorcycle handled the rough, torn up pavement. He didn't hide where he was going. He felt them and they felt him. Why try stealth when they know you're coming?

"Well."

"He's still coming, War," said Pestilence, "He hasn't changed direction."

"Another death wish," remarked Famine, "too bad we can't play with him."

Watching the nearing motorcycle, War said, "Can't kill him, but can rough him up," lining himself up with Rath.

Winding back his fist, "This is going to be easy," he thought.

Slamming his fist into the ground, the shockwave traveled towards Rath. Tilting his left hand up, a chunk of pavement pushed itself up out of the ground. Using it as a ramp, Rath and the motorcycle went flying into the air. The shock wave destroyed the pavement.

Rath jumped up with his feet on the seat. He pushed it towards War.

War stood stunned by Rath evading his shockwave. How could've that pavement moved?

"Oh sh…," he thought as the motorcycle slammed into him.

War skidded with the motorcycle until several walls stopped him. Rubble fell on top of him.

While in the air, Rath threw small blades towards the captive Titans. Couple sliced through the rope holding Starfire and Superboy to the lamppost. They fell to the ground. One short circuited the force field that surrounded Kid Flash. He was able to jump off. Several embedded itself into the console that was electrocuting Cyborg.

Slowing his descent, Rath landed in a crouching position with his right knee touching the ground like animal ready to pounce. His eyes were on Famine and Pestilence.

"Impressive," said Pestilence holding her fans out.

"Let's see what you other tricks you have," remarked Famine swinging her gourd.

Rath's eyes shifted from one to the one other. His normal weapon, the bo staff didn't come with him. Guess the universe thought he didn't need it. He found one back at the Titan Tower, but it needed to be modified to fit his needs.

Famine decided to go first by swinging at Rath. Holding the staff up, the scarf wrapped around it. Hitting Rath's right hand caused the powder to disperse from the gourd. It headed towards Rath's face. His left palm pushed the powder towards Famine.

Before she could block it, it entered her nose causing the stinging and watering of her eyes. Clinching her stomach and falling to her knees while coughing, she knew the effects would pass in time.

Discarding the gourd from the staff, Rath quickly blocked the darts that Pestilence released from her fans. With fans opened, Pestilence started swinging at Rath. Here the staff proved its limitation, but Rath remedied that by breaking it in half.

Using them like kendo sticks, Rath was able to block Pestilence's swipes. Her swipes started to pick up in aggressiveness, but Rath held his ground. Using the stick in his left hand, twisted the fan out of her right hand. Quickly he grabbed it. Twisting around her, swung the fan into the back of her neck and cleanly cut her head off.

Throwing the fan towards the slowly rising Famine, it went through her neck, removing her head from the neck.

Detecting movement from a pile of rubble stopped Rath from heading towards the injured Titans. Turning, he saw War emerging from under the rubble.

"Time for pain, little man," threaten War.

Rath began moving his fingers. Behind War, a metal sheet struck up from ground. Next he ran towards War. Jumping, planted his foot against War's chest. The impact sent War backwards. Back of his neck landed against the edge of the metal sheet, slicing through War's neck.

Kid Flash's ability to heal fast allowed him walk towards the fighting between Rath and the Demon Hunters. What he witnessed was one person defeating the three people who beat them and captured Raven. What happened next he believed at first was the effects of Famine's toxic powder? Lightening shot from the three dead bodies into the air above Rath. Then it shot straight down into Rath's body. Screaming and the spasmodic jerking of his body finally stopped and he fell forwards.

Thinking he was dead, Kid Flash ran to him. Stopping at Rath's body, Kid Flash still felt the effects of the toxin in his body. With everything happening, Kid Flash didn't know what to believe. So when Rath was breathing, Kid Flash was willing to expect that Rath could survive being electrified.

Blinking his eyes, "Hi, Kid," greeted Rath.

"Hello."

"Don't move," sitting up.

Soreness ran through Rath's body. Slowly he got up.

Looking at Kid Flash, "Lets check on your friends," slowly walking.

Kid Flash followed him. The walking helped remove the effects of the absorption. He couldn't stop now. Raven still needed his help, but first the Titans needed him.

"How's the other Titans?" asked Rath.

"Don't know decided to help you," answered Kid Flash, "Are you alright?"

Stretching his shoulders back, "Getting better."

"Are you the one who saved Raven?"

"Yes."

"Then why aren't you doing something?"

"First check on your teammates, then save Raven."

They reached Starfire and Superboy first. Superboy was shivering and sweating from the toxins in his bloodstream. Starfire just didn't move. Rath untied Starfire as Kid Flash untied Superboy.

Opening her eyelids, Rath placed the back of his left hand against Starfire's forehead. Resting his right palm between her breasts, closed his eyes and focused his mind.

"What are you doing?"

"Starfire's life force needs to be jumpstarted."

Quickly turning his right hand clockwise, pulled it back and slammed it into her chest. Her back arched up. Then it settled down. She started coughing.

"She'll live," Rath stated.

Now he examined Superboy's pupils. Opening his satchel bag pulled a dark green bottle. Removing the cork lifted up Superboy's head and rested it on his thigh. With his thumb popped opened Superboy's mouth. Pouring the contents down Superboy's throat, Rath closed his mouth with the bottom of his palm. His second and third fingers pinched shut Superboy's nose.

"Hold him!" ordered Rath as Superboy's body started to jerk violently.

Kid Flash held down the legs. Superboy's weaken condition prevented them from being thrown off.

Rath walked towards Cyborg.

"Not repulsed," weakly said Cyborg.

Disconnecting wires, "Seen enough not to be repulsed," remarked Rath.

"Why did you save me for last?"

Kneeling, "You might tell me start on them first," commented Rath staring at Cyborg.

"You judged correctly."

"Can't help you. You need more then I can provide," Rath said standing up, "Hey, Kid."

Kid Flash appeared with Starfire propping herself up against him.

"Isn't kid."

"Name's Kid Flash, isn't it."

"Yes, oh sorry."

"Don't worry. How are you ready to run?"

"Yes."

"Go to the Tower and get transport for your friends, understand."

"Yes."

"Now go," and off went Kid Flash

Rath walked towards the hover bikes.

"What are you going to do?" asked Starfire.

"Get Raven back."

"How are you going to find her?"

"Figure something out," getting out his compass.

"Wait," she said, "the one who took Raven left something behind."

"How do you know?"

"Heard them talking."

Rath searched until he got to Pestilence's bike. Finding the orb, Rath's fingers started pushing buttons and twisting sections like a Rubik cube.

"What are you doing?" asked Starfire.

"Seeing what was left behind," remarked Rath finishing.

Tossing it forward, watched as lights blinked off and on and sections of the orbs moved. Finally it stopped and an image was projected from an opening in the orb.

"Hello, if you're watching this then you were late to save anyone or my comrades are dead. If the latter is true, then you're going to follow the orb. Good day," finished the message.

Rath jumped on Pestilence's bike.

"Let me help you?" asked Starfire.

"No, stay with your friends," starting the bike, "Don't worry, Raven's going to be back."

When orb floated up and shot forward, Rath followed.