Snake Bitten

Robin (Tim Drake) had returned. However, a gang war in Gotham and the death of his father had changed him. His teammates were there for him, but he choice to handle it on his own.

Dr. Light's preventive strike against them destroyed the reunion. He was going to show that he wasn't the push over that everyone thought he was. Despite every Titan including pervious members, Dr. Light didn't slow down. The sight of fallen Titans littering ruined city blocks put Dr. Light into levels of joy he never felt before.

Raven felt this ecstasy of joy and hatred. It was slowly eroding her self-control away. He was enjoying in hurting her teammates, no better word family. She lashed out with punch at him. He simply knocked them. Her futile attempts made him laugh. The back of his hand sent her flying. Piece of rubble stopped her.

Dr. Light's foot rammed against her stomach. His hand grabbed her throat. Lifting her up, he slammed her back against a wall. A lightening bolt appeared from his right hand.

"Understand that you don't show pain," remarked Dr. Light, "Can you feel this?" shoving the bolt into her left shoulder.

Gritting her teeth, she blocked the pain out.

"That doesn't hurt," taunted Dr. Light again a bolt appeared in his right hand , "How about this?" shoving it into her right shoulder.

Her pain threshold was at its breaking point, but Dr. Light didn't get his scream.

"No screaming for mercy," he remarked walking towards the unconscious Beast Boy, "Maybe green boy would loosen your tongue," holding an energy ball over his right palm as his left hand gripped and lifted up Beast Boy.

Feeling a familiar presence, a familiar voice in her head said, "Fear is the mind killer."

"He's here," she mumbled.

"What did you say?" asked Dr. Light closing his palm and letting go of Beast Boy.

Getting close to her face, "What did you say?"

"He's here."

"Who's here?" grasping her cheeks, "WHO'S HERE?"

"Me," sent Dr. Light's head turning, "I believe she's talking about me, Dr. Light."

Staring at this new comer, Dr. Light tried to recognize him. No, he wasn't a Teen Titan, maybe new ally. No news of a new hero had reached him.

"You have me at a disadvantage," commented Dr. Light, "Who are you?"

"Rath Lee."

"What is your affiliation with the Titans?"

"Nothing. Personally, I don't care what happens to them except one. She may not like me if I let you kill her family."

"How do you plan now stopping me?"

In a blink of an eye, Rath was there then he reappeared with his left fist driven into Dr. Light's stomach. Doubling over, he wondered how Rath could move so fast. Kid Flash couldn't move that fast. Reacting the only way he could, turned and fired a beam at Rath.

Rath's whipped back enough for the beam to graze the skin above his right eye. It went through the brim of his hat. Dr. Light tried another shot but Rath was gone.

Rath didn't leave, he was hiding. Dr. Light had to draw him out. But how, Raven, of course. Rath did say she and family. She was only one Dr. Light knew used those terms when talking about the Titans.

Aiming his index finger at Raven, "Appear or Raven dies."

Appearing like mist with his right palm up, "Might want to change your mind."

"Listen, shot me and I hit Raven."

Rath's palm went from Dr. Light to Raven. An energy blast from his palm hit Raven.

With one finger pointed at Rath and the other at the unconscious Raven, Dr. Light checked Raven for any signs of life.

Finding none snapped his fingers. This allowed Raven to drop to the ground.

"Why?" with his finger still now Rath.

"Now that she is no longer part of the equation," remarked Rath, "We can finish our little business."

Before Dr. Light could react, Rath rushed him. A kick sent Dr. Light through a section of barely intact wall. Trying to stand was interrupted by a fury of punches. A knee to the stomach was followed by a back hand. Dr. Light slammed into wall. A piece of metal cut his arm.

Firing a series of light blast, the assault stopped and Rath disappeared again. Dr. Light was searching for the hiding Rath.

"Where are you?" yelled Dr. Light, "You ruined everything."

"Ruin your chance to prove that you could defeat a team of teenagers," echoed Rath, "or discovery what a real loser you are."

Detecting the location of Rath's voice, Light fired a shot into a black mass. It sprang forward following the beam. Landing on his arm, it entered the cut on Dr. Light's arm.

"Dr. Light."

Firing, hit some rubble.

"Dr. Light."

It was Elongated Man's wife.

"You're dead," firing at her.

It went through her.

Continuing to shot at her, "This can't be happening."

"You're so right," said a voice inside his head, "It's just in your mind."

Dr. Light's hands formed fists. They started hitting his face. Bones cracked. His nose hanging from his face. Blood filled his mouth as teeth fell out.

Doubling over from a fist in his stomach, "Time to end this clown show," said the voice in his head.

Dr. Light's hands started swelling up. His costume ripped from his expanding body. Blood filled his eye balls. Finally his body exploded, sending ripped flesh into all directions. Where the late Dr. Light had stood Rath was now standing there.

Slowly walking towards Rath, "What did you do?" asked Superboy.

"He inflated opinion of his ability," remarked Rath walking towards Raven's body.

"No, Raven," said Superboy, "You killed her!"

"Oh, her," bending and lifting up her head, "Narrow minded like Light."

"Stay away her!" shouted Superboy trying to stop Rath.

Rath didn't listen, his finger just made a cross sign on Raven's forehead.

"Stop," said Superboy as he got closer.

"Don't Kon," said Kid Flash standing between Superboy and Rath, "He knows what he's doing."

"He killed Raven, Bart."

"No, just jump starting her," remarked Kid Flash, "That is correct, Rath."

"You're learning," Rath said slamming his palm into Raven's chest.

Opening her eyes, "You shot me."

"Correct," helping her up, "When you're done helping your friends, came find me."

Walking away, Superboy's hand grabbed Rath's shoulder.

"Who did think you are for killing Dr. Light?" said Superboy.

"I don't think," remarked Rath turning his arm to break Superboy's grip then his palm struck Superboy sending him into some rubble.

"I know my own nature," Rath finished walking into the darkness.