Disclaimer: Me no own Titans or Dr. Light. Or Rhea for that matter.
Alicia stood, bent over in pain, in front of Dr. Light. Four pairs of anxious eyes watched the scene unfolding inside the light barrier in sick horror. Starfire still had her face buried in Robin's shoulder, crying softly. All were ready to jump into action the moment the barrier fell, save one. Raven was ready to break the barrier should things escalate too far.
Alicia slowly straightened, wincing at the pain of broken ribs and gasping for breath. Dr. Light merely stood in front of her, a small smile of triumph on his face. He laughed out loud when Alicia fell to her knees and retched from the pain. "Alicia, Alicia, why didn't you listen to me? I warned you and warned you. Never cross me or else. Well now you know what 'else' is and it's too late to turn back. I intend to give you a fair fight for your life..."
Even through her pain, Alicia snorted and rolled her eyes, muttering darkly. "Hmm? What's that my dear? Please speak up so everyone can hear you." Dr. Light grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. "I said, 'Doesn't seem to be a fair fight when you beat me half to death first and have powers that I don't.'" she gasped out once again loudly enough for the Titans to hear.
Dr. Light laughed uproariously at that. "Oh my dear, you make me laugh! The beating was to teach you a lesson. And I know you can fight handicapped, very well indeed. And powers, well, I don't believe I shall need them. So the point is moot. Now- to battle! I shall give you a moment to prepare yourself." He stepped back and began his preparations, punching and kicking at the air.
Alicia stayed on her knees, head bowed and arms wrapped around her ribs, the picture of defeat. Slowly, as if she really didn't want to, she stood and straightened as far up as she could. She muttered prayers as she rose, wanting forgiveness before she died, not even bothering to pray for a win. The Latin language again rolled off her tongue with the ease of long practice as she stopped praying and just thought out loud to herself.
"Volo mei morte venturus esse mox. Sed si vota equi essent, mendici equitarent. Omnium graduum difficillimus est primus. Ut progredior convenire mei morte nam non est ad astra mollis e terris via." she intoned, reminding herself. "Cito fit quod dii volunt. Rhea, mater deorum, date mei virem eis iudiciis." She straightened up suddenly to her full height and her eyes took on a faint yellow sheen.
(A/N She's saying," I wish my death would come soon. But if wishes were horses then beggars would ride. So I go to meet my death for there is no easy way from the earth to the stars. What the gods want will happen soon. Rhea, mother of gods, give me strength for the coming trials.")
"Ah Alicia," Dr. Light looked up from his warmup and spoke. "You still talk in your weird dead language? Well no time for words anymore. Let us begin!" He stepped towards the girl and swung his fist. To his surprise, and the surprise of the watchers, Alicia ducked and came up under his arm to punch him in the chest. Astonished, he fell back a few paces then grinned widely, a predator's smile.
"So you haven't had all the fight knocked out of you! Excellent! To arms!" He dropped into a crouch and sprang at Alicia who sidestepped nimbly and kicked him in the back before dropping into a crouch herself. Maddened Dr. Light rushed at her and tackled her to the ground. When the two of them hit the ground, Alicia cried out as her broken ribs were crushed further by Light's weight and her eyes lost their yellow glow.
Dr. Light punched her in the face and this time she did not escape. Her head snapped to one side and she tried to shield herself from the barrage of punches futilely. The Titans watched in horror as Light continued to beat her soundly.
"You see, Alicia? This is what happens to those who betray me! As you did!" He continued to pummel her until she lay still, curled up on the ground. "You see?" he panted, standing. "Do you see!" He kicked her and she cried out brokenly, a cry which turned into a cough which brought blood bubbling to her lips. She coughed and coughed, her body convulsing. Between coughs, Alicia forced words out. "Mater Rhea, cur reliqueras mei?" (A/N "Mother Rhea, why have you forsaken me?")
Dr. Light laughed grimly. "At last the warrior falls. I have won, Alicia, and you are about to die." He created a sword of light and leveled it at Alicia's throat. "Say goodbye." He raised the saber high and brought it down on Alicia's bowed neck.
The sword shattered on a shield of light. "What!" Dr. Light shouted. "Fallaces sunt rerum species," a voice which was not totally Alicia's said. The girl turned her head and her eyes glowed golden. "Ut sementem fecerisita metes." the voice intoned again, using Alicia's mouth to speak. The girl slowly stood as Dr. Light backed hurriedly away. (A/N "The appearances of things are deceptive." and "As you sow so will you reap" aka "You're gonna get what you deserve.")
The Titans outside the barrier had leapt forward as Dr. Light had beaten Alicia. Now they watched in confused awe as the girl rose, T-shirt stained with blood and dirt and spoke in a loud confident voice in an ancient tongue. 'Strange,' thought Raven, 'her voice sounds almost motherly and beautiful and yet terrible at the same time, like one I'd want to listen to forever and at the same time run away and never ever hear it again.'
The voice that was Alicia's and yet someone else's as well spoke again and this time someone understood her. Raven had read enough of the violent Roman wars to understand the single phrase spoken by the slim girl glowing with inner light. "Pugnate." whispered Alicia as she threw up her hands to the heavens. "Fight."
Through a flare of brilliant light, the five Titans could just make out a woman-shaped figure, arms extended and legs planted firmly. A scream from inside the light barrier, a male scream, sounded and faded into terrified sobbing as the light dissipated.
The Titans stared in awe at the sight inside the bubble. A woman with long dark hair stood over the cowering form of Dr. Light. She wore a short leather skirt, in the style of Roman legionaries, and a leather breastplate. In her right hand a sword of searing sunfire flashed and a small round shield, also of sunlight, was perched on her other arm. Over her midnight black hair, she wore a helmet of light with nose-and-cheek guards. She towered over the man at her feet. "Surgete et pugnate, parvus vir." (Rise and fight, little man.)
Dr. Light rose shakily to his feet and took a moment to compose himself. "Who are you?" he demanded haughtily when he could speak again with out stuttering. "I demand to know."
"Rhea." With that one word, the woman charged forward, sword held ready to strike.
END OF CHAPTER THREE
yep, another chapter finished. I'm happy! 111 people have read this story and I want to thank you all! but unfortunately no one reviewed! please would someone review? please?
okay no more begging. and for all you who would like to know, Rhea is Mother Earth in ancient Greek and Roman myths and also the mother of all life.