I am most pleased to see that there are those who have thought of this story so highly. So as to not keep you waiting any longer, here is the third chapter. And as a further assurance you should know that this is where things finally get going.

See no Evil

Raven knew that something was greatly amiss and her dreams reflected that. She was currently walking in a forest under a blood red sun. Although unusual, the sun was not the most striking feature, rather it was that instead of leaves the trees bore heads. And the trees themselves were white. You may think that this was a point of cheer in an otherwise abysmal scene, but you would be quite wrong. The only reason the trees were white is because they were composed of cremated bones.

Then there was the ground. At first glance it looked like regular soil, but the smell of charred flesh dispensed with that assumption quite quickly.

Raven continued to walk without so much as a twitch. She had seen the depths of Hell after all. This looked like a place Trigon would enjoy walking through on a leisurely stroll.

"Raven..." An eerie voice carried on the wind and Raven tensed. Ready for whatever came next she stopped and listened, so naturally she went into battle mode when someone gently tapped her left shoulder.

Raven gripped the person behind her in her power and turned to see something that was rather bemusing. It was a figure in a black cloak with glowing red eyes. Everything else was hidden underneath the hood, but even so she could sense great evil in him and instantly her eyes flared as she shoved him roughly against one of the trees.

"What are you doing here?" Raven was certain that this had been the figure that had been watching them after the slaughter they witnessed yesterday and she was going to grill him until he was like Cyborg's steaks...well done.

The figure started to chuckle low and soft...and then burst out into body convulsing laughter. "What am I doing here? This is my home away from home. The only reason you are here is because I invited you in order to deliver a message."

"What?" Raven was in no mood for games. This...creature had murdered five innocent civilians in cold blood and he deserved a fate worse than death. One that Raven would provide with or without Robin's approval.

The figures eyes glinted as he spoke, "You have faced many foes in the past, but they have failed miserably to achieve their objectives. I have come to kill and I will succeed. But not without some amusement beforehand."

"You won't live to see another day! Azerath Metrion Zi-" Raven was interrupted as the figure broke free of her magic and pinned her to another tree in his own crimson aura. Walking steadily towards her he spoke the last of his words in a low and foreboding tone.

"Tell the other Titans what you have seen. Prepare them for the coming battle. I will spare no one."

The figure released her and began to walk away. Raven could only glare with hatred at his retreating form. But there was still more to say.

"You will find a present from me when you return. Be sure to tell me how you like it when we meet in person."

Raven shot up in bed like she had just been struck by lightning and sat panting heavily before collapsing back on the bed with her eyes closed. She comforted herself with the knowledge that it was just a dream and had a moment of blissful silence before something dripped onto her face.

Raven's eyes opened slowly and her breath caught in her throat. Three heads were suspended above her bed, but what was worse was what had been done to them.

The first had its eyes gouged out and was still dripping fluid from the end of the retinal nerve. The second had its ears cut off at the skull. And the third...had the mouth wired shut with rusted steel.

And for the second time in her life Raven screamed in terror.

Thank you to ahilty for the inspiration behind the heads. I loved using that idea:) For the fourth chapter the Titans will finally have some face time with the killer. What surprises await our heroes? You'll have to read to find out of course. :)