Mind Over Matter
Dealing with Devils
I don't own Naruto, The Flash, Young Justice, or any other properties.
Rio walked into the main hub of the cave to find the members of Young Justice were looking shaken as Batman and Captain Marvel helped Martian Manhunter to the back.
"What happened while I was sleeping?" asked Rio in confusion.
"We were in the middle of a training exercise with our minds linked but almost died for real," explained Kaldur.
"I see," said Rio in understanding, "I never got to ask you, Kaldur. Is it true that someone murdered Aquaman's son?"
The entire team seemed shocked at this revelation then looked to Kaldur, who closed his eyes and remained silent in mourning.
"How?" questioned Artemis, "They're… underwater."
"His majesty was struck by a bolt of lightning before he saw what had happened," explained Kaldur, "The young prince was killed via suffocation before being given third degree burns post mortem."
"That's terrible," said M'gann sympathetically.
"When did this take place?" asked Robin suspiciously.
"A couple days ago," said Kaldur, "Why do you ask?"
"It's just… something similar happened to both Batman and I," relayed Robin, "Batgirl was almost killed when a bullet passed through her spine and left her paralyzed."
"Are you kidding me?" questioned Wally.
"No," said Robin as he shook his head, "Batgirl was also molested and severely bruised across her body. The only clue we have to the identity of the attacker is that she heard Joker's voice."
"But isn't he still locked up in Arkham Asylum?" questioned Superboy.
"Exactly," said Robin, "This doesn't make any sense. It even happened right around the same time that Aquaman's son was killed."
"Khonsu see anything during that time, Rio?" asked M'gann.
"Not that I know of," said Rio as she folded her arms while thinking, "I'll see if the Teen Titans can learn anything about this mess."
"Oh, you don't have to do that," said a man wearing a flannel shirt with jeans and a scruffy beard as he appeared at the entrance to the cave.
Everyone jumped away from the man and got into fighting stances.
"Who are you?!" questioned Wally.
"The name's Destruction," said the man as he pointed at each of them individually, "And you all could use a good nap."
At those words, all members of the team, plus Wolf, fell unconscious as Reaper appeared next to Destruction.
"It's your turn, now," said Destruction as he turned and vanished into thin air.
Reaper walked to the middle of the circle the team had fallen into before sitting down and meditating.
(Dream World)
Everyone picked themselves off the ground and looked at the deserted city around them.
"Where are we?" asked M'gann.
"London," said Rio as she held her head, "Feels like I have a hangover."
"How did we get here?" asked Wally, "Where's that guy?"
"He's not your concern right now," said Reaper as he appeared before the group.
"What are you doing here?" demanded Artemis as she drew an arrow on Reaper.
Instead of speaking, Reaper pulled out one of his guns then fired it at the team. Scattering, Superboy made to punch Reaper but just went through him instead. Kaldur attempted to encase Reaper with the water he had drawn from the Thames but Reaper managed to stop it by firing off his guns through the water and making it scatter. Wally ran around Reaper but stopped almost instantly as he took cover to avoid the rapid shots coming from Reaper's guns as they were appearing through the smoke Reaper had become to avoid being hit. M'gann's eyes glowed as she held her hands out toward Reaper. Grunting, Reaper reformed then fell to all fours.
"You've lost, Reaper," said Rio as Artemis pointed her bow and arrow at him.
Reaper began chuckling, confusing everyone.
"What do you have to laugh about?" questioned Superboy, "You didn't hit any of us."
"Who said I was trying to hit you?" asked Reaper as he raised his head and looked beyond the team.
Following his gaze, they saw multiple cracks in reality that were caused by dozens of bullet holes. Space shattered as a figure wearing white and giving off gold lightning broke through and landed on one knee. Standing up, Godspeed gazed at the team before locking eyes on Rio.
"Give me back my body," demanded Godspeed before vanishing with Rio in a burst of gold lightning.
"What just happened?" asked Wally as the crack that Godspeed had appeared from instantly repaired itself.
"I'll explain just as soon as the martian stops holding me," said Reaper.
M'gann freed Reaper, who got up and removed his mask.
"Let's just sit down for a moment," said Reaper as they all suddenly appeared in a coffee shop with coffees on a table in the middle of them.
"What was that?" questioned Artemis.
"I shifted where we were," said Reaper as he sat down with his clothes being replaced by an outfit like Superboy's then sipped his coffee, "Anything can happen in the Dream World."
"Dream world?" asked Kaldur, "So, we're asleep?"
"Yes and no," said Reaper as he sat his coffee down, "You're all technically in a trance to bring you all here. You can't die here, by the way, so just enjoy yourselves."
Everyone took a seat then took their seats and looked at their cups. Robin took his then cautiously drank from it.
"It's good," he announced.
Everyone else started drinking before Artemis looked square into Reaper's eyes.
"What did we see back there?" she asked.
"You saw Naruto fighting Savitar," explained Reaper as he took another drink.
"But… that wasn't Savitar," said Wally, "Savitar is a giant guy in metal armor."
Sighing, Reaper looked at M'gann and Kaldur.
"What did you two see?" he asked them.
"I saw that speedster that…" said M'gann before she finally processed what she was about to say, "Savitar is Rio's doppelganger."
"Exactly," confirmed Reaper to everyone's shock.
"What's a doppelganger?" asked Wally.
"They're beings from parallel world that look exactly like us but different," explained Kaldur.
"You all know how smart Naruto is," stated Savitar, "Therefore, it's safe to assume Savitar is just as cunning."
"But, why would Savitar attack Rio now?" questioned Robin.
"He didn't," said Kaldur as he also realized what was going on, "Rio attacked Savitar."
Everyone looked at each other before looking back at Reaper
"But wasn't Savitar dealt with by the Teen Titans?" questioned Artemis.
"When Naruto was the Black Flash, Savitar had imprinted a portion of himself inside her," explained Reaper, "That's what caused Naruto to have all those visions and nightmares that drove her down that dark path."
"So, we've been living with Savitar this entire time?" asked Robin.
"Yes," confirmed Reaper.
"But wouldn't Death's wall have stopped him from taking over her body?" questioned Wally.
"Mistress had to tear down the rest of Naruto's sanity before building that wall," explained Reaper, "Savitar used that instant to get in control with Naruto getting put behind that wall. What I did was damage the wall enough so that Naruto could break through."
"But how does she have her speed?" asked M'gann.
"As I said, this is the Dream World," said Reaper as they suddenly appeared sitting on the ceiling, "Anything can happen here. We're going to stop Savitar before he wakes up. However, Savitar is aware of this and is looking for the only way out of here besides me allowing him out."
"Well, couldn't Savitar just will a door to appear?" asked Wally.
"No," said Reaper, "The spell I cast made it so that he has to find a specific core memory from Naruto in order to find the way out. Destroying that core memory is the key to getting out."
"Then what are we waiting for?" asked Superboy as he stood up, "Let's go find Savitar and stop him."
"Easier said than done," said Reaper as they reappeared back on the floor, "This Dream World is mainly Naruto's memories and as such, we have to go back to each of his core memories to find the one he's at with Savitar."
"Let's get going then," said Artemis as they all stood up with Reaper sighing.
"I can't even finish a cup of coffee," he said to himself as he replaced his mask, "Let us be off then."
Going up to a door, Reaper opened it to let a blinding light engulf all of them.
(Back in the Real World)
Batman walked into the main hub of the cave and paused at the sight of Reaper meditating in the middle of the sleeping members of Young Justice.
"I wouldn't disturb them if I were you," said Destruction as he appeared next to Batman, who was about to try and wake them, "You'll doom us all."
Jumping away from Destruction, Batman got into a fighting stance before Destruction sighed.
"This isn't the time for us fighting," said Destruction as he leaned against the wall, "The fate of the entire multiverse relies on them stopping Savitar now."
"But Savitar is trapped in the Speed Force," stated Batman as he got out of his stance.
"A piece of him is inside that young girl," said Destruction as both he and Batman gazed at Rio, "If she wakes up with Savitar in control, they'll be no one that can stop him."
"What is your connection to Moon Knight anyway?" questioned Batman.
"My sister is an acquaintance of hers and asked me to watch over her," stated Destruction as he headed deeper into the cave, "I'm going to make some coffee. Want some?"
(Dream World)
The members of Young Justice and Reaper stood atop a hill outside of Central City as a tornado headed toward the city in question. They watched as Godspeed activated the Speed Bomb in his hand with the resulting explosion destroying everything around him. Convulsing in pain, Godspeed struggled to stay standing as his suit continuously torn and reformed before he drew the explosion into his body, reforming everything around him. He then vanished from sight in an instant as an enormous ring of golden lightning going up the tornado. Following a crack of lightning, the members of Young Justice found themselves back inside the coffee shop with Reaper.
"So, that was Rio's final moments before coming to our Earth," said Wally.
"It would seem so," said Reaper as he sat back down in his chair and removed his mask, "Naruto always had this sense of responsibility that he needs to fight for everyone. He pushes himself to take on every sin he has committed and push his body beyond his limits."
Taking another sip of his coffee, Reaper looked deep into the dark roast inside the cup.
"What you all are witnessing is something Naruto keeps mainly to himself," he explained, "Back on our Earth, Naruto rarely talked at all after his parents were killed by Savitar. Before I became the being you all know as Reaper, I was Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto's first friend and rival."
"You know Rio?" questioned Robin.
"I know Naruto," said Reaper calmly, "Rio, as you call her, is a complete stranger to me. I'm telling you what I know about Naruto."
"Aren't they the same person though?" questioned M'gann.
"The person you know as Rio is happy, caring, and devoted to her friends," said Reaper, "The person I know as Naruto is depressed, detached from reality, and keeps to herself."
"That's a real 180," said Superboy.
"That's because you don't really know him," said Reaper as he drank some more of his infinite coffee, "Everything changed that night that Savitar killed his parents. He became the person I remember."
The door flew open and blinded everybody when a sudden rushing of wind and crackle of electricity reach their ears. They then found themselves inside a house next to a body while white and gold lightning circled around a woman with long red hair while a young boy with blond hair watched in horror.
"Mommy!" yelled the boy tearfully.
"Naruto, run!" yelled the woman.
The Young Justice members suddenly realized which memory they were in and watched in horror a few moments later. The young Naruto had vanished while Savitar stabbed the woman through the abdomen. Letting her body fall to the ground, Savitar then ran off.
"Shouldn't this memory have ended already?" questioned Kaldur when his question was answered by Godspeed, who was wearing a cloak with the hood up, hurrying to the woman's side.
"Hey," said Godspeed as he held her gently, "You're going to be okay."
"Please," begged the woman as she began to lose her strength while crying, "My husband, my son, are they…?"
Godspeed removed his hood and his mask turned to particles to reveal his face.
"It's me, mom," said Naruto as he cried, "Your little speedster is here."
"Naruto…" said the woman as she reached up a hand to him, "I'm sorry…"
"It's all right, mom," assured Naruto as he continued to cry as well, "I'll be right here."
"Naruto," said the woman as she started to lose her breath, "I… love you…"
"I love you too, mom," said Naruto as he took the woman's hand and pulled her into gentle hug.
The woman went limp and Naruto sobbed into her hair. He stayed like that for a moment before he managed to stifle his tears and lie his mother back down, her hand being placed into her husband's. He looked at them for a moment before flipping up his hood, his mask reappearing, and vanished. The members of Young Justice found themselves back in the coffee shop and Reaper was now eating a muffin.
"Before you all say anything, that was a memory," he stated, "It would be the most important memory that Naruto has where the exit is."
"So, that time after Rio fought Savitar in Metropolis, she went back to save her mother but didn't do it," said M'gann.
"As someone who grew up surrounded by knowledge of the Speed Force, Naruto knew the risks of changing the timestream," state Reaper as he tossed each of them a muffin, "By changing it, he could've caused a Flashpoint on his Earth."
"Flashpoint?" questioned Wally.
"A year ago, your Barry Allen went back in time and saved his mother from Reverse-Flash," explained Reaper casually, "It drastically altered the timeline but thankfully, he changed it back before any lasting damage could happen."
"So, Rio gave up saving her mother in order to stay with us?" asked Kaldur.
"When speaking to his Barry Allen after Savitar returned a few weeks ago, Naruto revealed to him that he felt like he had a place he belonged since before that night," relayed Reaper as he sat back down, "Whether it was to stay with you people or something other reason, I don't know. But Naruto feels like he's destined to be here."
The door flew opened and blinded everyone. They were now in a deserted playground and saw Naruto sitting on the swings while staring at the ground as it rained. Artemis made to go over to him but Reaper held her back and pointed toward Naruto. A young Indian girl about his age came up behind him holding an umbrella and put it over the both of them. The soaked Naruto looked over his shoulder at the girl with a blank expression while tilting his head a little.
"You looked cold," said the girl.
Naruto then looked stood up and walked over to a bench but the girl followed him to shield him from the rain.
"I'm Meena," said the girl with a smile, "Meena Dhawan."
The members of Young Justice looked amongst themselves when they heard this then back at Naruto, who was constantly playing on the playground as the rain kept going while Meena tried to keep him dry. There was another flash of light and they were back in the coffee shop.
"That girl…" said Robin, "Was that…"
"That was Meena Dhawan of Earth-1," said Reaper calmly, "Later known as Meena Uzumaki, Naruto's wife."
"Wife?!" exclaimed Wally incredulously.
"The day before he stopped Dr. Carver, she was killed when she unknowingly used a toned down version of a Speed Bomb," explained Reaper.
"So, Rio goes to see that girl in the hospital because she's the doppelganger of his wife," said Artemis.
"When are we going to find Savitar and Rio?!" questioned Superboy angrily, "We've done nothing but go through Rio's memories and haven't even found a single trace of her!"
"Connor," said M'gann in concern.
"I have to admit that this is getting a little tiring as well," stated Kaldur, "We must find the exit and stop Savitar."
Sighing, Reaper sat his muffin down then went to the door. Opening it up again, the light never came as there was just a brick wall behind it. Reaper walked through the brick wall before flying right back out. Pushing himself up, Reaper went back over to his muffin.
"That's where the exit is and good luck trying to get through," said Reaper as he got back to eating.
"What was that?" questioned Robin.
"It was Naruto's most precious memory so he sealed it off in case anyone tried to access it," explained Reaper, "Not even I have the power to unlock it."
"But there has to be something we can do," said Superboy as he went to punch the brick wall before flying against the opposite side of the room.
"There is one option," said Reaper as he looked over his shoulder, "You two can come out now."
They all looked to see a young child that looked about as old as Naruto was in the last memory they saw along with a girl that was a little younger with dark blue hair.
"What do you people want?" questioned the boy angrily.
"How did you get here?" asked Wally as he went up to the pair, only to get punched in the face by the boy.
"Just leave us alone," said the boy as he glared at each of them, "It's bad enough that we had to endure under that maniac for weeks but you all just made it even worse."
"Those are the split personalities that Naruto acquired when he made the contract with that moon god," explained Reaper as he went up to the pair and got down on one knee, "We need you both to unlock that last memory for us so we can help Naruto."
"And why should we trust any of you?!" yelled the boy, "You've all done nothing but make Naruto miserable since he got to this world! None of you will just let him be what he wants to be!"
"How have we been making Rio miserable?" asked Kaldur.
"None of you even notice how stressed out he's been with everything that's been going one!" yelled back the boy, "You all forced him to join your little team! You wouldn't let him fight Savitar the first time until you all forced him to pretend to take that martian girl hostage! You expect him to run another team by himself! You all even forced him into trying to get better! Didn't it occur to any of you to think that maybe he didn't want to be saved?! He likes it on this new Earth but because of all of you, Naruto can't do what he really wants! He just wants to be normal!"
The boy took deep breaths as all the members of Young Justice were shocked by this revelation of the person they thought of as their friend.
"And now, he has to deal with the fact that Savitar used his body to paralyze a girl and kill a baby all because you wouldn't let him be who he wants to be," said the boy as he tried to calm down.
M'gann went up to them as Reaper stood up.
"We're sorry about all of that," she apologized, "We were just doing what we thought Rio would want. But if that's the way she is, then we won't get in her way anymore."
"None of you will ever understand how much pain Naruto's been in all his life," said the boy, "He gave up an entire life to become someone he didn't want to be. If we were to let you through to that memory, what guarantee do we have that you'll honor your promise?"
"We don't know," said Robin, "But we all care for Rio. Not just as a member of the team. But she's like a family for us. If she doesn't want to be a hero, then we won't try to stop her."
"We'll all do our part to make sure that she can spend the rest of her life as she likes," said Kaldur as he stepped forward, "We've done all we can to help Rio but if she doesn't want it, we can deal with that as long as she's happy."
The girl tugged on the boy's shoulder and he looked at her. She nodded and the boy sighed. Holding his hand toward the door, a hexagonal pattern appeared over it then shatter.
"Don't make us regret this," said the boy as he and the girl vanished.
Everyone looked at each other before nodding and jumping through the brick wall.
Godspeed glared at Rio as they stood in front of a swirling portal with Rio having her back to it.
"Rio!" exclaimed Robin as he and the rest of the members came up behind Godspeed.
"Well, if it isn't my old friends," said Rio with a malicious smile on her face.
"Drop the act, Savitar!" shouted Artemis as she aimed right between Rio's eyes.
Sighing, Rio morphed into a male version of Rio and smirked at them.
"I must say, you all are so stupid not to notice that your dear friend was acting different," scolded Savitar, "My original plan was to frame this stupid girl for the crimes then kill you all but I guess I'll just have to settle for getting out of here and killing your sleeping bodies."
"Wally, you and Sasuke are with me fighting Savitar," said Godspeed as he kept his gaze on the evil speedster, "The rest of you, break the final barrier around the exit portal. There's a friend outside that's been wanting to have a word with Savitar. The effects of the world don't work on it though so you'll have to do it by hand."
"Got it," said Superboy before as they all kept close watch on Savitar.
Savitar's armor appeared around him and Godspeed clenched his fists.
"Let's do this," said Godspeed as he, Wally, and Savitar ran off with Reaper keeping up with them in his smoke form while the others ran toward the portal.
Running through the trees, Savitar led Godspeed, the now outfitted Kid Flash, and the smoky Reaper in and around the trees. Using the blades that extended from his arms, he sliced through two trees to impede them but Wally slid under them while Godspeed jumped over them and Reaper went around. Spinning and flying into the sky, Savitar shot lightning back at the ground that knocked the pursuing speedsters off their feet and scattered Reaper.
Superboy pounded on the invisible barrier around the portal while Kaldur slammed his water hammers against it as M'gann and Robin kept guard. Savitar appeared out of nowhere and knocked them all away from the portal. Grabbing M'gann by the neck, he constantly sent electricity into M'gann, causing her to wail in pain. Vibrating his hand Savitar made to stab her with it when Godspeed, having split in two, ran at him with the clone grabbing M'gann out of his grasp and the original phasing into Savitar's suit and knocking him out.
Landing flat on his face, Savitar looked at Godspeed, who was in his armor for a moment before he shattered it. He then got up but looked at his body in disbelief.
"I took away your speed and used a spell to seal off this world's powers to you," said Godspeed, "It's over for you, Savitar."
"What are you going to do?" questioned Savitar in a cocky tone as Wally and Reaper appeared with the rest of Young Justice, "We are so interlaced together inside here that if you kill me, you'll die as well and we'll both be revived."
"I'm not going to lay another finger on you," said Godspeed as the air around the portal seemed to crack, "I'll leave it to someone who really wants to speak with you."
An all too familiar roar to Artemis reached everyone's ears while Savitar's face had dread all over it. The seal around the portal shattered as a black streak that trailed red lightning ran out of it and next to Godspeed. Taking a step back, Savitar turned around to run but the Black Flash was behind him in an instant and stabbed him in the chest with his hand. Taking in a sharp breath, Savitar turned pale and stumbled back. Looking at his hands, he saw he was starting to disintegrate from his fingertips as his feet did the same. He roared as his head soon disintegrated and Godspeed rejoined with his clone.
"Stay where you belong," said Godspeed as his suit did the same and left him as Rio, "In my memories."
The Black Flash stopped right in front of Rio and roared before running off.
"He got a pretty fast replacement for me," remarked Rio as everyone approached.
"Is it really you?" questioned Kaldur.
Rio went up to Robin and looked right into his sunglasses.
"Your real name is Richard Grayson," she said before going up to M'gann, "You're a White Martian," she then looked at Wally, "You're an ass."
"I'm convinced," said Wally as Rio headed through the portal.
"What sort of memory is this?" asked Robin of Reaper as he and Wally rejoined the team.
Reaper pointed behind the student of Batman to see two people watching meteor shower.
"They say that when you see a shooting star, you can make a wish on it," explained Kushina before looking down at Naruto, "What did you wish for, Naruto?"
"I wish that you would become the greatest scientist in the world, mommy," said the young five year old Naruto with a toothy grin.
Kushina smiled before reaching behind her back.
"I have something to give you," she said with a sly smile, "Close your eyes and no peeking."
Eagerly, Naruto shut his eyes as Kushina pulled a small green crystal on a cord necklace out then placed it around Naruto's neck.
"You can open your eyes now," said Kushina.
Naruto did so then looked down at the necklace.
"I got that specially for you," said Kushina as she pulled Naruto into a deep hug, "Happy birthday, Naruto."
Naruto through his arms around his mother and gave her a big hug.
(Back in the Real World)
Rio awoke with a groan as she sat up and stared into the eyes of Batman.
"Destruction told me everything," said Batman as he pulled out some batarangs, "Which are you?"
"Well, since I haven't killed everyone yet, I'm going to say I'm the real Rio," said Rio as she got up and headed toward the exit, "Once we find out about this mysterious group that manipulates the world from the shadows, I'm resigning from everything."
With that, a Boom Tube opened up and Rio proceeded through it as the others started waking up.
"Where's Rio?" questioned M'gann as she got to her feet.
"She went to start her shift with the Teen Titans if I'm correct," responded Batman as Reaper got to his feet then headed for the shadows.
"Wait!" called out Robin as Reaper stopped, "Why don't you stick around? We could use someone like you on the team."
Reaper let an amused chuckle and continued walking.
"I'll be in touch," he said as he vanished into the shadows.
(Jump City)
Rio walked into the main room of Titans Tower and found Zatanna asleep on the couch, as though she was waiting for her. Quickly making two cups of coffee, Rio went over to Zatanna then set the cups down before gently shaking her awake. Groggily opening her eyes, Zatanna looked at Rio's smiling face before sitting up.
"When did you get here?" asked Zatanna as she rubbed her eyes.
"Just a minute ago," said Rio as she handed Zatanna her cup, "I just barely managed to beat the remains of Savitar out of my head with the others before coming here. Did you have anything to eat before you fell asleep?"
"Nothing tasted good," said Zatanna casually as she drank from the cup, "This coffee is really good."
"It's pretty hot though, isn't it?" asked Rio calmly.
"It sure is," said Zatanna with a smile.
"There's just one problem," said Rio, "That's iced coffee in your cup."
Zatanna froze as she dropped the cup and spilled the contents as Rio looked at the floor.
"How long?" she asked, getting a questioning look from Zatanna, "How long have you been without a soul?"
"What are you talking about?" questioned Zatanna as she tried to defuse the situation.
"Losing your sense of taste is a sign of soul absence," said Rio darkly, "The other signs are not being able to sleep and your sense of touch being gone. I know you were faking sleeping earlier."
She slammed her fist hard into Zatanna's leg but the girl didn't react at all.
"How long have you been without your soul?" demanded Rio a little more forcefully.
"Since just before you got that wall put up in your mind," confessed Zatanna,
"That's nothing for you to give up your very soul for!" shouted Rio as she got up.
"I was worried about!" yelled back Zatanna as she got to her feet as well, "I couldn't stand to see you destroy yourself!"
"Does your father even know about this?!" questioned Rio.
"Don't you bring my father into this!" yelled Zatanna before Rio turned and headed for the exit, "Where are you going?!"
"I'm going to get your damn soul back from Death!" yelled back Rio as she stormed by Starfire, Raven, and Cyborg.
They all looked at Zatanna, who sat down and cried into her hands.
Rio entered her room and frowned in the darkness before lighting her bedside lamp.
"I know you can hear me," said Rio forcefully, "Show me your face, Death!"
Hearing a sigh behind her, Rio spun around and found Death leaning against the wall.
"I can't do that," said Death as she looked at Rio, "I can't return her soul."
"Bullshit," growled Rio, "You have the power to take souls and you could just as easily give it back."
"That's not how it works," said Death as she shook her head, "Once a deal is struck with a member of the Endless, it's impossible to undo it."
Rio grabbed Death by the throat and pinned her against the wall.
"You're going to return it right now," snarled Rio.
A gun cocked behind her and she frowned.
"Hello, Sasuke," said Rio as Reaper placed the gun against Rio's skull.
"You didn't have to come," said Death as she vanished from Rio's hand and appeared behind Reaper, "I'm sorry, Naruto."
The pair vanished and Rio left through a Boom Tube.
(Five Hours Later)
"Anyone see Rio?" questioned Cyborg as he entered with some pizza.
"You don't think she went off again?" asked Starfire.
"I don't think so," said Raven as Cyborg sat the pizza in the middle of them all, "She promised that girl that she wouldn't do anything like she did before again."
Zatanna, feeling guilty, began biting her nails before the phone in Cyborg's arm went off.
"Hello?" he asked as he answered.
"It's me," said Rio from the other end, "I'll be gone for the rest of the day. Something came up with Meena and I'm just staying to make sure she's okay."
"Rio…" began Zatanna.
"We'll talk as soon as I get back, Zatanna," she said, "I'll see you all at training tomorrow."
Hanging up, Rio sighed as she turned to the man in front of her.
"Back to business," she said while looking straight into the man's eyes, "I've canceled my deal with Khonsu so I could do this. As for the terms, I give you my soul and, in return, you restore Zatanna's. Do we have a deal?"
The man smiled and held out his hand, which Rio took, her eyes now dancing with flames.
Before I end this off, I'd like to address something. A person I had banned for flaming this story wrote an anonymous review saying I can't tell the difference between constructive criticism and flaming. In addition, he went onto say that I just ban people randomly.
There are five ways I ban people.
1. Swearing in the reviews. This goes without saying. I will not tolerate any foul language in any reviews for any of my stories. Other languages don't work as I have a program on my computer that translates any highlighted word or phrase into English so I can know what they said. The profanity filter doesn't matter. If you've sworn in your review, you will be banned on the spot.
2. Spamming anonymous reviews. This has come up quite a bit. I would ban a person for breaking one of these rules and they would continue to rant about being banned and other things I won't get into. I have a system for removing the ban on your account that I will explain at the end.
3. Rude comments about me, the author, or my family. This is something that is absolutely disgusting. Occasionally, I would get a review that would call me rude names or things about my family. This is a lifetime ban without the possibility of redemption. Under no circumstances will this ever be tolerated in any review or PM.
4. Borderline Flaming. This one is up for debate. To me, constructive criticism is advice readers give to the author in order to help them get better at writing. Flaming is blatantly pointing out what an author did wrong and complaining that the story or chapter didn't go the way you wanted to without offering up reasonable advice to help the author get better or explaining in a calm fashion what they had a problem with. And no, telling them to delete the story/shut down their account does not count as advice. With each of my reviews, I've had several that would seem okay at first glance. I read each review multiple times and should I and another person feel it falls under one of the five categories, that user is banned.
5. Not even talking about the story. This one is rare but I've had it happen. I would occasionally get a review that wouldn't even be about the story it's posted on. This is mostly people asking when I'm going to update another story that I haven't updated in awhile. I don't mind if you just make a little note about it at the end of the review but if the review is just asking about another story or some other topic then I will automatically ban them.
Now, as I have said, there is one way of removing a ban I have placed. In an anonymous review or PM (I don't know if bans allow this), you put your username, the story you had placed the review on, and an apology for breaking the rules. My friend and I will evaluate your apology and if we feel that it is sincere, I will unban you. There is only one person I will never unban and that's God-ShadowEX 100. However, with people I do unban, we write the username down and if you break the rules again, it will result in a lifetime ban with no possibility of being removed.
I hope each of you will remember this and keep it in mind when writing reviews. To those of you that were banned, do the same thing and remember that if you break the rules again should you be unbanned and break the rules again, you won't get another chance.
PLEASE REVIEW (Constructive Criticism is allowed but Flamers will be BLOCKED, IGNORED, AND DELETED)