Same disclaimers as before.

Chapter 11: Flashback

Ariel stepped out of the showers in the Magic Wing's women's room. The sweat and exhaustion of the previous night's fight in Chinatown was dripping off of her with the hot water. She rolled her shoulders and groaned in pain as her spine cracked painfully. She grabbed a towel and quickly dried herself off before wrapping it around her body. She wiped the condensation off a mirror and glared into her tired eyes. They were ringed with bags and bloodshot and her adrenaline rush from the fighting last night had long since worn off. All signs of a deep need for sleep.

She got dressed in her uniform and walked through the crowded wing to the teleporter for the Metropolis Police Department's 7th Precinct. The teleporter gave her a tickle as it whisked her molecules down to Earth. She shivered as she stepped off of it into the busy police department. As police officers and other heroes bustled past her, she walked out into the early morning sun. Two officers in large mech suits turned to look down at her as she walked between them, the joints of their high-tech uniforms whriling and spinning as they watched her walk away.

As soon as she was a few feet away, she jumped into the air and lifted herself a few blocks away. She passed another flying hero who smiled at her as she passed. She wanted to return the smile, but her mouth was just too tired. When she got a few blocks away, she spiraled down to a rooftop. It was an inconspicuous office building, but it was halfway between her mother's apartment and the Precinct so it was where she hid some of her civilian clothes.

It was always very awkward undressing on a rooftop, but it never lasted too long. With a few minutes, Ariel walked out of the front door of the building in a tight band t-shirt and ripped jeans with her uniform in a backpack slung over her shoulder. Her mother's apartment was about seven blocks away, and Ariel kept her head down, grunting with every step. She had stayed up late before, she'd even pulled all-nighters before, but she'd never had a night like that.

That wasn't true and she knew it. Ariel shuddered and almost tripped over her own feet as her mind flashed back to her night of her thirteenth birthday. She quickly shook her head and blocked the horrid memory of that night and the year that preceded it.

Ariel gasped in surprise as she walked into someone. "Oh! I'm sorry! I wasn't looking where I was-"

"It's alright, Ariel."

Ariel looked up and sighed. "We seem to keep running into each other, don't we?"

"Aw," Josh grinned in false disappointment, "You'd think you didn't like seeing me."

Josh got to his knees and began to pick up the papers he dropped and Ariel bent down next to him to help. "Sorry about this."

"I said it was alright, kid," said Josh with a sad smile, "After last night, I think everyone will be bumping into people. That being said, here."

Ariel looked up and blinked as Josh handed her a five dollar bill. "What's this?"

"Five bucks."

"And why are you giving it to me?"

"There's a coffee shop around the corner that makes the best lattes in Metropolis. Trust me, I've tried them all."

Ariel took the bill and pocketed it with a small smile as they both stood up, Josh having collected his papers. "Thanks."

Josh patted a fist to his chest in salute. "Fight the good fight, Ariel."

"Can the good fight wait until I've had caffeine?"

Josh shrugged as he continued down the sidewalk past her. "Should we be so lucky. See you!"

"Bye, Josh." Ariel waved as she walked in the opposite direction. She took Josh's advice and turned the corner. She immediately spotted the place Josh had mentioned. It was a small café that advertised 'World's Best Coffee' in large neon letters. She walked in to a nearly empty restaurant and ordered herself a latte with extra caffeine at the counter. It was ready in seconds and when Ariel took a sip, she immediately knew what Josh loved about it. There was an inner bitterness that spread throughout her body as the hot liquid tumbled down her throat.

She sat down and grabbed a nearby newspaper. It was only the comics, but she wasn't picky. She was halfway done with her drink and had read the comics three times over when the earth began to shake. The table vibrated like a cell phone and the baristas looked around in surprise. The shaking stopped and the baristas began talking about the earthquake and what they would tell their families.

Ariel looked out the window and frowned. Something was very wrong; there was a stench in the air of a foul, familiar aura.

Ariel! Ariel screeched and gripped her head as the voice echoed painfully in her mind. Ariel! Help me! She fell over onto the floor and rolled into the fetal position as the baristas stared at her strangely. Slowly, the throbbing pain in her mind began to fade and she lay on the ground. She shambled to her feet and grabbed her bag, stumbling out of the café. On the streets, people were running like bats out from hell.

Ariel grimaced and adjusted her bag on her shoulder. She dashed across the street to an alley and slid behind a dumpster. "Dammit," she muttered to herself as she opened her bag and took out her cloak, "First I'm naked on a roof, now I'm getting naked in an alley. Sometimes, this gig really sucks." She slipped into her uniform and tossed her bag to the side as she drifted into the air. When she got to the top of a nearby building, she looked down on the streets. People were running in one direction, away from a tall building in the distance.

Ariel bent down and jumped into the air, flying against the stream of people. She had only flown a few blocks when something hit her hard in the back. She screamed in surprise as she was forced to the ground. She skidded against the pavement and moaned in pain as she stood up.

"I recall you." Ariel panted as she looked around. It was hard to see through the rush of people, but for some reason, she could hear the raspy voice clearly. "You were our servant once."

"No," whispered Ariel as she slowly turned, scanning the crowd, "It can't be you."

"But it is, child. As we rise, humanity falls. Even now, the portal is being corrupted and opened."

Ariel scowled and reached out with her mind. The panic of the crowd was overwhelming, but she forced their voices out of her head as she tried to find her target. Once the panic had been cleared, it was all too easy to detect the pure hate that emanated from a nearby rooftop. Ariel scowled and leapt up to the rooftop where her enemy was waiting.

It was about the size of a man and certainly looked like one, but it was in no way human. It was tall and had hard, red skin. His shoulders, arms, and spine were covered with black spikes and sharp horns. His chest heaved with every breath and his massive feet were composed of two giant claws. "So what will you do now, Zohaberut'yun? Do you still go by that name?"

"No," Ariel grit her teeth and spread her fingers, "I'm Charmer now." A large metal vent ripped itself from the roof and wrapped itself around the creature's arms. "Where did you come from?" she demanded.

The creature grinned, exposing impressive fangs. With a grunt, the metal band was shredded from the beast's powerful muscles. "Where do we come from, little girl? Hell. But you knew that, didn't you?" He marched forwards towards Ariel, cracking his knuckles.

Ariel took a step back as he approached. "You're a demon, right? A Minion of Wrath?"

"Correct, Zohaberut'yun." The demon snorted and smoke burst from his nostrils.

"Don't call me that," said Ariel dryly, "If you're a Wrath demon, this should be no problem." She took another step back and her foot scrapped against the edge of the roof.

"And why's that, little girl?"

"You get your power from your hate of others," Ariel bent down and leapt forwards. She grabbed the demon's horns and yanked his head down so he could look him in the eyes. "You exist based on pure hate," she growled as she entered his mind, "But your hate for others is nothing compared to my hate for myself." The demon howled as she flooded its mind with her memories of her rehabilitation and her hatred from her past acts. It fell to its knees and Ariel released its horns. She took a step back and clenched her fists. "Go back to hell," she muttered as she delivered a fierce uppercut to the demon's face. It burst into flame and burned away into ash.

Ariel glared at the ashes as they drifted across the rooftop. Slowly, she rose into the air. She was a good hundred feet up before she closed her eyes and reached out with her mind. Panic was widespread with pockets of bravery, courage, and individual packets of wrath, lust, and greed. However, there was a concentration of sin in the distance, with small pieces breaking off to cause chaos and panic across the district.

Ariel breathed deeply, trying to contain the maelstrom of emotion that was flowing through her.

Ariel! Ariel screamed and gripped her head. She lost her concentration and tumbled down through the sky. Ariel! Please help me!

Ariel scowled and screwed her eyes shut. She focused and blocked off the intruding voice. She slowed her descent and became level with the ground. The streets began to clear as people ran into the distance. Ariel growled and flicked her wrist. Her body shot forwards at speeds that would shame a NASCAR racer. Her cheeks became flush against her skull as she swirled over the buildings towards the source of the sins.

She slowed and pulled up as she drew close. The building was the massive fortress of the Metropolis Science Police; the special crimes unit devoted to dealing with supercrimes. They were supposed to be the MPD elite, but looking down on them, Ariel couldn't help but be unimpressed. They were being overrun by demons. The gargantuan Minions of Wrath barreled through their barricades with ease, allowing the other demons to pour through. The bullets of the police seemed to be useless as the demons tore through their ranks.

Ariel swooped down and grabbed a female demon by the neck as she raised a baton over a fallen police officer. Ariel sneered as she punched the demon in the face. The creature stumbled back and Ariel swept her legs out from under her. "We will tear your soul asunder!" the demon hissed as Ariel stood over her.

"Too little, too late," Ariel muttered as she used her telekinesis to rip the pavement under the demon's head around her neck. The demon burst into flame as her throat was crushed by the pressure of Ariel's attack. "You alright?" Ariel turned to help the officer to his feet.

"T-thanks!" stuttered the officer.

"Where are they all coming from?"

"I-I don't know! W-we were protecting a-a hero in the basement and th-they just came out of nowhere!"

Ariel glared at the chaos all around her. "The basement, huh? Can you get me inside?"

"Th-there's a back door! A loading dock on the other side of the building!" Ariel nodded and grabbed the officer by the scruff of his neck.

"Hang on."

The officer stared at her. "What?" Ariel shot up, carrying the screaming officer with her. The demons were swarming the building, but they hadn't made it to the far side of the kasbah. Ariel set down at a metal door and lowered the officer to the ground. "That was…intense," he panted as Ariel walked towards the door. The metal tore open as she approached. "Wait!"

Ariel turned back to the officer. "What?"

"Who are you?"

Ariel rolled her eyes and walked through the door with a swish of her cloak. "Charmer."

"Charmer," muttered the officer, "Gotta remember that one." Ariel walked inside to find a well lit, winding hallway. She followed it cautiously until she heard the sound of fighting in the distance. She hover in the air and shot down the hall to what looked like a loading dock. Several Science Police Officers were crouched behind squad cars, firing on what appeared to be demons wearing suits and police uniforms. The demons looked more human than the ones outside, despite the fact that they spitting fire across the room.

"Stop firing!" shouted Ariel, but she couldn't be heard over the incessant shooting and the devils' cackles. She snarled and opened her mind. Stop firing! Those are your comrades! The police stopped firing and gripped their heads at the sudden intrusion.

"Did anyone else just here that?!" shouted one of them as a fireball skirted over his head.

My name is Charmer! Ariel cried in their minds, Those are corrupted souls, but they're still your friends! Fall back and fight out the real demons outside! I'll handle these! The police all looked at each other, shrugged simultaneously, and made a mad dash for the hallway. Ariel drifted above them and drew the demons' attention. She swooped down in front of the cars as the demons approached.

"You are Zohaberut'yun."

Ariel stood up and closed her eyes, focusing hard to lift the cars behind her. They slowly started to drift off the ground. "No, I'm not your stupid sacrifice anymore."

"You were Zohaberut'yun once, and so you shall be Zohaberut'yun forever."

Ariel's eyes snapped open and she barked in effort as she launched the cars at the demons. Several of them dodged the large projectiles, but some were hit and flew back against the far walls where they burst into flame before exiting their host bodies. Ariel drifted up in the air and the cars began to swirl around her. "Get out of their bodies."

"Our master requires us."

Ariel snarled and began to chant. A slight breeze blew through the room as her spell took hold. The demons howled in sudden pain and many dropped to their knees. Ariel stopped chanting and lowered herself to the ground. Using her telekinesis, she ripped the axel bars from two of the cars and drew them to her hands. She twirled the two bars and adapted a fighting stance. "Want some?"

"Gah! What have you done?!" cried one of the demons as he struggled to stand.

"A spell that loosens your hold over a human host," growled Ariel, "A Sentinel taught it to me." She dove forward and slapped one of her bars against the demon's head, knocking the entity out of the body with a burst of fire and smoke. The other demons leapt at her with hisses and snarls, but they were each taken out by simple blows to the head. Ariel spun under the demons, her bars twirling wildly. She skidded to a halt, a trail of unconscious hosts behind her.

She stood up and walked towards a large loading door and ripped it off its hinges. Beyond it was a large lobby. Ariel rolled her shoulders and hefted her weapons. "Hey!" she shouted, "If there are any demons in here, I'm having a very bad day and I'm running really low on patience."

"Aw," the deep and doubled voice seemed to come from everywhere at once, but Ariel knew who she was talking to, "Is the Zohaberut'yun upset? Such a pity." Raven gently drifted out from around a pillar, her cape and dress flowing gently with a subtle wind.

Ariel snarled. "You. Get out of her. Now."

Raven laughed with multiple voices enforcing her intimidation. "Fool," she murmered, "To challenge me? Cyborg," she snapped her fingers and a figure stepped out from behind a second pillar.

He was a tall young black man whose face was half covered by a metal plate. In fact, metal seemed to exist up and down his body. His right arm had been replaced by a chrome tube that looked suspiciously like a canon. Ariel rolled her eyes. "He's only part human," she said as she twirled her sticks, "Which means there's only so much you can do to control him."

"True," admitted Raven, "But I don't need to fully control him, do I?" Cyborg slowly raised his right arm at Ariel.

"Fine," Ariel grunted, dropping her sticks and sitting down cross legged on the floor, "I'll do this the easy way." She closed her eyes and reached out with her mind. Her psychic powers enveloped Cyborg's brain and she quickly sank deep into his psyche.

"You don't think it will be that easy, do you?" In Cyborg's mind, Ariel couldn't hear Raven speaking, only the deep, raspy voice of the one controlling her. Images flashed through Ariel's mind and she grit her teeth in frustration as she quickly sorted them as best she could back into place within the hero's mind. She finally found what she was looking for, Raven's mental leash on Cyborg's psyche.

With a triumphant grin, Ariel grabbed the leash and ripped it off of Cyborg's mind. Suddenly, Ariel was standing on a street corner. "What the…?" she muttered as she looked around.

"Very good, Zohaberut'yun, your mental powers are quite prodigious," in the sky, four slanted red eyes blazed in place of the sun, "But releasing my slaves comes at a price." There was a cry and Ariel looked across the street. On the far sidewalk, a little girl of about seven was running away from a gaggle of school children.

"No," Ariel whispered as her heart skipped a beat in fear, "Please God no." The little girl glanced behind her at the kids who chased her. Just as she turned her head, a boy in the group threw a rock. The stone struck her in the cheek and she spun around and stumbled in surprise. Just as she fell backwards into the street, a car rounded the corner. The woman driving it was talking into her cell phone.

A crack of pain shot up Ariel's leg as she remembered that day and the chain of events that it set off. The kids on the sidewalk were suddenly quiet as they stared in horror at the girl's still form. The car skidded to a halt and the woman driving it stepped out, her face paler than the white blouse she wore.

The scene vanished and Ariel found herself back in the lobby of the police station. Cyborg was on his knees, clutching the human half of his head. "Ooh," he groaned, "What's going on?"

Raven folded her arms and smirked down at Ariel. "You cut one puppet's strings, but I have more. Starfire?" From behind a pillar, a beautiful girl with orange skin, flaming hair, and a skimpy purple outfit flew out, her hands outstretched and shooting streams of orange fire. Cyborg rolled out of the way and cried out in surprise to his teammate, but Ariel just scowled and reached forth once more.

It was easier to find Starfire's mental rein, but it still took her some time. She breathed deeply as she gripped the psychic leash, but knew what she had to do. With a steadying grunt, she tore off the leash.

Instantly, she was in a hospital room. The little girl from before was lying in a bed, her leg propped up in a cast. She was watching the rain splatter against the window. Sitting next to her was a young woman in a business suit. "Mommy," whispered the girl, a tear streaking down her cheek, "Why do they hate me?"

"Oh, they don't hate you, baby," said her mother, stroking her hair, "They were just playing heroes and villains. This whole thing was just an accident."

"They always pick me to be the villain."

The woman stood up. "I'm going to get some snacks, okay honey?" The little girl nodded and the mother left. As soon as the door shut behind her, it opened again and a tall, handsome man stepped in. He wore a red pinstripe suit and had short black hair.

"Hello, little one," he said in a pleasant voice as he approached the girl's bed, "Are you alright?"

The girl stared at him wide eyed. She quickly glanced all around her and leaned forwards. "I'm not supposed to talk to strangers," she said in a hushed voice.

"No, you're not," said the man in serious agreement, "My name is Father Jones. What's your name?"

The girl blinked at him. "I'm Ariel."

"Like the mermaid?"

"Yes. Are you a priest?"

The man grinned and sat down in the seat Ariel's mother had occupied. "Yes, but I don't pray to God. I heard what happened and I had to come make sure you were okay. Is it alright if I talk to you for a while?" Ariel slowly nodded. The man was charismatic and genuinely seemed to care for her. "I'm from a very special church for very special people."

The scene ended and Ariel blinked back tears. "Stop that!" she hissed.

"You have your methods, I have mine," said Raven dryly as Cyborg helped Starfire to her feet, "Nightwing, your turn." Ariel grunted as something fell on her. She dropped to the ground under its weight and cyborg raised his right arm. A burst of sonic energy shot just above Ariel and she rolled over to see a man in a black and blue leotard recovering from the attack, twirling twin sticks expertly in his hands.

Ariel sighed and entered his mind. Raven's latch on his psyche was familiar to her now and she found it quickly. "Okay," she said to ready herself as she grabbed the leash, "You can do this."

She lifted the clasp and the next scene began. It was a rainy night outside her mother's apartment when her younger self stormed out the front door, albeit with a significant limp. She was older now, somewhere between eleven and twelve. Father Jones was waiting for her with an umbrella across the street. "Rough day?"

Ariel grunted as she stepped under his umbrella and they began to walk together to the mass. "My mother," she muttered, "She doesn't understand me."

"They never do, do they?"

"So, do you know what this week's sermon is about?"

"Brother Blood hasn't told me yet."

"Oh, come on. He tells you everything!"

Father Jones look around, as if checking to see if they were being listened to. "He doesn't tell me everything," he murmured, "But I think he did say something about announcing the initiates for next year."

Ariel clapped her hands, her frown turning all too quickly into a smile. "Ooh, do you think he'll pick me?"

Father Jones laughed as he wrapped an arm around the girl. "After four years of utter devotion to the church? I don't see why he wouldn't."

The present Ariel rolled her eyes. In retrospect, it was all too obvious how she had been manipulated. "I can't wait!" said her past self with a sigh, "Once I get my tattoo, it's going to be a whole new world for me, right?"

"That's right," Father Jones said, his eyes flashing as lighting forked in the skies, "A whole new world."

The scene ended and Ariel clenched her fists. "Stop it!" she screamed at Raven, who was half-smirking, half-scowling, "Stop it now!"

"What's wrong?" asked Cyborg as he knelt down next to Ariel. Starfire was helping Nightwing shake off the daze that Raven left him in.

"Every time I free one of you," Ariel whispered, "She shows me my sins."

Cyborg gripped her shoulder and nodded to her. "Just one more. You think you can do it?"

Ariel rose shakily to her feet and nodded. Raven snapped her fingers. "Donna Troy? Kill them." The pillar next to Ariel exploded from the force of the young woman's punch. As bits of rubble rained down on everyone, the Amazon swooped down and grabbed Ariel by the throat.

Gasping for breath, Ariel grasped her mind. Donna Troy's leash was like a beacon, Ariel found it the second she entered her mind. "Stupid demon," muttered Ariel as she hefted the latch, "Stupid cult."

She was in a dark room, lying on her stomach in a massage chair. She was twelve now, and had her shirt off. But that was far from the creepiest thing in the room. Behind her, a man in red robes and a skull mask held a tattoo needle and was jabbing it painfully into her shoulder. Both Ariel's grimaced at the pain and the younger one sobbed. Father Jones stood by, looking on with demonic delight. Next to him was a giant of a man in elaborate scarlet robes and a purple skull mask that covered only half of his face. His head was covered by a headdress that made him look even taller and darker. His entire body was surrounded by a black aura so palpable, it was almost visible.

As the tattoo artist finished, Ariel sat up. Father Jones handed her a handheld mirror and she used it to look at her new markings. "It's beautiful," she choked through her tears in awe.

"Approach, child," said the tall man. She knelt reverently at his feet. He placed his hand on her shoulder and she cried out. Not only was her skin raw and bloody, but the tattoo glowed and burned under his touch. "You are stronger than most," intoned the man in a booming voice, "The Seven Sins are powerful within you and your knowledge of the occult demonstrates your years of tutelage and studies. I have found you most impressive, little Ariel."

"Thank you, oh high one," she whispered, not daring to lift her head, be she unworthy to look upon him.

"You have passed through all of our rites of initiation," said the man, "There is but one more test." A light flicked on in the corner of the room. Ariel looked over to see a boy around her age strapped to a chair. His mouth was gagged, but his eyes were wide with fear and he cried out to nobody in particular. Next to him was a middle-aged woman in a similar predicament. She was quiet however, and gazed at her feet in acceptance.

"Johnny," she said, slowly standing to her feet.

"Yes," nodded the man, "The boy who threw a stone all those years ago, and has never truly paid for his actions. And next to him, the woman who broke your leg because she was breaking up with her boyfriend, crippling you for life." Ariel slowly approached them, her lame leg dragging slightly behind her. The limp had gotten better over the years, but it was still there, and it carried with it the mocks and insults hurled at her because of it.

"The people who ruined your life are before you, Ariel," said Father Jones softly, "Are you strong enough to do what is right?" Ariel glared coldly at the struggling young boy. She reached out and ripped off his gag.

"Ariel!" he cried, "Please! Get me out of here!"

Ariel simply stared. "Do you remember that day, Johnny?"

"What? Ariel! These people are insane! We need to leave now!"

"Do you remember, Johnny?"

"Remember what?" he cried, his eyes wide and wild. Ariel turned and grabbed the tattoo needle. With a spin and a snarl, she rammed it into Johnny's stomach. He howled as blood and ink mixed together. Ariel kicked over his chair and he fell over on his side, screaming in pain.

"Do you remember, Johnny?" she asked as she raised her foot. She brought it down hard and Johnny's screams were silenced. The woman next to him sobbed and looked away. Ariel turned to her and ripped off her gag. "What's your name?" she asked quietly. The woman wouldn't look her in the eye so Ariel grabbed her chin roughly. "What's your name?"

"M-Mariam."

"Do you remember that day, Mariam?"

"Yes," breathed the woman, "I think about it every day. It haunts every dream. Oh God. I'm so, so sorry sweetie."

Ariel took the woman's head in her hands. "So am I." She twisted hard and the woman went limp. Behind her, the tall man began to clap slowly.

"Without even blinking an eye," he said, "Truly a devoted member of the church. Kneel." Ariel knelt, so glad to have impressed the mighty Brother Blood. "From this day forth," ordered the high priest, "Your name is to be Zohaberut'yun, the Sacrifice."

The scene faded and Ariel began to weep. Donna Troy dropped her and air rushed back into her lungs as Cyborg helped her to her feet. "It's over," she said to herself, "It's over."

"Not quite." She looked up to see Raven open a portal behind her. "You may have freed my slaves, but my daughter will be mine yet." The other heroes began to attack her, but their powers were completely nullified against her.

Ariel leaned against the broken pillar for support. "Stupid," she muttered as she reached out mentally, "Stupid, stupid, stupid." Raven's mind was like none she had ever entered before. Everything looked like it did outside her mind, except with a dark tinge and large pillars of what appeared to be brain stems growing here and there.

"Ariel!" Raven was suspended in midair, floating in front of a massive red figure with twin stag horns and four glowing red eyes.

"You called," said Ariel dryly, "I answered. How do I get him out of your mind?"

Behind Raven, the demon laughed and grabbed the hero's head. "You cannot erase me, child," he snarled, "I am a part of her, just as I am a part of you."

Ariel stomped her foot and a light fixture fell from the ceiling. It got tangled in the demon's horns and he glanced up, distracted. Ariel dashed forwards and lunged at Raven. She tackled the hero out of the demon's reach and her mind flashed before her.

She was in a large cavernous room lit only by torches. She was lying spread eagle on an alter, strapped down by her wrists and ankles. Surrounding her were members of the church, or cult as she was calling it now, who were chanting in a monotone. Father Jones stood above her. "Comfortable?"

Ariel grimaced. "Are the straps really necessary?"

Father Jones smiled warmly. "Brother Blood's orders, sorry." He stepped back and joined the chanters. As he did so, the room grew colder and the fires flickered dangerously. A magical aura settled over the cavern and Ariel breathed deeply, taking in the macabre atmosphere. All at once, the chanters silenced and Father Jones stepped forwards. "In the name of mighty Trigon!" he called, "We sacrifice this loyal servant with the spell of the catalyst! Her death shall hasten our master's arrival!" The cultists cheered as Father Jones drew an ornate dagger from his robes. "Are you ready Zohaberut'yun?" he asked softly.

Ariel smiled and gazed up. "Hail Trigon." Father Jones kissed her on the forehead and raised his dagger.

The doors burst open and a loud bang echoed across the room. Father Jones started and fell over Ariel. She gapped at him as he dropped the dagger over the side of the altar and red blood seeped out of his robes and into hers. She screamed and men in uniforms poured out of the door.

"On the ground! All of you!" shouted an officer. The cultists screamed and ran at the police, leading to another round of gunfire. Ariel shrieked and turned her head away from the chaos. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to ignore the screams and gunshots around her. Finally, there was silence. She felt the weight of Father Jones's body being pushed off of her and her straps being undone.

"It's alright," said a soft, female voice, "You're safe now."

Ariel cracked open an eye and gasped at the woman standing above her. She was lovely young woman in a purple cloak and dress with a hood covering her eyes. "You're…"

"I'm Raven," she said, helping Ariel off the throne, "Don't worry, we're working to destroy the cult. It's going to be alright." Ariel stood, shocked at the sight of the woman she had been trained to hate, trained to kill. Raven turned away from her and began speaking to one of the police officers.

With a cry, Ariel bent down and grabbed Father Jones's fallen dagger. She raised it and was about to drive it into Raven's back when a bullet tore through her shoulder. She screamed in pain and fell back, hitting her head against the altar. As her eyes slowly closed, Raven bent down close to her, her face masked by anger.

Ariel gasped as she awoke in Raven's mind. Raven was bent over her and Trigon was nowhere to be seen. Raven gently pulled Ariel up and hugged her close. Ariel didn't know to cry or laugh, so she settled for just being shocked. "Thank you," whispered Raven, "You saved my soul."

"M-my pleasure," said Ariel.

. . .

Ariel and Raven were in twin cots in the Watchtower Med Bay. Neither was badly injured, but the Justice League doctors wanted to make sure there were no long term mental problems in either of them. Both simply stared at the ceiling as nurses walked back and forth at the feet of their beds. "Can I ask you a question?" said Raven eventually.

Ariel closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "I don't see why not."

"Whatever happened to your limp?"

Ariel frowned and her face scrunched up. "How did you know about my limp?"

"I saw everything when you saved me."

"Everything?"

"Everything."

Ariel sighed. "Well, after my rehab an anonymous donor paid for surgery."

"Oh, good for you."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Certainly?"

"Was it you?"

Raven looked over at her. "What do you mean?"

Ariel sucked in breath through her mouth. "When I was tried for the people I killed, they let me off by reason of insanity and sent me to the rehab center. Later I found out that the judge was convinced by an outside source to be lenient. Did you do it?"

Raven slowly looked back up at the ceiling. "Do you really want to know?"

"Yes."

"Yes, it was me."

"Why did you help me? I tried to kill you. Twice. In one night."

Raven sighed. "Because you were just a kid. You still are. You should be held accountable for your actions, but your actions were not your own. You didn't deserve to go to prison."

For a few minutes, they simply lay in silence. "Thanks," said Ariel finally.

"No problem." For some time, they were quiet again. Eventually, Raven smiled. "Sure."

Ariel looked over. "What?"

"You were going to ask if I could train you. Sure thing."

"Oh," said Ariel, "Cool. When do we start?"

"Right now." Ariel gasped as a bolt of mental pain drove through her mind. "Defend yourself!" Ariel sneered as she brought up mental barriers to defend against Raven's psychic sparring.

. . .

Devon slowly blinked awake. He gazed up at a white ceiling. "Where am I?" he asked quietly.

"In a hospital, Devon."

Devon looked over. "Mr. Luthor?"

Lex smiled. "Good to see you awake, Devon. Now, I know you just woke up, but I need you to do me a favor."

. . .

Please review!

Well, there you have it. Ariel's dark past. I gotta say, I had a lot of fun writing this one. I hope you enjoy it!