"Hey," Cyle greets.

"Hey," I reply, "sorry about your brother. So what are you having?"

"I just wanted to say this," he replies, "get it in a book. I want my title to be The Toxic Scientist. Also, about my brother, I haven't checked up on him in about a month. How's he holding up?"

"Not good. He's basically gone."

"Pen curse it all! If only I was a little more relevant. I could have been there. I could have saved Reaper... listien, Reaper and you are in a whole other league of plot relevance. I'm forced to trust you with his well being. I have to know..." The Toxic Scientist looks me in the eye, his eyes glowing with poison magic, "that I can trust you."

I remember that I just betrayed Reaper's trust. Guess I'm gonna have to lie a little more. The Toxic Scientist is NOT someone to make enemies with. He's been researching writers for the Author Slayers and is constantly on edge, ever prepared for their arrival. However, unlike Reaper, his life is pretty well balanced.

"I promise," I lie, "that I'll do what's best for Reaper."

The Toxic Scientist sighs with relief. "Thanks," he smiles, "means a lot. Anyways, I'll take a Burning Meat platter. Heavy on the hot sauce. To go."

"Sure," I reply, "I'll get right on it."

I go to prepare the food. As I flip the meat in the skillet, I feel R.C.'s aura. Huh, odd, he doesn't like spicy food.

I walk up to M.S. "Hey," I explain, "we need to talk."

"What is it?" She asks, reaching for the hot sauce.

"It's about Reaper's recovery. When you went to visit him, he recovered much faster. You need to be there for him."

He's right, but I'm not sure I'm strong enough. Even after what the King of Hell said, Reaper values strength above all else, expessialy now. If I cry in front of him...

"I know," I reply, "but..."

"I know it's hard," R.C. replies, "but listien, you made more progress with Reaper in two days than The Four did in a trillion years. It falls to you to bring him back to us. You're the only one who can show him he can still find joy, even if there's some kid with a pen pulling the strings. We still have free will, and that's all we need."

"You're right," I sigh, "but... it's hard, watching him suffer like this, watching him throw those who love him away, what we had away..."

"It's hard for all of us. Him and I were best buds before The Cleansing, the end of the Era of Peace. Listen, I know the Reaper we knew is still there, even if he doesn't believe it. I mean, look at the festival. You got Reaper to show up. That's more than I've ever done. You're the only one who can get through to him."

"I know, but..."

"He's gonna res again tomorrow probably. If you can, please, be there when he does."

R.C. leaves.

"Hey," the King of Hell suddenly interjects, "listen, if you wanna help Reaper, I won't stop you."

"What about the restaurant?" I ask.

"Ha!" He exclaims, "I ran this place for a million years before you came along. I can handle it. Don't worry."

"That's not very much anymore," I remind.

"Heh," the King of Hell smiles, "it's still a lot of experience in the industry. Don't worry about it. Just, do what you need to do tomorrow. If you don't show up, it's fine. Hell, take as long as you need off."

"That doesn't exactly pay the bills."

"Aren't you rich anyways?"

"Well, most heroes are, but my savings ran out after a billion years and I didn't invest any so I got a job here. Pays really good, but if I don't keep the cash flowing, I'm in deep shit."

"Well, don't worry about the money. I can handle it. With the dough this place brings in, I have money to burn. Anyways, you should probably think about this, so head on home."

"Are you sure?"

"I insist."

"OK, see ya King of Hell."

"See ya M.S."

I leave Hellfire. As hard as it'll be, I know what must be done. I begin towards the Prevention Center...