It's dark. Many of the lamp-posts have either burst or just aren't bright enough to illuminate the cobbled stone pathways.
The familiar clack of heels emanates throughout the streets, a woman walking from her work.
Doesn't she know not to walk in the dark?
Something rises from the shadows not far from her. It straightens slightly and its tongue escapes its mouth, long and black. It runs its tongue over its teeth, a drip of black liquid hitting the cobbled stone and making the woman turn around to the noise. As soon as it sees the womans face, it's on the move, dashing forward.
Its grey. Long and skinny. Humanoid looking, but its spine is broken and curved over, forcing it down to half its size. If it could straighten up entirely, it would probably be around nine feet tall. Its teeth are black, dripping with the same liquid that called the womans attention to it. Its eyes are hidden behind black mesh. In fact, its entire face is hidden behind a grey mask, lighter than its skin. A large crack runs its way down the mask.
Its hands are normal, up until the first knuckle of its fingers. Then, they become sharp, curved blades, glinting a metallic silver. The tips of the blades are chipped away, blunt. Painful.
Its legs bend awkwardly as it runs, but it doesn't slow down. Rather the awkward bend makes it speed up, and it darts towards the woman, who lets out a loud shriek. Its right hand lifts and swipes down, slashing at the woman's chest and ripping her into ribbons. The woman's shriek is cut with a bloody gurgle; the only noises left are the faint shimmering sounds coming from the woman's blue soul and the soft dripping of blood coming from the monsters bladed fingers. It leans forward and takes the blue ball, the shimmering soul, lifting it up and tilting its head back to run its tongue over it.
It devours the soul slowly, enjoying and savoring the sweet taste.
Another shadow casts itself along the cobbled streets, this one coming up from a flight of stairs not too far away. A voice quietly whispers throughout the area, and the monster turns to where the voice is coming from.
"Jack the Ripper. Your soul is corrupted, dark and twisted."
The voice is feminine, coming from an average sized female standing at the top of the staircase. She wears simple attire - black and white trainers, blue jeans, a pink shirt that says "Jane Doe" with a picture of a deer, and a faded grey hoodie over the top. One hand is gripping the elbow of her other arm, which is holding the hilt of what looks like a sword.
The sword is huge. Taller and wider than the female holding it. Somehow the girl has it easily resting over her shoulder, the blade glinting in the pale moonlight; the moon grinning wide, mocking the earth.
The blade is rectangular, one edge taking a sudden forty-five degree turn and ending with a sharp point. Up the centre of the blade is a long, winding pattern of what looks like a skull, with vines, roses and butterflies wrapped around it. The handle of the blade is bright blue, electric almost. It's a stunning blade.
The monster grins. Two souls in one night? Wonderful. It lets out a loud roar, and charges forward, blurring as it flies up the stairs and swipes at the short girl, who has brown hair and quiet blue eyes. Her face is cute, it thinks. Delicious looking. Spattered in freckles with blue eyes that look tired, despite their bright sparkling hue.
Suddenly, it's lying on its back, the girl having simply deflected the swipe with the giant sword. How can she move it? It looks like it weighs about a hundred pounds. The monster lets out a roar and twists its frame as it pulls itself up, darting towards the female yet again.
The waif is now leaning casually against the blade, a bored expression on her freckled features. Waiting patiently, she pretends to examine her nails as the giant brute charges at her, swiping both arms in an attempt to catch her in a box.
There's a spray of blood, and the monsters lips twist up into a grin behind its mask. Bingo.
Suddenly, sharp pain erupts through its very being, and it lets out a scream unmatched by anything else, a loud ear-piercing shriek. It stumbles back, and looks to its hands in panic. Nothing.
Its hands are lying on the cobbled stone next to the girl, who was once again leaning against the large blade, lips pursed in amusement. The monster takes a step towards her, before suddenly it's lying flat on its stomach, legs rendered immobile due to the simple fact they are no longer there. It shrieks again, it's shriek cut short by the tiny human in front of it stomping roughly upon its skull.
"Serial Killer Jack the Ripper." The girl mumbles. "You're wanted for sixteen counts of homicide and four counts of attempted murder. Your soul is black, twisted, evil. We're here to cleanse you."
She picks up the giant blade, and smiles wide. "This makes the count up to ninety-nine souls!"
She swings the blade down and caves in the skull of the monster, who shrieks one final time. Its body seems to dissolve, breaking apart until nothing but a soul is left behind. Instead of being blue it's a dark red, like blood.
The girl slams the blade down, and a blinding light erupts, making the brunette cover her eyes with her arm. A hand appears to reach out of the blade and it grips the soul, pulling it back. A head then emerges from the blade, bright blue hair stuffed under a dark blue beanie. Deep blue eyes, and a wide grin on its lips. Her lips.
The sword-girl lifts the soul to her lips, her jaw opening wider than it should. A bone cracks somewhere, and slowly the girl lowers the soul into her mouth and swallows it whole.
As soon as the soul slides down into her stomach, she fully emerges from the sword and burps loudly.
"Gah! Damn, that soul was hella tasty."
The other girl snickers quietly and shakes her head. "Chloe, c'mon. We gotta contact Lord Death, tell him we've finally hit number ninety-nine. Is there a window somewhere?"
Chloe nods as she bows dramatically, getting onto her knees and lowering her extended arms to the ground. "Thank you Max for a delicious meal."
Max grins as she nudges the girl with her foot before looking around. Spotting a window in the corner, she walks over to it and exhaled slowly to mist up the glass. As it mists, she mumbles quietly. "42-42-564, whenever you want to knock on Death's Door."
Writing the code into the misted window, she leans back slightly on her feet, before the long bared arms of her partner slide over her shoulders, and she feels the heavy weight of the girl sinking into her.
"You know my dad wont like this." The brunette mumbles, and Chloe simply laughs. "Which is why I do it. Your dad is insufferable, Maxi."
Max sighs slowly and shakes her head, but a grin touches her lips. "I know. For dramatic effect, perhaps you should kiss my cheek too."
"Anything to get me to make out with you, huh? Lets just focus on telling your dad we're dating before he see's anything like that. He's not gonna like it though."
"Not like what?" A voice pierces through their small conversation, and both of them look up towards the screen, where the familiar face of their boss comes into view.
He's tall and wears an all black suit, a top hat covering his hair and sunglasses over his eyes. His teeth are bright and white, visible every time he smiles. His hands are always tucked behind his back, and he always smiles at everyone that calls him.
"Hi Lord Death. Is my father there?" Max asks, head tilting to the side.
"Not yet. Although I believe he will be soon - he seems to always know when you contact me. So what wont he like?"
Max glances up to the blue-haired figure draped over her, who's currently examining her blue-painted nails. Lord Death seems to grin wider, somehow.
"Ahh yes. The happy couple. I can understand, he doesn't seem to think anyone is good enough for you."
Max hears a door slam somewhere, and Chloe removes her arms as the face of Max's father appears into the screen. He's pressed so close to the screen that Chloe can swear she can see up his nostrils.
"Who's not good enough for my Max? Is it you, punk! You're right, no one is good enough for my beautiful daughter, she's too perfect and pure and if you touch her I'll eat you alive!"
Chloe glances up from her nails and snorts. "Max isn't my type. Too flat chested."
Max shoots a glare that makes Chloe grin quietly. She's paying for that later, of course. However its nothing compared to the sudden scream that erupts from the screen. She turns her head back and witnesses Ryan throwing the mother of all hissy fits, screaming profanities and yelling so loud it makes her ears hurt.
After the fit, Ryan turns to Max and smiles. "Max, sweetheart...Daddy loves you."
Max turns her head away from the male and scowls. "Not enough to stay with my mom it seems."
Chloe cant stop the smirk that touches her face as Ryan's smile morphs into a look of shock, and he turns from the screen to throw himself to the ground, thumping his fist. He really is like a child.
The scene happens for a moment more before Ryan is suddenly made quiet by a punch to the back of the skull, that knocks him unconcious without doing lasting damage. Lord Death puts his hand behind his back once again and smiles sweetly. "So, Max. Chloe. What did you contact me for?"
Max blinks as Chloe slides her arms around her yet again, and exhales slowly. "That was our nintey-ninth soul, Lord Death. We wanted to contact you and check if there were any witches in the area?"
Lord Death inhales through his nose, head tilting to the side as he thinks. "There are reports of unusual magic levels nearby. I was going to send Brooke and Warren to investigate it, but as you're currently near, perhaps you should have a look. However!" He moves his hand and extends a gloved finger. "I must warn you, fighting a witch will be the hardest job you have ever done. Not only are they extremely powerful, but if you fail, all your souls will be confiscated."
Max nods quietly and turns to Chloe, who is leaning into the window and picking at her teeth with her nail. She reaches out and slaps the taller girls arm, drawing attention.
"Whassup?"
Lord Death simply chuckles at the display and shakes his head. "Fill her in, Max. I'm off to make sure your father is alive."
Max nods quietly and turns from the screen, folding her arms over her chest and giving a pointed glare to the punk stood next to her, who was now shifting around on her feet rather awkwardly.
"I'm flat chested, hm?" She asks, and Chloe simply looks down.
"Sorry Maxy. I just wanted to throw your dad off the scent. You know I love your frame."
Max rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "C'mon. We've got a witch to find."
Rachel lifts her leg out of the bubbling bathwater and slowly runs her hand over her smooth skin, humming a small tune as she does so. Her index finger lifts and she swipes it through the air in a curving motion, head tipping to the side. A brush lifts from the side of the tub and runs up and down her shin, cleaning off the muck of the day. A relaxing sigh passes her lips and makes her smile, and her eyes close happily.
She hears a thump, but just assumes its one of the many creatures outside her house which she has comically shaped like a pumpkin with a large witches hat. Another thump, louder, causes her to open her eyes and glance up to the large window above her bath. Another peeper? The window is too high for anyone to see her, but she watches it warily anyway.
Chloe falls out of the tree for a third time, cursing loudly as she lands on her back. Looking up at the small hipster, who's currently covering her mouth with a balled fist to hide her giggling, she scowls and stands up.
"Fuck it. I'm running in."
"Chloe no, wait-" Max is cut off by Chloe leaping up and practically throwing herself through the window they'd found, crashing through the glass.
Chloe smashes her way through and grins wide, yelling. "Witch! We're here for your sou-" Her words are silenced by a mouthful of water and something else as she lands into what she thinks is a bathtub. She pulls her face away and blinks, wiping the soap from her eyes and blinking her sight back.
Her eyes widen at the sight before her - a naked female in a bathtub, a questioning look on her face and her long blonde hair soaked to her head. Her right side is shaved, and a blue feather earring hangs from it. The females breasts are right in front of the bluenette, and for a moment Chloe just stares, before a foot connects with the side of her head and sends her flying, crashing into the toilet and breaking it instantly. Dazed, soaked with both bubbles and toilet water, and just a tad aroused, she blinks and looks up only to be met with the glare of her Meister, and a sheepish grin touches her lips.
"Chloe you dick, we're supposed to be taking this witches soul, not face-diving her breasts!"
Max turns and holds one hand behind her, palm visible, her other hand lifting up and her finger pointing towards the girl in the bathtub; who's still looking at them with a questioning smile.
"We're here for your soul." Max says, and for a moment Rachel remains silent before smiling wide. Her index finger lifts and she twirls it around in the air, mumbling something quietly. Max watches confused before her eyes widen at the spell, which causes both Max and Chloe to be launched from the side of the house in a large, forceful explosion. They soar through the air, Chloe landing heavily against the ground and Max somehow being able to twist around and landing on her feet.
Chloe groans and sits up, rubbing her temple where she was kicked, and her nose which has started to bleed. She wipes her face clean and turns to Max, who is standing with her arms folded and a furious scowl on her face. Sheepishly, she lifts a shoulder.
"Lucky shot?"
Max simply sighs.
Rachel is sat on what appears to be a pumpkin, giggling happily as she kicks her legs. She's dressed casually in skinny jeans, sneakers and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, hands dancing through the air, twisting and turning as she chants her spells. Several more explosions erupt over the rooftops of Death City, knocking her foe and the giant sword back several places.
Max grunts and continues to jump from the rooftops, attempting to get close to the witch who simply knocks her further back with another explosion.
"Chloe! What do we do?" She asks, and Chloe's voice bounces around from the weapon.
"Fuck Max, I dunno! Swing for the hips?"
Rachel pauses, head tilting. "Is she in the weapon? That's so cool!"
Max's face grows slightly red with jealousy, and her teeth clamp together. "She's my weapon, yes. You can only get one if you join the DWMA, which you can't do!"
Rachel tilts her head and smiles. "True. But maybe the pretty girl doesn't want to work for you. Maybe she wants to work for me? I'll treat her right." Her voice takes on a flirtatious tone, head tilting. "Give her everything she wants, fufil every sordid whim."
Max scowls further. "She's MY partner! Right Chloe?"
No voice returns. Chloe sits silently in the weapon.
Rachel sighs before smiling wide and simply launching another attack. Max feels the tiles underneath her slipping, and in a wild attempt to save herself she slams the weapon into the roof. The explosion knocks her from her feet, the only thing keeping her from flying backwards is her ironclad grip on the hilt of her weapon.
"Chloe, help!" She cries, trying to pull herself up and failing.
There's a blinding light and Chloe is now stood on the rooftop, hand gripping her partners. Her face is sombre, her hand loosening slightly.
"Max." She whispers, and Max looks up into the bright blue eyes.
"It's over."
"Wh...Chloe what do you mean?"
"Well...Max...It's just."
Suddenly Chloe's eyes light up and she grins wide. "I want to be Rachel's partner now!"
Max's eyes almost bulge out of their sockets in shock. "What?! Chloe, what the hell?"
"It's nothing personal." Chloe whispers, slowly letting Max's hand go. Max falls and lands heavily in what she thinks is a garbage dump. Pulling everything from her view, she climbs out and wipes her face, before erupting into an explosion of anger.
"Chloe that wasn't funny! I could have gotten hurt! What do you think you're doing dropping me into the dump like that?!"
"Max." Chloe says quietly, dropping from the edge of the building. She looks over to the witch who's sitting with her head tilted, smiling wide.
"Just shut up, Max."
Max blinks quietly in shock, looking over to the duo and exhaling slowly.
"I should have known." She whispers. "You're all the same. You and my father. You find something worthwhile, and just ruin it for someone pretty. Someone with a bigger chest huh? Doesn't matter."
She inhales quietly, before screaming. "You're a cheat, just like my father!"
Chloe stands beside the witch at this point, who has dismounted her pumpkin and waits patiently on the cobbled streets, an arm around the slightly taller girls waist. She closes her eyes as Max screams, before grinning.
"You really are an idiot, Max. Thank god I love you."
She twists quickly and grabs Rachel's hands, pulling them behind her back. Her other hand reached out as she held the witch in place, who struggled against her captors hands. "No fair!" She yells.
Max blinks as she sees the bared palm of Chloe, before realizing exactly what she wanted. The brunette charged forward and linked their hands, and in a blinding flash of white light, Chloe's form shifts and the weighty blade is now right next to Rachel's side. Max's foot twists and she swipes the sword roughly, slicing Rachel in half. An explosion of smoke, and Max feels the hilt in her hand shifting back to another palm. Chloe appears next to her almost instantly, and pulls the brunette close, holding her.
"Don't ever think I'll cheat or leave you, Max. I love you too much."
Max wipes away the tears and smiles up at the bluenette, leaning up and crushing the pairs lips together. They stand like this for a moment, holding each other, savoring the fact they just managed to finally upgrade Chloe to a Death Weapon. Max cradles the punks face in her palms as they kiss, never deepening it - simply holding it.
As the smoke clears, they break apart and grin towards each other, before a loud meow cuts through their little world. Max glances down and spots a faint ginger cat sitting on the streets, licking its paw and running its hand over its face. Her head tilts and she continues to glance around, lightly nudging Chloe.
"Baby...I can't find a soul anywhere."
Chloe looks down at the cat, brow furrowing. The cat has a collar with a blue feather earring. For a moment, her brain short circuits, before sudden rage takes over.
"You're a fucking shapeshifter?!"
Max blinks before her eyes narrow against the cat. It all clicks together, and suddenly she feels devestated. A feeling of gloom takes over and she sinks to her knees, the familiar voice of Lord Death piercing her mind.
Rachel shifts easily, arching over on her hands and knees until she stands up and grins wide. Her clothes are still there, and she shrugs her shoulder.
"Not really. I'm just a cat with an extreme amount of magical ability."
"We cut you in half though!" Chloe shrieks, ignoring Max's voice.
"Cats have nine lives remember? You took maybe my...sixth? I have three left." She wiggled her hips happily.
Chloe continues to shriek, incoherent curse words and threats of skinning the cat alive, only pausing to turn to Max after the brunette tugs the girls shirt roughly.
"What?!"
Max looks up at the taller girl. "Remember what Lord Death said?"
Chloe blinks, recalling the previous conversation. For a moment nothing comes to mind until it hits her, and her face pales.
"All of your souls will be confiscated."
"They will all be confiscated."
Chloe curses loudly and storms around for a moment before exhaling and simply standing next to her Meister. "Fuck. Fuck. We're back to zero souls, huh? Jesus. Lets go home."
Max wraps her arms around the taller female and nods quietly, face pale.
"All will be confiscated."
"So what. We have to start over?" Chloe asks as the pair arrive at her truck, throwing open the door and climbing in. Max follows and nods, giving a heavy sigh.
"As the Meister, I'll take full responsibility, okay?" She mumbles.
"Damn it. And I was so fucking close to being the coolest chick in the damn academy! You're telling me I ate 99 damn human souls and one CAT soul?!"
A cat appears as if out of nowhere on the dashboard of the vehicle, and Max glares at it for a moment. "She just ate your soul, damn it. Why are you still following us?!"
Rachel purrs and rubs her head again, before licking her lips. She speaks easily, her human voice still flirtatious.
"You're not very smart, are you girl? Remember, Cats have Nine Souls! So Chloe, when are you going to leave her for me anyway?"
"Rachel, piss off!" Max snaps, folding her arms and glaring out the window.
"Come on Chloe, you know you want to."
Chloe snorts and swipes at the cat. "Man. This situation isn't cool at all."