Author Notes

Welcome to my newest story: Soul Eater: Troubled Souls. I thank you for taking the time to read this story. This story has been up for quite some time, so let me lay down some things so that you know what this story entails:

Chronology: This story borrows from both the anime and the manga. Soul Eater: Troubled Souls takes place after the Baga Yaga Castle arc, incorporating elements from both the anime and manga versions of that arc, and goes on from there.

Setting: We all know where Soul Eater takes place. I'm moreso telling readers that this story will expand the universe of Soul Eater, covering vague things touched upon in the source material and adding my own bits of history to it.

Forewarning: The story will contain the following: instances of strong violence, humor ranging from childish to young adult, strong language, and the prevalence of OCs. In addition, both OCs and canon characters will learn some things (techniques, history, etc.) not present in canon.

Disclaimer: Soul Eater is copyrighted to Atsushi Okubo and all other third parties (characters, series, and concepts). I and HopeDiamond101 of DeviantArt claim no ownership to it. We do, however, own the original characters and content presented in this story.

If you could change the world, how and why would you do it?

A New Day is Dawning: Different Sides of the Same Coin

Month 1, Week 1, Day 1 (Monday, January 1st)

The forest floors of Madagascar were shady and gloomy. The thick canopy above sparsely filtered the sunlight, robbing the sprawling foliage of its greenness and forcing the wood to be a darker shade of brown. The animalistic noises and rustles were ominous and unsettling, reminding one of the potential risks lying around every corner. The dew added a certain mugginess to the shadows, all-encompassing and mysterious. In comparison to the inviting tropical trees up high, the jungle floor radiated danger.

The sounds of vicious roaring and destruction could testify.

A ferocious monstrosity tore through everything in its way, harshly knocking someone into a thick tree with one of its green vines. Six thick vines hung from the base of a thick trunk, a few acting as locomotive features whilst the rest as tentacles. The beast's most defining trait was the rusty red Rafflesia-like head harboring a large maw of razor-sharp teeth. This, a Kishin Egg, was one of the many reasons why the world was in danger. These atrocious monsters victimized innocent people for the sake of consuming their souls to reach unimaginable power, to become a Kishin.

"Man, Lord Death wasn't kidding when he said these Madagascar Trees were tough. You okay there, Maka?"

The voice came from a scythe with a long grey, staff-like shaft. The blade was black and red with the two colors separated by a zigzag line, and next to it was a prominent, eyelike décor. Wielding it was a pigtailed schoolgirl wearing a white blouse, yellow pullover, red plaid skirt, black boots with white buckles, and a long trench coat.

"Don't worry, Soul, I'm fine." Maka reassured him while getting up to face the Madagascar Tree. The botanical beast opened its maw, acid-green saliva oozing out. The drool dripped to the ground, the litter of the forest sizzling and dissolving on contact. The beat was hungry, and next on the menu was Maka. The scythe technician, narrowed her eyes, spun Soul above her head, and assumed a defensive stance.

It was the duty of Academy students like Maka and Soul to prevent the birth of another Kishin.

"Let's go, Soul Resonance!"

The souls of both Maka and Soul began to synchronize. They were calm and of one mind, sending their wavelengths to each other and back, amplifying them exponentially as a result. The phenomenon manifested as intense soul energy accumulating around Maka's entire body and Soul's weapon form. The head of the scythe glowed a magnificent bluish-white color, transforming into a crescent moon shape and possessing a translucent reddish eye.

Maka dug her feet into the ground and kicked off them, heading for the Madagascar Tree with her resonance technique ready, "Witch Hunter—!"

"Yahooooooo!"

Before any other movement was made, something from above came crashing down with great force. The object landed on the Madagascar Tree, knocking it out and sending dirt and rocks flying into the air. Maka froze up in her spot completely, watching helplessly as her moment was prematurely ended. When the dust cleared, it was revealed that another Madagascar Tree had fallen on top of the other. A person stood between them and Maka, admiring his work.

"Ha! That ugly plant has no business taking on a big guy like me!" He was a young, blue-haired boy that wore a sleeveless black shirt with a funnel-like collar and white trousers that were black from the knee down and just a little short of being full length. He was carrying a chain-scythe with yellow handles, hitching one of the double-edged and double-pointed blades on his shoulder. He noticed a slack-jawed Maka hanging in midair, Witch Hunter at the ready. He grinned. "Oh, hey, Maka! Did you finish up?"

Maka finally landed on the ground as Witch Hunter deactivated. "Well, I'm done now." She sighed. Blackstar could be a colossal mood-wrecker at times. She still couldn't grasp how Tsubaki tolerated him. She glanced at the two Madagascar Trees to ascertain their condition. They groaned tiredly, unable to get back up from the impact. At least the targets were taken down. "Where's Kid and Crona?" She asked, looking back at Blackstar.

On the left-hand blade of the chain-scythe, Tsubaki's reflection appeared as she answered, "I'm not sure. They're probably in another part of the f—"

"DISGUSTING! DISGUSTING! DISGUSTING!"

Virtually out of nowhere, another Madagascar Tree was brutally slammed into the previous two, followed by an innumerable barrage of powerful gunshots. Maka, Soul, Blackstar, and Tsubaki all screamed as the meisters shielded themselves from the explosions that followed. All the while, the sounds of gunfire thundered across the forest floor. Afterwards, someone landed on the ground near them. He wore a black business suit, a formal white dress shirt beneath this, black pants, and a metallic skull functioning as a tie. His arms were outstretched to the side, carrying two pistols in each hand. "There. That takes care of that." He said contently.

"Jeez, Kid, you almost hit us!" Blackstar shouted, pointing accusingly at him.

Kid looked up and let his arms drop. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't notice you two."

"And for good reason!" One of the pistols whined, "That thing ate us!"

"The insides looked like a cave!" the other pistol cheered as if being eaten wholly alive was an adventure.

Kid sighed as he said, "Alright, Liz and Patty, it's over with now." He looked over at the spot where the man-eating trees once were, having evaporated into a trio of crimson souls. Then, he examined his surroundings, noticing someone was missing. "Where's Crona?"

"I-I-I'm here."

Walking up to the trio was an androgynous fellow wearing a long black old-style robe with white cufflinks and black slipper-like shoes with a tall white cuff protruding from the top. The black and white sword the person was carrying had three Madagascar Tree impaled on it, yet the swordsman walked as if they weighed as much as air.

"Me and Crona would've been here sooner if it weren't for us trying to do a Soul Resonance. Which failed!" The big, red lips on the base of the sword chattered irritably, "Why can't we just stick to Scream Resonance and be done with it?!"

Crona sighed, dropping the man-eating plants to the ground. They dissolved into red souls like the previous batch. "Because, Ragnarok, we're supposed to learn." The swordsman answered simply.

"With that, that's all six of them." Maka announced. All the weapons in the area glowed as they returned to their normal forms, standing by their respective meister.

"Yahoo! That's one more successful mission on my track record!" Blackstar boasted, throwing his hands into the air.

"Which ain't much to begin with." Ragnarok rested his chin on Crona's tousled hair, taunting the Shadow Weapon Meister on his inability to gather Kishin Egg or Evil Souls by himself. Blackstar sent a glare Ragnarok's way as the Demon Sword smirked in amusement.

Liz uneasily hugged herself, eyes constantly darting around the area, "C-Can we just go now? We did our mission." She didn't want to stay around and find out if there were any more bloodthirsty, people-eating monsters. Her encounter with that one Madagascar Tree was enough.

"You guy go on ahead; I'll catch up. I have to confiscate these souls." Kid stated.

"While you do that, I'll go let know Lord Death know of our success." Maka said, walking off to the side as she retrieved a handheld mirror from the inside of her coat.

Everyone else nodded and walked away at their own pace. Kid turned to the floating Kishin Egg Souls and stared at them hard. Evil Humans and Monsters were no strangers to the missions he was sent on. Plants, however, were an entirely different story. This was his first time hearing about ferocious plants capable of eating other entities, souls and all. In fact, how did plants get the ability to eat such matter, move, and develop advanced souls in the first place? Was this an omen? Would the immediate and the distant future be full of surprises like this?

Why can't I shake the feeling this won't be the first time I'll contemplating about the future?

"Dial 42-42-564 if you want to knock on Death's door." Maka wrote down the numbers on the foggy mirror. Once that was done, a few resounding pings were heard as the mirror glowed. Soon enough, a tall figure in black that wore a rather cartoonish, white skull mask appeared on the screen.

"Hello there, Maka! How'd the mission go? Were those pesky trees a problem?"

Maka shook her head, "Oh, not at all, Lord Death. I'm here to report that we took care of all of them. Kid's getting the souls, and we're heading back to Death City right now."

"That's great. I'm glad." Lord Death responded, nodding a few times, "Make sure to get some rest because I will have more missions for everyone in the not-too-distant future."

"Really?" Maka asked, blinking.

Lord Death nodded again, "Yes, yes. I don't know what's going on out there yet, but the activity of Kishin Eggs, Evil Humans, and Monsters seems to be increasing, and a lot of them are stronger than the usual run-of-the-mill ones we're used to." Lord Death found that strange. A little over two decades ago, there was a notable lack of active enemies. Now, they were coming out of their hiding spots, more dangerous than ever. "It's very troubling, but we cannot yield to them. Everyone at the DWMA must be prepared, including you. There may be even a time where you'll have to team up with someone you don't know."

As he talked, the God of Death couldn't help but wonder: was he being told something? He had lived for an extremely long time, and he had experienced many events embedded into both history and legend. Yet, there were some things left unsolved. Were the loose ends ready to be tied up once and for all? Had the gods above him decided it was time to wipe the dust off that which was outdated by time? Could old threats be coming back to haunt everyone, including himself, in the present? There was no telling.

"Yes, sir!" Maka straightened in her stance and saluted him.

"Take care!" Lord Death flashed a peace sign and ended the transmission. For now, he had to tend to something else, a mission happening right underneath his nose.

Maka exhaled deeply as she put away the mirror, looking up to the canopy and visible sky. For as long as she went to the DWMA, droves of missions never came at her like this. And, like today, they were becoming more bizarre and dangerous in the most obscure of locations.

"Mama…" The Scythe Meister's thoughts went on to her mother. She was travelling around this vast world that was apparently crying out to the DWMA for help in exterminating these menaces. 'Is she okay' was the first thing Maka always asked herself. 'When will I see you again' was the second.

Maka clenched her fists and took a deep breath. Her mother was the strongest person she knew, so of course she was fine. Even in an unstable world with an unpredictable future, one single word on one postcard gave Maka the confidence to steadfastly face whatever was coming, new or old.

"Maka, are you coming?"

Maka turned to Kid, who had apparently completed his Konso of the Kishin Egg Souls, and nodded fervently. "Yeah! Let's go!"

Courage.

At seven PM, the streets of Death City became so quiet one could near a needle drop. The moon ceased its snickering, the streetlights flickered on, and a few stars dotted the black and purple night skies. This was a typical evening in Death City. Citizens began winding down at these hours.

Walking down one of the calm streets of Death City, trying to get home to retire for the night, was an innocent family of three – a husband, wife, and young child. "Hey, mommy?" the child piped up, turning to gaze at his mother with wide blue eyes, "Can we see auntie and uncle again later this week?"

The mother looked down at her son and smiled, "Well, if your father is fine with that, then sure." She looked at the man beside her, and he nodded his approval, meaning that the boy would have his wish. The child beamed as a wide smile appeared on his youthful face, anticipating another great visit just like tonight.

When the family passed an alley, they did not notice a pair of gleaming red eyes peering at them from the shadows. "I hunger for souls." A deep, otherworldly voice rasped bloodthirstily. The being inched out of the alley, dragging its metallic stringer across the ground. It kept its sight set on its targets using the eyes resting on a metallic mask that stretched from an ecru, scorpion body.

Even at home in Death City, Kishin Eggs roamed. It was a particularly bold move to attack where their hunters lived, yet the strategy worked for that very same reason. No one expected them, so a few Monsters and Evil Humans in past were able to get away with some crimes. This one was hoping to repeat its predecessors' success.

"I want…your souls…!"

In barely a second the family froze, their heartbeats beginning to race as their blood ran cold. The deep and menacing voice was very close. When they turned around, they found themselves staring right in the fearsome face of the monster, its stinger aimed directly at them. Their eyes shrunk as spikes of fear ran through them, electrifying every nerve in their body. The moon in the background smiled devilishly as blood dribbled from its mouth. Husband, wife, and child all screamed and huddled together as the stinger came down.

CLANG!

Time seemed to stop when a single rock clattered against the cobblestone directly below the monster's face. The family of three slowly opened their eyes and looked, trying to figure out why they weren't dead. Something had ceased the stinger's advancement. The monster slowly looked down at the rock. The mere fact that someone threw that at its face was extremely demeaning. Someone dared to threaten it with such a meager object. A small, frustrated snarl escaped it.

"Eyes over here."

Scorpio looked toward the staircase on its left, allowing the family the opportunity to grab their child and run off. There were two people standing by the streetlight at the top of the. One tossed two stones up and down while leaning against the rail as the other stood straight up.

"So that's Scorpio." The one with the stones remarked, pushing his thin, rectangular-framed glasses up the incline of his nose by the bridge, "According to the mission specs, it attacks groups of victims, probably to get a bigger number of souls to satisfy its hunger." He was tall, sporting light bronze skin and chin-length, Air Force blue hair. His pupil-less, dark white eyes examined Scorpio with mild interest.

He removed himself from the rail and faced his target, the motion causing his long, sleeveless, black coat – fastened by three buckles – to billow. "Well, only one thing left to do." He crushed the stones, allowing the residue to slip through the fingers of his white-gloved hands. Underneath his coat, he wore a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up just below his biceps and a dark blue tie. Wrapped around his forearms were bandaged arm-warmers, decorated with several dark blue arm-belts. Lastly, he had on dark blue slacks and black boots with white buckles.

"Yes, Caius. We must kill it and collect its soul." Responded the girl standing parallel to him, her teal eyes glaring at the monster. The baby blue diamonds in her earrings and in the middle of her big, pink bow atop her head shined in the streetlight.

She was youthful-looking, what with her 4'7" height compared to her 5'10" partner. Her long, blonde, curly hair was pinned up in the back by a Lord Death-style hair pin. Some curls hung down from it as a portion drooped down the left side of her face.

Her elaborate and aristocratic attire consisted of a white, dress shirt-style bodice with a button-down front, turndown collar, long sleeves with lace, trimmed cuffs, and a neckline of complementary design. Her flattering waist-high, pink skirt featured many rows of ruffled trim at the base with a single, small bow adorning the hip. Lastly, she wore white stockings and ballet-like slippers with ribbons going up her shins and ending in bows tied at the side.

Scorpio snarled, raising its razor-sharp claws. Since these two denied it of its meal, they would have to pay the price. "So the Academy comes for me." Scorpio's red eyes flashed, a jagged grin stretching across its metallic face. Perhaps making an example out of these two would discourage any further attempts at its life. "I shall sink my teeth that soul until I can feast no more!" Without warning, the monster sprinted for Caius and Claudia, its hunger reaching a fever pitch.

"Let's make this quick." Caius said, raising his arm in preparation.

"Right." Claudia nodded. Immediately, her entire body dematerialized into glowing light, becoming nothing more than a formless pink mass. Then, it swirled around as it inched closer to Caius's extended arm. The mass began to stretch out, still spinning in place as Scorpio took a great leap.

"Are you ready, Claudia Moncharmin?" Caius asked, grabbing the spinning bar of light. When he did, the light shattered to pieces. In its wake was a long, white and gold lance with a huge, long, and sharp blade on one end.

Said blade gleamed, revealing Claudia's face as she replied, "I am ready, Caius Vladingham."

Scorpio finally reached Caius and shot its tail at him. However, the blue-haired meister was able to block it with the lance. "Scorpio, I will show no mercy." He spoke. Caius then swung the lance to break the clash, prompting Scorpio to leap backwards to create some distance, "I'll be taking that life of yours."

Scorpio released a roar as he darted forward, swiping at Caius with one of its claws. However, Caius jumped up and out of the way. After landing on the ground behind Scorpio, Caius then launched himself toward it, swinging the lance and slicing off Scorpio's tail. Blood flew out from the monster's dismembered appendage. The pain made Scorpio writhe as it let out strained shrieks and gurgles of agony.

"Don't even try to run!" Making good on his promise, Caius charged at Scorpio, not even giving it a chance to recover. Snarling in frustration, Scorpio thrust both of it claws at the oncoming Lance Meister. Claws locked with a Demon Weapon as sparks shot out from the impact.

Scorpio placed of its strength in its claws, roaring with exertion all the while. It wanted to overpower this patronizing young man, to show him who ruled the night, and to make him pay for disfiguring it. Feeling his arms beginning to strain a little, Caius decided to change up his tactics. Suddenly, he jumped up and pushed himself off Scorpio, surprising it, as he headed to the nearby light pole. Flipping himself into a proper position, he planted his feet on the streetlight and shot himself at Scorpio.

"It's over." On the rebound, Caius drove the lance right into Scorpio, metal tearing through its hide and the soft organs that lied beyond it. The start of yet another ear-splitting shriek escaped it before thick blood choked it. The force of the impalement caused Scorpio to fall its back. Realizing this blow hadn't quite kill Scorpio yet, Caius adjusted himself so that he was standing on the cobblestone adjacent to the twitching monster and savagely ripped the lance out of it.

Scorpio's body soon disintegrated into darkness. As it did so, Caius raised his weapon and performed a cutting motion, the blood flying from the lance, returning it to its flawless, white and gold state. When he turned around, Caius exhaled lightly and smiled at the sight of a red, floating soul. He held the lance out it and declared, "Eat up, Claudia. Our thirty-first soul."

Claudia's upper body appeared out of the glowing lower half of the lance, reaching out and taking the Kishin Egg Soul into her delicate fingers. "Caius, did you bring the lemon?" she asked, staring directly into the red soul, "You know I can't eat it without a pinch of lemon to give it a nice flavor."

"Sure did." Caius reached into his coat and withdrew a bag that harbored a single lemon wedge inside it. He took the lemon wedge out with two fingers and extended it to her, "Here."

Claudia accepted the lemon with her free hand. "Thank you." She squeezed it, letting the yellow fruit release its juices onto the Kishin Egg Soul. She tossed away the wedge and proceeded to swallow the soul whole, taking out a handkerchief afterwards to pat her mouth. "So delicious!"

"68 more souls remain. Then, a witch's soul." Caius announced, "At this rate, I'll turn you into a Death Scythe before anyone knows it."

Claudia's still-transformed lower body glowed as it released itself from Caius's grasp. She finally turned fully back to normal as she replied with a confident grin, "Oh yes! I just can't wait! I, Claudia Moncharmin, will be one of Lord Death's weapon! I can't wait for that day!" She could see it now; the legendary God of Order wielding her lance form in the same manner and style as it wielded his current Death Scythe. For a Demon Weapon, that was the highest honor one. She clasped her hands together and looked at Caius, "Speaking of Lord Death, let him know we're done. I will notify Watson to pick us up." Midway through her statement, she took out her cell phone.

"Hopefully he arrives quickly enough." Caius turned away to go find a window, "I want to see if I can finish that movie and see if those guys find a cure to that Geostigma."

Both the call to Lord Death and to Watson were short and to the point. Within minutes, a gold and red Elizabethan carriage rolled up in front of the staircase. "Our ride has arrived! We better head off, darling~" Claudia skipped down the stairs and entered the carriage. As she and Caius situated themselves on the comfortable red seats, Claudia she spoke to the driver, "Home we go, Watson!"

The gray-haired, 60-year-old man in the driver seat looked at the two via the rearview mirror and nodded, "Yes, Madam Claudia." The carriage jerked slightly, signaling that it was now running. "So, how was the hunt?" Watson inquired.

Claudia was more than happy to give him the details, "It went splendid! We now have 31 souls."

Watson nodded, "Excellent." Remembering something, the family servant then told the young girl, "Oh, by the way, Miss Claudia, Mr. and Mrs. Moncharmin will not be home tonight."

The radiant smile on Claudia's face instantly disappeared as she looked at the back of her driver in disbelief, "W-what?! Why not?!"

"Something had come up, and they have to investigate further. So, their trip home has been delayed and their work extended," Watson explained. He noticed the blond girl's downcast expression and apologized sincerely, "I am sorry, madam. It's simply their job."

"No…" Claudia's head lowered, "No, it's alright. I understand."

Caius had quietly listened to the short exchange. He propped his leg up on the seat as he gazed out the window next to him, watching Death City pass by. "Your parents seem to be hard at work."

Claudia immediately straightened her posture, "Of course, Caius. They must work hard in order to make sure that nothing bad happens. They are Meister and Weapon like we are after all. They just have a different sort of role." Claudia was always proud to announce why her parents were so busy; it acted as a source of inspiration to her.

"Well, that's good. They're doing excellently, it seems." Caius looked at the Demon Lance and smiled. Just then, something began bothering him in the deep recesses of his mind when the subject of parents, and by extension family, came up.

"These are eyes that have seen true despair. Everyone in this pathetic world will soon know that hope does not exist. A new world is at hand... And I offer up yours lives, Vladinghams!"

One of the many things that damned Witch said during that day. Her voice, quiet but purposeful, haunted him ever since his orphan status was ever so graciously bestowed upon him by her. It fueled his drive to become stronger yet reminded him of his unquenchable sadness. To make sure Claudia couldn't see his face, Caius quickly looked out the window again. "Of course, it's always the daughter's job to surpass them." He added, his voice lowering.

"Well, of course!" Claudia said in a chipper voice. She did not recognize the change in Caius's mood and tone, "I am a Moncharmin after all. I must be the best! But with your help, of course, we will be the best team in the Academy!" She then narrowed her eyes, scowling as she recalled potential obstacles to such an ambition, "Better than that stupid girl Maka." Her frown disappeared when she sighed, "I feel so sorry for Soul. He's just...too cool for her!" She blushed, thinking about the albino-haired Demon Scythe, who probably was the most determined Demon Weapon in terms of becoming a Death Scythe. That was one of his many characteristics that endeared her. "Oh, Soul, if I were a monster, I would gladly let you have my soul so we could become one~"

"Er… right…" Caius listened to Claudia fawn over Soul, his blank eyes continuing to stare out the window. He could see the Moncharmin Mansion in the distance. Truthfully, he wanted to contribute to the conversation but wasn't able to, " Well, I can't say anything because I hardly know anyone in the Academy."

...

His body burned with pain. The cool metal of the needles that had punctured his body made sure of that. Anything so much as a twitch released a surge of agony throughout his body. The cold Russian weather was brutal and unforgiving, weakening what little fortitude he had left. He felt like a prisoner in his own village, stuck to the surface of a house by the very same needles that clearly were meant to kill him.

It was dark and raining. Even the heavens were weeping as they witnessed this tragedy. The ground was filled with debris, dead bodies, melted snow, and blood. Even through the murkiness and his fading vision, he could see something approaching him that filled his heart with absolute dread and despair.

A witch dragging the body of his oldest sister, impaled by needles.

"Lady Cancer Lucrenian…The DWMA has just arrived in Rozniak."

"But there is one more. I explicitly said no survivors."

"Will you survive when faced with a crowd of the DWMA's best?"

"…Hmph. All of this on display will let the DWMA know who they are dealing with. They shall live with the possibility that everyone they know and love might die should they get in my way, just like this family."

...

Caius closed his dark white eyes, resting his forehead against the cool surface of the window, "None of them are my friends...just classmates and acquaintances... "

Author Notes

Also, I'd like to give a shoutout to HopeDiamond101, who is not only helping me craft this story but also for providing characters for it. You see, this originally started as an RP. Then it became a draft. Then I decided to make a full-fledged story out of it.

Also, please note that formatting in won't allow me to put the trademark star in Blackstar's name. I would if I could but you know. Don't know if Archive of Our Own or DeviantArt will do it, but I want to stay consistent. Plus, "Blackstar" is easier to type out anyway.