Beginning Author Notes
Happy New Year (2016-2017), everyone. Let's kick things off right, huh? Guess what's back?
Welcome to the next installment of Soul Eater: Troubled Souls. I thank you for taking the time to read this story. This story has been up for quite some time, but for those just joining in, let me lay down some things so that you know what this story entails
Chronology: This story borrows elments from both the anime and the manga. Act 1 of Soul Eater: Troubled Souls takes place after the Baba Yaga Castle arc, incorporating elements from both the anime and Manga versions of that arc, and goes on from there. This one, Act 2, is a direct continuation of Act 1.
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. If it's fair game in canon, it is here. Remember that Soul Eater is an action/fantasy/horror/comedy shonen, so that's quite a bit of wiggle room.
While I believe the first arc and maybe the second will be newcomer-friendly, you're eventually going to have read Act 1 because it has things like explanations, major events, and cross-act foreshadowing.
Now then, let's kick things off with the "Monotone Princess arc."
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.
Not everyone will agree with your ideals, so what will you do?
A Summer to Remember: The Idol Speaks
Month 5, Week 4, Day 1 (Monday, May 30th)
'A lot's happened in the past couple of months.'
'After Christmas Break, I met this guy named Caius partnered with Claudia, someone I already knew. While I was cautious at first, I warmed up to him and eventually saw he was hiding something. I found out what at Venice, Italy where I met Cancer Lucrenian and Project Omega for the first time. He was hurting, trying to live a broken life. Me, Soul, and Claudia got him out of it. Then, we beat Cancer for the first time. But if it wasn't for Joint Resonance, a technique taught by Correctional Class teacher Noel Ricardsen, we'd be dead.'
'School went on like normal. I met new people, like Rowena and Tsuji, twins of Noel, until something out of nowhere happened. My friends and I were fooled into going on a mission on Cobra Island. What we thought was a simple mission was actually an old foe, Medusa, setting a trap for us. As she played with us, her younger sister Shaula attacked our home. Despite all the danger and close calls, we survived. Crona even finally settled things with Medusa. I couldn't be any happier!'
'Things didn't really slow down afterwards. Tsuji and Marcellus were going through troubles of their own. Turns out Marcellus's parents, Portis and Morgan of the Chicago Gang, found out where he was since leaving them and tried to bring him home. Meanwhile, Tsuji was struggling with inner turmoil and his new Enchanted Eyes. The guy almost died in front of us… Which was enough to make Marcellus go home for his sake. Then, things led everyone to Chicago where Cancer returned and unleashed Project Omega again. Thankfully, everything turned out all right. The bad guys were stopped, everyone recovered, and all was well again!'
'And how'd things change for me?'
...
'I hope nothing…'
Maka ducked behind a pillar, the needles sticking into the surface on the other side. She brushed her bangs out of the way, panting heavily. Every time she saw one of those needles, a spot on her body pulsed with phantom pain, and she knew it well. Taking a deep breath to collect herself, Maka gripped her scythe tighter.
She sprinted back out, sidestepping the immediate spray of organic spikes. She jumped on a foothold and used it to springboard over to the Kishin Egg. "Soul Resonance!" Her scythe illuminated in the darkness, turning into Majin Hunter. With a single stroke, she cleaved the creature in half.
Soul returned to a human form and ate the Kishin Egg Soul in one gulp. "That's that." Putting his hands in his pockets, he tossed a grin to his partner. "Feels great getting ahead of the game."
Maka turned to him with a smile. "Sure does." Their soul count rose to eighty-one. They were inching closer and closer to the coveted 99 mark. "The students who stay over summer vacation pick up the slack. Not that I'm complaining. I like doing my duty."
"You'd be the exception, Maka," Soul said, "Just about everyone we know left for the summer. Kilik went home to check on his mom, Jacqueline's gone to visit her folks, and Rowena said their dad's taking them to visit their grandparents."
"And Claudia and her family went to France. She took Caius with her," the Scythe Meister added in, "Only people I know who stayed are Blackstar, Tsubaki, Kid, Liz, Patty, Crona, and Kim."
Soul shrugged his shoulders. "Not that I blame them. It's good to have a break from here every now and then."
Maka sighed. That one-week break they took after the semester ended was too short. "Yeah… Come on, Soul, let's head back home."
The two started walking. Although she was doing her duty, Maka would be lying if she said she didn't have an ulterior motive. With every win, every skill, she felt herself getting better, growing stronger. The Maka yesterday wasn't enough anymore. Not with the new threats supplanting the old.
Maka sighed again, hoping it went unheard by her partner. "I think I'm becoming more and more like Blackstar."
Mifune sat samurai-style in the middle of his dojo, all lights off save for the many candles alit. Meditating, his mind was at complete ease. None of the small noises distracted him or pulled him out of his zen. The only time he returned to reality was to check on his company – Hiro doing cleanup duty. The fourth time he checked, Hiro stood in front and bowed to signal he finished.
"Excellent work," Mifune said, getting up.
"Not a problem, sir." Hiro placed a hand on his neck and rolled it to relieve an arch. "This is pretty much the most I can do to help out anyway."
Raising an eyebrow, Mifune spat out the stick in his mouth into a trashcan. "What do you mean by that?"
Hiro took a moment to gather his thoughts. He forgot Mifune was never around during his busboy days. Unlike the vast majority of Academy, Mifune saw him as another student. He cleared his throat and came clean. "I don't have any fancy fighting moves like everyone else, and I'm no tactician either. So I want to help with the things I do know how to do. And that's helping others."
"It's an admirable stance to take, to be certain," Mifune said, "but you needn't be so humble."
Hiro sighed. "I dunno... it's just..."
Mifune stepped a bit closer, staring down at the shorter male. "What would you say, then, if I offered to train you myself?"
Hiro balked as if struck by a petrification spell. "W-What? No. No way." He rapidly waved his hands and shook his head. "I-I-I couldn't. I can't be wasting your time training me, Sensei! You've got too much to do as it is!"
Mifune raised one of his many katanas to Hiro's neck, causing his face to turn blue and stop the flow of words. Forward, yes, but he wanted Hiro, a student of his, to understand things better. "If you won't accept training, Hiro, then yes, you will be too weak to fight. I'm giving you an opportunity to push past the barrier you believe holds you back."
Hiro swallowed thickly. "Lord Mifune..."
Mifune sheathed his sword. "I see strength in you, Hiro. Even though you're average at best compared to your peers, you stay around and try your best. You forge on ahead despite social pressure." He placed a comforting hand on the blonde's shoulder. "That speaks of a fierce determination to survive. I believe you can be trained."
"Even so, I..." Hiro hesitated. Although riddled with self-doubt about his failures, about how even his stint with Excalibur meant nothing, this is what he wanted. A chance to shine bright like a star and like a normal Academy student. "Oh, OK. I'll show you—and myself, I guess—I've got what it takes." An ear-to-ear grin followed. "Thanks, Lord Mifune!"
"We'll have you in fighting shape in no time." The Sword God set down his box of katanas and headed to one of the walls of his dojo decorated with an assortment of swords. "Now tell me, what do you feel most comfortable wielding?
Hiro cupped his chain, thinking. "Well, there was a time when I was using Excalibur." He caught Mifune staring incredulously at him over his shoulder. "Uh, long story. Anyway, even though he basically makes you good, I still have some muscle memory. He was like an arming sword, but he was a little heavy for me."
Mifune glanced at the mentioned sword type, running his fingers along the sheathed blade. "The arming sword. A straight, double-edged blade to be used in one hand." He took his hand away and walked to a different part of the wall. "First things first, let us play to your strengths. If an arming sword was too heavy, then try let's lighter." He grabbed a sword with a much thinner, almost wiry blade, with a basket hilt. "How about this? A rapier, a sword designed for rapid, fast-paced thrusts."
Hiro took the rapier in hand when Mifune relinquished it to him. The blonde gave it a few practice swings, testing its weight. "Wow, feels like I'm wearing a glove."
Mifune nodded. That was step one accomplished. He heard a creak and saw Angela peeking in through the door. He looked back to Hiro. "I have to end this abruptly. I'll give you some instructions to try out in the dojo and at home. Remember to keep attending Swordsmanship Club, understand?"
Overcome with emotion, Hiro dropped down and hugged Mifune's leg, streams of tears shooting from his eyes. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm eternally grateful!"
Mifune deadpanned. "Um, yes. Recall when I told you sword-fighters don't grovel?"
"Sorry, sir!"
Mifune awoke from his nap right when the flight attendant announced arrival in Chicago. He glanced out of the window beside him to see cranes all over a ruined sector of the port. "They already started building the new base? Hm." Noticing Angela in his lap still asleep, he gently shook her awake. "We're here, Angela."
Soon, they left the airport, Angela taking her usual spot on his shoulders. Waiting for a cab, Mifune glanced upwards. Thanks to the change in seasons, the sky yet turned dark at dusk. "If all goes well, we may be able to head back after this." After flagging one down, they headed to the headquarters of Chicago Police Department.
A room inside the precinct was dimly lit by the sole, overhanging light. Marlon sat handcuffed in the featureless, square room. When the door opened up, he peeked from below his brow, only to jerk up with a start at the sight of Mifune, Angela, and two bodyguards. "M-Mifune?"
"Been a while." Mifune sat in the chair opposite to his former employer. "When that Buttataki man mentioned your name, I had to come see you."
Marlon put up a mask, hoping to keep his emotions in check. "For what reason?"
Mifune narrowed his eyes, Angela mimicking his expression. "My last mission under you. Why did you send me after Angela Leon?"
The pasty man's fingers twitched behind his back. Fate was cruel. Never once did he think that, after parting with Mifune, that job would be brought up again. "W-Well, you know, Mifune, that's all in the past… I can hardly remember—"
"Don't lie to me," Mifune interjected, "You worked under a gang, and I took up any job just to get coins to get by. There's a reason why it's called a 'checkered past.' The black and white makes you remember. It's a color combination ingrained into your brain. Now, I ask again," Mifune leaned in closer, staring at Marlon dead in his eyes. "Why?"
"I-It's not like I had a choice!" Marlon shook, almost convulsively. "It was the agent's order that I passed on to your capable hands."
Mifune sat backwards, feeling no more need to be hostile. In all honesty, his strange reaction bothered him. "Then who was it? Who assigned you to capture Angela?"
Marlon's gaze fell, recalling the glowing eyes, grinning mug, and tan skin of the client. "It was…"
"Worm moire grimoire."
The bell tolled at midnight. People, moving mindless yet free with prolonged gaits, flocked to Santa Mario Novella Basilica. The moonlight filtering in through the strain-glass windows, many gathered within the darkened building. The canvas of light colors did nothing to reveal their pastor to them, who stood behind the cloth-covered table, a sole red eye gleaming in the shadows.
"Dear, lost souls," his voice was measured, a far cry from the bombastic priests usually frequenting the church, "the day of salvation has arrived."
From between the pillars, cloaked men wearing antlike masks stepped out, carrying glowing cocoons. "Now, touch the light." He raised his hands, the candles and moonlight forming a halo behind him. "That way, you souls will be cleansed inside and beautifully reborn!"
A woman, swaying side-to-side, walked over to the nearest cocoon. The moment she raised her hand, silk peeled off the cocoon and probed her palm. The whole hand swelled with white veins. Then, her body glowed the same color as the cocoon, which pulled out her soul. She dropped lifeless to the floor. The man watched with a smirk as the whole hall filled with this same light, everyone's soul stolen from them.
"They wouldn't listen at first, so all it took was a little curse to get them to comply." He watched as one body after another dropped to the floor. Soon enough, the whole procession had their souls taken by the cocoons.
Just then, something fell from the ceiling and crash-landed in the middle. The dust dispersed to reveal a giant hunchback with eyes glowing as brightly as his. "Hey, you! What are you doing?"
Unfazed, the man's grin remained as strong as ever. "Oh? Who are you?"
The hunchback looked around frantically, noticing all the dead bodies invading his private space. He locked gazes with the man at the altar. "This is my nirvana. Don't do whatever you please. I will eat your soul too!"
His grin widened, amused. He knew exactly what that phrase meant. "Oh? Soul? Do you desire power?"
"I... just want to be reborn." He paused, bad memories dredging up. Memories of people calling him ugly, deformed, and throwing rocks at him. "Reborn...and I will make people who mock me pay!" With an echoing snap of his fingers, one of the mask wearers stepped up to the hunchback with a cocoon. He looked at it briefly before staring down the man at the altar once more. "What's that?"
"Take it," he said, "This is one of many things that will be offered to you."
An offering. The hunchback swallowed reflexively. "This? To me?"
"Yes. If you wish to be reborn, this will help."
The giant man – or, rather, Evil Human – narrowed his good eye. "Are you telling the truth?"
A warm smile. "But there is one condition." He chose to ignore the question. He had already him in the palm of his hand. "For a soul to reborn, it will need many other souls to do so. Can you do it?"
The hunchback had experience in the hunting and harvesting of souls. He was being asked to do something he was already good at it. The prospect of gaining enough power to be reborn as a being of higher power was that much closer. He nodded his assent. "I will do it! I will do it!" He took the cocoon from the lackey, but before he turned around to leave, he said, "T-Tell me. Your name."
"Noah." The hunchback nodded and dashed out, sealing their partnership. Noah slowly raised both of his arms like a priest beckoning the spirits from beyond. "Now… Rise."
The dead bodies stood, ant masks replacing their faces.
Ending Author Notes
Fun fact: Noah and Grimoire are actually two different characters despite their resemblance. Okubo liked Grimoire's appearance and used it for Noah in the manga.
But me? I'm combining the two characters into one. It'd be a waste not to.
