Here's the next chapter~

Please Enjoy.


STUDIOUS:

Classes, Bloodshed, and Spite


A fist slammed down on a clock, permanently silencing the screeching alarm. The clenched hand slipped back into the blankets.

"Jason, you need to get up!"

There was a muffled groan. Wrapped up in the warm cocoon of sheets was Jason Hills who refused to be awoken by the irritating alarm clock, let alone his own Weapon. He was about to roll over when the covers were yanked off of him, exposing him to the chilly morning.

"Argh!" Jason cried out in shock, immediately assuming the fetal position to maintain body heat. "What the hell, Lily?"

Lily stood off to his right, already dressed and ready to go. She gave him a shy wave, his sheets nowhere near her.

"Rise and shine, buttercup," Aphrodite was standing at the end of his bed, twirling his sheets with her hands. She was dressed in a dark blue blazer, a lace tank top, washed out short shorts, and red converse. Jason couldn't understand how she could wear such a summer outfit on a morning like this. At least Lily had thrown on a gray cardigan.

"I'm up, I'm up," Jason grumbled. "Unless you want to see me in my underwear, I suggest you get out,"

"Yes, like that's a sight we want to see, don't we Lily?" Aphrodite remarked sarcastically, pulling her fellow Weapon from the room. "When don't we want to watch you strip down?"

As soon as the door was shut, Jason growled, "Women!"

Across the hall Maiya Ohotnik was getting a rude awakening. She had wandered into the bathroom only to find that Victor was already brushing his teeth. The teen, who was half asleep, finally opened her eyes with a scream.

"Vhat?" Victor questioned with his mouth full of toothpaste. "Vhat iz it?"

Maiya covered her eyes with her hands and bolted out of the room. Nikolai and Kale had gotten to their feet in the other room as soon as they had heard Maiya's screech.

"What's wrong?" Kale asked. Nikolai nodded. Maiya uncovered her eyes only to find that they two where only wearing boxers.

"Ewwww!" Maiya gagged loudly. "It's whitey-tighty central!"

Down the hallway, Mabel Lin Rose's head shot up, her deep scarlet hair flying. The fourteen year old only stood at a height of 5'4" and she had sapphire blue eyes and long lashes. Her skin tone was fair and she was dressed in black skinny jeans, a white collar three button shirt, and gray converse.

"Did you guys hear that?" Mabel asked as she plopped down on the couch in front of her Weapon, Shadow Pierce. Shadow was two years older than her Meister and four inches shorter. Her hair consisted of a blood red top layer and a blue-black under layer. Unfortunately, her hair was damaged beyond repair due to constant dying. She wore an amethyst t-shirt with a gold, black, red, and blue design. The design consisted of a mixture of a guitar, feathers, skulls, a huge heart, and blood splatters. It cut off two inches below her chest. Under the under shirt was a fishnet that reached past her thumbs and had holes for the fingers. She also wore baggy black cargos that had far too many chains and sharp studs around it and criss-crossing belts that barely held it up. On her feet were bulky red and blue sneakers with the English flag on them. As soon as her Meister had sat down her cobalt blue eyes focused in on her hair and her nimble fingers quickly side braided Mabel's hair. After that, she put in her amethyst colored contacts.

"No idea," Nanami Kurusugawa, one of their other roommates, shrugged.

In another apartment up the hall Dawn Forester, Damon Lancer, Saya Deut, and Tatum Fleyme were all getting ready for the day.

"Guys, we're going to be late!" Dawn cried out as she got dressed as quickly as possible.

"Calm down, Dawn," Damon told her. "We still have a half hour before we absolutely need to leave,"

"But I have so many things to do!" Dawn tried to explain. "I still have to-"

Sakami burst into the room giggling madly. "Goooooooood morning you four!"

"Not now, Sakami," Saya pinched the bridge of her nose before she walked back to her bunk bed.

"Don't you have to get ready or something?" Tatum inquired desperately.

"Oh yeah! Sorry! See you guys later!" Sakami waved as she exited the room still giggling. Damon sighed.

Back to the original room Jason had finally gotten ready and was placing the finishing touches on his outfit. He quickly combed his hair as Lily stepped into boy's bathroom behind him.

"Have you seen my earrings?" The teen's hair was now braided down her back, her eyes flying over the countertop as she searched for her jewelry.

"Sorry, I was just trying them on," Jason tsked.

"So you haven't seen them?"

"Sarcasm-do you speak it?"

Lily shook her head, her eyes finding his as she anxiously chewed on her lip. "Have you seen my earrings or not?"

"Don't know, don't care," Jason huffed. "Now leave."

The girl backed out of the bathroom, her teeth still grinding on her bottom lip. "Aphrodite, have you seen my silver studs?"

Jason scowled at his reflection in the mirror. "Why did I accept being that annoying little twit's Meister?"


Four teens strode down the street towards the Academy, drinks in hand and ready to take on the day. Adelina Mendoza had swapped out her tank top and shorts for a jean jacket over a simple white dress with a ruffled collar that fell to her mid-thigh, white patterned tights, and stylish dark combat boots. Her Brazilian partner, Enrique Velasquez, had only added a scarf to his attire. Kokone Arai and Rosabella Shea walked next to the two South Americans. Kokone was dressed the same but Rosabella had changed into a purple long sleeved shirt (the left side of the bottom of the shirt was slightly longer than the right side) and her left shoulder was bare. On her legs were her everyday jeans and flats.

"What is it like in Argentina, Aida?" Rosabella asked Adelina.

"Well, it's nothing like France," Aida smiled, slurping her frappe. "But I think I like it here better,"

"Why?" Kokone question, her eyebrows creasing in confusion. "What's not to love about Argentina?"

"I like new scenery," Aida responded calmly, her charm bracelet jingling as she made a wide gesture. She then changed the subject with another question. "What do you think our classes are going to be like? Do you think we'll get to train today?"

"I hope so!" Ricky grinned, his pace picking up a step with his excitement as they entered the Academy. He chugged down the rest of his drink. Kokone watched in amazement when he didn't choke. Ricky smacked his lips and continued to smile. "Do you think we'll get to continue fighting today?"

"I hope so," Rosabella nodded.

Aida dipped her head in agreement. "I think we will. But the class will probably be mixed. They can't take all of use freshmen at once in one class. Don't you think that would be torturous to the teacher?"

"They wouldn't be able to handle all this," Enrique ran his hand down his chest as his happy grin transformed into a coy smirk.

"Muy tonto," Aida remarked softly to herself, her own lips forming a simper.

They were stopped in the doorway of the lobby by a teacher. "Names?"

"Kokone Arai," Kokone spoke up first. The others quickly repeated this process. The teacher rifled through his stack of parchment before roughly shoving a paper into each of their hands.

"See you in math," he grumbled before waddling away. The four teens watched the heavy man go before quickly examining their lists.

"Frumpy, wasn't he?" Rosabella raised an eyebrow before Kokone pulled her attention back to her paper.


-CLASSES-

Monday-Thursday

8:00- Math

9:00- History

10:00- English

11:00- Science

12:00- Lunch Break

1:00- Group Sessions

2:00-3:00- Private Training (M&W)

Friday-Sunday

8:00-12:00- Tutoring and Study Hours*

1:00-6:00- Training Center*

*If you are not busy with missions, it is not required to come. If not please feel obliged.


"Looks like our lists are very similar," Aida announced once they were done reading them.

"We've got English at eleven instead of Science, though," Rosabella sighed. "There's a map on the back so that should lead us to our classes."

"Let's go to Math, then!" Ricky rocked on the balls of his feet in excitement. "C'mon!"

"Ugh. Leave it to Ricky to make Algebra sound exciting…" Kokone trailed off quietly. The girls nodded in agreement as they headed to math class.


Lennon placed her head in her hands, her bright red hair drifting against the bottom of her back and ended in a "V". On her head a black, floppy beanie laid perfectly in place and a denim vest which was buttoned all the way to the collar. Underneath was a tank top, high waist shorts with vertical black and white stripes, and black combat boots that ended at her ankles. The sixteen year old was only 5'5" with a slender build and a milky white complexion. Her hazel had a touch of honey in her irises and they looked quiet innocent. Her looks were deceiving. Hidden underneath her sweet, sugary look was a straightforward, sarcastic, and blunt teenage girl.

"Lennon Jones? Would you care to stay with us and answer the question?"

Lennon's eyes narrowed as her gaze fell on the tiny bluenett snoozing peacefully beside her. The redhead heaved an irritated sigh, twirling her pencil between her fingers.

"1692," The teacher, who was about to scold her for not paying attention, pursed her lips at Lennon's correct answer and continued her lecture.

Her rebellious Weapon to her left snorted. The teen was a year younger than Lennon and four inches taller. His onyx eyes were closed and his shaggy black hair was a mess, but the Meister knew that his sleeping façade was entirely false. His scarred, toned arms popped out against his dark brown skin as he crossed them, a tell-tale sign that he was faking. The male was dressed very different than the girl. He wore a black and gray hoodie with a black shirt underneath. Through the half-unzipped sweater Lennon could see a red skull and crossbones on the front. He also wore black jeans with a sliver chain that hung down on the left side. The finishing touches to his outfit were the black sneakers with red stripes and black fingerless gloves with little red flames on the back.

"Zyon Jacquel Creed," Lennon hissed his full name and elbowed him sharply in the ribcage. Annoyed when he would rouse from his "slumber" her eyes wandered across the room.

Two teenagers on the spectrum of tan skin seemed to be bickering in another language. 'Most likely Spanish or something,' Lennon shrugged at their whispered argument.

A black-haired girl was whizzing paper airplanes across the room. One hit Zyon in the chest and he grinned, his eyes snapping open now that there was something fun to do. The two quickly began to toss paper planes back and forth. A plane poked a red headed boy in the face and he whipped it back as a paper ball with a snarl.

An older girl near the village of Tanland was muttering in French as she doodled in her notebook. The younger girl next to her was cleaning her glasses as Damian Holtzman peeked down at her papers.

A teenager with white hair was focused in on her paper as her pen sprinted across the page. She occasionally looked up, waiting for the teacher to drone on in her monotone. As she wrote Lennon searched to put a name to her.

'Hikari Adachi,' she though. 'The girl with the chain scythe as her Weapon. They fought after Nanami. Why the hell is she paying attention in History class?'

Lennon contemplated this for a moment before she glanced at her notes. Ancient Weapons were said to be discovered sometime before B.C., blah blah blah…Weapons came out into the public eye blah blah blah…Weapons were enslaved during the rise of someone with a name that rhymed with Bamber? Gamber? Lamber? History repeats itself blah blah blah blahbie blah BLAH.

"Whatever," Lennon uttered with an eye roll.

BRRIINNG!

Lennon jumped to her feet and gathered up her things. "I'm sorry Zyon but you and your fellow pilot will have to put your quest for aviation on hold,"

The right corner of Zyon's lip lifted in a smile as he too stood up. "See you later, Shadow!" He waved. The dark-haired girl smirked back before calling him an inappropriate name out of good nature.

"Let's blow this popsicle stand," Lennon led the way out of the classroom. It felt good to be free and up on her feet.


"That was such a good lunch," Maiya sighed, rubbing her filled belly with a small belch. Her Meister walked beside her, kicking a pebble.

"Very good," Victor responded. Nikolai nodded in agreement, patting his own stomach.

Kale shrugged. "I've had better,"

Maiya rolled her eyes. "Oh whatever."

The group walked in silence for a minute before they were joined by a duo.

"Wait up, Sakami!" Mary shouted as her Weapon plowed through the cluster, sending Maiya head over heels. Sakami seemed to take no notice as she giggled madly and continued to chase after a butterfly.

"Hey! Blondie!" Kale yelled. Sakami quit flapping her hands and spun around.

"Oops! Sorry!" The dark blonde apologized, finally taking notice of Maiya's condition. She then shot off after the butterfly, her arms still flapping.

Kale growled and his eyes narrowed into a scowl. Maiya, who had gotten to her feet, gripped his wrist.

"Stop," she muttered, clutching her bleeding nose in the other hand. "It's not worth it."

"Sorry my Weapon is an idiot," Mary mumbled as she past. "You guys better get going or you'll be late for the Group Session."

With that she darted after her partner, leaving Kale still grumbling profanities.

"Don't lose your cool," Victor warned.

"A Maori warrior does not back down from a fight!" Kale hissed. "Where I come from, she challenged Maiya. Therefore, as her ally, I must attack."

Maiya stared at him in wonder. "You're a Maori warrior?"

"Vhat kind of crackpot ez that?" Victor questioned.

"I come from New Zealand from the Maori tribe. I'm the only son of a very notable Maori warrior, and the right hand of the tribe's war master. Well, I used to be, anyways. My training began when I was very young to become as great fighter so I could take my father's position when the time came. After several years I turned into Maori man with the responsibility to fight other tribes and was taught to devour the souls of my enemies because that is a tradition of the Maori people."

Victor, Nikolai, and Maiya listened to his tale, consumed by curiosity.

"But my lifestyle ended soon after my first few battles because Shibusen-"

"Shibusen determined that your lifestyle was inhuman and therefore needed to end. The tribes organized a rebellion against Shibusen but they were overwhelmed by Shinigami's. They were then forced into secrecy!" Maiya interrupted with complete awe.

Kale stared at her in bewilderment. "How do you-?"

Maiya cut him off again. "I've read books about the tribes, that's how! The lifestyle amazes me."

"I was disowned by my people because I wasn't able to consume the soul of my father after he passed away in battle which is a tradition of the Maori. I turned into a freelancer and roamed southern Asia and part of Oceania as a thug-for-hire. When I turned eighteen I was captured by Shibusen, charged with homicide, and spent the next year imprisoned in Death City. I was recently released for good behavior and put into DWMA as an effort to reincorporate myself into society," Kale finished bitterly. "That's the 'hideous' crime I was charged with."

Victor and Maiya continued to gaze at Kale. Nikolai interrupted them by tapping on his watch.
"Ve're going to be late!" Victor exclaimed. "Let's hurry!"

The four then took off in a sprint for the Academy.


Group Sessions were the most popular, the most practiced, and the most encouraged at Death Weapon Meister Academy because it taught each class how to work with one another efficiently, even more so than the Private Training. During the hour class students brawled, ran obstacle courses, completed tasks and trials they might see in missions, and overall bond and have a good time.

Once the students were gathered in the Practice Dome, a large oval-shaped plated field circled by stands so a crowd could watch under the high glass dome ceiling, Professor Stein faced them with a new cigarette lit between his parted lips.

"Today we are going to work on fighting. We're going to have a few people demonstrate before we break off into smaller groups so you can fight in teams," Stein explained. He took a drag on his cigarette and puffed out a ring of smoke before he continued.

"The point of this exercise today is not to harm one another but to unbalance the Meister and Weapon team you are facing off against. By unbalancing your foe, the death b low can be easily delivered if timed correctly. Of course we will not actually be trying to kill one another but the opposite team in a position where you could go for the kill.

"To become suited with your partner, your soul wavelengths must be compatible, am I correct? We went through this yesterday. If compatible, the wavelengths can be connected. Fighting, dancing, team sports, and other partner-based tasks strengthen the bond and connection between Meister and Weapon. You become one.

"My point is that today your task is to become one. Act as one joined organism, not as two. Weapons, your job is to become a deadly extension of your Meister's body. Meisters, your job is to be fluid and act with this deadly extension. By mastering this, a Weapon and Meister duo can stand a chance in any battle, no matter how slim the margin of victory really is."

Stein skittered around in his chair before he got to his feet. "After our volunteers brawl I will show you an example with Death Scythe Spirit."

"Wow, a Death Scythe!"

"That's what I'm going to turn you into, Tyler!"

"Cool!"

"What an honor!"

Stein nodded and waved the comments away. "Yes, okay, all comments beside. Our victims today will be…"

The professor dug his hand around in his pocket and brought out the class list. He examined it for a moment before he pointed to random names.

"Dawn Forester and Damon Lancer against Adelina Mendoza and Enrique Velasquez,"

"Sweet! Now I can burn off all this energy!" Enrique exclaimed and he jumped up and down.

"Let's cross our fingers," Aida sighed with a smile.

"We're gonna win!" Damon called as the two pairs took their positions on opposite ends of the plated field. The students who were not participating moved to sit in the bleachers.

The field suddenly began to rumble and vibrate, the plates transforming into a desert-yellow landscape. The four teenagers looked to Stein who held a small metal box covered with buttons.

"Whenever you're ready," Stein yelled from the stands.

"Ricky," Adelina glanced at her Weapon. Ricky grinned down at her, jumped into the air, and with a flash. Enrique's Weapon form was a lot more menacing than his Human form would suggest. There in Adelina's hands was a scythe with an onyx black staff, the blade a dark mineral green. There was a silver-blue cross where the blade met the staff. The word "Guadaña", which is Spanish for Scythe, was carved into the blade.

Damon, on the other hand, had transformed into a halberd. Dawn twirled it in the air with a smile.

"I'm sorry, but this is where you lose," Dawn said, her attitude cocky. Aida simply cracked her knuckles and waited.

"Fight!" Stein commanded. Dawn grinned and made a beeline straight for Adelina. Enrique began yelling in Spanish, his voice panicked when his partner made no sign of moving out of the way…

Just as Dawn was about to collide with the other teen, Aida spun the scythe before her like a helicopter blade. The halberd clinked off of the impromptu shield and Dawn shifted backwards, clearly unbalanced. Aida quickly approached, blocking once again, and with a flourish of the scythe Dawn's feet were knocked out from under her.

Dawn staggered, managing to keep herself up. "I'm not going down that easily!"

The dark brunette swung the blade of the halberd at Adelina's skull but Aida was faster. The Argentina native ducked, turned, and hopped as Damon came flying at her chest and then her shins. Adelina blocked again, twisting Enrique with the flick of her wrist and slid he hands down the rod and pulled so the two blades were interlocked. Dawn kicked up a cloud of dust as she tried to make her escape, but Aida refused to release her.

Damon was almost wrenched from Dawn's grip but she held on tight and was yanked off her feet and was spun back towards the ground. Enrique let out a cheer.

Once again, Dawn managed to remain on her feet. Using her staff to balance herself she back up, panting as she fought to catch her breath.

"She's good!" Damon said, his reflection worried. "We haven't even made her the slightest bit imbalanced."

"No, they're good," Dawn corrected. She watched as Aida quickly waited, the Meister's chest barley moving unlike Dawn's heaving one. "If we aim more attacks at her core, we can beat them!"

Dawn, rejuvenated from her quick pep talk, let out a cry and rushed at Aida head on with her head lowered and the halberd raised.

Adelina noticed Dawn's fatal error and took advantage of her opponent not looking where she was running. The teenager sidestepped so Dawn sprinted past her. Confused, the brunette skidded which gave Aida the advantage she needed.

As if in slow motion Adelina leaped into the air, planted the butt of the staff into the dirt, gripped the rod with clenched fists and swung her body through so she was horizontal. She then bent her elbows and pushed outward, her feet connecting with Dawn's back. With a shove the tiny teen flew.

Just as Dawn landed in a spray of dirt Adelina was over her, the blade of the scythe held against Dawn's throat, her eyes scrunched up with determination and her face fierce. With one jab and thrust, her opponent would no longer have a head.

Of course, that was not Aida's intention at all. Her face softened as Dawn admitted defeat and she helped her peer back to her feet.

"We lost!" Damon hollered.

"You lost to a girl in a dress!" Enrique howled with laughter.

"Good fight, Dawn," Aida shook Dawn's hand. "Sorry it had to end that way."

"Ehhh," Dawn shrugged her face impassive. "Damon and I will just have to train harder."

As soon as they were off the battle field, a tall, red-haired man clapped Aida on the back.

"You've got true potential!" He complimented. "But you've got nothing on my Maka!"

"Class this is Sprit. He is a Death Scythe," Stein said. "He will be fighting with me against Lennon and her partner Zyon."

"What?" Zyon got to his feet with a gasp. "We're fighting you?"

"Yes. The two others showed great signs of working as one, but I want to demonstrate master at work," Stein smirked slightly. "Come on, you two."

Lennon and Zyon took their position and Stein and Sprit took theirs. Zyon transformed into a black sword with a flame design on the blade and Sprit became a Death Scythe.

"You first," Stein beckoned Lennon to rush towards him. Lennon did just that, darting back and forth. Just as she came close to Stein he seemed to disappear.

"Wha-?" Lennon gasped.

"Watch out, it could be a trick," Zyon warned. "Lennon-!"

But Zyon was too late. Stein reappeared behind the redhead and with a sweeping motion of his foot Lennon was on the ground, her legs flying wildly behind her.

"Again!" Lennon jumped to her feet, her face determined.

The process was soon repeated numerous times. Lennon accepted defeat and stomped back to the stands.

"Now I'm going to break you off into groups," Stein announced as Sprit returned to Human form. "Form into groups of four and face off on the battle field."


The sun had set and students were either eating dinner or gathering back inside their apartments. The purple twilight had faded into ebony black, stars speckling the sky and twinkling in the dark curtain of night.

As the heavens grew darker still, students waved goodbye to their peers and headed off to bed. Most of them were asleep by the time Jason finally settled into bed, his head propped up on his pillow. He glanced over at the female redhead snoozing quietly nearby and he could only wonder how he had ended up with her in the first place and whether it was a curse or a blessing. Sure, she adored him, but what would he give up for her?

There was a sudden scratch on his window. Jason's eyes shot open from the lazy half-stare as he glimpsed at the window. Nothing was there.

It must have been the wind. So what would he give up for her? Jason pondered this for a moment as he sunk back into his thoughts.

'Nothing, of course,'

Others sat in the same position as Jason, contemplating life and upcoming fights. No one else had thoughts so severe.

No one else took notice to the scratch on their window, the bright eyes peeping in on them.

No one else seemed to notice the evil brewing on the outskirts of Death City. Two men stood there, eyes wide and alert, waiting for the hunt to commence.

"What did you find?" The men hissed in sync as a third man joined them. All of them were dark in appearance, coated in black from the alleyway. Only their bright yellow eyes stood out in the gloom, their pupils black sinister slits.

The third man held his breath for a moment before his shot the others a toothy grin, his pair of white fangs glinting in the dim light.

"A gold mine."


Hope you can supply me with some nice reviews. I'd like some feedback.

-Prism Fire-