Kid blinked open his gold eyes to see two pairs of blue ones gazing down at him. "Time to get up!" Two voices remarked in sing-song voices in unison. Kid sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Liz, Patty?" He glanced over at his twin weapons, who were smiling as if he couldn't see the worry in their eyes. He sighed softly, climbing out of bed and preparing himself for the day. While Liz and Patty were chatting quietly in the kitchen, he tidied up his room, making sure that each detail was in fine symmetry.

"Let's go," he said in a flat tone. He wasn't looking forward to today. The idea of delving into an entirely different world, and Sid possibly being dead didn't sit well for him. He shook his head, trying to clear it. Stop doubting yourself. He scolded. DWMA needs you now more than ever.

"Kid, are you alright?" Liz' voice cut into his thoughts as she rested a hand on his shoulder. "You seem upset…" She murmured, her blue eyes wide with worry. "You've been so quiet, and you're usually…" She trailed off, looking away.

Kid glanced at her, and then smiled faintly. "I'll be fine," He insisted. "I promise. You have nothing to worry about." He touched her hand that was laid over his shoulder.

"Oh, okay." Liz responded, a slight pink blush crossing her cheeks as she shyly folded her hands behind her back. She walked by his side, as she always did. Patty flanked his opposite. For a while they remained in silence, with the occasional chirping of a bird or the barking of a dog that would disturb the quiet.

Finally, they arrived at the large academy, standing tall in all its glory. He refused to hesitate as he walked inside, trying to ignore the thick suspense in the air. He was sure that Death Scythe could slice through it if he wanted to give it a try. As he walked through the silent, empty halls, he tried to imagine what the opposite world would be like. It was almost impossible to imagine, so he quickly abandoned the idea and approached the large, black door that kept his father's room private.

With a somewhat shaky breath, he pushed it open. Almost everyone in DWMA were gathered there, clumped together in small groups here and there. Their hushed voices came to him, but he couldn't tell what they were saying. He ignored it to his best ability as he approached his father, Shadow, and Death Scythe in the center.

"Good morning." Shadow greeted kindly, dipping her head respectfully. She seemed relaxed, almost unaffected by the impending trouble. However, as Kid watched her for a moment, he could see she had been upset before. Her eyes were slightly puffy, and her cheeks were slightly damp. Has she been crying…? He wondered.

His father, Lord Death, patted his head with one hand. "What's up, Son?" He asked in his usual tone. As expected. He never took serious situations seriously. That was Lord Death for you, in a nutshell.

"Not much," he said calmly. "Just a bit… anxious." He responded hesitantly. He glanced at Liz. "I think I'll be alright. I've got my closest partner with me, anyway." He smiled.

Liz' cheeks flushed red, embarrassment flooding over her. She quickly looked away, ignoring Patty who giggled at her reaction.

"Good, Good!" Lord Death replied brightly, clapping his hands together in his usual manner. "Not much longer, no?" He glanced around at the gathered students, along with the teachers. "Alright. I'll start." He cleared his throat. "Attention!" He called.

The students and teachers all quieted, turning to look at Lord Death. Their eyes shimmered with mixed emotions. Anticipation, fear, worry, anxiety.

"I understand all of you have practiced Team Resonance," he began, "and this will be much like it. However it will be more difficult. I want all of you to give it your all!" Without hesitation, he reached out to their souls, one by one. He could sense each and every one of them. Oh, especially that loud and arrogant one over there…

Kid focused as well, and around him he could feel their connection growing stronger. Just as Lord Death had asked, everyone was giving it their all. He smiled faintly. It was working. Maybe this might work after all!

Shadow was holding a strange black book that glowed a faint ruby red color. It had a lock on it, and it appeared to be spellbound. She closed her eyes, flowing the energy of their resonance into the lock. Although it took nearly all she had, the seal began to glow even brighter. This… evil energy… She could feel herself wanting to drop the book, everything yelling at her to let go, put it down. It almost hurts to touch!

Suddenly there was a loud Snap! And the room went dark. Silent. There was nothing to disturb the calm. No… the room didn't go dark. Kid had passed out. He sat up, rubbing his head. It ached, protesting his awakening. He glanced around. Wait… He shot to his feet, glancing around. Everyone was there, but… This wasn't DWMA! Where the hell?!

Shadow was sitting nearby, leaning against a large rock. They were in a dark forest. Their surroundings looked an awful lot like the forest farther out from Death City's limits, and the shadows seemed to cloak the bodies of the sleeping meisters, weapons, and teachers. She was panting hard, like she had been doing something that required a lot of effort. She slumped down, holding on to the same black book from before.

Kid darted over to her. "Shadow?!" He asked fearfully, confused. "Hey! Don't pass out now!" He knelt beside her, propping her up. "What happened? Where are we?"

Shadow opened her violet eyes. They were dull, and they reflected her weak state. "We're here." She breathed weakly. "This… This is the world the book has sealed away." With that, her eyes closed, and she fell limp, lifeless on the cold and unforgiving ground.