All was quiet save the sound of Maka's voice as it echoed throughout the library. She had been reading aloud for almost an hour straight and Soul was-actually paying attention. Maka would look up every now and then to see if he was still paying attention but to her surprise, he was completely awake. Soul had been listening intently for far longer than his attention span was capable of. She couldn't help but smile a bit at the sight. However, the feeling was short-lived.

A voice bellowed from above, "YAHOO!", and before either Soul or Maka could react, a familiar friend of theirs landed onto of the table where they sat.

"Behold, it is I! The Great Black*Star!" The loud-mouthed ninja announced, posing triumphantly on the table top. The table began to shake violently for a moment before giving in the force of Black*Star's weight, and all the books, plus Black*Star, fell into a crumbling heap on the floor.

Maka sat in her seat still holding the book; eyebrow twitching in anger. Soul however was completely unfazed.

"Sup dude" he greeted to the boy buried under the pile of literature, as if the table had not just been utterly destroyed.

"Nothin' much bro" Black*Star replied, popping his head out of the pile to high-five his friend.

"Black*Star…" Maka whispered, shivering with rage until she delivered a deadly Maka-Chop to his head. Black*Star slumped a bit, out-cold, a small trickle of blood streaming down his forehead.

"Black*Star!" Tsubaki shouted from across the library; apparently she had just caught up with her miester. She placed a hand on her chest, catching her breath.

"Hey Tsubaki" Maka greeted with a smile, "What are guys doing here?"

Black*star shot up from the pile, "The great Me though it be nice if I blessed you both with the honor of my presence to better help you survive this heat wave", he gestured to himself heroically.

"Weren't you just knocked out a couple moments ago?" Soul asked. Black*Star continued to talk, oblivious of his friend's query.

"Since you weren't home, I tracked you down here!" he finished with a cocky laugh.

Maka seemed unconvinced, "You just wanted to use our air-conditioner didn't you?"

"Kinda", Black*Star rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Well it's broken" Maka stated, a bit annoyed. "So if you don't mind, we were trying to read", Maka said as she continued to read aloud.

"Pfft, come on Soul, let's get out of here" Black*Star gestured at Soul to follow while climbing out of the pile of books.

"Later, I wanna listen. This is kind of cool" Soul said, brushing off his friend.

Black*Star was speechless. "Books? Cool?" he stared at Soul as if he had four foreheads.

"Maka! What have you done to poor Soul?" the assassin cried, falling to his knees for dramatic effect.

"Black*Star, please quiet down, I'm trying to listen too". Tsubaki had pulled up a chair next to Soul.

Black*Star's agape mouth threatened to hit the floor. "You too Tsubaki? What's so great about a stupid book?"

Maka stopped reading, "It's not stupid, and this is the autobiography of Varro Marek and his weapon June Kento! They're famous heroes in the DWMA" she defended and returned to reading.

"Hmph, what's so famous about a dead guy like him?" Black*Star replied, folding his arms.


Dawn broke in Death City; the cackling sun rose to signal the start of a new day. As it greeted the world with bright sunshine, it rays fell on the home of one whom normal people would call: 'high-class'. Light shone within the tightly closed shades of a lavish bedroom. It was quite spacious: the wooden floors gleamed as if freshly polished, an elegant looking dresser rested near the wall and a huge, 4-door closet at the opposite end. At the end of the room stood a nightstand accompanied by a queen sized bed; a sizeable lump rested underneath its covers.

A knock came at the door, "Ms. Alyx?"

No response. The person rapped on the door a couple more times. "Ms. Alyx, are you awake?"

The lump in the bed shifted slightly. The door opened and a tall, well-dressed boy entered with a tray of food, presumably breakfast. Setting the tray down on the nightstand, the boy addressed the lump underneath covers as he moved toward the closed shades.

"Honestly, Ms. Alyx, I don't know how you sleep in this late", the boy threw open the curtains; light flooded the room. The lump in the bed cringed and huddled tighter to the covers.

"…Five more minutes", the lump in the sheets said groggily.

"I believe you've slept long enough Ms. Alyx" replied the boy in a sort of paternal tone.

The figure rose from the sheets. Alyx, eyes half open and hair disheveled, gave a long yawn before blinking the sleep out of her eyes. "What time is it Ed?" she asked her weapon partner, rubbing an eye.

"5 A.M. sharp Ms. Alyx" responded Ed as he set the tray on Alyx's lap.

All the weariness departed her eyes in moment's notice and was replaced with an irked expression.

"Why the hell did you wake me so early! School starts at 7!"

"What do mean? Who've already slept half the day away" Ed replied, confused.

Alyx narrowed her eyes.

"Well anyways," Ed dismissed the outburst, "Eat quickly so we may arrive for school on time".

Alyx shoved a mouthful of breakfast in her mouth, "Yeah whatever".

Edward waited at the door. "Are you quite ready Ms. Alyx? We'll be late."

Alyx thundered down the stairs, "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming"

Ed eyed his miester's choice of clothing. "Even with all the exquisite clothing you have, you still choose to wear those common clothing."

"I'm not wearing a stupid dress to school Ed" Alyx replied curtly, leaving her partner inside as she exited through the door.

"They're not stupid, Ms. Alyx. They're the latest fashion from Europe!" Ed argued, following Alyx out the door.

Alyx lay sprawled out on the couch of what was a huge living room. Action and violent scenes played across a huge plasma screen TV as Alyx watched with a bored expression. Edward approached from behind the couch, "There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you"

Alyx tilted her head up to the taller boy, "What's up?"

"We've just only came back from school. Aren't you going to do homework?"

"Nah, I'll do it later", Alyx snuggled deeper in the couch.

Ed sighed before giving his miester another lecture,"Ms. Alyx, you really need to learn-", Gunshots rung nearby. Btoh turned their heads toward the source of the noise.

"Ms. Alyx?"

"I sense something, let's go" Alyx ordered, her face suddenly serious.

"Right away"


Going over all the events again in her head, Alyx still couldn't believe how easily her day had gotten out of hand. Here she was standing in the Death Room, a place she'd never thought she'd visit, speaking to none other than Lord Death!

"So that's the whole story so far Shinigami sir" June reported to the reaper.

"Ahh, good, good, good" Lord Death nodded in delight. "You were pretty lucky Alyx was there to help you"

Varro snorted, "As if I needed her help".

"Still in denial?" Alyx asked with a cocky grin.

"As if" Varro retorted.

"Now, now, settle down you two", Lord Death interrupted. "Now, based on what I've heard, I believe it will be beneficial for you to be accompanied by Alyx and Edward in the next mission".

Varro and Alyx's jaws dropped simultaneously.

"Why?" they both yelled in unison.

"I don't need her help! June and I can handle this fine!" Varro argued.

"Why do I have to help? It's not my problem anyway" Alyx quipped.

"SILENCE!" Lord Death commanded, however since it was spoken in his usual goofy tone, the effect wasn't really felt but the two complied anyway.

"Now Varro," the death god said. "You can't really expect to take on a whole gangster headquarters by yourself, do you?"

Varro opened his mouth to appeal but Lord Death continued on anyway.

"And you missy," he addressed Alyx now. "This will count as an extra credit assignment"

Alyx huffed in disagreement, "I don't need any extra credit".

"Have you seen you're test grades?" The reaper implied.

Alyx's opened her eyes a bit at the question, realizing all too well what he spoke about, and set her jaw in discontent.

"Fine".

"Alrighty then!" the death god clasped his two giant hands together. "As usual, you are dismissed from class tomorrow for the assignment. Good luck guys!"


"Hmph, 'help?' who the hell does he think I am?" Varro mumbled to himself as he and June exited the Death Room.

"Hey, it's only for one mission. Quit complaining" June said. Sometimes her partner's stubbornness can get kind of annoying.

Varro grumbled, either in agreement or defiance, June couldn't tell.

"Hey" Alyx called out from behind.

Varro turned his head to the side, "What is it?" He didn't bother to hide the contempt in his tone.

"I know we're supposed to be working together on this but just stay out of my way during this mission okay? I don't need a liability" Alyx stated arrogantly, walking past him.

Varro grinned widely, "Hey, remember, you're the support on his mission. Don't slow me down fat ass".

Alyx quaked with the anger as it built up inside her, "Why you…"

Edward held back his meister before she could make a move.

"I look forward to working with you two on this mission" Edward said courteously.

"Likewise" June added. Varro simply shrugged in indifference.


"Show a little restraint on this mission okay?" Ed lectured while on the way home. "We're working on a team now so you must be more co-operative, especially with that Varro boy"

Alyx scowled in defiance, hands shoved deeply into her sweater pockets. "I shouldn't have to work with a loser like him" she muttered

Edward put his hand to his forehead in thought, "What am I to do with you?" he sighed.

It seemed Edward's scolding period had finally abated, and Alyx again had drifted into the thoughts of her own mind.

How dare he speak to me like that? Stupid, little-who the hell does this Varro guy think he is?

Alyx pushed away those thoughts; it only seemed to make her angrier the more she dwelled upon it. As she continued to slouch along with her partner home, a large man with wild hair and a beard walked past, he seemed almost on edge. Alyx looked at the man through the corner of her eyes, not wanting to make it obvious she was staring at him. Regardless, the man felt her stare and glanced back at Alyx. To say she had been scared would have been an understatement, she was petrified. One look into his eyes and she could feel his cold stare draining all the strength from her body: Alyx felt her knees become weak, her heart erratic. She felt like couldn't breathe, almost as if his look was enough to strangle the life out of her. The feeling had ceased once the man turned his gaze back to where he was walking.

"Ms. Alyx?"

Alyx returned to reality.

"Is something wrong? You look pale." Edward eyed his miester worriedly.

Alyx felt cold sweat along her brow, "Yeah…Yeah I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

Alyx put on a confident face, "Of course! Stop worrying so much, geez", and took off, this time her pace quickened a little.

What is this feeling? Alyx placed a hand over her chest; her heart was still beating a bit rapidly. Whatever it was, one thing is for sure. That 'guy' wasn't human.


"I don't care who did it, I want justice!"

"But it wasn't me June, honest! I always put the seat down."

The two had finally reached their home. "Dad! We're home!" Varro called out.

No response. Varro walked into the kitchen, where his father would probably be; June followed close behind. There was no sign of the man.

"That's weird, what happened to your dad?" June asked.

Varro shrugged, "Eh, the old man's probably just out for a bit, he'll be back soon".

"Varro..? June?"

The two heard a familiar voice inside Varro's parent's room. Walking up to the door, Varro opened it and saw his mother propped up in a sitting position in bed.

"Hey ma" Varro said softly, sitting by his mother's bedside.

"I thought I heard you two come in through the door" she said smiling. "How was your day?"

"Fine, we're heading out on a mission tomorrow." Varro replied.

June stood in the doorway and looked shocked at Sera. She seemed sicklier than the last time she had seen her.

"Oh, well then you two make sure to come back home safe" Sera squeezed her son's hand affectionately.

"Sure" Varro smiled. "By the way, have you seen where dad's run off too?"

Sera's expression looked downtrodden, "No, no I haven't. He hasn't been home all day since you left this morning".

Genuine surprise crossed Varro and June's faces.

"Well, I'm sure he'll be here soon Sera. He's just probably running a little late from work" June said reassuringly. Even though the words sounded comforting, Sera didn't seem to have bought it.

Something strange is going on here.


Night had fallen on Death City, and the cackling sun had been replaced by a grinning moon. A young couple walked the streets, laughing and tripping as they did. The man's suit was crooked and messy while the woman laughed away at everything, holding her heels in her hand. It was obvious that the two had come back from a party, drunk by the looks of it. Had they not been so intoxicated, they would've noticed how disturbingly quiet it had become on the street save for their drunken laughter.

"Tom...Tommy-come on...we have to-get home" the woman said in between giggles.

The man called Tom stumbled about on his own feet. Unable to keep his balance, he fell flat on his face again, which resulted in the woman's laughter to increase in volume.

"Come on, let's go" She hefted the man on her shoulder and began to walk. Turning her attention from her companion, she looked up to see a hulking man, which had not been standing there previously, a few meters in front of her. The man stood quiet, as he stood well over both of the two, the shadow of his brow shielded his eyes from sight.

"Sir?" The man made no response and stood still. The woman blinked and repeated herself, "Sir-?" Seeing as the man was making no response to her greetings, the woman rubbed her eyes, unsure if he was real or not. Once she opened them, she found the man standing only inches from her. And he was very real. Looking up at the man, she felt fear start to take shape in her inebriated mind, but she could will her body to move away. Eyes trained on the man's face, she felt strong hands slowly grip her throat.

"I'm sorry" the man whispered and without a moment's hesitation, he snapped her neck in two with a simple flex of his grip. The other man that had accompanied the woman had seemed to break his drunken stupor and attempted to run away, even though his coordination was lost long. All he could manage to do was crawl helpless away as the man approached him slowly. He muttered a few incomprehensible words, begging for his life. The larger man paid no heed and crushed his head into the pavement under the heel of his foot. The man heaved a heavy sigh.

"Please, I hope you can forgive me. But I promised her we'd be together", the man picked up the two human souls hovering over the bodies and walked away from the carnage.

"At whatever the cost".


Yooooooooo sup sup sup!

New chapter has arrived so enjoy!

As always: read, review, do an interpretive dance. whatever you like :)