Chapter 11 Part 1: Christmas Party
It's Christmas break, time for fun and friends! I've always loved Christmas in Death City, everyone gets into the holidays. I have to admit that I enjoy American Christmas traditions a tiny bit more than Japanese ones, especially the carolling Death does every year! But this year is different, for the anniversary of DWMA's foundation there's a commemoration party tonight. It sounds like this Christmas Eve is going to be amazing but... Death the Kid's asked me to do a speech. I'm the newest Death Scythe after all. I'm so nervous, even though Maka helped me write it!
Although the party hadn't officially begun the skies of DWMA were alight with fireworks. The explosions of all colours of the rainbow drawing the eye to the school. "I've waited so long for this day to come!" Maka said running up to the top of the staircase, unhindered by the high heels of her black sandals. "Tsugumi, Black*Star you need to hurry up!" Maka spun around to face them as she reached the top. She looked adorable in the white cocktail dress, the chiffon dancing as she moved. There was a black bow tied around her waist, matching the two ribbons tied in the hair she'd let down for the night. Tsugumi laughed so glad to see Maka already enjoying herself.
"Death Maka, we're way early. Chill out." Black*Star said as he and Tsugumi reached the top of the stairs wobbling the entire way in her own heels. "They're probably not even serving any food yet." Tsugumi sighed as Maka stuck out her tongue. Not only was Black*Star uninterested in anything other than food, he'd neglected the outfit she'd spent hours picking out for him.
"I wish you'd think less about food and more about your clothes." Tsugumi said. She undid his royal blue tie and began to redo it properly. "You're lucky I've practised this helping my dad and brother." His tie now straight, Tsugumi tucked his white shirt into his black pants and threaded his belt into the loops. She ignored his objection. If he had of done it properly she wouldn't need to manhandle him.
"He's just going to rumple his clothes when you turn your back. You shouldn't waste your time Tsugumi." Maka said. Tsugumi clicked her tongue as she rolled Black*Star's sleeves up to his elbows and redid the buttons. Of course she knew that, it was the whole reason she'd chosen a more casual outfit for him. The final piece she needed to fix was buttoning up his black vest.
"There we go! We'll be beating girls away from you with a stick." Tsugumi said smiling. Despite Maka's snort, Tsugumi felt Black*Star looked rather good. White always stood out so well against his tanned skin and royal blue was an excellent contrast to his hair and eyes. "Can you at least try to have fun dancing? I don't want my effort to go to waste."
"Do I have too?" Black*Star said and Tsugumi raised an eyebrow. "Maybe one," He pouted and scuffed his new shiny black shoes against the ground. Tsugumi continued to stare at him without moving. "I'm not doing more than two!"
"Tsugumi there you are!" Death the Kid said walking over to the three. Tsugumi's eye twitched, Kid was dressed in a white tracksuit. How did he manage to look less formal than his everyday attire? He'd even made Liz and Patty wear matching red ones! Or at least Tsugumi assumed he had, Patty seemed happy but Liz was a true fashion lover. A wasted opportunity for such beautiful sisters shouldn't stand!
"Are you alright Kid?" Maka said raising an eyebrow. Death the Kid sighed. Tsugumi wondered whether he was nervous about speaking too. She ran a hand over her dress. She'd picked it hoping that dressing like Maka, even if the colours were inverted, would make her feel braver. But in all honestly she felt like the ugly duckling next to a swan. Couldn't Death the Kid have Maka do the speech?
"Don't mind him. He's been like this ever since we let the Demon Sword Ragnarok get away." Liz said waving a hand. Tsugumi shuddered at the reminder of Crona. That bag of crazy wasn't exactly what she'd consider appropriate discussion for a Christmas Eve party.
"Unfortunately the Demon Sword got away from me as well." Death the Kid said wiping the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. "I should have fought more seriously and taken advantage of the weakness your ability is still causing Tsugumi."
"The... poison is still working?" Tsugumi said eyes wide. Just how potent was it? Death the Kid nodded.
"Yes, but excuse me. We shouldn't have brought it up. This is meant to be a party." Death the Kid said. He straightened his shoulders and took a deep breath. "Maka, Black*Star please head inside with Liz and Patty. Tsugumi and I will see you after we've completed the opening speeches."
"Great..." Tsugumi said. She sighed and waved goodbye to Maka and Black*Star. She followed Death the Kid through the Ballroom. When she arrived at the raised dais she managed a small smile as Death greeted her. Tsugumi figured she'd be fine if she took deep breaths. No one would notice her shaking hands if she kept them behind her back.
It didn't take long for the room to fill up, DWMA's entire staff and student body in the same room for once. If Tsugumi was honest she didn't pay attention to a single word of Death or his son's speeches. Instead she searched the crowd until she found Maka and Black*Star. Maka waved when she realised Tsugumi could see her. Of course that didn't stop her from noticing Black*Star attempt to sneak away, she grabbed him by the ear. Tsugumi felt her tension ease at the sight of the two bickering.
"And now, a few words from our newest Death Scythe. Tsugumi if you would?" Death the Kid said. Tsugumi swallowed and walked passed him to stand in the centre. It was unreal to know that everyone from DWMA was not only watching her but applauding.
"Thank you Kid," Tsugumi said as Death the Kid took a step back. Tsugumi cleared her throat and took a deep breath while the crowd began to quiet down. "I... Honestly haven't been at DWMA for long. If you'd told me three years ago I would be a weapon, a Death Scythe at that, I wouldn't have believed you. DWMA has such a long history as the proud defenders of peace around the world, and I was only ever an ordinary girl." Tsugumi pouted as she heard Black*Star laughing. "I only got this far because everyone here has supported me. If I've changed it's because DWMA has given me the time of my life. I can't thank everyone enough, so I'm going to do my best for DWMA's sake in return. Let's all work together to ensure that the peace we've achieved lasts another century."
Taking a deep breath Tsugumi closed her eyes. She was glad it was over with. "Well said Tsugumi," Death said patting her on the back. "Well with that, let's get this shindig started!" The crowd began to cheer, though they were soon drowned out by the jazz band when they began to play.
Tsugumi was glad to slip away from the dais into the crowd. She made her way over to where she'd seen Maka and Black*Star. "Tsugumi you did great!" Maka said waving to Tsugumi as she approached.
"You think so?" Tsugumi said scratching her cheek. Even so, she hoped Death the Kid found someone else to speak next time. "Anyway let's not talk about that. I'd rather go dance." Black*Star sighed staring at the buffet across the room. Tsugumi was surprised he'd lasted this long, promise or not.
"A dance sounds wonderful," Akane said from behind Tsugumi. Tsugumi flushed and turned around to see him smiling at her. Tsugumi had thought he wouldn't be able to awe her by dressing up since Akane walked around in DWMA's formal uniform year round. Dressed in a black pinstriped suit he proved her wrong. "May I?" Akane held out his hand.
"She's all yours." Maka said shoving Tsugumi into Akane's chest. Tsugumi was sure her ears were burning as Akane caught hold of her.
"Don't worry, I won't bite." Akane said taking Tsugumi's hand. "It'd just be a waste if you didn't have fun tonight when you look so beautiful." Tsugumi's brain shut down as she let Akane lead her onto the dance floor. This was far more stimulation than a girl-in-love-with-love should be exposed too!
Tsugumi hadn't been able to hold onto her embarrassment for long. The music and cheerful chatter seemed to be putting everyone into the spirit of the season. She had to admit it was fun dancing with Akane. Black*Star had kept his promise to dance at least once, spinning Maka around the dance floor. Tsugumi could only wish him luck with that as she knew from experience that Maka's tone deafness made her a terrible dance partner. She and Akane even swapped jokes as a red faced Stein swayed while dragging Medusa onto the dance floor.
"Stein," Sid said crawling into the room. Everybody at the party turned towards him, the band going silent. Tsugumi tightened her grip on Akane, she could see from here Sid was bleeding everywhere. "Quickly, everyone needs to escape!"
"Don't speak we need to get you treated!" Stein said rushing over to Sid. Sid pushed Stein away as the other man attempted to put pressure on his wounds.
"I'm fine. I managed to escape the explosion in time by going underground." Sid said taking a shuddering breath. "The enemy was waiting for this day! When Death and all the teachers are gathered in one room!" Stein whirled around getting to his feet.
"Where is Medusa?" Stein said. Tsugumi searched the crowd realising Medusa was nowhere to be seen. She'd been with Stein just moments ago!
"This reaction is? There are seven witches here!" Maka said pushing through the crowd towards Tsugumi, with Black*Star right behind her. Party goers began to scream as the building shook. "They're going to lock us in!" Akane wrapped his arms around Tsugumi, keeping them both on their feet as the shaking intensified.
"It's already begun then." Sid said pulling Naigus out from her sheathe in her knife form. "We must hurry Naigus. Soul Resonance: Compulsive Burial!" Sid slammed Naigus into the ground. Several coffins appeared from the stone and engulfed those closest to him.
"Coffins are coming from the ground?" Tsugumi said gasping as Kim, Jacqueline, Ox, Harvard, Kilik, Fire, Thunder, Death the Kid, Liz, Patty, and Stein disappeared.
"I'm counting on you to protect DWMA," Sid said as he collapsed to the ground. Naigus transformed back into human form and caught her partner. Those left behind in the ballroom began to riot seeing that the room was engulfed by a magical barrier.
"It appears we've been trapped." Akane said as he released his hold on Tsugumi. Tsugumi was glad one of them was calm. She was beginning to feel claustrophobic, wondering if as a Death Scythe she'd have better luck breaking the barrier than the EAT and NOT students taking shots at it.
"This is quite an impressive barrier. I give up," Death said shrugging his shoulders. "I never expected seven witches could work together to cast something on this scale. What a clever use of an inherently magical number."
"We have to at least try to get out!" Maka said gritting her teeth. "While the Demon Sword, Medusa and another Witch have gone into the basement, there's five more wreaking havoc in Death City! There isn't anyone left to defend it!"
"That would be a waste of energy." Death said putting a hand on Maka's shoulder. "High level magic like this should only last for around an hour."
"I'm so sorry." Sid said as Naigus helped him sit upright. "I should have made more of an effort to get you out Death."
"No, I think you made the best decision in the situation Sid. I shouldn't be surprised that Medusa was a witch." Death said.
"Soul Protect has really done us in this time." Sid said. He sighed and shuffled into a more comfortable position leaning against the wall. "Everything is going to be decided down there."
"I suppose it's a good thing Papa managed to follow Medusa out the window then." Maka said sighing. "I never thought his perverted tendencies would come in handy." Tsugumi snorted. She should have guessed, having wondered where Spirit was. If he'd been trapped with them he'd be swearing to protect Maka.
"Waiting while stuck in here can go die," Black*Star said clenching his fists. "I'm going to go insane waiting for the hour to pass. If our techniques don't work we just need to find a new way to break through the barrier!"
"A new technique..." Sid said looking down. "We'll have no choice but to evolve or die if the Kishin has its way." Akane narrowed his eyes at Sid. Tsugumi shuddered not liking the way Sid implied that the Kishin was still alive.
"But the Kishin was stopped when DWMA was formed!" Tsugumi said holding her arms out. "We just need to find a way to break this barrier! It's the witches and Soul Protect that are our biggest problems now." Death sighed as those around them began to murmur, having given up on escape for now.
"I suppose I can't hide it now." Death said and clapped his hands. "Everyone please pay attention!" Everyone became quiet and formed a crowd around Death. "The Kishin Asura is sealed in DWMA's basement!"
"That's too short!" Sid said. Tsugumi swallowed the bile rising in her throat. If that was true then Medusa was dumb enough to try and awaken the Kishin? Tsugumi had always joked the Kishin would appear but she never wanted it to happen!
"Before DWMA there was a man called Asura," Death said. Tsugumi sweat dropped. He'd changed tunes too quickly! "Asura always covered himself in many layers of clothes. He trusted no one and had the most cautious soul a human ever had. But he was the strongest warrior amongst the group I once led, 'Death's Eight Powerful Warriors'. Despite this he was always terrified, so he sought power. He forgot his discipline and began to eat souls not on the list. The birth of the Kishin and an age of madness had begun."
"So The Kishin Asura was a meister all along." Clay said walking up to Death. "But shouldn't it be impossible for a meister to eat souls?" Death shrugged.
"Technically anyone could eat a soul, but it only serves a purpose to a weapons development. A Meister does not receive enough benefits to making the practice viable." Death said. Tsugumi supposed that made sense. Most people had a hard enough time gathering 99 souls. "Of course Asura is unique. He was so terrified of his partner that he ate them whole."
"That's not even a human you're describing!" Tsugumi said stamping her foot. Eating a living weapon was not the same as swallowing a sword for a circus trick! Though she was glaring at Death she had broken into a cold sweat.
"When you say it like that I don't know if he was ever human?" Death said tilting his head to the side. Tsugumi bit her lip. Death was still holding something important back, but she wasn't sure she wanted to know.
"What happens if Medusa manages to revive Asura?" Clay said. Death's eyes narrowed.
"If the worst comes to pass and Asura escapes only I can face him. I will need you to stay by my side Tsugumi. Asura is not an opponent I can take on without a Death Scythe." Tsugumi shivered but nodded.
"I don't like this." Maka said squaring her shoulders. "I'm not going to sit here twiddling my thumbs, making Tsugumi carry this burden alone." Tsugumi could feel her own lips trembling. She wanted Maka's help but she wouldn't put her in danger like when they fought Free!
"So we smash the barrier?" Black*Star said grinning. Maka nodded and walked over to the edge of the barrier. She pressed her hands against it and closed her eyes.
"It's too strong for me to purify it normally. There's simply too much magic for me to resonate with." Maka said. Death and Tsugumi looked at each other, Death shrugged. Tsugumi figured that meant it was fine so long as Maka and Black*Star stayed out of the fight.
"Hitting it with Soul Menace might work!" Black*Star said running up to Maka and putting his own hand against the barrier. His hand began to crackle with energy and exploded against the barrier, but it was Black*Star that was sent reeling back. The barrier shimmed but remained in place. "Or not..." Black*Star said pushing himself back onto his feet.
"Of course it wouldn't work! You'd need a greater amount of energy than is inherent in its structure to overwhelm the barrier..." Maka said. Her eyes widened and she looked between the barrier and Black*Star. "There's no way a single person could match seven witches. You'd need something to even the odds!" Maka grabbed Black*Star's hands with her own.
"You ok Maka?" Black*Star said leaning back as Maka got right in his face.
"Anti-magic wavelength requires only small a percentage of the power behind a spell in order to break it!" Maka said dragging Black*Star back to the barrier. "It works best if the application is swift! I don't have enough to break this barrier. I can't gather enough power in time!"
"You already said that." Akane said sticking his hands in his pockets. He grinned at Tsugumi as she looked up at him in confusion. "Black*Star can shoot out large amounts of wavelength rapidly using Soul Menace but it's still only a percentage of the barriers power." Tsugumi's eyes widened. Was Akane suggesting a combined effort?
"Exactly," Maka said whirling around to point at Akane. "Soul Menace isn't enough either! But what if that Soul Menace was using Anti-Magic wavelength?" Maka shushed Black*Star as he opened his mouth. "The barrier would break!"
"So we punch the barrier with its opposite and it breaks? Killer!" Black*Star said pumping his fist. Tsugumi groaned and hid her face. Now she understood why Maka had laughed when she'd tried to understand Anti-magic wavelength. When had she started sounding like Black*Star?
