AN: As I'm sure you noticed, I updated on a Monday. With the way my schedule is looking, Mondays look like they will be best for my regular updates. That combined with my brand new laptop, should ensure that this story will finish in one uninterrupted stream. I will warn you. We have almost reached the end. That is why I will do my best to stay focused on this project to the end.
*Review Responce*
Moonlightpheonix-X: It's really Crona's time to shine right now. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Prince James von Fairfax: Glad to see you haven't lost interest in the story. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Maka looked over Death City as the sun set. The auburn light washed over her and the steps of Shibusen. Her partner casually sat next to her but said nothing.
"It's so strange," Maka sighed, "I never imagined my first year at Shibusen would become so convoluted." Soul nodded in silent agreement. They continued to stare at the sunset before Maka added "Do you think things will ever return to normal?"
"Hard to say." Soul shrugged. "Then again, normal isn't really in this school's vocabulary." At this Maka snickered.
"I suppose you're right." She frowned. "But still, it's crazy how quickly the world fell apart."
"Just because the world fell apart, doesn't mean we can't rebuild just as quickly." Soul glanced over her shoulder. "Hey, I gotta go. Just don't stay out too late, it'd suck if you caught a cold."
"Yeah, alright." Maka agreed. He stood and walked back toward the main door.
"You know you're my best friend, right?" He asked, as he passed Black Star. The two paused, though not quite facing each other.
"Yeah."
"Then do me a favor, don't tell her just yet."
"Tell her what?" Black Star said, feigning ignorance.
"Look, I know you don't mean any harm, but she's gone through a lot lately. She doesn't need any more stuff on her plate." Soul sighed.
"I was just going to see if she was alright." This wasn't entirely untrue, he was concerned just like everyone else. However, it was important to save face right now. Especially with Soul calling him out like this.
"She's stressed, but otherwise she's fine." Soul finally looked at the ninja. "I mean it man, back off. If you even care about her remotely, you'll wait until this is all over."
"I really don't know what you're talking about." Black Star shrugged. "But if it really means that much to you, I'll 'wait'." He'd try his best to honor his friend's request. The only problem was, it didn't look like it would ever be over.
-8-0-8-
Kid looked up at the vibrant red sky. He had managed to talk himself into an awkward position. It was no secret he was furious with his father. How he had handled the escalating events was inexcusable. It was only a matter of time before the man jumped to rash decisions. But to kill his father?
Part of him wanted to continue hiding in Chernobyl. However, it wasn't a permanent solution. A life trapped inside a decaying town, was no life at all, but an elaborate prison meant to keep him safe from himself. He meant it when he said he'd kill Lord Death to protect Crona. Now he felt the gravity of his decision. He had nowhere to go now, but forward. And this path led right through Shibusen.
They couldn't do this alone. Even now, while Shibusen was weak, they didn't have enough power to take down the whole school. Most of the Death Scythes had been gathered and the school was crawling with armed students. They'd have to find a way to slip past them to his father and take him down. It was that or a head on assault. Either way, they need help.
Footsteps came up behind him, followed by a warm hug from the girl who had asked the impossible. "Are you alright Shini-kun? You seem so distracted."
"I'm fine." He said in a low voice. "Just thinking."
"Oh?" Crona said, bemused. "Do tell."
"Are you serious about destroying Lord Death?" Kid asked gravely.
"I've never been more serious about anything in my life." The grin she had held a shadow of her mother's.
"Then we're going to need help." Kid stated.
"Oh, okay. That shouldn't be a problem." Crona shrugged and took to messing with his hair.
"But it is. All of the fighters I know work for Lord Death and don't show any signs of stopping." Kid snipped.
"Oh please," Crona groaned, "you're thinking of your friends. Allies don't have to like you. They just have to hate someone more than they hate you. There has to be someone you know who has a vendetta against your father and is alive." She studied Kid's face as grim realization dawned on him.
"I think I know of someone."
-8-0-8-
Gopher walked back from taking out the trash. Working helped keep her mind off of her current situation. Suddenly a gust of wind threw her off balance. She could hear the sudden thud of someone landing on the ground.
"I need your help." Rang an eerily recognizable voice and she whipped around to see Death the Kid standing before her.
"What makes you think I would help you?" Gopher snarled.
"Because Lord Death hasn't found you yet." Kid retorted. "When they asked me where you went, I pointed them the other way; you owe me." Gopher's face pinched into a pout.
"That depends on what you're asking of me. I will not be blackmailed for your twisted amusement."
"I have a feeling you'll agree." Kid conceded. "I plan to take down Shinigami-sama, but I'm short on man power. Imagine, all of those rules you live in fear from crushed into nothingness."
"I-I don't know." Gopher frowned. Defeating Lord Death meant more fighting. There were only so many 'final' fights she could subject herself to. This wasn't just one battle anymore, it was war.
"Gopher, what's taking you so long?" Noah barked.
"N-noah-sama!" Gopher squeaked. Noah burst through the door, surprising the shinigami.
"You're alive." Kid whispered, the madness within him thrived on the words.
"Who's this?" Noah demanded. "What is he doing here!?"
"He was just leaving." Gopher hinted, but Kid ignored it.
"I represent a party whose goal would benefit you. We aim to eliminate Lord Death." He met Noah's gaze. "If you help, we could negotiate a form of payment for your service."
"A body." Noah prodded.
"I'm sure that can be arranged." Kid said carefully.
"Then we have a deal." Unbeknownst to them, Eibon watched with muted eagerness.
"The body of a shinigami instead of a Kishen?" He mused. "A more than adequate exchange."
-8-0-8-
The scene played out on the reflective surface of an ivory mirror. The current shinigami brought a hand up to the mirror and whipped away the image. He had hoped to never see this day. He sighed and began to dial the number for the classrooms. He still wouldn't put his son's name on the list. Not that he didn't believe that his son was dangerous, quite the contrary. His son was volatile in this state, too dangerous for even some of his most experienced meisters. Besides, it was his job to discipline his son.
"Will Maka Albarn, Soul Eater Evans, Black Star, and Tsubaki Nakatsukasa, please come to the Death Room." He waited patiently for the four to stumble into his room.
"You wanted to see us?" Maka panted.
"Indeed, it seems an old foe has resurfaced. Noah is launching an attack on Shibusen while our defenses are weak. You are the only students who have experience battling him."
"What do you need us to do?" Tsubaki asked.
"You will be in charge of stopping him. His numbers are lower than ours and I would like to keep this as quiet as possible. He doesn't realize we know his plan. I'll make sure the school will be empty."
"Sir!" Maka exclaimed incredulously.
"We need to bring him down swiftly and quietly." He paused. "For this reason, I'm putting Black Star in charge of this assignment.
"WHAT!" The students shrieked.
"With all due respect, Black Star isn't the stealthiest ninja. No offense." Maka said. Before Black Star could speak, Shinigami-sama interjected.
"I am well aware of that. However, I have the utmost confidence that Black Star is the best suited for this job." Stunned, Black Star bowed.
"Thank you Shinigami-sama, I won't fail you."
"Noah strikes at dawn; you have until then to prepare." The group left in shocked silence.
"So…" Soul said, breaking the ice, "What's the plan?"
"…I'm not sure."