Soul Eater: Lady Death

by Sully7072

So...what if Death The Kid had a mother? What sort of mother would she be? Read and found out!

65. You Lost

"Ingram hey!" Happily, Missy calls out cheerily to the boy after tending to the flourishing flora outside the flower shop, smiling tending to the bouquet on display. She always liked helping out the town, she did, she didn't know why maybe keeping busy was just her thing, just laying around and doing nothing never was her thing what was the point in living if you're just going to mope around and do nothing all day? Missy never got it then again, she never did get meditation, she tried to, oh she did, her boss had recommended it to her when seeing her twitch about the place during mid prayer.

"You…still wish to speak to me?" Mystified, Ingram furrows his brow befuddled.

"Of course." Cheerily, she smiles shyly at him. She never got why he liked isolating himself like this…she'd hate it.

"But I'm…" Ingram begins brow furrowed but…

"And I don't care." Curtly, Missy places her hands on her hips huffing.

"But my blood is…" Ingram begins but…

"Blood ties mean nothing compared to the bond forms from real life." Resolved, Missy states the fact firmly, hands on her hips.

"How can you say that? Family comes first always." Annoyed, Ingram turns to glare, glower at Missy taking her aback.

"…That's what you think?" Hurt, Missy furrows her brow baffled.

"The only people you can rely on is family." Firmly, Ingram scowls.

"How can you say that?" Tense, Missy snaps scowling.

"Because it's the truth! Mother was the only one who kept us breathing back then." Incensed, Ingram snaps sharply seething snarling, baring his fierce feral fangs in warning almost at her making her flinch back brow furrowing from it.

"Yes well not all of us have mommies to change our diapers." Mad, Missy huffs hands on her hips.

"I…! I DIDN'T…!" Incensed, Ingram begins but stops from Missy's firm frown.

"No you said what you wanted to say." Sternly, Missy raises her hands up in the air as she turns on her heel storming off.

"Missy!" Ingram calls out scowling storming over only to falter when…

"ARGHHH!" The sharp scream takes Ingram aback as he rushes towards the scene seeing a familiar girl stretching her arms out towards the children huddling behind her as she quivers, quakes from the beast before her, towering over her. The beast is a contorted creation, a creature with skeletal limbs stretching out of its spider-like state, feral fangs piercing out with poison of some sort salivating out of her fierce feral fangs. Her numerous legs sprout out from body, craning her neck to the side snarling seething, licking its lips hungrily at the souls presented proudly before them.

"Missy!" Alarmed, Ingram rushes towards the woman, anxiously as he lunges forward, his cloak draped over his firm form harden, the firm feathers now slick iron as he roars, his mouth growing wider into a Cheshire-like smile, a demonic Chelease smirk swiftly striking a whirlwind of sorts at the beast before them.

"…" Silently, Missy stares at the beast before her now having devoured the soul with a crazed grin to his giddy gold, salvia dripping down his crooked grin as fierce feral fangs protrude out of his mouth similar to an anglerfish as she winces when hearing the crisp crunch of bone contorting, looking away as his limbs shift snap into peculiar places.

Missy couldn't help but stare unable to not compare his mid form of sorts to a harpy-like form, firm feathers spurt from his arms as his legs transform into chicken like legs with cold claws of metal sprouting out from his feet. His normal unfazed golds are dilated, looking feral, fierce fangs peering out of his mouth with his coat now discarded, tossed to the side.

"Missy!" Said girl jolts up turning to her boss rushing over helping her up.

"Are you alright?" Another woman joins in, miss Contessa, Missy recalls a nun from the local church.

"Y-Yeah." Shakily, she nods staring stunned at the beast before her, this…this wasn't a weapon, it wasn't like her weapon nor the ones she had seen in passing this…this was different. Surprised, she jolts up at the tug turning to see herself being dragged backwards baffling her, what were they doing?

"Beast!" Alarmed, Missy gasps as one of the women screams.

"Monster!" One of the children cry tossing a nearby stone at the back of the beast but the rock easily crumbles from the teasing touch of the firm feathers of the beast…

"Freak!" Furious, another adds as he rushes in, the blacksmith's son, Damien she recalled however her hues widen when Ingram simply sighs exasperated, closing his eyes as his claws catch said blade, his gold narrowing not even enraged at the blade but bored almost as he simply tosses the caught sword away as if it were nothing more than a frightened fly, the blacksmith cries out fleeing fearfully.

"Call the academy! Call for a meister!" One of the men cry out petrified.

"S-Stop! What are you doing?" Finally, Missy steps in baffled by the scene playing out before her, he had saved her life, the children's lives so why…? Why were they treating him like this?

"Stay away from that beast Missy!" Mad, one of the townsfolk calls out to her as she stands before the beast brushing by those stunned seeing her stretch her arms out protectively.

"Missy…go." Drained, Ingram sighs softly, taking Missy aback.

"But Ingram…!" Missy turns to him clearly concerned when seeing him simply scowl down at her, her hues widening when noting the sudden shift in height.

"Please…for your own sake…" Softly, he whispers before taking off, the gust gales taking Missy aback as she holds herself feeling the whirlwind stun her almost as her hair is waved all over the place as she holds herself helplessly watching on as the beast flees…

"Ingram!" Missy cries out pained when watching him flee hurt laced in her tone as she chases after him, refusing to leave him alone, refusing to let him down, refusing to let him hurt alone…

"Mother!" Urgently, Ingram rushes into the research lab seeing a fair few witches watching Morrigan's work, seeing some take notes while others silently stare watching the woman showcasing some sort of skill to her fellow witches while some witches come and go about their day in the lab.

"Not now baby bird mommy is busy." Briskly, she dismisses her son however…

"Mother please!" Pleadingly, he begs hearing the soft sound of paper scratchings stop seeing the furrowed frowns of the witches watching on earning a dismissive grunt of Morrigan.

"…What was that?" The sharp slam of the table below terrifies the young Ingram flinching from the sheer sharp sound of the sharp ring of metal making his throat tense up, tighten almost as if he felt a geyser of acid begin burning his inner throat walls while he stood there shakily, quivering, quaking from the sheer sharpness of his mother's gold glaring at him as if he were nothing more than a speck of dust, nothing more than a stain upon her attire, nothing more than an ant about to be swiftly squashed under the high heel of her boot.

"I-I'm sorry I just…I-I-I-I-" Ingram stutters, stammers scared, terrified oblivious to the soft sound of heels clicking only taking note of the cold curt hand smoothly slide over to his cheek making him blink out of his scared stupor looking down at the woman below him.

"What is it baby bird?" Gently, she questions her son, rubbing a thumb against his cheek attempting to apply some sort of comfort towards the terrifying mess. He bows his head obediently going quiet as she had wanted prior. He takes a moment to compose himself, closing his eyes and grimacing at the painful memory threatening to resurface, the fierce flames, the sharp stench of copper coating the air and the sharp scream of…

"It's Ava she…" Shakily, Ingram begins before turning to the soft sound of footsteps seeing said girl limp into the workshop of sorts holding her shoulder squeezing it, grimacing, trying to dull out the pain, holding her neck or well trying to cover the wound upon her throat alarming Morrigan, her hues widening when seeing her perfect weapon's nick as her hues dart towards the witches watches on silently. Morrigan's golden glare only narrows from the sheer sight of the scared shaking mess of Ava anxiously apologetically looking towards Morrigan. Ingram rushes over to his sister side steadying her shaking feeble frail form much to the distaste of Morrigan.

"Ava can speak for herself can't you dear?" Sternly, Morrigan swiftly snatches Ingram's hand pulling him away as Ava shakily stands, her mother's firm frown making her straighten up despite the cracks only growing from sudden movement making Ingram's hues widen when seeing said scar, alarmed at it. But Morrigan remains unfazed by it bored almost as if she had expected such a wound while Ava simply stands, sullen, scowling down at the floor below as if she were a child about to be told off, about to be berated, about to be torn to shreds…

"…" Silently, she awaits such a beratement, bowing her head, closing her eyes awaiting it but…it never comes. Ingram simply stares stunned at his sister's still silence, almost an obedient sense of silence perplexing him when watching the tense state of his sister silently comply to his mother's silent demands standing up straight, much to the witches watching on awe as they gossip, their hushed whispers being shared amongst themselves as the family of three stand tall despite the sad state of the eldest.

"See she's fine." Firmly, Morrigan turns on her heel about to head back to her desk much to the shock of Ingram turning to look at his sister clearly concerned for her however…

"She's clearly not." Ingram points out but it falls to deaf ears as his mother stills in her steps.

"She knows what she's did…if she wants my aid that badly then she knows what needs to be said." Seriously, she tells her son, poison oozing out of her cold curt tense tone making Ava grimace bowing her head pained by her words.

"…" Shocked, Ingram's hues widen when hearing her words looking towards his still silent sister holding her wound.

"Mother…" Meekly, Ada approaches as she feels her leg falter briefly before she knew it, her leg had bucked before her as she was on her knee towards the woman.

"Hm?" Humming, Morrigan turns towards Ava her arms crossed coldly staring down at her mess of a battered, beaten, bruised child.

"The wound you left…it hurts." Hollowly, she whispers weakly as Morrigan's golden glare narrow.

"You know why I left it Ava." Aloofly, she reminds Ava grimacing from her words.

"Mother I only sought to do what was best for your research." Meekly, Ava reminds her however her face is swiftly snatched by her mother making her wince at the rough handling.

"Oh please it was for yourself, let us not have this conversation again Ava." Agitated, Morrigan seethes sneers spitting poison in her face.

"I-" Feebly, Ava attempts to argue but…

"Need I remind you of all I've done for you and your brother who fed you, who changed your diapers who made you what you are today?" Tensely, she snaps sharply at her daughter coldly cutting her off.

"I…" Ava attempts again but…

"And you honestly believe that fool to like you, you? Please…look at you, you think he's impressed?" Smirking, she coldly chuckles at her daughter's heartbroken expression.

"I…I just thought…" Tentatively, she whispers weakly, whimpering briefly before softly closing her eyes trying to stop the tears threatening to fall.

"You thought wrong Ava like always you read into things too much. Why do you do this and cause such unnecessary pain to me your own mother?" Morrigan whimpers weakly removing her hand from her daughter placing her hand to her own cheek feigning pain.

"I…I'm sorry." Scared, Ava bows her head pained.

"…" Silently, Morrigan stares down at her…

"Could you…heal this now?" Pleadingly, she begs, beseeches her hues widen when feeling her mother's tender touch slowly slide over to her cheeks holding her, a soft sickly smile upon her lips as she gives her, her answer…

"Oh sweetie…when I think you've earnt my forgiveness then we'll talk about that wound of yours." Lovingly, Morrigan whispers to her dear daughter holding her face in her hand, her crisp coal nails digging deep into her cheek, holding her head in one hand as Ava winces when feeling her nails dig deep into her cheek, reopening old wounds while her other hand dig deeps into the wound connecting her neck and shoulder only widening the cracks seeping out of her shoulder making her wince but she holds firm, keeping a steely stare refusing to budge under such pain, knowing the consequences of showing such weakness to her loving mother…

"Witch hunter!" Roaring, the deep dark voice of Death echoes throughout the land as said scythe glinting, gleaming glistening a foreign blinding blaring bright light into a shape of a scythe strikes at the beast before the group. As said strike hits and lighting spews sparks out from the swift strike, the user's skeletal mask narrows at the blaring brightly light, oblivious to the cracks spreading across the blade of said scythe until…

"STOP FOOLS!" Fiercely, the voice calls out but it falls to deaf ears; said strike makes contact and the soul of said witch pops up into the air as Lord Death is meant to catch. He stops faltering from the sharp screech as next he knew a familiar figure was falling to the ground, scarlet spewing out of her battered, beaten, body as she screamed, screeched, snarled to the high heavens.

"AVA!" Death's boisterous bellow echoes throughout the land as said soul is swiftly disregarded as the lord of death rushes down towards his fallen weapon, diving down, wrapping his claws around the trembling, quivering, quaking form of her, concern clear on his face, fear flowing through his tense tone taking those watching on aback as the weapon herself lies limp in his claws, breaking his heart when seeing the sad state of her battered, beaten broken form. The two descended down from the high heavens, one of Death's subordinates taking the soul swiftly ignored by Lord Death.

"Ava? Ava!" Anguished, Lord Death falls flat to the ground holding her limp lifeless form close to his chest, his tone cracking, breaking briefly beofre his friends and peers watching on some scowling, some staring, some showing clear concern while others don't, not even batting an eye to her sad state. A pair of deep purples peer over the fan the user wields, hiding the small smug smirk upon her plump purple lips when seeing her state. She watches on as Lord Death holds her making her tsk, clicking her tongue at the state, seeing the god of death hold someone so beneath his status, someone so below him as if she mattered, as if she were important, as if she were…

The woman swiftly shakes her head at the preposterous thought, her grip tightening around her fan when seeing a fair few of the medics attempt to approach. Those that try to help, flee, flinching fearfully away at the dark monsteras growl from the beast holding her, even she herself could feel the shy shudder course down her spine as she watched on, her hues narrowing noting one of her many spiders seeing a certain bird perched upon the tree watching on…

This wasn't supposed to happen, this wasn't a part of the deal, what will happen now with their only weapon out of commission? Will he have to take her place? It would seem they would have no choice now to keep the deal intact but still…he knew this would happen; he knew this would if mother didn't tend to her so why didn't he? Was this to punish her? Ingram didn't know all he knew was to continue watching on until he thought it best to interfere, right now from the looks of Death would be the worst time from the way he held his sister…he was like some sort of animal refusing anyone to touch her as he clings to her begging, beseeching, clinging to her whispering to her, begging for her to awaken as if she would just wake up just like that…

It was shocking still to see the god of death beg, beseech a mortal on a path to godhood to awaken…some would see this as pathetic, but a part of Ingram couldn't help but feel pity for the beast that held some sort of affection from the fear in his tone to the horror of her state. Not that he could blame him, the small slits on Ava, the bloodied blue bruises littered all over her and the bones peering out of her skin…sometimes he couldn't even look at her without dry heaving…

It wasn't until Eibon himself had approached that he had finally calmed down and complied allowing her to be put down upon the sheet below given to him by Eibon. The medics had tried to help but even Ingram could see how far behind in terms of medicine they were compared to his mother bringing a small smirk to his lips while watching on only then to falter, furrowing his brow in his bird form when seeing Death gently brush a stray strand of her hair behind her ear placing a purple hyacinth behind her ear, staring sadly down at her just as Ingram dives down, all eyes falling to him as he takes them to the only person who can help them.

"How long will she…?" Death begins watching mournfully as Ava is taken inside only as he is about to enter the building for Morrigan to step in, stopping him.

"She'll be out' when I deem her to be ready." Resolved, Morrigan states the fact firmly, seeing a fair few fearful faces towards Death who remains glued on Ada.

"Morrigan…" Warningly, Death growls glaring down at her however…

"I can't give you the exact day." Dutifully, Morrigan responds.

"Then let me see her!" Huffing, he orders her.

"That I can't forbid I need to focus solely on her healing." Honestly, Morrigan tells him.

"Dammit women what of our deal?!" Death demands enraged.

"Your deal with my daughter is your own matter but if you wish for her recovery, you will leave us be is that understood?" Sternly, she snaps sharply at Death undeterred unfazed by the claw labelled death being raised at her.

"…Fine." Death sighs slowly lowering his claw beofre turning on away as he sets off leaving Ava in the care of her mother…

"M-Mother?" Meekly, the hoarse voice of Ava calls out as Ingram is by her side staring sadly down at the crack only growing upon her hardened skin seeing her mother gently approach the operating table.

"Don't worry Ava I have decided to forgive you just rest and relax leave everything to me okay?" Motherly, Morrigan smiles softly down at her daughter, a sickeningly sweet smile upon her lips.

"Okay…" Obediently, Ava whispers looking towards Ingram giving her a strained smile before backing away as the operation begins…

Staggering, Ingram grimaces as he staggers forward through the tall, towering trees of the forest, wheezing, wincing wheezing when he feels his knees buckle before slamming his hand firmly flat upon the tall, towering tree trunk. He bows his head, sweat sliding down his tense temple, hearing the crisp crunch of his contorting bones returning to their original way, feeling a fair few broken bones slot back into place despite the damage done. He hated how weak he was with this form, Ava never had difficulties when it came to the bones contorting but Ingram…the pain threshold for him could be lower than his siter's at times…

"Ingram!" Surprised, Ingram jolts up at the voice turning towards the woman rushing over to his side frantically, concern clear on her furrowed features.

"Missy?" Mystified, Ingram's hues narrow at the girl baffled, befuddled by the sheer sight of her, what was she doing here? She was meant to stay back, she was meant to be with her friends, her family, her…

"Are you alright?" Anxiously, Missy questions concern clear on her furrowed features from his state seeing the flimsy feathers float down upon the grassy ground below.

"Leave me." Sternly, Ingram orders, his tone cold, curt, civil to say the least or trying to…

"You're hurt!" Horrified, Missy argues as she spots the shy stream of scarlet sliver down the crack of his mouth.

"…I'm fine." Frowning, Ingram shrugs her off, he had forgotten the taste of iron...he was so adjusted to it that he hadn't noticed said shy sliver of ruby red, this was normal…sometimes his organs could be…difficult during transformation.

"Of course, you're not! Not after slaying that beast!" Brow furrowing, Missy huffs hands on her hips puffing her cheeks out at him.

"Leave me if you don't, they'll kick you out or…or…!" Anxiously, Ingram argues angrily, he had seen those that had defended him in the past, Medea had been a good friend of his, a follower of his sister, he had tried to warn her not to help him in his aid and it was thanks to him that she had met Jason, the swine, she had begged, beseeched her friend to help her kill her husband after his betrayal and he had helped but at the cost of her sanity, if he had known…if he had known his madness had gotten the best of her, had seeped into her, had affected her…he couldn't let Missy go through that, he couldn't, he wouldn't, he refused to. Those that he cared for would always be consumed by madness, a sickness he wished no one not even his greatest enemy to fall into…not to the extent that his old friend went through.

"Let them stare, let them jeer, let them throw stones I don't care I'm not standing by after you got hurt saving me." Missy states the fact firmly furiously placing down a first aid kit of some sort.

"…Missy." Ingram begins tiredly but furrows his brow fatigued when seeing her firm hand on his shoulder, softly setting him down on his knee as the two stand beneath the tree of dogwood.

"Now get over here and let me heal you." Sternly, Missy grabs the boy by his cheek.

"But…hey let go!" Childishly, Ingram whines wincing from her playful pinch bringing the tall towering giant down to the teeny tiny level of Missy.

"Nope not until you're better." Bluntly, Missy reaches out getting out a handkerchief wiping away the shy scarlet stream on the corner of his lips.

"…I'm sorry. I just…it brought back memories." Miserably, Ingram bows his head pained, he always did cause trouble…

"Of your sister right?" Gently, Missy asks making him sigh sadly.

"I…I'm trying." Tentatively, Ingram tries to argue feebly.

"I know you are." Tenderly, Missy whispers holding his face ignoring the faint flinch as he slowly but surely lowers his palm into her hand, shakily sighing, exhaling a timid tired breath brow furrowing.

"That still shouldn't be an excuse for saying such things you're right I was lucky to have mother I wouldn't be here without here." Honestly, Ingram confesses.

"Oh come on you really think that?" Missy wiggles a brow bemused by his words.

"I know that I'm forever in her debt." Dutifully, Ingram looks down at his hands seeing said claws struggle to revert back to human nails digging deep into his trousers.

"Debt? She's your mother." Missy argues brow furrowed, mothers never hold debts even she knew that.

"So?" Innocently, Ingram probes perplexing Missy.

"So? Moms don't hold debts I don't have a mother and even I know that." Teasingly, Missy jokes lightly amused at the though.

"…My mother wouldn't have made me the way I am." Resolute, Ingram states the fact firmly, he wouldn't have lived as long as he had if not for her, he wouldn't be sitting here if not for her, he wouldn't be breathing if not for her, he wouldn't have met Missy if not for her…

"You mean with that bird blade right?" Unsure, Missy offers not quite sure what to call that form.

"Yeah…that was my mid form, if I had used my full form, it would be unnecessary…" Ingram grimaces briefly by the thought ignoring the sharp sting in his body from it.

"You mean you have another form? How!?" Baffled, Missy ponders puzzled.

"She changed me." Simply, Ingram shrugs staring the fact of the matter.

"Changed…you?" Missy furrows her brow at the thought.

"I said she was a witch, we were on the run constantly. Me and my sister were always on the run without mother we had to pull our weight, we had to be strong, we had to fend for ourselves so our mother changed us turned us into weapons." Ingram explains to her brow furrowing grimacing at his tense temple from the sharp screams of both children enduring the experimentation all in the name of science, of progress, of survival…

"Wait…you weren't born a weapon?" Mystified, Missy gawks gapes at the news, she didn't think that to be possible…

"No…we were human…once." Ingram bows his head at the memory, as human as one could be with a witch as a mother…

"I…I didn't think that was possible." Missy confesses in awe almost.

"My mother tends to make the impossible possible." Pained, Ingram smiles sadly at the thought of his mother.

"She sounds…amazing." In awe, Missy whispers.

"She is…she really is it's why with my sister's betrayal that I just…" Ingram tsks scowling at the memory seething snarling, scowling at the memory only to falter from the hand softly stilling his boiling, bubbling, burning blood making him turn to look down at the woman, smiling softly up at him.

"It's okay you'll get there someday you will." Softly, Missy assures him.

"…Thank you for being o generous to me." Ingram bows his head.

"I'm only doing what I think is right now come here let me fix that cute face of yours." Mischievously, Missy winks softly taking his face in her hands opening up the first aid kit ready to do some real healing.

"Misssy…!" Whining, Ingram groans childishly only making the girl giggle pecking his temple as she tends to his injuries…

Quietly, Ingram stares softly at the piles upon piles of gifts given, a mountain of sorts from fine fabrics of dresses to the glistening gems of jewellery. His hues soften sadly at the mountain upon mountain of letters addressed to Aada as he reluctantly throws them in the fire, his heart aching at the contents within having long learned his lesson of reading such spill but his mother on the other hand…he turns to his mother silently smiling, smirking sadistically, a glint gleaming in her hues almost amused at the contents within the letter as she plops some of the many orange flavoured chocolates in her mouth from the box of chocolates casted to the side smiling relishing the letters before casting said letters into the fierce flame before them both. Humming, she soon perks up at the time tsking under her breath before seeing a witch approach, a tray in hand about to head over when…

"I'll handle that." Morrigan takes the tray from the witch bowing her head obediently complying to her mistress' cold curt command as she turns away from the pile upon pile of letters, foods, gifts. She heads towards the cell, no one was allowed within but Ingram follows softly silently behind her following her through the hallway, no words needing to be shed between both mother and son simply staring ahead as they reach the darkest depths of the prison, ignoring the sharp screams from other test subjects screaming, screeching, shouting pleading for them to end them all only making Morrigan's smirk widen when hearing such screams, such pathetic pleas as the level of madness consumed them.

Ingram saw some of the witches watching on take notes, grinning giddily as they experimented to their hearts content with whatever tool they had while they descend down further from them until making it to the bottom…making it to a door, a door with a familiar bird insignia upon it. Morrigan waves her hand dismissing the bird allowing them access as they enter, the locks unlocking before them as next they knew they entered the small, cramped cell of Ada…

"…You still haven't eaten anything yet? Sweetie you should eat." Gently, Morrigan strides into the room. Ingram peers in, his hues narrowing noting the chipped nails of Ava anxiously chomping on her nails, scarlet streaming down, seeing said scarlet streaks upon the withered walls of stone seeing scratch marks of tick marks.

"…" Ava stares ahead as Ingram turns away pained feeling his stomach flip from the sad state of her, her bones practically poking out of her pale skin, seeing small slits from beneath the bananas coiled all over her body becoming more mummy than the human she once feigned to be…

"Now I know you may have gotten chubby but it's all fine." Smiling, Morrigan roughly pinches her cheek but Ava doesn't back an eye to it as she sets the tray of food on the bedside manner, some soup and a piece of bread…

"…Wh…where's Death?" Hopeful, Ava whimpers weakly making Ingram slams his eyes shut pained.

"Hm?" Humming, Morrigan quirks her head to the side smiling softly.

"I…I thought…" Tentatively, Ava bows her head staring sadly down at her bony fidgeting fingertips.

"Oh I believe he and Arachne are on a mission together." Morrigan smiles softly placing her forefinger to her cheek.

"Wait…what?" Alarmed, Ava tenses up at the news.

"Oh yes, something about making a new weapon, Ingram went along as well…" Morrigan remarks as said boy flinches from his mother's murderous glare making him flinch back, quickly diving away from the two.

"I-Is that so?" Shakily, Ava whimpers weakly while Ingram hides behind the wall, gritting his teeth together tense reminding himself, he was protecting Ava from him, saving her from that monster, preventing her from getting hurt again from him…

"It would seem so." Softly, Morrigan wraps her arms around her heartbroken daughter.

"… I-I don't even remember what happened I…it's all a blur." Brow furrowing, Ava combs her fingertips through her head wincing at the sharp sting, ignoring the soft sob threatening to break through her tense trembling tone. Ingram furrows his bow by her words, she was unconscious after that incident…

"…Would you like the truth?" Lovingly, Morrigan asks.

"…Yeah." Ava nods her head.

"It would seem Death caught on to your little plan to join the witches under him and well…he didn't like that. He attacked you if not for Ingram I don't know what would have happened." Heartbroken, Morrigan reveals holding her baby bird close to her.

"B-But I don't understand you said he's with Arachne right now?" Frowning, Ava argues.

"Yes well you've seen her haven't you? A refined young thing like that not to mention that bust of hers not saying you don't have anything compared to that nor that tiny waist of hers compared to that chub of yours not at all, ot at all. I mean I love how you don't care how you come across. But for a god like death? Appearance means everything and that Arachne woman has the full." Firmly, Morrigan reminds her daughter softly slapping her belly making her curl in on herself.

"…He…hurt me?" Miserably, Ava whimpers weakly curling in on herself.

"Yes it was horrible honestly you should be grateful Ingram called me when he did. I did what I could but…you've been chipped dear." Solemnly, she points to her bandaged shoulder and neck.

"C-Chipped?" Confused, Ava glances over at said wound.

"Seems so. Ingram brought you back and when I asked Lord Death over healing you he said you better fix that chipped blade or else!" Morrigan gossips.

"H-He threatened you?" Alarmed, Ava says shocked.

"It was terrible dear terrifying I thought I was going to join your father right there on that spot." Stunned, Morrigan places her hand over her mouth as she says it as Ava flinches from her words.

"I…I…I thought he liked me." Ava curls in on herself.

"Oh baby bird you think an oaf like that would want damaged goods like you?" Mockingly, Morrigan chuckles coyly shaking her head amused at her daughter's delusion.

"…" The sharp sob breaks through Ava's lips as the tears freely fall from the girl.

"You're a weapon my dear, weapons don't feel you're above that I made sure of that." Morrigan proudly proclaims only to falter form the sharp sob breaking through her daughter's lips.

"It's alright baby bird it's okay mommy's here, mommy will make everything better…" Morrigan brings her daughter into her arms, rocking her heartbroken daughter back and forth comforting her oblivious to the grimacing Ingram swiftly storming off, having no idea what to make of it all…this was for the greater good, this was for the family, this was for his sister's safety that she forget about that beast, that monster, that demon…

Quietly, Ingram sits in the hut humming happily as he knits with the sewing needles in his hand, knitting some sort of jumper in his hand, a perky pink one with by his side, a mug of hot coca, the marshmallows bop up and down upon the smooth surface slowly melting being kept warm thanks to the chipper coat of purple yarn coiled around it like a mug warmer of sorts, a more intricate design is around the teapot that Missy holds, numerous plasters coiled around her fingertips from her poor attempts at knitting. Ingram couldn't believe how poor the girl's sewing abilities were form her clothes he had assumed she had done it to be shocked it was her boss who had to save the poor girl's rags, Ingram knew he had to do something he couldn't exactly leave her in that state, so he had stayed, fixing her poor attempt of a closet while also experimenting with the new flavours of gelato form both Missy and her boss's experiments. He himself did not like the orange flavoured gelato although the rocky road was on interesting to say the least…

Quietly, Missy pours said teapot into another teacup, brow furrowed focused firmly furiously on the task at hand as Ingram is in a world of his own, giddy to taste the new flavours of gelato to come as he in return, tries to finish the recent order…

"We have a problem." Surprised, Ingram jolts up at the voice turning to look up at Missy, panic plastered all over her frightened features swiftly slamming the mug down upon the table, his hues narrow noting the soft splash of heated water stain the table below though Missy doesn't bat an eye to it not even to the spill teasingly tauntingly touching Ingram's latest completed piece of work, a bobble hat he had had supposedly offered to the florist though that was promised to her by Missy to be frank.

"No, YOU have a problem. I have an idiot who keeps making them." Tiredly, Ingram grumbles reaching out softly sipping his hot cocoa, pleased by the sweetness, a part of him tempted to reach out to the whipped cream though that had been forbidden for having taken all of the whipped cream cans they had bought for the week.

"Aww…" Lovingly, Missy claps her hands together, leaning her cheek against the top of her entwined hand smiling softly at him. Her hair is held by a giddy green ribbon tied into a side ponytail of sorts beaming brightly up at him, apron on as he eyes the charming cat upon it winking with the words, don't kiss the chef though that had never stopped Missy from reminding Ingram he could if he wanted too…

"What?" Ingram's hues narrow at her brow furrowing from her soft smile.

"You called me your idiot." Merrily, Missy points out happily.

"…Just get to it already." Tiredly, Ingram sighs sadly, too tired to deal with the chaos the woman was about to throw his way.

"We need to make a cake." She tells him.

"…A cake?" Confused, his hues narrow, his nose contorting, cake wasn't exactly his favourite, a desert he himself thought should be small delicate the main meal should have filled the person up it failed if it hadn't. Missy on the other hand had thought differently than again from Ingram's talks with her he wouldn't be surprised if she ruled the world, she would make cake a breakfast, dinner or lunch.

"Yep." Missy confirms as Ingram frowns, this wasn't a bakery, they did ice cream that was all, the closes the could think would be ice cream cake but even then that was rare to ask…

"And why do I need to do that?" Tiredly, Ingram asks her lost as to why he had to be involved.

"Cause it's for my dad's birthday okay and I promised him I'd make him one." Missy responds clasping her hands together only to squeak slightly from the feverish flour spewing out of her hands similar to chalk coating the air almost.

"And what does that have to do with me?" Mystified, Ingram probes puzzled, he wasn't no chef, he liked food sure but he didn't have the energy for such things…

"You have hands don't you?" Smirking, Missy apts her apron.

"…I also have claws." Coldly, he raises his had showing said nails extending out.

"Funny but look I need help with this cake okay?" Missy sighs hands on her hips.

"Do you really?" Tiredly, Ingram asks quirking his head to the side.

"I need someone at the least stop me from nibbling at the ingredient last year there was meant to be fifty strawberries for my dad there was thirty when I finished the cake." Confidently, Missy explains pained, intensely even as she takes his shoulders shaking him, begging, beseeching, pleading for his aid.

"You ate twenty?" Ingram does a doubletake.

"I stress eat okay?!" Anxiously, Missy whines weakly, tears freely flowing from her making Ingram sigh.

"I thought baking was relaxing." Ingram points out.

"It's relaxing when you didn't trip the night before with the cake sloshed on the floor and had a whole day to make a new cake!" Upset, Missy cries out to the high heavens, using the back of her hand hoping to stop shedding said tears but…

"…Riiight. I don't have a choice in this do I?" Ingram leas back on his rocking chair slightly.

"No. No you don't." Dubiously, Missy smirks smugly, a glint gleaming in her hues.

"Great." Dryly, Ingram huffs.

"Come on you baked with your mother when you were young right?" Missy argues.

"We didn't have the resources." Ingram argues.

"Are…are you serious? What about for your birthday? You have had cake before right? RIGHT!?" Anxiously, Misys gasps looking horrified at the thought shaking him once more making him sigh.

"…Yes I've had cake." Calmly, he says straight faced to the fearful face of the clearly concerned Missy.

"Oh thank goodness." Relieved, Missy sighs softly letting him go hand on her chest.

"My sister would often steal some from the local baker while mother was working." Aloofly, Ingram answers alarming alerting Missy.

"That…right. Okay. Well think of baking as fun you know?" Strained, she smiles down at him.

"I suppose it is like my mother's chemistry set when I was younger." Humming, he considers calmly leaning back in his seat slowly rocking him.

"That's the spirit just you watch we're going to make the best birthday cake ever!" Excited, Missy fist pumps the air animatedly at the thought of the cake the two would make…

"…Ava…" Longingly, Death stares solemnly sadly at the picture in his hand of the two together, her perched on his lap with her arm bringing him close to peck his cheek as he blushed brightly in said photo what had happened to her? What had he done to her? Was she safe? Was she okay? So many questions ran through the god of death's head with each question another arose as he couldn't help but worry over her. He didn't think a weapon could break then again she was one of the first few outside Excalibur but for her to break like that to fall…Death couldn't help but feel the guilt gnaw away at him for it, blaming himself for it. Why hadn't he noticed earlier? Why hadn't he done anything? Why hadn't she responded to anything he had written to her? Was she angry at him for hurting her? He wouldn't blame her if she did, he was the god of death destruction was always in his path but even then, to see her hurt…

Death broods oblivious to the bird peering in, seeing said solemn state of the surprisingly hurt looking god of death. Ingram couldn't help but furrow his brow at the sight seeing the stack full of stationary to the side. He was still like this Ingram had been spying as per his mother's request and still to his surprise the lord of death had brooded, had locked himself away as he saw the scared scratch marks marring the wall from frustration getting the best of him…no one could get him out of his room, not Eibon, not Excalibur, not even…

"You're still bothering your head with thoughts of her." Callously, the crisp click of heels echoes as the bird tenses up at the sheer sight of the woman sauntering in as Ingram could feel nothing but disgust towards the woman beneath him, a woman who mother had taken in as an apprentice, a woman who both the twins loathed, both for different reasons. He knew someone was off about her, she screamed a backstabber not to mention he loathed spiders even as a youth he detested them. Still she came hoping to poison the lord of death's ear, he knew of Arachne's plan, she had told Morrigan of it, to have a child with lord Death to sue it against him. She certainly had the charm and charisma to woo anyone not to mention the body for it many men had fallen for the witch some women too, Ingram had seen it time and time again and yet…

"Leave me." Lord Death growls glaring at the woman before him. He still couldn't believe it no matter the attempt Arachne never managed to get past his defences, he had no clue what his sister did to sneak past but not even Arachne's slyest spider could get through the walls the lord of death put up.

"All I'm saying is she is a damaged weapon she is of no use to you." Emotionlessly, Arachne continues on unfazed by his warning. Ingram couldn't help but feel his blood boil, bubble, burn at the nerve of the woman disrespecting the child of the mentor that took her in…

"She is more than a weapon." Sternly, Death glares at Arachne as Ingram couldn't help but furrow his brow by his words.

"…You really think that?" Tense, her hues narrow at him.

"I know that. I know her. She's human and you won't speak of her in such a manner." Mad, Death snarls at her raising his claw in warning.

"…She's had you brainwashed long enough." Annoyed, Arachne swiftly slams her fan shut.

"…What are you on about?" Agitated, Death demands from her.

"She lied to you." Arachne slams her shut fan against her palm.

"Ava wouldn't lie to me! She is kind, loving and a saint she would never do such a thing!" Death argues angrily.

"Now, now there's no need to get so high-strung over this." Tentatively, she reaches out to him.

"Watch your next set of words carefully witch." Icily, Death swiftly slaps her hand away.

"Ava has been using you!" Angrily, Arachne snaps sharply at her taking Ingram aback at seeing the regal royal persona she kept shatter just from his sister.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!?" Snarling, Death glares down at her.

"I'm speaking the truth, my spiders know everything remember information gathering is what we're good at. My spiders picked up on Morrigan's plan a while back but I thought better of you to think you would fall for her scheme." Smugly, Arachne explains to him.

"Scheme? Explain yourself Arachne!" Angry, Death roars at her.

"Morrigan had began running out of resources she and her other witches were struggling, suffering so Morrigan had her daughter meet you, befriend you, get close to you, close enough for you to help them as she would in tow when it came to hunting other witches. While you were enamoured with her, you would trust her more, Morrigan more to be exact giving Morrigan more resources for her demon tools and her research. The closer she got to you, the more you trusted her the less time you spent having an eye on Morrigan giving her the perfect amount of time for her research while she supposedly helped your people." Politely, Arachne explains to him spreading her fan out fanning herself in an attempt to compose herself, pick up the shattered pieces of her composure.

"…I…I don't believe you." Death staggers back hurt laced in his tense tone.

"You don't possibly think someone like her could love you do you? Could appreciate you? Could see what I see in you?" Lovingly, Arachne raises her hand about to touch his mask but…

"…" Silently, Death grabs Arachne's hand stopping her.

"She used you Death, all for her mother's sake someone like her, a monster like her and her brother don't know what love is but I can give you it, I can give you the love you wish you require." Resolved, Arachne explains as she feels the claw coiled around her loosen slightly, smirking internally at seeing the composure of Death begins to break falter from her words.

"…You're wrong." Shakily, he whispers lowering her hand.

"You still don't believe me?" Mystified, Arachne says shocked stepping back baffled.

"I won't. I refuse to. Ava isn't that sort of person. She's kind, she's loving, she's so much more than what you think her to be Arachne." Honestly, Death confesses to her as the bird at the window couldn't help but be stunned into a silent stupor from his words.

"Then believe, Eibon has been helping her create a weapon so powerful it could overthrow you!" Angrily, Arachne swiftly slams her fan against her palm once more.

"…Why are you telling me this?" Tiredly, Death demands from her.

"Why? Because I love you Lord Death." Arachne strikes swiftly lunging at him about to kiss him…

"ENOUGH LIES WITCH!" Enraged, Death bats the woman aside angrily as she hisses her back hitting the wall where she falls flat to, hissing from the sharp sting to her bat as she looks up, her hues narrowing noting the bird frightfully fleeing just as Death storms out, wanting answers now more than ever…

"Mother! Mother!" Frantically, Ingram's bird form swiftly switches back as he scarily stumbles into the temple terrified taking Morrigan aback as she turns to her scared son.

"Ingram?" Morrigan furrows her brow as the witches on standby share looks lost.

"Lord Death he's…he discovered Brew! He…he's heading this way where do we go!? What do we do?" Panicked, Ingram demands from his mother.

"WHAT?" The witches behind Morrigan gawk gape at the news as Morrigan bows her head.

"He's mad very, very mad…he knows the truth he knows of Ava's plan of yours now thanks to Arachne." Anxiously, Ingram explains to his mother falling flat to his knees begging, beseeching her for some sort of plan.

"Arachne that traitor!" Angrily, the witches curse swarming around one another furious.

"Lady Morrigan…" Worriedly, the witches turn to their leader hopeful for some sort of answer as said woman bows her head a still silence hanging heavily in the air until…

"…Seems the gig is up." Morrigan sighs softly, raising her head, looking dignified even at the end.

"M-Mother?" Mystifed, Ingram furrows his brow befuddled.

"Have the witches evacuate inform Eibon of this…" Stoically, she turns to the witches nodding their heads as the rush over preparing for the destruction of said base.

"W-What about you?" One of the witches queries concerned a fair few sharing similar looks.

"…If I'm going out I'm going on my own terms…" Resolved, Morrigan crosses her arms over her chest calmly just as Ingram perks up at the soft padding of footsteps turning to the battered, beaten, bruised figure limping, leant against the wall, garbed in shadows simply staring ahead as her glassy gold gaze out at nothingness, not even there as stitches surround her fragile frame making Ingram recoils back, dry heaving briefly by the sheer state of his sister's sunken fragile form.

"Isn't that right…Ava?" Amused, Morrigan turns to smirk smugly at the girl, simply silently nodding her head, no words needing to be shed as Ingram stares at the two…

Hindsight is a powerful thing looking back on things. He knew his mother had done something to Ava ever since her return home however if he had known…

"Ingram." Sternly, the voice calls out making Ingram jolt up from his nap as he finds himself perched upon the top of a branch having slept upon it until turning to look down at the woman in his sister's clothing…or well his mother in the shell of his sister silently slamming the book in her hand shut as she turned to face him, him nodding his head knowing what had to be done, as they leave, tending to the task at hand, heading to a familiar town where the kids line up at a familiar stand…

"So…this is where you've been going off to." Humming, Morrigan remarks as she saunters through the town, earning a fair few eyes on her heavy hues of ruby red dusting their crimson cheeks at the ethereal beauty before them, a goodness almost as her heels click against the tiles below. She looks around as Ingram trials behind her, bags hanging heavily from his form.

"Y-Yes." Shyly, Ingram bows his head, his brow furrowing, he hadn't thought she would want to come on his shopping but yet here she stood, scrutinising everything and everyone from the insects of the new world to the people…

"How…quaint." Morrigan's golden hues narrow eyeing the town, scowling at the children screaming, shouting, screeching going about their day as Morrigan tuts under her breath brow furrowing at the loudness of the children, back in her day they early weren't as loud as the are now…lousy parents no doubt, Morrigan concluded as she leads the way, Ingram feebly following form behind.

"There she is Missy!" Merrily, Ingram beams brightly at the sheer sight of the woman leaving church with a fair few following behind her. Ingram tries to not the small tsk of his mother, clicking her tongue, her gold glaring, narrowing at the woman leaving church, crossing her arms over her chest as Ingram sighs sadly, it really wasn't the best first impression.

"Ingram! Where have you been you goof? Disappearing like that." Missy beams brightly at the sheer sight of Ingram, rushing over, practically tackling him wrapping her arms around him. Happily, he smiles softly, returning the hug only to falter from the playful whack to the head from the mischievous Missy, a glint gleaming in her hues which he happily returns, oblivious to the bags being squashed nor noting his mother's narrowed look.

"Ah…sorry things got busy." Apologetic, Ingram smiles shyly, scratching the back of his neck looking down at her.

"What things?" Missy places her hands on her hips huffing.

"I believe I am what he is referring to as things." Smoothly, Morrigan remarks her hues narrowing at the two.

"N-No I-I mean yes I-I mean…" Alarmed, Ingram attempts to correct himself panicked as he stands between both women.

"Speak clearly Ingram, apologies for my buffoon of a son he can get so frazzled sometimes." Sternly, Morrigan snaps sharply scowling at Ingram flinching from the weak whack of her fan swiftly slapping his wrist making him hiss, holding his wrist.

"…Wait son? So you're…" Stunned, Missy gawks gapes at her.

"I'm his mother yes." Morrigan responds swiftly slapping hr fan shut slamming it shut.

"I thought you…I mean...I…" Ingram continues attempting to explain himself however…

"I see you're as slow as ever. If you don't speak clearly don't speak at all." Annoyed, Morrigan stretches her fan out.

"Apologies…" Ingram bows his head from the swift slap to his wrist.

"It's fine, she's as slow as you son, a match made in heaven." Haughtily, Morrigan chuckles coyly behind her fan.

"M-Mother." Meekly, Ingram furrows his brow at her.

"Slow? Hey I'm no-" Mad, Missy fumes furiously but…

"What she means is she's happy to finally meet you." Swiftly, Ingram intervenes, a strained smile upon his lips.

"…I'm sure. I'll be going on ahead." Aloofly, Morrigan saunters forward firmly slamming her fa down, continuing on ahead leaving the two alone as she approaches the boutique, eyeing the mannequins on display.

"What are you doing?" Mad, Missy snaps sharply turning on her heel once the woman is gone.

"I could ask you the same!" Scowling, Ingram harshly hisses back.

"What do you mean?" Mystified, Missy furrows her brow befuddled.

"No one speaks to mother in that sort of tone I mean do you want to die?" Ingram scoffs shaking his head at the thought amused almost at it.

"Do you want to live your life? I had the idea you were a momma's boy but this is another level of extreme." Exasperated, Missy sighs shaking her head at him, hands on her hips.

"I told you before didn't I? She saved me." Sternly, Ingram reminds Missy.

"She also experimented on you." Missy harshly hisses.

"For my survival." Seriously, Ingram tells her.

"That…Ingram mothers don't hold debts over your head nor do they call their sons morons." Missy reminds him perturbed.

"And what would you know about mothers!?" Mad, Ingram snaps sharply at her taking her aback.

"Ingram…" Hurt, Missy takes a shaky step back ignorant to the sly smirk of a certain golden haired woman watching on from afar as she has her back turned to them.

"You never had one so stop judging mine when you never even had a reference in the first place." Panicked, Ingram argues anxiously, sweat sliding down his tense temple.

"Is that how it is?" Missy steps shakily step back.

"I…" Ingram begins but bows his head, he just got his mother back, the one woman who had never betrayed him, the one woman who had saved him, the one woman who had…she was family, you don't turn your back on family…

"Ingram come." Coldly, the voice calls out as the two turn to the turned back of Morrigan, her gold glaring at Missy flinching from it.

"…Excuse me." Politely, Ingram bows his head to her turning away leaving her alone…

"Had fun with your little friend?" Fanning herself, Morrigan quirks her head to the side softly staring ahead as Ingram shyly strides over approaching her, his head bowed down.

"I…apologies mother." Meekly, Ingram whispers softly sighing.

"I must admit this place has a variety of useful offerings." Morrigan quirks her head to the side, peering over her fan, eyeing the deserts on display, a glint gleaming in her glinting golds.

"Yeah the gelato is pretty good." Ingram nods his head sighing sadly.

"…Gelato?" Morrigan furrows her brow befuddled.

"Yeah it reminds me of the desert dad used to make for us when we were kids remember?" Shyly, Ingram smiles softly oblivious to her hardened firm facial features.

"…You think I'd forget my husband?" Harshly, Morrigan demands from his son.

"N-No I mean I…just try it." Feebly, Ingram gestures to the stand seeing her eye the line.

"…You think I can afford to do so with this body?" Baffled, Morrigan gestures to her state scowling at the thought being in this new form was not easy, she had certainly let herself go, Morrigan had notes much to her dismay she had thought she had taught her better than that…

"Uh….." Ingram begins but…

"Honestly…" Tutting, Morrigan shakes her head at her son, she had let go of him plying for her to stand in a line as if she would do that…

"Apologies mother…" Meekly, Ingram bows his head oblivious to Morrigan's hues look back towards the woman returning to the stand.

"…That girl of yours…" Morrigan begins eyeig the girl giving out said desert for a price.

"That girl? She isn't mine…" Ingram scoffs shaking his head at the thought, a shy smile upon his heated cheeks, brushing a stray stand behind his ear.

"She's a weapon no?" Morrigan wiggles a brow bemused.

"Um yeah…her gift isn't the best though." Tentatively, Ingram points out.

"…It's a shame how lazy humans can be." Huffing, Morrigan mutters.

"…Yeah…" Pained, Ingram bows his head hurt, grimacing wincing when watching Missy stare sadly look longingly at Ingram almost as if she were worried, concern clear on her furrowed features. He turns his back to her, the two leaving, continuing on with their daily errands…

"Are you okay Shinigami?" Spirit questions his meister concern clear on his facial features when noting the crisp crack of his mask seeing his tall towering form falter briefly bowing even as a piece of debris descends down from the cracked mask.

"…" Silently, Shinigami stares down at the ground below, a still silence hanging heavily in the air.

"Shinigami sama?" Spirit once again calls out to him, furrowing his brow by the silent Shinigami.

"It looks like Kid connected his two lines." Lord Death slowly stands up adjusting himself.

"…It looks so. Sir that wave-" Spirit furrows his brow disturbed.

"So she really has returned to the land of the living…to think she has been hiding under my nose for all these years." Lord Death remarks.

"Father!" The two jolt up at the voice turning towards the source seeing Kid rush towards the two as Shinigami stands before his son, a new mask upon him looking down at the boy before him.

"Kid welcome home." Happily, Shinigami greets his son relieved to see him home and safe.

"I'm sorry I made you and mother worry father." Kid bows his head unaware of his father's flinch from the harsh reminder.

"Kid the important thing is that you're okay." Smoothly, he brushes Kid off, optimistically.

"But mother isn't she…" Kid begins brow furrowed fretful, worry clear on his face.

"I know Kid." Curtly, Shinigami sharply coldly cuts Kid off.

"Father are you…?" Taken aback, Kid blinks baffled by his father's firm words.

"You even connected two of the Sanzo lines it looks like you're finally awakening your true Shinigami powers." Proudly, Lord Death says.

"Thank you. But father what about…?" Anxiously, Kid begins but…

"Yes this Noah character what of him?" Smoothly, Death changes the topic cutting Kid off.

"We didn't exactly find out what he was even until the end he was a horrible man whose soul I could not see into since the first time I saw him. However from what Morrigan said Noah seemed to be a vessel, an embodiment of something, Noah was not human an empty vessel seeking something. He wanted everything he wanted to own everything but that was it there was nothing else to it. I wondered if perhaps he had wondered since he was an embodiment of a certain aspect. He could very well have been hoping to fill in the emptiness inside of him. I mean normally if people puts their hand on something they have plans for the future with it but this guy he did not have any. A collecting machine what was you could call him." Kid explains reporting it to his father.

"Nothing but a mass of greed another chapter of Eibon huh." Death hums out loud.

"You know something don't you?" Kid's gold glare at his father narrowing his hues at his father.

"Kid…" Death begins but…

"Don't lie I was in the book, the book showed me you and…" Sternly, Kid begins but…

"Stein when you held it did you not feel anything?" Curious, Lord Death questions Stein standing by Kid's side.

"People know have to know much more than necessary…suppose they knew everything about this world they would lvi without thinking about things right? I felt kind of like I stopped thinking." Truthfully, Stein sighs sadly confesses the truth to the two still shaken over the effects.

"People stop thinking when they are before all knowledge." Death says nodding his head in understanding.

"Is that the madness of knowledge?" Kid ponders out loud.

"There are many aspects of madness there isn't just one madness." Death attempts to explain but…

"And the key is to find that balance…" Kid mutters under his breath thoughtfully.

"Stein if you will." Death turns towards him as Stein approaches the body bad.

"I'm opening it." Stein crouches down swiftly zipping it open.

"Who? Who is this?" Spirit stares stunned at the figure below baffled.

"What is this…Tesza didn't die?" Spirit adds astonished staring down at the body below.

"Nah that time…he surely…wait he's a magic mirror he's good at reflecting and projecting different things and creating illusions we might have been deceived." Stein points out.

"But why? He's a death scythe too isn't he?" Death furrows his brow befuddled.

"Maybe he was infected with the madness like Justin." Stein offers.

"Even death scythe share this weakness? I don't really know Tesza but that's nonsense." Kid quickly denies, dismissing it unaware that far away…

"My blood is black…" Giggling, Crona smirks sadistically, craning their neck to the side hearing the crisp crunch of bone before swiftly slamming their blade down upon the body below, ruby red smeared upon the coal crisp smudge slathered all over the pink haired induvial.

"I promise you mother she knows what she's doing." Earnestly, Ingram smiles softly at the stoic scowling woman by his side. The two-stand perched upon the rooftops of Italy hearing the sharp screams, the sharp shouts, the sharp screeches gurgling bubbles blowing up upon the surface.

"…" Silently, she stares down at the bodies below being take away through the coal currents of the flooded city below.

"Medusa you here?" Ingram asks peering in.

"I see things went well." Medusa smirks slightly as she turns to greet the pair.

"That Noah guy you so despised is out of the race." Cheekily, Ingram winks.

"I see and this must be…may I just say it's an honour to be in your presence my lady. Thank you for coming…" Medusa bows her head.

"…Quite the pleasantries for a witch." Dryly, Morrigan mutters.

"I assure you only for the worthy do I speak so highly." Medusa assures the woman spreading her fan out, batting it into the open air.

"…I hope you're not like that cockroach Arachne for your sake." Smirking, Morrigan takes note of pleased.

"I assure you I am nothing like my sister." Smirking, Medusa promises her.

"Hmph. My son spoke well of you Medusa now let's hope for your sake your research won't let me down." Amused, Morrigan exclaims to Medusa eager to see the results of Medusa's research.

"Tell me something boy…" Briskly, Morrigan's voice sneers poison dripping down as she wears her hooded winter coat of fine feathers similar to her son, standing over her as the two watch on stoneface as the pink haired child below destroys the research facility, seeing the death scythe and meister be consumed in a black ball of madness before being rendered useless as the creature below continues its onslaught, a expedition, a showcase of Medusa's black blood research to Morrigan to see whether she would incorporate such research into her own…

"Hm?" Humming, Ingram perks up at his mother's words ignoring the sharp screams, screeches, shouts for it to end while others simply scream paying for lord death to come save them as the two watch on as some stay to fight while others flee frightened for their lives. He sees a fair few huddled up in corners shaking, quivering, quaking praying for their lives.

"That child is it…?" Morrigan begins brow furrowing swearing she saw some semblance of someone familiar but brushes the thought aside if they were family, he would have told her, he wouldn't have hid something like that besides the child had pink hair her son had brown and Medusa yellow genetically it didn't match up…she was seeing thing, that was all…

"Is it what?" Ingram turns to her puzzled by her firm frown, her gold glaring, scrutinizing the wailing screeching child, engulfing the facility in black, releasing roar after roar of energy at those in the crossfire those trying to gun them down.

"…Never mind. We have far too much to do." Dutifully, Morrigan dismisses shaking her head at the thought, it did not matter, they already had what they needed to take down death the only obstacle left was summoning it…

"…Are you mad at Ava?" Anxiously, Ingram asks brow furrowed, he didn't really know how to feel about his sister, he felt anger sure but a part of him knew he would feel more self-assured. If he heard his mother's opinion just so he knew his anger wasn't misplaced, that he wasn't being rash, that it was the appropriate answer or well right response.

"Well yes I suppose I mean having a child with death…could be seen as a betrayal but I know my daughter just as I know her plan was to produce that child to kill him, a son killing his father, a tale as old as time." Tentatively, Morrigan explains to Ingram faltering from her words what was he thinking being mad at her? Why hadn't he thought of that but if he had…then why did he let the first be sealed away? Perhaps because she knew he wouldn't win and didn't want to blow her cover…it would explain the backup, yes that logic made sense, what was he thinking? Mother always made sense; Mother is always right…mother always knew best.

"I'm glad to see that she also created a backup along the way but with the first one doing just the job the failure is being nothing but a thorn in our side." Sadly, Morrigan sighs softly patting her cheek brow furrowing from it.

"I'm sure if we just talk to him…" Hopeful, Ingram begins brow furrowed, he saw the kid, the kid was a good kid sure his quirks were…odd but he seemed like the good sort, the inquisitive sort, the sort his mother would approve him heck he could see her be proud of his inquisitive mind though he doubted she could be as patient as she could be with his…quirks.

"Talk to him? If he's anything like that pig-headed father of his I doubt he'll listen to reason." Resolved, Morrigan chuckles coyly, shaking her head almost amused at the suggestion laughing through the sharp scream of someone screaming, begging, beseeching for the child proclaiming their blood to be black to stop as they proclaim to have dyed the world black…

"So what then?" Ingram probes brow furrowing when noting the clowns crawled up by their side, lingering around, old robots his mother had made on the fly from a lab nearby, one the humans hadn't picked up on yet…

"Well those beasts are no doubt going to be a thorn in our side so let's see how well these clowns of ours will work." Warmly, Morrigan gently pats one of the clowns to the side smirking, she had sent a fair few above as a peace offering, hopeful for some sense of backup for the fight to come…to provide some sense of protectiveness to appeal to the creature sleeping in their ragged skin…

"You're going to make more clowns." Ingram catches on.

"Of course no doubt you've gotten rusty over the years and we may need all the help we ca get to take down that tyrant…" Smirking, Morrigan waves Ingram off as they descend down upon the clowns climbing down with them on top until making it towards the creature of the hour, Crona crying out to the high heavens just as Medusa reveals herself from the shadows smiling at the two.

"So what did you think of the demonstration?" Dubiously, she smiles softly stretching her arms out warmly welcoming the two.

"So this is the famous Medusa…" Morrigan smirks arching a brow bemused by the raven haired woman.

"It's an honour to meet you, Ingram spoke highly of you." Medusa bows before her.

"…You're Arachne's sister." Sneering, Morrigan remarks, her gold glare narrowing, her nose scrunching up at the sickly stench of the body before her easily making out the host body Medusa was habituating.

"I am. Though I hope my foolish sister doesn't dampen your thought of me." Medusa confesses slowly arising as Ingram approaches Crona, calmly speaking to the child bowing their head, sharing soft words back as Morrigan eyes the conversation between the two, noting the soft look Medusa sends the two making her hues narrow at the sight.

"…Not yet let' hope you have some common sense unlike that harlot." Haughtily, Morrigan shoots out her fan, peering over at it as Medusa offers her hand out to Morrigan who swiftly cuts her off with the fan.

"I promise you I am honoured that you would consider to use my black blood research in your own experimentation…" Medusa smiles strained holding in the bloodlust to end the woman before her, knowing she is out of her depths, feeling the madness protrude from the woman simply staring scorning her every move, deeming whether she is worth her time or not, deeming whether to spare her or not, deeming whether to have her son execute her or be merciful…

"Let us see where things go before we make things official." Smoothly, she brushes by Medusa making her way to Crona.

"Of course…" Curtly, Medusa grumbles glaring at the back of the woman roughly snatching the child crying out not quite sure how to handle it only for Ingram to calm the boy down as Morrigan continues examining the child, considering whether the research of blackblood would be worth her time or not…

"Wha…what happened here?" Horrified, Maka and Soul stare at the chained up people unconscious as they arrive at the lab, having been summoned by lord death, their breath a shaky smoke spewing out of their lips when seeing the sad sight of those strapped up.

"The two who went in were caught in the madness they were left outside." The guard reveals as Kim rushes over to heal them.

"In the snow to die?" Kim furrows her brow worriedly watching her meister heal them.

"In the snow to warn us. Maka Soul you ready? I'm sorry but I'm going to stay here this is already a bit too much." Miserably, Stein bows his head, his head in his hands, a crazed grin crossing his lips as he adjusts his lenses.

"This madness…Soul resonate with me." Maka sighs softly as the two approach the tall, towering door offering her had out to him.

"I'm opening it." The guard announces as Soul takes her hand in his.

"What? This is…" Maka's hues widen when smoke spews out from the opening doors swearing she was hearing jazz already imagining a familiar suited demon dancing about…

"These souls are the death scythe and its meister…" Soul identifies, his hues widening when seeing the black balls hovering above, a cocoon of sorts.

"Crona…why…?" Miserably, Maka whimpers weakly, tears threatening to fall from her.

"The black ball resonates madness let's destroy it." Sternly, Soul reminds her shifting into Soul's scythe form.

"Right…witch hunter!" Maka roars resonating her soul with Souls as the scythe glows glisten before swiftly striking at the ball cursing Crona for being so stupid…

Quietly, Morrigan sits in her seat silently reading the documents in her hands, her hues narrowing noting the results reported in said file of the pink haired boy only to perk up at the soft clink of plates perking her interest.

"Children can be so obedient things can't they?" Smiling, Morrigan gently sets the file aside as she watches the woman before her set the table for the two.

"Indeed for a mother's love they seem to do anything you want if you have the correct variables." Medusa sits down across from her serving said food for her guest and herself.

"Agreed, who would think a mother's love would be something children crave so much…" Morrigan chuckles coyly at the thought as Medusa pours the ruby red substance into her wine glass.

"…Are you sure your experiment will work?" Medusa asks as she watches said substance of scarlet swarm from side to side.

"Questioning me are we?" Amused, Morrigan chuckles coyly at the thought shyly sipping said substance.

"I'm merely fascinated I've never heard of such magic…" Medusa bows her head, focusing on the meal at hand.

"It's old magic but it's fine it isn't the first time I've done it." Tentatively, Morrigan remarks eyeing the coffin standing leant against the wall, the crisp coal coffin with a snow white cross upon it.

"It isn't…?" Medusa raises a brow befuddled.

"We've lived for years centuries body's falter, bodies wither, bodies end…that's how it is." Aloofly, Morrigan dismisses.

"That…no wonder people referred to you as the goddess of boundaries, crossroads, witchcraft, the Moon, necromancy, and ghosts." Medusa points out making Morrigan furrow her brow by one of her many titles. Honestly, Ingram's cult had helped a great deal when it came to making temples for her, labs at that to help her research. Still it had amused her how people assumed her to be both Hecate and Demeter, the title of Demeter was only given to her due to her making a field for herself and those that worked with her so they had resources, when the people wanted more she left them to Ava she's the people person besides she had far more pressing matters of her research to tend to…still for the nerve of that beast to scoop her up like that…

"Ah so you know of that…" Tiredly, Morrigan sighs she didn't mind the tales shared through her son's travels though it had surprised her when some had called her Demeter or Hecate, the fact that they made so many gods out of the three of them shocked her then again humans could be so silly sometimes…

"I know you were decorated to have three heads, convenient how you have two children…" Coyly, Medusa hints as Morrigan sighs softly.

"Convenient indeed." Morrigan leans back brow furrowing from her time during her reign, recalling the time of her precious baby bird being taken from her, the amount of work she had to deal with, with the people above angered her, how dare she had to deal with that beast taking her precious flower, she had research to do she didn't have to deal with people, so she didn't, she let Ingram deal with them, he was the drunk, the people person or well more of one then her. With all those relations he had, he had to have learned something about those things…

"Just as it's convenient how the tale speaks of your mother being forced upon by the god of gods going to such means as to turn into a bird to flee from the man who tried to force himself upon her…you seem awfully fond of birds." Bemused Medusa says smirking.

"Birds are useful, they can get you some interesting information." Calmly, Morgana leans back in her seat scowling at the ruby red substance swirling within.

"Some legends depicted you as a man…" Medusa throws in intrigued.

"Man, woman, other you name it I have most likely been it one learns not to be picky over the years I'm sure you understand, sure some forms I had to transition from weren't easy but when have they ever you know?" Morgana sighs softly, she had a fair few bodies that she dint mind being in but some bodies she had to shift, change, alter even but nevertheless she was grateful for the bodies given to her, transferring her soul from host to the other…

"Hey Maka and Soul still aren't back?" Kim furrows her brow befuddled after healing the blushing men.

"It's been a while since they went in, looks like it's harder than we thought…" Stein mutters brow furrowing as the door opens but…

"The wounds on my chest…fricking hurt…" Heaving, Soul seethes shakily dragging Maka out by her pigtail sweat sliding down his tense temple.

"The second Soul touched the ball he…" Struggling, Maka tries to explain only for Soul to slam her away causing her to hit the door behind her.

"Hey Soul!" Mad, Kim snaps at him but…

"IT HURRRRTTTTTS!" Wailing, Soul screeches to the high heavens as next he knew his wound had opened up in the shape of a slash, becoming one with his body with a sharp spike extending out if his body.

"Kim fall back I'll use Jacqueline." Seriously, Stein order the pink haired witch.

"But professor…!" Kim begins but…

"Ro…roger!" Jacquelin shifts into her demon form, a cow bell of some sort.

"The wound Crona gave Soul it's overflowing with madness…Maka realizes taking note of said wound.

"Soul are you crazy? What's happening to you!? …!?" Irritated, Maka demands from her partner turning to crane his neck to the side spiralling hues crazed with madness turn to her.

"Nothing happened...to the ache…that I was enduring until now…I'm letting it out…" Grinning, Soul beams brightly from ear to ear as the wound seemingly expands as sounds waves emit out of him aiming at both Stein and Jacqueline armed and ready for anything…

"Ah!" Jacquelin curses as Stein tries to use the cowbell chain to hold back the scythe.

"Jacqueline!" Kim cries concerned for her weapon.

"This is my power…the power of a death scythe huh…" Haughtily, Soul smirks smugly.

"Death scythes really are on a whole other level…" Sweating, Kim huffs from within her weapon.

"Sorry are you alright? To think that things would come to this…interesting I'll dissect you." Stein asks Kim quietly nodding as Stein turns to smirk sadistically at Soul, a hint of his own madness slipping in.

"Dammit the hell is this? What's happening?" Scowling, Soul from within his weapon furrows his brow at the state of his weapon room.

"The black blood of the crowns triggered your own and now your blood went wild. You're out of control isn't this fun?" The demon within towers over him, standing over him surprising Soul to see the tiny demon suddenly stand over him.

"Don't fuck with me I'm not like this." Tiredly, Soul snaps at his demon.

"Ah? You don't fuck with me in that case what are you? What kind of guy are you?" Intrigued, the demon asks Soul as outside…

"This is…sound? Are you trying to drag me into…?" Intrigued, Stein ponders a glint gleaming in his hues when seeing said soundwaves emit from him.

"Maybe I am maybe I'm not heh heh…Soul chuckles coyly oblivious to Stein seeing a brief faint flicker of a familiar woman with golden glaring into his soul reaching her hand out to him almost taunting, teasing him making his smirk only widen…

"My anti demon wavelength should help!" Kim rushes in eager to hug the older man startling him but he soon sees the woman before him fade away as Maka joins in not for the same reason as the dubious Kim but nevertheless…

"Hate to say this but I am feeling more calm." Stein tuts clicking his tongue at the fact of the matter.

"The sickle became a keyboard!?" Mystified, Maka gawks gaping at the shifting form of the sickle out of Soul's arm turning into said instrument.

"Maka what is it?" Stein furrows his brow noting Maka's furrowed frown.

"Soul's still fighting sir he will come back I know he will." Determined, Maka states the fact firmly as the three avoid said strikes thrown their way.

"Are you afraid to do things seriously? Are you afraid that people will judge? You are always like that you bear too much in order to control your black blood and madness. You always refrain yourself even in eating you are born in a family of musicians and you cannot become like your brother they said something like that to you right? Am I wrong? Are you running from the Evan's name? scared to shame it? Still looking for some excuse of escapism. Tell me how do you feel now when you do things seriously, this is power to be afraid of madness and to surpass it with courage, are you joking? With that shitty attitude you cannot stop the black blood! Don't supress it seize it! Call upon the demon within yourself! Now tell me what are you?" Impatiently, the demon demands from Soul as the two stand in the piano room, furrowing his brow at the thought of his elder brother.

"Heh you haven't even become bigger…" Bemused, Soul smirks peering into the machine's mouth seeing said demon controlling it from within.

"You are wrong it is your fault this is due to facing madness while being afraid of it!" The demon snaps.

"Oh yeah then you were wrong about another thing there's a difference between throwing the name of Evans and running away." Amused, Soul states the fact firmly.

"So I will ask again what are you?" The demon demands from him.

"I'm Soul eater the demon scythe." Smiling, Soul dictates as outside Soul shifts back to normal, his wound fading back within him as the madness dwindled...

"…You're an enigma. No one knows your past not even my sister knew…some say you were the daughter of a king." Medusa mutters softly poking her plate below brow furrowing.

"Ah you mean the king who forced himself upon a married woman…a married woman whose husband miraculously died just after allowing that king to swoop in and take her as his bride as if she were nothing more than a trophy to be won…fortunately my children know better than their predecessors." Bitterly, she sneers scowling at the tall tale.

"So it's true?" Medusa hums.

"…The truth is hard to come by especially with a tale passed down through time, things change, people change…everything changes. Fortunately for me my children haven't they are still the two I expected them to grow into." Morgana responds pride laced in her tone.

"…You knew they'd bring you back?" Medusa says surprised.

"One of them would. They are my children after all and family always comes first…above all else." Morgana smirks smugly, a sadistic smirk upon her lips.

"…" Silently, Ingram wanders through the town surprisingly a fair few familiar faces call out to him, the two try to talk to Ingram but he brushes him off, simply staring ahead as he continues on until stopping at the seated state of a familiar woman turning to perk up at him, happily hugging him.

"Such a shame…" Softly, Morgana arises from her seat.

Ingram goes silent, frigid from her touch, simply staring down at her confusing Missy looking up at him concern clear on his furrowed features. Softly, she shakes him, trying to talk to him, trying to ask what's wrong worriedly but she falters from the singular tear descending down hitting her cheek.

"What is?" Medusa's gold narrow as Missy gently reaches her hand up to the stoic face of Ingram, softly sliding it cradling his cheek…

"…You lost." Morgana smirks smugly turning her back to leave softly slamming the door just as the girl below Ingram coughs crimson. Her hues dilate shaking, staring stunned down at the crimson currents swiftly staining the ground below. She stares shakily down at the feathered finger of iron impaled into her chest before going limp in Ingram's arms as he holds her bridal style, the tears freely falling from him, heading home…

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So what do you think of Morrigan and Ingram? Or of Missy? Heck of Ava and Death in the flashbacks? What do you think of their relationship back then?