Merrily, Joe makes his way through the dark depths of the school basement through the dingy dark depths of the underground where he hums happily adjusting the strap of his bag as he goes about his day oblivious to a pair of piercing gold glued to his back by the figure clouded in shadows, where Death the Kid stands leant against a pillar.
"What business does someone like you have here?" Coolly, Kid demands from Joe brow furrowed as he reveals himself, the flickering flame of the candlelight's dimmer glow shining down upon the boy acting as a small shy spotlight for the boy.
"Heh I guess news travels fast here. Hey you look familiar…" Joe's brow furrows at Kid eyeing him making him scowl standing strong, his hands turn into a pair of fidgeting fists.
"Death the kid I'm Death's son." Smoothly, he tells the stranger.
"Oh so you're Ava's kid you have her eyes you know?" Amused, Joe points out earning a small tsk from Kid clicking his tongue.
"So I've been told now you tell me why are you here? What is my father scheming? Surely you know." Coldly, Kid demands from him.
"Construction work." Joe answers back turned to Kid unaware of his faltering features from said lie.
"Eh?" Kid blurts out taken aback by the answer.
"DWMA's drainage system has grown old so I was called in." Joe continues on regardless.
"An obvious lie if you're going to lie, come up with a better one than that, he wouldn't call you all the way from the Oceania branch for that!" Scowling, Kid points out.
"Oh I also need to install a new boiler in the hot water supply room ahead! That's the job of an engineer yes!" Nervously, Joe smiles, sweat sliding down his tense temple.
"There aren't any hot water supply rooms up ahead. DWMA has been focusing on retrieving magic tools these past few months and then a technological development advisor is suddenly brought on board. It's only natural to think there's some correlation." Coldly, Kid shoves his hands into his pockets as he explains his logical reasoning.
"It'd sure be nice if there were magic tool pipes that ever corroded guess my poker face isn't as good as I thought it was." Joe sighs solemnly, sadly.
"Wait! I'm not through talking to you!" Kid snaps scowling stepping forward furious but it falls to deaf ears as the merry man continues on his way.
"Here's some free advice for you let it go. Oh yes how's uncle Bob doing?" Joe stops himself as he asks Kid said question.
"Uncle Bob?" Befuddled, Kid quirks his head to the side.
"The old man with the coffee shop outside of town uncle Bob's rumba coffee! Dancingly deliciously! Let's dance together!" Animatedly, Joe beams brightly doing a dance before the befuddled disgusted Kid.
"I don't know this person." Politely, Kid tries to be brow furrowed.
"Oh you don't? That's too bad." Disappointed, Joe sighs continuing on his way.
"Hey!" Sharply, Kid calls out watching the fleeting figure of Joe vanish into the dark depths of the shadowy hallway leaving Kid alone as lost as ever.
"So how's Stein's condition?" Curious, Azusa asks as she, Marie and Ava reside once more in the girl's bathroom, Ava washing her hands. Marie looks at herself in the mirror while Azusa dries her hands.
"If I compared it to then he's settled down but when will the next fit of madness come?" Worried, Marie sighs turning to Ava.
"You can't really tell when it comes to it I'm afraid Marie it can happened whenever." Honestly, Ava confesses she hated it but she had to be honest, her episodes could happen on the fly everyone was different…
"What happened to you?" Marie asks her.
"I rather not talk about it. But normally with my fits, from what I can recount from Naigus, Death had arrived on scene and held me as I had it." Ava recalls.
"So…should I hold Stein next he his fit?" Unsure, Marie questions, a faint ruby red tint to her cheeks.
"Um…I don't think so." Awkwardly, Ava furrows her brow, sharing a look with Azusa adjusting her lenses.
"It'd be too weird right?" Maire grimaces wincing.
"Most likely he'd snap your neck." Azusa deadpans.
"What!?" Marie recoils back horrified.
"Fits of madness can make people very hectic." Fairly, Ava argues.
"Why is it okay for lord death to hold you then?" Mad, Marie crosses her arms over her chest.
"Well one he's my husband and he's really the only one who can hold me down." Calmly, Ava answers.
"Oh?" Marie wiggles a brow bemused.
"Not. Like. That." Disgusted, Ava scowls at the blonde.
"What she means is considering the strength difference between us three, lord Death is the only one to keep her in check." Logically, Azusa clarifies.
"Correct Azusa. Whoa." Ava turns only then to falter.
"What is it?" Marie queries.
"Got a wick sense of deva ju." Pained, Ava winces cradling her head.
"You mean when you'd teach us? Have you ever thought about teaching again?" Curious, Marie asks.
"Not really. I prefer just watching, only intervening if necessary." Ava answers.
"So like a god?" Mischievously, Marie wiggles a brow bemused.
"Not like a god. Urgh…very funny." Ava rolls her eyes exasperated.
"Still Stein's deception may have been the work of a spy as well it seems like the internal investigation will be starting in the afternoon too hopefully it goes well for Shibusen." Azusa states.
"Huh international investigation?" Marie perks up at it.
"Azusa d-" Sharply, Ava snaps at her but…
"Your ex boyfriend Buttataki has come as well." Unfazed, Azusa tells Marie making Ava groan at he look of horror upon Marie's facial features.
"Azusa you weren't meant to say…!" Scowling, she hisses at the woman.
"You knew?" Mad, Marie scowls at Ava.
"Yeah I knew you'd freak out but…" Sighing, Ava attempts to explain herself when…
"I don't have time for this. Geez you should have warned me sooner!" Seriously, Maire takes out her makeup bag.
"Here we go." Ava sighs.
"What are you doing? Weren't you the one to break up with him?" Confused, Azusa reminds her.
"Hey what's wrong with a woman who's been dumped being pretty? Is it so regrettable? Do you want me to be resentful? Got a problem with that?" Huffing, Marie places blush on her cheeks.
"Woman will never cease to amaze me…" Ava sighs shaking her head at the blonde.
"What about Stein?" Azusa reminds her.
"He's no good like he is no anyway. Do you think I should show a little more of my breasts…?" Marie adjusts her shirt trying to explore more of her chest making Ava grimace.
"Whatever you think?" Unsure, Azusa looks over to see the defeated deflated Ava.
"And this is why I said not to tell her." Urgh… Annoyed, Ava groans placing her head into her hand, shaking her head at the moronic weapons by her side.
"Death Scythe in charge of East Asia/Oceania Yumi Azusa currently granted the responsibility of Kishin investigations." Stoically, Azusa introduces herself to Joe in the cell below the school, stone-faced before Joe with Spirit leant against the wall watching the interview carry out…
"Please sit." Politely, Joe tells her.
"Yes." Azusa nods her head sitting down on the seat alongside Joe.
"He's not here today but Justin Law is also in charge of that task right? Did I miss anything?" Azusa asks.
"Not much." Joe confirms.
"After the brew struggle I returned to that investigation." Azusa says.
"How long has Justin Law had that task?" Joe asks Azusa.
"I was right after the Kishin revival but Justin he heard the news that he would be participating in the Kishin investigation task on 5/22 it was the day after the operation to recover the power of the wild express train in the Sahara Africa, the magic tool immortal battle mechanism." Azusa reports to Joe.
"From your point of view have you seen anything suspicious about Franken Stein?" Joe asks Azusa.
"He's always been particularly frivolous moreover even though Marie Mjolnir is with him…to fall into a fit of madness so easily." Azusa tells Joe.
"Wha…what?" Joe does a double take, smoke spewing out of his nostrils leaning in as Spirit sweat drops at the clear interest Joe has taken into the case.
"Wow he's as smooth as you Spirit." Amused, Ava remarks as she enters the room.
"Oh shush." Spirit huffs at her.
"L-Lady Death!" Joe stands about to bow but she raises her hand.
"There's no need Joe. Just continue on don't mind me." Meekly, Ava smiles softly at him as he nods his head turning back to Azusa.
"Uh…it's nothing then to the final question…okay? Has Marie said anything about me?" Hopeful, Joe asks as both Spirit, Ava and Azusa falters from his words.
"Oh for…" Spirit sighs.
"Ask her yourself." Annoyed, Azusa snaps.
"Sorry about that Azusa." Ava apologises to her.
"It's fine." Azusa stands up from her seat as Ava guides her out.
"Next person." Joe calls out as Ava turns to the next person.
"Marie oh for the love of…don't laugh!" Ava falters form the sight of Marie slamming her hand to her face turning to scowl at the snickering Spirit who she elbows in the side slightly scolding him.
"She used too much of her fighting spirit!" Spirit snickers by Ava's side.
"Something wrong?" Marie asks as she sits down wearing a fancy dress, exposing certain aspects of herself.
"No…no…are you always doing classwork looking like that?" Blushing, Joe questions trying to keep his eye on work but of course it wanders…
"Why didn't Azusa stop her?" Baffled, Ava mutters under her breath.
"Must be troubling for the students with so many boys being around that age…so let's start your name?" Joe remarks as he then begins the interview.
"Death scythe formerly in charge of Oceania Marie Mjolnir I am currently a teacher at the academy partner Franken Stein I am sounded by children ad am very happy." Happily, Marie reveals only then to furrow her brow confused by Spirit's gestures.
"No good, no good that's bad on the contrary it makes you look lonely." Spirit animatedly gestures hissing unaware of Ava's twitching hue.
"This is an interrogation moron, don't give her tips!" Tiredly, Ava snaps scowling swiftly swiping him at the back of the head.
"Please explain the circumstance under which Franken Stein became incapacitated because of madness during the brew struggle." Civilly, Joe tells Marie.
"In that battle our duty was to enter the magnetic field and obtain brew so that we wouldn't get a late start behind arachnophobia I changed into a weapon and Stein was going to use my abilities." Marie begins her tale.
"Did you and Stein do a soul resonance?" Joe asks.
"Yes it was at that moment Stein collapsed." Marie adds only then to falter from his wandering eye going downwards.
"Wait a minute Joe where are you looking?" Marie gawks covering her chest with her arms.
"That can't be helped with the way you're dressed." Slyly, Spirit remarks unaware of the angry Ava.
"Reaper…chop!" Swiftly, she slams him down, crimson comes gushing out of his head knocking him out.
"Can you feel it Marie? There is something in the area around your chest." Joe asks gesturing to her chest.
"What did you say? Is she okay?" Alarmed, Spirit gasps jolting up despite his bloodied demeanour.
"Right in the centre of her chest." Joe gestures to her chest.
"Right Marie can you burn it to death with internal generation." Ava asks her as Sprit rushes behind Marie's side his hands on her bare shoulders.
"I'll try…Guh!" Marie focuses before a sickly sense of green washes over her facial features.
"Marie!" Worried, Spirit calls out when seeing her disgust as she then spits some black goop out.
"That's good Marie spit it out!" Spirit cheers her on.
"Are you…cheering her on?" Astonished, Ava furrows her brow.
"It came out." Spirit smiles unfazed as Joe kneels down towards the burnt substance.
"You did well Marie good job Papa is happy." Spirit pats her back earning lost looks from both Ava and Marie.
"When did you become her papa?!" Angrily, Ava snaps at her.
"This is your child." Spirit smiles unfazed gesturing to the scorched black substance.
"Spirit seriously this is weird." Ava grimaces as Marie seethes, her fist raised enraged.
"Yeah stop it with that joke I'm getting angry." Maire warns Spirit.
"He said your child is burnt ashes." Spirit tells Marie unfazed.
"So this is why Stein went mad during his resonance." Ava joins Joe's side as he uses teasers placing the substance in a little pocket bag of sorts.
"It seems like it." Joe nods his head the two looking over at the packet perplexed.
"But why is there something like that in my body? I haven't put anything in my mouth other than the food here." Mystifed, Marie questions confused.
"You don't think it could be the same thing that I was hit with do you?" Ava asks Joe who frowns, his brow furrowed focused.
"Maybe but you reacted differently you had a fit of madness." Spirit notes.
"Because that's my wavelength Marie's however is the opposite and since she hangs around Stein a lot…" Ava elaborates.
"You may be onto something. Looks like there was a mole in Shibusen after all." Joe exclaims making the adults all bow their head at the sad truth of reality.
"Why can't I use the phantom sword mode anymore!?" Angrily, Blackstar bellows screeching, snarling at Naigus as he resides in the nurses office.
"By forcibly controlling the phantom sword your soul is becoming worn out under normal circumstances you should have died by now." Naigus gestures to the Xray showing his withered soul.
"I wont die I'm going to overcome god I'm not normal." Blackstar asserts annoyed.
"Don't just say stupid things you'll die. You are human." Honestly, Naigus states making him flinch.
"Shut up woman you're blabbering." Blackstar snaps at her.
"I have spoken with Tsubaki she promised not to transform into the phantom sword." Seriously, Naigus tells him.
"I am going to use the sword to stop using it would be death." Blackstar exclaims swiftly slamming the door shut behind him storming out.
"That guy does he feel like walking the path of a demon?" Naigus ponders sighing returning to her desk.
"What happened with the effect from the magnetic field?" Kid asks as he leans against the wall waiting for Blackstar alongside Liz and Patty.
"Nothing really." Blackstar dismisses.
"It seems like nothing really happened to Maka and the others I was sure you'd be fine." Relieved, Kid smiles at his friend.
"And you?" Blackstar raises a brow.
"I have the body of a god it wasn't necessary to check me out." Aloofly, Kid states the fact.
"Body of a god…do you though?" Blackstar mutters under his breath scowling.
"What was that?" Kid questions confused.
"Hey Kid we saw your ma back there right at the field." Blackstar begins brow furrowed as Kid furrows his brow.
"…Yes." Kid nods his head, uncomfortable.
"Is she a god?" Blackstar asks Kid who goes quirt, his golds glancing to the side solemnly.
"I…I don't know, the closest I could conclude would be a man made one, a demigod perhaps." Perturbed, Kid considers staring down at his hand not quite sure what to make of it all of this revelation.
"So you still have a human side." Blackstar points out.
"Well yes I may not have all that you humans do but I did inherit some aspects of humanity from my mother why do you…h-?" Kid gives him that only then to falter from the disappearance of said boy.
"Watch kid. HYA!" Blackstar calls out as Kid turns gawking at the boy leaping out of the window slamming his fist down upon a familiar ruby red spike, cracks spread out across the cone, breaking it in half as it comes crashing down to the ground.
"AHHHHh! AGAIN!? WHY YOU! HOW DARE YOU DESTROY SHIBUSEN SYMMETRY! YOU FOOL I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" Angrily, Kid screeches, snarling seething at Blackstar lunging over peering over the window to glare down at Kid standing before the academy as Blackstar stands silently…
"Come down here Kid." Blackstar looks up daringly at the god.
"What?" Kid furrows his brow befuddled.
"It's a duel." Blackstar states making Kid's eyes expand from his words not quite sure what to say at the challenge as he comes down, ready to confront Blackstar…
Pained, Joe grimaces as he roams through the records of Shibusen looking over at any leaks or hints of who the traitor could be however as he searches, he couldn't help but take notice of the dark dingy atmosphere around death city, taking note of the change within the city, alarming him. He tries to focus on the task at hand trying to deal with his soul's sensitivity that is until he flinches from the sudden brightness of the room, the lights flashing on.
"Marie?" Surprised, Joe turns to the blonde smiling softly at him.
"For all your hard work. Here's some coffee want to drink it?" Marie offers said mug to him.
"Uh…" Unsure, Joe stares at the cup of jo alarmed.
"Don't worry I bought brand name beans with me, the ones here taste bad I'll guarantee the taste. There may be poison in it though." Smiling, Marie assures him cheekily winking when adding the last part earning a small chuckle from her ex.
"Hahah if its poison put in by you." Softly, Joe smiles down at the cup he happily accepts.
"Just like always no matter when it is you're wearing shorts and sandals. Do you remember I was lightly dressed like I am now and it got chilly outside? I was being mean and said you don't have a jacket like the custom says you're supposed to give to a woman." Fondly, Marie smiles down at his attire as he smiles sheepishly.
"No that was overdoing it…now doing that kind of thing." Joe smiles shyly at the memory scratching the back of his neck, feeling the blistering blush upon his cheeks at the memory of him ripping his shirt off for her leaving his torso bare for the world.
"You'd go all out." Marie giggles.
"Sorry for giving that kind of impression but the only thing I can do is this awful kind of job where I have to suspect my comrades. Even now my soul perception ability is growing I was said to be the first meister to hit a witch's soul protect but…" Apologetic, Joe sighs as he attempts to explain himself but trails off pained looking guilty.
"That…" Marie reaches out to her ex clearly concerned for him.
"I was scared at that time when this ability got stronger seeing everything about you whom I loved so much that's why I kept my distance. But now I'm regretting that…I'm not afraid anymore. I know its inconvenient, but would you go to dinner with me tonight after work? I've already…made a reservation at a restaurant." Hopeful, Joe asks her bravely.
"The French Deatharaunt on 3rd street." Marie recognises.
"Right there you know me well." Joe smiles at her.
"That's good, Ava said the souffle was great over there then 'til tonight." Meekly, Marie bows her head as Joe flinches from the name.
"Speaking of Ava…" Worriedly, Joe begins brow furrowed.
"Hm?" Marie hums.
"I know Ava may act as if she's in control but I can see it. She's fighting with herself each and every day it may be best to distance yourself from her. The same with Stein. Be careful Stein is acting odd right now when I was investigating, I felt…as the closest one you're at the most risk so watch over Stein carefully." Concerned, Joe warns Marie making her eyes widen when hearing his words.
"Okay I promise." Marie assures him as Joe grimaces at the memory guiding Maire out of the room never having forgotten that look, that woman…those eyes…the eyes of a kishin clear as day behind her haunting, taunting behind her claiming her almost.
"So Blackstar taking on Kid are we?" Smirking, Sid approaches the front seeing Blackstar stare straight at Kid simply staring in disapproval at him.
"Against my son? Do you have a death wish?" Arrogantly, Ava ponders perplexed.
"The ref's here now we can get started." Blackstar dismisses the others his focus solely on Kid.
"Hold on the both of you what's the point in this stupid duel anyway? This is ridiculous! What Tsubaki?" Mad, Maka begins but falters from Tsubaki's arm acting as a barrier between the fight and Maka.
"I'm sorry but…this is something Blackstar feels he has to do so please don't interfere." Sighing, Tsubaki reveals.
"You brought this on yourself Blackstar you knew damn well how I'd react if the academy symmetry was destroyed. Reaper combat art mortal sin stance. I will know you down in one second then you'll have to go in for repairs." Scowling, Kid gets into his stance ready for anything.
"Hyahahaha!" Blackstar bursts out into laughter, his hands shoved into his pockets as Kid lunges at him, dodging his strike.
"How long are you going to keep your hands in your pockets? Do you think you can win against me without your hands?" Kid questions him unfazed as Blackstar bats him back with his foot.
"Thought as much…" Stein sighs as smirking Blackstar attempts to use soul force charging at Kid after pushing him back, reeling his hand back to perform said technique on the opening he gave himself from stunning Kid with his speed but…
"Huh? What…?" Blackstar blurts out staring stunned at his hand.
"Blackstar the first time I met you we fought in the front of the main gates compared to that time your martial arts and power have gone up remakrbly you got more style however I have to say you have become weak." Frankly, Kid explains to Blackstar unfazed by his hit.
"Huh? Why didn't he shoot out his soul?" Liz questions lost.
"Inferiority complex…it's preventing him from releasing his soul wavelength." Sid sighs.
"Seriously?" Stunned, Liz exclaims.
"The soul can be a fickle thing." Tiredly, Ava answers.
"I've known Blackstar since he was a baby he has talent. His soul is also strong he puts in effort he's completely beaten down upper class men, numerous people. His life is one of continuing to win. This recent string of defeats is probably the reason, those with weak souls would run away but that idiot will only go forward." Firmly, Sid explains to the others.
"Sid…those eyes, that wavelength…" Ava's eyes narrow noting the shimmering star in Blackstar's hues seeing briefly before their eyes a certain rogue killer.
"Lady Ava if Blackstar goes too far can I rely on your aid…?" Sid asks her.
"Of course." Ava agrees.
"You're quiet do you want to tell me what's on your mind?" Patiently, Kid offers.
"What's on my mind? Only that I'm surrounded by morons." Blackstar snaps trying to attack Kid who easily avoids his hits.
"Why does he have to keep pushing himself so hard?" Lost, Liz asks Ava tugging at her sleeve.
"Because he's scared of being left behind." Ava answers.
"Is he following his father's path?" Sid ponders out loud.
"Blackstar let's forget about the broken cone just walk away." Annoyed, Kid tries to be reasonable making Ava's eyes widen when hearing his words.
"I can't walk away now and I'll kill you if you even think of giving up either!" Enraged, Blackstar snarls rushing towards kid once more who looks over at the group, his gold gazing into a similar shade of their own, asking a question which Ava simple nods at, an air of understanding flowing between both mother and son.
"It's over." Ava whispers watching on unimpressed, disappointed even as her son swiftly strikes Blackstar down, appearing from behind elbowing him in the back but Blackstar slams his foot down on the ground refusing defeat despite bowing to said God as a crater cracks beneath him. The god keeps him at bay before collapsing despite his best efforts of fighting back from slamming his fist into the ground to his foot but in the end…
"What happened Blackstar? You could have surpassed a god…" Disappointed, Kid sighs at his friend's crouched down to his friend's brow clearly concerned for his unconscious friend only then to feel a hand on his shoulder. His gold glance up meeting a similar shade to his own. He sighs sliding his hand over hers and squeezing it appreciating her comfort. He stands and leaves Blackstar to be treated…