The Scythe Meister and her weapon continued to trek in darkness back to the World That Never Was. The organization coats protected them darkness. Under the coats had bruises and marks from the last battle.

"That went well." Soul said.

"It did go better than expected." Maka hummed, "We took care of Arachne and you became a Death Scythe. That's better than nothing."

"...and they got BREW."

Both couldn't say much about that. It was true that the Witch Order succeeded in taking BREW and only time could tell about what they'd do with it. Their best bet was to prepare for the worst and keep taking down any enemies that fought with or for the Kishin.

"Since we left, we haven't seen Crona." Maka said, bringing a different topic. "You think he's doing alright by himself?"

"Who knows." Soul said. "He's Medusa's kid, so they probably want to treat him nice if they want to keep the Alliance going."

"Speaking of the Alliance, what do you think will happen once Sora's revived?"

"You mean after Roxas and Xion are— "

"They won't!."

Maka gave him an annoyed look while Soul stared at the ceiling while they walked.

"Like DiZ said, this Sora is gonna take care of Kingdom Hearts like they said."

"What makes you think they're telling the truth?" Maka inquired.

"I got nothing. The adults always seem to be hiding something. DiZ knows something we don't and same goes for Xemnas. It pisses me off."

"We'll discuss this later when we're on another mission. With Crona."

"Got it. But the idea of sacrificing our friends for a stranger isn't cool."

"Let's see where everyone else is. I hope we're not too behind on any missions."

The two eventually made it back to The World That Never Was, walking past the servants who cleaned the area and roamed the halls. One Dusk began hitting Soul with a feather duster.

"Hey knock it off."

"He probably thinks your dirty." Maka snickered with a cheerful tone.

"I showered before we left."

After escaping the cleaning Dusks, they made it to the hallway of everyone's room. They found the Samurai Husks protecting Roxas' room who bowed at their presence. One gave Maka a book labeled The Book of Five Rings by Musashi Miyamoto, the other gave her paper origami of a crane and a book labelled Easy Origami.

"You're done with these already? That was fast!" Maka smiled.

"What's all this?" Soul gave a curious look at their offerings.

"Oh! Those were the books I gave them the other day."

"Why?"

"I thought they'd get bored. They also sorta reminded me of Crona with the loyalty aspect."

"Crona and loyal? Not with Ragnarok around… Anyway so why are they giving you the books back, we weren't gone for that long."

"Right, the book by Miyamoto takes a while to finish. Either they're fast readers or can't read at all—"

The Samurai Husk undid it's mask, revealing its memory.

The Dusks patted an unconscious Roxas down checking for more injuries. Xion sat at the end of the bed with Dusks checking for her damage as well.

"Roxas, who was she…"

"..."

Moments later Luxord entered the room. "He gambling against the odds it seems. Oh, hello XIV, any idea what caused this? You two were partnered together, any irregularities? I'll inform our Superior to see if they know a remedy."

"..." Xion shook her head sideways.

"Unfortunate, if only you could speak... In the meantime, I'll have to inform him that Roxas merely fainted by some strange accident. Word goes that even Saix said nothing. Farewell."

The next few days showed Xion walking in after a mission and setting a seashell beside him. Several days later, Xemnas appeared and spoke about Roxas sleeping again.

A few days after that Xion placed a letter under his pillow. A Dusk tried to get rid of it but she smacked it away saying that it was important to Roxas. The Dusk complied.

Maka and Soul passed the Samurai Husks not bothering to finish their conversation. They found Roxas resting on his bed.

A set of colorful seashells from the Samurai Husk's memory laid next to him. Under his pillow stuck out a popsicle stick labelled winner and a letter labelled: From Xion to Roxas, no one else is allowed to read! Do not throw away! Read in private!

Soul grabbed the letter, and began unfolding the layers.

"Soul." she said in a distasteful manner. "That isn't ours to read."

"Don't be such a prude Maka. We might as well find out what Xion has to say to Roxas. Could be a confession or something important."

Dear Roxas,

If you've gotten this letter, it's been quite some time since you've been in a coma. The seashells show the amount of days you've been out of commission.

Saix gave me your missions to pick up the slack. Don't worry though, I've gotten stronger recently too! I've also been improving my magic so if there's ever a strong Heartless you can count on me! I'm not sure who that blonde girl— Namine (I think you called her) is or what she's up to but her magic is really strong. I respect that. I just… don't like how you two interact, something about it makes my insides churn and heavy. Like my insides have weights inside. I'm not even sure Nobodies have insides!

It's lonely eating sea-salt ice cream by myself. We received news that everyone from Castle Oblivion got eliminated. Eliminated as in gone forever. Even Axel's gone they said. I couldn't believe it, he's strong and somehow he just vanished. This isn't right! I thought the three of us promised to go to the beach! Friends aren't supposed to break promises, are they? Did we do something wrong?

Maka and Soul haven't returned either. Same goes with Crona and Ragnarok. I can't seem to find anyone. I gave Crona to Our Superior but haven't seen him since… I miss them. Not because I've been forced to do their missions too, but I like them around. I miss Crona as a sparring partner, Soul's advice, and Maka's almost unlimited supply of knowledge. I hope they come back. I'm lonely without anyone here. Please wake up soon.

Sincerely,

Number XIV,

Xion.

"Axel's gone? Who took him down? Who was able to beat Marluxia? Wait, the message said Xion hasn't seen Crona in a while. Where did he go? What happened to Roxas? Isn't Namine with DiZ's team?" Maka wrote down her thoughts. "We'll have to see if anyone's at the activity room. Let's go."

Soul refolded the papers back and placed it where he found it. His knuckles cracked and his frown deepened. "How long have we been screwing around?" I promised her I'd shoulder the burden too damn it! Some friend I am.

The two made their way to the activity room only to see Xion walk into the Corridor of Darkness. Maka noticed her expression, a mixture of sadness and determination if she ever saw it. A warrior going to battle and expecting death. She left before they could grab her attention.

The two looked around and saw the place empty besides Saix standing in the middle of the idle. Menacingly standing there. Cracking her knuckles, Soul walked alongside her.

"So you two finally returned. I almost thought you two bit the dust somewhere."

"Just give us our missions." Soul said.

"Xion took your missions earlier." Saïx replied. "She's been burdened by your slack."

"Just give us something. We're pissed and need something to beat." He fired back.

"Fine, since you're both so eager for a mission…"From his pocket the Berserker began scribbling, "Go to Neverland, eliminate this Emblem Heartless, it's a nuisance."

Maka took the paper. It had the name Saïx crossed out in black ink with their names written next to it.

Soul summoned the mix purple and black flames. "C'mon Maka, we have a Heartless to hunt."

The meister and the demon-scythe went into the darkness once more.

[Neverland]

The two left the darkness and let the bright skies with the salty sea take their senses.

"This place is bright as hell. What are we lookin' for again?"

"It's called the Ruler of the Skies. From the rumors, there's this pirate named Captain Hook who's been searching for treasure." Maka said.

"What does this Hook guy has to do with our target?" Soul looked around the limited size rock they stood on.

"Remember how strong negative emotions bring out strong heartless? I think his greed will get the best of him."

"There's a pirate ship over there, and a rowboat by that piece. Let's get a birds-eye-view."

Maka held Soul's hand as he transformed into his Scythe form. After a few practice spins she was ready.

"Alright Maka let's get some wings. Just like we practice."

"Okay, make it cutesy like last time."

"Do we have to make it cutesy? It's lame."

"It's fit for an angel."

"I don't see an angel nearby, who's it for?"

"Just do it!"

The ends of the Scythe came a small pair of cutesy wings.

"I still don't think these wings are angel-like." Soul said. "Something out of a bad kids anime."

"C'mon whenever you hear angels you think of the cutesy stuff like this, or at least I do."

"This is so uncool."

A tad unsteady, they had lift-off, barely reaching the heights of the rocky hilltops. They hovered above the mass blue ocean, with small rocky platforms risen well above 20 feet at least, and a pirate ship not too far away.

They reached a piece of flat rock where two men stood.

The older man had a wide and pink nose with a bandana wrapped and covering his grey hairs. He wiped sweat off his brow and readjusted his eyeware after the younger man, a man with an outward chin, wooden leg and iron hook and an outfit so red he'd put Santa Claus to shame.

"Faster Smee! I can practically smell the treasure!"

"Aye ie, Capt'!" Smee responded gleefully.

"Those two look strange. They're pirates? In this day and age?" Maka took notes.

"Always taking notes huh? If we could afford a camera, we can just take pictures and make a scrapbook of all the things we've seen if you want."

"Maybe. These are different worlds, but bringing in different technology and them possibly seeing it is too risky."

"Fine. Maybe take an art class if you wanna save time with all that description."

"Art classes cost too much."

"That's what's holding you back? That's so uncoo—"

*Clunk*

"Capt'n I've struck something!"

"What have ye' found?"

"Jus'a moment Capt'!"

A few moments later that something was a treasure chest. Captain Hook howled with glee and greed.

"They actually found treasure? I'll be damned." Soul said.

"THE MAP WORKED! THE TREASURE IS ALL MINE! MINE!" Captain's Hook's eyes glowed with greed, "NO ONE SHALL HAVE IT, NOT EVEN A SINGLE PIECE!"

A dark aura veiled around the mad money man. The treasure chest began to absorb the darkness and rose from the flat rock.

"Soul look, his negative emotions it's—"

The treasure grew a pair of wings, a string of rubies followed bellow and the top of the chest came a large bird's head, eyes of gold. It's screech created ripples alone.

"Capt' the treasure it's—"

"I can SEE Smee! Blast those scurvy cretins! Go straight to Davy Jones' locker with you I say!"

"Shall we fight, sir?"

"Heavens no! RUNN SMEE! Back to the ship!"

"Capn' it has the treasure!"

"Just get back to the ship I find a plan that'll work!"

The two went to the rowboat and retreated to the ship.

"Well there goes any witnesses. C'mon Maka let's kick some ass!"

Maka and Soul vs Ruler of the Sky

"Maka, aim for the head or that weird gem on its head!"

"Right, since it was attracted to that guy's greed for gold, that gem is probably the heart of that heartless."

The winged scythe flew at a slow pace, and charged at the Ruler.

"Eat this!" Maka swung the scythe in a vertical arc. The Ruler dodged with ease, and flew to a good distance away.

It aims it's treasure chest at the flying meister and began to fire it's gold at a rapid pace. Some gold grazed Maka's shoulder and forearm. Soul gilded behind a large rock for cover.

"It's too fast! The coin gattling is keeping us at a distance." Maka said.

"The bird-brain isn't too fast, we're just too slow! I need to change these wings." Soul said.

"The wings aren't the problem, maybe you're not trying hard enough."

"Maybe I'd be faster if you weren't so damn heavy!"

"I weigh LESS than you! I can carry you!" Maka barked back.

The water below shot up like a geyser. It made direct contact on the two bickering teammates. The two landed on the rocky land. The two recovered in time to dodge a bulletstorm of coins.

"Damn it!" Soul groaned. "We need to get closer."

"How about as your flying we hide behind cover and make our way closer?"

"If we even reach it, it'll just dodge and probably use it's tail on us."

"If only we could use magic to stall it…"

"The wings, I need to change them!"

The Ruler flew above them and used it's mighty tail and slammed Maka onto a nearby rock.

"Maka!"

The Ruler went for a bite. Soul blocked by transforming his arms into scythes. The Ruler caught one of Soul's arms and tossed him in the air like a rag doll.

"Don't you hate feeling so powerless? Just let loose. Maka wouldn't blame you. No one would." A voice spoke.

"Shut up, I can win without black blood!"

"Tsk tsk tsk." The midget red demon waggled his finger condescendingly. "Where have you been during this fight? You've been forced to hide from a little coin fire, unable to become fast as you can go, and even got your Meister hurt. Some Death Scythe you turned out to be. That can change, with a little black blood that's in your body."

The Ruler roared and Soul crashed next side to Maka.

"That's gotta sting." The demon winced. "It'd hurt less if you used the Madness within you."

"All I need to do is—"

"Soul." Maka stood back up, her stance bent over. "We need to fly fast."

"R-right." Soul turn to Scythe form. "I'll try harder to increase the speed."

"Wait, don't use those wings."

"What happened to cutesy wings?"

"Those ugly ass wings from before aren't going to cut it!" Maka growled. "Soul. Give me a real pair of wings. The kind where you can go all out."

"..." Soul grinned.

"..." the demon grumbled.

Soul imagined his ideal wings: black, tall, and kickass. Maka descended closer to the sea as the Ruler flew around Harassing Captain Hook.

"SMEE ROW FASTER!"

The two men were almost at the ship.

Maka and Soul descended closer to the ocean surface. A few yards before impact, a pair of black angel wings grew, stretching far and waves rippled from the new wings that grew from the pole.

"That's more like it!" Maka grinned devilishly. She balanced on him. "Let's ride!"

Soul beelined towards the Ruler, faster than his old form ever went. The Ruler hovered above Smee and Captain Hook, about to summon a geyser until Maka went for its blind spot.

"Hiyah!" Maka slashed at the head.

The Ruler twisted to avoid a further cut and flew away from Maka and the rowboat. It made some distance, and spread its wings.

"Maka it' going to fire it's coins again!"

"Soul, head straight through, weave away once the line gets too close. Hiding through past the rocks takes too much time and energy."

"On it!"

Soul sped towards the Ruler, barely weaving away from the coin barrage. She reached the center before the Sky Bird could hide it's chest. A downward vertical slash while descending. Skull head to ruby tail. It shrieked. Maka went to rebalance on Soul before not falling into the ocean.

"Did that do anything?" Maka looked above.

"Maka hold on tight!"

He accelerated away from their initial spot, avoiding another geyser attack.

"You've used darkness before, back against Crona, against Mosquito, even Arachne. C'mon, another black blood madness wave can secure the win. NO more struggling— just simple victories. Cool guys win without breaking a sweat."

"..t."

"Any plans? Our attacks aren't doing anything!" Maka said.

"Soul Resonance?" Soul said.

"It's not a Kishin, remember? Different species."

"Can we use darkness somehow? You're better at controlling it than I am." Maka said.

The Ruler circled around the two. It's tail released orange orbs of destruction. It circled around them like a halo.

"This isn't looking too good." Soul said. "We need to—"

*Boom*

Underneath the Ruler was a cannonball's explosion.

"Was that just a cannonball?" Maka balanced as Soul maneuvered away from the homing orange orbs.

Even so far they began to hear Captain Hook's ire.

"AIM 30 DEGREES HIGHER SMEE!"

A deafening noise rose from the ship. Another cannonball was shot and made a direct hit on the Ruler. It staggered and crashed into one of the craggy rock pillars.

"Now's our chance!"

Soul speed towards the heart of the Ruler. Maka swung everything she had.

"Take this!"

As she slashed away it shrieked as more gold sunk to the ocean. Just as Maka went for another swing, the Ruler shot it's orange orbs and gatling gold coins at her point blank.

"Maka!"

She was sent into an opposite rock pillar. Her body slowly digging into the center. Everything was getting hit except her hand that held Soul in Scythe form.

"What are you doing? Block using me, I can take it!" Soul demanded to know.

"If you get hurt how else will we get a chance to hit!" Maka said in between getting another array of golden coin shots.

"See a little madness is EXACTLY what you need in this situation my dear host! Let. Me. Help." The red demon was clawing at his own face in a fake manner.

Soul stared at Maka's beaten state and back to his own reflection. His scar began to ache.

"I…" He clenched his heart and felt Maka's wavelength weakening.

"Your meister can't handle much more. Soon all her spunk will be nothing but memories and that body will be nothing but a hole ridden corpse. Notice how she hasn't appeared in your subconscious like the time against Crona that night when Kishin was released? It's because Maka's own conscious can't find it's way here. "

"Damn it, fine! Give me the boost." Soul gritted at his incompetence, "I need to protect Maka!"

The black blood within his body began to pump, the world became blurry with everything almost unrecognizable. Yet, his body felt stronger than ever, even at the state of a Death Scythe. Beyond any peak he's ever felt before.

This is the power of black blood.

Soul's body was no longer his own. His body untransformed besides one hand into the blade of the scythe and began blocking the Ruler's onslaught. He used his body to protect Maka.

"My my these are quite some fearsome attacks even for me. It's a wonder how Maka withstood the blows even with those Organization cloaks." The demon said. "Oh it'd be lovely if she would succumb to some black blood as well."

As the demon was about to make his move, a barrage of cannonballs struck the Ruler repeatedly. In such succession it crashed against various rock pillars and in a moments notice a Large Pink Heart arose and the Ruler was no more.

"That'll show 'em how it's done, YAR-HAR!" Captain Hooked cheered.

The treasure chest sunk to the depths of the ocean, it's silhouette vanishing into the watery abyss.

"The treasure Captn!" Smee cried.

Silence entered the ship.

"Perhaps its bes' if we don't go after that treasure, turn me into a greedy monster and summons other monsters. Not worth it I supp' ose."

The pirate ship brought it's anchor and departed from the lands.

"Hey lads lets' not be so weary, we beat a monster, it's high time to celebrate! CHeers!" Said Captain Hook.

They lost the treasure but the bonds amongst the crewmates remains golden.

…

"E-excuse me?" the demon scratching his noggin, "Never had that happened before. Oh well, the black blood is still in control so might as well take this body for a spi—"

"Knock it off!" Soul throttled the demon, sweat dripping all over his body, "The battle's over, this wasn't part of the deal." he coughed heavily. A moment later he fell to the ground unable to stand, even in his own mind he felt powerless.

"Call it a side-effect for taking a bit of a beating. Since the black bloods still in effect I have control. Besides you have a bit of madness running loose, I oughta let tire it out myself."

"What about Maka? She took more hits than I did!"

"She certainly did." Red Demon said inspecting her unconscious, damaged body. "She's tougher than I'd expected. Not on that Crona's level nor Black Star's."

"What do they have to do with anything? Maka isn't them and they aren't Maka. How do you even know about them?"

"Well, if she had the strength of Crona she'd handle those attacks and send them launching or if she had the creativity of the other one she could have launched herself with you in hand and strike away before having to worry if it could counterattack." the Red Demon walked around Soul's body. "If you must know, I have access to your memories, so nothing's real hidden, even the memories you've buried away."

"What's your point?"

"Not the critical thinker huh." Red Demon sighed and nodded his head, "In other words, Maka's too weak. She was only the catalyst for your growth." Red Demon rose Soul's arm into the blade of the scythe close to her neck, "Now we'll dispose of her properly, send her to Davy Jones as the people here would say."

"KNOCK IT OFF!"

The blade reforms to his arm again, "Oh I kid, you know as much as I that I respect the loyalty and protection you provide for her."

"Ever joke like that again and I'll never use you again."

"An empty threat just hides your fears. Fears that not only is Maka weak, but you as well. If only you were honest with me as I to you."

Soul began to slowly rise with control over his original body became stronger.

"Consider yourself lucky that the side-effect has worn off, another reason to appreciate life." The Red Demon and the black room began to fade away, "Good luck with reviving Sora."

"Wait!"

…

Soul had his own body back and held Maka close. Maka's spoke. He couldn't hear her at first. The crashing of the ocean waves against the pillars and ringing sensation found itself priority even in the situation. A few moments later he could hear her loud and clear. He let go, seeing her ragged, bruised and with a defeated yet determined smile.

"I'm sorry for being weak. Next time we'll win without their help!"

"T-theirs?" Did she not see the Ugly Demon thing?

"Yeah, Captain Hook and his pirate ship. They blasted the Ruler and won. Well, we helped at least."

Soul helped Maka get up. He summoned the Corridor of Darkness and the two made their way back to Headquarters.

Just when I thought being a Death Scythe was enough to help Maka, I'm just as weak as ever. This sucks—with Black Blood I was still barely any friggin' help. If I rely on it, then that little bastard might take control. I can't rely on black blood, maybe Darkness could work… that Ansem guy everyone at the Organization listens, he might know a way. For now, we need Maka to get some first aid. I'll get some potions later for myself.

Soul grit his teeth. I need to get stronger.

Author's Note: It's been a long two and a half years, hasn't it? I'm still continuing with this story, while doing side projects, watching anime and the sorts. I've never been the most consistent writer, although it's better than going off the grid I suppose. I might post other stories to fight off writer's block. Thanks for sticking around, this story isn't over. Feel free to review or ask questions.