Cool Night; Talking for days

Soul's POV

The cold breeze was a nice feeling, cooling my burning flesh. Maka and Tsubaki had gone to the library to read up about the Templars while Liz and Patty were chilling out at Kid's dorm room doing... whatever those two do. I was leaning on the balcony with my elbows crossed, Kid was leaning against the balcony wall and was looking up at the night sky. Black Star was leaning against the wall of the building with his third Jack Daniels. We don't talk all that much, we do when something needs to be talked about or when we just want to break the silence... like now.

''So what were you talking to about with Tsubaki earlier?'' I asked drawing both of my friends attention from their thoughts

''I asked her out'' Black Star grinned

''And...?'' Kid asks

''Ofcourse she couldn't resist Black Star!'' The ninja shouted loud and proud

''One day you are going to crush someone with your ego...'' Kid sighs

''Details man!'' I grin a toothy grin

''When we get back after the mission at the Amazon tomorrow we decided to go to that little ice cream shop not far from our apartment'' He said seriously

''Are you buying her ice cream?'' Kid asks

Black Star pauses.

''You gotta buy both your ice creams dude! its like, totally uncool if you don't'' I say

''Right Right, buy both our ice creams'' He mutters

''And don't be a jackass and challenge others to fights over nothing'' I remind him

''Right''

''And don't buy a massive ice cream sundae like you normally do, buy something smaller'' Kid said

''Jeez! Is this is what being in a relationship is like?'' Black Star groans loudly

''Pretty much'' I said

''Then how come you don't have to do all that crap with Maka?'' He asks

''Because I don't have an ego that has little to no common sense'' I say and jokingly hit him in the shoulder ''Afterwards don't go bragging or spreading the word to everyone in DC, if they ask then tell them otherwise just let them find out on their own''

''Got it'' He said ''Can we move to a different topic now?''

''Yeah, I actually wanted to discuss with you two about the whole Templar situation'' Kid smiled

''What about it?'' I ask

''Well we all saw the fight between Kema and Justin Law and about how she exposed him being part of the Templar's, Half-an-hour ago Sid told me that the leader of the Templar's who owns the title of 'Grand Master' resides in Amazon. Despite what my father has told you and your partners it has now changed: we will be going to a set destination without other students and teachers in an attempt to find where the base is located, after we do we call my father so he can call in our forces and take the Grand Master down''

''So we're just going to go in there and take 'em down just like that?'' Black Star asked

''Apparently... but'' Kid sighed ''If something were to happen to us before we returned to DC then we could be killed or tortured''

''Nothing would happen to us, not when I'm around!'' Black Star shouted but despite that I could see Kid's worry on his face.

Crona's POV

I sit curled up on my bed with Eruka behind me, brushing my hair gently with a hairbrush she found under my bed. We had been silent for the past four minutes before she spoke up.

''I just realised we didn't bring our bags''

This draws my attention ''So do we need to like... go shopping?''

''I was thinking more of going back to the hotel and grabbing our bags'' She said

''But if we leave DC then Medusa-sama might get us''

''But if we don't leave then we will have to stay in these clothes forever'' She retorts

''Maybe we can get Maka to get them?'' I ask hopefully

''Maka? The Meister we passed?'' She asks and I nod ''If you say so...''

''Something wrong?'' I ask, taking note of her concern

''It just feels weird being here since... you know... I did revive the Kinshin''

''I helped and they all welcomed me here'' I reply in an attempt to comfort her

''I know its just a burden... knowing that I caused them all a lot of pain and hurt''

''No-one will hold it against you'' I say and turn to face her

''You sure?''

''Absolutely''

Eruka smiles at me and wraps her arms around my neck ''I love you Crona''

''I love you too Eruka''

Maka's POV – The next day

''Soul! We're going to be late if you don't hurry up!'' I cried from downstairs

''I'm coming I'm coming'' he groaned from the top of the stairs before stumbling down next to me.

''Its not like you to be so tired'' I say before smiling ''Never mind, it is normal''

''I'm still tired from yesterday'' He smiled at me before my cheeks heat up

''Did I really tire you out that bad?'' I smile before I give him a peck on the cheek

''Yeah''

A knock at the door stops our conversation, I walk over to it and open it to find Kid in the doorway with Liz and Patty behind ''You two coming?''

''Why wouldn't we?'' I smile at him before Soul squeezes past us to get to our motorbike, Kid nods and hands me an envelope with the my name on it. I open the envelope and pull out the piece of paper inside and begin reading it.

Hey Maka, please hand this letter to Kid after you have read it.

I forgot to mention to Kid after the fight between me and Justin that the potion I originally drank in front of him and Sid was just a potion that changed my hair coloured and created skulls around me. This was just a little prank on Kid because... I was bored. Anyway pass this onto Kid when you find him, K?

see-ya, Kema

I sigh and hold the letter out to Kid, he looks confused but takes the letter. A minute passes before he cringes ''Son of a bitch''

''Who knew my aunt could be so... odd'' I smile at him before heading over to Soul.

''The plan is simple'' Kid said drawing our attention ''We go to the Amazon, find the location of their base and immediately report back to my father. When we report to him the location of their base will be reported to everyone and then we will strike them''

We all nod and hop on our respective vehicles, since me or Tsubaki don't know how to drive a motorcycle Soul and Black Star have to drive for us. I don't mind it but it feels weird since I am the Meister but I don't want to crash us into a tree, atleast Soul would drive us into a building or something. Liz and Patty need to change into weapon form so that Kid can drive.

''Not your greatest speech'' Soul grins at Kid

''At least it wasn't interrupted by Black Star this time'' Kid smiles at the ninja and we all laugh before taking off down the streets.

Many hours later – in the Amazon

We cautiously tread through the jungle, on the train we had created a strategy to prevent our capture as Kid had said. Black Star was at the front of the group to use his abilities to find any traps that were ahead, Kid was at the back to prevent anyone sneaking up on us while I was in the middle to use my soul perception to see if I could find anything. So far it has amounted to nothing when I feel something... it was faint but was definitely a Kinshin soul.

''I got something'' I say aloud drawing everyone's attention ''Its not far from here, its faint but I can definitely feel something''

''Yes, I sense it too'' Kid nodded

We all continue onwards when I suddenly feel a huge weight on my head and groan loudly, it felt like I had been hit on the head a million times and then some. I turn to my friends and see Kid is experiencing a similar problem, everyone else just looks concerned.

''So many...'' Kid groans then I realise what he means: so many souls. There were actually so many souls that it was hurting our heads, this had never happened before even when we assaulted Baba Yaga's castle. Despite the weight of it I try to move onwards and succeed along with Kid.

''It should be just down this hill-'' I start when we all hear a rustle in the bushes and spin around to the sound, everything is still and quiet as we wait for an onslaught of Templars to come rushing out at us with swords swinging but are surprised to see two Death-Scythes walk out.

Joe and Marie. The pair have a weird sense to them and I stay alert, Marie changes into her hammer form and Joe wields her with a warning glare on his face.

''Stay away! Marie screams

''Marie? Joe? What are you two doing here?'' I ask quickly, worried that this may escalate.

''We are two of the top members of the Order, what are you doing here?'' Marie replies

''We are here to... join the order?'' I ask, hoping the will fall for that and-

''No you aren't, I can see through you'' Joe said sternly before raising Marie into a fighting position.

''Joe, Marie, Stop this now'' Kid warned as he aimed at them ''You don't want this''

''We know what we want!'' Marie cries

''Come at me! I'll take you all down!'' Black Star shouts

''Black Star-'' I begin

''If you wish so'' Joe said and leaped at the ninja before bringing Marie down onto Black Star who dodges by a hair's length.

''Tsubaki! Fey Blade mode!''

''Right!''

Tsubaki glows before changing into the long black blade, Joe brings Marie down again onto Black Star. This time he blocks it and sends sparks flying around the pair, I can see Black Star having difficulty with it. Suddenly I hear several gunshots and turn to see Kid firing off a few rounds drawing Joe's attention, he releases himself from the intense battle of will with Black Star but follows up by kicking him in the stomach sending him flying. Joe turns to us and charges at me first, I raise Soul and block his attack when I feel the pressure that Marie is using. It feels like she is going to crush Soul with brute force so I leap back but immediately regret it as I land on a log or something causing me to fall onto my back and drop Soul. I try to get up but then I see Joe and Marie above me in a second, this is bad. Very bad. If that thing hits me then I am dead to the world, dead dead dead dead! Maybe it will miss me? No that's unlikely since she is above me. Everything goes in slow motion as I see them slowly near me when I see a blur of something before everything speeds up again with Kema in front of me, her scythe-arm blocking Marie. I gasp silently as she spins on a fingertip and kicks Joe in the stomach, sending him sprawling back to the bush he originally emerged from when I notice he isn't wielding Marie.

''Bitch!'' Marie screams and I look up to see her above Kema with her Hammer arm extended

Kema calmly extends her palm and catches Marie's hammer-arm before her hand sends sparks.

''Soul force'' With that Marie went flying back to Joe who caught her and she transformed into her weapon form. The pair charge Kema again who catches Marie again and smirks.

''Break away''

Marie gasps before she shattered, suddenly in her human form she lands on the ground with a thud.

''Marie! Transform!'' Joe asks as he punches Kema only for it to be blocked

''I-I cant!'' She says

''Break Away prevents a Weapon from changing into a weapon or changing a limb into their weapon'' Kema smiles before kicking Joe's Knee's from beneath him and planting a hand on his chest ''Soul Force!''

Joe goes flying back and crashes into Marie, the pair struggle to get up as they untangle their limbs when Kema speaks up ''You two aren't strong enough to beat me''

''Oh really?'' Joe said and pushed a button on his watch and immediately Templars sprung up from all around us with both rifles and bows aimed at her before several lasers pointed at her forehead, indicating several snipers.

Her face was calm despite the situation before the familiar metallic sound echoed through the air ''Weaklings'' She said as all the Templars around us suddenly spilt in half, leaving their souls floating there ''Now for you two''

Both run and I try to get up when I feel an arm around my neck causing me to gasp out the last of my breath, I turn my head slightly and catch a glimpse of Marie's hair. I struggle against her but am unable to do anything and see Joe's arm wrap around Soul, I look to my friends and see Kid aiming at them but unsure what to do along with Black Star. They cant really try and hit Joe or Marie without risking our lives.

''Release them now!'' Kid shouts

''Back off!'' Marie screams

''Last warning'' Kema said and I feel Marie tense up despite her... well... CHOKING ME.

''I said-'' Marie starts before she freezes completely, seconds later I feel a wetness on my back before Marie releases me. I instantly get up turn around to see her having a spasm with her mouth wide open and tears streaming down her face, I turn to Soul and see he is watching Joe do a similar thing.

''Silent Agony'' Kema said drawing all attention to her, she pulled out a small mirror before breathing on it ''Lord Death, send in the rest of 'em''

I can here Shinigami-sama's voice but cant hear the words before Kema extended her hand and the Mirror disappeared, She turned directly to me.

She gave me a soft smile ''Unless you want Marie's blood I suggest go cleaning it off''

''What about them?'' I say pointing at Marie and Joe who were wriggling around on the floor.

''When Sid gets here with everyone else I'll ask him to take them back to DC so when we return I can remove the brainwashing'' Kema explains

''They're brainwashed?'' Kid asked

''Yeah, same as Justin Law''

''There is some kind of pattern there'' Kid said

''Maybe they're capturing Death-Scythes?'' I say and smile at Soul who gives me a kiss

''It seems that way, they captured Azusa aswell but she has resisted the brainwashing so far'' Kema said and stared coldly at Marie and Joe ''Joe was the easiest to brainwash, Marie resisted a little but succumbed easily like Justin Law''

''How do you know all this?'' Kid squinted his eyes

''Mind's eye'' Kema replied

''You've said that the whole time you have been at Shibusen. I want to know what that means''

''Its a minds eye, like soul perception but way more advanced'' Kema said in a somewhat angry tone

''Uh, guys? Shouldn't we keep it down encase they hear us? They're base is only over the hill'' I say

''No point, Joe and Marie were sent to intercept us meaning they knew you lot were coming'' Kema said ''Must be a spy or something at Shibusen...''

''Seriously?!'' Black Star shouted before being hushed by Tsubaki

''Seriously'' Kema replied ''Anyway you lot should get rested up and prepare for the attack, I will keep watch''

Half-an-hour Later

A rustle in the bushes draws me from my daydreaming and Soul also instinctively transforms and lands in my palm, I swing him around me before preparing to swing at the bush when a blue hand emerges from the top.

''Sid!'' I cry and he stands up to his full height along with a lot of other students and teachers.

''Anything happen before we got here-'' Sid starts before he spots Marie and Joe and immediately turns to Kema with an angry look, or as much as one can when they are a zombie.

''Kema!''

''They have also been corrupted by the Templars, I did to them what I did to Justin Law except I didn't use the potion'' Kema replies

''Why not?''

''Because I don't have any left, you would be surprised how many I use'' She said

''Why would you need to use such a potion?'' Mira asked

''Uh...''

''On her test subjects'' Stein's voice said as he walked towards us

''Test subjects?!'' Sid shouted furiously

''Uh... Yeah...'' Kema said quietly

''Wha... Why... Shinigami why?'' Sid said and got to his knees

''Don't worry, they're mostly harmless. With the exception of the one who shot my finger off''

''We will be having a conversation about this later Kema, but for now we need to deal with the problem at hand'' Sid said before turning to the two Death-Scythes ''What about them?''

''I want you and Nygus to watch over them'' Kema said and Sid looked at her

''You do not give the orders Kema''

She grew her scythe-arm and placed the tip at his neck ''Its not a order, its a task. Unless you want these two to be recaptured and become Templars again?''

''Very Well''

She turned her arm back to normal ''You give the order for the attack and we will go''

''Two minutes'' Nygus said

''Maka, Soul, Black Star, Tsubaki, Kid, Patty and Liz'' Kema said and drew our attention and walked over to us ''You seven are with me, we will go for the Grand Master directly. Along with Stein and Spirit''

''Where's mom?'' I ask looking around

''She is still recovering, she is put with the job of keeping Shinigami-sama safe''

That was heart-breaking. My own mother wont be able to see me and Soul run havoc, but I cant let my personal desires overcome our mission.

''Oh'' I say, more sad than I wanted to sound.

''Prepare yourselves! Thirty seconds before we charge!'' Sid shouted and I see all weapons transforming and all Meisters preparing. Not only Meisters were here but also regular people with guns who I guess came since there weren't enough Meisters and Weapons.

''Stein!'' Kema shouts causing the white-haired scientist to walk towards us with Spirit in weapon form, Kema coughs before speaking ''The plan is simple: when everyone else charges we climb up the side of the temple to the top floor where we take down the Grand Master. Don't get distracted''

''Right!'' Everyone said before a Whistle was heard

''Go Go Go!'' Sid shouted and everyone ran over the peak of the hill, both teachers and students. Kema looks at us and nods before jumping into the air and landing on a broom, flying in the direction of the Temple. Stein runs after her followed by Black Star, I charge after the rest of them along with Kid. When we fought Marie and Joe we were in a sort of clearing, a bump in the clearing blocked view of the Temple but when I stood on top of the bump I didn't expect it to be a muddy slide down to a huge hole in the ground with a massive mossy stone temple. Because of this lack of knowledge I had to slide down the mud getting my shoes all muddy, I look ahead to see everyone else is having the same dilemma but like them I slide onwards to the temple. When I finally reach the bottom I see that a battle has already ensued with a mass of red Templars fighting our forces with swords drawn. I spot Kid flying over them all and Black Star jumping on heads like they were stepping stones and with no other option I copy his movements with surprising agility.

When I had finally jumped across the many heads I reach a brick wall, literally. I was against the side of the Temple and there weren't any stairs, I look to my right and spot Black Star climbing the side using Tsubaki's Chain-Scythe mode and I get the idea. I stab Soul into the side of the building and with ease pull myself up and continue to mimic the action until I reach the top floor where Kid, Black Star, Kema and Stein where all fighting Templars with Purple eyes and Crosses. The second I find my feet and am prepared to swing at one of them all fall suddenly and turn to Kema who had a hand on the ground, a spell probably. She gets up and walks into the dark doorway and we all follow like children walking into a dark room, when I enter I notice that it is a long hallway with torches along the side and pillars carved into the walls. At the end of the hall there was a large white-stone door with several Templars in front of it with Halberds and Giants Shields.

''Stay back!'' One of them shouts in a terrified tone

''Out of my way!'' Kema growls and suddenly all eight Templars split in-half leaving there souls which automatically move towards Kema who just extends her hand and allows a jar to appear, like before the souls fly into the jar before it disappears. Kema approaches the white door before punching it causing it to crack and shatter in a second before she walks in. We all follow behind her and stare down the marble room to burn our eyes into the man who sat at the marble throne, He wore an orange robe and had a short white beard, he had candles and a bamboo cane at his side. As you would expect he looked very old, my thoughts were cut short by Kema who leaped across the room at the Grand Master.

''GRAND MASTER!''