Spoilers: after the Anime and sort of from Manga chapter 62/3. You have been warnied.
Warning(s): Possible swearing, mild/medium gore level potential, fluff.
Pairing(s): SoMa, possibly some TsuStar and/or KidxLizxPatty
Brief: With the Kishin defeated, what new threats will rise up to face the heroes from Shibusen? Will Kid's words of warning when the Kishin was killed come true sooner than they thought? And can the Madness be eliminated completely before it consumes the world?
Disclaimer: Atsushi Okubo owns Soul Eater, not me.
Chapter Sixteen: The Truth of a Battle; Why Do You Fight, Black Star?
Ancient Arena
Black Star gritted his teeth as another hard hit struck him in the gut, throwing him aside with little difficulty. The Dark Witch's physical moves were surprisingly strong, and seemed to deal more damage to him than he had anticipated, rendering the use of the ninja sword more trying than usual, even with its speed. He backed off, attempting to make use of Tsubaki's Kusarigama form, but the Witch countered with a blast of magic in the form of a purple fireball. It was getting frustrating to keep on top of this situation.
"Oh, my, is this all you have?" Blaze pouted. "So disappointing from the so-called God."
"Don't underestimate me!" Black Star growled. "Tsubaki! Enchanted Sword mode!"
"Right," Tsubaki nodded, her weapon form glowing and shifting from a pair of Kusarigama to a long katana of black metal. Black Star tightened his grip on the sword, black tattoos spiralling up his arm and onto his face. "Be careful, Black Star."
"Now we will show you our power!" Black Star barked to Blaze, black lightning coursing from his resonance with Tsubaki. "Shadow Star!"
Black Star rushed Blaze, a flurry of shadowy tendrils darting out to bind her or strike her, but she was not easy to hit; she conjured a staff of purple flames, striking each shadow and throwing it aside, then raising it into a block for Black Star's attack. The sword struck the flaming barrier and paused for a short time before powering through. Blaze grinned and jumped back as the sword slashed towards her. Landing a short way away, she smiled wider as she saw a cut in her midriff, courtesy of the sword in her opponent's grip.
"Well, that was more impressive," she said enthusiastically. "You'd better have better moves than that though, if you want to defeat me!"
Black Star went to rush her again, but a fiery burst struck him in the leg, tripping him, causing him to roll to right himself. With his rhythm thrown off, he could not finish his attack, instead having to dodge a follow-up attack to prevent himself being burnt alive.
"Ugh, how dull!" Blaze grumbled, ceasing her attack and placing a hand on her hip. "You really are a dull person, Black Star."
"Try this for dull!" Black Star growled, charging again while his opponent's guard was down. Blaze sighed.
"How boring," she huffed with an unimpressed look on her face as she shot another fireball at Black Star, hitting him in the chest. The attack travelled through him and out to the wall, the figure turning black as the flames shot by. Blaze's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"
"Shadow Star!" Black Star shouted from above, black tendrils of darkness leaping up to hold Blaze's limbs. He gripped the sword tightly. "Checkmate Slash!"
The shadows pulled up towards Black Star, hauling the Dark Witch up towards him as he plummeted, the Enchanted Sword swinging in close as they passed. A spray of red slicked the cutting edge and onto the sand below as the sword sliced into Blaze. She let out a slight gurgle, then grinned.
"Release… level two…" she said weakly, before an intense purple light consumed her form, taking on a blazing fireball in the air. Black Star landed and looked upwards.
"What the hell is this?" he wondered, but the answer came as the fire burst, igniting patches of the ground as the witch emerged.
Blaze had a different look to her; the cloak seemed to have been burnt away in her release, and all that remained was her underclothes and boots, but there was now a pair of black gauntlets on her forearms, and her boots had thickened, now looking like steel rather than leather. Her hair had also changed, becoming a long pixie haircut rather than the original style she had. The wound was no longer visible on her torso either.
Blaze's eyes lit up like fire as she descended, her second stage unveiled with a wide grin.
"This is the true form of my power," she said with a menacing tone. "I won't go down easy like this, foolish boy."
"Don't count on it!" Black Star shouted, rushing forwards.
Blaze simply laughed once, then clicked her fingers, conjuring a huge blast of purple fire which swallowed Black Star's form, forcing him back, singed and slightly hurt. He could not believe the change which had come from such a simple change, yet he was seeing the effects before him clearly.
"Black Star!" Tsubaki yelped in shock of the powerful magic attack. "We need to think about this."
"We don't have time to think!" Black Star shouted brashly as he charged again. "inja sword mode!"
The katana shortened to a guardless dagger in the Dark Arm Meister's grip as he ran in. Another fireball hurtled by as he sidestepped and evaded the burning magic. He managed to get close for a moment, unleashing a point-blank Soul Menace in the Witch's gut, causing her to back off and spit blood into the air. She grinned, swatting at him with flames trailing, but the Meister ducked and went for a second shot of his wavelength, but did not see the woman's knee, wreathed in a hot wavelength, as it struck him in the head and threw him to the sandy ground below. Blaze wiped her mouth on her hand and smirked.
"You certainly are an unusual Meister, Black Star," she commended. "But you're far too dull." She raised her hand, a very large fireball forming in her palm, aimed at Black Star as he struggled to get up. "Goodbye, Black Star."
The ball erupted in a plume of fire, roaring forwards and threatening to engulf Black Star. Still dazed from the surprisingly hard hit, he could do little but watch. He faintly heard a voice, but could not make it out; was this his time? Was it time that the god he proclaimed himself to be passed? As the purple fire neared, a yellow light shone as a tall, slender Weapon took her human form, standing to block him from the intense fires, and bringing him to his senses.
"Tsubaki!"
He cried out as the flames licked at his fingertips and the bright purple swallowed them both.
Black Star looked around at the surreal world, blood as deep as his knee present all around as he looked around at the sunless and moonless sky. Above was only orange-pink, like the faintest glimmer of twilight before the sun parted, while below was the purest crimson he had witnessed. It took a while, but he finally registered that this place was similar to where 'He' had been.
Ripples formed in the blood-stained liquid around him, steady and regular, like someone walking in a puddle. He turned to the source and spotted a humanoid shape advancing on him. The figure took on a very large, very muscular form, a pair of bright yellow eyes looking down at Black Star, red antlers embracing the wide plains of the sky. The figure was white with black tattoo-like markings up his form, but even before processing this, Black Star could tell who it was.
"The Will of Nakatsukasa," he noted aloud. The figure stopped twelve feet away and looked at the blunette young man.
"So, Demonic Black Star," the Will spoke in its usual, deep voice. "Have you come to this place to say your farewells?"
"Farewells?" Black Star repeated. "You cannot abandon me; I still have to possess your strength."
"Then tell me how you shall proceed," the Will replied flatly. "What is it you are fighting for, Black Star?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Black Star boasted. "I am the man who will surpass God. I-"
"Foolish boy," the Will interrupted, making Black Star stop in surprise. "You are not so naïve that you will delude yourself with such dreams." Black Star's eyes narrowed and he looked down. "Surpassing God is a dream for only the naïve, the foolish, and the unjust. And if that is the case, then which of these are you?" Silence, then a snort as the Will turned. "I will give you one last chance to be true, then I will have no more time for you." The Will began to walk back away from Black Star, its thunderous footsteps dulled by the liquid land underfoot. Black Star gritted his teeth, then stood straight and roared his answer to the retreating figure.
"I have to protect her!" His sharp bark echoed in the world, and the Will stopped in its tracks. Black Star's eyes met the ground. "She is the one who is always there for me, who is always at my side when the going is too rough for me, who puts up with me no matter what. I have to protect her! I have to protect Tsubaki!"
He looked up as something softly knelt down. Before him lay the Will, smaller now, about the size of a regular human, knelt down on one knee. It looked up to Black Star.
"That is something a warrior fights for," the Will said in acceptance. "A true warrior understands the true thing to fight for is that which is before him. I shall trust you with my full strength, Black Star; show me your resolve. Show me your will to protect Tsubaki."
A hand extended to the young man. The ninja smiled resolutely, taking the hand, allowing the shadows of the Will to bind onto his body, forming tattoos up his arms, head, torso and legs.
Blaze smiled as the flames dissipated from her hand, convinced of her victory, despite her disappointment of the lacking battle. Smoke filled the area, masking the sight of the body, but she was positive that the boy could not have survived that attack. She turned to walk away, thinking she might catch another as they went to the Black Knight himself; it seemed no other battles were going on, and the trace of the Meisters and Weapons burnt brightly as ever.
She froze, feeling a presence spark behind her. She turned again and saw him; Black Star was stood there with very few injuries visible. Yes, he was burned and somewhat harmed, but his eyes told her he was not ready to go down yet. Blaze smirked.
"Still standing? I'm surprised!" she commended. "Let's see you survive this!"
She went to throw another fireball, but was amazed to see Black Star was no longer there. He appeared behind her, kicking her in the back and throwing her to the ground. His weapon was nowhere to be seen.
"Shadow Star, fourth form," Black Star murmured, cracking his knuckles. "Branched Darkness. You're going down, Dark Witch Blaze."
"In your dreams!" Blaze grinned, getting enthusiastic over this. She threw a fireball, but a shadow extended to Black Star's hand, forming a Kunai of black metal with a white cloth binding on the handle and white designs up the flat edges. His form became blurred as the purple flames shot through him, then the after-image dispersed. "What?"
"Shadow Star, third form," Black Star's voice could be heard all around as three Black Stars appeared around Blaze in the air. "Severed Shadow!" The after-images vanished for a moment, then appeared as one to strike. Blaze loosed a burst of fire all around her, but still took a deep slice to the back. Black Star smouldered a little as he backed away.
"Tricks like that won't work on me!" Blaze roared, launching a barrage of fiery blasts at Black Star. One shot directly at him. "Now I- huh?"
A disk of black shot out and cut Blaze across the left side, slicing the blast in half in the process. Black Star straightened from his throwing position and grabbed the disk as it passed by, revealing a metal ring with four larger versions of the Kunai blade from before along the outside, looking much like a shuriken.
"Shadow Star, second form," Black Star said, spinning the shuriken on his hand. "Leaf of the Moonlit Night."
Impossible, Blaze grimaced in thought. He's switching forms so quickly. Why has he changed like this? How can he be beating me?!
"You insolent brat!" Blaze screamed, her left arm wreathed with a bright purple aura as she lunged at him. "You'll die!"
"Shadow Star, first form," Black Star responded calmly, lunging to meet blaze as Tsubaki took the form of a large sickle-bladed knife with a long black chain extended from the back. "Chain of Blackness."
The two charged at one another, but Black Star could see clearly while Blaze's mind was still clouded with rage. He moved, fluidly dodging her clumsy attack, then tugged on the chain as they passed. The chain bound to her ankle and Blaze was thrown across the room and into the wall. She spat blood down herself, the impact winding her and causing significant damage to her body.
"You're already injured," Black Star said levelly. "Stay down, and I won't have to hurt you more."
"Tch… you brat!" Blaze roared, launching herself at him again. "Don't be so full of yourself!"
There came a sickening slicing sound as, without remorse, Black Star targeted and eliminated the main threat; the left arm of the witch fell to the ground, drained of its power and completely detached. Blaze screamed, a mix of pain and fury flooding her. She gave Black Star a rage-filled, twisted glare.
"Bastard!" she screamed, cauterising the wound before throwing her right hand skyward. "Ignite!"
A great flurry of purple fire erupted from her arm and hand, twisting and solidifying into the form of a purple katana, fire dissipated from it, but the sheer heat of the blade was easy to see. Black Star smiled a little.
"You just don't give up, do you?" he noted.
"Not until my last," Blaze growled back weakly, pointing her sword. "Now, this ends, Black Star!" She leapt forwards, and Black Star mirrored her, holding in his right hand a regular katana which looked like the Enchanted Sword with a regular steel blade. Around his neck wound two shadowy scarves.
"Shadow Star, zeroth form," Black Star announced as they neared. "Masamune!"
The two katana blades struck forcefully, shaking the room and shattering ruins all around. A white flash lit the room and blinded everyone for a moment. When the lit cleared and the dust settled, the two fighters stood on opposite sides of the room. There was a moment or three of silence, then a sharp yelp from Black Star as he slumped down to one knee, sword tip in the ground to support him; a bloody cut tore through his chest and right shoulder where the katana of his opponent had gotten through. He looked over his shoulder to Blaze.
The Dark Witch laughed once.
"Well fought, Black Star," she said as her broken blade crumbled away and her released form evaporated slowly. "You were… more fun, than I had thought…" She fell to her knees, then dispersed in a mass of black ribbons, her soul burning away forever.
Black Star grinned as Tsubaki became human before him. She was singed and a little worse for wear, but she was still caring for him.
"Black Star!" she cried, holding him as he lay down. "Are you alright?"
"Tsubaki," he smiled in return. "I'm fine…" He looked to her and smiled wider. "Thank you, Tsubaki."
"F-for what?" Tsubaki asked, confused. Black Star pulled her down and held her close with one arm in a hug. Tsubaki blushed deeply, but smiled and held him tight.
"For giving me something to fight for," he replied, allowing himself to rest a little.
Throne Room, Black Fortress
Maka felt the tremendous force of the Witch's soul disperse, and Black Star's equally incredible soul force easing too. The Meister had felt the shift in Black Star's resonance with Tsubaki quite suddenly, and though not worried for him because of it, she had found it unusual to so abruptly change like this.
"Black Star must have stopped the Witch," Maka noted, running down the corridor, nearing an intersection of the route.
"Knew he'd do it," Soul smiled from within his scythe-form. "Who else is fighting?"
"No one," Maka frowned. "But Kid's soul wavelength doesn't seem as strong as usual, and I can sense a great distortion ahead."
"It must be that Knight," Soul frowned. "Let's move quick, Maka."
"Right," Maka agreed as they passed the intersection. Up ahead, they saw a figure moving down the passage towards the throne room ahead, another body on its back. "Is that Crona?"
"Looks like it," Soul agreed, his eye rolling towards the figure. "Kai must be carrying him."
Kai turned as Maka and Soul caught up to him, offering a small smile.
"Good to see you're in one piece," he said friendlily. "How'd the fight go?"
"One clown cut in two," Soul grinned, appearing in the blade of the scythe.
"Nice work," Kai smiled.
"What happened to Crona?" Maka asked, concern in her voice.
"Medusa," Kai frowned. "She distracted us and set this Purple Clown thing on Crona, tried to brainwash him again."
"Oh no," Maka swallowed. "Is… is he-"
"He's fine," Kai replied. "I stunned the Clown and separated it from him; Medusa's still not fixed the whole direct soul contact weakness, luckily."
"Thank goodness," Maka breathed, a small smile on her face. "We should hurry and help Kid then; he'll-"
Maka stopped as they entered the throne room, eyes wide and mouth agape. In the room, the Black Knight stood there, sword and shield drawn, in the middle of the room, and Kid, Liz and Patty all lay on the floor, unconscious, slumped against the wall. The Knight turned to the newcomers.
"Ah, just in time," the Madness Transponder spoke, his wavelength extending intimidatingly to surround them. "I was just finished with your friends. So, who's next?"
Sorry for the hold up, been snowed under with coursework, so updates have been slow.
Hopefully people enjoyed this chapter; wasn't sure how to get Black Star to gain access to the full power of the Enchanted Sword at first, but got a brain wave and went on it. Hope that it worked.
Anyway, I won't guarantee when the next chapter will be out, but we are only two or three chapters at most from the end of this story. I might continue into a series, but we'll see.
Until then, bye for now!