Well it has been quite a while hasn't it? I want to say sorry, time got away from me as reality bit me in the ass, but I shall not make excuses. Since I have been gone I have had some nice people favorite and follow my story (Thx so much) so I would like to thank them:
Thank you Majin00Hunter, The-Last-Fire-Twin, Dr. Zelda soulcat, Edme 'De Strange, EeveV, IamMyselfIamMe, EternalNight88, 966DoraMay, Eeveemew2, Netiri Vi Britannia, xxAngelofMaddnessXX, The dark side of the loonatics, killavals, xXxWoes-Of-DeathxXx , Ghosterr and Person P for favorite my story.
Thank you Ryuka Michaelis, Dr. Zelda soulcat, Shadowknight77, Edme 'De Strange, EeveV, IamMyselfIamMe, EternalNight88, Netiri Vi Britannia, xxAngelofMaddnessXX, The dark side of the loonatics, xXxWoes-Of-DeathxXx, Ghosterr, Person P and Dalisay3120 for following my story.
Also a thanks to those of you who reviewed my fifth chapter, it makes me ecstatic to know that people like what I am writing, and of course for those who give me critique, it helps me to catch the things that I missed the first, second, third (Ect. . .) time and make my writing as great as possible for you all to read and enjoy. Thanks so much!
If anyone has any question of any kind; about the story, me, ect. Please feel free to ask either in the comments with your review, and I will answer them in the next chapter, or PM me and I will reply.
Now that that is done how about we get on with the story – Caitlin
I do not own Soul Eater or anything relating to the franchise.
[Friend?]
Death City, Nevada – Outer Desert (same day)
The sun had only risen an hour ago and it was already sweltering hot. The sand beneath her feet burns and is taking layers of skin off as she walks. Her stomach is bleeding, from where her stitches had ripped from moving too much, staining her nightgown and running down her legs and onto the sand as it crunches beneath her feet, but the girl doesn't notice a single thing. All she can do is walk forward and keep walking until she arrives at wherever it is she needs to be.
As the girl walks on her vision blurs from blood loss and dehydration, she is sweating from the heat and the sun was not being forgiving, laughing down on her as she staggers trying desperately to keep her legs moving. She only takes a few more steps before her legs give way and she falls forward onto the ground, her head turned to her right, she could see the laughing sun and could only watch as her vision goes black.
About fifteen minutes pass when someone walks up to the unmoving girl in the sand. The person walks to the right side to get a look at her face, successfully blocking the sun's harsh glare and throwing a shadow over the girl.
As the unknown person walks closer Maka opens her eyes slightly to see a black figure coming towards her, she feels no fear for what they want. The person reaches out a hand and grabs Maka's right shoulder to push her onto her back, after that was done Maka can see the unidentified person more clearly as they block more harsh light from the sweltering sun.
A man, no more than twenty-five, kneels over her taking in her wounds and condition. He is wearing a long black trench coat over a long sleeve tan shirt with blue jeans and black work boots, he has long deep auburn hair that is braided down to the middle of his back, his eyes are a deeper shade of green than her own, like evergreen trees, his skin, of what she can see of it, is very pale as if he never goes outside.
The man's evergreen eyes look into the empty jade eyes of the girl, and gives a small smile.
"It's ok, I won't hurt you." He said as he takes his coat off and wraps it around the girl, he then lifts the girl into his arms and starts walking off in the direction she was headed.
Death City, Nevada – DWMA (same day)
Once the sun had hit its peak in the sky, and the time was about two o'clock in the afternoon, the gang had stopped their search in the city in order to re-group at Shibusen in favor of pooling the knowledge that they all had.
Everyone has gathered in the Death Room, also joined by Spirit, Sid, Nygus and Death himself.
"So what do we know as of now?" Stein asks the room full of meisters and weapons.
The grim faces were obvious as the Professor asks his question.
"As of last night we know for sure that Maka had gotten up from bed and left the apartment by herself." Kid says recalling the previous night's events.
"No one saw Maka on the street anywhere coming or going." Tsubaki adds.
"We searched the alleys and backstreets of the city, even roughed up some punks and dealers, but no one saw her and we didn't find her wandering around anywhere." Liz says crossing her arms and shifting her weight.
Everyone was silent for a moment taking in the information that was now being given.
"Do we even know if she's still in the city?" Soul asks a bit aggravated at the situation.
'She survives the damn witch attack only to disappear before we can heal her. Dammit everything is getting all fucked up' Soul thinks to himself as he shoves his hands into his pockets.
Everyone looks to Lord Death once Soul's question was brought to attention.
Lord Death's soul encompasses the city, so he can feel all souls that reside within its reach.
Lord Death cocks his head to the side as he concentrates for a moment.
"Well~ I cannot feel her soul, so she is not in the city anymore~" Lord Death chirps.
Everyone's faces fall at his answer.
"How long ago did she leave do you know?" Stein asks lighting a cigarette to take off the edge a bit.
"Hmm~ Not long after daybreak~" Death says.
All of the teen's shoulders fall at the new news, they had wasted all that time looking for her in the city when she was probably long gone by the time they had started the search.
"What are we going to do?! My baby is out there probably dying of dehydration while we stand here!" Spirit exclaims becoming a bit distraught.
"Calm down Spirit, she would die of blood loss before she died of dehydration." Stein comments.
Spirit stills for a moment before breaking out into hysterical sobs, falling to the floor in a fetal position.
Stein was by no means amused at teasing the red haired scythe, he was simply stating an all too true fact, bringing to attention the severity of the situation and how they need to proceed with the utmost hast before the fact becomes reality.
This did indeed remind everyone that time is very much precious and that they need to swiftly get a move on before Maka runs out of time.
As they all are thinking Kid remembers something about the mission that had him questioning the validity of it.
"Honorable Father, it was brought to our attention the morning of the mission that we were all to accompany Maka, Soul and Crona, but the details and overall difficulty of the mission showed that there was only need for one pair of meister and weapon to complete it." Kid states.
The teens think on the statement before they too find it suspicious as well.
"Yeah, even just sending a big star like me would have been overkill" BlackStar declares.
"Ah~ Well yes, that is true but we did get a tip about that particular mission that warranted more manpower, just to be safe~" Death replies.
"What kind of tip?" Kid asks.
"A strange letter came in the middle of the night saying the trouble in Semon was far more dangerous than was previously thought, that a very powerful witch had taken up residence in the abandoned town~" Death says back.
"Do we know who sent it?" Stein asks before Kid gets a chance.
"No but I did find it odd considering what happened during the mission. Once Spirit gave me the report on the mission's events I sent him looking into the sender of the letter." Death says getting serious with the conversation.
"Was anything found?" Stein asks.
"No, I could not find any signature, address, markings or anything else to suggest who or where the letter came from." Spirit interjects after recovering from his fit on the floor.
"What would be the purpose of sending in a letter telling us that the mission was more dangerous than anyone had thought?" Tsubaki asks, her hand holding her chin in thought.
"Maybe the witch sent the letter to get us all put on the mission." Liz muses.
"But why would she do that if she just wanted Maka?" Tsubaki asks.
"Ya, besides if the witch was the one behind the letter why would she send it saying what it said intentionally getting more people sent raising the possibility of her failing and dying?" BlackStar points out.
Kid realizes something after BlackStar's surprisingly keen observation.
"Because she didn't know which of us would be put on the mission, so she had to ensure Maka would be there, and in order for that to happen-" Kid starts.
"The difficulty of the mission had to be higher." Soul finishes.
Everyone in the room realizes at that moment that they had been deceived and used.
The anger that erupts in the room is palpable, everyone is pissed that they had not seen it sooner, and in turn could not keep Maka safe.
"How are we going to get Maka back if we don't even know where to start?" Crona asks.
'We didn't have much time to begin with, but now this. If we don't hurry Maka is going to run out of time' Crona thinks worriedly.
"We start from the beginning." Stein remarks
Everyone stops and thinks for a moment remembering the events a week prior.
"Well we know the letter was sent, getting us all onto the same mission." Liz says.
"Then we meet the nasty witch!~" Patty exclaims.
"Maka gets hurt and the witch puts a spell on her." Soul adds in.
"There, that is where we should really start." Kid says.
"Kim said that the magic used on Maka was very powerful and she could not easily break it." Crona says.
"When we looked at her soul it seemed as if a very powerful spell was put on it. I have never seen anything of the sort before so I am unsure how to treat and eliminate the spell the witch has cast." Stein affirms.
"The way Maka is acting is odd." Tsubaki remarks.
"How so?" Stein asks.
"Well she didn't seem like she was there when she was awake, like her body was an empty shell." She replies back.
"Could it be from the black blood?" Liz asks.
"Black blood can overpower a person, but they never loose themselves, they are always there either in personality or actions." Crona conveys.
"Ya, even when Maka and I were under the effects of the black blood we never truly lost our consciousness; we knew what we were doing, the black blood just made everything else not matter so much." Soul adds in.
"So if it's not the black blood, and we know it's not madness, then what is it?" Liz asks.
"A witch's curse" Nygus states
Everyone's eyes turns to the bandaged weapon.
"A what?" Liz asks.
"A witch's curse, Nygus and I have seen it before on a few missions going into kill some high level and very powerful witches." Sid says.
"I have never heard of such a thing. Are you aware of this honorable father?" Kid asks turning to Lord Death waiting for an answer.
"Yes, there is not much information on the subject, but we do know that only old and very powerful witches can use such magic." Lord Death affirms.
"What do we know about it?" Kid asks turning his attention back to the undead meister.
"From what Nygus and I have seen on missions it's different from a spell, the magic doesn't just attach itself to the person's body but the soul as well." Sid explains.
"That would explain a few things." Kid claims.
"What do you mean?" Soul asks.
"When Kid and I looked at Maka's soul back at the apartment we saw something neither of us has seen before." Stein says.
"What did you see?" Crona asks.
"Maka's soul was chained, and there were runes all throughout her body, it seemed like her soul was trying to fight but it was getting weak." Stein replies.
"That also explains why Kim couldn't heal Maka, she wasn't powerful enough." Tsubaki adds.
Everyone took a moment to think about the new information and how much it changed their current situation.
"So where do we go from here?" Liz asks.
"We find Maka and kill the witch." Soul says.
"What about the curse?" Crona asks.
"Screw the curse, if we kill the witch the curse will die with her." Soul barks.
"That is not necessarily true." Kid states
"What do you mean not true." Soul says.
"With a spell the magic only attaches to the body, but with the curse attaching to the soul I am not so sure killing the witch will have the same result as some normal spell." Kid explains.
"So then what, we capture the bitch and demand she lift the curse? Yeah that will go over real well." Soul says sarcastically.
"We don't have many options Soul, all we can do for now is get Maka back, capture the witch and go from there." Stein says trying to calm the scythe.
Soul shoves his hands in his pockets out of frustration trying not to go off on everybody.
"How are we going to find Maka if we don't know where she went?" Crona asks.
"We find the witch." Kid says.
'Damn I hate being so powerless' Kid berates.
"I'll call a Spartoi meeting to update the other members; from there you will all split into groups and head out in different directions to cover as much ground as possible." Lord Death announces.
Everyone in the room nods in agreement as Lord Death moves to take action.
As everyone in the room readies for action none of them have any real idea what was really happening across the desert.
Outer Desert, Nevada – Abandon Shack (same day)
Rustling can be heard throughout the small shack as the unknown man moves around removing bloodied cloth and tools.
Maka slowly opens her eyes, the sun coming in through the holes and gaps in the wood of the walls and roof shines all around the single room, giving her enough light to see everything clearly but still block enough light to be easy on the eyes.
As Maka's eyes adjusts to the dim light she looks around the dingy room; there is not much but there is an old dresser on the far wall, a small table and chair in the corner and from what she could tell she was lying on a small bed on the opposite side of the room. She looks from her lying down position as best she can and notices that there are bandages on both of her feet and her nightgown is dirty from the sand and blood.
'But where did the blood come from?' Maka questions.
But the most noticeable difference she realizes is that she can think clearly.
A sudden movement catches Maka's eye from the back corner by the table. A man, she remembers seeing in the desert before passing out, walks towards her with a small smile on his face.
"It's alright, your safe." The man says.
Maka opens her mouth, but she cannot form any words. The most she is able to get out is incoherent sounds not properly forming even a single sentence.
"It's ok you don't have to speak, you're lucky your even awake." The man replies.
At Maka's confused look the nameless man smiles a bit wider and gives a slight chuckle.
Maka glares at the strange man showing she was not amused.
"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't laugh, but the look on your face was quite funny." He says.
Maka just gives a huff in reply.
"Ok, ok I'm sorry." The man apologizes.
"But I probably should introduce myself; my name is Kell, Kell E Ton." Kell continues.
Maka tries to sit up but a sharp pain in her abdomen stops her dead, she cringes and grabs for her middle as the pain shoots through her.
"Please try not to move; when I found you, you had already lost a lot of blood and we don't need you busting your stiches a second time now do we." Kell jokes.
Maka ceases all movement at his words.
'What does he mean? What stiches? The last thing I can remember I was battling a witc-' Maka starts thinking before her eyes widen and she starts struggling to get up and out of bed.
"No, you can't move around, you'll break open the stiches!" Kell tries to tell her.
Maka wasn't listening though; all she was trying to concentrate on was getting out of there.
'I have to get back to Shibusen! Everyone is probably worried. Soul, Kid, Crona and everyone, where are they? How long have I been gone?" Maka thinks frantically.
"Dammit Maka, please stop moving around!" Kell pleads.
But all of his words fell on deaf ears as Maka successfully manages to get to her feet and off the bed.
"STOP!" Kell shouts.
Maka tries to take a step but her legs give out on her and she begins to fall.
Kell catches her before she can hit the floor but Maka doesn't stop trying to fight him.
Kell takes his left hand, curls his knuckles and shoves it against her stomach as a familiar and painful wave was pushed into the petite girl, forcing her to pass out.
As the now still girl slumps against Kell's body he lets out a sigh. He lifts the young meister and lays her back onto the small bed.
"I can't let you go anywhere in this condition Maka, you would die before you even get half way back." Kell says sadly.
After settling the unconscious meister back into the small flimsy bed Kell walks outside and leans against the rickety old shack.
'It won't be long now, a day or two for her wound to seal and then the next phase comes into play.' Kell thinks.
Kell lets out an exasperated sigh as he runs his right hand through his loose hair before he starts to walk out into the desert to clear his head.
(Inside Maka's Mind)
'What the hell? My body hurts and I can't move' Maka complains.
"You should not have tried to get up." A voice says.
Maka opens her eyes to see nothing but darkness.
'Who is that? Who's there?' Maka asks.
"No need to worry dear, I am not going to hurt you, yet." The voice answers.
'What do you mean? Show yourself!' Maka shouts now starting to get a bit frightened.
"No need to be hasty my dear." The voice replies.
Not a moment later a dark sphere starts to appear in front of her, glowing and giving off a dark light. With the dim, dark light now glowing in front of her Maka can see somewhat what is around her. The only problem is, there is nothing around her. From what Maka can see she is suspended in what looks like water, but this is not normal water, in fact, the way the liquid flows it looks more like blood.
'Blood?" Maka says questioningly.
"Yes" the voice answers.
'But it's so dark.' Maka states.
"Well that is because it is black blood." The voice answers.
Maka looks back at the glowing orb in front of her, her eyes wide with disbelief.
'How is that possible, where did it all come from?' Maka asks.
"From you of course." The voice answers again.
Maka's eyes, if possible, widened even further.
'B-but my black blood is under control' Maka tries to reason.
"That was the case before, but unfortunately it is not anymore." The voice replies.
'No, this can't be. I have to get to Stein, he can help me. If I don't get the black blood back under control I will go mad' Maka starts to panic.
"No worries my dear." The voice soothes.
Maka looks at the dark sphere hopefully.
"For what I need you for the black blood will only enhance its results." The voice says happily.
Maka's face fall at those words.
'What do you mean what you need me for?' Maka questions.
"You will know soon dear, I am currently finishing the final preparations. I will be coming for you soon; all you have to do is wait." The voice says in a cheerful voice.
Maka feels a shudder pass through her body as panic starts to take root in her soul at the sickly words.
"Rest now dear, for I will be coming for you soon and once I have you, you will not be getting any rest." The voice says as it lets loose a sickening laugh.
Suddenly Maka sees a pair of glowing yellow eyes. Fear strikes Maka as she thrashes in the thick black liquid, but as she opens her mouth to scream the vile blood fills her mouth and runs down her throat and into her lungs. Maka claws at her esophagus trying desperately to expel the foul tasting substance, but as her attempts fail it becomes harder and harder for her to breath.
The laughing only gets louder as Maka struggles to breathe, the sound bouncing around in her ears as she feels her body suddenly begin shaking. In the distance Maka could hear a faint sound, but as it becomes more difficult to breathe the laughing gives way to the foreign sound. With the sound becoming clearer she could distinguish it as someone's voice. Light brakes through the darkness in front of her bringing with it the voice that is calling out to her. Her name being called over and over again, but Maka's eyes feel heavy as she loses the last bit of strength reaching out to the light and the voice that is beckoning her towards it.
(Back to the Waking World)
Maka's eyes shoot open, her body lunging up as she sucks in air, her lungs burning from the fresh flood of oxygen and her neck stinging from the new cuts and scratches she now has from her nails.
"It's ok, calm down, take slow deep breaths." Kell soothes as he supports the gasping girl.
Maka's heart races as she looks around frantically, realizing she was back in the crappy little shack and being held by the mysterious man that saved her from the desert.
Maka slows her breathing as she comes to realize that she was not suffocating anymore.
"That's right; you're ok now, just breathe." Kell continues to soothe.
Maka relaxes against the tall man as the adrenaline dissipates and her heart rate slows to a more normal pace.
Kell holds the girl, rubbing her back with one hand while the other held her against his chest.
"I'm sorry, I . . . just had a nightmare." Maka says surprising not only herself but Kell as well.
"Yeah, it's ok now; there is no need to be scared. I'll protect you." Kell says.
Maka nods as a small smile creeps onto her face.
"Thank you Kell." Maka says.
For some reason Maka feels calm and safe around Kell. Like how she feels around her friends or Professor Stein.
"You're welcome Maka." Kell replies as his grip tightens around the petite girl.
Maka's eyes feel heavy and her body sluggish, she lifts her right arm and grabs ahold of Kell's sleeve as she slips back into unconsciousness.
Kell looks down when he feels his sleeve being pulled; he notices that Maka has fallen asleep with a peaceful look on her face.
His face changes to one of worry as he lays the unconscious blonde down on the bed. He had been terrified when he came back to a thrashing girl clawing at her neck only to find she was not breathing. He did all he could to wake her up, settling to shake her and call her name.
When Maka had told him she had a nightmare he could not help but feel sick at himself for knowing the truth and being unable to truly help the poor girl.
As he stood beside the bed he notices that Maka had not yet let go of his sleeve. A pained expression comes to his face as he kneels down next to her to hold her hand.
"I am so sorry Maka." Kell says to the sleeping girl, gripping her hand tighter trying to will the guilty and sickening feelings away.
Death City, Nevada – DWMA (same day)
"I am sure everyone here knows why this meeting has been called." Lord Death proclaims as he looks over everyone who is gathered in the Death Room.
The rest of Spartoi; Ox, Harvar, Kilik, Pot of Fire, Pot of Thunder, Kim and Jacqueline had finally arrived and are gathered in the Death room. Even a few extra people who were thought might be of help were gathered.
"As you all know, Maka was hurt on the latest mission and is now currently missing, I have called this meeting to address what we will be doing to bring her back and bring the witch responsible to justice." Death announces to the room full of serious faces.
"What are Angela and I doing here Death? We have no reason to get caught up in Shibusen's affairs, especially if it has to do with other witches." Mifune asks.
"Both Angela and Miss Diehl are here because they are witches, Mifune; we need their help and expertise in witchcraft to help with a problem that was discovered after Maka disappeared." Death replies.
"If Angela gets involved against other witches she will be targeted and hunted down by other witches for being a traitor." Mifune counters.
"No! Bad Mifune, Maka needs our help." Angela says from atop Mifune's shoulders.
"But Angela yo-" Mifune starts.
"NO! Maka was always kind to Angela; she gave Angela candy and stopped others from picking on Angela." Angela pouts.
Sighing and then squaring his shoulders Mifune looks back at Death eye to, um, eye? And declares, "Angela is right I am sorry, I shall take it as my duty to help find Maka for she has been nothing but kind to Angela."
Death bobs his head in satisfaction at winning over the aloof but kind samurai.
"Alright then anymore objections?" Stein asks.
The room was silent waiting for the meeting to continue.
"Well then as you were briefed on your way here you all should know the current status of the meister Maka Albarn." Death starts.
"After a mission that went wrong in the town of Semon, Maka was brought back to the academy and was given emergency medical attention, after about a week she was allowed to return home, where after roughly 48 hours later she disappeared." Death continues.
"Her present location and health are currently unknown." Stein finishes.
There was silence in the room as everyone takes in the information they were given briefly as they arrived.
"So what do we do now?" BlackStar asks.
"We will have the Spartoi split into groups of two meisters and their weapon with an accompaniment of Sid, Nygus, Mifune and myself." Stein explains.
"That will give us three teams to split up and search the outer desert and nearby towns as well as we will have people here looking into information and ways to lift a witch's curse." Stein finishes.
"So how will the teams be divided?" Kid asks.
"Ox and Harvar with Kim and Jaqueline accompanied by Sid and Nygus; Kilik and the Pot twins with BlackStar and Tsubaki accompanied by Mifune; Finally Death the Kid and the Thompson sisters with Crona and Ragnarok accompanied by me." Stein orders.
"So what team will I go with?" Soul asks as everyone else splits into their assigned groups.
"I had not planned to put you in a search group Soul." Stein replies.
"What? No, you can't do this, she is my meister and I'll be damned if I let you push me away from this." Soul growls back.
Stein sighs and he looks at the young Death Scythe in front of him.
"Fine since I will not be taking Spirit, as he has to stay here with Lord Death, I suppose you could come with my group as my weapon." Stein replies.
Soul relaxes his stance after hearing Stein's decision.
"But only under the condition that you keep your head and listen to everything that I tell you, is that clear Soul?" Stein asks.
Soul looks to his teacher and says, "Yes Professor Stein, I understand."
After everyone was grouped up they stood by their respective teams waiting for their orders from Lord Death.
"As you all know every meister, weapon, witch and human that comes to Death City is under my protection and the protection of those from Shibusen, but it seems we have failed one of our own. A friend, a student, a daughter: Maka Albarn. She was targeted by an evil witch who has hurt her and could be doing who knows what at this moment, but we will not fail her again. I task you, the Spartoi, to go out and find Maka Albarn and bring her, back to Shibusen, back home." Death declares.
A loud round of cheers was heard in the Death Room as both meisters and weapons cheers Lord Death's orders.
"Angela along with Spirit and myself will look into any and everything we can that pertains to witch's curses. Now you have your orders GO!" Death orders.
No sooner did the words leave him did the occupants of the room disperse.
"I hope they succeed." Spirit says as he stares after the last retreating figures.
Death looks over at the solemn Death Scythe at his side and his shoulders slump just a little more than they had been moments before.
"Don't worry Spirit, if anyone can bring Maka back it will be those children." Death tries.
Spirit looks up at his meister and gives a small somber smile.
"Yeah, you're right, if I had to put my trust in anyone it would be those three." Spirit replies.
"I know, who do they think their fooling, it's quite obvious to everyone but the one they want to know." Death says.
Spirit chuckles a bit at the situation those three boys have put themselves in.
"I would think my Kiddo would be better at hiding his emotions than the other two, but when you're in love I suppose you find yourself in quite a different state of mind than you usually would be." Death adds.
"Like the saying 'Looking through rose colored glasses'" Spirit responds.
Death nods in agreement thinking of the three young men and the slightly humorous positions they put themselves in.
"Angela wants to have rose colored glasses." Angela declares from behind the two men.
Both jump and spin around to look at the witch child. Angela was looking up at the two grown men with a big smile waiting for the previously mentioned accessory.
"Ah, Angela, why don't we go and see about looking for some answers hmm?" Death asks.
Angela pouts for a moment at having her request denied but quickly bounces back.
"Can Angela have candy after?" The little witch asks.
"All the candy you want." Death answers.
The biggest smile Angela could pull off was plastered on her face as she walks beside Lord Death towards the doors to the Death Room.
'I do not want to be around when Mifune finds out Angela spoiled her dinner' Spirit thinks as he watches the little witch bounce up to the doors.
"Spirit, are you coming?" Death turns and asks the distracted scythe.
"Hmm, oh, yes I'm coming." Spirit replies and he jogs to catch up.
Death City, Nevada – Just outside of Death City (same day)
Soul and Stein are on their motorcycles headed out towards the west, while Crona and Kid fly above them.
"So how are we going to do this?" Soul asks.
"Well Stein and I can use our Soul Perception to get us going in the right direction." Kid replies.
"Well then?" Soul looks up watching as Kid was looking back with a slightly annoyed expression.
Stein chuckles a little bit at the two teens as they stare at one another, while Crona was trying to keep himself from clutching his arm too hard.
"Alright you two, stop staring at each other like that, it may give the wrong impression." Stein says as he starts to slow down.
Both Soul and Kid blush lightly before quickly looking away from each other, Soul slowing to a stop next to the professor.
As Kid and Crona land Stein gets off his motorcycle to look around.
Soul stays straddling his bike and leaning forward on the handlebars looking after the mad scientist as he wanders a few feet away.
Kid puts Beelzebub away and walks up next to Stein both talking to each other as they look at the vast desert around them.
Crona walks closer to Soul as he stares at the two meisters in front of them.
Both Stein and Kid are making light conversation trying to figure out a strategy to cover their search area.
"What do you think Maka is doing right now?" Crona asks looking closely at Soul.
Soul looks over at Crona with a bored expression as he contemplates an answer.
"If its Maka, she's probably shouting her head off at the assholes that are behind this. Probably itching to pull out one of her books, from god knows where, to smash on their heads." Soul replies after a moment.
Crona smiles a small smile as Ragnarok lounges on his head idly picking through his hair.
"Ya, she probably is." Crona says back.
Crona looks back at the two meisters not too far from where they are just loitering.
"I am going to ask the professor what he thinks we should do next." Crona says as he starts walking over to Kid and the mad scientist.
'Ya, that's exactly what she's doing' Soul thinks lowering his head so his hair covers his eyes, trying hard to convince himself that what he told Crona is what he really believes.
'She's sitting somewhere, unharmed and just waiting for us to bust in and rescue her, and when we do she will be absolutely pissed that she was unable to do anything. Then both she and I will go after that stupid witch for all the trouble she put us all through. Finally when all of that is over we will all go back to our apartment and continue our cool days together like none of this uncool shit ever happened' Soul smirks to himself as he raises his head to stare at the laughing sun as it bares down on all of them.
"Tsk, so not cool." Soul mutters to himself as he gets up off his bike and makes his way over to the rest of his group.
"So what's the plan?" He asks as the others look over at him.
"Well our search parameter is huge, considering the size of the desert and the fact that we don't even know which direction she went in or if she is still in the state." Kid replies, rubbing his fingers into his temple trying, but failing, to ward off an upcoming headache from the heat and aggravation.
"Kid and I can use our soul perception to try and narrow down the direction we should go from here, once we get going in that direction we can periodically check to see if we are getting closer to pinpoint a more accurate location." Stein surmises.
The teens looked at each other as they think over Stein's plan. The next moment they all seem to come to the same conclusion.
"Well then what are we waiting for?" Soul asks with a smirk, showing a mouth full of sharp teeth.
Kid smirks as well pulling his lips up at the corners as he looks out into the distance.
Crona looks on as he gives a small smile, happy that they were finally starting their mission in earnest.
Stein lights a cigarette, taking in a deep lung full of nicotine as he takes in his students and the fact that they would be encountering many difficulties in the near future.
'Just hold on a little longer Maka, we're coming for you'
Outer Desert, Nevada – Abandon Shack (same day)
Kell looks down at the passed out meister, many thoughts running through his head all at the same moment.
'I'm sorry Maka, I hope you can come to forgive me someday' He thinks as he wraps her up in his coat before picking her up.
"It's time to go now Maka, hopefully this will all be over soon." Kell tells the sleeping girl.
Kell walks over to the door reaching out to open the door with his left hand as he holds Maka in his right arm.
Before he is able to turn the knob the door opens on its own. Kell takes a few steps back in apprehension.
'They couldn't have found me yet, it's been too soon' He thinks frantically trying to think of a way to get both himself and Maka out before a fight can start.
When the door finally opens fully and Kell can see who opened the door he calms considerably, but still holds a bit of stiffness in his muscles, ready to flee if he feels threatened.
As Kell takes in the figure in the long coat and large hat he feels dread in his gut as he sees it nod at him.
"So it's time then?" Kell asks.
The figure just nods again as it moves out of the doorway, making room for Kell to walk out of the small shack.
Kell looks down at Maka, who was snuggled up in his large coat, practically swallowing her, as he gives a large and heavy sigh.
"All right, guess I can't put it off anymore can I?" Kell asks the silent figure waiting on him.
The figure just stands there not moving.
"Not like I was really expecting an answer." Kell says to himself as he makes his way out of the old crumbling shack.
Once outside Kell takes in the sun's harsh rays, squinting to try and adjust his eyes to the now blinding light the laughing sun was giving off.
As Kell starts to walk toward his dreaded destination the figure behind him starts to follow.
'Of course, now I am being watched, doesn't that bitch have anything else to do other than piss off those around her' Kell thinks as he sets his jaw in frustration.
Kell looks back at the figure following him with stiff movements and gives it the middle finger with his left hand.
Outer Desert, Nevada – Deserted Mansion (same day)
"Why that ungrateful bastard!" M screams at the image in front of her, the bowl of black water rippling at her anger.
The image now changes to show the side profile of the 'ungrateful bastard' with a smirk on his face.
"No doubt thinking of my reaction." M says to herself.
After a moment more of staring into the black water M waves her hand dispelling the images of the infuriating man.
M walks out of the dark room she was in to make her way down creaking stairs, past boarded up windows and finally to her destination.
"My favorite room." M says with happiness in her voice and a gleam in her eyes.
'Soon my dear, soon you and I will finally get to be acquainted with one another, and if all goes right you will turn into my best work yet' M thinks as she opens the door in front of her.
"Soon my dear, soon." She says as she enters the pitch black room, shutting the door behind her.
As Mauve finishes the preparations for her soon to be 'guest', Kell is begrudgingly making his way to the very place he wishes he could run from and never look back.
Unknowing of what is happening Stein's group is searching in the best direction they found with Maka's wavelength, where it was last strongest to send out a pulse.