(I own nothing, but the plot.)

Chapter 4: Meeting the Witch

. . .

At the last second, all of them managed to evade the gigantic claw that came at them. They saw an entryway to the castle and darted into it, not even realizing their mistake. They all immediately stopped at the sight before them. There was the ones they were searching for. Right there! No one seemed to want to move. No one spoke. It was just silence until someone from the other side came forward.

"Just give up, you inefficient vermin," growled a familiar voice as they walked up to the front of the ground with a flick of ash colored hair.

"What?!" Blackstar finally yelled at her. "What the hell gave you the right to say that to me? The Great Blackstar?!" He stomped forward. Soul suddenly realized that Maka had on that strange black dress from his nightmare. It just keeps getting better and better, inwardly Soul grumbled.

Maka smirked. "You are such a nuisance. I will gladly put you out of your misery." She shot forward, almost too quick to see. However, just before she landed a blow on Blackstar, the red dot with the four red lines started to glow and her hand drew itself to her chest. Her eyes twitched, glowing that strange green color. "Change of plans," she growled. "You are to come with us."

Blackstar glared. "Like hell we are!" He sent a fist at her, but ended up flying back into Soul and Kid. He blinked at his attacker. "Tsu-tsubaki?" The girl in front of him resembled the girl he knew, but she was different. First of all, she wouldn't have hit him, and secondly, her clothing was strange. Actually now that he noticed, he saw everyone sported almost the same attire as Maka with slight differences.

Tsubaki didn't have the cloak that Maka wore, but her dress was a black color and the star on her chest was converted into a belt displayed on her waist. The star was red and the belt was a shade lighter than her dress. She, also, had the same dot and four lines in the middle of her chest, like everyone else did.

Liz wore black capris, instead of her regular pants or a dress. Her red shirt looked faded and mixed together with black, so the red was a darker color. Everyone could pinpoint the dot and four lines on her chest as well. Patty's shirt had the same design as Liz, also with the same dot and lines. However, her shorts were leggings, instead, with a thin line of red going down the middle with dark red shorts over the leggings. Both Thompson sisters had their hair down without anything in it or covering it.

Tsubaki growled. "Follow us," She hissed out, while the others around her laughed. They really didn't have any choice.

Patty giggled. "Or else~!"

"-Face the Master's Wrath," Liz added with a shiver down her spine.

Blackstar opened his mouth, angered, but Soul grunted next to him. "Don't." Soul told him.

. . . .

Somehow, Blackstar, Soul, and Kid found themselves in a gigantic room made of ice. As they walked across the pale blue carpet toward a throne, they saw her. They saw the witch. The witch still had her hood up. "Welcome, welcome to my castle. I thought you'd end up here." Under her hood, you could see her terrible smirk.

Maka bowed down on one knee. "Master, they're were relatively easy to catch. I hope you take them with caution, however."

The witch laughed, her laugh big and booming. "Ah, I see. No need, now leave, all of you, slaves." All of her so-called slaves left, leaving only her, Kid, Blackstar, and Soul. Kid was glaring profusely at the witch; he was downright fuming. The witch tilted her head to the side, in a mocking way. "What's with the long faces?"

Soul was the first to speak up. "Let them go."

The witch looked genuinely confused for a split second then she smirked. Before she could say anything though, Blackstar, who actually seemed the most calm (that's quite a surprise), placed his arms across his chest. "How about we all leave, except you'll leave as a soul." His expression was dead serious. "Or..." He closed his eyes and reopened them slowly. "You can just make this fun for-"

He gasped and looked down at his chest. The witch's fist was still there as red exploded in circles around her hand. With a smirk and a shove, she was back in her throne. Blackstar's brows furrowed as he gripped the front of his shirt, pain expanding from the witch's contact (outward). He suddenly couldn't breathe, fell on one knee, and tried again to breathe.

Soul shoved his hands in his pockets and directed his gaze to the witch. About to say his trademark saying "So uncool," out of nowhere, Kid darted forward. The witch collided with the ground while letting out a sound of surprise. Kid let out a frustrated sigh. "I think you should tell us where you're keeping my father," he stated coolly, and admittedly somewhat harsh.

A wicked laugh erupted from the witch's throat. "Is that so?" Her head whipped around, revealing half her face with white fur with streaks of pale blue that resembled whiskers, sharp pointed teeth, and a sea green eye. Her other (her normal-looking side) had a opal blue eye and almost paper white skin. Her white hair had lines with black, red, and a light blue one.

Blackstar jumped. "What the-" A door smashed inward; Soul and Blackstar turned to see their "friends." Kid approached closer to the witch, but she slid up to her feet and along the floor a few feet away.

Waving her one index finger, she said. "Uh-Uh-Uhh... For one, you are not getting my captives. For two, you are not worthy of joining me and my followers. You'll just have to-" A fist smashed with her face. She glared at her attacker. Kid.

He instantly stared at her with no expression. "Sorry, I must have slipped on ice."

The witch howled. "Kill them, slaves!"

"Right, Master!" Three voices chorused at once, while another giggled. "Time to go~!" (Can you guess who said that? Yup, Patty.)

Blackstar targeted Maka, slamming down his foot to shove himself into Maka's side. Maka flipped backwards after the impact. "I can't believe you have the audacity to actually assault me in that particular behavior." Her eyes started to glow even more, clearly getting more and more annoyed.

"Use your words, Maka. No one can understand you!" Blackstar started to tell her.

"You're starting to be even more vociferous. I insist you discontinue your actions... before I do it for you." She hissed at Blackstar and sent a punch directly into his stomach. Blackstar gasped as she then decided to strike forcefully at his face.

Managing to block most of the blow, Blackstar shoved her away. "You know I can't understand you when you say big words," he complained with a slight whine to his voice. He yelped as he dodged a blade with a back-step. "E-Easy Maka." He jumped out of reach again, glaring menacingly. "That's it, you're finished!"

Soul fell to the ground as Liz and Patty collided with him in the same moment. Tsubaki growled as her heel hit the top of Soul's head. Soul rolled up to his feet, gasping for air. His head was throbbing was actually an understatement. It felt like it was exploding. His grip on his head loosened as he brought up an arm to push back Tsubaki, who grinned and dropped to the floor.

Not realizing Liz was directly behind the raven-haired female, he blinked as a pistol pointed at him from a few feet away. Liz was holding it, so it must have been Patty. He ducked just in time; however, Tsubaki whipped at him in her wind shuriken form. It collided with his scythe blade from his arm, sparking immensely. With one great shove, the wind shuriken was shot up into the air.

Soul stumbled back, hissing through his teeth, and then, he was slammed into the ground just as he heard a ear piercing scream. Maybe it was his, he didn't know. All he knew was that he needed to stand, but he found he couldn't. He heard another yell, probably Blackstar. Groggily, Soul raised his head, and he put out his hands to lift himself up, only to have a foot slam onto his back.

He groaned as another foot collided with the back of his head. Oh, the pain somehow increased even more. For some odd reason, though, the pain decreased, and he found himself standing. He swirled around to dodge another sweep of the Patty pistol and punched Liz right into the jaw. She let out an enraged scream and toppled backwards as Patty flashed to herself next to her.

Out of the corner of Soul's eye, he saw Tsubaki coming forward. Instantly, he swung out his feet to take out Tsubaki's feet from underneath her. She hit the floor. A smirk tugged at Soul's lips, until his eyes widened, and unexpectedly, Patty kicked the back of his neck, sending his sprawling across the floor.

Kid rushed at the witch again, who swept him away with a burst of power from her finger tips. Her laughter spread throughout the castle, but it was ignored. "And you're called a 'Reaper,' boy they'll make anyone that nowadays." Kid's golden eyes narrowed as he attacked again, this time leaping over the ice shards sent his way. He twirled in mid-air, connecting his foot with the witch's arm, which she brought up to protect herself.

Her cold gaze turned to Kid. "You'll never survive," her voice became dead, cold, lifeless, and downright demonic. Her hand whipped out, snatched the young Reaper's foot, and twisted it at an odd angle. There was a satisfying crack that made the witch smirk. It was cruel, especially with her mismatched features.

Kid heard Patty's voice scream. "You hurt my sister. You are going to DIEEEE!" That was definitely not the real Patty.

"Looks like your friends will perish along with you," stated the witch, evenly. She started to disappear in a flurry of snow. Kid went to attack, but a sudden wind made him sly backward. Kid whirled around and saw Patty hovering over Soul, who was gripping his head, looking quite dazed. His hair was no longer its normal white color; it was more pink or red now. Patty's face was corrupted into something... evil... and bent on pulverizing Soul.

Soul shuffled backwards from his position under Patty's approaching form. Get up, he tried to yell, but no sound came, and his muscles wouldn't budge. He couldn't even move back anymore. He exhaled loudly; that was all he could do. And yeah, he could close his eyes, so he did it. His red eyes slipped shut. Maybe, no there was no maybe, Patty wanted to kill him. This was the perfect part.

Patty would end him. Great, inwardly Soul laughed. When he felt no impact or any pain other than the initial pain he had, he opened his eyes slowly.

Blackstar screamed out as a blade split into his chest. He growled as his body shook on its own accord. "I promised you would die," Maka told him sternly, her arm sliding out and returning normal. She stared at him with no expression as he slid to his knees. His breath came out in rasps. No, this couldn't happen. He can't die; Maka can't defeat him so easily. NO! He won't let it happen.

She turned away from him and started to leave him there like he was nothing.

"Stand up!" He barked out, slowly reaching his feet even if his body was protesting. "Listen here. The fights not done until I win, and I will win!" Maka turned back to him, eyebrow raised and arms crossing. He looked terrible. He took a slow agonizing step forward. "You won't ever win, Maka!" He went forward as fast as he could, actually giving her a kick to the side.

She grunted once, but then, her right hand wrapped around his throat and lifted him off the ground. "Do you ever win?"

Blackstar's eyes widened. Did he-? He shook his head clear of those thoughts and grabbed hold of Maka's wrist. He twisted it, hard, well hard enough for her to let him go. She growled as her foot slammed him in the side, causing him to gasp out. He got to his feet again, faster than before, but not as fast as he would like because Maka kicked him in the chest.

Falling into the ground, Blackstar propped himself up onto his elbows as he received another hit to his chest. Maka stood over him and smirked. "It was inevitable. You knew you couldn't win, yet you still try. Pathetic." Her arm formed into a scythe blade, and Blackstar's breath hitched in his throat. He thought about getting to his feet, but that would be too slow. He could knock her down by hitting her in the back of her knees, but he doubted he could accomplish that quick enough either.

He just glared up at her, trying to catch his breath when he pushed up his torso and head up slightly. Maka sighed, raised her arm, and swung it down. Just before it hit, Maka cut it backwards, only getting the fabric of Blackstar's already ripped shirt. Blackstar's eyes watched as Kid was behind Maka as she whipped her blade back. It cut through Kid's arm. Then, she did a back flip over him and slashed his back, which caused him to fall forward.

Kid had saved Soul just as he saw Blackstar about to be massacred by Maka. Blackstar probably deserved some punishment, but not like that. Kid was trying to surprise her, but he ended up surprised as something cold went through his arm and slid across his back. Maka got this crazed face. "You all will face punishment!" She laughed wildly as Liz, Patty, and Tsubaki backed her up (going to stand behind her).

Blackstar heard footsteps come up behind his back, and he turned his head around. Kid just faced forward, where Maka and the others were. He was in a fighting stance, and he tried not to think about how unsymmetrical his clothes were. He blamed it on the witch; it fueled his anger. Soul offered a hand to Blackstar, who took it. Eventually, Blackstar got to his feet, swaying slightly.

Soul put out an arm to steady him. Blackstar nodded to him and faked a grin. It was the closest thing Soul got to a thanks. The others (with the weird dot things on their chests) looked almost completely fine when Kid surveyed them. "Shit," Kid heard Soul mutter. He looked out of the corner of his eye as Soul gripped Blackstar's shoulders as the younger male seemed like he was about to pass out.

Well, it would happen if you got stabbed in the chest. Kid turned back to the others; Maka reached out and slammed Kid's head off her knee. "Let's have some fun~!" She laughed as she exclaimed that. She giggled, holding her mouth with her hand. "Well, fun for me!" She laughed evilly again, twirling around Kid and elbowing him in the wound on his back.

Kid stumbled forward and just caught himself when Liz threw him into Patty. Patty and Liz hit him back and forth between them. Kid grunted as Patty let him rush past after Liz shoved him to the younger Thompson sister. "Oops~!" Patty giggled as Kid's hands/body hit the ground. "Let's try again, sis!" Kid felt rough arms yank him to his feet, and he stared into Patty's murderous eyes. "Maybe, we should just kill him instead."

"Don't you want to play more?" Liz questioned.

Patty shook her head. "He got in my way, so he will die a torturous death." She giggled. "Let's start," she decided to smirk evilly now. Kid felt Patty's fist hit his abdomen, making his air rush out of his lungs.

Maka laughed hysterically, dancing toward Blackstar and Soul. "Who's next~?"

Blackstar made a move to go forward, but Soul stepped in front of him. "I've got Maka." Soul told him.

"Oh, are you sure?" Maka laughed evilly. "Alright!" Her hand whipped out, which Soul dodged quickly. Maka tilted her head and laughed again, flicking out her hand to catch him in the wrist. While Soul blinked, Maka grinned and her grip tightened. Soul winced slightly, but his other arm melded into a scythe blade. It sliced forward, colliding with another blade from Maka.

Maka just shook her head with a sigh. "And I thought you'd be better than the younger one. My mistake." Her fist hit Soul in the jaw.

Blackstar felt a presence from behind him. Turning, he saw it was Tsubaki. He rubbed the back of his head, chuckling. "Alright, you and me, ready for this Tsubaki?" He darted forward, instantly faced with a huge wave of nausea and dizziness. He ducked under her arm, slid under it, and stood onto his feet behind her. He went to attack, but ended up on his back, Tsubaki standing above him.

Her face sculpted into something terrifying. Her smirk was cruel as she tilted her head and started to show her teeth. "Don't you know? All the strength and skills we have are far greater than before when we are linked with Master. You all stand no chance." She laughed evilly; Blackstar had to blink. That sound was really strange coming from her. Tsubaki leaned down, fingers going around his throat and lifting him to his feet.

She set down Blackstar. "Now lets try again, Blackstar."

Blackstar glared at her, hands forming into fists. "No holding back this time." He suddenly coughed into his hands and whipped what came out onto his pants. It was not blood; he just had to forget that what he just saw was red. He couldn't give up, so he ran forward, actually hitting Tsubaki in the stomach. She hissed through her teeth and grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled.

Blackstar cursed. "Fuck!" He held his shoulder protectively when Tsubaki released it. He went to attack again, but Tsubaki growled, which made him hesitate for only second. However, that slight pause gave her enough time to kick him in the chest. With a grunt, he flew back, skidding on the ground until he managed to put out his hands to flip himself onto his feet. His breathing was quick and rushed.

His hand went to his hurt shoulder and popped it back in place. His eyes closed as he exhaled through his nose painfully. He had to stand up all the way, but he found that he couldn't breathe or move. His hand gripped the front of his shirt where his wound was on his chest, (also where Tsubaki had just kicked). His eyes widened when Tsubaki started to approach him. Hurriedly, he made it to his feet with a scowl. "What's with everybody's obsession with hitting me in the damn chest?!" His eye color changed.

"Well, it's bullshit!" He ran forward. Tsubaki sighed, thinking the result would be the same, but tilted her head when Blackstar ended up going fast, fazing out in some places. Blackstar put his unhurt shoulder outward in case he tripped. He really hoped he wouldn't. He went straight for Tsubaki and actually hit her again. Instead of falling though, Tsubaki grabbed the back of his shirt and threw him to the ground.

Kid was slammed against the ground by one of the sisters, dodging a foot that just missed his head. When he got his footing, he jumped back to dodge another attack from Liz. Liz sighed. "Patty, he won't stand still."

Patty giggled. "Got it!" She jumped over her sister and kicked Kid's legs out from underneath him, smashing her foot on his ankle in the process. Kid rolled to his feet with his hands in his pockets, and his weight was more on his uninjured ankle. Patty smirked. "No big words of wisdom or..."

"Or are you going to complain about her stance?" Liz finished.

Patty's features darkened, instantly. "I hate it! You're not even symmetrical! You have no right to say anything." She growled at the Reaper, who had his mouth agape. She stomped up to Kid and pointed in his face. "You're bangs aren't even the same size."

Kid didn't respond. She was right, of course. He went to his feet slowly. "That's correct, isn't it..."

"Of course~!" Patty giggled, then smirked. "The truth hurts." She gave a swift kick to his side, causing him to land sideways on the ground. She glided over to his body, heel on his side. "Well, it has been fun, but, I think we're done. Ready, sis?" Liz gave a nod and flashed a smirk as she transformed into her pistol form, directly into Patty's hand. Kid's eyes darted up, and he kicked Patty's wrist, sending Liz flying up into the air.

Kid, now on his feet, had narrowed his eyes as Patty caught Liz, twirled her around, and aimed at Kid. Her finger went to pull the trigger.

. . .

(Last chapter next time.)