10 Years Ago, 2004, Shibusen City
Crash!
Soul shook his head in an attempt to get rid of some of the dizziness that blurred his vision. He struggled to stand back up after being thrown into a stack of crates by Shibusen's most notorious gang leader, Ragnorak.
"Just try and steal from us again, kid. I'll pummel you."
In spite of the situation, Soul rolled his eyes. Pummel you? Really? Unfortunately his act of sass rubbed Ragnorak the wrong way and Soul was amazed that the vein on Ragnorak's forehead could bulge that much without popping or something.
"Look's like you haven't learned your lesson yet, huh?!"
Soul prepared himself for another blow as Ragnorak pulled his fist back getting ready to punch Soul once more.
"Hey!"
Everybody's eyes immediately snapped to the alley's entranceway where a fiery red haired man in need of a haircut stood formally dressed in a pitch black suit and tie. He frowned at Ragnorak and his three lackeys.
"Four guys ganging up on one? Don't you think that's just unfair? What kind of men are you to beat up some little kid?"
Ragnorak smirked and turned to face the new comer full on.
"Are you suggesting that I fight you instead?"
The man shrugged and replied with, "Sure, why not? I've got time to burn before I head over to ChupaCabra's."
While Soul was honestly a little relieved at the strange man's help, he was also a little disgusted at how easily and relaxed the man was with saying he was visiting a sketchy cabaret club. But how was one lanky man going to beat up Ragnorak, who was definitely bigger and stronger, and his other three men? Soul decided that he should use what little time the man would give him to come up with a battle strategy. Watching the man and Ragnorak fight might give him some information to use to his advantage.
Ragnorak and his lackeys were slowly circling the red haired man. The man didn't look the slightest bit afraid. On the contrary, he looked quite calm with a relaxed smile on his face. Finally one of Ragnorak's men broke the circle and charged at the man. The man just sidestepped the charge and slapped him on his back.
Really?! Soul was appalled. That was the man's fighting technique? To slap the guy on the back as if to say good job for trying? What kind of idiot was this guy?
The man continued to dance around Ragnorak's gang avoiding their blows and slapping everyone on the back before retreating from the group back towards the entrance.
"You scared now? Not so tough now, huh? You can't even punch us!" Ragnorak sneered.
The man just smirked and pulled a slim, black device out of his pocket. He pressed a button on the screen and suddenly Ragnorak and his gang were yelling out in agony before falling to the ground, occasionally twitching.
"What the hell?" Soul said, confused.
"I electrocuted them. I put a button on them earlier that allows me to electrocute them from this device here." The man explained and held up the black contraption.
Oh. So he wasn't just messing around. Maybe the guy isn't as stupid as Soul thought he was.
"So tell me, kid. Why were these guys beating you up?"
Soul looked at him with a guarded face. Why did the guy care? Most people avoided their eyes from his troubles and walked quicker. This one, though, seemed to be genuinely concerned.
"I… stole some of their stuff." Soul finally said.
"Ah." The man paused. "You should go back home. Don't get in any more trouble, okay kid?"
He turned and started to walk away only to stop at Soul's voice.
"I don't have a home."
The man looked back and studied him for a bit. He seemed to be considering something. Finally he spoke, "I can offer you a place. You won't have to steal again. But, there's a condition and that's only if my boss agrees."
The man's proposal was a sketchy one, but Soul didn't have anything to lose by agreeing to go with him.
So he did.
The stranger, Soul learned his name was Spirit Albarn, worked for Death the chief of the mysterious Spartoi, the nation's secret police force. It turns out that Spirit crashed into the ocean and miraculously survived. He swam to the closest port which happened to be in the city of Shibusen. He met Death, whom he was old friends with, and was offered a position at Spartoi. He soon became Death's right hand man through his hard work.
When Soul asked him why he couldn't just return to his hometown, Spirit's eyes gained a melancholy air and all he said was, "Certain circumstances are preventing me from. Believe me, kid, I would if I could."
Soul expected Chief Death to be an all-serious, intimidating kind of guy.
Boy was he wrong.
"Hello, hello there! Welcome to Spartoi! What's your name young boy?"
Soul didn't know how the man could be so genuinely peppy and upbeat when he ran a prestigious army force that hunted down notorious criminals, but he would roll with it.
"Uh… Soul. Soul Evans."
"Soul! That's an interesting name. Tell me, is your hair and eye color natural?"
Soul sighed. It was sad how used to that question he was. "Unfortunately, yes, sir."
"No need for formalities. You can call me Chief. Anywho. Spirit here told me about your circumstance. Your welcome to board here in the barracks. You would be properly fed and clothes too. A comfortable life for sure. But," Chief Death suddenly gained a more serious air. "We would train you, Soul. You would go through strict and rigorous training to become a top soldier. Once you are an elite, you would go on missions, most of which, you could die while completing. You can take some time to think it over."
Soul stared at the black-cloaked man in front of him. Was he kidding? Soul didn't need any time to make up his mind. Soul Evans the elite super soldier… Soul grinned. It was just like the comic books he used to read with his brother before he and their parents were killed in a train crash. He wouldn't give this chance up for the world.
"Si- Chief. I don't need time to think. I want to be trained!"
Chief looked pleased at his answer.
"You start the day after tomorrow. For now, why don't we have some cake? Everyone likes cake!"
Five months ago, December 2013
"It's fucking cold outside!" Soul exclaimed, running into his room located in Spartoi's barracks.
"Language, Evans." Soul turned to the side to find Spirit Albarn perched on his messy bed.
"Like you don't swear every other sentence, Old Man." Soul sneered.
A flash of irritation flashed across Spirit's face before he composed himself once more.
"Evans, it's time for your undercover operation in Death City."
Soul's good-natured grin faded as a more serious expression replaced it.
"I see."
"If all goes well and you find out how widespread Arachne's reign is, we can pull Operation Scythe. Kid will assist you."
Soul perked up at the name of Chief's son. He was looking forward to seeing him again. Even if his OCD drove Soul mad sometimes, he was close to him. When Kid moved to Death City three years ago, Soul realized how lonely he was in Shibusen without anybody his age around. He also got to see his childhood friend, Black Star. Yeah, Soul was actually looking forward to his mission.
"And there's one other thing." Spirit's voice brought Soul back from reliving his past. Spirit had dropped his professional air and changed from Spirit Albarn, Chief's right hand man to Spirit Albarn, fatherly figure. He must be thinking about his daughter, Maka. She was located in Death City too.
"Do me a favor, Evans."
Soul raised a brow. "Anything, sir. You were the one who gave me a life after all."
Spirit smiled a little. "I don't regret it yet, so don't screw up in the future, boy. Especially around my daughter. Don't even look at her like a woman."
Soul snorted. Spirit had a bad daughter complex.
"I want you to look after her."
Soul frowned a little, confused as to where this was going.
"I'm worried about her. Kid said that she's gone missing and nobody can reach her. I don't want my baby getting in trouble, especially not when Arachne is in the same city as her. I would like you to be her bodyguard, Soul. Please. It would make me feel better. She might be hard to get close to at first, but I'm sure you can get close to her. Not too close though!" Spirit said sharply, frowning.
Soul contemplated Spirit's request. It really wouldn't really be that bad. How hard could it be to look after an eighteen year old girl? And he did owe Spirit a favor.
"Alright, cool. I'll do it."
"Good. It really would ease my mind, Evans. Kid will cover you and say that he hired you since I'm still… dead." Sadness and pain flashed in Spirit's sky blue eyes before he stood up and clapped Soul on the back.
"I'm sure you'll do fine. Great. You are one of the finest soldiers Spartoi has trained after all."
"Thanks old man." Soul smirked. One of the greatest, huh?
"Oh! Before I forget," Spirit turned, halfway out Soul's door.
"Yeah?"
"Don't fall in love with my daughter, Evans." Spirit warned him giving him a dark look.
Soul scoffed.
"Don't worry, I'm not gonna fall in love with pigtails." Soul smirked. He remembered seeing a picture of Maka when she was younger, her ashy blonde hair tied up in pigtails grinning at the camera.
"Don't insult my daughter! The pigtails are adorable… You leave at eight tomorrow. Be ready."
With that, Spirit closed the door, leaving Soul to finish packing for his relocation to Death City.