Chapter 5

The Kishin Eggs

My Comments :

Apparently, I am incapable of having inspiration. I am the worst writer ever for leaving all of you for so long. One of the few times I did have inspiration, I got the stomach flu. It was like some almighty deity just decided I wasn't allowed to write or something. Anyway, I recently reread the last few chapters and got a flash of inspiration (yay!).

The Story :

"Maka! Snap out of it!"

The Meister jumped in surprise, shaking her head. Ever since getting off the plane, she'd barely said a word, much less reacted to anything around them. The ride to their destination had been silent too. No doubt because of what had happened on the dreaded plane ride there. Even so, now that they were almost to the location of the Kishin Eggs, she couldn't force herself to focus. It was as if nothing was important enough to distract her.

Soul rolled his eyes. "Maka!" the Weapon growled.

"Y-yeah?" She finally asked.

"We're here."

"Right," the Meister muttered, taking a deep breath. They had the Eggs to fight. There was no time for being distracted. With a flourish, she grabbed the newly formed scythe.

Kid glanced at the duo, noticing how Maka's soul wavelength was off, much different than usual. "You two stay behind us this time, alright? Black Star, Crona, and I can handle this."

Maka seemed ready to object when Soul answered for the both of them, "fine. Let's just get this over with."

~ Break ~

To say things were going well would be a complete and utter lie. To say things were going badly would be a ridiculous understatement. Things couldn't possibly get worse. The amount of Kishin Eggs was nearly ten times the amount Death had told them to prepare for, not to mention the fact that they had all attacked at once. Maka kept missing and nearly getting attacked. Kid, Crona, and Black Star were being overwhelmed. The group would have retreated if given the chance.

"Ah!" Black Star growled as he and Tsubaki were pinned underneath a few Kishin Eggs.

Kid turned in an effort to rescue his friend when he too was pinned down by several Kishin Eggs. "Dammit!"

Crona dropped Ragnarok as a few tackled him to the ground.

Maka destroyed another one, gasping for breath. "Soul! What the hell are we supposed to do?"

"Isn't that your job?" her Weapon asked, his face flashing in the scythe.

The Meister groaned as she moved to attack one. Another Kishin Egg barreled into her, launching Soul away. Her Weapon turned back into his human form, landing near Kid and Black Star.

"Maka!"

Two Kishin Eggs pinned her arms down. Maka struggled under their grip, attempting to hit or kick one of them in order to escape their grip. Kid and Black Star were doing the same. Between the two Meisters, Soul tried to stand, but immediately fell back down. They were all too exhausted.

Suddenly, the weight on all of them disappeared. They froze for a second before shooting to their feet. The Kishin Eggs seemed confused, and several souls were floating in the air, their bodies destroyed. As another tried to attack Maka, a flash of white struck straight through it, immediately turning it into a soul.

A familiar screech sounded as a stitch covered bird broke through a part of the wall and landed on several of the Kishin Eggs. A large white bandage was wrapped around its neck and the inside of its beak, like reins. The bird squawked loudly, reaching its razor-sharp talons out and destroying several more eggs. An extremely deep, yet somewhat familiar voice yelled out, commanding;

"Kishin Eggs! Your purpose was not this. Die." A chuckle forced him to pause in his speech. "Now. No one hurts the people who protected me!"

The Eggs tilted their heads before stabbing themselves through the chest, reverting to floating red souls.

The bird screeched again, clawing at the ground. A figure stood from its back, eyes glowing a deep red. His eye-covered hair seemed to blowing from a non-existent wind blowing from below him. One bandage was wrapped firmly around the Phoenix's neck, the other three floated near him, seeming to be prepared to attack.

"Asura!" Maka yelled, her eyes widening.

The Kishin glanced towards her, no recognition in his glowing red eyes. The bird screeched, and this time, they all heard it's voice in their heads.

"You have no right to call the one who saved your pathetic li-" The bird was cut off by a harsh tug on its reins. It glanced back at its rider before continuing, "who saved your lives by his first name!"

The unforgiving red eyes studied the group before the glow slowly began to fade. He blinked a few times before he was finally freed from the rampage. "Guys?"

Maka took a weak step forward. "You're alive?!"

"Don't look at me like that," Asura grumbled. "I wasn't expecting to live. I managed to control Phoenix here at the last minute. Something about me being the 'all powerful Kishin' and sparing him."

The bird squawked unhappily. "Changed, but salvageable. He will become our lead-" The creature squawked in annoyance as the bindings were pulled again, cutting him off. It hissed loudly. "I will follow his command, until he becomes what he was born to become."

"What is he talking about?" Kid questioned.

"It doesn't matter," Asura said quickly, jumping down from the bird's back. "The point is that he saved me."

Phoenix seemed to purr a little at the praise before ruffling his wings and sitting down.

"Um," Asura said slowly, seeming unsure. "I'm sorry. About jumping off the plane. I, uh, knew I couldn't let him hurt all of you."

"How did you know him?" Soul asked, pointing a thumb at the stitch covered bird.

"Back when I was," he paused, appearing embarrassed, "when I was first released, Phoenix was one of the more powerful Kishin Eggs who started reeking havoc."

Patty ran up to the bird. "Hiya!"

Phoenix eyed the girl carefully, leaning his neck down to glare at her and get her to leave him alone. Patty merely smiled, patting his head. The bird moved to bite her, but stopped immediately at his master's glare. Phoenix huffed in annoyance before covering his head with his wings.

"Birdy?" Patty asked, tilting her head in confusion.

Liz stepped forward, slowly dragging her sister away. "Come on. The 'birdy' doesn't want to play right now."

Asura sighed lightly. "He's not good at following my orders." His glare settled on the stitched creature. "Yet."

In the midst of the confusion, Crona inched even closer. "You're you?" he asked tentatively. "Not a fake?"

A slight smirk graced the Kishin's face. "Yes, Crona; I'm me."

Ragnarok quickly popped out of Crona's back, leaning on his Meister's head. "Good. Wouldn't really matter to me, though. I'd gladly bash your face in either way."

Soul rolled his eyes. "Not like I don't love all this conversation, but how are we gonna decide who gets what souls?"

"Wasn't our initial plan to give everyone the amount they killed?" Liz reminded them, still keeping a tight grip on Patti's arm.

"I don't think Asura should be eating any souls any time soon," Kid said after a moment of silence.

Asura leaned against Phoenix, one of the bandages firmly gripped around the creature's beak. "I'd prefer to not turn into what I was," he muttered in annoyance. "Just separate them between yourselves or something." His gaze turned the ceiling and he took a deep breath, attempting to calm his nerves. He needed to get out of there; first Phoenix, and now being surrounded by all these souls. Kishin Eggs or not it was destroying his sense of reason. He would not revert. He couldn't hurt all these people who had been so kind to him.

"I'm getting out of here. I'll reserve a plane. Meet you all at the airport. The sooner we get back, the better." Asura stood up straight. "Phoenix. Let's go."

The bird squawked, picking his master up in his beak before dropping him on his stitched back. "Gladly."

Maka watched, her eyes shining slightly from tears she wouldn't shed. He was back, alive even, but he had changed. And in all honesty, she wasn't sure if he would ever be the same. Something was wrong, and Maka was going to get to the bottom of it.

~ Break ~

"Took you all long enough," Asura grumbled from his spot with Phoenix near the plane. "Private jet. Just hurry up and get in. We don't have time to dawdle. The pilot wants to get going. The sooner the better."

The group stared at him blankly.

"How?" Liz muttered.

"A few favors," Asura replied quickly. "Hurry up. We need to get going. Lord Death is waiting for us."

Phoenix hissed slightly, but refused to say a word for fear of making Asura angry.

"Just get in. I'll stay with him," he said, jabbing his thumb towards Phoenix, "to make sure he doesn't destroy this plane." Asura avoided their gazes, using the three free bandages to lift himself onto the bird's back. "Sooner the better, right? Phoenix? Let's go."

The bird flapped its large wings, lifting into the air and circling above.

"What happened?" Tsubaki said softly. "He might not have been the nicest person, but now he's just distant."

Kid nodded. "We can ask my father about it when we get back."

~ Break ~

Maka shifted nervously as they neared Death City. Asura hadn't come down since they'd seen him last. Even during the ride from the airport to Death City, he'd been circling overhead on that damned stitch covered bird. Stein would have a field day.

"Hey," the driver said at the car pulled to a stop. "This is the closest I can bring you. Short walk from here though," he added gruffly.

The group crawled out of the limousine that was apparently provided by Asura as well. The driver had brought them quite a ways into the city. Phoenix continued to circle overhead, his beady eyes following their every move.

"Is school still on?" Soul asked slowly.

Liz nodded. "This is going to be interesting."

Soul adjusted the small sack of souls left over from their hunt as they continued on. Since Asura had killed most of them, Black Star decided it wouldn't be right for them to keep all of them. Of course, since Asura couldn't actually have them, it was decided to hand the small group over to Lord Death.

"The school," Kid muttered, barely audible.

A small thunk was heard from behind them, causing them to spin impossibly fast. Asura stood behind them, one bandage retracting from the flying bird overhead. His eyes were cast towards the ground, and he wasted no time in heading straight for the Death Room. With worried glances at each other, the rest of the group followed.

~ Break ~

"We honestly thought we were going to die," Liz said gravely. "The Kishin Eggs had all of pinned down."

"Hm," Death hummed, "but you're here now!"

"Yes," Kid said, continuing the story, "Asura had apparently taken control of Phoenix and had brought him there. The two of them saved all of us."

"They destroyed all of the Kishin Eggs that were pinning us down," Tsubaki explained further.

Soul frowned. "Then he just told to the rest to kill themselves, so they did."

Death hummed again, his head tilting towards Asura. The Kishin stood near the back of the group, arms crossed and facing away.

"We came home!" Patti exclaimed, smiling brightly.

Soul rolled his eyes, tossing the bag at Lord Death's feet. "Here. We only thought it right that since Asura killed the most he should get some," he growled in annoyance. "But he can't actually eat souls, so we decided to give them to you instead."

Behind them, they heard a low growl, "wait. There are souls in that bag?"

The group turned to the owner of the voice, Asura. His arms were uncrossed, stiff to his sides instead. Both eyes stared them down, narrowed and suspicious. His hands were clenched so tight they were turning white and the veins were sticking out.

"Yeah," Soul muttered.

Asura clenched his teeth for a moment. "I'm going," he said quickly, running out the door.

Kid sighed. "Father? What's happening to him?"

Death tilted his head slightly. "Hm." After a few moments, he shrugged. "Not sure," he said in his usual sing-song voice. "Go get some rest. You've been working hard!" He waved with his oversized hands as the group slowly left.

Spirit and Stein came in shortly after at his request.

"What's up?" Spirit asked, visibly confused.

"Is this about Asura and his new pet?" Stein asked, referring to the huge bird circling the school.

Death nodded, his voice oddly serious as he spoke, "Asura is at risk of turning back."

"What?" Spirit stepped forward. "Is my Maka in danger?"

"Not yet," Death said calmly, "but it is possible. He is not allowed to go on anymore assignments. Keep him away from any Kishin Eggs and their souls. And the bird. Keep him away from Asura as well."

"What of school?" Stein asked, thinking of his class.

"He needs to live as normal a life as possible. If he gets any worse, I'll give the order to isolate him."

~ Break ~

Kid cringed. Isolate him? Turning back? What had happened with that bird that caused Asura to get this bad? He turned on his heels, running after the others. Sure, he'd been completely against the Kishin at first, but the guy had saved not only Maka, but all of them. Plus, if you wanted to speak in technicalities, Asura was his older brother. Kid couldn't just let them take him away. Not after everything he'd done for all of them.

As he ran, his mind went back to when Asura had burst in on the group and saved them. He had ordered the eggs to do his bidding, and they had. His eyes had been glowing red. Kid was almost positive that the Kishin was tapping into his older powers, the ones that defined him as the Kishin; the one that needed to be stopped and killed. But what now? If what his father said was true, things were probably only going to get worse. He knew how much the group had grown to respect Asura. And how much Maka cared for him. How could his father do that to everyone? There had to be a way to reverse it! At least, it had happened once before, right?

"There you are, kiddo."

Death the Kid merely nodded at Liz, earning him an odd look from the group. He would worry about that later. Right now, he had bigger things to worry about.