Chapter 1: The Faults of Our Endeavors: Where Do We Go From Here, Lord Death?

Striding lazily beneath the series of guillotine arches that led into the inner sanctum of the Death Room, it was still difficult for the young man to comprehend that all that lay before him was now partly under his jurisdiction. With hands haphazardly tucked away into the pockets of his black leather coat, a toothy smile crept over his face knowing that he now had the authority to come and go from Lord Death's domain as he pleased without a need for an appointment. Although, he thought, he never really entered the Death Room via a schedule in the past, as it was more often than not the result of his juvenile antics that he was sent to stand trial before Lord Death. Even still, now that he and the newly crowned shinigami were on partnered terms, there were a lot of perks that came with his new-found position that he could get used to.

Arriving into the open-aired expanse of the Death Room, the pointy white-haired man looked around to see that although very little had changed from the past, quite a bit had been done in the way of rearranging since the last time he had visited. The prominent mirror still loomed proudly upon the circular platform in the center of the room, but the addition of several plush chairs and bookshelves caught his eye, not for the reason of being new, but the meticulous way in which they were arranged. There were eight chairs in total, neatly aligned down to the last degree in a perfectly symmetrical display around the circular table upon the platform. The bookshelves beside them, too, were balanced in their obsessively neurotic arrangement. However, the most striking of all things were the black crosses that once stood in chaotic disarray about the Death Room. Now perfectly aligned into ranks and files, they seemed almost unsettling to look at as they stood tall and straight against the desert landscape and blue sky.

Making his way towards the platform, it appeared that he was fashionably late to the gathering, as the laughter of numerous voices already filled the sanctuary, oblivious to his arrival. As he walked up the short steps, it was the greeting of his original Meister that reached out to welcome him first.

"Soul!" the cheerful voice of Maka rang out, giving a friendly wave from her seat. "Took you long enough!"

With an unenthusiastic reply, the Death Scythe raised his right hand out of his pocket and returned the gesture, circling around the congregation and plopping down into the comfortable chair next to Maka. On her other side, Black Star and Tsubaki were present as well, informally dressed in their workout sweats and sipping from water bottles. From the looks of it they had just finished up with their morning training regiment which Black Star had been recently pushing to even higher levels of insanity than before.

"Yeah, yeah," Soul droned exhaustively, shutting his eyes and resting his cheek on the side of the plushy chair. "My bad, I overslept. Why didn't you wake me up?"

"I tried to," the sandy-blonde replied unamused. "I came in and shook you, but you didn't respond. I even tried bringing you breakfast in bed and you wouldn't get up. So I left you."

A fit of violent laughter erupted from Black Star at the prospect.

"Soul not getting up for food?!" he questioned, clutching his already aching core muscles. "That's a new one on me! You've got to be the laziest Death Scythe I've ever seen!"

"Be nice, Black Star," Tsubaki chided mildly, taking another sip of her water. Although her partner had matured greatly both physically and mentally over their ordeal with the Kishin Asura, his egotistical friendship with Soul still remained as childish as ever.

"Hey, it's not my problem," her Meister stated. "If he just wants to sleep all day, who am I to stop him? That just means he'll never be as big of a star as me!"

"So uncool," the weary Death Scythe mumbled.

"As much as I dislike agreeing with him," an even voice stated. "I certainly do hope you're going to be taking your new responsibilities more seriously, Soul. I can't have you neglecting your position already. It would reflect poorly upon both you and myself."

Emerging from out of the standing mirror that towered before them, the new Lord Death stepped forward into the confines of the Death Room, followed on either side by his trusty female gunslingers, each of whom was carrying a silver platter with an assortment of pastries and silver kettles.

"If I knew I was just going to get griped at I would have stayed in bed," Soul announced with displeasure.

"Here!" the younger of the sisters sang happily, pouring out and thrusting a cup of steaming darkened liquid into his face. "Have some tea! It'll cheer that grumpy face right up!"

Although he didn't necessarily want it, the Death Scythe flickered open his eyes and sat upright in the chair. Taking the cup and saucer in his hands, he eyed the beverage curiously for a moment.

"Since when do you guys drink tea?" he questioned, watching as everyone save for Black Star accepted a cup of their own.

"Having tea was always something that was habitual with Father," Kid mused with a tinge of grief in his voice. "I never truly understood why, but I supposed it helped to calm him and allowed him to think with a balanced mind. I am hoping for the same results as well."

It was painfully obvious to see that although Kid tried to rationalize the drinking of tea for its benefits, his true reason was that of a memorial. Knowing this, Maka forced a happy smile and raised her cup over the table.

"To Death," she toasted, knowing that deep down inside all of them, as well as all of Shibusen, missed their beloved leader every day. However, to Kid, he had been so much more than that.

"To Death," the group replied in unison, clicking their cups together in remembrance.

"To Father," Kid stated weakly, putting on his best facade.

Bringing the cups to their lips, a look of repugnance spread over all their faces as they got the first taste of the concoction. All except for Black Star, who had not taken any of the liquid, and Patty, who sipped hers merrily.

"This is really…unique," Maka forced with all the politeness she could muster, swallowing with a grimace.

"Yes, it's very…different," Tsubaki added.

"Patty?" Liz questioned, looking at her cup with caution. "Exactly what did you put in this tea?"

"Oh!" the Demon Pistol replied with bubbly obliviousness. "Well, I just put the tea in the boiling water like you said, Sis! But we didn't have any sugar, so I used some lemon candy instead!"

"Lemon candy?" her older sibling replied, befuddled. "We don't have any lemon candy. Where did you get it?"

"From the bathroom! There was a whole bag just full of them!"

"The bathroom?" Liz responded, now fully confused.

"Patty," Kid stated bluntly to the ditzy youngster, setting his saucer down on the table before them. "That wasn't candy. Those were cough drops."

Following the shinigami's lead, everyone else placed the medicinal brew in front of them, not wanting to hurt the demon pistol's feelings for her forgivable mistake.

"Oops!" Patty apologized with a cutesy grin. "Sorry about that, Kid!"

"Still good though," she added, taking another gulp from her cup.

After declining the tea, the Spartoi members reached for the assortment of donuts, kolaches, and danishes, hoping that Liz's culinary skills were at least slightly better than those of her sister.

"Don't worry," she reassured. "They're store bought."

Digging in to the welcome morning snack, the gang helped themselves to the food; a pleasant way to start an otherwise uneventful day.

"So what's up, Kid?" Black Star asked with half a mouth still full of kolache. "Why did you call us to the Death Room on a Saturday? Couldn't we have just met up at Maka's place like normal later on?"

"I suppose we could have," Kid replied, mentally counting the sprinkles on his donut to ensure that there was an even number of them present. "However, there are some topics of importance that I wished to discuss with all of you, and I felt it would be better if we got used to coming into the DWMA on weekends. We are about to be getting very busy very quickly."

"What sort of important topics?" Tsubaki asked.

"Ones that concern not only us, but the entire Academy. Namely our future young Meisters and Weapons," Kid began, satisfied with his sprinkle count. "As you are all more than aware of, we are now on somewhat of good terms with the Witches' Coven. It is still highly shaky ground at the moment, but their display of trustworthiness during the fight with Asura has led me to believe that we can forge a peaceful existence with the witches, despite their Pull of Magic. I think that with the help of Kim and the witch Angela Leon, we can help bring that into existence. But this alliance also leads us into a paradoxical problem in the way of Soul."

"Huh?!" the bewildered scythe questioned, pointing to himself. "What do I have to do with the witches?"

"It's quite simple really," the shinigami continued. "During my coronation as the new Lord Death, I attempted to appease the witches by declaring that you would forever be known as 'The Last Death Scythe'. Now that I have had time to think upon it, however, that announcement only opened up many new problems for us. With you as the last Death Scythe, the DWMA has now formally agreed that we will no longer be hunting down witches' souls. However, with no witches' souls to consume, we can no longer make the students into Death Scythes, defeating the main foundation of the Academy. As of now, there are only a handful of Death Scythes available to me worldwide, but this will not remain the case forever. As a shinigami, I have come to terms that I will outlive all of you by a significant span and I will eventually be left without a Death Scythe with which to fulfill my duties as Lord Death. If a kishin as powerful as Asura were to ever return, I would have no way with which to defeat it."

"Now that you mention it, this actually is a really big problem for you," Tsubaki stated somewhat dejectedly, knowing that the pact with the witches meant she would probably never reach the rank of Death Scythe. "As Weapons, we can collect the ninety-nine kishin eggs, but without being able to get a witch's soul, our entire purpose for becoming a Weapon you can use no longer exists. If that's the case, what are future students at the Academy supposed to strive towards other than the ninety-nine souls?"

"Sounds like we're in a bit of a jam," Liz observed.

"Oh, I love jam! Especially with toast!" Patty cheered happily. "Hey, Sis, what's the difference between jam and jelly?!"

"I…I'm not sure," the pistol replied, now seriously contemplating the difference in the two.

"The double-edged sword involving the Witches Coven is also only part of our problem," Kid continued on, ignoring the ramblings of the sisters. "There is also the matter of the future of the faculty to discuss. I have spoken with many of them individually and a fair majority of them have expressed desires to retire in the near future, or at least take on a less active role within the academy. Others will be promoted and reorganized to fill in our many gaps. Death Scythe Tsar Puska and the traitor Justin Law are now deceased. Tezca Tlipoca is no longer of use to me as a Weapon in his current state. And Jinn Galland, Dengu Dinga, and Miss Azusa have all requested to return to their respective stations. I offered Sid and Nygus the stations in Europe and Russia, but they respectfully declined, wishing to put the needs of the students first. Sid wants to continue teaching and Nygus enjoys her work as the Head Nurse."

"I know Papa has been wanting to take it easy ever since our battle on the moon," Maka stated. "And Professor Stein and Miss Marie are going to want to take some time away from the Academy once the baby is almost here."

"Heh, knowing your dad he's probably 'taking it easy' right now with those two witches at ChupaCabra's," Soul grinned.

"Maka Chop!" the Meister shouted, bringing her heavy book to bear against his skull.

"What was that for?!" Soul grimaced, rubbing the knot that now protruded out of his head.

An annoyed look from the green-eyed Meister was all the response he received.

"But what about this," Liz spoke up. "Why not just ask the witches if we can have their souls when they die? Witches die of old age, even if it takes longer than normal, so why not just see if we can put their souls to good use afterwards?"

"That's pretty much useless," Black Star countered. "Might as well just hand the spoiled brats the witches' souls. Sure, we can make them into Death Scythes, but what's the point if they didn't push themselves to earn it. I know I would never be able to call myself 'The Man Who Surpassed God' if I just got a free handout. Right, Tsubaki?"

"Right," his partner confirmed with a small nod.

"Again, I have to agree with Black Star on this," Kid replied. "That would only create Death Scythes of a lower quality than in the past, which I will not tolerate. As well, I believe it is still far too early to be asking the Witches Coven for the use of their souls. Doing that will only cause unnecessary tension between us during these fragile times."

"So what are you thinking of doing now?" Maka questioned, wondering what all of this information meant for all of them and Shibusen.

"For the time being, the DWMA will continue its intended mission of locating and capturing kishin eggs," Kid stated. "Those will continue to exist despite Asura, Arachnophobia, and the Gorgon Sisters no longer being a threat. I think it's safe to assume that for the time being the Spartoi and those students in the E.A.T. classes will be more than adequate to keep the world a peaceful place and the issue of the Death Scythes can be one we can work on solving as we go along. But as I said before, it's going to be a hard road ahead of us and that is why I have asked you all here. If you are interested, I would like the members of Spartoi to become part of the new faculty of Shibusen."

Everyones' faces perked up at the proposal.

"You mean, like…a teacher?" Black Star questioned, a show of disbelief on his face.

"Essentially," Kid explained. "I've been spending a lot of time lately debating how I want the Academy to function in the years to come, and the conclusion that I have decided on is I would like to offer each of you a position that can benefit us in the long run. For instance, I would like it very much if Maka and Ox would eventually become the new instructors of the intermediate E.A.T. classes in Class Crescent Moon. Their understanding and display of advanced knowledge and techniques would suit them best for this role. Along with that, I see Tsubaki and Soul doing exceptionally well teaching the beginner N.O.T. students in Class Rising Sun. Tsubaki is very accepting and understanding for those that may struggle in the initial processes, and Soul would hopefully make an exceptional role model for the younger students as a Death Scythe."

"What do you mean 'hopefully'?" Soul replied, cocking his brow as he sprawled out in his chair. "Cool guys like to help little kids out."

But nobody seemed to respond to his comment, lost in the prospect of actually becoming a teacher at Shibusen. For Maka, it was almost a dream come true. Although she knew it would be a lot of hard work on top of her duties as a Meister, she really couldn't think of any other way that she would love as much to be able to give back to the institution that had given her so much. She would essentially be on equal terms with Professor Stein and Miss Marie, although still far behind them in experience.

Meanwhile, Tsubaki seemed equally stunned, but for a different reason. Her goal in life since joining Shibusen had been to become a Death Scythe with Black Star's help. Without a way to do that now, it had been a bitter pill to swallow. But now there was a chance to where she could do some good other than just being a Weapon. It had never occurred to her that she could be a teacher, as her grades were always just average, but the more she thought about it, the more the idea began to grow on her. It would be fun to be able to work with the novices, she thought, and Kid was right about her accepting nature. It would be a good fit for her, she hoped. She had never really worked side by side with Soul outside of their battle group, but the opportunity to pass on their knowledge just seemed too tempting to pass up.

"Two months isn't a whole lot of time to prepare," she observed meekly. "And none of us have ever taught before. Are you sure this is a good idea, Kid?"

Recognizing her concern at the blindsided offer, the young man did his best to put their minds at ease.

"I'm certain that you would all do fine," he reassured. "Naturally, I wouldn't just throw you to the sharks so quickly. For the time being you'll be more of 'teaching assistants' than actual professors, and when you feel you are comfortable taking full control then the reigns will be passed along."

"I suppose that could work," she replied.

"So what do you have planned for me?" Black Star asked, his eagerness to know getting the better of him as he leaned forward in his seat.

"I have a new concept that I would like for you to work on with Sid, Harvar, and Kilik," Kid explained, watching as Black Star winced slightly at the mention of the zombie who always seemed to be on his case in his younger days. "A revised combat program for the Academy is in desperate need at the moment. After our battles with Medusa, Arachnophobia, and Asura, it has occurred to me that basic martial arts training and mostly self-taught Weapon and Meister pairs aren't really going to cut it anymore. If we want to advance as a program against future threats, it's up to us to work more individually with the Weapons and Meisters, making sure that they are given the proper attention to their techniques and their potential nurtured. No more sending fresh students into missions and hoping they come back alive. I want them to have an idea of their own abilities before they engage in kishin hunting."

"Sounds like my kind of gig," the assassin grinned, obviously pleased by the proposition. "I'll be sure to give the fresh meats plenty of 'nurturing'."

"I would expect nothing less from you, Black Star," Kid remarked.

"What about the rest of Spartoi?" Maka questioned, noticing the rest of the group's absence from the important discussion at hand. "Have you talked to them about this yet?"

"Ox, Harvar, Kilik, Fire, and Thunder are all out on missions right now. And Kim and Jacqueline are bringing me up to speed on the diplomacy with the witches. I will talk to them about it later and I hope they will all be on board. But right now these are all just proposals. I certainly don't want to force you to do anything you don't want to. As Lord Death, it is my duty to do what is best for the Academy and the world, but because you are my friends the last thing I want to do is put any of you in a position that you are uncomfortable with."

"Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm all for it," Black Star confirmed with a wide grin that could only spell trouble for his future prospects. "And Tsubaki would make a great teacher."

The Demon Shadow Arm blushed lightly at the compliment, unable to form a proper response of thanks by the humbling remark.

"Looks like we're in as well," Soul stated, getting a confirming nod from Maka, her expression overflowing with joy and confidence.

"But what about us?" Liz interjected. "You never mentioned what Patty and me are going to be doing now. What are we supposed to do now that we aren't your Weapons anymore?"

It had been a painfully difficult subject to come to terms with for the three of them. Kid had more or less saved the former Brooklyn Devils from becoming kishins themselves, taking them off the streets and giving them a true home. And the bonds they had formed through their adventures and mishaps only seemed to strengthen them that much more. Now that the Thompson Sisters weren't Death Scythes, they couldn't be of any use to the one they admired and respected most in the world. But unbeknownst to them, Kid had figured a way to repay them in kind.

"You two can be whatever you want," he replied happily. "Any position in the school you think you would enjoy and I will make accommodations for it."

It was an open ended answer that was sure to come back to bite him in the butt and he knew it, but it was the least he could do for the two women who had stuck by him and his neurotic obsession with symmetry for the last few years. They were the ones who pulled him out of his funks on the days when the whole world seemed unbalanced, the ones who fought by his side when the world plunged into madness, the ones who comforted him most at the loss of his father, but most importantly they were the first true friends he ever really had. By not making them Death Scythes he had failed them, but by giving them their pick of anything their hearts' desired he hoped he could at least partially atone for it.

The two sisters looked from one another to Kid with equal expressions of disbelief and gratitude.

"I know what I want to be, Sis," Patty stated with a small smile.

"What's that?" her older sibling replied with intrigue.

Standing upon her chair dramatically, the youngster pointed her finger up in the air for all to witness.

"I want to be Death!" she proclaimed.

From his spot below the carefree weapon, Kid let out muffled groan that gave way to a happy sigh of amusement at her declaration.

Indeed, it seemed his decision had already come back and bit him.

Welcome readers,

I have been planning this Soul Eater fanfic in my head for quite a while now and I'm very excited to begin presenting it to you. My intention for it is as a sequel/ post-manga fic that will help tie off some of the minor and major plot holes that were left open at the end of the series. It will contain a mixture of the original gang and my OCs, however, I hope to keep this fic more focused on my created characters and their adventures. Most of the original cast will remain essential to the grand overall plot in some shape, way, or form, so you will get to see them quite a bit alongside the new OCs.

I do wish to discuss this chapter (really a prelude to the new story) in a bit of depth before I introduce the first of my OCs. First off, it is intended as a continuation from the end of the manga, but it'll have elements of the anime thrown in. As much as I enjoyed both the manga and anime, the endings to both of them seemed to be more or less cop outs that left me feeling unfulfilled. As this chapter explained, my main issue with the ending of the manga stemmed from the gigantic hole in the plot that would essentially leave Shibusen in a paradoxical state of existence. Maybe I'm just being nit-picky that nobody has caught this error, but this was a big concern for me if they ever decided to do a sequel (On that note, Soul Eater NOT! does not exist to me. It's not Soul Eater and never will be. However, I recognize the class itself for the sake of the story.) Thus, I have begun writing this fanfic as a way to slowly but surely fill in this gap in a way that appeals to the dedicated fans and makes sense (as much sense as the Soul Eater universe has anyways).

So sit back, hold tight, and enjoy the ride. I hope to make this a fic that you won't soon forget.

Also, for those of you who are interested, the unofficial OP theme for Soul Eater: Karma and Reaction is "A Favor House Atlantic" by Coheed & Cambria.

I own nothing except for this original plotline and my original characters.

Keyworks Kid