Chapter 8: Winter Ball Attack

“Ninety nine, I can’t believe we reached ninety-nine, B-mel!” Yasmine said happily.

            “Yeah it’s almost hard to believe.” Bethany said. “And since when do you call me B-mel?”

            “Since ‘Wizard’ called you that.” Yasmine replied referring to their old photography teacher.

It had already passed seven months for the girls, Yasmine and Bethany already reaching ninety nine souls. They’re friends were catching up to them though so they wanted to slay a witch as fast as possible. Bethany’s cat, now named Yumi, was on her shoulder quietly listening to their conversation.

            “When do you think a witch will hit?!” Yasmine asked excitedly.

            “Don’t get your hopes up too high.” Bethany said. “Maka and Soul were able to get one after a few months of experience and we don’t want a dud like Blaire was. I refuse to start over!”

            “Yeah, I’d want to kick someone if we had to start over.” Yasmine said then spotted Death the Kid somewhere down the hall, trying to make a tilted frame symmetrical. She elbowed Bethany in the side and asked “So you gonna ask him?”

            “Ask him what?” Bethany asked, rubbing her side.

            “Ask him to the Winter Ball silly, the one that’s hosted like every year and this’ll be our first one!” Yasmine said.

            “Well…no mainly because most my time is studying for exams, training with you and extra credit with Stein.” Bethany said.

            “You know I’m beginning to worry about you.” Yasmine said plainly. “Stein is not a good role model for you.”

            “Well what about you, are you going?” Bethany asked.

            “Yeah, Kirikou asked me and I agreed, Thunder and Fire are gonna accompany us.” Yasmine said happily. “Rachel’s going with Allen, Rylie’s with Ultimo, Jaya was forced to go with Vice and that only leaves you. Liz and Patty already have dates.”

            “I don’t know.” Bethany said. “I like dances I don’t like dancing in them though.”

            “It’ll be fun; it’ll just be a giant get together!” Yasmine said. Rylie and Jaya soon came in after them. Rylie tackled Yasmine, somehow clinging to her back and Yasmine wrapping her arms around her legs so she was holding her on her back.

            “NINETY-ONE, JUST EIGHT MORE!” Rylie said victoriously. “Eight more till we catch up with you guys!”

            “We’ll slay a witch before you!” Jaya said smugly.

            “Let’s not think about that now!” Yasmine said. “Bethany doesn’t have a date for the Winter Ball.”

The two gasped in horror, shocking Bethany.

            “What’s the big deal?” Bethany asked.

            “You must go, this is an important matter!” Jaya said. “So who’s single?”

            “Death the Kid.” Yasmine said, pointing over to him.

            “Ask him!” Rylie demanded.

            “What if I don’t want to?!” Bethany asked, her face glowing red as the girls pushed her towards him.

            “Don’t lie B-mel, we all know you love him.” Yasmine said. “You even have a little picture you made that you gaze at to get your happy back. By the way Jaya, did you lose yours?”

            “Shut it Yasmine.” Jaya said angrily. “Make yourself useful and try to get Death the Kid to ask Bethany out!”

            “That should be easy!” Yasmine said happily and went towards Death the Kid, whispered in his ear and stood a good distance from him.

            “SHE DID WHAT?!” Death the Kid screamed. He ran towards Bethany, Yasmine signaling Jaya and Rylie to run. Seeing the angered and deranged Death come at her, Bethany quickly ran for it.

            “WHAT DID I DO?!” Bethany screamed as the two ran down the halls. Rylie and Jaya came to Yasmine’s side, Yasmine looking rather triumphant.

            “What did you tell him?” Rylie asked.

            “I told him that Bethany broke one of the pillars on the school so it’s not symmetrical.” Yasmine said.

            “Wow, that’s mean Yasmine.” Jaya said.

            “I learned from the best.” Yasmine said and walked off, Jaya and Rylie following. Black Star was watching them from behind the corner, eyeing Jaya closely.

            “My enemy is now vulnerable.” Black Star said. “After months of watching I know Jaya’s weakness. I must disarm her of her weapon then make him spill her weak points! Then I’ll be victorious!”

He gave away an evil laugh catching Rylie’s attention. Rylie leaned into Jaya and asked “Why’s Black Star watching us?”

            “He thinks I’m a ninja out to kill him.” Jaya said.

            “Oh that must be tough.” Rylie said. “Black Stars an assassinator.”

            “Yeah but he’s so easy to see, he thinks he’s so quiet and stealth like but he laughs out loud and says his schemes out loud.” Jaya said. “When are we gonna get to our own house?”

            “I like where I live, well aside from Blaire but still.” Rylie said. “What about you Yasmine?”

Yasmine had disappeared from the premises, seen beside Kirikou who was hanging up flyers for the Winter Ball. Yasmine laughed at a joke and went with him around the corner.

            “Our little Yasmine’s growing up so fast.” Rylie said and the two walked off to pick out dresses.

~ ~ ~

            “Okay stop, stop, and stop!” Bethany said, Death had chased her outside of school. Bethany leaned on the wall and was instantly slapped on the arm by a roll of newspaper by Death the Kid.

            “What was that for?!” Bethany asked angrily.

            “You’re not in a proper one hundred and eight degrees!” Death the kid said. “You really should learn your geometry.”

            “I could honestly care less!” Bethany said angrily. “Who’re you to say anything with your stupid three striped left side with your sleek black right side!”

Death the kid froze, suddenly going into a corner and sobbing, moping about how terrible his life was. At first Bethany didn’t pity him but as he began to drone on and on about his life she let out a defeated sigh and said “Hey the stripes are…cool…I mean look how symmetrical they are on the side of your head.”

            “R-Really?” Kid asked, whipping a tear from his eye.

            “Yeah, they’re perfect, just look at yourself in the mirror.” Bethany encouraged, not really seeing how this was helping.

            “You’re amazing Bethany!” Kid said happily hugging her, Bethany blushing furiously at the awkward moment. He rose from his corner and shook Bethany’s hand vigorously. “I also have a question for you Bethany.”

            “What would that be?” Bethany asked.

            “Would you attend the Winter Ball with me?” Kid asked. Bethany pretended to think it over before excitedly saying “Yes, yes I’d love to!”

            “Perfect, we’ll go dress shopping tomorrow.” Kid said walking away.

            “Wait, your going dress shopping with me?” Bethany asked, shocked. No guy she could possibly think of would even ask or dare go dress shopping with her.

            “Of course, it is only normal for me to tag along to make sure the dress is perfect in every way and that you are perfect as well. I shall be doing your hair, make up, nails and even teeth if I have to!” Kid said with high confidence. “So until tonight I suppose. Ta-ta.”

With that, Death the Kid turned and walked off leaving Bethany where she was standing. Once he disappeared around the corner, Bethany breathed out and said “Maybe this was a bad idea.”

She then heard feet running behind her, soon tackled by Yasmine who seemed outrageously happy.

            “You did it~” Yasmine cooed happily.

            “Yes, yes I did.” Bethany said.

            “This is perfect, now we all got dates.” Rachel said, she had been filled in on Bethany’s so called problem.

            “Now we can go dress shopping tonight, come on!” Jaya said excitedly pulling at Bethany’s arm but Bethany stayed where she was.

            “What’s wrong?” Jaya asked.

            “I’m going dress shopping with Kid-kun…” Bethany said finding it hard to believe herself.

~ ~ ~

            The day of the Winter ball finally came and Shibusen was decorated to perfection with all types of Christmas decorations. The ball was a week before Bethany’s birthday and so, Death showered her in gifts.

            “I think he likes you.” Liz said when they were in the limo. Liz, Patty and Bethany took a limo to Shibusen, Death going with Black Star and Allen.

            “Yasmine went with Kirikou, how cute.” Patty said. “Bet you their making out as we speak!”

            “Probably.” Liz said.

            “Nah, she’d probably chicken out.” Bethany said. “She can handle anything that’s brutal but she fears the smallest of things.”

            “Weird, you’d think she’d basically pounce for her kiss.” Liz said. “Oh well, maybe she’ll get it tonight.”

Bethany didn’t have much faith in that but soon she could see Shibusen as they drove in, filing out of the limo. Bethany wore a cute doll dress tonight, a tight corset top that was frilled extremely, net stockings and bulky black heels. Her hair was straightened down, wearing a black collar around her neck with Shinigami-sama’s mask on it and had laced black gloves on, a silver tiara on her head and blood red lipstick on. Liz and Patty wore matching dressed that were nightshade blue, long gloves on and white heels on. Death the Kid waited. He looked at Bethany and he was breathless.

            “Your…you’re…” He stuttered.

            “Perfect?” Bethany asked, taking his arm and leading him inside. Liz and Patty gave her thumbs up as she went inside. Bethany was welcomed to floating candles, tinsel on the ceiling, everyone dressed formal and chatting away as music softly played.

            “B-mel!” a voice called from the left.

Bethany spotted Rylie, waving. Her hair had gotten longer apparently. Rylie wore a black dress that was sleeveless with the straps attached the shirt that stopped at her stomach. She wore a frilly bottom with high heels that laced up her calves with mitched matched gloves on. Her hair was also straightened, a black rose keeping her hair out of her eyes and she had her arm intertwined with Ultimo who wore a silver tuxedo. He blushed when he spotted Bethany but seemed happy that Rylie had her arm around his.

            “You look so cute!” Rylie said hugging Bethany.

            “You too, look at you!” Bethany said.

            “Ultimo helped pick it out.” Rylie said, hugging him tightly making his face blush even more. “Come on, Jaya and Vice are near the punch bowl!”

Rylie grabbed Bethany by the wrist and excitedly ran to the punch bowl, finding Jaya and Vice. Vice seemed to be telling Jaya to stay put as he walked off, before doing so giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and walking off quickly. Jaya looked shocked as she looked at him joining Ultimo on the dance floor.

            “He kissed you?” Bethany asked, shocked. “By the way, cute dress.”

Jaya wore a black dress that was long and frilled like a prom dress. Her hair was down, a crown of pink flowers on her head and black lip stick on her lips, a silver ribbon around her waist with the remaining ribbon flowing down. Her long eye lashes fluttered as if coming out of a dream.

            “Whoa…he kissed me.” Jaya said suddenly blushing. “He kissed me!”

            “Remember, he still plots to take over Shibusen, watch your back!” Rylie said. “Where’s Rachel anyway?”

            “Over here.” A voice whispered behind them. Rachel stood there, wearing a short black and blue dress that was tight around her torso but frilly at the ends, wearing white stockings and small heels, a golden bracelet around her wrists and an earring dangling from her ears, her hair was curled, tied into big pig tails held up by silver ribbons and her eye lashes were rather lushes. She wore fingerless white gloves and tried hiding behind the pillar.

            “Rachel, come out of there, your embarrassing yourself!” Jaya scolded, grabbing her arm and pulling her out, Rachel nearly tripping over.

            “But what if someone sees me?” Rachel asked, clutching her dress.     

            “That’s the point Rachel, you look cute don’t worry.” Rylie reassured.

            “Can we at least find Yasmine, she’s probably hiding too!” Rachel said as she was dragged onto the dance floor.

            “She’s right, where is Yasmine?” Bethany asked.

            “Over there. “Rylie said, pointing towards the entrance. Yasmine arrived, her usual poufy hair straightened, revealing that it reached her behind and some was tied at the side of her head with a yellow ribbon, Shinigami-sama’s mask in the center of the bow. She wore a black strapless dress, black laced stockings on her legs and golden bracelets on her wrists. She wore red lip stick, her nails done as well painted white and a small handbag on her shoulder; only thing clashing the look was the bulky black buckled boots that made her taller then her usual height, her arm was wrapped around Kirikou’s arm, who wore a silver tuxedo along with pot of Fire, pot of Thunder wearing a white frilly dress with no straps and a small top hat on the side of her head. Yasmine adjusted the hat and Thunder smiled warmly up at her.

            “Yasmine!” Rylie called towards Yasmine, instantly catching her attention. Yasmine waved happily at her, telling Kirikou she’d join them and awkwardly ran towards them.

            “You guys all look so cute!” Yasmine said happily.

            “Thank you!” Bethany said. “I’m shocked you got all dolled up for Kirikou though.”

Yasmine blushed, easily shown as she tried hiding her face behind her purse and reply “What are you talking about?”

            “Don’t be stupid, Rylie told us everything.” Jaya replied.

Yasmine slapped Rylie with her bag and said “You said you wouldn’t say!”

            “I never promised!” Rylie said, shielding herself from Yasmine’s furious slaps.

            “And you admitted it just now.” Rachel pointed out.

Yasmine glared at her and sighed in defeat.

            “Yes, I like him…Is it that shocking?” Yasmine asked.

            “Well you normally fall for fictional characters from mangas or T.V. shows.” Jaya said. “This is a first.”

Yasmine gave a hallow laugh and hugged her friends lightly. The music began to die down, the lights dimming down and Yasmine became excited.

            “Shinigami-sama’s speech!” Yasmine said, taking Rachel’s wrist and pulling her towards the stage, her friends following. They arrived at the stage, a single spot light on Shinigami-sama who tapped the microphone.

            “Hello Shibusen Students.” Shinigami-sama said, his voice echoing through the giant room. “Welcome to Shibusens Winter Ball!”

There was applause from students and faculty, Yasmine clapping the loudest and cheering him on. Shinigami-sama patted her head and smiled through his mask.

            “Now we all know that there are some students who are on the brink of graduation, how exciting!” Shinigami-sama said happily. “I congratulate those students with all my heart.”

            “He’s talking about us!” Yasmine whispered excitedly.

            “Now students I don’t want to hold up all your time, so…LETS PARTY!” Shinigami-sama said balloons and confetti showering down on him. He snapped his fingers towards Sid saying “Hit it Sid!”

Sid put the speakers up and music began to blare from the speakers. Everyone danced insanely, the girls unable to hear each other speak as they danced. As Yasmine was dancing, she spotted Chrona wearing a white tuxedo looking antsy. Yasmine smiled, twirling towards the punch bowl and going to Chrona, avoiding the mad dancers around her.

            “Hey Chrona!” Yasmine screamed happily, making Chrona jump. “Isn’t this party great?!”

            “Y-yeah…” Chrona said, not returning Yasmine’s happy smile. Yasmine’s smile faded and she looked at her feet.

            “Like your tuxedo.” Yasmine said trying to start conversation.

            “Th-thank you…like your dress, you look nice.” Chrona said, she began to shiver clenching her sleeve.

            “Something wrong Chrona?” Yasmine asked. “We’re friends here, so anything you need to tell me, I’m here.”

            “Leave me alone Yasmine…” Chrona said coldly.

Yasmine was silent for a couple of second, then replied “Wh-what?”

            “I don’t want to be friends with you anymore; I don’t understand why you’d even bother hanging around me…” Chrona said she was shaking like something was under her skin. Yasmine noticed this but remained calm.

            “Chrona, we’re friends…” Yasmine said slowly. “I’m still here for you, even though you don’t want me butting in.”

Chrona’s grip on her sleeve tightened and Chrona suddenly pushed Yasmine so that Yasmine couldn’t come in for a hug. Yasmine spilled the drinks over the balcony edge and looked down at them fall to the bottom.

            “Chrona…what’s wrong?” Yasmine pushed.

            “NOTHING, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!” Chrona suddenly shouted, making everyone stop what they were doing. Seeing all the staring faces, Chrona quickly ran for it, pushing by everyone. Yasmine was a bit stunned; she flinched when she felt Kirikou’s hand on her shoulder.

            “What happened?” he asked.

            “Something’s wrong…” Yasmine said, a scream erupting from the end. A witch was flying on her broomstick, carrying a student in her hands. She slit her throat, taking the soul and stuffing it in a pouch. Witches suddenly appeared everywhere, throwing bombs, abducting students and trying to seize the weapons.

            “YASMINE!” Bethany screamed as a witch began to carry her off. Yasmine quickly took action, running (she tripped a few times in her boots) and her hand turned into the head of a mallet. She jumped into the air, grabbing Bethany’s wrist and hit the witch with her mallet, sending her off her broom and crashing into the wall. Yasmine was able to save Bethany whose grip tightened on Yasmine’s wrist making her transform into a mallet.

            “Looks like tonight’s the night you get to get your soul Yasmine.” Bethany said.

Let’s do this! Yasmine said excitedly. Bethany lunged, hitting witches off their brooms as teachers took action as well. Shinigami-sama was forced to retreat back inside his mirror which was taken away to a safe place. Rachel, Rylie and Jaya soon came in, slashing at witches and other demons they sent at them all the while counting the souls they got.

            “76, 77, 78, 79, 80!” Rachel counted as she used her cloak to shroud over kishins and kill them from the purification. Their souls surrounded her soon.

            “98, 99!” Jaya and Rylie screamed as they sliced two kishins at the same time, their weapons eating up the souls immediately. The witches began to retreat with the students and weapons they managed to carry out, the teachers holding off the bigger monsters they summoned.

            “NO!” Maka screamed.

Yasmine suddenly grew larger in size, blocking all escape roots.

            “Good work Yasmine!” Death the kid said as he began shooting down witches, releasing weapons and students.

            “Vector Arrow!” a voice echoed. A purple arrow suddenly shoots from the shadows, hitting Yasmine in the side. Yasmine’s blood dripped down the handle and she transformed back into a human. She fell, hitting the floor hard.

            “Yasmine!” Rachel cried.

            “Vector plate!” an arrow appeared underneath Rachel, shooting her towards Jaya and Rylie who all slammed into the wall. The arrows appeared everywhere, trapping everyone. Bethany was at Yasmine’s side, trying to stop the bleeding in her side.

            “Yasmine, Yasmine!” Bethany called. Yasmine slowly opened her eyes and said “I’m…okay…I just feel pain.”

Yasmine looked down at her gash, her eyes growing wide with horror.

            “OH MY GOD I’M BLEEDING!” Yasmine screamed, increasing the pain and flow of blood. Bethany pressed down and said “You idiot, stop that!”

The witches escaped, cackling and throwing smoke bombs down at them. When the smoke cleared, everyone was in a mess. Shinigami-sama reappeared, looking at the mess before him. The whole room was destroyed, the tables flipped over, the food scattered on the floor, giant chunks of stone missing and his remaining students and faculty all surrounded. The vector plates faded, Stein running to Yasmine’s need.

            “Bethany, help me with this!” Stein said as he lifted Yasmine to the nurses. Bethany eagerly followed, leaving her friends. Everyone stood frozen, helping the students who were saved and counting the number of students missing.

            “Thirty eight in total have been taken.” Sid said to Shinigami-sama. “Mostly weapons.”

            “Medusa…she was leading this attack.” Shinigami-sama said angrily.

            “Appears Chrona was the spy.” Rachel said, revealing a tracker that she managed to rip from Chrona’s clothes. “She was giving Medusa information, telling her we had our guard down today.”

Shinigami-sama slammed his fist into a pillar, it crumbled at his strength but he was still fuming angrily.

            “We need to rescue them!” Shinigami-sama said. “But let that wait.”

He looked at the small puddle of Yasmine’s blood on the floor and said “Today was rough and the students are exhausted. They will stay in the school, we’ll discuss our plan tomorrow…”

~ ~ ~

 

            “None of these match the book!”

            “Sorry Medusa-sama, we’ll find them for sure…”

            “No, I want them now!”

            “Mother…I know wh-who the slave of Eibon is…A possibility that her technician is the other slave…”

Turning towards the timid child, the witch approached the purple haired girl who shivered when her mothers shadow covered her.

            “Who is it Chrona?”

            “….Yasmine and her technician…Bethany.”

The witch gave a devious snake like smile, patting Chrona on the head and walking away saying “Good girl Chrona…Good girl…”

            “But Medusa, we can’t get them now! Shibusen is bound to have tighter security!”

            “Which is why we wait till they send out a search party, their downed students and their faculty can’t leave Shinigami-sama’s side. We’ll capture them then.”

            “But you injured the weapon…”

            “Which is why she’ll be easy prey…”

The witch licked her lips and went to a table filled with doctor knives and scissors, coming to a rather large shot that contained a silver liquid. She lifted it up and tapped it slightly. A red E was on the shot and she said “We’ll finally have Eibon on our side once he knows we have the slave. The Great Old One will want to join us as well…”

            “How will we capture them?”

            “Leave that…to me…”

With that the lamp went out, only the yellow snake eyes of Medusa shown in the darkness.

Author's Note

if anyone is reading the manga or finished the anime, i am not following it. that clarifying.