Chapter Text
The Laughing Sun beamed down over Death City, laughing at the citizens below sweltering in the August heat. Only one girl seemed unaffected by the sweltering heat of the bustling city below.
Staring up at the seemingly endless staircase, was the crowd of incoming students to the Death Weapon Meister Academy, or DWMA, each student standing with their parents or guardians eager to start forging their path to mark their name in the history books. Among them stood Maka who could feel nothing but pure adrenaline coursing through her veins. There was only one thought crossing her usually over-crowded mind, and that was,
‘At the top of these steps, is Death Weapon Meister Academy. The place where I will become the greatest meister to ever live.’
With a fire in her forest green eyes, she clenched her fists to fight back her excitement as Lord Death and his Weapon walked to the podium situated at the top of the staircase.
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“Maka you need to get a weapon, preferably not a very dangerous one and a woman would be best. One with a nice body especially,” Maka’s father drooled with hearts in his eyes at the idea of his cute little Maka being accompanied by a sexy weapon. Maybe something useful like a vacuum cleaner weapon or a can opener. Nothing actually dangerous like the Death Scythe himself.
“Drop it Papa, the only reason I let you come with me is to help me find a strong weapon so I can create a Death Scythe like Mama did with you.”
“Aww my little Maka wants to make a weapon just like her Papa? You must really look up to your amazing parents don’t you sweetheart?”
“What? No, you’re just a cheating waste of space. I just want to make a better weapon so Lord Death throws you out for everything you did to Mama. You’re just a weapon after all, I don’t know how Mama was ever tricked into loving someone as disgusting as you.”
“Maka you don’t mean that, sweetheart your Mama and I are just taking a break from each other for a little while. You don’t need to worry about that at all.”
“She’s getting a divorce because she walked in on you sleeping with your secretary when you were supposed to be home sick from work.”
“That was just a big misunderstanding sweet-“
“Just drop it Papa, we’re here. Let’s go in and find a strong looking weapon and then you can leave me alone. I have studying to do.”
They walked into the bazaar in silence until Maka spotted a stall with a small red devil sitting at the cash register with a strikingly beautiful blue haired female weapon. She was standing in a glass case with only a simple short white cotton slip dress to cover her pale skin and well-endowed chest. Maka looked down at the placard at the weapons, it read:
18 / Female / Cat o’ Nine Tails / New
“She’s truly an exquisite weapon, this one. Very versatile if I do say so myself. I’d be happy to let you have her for a mere $50,000.” The little red devil on the stool spoke with a creepy smile crossing the impish face.
“That’s outside of my price range, and she’s too old for me anyways. I want one that’s sixteen like me and with a blade.” Maka responded coolly, ignoring her father ogling the statue-like weapon in the case. It was disgusting, men are disgusting.
“Then follow me young lady, I think I know what you might be interested in.” The little red devil hopped off the stool, cackling quietly to himself and started walking through the red bead curtain to, what Maka assumed was, the rest of his shop.
Maka only hesitated a moment before following the imp through the beads, ignoring her fathers attempt to seduce the practically lifeless weapon in the case.
On the other side of the red beads was a hallway with blood red walls and a red and black checkered floor leading to a dark room. Maka steeled herself and walked forward, following the imp while he muttered to himself unintelligibly. As they walked into the dark back room, Maka looked around at the thirteen weapons all in glass display cases, standing lifelessly. She noticed that there were both male and female weapons in this room and saw that the females were all wearing the same white cotton slip dress whereas the males all wore thin white cotton pants and matching white shirts. Maka looked at the thirteen thoughtfully, reading each placard in order down the line.
12 / Female / Demon Blender / New
16 / Male / Switchblade / New
17 / Female / Vacuum / New
13 / Male / Swiss Army Knife / New
16 / Male / Fire Hose / New
Maka’s forest green eyes stopped on one particular weapon teen with white hair who was wearing a long sleeve white turtleneck shirt. She looked down at his placard and it read:
16 / Male / Demon Scythe / Used
All of the weapons stood still in their cases, like perfect mannequins but this one was shaking slightly, eyes closed and obviously trying his best to take on a serene face like the others. Maka took a step closer to the case, standing only a foot away, and noticed the weapon flinch ever so slightly at her approach.
“ Why is this the only one that says ‘used’”? Maka asked the red imp without looking at him. She tried her best to keep her voice bored and not sound too curious about the weapon in the case.
“Oh that one? Yes, yes, tragic story actually. Oh yeah. That’s why it’s used goods. Oh yes, some might even say damaged goods. But I guess that depends on what you want to use your weapon for, I don’t judge. Oh no, I don’t judge.” The red imp had moved right to Maka’s side, looking straight up at the weapon with sadistic glee.
“Can he still transform?” Maka asked the imp, keeping her eyes firmly on the weapon behind glass.
“Oh yes, yes it can. Would you like a demonstration? You probably won’t want this one though my dear, he is used after all, a second hand weapon can be more difficult to train. They often come with odd quirks and bad habits.” The small red imp insisted but Maka wasn’t fully listening. It didn’t matter to her if the weapon was used, afterall, her Papa was a new weapon when her Mama bought him and he still ended up cheating on her when she was dumb enough to marry him after he became a Death Scythe and gained his own citizenship. It didn’t really matter to Maka as long as her weapon was strong and was going to make her the most powerful meister of her generation, the weapon itself didn’t actually matter much.
“I’d like a demonstration.” Maka said resolutely.
“Of course, of course young Miss.” The short red imp pulled out a step ladder and began unlocking the glass case.
“Demon Scythe, step out and show the little lady your weapon form.” The imp ordered, and with surprising grace, the white haired weapon opened his eyes, careful to avoid eye contact and stepped out of the case, as soon as his bare feet touched the red and black patterned carpet, he changed into a 6”8 long black handled scythe with a red and black zig-zag patterned arched blade. A red and black eye shaped circle at the junction between the blade and weapon looked out unseeingly. Maka stepped forward toward the large weapon and took note of his smooth and sharp blade. She reached out a white gloved hand and grasped the long rod attached to the blade. She could feel the erratic heart beat of the weapon beneath her fingertips but she ignored it and swung the blade experimentally, enjoying how it sliced so cleanly through the air.
She allowed her soul wavelength to reach out to the weapon and was surprised that through the anxiety and fear, she could also feel a desperation to please and a strong will. She let their wavelengths intertwine like she had read about. It felt like a timid hand was holding her own while she gracefully twirled the blade around and went through some practice motions with ease as if she and the weapon were one. Maka nodded subtly to herself, having decided that this was the weapon she wanted, she turned to the small red demon again who was watching her with wide eyes, moving his body like he was dancing to unheard music.
“I’ll take him.”
The demon smiled with a sickening grin before cackling and extending one of his clawed red hands.
“5,000 death dollars and we have a deal, young Miss.”
Maka pulled out her fathers Black Death Scythe credit card and handed it to the demon nonchalantly. It was the least her sad excuse of a father could do for her. Not long after the demon wandered off with the card did he return with a packet of papers and a large, orange rolling suitcase.
“We like to give our new Meisters a Welcome Package of sorts. Inside the suitcase you will find a change of clothes and nightwear for the weapon as chains, a muzzle, handcuffs with key, rope, a cattle prod, and of course the remote control to the obedience collar and the instruction manual for how to set it up. Any questions?” The small red demon finally looked up at Maka after rambling the items.
Maka had no idea what to say, or why on Earth she would need some of those items. She felt her jaw hit the floor in disbelief at some of the items. When she was finally able to compose herself, she accepted the rolling suitcase from the demon and said she would figure it out as she went.
“If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to make a return— here’s my card.” That same sinister smirk was on the demon's face as he handed Maka her fathers card back.
She was able to accept the card before she was escorted back to the front of the store where her Father was standing, looking perturbed with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face.
“Hello Papa.” Maka broke the silence first with a cool tone.
“Where have you been, young lady? We still need to find you a Weapon! Or did you forget that we were going to find you a nice, safe Weapon for you to take to the DWMA?” Spirit scowled at his daughter, he was even further annoyed that it looked like she had purchased a large suitcase instead of Weapon shopping….wait…suitcase?
“Maka, where did you get that suitcase?” Spirit felt his blood run cold, eyes locked on the ugly orange aluminum suitcase beside his daughter.
“I bought a weapon.” Maka shrugged her shoulders, not looking at her father.
“Maka, what kind of weapon did you buy?” Spirit asked, having a horrible feeling that his overly independent darling daughter did something dangerous again.
“A scythe. I want to be just like Mama and create a Death Scythe better than the one she created.” Maka didn’t bother to look at her father for a reaction, and he managed to keep himself composed enough not to snap at her.
“Maka, scythes are dangerous weapons. You need a nice safe weapon, Get a vacuum or something useful. Honestly, you don’t need to fight when you have your old man around.” Spirit tried to encourage his daughter, he hoped she would listen to him for once but one look at her face told him that wasn’t going to be an option.
“He’s ready.” The demon finally cut the thick atmosphere by bringing out the white haired weapon on a chain leash. Maka noticed that he was in the same long sleeve white shirt and white pants, his thin wrists were chained together. The Weapon shuffled behind the demon silently, eyes trained on the ground.
Before Spirit could start freaking out that Maka had purchased a male Weapon, she made her departure. Bowing to the demon and waving goodbye to her father who had only just begun to panic.
She walked silently toward her student apartment with her Weapon following close behind, eyes still firmly trained on the ground. All Maka was concerned about was getting home and curling up with a good book.