THE TOURNAMENT OF FREAKS! ONE PERFECT DAY FOR ALL!

(Chapter 4 of The Demon of Death City)

On the second day of the festival, the children and adults returned to the jester for the continuation of his tale. However in his place, there was now a woman with long black hair and dressed in foreign clothes. The girl smiled sat at a stall with many strange items such as, a golden arabic lamp, a rusty sword that looked medieval, a golden shell with the name Melody etched into it, a perfect red rose, a red apple with a bite out of it, and more strange items.
   “Hello you all! I am Tsubaki and I heard my friend Black Star had started a tale for you all yesterday. Allow me to now continue it, where were we? Ahh yes the tournament of freaks…”
   Crona had spent the last few minutes looking for a weapon to compete with, but he couldn’t find a weapon that felt right in his hands. Ragnarok was boredly leaning off Crona and play with one of the shields that was too heavy.
   “These are all out out of my price range and none feel good. What do you think I should fight with Ragnarok?”
   Ragnarok frowned and punched Crona on the head. “Are you dense or just plain stupid? I am a fucking sword idiot!! Just use me in this tournament and you’re guaranteed to win! With our bond we may be able to reawaken that power we had that one time remember?”
   Crona thought back and suddenly remembered what Ragnarok was talking about. Once when he was around ten years old, there had been a long and terrible rain. It went on for weeks and nearly flooded the whole city, but the worst part was when Crona looked down on all the people praying for God to save them and they asking for the rain to cease or Death City will fall. Crona felt true anger for the first time in his life, glaring at the rain clouds that threaten to destroy the city he loved and watched over. Crona began running around his wet tower, ringing every single bell he could find. Finally Crona looked at the clouds and Ragnarok took the form of a greatsword and holding him high above his head, Crona screamed with all his hate at the clouds and swung Ragnarok down. The following eruption of purple power was called the Sorrow of God by the townspeople who heard and saw it, as the strike cut the clouds in half and vaporized them entirely. Crona had fallen to ground as the power was too much for his child body, making him unable to move for two weeks.
   Crona was never able to summon that power again. “Yeah I remember it, but also remember that it crippled us for two weeks? Plus that kind of blast in the city would kill everyone! No we won’t use any powers, but I may have no choice but to use you as my match is next.”
   “Hell yeah! Let’s go kick some ass!” Ragnarok pumped his fist and became a sword in Crona’s hands.
   .   .   .
   Prince Kid had been enjoying the early matches of the tournament, but was slowly growing bored. He wished he could join the tournament as a fighter, but the grand judge Medusa denied him for his safety. Kid knew his bodyguards, the Thompson siblings, were also growing restless for more than just watch action. The doors to his room opened and three young women entered, looking slightly confused at the sight of Kid and the sisters.
   “Oh I apologize am I in the wrong area? I was promised a private booth for me and my colleagues, oh where are my manners? I am princess of Oceania, Tsubaki Nakatsukasa and these are my friends and bodyguards, Maka Albarn and Blair Kato.”
   “I am heir to Death City and the passed Lord Death’s son, call me Kid. these are also my friends and bodyguards, Liz and Patty Thompson. If it would please you all I can have another few chairs taken here so we can all watch the tournament together.”
   “That would be a honor. Thank you.”
   Kid called over a servant and got three more chairs brought to his booth. Kid and Tsubaki were trading stories of their lands and what each other’s lives were like growing up with so many responsibilities. Maka wouldn’t sit still and was always looking around in case of an assassination attempt. Blair and Liz began to talk about fashion, boys, and whatever else. Patty was happily just talking to herself and enjoying a large leg of meat that she had bought. Maka stopped her impatient searching when the next fighter’s pink hair caught her eye.
“Crona?”
.   .   .
Crona entered the arena and felt a grey blush rise to his face as the crowd was all looking at him and seemed to be cheering for him. Crona smiled and waved at the crowd until, hearing Ragnarok’s warning too late, he was punched in the back of the head. Crona gritted his teeth from the unexpected pain and turned to face his opponent, who was a huge cocky guy dressed in the basics of armor and wielding a large mace. Crona pulled out Ragnarok and frowned as he rushed at the man, quickly pushing him back. The man tried pushing Crona back, but was quickly surprised to find just how strong the lanky pink-haired boy really was. Crona grabbed the boy by his chest piece and lifted him off the ground with one hand, before easily throwing him out of the arena.
The crowd were silent for a moment, realizing that the large guy everyone had placed their bets on had lost. Blair smiled above the crowd as she her single bet won her a lot of money, so she stuck her head out of the booth and cheered on Crona, Maka joined her and slowly so did the crowd. Crona smiled and gave a bow before walking off the arena, immediately being scold him.
“You idiot! Why weren’t you listening when I told that brainless fool was gonna punch you? Look I get that the crowd was tempting, I mean look how fucking badass I am. It is a punishment to the ladies that I didn’t show myself, but we need to stay focused. I won’t harden your blood if I don’t have to and I don’t think the crowd will like the sight of your black blood. They may think you’re a weapon and try killing us like Medusa said.”
“I get it Ragnarok I’ll be more careful. I won’t get distracted again, let’s get ready for the next match.”
The next few matches for Crona went by quickly as no one could fight against his enhanced strength and skill at swordplay. Maka was confused when at the beginning of the matches Crona was announced as Noah, but put that aside for cheering on her friend. Blair and Tsubaki smiled looking at Maka finally starting to relax and enjoy herself a bit, as she really hasn't since they entered the city. Kid and the Thompson sisters were also surprised and even started cheering on the strange boy who, despite his thin frame and lack of proper armor, had made it to the end of the tournament. His final opponents would be the new second in command of the Death City forces; Soul Evans, known to the world and his enemies as The Soul Eater. Everyone, including Blair, placed their bets on Soul winning as he was rumored to have never lost a fight to anyone other than Medusa herself. When the bet keeper came to Maka she placed her bet on Crona winning, adding to the teasing and laughter of her company.
Soul put on his armor and pulled out a sword that was specifically made for him. He had watched a few matches of the strange boy with pink hair who had started destroying everyone who faced him, and Soul could have sworn as he observed the boy’s sword speak to him. Soul would be careful when facing the boy as something about him was strangely familiar…
Crona took a deep breath as he was so close to winning and all that stood in his way was one guy. Crona had to finish this fast as Ragnarok had slowly been getting more tired of holding the sword form for so long. Crona ran into the arena as the announcer declared him as the demon swordsman, the pink devil, and the weak king. That last one was from the people who lost a lot of money and thought Crona was a fraud. Soul entered the arena with the people chanting in unison.
“Soul Eater!”
“Death's Champion!”
“The hope of the people!”
Soul waved at the crowds and pulled out his sword, pointing it at Crona.
“Okay guy it's time to take you out, that weird blade can't help you with me. Here I come!”
Soul rushed Crona and, using his lightning fast thrusts and slashes, was able to force Crona on the defensive. Crona dodged an attack and kicked Soul away, using this to run at him and attempted a stab. Soul easily parried and used this to hold Crona still as he landed several punches on the boy’s face. Soul was shocked to find that punching the boy made his fist feel like he had just punched a brick wall. Soul was forced on the defensive as he tried to give his hand time to recover, Crona did his best to launching a barrage on Soul but each major strike would be blocked by the strange white haired man.
“Crona! We can't win like this! He's just too skilled, so stop fighting fair and use all we have!”
Ragnarok yelled in Crona's mind, but Crona realized that even the attacks that did land on Soul would simply bounce off due to the strength of his armor. That armor must have weighed at least eighty pounds, but Soul was still able to fight on equal footing with Crona. Crona did a flip backwards and began running in a circle. Soul was confused at the change in tactics, until he looked at his armor and felt the first punch on his back. Crona used a hit and run tactic as he would use the time that Soul was disoriented from the previous attack to run around and make another.
The punches hit Soul too hard be flesh and muscle behind them. Soul would try to block or dodge, but the armor made it difficult. Soul blocked his head and stood still as Crona would relentlessly continue his attack, slowly Soul caught his breath and concentrated on the pattern that Crona was unconsciously attacking in. Soul immediately dodged to the right and trusted his sword at Crona's face, causing a cut across his cheek. Crona held his face in pain and glared at Soul, that sight awakened something inside of Soul.
The sight of the black blood dripping, rage-filled grey eyes glaring, and the pink hair swaying over his eyes at times, caused Soul to flashback to the death of his brother Wes. Soul had just turned twelve and had the best birthday of his life, as his brother had gotten him a toy sword and they spend the whole day together. Wes was usually busy with being Lord Death’s captain over the guards and they rarely got to spend a whole day together. When they arrived home there was a eight or nine-year old dressed in a black robe was shivering on their doorsteps. Wes ran up and checked on the child, just to be met with a black dagger plunging into his chest and the child crying saying he was sorry. Soul felt his heart stop as his brother fell back on the ground and the child jumped on his body, continuing to ruthlessly dig the dagger over and over again into his brother. Soul found his voice and screamed as he rushed at the boy, swinging his wooden toy sword. The sword hit the boy in the face causing a deep cut that started to bleed black blood. The boy glared at Soul as the blood dripped down his face and his pink hair swayed in the wind. Soul panicked and ran at the sight, leaving his brother to die alone on the ground.
The next morning citizens found Soul terrified and delusional from pink demons that had black blood pouring from their mouths. Wes was found stabbed to death with his own sword. Soul was given the sword and was taken to the orphanage where he trained to be as great as his brother. There was never a day he didn't think of Wes and now he had found the demon.
Crona saw Soul was frozen in place and took this chance to attack. Crona yelled and he swung his sword up, unintentionally causing a purple energy to send Soul flying into a nearby building.
The crowd and Crona stood in silence as the crowd could see the black blood and the power Crona had.The crowd started to boo and throw things at Crona, screaming that he was one of the demon weapons. Ragnarok turned into his regular form and started to yell at the people as they threw things and slowly started to wrapped both Crona and Ragnarok in ropes. The crowds pulled the ropes and Crona was forced to his knees, a few women told their children to put things on Crona, such as a crown and a cape, and Ragnarok would say still as he had limits against hurting children.
The crowd chanted “Long live the king of the freaks!” Crona thought back to Medusa’s words and began to sob as the ropes were tightening around him.
Maka was about to jump out the window when Blair and Tsubaki grabbed her wrist. “What are you two doing he's in trouble!” The two shook their heads. They told Maka that they were guests here and can't interfere, or they will all be arrested. Maka gritted her teeth as she was forced to watch him.
.   .   .
Kid also was going to interfere, but the sisters informed him that the townspeople didn't have to listen to him and they don't trust him fully yet so this would be a bad start. He had to step back until he is king.
.   .   .
Black Star helped Soul and looked sadly at Crona and his treatment. “Can't you do something Soul?” Soul dusted himself off and watched Crona suffer with an expressionless face.
“No I can't and I wouldn't if I could.” Black Star stared at his friend in disappointment.
“I would think you of all people could understand that pain.” Soul glared at Black Star and began to leave with Black Star following close behind.
.   .   .
Crona thought back to everything Medusa had ever told him of the world world and now those things were proving true. Ragnarok kept screaming at Crona to not give up and remember why he was there. Crona heard a voice begin to break through Medusa’s, his mind shifted and the image of Maka appeared. Crona cried more, forgetting about tightening ropes and yelled out.
“Maka! I'm sorry I won't be there for that dance!”
Maka felt something in her break and she hugged her friends, whispering in their ears.
“I'm sorry you two.” Maka jumped out the window, ignoring tell shouts of her friends. She landed in the arena immediately putting a stop to the crowds actions. “You all should be disgusted with yourselves! How dare you judge people without even giving them a chance to explain! Before you judge someone, pass your judgment on yourselves!”
Maka's arms changed into scythe blades and she cut Crona loose, causing the crowd to erupt into shouts of treason. Maka and Crona stood back to back as the crowd surrounded them, Blair shouted ‘Catch!’ and threw a strange red pebble at Maka who screamed back a thanks and crushed it as Maka and Crona vanished in a red puff of smoke.
Guards invaded Kid's booth and arrested Tsubaki and Blair for treason and smuggling in dangerous persons. Kid ordered them to let them go, but he was denied as the guards orders came from Medusa herself. Kid looked at the Thompson siblings and began began to discuss a plan.
.   .   .
Soul punched a wall in his anger. He wanted that demon dead, but that woman saved him! No if the city wouldn't get him justice he would. He needed a way to find that boy and there was only one way to do that.
“Star we are going to visit the prison cells tonight.”
Black Star stared at the woman he had met earlier now getting arrested and nodded.