Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it, a great Chinese teacher once said. Aesthetics have always been a part of the world - a part of the universe as a whole in its entirety. Beauty has always existed. Famous philosophers of older times were able to see such aesthetics, but as time wears on, people lose touch.
It is tragic to say that as each generation is lost, so are their abilities to see true beauty. They dwindle away like a weary flame. Truly tragic. However, I'm not so quick to lose this dexterity. آپ see, there is only one key component that plays a part in true beauty, and that is symmetry. As long as there is equality to every concept, then the universe is completely at peace. Unfortunately, I'm the only one that seems to understand that.
"Come now, Kiddo," my father placates. "There has to be at least one of these weapons that you're interested in. دکھائیں him the pictures again, Spirit."
At this request, one of my dad's Death Scythes, Spirit, spreads several obnoxious تصاویر out in his hands for my observation. All of the girls - each and every one of them - appear to be posing for the camera in a very expressive way. I see a blonde and a brunette and several others, all having potential, but not the potential I'm looking for.
I پار, صلیب my arms in a balanced X shape, displeased.
Spirit sighs. "It's no use. He's not going for any of them. C'mon, Kid. آپ don't have to be so picky. I mean, just look at them! Cute, right?"
I cast my gaze to the side and feign indifference, lowering my arms. "I'm not being picky. I'm being precise. A charming weapon partner is not what I'm looking for. I'm seeking something much مزید important than that."
"And what exactly are آپ looking for, Son? These are girls that have volunteered to be your weapon partner, and آپ don't even want to give them a chance?"
I fold my hands together and close my eyes. This isn't getting me anywhere. They're trying to be helpful, but really, all they're doing is giving me a headache. I need some fresh air.
"Listen Dad, I know you're trying to help me. Thank you. I will begin hunting for kishin souls as soon as I find the appropriate partner, but please allow me to تلاش on my own. I can't focus. These girls seem nice enough, but they're not exactly what I'm looking for. I will start my own missions on my own terms and not a moment sooner."
Spirit smiles, tucking his arms into his جیکٹ pockets. "That's quite a son آپ have there."
My father nods. "All right, Kid. I have every confidence in you. Just let me know if there's anything your old man can do to help آپ out."
"Thank you," I repeat, standing up. "May I go now?"
"You may."
I begin to walk away, when my dad says, "Wait! Kid, I need to ask آپ a favor."
I turn. "Yes, Father?"
"There's a disturbance in Brooklyn that I'd like آپ to investigate. There are no students that can take the mission up right now, and it needs to be handled immediately. Apparently, there are two سٹریٹ, گلی thugs causing havoc, stealing from the town's citizens and scaring them to no end. They're not eating any human souls, but they do need to be stopped. It's the ideal mission for you. No kishin souls will need to be collected."
"Sounds simple enough," I respond. "I'll head over to Brooklyn right now."
Maybe a mission like this is just what I need.
Leaving with the echoes of my own footsteps, I saunter down the long hallway and out the door, leaving behind a very puzzled father of mine and quite a few disappointing pictures.
...
"There's Lord Death's son," a student whispers.
"He's got a lot of potential. I heard he's looking for a weapon partner."
"You think he'll choose one of us from the Academy?"
"Probably. His father runs the place."
"Nobody could ever live up to him."
"I'm sure he's very powerful. Who knows what he could do?"
This idle conversation is something I'm accustomed to. I've dealt with it since I was a young boy. Though all this attention feels undeserved. I haven't done anything worth praising, and yet, I'm a مقبول topic that comes up in quite a few conversations. I try not to dwell on it. Yes, I'm a Grim Reaper, but I still have a lot to learn. There's still so much to discover, and I've just begun. My life span ensures that I have an undefined amount of years to live; that is, as long as I don't die in battle.
I'm just about to leave the Academy when I'm confronted سے طرف کی a familiar face.
"Kid!" a girl with bouncy blonde hair greets. "It's so nice to meet you! I'm Kari." She extends her arm out like a friendly sunflower. It's one of the girls from the photos. I shake her hand. "Nice to meet you, Kari."
She giggles, a little tint of گلابی rushing to her beaming cheeks. "So I hear you're in the market for a weapon partner! I happen to be a weapon! I think I even remember sending in my تصویر to volunteer for the job! Did آپ see it?"
Oh no. I know exactly where this conversation is going. I find their offer to be highly generous, but I never expected having to let one of them down in person. This isn't something I'm prepared for.
"Oh," I say, as if surprised. "Yes, I do remember your picture. It was nice."
She laughs again. "I know! I'm pretty magnificent, huh? I'm a giant میں تپ, تپ with a lot of آگ کے, آگ power! I bet آپ and I would make a great team." She bats her eyelashes and leans up against my shoulder.
"I--"
"And I'd never let آپ down!" she interrupts. "Oh, no! Never! I'd always be there to protect you! Through thick and thin! Yes-siree! I'd never leave your side!"
"I appreciate your offer," I start. Sigh. Here we go. "But there are still a lot of things I have to consider."
"Are you..." she says, her eyes quivering with tears, "Are آپ saying I'm not...pretty enough for you?"
Not good. Definitely not good.
"What?" I ask, shocked. "No! That's not what I'm saying! I...um..."
"Well then...?" she persists. "Tell me! Is there someone else?"
"I--"
"Well fine!" she screams, pointing in my face. "You're a jerk! I hope آپ end up with the ugliest girl in this school!" And with that, she departs, stomping her way down the hall.
As soon as she's gone, I let out a long sigh, praying I don't run in to any مزید hot-headed girls with a temper.
...
I gaze up at the sun. It hasn't changed much since this morning. I can feel the heat radiating through my black suit, but it feels nice. Summoning Beezlebub, my flying skateboard, I take off for Brooklyn. It shouldn't take me long to get there, not while I'm riding this. As I'm flying, I surrender to my thoughts.
I still haven't found a weapon partner. It's been a long while. I've done a lot of research, but every time I look, I come up empty-handed. Is there really no symmetrical weapon out there? I desire to maintain symmetry, even on the battlefield. If I can't remain symmetrical, weapon in hand, then I might as well consider myself defeated. What to do...
...
I land on a busy Brooklyn سٹریٹ, گلی and survey my surroundings. It's a nice city. It has quite a lot of tall buildings and skyscrapers. Those two thugs could be anywhere around here. My best chance of finding them would be in the deserted alleys, no doubt. I should start there.
I begin walking aimlessly, keeping my eyes and ears sharp and on the alert for anything suspicious. I just start down another alleyway when I suddenly stop with a very strange feeling of being watched. Turning, I look over my shoulder to see if anyone is there. No one seems to be, but I'm only using my eyes. Switching into soul perception mode, I detect two human souls behind a dumpster.
I glower. If it's مزید fan-girls, I think I might just run away.
"Who's there? دکھائیں yourself," I order.
Silence. No response. I put a hand on my hip and sigh. "I hope you're not taking me for a fool. I can sense your soul wavelengths. دکھائیں yourselves immediately."
A few سیکنڈ pass me سے طرف کی when I see a flash of purplish pink. I suppose one of the individuals is a weapon, and he یا she just transformed. A girl steps out from behind the dumpster. She's taller than me, long brown hair going down her back. She wears a grayish جیکٹ draped around her shoulders and a blue سب, سب سے اوپر with jeans. If I had to guess, I'd say she probably lives on the streets and has been for a long time.
In her hand, she holds a silver pistol. She points the pistol at me, smirking confidently and walking toward me gallantly. "Against the wall. Now."
Could these be the thugs I'm searching for?
I back up until I can feel the wall. Pleased to see that I will not be resisting, she chuckles under her breath and strides forward, getting in my face and placing her right hand on the دیوار behind me. I try to ignore the fumes coming off of the cigarette in her mouth. It's a disgusting smell. I'll never understand why people allow themselves to get involved with such a nasty habit.
Finally, after examining me for quite some time, she says, "Fancy suit, Stripes. What'd it cost? Two hundred? Three hundred dollars?"
"Yeah! What'd it cost?! Huh? Huh?" the pistol in her hand persists. So the pistol is female as well, I see.
"I made it actually," I correct.
"Hmph," she glowers, turning her head. "Wise guy, huh? Well listen, Stripes. Give me everything you've got, and I mean everything." It's got to be them. It seems like they've done this before.
"I have a name," I respond. "It's Kid."
"That's a stupid name," she insults.
"Yeah, a real stupid name! I like Stripes better!"
"That's a nice emblem آپ have there," the girl points out, looking at my Reaper skull on the front of my jacket. "Are آپ from the DWMA?"
I shake my head twice. "No, I am not a student."
"Then why do آپ have that?" she asks.
"If it'll shed any light on the matter, my full name is Death the Kid. I'm the son of the Academy's founder."
She raises her eyebrows, still smiling with confidence. "Oh, really? آپ hear that, Patty? We've got ourselves a Grim Reaper."
"I bet he's got a ton of cash!" the pistol, Patty, exclaims.
The girl chuckles darkly. "Yeah, I bet آپ live the good life, don't you, Reaper Boy? I bet آپ have a large house to call ہوم and not a care in the world, huh? I know your type: rich, spoiled kids that don't have to worry about anything. But you're on our turf now, Reaper. Your family's got enough money to fill all the banks in the world, so do us a favor and give us everything آپ have."
As she's talking and pointing the pistol at my face, I look down and examine the weapon. She looks light and well-balanced. Before I know it, the girl that's keeping me pinned leaps back and transforms as well...into the same exact weapon.
I gasp and watch in awe. The pistol the girl was holding transforms into her human form, and they seemingly switch positions. Now the girl who was the pistol is holding an exact replica of herself. They're both the same. They must be related.
The new girl, Patty, is also taller than me. She has short blonde hair and a wild look in her eyes as she points her relative at me with no glimpse of fear to be found.
Two exact weapons. Two perfectly identical weapons. That means...if held at the same time...they would be the ideal weapons of symmetry. An image flashes before me, an image of me holding them both at the same time. It almost seems too good to be true.
"Well! Jump to it, Stripey! We need money! So give us everything آپ have and beat it!" Patty commands.
"You two are identical weapons," I say.
"Yeah? What of it?" the pistol asks. "That's not important."
"Yeah! Not important at all!" Patty agrees. "We're not here to chat. If آپ don't give us your money right now, Liz and I will kill you. HAHAHAHA!"
This isn't getting me anywhere. I know I'm supposed to be handling the situation, but they're the only symmetrical weapons I've found since I've started my تلاش for weapon partners. I decide to give them what they want. Maybe after I comply with their terms, they'll listen to me and perhaps consider coming back to the DWMA. I reach into my pocket and take out my wallet. I don't usually keep a lot of money with me, but I do give them every penny. They seem to need it مزید than I do.
Patty giggles and Liz transforms back into her human form.
"Now that آپ have what آپ want--"
"You can get lost," Liz finishes for me. "Come on, Patty. Let's go."
"Wait!" I say.
"Didn't آپ hear us? We're not here to chat! Beat it, Kid!" They link arms with each other and start walking back down the alley from whence they came. I can't let them get away. I wait for them to disappear around the corner before I dash after them in pursuit. I won't let them see me. I'm going to wait until the perfect moment to make my move.
...
Liz leans against a pole as she waits for her sister to count the money I gave them. After Patty gives her verdict, they high-five each other and begin talking.
This سٹریٹ, گلی in particular is very busy, so I should be able stay concealed within the crowd. I distractedly acquaint myself with a fruit stand as I watch them. Laughing, they waltz up to a pastry دکان and buy a funnel cake covered in powdered sugar and strawberries.
Well, I'm glad I could help them out in some way.
The crowd consists of older citizens and younger ones like myself. However, the people here seem only vaguely similar to the people back in Death City.
The girls finish their sugary treat and start heading west. Acting as one with the crowd, I follow after them, never letting them out of my sight. I don't necessarily have a game plan just yet, but I'm working on it. I'm going to have to think over my approach carefully.
These girls are unpredictable. If approached the wrong way, my offer could have the opposite effect, and that is not what I'm aiming for. I need to get on their good side long enough for me to explain the benefits they could obtain from becoming my weapon partners. If all else fails, I could bribe them, couldn't I? Wow. How silly of me. Am I actually considering that?
Well, anything for symmetry, I suppose.
The sun has gone down now. The smiling yellow moon is now hanging in the بنفشی, وایلیٹ sky.
The girls have wandered away from the busy streets, and I'm right behind them. They haven't noticed me yet. I'll have to say something quickly. If they notice I've been following them for the past half-hour, my entire plan could be in jeopardy.
We're nearing the docks. I can hear the water gently lapping the water-logged wooden piers. I look over the ocean, and I'm taken aback سے طرف کی the beauty of the moonlight as it dances along the nighttime waves.
Brooklyn is surprisingly breathtaking.
Carefully, I hide behind a کریٹ, کھوکھا and peer out over my left shoulder. The girls head into a shack. Perhaps that's where they live. I step out for a سیکنڈ when I hear a few voices. They sound demanding...and male.
I quietly inch up to the doorway, but every plank of wood I step on groans in protest. "Damn it," I mutter.
"Put your hands up right now where we can see them, Thompsons," a gruff voice orders.
No, they're being arrested! What should I do?
I hear one of the girls transform and then Patty's voice rings out, "We're not going anywhere!"
I poke my head out to see what's going on, and I'm confronted سے طرف کی quite a scene. There Patty stands, pistol in hand, facing a large number of armed military officers. So...symmetrical...
I ذائقہ, مارنا my fist into my hand, eyes alight with hope. Symmetry! They will be mine!
I run through the doorway and stand in front of the girls protectively.
"Don't touch them!" I yell.
"Who the hell are you?" one of the generals asks.
"Girls, I need آپ to transform," I say.
"What makes آپ think we'll listen to you?" I hear Liz question.
"Do آپ want to die?!" I holler. "This isn't the time to argue!"
If we don't act fast, all three of us will be dead.
It takes a couple of seconds, but they eventually comply.
Surprisingly enough, our soul wavelengths merge together almost instantaneously. Impossible. I've never seen soul wavelengths match so quickly. I hold them right-side-up and point them determinedly at the officers. To be honest, I feel ridiculous holding them this way. I flip them upside-down.
"What are آپ doing?!" Liz demands.
I don't answer. Instead, I leap into action. The officers quickly take aim and آگ کے, آگ on their generals' command, but that doesn't stop me. I'm too quick for their bullets.
Dodging them with ease, I jump into the air, sailing directly over them as I pepper them with firepower.
They go down easily. Humans can be quite weak, even in the U.S. Military.
I won't kill them. I'm not here to commit murder. I'd like to collect my symmetrical weapons and leave if they don't mind.
The army generals hold their guns up, aiming for me as I land on the floor. I turn and disappear in an instant, watching the evident confusion take over their faces.
I reappear directly in front of them and snatch the guns out of their hands. One of them tries to مککا, عجیب الخلقت me, but I fluently اقدام to my left and retaliate with a مککا, عجیب الخلقت of my own. His nose fills with blood and pours out onto his jacket. Disgusting. I kick him to the floor.
I look down at the سیکنڈ general that has also fallen to the floor but only because of his own clumsiness.
"I know who آپ are!" he exclaims, shakily pointing a finger at me. "You're Lord Death's son! Death the Kid! A Grim Reaper, aren't you? آپ were sent here to look after the Thompson situation! They've been on our hit-list for a long time, آپ see. Me and my boys finally had 'em!"
"I'm afraid things have changed," I respond. "The Thompsons are coming with me."
"What gives آپ the authority? Your orders were to bring them into custody."
"My orders do not concern you," I retort. "They're coming back with me to the DWMA whether آپ یا anyone else approves of it یا not."
"What's got آپ so interested in the Thompsons? They couldn't be worth a dime to you! You're a part of the Death family!"
I glare down at him, losing my patience. "That's not something آپ need to be worrying about."
"The Thompsons' place is here in Brooklyn! Not in some DWMA cellar all the way in Nevada--"
I kick him into the ocean. "WHAT PART OF 'THEY'RE COMING WITH ME' DO آپ NOT UNDERSTAND?!"
"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!" he screams as he lands twenty feet out in the water.
"Not too shabby, Stripes," Liz comments. I turn to both of them and nod. "Not too shabby yourselves."
"So what's this thing about coming back to the DWMA with آپ about?" she asks me. "I'm not so sure I like the sound of that."
I'm going to need to convince them somehow. It's a good thing I've gotten their attention. "I hope آپ understand that it's entirely up to you. I don't want to force آپ into anything you'd rather not take part in, but please hear me out before آپ decide."
"I'm listening," Liz answers, crossing her arms.
I walk over to the pile of unconscious military officers and stand on سب, سب سے اوپر of them. I want them to take me seriously.
"Allow me to formally introduce myself since we're not exactly on the best of terms. I'm Death the Kid, son of Lord Death and a full-blooded Grim Reaper. For the past few days, I've been in تلاش for two weapon partners. A lot of people have volunteered to fill the positions, but none of them are what I am looking for. However, both of آپ are the only weapons I have encountered so far that fit my requirements."
"Your requirements?"
"Symmetry," I answer, holding up peace signs on both my hands. "When I hold آپ both, I am completely symmetrical. It is the only thing that matters to me."
"I see," Liz says, thinking my words over. "So let me get this straight... آپ want my sister and me to be your weapon partners...and to come back to the DWMA with you...that fancy, shmancy school everyone talks about...because she and I are symmetrical..."
"Well, your weapon forms are. Your human forms could use a bit of work, but I'm willing to put that aside for now."
"A Grim Reaper wants us to be his weapons? Unbelievable," she says.
"I think it'd be kinda cool, Sis!" Patty says, evidently excited with the idea.
Liz's mouth drops open. "Wha-Wha-What?"
"Well, think about it! We've never really been to school before, and this seems like a once-in-a-lifetime offer!"
"Yeah...but where would we stay?"
"You'd stay with me at Gallows Manor," I point out. "It's a very large mansion. I'd provide آپ both with shelter, clothing, food, and money. آپ wouldn't have to stay out on the streets. I won't allow it."
"And what would we do as your weapon partners? آپ کہا آپ aren't a student, right?"
"That is correct," I verifiy. "However, as a Grim Reaper, it is my duty to help preserve peace and order in this world. With آپ as my weapons, we would fulfill tasks and complete missions like any other student at the Academy."
They go silent. I suppose they are thinking over their options. I guess I can't blame them. They have been on their own for a long time. I can tell. And then some stranger comes along and offers them a completely and totally new life. It's a lot to take in.
"Listen, I know the transition may seem a little scary," I persuade, "but I assure you, I mean آپ no ill intent. I promise that as long as آپ are my weapon partners, I will fight to protect both of you. It is also possible that if آپ stay سے طرف کی my side, I can turn آپ both into honorary Death Scythes, and آپ may even become my own personal Death Scythes when I eventually take over my father's position."
Liz looks down. "I don't know what to say..."
"Well, I do! HAHAHAHA!" Patty giggles. "Come on! Let's do it, Sis! What have we got to lose?"
This is the first time I've seen Patty smile since I first laid eyes on her. I see something register on Liz's face, something I can't understand. I can tell that Liz has noticed Patty's laughter of happiness. It must be rare.
I hold out my hand. "Do we have a deal?"
"Shelter, food, clothing, money, and official positions as your weapon partners, huh? آپ promise?" Liz asks.
I nod.
Liz closes her eyes. "All right. We're in."
I smile. Symmetry.
I have finally found you.
It is tragic to say that as each generation is lost, so are their abilities to see true beauty. They dwindle away like a weary flame. Truly tragic. However, I'm not so quick to lose this dexterity. آپ see, there is only one key component that plays a part in true beauty, and that is symmetry. As long as there is equality to every concept, then the universe is completely at peace. Unfortunately, I'm the only one that seems to understand that.
"Come now, Kiddo," my father placates. "There has to be at least one of these weapons that you're interested in. دکھائیں him the pictures again, Spirit."
At this request, one of my dad's Death Scythes, Spirit, spreads several obnoxious تصاویر out in his hands for my observation. All of the girls - each and every one of them - appear to be posing for the camera in a very expressive way. I see a blonde and a brunette and several others, all having potential, but not the potential I'm looking for.
I پار, صلیب my arms in a balanced X shape, displeased.
Spirit sighs. "It's no use. He's not going for any of them. C'mon, Kid. آپ don't have to be so picky. I mean, just look at them! Cute, right?"
I cast my gaze to the side and feign indifference, lowering my arms. "I'm not being picky. I'm being precise. A charming weapon partner is not what I'm looking for. I'm seeking something much مزید important than that."
"And what exactly are آپ looking for, Son? These are girls that have volunteered to be your weapon partner, and آپ don't even want to give them a chance?"
I fold my hands together and close my eyes. This isn't getting me anywhere. They're trying to be helpful, but really, all they're doing is giving me a headache. I need some fresh air.
"Listen Dad, I know you're trying to help me. Thank you. I will begin hunting for kishin souls as soon as I find the appropriate partner, but please allow me to تلاش on my own. I can't focus. These girls seem nice enough, but they're not exactly what I'm looking for. I will start my own missions on my own terms and not a moment sooner."
Spirit smiles, tucking his arms into his جیکٹ pockets. "That's quite a son آپ have there."
My father nods. "All right, Kid. I have every confidence in you. Just let me know if there's anything your old man can do to help آپ out."
"Thank you," I repeat, standing up. "May I go now?"
"You may."
I begin to walk away, when my dad says, "Wait! Kid, I need to ask آپ a favor."
I turn. "Yes, Father?"
"There's a disturbance in Brooklyn that I'd like آپ to investigate. There are no students that can take the mission up right now, and it needs to be handled immediately. Apparently, there are two سٹریٹ, گلی thugs causing havoc, stealing from the town's citizens and scaring them to no end. They're not eating any human souls, but they do need to be stopped. It's the ideal mission for you. No kishin souls will need to be collected."
"Sounds simple enough," I respond. "I'll head over to Brooklyn right now."
Maybe a mission like this is just what I need.
Leaving with the echoes of my own footsteps, I saunter down the long hallway and out the door, leaving behind a very puzzled father of mine and quite a few disappointing pictures.
...
"There's Lord Death's son," a student whispers.
"He's got a lot of potential. I heard he's looking for a weapon partner."
"You think he'll choose one of us from the Academy?"
"Probably. His father runs the place."
"Nobody could ever live up to him."
"I'm sure he's very powerful. Who knows what he could do?"
This idle conversation is something I'm accustomed to. I've dealt with it since I was a young boy. Though all this attention feels undeserved. I haven't done anything worth praising, and yet, I'm a مقبول topic that comes up in quite a few conversations. I try not to dwell on it. Yes, I'm a Grim Reaper, but I still have a lot to learn. There's still so much to discover, and I've just begun. My life span ensures that I have an undefined amount of years to live; that is, as long as I don't die in battle.
I'm just about to leave the Academy when I'm confronted سے طرف کی a familiar face.
"Kid!" a girl with bouncy blonde hair greets. "It's so nice to meet you! I'm Kari." She extends her arm out like a friendly sunflower. It's one of the girls from the photos. I shake her hand. "Nice to meet you, Kari."
She giggles, a little tint of گلابی rushing to her beaming cheeks. "So I hear you're in the market for a weapon partner! I happen to be a weapon! I think I even remember sending in my تصویر to volunteer for the job! Did آپ see it?"
Oh no. I know exactly where this conversation is going. I find their offer to be highly generous, but I never expected having to let one of them down in person. This isn't something I'm prepared for.
"Oh," I say, as if surprised. "Yes, I do remember your picture. It was nice."
She laughs again. "I know! I'm pretty magnificent, huh? I'm a giant میں تپ, تپ with a lot of آگ کے, آگ power! I bet آپ and I would make a great team." She bats her eyelashes and leans up against my shoulder.
"I--"
"And I'd never let آپ down!" she interrupts. "Oh, no! Never! I'd always be there to protect you! Through thick and thin! Yes-siree! I'd never leave your side!"
"I appreciate your offer," I start. Sigh. Here we go. "But there are still a lot of things I have to consider."
"Are you..." she says, her eyes quivering with tears, "Are آپ saying I'm not...pretty enough for you?"
Not good. Definitely not good.
"What?" I ask, shocked. "No! That's not what I'm saying! I...um..."
"Well then...?" she persists. "Tell me! Is there someone else?"
"I--"
"Well fine!" she screams, pointing in my face. "You're a jerk! I hope آپ end up with the ugliest girl in this school!" And with that, she departs, stomping her way down the hall.
As soon as she's gone, I let out a long sigh, praying I don't run in to any مزید hot-headed girls with a temper.
...
I gaze up at the sun. It hasn't changed much since this morning. I can feel the heat radiating through my black suit, but it feels nice. Summoning Beezlebub, my flying skateboard, I take off for Brooklyn. It shouldn't take me long to get there, not while I'm riding this. As I'm flying, I surrender to my thoughts.
I still haven't found a weapon partner. It's been a long while. I've done a lot of research, but every time I look, I come up empty-handed. Is there really no symmetrical weapon out there? I desire to maintain symmetry, even on the battlefield. If I can't remain symmetrical, weapon in hand, then I might as well consider myself defeated. What to do...
...
I land on a busy Brooklyn سٹریٹ, گلی and survey my surroundings. It's a nice city. It has quite a lot of tall buildings and skyscrapers. Those two thugs could be anywhere around here. My best chance of finding them would be in the deserted alleys, no doubt. I should start there.
I begin walking aimlessly, keeping my eyes and ears sharp and on the alert for anything suspicious. I just start down another alleyway when I suddenly stop with a very strange feeling of being watched. Turning, I look over my shoulder to see if anyone is there. No one seems to be, but I'm only using my eyes. Switching into soul perception mode, I detect two human souls behind a dumpster.
I glower. If it's مزید fan-girls, I think I might just run away.
"Who's there? دکھائیں yourself," I order.
Silence. No response. I put a hand on my hip and sigh. "I hope you're not taking me for a fool. I can sense your soul wavelengths. دکھائیں yourselves immediately."
A few سیکنڈ pass me سے طرف کی when I see a flash of purplish pink. I suppose one of the individuals is a weapon, and he یا she just transformed. A girl steps out from behind the dumpster. She's taller than me, long brown hair going down her back. She wears a grayish جیکٹ draped around her shoulders and a blue سب, سب سے اوپر with jeans. If I had to guess, I'd say she probably lives on the streets and has been for a long time.
In her hand, she holds a silver pistol. She points the pistol at me, smirking confidently and walking toward me gallantly. "Against the wall. Now."
Could these be the thugs I'm searching for?
I back up until I can feel the wall. Pleased to see that I will not be resisting, she chuckles under her breath and strides forward, getting in my face and placing her right hand on the دیوار behind me. I try to ignore the fumes coming off of the cigarette in her mouth. It's a disgusting smell. I'll never understand why people allow themselves to get involved with such a nasty habit.
Finally, after examining me for quite some time, she says, "Fancy suit, Stripes. What'd it cost? Two hundred? Three hundred dollars?"
"Yeah! What'd it cost?! Huh? Huh?" the pistol in her hand persists. So the pistol is female as well, I see.
"I made it actually," I correct.
"Hmph," she glowers, turning her head. "Wise guy, huh? Well listen, Stripes. Give me everything you've got, and I mean everything." It's got to be them. It seems like they've done this before.
"I have a name," I respond. "It's Kid."
"That's a stupid name," she insults.
"Yeah, a real stupid name! I like Stripes better!"
"That's a nice emblem آپ have there," the girl points out, looking at my Reaper skull on the front of my jacket. "Are آپ from the DWMA?"
I shake my head twice. "No, I am not a student."
"Then why do آپ have that?" she asks.
"If it'll shed any light on the matter, my full name is Death the Kid. I'm the son of the Academy's founder."
She raises her eyebrows, still smiling with confidence. "Oh, really? آپ hear that, Patty? We've got ourselves a Grim Reaper."
"I bet he's got a ton of cash!" the pistol, Patty, exclaims.
The girl chuckles darkly. "Yeah, I bet آپ live the good life, don't you, Reaper Boy? I bet آپ have a large house to call ہوم and not a care in the world, huh? I know your type: rich, spoiled kids that don't have to worry about anything. But you're on our turf now, Reaper. Your family's got enough money to fill all the banks in the world, so do us a favor and give us everything آپ have."
As she's talking and pointing the pistol at my face, I look down and examine the weapon. She looks light and well-balanced. Before I know it, the girl that's keeping me pinned leaps back and transforms as well...into the same exact weapon.
I gasp and watch in awe. The pistol the girl was holding transforms into her human form, and they seemingly switch positions. Now the girl who was the pistol is holding an exact replica of herself. They're both the same. They must be related.
The new girl, Patty, is also taller than me. She has short blonde hair and a wild look in her eyes as she points her relative at me with no glimpse of fear to be found.
Two exact weapons. Two perfectly identical weapons. That means...if held at the same time...they would be the ideal weapons of symmetry. An image flashes before me, an image of me holding them both at the same time. It almost seems too good to be true.
"Well! Jump to it, Stripey! We need money! So give us everything آپ have and beat it!" Patty commands.
"You two are identical weapons," I say.
"Yeah? What of it?" the pistol asks. "That's not important."
"Yeah! Not important at all!" Patty agrees. "We're not here to chat. If آپ don't give us your money right now, Liz and I will kill you. HAHAHAHA!"
This isn't getting me anywhere. I know I'm supposed to be handling the situation, but they're the only symmetrical weapons I've found since I've started my تلاش for weapon partners. I decide to give them what they want. Maybe after I comply with their terms, they'll listen to me and perhaps consider coming back to the DWMA. I reach into my pocket and take out my wallet. I don't usually keep a lot of money with me, but I do give them every penny. They seem to need it مزید than I do.
Patty giggles and Liz transforms back into her human form.
"Now that آپ have what آپ want--"
"You can get lost," Liz finishes for me. "Come on, Patty. Let's go."
"Wait!" I say.
"Didn't آپ hear us? We're not here to chat! Beat it, Kid!" They link arms with each other and start walking back down the alley from whence they came. I can't let them get away. I wait for them to disappear around the corner before I dash after them in pursuit. I won't let them see me. I'm going to wait until the perfect moment to make my move.
...
Liz leans against a pole as she waits for her sister to count the money I gave them. After Patty gives her verdict, they high-five each other and begin talking.
This سٹریٹ, گلی in particular is very busy, so I should be able stay concealed within the crowd. I distractedly acquaint myself with a fruit stand as I watch them. Laughing, they waltz up to a pastry دکان and buy a funnel cake covered in powdered sugar and strawberries.
Well, I'm glad I could help them out in some way.
The crowd consists of older citizens and younger ones like myself. However, the people here seem only vaguely similar to the people back in Death City.
The girls finish their sugary treat and start heading west. Acting as one with the crowd, I follow after them, never letting them out of my sight. I don't necessarily have a game plan just yet, but I'm working on it. I'm going to have to think over my approach carefully.
These girls are unpredictable. If approached the wrong way, my offer could have the opposite effect, and that is not what I'm aiming for. I need to get on their good side long enough for me to explain the benefits they could obtain from becoming my weapon partners. If all else fails, I could bribe them, couldn't I? Wow. How silly of me. Am I actually considering that?
Well, anything for symmetry, I suppose.
The sun has gone down now. The smiling yellow moon is now hanging in the بنفشی, وایلیٹ sky.
The girls have wandered away from the busy streets, and I'm right behind them. They haven't noticed me yet. I'll have to say something quickly. If they notice I've been following them for the past half-hour, my entire plan could be in jeopardy.
We're nearing the docks. I can hear the water gently lapping the water-logged wooden piers. I look over the ocean, and I'm taken aback سے طرف کی the beauty of the moonlight as it dances along the nighttime waves.
Brooklyn is surprisingly breathtaking.
Carefully, I hide behind a کریٹ, کھوکھا and peer out over my left shoulder. The girls head into a shack. Perhaps that's where they live. I step out for a سیکنڈ when I hear a few voices. They sound demanding...and male.
I quietly inch up to the doorway, but every plank of wood I step on groans in protest. "Damn it," I mutter.
"Put your hands up right now where we can see them, Thompsons," a gruff voice orders.
No, they're being arrested! What should I do?
I hear one of the girls transform and then Patty's voice rings out, "We're not going anywhere!"
I poke my head out to see what's going on, and I'm confronted سے طرف کی quite a scene. There Patty stands, pistol in hand, facing a large number of armed military officers. So...symmetrical...
I ذائقہ, مارنا my fist into my hand, eyes alight with hope. Symmetry! They will be mine!
I run through the doorway and stand in front of the girls protectively.
"Don't touch them!" I yell.
"Who the hell are you?" one of the generals asks.
"Girls, I need آپ to transform," I say.
"What makes آپ think we'll listen to you?" I hear Liz question.
"Do آپ want to die?!" I holler. "This isn't the time to argue!"
If we don't act fast, all three of us will be dead.
It takes a couple of seconds, but they eventually comply.
Surprisingly enough, our soul wavelengths merge together almost instantaneously. Impossible. I've never seen soul wavelengths match so quickly. I hold them right-side-up and point them determinedly at the officers. To be honest, I feel ridiculous holding them this way. I flip them upside-down.
"What are آپ doing?!" Liz demands.
I don't answer. Instead, I leap into action. The officers quickly take aim and آگ کے, آگ on their generals' command, but that doesn't stop me. I'm too quick for their bullets.
Dodging them with ease, I jump into the air, sailing directly over them as I pepper them with firepower.
They go down easily. Humans can be quite weak, even in the U.S. Military.
I won't kill them. I'm not here to commit murder. I'd like to collect my symmetrical weapons and leave if they don't mind.
The army generals hold their guns up, aiming for me as I land on the floor. I turn and disappear in an instant, watching the evident confusion take over their faces.
I reappear directly in front of them and snatch the guns out of their hands. One of them tries to مککا, عجیب الخلقت me, but I fluently اقدام to my left and retaliate with a مککا, عجیب الخلقت of my own. His nose fills with blood and pours out onto his jacket. Disgusting. I kick him to the floor.
I look down at the سیکنڈ general that has also fallen to the floor but only because of his own clumsiness.
"I know who آپ are!" he exclaims, shakily pointing a finger at me. "You're Lord Death's son! Death the Kid! A Grim Reaper, aren't you? آپ were sent here to look after the Thompson situation! They've been on our hit-list for a long time, آپ see. Me and my boys finally had 'em!"
"I'm afraid things have changed," I respond. "The Thompsons are coming with me."
"What gives آپ the authority? Your orders were to bring them into custody."
"My orders do not concern you," I retort. "They're coming back with me to the DWMA whether آپ یا anyone else approves of it یا not."
"What's got آپ so interested in the Thompsons? They couldn't be worth a dime to you! You're a part of the Death family!"
I glare down at him, losing my patience. "That's not something آپ need to be worrying about."
"The Thompsons' place is here in Brooklyn! Not in some DWMA cellar all the way in Nevada--"
I kick him into the ocean. "WHAT PART OF 'THEY'RE COMING WITH ME' DO آپ NOT UNDERSTAND?!"
"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!" he screams as he lands twenty feet out in the water.
"Not too shabby, Stripes," Liz comments. I turn to both of them and nod. "Not too shabby yourselves."
"So what's this thing about coming back to the DWMA with آپ about?" she asks me. "I'm not so sure I like the sound of that."
I'm going to need to convince them somehow. It's a good thing I've gotten their attention. "I hope آپ understand that it's entirely up to you. I don't want to force آپ into anything you'd rather not take part in, but please hear me out before آپ decide."
"I'm listening," Liz answers, crossing her arms.
I walk over to the pile of unconscious military officers and stand on سب, سب سے اوپر of them. I want them to take me seriously.
"Allow me to formally introduce myself since we're not exactly on the best of terms. I'm Death the Kid, son of Lord Death and a full-blooded Grim Reaper. For the past few days, I've been in تلاش for two weapon partners. A lot of people have volunteered to fill the positions, but none of them are what I am looking for. However, both of آپ are the only weapons I have encountered so far that fit my requirements."
"Your requirements?"
"Symmetry," I answer, holding up peace signs on both my hands. "When I hold آپ both, I am completely symmetrical. It is the only thing that matters to me."
"I see," Liz says, thinking my words over. "So let me get this straight... آپ want my sister and me to be your weapon partners...and to come back to the DWMA with you...that fancy, shmancy school everyone talks about...because she and I are symmetrical..."
"Well, your weapon forms are. Your human forms could use a bit of work, but I'm willing to put that aside for now."
"A Grim Reaper wants us to be his weapons? Unbelievable," she says.
"I think it'd be kinda cool, Sis!" Patty says, evidently excited with the idea.
Liz's mouth drops open. "Wha-Wha-What?"
"Well, think about it! We've never really been to school before, and this seems like a once-in-a-lifetime offer!"
"Yeah...but where would we stay?"
"You'd stay with me at Gallows Manor," I point out. "It's a very large mansion. I'd provide آپ both with shelter, clothing, food, and money. آپ wouldn't have to stay out on the streets. I won't allow it."
"And what would we do as your weapon partners? آپ کہا آپ aren't a student, right?"
"That is correct," I verifiy. "However, as a Grim Reaper, it is my duty to help preserve peace and order in this world. With آپ as my weapons, we would fulfill tasks and complete missions like any other student at the Academy."
They go silent. I suppose they are thinking over their options. I guess I can't blame them. They have been on their own for a long time. I can tell. And then some stranger comes along and offers them a completely and totally new life. It's a lot to take in.
"Listen, I know the transition may seem a little scary," I persuade, "but I assure you, I mean آپ no ill intent. I promise that as long as آپ are my weapon partners, I will fight to protect both of you. It is also possible that if آپ stay سے طرف کی my side, I can turn آپ both into honorary Death Scythes, and آپ may even become my own personal Death Scythes when I eventually take over my father's position."
Liz looks down. "I don't know what to say..."
"Well, I do! HAHAHAHA!" Patty giggles. "Come on! Let's do it, Sis! What have we got to lose?"
This is the first time I've seen Patty smile since I first laid eyes on her. I see something register on Liz's face, something I can't understand. I can tell that Liz has noticed Patty's laughter of happiness. It must be rare.
I hold out my hand. "Do we have a deal?"
"Shelter, food, clothing, money, and official positions as your weapon partners, huh? آپ promise?" Liz asks.
I nod.
Liz closes her eyes. "All right. We're in."
I smile. Symmetry.
I have finally found you.