??? P.O.V.

The madness is haunting me.

It pulls me into the blackness.

I can't escape from the black blood.

...the black blood, which is in my veins.

My life was always governed by the black blood and the madness.

Why?

Why does it have to be my mother, who discovered the black blood?

Why am I the one, who carries a weapon in the body, which is bullying me all the time?

...

Now I'm sitting here. It's so silent in this corner. There is no one else but me. Only me.
Like that day...
At the beach without water. Where Maka brought the healing sea to me.

Maka.

She made my line, my circle, disappear and rescued me from the sorrowful imprisonment.

Maka rescued me from Medusa-sama's grip.
But the insanity stayed...

...Maka...

She is the sea. She smells like the sun. Her smile saved me. Her smile makes me smile. Her soul wavelength is warming up my heart.

i...i..i lo...

"Crona!"
I got frightened. Maka's voice sounded and called my name The massive door opened and she entered to my dark room. Instinctive she turned around to my corner, where I'm always sitting.
"There you are, Crona. Come on, the lesson is starting every minute. And we don't want to get late, don't we?"
She reached out her hand to me and helped me get up I nodded and took her soft, warm hand.
"O-ok", I stuttered.
"Hey! I am hungry!", Ragnarok shouted when he came out of my back and rested on my head.
I'm not that afraid of him since he got smaller. He got smaller because all of the souls we gathered for becoming a kishin. When I first met Maka, I realized that I would never loose my fears when I aspired to strength.
I wanted to become stronger because I wanted to escape from Medusa-sama one day. Because I wanted to kill her one day.

But the opposite got true.
She stabbed me with her vector arrow when I saved Maka. She showed now compassion... and found her end with Maka's demon hunter.

„Crona, are you coming?", Maka asked.
I pulled myself together and followed her.
„Y-yes, I'm co-coming."
I took one foot in front of the other and walked with Maka to the classroom, where the others were waiting for us.
Kid-kun looked at me with a strange look. Since a while I know what that stare means. Immediately I hided behind Maka and tried to escape Kid's look. The Thompson sisters held his arms tight and took the scissor away from him. He looked desperate.
„Liz, Patty, let me go! I have to correct this unsymmetrical boy!"
„Oh no, Kid, you don't have to. Leave Crona in peace and concentrate on the number 8" Liz commanded.
Maka went to Kid and...

MAKA CHOP!!

I cringed. I feared and looked up to Maka's strong beats. In the same moment it became silent. Kid lay on the ground in a – how he calls it – symmetrical pose. Soul, Black*Star and Patty laughed hardly. Maka stood there and looked down to the son of the Shinigami.
„He should not try again to cut only one of Crona's hairs... Crona looks good like he is now and nothing should change."
I stared at her. Helpless I stood there and looked at her.
„Well, so long as he doesn't look better than me!", Black*Star said and he build up and showed his muscles.

I sat down on my seat. Maka sat next to me and more and more times she gave me a smile, while Dr Stein was starting the lesson. There was no need to pay attention to the professor because he was talking about the dissection of protected kinds of birds – again. I let his speech and the discussion about animal protection pass. But when Ragnarok took the word I paid my attention to him.
„How about dissecting Crona? Maybe his weak body looks interesting from the inside."
I began to shiver. I waved my arms and panicked.
„No! No, that can't be working! I don't now how to deal with getting dissected!"
I saw the temptation in the professor's eyes. I knew very well that he would dissect me for real if I wouldn't be a student. I knew that he wanted to know how Medusa's child looks from the inside.
„Ragnarok, don't you die too if Crona wouldn't be alife anymore?", Tsubaki asked.

Silence...

„Oh yeah, that's right... Too bad. So you guys listen to me:
DON'T TOUCH ME OR THAT LITTLE MORON!!"
We heard Stein's laugh. His laugh was hunting a shudder all over my back.

Abruptly he was silent. Silence was directing the classroom. Dr Stein let his look raise over the class, turned around to the black board and closed the book, which he held in his hand.
„The lesson is over."
Meisters and weapons got up and left the room. I still sat on my place. Maka lay a hand on my shoulder.
„What's the matter, Crona?"
„What should be wrong with this wimp?", Ragnarok asked rough. „He is all day that way."
„Shut up, Ragnarok. I'm not talking to you... Come on, Crona. Let's go on a walk."
I nodded, stood up and followed her.

When we left the Shibusen, the laughing sun was shining in my face. I needed a little while to acclimate. The hours in my dark bedroom – in my dark corner – made it difficult for me to live with such a bright light.
Trees covered the light and Maka and I were walking through the grass.
„Can I ask you something, Crona?"
I looked at her and nodded.
„S-sure, Maka."
She stopped moving. Her strong... beautiful... eyes gazed at me.
„When is your birthday?"
„Bi-birthd-day?"
I wondered what that means. What was a Birthday?
„You idiot! She is asking you, on which day you were born", Ragnarok answered taunting.
„Oh..."
I thought of it. In all my life the day of my birth was never mentioned. Medusa-sama never found my birth enjoyable.
„Wh-why do you want to know that, Maka?"
„Well, normally someone celebrates his or her birthday with friends."
Why should anyone celebrate my birth? Until now I only brought sorrow and pain. I wish I've never been born.

Ragnarok answered for me.
„Crona was born on the same day when I replaced his normal blood. This day is in three days."
Maka's surprised eyes wandered over me to Ragnarok and to me again.
„I understand... How about a party for you two? It would be nice if we celebrate your birthday together with all your friends.
I couldn't see it but I knew that Ragnarok had a big grin on his face.
„I hope the girl with the long black hair is cooking. I like her food", he mentioned.
Maka laughed. Her laugh made me laugh.


Later at Maka's apartment
Maka's P.O.V.

Together with Soul, Black*Star, Tsubaki, Kid and the sisters I sat in the living room and planned the preparation of the party. When I came forward with my proposal, all of them were motivated to help me with the party.
„The party could be at my mansion. There is place enough for all of us", Kid offered.
„That would be so nice, Kid. Thank you."
Black*Star looked around with an asking look.
„Who actually is invited to the party? I mean, Crona doesn't have that much friends."
Soul gave him an angry look.
„Well, you neither."
Black*Star dropped his head and stared at the ground.
„Yeah, that's true... But for that I have all my FANS, which are admiring me, the wonderful and mighty Black*Star!"
All of us rolled the eyes and I tried to ignore him standing on the table. I sighed and continued.
„We will be there of course. Marie-sensei and Dr Stein should be present too."
„Awwww, can I come with you too? I love parties!", Blair yelled when she jumped into the living room – naturally half naked. Soul got nose bleed immediately and Black*Star and Kid turned their backs to Blair. The rage came over me and I hit Soul with my giant book. Patty laughed gleefully.
„Please, Maka-chan. I want to celebrate with you.!
„Do you actually now Crona?", Tsubaki wanted to know.
Blair looked confused.
„Who is Crona?"
Like someone pressed a button we all sighed and watched to Blair.
„I think that's a >No<, Blair", Liz answered.
The cat left the room with hanging ears and we could focus on our preparations.

„I could ask my father for coming too. How about that?"
„You mean... you want to ask the Shinigami-sama if he is coming to Crona's birthday, Kid?"
He nodded and smiled.
„Maybe it would make Crona happy to hear some words from the Shinigami-sama."

„I almost forgot! Tsubaki, could you cook something for the party?", I asked her.
„Sure. I would love to. Especially for someone, who's so hungry like Ragnarok."
I smiled and thought of Crona.

He will be happy for sure.
That's the first time he will celebrate his birthday. I can't wait to see his bright face. Crona is smiling too rarely. He has a nice smile. Since the death of Medusa, he smiles more times and he is not that afraid anymore. Finally Crona can live like a normal human. No matter if his blood is black.

When he plant that scar on Soul, I hated him… But now I can't imagine how my life would be without him. Crona became a part of me.

"Maka, are you still here?"
Soul's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Without noticing it my heart started beating faster.
"Hm? Oh yeah, I'm here", I stuttered.
"What distracted you that much?"
I didn't know why but because some reason I blushed when Liz asked me that.
"Maybe the number of cups is annoying her. There are only seven tea cups and eight would be much likeable", Kid interrupted. "So beautiful symmetry…"
Everyone was staring at Kid. Was that a divisionary tactic? Did he feel my disturbance?
"You're weird, Kid", they mumbled like a choir.
"However. I think we should make a break and play basketball", Kid suggested.
We agreed and made our way to the place where we are playing basketball all time. While the others went to the place, I went to the Shibusen and wanted to get Crona.
In the cellar Marie-sensei walked over my way. Like every time - she got lost and I proposed her to come with me. On our way I asked her if she was coming to the party.
"Of course I'll be present. And I'll bring Stein with me. Crona is such a lovely boy. And I'm happy that he can finally celebrate his birthday."
We arrived at Crona's bedroom. I opened the door and looked in the corner were he was sitting every time when he was here.

No one was there.

"Crona? Where are you? Crona!?"
I called his name but no one responded. Marie came in and looked around.
"Where could he be?"
Desperately I searched him but was nowhere I looked after him.
"Where did he go?... He is never walking somewhere else without anyone by his side."
I began to concentrate. My skill to feel others souls,  helped me with the search for Crona's soul.

There it is!

I felt Crona's soul wavelength. Directly I made my way to the wall where we talked about my mother one time. He sat there and talked to himself. Marie stayed where she was and I went to him.

"What can I do?", he asked himself. "I don't know how to deal with that feelings…"
I stopped moving and listened to his.
"I don't know that. How should I deal with that? I never felt that kind of feelings before."
What kind of feelings? What is he talking about? I decided to go to him.


Crona's P.O.V.

There I sat and spoke with myself. How pathetic. Everything in my mind was spinning. I didn't know how to handle that kind of feelings.

"Crona?"
Maka's voice let me shudder. I didn't expect to see her on that place. What did she hear?
"Ma-maka."
She came to me. Maka sat down next to me and smiled on a… worried way.
"I'd look for you, Crona. We want to play basketball and I wanted to ask you if you want to play with us."
I nodded hesitatingly. I still understood no rule of that weird game but so long as I can be with Maka it has no matter to me.

Silence…

"Crona… I… heard a part of your soliloquy and…"
I panicked. How much did she hear? I bit on my lip.
"…What kind of feelings, Crona?"
I started to shiver. How I could I answer her? What would she think about it?
"E-ehm…"
"You said, you couldn't deal with that kind of feelings. What feelings do you mean?"
I hesitated. A long time no one said anything.
"Come on, Crona. You can trust me… You can tell me everything."
Everytime I trusted her. But…why didn't I want to tell her the truth?
If I tell her what I feel, it will be easier for sure.
"I…I ehm…I…"
"Maka! Crona! Why are you still here?", Soul shouted between the trees.
He made his way to us.

How I can't tell her in no case…

In some reason I was grateful for the interruption. My voice fell silent and I couldn't say a word. Maka turn around and faced Soul. Then she gently took my hand and dragged me after her.
"We're coming! Come on, Crona."
I stumbled behind her and tried to follow her without tripping over something while she was dragging me to the playground.

They started the game when we arrived the place. Marie-sensei was sitting on the bench and observed the happening. I sneaked over the playground and sat down next to her.
"Hello, Crona", she welcomed me. "How are you? You seem to be worried about something."
Was she there too?  What did she hear?
"Ehm well... I-I..."
"Crona!", Maka yelled. "Come and play with us!"
I hesitated. Actually I didn't want to play that game but Maka pulled me on the playground before I could react and she gave me the ball. Helpless I looked at the ball then the basket and then Black*Star who was jumping at me for getting the ball.
"WAAAHH!!!!"
I fell on the ground and Black*Star landed on me. It looked very, very weird how we lay there. Tsubaki helped Black*Star up on his legs and Kid reached his hand to me. I grabbed it and I tried to get my balance back when I stood.
"Are you okay, Crona?", Maka asked worried.
I stroked the back of my head and shook my head to get the swindle out of it. While that I had my eyes closed.

That was a mistake.

When I opened my eyes... I saw Medusa-sama directly in front of me.
I was shocked, tripped and fell back on the ground. Drops of sweat were on my forhead and my hole body shivered.
"You can't escape, Crona", she said.
Pure fear was in my face. My breath became faster and my body clenched.

My saved world broke together.
The madness came back to my life.
My mother was ready to torment me again...

"Crona... Crona, what's wrong?"
Maka talked to me...
Medusa was gone and Maka stood where she was before. Maka held me tight. Her eyes watched in mine, which were filled with tears.
"I-I...I...I've seen Medusa-sama!"
The tears ran over my cheek, I held my own arm and stared terrified to the ground. Maka lay her arms around me and wanted to calm me down. She gently stroked my back. Like that time in the sand hole I cried on her shoulder.


Later in Crona's room
Maka's P.O.V.

After Crona calmed down Marie and I brought him back to the Shibusen in his room and we took care that he got a break. Now he lay in his bed and slept. He breathed calmly in his sleep. He looked so peaceful when he sleeps. In some way he looked really cute. I stayed there until Crona fell asleep. After he closed his eyes and his soul got stable, I went to the Death Room for speaking with the Shinigami-sama.


Next day
Crona wasn't in the lesson today. Since yesterday when he saw Medusa, he hasn't left his room. I hoped that his situation would get better. In two days was his birthday and I didn't want him sad on that day. While my talk with Shinigami-sama, Death the Kid appeared and  supported my enterprise. I wanted to take Crona out of this dark and lonely room. My idea was my present for him to his birthday.
Shinigami-sama gave me his agreement to my plan and at the same time he approved his present at the party.

Soul played basketball with Black*Star. Tsubaki, Kid, Liz, Patty and I made everything ready for the party. Naturally all must be perfect and symmetrical. Patty arranged many balloons and other kinds of colorful decoration. Liz and Tsubaki made all snacks which had to be made some days before. And Kid and I wrote the invitations. I focused on writing... but I had to think of Crona some times.
"You're very distracted again", Kid noticed.
I looked at him.
"The last time you weren't there with your mind too. What's wrong?"
"Well... I have to think really much of Crona lately. Something is bothering him and he is not telling me what it is. Yesterday he stuttered all the time when I asked him what was the matter with him."
Kid thought about it a moment. Then he looked enjoyed.
"What is so funny?"
"Maka, maybe Crona wants to tell you that he likes you a lot."
I stared at him. Was it right?
"How do you know about that?"
"No matter how much I'm focused on symmetry I am still a boy. Crona is a little different to Soul, Black*Star and me but the way we feel is the same. I think you should go to Crona and talk with him about this. He doesn't know that kind of emotions and he doesn't know how to deal with that."
A thunder fulminated through my mind. Crona said the same when he was talking with himself. I got up and ran to the door.
"I must go for a little while. Will you handle this without me?"
"Sure, Maka. Let us arrange this."
"Thank you, Kid."
I gave him a smile, turned around and ran to the place I expected Crona to be there.


In Crona's room
Crona's P.O.V.

Like always I cowered in my corner. All I could feel was my heartbeat and the black blood, which was circulating inside me.
Medusa-sama's appearance let the insanity come back.
My past became the present.
Ragnarok felt Medusa's return too and decided to stay in the background. The black creature never showed up again and let me – for my alleviation – alone.

The silence and the darkness were my home.
I deserved no luck.
The madness was my life.
Medusa-sama ruled my life.

My happy and enjoyable life is over...

"Crona...", it whispered. "Accept your destiny. Be a good child and come back to me – your mother."
I shivered. Medusa's voice echoed in my mind. The fear I felt for her grow and grow. I clawed my head and tried to banish her out of my mind. Like the fear, the desperation grow too.

"Why?", I asked myself. "Why does it have to be me?"
A hand stroked my arm. A familiar smell came into my nose. What I could smell was the sea. I stopped shivering. She pulled me out of the blackness again.
"Crona. Crona! Calm down!"
I found myself in Maka's arms. I breathed panic-fueled in and out.
"Keep calm, Crona. I am here... Medusa can't do anything to you."
Slowly my cramp broke. My breath became normal and my soul got stable.
"She is back...", I whispered. "She is back."
"I am there for you, Crona. Medusa won't hurt you."
"You can't escape from me, Crona!"
Shocked I gasped for breath. I heard Medusa's voice again. Tears of fear filled my eyes. The snake doesn't let go of me. I cried and sobbed. Maka held me.
Everytime she was there. Maka was there everytime I needed her. She was there when I gathered innocent souls. And now she was there to calm me down.
She was the sea.
She was the sun.
She was my friend.
I thought of the day when the kishin woke up. First Kid past Ragnarok's guard. Then Black*Star. Maka challenged me to a fight and I was ready to give my life for Medusa-sama's plan. No matter if it was impossible. The black blood saved me from deadly injuries. Maka knew that. She slapped and kicked me and Soul blocked my way. Every bleeding wound became a weapon of mine.
Then the black blood took control of Maka too. The – normally sane – person laughed and giggled. She tripped and jumped. I was really afraid of her crazy actions. After Maka got her mind back... she came to me and healed me with her exorcism wavelength. She erased my circle. She brought the sea to my beach without water.

On that day she wanted me to be her friend.

"P-please...help me", I begged Maka.
Maka hugged me tight.
"Of course I will help you... Come, we'll go to professor Stein. He can help us."


Later at Stein's house

Stein granted us access and Marie offered us tea (while on the package was standing "coffee"). With five persons we talked about my "hallucinations". Ragnarok was – for my surprise – really serious when Medusa's name was mentioned. Since she tried to kill us, he was on my side more than Medusa-sama's.

How actually did Stein get Ragnarok back into my body? Did he wipe him from the ground and brought him with a shot on his place?
My serious expression changed. The thought of Stein doing something with me was sickening me.
I knew about Stein's passion for dissections.
Did he make something more with me?

I think I don't want to know it.

"Crona, are you okay? You look a little sick", Marie-sensei noticed.
"N-no, I am fine...", I mumbled.
I drunk some tea and made my stomach relax a bit. Ragnarok forced Marie to make him tea with salt, pepper and other spices. Stein observed every sip he took from the strange drink. Some times he spun the screw which was in his head.
Marie and Stein were a strange couple. Marie was wearing an eye-patch and Stein used himself as an object for his experiments. It was a surprise that Marie was still in one piece. Maka told me one time that Stein used her father – the Death Scythe – for his experiments.

Could Ragnarok become a Death Scythe too?
Maybe not...

"Medusa's return is very implausible", Stein said. "Maka's Anti-Magic wavelength defeated Medusa and she is not coming back."
"You thought that too when you'd cut her into pieces."
"Maka's right, Stein", Marie-sensei agreed. Medusa told us more than one time that she is able to split her soul into thousand pieces. What if she took another body under her control again?"
"And why did only Crona see her?"
Everyone looked at me. I became nervous. Even I didn't know the answer for that question.
"I-I... I don't know."
"Crona is Medusa's child. He has another bound to her than we others. And look at Ragnarok. Even he is taking that serious. And that means a lot", Maka explained.
Now all of us were staring at Ragnarok.
"Hey, hey, hey!! Don't look at me this way! Medusa tried to kill us! THIS is a point I'm taking serious!"
Stein furrowed his brow. He seemed to believe Maka.
"If this is true, the situation is very serious. We should tell Shinigami-sama."
"Kid and I did it already", Maka mentioned. "I wanted to ask Shinigami-sama for a favor which is associated with this."
"What favor, Maka?"
Maka got nervous. She looked to me, then to Stein and Marie and then back to me. Maybe the favor has something to do with me. Maka started mumbling.
"Ehm... well... eh..."
Marie seemed to understand her behavior. She leaned over to Stein and whispered something I couldn't hear in his ear. He nodded and grinned at me. I was a little afraid of his smirk. I slided back and forth on my place. The annoyed Ragnarok knocked on my head.
"Stop sliding, you moron!"
I stopped moving. My look wandered to Maka. She smiled happily. I had to smile too.

We came back to the seriousness of the situation.

"How do we can find out where Medusa is?"
"With her permanent soul protection she cheated us many times before. This time she will make it more difficult to us to find her."
"I think, we should follow the moments when Crona sees Medusa. Maybe it has a meaning."
My eyes widened. My heart hurt and I started shivering.
I saw Medusa every time when Maka was in front of me and I heard her when Maka was near me...
I buried my fingers in my hair. I crooked my back and clenched. I had a lump in my throat and it closed my lungs.

No...No..Not Maka! Please not Maka!

"No...No...It's not true!"
"Crona, what's the matter?"
Maka was worried. She lay a hand on my shoulder. It felt like Medusa was boring her fingernails in my skin. I shuddered under Maka's touch. Hesitatingly I turned around to Maka and saw Medusa in front of me. The shock overcame me. Shocked I gasped for breath and pushed Maka's hand away from me. My fear was too strong. I crawled to the end of the sofa. Maka looked at me sad, surprised and shocked.
"Crona? What's wrong?"
"Crona, come to me..."
Maka and Medusa-sama were talking to me. I could hear only Medusa's voice. Maka was gone and Medusa took her place.
Ruled from the fear I escaped from the house. I could hear how Medusa was calling after me. Or was it Maka? I couldn't tell them apart anymore. I ignored Ragnarok's yelling and the punches he gave me. I ran further and further until I saw her.
Eruka.
Free was by her side and together they sneaked through the streets of Death City.
"What are you doing here?"
They froze. Slowly they turned around and calmed down when they saw me.
"It's you, Crona", Eruka noticed.
"What are you doing here?", I replied.
The two hesitated.
"That's none of your business, kid."
"I-I... I saw Medusa."
Eruka froze. She remembered the time she carried Medusa's snakes in her body. Medusa blackmailed her and forced her to do things for her. Did the snakes come back too?
"W-w-what?! No! It can't be!", Eruka screamed before Free shut her mouth.
"Please, be quiet. Do you want us to get discovered? … In whose body is Medusa now?"
The answer made my heart hurt. I had a lump in my throat.
"Ma-maka Albarn..."
I lowered my head.
"Maka Albarn", Eruka replied. "She is the girl who defeated Medusa and the kishin, isn't she?"
I stayed silent.
"Crona?"
A tear rolled over my cheek. I couldn't hold it back anymore. My legs gave in and I sank on the cold and hard ground.
"Hey, kid, is everything okay? Come on, get up."
The werewolf offered me his hand. I stayed quiet on the ground and refused his help.
"Come on, you wimp! Get the hell up!", Ragnarok shouted at me.
Slowly I shook my head. The tears ran out of my eyes like a waterfall.
"I've had enough", he said before he returned into my body.
"We can't let him sit here, Free. We should take him to the Shibusen without being discovered."


Maka's P.O.V.

I ran through Death City. But my power left me slowly and I got tired. Crona... Where are you? It was sundown already. What happened to Crona that he had to run away? Did he saw Medusa? … In... me?

"Maka!"
I frightened. Soul and Black*Star went to me. They were sweating because of their basketball game. I was breathless when they arrived me.
"Maka, what happened? Why are you running through the streets like an insane? I thought, you wanted to arrange the party with the other guys."
"Yes, I wanted to but I had to go for a little while to speak to Crona. After that we went to Stein and Marie because he saw Medusa again."
"And where is he now?"
I breathed in.
"He ran away. Crona freaked out and ran away. I wanted to search him but I can't find him."
Soul and Black*Star looked at each other confused.
"Maybe he fled into his room", Soul proposed.
Together we went to the Shibusen. Black*Star ran to Kid's Mansion to give them an update of the Situation and to help them. Soul and I arrived at the Shibusen when we saw him.
Crona lay in front of the gates of the Shibusen building and was not moving. I sprinted as fast as I could to him and kneed beside him."Thanks god! We found him."
I grabbed his shoulders gently and shook him but he didn't wake up.
"Crona! Crona, please wake up."
I begged him desperately but he stayed unconscious. I shook him stronger.
"Crona! Open your eyes! Please!"
Soul stood next to me and observed me. Tears dropped down to Crona. Now I noticed that I was crying. The happening in front of me let me remember the day Crona almost died.
"Crona, please don't do that to me! Wake up! Come on! WAKE UP!!"
I heard Soul sighing. I looked up to him.
"Crona is very important to you, isn't he?"
I nodded. He was important to me for real. A life without Crona wouldn't be a life anymore...
"Without Crona I would never be happy again..."
I heard a quiet breath. The body in front of me was moving and he breathed in and out.
"Maka...", Crona whispered very quiet.
A moment after that he opened his eyes and he murmured something but I couldn't understand what he was saying.
"Crona? I can't understand you."
"Medusa-sama..."
He lifted his arm and pointed at me. Shocked I stared at him.

Did Medusa be in my body?

"Ragnarok."
I couldn't react when Crona lifted the demon sword and stabbed it into my chest. A horrible pain filled my hole body. Every part of me hurt. What's happening here?


Crona's P.O.V.

I stabbed Medusa with Ragnarok. My fear changed into hate. Medusa's  eyes were widened and she seemed to be pain. The blood was flew like water and drowned the ground.

Now she is finally gone.

"Crona... You're doing this to your own mother?"
I didn't responded and pulled Ragnarok out of her chest. Then I saw how she left Maka's body and vanished into thin air. Only her soul stayed. Soul stood there totally shocked and he was afraid of Maka could be dead. Her body got weak and she fell in my arms and I held her in a hug. Like she was holding me every time.

"What have you done?!"
I looked up to Maka's partner.
"She's alright. Medusa got killed but Maka is health. I can feel her soul wavelength."
"That would be good for you."

"What happened?"
The others arrived at the place of the happening. All of them gathered around Soul, me and the passed out Maka. After I explained the situation, Maka woke up. She hugged me.
"Thank you,Crona", she said.
"Maka."
"Well, I think it was a long and stressful day. We should go to our homes", Death the Kid suggested.
Maka stood up.
"But what is with the preparation for the party?"
"It's no problem, Maka-chan. We made everything ready.", Tsubaki assured.
"I'm so sorry, guys. I left you alone with that for so long."
"If Medusa is gone it was worth the trouble... but... what if Medusa comes back AGAIN?"
"You idiots!", Ragnarok shouted. "Medusa was killed by her child and for all who want to know: her soul was very tasty. Thanks for asking me."

Everyone:
"Ragnarok", I murmured.

Everyone was laughing happily.

Was that the end already?
Was I save from Medusa now?
Was Medusa gone with the madness?

I hope so...

"What happened here?"
Shinigami-sama came out of the building.
"The witch, Medusa, is finally dead, Shinigami-sama", Soul declared.
"These are good news! But now you should go home. It's late and you have to go to school tomorrow."
Shinigami-sama turned around to face me.
"I would be enjoyed if you would be in lesson again tomorrow."
I nodded.
"Y-yes, Shinigami-s-sama."
"Well then! I'll see you at the party in two days! Gooooood night, everyone!"
"Good night, Shinigami-sama!"
"Good night,father!"
We said good-bye to each other and went back to our homes. And I was going back to my dark and cold corner...


2 days later

Maka was waiting for me at the entrance of the Shibusen. I went silent through the corridors and sneaked through the groups of students. The light was shining in my face. When I left the building, Maka jumped at me. I frightened when she wrapped her arms around me and she hugged me that strong that I couldn't breath for a moment. Then she kissed my cheek... I blushed so hard that my face looked like a tomato.
"Happy birthday, Crona."
I stammered some words of gratitude because I didn't know what to do. How should I react?
"Maka, don't overcharge Crona so much", Soul shouted to her. "Just look at him. He doesn't know how to deal with that."
Soul laughed with a sneering undertone. Maka pulled back and gave me a beautiful smile. I smiled too. A feeling of relaxation made me.

Medusa is gone. Finally.
She's not coming back. I hope.
Now Medusa-sama is not standing in my way to a peaceful and enjoyable life anymore.

"Hey, guys! What's up?!"
Black*Star jumped over the place to us. Tsubaki tried to be as fast as her partner was. Black*Star was the first who arrived us. He stood in front of me and lifted his hand.
"I wish you a nice birthday, Crona!"
I stared at his hand, then in his grinning face and then at the hand again. I looked to Soul for a second. He signaled me that I had to give him a "high-five". I did it and Black*Star laughed happily. He had a big smile on his face and he made some place for Tsubaki. The girl was smiling and gave me her hand.
"Best wishes to your birthday, Crona."
"I-I... Thank you."
Maka lay an arm around my shoulder.
"I'm happy you can finally celebrate your birthday, Crona. Today in the evening we're on the party and you'll have a lot of fun."
"O-okay...b-but... why are you doing this fo-for me?"
They looked at me. A minute later Kid and the sisters came to our group. We could hear Patty's laugh all over the place. Kid stopped next to me and lay a hand on the other shoulder which wasn't taken by Maka's arm.
"I wish you a good day, Crona. Happy birthday."
My look wandered around over the group. Everyone was happy and they were enjoyed... because of me. What have I done that they forgave me all I did in the past. All dark doings I've done were forgiven. Why?
"W-why are you doing this for me?"
"Because we're your friends."
I looked to Maka. Her words let my heart make a jump. It was warm inside me.

"Were is Ragnarok? Usually he's coming out earlier."
"I don't know. Ragnarok wa-wasn't out here for a long t-time... Ragnarok."
He didn't come out. Not a word he spoke to us. Ragnarok wasn't like this. Normally he would come out and bully me. What was wrong with him?

"Well, then we should let Ragnarok in peace if he doesn't want to speak to us. But you, Crona, will come with us now! Today we'll have pretty much fun", Maka declared.
"O-okay... If you say so, Maka."