No Strings Attached

The Story of the Fallen Puppeteer of Darkness, Mahou Sensei Evangeline?!

Chapter 1: (Just a trial chapter) Eve of Eva

By Zenithos

Disclaimer: I don't own Mahou Sensei Negima. I don't own anything else here that doesn't belong to me, obviously. They are properties of their respective owners and I in no way profit from this, other than perhaps getting my writer's block cured.

Ok, to be honest, this is just something I wrote to try and clear my writer's block. The idea's been hovering around in my head for some time so I thought, why not? I'm not sure whether or not I'll ever see it through. There's a bit more in beta form on the Fanfiction Forum if you're interested.

I'm still a beginner fanfic writer with a long way to go and any comments, suggestions, opinions, even flames, would mean a lot to me as they would help me develop myself as a writer. Thank you.

"Wow, this is quite a long spell…well, might as well get started. ManMan TeroTero…."

"H...HEY! You've gotta be kidding! This is cheating!"

"INFER…Infer…umm…what was it again? Infernis Schol….Aghh…forgot the words…oh, yes, Infernis Sordidis! Whoops….did I get the spell wrong somewhere?"

"NOOOO! PLEASE! NOOOO! ACTUALLY….ACTUALLY, I LOVE YOU!"

"Ugh…." The young blonde-haired sorceress groaned as the sudden spot of sunlight assaulted her face. She shut her eyes tighter, trying to block out the annoying light, while turning over in her bed. "Mmmhh…"

"Rise and shine, girls! C'mon! It's bright and sunny outside!" A cheerful voice called out.

"…Brat…if it was you who opened the curtains, I'll be sure to kill you later…." The young sorceress groaned, burying her face in her soft fluffy pillow.

"Come on, Eva, don't you remember what day it is today?" The cheerful voice continued, rushing about the room. "Wake up, Anya, don't make me pull your blanket off."

"Can I kill her, mistress?" A voice asked from atop her bedside dresser.

"Chachazero, you can't kill Negi-san." Another voice from atop the bedside dresser said.

"Why can't I, Moe? Because you love him?" The…doll atop the bedside dresser asked the doll beside it.

"No…it's…" The heavily robed auburn haired doll, apparently named Moe, said, blushing slightly.

"So, mistress, can I?" The doll in the black sleeveless dress and maid's bonnet asked, excitedly.

"Whatever you do, make sure you don't make a mess." Another doll, a snow-blonde haired one, dressed in a black dress laden with lace, said, stretching before leaping off the dresser.

"Ah, you're no fun, Suigintou." Chachazero pouted. "Violence is only fun when there's a mess involved."

"Nggg…why're you so bouncy today, Negi?" The bright red-haired girl in the other bed asked, drowsily.

"Whatever it is, I can't imagine how it could be important enough for you to disturb my beauty sleep." The blonde haired girl, apparently named Eva, said, right before her mattress was upturned, sending her rolling onto the floor.

"It's graduation day!" The reddish-brown haired boy announced cheerfully, waving his wand about as he guided Eva's mattress back to its original position. Eva, who was at that moment staring at Negi's feet, suddenly leapt up to her feet.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Eva shouted, whipping out her wand and waving it as she ran out to get washed, upturning Anya's mattress with a simple motion spell.

"Ugyaa…nggg…what's the matter? I've survived the exams. Haven't I earned the right to get a bit of sleep?" Anya moaned, rubbing her eyes. "Anyway, Negi, you aren't supposed to be in the girls' dorm."

"Yeah, can I kill him for that?" Chachazero asked, whipping out her kitchen knife.

"No! Chachazero-neesan, you can't kill him!" Moe cried in panic, holding onto Chachazero's arms.

"Just hurry up and get ready!" Negi cried, pulling Anya up onto her feet, just as Eva came back in, wrapped in a towel.

"Moe, my dress and robes." She ordered. "And you, Negi, OUT!" She shouted, waving her wand again, blasting Negi out of the room. "Geez, it's supposed to be our first day as real mages and it had to start off with you having to wake me up." Eva sighed, waving her wand again, shutting the door in Negi's face. "AND WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, YOU STUPID DOLLS?!"

"Congratulations to all of you on your graduation from our school. Remember, our school carries the pride and honour of our 1500 year history of prestige and excellence. Now it's your turn to bear the honour and burden of this long tradition of prestige and excellence." The headmaster said, his voice booming all across the grand marble halls.

"The last thing I want to get assigned as is a social worker." Eva whispered aside to Negi who was standing beside her in the line of graduating mages, all in their most formal robes and mage hats. "I want to be assigned as an entertainer or magician somewhere."

"I want to be fortune teller." Anya whispered aside to Eva, her face glowing under the bright light filtering in through the thousands upon thousands of tiered windows lining the grand hall.

"I know, you told us that millions of times already, Anya." Eva replied, half-sighing. "You can do better than a fortune teller though."

"I don't care what I do, as long as it's beneficial to society." Negi whispered.

"Social worker…." Eva sighed, shaking her head in exasperation.

"We will hand out the diplomas now. Everyone has worked diligently for the past 7 years. But this marks only the beginning of your training. Going out into the world is the first step on your path to becoming real mages." The headmaster said, ending his speech. He turned around to his attendants and picked up the first diploma. "NEGI SPRINGFIELD!"

"Hurry up and go, brat." Eva nudged the stupefied Negi in the shoulder.

"Oh? Ah, right." Negi gulped, before walking forwards to receive his diploma.

"EVANGELINE ATHANASIA ECATHERINA MCDOWELL!" The headmaster boomed as Negi quickly made his way back to his place in line.

Everyone in the room held their breaths. This was a name not unfamiliar to anyone. A few whispers broke out here and there amongst the crowd.

"Her? Graduating from magic school?" Someone whispered.

"…what a joke…"

"…I heard she blew up half the testing centre during her entrance exams. She claimed it was accidental. She even cried…"

"Wow…so she really has changed?"

"It's the power of the Thousand master. Seriously, that guy can move mountains, and then some."

Even the attendant leaned in to whisper to the headmaster. "Sir…you're about to hand out a Magic Academy graduation diploma to the Dark Evangel, the Apostle of Darkness…"

"I'm aware of that, and I intend to feel proud about it." The headmaster whispered back.

"Sir, I think we should all pray that she never regains her memory. If she ever does, then we and this entire academy are doomed." The attendant whispered back. "I don't think her ego could handle the humiliation."

"Point taken. Let's hope the Thousand Master can really move more than just mountains." The headmaster whispered again, before coughing lightly as Evangeline walked up onto the raised platform. "I hereby present thee, Evangeline Athanasia Ecatherina Mcdowell, thy diploma of graduation. From today on, you are a fully certified mage, bearing all the privileges and responsibilities tied to your title, in the service of the high council of mages. May your powers do the world good, and may your good deeds be an inspiration for generations to come." The headmaster said, presenting Evangeline with her diploma.

"Thank you, headmaster." Evangeline bowed slightly upon receiving her diploma. Finally…7 years of hard work…she's done it! She's a mage! A fully certified mage! From a homeless orphan without family or friends to a full fledged mage, acknowledged by the magical society and even the high council….she shed a few tears, sniffling lightly as she looked up into the headmaster's face. This was too much for her. "Th…Thank you, headmaster." She gulped, trying her best to hold back her tears. It was no use, they kept flowing down her cheeks. "…Thank you…"

"….The thousand master doesn't just move mountains….he moves entire cosmos…" The headmaster whispered back to his attendant before kneeling down in front of Evangeline. "It was your hard work and diligence that earned you this, Evangeline. Be proud of that. I have not done anything worthy of your gratitude. If anything, I should thank you for your hard work and perseverance." He smiled gently into Evangeline's face. "Now…go out into the world and make us proud, Evangeline."

"Yes, I will, headmaster. I will." Evangeline nodded, rather clumsily, before shuffling back towards her place in line. A roar of applause and claps broke out as she walked back, echoing all about the grand hall, all congratulating her on her achievement. She sniffled, wiping her tears on the sleeves of her robes, before looking up into the crowds and smiling in gratitude. Her three dolls were amongst the crowd, all cheering. Even the usually quiet Suigintou was clapping, albeit politely, and smiling an encouraging smile.

"ANASTASIA MARIVELIA!" The headmaster boomed. Anya immediately stepped forwards. As she walked by Evangeline, they both gave one another a pat on the back, a quick smile, before going on their way. Negi's cheerful smile greeted her as she returned to her place.

Evangeline looked up at the domed ceiling above, lit up by the golden rays of the early sun. She took a deep breath as she wiped aside her tears. This was a new beginning. This was where it will all start. This was where she will begin her story, the story of Evangeline Athanasia Ecatherina Mcdowell.

To be continued, maybe.