Author's Note: Okay, if you haven't been able to tell yet, I'm using the entire class of 3-A for this story, and more. I'll prevent things from getting out of hand, but I hope you guys know all your characters. They will be split into groups shortly.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Negima! Magister Negi Magi series, or any of its translations, characters, settings, or otherwise; nor do I profit from anything concerning it.
Mundus Diabolus
Chapter Two: Mundus Vetus
Evangeline's house was still hidden from the majority of Mahora campus, and her only regular visitors were those from Ala Alba, with occasional visits from Headmaster Konoe, Konoka's grandfather. Either way, because of the space, convenience, and privacy of Eva's villa, Ala Alba chose it as their headquarters.
Konoka, Yuna, Satsuki, Fumika, Luna, and Zazie approached the front door to her wooden cabin, hoping that all of Negi's attendants had the same idea to gather together. "Whatever you decide to do, Konoka, we'll all be behind you," Chamo said, right before they were about to enter.
"Me?" she asked, but before the ermine could reply, another voice called out to them.
"Konoka! Did your card hurt you, too?" Ako Izumi asked, approaching with Akira Okochi.
"Guess it wasn't just me," said the voice of Haruna Saotome, appearing from the wooded trail around Evangeline's house. Misa Kakizaki and Sakurako Shiina, the other two cheerleaders, were with her. "Wait, what's Zazie doing here?"
"An explanation will have to wait until we get inside," the white-haired girl responded.
"Long time no see, Zazie," Sakurako greeted, flashing her a V-sign.
The moment they entered the magical villa, those who were currently already there surrounded all of them with questions.
Kotaro, Setsuna, Madoka, Natsumi, Misora, Makie, and Evangeline never left, but Kazumi Asakura and Sayo Aisaka beat Konoka and the others there.
"Guess all of Ala Alba's getting together for whatever this is, huh?" Misa said. The three cheerleaders immediately grouped together.
"I'll call Chizuru and Ayaka, then," Natsumi announced.
"Chachamaru is on her way with Hakase," Evangeline told them. "Fumika, get your sister."
"Roger!"
"I'm already here!" Ayaka trumpeted, appearing inside the villa with the missing Ala Alba members. "I sensed that something was wrong with Sensei!"
"Right, let's get started, then," said Asakura, pulling out her pactio card. Sayo hovered above her, holding her own card from Negi. "I assume we all just gathered here for the same reason? That is, the burning sensation we felt from our cards?" All of Negi's attendants nodded, while the other non-contracted members of Ala Alba seemed confused. "Right-o. Eva, can you tell us what's up with that?"
"No idea. Never heard of that before," the vampire admitted.
"It's demonic magic," Zazie said, stepping forward out of the crowd. A few people even gasped when they saw her. "Our sensei was captured by the Demon King. He is currently in the Demon Realm."
"What? Why? How did this happen?" Setsuna asked forcibly. "Negi is too strong to be captured by anyone, especially with who he has with him."
There were general exclamations of surprise like hers, but Evangeline's was the greatest and most surprising reaction of all.
Her eyes were wide, her mouth hanging open, and her face was paler than usual. "No," she said quietly.
Everyone was immediately silenced.
"Is the Demon Realm that scary?" Fuka piped up.
Evangeline ignored her, turning to Zazie. "How can you be sure?"
Wordlessly, Zazie gestured to the air above her, where white-faced, black blobs appeared, slightly transparent. Just as quickly, they vanished.
Sayo squeaked, drawing back from them. "They told her."
"Okay, not a big deal!" said Yuna, making a fist. "All we've got to do is go rescue him!"
"Are you insane? Do you not understand the gravity of the situation?" Evangeline hissed. She looked quite deranged. "That's it. It's all over. The boy is going to die, and so are his friends with him." Setsuna and Kotaro gritted their teeth in anger, but averted their eyes. Konoka put a hand to her chest.
Right now, with Ala Alba gathered together, their absence was greater than ever. She looked around at all her friends, her allies, her comrades. But even more, she looked at the empty spaces where more friends should have been.
Negi, their teacher, their master, who was the reason they were all here, who stayed behind to save a world that wasn't his own.
Asuna, Negi's knight, who had stayed behind to protect him as a princess of the Magic World.
Nodoka, who loved him too much to part.
Yue, who felt most at home in the world of magic.
Chisame, who stayed because Negi needed her.
Kaede, who was able to help the citizens of the Magic World with her power.
Ku Fei, who fought for her friends.
Mana, who believed in Negi's cause.
Anya, who didn't want to lose him again.
Konoka closed her eyes, imagining them all with her, wondering what they would do if the situation was reversed. They wouldn't hesitate.
"Everyone," Konoka called out, silencing the growing debate. All eyes were focused on her. "Negi's our magister, our teacher. We can't abandon him or anyone else. Most of us have faced great dangers and survived before, this will be no different." She took a deep breath. "I'm going."
"Not without me," said Setsuna, standing loyally by her side with a smile.
"Hell, I'm not missing out on the action," said Kotaro. "I think everyone else should stay behind, though. It's too dangerous."
"As if!" Yuna interjected, standing by their side.
"You're not getting rid of us that easily," said Makie. "I want to help Negi."
"And you're not going anywhere without your attendants, Kotaro," said Chizuru, standing next to Natsumi and Madoka, who smiled unwaveringly. "Though I don't think Mei Sakura will be joining us this time."
"It goes without saying, but I'm coming along this time as well," said Ayaka.
"A chance to put all our training to good use?" Misa asked, as Sakurako pumped a fist at her side. "Count us in."
"We want to come, too!" the Narutaki twins inputted.
"I would love to get the chance to research the chemical differences of the air and the soil in the Demon Realm and the practical applications of demonic magic," Hakase stated. Satsuki, too, voiced her desire to come along.
"I guess you'll all need my support," said Ako, smiling. "I'm willing to do anything if it means saving Negi."
"I suppose…" Akira said. "I really miss all of them. I hope they're alright."
"I've been in on all the secrets since the beginning," said Asakura. "I'm not going to chicken out of our most dangerous adventure yet."
"Even I can be useful this time around!" Sayo cheered.
Luna clasped her hands behind her back. "Negi…"
"I've been ready for something like this," Misora said firmly, clenching her first with determination.
"Yeah! All of Ala Alba's going!" Haruna cheered, to shouts and applause from everyone there.
Evangeline sighed. "So I guess that's it," she said, once everyone quieted down. "Ala Alba's next mission is to infiltrate the Demon World, Mundus Diabolus."
Konoka shivered. Everyone was silenced simply by the name of the world.
"Great! When are we leaving?" asked Sakurako brightly, oblivious.
"Hold it," Eva said sternly. "I'm still not recommending it. The Demon Realm is a hundred times more dangerous than the Magic World was. Even I was hard-pressed to survive the one time I went. And keep in mind, I can't go along to protect you."
"That doesn't sound too good," said Misora, wearing her nun's habit. But Eva's words didn't turn her off. "Let's go." More cheers were elicited from the crowd, causing Konoka to giggle. Old habits never really went away.
"Is anyone listening to what I'm saying?" Evangeline shouted, losing her temper. "You can't just go charging into the world of demons! And not only are there demons there, but other High Daylight Walkers like me, monsters…"
"Worry not," said Zazie. "I will accompany them. I have not been there in several years, but it is my homeland."
"We've been training for this," the twins said together. Akira shrugged unsurely.
"It should be interesting," said Satomi Hakase, pushing her glasses up on her nose.
"Well, fine, but you're all just going to your own funerals," Eva said gruffly.
"Gee, thanks," said Asakura.
"I'm appointing Konoka as the substitute President of Ala Alba in the meantime," Eva said.
"Me?" she replied, shocked.
"Do I have to repeat myself?" she asked rhetorically. "Yes, you. You have adequate leading skills and have the trust of everyone here. You won't leave your allies behind. Plus, your fighting skills aren't too bad anymore…"
"Master Evangeline! What about me?" Ayaka thundered. "I was their Class Representative, and now I'm Student Council President, and I have become strong as well!"
Eva looked at her grudgingly. "Vice President, then."
Ayaka glared at Konoka. "Well, that will have to do."
"That definitely works," said Ako. Haruna nodded eagerly.
"Cheers for the new Club Prez!"
According to Zazie, getting into the Demon Realm was a problem in itself. First of all, the only entrance was in the Magic World, so they would have to return there, and from that point, they would have to travel to the portal into the Demon Realm. However, the gate ports were only just recently fixed, so Ala Alba decided to use the one underneath the World Tree – this, however, was illegal.
That didn't matter to them, though. Entering the Demon Realm itself was illegal for humans, so one more broken law meant little. Since Zazie was a high-class demon, they were hoping she would be able to get them through security.
Due to Evangeline's advice, though, Konoka failed to mention that they were going all the way to the Demon World when she asked her grandfather to open up the gate port to Ostia. He was happy to open the gate for them, knowing they were going to help Negi, but it wouldn't be safe to travel until the next day.
Ala Alba spent their last night together in Evangeline's villa. Zazie had become an honorary member, and was given a white wing badge.
Konoka, Setsuna, Kotaro, Ayaka, and Zazie were awake with Evangeline and Chachamaru, discussing their plans for infiltration. Konoka was pacing worriedly, still stressing over the fact that Evangeline had handed her the reins of leadership.
"First, once we get into the Gravekeeper's Palace, we'll head to Ostia and board a whale ship to the southern city of Asphodel," Setsuna said, going over their plan. She looked to Zazie, letting her take over.
"From there we cross the river Acheron into Mundus Diabolus and avoid all towns, since we will be hunted down wherever we go. We shall journey on foot through the wild and wastelands to the Demon King's castle, where Sensei and the others are kept in the dungeons. It will be dangerous just to get there, but still safer than being seen in the public eye," she said. "Kotaro, myself, and his ministrae will be the ones to infiltrate the castle while everyone else waits outside and covers our escape. From there, we will do whatever it takes to return to the Magic World."
"Not a very solid plan, but it will have to do," said Evangeline. "You make it sound so easy."
"Something will go wrong, it always does," Kotaro pointed out, grinning.
"Don't say that, you dolt," Ayaka reprimanded.
"There are so many things to worry about," Konoka said. "Cosmo Entelecheia. Fate. The Megalomesembrian government."
"Those are Magic World problems," Zazie told her. "I assure you, Cosmo Entelecheia has nothing to do with the Demon World."
"If something does go wrong," Eva continued, "you still have strong fighters. Before, the boy, Nagase, Ku Fei, and Tatsumiya were among the strongest of Ala Alba. Setsuna and Kotaro were with them." The two warriors nodded. "However, now that the other four are gone, I think you've gotten suitable replacements. Konoka, Ayaka – I think you're both strong enough to join their ranks as Ala Alba's strongest," she said with a smile, almost a smirk.
Konoka bowed gratefully. Compliments from Eva were rare.
"As expected," said Ayaka. This was a very foolish thing to say.
Ignoring the fact that Ayaka was now frozen from the waist down, Zazie nodded her head. "As I said, I have considerable power myself. The chances of anyone coming to harm are slimmer when I am with them."
"I'll have to take your word for it," Eva said. "Then again, Akashi is quickly approaching your level, too. And I hate to say it, but that idiot Al did a good job training Kakizaki. Kugimiya can fit as Ku Fei's successor when it comes to brute strength, as well."
"They can do it, Master. No need to worry," said Chachamaru Karakuri from Eva's side.
"Oh, yes, and you'll be taking Chachamaru, too," Eva said, turning to the robot. "The boy is your Master now as well, so you can choose."
"I want to help them," she said with a gentle smile. "I would put my level of power with Ku Fei, at least." Konoka, Setsuna, Kotaro, and Ayaka (who had freed herself from the ice by now) nodded and smiled approvingly.
"We should get to sleep," Konoka said to them. "We have a lot to do tomorrow!"
Preparing for the trip to the Demon World was a lot different from their trip to the Magic World, all those years ago. Konoka made sure she had everything she needed, from her magic rings, her pactio cards, and extra clothes. She even packed a few paper charms for her Onymodo magic, even though the twins, Kotaro, and even Setsuna greatly eclipsed her own skills at the eastern magic. She knew Satsuki was handling all of the food; being the only true noncombatant member of Ala Alba, with no magical abilities whatsoever, she was the one who kept them all well fed.
They were not looking forward to their trip with optimism (for the most part, anyway), fully expecting dangers at every turn. They were not flying to the other side of the world to see London before leaving. Instead, they were leaving right from their school. They had no stowaways or tagalongs or mundane friends who wanted to follow along with them.
Despite that, some of them managed to maintain good spirits.
"The Demon Realm, huh?" Albireo Imma asked, tilting his head with that smile of his – the one that indicated that he knew more than he let on. "I see. I hope you have fun."
"It's not gonna be a fun trip, you pervy sensei!" Misa shouted, slamming him over the head with her magic staff. His body simply flickered out of existence for a moment, letting the attack pass harmlessly through him. She grumbled. Then she rethought her opinion, poking a finger to her mouth with her tongue sticking out. "Then again, we might meet some horny devils, like incubi for example…"
"That's why you're my student," Albireo said gleefully. "Sakurako, don't let your magistra get too out of hand."
"Got it," the cheerleader responded.
Shortly after Evangeline taught their mundane classmates about magic, Albireo overheard Misa casually mentioning the immortal vampire's lack of a sex life, which was so amusing to him that he immediately took her on as his own apprentice, to Evangeline's chagrin. Ever since, Misa had become a potent mage in her own right, another Wizard-type who used predominantly gravity and barrier magic. She even had her own ministra – her best friend, Sakurako.
"Once my grandfather gets here we'll be on our way," Konoka informed Zazie, who nodded in response. She turned to Albireo, remembering something. "Um… Mr. Imma?" He didn't seem to hear her. "Mr. Imma? … Albireo? Eggplant-sensei?"
Eva sighed. "Ku:Nel, you idiot!"
"Yes?" he asked, turning to them with a smile. She was going to tell him that the Headmaster wasn't supposed to know their true destination, but he had arrived with a few of the other mage teachers, namely Professor Akashi, Yuna's father. Takamichi wasn't with them – he was currently in the Magic World himself, trying to fix the situation with the Megalomesembrian Senate.
"Ready to go, children?" her grandfather asked them all. A couple of them looked a little miffed about being addressed as children, but it was mostly ignored. All the Ala Alba members were already standing around a glyph inside Albireo's home beneath the World Tree, itching to leave. "I know you're not telling me something about Negi's whereabouts, but I am going to trust you," he said. "I am putting myself and the unbalanced situation with Megalomesembria at risk here by opening this gate port again. I will be unable to open it a second time and I may not even be able to bring you back this way. Are you sure you are ready to leave?"
All of the members of Ala Alba looked one last time at Konoka as the glyphs on the floor began to glow – the magic teachers had started the incantation. The Konoe granddaughter nodded. "Yes. Let's go back to the Magic World."
"Good luck," Headmaster Konoe said.
She looked one last time at her grandfather, Evangeline, and Albireo, waving at them and attempting to put on her best smile. Albireo waved back with another of his smiles. "Enjoy your stay in the Demon Realm!" he said nonchalantly.
"What?" she heard her grandfather exclaim, but it was too late. She was able to mouth a quick, Sorry! to him before Ala Alba was engulfed in light and vanished.
They were one step closer to Mundus Diabolus.