Disclaimer: This is a nonprofit fictional story, a FanFiction based on Ken Akamatsu's Negima. I do not own Negima, or most of the other characters included in this work, excepting where it is stated in the author's notes. It is not intended or presented for any commercial profit or personal gain; it is simply a story written for personal fulfillment and presented for public enjoyment, and as an honest homage to the fine story conceived and written by Ken Akamatsu, as well as all the other (innumerable) works that find place herein (and their authors).
The History of the Red Wings, Part Nine: Falling Star
Kalan walked in…and was swept up in a large bear hug. "Ha! You crazy little kid! It's good to see you again, Laddie!"
Kalan laughed. "Cid…well, it's good to see you again, too. Already here waiting for us?"
"They let me know the minute you sent in," Cid replied, finally releasing the young man. "Eighteen months! You kids really wanted to see the world, eh?"
"You know, I've spent the better part of my important formative years wandering around the wilderness as a wanted fugitive of some sort," Kalan remarked. "That can't be good for my development…."
"All right, all right, enough complaining," Aiden suddenly interrupted. "This is a war council, isn't it?"
Kalan and the rest of his Red Wings were the newest arrivals on board the bridge of the Grandall Empire's proud flagship, the Albiore. Besides Cid, other important figures present included Marshal McGovern and the youthful Colonel Dynis Overcast, an officer of the Grandall military who had graduated from the officer's academy and taken command just in time for the war—in fact, the minor border post he was stationed at by Dalkia had been the site of the war's first battle, at least according to Grandall. Now, of course, the truth had been revealed that the Obsidian Star had been responsible for that attack that started the war, as well as the subsequent counterattack on Dalkia, but Colonel Overcast had nonetheless been highly involved in the war from the outset and garnered a great many victories for Grandall.
A pair of Dalkian generals, Kierkess and Cecille, were also present, along with General Ricardo from Halteese. There were also: a Knight of the Round from Avalon, a second 'Cid', Cidolfus Orlandeau, a young (relatively—early thirties) phenom of a knight who had already risen to be the 3rd Knight among the Rounds, and garnered the epithet 'Thunder God Cid'; and Etrigan, the Court Archmage. But what caught Kalan's attention most of all was a girl, a child younger even, it seemed, than the age of the two youths now following him, a girl with purple hair in a white wheelchair being pushed about by a stern-faced woman with short blond hair. Most of these others he had already had the chance to meet in some capacity or another, but this unique individual was new to him. "And who…is this child…?" he asked cautiously.
The girl smiled at him. "You, of all people, Kalan Lockeheart, should be aware that one shouldn't dismiss a 'child'. I am Mashiro Kazahana, and I am the 'owner' or President of Garderobe Academy, the palace of the HiME. This is one of my pillars, Marie Graceburt, the Eternal Recurrence Jasper."
"Ah…I see…so now even the neutral HiME are getting involved in this war…?"
"It is true, it is not the policy of Garderobe Academy to become involved in the wars between the nations of this world," Mashiro allowed. "We are a neutral entity, completely refraining from political involvement, but this war is no longer a matter between the nations…this is a battle, it would seem, to save our very world. For that cause, we too will add our strength to this alliance, so that we may destroy this 'Obsidian Star'."
Kalan regarded her for a moment longer, then nodded and turned his attention back to the entire group. "Well, then…I think we all know each other here, then. We haven't had a whole lot of news while we've been wandering the world, but we recently got word that things have started turning around, so we came back—now what can you more precisely tell us?"
"Well, it's just like you first suspected," McGovern put in. "You did indeed, it would seem, nullify whatever power source the Obsidian Star had that was enabling them to wipe out our magic and produce all those monsters. Their forces have diminished greatly…it now seems that they are finally vulnerable. We've managed to put together something resembling a fleet of airships, and we can now strike them at their source—Orimus itself. Naturally, we wanted all our forces available for this…and we would like to ask the Red Wings to spearhead this attack. After all, your little band is the strongest military force in the world, and we never would have even come this far if it hadn't been for you."
Kalan bowed slightly. "Of course. We'd be honored." He flashed a smile at Cid. "I assume that the reason you're here is to pilot the Enterprise for us again?"
"Of course! She's not been sitting idle, either—we've been giving her proper upgrades this entire time! She's an even finer ship than she was during our first foray. Now, second time's the charm…let's drive those star-struck fools out of that city!"
"It's time," Aeli added, quietly. "It's time…to take my home back."
8-8-8
The forces of the Obsidian Star had obviously been diminished—but they were not vanquished yet. With the Enterprise at its front, a fleet of a dozen airships moved on the city, and a host of winged demons and more monstrous beasts rose up to meet them.
Even so, this battle was more of an afterthought. They were swept before the attacking force like leaves before the wind, and in a few short hours the city belonged to the allied force.
Aeli led the way into the palace with Kalan and Artoria flanking her closely. For several years now she had patiently endured, without having any word of what had befallen her family and particularly her father while the Obsidian Star occupied the city. Now she tried not to seem like an eager child as she searched for signs of what little she remembered of the place….
"Aeli…little Aeli, is that you?"
She turned in surprise. A young man in his early twenties was descending a large staircase to the left. His silver-blue hair was somewhat different, but otherwise his features were rather reminiscent of the youthful princess he had hailed. "Aedus!" Aeli hurried over to the young man, then stopped suddenly and dropped into a curtsy right in front of him. Only then did she deign to throw herself into the outstretched arms. "You're alive, my brother! I can hardly believe it! I wondered if I'd see any of you again…."
"We wondered the same…we wondered if any of us would make it out of here alive." Aedus released her and surveyed her two bodyguards. "Artoria…good to see you again, Cousin…and you must be Kalan Lockeheart. I am Aedus Kanna, second prince of Kanev. Thank you for taking care of my sister all his time." He bowed to the pair.
"It is both a blessing and a relief to see you again," Artoria said fervently. "We had…honestly, we had worried that the entire family had been…that something had happened to them. What about his Majesty? And your older brother…?"
He shook his head sadly. "Our brother…vanished entirely almost four years ago, after his protests became too loud. As for Father…."
He went on to explain the recent events in the palace so far as he understood them, how more and more black-robed 'advisors' seemed to be present ever since the start of the war, and how more and more often they did the public speaking on behalf of the king as well as making the decisions for him. "When your final assault started earlier today, they all vanished without a trace. And now…Father is alive, but…deep in a coma…."
"Please, Aedus…let me see him!"
Aedus nodded. "Of course. This way…."
8-8-8
Things were sorted out over the next few weeks. Mira Talin, who had been kept in safety in Grandall ever since the 'kidnapping' of Aeli from the capital, finally was able to return to the Flying City. Aedus was appointed regent of the kingdom while the occupying force did their best to root around for any last traces of the Obsidian Star in the city.
"Things certainly seemed to be at an end," Aiden narrated as the scenes played out. "We suspected that they couldn't have vanished, been destroyed so easily, but little did we know…little did we suspect just how much they had prepared, just how harsh that final battle of theirs would be…."
8-8-8
The first blow came when Mai was kidnapped.
Artoria was watching over the child when a man wrapped in heavy black robes and an armor-like mask appeared and attacked her from behind. Leaving her lying there wounded, he grabbed the tiny child and vanished.
While the Red Wings began to raise the alarm and search for the missing girl, the huge black island suddenly appeared in the sky in the midst of the shining towers of Orimus. It was a huge palace, black, seemingly made of volcanic stone—the dread castle they would later come to call the Obsidian Palace.
As Kalan began to rally the allied forces to defend the city and prepare a counterattack, the few remaining guards in the Orimus palace suddenly transformed themselves into more of the Obsidian Star's demon-like creatures.
Kalan and the rest moved to stop the invading army rising from the Obsidian Star while Aeli hurried into the palace's throne room to get to the bottom of this latest disaster.
She burst through the double doors and stared at the figure sitting on the throne, slouched over somewhat, an arm resting on his knee, his head bowed as if in sleep or deep thought. "Aedus!" Aeli called to him. "What's going on!? What are you doing!? Our soldiers…they're still minions of the enemy…!"
Aedus didn't stir, didn't react to her calls. She began to approach the throne cautiously. "Aedus? Aedus, answer me…!"
She finally began to quicken her pace, but as she reached the bottom of the long steps leading up to the throne, the body of Aedus suddenly tumbled out of the throne and onto the ground, completely lifeless. As Aeli stared in shock, Aerigar Kanna, the last king of Kanev, suddenly stepped from behind the throne.
"Father! D-did you do this!? What's going on!?"
He glanced down at her, a contemptuous expression on his face. "Ah…Aeli. Why are you here? Do you seek to try to take my throne from me as well?"
"What are you talking about!? The people who have destroyed our kingdom are the Obsidian Star! Aedus was only trying to help! Did…did Aemar meet a similar fate…?"
"Aemar? Who's that? Oh, yes, the other seed of this body. Goodness, this man was so easy to manipulate, but every one of his progeny was so troublesome to us. Must have been because of the wife…good thing we got rid of her ten years ago…."
Aeli stared in shock. "You…you aren't my father…who are you!?"
"Oh, no, the original owner of this body was an easily-manipulated old fool. I completely replaced him long ago, although it was much easier to lie low these past few weeks by feigning near-death." He smiled at Aeli. "You and your little knight in shining armor have been a huge hindrance to us. But it doesn't matter now…we've retrieved the Crystal Princess and the Obsidian Palace has been awakened, and soon everything will come to a head…and our perfect world will finally be created…."
He transformed into a monstrous demonic form, and two more demons appeared next to him. With roars, they charged at Aeli….
And then missiles of ice and fire came streaking in from off-camera, impacting them and halting the charge. Aeli stared at her apparent rescuers. "You are…!"
Two black-clad, black-haired and youthful female hinigami: "Hinamori Momo!"
"Kuchiki Rukia!" they presented themselves.
The former king stared at them. "So now Soul Society is finally getting involved? But it's too little, too late for gnats like you…."
He and his two cohorts began to beat back the pair, overpowering them, until Kalan suddenly appeared with Kamo on his shoulder. He spared a glance at the would-be saviors. "You two? It's been a while…but you might have bitten off a bit more than you can chew here. Let me!"
Kalan swiftly dealt with the two minions and heavily wounded the leader. As he began to flee, he was intercepted by the recovered Saber and destroyed by the Aeli's golden bow.
"Is the battle outside done or something?" Aeli snapped.
"No…but Kamo warned me that if I didn't come back, you'd be in serious trouble."
"Right now, until we rescue Mai, we're all in trouble! Get back out there…please!" She calmed and turned to the other three ladies. "Momo, Rukia…thank you for coming. Please, can you lend you sword arms to the defense of our city? Saber…Kalan will need you more than anyone. All of you, get going!"
"I'm on my way," Kalan said. "But what are you going to do?"
"What I can. There is no other ruler in Kanev now. I am the only one who can be a figurehead and leader for this people."
8-8-8
With the help of the new arrivals and largely due to the usual heroics of Kalan and the Red Wings, the newly-empowered invading force was repelled and by sundown a stalemate had been reached. The Obsidian Palace now hovered ominously only about a mile away from the main island of Orimus.
And as the heroes tried to recover, the magical energy from the Palace began to go wild…causing some of the smaller islands to begin falling from the sky.
"What are they doing?" Jynx demanded as they rose from their beds and hurried out to observe the oncoming catastrophe. "That power…it's sucking in all the mana in the area! The nearest I can tell is that they're…trying to take over the magic of this world!? Whatever it is, this is very bad…!"
"There's no more rest for us," Kalan said. "Whatever the outcome…this has to end tonight. We're launching an all-out assault on that 'Obsidian Palace'. Kurt, Takamichi…you go find the princess and give her whatever help she needs. The rest of you…follow me."
8-8-8
Momo and Rukia also followed along, and when a massive force barred their very entry into the palace, they volunteered to stay behind and keep the way open for them. However, things grew more difficult when the horde was joined by two semi-familiar faces…Aizen's two lieutenants, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tôsen. But then the allies were suddenly joined in their efforts by eight individuals dressed in modern clothes, but standing in the air like Soul Reapers.
"We're the Vizards," explained the man with the blond bowl cut. "We're hinigami who were experimented on by Aizen Sôsuke and turned into hinigami-hollow hybrids. Urahara might have mentioned something about us…."
"We've got a bone to pick with you!" continued the small girl next to him with the blond pigtails. "Getting revenge on Aizen was our job, but you went and killed him first! But right now, we have more important things to worry about…."
With these new arrivals supporting the two lady Soul Reapers, Kalan and company were able to penetrate the halls of the Obsidian Palace…but within the enemy's domain the going was not all easy, and, separated, they each had to deal with some of the Obsidian Lords….
8-8-8
Aiden danced around, dodging the sinewy shadow missiles that Dynamis released at him. The man's power prevented most of Aiden's attacks from working, and it was turning into a dangerous and drawn-out stalemate. Finally Aiden had only one last trick to try….
He loaded his large single-shot pistol—his non-Caster one—and fired the shell, which tore through even Dynamis' powerful Obsidian Barrier and wounded him. As Aiden loaded his follow-up shell, Dynamis poured all his power into his shield to block it….
And the shot met the shield and reacted, exploding the mana and channeling down into Dynamis' body. Screaming in pain and anguish, Dynamis finally collapsed to the ground, still and unmoving, all traces of mana within him gone.
"Sorry about that…but there was no other way," Aiden said, tipping his hat slightly to the apparent corpse. "You pushed me way too hard…now I've got to go rejoin Kalan."
8-8-8
Byakuya found himself fighting against a man who seemed to understand him very well indeed. Rather than fleeing his released Bankai, he continuously evaded it and moved closer to Byakuya, constantly getting as close as he could.
"I've been watching you a long time, Kuchiki Byakuya," stated Larvaz. "I've learned your secrets. The trick to defeating Senbonzakura isn't to evade it, but to get closer to it. You have a 'safe zone' around yourself that Senbonzakura never enters…it's the closest you can bring it to yourself at top speed and yet not put yourself in danger. So to evade it…I just have to keep that close…."
But in response Byakuya let it fly right in front of him as the man made his next approach. "But if you are entering my safe zone, then it is obvious where I need to put Senbonzakura to catch you."
Unfazed, Larvaz dodged the attack and came in again…and this time the cloud ravaged Byakuya's outstretched arm as it tore by him. "Maybe so…but it still puts you in as much danger as I am."
Still Byakuya held his arm outstretched, his fist closed…but then he opened his fist a stream of Senbonzakura petals came streaming out, blasting through Larvaz' chest and ending his life.
"I thank you," Byakuya told him. "I always believed, like you, that battle was a task one prepared for in infinite detail, for every circumstance. But now, thanks to you, I have learned the joy of a vigorous, chaotic battle." Then he turned and started to make his own way deeper in.
8-8-8
The enraptured class watched other battles as well—Jynx putting his gravity magic to use at its fullest extent, destroying another of the Obsidian Lords. Gato and Eishun fighting at the top of their powers. Saber, boosting by the artifact she had recently recovered, the scabbard of Excalibur, taking down another foe. Kalan defeated Poclian Eminus, who had survived his previous encounter with Kalan, and a second Eminus, Pelior Eminus, the Eminus of Ice, both at the same time.
And then they all met up in the heart of the Obsidian Palace, where the Crystal Princess sat engulfed in a throne of webs. Nagi stood watching over her while a black-cloaked man, the Obsidian Prince, moved forward to battle them. Even the mighty Red Wings found themselves repelled and devastated by the power of the true leader behind the Obsidian Star.
"Oh yeah," Aiden sighed as the group stared at the beaten and ravaged Red Wings, lying in bloody heaps in front of that unstoppable force. "What this guy was…it was something none of us expected, none of us even could conceive. It seemed like there wasn't anything in the world that could stop him…."
8-8-8
While the watchers, seeing the Aiden in the film now missing an arm, kept glancing over at their Aiden just to make sure he actually had that appendage, Kalan, unaware that his deeds were being observed, was the only Red Wing still standing. Still, even he was bloodied and looking the worse for wear…the worst he'd looked since the Soul Society, probably….
"W-we can't do anything…" Aiden murmured. "That guy's invincible…."
"That isn't like you, Aiden," Kalan chided him. "Aren't you the guy who'll always find a way? I'll get this guy…there's no choice…."
"K-Kalan-dono…." Kalan turned as Saber managed to struggle to one knee. "Even so, your own injuries…they're too much. But you're the only one capable…so please, use this…." She proffered a large, golden scabbard.
Kalan stared at it. "The scabbard of Excalibur," he murmured. "That belongs to you, and to your weapon, Lady Bird. After all we did to get our hands on it in the first place…if you give it to me right now, I'll probably end up using up the last of its power and it'll return to the Throne of Heroes. Are you sure?"
She smiled grimly at him. "What, really? Between losing this, and the entire world being destroyed? I'll gladly take the former, thank you…just take it…."
Kalan did so, and, concentrating, absorbed the entirety of it into himself. The power of that scabbard began to work on him, closing his wounds and regenerating him. "Thanks…with that trump card, it might be enough. As long as I use my other one…I think I'm ready….
"Stay down, you guys. I'll finish this, and rescue little Mai." He turned back towards the silent prince. "Are you done gloating? I'm coming for you now. Sleep deeply, Yume no Musôka."
The blade of Kalan's little sword vanished. The Obsidian Prince stared at Kalan in bemusement. "You are certainly impressive, boy…you've overcome even my most powerful servants. But do you really think you can stand against me? I have lived countless ages…I have seen the birth and death of many stars…to me, a boy like you is nothing more than a speck of dust…."
"Just shut up and fight," Kalan growled.
8-8-8
"Yeah, even so, I thought it was hopeless," Aiden said. "We realized that this man was the progenitor of an entire world of demon-level creatures…their ruler and master…the equivalent of a Lord of Nightmares. Even Kalan didn't have a prayer….
"That's what we thought…but somehow or other…he won!"
8-8-8
Mortally wounded, the Obsidian Prince lay on the ground, gasping out his last. He said a few words to Kalan that the movie didn't catch…and whatever he had said was quickly pushed out of the minds of the watchers by Nagi's scream of rage. "Impossible! How could he lose…to the likes of you!? How could our end be near…because of one stupid brat of a human!?"
Kalan stepped up towards Nagi and stalked slowly towards him, obviously limping, but keeping his head high. "Wonder all you like. It doesn't matter. Now that he's done, give me back that little girl…give me Mai…."
Nagi gritted his teeth in terror, then barked an alien command at Mai. The dead-eyed little girl began to glow, and the palace began to shake. "Take her if you like, then!" he declared. "It doesn't matter! The ceremony has been completed and her power rules over all your worlds! If it can't be ours, then we will destroy all of it! Enjoy your last victorious moments!" And he vanished.
Kalan hurried forward, blasted the spider to smithereens and tore Mai from the webbing. He then returned to his fellows. "W-what's going on?" moaned Eishun.
"They said the ceremony's completed…."
"Then…from the look of things…" Jynx murmured, "…the power of the Crystal Princess was made equal to the power that created this world. It's been set…to disassemble everything…which means there's nothing we can do…."
'You can't give up that easily, Allen Black, you idiot!'
Jynx started. 'A-Aeli…?'
8-8-8
Aeli stood on the deck of the Enterprise as it hovered with the rest of the allied fleet around the collapsing palace. The ship, now absent the Red Wings, was full of the scientists who had built her, now getting their shot at the 'glorious' frontline work. They shouted technobabble into Aeli's ear, about the magic decay phenomenon that was now manifest before them.
But Aeli had a plan, and she was not alone. Kurt on board the flagship of the Halteese with General Ricardo, and Takamichi on the flagship of the Grandall Empire alongside Colonel Overcast and Field Marshal McGovern, coordinated with her. The other nations' ships, too, were there with them. Using all the power at their disposal, they created a wide-range magic spell to contain the apocalyptic power.
"And so that was when the world was really saved," Aiden explained as the audience watched the Red Wings escape the collapsing palace with their burden. "Not by that hero, or the rest of us, the Red Wings, but by that princess, now the queen of Kanev, and the united efforts of the people of the world."
There was a Star Wars-esque victory scene as the recovered Red Wings, days later, were greeted by the cheering crowds lining the streets as they were awarded medals from Queen Aeli Kanna, Queen Artoria Pendragon, King Karl Malkuth, King Mydas Kimlaskal, and Archprelate Malfus Lyndon. Then the final credits finally began to roll.
"And that was that," Aiden began as the room burst into cheers and applause. He shook his head and laughed. "Ah…kids…."
F I N
Author's Note: The Shortened Finale
Yeah, I sped through the final bit a lot. I've got a bit of fatigue with this part…I mean, I really like doing it, but it has gone on far too long already. I intended to make this a mini-part, but it blew up so that I wanted to put a finish to it. So I did, highlighting some of the major points. Maybe, after I'm done, or over time, I'll come back and flesh it out a bit.
Some of the points I hit included snapshots showing what happened between Aiden and Dynamis—Aiden hit him with his magic-destroying bullet, but somehow he seems to have recovered. That will be revealed later on, when he's defeated for the second time in the current age. Byakuya, meanwhile, got a mini-fight that was based on his battle against the Fullbringer Tsukishima. In particular, his means of finishing off Tsukishima (and this foe)—grabbing a handful of his petals and then releasing them in a sudden stream—is important because I plan to have him use this attack against Kain next Act and he needs to have seen it…doesn't need to, but it works better for me if he does.
We also saw a feature on Excalibur's scabbard (incidentally, the more in-depth feature would show when they acquired that lost artifact and show that, after Dynamis showed up and wounded Artoria before taking off with Mai, the scabbard allowed Saber to recover immediately and return to battle). In the Arthurian legends, Excalibur's scabbard was an artifact nearly as powerful as the holy sword itself—as long as Arthur wore it, he could not be cut or pierced by any blades. The Fate/Stay Night creators decided to use it as well, although they altered its defensive abilities, instead turning it into a super-regen item—it is secretly the source of the protagonist Shirô's seeming invincibility, for instance. I decided to honor that image, since I'm taking their 'Arthur', and it makes a great final trump card to allow Kalan to defeat a rather literal God, as we will find when we learn more about the Obsidian Star.
Otherwise, I don't feel much about this because it is still overall more descriptive than Rakan's flashback movie was. I've done a whole lot to show how most of these people are…the last few facts should be enough. After all…Rakan's was really bad. He made excuses ('Ah, I'm just not good at all this stuff, it was boring, I don't remember anyway, here's the most important stuff') and was especially nondescriptive about the final battle ('I have never felt anything like it…looking at that thing, I knew that…we would never win…we could never win…but somehow…that idiot won!' and it shows a single massive panel on the next page showing Nagi effectively decapitating the Mage of the Beginning with a flying Dragon Punch-like uppercut). LOL, added the translators, and I can't blame them. Oh well.
Okay, let's finish up…we'll finally get the last bits finished and move on!