Disclaimer: All characters (except Atra Nex Scelus and Lord McDowell), concepts and settings belong to Ken Akamatsu! I only own the story and the ideas for this fanfic.
Chachazero: Hiya! Chachazero here! I'm sure you're wondering where idiot-chan is, well he's currently hospitalized after Negi destroyed his liver, among other things, hihihi…
The crickets applause and cheer as Chamo holds up an X-ray photo of 'idiot-chan's' body
Chamo: And he'll probably need to go get a new one after that. Oh well, he's a tough kid, I'm sure he can survive it!
He holds up another picture showing the author wrapped like yesterday's dinner while a deranged Negi looms over him.
Chachazero: But enough about that! It's Q&A time! Hey Albert, wanna do the honors?
Chamo: Actually we have a guest speaker…
Chachazero: Huh? What do you mean guest speaker?
Loud Voice: Haha! That would be us!
Chachazero turns around to see the slime-sisters looking smug, particularly Surumai
Chamo: Um, I mean guest speakers, hehe.
Ameko: Hello Miss Zero! We're happy to be guest-speakers!
Purin: Hello.
Surumai: C'mon! Let's start this already! I need to go buy some more strawberry shortcake!
Everyone sweat-drops at the goo-girl's comment
Surumai: Lemme see, we have 3 e-mails, eh…Hmm, okay. Question one!
Q: …so then, why is Atra nice to the slime-sisters? What's up with that?
A: Honestly, we don't know! I guess he's just a, well…you know, even though he turned us into normal mundane…
Ameko: Mr. Scelus is just a nice man. He even saved us from those evil perverts that wanted to fuck—Mmmph!
Surumai shoves a cloth in her sister's mouth.
Surumai: Too much info, Ameko! I don't want to remember that! Anyway, second question…
Q: WTF is wrong with you?! Why did you have to let Setsuna go through that shit?! That was way out of character with what you did to Mana and the rest, not to mention sick!
A: Judging from the author's state of mind, we can assume that he's probably not all there when he wrote that. Also, Miss Sakurazaki was, at the time, under the spell of that strange bracelet we don't even know about.
Surumai: What the heck are you talkin' about?
Purin: Umm, nothing. I didn't say anything.
Surumai: Oh. Okay! On to the last question!
Q: So I just wanted to ask, do you really support all those couples in your profile? That's like too much…
A: His profile? Last time we checked we didn't see anything involving couples. Hey Purin, could you go check it out?
Purin: Sure. I'll be back in a few minutes.
Surumai: Okay! That's it for the questions! I'm not getting paid for this, so later!
She runs away
Ameko: Ah! Sis wait!
Chamo: Hey, hold it there tuts! I wanna ask you something!
Ameko: Huh? What is it Mr. Chamomile?
Chamo runs up her shoulders and whispers something in her ears. The goo-girl suddenly went wide-eyed.
Chachazero: Hey Albert, what the hell are you whispering about?
Chamo: It's a secret, Zero-chan. I'll tell ya when the time's right.
Suddenly a very evil smile slowly crept up the puppet's face as she scoops up Chamo into her hands.
Chachazero: How about you tell me now before I cut off what gives you pleasure?
Chamo: gulp Uh—uh, I uh…Hey look! Ameko's holding a naughty mag!
Chachazero: What the hell!?
This quickly got Chachazero's attention as she looks at Ameko, slightly loosening her hold on the ermine.
Ameko: Huh? I am?
Chamo uses the distraction to squirm out of the green-haired killer's hands as he runs away
Chachazero: Why you little…!
Chamo: Gomen, Zero-chan! But I can't tell you!!!
Chachazero: Come back here you little rat! I'll cut IT off, I swear!
Chamo turns around and grins slyly.
Chamo: Hah! We both know you'd miss it more than me!
Chachazero: That's it! I'll kill you over and over!!!
She goes after him, leaving a very confused Ameko holding the script.
Ameko: Aww…how cute…Oh! Almost forgot! Okay, let's start the fanfic!
Author's Note: Whew, it's been a rough week. Again I planned to put this up at the beginning of October 10 but ended up putting it today, ugh. I'm sorry for the mess-ups. I'll try to keep my due date on time since I'm training myself to write more nice and neat. Anyway, as promised, Setsuna also suffered the consequences of Atra's warning, hehehe.
You're all probably wondering what's the deal with the bracelet, right? Well, that's what this chapter's for! Also, take note that I'm going to split this into two(or maybe 3) parts due to a certain redhead(you still owe me, you mooch) in my class complaining that it's too long, and it turned her brain into mulch. Again please bear with me since Evangeline is OOC in the beginning of this chapter. Sign Well, without further adieu, here's chapter 4A!
"Past of the Undying: Evangeline A.K. McDowell"
Act II - Chapter 4A: Secundus Sacrilegus Unos
"…writhing under the flames, he crawls out of the wreckage. The smell of burnt flesh quickly invaded his nostrils...and finding to his horror, it was his…"
0+-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-+0
Castle McDowell, Evangeline's Bedroom (night)
"That's a weird name."
"Weird? It's not that weird..."
Evangeline just grinned at the reaction she got from her 'guest' as he gives her an annoyed look. It's not every day that a man who claims to be a magical elf appears at your balcony in the dead of night. This just made her smile even more.
"I'm sorry, but it is getting rather late," yawned Evangeline, stretching her arms. "I do need to sleep you know, and I don't know if magical creatures such as yourself sleep."
Atra just gave her a mock angry stare as he watched her climb on her bed. "So where do you propose I should sleep, kitty?"
This seemed to get her attention a bit when she pouted at his words.
"Kitty? Now why would you call me that?"
"Well, you sort of remind me of a cat…plus, one of your middle names is Katherine, is it not?"
Evangeline's mouth just spelled an 'O' at the meaning of his words.
"Fine, but don't call me that all the time, especially when there are other people around."
The dark-haired 'elf' laughed heartily, relishing in his little discovery.
"For now you could sleep in the chair, but I doubt it will give you a good night's rest," inquired Evangeline, pointing to the chair Atra sat on a few minutes ago. "Hmm, I think that would be an awful suggestion."
"I wouldn't mind, but I don't plan on being discovered yet. I want to make a proper introduction to your uncle first thing in the morning," assured the man. "I happen to be a Marquis from where I came from, you know."
The blonde-girl just raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "So you are an elf, and a marquis?"
"Ehehehe…yes, yes I am," he said sheepishly. "For now, I shall go hide in your closet. Please make sure to take note of that."
Not giving her a chance to respond, the self-proclaimed marquis quickly went inside Evangeline's wooden closet and promptly made himself comfortable. Seconds later, snoring can be heard.
"Oh what have I gotten myself into?" Evangeline thought as she bit her finger nervously. "My Uncle would not be pleased with this if he finds out…"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Castle McDowell, Evangeline's Bedroom (day)
That morning…
Dawn came quickly, much to Evangeline's chagrin, as the rays of the morning sun shone through her windows. The gentle rays slowly roused the sleeping girl out of her slumber as she gingerly rubbed her eyes in slight annoyance as she gave a small yawn.
Flexing her arms over her head, she slides out of bed and washes her face with a basin of water. After that, she goes to gurgle some water from a small brass cup, and straitens her hair. With her morning routine done, she goes to her closet to find some clothes to wear.
A body of a man falls on top of her the moment she opens the closet.
"Eeeyyyyaaaaahhhh!!!"
"Ahhh! What!? What!?"
"W—what are you doing in my closet!?"
"Hauumm…Kitty, did you not remember? I went to go hide here last night."
Suddenly, a series of loud knocks echoed through the room. Evangeline eyes bulged in horror as she heard her uncle's voice on the other side of the wooden door.
"Evangeline? Is everything all right in there? The maids told me they heard some screaming," Lord McDowell's voice asked with a worried voice. "Evangeline? Could you open the door?"
The blonde in question slowly darted to her feet and grabbed a semi-sleepy Atra as she throws him back in the closet.
"J—just a minute dear uncle, I'm just getting up!" shouted Evangeline as she locked the closet. "I will open the door now."
Slowly opening the door, Lord McDowell slowly goes inside with a bemused look on his face. Scanning the room for anything out of the ordinary, he spots a torn piece of cloth on the ground. Evangeline's face quickly turned pale as her uncle picked up the tattered cloth and examined it with mild curiosity.
Lord McDowell breaks the silence.
"Evangeline, what is this piece of cloth doing on the floor?" the old man asked with a raised brow. "This seems to belong to one of your sleeping gowns."
"Uh, err…'tis nothing, dear uncle! I was merely cleaning my closet when I accidentally tore it," Evangeline explained nervously, then realized her error. "W—what I mean to say it that it was an accident!"
Lord McDowell furrowed his brow and set the torn cloth on table as he approaches Evangeline's closet. The blonde was sweating bullets now as her uncle opened the closet.
"Hmm, well nothing seems to be wrong…although your closet is somewhat chilly."
Evangeline almost screamed when he saw Atra in the closet, just inches away from her uncle. Somehow, though, the old lord couldn't see him despite the fact that he was staring him face to face. A few seconds passed and Lord McDowell promptly closed the closet and turned to his niece.
"I'm sorry about doubting you, it's just that there was a riot yesterday in the courtyard concerning a dangerous criminal and I didn't want to take any chances that might endanger you."
Hearing this, Evangeline sighed inwardly in relief. "Do not worry about it, no one went inside my room."
Nodding, her uncle approached her and patted her on the head.
"I'm sure you've heard from the maids a day ago that I will be gone for a small trip today, am I correct?"
Evangeline nodded sadly. However, her uncle held her chin up and gave her a warm smile.
"Worry not, dear niece, It's just a simple trip to get some medicine for that awful cold of yours! Why, It will not even take that long and I will probably be back by the morrow if fate allows it!" assured the old lord as he kneels down to her level.
"But why? Why would you go to get medicine for a simple cold like this?" questioned Evangeline with a hint of annoyance. "You don't have to go just for this bothersome cold…"
Lord McDowell sighed deeply, closing his eyes. After a few seconds, he stands up and turns his back from Evangeline.
"I'm sorry, but I have made my decision…It's better you don't ask any more questions. I'll see you after breakfast."
He exited the room, leaving a puzzled Evangeline inside. After he was out of sight, the closet opened and her midnight guest tumbled out in a tired heap.
"Huaauuhh…Good morning," the Marquis yawns sleepily. "I have to say, your clothes are very soft."
Evangeline responded by hitting him with a pillow.
"You! What did you do!?"
"Whatever do you mean? I didn't do anything…"
This answer didn't seem to convince the little princess as she gave him an accusing stare. The self-proclaimed marquis cringed inwardly, but nevertheless did not yield.
"I speak the truth, I didn't do anything."
"How come he did not see you when you were but a breaths length away from him?" Evangeline questioned as she crossed her arms over her chest, then added dejectedly. "If you're going to be living with me for a while, you may as well tell me."
Atra sighed as a small smile developed on his face.
"If you really want to know, I sort of hypnotized him the moment he opened the closet," he stated in a sly voice. "It's really no big deal…I want to avoid trouble until I could make a proper introduction later on.
Before Evangeline could answer, a maid knocked on her door, informing her that breakfast is about to start.
"Well I guess I can leave you by yourself. I shall go join uncle before he suspects anything wrong again."
"I shall see you later then, Kitty."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Castle McDowell, Grand banquet Hall
Evangeline and her uncle ate breakfast in silence. Only the usual buzzing of stray flies and the bustling of the soldiers outside were the only sounds that gave the place any lively air.
Evangeline hated it.
Her uncle usually keeps silent until he has something important to say. On cue, he gets from his chair and clears his throat.
"As you know, I shall be departing today. Now I'm sure you know I'm doing this for your well-being, so my mind is set."
Evangeline remained silent and merely poked at her breakfast with a spoon.
"Please meet me at the castle courtyard's shortly."
Leaving his niece to accept the news, Lord McDowell made his way outside of the castle.
"I guess it cannot be helped. Cough cough"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Castle McDowell, Courtyard Gates
A row of armored knights on horses stood outside as Evangeline exited the castle. Some of them are carrying heavy bags of provisions and supplies while others are armed to the teeth with swords and spears.
She saw her uncle on top of a large horse waving at her to come closer. She did so, but gingerly.
"It is time for me to depart to get your cure, my dear niece," Lord McDowell began with a smile. "Do not worry, for I shall return as quickly as soon as I acquire the remedy."
Evangeline has had enough as she tugs on his legs, whimpering slightly.
"Why!? Why go through all this for a ridiculous cold!? You know this is very ridiculous, uncle!"
Lord McDowell looked down sadly on the small form of his niece and took a deep breath. Tears seemed to well up on his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away with a gloved hand.
"Evangeline…I am very sorry."
"Sorry? What do you mean?" the little girl questioned in confusion. "There's nothing to be sorry about…"
The old man placed a hand on her head and patted her gently. "I lied to you this whole time about your cold."
"What? What do you mean?"
"You have a certain condition, Evangeline…something that God should not have let someone like you suffer," he said softly through clenched teeth. "Evangeline…I, I…"
"Uncle, you're scaring me…please, just tell me!" she shouted angrily as she tugged harder on his legs. "I won't let you go until you do!"
"You are dying Evangeline," he stated hoarsely as the tears slide down his eyes. "Oh my niece, my niece…I'm so sorry."
Evangeline seemed to reel back as the words slowly sunk in. The coughing fits, her uncle ignoring eye contact…it was hard to believe that her uncle lied to her about it being a cold.
She did not move an inch.
"Ahaha…that's quite a jest, uncle. Do tell me where you have learned of it," Evangeline replied in ignorance, fighting back her own tears. "Uncle…?"
"I am afraid I do not jest. You really are dying, hence my trip to find you a remedy as soon as possible."
Tears rolled down Evangeline's eyes as she accepted reality. She hated being right, being smart enough to figure it out. She wished her curiosity didn't get the better of her, and yet…
"You're dying, Evangeline…"
The words seemed to echo in her mind as her vision suddenly darkened.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Mahora Academy, Undisclosed Location
"Do tell what the purpose of that bracelet is," asked Wilhelm, observing the pulsing of the two artifacts.
Atra gave him a wide grin, making the high-demon mercenary sweat-drop.
"Besides causing unnecessary body contact of course."
"The bracelet that is latched to Miss Sakurazaki is no ordinary magical item. For you see, it's a tool of my own design that I created for multiple purposed during my 'absence' from the public's eyes."
He shifted his gaze to the three massive pillars in the room.
"One of their properties is to cause the subject random paralysis on certain intervals as well as slowly drain them of some of their magical powers. The other is an effect similar to a love potion but 10 times more potent and effective," the necromancer explained, eyes glinting at the word potent. "Furthermore, the spell only targets individuals who have some 'certain' understandable relationship with the wearer in a 2 mile radius."
Wilhelm listens in awe and puts a gloved hand to his chin as he imagines the possibilities of such a device in his hand.
"But that still doesn't explain why it only affects girls," asserted the German count. "Shouldn't Konoemon or Negi-kun be affected as well?"
The smile on the azure-eyed man's face rivaled that of the Cheshire cat.
"Oh that? Hnnhnn…I purposely created it to only target females, since I heard Kitty was confined in an all-girls school," explained the necromancer as he crossed his arms over his chest.
The mercenary face-faulted but recovered as Atra's explanation seemed to make sense of the current situation.
"I see…so what should we do in the meantime?"
"We wait for the results…unless you want to watch those dvd's I saw Ameko holding."
The color from Wilhelm's face drained.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Evangeline's Cabin, Undisclosed Location
Evangeline slowly opened her eyes as brightness subsided. She slowly got up from the floor and almost screamed in surprise at the sight of a chained, scantily clad samurai in front of her. She was more surprised at how she was dressed and the position they were in.
She quickly got out of the compromising position and stood in front of Setsuna.
"What the hell is going on!?" she screamed to no one. "Hey Sakurazaki! Mind telling me what you're doing in here with me!?"
She didn't receive any answer from Setsuna, who only looked at her with foggy eyes as a trail of drool seeped out of the hanyu's mouth. Slowly she noticed something very, very wrong with the picture.
A small blue glow brought her attention to something latched on her wrist.
"Wha!? What am I doing wearing this stupid bracelet!?"
Her question was answered when she hears a flapping of wings and breaking of chains, as Setsuna tackles her to the floor.
"Eva-chan!!!"
0+-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-++-o-+0
Ameko: Aww…it ended too soon. Ah well, I'm sure Mr. Xuchilbara will write the next chapter later. Oh, and if you have any questions, leave it in a review or e-mail!
Purin arrives and walks up to the sight of crickets clapping at her sister.
Purin: Hello Ameko, what are you still doing here?
Ameko: Oh nothing! Just finishing up rolling the fic, since Mr. Chamomile and Ms. Zero had to go do some adult stuff!
Purin sweat-dropped and just walks away.
Ameko: Hey! Don't leave me here!
She runs after her sister, the words "See you later!" are left in her wake.
Latin Words:
Secundus Sacrilegus Unos – The Second Sacrilege Part One