Disclaimer: I don't own Negima or Avatar in any way.
Holy shit, this is the longest chapter until now, 10k words.
Chapter 25: A Bloody Night.
Air, Water, Earth, Fire, These are elements of the balance in this world. 10000 years ago I was the hero who brought peace to a terrible war. I, along with my friends and teachers, travelled around the world to find and face the firelord Ozai, but one day everything changed, I find myself trapped in a distant future, I'm alone but I will remain determined to find my reason in this place.
Following the events of the last chapter…
Aang released Setsuna from the clouds of her heart and return besides her friends once more; the secret of resort has been discovered by Asuna and her company thanks to their concern for Negi's condition; when the night came, Negi decided to reveal an interesting truth behind his past…
Evangeline's Resort: Main Courtyard
Aang stood there watching curiously as Negi began to cast an spell while Chamo drew a unique glyph on the stairs, after it was done, both he and Asuna were kneeling to each other as if they were about to kiss. Seeking a better spot to eavesdrop them, Aang jumped back to the floor silently as possible and proceeded to hide behind the spire only to find that he wasn't the only one curious around.
"What they are doing?" whispered a certain purple haired girl not noticing the presences behind her.
"Hmm… that's a spell to link minds…" muttered Evangeline recognizing Negi's spell.
"…but for what purpose?" added Aang startling Nodoka away.
"WAA-" but he reacted fast enough to prevent her from yelling,
"Shh! Calm down, it's just me!"
"Evangeline-san, Aang-sensei!?" he nodded while Evangeline remembered something helpful.
"You are the one with that mind reading artifact right? Give it, I want to see boya's mind" she demanded.
"No! We can't do that!"
"Looks like he going to reveal his past, aren't you interested?"
"Past? He's going to reveal his past from that?(hmm… maybe it's cooler with magic)" he asked receiving a nod.
While Evangeline was mind screwing with Nodoka, Aang was puzzling a bit, what if that spell would be able to reveal hidden memories? Or better, memories of his past lives as well, it that is true then many questions could be answered.
In meantime, Negi was about to begin,
"Now give me your hands and lean our forehead" he said oblivious to a slightly embarrassed Asuna.
"Are you sure I'll see your memories this way?"
"Yes, this is better than words right?"
"Y-yeah…" she still was a bit concerned.
"Well, are you ready?" and receiving a nod Negi began to chant it,
"…Nympha Somnii, Regina Maeve! Portam Aperiens Ad Se Nos Alliciat! Mater Musarum, Mnemosyne! Ad Se Me Alliciat!(Dream Fairy, Queen Maeve! Let Her Draw Us to Her While She Is Opening the Gate! Mother of the Muses, Mnemosyne! Let Her Draw Us to Her!)"
And then the glyph drawn in the stairs began to glow revealing an interesting but sad story which left most of the curious audience crying, expect for Evangeline, the dolls and Aang, who faced the truth seriously, in fact, he saw the bright side to begin, Negi's father is alive indeed and that is what bring hope for him. Through many things are different, both Aang and Negi are similar to each other, to face the harsh reality in their lives and leave with hope isn't that easy at all.
In the end, the night followed up the time necessary to leave the resort by the next morning. The rain outside was quite strong but that wasn't a problem for the group, they took a single umbrella and made their way home leaving the trio alone.
"Finally, these idiots are leaving!" Eva muttered while Aang prepared himself to leave as well.
"Where are you going?"
"I need to cool off a bit" he answered.
"Hmph, whatever, I don't care" then she simply left going inside.
Mahora Academy: City's streets
Aang had no direction in mind; he was just wandering around no worrying about his surroundings, thinking about "last night", he wasn't sure why he was feeling that way, either it was anger before the events or something, he didn't knew.
He kept like that simple walking forward in middle of rain with an umbrella until he crossed a convenience store. While observing around, he felt a cold chill followed by a familiar presence on his way.
"Sayo-chan" he called.
"Hi there, Aang-sensei!" she smiled, "Where you are going?"
"Anywhere, I was just following the winds around" as he answered, the ghostly girl could notice a small sense of sadness in his words.
"What happened?" she asked as Aang sighed.
"Nothing much, I will explain on the way, let's go?" he offered receiving a positive nod. And then, as they left, Aang explained to her about the recent events, it was a sad story indeed but nothing they could to anything to ease it for now, Sayo could understand the sympathy that Aang felt.
They kept wandering aimlessly for quite some time before coming across a suspicious presence; an old man approached up to them, he had a long gray hair along with a beard and stylistic moustache, he was wearing a tattered black cloak along with a hat of the same color. Whoever it was, surely it made Aang uneasy as he felt an ominous emission coming from him but wasn't able to determinate it its threat.
"Hello" he simply greeted apparently nervous, "May I ask where's the Headmaster's office? I have an appointment with him and I don't want to be late"
Aang surely thought it a bit suspicious, but considering the fact the mages live hidden from society, then there isn't any problem at all.
"Sure, you just need to follow up this road toward that building" Aang answered pointing towards the academy at distance.
"I see" he said offering the hand in gratitude, "You have my thanks, may I ask your name?"
"I'm Aang" he answered holding the old man's hand out. The moment he grabbed it, Aang could fell a massive tainted Reiki flowing up his head, he felt paralyzed followed by a deep desire to sleep.
"Nice to meet you, Aang" he said smiling creepily as Aang fell on ground.
"What… is… this?"
"Just a little sleeping magic, nothing to worry about" he assured, "good night"
With Aang himself on ground unconscious, the old man then closed his eyes to focus.
"The supposed suspect had been subdued. Then?" he asked.
And then a couple of voices began to answer, "We've found the fugitive, the confusion spell is working perfectly"
"He's talking casually with some girls"
"It must be a side effect"
"Good, time to settle the things up"
"The seal seems functional, Inugami Kotarou's powers remains limited"
"He still can use chi through"
"Well, defeating him will be piece of cake"
"Very well, now follow the plan. Do not let the vampire detect you"
"Understood"
And then he cut off the communication with his partners, and then he gave a look to Aang ignoring the annoying presence futilely trying to hurt him. He proceeded to hold Aang over his shoulder and then leaving.
"Let him go!" yelled Sayo but the old man ignored. The ghostly girl started to enter in panic, there was nothing she could do at moment as there wasn't anyone who could see her yet.
Meanwhile on the Girls Dorm's Bath…
Many of the girls on the class were enjoying and playing around with somekind of slimy product to make themselves more "beautiful" (probably some blatant lies for comical intentions). Among them, were Haruna, Yue and Nodoka from the library club; Chisame, Chao, Hakase, Satsuki, Asakura, Kuu Fei, the Narutaki twins: Fuuka and Fumika; Yuna, Akira, Ako, Makie and Misora from the sport club in a total of 16 girls on the bath.
And none of them noticed the 3 presences lurking around and passively taking humanoid forms. The slime sisters: Ameko, Suramui and Purin; the first had a short black hair along with a hat; the second was a red head with ponytails; and the last, with a long black hair. All three have similar heights of small children and have the ability to shape their bodies between slime and human.
"Oh, we got many targets here" spoke Suramui.
"But only four are our baits, so the rest don't matter?" mentioned Purin.
"Hey, it has been 6 years since we step on the human world. How about to have some fun?" suggested the first.
"As long we don't go overboard its fine" warned Ameko. And then, in shape of slimes, they sneaked behind Chisame so that the chaos could begin as they enveloped themselves around the girls and make them squeal. It didn't take long before; the four magically aware girls were pulled towards the water to be adducted, everything was too fast for them to notice the imminent danger they got involved into.
Meanwhile on the Girl's Dorm Corridor…
Many events was happening at same time, like Setsuna being ambushed and kidnapped, the same goes for Asuna and Konoka while Negi was gone. The old man's plan has in execution, so the same has to do his part making his way toward a certain room on the girl's dorms, Chizuru and Natsumi's to be exact.
"Yes?" answered the class president Ayaka.
"Excuse me, my lady. I have some business to deal with a certain boy in there" he spoke with a slightly threating face.
"That boy? Well he is here but what the matter?" she answered a bit concerned.
Noticing that, the old man changed his expression a chivalrous one, "No no its nothing, actually I want to give this pretty rose for a pretty lady" he said offering a rose that she took delighted before falling to the floor after breathing an unknown powder inside.
"How lovely" he commented snapping the door lock to enter inside and face the others.
"Good night wolf boy, having a good time I suppose" he greeted to a certain wolf youkai, which surprisingly enough was Kotarou himself.
Apparently, on that rainy day, making their way home, Chizuru and Natsumi came across a certain stray puppy that was visibly hurt and alone on that cold and wet floor. Unable to simple ignore it, they brought along to nurse back to health; surely they didn't expect that the puppy itself was actually a naked boy.
Thing became confused at first but eventually he calmed down and became to interact more with both girls. It was revealed that he had an partial amnesia as he didn't knew what happened before coming into that place, but even so, he had something the old man wants.
"You..you are!?" Kotarou gasped slightly remembering him; he didn't expect to be attacked by the same through.
Taking a punch, he crashed into a wardrobe behind, before hearing the demand, "Now boy, could you hand over the vessel?"
Both girls startled at the event, "outthought our priority is Negi, it would a nuisance to be sealed inside it again"
"Shit!(who is that guy, he's familiar but… but…!)" Kotarou was trying his best to remember whoever was this man, the words he spoke began to spark something in his mind, "Sealed? Negi? You said Negi?"
"Yes, do you remember now?" the old man asked before being called.
"Excuse me" Spoke Chizuru, "I don't know who you are and what you want but, I believe that entering inside a house without removing the boots and assaulting a child aren't any attitudes of a proper gentleman"
"Oh my rudeness…" he said removing his hat, "I didn't know that Japan had this custom. Don't worry I will pay all the damages." Then changing his expression again, he greets himself again,
"Count Wilhelm Josef Von Herrman, at your service. Well I believe my title is not of great value anyway. My family is apparently extinct; I'm a mere employer these days. Anyway, would you my lady accept an offer over a small price?" he offered smiling.
"No thanks" Chizuru instantly rejected.
"What did you do to that nee-san?" demanded Kotarou.
"Nothing much, she just asleep. Now, have you decided to give me the vessel?" Wilhelm asked changing his expression once again.
"I don't know what you are talking about, but even If I had this vessel…" Kotarou was preparing to strike him. It didn't matter if he didn't remember that much, but one thing was clear, he is an enemy for sure.
"I would never give to someone like you!" then he charged towards the old man, who easily blocked to the left and countered with his right hand. Kotarou blocked it at time but the barrage was way too strong and he was sent flying; reacting quickly he changed to momentum so that he could soon went to strike once again only to be predicted and suffer a dangerous blow from Wilhelm kick crashing into the stairs.
("Fast and powerful blows. This guy is quite strong") Smirked Kotarou as he's pleased to fight such person while Natsumi is terrified.
"I like talented boys like you, even at such young age, you do show great skill" the old man commented, "hand over the vessel. I don't want to hurt you unnecessarily" he said emitting a familiar energy.
"Heh! Hurt me? You could try!" Kotarou shouted back, but surely he could fell it the power coming from his enemy; that old man for sure isn't human, and this mean only one thing: he doesn't have to hold back.
Then charging forward, Kotarou began a series of blows from many angles thanks to his Kage Bushin ability surprising the old man, but even so, the same could read his attack and reacted correctly blocking all the blows. During one the assaults, Kotarou began to aim 2 blows at his head, which forced him to block it and allowing a clean strike at the stomach.
"That what happens when you underestimate me!" Kotarou smirked confidently before trying to Energybend his hand and finish it with his Inugamis( Dog Spirits) at his side, however nothing happened.
("! I can't summon the Inugamis!?") He gasped.
"Impressive, you are more talented than I expected." Then Wilhelm delivered a devastating punch on his chest knocking him into ground.
"However… looks like you forgot the fact that your powers are sealed" he finished to Natsumi dismay.
With pressing the boy with a boot on his chest, he simply continued charging a massive energy on his mouth, "I didn't wanted to end this way, but I have no choice… forgive me boy."
But before anything could happen, Chizuru interrupted by striking his cheek, she stood over Kotarou side with a fierce look, "I don't know why you are doing this but surely this is not something I would allow"
Kotarou could only watch his friend facing an unknown being and futilely begged her to run away while Wilhelm, who had a slight injury on his nose, answered.
"Very brave my lady. It's hard to find anyone with such attitude these years. I'm lucky to find 2 interesting persons on this day… maybe I should invite you to my spectacle as well" then with a deadly grin he groped the girl's neck, instantly knocking her out scaring Natsumi away. Then while carrying her unconscious body up his arms, he heard some heavy footsteps coming from entrance.
"Fast. More fast than I wanted, Negi Springfield."
"Chizuru-san!" yelled the young boy. While Wilhelm's plan were in motion, Negi began to notice the many Reiki spikes flowing elsewhere, surely that was strange, so he decided to check it out, leading to the current event where he saw the enigmatic old man holding an unconscious hostage.
"Release her immediately!" Negi demanded.
Not Amused, Wilhelm simply continued, "Eight of your partners are my guests now. They are the "prize" of a duel between me and you."
"What!?" both Chamo and Negi gasped as the old man began to be enveloped in a water encased with Reiki.
"I will be waiting for you at my stage just beneath the giant tree inside the school. If you really care about your friends, then I suggest to not call any help beside him…" he warned.
"Ah Wait!" Negi tried to reach him but it was too late, there was nothing but the puddle Wilhelm once used to stand. Negi felt frustrated, he didn't expect this to happen, the old man before him was somewhat familiar in a sense, but even so, it was an enemy with hostages, he had to stopped before anything else could happen.
It didn't take a while before he noticed the terrified and confused Natsumi and the unconscious Kotarou nearby, sure it surprised him. Seeing Negi was the last key to snap the cipher on Kotarou's memory; he remembered the fight that Negi refused during the incident with Chigusa and quickly demanded rematch at inappropriate time.
With the confusion cleared, both boys explained each other about the current events and about the vessel that was identical with the one of his past. Since Chizuru was innocently involved, Kotarou agreed to carry on a plan to seal him with the same bottle Wilhelm fears. The only thing bothering Negi was if he should to warn his master and his friend Aang about it, but since Wilhelm threatened to harm his partners if done, he refused; with everything settled they went off.
Meanwhile on Aang's side…
While all of these things happened, Aang eventually woke up and found himself before an literal stage; near him was the reason behind what he woke, it was Asuna who was hanged up by some kind of tentacles wearing nothing but a sexy lingerie arguing with a familiar presence.
The moment he noticed that, Aang tried to do something realizing that his body felt heavy and sleepy, restrained by bonds over his limbs, he actually was attached to the wall for some reason; at his right and left, were respectively Chizuru and Setsuna unconscious and untouched; below him, Asakura, Kuu Fei and Yue covered in a similar prison, all naked and conscious; the moment he saw Konoka also inside, he struggled at his best to free himself in a futile effort to punish the one responsible.
Recognizing the old man he once met at first time Aang began to ask, "You! What? What is happening here? What you are doing!?"
Turning to face Aang, Wilhelm could only fell a terrible feeling insecurity as he saw the slightly confused but angry gaze on him, only confirming that Aang was indeed someone special.
"Master…what is happening?" asked Suramui apparently terrified by an unknown force coming from Aang itself, the same goes for her sisters.
Then taking a breath, he calmed down and muttered, "Hmm… the rumors are true. Don't fear, those bonds are magically enchanted to resist any kind of attempt to escape. Even someone like him couldn't do anything about it"
"Who are you and what you are doing to them!?" demanded Aang.
"Oh my, where are my manners? My name is Wilhelm Josef Von Herrman and we meet once again oh almighty guardian! Great news to the demon world, the Avatar is only a human." He taunted to Aang's surprise. Asuna surely remembers hearing that term before but doesn't know its definition.
"What's with your tough attitude?" taunted Asakura, "You were shivering like a little girl hanging Aang-sensei on the wall."
Wilhelm simply ignored what she said and continued, "at least the problem has been dealt with it…"
"You know about me?" Aang asked as the girls became slightly curious.
"Hmph, every demon that exist knows who you are. The only entity capable to control every aspect that universe has to offer. A Myth known to almost anything that is naturally born from magic."
"A Myth?"
"Yes, thousand years ago, there was a time when our progenitor, the supreme demon god first stepped in this world. He was a force of pure untamed potential, an primordial chaos in its inexhaustible energy with infinite variety of forms; with ravenous and insatiable will, not even to purest of the essences was able to resist his corruption. He came with a single purpose: to corrupt every single form of essence either alive or not and envelop the world in beautiful and eternal darkness."
"Chaos began to spread as his presence grew known, the local forces weren't able to hold his advance towards life and thus everything we knew was actually fated to fall to his grasp. All except for existence of a single being, a light in form of an old man whose it's will burns like a sun. His gaze has the wisdom of thousand lives and his soul mirrors the form of many spirits, which the most distinct was the one is of a young boy dressed like the wind, known by its blue marks across the body."
"Whatever it was that light, no one could defy his request for balance and thus a great battle began to emerge on the shadow of this world. That light alone was the only one able to face the Demon God, and in the end, our said progenitor was banished. But even so, due its desire for revenge, that light has met his own end. It was said that the almighty light was fate to once return back to its origin, to once restore what was left on the scarred remains of that world."
As Wilhelm told the tale, Aang could really tell the similarities. For him, many things were familiar; the girls could tell that something made sense seeing the expression of epiphany on Aang's face.
"Surely many thought, and still think, that this was a mere fairy tale to be told for the children… until now. Lately, there a rumor going on the demon world about the Avatar's return, even one of the highest tiers began to claim their opinions about it, with that told, many supposed suspects became targets across the world in efforts to deal with it. If that rumor is true, then I wonder, what would happen to the world if said guardian simply disappeared?" he asked as Aang simple stared him down in silence; he could tell that Wilhelm has other plans for him when everything ends so until that, he had to find a solution on his own to escape.
It didn't take long after that before he could notice the Reiki spike followed by a familiar emission coming from the sky, apparently both boys finally arrived to face the old man.
"There! I can see them!" yelled Kotarou spotting the stage.
"Aniki looks like everyone is there!" Chamo confirmed.
"Negi, strike now!"
"But-"
"Aniki, we got to stop him!"
"…right." Then while heading toward his enemy, Negi began to cast an spell, "Ras Tel Ma Scir Magister: Triginta Spiritus Aeriales Vinculum Facti Inimicum Captent, Sagitta Magica Aer Capturae!(30 spirits of air, become the bonds which binds my enemy, Magic projectile: Wind Arrows of Binding!)" and then releasing the barrage both made their away down there to face his opponent who, strangely enough, was completely unscratched. Apparently the spell itself was dissipated before even touching him.
Then surprise sprout from both sides; both Negi and Kotarou didn't expect Aang to be one of the captured hostages while the same didn't expect Kotarou to be helping but even so, any help was appreciated.
"Aang-nii-san! Asuna-san? Why you are dressed like that!?" He said noticing the unusual kind of clothes she was wearing in middle of such event.
"Like I didn't have much choice!" she shouted.
"Sorry Negi, if I just noticed this sooner…"
"It's okay…"
Then girls were relieved at his arrival before murmuring about Kotarou presence beside him, just hoping that he's an ally. The same was really concerned about Chizuru's state at moment; he really was determined to help in freeing her from this mess.
"Who are you and why you are doing this?!" demanded Negi.
"My apologies, Young Negi but, if I hadn't any hostages, you wouldn't fight at your best would you? After all, my only reason here is to discover how strong you are right now. Defeat me, and everyone leaves unharmed; a fair condition, isn't it?" he said.
"Heh! That's all? Easy!" yelled the wolf boy confidently, however he didn't expect that Negi would want to face Wilhelm alone, so it quickly became a discussion that made Aang sweat drop it, Negi surely have to get riddle of that attitude someday.
Eventually both boys were ambushed by slime sisters and thus the fight began. Aang tried his best free himself and help, but those shackles somehow absolved his Chi every time he tried to bend, even with his face uncovered, he couldn't bend the air with his mouth, there wasn't enough power. With that confirmed, there was only one choice, something Aang was reluctant to do at first, but he had no choice.
In meantime, both boys were doing great against the sisters. Negi's close range training was really paying off, making Kotarou rather impressed about. Both could easily deflect and counter faster than the girls to a point where they decided to attack Wilhelm directly. Covering each other weak spots, they dispatched all the 3 girls once again so that they could split up, leaving Kotarou to distract then alone while Negi simply charges forward releasing a single Light arrow without chanting in order to surprise him.
However, Wilhelm simply dissipated the arrow by simply raising a hand. The thing is, that was a mere feint to allow Negi sidestep behind him and utilize the vessel he took from Kotarou.
"The fight is over! Lagena Signatoria! (Demon Sealing Bottle)" then the bottle magic began to seal said demon immediately by enveloping him into a bright vortex. However, as soon that happened, the amulet Asuna is wearing strangely began to glow causing to her yell in pain, whatever it was happening, it made the bottle overload with magic on a reverse frequency completely dispelling the Reiki behind it.
"What!?" That really surprised everyone around.
"How he cancelled the imprisoning magic like that?" Negi wondered as the bottle fell down on ground with a small crack on it.
Then Wilhelm began to warm up by stretching himself, "Looks like my experiment was a success. It does work perfectly against any kind of Reiki based magic. Well… it's time for me to join the scene. I hope you last long, Negi Springfield."
Then after a last speech, he began to use his demonic powers to release beam from every punch he threw. Recovering from the first beam, they quickly reunite and dodge the following series of blast; since the Demon Sealing Bottle didn't work, they decide to engage on full offense.
Kotarou began to focus all the Chi he could muster to Energybend and release one of his unique abilities while Negi chanted an spell.
"Inugami Release: Kuuga!(Wind Fangs)"
"Ras Tel Ma Scir Magister: Unus Fulgor Concidens Noctem, In Mea Manu Ens Inimicum Edat, Fulguratio Albicans!(Rays of light that tears apart the night, gather unto my hand and strike down my enemy, White Thunder)"
As both attack came to his direction, Wilhelm used his own force to effortlessly dispatch Kotarou's Chi attack while ignored Negi's lightning as it simply dissipated when close enough; then confident, he began to explain his magic cancelling abilities: every time any kind of magic become a threat to him, Asuna's amulet creates a patch between her and Wilhelm to transfer any effect that was supposed to affect the latter.
"Like you saw, no magic you ever affect me, if you are a man…" Then he released another devastating beam, "Then face me with only your fists!"
From that time, the boys were being overwhelmed by his overpowered blasts, they couldn't block with enough strength or react fast enough to dodge; it was futile. In middle of combat, Wilhelm began to doubt if Negi was really fighting at his best, so he began to lecture him about the reasons necessary to fight.
"You are not fighting at you best are you?"
"What you are talking about!? I am doing my best!" Negi retorted.
"Really? Pathetic… this is the son of the Thousand Master? I thought you could hold same honor was him… but looks like it actually the opposite. You just don't have a strong fighting spirit."
"Strong fighting spirit…"
"Negi-kun, what's exactly your reason to fight?"
"My reason?"
"Yes, look at your ally Kotarou. He finds pleasure on a fight. But you? You fight for your friends? To save them? What a disappointment… one's reason to fight must come from one's itself, there nothing else greater for a warrior than that. If one fights for Hatred, Anger, Revenge or anything similar, that's the best. Such feelings you lead a person to fight without any hesitation or even fear of his own death. If you think this is wrong, then fight like Kotarou-kun, fight with the desire to be stronger."
("I… I don't fell the pleasure to fight?") As Wilhelm lectured about it, Negi began to really doubt his own motivation.
Before anything else could be said, a massive energy enveloped the area, it was more powerful than anything they saw, more than Chi or Reiki, they source was Aang himself.
("This is… The Avatar!") Thought Wilhelm terrified
("Earth… Water… Fire… Air… Sound… Light… Thought…") As Aang opened the seven pools of chakra, everyone simply stared in awe seeing his tattoos glow in blue before a massive gust of wind tear apart the wall he was attached to. Falling into ground, Aang began spin around before palm thrusting at Wilhelm direction creating a considerably powerful hurricane, so strong that devastated almost half of the stage.
"Aang-sensei/Nii-san!" everyone gasped surprised.
"Sorry Negi, I was a bit late…" he said before changing to a more serious expression, "I heard everything… those reasons: hatred, anger, revenge. You should never follow them, my masters once used to tell me; theses feeling are like a double edged poison. While you watch your opponent go down, you are poisoning yourself."
"But Nii-san, if those reasons are wrong, then what else I should rely to fight?"
"Come on Negi, you already have the answer"
"I have?"
Then touching his own chest with a firm clenched fist Aang answered, "If there's something I learn since this day, is that in order to be strong: you should have faith in your heart."
"Faith?"
"Yes, faith. If you fight to protect you friends, then with your faith, you will have to power to save them." As Negi heard another lecture, he felt a bit relieved and confident. And them both prepared to face the Wilhelm, who was simply approached them on middle of a smoke. Aang could fell something completely new from his Reiki; it was different, tainted, and harmful; he could tell that its nature is simply to destroy and that he had to stop it.
Then from nowhere Wilhelm began to laugh, "Yes… this is how one should fight Negi. There are many forms of reasons one can tap… survival is an example…" then as the smoke cleared, Negi froze. Wilhelm's head was transformed its true form: Nemesis, a High Tier demon that was once summoned 6 years ago to erase the town Negi used to live. For appearance, His head was like a featureless Shell with two long horns from the sides, 2 red glowing eyes, no nose, and its mouth was like jaws.
"Hehehe… that's the expression I wanted" he said, Aang felt angry recognizing the monster, but he was more worried about how Negi would react.
"It's you…"
"Yes, it was me, Negi-kun. One of those summoned to attack your poor village that night. I was one of the few high tier demons ever known." He explained putting back his hat returning to its hidden form of an old man.
"I am one responsible for the petrification of every single person there. I was me, who destroyed everything. But… it is a shame. In the end, I was imprisoned by that old mage."
"Negi, I'm sure you know what it must be done, right? Remember, have faith. As long as you believe in yourself, you can fight!" Spoke Aang placed his faith on him.
"Negi! Are you okay!?" shouted Kotarou concerned, but the boy didn't answer. A second later, not even him or Aang could see Negi flashing forward to strike Wilhelm. All happened in a second, the same was sent flying by a single punch and on middle air, its attacker followed up with a merciless elbow and a kick;
"What a…" everyone stood in awe when they saw a single boy going crazy and relentless against its enemy.
Negi was on a magic frenzy, a state where one's Reiki is released by a set desire on the heart with no conscious control, in this case, Negi's hatred for Wilhelm.
Its way to harmful for Aang to see Negi's Reiki corrupted in that away, they had to calm him down, but time was short as he felt Wilhelm Reiki changing shape again. His entire body was transformed into a full demon, an armored abomination with roughly shaped wings and a pointy tail. When Aang saw that, he knew that Wilhelm was more than a mere threat to his friends, he is but another essence that does not belong to this world and that his presence is causing further unbalance to the spirit world.
In that state, he planned to release a massive blast against Negi, who certainly wouldn't survive it if he continues that way. Signaling to Kotarou, both made haste to Negi altitude; the former barely saved Negi's life tackling him away from the blast while the latter Energybended his body to deliver thrust to the demon face.
All 4 fell down from the sky and crashed into ground with Aang being the last one as he used the downward momentum of the fall to crush Wilhelm with an air blast, but the same dodged by rolling away. After that, he landed passively and quickly took the rough stance to Earthbend.
In meantime, Negi snapped out from his frenzy and stared in horror to his shaking hands. At his side was Kotarou, who was bleeding quite heavy from his head as he used his body to absolve most of the fall damage. Then he gave one hell of smack at Negi for losing control in that way, and remembering that they are allies in this fight.
While they were discussing, Aang was on charging forward to face Wilhelm alone by crushing the ground with his feet and thrusting forward, bending boulders at his direction; but the latter easily crushed it with one of his beam punches which Aang sidestepped to get into close range. He carefully redirected Wilhelm thrusts while waiting for right moment; the way Aang moves is versatile, always taking the best turning patch to perfectly mirror the enemy's pattern and that gave room enough to dash behind him to deliver a massive charged punch on his back that sent him flying away crashing in the broken stairs.
Minutes later, all there boys were reunited in stance to face Wilhelm together.
"What took you soon long?" asked Aang confidently.
"Sorry nii-san…"
"As long as you understand its fine."
"Heh! Time to kick his ass!" shouted Kotarou receiving a nod from both.
Emerging from the debris, when Wilhelm saw all three boys in formation, he was visible annoyed, surely if he fought the 2 youngsters alone, the victory was assured, but with the Avatar helping them, his chance decrease considerably as Aang's bending cannot be blocked by Asuna's Magic cancel.
He had no choice but to pick then deal with Aang first, and for that, they need to scatter. With that on mind, the old man struck his feet into ground to use his demon energy wave. His plan worked through, Negi and Kotarou dodged to the sides while Aang jumped spinning to create a mini-tornado which he kicked it at his enemy direction.
The old man easily dissipated it and closed into Aang position to unleash a barrage of punches, he was on a full relentless attack in order to bring the guardian down. However, Aang easily blocked all of them with his charged reflexes, but with the pressure on him, he was unable to counterattack properly. They could easily continue in that way for quite some time if wasn't for Kotarou and Negi striking at his sides, with their respectively claws and elbows.
Surrounded, Wilhelm began to change his target to block both attacks to create some distance; when done, both Negi and Kotarou lunged forward to intercept him while Aang stood behind focusing on the rain. They weren't able to handle it too much, but the time was enough to reunite considerably amount of water to release a small tsunami at him.
Wilhelm easily scattered it away, but the real reason of that attack, was to get him soaked in water so that Aang could trap him on an ice prison. It did work, he gasped trapped.
"Now!" all three boys charged their fists and struck at same time from different angles.
A massive explosion happened but what our heroes expected didn't happen; with glowing hands, he blocked both Kotarou and Aang attack while ignoring Negi since his attack actually rely on Reiki, resulting in minimal damage; in the end, both sides were facing each other like the beginning.
"Impressive, that what I expect from the almighty Avatar. You got a reliable friend in there, Negi-kun. It's time we finish this" he said apparently looking confident, but everyone could see it written on his face. He was getting desperate, every time Aang got close to him, they could see his struggle to survive and that feeling is what fueled him on this battle.
Before anything could be done, something happened; the bubble that trapped the girls blew up. The reason was because Konoka had one of the practice wands from Negi, and with Chamo's instructions, they were able to spark an answer from their Reiki to escape.
From that event, Asuna has his amulet taken from Asakura; Yue and Nodoka trapped the slime sisters on the cracked bottle; and at last, Kuu and Konoka freed the remaining girls; this really surprised the boys.
"Nice Ane-sans!"
"Good job" praised Aang.
"Alright! Now it's up to us to finish it!" shouted Kotarou.
"Guys I got another attack I haven't tested yet, so could you give some cover?" asked Negi.
"Heh! Just leave to me!"
"So, you are going to use that aren't you?" Asked Aang knowing his plan; Negi gave him a confident nod.
"Very well"
At distance, Wilhelm decided to hold no longer; simply testing Negi was out of his reach right now as any other plan wouldn't work without outside help; so to compensate the failure, he could end it with at least putting an end to the guardian that every demon fears of. Fully transformed, he began to charge a massive Reiki over his mouth to blast them in the same way he did with Negi.
("This energy… I can stop it!") Aang thought calculating the amount of energy Wilhelm was focusing to counter with a stronger one (earthbending principle). Then with a step forward, he focused on the ground between him and the demon, causing at appears to be an earthquake as Aang was bending the underground.
Then Wilhelm threw it, from his mouth a massive beam of energy was coming to their direction. In response of that, Aang then lifted his hands to the sky, causing a pillar of the size of a small hill to clash with the blast ending into a massive explosion near the stage.
Smoke and dust rose blocking everyone sight giving an expression of horror at the girls face; after all, no one could survive a blast that devastating.
"Hmm… for such talented people to die like this… it's a shame" the Demon commented transforming back to his human form. However at the huge smoke at his front 6 shadows emerge in the sky.
"Like hell we would die!" Kotarou shouted as he lunged forward with his clones.
"What!?" Surprised, Kotarou delivered many charged punches with the last one was on the head momentarily lifting him off for both Aang and Negi follow up with their elbow thrusts on his torso before the latter chanted,
"Ras Tel Ma Scir Magister: Kenotetos, Astraphsato, De Temeto!(Come forth from the void, O thunder, and cut down my enemy!)"
"Urgh it can't be…" Wilhelm gasped.
"Uwaaah, DIOS TUKOS!(ZEUS'S THUNDERCLAP!)" then Negi finished it with a massive lightning blast that struck perfectly on ground.
At same time, a smile grew showing satisfaction; it came from Evangeline, who was knew everything since the beginning, Wilhelm appearance served as a test to check Negi's current abilities. Now, there was nothing to worry about.
"Wow! Now that's what I call a thunder…" Aang mentioned amazed while looking slightly tired. Kotarou was gone to Chizuru's side; Konoka was nearby Setsuna; the others were enclosing with Negi covered by towels from Hammerspace(If I remember correctly, they were caught completely naked with no towel to mention).
Everyone reunited together and saw Wilhelm apparently down on ground, with his legs slowing turning to ashes.
"Looks like you have own after all… it would be better if you kill me now. Otherwise, my contract will be canceled and I will return to my world…"
"You speak of the Spirit World, correct?" demanded Aang wanting to confirm his theory, "You are a spirit, right?"
"… Yes"
"Then answer me, what happened to the spirit world? What happened to the other spirits?"
"You seem slightly confused for an Avatar; it's you who should have known that."
"I know, I'm so confused about everything since I came here. Please tell me, that story you told me earlier, it is real? Do Roku really face a Demon God using my soul?"
"I don't know…That place is no longer the same… once a beautiful plane it thrived on distant past, it was a truly sight to behold; or at least that's what I have heard from the ancients. In the end, I still believe that was only a fairy tale."
"Then?"
"I don't know the answer. When I was born, deep down in my heart, all my purpose was to destroy, that's what demons live for. To enjoy the chaos of life, the greed of the flesh and the hatred that curses the reality since beginning. For us, there isn't anything greater than that."
"But, this-"
"This is why you must end it, Negi. You have the power for it, do it."
As he left Aang in confusion, Negi already had the answer when he first asked, "I won't kill you… That night, you were only summoned, you had your orders, nothing more. And even now, you didn't hurt any of my friends, who were your hostages. For me, you don't seem to a bad person."
"Heh. How could you so sure? I still can be a bad man; I'm a demon after all."
"Even so, I won't do it."
Wilhelm laughed hearing this, "You really lack fighting spirit, boy" Then he explained about Konoka's true potential to become one of the most successful healers in the world as well was the one that could possible save those that survived on Negi's village.
"Well, it time for me to go…"
"Wait" spoke Aang.
"As I said Avatar. I don't know anything that would help you."
"Yes I know, instead I want to give you a proper end. I will lift the burden of this curse of yours"
"How?" He asked as Aang placed his right hand on Wilhelm's forehead, while the other on the middle of the lungs.
"This…" Then energy began to glow as he began to process of energybending Wilhelm spirit, he freed his soul from some kind of tainted Reiki in his heart; whatever it is that, it was clearly poisoning his thought leading him to become what he is now.
Wilhelm body became dust as a ghost materialized at everyone's sight. It was a young version of same person wearing some kind of shining robes. He began to understand his true nature, everything became clear.
"This is… I see… I feel free" he mentioned relieved, "You have my thanks guardian…"
And then, Wilhelm's spirit began to dismantle its shape turning to what appears to be a green Chi-less orb before disappearing in the sky, possibly returning to the Spirit World.
"So… that was…" Negi asked not quite sure of what happened, he didn't know if Wilhelm was alive or not.
"It was the right thing to do. He is on a better place now" Aang assured him.
"Well that's a quite interesting show I see. But now it about you give some answers, Aang-sensei" spoke Asakura holding pen and a notepad again from Hammerspace(seriously, woman and their secrets…)
"What is this Avatar that old man was talking about?"
"Oh right, now I remember!" spoke Asuna with expression of epiphany.
"What?"
"When Setsuna and I fought with demons at Kyoto, they mentioned something about this Avatar" she explained.
"Yes I remember too… for some reason, they became scared of something; so scared that they broke off their contract with Chigusa" Setsuna added.
"Ohh! This makes things more interesting. So, what you have to say, Aang-sensei?"
And then, there were no excuses this time. Everyone around him knew what he truly was, leaving no option other than the truth.
"Looks like I have no choice…" Taking a deep breath he began to explain what he truly were; he spoke about what the Avatar itself is and its purpose on this world; he also spoke a bit of his own story in the past. Everything was quite interesting for the others; they never thought that their Teacher Assistant was an almighty Guardian of unbelievable power.
Things only became serious when he explained about what he discovered lately; they didn't expected that the world where they're living was threatened to oblivion as what support it (the Spirit World) was about to collapse. The worst part is that they couldn't do anything to help Aang in dealing with it as the Avatar is the only one capable to enter directly to the said world, thus forcing him to deal with all the burden.
Nevertheless of that, Aang felt relieved after confessing; he didn't expect such friendly reactions from his the others, it was good to know such good friends far from home.
Then, after such revelation, everyone prepared themselves to leave. Things were really fine at moment; Aang and the boys were commenting about how they fought this day; they really let their guard down long enough to not notice the unknown substance that began to rise from Wilhelm's dust.
"You really did fine on that part when you-" then Aang froze.
"What's wrong Nii-san?" asked Negi oblivious of the situation.
"Watch out!" Suddenly he tackled Negi away to dodge a previously unnoticed malevolent substance as well as startling everyone after getting a glimpse of it.
"What a hell?" Shouted Kotarou wondering just before they saw said presence taking form. It was a floating shadow; ridiculous as it seems, that thing was releasing an absurd amount of tainted Reiki to a point were those who can't handle its pressure felt fear and confusion. And somehow it managed to sneak around behind them without being noticed.
Aang instantly knew that said object was absurdly dangerous and thus he warned to everyone stay away from it as it was trying to tackle someone.
"What hell it's your problem? If it's an enemy, then we just have to kill it!"spoke Kotarou preparing to strike it, despite Aang's advice.
"Wait, we don't-" but it was too late, he already went for it. However, it proved to be a deadly mistake; the moment he came in contact with it, the strike merely scattered the black substance over his arm.
"See? It's done, now let's… wait what?" Suddenly the said substance began to grow tentacles on his arm, and apparently it was devouring him. Chizuru was the first to be concerned as she didn't knew what hell it was happening; thankfully, Aang quickly dispatched it by tearing it apart with his airbending slash.
Whatever it almost got Kotarou was splattered on ground slowly taking form before floating again.
"Listen to me, whatever it takes; do not let it touch you." Aang warned once again as the girls retreated behind the boys.
"Just what hell is that thing!?" shouted Asuna.
"I wish I knew"
"Then we have to attack from distance" Negi reasoned as he began to chant the restraining spells while Kotarou and Aang distract it by behaving like baits; beside it's absurd amount of Reiki, for some reason, the shadow was only trying to tackle them.
When done, 10 wind arrows surrounded the target and began the restraining process. The thing is, the moment the arrows touched it, they got absolved by the shadow which grew bigger and began to grow more tentacles on it. In response, they began to use more severe measures, by casting more dangerous spells and attacks, only to worse the things out.
Now big and armed with tentacles, the huge shapeless monster tried to snatch them away so that it could devour it. That scene was away too dangerous for the girls to stay as they were starting to panic; when they tried to run away, said monster surrounded them in form of a ring clawing with tentacles to force them hold it together, the boys couldn't handle it alone.
"Damnit, we can't stop that thing!" shouted Kotarou dodging another tentacle.
"It's feeding from magic itself we have to seal it" reasoned Negi.
"The bottle! Where is that bottle!?" Asked Aang; then Nodoka quickly handed the cracked vessel to Negi, who got into position.
"I hope this work…Lagena Signatoria! (Demon Sealing Bottle)" and then the vortex came to absolve the unknown threat away. Surprising enough, it worked; the monster was sealed inside the bottle. Everyone began to calm themselves and discuss what happened.
"Ok, what just happened?" Asuna began.
"When we left that Ossan body away, that thing came from nowhere and attacked us" Kotarou answered.
"I haven't felt anything else when we fought him, not a single mage or other Reiki anywhere, it simply appeared." Affirmed Aang.
"Even so, where that thing came from?" Negi asked holding the bottle. Everyone kept thinking about for some time.
"Does it matter? We sealed it anyway, let's just go home and get some sleep." Suggested Chamo receiving a positive nod from everyone. However, before they could even leave that place, the cracked bottle began to shake violently.
"Eh?" Negi gasped when he saw that. He momentarily let it fall on ground, where it began to shine a sinister glow from its cracks. Before they could react, the vessel shattered away releasing a huge blinding light that forced everyone to cover their eyes away.
Then what happened is predictable, at front of the group, those who were sealed in the bottle became free. The 3 slime sisters were simply looking to each other in confusion while behind them the shadow abomination slowly rose.
"Behind you!" Aang yelled, but it was too late. The shadow threw itself over Suramui who could even understand what was happening to her. Her sisters quickly came to rescue her, but soon became more victims to the monster who disappeared inside them.
Everyone stood there staring at awe was the slime sisters began to grew in power. Their bodies were encased with some kind of armor with recognizable demonic energy; their eyes became red with black sclera. It was really frightening, the sisters themselves were screaming in pain as they were possessed by the shadow's power.
"Okay, so what we are supposed to do now?" Asked Kotarou already in stance to fight.
"For now, we have to stop them" replied Aang unsure of what threat they are going to deal now.
"When we are going to rest…" spoke Negi looking a bit down.
"If it's like that, then let us help!" Spoke Asuna confidently along with Setsuna and Kuu Fei.
"I cannot let my disciple to have all the fun" added Kuu Fei really excited.
"I may not have a sword but can easily hang on with them, Aang-sama." Commented Setsuna kinda surprising the girls who didn't knew.
"Sama?" they said.
"It a long story…" Aang simply replied before noticing what the girls, to be exact: Asuna and Kuu Fei, were wearing, "You sure you girls are really want to fight with that?"
That quickly made them to blush, "You don't have to notice that, you pervert!" shouted Asuna.
"Please, there this isn't the place or time for that…" he replied nosebleeding a bit.
"…Assimilation complete…" spoke Suramui with a rather deep voice, startling them away.
"The Parts are on sight…" spoke Ameko.
"Them it's time to eliminate…" finished Purin. Then they suddenly lunged forward to strike their respective targets. All 3 boys were abruptly forced to defend themselves from the barrage of thrust, sweeps and kicks; thanks to their slime shapeshifting abilities and Demonic enchantment, they were relentless.
They would probably overwhelm them if Setsuna, Kuu and Asuna came to save them. Synchronizing their attacks(Negi & Asuna; Aang & Setsuna; Kotarou & Kuu), they were able to push back the slime sisters after an intense stale match.
"They are faster than before!" Commented Negi.
"Heh! Good would be boring if was easy!" Kotared answered as he saw an opening, "Now take that! Inugami Release: Kuuga!(Wind Fangs!)" Then releasing once again his best Chi attack, the blast struck perfectly on Purin to a point where she was torn apart splattering what appears to be blood everywhere on the ground.
"What a?" Kotarou was really surprised as he saw that, "she didn't even try to dodge or block it!"
Everyone was terrified; when Chizuru saw her supposed friend apparently killing someone, she instantly faint from shock.
Even Aang couldn't believe as well, so he began to demand, "Kotarou did you just-"
"I'm telling you, she just flew towards my attack, I did nothing!" he quickly retorted back. However, just after that moment, the body that Kotarou apparently blew began to rematerialize back to what Purin once were.
"What a heck!?" then suddenly, the said slime, began to surround Kotarou's body for the shadow try to devour him once again.
Noticing that, Aang quickly went to save him again, "Damnit! Kotarou, don't move!" then charging his hand, Aang blasted the monster away with a thrust on the girl; when his energybended fist made contact with her, she began to burn. The black substance splattered on ground again, but this time was slowly disappearing away.
Noticing that, the other two slimes quickly retreated away, creating some space. Aang began to realize something, when Kotarou's blasted Purin with his energy attack, the black substance was able to reanimate her again, but when Aang was the one that struck, said shadow was suddenly unable to act. And in fact, it made quite some sense, since the moment when they began to fight that unknown monster; of all the bending attack he did, the monster block everything but his Energybended punches, that was strange.
The thing is, is that shadow vulnerable to his Energybending or he is just miscalculating? After all, almost all their attacks and spells had no effect on them, not even Asuna's banishing Fan, who was made with that purpose; He wanted to check it out his theory to confirm properly before anything else happens.
"The third sister… she didn't came back" Negi said shocked.
"Ok, Listen guys, I think I got their weakness" Aang spoke.
"Really!? How so?" asked Asuna; and then he explained how his energy bending works and it capabilities as well as how it's supposedly effective against these possessed demons.
"I'm not so sure if it will work but we got to try!"
In meantime, the two other slime sisters just stood staring at the others,.
"A Part killed a Self…" spoke Suramui in a rather strange way.
"Impossible, no Part can kill a Self, unless…"
"…That Part is the guardian, the enemy of Selves…"
"We have to be cautious…"
Before they could do anything, the remaining sisters were crushed into groung by a familiar presence. Everyone where surprised to see Chachamaru entering the scene to help, followed by the appearance of Evangeline.
"Chibi-chan/Master!"
"I was wondering what kind of demon could release this kind of power before" She mentioned sensing the absurd amount of Reiki that the sisters were releasing. And as expected, the splattered substance slowly reanimated the same crushed persons.
"Another Parts to consume…" mentioned Ameko.
"They aren't the problem… The Avatar…" Suramui creepily finished before dash at their opponents.
"Alright, follow the plan!" ordered Aang as his friends began to an attack in a pattern with an intention to separate the demons so that they focus fire on one. It did worked, Suramui was the one surrounded while Ameko, was pushed by Chachamaru and Evangeline, who from just watching, got an idea of what Aang wanted.
"Restrain her!" he shouted.
"Easier said than done!" Asuna retorted as they together began to limit her mobility in order to allow Aang energybend her body and therefore banish whatever that's manipulating it.
At same time, the vampire and her doll were having a hard time dealing with Ameko as the same was easily overwhelming both together, apparently the possessed demons can easily tolerate blunt trauma, and that, along with the unknown regeneration, it's virtually impossible for both to deal with her. Even if Evangeline is an uber powerful vampire, with the barrier curse hindering her magic, fighting on an incomplete moon left her at considerate disadvantage while Chachamaru can't channel any kind of energy on her own.
Eventually, Ameko managed to deliver a powerful kick on Chachamaru stomach that sent her flying away, leaving Evangeline on her own.
"No Part can defeat a Self alone…" she said before getting decapitated by Eva's kick.
"Hmph, like an amateur like you could defeat me" she taunted not releasing stance as her enemy rematerialized again to resume their solo fight.
In meantime, Aang's theory was confirmed as his simple plan worked. They were able to finally restrain Suramui enough to allow him energy bend safely. He did the same to Wilhelm's soul, but instead of simply freeing her soul from the tainted Reiki, he completely connected himself to her similar to what he did with Firelord Ozai and completely purged the malevolent spirit away purifying her soul, and from the dust of her body, flew another Chi-less orb to the sky.
"We did it!" Everyone began to cheer in victory after accomplishing that. However, their happiness was abruptly interrupted when they heard Evangeline screaming.
When they saw what was happening, they froze; Seeing Suramui's soul being purified by Aang, made the possessed Ameko to enter into a desperate tactic. During her fight with Eva, her assault became twice as fast to a point she could overwhelm Evangeline tacking her to ground and thus covering her body with the black substance.
As the taint process began, Evangeline felt an unbearable pain coursing through her body followed by the absurd desire to consume blood from living; her fingernails and fangs enlarged, her eyes changed color in the same way as the slime sisters were.
"Oh man, the universe really isn't at our side today…" mentioned Aang seeing her transforming.
When it finished, the first thing she did was to violently assault Ameko's body and suck all the tainted blood inside, it didn't take long before Ameko turned into dust. The Evangeline, who lost herself to her vampire nature, stared into Aang's party ready to strike at any moment.
Will Aang and his friend be able to face this sudden threat? Who is behind all this mystery? Is that enemy have any connection with the Spirit World? Only time may tell…
TO BE CONTINNUED
Ok, this is the first time the antagonist makes his cameo on my story.
The way he speaks can be confusing at first, but fear not, it's kinda easy to understand.
When he speaks of "Part" or "Parts", it means anything that wasn't tainted yet.
The opposite follows the same rule, "Self" or "Selves", is meant for anything already assimilated.
Oh, He is parody of the 3D strategy game: Homeworld Cataclysm. I highly recommend it; the gameplay can be strange and old fashioned but what really shines in the series is the plot.
For Further research here: wiki/The_Beast