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).

Chapter Eight: Star-Struck, Part Three: Worlds Collide

Lina lighted down in front of Kain. Hinagiku, Mai and Kain all stared at her as she slowly rose to her full height. "Lina…" Kain began, and then his head reeled back as Lina slugged him.

"You big idiot!" she cried. "What the hell were you thinking, listening to anything this guy said!? I know you think you've gotta be responsible for everyone and everything, but come on." She pointed at Eminus. "You can't listen to anything this guy says."

Suddenly an object in the rubble of the table came flying out and into Lina's waiting hand. "Forget that little Kamo-clone rodent he's got," Lina continued. "This is the real trouble." It was a statue of an eagle, about half-a-foot tall, carrying a set of balances in its beak. "He was planning on binding your oath with this little trinket, a magical item of the highest caliber regarding contracts. Where's Kamo when you need him? He'd have spotted this right off…."

"Well done, Lina-san," Mai congratulated her. "I was just about to do that myself. This idiot does think too much for his own good sometimes…."

"I-I agree," Hinagiku said. "I-I mean, I also understood the hostage situation and considered our responsibility towards our students, but in this situation…."

Eminus chucked his mirthless laugh as Kain picked himself back up, still in a bit of a stupor over this development. "So you've arrived, Lina Inverse. Don't you think it's dangerous to interfere in this situation? We were offering all your innocent friends a chance of escape…."

"Don't give me that," Lina snapped. "'Abandon this world for your friends', huh? But that's the most cruel lie of all, isn't it? It's not just abandoning this world…if we give up on it, it'll mean the destruction of both worlds.

"That's your real objective—the Obsidian Star, a planet of demonic magical parasites, traveling from world to world devouring them entirely. But this time you're planning on making a single, even greater planet from both worlds, Arcanus Myrror and Earth. That's the whole reason you've come to our world…the entirety of your purpose."

"I-is that true!?" Kain demanded in shock.

('Y-yes, it is…') Mai thought. Her 'other self' had told her on that snowy mountain, had mentioned it briefly in passing, describing herself, and Mai, in her condition, hadn't really let it sink it. It had been lost with most of the rest of her scattered memories…but Lina's declaration brought the knowledge of what the Obsidian Star was to the forefront of her mind once again.

"Well…not quite correct," Eminus replied. "Although it is only through lacking facts. You don't have the whole story. Nevertheless, it's unfortunate…while it is true that your safety would not be guaranteed even upon Earth once the final ritual is underway, at least you could have lived out the rest of your days as carefree middle schoolers…."

"T-that's enough!" Mai suddenly burst out, rising slightly into the air. "I've tried to be patient and listen this whole time, but it's more than enough now. I'm glad Lina-san got here when she did. Were you really going to give yourself over to their wishes so easily, Kain!? Forget about me and my place with them for a moment…just think about all the people we've met, the people who have helped us over these past few months…all the people who live in this world. Whether it's Earth or Arcanus Myrror that is in danger, if it's threatened, it affects us all just as much! Don't think for a moment that a single one of us would sacrifice this world just to ensure ourselves safely!

"Of course, now that's a moot point. Their plans threaten not just the hostages around us…not just us…not just this world…but everyone and everything we care about. Are we really going to just sit here and let him spout off!?"

Eminus really began to burst out laughing…but still with that inhuman laugh, that expression of mirth that did not touch his eyes, that was more like a puppet mimicking the action in response to the commands of its puppet master. "Well, well…what enthusiastic friends you have. That doll in the Princess' body is especially energetic. It is quite surprising. I can imagine your answer, Kain-kun, but I'm curious how you'll respond to this."

Kain shook his head. Once more the words and admonitions of those around him came to his mind…in particular, much of Alyssa's 'encouragement'. "Well, I never trusted Eminus for a second," he said cheerfully. "But as he says, you three are really very 'energetic', even if none of it was necessary. I never feared his geas for a second, either."

The three stared at him. "What are you talking about!?" Lina burst out. "If you had sworn to never interfere with him while this thing was activated, that would have been it! Game over! He could have done what he wanted, even carried out the technical terms of the contract initiated by that other rodent there, and forever after he could have come at you all he liked and you'd have been powerless to stop him…!"

"That is true…but are you forgetting that I have the ultimate trump card in this case?" Kain pointed at Mai, who grew shocked at the implication and blinked in surprise. "Mai can cancel any contract or magical geas, no matter who puts it on me. Kamo is a spirit of contracts, so he couldn't, but for her, it's child's play, regardless of the situation. The only reason we haven't used it to save Izumi-san and the rest is because at this point it's easier and safer to go through with the tournament and not cause a bigger fuss. But if it could buy us a little time and make the enemy think we were stonewalled…making that contract wouldn't have been a big deal." ('Besides, right now, even without her….')

"That is true," Eminus said with a smile. "I had thought of that, making this plan less effective than might first be thought. Of course, we had hoped to grab the Crystal Princess before she could use her power, but nonetheless…so sneaky of you, Kain-kun…."

"I see little wrong in double-crossing someone who is double-crossing you," Kain replied with a smirk. "In any case, Eminus, it seems we are at an impasse. We have no intention of capitulating to your wishes…and more than anything, I'm glad Lina showed up to tell me this little tidbit. There will be no negotiation, Eminus."

"Very well, then…then there is little point in continuing."

He raised a hand and a patch of stone spikes shot from the ground and into the group. They dodged aside, but one speared Hinagiku perfectly. "Hina!" Mai cried in shock.

Then the stone pillar fell to pieces and Hinagiku alighted unharmed on the ground, brandishing her sword. She pointed it at Eminus. "Don't take me lightly," she growled, and charged.

Fyuria suddenly moved in to intercept her. "We should say the same, Hinagiku-san," she hissed. "Sorry. It looks like we're crossing blades once again…."

Kain leapt towards Eminus, who blocked his first attack. "Well, I will say this, Kain-kun," he said conversationally. "I'm actually glad this crude strategy was a failure. It would be too boring to simply steal his son's free will with such a simple trap. Finally, the two of us are truly enemies, rivals in deciding this world's fate. My wish has been granted."

He then pushed off Kain and jumped into the air. He kept sailing up at high speed, and then stopped and began to chant. The next instant the sky filled with pillars of black stone, which began to fall toward the ground.

"A wide-effect earth element explosion spell!" Lina declared. "That's bad! It'll take out this whole neighborhood!"

Kain leapt into the air after Eminus, powering his True Kanka. Luana stepped forward and threw her blades at the distracted Lina…but suddenly two swordsmen appeared and knocked them aside.

"Nice try," Gourry said.

"The Obsidian Star…just what we've been waiting for," Zelgadis added.

Fyuria and Luana fell back as Mai unleashed her attack spells at them. "The battle has begun in earnest," Luana chuckled. "Ah, but things are going to get messy now….'

8-8-8

Eminus left his pillars in the sky to let them fall where they wished, and retreated through the air as Kain pursued him, unleashed his powered strikes. "Ah, this is an interesting technique," Eminus droned while he parried Kain's attacks. "Even higher than the kanka you demonstrated back at Ouritel. But it is disappointing…kanka is nothing more than a kind of 'doping' really. Enhancing your basic abilities this far is good, but if that's all you have, it is nothing to remark upon. It is a pity…you almost buckled to me mentally, and physically you also fail to impress…once more, my hopes have been dashed…."

And then Kain suddenly broke his guard and hit him with a driving elbow, sending him flying off into the air. His face was shocked as he struggled to recover (and finally did so).

"What's that you're talking about, Eminus?" Kain demanded. "Aren't you the one who isn't as impressive as he should be?"

Eminus stared at Kain, a small smile on his case. "Well, perhaps there is some interest in this. It's time for our Festival to begin…."

8-8-8

"Jeez, you look so different like that I almost didn't recognize you," Kagome told him. "It's only been three years or so…of course, you only stayed a few months, and didn't spend a whole lot of time hanging out with me, but…."

"Well, you're rather different yourself," Delryn replied easily. "You've grown so beautiful, I had difficulty recognizing you…."

"Oh, my…you're quite the charmer, aren't you?" Kagome responded rather coquettishly. "So, are you going to be asking me for a kiss now, too?"

Delryn winced under this blow, and Kagome continued, "I did hear you yell at Akari-san last night, and I've already had a chance to talk to Ami about you. I'm not sure I should be glad or not that you're actually a young man who's interested in us girls, but be careful just how many you flirt with…."

"Well, right now I'm a perfectly free man," Delryn protested. "It's not like I have any girl here as a girlfriend or anything…."

"That guy sounds like a real playboy," Shippô murmured to Inuyasha as he rode on the hanyô's shoulder. "You better be careful, or he might steal Kagome away."

As Inuyasha began to harangue the little demon over his commentary, Kagome continued, "Anyway, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that the son of Aiden Rylack was sent to see Higurashi Eishun, one of his old companions. What was that for? Sword training?" She thought some more. "Come to think of it, Momo first arrived about that same time…how suspicious…."

"Yeah, yeah. I'd rather…stop talking about all of that…." An explosion in the distance suddenly caught their attention. "What's that?"

Inuyasha sniffed, then suddenly began to growl. "This smell…it's familiar…there's a whole bunch of 'em, and most of 'em were all over that base we attacked yesterday…."

"An attack by the Obsidian Star!?" Kagome yelped. "We need to…."

"For now, you need to do nothing," they were informed as Zerva and Winfield stepped out of the shadows. "Your opponents are us."

Inuyasha drew his sword and Delryn likewise called on his. "Oh, that's just fine!" Inuyasha breathed almost excitedly. "It's about time we get into a good fight with you bastards!"

"Inuyasha, we're still in the city…!" Kagome protested.

"Tell that to them," Delryn returned. He sighed. "I swear, I think I've really got to stop hanging around you guys…."

"Here they come!" Shippô yelped.

8-8-8

"I'm fine, Rei, really…you don't have to baby-sit me," Erika protested as she left the offices.

Rei shook her head. "Protecting you was one of the duties assigned to me by Kaya-sama. Already I have failed, leaving you in the clutches of the Obsidian Star for so long. While Kain-sensei's blood has fully recovered your body, I must remain by your side to ensure this does not happen again…."

"Oh…how disappointing. Does that mean I won't get to play a little one-on-one with Erika-ojô-sama? That's so selfish of you, Rei-sama."

The pair whirled around as the girl began to approach them, both blades in her hands. "Kinue!" Erika shrieked.

"Ah…" Kinue sighed. "To have you so close within my reach all this time, but unable to touch you…it was torture for me, Erika-ojô-sama, really. But now that your friends have helped you escape and you're all better…I can enjoy you to my heart's content!" Readying herself, she charged in.

8-8-8

"Those pillars are coming straight down here!" Hinagiku cried in panic as she struggled against Fyuria. "We've got to do something…."

"Leave it to us!" Lina began to prepare a spell, and Zelgadis and Gourry powered up their swords in preparation to join in. Suddenly they were cut off as a volley of magic arrows came at them from behind.

"Sorry to interrupt," smirked a dark-skinned elven girl with wild red hair. "I'm Lavinia."

"I'm Noah," said her companion, a human girl with short blue hair. "Pleased ta meetcha! Wish the setting was better." Then the pair charged at the sorceress and her friends.

"You handle them, Lina-sanI'll go after the pillars," Mai said, taking to the air. She was the best choice for the endeavor, after all—her kanka-fueled punch not only smashed them to pieces, it caused the magical warheads to outright disappear.

She floated high above and considered the fighters on the ground. Her magical senses, highly-refined from her months of battle in the wilds of Arcanus Myrror, detected more of her friends heading their way. ('They should be fine…I need to go help Kain!') She turned and began to accelerate towards the aerial battle raging high above.

Suddenly a blast of energy impacted her, sending her crashing into the ground and sprawling. She bounced back to her feet without hesitating even in the middle of her slide, but she stared up at the four white-clothed females standing in the air above…and the chuckling little boy above them. "Well, well, Mai-chan…you're so predictable right now," Nagi murmured. "Now you've separated yourself, and we didn't have to do anything. Harribel, it's all yours."

The blond woman with the collar of her coat covering her face began to speak. "Apache. Mila Rose. Sun-Sun. Retrieve the Crystal Princess."

Mai braced herself as the trio came charging at her….

8-8-8

Eminus and Kain continued to trade blows. "That last hit…it wasn't just your kanka power," Eminus breathed. "What have you become, Kain-kun?"

Kain didn't bother to reply to the talkative elemental. He again broke Eminus' guard and placed the palm of his hand on his stomach. Kain then unleashed a spell, blasting him and sending him flying. He wasn't done, however…he gestured behind him and a faint blackness appeared in the air. Eminus suddenly found his flight slowing, and then he was rocketing back towards Kain, who met his incoming face with another mighty fist.

Eminus went flying but then recovered…however, Kain was already floating in the air directly over his head. The mage released a flurry of magic bolts, which rocketed down towards him, but Eminus dodged by stepping into the air above Kain. The bolts, still moving at astonishing speed, suddenly reversed course and came back up, flying past Kain to engulf Eminus.

Two lines of magical energy then snaked out to grab Eminus, and Kain, wielding a line in each hand, used them to throw him back down onto the ground. Powering magic into his fist, he came rocketing downwards, finally driving that fist into Eminus' abdomen….

But Eminus caught and held the fist and endured the magical force that came with it. "Something has indeed happened to you," Eminus murmured. "Is this the result of your training? Having never needed training myself, I would never suspect it could enhance your abilities in this way…yet that untold increase of yours interests me greatly."

He threw Kain off, and the young man retreated back into the air and away from the vulnerable people on the ground. "I will give you this," Eminus said as leveled his dead stare at Kain. "You are an opponent worth fighting now."

8-8-8

"Well, this is quite a fix," Aiden said cheerfully. "How do we get out of this one?"

"Don't you have any ideas!?" Rin snapped.

Kamo laughed at the serious pair. "You two really do panic a lot. Take it easy…."

"You heard them, didn't you?" Tear replied venomously. "Finding them in this world of theirs is next to impossible!"

"Oh, hardly," Kamo said. "It's pretty easy to find them if you know how to look. Or what to look for. Then again, I shouldn't say that…I have so many ways to detect their presence. Just the fact that they're ojô-chans with contracts is enough." He turned and pointed. "They're west-southwest about 37.35 kilometers."

"Man, that's pretty precise," Aiden commented. "Are you sure?"

"Trust this nose! When it comes to females—I mean, contracts—nobody in either world can sniff them out better than me."

"T-thirty-seven kilometers!?" Rin seethed. "Well, great, but even if you found them, it'll take nearly a half-hour flying at top speed to reach them!"

"That's as fast as you can go?" Kamo asked, disappointed. "That's too bad. What about you, Mr. Archer Spirit?"

"Well, I could probably make it in about ten minutes, maybe five if I pushed it," the spirit admitted.

Kamo turned to Aiden. "Well, I guess it's up to you, then."

Aiden sighed. "I guess I have no choice. Here we go."

He pulled something from his belt and fired a grapnel at a nearby pillar. An explosion cracked it, breaking it in half, and he then reeled in the grapnel, flinging the pillar to the ground near his feet (and scattering the panicked girls). Then he started moving the pillar around until he was satisfied with its position. "Okay…this should do it…."

"W-what are you doing?" Tear demanded.

"Getting us there. Everyone climb on." They nervously did so (Kamo and Archer rather less nervously), and Aiden drew one of his guns. "Everybody hold on real tight!" he insisted. He pointed it at the back of the pillar as he stood at that end, and fired it. The bullet hit the pillar and…ignited it, causing it to fountain forth such a plume of fire that it rocketed out at extreme speed.

Rin and Tear were stunned by the travel; Tear was pressed to her knees by Aiden, who kept her aboard with a hand on the shoulder, and Archer, likewise at ease surfing the traveling pillar, held Rin safely. Kamo was dangling from the back of Aiden's hat, laughing all the way.

"They're coming," Vira-Lorr murmured with a small smile. "Well, well…."

"T-they're coming!?" Ellis shrieked. "W-what do you mean!? How!?"

"Incoming…mach 3.2…." Vira-Lorr added.

Aiden and Archer leapt clear with their burdens just before their ride impacted the pillar where the four mages were standing. The destruction scattered all four of them, and they stared in general shock as the dust cleared and their foes stood there (well, Archer and Aiden were standing…Rin and Tear were trying).

"You four seem to be having a good time," Aiden chuckled, observing the recently-totaled table and lounges that adorned the pillar top. "Just a piece of advice…if you've got a nearly-infinite space to hide in, try separating yourself by a few thousand kilometers at least, not just thirty."

"B-but how?" Yayoi said in awe. "We were thirty kilometers away…."

"Well, I followed your scent," Kamo smirked. "And Aiden used some of the ridiculous tricks to get us here. Voilà!"

"Tch." Ellis brandished her staff and the other three followed suit. "If it's come down to this…."

"All right, all right," Kamo said again, waving a paw, and the four observed him curiously. "Really, fighting cute girls like you is a little ridiculous, and we don't want to do it in this place where you make the rules. So, I'll give you one chance to just let us go, before I get nasty."

"Oh?" Vira-Lorr chuckled. "And just what are you going to do, little one?"

"Heh…you know, I'm considered a pervert, but I really hold back," Kamo leered. "I like our girls, after all, so I don't do much more than embarrass them on occasion. But against girls like you…I feel like letting loose and having some fun." He started to make a gesture. "Have you ever heard of the Mississippi Squirrel Revival?" he asked brightly.

"The w-what?" Ellis demanded warily.

Suddenly a horde of Kamo clones appeared…and they charged the four girls en masse.

"Oh my," Aiden murmured, watching the scene as screams rose from the females.

8-8-8

All four of them sat on the ground, panting heavily. "W-we stand defeated," Ellis gasped. "We can't…deal with that…thing….

"But," she continued, glaring at the four above her, "it doesn't matter. We won't release this sealed world, no matter what, and it won't end even if we're knocked unconscious. The only way you can get out is if you kill us…and even if this is Aiden Rylack…can you do that?"

The four stared back at her. Archer sighed. "That is a troublesome condition." He strode forward, materializing one of his swords. "It's a messy job, but it might be necessary for us to leave quickly so we can go to our allies' side. I'll do it…."

"Hold it," Aiden sighed. Archer glanced back at him curiously. "You're right, it's messy, and right now, I'd rather not have any of this on my conscience. So, we'll have to go another route…even if that's expensive, too." He removed a large-caliber handgun from the folds of his robe, a strange device that had a massive barrel and a chamber for only a single bullet directly fed into that barrel.

"A-A Caster!?" Rin gasped in shock. "Those are incredibly rare…!"

"You ain't seen nothing yet," Aiden murmured, and carefully selected a bullet to load in the gun. He pointed it at the girls. They blanched, but didn't have the energy to move. Then Aiden smiled, raised the barrel slightly, and fired. A powerful charge built in the gun as soon as he pulled the trigger, and then finally it discharged, unleashing a sphere of black energy. After traveling slowly for about a dozen feet, it exploded…causing the world around them to shatter and returning them to Orimus. "Subspace-shattering shell number 29," he said with a sigh. "It's damn expensive, but sometimes worth every penny."

Aiden then smiled as he put his Caster away. "In any case, that's that. Let's go get Kain."

8-8-8

"Captain of the Gotei 13…what are you doing here?" Ryuryu murmured to the black-robed man.

"…Why should I answer one such as you? There is nothing you shall receive but my blade."

Ryuryu managed to dance back, blocking the strike again, and as Byakuya pursued her, Kairen suddenly dashed in, slashing with her claws. Byakuya blocked the attacks calmly, but Kairen suddenly caused her orb to come flying down towards the Soul Reaper from above.

Byakuya dodged the strike and stepped behind Kairen, putting a finger to her back. "Hadô 1: Shô [Thrust]." An invisible force threw Kairen away and nearly into a wall before she stepped away from the impact.

"That's enough, Onee-sama," Ryuryu murmured. "This one is too much for us to handle. We should retreat and regroup." And the pair vanished.

Byakuya stared after them for a moment, then turned and began to walk away without a word. "W-wait!" Nodoka called after him. "K-Kuchiki-san! A-are you going to Kain-sensei?"

"I am going to observe this remnant of the Obsidian Star, and the progress of Kain Lockeheart, nothing more," Byakuya replied in his cold voice.

"P-please! Take me with you! With your help, I can strike a very important blow against them!" Byakuya looked at her curiously, and she continued, "My artifact allows me to read the minds of those whose name I call…and the Demon's Lullaby allows me to learn the true name of anyone I ask it of if they can hear me! With this, I can learn the plans and motives of one of the most important members of the Obsidian Star!"

The Soul Reaper considered her. "Ridiculous," he said. "A bold plan, but for one such as you, you would be dead in an instant if you entered that battlefield. I have no desire to bring a waif to the battle simple to have her slaughtered."

"I know it's dangerous!" Nodoka insisted. "But this is something only I can do! Something I have to do! Please! You were a companion of Kalan Lockeheart, weren't you? Then you should know what is at stake! I will trust you to protect me!"

Byakuya stared back at her determined and defiant face, coldly calculating.

8-8-8

Mai blocked one attack, countered, repelled and threw the big scantily-clad woman with the massive mane into the smaller woman with heterochromatic eyes. "Dammit, Mila Rose!" the small one yelled after they recovered and separated. "Watch where you're going!"

"You watch it! You're getting in my way, Apache!" Mila Rose responded.

"Excuse me!? Who was the stupid gorilla that let that girl toss her around like a bean bag!?"

"Why, you…!"

"Both of you are just hopeless," Sun-Sun sighed from off to the side. "But, please, kill each other so you'll stop bothering me."

As the pair rounded on Sun-Sun, Mai stared at them in disbelief. ('What's with these three…?')

"C'mon now," she said wearily, breaking up the fight. "If you're going to get in my way, at least be serious about it. Otherwise, I'm going to just pass through you and go on to Kain."

The three turned to glare at her. "What did you say, bitch?" Apache demanded. "You're acting pretty big, even if you are the so-called 'Crystal Princess'."

"Let's put off this infighting until we deal with her," Sun-Sun added.

"I hate agreeing with you two," Mila Rose finished. "But that much is obvious!"

Mai put her hands to her chest and began to concentrate, calling on the power beyond the mortal realm….

"Not this time," Nagi insisted, raising a hand and summoning forth power. Mai gasped as a shocking pain went through her, and those worlds just on the edge of her hearing went silent. "Remember, Mai-chan…we created you, we know how to control you. I came prepared this time. So, please just surrender and come back to us…Mai-hime."

Mai raised her head and glared at Nagi. "Don't be ridiculous…" she growled.

"Where are you looking!?" Apache roared, charging in, sending Mai flying with a kick.

Mai recovered quickly and caught Sun-Sun's attack. She managed to repel the arrancar, sending her back with a savage strike, but Mila Rose came in behind her, swinging her heavy broadsword. Mai turned to block the attack, but then Apache came at her from the side and sent her flying again. She landed heavily on the ground, but managed to land on her hands and knees.

Before she could recover and rise, all three of the arrancar began to power ceros and unleashed them on her, engulfing her. She finally exploded outward to rise back in the air, but she was singed and burned from the attacks.

"Goodness, she's tough," Sun-Sun murmured. "I heard that our reiatsu was the one power she didn't rule over, but despite that and with Nagi-san sealing her greatest powers with his technique, she still won't stay down."

"Tch. Stuck-up little Princess…." Apache began to charge in. "I'll stop those arrogant eyes of hers for good!"

Suddenly a massive fireball came in from off-camera and engulfed Apache in an even larger explosion. All present heads turned to stare at the source of the fireball. There, standing on the air with a grim smile on her face, her pronged sword smoking, was….

"Momo!" Mai cried in delight.

Momo stepped up next to her friend. "Sorry I'm late," she said cheerfully. "I know it's been a while…even longer for you…."

Before they could further their greetings, a spinning boomerang-like object came hurtling toward them. Momo's sash rose up to block it, and then with a command she blasted it with another fireball.

The smoking object returned to Apache and whirled around her wrist, from whence it had come, the bracelet snapping out to become a winged blade. She was burned and singed worse than Mai, with the sleeve of one side gone, but she glared at the pair with hate-filled eyes. "So…that attack came from your sword, huh? Whatever…that was a neat attack, but two-on-three isn't any better than one-on-three!" She slapped her wrists together, and both bracelets snapped out to become blades.

All three charged in on them, and Momo smiled slightly. "You're right…I can tell that any one of you is at least my equal in sheer force and power—it'd be foolish to jump in alone, you know."

"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki [Sleeve of White Snow]! Some no Mai…Tsukishiro [First Dance: White Moon]!"

The three arrancar just managed to dodge as the ice erupted underneath them and became a pillar of ice that towered into the stratosphere. Mila Rose cursed, trying to break the ice that had covered her arm.

"Growl, Haineko [Ash Cat]!"

A stream of dust or, perhaps, ash suddenly came around into Sun-Sun's path. She tried to avoid it, but it wrapped her up before she could get away, cutting clothing and flesh where it touched.

The three finally withdrew back a pace to glare down at the newcomers as Rukia Kuchiki and Rangiku Matsumoto took their places next to Momo in front of Mai. "Arrancar," Rangiku murmured. "I'd heard that's what Aizen was trying to create twenty years ago. So Nagi Homura managed to complete them?"

As the three were about to go livid again, a cold voice suddenly cut them off, commanding them to back down. Harribel stepped forward. "So many little mice are coming in. We're running out of time…I'll finish this quickly so we can get out of here." She reached up behind her back and hooked a finger into one of the hoops at the end of her odd sword's guard. With this she drew it and took up the blade with the short but very wide angled blade, which lacked a large portion of its center. Raising this weapon, she began to descend up on the foes….

"Sit upon the frosted heavens…Hyôrinmaru [Ice Ring]!"

A dragon of ice suddenly descended upon Harribel, and she dashed aside to avoid it, spoiling her charge. In the next instant a young man suddenly stepped in front of her and brought his sword down, forcing her to block it. "Hitsugaya Tôshirô, captain of the 10th Company of the Gotei 13," the white-haired boy declared.

"So…now even a captain has come against us? Soul Society mobilized more quickly than I thought." She shoved him back and set herself. "I am Tier Harribel. You will be an interesting opponent." She came back at him.

"How dare that boy attack Harribel-sama…!" Apache began, but Sun-Sun grabbed her shoulder.

"Don't worry about them. That boy has provoked Harribel-sama…he'll be dead soon. If we want to aid her, we should finish our own job and capture the Crystal Princess!"

"Tsk. I guess you're right. We'll have to…."

"Oh, capture the Crystal Princess," came a new, mocking voice. "Are you sure you can? When everything's getting so confusing? Just smell that nice smell…."

The three started and glanced up…at the new figure standing above them. Dressed in his own distinctive haori, Shinji Hirako smiled his piano smile down at them while his right hand…controlled his sword. A massive ring adorned the bottom of his zanpaku-tô, and his hand was inside it while it rotated continuously around his grip. A number of smaller holes were inside the sword itself. Even this strange sight, however, didn't prepare them for the scene when they suddenly realized that the world…was upside-down. "Welcome…to the inverted world…."

"Soul Society in force," Nagi cursed. "What terrible timing…." He noted with displeasure the arriving armada, as several more white-and-black robed Soul Reapers appeared in the air around them. "This is enough, Harribel. We can't continue like this. We'll have to retreat." And again the light of negación came down to encapsulate the arrancar, and lifted them into the sky and out of sight.

Mai stared after them, then looked around at the assembled host. "All of you…what are you…?"

"Soul Society has sent aid to Kain Lockeheart in order to fight the Obsidian Star," Rukia declared with a smile. "We're here to help, Mai-chan."

Momo glanced over at a distant scene of flashes of lights. "…Is that Kain-sensei fighting over there? That seems…intense…so much has happened while I've been away." She smiled back at her friend. "Well, Mai, shall we go to him now?"

Kain went hurtling down into the river, smashing hard. Eminus was immediately on him, creating a huge mass of rock pillars that engulfed him, crushing him. He exploded out of them and danced away, then came to rest, staring at his foe, who touched down calmly. His magical sight could see the protection that had been blocking the greater part of his damage. ('I think overall I've got the advantage now…he's not really holding back,') Kain thought. ('In speed and power, at least…but that mandala-like barrier he's using is nullifying pretty much all my attacks. It's not a normal kind of magic, that's for sure—they really are 'alien' mages, I suppose you could say. If I could just get a grasp on it….')

"You're hesitating now," Eminus remarked, approaching slowly. "Has my defense disturbed you? Truth be told, your own resistance to damage is as impressive as mine. I've seriously been trying to kill you, you know, but you hardly look the worse for wear…and I thought that special kanka of yours was supposed to be detrimental to your health, but you don't seem that badly off. We might be somewhat deadlocked."

He suddenly charged in again. "Well, shall we keep at it until we find the answer, Kain-kun?"

They traded their blows, then Eminus took a small step back to unleash another spell. Kain threw a hand down, negating it even as it began to form, then threw his other hand forward, and a stream of chains grabbed Eminus, throttling him to the ground before fading. Kain then threw both hands up, snapping his fingers, and a huge bolt of lightning carried Eminus into the sky. Another gesture, and gravity again took hold of him, bringing him back to the ground with force.

Kain leapt at the still figure, but Eminus snapped out a command, and shards of rock again rose to intercept him, sending him flying back, and Eminus rose to meet him.

"Lovely…very nice, Kain-kun…that's what I'm looking for…that's how his son should be!"

Eminus gathered a temporary advantage from the exchange and sent Kain flying into the ground, then followed immediately with a stone spear that lanced his midsection. Kain gasped in pain, but he rolled quickly away and came to his feet as Eminus touched down. "C'mon, Kain-kun…that can't be all…."

Suddenly two figures appeared behind Eminus. Kain stared in shock as Nodoka, with Byakuya's hand on her shoulder, pointed the finger adornment at Eminus. "What is your name!?" she demanded…perhaps more dramatically and loudly than she needed.

"…You're…!" Eminus began.

Byakuya offered Eminus the smallest contemptuous look, then he and Nodoka vanished even as Eminus sent a flurry of stone their way. Grimacing, he immediately began to sink into the ground as if it had become a liquid.

"Wait!" Kain yelled, rushing in, but Eminus was gone.

8-8-8

Hinagiku cut through another blast of Luana's fire with Shirozakura. She chanted as she raised the blade to match Fyuria and then plunged it into the ground, created a pulse of energy around her that repelled both of the girls. "She fights well, doesn't she?" Luana remarked.

"If you're going to smile like that, try to be a bit more serious!" Fyuria cursed.

Lavinia and Noah withdrew from the three they battled, panting. "We just don't seem to have any advantage here," Noah remarked.

"We're just delaying them for now…they have far more forces than we originally planned on," Lavinia answered back. "Well, let's try one more go-round…."

Hinagiku dodged back from one more strike, but then realized she had stepped into a magical landmine. "Finally," Luana sighed. "See? I've been serious…preparing."

The electrical cage rose up to entrap her…and then it suddenly faded, blown away by a light breeze….

"Sorry, Hinagiku-san," Kajirô apologized as he came walking up. "I know, I need to work on getting here before the nick-of-time stuff…."

"I'll take what I can get," Hinagiku growled but with a small smile. "Let's finish this already!"

Luana sighed regretfully.

8-8-8

Delryn charged in, dodging around Winfield's shots. Winfield dodged the sword strikes, trying to sight his gun on Delryn, but he just couldn't keep up with that speed. Finally he evaded one strike by stepping high into the air and fired a powered shot straight down, but Delryn moved before this shot, too, could connect.

Zerva was quite put off to find his fire spells quite ineffective against the red-robed Inuyasha, and he couldn't stand up to the hanyô's strikes. He fell back, trying what spells he could, but every time he thought he had an advantage, Kagome's light-infused arrow would come streaking in, cutting through his spells.

And he knew it was time to call off the battle when those cubes started raining down on him. He dodged both the green and blue attempts to entrap and slam him, and stared at the two young kekkaishi as they joined the battle. "This is the end for now, Winfield," Zerva snapped. "We've done all we can here."

"You won't get any argument from me," Winfield muttered, and with a gust of wind, the two of them were gone.

8-8-8

Elaine dueled Overcast while Kenjirô half-heartedly fought back Valeria, with Kazumi supporting him with Tempestor.

Kenjirô, of course, was having a hard time fighting a girl, and so Tempestor's lightning bolts and wind storms which he offered from the rear helped to keep them in a stalemate…much to Valeria's displeasure.

"This is no way to fight at all!" the woman declared hotly. "Why don't you fight for real instead of hiding behind that little breeze monster!?"

"Sorry," Kenjirô sighed. "I just don't fight women. It's not a part of me, you see…."

"Don't mock me, you cur!"

"Not relying on your amulets this time?" Elaine murmured as Overcast slashed at her with blades he had conjured, occasionally throwing out elemental spells, particularly lightning.

"I'm a pretty accomplished mage," Overcast replied amiably. "You use too many of the same tricks too often, and people might get used to your tricks."

Suddenly he came dashing in at speed, ducking under a thrust and planting a fist into her stomach, sending her flying back and into a wall, slamming hard. "Of course, I also have those as a nice trump card," he added, letting one bracelet slide from his sleeve to the top of his wrist.

Elaine rose swiftly and twirled her spear. "Very well, then…I shall have to use mine as well." She suddenly thrust her spear forward. "Ruin Thrust!"

A massive funnel of wind rose from Elaine and began to bore into Overcast, who blocked it with his own magic. The two forces strained, but Overcast began to be forced back. Then, suddenly, magical power began to rise from him, pushing against it, and he began to glow with a nimbus of crackling energy. Elaine stared as the sky began to grow dark with thunderous clouds rushing in, the energy in the atmosphere only feeding Overcast's power.

He shoved his hands forward and the energy came out in a wave, snuffing Elaine's attack and blasting her back once again, this time dropping her to her knees. Cursing, Valeria withdrew from her fight and rushed to Elaine.

"I guess we're done for now," Elaine murmured, and Valeria, fuming but agreeing, cast a spell, and they popped out.

Overcast sighed and collapsed to his knees as his companions came at him. "Whew!" he said with a small smile. "That one still takes too much out of me…."

8-8-8

Byakuya finally stopped his torrent of shunpo and settled upon the ground far from the fighting. "Did you get what you require?" he demanded.

"Y-yes! With this, I have his real name…."

Her little treasure inscribed it into the air for the two of them to read…'The Remnant'.

"That boy…considering his appearance, that name does not bode well," Byakuya murmured. "I should return…."

"Please, take me back as well! I can read his thoughts now if I'm close enough…."

"It seems you really are a rather dangerous entity," Eminus murmured from behind Byakuya.

"Bakudô 81: Dankû," intoned Byakuya immediately, without turning around. Eminus launched a spell from two extended fingers, but it blasted uselessly against Byakuya's shield. "I commend you for your skill in following me," he continued, turning around. "You truly bear the name of Eminus, even if you are incomplete…."

"R-Remnant-san!" Nodoka insisted, calling on her meager enhancements and retreating, snapping her book open. "What is your objective!?"

As the words began to flow across her pages, Eminus was suddenly stepping past Byakuya, his hand in Nodoka's face. "Eternal Petrification," he murmured, and there was an explosion….

Nodoka fell to her rump, staring up in shock and fear as Byakuya was once again standing between her and the fiend that pursued her. Byakuya's left arm was raised, and was now rigid stone. "K-Kuchiki-san!" Nodoka breathed in shock.

Eminus, centered on his target, stepped to Nodoka's other side and began to prepare again to send her to stone….

Then Kain crashed down between them, sending Eminus flying. Nodoka bounced up slightly, but Kain caught her in his arms expertly. "Are you okay, Nodoka?" he murmured softly.

Nodoka started and stared up at her hero. "Y-yes…."

"Can you stand?"

"Y…." Nodoka gulped and put on her determined face. "Yes, I can, Sensei."

She did so easily, flushing slightly from the closeness of the encounter as Kain stood protectively in front of her.

"I was expecting you to use teleportation magic to follow me, and I was preparing for that," Eminus remarked. "And you didn't…and still caught up to me. You do continue to impress, Kain-kun…."

"That doesn't matter, Eminus. I won't let you lay a finger on Nodoka!"

Eminus smiled. "Well, then, shall we continue…Kain-kun?"

He dodged aside as Mai suddenly came screaming down on him. His thought of a counterattack was interrupted by the black swordswomen who came down with her.

"Mai…Momo!?" Kain cried in shock and delight.

The other Soul Reapers began to fill the sky around them, and others of Kain's companions were arriving as well, including even Kisuke and Yoruichi.

Aiden finally touched down in front of Mai. "Well…what a party! Why didn't I get an invite?"

Then his face hardened as he stared at Eminus. "Wait…you're…."

"I see…the mightiest mercenary mage in the world, a combined force of the Gotei 13, the Crystal Princess, and the rapidly maturing son a hero…even I am at a severe disadvantage here…."

8-8-8

Kinue danced back, laughing. "This isn't fair! Two of you at once? Am I supposed to be able to handle this?

"Still…" she murmured, dancing under Rei's attack and sending her sprawling with a kick, "the ojô-sama is so impressive on her own! So this is your power from feeding on the blood of your teacher…?"

Erika grabbed Kinue's arm as she swung her short sword, then head-butted her and kicked her away. Kinue gasped and then laughed as she recovered.

She was then behind Erika again, swinging her weapons on her…but suddenly Rei intercepted her, again forcing her away.

As she prepared to rush in again, she was suddenly brought up short by a mental command. ('Kinue, withdraw. Your playtime is over.')

"Aw, already?" Kinue sighed. "Oh well," she said with a smile as she drew a talisman and began to fade away. "That was enough for now…now that I can see you anytime, it just whets my appetite for the grand finale…."

Rei and Erika watched her leave. Before Erika could say anything, Rei turned to her and said, "You see, Erika-sama? I should remain with you whenever possible for situations like this."

8-8-8

"Well, Kain-kun…we'll stop here for today," Eminus declared as he began to sink into the ground. "I'm looking forward to next time…."

"Eminus, wai…!" Kain began.

"Your hands, kid, not your mouth!" Aiden added, firing a powerful shot from his gun.

But Eminus vanished into his puddle before the shot hit.

"Damn…he got away…" Aiden muttered.

Kain sighed as he let his power fade away. "Thank you…everyone…." He turned his surprised gaze to Byakuya. "K-Kuchiki-san…your arm…."

Byakuya grunted negligently and snapped his arm out, shattering the stone shell away from his arm and leaving no lasting harm. "It is nothing. That doll's attack was intended for living flesh. It means nothing to a captain of the Gotei 13." He turned and started away.

"T-thank you…for protecting Nodoka…."

"It was a trivial matter. I was simply interested in how the girl would accomplish her desires."

"Hey, Kuchiki!" declared Shunsui Kyôraku, appearing on the ground behind him. "Where are you heading?"

"I have my previous objective here to accomplish," Byakuya declared. "I shall join the task force after this is completed." And then he vanished.

"Hoo, boy…he is such a moody one," Shunsui chuckled.

Kain tried to get his thoughts in order as he stared out at all the figures now surrounding him….

"Ah, Momo…!" he said with pleasure as the girl approached, smiling. "Thank goodness you're all right…and thank you for your timely arrival…."

Momo smiled at him. "It's nothing…it's good to see you again, too! I hear things have been busy for you…."

Nodoka noticed her book lying on the ground. ('My artifact…it was turned to stone by that attack that Kuchiki-san blocked….') She bent over and picked it up. ('But…it seems it retained everything that was written when it happened….')

Kain suddenly took notice of her again and turned her way. "Nodoka…" he began.

"Okay guys, this is a wonderful gathering, but it's a bit much," Yoruichi smirked, suddenly pushing forward. "The authorities are on their way…you probably don't want to become involved with them right now…."

"Ah, that's definitely true," Shinji remarked. "Well, we're not wanted criminals, but there could be all kinds of fuss if they think an army of officer-class hinigami are running amuck…."

Kain stared at him intently for a moment. "You're…hinigami of the Gotei 13?"

"That's right," Shunsui said, fingering his fat's brim. "We've been sent to aid Kain Lockeheart, the son of Kalan Lockeheart, in his struggle against the Obsidian Star. We'd love to explain more, but as Yoruichi-san says, it's probably a good time to get scarce…."

Kain nodded. "Everyone, split up and scatter! Those who cannot move quickly, make sure you're paired with someone who can! We'll rendezvous back at the place we already discussed. Every member of the White Wings, pair with a hinigami so that you can guide them to that place! Go!"

"He really can command like him," Rukia smirked to herself, and then the group made their hasty retreats.

8-8-8

"So many disturbances!" Nina growled in frustration. "It's like some kind of war out here! What's going on!?"

"They say the fighting has culminated at the river…there seem to be a lot of fighters involved!" Irina called, a hand to her ear as she used it to take in the breaking news. "We're close now…we should…."

She fell silent in shock as the figure appeared behind Yue. Yue felt the sudden intruder as well, and immediately turned around, lashing out with her staff….

('What's this…? There shouldn't have been anyone here…! How could my senses have failed to detect these powers…?')

Kain back-flipped over the attacking staff and landed on it, much to Yue's shock. Kain had a fist raised to retaliate against his assailant, but upon seeing her, his eyes also widened in shock. "Y-Yue!? Yue, is that you!?"

Yue stared back, almost trembling. "W-who are you…?" she whispered, bringing Kain up short.

Yue's team was spread over this airspace, all scanning for the signs of the intruders, but they all clearly saw this intruder appear and witnessed his incredible mid-air acrobatics. And, to varying degrees, they recognized him….

('That face…that hair…that cloak…') Shiho thought.

('…He seems young, but…!') Nina continued.

Irina panicked. "T-that's the SS-Class criminal that destroyed the Gateport, the wanted man, Randis Helam!"

"W-what!?" Arika shrieked, the slowest on the uptake. "That is…!? Get away from Yue-chan!"

('Yue-chan…? Is this her, or…some coincidence, like Sakura and Momo…? No time to think…!')

"G-get away from here, quickly!" Yue hissed to Kain.

"What?"

"Attack me and knock me out!"

Kain was taken aback by the request. "But…!"

"My Robe will protect me from any fall…if my comrades even let me fall. It's your best chance! Now!"

"Sorry," he breathed, blasting Yue with a shock of lightning.

"Why, you…!" Arika screamed in rage. Kain jumped off Yue's staff as she began to fall, teleported a short distance away, 'stepped' even further, and then began to race off at high speed.

Arika swept in and caught the falling girl. "Yue-chan!" She shot a greatly angered glare Kain's way. "You…!"

"Arika, take Yue to safety," Nina snapped. "Make sure she gets the help she needs! Everyone else, follow me! We'll catch the criminal!"

The four remaining HiME began to take off after Kain, but, as Erstin observed, "T-this has to be pointless…he's so fast…!"

('Tch…and I'm not even sure I want to catch him. But if we don't at least put up the effort…') Nina thought. ('Hmph. Yue allowed him to escape…which also means….')

A short time later, Kain was gone from sight, wondering upon the coincidental nature of that encounter….

F I N

Author's Note: Grand Battle Finale

So the first major Kain-Eminus clash comes to its unresolved conclusion. In Negi's version, although he could stand up to Fate, he was still noticeably behind him. My hero is already a lot closer…we'll see how this rivalry shapes up in the future.

As mentioned, Fate has a few girls of his own that started showing up here to battle Negi's party. I used them as the basis for all my Agarest ladies, with much of the same origin types—these girls were among many that the big villain Fate Averencus found, orphaned and some close to death, while he traveled about the magical world after the defeat of Nagi Springfield ten years ago. Many he sent off to good schools, but the most dedicated refused to be parted and became his Pactio Partners. They make a good clash with Negi's girls, and will even more in my story, where they will be the major rivals of many of the girls as they battle. Most of them were cute and interesting, but like some of the others, I felt more inclined to make my own (or, steal my own) villains for this part…I have mixed feelings about them all in these situations.

In the original, Asuna interrupted Negi's attempted agreement to Fate's plan and ranted much like Mai did, only more so…Mai only put in her 2 cents to make her mark, but I long ago decided to have Lina finally return at this point, and have her start unveiling some of the secrets she's picked up from Xellos.

More importantly, the arrival of Momo was big here. As mentioned before, Momo usually takes the place of Setsuna in most elements and arcs of the story, but since the Arcanus Myrror arc started, she returned to her roots and hasn't been around. There were only Anya and Yue missing at this point, and so nobody major showed up in the middle of the fight dramatically, but I had these two. Momo's best place was interrupting one of the plot twists that drove me nuts through the latter part of the Magic World Arc—Asuna was ambushed by a pair of Fate's girls and his number one girl, Shiori, kissed Asuna to steal her identity so that she could be kidnapped without raising suspicion. This super power that convinced even Shiori she was Asuna worked so well and zonked Asuna as well…even though she's supposed to be so anti-magic. Convenience…besides which, I already had Erika suffering for three months. The Obsidian Star isn't getting this Victory Card here…Momo shows up to save Mai from the equivalent kidnapping (without any switcheroo, at least apparently). And the rest of the Gotei 13 show up as well! Hooray!

Nodoka made an attempt on Fate just as she did here on Eminus, and I'm going to follow that somewhat closely. Fate's real name was 'Tertium', Latin for '3rd'—even for the 'Mage of the Beginning', the 'Lifemaker', the Archmage who created the magic world of Negima, Latin is the primary and only magic language. Fate was just that, the third Averencus, and chose the name Fate himself. I thought about trying to find a number name for him to use as an alias/real name, or something, but I kind of shot myself in the foot before—the 'Eminus' in the Kalan flashback gave himself a specific name, so that suggests a name like Pakrov Eminus should be true, not self-chosen. I did other things too to hurt myself, but won't go into that here. I thought that I could try and figure out his 'number' and find another language to use that as his 'true name', but didn't really feel like it—most would not really work, sound weird, or be strange, and the best choice, Greek, I really didn't feel like looking up. Also, there has to be something different, special about this Eminus. That's one of my other mess-ups…Fate was also referred to as Fate by Negi, and the name Averencus rarely comes up, so initially Rakan only knows that this 'Fate' is a powerful foe Negi has to defeat. Then, here at this scene, he finally sees him and recognizes him as an 'Averencus' and thinks, 'Oh, crap'. But since Eminus is the cool name I've always used, and the Eminus(es?) are supposed to be the same 'family' of these elemental creations, Aiden should have recognized it right off. Recognizing the threat of this new character will be part of the reason the master trainer decides to start talking about the past saga, which is coming up (probably in a 'Side Story'-like format). So I had to do my usual mental acrobatics to fix all this later (going way back and retconning everything about him to his first name is tough, and feels really cheap). Luckily, about this point I was rereading Fate's past in the Negima final battle arc, which allowed me to rework out Eminus' past and why this particular one is different…and significant. But no spoilers here!

In the original, two girls were deadlocking Rakan with the subspace. These poor little girls were molested horribly by the super-pervert Rakan (and near-equal pervert Kamo), with Rakan even stealing the catgirl Kotomi's panties (and the dragon-girl Tamaki was already going commando, a weird ecchi obsession of Akamatsu-sensei's, especially for girls in MINISKIRTS). When he used his game-breaking powers to throw his sword and ride it to the distant girls in the subspace (similar to Aiden's pillar-surfing), he then overcame the girls simply by flipping their skirts continuously, paralyzing them every time in their desperation to preserve their 'dignity' (what little they had left) and exhausting them. They, however, also stubbornly refused to release Rakan, and so he simply used his unbelievable spirit to break their world with a shout. Aiden, of course, much more logically would just use a gun.

My Kamo's attack of 'Mississippi Squirrel Revival' should be self-explanatory, and I had it as the attack to defeat them to 1) let Kamo do something, 2) remind people that he, too, is a pervert, 3) nevertheless show that he does care for the girls, never going this far against them and 4) pay homage to that stupid perverted battle. It is the best way for those not willing to fight girls like these to defeat them…or at least a way.

And finally the meeting of fate with Yue. Quite similar to the original, but there Yue's much-less-cool-silly-stupid friends of Ariadne freak out over the ten-year-old super criminal, saying they'll avenge her and all that. I really think the 'shock her into submission' part isn't quite necessary, since Negi should have (and Kain could have and did) been able to easily evade all of them regardless, but in this case Kain probably realized that Yue's actions could become unfairly suspect if he just allowed her to stay there dumbfounded and not fighting him—shocking her into mild submission eliminates her, one of her friends (at least) and clears her of any supposed suspicion that might arise. Of course, Nina and the rest are smarter, already seem to have figured out a lot of this, but Kain doesn't know anything about them….

But this Act is almost over. One final chapter will prepare things for the next Side Stories (or, rather, Aiden's Story), and then Act 13 and the tournament!

Okay! Let's go! We have a lot of emotional things to still get through….