Chapter 1: A New Face

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or principles from Negima or anything else borrowedto make this fic. All concepts borrowed from sources will be noted at the end of the chapter, introduced, and marked within the chapter. Before you sue, check the notes; if you don't see it down there please just tell me and I will note it. I have no money for you to take anyway.

Chapter 1: A New Face

Eleven days since Negi left to train

Kotaro was scoping out the remaining teams, as the fights today and tomorrow would decide his and Negi's opponent for the finals. Although, he already had a good idea of who they were going to face: Kagetarou, the man who nearly killed his rival with relative ease. Kotaro had made sure to watch everyone of his matches, no matter if it was in person or on video; he would not be caught by total surprise like Negi was. Too much was at stake this time. However, the opponent that the shadow user faced this time was very different than the usual competitors the tournament offered.

The other team had two members and went by a name that, even if it was really lame and overly simplified, fitted their fighting styles perfectly: Sword and Shield. There were a few things that worried Kotaro about this team. First of all, they had won every one of their matches in under five minutes. The amount of effort that it took them to win was downright frightening; Shield seemed normal enough, but Sword was clearly playing with everyone he fought till now, brushing off attacks as if they were just the wind. Finally, the level of magic that this team used was incredible, but they never chanted a key phrase like Negi did, or even an incantation most of the time. One more thing that was more odd than worrisome was how much they concealed themselves, especially Shield, who never said anything. Sword wore a hooded cape and tinted goggles, but Kotaro could see a desert nomad wearing such a thing. The woman of the team was another story. She wore a hooded dress that covered every inch of her from the neck down, a face mask, and had dyed her hair, which, if not for his sensitive nose and Natsumi trying to change her hair once, would have been undetectable.

The time for thinking soon ended as the two opponents entered the ring; they neither wasted time with taunts or pleasantries before going on the offensive. Sword charged at Kagetarou at great speed but was still visible to the even the untrained eye, leaving Kotaro wondering, 'What is he doing does he think that he can take that shadow guy as easy as those other guys', a similar thought passed though the shadow user's head.

Kagetarou answered this insultingly level of amateur battle tactics with a volley of shadow spears that engulfed Sword in a tunnel of shadows, then had the spears turn inward to skewer the man. However, at the point that he expected impact Kagetarou sensed...nothing. He searched the ring for his opponent, but could not find a trace of him until he felt a smack in the back of his head. As Kagetarou was recovering from the recoil from the kick and trying to understand how he missed the attack, Sword rolled in the air over his head and planted another kick square in the base of the back of his neck, forcing him face first to the ground. The attack did not end there, as 50 arrows of light rained down the shadow user before he even hit the ground.

The crowd was going wild with excitement, all except Kotaro; he had a very different emotion: fear. It was not of the power that this man obviously had, but the fact that he could feel his chance to get Natsumi and the others fading before his eyes. He soon found himself hoping that Kagetarou would win, because if not it would be very likely they would lose.

"Foolish! Did you really think that such an attack could defeat me!" said Kagetarou getting back to his feet "You will pay for not treating me with respect!"

"You are the one not respecting your opponent, that beating was nothing more than a lesson in what happen when you rush into things," countered Sword with a playful smile. "By the way 'sword' and 'shield' both have different meanings then what first comes to mind don't assume that an opponent has only one method of fighting."

"Fine, I am Kagetarou of Bosporos," declared the shadow user in response.

"Well, I am 'Sword' of the nexus" declared the fighter before pointing to his teammate. "And she is my apprentice, 'Shield' of Vairocana, she likes to stay in the shadows too. Now, let's get to the real fighting, and don't insult me again by falling for such a simple trick this time."

Kagetarou replied by lurching a dozen spears at Sword, faster and more direct then the first volley.

He jumped up into the air and waited for the spears to change course to pursue him. Maybe having apprentice-chan use her gift was a mistake, this guy is a total let down, he may be strong but he's also too predictable. Next he'll probably send half those things up here the other after apprentice-chan to make me rush over there leaving myself open to a redirected pincer move again. Oh well! I guess I'll play along, better tell apprentice so she'll stop trying to contact my mind so much, thought the man in the air.

The attack turned out to be just like Sword expected the ones sent after him were far wilder then the ones after Shield, whose threat acting like one attack targeting the front vitals, but the ones after Sword attacking from all different directions desperate for blood. Sword used void instant movement to narrowly avoid each attack while going higher into the sky each time, until he could no longer be seen.

On the ground, the entire stadium was full of people murmuring questions to their neighbors, all amounting to the same question Kagetarou was asking himself: 'What is he doing? Is he abandoning his own apprentice in the middle of a battle?'

'Sensei, he is about to increase his attack to force you back down! Help! I can't much more of this!' said Shield telepathically in a panic.

'Relax! If you panic you won't be able to stop anything. Anyway, just look up, this should make him happier,' replied Sword.

She looked up as told, and saw to her relief Sword descending quickly towards the ring and saw another just behind him and another, until it was like a human rain of her teacher. So many copies amazed the young apprentice.

Kagetarou was impressed too as the sky thundered with the roars of the fighter falling towards them. "So he can do ki techniques as well, pretty good, but you still need more than that to beat me!" declared the shadow user as he launched another volley of seemingly endless shadow spears towards his foe not even concerning himself with Shield.

Then, something unexpected happened when the first spear ran though its targeted doppelganger: it left behind something as it disappeared in a puff of smoke, a paper figure sliced in two. One by one each copy of Sword followed suit until the sky was filled with confetti.

Eastern Magic! If he knows that then why did he openly attack me when he could have summoned something to, at least protect his apprentice? Where is he now is he still up there, or did he sneak down in the confusion? No, that would be a waste of effort, the only point of that would be to….

Then it hit him. Sword had been toying with him from the start, as this hit him he saw out of the corner of his eye, a light blaze to life next to the wall of the ring.

A simple turn of the head confirmed what he realized, as his foe hands framing out the light in a too recognizable fashion, and instantly he knew this new card trumped him completely. It was Kankaho, the fusion of one's own energy with the energy of the world around them. A technique made famous in the war twenty years ago.

Kagetarou prepared to defend against an aerial strike. 'The only downfall of that technique is that it travels in straight line, luckily these people have become my shield against you,' the shadow user thought to himself before remembering his other opponent. He scoured the ring for the girl, finally finding her directly behind him. While the position of the girl didn't worry him, as she had shown no directly offensive capabilities, what she was doing was of great concern to him for what it foretold of the next attack.

Shield had erected a pyramid-like barrier around herself and a sphere of blue light on the wall of the fighting arena. Only a second later did the sphere of light assume its true shape; in an eruption of light, it rocketed to incredible heights and raced along the wall of the ring forming a 200-foot tall barrier enclosing the ring. There was only one reason for such a move and Kagetarou knew it the minute that he was directly in between the two. However, he was too late to react as the minute the barriers were up Sword launched his attack arriving in mere moments it swept him off his feet, and sent him plowing into the front edge of the pyramid Shield had encased herself in. He felt his back shatter; pain filled every inch of him, seeming to last an eternity in the moments before darkness overtook him. In the audience, Kotaro was filled with awe and dread as he realized that he had to win against someone that could toy with someone as experienced and powerful as Kagetarou. He watched Shield bring down her barriers the one around the ring first then waited a little while for her broken opponent to fall off her personal one, or so it seemed. The thing that made Kotaro otherwise was the fact that her hand was trembling. So she is used to being in a fight, but not something like suffering in front of her, thought Kotaro examining Shield for any more information he could get.

His observations looked promising as Shield did something that no true warrior would do. When she finally let down her barrier, the unconscious Kagetarou fell back landing inches away from the girl's feet, startling her, and causing her to trip over her own feet.. Shield fell backwards, her hood drifting down. This was chance to see just who he would be dealing with in that second he was completely fixated on the falling girl's head and nothing else. However, just as her bottom was nearing the floor, something impacted him from behind, forcing him from his feet and on to his face.

As he picked himself up he heard the sounds of sobbing from behind him and turned to see its source. It was a sight that removed all of the anger that he just had and replaced it with worry, the source of the sobs and his fall was Natsumi, the girl who had become like a sister to him since he had met her, even despite his actions when they first met.

"Natsumi-neesan, what's wrong?" asked Kotaro alarmed by the girl's state.

"Kotaro-kun! It's awful…w..w..we've been..." started Natsumi in-between sobs, unable to finish.

"What happened! What did those punks do to you!" He shouted, anger present in his voice to the point that it scared Natsumi. Noticing this, he quickly calmed himself. "Sorry. Please just tell me what happened to you."

"Kotaro we've been….sold!" She cried before leaning into his chest and resuming her tears.

That one sentence brought forth a mix of fear, helplessness, and anger that he had never felt in his life. He couldn't think could, didn't know what was going on around him, all he knew was this feeling.

"Kotaro, what are we going to do!" cried Natsumi as she sobbed into him, not noticing his trance-like state. It was only after a few moments of continuous crying did Natsumi hear his voice again.

"Who?"

Natsumi was confused, not only by what he meant, but how cold his tone was.

"Who bought you?" He shouted with such force that it caused Natsumi to stumble back out of fear.

As he looked at her, Kotaro's fear and anger faded was replaced by shame. He knew he should apologize, but an announcement interrupted the two's moment

"Attention, everyone! Before the next match begins one of the winners from the last match has actually requested an interview, after refusing numerous times before," declared the announcer, walking over to the winning pair. "Congratulations to you two on another victory, we are glad have such a mage here to honor 'The Hero of All the Magical World', but Sword, please tell us why you and Shield joined the tournament, before you make your declaration?"

"Thank you. Of course I will, actually they are too intertwined not to," replied Sword in cheerful tone. "The original reason we entered was to train my apprentice, Shield, but that changed after another interview, the one that dares use the same name as the great hero that this tournament is meant to honor. Such an act demands punishment and suffering be imposed, and that has become our new task!"

The audience cheered at the declaration, all except for Kotaro and Natsumi. Kotaro dreaded the additional complication for them, and Kotaro's anger would only grow as the interview continued.

"But Sword, he did say that he shared no relation and say that he would give a match worthy of the name, and has not disappointed us yet. Surly having the same name can be forgiven if he lives up to it?" remarked the announcer.

His tone and the air around him became like an executioner at the gallows. "If that was the case then I would not be here, but he has proven unworthy of the name! The reason why he is not fighting now is he is recovering from an unofficial match with the opponent that I just now humiliated! I know firsthand that the true Nagi Springfield makes that shack of crap I beat just now look like a newborn, and the only way to make me say otherwise is to beat me! When they lose I will give the prize money to a charity that would due the name justice," explained the man.

"But sir, how could you judge someone to be that powerful just by beating you? Surly you don't claim to be as powerful as the greatest mage ever?" asked the announcer accusingly, showing signs of restraining her temper.

"No, I simply claim to know his strength firsthand as one who faced him before he disappeared. Since the fight was canceled before we finished I can't say anything other than that, but I now declare war on those two who take name of the first opponent since Scienter that I could respect." corrected Sword to everyone's complete amazement and Kotaro's horror.

If that's true then there is no way we could win against them, he may be lying, but with his skill it may be possible. Thought Kotaro as he listened to the announcement. He saw a similar look of surprise on Natsumi's face, but she seemed to not grasp the full impact of what their enemy was claiming depending on how long the fight lasted. Then another thought hit him. What's the point! The only reason that we entered this was to buy Natsumi-neesan and the others' freedom and now!

These thoughts and all others would soon fade away with the next thing said in the announcement.

"I have even taken measures to insure that they have the right mentality for it, and truly give it all they got. Hopefully they won't lose their chance to prove themselves! That is all I have to say they still have a fight to do, so I will take my leave." Sword added with a smile returning to the same cheerful tone that he started the interview with; he began to walk towards the exit, not giving the announcer a chance to question him any further.

The instant that he heard this, Kotaro knew what was meant by it, and charged the ring as fast as he could. However as he reached the outer wall of the ring Sword started to cast some sort of spell, causing the ground under him and his apprentice to glow. Kotaro leaped off the wall and into the air, preparing to finish the man in one strike, but as he neared the ground the pair vanished, with Kotaro landing right where they would have been.

After sliding to a halt, Kotaro just stared at the ground in disbelief. He pounded the ground, fracturing it. Damn it! How could I let him get away! Cursed the boy mentally, as he grinned his teeth.

"Well, I see our next fighter is eager to get that chance to prove Sword's claims wrong, and such a great entrance on top of such a flawless incantation less teleportation spell, things are really heating up!" The announcer cheered. "Now let's get on with the next match! All competitors you have five minutes to report to the ring!"

In three minutes, the competitors had gathered and the match was underway, and in another three it was over. Kotaro looked to where he left Natsumi, and was alarmed to find her missing. She could have just gone back to work, but could usually watch the match, they were never that long. Then it hit what might have happened and he raced to prove himself wrong.

Kotaro raced from room to room checking every place that the girls were suppose take care of hoping to find any of them. His search became more desperate with each failure until he plowed through the door of the final room, the room they used to plan. When he made it through the door he did not see any of the girls, but he did get answer, the one he was hoping against. There, with his feet propped up on the table while he lounged back in a chair, was Sword.

"Wow, faster than I expected; you caught on quick!" greeted the fighter as if he had done nothing. He immediately dodged the lunge of the younger fighter, who was obviously trying to rip him in two. "Hey now, I just came here explain how you could get those girls back; after all, I didn't have a chance to full explain in my announcement. Can't we discuses this peacefully."

"Shut-up! You said that you took them to give us the right mindset to beat you, so if I beat you then you'd have no reason to keep them!" objected Kotaro readying himself to attack again. This time attacking from the side, but right as he was inches from the face of Sword, Kotaro's whole body froze. His mind was telling him to strike, but nothing was happening.

"Just as I would expect from a 10 year-old, now if you can't be peaceful on your own, then I will put you in time-out! Now, I talk, you listen, and then I'll let you run your mouth." taunted the mage.

How does he know that! What did he do to me? Who is this guy! Kotaro contemplated as he still struggled to move.

"First off, I said that I intended to punish the one who made that comment, the last time that I checked you did not make the remark. The only thing that I want from you is a fight that apprentice-san can learn from and prove herself, but that won't happen if you stick to that code of yours! You may ask a few questions before I explain the finer details of the deal." explained the man, continuing to make Kotaro's blood boil. "A word of warning before I let you have a say: think about what you will ask. Now you may have your say."

With that, Kotaro found that he could now at least move his mouth. He knew what he wanted to ask already and would not be told not to. "What did you do to the girls?" He growled, shooting a glaring that sent a chill down Sword's spine.

"Oh, don't worry. They are fine at my place, and will remain that way as long as you comply with my deal, otherwise, I may have to enjoy some of the fun that your little Natsumi-neesan can provide," countered Sword with a devious smile.

The meaning sent the temper of his captive audience through the roof. Kotaro was about curse the man until he could tear him apart, but no words came out.

"Look! I may be a lot of things, but I am no liar, or the monster you think I am. All will be fine as long as you go along with a rather simple concept. Now, nod if you are ready to listen to that concept!" Sword instructed his captive, to which he saw a reluctant nod. "Good, I knew this would be faster. The rules are simple: you fight my partner one on one and I fight yours, if you win I give back everything I took from you, and if you'd trust me to, give you an undetectable way back to the old world. However, if you lose, then I get to enjoy those personal pleasures I talked about for three long years any time except when apprentice needs her for something, if your partner loses then I may give you a choice of what I give you. So if you both lose then both come true, and any hesitation will count as a defeat. Simple, isn't it?"

Kotaro was shocked. It was simple, too simple. Just why was not holding back so important? Who was this apprentice? In fact, the more he thought about it, the more he realized that this was all about Shield getting a good fight. He wondered why it was set-up so differently for the two of them, but then he remembered some of the things Sword brought up and it scared him: his code, his age, and why Negi was absent! How did he know that, how much did he know? He could feel the force keeping him from speaking lift, and he decided to take the chance.

"How much do you know about us?" Kotaro asked.

Sword smiled as he replied, "Finally, you start thinking, Kotaro-chan, the idea you could lose something never got you so heated before, but maybe it just means more. Well, there is not much I don't know, I've been preping background on your little group for years. I know Negi-chan has finally started trying to be like his father, instead of trying to be his father. I know that three of your missing members have been found and one will find you at the finals on her own, and that she couldn't have landed in a better place for her. He replied whimsically putting on another smile. "I also know that a few in your group have potential that would make the thousand master look like a street performer, ones that come to mind and ones that don't."

Kotaro's mind froze how could he knew things like this, and what did he mean, by making Negi's dad look like a street performer! Kotaro could not understand how this guy knew so much, and could only think of one question. "Just who are you really!"

Sword looked surprised by the question for a moment. "Well, that is an interesting question. You probably mean my name and title, but I have so many that they don't really give any idea to who I really am." Kotaro's surprise only deepened as the man thought out loud about his answer "I suppose I should give you the name I use at my work/club, but as for what I do, I can't tell you without my boss's approval."

"Would you just tell me your damn name! " yelled Kotaro at the top of his lungs. "I've never heard of someone taking so long to answer such a simple question!"

Kotaro was about to continue, but was cut off by a seemingly upset Sword. "It is not a simple question. If just wanted a name then the title I'm using for the tournament should do, but what I you to mean is how can I do this stuff. The problem is that I can't tell you what my job is, or how it allows me to study so many different sources of information." Sword scolded him, wearing an angry look on his face. "Well the name that I use at work is Gem, but I like using old aliases better. Is that good enough?"

"It sounds like the only one I'll get!" Kotaro replied admitting defeat. "Now why are you doing this?

Gem gave a warm smile. "Part of my job is helping people realize how strong they can be, and this way I kill two birds with one stone," explained the man releasing Kotaro from his invisible hold, and started for the door.

Kotaro did not know why he was released, but was definitely taking advantage of this chance. He dashed towards the man, again using instant movement in hope of catching him off guard, but right before he could hit Gem a black void appeared sucking him in and sent him head first into the wall, knocking him out.