Phew. Finally at chapter ten.
So, I decided that I would write the next chapters during the week after posting a chapter slowly and make a weekly release. Might work out better than trying to write four chapters and release them on a weekly basis, that's a difficult thing to do.
Also, when I make the transition to the next arc, I may rant about movies and whatnot as a little segment at the end of a chapter once in a great while. So, if you are interested, you can pm me One movie that has come out recently that you personally don't like. Then, I'll watch that movie and may actually stop midway maybe and instead read the plot of it and then give out views and whatnot.
Okay without more delay, lets get this show on the way.
Disclaimer; I do not own Negima, i own the OC's. Also, there will be ROMANCE During the next arc and I may be bringing in someone to edit those bits since i am not really good at that stuff yet. But alas, read on!
Story so far;
Three days have passed since Setsuna and co were taken to the stronghold of the group named Amaterasu. But even in this place of safety there seems to be a dark shadow. What could be in store for this group? And why were the Lizard Alliance(pending) so desperate to catch them?
Can you hear me?
Sojiro woke for a start, the voice sounded familiar yet he couldn't place a name. It was a voice that had been haunted his dreams since coming here. Did it have something to do with him? He couldn't remember. His memories had been shot, and with that he had met with Nagi Springfield before meeting those two girls and fighting those strange people the other day, who while at first seemed to know him but quickly told him afterwords that he was just hearing things.
Like they told him, he had been taking things easy. He had never again met that man with the one white wing, which Sophia said that that guy comes and goes when he pleases and does not really care too much.
"He'll come again when we least expect it." is what she said.
Sojiro got out of his bed and left the room that they loaned him walking into the hallway when he eventually made it outside to the garden. There, he saw a figure that was wearing a white yukata, upon closer inspection, it was Setsuna, in front of her was another girl who he identified and Konoka. She seemed to be fine but.. there was something off.
As he approached them, setsuna noticed and turned around, seeing him she have a weak smile.
"How is she?" he asked. Konoka looked like she was a doll, only basic moving gestures was all she could do now.
She was quiet for a little before answering, "Takeshi-san said that they haven't not really figured it out either, it's like a part of her soul was just ripped out of her." She paused before continuing, he could tell that she was tired. "She is still able to eat, drink, and walk. But speech, memory, spirit, are all gone. It's like she's turned into a doll."
She started to tear up as Konoka turned around slowly and looked at the two with lifeless eyes. She then stood up and patted Setsuna's head. She finally broke down and cried while falling to her knees. It seems that even though Konoka lost everything, she still had something there to express this.
He turned to leave when setsuna suddenly said "Thank you." He turned back to her and nodded before walking away leaving the two friends alone.
"You got a good heart don't you?"
Sojiro turned to the voice and saw that it was Richard. "What could you mean?"
"You seemed to know that that girl was holding it in." he cat-eared boy stated.
"it's just a feeling I have.." he said walking off, the cat boy tailing close behind.
"Feeling or not, it's pretty nice of you."
"And what about you?" he asked. "You seem to be worried for them as well."
Richard scratched his head, "Well, my sister and those two go far back a while. They met in Mundus Magicus one time after she helped Setsuna-san fend of some crazy girl who was going after them. Of course, said crazy girl got instantly beaten by my Sister when she 'cuddled' with setsuna and blasted the girl to unknown parts of the world. Been friends ever since."
That explained the relation they had and why setsuna got along with the girl.
"Sounds like they have a ton of fun."
"Well, when we heard about you guys being attacked, Sophia was the first one to leave. Actually out of the both of us, I'm supposed to be faster, but she far outclassed even me. It was weird." Richard explained. "But to be honest, she is a very loyal person to those she cares about and will do anything to protect them."
Sojiro then wondered, did he give setsuna the right words? or was he being insensitive? He wasn't really able to comprehend how to console a person other than give words of advice. Actually, he recalled a feeling that he wasn't very good at that kind of thing at all, but he would also feel terrible for not saying anything at all.
Richard stared at the him before looking at the girls. He seemed to be occupied with something before turning to leave. "Well then I'm done for today, got some work to do. Rest up hero, and enjoy your time of rest." he waved goodbye and walked off. In the corner of his eyes Sojiro thought that he saw a glint in the boy's eyes. He instinctively sensed a foreboding for some odd reason.
What was that?
What he did not know was in a short time, they will have to start running again.
For every Safe Haven eventually falls to Darkness.
(*Negima*Rise*Of*Darkness*)
Elsewhere, looking over the small area, three people in strange cloaks had arrived. The plan was to strike tomorrow night, and meet up with their informant.
"So, will he keep his end of the bargain?" One asked.
"He has no choice." the one standing in the middle said.
The third then asked, "What about us?"
The second man responded again, "Of course we will keep our end of the deal. We aren't that heartless."
"We just want those associated with A.A." the first added.
"Oh? well, what of casualties? Or ilk have been known to.. get too excited."
The middle man responded with a evil grin, "Collateral damage is hard to avoid."
They turned to a sound coming from behind and the middle one greeted the figure. "Nice of you to join us, do you have your troops ready?"
A Lizard man had revealed himself and proclaimed, "Yesss. Everything Issss going Asssss Planned. We await the Sssignal." he held out a small orb. "We will get them Thisssss Time."
The area that they were looking over, revealed to be a small town of about 600 people, will soon be turned into fire.
"Two Thoussand troopsssss are ready on the other Ssside." he confirmed.
"So, looks like we may be able to use them as well yes?" asked the first man.
"Yes, after getting the two girls, they will be useful to our cause."
(*Negima*Rise*Of*Darkness*)
Back at Mahora, the mastermind of this whole operation, Souske, was looking over the final details of the small operation that was about to be executed. While everything indeed was in place, he had something else running in the background.
"I assume that from this report, It is safe to think that our mutual friend has made his intent clear?" he asked his assistant.
"Yes, We sent those three in order to confirm his position."
"Have they received the order to give him once they meet with him?"
She nodded. "Yes, as a reminder of whats in the letter you said.." she looked over her copy of the order, "It says that 'The three before you mean to betray me, eliminate them' Is what you wrote."
He leaned back in his chair looking out the window, the had taken the headmaster's office and used it as the main base of sorts. "Several members had conspired against me.. traitors must be eliminated.
"So, what is the status of finding those others?"
"As to be expected, they are still giving us a hard time. One could say that we are not any closer to completely controlling the situation, and the longer it draws out, the longer it'll take to finish everything up."
"Bah... What a hassle, I wish one of them would just-" *WHOOSH* he jerked his head to the left to dodge a projectile that came through the window. Despite it's speed, he still caught it.
he looked at the object and realized it was magic. inside of the small icicle, a rolled up paper was frozen inside of it. When it melted, he looked at the note that was given so generously and smirked.
"What is it?" asked the assistant who seemed completely unfazed by the intrusion.
"It seems that i was invited to a party of sorts." he said tossing the latter. The woman catched it and seemed bewildered.
-Gospel of Darkness
"This is..."
Souske nodded. "Yep.. a strong one appeared." he then signed, remembering something, "I guess, we'll have to send someone else to fight Rakan.."
His assistant then looked at him funny, "Why would you not deal with him? Isn't he a priority target?"
"Indeed, but a strong card had surfaced, and i think that if I miss this chance, we'll have to start at phase one again."
She seemed to want to try talking him out of it but he stopped her, "Send Blitz to deal with Rakan, I hear of some good things happening in the Magic world right now. So, we can deal with it then." he finished as he stood and made his way to leave the room.
(Negima*Rise*Of*Darkness)
Souske had arrived at the world tree a half hours receiving the letter. Now standing before two people whom had finally shown themselves.
"Well now, seems that you have finally come out of hiding, Albireo Emma, Evangeline A.K Mcdowell... I would have thought that as the apostle of Darkness, you would have run away leaving these people to suffer, I supposed I underestimated your cowardice."
"Oh look, a dog who is all bark and no bite.." she stated.
"Now now Kitty..."
"Shut up!" she yelled at him.
"Are you quite done with your comedy routine, Albireo Imma? or has being on a shelf for so long dulled your sense of danger?"
"I don't quite get what your saying." he actually replied to his real name, instead of that stupid name he came up with Eva concluded.
"I am saying that you know that both of you will be defeated here."
"That's big words coming from you boy." Eva replied to him.
Souske only grinned, "Forgive me for sounding so pretentious, but really, I am only stating a fact."
Evangeline held her hand up as the reveal her sharp nails and replied wearing a sadistic smile. "Then lets see if you can backup your claim."
Al seemed to have been lazily getting ready.
"I swear, you two have no clue what you are dealing with." was all that souske could say when a black shadow appeared behind him. "And I say that you are overestimating yourself, boy."
Souske moved as Evangeline attacked him, the result causing an explosion of ice. The icy debris roamed the area for a while as Al landed next to her, "Huh, if i didn't know better, I would have said that you were trying to use him to hit me.." he joked before asking a serious question, "Did you get him?"
Eva had a sour look on her face replying, "Che, it'll take more than that to get him."
As the dust settled, Souske stood several meters away with his arms crossed, parts of his robes were torn but he nevertheless looked okay. "Not even a Scratch huh?" Al stated.
Souske then ripped his coat off, revealing somewhat normal black clothing. And indeed, he did not seem to have a scratch. "I seemed to have neglected to tell you that half heart'ed attacks won't scratch me. I guess, i really to have to demonstrate the severity of the situation you are in.." It was a moment, that from where he stood, he was standing behind both Al and Eva with his back towards them. "I will burn this into your minds before I am done with you."
As they moved he flinched his body, which then the area was enveloped in a firestorm in an instant.
*Next time;
There are many indications of who this 'informant' is, but is it really them? The answer is harder to come by than one would think.
But as these things come to pass, a battle between three great powers has begun, will Evangeline and Albireo accomplish what Negi failed to do? Time will tell.
So, yes. I made the ending of this chapter into a cliffhanger for a reason.
This will also be one of those turning points that may make several people hate me. but at least i'm not killing anyone...yet.
So yes, next chapter will be a full on fight between these three. In the middle of Mahora... Yep.