Out of Control

Chapter 8: A Big Lipped Alligator Moment.

By Zephyrus Anemoi Fiction.

That should explain something to you

"And now for something, completely different."

John Cleese

"I do appreciate your help girls," Negi sighed as he followed the golden pool of light in front of him, deep within the bowels of Library Island.

"No need to thank us sensei," Yue replied, hefting her sword-lance resting against her shoulder. Perched on the tip of the blade was a battery-powered lantern which cast the three of them in its radiant light.

"Yes, we are the Library Exploration Club." Nodoka agreed. A strange blush had worked its way across her face over the course of their trip down here.

"Asuna-san is working for Master to fix the door, and I need to find that book." He announced.

"I can appreciate your tenacity for this role sensei," Yue told him. "But why Evangeline? Why bother to put up with her?"

"Because Project X was built by my students," Negi replied. "And by that extension, she is my responsibility as well. I would do no less for any of my other students."

Yue smiled at her child-teacher's courage, while Nodoka's blush deepened even more.

"Oh, we're here!"

Negi couldn't tell where 'here' was. This patch of darkened bookshelf looked just like any other patch of darkened bookshelf they passed. However, Yue and Nodoka both stopped and peered off into the darkness.

"Recently, Kur-Nel asked Nodoka and I to help out some secret transfer students deep in the library," Yue explained. "One of them even asked to be a part of the Exploration Club."

"So we're waiting for a new member?" Negi clarified. Two nods ended his wondering.

It wasn't long before a new light shone from the end of the passageway. Negi smiled, glad that the new member was punctual. However, as the mysterious member approached, a few things seemed odd. The light was purple, whatever was walking toward them did not sound like footsteps, and it sounded like there was two of them. When the mysterious figure finally did meet them, Negi was at loss for words. He didn't know what was stranger: that the figure was purple, that it walked on four legs, or that it was undeniably a unicorn!

"Ahh, Sparkle-san,"

"Good afternoon Twilight Sparkle-san."

Negi stood there, utterly flabbergasted at the diminutive unicorn that stood before him. the four-foot-tall purple equine looked at him with large, almost cartoonish eyes.

"Hi, I'm Twilight Sparkle,"

"…"

"Um, you must be Negi Springfield," she continued, trying to ignore the awkward silence. "It's an honor to meet a mage of your caliber."

"You have a horn." Was the only thing Negi could say.

Twilight fixed him with a flat stare that screamed No shit Sherlock.

Finally, Negi was able to gather his wits and have an intelligent conversation with the unicorn. "Princess Celestia asked my friends and I to come here and research the magic of friendship among humans."

"No offence, but I can't help but think you might have the wrong magic-user."

(Elsewhere, Nanoha Takamachi couldn't help but wonder why she should be squee-ing like the little girl she was)

"Twilight-san here said she will help us in our quest for the book."

"That's very nice of you Ms. Twilight."

"Anything for a friend." The unicorn replied as the quartet set off down the hallway. "Though I must ask you to keep my friends and I a secret."

"If everyone found out that unicorn and pegasai actually existed, there would be pandemonium." Nodoka agreed.

"Of course," Negi replied. "I would never dream of endangering one of my student's friends. Breaking a friend's trust can sometimes break that friendship."

"FOREVER!"

Negi leapt up into Nodoka's arms as a pink pony head suddenly burst from the bookshelf. Its bright-pink, curly mane bounced from side-to-side as the strange pony glared at them. Then, with no rhyme or reason, the mysterious pony withdrew back into the bookshelf and vanished amid the tomes. Twilight put a hoof to her forehead and sighed in despair.

"I'm sorry Negi, I should have warned you."

"What was that?" Negi shouted.

"Pinkie Pie." Twilight sighed.

"That was certainly unexpected." Yue sighed.

"I agree," Negi replied. "I mean, I just came down here for a book. I wasn't expecting the Spa–"

Yue clapped a hand over Negi's mouth.

"Sensei, perhaps we shouldn't tempt fate anymore."

(Somewhere in the world, Fate Testarossa wondered why three bearded men dressed in red robes suddenly burst into her room.)

(Somewhere in the world, Fate Averruncus sighed as he quelled the need to obliterate the author for making another stupid Monty Python reference.)

Meanwhile, Negi climbed down from Nodoka's arms. "I'm sorry Nodoka-san. Pinkie Pie just scared me." The bookworm did not reply. She simply stood there with her arms still extended, as if she was still cradling Negi. "Um, Nodoka-san,"

"Don't worry about her sensei," Yue sighed as she grabbed Nodoka around the waist. The diminutive girl flung her friend over her other shoulder and continued on down the passageway. Negi was left standing in the dark, looking down after the two fading lights.

"Wait for me!" He shouted, not wanting to get stuck in the dark with the threat of reality-warping pink ponies.

It was only a harbinger of the madness yet to come.

I love the no God-modding rule