Magister Negi Magi is owned by Ken Akamatsu and Kodansha Ltd. Tokyo in Japan, and by Funimation and Ballantine - DelRey in the United States, NOT by me.

Certain boat crews and city Magistrate personalities are the property of their respective creators and owners, NOT me.

SPOILER ALERT! AU story occurring after c189.

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"I guess the most important lesson I learned in the Magic World was that you can't live life without risk."
-Ako Izumi. As told to Kazumi Asakura. Author of: "One Million Steps: A Journey to Megalo-Mesembria and the World Beyond."

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Ala Alba in the World of Magic: Tales From the Fireside.

Chapter Twenty-five: Festival Eve.

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Crossing the Bay of Ostia was easy enough. A short trip to the coast, a boat captain friend of the Magistrate of Nyandom willing to accept the extra pay making the trip would give him, and away they went.

At Setsuna Sakurazaki's request, the dark-skinned, sunglasses wearing Hu-Jin and his crew dropped she and Konoka Konoe off on a deserted section of coast. From there, the two of them began an overland trek towards the city of New Ostia.

Hiking up from the coast proved to be an exercise in endurance. Setsuna knew she was holding out well enough as a result of her training. However, the constant uphill climbing quickly took it's toll on Konoka, and she soon wound up carrying the healer's share of their baggage.

After pulling herself up, Setsuna turned and reached down to help Konoka climb a small ridge of rock. "Many apologies for subjecting you to these rough travel conditions Ojou-sama, but this seemed like the best possible way to avoid further encounters with bounty-hunters."

Panting as Setsuna heaved her up onto the higher rocks, Konoka gave her guardian a smile of thanks. Despite having aches and pains in places she'd never imagined before, being alone with Setsuna was worth all that and more. "I should be the one begging forgiveness Se-chan, with you having to carry my pack, as well as yours, just so I can keep pace..."

Setsuna shook her head as Konoka leaned down to brush her knees off. "I'm just happy I can be of service to you Ojou-sama."

With the beginnings of a pout on her face, Konoka straightened up and started to chide Setsuna over her continued use of formality. What she saw behind her guardian though, made the incipient protest die in her throat.

Reaching for her sword as an instinctive reaction to Konoka's incredulous look, Setsuna turned and saw nothing more dangerous than an immense valley and the tumbled remains of the fallen city of Ostia. In the distance, a single large island near the valley's perimeter remained in the sky, surrounded by several smaller islands. As thrilling as that sight was, what lay beyond that single island was chilling, above and beyond that thrill, by several orders of magnitude. Cloaked heavily in mist, surrounded by spires of what seemed to be violently upthrust rock, lay many islands whose size, even viewed across such a great distance, still dwarfed that of their surviving companion.

Catching Setsuna's arm, an awed Konoka pulled herself tightly against an equally stunned bodyguard. "I'd heard people in Nyandom talking about the war, and Ostia, because of the anniversary festival, but I never imagined it would be anything like this..."

Instead of pushing away from the desirable, but distractive affection like she normally would, Setsuna forced herself to be still. By choosing to be a pillar of steadiness for Konoka, she could control her own barely repressed fear over the level of power implied by what lay before them. "Magistrate Saillune in Nyandom told me there was some kind of disaster or accident involving a person called 'The Imperial Princess of the Twilight.' Professor Springfield's father, the Thousand Master, and his group the Ala Rubra tried to intervene, but... something, happened... magic was running wild, magic was being destroyed... Even twenty years later, no one seems to know exactly what went on. In any case, the magic holding the main islands up was neutralized, and everything fell except those few islands over there."

Looking out towards the jumbled collection of islands indicated by Setsuna's pointed finger, Konoka thought about the destruction that sight represented and couldn't repress another shudder. "I wonder how many people were hurt..."

Now Setsuna allowed herself to more openly comfort Konoka by placing a reassuring arm around the healer's shoulders. "My understanding is that casualties were astoundingly light, considering the scope of the disaster. Unfortunately, the real tragedy came from those residents of Ostia with no means of supporting themselves afterwards. Many, more than anyone really knows, were forced to become debt-slaves or indentured servants just to survive. In terms of the number of refugee's, it created a crisis eclipsed in scope only by the war itself."

In the distance, Konoka noticed a draconic silhouette flying above the ruins.

After sending her gaze out along Konoka's pointed arm, Setsuna nodded, then lead the chocolate-haired girl further up along the rocky ridge they'd been climbing. "Old Ostia is now a maze of wrecked structures filled with all manner of creatures... as well as the bones of those foolish enough to venture inside without proper permission or preparation..." Konoka gasped, then gave Setsuna a playful thump on the arm when she saw the Shinmei-ryu's teasing grin. "Well, that is partly true, but in deference to our professor, I suppose the proper saying would be; 'Only mad-dogs and Englishmen go there now!' If there was any reason Professor Springfield chose Ostia as our meeting place beyond the tournament prize, I imagine it has something to do with those ruins."

Pulling away from Setsuna, Konoka shaded her eyes as a speck rose out of the mist in the distance and began rising towards the still floating islands. "Is that where we're going?"

Matching Konoka's pose, Setsuna recognized what seemed to be a Koi-ship rising towards New Ostia. "That's it. Most traffic coming into New Ostia arrives by Whaleship, but enough of it comes by ground that a small city has grown up on the rim of the valley. Expeditions into Old Ostia occasionally leave from there, but what we're after is a lift up into New Ostia."

Suddenly revived with excitement over the prospect of seeing her friends again, Konoka clenched a fist with determination, then started off down the faint path leading off the ridge and down towards the city on the valley rim. "Come on Setsuna! A journey sooner started is a journey sooner finished!"

Watching as Konoka moved off down the path, Setsuna suddenly felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Turning to look back the way they'd come, she saw nothing immediately threatening, but couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. After making sure her Pactio card was easily accessible, she removed the cover from Yunagi, then started down the path after Konoka. "Ojou-sama! Please be careful! It's going to be growing dark soon!"

(-)

"I'll see your twenty-five Drachma and raise you twenty-five more."

A chorus of groans presaged the slapping of three sets of cards upon the food-stained surface of the Koi-ship Taka no Mikazuki's small galley table. Aisha Coryell, Lynn Garland, and Christian Danchecker all tossed away their cards and sat back. Their friend Craig Caldwell agonized over the two cards in his hand for a moment, looked up at the three emotionless predators still in the game at various places around the table, then threw down his cards as well. "Here I thought Lynn was an Ice Queen when it came to playing Zephillian-Grab, Mister Takahata. You, Miss Mana, and the Captain are veritable Cold Drakes! I don't think we EVER stood a chance against you guys!"

Watching through a window from the Koi-ship's open deck, Yuuna Akashi saw Professor Takahata give the barest of smiles at Craig Caldwell's words. Beside her, Makie Sasaki gave a depressed sigh.

"I guess I can see why Professor Takahata didn't want to let us play. I can't even keep a straight face when we play Uno in the dorm!" Crossing her arms and nodding gravely, Makie concentrated on the Class 3A student who was sitting at the table. "Maybe being able to stay calm is why he let Mana play."

Nodding, Yuuna eyed the pile of Drachma's on the small table with just a hint of wistful envy. "Probably so, but considering the amount of money involved, I don't think the two of us could have lasted very long anyway!"

After giving a self-depreciating laugh, Makie turned back to the table to watch as the pile of Drachmas grew higher. Professor Takahata discarded for the second time, then turned a fourth card over to join the three already face up.

Setting the deck down, Takamichi T. Takahata glanced at his two face-down cards, then back up at the new card on the table. "Okay, blue Magus comes up, black Apprentice out, red ten, black six. Your bet Captain Clark."

After a quick glance at his face-down cards, the Koi-ship's Hu-Jin Captain tossed out a short stack of Drachmas. "Twenty-five."

Tossing out his cards, Takamichi sat back and reached for his pack of domestic cigarettes. "Too rich for me. Guess it's down to you and the captain again, Mana."

Not looking at her face-down cards or even batting an eye, Mana Tatsumiya tossed fifty Drachma out onto the table. "Your twenty-five, and twenty-five more."

Yuuna saw the Koi-ship Captain's eyebrow twitch while Mana remained silent and unmoving.

Despite having warned her Captain not to try and engage their passengers in a card game, the Koi-ship's Ryu-Jin First Mate looked back from the helm, saw what was happening, and just shook her head. That dark-skinned girl had only looked at her cards once. If she called Captain Clark and beat whatever he had... She wished the silly Hu-Jin would just swallow his smug pride and fold now, before an easy, profitable trip turned into a not-so profitable one.

"Okay then! Match, and twenty-five more!"

Fifty Drachma were added to the pile by Mana.

Watching as the Captain matched Mana's twenty-five, Takamichi waited until she nodded, then discarded again, and turned up the round's final card. "Black two up. Your bet Captain."

"FIFTY!"

Lynn Garland watched Mana toss out one-hundred Drachma like she was throwing out the trash and nearly had a fit. Out on the deck, Takamichi's two wards were gripping the window frame so hard as they continued to watch their knuckles were turning white. Across the table, a tic in his left temple showed that Captain Clark's demeanor was finally cracking. After glancing quickly at Mana's still emotionless face, she wondered if the Koi-ship's Captain would try the bold play, or make the smart play.

"ALL IN!"

Everyone around the table tensed-up or groaned as Captain Clark pushed everything he had in front of him out into the center of the table.

Still as emotionless as ever, Mana did the same. "Call."

With a grin of triumph, Captain Clark turned over his cards. "Three Magus. Counting the one on the table, the Apprentice, and a ten." Seeing Mana grin, the captain wondered what she could possibly have to best three Magus. Looking at the five upturned cards, he saw something that made him roll his eyes with unbounded frustration. Three Black suit cards were showing. A deuce, a six, and the Apprentice. Knowing what was about to happen didn't make the result any easier to take.

Mana turned her cards over. A Black ten, and the last Magus. Black suited, of course.

Takamichi let out a low whistle. "And the Lady wins again!"

Throwing back his arms, the Koi-ship's Captain let out a wail of disgust. "AAAARRGH! Those trash-flush hands get me every time!"

Takamichi stood up and went out on deck as Captain Clark tried to get Mana to let him keep some of the Drachmas. Lighting the overly sweet cigarette, he took a breath, then blew out a cloud of smoke that quickly vanished with the ship's movement. ("Lousy sticks... Still, I'd best save my last few Normal World cigs for special occasions...") As he took another drag, he noticed a flash of light near the ground. After a few moments of careful observation, he saw the flash again. "Mana..."

Haring Takamichi's duty call, Mana picked up her business luggage and joined him out on the Koi-ship's deck. "Professor?"

Intrigued by the tension she felt coming from Professor Takahata and Mana, Yuuna turned from Makie's side to watch as the pair pointed towards the ground and began speaking in low whispers. Moving over to the deck railing, she followed the direction of their gaze and saw several flashes of light near the ground. Noticing some kind of strange pattern on the ground beneath the flashes, she was turning towards Professor Takahata to point it out when a sharp 'CRACK!' rang out and a storm of lighting began to rain down on that very spot.

Lowering the pair of binoculars she'd pulled from her luggage, Mana ignored her hair as it began to rise up and separate, charged with static electricity even as far away as they were from the lightning. "Sakurazaki and Konoe, Professor."

Flinging his cigarette over the side, Takamichi turned to go back into the Koi-ship's deckhouse. "Stand-by to intervene. I'll get the Captain to stop the ship."

Yuuna watched Professor Takahata go inside the Koi-ship as Mana knelt and began pulling the components for a rifle out of her luggage. "What's going on? Did those flashes of light and that lightning have something to do with Setsuna and Konoka?"

After fitting the major parts of her rifle together, Mana picked up and held out the binoculars to Yuuna. "Start observing the hills around that lightning storm. tell me if you see anything."

Somewhat confused about what she should be looking for, Yuuna went to the railing and did as she had been told. Just as she thought she saw something, Professor Takahata reappeared.

"See anything Yuuna?"

Shaken as much by Professor Takahata's words as his sudden appearance, Yuuna let the binoculars fall from her eyes. "Huh?"

An angry look quickly appeared on Takamichi's face. "If you're going to help, FOCUS! Otherwise give me those binoculars!"

Noticing Mana lying prone on the edge of the Koi-ship's deck, making adjustments to her rifle, Yuuna quickly returned the binoculars to her eyes. After just a moment's hesitation, she found the hill top she'd previously seen something on again. "Umm... this side of the lightning. Looks like several people and some really big worms on a small hill."

Beside Professor Takahata, Mana shifted the point of her aim. "I have them Professor. Looks like possible hunters from the Canis Niger."

Stepping up to the railing, Takamichi placed both hands in his pockets. "Sakurazaki and Konoe are in that lightning storm, so it's too late to help them. If those bounty-hunters try to move in though, open fire. I'll defend."

(-)

With Sagita Magica falling all around them, Konoka tried desperately not to trip and go down as Setsuna pulled her rapidly along through a jumbled field of rocks. "Se... Se-chan! Why don't we just fly to escape?"

Shaking her head, Setsuna continued leading Konoka towards New Ostia's ground port as fast as she dared. "Because I can't tell where the person shooting those Sagita is! If the range is so great I'm unable to sense where they are, then they might be able to shoot me down, and you'd fall!" As Konoka nodded in understanding, Setsuna kept another thing she'd noticed to herself. She and Konoka were being herded. Allowed to run in a direction promising safety, but herded nonetheless.

Another Sagita hit, closer than any other. Konoka shrieked as stone chips pelted her face and Setsuna lead her off in a new direction. The two of them had not gone fifty meters when a huge magic circle flashed into existence beneath their feet.

Pulling Konoka close, Setsuna summoned her artifact and called forth the one ability she could think of that might give them a chance. "Sica Shishikushiro! Five blades! Shinmei-ryu Barrier of the Four Gods! Dokko-Renkaku!" As lightning instantly began tearing at the barrier, visions of Konoka's near-drowning in Kyoto and Chigusa Amagasaki's kidnapping began floating mockingly before her eyes. "No... not again... I'LL NOT FAIL KONO-CHAN AGAIN!"

Konoka crouched at Setsuna's feet as the world around them grew painfully bright with static fire. Continuously crashing thunder drowned out her screams of fear but not a very faint '...not fail Kono-chan again!' Looking up through the nearly blinding light, she saw Setsuna willingly burning herself out in the effort to protect Konoka.

Setsuna could defend, but had limited power. Konoka knew she had power but could not defend. Knowing about Setsuna's reluctance to form a Pactio with Konoka, Eva had demonstrated and explained to her a type of spell that would allow the transference of useable energy directly to the Shinmei-ryu girl, even against her will. The risks were high. If the duration of this attack was too great, she might possibly drain herself to the point of death. Still, what other choice was there? Setsuna had been on the verge of loosing her wings to protect Konoka before, she seemed willing to die for her now. How could Konoka herself not then be willing to accept great risk on her part and ever hope to be a worthy partner for Setsuna?

With the decision made, Konoka rose up and put her arms around Setsuna. "Vobis, quicumque ego have!" Finishing her barely heard, shouted spell, she leaned forward and kissed Setsuna directly on the mouth. ("For you, Setsuna, all that I have!")

Setsuna's eyes grew wide with shock at the unexpected kiss. Driven by suddenly unrestrained emotion, she returned it. In an instant, energy rushed in from the Konoe Heiress, filling her own reserves and flowing from there out into the Ki barrier...

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Built like a Metronome and just as restless, Paio Two of the Canis Niger shifted back and forth on nervous feet as the Anti-Army Magic Mine expended itself upon the two marks they'd come to Ostia to collect. One, a girl with tiny but still delicious looking boobies, had single-handedly eliminated as many as fifty other lone-wolf or team bounty-hunters. If the stories about her were to be believed, she had also taken on and eliminated an adult Dragon. Her companion, whose boobies were not exceptional in any significant way but were still of a pleasant bouncy-bouncy variety, had apparently mind-controlled the entire city of Nyandom, using it's residents as protectors and shields for nearly a month. Even while continuing to worry over the eventual condition of the two girl's precious boobies, the obvious strength they'd displayed certainly justified Captain Zaitsufu's request for the use of the mine. "I hope this doesn't cause too much damage..."

Aleksander Zaitsufu, Captain of the Seventeenth Squad of the Canis Niger, limited shape-shifter and master of long-range Sagita Magica, watched as Paio Two shifted restlessly in place. Now, he himself held no objection to the observation of any pleasantly shaped female form, but Paio's obsession with humanoid-type breasts bordered on the weird. The hunter was an obvious and unrepentant pervert, as EVERY female mark the Seventeenth Squad had ever brought in would certainly testify. Such proclivities might normally make Paio a wanted criminal, but an unsurpassed ability to control Sand Worms made for a valuable asset, so such eccentricity was tolerated by the Canis Niger's boss.

As the lightning began to fade, Paio Two took off down the hill, anxious for the chance to 'play' before they turned the two girls in.

Aleksander started to shake his head just as Paio suddenly tripped. A 'Hyuuuzziiippt!' sound reached his ears just as the big sand-worm controller hit the ground and started thrashing around from the effects of a shock-inducing Aer Capturae spell. Bereft of control, the two Sand Worms began wandering aimlessly down the hill, following the general intent of their last instructions.

Morborgran the Ma-Jin and Rizo the Ryu-Jin reacted nearly instantly by running for cover as Aleksander, more out of instinct than any conscious thought, swung out with his magic staff and knocked aside a second spell-shot aimed at him. In the distance was a Koi-ship he'd noticed earlier, but not given more than passing thought to. ("What's going on? Did the boss hire someone to test me just because I'm new?") Range made the Koi-ship questionable as the origin of the spell-shots, but there wasn't really any place else Paio Two could have been hit from. "Morb! Rizo! Go get the marks! Worry about Paio later! I'll cover you!" Jumping aside, he dodged, barely, a third spell-shot, then cut loose with his response. "Sagita Magica! Seventeen Arrows of Light!" Much to his distress, every shot was intercepted, and he just managed to run down the hill and take cover behind a rock before a fourth spell-shot hit and discharged itself just behind him.

(-)

Dodging between rocks, into the occasional dry gully, then back again, Morborgran and Rizo just managed to avoid the spell-shots directed their way as they moved down the hill towards the targeted marks. With their squads only long-range fighter fighting at the top of the hill, they knew their best bet was to grab the two marks, signal Captain Zaitsufu, then run.

"What's with this attack Morb? Do you think it's allies of those two?"

Spotting the edge of the lightning scarred trap zone, Morborgran dodged to another rock. "Maybe a test for the captain if it isn't someone those two were going to meet. Whoever they are, they must have powerful backers, to have a spell-shot able to take Paio down like that."

Jumping from a rock to a small depression in the ground just capable of concealing him, Rizo glanced back up the hill and shook his head. "Let's just grab those two and scram. Hopefully their friends or whoever won't risk hitting them to take us out."

Morborgran nodded and turned to sprint out into the energy-blackened area their two marks should be in. Rizo sprang up to follow, but ran into Morborgran and fell back to the ground. "What did you stop like that fo..."

"SHINMEI-RYU, KESSEN OUGI ZANMAKEN!"

Rizo threw up an arm to protect his face as a huge blast of energy engulfed Morborgran. When it faded, the smoldering Ma-Jin tottered and fell onto his back, nearly pinning Rizo.

"Dr... drat... I thought for sure that one would be potent enough to send me home... urg..."

Blinking as the cloud of dust raised by the spell faded, Rizo looked up to see a white-haired, red-eyed apparition standing between the still form of one of their marks and the equally still Morborgran. His Ma-Jin partner's 'nothing-but-bones' appearance was what most people considered an obvious 'demon,' but the creature before him now epitomized that word more than Morb had ever dreamed of doing.

"You... you made Ojou-sama hurt herself... for that... THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS!"

Just barely, Rizo jumped aside as the Ma-Jin raised her sword and sent another crescent of energy slashing across the ground at him. A small fold in the ground let him check his movement, then using the powerful potential in his leg muscles, to launch himself at the Ma-Jin blade-user. His fist smashed the ground right where she'd been standing, but with suddenly sprouted wings, the girl dodged the attack and rose into the sky.

"Inatsurubi no Katama!"

Summoning a swarm of blades, the flying Ma-Jin sent them stabbing into the ground around Rizo, a containment field flashed into existence, and he was trapped.

Looking up at a most refreshingly worthy opponent from inside the barrier, Rizo knew this was the end.

"KESSEN OUGI RYUHAZAN!"

(-)

Aleksander fumed from frustration at the failure of any of his shots to hit the Koi-ship. Even with the advanced weaponry some of the more disreputable captain's sometimes carried, he should have been able to at least force it to withdraw. None of his attacks had even come close. The only answer had to be that a powerful mage was defending the ship. Glancing down the hill at the sound of a loud crack of energy, he heard the 'Whirrrrp-pop!' of a teleportation and turned back to find a gunslinger holding a huge-bored pistol on him. Recognizing the woman, he could only think about how unfair this was if she'd been sent by his boss. "The... the Black Rose of Macedonia!"

Grinning, the dark-skinned girl nodded. "You lose."

A loud bang and a flash of light were the last things Aleksander Zaitsufu knew, until Paio Two shook him awake, many hours later.

Mana Tatsumiya prodded the two shallowly breathing bodies with her toe, then turned to move down the hill. Reaching the edge of the lightning scared area, she risked a quick glance from behind cover. Out a short distance into the blackened clearing lay the other two bounty-hunters. Both had been clearly overwhelmed, but of their attacker, there was no sign.

Using the thumb and forefinger of her left hand, Mana began to blow out a particular warbling whistle she and Setsuna Sakurazaki had worked out as a signal. After a moment of silence, she repeated the whistle, and received the correct answer in return. Wary, lest it still be some kind of trap, she walked out into the energy-blasted area. A short distance away, carrying Konoka Konoe, a surprisingly different Setsuna came out of cover. "Well now, I expect you ought to dye your hair again before Konoka wakes up."

Cradling the drained and shivering, unconscious Konoka, Setsuna gave a sigh and a nod. "Didn't expect to see you here. Not that I'm ungrateful of course."

Putting away her weapons, Mana took off her cloak and helped Setsuna wrap Konoka up in it. Even before they finished, the extra clothing began to have an effect , and Konoka's shivering began to subside. "I've been busy. If Canis Niger was after you, I expect you have as well."

Setsuna looked up into her sometimes partner's eyes. "Mana, we need to talk."

Pulling out another teleportation talisman, Mana moved to stand right next to Setsuna. "I expect we do. Come, Professor Takahata is waiting."

Another 'Whirrrrp-pop!' and the only remaining sound was that of the Ryu-Jin Rizo's faint breathing.

(-)

Near the rim of an immense valley, a young man sat alone before a fire. Buried in the glowing coals was the clay-wrapped fish and vegetables that were most likely the last meal of his short life. Reaching for a stick, he prodded the fire back to life, then reached for and began writing in a journal. When the faint sounds of someone pushing through nearby foliage reached his ears, he sat the journal aside once more and waited to greet his unexpected visitor.

"It looks like Akashi was right! I've been sent to baby-sit a hedge-wizard elementalist!"

Recognition and joy came simultaneously to the young man's face. Leaping to his feet, he nearly ran through the fire in his eagerness to greet an old friend. "Joseph! I can't believe it! How did you survive that disaster outside Moel?"

Returning an offered handshake, then stepping forward into a robust embrace, Joseph Dolnegus felt unexpected tears coming to his eyes. "By the skin of my teeth Hisao! They sent me to escort that crazy Katrina Adenaur from Ariadne back home before the battle started!"

Returning much more sedately to his seat, Hisao Okochi indicated for his friend to sit, then began digging his food from the fire. "You'd best watch out! As much as that girl followed you around, I think she likes you!" Pulling the clay oven from the coals and splitting it apart released the smell of baked fish, salted potato, and squash. Without hesitation Hisao shared the meager meal with his friend.

Accepting a broad leaf containing the offered food, Joseph juggled it between his hands for a bit until it cooled, then began nibbling at the fish. "I'm just a nobody son of slavers. How could an important family like the Adenaur's ever find me an acceptable match for one of their daughters?"

Looking out at the night sky and the many floating islands of Ostia, Hisao Okochi felt his mood fall to match that of his suddenly dispirited friend. "You may wish you'd stayed in Ariadne, before tomorrow's over..."

Points of light were gathering on the far horizon, each indicating a Northern Alliance ship moving in to attack Ostia. Momentarily silent, Joseph shifted his gaze from there to the brightly illuminated Grand Tower on the floating city's main island, then finally back to his friend. "Yeah... you're probably right..."

(-)

Akira Okochi woke to the beeping of her bedside alarm. Reaching out, she quickly shut it off so Ako and Natsumi could continue sleeping, then got up and made her way into the tiny bathroom that was part of the irreverently self-proclaimed 'Mahora Maid Brigade's' quarters. Soon standing in the steaming shower water, she reached up to finger the lock on her slave collar, and thought about her journal-inspired dream. ("Father... Joseph Dolnegus isn't the same man now who you knew twenty years ago...") Quickly finishing the shower, she dried herself, then dressed and headed out to meet with Mama.

Dolnegus had offered Akira the job of assisting the Ku-Jin woman while they were in Ostia. Extra help, some debt-slaves, some hired from the residents and visitors in Ostia for the Nagi Springfield Cup, had to be integrated into Mama's regular staff, watched over, and kept out of trouble. She'd jumped at the chance. There was less opportunity to earn tips herself, but the base credit amount subtracted from her debt was higher, and if those under her did well, she could earn bonus credit based on a percentage of their tips.

Reaching the service staff's break room deep inside the New Ostia Arena, Akira went briefly to Mama's office for her own instructions, then called all those she was responsible for together, mostly female, but a few males as well, and began setting them to their individual assignments. Professor Springfield may have promised to free her, Ako and Natsumi, but that didn't mean the three of them shouldn't make every effort possible on their own to help out!

Mama watched Akira issue instructions to her small crew and smiled. The girl was good. Given a few years of training, she would grow into and excellent supervisor and Mama could begin thinking about retirement. Too bad she was pretty sure Akira would be gone soon. That Nagi Springfield boy would pay off the debt, or Akira would figure a way to do so herself. Turning as a young man in charge of a crew moving supplies from the arena warehouse to it's kitchens came in for his instructions, Mama wondered if Akira might ever consider coming back as an assistant after paying off her debt?

(-)

Ako Izumi remained still, feigning sleep after Akira's alarm went off, then continued to do so until the tall girl left for her new work assignment. More than a week had come and gone since Professor Springfield revealed to everyone that Asuna was dead. That alone, and her part in causing it, resulted in lost sleep and still painful regret. What Professor Springfield had done to her though, during Mahora Fest, and here in the Magic World, that still caused her to feel resentment and humiliation.

Not only Professor Springfield, but apparently Akira, Chisame, and maybe everyone else, had conspired to keep her from finding out that Nagi was Negi. They felt she was weak. Well, she would show them then. If Akira could handle extra work, so could she. After getting up and getting ready, she left Natsumi alone in their shared bed and went to find Mama.

Extra work Ako wanted, and extra work Mama had for her, in great heaps. Heaps of fresh towels. Since it was too early to start waiting tables, the Ku-Jin woman put Ako to work delivering extra towels to the many Prize-fighters and other guests staying at the arena who had asked for such.

Picking up the next delivery from her cart, Ako lost herself in the warm fluffiness and scent of freshly dried cotton. Without thinking to look, she stepped across a side hallway and ran straight into someone. As she yelped and fell down, the pile of towels flew out of her arms and scattered across the floor. "I... I'm sorry! I wasn't looking! I..." Recognition of who she'd hit instantly brought a look of fear to her face. "To... Tosaka! Please forgive me! I..."

Already on edge after returning to his old home town for the first time in twenty years, Tosaka recovered from the impact and found the perfect target for his simmering anger sprawled on the floor. "Well, well! If it isn't the 'Little Miss' who's got the super famous Nagi Springfield fighting to free her from debt!"

Not wanting to be confrontational, Ako bowed submissively then rose to her knees and started gathering the scattered towels. "I'm really sorry Tosaka! I apologize for not watching were I was going... AAHHH!"

Not mollified in the least, Tosaka reached out and shoved the scurrying Ako back onto the floor. "That's MISTER TOSAKA to you! You stupid girl!" Seeing a few tears form in his target's eyes, Tosaka started to leer and rub his chin. "Come to think of it, your Sugar Daddy hasn't been around for a while. Maybe he tried something you refused, and now he's dumped you?"

Suddenly angry, Ako jumped up and slapped Tosaka across the face. "Nagi would NEVER do such a thing! He'd never try to hurt me... on... purpose..." Sudden understanding of the significance of her own words was quickly overwhelmed by Tosaka's violently angry look. "I... I'M SORRY! I didn't mean...!"

Grabbing the gratifyingly frightened Ako by the wrist, Tosaka raised his other hand with gleefully obvious intent. "You dare hit one of your betters! If I still had that control crystal, I'd turn you into a bigger drooling idiot that you already are!"

Feeling unworthy even to cry out to Nagi for help, Ako cringed from the expected blow.

"Tosaka, one might think that after all the time you spent as a debt-slave, you'd be a little more sympathetic towards this pretty young lady."

Turning to confront whoever had grabbed his wrist, Tosaka recognized the face of someone he'd once worked together with as a debt-slave. "Cabot!" After a quick glance at Ako, he released the girl's wrist. "Why should I care about a know-nothing girl with a smiling, know-nothing brat fighting to free her? You and I never got a break, why should I be happy she's getting one?"

Maintaining his grip, Jay Lane Cabot glared at Tosaka. "For exactly that reason. Even if you think Nagi Springfield is the biggest fool that ever was, you should be happy this girl has friends willing to help her, and that she won't have to suffer any longer than necessary."

Slowly trying to twist himself out of Cabot's grip, Tosaka returned the rogue from Ariadne's look of controlled anger with one of his own. "Don't think you can look down on me just because you work for the Adenaur's, and I'm still working for Chairman Dolnegus! In any case, this SLAVE hit me! As a free employee of the Chairman, I have every right to discipline her!"

Tightening his grip, Cabot narrowed his eyes dangerously. "I'll testify you just started beating her without reason. What do you think Mama will say about that?"

Unable to stand the intensity of Cabot's gaze, Tosaka turned away. "Why are you here anyway? I thought you swore never to come back to this place..."

Relaxing his grip on Tosaka's wrist, Cabot sighed. "First off, even though I said that, I got over my bitterness a long time ago. Things like that don't really matter to me anymore. Second..." Leaning down, ignoring Tosaka's renewed struggles to escape while doing so, Cabot reached out to take Ako Izumi's hand. "...I came to escort one of this lovely young lady's friends to meet with her."

Looking behind Cabot, Tosaka saw the nervously shuffling form of Ako's U-Jin friend Chiu.

Still trying to twist out of Cabot's grip, Tosaka sneered. "Must be nice, having so many friends!"

Ignoring Tosaka, Cabot began rubbing the back of Ako's hand while giving her his best rakish smile. "I'd love to stay here Miss Izumi, seduce you, and snap you up like the lady-killer I fancy myself to be, but other duty calls, I'm afraid." After giving the now furiously blushing Ako's hand a kiss, he turned back to Tosaka. "Let's go find Mama. I think you still need to explain to her why you raised your hand against a lady." With Tosaka's struggles suddenly taking on a new desperation Cabot finally turned to Chiu. " I'll meet you at the entrance in two hours at the latest."

After nodding and listening momentarily as Tosaka's protests faded into the distance, Chiu finally knelt to help Ako gather up the dropped towels. "Just so you know, it was me who first put Negi up to not telling you, Ako..."

Turning on Chiu, Ako felt a selfish satisfaction as her disguised classmate drew back as if expecting to be hit. "WHY? Why did you even let this happen in the first place?" Tears began flowing down Ako's cheeks as she thought once more about the second time her dreams had been crushed. "I was so, so happy a handsome boy seemed interested in me! ME! The timid girl with the flawed body! He even stayed interested after he saw my awful scar! Can you possibly understand how much it hurt to find out it was all just a JOKE?"

Unable to look Ako in the eyes any longer, Chiu just stared at the floor. "No. No, I can't. I've never had a boyfriend like you, Ako. I couldn't possibly understand. Professor Springfield's just ten. There's no way he could understand either. That's why we made so many mistakes." Shifting into a seiza position, Chiu bowed as low as she possibly could. "I cannot presume to ask for your forgiveness, but please at least don't hate Professor Springfield. It was never his intent to hurt you in any way, he just wanted even the tiny lies to stop, because of what happened..."

Several memories suddenly flashed through Ako's mind. Negi and Asuna that time in the bath, the two of them sleeping against each other while riding back from Kyoto, other times she'd seen the two of them laughing and having fun together... the weight of the collar around her neck suddenly became almost more than she could bear... Professor Springfield must be in more pain than even she could imagine... Even so, he was still looking ahead, working towards getting everyone home... and she had slapped him over something so petty as a heartbreak... Heartbreak, she suddenly realized she didn't even know the true meaning of that word...

Taking a deep breath, Ako started gathering her dropped towels again. "Did you ever plan on telling me?"

Chiu jumped at the chance to lighten the mood. "Well, we thought about faking his death after he won your freedom." Quickly lying down, she reached up towards Ako with a limp hand. "Ako... cough... live a happy life... cough... uuurrgghh..."

Ako quickly set her towels aside and reached out for Chiu's hand. "Nagi my love! Don't leave meeee!" Letting a few crocodile tears fall, she finally sat back when Chiu couldn't keep a straight face any more. "That's so corny! It sounds like something Haruna might put in a doujinshi!" Unable to stay happy very long, she finally let her expression fall. "Poor Negi, he must be so torn up over Asuna... I really need to apologize to him...

Rising to her feet, Chiu stood aside as Ako got up and dumped the dirtied towels into a basket on her cart. "There a few things going on, so he can't come see you right now. Try to be free after the first round. Nagi will do his best to visit you then..."

"Okay..."

Waiting patiently as Ako picked up a new stack of towels, Chiu finally reached out and put her hand on the still downcast girl's arm. "Are you going to be okay? What if that Tosaka guy comes after you again?"

Pausing without looking down at her friend, Ako gave a small nod. "Yeah... I'll be okay. I still don't really understand everything that's going on, so I guess I can't stay mad at Professor Springfield..." Chiu nodded with relief, So Ako smiled back at her. "As far as Tosaka goes? I just have to deal with it. I can't be a church-mouse all my life, can I?" Clenching her fist, she gave Chiu a determined look. "ALRIGHT! I have to work hard to help Professor Springfield pay our debt!"

Smiling brightly in return, Chiu withdrew her hand. "Make sure you let the others know we're here."

Ako dipped her head slightly in acknowledgment, then walked a short distance down the hall and began knocking on a door. "Room service! I have your extra towels!"

Chiu watched as a female Nek-Jin opened the door to let Ako in, then turned to go wait at the arena entrance for Cabot to return from delivering Tosaka to Mama.

(-)

Ako bowed to the black-haired Nek-Jin girl letting her in, then walked straight through the suite to the bathroom. In the living area, a brown-haired Hu-Jin resembling a grown-up version of Professor Springfield's friend Anya ignored her and continued an argument with a mauve-haired Ma-Jin girl while another orangish-haired Ma-Jin girl sat silently nearby.

"I can't believe you let him take Shiori like that, Shirabe! It's not as if we can't do the show without her in a pinch, but it makes the other things he want's from us more difficult to do!"

Curious about the argument, despite knowing to listen was impolite, Ako glanced out of the bathroom, then quickly turned back inside when the closed-eyed Ma-Jin with horns framing her face seemed to turn and look right at her.

"What do we have you for, Homura? This is your chance to play first Bass like you've always said you could. Second Bass is just for backup and sound reinforcement anyway. Are you saying you can't do it?"

Being slightly over-zealous in placing to extra towels perfectly in their proper place, Ako tried to continue listening without appearing overly interested.

"No! I mean... It would just be easier with someone playing the second Bass..."

Unable to delay any longer, Ako walked back out into the living area and bowed to the still sitting Ma-Jin girl. "I'm finished. Is there anything else I can do for you?" Despite appearing to be blind, the mauve-haired Ma-Jin turned and seemed to look right through Ako, causing her to wring both hands and shuffle in place nervously.

"Not unless you can play a Bass."

("Please don't think of yourself as only a supporting character...")

Ako started to open her mouth at the memory of Nagi's words of encouragement, but old fears were threatening to take her voice away.

("I need to make the first move to become a leading character...")

Gulping at the recollection of her own words, Ako shook her head, clenched both fists at her side, then looked up and straight over at the seated Ma-Jin girl. "If you mean a Bass Guitar, then I can play one." Taking a deep breath, Ako turned to look at the Hu-Jin as the girl seemed to notice her for the first time. ("I can't be afraid of failure! What's the worst these girls can do? Tell me; 'Thank you no, now please go away?'") "I know I'm just a debt-slave, but I've even played in a concert! Though it was just one time..."

Standing up, the blind Ma-Jin girl came unerringly over to Ako and took hold of her hands.

Using her finger-tips, Shirabe carefully examined Ako's hands. "You have good calluses. Does that mean you practice a lot? Or are the calluses from something else?"

Before Ako could answer, the black-haired Nek-Jin who had let her in came over.

"I can't believe you're even considering this Shirabe! Didn't you hear her? This girl's a debt-slave! Not only that, she's completely inexperienced compared to us!"

Reaching up, Shirabe felt the lock and collar around Ako's neck, then turned to face her partner. "So what? Get out Shiori's instrument, Koyomi, and we'll see if this 'debt-slave' can play or not."

Ako waited with the Ma-Jin girl still holding her hands as the Nek-Jin grumbled and went to retrieve an oddly-shaped, but still recognizable Bass guitar. Taking the instrument and being extremely careful with it, she looked back up at Shirabe. "What about your music? What if I can't read it?"

Holding out her hand, Shirabe waited for the still grumbling Nek-Jin girl to fill it with a device that looked like a compact, wireless headphone set. "This is a magical device for displaying music. Obviously we don't need them very often, but it looks just like a hair ornament from beyond half a meter, so no-one should notice you even wearing it." Uttering a keyword, she placed the device on Ako's head.

Instantly seeing sheet music projected before her eyes, Ako yelped and pulled the device off. Startled, she stared at it for a moment, then slowly put it back on. As soon as she did, she saw the apparently holographic music before her eyes once more. "It looks like what I'm used to... That's just a bit surprising."

Shirabe smiled at Ako. "Well, it works like a translation spell, in that it projects music in a format the wearer is familiar with. If Tamaki or Koyomi used it, it might be different, or it might not. Written music tends to be the same wherever you go, for the most part."

Stepping back, the Ma-Jin girl indicated for Ako to begin playing. Feeling a bit silly, standing there in a maid's outfit, surrounded by strangers and holding someone else's Bass Guitar, she finally decided to just go for it. Placing the support strap over her shoulder, she adjusted it's length, took a deep breath, and began to play. Fortunately, the part didn't call for any singing, but it was still a slightly harsher form of pop music than she was used to with Decopin Rocket.

Listening to Ako's unpowered plinking on the guitar, Shirabe liked what she heard. If Master Fate wanted to take away Shiori for something he felt was more important, then he'd best not complain when Shirabe replaced her. Even if the spell he wanted them to cast only needed four people, having five would make it that much stronger, and this girl didn't need to know exactly what was going on in order to play the supporting part.

Just as she finished the piece, Ako felt a familiar vibration in the floor and instantly realized who was coming down the hall.

Even after a polite knock on the door, the voice that followed was a bit testy. "Excuse me! I'm the service supervisor for this section of the arena, is my maid Ako Izumi in there?"

Gulping, Ako shrank back from the doorway. "It's Mama! I'm sure she's upset I've taken so long to drop off all my towels!"

Chuckling softly, Shirabe signaled Koyomi to open the door. "Don't worry! I'm sure something can be worked out!"

After opening the door, Koyomi backed away herself as a huge Ku-Jin walked inside the suite and gave Ako a strong look of disapproval. "Pardon this intrusion. If Miss Izumi is bothering you, I'll see to it she's disciplined appropriately."

Stepping forward, Shirabe spread her hands. "No trouble at all, Ma'am. In fact, one of our people was unable to make it today, and Miss Izumi was kind enough to offer her potential help. If you don't mind, would it be possible to borrow, or hire her for a bit?"

Glancing down at Ako, who was trying to appear as if she had nothing to be ashamed of, even while she shook amusingly in her pumps, Mama finally relaxed an let out a deep laugh. "I knew you girls were good! Akira's a supervisor in training, and you may wind up helping the opening act of the Nagi Cup! I wonder what Natsumi's going to eventually do!" Reaching out, she ruffled Ako's hair, then turned to face Shirabe again. "If you accept her to play in any events, the fee is equivalent to whatever the person she's replacing would make, or one day's pay plus fifteen percent, whichever is higher. If you decide she's not good enough, and wind up not using her in any show, then the fee is equal to the same one day's pay. 'Extra-curricular' activities are strictly forbidden, and if I find out anyone tried such things with her, whoever did it will wish they'd gone three rounds with a bruiser in the arena instead! If these conditions are acceptable, and Miss Izumi wishes to do so, then I'm sure Chairman Dolnegus won't mind loaning her to you."

Turning towards Ako, Shirabe made a conciliatory bow. "Please don't think you can't refuse because of your status Miss Izumi. If you don't wish to help, we won't press the matter."

Having Mama show up as she did gave strength to Ako's fears once more. Closing her eyes, she felt like two little miniature Ako's were siting on her shoulders, shouting their arguments into her ears. The White Nurse Ako spoke of boldness, taking risks to go forward on her own. The Black Nurse Ako spoke of fear. She would have to play before a huge audience. Why risk the humiliation of failure? Looking up again, Mama and Shirabe seemed confident, Koyomi and Homura unsure, and the still silent Tamaki indifferent. Well, if she ever wanted to grow, maybe it was time to stop being so timid, and to start doing things she wanted, not just things that were expected of her. Here was a chance to help pay down the Maid Brigade's debt that much sooner, and she intended to take it.

Grasping the guitar so as not to drop it, Ako bowed to the four girls in the room. "I am unsure if my skills are adequate to replace your missing member, but please look favorably upon me!"

Koyomi shrugged, her cat's ears twitching in mild irritation as she did so. "I guess we don't have any choice then!" Walking over to the still nervous girl, she took back the music projector and guitar. "Go change into something less frilly and come back. We don't have much time for practice to see if you'll work out, so hurry up."

Glancing over at Mama and receiving a nod of approval, Ako bowed deeply, then ran from the suite.

After tuning to follow, Mama paused and looked down at Shirabe. "I'll send a secretary up with a temp-contract within the hour. If you have any questions, have him contact me." Receiving a silent nod in answer, she followed Ako out the door.

As soon as the door closed, Homura was in Shirabe's face. "Are you crazy? That girl's one of Master Fate's enemies!" Even though they'd been together for several years, she still found the blind Shirabe's 'gaze' disconcerting enough to force her back a step.

Relaxing her slightly angry look and moving to sit down once more, Shirabe crossed her legs and smiled up at Homura. "True, but I think she will be able to help us, even unknowingly. Besides, perhaps she'll 'accidentally' spill something useful to Master Fate if we chat her up. He still doesn't know where Springfield is, and it never hurts to cultivate an intelligence source, don't you think?"

Causing Homura to start with the unexpected sound of her voice, Tamaki looked up at her brown-haired partner. "If necessary, she'll also make an excellent hostage for controlling Springfield, if he ever does show up."

Looking up and seeing Koyomi's 'Look's like you've lost!' expression, Homura shrugged, then gave a polite bow of acceptance. "It shall be as you desire, Lady Shirabe."

(-)

Professor Takahata took Setsuna's news better that she thought he might. All he did was crush with his bare hands part of the stone railing surrounding the small observation platform they'd come to for privacy after landing at Nyika. "I'm sorry sir. I didn't see the body, and I know the source was a bit questionable, but the blood and the card seemed convincing enough proof..."

Upset beyond words at this ultimate failure crowning the passage of twenty years, all Takamichi T. Takahata could do was nod sharply in acknowledgment of Setsuna's words.

Mildly upset by the whispered mentioning of Asuna Kagurazaka's name and all the gloom she was seeing, Yuuna approached Setsuna with Makie close behind. "Setsuna, what's going on? Did something happen to Asuna?"

In all the time she'd known Setsuna Sakurazaki, Mana Tatsumiya had never seen her 3A classmate loose control like she did now.

"SHUT UP! You two and those three others have no say in what's going on! The only reason we were even in the gate port when that attack happened is because a bunch of idiots couldn't do as they were told! If it weren't for other considerations, I'd tell Professor Springfield to let you ROT in this wor..." Feeling a strong hand come down on her shoulder, Setsuna turned from the two cowering gym-girls to find Professor Takahata standing beside her.

Locking his eyes with Yuuna and Makie, Professor Takahata put on his most serious 'Death-Specs' glare. "Miss Akashi, Miss Sasaki. Asuna Kagurazaka is dead because her 'friends' couldn't do as they were told. Do you understand what I'm telling you?"

Shaking with fear, Yuuna and Makie clung to each other for support, gulping and nodding as they did so.

Moving forward, Professor Takahata leaned in close so his whispered words could only be heard by Yuuna and Makie. "Now, because of this news, there are things Miss Tatsumiya and I have to do. Can both of you promise not to tell anyone she and I are here? That includes Professor Springfield. Understand?"

Tears rolling down their cheeks, Yuuna and Makie sank to their knees and nodded vigorously. "YES SIR! NO SIR! We mean... awwuuu..."

Reverting to his normal smile, Takamichi reached out and patted the two girls on their heads. "Now now, don't cry! Just stay out of trouble and have fun. Go find the three girl's at the arena and don't worry about Professor Springfield for now. I'm sure he'll get in touch when it's necessary." Straightening up, he glanced over at Aisha Coryell, who nodded, then looked back down at his two former students. "In any case, I've hired Aisha and her companions to look after you, so stick with them, if nothing else."

Yuuna and Makie both nodded without saying a word.

Smiling. Takamichi glanced at Mana and raised the hood of his cloak. "Let's go."

Kneeling before Yuuna, Mana put her hand on the brown-haired girls' shoulder. "Like Professor Takahata said, let Aisha and her crew take care of you. If you must insist on carrying one of those guns, make sure it's the needler-type like I said before. I would prefer that you not carry anything, but in this place..." Hating to have to say her next words to such a novice, Mana locked her eyes on Yuuna's. "Now, if you EVER have to draw that gun, DON'T HESITATE TO USE IT! You'll probably die if you do. DO, YOU, UNDERSTAND, ME?" Receiving a slightly fearful look, then finally a firm nod, Mana raised her hood and followed Takamichi without looking back.

Unable to add anything else, Setsuna donned a pair of sunglasses to complete her Nek-Jin bodyguard disguise. Turning to Aisha Coryell, she pointed at Yuuna and Makie. "Get a room as close to the arena as possible. My Lady and I have several things we must attend to ourselves, but I'll get in touch with you again tomorrow afternoon at the latest."

Giving and receiving a handshake to acknowledge her instructions, Aisha watched two bounties she and her friends had been paid quite well to ignore walk away, then turned to find Craig Caldwell and Christian Danchecker already flirting with Yuuna and Makie. Fuming with jealousy, she started waving a fist and waded straight in. "Stop shmoozing the clients you two! We've got things that need to be done!"

(-)

Misora Kasuga rubbed her eyes and stared again at the Bass player down on the stage. It was hard to tell from this distance, as all five musicians were wearing the same style robe, but the person looked like her classmate Ako Izumi. Clearly that was an impossibility. Wandering around the market earlier with her three companions, she'd seen a pair of Nek-Jin who looked like Setsuna Sakurazaki and Konoka Konoe. Now she was seeing Ako Izumi. She knew Professor Springfield and several others were in some kind of trouble, but at Takane Goodman's insistence, had avoided making any waves about it. Looking down at a canned drink as her eyes suddenly blurred once more, she silently resolved never to touch it or anything like it again. 'Tropical-fruit Medley' had sounded innocent enough, but she was beginning to feel dizzy, as well as seeing things. Takane Goodman and Mei Sakura were whooping it up to the music of the first act of the Nagi Cup's opening night celebration, a group of popular Magic World singers called 'Damashi.' She liked the catchy beat of the group's music as well, but for some reason couldn't find the strength to join her two excited companions and decided to just sit down.

Feeling concern, Misora's Magister Cocone Rosa started pulling on the girl's sleeve. "Are you okay?"

Feeling increasingly green, Misora leaned down to put her head in her hands. "Just tired, I guess. That, and I'm starting to see my classmates in the crowd."

Cocone turned to look down as Ako Izumi played a very short solo piece down on the temporary stage set up in the Ostian arena's main venue. Misora seemed ill and upset, so she would hold off on confirming the older girl's observation, if only to avoid upsetting her any further.

(-)

In the crowded terminal of the New Ostia International Airport, four unescorted children, one carrying a school-girl doll, made their way through security, then out into the city.

Once in a place of privacy, Kazumi Asakura sent the doll and two other golems out into the Ostian night.

After escorting and placing the first golem where it could unobtrusively observe the main Ostian Arena, Sayo Aisaka took the second and flew out into the night. Beyond the edge of the floating island city lay many hidden friends, and it was her job to make contact with them.

Arriving less openly, two bounty-hunters, two young girls, and an ermine disembarked at a private dock. After a short amount of preparation, they quickly disappeared into the great mass of beings swarming New Ostia in anticipation of all the events commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the end of a great war...

tsuzuku.

(-)

Author's Notes:

Setsuna and Konoka's transport is owned by a certain trading company.

Koi-ship. Like the Iru-Jin's ship in c214, or the 'Great Paru-Sama' in c219 and C220. The Selayana Class 'Stock Light Freighter' of the Magic World. Many have had, 'personal modifications,' installed by potentially disreputable captains.

Taka no Mikazuki : Crescent Hawk.

Zephillian Grab is of course Texas Hold-em. My apologies if I portrayed it incorrectly.

Magus - Ace, Magister - King, Ministra - Queen, Apprentice - Jack, plus the normal numbered cards.

Konoka's spell: "Vobis, quicumque ego have." ("For you, all that I have.")

Setsuna is expending her Ki/Life Energy to power the 'Barrier of the Four Gods.' Konoka uses this spell to transfer her own Magic/Life Energy directly to Setsuna as useable energy in the form of healing spell. Setsuna's life is draining away in order to protect Konoka, and Konoka is healing her at the same time.

The problem comes from this being an 'all-or-nothing' spell. Either the attack lasts longer, and the spell-caster drains themselves to death, or their energy reserves outlast the attack, and the spell stops on its own accord.

Spell-shot: Chao Lingshen's forced-displacement bullets are the most obvious example. Mana used some form of de-summoning bullet in Kyoto, as another example. Any spell she or a sponsor could embed in a 'bullet' capable of being used in any firearm would qualify.

Yuuna Akashi's pistols do not specifically use 'Spell-shots,' but their effect might be the same in some cases.

Estimated Prophet can use several REALLY BIG types of Spell-shots.

Setsuna's abilities:

"Sica Shishikushiro! Five blades! Shinmei-ryu Barrier of the Four Gods! Dokko-Renkaku!" Setsuna's artifact name, and the barrier she used fighting Evangeline in c108.

"SHINMEI-RYU, KESSEN OUGI ZANMAKEN!" "Final attack, evil-cutting sword!" Anti Demon/Ogre attack.

"Inatsurubi no Katama!" Containment field. Used by Setsuna against Chao in c134.

"Kessen Ougi Ryuhazan!" "Final attack, Dragon Breaking Slash!" Attack effective against reptiles, especially turtles.

"Black Rose of Macedonia." Created name for Mana Tatsumiya based on her work with her former mage in the Balkan Region on the Normal World. More later.

Hisao Okochi and Joseph Dolnegus were once allied with the Southern Alliance.

Within 'Ala Alba in the World of Magic,' Shirabe/Brigitte is the leader of Fate's Ministra, though it seems to be implied Homura may be in the manga.

'Damashi.' (Defined as: 'the act of deception.') Fate's Five. Shirabe, Tamaki, Homura, Koyomi and Shiori. Fate's Ministra. The five girls are the music group hired to perform as the opening act at a concert the evening before the Nagi Springfield Cup Prize Fighting Tournament opens. In effect, they are performing on 'Day Zero.' What they are doing will be revealed in due course.

As a note of possible interest, the music I played while thinking about 'Fate's Five' is "Macross Plus: Sharon Apple: The Cream Puff." If you have that disk, you can listen to 'Damashi' 'in concert.' If you do not have the disk, then search for 'Information High' on 4chan's Rapidshare page to find an mp3 of 'Shirabe' singing.

Chapter Twenty-six: Day one.