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.
SPOILER ALERT! AU story occurring after c189.
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"No evidence has been found thus far explaining why the attack was so successful."
Magus Stephan Dilane: Report on the mass Demon attack on Dewin Ilan in Wales.
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Ala Alba in the World of Magic: Tales From the Fireside.
Chapter Thirty-three: Old Friends... (Day four.)
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("How did I let myself get talked into this? I shoulda' listened to Kys'shira when she said it was bad karma to play cards with paying customers!") As the Svanhvit, Flagship of the Northern Alliance Whaleship fleet loomed to Port outside the bridge window, Captain Joe Clark of the Koi Ship Crescent Hawk wondered briefly if staying on-call for anything his last passengers might need was really worth the return of the money he'd lost to them gambling.
As the ship continued moving in a course that would take it through the firing arc of the Svanhvit's Spirit Cannon, Clark dismissively waved a hand when his green-haired Ryu-Jin First Mate gave him a concerned look. "Just fly casual. That old man and those girls said the permits were good, so the Whaleship Boys shouldn't have any reason to give us trouble, should they?"
Watching as her unconcerned captain all but fell asleep in his chair, Kys'shira finally shook her head and returned to the Koi ship's controls. ("If those 'Whaleship Boys' knew some of the thing's we've done, they'd probably burn us down like a moth in a torch!")
On the bridge of the Svanhvit, Admiral Villeneuve of the Northern Alliance Navy watched from his command chair as the worn-looking Koi Ship slowly passed across the Svanhvit's bow, heading in the direction of Old Ostia. "Where is that ship going?"
Turning as the Admiral rose and came over to her station, Sub-Lieutenant Hatsune Miku gave the Fleet Commander a nod to acknowledge his question, then turned back to her communications control panel. "Admiral. The ship is registered as the Free Trader Crescent Hawk. Their destination as listed with New Ostia Traffic Control is the head of Ostia Fjord, just inside the Old Ostia Historical Preservation Control Area. The Captain has filed the proper permits with the Governor-General's Office, and the authorization numbers match with a set recently issued by Secretary Chong of the Mage Council."
Behind the thin Miku, Admiral Villeneuve began gripping the top of her chair tightly enough to start turning his knuckles white. ("I wasn't informed a ship would be going out to the ruins... Even though I've been instructed to keep people out of Old Ostia, I don't have the authority to stop anyone with permits issued directly from the council...")
Looking up from her controls, Miku gave the slightly flustered Admiral a questioning look. "Sir? Should I ask them to stop for inspection?"
Deciding to let someone else, or the creatures inhabiting the ruins of Old Ostia deal with the problem, Admiral Villeneuve relaxed and stood up. "No. As long as they have the proper permits, they can go get killed in Old Ostia, for all I care."
Wondering why the fleet commander would express such a callous opinion, Miku watched briefly as the man walked back to his command chair. ("Why is the Admiral so upset over someone going out to the ruins? It's not that rare...") Shaking her head, she returned to her regular duties.
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Wandering around the main market near the New Ostia Arena, Vizzini Wallace carefully watched those perusing the various booths. Each was judged for their attentiveness, their propensity to spend money, thus indicating possible riches, and finally for accessibility of where they kept said riches.
It was annoying to be reduced to such petty crimes, when he had once been part of a successful party of highwaymen, but that had all come to an end almost two months ago.
Based near Tempe in the region of Tempe Terra, he had been sent out into the woods surrounding their camp to collect firewood after a raid. Returning and expecting to hear everyone laughing as the pink-haired girl they'd brought back cried for mercy from inside the boss's tent, he instead found his fellow highwaymen all dead, their throats torn out. Stunned by the sight of so much carnage, he could only stare as the brown-haired girl he'd thought quite dead carried her limp friend out of the boss's tent.
Tales of the Maga Nosferatu, thought only fables to frighten a child into obedience, flooded his mind. This creature, demon, vampire, or whatever... her eyes those of one possessed, her mouth and hands stained crimson with the blood of his fellow highwaymen, fixed him in it's gaze for what seemed an eternity, then bounded away and disappeared into the night.
Frozen in place by a look that had measured him as no more significant than an insect, it had taken the sound of approaching scavengers, drawn by the scent of blood, to break him out of his fear induced paralysis. Dropping the firewood, he had grabbed anything of value he could find, bloodstained or not, and run.
Nightmares plagued Vizzini as he made his way to a small port city on the coast of the Tempe-Terra plateau. Their continued recurrence usually resulted in expulsion from places he stayed because of his waking up during the night screaming. After passing through several other cities, he finally made his way to New Ostia. Once there, he had found an out-of-the-way place to stay, then began taking any work he could find, until he was finally able to sleep most of a night without waking up screaming, fighting the bedclothes, or in a cold sweat.
Rich pickings as crowds began to swell New Ostia for the War's End Celebration had reawakened a desire for more than just subsistence. After a few false starts and quick escapes, he began to get the old skills back. With the nightmares finally fading, and with a growing source of income, his life slowly began to get better again.
Spotting a likely mark, he moved in on a Ku-Jin who looked like he'd indulged in too many honey-buns, and while his corpulent victim haggled over the price of a throw-rug, lifted the man's coin-purse.
Walking away, Vizzini waited until a prudent time had passed, then hefted his prize, deciding by it's weight that he could lay off for the rest of the day.
Trotting up to an intersection, he rounded the corner without looking and ran into a young girl, knocking himself and the girl down. One of the girl's companion chastised her friend for being so clumsy, then turned to face him.
"Hey Mister, are you okay?"
Vizzini heard the girl's words, but instead of someone concerned for his well-being, he saw the blood covered apparition who had killed all of his old companions. Her Identity was confirmed when he recognized the pink-haired girl being helped up from the ground by some dark-haired Su-Jin as the one the boss had captured to 'have fun with.'
When the brown-haired horror leaned down and held out a blood-stained hand, he began shaking his head and back-pedaling away as fast as he could. "Get away from me!"
Grinning and showing her fangs, the girl straightened up as he scrambled to get to his feet. Laughing at his fear, she approached him again.
"Are you hurt?"
Hallucinating severely from the intensity of his panic, all Vizzini saw were possessed eyes and long, blood covered fangs... "Ba... BAKEMONNOOOOOOO!"
Turning, Vizzini ran away blindly, not stopping until he crashed head-on into a group of Valkyries from Ariadne dealing with a street brawl. Latching on to the blonde Su-Jin girl who seemed to be in charge, he began confessing every crime he could remember ever committing, and begging her to arrest him for his own good...
Back at the intersection, Makie Sasaki was laughing at her friend Yuuna Akashi, while their new friends Aisha and Lynn looked on and tried not to follow suit. "He called you a monster! Oh my! That's such a riot!" Thinking about a reason that would express one of her personal jealousies, Makie poked her friend in the chest. "Maybe he thought your boobies were monstrous!"
Gently knocking Makie's finger away, Yuuna scowled at her friend just as Aisha and Lynn finally broke down and started laughing. As part of their duty to watch the Maid Brigade, Akira had arranged for 'Yuuna's Posse' to be hired as part of the additional help that would be needed at the arena for the last few days of the festival. The four of them had been heading to the arena from their inn for their first day of work when Makie had nearly been run over.
Makie finally managed to calm down, but another look at the flustered Yuuna sent the pink-haired rhythmic-gymnast into further paroxysm's of laughter.
After giving all three of her companions an annoyed glare, Yuuna turned to look off in the direction the frightened man had run in. "I wonder what that was all about?"
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Once more in her guise as Chibi-Chiu, Chisame Hasegawa lead Chibi-Chacha and a sunglasses disguised Kojirou towards what passed for New Ostia's version of Tokyo's Akihabara district. Though small, and consisting only of a single short block, the twin row of store fronts seemed every bit as active as it's Japanese counterpart. The only real difference she could see, was that instead of being populated by Japanese and a few foreign techno-philes, the area was populated by animal-eared, winged, scaled, tailed, flippered, horned AND human techno-philes!
Giving a sigh as she walked, Chiu didn't know if she should be upset at seeing all these weirdoes, or happy to see something almost 'normal' for once.
Most anything software related Chiu knew she could produce or acquire using the Spiritus Electronicus and the efforts of V-Chao. However, for what she planned to do in her attack on the servers in Argyre, she wanted to have additional resources related to producing and manipulating sprite regiments, as well as physical defenses that could at least slow down, if not actually stop, whomever had been the attacker that destroyed her VIAO. Chachamaru tried to offer additional reassurance her systems were quite safe, but Chiu realized if the gynoid girl went down it might kill her, and beyond having to explain what happened to Satomi Hakase, she felt she would be remiss if she didn't do everything she could to protect the friend who had offered herself up to help keep the Spritus Electronicus active.
Her original plan of attack had been based on a three part fantasy epic, whose final movie adaptation was due to be released in a few months at Christmas. Chachamaru and V-Chao had agreed that while the 'Chaos-theory Micro-AI' based means of computer control used for the battle sequences involving hundreds, if not thousands of individual characters was sound, the actual use of a fantasy-based virtual perception image might be a bad idea, since they had been attacked using such. Instead, they suggested using something either focusing on Chisame's background, or something so completely unexpected, the advantage would lie with her for having established it.
As they walked along the street, Chisame looked into an HD viewer shop just as a replay of the Estimated Prophet's battle in Granicus Gulf began. As the ship's rapid-fire Sagita weaponry began peppering the Sukunai-no-kami, and idea began forming that left her grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
After passing several more flashy shops catering to those fascinated with the new 'information toy' from the Normal World, Chisame finally found what she was looking for near the end of the street. Unlike the products found in bigger stores, the sometimes quasi-legal items needed by real hackers were usually found on-line, if you knew where to look, or in small, out of the way specialty shops.
Pushing through the door and hearing the tinkling of an old-style door bell, she saw the Hu-Jin shop owner look up from where he was helping a teen-aged Eru-Jin girl.
"I'll be with you in just a moment Miss."
Even though the Hu-Jin's look said he wasn't sure why such a small girl had come into his shop, the fact he had given a civil greeting and returned immediately to helping his previous customer just confirmed for Chiu she was in the right place. That he had not insulted her by saying something condescending like; 'Can I help you little girl?' said the proprietor had enough confidence in his business to believe anyone who entered the shop intended to be there.
Glancing back from where her purchases were being tallied up, Shiori Hohoemu felt a sudden shiver of fright go up her spine. She didn't recognize the Nek-Jin girl or the metal golem, but the tall Inu-Jin was Kotaro Inugami, disguised partner of Negi Springfield, and thus a dangerous enemy. If the other two were also allies of Springfield, she had been trapped in a small store, alone and far from any immediate help.
Working to get her sprite management system going again had not been just a matter of sending out King Enteofushia's servants to collect parts. That was fine for some items, but for the rest, without knowing what they were looking for, those people were just as likely to bring back a bunch of banans as the right computer part. Sayo McDowell's blog coming back up in just less than twenty-four hours had been a huge shock, and even with that as motivation, it had still taken until the fourth day of the festival to get her system going again. Wanting to make sure she could protect herself and overwhelm McDowell's blog when she went after it and whoever controlled it again, she had gone out to find the specific sprite control hardware she needed to do so.
Determined not to show any weakness in front of her rival and tormentor Homura King, she had turned down an offer of an escort from Shirabe. Now, unless they had no idea who she was, that decision might have come back to haunt her. Paying for her purchases, she clutched the packages tightly to her chest and tried to slip by Springfield's Inu-Jin. Unfortunately, he turned into her path at the last second. Afraid he was going to attack, she shrieked and jumped back, falling down and scattering her packages in the process.
Turning from where he'd let his gaze start to wander out of pure boredom, Kojirou looked down at the cowering Eru-Jin and wondered why she was so afraid of him. He was beginning to think he should help her up when Chiu pushed him aside.
"You big oaf! Don't you ever watch where you're going?"
Switching from an irritated glare to a look of concern, Chiu turned to hold out a hand to the older girl who's timid look might have been her own, if she'd not come out of an introverted shell through Net Idol Chiu and exposure to the zaniness that passed for life in Mahora Girl's Junior High Class A. "Please forgive my brutish friend. He's learning, but is sadly sometimes still lacking in most social graces." The pale-skinned girl hesitated for a moment, perhaps trying to judge Chiu's motivations, then reached out to take the offered hand.
Standing and straightening out her skirt, Shiori watched as the Nek-Jin girl knelt and began to pick up the dropped packages. Even if Kotaro was one of Master Fate's enemies, the little girl at her feet seemed harmless enough, so she dropped back down to help. "No. I wasn't watching where I was going. I'm sorry to have delayed you."
Picking up the last package, Chiu saw that it had an illustration indicating it was a Sprite Control device. "I haven't really met anyone else as interested in computers as I am since I got here. Are you building a new system, or upgrading one?"
Suddenly realizing who she might be facing, Shiori tensed slightly as they both stood and the little girl handed her several packages. "I've been using them for a while, but only recently have I been able to acquire a really strong system. They've certainly proven useful in my line of work."
Crossing her arms, Chiu nodded. "I've had a little trouble recently myself, so I had to come find some replacement and upgrade parts." Thinking about her dead VAIO, she wondered if she could get Professor Springfield to pay for replacing it. Looking up at Shiori, Chiu saw that the girl had gone all tense again. Wondering why, she thought about the parts she'd seen and narrowed her eyes. "No cheap parts for you, I should guess..."
Unspoken challenge was obvious in the little Nek-Jin's eyes, and that said all Shiori needed to answer the question about who exactly this was. "Well, the person I work for insists on perfection. He's willing to pay for it, so I don't scrimp."
Timid and afraid of Kojirou this girl might be, but she believed in her abilities with a computer, and Chiu could tell that was giving her confidence to stand fast in the face of being outnumbered and trapped in a small shop. "Well, I need to take care of my own business. Perhaps we'll meet again soon, Miss?"
Holding out her hand, Shiori decided to try a gamble. If she could find out where this girl had her system, maybe she could get one of the others to attack and destroy it directly. "Shiori. I am called Shiori. If you don't mind, perhaps we could walk and talk more. I've no need to go back right away, and it is rare to meet someone as interested in computers as I am..."
Just as aggressively curious as Shiori seemed to be, Chiu took the offered hand. "My name is Chiu, Miss Shiori. I think I'd like to do that. I'll get what I need, and we'll be on our way."
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"I don't think he's so great..."
Arms held casually behind his head, face frozen in shock, Kojirou stared down at the Eru-Jin Shiori. Cringing as if expecting him to strike her, the girl's eyes were still full of defiance, daring him to challenge the assertion she'd made. Shiori and Chiu had been talking technical mumbo-jumbo about computers he couldn't begin to understand, so when their dialogue had ceased for a moment, he had asked what she thought about Nagi Springfield and his recent battles in the arena. To say the least, her answer wasn't the one he expected. "What was that?"
Anger over the questionable fate of her parents providing courage to do so, Shiori turned and straightened up in the face of Kojirou's obvious hostility. "Why would anyone want to name themselves after THAT man?"
Ignoring Chiu's signals for him to calm down, Kojirou felt his hands forming into fists. "Why not? Nagi Springfield was a great man! He stopped the war twenty years ago!"
Trembling in the face of Kojirou's apparent readiness to fight, Shiori still refused to back down. "A "Great Man?' How can you think that?" Before he could respond, she took a step towards him and pointed 'off' the island towards the ruins of Old Ostia. "If the Thousand Master was so 'Great,' Why didn't he stop Ostia from being destroyed?" Now she took another step, and Kojirou retreated a step in response. "When the Hellas Empire was on the verge of recapturing Ostia, that 'Hero' and his pack of thugs ruined EVERYTHING!"
Flushed red with anger, Shiori dropped the pointing arm. "A 'Great Man?' How many people were killed, displaced or died as a result of the actions you say made 'Nagi Springfield' a 'Great Man!" Suddenly realizing she was facing down someone who just might decide to break her in half, she deflated and turned away. "I don't care what you say, I don't think Nagi Springfield was so great..."
Kojirou found himself helpless in the face of a girl who probably stood no chance in a fight with him. If Shiori had been a guy, they would already be fighting, but since she was a girl, his personal code forbade him from harming her. Chiu seemed upset by her comments as well, but the looks she and Chacha were giving him said he'd better not touch the Eru-Jin. "Wha... WHATEVER!"
Considering the level of hero worship that sometimes seemed to surround the reputation of her homeroom professor's father, Chiu found she wasn't surprised to discover someone who actually hated him. Her views probably weren't very popular with the general population of the Magic World, and explained quite well the timid part of Shiori's nature. Holding to her opinions of the events from twenty years ago probably hadn't made many friends, and more likely many enemies. "Shiori, no matter how wrong I may think you are, you are entitled to your opinion about the Thousand Master. I wish circumstances would permit me to try and convince you otherwise, but that debate would probably take more time than I'm going to be able to give right now."
Kojirou was tensing up again, looking like he was about to start a fight. Chiu though, obviously in the pro-Nagi camp, seemed willing to be tolerant towards Shiori, unlike other Nagi supporters in the past who had become violent. "I don't like Nagi Springfield at all, but you're the first person outside my co-workers who didn't condemn me outright for thinking that way." Turning away, she began rubbing at eyes with a sleeve. "Thank you."
Upset by Chiu's concessionary attitude, Kojirou turned away. Noticing a small disturbance in the crowd, he continued watching in that direction until he recognized someone who caused his hackles to rise, and set him to growling in his throat.
Moving through the crowd of festival attendees with astounding grace for someone seemingly blind, Shirabe Shidou approached the little group, then stopped a short distance away. After seeing how Chiu and Chacha had oh-so-casually boxed in Shiori, she nodded in approval, then turned to Kojirou. "You are an idiot."
Before Kojirou could even expresses any anger, Chiu stomped his foot and turned the yell into a yelp of pain.
Shiori smiled at Chiu. "How observant. Come out, Homura."
Behind Kojirou, A dour girl with flame-red hair slipped from the crowd to take a place where she and Shirabe had the Inu-Jin and his companions bracketed.
After drawing out her pactio card, Chiu crossed her arms and gave Shirabe her full attention. "How long have you been here?"
'Seeing' Chiu's card, Shirabe produced her own. "Not long, though Homura has been here all along." Next to Chiu, Shiori flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger. "I apologize dear. I know you try to be strong, but I felt it best if someone kept an eye on you."
Looking back at her former shadow, Shiori saw a smug look on the girl's face. Probably just so she couldn't do anything to improve her standing in Master Fate's eyes by scouting out Chiu's system, the pyromancer had called in Shirabe and forced a confrontation. After giving Homura as fierce a glare as possible, she turned and went to stand behind Shirabe.
Behind her, Chiu knew Kojirou was ready to fight by the sound of him turning to face Homura. Next to her, there was a soft 'click' as the laser filter slipped down over Chacha's left eye, and she was ready. That left Chiu alone still unprepared. Unfortunately, the Spiritus Electronicus wasn't very useful in an open battle, except for defense. However, spotting behind Shirabe the approach of a person who's profile had been burned into her mind for all eternity, she knew a precaution taken just after leaving the shop was finally bearing fruit. If she could only delay any confrontation for a little longer, then the balance of power would shift once more in their favor. "So, do we fight now?"
Plainly considering just that, Shirabe reached up to tap the pactio card's edge against her cheek. "Since your Hanyo friend is so stupid, I'll ask you; Why shouldn't I take this opportunity to eliminate several of my Magister's enemies?"
Keeping Shirabe talking for as long as possible was her best weapon for the moment, so Chiu put away her Pactio card and decided on an obvious bluff. "Because you risk yourself by doing so. Shiori isn't the only one with unseen help."
Mouth turning up slightly at the corners, Shirabe gave Chiu a nod of approval. "Nice. Perhaps you and your robot friend could hold us off while Negi's worthless Hanyo goes to get that 'help.'"
Shrugging, Chiu gave a bored sigh. "If you think that would be fair." Behind her, Kojirou's tension indicated he wanted to make a pre-emptive attack, so she turned and grabbed his wrist. "Stop! She's trying to provoke us into attacking first! How would it look if we 'criminals' attacked the members of Damashi? Never mind that Shirabe's blind!"
With her sensitive hearing and sound magic picking up every word Chiu hissed quietly at Kotaro, Shirabe smiled in admiration of the girl's good sense. She was about to signal Homura to cut loose anyway, despite the public nature of the fight that would occur, when a large shadow fell over her and Shiori suddenly let out a startled shriek.
Turning quickly in response, Shirabe saw the Eru-Jin girl holding down her skirt as Jacobus Rakan stood there, twirling a pair of lace side-ties around his index finger.
Tensing up to attack the big sunglasses wearing former gladiator, Homura unexpectedly felt a hand come down on her shoulder. Casually flash-heating the air to brush away whoever the interloper was, she received a surprise when her shoulder suddenly cramped up from a painfully intense feeling of cold. Turning, her eyes widened in shock to see someone standing there in a tattered gray cloak who could easily be her twin sister. Behind that girl was a Nek-Jin bounty hunter who's focused attention and exposed canines said she was quite ready to use the sheathed short sword resting beneath a 'casually' placed hand.
Shifting his gaze from the paired Hu-Jin fire users, Jack Rakan looked down at the 'Moose-girl' leader of Damashi and wondered what kind of sweet-nothings she wore. "Who would have expected that such a timid little mouse would be wearing something so naughty." Giving Shiori's panties one last twirl, he closed them inside his grip and took a step forward to loom over Shirabe. "Two more and I'll have a collection I bet I could sell for quite a few Drachma on the Mahonet."
Backing away, more from the threat of his raw power than the possibility of suffering a humiliating blow to her dignity, Shirabe decided finally on the better part of valor. "Homura, Shiori, let's go." Turning to Chiu, she gave the Nek-Jin girl a smile full of meaning. "I'd not say anything about this to your little debt-slave friend. So many things could happen to someone like that, and no one besides those who knew her would really care, she is just a debt-slave, after all..."
Giving a look that said she would remember her 'twin,' Homura roughly shrugged off the girl's grip and moved to join Shirabe.
Whether the older girl had her outclassed as a Fire Mage or not, Anya Cocorowa wasn't in any mood to show fear or be pleasant towards someone who might be associated with the man who had petrified her. Standing firm, she returned the unspoken challenge with one of her own.
Continuing to hold her skirt down, Shiori gave Rakan a look that might have frightened a small child, but not the grinning ex-gladiator. When that produced no indication he was going to return the pilfered underwear, she began moving around his bulk without turning her back to him. When she was facing Chiu again, a modicum of confidence returned to her, and she straightened up. "Kasayo McDowell!" Starting slightly, the little Nek-Jin girl gave Shiori her full attention. "I'll not lose to you again!"
Just as confident in her hacking skills as Shiori seemed to be, Chiu gave a curt nod. "Whenever you're ready, Shiori."
Watching the retreat of Shirabe and her two companions, Rakan saw less the escape of three enemies, than the loss of a potential source of revenue. ("Ah well, maybe I'll get another chance later.") Turning back to Chiu, he jerked his thumb towards the arena. "I met up with your little Fire Mage friend and her escort near the Arena. We were the closest when Negi got your card message, so he sent us to help. Come on. I'll escort you back. The price I'll discuss with the Kid later."
Without another word, the big dark-skinned ex-gladiator turned and moved off towards the arena. Arms crossed, Chiu gave Kojirou a sideways glance. "You're just as clueless as that girl says you are."
Having people constantly telling him he was an idiot was starting to get on Kojirou's nerves. "You now? What's the deal with that?"
Anya and R'th came over, so Chiu gave them a look of thanks, then lead the group off in Rakan's wake. "Kojirou, you simply must get over your chivalrous notions when it comes to recognizing a girl as an enemy. Despite the problems it might have caused you, if you'd beaten Shiori up enough to need a healer without that Homura girl interfering, it might have made my job easier."
Baffled out of his anger by someone who had said he should be more considerate, and now said he should have started a fight with a girl, Kojirou looked to the Anya and R'th for an explanation, but they just shook their heads. "Chiu, what are you talking about?"
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"Come on! We don't have much time!"
Feeling like a runaway Tokage cart, Beatrice Monroe allowed herself to be pulled pell-mell through the lower concourse of the New Ostia Arena. Her friend and leader of the Ariadne Valkyrie Brigade Cadets, Emily Sevensheep, had finally convinced Lieutenant Hild to give them permission the visit the arena. Not wanting to waste any time, the Su-Jin girl had gone straight from her patrol duties to the Ariadne Pavilion instead of back to the ship to change as soon as their pass became effective. Now she lead Beatrice through the arena with just the barest amount of decorum warranted by their Ariadne Mage School uniforms.
"Three days! Why oh why wouldn't Lieutenant Hild give us any leave? Who knows if that vendor will even have any of those books left!"
Beatrice could only shake her head over her friend's stress. Whether there were no books left, or a hundred, all this rushing around just because of Emily's obsession with all things Nagi Springfield baffled her. Now if Emily had been interested in the other prize-fighters as well, THAT she would be able to understand!
Fortunately, their headlong progress ended moments later in front of the booth where Jei and Sachi had purchased their books. Most welcome indeed to Beatrice, for the sake of her ears not having to listen to Emily's potentially unceasing lamentations over missing out, there seemed to be plenty of both books remaining for sale.
Looking up from working the information brought from Yue by Anya into the Imperium Graphices, Paru saw the intent look in the approaching Su-Jin's eyes and closed the sketchbook. Setting it aside, she stood up just as the slightly winded girl came to a rest outside the booth. "Well now! To what honor do I owe this visit to my booth by two students from the famous school in Ariadne?"
From a small pouch on her belt, Emily Sevensheep produced a pair of Ariadnean Twenty Auric coins and held them out. "Two each of your books please, and you can keep the change!"
Smiling brightly, since Auric's were worth more than Drachma's and the girl didn't seem to care, Paru picked up the requested items and prepared to place them inside protective storage sleeves. "I could draw sketches in them as well, if you'd like."
"Ple-ASE!"
Starting slightly as Emily's excited voice cracked, Beatrice stepped back and bumped into a mountain.
"Excuse me Little Miss."
Turning to apologize herself, Beatrice was confronted by someone she had never in her life expected to meet. He was using a minor item based disguise spell, but by the set of his jaw, and the ripped tone of his muscles, she instantly recognized the dark-skinned man as none other than the famous Jacobus Rakan.
Having just started working on her first sketch when Rakan appeared, Paru looked up as the big man slipped into the booth and sat down in her extra chair. "No Koji? What's up?"
Yawning hugely, Rakan leaned back against the wall, hands behind his head. "After we got back with the Chibi's I told the kids to go fight in some of the free-style challenge matches for practice. Since that means Koji's busy, I came down to keep an eye on you."
Mental sweat drop rolling down the back of her head, Paru gave Rakan an annoyed look. "How much is that going to cost?"
Grinning just as hugely as he'd yawned, Rakan looked out over the top of his sunglasses at Paru. "Just like everything else, T.M.'s kid and I will talk about it later!"
Watching as the small girl shook her head and went back to drawing, Beatrice started wondering what relationship Rakan had with her. ("Could she be his daughter? I never heard that Jacobus Rakan had any children...")
Determined not to let this opportunity escape her, Beatrice forgot about things it would be rude to ask about, and began looking for something she could use to secure an autograph. As if in answer to a prayer, she noticed a Free Employee with long blonde hair pushing a cart loaded with new program books down the concourse. Ignoring the young man's protests that he wasn't really allowed to sell programs from the cart, she forced a five Auric coin on him, and pulled a copy from the middle of one of the stacks. Quickly turning back to the artist girl's booth, she cautiously approached the relaxing Jacobus Rakan, then bowed and held out the program. "Sir? My name is Beatrice Monroe. I realize you're probably trying to keep a low profile, but could I possibly have your autograph?"
Looking through the darkened lenses of his sunglasses at the blushing magic school student, Rakan groaned inside at the realization that yet another person had seen through his disguise. ("I'm gonna' have to have a talk with the guy who sold me these things!") "Sure. Is it worth a pair of panties to ya?"
Not sure she'd heard Rakan correctly, Beatrice flushed a bright crimson when her mind finally processed what he'd said. ("I'd not heard he was such a pervert either! Still... I might not ever get a chance like this again...")
Meaning his comment mostly in jest, Rakan was watching the dark-haired magic school student trying to decide what to do when Paru thumped him on the head with her fist.
"Idiot! If she likes you enough to see through that disguise, the least you can do is not tease her with your perverted ways!"
Glaring at Paru, Rakan waited until she turned away in a huff, then shifted his attention back to Beatrice. "Sorry Little Miss. Just kidding about that! Here, let me have your program book."
Returning to her seat, Paru finished the first sketch, then held out the results for the blonde Su-Jin girl to examine. "How's this?"
Sparkles in her eyes, Emily nodded in approval of the image showing her standing next to the prize-fighter Nagi Springfield.
Handing the two copies of the first book over, Paru picked up the second book and opened it to the page she used for sketches. Without even asking, she began drawing a picture of the blonde girl kissing Negi. "You're very pretty Miss. You even look like that attractive lady reporter from KitNews in Ariadne. Is there any chance you're related to her?"
Having never known her father, Emily Sevensheep was very close to her mother, and took pride in the fact she could claim Cycilia Sevensheep as such. "Yes! Cycilia Sevensheep is my mother!"
Seeing the happy look on the Su-Jin's face gave Paru momentary pause in her work. Everyone had been told to keep an eye out for possible allies, and by her relationship with the reporter from KitNews, this girl was potentially one of them. Finishing the sketch, she handed the two copies of the second book over, chuckled as the girl nearly swooned, then reached down beneath the table for two small packages. "You are a member of the Nagi Springfield Fan Club, aren't you?"
Rubbing slightly at the warmth of a flushed cheek, it took Emily a moment to realize Paru had spoken. "Oh... Yes.. I am. Member number seventy-eight. My mother is seventy-seven."
Nodding, Paru handed over a thick, paper wrapped package addressed to Cycilia Sevensheep. "We contacted your mother, based on the fan club membership list, and she ordered copies of the two books. Would you mind delivering them for us?"
Accepting the package with a nod, Emily started to turn to see if Beatrice was ready to leave when Paru held out a second, thinner package.
Leaning forward, Paru lowered her voice to a conspiratorial level. "This is a free 'Special' edition I just finished for certain fan club members who actually come by my booth. Just so you know, I included a copy in the package with your mother's books."
Not really sure what to think about the possible contents of a 'Special' edition, Emily finally took the package from the little artist girl and gave her a bow of thanks. "I appreciate that you would take the time to make such a book for fan club members, and wish to express my thanks for that, and your other efforts."
Behind the blonde Su-Jin, Paru saw the girl's companion carefully holding a program book as if it were more delicate than eggs. Giving a knowing sigh, she reached under the table once more for an empty protective book cover. "Miss? Would you like something to carry your program in?"
Nodding vigorously, Beatrice stepped forward "Could I possibly have two of them?"
Seeing the pleading look in the girl's eyes, Paru reached for a second cover and handed it over. After both girls departed, clutching their 'prizes,' she shifted her attention to a customer who just wanted the two books without sketches, finished that task, then turned to face Rakan. "You know, we need allies, not enemies, you dirty-old-man..."
His attitude showing him to be as innocent as the wind driven yellow snow, Rakan sat up. "Me! A dirty-old-man?"
A vein popped out on Paru's temple. "Yes! You!"
Shaking his head, Rakan leaned back against the wall again. "Here I've been trying to reestablish my connections with possible allies, and you're being all disrespectful, you cheeky artist girl! You're a long way from being able to tell a story like I can, but if that girl can't figure out what you're trying to say in that third book, then you don't need her as an ally anyway."
Unable to comprehend the strange ways of her companion, Paru sighed in resignation, then turned to take care of business again as a dignified Ma-Jin woman escorted by a pair of bodyguards approached her booth.
(-)
Back at the arena in Granicus City, Akira Okochi had kept to her swimming practice, despite the limited swimming facilities there, and the fact it cut into the free time she was allowed before curfew every night. One of the things her coaches had all drilled into her was the need for consistency in her training. No one could take into account everything, but they had all stressed that missing practice lead to weak rhythm, and loss of endurance. Oh how true that had been, after two weeks lost in a desert, or settling in as a debt-slave.
Now in New Ostia, she had continued practicing under Mister Phlippir's direction in the New Ostia Arena's swimming pool, and her persistence had paid off. She had managed to qualify for the event with the biggest prize, an endurance swim to be held at Pinhe Lake on the last day of the festival. At first, worried her elemental abilities or Pactio Artifact might convey an unfair advantage, she had given consideration to not using either. After seeing other partnership cards in action during various arena battles, and learning that any personal power or ability was allowed during a competition, as long as it did not involve the loan of outside energy, she stopped worrying about it. Most of what she would be using were personal abilities anyway, and the artifact just made her more efficient at doing them.
Hearing Mister Phlippir's whistle saying practice was over for the night, Arika swam to the side of the pool. She was climbing out when someone handed her a towel. Looking up, she was surprised to see it wasn't Mister Phlippir, but instead her friend from Granicus City, Bekus Herrmann. "Bekus!"
Stepping back, Bekus smiled as Akira pulled herself from the pool and began to dry off. "Hello Akira. I guess Mister Phlippir talked you into signing up for the swimming competition after all, didn't he? What did the Chairman think about that?"
After roughly drying her hair, Akira began a much more careful drying of her unusual artifact swimsuit. "Well, he was skeptical at first, but when he found out about the potential prize-money, that convinced him. My bringing in some of the additional help they needed for the last few days of the festival even persuaded him to let me have a little extra time for practice."
Turning serious, Bekus invited Akira to sit at a nearby empty table.
Finishing with the towel, Akira pulled out a chair, placed the folded towel in it, then sat down. "Are you having fun at the festival?"
Nodding, Bekus began making lazy patterns on the table with her finger. "Akira... I was going to enroll in the Catalystic Magic school in Ariadne... do you understand what that means?"
Understanding the basic meaning, but not Bekus point, Akira nodded. "That's a school for using different 'mundane' things to create 'magical' effects, right?"
While still keeping her face pointed at the table, Bekus looked up at Akira as if she were staring over a pair of glasses at the still damp girl. "That's right. One of the most amazing things I ever had the chance to witness was the explosive effect created by the interaction of liquid water and pure powdered sodium..."
Her face showing confusion over the direction the conversation had taken, Akira suddenly noticed Bekus was tracing a circle on the table. Reaching out, she used the index finger of her right hand to trace a box with a loop on top.
Suddenly convulsing, Bekus raised a hand and concealed a nod in the affirmative with a politely restrained sneeze into that hand. "Excuse me. Anyway, as long as those two things are kept separated, both are completely harmless. You could even soak their container in water, as long as it was waterproofed. If one or both are in a solid state, they're usually harmless as well, unless something melts."
Looking surprised, Akira leaned back into her chair. "Interesting. My chemistry teachers at school talked about such things a little, but I guess I never paid enough attention. Where did you learn about it?"
Now it was time for Bekus to give a faint, but creepy grin. "It helps having had a grandfather who's been around for such a long time. He's seen and witnessed so many things in his life, the connections he's made would amaze you."
A short distance away, Akira could see Mister Phlippir waiting politely for her to finish, so he could escort her back to the dormitory area for Chairman Dolnegus's Debt Slaves. "I'll have to look into that. It sounds like it might be a neat trick to try."
Pushing her chair back, Bekus stood up and stretched. "Aaaahhhnnnn... I should think you could try that experiment on your own Akira," Taking a sudden step around the table, Bekus slipped the tip of a finger just under the edge of one of the faintly visibly, arcing lines in the side of Akira's swimsuit. "...especially considering the increase in your abilities you've recently gained."
Surprised to have the strangest effect of her artifact pointed out so blatantly, Akira quickly stood to escape Bekus' touch. Since that was the only increase in strength she'd gained of late, it had to mean Bekus recognition of Akira's ability as an Elementalist, maybe even as far back as Granicus City... "I think perhaps I will." Bekus smiled, and started to turn to walk away. "Will I see you again over the next few days, Bekus?"
With her spade-tipped tail swaying in a manner Mister Phlippir was trying very badly not to watch too obviously, Bekus turned slightly to look back over her shoulder. "I need to spend time with my Grandfather. I should be free on the last day of the festival, but I'm not positive about that." Turning back, she began to walk away, waving her hand as she went. "Be careful Akira. Personal involvement is the only way to guard against things going wrong when you play with catalysts."
Returning the wave, Akira watched Bekus go, but her mind was already formulating the questions she wanted to ask Yue Ayase and Professor Springfield about the slave collars...
(-)
Viewed from the inside, the rim of the darkened central arena venue in New Ostia pulsed with a glowing halo of lights generated by all the nighttime activities of a busy city. If one were quiet and held their breath, the sounds of the city could be made out. Happy people, ignorant of what might be coming, celebrating the end of a war that was still being fought right beneath their noses.
To such a place as this shortly to be filled arena did Negi Springfield come, seeking a stillness and level of quiet he needed to think that only the mass of the New Ostia Arena could provide.
'Just a quick trip to the Magic World to research information about his father. Only a week or so, what could go wrong?'
("Was that how this all started? Two months, countless battles, and it isn't anywhere close to being finished...") He still needed to save Asuna, as well as Ako and the others in the Mahora Maid Brigade, and then get everyone home. That wasn't even taking into consideration what Fate Averruncus and his allies might actually be planning.
Whatever that was, it had something to do with what he'd learned about Asuna...
To think that she might actually be a world-killer...
He would never believe it...
When she finally was safe, Asuna would chastise him for being so late, and trying to do everything on his own, and then everything would return to normal... or not...
Whatever Fate had planned, Yue was right. He would need to be in two places on the last day of the festival. Even doing that, taking the risk of placing Haruna's golem in the arena so he could go to Old Ostia, it was becoming increasingly unlikely the Ala Alba would manage to escape back to the Normal World. There were too many objectives, too many things that needed to be done. Taking care of everything was spreading everyone out in such a way it would be next to impossible to make a quick escape if such an opportunity actually arrived.
Of the most important things that needed to be done, the prospect of paying off the Maid Brigade's contract to Chairman Dolnegus was growing with each day. Even if he and Kotaro only took second place in the tournament, the prize for that, along with what everyone was scraping together, should be enough to pay off the contract. If not for the fact it would have meant more of his students would be in trouble, it might have been nice to have Sakurako Shiina here in the Magic World. Her gift for choosing the long-shot was so great, they might have paid off the debt-contract while they were still in Granicus City!
Rescuing Asuna though... Thanks to Professor Bagera's information, he had a good idea where she would be on the last day of the festival. What was still questionable was if Kaede and the others would be able to locate the Temple of Chandika within the ruins of Old Ostia. Even if they were successful, that was still a partial failure. Instead of being able to have everyone close and ready to escape through the Old Ostian Cross-World Gate, he would be going there with just the Ala Alba's fighters, and then only to save Asuna, not to escape. Because of the obvious danger from Fate and his associates, and the unpredictability of what Asuna might do, there could be no thoughts of bringing anyone else, thus adding to the reasons that made escape all but impossible.
Stopping Fate's plan? That was the least likely prospect. Even if they managed to rescue Asuna, surely that would not ruin the entirety of the white-haired boy's plan. They might come back from Old Ostia, only to find out something else awful that Professor Bagera hadn't surmised had happened.
He HAD to rescue Asuna. Shame-faced, in the end, he realized nothing else mattered to him. He would save his friend and partner first, then deal with everything else later.
Crossing from one side of the arena's illuminated rim to the other, Negi could see the broad swathe of the Orion Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. After his father's visit on that snowy night in Wales, when his studies were done for the night, he had often gone out into the hills around Meldiana to look up at this same sight. Staring at the stars, he would wonder if his father was doing the same. ("Father, if I were truly in trouble, would you show up again like you did that night in the snow?")
"Hey Negi. What cha' doin'?"
Dropping his gaze from the stars overhead, Negi watched as his friend Kotaro, in his Kojirou disguise, walked out of the shadows and into the faint illumination of the starlight. "Just looking at the stars and thinking... wondering if we'll be seeing them from Mahora soon, or still looking at them from the Magic World in another month or two..."
Stopping in front of Negi, Kotaro leaned back to take in the wide arc of flickering lights. "I never had much time for looking at stars when I was younger, mostly I was too busy just looking for something to eat. A couple of girls took me in for a while before I really learned to shift forms, but that didn't last..."
Raising his own eyes again, Negi tracked the brief flare of a meteor as it streaked by overhead. Continuing to watch, he began to see faint wisps of light, like the glowing ribbons of an Aurora Borealis, crossing overhead as well. "Can we do it Kotaro? Can we save Asuna, and get her and everyone else home?"
Lowering his gaze, Kotaro's eyes met Negi's. "We're less than three days from it, one way or another. We've been at this for two months, and now you worry? Of course we'll do it! We couldn't call ourselves real men if we didn't!"
A slow, methodical clapping sounded from the darkness, causing both Negi and Kotaro to turn towards the source of the sound, tensing up for a confrontation as they did so.
"My, my. It seems the simplistic Hanyo knows where he's coming from, and the young mage still needs reassurance... How disappointing."
Expecting Fate, but unsure of who it was due to the deep voice, Negi had to restrain himself when he recognized the tall man wearing a leather hat and long-coat who finally appeared out of the darkness. "Herrmann! Why are you here!"
Doffing his hat, Wilhelm Joseph von Herrmann bowed first to Negi, then Kotaro. "My greetings. Allow me to express my gratitude for the assistance Kotaro and your Akira Okochi provided my granddaughter. As for why I'm here?" Sighing, he replaced his hat. "Perhaps I shouldn't have even bothered... If the Thousand Master's son is unsure of himself, then anything else I have to say would only be wasted words."
Willing to tolerate the tall Ma-Jin's presence, at least for the moment, Kotaro relaxed slightly. "If all you're going to do is complain, old man, then go away. We don't have time for it."
Ignoring Kotaro, Herrmann moved up until Negi had to look up, even in the Nagi disguise, in order to see directly into his potential enemy's eyes. "I'm sure the crippled Hanyo and her companions would be disappointed to learn they're fighting for nothing in Old Ostia. If their leader has lost his confidence, how can they be expected to win?"
Fists clenching, Negi began summoning his Magia Erebea into existence. "What have you done?"
Holding his hands up defensively. Wilhelm took a step back. "My, my! Most impressive! To think you would go so far as to learn one of the strongest techniques from Dark Evangeline's earliest days! My opinion of you has gone up a bit! As far as the Hanyo goes, however, it is sealed powers which cripple her, I am uninvolved. The battle she and her companions wage is a matter of heritage. Though I suppose they might encounter the minions of Fate Averruncus or Total World as well if they tarry overly long in Old Ostia."
Relaxing slightly, Negi began turning to leave, but a grin from Wilhelm stopped him in place.
"I should imagine you might go help your companions, but don't you think that would reinforce the idea you don't trust them?" Now a gleam came to Wilhelm's eye. "Besides, don't they already have a strong source of help that is quite close by?"
Remaining ready to fully summon Magia Erebea, Negi turned back to face Wilhelm once more. "Since you are here, is there something you're wanting to tell me about Fate's plans?"
Now Wilhelm shrugged. "I actually know very little about specifics. As I am sure you'll understand, there is this slight issue of a certain mage de-summoning me before I was made more fully aware of what was going on. I do know he plans to use the Princess to summon the Life-Giver, much as a bright young man such as yourself has probably figured out by now."
"Why are you even here then, if you don't mean to tell us anything useful?"
Turning to face Kotaro, Wilhelm to a step forward to look down at the Hanyo boy. "Well, if I told you everything I did know, what would be the fun in that?" After glancing briefly at Negi, he returned his attention to Kotaro. "Young Negi has professed a desire for revenge after the events of that night in the snow. Whatever else might motivate me, all I really want from him is that he be a truly worthy opponent when he finally comes after me for real."
Suddenly striking out, Wilhelm caught Kotaro in the stomach with a closed fist. There was the flash of teleportation spell runes, and he was gone. Before Negi could react, he had crossed the distance between them and seized the disguised boy by the throat.
Feeling something suppressing, but not quite canceling his Magia Erebea, Negi began clawing at Wilhelm's hand. "Wha... what did you do with Kotaro?"
Fluxuating between his demon and human forms because of the energy needed to keep Negi's powers suppressed, Wilhelm gave a wide-eyed grin. "I just sent him somewhere to toughen him up. Same as I'm going to do with you." Negi began kicking at him in desperation, but Wilhelm ignored the blows. "You should be able to figure out the way back yourself, so I won't bother explaining how it's done. One thing I will say to you, young Negi, is this; Haven't you ever wondered how all those competent mages in Dewin Ilan were taken out so easily? That village was chosen because you were there, but that's all. ANY mage village would have worked. It was just a weaponized spell test, after all."
Bringing up his other fist, Wilhelm struck Negi in the stomach. There was the flash of a second teleportation spell, and he was gone.
Straightening his hat and coat, Wilhelm turned to see his granddaughter standing a short distance away.
"What if they don't make it back in time?"
With Bekus giving him an accusatory look he could no more resist that any human or other type of grandfather could, Wilhelm had to turn away. "Then I'll be most disappointed in young Negi Springfield."
Reaching out, Bekus took hold of the cuff of her grandfather's coat sleeve. "I know the Demon Realms will survive if the Magic World is destroyed, but if Akira dies because of your revenge games with the Humans... I'll hate you forever..."
Shaken by the serious tone in Bekus childish threat, Wilhelm turned to face his granddaughter. "They should get back in time. Zerk and Eyla said they'd keep an eye on them to make sure they do." Receiving a single nod in response, he shifted his hand into Bekus's, then lead her from the empty arena and back out into the innocent nightlife of New Ostia.
tsuzuku.
(-)
Author's Notes:
Crescent Hawk: A Koi-type stock light freighter. In the MSN manga, this ship is owned by Haruna Saotome, and is known as the 'Great Paru-sama Maru.' (I know I called it the 'Taka no Minazuki' before. I appologize, but I will probably go back to c25 and change that. As it is, I'm starting to regret using 'Romanji-ized' race names, so changing the ship's name to it's English equivilant was an easy call to make.)
Secretary Chong: Mage Council Secretary for the Preservation and Protection of Historical Ruins. Created by kafka'sdragon, and used in 'Ala Alba' with his permission.
Bakemono: (Japanese.) A monster.
Dewin Ilan: (Welsh.) 'Mage Village.' The name I'm using for Negi's original home village.
Zerk and Eyla: Big ogre and his Kitsune spirit companion from Kyoto in MSN Volume 06. (Also a certain small girl and her Legendary Hero.)
In reference to Kotaro's comment about two girls taking him in, see: v04, c030, and v08, c063 of the Maho Sensei Negima manga. There is no proof, but they look like the same dog to me!
Chapter 34: ...and Enemies.