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.
Thanks again to kafka'sdragon, Tikigod784, and Fionn the Otaku for their support, encouragement, and suggestions!
Various cameo characters are the property of their respective creators and owners, not me.
SPOILER ALERT! AU story occurring after c189.
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"I was hoping she'd lead me to the kid, but that Moose-girl got me a little better than I thought she would!"
-Jacobus Rakan. Quoted by 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 Forty-two: Six Armies in New Ostia. Part Four. (Day Seven.)
(-)
(Kosmo Entelechia, Separatists.)
Having the ability to turn a little scout program into so-much electronic scrap didn't alter the reality of what it had managed to do before its destruction. Turning back into the Eos server to avoid the swarm of virus attacks took Shiori Hohoemu in the wrong direction, costing her the ability to directly control the programs which had already entered the data stream leading towards Argyre.
While watching the viral torpedo attacks as they moved through the virtual water next to her Sprite Control System ship, Shiori wondered again about what Chisame Hasegawa was using to access the MahoNet. Normal Sprites were simple, relatively stupid minor spirits which were not capable of doing much but following 'If-Then' commands. All during her fight to reach Argyre, and during the encounters she'd had with Chisame before, the Hu-Jin Net-users Sprites had displayed an amazing capacity for independent action. The latest example was taking place behind her as she waited for the virus threat to dissipate. Even though she had destroyed the Sprite she knew was the leader, the few that were left were retreating in an orderly manner, or still causing problems by trying to launch more of those annoying virus attacks. Such a thing suggested Negi Springfield's Ministra was using something special to access the MahoNet. Perhaps... perhaps Chisame was even using an artifact she had heard was capable of doing such things.
If that were so, Shiori felt a little jealousy. She had been Fate's Ministra for nearly a year, long before Chisame had become Negi's Ministra. That such an Artifact might exist, and she had not received it, was disappointing. The only thing more disappointing was that she had not received an artifact at all when she made her Pactio contract with Master Fate. He had been surprised as well, and promised to look into the matter. Of course, that had also been the occasion of Homura King's first sneers and verbal jabs directed towards what she called 'that worthless Eru-Jin.'
At the sound of a beep, Shiori turned towards a small display showing the origin of Chisame Hasegawa's link to the MahoNet. The small tag had changed from the address in New Ostia Arena to one in Asu'tush village. ("I thought Chisame was using an offset connection link. I wonder what happened that caused it to fail?") "Homura!"
Even though Shiori knew her deep link into the MahoNet meant she couldn't interact outside the Sprite Management System without completely logging out, it still had the capability the permit normal conversations with anyone close by. When there wasn't any response, she presumed the pyromancer was sulking and refusing to answer. "Come on, Homura! You wanted to help Master Fate, and I've got something for you!"
Still there was no answer. Since the viral threat to her ship was finally moving far enough ahead to no longer be a danger, Shiori ignored Homura for the moment and began turning her ship around. When that was done, she called out to Homura again. When it become obvious the pyromancer had gone off somewhere on her own, Shiori began to worry. Without someone to let her know when Master Fate's spell was about to activate, she was at risk of being petrified along with everyone else in New Ostia. If Homura was gone, she really needed to abandon the fight with Chisame and evacuate to the arena right away...
Looking down at the control that would sever her link to the MahoNet, Shiori hesitated over what to do. Master Fate had told everyone in abundantly clear terms how important it was to get to Old Ostia in time to leave. Even so, she could smell the proverbial blood in her fight against Negi Springfield's Ministra. With a normal Sprite Management system, it seemed as if she was on the verge of beating someone using an Artifact, if that's what it was, that should have been hers in the first place. To run now, to make that safe choice, would mean never knowing if all her planning and work towards beating Chisame had even been worth the effort...
With a deep intake of breath, Shiori sent her hands flying across the Sprite Management Systems controls. Putting everything the program had into pushing her fleet forward, she plunged into the data stream leading to Argyre.
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(Megalo-Mesembria.)
All around the arena, people were frozen with shock...
An oddly smug look on his face, the New Ostian Governor General stood. After watching what was happening for just a moment longer he turned, and with his page-squire and small retinue of bodyguards in tow, quickly departed. Behind the governor's private box, and all across the arena, parents were covering their children's eyes, while other people were trying, and in a few cases failing, not to be sick...
With his jaws dripping blood, Kotaro remained still, watching Fate Averruncus with one eye, until the remains of the mangled corpse dissolved in a burst of ash-colored spell smoke. Turning, a low growling sound began issuing from deep within his throat.
By forcing herself to think about what she should be doing, and not about everything that had just happened, Eris managed to bring the microphone back into play. "I... it looks like we might have a double elimination..." Gulping, she watched as the mage from Argyre readied himself to fight. "This... this is unprecedented in the history of the Nagi Springfield Cup... Team Granicus should be disqualified for jumping the start signal, but if Team Argyre has been using what seems to have been a fake for the entire tournament, then what might happen now is anyone's guess..."
Kojirou's growls were becoming progressively louder as he and Fate began stalking each other, both trying to stare the other into blinking first.
Eris held out her hand and started to take a step forward, but Nagi Springfield was suddenly at her side...
"Get out of the arena... NOW."
Confused, Eris looked up into the deathly serious expression on the young man's face. "Huh?"
"If you want to stay alive, get ou..."
With a snarl that sent a chill up Eris's back Kojirou leapt at the mage from Argyre. Nagi went in at once, knocking his partner aside just in time to avoid a barrage of stone Sagita. Kojirou Shundo'd while he was still being pushed and managed to grab the mage in his jaws, but the body instantly dissolved, proving to be another fake.
Appearing again nearby, the Argyre mage launched a second attack at both Kojirou and Nagi. The wolf-form Inu-Jin ducked behind his partner, while Nagi lashed out with his hands, knocking aside any stone spear which was a direct threat, and even catching one in his left hand.
Feeling a tug at her bodice, Eris looked down and saw that part of it just below her shoulder had been torn. Despite all the supposedly impenetrable defenses she'd been given as the arena announcer, the hand she used to reach up and touch her side came back with the fingertips stained by blood...
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(Hellas Empire. Mahora.)
("First, I was beaten by some scrawny kid in the arena, and now a girl who's a Debt-Slave? What is with my luck lately?")
Struggling to keep up his swimming pace, Ray Blaze turned his thoughts away from distracting things and back towards those required to keep going...
...Steady movement of his arms and legs, exhale underwater, turn his head for a new breath, repeat...
Despite his efforts, exhaustion soon had his mind drifting back to where it was before...
("The Iru-Jin finished their contest in just twenty-five minutes! How is it a Hu-Jin is still going after more than an hour?")
Akira Okochi, one of Chairman Dolnegus's Debt-Slaves, had started out back in the pack in the non-amphibian endurance swim. However, with her steady pace, as well as attrition as other swimmers dropped out, she had moved up until only she and Ray were left.
Now Akira was pacing herself about three lengths back, seemingly content to wait for him to give up. ("Well, I'll show her I'm not ready to quit yet!")
Taking a deep breath with the next turn of his head, Ray started trying to pull ahead. Unfortunately, worn out from the continuous effort he'd asked of them, the muscles in his right leg went on strike. Causing a yelp that expelled most of the air he'd just taken in, they cramped up, and down he went.
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While the Positus Spiritus had made it easier to breathe while in the water, Akira felt happy it was her own skills as a swimmer which were most useful in this case. Different types of swimming strokes, the Dolphin, Butterfly, and others, along with her training in efficiency swimming, all had contributed to keeping her going in the repeated trips back and forth across Pinhe Lake.
Ray Blaze had been a shock though...
Of course, she knew tigers could swim, that they liked the water even, but the Tiger-man's sheer endurance had astounded her.
Most of the other competitors were gone after thirty minutes, the last besides she and he after fifty. Now they had been alone, monotonously moving along the route across the lake, for nearly twenty minutes. ("Is he ever going to give up?")
A discordant slap in the water and a choked gurgle failed to register with Akira until she'd gone several more lengths. Looking down into the water as she began her next movements, she saw Ray holding his leg and sinking into the lake. Jack-knifing at once, she dove down after him. A small effort using her elemental abilities kept the Tiger-man from sinking any further until she could grab a double handful of the fur between his shoulders. Reacting to that sensation like any 'kitten' would, Ray went limp, so she had no trouble pulling him back up to the surface.
Gasping for breath when his head broke the surface of the lake, Ray felt a small arm go across his chest. Two warm bumps against his back made it perfectly clear who the person was. As Akira continued supporting him, he reached down and finally managed to ease the cramp. "Tha... thanks."
Still holding Ray, Akira turned slightly and struck out towards the dock where the endurance swim had begun. "No problem."
Relaxing and just letting Akira pull him along, Ray thought about the things that had just happened. "You're not Gyo-Jin; ah... the Normal World word is 'mermaid,' but that artifact you're using..."
After a few strokes, Akira gave a sigh. "I've been using it to help me breathe, but I swear everything else was my own skills and abilities."
From across the water, Ray could hear the people on the dock wondering how such a small girl could hold him up and still move through the water. Remembering something Lim Dies had told him about once, he gave a disgusted chuckle. "You're a water Elementalist also... I never stood a chance, did I?"
Shaking her head and smiling, Akira continued to slowly pull herself and Ray through the water. "Don't sell yourself short. You just had bad luck with your leg cramping up. If you'd been able to keep going, you might have had me."
Sighing, Ray remained silent until helpful hands pulled he and Akira out of the water. Sitting on the dock, dripping water, he began rubbing at the still sore leg again as his Yo-Jin partner Lim flitted worriedly about his shoulders.
A short distance away, Akira accepted a prize medallion and a Drachma credit chit from the contest sponsors, then came back and offered her hand. Taking it, Ray let himself be pulled to his feet. Before he could thank her, the flash of a large spell activating on the other side of the hills in the direction of the arena caught everyone's attention...
Remembering Negi's warning to watch out for anything unusual, Akira turned towards where Yuuna's Posse was waiting and gave a demonstration of just how great her lung capacity really was... "YUUNA! GET EVERYONE INTO THE LAKE!"
With his ears ringing from the shout and Lim worriedly watching the spell flash, Ray saw six people break from the crowd of spectators and run for the water. Akira's pale-haired Debt-Slave friend had already tried to jump in, but was struggling with one of Dolnegus's employees. Finally she just kicked the rooster-haired man in the shin before dragging him into the water with her. Last of all, demonstrating a level of strength that shocked the Chairman, Akira shoved Dolnegus off the dock before jumping into the water behind him.
As the rapidly expanding spell-effect shockwave crossed the mountains and reached the far side of the lake, Ray followed the example of a few other people now running for the water, grabbed Lim, and jumped off the dock...
(-)
(Kosmo Entelechia, Separatists.)
Just about the time everything inside the room should have been reduced to carbonized husks, Homura heard a loud boom. Before she could react, most of her flames were snuffed out and the room's door exploded out of its frame. Only just being held back by her defenses, a scalding cloud of steam roared out of the room and out into the hallway. As it dispersed, the tingle of magic being used nearby reached her senses. Turning to retreat from a possible ambush, she nearly fell when her feet refused to budge.
Reacting to a sudden change in temperature, all the moisture in the hall suddenly fell out as snow. Looking down, Homura saw a rhyme of frost coating the floor and rapidly climbing her legs. Turning towards the room across from her original target, she reached out to set everything inside on fire, but before she could do so, the whole world went white...
(-)
(Mahora.)
Ready to release all the energy she'd just pulled in as a hallway clearing fireball, Anya Cocorowa carefully opened the door of Takane Goodman and Mei Sakura's former room. When nothing happened, she stepped out gingerly onto the frost surrounding the girl she'd confronted briefly once before on the streets of New Ostia.
Following Anya out of the room, the Kit-Jin and Nek-Jin bounty-hunters T'fa and R'th moved past the frozen pyromancer and the remains of the fire-scarred door from across the hall to watch for any additional threats further down the hallway.
Emerging from the hood of Anya's cloak, Albert Chamomile smiled at the sight of the apparently frozen pyromancer in the hallway. "She's not dead, but that should hold her for a bit."
A wisp of flame licking at Chamo's tail caused him to pull it up protectively against his body. "How long can you hold that energy?"
As pressure similar to that of a tension headache began to form behind her eyes, Anya started to see more of the tiny flames dancing through her hair and along her fingers. "I don't know..." Looking at the frozen girl in the hall, she started to raise the hand holding her wand. "Should I use it on her?"
A quick 'negative' look from T'fa only reinforced a decision Chamo had already made. "No! She'll keep for now." Seeing where parts of the floor and wall had cracked from the intensity of Anya's spell elicited a soft whistle. "Besides; we don't want to cause any more damage." Seeing a far-off look in Anya's eyes, Chamo shook his head. ("Anyway, since you don't seem to remember what happened to Zo Connel, I think it's best not to do something that might make you do so!")
Detecting no immediate threats, T'fa came back and took Anya by the shoulder. "Come on! Let's get out to the verandah. You can release that energy into the sky, or if you can still hold it, we'll see if your friend in the arena needs any help!"
Splashing through the water left behind by the effects of Anya's spell, R'th lead her partner and Anya down the hall and away from the successful ambush Chisame had set up.
Behind them, steam began rising from the puddle surrounding Homura...
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(Ariadne.)
Approaching the Argonauta from astern, Cycilia Sevensheep made the hand signal required to request permission to land, then moved in to do so when a green signal flashed in response. Coming out to meet her was a white haired Nek-Jin dressed as a mage-knight cadet. When a sudden wind came up, the girl grabbed her broom and held it steady until she could dismount.
"Sorry about that Ma'am. The wind's a bit up today, so you can't be too careful."
Seeing Cycilia was down and had the broom well in hand, Sachi Du Sha made a slight bow. "My name is Cadet Du Sha, Ma'am, assigned to assist the gangway crew today. Welcome to the IECS Argonauta. How may we help you?"
Taking out the letter of introduction from her friend Mahi in the Ariadne Pavilion, she handed it to the cadet. "My name is Cycilia Sevensheep. I'm here from KitNews to do an interview of the Argonauta's crew. I would like to get their reaction to the War's End Celebration."
Giving Emily Sevensheep's mother a shocked look before she could even think to stop it, Sachi stared for several seconds, then quickly took the paper and began to examine it. Not seeing anything recognizably wrong, she turned and indicated for Cycilia to follow her. "Le... Let's go see Deck Chief Tirol. He'll know what to do."
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After telling Cycilia she would need the Captain's permission to have access to the crew, the Deck Chief had assigned Cadet Du Sha as her escort and sent the two of them to the Argonauta's bridge.
Signaling Cycilia to wait outside, Sachi stepped through the hatch leading into the bridge. Several of the crew glanced up briefly from their stations to see who she was, then a thin Inu-Jin she recognized as the executive officer stood and came over.
"Can I help you, Cadet?"
Seeing the Captain's chair was unoccupied, Sachi saluted and held out Cycilia's letter of introduction. "Sir. I have a civilian reporter, a Miss Sevensheep of KitNews, who would like the Captain's permission to interview the crew."
A sympathetic look coming over his face, the XO took the paper. After quickly examining its contents, he handed it back. "The Captain left the ship for business ashore, so I have the command. I don't see any problem with the request, but considering the... nature... of who is making it, I suggest you take Miss Sevensheep to see Lieutenant Hild first."
After hesitating and glancing over her shoulder, Sachi saluted again. "Yes Sir."
(-)
During the Great Bridge operation, Megalo-Mesembria's response to the initial Hellas Empire attack was hampered by the loss of several key defending units.
Chief among these losses was the ready reaction force of Clanauda Mage Knights stationed on the MMS Tosa.
Though subornation of several officers by Total World operatives is suspected, exactly how the ship and its crew were caught off-guard and destroyed has never been satisfactorily determi...
A knock on the frame of her open stateroom door drew Lieutenant Hild's attention up from the book she was reading about different military operations during the Schismatic War. Out in the passageway, waiting behind Cadet Du Sha, was someone whose presence caused her to immediately tense up. "Miss Sevensheep, how unexpected." Scooting back and standing, she turned her chair to offer it to Emily Sevensheep's obviously worried mother. "Please come in."
Seeing something in the Lieutenant's eyes as Cadet Du Sha stepped aside to let her in, Cycilia all but fell into the offered chair. After a few moments staring quietly at the floor, she looked up, tears staining her cheeks. "What's happened to my daughter?"
Reaching out, Hild put her hand on Cycilia's shoulder. "She's only missing right now, Miss Sevensheep. Her armor would have sent a signal if..." The look on Cycilia's face stopped her from saying the 'word,' so she just gave a reassuring squeeze, then leaned back against her bunk. "In any case, we've wanted to conduct a search, but the Argonauta's Captain hasn't permitted it for some reason. Now that you're here, perhaps I can use a direct appeal to get one authorized."
"Excuse me, Lieutenant Hild?"
Turning, Hild saw Du Sha still standing out in the passageway. "Cadet?"
Feeling nervous for some reason she didn't understand, Sachi pointed in the direction of the Argonauta's bridge. "Ma'am. Miss Sevensheep and I just came from the bridge. The XO says the Captain has left the ship for business ashore."
As a sudden chill shook her to the core, Hild looked down at the open book on her desk. Suddenly realizing what had been making her feel uneasy for nearly a day, she grabbed Cycilia Sevensheep by the wrist and pulled the woman to her feet. "COME ON! We've not a moment to lose!"
Confused but responding to the urgent tone of Lieutenant Hild's voice, Cycilia allowed herself to be lead out into the passageway at a near run.
Not knowing what else to do, Sachi followed right behind the two adults. "Lieutenant Hild! What's wrong?"
Seeing Cycilia was keeping up, Hild let the Su-Jin woman go. "Cadet Du Sha. This is a direct order. RUN as fast as you can down to the barracks compartment. Tell the First Sergeant; 'Operation Caine.' Repeat your orders please."
Starting to become frightened, Sachi gulped and stiffened up. "Ye... Yes Ma'am! 'RUN as fast as I can down to the barracks compartment. Tell the First Sergeant; 'Operation Caine!'"
Nodding, Hild pointed down the passageway. "GO!"
As the white-haired Nek-Jin took off, ignoring several ships crew who shouted after her to stop running, Cycilia reached out to touch Hild. "What's happening?"
Continuing to lead Cycilia at a pace less likely to draw anyone's attention, Hild waited until the two of them passed several more of the ship's crew before looking back at Cycilia. "Miss Sevensheep, you were once embedded with the Valkyries when Dean Seras was still in command, correct?"
Cycilia nodded. She had thought it a lucky assignment as a novice reporter, though afterwards it turned out Seras had requested her presence specifically. "Yes. That operation against those smugglers near Albor."
"Please consider yourself such again, Miss Sevensheep. Stay close, bear with me, and conduct yourself accordingly."
Catching the serious look in Hild's eyes, Cycilia nodded, remaining silent until they finally arrived in a compartment where dozens of young women were rapidly donning the armor of the Ariadne Valkyrie Mage Knight Brigade.
Two fully armored Valkyries were immediately at Hild's side to help her armor up. By the time she was ready, the rest of the unit was waiting for their orders. Grounding her lance with a soft thud, Hild drew everyone's attention. "Circumstances have arisen which lead me to believe the captain and other officers of the Argonauta have been compromised, thus placing this ship in imminent danger of attack. Therefore, the Valkyrie Brigade, in accordance with the self-defense emergency powers granted to me as acting commander, will take over the ship. We will leave a unit to search for our two missing cadets, then depart New Ostia until such time as the ship, and this unit's safety, can be assured."
Turning, Hild looked directly at a Valkyrie with teal-colored hair peeking out of her helmet. "Hakubi! Your First squad with me! Kuramitsu! Your second squad secure the engine room! Cadets Du Sha and Fon Katze! Escort Miss Sevensheep and stay near me! Sergeant Makibi, get everyone else ready to deploy at once if it becomes necessary!" Pausing, Hild gave all the Valkyries a hard look. "Try not to harm the crew, but if anyone resists, take them down without hesitation."
With the creaking of padding and armor, the Valkyrie Mage Knights moved to carry out Hild's orders.
Looking very frightened, Du Sha and Fon Katze appeared at Cycilia's side. Trying to control her own worries, she gave the two girls a brave smile before following in Hild's wake.
A short time later and several decks higher in the ship, Jay Fon Katze reached the top of the stairs leading to the bridge deck just as Lieutenant Hild rushed the entrance to the bridge at the head of her squad. The sounds of Sagita and Valkyrie lance bolts almost immediately reached her ears, so she readied her own lance and pushed Emily's mother back against the wall when the Su-Jin woman tried to climb past her. While Sachi held her lance at the ready, nervously keeping an eye on several ships' crew gathering near the bottom of the stairs, Jay began to hear people on the bridge shouting about a big spell going off in New Ostia. Seconds later, she heard sergeant Hakubi's voice and something about the Megalo-Mesembrian fleet flagship. The Argonauta started to dive, then she and everyone near her were thrown against the overhead as the world was blotted out by a light brighter than anything she'd ever seen before...
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(Kosmo Entelechia. Separatists.)
Stepping back from having used a handful of casually dropped seeds and her abilities to influence the growth of plants to turn Jacobus Rakan into a pincushion in his seat, Shirabe turned to glare at Koyomi and Tamaki. "You two couldn't handle this guy? What's with that?"
Seeing Rakan, apparently lifeless in his chair, didn't make Koyomi feel any lessening of her fear over what the man was... 'had been,' capable of. "I... I don't know! Maybe he was just more vulnerable to what you can do!"
Snorting with disgust, Shirabe turned to leave the ex-gladiator's private suite. "Come on! We need to go help Master Fate!"
After another look at each other and their mutual tormentor, Koyomi and Tamaki followed in Shirabe's wake.
(-)
Not having suffered any injuries didn't lessen the annoyance Fate felt over what was going on. Leaving another water clone under Kotaro's claws, he blocked the latest of Negi's martial arts attacks and jumped back for a moments rest.
Shirabe and the pair should be taking care of Jacobus Rakan, and he couldn't contact Homura through telepathia for some reason, so he was going to have to deal with this on his own. Crushing his two tormentors would be easy enough, but doing so could wreck the spell circle that had been built into the arena. Not that he really needed a strong attack to deal with Kotaro and Negi. Kotaro was fast, but not fast enough to be a real threat. Negi was fast as well, but his attacks were weak, and his reliance on hand to hand attacks puzzling. He never did any real damage, but what he did was enough to prevent the few uninterrupted moments he needed to activate the mass-effect spell his Ministra had prepared. Another annoying but intriguing thing was his own inability to score decisively against either opponent.
Blows which would have crippled or seriously injured any other opponents were blocked defensively or dodged by Kotaro. Those directed against Negi which weren't blocked were stopped cold by what seemed to be Kanka armor. The Thousand Master's son had learned Magia Erebera from Jacobus Rakan, observation of the boys fights made that clear, but his use of something he'd never shown an affinity for before was an unexpected annoyance. In addition, both of them had countered changes in the tactics used against them immediately, indicating some form of mind reading. Nodoka Miyazaki had apparently been dealt with by the partially awakened Life Giver, so Negi displaying the girl's abilities made for another problem that should not have even have been an issue.
A gate opening to let arena medics come out to help Eris leave caused Negi to look away for just the briefest of moments. Jumping forward, Fate put all his martial arts ability into a blow which sent the disguised mage flying back into Kotaro. Taking advantage of that momentary vulnerability, he activated the petrification spell in his ring.
When the spell smoke cleared, Kotaro was frozen in a crouching posture indicating he'd been getting ready to jump clear. Negi, however, stood up calmly from within a protective shell he'd formed around himself with a pair of snow white wings.
As the wings folded and disappeared into his back, Dopple Negi spared Kotaro a swift glance, then turned to see a shocked look on Fate's face. Slowly, his own expression turned into a broad grin. "Well now, my White-haired Lizard, it seems as if once more paper has trumped stone!"
Realizing he'd been deceived once again by whatever high-level golem maker Negi Springfield had allied himself with, Fate straightened up and started laughing. "And here I thought Negi had gone and turned coward on me by coming here instead of going after the Princess! It seems he's made the bold play after all!"
Seeing the movement of familiar forms in a direction opposite that of those beginning to obey calls over the public address system to evacuate, Fate calmly strode across the short distance needed to reach the center of the arena. Once there, he began making the gestures needed to activate a spell. "I'd love to stay and play some more, but if Negi isn't here, then I really must be going."
As the Dopple Nagi moved to stop him, it was suddenly impaled multiple times by huge thorns which grew explosively from the arena floor. Even with what should have been fatal damage, the golem struggled get free until with a roar, it and the thorns burst into flames.
"MASTER FATE!"
Running out into the arena from two different directions were Shirabe, Koyomi and Tamaki, and unexpectedly, a very pink-skinned Homura. A look of disapproval on his face, her fixed the lone-wolf pyromancer in his gaze when she stopped, panting, a few paces away. "You were supposed to go directly to the gate port with the teleportation talisman I gave you. Where's Shiori?"
Redness beyond the mild frost-burn she had rose to the surface of Homura's skin. "That red-headed fire mage of Springfield's and her two bounty-hunter pets got into the legation somehow! I managed to hold them off, but Shiroi wouldn't leave! You said to come here if something happened and there was still time, so I left the talisman with Shiori and did!"
Shirabe started to speak up, but Fate held out a hand to stop her. Eventually, Homura turned away from the intensity of her Magisters gaze. "If Shiori manages to get to the gate port, I'd imagine she'll have quite the tale to tell..."
Even as she continued to glare at Homura, Shirabe remained silent, respecting her Magisters choice not to take things any further for the moment.
Ignoring the rising panic in the crowd as the spell circle he stood in the middle of grew brighter, Fate closed his eyes. Reaching out to make sure everything was working properly; he quickly discovered the damaged summoning runes. Sighing at this latest example of the 'Springfield Luck,' he set about transferring that energy into his Mass Effect Petrification spell. Separatist plans for New Ostia meant very little to him, but being able to activate the petrification spell that much earlier with the extra energy did, so transferring it over was not an issue..
As the spell circle began to reach a level of brightness indicating it was nearly ready to activate, Shirabe saw someone jump from out of the private suite level of the arena seating. Crashing into the arena floor near Homura, the person created a crater the stunned pyromancer nearly fell into. Reaching out, she snatched the girl back before Homura could miss out on the teleportation magic that would send them to safety at the Temple of Chandika.
Fate's eyes snapped open.
"Merciful Death! Come within the eternal sleep of petrification!"
As the mass petrification spell activated and the person stood up, Shirabe began to feel some of Koyomi and Tamaki's fear...
Covered in wounds and blood, left supposedly for dead, the man who met Shirabe's gaze for just a moment before she was whisked away to safety...
...was Jacobus Rakan.
(-)
(Megalo-Mesembria.)
Hearing the replacement Communications officer relay to Svanhvit's captain a report of a disturbance in New Ostia Arena, Admiral Villeneuve turned to examine the holo display showing all the military and civilian traffic around New Ostia. "Has there been any unusual movement by other military units?"
After a quick glance at the captain, the officer faced Admiral Villeneuve. "Sir. Communications traffic is rising. Many ships, both civilian and military, seem concerned about what's happening in the arena. The only thing different is coming from IECS Argonauta..."
Tense with worry and anticipation, Admiral Villeneuve stood up. "What is it?"
Before the officer could answer, a bright flash came from New Ostia, centered on the arena complex. As everyone on the Svanhvit's bridge watched, a spell shockwave spread out from the arena, covering most of the island and extending into the surrounding sky before dispersing. A large number of ships, caught in the effect, began spiraling in an uncontrolled manner towards the island surface or the ground far below.
At another console, and officer turned to Svanhvit's captain. "Sir! A mass-effect petrification spell centered on New Ostia Arena! Most of our fleet seems unaffected, but initial analysis of spell strength levels indicate heavy civilian casualties all across New Ostia and in the surrounding airspace will be unavoidable!"
With a sudden intake of breath, Admiral Villeneuve pointed at Svanhvit's captain. "It's got to be what I warned you about! Fire at Argonauta before they can deploy their Valkyries!"
Responding at once, Svanhvit's captain turned to the ship's weapons officer. "Spirit Cannon stand-by! Target; Argonauta!"
His jaw at his feet from the unexpected order, the officer hesitated, then went to work as his training took over. Firing first was an act of war, but when combined with the captain's previous order to keep the Spirit Cannon ready, it had to mean there was a reason. "Spi... Spirit Cannon ready and charging! Target; Argonauta! Full power in one minute!"
His voice rising slightly, Admiral Villeneuve took a step towards the weapon's officer. "Target their bridge! Fire as soon as possible!"
Receiving a nod from the captain, the weapons officer directed his crews to make the adjustments. "Modifying target point! Minimum energy charge in ten seconds..." In the targeting display image, flashes of light showed through Argonauta's bridge windows. Just before the energy charge peaked, it seemed as if the ship was starting to move. "...charge complete! Spirit Cannon firing!"
Across the bulbous bow of the Svanhvit, a white-hot mantle of energy quickly built up, then with a flash, discharged. Striking near Argonauta's bridge, the detonation of the Spirit Cannon Spell-shot tore huge sections of the ship's plating away and flung them into the sky. Turning tail over head, the Argonauta began spiraling towards the ground trailing dark, greasy smoke.
Finally relaxing, Admiral Villeneuve sat down and turned back towards Svanhvit's captain. "Inform Duke Sidonia of the Hellas Empire Fleet we are taking action against a coup attempt by Ariadne. Order the God Soldier ships to deploy their units to confirm the destruction of Argonauta, then dispatch security troops to New Ostia to look for survivors."
With a salute, the captain turned to carry out his orders.
Glancing out the bridge window, Admiral Villeneuve watched as one of the God Soldier ships deployed its unit. Seconds later, it was suddenly rocked unexpectedly by a series of explosions which wrecked its tail and sent it towards the ground in Argonauta's wake…
tsuzuku.
(-)
Author's Notes:
On swimming for more than an hour... In my defense I fall back on Akira being a trained swimmer.
For examples of real endurance swims I can offer that of people who swim across the English Channel. The first successful attempt was in August of 1875, and took twenty-one hours and forty-five minutes. Another, (partly,) is the Ironman Triathlon. A 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run contest.
XO: Shorthand for 'Executive Officer,' or the person second in line to command a ship.
(Though she doesn't actually voice it within the story itself, here is Anya's heat-sink spell:
(In English:)
Colder than blackest space is my touch,
I burn without fire, yet my purpose IS fire,
In my wake, even Father Time slows to a crawl,
Through pledge to same,
I call forth the aid of that which is the Fate of all! (Entropy.)
ABSOLUTE ZERO!
(And in Latin.)
Gelu quam infusco tractus est meus tactus,
EGO exuro vacuus incendia , etiamnunc meus voluntas EST incendia,
In meus excito, vel Abbas Vicis tardus ut a repo,
Per spondeo ut same,
EGO excito suffragium illius quod est Fortuna of totus!
ABSOLUTE ZERO!
Yo-Jin: Forest Sprites, Pixies, or any other similar type of person. Lim Dies from Negima, and Cham Fau from Aura Battler Dunbine, are examples of such.
Fate's spell.
(In English:)
"Merciful Death, Come within the eternal sleep of petrification!"
(And in Greek.)
"Φιλεύσπλαχνος Θάνατος εμπίπτουν στο αιώνιο ύπνο του απολίθωση!"
Chapter Forty-three: Fourth time around.