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.
All cameo (and not-so-cameo) character are the respective property of their creators and owners, not me.
Special thanks to Tikigod784 and Kafka'sdragon. Both offered suggestions this time around which helped me resolve a pair of difficult issues.
Giles Glimmerhorn, Regina Karkolova, and Hayase Mifune were created by Kafka'sdragon, and are used here with his permission.
SPOILER ALERT! AU story occurring after c189. (Though I've gone so far now, I probably don't need this anymore!)
(-)
"That event gave me the first real experience I needed towards the goal of helping everyone from Dewin Llan."
-Konoka Konoe. Head of the Kansai-Kanto Magic Association. Author of: "A Healer, a Mage."
(-)
Ala Alba in the World of Magic: Tales From the Fireside.
Chapter Forty-eight: Future. (Day Seven.)
(-)
(Megalo-Mesembria.)
With their temporary Mistress Regina Karkolova deeply involved in securing the civilian and military infrastructure in and around Megalo-Mesembria, Sprite Mice Negi and Konnya were left temporarily without direct orders. With all the main data routes outside of Megalo-Mesembria cut due to the collapse of that city's MahoNet servers, the two began looking for any indirect route they could find to reestablish contact with New Ostia, and their Primary Mistress, Chisame Hasegawa.
With so much traffic moving on the older links Negi and Konnya eventually found, getting back to New Ostia was a laborious process that took them the long way around the Mundus Magicus. Phoenicus, Tantalus, across the Amazonis Sea to Brontopolis, on to Borea, and finally into Granicus City.
Pausing to decide on trying the direct route towards New Ostia through Moel, or the indirect route up towards Ariadne, Negi and Konnya were interrupted by a powerful data stream coming into the Granicus City KitNews office from Moel. As the signal was quickly passed on to other KitNews affiliates around the Magic World, both Sprite Mice saw what it contained and instantly knew where their duty lay.
(-)
(Tempe Terra. Johnny's Truck stop.)
Hearing everyone out in the bar suddenly grow quiet, Johnny Dnj'rsly rushed out of the chill-room and quickly set the box of ale he was carrying down. "What happened?"
Y'fi, Tora Gorou and a few others turned to look at Johnny with worried expressions. As he took a step back, Y'fi pointed at the room's big HD viewer. "I think something bad is happening in New Ostia..."
As Johnny watched, the screen began to display an image angle looking down into the New Ostia Arena.
"This is Kasayo McDowell, bringing you a report from New Ostia.
During the finale of the Nagi Springfield Cup, unknown parties activated a mass-effect petrification spell centered on New Ostia Arena"
On the viewer, several people ran out into the arena to join a small mage in the middle of a spell circle which seemed to fill the entire arena floor. There was a small flash as a teleportation spell activated, then a larger flash as a bigger spell activated. When it faded, there were very few people still moving within the arena.
"At this moment, the total number of petrification victims is unknown, but judging from the totality of the spells effect in the arena, casualties across New Ostia can be presumed to have been extremely heavy."
Now the scene shifted to the airspace surrounding New Ostia.
"In addition, for reasons which have not yet been identified, Megalo-Mesembria's flagship Svanhvit fired on the Ariadnean vessel Argonauta."
(-)
(Ariadne. KitNews Main Office.)
Having witnessed as a young reporter the shocking aftermath of MMS Tosa's destruction during the Great Bridge Operation, Tiki Pe'le gave a pained gasp as Svanhvit's Spirit Cannon shot tore into Argonauta. Others in the newsroom were just as shocked. One intern, younger sister of a Valkyrie Knight assigned to the Argonauta, shrieked and fainted dead away.
"Immediately afterwards, the Megalo-Mesembrian fleet deployed five God-Soldier units, presumably to confirm the destruction of the Argonauta. As they did this, one of the carrier ships was shot down by spell shots originating from somewhere near Old Ostia"
Reacting to the attack, the Megalo-Mesembrian fleet redeployed and began moving towards Old Ostia.
"Whoever was firing from Old Ostia put up a terrific fight, occupying the Megalo-Mesembrian fleet and the five God-Soldiers until Ariadne's Argonauta returned and neutralized what was left."
As several people began speculating in hushed whispers, Tiki glanced over at Xavi March, visiting the studio as part of his investigation into the apparent attempted murder of Cycilia Sevensheep. Without a word exchanged between them, both could see the other had the same thought. ("It's the Estimated Prophet! How did the Witch manage that?")
Coming out of a dive, a heavily damaged Argonauta was shown shooting down Svanhvit, then swiftly deploying less than a dozen Valkyrie Mage Knights, who quickly captured the remaining Megalo-Mesembrian ships. The focus of the image turned temporarily towards Old Ostia, where heavy black smoke could be seen rising from the area of the old ground port, then switched to a view of the Hellas Empire Fleet.
(-)
(Dracogenia. Home of the Zosho family.)
Having invited Yomiko Yomuoto, her friend Nenene, and several others over to watch the Nagi Springfield Cup finale, Hi'Ki Zosho now sat next to his mother, watching as the report from New Ostia continued.
"As a final act in this military drama, for reasons which have not been determined, the Hellas Empire's flagship Sphyrna was also shot down."
What looked like a huge blade impaled the Sphyrna, and it immediately sank out of sight.
"Casualties amongst the three fleets are unconfirmed, but considering the number of lost and damaged ships, they may prove to be heavy."
Creaking leather sounded as Nenene shifted on her couch. "This is bad. Such heavy fighting right after that petrification spell went off is going to cause serious recriminations between the governments."
Nearby, a tall black-haired girl sitting with her two sisters nodded. "It's probably only going to get worse."
(-)
(Megalo-Mesembria. Praetorian Armory.)
At her headquarters in Megalo-Mesembria, Regina Karkolova had been quickly, if reluctantly joined by Mifune Hayase after an urgent summons. Both were now carefully watching the KitNews broadcast after its delivery by Negi and Konnya to her PDD. Despite a worn appearance, the poise displayed by Victoria Seras as she came into the picture lent credence to the broadcast, and made it abundantly clear the Grandmistress of Ariadne's Magic Academy was not under any form of coercion.
"This is Grandmistress Victoria Seras of Ariadne, speaking to you from New Ostia Arena. As you have just seen, many terrible things have happened in and around this city. At the moment, it appears as if the Megalo-Mesembrian fleet in New Ostia is partially responsible for precipitating these events." After taking a slow breath, Grandmistress Seras looked straight into the camera, a determined look on her face. "I have been in contact with the rest of Ariadne's leaders. In response to the unprovoked attack on the Argonauta, we have declared a state of military emergency. Should any ship of Megalo-Mesembria make further hostile moves against any ship of Ariadne, or attempt to approach Ariadne, it will be considered an open act of war, and the armed forces of Ariadne will react accordingly.
In addition, with the consent of fleet elements controlled by Third Princess Theodora Hellas of the Hellas Empire, a similar military exclusion zone has been declared for the entire Ostian region."
Standing next to Mifune, the officer who had led the original escort to the armory shook his head. "I hope the Grandmistress knows what she's doing. De-facto occupation of Ostia by the Hellas Empire is going to cause problems."
Showing a thoughtful look, Mifune began rubbing at his chin. "Not necessarily. Grandmistress Seras said; 'With the consent of.' That means Ariadne, aggrieved though they may be, is in control of Ostia. Their traditional role as a neutral party still gives them a certain amount of leeway, for the moment."
Regina wanted to agree with Mifune, but held off as the broadcast continued.
In the holo image, Seras's expression became grave.
"If we only had time to deal with this calmly, I'm sure everything could be resolved without any further conflict. Unfortunately, that may not be possible."
Now Seras' image shrank to a small frame in one corner, while the main holo image switched to one showing the full valley of Old Ostia. Almost dead center, near the location of the old Imperial Palace, was a whirlpool of visible magic energy.
"Based on research by Doctor Giles Glimmerhorn, the Mana storm you are seeing has been identified as a dangerous concentration of energy which has the potential to achieve a critical mass. Should it do so, the resultant destructive effect will likely, at a minimum, annihilate the entire Ostian region, and at worst, extend into areas far beyond that."
Recalling her exchange of messages with Calizone Bagera, Regina wondered where the tiger-man was, and whether or not he, or anyone else that exchange had set in motion, were still alive anywhere near Ostia.
In the small image, Seras reached up and removed her glasses.
"While I have called for such evacuations as may be possible in what little time may remain, I also wish to say there is some small hope a possible disaster may be averted. Several days ago, Negi Springfield, son of the Thousand Master, along with Calizone Bagera of the Tantalus Magorum and a small research team, entered Old Ostia for the specific purpose of trying to find a solution to the then theoretical problem. Though there has been no contact with any member of the team for over twenty-four hours, indications of activity within Old Ostia suggest that they ARE still alive."
Pausing, Seras reached up to rub at the bridge of her nose, then looked with guarded confidence straight into the camera.
"We can only pray they will be successful."
With that last sentence, the broadcast ended.
Even though mention of the Thousand Master's son produced gasps of surprise from others around them in the armory, Regina saw a subdued look on Mifune's face. "What do you intend to do now?"
After a long, thoughtful silence, Mifune turned to leave. "Go make sure we get the government under control. What else can be done?"
While watching Mifune leave, Regina thought once more about the people who were with Professor Bagera on the 'team' Grandmistress Seras had mentioned, then turned back to her map table. Her fellow Councilor was right. This far from Ostia, what else was there that could be done?
(-)
(Temple of Chandika.)
Seeing three people she cared for, one upright but unmoving, the others gravely wounded and on the ground, was hard for Konoka Konoe to take. Rushing in against the Life Giver when she was weak in offensive magic seemed only a recipe for suicide. Thoughts of just walking out onto the platform calmly, hoping the Life Giver wouldn't kill her outright, were being given serious consideration when she saw a change occur which made the choice easy.
Originally an ominous black with red highlights, the Life Giver's armor glowed white for an instant, then faded in brilliance until it was all softer, non-threatening blues and grays.
Dodging around what seemed to be damage and the resultant rubble from Negi's fight, Konoka ran to the nearest walkway and out to the center platform.
Asuna was still unmoving, but seemed unhurt. Setsuna, the broken bone of her wing showing through the skin and surrounded by blood-stained feathers, had managed to crawl over and take hold of Negi's hand.
Negi though...
Lying there with a hole through his shoulder in virtually the same spot as before, Negi was as white as a sheet. Only the continued existence of her artifacts and an occasional blink of his staring eyes gave any visible indication he was still alive. HOW he could be, with all the blood smeared across the platform, was a question for later.
Kneeling, Konoka held Kochi no Hiougi and Hae no Suehiro out over Negi, then crossed the two artifact fans over her chest. Closing her eyes, she began the ritual for a complete healing...
"Ibukidono ouharahe..."
(-)
"Negi! Grab my hand!"
Asuna Kagurazaka tried to reach for her teacher Negi Springfield, but missed him by a handbreadth. She yelped as a spark of magical energy flared between them, then knew nothing as the forced teleportation took hold and her vision went blank.
(-)
Memories of fighting, some familiar, others of an impossible age, flashed through Asuna's mind...
Racing through a great palace made of Onyx, a warrior with rust-red hair at her side...
...with a familiar white-haired boy, against a backdrop of indescribable pain and fear...
...wave after wave of demons, trying to storm a brand new city in a valley full of floating islands...
...a tall girl with a long pony-tail and a dark-skinned blonde girl, trying desperately to stave her off just so they could get away...
...a surprise attack as she practiced with her blade, trying to impress a scholarly friend who seemed oblivious at times...
...sitting alone in a cave, with an emissary of death seeking her out...
After a pause of indeterminate length, an unbelievably sad memory came; as she lay in a crib, a beautiful woman appeared. After whispering 'good-bye,' the woman leaned down to kiss her on the forehead, then disappeared...
More memories came, all jumbled together until one showed through clear as day, of her raising a hand and sending out the projected version of Magic Cancel as a lance which pierced two boys standing nearby... the first dropped to the floor, and the face of the second came into view. A boy with rust red hair, he looked up at her, then stumbled and fell to the ground...
("Ne...gi...")
Blood quickly began to spread beneath the boy's body... that she had done this hit like a sledgehammer... the boy... Negi... had only been trying to help her... and she had killed him...
("NEEGIIIII!")
Realization came with thousands of emotions and other memories, tearing at her self, making it impossible to know what to do... she should help Negi... ...she should throw herself on her sword... so many other lives, so many different deaths...
Within the void of her ID, Asuna Kagurazaka collapsed into a fetal position. As she lay there sobbing, a creeping sense of panic began to try and secure a hold on her heart. In her mind, a familiar seductive whispering said if she only let go, everything would be okay...
Another memory held her back... she had trusted before... listened to that seductive whisper before... the fear had gone away, but... but...
Warm and unassuming, and hand gently came to rest on her shoulder...
("Trust is a fickle thing, is it not?")
Tears streaming down her face, Asuna looked up into the heterochromatic eyes of an oddly familiar little girl.
("You were asked to trust before, and it has only lead you to pain and suffering... Now here I am, someone I hope you won't feel is a stranger, asking you to 'trust' again...")
As she began to take strength from the girl's smile and touch, the seductive whispering faded into nothingness.
("All is not yet lost. Your faith, and a young man's determination, may yet win through...")
Stepping back, the little girl held out her hand.
("Asuna... can you trust again? Do you have the strength to believe in yourself once more?")
A boy... No... A young MAN had never given up on her, had come to her at great peril to his own life, how then could she let herself give up? That would be a betrayal too terrible to contemplate...
Sitting up, Asuna reached out to take the little girl's hand...
(-)
("I'm so tired...")
Eyes fixed on the still unmoving but obviously different Asuna, Negi felt relieved that she no longer seemed to be the Life Giver... Now, if he could just find the strength to free her completely...
"...kamuro ki kamuro minomikokotowomochite..."
In the distance, someone seemed to be chanting... when magic energy began to flow into his body, panic set in... Recent disjointed thoughts were beginning to coalesce in his muddled mind, saying that to accept that energy was to bring about an inescapable doom...
Concentrating on her spell, Konoka was shocked out of her healing trance by the impact of a single lightning Sagita. No more powerful really than a strong static charge from walking across a carpet and touching a doorknob, it was still enough to break her concentration. Blinking, she opened her eyes and saw Negi struggling to get up. Immediately she leaned forward and tried to push him back down. "Please Negi! If I don't heal you, you're going to die!"
Unable to get his eyes to focus because of having to fight Konoka, Negi reached out with his free hand and shoved, sending Konoka back on her heels. "No... NO! You can't waste that on me!"
Hearing Konoka give a surprised yelp, Setsuna stirred. Releasing Negi's hand, she tried to sit up. "Oujo-sam-aAHH!" Reacting to their awkward positioning, the ends of the broken bone in Setsuna's wing ground against each other. The sudden jolt of pain blanked out the throbbing in her head and brought both eyes into focus. Next to her, Konoka was now standing and trying to get Negi to lay back down so she could work on him.
Still refusing to listen to Konoka, his eyes fixed in a distant stare, Negi pulled himself fully upright and turned to face Asuna. "I... I'm going to ask a question based on the presumption you're still being 'controlled.' If I 'order' you to do so, can you deliberately use Magic Cancel?"
Finally granted enough freedom to move by her body's normal reaction to being given a command, Asuna straightened up and turned towards Negi. Removing her armor's visor after doing so, she let it drop to the floor. "Yes. I should be able to cancel the entire spell."
Looking over at Asuna, Konoka saw something in her friend's eyes that wasn't 'Asuna.' As unsteady as he seemed, Negi apparently noticed as well.
Fists clenched, Negi shook his head and tried to focus on Asuna's face. "What will happen if you do?"
Stiffening in reaction to a 'command,' Asuna tried to turn away from Negi, but found she couldn't. "The... the Life Giver will be destroyed as well..."
Negi's posture, though he seemed to be shivering from the effects of shock, reflected growing anger. "I don't know who you are, though you're obviously not the Life Giver, but you WILL answer my question, 'Asuna Vesperina Teotanasia.' 'What will happen if you cancel the spell by yourself?'"
Unable to resist a direct order, Asuna lowered her head. "The Life Giver will be destroyed, but I will be burned out and destroyed in the process..."
"That's unacceptable..."
Raising her arms, Asuna held them out in a pleading gesture. "Don't you see? It's the only way to end the Life Giver's threat! If the vessel that's been bred to hold it, the vessel that it's been dispersed within, is destroyed, it will never be able to rise again!"
Obviously upset, Negi shook his head. "THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE! Asuna is not the Life Giver's Pawn, she's not YOUR Pawn, whoever you are, Asuna's not ANYONE'S PAWN! Asuna is Asuna! Give her back!"
Surprised at the intensity of emotion displayed by Nagi Springfield's son, Asuna finally relaxed, then smiled. Here then, tears streaming down his face, was the true partner of this generations Teotanasia. "Very well. Your Asuna is still confused and unstable. Eventually she'll be able to remember everything without any problems, but I'll still need to reseal most of the Teotanasian memories before I surrender control back to her. Until then, what is your plan, Magister of Asuna Kagurazaka?"
Turning to face Konoka, Negi stumbled, but she was there to catch him before he fell. After a cough and a wheezing breath, Negi looked up at his fourth Ministra. "You, Konoka. You can stop the spell!"
Eyes suddenly wide with shock, Konoka held Negi out at arm's length. "Tha... That's crazy! I'm just a healer!"
Ignoring Setsuna's worried look, Negi reversed Konoka's grip and took one of her hands between both of his. "It's because you are a healer, a Healing Mage, to be precise, that you can! This spell is the same as a wound of unknown cause that is about to kill a patient!" Pausing, Negi took a labored breath before looking back up at Konoka. "I... I couldn't put it into words until just a moment ago. I thought I was having you save it for Asuna, but your Kochi no Hiougi - Hae no Suehiro total healing spell is the key! If we can overwrite the World Ending spell like Satomi did with Chao's Forced Recognition spell, then we won't HAVE to stop it!"
Konoka's eyes began to widen in understanding. "It will become a gigantic healing spell..."
Seeing Konoka's expression, Negi forced a smile. "I'll give you all I can to help out. Even then, I'm not sure what might happen, we could all still be burned out in the process. If we can turn a spell of Death and Destruction into one of Healing and Life though, isn't that worth the risk?"
Negi looked like he was barely keeping himself alive with his magic. That he even spoke of loaning energy to Konoka smacked of insanity, but then if he was crazy, she must be as well. "Whenever you're ready, Negi."
Turning slightly, Negi looked towards Setsuna. "Without a fifth to form a pentagonal magic circle, we'll need your help to form one with the cardinal points. Can you move?"
Using Yuunagi as a crutch, Setsuna rose to her feet. "I... if I have to cut off my crippled wing to do so, I'll be at Ojo..." Glancing aside, Setsuna saw a slightly hurt look on Konoka's face. "...at Kono-chan's side."
Happy to hear Setsuna use the familiar, instead of the formal, Konoka's expression quickly changed into a smile.
Hesitating slightly, as if he was having trouble thinking, Negi finally turned and shuffled the short distance over to the center of the gate platform. Eyes closed, he held out his ring hand. "Complector Rose; Exorior."
Immediately, a tiny compass rose appeared over the center of the platform, spinning around several times before finally stabilizing. After placing himself in the West position, Negi indicated for Konoka to take the East, Setsuna North, and Asuna, the South. Once more, he struggled through a labored breath, then faced Asuna. "Asuna Vesperina Teotanasia. Magic Cancel. Stabilize and restrain the energy flow. Please begin."
Without hesitation, Asuna drew Caliburn, then grounded it point down, with the compass rose centered on the grip, just above the crossguard. Closing her eyes, she placed both hands on the pommel. Immediately, the 'pressure' of the energy flowing into the gate port began to lessen.
Finally able to breathe without having to labor so much to do so, Negi placed his hands on Asuna's. Much to his surprise, doing so gave him a sense of déjà-vu.
Placing her hands on Negi's gave Konoka a fright when she felt how cold they were. If he was that bad off, how could he possibly loan her any energy?
Casually letting Yuunagi fall aside, Setsuna stepped forward and covered Konoka's hands with her own.
Feeling an immediate sense of a circle's completion, Negi closed his eyes. "Fungor pactum, Konoka Konoe, Quicumque EGO have addo."
Worrisome as the amount of energy she felt coming to her from Negi was, Konoka began the healing chant once again as the brightness of the energy filling the chamber suddenly grew so intense, not even tightly closed eyes could keep it out..
"Ibukidono ouharahee..."
(-)
(Old Ostia ground port.)
"Professor Bagera..."
Seeing no reaction beyond a brief stirring, Shirataki adjusted his personal volume controls and tried again. "PROFESSOR BAGERA!"
Jumping up with a start, Bagera looked over to where Shirataki floated over the PDD he currently occupied. "What is it?"
Returning things to normal, Shirataki shifted aside and pointed at the PDD with his stubby paw. You wanted to know when the energy level was within five-percent of Professor Glimmerhorn's threshold projections. In the brief time it has taken me to wake you, the levels have gone up nearly two percent more, I expect the 'critical mass' will be reached within ten minutes..."
Not caring about his disheveled state, or the fact he wasn't wearing any boots, Bagera picked up the PDD and left his cabin. Outside on Crescent Hawk's deck, he could see the Estimated Prophet, no longer covered by its illusion spell, down by the stern and burning. ("Well, nothing I can do over there...") Moving to a ladder in the ship's side leading down to the ground, he was met by Joe Clark.
"You okay Professor?"
Shaking his head, Bagera turned to begin descending the ladder. "No, but if the end is coming, I want to see it with my own eyes."
Looking up at the energy in the sky, then back at Bagera, Clark sighed. "Thanks for letting me know the scoop, Professor. Good luck to you."
Seeing Clark's expression as his First Mate Kys'shira came out on deck, Bagera nodded. "Good luck to the two of you as well."
After watching to see that Bagera made it safely to the ground, Clark turned and went over to Kys'shira. Without hesitation, he stepped up against the tall Ryu-Jin's back and wrapped both arms around her waist.
Even though they'd been more than just shipmates on several occasions, Kys'shira was still surprised by Clark's sudden affection. "Captain...?"
"Hush. Just let me hold you."
Smiling, Kys'shira relaxed and gently placed her hands over Clarks.
(-)
On the Estimated Prophet, Jay Cabot was supervising damage control efforts on deck, while Ma'ii Kumagami dealt with the damage below.
At sea, running all-out with freedom of maneuver, the ship had proven a match for a Sukunai no Kami. Hemmed in by the fjord, unable to move, the weaker Megalo-Mesembrian God Soldier had been able to use a narrow beam attack to easily break through the ship's defenses. After first penetrating the aft superstructure, the beam had gone down into the number-four engine room. Contact with the Chief Engineer, and all the other crew in that engine room, had been cut off. Until they could get through the fires, there was no way to know if Voards or anyone else was still alive, or even if the ship's keel had been damaged by the attack. Pumps were barely keeping up with the flooding as it was. Until they could get through to see what had happened, the danger the ship might sink was very real.
"Mister Cabot?"
Anyone who could power ONE salvo of the ship's anti-spirit spell-shots was rare enough. Emily Sevensheep had powered two, and she didn't even seem winded. "Miss Sevensheep?"
Turning slightly, Emily pointed towards the old ground port. "The last of the known wounded have been evacuated to shore. I would like permission to leave now and go look for Cadet's Monroe and Farandole."
Though Captain Adenauer was recovering, until he was relieved Cabot still had command of the ship. After giving the matter a moment's though, he nodded. "You know it might be too late, don't you?"
Finally showing a bit of weariness, Emily nodded. "I know, but Bea... I mean Cadet Monroe is my friend. Cadet Farandole to, I suppose. She's Miss Ayase's friend as well. We can't leave them alone out there, even if..."
Straightening up, Cabot gave Emily a serious look. "Miss Sevensheep!"
In response, Emily came to attention. "Yes Sir!"
"You are hereby detached from Estimated Prophet to form Vexillary Sevensheep. You will depart and go render such assistance as may be required to ALL allied units present in the Valley of Old Ostia."
Emily's hand snapped to her brow. "Yes Sir! At once, Sir!"
After his return salute, Cabot watched as Emily turned to depart. The Valkyrie Knight was quickly joined by Yue Ayase. Mounting their respective modes of flight, the two girls departed. Within seconds, they crossed the rim and disappeared into the valley beyond.
(-)
(Pinhe Lake.)
Seated alone on the dock with Ako, Akira could easily see the roiling storm of energy over Old Ostia. Despite the threat such a display represented, she found nothing to be afraid of. If the end came, she was right where she wanted to be.
Along the shoreline, Tosaka and Lynn Garland were taking care of Chairman Dolnegus, while Yuuna and the rest of her Posse kept an eye on the Gray Cloaks they'd captured. Turning to look at her companion, Akira could tell she seemed troubled. "What's wrong Ako?"
Facing Akira, Ako revealed several tears that were clinging to the corners of her eyes. "Akira... I never got to apologize to Negi for Granicus City... What if he..."
Reaching over, Akira took one of Ako's hands and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "He'll be back, Ako. You have to believe he will! Besides! Have you ever known Negi to break a promise?"
Reaching up, Ako wiped at her tears and forced a smile. "No!"
Ako didn't seem to mind that she was doing so, So Akira continued to hold her friend's hand as the two of them turned back to watch the growing storm.
(-)
(Temple of Chandika.)
"Takamagahara ni kamuzumarimasu..."
Though she could not see, Konoka Konoe could 'feel' everything that was going on around her.
Like an overabundance of snow on the side of a mountain, the energy filling the gate port chamber exuded an ominous sense of restrained potential. Ready. Eager even, to explode into an unrestrained orgy of destruction that would annihilate everything in its path. All that seemed to be holding it back was the drawing away of just enough energy to keep it in check...
Asuna Kagurazaka. Whether herself or not. Friend, roommate, if she could not keep the energy under control until the healing spell was finished, two months of effort and sacrifice would have all been in vain.
Setsuna Sakurazaki. Friend and companion without reservation, a rock of support whether she knew it or not.
Negi Springfield. Teacher, friend, mentor. Of everyone, he had scarified the most. Blood. Pain. Tremendous emotional suffering. His original purpose for coming to the Mundus Magicus... Maybe even his life...
"Kamuro ki kamuro minomikotowomochite..."
Sufficient energy for the initiation of the renewal was already present. Holding that energy in check was not the same as eliminating it completely. The stress of trying to do so was quickly growing to be more than Asuna Vesperina Teotanasia knew she could take. Her fine control of Magic Cancel was weak to begin with. If not for her older self having such complete faith in their young Magister, she would have already given up and initiated a total cancelization... under geas not to do so or not...
"Sumegamitachino maeni mausaku..."
Even speaking in the monotone of her healing chant, Konoka's voice was music to Setsuna's ears. With no other useful abilities in this situation, all she knew to do was to remain a comforting presence her friend could take strength and steadiness from...
"Kurushimiuefu wagatomoyo..."
Everything Negi could spare was being given to Konoka. If what he hoped to accomplish exceeded his capacity; first the spells keeping him alive would fail, the energy flow to help his Ministra overwrite the spell would fail, and then that would be it... A renewal of the energy pressure in the gate port, as well as movements deep within the bowels of the temple that were felt, more than heard, signaled that Asuna was losing her battle to keep the destructive energies restrained...
"Mamorimegumahai sakiwaetamaheto!"
Overhead, the roof of the temple began to disintegrate. Though Konoka had completed her spell and held it ready to use, Negi sensed that it wouldn't be enough. She was just a single voice, trying to shout against the wind of a hurricane. All alone, she stood no chance...
Forcing such thoughts away, Negi tried to remain rational... What then, could be done to help?
Ako Izumi...
Something about Ako Izumi...
What had made her useful to both Dekopin Rocket, and Damashi?
Though she had been alone at the time, the memory of Ako's solo performance for 'Nagi' during MahoraFest gave him the clue. She had an almost unnatural ability to harmonize. Even after being enslaved in a confusing new world, Ako had been able to match her singing and playing abilities with those of her companions to produce a single musical voice...
As flashes of red began to permeate the overwhelming brightness visible even with closed eyes, Negi felt the first twinge of crippling despair, there was nothing all four of them knew how to sing even if they did manage to do so in perfect harmony...
Except... except... there was one song all of them should know...
"The sky over Mahora spreads deep and blue,
filling our hearts full with desires.
Teaching the doctrines of the past without fail,
the learning campus, oh Mahora."
Asuna started. Why was Negi singing at a time like this? Still though, something deep inside calmed the nervousness she felt, pushing back lingering worries, and compelling her to join in.
"The hills of Mahora support the sprouting of new leaves,
cultivating friends to be our guiding light.
Moisten and spread the giant tree of thoughts,
the learning campus, oh Mahora."
Feeling Konoka's hands clench, then completely relax, Setsuna joined with her friend, the two of them adding their voices to those of Asuna and Negi. Together, the second verse was completed, and with concern over what was happening quickly fading from their hearts, they raised their voices as one and moved into the final verse...
"The ways of Mahora help build the foundation,
so our future, will not be confused and lost."
Power, control and timing. Though Negi, Asuna, and Setsuna were all helping with the first two, Konoka knew the third was her responsibility alone...
"The wings in our hearts give us the freedom we want..."
At the point where Asuna could no longer do any good, but before the gathered energy could begin its terrible work, Konoka released her spell...
"...the learning campus, oh Mahora!"
(-)
No longer under any form of meaningful restraint, the energy gathering at Ostia reached critical mass.
In an instant, the whirlpool of energy vanished. Taking its place, an energy wave-front exploded out of the surrounding valley and began an unstoppable march across the surface of the Mundus Magicus...
tsuzuku.
(-)
Author's Notes:
Konoka Konoe's Artifact names, and the wording for her healing spell, are taken from Magister Negi Magi Negima, volumes 15 and 21, DR version.
Though it appears here, the scene between Asuna Kagurazaka and Asuna-hime actually takes place between the time the Life Giver spears Fate and Negi, and when Nodoka is rescued.
"Complector Rose; Exorior.": "Compass Rose; Come forth."
"Fungor pactum, Konoka Konoe, Quicumque EGO have addo.": "Execute contract, Konoka Konoe. All that I have to give."
Vexillary Sevensheep: A 'Vexillary' is a small detached force of a larger unit, under a special standard. (A unique flag.)
Hata of AQS originally directed me to where I could find the Mahora Alma Mater. Any errors in the translation are mine. I first used the song in chapter five of my story: 'Chao Lingshen: Coming Home.'
Chapter Forty-nine: The Effect.