WolfGear Presents: Negima? The mage and the Gunslinger
Pairings: Negi X ku-Fei Kaede X OC
Chapter twenty: Festival part 12-bukokai tournament: an unexpected request
I don't own Negima!
The medics rush Jack the med bay, behind them Kaede followed fearful of Jack's health, never before had she seen him this badly injured. The tournament was being delayed till they knew what his condition was, the doctors were getting ready to call an ambulance when Thomas, appeared and knock them all out cold.
"What are you doing? He needs help now!" Kaede screams at the man, didn't he see how badly he injured the cowboy. Did he even care? She thought, preparing to attack the ice user.
Thomas puts his hands on the ninja's shoulders and tries to calm her down. "Calm down, I know what you're thinking but we can't bring him to a hospital especially a human one." He said, feeling Kaede relax a bit, trying to regain her composer. "If we took him to the hospital, they would run tests on him and find out he isn't human. You may never see him again, and I know you don't want that so we'll need to do something here, ok?" He asked, receiving a collection of nods from the people present. "Good, now who here knows healing magic?"
Konoka steps forth from the group, "I know some but its only mid healing magic. I can't heal wounds this server." Konoka stated, but starts using her most powerful healing spell, it could at least by them sometime she reasoned.
Nodding his head Thomas moves to the healer's side, noticing that the girl had been humble about her skills as a healer. Even with a mid-level spell she was able to help heal the wounds, but he knew it wouldn't be strong enough to prevent Jack from bleeding to death. He berated himself again, feeling ashamed at what he done. For one moment he forgot who he was fighting, instead of Jack he saw his brother John who he knew would have been able to take that last attack and come out, ok. If only he hadn't use the eye.
"Wait…" Inspiration hit him like a ton of bricks as he fumbled with his coat pocket, and pulls out his Pactio card. The eye of Odin an artifact that grants the user imaginable power, perhaps there was a way they could use it. "Adeat!" He whispered, the group watched as the card transformed into the Jade shaped eye. "I have an idea, Konoka would you be willing to try it?" He asked the healer, who replied with a pained nod. The effort of healing Jack was taking all her strength and strain of healing every else earlier was finally taking its toll on the poor girl.
Thomas places the eye on Konoka's forehead, the jewel held itself in place. "Now it maybe a little overwhelming so…" He didn't get to finish as Konoka screamed in agony, the Eye overwhelming the healer's body with power that was well beyond it could handle.
"AHHH…Setsuna help!" She cried. Strange markings started to appear on Konoka as the Eye injected her with more and more power.
Griping her sword, Setsuna rushes to help her friend, but finds there is little she can do, "Ms. Konoka!" She yells concerned for her best friend. She was about to go and try and do something but a gloved hand grabs her shoulder, stopping her. Turning around she sees the old man from earlier standing behind her.
"Stay put love; this needs the delicate hand of a professional." He said winking at the swordswoman, then casts a hateful glare at Thomas, who was trying but not succeeding to remove the Eye from the Healer. "Really, I never would have thought you were that stupid." Jakku said walking calmly up the screaming healer. "Giving a powerful item like the Eye of Odin to an inexperienced girl like this," Grapping on the jewel, he easy removes it and Konoka fall limply to the floor, Setsuna caught her before she could hit her head thankfully.
Jakku stares at the eye for a moment then to everyone's surprise places it in his empty left socket. "There that's better. Now let me show you how it's done." He said. Everyone watched amazed as the old man slowly turned into a young one. If they were to guess he looked about thirty five now, though his scar remained. Negi was shock though when he pulled out a very familiar watch.
"It can't be…" he mumbled. "That's the Athena time watch that Lingshin made!" Negi thought confused.
Jakku held the watch over Jack's prone body, filling the device with vast amounts of magic that rivaled the power of the world tree! "Now let's begin." He said as a black sphere enveloped the two. They watched amazed as the wounds that covered Jack's flesh, close and then scar over, in an intent, halfway through, Jack regained consciousness, giving a salute to everyone to ease their fears. Five minutes later the black sphere dissipated, revealing a fully healed and healthy Jack, though he had a dozen more scars on his body.
Not wasting any time Kaede moved to Jack's side and envelopes him in a loving hug, which he gratefully returns. Happy that their older brother figure was ok, the twin pounced on the two lovers making a dog pile on the bed. The others laugh happy at the heart warming scene, but Negi noticed something was different about the cowboy.
Looking closer, he could see that Jack had a full bread, well just a few minutes ago he was clean shaven and his hair which was past the base of his neck, now nearly reached down his mid-back. Overall it looked like he spent a year in the woods.
Negi addressed the black clade stranger, "Um excuse me but what did you do to him?" He asked.
A faint smile appeared on the old man's face, though you couldn't see it because of his coat caller. "Nothing much, just sent him one year into the future, his natural healing was able to fix him easy." Jakku said, but before anyone could question him further, disappeared in a flash of light leaving the majority of them stunned.
A faint chuckle then full blown laugher, Jack couldn't hold it in any longer the long everyone's face was just too hilarious. Kaede, Ku-Fei, and Setsuna not appreciating his strange sense of humor punched him (playfully) in the gut. Producing a woof sound, Jack bent over faking injury.
"Oh, you girls really, did it this time! I don't think I'll make it!" He moaned. Everyone laughed at the cowboy's antics. Despite being at deaths door only a few minutes ago, he found a way to lighten the mood. Kaede gave him a full kiss on the lips and to the embarrassment of everyone else, some tongue. "Well, I think I'll survive if I get a few more of those." Jack said. Giving Kaede another deep kiss, the others feeling awkward about the two lovers, slowly exited the room. Knowing that every time either of them about died, things get real hot and heavy if you know what I mean.
Shutting the door Negi sighed, wishing he could be doing the same thing with Ku-Fei, but knew now was not the time. "Well let's go tell them Jack going to be ok. (A muffled moan) yup defiantly going to be ok." He said with a blush.
The group continued on their way to Kasumi, passing along the news of Jack's condition, the last few minutes have been strange and confusing events but that was normal for them. Unnoticed Thomas snuck away, rounding around the corner. There was some unfinished business that he had to address.
Standing in a corridor away from peering eyes was Jakku back in his original form with the Eye of Odin gasped in his palm, safely reverted to its card form. "I believe this is yours." He said tossing the card to its owner. "Sorry, forgot I had it for a second. It just feels so good to be young again, you know"
Placing the card in his inner coat packet Thomas accessed the older man. There was feeling of familiarity about him that he just couldn't place, it was as if he had met the man before but had no idea where.
"What did you say your name was?" Thomas asked. Knowing that the man's identity hadn't been mention, when he appeared mysteriously out of nowhere, yet conveniently had the answer their problems right in his pocket, literally.
"Jakku, Mr. Thomas." He said.
"Funny, I don't remember telling you my name." Thomas said, drawing his gun, aiming between the other man's eyes. "Now tell me, who the hell are you!"
There was a tense silence as the two stared into the others eyes. Thomas waited for Jakku to make a move, but he didn't even flinch or show any out ware sign of concern, despite having the barrel of Thomas's .357 pointed in his face. Finally after standing still for about two minutes, Jakku grinned then began to laugh like a mad man.
Uncocking the hammer, Thomas replaced his gun in its holster a wide grin adorning his own face, recognizing that insane laugh that he just hear not five minutes ago.
"I can't believe it!" He said shocked realizing the man's identity. Now that he thought about the answer was right in front of everybody, Jakku the Japanese name for Jack, a simple but yet clever alias. "What are you, a clone or something?"
"Nope, I'm the real Jack from the distant future, but make sure you keep this on the down low, ok uncle?" Jack said. Putting his arm around the older but yet younger man, he led him away to a more secluded place. After all there was no telling where Chao's surveillance might be. "As for why I'm here, I'm going to keep that a secret a little longer, but I will say that this is a family matter."
Thomas raised an eyebrow, "Family matter huh." He said than shrugged, "Fine whatever, but tell me one thing how did you travel through time. That not the kind of thing you can do even with magic."
Reaching into his coat Jack pulled out the watch from earlier and had it up for Thomas to see. "Not magic." He said. "Science fuel by magic, this little watch here allows me to travel and control time, but it take impossible amounts of power to use it. This is why I used the Eye of Odin to help power it."
"Ok," Thomas said inspecting the watch, all of his vision on a time machine completely destroyed, so much for Dr. Brown and his time car. "How did you get your hands on this thing anyways, I doubt they have a store where you can walk in buy one."
"Your right," Jack said. "I sent this to myself, two days ago."
"What?"
"I received this watch from a girl named Chao Lingshin after I saved her from the school security. In thanks she gave me this watch to use during the festival. When the world tree is radiating with power like it is now, is the only time the watch works. By making a second watch with the forging flame spell, I placed the original in time capsule with instructions to my older self to come back and help stop Chao's plan to reveal magic to the world."
A variety of emotions appeared on Thomas face, from interest to confusion, than anger as he sorted out the situation. He was interested in the prospect of time travel and how he wished he could go back and fix some of the many mistakes in his live, but knew that wouldn't be right, the past is the past; the future can always be changed as John would say. Confused as to what was the reason for all this bringing help from the future crap, and this girl Chao, he was angry that someone would destroy so many lives, and for what? To bring magic and science together, what a bunch of bull crap the two could maybe concede but eventually the witch hunts would start and then the wizard wars III would start.
"Why don't you just take this Chao out? You clearly have the power to and from what I saw of her she would stand much of chance if the present Jack and that Negi kid really got serious, hell Rubi could do it alone if she wanted too." Thomas ranted. Was it really that hard to get rid of one little girl?
Pulling down the brim of his hat Jack started to walk away from his uncle. Feeling he offended him Thomas tried to apologize, but an angry glare from Jack stopped him in his tracks. "No matter how much they annoy us, we always look after our family." He said disappearing in a flash of light, leaving Thomas to ponder his words.
It was time for the second semi-final match to begin but Kasumi had halted the event until word of Jack's condition was reported. She may be a diehard journalist wanting nothing more than a big scoop, but she wasn't heartless enough to ignore someone when their hurt especially if it was someone she knew. So when Negi, Ku-Fei, the twins and Kataro walked out into the stadium laughing, she knew the cowboy would be alright.
Raising her microphone she addressed the crowd. "Thank you for waiting, we have just received word that contestant Jack will be ok and we'll be moving on to the second semi-final match Negi vs. Colonel Sanders!" She shouted. The crowd roared with excitement after having to wait for over an half an hour, they were ready to continue on with the action; of course they were relieved that Jack was ok too, after all the exciting matches he's given them, they were a little disappointed to see him taken out.
"Now would Negi and Colonel Sanders report to the arena, I repeat would Negi and Colonel Sanders report the arena?" Kasumi said. Though Negi was already there she still had to call him because he was a little preoccupied with Ku-Fei. Not that he rest of the people present could see that.
Wiping the lip stick off his face Negi, enter the arena, Ku-Fei sending more kisses at his back, once he took his place. Colonel Sanders materialized out of nowhere across from him, hands folded in his robes as usual.
While Kasumi did the usual introductions, Negi was busy sorting out his thoughts. Last time Colonel Sanders thoroughly beat him into the ground, quite literally, using his father's appearance. Ha yes Al's ability to impersonate anyone that he has record. It was him that allowed him to meet his father for the first time in six years, but he already knew what to expect from his father's personal, there was one other who he wished to fight.
"Colonel-san, I know who you are and I have a question for you!" He yelled. Hidden beneath his hood, Al wondered what the little wizard wanted. "Do you have John McCoy in your Biography?"
This puzzled the older man, how did he know about his artifact and its power and why did he ask for John and not his father? Where did he even hear about him? After the war, John kept a very low profile going even so far as to disappear from the face to the earth just like his friend Nagi.
"Yes, I do have that person in my books, but why do you want him, why not your father?" Colonel asked. He wanted to keep his word but if the boy wanted John he would give him John. After all there would be other times to deliver his message, though not on such a grant stage like this.
Seeing the indecisive look on the older man's face, Negi explained his reason. "I know my father is alive and I will find him on my own and speak to him man to man on that day. What I want right now is to fight the man that was said to rival my father's skill and power." He said. Hoping the librarian would agree to his request.
It truly was a confusing situation but Al could see the boy's reasoning, and wanting to find Nagi himself was something to admired, spoiling it with an imitation would be disrespectful. It would be like dangling a juicily steak in front of a starving man, then pulling it away.
"I see your reasoning, Negi-kun. And I shall honor you request, but be warned for I'm afraid you don't know what you're asking for. "Al said darkly. A book with the name John McCoy written on the cover appeared in his hand, opening it; a cloud of smoke involved him hiding him from view.
Negi waited for the smoke to clear, licking his lips with anticipation, the clunking of boots against the hardwood floor of the arena, seemed deafening as a vague figure stepped out of the smoke. Clothed in dusty brown trousers, a dirty long sleeved white shirt covered with a beaten up leather vest with multiple pockets and bullet loop hole, an old leather cowboy hat with an eagle feather tucked into the binding. A face so similar to Jack's that it was scary with three claw-like scars on his right cheek.
A cold shiver ran down his spine, the aura that the man put out was enough to make him sweat; it fell like someone held a blade to his throat.
The manifesto John observed his surrounding, to him the war had just ended a few years ago and his son had just started to walk. So when he saw a whole bunch of people surrounding him, he instinctively reached for his guns, but found that they were missing. Seeing the smaller version of his rival Nagi Springfield, standing across from him, he was able to put two and two together.
"You Negi right, Nagi's boy." John asked, receiving a nod in reply. "Ok, so what do you want?" Though he had a good idea about what it was.
Getting over the awe of John incredible presence, Negi righted himself, "Oh um…yes sorry, I lost my self for a second there. I would humbly request a match with you Mr. McCoy, if you don't mind sir."
"Fine whatever, not like I have much time before this stupid book times out anyways. But tell me is my son…I mean Jack…is he doing ok?" John asked, he knew by looking at Negi that Jack would be well into his teens by know, he could tell that the little red head probably knew his son, how he knows, is a question for another time.
"He's doing fine, me and him are friend and he's got a lovely girl, you would be proud." Negi said. Getting into his battle stance, he had feeling that the time for talk would be over very soon.
"That's good, now I guess I owe you a trouncing now don't I?" John said, charging his fists full of lightning. On their own signal the two charged at each other. Negi fired of two dozen arrows of wind in record time, but they were deflected but John who easy deflected them with a simple flick of his wrist.
Now it was time for close quarters, Negi leashed out with all his might punching, kicking, and send arrow after arrow of magic at his opponent. Eventually the battle raised itself into the air; Negi used a levitation spell in order to keep up with John who had turned into pure lightning! Zipping around erotically that it was impossible to tell where he was going.
Feeling a certain level of respect for the boy, John decided to finish things with something special. "Well boyo, you certainly are something to be admired. So accept my reward for making me use this and become even stronger." He said gathering a quarter of his power he readied his favorite technique. "Take this Thor's Hammer!"
A hammer made of pure lightning smashed down on Negi electrifying him and sending him crashing into the ground, were Kasumi started the count.
John approached the boy, he was barely conscious but he would be alright after a good rest, "You did well, though you fight completely different than your father, but that's not really a bad thing." He said, grapping hold of Negi's hand as the count reached ten. "When you grow up a bit more, we'll have to have a drink sometime, and tell Jack I'm looking forward to seeing him." Slowly the image of John faded away returning to the robed from of Colonel Sanders.
"Winner Colonel Sanders!" Announced Kasumi, though many were confused as to what they hell happened, they were happy for the exciting fight none the less. "Now without further ado we'll be moving on to the final match between Colonel Sanders and Thomas!"
As Ku-Fei removed Negi from the stage they passed by Thomas who gave them a knowing wink. "Good job little man, really held you're stuff out there." He said ruffling the kid's hair. "But now leave the rest to the old timers. We still need to have our time in the spot light you know."
The young couple smiled at the older man's antics; apparently humor was a family trait. Negi asked Ku to place him by everyone else who had gathered to see the final match even Jack and Kaede had taken the time to watch, though he didn't see Rubi or Sayo among the group; strange.
Taking his place, Thomas stared down with his rival Albreo, it seemed like yesterday they were fighting against each other in the war, and then when his group switch over to the other side because the pay was higher, they sang and drank together, and then switched side again for the pay. This happened quite a few times actually.
"Just like old times aye Al?" Thomas said, he could tell the wizard was annoyed that he was using his real name. "I wonder who else you have in those books of yours."
"I have many entries though many of them aren't very worthwhile." Al said. "Is there anyone special you would like to fight, obviously John is unavailable, perhaps you would like to fight Ray, Nagi, or anyone else from those jolly times?"
Thomas scratched his head mowing over his choses for opponents, "Well I don't know me and Ray hadn't really been on speaking level during the war, and Nagi well that would be an instant win for you, with would be no fun for me. So pick whoever you like." He said. "It's not like you have a record of Kana in there."
"Do you mean Kana Inugami?"
"Yeah…why?"
A book with the said name appeared in Al's hand. "Well it's just so happens that I have her biography right here." He said with a devilish smile. "I'm curious as to what your relationship is."
"Wait no!" Thomas yelled.
But it was too late; Al had already activated the book transforming him into a very attractive black haired dog demon woman clad in animal skins. But Thomas wasn't the only one surprised by the mysterious woman's appearance. On the side lines Kataro felt his heart squelch as he stared at the woman, uttering a single word.
"Mom…"