WolfGear Presents: Negima? The mage and the Gunslinger
Pairings: Negi X ku-Fei Kaede X OC
Chapter 32: Festival part 13-Incoginto
I don't own Negima!
The reporters waited enthusiastically for the targets to exit the Ferris wheel, they licked their lips like a predator about to pounce as the car containing their prey finally made it to the bottom. The doors swung open to reveal…a completely different group of people?
That's right thanks to the magical aging pills the group was now completely different from before. Negi had taken a red pill giving him the appearance of a handsome fifteen year old, Ku-Fei also took a red one jumping her up five years in age, she was a good three inches taller and had taken her hair out of it signature pigtails and let it flow down her back. Fuuka and Fumika had also taken a red pill both actually grew to the height of an average middle schooler with their hair growing down their backs. Fuuka tied her hair into a high ponytail; well Fumika let hers hang loose.
Finally Jack and Kaede who each had taken a blue pill have shrunk down to the size of an elementary student. Which was they're regular appearance Chibi size, though Jack lost his scars and Kaede her immense breasts, not that she really cared about that.
Confused the reporters franticly searched the group as the age changed teens sneaked by unnoticed. After turning the corner they broke into a run, putting as much distance between them and the paparazzi. But they still need a place to lay low. Negi pulled his schedule book out from his breast pocket and searched through its contents. Ako and the cheerleaders were having a concert in rehearsal soon. Killing two birds with one stone they headed for the concert venue. However they ran into some trouble…more like double trouble!
Across the plaza another Jack and Negi were chatting as they entered the concert hall. "Well, got any other ideas?" Jack asked as they moved away from the concert hall making sure to keep an eye out for more doubles and of course the paparazzi.
Meanwhile with the other Jack and Negi were on their way to see Ako before her performance, earlier she had given them tickets as a thank you to Jack for his help a few months back and of course Negi being her teacher got one as well.
"I'm really excited to hear Ako play again. Hopefully there will be none of that upsetting business like last time." Negi said, unfortunately those dreams were thrown out the window as Jack opened the door to the dressing room that Ako was occupying. "Wait don't open… (scream from the room)…that!"
Ako rummaged through her clothes discarding them across the room as she nervously changed, catching a glimpse of the horrid scar on her back. It was the bane of her life it always a consistent remainder that no one would want her.
She hoped that she could at least have a little happiness today by playing her best at the concert later. She knew that he and Kaede were together but she wanted to thank him for his help a few months back, even now she could hear his word of encouragement echoing through her mind "Don't back down" that simple phrase means so much to her but so far she has yet to actually put it into practice and step out of her supportive role perhaps today would be the day she finally steps into the main role character.
The soft click of the door knob turning catches Ako's attention, turning her head on instinct to see who it was she forgot to cover her back, exposing it for all to see. To her greatest fear it was Jack who had entered the room.
Time seemed to stand still for a second as the two stared at each other, Jack used to seeing a girl naked was unfazed by Ako's half-dressed appearance, but out of mannerism he looks away embarrassed that he had barged in without knocking.
On the other hand Ako was anything but calm as tears welled in her eyes, horror stuck to see that her idol had seen her darkest secret. Grapping a nearby shirt she ran from the room covering herself as she ran from the room in tears, bushing by the stunned magic users.
"Um...I blew it didn't I?" Jack said, watching Ako run off. It really made him feel bad to make a girl cry, it was one of the most important lessons Rubi pounded into his skull when he was in training.
Knowing what was really bothering his student Negi explained, "Jack it's not the fact that that you saw her half naked, it because you saw her scar that she's upset!"
"Scar, you mean the one on her back? I don't see what the big deal is think it gives her some character." He praised, scars were never really a big deal for him, after all he was covered with them and Rubi had her fair share of them too.
Negi sighed at his friend of coarse Jack wouldn't get it! But you would think after spending months with Kaede and the girls he would be a little more in tune with how their feeling worked, but then again it wasn't fair to compare Ako to Kaede.
"Listen just go and talk to her, I'm afraid you're the only one who can fix this mess this time." He sighed, he didn't have to worry about the whole Nagi thing but there were still plenty of problems that need to addressed, but at least there were some problems that he didn't have to worry about this time.
Problems such as almost half of the class knowing about Magic (Not including special cases like Mana, Zazie, and Setsuna) and through it was heart breaking he was able to stop Nodoka, Yue, and now Ako from truly falling in love with him. It was too dangerous for them to have those kinds of emotions for him, especially since he didn't know how to respond to them. He was glad that he had a better understanding of things now then last time, he wasn't even sure how long he was blind to those kind of things before it was too late. But he couldn't just stand here and mope all day he still had other things to do and Negi was sure Jack could handle this much better than he could.
At the oriental fountain Ako sat miserably on her knees, crying her eyes out at the situation she was in and to make matters worse she only had fifteen minute before the live concert, there was no way she could get back in time! She had let everyone down, there was no way she could face them now!
"So, this is where you have been hiding." A voice called out, stepping into the light of the street lamp was Jack with his usual goofy grin carrying two guitar cases.
Surprised Ako backed away from the cowboy, "Stay away, I should have known better then to think I could be anything more than a supportive role and you probably despise me!" She cried, sinking further into her misery.
But a rough hand combed through her hair, ruffling it into a tangled mess, though Ako found the jester soothing as she looked up in surprise at Jack, who just handed her one of the guitars. "Stop speaking nonsense and play a tune with me." He said light heartedly as he tuned his guitar. After moment's pause Ako began to as well.
When he found the setting to his liking Jack strummed the strings a chorus of music filled the air and eventually Ako joined in as well, beautifully matching the rhythm that someone of her skill level could.
It was a simple made up on the spot song but it got the message across as Ako began to take the lead, playing soft relaxing melodies to rocking jams that made you what to shake your hips to the beat. Pretty soon both of them were a having a grant old time playing their favorite tunes and just being plane out silly. Then abruptly the music stopped.
"So how about it, I'll show you mine you show me yours?" Jack asked removing his shirt.
"What?" Ako asked red faced as the turned away embarrassed.
"Scars, love, scars, you don't think you're the only one with them right?" He teased, throwing his shirt to the side revealing to her the galley of marks that he had earned over his entire life. From animal marks, knife cuts and bullet holes all of them were displayed before her making the one on her back seem rather insignificant in comparison.
"Wow…" She said in awe as she traced one the scars that trailed from his shoulder to his lower back. "…how do you?"
"Live with them? Easy, I just tell myself that this makes me tougher than the other guys. I think that you need to stop belittling yourself, step up and go play at that concert!" He exclaimed.
Ako jumped to her feet, "Oh no the concert! It starts in five minutes we'll never make it in time!" She cried, but this time Jack would let any tear fall! He picked Ako up bride style and gave a cocky grin.
Before she knew it they were flying high into the air the people were nothing but ants on the ground from where they were. In the distance she could see the concert hall glowing brightly in the distance.
"Hang on tight," Jack told her; clicking the heels of his boots together summoning a ball of flame that acted as a jet engine, shooting them like a bullet out of a gun. Thankfully he didn't have to worry about Ako finding out about magic because she had her eyes glued shut the whole duration of the trip and they arrived at their destination just as the announcer called Ako's and the cheerleaders on stage.
The Mahora Concert hall was a very impressive structure with a large floor clearing right next to the stage with plenty of comfily seats that lined the walls making sure everyone had a view and room to move to the groove. And now the crowd of the said structure gapped in awe as Jack landed on stage dropping Ako on her feet and handing her guitar to her and vanishing in a flash of flames, well the Cheerleaders took their places on stage well the crowds focus was on the silver haired girl, making it appear as if they materialized out of nowhere. This really got the crowd pumped.
The girls played with much enthusiasm to the side Ako was waiting for her solo to being. She was still very nervous and everything that has happened in the last few minutes really confused her, making her wonder how all this was possible, but looking out into the crowd she saw Jack with the twins posed on his shoulder and Kaede next to them with Negi and Ku-Fei encouraging her.
Her courage renewed she began tapping her feet to the rhythm waiting for her queue, and then she stumbled the strings of her bass, playing the most beautiful sound the crowd had ever heard, it was clear to them that she was truly playing with everything she had.
From his spot in the crowd Jack gave Ako the thumps up and winked. With she replied with a wink of her own and a bright smile.
Meanwhile the transformed group was busy touring the library with Konoka, Yue, Nodoka, and Haruna. Thankfully they entered the library just as the pills wore off; well Negi and Ku-Fei's did. But that didn't bother them, Fuuka and Fumika really enjoyed being taller and Jack and Kaede where contain to ride on their shoulders, and occasionally they would cause random people (Most of them reporters) grief by pranking them. From splashing water from the latrines on them to stealing their wallets and using the money to win prizes and them give them away to kids that passed by.
So basically Negi trying to the adult (even though Jack is older)and look for a place where they wouldn't cause trouble and after finding the tickets that Jack received from the library club a few months back, he had the perfect place in mind. That was until they got there and the shrunken lover where still causing mayhem.
"Wolfie… (Jack's cover name)…stop playing with that! Foxy (Kaede's cover name) don't… (Splash)…go down that waterfall." Negi was in disarray as the two shrunken teens run amok anywhere and everywhere they could. He swore he was going to get back at them for this as he tried to Foxy but ended up falling down the waterfall with her. Up by the railing the library club and Ku-Fei watched with amusement as Negi tried and failed to keep the two in check.
Suppressing a giggle Ku though back to when they first entered the massive library. They had decided to give call Wolfie like last time he was shrunk and Kaede Foxy because of her ninja sneakiness. After they acquired their guides who just happen to be Yue, Haruna and Nodoka they began the tour. Though she normally found the library dull and boring she was excited to here that they had a section on fighting techniques and legendary fighters from all over the world! It really changed her line of thinking. But soon after they had begun the tour the two trouble makers were at it again and when they found the waterfall they began to ride down it like it was a slide. Though she couldn't blame them, she was tempted to go down herself but felt she had better not after seeing Negi's efforts to try and contain the rambunctious Chibis; but then again it did look like they were having fun, she thought with a wistful grin, and jumped over the railing.
Down below, standing up to his knees in water, Negi soaked to the bone, tried to catch his breath. It been an exhausting ten minutes chasing after the Chibis and he wasn't even sure why they were acting like this, it not like their minds changed to that of a child's just because they took the blue pill.
He didn't have time to contemplate has a something heavy feel on his back, making him fall into the water with a big splash! Turning around he found that it was Ku-Fei who had jumped from the railing above was now flashing him a bright smile that made feel warm inside, despite the chilling water.
"You know Negi-Kun; I think Jack and Kaede just want you to enjoy yourself. I mean with this stuff with the media, it's going to be hard to enjoy the rest of the festival. So I think that they just wanted you be able to act like a normal ten year old," She said then added. "Now let's have a sparring match!"
The Library expedition club looked on amused at the site before them. After Ku-Fei jumped from the ridge and gave Negi her speech on relaxing, she challenged him to a fight. Now as they watched with sweat drop on their heads, wondering a fight could be relaxing, but then remember this was Ku-Fei they were talking about. They also noticed that the two Chibis have stopped their shenanigans and started to spar as well.
Thanks to her insight on magic Konoka knew that the two Chibis where really Jack and Kaede in disguise and the two pink haired teens were really the twins. How they did this she did not know but boy she was going to find out! It's not fair that they get to have all the fun, she thought sneaking off to find the twins. If there was anyone who would spill the beans it would be them.
After hours of sparing the group finally stopped too tired to continue. Though they didn't use any serious land destroying technique it was still a workout and they were happy to hear that the library had café where they could have a bite to eat.
They were busy eating when Ku-Fei stood up suddenly and excused herself, wondering what was on the martial artist's mind Negi chased after her. "Ku what's wrong? Why are you leaving so suddenly?"
"It's nothing Aru. I just remembered I promised to meet Chao-aruka soon and I didn't want to be late. I was in such a hurry I forgot to tell you guys."
"Oh that's ok; you had me worried from a second. You go meet with Chao-san, we'll meet you later." He said then handed her a panda mask. "Take this it will help keep the media of you tail."
She gratefully accepted the gift, knowing that Negi was just watching out for her and planted a quick peck on his cheek and then put on the mask and dashed away.
Red cheeked Negi returned to the table was only occupied by Jack, who had returned to his original form. "So it begins." He said sipping his coffee. They have gone over the plan, once Ku-Fei went to meet Chao that would be the signal that she was starting her final stages for the third day. That is when they would act.
"Where did the others go?"
"Kaede and the twins went off to explore a bit and the library girls had other tour."
Negi nodded in understanding as Jack stood adjusting his gun belt, and walked out to the bridged that connects Library Island to the mainland.
The time for action has come.
Omake Chapter-A new partnership
June 15, 2008 newly appointed Magister Magi Negi Springfield age 15 made his way across the rough terrain of southern Texas a few hours out from the city of Huston. It was his first assignment since he finished his training at Mahora Academy in Japan. Now a proud full-fledged Magister he was eager to prove his worth.
Even though he was responsible for saving the magic world five years ago, there was still much evil in the world. Which bring us to why our British hero is in America, his assignment was to take out a horde of high-level demons that have been terrorizing the area for the past few weeks. The demons have already dispatched many wizards already and the magic organizing didn't want to take any more chances and sent him in, but the American Magic Association didn't want foreign Mages traveling through their country.
So a compromise was made. Negi would be teaming up with a local Gun mage by the name of Jack K. McCoy, who was stationed near Blackwater. At first Negi tried to exterminate the demons on his own, but that proved disastrous. He may be strong but with some many demons and the crowds of the city of Huston he lost track of them and they escaped heading towards Mexico, if they crossed the border there would be no way to peruse them. The Mexican shamans didn't like when others imposed on their territory.
As he neared the entrance of the town, he muttered a soft incantation, and then walked forward the air ripping around him as if he was walking into water. Because you see this wasn't the normal Blackwater. This Blackwater was the central headquarters of American gun mages and it has not changed in any way since 1914.
The town its self was made of brick and a combination of compel stone and gravel streets. The building that made up main street were made of red brick and wood at the end of the street in the square was the bank a two story building made of brick and painted white, parallel to that was the sheriff's office three stories tall and made of red brick like most of the town, and in-between the two was the town hall made of white marble with a dome roof and pillars. In the center was a gazebo surrounded by a small park.
Though the town itself looked nice and inviting the people were a like different Negi noticed. They were hard looking people, watching him with eyes filled with suspicion and distrust and every single one of them had a gun somewhere on his or her person.
Negi also notice that everyone dressed as a cowboy or cowgirl, complete with boots, hats and chaps. Though there were distinct differences, each having their own sense of style. Which he guessed only natural after all it not like the magic associations has any kind of dress code. He himself wore a different set of clothes then the rest of the mages he worked with, most often tended to wear some sort of suit, like he did when he was younger.
But that was enough of that, he thought, it was time to get down to business. He believed that his contact had said that he could find this Jack fellow in the saloon. Lucky for him there was only one saloon in the town.
The saloon one of the older building constructed of wood was styled after saloons like he seen in western movies or maybe they were styled after it? He didn't know. It had a balcony and a porch with hitching rails for the patrons' horses. The porch was littered with scanty clad women, who he assumed where into the more "dirty" side of the escort business.
Opening the red swinging doors was one of the most dreadful moments of his life! Just standing by the door the smell of cheap whisky and cigarette smoke was almost overwhelming. But he pushed through those doors and addresses the entire room.
"Jack K. McCoy?"
Immediately as he said the name every gun in the room was cocked and aimed at him, making the young man sweat, feeling the tense feeling the air.
"And what woulda' be wantin' with that son of bitch, lad?" A drunken voice with a distinct Irish accent asked. The only of the voice was a shaggy looking middle aged man, who seemed to be having a tough time staying on his feet, let alone point his gun in the right direction.
Calmly he spoke, "I'm supposed to meet him. My contact said he would be here."
It was an unnerving situation. Apparently this Jack character wasn't well liked. It made Negi wonder what kind of partner he would be having for this mission.
"Well fine then boyo," the Irishman said uncocking his gun and slipping it into his waistline, the other followed suit replacing their guns back into their holster or wherever they kept them. "He's in the back." The Irishman said dismissively returning back to his drink. Once again the rest of the room followed suit and the buzz of conversation and piano music filled the room.
Negi hurried towards the backroom of the saloon. Relieved not to be the center of attention anymore, hopefully Jack would be at little more pleasant than the welcoming he received. But he didn't raise his hopes to high as he entered the room the smell of smoke and alcohol was even stronger than before! Covering his mouth he called out his voice muffed by his hand.
"Mr. Jack McCoy?"
A low groan was his reply.
Jack K. McCoy, Gun mage, age 20, looks up from his slumped position on the table to see a blurry red haired figure calling his name. Very loudly, he might add. Still suffering from the effects of his massive hangover, he brushes arm across the table trying in vain to wave away the annoying voice. In the process of doing this he knocks over countless empty bottles of booze and an ash tray that was way over filled.
Seeing the movement Negi introduces himself. "Hello, I'm Negi Springfield. I'm from the British order of Magic, sent here to help with the demons. It's a pleasure." He said extending his hand. He was surprise to find that despite Jack's current state. He gave a very firm hand shake.
Now that the fog had cleared from his eyes Jack took a closer look at the man before him. He was fairly tall standing only a few inches shorter then himself with red hair and a athletic build, dressed in a simple black t-shirt and pants that remained him of a martial art get up he seen in movies.
"Nice you meet ya. Names Jack as you already know. Nice to see that not all you euro wizards wear those horrid suits otherwise I might have shot you on the spot." He laughed vigorously shaking the younger man's hand.
"Um…glad you approve." He said bewildered. He didn't know what kind of person Jack would be, but he certainly wasn't expecting this.
With introduction over Jack busted through the door, yelling for all to hear. "Heehaw time to hunts some demons!"