WolfGear Presents: Negima? The mage and the Gunslinger
Pairings: Negi X ku-Fei Kaede X OC
Chapter 53: the first 500
I don't own Negima!
The wind hollowed as the dragons took to the sky. Negi couldn't help but smile like a kid in a candy store, this was great! He looked around; everyone was flying at a steady pace. Shiki told him through their link that in the first one hundred miles of the race wasn't that exciting. Mainly because the Dragons were working out the kinks in their muscles, putting it more simply stretching their wings, and any rider that tried to push their dragon harder in this stage would regret later.
"Hey, Shiki when will we reach the next stage of the track?" He asked the dragon. He got what he thought was a mischievous grin.
Sooner than you think, boy, Shiki replied. Right now take a look at what your opponents' weapons are. That way you can prepare for the hell that is to come.
"Alright," Negi agreed. Up head was Timaius leading the pack, stabbed to the Dragovian leader's back was a massive spear with a number of runes engraved on the blade. No doubt that was the legendary dragon lance he had heard so much about. Following behind was Dgir equipped with a spiked mace. Rakan of course had his ten thousand swords Pactio card. Gale Earnhardt was packing a three chambered .50 caliber pistol, the extra weight of the gun would lessen the recoil and allow him to fire consist shots on target. Elmo Rivas carried several throwing knives, perhaps even more than he could see. Ragazzo Morrie had two metal boomerangs on his back. Chen Mu held an elfish bow in his hands with a number of arrows on his back, and Kallen Saarland had her entire right arm covered in armor with a clawed hand, and finally Cha who didn't seem to have any weapons at all as far he could tell, but that means she either hid them or she didn't need them. Negi hoped it was the former and not the latter.
Negi looked at his own weapon, the tomahawk given to him by Abi McCoy's ghost, he knew little about it or if it had any special properties, but it felt right to have it hanging at his side.
Look a live boy! We've arrived at the next phase of the course get ready for some high speed maneuvers! Warned Shiki, just up an ahead was the peak of Glaive. Massive stone pillars that reached into the skies, forming what some called a forest of stone. The course was marked with gaint red hoops big enough for one dragon to go through at a time.
Ready, here we go! Shiki suddenly cupped her wings letting the winds that surround the peaks take her high above the other dragons, and then folded her wings close to her body and nose-dived at angle ahead of the other racers! At the same time clearing the checkpoint!
But this wasn't a time to celebrate the other racers were hot on his tail, and leading them was Gale with his .50 caliber three chamber revolver. The blue armored rider fired a powerful shoot at the mage, but luckily for Negi Shiki veered to the right evading the bullet. Behind them Negi watched as the pillar hit by the round collapsed forcing the other riders to take an alternate route.
Negi smiled proudly at the wreckage. "That should give us some time."
I doubt it. Shiki replied just as a gaint sword the size of a battle ship cut away the falling rocks and all the peaks with in a two mile radius!
Negi sweat dropped. Leave it to Rakan to clear a path with more force than necessary, well also clearing the path for the others as well. After the race he would no doubt try to swindle some money out of them for his "favor".
Play attention fool! Shiki warned, but it was too late a pronged sword pinned the two to the face of the peak, trapping them, and allowing the other to zoom by without a fight, putting them in last place. Shiki let out a low growl; those fools would pay for this! Hurry and get us out of this thing Dammit!
"Right away!" Negi said tugging at the blade. It was really jammed in there was no doubt Rakan was the one that did this Negi thought tugging the blade loose. Now they were flying again, but other racers were already miles ahead. They would have to really push hard to ketch up.
Check point after check point, and still they unable to catch up to the others. Shiki was using every one of her moves she could to make up for lost time. Driving, riding air currents, even running on the sides of the peaks, but they was still at least a nine seconds behind, and in a race like this those nine seconds could easy become nine hours. They need to do something to slow the other racers down; otherwise they would be worn out before they reached the two hundred mile mark.
Suddenly it hit her, the tomahawk, duh! Shiki mentally smacked herself, how could she be so stupid as to forget there one, and only weapon. Boy, throw the Abi's axe at those mountains head of the others.
Negi found the ones she was talking about but they were a long was off there was no way he could hit them from this range.
Stop thinking and just fill that thing with some magic and chuck it! It will to the rest! Shiki commanded haughty. Really you would think a mage would stop underestimating the impossible.
"Alright here I go! Wind enhancement!" Negi through the wind enhanced axe with all his might imagining it would hit in his mind eye just like Jack had taught him. The axe it's self-formed a whirlwind of wind around itself and cut through the mountains like butter! Interestingly enough it swung back around like a boomerang back to Negi's hand.
The falling debris forced the other racers to scatter into confusion. This was the moment that Negi and Shiki needed. Skillfully the pale dragon flew over the falling rocks and dived straight through the check point! Moving all the way up to fourth place! Apparently, Timaius, Dgir and Rakan had been far enough of the rest of the pack to completely avoid Negi's little stunt.
"As expected of the top racers," Negi said. Shiki growled beneath him. "But were better right girl?"
Of course, Shiki said deviously. Now get ready were about to enter the three hundred mile mark, this is when they'll make their move.
Gradually the peaks thinned out into a wide canyon, big enough for two dragons to fly side by side, but there were lots of over hangs, and stone bridges that could collapse at any time as well as falling rocks and of let's not forget the other racers, who would be doing their best to interfere.
They zoomed into canyon, throwing up dust at the dragon flew fast and low. Elmo Rivas smirked, now that everyone was nicely paced together, he could utilize his knives to the best of his ability. Spurring his dragon El Cid faster, he swooped under Chen Mu and Kallen, landing him in fifth right behind Negi. "I'm coming kid." He whispered drawing his knife. With years of skilled practice he cocked his wrist back and threw the narrow blade like a bullet!
Sensing danger Shiki folded her wings and spiraled to the left just as the knife was about to make contact, but the danger wasn't over. The knives had been enchanted with earth magic, making the force of the impact equal to a cannon!
Take care of that basterd! Shiki ordered through the link. Things were going to get real bad if he kept throwing those fucken Knives around, these rocks weren't that stable to begin with.
"HaHAHA run Chico, run!" Elmo laughed as he continued to throw knife after knife at the two. Every time he missed the walls became more unstable, causing more cracks to split open along the ancient stone.
Up ahead the canyon narrowed, to where the dragons would have to fly vertically to pass through, Elmo knew this was he chance to take out the Mage and his albino dragon as soon as they try to pass through pass.
"Here go, any second now." The pale dragon turned vertically readying to fly through the pass when suddenly it cupped its wings braking at the last second! "What the hell?" Elmo said as he passed under the pale dragon, but something was wrong the rider was missing! He heard a swooshing sound to his right. He turned to see what it was, and to his horror it was the missing rider gliding on the air currents running his tomahawk along the wing of his dragon!
"No dammit," Elmo cursed but it was too late to do anything now. El Cid veered off course and mashed hard right into the canyon wall. A sickening crouch noise was heard as the sand dragon's ribs broke from the impact.
Meanwhile back at the stadium, the fans flinch at the sight of the wreck via video. "OH will you look at that ladies and gentlemen! Constant Negi displayed a dashing surprise of skill for a new comer by knocking nine time veteran Elmo Rivas right out of the race!" The announcer said excitedly.
"That's horrible!" Konoka exclaimed covering her mouth. She couldn't believe that people were happy about this, that dragon could be crippled for life, and worse Negi was the one to do it!
Ray calmly patted the healer on the head. He wasn't sure it would do any good, but he hoped it would help calm her down. He too didn't like seeing the dragons get hurt, but he also understood that these things happen.
"It's not Negi's fault." Ray said. "That rider got what he had coming to him for his harassment, and like always it's the dragon that will suffer for his foolishness. I'm afraid to tell you that this is just the beginning. As the race progresses, and the longer they ride the easier it is to resort to such extreme measures to eliminate your opponent. That's just the way these things go."
Back on the track the racers continued through the canyon though the ones at the back of the pack were now more cautious on charging the newcomer. Eventually they would have to take a strike at him, but they need to do it with a solid plan, and they need to do it soon, for the next part of the race would take them through the wastelands, a hot, windless hundred mile zone that has brought the death of many dragons already. In this zone the dragon would be flying without the assistance of the wind making it harder to fly.
"What should we do Shiki?" Negi asked the dragon. The other racers were quickly graining on them, and the three in front were starting to get head again.
The dragon sighed; she must be out of shape if she couldn't keep up with the likes of Jack Rakan and Dgir, Timaius she was ok with because his Dragon Drakus was an old veteran like her.
Don't worry about them trying anything here. We're about to enter the wastelands. They will be doing their best to reserve their strength till we reach the checkpoint on the other side. What we need to worry about more when we enter the waste is when the ones behind us try to use our wind draft to help them fly. So make sure you keep everyone from stealing our draft well I focus on stealing the draft produced but the ones head of us.
"All right I guess I can do that." He replied rubbing the back of his head. He had absolutely what the white dragon was talking about, but he understood that he had to stop the other racers from flying behind and beside them.
Shiki hissed. It's not matter of whether you can or can't! Keep those fuckers off me or I'll eat you for dinner!
"Alright, just stop with the threats. I get it already!"
Don't get so lacks boy, it's your friend's life on the line not mine. Shiki said matter of fact; it was no sink of her nose if Jack died. Sure she would feel a slight ping of guilt for letting Abi down, but a death of a single human still meant very little to a dragon that lived for centuries.
"I know," Negi said solemnly. "By the way I've been meaning to ask you, but why are so eager to help Jack? Not that I'm complaining of course. I'm just curious."
Another time we're about to enter the wastes. She replied indicating the barren land that lay outside the canyon's granite walls. It looked as if someone cut a line with a knife. The change of scenery was drastic, from over growing shrubs to absolutely nothing; it would be amazing if it weren't so bleak.
The Pale Dragon flapped her wings faster trying to gain as much altitude as possible before entering the dead zone. Adjusting her wings to the air current that flowed from the canyon Shiki rose above the others, but they caught on to her trick and followed. In this part of the race being behind was actually better than being ahead.
Dammit, I said keep them off me! Shiki growled, spinning to the right, they were over the wasteland now. Temperatures soared to over hundred degrees making the already hard trip even harder thanks to the lack of wind.
Acting on instinct Negi flung his axe down at the racers making them veer off course of their draft. Instantly he could see the difference in their performance, Dragons flapped their scaly wings to keep flight. With his attention focused on the racers below, Negi failed to take into account of the ones that were not there, like Cha of the wastes.
Several teal blue beams of light streaked passed him. He looked up and saw the big crimson from of Diamox barreling down towards them! Lifting their left up Negi spun to the right avoiding the charge. He also got his first close up look at Cha.
The shape of the body as well as the large round mounds on the riders chest, told that Cha was female, her hair was teal and cut short to where it barely reach under her helmet, her eyes were also teal he discovered as she gave him a passing glance, but the most interesting thing about her was her long ears that reminded him of a certain green haired robot.
"Who, what are you?" He asked, but the teal haired girl didn't answer and veered away from the mage, and engaged in combat with the Monk Chen Mu, who had tried to seek up on her when the wings of her dragon block her view.
Worry about it later boy, focus on the race! His dragon growled, well dodging a volley of blasts from Gale, who snuck up behind them. All over battles broke over the open skies, Timaius and Dgir hammered away at each other as one tried to ride the others draft. Spear and mace showered hot sparks into the blue sky that fall to the ground. Over a mile away Ragazzo and Kallen where having their own battle, the boomerang wielder was forced to use his boomerangs as a parrying blade as he tried to repel the claw using female from his tail. (I didn't say this before but Kallen and Cha are female, and everyone else is male, sorry) Off to the right of them was Chen Mu, who was desperately dodging Cha's rapid teal lasers. The poor monk had no idea what was happening due to his upbringing in the mountains. Finally Jack, who had no one to fight, simply flooded along the air currents being produced by everyone's fighting unnoticed.
It took over five hours to reach the check point. Normally a hundred miles by dragon would only be one to two hours with a good current, but flying in the windless wastes and the constant fighting between the racers; it took an exceptionally long time to make across.
The check point its self was very simple. Stationed at top a large plateau at the edge of the wastes, it acted as both a defense position and a landing pad for the tired racers. Tents were already set up for the weary riders and stables for the dragons.
While unbuckling his saddle Negi felt a three pairs of hands grab him and pull him down to the ground. "Uh girls! How'd you get here so fast?" The mage asked, starting at the joyful expression of Fuuka, Fumika and Konoka, of to the side stood Ray, Setsuna, Sayo, and Kataro who were much more reserved in their praising of the young mage, but still were very proud of him.
"Teleportation of course," Ray said in his usual gruff voice, but there was a tinge of pride mixed in as well. "That was a good run kid. You really stuck it to them out there; course its helps when you have this old gal with you." He laughed patting Shiki on the head. The dragon emitted an almost purring like sound.
"That's a good girl. You've done well, now let's get you bedded down and rested for tomorrow." He said leading the dragon to the stables designated to the McCoy's. "You just get some rest boy; you had a rough first day." The gunslinger yelled over his shoulder.
Negi released an exhausted sigh. Ray was right, he was a tired, and he guessed it was about 1:00 am, they had been flying since 10:00 am that was over eleven hours of riding! The young mage was ready for some sleep.
"Excuse me Mr. Negi," a voice said. "But could I trouble you for a word?"
He turned; the one talking was Ragazzo Morrie, one of the dragon racers and without his helmet covering his face, he relieved himself to be an elf, a dark elf at that, it was rare to see dark elves in this day and age, after the purge by the church and kingdoms, dark elves were vertically wiped off the map.
The last thing he really wanted to do was sit down and talk with Ragazzo, not because he was a dark elf, no, Negi didn't care about that, it's just he was so damn tired, and he wanted desperately to go to sleep, but his kindness won in the end and he agree to speak with the elf.
"Thank you very much Mr. Negi, please follow me to my kinsmen's tent." Ragazzo gesture to the forest green tent on the other side of the plateau, great, Negi thought, gloomily following the elf, with nothing else to do the girls followed after the two, curious as to what was going on.
When they reach the tent, Negi felt a dark aura spewing out, but it was from any of the elves inside, no the aura was familiar, yet not. He quickly flung over the tent's flap revealing a fallen form cover in black marks cover most of his body, his hair bleached white, but the face was the same… it was Jack.
"Negi!" A excited voice cried and once again the mage found himself locked in one of his girlfriend's overly affectionate and bone crushing hugs! But none the less it filled his spirits to know that she was safe, even if he was on the verge of passing out.
Realizing what she was doing Ku immediately let go of her lover. "Sorry, I forgot." She said shyly.
Negi shrugged. "It's fine, I like your hugs." Rises to his feet, and stands face to face with the Chinese martial artist. "But I love you kisses even more," he said evolving her soft lips with a gentle, but meaningful kiss. They hadn't been apart long, but its felt like an eternity to him.
"Now," He said breaking the kiss, and taking good look around the room. Ku's clothes were torn to pieces leaving only rags covering the bare essentials, in the corner he saw Kaede in a similar state. "Could someone please tell me what in the bloody hell is going on?"
Author's note
Hey guys, and girls I know it's been awhile, but I've been busy with college moving into my apartment, and trying to find a job, but I am still writing, if not a little slowly, but thanks for your support and remember to review, it really helps trust me.