(How's it going readers welcome back to the next installment of the Kyoto arc. Hope you're ready for some more action.)
Harem Reminder:
Negi: Kaede, Ayaka, Akira, Evangeline, Ku Fei, Kakizaki, Ako, Sayo, Makie, Chachamaru, Fuka, Konoka, Rin
Dustin: Mana, Chizuru, Kazumi, Haruna, Chao, Sakurako, Yuna, Zazie, Madoka, Kasuga, Fumika, Setsuna
Last time Negi, Dustin, and the girls had arrived in Kyoto with hectic results from an armada of frogs, spiked fountains, and now another threat apparently targeting Konoka. Will Negi, Dustin, and their somewhat allie Setsuna overcome this obstacle, check it out now.
The three bolted from the springs as they heard the screams of fright as Setsuna muttered to herself, "Don't tell me they're already making a move against Konoka-ojou-sama?" she drew her sword.
"Ojou-sama?" Negi asked confused as Setsuna went on ahead.
"Hey Setsuna!" Dustin called.
"Aniki! It must be the Kansai Magic Association!" Chamo said as Negi and Dustin tried to follow Setsuna.
"Yeah! That scream seemed to have come from the changing rooms!" Negi said.
Dustin thought, 'What did Setsuna mean by our allie per say?'
The three slammed open the door to the changing room. "Are you alright Konoka-san?" Negi asked hurriedly.
Konoka was fine except for one thing there were monkeys trying to strip her and Asuna. "Eek!" Konoka squealed embarrassed as she tried to stop a monkey from stealing her panties.
"What the hell are these monkeys doing to our underwear?" Asuna cried out as she tried to hold her own underwear up. It was a fruitless endeavor for no sooner had Asuna asked had the monkeys taken off her and Konoka's bra and panties.
"Nosebleed!" Dustin cried plugging his nose.
"Ah! Negi-kun! Se-chan! Dustin-kun! Don't look!" Konoka pleaded helplessly.
"Trying not to!" Dustin said looking away.
"What's with these things?' Negi asked until both boys and their familiars could feel an angry chill in the air. They saw it was emitting from Setsuna.
"These…These DEMON MONKEYS!" Setsuna yelled. She was so furious at seeing her Ojou-sama in such a state, "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING TO OJOU-SAMA?!"
Negi and Dustin were scared at her reaction while Asuna noticed the sword the girl was carrying, "Sakurazaki-san, what are you doing? Is that a real sword?!"
Before Setsuna could attack Dustin grabbed her from behind, "Hold it Setsuna you can't just kill monkeys even if they are perverted!"
"That's right they're only animals!" Negi pleaded grabbing onto her as well.
"Ah! What are you doing senseis?" Setsuna asked trying to shake the boys off so she cut up the monkeys, "They're not real! They're low level Shikigami, all that'll happen is they'll turn back into pap-wah!"
Setsuna never got to finish her sentence for at that very moment a monkey popped up and stole her towel causing her and Negi to trip, "Ow ow ow…" Setsuna said as she sat up since she hit her head on the floor; luckily her butt was on something soft, but something that shouldn't have been there.
She looked down to see a wide eyed Dustin looking at Setsuna's downstairs area while Asuna and Negi stared in stunned disbelief. "HEY!" Setsuna called rolling off while grabbing a towel holding it to her body, "What're you doing I told you I'm your allie! So don't get in my way!"
"I wasn't trying to!" Dustin argued.
"H-Hey!" Asuna called getting the three's attention. "Those monkeys are getting away with Konoka!"
"Ayaa!" Konoka cried as they carried her out the door.
"Ojou-sama!" Setsuna called. She poised her sword to strike while uttering, "The Essence of the Shinmei School… Sword of a Hundred Flaming Cherry Blossoms!" Setsuna cried as she spun around and slashed everything around Konoka as she caught the girl. All the monkey Shikigami were reduced back into paper charms.
"Whoa," Dustin gasped and thought, 'Damn that was hardcore.'
"Konoka!" Asuna cried as she rushed over with Negi.
"Are you alright Konoka-san?" Negi panted out when all of the sudden he felt a killing intent towards him and Dustin as they looked up at a tree but noticed it vanished.
"Crud they got away." Setsuna grumbled.
"Se-chan," Konoka said getting Setsuna's attention; she turned down to see a joyous Konoka. "I don't really understand the situation…But, you saved me, right? Arigato!"
"A…Ah…It was nothing," Setsuna said in a quivering voice as she blushed beat red and dropped Konoka in the bath. Before any of them could react, Setsuna was running away at top speed.
"Hey Setsuna!" Dustin called but she didn't respond.
"S-Se-chan…" Konoka said sadly and Dustin frowned.
"What the heck was that all about?" Asuna asked confused.
"Another prank just like the others that's been happening today." Dustin answered.
"Um Konoka-san, what exactly is Setsuna to you?" Negi asked curiously; he had noticed for months in classes how Setsuna would glance every so often at Konoka during class like she was keeping an eye on her.
"You've got some history with Sakurazaki-san don't you Konoka?" Asuna asked.
"Yes…" Konoka said slowly. "I've never really talked about it before with you Asuna, but you know that before I moved and started to live with you I lived in Kyoto, right?"
Asuna nodded in confirmation as the boys listened. "When I was a little girl, I was raised in a huge, quiet mansion. It was located deep within the mountains, so I didn't even have one friend to call my own."
Dustin and Negi looked sad hearing someone as cheerful as Konoka used to live in a life of forced isolation.
"Until one day…" Konoka continued.
Konoka flashed back to when she was a child no older than Negi or Dustin. She was playing by herself on her estate grounds until she saw somebody by the estates gates.
"You're from the Shinmeiryuu school?" A man asked an older woman who a child Setsuna was walking with. The little Setsuna gave a slight bow to the child Konoka while Konoka only tilted her head in curiosity.
"Se-chan was the first friend I ever had…"
"Here it goes Ojou-sama!" Setsuna said happily as she passed a ball to Konoka.
"Aw! Don't call me that!" Konoka whined in a happy voice as she played with her friend.
"Se-chan was learning kendo…she did things like drive the scary dogs away!" Konoka said with a slight bittersweet smile. "She protected me when I was in danger…"
"Wow." Asuna and Dustin said sharing a pleased look while Negi thought, 'It looks like she's still protecting her.'
"Even that time I nearly drowned in the river she did everything she could to help me, but in the end we both had to be saved by the adults," Konoka explained and Dustin knew this wasn't going to get better.
"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you Kono-chan," Setsuna cried. "I swear I'll become even stronger."
"Eeh? You don't have to do that!" Konoka said as she was wrapped in a blanket and let out a little cough. "I just want to keep playing together."
"But after that, Se-chan became busier and busier with her kendo training. We never had much time to talk, and then I moved to Mahora…But, when I was a first year middle schooler, Se-chan also moved here. We were able to meet again, but…It was like I had done something wrong," Konoka said as she did something that Dustin saw right through which was Konoka faking a smile as she wiped her tears away. "Se-chan wouldn't talk to me like before…"
"Konoka…" Asuna said unsure of what she should do as Negi was feeling the same spoke, "Konoka-san."
Dustin knowing something was up with Setsuna as well decided to do something about it. "Konoka, you don't need to look sad."
"I-I'm not sad!" Konoka tried to deny as she tried to wipe all of her tears away.
"Yes you are Konoka," Dustin said as he put a hand on her shoulder, "But, you don't have to worry because I swear on my life I'll restore the friendship you have with Setsuna by the time this trip is over by God!" he declared.
"And so will I." Negi agreed.
"R-Really?" Konoka asked hopeful, but not really believing it.
"We promise." Negi assured while Dustin nodded.
"O-Okay!" Konoka chirped with a bright real smile; she wasn't sure what it was but she had this feeling her two professors wouldn't let her down.
Asuna raised a brow, "And how are they gonna do that?" she crossed her arms.
As Konoka and Asuna returned to their rooms Negi and Dustin walked through the foyer of their hotel talking, "Konoka looked so depressed." Negi said.
"Yeah and you hardly ever see a look of despair on her face." Dustin added.
"We should probably talk to Kaede, Mana, and the others." Negi suggested.
"Well now's the perfect time." Dustin motioned forward seeing Mana, Kaede, Rin, Kasuga, and Zyphon.
"Oh Negi Dustin, there you two are." Mana noticed.
"How was your bath?" Kaede asked.
"Well it went from relaxing to mildly disorienting." Dustin admitted.
"Something wrong?" Kasuga asked.
"A lot is wrong." Chamo said.
"Dear me what happened?" Zyphon asked.
"Sit down so we can talk." Negi said.
So the group sat down listening to Dustin and Negi's story leaving them all surprised while Mana retained her calm stature, "So that's it." She said.
"Correct." Dustin nodded.
"Now they're targeting Konoka, these Kansai folk really are no joke." Kaede said in worry.
"Yeah, makes me wish Evangeline was here." Rin said.
"We better have a talk with Setsuna about this." Kasuga said.
"My thoughts, exactly Kasuga. Let's go." Dustin said as he went to find her with them following behind.
They walked downstairs to see Setsuna trying to stick some seals onto the wall.
"Hey! Setsuna, what kind of barrier you putting up there?" Dustin asked.
"Oh, it's a barrier to protect against Shikigami," Setsuna said in surprise. "I'm surprised you recognized what it was though Dustin-sensei."
"I happen to be very perceptive." Dustin replied.
Setsuna noticed the extra company and was surprised, "Setsuna, seems you ran into some trouble." Mana said.
Setsuna shook it off, "It wasn't anything I couldn't handle."
"Uh-huh." Dustin replied dryly.
"So Setsuna-san you use Japanese magic too?" Negi asked.
"Um yes, it helps my swordsman ship to an extent," She admitted, "But can we really talk about this in front of Nagase-san?" she asked knowing all about Rin, Mana, and even Kasuga as a mage in training.
"Not to worry its all good, Kaede's my partner of course." Negi confirmed.
Setsuna nodded and continued, "The interference from the enemy is escalating…If this continues, Konoka-ojou-sama will be put into the line of fire too. We must devise some sort of countermeasure. Negi-sensei, I have heard that you are a talented western mage. Can you think of anything? It seems that the enemy's increasing in confidence because our countermeasures aren't effective."
"S-Sorry," Negi muttered. "I'm not really a full mage yet…"
"Yeah and I got nothing either." Dustin admitted.
"Might I voice my opinion?" Zyphon asked the sword girl.
"Of course Zyphon-san." She replied calmly.
"Our best chance is to have guards stationed around all sides of the hotel room during the night that way even Shikigami wouldn't be able to get in without being detected.
The girls and boys looked intrigued as Mana spoke, "It'll work."
"Good job Zyphon, oh that reminds me Setsuna," Dustin grabbed her attention, "I think my friend and his familiar would like to say something to you."
Setsuna looked confused as Negi and Chamo bowed their heads in guilt, "I-I'm sorry ane-san! I totally doubted you," Chamo apologized. "My bad."
"I'm…I'm sorry as well Setsuna-san," Negi said sadly. "I'm supposed to be your teacher, but I still doubted you…"
Setsuna blushed a little red, "It's fine Negi-sensei, Chamo-kun," Setsuna muttered. "But, I think it's time I can explain our enemy, hmm?"
She noticed that everyone gave her their undivided attention, "Right, our enemies are Onmyou Charm-Users, a division of the Kansai Magic Association. That's how they are able to use Shikigami," She explained getting down to business, "It is said that long ago in Kyoto, the Charm-Users were the ones who founded independent magic in Japan called 'Onmyoudou'. They are vulnerable when they are chanting their spells, Negi-sensei, just like you and your Western Mages. And, just like how Western Mages have 'Partners', the higher class Onmyou-Users use powerful spirits called 'Zenki' and 'Goki' to protect themselves. As long as they remain undefeated, for all practical purposes, neither spells nor will swords affect them."
"Zenki and Goki is it?" Negi reiterated. "They sound strong."
"You have no idea." Mana replied.
"Furthermore, the Kansai Magic Association have deep ties to us, the Kyoto Shinmeiryuu," Setsuna said warily. "The Shinmeiryuu were originally an organization to protect the capital by destroying demons. I can say without exaggeration that they were a truly powerful fighting force. The Charm-Users would accompany the Swordsmen of Shinmeiryuu, and they made a strong a strong combination."
"Wow, and Master Darius would tell me incredible stories on spirit warriors and demons before, but this is interesting." Dustin admitted.
"Either way that kind of thing doesn't happen that much anymore in this day and age…" Setsuna said.
"B-But does that mean the people from the Shinmeiryuu are our enemies as well?" Rin asked worried.
"Yes…I guess they would see me as a traitor because I left the west for the east," Setsuna admitted. "But, I wanted to protect Ojou-sama, so I didn't have a choice. As long as I can protect Ojou-sama…I am satisfied." She gave a ghost of a smile making Negi and Rin smile at her dedication.
Dustin however scowled seeing that she was also hiding something through a fake smile but Kasuga spoke, "Well I'll be damned anyone who doesn't hate Konoka can't be a bad person for sure!"
"Agreed, so let's form a pact between all of us to protect Konoka!" Rin suggested putting her hand out.
"A splendid endeavor Miss Rin." Zyphon said putting his hand with hers followed by the other girls, Negi, Dustin, and finally Setsuna still blushing from all the excited attention.
"We should probably get started right away I'll patrol from the front, coming Dustin?" Negi asked.
"Be right with you Negi, but first Setsuna and I have business to discuss." Dustin said turning to Setsuna.
"Business?" Setsuna blushed wondering what he meant and suddenly found herself being dragged away by Dustin.
"Let's go Setsuna, walk with me talk with me."
"Hey Dustin-sensei, what're you…" Setsuna struggled as she was pulled along while Dustin didn't even struggle to keep hold on her.
"Wonder what they're doing?" Kaede asked while Mana smirked seeing Dustin found out the past behind Konoka and Setsuna through the bubbly girl herself.
"Come we should probably look after the girls." Zyphon suggested as he, Mana, Kaede, Rin, and Kasuga went upstairs.
Taking the hint he'd be along with him Negi and Chamo hurried for the front only to crash into a laundry cart pushed by a worker.
"Sorry about that!" Negi said picking up the towels.
"No I should be apologizing, this is so clumsy of me." The worker replied collecting towels.
After collecting the towels Negi walked outside with Chamo speaking, "Honestly Aniki what's with you and carts?"
"Sorry Chamo." Negi chuckled sheepishly.
As they started patrolling the cart girl looked back chuckling while dawning glasses and a couple of monkeys popped up, "He's a cute little mage isn't he?"
Back inside Dustin dragged Setsuna off around a corner where no one would disturb them, "Is there something you needed to tell me Dustin-sensei?"
"First off skip the formalities and call me Dustin or Dustin-kun if you prefer. And second about your relationship with Konoka, you may think protecting her is your only thought but deep down you're hurting yourself."
"What do you mea-."
"You know perfectly well what I mean," Dustin interrupted her, "We heard it through Konoka's side, you were her guardian, her best friend, or only friend as children. You protected her like a devoted guard. But one mess up and your relationship with her goes shot to hell?" he started acting disgusted.
Setsuna wanted to protest but Dustin wouldn't let her, "If I messed up one little mission as a spirit warrior I'd be bummed but I'm not gonna let that sever all ties I have with my friends. That's not how I roll."
"Look you don't understand the code of the Shinmeiryuu School is…" Setsuna was once again cut off.
"Screw the code! You're already a traitor for coming to the east why should you still abide by law? Konoka was your friend and she still wants your friendship."
"Why does she need me for a friend when she's got Kagurazaka-san and all the others?" Setsuna said glancing away.
"Asuna and the other girls can offer her all the friendship they can, but they can't offer her the same kind of friendship you have. So you can go on claiming you'll be satisfied by only protecting her, because you're not only killing yourself inside, you're doing the same to Konoka." Dustin warned her which scared her at the thought.
"Dustin-kun…"
"You'll do well to take warning of my words Setsuna; otherwise you'll have lost Konoka permanently. Now if you'll excuse me I have patrol." Dustin walked off while thinking; 'Now it's all up to her.' As he walked away Setsuna blushed not having been scolded like that since the time she failed to help Konoka.
Soon Dustin went outside meeting up with Negi, "Sorry it took so long Negi I had some things to take care of."
"I understand, so where are the others?" the mage asked.
"Patrolling the girls rooms, Zyphon's got the back covered."
"Alright then the place is guarded." Chamo said unaware of what was going on inside the hotel.
Back in the hotel upstairs Setsuna was peeking into her groups room seeing Konoka, Asuna, Haruna, Nodoka, and Yue sound asleep, "Good," She closed the door looking at Kaede and Rin, "I'm going to meet up with Mana and Misora-san, can you handle things here with Rin-san?"
"We got it covered." Kaede assured with Rin.
Sensing their assurance Setsuna walked off to meet up with the other girls. Kaede and Rin patrolled outside the room as Rin spoke, "I'm glad the faculty is also asleep if we ran into Nitta-sensei we wouldn't hear the end of it."
"Well if he shows up we'll have Dustin give him another lecture." Kaede joked and the girls laughed. Suddenly they heard the door slide open and out came Konoka looking tired and dazed.
"Konoka?" they asked.
"Toilet." Konoka moaned groggily.
"Ah bathroom, no harm in that." Kaede said.
"Take care ok?" Rin called.
"Y-Yeah…" Konoka said as she tiredly walked to the bathroom. 'I had a dream about playing with Se-chan.'
However, when Konoka opened the door she couldn't believe her eyes. "Huh?" Konoka asked in surprise because sitting on the toilet was a woman in a giant monkey suit with a couple of the stripper monkeys hanging off her.
"Occupied." the monkey suit/cart girl said ominously.
"What the…" Konoka's mouth was clamped shut by said woman.
"Konoka sure is taking her time," Rin said as she went to check on her with Yue who had to go too, "Does she have an upset stomach?"
When they got to the bathroom they found the door was still closed and locked, so Rin tried knocking. "Konoka? Are you alright?"
"I'm still using it," came Konoka's reply from within.
"Ah...right, sorry." Rin replied.
"Hm?" Setsuna exclaimed in shock. "This aura…?"
"Ara?" Chizuru yelped when Setsuna nearly ran her down.
"S…Sorry about that!" Setsuna apologized as she continued to run and hurried into Group Five's room with Mana, Kaede, and Kasuga. "Rin-san! Where is Konoka-ojou-sama?"
"Eh…She's in the toilet," Rin informed her as Yue crossed her legs pleadingly.
"How long has it been?" Setsuna asked nervously.
"T-Ten minutes…" Yue cried as she fell to the ground unable to remain standing. "What a time for her to get an upset stomach…"
"Konoka, you are in there aren't you?" Kaede asked knocking on the bathroom door.
"…I'm still using it…" Konoka replied once again.
"See?" Rin asked.
"Konoka-san I want to use it too!" Yue pleadingly cried.
"Are you really okay in there Konoka-ojou-sama?" Setsuna asked nervously.
"…I'm still using it…" Konoka replied once again.
"Is…Is that so?" Setsuna asked unsure as Yue fell to the ground losing all will to go on.
"…I'm still using it…" Konoka replied once again.
"I'm leaking!" Yue cried as she pounded on the door crazily with large tears streaming down her eyes.
"Girls," Setsuna said the same time Kaede said, "Something isn't right."
"Come on Konoka! I'm reaching my limit here!" Yue yelled angrily no longer able to take it; with a battle cry Yue literally kicked the door in causing it to fly open. Yue was highly confused when all she saw was a piece of paper with some kanji on it.
"Ah! This is a talking charm?" Setsuna cried in surprise as Konoka's voice came from the paper saying, "…I'm still using it."
"Damn we've been tricked!" Setsuna yelled furiously.
"W-W-What should we do?" Rin asked nervously.
"Do whatever the hell you want! Just let me use the toilet!" Yue screeched and kicked the two girls out and slammed the door into their faces…She decided she'll just forget about the weirdness until she relieved herself.
Back outside Negi and Dustin returned to the front entrance, "Hmm it's been fifteen minutes since we started patrol better check in with the girls." Dustin said as Negi nodded taking Kaede's pactio card and held it to his forehead and spoke, "Kaede, come in. Do you copy?"
Kaede hearing Negi's voice thought back, "Negi thank goodness, we got trouble."
Negi's face looked scared making Dustin worry, "What's going on?" he asked his partner.
'Konoka's been kidnapped!'
"What oh no!"
"Oh no what? Negi?" Dustin asked.
"Aniki look!" Chamo called.
They looked up seeing a giant monkey carrying someone land before them. They both were confused until they saw it was a woman in a costume, "Well the little mage and spirit warrior. Anybody tell you boys you're cute?"
The two suddenly noticed the woman was carrying Konoka, "Konoka!" they cried.
"See ya later!" the woman jumped away carrying Konoka.
"You get back here!" Dustin called as he and Negi were about to go after her but a few of her monkey shikigami's swarmed them.
"Get off me!" Negi called trying to pry them off but were suddenly shot and slashed off them turning back into paper.
They looked seeing their partners arrive with Setsuna, "Girls!" Dustin called.
"Come on we have to hurry and go after them!" Mana said.
"Hai!" Negi agreed as they took off.
The monkey woman chuckled to herself, " That western mage and spirit warrior were nothing special," the monkey woman began, "And once I bring Konoka-ojou-sama back with me the Kansai Magic Association will be very pleased…"
"Hold it!" A call from behind interrupted her and she saw the boys with the girls and chasing her.
"Ojou-sama!" Setsuna cried as she pushed herself harder.
"Konoka!" Rin and Kasuga yelled.
Mana pointed her rifle trying to shoot the woman but hesitated with Konoka in the line of fire.
"Tch! What persistent people," the monkey woman groaned in annoyance.
"Ah! This is bad! She's escaping into the station!" Negi said as he ran harder.
"Just who is that in that giant monkey costume?" Kasuga asked panting.
"She seems to be one of the Charm-Users from the Kansai Magic Association." Setsuna stated as the group jumped the toll to the station.
"Yeah, well that suit can't be just for cosplay," Dustin theorized.
"Where are all of the people?" Negi questioned noticing them empty area.
"It's a barrier." Mana noticed.
"She's right," Setsuna said as she pointed to a charm. "It's a talisman to keep people away! Ordinary people can't even get close!"
"Come on we got to get to the next coach!" Kaede called as they picked up the pace.
They charged through and finally saw the monkey woman at the other end. "STOP!" They all cried out again.
"Hu hu…" The woman laughed as she pulled out a charm. "Looks like it's time for the next of my Charms…Charm-san, Charm-san! Help us escape!"
A monkey threw it out and all of the sudden it exploded with water; a large torrent blasting toward them. The group was suddenly stuck in a water filled coach while holding their breaths.
The woman smirked watching from the window of the next coach, "They'll drown and die." She laughed before walking away.
"Ah!" The monkey woman screamed seeing the hottie not hindered by the charm at all, but luckily it seems his friends weren't so skilled and were washed away into the previous wagon.
'This is bad we're going to drown.' Negi though while holding his breath.
Dustin looked seeing the door to the next coach and concentrated his energy to his fist, 'Shotgun!' he thought launching his attack destroying the door allowing the water to flow into the next coach where the woman was.
When the train stopped the doors opened and the water flowed out. They left the coach where the woman was about to escape.
"D…Did you see that monkey girl?" Dustin panted out. "You'd better give up these attacks and hand over Konoka!"
"Or else we'll make you!" Setsuna warned her.
The monkey woman could only laugh. "Hahahaha! You're not bad, but I'm not giving Konoka-ojou-sama back!"
"Eh?" Rin said in surprise.
Without an answer the monkey woman took off with Konoka again at great speed. "Ah wait!" Negi called out.
"What's going on Setsuna?" Negi asked as he ran up to her with the others trailing behind him. "Why are they only after Konoka-san?"
"Th-The truth is that before all of this started there were members of the Kansai Magic Association that did not approve to Konoka-ojou-sama leaving for Mahora in the East," Setsuna quickly explained, "It is most likely that they want to use Konoka-ojou-sama's powers to gain complete domination of the Kansai Magic Association!"
"Seriously?" Kasuga asked never knowing this much about Konoka.
"Yes, but the principal and I did not think the threat was that severe…We underestimated how far they would go to get that power even if it meant kidnapping her in the middle of a school field trip!" Setsuna said.
"It should not have been a surprise as the Kansai Magic Association is not above hiring people for underhanded dealings." She added with a sigh, but knew that she and the headmaster had screwed up. However, another charm caught her attention, "There's another talisman," Setsuna told them. "They must have planned it all from the beginning!" she destroyed it allowing them to pass.
They jumped the toll and ran to the stairs to see the monkey woman no longer in the monkey suit.
"Huh…You've done well following me this far," the monkey woman laughed.
"Ah! You're the woman from the cart!" Negi yelled in surprise.
"And the same one from the train!" Dustin realized.
"Why did she take off the suit?" Rin wondered aloud.
"It doesn't matter," Setsuna declared as she rushed up the stairs.
"Yes, you've done quite well, but this as far as you go for I am going to use my fourth charm!" The monkey woman said and she threw it out. "Charm-san, Charm-san! Help my escape!"
A giant eruption of fire in the shape of the Kanji symbol "Dai" appeared. "Chew on this! Third Charm technique! Kyoto 'Dai' character burn!"
"AHHH!" Setsuna yelled as she jumped back from the fire.
"Sakurazaki-san!" Rin called out frightened as she pulled the girl from the fire.
"Hohoho! Those flames will repel any normal person," the monkey woman said confidently. "Well, then this is goodbye!"
"Not a chance," Negi chanted. "Blow Gust of Wind!"
With his spell finished he unleashed a wind so powerful it blew the fire away as if it wasn't there. "Wh...What the?" The monkey woman questioned as she held her ground.
Negi summoned his staff while Dustin got into a stance. "I won't let you get away!" The duo shouted together.
"Konoka-san is one of our students!" Negi yelled furiously.
"And we're not going to let you take her anywhere!" Dustin yelled in equal fury.
"Neither are we!" Kaede added as she and the other girls got ready with their contracts activated.
'They snuffed my fire just like that!' the woman thought, 'And that light, don't tell me they're those boys partners.'
"Alright group, attack!" Dustin called as they went into attack only to be blocked by a giant stuffed bear while the monkey suit blocked them as well.
"How is that suit doing this?" Kasuga asked in confusion.
"It's like I said before! They must be Zenki and Goki!" Setsuna explained. "They may look weak on the outside but they are very strong in reality!"
"Hohoho! My 'Enki' and 'Yuuki' are pretty strong you know!" The monkey woman said proudly as she picked up Konoka and threw her over her shoulder. "You'll never be a match for those two!"
Dustin frowned, "We'll see about that," he raised his watch and yelled, "ZYPHON!" and suddenly his watch glowed. In a matter of minutes Zyphon flew in blasting the two demons knocking them off balance, while the robot skidded to a halt before his boss.
"Master Dustin you rang?"
"What is this?" The woman gasped.
"I still got a few tricks up my sleeve." Dustin smirked.
Mana pulled out her guns aiming at the bear, "Fire!" she shot at it resulting in it dissolving.
"I got the monkey!" Setsuna called as she used her sword destroying the monkey suit, "Now for ojou-sama!" she went to attack the woman only to get repelled by
Setsuna crashed into some girl and the two went flying in two different directions. The two landed as Setsuna saw another girl with long brown hair, glasses, a pink dress and hat, while carrying a sword.
'She did bring a Shinmeiryuu to protect her! This is bad!' Setsuna thought nervously.
The girl spoke, "How do you do, I am Tsukuyomi of the Shinmei School. Nice to meet you. From what I've noticed you're a master from the Shinmei School as well. Sorry but I have a job to do."
"Do away with her Tsukuyomi." The woman ordered.
"Right, please go easy on me." Tsukuyomi giggled as the sword girls went at it. To Setsuna's surprise this newcomer was almost as good as she was, 'Damn she's better than I thought.'
"Can't leave you all with no fun." The woman used another talisman and summoned a few more stuffed monkey and bear demons for them to combat.
"Game on!" Dustin called as the group started fighting them off. Dustin was launching Spirit guns at some bear demons along with using his Chinese Martial arts moves he learned from Chao while Negi did the same.
Kasuga applying her spirit energy to her feet was able to enhance her athletic speed and was running circles around some of the monkeys before launching a spirit gun nailing three in one shot. Mana was using both hand guns were blasting one after another while Kaede used her kunai and shuriken against some of the bears. Zyphon was still using his blasters against the demons along with his own programmed combat moves.
Rin had been using her own artifact staff launching magic blasts at the demons until one of the monkeys attacked her and she glowed morphing into a little panda, "What no!" she cried.
"Rin?" Negi and the girls gasped.
"The monkey broke the illusion spell on me!" Rin barked.
Negi frowned at the monkey demon, "It'll pay for that!"
"Negi forget them, focus on the chick there!" Chamo called.
"Right!" Negi called as he launched his magical arrows but saw his opponent hold Konoka out like a shield forcing him to redirect his attacks, "Using Konoka as a shield, you coward!"
"That's the problem with mages you're age boy, you're too soft." The woman chuckled, "I'll use her as my new shield. And afterwards I'll use drugs and spells to control her…" she continued thoughtfully, "She'll be no more than a puppet who listens to our very word…It'll be great!"
The girls frowned as Dustin said firmly, "What did you say?"
She then laughed joyously, "This damn tyke with the pale butt… gets a slap on the ass!" she spanked Konoka but wasn't enough to wake her up.
Dustin frowned, "HEY! THAT'S SEXUAL HARASSMENT!"
But certain others were even madder, "WHAT'RE YOU DOING TO OJOU-SAMA!" Setsuna screamed knocking Tsukuyomi away and released a sword strike while Negi unleashed a wind spell that combined with Setsuna's attack. The combined attack engulfed the woman stripping her and releasing Konoka.
The woman covered her chest with one arm and held up another talisman, "Desperate times call for desperate measures." She was about to use it only to get pounced by panda Rin, "Get off you flea bitten!" she shoved her off and saw she was surrounded.
She growled collecting Tsukuyomi, "I won't forget this!" she summoned another monkey that helped them escape.
"They're getting away!" Dustin called wanting to go after them.
"Forget them, we need to see if Konoka's ok." Mana said holding him back.
"Oh right." He remembered as they hurried over with Setsuna shaking the girl awake.
"Ojou-sama please hang on!"
Konoka stirred before her eyes were opening, "Hold on to what?"
"Huh…Se-chan…? Se-chan…I had a dream…I was kidnapped by some strange monkeys…But, Se-chan Negi-kun, Dustin-kun and everyone came to save me…"
"Thank goodness! It's alright now Konoka-ojou-sama," Setsuna said with a relieved smile and Konoka could only look at her in happy shock.
"Thank goodness…" Konoka said with a beaming smile like no one had ever seen before, "Se-chan doesn't hate me after all."
"Eh…" Setsuna squeaked with a beat red blush. "I wanted to speak to Kono-chan as well and…"
Setsuna suddenly stopped talking as she realized what she said and turned around with a low bow, "I apologize!"
"Se-chan?" Konoka asked disheartened.
"I…I am merely thankful that I was able to protect Kono-chan!" Setsuna said like she was nothing but a guard, "I wish that I had been able to do that quietly from the shadows, but…uh…I'm sorry!"
Setsuna was about to run off but was blocked by Dustin and Zyphon, "Setsuna, have you forgotten what we talked about?" he frowned.
"Dustin-kun…"
"What you said back there when she awoke, that is the friendship only you can give her, and you just want to take it away. Not going to happen. Now get back over there and tell her your true feelings!" he glared.
Setsuna saw Dustin wasn't going to let her pass so she swallowed her pride and turned back approaching the girl, "I apologize for my words Ojou… Konoka-chan. The truth is I'm really happy I could be there for you, but I suppose my job has made things uneasy between us."
"Se-chan." Konoka gasped as the girls watched.
"So tomorrow shall we have… fun… tomorrow in Nara?" the swordsman nervously asked.
Konoka's eyes swelled up with tears of happiness before launching at Setsuna in a bear hug, "Oh Set-chan, I'd love to!"
Setsuna tried to struggle to break free but something in her told her not to. Negi and the girls smiled while Dustin crossed his arms smiling, "That's more like it."
"Alls well that ends well." Zyphon agreed.
Rin approached Negi, "Quickly Negi used the spell on me again!" she said quietly.
Negi seeing Konoka was preoccupied with Setsuna nodded and used his magic returning Rin's illusionary human form.
"Thank God Konoka didn't see that." Rin sighed in relief.
"We should get back before everyone realizes we're missing." Mana suggested.
"Right let's go!" Negi said as they all hurried off.
Meanwhile hiding behind a building were Tsukuyomi and her boss who was grumbling, "I underestimated them, a mistake I will not make again."
"Well this all could've been avoided if you'd have let me in on it." The voice of a young boy said.
The woman looked seeing someone in the shadows leaning against the building, "Don't give me that tone, you don't have such a level head yourself!"
"I guess, still I didn't join this gang of yours to sit on the sidelines. When do I get my shot?" he asked.
"All in good time my boy, all in good time." the woman smirked.
(And that's the chapter the guys were victorious for the night and Konoka is safe for now. But they will eventually be back, and things will only be harder for them. Don't miss next time everybody.)