(Welcome back to the next chapter readers. This time the girls are gonna see the local hot spots and some other kids Dustin knows. Well enjoy.)
Last time, Dustin got an invite from his Spirit Warrior master Darius Mikael to come to New York for his spirit warrior class reunion. Being allowed to bring guests he invited the girls and Negi to accompany him. Arriving in New York they were escorted straight to Darius' hotel where they were allowed stay in a complimentary suite. They were excited for tomorrow so they could see the Big Apple up close and in person.
When the sun rose above the city of New York, it shined through the windows of the Mikael Hotel. In Dustin's room the sun shined through the window over his and Mana's faces. Mana was the first to awake and noticed Dustin continued to try and sleep even with the sun shining right on him. She smiled at how cute he looked when he slept and suddenly smirked. She put her finger to his face and tapped his nose and he suddenly woke up startled and panting like he was under attack until he saw Mana was messing with him and smiled.
"Good morning, Dustin." Mana greeted him.
"Good morning, Mana." Dustin greeted her.
"Good morning you two." Zyphon said as he entered.
"Zyphon? Who started you up this morning?" Dustin asked as he and Mana sat up in bed.
"Chao came in earlier this morning and did so, said she and Satsuki needed my help with breakfast."
"Chao came in here?" Mana asked.
"She didn't say anything did she?" Dustin asked knowing she saw him and Mana sleeping together too comfortably.
"Not really, she just wanted you to sleep." Zyphon said.
"Thank God." Dustin sighed in relief.
"Well come on or you'll miss out on breakfast." Zyphon suggested.
"He's right, we better get ready." Mana said as the two got out of bed and got ready.
Soon the two came into the suite's living room in regular attire, where Negi and the other girls were already dressed and were about to have breakfast, "Morning Dustin, Mana." Negi greeted.
"Morning Negi." Mana said.
"Looks like you two slept well." Konoka noticed.
"Like a baby." Dustin answered with a yawn as the girls giggled.
As they both took a seat they started eating breakfast with Chao nudging Dustin, "I noticed how cute you looked all snuggled up with Mana," Dustin paled seeing did notice and she continued, "I may have to substitute for Mana tonight."
"We'll talk about it later." Dustin whispered back as they all continued eating.
When they were finished they were all sitting around the living room as Dustin addressed them, "Alright ladies listen up! Since you're here on my turf, I want to lay some ground rules."
"We need rules?" Makie asked.
"Yes, since you don't know your way around the city I shall take it upon myself to show you around the city, and show you all the wonderful sights of this beautiful city I was proud to be born in!"
"Dramatic much?" Asuna asked.
"It works my groove," Dustin replied as he went to grab his coat, "Everybody ready to let the dogs out?"
"What?" Eva asked.
"Do what?" Chisame asked.
"Let the dogs out, you know 'Who let the dogs out'!" he hummed the song.
Negi chuckled and answered, "Yes Dustin, we're ready to let the dogs out."
"Then let's go!" Dustin called as the whole group walked through the hotel halls as Zyphon played the song 'Who Let the Dog's out' until they reached the lobby, "Catch you all later." Dustin waved bye to the hotel staff.
When they got outside Dustin looked out into the city, "Look out New York, Dustin Bowers is home."
Soon Dustin and Zyphon were showing the girls all around New York. Negi having visited Dustin several times before knew the city to a degree. The group was suddenly outside a baseball stadium, "Welcome to the Yankee stadium, home to the New York Yankees."
"Awesome, a lot of games must be held here." Makie gasped as Kazumi took some snapshots of it.
"Oh yeah, Darius would always get me and dad seats above the dugout where we got to converse with several Yankees."
"Lucky you." Yuna said.
"I know." Dustin smiled.
As they continued walking Dustin motioned to the tallest building in the city, "There's the Empire State building, the tallest building in the whole world. You go up to the top you can see the whole city."
"That is wicked." Madoka gasped.
"I can only imagine dropping from that far wouldn't be fun." Eva said.
"Well who would even jump from there anyway?" Asuna asked.
"I did." Dustin mumbled under his breath.
Soon they were outside Carnegie Hall, "Carnegie Hall; one of the most famous music venues in the world. You'd hear a lot of good concerts in this place. Unfortunately I don't mean rock concerts." Dustin said.
"This is one of my favorite places in the city. I love the music." Negi whispered to Rin who was keeping Toothless in her jacket pocket.
"I bet we'd liven the place up if we ever got to play there." Kakizaki spoke on behalf of, Sakurako, Ako, Madoka, and herself.
"Somehow I doubt they'd let you through the front entrance if you told them your choice in music." Zyphon said.
Later the gang was walking around Time Square, "Welcome to Time Square; a busy intersection of art and commerce, where scores of advertisements ranging from electric to neon and illuminated signs and zipper news crawls are displayed for wandering pedestrians. This place is a real light show at night."
"It's almost like Shibuya." Chizuru noticed.
"That's right." Dustin replied.
They were soon standing close to the beach area while looking through binoculars seeing the great statue herself in the distance, "Over there on Libery Isle is Lady Libby herself."
"A present given to New York by the French symbolizing liberty and freedom, am I right Dustin?" Yue asked.
"Correct Yue." Dustin answered with a smile.
Chamo popped onto Negi's head, "I'll bet that Libby looks hot underneath that toga."
"Chamo." Negi shushed him.
"By the way Dustin is it true several of America's movies were filmed here right in New York?" Natsumi asked.
"Tons of them ranging from Guys and Dolls, Citizen Kane, King Kong, West Side Story, Ghostbusters, the Ninja Turtles, Godzilla, Spiderman, and a hell of a lot more. In fact some of the sites where the films were being filmed still exist."
"You should get a job as a tour guide." Mana smirked.
"Yeah, but I'm sticking with teaching," Dustin smirked, "Well come on girls a lot more places to see." He moved them along to see other historic landmarks such as Rockefeller Center, the Brooklyn bridge, the Manhattan Museum of art, Union Square, and many other places.
Later they were heading for Central park where Dustin was walking beside Zyphon and Negi, "Well girls whatdaya think of New York?"
"It's a fabulous city Dustin-kun." Kazumi admitted as she looked through all her pictures on her camera.
"It's beautiful." Sayo added.
"We wish we came here years ago, there's so much to this place." Fuka added.
"I'd like to live here myself." Fumika added.
"Well there's still other places I personally love that I've yet to share with you once we pass through Central park," Dustin said until he stopped in place making the others stop in confusion, "Hey you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Chisame asked until Dustin quickly clamped her mouth shut surprising the girls.
"SHH! Listen, something wicked this way comes." Dustin said as he creeped back in front of the girls. He put a hand to his ear while sticking it outward hearing girls giggling in the distance. He lowered his sunglasses and peered ahead seeing three girls his age playing with dolls.
The first one had brown hair in twin pigtails, freckles on her face, blue eyes, and braces on her teeth, her outfit were sneakers, a black and white checkered skirt, and a black shirt. The second girl had bug eyed looking glasses over green eyes, blonde curly hair like Shirley Temple. Her outfit was composed of sneakers, red shorts, and a blue shirt. The third girl had buck teeth, blue eyes, black unkempt and unruly hair, and a portly body. Her outfit consisted of sneakers, jeans, and a gray shirt.
When Dustin saw the three, his eyes widened beneath his sunglasses as he looked horrified, "Oh no," he started backing away, "Oh no. Oh no! OH NO!" he backed into Yue, Nodoka, Fuka, Fumika, Rin, and Negi.
"Dustin-sensei?" Yue asked.
"What's wrong?" Nodoka asked.
He turned to them and the other girls, "Quiet, don't draw their attention over here."
"Who, Dustin-kun?" Sakurako asked.
"Over there." Dustin motioned to the three girls as the older ones noticed.
"Them?" Kazumi asked.
"Do you know them, Dustin?" Setsuna asked.
"Know them? I' was stalked by them! You know how in several sitcoms or cartoons a character has a stalker with a crush? Well that's what they are to me!"
"Kay, but who are they?" Haruna asked.
"The one with tin teeth is Janie Sandra, bug eyes over there is Suzy Montgomery, and the hippo there is Rhonda Ellsworth. Together they are The Psycho Hosebeast Trinity." Dustin trembled.
"That doesn't sound very nice." Akira said not liking people who bad mouth.
Dustin turned to her, "Akira, you have no idea the tortures these girls have put me through!"
"Tortures?" Eva crossed her arms interested in what scares the tough boy so much.
"One day I was forced to be put on a playdate with them, and you know what their idea of fun was? Dress up! I was only 9 and already turned into a crossdresser! Then about a year ago they tied me to a tree, ripped my shirt off, and doodled hearts and other lovey dovey words on my chest, with lipstick!"
Negi replied, "And this list goes on and on."
"Haven't you told them, that you're not interested?" Satsuki asked.
"They're delusional it's like every time I try to explain it to them all they hear are horn honks like I'm a adult on Charlie Brown."
"I swore as soon as I became a teacher I would never have to see them again! But now that I'm back and this close to them, who knows what they're gonna do."
"We could always go around the park." Ayaka suggested.
"No way, we have to cross through, it's the only way," Dustin said as he went to the other girls and got in between the sports girls confusing them.
"What're you doing?" Kasuga asked.
"Shh, quiet! They smell fear," Dustin whispered, "Just keep me covered until we're out of their sight."
"You better do it, otherwise he's never going to calm down." Zyphon said.
So the girls kept Dustin covered by keeping him inside their pack as they walked forward getting closer and closer to the three little girls. The three girls noticed the whole group walking wondering who they all were until Janie noticed another pair of shoes from deep within the crowd that struck her, "Girls, don't those shoes look familiar?"
Suzy and Rhonda looked at where their friend was motioning, "You're right they do." Suzy noted.
"Where have we seen them before?" Rhonda asked the two who were puzzled.
By the older girls Dustin whispered up, "Yuna, what're they doing?"
"They're looking down at your feet." She whispered back.
"Oh no, I should've worn a different pair today." Dustin feared until Yuna noticed the three little girls shrugged it off and went back to playing.
"You can relax Dustin-kun, they went back to playing."
Hearing that Dustin sighed in relief. When they finally got far enough from the girls, Dustin exited the girls and spoke, "Good thing I got through that ok. Well come on girls, there's still one special place I really wanted to show you."
"DUSTY-KINS!" three girls cried.
Dustin's happy look shifted into a worry look, "Tell me I didn't hear that." He pleaded.
"You didn't hear that." Chachamaru answered plainly.
Dustin slowly turned around seeing the three girls he tried to avoid with smiles and grins on their faces. He chuckled nervously before speaking, "Hey girls, how's it going?"
"Where've you been Dustin?" Janie asked.
"Yeah we haven't seen you around in months." Rhonda added.
"We were so worried we put up lost flyers of you." Suzy put in.
Dustin's eye twitched at the disturbing lengths they went to just to find him. Chisame asked, "Posters? Are you serious?"
"So where did you go?" Rhonda asked.
"I was in Japan, I'm a teacher." Dustin answered hoping the sooner he answered the sooner he and the girls could split.
"Japan? But that's so far away." Janie whined.
"What school? Maybe we can enroll." Suzy added.
"Forget that, what matters is we're reunited with you." Rhonda said in joy while Dustin felt like hanging himself from their rants.
"Group hug girls!" Janie called.
"Let's kiss him!" Suzy added.
The older girls looked at Dustin who screamed in fright and started running away, "Come back, dumpling!" the three called as they chased Dustin around in circles.
"Negi, Zyphon, girls make them stop!" Dustin cried as he ran before cowering behind Mana, "Mana, I beg of you save me!"
"But I thought someone like you could handle a simple situation like this." The gunslinger teased.
"That's not helping me!" Dustin seethed.
Eva chuckled, "Oh this is better than cable."
Chamo watching the three close in on Dustin, even lookin prepared to go through the older girls to get to him thought, 'I can't let this happen to a friend!' he suddenly jumped off Negi's shoulder and landed before the three girls making rodent noises to scare them.
"EEK! EEK A MOUSE!" they cried in fright and ran for it.
Dustin peeked out from behind Mana trembling until Zazie patted his head, "They're gone now." She said.
Dustin seeing this calmed down and straightened his jacket, "That was incredibly traumatizing."
"You're such a wimp." Asuna said with everyone turning to her.
"What was that?" Dustin frowned.
"You let three girls chase you around like that, I thought you were supposed to be tough."
"I AM TOUGH! But what am I supposed to do? Hit them?"
"Dustin, you wouldn't!" Negi gasped.
"Of course I wouldn't," Dustin replied, "That's why it's hard to deal with them."
"Wow you weren't kidding, they really do have it bad for you." Ako said.
"Yes, they're exactly the very reason why I prefer the company of older women," he paused realizing he's sounding like Asuna, "At least teenage women." He corrected himself.
"Well at least you survived those three as you did before." A male voice said as Dustin turned and saw his three old pals Jethro, Elroy, and Jade.
"Guys!" Dustin called as he and Negi ran over pulling them into a group hug as they danced around.
"It's good to see you and Negi again." Elroy said.
"Great to see you guys as well." Dustin replied.
"When did you get back?" Jade asked.
"Late last night actually."
"So what're you doing out here?" Jethro asked.
"Showing the girls around the city." Dustin showed them his class, "You remember them of course."
"How could we forget?" Jethro asked.
"The class of hotties." Elroy added.
"How's it going girls?" Jade asked.
"We're doing great." The cheerleaders answered.
"How about you guys?" Kaede asked.
"We're doing fantastic as always." Jethro answered.
"Well what have we here?" a female voice asked sounding stoic.
Dustin's ears perked as the whole group turned seeing two more girls approaching. The two girls appeared to be twins. Both of them had long blonde hair, and dark red eyes. One of the two who was the stoic looking one was wearing a black gothic style dress with slip on sleeves and belts all along her legs finishing with black boots (Yami's outfit from To Love Ru). The second one who looked a little shy wore her hair in long twin pigtails, and her outfit included sandals, a light purple skirt, and a blue shirt with a heart design done up in black beads. What was most noticeable about the shy twin was that she was caring a white rabbit in her arms.
"Dustin?" the shy looking girl asked while blushing.
"You look very lively." The first girl in monotone.
Dustin smiled, "Well if it ain't my favorite twins Alicia and Alice." He went over pulling the twins in an embrace while Alicia blushed while her eyes squinted and Alice blushed while shaking. When he let them go he turned to the older girls, "Everyone allow me to introduce to you, two more of my old friends Alicia and Alice Kingsley."
"It's nice to meet you all." Alice said putting a smile on.
"A pleasure." Alicia nodded.
"Wow, other twins!" Fuka and Fumika cheered as they gathered around them.
"I'm Fuka!"
"And I'm Fumika!"
Soon the other girls were gathering around, "You two look super adorable." Kazumi said taking shots of the twins.
Konoka noticed the rabbit in Alice's hands, "What a cute little rabbit!" and soon the girls were petting the rabbit while Chamo, Toothless, and Domino watched seeing him enjoy it.
"What's his name?" Nodoka asked.
"His name's McTwisp." Alice answered.
"So you're Dustin's students he told us in his letters," Alicia said noticing them all, "I can understand what you meant by when you said you've been busy." She said to Dustin.
"Well you know me, always leading the busy life." Dustin chuckled.
Alician noticed Evangeline and was marveling at her Gothic lolita outfit, "I really like your outfit."
"Well girl, it's a standard issue." Eva smirked.
Mana, and the rest of Dustin's partners had already sensed spirit energy radiating off the twins and could tell they were also spirit warriors as well. Elroy and Jade came over pulling the twins and Negi over so that all seven of them were together, "This is great, now the whole gang is together again." Elroy stated.
"Not quite, we won't see the rest of them until tomorrow." Alicia reminded him.
"I know."
"So Dustin, what were you all doing out here?" Alice asked.
"Well I was showing the girls around New York, and right now we were about to head for lunch."
"We assume you're taking them to our favorite hotspot in the city?" Jethro asked.
"Of course."
"Then can we all join you?" Jade asked.
"If it's alright with the girl." Dustin turned to the older girls.
"Why not, after all you guys haven't seen Dustin or Negi in awhile." Kaede replied.
"Agreed, the more the merrier." Ayaka agreed.
"Then can we come too?" Alicia asked on behalf of herself and her sister.
"Of course you can." Negi nodded.
"Thank you." Alice said.
"Well then what're we waiting for?" Jethro asked.
"Nothing so come on!" Dustin called as the kids started racing while the girls laughed.
"They're such kids." Konoka giggled.
Soon the whole group stood right outside a placed that was called 'Ernie's Pizzaria', "Welcome girls to Ernie's Pizzaria, greatest pizza joints in the city." Dustin explained.
"Wow, I can't wait to see how it all tastes." Chao said in excitement.
Dustin opened the door and they all entered. The spike head looked over by the counter seeing a stocky man with short brown hair, and was wearing a Hawaiin shirt, brown pants, and a white apron, "Yo Ernie!"
The man hearing his name turned to the source, "Dustin, kid is that you?"
"One and the same my man!" Dustin said as Ernie came around the counter and fist pounded with the boy.
"It's good to see you back in New York, I missed not having my favorite customer."
"Well as long as you didn't replace me with a new favorite." Dustin joked.
"Never crossed my mind," Ernie called back, "Hey Spike, look whose back in town."
Coming out from the kitchen was a teeange boy about sixteen with short black hair, and was wearing a red shirt, black pants, and apron.
"Dustin!" Spike called.
"Spikey boy!" Dustin called as the two slapped some skin.
"It's been months since I saw you with the guys here." Spike said.
"Well being in Japan and working as a teacher really keeps a guy tied up especially for someone at my age." Dustin replied.
"I'll bet." Spike agreed.
Dustin turned to the older girls, "Everyone I'd like to meet the man behind the Pizzaria himself Ernie, and his number one chef Spike Falco."
"So these are the girls you've been teaching." Ernie noticed the group.
"That's right, meet the girls of class 3A Mahora Junior high." Dustin announced.
Spike smirked, "Quite the class you got going on. Well ladies which one of you lucky ones wants to take a ride with me tonight?"
Some of the girls giggled while Chisame just spoke, "Dream on dweeb."
Rather than act like he was shot down Spike replied, "Yeah, okay. But when I do, I'll dream of something a little thinner." He laughed before going back to the kitchen while Chisame scowled.
"Think you can squeeze us all in?" Dustin asked Ernie.
"Of course, take the large booth in the back." Ernie motioned.
"Thanks Ernie, you're a pal." Dustin said as the whole group went in back and filled up a large booth.
"We're telling you girls, you're gonna flip for their pies." Elroy said.
"It's to die for." Jade added.
"It's delicious." Alice said.
"Once you've had a taste of it you'll want to come back for more." Dustin finished.
"We'll believe it when we taste it." Haruna said.
"You'll be sorry." Alicia replied.
Soon a seventeen year old girl with long red hair while dressed as a waitress spoke while winking at Dustin, "Hi Dustin and all you little sweethearts." She motioned to the kids.
"Hey Sonya." Dustin waved.
"We really missed having you here Dustin, so what'll it be?" Sonya asked.
"Give us the Ernie special." Dustin replied.
"And bring us a big pitcher of our fave soft drink." Jethro added.
"Coming right up." Sonya said as she left.
As the group conversed Domino, Chamo, Toothless, and McTwisp went under the table, "Hey bunny boy, you're looking cool." Chamo said.
McTwisp spoke in an English accent, "Please Albert, refer to me by name."
"Well why don't you refer to me by my nickname?" Chamo asked.
"You know McTwisp Chamo, always with the formalities," Domino replied, "So how've you been doing?"
"Very well actually having gone to London with these girls has been very good for me, I absolutely loved the sights. How're Negi and Dustin?"
"Spectacular of course, what about the girls?" Chamo asked.
"Yeah see they haven't changed a bit." Domino said.
"True, though one thing that they did miss was Dustin." McTwisp replied.
"They got it in for him too huh?" Toothless asked surprising McTwisp.
"Right you two haven't met, McTwisp this is Toothless the dragon. He's not normally this size though. Toothless meet McTwisp the rabbit." Dominoc introduced them.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance." McTwisp greeted him.
"Likewise." Toothless replied.
Back with the group Kazumi spoke, "So Alicia and Alice, tell us about yourselves, what do you like?"
Alicia spoke, "Well I happen to like anything Gothic styled, fighting videogames, and the things I hate most is anything that's overly frilly and people saying I don't look like a real girl."
"That's Alicia to a T." Elroy chuckled while Alicia ave him a hard look that shut him up.
"And you Alice?" Kazumi asked the other twin.
"Well I like fairy tales, especially Alice in Wonderland."
"Hence why she has a white rabbit." Dustin replied.
"I also like art, and music. What I don't like the most is people who try to take advantage of me, or jerks." She continued.
"So how long have you two known Dustin?" Haruna asked eager to know.
"About three years actually, we moved from Chicago to here. We attended the same kind of training facility Dustin and the others attended." Alicia explained.
"The one owned by Darius Mikael?" Kazumi asked.
"Yes." Alice replied.
"Ok here it comes!" Sonya said as she and a few other waitresses brought over trays of pizza ranging from all toppings to just plain cheese along with a big pitcher of cola.
"Thanks Sonya, I've ben dying to have this since I got back." Dustin said as he started salivating.
"Enjoy." Sonya winked as she left.
"Alright everyone, commence gorging." Elroy said as they all started eating.
"Mm, this is delicious." Konoka cheered.
"For real." Yuna agreed.
"Perfect combination of dough, sauce, and mozzarella." Satsuki said while sampling.
"Yeah, hey Chao maybe you should make a pork bun pizza." Dustin said.
"Not a bad idea." Chao said taking in the idea.
"As always it's delicious." Negi said but cringed, "Yet hot."
"Come on Negi take the burn like a man!" Elroy encouraged him.
As they continued their lunch a voice spoke, "I had my hunch you'd be here."
They looked over seeing Dustin's father Roswell approach, "Dad!" Dustin got out of the booth and ran to his father hugging him.
"Hey sport, how're you?"
"Doing great dad, sorry I didn't get to see you last night."
"Well you and the girls needed to get settled in," Roswell turned to them, "It's good to see you again girls."
"Hello Mr. Bowers." They greeted.
"We were just having lunch." Dustin said.
"Clearly, well I just stopped in to see how you all were doing. Staying out of trouble I hope?"
"Always." Dustin replied while his and Negi's partners giggle.
"And while you're home Dustin, I think it's best if you swung by there." Roswell gave his boy the hint.
Dustin knowing what he meant nodded, "Yeah, I have been overdue to visit there."
The girls were confused while Negi, Zyphon, and the other spirit warrior kids knew what was going on.
After lunch Dustin had stopped off by a nearby flower shop and purchased some flowers. He hadn't told the girls why only that they had to follow him to find out. Soon they saw where he was leading them too.
"Hey this is a cemetary." Makie said.
"Then that would mean…" Ku began before Mana spoke.
"Ku!" she motioned her to keep quiet.
Everyone continued to follow Dustin until he reached a headstone reading 'Bianca Bowers: Caring wife and Loving mother'. The girls seeing Dustin came here to pay his respects to his deceased mother remained silent as he approached it.
He played the flowers down by her headstone and prayed before speaking, "Hi mom. I'm back. I know I haven't come by in months, but I've been really tied up with my job. I am as you know a teacher in Japan. Working with Negi makes the job really worth it. I wished you could be here, I've made a lot of friends there, most of which are my students."
The girls smiled as he continued, "Well I just wanted you to know as always I miss you, and I know you'll continue to watch over me. I love you mom." He patted the headstone while holding back tears until Mana put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sure she'd be very proud of you."
"Yeah a mother should always be proud of their child." Yuna agreed.
Dustin looked at everyone who was smiling or nodding in approval, "Thanks girls," He smiled and stood back up, "Well girls, let's get going." Dustin said as they all nodded and left the cemetary.
When they were out of sight, dropping to the ground from a nearby tree was Felix Fox the dark warrior Yoko, "So he's back in New York. This will make things easier." He vanished.
(And that's the chapter. Hope you all enjoy it, especially the new characters I had introduced. Well don't miss next time everyone where the trip to New York continues.)