(Hi guys welcome back to another installment. First off, I wanna give a big thanks to all those who've supported this fic for helping it reach over 200 reviews. And I got a new poll running involving another Negima idea in mind. Well enjoy this chapter.)
Mr. Dark: Well not a lot of people have given me ideas for this, only select few have. So if you have some in mind tell me some and I'll decide if they can be done.
One morning Negi, Dustin, and Zyphon were walking around campus until they started hearing rock music play, "You hear that?" Negi asked.
"How can I not? That's my kinda tune." Dustin said moving his finger to the rhythm.
"Where's it coming from?" Zyphon asked as Chamo and Domino listened in for it too until the five looked over in a direction and announced together.
"Over there!" they rushed over and saw the cheerleaders and Ako on a stage performing with instruments before a crowd of Makie, Yuna, Akira, Kasuga, and her partner Cocone. Ako was on bass, Sakurako on drums, and Kakizaki and Madoka both on guitars while the purple haired girl was on vocal as well.
"Wow they're amazing." Negi said.
"They're rad." Dustin added.
"And hot." Chamo put in while the boys rolled their eyes.
When the girls ended they started hearing clapping from the side and saw their professors and Zyphon watching from the side, "Very impressive girls." Dustin said.
"A wondrous display of talent." Negi added.
"I was deeply moved." Zyphon added.
"Negi-kun! Dustin-kun!" the sports girls cheered as they rushed over hugging the two boys.
"Hey girls," Dustin said as Kasuga finished hugging him and spotted Cocone, "Oh hello, Cocone. I haven't seen you in awhile."
"Hello to you to Dustin." She greeted him stoically.
"How long were you guys there?" Ako asked in worry.
"A few minutes actually, we overheard your performance and decided to see what as going on. You girls are really good." Negi complimented them.
"Thanks guys, we're having a concert in two days and we've been practicing really hard." Madoka said.
"I can see that." Dustin said.
"It's important each and every one of us is at the top of our game." Kakizaki added while Ako looked a bit nervous.
"Well as long as you girls keep up your hard work and stay focused I'm sure you'll all perform wonderfully." Negi said while Kakizaki and Ako blushed.
"We'll pick up training tomorrow girls." Madoka ordered as they started packing it in.
"Oh I just forgot there was something I was supposed to get back at the gym." Ako gasped.
"I'll go with you Ako." Akira offered.
"Hold on girls, I'll accompany you as well." Negi offered as well.
"Really, Negi-kun?" Akira asked.
"Of course, I mean I wouldn't want anything happening to you girls on your way there." Negi continued making Ako blush from embarrassment.
"Thanks, Negi-kun." Ako said as the boy went with the two girls.
Dustin smiled watching his pal leave knowing the two girls he was accompanying had high admiration for him like several others. Suddenly he was snapped out of his thoughts when Yuna, Kasuga, Sakurako, and Madoka gathered around him.
"Dustin-kun, wanna come grab a drink with us?" Yuna asked slyly.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, and after we can go karaoke." Sakurako squealed.
"It never ends with you Sakurako." Madoka sighed.
As the girls continued trying to get Dustin to do something with them they heard someone clear her throat. They looked seeing Cocone.
"Girls, about Dustin. Can I borrow him?"
"Eh?" they asked.
"Cocone, why do you want to borrow Dustin-kun?" Kasuga asked confused by her Magister's request.
"Well, I want to get to know more about him like you all do." She answered.
"Awe, that's so cute." Sakurako cooed.
"But I prefer to get to know him in private." She clarified.
"Ok Cocone, we'll leave you two alone." Kasuga said.
Dustin turned to Domino and Zyphon, "Sorry guys but I'm going solo for now." With that Zyphon walked over to the girls while Domino flew from Dustin's shoulder and landed on Yuna's as the B-Ball girl rubbed his head with her finger.
"Well come on girls let's go karaoke!" Sakurako squealed while Makie and Kakizaki cheered while Madoka sighed.
"You behave around Dustin-kun, Cocone." Kasuga warned her.
"You're the one who needs to know how to behave," The little girl countered making the athlete embarrassed and the girls giggled before they left, "There's a Taiyaki shop that I highly recommend. Let me treat you."
"Sounds cool." Dustin admitted as the girl led Dustin off.
Meanwhile watching them from their viewing orb Ragnarok and Pythor saw the two boys splitting up with different girls, "Excellent, with both of them splitting up picking them off will be even easier." Ragnarok said.
"I'll go and dispose of them master, after all I need to reclaim my pride for how I was defeated last time." Pythor said looking at his tail recalling how hard Yue bit him.
"I know you will Pythor, however I can't afford to have you go alone. Sending the shadow soldiers after any one of them would not suffice so I'll send one of the others to join you."
"Hold on!" a voice called as Alistair approached, "I want in on this."
"Alistair?" Ragnarok asked.
"You, sorry junior but I feel Voltaire would be far suited for this." Pythor chuckled.
"I'm tired of hiding in the shadows! I'm ready for my rematch with Dustin!" Alistair argued.
"Master can you believe the words he's saying?" Pythor asked humorously.
"I do, and I agree."
"What?" Pythor and Alistair asked with Alistair more curious that he's actually listening to his demands.
"Alistair has been training non-stop for this day and I'd like to see how he's progressed."
"Thank you for this opportunity master. I shall not fail." Alistair said.
"See that you don't same goes for you Pythor." Ragnarok gazed at the snake.
"Yes master." Pythor said as he and Alistair left the room.
"And now to check in on my patient," Ragnarok said heading into another room to hear painful screams, "Sounds like it's going rather well." He approached a construction table seeing Diabound strapped to it while several shadow soldiers were using several sedatives on the sorcerer while some were replacing his arms and legs with robotic ones since his previous ones were so shot they had to be chopped.
"Master." One of the shadow soldiers gasped at his presence.
"How goes the operation?" Ragnarok asked.
"Well we're doing all we can but this isn't easy, especially on him." The one motioned to Diabound who was trying to hold it together.
"I think I preferred being left in that cave!" Diabound cried in pain.
"Just hold it together Diabound, because when this is over you will walk again." Ragnarok assured him and left as the shadow soldiers continued the operation.
Back at Mahora Negi, Akira, and Ako reached the gym where the nurse girl was collecting some paperwork for the soccer team, "I never did take you for a guitar player Ako." Negi said.
"Huh? Oh yeah well I don't usually play that often." Ako explained.
"Well I think you're good at it." Negi continued while Ako continued to blush from embarrassment.
"I'm not that good." Ako said turning her face not wanting to be seen blushing.
Akira whispered, "Forgive Ako Negi-kun, she suffers from low self esteem."
"I see," He whispered back, "But still Ako to perform in a band is a big deal you must be proud."
"Well I am, but I doubt I'll even be noticed," Ako said, "After all I'm a supporting character."
"Side character?" Negi was confused.
"Everyone else has always had a bigger role in lives and such, while I'm just that non-special wallflower off to the side that goes unnoticed." Ako said continuing to put herself down.
"Ako!" Negi called grabbing her attention, "I want you to know that there is no such thing as a supporting character in my class. You may feel like you're one, but you are a star in your own way. After all you're the only star in the story of your life Ako."
Akira was surprised hearing her sensei say such words while Ako was blushing up a storm. Her blushing started dying down as it formed into a smile, "Arigato Negi-kun, and you're right. I am my own star and I'm gonna make the story of my life one to remember, starting with the concert." She pumped a fist in determination.
Negi smiled, "That's my student."
"Hey how about we go get a drink?" Ako offered and they headed out of the gym with Akira talking to Negi behind Ako.
"That was really sweet of you Negi-kun. Madoka and I've said a lot of stuff to try and build Ako's morale up, but we've never been able to get a more positive affect out of her like you did."
"I just do what comes natural of course." Negi chuckled as Akira ruffled his hair playfully.
"That's a great thing about you Negi-kun, always knowing what to say." She giggled.
Meanwhile with Dustin, he found himself standing outside a small taiyaki stand with Cocone ordering from the shop owner, "Please give me the usual twenty please."
"Coming right up." The owner acknowledged.
Dustin glanced at Cocone and thought, 'I hardly know much about this girl, and Kasuga barely talks about her either. Guess that's respecting privacy for you.'
"Here you go!" the owner said handing the girl a bag of taiyaki, "I gave you a little extra today, Coco-chan! Enjoy it with your little boyfriend, okay?" he teased her with a thumb's up.
"Boyfriend?" Cocone asked while tilting her head.
Dustin chuckled in his thoughts, 'Boyfriend to this girl? Actually if ya think about it… Oh well.'
Soon the two were sitting on a bench, "Now then, please eat as much as you like." Cocone offered.
"Arigato." Dustin said as he took one and started eating it. As he finished the one he noticed Cocone gazing blankly at him making him nervous.
"Is it delicious?" Cocone asked.
Dustin calmed down and answered, "Um yeah, very delicious thank you."
"You're welcome." She replied.
So they sat while Dustin tried to find something to talk about until he thought of something, "So you're trying to be a Magister magi like my pal Negi right?"
"I am."
"So then you're here as part of your mage training?"
"Actually I was sent here from the magical world." She corrected him.
"The magical world?" Dustin asked.
"That's right. I was stationed at the school as part of a program to see if immigrations of others to the normal world would work."
"I see. So how did you meet Kasuga?"
"We met when we were both in training as nuns at the Mahora church," The girl explained, "I guess my stoic appearance got her curious compared to several other girls who just left me to myself. One day she came up to me and offered me some taiyaki when I forgot to pack my own lunch. That act of kindness really changed me. I knew Kasuga and I would be the best of friends, and we did."
"You really care about her don't you?" Dustin asked.
"I do." Cocone said with a ghost of a smile.
"So what made you decide to form a pactio with her and who would be the partner?" he asked curiously.
"Honestly, we did rock paper scissors." She answered.
"Just that?"
"Just that."
"So how'd you do it? The traditional way?" Dustin asked wondering if Kasuga really kissed a little kid younger than he was.
"Actually we swapped blood. I didn't want to give my first kiss up that quickly."
"I see," Dustin replied, "Holding that out for someone special?"
Cocone had a faint blush, "Something like that."
'Man this girl's about as stoic as Alicia, but sometimes stoic girls can be adorable. Especially when they're my age,' he thought before speaking, "So what sort of magic are you good with?"
'Well for one thing this.' He heard her voice but her lips weren't moving.
"How'd you do that?" Dustin asked.
'Simple I transfer my thoughts to you via telepathically.' She thought.
Dustin thought back, 'Wow you're good with telepathy.'
'Arigato,' She thought back before they decided to go back to talking regularly again, "I also have skills in archery."
"That's cool, what are you a female Robin Hood?" he laughed a bit while Cocone raised an eyebrow, "Well you'll laugh later."
"Let me ask you something," the girl began, "Do you like having Kasuga as your partner?"
"Me? Of course I do, in fact if it weren't for her Negi nor I would've lasted long enough against Evangeline. All my partners are special to me, Kasuga, Mana, Zazie, Chizuru, Yuna, Chao, Sakurako, Madoka, Setsuna, and Kazumi. I don't know what I'd do without any of them." He smiled while gazing up at the sky.
Cocone looked at him with a hint of red forming on her face, "Dustin."
Dustin looked at her seeing she was close to his face making him blush as well, "Cocone."
They gazed at each other until a blast shot by the ground snapping them out of their stupor. The students and shop owners around the area thinking they were under attack ran for cover while Dustin and Cocone stood up looking around.
"What was that?" Cocone asked.
"A shadow gun blast." Dustin scowled.
"Shadow gun?" the girl asked.
"That's right." A voice replied as Dustin looked surprised as rising up from a shadow on the ground appeared the rival he hadn't seen since Kyoto and New York.
"Alistair." He gasped.
"Surprised to see me, Dustin?" he asked.
"I'd be lying if I said no, but what're you doing here?" Dustin demanded.
"I'm here to settle the score with you." Alistair answered.
"Does it have to be here and now?" Dustin sighed.
"I can think of no better timing."
"I remember you back in New York Alistair after we defeated Felix. Tell me why're you working for the Shadow Master?" he demanded yet again.
"To get close to you obviously."
"Seriously?"
"Yes, and just so you're not the only one to have all the fun, Negi's getting his own action about now." Alistair explained.
"Negi." Dustin gasped.
Elsewhere Negi, Ako, and Akira were enjoying a soda while sitting on a bench enjoying themselves until a shadow blasted the tree behind them shocking the three while Chamo jumped out of Negi's pocket.
"What was that?" Akira asked in shock.
"Girls get down!" Negi ordered.
"Negi-kun?" Ako asked in confusion from what just happened.
"Please, do as I say and get down!" he ordered again and the two not wanting to question him any further did so, "Whose there?!" Negi demanded as he got into a stance.
"Nobody but me Springfield." A voice chuckled as Pythor suddenly appeared before him leaving the boy shocked and the girls scared.
"Pythor!" Negi gasped.
"Sorry to drop in out of the blue like this Negi, I can see you're busy entertaining." Pythor chuckled as he eyeballed the two girls cowering behind Negi.
"What do you want, Pythor?" Negi asked staying strong for the sake of his students.
"What else? Revenge!" Pythor hissed, "Last time you and Dustin escaped by a whim, but this time I will gobble you up whole."
"Not if I can help it." Negi said getting ready to fight.
"Challenging me alone is suicide enough without your partner's boy, especially when I'm not your only worry." He summoned seven shadow soldiers.
"Oh no." Negi gasped seeing his competition had gotten worse.
Ako and Akira were terrified seeing what the snake had summoned and were scared to think Negi was going to face them all by himself. The shadow soldiers and Pythor started going at Negi who defended himself using his martial arts hoping not to have to use any magic before the two girls.
"Ako, Akira call Kaede, now!" Negi called.
"Kaede?" Ako asked.
"Better do as he says Ako." Akira said as Ako did so dialing on her cellphone.
Meanwhile Dustin had already started fighting Alistair in hand to hand combat while launching spirit and shadow guns at each other, "Cocone! Contact Kasuga and have her warn Mana and the others!"
Cocone nodded and used her telepathy, 'Kasuga! Kasuga, can you hear me?'
Meanwhile with said nun she, Yuna, Makie, Zyphon, Domino and the cheerleaders were in Mahora city until Kasuga froze and thought back, 'Cocone, what's going on?'
The other girls, Zyphon, and Domino were confused as Kasuga was silent but could tell something was up until Kasuga spoke, "Girls we got a problem."
"What's wrong?" Madoka asked.
"Dustin-kun's in trouble."
"Trouble?" Zyphon asked.
"Yeah, Alistair's back."
"What?" Domino cawed.
"Oh no." Yuna gasped.
"Who's Alistair?" the cheerleaders asked.
"He's trouble for Master Dustin, big trouble." Zyphon explained.
"If we don't get to him soon, who knows what'll happen." Yuna said until Makie's cell rung and she checked her texts.
"Girls we got more problems."
"What is it?" the cheerleaders asked.
"Negi-kun, Ako, and Akira are surrounded by shadow soldiers being led by Pythor." The ribbon girl explained.
"Not him too." Zyphon sighed.
"What do we do?" Kakizaki asked.
"Makie, you and Kakizaki head over to Negi, Ako, and Akira. The rest of us will go find Master Dustin!" Zyphon ordered and they nodded before heading off.
Back with Negi he was constantly using his martial arts moves against the shadow soldiers but wished he could use magic to help enhance his strength but didn't wanna risk exposing to the girls unless he needed to. He ended up getting caught in Pythor's tail and was held up to his face.
"You will make a fine appetizer before these ladies become my main course." He snickered.
"Girls run!" Negi cried.
"No, Negi-kun!" Akira cried.
"We're not going to leave you like this!" Ako added.
"If you stay here girls you'll be killed!"
"We have to risk it even for you our teacher!" Akira argued.
"How touching, but dumb." Pythor said as he motioned the shadow soldiers to do away with the girls.
Ako and Akira weren't sure how to handle this situation until a few shuriken nailed two of the shadow soldiers and arriving on the scene were Kaede, Ayaka, Rin, Makie, Ku, Konoka, Kakizaki, and Sayo.
"Girls!" Negi cried.
"Negi-kun, hold still!" Sayo ordered as she fired a ghost ray at Pythor's tail making the snake yelp and release Negi who rolled to safety.
The girls stood together with Negi as Kaede spoke to Ako and Akira, "You girls can relax. We'll take it from here."
"Ok." Ako said in surprise.
Pythor watched as the girls joined the boy mage, "Well girls, so nice of you to come out and play. Unfortunately I cannot allow you to meddle in my business, boys do away with them."
So the shadow soldiers charged into battle as the girls activated their pactios and took the fight to them. Makie used her ribbon to ensnare two and with a huge tug sent them spinning out of control and fell into a fountain.
"Wow, you see that?" Ako asked Akira who was equally shocked.
Ku and Kaede were using their martial arts moves as Rin was blasting three shadow soldiers with her ice magic. Sayo was flying around firing ghost rays at any shadow soldier that came her way and Kakizaki was using her cheers to boost everyone's power while they fought.
Negi ended up summoning his staff and fired his magical arrows at Pythor who took the blow but shook it off, "Good form Springfield, but how will you handle this?" he extended his hands out sending multiple snakes at Negi who used his speed to dodge any incoming snake bites. When he got up to Pythor he started throwing punches and kicks at him while Pythor tried to trip him off his feet with his tail, but Negi jumped up avoiding the blow.
When Negi tried to throw another punch Pythor suddenly vanished, "What?" he gasped and got attacked form behind.
"Negi!" Ayaka and Ako cried.
Negi got back to his feet hearing Pythor's mocking laughter, "Now how do you intend on attacking someone you can't even see?"
Negi calmed down and thought, 'Need to focus, remember what I learned during training. When facing an opponent who cannot be seen, rely on other senses,' he concentrated until his eyes opened and he grabbed something out of thin air behind him, "Gotcha!" he fired a blast of magic from his palm as Pythor crashed into a tree and became visible again.
"But how?" he groaned.
"Easy I relied on my other senses." Negi smirked while Kaede and Ku smiled.
Pythor looked seeing Negi's partners eliminated the soldiers leaving him outmatched and worn out, "Another time perhaps!" he escaped through a portal.
"No!" Negi called and sighed.
"He's gone." Sayo sighed.
"At least we're all in one piece." Rin replied.
Negi turned and smiled and suddenly saw Ako and Akira approach, "Girls?"
The response he got from the two was multiple questions left from right, until Negi spoke, "Girls, girls please! I'll explain everything, but right now we have to get to Dustin."
"You're right, he could also be facing trouble." Kaede feared.
"Let's go!" Negi ordered as they rushed to find Dustin.
Back with said spirit warrior him and Alistair were still going at it in hand to hand combat firing spirit or shadow attack at each other. Dustin started panting, "He's gotten even stronger since last time! If that's possible!"
Alistair rubbed a bruise on his face before looking at Dustin, "I see you've improved in our last confrontation, and more so when you fought Felix. However I will not let you make a mockery out of me like before!"
"Then what, you'll take on all of us?" a voice said as Zyphon, Mana, Setsuna, Chao, Kazumi, Chizuru, Kasuga, Yuna, Sakurako, Zazie, and Madoka appeared at Dustin side.
"Girls." Dustin gasped.
"It's alright Dustin-kun, we're here with you." Chizuru assured him.
"Give it up Alistair, you can't fight all of us head on." Setsuna warned him.
"I agree, so perhaps I should invite some others to join the party." He said and started concentrating with a dark aura surrounding him.
"What's he doing?" Yuna asked.
"Calling upon the darkness within him." Dustin said.
Suddenly rising up from the ground around Alistair were multiple shadow soldiers, "Yes, I can finally do it!" he chuckled and motioned to his army, "Attack!"
The shadow soldiers took off and the girls started fighting them leaving Alistair and Dustin to once again resume their fighting. Zazie was using her magic on four soldiers, while Chizuru was launching her spirit orbs. Yuna used her spirit basketballs against three while Setsuna sliced and diced two. Chao was using her combat maneuvers combined with firing spirit gun shots while both Zyphon and Mana was shooting all around. Sakurako and Madoka performed their cheer technique to boost the girl's spirit energies up while they fought.
As Dustin and Alistair grappled, one shadow soldier was about to jump Dustin from behind, "Dustin-kun, look out!" Kasuga called.
Before that shadow soldier could attack Dustin it was shot in the back with a magical arrow and was destroyed. Dustin glanced over seeing the magical arrow came from Cocone who smirked.
"Thanks Cocone!" Dustin called as he and Alistair broke their grapple.
As the girls finished off the shadow soldiers, Negi and his group arrived, "Girls!" Negi called.
"Master Negi, you made it!" Zyphon gasped.
"Looks like you cleared everything out here alright." Kaede looked around seeing the shadow soldiers were finished.
"Well we're not done yet." Mana motioned to Alistair and Dustin fighting.
"What do we do?" Akira asked in worry.
"We leave them to it." Zazie answered.
Dustin and Alistair stood on opposite ends covered in bruises, "Alistair this doesn't make any sense. You only went along with Chigusa because you wanted to fight stronger opponents. Now you're working for the Shadow Master just to get stronger to face me?"
"Correct."
"Alistair, quit while you can." Dustin ordered him.
"What?"
"You're not like other dark warriors, not like Felix or Pythor. You're different from them!"
"You don't know anything about me!" Alistair shot back.
"I do know you have heart!" he declared while the girls were surprised at this argument, "If you were truly like Pythor or Felix you would've harmed anyone to get to me, but you never did. Don't follow the Shadow Master, join our side and together we can defeat him!" Dustin encouraged him.
Alistair was surprised as he started lowering his guard until he remembered Ragnarok's words of making him stronger. And that temptation was enough to make him forget Dustin's words. He raised his dark energized fists and spoke, "Sorry but you're the one I need to defeat."
Dustin's eyes went from shocked to determined, "If that's how it is." And the two charged throwing attack after attack before their reared their right arms back powering up.
"Shotgun/Shadow Shot!" the two fired their attacks nailing each other. Both were launched backwards and crashed onto the ground.
"Dustin-kun!" Sakurako and Kazumi cried.
"No!" Negi called.
Alistair groaned seeing Dustin was weakened and thought it would be perfect for him to finish off, until he saw Negi and all the girls defend him, "Dammit! I'll be back!" he faded into a shadow portal.
"Dustin!" the group called gathering around him.
"Are you ok?" Yuna asked win worry.
"Can you hear us?" Chizuru asked in equal worry.
"I'm gonna need a full body cast." He joked and the girls sighed in relief.
"Don't worry Dustin, I'll help you." Konoka said using her healing magic to cure Dustin.
"Wow." Ako and Akira gasped seeing real magic before their eyes.
Soon enough, Konoka's magic started healing Dustin until he was back on his feet good as new, "Yeah! What a recharge!" he stretched.
"Well now that everyone's alright, I believe there's some explaining to do." Kaede said as she motioned to Ako and Akira who still wanted their answers.
Meanwhile back at the lair Pythor and Alistair kneeled before Ragnarok who spoke, "Your performance out there Alistair was indeed unfortunate for it to have ended up this way. However you performed better than I expected, you even had me fooled you were almost considering joining Dustin's side."
"Yes sir." Alistair nodded.
Ragnarok turned to Pythor, "And as for you Pythor, you still lost with your pride still damaged," Pythor cringed, "Keep that up and you will lose more than your pride. Both of you are dismissed for now."
The two rose and started walking away. As they did Pythor spoke to the boy, "You got lucky out there boy, but luck eventually runs out."
"Well next time it won't be luck." Alistair frowned as he went to his own room and locked the door before leaning against it and dropped on his rear sighing in relief.
Back at Mahora, Negi and Dustin had finished going over everything with Ako and Akira, "Wow I never would've guessed Negi was a wizard or Dustin a spirit warrior."
"And you both came here as part of your training?" Akira asked as the boys nodded.
"Negi, you're trying to study to become a great wizard so you could one day see your father the Thousand Master again?" Ako asked.
"That's right."
"And you Dustin are training to become a great spirit warrior like your parents?" Akira asked.
"Correct."
"That's super awesome." Ako admitted with a faint blush.
"Yes, well you two understand why you must keep this a secret from anyone else in class not with us." Negi warned them.
"Don't worry we won't tell anyone." Akira assured him.
"We could never expose your secrets after you did so much for us already." Ako added.
"Thank you girls." Negi smiled.
"Besides, since you and Dustin-kun were willing to share your secrets with us I think I should share one of my own with you." Ako said while the girls minus Rin looked shocked knowing what she was going to do.
The boys and Zyphon watched in confusion as Ako turned around so her back was facing them. Suddenly she started lifting the lower part of the back of her shirt until her back was exposed to them. Dustin, Negi, Rin, and Zyphon were shocked for upon Ako's back was a very large scar reaching from her left shoulder going down to the right side of her waist.
"Ako." Negi gasped.
"My God." Dustin gasped.
Assuming they got a good enough look at it Ako pulled the back of her shirt down and faced them looking a tad embarrassed form what she did, "Yes, that's been with me for a few years actually."
"No wonder you're so nervous about people gazing at your back even if they don't know." Dustin noted.
"Yes. I always have let the thought of people finding out about it scare me." Ako said with watery eyes.
Dustin approached, "Ako I know exactly how you feel about something that makes you look like a freak."
"You do?" she asked.
Dustin nodded and then removed his shirt surprising the two girls as he removed his latex patch exposing his core, "Dustin-kun." Akira gasped.
"Yeah, this was the result of an accident at Harvard. I had to have my heart replaced with this." Dustin explained.
Ako started at the core and spoke, "All of a sudden my scar doesn't seem like it's so bad now."
"I understand your pain Ako," Dustin continued, "But don't worry so much about people finding out, or feeling something like a scar defines who you are just as I don't let this define who I am. If you ever need someone to talk to about something like that don't be afraid to ask me or Negi. Well mostly ask Negi." He winked making her blush.
Dustin put his patch on and his shirt. Chamo then spoke up, "Well that takes care of secret sharing so about the new issue at hand?"
"Chamo's right Negi, Ako and Akira know of both yours and Dustin's secret." Kaede reminded him.
Negi nodded trying to figure out what to do until Ako spoke, "In that case we're going to have to make a pactio with you Negi-kun, me and Akira!" Akira nodded in agreement.
"What?" Negi asked.
"Whoa." Dustin gasped seeing their determination.
"Are you two sure about that?" Ayaka asked.
"Yeah being partners with Negi-kun is serious business." Makie added.
"If someone like you can become his partner Makie, then we sure can too." Akira replied.
"Do you have a problem with it, Negi-kun?" Ako asked.
"Well not really." He admitted.
"Alright then, Chamo." Akira ordered.
"All over it!" Chamo started drawing up the circle, "Ok who wants first dibs?"
"I will," Ako said as she approached Negi as they met in the circle. She lowered herself down to Negi's level gazing into his eyes and thought, 'Negi-kun's so strong and so brave. While this may be mostly his story, perhaps I can make my own story by helping him.'
"Are you ready Ako?" Negi asked.
"Yes, I am Negi-kun." She said leaning forward planting her lips on his as he returned the gesture.
"Pactio!" Chamo called.
The circle released a glow as a card started forming and soon it was finished. Ako and Negi parted with both of them blushing.
"Way to go Ako, that's what I'm talking about!" Yuna gave a thumb's up.
"Here ya go nee-san this is your card as proof of your contract with Aniki." Chamo handed the nurse girl her card.
"Arigato, and if you ever need help in any situation Negi-kun, just call me ok?" Ako asked.
"Of course." Negi nodded.
"And Negi-kun," Ako continued as she surprised him by laying a hand on his cheek stroking it. She smiled and blushed before speaking, "You'll grow up to be a great man," she then thought to herself, 'And a great mage as well.'
Negi blushed and smiled with a nod, "Alright Akira-neesan it's your time to shine." Chamo called Akira over.
The swimming girl took Ako's place inside the pactio circle and cupped the boys face, "Ok Negi-kun, this is it." Akira said as they kissed.
"Pactio!" Chamo called as the card was formed.
The two parted as Negi handed Akira her card which she accepted with a smile and a blush. Dustin smiled seeing his pal gain two more partners until he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around coming face to face with Cocone.
"Cocone?"
"I want to try something." Cocone said as she whistled Domino over who nodded and started drawing up a pactio circle under the two.
"Domino, why're you…" Dustin questioned his familiar until Cocone put a finger to his lips shushing him.
"I want to join you." Was all she said before pressing her lips against his taking both Dustin and everyone else by surprise as Domino called.
"Pactio!"
Cocone felt Dustin's spirit energy merge into her as she received the mark of the spirit warrior under her arm while also receiving a pactio card. The two parted while Dustin was lost for words.
"Cocone, not that I'm not joyed, but why me?"
"I'm already training to be a Magister Magi, so a pactio with a mage wouldn't be enough for me. I want to learn about being a spirit warrior too."
"Well I guess that's cool." Dustin admitted until the girl latched onto his right arm.
"I am now your partner and spirit warrior student Dustin."
"Hey no fair Cocone, how did you suddenly gain an interest in Dustin-kun all of a sudden?!" Kasuga whined.
"All it took was one date to see why you wanted to form a pactio with him Kasuga, now you and I can share him." She answered.
"But I don't wanna share." Kasuga pouted like a child making everyone chuckle.
Two days later at Mahora's gymnasium, on stage were the cheerleaders and Ako giving their concert. Everyone from class and other classes were in the crowds with Dustin, Negi, and their partners up front with Dustin and Negi rocking.
The crowds cheered as Kakizaki spoke into the mike, "Thank you everyone once again for coming to see us; Dekopin Rocket! For our closing song this one's going out to twp special boys we know, you know you who are guys." Kakizaki said as she, Sakurako, Madoka, and Ako winked at Negi and Dustin who blushed to themselves. Soon Kakizaki started singing as the crowds started rocking.
Dustin pumped his arms up in excitement as Cocone mimicked his moves stoically while trying to be like him. This gesture made Dustin blush.
When the song ended the fans roared with applause, cheers, and whistles as Kakizaki spoke into the mike, "Thank you Mahora, and goodnight!"
Meanwhile at the Shadow Master's domain inside the medic room, Diabound now with robotic legs and arms slid off the construction table, "Yes, I can finally walk again!" he took his first step but suddenly found himself wobbling until he fell to the floor with a thud. The shadow soldiers laughed hysterically at his attempts until he frowned at them shutting them up.
He tried to get up on his own but was having difficulty until Ragnarok appeared helping him up, "You must try and take it one step at a time. You just got these new enhancements and must get accustomed to them first before doing anything rash."
Diabound sighed as he sat back down on the table looking at his metal arms and legs knwoing he'd have to get covers for them so they wouldn't be exposed, "Hmm, I may not be able to use my legs, but my magic is returning to me. It may not be much, but it'll plenty enough for this." He closed his eyes as a magical aura surrounded him.
"What's he doing?" A shadow soldier asked Ragnarok.
"Telepathic contact, and knowing him there's only one person he'd contact." Ragnarok smirked.
Back at Mahora at Eva's cottage Rin was asleep in her bed until she started sweating, and began tossing and turning, "No… No… Stay away… Stay away…" she said in her sleep.
Chachamaru who had been walking by the room entered and started shaking her casually until her eyes flung open and she sat up panting, "Do you require assistance, Rin?"
"Just a bad dream Chachamaru," She panted and thought, 'That was too real. Diabound is alive.' She held herself close.
Chachamaru seeing she was calming herself down left the room and saw Evangeline who also heard the princess, "How is she?"
"Bad dream." The gynoid answered.
"About him no doubt," the vampire said to herself before looking at Chachamaru knowing Rin was still awake, "Keep an eye on her."
"As you wish." The robot bowed her head as Eva returned to bed.
Chachamaru kept close vigil over Rin as the girl sat up in bed recalling what happened as she was dreaming.
She was in a void with darkness all around her. Every time Rin tried to make some light with her magic it kept going out, "What's going on? Hello? Anyone here?" she called out but heard nothing until a voice spoke.
"Nobody but me."
Rin looked around feeling scared while holding her staff. Suddenly appearing out of the darkness was Diabound. Rin seeing his new enhancements looked terrified and shocked as he spoke, "Hello, Rin."
"Diabound." She gasped.
"You look as if you've seen a ghost," The sorcerer chuckled as Rin backed away a bit, "You didn't think I'd die that easy did you?" he asked and suddenly he appeared before the princess putting one of his robotic hands on her cheek, "It was my sheer ambition and determination that kept me going all those years while hanging by a whim. But now I've made new friends in life."
"I'm not interested in who you befriend." Rin frowned as she tried blasting him with ice magic but he shook it off.
"Good try, but weak," He held his hand out and she suddenly found herself frozen, "Though in the physical plane I need to get used to these new body enhancements along with full restoration of my magic, so I cannot do much as of now," he caressed her cheek, "But make no mistake once I'm back on my feet and fully ready I will come for you. That is a promise."
Rin frowned as she broke his hold and jumped back glaring at him, "I'm warning you, come near me or Mahora and I will rip you to pieces!
He only laughed, "You talk as if you could actually do that. Although I do feel your magical aura has improved since you were younger. No doubt from the pactio you made with one called Negi Springfield."
"How did you…" Rin was confused as the sorcerer cut her off.
"My new friends have all sorts of knowledge. Knowledge that benefits me very well," he smirked, "So be warned whoever you're currently facing isn't your only problem, but me as well."
Rin continued frowning, "I'll overcome you Diabound, mark my words."
"I'll hold you to it." He faded away.
Rin sighed and thought, 'I need to amp up my own training now more than before.'
Elsewhere at Mahora's academy dorms inside the room belonging to Makie and Ako, the two girls already in their pajamas were already in their bunk with Makie on top and Ako on the bottom. Exiting the bathroom was Negi in his own pajamas.
The boy yawned, "Ok I'm ready."
"It's cool you could stay over here with us Negi-kun." Makie smiled while looking down from the top bunk.
"Well now that both you and Ako are my partners Makie, I can come over here more often without having to keep a secret from any of you two." Negi rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
Ako giggled as opened up a spot next to her, "Well come on Negi-kun, bedtime."
Negi nodded as he walked over and got into bed with Ako as the nurse girl pulled the covers over both of them, "Goodnight, Ako."
"Goodnight, Negi-kun." She smiled and kissed his forhead as they fell asleep with Ako holding Negi close to her not wanting to let go.
(And that's the chapter folks. And with this Negi has two additional partners and Dustin acquire one addition. What new adventures await the two boys and their partners from this point on? Wait and see.)